THAT the marvelous Work of Reformation hath been small and of very little Esteem in its Beginning,1415 and yet been ad­vanc'd with remarkable Progress, will, I believe, be deny'd by none, that have read with Attention and a due Consideration the History of its first Rise; since God, the Beginner and Author of this glorious Work, proceeding by Steps and Degrees, hath used there­in such singular Wisdom and Prudence, that, (every Circumstance du­ly consider'd) instead of censuring any Part thereof, they will be ob­lig'd to cry out Thou, O Lord, alone knowest the right Times and Seasons to open the Eyes of People, and to make them capable of thy Truth! For if we look to the first Beginnings,J.Hus to go back no farther than John Hus, we shall find, that tho in many Things he was considerably enlightned, yet he remain'd still in several gross Errors; for altho' he had a clear Sight of the vain Doctrines of Purgatory, Praying to, and Wor­shipping of Images, &c. nevertheless it is reported of him, that he fa­vour'd the Invocation of Saints, the Seven Sacraments, Auricular Confession, and other Tenets of the Church of Rome; and yet Chri­stian Charity constrains us to believe (tho' we find Protestant Wri­ters who deny him the Name of a Martyr) that by his Death, which he suffer d in the Flames at Constance in Germany, on the Sixth of the Month call'd July, in the Year 1415, he hath been an acceptable Sacrifice unto God: And with what a sedate and well compos'd Mind he suffer'd Death, may be concluded from this, That he seeing a Country-Fellow very zealously carrying Wood to burn him, said, with a smiling Countenance, O holy Simplicity! and that after the Fire was kindled, he sang with Joy in the Flames, his Mind being firmly esta­blish'd on God; for he had been faithful according to his Knowledge, and had not hid his Talent in the Earth, but improv'd it, having shewn himself a zealous Promoter of that small Illumination which God was pleas'd to grant him; it being, without Question, great enough in that grievous Night of Darkness, when Idolatry had so universally blinded Mankind, that morally speaking, it would have been impossible for them to have understood the Declaration of an entirely reform'd Re­ligion; whereas it is evident that the most sober and discreet People of that Age were capable to understand the Doctrine and Sermons of that honest Man.

[Page 2]To give a clearer Prospect into this Matter, let it be consider'd, that if a Man had been kept shut up a long Time in a dark Prison, where he could neither behold the Light of the Sun or Moon, and should have been let out on a sudden at clear Noon-Day, he would not only not be able to endure the bright Day-Light, but would also, if he strove to open his Eyes with Force, be endanger'd of losing, his Sight, and fal­ling into a worse Condition than he was in before; whereas if he had been brought into the open Air at the Time of Twilight, he would by Degrees have learned to discern the Objects, and come to an Ability of beholding every Thing in a clear Day aright.

Agreeable to this, in the Reigns of King Henry the VIIIth and the bloody Queen Mary, the principal Test in England was, Whether a Man owned the Corporal Presence of Christ in the Sacrament; and he who denied this, was to be burnt as an Heretick; also in the Netherlands, 'twas enough [...]o bring a Man to the Stake, if he confessed that he had been [...]e-baptized. Insomuch that it seems the Lord did raise in those Days zealous Men chiefly to testify against the Idolatry of the Host and the Error of Infan [...]-Baptism, that so gradually he might break down the great Structure of humane Inventions.

Now how small foever the Beginnings of this great Work of Refor­mation were, yet it encreas'd from time to time, and oftentimes singular Instances were seen of the Workings of the Power and Spirit of God.

In the Year 1513,1513 J. Le Clerc. I find that one John Le Clerc of Meaux in France, being at M [...]tz in Lorrain, was fill'd with such Zeal against Idolatry, that he broke to pieces the Images in a Chappel, which the next Day were to have been worshipped in a very solemn Manner. And being ta­ken Prisoner for this Fact, and cruelly tortur'd to Death, he was so eminently strengthened, even to the Amazement of the Beholders, that in the Height of the Torments, being torn with red hot Pincers, he said from Psalm cxv. Their Idols are Silver and Gold, the Work of Mens Hands. Aymond a Vie. Not less was the Zeal of one Aymond a Vie, imprison'd in France, about the Year 1541,1541 because he had preach'd the Gospel un­dauntedly; and tho' he had been advised to fly, yet he would not be persuaded thereto, but said with an heroick Mind, I would rather never have been born than commit such a base Act; for it is the Duty of a good Pastor not to fly from Danger but to stay in it, lest the Sheep be scattered. He was tortur'd cruelly to betray his Fellow-Believers; but no Torment, how cruel soever, could extort the Name of any from him; and he suffer'd Death valiantly for the Testimony of Jesus, feeling himself very powerfully strengthned by the Spirit of God, which work'd so gloriously in the Martyrs of those Times,Merindol that those of Merindol in Provence said, The Holy Ghost is an infallible Teacher, by whose Inspiration all Christians receive the Knowledge of Truth: This Spirit dwells in them, he rege­nerates them to a new Life, he slayeth the Old Man in them, and he makes them alive to every good Work, consolating them in Tribulations, and strength­ening them in Adversities, &c. And of the pious Professors at Meaux, I find mention'd in the Year 1546,1546 that tho' a great Number of Men and Women were led Prisoners by but a few, they yet made no Re­sistance, but shew'd themselves harmless, not sad with Grief, but singing with Joy; nay, so powerfully God did work in Gabriel Beraudin, who was executed at Chambery in Savoy, 1550 in the Year 1550, that after his Tongue was cut off by the Hangman, he spoke intelligibly to the Peo­ple,Claude Mo­rier. and celebrated God's Praise in a miraculous Manner. Claude Morier being burnt very cruelly at Lions in France, wrote whilst in his Prison, Let us pray our Heavenly Father continually, that he create in us a clean Heart, that he give us a new Heart, and that he guide our Will by the Leadings of [Page 3] his Spirit. Godfried de Hammelle. Very re [...]ble it is also, that Godfried de Hammelle a Year after that, being imprision'd at Tournay in the Netherlands, and being told that the Apostle in his Epistle to the Ephesi [...]ns, 1551 had call d Marriage a Sa­crament, said in a Letter, ‘That tho' at first this had puzzled him, yet the Lord had not long left him in this Difficulty, but put him in Mind by his Spirit, that the Word there was not Sacrament, but My­stery.’ For the Martyrs of those Times did not stick to profess with the primitive Christians, that the Children of God must be led by his Spirit. And so Peter Schryver, burnt at Lions, about the Year 1552,1552 P.Schryver wrote from Prison, ‘That he having heard God's pure Word preach'd, believ'd it,’ because the Spirit of God gave him a Testimony [or Evidence] of it in his Heart, and did so confirm it to him, that he "could not question it in the least." He also says in his Letter, ‘That once having pray'd to God, he had been so refresh'd by the Vertue of his Spirit, and so strengthned, that tho' he sate in a dark nasty Place, yet he felt such a Consolation and Joy, that overcame all Sorrow and Anguish. Nay, said he, the least Comfort and Joy I feel now in my Bends, surpasseth all the Joys that ever I had in my Life; for now the Holy Ghost puts me in Mind of those gracious Promises that are made to those who suffer for his Name's-sake.’ And being ask'd how he knew that which he asserted, to be the pure Word of God? He answer'd, Because it did agree with the Doctrine of the Prophets and Apo­stles, and that of Jesus Christ; and that the Holy Ghost gave him a certain Evidence thereof. Concerning the Indwelling of God s Spirit in Man, he also speaks very notably in his Letter to John Chambon, (whose won­derful Conversion in Prison was an eminent Proof of the Truth of his Sayings) telling him, That his Heavenly Father was near him, and by his Spirit dwelt in his Heart. That this was also the Doctrine of John Cal­vin, appears from his Letters to the said Man and his Fellow-Prisoners, where he saith: ‘Don't doubt but God will, in those Things wherein he will use your Service, give you that Power, by which the Work in you being begun, will be perfected, for that he hath promised to do: And we have many Examples and Instances of that excellent Faith, by which we clearly know, that God never in any Thing hath fail­ed those who have been led and guided by his Spirit. Trust firmly, Brethren, that when it is needful you will become so strong and sted­fast, that you shall not faint under any Burden of Temptations, how great and heavy soever. — The Fight is now at hand, to which the Holy Ghost exhorts us, not only that we should go, but even that with all Alacrity of Mind we should run.’ Many other excellent Testimonies of eminent Men of those Times might be produc'd: And it also is very remarkable that Peter Bergier being Prisoner at Lions, in the Year 1553,1553 P. Bergier and afterwards suffering Death, cry'd in the midst of the Flames, I see the Heavens open'd. Now that the Doctrine of being taught by the Spirit of God, was generally receiv'd by the Martyrs of those Times, we learn from many of their Writings. Denis Peloquin burnt in the said Year at Ville Franche, Denis Pelo­quin. said in his Confession, That it was the Holy Ghost that gave him Witness in his Conscience, that the Books of the Old and New Testament were the Holy Scripture. Lewis de Marsac, Lewis de Marsac. being about the same Time put to Death by Fire at Lions, said, when he was ask'd how he knew the Holy Scriptures to be the Gospel? God hath taught me so by his Spirit: And being also ask'd, Whether it was his incumbent Duty to read the Holy Scriptures, and who had instructed him concern­ing them? He answer'd, That God by his Spirit had effected it, that he got some Knowledge thereof; and that without his Grace, and the enlightning of his Spirit, he could not comprehend and understand any Thing in the Gospel. John [Page 4] Calvin did also write to the aforesaid Peloquin and Marsac: God will cause that the Confession which you will make according to the Measure of the Spirit he has given you, will produce a greater Fruit of Edification than all others that might be sent you. And to Matthew Dymonet, Prisoner at Lyons, he wrote thus; ‘Submit modestly to the Guidings of God's Spirit; answer with all Moderation and Discretion, keeping to the Rule of the Scriptures. I have believed, and therefore I will speak; but let not this hinder thee to speak freely and sincerely, being persuaded that he who pro­mis'd to give us a Mouth, and such Wisdom as the Gainsayers can't withstand, will never forsake thee.’ More of the like Instances of the Operations of the Spirit of God in his Witnesses I could alledge, if I had so intended; but I give here only a slender Draught of the Since­rity and the Principle of those that were but come to the Dawnings of the Reformation; for higher I can't esteem that Time, because the Eyes of the most zealous Men of those Days were yet so much cover'd with the Fogs which then were, and the Prejudice of the old Leaven, that they did not discern all Things in a full Clearness; for one [...]aw the Error of one Thing, and the other of another; but humane Affection did work too strong, and thereby they judged one another, as is abun­dantly mentioned in History.

If we rightly look into this, it seems very absurd to think that the Reformation (which in former Times had been pretty much advanced by some eminent Men; as Luther, Melancthon, Oecolompadius, Calvin, Men [...]o, and others) then was brought to Perfection; for we perceive that even those Reformers themselves at first had not such a clear Sight into ma­ny Things, as afterwards they got; which to demonstrate at large, I count unnecessary; since England being the chiefest Stage, on which the Things I intend to describe, have been transacted, I'll turn, my Face thi­therward, to take a View cursorily of the Beginning and Process of the Reformation there. Passing by Wickliff and others, I begin with Thomas Cranmer; T. Cranmer. who, because of his sincere and good Life, being advanced by King Henry the VIIIth to the Archbishop's See of Canterbury, did all that was in his Power to reform the Errors crept into the Church of Rome, 1536 and therefore in the Year 1536, he exhorted the King, who much loved him, to proceed to a Reformation, and that nothing in Religion should be determined without clear Proofs from Scripture, and there­fore he proposed that these Points, ‘Whether there was a Purgatory? Whether deceased Saints ought to be invocated? and how Images were to be regarded;’ well needed to be enquired into; since it began to appear, that several Things were Errors, for which some People not long before had suffer'd Death.T.Cromwel. Some Time after, Thomas Cromwel, a chief Minister of the Kingdom, and a great Friend of Cranmer, publish'd some Injunctions in the King's Name, wherein all Churchmen were re­quir'd, no more to recommend to People, Images, Relicks, or Pilgri­mages, but to teach them the Lord's Prayer, the Creed, and the Ten Commandments in English. This was a great Step towards the Translation of the Bible into English, which being also further'd by Cranmer, the next Year came out in Print;1537 and by the King's Warrant, the Clergy were requir'd to set up Bibles it their Churches; so that now, all that could might read the Holy Scripture in their native Tongue. Cranmer not content with this,1539 obtain'd in the Year 1539, a Permission for all People to have the Bible in their Houses; yet for all that, he still was an As­sertor of the corporal Presence of Christ in the Host, until in the Year 1549,1549 N.Ridley. in the Reign of King Edward VI. when the Times were more free, he was induc'd by Nicholas Ridley, a zealous Reformer, and afterwards a Martyr under Queen Mary, to enquire better into the Thing, and to discover [Page 5] cover the Absurdity of it; from whence he did not only oppose and sup­pres that Superstition, but also many others; and it is likely, that if Opportunity had been given him, he would have reformed more Things. Nevertheless, it can't but be wondred at, that he who seems to have been a Man of a meek Temper, could give his Vote for the Burning of those whom he look'd upon to be Hereticks; as John Nicholson, alias Lambert, in the Reign of Henry VIII. for denying of the corporal Presence of Christ in the Sacrament; and Joan Bocher and George Parr under Edward VI. the first for denying that Christ had taken Flesh from the Virgin Mary, and the latter for not believing the Deity of Christ: From whence we may see what a wrong Zeal for Religion is able to effect: But without que­stion he was become of another Mind,1556 when in the Year 1556, under the bloody Reign of Queen Mary, this was not only laid in his Dish, but he also was forc'd to undergo the same Lot of being burnt alive.

Now tho' after his Death the Bishops under Queen Elizabeth were content with the Reformation made by Cranmer, yet it pleased God in the Year 1568,1568 to raise other Persons that testify'd publickly against many of the remaining Superstitions; and altho' Coleman, Burton, Hal­lingham, and Benson, were imprison'd by the Queen's Order, yet they got many Followers,Puritans. and also the Name of Puritans. And notwithstanding the Archbishop, to prevent this, drew up some Articles of Faith, to be sign'd by all Clergymen, yet he met with great Opposition in this Under­taking: For one Robert Brown, Robt. Brown. a young Student of Cambridge, (from whom the Name of Brownists was afterwards borrowed) and Richard Harrison, R. Harrison. a School-Master,1583 publish'd in the Year 1583 some Books, wherein they shew'd how much the Church of England was still infected with Romish Errors; which was of such Effect, that the Eyes of many People came thereby to be open'd; who so valiantly maintain'd that Doctrine which they believ'd to be the Truth,1593 H.Barrow. J. Green­wood, J. Pen­ry. that some of the most zealous among them, viz. Henry Barrow, John Greenwood, and John Penry, about the Year 1593 were put to Death because of their Testimony, more (as may very well be believ'd) by the Instigation of the Clergy, than by the De­sire of the Queen: For some time after it happen'd that she ask'd Dr. Raynolds his Opinion of those Men, especially Barrow and Greenwood: To which he answer'd, That it would not avail any Thing to shew his Judgment concerning them, seeing they were put to Death. But the Queen yet pres­sing him farther, he said, That he was persuaded if they had liv'd, they would have been two as worthy Instruments for the Church of God, as had been rais'd up in that Age. At which the Queen sigh'd, and said no more. But afterwards riding by the Place where they were executed, and calling to Mind their Death, she demanded of the Earl of Cumberland that was present when they suffer'd, What End they made? And he answer'd, A very godly End; and they prayed for your Majesty and the State. Moreover one Philips, Philips. a famous Preacher, having seen Barrow's Prepa­ration for Death, said, Barrow, Barrow, my Soul be with thine.

After the Death of Queen Elizabeth, when James I. had ascended the Throne, the Followers of those Men suffer'd much for their Sepa­ration from the Church of England: But very remarkable it is, that even those of that Persuasion, of which many in the Reign of King Charles I. went to New-England, to avoid the Persecution of the Bishops, after­wards themselves turn'd cruel Persecutors of pious People, by inhumane Whippings, &c and lastly by putting some to Death by the Hands of a Hangman: A clear Proof indeed, that those in whom such a Ground of Bitterness was left still, tho' it had not always brought forth the like abominable Fruits, were not come yet to a perfect Reformation; for tho' the Stem of humane Traditions and Institutions sometimes had been [Page 6] shaken strongly, yet much of the Root was [...] Therefore it pleased God, who is used to enlighten Men gradually [...] make yet a clearer Discovery of his Truth, which in some Places already darted forth its Beams to Mankind, in a Time when many godly People were zealously seeking after a farther Manifestation of the Will of God, from a Sense that, notwithstanding all their outward Observations of religious Per­formances, there still stood a Partition-Wall, whereby the Soul was hin­dered from living in perfect Peace with its Creator. For in that Time there were in England many separate Societies, and amongst the rest also such as were called Seekers, who at first seemed to promise great Mat­ters; but the Sequel shewed that their Foundation was not the Rock of Ages; and so divers of them soon lost their first Integrity. Now those People who began to take Heed to a divine Conviction in the Consci­ence, and accordingly preach'd to others the Doctrine of an inward Light, wherewith Christ had enlightened Men, in the latter End of the Time of King Charles I. began to encrease in Number, and they be­came a separate Society among Men, and in Process of Time the Name of QƲAKERS was in Scorn imposed on them; and in most Coun­tries of Europe they have been accused of many exorbitant. Absurdities, both in Life and Doctrine. I have design'd to describe impartially, and according to Truth, the first Beginnings and Rise, and also the Progress of that People, and to stretch out the Relation of their Increase and Transactions so far as my Time of Life and Leisure will permit.

I enter upon a W [...] which, consisting of many very singular Instances, in its Beginning appears hard and difficult, and in the Process often sad and dreadful. For among the manifold Adversities, we shall not only meet with bitter Revilings, scornful Mockings, rude Abuses, and bloody Blows from the fool-hardy Rabble, but also severe Persecutions, hard Imprisonments, grievous Banishments, unmerciful Spoil of Goods, cruel Whippings, Cutting off of Ears, Smotherings in Prisons, and also putting to Death by the Hands of an Hangman, by Order of the Magistrates: Afterwards some Quiet and Rest; then again severe Persecution, until the furious Promoters of it, at last wearied, desisted from their mischie­vous Labour for a Time, more by being at their Wits-end, than out of Mercy. And among all these Vicissitudes, notable Instances have been seen of unfeigned Godliness, sincere Love, much True-heartedness, ex­traordinary Meekness, singular Patience, ardent Zeal, undaunted Courage, and unshaken Stedfastness, even among the Female Sex, which tho' the weakest, yet in the hardest Attacks shew'd a more than manly Spirit; insomuch, that seldom any Age hath afforded Matter where more pow­erful Examples to Vertue have been seen. The first I find that was thus immediately reach'd in his Mind, was a young Man call'd George Fox, born at Drayton in Leicestershire, George Fox. in England, in the Month call'd July, in the Year 1624, from Parents that were Members of the publick Church, or Church of England, Drayton. 1624 Leicestersh. as appeareth to me from a Paper, in his Life­time drawn up by his Order, at my Request, and sent me. His Father was Christopher Fox, a Weaver by Trade, an honest Man, and of such a vertuous Life, that his Neighbours were used to call him Righteous Christer. His Mother was Mary Lago, an upright Woman, and of the Stock of the Martyrs. This George Fox was even in his Minority en­dued with a Gravity and Stayedness of Mind, that is seldom seen in Children; so that he seeing how old People carried themselves lightly and wantonly, had such an Aversion to it, that he would say within himself,1641 Geo. Fox's Journal, p. 2. If ever I come to be a Man, surely I will not be so wanton.

His Parents in the mean while endeavour'd to train him up, as they did their other Children, in the common Way of Worship, his Mother [Page 7] especially contributing thereto, as being eminent for Piety: But even from a Child he was seen to be of another Frame of Mind than his B [...]ethren; for he was more religious, retired, still, and solid, and was also observing beyond his Age, as appeared from the Answers he gave, and the Questions he asked concerning religious Matters, to the Astonishment of those that heard him. His Mother seeing this extraordinary Temper and Godliness which so early did shine thro' him, so that he would not meddle with childish Plays, did not think it fit to trouble him about the Way of Worship, but carried herself indulgent towards him. Mean while he learned to read pretty well, and to write so much as would serve him af­terwards to signify his Meaning to others. When he was come to eleven Years of Age, he endeavour'd to live a pure and righteous Life, and to be faithful in all Things, viz. inwardly to God, and outwardly to Man; since the Lord by his good Spirit had shewed him, that he was to keep his Word always, and that he ought not to commit Excess in eating or drinking. He thus growing up in Vertue, some of his Relations were for having him train'd up in the Schools, make a Priest of him; but others persuaded to the contrary; and so he was put to a Shoe-maker that dealt also in Wool and in Cattle. Being employ'd then by his Master, he took most Delight in Sheep, and was very skilful in what belong'd thereto, for it was an Imployment that very well suited his Mind; and his thus being a Shepherd, was, as an eminent Author saith, a just Emblem of his after Ministry and Service. He did acquit himself so diligently in his business, and minded it so well, that his Master was succesful in his Trade whilst George was with him. He often used in his Dealings the Word verily, and then he kept so strict to it, that People that knew him would, say, If George says verily, there is no altering him.

Now tho' my Design is not to give a Description of State-Affairs, yet I find it necessary to mention something of the chief temporal Occur­rence in England, in as much as they may have Relation to the Affairs of the Church; lest my History might seem an incompleat Work. Tran­siently therefore I will say, that in England about this Time appeared the Beginnings of a Civil War, in which Religion had some Share; for the Bishops began to introduce several Innovations, and caused not only Rails to be made about the Communion-Table, which now was called the High Altar; but those that approached it bowed thrice, and a Bow was made at the Pronouncing of the Name of Jesus. Thus Ceremonies increased from Time to Time; and those Preachers that were really religi­ous, and spoke most to Edification, were slighted and set by; the Bishops, in their Visitations, minding chiefly to promote such Rites as favoured Popery. And this was not only done in England, but in Scotland also Endeavours were made to bring in Episcopacy. This caused a Ferment among the People, which when it came to an Insurrection, they gene­rally believed that it was for Religion's-Sake, which made some cry in the open Streets, where there was any Con [...]uence of People, To your Tent [...], O Israel. And because the Parliament was of Opinion that King Charles I. encroach'd upon their Privileges, which they would not suffer; this so exasperated that Prince, that he brought together an Army and set up his Standard, first on the Castle of Nottingham, where it was blown down the same Evening, on the 25th of the Month call'd August in the Year 1642.1642 But before that Time, the King had taken Possession of some fortify'd Places, and the Parliament on the other hand had also got some in their Power. Some time after a Battle was sought between the Roy­ali [...]s and the Parliament, near Edge-Hill in Warwickshire, where neither Party prevailed much. About this Time George Fox, who more and more endeavour'd to lead a godly Life, being come to the nineteenth [Page 8] Year of his Age, it happen'd at a Fair, that a Cousin of his and ano­ther coming to him, asked whether he would drink a Jugg of Beer with them? He being thirsty, said Yes, and went with them to an Inn: But after each had drank a Glass, they began to drink Healths, and said, that He that would not drink, should pay for all. This grieved George much, seeing that People who professed to be religious, beha­ved themselves thus, and therefore he rose up to be gone; and put­ting his Hand into his Pocket, he took a Groat, and laid it down upon the Table, saying, If it be so, I ll leave you; and so he went away; and when his Business was done, he returned home; but did not go to Bed, that Night, but prayed and cryed earnestly to the Lord; and it seemed to him that his Supplications were answered after this Manner, Thou seest how young People go together into Vanity, and old People into the Earth; therefore thou must forsake all, both Young and Old, and be as a Stranger to them. This, which he took to be a Divine Admoniti­on, made such a powerful Impression on his Mind, that he resolved to break off all familiar Fellowship and Conversation with Young and Old, and even to leave his Relations, and to live a separate and retir'd Live.1643 On the ninth of September, in the Year 1643, he departed to Lutterworth, where he stay'd some Time, and from thence went to North­ampton, where he also made some Stay, and then passed to Newport-Pagnel in Buckinghamshire; and after having stay'd a while there, he went to Barnet, 1644 whither he came in the Mon [...]h called June in the Year 1644.

Whilst he led thus a solitary Lite, he fasted often, and read the Holy Scriptures diligently, so that some Professors took Notice of him, and sought to be acquainted with him. But he soon perceiving they did not possess what they profess d, grew afraid of them, and shun'd their Com­pany. In this time he fell into a strong Temptation, almost to Despair, and was in mighty Trouble, sometimes keeping himself retir'd in his Chamber, and often walking solitarily to want upon the Lord. In this State he saw how Christ had been tempted; but when he look'd to his own Condition, he wondered, and said, Was I ever so before. He began to think also that he had done amiss against his Relations, because he had forsaken them; and he called to Mind all his former Time, to consider whether he had wrong'd any. Thus Temptations grew more and more; and when Satan could not effect his Design upon him that Way, he laid Snares for him to draw him to commit some Sin, thereby to bring him to Despair. He was then about twenty Years of Age, and continu'd a long while in this Condition, and would fain have put it from him; which made him go to many a Priest to look for Comfort, but he did not find it from them. In this miserable State he went to London, in Hopes or finding some Relief among the great Professors of that City: But be­ing come there, he saw them much darkned in their Understandings. He had an Uncle there, one Pickering, a Baptist, and those of that Per­suasion were tender then; yet he could not resolve to impart his Mind to them, or join with them, because he saw all, Young and Old, where they were. And tho' some of the best would have had him staid there, yet he was fearful, and so return'd homewards; for having understood that his Parents and Relations were troubled at his Absence, he would rather go to them again l [...]st he should grieve them. Now when he was come into Leicestershire, his Relations would have had him marry'd; but he prudently told them, He was but a Lad, and must get Wisdom. Others would have had him in the Auxiliary B [...]nd among the Forces of the Par­liament, which being enter'd now into an intestine War with the King, had, with their Forces this Year, beaten not only the King's Army under Prince Rupert, but also conquer'd the City of York. But to persuade [Page 9] George to list himself a Soldier, was so against his Mind, that he refused i [...], an [...] went to C [...]ntry where he look a Chamber for a while at a Pro­fessors House, where he s [...]aid some Time, there being many People in that Town who endeavour d to live religiously.1645 After some time he went into his own Country again, and was there about a Year, in great Sorrows and Trouble, walking many Nights by himself. Then Nathaniel Stevens, the Priest of Drayton, (the Town of George's Birth) would often come to him, and George to the Priest; and when Stevens visited him he would sometimes bring another Priest along with him, and then George Fox would ask them Questions, and did reason with them. Once Stevens ask d him, Why Christ cry d out upon the Cross, My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me? And why he said, If it be possible let this Cup pass from me; yet not my Will, but thine be done? To this George Fox answer d thus; ‘At that Time the Sins of all Mankind were upon Christ, and their Iniquities and Transgressions with which he was wounded, which he was to bear, and to be an Offering for them, as he was Man, but died not as he was God: And so, in that he died for all Men, and tasted Death for every Man, he was an Offering for the Sins of the whole World.’ When George Fox spoke this, he was in a Measure sensible of Christ's Sufferings, and what he went through. And his saying so, did so please the Priest, that he said, It was a very good full An­swer, and such an one as he had not heard. He would also applaud and speak highly of George Fox to others, and what George said in Discourse to him, that he would preach of on the First Days of the Week: For which George did not like him. After some Time he went to an ancient Priest at M [...]setter in Warwickshire, and reasoned with him about the Ground of Despair and Temptations; but he being altogether ignorant of George's Condition, bid him take Tobacco, and sing Psalms. But George signified that he was no Lover of Tobacco, and as for Psalms, he was not in a State to sing. Then the Priest bid him come again, and that then he would tell him many Things. But when George came, the Priest was angry and pettish, for George's former Words had displeased him; and he was so indiscreet, that what George Fox had told him of his Sor­rows and Griefs, he told again to his Servants, so that it got among the Milk-Lasses; which grieved him to have opened his Mind to such an one; and he saw they were all miserable Comforters. Then he heard of a Priest living about Tamworth, who was accounted an experienced Man, and therefore he went to him, but found him like an empty hollow Cask. Hearing afterwards of one Dr. Craddock of Coventry, he went to him also, and asked him whence Temptations and Despair did arise, and how Troubles came to be wrought in Man. The Priest, instead of answer­ing, ask'd him, Who was Christ's Father and Mother? And George told him, Mary was his Mother, and he was supposed to be the Son of Joseph, but he was the Son of God. Now as they were walking together in Dr. Craddock's Garden, it happen'd that George in turning, set his Foot on the Side of a Bed, which so disturbed that Teacher, as if his House had been on Fire, and thus all their Discourse was lost; and George Fox went away in Sorrow, worse than he was when he came, seeing he found none that could reach his Condition. After this he went to one Macham, a Priest of high Account; and he, no more skilful than the others, was for gi­ving George some Physick and for bleeding him; but they could not get one Drop of Blood from him, either in the Arms or the Head, his Body being, as it were, dried up with Sorrows, Grief, and Trouble, which were so great upon him, that he could have wished never to have been born, to behold the Vanity and Wickedness of Men; or that he had been born blind, and so he might never have seen it; and deaf, [Page 10] that he might never have heard vain and wicked Words, or the Lord's Name blasphemed. And when the Time called C [...]r [...]mas came, while others were [...]easting and sporting themselves, he went from House to House, looking, for p [...]or Widows, and giving them some Money. And when he was invi [...]ed to Marriages (as sometimes he was) he would go to none at all; but the, next Day, or soon after, he went and visited those that were newly married; and if they were poor, he gave them some Money; for he had wherewith both to keep himself from being chargeable to others, and to administer something to the needful.

Whilst the Mind of George Fox was thus in Trouble, the State of Eng­land was also in a great Stir; for the Parliament was for turning out of Bishops, and introducing the Presbyterian Directory; which however as yet could not well be effected, altho' William Laud, Archbishop of Canter­bury, had been made to stoop to the Block; and the Power of the King by this Time was much weaken'd; for his Army was this Summer near Naseby, not far from Leicester, overcome by an Army of untrain d Bands, and about six Thousand Men, among which many great Officers were taken Prisoners, and his Cabinet, with abundance of Letters of great Moment, was seiz'd; insomuch, that tho' some Skirmishes were held, yet no decisive Battle was [...]ought afterwards.

But since a circumstantial Description of these State-Affairs is not with­in my Design, I ll return again to George Fox, who in the Beginning of the Year 1646,1646 as he was going to Coventry, and entring, towards the Gate, a Con [...]ideration arose in him, how it was said, that All Christians are Believers, both Protestants and Papists: And it was opened to him, that if all were Believers, then they were all born of God, and passed from Death to Life, and that none were true Believers but such: And tho' others said they were Believers, yet they were not. At ano­ther Time as he was walking in a Field on a First Day Morning, it was discover d unto his Understanding, that to be bred at Oxford, or Cambridge was not enough to make a Man to be a Minister of Christ. At this he won­der d, because it was the common Belief of People; but for all that, he took this to be a divine Revelation, and he admir d the Goodness of the Lord, believing now the ordinary Ministers not to be such as they pre­tended to be. This made him unwilling to go any more to Church, as it was called, to hear the Priest Stevens, believing that he could not pro­fit thereby: And therefore instead of going there, he would get into the Orchard, or the Fields, by himself with his Bible, which he esteemed above all Books, seeking thus to be edified in Solitariness. At this his Relations were much troubled: But he told them, Did not John the Apo­stle say to the Believers, that they needed no Man to teach them, but as the A­nointing teacheth them? And tho' they knew this to be Scripture, and that it was true, yet it grieved them, because he would not go to hear the Priest with them, but separated himself from their Way of Worship: For he saw now, that a true Believer was another Thing than they looked upon it to be; and that being bred at the Universities did not qualify a Man to be a Minister of Christ. Thus he lived by himself, not joining with any; nay, not of the Dissenting People, but became a Stranger to all, relying wholly upon the Lord Jesus Christ.

Sometime after it was opened in him, That God, who made the World, did not dwell in Temples made with Hands. And tho' this seemed at first strange to him, because both Priests and People used to call their Churches Dreadful Places, Holy Ground, and Temples of God, yet it was immediately shew'd him, that the Lord did not dwell in these Temples which Man had erected, but in People's Hearts, and that his People were the Temple he dwelt in. This was discover'd to him when he was walk­ing [Page 11] in the Fields to the House of one of his Relations. And when he came the [...]e, it was told him, that Nathaniel Stevens, the Priest, had been there, and told them, he was afraid of Fox, for going after new Lights. This made him smile, because now he saw the true State of the Priests. But he said nothing of it to his Relations, who tho' they saw that some­thing more was requir'd than the vulgar Way of Worship, yet they con­tinu d therein, being grieved because he would not also go to hear the Priests. Only he told them there was an Anointing in Man, to reach him; and that the Lord would teach his People himself. He had great Open­ings now concerning the Things written in the Revelations; and when he spake of them, the Priests and Professors would say, That was a sealed up Book. But to this he said, ‘Christ could open the Seals; and that the Things contain d in that Book, very nearly concern'd us; since the Epistles of the Apostles were written to the Saints of those Times, but the Revelations to point at Things to come.’ In England in those Days were People of very odd Notions, and among the rest such as held, that Wom [...]n have no Souls. He lighting on some of these, could not for­bear reproving them, since the Scripture, as he told them plainly, held forth the contrary; for the blessed Virgin Mary said, My Soul doth mag­nify the Lord; and my Spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. He also came among a People that [...]ly d much on Dreams; but he told them, ‘Ex­cept they could distinguish between Dream and Dream, their Obser­vations would be nothing but Confusion, since there were three Sorts of Dreams; for Multiplicity of Business sometimes caused Dreams; and there were Whisperings of Satan in the Night-Season; and there were also Speakings o [...] God to Man in Dreams.’ But because these People were more in Want of a clear Discerning, than of good Will, they at length came out of those Imaginations, and at last became Fellow-Believers with him; who' tho' he had great Openings in his Understand­ing, yet great Trouble and Temptation many Times came upon him; so that when it was Day, he wish'd for Night, and when it was Night he wish'd for Day. Nevertheless, among all those Troubles, his Under­standing was so opened, that he could say with David, Day unto Day uttereth Speech, and Night unto Night sheweth Knowledge; for even in the [...]e Troubles he had great Openings of many Places in Scripture.

As to State-Affairs, Things continu d in a distracted Condition; for the King, who after his Army had been beaten, was gone to the Scots, was by them delivered up to the English; to whom now he could no more prescribe Laws, but was fain to receive them. And the Church­men were also at Variance; for the Independents (several of which sat also in Parliament) began to say, that between Episcopacy, (aga [...]nst which they had fought conjunctly) and Presbytery, the Difference was only in the Name, and some few outward Circumstances, since People of a ten­der Conscience might apprehend no less Oppression from the Presbyteri­ans, than from the Episcopalians: And that this Fear was not vain or idle, Time afterwards hath shewn abundantly.

But let us return to George Fox, who in the Beginning of the Year 1647,1647 Darbyshire. feeling some Drawings to go into Darbyshire, went thither, and meeting there with some Friendly People, had many Discourses with them. Then passing farther into the Peak-Country, he met with more such People, and also with some that were sway'd by empty and high Notions.Nottingham­shire. And travelling into Nottinghamshire, there he met with a ten­der People, and among these one Elizabeth Hooton, of which Woman more will be said in the Sequel: With these he had some Meetings and Discourses. But his Troubles and Temptations still continu'd, and he fasted much, and walked often abroad in solitary Places, taking his [Page 12] Bible with him;1647 and then sat in hollow Trees, and lonesome Places till Night came on; and frequently in the Night he walked mourn­fully about, being surrounded with many Sorrows in the Times of these first Workings of the Lord in him.

During all this Time he never joined in Profession of Religion with any, but gave up himself to the disposing of the Lord, having so taken not only all evil Company, but also taken Leave of Father and Mother, and all other Relations; and so he travelled up and down as a Stranger on the Earth, which Way he felt his Heart inclin'd: And when he came into a Town, he took a Chamber to himself there, and carried sometimes a Month, sometimes more, sometimes less in a Place; for he was afraid of staying long in any Place, lest, being a tender young Man, he should be hurt by too familiar a Conversation with M [...]n.

Now tho' it might seem not very agreeable with the Gravity of my Work, to mention what kind of Clothes he wore in these first Years of his Peregrination; yet I don t count it absurd to [...]ay here, that it is in­deed true what a certain Author,Ger. Croes. Leather [...] viz. Gerrard Croes relates of him, that he was clothed with Leather; but not, as the said Author adds, because he could not, nor would not, forget his former Leather-Work; but it was partly for the Simplicity of that Dress, and also because such a Clothing was strong, and needed but little mending or repairing, which was commodious for him who had no steady Dwelling-Place, and every where in his travelling about fought to live in a lonely State: For keeping himself thus as a Stranger, he [...]ought heavenly Wisdom, and endeavour'd to get Knowledge of the Lord, and to be weaned from out­ward Things to rely wholly on the Lord alone. Now tho' his Troubles were great, yet they were not so continual, but that he had some Inter­missions, and was sometimes brought into such an heavenly Joy, that admiring the Love of God to his Soul, he would say with the Psalmist, Thou, Lord, makest a fruitful Field a barren Wilderness, and a barren Wilderness a fruitful Field. Now he regarded the Priests but little, because he clearly saw that to be trained up in the Universities, and to be instructed in Languages, liberal Arts, and the like Sciences, was not sufficient to make any one a Minister of the Gospel: But he look'd more after the Dissenting People: Yet as he had forsaken the Priests, so he left the sepa­rate Preachers also, because he saw there was none among them all that could speak to his Condition. And when all his Hopes in them, and in all Men were gone, then he heard, according to what he relates himself, a Voice which said, There is one, even Christ Jesus, that can speak to thy Condi­tion. He having heard this, his Heart leapt for Joy; and it was shewed him why there was none upon the Earth that could speak to his Condi­tion, namely, that he might give the Lord alone all the Glory, and that Jesus Christ might have the Pre-eminence. He then experimentally knowing that Christ enlightens Man, and gives him Grace, Faith, and Power, his Desires after the Lord, and his Zeal in the pure Knowledge of God grew stronger, so that he wished to encrease therein without the Help of any Man, Book, or Writing. Yet he was a diligent Reader of the Holy Scriptures, that speak at large of God and Christ, tho' he knew him not but by Revelation, as he, who had the Key, did open. Thus he enter'd into no Fellowship with any Society of People, because he saw no­thing but Corruptions every where, which made him endeavour to keep Fellowship only with Christ; since in the greatest Temptations, when he almost despaired, it was shewed him, that Christ had been tempted by the same Devil; but that he had overcome him, and bruised his Head, and that therefore thro' the Power, Light, Grace, and Spirit of God, he himself might also overcome. Thus the Lord assisted him in the [Page 13] deepest Miseries and Sorrows, and he found his Grace to be sufficient: Insomuch that, tho' he had yet some Desires after the Help of Men, his Thirst was chiefly after the Lord, the Creator of all, and his Son Jesus Chist; because nothing could give him any Comfort but the Lord by his Power; and he clearly saw that all the World, tho' he had possessed a King's State, would not have profited him. In this Condition his Understanding came more and more to be opened, so that he saw how Death in Adam had passed upon all Men; but that by Christ, who tasted Death for all Men, a Deliverance from it and an Entrance into God's Kingdom might be obtain'd. Nevertheless his Temptations continu'd, so that he began to question whether he might have sinned against the Ho­ly Ghost. This brought great Perplexity and Trouble over him for ma­ny Days; yet he still gave up himself to the Lord: And one Day, when he had been walking solitarily abroad, and was come home, he became exceeding sensible of the Love of God to him, so that he could not but admire it. In this Condition it was shew'd him, that all was to be done in and by Christ; that he conquers and destroys the Tempter, the Devil, and all his Works; and that all these Troubles and Temptations were good for him for the Trial of his Faith. The Effect of this was, that tho' at Times his Mind was much exercised, yet he was stayed by a secret Belief, and his Soul (by a firm Hope) which was to him as an Anchor, was kept unhurt in the disolute World, swimming above the raging Waves of Temptations. After this (as he relates himself) there did a pure Fire appear in him; and he saw that the Appearance ot Christ in the Heart was as a Refiner's Fire, and as the Fuller's Soap; and that a spiritual Discerning was given to him, by which he saw what it was that vail'd his Mind, and what it was that did open it: And that which could not abide in Patience, he found to be of the Flesh, that could not give up to the Will of God, nor yield up it self to die by the Cross, to wit, the Power of God. On the other hand, he perceived it was the Groans of the Spirit which did open his Understanding, and that in that Spirit there must be a waiting upon God to obtain Redemption.

About this Time he heard of a Woman in Lancashire that had fasted twenty two Days; and he went to see her; but coming there he saw that she was under a Temptation: And after he had spoken to her what he felt on his Mind,Duckenfield [...] Manchester. he left her, and went to Duckenfield and Manchester, where he stay'd a while among the Professors he found there, and declared to them that Doctrine which now he firmly believed to be Truth; and some were convinced, so as to receive the inward divine Teaching of the Lord, and take that for their Rule. This, by what I can find, was the first Beginning of George Fox's Preaching,G. F's first Preaching. which, as I have been credibly informed, in those early Years chiefly consisted of some few, but power­ful and piercing Words, to those whole Hearts were already in some mea­sure prepared to be capable of receiving this Doctrine. And it seems to me that these People, and also Elizabeth Hooton, (already mention'd) have been the first who by such a mean or weak Preaching came to be his Fel­low-Believers: Tho' there have been also some others who by the like immediate Way, as George Fox himself, have been convinced in their Minds, and came to see that they ought diligently to take Heed to the Teachings of the Grace of God that hath appeared to them. And thus it happened that th [...]se unexpectedly and unawares came to meet with Fellow-Believers, which they were not acquainted with before, as will be more circumstantially related hereafter.

