The affair, it seems, could not possibly be hushed up; Biddle was committed to Poultry Compter, and then to Newgate, and his trial came on at the Old Bailey, again under the Blasphemy Ordinance of 1648.
Having, with difficulty, been allowed counsel, he put in legal objections, and the trial was adjourned till next term.

Meanwhile London was greatly agitated.

The Presbyterians and the orthodox generally were eager for Biddle's conviction; but a very considerable number of persons, including not only Biddle's own followers and free-thinkers of other sorts, but also some Independent and Baptist ministers, whose orthodoxy was beyond suspicion, bestirred themselves in his behalf.

Pamphlets appeared in that interest, one entitled _The Spirit of Persecution again broken loose against Mr.John Biddle_, and a numerously signed petition was addressed to Cromwell, requesting his merciful interference.

The Petition, as we learn from _Mercurius Politicus_, was very badly managed.