y was plentifully contributed to build a
meeting house for him. His influence among the common people was such
that the government would willingly have bestowed on him some municipal
office: but his vigorous understanding and his stout English heart were
proof against all delusion and all temptation. He felt assured that
the proffered toleration was merely a bait intended to lure the Puritan
party to destruction; nor would he, by accepting a place for which he
was not legally qualified, recognise the validity of the dispensing
power. One of the last acts of his virtuous life was to decline an
interview to which he was invited by an agent of the government. [256]

Great as was the authority of Bunyan with the Baptists, that of William
Kiffin was still greater. Kiffin was the first man among them in wealth
and station. He was in the habit of exercising his spiritual gifts at
their meetings: but he did not live by preaching. He traded largely; his
credit on the Exchange of London stood high; and he had accumulated an
ample fortune. Perhaps no man could, at that conjuncture, have rendered
more valuable services to the Court. But between him and the Court was
interposed the remembrance of one terrible event. He was the grandfather
of the two Hewlings, those gallant youths who, of all the victims of the
Bloody Assizes, had been the most generally lamented. For the sad fate
of one of them James was in a peculiar manner responsible. Jeffreys had
respited the younger brother. The poor lad's sister had been ushered
by Churchill into the royal presence, and had begged for mercy; but the
King's heart had been obdurate. The misery of the whole family had been
great: but Kiffin was most to be pitied. He was seventy years old when
he was left desolate, the survivor of those who should have survived
him. The heartless and venal sycophants of Whitehall, judging by
themselves, thought that the old man would be easily propitiated by
an Alderman's gown, and by some compensation in money for the property
which his grandsons had forfeited. Penn was employed in the work of
seduction, but to no purpose. The King determined to try what effect
his own civilities would produce. Kiffin was ordered to attend at the
palace. He found a brilliant circle of noblemen and gentlemen assembled.
James immediately came to him, spoke to him very graciously, and
concluded by saying, "I have put you down, Mr. Kiffin, for an Alderman
of London." The old man looke