But to return again to George Fox: It set the Professors of those Times in a Rage, that some of their Adhe [...]ents hearkened to his Preaching; for they could not endure to hear Perfection spoke of, and of a holy and sin­less [Page 14] Life, as a State that could be obtained here. Not long after he travelled to Broughton in Leicestershire, and went there into a Meeting of the Baptists, where some People of other Notions also came. This gave him Occasion to preach the Doctrine of Truth among them, and that not in vain; for since he had great Openings in the Scriptures, and that a special Power of the Lord [...]s Workings began to spring in those Parts, several were so reach'd in their Minds, that they came to be con­vinced, and were turned from Darkness to Light, partly by his Preach­ing, and partly by reasoning with some. Yet he himself was still some­times under great Temptations, without finding any to open his Condi­tion to, but the Lord alone, unto whom he cried Night and Day for Help. Some time after he went back into Nottinghamshire, and there it pleased the Lord to shew him, that the Natures of those Things which were hurtful without, were also within in the Minds of wicked Men; and that the Natures of Dogs, Swine, Vipers, and those of Cain Ishmael, I sa [...], Pharaoh, &c. were in the Hearts of many People. But since this [...]d grieve him, he cry'd to the Lord, saying, Why should I be thus, seeing I was never addicted to commit those Evils! And inwardly it was answer [...]d him, That it was needful he should have a Sense of all Conditions; how else should he speak to all Conditions? He also saw there was an Ocean of Dark­ness and Death; but withal an infinite Ocean of Light and Love, which flowed over the Ocean of Darkness; in all which he perceived the infi­nite Love of God. About that Time it happened that he walking in the Town of Mansfield, by the Steeple-house Side, it was inwardly told him, That which People trample upon must be thy Food; and at the saying of this, it was opened to him, that it was the Life of Christ People did trample upon; and that they fed one another with Words, without mind­ing that thereby the Blood of the Son of God was trampled under Foot. And tho' it seemed at first strange to him, that he should feed on that which the high Professors trampled upon, yet it was clearly open­ed to him how this could be.

Then many People came far and near to see him; and tho' he spoke sometimes, to open religious Matters to them, yet he was fearful of being drawn out by them. Now the Reason of People thus ftocking to him might proceed partly from this: There was one Brown, who up­on his Death-Bed spoke by way of Prophecy many notable Things con­cerning George Fox, and among the rest, that he should be made instrumen­tal by the Lord to the Conversion of People. And of others that then were something in Shew, he said, That they should come to nothing. Which was fulfilled in Time, tho' this Man did not live to see it, for he was not raised from his Sickness But after he was buried, George Fox fell in­to such a Condition, that he not only look [...] like a dead Body, but unto many that came to see him he seemed as if he had been dead really: And many visited him for about fourteen Days Time, who wondered to see him so much alter'd in Countenance. But at length his Sorrows and Troubles began to wear off, and Tears of Joy dropped from him, so that he could have wept Night and Day with Tears of Joy in Bro­kenness of Heart. And to give an Account of his Condition to those that are able to comprehend it, I'll give his own Words. I saw saith he, into that which was without End, and Things which cannot be uttered, and of the Greatness and Infiniteness of the Love of God, which cannot be express'd by Words: For I had been brought thro' the very Ocean of Darkness and Death, and thro' and over the Power of Satan, by the eternal glorius Power of Christ: Even thro' that Darkness, was I brought which covered all the World, and which chained down all, and shut up all in the Death. And the same eternal Power of God, which brought me thro' those Things, was that which afterwards [Page 15] shook the Nation, Priests, Professors, and People. Then could I say, I had been in Spiritual Babylon, Sodom, Egypt, and the Grave; but by the eter­nal Power of God I was come out of it, and was brought over it, and the Power of it, into the Power of Christ. And I saw the Harvest white, and the Seed of God lying thick in the Ground, as ever did Wheat, that was sown outwardly, and none to gather it: And for this I mourned with Tears. Thus far George Fox's own Words, of whom now a Report went abroad, That he was a young Man that had a Discerning Spirit: Whereupon many Professors, Priests, and People came to him, and his Ministry encreased; for he having received great Openings, spoke to them of the Things of God, and was heard with Attention by many, who going away, spread the Fame thereof. Then came the Tempter, and [...]et upon him again, charging him that he had sinned against the Holy Ghost; but he could not tell in what; and then Paul's Condition came before him, how after he had been taken up into the third Heavens, and seen Things not law­ful to be uttered, a Messenger of Satan was sent to buffet him, that he might not exalt himself. Thus George Fox, by the Assistance of the Lord, got also over that Temptation. Now the 47th Year of that Cen­tury drew to an End; and State-Affairs in England grew more and more clouded and intricate; for the King not thinking himself any longer safe at Hampton-Court, whither he had been brought from the Army, he withdrew to the Isle of Wight, whilst the Parliament still insisted on the Abrogation of Episcopacy, and would be Master of the Military For­ces: Which the King not being willing to yield to, was now kept in closer Custody, and no more regarded as a Sovereign, to whom Obedi­ence was due from the Parliament.

Under these intestine Troubles the Minds of many People came to be fitted to receive a nearer Way and Doctrine of Godliness; and it was in the Year 1648,1648 that several Persons seeking the Lord were become Fellow-Believers, and entred into Society with George Fox; insomuch that they began to have great Meetings in Nottinghamshire, Nottingham­shire. which were visited by many. About that Time there was a Meeting of Priests and Professors at a Justice's House, and George Fox went among them, and heard them discourse concerning what the Apostle Paul said, He had not known Sin but by the Law, which said, Thou shalt not lust. And since they held that to be spoken of the outward Law, George Fox told them, ‘Paul spoke that after he was convinc'd; for he had the outward Law before, and was bred up in it, when he was in the Lust of Per­secution; but it was the Law of God in his Mind, which he served, and which the Law in his Members warred against.’ This Saying found so much Entrance, that those of the Priests and Professors that were most moderate, yielded, and consented, that it was not the out­ward Law, but the Inward, that shewed the inward Lust, which the Apostle spake of. After this he went again to Mansfield, where was a great Meeting of Professors and other People; and being among them, and moved to pray, such an extraordinary Power appeared, and seized on the Hearts of some in so eminent a Manner, that even the House seem'd to be shaken: And after Prayer, some of the Auditory began to say, that This resembled that in the Days of the Apostles, when on the Day of Pentecost, the House where they were met was shaken.

Not long after this, there was another great Meeting of Professors, where G. Fox came also; who hearing them discourse about the Blood of Christ, he cry'd out among them: Do ye not see the Blood of Christ? Ye must see it in your Hearts, to sprinkle your Hearts and Consciences from dead Works, to serve the living God. This was a Doctrine which startled these Professors, who would have the Blood of Christ only without them, not [Page 16] thinking that it was to be felt inwardly.1648 But a certain Captain, whose Name was Amos Stoddard, was so reached, that seeing how they endea­vour'd to bear G. Fox down with many Words,A. Stoddard. he said, Let the Youth speak, hear the Youth speak; and coming afterwards to be more acquaint­ed with G. Fox, he had Opportunity to be farther instructed in the Way of Godliness of which he came to be a faithful Follower. Some Time after G. Fox return [...]d to Leicestershire, Leicester-sh. his own Country, where several tender People came to be convinced by his Preaching. And passing thence into Warwickshire, he met with a great Company of Professors, who being come together in the Field, were praying and expounding the Scriptures. Here the Bible was given him, which he opened on the 5th of Matthew, where Christ expounded some Parts of the Law; from whence G. Fox took Occasion to open to them the inward and out­ward State of Man. And that which he held forth getting some Ground, they fell into a fierce Contention among themselves, and so parted.

Then he heard of a great Meeting to be at Leicester for a Dispute, wherein those of several Persuations, as Presbyterians, Independents, Bap­tists and Episcopalians were said to be all concern [...]d. This Meeting being appointed to be in the Steeple-house, he went thither, where Abun­dance of People were met, some of those that spoke being in Pews, and the Priest in the Pulpit. At last after several Reasonings, a Woman started a Question, and asked, What that Birth was the Apostle Peter spoke of; viz. a being born again of incorruptible Seed, by the Word of God, that li­veth and abideth for ever? The Priest, instead of answering this Questi­on, said to her, I permit not a Woman to speak in the Church, tho' he had before given Liberty for any to speak. This kindled G. Fox's Zeal, so that he stept up and ask'd the Priest, Dost thou call this Place (the Steeple-house) a Church? Or dost thou call this mixt Multitude a Church? But the Priest not answering to this, asked What a Church was? And G. Fox told him, The Church was the Pillar and Ground of Truth, made up of Li­ving Stones, Living Members, a Spiritual Houshold, which Christ was the Head of: But he was not the Head of a mixt Multitude, or of an old House, made up of Lime, Stones, and Wood. This caused such a Stir, that the Priest came down out of his Pulpit, and others out of their Pews, where­by the Dispute was marr'd. But G. Fox went to a great Inn, and the [...]e disputed with the Priests and Professors of all Sorts, maintaining what he had said, till they all went away; yet several were convinc [...]d that Day, and among these the Woman who asked the Question aforesaid.

After this,Nottingham­shire. G. Fox return'd again into Nottingamshire, and went into the Vale of Beavor, where he preach'd Repentance to the People: And he staying some Weeks there, and passing thro' several Towns, many were convinced of the Truth of his Doctrine. About that Time, as he was sitting by the Fire one Morning, a Cloud came over him, and a Temp­tation beset him; and he sitting still, it was suggested, All Things come by Nature; and he was in a Manner quite clouded; but he continuing to sit still, the People of the House perceived nothing: At length a living Hope arose in him, and also a Voice, that said, There is a living God, who made all Things; and immediately the Cloud and Temptation vanished away, whereby his Heart was made glad, and he praised the Lord.

Not long after, he met with some People that had a mischievous No­tion, That there was no God, but that all Things came by Nature. But he reasoning with them, so confounded them, that some were fain to confess that there was a living God. Then he saw that it was good for him to have been tried under such a Cloud. Now in th [...]se Parts he had great Meetings; and a divine Power working in that Country and thereabouts, [Page 17] many were gathered. Then coming into Darlyshire, Darlyshire. [...].ton. Mansfield. there was a great Meeting of his Friends at [...]on, where many of them began to preach the Doctrine of Truth, who afterwards were moved to declare the Truth in other Places also. G. Fox coming about this Time to Mansfield, heard that in a Town about eight Miles off, there was to be a Sitting of Justi­ces, to deliberate about hiring of Servants; and he, feeling a Constraint upon his Mind, went thither, and exhorted them, [...]ot to oppress the Ser­vants in their Wages, but to do that which was right and just to them: And the Ser­vants, many of which were come there, he admonished To do their Duty, and serve honestly: And they all received his Exhortation kindly. He felt himself also moved to go to several Courts and Steeple-houses at Mansfield, and other Places, warning them to leave on Oppression, Deceit and other Evils. And having heard at Mansfield o [...] one in the Country, who was a common Drankard and a noted Whore-master, and a Poet also, he went to him, and reproved him in an awful Manner for his evil Courses; which so struck him, that coming afterwards to G. Fox, he told him, That he was so smitten when he spoke to him, that he had scarce any Strength left in him. And this Man was so thoroughly convinced, that he turned from his Wickedness, and became an honest sober Man, to the Astonishment of those that knew him before. Thus the Work of G. Fox's Ministry went forward, and many were thereby turn'd from Darkness to Light; and divers Meetings of his Friends, who were much increased in Number since the Year 1646, were now set up in seve­ral Places. Now G. Fox was come up to quite another State than for­merly he had lived in; for he knew now not only a Renewing of the Heart, and a Restoration of the Mind, but the Virtues of the Crea­tures were also open'd to him; so that he began to deliberate whether he should practise Physick for the Good of Mankind. But God had another Service for him; and it was shewed him that he was to enter into a Spiritual Labour; and also that those who continu'd faithful to the Lord, might attain to a State in which the sinful Inclination was sub­du [...]d. Moreover the three great Professions in the World, viz. Phy­sick, Divinity, (so called) and Law, were opened to him, whereby he saw that the Physicians wanting the Wisdom of God, by whicn the Creatures were made, knew not their Virtues: That the Lawyers gene­ral [...]y were void of Equity and Justice, and so out of the Law of God, which went over the first Transgression, and over all Sin, and answered the Spirit of God that was oppressed in Man: And that the Priests, for the most Part, were out of the true Faith, which Christ is the Author of, and which purifies the Heart, and brings Man to have Access to God. So that these Physicians, Lawyers, and Priests, who pre [...]ended to cure the Body, to establish the Property of the People, and to cure the Soul, were all without the true Knowledge and Wisdom they ought to possess. Yet he felt there was a Divine Power, by which all might be reformed, if they would receive, and bow unto it. And he saw also, that tho' the Priests did err, yet they were not the greatest Deceivers spoken of in the Scriptures; but that these great Deceivers were such, who, as Cain, had heard the Voice of God, and who, as Corah, Dathan, and Abiram, and their Company, were come out of Egypt, and thro' the Red Sea, and had praised God on the Banks of the Sea-shore; and who being come as far as Balaam, could speak the Word of the Lord, as having heard his Voice, and known his Spirit, so that they could see the Star of Jacob, and the Goodliness of Israel's Tents, which no Enchantment could pre­vail against: These that could speak so much of their Divine Experi­ence, and yet turn'd from the Spirit of God, and went into the Ga [...]n­saying, these he saw would be great Deceivers, far beyond the Priests. [Page 18] He saw also that People generally did read the Scriptures, without ha­ving a true Sense of them; for some cry'd out much against Cain, Ish­mael, Esau, Corah, Balaam, [...], &c. not regarding that the Nature of these was yet alive in themselves; whereby they always apply'd to o­thers that Nature in which they themselves lived.

The Lord had also opened to him now, that Every Man was enlighten­ed by the Divine Light of Christ; and he saw that they that believed in it, came out of Condemnation, and became the Children of the Light: But they that hated it, and did not believe in it, were condemn'd by it, tho' they made a Profession of Christ. All this he saw in the pure Openings of the Light. He also saw that God had afforded a Measure of his Spirit to all Men, and that thereby they could truly come to serve the Lord, and to worship him; and that his Grace, which brings Salvation, and had appeared to all Men, was able to bring them into the Favour of God.

And on a certain Time, as he was walking in the Fields, he under­stood that it was said to him Thy Name is witten in the Lamb [...]s Book of Life, which was before the Foundation of the World. This he took to be the Voice of the Lord, and believed it to be true. Then he felt himself powerfully moved to go abroad into the World, which was like a briery thorny Wilderness; and he found then that the World swelled against him, and made a Noise like the great raging Waves of the Sea. For when he came to proclaim the Day of the Lord amongst the Priests, Professors, Magistrates, and People, they were all like a disturbed Sea. Now he was sent to turn People from Darkness to the Light, that they might receive Christ Jesus; for he saw, that to as many as should re­ceive him in his Light, he would give Power to become the Sons of God: And that therefore he was to turn People to the Grace of God, and to the Truth in the Heart; and that by this Grace they might be taught, and thereby obtain Salvation; since Christ had died for all Men, and was a Propitiation for all, having enlightned all Men with his Divine and Saving Light, and the Manifestation of the Spirit of God being given to every Man to profit withal. He now being sent thus to preach the Everlasting Gospel, did it with Gladness and endeavour'd to bring People off from their own Ways, to Christ, the new and living Way, and from their Churches, which Men had made and gathered, to the Church in God, the general Assembly written in Heaven, which Christ is the Head of; and from the World's Teachers, made by Men, to learn of Christ, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life; and of whom the Father said This is my beloved Son, hear ye him; and off from the World's Wor­ship, to the Spirit of God in the inward Parts, that in it they might worship the Father, who seeks such to worship him.

Now he found also that the Lord forbad him to put off his Hat to arry Men, high or low; and he was required to Thou and Thee every Man and Woman, without Distinction, and not to bid People Good Morrow or Good Evening; neither right he bow, or scrape with his Leg to any one. This was such an unusual Thing with People, that it made many of all Persuations and Professions rage against him; but by the Assistance of the Lord he was carry'd over all, and many came to be his Fellow-Believers, and turn'd God, in a little Time; altho' it is almost unspeakable what Rage and Fury arose, what Blows, Pinchings, Beatings, and Imprison­ments they underwent, besides the Danger they were sometimes in of losing their Lives for these Matters: So indiscreet is Man in his natural State. For here it did not avail to say, ‘That the Hat-Honour was an Honour from below, which the Lord would lay in the Dust, and stain it; that it was an Honour which the Proud look'd for, without seek­ing [Page 19] the Honour which came from God alone; that it was an Ho­nour invented by Men in the Fall, who therefore were offended if it were not given them; tho' they would be look'd upon as Church-Members, and good Christians; whereas Christ himself said, How can ye believe, who receive Honour of one another, and seek not the Honour that cometh from God only? That it was an Honour, which in Rela­tion to the outward Ceremony, viz. the Putting off the Hat, was the same which was given to God; so that in the outward Sign of Reverence, no Distinction or Difference was made betwixt the Crea­tor and the Creature: Nay, that the Saying of You to a single Per­son went yet a Degree further; for not only Kings and Princes for­merly among the Heathens and Jews had not been offended at it when they were Thee'd and Thou'd, but Experience shew'd that this still was the Language wherewith God was daily spoken to, both in Religious Assemblies, and without,’ But all these Reasons found little Entrance with Priests, Magistrates, and others: Bitter Revi­lings, ill Usage, and shameful Abuses, were now become the Lo [...] and S [...]are of those who, for Conscience-sake, could no longer follow the ordinary Custom: For tho' it was pretended that the Putting off of the [...]at was but a small Thing, which none ought to scruple; yet it was a wonderful Thing to see what great Disturbance this pretended small Ma [...]ter caused among People of all Sorts; so that even such that would be look'd upon as those that practised Humility and Meekness, soon shew'd what Spirit they were of, when this worldly Honour was de­ny'd them. But all this serv'd to strengthen the Fellow-Believers more and more in their plain Carriage, and made them live up faithfully to the Convincement of their Conscience, without Respect of Persons.

In the mean while the Troubles of the Land continu [...]d. We have left the King in the foregoing Year in the Isle of Wight, in Effect unking'd. Some time after the Duke of York, being then past fourteen Years of Age, and second Son to the King, was fled to Holland, disguised in Woman's Apparel; and his eldest Brother the Prince of Wales, who two Years be­fore was fled to France, came now to Helvoot-Sluce in Holland, and went from thence with some English Men of War, whose Commanders were for the King, to the Downs in England, with Intention to take the Ships coming from London. He also published, by the spreading of a Decla­ration, that he came to release his Father. Now there was also a Nego­ciation on Foot between the King and the Parliament, and there seem'd some Hopes of an Accommodation, had not the Army, the chiefest In­strument of breaking down the Royal Power, opposed it, by calling for Justice against all those who had wrong'd the Country, none excepted. This broke off the Treaty, several suspected Members were turn'd out of the Parliament, and the King was carried to Windsor about the Time of Christmas; and it was resolv [...]d henceforth to send no more Deputations to him, or receive any from him; who now was no more named King; but only Charles Stuart: A very strange Turn of mundane Affairs, and a mighty Evidence of the fluctuating Inconstancy thereof. But Things made no Stand here, for it was concluded to bring him to a Trial; and the Parliament appointed General Thomas Fairfax, and Oliver Cromwell, Lieutenant General, with more than an Hundred other Persons, to be his Judges. These being formed into a Court of Justice, the King was con­ducted from Windsor to St. Ja [...] and from thence brought before them in Westminster-Hall, where he was arraigned as guilty of High-Treason, for having levied War against the Parliament and People of England. But he not owning that Court to be lawful, nor acknowledging their Au­thority, said, I am not intrusted by the People, they are mine by Inheritance. [Page 20] And being unwilling to answer to the Charge, he was on the 27th of the Month call'd January sentenced to Death, as a Tyrant, Traytor, Murder­er, and a publick Enemy to the Common-wealth. But before this Sen­tence was pronounced, the King desired that he might be permitted to make a Propostion to both Houses of Parliament in the painted Cham­ber, designing, as was since said, to propose his own Resignation, and the Ad­mission of his Son, the Prince of Wales, to the Throne. But this Request was denied by the Court. Now tho' the said Prince of Wales, considering his Father [...]s Danger, had apply'd himself to the States General of the United Provinces at the Hague for Assistance; and that these sent two Ambassadors to the Parliament, who coming to London on the same Day the fatal Sentence was pronounced, could not obtain Admission till next Day, to the Speakers of both Houses, and were afterwards with Fairfax and Cromwell, and other Commanders; and one of them had also his Audience in the Parliament to interceed with them for the King's Life; yet all proved in vain: For on the 30th of the foresaid Month, the King was brought on a Scaffold erected before the Banqueting-House, and his Head severed from his Body. The same Day the Parliament ordered a Declaration to be published, whereby it was declared Trea­son to endeavour to promote the Prince of Wales, Charles Stuart, to be King of England, or any other single Person to be the chief Governour thereof. And then after having abolished the House of Pee [...]s, they assumed to themselves the chief Government of the Nation, with the Title of, The Parliament of the Commonwealth of England.

No sooner the News of the King [...]s Death was come into Scotland, but Charles, Prince of Wales, was proclaimed at Edinburgh, King of Great-Britain, provided he should, before assuming the Royal Authority, give Satisfaction about some Matters concerning Religion. And tho this displeased the English, yet the Scots asserted that they might as well do so, as the English, who had done the same at the Death of the late King's Father, in the Year 1625.

Leaving now State-Affairs,1649 Let's return to G. Fox, who in the Year 1649 was much exercised to declare openly agninst all Sorts of Sins; and therefore he went not only to the Courts, crying for Justice, and ex­horting the Judges and Justices to do Jusitce, but he warned also those that kept Publick-Houses for Entertainment, not to let People have more Drink, than what would do them good. He also testified against Wakes, May-games, Plays, and Shews, by which People were led into Vanity, and drawn off from the Fear of God; the Days that were set forth for Holy-days, being usually the Times wherein God was most dishonoured. When he came in Markets, he also declared against de­ceitful Merchandizing, and warned all to deal justly, and to speak the Truth; and he testified against the Mountebanks playing Tricks on their Stages: And when Occasion offer'd, he warned the School-masters and School-mistresses to teach their Children to mind the Fear of the Lord; saying, that they themselves ought to be Examples and Patterns of Vertue to them. But very burdensome it was to him, when he heard the Bell ring to call People together to the Steeple-house; for it seemed to him just like a Market-Bell, to gather the People, that the Priest might set forth his Ware to Sale. Going once on a First-Day of the Week,Nottingham. in the Morning, with some of his Friends to Nottingham, to have a Meeting there; and having [...] from the Top of a Hill the great Steeple-house of the Town, he felt it required of him to cry against that Idol-Temple and the Worshippers therein: Yet he said nothing of this to those that were with him, but went on with them to the Meeting, where after some Stay, he left them, and went away to [Page 21] the Steeple-house,1649 where the Priest took for his Text these Words of the Apostle Peter: We have also a more sure Word of Prophecy, whereunto ye do well that ye take Heed, as unto a Light that shineth in a dark Place, until the Day dawn, and the Day-star arise in your Hearts. And he told the Peo­ple that this was the Scripture, by which they were to [...]y all Doc­trines, Religions, and Opinions. G. Fox hearing this, felt such mighty Power and Godly Zeal working in him, that he was made to cry out, O no, it is not the Scripture, but it is the Holy Spirit, by which the Holy Men of God gave forth the Scriptures, whereby Opinions, Religions, and Judgments are to be try'd. That was it which led into all Truth, and gave the Know­ledge thereof. For the Jews had the Scriptures, and yet resisted the Holy Ghost, and rejected Christ, the bright Morning-Star, and persecuted him and his Apostles; tho' they took upon them to try their Doctrine by the Scriptures; but they erred in Judgment, and did not try them aright, because they did it without the Holy Ghost. He thus speaking, the Officers came and took him away, and put him into a nasty stinking Prison. At Night he was brought before the Mayor, Aldermen, and Sheriffs of the Town; and they examining him, he told them, That the Lord had moved him to come there into the Steeple-house: And tho' the Mayor at first appeared peevish and fretful, yet he was allayed: However, after some Discourse G. Fox was sent back to Prison, But sometime after, the Head-Sheriff John Reckless sent for him to his House: And when G. Fox came in, the Sheriff [...]s Wife met him in the Hall, and taking him by the Hand, said, Salvation is come to our House: For his Speech in the Stee­ple-house had so amazed many, that they could not get the Sound of it out of their Ears; and not only this Woman was wrought upon, but also her Husband, Children, and Servants were much changed by the Power of the Lord.

G. Fox thus coming to lodge at this Sheriff's House, had great Meet­ings there, and some Persons of Quality in the World, came to them; and they were reach'd very eminently in their Minds by an invisible Power.J. Reckless Reckless being of this Number, sent for the other Sheriff, and for a Woman they traded with; and he told her in the Presence of the other Sheriff, that they had wronged her in their Dealings with her, and that therefore they ought to make her Restitution; to which Reckless exhorted the other Sheriff, being himself made sensible that this was an indispensable Duty: For a mighty Change was now wrought in him, and his Understanding came to be opened; so that on the next Market-Day, as he was walking with G. Fox in the Chamber, in his Slippers, he said, I must go into the Market, and preach Repentance to the People: And accordingly he went in his Slippers into the Market, and into several Streets, preaching Repentance. Some others also in the Town were moved to speak to the Mayor and Magistrates, and to the People, ex­horting them to repent. But this the Magistrates could not endure; and to [...] their Passion on G. Fox, they sent for him from the Sheriff's Hou [...] and committed him to the common Prison, where he was kept till [...]sizes came on, and then he was to have been brought before the Judge, but that the Sheriff's Man being somewhat long in fetching him, the Judge; was risen before G. Fox came to the Session-House; how­ever, the Judge was a little displeased, having said, He would have admonished the Youth (meaning G. Fox) if he had been brought before him. So he was carried back again to Prison. In the mean while such a wonderful Power broke forth among his Friends, that many were asto­nished at it, so that even several of the Priests were made tender, and some did confess to the Power of the Lord. Now tho' the People began to be very rude, yet the Governour of the Castle was so moderate, that [Page 22] he sent down Soldiers to disperse them. G. Fox having been kept Pri­soner a pretty long Time,1649 Mansfield-Woodhouse. was at length set at Liberty, and then tra­velled as before, in the Work of the Lord. Coming to Mansfield Wood­house, he found there a distracted Woman under a Doctor [...]s Hand, being bound, and with her Hair loose; and the Doctor being about to let her Blood, could get no Blood from her; which made G. Fox desire to un­bind her; and after this was done, he spoke to her, and bad her in the Name of the Lord, to be quiet and still. This proved of such Effect, that she became still; and her Mind coming to be settled, she mended, and afterwards received the Doctrine of Truth, and con [...]nued in it to her Death. Whilst G. Fox was in this Place, he was moved to go to the Steeple-house, and declare there the Truth to the Priest and the People; which doing, the People fell upon him, and struck him down, almost smothering him, for he was cruelly beaten and bruised with their Hands, Bibles, and Sticks. Then they hal'd him out, who was hardly able to stand, and put him into the Stocks, where he sat some Hours: And they having brought Horse-Whips, threaten'd to whip him. After some Time they had him before the Magistrates, at a Knight's House; who seeing how ill he had been used, set him at Liberty, after much Threatning. But the rude Multitude stoned him out of the Town; and tho' he was scarce able to go, yet with much ado he got about a Mile from the Town, where he met with some People that gave him something to comfort him, because he was inwardly bruised. But it pleased the Lord soon to heal him again; and some People were that Day convinced of the Truth, which had been declared by him in the Steeple-house, at which he rejoyced.Leicester­shire. Barrow. Now he went out of Nottingham-shire into Leicester­shire, accompanied by several of his Friends; and coming to Barrow, he discoursed with some Baptists; and one of them saying, What was not of Faith, was Sin; He asked, What Faith was, and how it was wrought in Man? But they turning off from that, spoke of their Water-Baptism: Which gave Occasion to G. Fox, and his Friends, to ask, Who baptized John the Baptist, and who baptized Peter, John, and the rest of the Apostles: But they were silent at those Questions. After some other Discourse, they parted. On the next First-Day of the Week, G. Fox, and those that were with him,Bagworth. came to Bagworth, and went to a Steeple-house; and after the Priest had done, they had some Service there by speaking to the People. Then passing from thence, he heard of a People that were in Prison in Coventry for Religion;Coventry and as he was walking towards the Goal, the Word of the Lord (as he relates) came to him, saying, My Love was always to thee, and thou art in my Love. By this he was over­come with a Sense of the Love of God, and much strengthned in his inward Man. But coming into the Goal, a great Power of Darkness struck at him; for insteed of meeting such as were imprison'd for Reli­gion, he found them to be Blasphemers, who were come to that Degree, that they said, They were Gods; and this their wicked Opinion [...] en­deavoured to maintain by Scripture, misapplying what was [...] the Apostle Peter, when the Sheet was let down to him, viz. Wh [...] san­ctified, he should not call common or unclean: And the Words of [...] Apo­stle Paul, concerning God's reconciling all Things to himself, Things in Hea­ven, and Things on Earth, G. Fox, who was greatly grieved at this Pro­faneness, told them that these Scriptures were nothing to their Purpose. And seeing they said, They were God, he asked them, If they knew whe­ther it would rain to-morrow? And they saying, They could not tell; he told them, God could tell. He asked them also, If they thought they should be always in that Condition, or should change? And they answering, That they could not tell; G. Fox told them. That God could tell it, and that he [Page 23] did not change. This confounded them, and brought them down for that Time; so after having reproved them for their b [...]asphem [...] us Expressions, he went away. Not long after this, one of these Ran [...]ers, whose Name was Joseph Salmon, gave forth a Book of Recantation, upon which they were set at Liberty.Atherstone. From Coventry, G. fox went to Atherstone, where, going into the Chappel, he declared to the Priests and the People, ‘That God was come to teach his People himself, and to bring them off from all their Man-made Teachers, to hear his Son.’ Ana [...]ho' some few raged, yet they were generally pretty quie [...], and some were convinced.

After this Service,Market-Bos­worth. he went to Market-Bosworth, and coming into the publick Place of Worship, he found Nathaniel Stevens preaching, who, as hath been said already, was Priest of the Town where G. Fox was born; here G. Fox taking Occasion to speak, Stevens told the People, he was mad, and that they should not hear him; tho he had said before to one Colonel Pur [...]oy concerning him, That there was never such a Plant bred in England. The People now being stirred up by this Priest, fell upon G. Fox and his Friends, and stoned them out of the Town. Nevertheless this wrought on the Minds of some others, so that they were made loving.

G. Fox now travelling on,Twy-Cross. came to Twy-Cross, where he spoke to the Excise-men, and warned them to take heed of oppressing the Poor. There being in that Town a great Man, that had long [...]am sick, and was given over by the Physicians, he went to visit him in his Chamber; and af­ter having spoken some Words to him, he was moved to pray by his Bed-side; and the Lord was entreated so that the sick Man was restored to Health. But G. Fox being come down, and speaking to some that were in a Room there, a Servant came with a naked Rapier in his Hand, and threatned to stab him; but he looking stedfastly on this Man, said, Alack for thee, poor Creature! What wilt thou do with thy carnal Weapon? It is no more to me than a Straw. This Servant being stop [...]d thus, went away in a Rage, and his Master hearing of it, turn [...]d him out of his Ser­vice, and was afterwards very loving to Friends; and when G. Fox came to that Town again, both he and his Wife came to see him. After this he went into Darbyshire, Darby-shire. Chesterfield. Britland. where his Fellow-Believers encreased in godly Strength; and coming to Chesterfield, he found one Britland to be Priest there, who having been partly convinced of the Doctrine of Truth, had spoken much in Behalf of it, and saw beyond the common Sort of Priests. But when the Priest of that Town died, he got the Parsonage. G. Fox now speaking to him and the People, endeavour'd to bring them off from Man's Teaching, unto God's Teaching: And tho' the Priest was not able to gainsay, yet they had him before the Mayor, and threatned to send him to the House of Correction: But when it was late in the Night, the Officers and the Watchmen led him out of the Town.

Concerning State-Affairs it hath been said already, that Charles II. had been proclaimed King by the Scots; but he being still in Holland, they sent to him there, that he would subscribe the Covenant, and so abro­gate Episcopacy in Scotland: It was also desired that he would put some Lords from him. But those that were sent, received only an Answer from the young King in general Terms, which made them return home again, where we will leave them, to see in the mean while how it went with G. Fox.

He having been sent away, as hath been said, from Chesterfield, came to Darby in the year 1650,Darby 1650 and lay at a Doctor's House, whose Wife was convinced of the Truth he preached. Now it happened, as he was walking there in his Chamber, that the Bell rung; and he hearing it, asked the Woman of the House, What the Bell rung for? And she told him, There was to be a great Lecture there that Day; so that many [Page 24] of the Officers of the Army, and Priests and Preachers were to be there, as also a Colonel that was a Preacher. Then he felt himself moved to go to that Congregation; and when the Service was done, he spoke to them what he believed the Lord required of him, and they were pretty quiet. But there came an Officer, who took him by the Hand, and said, that he, and the other two that were with him, must go before the Magistrates. He then coming about the first Hour in the Afternoon, before them, they asked him, Why he came thither? To which having answer'd, That God had moved him to it; he farther said, that God did not dwell in Temples made with Hands; and that all their Preaching, Baptism, and Sacrifices would never sanctify them; but that they ought to look unto Christ in them, and not unto Men; because it is Christ that sanctifies. They then running into many Words, he told them, They were not to dispute of God and Christ, but to obey him. But this Doctrine did so displease them, that they often put him in and out of the Room, and sometimes told him scoffingly, That he was taken up in Raptures. At last they asked him, Whether he was sanctified? And he answering, Yes, they then asked, If he had no Sin? To which he said, Christ my Saviour has taken away my Sin, and in him there is no Sin. Then he and his Friends were asked, How they knew that Christ did abide in them? And G. Fox said, By his Spirit, that he has given us. Then they temptingly asked, If any of them was Christ? But he answered, Nay, we are nothing, Christ is all. At length they also asked, If a Man steals, is it no Sin? To which he answered with the Words of Scrip­ture, All Ʋnrighteousness is Sin. So when they had wearied themselves in examining him,One Fret­well. they committed him, and another Man, to the House of Correction in Darby for six Months, as Blasphemers, as appears by the following M [...]ttimus.

G. Fox being thus, as hath been said lock'd up, the Priests bestirr'd themselves in their Pulpits to preach up Sin for Term of Life; and they endeavour [...]d to persuade People that it was an erroneous Doctrine, to assert a Possibility of being freed from Sin in this Life, as was held forth by the Quakers; [...]or this began now to be the Name whereby G. Fox's Fellow-believers were called in a reviling Way: And since that Denomi­nation hath continu [...]d to them from that Time downward, we cannot there [...]ore pass by the first Rise of it with Silence. Until this Time those who profened the Light of Christ as shining in Man's Heart, and repro­ving for Sin, were not improperly called Professors of the Light, or Chil­dren of the Light, [...]. Bennet. But [...]ervas Bennet, one of the Justices of the Peace [Page 25] who sign'd the aforesaid Mittimus, and an Independent, 1650 hearing that G. Fox bad him, and those about him, Tremble at the Word of the Lord! took hold of this weighty Saying with such an airy Mind, that from thence he took Occasion to call him, and his Friends, scornfully, QƲA­KERS. This new and unusual Denomination was taken up so eagerly, and spread so among the People, that not only the Priests there from that Time gave no other Name to the Professors of the Light, but sounded it so gladly abroad, that it soon ran over all England; and ma­king no Stand there, it quickly reach'd to the neighbouring Countries, and adjacent Kingdoms, insomuch, that the said Professors of the Light, for Distinction's-Sake from other religious Societies, have been called every where by that English Name, which sounding very odd in the Ears of some foreign Nations, hath also given Occasion to many silly Stories.

Now because in those early Times, among the many Adherents of this Persuasion, were also some that having been People of a rude and disso­lute Life, came so to be prick'd to the Heart, that they grew true Peni­tents, with real Sorrow for their former Transgressions; it happen'd that not only they at Meetings did burst out into Tears, but also were affected with such a singular Commotion of the Mind, that some Shakings of their Bodies were perceived; some People naturally being more affected with the Passions of the Mind, than others; for even Anger doth trans­port some Men so violently, that it makes them tremble; whereas o­thers will quake with Fear: And what Wonder then, if some being struck with the Terrors of God did tremble? But this being seen by envious Men, they took Occasion from thence to tell, that these Pro­fessors of the Light performed their Worship with Shaking; yet they themselves never asserted that Trembling of the Body was an essential Part of their Religion, but have occasionally said the contrary; tho' they did not deny themselves to be such as trembled before God; and they also did not stick to say, that all People ought to do so; however thereby not enjoining a bodily Shaking.

We have seen just now, how one Fretwell was committed with G. Fox to the House of Correction; but he not standing faithful in his Testimo­ny, obtained, by Intercession of the Jailor, Leave of the Justice to go see his Mother, and so got his Liberty; and then a Report was spread, that he had said, That G. Fox had bewitched and deceived him.

G. Fox was now become the Object of many People's Hatred; Magi­strates, Priests, and Professors were all in a Rage against him; and the Jailor, to find something wherewithal to ensnare him, would sometimes ask him such silly Questions, as, Whether the Door was latch'd, or not? thinking thereby to draw some sudden unadvised Answer from him where­by he might charge Sin upon him: But he was kept so watchful and cir­cumspect, that they could get no Advantage of him. Not long after his Commitment, he was moved to write both to the Priests and Magistrates of Darby. Ger. Croese Now since Ger. Croese in the Beginning of his History repre­sents G. Fox as one altogether unfit, not only to write legibly, but also to express his Mind clearly in Writing, and that therefore he always was oblig'd to employ others that could set down his Meaning intelligibly, it won't be besides the Purpose to say, that this is more than any ever will be able to prove. For tho' it can't be denied, that he was no elegant Writer, nor good Speller, yet it is true, that his Characters being tolera­ble, his Writing was legible, and the Matter he treated was intelligible, tho' his Stile was not like that of a skilful Linguist. And albeit he em­ploy'd others, because himself was no quick Writer, yet generally they were young Lads, who as they durst not have attempted to alter his Words and Phrases, so they would not have been skilful enough to re­fine [Page 26] fine his Stile. This I don't write from hear-say, but have seen it at sundry Times. And how true it is what the same Author saith, That mostly all that G. Fox did write, was scarce any Thing besides a rough Collection of several Scripture Places, may be seen by the Sequel of this History, wherein will be found many of his Writings. The first of his Letters I meet with, is the following which he wrote to the Priests of Darby, from the House of Correction, where certainly he had not the Convenience of a Writing-Clerk.

That which he writ to the Magistrates, who committed him to Pri­son, was to this Effect:

G. Fox having thus cleared his Conscience, continued waiting in Pa­tience, leaving the Event to God. And after some Time he felt himself constrain'd to write to the Justices that had committed him to Prison, to lay their Doings before them, that so they might come to a due Con­sideration [Page 27] thereof: One of them (already mentioned) was Justice Bennet; the other Nathaniel Barton, Just. Bennet. Just. Barton. both a Justice and a Colonel, as also a Preacher: To these he wrote as follows;

Having thus written to them jointly, he after some Time wrote to each of them apart. That to Justice Bennet was thus:

And that to Justice Barton was thus worded:

Now,Moyor of Dar­by. tho' the Mayor of Darby did not sign the Mittimus, yet having had a Hand with the rest in sending G. Fox to Prison, he also writ to him after this Manner:

To those of the Court at Darby he also wrote the following Exhortation.

And because the Ringing of Bells for joy,Ringing of Bells. is a Thing generally tend­ing to stir up Vanity and Immorality, he also wrote a few Lines to the Bell-Ringers of the Steeple-house, call'd St. Peter's in Darby.

Now whilst G. Fox was in Prison there, several of the Professors came to discourse with him;Plea [...]ing for Sin. and he perceiving that they came to plead for Sin and Imperfection, asked them, Whether they were Believers, and had Faith? And they saying, Yes; he farther asked them, In whom? To which they answering, In Christ; he replied, ‘If ye are true Believers in Christ, you are passed from Death to Life; and if passed from Death, then from Sin that bringeth Death. And if your Faith be true, it will give you Victory over Sin and the Devil, and purity your Hearts and Con­sciences, (for the true Faith held in a pure Conscience) it will bring you to please God, and give you Access to him again.’ But such a Language as this they could not endure; for they said, They could not be­lieve that any could be free from Sin on this Side the Grave. To which he answered, That then they might give over their Talking concerning the Scrip­tures, which were the Words of Holy Men; whilst they themselves pleaded for Ʋnholiness. At another Time another Company of such Professors com­ing, and they also pleading for Sin, he asked them, Whether they had Hope? To which they answered, Yes, God forbid but we should have Hope. Then he asked, What Hope is it you have? Is Christ in you, the Hope of your Glory? Doth it purify you, as he is pure? But they could not abide to hear of being made pure here; and therefore he bad them, ‘Forbear talking of the Scriptures, which were the Holy Mens Words; for the Holy Men that writ the Scriptures (said he) pleaded for Holiness in Heart, Life, and Conversation here, but since you plead for Impurity and Sin, which is of the Devil, what have you to do with the Holy M [...]ns Words?’

Now the Keeper of the Prison, who was also an high Professor, was much enrag'd against G. Fox, and spoke wickedly of him. But it pleased the Lord one Day to strike him so, that he was under great Anguish of Mind: And G. Fox walking in his Chamber, heard a doleful Noise, and standing still to hearken, he heard him say to his Wife: Wife, I have seen the Day of Judgment, and I saw George there, and was afraid of him, because I had done him so much Wrong, and spoken so much against him to the Ministers, and Professors, and to the Justices, and in Tavern, and Alehouses. After this, towards the Evening the Keeper came up into his Chamber, and said to him, I have been as a Lion against you; but now I come like a Lamb, and like the Jailor that came to Paul and Silas trembling. And he desired that he might lie with him? To which G. Fox answered, That he was in his Power, he might do what he would. But said the other, Nay, I [...]ll have your Leave; and I could desire to be always with you, but not to have you as a Prisoner. G. Fox unwilling to deny his Desire, comply'd with it, and suffered him to lie with him. Then the Keeper told him all his Heart, and said, He believed what he had said of the true Faith and Hope, to be true: And he wondered that the other Man that was put into Prison with him, did not stand to it; for, said he, That Man was not right, but you are an honest Man. He also confessed, that at those Times when G. Fox had asked him to let him go and speak the Word [Page 30] of the Lord to the People, and at his Refusal had laid the Weight thereof upon him, that then he used to be under great Trouble, ama­zed, and almost distracted for some Time. The next Morning the Keeper being risen, went to the Justices, and told them, That he and his House had been plagued for G. Fox's Sake: To which one of the Ju­ces, viz. Bennet, said, That the Plagues were on them too, for keeping him. The Justices now to be rid of him, gave Leave That he should have Li­berty to walk a Mile. But he perceiving their End, told the Jailor, If they would set down to him how far a Mile was, he might take the Liberty of walking it sometimes: For he believed, they thought he would go away; and the Jailor also told him afterwards, that this was their Intent. But he signified to him that he had no Mind to get his Liberty that Way — And so he remained Prisoner, and was visited by the Jailor's Sister, who was so affected with what he spoke to her, that the coming down, told her Brother, They were an innocent People, that did no Hurt to any, but Good to all; and she desired that he might be treated civilly.

