Dr John, was born at Writtle, in Essex, in 1593. He practised physic at Colchester, but, being a man of warm imagination, and a good Latin scholar, applied himself to writing books against popery. About the year 1633 he printed in Holland a Latin treatise, entitled Elenchus Religiosum Papistiae, with Flagellum Pontificis et Episcoporum Latialium; in which the English prelates thinking themselves also aimed at, he was fined L1000 in the High Commission Court, excommunicated, prohibited from practising physic, while his books were ordered to be burnt, and the author himself consigned to prison until he made a recantation. Instead of recanting, however, he wrote in prison, Apologeticus ad Prasules Anglicanos, and another book called The Litany, in which he exclaimed vehemently against the proceedings of that arbitrary court, and taxed the bishops with an inclination towards popery. Pryme and Burton coming under the lash of the Star-chamber court at the same time, they were all censured as scandalous and seditious persons, condemned to pay a fine of L5000 each, to be set in the pillory, to lose their ears, and to undergo perpetual imprisonment in three remote parts of the kingdom. The parliament in 1640 reversed these proceedings, and ordered Dr Bastwick a reparation of L5000 out of the estates of the commissioners and lords who had persecuted him. The civil commotions which ensued prevented his receiving this solatium for his sufferings; but, in 1644, his wife had an allowance ordered for her own and her husband's maintenance. What became of him afterward is not known.