Ludovick Muggleton (1609–1698)

Ludovick Muggleton was an English religious dissenter who, with John Reeve, founded the small sect later called the Muggletonians. He presented himself as a divinely appointed prophet and became known for sharp denunciations and public “curses” directed at opponents. Most controversially, he claimed to be one of Revelation 11’s “two witnesses,” treating that apocalyptic passage as a personal credential rather than a summons to faithful endurance under God’s authority.

The Old Bailey Trial, London (17 January 1677)

On January 17, 1677, London brought Muggleton to trial at the Old Bailey, the city’s principal criminal court, for blasphemous and seditious speech. In a tense post–Civil War environment—when authorities feared disorder as much as doctrinal error—religious rhetoric that challenged public peace was treated as a civic threat. The court sentenced him to stand in the pillory on three days in three parts of the city, imposed a heavy £500 fine (or imprisonment if unpaid), and ordered his books burned by the hangman. The punishments were meant to shame the offender, warn the public, and extinguish his influence by destroying his writings.

Scripture, Witness, and Discernment

The episode is a sober reminder that spiritual claims must be weighed by God’s Word, not by personal certainty, charisma, or bold speech. “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world.” (1 John 4:1) Even zeal can become self-exalting when a person assumes titles and authority God has not given.

Courage with Humility and Charity

There is a kind of heroism in standing for truth, but Christian courage is never a license for contempt. Public cursing and spiritual posturing contradict the meekness Christ commends. “But He gives us more grace. That is why it says: ‘God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’” (James 4:6) The church is called to bold faith that suffers well, speaks carefully, and keeps love and repentance close—so that zeal is purified into witness, and conviction matures into charity.