Now, since by Reason of his Restraint he had not the Opportunity of travelling about to declare the Doctrine of Truth, he to discharge himself, wrote the following Paper, and sent it forth for the Opening of People's Understandings in the Way of Truth, and directing them to the true Teacher in themselves.

About the same Time he writ to his Friends the following Paper.

And since many, that had been convinced of the Truth, turned aside▪ because of the Persecution that arose, he writ for the Encouragement of the Faithful, these Lines:

Now while G. Fox was at Darby, in the House of Correction, his Re­lations came to see him, and being sorry for his Imprisonment, they went to the Justices, by whose Order he was put there, and desired that he might be released, offering to be bound in One Hundred Pounds, and others in Darby in fifty Pounds a-piece with them, that he should no more come thither to declare against the Priests. But he being brought before the Justices, would not consent that any should be bound for him, because he believed himself to be innocent from any ill Behaviour. Then Justice Bennet rose up in a Rage,Justice Ben­net. and as G. Fox was kneeling down to pray to the Lord to forgive him, Bennet ran upon him, and struck him with both his Hands, crying, Away with him, Jailor; Take him a­way, Jailor. Whereupon he was carried back again to Prison, and there kept, until the Time of his Commitment for six Months was expired. But now he had Liberty of walking a Mile; which he made Use of, [Page 33] in his own Freedom: And sometimes he went into the Market and Streets, and warned the People to Repentance. And on the First-Days he now and then visited the Prisoners in their Religious Meetings. Now the Justices having requir'd Sure [...]ies for his good Behaviour, it [...]ame upon him to write to them again, which was as followeth:

Not long after he wrote to them again thus;

And after some Time, not finding his Spirit clear of them, he wrote again as followeth.

To the Priests of Darby he also did write again in this Manner,

He having thus cleared his Conscience to the Priests, it was not long before a Concern came upon him to write again to the Justices, which he did as followeth:

Besides this,N. Barton. he wrote the following to Nathaniel Barton, who, as was hinted before, was both a Justice, and a Preacher.

It has been said already, that some of G. Fox's Friends were moved, a [...] well as he, to preach the Doctrine or Truth; and in this Year it also happened,Eliz. Hoot­on. that Elizabeth Hooton, of whom Mention hath been made before, from a true Experience of the Lord [...]s Work in Man, also felt her self moved publickly to preach the Way of Salvation to others, being the first Woman-Preacher, by what I am inform'd, among those that be­gan [Page 36] now generally to he called by the Name of Quakers. Yet I have found in a Dutch Book, printed at Dort, in the Year 1647, and called, The History of the Troubles in England,Women Prea­chers. concerning the various Sects risen there, that among other Pesuasions at London, there were also Women that did preach, in large Meetings, and were heard by many with great Sa­tisfaction; so that the Preaching of a Woman was not such a Novelty, as otherwise it might have been.

In the foregoing Year it hath been said,Publick Tran­sactions. that some Scotch Commissio­ners having been with Charles II. in Holland, were return'd to Scotland; and tho' the King at first seem'd backward to consent to the Presbyte­rian Covenant, yet seeing no other Way open to the Scot [...]sh Throne, he came to other Thoughts, and so went over to Scotland, and made his Entry into Edenburgh, thro' the Gate on which the Quarters of the Earl of Montross were placed; who having endeavoured not long before to subdue the Scots with Arms, had been beaten with his Forces, and be­ing taken Prisoner, was executed. The young King now b [...]ing come in­to Scotland, seemed willing to comply as much as he could, thereby to ingratiate himself, not only with the Scots, but also with the English, if possible: And in Order thereunto, he gave forth a Declaration at his Court at Dunfirmling, dated the 16th Day of August, 1650, and in the second Year of his Reign, as it is there said: in which Declaration I meet with the following Words:

‘Tho' his Majesty, as a dutiful Son, he obliged to honour the Memory of his Royal Father, and have in Estimation the Person of his Mother, yet doth he desire to be deeply humbled and afflicted in Spirit before God, because of his Father's hearkening to evil Counsels, and his Opposition to the Work of Re­formation, and to the Solemn League and Covenant▪ by which so much of the Blood of the Lord's People hath been shed in these Kingdoms, and for the Idola­try of his Mother.’

Here the King confessed openly that his Father's House was guilty of great Crimes, and plainly signified, that the Nation indeed had been wronged by his Father's Behaviour; and he seemed to promise Amend­ment, if he came to be restor'd. In the mean while they began to see in England, that the Scots were like to make Head against them; and there­fore they ordered to send General Fairfax with an Army thither; but he shewed himself unwilling to go chiefly, as it was believed, by the Ad­vice of his Wife, who hearkened to the Counsel of the Presbyterian Preachers; and these thought it would contribute to their own Settle­ment, if those of their own Perswasion in Scotland were not resisted. But the Parliament, many of whose Members were Independents, did not matter that; but resolved, since Fairfax resigned voluntarily, to create Oliver Cromwel General of the [...]ational Forces, in the room of Fairfax. Which being done, Cromwel was sent with an Army to Scotland, and beat the Scots not far from Edenburgh, whereby that City not long after yielded to him.

In this Year was born in Holland, on the 14th of the Month call'd November, N. S. William the IIId. Prince of Orange, whose Mother was Daughter of the late King Charles the 1st. And this Prince, by a strange Revolution of humane Affairs, has since been advanc'd to the English Throne; and is a [...] present, whilst I write this, King of Great Britain, &c.

THE Year 1651 had scarce begun,1651 when the Scots resolved, not­withstanding their Overthrow, to crown their new King, which, after he had sworn to maintain the Covenant, they did in the Beginning of the Month called January. But we leaving this▪ return again to G. Fox, whom we left at Darby, in the House of Correction, where about this Time a Trooper came to him, who said, that having been in the Steeple-house, hearing the Priest, exceeding great Trouble was come upon him, and that a Voice (which he took to be that of the Lord) said to him, Dost thou not know that my Servant is in Prison? Go to him for Direction. G. Fox speaking to his Condition, told him, ‘That which shewed him his Sins, and troubled him for them, would also shew him his Salvation; because he that shews a Man his Sin, i [...] the same that takes it away.’ Whilst he was thus speaking, the Trooper's Understanding beg [...]n to be opened concerning the Truth, and he was sensible of God [...]s Mercies, which made him speak boldly in his Quarters amongst the Soldiers, and others, alledging the Scriptures for what he now believed to be Truth. He also said, His Colonel (which I take to be Barton) was as blind as Nebuchadnezzar, to cast the Servant of the Lord into Prison. This so incens'd his Colonel, that, when at the Worcester Fight, the two Armies lying near one another, two from the King's Army challenged any two of the Parliament's Army to fight with them, the said Colonel made Choice of him and another to a [...] ­swer the Challenge: And when in the Encounter his Companion was slain, he drove both his Enemies within a Musket-shot of the Town, without firing a Pistol at them. Thus he return'd victorious; but then he saw the Deceit of the Officers, and how wonderfully the Lord had preserved him; and in Process of Time becoming sensible that fighting was unlawful for a true Chrstian, he laid down his Arms, henceforth to fight under the Banner of the Prince of Peace, by entering into the Spiritual Warfare.

Now the Time of G. Fox's Commitment to the House of Correction being very near out, and there being many new Soldiers raised, the Com­missioners would have made him Captain over them, and the Soldiers cry'd, They would have none but him. So the Keeper of the House of Cor­rection was commanded to bring him up before the Commissioners and Soldier's in the Market-place; and there they proffer'd him that Prefer­ment, (as they call'd it) asking him if he would not take up Arms for the Common-wealth, against Charles Stuart? G. Fox, never having been a Fighter, tho' it has appeared that he was bold and valiant, told them. ‘That he could not do so, as well knowing from whence all Wars did arise, (viz. from the Lusts, according to the Doctrine of the Apostle James) and that he lived in the Virtue of that Life and Power, that took away the Occasion of all Wars.’ The Commissioners, to fawn upon him, said, They offered him the Office in Love and Kindness, because [Page 38] of his Vertue. But he not mattering those flattering Words, reply'd, ‘If this be your Love and Kindness, I trample it under my Feet.’ This bold Answer presently shew'd how shallow their pretended Kindness was; for it so enraged them, that they said, Take him awayJailer,and put him into the Dungeon amongst the Rogues and Felons. Thus G. Fox was put into a lousy stinking Place, amongst thirty Felons, where he had no Bed, and was kept almost half a Year, unless that at Times he was suf­fered to wa [...]k in the Garden, for they believed of him that he would not run away. He now being in this nasty Prison, it was said among the People, that he never should come out: But he, trusting in God, be­lieved the contrary, it being shewed him from the Lord (according to what he relates) that he was not yet to be removed from that Place, there being a Service for him to do.

In the mean while it was noised abroad, that he was in Darby-Dungeon, and his Relations came again to see him, they being much troubled about [...] they thought it a great Shame to them, that he should lie thus [...]. Besides, it was a strange Thing to be imprison'd for Religion. But some judged him to be mad, because he maintained the Doctrine of Purity, Righteousness, and Perfection. Among others that came to see him, there was also a Soldier from Nottingham, who said to him, Your Faith stands in a Man that died at Jerusalem; and there was never any such Thing. This so grieved G. Fox, that he said to him, How▪ did not Christ suffer without the Gates of Jerusalem, by the Professing Jews, the Chief Priest, and Pilate? No, said the other, he did not suffer there outwardly. Then G. Fox asked him, Whether there were not Jews, Chief Priests, and Pilate outwardly? This puzzled the Soldier a little, so that he could not deny it. Then he told him, As certainly as there was a Chief Priest, and Jews, and Pilate, so certainly Christ did suffer there outwardly under them. Yet this inconside­rate Person also said, That never any of the Prophets, or Apostles, or Holy Men of God, suffered any Thing outwardly; but that all their Sufferings were inward. Then G. Fox instanced to him many of the Prophets and Apo­stles, how they suffered, and by whom they suffered, thereby to con­found his silly Imaginations. Yet such was the Malice of some, that a Slander was raised among the People, That the Quakers denied Christ that suffered and died at Jerusalem. This, indeed, is a singular Evidence of the Credu [...]ity of People, taking upon Trust any Story, how false so­ever, when it relates to those that are become the Object ot vulgar Odium. Now as G. Fox was often visited by those that came out of Curiosity, it is not to be wondered, that sometimes he was contradicted by presump­tuous and self-concei [...]ed Persons. Once there came to him some that pretended they were Triers of Spirits;Triers of Spi­rits. and these he asked, What was the first Step to Peace? And what it was by which a Man might see his Salva­tion? But they being or an airy Mind, took this to be such a strange Question, that they did not stick to say, He was mad. Thus it appear­ed, that these who pretended to try Spirits, did not know what Spi­rit they themselves were of, and that they had not sufficient Know­ledge to make a good Judgment of the Corporal Constitution, saying he was mad, who was in no wise out of his Senses.

In the Time of his Imprisonment he was much exercised in Mind about the Proceedings of the Magistrates, because Men were put to Death for stealing of Cattle, Money, &c. and he was the more troubled about it, because this Practice was contrary to the Law of God in old Time. Wherefore he writ the following two Letters to the Judges.

‘I AM moved to write unto you to take Heed of putting Men to Death for stealing Cattel, or Money, &c. for the Theives in the old [Page 39] T [...]me were to make Restitution; and if they had not wherewithal, they were to be sold for their The [...]t. Mind the Laws of God in the Scrip­tures, and the Spirit that gave them forth; and let them be your Rule in executing Judgment: And shew Mercy, that you may receive Mercy from God, the Judge of all. And take Heed of Gifts and Rewards, and of Pride, for God doth forbid them, and they do blind the Eyes of the Wise. I do not write to give Liberty to Sin; God hath for­bidden it: But that you should judge according to his Laws, and shew Mercy: For he delighteth in true Judgment, and in Mercy. I beseech you to mind these Things, and prize your Time, now you have it; and fear God, and serve him; for he is a consuming Fire.’

The other Letter was thus;

‘I AM moved to write unto you, that ye do true Justice to every Man, and see that none be oppressed, nor wronged; nor no Oaths imposed; for the Land mourneth because of Oaths, and Adulteries, and Sorceries, and Drunkenness, and [...]. O consider, ye that be Men set in Authority: [...], and in Lowliness consider these Things. Shew Mercy to the [...]less, and to the Widows, and to the Poor: And take Heed of Rewards, or Gifts, for they do blind the Eyes of the Wi [...]e: The Lord doth loath all such. Love Mercy and true Judgment, Justice, and Righteousness, for the Lord delighteth in such. Consider these Things in Time, and take Heed how ye do spend your Time: Now ye have Time, prize it, and shew Mercy, that ye may receive Mercy from the Lord: For he is coming to try all Things, and will plead with all Flesh, as by Fire.’

Whilst G. Fox was in Prison among the Felons, it grieved him to hear their foul Language; and he often reproved them for their wicked Words, and evil Carriage towards each other; and People did admire that he was so preserv'd among this bad Company, without being de­filed by their Conversation: But the Fear of God so prevailed in his Heart, that he could not be charged with any evil Word or Action all the Time he was there: Yet he perceived that it was dangerous to con­verse with such a naughty Crew, and therefore he laid before the Judges what an hurtful Th [...]ng it was, that Prisoners should lie long in Jail, because they learned Wickedness one of another, in talking of their bad Deeds; and that therefore speedy Justice ought to be done.

Now whilst he was confined here, there was a young Woman in the Jail for robbing her Master of some Money; and she being to be tried for her Life, he wrote concerning her to the Judge and Jury, shewing them, how contrary it was to the Law of God of old, to put People to Death for Stealing; and that it was an incumbent Duty to shew Mer­cy. But notwithstanding his Writing so, she was condemned to die, and a Grave was made for her. G. Fox having heard this, writ a few Words, containing, ‘A Warning for all People to beware of Covetousness, and to [...]ear the Lord, and prize their Time, while they have it; that so they might avoid Wickedness.’ And when the Woman, at the Time appointed, was carried forth to Execution, he gave this Writing to be read at the Gallows; but when she was upon the Ladder, with a Cloth over her Face, and ready to be turned off, she was reprieved, and was brought back again to Prison, where afterwards she came to be convin­ced of the Truth, as held forth by G. Fox, and his Friends.

In the Jail there was also detained a wicked Man, who was said to be a Conjurer; this Man threatned G. Fox, and also the Jailor, That he would raise the Devil, and break the House down; so that he made the [Page 40] Jailor afraid. But G. Fox went to him, and said, Come, let's see what thou canst do, and do thy worst: The Devil is raised high enough in thee al­ready; but the Power of God chains him down. At this undaunted Speech the Fellow [...]unk away.

Now the Justices to get rid of G. Fox, resolved [...] press him for a Soldier, seeing he would not voluntarily accept [...]; [...]mand; and Bennet sent Constables to give him Press-Money: But he told them, That he was brought off from outward War, and was dead to it. And tho' the Com­missioners over and again profered him Money, yet he would not take it; at which they grew so angry, that he was committed close Priso­ner. Hereupon G. Fox wrote to the Justices, and those that were con­cerned in his Commitment, the following Lines.

‘YOU, who are without Christ, and yet use the Words, which he and his Saints have spoken, Consider, neither he nor his Apostles did ever Imprison any; but my Saviour is Merciful even to the Ʋnmer­ciful and Rebellious. He doth bring out of Prison and Bondage: But M [...], while the carnal Mind doth rule, do Oppress and Imprison. My Savi­our saith, Love your Enemies, and do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you and persecute you: For the Love or God doth not persecute any; but loveth all, where it dwelleth: He that hateth his Brother, is a Murderer. You profess to be Christians, and one of you a Minister of Jesus Christ; yet you have Imprisoned me, who am a Servant of Jesus Christ. The Apostles never Imprisoned any; but were Imprisoned themselves: Take heed of speaking of Christ in Words, and denying him in Life and Power. O Friends, the Imprisoning my Body is to satisfy your Wills; but take heed of giving Way to your Wills, for that will hurt you. If the Love of God had broken your Hearts, ye would not have Imprisoned me; but my Love is to you, as to all my Fellow-Creatures; and that you may weigh your selves, and see how you stand, is this written.’

About this Time he gave forth a Paper to those that were convin­ced of the Truth, to shew them the Deceit of the World, and how the Priests had deceived the People, viz.

‘CHRIST was ever hated; and the Righteous for his Sake. Mind, who they were, that did ever hate them. He that was born after the Flesh, did persecute him that was born after the Spirit; and so it is now. And mind, who were the Chiefest against Christ; even the great Learned Men, the Heads of the People, Rulers and Teach­ers, that did profess the Law and the Prophets, and looked for Christ. They looked for an outwardly-glorious Christ, to hold up their out­ward Glory: But Christ spake against the Works of the World; and against the Priests, and Scribes, and Pharisees, and their hypocritical Profession. He that is a Stranger to Christ, is an Hireling; but the Servants of Jesus Christ are Freemen. The false Teachers always laid Burdens upon the People: And the true Servants of the Lord did speak against them. Jeremiah did speak against Hirelings, and said, It was an horrible Thing; and said, What will ye do in the End ? for the People and Priests were given to Covetousness. Paul did speak against such, as did make Gain upon the People; and exhorted the Saints to turn away from such as were Covetous Men and Proud Men, such as did love Pleasures more than God; such as had a Form of Godliness, but deni­ed the Power thereof. For of this sort (said he) are they, that Creep into Houses, and lead Captive silly Women, who are ever learning, but never able to come to the Knowledge of the Truth; Men of corrupt Minds, Reprobrate [Page 41] concerning the Faith; and as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so (saith he) do these Resist the Truth: but they shall proceed no further, for their Folly shall be made manifest unto all Men. Moses forlook Honours and Pleasures, which he might have enjoyed. The Apostle in his Time saw this Corruption entring, which now is spread over the World, of having a Form of Godliness, but denying the Power. Ask any of your Teachers, whether you may ever overcome your Corruptions or Sins? None of them doth believe That; but as long as Man is here, he must (they say) carry about with him the Body of Sin. Thus Pride is kept up, and that Honour and Mastership, which Christ de­nied; and all Unrighteousness: Yet Multitudes of Teachers; Heaps of Teachers; the Golden Cup full of Abominations! Paul did not preach for Wages; but laboured with his Hands, that he might be an Ex­ample to all them that follow him. O People, see who follows Paul! The Prophet Jeremiah said, The Prophets prophesy falsely, and the Priests bear Rule by their Means; but now the Priests bear Rule by the Means they get from the People: Take away their Means, and they will bear Rule over you no longer. They are such as, the Apostle said, Intruded into those Things, which they never saw; being vainly puffed up with a fleshly Mind; and, as the Scriptures declare of some of old, They go in the Way of Cain, (who was a Murderer) and in the Way of Balaam, who coveted the Wages of Ʋnrighteousness. The Prophet Micah also cried against the Judges, that Judged for Reward; and the Priests, that taught for Hire; and the Prophets, that prophesied for Money; and yet leaned on the Lord, saying; Is not the Lord amongst us? Gifts do blind the Eyes of the Wise: And the Gift of God was never pur­chased with Money: All the holy Servants of God did ever cry against Deceit: And where the Lord hath manifested his Love, they do loath it, and that Nature, which holdeth it up.’

He also wrote a serious Exhortation to the Magistrates of Darby, to consider whom they imprisoned:

During his Imprisonment there; he was under a great Exercise and Travel in Spirit, because of the Wickedness of that Town; for tho' some were convinced there of the Doctrine of Truth, yet generally they were a hardened People. And he seeing the Visitation of God's Love pass away from them, he mourned, and wrote following Lamentation.

‘O Darby! As the Waters run away, when the Flood-Gates are up; so doth the Visitation of God [...]s Love pass away from thee, O Darby! Therefore look, where thou art, and how thou art grounded; and Consider, before thou art utterly forsaken. The Lord moved me Twice, before I came to Cry against the Deceits and Vanities that are in thee: and to warn all to look at the Lord, and not at Man. The Wo is against the Crown of Pride, and the Wo is against Drunkenness and vain Pleasures, and against them that make a Profession of Religion in Words, and are high and lofty in Mind, and live in Oppression and Envy. O Darby! thy Profession and Preaching stinks before the Lord. Ye do profess a Sabbath in Words, and Meet together, dressing your selves in fine Apparel; and you uphold Pride. Thy Women go with stretched-forth Neeks, and wanton Eyes, &c. which the true Prophet of old Cryed against. Your Assemblies are odious, and an Abomination to the Lord: Pride is set up, and bowed down to; Covetousness abounds; and he that doth wickedly, is honoured: So Deceit doth bear with Deceit; and yet they profess Christ in Words. O the Deceit that is within thee! It doth even break my Heart to see, how God is dis­honoured in thee! O Darby!’

After he had written this, he perceived that his imprisonment there would not continue long; for the Magistrates grew uneasy about him, and could not agree what to do with him: One while they would have sent him up to the Parliament, and another while they would have banish [...]d him to Ireland. At first they called him a Deceiver, and a Blasphemer; and afterwards, when the Judgments of God be [...]el them, they said he was an honest, virtuous Man. But their well or ill-speaking was nothing to him; for the one did not lift him up; nor did the other cast him down. At length they turned him out of Jail about the Beginning of the Winter, in the Year 1651, after he had been Prisoner in Darby about a Yea [...], six Months whereof in the House of Correction, and the rest of the Time in the common Jail and Dungeon. Being now set at Liberty, he went into Leicestershire, Leicester-shi. Nottingham­shire. and had Meetings where he came, preaching so effec­tually, that several were convinced. He went after to Nottinghamshire [Page 43] again, and from thence into Darbyshire, where having visited his Friends, he passed into Yorkshire, and coming into Doncaster, and other Places, he preached Repentance.Yorkshire. Doncaster. Pa [...]by. Rich. Farns­worth. Wakefield. J. Naylor. W. Dewsbu­ry. Afterwards he came to Balby, where Richard Farnsworth, and several others, were convinced, by his Preaching. And coming afterwards into the Parts about Wakefield, James Naylor came to him, and also acknowledged the Truth of that Doctrine he held forth; likewise William Dewsbury, with many more; and these three named, be­came in Time also Ministers of the Gospel. But by the way, I must say that William Dewsbury was one of those that had already been im­mediately convinced, as G. Fox himself was, who coming to him, found himself in Unity with him;G. Fox. Jun. and of these was also George Fox the Younger, of whom more hereafter. But I return to the other G. Fox, who com­ing about Selby, passed from thence to Beverly, where he went into the Steeple-house, and after he that preached there had done,Selby. Beverly. G. Fox spoke to the Congregation, and said, that They ought to turn to Christ Jesus as their Teacher. This struck a Dread amongst the People, and the Mayor spoke to him; but none meddled with him. In the Afternoon he went to another Steeple-house, about two Miles off, where, after the Priest had done, he spoke to him and the People, shewing them the Way of Life and Truth, and the Ground of Election and Reprobation. The Priest saying he could not dispute, G. Fox told him, ‘He did not come to dispute, but to hold forth the Word of Truth, that they might all know the one Seed, to which the Promise was, both in the Male, and in the Female.’ Here his speaking did so please the Auditory, that he was desired to come again on another Day, and to preach there. But he directed them to their Teacher Christ Jesus, and so went away. The next Day he came to Crantsick, Crantsick. Capt. Pursloe. Justice Ho­tham. to Captain Pursloe's, who accom­panied him to Justice Hotham's, and entring into Discourse with G. Fox, told him, ‘He had known that Principle about ten Years, and was glad that the Lord did publish it abroad among the People.’ While G. Fox was there, there came a great Woman of Beverly to speak with the said Justice about some Business, who in Discourse said, ‘That the last Sab­bath-Day (as [...]he called it) there was an Angel or Spirit came into the Church at Beverly, and spoke the wonderful Things of God, to the Astonishment of all that were there: And that when it had done, it passed away, they not knowing whence it came, nor whither it went; but it astonished all, both Priest and Professors, and the Magistrates of the Town.’ This Relation Justice Hotham gave him afterwards; and then G. Fox told him, that it was he who had been that Day at Beverly Steeple-house, and had declar'd Truth there. The next first Day of the Week Captain Pursloe came to G. Fox, and they both went to the Steeple-house, where G. Fox, when the Priest had done, spoke to both Priest and People, and directed them where they might find their Teacher, the Lord Jesus Christ, viz. inwardly, in their Hearts; which was of such Effect, that some received that Doctrine of Truth, and continued in it. In the Afternoon he went to another Steeple-house, about three Miles off, where one preached that bore the Title of Doctor: He took his Text from Isaiah LV. Every one that thirst­eth, come ye to the Waters, and he that hath no Money, come ye, buy and eat, yea come, buy Wine and Milk, without Money, without Price. G. Fox staid till the Priest had done, and well knowing what kind of Teacher he was, he was kindled with such a Zeal, that he said, Come down thou Deceiver: Dost thou bid People come freely, and take of the Water of Life freely, and yet thou takest three Hundred Pounds a Year of them! May'st not thou blush with Shame! Did the Prophet Isaiah and Christ do so, who spake the Words, and gave them forth freely? Did not Christ say to his Ministers, whom he sent [Page 44] to preach, Freely ye have received, freely give? The Priest being amazed, hastened away, and so gave G. Fox as much Time as he could desire, to speak to the People; who then directed them to the Light, and the Grace of God, and to the Spirit of God in their inward Parts, to be taught and instructed thereby.

Having thus cleared himself amongst that People, he return'd to Justice Hotham's House that Night, who embracing him, said, My House is your House; and also signified, that he was exceeding glad at the Work of the Lord, and that his Power was revealed.

From thence G. Fox went thro' the Country, and came at Night to an Inn, where he bid the Woman of the House, if she had any Meat, to bring him some. But because he said Thee and Thou to her, she look­ed strangely on him. Then he asked her, if she had any Milk? and she said, No: He believing she spoke falsely, and seeing a Churn stand in the Room, would try her farther, and asked h [...]r, If she had any Cream? But she denied that she had any. Then a little Boy playing about the Churn, put his Hands into it, and pulling it down, threw all the Cream on the Floor. Thus the Woman appeared to be a Lyar, and she being amazed, took up the Child, and whipt it sorely: But he reproved her for her Lying, and going out of the House, went away, and that Night lay in a Stack of Hay,York. in Rain and Snow. The next Day he came to York; and the first Day of the Week being come, he went to the Cathedral: When the Priest had done, he said, He had something from the Lord God to speak to the Priest and People. Then said a Professor, Say on quickly; for it was very cold Weather. Then G. Fox told them, This was the Word of the Lord God unto them, that they lived in Words; but God Al­mighty looked for Fruits among them. As soon as these Words were out of his Mouth, he was hurried out, and thrown down the Steps. But he got up again without Hurt, and went to his Lodging. Yet several of the People were so reach'd that they became convinced of the Truth.

He having now done his Service in York, went from thence, and came the next Day to Burraby, Burraby. and coming into a certain Meeting, where there was a Priest also, he had Occasion to declare the Truth, and many were convinced; and the Priest himself confessed to the Truth, tho' he came not to live up to it. The following Day G. Fox passed to Cleave­land, Cleaveland. where having a Meeting, some were convinced. The first Day of the next Week he went to the Steeple-house, and when the Priest had done, he directed the People to their Teacher w [...]hin, Christ Jesus, who had bought them. The Priest then coming to him, he had a little Dis­course with him, and put him soon to Silence.

From thence he wen [...] to Stath, Stath. where he had great Meetings, and many received the Truth he preached; amongst whom was Philip Scarth a Priest,P. Scarth. that afterwards came to be a Minister of the Gospel among those called Quakers, who now began thereabout to encrease in Number, and had great Meetings. It happened here that a certain Scotch Priest,Scotch Priest. walking with G. Fox, asked him many Questions concern­ing the Light, and the Soul: to all which he answered fully: But after they parted, this Scotch Priest met Philip Scarth, and breaking his Cane against the Ground, said in Anger, If ever he met with G. Fox again, he would have his Life, or Fox should have his; adding, that he would give his Head, if G. Fox was not knockt down within a Month. Yet what is mar­vellous, this same Scotch Priest, after some Years, came to be one or the People called Quakers, and afterwards G. Fox visited him at his House. Not much unlike to this, was, that a Woman of Note among the Inde­pendents, being swayed by Prejudice against G Fox, said, She would wil­lingly have gone to have seen him hang'd: But when she heard him preach, [Page 45] she was so reach'd, that the being convinced of the Truth he declared, came to be one of his Friends. Oftentimes he had Opportunity to speak with the Priests, who, when they heard of his coming, would hide them­selves; for it was a dreadful Thing to them, when it was told them, The Man in Leather Breeches is come; for this was indeed his D [...]ess in those Days, not on [...] of any Supe [...]st [...]tion, but because Leather Clothes being strong, it was not unsuitable for one that travelled so much as he did.

He now coming to Malton, Malton. had great Meetings; but it was thought such a strange Thing to preach in Houses, that many du [...]st not come there, for Fear of their Relations; and therefore he was much desired to come and preach in the Churches, as the Steeple-houses are commonly called:Priest Boyes. Nay, one of the Priests himself, called Boyes, (who was so taken with him, that he called him Brother) did invite him to preach in his Steeple-house: But G. Fox had little Inclination to that, because both Priests and People called that Place of Worship, The House of God; where­as the Apostle said to the Athenians, God dwelleth not in Temples made with Hands: And therefore he endeavoured to draw People o [...]f from them, and to make them sensible, that God and Christ ought to dwell in their Hearts, that so their Bodies might be made the Temples of God. Yet for that Time he went into the Steeple-house at Malton, where there were not above eleven Hearers, to whom the Priest was Preaching; but after it was known in the Town that G. Fox was there, it was soon filled with People. And when the Priest had done, he sent the other that had invited him thither, to bring him up into the Pulpit. But G. Fox sent him Word, That he needed not to go into the Pulpit. The Priest not satisfy [...]d with this Refusal, sent again, desiring him to go up into it, for, said he, It is a better Plate to be seen of the People: But G. Fox answered, That he could be seen and heard well enough where he was; and that he came not there to hold up such Places, nor their Maintenance and Trade. This created some Displeasure, and it was said, That false Prophets were to come in the last Times: But this Saying grieved many of the People, and some began to murmur at it▪ Whereupon G. Fox stood up, and de­siring all to be quiet, he st [...]pt upon an high Seat; and since somewhat had been spoken of False Prophets, he declared to the Auditory, the Marks of those Prophets, and he shewed, That they were already come, and were out of the Steps of the true Prophets, and of Christ and his Apostles. He also directed the People to their inward Teacher, Christ Jesus, who would turn them from Darkness to Light: And ha­ving opened divers Scriptures to them, he directed them to the Spirit of God in themselves, by which they might come to God, and also come to know who the false Prophets were. And having thus had a large Time to preach to the People, he went away without any Disturbance.

After some Time he came to Pickering, Pickering. where the Justices held their Sessions in the Steeple-house; Justice Robinson being Chairman. At the same Time G. Fox had a Meeting in the School-house, where many Priests and Professors came, and asked several Questions, which were answered to their Satisfaction, so that many Persons, and amongst these, four chief Constables, were convinc [...]d that Day; and Word was carried to Justice Robinson, Justice Ro­binson. that his Priest, whom he loved more than all the others, was over thrown and convinc [...]d. After the Meeting was done, they went to an Inn, and the said Priest was very loving, and would have paid for G. Fox [...]s Dinner; but this he would not suffer by any Means. Then he offer [...]d, that he should have his Steeple-house to preach in; but he re­fused, and told him and the People, That he came to bring them off from such Things to C [...]rist. The next Morning he went with the four chief Constables to visit Justice Robinson, who meeting him at his Chamber-Door, [Page 46] G. Fox told him, He could not honour him with Man's Honour: To which the Justice said, He did not look for it. Then he went into his Chamber, and spoke to him concerning the State of the False Prophets, and of the True; and also concerning Election and Reprobation, [...]ew­ing that Reprobation stood in the First Birth, and Election in the Se­cond; and what it was that the Promise of God was to, and what the Judgment of God was against. All this so pleased the said Robinson, that he not only confessed it to be Truth; but when another Justice that was present, made some little Opposition, he informed him; and at their Parting, he said to G. Fox, It was very well that he did exercise that Gift which God had given him. And he took the chief Constables aside, and would have given them some Money for G. Fox, saying, He would not have him to be at any Charge in their Country: But they told him, That they themselves could not get him to take any Money. G. Fox passing from thence, Priest Boyes went along with him. But the Year being now come to an End, let us take a short View how it stood with State-Affairs.

It hath been said already,Publick Transactions. that Charles the II. had been crown [...]d King by the Scots; but having been beaten, with his Forces, by Cromwel, he marched afterwards with a new Army into England, and took Worcester without Opposition: Yet, in the Month of September, his Forces were so entirely routed by Cromwel, that King Charles, to prevent being taken Prisoner after the Battle, hi [...] himself a whole Day in a ho [...]low Oak; and afterwards, being clothed like a Servant, and called by Name of William, passed the Country, and thro' many Hazards escaped out of England, and arrived on the Coast of Normandy in France, where we will leave him to return again to G. Fox; Priest Boyes. who coming with Priest Boyes into a Town to bait, and hearing the Bells ring, asked what that was for: They told him, That it was for him to preach in the Steeple-house. Walking thither, he saw the People were gathered together in the Stee­ple-house Yard. The Priest who accompanied him, would have had him to go into the Steeple-house: But he said, It was no Matter. This seemed strange to the People, that he would not go into that which they call'd the House of God. But he stood up in the Steeple-house Yard, and declared to them, ‘That he came not to hold up their Idol-Temples, nor their Priests, nor their Tythes, nor their Jewish and Heathenish Ceremonies: That the Ground on which these their Temples stood, was no more Holy than any other Piece of Ground: That the Apo­stles going into the Jews Synagogues and Temples, was to bring Peo­ple off from that Temple, &c. and from the Offerings and Tythes, and covetous Priests of that Time: That such who came to be converted, and believed in Christ, afterwards met together in Dwelling-houses: And that all who preach Christ, the Word of Life, ought to preach freely, as the Apostles did, and as Christ had commanded: And that the Lord God of Heaven and Earth had sent him to preach freely, and to bring People off from the outward Temples made with Hands, in which God dwelleth not; that so they might know their Bodies were to become the Temples of God and Christ. Moreover, that they ought to leave all their superstitious Ceremonies, Traditions, and Doctrines of Men; and not regard such Teachers of the World, that took Tythes, and great Wages, preaching for Hire, and divining for Money, whom God and Christ never sent, according to their own Confession, when they say, They never heard God's Voice. That therefore People ought to come to the Spirit and Grace of God in themselves, and to the Light of Jesus in their own Hearts; that so they might come to know Christ their free Teacher, to bring them Salvation, and to open the Scriptures to them.’ This Speech had [Page 47] such Effect,1652 that many then declared they were convinced of the Truth.

From this Place he went to another Town, and Priest Boyes went a­long with him. Thither came several Professors, but h [...] sate silent for some Hours; which made them often ask the Priest, When will he begin? When will he speak? To which the Priest said, Wait: And told them, That the People waited upon Christ a long while before he spake. Now tho' G. Fox by Silence was to famish People from Words, yet at length he felt himself moved to speak, which he did so effectually, that many were reached, and there was a general Convincement amongst them.

From hence he passed on, the Priest continuing to go with him, as did several others. And as they went along, some People called to the Priest, and said, Mr. Boyes, We owe you some Money for Tythes, pray come and take it. But he throwing up his Hands, said, He had enough, and would have none of it; they might keep it; and he praised the Lord he had enough. The Moors. At length they came to this Priest's Steeple-house in the Moors; and when they came into it, the Priest went before, and held open the Pulpit-Door: But G. Fox told him, he would not go into it. And this Steeple-house being very much painted, he told him, and the People, That the painted Beast had a painted House. Then he spoke to them con­cerning the R [...]e of all those Houses, and their superstitious Ways; and he told them, ‘That at the End of the Apostle [...]s going into the Temple and Synagogues, was not to hold them up, but to bring People to Christ the Substance; so the End of his Coming there was not to hold up these Temples, Priests, and Tythes, but to bring them off from all these Things to Christ the Substance. Moreover, he de­clared to them what the true Worship was, which Christ had set up; and he distinguished Christ, the true Way, from all the false Ways, opening the Parables to them, and turning them from Darkness to the true Light, that by it they might see themselves and their Sins, and Christ their Saviour; that so believing in him, they might be saved from their Sins.’

After this he went to the House of one Birde [...], Birde [...]. where he had a great Meeting, and the Priest Boyes accompanied him still, leaving his Steeple-house. Then he returned towards Crantsick, Crantsick. to Captain Pursloe's and Ju­stice Hotham's, who received him kindly, being glad that Truth was spread, and so many had received it. And Justice Hotham said, ‘If God had not raised up this Principle of Light and Life, which G. Fox preached, the Nation had been over-run with Ranterism, and all the Justices in the Nation could not have stopped it with all their Laws: Because (said he) they would have said as we said, and done as we commanded, and yet have kept their old Principle still: But this Principle or Truth overthrows their Principle, and the Root [...]nd Ground thereof.’

Now tho' G. Fox found good Entertainment, yet he did not settle these, but kept in a continual Motion, going from one Place to another, to beget Souls unto God. I don't intend to relate all his Occurrences, but will give a short Hint only of some of the Chief.

Coming then towards Night into Patrington, Patrington. he walked thro' the Town, and meeting the Priest in the Street, he wa [...]ed both him and the People to repent, and turn to Lord: And People gathering about him, he declared to them the Word of Life, directing them to the inward Word, viz. the Light wherewith they were enlighten'd. And going afterwards to an Inn, for it was dark, he desired Lodging; but it was denied him: Then he asked for a little Meat, or Milk, offering to pay for it; But this also was refused him. Being thus put off; he [Page 48] walked out of the Town, and some rude Fellows follo [...]ing, asked him, What News? To which his Answer was, Repent and fear the Lord. After he was gone a pretty Way out of the Town, he ca [...]e to another House, where he desired to have some Meat, Drink, and Lodging for his Mo­ney; but they would not suffer him to stay there: Then he went to another House, but met with the like Re [...]usal. By this Time it was grown so dark, that he could not see the High-way, but perceiving a Ditch, he got a little Water, and so refreshed himself. Then he got over the Ditch, and being weary, he sat down amongst the Furz-bu [...]es, till it grew Day; and tnen he got up, and passing on thro' the Fields, a [...] Man came after him with a Pike-sta [...]f, and went along with him to a Town, where he raised the People, with the Constable and chief Con­stable, before the Sun was up. G. Fox, seeing the Multitude, warned them of the Day of the Lord that was coming upon all S [...]n and Wick­edness, and exhorted them to repent. But they laying hold on him, carried him back to Patrington, and guarded him with Halberds, Pikes, Staves, &c. Being come to the said Town, all was in an Uproar; and the Priest and Constable consulting together what to do with him, he too [...] that Opportunity to exhort the People to Repentance, and to preach the Word of Life to them. At last a discreet Man called him [...]nto his House, where he got some Milk and Bread, not having eaten for some Days before. Then he was carried about nine Miles to a Ju­stice; and when he was come near his House, there came a Man riding a [...]e [...], and asked him, Whether he was the Man that was apprehended? G. Fox asking him Why? The other said, For no Hurt. Then he told him, He was; and so the Man rode away to the Justice. Now the Men that [...] G. Fox said, It would be well, if the Justice was not drunk when th [...]y came to him, because he used to be drunk early. G. Fox being now brought in before him, and not putting off his Hat, and saying Thou to him, the Justice asked the Man that rode thither before, Whether he was not mazed, or fond? But the Man said, No; It is his Principle so to behave himself. Now G. Fox, who was unwilling to let any Opportunity slip, without admonishing People to Vertue, warned the Justice to repent, and bid him ‘Come to the Light which Christ had enlightned him with, that by it he might see all his evil Words and Actions, and so return to Christ Jesus whilst he had Time, and that he ought to prize that Time.’ Ay, Ay, said he, the Light that is spoken of in the Third of John. G. Fox desired him that he would mind it, and obey it; and laying his Hand upon, him, he was so brought down by the Lord's Power, that all the Watchmen stood amazed. Then he took G. Fox with him into a Parlour with the other Men, and desired to see what he had in his Pockets, of Letters, or Intelligence; for it seems they suspected him to be an Enemy to the Common-wealth. Then he pulled out his Linnen, and shewed that he had no Letters; which made the Justice say, He is not a Vagrant, by his Linnen; and set him at Liberty. Then G. Fox went back, to Patrington again, with that Man who had rid before to the Justice, and who lived in that Town. Coming to his House, he desired G. Fox to go to Bed, or to lye doan upon it: Which he did, that they might say, they had seen him in a Bed, or upon a Bed; for there was a Report, that he would not lie on any Bed, raised doubtless, be­cause about that Time he had lain often without Doors

When the First Day of the Week was come, he went to the Steeple-house, and declared the Doctrine of Truth to the Priest and People, without being mo [...]ested. Then presently after he had a great Meeting at that Man [...]s House where he lay, and many were convinced that Day of the Truth he preached; and they were exceeding sorry that they [Page 49] had not given him Lodging when he was there before. From thence he travelled thro' the Country, warning People, both in Towns, and in Country-Villages, to repent, and turn to Christ Jesus their Teacher.

On a First Day of the Week he came to one Colonel Overton's House,Col. Overton. and had a great Meeting of the [...]ef of the People of that Country; where he opened many Things out of the Scriptures, which they never heard before▪ Coming afterwards again to Patrington, he understood that a Taylor, and some wild Blades in that Town, had occasioned his being carried before the Justice: This Taylor came to ask him For­giveness, fearing he would complain of him: The Constables also were afraid, lest he should trouble them: But he forgave them all, and ex­horted them to turn to the Lord, and to amend their Lives. Now that which made them the more afraid, was, that he having been not long before in the Steeple-house at Oram, there came a Professor that gave him a Push on the Breast, and bid him, Get out of the Church. To which G. Fox said, Dost thou call the Steeple-house the Church? The Church is the People, whom God hath purchased with his Blood, and not the House. But Justice Hotham having heard of this Man's thus abusing G. Fox, Just. Ho­tham. s [...]t a Warrant, and bound the said Man over to the Sessions. So zealous was this Justice to keep the Peace, that he had asked G. Fox before, whether any People had abused him: But he esteeming it his Duty to forgive all, told him nothing of that Kind.

