Paul Best
Encyclopedia
Paul Best was one of the first British converts to the "Socinian" Polish Brethren
, and one of the first Unitarians
to be imprisoned.
Best studied at Jesus College, Cambridge
, graduating B.A. in 1609-10 and M.A. in 1613. He was made a fellow of St Catharine's College, Cambridge
in 1617. In April 1617 he inherited the family manor at Elmswell, East Riding of Yorkshire
, a part of which he sold to finance his travels in Europe from 1620's to the 1630s, as an adventurer and mercenary who had fought under Gustavus Adolphus at the Battle of Lützen (1632)
. He then returned to England and fought in the Parliamentary Army during 1644 - the year King Charles I lost control of Yorkshire.
It is not clear at what point Best visited Poland and Transylvania and was exposed to Socinian belief. It may also be that he studied Socinian teaching in Germany. It is also not clear whether the Socinians being conscientious objectors had any relation or not to Best's military career being brought to an end. Best visited Europe again in the 1640s, but also had contact with Socinians in London.
In 1644 Best made the mistake of showing a manuscript work on the Trinity to a supposed friend, the Rev. Roger Ley, "for his judgment and advice only" who informed on Best and Best was then charged with antitrinitarianism and on February 14, 1644 incarcerated at the Gatehouse, Westminster making two petitions to Parliament in April 1646 and August 1646 During 1647 he may have had free contact with another prisoner at the Gatehouse, Westminster, and another early convert to Socinian belief, John Biddle
. It was at this point that Best published the appeal for which his name is remembered Mysteries discovered - both an appeal for his release and restoration of a modest military pension, but more dangerously an open acknowledgement of Socinian teaching and an attack on the doctrine of the Trinity as the iniquity of 2 Thessalonians 2:7.
His work was smuggled out of gaol, printed, and then seized and burned. Parliament then sentenced Best to death, but, with the assistance of former comrades in arms in the Parliamentary Army, and probably with the personal assistance of Oliver Cromwell
he was released, secured his pension, and retired to Elmswell.
He died 17 September 1657 at Great Driffield
, Yorkshire.
Polish Brethren
The Polish Brethren were members of the Minor Reformed Church of Poland, a Nontrinitarian Protestant church that existed in Poland from 1565 to 1658...
, and one of the first Unitarians
Unitarianism
Unitarianism is a Christian theological movement, named for its understanding of God as one person, in direct contrast to Trinitarianism which defines God as three persons coexisting consubstantially as one in being....
to be imprisoned.
Best studied at Jesus College, Cambridge
Jesus College, Cambridge
Jesus College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge, England.The College was founded in 1496 on the site of a Benedictine nunnery by John Alcock, then Bishop of Ely...
, graduating B.A. in 1609-10 and M.A. in 1613. He was made a fellow of St Catharine's College, Cambridge
St Catharine's College, Cambridge
St. Catharine’s College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Founded in 1473, the college is often referred to informally by the nickname "Catz".-History:...
in 1617. In April 1617 he inherited the family manor at Elmswell, East Riding of Yorkshire
Elmswell, East Riding of Yorkshire
Elmswell is a hamlet in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. It is situated approximately north west of the town of Driffield. It lies just to the south of the A166 road.It forms part of the civil parish of Garton on the Wolds.-References:...
, a part of which he sold to finance his travels in Europe from 1620's to the 1630s, as an adventurer and mercenary who had fought under Gustavus Adolphus at the Battle of Lützen (1632)
Battle of Lützen (1632)
The Battle of Lützen was one of the most decisive battles of the Thirty Years' War. It was a Protestant victory, but cost the life of one of the most important leaders of the Protestant alliance, Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden, which caused the Protestant campaign to lose direction.- Prelude to the...
. He then returned to England and fought in the Parliamentary Army during 1644 - the year King Charles I lost control of Yorkshire.
It is not clear at what point Best visited Poland and Transylvania and was exposed to Socinian belief. It may also be that he studied Socinian teaching in Germany. It is also not clear whether the Socinians being conscientious objectors had any relation or not to Best's military career being brought to an end. Best visited Europe again in the 1640s, but also had contact with Socinians in London.
In 1644 Best made the mistake of showing a manuscript work on the Trinity to a supposed friend, the Rev. Roger Ley, "for his judgment and advice only" who informed on Best and Best was then charged with antitrinitarianism and on February 14, 1644 incarcerated at the Gatehouse, Westminster making two petitions to Parliament in April 1646 and August 1646 During 1647 he may have had free contact with another prisoner at the Gatehouse, Westminster, and another early convert to Socinian belief, John Biddle
John Biddle (Unitarian)
John Biddle or Bidle was an influential English nontrinitarian, and Unitarian. He is often called "the Father of English Unitarianism".- Life :...
. It was at this point that Best published the appeal for which his name is remembered Mysteries discovered - both an appeal for his release and restoration of a modest military pension, but more dangerously an open acknowledgement of Socinian teaching and an attack on the doctrine of the Trinity as the iniquity of 2 Thessalonians 2:7.
His work was smuggled out of gaol, printed, and then seized and burned. Parliament then sentenced Best to death, but, with the assistance of former comrades in arms in the Parliamentary Army, and probably with the personal assistance of Oliver Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell was an English military and political leader who overthrew the English monarchy and temporarily turned England into a republican Commonwealth, and served as Lord Protector of England, Scotland, and Ireland....
he was released, secured his pension, and retired to Elmswell.
He died 17 September 1657 at Great Driffield
Driffield
Driffield, also known as Great Driffield, is a market town and civil parish in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. The civil parish is formed by the town of Driffield and the village of Little Driffield....
, Yorkshire.