"For it is not as hard a task to gratify the indigent and distressed, as to bear up against and to dare to incur the anger of the powerful."

It may perhaps be argued that believers baptism smacked too much of Anabaptism, a name which could still inspire horror and disgust. However, the actions of the Helwys congregation clearly demonstrate that they were unswayed by considerations of safety or popularity. They had chosen to be a tiny remnant of ten people rather than compromise their theological position. They had chosen to return to England and face persecution, a decision that cost Helwys his life. Two or three

Shortly after his return to England Helwys published a little book entitled The mistery of Iniquity , which set forth for the first time in England the concept of complete religious freedom. With rare courage the former country squire of Broxtowe Hall sent a copy of his new book with an inscription to King James I. In words as eloquent as they are bold, Helwys admonished the king to heed a principle that must have been strange to one of James's background.