From Patrington he went to several great Mens Houses, warning them to repent. Some received him lovingly, and some slighted him. Passing thus thro' the Country, at Night he came to another Town, where he desired Lodging and Meat, offering to pay for it; but they would not lodge him, unless he went to a Constable to ask Leave, which they said was the Custom of Strangers. But he told them, That Custom was for suspected Persons, and not for such as he, who was an innocent Man. So after he had warned them to repent, and to mind the Day of their Visitation, and directed them to me Light of Christ, and Spirit of God, he passed away. As it grew dark, he spied an Hay-stack, and went and sat under it till Morning. The next Day he came to Hull, where he admonished the People to turn to Christ Jesus, that they might re­ceive Salvation. And being very weary with travelling on Foot so far, he got that Night a Lodging there.

From thence he went to Nottinghamshire, Nottingham­shire. Lincolnshire. Gainsbo­rough. visiting his Friends there; and so passed into Lincolnshire, where he did the like. And coming to Gainsborough, where one of his Friends had been preaching in the Mar­ket, he found the Town and People all in an Uproar; the more, be­cause a certain Man had raised a false Accusation, reporting, that G. Fox had said, He was Christ. Here going into the House of a friendly Man, the People rushed in after him, so that the House soon was f [...]l­led; and amongst the rest was also this false Accuser, who said openly before all the People, That G. Fox said he was Christ; and that he had got Witnesses to prove the same. G. Fox kindled with Zeal, stept upon the Table, and said to the People, That Christ was in them, except they were Reprobates; and that it was Christ the eternal Power of God, that spoke in him at that Time unto them; not that he was Christ. This gave general Sa­tisfaction, except to the false Accuser himself, to whom G. Fox said, That he was a Judas, and that Judas's End should be his; and that That was the Word of the Lord thro' him [Fox] to him. The Minds of the People com­ing thus to be quieted, they departed peaceably. But very remarkable it was, This Judas shortly after hanged himself, and a Stake was driven into his Grave. Now tho' this was a well known Thing in this Country, yet some Priests spread a Report, That a Quaker had hanged himself in Lin­colnshire, [Page 50] and had a Stake driven thro' him. And tho' this was taken up­on Trust by Hearsay, yet, out of meer Malice, a certain Priest gave out this Falshood in Print, as a true Matter. But this wicked Slander prevailed so little, that many People in Lincolnshire were convinced of the Truth preached by G. Fox.

After this he passed into Yorkshire, Yorkshire. Warnsworth. and coming to Warnsworth, went to the Steeple-house in the Forenoon, but found no Acceptance; and being th [...]u [...] out, he was sorely beaten with Staves, and Clods and Stones were thrown at him; yet he exhorted to repent and turn to Christ. In the Afternoon he went to another Steeple-house; but the Sermon was finished before he got thither; so he preached Repentance to the Peo­ple that were not departed, and directed them to their inward Teacher, Christ Jesus.Doncaster. From hence he came to Doncaster, where he had formerly preached in the Market; but now on the First Day of the Week he went into the Steeple-house; and after the Priest had done, he began to speak, but was hurried out, and haled before the Magistrates, who threatned him with Death, if ever he came thither again. But not­withstanding all this, G. Fox bid them Mind the Light of Christ in them, saying, That God was come to teach his People himself, whether they would hear or not. After a while being put out with some of his Friends, that were with him, they were stoned by the rude Multitude. A certain Innkeeper, that was a Bailiff, seeing this, came and took them into his House, but one of the Stones, that were thrown, hit his Head, so that the Blood ran down his Face. The next First Day G. Fox went to Tichhil, Tichhil. where he went into the Steeple-house, and there found the Priest, and the Chief of the Parish in the Chancel, to whom he began to speak; but they immediately fell upon him, and the Clark struck him with his Bible so violently on the Face, that the Blood gushed out, and he bled exceedingly. Then the People thrust him out of the Steeple-House, and beating him, threw him down, and dragged him along the Street, so that he became besmeared with Blood and Dirt, and his Hat was taken away. When he was got up again, he spoke to the People, and shewed them how they dishonoured Christianity. Some Time after the Priest coming by, scossingly called G. Fox and his Friends, Quakers. But he was spoken to, in such an Authority and Dread, that he fell a trembling; which made one of the People say, Look how the Priest trem­bles and shakes, he is turned a Quaker also. Some moderate Justices now, hearing how G. Fox and his Friends had been abused, came to examine the Business; and the Clark was afraid of having his Hand cut off, for striking him in the Church: But G. Fox, as a true Christian, forgave him, and would not appear against him.

Thus far G. Fox only hath been mentioned as a Preacher of Repen­tance; but now some others of his Perswasion began also to preach publickly,T. Aldam. R. Farns­worth. W. Dewsbu­ry. Warnsworth. viz. Thomas Aldam, Richard Farnsworth, and, not long after, William Dewsbury. This made such a Stir, that the Priest of Warnsworth produced a Warrant from the Justices against G. Fox and Thomas Al­dam. The Constable, who came with this Order which was to be ex­ecuted in any Part of the West-Riding of Yorkshire, took Tho. Aldam, and carried him to York, and G. Fox went with him twenty Miles; but tho' the Constable had a Warrant for him also, yet he meddled not with G. Fox, saying, He was loth to trouble Men that were Strangers; but Tho. Aldam was his Neighbour. About this Time Richard Farnsworth went into an eminent Steeple-house,Wakefield in, or about Wakefield; where he spoke [...]o powerfully, that the People were amazed. The Priest of that Place whose Name was Marshal, spread a slanderous Report, That G. Fox carried Bo [...]les about with him, and made People drink thereof, which [Page 51] made them follow him. And that he rid upon a great black Horse, and was seen in one Country upon that Horse, and in the same Hour in an other Country threescore Miles off. But these horrid Lies were so far from turn­ing to the Priest's Advantage, that he preached many of his Hearers away from him; for it was well known, that G. Fox had no Horse at that Time, but travelled on Foot. He coming now into a Steeple-house not far from Bradford, the Priest took his Text from Jer. V. 31. My People love to have it so; leaving out the foregoing Words, The Prophets prophesy falsely, and the Priests bear Rule by their Means. G. Fox unwilling to let this pass unregarded, shewed the People the Priest's unfair Deal­ing, and directing them to Christ, the true inward Teacher, declared, That God was come to teach his People himself, and to bring them off from all the World's Teachers and Hirelings, that they might come to receive freely from him; concluding his Speech with a Warning of the Day of the Lord that was coming upon all Flesh. He passed from thence without much Opposition, and travelled now for some Time with Richard Farnsworth, with whom he once passed a Night in the open Field, on a Bed they made of Fern.

Then parting from him,Wentzer­dale. he came to Wentzerdale, where he went into the Steeple-house; and after the Lecture, he spoke to the People much in the same Terms as he used to do on the like Occasions; and had not much Opposition there. Thus he went from Place to Place, and often met with strange Occurrences, some of which were more jocose than serious; others very rude, and even dangerous to his Life. But he trusted in God, really believing that he had sent him to preach Re­pentance, and to exhort People to a true Conversion.

Thus travelling on,Sedburgh. Just. Benson. he came near Sedburgh; there he went to a Meet­ing at Justice Benson's, where a People met that were separated from the publick Worship; and by his Preaching, he gave such general Satisfac­tion, that most of the Hearers were convinc'd of the Truth declared by him. Thus the Number of his Fellow-Believers increased so, that now they had Meetings by themselves, in many Places of the Country. About this Time there being a Fair at Sedburgh, G. Fox declared the Day of the Lord thro the Fair; and afterwards went into the Steeple-house-Yard, where Abundance of People came to him: Here he preached for several Hours, shewing, ‘That the Lord was come to teach his People himself, and to bring them off from all the World's Ways, and Teachers, to Christ, the true Teacher, and the true Way to God. Moreover, he shewed the declining State of the modern Doctors and Teachers; and exhorted the People to come off from the Temples made with Hands, and wait to receive the Spirit of the Lord, that they might know themselves to be the Temples of God.’ None of the Priests, several of whom were there, spoke against what he had declared; but a Cap­tain said, Why will you not go into the Church; for this is not a fit Place to preach in? G. Fox told him, That he did not approve of their Church. Then stood up one Francis Howgil, F. Howgil. who was a Preacher, and tho' he never had seen G. Fox before, yet he was so affected with him, that he answered the Captain, and soon put him to silence: For, said, Howgil, This Man speaks with Authority, and not as the Scribes. After this G. Fox opened to the People, ‘That that Ground and House was not more holy than another Place; and that the House was not the Church, but the People, whom Christ was the Head of.’ Then the Priests coming to him, he warned them to repent; upon which one of them said, He was mad: Capt. Ward. Firbank [...] Chappel in Westmor­land. But notwithstanding, his saying so, many were convinced there that Day; and amongst these, one Captain Ward. The next First Day G. Fox came to Firbank Chappel in Westmorland, where the foresaid Francis [Page 52] Howgil, and one John Audland had been preaching in the Morning. The Chappel at that Time was so full of People, that many could not get in:J. Audland. And Howgil said afterwards, He thought G. Fox look'd into the Chappel, and his Spirit was ready to fail. But G. Fox did not look into it; however, Howgil had been so reach'd when he heard him preach in the Steeple-house-Yard at Sedburgh, that he was, as it were, check'd, and so quickly made an End of his Sermon; thinking as well as others, that G. Fox would preach there that Day, as indeed he did: For having re­freshed himself at Noon with a little Water out of a Brook, he went and sate down on the Top of a Rock hard by the Chappel, intending to have a Meeting there. At this People wondered, because they look'd upon the Church (so called) as an holy Place, requisite for Worship. But G. Fox told them afterwards, That the Ground whereon he stood, was as good as that of the Steeple-house; besides, we find, that Christ himself did preach on a Mountain, and also at the Sea-Side. Now in the Afternoon the People gathered about him, with several of their Preach­ers, and amongst these, F. Howgil, and J. Audland. To this Auditory, which was judged to consist of more than a thousand People, G. Fox began to preach, and spoke about the Space of three Hours, directing all ‘To the Spirit of God in themselves, that so they might be turned from Darkness to Light, and from the Power of Satan, which they had been under, unto God; by which they should become Children of the Light, and, by the Spirit of Truth, be led into all Truth, and so sensibly understand the Words of the Prophets, of Christ, and of the Apostles; and come to know Christ to be their Teacher to instruct them; their Counsellor to direct them, their Shepherd to feed them, their Bishop to oversee them, and their Prophet to open divine Mysteries to them; that so their Bodies might be pre­pared, sanctify'd, and made fit Temples for God and Christ to dwell in. Moreover, he explained the Prophets, and the Figures, and Shadows, and directed his Hearers to Christ the Substance. He al­so opened the Parables and Sayings of Christ, and shewed the Intent and Scope of the Apostles Writings, and Epistles to the Elect. Then he spoke also concerning the State of the Apostacy, that hath been since the Apostles Days; how the Priests had gotten the Scripture, without being in that Spirit which gave them forth; and how they were found in the Steps of the false Prophets, Scribes, and Pharisees of old, and were such as the true Prophets, Christ, and his Apostles cried against; insomuch, that none that were guided by the Spirit of God now, could own them.’ Whilst G. Fox was thus preaching, many old People went into the Chappel, and looked out at the Windows, thinking it a strange Thing to see a Man preach on a Hill, and not in the Church (as they called it.) He perceiving this, said, ‘That the Steeple-house, and the Ground whereon it stood, was no more holy than that Hill; and that those Temples, which they called the dreadful Houses of God, were not set up by the Command of God and Christ: nor their Priests instituted, as Aaron's Priesthood was; nor their Tythes appointed by God, as those amongst the Jews were. But that Christ was come, who ended both the Temple, and its Worship, and the Priests and their Tythes; and that therefore all ought to hearken unto him; for he said, Learn of me; and God said of him, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. In Conclusion, he said, That the Lord God had sent him to preach the Everlasting Gospel, and Word of Life amongst them; and to bring them off from all these Temples, Tythes, Priests, and Rudi­ments of the World, which were gotten up since the Apostles Days, [Page 53] and had been set up by such as had erred from the Spirit and Power the Apostles were in.’ G. Fox sent to preach the Gospel, and bring off from outward Tem­ples, Tythes, Priests, Ru­diments, &c. The powerful Effect of hi [...] Sermon. Thus preached G. Fox, and his Ministry was at that Time accompanied with such a convincing Power, and so reach­ed the Hearts of the People, that many, and even all the Teachers of that Congregation, who were many, were convinced of that Truth which was declared to them.

After this Meeting was over, G. Fox went to John Audland's, who, as well as Francis Howgil, and others, had been quite brought over by his effectual Preaching. And as these had been zealous Preachers amongst those of their former Persuasion, so it was not long before they became Publishers of that Doctrine, which now, by the Ministry of G. Fox, they had embraced;In particular on J. Aud­land, and F. Howgil. and were so far from approving their former Ser­vice, that they gave back the Money they received for their Preaching to the Parish of Colton in Lancashire; being now resolved to give free­ly what they had received freely.They became Publishers of the same Doc­trine. And here I shall make some small Digression, in saying something concerning these two excellent Men.

John Audland was a young Man, of a comely Countenance, and very lovely Qualities.Colton in Lancashire. Character of J. Audland. When he was but seventeen or eighteen Years old, he was very religious, and a zealous Searcher of the Holy Scriptures and having a good Understanding, and strong Memory, he thereby gathered a large Treasure of Scripture-Learning, became an eminent Teacher a­mongst the Independents, and had a very numerous Auditory. But when he heard G. Fox preach, he was thereby so reached to the Heart, that he began in Process of Time to see the Emptiness of his great Literal Knowledge, and that all his Righteousness was but as filthy Raggs. This brought him to a State of Mourning; for now he saw that all his Profession and Wisdom could not bring him to true Happiness. But the Lord, who doth not break the bruised Reed, nor quench the smoaking Flax, did pity him in this State of deep Humiliation, and bore him up again by his supporting Power; whereby in Time he came to be pre­pared to that Service he was appointed to by God.

Concerning Francis Howgil; And of F. Howgil. he was also a religious Man, who having seen the Superstitions of the Episcopal Church, had left it, and applied himself to the Independents. But altho' he, who had been trained up in the University to be a Minister, became a Teacher amongst the Inde­pendents, and was zealous in Vertue; yet he remained dissatisfy'd in him­self, finding, that notwithstanding all his Fasting, Praying, and good Works, the Root of Sin still remained in him: And altho' the common Doctrine was, that Christ had taken the Guilt of Sin upon himself, yet this could not satisfy him; because his Conscience told him, His Servant thou art, whom thou obeyest. Thus encreasing in Understanding, it was re­vealed to him, that the Lord, according to what the Prophets had fore­told, would teach his People himself; and it seemed also to him, that this Time was near at Hand. Some while after it happened, as hath been said already, that he was present when G. Fox preach'd, and when he heard him say, That the Light of Christ in Man was the Way to Christ, he believed this to be the Word of Truth; and he saw how he had been ignorant of the Principle of true Religion. Submitting then to the Reproofs of this inward Light, he saw the Unfruitfulness of all his La­bour; and Anguish and Sorrow seized on him; and Judgment went over all his former Actions: But he being given up, and resign'd in that State, saying with himself, Thou, O God, art just in all thy Judgments, it pleased the Lord in due Time to fill his Heart with Joy, and to make him a Minister of his Everlasting Word. But no sooner did he enter into that Service, but both Priests and Magistrates, of whom he for­merly had been beloved, became his Enemies; and Envy was so kind­led [Page 54] against him, that he was lock'd up in a nasty Place, at Appleby in Westmorland, and was kept there Prisoner for some Time.

But let me now return to G. Fox, Appleby in Westmorland Kendal. who coming to Kendal, had a Meet­ing there in the Town-Hall, where declaring the Word of Life, he shewed the People, ‘How they might come to the saving Knowledge of Christ, and to have a right Understanding of the Holy Scripture; opening to them what it was that would lead them into the Way of Reconciliation with God.’ This was of such Effect, that seve­ral became convinced of the Truth published by him; and others were so well affected to him,Under-Bar­row. that when he went to Ʋnder-Barrow, several Peo­ple accompanied him, and he had great Reasonings with them, but especially with one Edward Burrough, E. Burrough. who, tho' of extraordinary Parts, and acquired Knowledge, was not able to withstand the efficacious Say­ings of G. Fox. And because this Burrough became an eminent Man among the Quakers, so called, being endued with Courage and Under­standing, fit to overcome his Opposers, and to break even stony Hearts, I'll mention here a little of his Descent and Quality.

He was born in the Barony of Kendal in Westmorland, His Chara­cter. of Parents, who for their honest and vertuous Life, were in good Repute; he was well educated, and train'd up in such Learning as that Country did afford. His Knowledge and Understanding soon passed his Years; for being but a Boy, he had the Spirit of a Man, and in his Youth was endued with Wisdom above his Equals in Years: Moreover, he was very religious, conversing frequently with those that were in Esteem for their Piety and godly Life. Neither was he inclined to the ordinary Pleasures of Youth; but it was his Delight to be exercised in reading of the Holy Scripture, wherein he was well versed. By his Parents he was trained up in the Episcopal Worship; yet when but twelve Years of Age, he often went to the Meeting of the Presbyterians, because their Doctrine in many Things seemed to him to approach nearer to Truth, than that of the publick Church; wherefore he became a Follower of the Presbyterians, altho' he was reviled for it by his Acquaintance. But being come to the Age of about seventeen Years, and growing more and more sensible of his own Condition, he was often struck with Terror, and when he had been praying, he heard, as it were, a Voice, Thou art ignorant of God; thou knowest not where he is, nor what he is: To what Purpose is thy Prayer? This brought him under such a Concern, that he began to take diligent Heed to his Life, so that he abstained not on­ly from all Vanities, but when Occasion offer'd, he reproved others for their vain Conversation and Wickedness; but because of this, he was derided, and looked upon scornfully by many; yet continued to live religiously, and felt sometimes sweet Refreshments to his Soul. But tho' he had the Truth in his Comprehension, yet he wanted the real and experimental Knowledge of it, and so became darkned again, lo­sing what he once possessed: And being too ready to flatter himself, would say, Whom God loves once, he loves for ever. Now he grew weary of hearing any of the Priests, for he saw they did not possess what they spoke of to others; and sometimes he began to question his own Experiences. Being thus many Times put to a Stand, he seem'd al­most to be at a Loss. In this Condition he heard G. Fox preach, and afterwards reasoned with him; and it pleased the Lord so to open his Understanding, that he perceived (as he relates himself) that he was in the prodigal State, above the Cross of Christ, and not in the pure Fear of the Lord. Being thus convinced, he entred into the Society of the despised Quakers, tho' he was now rejected by his Relations, and by a blind Zeal, turn'd out of his Father's House. This he bore [Page 55] patiently, and continued faithful in the Doctrine he had embraced. And in Process of Time he so advanced in true Knowledge, that he became a very eminent Minister of the Gospel. But what Adversities did he not undergo! Reviling, Slandering, Buffeting, and Caning was often his Lot; Watching and Fasting were many Times his Portion; and Im­prisonment, great Jeopardies, and Danger of Life, he was not unac­quainted with. But nothing could make this Hero shrink: He always was laborious, and seldom had any Hours of Rest. In his Preaching he was very acceptable, and eloquent in his Speech, and had the Tongue (according to what an eminent Author relates, that knew him from his Youth) of a learned Orator, to declare himself to the Understandings and Consciences of all Men he met with. He was also a great Writer, and often would engage in Disputes with those of other Perswasions, sparing no Pains where he thought he could serve the Lord, and the Church. Thus much for this Time of E. Burrough.

Let's return now to G. Fox, Under-Bar­row. whom we left at Ʋnder-Barrow, where, with the Consent of the Inhabitants, he had a great Meeting in the Chappel, and many were convinced, and received the Truth preached by him. From thence he went to Lancashire, and having in some Places spoken in the Steeple-houses,Ulverstone. Swarthmore. Judge Fell. he came to Ʋlverstone, and so to Swarth­more, to the House of Thomas Fell, a Judge in Wales, where many Priests frequently came. The Judge was at that Time abroad, employ'd in the Exercise of his Office; and his Wife Margaret was also gone abroad that Day. G. Fox in the mean while coming thither, met the Priest William Lampitt, W. Lampitt. who was a high Notionist, and rich in Words. But G. Fox soon perceiving that he was without the Possession of what he professed, opposed him boldly. Before it was Night Margaret Fell re­turned home, and her Children told her, That Lampitt and Fox had dis­agreed, which did somewhat trouble her, for the making much of the Priests, especially admired Lampitt. That same Night G. Fox had much Reasoning there, and declared the Truth to her and her Family. The next Day Lampitt came again, and G. Fox discoursed with him in the Pre­sence of Margaret Fell, who then began clearly to discern the Priest. The following Day being appointed for an Humiliation, Margaret went with her Children to the Steeple-house at Ʋlverstone, having asked G. Fox before to go with her: But he replying, That he must do as he was ordered by the Lord, left her, and walked into the Fields; and there he felt a strong Motion to go also to the Steeple-house. When he came there the People were singing, but what they sung was, according to his Opini­on, altogether unsuitable to their States. After they had done, he stept up on a Form, and asked Leave to speak: The Priest consenting, G. Fox began thus: He is not a Jew that is one outwardly; neither is that Circumcisi­on which is outward: But he is a Jew that is one inwardly; and that is Circum­cision which is of the Heart. And so he went on, and said, ‘That Christ was the Light of the World, and enlighteneth every Man that com­eth into the World, and that by this Light they might be gathered to God, &c.’ Margaret Fell standing up in her P [...], wondered at this Doctrine, having never heard any such before. In the mean while G. Fox went on, and opening the Scriptures said, ‘That they were the Prophet's Words, and Christ's, and the Apostle's Words; and that what they spoke, they enjoyed and possessed, and had it from the Lord.’ What have any to do, said he, with the Scriptures, if they come not to the Spirit that gave them forth? You will say, Christ saith this, and the Apostles say this; but what canst thou, O Man, say thy self concerning this? Art thou a Child of the Light? Dost thou walk in the Light? And what thou speakest, is it inwardly from God? He shewed also, ‘That God was come [Page 56] to teach his People himself, by his Spirit, and to bring them off from their Churches, and Religions, and their Ways of Worship, &c.’ These his Words did so effectually reach the aforesaid Margaret, that she sate down in her Pew again, and weeping bitterly, cried in her Spirit to the Lord, We are all Thieves! We are all Thieves! We have taken the Scriptures in Words, and know nothing of them in our selves. G. Fox still going on, declared against the false Prophets, and said, ‘That their Way of Worship was but talking of other Mens Words, and that they themselves were out of the Life and Spirit, which those were in who gave them forth.’ Then cried out a Justice of Peace, call'd John Sawrey, Take him away: J. Sawrey. But Margaret Fell said to the Officers: Let him alone: Why may not he speak as well as any other? The Priest Lampitt, (it's like to please her) said also, Let him speak. G. Fox then speaking yet a while, was at length led out by the Constable, according to the Order of the said Justice Sawrey; and then he spoke to the People in the Grave-Yard. In the Evening he came again into the House of Judge Fell, where he took Occasion to speak to the Servants, and those of the Family, who most of them came so effectually to be convinced by him, that they embraced the Truth which he preached. Among these was also William Caton, W. Caton. of whom more hereafter. Margaret Fell in the mean while being come home, was so reached, that she scarce kn [...]w what to do, her Husband being from home; for she clearly perceived what she had heard G. Fox preach, was Truth. The First Day after he went to Aldenham-Steeple-house,Aldenham. where, when the Priest had done, he spoke to the People, and admonished them to return to the Lord. From thence he went to Ram-side, Ram-side. where was a Chappel, in which one Thomas Lawson, T. Lawson. who was an eminent Priest, used to preach; who having some Notice of G. Fox's coming, preach'd in the Morning, and told his Peo­ple that G. Fox was to come there in the Afternoon; by which Means very many People were gathered together. When he came, he saw there was no Place so convenient to speak to the People, as the Chap­pel, and therefore he went into it. The Priest Lawson willing to give a full Opportunity to G. Fox, went not up into the Pulpit, but left all the Time to him. And G. Fox so powerfully declared the Doc­trine of Truth, that many receiv'd it, and among those the Priest him­self, who left off his preaching for Hire, and in Process of Time came to preach the Lord Jesus Christ, and his glorious Gospel freely; which however did not hinder him to exercise himself in the Knowledge of Herbs, wherein he came to be so experienc'd, that he was, as I have been told, one of the most skilful Herbalists in England; which gave Occasion to an eminent Botanist, who at first seem'd a little shy of him, when he perceiv'd his great Skill, to love him as a singular Friend. But this transiently.

Now I return again to G. Fox, who having perform'd his Service about Ram-side, went somewhere else, and came also to Becliff, where he found some People that told him,Beclif. They could not dispute▪ But he bid them ‘to fear the Lord, and not to speak the Words of God in an airy Manner, but do the Things required. Moreover, that they ought to mind the Light of Christ, and take heed to his Spirit in their Hearts, whereby they would come to see their evil Thoughts, Words, and Actions; for this Light (he said) would shew them their Sins, and by following this Light, they should also see that their Saviour Christ Jesus saved them from Sin: And, he said, the first Step to Peace was to stand still in the Light, which shewed them their Sins and Transgressions; by which they should see they were in the Fall of the old Adam, in Darkness and Death, alienated from [Page 57] the Covenant of the Promise, and without God in the World; and that Christ who died for them, was their Saviour and Redeemer, and their Way to God.’ After G. Fox had spoken thus, he went to a new built Chappel near Gleaston, Gleaston. wherein none had yet preached. Hither came a great many People, unto whom he preached, and many were convinced. From thence he returned to Swarthmore again: For Margaret Fell being full of Fear,Marg. Fell. and expecting her Husband's Return home, had desired G. Fox to come; since some of the great Ones of the Country being gone to meet her Husband, had inform [...]d him, That a great Disaster had befallen his Family; and that the Quakers were Witches, and had turned them from their Religion; and that he must send them away, or all the Country would be undone. Without all Question this was a very sad Message to Judge Fell, Judge Fell. for he came home greatly offended: And one may easily think what a Condition his Wife was in, being in Fear, that she should either displease her Husband, or offend God. At that Time Richard Farnsworth and James Naylor were at her House,R. Farns­worth, and James Nay­lor. and she desired them to speak to her Husband; which they did very moderately and wisely. And tho' at first he was displeased, yet after he had heard them speak, he was better satisfied. And they making as if they would go away, she desired them to stay, because she expected G. Fox that Evening; and she wished for an Opportunity, that both he and they might speak to her Husband, whereby he might satisfy himself farther about them. Dinner in the mean Time being ready, Judge Fell, and his Wife Margaret, sat down at Table, and whilst they were sitting, an extraordinary Power seizing on her, made such an Operation on her Mind, that he was struck with Amazement, and knew not what to think of it; but he was quiet and still; and the Children also were become so grave and modest, that they could not play on their Musick they were learning. At Night G. Fox came, and Judge Fell sitting in the Parlour, Margaret asked him, If G. Fox might come in; and he said, Yes. George then coming in without any Compliment, began to speak pre­sently; at which the Family, as well as J. Naylor and R. Farnsworth en­tered. He now speaking, ‘declared what the Practice of Christ and the Apostles was in their Day; and shewed how the Apostacy came in since; and what was the Practice of the modern Priests in the Apo­stacy.’ He also answer'd all the Objections of Judge Fell, and so thoroughly satisfy'd him by the Scriptures, that he was convinced in his Judgment,Justice Ro­binson. and asked, If he was that George Fox whom Justice Robin­son had spoken so much in Commendation of amongst many of the Parliament Men? To this G. Fox answered him, That he had been with the Justices Robinson and Hotham in Yorkshire; that they had been very civil and loving to him, and that they were convinced in their Judgments by the Spirit of God, that the Principle he bore Testimony to, was the Truth; and that they saw be­yond the Priests of the Nation. All this so satisfied Judge Fell, that he was very quiet that Night, and went to Bed. The next Morning came Lampitt, the Priest of Ʋlverstone, and walking with the Judge into the Garden, spoke much to him there, to render the Doctrine of the Qua­kers odious to him, having also said to others, that G. Fox held strange Notions. But Judge Fell had seen the Night before so much, that the Priest got little Entrance upon him.Priest Lam­pitt. And when Lampitt came into the House again, G. Fox spoke sharply to him, and asked him, When God spake to him, and called him to preach to the People? The Priest not liking such Questions, it was not long before he went away. Now whilst some were speaking how several in those Parts were convinced of the Truth now declared, and that they knew not where to get a Meeting-Place; Judge Fell hearing them, said of his own Accord, You may meet in my [Page 58] Hall if you will. So the next First Day there was at his House a Meet­ing, and a large one indeed, being the first Meeting of the People cal­led Quakers, that was at Swarthmore; and so it continued to be kept there until the Year 1690, when a new Meeting-house was built there. Judge Fell not being willing to appear in that Meeting, went that Day to the Steeple-house, and none with him but his Clerk and his Groom. Yet in Process of Time he came to be so well affected to the Doctrine of the Quakers, so called, that tho' he did not enter publickly into their Society, yet he loved them, and several Years before his Death, he did not frequent the Steeple-house any more.

After G. Fox had stayed some Days at the House of Judge Fell, he went to Lancaster, Lancaster. and there preached in the Market; and on the next First Day, he had a great Meeting in the Street, amongst the Soldiers, to whom he declared the Truth; and in the Afternoon went to the Steeple-House: But speaking there, and directing People to the Spirit of God, he was haled out, and stoned along the Street. And after having travelled about some Time, and preached in some Places, some­times with rude Opposition, he returned to Swarthmore, where dis­coursing with several Priests at Judge Fell's House, he asked them, Whe­ther any of them ever heard the Voice of God or Christ, commanding them to go to any People, and declare the Word of the Lord to them? But none of them answered this with Yea: Yet one saying, I can speak of my Experience as much as you; G. Fox told him, Experience was one Thing, but to go with a Message, and to have the Word of the Lord, as the Prophets and Apostles had, was quite another. T. Taylor. An ancient Priest, whose Name was Thomas Taylor did ingenuously confess before Judge Fell, That he had never heard the Voice of God, nor of Christ, but that he spoke his Experiences, and the Experiences of the Saints in former Ages. This very much confirm [...]d Judge Fell in the Persuasion he had already, that the Priests were not what they pretended to be: For he had thought, as the Generality of the People did then, That th [...] were sent from God. At this Time the Saying of G. Fox wrought so close on the Mind of the said T. Tay­lor, that he was convinced, and travelled with him into Westmorland; and coming into Crosland Steeple-house,Crosland. T. Taylor's Mouth was opened, so that he declared amongst the People, how he had been before he was convinced; and like the good Scribe, brought forth Things new and old from his Treasury, to the People; and shewed them how the Priests were out of the Way.

Now a great Rage arose among the Priests, and they began as much as they could, to stir up to Persecution; for not only T. Taylor after some Time preach'd the Gospel freely, but several others, viz. John Audland, J. Audland, F. Howgil, J. Cam, E. Burrough, R. Hubber­thorn. M. Halhead. Lancashire. Ulverstone. Francis Howgil, John Cam, Edward Burrough, Richard Hubberthorn, Miles Halhead, and others, appeared zealous Preachers among those called Quakers, and often declared the Doctrine they professed in Stee­ple-houses, and Markets, whereby the Number of their Friends began greatly to increase.

In the mean while G. Fox returned into Lancashire, and went to Ʋl­verstone, where Lampitt before mentioned, was Priest. He now seeing how the People called Quakers did set up Meetings, and met in private Houses, said, They forsook the Temple, and went to Jeroboam's Calves-Houses; whereas formerly he had preached of a People, that would own the Teachings of God; and that Men and Women should come to declare the Gospel. Now it was told him, ‘That the Old Mass-Houses, which were called Churches, were more like Jeroboam's Calves-houses; tho' Men strove to persuade People that such a Building was the House of God: Whereas Christ was the Head of the Church, and never was [Page 59] called the Head of an old House; and that the Apostle speaking of Christ, said, Whose House we are, Heb. iii. 6.’ This Passage puts me in Mind, how some of the Parliament Soldiers, observing, over some of the Steeple-house-Doors, these Words of the Patriarch Jacob, when God had appeared to him in a Dream, This is none other but the House of God, and this is the Gate of Heaven, could not endure to see this gross Conceit concerning those Buildings, but rased out the Words, of God, and, of Heaven; so that nothing was left, but, This is none other but the House; and This is the Gate: And certainly their Zeal was more reaso­nable than the Conceit of those who think that in the Gospel-Days a building of Lime and Stone may be called, The House of God. It seems also a silly Conceit to call a Meeting-house, furnished with a Steeple, a Church, and to deny that Name to the Congregation-houses of Dissen­ters, calling them, and them only, Meeting-Houses. But this Notion hath kept up the Esteem of those Mass-houses; and the Priests, that they might not lo [...]e their Gain of Burials, have endeavour'd to keep People in the Belief, that the Ground of these Buildings was holy: And this gave Occasion to the People called Quakers, to call those Buildings, Steeple-houses. Occasion of the W [...]rd Steeple-houses. Now since a fantastical Man I have very well known in Holland, conversing there among the People of that Persuasion, under­took to translate that Denomination into Dutch, Gespitste huyzen, it gave Occasion to some Latin Writers in Germany, to complain, That the Quakers scornfully called their Temples, Domus acuminatas. And tho' Croese also in his Historia Quakeriana concerning them, Templa cuncti Quakeri con­tu [...]eliose vocabant aedes pyramidatas, yet he knew better. But this Di­gression has led me off from G. Fox, whom I left at Ʋlverstone, where he went to the Steeple-house, whilst Priest Lampit was preaching. And when G. Fox began to speak,Just. Sawrey. John Sawrey the Justice came to him, and said, If he would speak according to the Scriptures; he should speak. G. Fox told him, He should speak according to the Scriptures, and bring the Scriptures to prove what he had to say. But then Sawrey; contradicting himself, said, he should not speak, and incensing the People against him, they fell up­on G. Fox, knock'd him down, kick'd him, and trampled upon him. At last Sawrey came, took him from the People, and led him out of the Steeple-house, bidding the Constables to whip him. Then he was dragg [...]d out of the Town, and given up to the Rage of the rude Mul­titude, who did so terribly beat him with Switches and Staves, that at length fainting, he fell down upon the wet Common; but recovering again, and being strengthned by an immediate Power, he stood up again, and stretching out his Arms, he said with a loud Voice, Strike again, here are my Arms, my Head, and my Cheeks. Then a Mason gave him such a heavy Blow over the Back of his Hand with his Rule, that it was much bruised, and his Arm so benumbed, that he could not draw it to him again, so that some of the People cried out, He has spoiled his Hand for ever. But he being preserved thro' the Love of God, stood still, and after a while, he felt such an extraordinary strengthning Pow­er, that he instantly recover'd Strength in his Hand and Arm. This made the People fall out among themselves; and some said, If he would give them Money, they would secure him from the rest. But he, instead of doing so, shewed them their false Christianity, and told them, they were more like Jews and Heathens, than true Christians; and that their Fruits were an Evidence of the unprofitable Ministry of their Priests. Then he felt himself moved to return to Ʋlverstone, and went into the Market there▪ And as he went, a Soldier meeting him, said Sir, I see you are a Man, and I am ashamed and grieved that you should be thus abused. But G. Fox told him, The Lord's Power was over all. And this he expe­rienced [Page 60] also, when he walked thro' the People in the Market; for none of them had Power to touch him then, tho some of his Friends were abused. And he seeing the Soldier among them, with his naked Rapier, bid him, put up his Sword again if he would go along with him; for he was willing to draw him out of the Company, lest some Mischief should be done: And yet a few Days after, seven Men fell upon this Soldier, and beat him cruelly, because he had taken Part with G. Fox, and his Friends.

G. Fox now having perform'd his Service at Ʋlverstone, came again to Swarthmore, Swarthmore. where he found several of his Friends dressing their Wounds and Bruises receiv'd by the Hearers of Priest Lampitt. And now the Priests began to prophesy again, That within half a Year the Quakers should all be put down and gone. But they reckoned wrong; for it fa [...]ed with those People, as with Trees, which grow best when most lopped. Duris ut ilex tonsa bipennibus, per damna, per cades, ab ipso ducit opes ani­mumque ferro.

G. Fox keeping in continual Motion,J. Naylor. Walney-I­sland. Cockan. went with James Naylor to Wal­ney-Island, having first had a Meeting at a little Town call [...]d Cockan, af­ter which a Man came to him with a Pistol, and held it at him, but it would not go off. G. Fox then zealously speaking to him, he was so struck, that he trembled with Fear, and went away. The next Morning G. Fox went over in a Boat to James Lancaster's,J. Lancaster. and as soon as he came to Land, about forty Men with Staves, Clubs, and Fishing-Poles, fell upon him, beating and punching him, and endeavoured to thrust him backward into the Sea: But he pressing on, was knock'd down, and stunn'd. When he came to himself again, he saw James Lancaster's Wife throwing Stones at his Face, and her Husband James was lying over him, to keep the Blows and the Stones from off him: For the People had persuaded this Woman, that G. Fox had bewitch'd her Husband, and promis'd her to kill him when he came thither. But the Lord, by his invisible Power preserved him wonderfully, so that they could not take away his Life. At length he got up, but was soon beat down again into the Boat; which James Lancaster observing, came to him, and set him over the Water. Being come to the other Side, they saw how the wicked Crew was fallen upon James Naylor, with an horrible Cry, Kill him, kill him: For whilst they had been beat­ing of G. Fox, they had not minded Naylor, who was walking up into a Field.

G. Fox being now come again to Cockan, met with no better Enter­tainment, for the People came on with Pitchforks, Flails, and Staves, to keep him out of the Town, crying, Kill him, Knock him on the Head. But he was preserved alive; and after having been much abused, they drove him a pretty Way out of the Town, and left him. Then James Lancaster went back to look after James Naylor. In the mean while G. Fox went to a Ditch of Water, and washed himself from the Blood and Dirt: After which he walked about three Miles to the House of one Thomas Hutton, T. Hutton. but was so bruised, that he could hardly speak; only he told where he left James Naylor. Whereupon the said Hutton, and Thomas Lawson, Priest Law­son. the Priest mentioned before, (who lodg [...]d then at Hut­ton's House) took each of them a Horse, to see if they could find J. Nay­lor; and they lighting on him, brought him thither that Night. Mar­garet Fell the next Day hearing what [...]as befallen G. Fox, Marg. Fell. Judge Fell defeats the Design of Ju­stice Sawrey and Thomp­son. sent an Horse for him; but he was so sore bruised, that he was not able to bear the Shaking of the Horse, without much Pain. When he was come to Swarthmore, the Justices Sawrey and Thompson, gave forth a Warrant a­gainst him; but Judge Fell coming home, made it ineffectual, and sent [Page 61] out Warrants into the Isle of Walney, to apprehend all those riotous Per­sons: Whereupon some of them [...]ed the Country. But what is re­markable, James Lancaster's Wife, who so wickedly behaved her self, repented so of her Evil, that she became afterwards one of G. Fox's Friends.

Judge Fell now desired of G. Fox a Relation of what had befaln him: But he was backward, and said, That those People could not do otherwise in the Spirit they were; and that they manifested the Fruits of their Priests Ministry. Which made the Judge afterward say to his Wife: G. Fox spoke of the Thing as a Man that had not been concerned.

The Occasion upon which a Warrant was issued out against him, was, a Design the Priests had laid to touch his Life; in Order to which, a Report was spread, that in a certain Meeting he had spoken Blasphemy; and they to maintain this Forgery, had suborned false Witnesses. The Time of the Sessions at Lancaster being come, G. Fox went thither with Judge Fell, who on the Way told him, That such a Matter had never been brought before him, and that he did not know what to do in the Case. But G. Fox said, When Paul was brought before the Rulers, and the Jews ‘and Priests accused him of many false Things, he stood still all that while, till they had done; and when they had done, Felix the Go­vernour beckoned to him to speak for himself. And so, said G. Fox, thou may'st do by me.’

Being come to Lancaster, at the Sessions, there appeared about forty Priests against him;Priest Mar­shal. and these had chosen one Marshal, Priest of Lancaster, to be their Speaker; and the Witnesses they had provided, were a young Priest, and two Priest's Sons.A young Priest & two Priests Sons false Wit­nesses against G. Fox. When the Justices were set, and had heard all the Charges of the Priests and Witnesses; which were, that G. Fox had said, That God taught Deceit; and that the Scripture contained but a Parcel of Lies; the Witnesses were examined upon Oath; but they were so confounded, and at such a Loss, that one of them, not being able to answer directly to what was asked him, said, The other could say it; which made the Justices say, Have you sworn it, and do you now say, that the other can say it? It seems you did not hear those Words spoken your self, tho' you have given it i [...] upon your Oath. There were several Persons in the Court, who declared that they had heard one of the two Priests Sons say, If he had Power, he would make George deny his Profession; and that he would take away his Life. The young Priest, who also was a Wit­ness, confessed, that he should not have meddled with the Thing, had not another Priest sent for him, and set him on Work. After all the Accusati­ons had been heard, several Men of Reputation in the Country affirm­ed in Court, That no such Words, as had been sworn against G. Fox, were spoken by him at the Meeting; for most of the serious Men on that Side of the Country, that were then at the Sessions, had been at that Meet­ing, wherein the Witnesses swore he spoke the aforesaid blasphemous Words. Colonel West, being a Justice of Peace, and then upon the Bench, was so well pleased with these Evidences, that he (having long been weak in Body) said, He blessed the Lord that had healed him that Day, adding, that he never saw so many sober People, and good Faces together in all his Life. And then turning himself to G. Fox, said, George, If thou hast any Thing to say to the People, thou may'st freely declare it. Then he began to speak; but Priest Marshal, the Orator for the other Priests, went away presently. Now that which G. Fox declared was, ‘That the Holy Scriptures were given forth by the Spirit of God; and that all People must first come to the Spirit of God in themselves, by which they might know God and Christ, of whom the Prophets and Apostles learnt, and also know the Holy Scriptures: For as the Spirit of God was in them that gave forth the Scripture; so the [Page 62] same Spirit of God must also be in those that come to know and un­derstand the Scriptures: By which Spirit they might have Fellow­ship with the Father, and with the Son, and with one another: And that without that Spirit, they could know neither God, nor Christ, nor the Scriptures, nor have right Fellowship with one ano­ther.’ No sooner had he spoken these Words, but about half a Dozen Priests burst out into Passion, and one of them, whose Name was Jackus, Priest Jackus greatly con­fus'd. said, That the Spirit and the Letter were inseparable: Which made G. Fox answer, Then every one that hath the Letter, hath the Spirit; and they might buy the Spirit with the Letter of the Scripture: To which Judge Fell, and Colonel West added, That according to that Position, they might carry the Spirit in their Pockets, as they did the Scriptures. The Ju­stices also bid Jackus prove what he had said. But he finding himself caught, would have denied it: And the other Priests endeavour'd to disguise his Words with a pretended Meaning. But the Justices would admit no other Meaning, than the plain Sense of the Words. And seeing the Witnesses did not agree,G. F. cleared in open Sessi­ons. and perceiving that they were set on by the Envy of the Priests, they discharged him: And after Judge Fell had spoken to the Justices Sawrey and Thompson, concerning the Warrant they had given forth against G. Fox, shewing that this tended to encourage such Riots as those in the Isle of Walney, he and Colonel West granted a Supersedeas to stop the Execution of the said Warrant.

