to regain his throne. Fisher, described as "pastor of Marye's Salop", was one of 57 ministers to sign a document entitled A Testimony of the Ministers in the Province of Salop to the Truth of Jesus Christ and to the Solemn League and Covenant: as also against the Errors, Heresies and Blasphemies of these times and the Toleration of them. This was a denunciation by committed Presbyterians of Independency or Congregationalism, an alternative Puritan model of church government that did away with structures above the local level. While Betton and Blake were also prominent among the signatories, Paget, Mackworth's own parish minister, did not sign. After Pride's Purge, the army coup that removed the moderate Presbyterians from the House of Commons, Mackworth backed the regicide and was an enthusiastic supporter of the Commonwealth of England. Fisher and Blake remained with the Presbyterian mainstream, as the Covenant had envisaged a Presbyterian national Church with the monarch as its head. However, the Presbyterian polity in Shropshire withered rapidly, with only the fourth classis remaining as a fully functioning structure. This was based on Whitchurch and Wem, although often known as the Bradford North Classis, after the hundred in which it fell, and was dominated by the stalwart Presbyterian Sir John Corbet, one of the purged MPs. At Shrewsbury open division came with Parliament's imposition in March 1650 of the Oath of Engagement: "I do declare and promise, that I will be true and faithful to the Commonwealth of England, as it is now established, without a King or House of Lords." This was so clearly at odds with the Covenant that it was impossible for Fisher and Blake to subscribe. They preached against it, while Paget took to his pulpit and wrote for the opposite side. Early notice of the English Council of State's determination to impose the Engagement at Shrewsbury came from the handling of Fisher's old friend and relative Sir Robert Harley, who had refused to subscribe. A staunch Parliamentarian, he wrote to Mackworth, also a relative, asking permission to retire to Shrewsbury. Mackworth, however, was not free to allow him to settle, and on 8 May turned down his request. I have received yours of the 29th of April wherein you intimate your desire of coming to reside in tins garrison. I acquainted your servant Shilton with my resolution of adhering to the present government. I am now entrusted