Here follows a Relation, in the next place, of several passages and actings by creatures, in a way of love and hatred, some frowning, few smiling; ma­ny rejecting, few receiving: manifested from the first day, to the last day of my abode there in Corn­wal, in the West. Also, of my imprisonment in Bridewel, and my enlargment therefrom.

I Shall now begin the Relation of my first coming to Captain Langdons house, where there came many of Captain Lang­dons acquaintance, to see them at their first coming home; and most of them gave me but a sowre greeting, they having been informed before concerning my Spirit, as it was reported to me afterwards; but they frowningly and dissemblingly sa­luted me, though their hearts were against me, as many of them made it to appear largely afterwards; and some became loving friends among them, that loved me not when I first came; but I seeing these unlovely carriages from the most part of them that came there that evening and afternoon, it made me very thoughtful what it would produce. I sate down in the room a while, where I heard many discourses from them to one a­nother, and with Captain Langdon; and I not relishing the discourse, had a minde to walk in the Garden by my self, and [Page 12]so I did a while; wherein the Lord gave me much of his loving-welcome, and kinde salutations, saying, Though thou seest many frown on thee, it shall not make thee sad; for thy Saviour will smile on thy soul in all conditions: and that saying made my heart revive presently; and then the Lord gave me that Scrip­ture-saying, This he requires of thee, To deal justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with thy God, Micah 6.8. then I said, Lord, what am I to do here? The Lord said, I require this, that thou holdest out a just, upright walk with God before all people; and in these parts thou shalt manifest the free justification received of the Father by the Spirit through Christ to poor souls; telling them thy experiences there: and thou shalt declare the mercy of thy God, and thy love to it, by shewing thy experiences thereof, which thou hast had in divers maners discovered to thee. Here are some tempted souls, said the Lord, that must be comforted through thy temptations; the mercy thou foundst therein, tell them: love mercy in every kinde of it. This saying I had also from the last words of the verse, Walk humbly with thy God: these things he requires of the just, doing and walk­ing, mercy, loving, and a humble deportment in all thou doest: then I said, Lord, make me humble: said the Lord, I will make thee humble through sufferings; the Lord thy God be­gun it in thee, when he manifested thy salvation to thee, to be freely given thee, making thee see thy self, the worst of sinners; and he humbled thee more in Satans prison, and he hath brought thee here to humble thee more; for he will teach thee much of his secrets.

Then my heart was melted as I was thus under divine speakings in the Garden, and I said, Lord, if thou wilt make me a partaker of more of that lovely clothing of humility; then, then, Lord, I will not matter what I suffer here in this world below: then the Lord said, Thou must suffer many wayes: then I said, Lord, balance me with thy word: the Lord said, What word wouldst thou have? I said, What thou pleasest: then the Lord said, Thou shalt have the same word as I gave to my servant Abraham; I told him when he went he knew not whither, that I would be his shield and exceeding great reward, Gen. 15.1. And as I was, said the Lord, to the father of the faith­ful, so I will be to the children, they having the same faith, as faith­ful Abraham had, I will give such the same promises: then I said, Lord, I fall short of his faith. said the Lord, I look not on the quantity [Page 13]so much as at the quality; I looking at the truth of it, it bearing the same stamp with that of Abrahams, which was the stamp of divine power and Spirit: therefore take the same promise: thou art come into a strange country, among many that don't affect thee, and thou art like to suffer by them; but fear not, I thy God have not onely given thee faith, as ashield; but I am thy shield and exceeding great reward; I am a double shield to thee, said the Lord, so I was to Abraham, a shield within a shield: therefore fear not any enemy; but look unto thy shield and buckler, and defence, for so Je­hovah is to thee. And the Lord brought to me those Scriptures that he gave me when he made me willing to go the journey, as that saying, He would go with me, and that bis Spirit and presence should accompany me, and that he would uphold me with the right hand of his righteousness: which Scriptures were much enlarged on my Spirits, as I thus walked alone in the Garden: and I had such sweetness from the Lord through the Scriptures, that it made my heart much af­fected with my journey, and my Spirit leapt within me, and re­joyced that I was come into a country where I should suffer for the testimony of Jesus; and I had at that time such cordials from the Lord, that I could have walked many hours in that Garden; but Captain Langdons man came, and desired me to walk into the room where his Masters acquaintance were; For it may be they would not take it well, he said, if I did not come and sit in the room with them. I was very unwilling; for my communion in the Garden was so delightful to me; yet through much entreaty by him, I went. I told him, I could the better bear their sowre countenances, and girding expressions, now I had drunk of divine cordials, then I could before, when I first saw them, at my coming into the house.

So I went into the room among them, that did not care for my company, and I heard many expressions concerning visions. I perceived what and who they aimed at; I sate silent among them; there was Major Bawden and his Wife, they were strangers then to me; but they spake very friend-like to me; and it was not in Tongue, but in Heart, as afterward appeared: and there was Mr. Vinson and his Wife, my very loving friends they declared themselves to be: Mrs. Vinson came to me then, and [Page 14]said, Pray come to my house; for I entertain you upon a Scripture-a count, which adviseth to be kinde to strangers; and what gain they had in old time, that in entertaining strangers, they enter­tained Angels unawares. Thus she instanced the Scripture, which made her to speak to me, a poor, undeserving crea­ture to be thus taken notice of; and indeed, I felt humility in my heart springing up much, when she thus spoke: I lookt on my self unworthy of such a word, or loving expression to me; but my Father caused that friend, though a stranger, to shew me kindness.

Again, further, This evening being spent, I went to my lodging, where the Lord smiled on me, and made it a lovely night, and I was no whit weary after so long a journey; but had refreshing rest; and in the morning Mrs. Langdon came to see me; but I had no minde to rise out of my bed: and that day the Lord fill'd me with much joy and singing; and I was in the Spirit with my friends at London, who broke bread that day; and I was filled with apprehensions of Christ, the eternal Sabbath, and the glorious Rest, and the first-day-Resurrection, how glorious all this was, meeting in Christ the Saviour and Deliverer from all bondage and inthralment: and my heart was much with my friends in that Ordinance of breaking bread; I partook of that sweet supper with them in the Spirit. And thus I spent that first day that I came to Tregasow, which was the first day of the first week that I took up my abiding there; much of Christs Death and Resurrection was lively presented to me, and I sang forth his praises. And the second day my heart was heat also with the flame of love, which many wa­ters cannot quench, as the spouse saith in the Canticles, so I felt it; for all that day I had the Spirits flame, as I had the day before, it being their meeting day; those particulars they first thought upon in their beginning that meeting, which were the uniting of Saints in that bond of love, as those were in formerly, in the primitive times, and that they might be of one heart and one minde; and that knowledge might cover the earth, as water the sea: and that Jew and Gentile-fulness might be brought in, and the Kingdom restored to this old Is­rael, [Page 15]which was the first married Wife, as it's recorded in Scri­pture. And that Judges and Rulers might be as at the begin­ning, as Moses, and Joshua, and as Samuel, and Gideon, and o­ther faithful ones, as is made mention of in Scripture. And I besought the Lord for these things, and for the reign of Christ, in, and by which, these things should be brought forth: and for this, every one, professing the Lord, ought to pray. And thus I spent the second day: and it was very sweet to me, and fitted me for what I was to suffer in those parts. And after that se­cond day, my heart was carried on very chearfully in the ap­prehensions of the Lords presence still with me, and I had a great deal of tenderness from my friends I went down with, who were as a tender Father and Mother to me at all times; and in suffering, their tenderness and care of me exceeded, it abounded as my sufferings abounded: and many that were at the first strange in their carriages to me, after I had been there a while, they were very loving to me; and I had great kindness from the whole family, where I abode, till the wills of men fetcht me away with their Souldiers.

Further, I shall give people to know, that after I had been a week and a few dayes there, I was desired to go to Truro to hear the Lecture that was kept there every third day; so I did: and that morming before we went, there came a Letter, which after we had prayed, was read; wherein a Gentleman at Truro, invited Captain Langdon, and his Wife, and my self to his house; the which invitation, we looked upon as answer of prayer, it coming so suitable to those requests put up to the Lord that morning. And we went to Truro, and heard the Sermon; and that day, there preacht one Mr. Allen, a young man, who spake of many things from the I verse of the 8 of the Romans. And when the Sermon was ended, we went home with Mrs. Hill to dinner, her husband having invited us by writing, the which I mentioned. And after dinner, there came many to see me, some out of good-will, and love to what they had heard was of God in me, and others came to gaze, and o­thers to catch at my words, so as to reproach me; but the Lord taught me how to speak before them all: as in the presence of the great God I spake, who is my Father, who alwaies shewed [Page 16]me kindness, and did then before those several sorts of peo­ple. I seeing many come into the room, and Mr. Powel a Teacher in those parts, came in with his Wife, and another woman, so that being there, I thought to be silent; but some desiring to have me speak, I said, I was loth to speak before that critical-pated man, who would take my words and put his own sence upon them, and so insnare me; and it proved according as I said: but when I had sat a while, and saw so great a room full of people, who desired I should give an account for their edification and satisfactions, what God had done for my soul: there ha­ving gone such a rumour abroad concerning me, some saying one thing, and some another, it was therefore thought con­venient to speak something among that great company of peo­ple that was come to my friends house; and the Lord bring­ing that word also, which is recorded by the Apostle, 1 Pet. 3.15. which is, to be ready to give an account at all times, when required, of the hope that is in me. And I being desired to speak, I thought it my duty, though at the first I refused; and when I began to speak, I said to Captain Langdon, who was then discoursing with that Mr. Power I mentioned, I said, I remember a word from Mr. Bridges of Yarmouth, which was, That we must still either be doing or receiving good: And, said I, here is neither of these among us; and I repeated a word I told them Mr. Greenhil once said to one whom he desired, with many of that Congregation then present, who desired experiences to be imparted to them, using that word of David's, who said, Come you that fear God, and I will tell you what God hath done for my soul: and then I took up Paul's speech he used before Agrippa, having been falsly accused by many, he declares the manner of his life from his youth, Acts 26. And so to others he said, How he had walked in all good conscience before the Lord unto that day he then spoke it, Acts 23. I used these words of the Apostle, and said, This was his practice, when false rumours had gone concerning him; and being that people had reported many things which were very contrary concerning me, I thought it requisite to acquaint them there present with the Lords dealings concerning me from my Childhood.