G. Fox being thus cleared in open Sessions,Several Per­sons of [...] convinced. many People rejoiced, and were that Day convinced of the Truth declared by him in the Court; and among these, one Justice Benson, and the Mayor of Lan­caster, T. Briggs. whose Name was Ripan; also one Thomas Briggs, who had been very averse to, and an Opposer of the Quakers so called; and this same Briggs became afterwards a faithful Minister of the Gospel amongst them, and remained so to the End of his Days.

G. Fox stay [...]d yet some Days at Lancaster. But to relate all that he and his Friends met with, is not my Intention; for to set down at large all such Occurrences, would be a Work requiring more Leisure and Strength than can be expected of me: And therefore I intend on [...]y to describe what I find most remarkable; tho' many notable Things have happened, of which I could not fully be informed in every Cir­cumstance, as Name, Place, Time, &c. But it is probable that this may give Occasion in England to some other Author after me, to make such Discoveries, that Posterity will wonder at it. For such Abuses as G. Fox met with, was the Share also of many others of his Friends, especially the Preachers, who this Year were no less than twenty five in Number; and almost in every Place where they came, they met with Opposition, and became as it were the Prey of the rude Multitude. But neither the Bea [...]ing, Buffeting, nor Stoning of the mad Rabble, nor the Jails or Whippings that befel them from the Magi­strates, were able to stop the Progress of the Doctrine they preach [...]d to the People in Marke [...]s, and Streets, and also in Steeple-houses: And many even of those that had been en [...]ag'd like Wolves, became afterwards like Lambs, and suffered patiently from others, what for­merly they themselves in a blind Zeal had committed.

Thus the Quakers, so called, by a firm and lasting Patience, have surmoun [...]ed the greatest Difficulties, and are at length become a nume­rous People, many not valuing their own Lives, when they met with any Opportunity, for the Service of God. And tho' their Enemies, on this Account, have charged them with Stubbornness and Obstinacy, yet they meekly resigned to what befel them, well knowing that thus to be accused hath been always the Lot of those who suffered for the [Page 63] Testimony of Truth. Neither could they be charged with Resistance, or making head against their Persecutors; for one Man did sometimes lead a great many of them to Prison, who never forsook their Religious Assemblies, how hot soever Persecution was. That this was also the Practice of the Primitive Christians, appears by what Cyprian (who died a Martyr) wrote to Dem [...]tr [...], viz. Nemo nostrum, quando apprehenditur, reluctatur: ne [...] so adversus in [...]ustan [...] violentiam vestram, quamvis nimius & copi [...]sus sit noster populus, ulc [...]citur. And therefor [...] my Reader think, that these that I have described, have been the greatest Sufferings of this harmless People; for I believe them to have been an hundred Times more than my Pen will be able to mention. But I take up again the Thread of my Relation.

G. Fox being acquitted by the Court, as nath been said, it made the Priests fret to hear it cri [...]d about, That the Priests had lost the Day, and that the Quakers had kept the Field. To revenge this, they got some en­vious Justices to join with them, who at the following Assizes at Lan­caster, Judge Wind­ham's Contest with Colonel West about G. Fox [...] the Assizes. informed Judge Windham against G. Fox; which so prevailed up­on him, that he commanded Colonel West, who was Clerk of the As­sizes, to issue forth a Warrant for apprehending him. But the said Co­lonel telling the Judge of his Innocency, spoke boldly in his Defence. The Judge offended at this, commanded him again, either to write a Warrant, or to go off from his Seat. Then the Colonel told him in plain Terms, That he would not do it, but that he would offer up all his Estate, and his Body also for G Fox. Thus the Judge was stopt; and G. Fox coming that Night to Lancaster, heard of a Warrant to be given out against him, and therefore judged it better to shew himself openly, than to make his Adversaries seek him. So he went to the Chambers of Judge Fell, and Colonel West; and as soon as he came in, they smiled, and the Colonel said, What! are you come into the Dragon's Mouth? But G. Fox was always undaunted, and did not use to [...]linc [...]h in Danger. So he stay'd some Days in Town, and walked up and down there, without being meddled with, or questioned by any. Yet his Friends in the mean while did not suffer the less; for all Villany or Insolence that could be thought of, was not judged by some to be too bad to vex them. It was about this Time that Richard Hubberthorn, and several others were haled out of a Meeting by some wicked Men,R. Hubber­thorn. and carried some Di­stance off into the Fields, where they bound them, and left them so in the Winter-Season.

G. Fox being now come again to Swarthmore, wrote several Letters to the Magistrates and Priests who had raised Persecution thereabouts. That to Justice John Sawrey was very sharp, and after this Manner:

Sharp indeed was this Letter; but G. Fox thought himself moved thereto by the Lord: And it is remarkable that this Justice Sawrey, who was the first Persecutor in those Parts,The first; Per­secutor in th [...]se Parts afterwards drowned. Westmorland Just. Benson. afterwards was drowned, and so died not a natural Death. To the Priest William Lampitt he writ also, and another Letter to others, to reprove them for their Wickedness. Some Time after he went to Westmorland, where Mischief was intended against him; but it was prevented by Justice Benson, and some conside­rable [Page 65] Men besides. Coming to Grayrigg, he had a Meeting there; where a Priest came to oppose, but was confounded; and there being many People,Grayrigg. some of the Milk-Pails that stood upon the Side of the House, tumbled down, by Reason of the Croud; from which the Priest afterwards raised a Slander, That the Devil frighted him, and took away one Side of the House. And tho' this was a known Falshood, yet it was given out as true in publick Print.

Another Time this Priest came to another Meeting and fell to jang­ling, saying first, That the Scriptures were the Word of God. To which G. Fox said, That they were the Words of God, but not Christ, who is the Word: And when he urged the Priest for Proof of what he had said, the Priest being at a Loss, was not long before he went away. Some Time after he coming again to a Meeting, and hearing that G. Fox di­rected the People to Christ Jesus, the Priest taking out his Bible, said, It was the Word of God. Then G. Fox told him, It was the Words of God; but not God, the Word. The Priest however persisted in what he had said; and offer'd to prove before all the People, the Scriptures to be the Word of God. But this Quarrel tending to vain Logomachies, or Contests about Words, ended in Confusion; and many of the Priests Followers came to see the Vanity of his Assertions.

The Year being now come to an End,Publick Trans­actions. and a War kindled between England and Holland, King Charles the II. then in Exile, ask'd the Dutch to be receiv'd in their Navy, as a Volunteer, without any Command: But this was courteously refused by the States General. Oliver Crom­wel, in the mean while, strove for the supreme Authority in England, the more, because he perceived how some of the Parliament, jealous of his increasing Greatness, endeavoured to cross him in his Design. This made him labour to get the Parliament dissolved: But they not going on so quickly as he would have them, to put a Period to their Sitting, he resolved arbitrarily to make an End of them. And entering the House in the Month called April, 1653, after having rudely inveighed against them, by telling them, That they had made a bad Use of their Authority, and that without their Dissolution the Realm would not be safe,Oliver dis­solves the Par­liament. &c. He at length cried out, You are no Parliament: And then order­ing some Musketeers to enter, he made the Members depart the House, and ordered the Doors to be shut; putting thus an End to this Assem­bly, that had been sitting nigh thirteen Years.

But what is remarkable, G. Fox not long before being come to Swarth­more, and hearing Judge Fell and Justice Benson discourse together con­cerning the Parliament,For [...]told by G. Fox. he told them, That before that Day two Weeks the Parliament should be broken up, and the Speaker pluck'd out of his Chair. And thus it really happened: For at the breaking up of the Parlia­ment, the Speaker being unwilling to come out of his Chair, said, That he would not come down unless he were forced: Which made General Harrison say to him, Sir, I will lend you my Hand; and thereupon taking him by the Hand, the Speaker came down. This agreed with what G. Fox had predicted. And a Fortnight after, Justice Benson told Judge Fell, That now he saw George was a true Prophet; since Oliver had by that Time dissolved the Parliament.

Now in Cumberland great Threatnings were spread, That if ever G. Fox came there again, they would take away his Life. He hearing this, went thither;Swartmore. Just. Pearson convinced. but no Body did him any Harm. Returning then to Swarthmore, where Justice Anthony Pearson was at that Time, he so effetually declared Truth, that this Justice was convinc'd, and not long after enter'd into the Society of the despised Quakers. Bootle in Cumberland. G. Fox then going again into Cum­berland, went to Bootle, and there found preaching in the Steeple-house, [Page 66] a Priest from London, who gathered up all the Scriptures he could think of, that spake of False Prophets, Anti-Christs, and Deceivers, 1663 and made Application of them to the Quakers. But when he had done, George began to speak, and return'd all those Scripture Places on the Priest; who being displeas'd at this, said, That he must not speak there. But G. Fox told him, That the Hour-glass being run, and he having done, the Time was free for him as well as for the Priest, who was himself but a Stranger there. He having said this, went on, and shewed who were the False Prophets, and what Marks the Scriptures gave of them; directing People to Christ their Teacher. When he had done, the Priest of the Place made a Speech to the People in the Steeple-house Yard, and said, This Man hath gotten all the honest Men and Women in Lancashire to him; and now he comes here to do the same. To which G. Fox returned, What wilt thou have left? And what have the Priests left them, but such as themselves? For if it be the Honest that receive the Truth, and are turned to Christ; then it must be the Dishonest that follow thee, and such as thou art. Some Words were also exchanged about Tythes; and G. Fox told them, That Christ had ended the Tything-Priestood, and had sent forth his Mini­sters to give freely, as they had received freely.

From thence he went to Cockermouth, Cocker­mouth. J. Lancaster speaking un­der a Tree. near which Place he had ap­pointed a Meeting; and coming thither, he found James Lancaster speaking under a Tree, which was so full of People, that it was in Dan­ger of breaking. G. Fox now look'd about for a Place to stand upon, for the People lay spread up and down. But at length a Person came to him, and ask'd, If he would not go into the Church? He seeing no Place more convenient to speak to the People, told him, Yes. Whereupon the People rushed in on a sudden; so that he coming, (the House was so full of People) had much ado to get in. When they were settled, he stood up on a Seat, and preached about three Hours; and several Hundreds were that Day convinced of the Truth of his Doctrine.

From thence he went to other Places,Brigham. and particularly to Brigham, where he preached in the Steeple-house with no less Success. After­wards coming into a certain Place, and casting his Eye upon a Woman unknown to him, he told her that she had lived a lewd Life: To which she answer'd, That many could tell her of her outward Sins, but of her in­ward, none could. Then he told her, Her Heart was not right before the Lord: And she was so reach'd, that afterwards she came to be convinc'd of God's Truth.

Then he came near Coldbeck, Coldbeck. to a Market-Town, where he had a Meeting at the Cross, and some received the Truth preached by him.

From thence he went to Carlisle, Carlisle. where the Teacher of the Baptists, with most of his Hearers, came to the Abbey in which G. Fox had a Meeting. After the Meeting, the Baptist Teacher, who was a Notionist, and an airy Man, came to him, and ask'd, What must be damned? And he told him, That which spake in him was to be damned. And this stopt his Mouth. Then he opened to him the States of Election and Reproba­tion, so that he said, He never heard the like in his Life; and came af­terwards also to be convinced of the Truth. Then he went up to the Castle among the Soldiers, who by beating of the Drum called the Gar­rison together. Amongst these he preached, ‘Directing them to the Measure of the Spirit of Christ in themselves, by which they might be turned from Darkness to Light, and from the Power of Satan to God: He warned them also to do no Violence to any Man, &c.’ G. Fox having thus discharged himself, none opposed him, except the Serjeants, who afterwards came to be convinced. On the Market-day [Page 67] he went into the Market,1653 tho' he had been threatned, that if he came there he would meet with rude Treatment. But he willing to obey God more than Man, shew'd himself undaunted, and going upon the Cross, he declared, ‘That the Day of the Lord was coming upon all deceitful Ways and Doings, and deceitful Merchandize; and that they should put away all cozening and chea [...]ing, and keep to Yea and Nay, and speak the Truth to one another.’

On the First Day following, he went into the Steeple-house, and after the Priest had done, he began to preach. Now the Priest going away, and the Magistrate desiring G. Fox to depart, he still went on, and told them, He came to speak the Word of Life and Salvation from the Lord amongst them. And he spoke so powerfully, that the People trembled and shook, and they thought the Steeple-house shook also; nay, some of them feared it would have fallen down on their Heads. Some Wo­men in the mean while making a great Bustle, at length the rude People of the City rose, and came with Scaves and Stones into the Steeple-house. Whereupon the Governour sent some Musketeers to appease the Tumult; and these taking G. Fox by the Hand in a friendly Man­ner, led him out. Then he came to the House of a Lieutenant, where he had a very quiet Meeting. The next Day the Justices and Magi­strates sent for him to come before them in the Town-Hall. So he went thither, and had a long Discourse with them concerning Religion, and shew [...]d them, that tho' they were great Professors (viz. Presbyterians, and Independents) yet they were without the Possession of what they professed. But after a long Examination, they committed him to Prison as a Blasphemer, an Heretick, and a Seducer. There he lay till the As­sizes came on, and then all the Talk was, That he was to be hang'd: And the High Sheriff, Willfrey Lawson, was so eager to have his Life taken away,Sheriff Law­son. that he said, He himself would guard G. Fox to Execution. This made such a Noise, that even great Ladies came to see him, as one that was to die. But tho' both Judge and Magistrates were contriving how they might put him to Death, yet the Judges Clark started a Question which puzzled them, and confounded their Councils, so that he was not brought to a Trial, as was expected▪ which however was contrary to Law. But such was their Envy against him, that the Jailor was ordered to put him among Thieves and Murderers, and some naugh­ty Women; which wicked Crew was so lousy, that one Woman was almost eaten to Death with Lice: But what made the Prison the worse, there was no House of Office to it, and in this nasty Place, Men and Women were put together, against all Decency. Yet these Prisoners, how naught soever, were very loving to G. Fox, and so hearkened to his whole­some Counsel, that some of them became Converts. But the Under-Jailor did him all the Mischief he could. Once when he had been a [...] the Grate to take in the Meat his Friends brought him, the Jailor fell a beating of him with a great Cu [...]gel, crying, Come out of the Window, tho' he was then far enough from it. But whilst the Jailor was thus beating him, he was so fill'd with Joy, that he began to sing, which made the other rage the more, so that he went and fetch'd a Fiddler, thinking thereby to vex him. But when this Fellow play'd, he sang a Hymn so loud, that with his Voice he drowned the Sound of the Fiddle, and thereby so confounded the Player, that he was fain to give over, and go his Ways.

Not long after, Justice Benson's Wife felt her self moved to eat no Meat, but what she should eat with G. Fox at the Bars of the Dungeon-Window. Afterwards she herself was imprison'd at York, when she was big with Child, for having spoken, it's like, zealously to a Priest. And [Page 68] when the Time of her Travel came,J. Parnel vi­siting G. Fox in Carlisle Dungeon, be­comes a pow­erful Mini­ster of the Gospel. she was not suffer'd to go out, but was deliver'd of her Child in the Prison.

Whilst G. Fox was in the Dungeon at Carlisle, there came to see him, one James Parnel, a little Lad of about sixteen Years of Age; and he was so effectually reach'd by the speaking of G. Fox, that he became convinc'd of the Truth of his Sayings; and notwithstanding his Youth, was by the Lord quickly made a powerful Minister of the Gospel, shew­ing himself both with his Pen, and his Tongue, a zealous Promoter of Religion, altho' he underwent hard Sufferings on that Account, as will be mention'd hereafter. And so there were many others, who not sticking at any Adversities, came to be zealous Preachers of Repen [...]ance. Among these was also Thomas Briggs, T. Brigg's Message of Repentance. already mention'd, who went thro' many Cities, Towns and Villages, with this Message: Repent, Repent, for the mighty terrible Day of the Lord God of Power is appearing, wherein no Worker of Iniquity shall stand before him, who is of purer Eyes than to behold Iniquity; for he wills not he Death of a Sinner; and if ye repent, and turn to him, he will abundantly pardon. Sometimes he went into Markets and Steeple-houses, and was often cruelly abused. Once be­ing in a Steeple-house at Warrington in Lancashire, He is cruelly abused at Warrinton in Lancashire. and speaking a few Words after the Priest had done, he was very violently knockt on his Head: After which, a Man taking hold of his Hair, smote him against a Stone, and pull'd off an Handful of it; which Thomas taking up from the Ground, mildly said, Not one Hair of my Head shall fall with­out my Father's Permission. At another Time he speaking to a Priest in Cheshire, as he was going in his Journey, the Priest was much offended at him; and one of his Hearers, as it were in Revenge of this preten­ded A [...]f [...]ont, struck him on the Head, and knockt him down; but Thomas getting up again, and turning his Face to the Smi [...]er, he smote him on his Teeth, so that the Blood gush'd out exceedingly; which some of the Standers by could not but cry out against. But not long after, the Man that struck him thus, fell sick, and died, cry­ing upon his Death-bed, Oh that I had not smitten the Quaker! This Thomas once going thro Salisbury, and calling the Inhabitants to Re­pentance, was apprehended, and brought before several Justices, who profer'd him the Oath, under Pretence of his being a Jesuit. But he saying, He could not swear, because Christ had commanded, not to swear at all, was sent to Prison, where he was kept a Month. He also went up and down the Streets of Yarmouth, Yarmouth. proclaiming ‘The terrible Day of the Lord, that all might repent and fear Him that made Heaven and Earth, and the Sea.’ And being followed by a great Multitude of rude People; and turning about, he spoke so powerfully to them, and with such piercing Words, that they ran away for Fear. At length an Officer came and took hold of him; but leading him gently, he had Opportunity to continue preaching to the People, and to clear him­self. And being brought before the Magistrates, they order'd him to be led out of the Town; which being done, Thomas came into the Town again by another Way, and having performed his Service there to his Satisfaction,At Lin a Ma­st [...]ff Dog set at him fawns upon him. he departed the Town. Being come to Lin, and warning People to repent, a great Mastiff Dog was set upon him; but the Dog coming near him, fawn'd upon him. Thus he went thro' many Places, passing sometimes five or six Towns in one Day; and tho' Swords were drawn against him, or Axes taken up to hew him down, yet he went on, and spoke so awfully, that even some, who did not sue his Face, were so reach'd by the Power that accompanied him, that they became Converts. Coming to Clayzons in Wales, Great Stones cast upon him at Clayzons in Wales. and many [...]earing him attentively, the Constable stirr [...]d up the rude People, and cry'd, Kill him, kill him, as if[Page 69] he had been a mad Dog; and they threw such g [...]eat Ston [...] upon him, that he admired they did not kill him; but he was preserved by such a mighty Power, that, according to his Relation, they were to him as a Nut, or a Bean. Many other rude Encounters he met with, but was preserved wonderfully in the greatest Dangers; which strengthened him not a little in the Belief, that God, who so miraculously sav [...]d him, did require this Service from him. He was also in America, and dy [...]d in a good old Age, after having labour [...]d about thirty Years in the Service o [...] the Gospel.

Myles Halhead was also one of the first zealous Preachers among the Quakers, M. Halhead the first of those called Quakers, im­pris [...]n [...]d at Kendal. so called. He was the first of those of his Persuasion that was imprison'd at Kendal. Once he went to Swarthmore to visit his Friends, and to assist at their Meeting: By the Way he met the Wi [...]e of the Justice Thomas Preston; and because he passed by her quietly, without the ordinary Way of Greeting,Just▪ Preston's Wife's haugh­ty and proud Carriage to him. she grew so offended, that [...]he commanded her Man to go back and beat him; which he did: At which Myles be­ing kindled with Zeal, said to her; O thou Jezabel! thou proud Jezabel! Can'st thou not permit and suffer the Servant of the Lord to pass by thee qui­etly? She then held forth her Hands, as if she would have struck him, and spit in his Face, saying, I scorn to fall down at thy Words. This made Myles say again, Thou proud Jezabel thou that hardenest thy Heart, and brazenest thy Face against the Lord, and his Servant, the Lord will plead with thee in his own Time, and set in Order before thee the Things that thou hast done this Day to his Servant. And so he parted with her, and went to Swarthmore. About three Months after this he felt himself moved to go and speak to her; and when he came to Houlker-Hall, he asked for Thomas Preston's Wife. She then coming to the Door, and Myles not knowing her, ask'd her, If she was the Woman of the House. To which she said, No; but if you would speak with Mistress Preston, I will entreat her to come to you. Then, she went in, and coming back with another Woman, said, Here is Mistress Preston. But then it was manifested to him, that she her self was the Woman. It is true, he had, as hath been said, some Time before, seen her on the Way, and spoken to her; but it may be she was then in so different a Dress, that by Reason thereof he did not now know her; yet firmly believing that it was she, he said, Woman, How darest thou lye before the Lord and his Servant? Thou art the Woman I came to speak to. And she being silent, not speaking a Word, he proceeded, Woman, hear what the Lord's Servant hath to say unto thee: O Woman, harden not thy Heart against thy Lord; for if thou dost he will cut thee off in his sore Displeasure; therefore take Warning in Time, and fear the Lord God of Heaven and Earth, that thou may'st end thy Days in Peace. Having said this, he went away, she, now proud soever, not doing him any Harm, being withheld, without knowing by what: But, notwithstanding that, she continu'd the same: For several Years after, when G. Fox was Prisoner at Lancaster, she came to him, and belch [...]d out many railing Words, saying, amongst the rest; That his Tongue should be cut off, and he be hang'd. But some Time after the Lord cut her off, and she dy'd, as it was reported, in a miserable Con­dition. But before I leave this Woman, I must also say; that about three Years after she had made her Man beat Myles, it happen'd that as he was riding from Swarthmore near to Houlker-Hall, he met with a Person who said to him, Friend, I have something to say unto you, which hath lain upon me this long Time. I am the Man that, about three Years ago, at the Command of my Mistress, did beat you very sore, for which I have been very much troubled, more than for any thing that ever I did in all my Life: For truly, Night and Day it hath been often in thy Heart, that I did not we [...]l [Page 70] in beating an innocent Man, that never did me any Hurt or Harm. I pray you forgive me, and desire the Lord to forgive me, that I may be at Peace and quiet in my Mind. To this Myles answered, Truly Friend, from that Time to this Day, I never had any Thing in my Heart against thee, nor thy Mistress, but Love; the Lord forgive you both; I desire that it may never be laid to your Charge; for ye knew not what ye did. Here Myles stop [...], and so went his Ways. Many a notable Occurrence he had in his Li [...]e, and therefore he is to appear yet more than once on the Course of this History.

Travelling once in Yorkshire, Laid for dead at Skipton in Yorkshire. he came to Skipton, where declaring the Word of Truth, he was so sorely abused and beaten, that he was said for dead; nevertheless, by the Lord's Power, he was healed of all his Bruises, and within three Hours, he was healthy and sound again, to the Astonishment of those that had so abused him, and to the con­vincing of many that beheld him.

Then he went to Bradford,Is persecuted in other Pla­ces.Leeds, and Hallifax, where he also decla­red the Doctrine of Truth amongst the People; but not without meet­ing with great Persecution.

From thence he came to Doncaster, Sorely brui­sed, and left for dead at Doncaster. and there went on a First Day of the Week to a Steeple-house, where after the Worship was done, he spoke to the Priest and People: But they, instead or hearkening to what he said, fell upon him in a great Rage, and drove him out of the Town; and he being sorely bruised, they left him for dead. But before his going from home, he had been firmly perswaded, that the Lord would preserve him in all Dangers; and it happened so to him according to his Belief; for he got up again, and went to a Friend's House, where he laid himself down upon a Bed. But not long after, he felt a very strong Motion to go to a certain Chappel, and there to declare the Word of the Lord: Forthwith he felt also an inward As­surance that if he gave up to do so, the Lord would heal him from his Bruises. Then he rose, as well as he could, and came down Stairs with great Difficulty, by taking hold of the Walls for a Stay; and going out, he began to mend by Degrees; and coming at length in­to the Chappel, he spake as he was moved; and when he had cleared himself, he went back to the House from whence he came, and the Lord made him sound of all his Bruises.

From thence he went to York, Travels thro' Yorkshire. and there spoke to the Lord Mayor, and other Rulers of that City: And passing thro' Yorkshire, he went into several Steeple-houses to exhort the People: And tho' he met with great Hardships, yet he was supported by an invisible Hand. So being clear of that Country,Returns to his House at Un­der-barrow in Westmor­land he returned to his House at Mountjoy in Ʋnder-barrow in the County of Westmorland. But his going thus often from home, was an exceeding great Cross to his Wife, who in the first Year of his Change, not being of his Perswasion, was very much troubled in her Mind, and would often say from Discontent, Would to God I had, married a Drunkard, then I might have found him at the Ale-house; but now I can't tell where to find my Husband. But after the Space of a Year, it pleased the Lord to visit her. She had a little Son of about five Years of Age, which Child the loved extraordinarily, insomuch, that she thought it was her only Delight and Comfort. But it happen [...]d that this Darling dy [...]d, and some Time after, she spoke thus to her Hus­band;A very re­markable Oc­currence. Truly Husband, I have something to tell thee: One Night, being in Bed, mourning and lamenting with Tears in my Eyes, I heard a Voice, saying, ‘Why art thou so discontented concerning thy Husband: I have call'd and chosen him to my Work; my Right-hand shall uphold him; therefore be thou content, and pleased, that he serve me, and I will [Page 71] bless thee, and thy Children for his Sake; and all Things shall pros­per that thou shalt take in Hand. But if thou wilt not be content, but grudge, and murmur, and repine against me, and my Servant, whom I have chosen to do my Work, I will bring a greater Cross up­on thee.’ These Words being fresh in my Mind both Night and Day; I often said within my self, What Cross can this be, that would be greater than the Want of my Husband? But for all this, I could not be content: All the Joy I had or could find, was in our little Boy, who would often, when he saw me weeping and mourning, take me about my Neck, and say, My dear Mo­ther, pray be content, for my Father will come home in a little Time. This Child would often comfort me in this Manner; but for all that, I could not be content. Not long after it pleased the Lord to take from me this my only Son, my chiefest Joy. Then the Voice which I had heard, came into my Mind, and I perceiving that this was the Cross which the Lord would bring upon me, smote upon my Breast, and said within my self, that I was the very Cause why the Lord had taken away my little Son. A great Fear then seizing upon me, I said, O Lord my God! give me Power to be content to give up my Husband freely to do thy Will, lest, O Lord, thou take away from me all my Children. From that Time I never durst oppose thee, my Husband, any more in the Work of the Lord, for Fear that his Judgments might also fall upon me, and my Children. This served not a little to strengthen Myles and to encourage him. Some Time-after walking in his Garden, he felt a Motion to go to Stanly Chappel in Lancashire. Stanly Chap­pel in Lanca­shire. Now tho' he might expect to meet with rude Entertainment there, yet he consulted not with Flesh and Blood, but went to the aforesaid Chappel. Being come, he was not suffered to enter, but the Door was violently turned against him. Then he walked in the Yard till the Worship was done, and then the People that came out, (one may guess how edify'd) fell upon him with great Rage,Capt. Raw­linson and one Captain William Rawlinson took hold of his Arms and Shoulders, and calling another Man to take him by the Feet and Legs, they threw him over the Wall; by which Fall he was exceedingly bruis­ed, so that he had much to do to get home. By the Way it was inwardly said to him, ‘That he must be content with what was befa [...]n him that Day, and that if he was faithful in what the Lord required of him, then he would heal him again.’ Being come home, he wait­ed upon the Lord to know his Will. In this Resignedness, within six Days, he was moved to go to Windermore Steeple-house, and it was, as it were, said unto him, ‘Fear not the Face of any Man, but speak the Word of the Lord freely; and then thou shalt be made sound again of all thy Bruises. So he went to the said Steeple-house, and having spoke to the Priest and the People the Word of the Lord, with­out receiving any Harm, he was healed that Day of his sore Bruises.’

Sometime after by another Motion he came to Furneiss in Lancashire, Furneiss in Lancashire. Capt. Sands-Priest Lam­pitt. to the House of Captain Adam Sands, where he found a great Number of Professors gather'd, and Priest Lampitt preaching. But as soon as Myles enter'd, Lampitt was silent, which continuing a pretty while, Captain Sands said to him, Sir, What's the Matter? Are you not well? To which the Priest answer'd, I am well, but I shall speak no more as long as this dumb Devil is in the House. A dumb Devil, said the Captain, Where is he? This is he, said the Priest, pointing with his Hand, that standeth there. Then the Captain said, This Man is quiet, and saith nothing to you: I pray you, Sir, go on in the Name of the Lord; and if he trouble or molest you in my House, I will send him to Lancaster Castle. But the Priest said again, I shall not preach as long as this dumb Devil is in the House. Then the Captain said to one Camelford, Priest Camel­ford. a Priest also, I pray you Sir, stand up, and exercise your Gift, and I will see that you be not disturbed. But this Priest [Page 72] answered as the other, I shall not speak as long as this dumb Devil is in the House. Then the People cry'd, Lord, rebuke thee Satan, Lord, rebuke thee, Satan: What Manner of Spirit is this that stops our Ministers Mouths? Then the Captain came to Myles, and taking him by the Hand, led him out of the House. In all that Time he had not spoke a Word, and saw now the Accomplishment of what he had been per­suaded of before, viz. That an invisible Power would confound by him the Wisdom of the Priests, when he spoke never a Word. The said Camelford was one, who a good while before had stirred up the Rabble against G. Fox; and the other was that Lampitt, who has been mention'd already, and who had been so esteemed by Margaret Fell, before she came to be acquainted with G. Fox.

Some Time after this Occurrence, Myles went to New-castle, and there said to the Mayor, Rulers, and Priests of that Town, That God's Anger was kindled against them, because they had shut the Kingdom of Heaven against Men, and would not enter themselves, nor suffer them that would. Be­cause of this he was imprisoned: But the Mayor being much troubled, sent for the Sheriff, (for these two had committed Myles to Prison;) when come, he said to him, We have not done well in committing an innocent Man to Prison: Pray let us release him. The Sheriff consenting, Myles was set at Liberty. Then he declared the Word of the Lord in those Parts, and many were convinced of the Truth held forth by him. But now I part with this Myles Halhead, who hereafter is to be men­tion'd again.

About this Time,Secular Transactions. viz. in the Summer, General Cromwel had called a new Parliament, consisting mostly (as hath been said by some) of Members of his own Choice; for it was a certain Number of Persons out of each County and City in England, Scotland, and Ireland, nomi­nated by the Council of Officers, and sent for to meet at Westminster: Into the Hands of these Cromwel delivered the Supreme Authority of the Nation, by an Instrument, or Commission, signed by himself and the Officers; but the Authority of this Meeting lasted scarce half a Year, as will be said in the Sequel. To this Parliament a Report was made, That at Carlisle a Person was imprisoned, who was to die for Religion. This was G. Fox, whom we have left thus long in the Dungcon at Carlisle, G. Fox in Carlisle Dun­geon. and now are returning to him again. The Parliament then caused a Letter to be sent down concerning him to the Sheriff, and other Magistrates: And G. Fox knowing how scandalously he had been belied about speaking blasphemous Words, gave forth a Paper, wherein he challenged all who found Fault with his Doctrine, to ap­pear in publick; since he was ready to stand the Test of whatsoever he might have spoken. He also wrote a significant Letter to the Ju­stices at Carlisle, wherein he shewed them plainly the Injustice of their Dealings, and the horrid Evil of Persecution, as having been always the Work of the false Church. Mention hath been made already of the Justices Benson and Anthony Pearson: These had desired, more than once, Leave to visit G. Fox in Prison; but this being denied them, they wrote a Letter to the Magistrates, Priests, and People, at Carlisle; where­in they emphatically described the Wickedness of Persecution, and what would be the Reward of Persecutors; saying also, that these were worse than the Heathen, that put Paul into Prison; because none of his Friends or Acquaintance were hindred by them from coming to him. However, at length Pearson got an Opportunity to come with the Governour into the Dungeon where G. Fox was kept; and they found the Place so bad, and o [...] so noisom a Smell, that the Gover­nour cried Shame of the Magistrates, for suffering the Jailor to treat [Page 73] G. Fox after such a Manner; and calling the Jailors into the Dungeon, required them to find Sureties for their good Behaviour, and put the Under-Jailor, who had been very cruel to G. Fox, into the Dungeon with him. In the mean while, those who had imprisoned G. Fox, began to grow afraid, the rather it may be, because the Parliament took No­tice of these Doings; and it was not long after, that he was released, and then coming to the House of one Thomas Bewly, T. Bewly. Coldbeck in Cumberland. near Coldbeck in Cumberland, there came a Baptist Teacher to oppose him; but he sound what G. Fox spoke to be so efficacious, that he became convinced of the Truth thereof.R.Widders. At that Time there was also Robert Widders, who be­ing moved to go to Coldbeck Steeple-house, the Baptist Teacher went with him. Widders coming into the Steeple-house,Hutton a Preacher. there was one — Hut­ton preaching; to whom he spoke; but the rude People threw him down, and dragg'd him into the Yard, where they pusht and beat him, till the Blood gushed out of his Mouth, so that he lay for Dead some Time: But a certain Woman coming to him, held up his Head, so that at length he recovered his Breath. The Baptist, who went along with him, had his Sword taken from him, and was sorely beaten with it; yet this did not frighten or discourage him; and he not only left off the Wearing of a Sword; but also freely gave up the Inheritance of an Impropriation of Tythes. The same Day that this Preacher was thus attacked with his own Sword, being the First of the Week, several of G. Fox's Friends, and among them William Dewsbury, went, one to this, and others to other Steeple-houses; and by such Means the Num­ber of the said Friends increased; tho' Dewsbury at that Time was so violently beaten by the People, that he was almost kill'd; but the Lord's Power healed him again. But to return to Robert Widders: He being recover'd from the rude Treatment he met with, as hath been said, felt himself so encouraged anew, and strenghned in his Under­takings,R. Widders reproves Priest Nic­hols at Ack­ton. that he went, the same Day in the Afternoon, seven Miles to Ackton Steeple-house, where he spoke to Priest Nichols, and calling him an Enemy of Christ, told him also, that the Hand of the Lord was against him. Then William Briscoe a Justice of Croston, commanded the Con­stable to secure Robert; which he did, and carried him to the Priest's House, where being examined by the Justice, the Priest began to fawn upon him: Thereupon Robert told the Priest, That the Spirit of Persecu­tion lodged in him. But the Priest said, No, he was not such a Man. Yet presently after he said to the Justice, that Robert had s [...]oln the Horse he came with, and that he could find in his Heart to be his Executioner with his own Hands; which made Robert say, Did not I say unto thee, that the Spirit of Persecution lodged in thee? For which Ju­stice Briscoe gives a War­rant to have him to Car­lisle Jail. Then the aforesaid Justice wrote a Warrant to send Robert to Carlisle Jail; and after having given the Warrant to the Constable, he asked Robert, by what Authority or Power he came to seduce and bewitch People? Robert answered, I came not to seduce and bewitch People; but I came in that Power which shall make thee, and all the Powers of the Earth, bend and bow before it, to wit, the mighty Power of God. Whilst Robert was speaking thus,Recalls the Warrant, and lets him go free. the Dread of the Lord seized on the Justice, and so struck him, that he called for his Warrant again, and took it out of the Constable's Hand, sufferring Robert about Night to go away. He being thus freed, did not leave visiting the Steeple-houses from Time to Time, for which he was sometimes imprisoned, and at other Times was saved remarkably.Near Ship­ton in York­shire, speaks sharply to Priest Web­ster, and Ju­stice Coats. Once coming near Ship­ton in Yorkshire, at the Steeple-house he spoke very sharply to the Priest — Webster; since he was one that had been partly convin­ced of the Doctrine of the inward Light; but becoming disobedi­ent thereunto, was turn'd back again. He also spoke to the People, [Page 74] and to Justice Coats, bidding them to mind the Word of God in the Heart, which di [...]id [...]d between the Precious and the Vile. After having clear [...]d himself, he went to a Place where a few of his Friends were met together; but he had not been long there, when there came some Horse­men and Foot, who took him away, and carried him to the said Justice; who examining him, said, He had broken the Law, by disturbing the Mini­ster and the People, and that he might send him Prisoner to York-Castle. Robert answered, Send me to Jail thither, if thou darest; for I appeal to the Witness of God in thy Conscience. who kindly lets him go. But the Justice being a moderate Man, said, I neither dare nor will; and taking Robert by the Hand told him, he might take his own Time in going away.

To relate all the Occurrences of this Robert Widders, would be too prolix; therefore I'll only say, that as he was very zealous in speaking to the Priests, so he suffered very much in his Estate, because for Con­science-sake he refused to pay them Tythes; and on that Account there was taken from him, at sundry Times, to the value of 143 l. besides what he suffered for Meetings, and for Sunday Shillings, so call'd, which also amounted to a considerable Sum. And this not only bef [...]l him, but it was the Portion of many Hundreds, nay perhaps Thousands of those of his Perswasion: Wherefore I won't undertake to relate all that might be mention'd of this Kind; for that would be beyond my Reach. How­ever, by this that hath been said, may be seen, by what Means the Qua­kers, so called, grew so numerous in those early Times. As on one Hand, there were raised zealous Preachers; so on the other, there were Abundance of People in England, who having searched all Sects, could no where find Satisfaction for their hungry Souls. And these now un­derstanding that God by his Light was so near in their Hearts, began to take Heed thereunto, and soon found, that this gave them far more Victory over the Corruption of their Minds, (under which they had long groaned) than all the self-will [...]d Worships which they with some Zeal had performed many Years. And besides those that were thus pre­pared to receive a farther Manifestation of the Way of Life, there were also many of a rude Life, who being prick'd to the Heart, and brought over by the Christian Patience of the despised Quakers, became as zea­lous in doing Good, as formerly they had been in working Evil.

But perhaps some will think it was very indecent that they went so frequently to the Steeple-houses, and there spoke to the Priests: But whatsoever any may judge concerning this, it is certain that those Teach­ers generally did not bring forth the Fruits of Godliness, as was well known to those who themselves had been Priests, and freely resigned their Ministry, thenceforth to follow Christ in the Way of his Cross; and these were none of the least zealous against that Society among whom they formerly had ministred with an upright Zeal. Yet they were not for using sharp Language against such Teachers, who, according to their Knowledge, feared God; but they levelled their Aim chiefly against those who were only rich in Words, without bringing forth true Chri­stian Fruits, and Works of Justice. Hence it was, that one Thomas Curtis, T. Curtis writes to Priest Wel [...]s of Banbury who was formerly a Captain in the Parliament Army, but after­wards entred into the Society of the People called Quakers, wrote, in a Letter to Samuel Wells, Priest of Banbury, and a Persecutor of those of that Perswasion, amongst other Things, these Words; To thy Shame, remem­ber I know thee scandalous: How often hast thou sate Evening after Evening at Cards, and sometimes whole Nights playing, and sometimes compelling me to play with thee for Money; yet then thou wast called of the World a Minister; and now art thou turn'd Persecutor, &c. None therefore need think it strange, that those called Quakers did look upon such Teachers as Hirelings: And [Page 75] that there were not a few of that Sort, appeared plainly when King Charles the II. was restored; for those who had formerly cry'd out against Episcopacy, and its Liturgy, as false and idolatrous, then be­came Turncoats, and put on the Surplice, to keep in the Possession of their Livings and Benefices. But by so doing, these Hypocrites lost not a few of their Auditors; for this opened the Eyes of many, who began to enquire into the Doctrine of the despised Quakers, and saw that they had a more sure Foundation, and that this it was which made them stand unshaken against the Fury of Persecution.

Let us again take up the Thread of those Transactions which con­cern G. Fox: G. Fox tra­vels in the North of Eng­land. Who now travelling thro' many Places in the North of England, had every where great Meetings; but now and then met with some Opposition; sometimes with Hands, and at other Times with the Tongue:Darwent-wa­ter. Among the rest, at Darwantwater in Northumberland; where in a Dispute recommending Perfection, he was contradicted; but to prove his Position, he said, ‘That Adam and Eve were perfect before they fell; and all that God made was perfect; and that the Imperfe­ction came by the Devil and the Fall; but that Christ, who came to destroy the Devil,Mat. v. 48. Joh. iv. 17. Ch. xv. 15. Ch. iv. 18. said, Be ye perfect.’ To this one of the Pro­fessors answer'd, That Job said, Shall mortal Man be more pure than his Maker? The Heavens are not clear in his Sight. God charged his An­gels with Folly. But G. Fox shew'd him his Mistake, and told him, ‘That it was not Job that said so, but one of those that contended against him.’ Then the Professors said, The outward Body was the Body of Death and Sin. But G. Fox replied, ‘That Adam and Eve had each of them an outward Body, before the Body of Death and Sin got into them; and that Men would have Bodies, when the Body of Sin and Death was put off again, and they were renewed into the Image of God again by Christ Jesus.’

Thus G. Fox found almost every where Work, and passing to Hexam, he had a great Meeting there on the Top of a Hill. The Priest indeed had threatned, that he would come and oppose; but he came not.

