Henry Jacob is a commanding figure in Congregational annals.[448] Originally a clergyman in the county of Kent, he had written in defence of the Church of England, but afterwards, perhaps influenced by an answer to his book from the pen of Francis Johnson, a zealous separatist, he warmly espoused the cause of Nonconformity.[449] To him has been attributed a tract, published in 1609, entitled: "An Humble Supplication for Toleration and Liberty to enjoy and observe the Ordinances of Jesus Christ in the Administration of His Churches in lieu of Human Constitutions." In this publication it is maintained, that "our Lord Jesus hath given to each particular church or ordinary congregation this right and privilege, namely, to elect, ordain, and deprive her own ministers; and to exercise all the other parts of lawful ecclesiastical jurisdiction under Him." Toleration is sought in order that "each particular church may put in execution this her particular privilege;" but, the writer adds: "We do humbly beseech your Majesty not to think, that by our suit, we make an overture and way for toleration unto Papists, our suit being of a different nature from theirs. The inducements thereof, such as cannot conclude aught in favour of them, whose doctrine is heresy, and a profession directly contrary to the lawful state and government of free countries and kingdoms, as your Majesty hath truly and judiciously observed."[450] In other tracts which bear Henry Jacob's name,[451] he explained his views of Independency, and in accordance with them he founded a church in the year 1616. The ceremony connected with the institution is described as consisting of fasting and prayer, and the joining together of the hands of the members as they solemnly covenanted to walk together in all God's ways and ordinances, according as He had already revealed them, or should further make them known. Jacob was succeeded in the pastorship of the Congregational Church by John Lathrop,[452] who suffered from the tyranny of the High Commission Court. With reference to the proceedings carried on against him and certain members of his flock, some fresh information may be gathered from one of the Rawlinson MSS. As it illustrates both the extent to which private meetings of the Separatists were carried, and the interruption which they experienced, we will here introduce a few passages from that curious document. [Sidenote: _Persecution of Congregationalists._]