And I told them, the first conviction I had at nine yeers old; and how I remained under a formal work; and then how I [Page 17]was brought into a despairing condition, and was so a while: and then I told them, the Work of Free-grace on me, and the Testimony of the Spirit, bearing witness to my Spirit, that I was in union with the Father, Son and Spirit: and I told them of my desertions and temptations, and of Satans many cun­ning wiles, and of freedom many times therefrom: and I re­lated my fit of sickness which was cured in believing, that I had eight yeers ago; and I related the time and manner of my coming into Church order: and likewise I told them the first bringing of my Spirit into this extraordinary praying and sing­ing, and visions, was six weeks before Dunbar-fight in Scotland, which was a beginning three yeers before, but did not so much appear to the view of others: and I told them how I prayed against this publick-spiritedness; and how the Lord si­lenced me, from those words in 1 Cor. 1.27, 28. But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world, to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world, to confound the things that are wights and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen; yea, and things that are not, to bring to nought things that are. I could be contented to be made use of under these terms, as a fool, and base, and despised, and as a thing that is not. The Lord knows, I then stooped to his will to do with me as he pleased, when he set home this Scripture to my soul. And this I told them, and a great deal more large­ly then; I will relate, for brevities sake. I gave a Relation of my horrible fit I was in a yeer ago, and Sarans tyranny over me in that time, and the great freedom the Lord afforded me after that storm, and the pourings out of the Spirit that hath been on my heart ever since. I declared visions I had seven yeers ago, concerning four sons of horns presented to me, which related to four several changes of Powers one more fierce and sharper still then the other, and the little Horns worst of all, more in its pushings then the former. I spake of so many things, and so largely, that it took up the afternoon for the most part; so that before I spake much of my going to White-Hall, and praying and singing there, I broke forth into singing, my heart being so thorowly heated with discoursing of God, good­ness so many hours. And I sang and prayed a great part of [Page 18]that night; and when I gave over, my friends carried me in a chair into my chamber, and put me into bed, where I lay the remaining part of the night: and the next day sang and prayed many hours: and many souls were much taken in that speak­ing, concerning the preciousness of Christ to them that believe, 1 Pet. 2.7. from this Scripture, and many others, relating to Saints, and to sinners not changed & brought in to Christ: which day was so glorious to me, that Satan stirr'd up many against me afterwards, because many were convinced, that were pre­judiced before by their teachers; and some carnal ones were judiced before by their teachers; and some carnal ones were awed, convincing Scriptures came with such authority; as that, Behold, ye despisers, wonder, and perish: and that word in Isa. 28.22. Be ye not mockers, left your bands be made strong. Ma­ny other Scriptures were spoken upon largely that day to sin­ners: and some said afterwards, Which of all our Ministers can hold out thus many hours without a cordial?

Now when their Ministers thought they should lose their fleece, they began to stir, like that maids masters spoken of in Acts 16.19. When her masters saw what was done, they caught Paul and Sitas, and drew them into the marker-place into the Rulers: this was for the gift of healing, and calling out that unclean Spirit. All people observe how they loved sooth-saying in those times; and I would they did not in these dayes of more light. But I pray minde the Relation, That after that day wherein I was thus carried forth to speak for Christ's interest, the Clergie, with all their might, rung their jangling bells against me, and called to the Rulers to take me up: that I heard was the speech of Mr. Welsted: and others said, The peo­ple would be drawn away, if the Rulers did not take some course with me. They were extremely afraid of losing Diana's repute. And after these two days spent at Truro, I returned to my place of abode at Tregasow; but the Clergie gate information in many places of the Country, what an impostor, and a dangerous deceiver was come into Cornwal, that the people wondred what strange kinde of creature was come into their Country; and thus they spit forth venome against me; but it did me no hurt, because my Father made it work for good: my joy was not lessened, but increased. And after a little while I [Page 19]was invited again to Truro, and I went to visit Mrs. Hill, her husband being gone to London, she prayed me to carry and bear her company. And after that I had sat down a while, word was brought me, that there were two Warrants out for to take me, either at Captain Langdons, or at Major Bawdens: as for Major Bawdens, I was but once at his house; for I kept at my friends house I went down with, though the report was, I went from place to place, aspersing the Government; I did not the one nor the other: I was but twice at Truro. I have told all the places I went to, while I remained at Tregasow. This report of theirs is as false as the rest.

But I will come to tell you how they acted against me: after I heard Warrants were out for me, I looked when they would come in to the house where I was, to take me. And many people came to see me. And one Haulbow a Minister, with whom I had some converse, and he said, I had fully satisfied him in his request. And for his part, he said, what he asked me, it was not so much for his own satisfaction, as for others, whom he could now satisfie: and he invited me to his house, and said, I should be welcome: and he told me, He would satisfie those that had spoken against me, which were set on by false reports. And all these words, and many other more, amounted to just nothing; it was but Clergie-puff, which soon was gone like a puff of winde that is almost at an end, as soon as it riseth, and so was his fair speech to me: for I understand, since he hath reproached me and other friends that are of more worth then I, and yet this man spoke me so fair: but so much shall suffice as to him. I come again to tell you, that this day wherein I expected the Warrant for me, it came not: I that day found my timo­rous, fearful nature work against me, what I should do and say before the Magistrate, having never been before any in that kinde, to be accused by them; but the Lord seeing me not pre­pared to go before them, nor strong enough, he would take me first into the Mount, and give me the preparations of the Sanctuary; and so he did before I was called before them. That night following this day that I have been speaking of, there came about a dozen men and women to see me, and one Mr. Paul a minister, who had rode ten miles to that [Page 20]Town to understand aright concerning me, for that he had heard so many reports; and he desired to be satisfied from my own mouth: so I related the Lords dealing with me, and what he had freely given me, for my own particular, and for others be­nefit: and when I had done speaking, I told him how I was like to suffer through false rumouts raised against me; & I desired him to pray with me: but he said, He would joyne with me, if I would pray: I said, I rather would hear him pray, and have a caste of the cluster he had received of the Vine, Christ: so he prayed very sweetly and spiritually: and when he had ended, it was about twelve a clock at night: and afterwards I spoke a little by way of discourse, and was a little silent.

Then the Lord made his Rivers flow, which soon broke down the Banks of an ordinary capacity, and extraordinarily mount­ed my Spirits into a praying and singing frame, and so they re­mained till morning-light, as I was told, for I was not capable of that: but when I had done, and was a while silent, I came to speak weakly to those about me, saying, I must go to bed, for I am very weak; and the men and women went away; and my friend that tended me, and some other maids, helpt me to bed, where I lay till the afternoon, they said, silent. And that time I had a vision of the Ministers wife stirring against me; and she was presented to me, as one enviously bent against me, calling that falsity which she understood not. And I saw the Glergie-man and the Jurors contriving an Indictment against me: and I saw my self stand before them: in a vision I saw this. And I sang with much courage, and told them, I feared not them nor their doings, for that I had not deserved such u­sage.

But while I was singing praises to the Lord for his love to me, the Justices sent their Constable to fetch me; who came, and said, He must have me with him: and he pulled, and call'd me, they said that were by, but I was not capable there­of: they said, He was greatly troubled how to have me to his Master: they told him, He had better obey God then man: And his hand shooke, they said, while he was pulling me. Then some went to the Justices, to tell them, I could not come. But they would not be pacified: some offered to be bound for my ap­pearance [Page 21]next day, if I were in a capacity; but this was refused, they would have me out of my bed, unless some would take their Oaths, that it would in danger my life to be taken out of my bed: which none could do, without they had loved to take false Oaths, like some others in those parts. Then a friend perswaded them to see whether they could put me out of that condition, and told them I was never known to be put out of it; so they came. Justice Launce, now a Parliament-man, was one of them, I was told. These Justices that came to ferch me out of my bed, they made a great rumult, them and their followers, in the house, and some came up stairs, crying, A witch, a witch; making a great stir on the stairs; and a poor honest man rebuk­ing such that said so, he was tumbled down stairs and beaten too, by one of the Justices followers: and the Justices made a great noise, in putting out of my chamber where I lay, many of my friends; and they said, If my friends would not take me up, they would have some should take me up: one of my friends told them, That they must fetch their silk gowns to do it them, for the poor would not do it. And they threatned much, but the Lord over-ruled them: they caused my eye-lids to be pull'd up, for the said, I held them fast, because I would deceive the peo­ple: they spake to this purpose. One of the Justices pincht me by the nose, and caused my pillow to be pull'd from under my head, and kept pulling me, and calling me; but I heard none of all this stir and bussle; neither did I hear Mr. Welsted, which I was told called to the Rulers, saying, A whip will fetch her up: and he stood at the Chamber door talking against me, and said, She speaks non-sence: the women said, Hearken, for you cannot hear, there is such a noise: then he listened, and said, Now she hears me speak, she speaks sence. And this Clergie-man durst not come, till the Rulers came, for then they say, The witches can have no power over them: so that one depends up­on another, Rulers upon Clergie, and Clergie upon Rulers.

And again, After they had made all the fury appear that the Lord permitted them to vent against me, they then went away, saying, She will fall in a trance, when we shall at any time call for her. The Lord kept me this day from their cruelty, which they had a good minde further to have let out against me, & that [Page 22]witch tryer-woman of that Town, some would fain have had come with her great pin which she used to thrust into witches, to try them: but the Lord my God in whom I trust, delivered me from their malice, making good that word to me in the Psalms, The rage of man shall turn to thy praise, and the remnant of rages thou wilt restrain. Then further, to tell you how the Lord carried me in singing & prayer after they were gone two hours, as I was told, and then I came to my self; and being all alone, I blessed God for that quiet still day that I had. And the Gentlewoman of the house coming into the chamber, I said, Have I lain alone all this day? I have had a sweet day: she replied, and said, Did not I hear the Justices there, and the uproare that was in my chamber? I said, No. Then she told me, how they dealt by her house, bringing in their followers, and what a noise they made. Then another friend asked me, Whether I did not hear that stir? I said, No. They wondred, and so did I, when I heard the Re­lation, which is much more then I will write; for I don't take delight to stir in such puddles, it's no pleasant work to me; but that truth engageth me to let the world know, what men have acted against the pourings out of the Spirit in a dis­pensation beyond their understanding; they hearkened not to Scripture-advice, which would not have any judge that they know not.