G. Fox then travelling on, came into Cumberland, where he had a Meet­ing of many Thousands of People,Langlands▪ Brigham. on a Hill near Langlands. Once he came into Brigham Steeple-house, before the Priest was there, and de­clared the Truth to the People; but when the Priest came in, he began to oppose, but was wearied so, that at length he went away. There being now also several others who preached the Doctrine of the inward Light of God which convinceth Man of Sin, the Number of those Pro­fessors of the Light increased greatly: And as it had been said at first, That they should be destroyed within a short Time; so now the Priests began to say, That they would eat out one another: For many of them, after Meetings, having a great Way to go, staid at their Friends Houses by the Way, and sometimes more than there were Beds to lodge in, so that some lay on the Hay-Mows. This made some of the publick Church grow afraid, that this Hospitality would cause Poverty, and that when these Friends had eaten out one another, they would come to be maintained by the Parishes, and so be chargeable to them. But it sell out quite otherwise, for these People wore the more blessed, and en­creased, without falling into Want. This puts me mind of what one of the Daughters of Judge Thomas Fell once told me, viz. That her Father having been abroad, and coming home with his Servants, found the Shed so full of the Horses of strange Guests, (for Margaret his Wife had cleared the Stable where they first stood, to make Room for her Husband's own Horses) that he said to his Wife, This was the Way to be eaten out, and that thus they themselves should soon be in Want of Hay. But [Page 76] to this Margaret said in a Friendly Way, That she did not belie [...], when the Year was at an End, they should have the less for that. And it so fell out; for this Year their Stock of Hay was such, that they sold a great Parcel of what they had in Abundance. Thus the Proverb was verify'd, That Charity doth not impoverish. The Truth of this was also experienced by those called Quakers; for tho' many People at first were shy, and would not deal with them, because of their Nonconfor­mity with the vulgar Salutation, and their saying Thou and Thee to a single Person, instead of You, &c. insomuch, that some that were Trades­men, lost their Customers, and could hardly get Money enough to buy Bread: Yet this changed in Time, when People found by Experience they could better trust to the Words of these, than to that of those of their own Persuasion. Hence it was, that often when any came into a Town, and wanted something, they would ask, Where dwells a Draper, or Taylor, or Shoemaker, or any other Tradesman, that is a Quaker? But this so exasperated others, that they began to cry out, If we let these Quakers alone, they will take the Trade of the Nation out of our Hands. Now the Cause of their Trade's thus encreasing, was, because they were found upright in their Dealing; for Integrity did then shine out among them above many others: To this the true Fear of God led them, and to this they were exhorted from Time to Time. G. Fox also wrote a General Epistle to them, which was as followeth:

This Epistle he sent to te read at the Meetings of his Friends.Morgan Floyd of Wrexham in Wales, Priest, sends John ap-John to Prove the Quakers. Not long after a certain Priest of Wrexham in Wales, whose Name was Morgan Floyd, sent two of his Congregation into the North of England, to en­quire what Kind of People the Quakers were. These two coming thi­ther, found the Doctrine of the said People such, that they became convinced of the Truth thereof, and so embraced it; and after some Stay, they returned home. One of these was called John ap-John, and continuing faithful, became a Minister of the Gospel he had thus re­ceived; but the other afterwards departed from his Convincement.

Let's now take a short View of State-Affairs in England. Public Trans­actions. We have seen already Cromwel's Power so great, that he ventur'd to dissolve the Long Parliament, and that he called another in its Room. But before the Year's End, this Parliament resign'd their Power into the Hands of Cromwel, from whom they had received it. Thus he, with his Council of Field-Officers, saw himself again in the Possession of the supreme Government: And it was not long before this Council declared: ‘That henceforth the chief Rule of the Nation should be intrusted to a single Person, and that this Person should be OLIVER CROM­WEL, Chief General of all the Forces in England, Scotland, and Ireland: That his Title should be LORD PROTECTOR of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland, and all the Domi­nions belonging thereunto: A [...] [...]e was to have a Council of twenty one Persons to assist him in the Government.’

This Matter being thus stated, the Commissioners of the [...]reat Seal, and the Lord Mayor, and Aldermen of London were requir [...]d, on the 16th of December, to attend Cromwel, and his Council in Westminster-Hall. [Page 78] Being come thither, the Instrument of Government was read, whereby Cromwel was declared Protector, he standing all this while bare­headed, and Major General Lambert kneeling, presented him with a Sword in the Scabbard, representing the Civil Sword; which Cromwel accepting, put off his own, to intimate thereby, that he would no longer rule by the Military Sword. The said Instrument, being writ on Parch­ment, contained, ‘That the Protector was to call a Parliament every three Years: That their first Meeting should be on the 13th of Sep­tember next ensuing: That it should not be permitted to dissolve a Parliament before it had sat five Months: That the Bills presented to him for his Consent, if he did not confirm them within twenty Days, should have the Force of Laws: That he was to have a Council, who were not to exceed the Number of Twenty one, and not to be under Thirteen: That forthwith after his Death, the Council was to chuse another Protector: That no Protector after him should be capable of being Chief General of the Army: And that it should be in the Power of the Protector to make War and Peace.’ Whilst this Instrument was reading, Cromwel held his Hand on the Bible, and after­wards took the Oath, That he would perform all that was contain'd therein. This being done, he cover'd himself, all the others remain­ing uncover'd. Then the Commissioners deliver'd the Seals to him, and the Lord Mayor of London the Sword, all which he restored again, with an Exhortation to use them well. Afterward General Lambert carried the Sword before him to his Coach; in which he went to White-hall, where he was proclaimed Protector, which was done also in the City of London. Now he was attended like a Prince, and he created Knights, as Kings use to do. Thus Cromwel, by a singular, and very strange Turn of mundane Affairs, saw himself plac'd in the Palace, from whence he, and his Adherents had cast out King Charles the 1st.

OLiver Cromwel, 1654 in the Beginning of the Year, 1654, seeing him­self invested with the Supreme Authority of the Nation, re­quir'd, both of the Soldiers and others, the Oath of Fidelity. But [...]nce among the first, there were many, who, tho' convinced of the Truth of the Doctrine of the Quakers so call'd, yet had not convenient Opportunity to leave the Military Service, it now presented it self: For when the Oath was tendred them, they declared that in Obedience to Christ's Command they could not swear; whereupon they were disband­ed. Among these was John Stubs, J. Stubs, [...] learned Man, convinced by G. Fox in Carlisle Pri­son. a Man skill'd not only in Latin, Greek, and Hebrew, but also in the Oriental Languages, he was convinc'd by G. Fox, when in Carlisle Prison, and became afterwards a faithful Mini­ster of the Gospel. But some of the Soldiers, who had been convin­ced in their Judgment, not continuing stedfast, took the requir'd Oath, but not long outliv'd it; for marching afterwards into Scotland, and passing by a Garrison there, these thinking they had been Enemies, fir'd at them, whereby several were kill'd.

G. Fox now seeing the Churches of his Friends in the North settled, passed from Swarthmore (where he was about the Beginning of this Year) to Lancaster, and from thence to Synder-hill-green, where he had a great Meeting of some Thousands of People, among whom were many Persons of Note; and a general Convincement there was, so that a great Num­ber enter'd into the Communion of those call'd Quakers; with whom about this Time was also united Ambrose Rigg, A. Rigg professes the Truth, and is rejected by his Parents. who having been in­clined to Godliness from a Youth, hearing G. Fox preach, and being convinced of the Truth of the Doctrine he taught, received it, and became a Professor of it, tho' for that Reason he was cast out by his Parents and Relations.

We have seen the first Rise of these Christians, call'd Quakers, in the North of England, and how they encreased under the Oppression of Persecution, so that in most Places in those Parts, Meetings were set­tled: It remains to relate how they spread farther.

There were how above sixty Ministers of the Word raised among them, and these went out in the Service of the Gospel, to turn People, where they could have an Opportunity, from Darkness to the Light, and from the Power of Satan to God. Of these Francis [...], and Edward Burrough went to London; John Camm, and John A [...]d [...]and to Bristol; Richard Hubberthorn, and George Whitehead to Norwich; Thomas Holmes into Wales, and others other Ways. G. Fox well knowing this to be a weighty Work, wrote a large Epistle to these Ministers, wherein he admonished them to Prudence, advising them, To know the Seed of God, which bruiseth the Head of the Serpent; also to know the Power of God, and the Cross of Christ: To receive Wisdom from God by the Light; and not to be hasty, or to run in their own Wills, but to continue in Pat [...]nce.

[Page 80]I [...]ll first mention somewhat of the Occurrences at London, where Ed­ward Burrough and Francis Howgill, with Anthony Pearson, who had been a Justice of Peace,E.Burrough, F. Howgill, A Pearson, come to Lon­don. The two last are the first of that People who prea [...]h'd there at R. Dring's in Watling-street. came in the Fore-part of the Summer. Howgill and Pearson were the first of the People call'd Quakers that had a Meet­ing in this great City, where they preached in the House of one Ro­bert Dring, in Wa [...]ling-Street; and Burrough was, as I have been inform'd, that Day in an Assembly of a separate Society. Yet I have been told also, that Ruth, Wife of William Crouch, Merchant in London had said, that somewhat before that Time there had been in the said House, Meet­ings of some few Persons, of whom she was one, and also Anna Downer, afterwards married to George Whitehead; that one Isabella Buttery, with another Woman, having spread in London some Books, and among these, one of G. Fox's call'd, The Way to the Kingdom, had met with this small Company, of which were but two or three Men, one of which was Amos Stoddard, formerly a Military Officer, mentioned already; and that the said Isabella sometimes spoke a few Words in this small Meeting. But when F. Howgill, and E. Burrough were come to London, Things began to have another Face; for they laid hold of all Opportunities they could light on, to preach the Gospel.

At London there is a Custom in Summer-time, when the Evening ap­proaches, and Tradesmen leave off working, that many lusty Fellows meet in the Fields to try their Skill and Strength in wrestling, where generally a Multitude of People stands gazing in a Round. Now it so fell out, that E. Burrough past by the Place where they were wrestling, and standing still among the Spectators, saw how a strong and dexterous Fellow had already thrown three others, and was waiting for a fourth Champion, if any du [...]st venture to enter the Lists. At length, none being bold enough to try, E. Burrough stept into the Ring, commonly made up of all Sorts of People: And having look'd upon the Wrestler with a serious Countenance, the Man was not a little surprized, instead of an airy Antagonist, to meet with a grave and awful young Man; and all stood as it were amazed at this Sight, eagerly expecting what would be the Issue of this Combat. But [...] was quite another Fight E. Burrough aim [...]d at. For having already sought against Spiritual Wickedness, that had once prevailed on him, and having overcome in Measure by the Grace of God, he now endeavour'd also to fight against it in others, and to turn them from the Evil of their Ways. With this Intention he began very seriously to speak to the Standers by, and that with such a heart-piercing Power, that he was heard by this mixt Multitude with no less Attention than Admiration; for his Speech tended to turn them from Darkness to the Light, and from the Power of Satan to God. To effect this, he labour'd with convincing Words, shewing, How God had not left himself without a Witness, but had given to Man a Measure of his Grace, and enlighten'd every one with the Light of Christ. Thus he preached zealously: And tho' many might look upon this as a Novelty, yet it was of such Effect, that some were convinced of the Truth; for he was a Breaker of stony Hearts, and therefore, by a certain Author, not unjustly called, A Son of Thunder; tho' he also omitted not in due Season to speak a Word of Con­solation to those that were of a broken Heart, and of a contrite Spirit: But to thunder against Sin and Iniquity was his peculiar Talent; inso­much, that once preaching very zealously in a Meeting, and perceiving there were some contrite Souls, that wanted spiritually refreshing Food, he was heard to intimate, That tho' his present Speaking was not Milk for Babes, yet he would remember such a [...]on, and administer to them also; but now, He must thresh the Whore. And indeed he was one of [Page 81] those Valiants, whose Bow never turned back, nor Sword empty from the Slaughter of the Mighty: For the Lord blessed his powerful Mini­stry with very glorious Success; nay, he was such an excellent Instru­ment in the Hand of God, that even some mighty and em [...]n [...]nt Men were touched to the Heart by the Power of the Word of Life which he preached. And altho' Coals of Fire, as it were, came forth of his Mouth to the consuming of Briars and Thorns, and he passing thro' un­beaten Paths, trampled upon wild Thistles, and luxuriant Tares; yet his wholesom Doctrine dropp'd as the Oil of Joy upon the Spirits of the Mourners in Sion. F. Howgill. Hence it was that Francis Howgill not unjustly said of him when deceas'd: ‘Shall Days, or Months, or Years wear out thy Name, as tho' thou hadst had no Being? Oh nay: Shall not thy noble and valiant Acts, and mighty Works which thou hast wrought, thro' the Power of him that separated thee from the Womb, live in Generations to come? Oh yes! The Children that are yet un­born shall have thee in their Mouths, and thy Works shall testify of thee in the Generations, who yet have no Being.’

The said Howgill, also an eminent and eloquent Man being now at Lon­don, went to Court, to utter what was in his Mind to Oliver Cromwel: And after having spoke to him, he thought it convenient to express himself farther in Writing, as he did by the following Letter.

How this was receiv'd, I am not acquainted; but this I have under­stood, that some or Cromwel's Servants and among these one Theophilus Green, and Mary, afterwards Wife of John Stout, were so reach [...]d by F. Howgill's Discourse, that after some Time, they enter'd into the So­ciety of the Quakers so call'd.

Now in the said Letter, or Speech, we find Notice taken of Laws made concerning Religion: These I do not look upon as made by the In­duction of Cromwel, but such as were made in former Times, which he could have alter [...]d if he would have done it, as afterwards many Pen [...] Laws were abrogated, under the Reign of King William and Queen Mary, as will be said in its proper Place. For I don't find that in Cromwel's Time any Laws were made to constrain People to f [...]equent the Worship of the publick or National Church. But notwithstanding the Quakers, so called, were imprison [...]d for re [...]using to swear, or for not paying Tythes, to maintain the Priests; and they were whipp'd like Vagabonds; for preaching in Markets, or in other publick Places; or they were [...]ined for not taking off their Hats before Magistrates; for this was called Contempt of the Magistracy; and when for Conscience Sake they refused to pay such a Fine, either the Spoiling of Goods, or Imprisonment be­came their Share. And thus always a Cloak or Cover was found to persecute them; and Malice never wanted Pretences to vex them. And it also often happen [...]d, that E. Burroughs and F. Howgill were opposed by the Chiefest of several Sects, whereby Disputes were raised, which many Times gave Occasion for some of the Hearers to embrace the Doctrine maitain'd by the said Burroughs and Howgill; which [...]o en [...]ag [...]d their Enemies,The first set­tled Meeting in London at Sarah Saw­y [...] in Al­dersgate-street. that no Slanders were spared, and they sometimes branded them as Witches. In the mean while the People call'd Quakers so increas'd in London, that they began to have settled Meetings, the first of which was in Aldersgate-street, at the House of one Sarah Sawyer. The first among Women of this Society that preach [...]d at London publicky, was [Page 83] the already mention'd Anna Downer, afterwards married to one Crom­well, and being become a Widow, in Process of Time entred into Ma­trimony with George Whitehead, Anna Downer the first Wo­man Preacher there. as hath been hinted already.

The Number of the said People encreasing at London from Time to Time, several Meetings were now erected there, one of which was in the House of one — Bates, in Tower-Street; and another at Gerard Roberts's, in Thomas Apostles, until the Church became so great, that a House known by the Name of the Bull and Mouth in Martins le Grand near Aldersgate, The Bull and Mouth in Martins le Grand hired for a Meeting-house. was hired for a Meeting-house; and it being a Build­ing that had belong [...]d to some great Man, there was a large Hall in it that would hold many People, and so was very convenient for a Meeting-Place.

Abundance of Books were now spread against the Quakers, as Seducers and fal [...]e Prophets; and these written by the Priests and Teachers of seve­ral Sects: For they perceiving that many of their Hearers forsook them, left no Stone unturn'd to stop it. But the Event did not answer their Hope, since Burrough and Howgill did not suffer those Writings to go un­answer [...]d, but clearly shewed the Malice and Absurdities of those Wri­ters.

Leaving them busie with this Work,J. Audland and T. Airey at Bristol. we'll take a Turn towards Bristol, to behold the Performances of John Audland, and Thomas Airey, who came thither in the Month call'd July in this Year, and going into the Meetings of the Independents and Baptists, they found Opportunity to preach Truth there, and also had Occasion to speak to others, so that many received their Testimony.

From thence they went to Plymouth in Devonshire, Go from thence to Ply­mouth and London. Return to Bristol with J. Camm, where several Persons re­ceive their Testimony. Here Persecu­tion arises, and so to London, where they met with John Camm; but after some Stay there, John Aud­land return'd to Bristol with John Camm, and found there a Door open'd for their Ministry. Among those that did receive their Testimony, were Josiah Cole, George Bishop, Charles Marshal, and Barbara Blaugdone, concern­ing which Persons, more is to be said hereafter. It was not long ere F Howgill and E. Burrough, having gather'd a Church at London, came also to Bristol, where Persecution now began to appear with open Face: For the Magistrates commanded them to depart the City and the Liberties thereof; to which they answer'd, That they came not in the Will of Man; and that when He who moved them to come thither, did move them also to depart, they should obey. That if they were guilty of the Transgression of any Law, they were not unwilling to suffer by it: That they were free-born Englishmen, being free from the Transgression of any Law: And that if by Violence thy were put out of the City, they were ready to suffer, and would not resist. And so they departed out of the Presence of the Rulers. But now the Priests, especially one Ralph Farmer, Thro' Instiga­tion of the Priests. began to incite and enrage the People, and to set the City, as it were, on Fire. Hence it was that J. Camm and J. Audland, intend­ing to have a Meeting at Brislington, about two Miles from Bristol, and passing over a Bridge, were assaulted by the Rabble of the City, and several Apprentices of Farmer's Parish, who having got Notice of their coming, were gathered there, and violently abused them with Beating, Kicking, and a continual Cry, Knock them down, kill them, or hang 'em presently: Thus they were driven back, and forced into the City again, narrowly escaping with their Lives. But the Tumult did not yet cease; for some of the Multitude were heard to say, That they should find Protection from the Ma­gistrates, than those Strangers, viz. Camm and Audland. But the Officers of the Garrison thinking it unwarrantable to permit such a Tumult, since it was not without Reason be fear'd, that the Royalists, or Abettors of King Charles, might take hold of such an Opportunity, and raise [...]n Insur­rection, caus'd three of the Ringleaders to be seiz'd: But this made such [Page 84] a Stir, that the next Day more than five hundred People, as it was thought, were gather [...]d together in a seditious Manner, so that their Companions were see at Liberty. This made the tumultuous Mo [...] more bold and saw [...]y, the rather because they saw that the Magistrates, hearing that J. Camm and J. Audland not only had kept a Meeting at Brislington, but also had visited some in their Houses at Bristol, had bid them to depart the Town. Now the riotous Multitude did not stick to rush violently into the Houses of the Quakers, so call'd, at Bristol, under a Pretence of preventing treasonable Plottings. And when some in Zeal told the Priests, These were the Fruits of their Doctrine, they incited the People the more, and induced the Magistrates to imprison some of those call'd Quakers. This instigated the Rabble to that De­gree, that now they thought they had full Liberty to use all Kind of insolence against the said People; beating, smiting, pushing, and often treading upon them till Blood was shed; for they were become a Prey to every malapert Fellow, as a People that were without the Protection of the Law. This often caus'd a Tumult in the Town; and some said (not without good Reason) that the Apprentices durst not have left their Work, had not their Masters given them Leave. And a certain Person inform'd the Mayor and Aldermen upon his Oath, That he had heard an Apprentice say, that they had Leave from their Masters, and were encouraged; Alderman Hellier is said to encou­rage the Mob. for Alderman George Hellier had said, He would dye rather than any of the Apprentices should go to Prison. Now an Order of Sessions came forth, That the Constables do once in every Fortnight, make diligent Search within their several Wards, for all Strangers and suspicious Persons: And that all People be forewarned not to be present at any Tumult, or other unlawful As­sembly, or gather into Companies or Multitudes in the Streets, on Pain of being punished according to Law. But this Order was to little Purpose, for the tumultuous Companies and Riots continu'd; and when once a Pro­clamation was read in the Name of the Lord Protector, requiring eve­ry one to depart, some of the Rioters were heard to say What do you tell us of a Protector? Tell us of King Charles. In the mean while the Quakers, so called, were kept in Prison, and it plainly appear'd, that the Order against unlawful Assemblies was levell [...]d against their Meetings: And tho' the Magistrates pretended that they must answer for it to the Protector, if they did let the Quakers alone without disturbing their Meetings, which, at that Time, for the most Part, were silent, and no­thing was spoken but when, now and then, one of their Ministers from abroad visited them; yet this was not at all agreeable with the Protector's Speech he made on the 12th of the Month call'd September, to the Parliament in the painted Chamber, where he spoke these Words:

IS not Liberty of Conscience in Religion a Fundamental?Protect [...]'s Speech for Li­berty of Con­science.So long as there is Liberty for the Supreme Magistrate, to exercise his Conscience in erecting what Form of Church-Government he is satisfied he should set up, why should he not give it to others? Liberty of Conscience is a Natural Right, and he that would have it, ought to give it, having Liberty to settle what he likes for the Publick. Indeed That hath been the Vanity of our Contests: Every Sect saith, Give me Liberty: But give it him, and to his Power he will not yield it to any Body else. Where is our Ingenuity? Truly that is a Thing that ought to be very reciprocal. The Migistrate hath his Supremacy, and he may settle Religion ac­cording to his Conscience: And I may say it to you, I can say it: All the Mo­ney in the Nation would not have tempted Men to fight upon such an Account as they have engaged, if they had not had Hopes of Liberty, better than they had from Epis [...]opacy, or than would have been afforded them from Scottish Pres­bytery, [Page 85] or an English either, if it had made such Steps, or been as sharp and rigid as it [...]brea [...]ned when it was first set up. Thus I say is a Fundamental, it ought to be so: It is for us and the Generations to come.

Cromwel spoke more in Confirmation hereof; and indeed he would have been a brave Man, if really he had performed what here he asserted with binding Arguments. But tho' now he seemed to disapprove the Behaviour of Presbytery, (for then he was for Independen [...]y) yet after some Time he courted the Presbyterians; and these fawning upon him from the Pulpit, as their Preserver, and the Restorer of in Church, he suffered the Quakers to be persecuted under his Government, tho' he pretended not to know it, when he might easily have stopt it. But by hearkening to the Flatteries of the Clergy, at length he lost his Credit, even with those who with him had fought for the common Li­berty; and thus at last befell him after his Death, what he seemed to have imprecated on himself in the foregoing Speech, if he departed from allowing due Liberty: For he farther said. That many of the People had been necessitated to go into the vast howling Wilderness in New-England, for the Enjoyment of their Liberty; and that Liberty was a Fundamental of the Government; adding, that it had cost much Blood to have it so, and even the hazarding of all. And in the Conclusion he said, That he could sooner be willing to be rolled into his Grave, and buried with Infamy, than give his Consent to the wilful throwing away of that Government, so testified unto in the Fundamentals of it. Now, who knows not what infamy befel him af­terwards, when in the Reign of King Charles the [...]d. 'tis said, his Corps was digg'd up, and buried near the Gallows, as may be farther menti­on'd in its due Place?

But I return now to Bristol, where several were [...]pt in Prison still, and no Liberty granted them; nay, they were even charged with what they utterly denied themselves to be guilty of: Among these, one John Worring was accused of having called the Priest, Samuel Grimes, a Devil: But Worring denied this, tho' he did not stick to say, He could prove somewhat like it by his own Words. And it being ask'd him, How? He answer'd, That the Priest had said at the Meeting, that in all Things he did, be sinned; and if in all Things, then at well in his Preaching, as in other Things; and he that sinneth, is of the Devil. If you will not believe me, be­lieve Scriptures. It may be easily conjectur'd, that this Answer did not please the Priest's Followers,J. Worring. Eliz. Mar­shall, and o­thers impri­son'd. and therefore Worring and some others were kept in Prison, and among these also Elizabeth Marshall, who in the Steeple-house, after the Priest John Kn [...]wls had dismis'd the People, with what is call'd the Blessing, spoke to him, and said, This is the Word of the Lord to thee: I warn thee to repent, and to mind the Light of Christ in thy Conscience. And when the People, by Order of the Rulers then present, violently assaulted her, giving her many Blows with Staves and, Cudgels, she cry'd out, The mighty Day of the Lord is at Hand, wherein he will strike Terror on the Wicked. Some Time before she spoke also in the Steeple-house, to the Priest Ralph Farmer, Priest Far­mer. after he had ended his Sermon and Prayer, and said, This is the Word of the Lord to thee. Woe, woe, woe, from the Lord to them who take the Word of the Lord in their Mouths, and the Lord never sent them.

A good while after this the Magistrates gave out the following War­rant.

Camm and Audland were departed the Town before this Time, ha­ving never been commanded (as the Warrant saith) to depart the City, either by the Magistrates themselves, or by any other at their Com­mand; tho' F. Howgill and E. Burrough had been required to do so. So this Warrant proving ineffectual, the Magistrates caus'd another to be form'd in these Words:

Hereunto these Magistrates affixed their Seals; and that Alderman Sherman might be sure his Name was down, he wrote it twice. How frivolous this Pretence of Persons of the Franciscan Order was, even a Child might perceive; for the Quakers were by this Time so multiplied in the North of England, that they could no more be lookt upon as an unknown People. And as for G. Fox, and James Naylor, they had not yet been at Bristol, and therefore it seemed absurd to [...]eek for them there. But it was thought expedient to brand the Quakers with odious Names, [Page 87] that so under the Cloak thereof, they might be persecuted as Disturbers of the publick Peace:T. Robertson and J. Cole committed to Newgate in Bristol, for attempting to speak in a Steeple-house. As appeared when one Thomas Robertson, and Josiah Cole being at Nicholas Steeple-house, and standing both still, without speaking a Word, until the Priest Hazzard had ended, and dismist the People, were very rudely treated; for Thomas then lifting up his Voice, was presently, even when the Word was yet in his Mouth, struck on the Head by many, as was also his Companion, tho' he did not attempt to speak. But Thomas, after being a little recovered of a heavy Blow, began to speak again, and said to the People, Tremble before the Lord, and the Word of his Holiness. But this so kindled their Anger, that they were both hurried out of the Steeple-house, and with great Rage driven to the Mayor's,J. Hignel brought from his Sh [...]p and sent to Prison without a Mittimus, for being Quaker. who commanded them both to Newgate-Prison. Not long after one Jeremy Hignel, being in his Shop attending his Calling, was sent for by the Mayor and Aldermen, to come before them; which he pre­sently doing, the Mayor asked him, Whether he knew where he was? He answered, He did. Then the Mayor asked, where? He replied, In the Presence of the Lord. Are you not, said the Mayor, in the Presence of the Lords Justices? His Answer was, If you be the Lord's Justices, I am. Where­upon one of the Aldermen said, without any more Words passing at that Time, We see what he is; take him away to Newgate. For since he did not take off his Hat, it was concluded he was a Quaker, and this was counted Cause enough to send him to Prison; and so he was immediately brought thither, where the Keeper received him without a Mittimus, and kept him close Prisoner nineteen Days,D. Wastfield in like Man­ner kept close Prisoner thir­ty three Days, and not suf­fer'd to see his dying Child. permitting none to come to him but his Wife. No better was the Treatment ot Daniel Wastfield who be­ing [...]en [...] for by the Mayor, appeared before him, and Alderman Vickris; Then [...]he Mayor said to him, Wastfield, come hither; And he thereupon drawing near, the Mayor asked him three several Times, What art thou? tho' he knew him well enough, having called him by his Name, as a­bovesaid. Wastfield answered, I am a Man. But what's thy Name? said the Mayor. My Name is Daniel Wastfield, answered he. Then said the Mayor to one of his Officers, Take him and carry him to Newgate; further adding, That he came thither to contemn Justice: To which Wastfield replied, No, I came hither in Obedience to thy Order; The Mayor's Word a Mit­timus. for the Mayor had sent for him, as hath been said. Thus he was carried away without a Mittimus, the Mayor saying, his Word was a Mittimus; and he was kept a close Prisoner thir­ty three Days, and none suffered to come to him but his Servants, not­withstanding he was a Widower, and must now leave his House and Trade to their Management; and a Child of his died in the mean While and was buried, and he kept from seeing it.

The Rulers thus having begun Persecution, became from Time to Time more vigorous in it, insomuch, that several others were imprison­ed, and among these,C. Birkhea [...] and others sent to Prison, chie [...]er at the Instigation of Priest Far­mer. Christopher Birkhead, who standing still in Nicholas Steeple-house, with his Hat on, and being asked by the Priest Ralph Far­mer, What be stood there for; answered, I stand in Obedience to the righteous Law of God in my Conscience: I have neither offended the Law of God, nor of the Nation. A wonderful and horrible Thing is committed in the Land. More he would have spoken, but was stopt with beating and thrusting, and so carried to Prison. Now the Magistrates were not a little incited to Persecution by the said Farmer; and there being several that were very bold, they did not stick to write sharp Letters to him; and his indecent Carriage was also told him to his Face by Word of Mouth in the Steeple-house af­ter Sermon; and those who did so, were sent to Prison. At length these Prisoners were brought to Trial; and since it could not be proved that they had transgressed any Law, some of the Rulers seemed inclined to set them at Liberty, if they would have declared, That they were sorry for [Page 88] what they had done. Among them [...] one William Ford, and nothing material being found against him, [...] he was one of those called Quakers, M. Ford. he was accused of having kept a Stranger at work; which he however esteemed to be lawful, since his Trade of Wool-combing did not belong to the Company of Milliners, who complained of him. Yet he was asked, Whether he was sorry for what he had done? Which denying, as well as those who had reproved the Priests, he that was not guilty was sent to Prison again, as well as those that were pretended to be so. A­mong these last was also Sarah Goldsmith, S. Goldsmith. who from a well meant Zeal to test [...]y against Pride, having a Coat of Sackcloth, and her Hair discheveled with Earth or Dust strewed on her Head, had gone through the City without receiving any considerable Harm from the People, because some lookt upon her to be crack-brain'd.Tem. Hignel chused and imprison'd. There was also one Temperànce Hig­nel, who having said in the Steeple-house to the Priest, after he had end­ed his Sermon, W [...] from the Lord God to thee Jacob Brint, was presently struck down, and so violently abused, that Blood running down her Face and she being committed to Prison, fell sick; and when they saw her Life was in Danger,Which would the [...] of her [...] she was carried out in a Basket, and died three Days after. The Reason she gave, when in Prison, why she spoke in that Manner to [...], That he had scarce any Hearers but what were Swearers, [...]ards, Strikers, Fighters, and R [...]ilers, &c. and that therefore his Ministry was in vain, since he Preach'd for Gain; whereas he himself ought to have brought forth good Fruits. How long the others were kept in Prison, I dont know certainly; however, it was a pretty long Time;Th [...]se Doings [...]ommitted to Writing. for George Bishop and Dennis Hollis [...]er, who formerly had been a Member of the Parliament, and three others, put all these Transactions in Writing at large, and sent it to the Magistrates, in Hopes that thereby they might see the Evil of Persecution; but this proving in Vain, they gave it out in Print five Months after,And after­wards print­ed. that so every one might know how the Bristolers treated their Inhabitants, which was to that Degree; that Authors said, Was such a tyrannical Iniquity and Cruelty ever heard of in this Nation? or would the Ministers under King Charles have ventured to do so? Was not Stra [...]ford but a mean Transgressor in Comparison of these? And tho' Archbishop Laud was beheaded, yet it could not be proved that the Epis­copalians had persecuted so fiercely, as these pretended Assertors of Liber­ty of Conscience had done, who being got into Possession of the Power, did oppress more than those they had driven out. This made the Perse­cuted, some of which formerly had also fought for the common Liberty, the more in Earn [...]t aginst those that were now in Authority.

But I'll turn away from Bristol towards Norwich, Norwich R. Hubber­thorn. and G. White­head there. [...]his last im­prison'd. whither Richard Hub­berthorn and George Whitehead were gone. Here it happened that R. Hubber­thorn having spoken something to a Priest in a Steeple-house-yard, and not having taken off his Hat before the Magistrates, was imprisoned in the Castle, where he was kept great Part of the following Year, and in the mean while wrote several Epistles of Exhortation to his Friends; and the Preaching of him and his Companion G. Whitehead, had such Effect, that a Meeting of their Friends was settled in that City.

But before I go on,Their Charac­ter. it will be convenient to give some Account of the Quality of these two Persons. R. Hubberthorn was born in the North of Lancashire, and descended from very honest Parents: His Father was a Yeoman of good Reputation among Men; and Richard was his only Son, and from a Youth inclined to Piety. Being come to Man's Estate he be­came an Officer in the Parliament's Army, and from a Zeal for Godliness, preach'd sometimes to his Soldiers. But entring afterwards into the Soci­ety of the Quakers so called, he left his Millitary Employment, and testi­fied publickly against it; for he was now become a Soldier under another [Page 89] Banner, viz that of Christ Jesus, Prince of Peace; not sighting as for­merly with the outward Sword, but with the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. In hi [...] [...] he had an excellent Gift, and tho' not so loud in Voice as some other [...], yet he was a Man of a quick Understanding, and very [...]ying in his [...]reaching.

G. Whitehead, who whilst I write this, is yet alive, was train'd up to Learning, and tho but a Youth, instructed others in Literat [...]e, and con­tinued in that Calling sometime after he came to be convinced of that Truth which was preached by the Professors of the Light; and he strove to bring up Children in the Fear of the Lord. But before this Change, he was a [...] Hearer of the World's Teachers, and usually frequen [...]ed the Steeple-house at Or [...]ton in Westmoreland: Yet the Singing of David's Psalms became so burthensom to him, that sometimes he could not join therewith; for he saw that David's Conditions were not generally sutable to the States of a mixt Multitude; and he found himself to be short of what they [...]. This Consideration brought him into such a Strait, that often he durst not sing those Psalms the Priests gave their Hearers to sing, le [...]t he should have told Lies unto God. Now also he began to see that the Priests Lives and Practices did not agree with their Doctrine; for they themselves spoke against Pride and Covetousness, and yet lived in them. This likewise made him go to hear some that were separated from the National Church, and got into a more specious Form of Godli­ness: But he soon saw, that tho there was a Difference in the Ceremonial Part, and that these had a more true Form of Words than the Priests, yet they were such as ran before they were sent by God, speaking Peace to that Nature in him, wherein he felt no true Peace. And when he was about seventeen Years of Age, which was in the Year 1652, he first heard the Doctrine of Truth preach [...]d by those that were reproachfully called Quakers; and their Testimony wrought so powerfully on his Mind, that he received it, and so enter [...]d into their Communion. Now he found that to grow up in the true Wisdom, and to become Wise in the living Knowledge of God, he must become a Fool to that Wisdom, wherein he had been feeding upon the Tree of Knowledge, having in that State no Right to the Tree of Life: And he continuing in Faithfulness, it plea­sed the Lord to ordain him a Minister of the Gospel; in which Service he acquitted himself well, to the convincing of others, and the Edification of the Church.

But now leaving him,Cruel Usage of [...]liz. Hea­vens and Eliz. Fletcher at Oxford. let's go and see what happened at Oxford in the Year 1654. At the latter End of the Month called June, there came two Women, named Elizabeth Heavens, and Elizabeth Fletcher: These spoke in the Streets, to the People, and in the Colledge they exhorted the Scholars, who wickedly requiting their Zeal, violently pusht Elizabeth Fletcher a­gainst a Grave-Stone, and then threw her into the Grave; and their Ma­ [...] grew to that Pitch, that they tyed these two Women together, and drove them under the Pump; and after their being exceedingly wetted with pumping Water upon them, they threw them into a mi [...]y Ditch, thro' which they dragged Elizabeth Fletcher, who was a young Woman; and so cruelly abused her, that she was in a painful Condition till her Death, which fell out not long after. Some short Time after this rude Encounter, she and her Companion, on a First-Day of the Week, went into the Stee­ple-house at Oxford, and when the Priest had ended, they began to ad­monish the People to Godliness: But two Justices there present, com­manded them to be taken into Custody, and carried to the Prison call'd B [...]ardo, where none but Felons were used to be lodged. The Justices desiring the Magistrates to meet on this Account, the Mayor would not meddle with it; but said, Let those who have committed them, deal with [Page 90] them according to Law, if they have transgressed any; adding, That he had no­thing to say against them;The Ma [...] [...] his Con­sent to the Proceedings of the other Ma­gistrates.but that he would provide them with Vi [...]als, Clothes, or Money, if they wanted any. Yet he came into the Assembly where these Women were examined, and whither the Vice-Chancellor of the Uni­versity was also required to come, who charged them, That they Blas­phemed the Name of God, and did abuse the Spirit of God, and dishonoured the Grace of Christ, Dr. Owen charges them unjustly. and asking them, Whether they did read the Scriptures? they answered, Yea, they did. Then they were asked, Whether they were not to be obedient to the Power of the Magistrate? To whi [...] [...] Answer was, They were obedient to the Power of God, and to the Power that was of God they were subject for Conscience-sake. Well, said the Vice-Chancellor, you profane the Word of God, and I fear you know not God, tho you so much speak of him. Then the Women being made to withdraw, it was concluded that there was Matter enough for their Commitment and Punishment, and agreed that a Paper should be drawn up for their being whipped out of the City. When this was done, it was presented to the Mayor to set his Hand to it, but he refused, and said, He was not willing to do so. Then one of the Justices said, ‘That it was the Priviledge of the City, that it any vag [...]ant was taken within the Franchises and Liberties thereof, a Paper must be drawn up, that such a one, Mayor, had committed such and such Per­sons; and that then it was to be sealed with the Office-Seal.’ But the Mayor refused this as well as the other. Which made some say, That if he would not, it should be done by them. And then it was agreed upon, That they should be whipped soundly; which was also performed the next Morning, tho' with much Unwillingness in the Executioner; and the Mayor had no Hand in it.

But leaving these,Barbara Blaugdon. I'll turn to another, one Barbara Blaugdon, of whom Mention hath already been made, that she was one of those that received the Truth by the Ministry of John Audland and John Camm. She was from her Youth inclined to Godliness, and her Employment was to in­struct Children. But being enter'd into the Society of those called Quakers, she became plain, both in Speech and Habit, and thereupon the Children she [...]aught, were taken from her; and going sometimes into Steeple-houses to bear Testimony against their Formalities,Imprison'd at Bristol. she was put in Prison, and kept there a Quarter of a Year at a Time. Afterwards she led a very se­vere Life, and abstain [...]d from all Flesh, Wine, and Beer, Drinking only Water for the Space of a whole Year. In the mean while she grew up and prosper'd in true Piety. Once it happen [...]d that coming from a Meeting that was at George Bishop's House at Bristol, Wounded by a rude Fellow. a rude Fellow ran a Knife or some sharp Instrument thro' all her Clothes into the Side of her Belly, which if it had gone but a little farther, might have killed her Then she went to Marlborough, It imprison'd at Marlbo­rough. where, in the Steeple-house and other Places, exhorting to fear God, the was put into Prison for the Space of six Weeks, and there she fasted several Days and Nights. When she was released, she went to Isaac Burges, Convinces him who com­mitted her. the Man that committed her, and discoursing with him, he was really convinced of the Truth, but could not resolve to take up the Cross; yet he was afterwards very loving to her Friends, and stood by them upon all Occasions, never more persecuting any or them: And coming some Time after to Bristol, he went to her House and confess [...]d That he knew her Doctrine was Truth, but that he could not take up the Cross to walk in that Way. Imprison'd a­gain at Mil­ton, Barnsta­ple, Bedi­ford. A While after she went into Devonshire to Milton, Barn­staple, and Bediford, in all which Places a Prison was her Lot. She went also to him that after was Earl of [...]ath, where being acquainted, she had formerly vainly spent much Time, but now she was moved to call this Family to leave off their Vanity. And she asked to speak with the La­dy; but one of the Servants that knew her, bid her go to the Back Door, [Page 91] and their Lady would come forth that Way, to go into the Garden. Barbara being come thither,A Mastiff-Dog set at her, turn [...] a­way. a great Mastiff Dog was set loose upon her; and he running fiercely at her, as it to devour her, turned suddainly, and went away crying and ha [...]ting, whereby the clearly saw the Hand of the Lord in it to preserve her from this Danger. The Lady then came and stood still, hearing what Barbara spoke, and gave her Thanks for her Exhortation, yet did not invite her to come in, tho' she often had been lodged there, and had eaten and drunk at her Table. Then Barbara went to Great-Torrington, At Great-Torrington, [...] by the Priest's Importunity the Mayor sends her 20 Miles to Exe­ter. and going into the Steeple-house, spoke somewhat to the People by Way of Exhortation; but not having sufficient Oppor­tunity to clear herself, went to her Lodging, and sat to writing. After Noon the Constables cam [...] to her, and took away what she had written, and commanded her to go along with them to their Worship. To which she answered, That they would not suffer her to speak there, and that she knew no Law that could compel her to go thither twice in a Day; and that they all knew she was there in the Morning. Being thus unwilling to go, the next Day the Mayor sent for her; when come, she found him Moderate, and loth to send her to Prison: But the Priest being present, was very eager, and said, She ought to be whipt for a Vagabond. She then bid him prove where ever she askt any one for a Bit of Bread: But he said, She had broken the Law by speaking in their Church: And he so prest the Mayor, that at length he made him write a Mittimus, and send her to Exeter Prison, which was twenty Miles distant: There she remained for some Time, until the Assizes came, but was not brought forth to a Tryal. And after the Sessions were over, she was put to lodge one Night among a great Company of Gypsies, that were there in Prison; and the next Day the Sheriff came with a Beadle, who brought her into a Room, where he whipt her till the Blood ran down her Back,Is there cru [...] ­elly whipt. and she never startled at a Blow; but sang aloud, and was made to rejoyce that she was counted worthy to suffer for the Name of the Lord; which made the Beadle say, Do ye sing? I'll make you cry by and by; and with that he laid on so hard, that one Ann Speed seeing this, began to weep: But Barbara was strength­ened by an uncommon, and more than human Power, so that she after­wards declared, if she had been whipt to Death, in the State she then was, she should not have been terrified or dismayed. And the Sheriff seeing that all the Wrath of Man could not move her, bid the Fellow leave off striking; and then Ann Speed was suffered to dress her Stripes. The next Day she was turned out with all the Gypsies,Is turn'd out of Town with Gypsies. and the Beadle followed her two Miles out of the Town: But as soon as he left her, she returned back again, and went into the Prison to see her Friends that were Pris­oners there, and having visited them, she went home to Bristol. But by the Way coming to Bediford, Is taken up a­gain at Bedi­ford. she was taken up, and put into the Town-Hall, and searched to see whether she had either Knife or Scissars about her. Next Day she was brought before the Mayor, who discoursing much with her,And courte­ously treated by the Mayor. had a Sence of what she spoke to him; and at last he set open two Doors, one right against the other, and said, He would give her her Choice, which she would go out at; whether she would go forth to Prison again, or go home. And she told him, that she would choose Liberty rather than Bonds. So she went homeward, and then he took his Horse and follow­ed; and overtaking her, would have had her ride behind him,; but when any whom he knew, met them, he would slacken his Pace; and as soon as they were past, he came up again to her; which she perceiving, refused to ride behind him; yet he rode three or four Miles with her, and discoursed all the Way: And when they parted, she kneeled down and prayed for him, all which Time he was very serious, and afterwards [Page 92]grew very solid and sober: She writ once to him; but not long after, he dyed.

