Freeke William

Freeke William was born about the year 1663. He wrote A Dialogue, in the Way of Question and Answer, concerning the Deity; and A brief but clear Confutation of the Trinity. Copies of the latter were sent, under cover, to several members of both Houses of Parliament. Their attention being thus drawn to the subject, it was thought necessary that some means should be adopted, for preventing the publication of such works. A vote was accordingly passed by the House of Lords, January 3rd, 1693, declaring the above-mentioned treatise to be an infamous and scandalous libel; and it was ordered to be burnt by the common hangman, in Old Palace Yard, Westminster. A similar mode of expressing its disapprobation was adopted by the House of Commons; and an inquiry was instituted respecting the author, printer and publisher, whom the Attorney-General was instructed to prosecute. The author was sentenced to pay a fine of five hundred pounds; to find security for his good behaviour during three years; and to make a recantation in the Four Courts of Westminster Hall.

(Vidend. Toulmirit Hist . View of the State of the Protestant Dissenters in England, from the Revolution to the Accession of Queen Anne, Chap. ii. Sect . ii. pp. 176, 177; and References.)