After that dayes tumult, at night, many came to catch at my words; and it was very probable, that the Rulers sent some to watch for what could be had further against me: and there were two women, that they had got their names, who had pro­mised them to swear against me; and of this I shall further speak when I come to it: but now I am telling of what past that night mentioned: many people spake much to me, asking me questions, the which the Lord helped me to answer. And my friends kept most part of that night in prayer on my be­half. And many watched what they said in prayer, for there were listeners under the window, which fain would have had something to have informed against them. There was great endeavouring to have found a Bill of Indictment against Cap­tain Langdon, but they could not; they could not vent their spleen, though they to the utmost desired it, the Lord would [Page 23]not let them have their evil desires herein; for though they in this, would have brought him into contempt, yet they endea­voured this that so I might want a surety, and then they had had what they desired, which was, to have cast me into the Goal. But to leave that, and to tell you, that I had the presence of the Lord with me that night abundantly, and my sleep was sweeter then at other times; my sister Langdon lay with me that night, and in the murning she told me, That she could not sleep all night, for thinking of my going to the Sessions that day: she told me, She wandered I could sleep so soundly all night: I told her, I never had a sweater night in my lise, and as for my going before the Rulers, I was no what afraid or thoughtful; for I had cast my care upon the Lord, which I was perswaded would speak for me: therefore I was not troubled nor afraid; for the Lord said to me, Fear not, be not dismaied, I am thy God, and will stand by thee.

Then I cose up, and prepared to go before them at Sessions-house; and walking out in the garden before I went, I was thinking what I should say before the Justices; but I was taken off from my own thoughts quickly, through the word, Take no heed what thou shalt say; being brought before them for the Lord Christ's sake, he will give thee words: dost thou know what they will ask thee? therefore look to the Lord, who will give thee answers suitable to what shall be required of thee. So I was resolved to cast my self upon the Lord, and his teaching: and though I had heard now the form of Bills run, and of that word Not guilty, according to the form of the Bill; yet I said, I shall not remember to say thus, if the Lord do n't bid me say so; and if he bids me, I will say it. And this I thought, I would be nothing, the Lord should have all the praise, it being his due. So I went, the Officer coming for me; and as I went along the street, I had followed me a andante of all maner of people, men and wemen, boyes and girls, which crowded after me; and some pull'd me by the arms, and stated me in the face, making wry-faces at me, & saying, How do you now? how is it with you now? and thus they mocked and derided at me, as I went to the Sessions; but I was never in such a blessed self-denying lambe like frame of Spirit in my life, as then; I had such lovely apprehensions of Christ's suffer­ings, and of that Scripture which saith, He went as a sheep, [Page 24]dumbe before the sheerers, he opened not his mouth; and when reviled, he reviled not again. The Lord kept me also, so that I went silent to the Sessions-house, which was much througed with people: some said, The Sessions-house was never so filled since it was a Ses­sions-house; so that I was a gazing-stock for all sorts of people: but I praise the Lord, this did not daunt me, nor a great deal more, that I suffered that day; for the eternal grace of Jeho­vah surrounded me, and kept me from harm, so way was made for me to draw neer, which stood lower then the Justices; and round the Table sate the Lawyers and others that attended them, and I with my friends that went with me, stood by the Lawyers, and the Justices leaned over a rail, which railed them in together, onely I espied a Clergie-man at their elbow, who helped to make up their Indictment, so that he could not be absent, though his Pulpit wanted him, it being a Fast-day, set apart by Authority, which he broke without any scruple, that so he might keep close to the work of accusation; but though he and the witch-trying-woman looked stedfastly in my face, it did no way dismay me, not the grim fierce locks of the Justice did not daunt me; for as soon as I beheld them, I remembred a dear friend to Christ, who smiled in the face of a great man, that looked fiercely on him, and sate as a Judge to condemn him for the testimony of Jesus; but this servant of the Lord looked chearfully all the time of his accusations charged upon him; so I thinking upon that posture of his before those that acted against him, I begged the same chearfulness, and I had the same courage to look my Accusers in the face: which was no carnal boldness, though they called it so.

And when I came before them, Lobb being the Mourn of the Court, as he was fore-man of the Iury, he represented the whole Court, and he first demanded my name, and I told him; and he said, Anna Trapnel, Here is a Bill of Indictment to be read, for you to give in your answer concerning: then Justice Lobb said, Read the Bill: so it was read to me: and Lobb said, Are you guilty, or not? I had no word to say at the present; but the Lord said to me, Say Not guilty, accor­ding to the form of the Bill; so I spoke it as from the Lord, who knew I was not guilty of such an Indictment: then [Page 25]said Lobb, Traverse the Bill to the next Assizes; so that was done: then Lobb said, I must enter into bond for my appearance at the next Assizes: unto which I agreed: then they demanded Sureties: so I desired Captain Langdon and Major Bawden to be my Sure­ties, unto which they were willing: so there were two Re­cognizances drawn, one for my appearance, and the other bound me to the good behaviour; and I was entred into both the Recognizances 300 l. and my Sureties as much, to both the Recognizances. And this being done, they whispered a while: and I thought they had done with me at that time; so they had, if they had gone according to true Law, which was, not to have brought their Interrogatories then; but the report was, That I would discover my self to be a witch when I came before the Justices, by having never a word to answer for my self; for it used to be so among the witches, they could not speak before the Magistrates, and so they said, it would be with me; but the Lord quickly defeated them herein, and caused many to be of another minde. Then Lobb said, Tender her the book which was written from something said at White-Hall: so the book was reached out to me: and Justice Lobb said, What say you to that book? will you own it? is it yours?

A. T. I am not careful to answer you in that matter.

Then they said, She denies her book. Then they whispered with those behinde them. Then spake Justice Lobb again, and said, Read a vision of the horns out of the book: so that was read: then Justice Lobb said, What say you to this? is this yours?

A. T. I am not careful to answer you in that matter, touching the whole book, as I told you before, so I say again: for what was spoken, was at White-Hall, at a place of concourse of people, and neer a Counsel, I suppose wise enough to call me into question if I of­fended, and unto them I appeal; but though it was said, I appealed unto Caesar, and unto Caesar should I go; yet I have not been brought before him which is called Caesar: so much by the by. Again, I said, I supposed they had not power to question me for that which was spoke in another county: they said, Yea, that they had. Then the book was put by; and they again whispered.

Then Justice Lobb asked me about my coming into that Country, How it came to pass, that I came into that Country.

I answered, I came as others dad, that were minded to go into the Country.

Lobb. But why did you come into this Country?

A. T. Why might not I come here, as well as into another Coun­try?

Lobb. But you have no lands, nor livings, nor acquaintance to come to in this Country.

A. T. What though? I had not I am a single person, and why may I not be with my friends anywhere?

Lobb. I understand you are not married.

A. T. Then having no hinderance, why may not I go where I please, if the Lord so will?

Then spoke Justice Launse. But did not some desire you to come down? And this Lobb asked me too: but I told them, I would accuse none, I was there to answer, as to what they should charge my own particular with.

Launse said, Pray Mistriss tell us, what moved you to come such a journey?

A.T. The Lord gave me leave to come, asking of him leave, whi­therever I went: I used still to pray for his direction in all I do: and so I suppose ought you, I said.

Justice Launse. But pray tell us, what moved you to come such a journey?

A. T. The Lord moved me, and gave me leave.

Launse. But had you not some of extraordinary impulses Spirit, that brought you down? pray tell us what those were.

A. T. When you are capable extraordinary of impulse of Spirit, I will tell you; but I suppose you are not in a capacity now: for I saw how deridingly he spoke: and for answering him thus, he said, I was one of a bold Spirit; but he soon took me down; so himself said: but some said, It took them down: for the Lord carried me so to speak, that they were in a hurry and confusion, and sometimes would speak all together, that I was going to say, What are you like women, all speakers, and no hearers? but I said thus, What do you speak all at a time? I cannot answer all, when speaking at once; I appeal to the civillest of you, and I directed my speech to Justice Lobb, who spake very moderately, and gave me a civil answer, saying, You are not acquainied with the [Page 27]manner of the Court, which is to give in their sayings. A.T. But I cannot answer all at once; indeed I do not know the manner of the Court, for I never was before any till now. Justice Lobb. You prophesie against Truro. A.T. Indeed I pray against the sins of the people of Truto, and for their souls welfare; are you angry for that? Lobb. But you must not judge Authority; but pray for them, and not speak so suspiciously of them: and more to this purpose he spoke to me. A.T. I will take up your word, in which you said, I was not to judge: you said well; for so saith the Scripture, Who art thou that judgest anothers mans servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth; yea, he shall be holden up, for God is able to make him stand: but you have judged me, and never heard me speak: you have not dealt so well by me as Agrippa dealt by Paul: though Agrippa was an Heathen, he would have Paul speak before he gave in his judgement concerning him. Justice Tregegle. Oh you are a dreamer! A.T. So they called Joseph, therefore I wonder not that you call me so. Justice Selye said, You knew we were with you yesterday. A.T. I did not. Justice Selye. He which is the Major said, you will not say so. A.T. I will speak it, being it's truth. He said, Call the women, that will witness they heard you say, You knew we were with you; and he pulled out a writing, and named their names, calling to some to fetch them. A.T. You may suborne false witnesses against me, for they did so against Christ: and I said, Pro­duce your witnesses. Justice Sely. We shall have them for you at next Assizes.

