| OCR Text |
Show Ill tracts and books, that London was the home of John Lathrop, that Bishop Laud had a careful watch put on Lathrop, and that when Lathrop was arrested and taken !..-» trial before the High Commission, at the trial iiistiop Laud testified that in Lathrop's meeting there vicrv found printed books which, Laud charged, spoke <jjidinst the Anglican church. From Reverend Lathrop's own journal entries and from biographical remembrances of those who knew him or of him, we recognize him as a formidable Puritan leader with a deep commitment to freedom of religion. Moreover, after his arrival in America where Puritans were known to squabble amongst themselves, contending over religious issues, his devotion to the cause of freedom of religion went beyond his own sectarian views, for he was known to be far more tolerant of opposing religious views than is generally ascribed to the historical Puritan personality. Had he been present some three hundred years later when President Dwight D. Eisenhower reminded America that Lnis nation is founded on a deeply felt religious uiil.h, whether it is Catholic, Jew or Protestant, John Lathrop would have understood., |