Being now come home,At Basing-Stoke pro­cures Liberty for two Friends. she was moved to go to Basing-Stoke to endea­vour to obtain Liberty for two of her Friends, viz. Thomas Robinson and Ambrose Rigg, who were taken up at the first Meeting that their Friends had had there. But when she came thither, the Entrance of the Prison was denied her. And she having a Letter from John Camm to them, put it in at the Chink of the Door, and then she went to the Mayor to de­sire their Liberty; He told her, That if he saw the Letter which she brought them, they should have their Liberty. She then said, He should see it; and so went and fetcht it; which he having read, told her, That she should have her Brethren out; but that he could not let them out presently. Yet it was not long before her Friends had their Liberty.

Now leaving Barbara for some Time,M. Halhead, J. Lancaster, and M. Bate­man go to Ireland. we return to Myles Halhead. In the first Month of this present Year he was moved to go to Ireland, and declare the Word of the Lord there; and speaking of this to James Lan­caster, and Myles Bateman, they quickly resolved to keep him company, and so they went for Ireland, where they proclaimed the Truth in Cities, Towns, Villages, and before Magistrates as Occasion offer'd, and their Testimony was receiv'd by many. After they had discharged them­selves, they returned to England, where being come, Myles soon found himself moved to go to Scotland: In his Way thither, he met his Friend James Lancaster, M. Halhead and J. Lan­caster go into Scotland. who was very free to go with him; and so they went into Scotland; but were not the first of those call'd Quakers in that Country; for Christopher Fell, George Wilson, and John Grave had been there before;Some Friends were there before. so that a little Church of those of their Commu­nion was already planted in that Kingdom, before Halhead went thi­ther: And one Alexander Hamilton had, a Tear before ever any Quakers appear'd in Scotland, erected a Meeting at Drumbowy, and also at Heads, and he receiv'd their Testimony when they came there,Scotland ear­ly visited by K. Evans and S. Chivers. as also his Wife Joan, James Gray, James Miller, and others. I find also that Scotland was early visited by Katherine Evans, and Sarah Chivers, two eminent Women, of whom something extraordinary is to be related in its due Time.

But I return to Myles Halhead, M. Halhead in Danger of being stoned. who being come to Dunfries, went on a First-Day of the Week into a Steeple-house in that Town, where seeing many People gathered together, howling and crying, and making great Lamentation, as if they had been touch'd with a Sense of their Sins, he was silent until their Worship was done: But then being grieved with their Deceit and Hypocrisy, he spoke as he was moved, but met with great Opposition, many of the People being in such a Rage, that they drove him and his Companion out of the Town, near to the Side of a great River, and it was intended that the Women of the Town should stone them; but they prevented this, by wading thro' the River.

Being thus safely past the Water,Visit Edin­burgh and Leith, they went to Edinburgh and Leith, where they staid about ten Days. During that Time Myles spoke to' the People when Occasion offer'd, as also to the Garisons, and to the Captains and Officers of the Army, who were much affected, and con­fessed that the Lord had been very good unto them; for Myles's Message was, That the Anger of the Lord was kindled against them, because they had not performed their Promises, which they made to Him in the Day of their Distress, when their Enemies encompassed them on every Side; for then the Lord delivered them, and gave tham Victory; but they had returned Him Evil for Good, and committed Violence against those He sent to declare his Word amongst them. Glascow and Sterling, and return to En­gland. This being told them at large by Myles, he went to Glascow and Sterling, where he also spoke as he was moved; and so re­turned [Page 93] to England. But before I leave Scotland, I may say, that as the first Meetings were kept at Drumbowy and Heads, so it was not long ere Meetings were settled also at Garshore, Meetings set­tled at Gar­shore, Edin­burgh, and Aberdeen. at Edinburgh, and also at A­berdeen. The first Scotch Preachers or those call'd Quakers, I find to have been William Osburn, Richard R [...]e, and Alexander Hamilton already men­tion'd. Of the said Hamilton, I may mention a singular Instance. Af­ter he and his Wife,The first Preachers in Scotland. with her and his Sister, had separated themselves from the Society of the Independents, it happen'd that Thomas Charters, a Teacher of that Sect,A remarka­ble Occur­rence. at Kilbride, not far from Drumbowy, seeing that he could not draw Hamilton, and those of his Family back again, threat­ned them with Excommunication, and appointed a Day for it, giving Notice thereof to Hamilton, some Days beforehand. Hamilton warned him to forbear, or else the Anger of God would seize on him. But he answered, It is but Alexander Hamilton that saith so. To which Hamilton return [...]d in the Presence of many Witnesses, That it was not only he, but what he had said was of the Lord. But Charters persisting in what he intend­ed, and walking two Days before the appointed Time in the Steeple-house-yard, where his Horse was feeding, stept to him to stroke him; but the Horse growing wanton, gave Charters such a violent Kick on his Side, that he dy'd about the same Hour which was appointed by him for the Excommunication. Whether this Case happen'd in the Year I now describe, I am not certain; but however, it was either in, or near it.

This Year Myles came to Berwick in Northumberland, M. Halhead visits the May­or of Berwick. and went to the Mayor of that Town, and spoke to him in his Shop thus: Friend, hear what the Servant of the Lord hath to say unto thee. Give over persecu­ting of the Lord's Servants, whom he doth send in Love to this Town of Ber­wick, to sh [...] you the Way that leads to Life Eternal. I charge thee, O M [...]n, touch not the Lord's Anointed, nor do his Prophets any Harm, lest thou pro­cure the Anger of the Living Eternal God against thee. This bold Language so offended the Mayor, that he sent Myles to Prison, where he was about ten Weeks,Is by him sent to Prison. and then was brought to the Sessions, where a Bill, that was drawn up against him, was read in open Court: But he denied the Contents thereof, yet said, But what I said to the Mayor of this Town, I will not deny. And then he related the aforesaid Words [...] [...]poke to the Mayor. Whereupon the Recorder said, Sirs, As I understand by his own Words, if he cannot prove the Mayor of this Town a Persecutor, in my Judg­ment he hath wrong'd him. To this Myles answered, If the Mayor of this Town of Berwick, dare say in the Presence of the Lord, whose Presence is here, that he is no Persecutor, but the persecuting Nature is slain in him, I will be willing to abide the Judgment of the Court. Then the Clerk of the Court said, Mr. Mayor, If you will say that you are no Persecutor, but the persecuting Nature is slain in you, he is willing to abide the Judgment of the Court. To this the Mayor answer'd, I know not what to do; I would I had never seen him: I pray you, let him go, and let us be no more troubled with him. Then Myles said, "That he would prove this Mayor of Berwick the greatest Persecutor in Town or Country." I was once (thus he went on) committed to Prison in this Town before,for speaking the Word of the Lord in the Streets.by some of the Justices that are now in this Court; but thou, O Man, hast exceeded them all; then hast committed me, and kept me in close Prison for about ten Weeks, for speaking to thy own Person in thy own Shop. Now I make my Appeal to the Recorder of this Town of Berwick, as I am a free-born En­glishman, whether my Imprisonment be Legal, according to the Law of this Nation, or not? Then the Recorder of the Town stood up, and said, It is not very Legal for any Minister of the Law, to imprison any Man in his own Cause. Then the Court cry'd, Take him away. The Chief Priest [Page 94] of the Town then stood up, and desired the Court that he might ask Myles one Question?Another re­markable Matter. To this Myles said, The Lord knows thy Heart, O Man, and at this present has revealed thy Thoughts to his Servant; and therefore now I know thy Heart also, thou High-Priest, and the Question thou wouldst ask me: And if thou wilt promise me before the Court, that if I tell thee the Question thou wouldst ask me, thou wilt deal plainly with me, I will not only tell thee thy Query, but I will answer it. Then the Priest said, He would: Then Myles pro­ceeded, Thy Question is this; Thou wouldst know whether I own that Christ that died at Jerusalem, or not? To this the Priest, wondering, said, Truly, that is the Question. Then Myles said, According to my Promise, I will answer it before this Court. In the Presence of the Lord God of Heaven, I own no other Christ than Him that died at Jerusalem, and made a good Confession before Pontius Pilate, to be the Light and Way that leads fallen Man out of Sin and Evil, up to God Eternal, blessed for evermore. More Questions were not asked him, but the Jailor was commanded to take him away.He is releas'd. Yet within a short Time the Court gave Order to release him. Then going to New-Castle, he returned to his Wife and Chil­dren at Mount-joy, where we will leave him for some Time, and in the mean While return again to G. Fox, whom we left at Synder-hill-green, from whence he traveil [...]d up and down in Yorkshire, G. Fox in Yorkshire. as far as Holder­ness, visiting his Friends, and finding the Churches in a flourishing State. To relate all his Occurrences there, would be beyond my Pale.

Passing then thro' the Countries,Goes to Lin­colnshire. he went to Lincolnshire, and to the Meeting where he was, came the Sheriff of Lincoln, who made great Contention for a Time;The Sheriff convinced. but at length the Power of the Lord so reach'd him, that he was convinced of the Truth, as were several others also that did oppose.

Whilst G. Fox was in this Country, the Church of his Friends in­creased, and many received the Doctrine preached by him, and amongst these was one Sir Richard Wrey, Also Sir R. Wrey, and others. with his Brother, and the Brother's Wife, who both continu [...]d stedfast till they died; but Sir Richard found this Way so narrow, that he afterwards ran out; for Persecution in Time fell so fast on those called Quakers, that none could abide in their Society, but such as were willing to hazard all.

G. Fox now went to Darbyshire, and the abovesaid Sheriff of Lincoln travelling with him, they came into Nottinghamshire, and so into the Peak-Country, where having a Meeting at Thomas Hammersly's, several Ranters came and opposed him; and when he reproved them for Swear­ing, they said,In the Peak-Country is op­posed by Ran­ters. Abraham, Jacob, and Joseph swore. But tho' G. Fox did not deny this, yet he said, Christ, (who said, Before Abraham was, I am,) Swear not at all. And Christ ends the Prophets, as also the old Priest­hood, and the Dispensation of Moses; and he reigns over the House of Jacob, and of Joseph, and saith, Swear not at all. And God when he bringeth in the First-begotten into the World, saith, Let all the Angels of God worship him, to wit, Christ Jesus, who saith, Swear not at all. And as for the Plea that Men make for Swearing to end their Strife, Christ, who says, Swear not at all, destroys the Devil and his Works, who is the Author of Strife; for that is one of his Works. And God said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. So the Son is to be heard, who forbids Swearing: And the Apostle James, who did hear the Son of God, and followed him, and preached him, forbids also all Oaths. Thus G. Fox prevailed,T. Hammer­sly without an Oath Fore­man [...] Ju­ry [...] Ver­dict [...]. and many were convinced that Day. It is remarka­ble, that Thomas Hammersly being summoned upon a Jury, was admitted to serve without an Oath; and when he being Foreman, brought in the Verdict, the Judge did declare, That he had been a Judge so many Years, but never heard a more upright Verdict than that Quaker had then brought [Page 95] G. Fox travelling on, came to Swanington in Leicestershire, where there was a General Meeting, to which many of his Friends came from seve­ral Parts,A general Meeting at Swanington. and among these, J. Audland, and F. Howgill from Bristol, and E. Burrough from London. After this G. Fox came to Twy-Cross, and some Ranters the [...]e sang and danced before him; but he reproved them so earnestly, that some of them were reached, and became modest and sober.

Then he went to Drayton, G. Fox at Drayton his Birth-Place; has a [...] with Priest Stephens &c. before many People. his Birth-place, to visit his Relations; where Nathaniel Stephens the Priest, having gotten another Priest, sent for him. G. Fox having been three Years abroad, knew nothing of their Design, but yet at last he went to the Steeple-house-yard, where the two Priests had gather'd Abundance of People; and they would have had him gone into the Steeple-house: But he asked them, What he should do there? And it was answer'd him, Mr. Stephens could not bear the Cold. At which G. Fox said, He may bear it as well as I. At last they went into a great Hall, R. Farnsworth being with him, where they enter [...]d into a Dispute with the Priests, concerning their Practice, how contrary it was to Christ and his Apostles. The Priests asked, Where Tythes were forbid­den, or ended? Whereupon G. Fox shewed them out of the Epistle to the Hebrews, Chap. vii. ‘That not only Tythes, but the Priesthood, that took Tythes, was ended; and that the Law was ended and disanul­led, by which the Priesthood was made, and Tythes were command­ed to be paid.’ Moreover, he knowing Stephens's Condition, laid open his Manner of Preaching, shewing, ‘That he, like the rest of the Priests, did apply the Promises to the first Birth, which must die; whereas the Promises were to the Seed, not to many Seeds, but to the one Seed, Christ, who was one in Male and Female: For all were to be born again, before they could enter into the Kingdom of God.’ Then Stephens said, That he must not judge so. But G. Fox told him, He that was spiritual, judged all Things. Stephens confessed, That this was a full Scripture: But Neighbours, said he, this is the Business; G. Fox is come to the Light of the Sun, and now he thinks to put out my Star-Light. To this G. Fox return'd, That he would not quench the least Measure of God in any, much less put out his Star-Light, if it were true Star-Light, Light from the Morning-Star: But that, if he had any Thing from Christ, or God, he ought to speak it freely, and not take Tythes from the People for Preaching; seeing Christ commanded his Ministers to give freely, as they had received freely. But Stephens said, He would not yield to that. This Dispute being broke off for that Time,The Dispute resum'd by eight Priests. was ta­ken up again, a Week after by eight Priests, in the Presence of many People: And when they saw that G. Fox remain'd unshaken, they fawningly said, What might he have been, if it had not been for the Quakers! Afterwards the Dispute was resumed in the Steeple-house-yard,And after­wards a third Time in the Steeple-house-Yard. where G. Fox shew'd, by Abundance of Scriptures, that they who preached for Wages, were false Prophets, and Hirelings; and that such who would not preach without Wages, or Tythes, did not serve the Lord Jesus Christ, but their own Bellies. This he treated on so largely, that a Professor said, George, What! wilt thou never have done? To this his Answer was, That he should have done shortly. And when he broke off, one of the Priests said, They would read the Scriptures he had quoted. With all my Heart, said he: Then they began to read Jer. xxiii. and when they had read a Verse or two, George said, Take Notice, People. But the Priests cry'd, Hold thy Tongue, George. He then bid them read the whole Chapter throughout: But they stopping, ask'd him a Que­stion: And he told them, That if the Mattar he charged them with, was first granted, then he would answer their Question; for his Charge had been, [Page 96] That they were false Prophets, and false Teachers, such as the true Pro­phets, Christ, and his Apostles cried against. Nay, said a Professor to That: But he said, Yes; for you leaving the Matter, and going to another thing, seem to consent to the Proof of the former Charge. Now, their Que­stion was, Seeing those false Prophets were adulterated, whether he did judge Priest Stephens an Adulterer. To this he answer'd, That he was adulterated from God in his Practice, like those false Prophets. Then they broke up the Meeting, and Stephens desir'd, that G. Fox, with his Father and Mother, might go aside with him, that he might speak to him in private. George, tho' his Relations yielded to it, was very loth to do so; yet that it might not be said he was disobedient to his Parents, he went: But many of the People being willing to hear, drew close to them. Then Stephens said, If he was out of the Way, George should pray for him; and if George was out of the Way, he would pray for him: Moreover, That he would give to George a Form of Words to pray by. To this G. Fox replied, It seems thou dost not know, whether thou art in the right Way, or no; but I know, that I am in the everlasting Way, Christ Jesus, which thou art out of: And thou wouldst give me a Form of Words to pray by, and yet thou deniest the Common Prayer-Book to pray by, as well as I. If thou wouldst have me pray for thee by a Form of Words, is not this to deny the Apostles Doctrine and Practice of praying by the Spirit, as it gave Words and Ʋtterance? Here, tho' some of the People fell a laughing, yet others that were grave and sober, were convinc'd of the Truth, and the Priests were greatly shaken; insomuch, that George's Father, tho' he was a Hearer and Follower of the Priest, was so well satisfied, that, striking his Cane upon the Ground, he said, Truly I see, he that will but stand to the Truth, it will carry him out.

Now G. Fox did not stay long at Drayton, Goes from Drayton to Leicester and so to Whet­stone, where he is taken and brought before Colonel Hacker. but went to Leicester, and from thence to Whetstone, where a Meeting was to be kept; but before it began, there came about seventeen Troopers, of Colonel Hacker's Regiment, who taking him up, brought him to the said Colonel, where there was also his Major and Captains. Here he enter'd into a long Dis­course with them, about the Priests, and about Meetings; for at this Time there was a Noise of a Plot against Cromwel: And he spoke also much concerning the Light of Christ, which enlighteneth every Man, that cometh into the World. The Colonel hearing him speak thus, asked, Whether it was the Light of Christ that made Judas betray his Master, and afterwards led him to hang himself? G. Fox told him, No; that was the Spirit of Darkness which hated Christ, and his Light. Then the Colonel said to George, He might go home, and keep at home, and not go abroad to Meetings. But he told him, He was an innocent Man, free from Plots, and he denied all such Works. Then the Colonel's Son Needham, said, Fa­ther, this Man hath reigned too long; it is Time to have him cut off. G. Fox asked him, For what? What have I done, or whom have I wronged from a Child? And who can accuse me of any Evil? Then the Colonel asked him, If he would go home, and stay there. To which G. Fox answered, That if he should promise him so, it would imply, that he was guilty of something to go home, and make his Home a Prison to himself: And if he went to Meetings, they would say, he broke their Order. But that he should go to Meetings, as the Lord should order him; and that therefore he could not submit to their Requirings: And having farther added, That he and his Friends were a peaceable People: The Colonel said, Well then, I will send you to morrow Morning by Six a-clock to my Lord Protector, by Captain Drury, one of his Life-Guard. The next Morning, about the appointed Time, he was delivered to Captain Drury. Then G. Fox desired, he would let him speak with the Colonel, before he went; and so the Captain brought him to the Colonel's Bedside, who again bad him go home, [Page 97] and keep no more Meetings. But G. Fox told him, He could not submit to That, but must have his Liberty to serve God, add go to Meetings. Then said the Colonel, you must go before the Protector. Whereupon G. Fox [...]n [...]eled on his Bed-side, and prayed the Lord to forgive [...]im; since ac­cording to his Judgment he was as Pilate, tho' he would wash his Hands; (for he was stirred up, and set on by the Priests) and therefore George bad him, When the Day of his Misery and Trial should come upon him, then to remember what he had said to him. Far was it now from Needham, who would have had G. Fox cut off, to think, that one Time this would befal his Father in an ignominious Manner at Tyburn. But what afterwards happened, when he was condemned as one of the Judges of King Charles the I. will be related in its due Place.

G. Fox then having left Col. Hacker, Who sends him Prisoner by Capt. Dru­ry to the Pro­tector at Lon­don. was carried Prisoner by Captain Drury to London; where the Captain went to give the Protector an Ac­count of him; and coming again, he told G. Fox, The Protector did require, that he should promise, not to take up a carnal Sword or Weapon against him, or the Government, as it then was; and that he should write this in what Words he saw good, and set his Hand to it. G. Fox considering this, next Morning wrote a Paper to the Protector, by the Name of Oliver Cromwel, wherein he did in the Presence of God, declare, ‘That he denied the wearing or drawing of a carnal Sword, or any outward Weapon, against him, or any Man: And that he was sent of God to stand a Witness against all Violence, and against the Works of Darkness; and to turn People from Darkness to the Light, and to bring them from the Occasion of War and Fighting, to the peaceable Gospel; and from being Evil-doers which the Magistrate's Sword should be a Terror to.’ Having written this, he set his Name to it, and gave it to Captain Drury, who delivered it to O. Cromwel; And after some Time, returning to the Maremaid, near Charing-Cross, where G. Fox was lodged, he carried him to White-Hall, and brought him before the Protector, who was not yet dressed, it being pretty early in the Morning. G. Fox coming in,With whom he has a long Conference. said, Peace be in this House, and bid the Protector, Keep in the Fear of God, that he might receive Wis­dom from him; that by it he might be ordered, and with it might order all Things under his Hands to God's Glory. He had also much Discourse with him concerning Religion, wherein Cromwel carried himself very moderately, but said, that G. Fox and his Friends, quarrelled with the Ministers, meaning his Teachers. G. Fox told him, He did not quarrel with them; but they qua­relled with him, and his Friends. But, thus (continued he) if we own the Pro­phets, Christ, and the Apostles, we cannot uphold such Teachers, Prophets, and Shepherds, as the Prophets, Christ, and the Apostles declared against; but we must declare against them by the same Power and Spirit. Moreover, he shewed, That the Prophets, Christ and the Apostles Preached freely, and declared against them that did not declare freely, but preached for filthy Lucre, and divined for Money, or preached for Hire, being covetous and greedy, like the dumb Dogs, that could never have enough: And that they that had the same Spirit, which Christ, the Prophets, and the Apostles had, could not but declare against all such now, as they did then. He also said, That all Christendom (so called) had the Scriptures, but they wanted the Power and Spirit, which they had who gave them forth; and that was the Reason, they were not in Fellowship with the Son, nor with the Father, nor with the Scriptures, nor one with another. Whilst he was thus speaking, Cromwel several Times said, I [...] was very good, and it was Truth. G. Fox had many more Words with him; but seeing People come in, he drew a little back: And as he was turning, Cromwel catch'd him by the Hand, and with Tears in his Eyes, said, Come again to my House; for if thou and I were but an Hour of a Day together, we should be nearer one to another; adding, that he wisht him no more Ill, than he did to [Page 98] his own Soul. To this G. Fox returned, That if he did, he wronged his own Soul; and bid him, Hear [...]en to God's [...], that he might stand in his Counsel, and obey it; and if he did so, that would keep him from Hardness of Heart;And with much Tender­ness is dis­charged.but if he did not hear God's Voice, his Heart would be hardened. This so reached the Protector, that he said, It was true. Then G. Fox went out; and Captain Drury following, told him, That the Lord Protector said, He was at Liberty, and might go whither he would. Yet he was brought into a great Hall, where the Protector's Gentlemen were to dine: And he asked, What they did bring him thither for? They told him, It was by the Protector's Order, that he might dine with them. But George bid them tell the Protector, He would not eat a Bit of his Bread, nor drink a Sup of his Drink. But refuses his Entertain­ment. When Cromwel heard this, he said, Now I see there's a People risen, and come up, that I cannot win either with Gifts, Honours, Offices, or Places; but all other Sects and People, I can. But it was told him again, That the Quakers had forsook their own, and were not like to look for such Things from him.

It was very remarkable, that Captain Drury, who, while G. Fox was under his Custody,What [...] Capt. Drury [...] be­ing G. Fox with [...] Name of Qua­ker [...] given first by the Indepen­dents. would often scoff at him, because of the Nick­name of Quakers, which the Independents had first given to the Profes­sors of the Light, afterwards came to him, and told him, That as he was lying on his Bed to rest himself in the Day-time, a sudden Trumbling seiz­ed on him, that his Joints knocked together, and his Body shook so, that he could not rise from his Bed; he was so shaken, that he had not Strength enough left to rise. But he felt the Power of the Lord was upon him, and he tumbled off his Bed, and cried to the Lord, and said, He would never speak against the Quakers more, viz. such as trembled at the Word of God.

The particular Occurrences that befel G. Fox, when he was at Liberty in London, I pass by. He had great Meetings there, and the Throngs of People were such, that he could hardly get to and from the Meetings, because of the Croud. In the mean while the Number of his Friends increased exceedingly,G. Fox writes against Pride, gawdy Appa­rel, and Fa­shions. and some belonging to Cromwel's Court were also convinced of the Truth preached by him. He wrote about that Time several Papers, one of which was against Pride, gawdy Apparel, and the World's Fashions.

I don't find, that about this Time there was at London any Persecu­tion from the Magistrates, but in other Places there was: And it was in this Year that Anne, the Wife of John Audland, coming into a Steeple-house at Banbury said, after the Priest had ended, That those that were without the Doctrine of Christ, tho' they said, the Lord liveth, yet spoke falsely, ac­cording to Jer. v. 2. Because of this,Anne Aud­land impri­son'd. she was imprison'd, as guilty of Blasphemy, and two Boys swore against her, that she had said, That the Lord did not live. Thus false Accusations prevail'd, and at this Rate Persecution was cloak'd.

The Year drew now to an End,Publick Trans­actions. and Cromwel concluded a Peace with the united Netherlands; to get Things the more clear at home, it seems he endeavour'd to remove Troubles abroad. And there being a Rumor spread of a Plot, as hath been hinted already, to be the more assured of the Parliament, he caus'd a Guard to be set upon the Door of the House, to keep out those Members that refused to sign a Paper, where­by they promised, ‘To be faithful to the Lord Protector, and to make no Alteration in the Government, so as it was settled, on a sin­gle Person, and a Parliament.’ But several of the Members would not sign this Paper, Saying, that it was a Violation of the Privileges of the Parliament, and a depriving them of their Liberty; and therefore they were kept out; but others who subscribed the said Paper, were [Page 99] admitted. Yet this Assembly not acting to the Satisfaction of Crom­wel, he dissolved them after a Session of five Months.

The young King Charles, who lived in Exile, had left France, and was come to Cologn on the Rome, where he stay'd for some Time. But I re­turn to London, where we le [...]t G. Fox, [...] was in that City continually at Work, discharging his Duty every where, both with Mouth and Pen, suffering no time to be lost. There being Commissioners appointed for the trying of Ministers, he wrote a Paper to them, wherein he advised them ‘To see whether they were not such whom the Prophets, Christ and the Apostles disproved; and who would admire their Persons be­cause of Advantage, &c.’ He stay'd at London till the Year 1655; and after having clear'd himself,G. Fox comes to J [...]. Crook's in Bedfordsh. who is convin­ced, and tur­ned out of Commission. A. Parker an early Minister. he went to Bedfordshire, and came to the House of John Crook, a Justice of Peace, where there was a great Meeting, and many were convinced of the Truth he declared, of which Number John Crook also was one; but for this he was soon turned out from being a Justice. Whilst G. Fox was in Bedfordshire, there was also Alexander Par­ker, one of the early Ministers among those called Quakers. But leaving them there, I now intend to speak of Willam Caton.

It hath been said already, that he was one of the Family of Judge Fell: W. Caton at [...], Compa­nion to Judge Fell's Son. For when he was but about fourteen Years of Age, his Father pro­cur'd Leave for him to dwell in the said Family; and his Behaviour was so pleasing, that he was allowed the Judge's Son as a Companion Night and Day; he [...]at as he did, and went with him a Hunting, Shoot­ing, and Fishing, partaking of the same Pleasure with him in every Thing, and [...]ving in Ease and Plenty; so that he had Cause of Joy, that Providence had cast his Lot into such a noted Family; for not only Judge Fell, but also his Wife Margaret, and their Daughters, were well qua­lified. W. Caton conversing with such choice Company, grew up in Pie­ty, and was very Zealous in the performing of his private Devotions, stay­ing often in the Bed-chamber, till the Judge's Son, his Bed-fellow, was gone down, that so he might the more [...]eely in Prayer pour out his Heart before God. And having attained to the Age of fifteen Years, he was very diligent, when he had been at a Lecture, to write down the chief Heads thereof; for such of the Family that could make Repetitions of Sermons, and paraphrase thereupon, were held in Esteem. But W. Caton found that what he reaped thereby could not satisfy the Hunger and Thirst of his immortal Soul.

After he, and the Judge's Son, had for some Time learned Latin toge­ther in the Family, where there was a Priest that instructed them, they were removed to a School at Hauxhead: But here he found Company which he disliked more than that in the Judge's Family.

It was in the Year 1652, about Mid-summer, that G. Fox, (as hath been said in its proper Place) first came to the House of Judge Fell at Swarthmore. Wonders at G. Fox's Non-conformity to customary Salutations. Sees that the common Di­versions of Truth dis­please God. His Non-conformity to the ordinary Salutations, W. Caton not a little wonder'd at; but yet it did not hinder him from giving due Attention to the Doctrine G. Fox preach'd, which in Substance was, To give He [...]d to the Light which Christ Jesus had enlightened us withal, and which shining in our Hearts, convinceth us of Sin and Evil. This so reach [...]d W. Caton, that in due Time he began to be subject to this inward Convincement, by which he came to be much restrained in his Carriage, and could not allow himself so great Liberty as he was won [...] to do; for tho' he was no Ways extravagant, yet now he saw that a true Christian must be wean­ed from all Vanity; and that the common Diversions of Youth displeased God. This he clearly perceiv'd, for the Witnes of God had awakened and reproved him of that which was contrary to true Gravity, and So­briety of Mind. He had not yet left the School: But (tho' he was pretty [Page 100] much advanc'd in his Learning) the making of Latin Verses became a Burthen to him, because he could not give his Thoughts that Liberty for Invention a [...]hers did; neither could he well any longer give to the Master of the School the Compliment of the Hat, as he was used to do: This I had from his own Mouth. One may easily guess that hereby he was brought into a Streight: But Margaret Fell, seeing that he long [...]d to be freed from the School, caus'd him to stay at home, where he was em­ploy'd by h [...] in Writing, and teaching her Children. And when he was about seventeen Years of Age,About 17, is more strength­ened for Spiri­tual Warfare; visits Places of publick Worship and Markets, where he warns to re­pent; but is buffeted and beaten. he became more and more strengthen­ed in the spiritual Warfare, and his Heart was fill'd with Joy, because of the Mercy and Loving Kindness of the Lord to him. Thus advan­cing in Godliness, he was frequently moved to go to the Places of pub­lick Worship, and also to Markets, to warn People to Repentance; but then beating and buffeting was his Share, and because of his Youth he was despised by many; yet he fainted not: And esteeming it his Duty now to labour in the Ministry of the Gospel, he desir'd to be discharg'd of his Service. Judge Fell was very unwilling to part with him; but Margaret his Wife, tho' she could not well give him up before, yet be­lieving that the Lord required his Service,And entring on the Mini­stry, leaves Judge Fell's Family, tho' not willing to part with him. He then goes into Lancash. Yorksh. Dar­by-sh. War­wicksh. Nor­folk. & Wel­lingborough in Northamp­tonsh. then to Cambridge, and again to Norwich. & so to London. not only freely refin [...]d him, but also prevailed with her Husband to let him go: For he did not de­sire his Liberty to serve other Men, but to enter into the Service of the Lord, and to proclaim the everlasting Gospel.

About the End of the Year 1654, being eighteen Years of Age, he took his Leave of that Family, which was not done without mutual shedding of Tears at parting. He then went to visit his Friends in Lan­cashire, Yorkshire, Darbyshire, and Warwickshire; from thence to Norwich in Norfolk, and so to Willingborough in Northamptonshire, where he found an Opportunity to declare the Truth of God in the Steeple-house. Af­ter that, he travelled to Cambridge, visiting his Friends there; and then returned to Norwich, where he visited his Friends in Prison, and had great Meetings in that City. Then he went to London, where he was very kindly received by those of the Houshold of Faith. And on a First-Day of the Week was at two Steeple-houses, at one of which he had large Liberty to speak, being indeed perswasive in Speech; and in the Afternoon at a Meeting of Dissenters from the publick Worship, he had Liberty to speak, and to publish Truth without Opposition or Con­tradiction from any; and many were added to the Faith: For at that Time there were Twelve ministring Brethren, most of them [...] out of the North of England, Travels with J. Stubs to Dover in Kent, where they visit the Steeple-house, and Baptist and Indepen­dent Places of worship where they have good Service. among whom was John Stubs, already men­tion'd, with whom he travelled into Kent, and coming to Dover, where they were altogether Strangers, not knowing any Body in the Town, they took their Lodging at an Inn. J. Stubs went on the First-Day of the Week to a Meeting of the Baptists, and W. Caton to the Stee­ple-house, where he had but little Liberty to speak; but in the Yard he had more Opportunity to clear his Conscience to the People. In the Afternoon he went up to the Castle, where the Independents perform'd their Worship. Shortly after he and J. Stubs went into the Baptists Meeting, unto which much People resorted, and many began to be af­fected with their Testimony, and adhered to it. This made such a Stir,But being for­bid Enter­tainment by the Magis­trates, are receiv'd and protected by L. Howard, a Shoemaker, that they were haled before the Magistrates, who examined them, and ordered that none should entertain them on a certain Penalty; whereupon they were turned out ot their Lodging. But one Luke Howard, a Shoemaker, who had already heard W. Caton at London, and afterwards at Dover, in the Steeple-house-yard, tho' he little regarded him at London, but said to his Companion, I know more than he can tell me, or more than either I, or he is able to live up to; yet now he[Page 101] became so affected with W. Caton's Testimony, that he invited him and J. Stubs to his House,who then [...] with them in Pro­fess [...]on, and lets his House be their Meet­ing-Place. where he entertain'd them; and not long after they had a Meeting there; and he heard the Testimony of his Guests with no less Satisfaction than Agrippa of old did the Speech of the Apo­stle Paul, when he said to him, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian: For Luke Howard was not yet come so far, that he could resolve to con­form himself with the Quakers, so call'd; but yet, such was his Love to them, that when the Mayor of the Town sent four Constables to his House, with an Order to deliver them up, that so they might be carried out of the Town, he refused to do so, relying on his Right as a Freeman of the Corporation; and the Doors being shut, kept the Constables out of his House, and told them from the Shop-Win­dow, that the Mayor had no Lawful Authority to have these Men ha­led out of his House, and sent out of the Town; there being no Hue-and-Cry come after them. They staid yet some Days in his House, and he became so strengthened by their Ministry, that he joined with them in Profession, and also gave up his House to be a Meeting-place for their Friends.

Then W. Caton and J. Stubs departed the Town,From Dover they proceed to Foulstone, Hide, Rum­ney & Lidd. Here by their Ministry, and that of A. Rigg and T. Robinson, S. Fisher is con­vinc'd. and went to Foulstone, and from thence to Hide, in both which Places they found Opportunity to preach Truth.

After some Stay they went to Rumney, and also to Lidd. Here it was that Samuel Fisher, both by their Ministry, and by that of Ambrose Rigg, and Thomas Robinson, (who also now were gone forth in the Service of the Gospel) was convinced, and brought over to their Society. He was one trained up to Literature, and had studied diligently in the Uni­versity; and tho' he was but young then, yet of a pious Conversation, disliked many Ceremonies and Customs usual in the Schools. When he had finished his Course there,S. Fisher's Character. he was ordain'd a Priest of the Church; and a certain great Man took him to be his Chaplain; and afterwards he got a Living at Lidd, worth about two hundred Pounds a Year. But after having been thus employ'd some Time, he came to see that Infant-Baptism was an humane Institution, and to preach for Wages unlawful. To this, may be added, that Luke Howard, some Time before he knew the Quakers, so called, not being satisfied concerning the singing of Da­vid's Psalms at the publick Worship, so troubled his Master that he had been Apprentice with, that he got Samuel Fisher, as a learned Minister, to come and discourse with him, and to try to convince him: And S. Fisher talking with him, L. Howard, told him, That God was a Spirit, and must be worshiped in Spirit and Truth, of all those that would worship him acceptably. And also, ‘That it was contrary to Truth for a proud Man to sing, He was not puft in Mind, he had no scornful Eye, and he did not exercise himself in Things that were too high; when he lived in Pride, wherein God beheld him afar off. And farther, that it was very unbecoming for such an one to sing, Rivers of Tears run down mine Eyes, because other Men keep not thy Laws, when he never knew a true Sorrow and Repent­ance for his own Sins.’ This Reason of Howard's against the custo­mary Singing in their Worship, had so much Influence upon S. Fisher, that from that Time he was stop'd from any more giving David's Con­ditions to the People to sing: And becoming in Time more and more uneasy to go on in acting what was burthensome to his Conscience, he re­solved to desist from his Ministry, and so went to the Bishop, and deli­ver'd up the Commission that he had received from him to preach: And tasting himself upon God's Providence, he took a Farm, and turned Grasier, by which Means he maintain'd his Wife and Children much better to his Content than before.

[Page 102]Departing thus from the Episcopalian Church, he went over to the Baptists, and became a Zealous Teacher among them. It was about this Time that W. Caton and J. Stubs came to Lidd, whom S. Fisher received into his House, remembring that Scripture Exhortation, Be not forgetful to entertain Strangers, for many thereby have entertained Angels unawares. W. Caton now went to the Meeting of the Independents, and Stubs to that of the Bap­tists, where Fisher then preached; and J. Stubs having got Opportunity to speak, declared Truth so plainly, than S. Fisher being very much affected with it, began to paraphrase upon it with Excellency of Speech. W. Caton and J. Stubs departing this Place, went to another Town in this County, but not long after returning to Lidd they found S. Fisher in Fel­lowship with themselves; for it happened that his Fellow-Teacher George Hammond, in his Sermon, so violently inveighed against those cal­led Quakers, that S. Fisher could not be satisfied until he stood up in the same Meeting, and bore a publick Testimony against the Revisings of Hammond, saying to him, Dear Brother, You are very dear and near to me, but the Truth is nearer and dearer: It is the everlasting Truth and Gospel which they hold forth: And speaking more Words to that Effect, he openly de­fended the Doctrine of the reviled Quakers. This so vexed Hammond, that falling into a greater Rage, he said, Our Brother Fisher is also bewitch­ed. But Fisher render'd not Reviling for Reviling, but continued witn Pa­tience in the Faith. This was he who afterwards writ a Book, called Rusticus ad Academicos, wherein he often encountred the Priests with their own Weapons;W. Caton amp; J. Stubs go from Lidd to Ashford, Ten­terden, Cran­brook, and Staplehurst, finding People open and ten­der. for he was very dextrous at that, and so well versed in the Ancient Poets, that he sometimes with their Words gave home-Blows to his Adversaries, allowing himself sometimes the Freedom of the Pro­phet Elijah against the Prophets or Baal: He writ also a Paper in Hebrew to the Jews, in which Language he was well skilled. But before I say more of him, I return to W Caton and J. Stubs. They went from Lidd to Ashford, Tenterden, Cranbrook, and Staple-hurst, where they found an open and tender hearted People who embraced their Doctrine; and some would have given them Money, nay even have forced it upon them, yet they would not take any; but as they had freely received, so they freely gave; telling People, It was not theirs, but them, which they sought. Thence they travelled to Maidstone, But at Maid­stone are sent to the House of Correction, ri­fled, stript, set in the Stocks, and so whipt despe­rately. where J. Stubs went to the publick Place of Worship, and W. Caton to the Meeting of the Independents: J. Stubs was taken at the Steeple-House, and W. Caton, the Day following, from his Inn, and were both sent to the House of Correction, where they were searched, and their Money, Inkhorns, and Bibles, &c. taken from them. Afterwards they were stripped, and their Necks and Arms put in the Stocks, and in that Condition were desperately whipped. A hard Encounter indeed! especially for such a young Man as W. Caton was: But they were supported by an invisible Hand. Afterwards Means were used to compel them to work; and it was told them, He that would not work, should not eat. But they were not free to consent thereto, because they esteem'd this Demand unjust, being not guilty of the Breach of any Law. Thus they were kept without Victuals for some Days; only a little Water once a Day was allowed them. In the mean while, the Malefactors that were there, would have given them of their Bread; yea, the Women of the House, being moved with Compassion, would have given them someting privately; but they were not free to accept of either. Now the Report of this Cruelty being spread in the Town, many began to be offended at it; so that an Officer was sent to make Re­stitution of some of their Things, which had been taken from them, and then they bought Victuals with their own Money. Not long after [Page 103] [...]ey were parted,1655 and with Officers conveyed out of the Town, one at the one End of it, and t'other at the other.Afterwards being parted, are convey'd out at each End of the Town, but meet again at London; and it came upon them to return to Maidstone, where, thro' Providence, none meddled with them. At length W. Caton came to London, where he found his Companion J. Stubs: But being there, it came upon them to return to the Town from whence they came, which was no small Tryal to them; but yet they resigned and gave up to what they believed to be the Will of the Lord: Now Providence so ordered it, that none meddled with them, tho' they, to be more fully seen, went on a First-Day of the Week to the Steeple-house. They went also to Canterbury, where, at the Meetings of the Baptists and Independents, they had pretty good Liberty to declare the Truth amongst them; and some being convinced of it, received their Testimony. They were likewise at Sandwich, where W. Caton had some Service among the Dutch Peo­ple at their Steeple-house. It was now nigh Mid-Summer, when he felt a Motion to go over to Calais in France; Declar'd Truth then to the Baptists & Independents at Canterbu­ry, and W. Caton to the Dutch Con­gregation at Sandwich. for that End he went to Dover, and so to Calais; where coming to their high Place of Worship, his Spirit was very much grieved and burthened with the great Idolatry in Vogue there; for he saw how some were worshipping before their dumb Idols, and he could not well ease his Spirit for Want of the Language. Having some Time walked about in the Town, he came to be known to some of the Chief of the City, who desiring to speak with him, some of them came down in Person to the Key, to look for him; and understanding he was aboard,W. Caton goes to Dover and thence to Calais [...] France, where having clear'd his Conscience, he is suffer'd to depart qui­etly, and re­turning to England find [...] J. Stubs at Dover. he was called ashore, and con­veyed to a large House, where several of the great Ones were come to see and hear him: so that he had a very good Opportunity to declare the Truth among them, there being a Scotch Lord who interpreted for him. And after he had cleared his Conscience, they suffered him to depart quietly. Soon after he returned for England; and found his Com­panion J. Stubs at Dover; and it being upon him to go for Holland; W. Caton was made free to accompany him. With this Intent they went together to Yarmouth, but could not find Passage there for Holland; and so they passed farther to the North; and coming to Swarthmore, W. Caton found his Friends very glad to see him, especially Margaret Fell, who had been as a nursing Mother to him.Both intend­ing for Hol­land, but find­ing no Pas­sage, come to Swarthmore, thence to Shields where was a Ship bound for Flanders, but not inclining thither, come again to Yar­mouth, and thence pass to Flushing in Zealand. After some Stay there, having been abundantly re [...]re [...]ed, they went to Shields, where they heard of a Ship bound for Flanders; but having little Inclination to go thi­ther, came soon after to Yarmouth, where they found a Ship intended for Flushing; in Zealand. With this Vessel they went over, and arrived safely at the said Town. And on the First-Day of the Week; they went to the Congregation of the English and Scotch, where many won­dred at them because of their Nonconformity; and after they began to speak, there are arose a great Stir, so that they were soon hurried out. The same Day they went to Middleburgh, whither being come before the Afternoon's Worship was ended, one of them began to speak after the Priest had done: But he stopt him presently, thinking at first they were such as came thither begging; but perceiving the contrary, he and others were the more violent. After that, he sent for them to his House, and reasoned a while with them;There visit the English and Scotch Con­gregation, but are hurried out. but he being of a lofty Mind, they found but slight Entertainment there. After a short Stay in Town, they embarked themselves for Rotterdam in Holland; where being come, when they had been some few Days in the City, they got a Meeting at an English Merchant's House: But he that interpreted for them, not ren­dering their Words truly,And then go to Middleburg, but are slight­ly entertain'd. Then [...]e go to Rotterdam in Holland, it seem'd not to satisfy the Hearers. After some Time they returned for Zealand, and from thence again to England; where being arriv'd, W. Caton journied to Swarthmore, and was received there with Joy; and having some Drawings to Scotland, he went to Bishoprick, where he found his Companion J. Stubs again, with whom [Page 104] he travelled towards Scotland. where the [...] got a Meeting at an English Merchant's, but had not desir'd Suc­cess for Want of a good In­terpreter, and so in a little Time return to England. W. Caton goes to Swarth­more, then to Bishoprick, where he found J. Stubs, with whom he tra­vels to Her­wick. Where W. Caton vi­sits the Pub­lick, and J. Stubs the Baptists As­sembly. Then both go to E­dinburgh in Scotland to a Meeting at W. Osburn's, formerly a Lieut Col. but then a publick Friend and edify the Church. W. Caton visits the chief Stee­ple house, is heard by Gen. Monk with Moderation, and returns to England. It was about the Beginning of the Month call [...]d December, when they came to Berwick upon Tweed, where W. Caton went into the great publick Assembly, and when the Priest had done, he stept upon a Seat, and beginning to speak, none seemed to make such Haste to get away, as the Priest; in the mean while W. Caton spoke with great [...]oldness, and had pretty good Liberty to declare the Truth. But when he had done, he was taken hold of, and brought before the Magistrates, who order'd that he should be turned out of the Town; which was done. J. Stubs was that Day in a Meeting of the Baptists, and had some Service there. Not long after, W. Caton, who wandring up and down, could not well get any Lodging for his Money, return­ed, and came into the Town again, the Guard suffering him very freely to pass; and then they both travelled to Edinburgh in Scotland, where they found Things somewhat out of Order, thro' the Unfaithfulness of some that were convinced of the Truth: But their Ministry was so effectual among them, that they were brought into better Order again; and so they edify'd the Church according to their Ability, the Meet­ing being kept at the House of William Osburn, who had been a Lieu­tenant Colonel, and afterwards became a zealous Minister among the Flock there. While W. Caton was there, he went once to the chief Steeple-house, where, after the Priest had done, he spoke to the Peo­ple; but the Multitude combining, he was not suffer'd to say much, but was carried out, and coming into the Street, there was a Guard of Sol­diers, who conducted him with dra [...]n Swords to the Place where he desired to be. He was about that Time also with General Monk, who behaved himself moderately, and heard him. J. Stubs now returning to England, W. Caton went to Sterling, where being carried to the Governor, he was at first high, but when W. Caton, who was a Man of a meek behaviour, had spoke a little to him, he became cool and sedate. He then went to the English Chaplain's House, who was kind to him. From Edinburgh he went to Glascow, where going into the Great Cathedral, after the Service was done, he had some Liberty to speak to the Multi­tude in the Yard, the rude People being kept under by the English Sol­diers, who were moderate, so that he had very good Service there. He also went to Dowglas, where his Service was no less, both in the Steeple-house and elsewhere: So that having cleared himself in Scot­land, he returned to England, and came again to Swarthmore, where he was receiv'd as formerly, in very great Love.

