Richard Baxter Examined (1685-1686)
In 1685 Charles II died and his Catholic brother James II became King. On his accession there was renewed persecution against Nonconformists. Baxter, by this time a very sick and decrepit 70 year old, was the chosen target to make an example of. He was arrested under the warrant of Judge Jeffries for publishing a seditious book called, ‘Paraphrase of the New Testament’; a ludicrous charge. He was examined in Westminster Hall where the King's Bench sat.