They put it off long enough, because one was fallen in a sound before the got out of the house were she dwelt; and the other was come into the Sessi­ons-house: and Mrs. Grose a gentlewoman of the town standing by her that was their false witness, said, Wilt thou take an oath thus? take heed what thou dost, it's a dangerous thing to take a false oath; and she ran out of the Sessions-house: this was credibly reported. And here ended their witnesses that they had pro­cured against me as to that. There was a souldier that smiled to hear how the Lord carried me along in my speech: and Justice Selye called to the Jailor to take him away, saying, He laughed at the Court. He thought him to be one of my friends: and for his cheerful looking, the Jailor had like to have had him: then I said, Scripture speaks of such who make a man an offender for a word; but you make a man an offender for a look. They greatly bussled, as if they would have taken him away; but this was quickly squasht, their heat as to this lasted not long. In the mean time the other Sely was talking to Major Bawden, won­dering such a man as he, who had been so well reputed for a judicious, sober, understanding man, should hearken to me: many words were used to him to that purpose: I said, Why might not he and others, try all things, and hold fast that which is best. But they still cast grim looks on me: and they had a saying to Major Bawden, and to Captain Langdon then, whom they derided in a Let­ter sent from Truro by some of their learned Court, which wrote, that Cap­tain Langdon and Major Bawden stood up, and made a learned defence. They had indeed such learning from the Spirit of wisdom and of a sound minde, which the Jurors and their companions were not able to contend a­gainst, their speech and whole deportment was so humble and self denying, and so seasoned with the salt of grace, which their flashy unsavory spirits could not endure; those that are raised from the dung-hill, and set on thrones, cannot sit there without vaunting, and shewing their fools coat of many colours, as envie, and pride, and vain glory; these and other colours [Page 28]they show, which delights not King Jesus nor his followers. Justice Lobb told me, I made a disturbance in the town: I asked, Wherein? he said, By drawing so many people after me: I said, How did I draw them? he said, I set open my Chamber-doors and my windows for people to hear. A.T. That's a very unlikely thing, that I should do so; for I prayed the maid to lock my chamber-door when I went to bed, and I did not rise in the night sure to open it: I said, Why may not I pray with many people in the room, as well as your professing women that prays be­fore men and women, she knowing them to be there; but I know not that there is any body in the room when I pray: and if you indite one for praying, why not ano­ther? why are you so partial in your doings? Justice Lobb. But you don't pray so as others. A.T. I pray in my chamber. Justice Travel. Your chamber! A. T. Yea, that it's my chamber while I am there, through the pleasure of my friends. They used more words to me, sometimes slighting and mockingly they spoke, and some­times seeming to advise me to take heed how I spoke and prayed so again. Many such kinde of words Justice travel used, and Justice Lobb. And one thing I omitted in telling you, when I told you how I answered Justice Launse; I should have told you how I said to him, If he would know what the ordinary impulse of Spirit was, that I had to bring me into that country, I would tell him; so I related the Scriptures, as that in the Psalmes, and in the Prophet Isaiah, how the presence and Spirit of the Lord should be with me, and he would uphold me and strengthen me with the right hand of his righteousness: he answered, Such impulse was common, they hoped they had that, they were not ig­norant of such impulse of Spirit; much to this effect was spoken. I seeing they were very willing to be gone, I said, Have you done with me? answer was, I might now go away; but I said, Pray what is it to break the good behaviour you have bound me over to? I know not what you may make a breaking of it: is it a breaking the good behaviour, to pray and sing? Justice travel said, No, so I did it at the habitation where I abode. It's well, said I, you will give leave it shall be anywhere. I said, I will leave one word with you, and that is this: A time will come when you and I shall appear before the great Judge of the tribunal seat of the most High, and then I think you will hardly be able to give an account for this days work before the Lord, at that day of true judgement: said Tregegle, Take you no care for us. So they were willing to have no more discourse with me.

And as I went in the croud, many strangers were very loving and careful to help me out of the croud: and the rude multitude said, Sure this woman is no witch, for she speaks many good word, which the witches could not. And thus the Lord made the rude rabble to justifie his appearance; for in all that was said by me, I was nothing, the Lord put all in my mouth, and told me what I should say, and that from the written word, he put it in my memory and mouth: so that I will have nothing ascribed to me, but all honor and praise given to him whose right it is, even to Jehovah, who is the King that lives for ever. I have left our some things that I thought were not so material to be written: and what I have written of this, it's to declare as much as is con­venient to take off those falsities and contrary reports that are abroad con­cerning my sufferings, some making it worse then it was, and some saying, It was little or nothing. Now to inform all peoples judgements, I have thought it meet to offer this relation to the worlds view, and with as much covering as I can of Saints weaknesses herein, praying the Lord to forgive them; and as for the Lords enemies, that he would confound them; but as for my enemies, I still pray.

I now shall declare how God shewed me kindnesse further. I rode home with my friends to Tregasow, that day, rejoycing that I was counted worthy to be so reproachfully dealt by, for speaking in the Lord Christs behalf, in prayer and praises; and I remained very chearfull, continuing in prayer and Thanksgiving, and ma­ny spirituall songs unto the Lord; but about ten dayes after, the Souldiers of the Fox came to take me, and the day before they come, it being the first day of the the week, I went to hear Mr. Fran­ces, who preached hard by where I abode, one whom the Clergy would fain have had to have spoke against me, but he said, he would not; they then called him my disciple, and laughed and jeered at him when he came among them, on their Lecture dayes. They u­sed to meet at an Ordinary where many of the Clergy and others dined together: while I was in these parts, the Clergy and others made me their Table and Pulpit talk, and would have had Mr. Frances to have done as they did, but he refused; and hath since, I hear, left the place where he preached when I was in those parts. But I return where I left, in telling you how I was the day before that the Souldiers came for me, I was very heavy in my spirit, as I sat at dinner with my friends, and I was very rea­dy to shed tears; and being loath my friends should see me, I held from weeping, as much as I could, for I thought they would think that I took something unkindly, but truly I could not, for I had as much love from every one in the Family, as could be desi­red, but I was very sad, and I rose from the Table where I dined, and went and took my Bible, wherein the Lord refreshed me, and in the afternoon I went to hear, and came home, and went into the garden to walk alone; and Captain Langdon coming into the Garden, I discoursed a while with him; and I said, sure my London friends pray me up to London, and when I come there, I will write of Cornwell, Cornhell in the West. He said you might have suffered at London, but not as here said I; for here they deal very uncivilly, and unchristian like by me: well said I, the Lord send me to London, for I shall count it a great mercy to see their faces again, I had said a Bridewell among them shall be sweet to me, and so the Lord made it: I that night was perswaded, my work was done in Cornwall, and that I should erelong see London, yet being I was bound over to the Sessions, which was not to be till August, so that I was to have carried many weeks by the Justices [Page 26]order, but they could not bear so much praving, so long a time to be in their parts, therefore they hasted their Letters to the Coun­cell at White Hall, to send their order down for me, having a Go­vernours Troop so near, to agitate their businesse. And the Go­vernours was afraid of his Souldiers, he commands them to their Colours: and Ensign Raundle, he must be cast out of his place, for inviting his old friend Captain Longdon, and his wife, and his mo­ther and me, to come with them to his house. And the Souldiers were charged to keep me out of Tregny, that is, three miles from Tregasow, where a poore tempted soul was, that would fain have en­tertained me at her House, and this work the Fox made in his fortified places; but the poore who are rich in faith, prayed for me in those parts, and some I never saw, about ten miles from the place where I was, who hearing of my trouble, improved their interest with the Lord for me; their faith and prayer, did me more good than all the gold, or filver, or favours of great men could have done me.

I shall relate now further concerning that night before the Soul­diers took me; I saw in my sleep Souldiers come to take me, and I rode towards London with them very joyfully, and in the morn­ing I made me ready, and went down stairs; and there was a friend came to see Captain Langdon, so I went up into my Chamber, to write to London, and I was thinking of that I saw in my sleep, that I was riding from the House towards London; and I also was was marvelling, that my spirit was so heavy the day before, and this saying I had in my heart, Christ was heavy before the hour; before they came to take him he was in an Agony: said I Lord, what manner of saying is this? and as I was pondering upon it, my si­ster Langdon came up into my Chamber, very sad, and said, sister, pray thee do not be frighted, why? said I, what is the matter? there is said she half a Troop of Horse come to take thy body, or my husbands; there was half a dozen souldiers, and they made such a clutter, she thought they had been a greater number, but there was a number great enough to take a Poore silly maid. So I rejoyced, and said I am not troubled, for I shall see my friends at London; she said to Mistris Frances her mothers maid, pray thee Mistris Frances, take my sister, and escape into the wood hard by by the house, they cannot find her there; but I said, I will not make my self guilty by flying away, for I have not broke any Law, [Page 27]whereby man should do thus, and as long as God is on my side, said I, men nor devils shall not affright me; and the Lord gave me that word of Nehemiah, who said, Shall such a man as I flee? So said I to them, Shall such a one as I flee? who have lived with the Lord, all my dayes, and have been couragious for Christ hither­to, I will not now flinch through the strength of the Lord keep­ing me, and I know he will keep me: then many in the Family came, and the neighbours, and wept about mee, but I was no whit daunted. The Minister of the Parish came, and said he would not wish me to go down, without they would shew an order, I an­swered, what order have they brought, none but Captain Foxe's let­ter they told me, that said I, is enough; for there is the Foxe's claws to pin me to Plimouth, so through perswasions, I run down stairs, where I heard the Souldiers very rough in their words, and they said they would not tarry a moment for me, and they would have me by foul means, if I refused to go; they threatned much what they would do, the Quartermaster was very high in his words. So when I had heard them bluster thus a while, I stept a­mong them, many of my friends being with them, I coming into the room, stood by them, and said, friend, whom do you seek? speaking to the Quartermaster: he said, is this the Lady? I said, I do not know what you mean by Lady, but that is a Souldiers com­plement: I pray, whom do you seek? So he asked whether my name was Anna Trapnell, I said, I suppose that is my name; then he said, I demand your body; said I take it, if it will do you any good, I am ready to go with you: then he was very respectfull, and said, he would shew me all the courtesie and civility that lay in his power, I thankt him and said, they could not harm me; for my God would not suffer them; then they said, they would wait til I was fitted to go, and they tarried till the afternoon: And when we had dined, I took my leave of my dear loving friends, and departed, riding behind a friend that came to see Captain Langdon, who put off his Journey that he was riding, and offered to carry me, and Captain Langdons man, and his mothers maid, they sent mith me, and I went filled with the joy of the Lord: and that day, some two or three miles off, I met with some dear friends, who bore me company a while, but I had so much of the refresh­ings of God, which quickly overcame my ordinary capacity, and I felt not the trotting of the horse, nor minded any thing but the [Page 28]spiritual communion, that I was in with the Lord; and so I rode praying, all the first dayes Journey, till I came to Foy-Town, where they took me down off the horse, and set me in a chair, but I came not to my capacity to speak a great while, and when I look­ed up, and saw many men, women and children about me, and sit­ting on a high wall, right over where I sate, I was amazed to see so many people, and not knowing where I was, but at length I spake to them in Scripture language, the which they li­stened to, and when I went away, they gave a great shout; the people said, they used to do so at some strange sight: so they led me into the Boat, for we went over a passage, and many men and women went over with us from that Town, and the room was full of people, where I lodged, some came to gaze on me, and some came in love to the Lord Jesus, to hear experiences, and some temp­ted souls were much refreshed, and rejoyced much to see me there, though not as I was, a prisoner; they wept for me as to that con­dition, and I sate up most part of the night at Foy, and begged those that came to jeer at me, that they would consider the wrong they did to their poore souls, and had Scripture very suitable to those I spoke; I asked them what they came to see, I was but as a reed shaken with the wind; I was a simple creature, onely divine wisdome was pleased to make use of the simple, and to call them to him, to shew them his love, to chuse such to do him service, and I said, I am a poore sorry reed, but divine power, and the wind that Christ told Nichodemus, in the 3. of John the 8. which bloweth where it listeth, that wind said I, hath taken a silly creature, and hath made her understand its sound, that which Nichodemus a great Rabbi, could not tell what to make of; so that I prayed them that derided, that they would have a care, and that they therein would consider the saying of Christ in the 25. of Matthew, who said, what they did to his, they did to him, though I be one of the worst of Christs little ones, yet said I, he will own me, where ever I am: I beseech sinners to love Christ, who was the chiefest of ten thou­sands, and I spoke how the Church set him out in the Canticles; and I told them, though they made me a by-word, and a reproach, yet I would pray for their Souls: I told them I came not into the Countrey to be seen, and taken notice of, but I came with my friends. I desired Christ and the beauty of holinesse might be ta­ken notice of, so that others thereby might be taken with Christ; [Page 29]and that I might be onely a voyce, and Christ the sound; I spake much to prophane sinners, and to the civilized ones that they would eye the new Covenant, which admits of no condition, nor qualification, nor preparation, but is a free Covenant to sinners, as sinners, that if they venture their souls thereupon, it will at the moment change, and make them hate sin, and all manner of evil, and cleave to that good the Scripture makes mention of; then to the tempted was spoken from Heb. 2.18. for in that Christ suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempt­ed, and unto them were experiences spoken, how greatly Christ was sensible of the temptations of his people, and his succourings were great, and his sympathizing much: So I related what bowels of compassion from the Lord I found herein, though when I was murmuring against the Lord, who I thought dealt roughly by me, I said with Jonas, I do well to do thus, as he said, I do well to be angry: So I was very peevish, thinking that Satan would have made an end of me. I said with Jonah, I do well to be angry to the death. I prayed tempted souls to hearken to Christ, and not to Sa­tan; some tempted souls there wept bitterly, and the next day came again, and accompanied me out of that Town: So I took my leave, they begging to hear from me, and desired my welfare.

