The influence of the early English Baptists on the development of the concept of religious liberty

To interpret the possible impact of the Leveler movement and to understand the nature of this party of revolt, one must first know the character of its leaders, as well as the content and derivation of their ideals. Hence without the near martyrdom and popular image of John Lil- burne, the exactness and innuence in debating of John Wildman, the agi- tating leadership of Edward Sexby, the democratic zeal of Richard Over- ton, and the organization and clarifications of William Walwyn, the Leveller movementwould never have attained its form and influence