the church faced hostility from the authorities, and migrated to southwark where jessey became a preacher at st george the martyr church and then under cromwell, it is claimed, rector. he travelled in november 1639 to set up with william wroth, an independent church at llanfaches, monmouthshire. he was imprisoned, with members of his congregation, in august 1641. he became a baptist in 1645, under the influence of hanserd knollys.