Then I rode to a place called Lew, where I desired to stay an hour, but it was hard to be obtained of the Quartermaster, though he had promised Captain Langdon that I should see some friends there; yet when I came there, he was afraid I should have broke out into prayer there, and so have staied him longer then he would, but I and my friends did so intreat him, that he gave me leave to go with a Souldier with me, to bring me quickly back to him again, he staying a little way off, and said that I should have no body come into the house that I went to; this he charged the Souldier, so that coming to that house I went to, there I was entertained with much love, and some few did hear of my being there, and came to see me, and watched for my coming out. I had some discourse with a blind man there, who had much of the light of the Lord in his soul, and his words were so savoury, that my heart was quickned by the Lord in that discourse I had with this seeing soul, though blind outwardly; and I stayed among them a while, till I was full of joy in the sight of these dear friends; so that be­ing hurried away by the Souldiers, I brake forth into tears, and [Page 30]said, the time will come that spirituall communion shall not be interrupted; and indeed the thoughts of Eternity melted my heart, that I said, I weep not for sorrow, but my tears flow from apprehensions of communion with the Lord, and those glorified Saints there; if Saints on earth did so take up my heart, I said, what will that company be to me, in heaven, sure it will be joy to the full: So those dear souls went with me out of the Town, and then bid farewell, saying, they were sory, I could stay no longer with them, so I parted, and rode towards Plimmouth with very much of the Lords presence.

And when I came to Plimmouth, after the Quartermaster had been to inform that I was coming, he came and had me up to the Fort, two of the other Souldiers going with me, and four others who were my friends, these bore me company to the Fort, and when I came into the Lieutenants house, I sate down a while, and he told me I was committed to his charge as his prisoner, for that Major Sanders was not there unto whom the Letter was sent con­cerning me; so after a few words had past between us, I defired him to let me hear the order read; so he read it, wherein was exprest that I was to be sent from thence in the first States Ship that went to Portsmouth, and so to be sent from thence to the Counsell; and when this was read, after a little while spent in discourse, Lieute­nant Lark, in whose house I was a prisoner; he asked me whether I would go up stairs and see my chamber, unto which I was wil­ling, and my four friends went up with me, and I blesse the Lord, I never was in so blessed a frame in my life, being in an ordinary capacity, the which I was in a while, but at length the Lord wound me up higher; and as I was telling you, that coming into my chamber, I found the Lord Christ opening his love to me from that Scripture, in Hosea the 2.19. I have betrothed thee to my self in mercy and loving kindnesse for ever. And I had some inlargement upon that, and likewise from Scripture expressions in the Canticles, and in Habbakuk, but I omit writing what sweet unfoldings I had therein from the Lord, because I intend if the Lord will give me opportunity to write down the cordialls of the Lord, which I had in my confinement by man, in a book wherein I shall set out Sa­tans prison, the which I was in a year before mans prison, that ve­ry month that I was set at liberty from Satans confinement, men confined me, which was the second month called April, which [Page 31]was a year after that horrible pit of Satans, the which I lay in, from the beginning of February, till the beginning of April, about nine weeks, but I have been in mans prison 15. weeks, yet that was to me much easier, then a shortertime in Sataus clutches.

But I return to the Relation of my first coming into prison, I was exceedingly transported in my spirits, and I was as if I had been to die presently, nothing was in my thoughts but divine bosome, which made me bid farewell to all creatures: I thought I could have imbraced death, though it should be never so gastly, and cru­elly tendered to me, I never had such joy in the thoughts of death, and I said to Lieutenant Lark, pray Sir, let me have the liberty to be private a while with my friends, who came with me, the which he granted, and he went down from us, then I said, this is the greatest preferment as ever I had, to be honoured with a prison for Christ, this is honour said I indeed, I now can take my leave of all things under the Sun, and see all things vanity, and poor em­pty nothings; and I said farewell all creatures, and welcome Christ, then I desired my friends that we might pray together be­fore they departed; for I said it was the best work to begin my im­prisonment in spirituall Communion, then we prayed, and af­ter some time spent in prayer, the Sonne of righteousnesse shone so hot on my spitits, that I could not forbear singing forth his prarise; and my friends told me, that I was three hours on my knees, praying, and praising, that I felt no pain nor weari­somnesse, though I had journeyed so far. They took me off my knees, and set me in a chair, where I sat some hours after in sing­ing, and then was silent, and some women put me to bed, where I lay praying and singing the other part of that night, while mor­ning: and the maid that tended me said, she sate in the bed, wiping away the tears from my eyes, which she said came exceeding fast all night, as I sung and prayed. And truly the Sonne from on high had very much thawed my heart, and I prayed and sung after that night, four dayes, and sometimes wrapt up in silence with the Lord, beholding his glory in visions, and on the last day of that week, I spoke to some sea-men and others that came to visit me, telling them the Lords kindnesse to me in my troubles in Cornwall, and other experiences I related to them, and the Lord knows I did speak of these things to them that they might be more in love with Christ, who let out himself to a poore creature so [Page 32]extraordinarily. And the next day after, it was the first day of an­other week, some would fain have had me gone to have heard the word preached that day, but it could not be granted that I should go out of the Fort; and indeed I was very weak, having lain four dayes and five nights, and came not out of my bed, nor took no refreshing creature, save a draught of small beer or syder, and sometimes eat a little piece of toast out of it, and this was but once at a night, and not every night neither; and this was for sixt dayes: and this first day that I rose out of my bed, I lay down again quickly, and I took a Bible, and read the 11. Chapter of Luke, and the 12. Chapter, and my heart was much taken with the words there that Christ spoke to them, and the Lord applyed much to me of what Christ spoke concerning their calling of him Beelzebub: and if they dealt so with Christ, I thought it was but as Christ was dealt with, to be called Devil, and that saying I was possest with a lying spirit, but this was made very easie, when I conceived Christ bare a great deal more, and after that these Chap­ters were fastened and knit to my heart, the Lord making them mine. I admiring at the sufferings of Christ, and at his patience, and I continued singing most part of that day, concerning the Re­surrection, and my interest therein, and I sang as to the conditi­ons of many who lived in the Fort, and concerning my passage on the sea that I should have; speaking of the Lords appearances that I should have there, and the Joy and Triumph I should be in, in all my imprisonment time, and the next day after this, it being the second day of the week, I had been a prisoner seven dayes, and this was the eighth day from the Souldiers taking me, so I that day at night, after the hours spent with my friends at London, which I knew kept that day in part, in prayer, so did I, though absent in body from them; and at night as I said before, I went down and discoursed with Lieutenant Lark a while, and after I had shewed him two Letters which I had written to London, that he saw there was none of that which is called Treason in them, then I wished him a good night, and I went to bed, and he the next day rode out of Town to fetch his wife, who was with her friends in the Countrey, and in his absence, Ensign Owen was my keeper, and he was very carefull to fulfill his office, and was loath to let in my friends to see me, but charged them at the gate with trespasse, if they let in any of my friends, saying, they had best to be traytors too; so [Page 33]he was as severe, as if I had been a traytor; yet he spake me very fair to my face, but I saw he indeavoured to catch my words, and to ensnare me, putting his own sense upon them, but the Lord kept me out of his insnarements, but he watched for my halting, and when my friends came a great way to see me, they had much a­do to get into the Fort, and then my Gaoler sat by, and heard what I said to my friends, but this severity was not many days, for Major Sanders came, and then my Gaoler departed, who told me the order did not make mention of my going to the Counsel, but Major San­ders read that I should, and so did the Lieutenant, but my Gao­ler it may be had a mind to affright me, but he could not; and he told me I dreamed that the order run so; I am sure I said, I was not asleep, but he jeered me, and he told Major Sanders, that I would not have so many people come to me: indeed he would have had no body come, if he could have bore sway, but the Lord ordered all for my good: and when Major Sanders came, he gave me leave with a keeper, which was a friend, to go to hear the first dayes; and he was very courteous, and so was Lieutenant Lark, who came home with his wife before I was gone: I stayed there for the wind, and a States Ship to carry me: I staid five weeks; the Lord made it but as a few dayes to me, I had so much of his presence and power from him, he made kindnesse flow from strangers in the Family, and in the Fort; these were strangers, and yet they were fellow Citizens, and I blesse the Lord, they are not now strangers, but acquaintance, and they are a company that are written in my heart, they and their Teacher; for they were not ashamed of my Chain, they owned me in my Bonds, and were a succour to me in a strange Countrey: my Soul was administred to by them, and the Pastor over them; they every way administred to my necessity in what I stood in need of; I wanted not their help, and the people of the Pa­rish shewed me love in visiting me, and some of them when they had heard me pray, and in singing, they wept that they had taken up hard thoughts of me.

