Webberley John , Fellow of Lincoln College, Oxford, was the son of Thomas Webberley, of East Kirbey, in Lincolnshire. He took his degree of B. D., Jan. 30th, 1640; and even then had the reputation of being a thorough Socinian. He translated into English several Socinian books, some of which he published without his name; but what they were does not appear. Like Lord Falkland and Chillingworth, he was a strenuous advocate of the royal cause, after the breaking out of the Civil War. In the year 1648, he suffered much for his loyalty, first by imprisonment, and afterwards by expulsion from the University. Wood, who mentions these things in his "Fasti Oxonienses," (II. 901,) refers to L. i. p. 405 of the Latin Version of his own " History and Antiquities of the University of Oxford." In that work, Wood writes as follows. "1648, April 17, Monday. The visiters commanded a mad woman to be whipt for calling them roundheads and rebels (Rebelles et Capite rotundos). Mr. Thomas Smith, also of Magdall. Coll. and Mr. Webberley, of Lincoln, were committed to Bridewell for speaking boldly to, and uttering rash words against them; and especially for that Webberley did presume to take his commons in the Hall, after they had suspended him from his office of Sub-rector and the emoluments of his place." Dr. Walker, a Churchman of the school of Sacheverell, and worthy of the highest form, has mentioned Mr. Webberley, in his "Sufferings of the Clergy." He has all his information from Wood, adding, "I should have been glad to omit him, because he was esteemed by all a high-flown Socinian, and had translated several books of that kind into English, some of which he published without his name, and had others of them lying by him in his study, which the visiters seized: So that his expulsion wanted nothing but a lawful authority, to make it a most commendable act." (Attempt, &c. 1714, Pt. ii. p. 121.)

Cheynell, in the Dedication of his "Rise, Progress and Danger of Socinianisme" to "Lord Say and Seale," after complimenting his Lordship on his government of Oxford, which the Parliament had committed to his charge, proceeds to the following vindication of his own conduct, in an early seizure of Mr. Webberley's papers. "When I was commanded by speciall warrant to attend your Honour, (deputed by both Houses of Parliament for the service of the King and Parliament to settle peace and truth in the University of Oxford, and to reduce the said University to its ancient order, right Discipline, and to restore it to its former priviledges and liberties) there was notice given of a pestilent book very prejudiciall both to truth and peace, and upon search made, the book was found in the chamber of Mr. Webberley, who had translated this Socinian Master-peece into English for his own private use, as he pretended; to which vain excuse I replyed that I made no question but he understood the book in Latine, and therefore had he intended it only for his own private use, he might have saved the paines of translating it. Besides the Frontispiece of the book under Mr. Webberlies own hand did testify to his face that it was translated into English for the benefit of the Nation. Moreover there was an Epistle to the Reader prefixed before the booke (I never heard of any man yet that wrote an Epistle to himselfe); and therefore sure he intended to print it. Finally, he submits all to the consideration of these times of Reformation, and the Reformers have thought fit that it should be answered and published. I desired at the first Intimation to decline the service, because it were better to confute Socinianisme in Latine; but I have since considered that —1. The opinions of Abailardus, Servetus, Socinus, are already published in English in a book entitled Mr. Wottons Defence against Mr. Walker, and therefore if this Treatise had been suppressed, their opinions would not be unknown, for they are already divulged. 2. The opinions being published in English without a confutation, it is very requisite that there should be some Refutation of the errours published also, for it is not fit that a bedlam should goe abroad without a Keeper. 3. If there be but just suspition of a Designe to introduce damnable heresies, it is requisite that the grounds of suspition should be manifested, especially if it be such a pestilent heresy as Socinianisme is (which corrupts the very vitalls of Church and State) it is fit the heresy should be early discovered lest both Church and State be ruined by it. 4. The Parliament is much blamed for imprisoning the Translatour without cause: and it is much wondered at that his Chamber should be searched by officers: now the cause of both will appear. The Translatour and his work were so famous that there was notice given of his good service intended to this Nation, upon notice given there was a search made, now upon search made the book being found, and the Translatour apprehended, the Parliament is rather guilty of his release than of his Imprisonment. 5. The Translatour cannot complain of the publishing of it, because (as hath been shewn) he himself intended to publish it, he submits all to these times of Reformation, and so doe I, let the Reformers judge. This book belongs to your Honour, because it is but a Prodromus, or Fore-runner to make way for a full answer to Master Webberley Translation, and therefore I present it to you, not only because Master Webberley book was seised on by your Lordships warrant; but because I know your Honour hath ever patronized the true Protestant Religion." (The Epistle Dedicatory.) At the conclusion of Chapter iv., in which Mr. Cheynell discusses the question, "Whether England hath been, or still is in danger to be farther infected with Socinianisme," he returns to Mr. Webberley. "Of all that I have met with, none comes neer Mr. Webberley, a Batchelor of Divinity, and fellow of Lincolne Colledge, who hath translated a Socinian book into English, for the benefit of this Nation, and prepared it for the presse. Now they think they may own the businesse, they dare appear in their proper colours, and blaspheme Christ in plaine English. But because some parts of Socinianisme strike directly at the superstition of Rome, so highly extolled in our dayes, and at the pompe of the Clergy, which must be maintained by the sword (for what care they though England swimme in blood, so they swimme in wealth and pleasure?) therefore Mr. Webberley tells us very honestly, that Socinianisme was to be corrected and chastised with respect to the nature of our climate; What need I adde more?" (Pp. 46, 47.)

To the real honour of Socinianism, but to its disgrace in the eyes of this self-complacent Divine, one of the tenets held by some of its most strenuous advocates was the unlawfulness of war; and he rallies Mr. Webberley upon this point, insinuating that he "may be so farre irrational! as to be of the Councell of warre, which no strict Socinian would allow." (P. 47.)

(Vidend. Wood, Fasti Oxon. l. c. Hist . et Antiq. Univ. Oxon. l. c. WaOter't Attempt, l. c. CheyneWi Rise, Progress and Danger of Socinianism, l. c Mon. Rep. Vol. X. (1815) pp. 82, 83. 498, 499; Vol. Xn. (1817) pp. 594, 595.)