Their Teacher Mr. Hughes was very bitter against me, and would not come and talk with me, though some of his Auditory desired him; but he writ to one of his friends at Cornwall, that he had read my book, and he from that drew that I was an impostor and he called the book non sense, so that he confirmed his friend in her judging of me; and so he continued judging me for the [Page 34]sake of that Dispensation he never saw, nor came not to try it by the word, but he indeavoured to incense others against me, and his sometimes Scholler (R.V.) was afraid to displease his Father Hughes, else he would have come according to his promise, but it may be had forgot that he promised a young man whom I sent the first night I came, to tell him I was come to the Fort a prisoner and I knew not how little a while I should stay; therefore I should be glad to see him: and he told the Messenger that he would come next day, but he came not; and yet was much in the Town most part of my stay there, and many wondered he came not to see me, having been acquainted with me above seven years, the which they understanding, said sure, he knew some evil by me: thus it bred a jealousie among strangers, concerning me, but some said, he would not suffer evil to be spoken of me; for he said, sure, the root of the matter was in me; he was much urged by my friends to come, but would not see me, though in bonds; and this use I was taught by the Lord, to make of that unkindnesse of a friend, who I hearing, when I was coming to Plimouth, that such an one was come there, I leaned upon him as a prop to me in my suf­fering, and I rejoyced much, saying to my friends, that he would vindicate me, who had been known to him so long, and one whom I was alwayes ready to vindicate, when aspersed; but my God learned me to know, that all flesh was grasse, and a sading flower, and like an Egyptian reed: and by this unkindnesse from a friend, my God drew me the more to rest upon himself alone; and what unkindnesse I relate from any received, my end hereby is not to re­proach or seek revenge on any, but the Lord my God knows, had there not been so many severall reports passed far and near, I would not have set pen to paper in this kind, but it is that truth may si­lence falsity; and though I fail in an orderly penning down these things, yet not in a true Relation, of as much as I remember, and what is expedient to be written; I could not have related so much from the shallow memory I have naturally, but through often re­lating these things, they become as a written book, spread open before me, and after which I write.

Now I shall come again to the Relation, and tell you that I had much kindnesse at Plimouth, from many, and great labour of love stewed me untill my departure, and some went with me a shipboard, and were sory to have me go from their Quarters, not [Page 35]that I was any thing, but the Lord did their souls good through a worm; and when we had been a day and a night tossing on the Sea, the wind being against us, drove us back into the Harbour a­gain: Some at Dartmouth reported that I had bewitched the winds, that the ships could not go to sea, and they cursed me there, but the Lord blessed me the more; many reproaches he helpt me to bear, and though we were beating on the waves against the wind, yet I was not sick; for the Lord had there much for me to declare to Sea men of free grace, and of the vilenesse of mans nature, and the excellent work of Redemption. And I spake this unto them, and prayed and sang in the Cabbin where I lay; and the Sea-men were much affected: the Lord made some of them declare how the Lord refreshed them, and that they knew if I had stayed longer, much good their souls would have reaped, they were very re­spectfull to me, though there were few that had any rellish of good, the Lord made much to be rellished by them, through a poore nothing creature: the Scripture the Lord inlarged amongst them, in the 73. Psalm, verse 1. Truly, God is good to Israel, and to them that are of a clean heart; the new Covenant the Lord made known amongst them very much; so that it was a blessed passage, though as from man it was bitter to be tossed upon the Sea four dayes, and the maid that came with me, lying vomiting grievously by me, and sick, even ready to dy, she thought her heart would have broke, and I hurt my leg against the ship side, that it raged greatly a day and a night; and lying in a little Cabbin sweating much, the maid and I together, which lodge was very little, it be­ing in the Masters Cabbin, which was a little Lodge: But though I met with much difficulty, as to flesh and blood, yet I murmured not, onely I was once a little troubled, and said, Lord, why is man thus cruell to deal thus with me? they never considered whether my nature could bear the Sea: but I said, Father, lay not this evil usage to their charge. I was brought up among the Pi­rates, that had robbed upon the Sea, and were taken prisoners, and sent in the ship with me, but the Lord preserved me from all hurt, and caried me safe to Land, and all in the ship; both Captain and Master, and men gave me civill respect while I was with them: So the Lord made good his promise to me, that nothing should harm me, neither on the Sea, nor the Land.

And the Captain with some of his men, came with me ashore, [Page 36]and we landed at Portsmouth, and the Governour not being in Town, I went with the Captain to Major Morefords, the deputy Governour, who receiving the order from the Captain of the ship, after some Discourse with him he departed; and the Deputy Governour told me, I was committed to his Charge, untill such time that he could dispose of me with conveniency: so he lovingly entertained me, and those two friends that came with me, and his daughters shewed me much kindnesse: and in the af­ternoon the Deputy Governour having no lodging in his house for me, he procured me lodging at Ensign Bakers, in the Town, and he went with me thither, it being not far off; and there he left me, desiring the Ensigns wife to be kind to me, but she heard I was a frenzy-headed creature, and she looked very sowr upon me, and all the while I was there, she offered me no drink, nor any thing else; but one day when the Governour sent his servant to see what I had, then she sent to me, and I had newly eaten a piece of Pye, that I had brought with me from Plimmouth, so that was all my food I eat from the second day to the fifth day, that I came away; then she seemed to be very kind, and said, she heard such a clamour concerning me, which made her afraid of me, but after she heard me, she was of another mind. I prayed and sang there a night and a day for the most part, and so departed from thence the next morning after, and came in a Coach to London, and a Lieutenant came with me to convey me to Westminster; and he brought a Present of Egges that was sent from Gernsie to the great man at White Hall, they were Partridge Egges of the largest kind, I was told; and if they were not well put up, they could not be kept whole, for the Coach broke twice by the way, and o­verturned once: it was a great mercy that we had no hurt, the dealings of man being unjust, every thing will make them mani­fest, and discover their breakings, where they or their Presents be: If such that hold forth King Jesus be near, one danger or o­ther they will be lyable to meet withall.

I was through Divine Power brought safe in the Coatch to Fox Hall, where we lighted, and the Coach man and Lieutenant told me, I must bear all my Charges, both by the way and the Coach hire, so I did, and I was brought from Fox Hall by water, to Westminster, and stayed a while at the George in Kings-street, and then, one of the Messengers came, and carryed me in a Coach to [Page 37] Titons, but my friends payed the Coach hire; and at Titons house in Coven Garden, there that Messenger left me, which brought me thither; it was that Messenger that took hold of Vavasor Powel, and carried him before the Councell, I told him it was no good office to be so imployed to lay hold of the Saints in that kind, but I said, though I was troubled at him for his taking Mr. Powell, yet for ta­king me, and conducting me into custody, I was no whit troubled at him, but I told him his Office was not good, this I said, as I was riding to Titons; and there I was had to my Chamber, which was Mr. Feaks prison first, so that I was quickly raised in my Joy, in thinking of that prayer, which had been put up in that room, for the coming of King Jesus to raign on the earth, and to throw down Babylon, for this did that dear servant of Christ cry earnestly, and the Lord made an unworthy handmaid to second those cry­ings, and to ring a peal to Whitehall ward, but they had not a mind to hearken, though the cry of a stone was brought near them a­gain, occasioned by their own doings, thinking to silence allelu­jahs-triumphing over the beast, and the false Prophet, but they could not do it. The secret voyce of thunder hath a louder re­port, than mens great Cannons. The Lord renewed my joy much at the sight of my friends, and in the thoughts that I was brought, near Whitehall to be a witnesse against their black doings, the which I hope I shall witnesse against unto the death: that time at Tytons was spent much in prayer, and singing forth Babylons fall, and the ruine of those which endeavoured to be nurses and rockers to Ba­bylons brats; the Lord will cut off those breasts that give Babylon milk; for the whore of Rome, the Lord will not have nourished by any, high or low, rich or poor, much was sung to this pur­pose at Titons; and I often told of a present from heaven, which was much better than the present of Partridge egges; yea, it was costlier than the gold of Ophir, or Rubies and Pearls from a far Countrey. I would fain have had the great Councel, and their Protectour, to have received a Present sent from the great Prote­ctour, which is indeed, a Protectour of the faithfull, who makes use of silly handmaids to carry his present sometimes; and I said this, O great ones of the earth, is the Present from the great Je­hovah to you? even his son Christ; in that you professe your selves to be builders, the great God hath presented to you a cor­ner [Page 38]stone elect and precious, a sure foundation, an excellent platform for those that are willing to build to purpose; now therefore said I unto you, that love rarities for Presents, here are rarities indeed, not like those things that will fade in their beauty, nor like that which soon loseth its seent, though never so well persumed, nor like that which in time will be wasted and gone, nor like Egges that are subject to rot or to break before they come to belarge Partridges, or any at all; but it was said, oh that Protectour, and his Conncel, and Clergy, would all agree to receive such a Present that fades not, nor cannot wast, nor be broken, nor rot, nor is not subject to any casualty; And for presenting them with the Lords present, they sent their messengers with a Bridewell reward to me, for all my pains and good will, and love to their welfare.

I was eight dayes at Tytons house, expecting to be sent for before the Council every day, according to their Orders, declaring that I was to come before them; but they had no time to hear the truth, from such a silly nothing creature; and they sent an Order ho­noured with President Laurences hand to it, which was brought by two messengers late at night, unto which I have already spoken something off; the hour they came for me, and of their lothness to show me the order, for my removal, but they did shew it me before my departure from thence.

And now I am further to tell you, how I fared at my last pri­son, which was in Bridewell, unto which I was brought at 11 of the clock in the Night, the Matron received me off the Messengers, And being brought by the Messengers of the Councell; she thought I was some exceeding guilty person; and her words declared as much, for she said, I warrant you are one of the plotters? Its my portion said I, to be dealt so with, as if I were one of them, but I am sure that I am none; then the said, I don't think but I have had in my keeping such as you are before now; then she lookt sted fast­ly in my face: And asked me, whether I did not know one Mistris Cook, I said, I had heard of such a one, but I had no know­ledge of her: I warrant you are one of that crew she said; there is a company of ranting Sluts of which I have had some in my house, who have spoken a great many good words like you; but they had base actions: This discourse past from her, and much more that night. And I said to her, It no hurt to me to be ranked among [Page 39]such vile ones, which she likened me to; but I blesse the Lord, said I, that I am no such, but do abhor such evill practises; much was spoke while we waited for my freinds comming, whom I had sent, for to take care for the Maid, that came out of Cornwall with me, the Matrons was loath to have fit up till my friends came, for it was almost twelve a clock at night; but at last my friends came, who said; this our sister is no vagabond, its well known by many in the City, her civill manner of life from a child, though the Counsell is pleased to deal thus with her, to send her to such a place, among harlots and thieves; much to this purpose they spoke that night: and they desired to see my Lodging, so she had me up stairs into a large room, but it was very close, there being but a little window at one corner of the room, and the Common shore running under the Window-place, which fink smelt grievously, and there was such a filthy smell with the Rots that abode much in that room, so that at the first coming in, these scents entered much into my nice stomack, and having been newly setcht out of the Coun­trey too, and my friends that lived there hard by, were not able to endure the scent of the room, without stopping their nostrils, but they said nothing to me that night of what offended them, be­cause they would not discourage me: so the bed was made for me, which was a hard, flock-bed, and my friends saw it, and were much grieved to see my hard usage, but they saw it was in vain to find fault that night: so they departed, and I was left alone. The Matron would not admit of the maids being with me, who came from Cornwall with me, but said, she would tend me, I should not have a maid to wait on me there: so my friends departed from me, leaving me in the Lords protection, and the Matron bid me make hast to bed, for she must fetch away the candle, for she said, she did not trust her prisoners to put it out,

And when she was gone down, as I was making my self unrea­dy, I was much assaulted by Satan and my own heart; who said, to be so forward for God, see what thou hast got by it, thy mo­ther little thought this would have befallen thee, when she prayed that God would double his spirit on thee, now thou mayest see what her prayer is come to; I then was tempted to murmure at that prayer, and the Tempter bid me speak against that prayer, and the Tempter said to me, that I should be a by-word and a laughing-stock while I lived, and that every one would point at me as I went [Page 40]up & down the streets, when I came out, they would say, there goes a Bridwell bird, and then many will gather about thee, to mock and deride thee; and as for thy kindred, they will be ashamed of thee, and will not care to hear thy name mentioned in their ears, because of Bridewell reproach, and therefore said Satan wilt thou still retain thy faith concerning Christ as King and Governour in the Earth; And I was tempted to let go my confidence as to this, but my Fa­ther kept me, and gave me a discovery of my Saviour, as he was hung between two thieves, and also brought those scriptures to my thoughts which makes a report of Christ, as he was ranked among transgressours; and how he that knew no sin was dealt with, so as to indure the contradiction of finners.

And now the Lord talked with me about my Saviours suf­fering much for me, and therefore do not hearken to Satan said the Lord, but look unto him that suffered the contradiction of sinners for thy sake, then was my heart cheared, and I went unto the unlovely lodging, and the Matron locked me in, or bolted me in, I know not well which, but there I was shut in alone, and yet not alone, for Christ was with me; and when I had lain a while, I grew very sick, for the hard damp bed struck much into my sto­mach, and the cold sheets; so that all this set me into an Ague, and I shook much, and my limbs smarted with cold, and I smelt such a strong scent about the bed, that my heart panted, and lay beating, and my stomack working, and my head aching exceeding much, most part of my being in that Lodge this first night; and at break of the day, I threw off the cloaths from my stomach, for I was almost spent, being very fick, and in much pain some hours: and I said, dear Father, hast thou brought me to Bridewell to dye; the Lord and my Father answered me presently, and said no; thou shalt not dye but live, and declare the works of the Lord; and he further told me, that though my heart and my strength failed me, the Lord was the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever, and he would never leave me nor forsake me; the Lord said, he would be my safety from the horn of men and Devils; and I then recovered a little strength, and I sang forth allelujahs song of thanksgiving, and I out of that fell in a little slumber; and my friends came, and waked me presently, against their wills they did it, for they were very tender of me, and it grieved them greatly, [Page 41]when they heard what a night I had; they then spake a while to me, and soon after I rose, and made me ready, and then went to prayer with some of my sisters that came that morning, and after prayer I received much reviving in my outward man, but was not well, yet I walked about the house all that day, and was in the lower roome with my friends, who came that day many of them, whom I walk in fellowship with, and many others; for they thought I was put in a place that would daunt me, if the Lord did not much appear to me; and they came to expresse their ten­der love and care that they had of my welfare, and they pleaded very much with the Matron, and fetcht out the order that brought me there, and procured a Copy of it, which cost them sixteen pence, a few words copying out; and this Copy of the Order was shewed to the Matron, how that nothing was laid to my charge, and that I was onely to be kept there, till further order; and my friends prayed her to let me have another bed, and other Sheets, the which they offered me of theirs, but that she would not grant, but they prevailed at length with her after much perswasion, to lay me on one of her beds, and to let me have other sheets, the which I had the second night, and they procured one to be with me, for they said, I was not fit to be alone, for that I was oft­times weak in body, and required help: so they also obtained, that, some ingaging to the Matron, that they would bear her harm­lesse in her giving way to this: many that day so sweetned my Chamber with severall persumes, and strowed it with herbs, and Flowers, that it much altered the smell, yet it smelled very offen­sive all the time of my being there, though I every day sometimes was burning many severall things in the room for the first week, and severall times while I was there, and after this day, I was very sick; yet the Matron urged me with the first day of the week to go hear their Minister at Bridewell, but I told her, I was very ill, she said, she thought I dissembled at the first, but afterward she thought it was a Judgement from the Lord, my sicknesse, because I was unwilling she said, to hear their Minister: and she said, she saw by my high colour, that I was not well, and indeed I was much in a feaver that day onely, I had the ague a little while in a cold fit, and I lay, not desiring to be spoke to, because it was painfull for me to speak, or to turn my self in my bed: and the next day [Page 42]the ague and feaver was much upon me, so that my heart even sunk within me, I being so burning and in so close a room, and friends had a great ado to get to see me, the Matron was so strict, and would hardly let them in, but some friends came, who made me plaisters to lay to my wrists, and posset drink, to drink the next fit.

But that second day in the night, I was pleading with the Lord, and asked of the Lord a removall of that sicknes, and saying, Lord, its very grievous to ly sick in this place; the Lord answered me, and said, I have taken away thy sicknesse, thou shalt be sick no more, while thou art here thou art here in Bridewell, for I will fill thee with more triumph here, than ever thou hadst in thy life, so the Lord did I am sure; and it was further said to me, thy friends have provided means to take away thy Ague, but the Lord hath been thy Physician aforehand; and he further said, he would take me into the mount that day, for the perfect cure of my sicknesse, and so the Lord did, and I spake by way of prayer and singing from morning till night, and felt no ficknesse nor pain, nor faint­nesse, not all that day, nor at night when I came to my self, to be capable of a body; for truly, all that day I was wrapt up, so that I could not tell, whether I was in the body or out: and yet I sung with understanding, as to the things the Lord was do­ing among the sonnes and daughters of men; and at ninght, I had sweet rest all night, and in the morning, it being the fourth day the Matron came and told me, that it was a Court day, and I must rise and go to the Court, I have been sick I said, and I prayed her to tell them so; she came the second time, and bid me rise to go before the Court, I told her I was weak, and had lain in my bed three dayes, onely I rose the second day, and could hardly indure up while my bed was made, and I thought it not safe to rise up, be­ing I was in a sweat, & go presently into the aire; she came the third time, and said, if you will not rise, I must send the man to call you up, that was an old man, that called up the harlots and thieves, every morning betimes to beat hemp, he was to slap them up to work; and she threatned to send him to fetch me up, but I said, tell the Court I have been sick, and am not fit to rise out of the bed; but many of my friends came who perswaded me to strive to rise and go to the Court, so I did, my sister Ʋrsula Adman, help­ing [Page 43]me, and other of my sisters, and they led me up to the Court, for I was very weak, so that the Court gave me leave to sit down before them, they were very courteous to me, and they spoke not much to me, onely said, it was the Custome they had to see all their prisoners at their first coming in; I told them, truly, Gen­tlemen, I would have waited on you sooner, but I have been sick and therefore I stayed so long before I came before you, there was through some words spoken an opportunity given me to tell them of my sicknesse, the Matron finding fault with so many peo­ple coming to see me, I told them, that if I had not been put into such a place, it was probable so many would not have come; but further I said to them, I being put into such a close room, coming out of the fresh air it was very offensive to me, the room and the bed had such a strong scent, and damp, that it set me into an ague, and a Feavor; one of them said, they did not use to have their beds smell where their prisoners lay, for they were lookt well too; I said, but the scent was grievous to me, and the bed was damp ha­ving not been laid upon, not lately it may be; I said truly Sir, if you had been there, you might have smelt it, the scent was very grievous to me and others who smelt it as well as I; I am sure, I told them it was a cause of my sickness; for I was well when I came there: Then the Matron said, I spoke to wrong her, but I did not: onely I would have it known what was the reason of my sicknesse. I am certain I had no revenge any way towards her, then she told them that I would have men come to me, and that word went to my heart, I knowing my bashfull nature, and my civill life was known to many; and I said to them truly, Gentlemen, my delight is not nor never was in mens company, but in all people as they are godly, I delight in their company: And I said, that the Officers of the Church was to look after the members of the Church, they said it was reason they should, and they were not against it: They as­ked me how many was of them Officers, I said about ten I thought: they asked me how many I would have come to see me of my sisters at a time, I said, 6. so it was granted; but some would have had their names penned down, that so onely those half a doozen might have come; but it was procured otherwayes by friends. And after this the Lord gave health and strength and stomack to my food, and a better digestion then ever I had since I can remember.

The Lord also filled me with joy unspeakable, and full of glory in believing, and many visions and Hallelujah songs I had there; and more frequent they were then they ever had been: I was at Brid­well Court, once more only to be gated on; for little was said to me, onely they asked me, why I lay there still; And I said, I waited upon the pleasure of the Councel: And they asked me, why my friends did not seek to get my liberty? I said, I know not, they know what they have best to do themselves; one said, but they come every day to see you, do not they tell you what they will do? I said, I do not ask them, I leave it to them; Something more was said, and I came away, and retired to my Chamber, where in I kept most of those eight weeks, paying five shillings a week for it; It cost forty shillings, and I blesse the Lord that I had friends, and some means of my own, else I must have lain in the Goale upon straw: The Matron told me, so the first night, and when some said, If I must beat Hemp, they would beat for me; She said, I should beat it my self: and for ought she knew I was to beat Hemp, but she did not know me; and so spoke as she used to speak to those that de­serve harshnesse; for after she had knowledge of me, she was very loving, and respectfull both to me, and to my Sister Ʋrsula Adman, who kept me company seven weeks of my being there: She was a friend born for the day of adversity, as Solomon speaks; and indeed she, night and day, shewed her tendernesse to me, and helped to bear my burden. And therein she fulfilled the law of Christ, and she did this as a freewill Offering, love constraining her thereunto, so that it was thereby made easie to her to bear and indure that which few would, especially so freely without reward; yet I am confi­dent the Lord will reward her double for that prison kindness, she let out to me without any fainting, or being troubled, that the time was long, or the noises burdensome; there was many diffi­culties to undergo night and day; but little quiet sleep to be had, there was such scoulding among the prisoners neer our lodging: and they were brought in often a nights which made a great noise, and the Rats run about our bed, and made a great noise, like dogs and Cats in the Room; and this was no pleasant prison sure to such that were brought up tenderly, and never knew any hardship as to the outward man: And truly the Lord made this and many more anoiances, received in Bridwell prison, to be very pleasantly [Page 45]imbraced by divine love appearing in the midst of all trials; my God made this smarting scourge (as from man it was so) but God I say made it easie; for his tendernesse was much, he made foes be­come friends, and the harsh to be kind, and overcame the rough and hasty spirits; the Lord is worthy of all praise. I had but a little while affliction in my spirits, which was occasioned by a friend, and that made it grievous, but the Lord made that little storm, to work abundance of good to me many ways: and all things that were afflictive, the Lord quickly broke such setters. I said not, O when will there be an end of this or the other affliction, but I often said, and desired a purging out of my corruptions, be­fore a removall of sufferings, that so I might come out more holy and more humble, and more selfe-denying and selfe-debasing, and abhorring them when I went into prison: That so I might all my dayes be willing to take up the Crosse of Christ, and follow him, whether so ever he would have me, either to do or suffer: I shall begin to shorten my relation, least I should be too tedious to the Reader, and leave the Visions and opening of Scriptures, that the Lord brought to my soul, while I was in Bridwell for my own benefit, and for others that are his little flock, with whom he hath made an everlasting Covenant, well ordered in all things and sure.

At the time neer my comming out, some came and defired me to Petition, I told them I had not offended man, whereby to seek to him; And they knew that I was in Prison by their order; but some said they may forget: I said, that they could not, for many of their friends still told them: The Protector said, he did not know that I was put in Bridewell, till I had been there above a week, that one went and informed him: but it was a strange thing that servants should do such an Act without their Master, and great Governours knowledge; surely, if he had not liked of it, he would have reproved them: but said I, now he knows it, and yet he doth not send for me out. Again, some others came and said, they knew they could quickly procure my Liberty: I told them, I would not come out upon base terms: said one to me, what are your terms, let us hear them? I said, they shall acknowledge the reproach and odium they have brought upon me, through this their prison: said one, is that your terms? then you mayly long [Page 46]enough; but surely all rational men will say, this was but equity: Then after this, some spoke great matters, what they would do for my liberty: and they went to the Counsell and spoke to them, and President Laurence, said, if that I would, or any for me ingage, I might come out; but said Captain Kettlebeator, none can ingage, for she her self cannot ingage as to a dispensation, that she is so ta­ken up in, that she knows not what is done about her at that time, nor capable of any being with her in the room: And he told him, that he had known me many years: And my whole deportment of life had been, and was very civill and religious; he spake more to that purpose: Aud the President said, so he had understood; some more speech they had, and they came to tell me that, nay what they had spoke in my behalf: I said, I will never ingage to that which lies not in me to perform, for what the Lord utters in me, I must speak: so one said, he would go again to the Counsell, I told him I desired no favour of them but justice and equity: and if he could procure my comming before them to hear what they have a­gainst me, thats all I desire of you I said; and what he said or did, it was of his own offering: so he said, he would not leave them so, but he would go again and try what they would do; but I heard no more concerning him, he was forgetfull it may be, like his Master: After this some others undertook this businesse, and came to hear what I would say to it. And one asked me upon what ac­count I suffered imprisonment, whether it was for Christ, and if so then I had a great deal of comfort in my sufferings, for he said, he had found it so, having been imprisoned for the testimony of Je­sus; I told him the Councel never sent for me, to tell me upon what account they imprison me here for; and I said, the recogni­zances are taken off concerning Cornwall businesse, so that I was meerly upon the pleasure and wills of the Councel, and of Lord Laurance; for indeed I will call him my Bridewell Lord, for that his hand was in chief to the Order: but I told them, I was sure I suffered for Christ. And I enjoyed his presence abundantly; and I gave them some account of my sufferings, and of the Lords comforts therein, then after some further discourse, they asked me whether, I would be willing to go out, if an Order should come for my liberty? I told them, I would never ingage: they said, that was not desired; I said, yes but it was, for my Lord Laurence told some if I would ingage, I might come out: then they said, but if [Page 47]the Order come, and give you liberty freely, will you accept of it? I was silent, onely my sister said, if we can have liberty, we will chuse it rather than bonds? so after a little while these departed.

And the next week after, upon the sixth day of the week, I rose early in the morning and walked about my Chamber, putting up requests to the Lord secretly for purging grace, that I might go out of prison much more purified from the drosse of corruptions, then when I went into prison fire; that so others might see it had been a purifying furnace to me: And after I had been up some hours, I said to my sister that abode with me, I think said I to her, every one that I hear coming to the door, comes from the Councel with an Order for my liberty; come let us pray before it comes, and ask councell of God concerning it, and the Lord indeed counselled me, and took me into the mount of heavenly rapture that day, so that my friends were fain to take we off my knees and lay me upon my bed, where I lay praying and singing more then every I did in my life unto many publick concernments, the which I am sure will be accomplish'd in due time: and I often desired that they in high places had some of the dainties with me at Bridewell; and that day the Order was brought, and I lay silent when they came with it; but I was talking with the Lord who shewed me many things, which I know shall come to passe, and the Lord told me that my freedome out of that place was neer, the which I saw three weeks before, and sang it forth, so I did now; one of them tarried that brought the Order, I was told so afterwards; but I knew not that any was by me, when I thus lay, either silent or speaking. That day I spake to some that said, he would chuse imprisonment for gain, he spoke of an outward gain, but if he got by his imprisonment formerly; I am sure I cannot say, nor those that are imprisoned upon this ac­count for the fifth Monarchy, cannot say so: we would not gain for our outward man, if we might, by robbing others, to enrich our selves; I can say, I have refused what hath been tendered me freely: I took nothing save for my necessity, unto which I had e­nough supply, had not the Rulers put me to such charges through their imprisonment, and bringing me from place to place, and ma­king me pay for it. So that I have been robbed, but I have robbed none: I had rather go in a Canvass Coar, or any mean garb, then so do; and eat any mean kind of food, then to fair dainty and go in brave robes with that cost, which is others right in heritance.

I shall further relate in the close of this relation, how the next day I came sorth, for I came not into a capable frame, to speak to any body, till late at night, on the sixth day; and when I spoke that night, my friends said, do you know you are set at liberty? you sang as if you had known; I said, the Lord hath given it me, I will thank him for it; so you told us to day in your finging, said my friends: And the next morning the Keeper of Bridewell came, and said, I was free by order from the Councel, and I might go out when I pleased: I told him they should fetch me out that put me in; had they put me among Thieves and Whores, and now did they send for me out without acknowledging the reproach they had brought upon me? He said, the same Order with the same hands that puts you in fetches you out: I desired to see my Order, so I should he said, if I would pay sixteen pence for a Copy of it: so I sent for it, and read it. And seeing I might go out upon no disho­nourable terms, and the Lord having instructed me before hand, he being my guide and Counseller, in my imprisonment, and in my comming out. And I said to a friend, go tell your Masters, though they will not see me they shall be sure to hear from me, and so they have: for I sent letters to them, that so they might not say, they had not heard of the injustice acted under their dominion: Now I have given a Declaration, through the assistance of the Lord, and not to set up my self and throw down others; but to throw down lies, and exalt truth; the Lord would not have Cities nor Coun­tries, nor White-hall Councel, a refuge for lies: For his people are recorded in the 63 of Isa. v. 8. to be children that will not lie, so he became their Saviour: I desire that truth may be written in Busse and sent through Europe; I would have the whole world tast the sweetnes of truth, that all people may know, and see, and con­sider, and understand together, the hand of the Lord, and what he is doing, and will do for his, that trust in him; And sure wisdom is justified of her children: Come, O you children of wisdom, ob­serve that you may understand, and seek after Christs raign, and say with me. Come Lord Jesus come quickly, according to thy saying, Even so come Lord Jesus; Let those that waite on the Lords comming say, Amen, even so be it.