Leaving him there,W. Caton goes to Glas­cow, and has good Service in the Yard of the Cathedral and after­wards at Dowglass, & then comes a­gain to Swarthmore in England. G. Fox from Bedfordshire goes by Lon­don to Rum­ney in Kent, where were also S. Fisher and his Wife; many are there convin­ced. I turn again to G. Fox, whom we left in Bedford­shire. From thence he went by London to Kent, and came to Rumney, not long after W. Caton and J. Stubs had been there. Here he had a very large Meeting, whither Samuel Fisher also came, and there was a great Convincement that Day, so that many were turned to the Light of Christ: And after the Meeting, S. Fisher's Wife said, Now we may discern betwixt Flesh and Spirit, and distinguish Spiritual Teaching, from Fleshly.

From hence G. Fox went to Dover and Canterbury, and farther into Sussex, and so to Reading, where they had a great Meeting, and many were convinced that Day. There came also George Bishop of Bristol, who being a Captain, then wore a Sword, tho' in Time he entirely left it off. G. Fox going from hence, passed up to London, where leav­ing him for some Time, we will go and behold the Life and Occur­rences of James Parnel.

This young Man being born at Retford in Nottinghamshire, and train'd up in the Schools of Literature, laboured very early in the Ministry of the Gospel, having been convinc'd by G. Fox, when not quite sixteen Years of Age; and then embrac'd the Truth, tho' for that Reason de­spised [Page 105]and rejected by his Relations. He was (tho' of low Stature) en­dued with great Ability, and did not fear, where-ever he came, to call People to Repentance.From thence to Dover, Canterbury, Sussex, and Reading. Being imprisoned at Cambridge for his zealous Testimony, and afterward turned out of Town like a Vagabond, he soon came back, and disputed with the Scholars of the University; but met with rude and bad Entertainment from them. In the Beginning of this Year he came into Essex, There came also Captain George Bish­op of Bristol with a Sword, which in Time he left off en­tirely. being then about eighteen Years of Age, and preached the Gospel in several Parts of that County, as Felsted, Stebben, Witham, Coggeshal, Halstead, and other Places, and many received the Word by his Ministry. About the Middle of the Summer he came to Colches­ter, and the [...]e preached the Gospel on a First-Day of the Week in a Steeple-house, after the Sermon; then in a great Meeting appointed on Purpose, and after that disputed with the Town-Lecturer, and another Priest,An Account of J. Parnel. By whom Ste­phen Crisp is convinced. in the French School, all in one Day; so that many were con­vinced of the Truth preached by him; and among these also Stephen Crisp, of whom more will be said hereafter. J. Parnel spent that Week in the said Town, in Preaching, Exhorting, and Disputing, to the con­vincing of many; tho' others were inraged, insomuch that his godly Zeal was often rewarded with Blows; as once coming out of Nicholas Steeple-house, he was struck by one with a great Staff, who said, There, take that for Christ's sake. To which he meekly answer'd, Friend, I do receive it for Jesus Christ's Sake. Many other grievous Affronts he bore, without shewing any Heat or Anger; so that he was a real Pattern of Patience and Meekness. Having labour'd in the Gospel about ten Days in Colchester, he went to Coggeshal, where a Fast was proclaim'd, to be held upon the 12th of the Month call'd July, to pray against the Errors of the People call'd Quakers. J. Parnel being come thither, went into the Steeple-house, where he stood still, till the Priest was coming out of the Pulpit. Now since this Priestmdash;Sammes, who was an Independent, had cried out fiercely against the Quakers, as Deceivers, J. Parnel esteem'd it his Duty to say something to that; and the first Words he spoke were, This is the Order of the true Church, that all may speak one by one; and if any Thing be revealed to him that stands by, let the first hold his Peace. Then he spoke on in the Behalf of those call [...]d Quakers: But the Priest interrupting him, ask'd, What he would object against him? To which J. Par­nel answer'd, In that he reviled the People called Quakers, and said they were built upon a sandy Foundation, and so call'd them Shakers. But, said he, I [...]ll prove their Foundation not to be sandy, and thee to be a false Prophet. Af­ter some more Words spoken by him, some accused him, That he owned no Church: To which he said, It was false. Then it was ask'd him, What Church he owned? And he answered, The Church in God. Then Priest Willis stood up, and said, He spoke nothing but Nonsense. Parnel bad him Name one Word which he had spoken that was Nonsense. At which Willis said, To say, The Church in God. Then Parnel took out his Bible, and read 1 Thes. i. 1. where the Apostle writes to the Church, which is in God the Fa­ther. The Priest was now at a Loss, and Parnel told him, That he blasphem­ed in saying, the Church in God was Nonsense. Then the Priest Stellum stood up, and accus'd Parnel with Lies and Slanders, and not suffering him to clear himself from those Accusations, he got up into the Pulpit, and began to pray: But Parnel not taking off his Hat, the Magistrates call'd to him, to put it off. To which he returned, Order the Priest to put off his Cap; and farther said, Before he should be subject to their Wills, he would ra­ther pass out of the Meeting-place; and so went out. Not long after, Justice Dionysius Wakering followed him, and struck him with his Hand upon his Back, saying, He arrested him in the Name of the Lord Protector. Parnel not knowing him to be a Magistrate, ask'd him, Where his Writ was. Wake­ring [Page 106]said, He had one; but he shewed none. Then Parnel was hurried into a House, and some of his Friends engaged, that he should be forth-coming when their Worship was done. And accordingly he appeared where four Justices, and six or seven Priests were met together. Then Justice Wa­kering pull'd his Hat off his Head, and threw it away; and they que­stion'd him concerning many Things; all which he answer'd, with ma­ny frivilous Questions ask'd to ensnare him. At last he was committed to the common Jail at Colchester, where none of his Friends were suffered to come to him. The Time of the Sessions at Chelmsford being come, he, with several Felons and Murderers was fastned to a Chain, and thus led about eighteen Miles thro' the Country, remaining chain'd both Night and Day. Being then brought into the Court before Judge Hills, the Jailor took off his Hat, and cast it upon the Floor. Then the Clerk read his Indictment, and asked him, If he was guilty? To which he said, That he denied all Guilt; and he called for his Accusers. The Judge then said, he might see them; and that he ought to say, Guilty or not Guilty. On which Parnel told him, He was not Guilty. Then a Jury of twelve Men was call'd; their Foreman was a Drunkard: Priest Willis was also call'd, who swore against him, and so did two Justices; one of their Men swearing, That they would speak nothing against him but the Truth. The Accusations were, That in a riotous Manner he did enter into the Parish Church at Great Coggeshall; that he there did stand up, and told the Minister, he blasphemed, and spoke falsly, using many other reproachful Words against him: And that he could not give a good Account where he was last settled, or of his Life and Conversation, appearing to be an idle Person. He was also accused with Contempt of the Magistracy and of the Ministry. To this he answer'd, That he no Ways in a riotous Manner enter'd the Steeple-house, but came thither quietly, and alone: For being followed by several Boys that would have come in after him, he bad them go in before, rather than to go in disorderly, whereby to occasion any Disturbance. That he had said to Priest Willis, He blasphemed, by saying, The Church in God was Non­sense, he denied not; but did not own himself to be a Vagabond and idle Person. And he did not think it indecent, to call an unjust Judge, unrigh­teous; a Persecutor, Persecutor; and a Deceiver, Deceiver. Thus Parnel pleaded his Cause. Yet the Judge said to the Jury, That if they did not find him Guilty, the Sin would lie upon their Heads; thus condemning the Prisoner before the Jury were entered into Deliberation. Then J. Parnel began to speak, to inform them concerning his Cause, but the Judge would not suffer him, tho' one of the Jury desired it. After Consultation, the Jury had nothing to lay to his Charge, but a Paper in which he had answered the Mittimus, tho' he had already owned this Paper to be his Writing. But in that they were at a Loss, because in the Indictment he was accused of a Riot: Yet the Judge and the Clerk strove to draw some Words from the Foreman, which the other Jury­men did not consent to, and he himself was unwilling to answer fully to their Questions. Then J. Parnel was made to withdraw; and being call'd in again, the Judge fined him to the Value of about For­ty Pounds, for Contempt of the Magistracy and Ministry; for he said, The Lord Protector had charged him to punish such Persons as should contemn ei­ther Magistracy or Ministry. Hereupon J. Parnel was carried back again to the Prison, being an old ruinous Castle, built as 'tis reported, in the Time of the ancient Romans: Here he was to be kept until the Fine should be paid; and the Jailor was commanded, not to let any giddy-head­ed People, (by which Denomination they meant his Friends) come at him. The Jailor was willing enough to comply with this Order, suffering none to come to him but such as abused him; and his Wife, who was a [Page 107] wicked Sh [...]ew, did not only let her Man to beat him, but several Times herself laid violent Hands on him and swore, She would have his Blood: She also set other Prisoners take away the Victuals brought to him by his Friends; and would not let him have a Trundle-Bed, which they would have brought him to lie on, so that he was forced to lie on the cold and damp Stones. Afterwards he was put into the Hole in the Wall, a Room much like to a Baker's Oven; for the Walls of that Building, which is indeed a direful Nest, are of an excessive Thickness, as I have seen my self, having been in the Hole where this pious young Man ended his Days, as will be said by-and-by. Being con­fin [...]d in the said Hole, which was, as I remember, about twelve Foot high from the Ground, and the Ladder too short by six Foot; he must climb up and down by a Rope on a broken Wall, which he was forced to do to fetch his Victuals, or for other Necessities, For tho his Friends would have given him a Cord and a Basket to draw up his Victuals in, yet such was the Malice of his Keepers, that they would not suffer this. Continuing in this moist Hole, his Limbs grew benumbed; and thus it once happened, that as he was climbing up the Ladder, with his Victu­als in one Hand, and come to the Top thereof, catching at the Rope with his other, he missed the same, and fell down upon the Stones, where­by he was exceedingly wounded in his Head, and his Body so bruised, that he was taken up for dead. Then they put him into a Hole under­neath the other; for there were two Rows of such vaulted Holes in the Wall. This Hole was called the Oven, and so little, that some Ba­kers Ovens have been bigger, tho' not so High. Here (the Door be­ing shut) was scarcely any Air, there being no Window or Hole. And after he was a little recovered from his Fall, they would not suffer him to take the Air, tho' he was almost spent for want of Breath: And tho' some of his Friends, viz. William Talcot, and Edward Grant, did offer their Bond of 40 l. to the Justice, Henry Barrington, and another, whose Name was Thomas Shortland, to lie Body for Body, that Parnel might but have Liberty to come to W. Talcot's House, and return, when reco­ver [...]d; yet this was denied; nay, so immoveably were they set against him, that when it was desired that he might only walk a little sometimes in the Yard, they would not grant it by any Means: And once the Door of the Hole being open, and he coming forth, and walking in a narrow Yard between two high Walls, so incensed the Jailor, that he lock'd up the Hole, and shut him out in the Yard all Night, being in the coldest Time of the Winter. This hard Imprisonment did so weaken him, that after ten or eleven Months he fell sick, and died. At his De­parture there were with him Thomas Shortland, T. Shortland and A. Lang­ley are with J. Parnel at his Death in a Hole in Col­chester-Cas­tle. and Ann Langley: And it was one of these (that came often to him) who long after brought me into this Hole where he died. Several Things which are related here, I had from the Mouth of Eye-Witnesses, who lived in that Town. When Death approached, he said, Here I die innocently. A little after he was heard to say, Now I must go: And turning his Head to Thomas, he said, This Death must I die, Thomas I have seen great Things: Don't hold me, but let me go. Then he said again, Will you hold me? To which Ann an­swer'd, No, dear Heart, we will not hold thee. He had often said, That one Hour [...]s Sleep would cure him of all: And the last Words he was heard to say, were, Now I go; and then stretch'd out himself, and slept about an Hour, and breathed his last. Thus this valiant Soldier of the Lamb conquer'd thro' Sufferings: And so great was the Malice and Envy of his Persecutors, that to cover their Guilt and Shame they spread among the People, That by immoderate Fasting, and afterwards with [...] greedy Eating, he had shortned his Days. But this was a wicked [Page 108]Lie; for tho' it be true that he had no Appetite to eat some Days before he fell sick, yet when he began to eat again, he took nothing but a little Milk, as was declared by credible Witnesses. During his Imprisonment he writ several edifying Epistles to his Friends.

By continuing this Relation without breaking off,E. Burrough and F. How­gil undisturb­ed at Dublin in Ireland. H. Cromwel then Lord De­ [...]uty. I am advanced some­what as to Time; but going back a little, let [...]s see the Transactions of Edward Burrough and Francis Howgil. It was in the Year 1655, that they went together to Ireland, where they came in the Summer, and sta [...]d more than six Months, having spent at Dublin about three Months, without being disturbed, tho' they omitted no Opportunity to declare the Doctrine of Truth. Henry Cromwel, Son of the Protector, was at that Time Lord Deputy of Ireland; and it was in his Name that they were carried from Cork, (whither they were gone) to Dublin; for since several received their Testimony, and adhered to the Doctrine they preached, it was resolved upon, not to let them stay any longer in Ireland. W. Ames a Baptist Teacher and strict Milita­ry Officer con­vinc'd be­comes a Mi­nister among Friends, and [...]s cast into Prison. Here it was, as I have been told, that William Ames, by their Ministry, was brought over into the Society of the Quakers, so called. He was a Baptist Teacher, and also a Military Officer, who being of a strict Life himself, kept his Soldiers under a severe Discipline. I remember how he used to te [...]l us, that when any Soldier under his Colours had been guilty of any Immorality on a First-Day of the Week, he presently had him bound Neck and Heels. But being now entred into the Society o [...] the despised Quakers, and in Process of Time be­coming a Minister among them, it was not long before he was cast in­to Prison;E. Burrough and F. How­gil banish'd Ireland and the Day they left it. B. Blaugdon ar­rives there safe after dreadful Storm at Sea. of whom more may be said hereafter. Now E. Burrough and F. Howgil were banished out of Ireland; but on the same Day that they were sent away, Barbara Blaugdon arrived there. She went from England in a Vessel bound for Cork, but by foul Weather carried to Dublin. When the Tempest was high, the Seamen said that she being a Quaker was the Cause of it, and they conspired to cast her over-board. Aware of this Plot, she told the Master what his Men designed to do, and said That if he did suffer this, her Blood would be required at his Hands: So he char­ged them not to meddle with her. The Storm continuing, and it being a First-Day of the Week, she went upon the Deck, feeling her self moved to speak to the Seamen by way of Exhortation, and to pray for them; for their Priest, afraid like the rest, could not say any Thing among them. Having spoke what was upon her, she concluded with Prayer; and all the Ship [...]s Crew was very quiet and sedate, saying, They were more beholden to her than to their Priest, because she prayed for them; and he for Fear could not open his Mouth to speak. At leng [...]h they arrived safe at Dublin, without Damage, which indeed was strange, and made the Master say, That he was never in such a Storm without receiving any Loss. Barbara going a-shore, went to the House of the Deputy; but the People told her, There was for her no speaking with him; for she might know, that he had banisht two of her Friends out of the Nation the Day before. Then she met with the Secretary, and desired him to help her to speak with the Deputy. He answered, That he did not think he could. Then she told him, That if he would be so civil, as to go up and tell the Deputy, that there was a Woman below that would speak with him; if he refused, she was an­swered. So the Secretary went up; and there came a Man to fetch her into the Withdrawing Room; and after she had been there a while, a Person came out of the Deputy's Chamber, and all that accompanied him, stood bare-headed (for they knew she never saw the Deputy) but she had a Sense it was a Priest, who shew [...]d himself covered to deceive her: And the Room being almost full of People, they ask'd her, Why she did not do her Message to their Lord. To which she answered, When [Page 109]see your Lord, then I shall do my Message to him. A little after the Depu­ty came forth,Barbara, af­ter an At­tempt to im­pose on her, speaks with the Deputy, wh [...] is very much affected with her Mes­sage. and sate down on a Couch: She then stood up, and speaking to him what was upon her Mind, bad him, Beware that he was not found fighting against God, in opposing the Truth, and persecuting the In­nocent; but, like wise Gamaliel, to let them alone; for if it was of God, it would stand; but if of Man, it would fall. Farther, that the Enmity did not lie so much in himself, but he was stirred up to it by evil Magistrates, and bad Priests; and that God's People were as dear to him now, as ever; and they that touch'd them, touch [...]d the Apple of his Eye. In the mean while, in his Name, and by his Power, there was much Hurt done to the Peo­ple of God, all over the Nation, and it would at last lie heavy upon him. Moreover, that the Teachers of the People did cause them to err, and that he knew the Priests Condition. She touching upon that, the Deputy said to the Priest that stood by,Priest Harri­son assents to the Truth of her Testimo­ny, [...] whom she speaks al­so. There [...]s for you, Mr. Harrison: And she spoke with such a Power, that it made the Deputy much concerned: And when she had done, he asked the Priest, What he had to say to that which she spoke? And he said, It was all very true, and very good, and he had no­thing to say against it, if she did speak as she meant. Then she told the Priest, That the Spirit of God was true, and did speak as it meant, and meant as it spoke; but that Men of corrupt Minds did pervert the Scriptures, by putting their own Imaginations and Conceivings upon it, and so did deceive the People: But the Holy Men of God wrote and gave forth the Scriptures as they were inspired of the Holy Ghost; and that they were of no private Interpretation; and could not be understood but by the same Spirit that gave them forth. After having thus spoken, she went away and returned to her Lodging, which was at one Captain Rich's House, who coming home, said, That the Deputy was so sad and melancholy, after she had been with him, that he could not go to Bowls, or to any other Pastime. Barbara having now performed her Service at Dublin, Goes then to Cork, is im­prison'd in se­veral Places, many former Acquaint­ance afraid of her turn'd out of Doors, and goes home to Bristol. went to Cork, where she had some Relations and Ac­quaintance; but great were her Sufferings there-about; for she was imprisoned almost wherever she came, being moved to follow those of her Acquaintance into several Steeple-Houses; yet where-ever her Mouth was opened, there was some that received her Testimony. Once she was made to speak in a Market-place, where a Butcher swore he would cleave her Head, and having li [...]ted up his Cleaver to do it, there came a Woman behind him, and catching his Arms, stopt him, till the Soldiers came and rescu'd Barbara. Many of her Acquaintance, with whom she formerly had been very conversant, were now afraid of her; for sometimes she spoke so awfully to them in their Houses, that it made them tremble; and some said, she was a Witch; and running away,Returns for Ireland in a Ship which foundred near Dungarvan, but she is won­derfully pre­served. their Servants turned her out of Doors. After having been there some Time, she returned home to Bristol. But it was not very long ere she was moved to go to Ireland again; and being come near Dungarvan, the Ship foundred near the Shore: The Master and the Passengers got into the Boat, save one Man and a Woman, who were cast away; and Barbara, who was still in the Cabbin, was almost stilled by Waves that beat in upon her; yet at length she got upon the Deck. The Master in the mean while being come ashore, called to her, that if she would leap down, he and another would venture to come into the Water to save her. Accordingly they came up to their Necks; and she leaping down, they caught her;Comes to Dub­lin, exhorts the Judges in Court for which she suf­fers severe Imprison­ment. but being entangled in the Ropes in leaping down, she was drawn from them again: But presently a Wave came rowling, and beat the Ship outward, which was their Preservation; for if it had beaten inward it might have kill'd them all three; she was thus caught again, and drawn to Shore. Then she went to Dublin, where coming into the Court of Justice, she spoke to the Judges; and exhorted them [Page 110] to Righteousness. But this was taken so ill, that she was put into Pri­son, where she lay upon S [...]raw on the Ground; and when it rained, the Wet and Filth of the House of Office ran in under her. Being ar­raign [...]d at the Bar, she was required to plead, Guilty or not Guilty. She answer'd, That there was no Guilt upon any one [...]s Conscience for what was done in Obedience to the Lord God. But she not answering in that Form of Words they bid her, was sent back to Prison again, where she suffered much. In the mean while there happened a singular Instance, which I can't pass by with Silence.

At that Time there was in Prison an Innkeeper,A strange Ac­count of a Murder. with his Family, be­ing accus'd of a Murder: Now the Brother of him that was either murder'd, or lost, could not enjoy some Land, except he could prove that his Brother was dead, and in Order thereto, he brought a Fellow into the Prison, who said, He would prove that the Man was killed at such an Inn, and buried under a Wall: And he accused the Inn-keeper and his Wife, and their Man and Maid, and a Smith to be guilty of this Mur­der; they being already in Prison. Barbara having heard of this, found Means to go to this desperate Fellow; and ask'd him, How he could conceal this Murder so long, when he was, according to Law, as guilty of it as any of them, if what he said were-true. At this Question he trembled so exceed [...]ngly, that his Knees struck one against another, and he con­fess [...]d, That he never before saw the said People with his Eyes, nor ever was at the Place in his Life, nor knew any Thing of it, but only he was drawn in by the Man that was to have the Land, and was persuaded to witness the Fact. Other Prisoners heard this Confession also; and Barbara sent to the Deputy, desiring him to send down his Priest, that he might hear the said Con­fession. The Priest came, and the Fellow confess'd the same to him as he had done to Barbara, and he once also confess [...]d the same before the Judge. But afterwards he eat his Words; for the Man that had indu­ced him, came every Day, and made him drink plentifully, and also caus [...]d the Jailor to lock up Barbara, that she might not come to him. Then she wrote to the Inn-keeper, and his Wife and Man, and also to Judge Pepes, and told him, The Day of his Death did draw nigh, wherein he must give an Account of his Actions; and that therefore he ought to take Heed, that he did not condemn innocent People, having but one Witness, in whose Mouth so many Lies were found, the other all saying they were innocent. For all that, the Judge went on, and condemned all the Accused, and the Accuser also, as conscious to the Crime. Hereupon a Priest came to speak with the Maid that was condemned, and was in the same Prison with Barbara; but she would not see him, saying, Nay, he can do me no Good: I have done with Man for ever: But God, thou knowest that I am innocent of what they lay to my Charge. But however, they were all hang'd, and the Witness first, probably for Fear he should have made another Confes­sion after he had seen the others hang'd.

Now some Friends of Barbara, viz. Sir William King, Colonel Fare, and the Lady Brown, hearing she was in Prison, came to see her, and afterward went to the afore-mentioned Judge, to get her released: But when they came to him, he told them, That he was afraid of his Life. At which they laughed, and said, They had known her from a Child, and there was no Harm in her at all. And being all very earnest to get her Liberty, they at last obtain'd it. Then she went to the Steeple-house, where this Judge was, and cleared her self of him. He being come home, went to Bed, and died that Night. The Noise of which sudden Death being spread, it made People say, that Barbara had been a true Prophetess unto him.

[Page 111]She now went to Limrick, where she was put into Prison; but after a while being released,Comes to Lim­rick, is impri­son'd and re­leas'd; and in her Return to England is robb'd by a Privateer. she took Shipping for England again; and at Sea was robbed of all that she had by a Privateer, who coming on Board, took the Master away, [...] he should pay them a Sum of Money for the Ship and Goods: But she came safe to England. She travelled at her own Charge, paying for what she had.

But leaving her, I'll return to Myles Halhead, who, as he was following the Plough in the Beginning of this Year, felt a Motion to go to Lon­don; taking York and Hull in his Way,M. Halhead goes thro' York, Hull, Lincolnshire, Leicestersh, to London, thence with T. Salthouse to Bristol, so to Exeter and Plymouth, where he is imprison'd. Writes to his Wife. and passing thence thro' Lincoln­shire, and Leicestershire, he came to the City of London, from whence, after some Stay, he went to Bristol with Thomas Salthouse, and so to Ex­eter and Plymouth, where he suffered much Persecution, and was im­prisoned. He writ about that Time a Letter to his Wife, which I think worth the while to insert here; and was as followeth,

[Page 112] 1655 This Year also he writ the following Epistle to his Fellow-Believers.

A chief Cause why he was imprisoned there,The Cause of his Imprison­ment, and of T. Salthouse his Fellow-Traveller. was, that Thomas Salt­house, with whom he travelled, (having heard that one George Brooks, a Priest belonging to the Nightingale Frigat, said, after the Declarations of M. Halhead and T. Salthouse at Plymouth, That it was the eternal Truth, which they had spoken, with many other Words in Vindication of what they said) told Brooks, That he had spoken many good Words and fair Speech­es; but ask'd him, Whether he liv'd the Life of what he spoke? Farther, He that entereth not by the Door, but climbeth up some other Way, is, as Christ said, a Thief and a Robber. For T. Salthouse thought, and that not with­out Reason, as will be shewn by-and-by, that he did not want the Praises of this Priest, that were not better than those of the Damsel possess'd with a Spirit of Divination, which she spoke concerning Paul and Silas, viz. These Men are the Servants of the Most High God, which shew unto us the Way of Salvation. Now what T. Salthouse had spoken to the Priest, was call'd provoking Language; the rather, because when the Priest was speaking of the Trinity, T. Salthouse had ask'd him, Where that [Page 113] Word was to be found in the Scriptures? Saying farther, I know no such Scrip­ture that speaks of the three Persons in the Trinity; but the Three that the Scripture speaks of, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, and these Three are One. From hence T. Salthouse, and M. Halhead were accu­sed as such that denied the Holy Three that are One. But because about this Accusation they were at a Loss in the Court, something else was thought of to ensnare them, viz. they were required to take the Oath of Abjuration of the Pope. This Oath the Mayor of Plymouth had al­ready tender'd them, when they were first apprehended; and they re­fusing to swear, were sent to Exeter Prison: And now being brought to Trial, and the said Oath required of them, they answered thus;

In the presence of the Eternal God, and before all this People, we do deny with as much Detestation as any of you doth, the Pope, and his Supremacy, and the Purgatory, and all that is in the Form of the Oath mention'd, we declare freely against [...] And we do not deny to swear, because of any Guilt that is up­on us, but in Obedience to the Command of Christ, who saith, Swear not at all: And we will not come under the Condemnation of an Oath, for the Liberty of the outward Man.

Thus refusing to swear, meerly not to trespass against the Command of our Saviour, they were sent back to Prison again, as such that clan­destinely adher'd to the Pope: And Use hath been made of this Snare during the Space of many Years, to vex the Quakers, so called. The next Day the Prisoners were brought again before the Bench, and were asked,

Will ye confess that you wronged G. Brooks in calling him Thief, and be sorry for it, and make him Satisfaction?

To this M. Halhead answered,

One of us did not speak one Word to him, and therefore I deny to make him Satisfaction, or to be sorry for it: And what was spoken, was no such Thing; therefore we will not lie for our Liberty, nor confess that we are sorry for that which we never spoke.

Then the Court fined them five Pounds a-piece;They are fined and sent to Bridewel. and they were to go to the House of Correction till Payment, and to find Sureties for their good Behaviour: And for refusing to take the Oath, the Court threatned to send into the North to seize on their Estates. So they were returned to Prison; and what follows was entred as the Record of their Proceedings.

July 10. 1655. Thomas Salthouse; and Myles Halhead, for provoking Words against G. Brooks, Clerk, who refused to be try'd by the Country, fined 5 l. a-piece, committed to Bridewel till Payment, and finding Sureties for their good Behaviour.

What is said here of refusing to be try'd by the Country, was a no­torious Untruth; and as to finding Sureties, that seemed of little Mo­ment; for tho' the giving of Security had been offer'd before when they were taken Prisoners, yet that was not accepted of; and the Mayor John Page, had the Boldness to assert, that they refused to give Security, as will appear by the Warrant by which he sent them to the common Jail in Exeter, whereof the following is a true Copy.

By this may be seen under what frivolous Pretences those call'd Quakers were imprison [...]d,Pretences for their Impri­sonment groundless. viz. because of an Ordinance made against Duels, &c. and as for their having refused to give Security, how untrue this was, as well as other Accusations, may appear from the following Certificate.

Now to what a Heighth of Confidence the aforesaid Mayor Page was come, in saying, That Thomas Salthouse and Myles Halhead had refused to give Bail, nay, that this was the Cause of their Confinement, may also appear from the following Letter he writ to General Disbrow, to ex­cuse his Proceedings against them.

That General Disbrow was but little satisfied with this Letter, seems not improbable, because enquiring into the Matter, he let others have a Copy of it, so that Thomas and Myles wrote an Answer to it; and it was also some Time after given out in publick Print at London, by Giles Calvert, with other Writings relating thereunto. Now as to what is said in this Letter of His Highness's Proclamation against Quakers, it was a gross Untruth; for in the Proclamation the Quakers were not named; but it was against the Disturbing of Christians in their Assemblies; and besides, the Quakers, so called, judged that their publick Worship was permitted them by the 37th Article of the Instrument of Government, which said, That all that profess Faith in God by Jesus Christ, shall not be re­strained from, but be protected in the Profession of the Faith, and Exercise of their Religion, &c. As concerning their Contempt of Authority, the Mayor charged them with, it was nothing else, but that for Conscience-sake they could not take off their Hats to the Magistrates; neither did they give that Honour to any other but God alone. And as to what was said, That all the While they were in Prison, they never sought God by Prayer, &c. This was no other Matter, than that they did not follow the Formal Way of Prayers; for they were indeed religious Men, who often prayed to God, and gave him Thanks, tho' they were represented in the Letter as very wicked Men, and Vagabonds that had left their Calling, and wander'd up and down the Country; altho' it was well known that they were honest Men, that travell'd on Horseback, and lying at the best inns [Page 116] on the Road, and paying for what they received there. And therefore after they had got a Copy of the said Letter, they writ a large Letter to the Mayor Page, and shewed him his abominable Untruths, and told him, that they had been moved several Times in Prison, as well as out of Prison, to go to Prayers, and to give Thanks for the Blessings of God, which they received. And in the Conclusion of their Letter, they signified, That they would not render Railing for Railing; but (said they) in the Spirit of Love and Meekness we exhort you all to repent, and fear to offend the Lord, &c.

Now as concerning the provoking Words against George Brooks, for which they had been fined, it hath been said already what they were; but this Brooks was of a dissolute Life, and a debauch [...]d Fellow, having for his Drunkenness not only been turned out of the Frigates in which he had served, but also once in the Ship Nightingale, ignominiously expos'd with a Quarter Can about his Neck, as appears by the following Testi­monies.

From such Evidences as these it appears,G. White­head, Rich. Clayton, and J. Harwood come to Pures in Suffolk, and are im­prison'd. that it was not without Rea­son that he and the like Priests sometimes were treated a little roughly. Now to return to M. Halhead; he continued Prisoner many Months, be­fore he was released. In the mean while it happened that George Whitehead, Richard Clayton and John Harwood, coming on the 30th of the Month call'd July to Bures in Suffolk, were imprisoned on this Occasion. R. Clayton had set up a Paper on the Steeple-house-Door, containing these Queries.

Whether by setting up such Ministers as seek for their Gain from their Quar­ters, such as the Prophet disapproves, Isa. lvi. II. Such as the Prophet Jere­miah disapproves, Jer. v. and of whom Mention is made also, Ezek. xxxiv. and Mic. iii. Such as are called of Men, Masters, loving the chiefest Places in the Assemblies; such as Christ disapproved, Matth. xxiii. Such as the Apostle Peter disapproves, 2 Pet. ii. and which the Apostle Paul disap­approved also, Phil. iii Or, when such were set up that would not suf­fer [Page 117] another to speak that stands by, when any Thing is revealed, but send him to Prison; whether this was not the setting up a persecuting Spirit, limiting the Spirit of God, and despising Prophecies, not daring to try all Things? Whether it was expedient to give to Scoffers, Scorners, Drunkards, Swearers, and Per­secutors, David's Conditions to sing? And if such were set up that took Tythes, tho' the Apostle said that the Priesthood was changed, and the Law also, Heb. vii. Whether by the setting of such, they did not set up such as did not labour in the Lord [...]s V [...]neyard?

This Paper being set up, People came to read it: G. Whitehead being there, and laying hold of this Opportunity, spoke a few Words to the People, and exhorted them to turn to the Lord from the Vanities and Wicked­nesses they lived in. And when G. Whitehead and his Fellow-Travellers were passing away, there came a Constable who staid them, and carried them before Harbert Pelham Justice of Peace. He asking several vain Questi­ons, and behaving himself rudely,Are bad be­fore Justice Pelham, who sends them to Justice Wal­grave at Smalbridge, and comes thither also. Clayton is or­dered to be whipt, and Whitehead and Harwood sent to Prison. G. Whitehead began to speak to him concerning his Rage: But Pelham said, He did not send for him to preach. And not being able to lay the Transgression of any Law to their Charge, he sent them, by the Constable, to Thomas Walgrave, Justice of Peace at Smalbridge in Suffolk. Being come into his House, Richard Clayton was first examined, of his Name, and Country, and where he had been. The same and some other frivolous Questions were asked of G. White­head. Then Walgrave ask'd John Harwood, If he would answer him all the Questions that he should demand of him: But J. Harwood refused to be limi­ted thus to his Will. Justice Pelham now being come thither also, J. Harwood told Justice Walgrave, that Pelham, who had before examined him, had his Examination in Writing. Then the two Justices con­sulted together what to do in the Case? and not long after Thomas Wal­grave asked G. Whitehead, if he would work at Hay? But he denied to be bound to such Task-Masters, as being in that Calling whereunto God had called him, and wherein he was chargeable to no Man. The Con­clusion of their Consultation was, that they caused R. Clayton to be whipt, under Pretence of having fastned a seditious Paper to the Stee­ple-house-Door; and the other two were imprisoned.

It was about this Time that William Dewsbury, W. Dewsbu­ry at Wel­ling borough call'd to by Priest An­drews, whom he visits at the Steeple-house, is kept in Prison half a Year, then brought to his Trial at Nor­thampton, with other before Judge Atkins. and several other of his Friends were put into Prison at Northampton. It happened that he being at Wellingborough, and going along the Streets, the Priest Thomas Andrews called to him in these Words, Give over deceiving the People, lest the Plagues of God fall on thee. To this Dewsbury returned, Dost thou say I deceive the People? Make it manifest wherein I deceive them. Then Andrews said, Thou say'st there is not any Original Sin. To this Dewsbury replied, Didst thou hear me say so? But the Priest unwilling to answer that Questi­on, went away. Afterwards Dewsbury went into the Steeple-House in the said Town, and after the Sermon was done, he demanded of the Priest that he would prove there before the People, what he had open­ly accused him of, viz. That he had said, there was no Original Sin. But the Priest would not answer, but fled away. There was also Informati­on given, that Dewsbury had said, The Priests preach for Hire, and the Peo­ple love to have it so: But what will ye do in the End thereof? But that this was really so, I don't find. Dewsbury then being committed to Pri­son, and kept there above half a Year, was at last brought to his Tryal at Northampton, with other Prisoners, his Friends; and being set to the Bar, the Judge— Atkins said to the Jailor, Do you use to bring Prisoners before the Court in this Manner? You deserve to be fined ten Pounds, for bringing them before the Court cover'd. The Jailor answer­ed, If you command me, I will take off their Hats. To which the Judge gave Command, and the Jailor's Man took them off. Then the Judge [Page 118] said to Dewsbury, What art thou here for? And Dewsbury answered, The Mittimus will express what I was committed for; but a Copy of it I am denied by the Keeper of the Jail. The next Query of the Judge was, What is thy Name? And the Answer was, Ʋnknown to the World. Let us hear, said the Judge, What that Name is that the World knows not. It is, quoth Dews­bury, known in the Light, and none can know it, but he that hath it; but the Name, the World knows me by, is William Dewsbury. Then said the Judge, What countryman art thou? And Dewsbury answered, Of the Land Canaan. That's far off, replied the Judge. Nay, said Dewsbury; for all that dwell in God, are in the Holy City, New Jerusalem, which comes down from Heaven, where the Soul is in Rest, and enjoys the Love of God in Jesus Christ, in whom the Ʋnion is with the Father of Light. To this the Judge returned, That is true, but are you ashamed of your Country? Is it a Disparagement for you to be born in England? Nay, said Dewsbury, I am free to declare that my Natural Birth was in Yorkshire,W. Dewsbu­ry b [...]rn n [...]t far from Hull in Yorkshire. Nine Miles from York, towards Hull. Then the Judge said, You pretend to be extraordi­nary Men, and to have an extraordinary Knowledge of God. To which, Dewsbury reply'd, We witness the Work of Regeneration to be an extraordi­nary Work, wrought in us by the Spirit of God. But, said the Judge, the Apostles wrought with their Hands in their Callings. They had, answer'd Dewsbury, Callings in the World, some were Fishermen, Paul a Tent-ma­ker; but when they were called to the Ministry of Christ, they left their Cal­lings, to follow Christ, whither he led them by his Spirit to preach the Word: And I had a Calling in the World, as they had, and in it did abide, until the Father revealed his Son in me, and called me from my Calling I had in the World, to preach the eternal Word he had made known to me in the great Work of Regeneration. Why, queried the Judge, didst thou not abide in thy own Country, and teach People in them Parts? There I did stay, returned Dewsbury, until I was called from thence to go where I was led by the Spirit of the Lord; and as many as are led by the Spirit of God, are the Sons and Daughters of God; and they that have not the Spirit of Christ are none of his. To this the Judge said, You say well; for we must in Cha­rity conclude, that every one in this Place hath the Spirit of God in him: But how do you know that you are guided by the Spirit of God? They that have the Spirt of God, replied Dewsbury, are known by their Fruits; and he that believeth in Jesus Christ, and is guided by his Spirit, hath the Witness in himself. That is true, said the Judge, yet notwithstanding, I see by your Carriage, that what my Brother Hale did at the last Assizes, in requiring Bond for your good Behaviour, he might justly do it; for you are against Magistrates and Ministers. But Dewsbury returned, Make that manifest wherein we are against them. Then said the Judge to the Clerk, Robert Guy, What have you against these Men? And he gave Relation of what Dews­bury had said to the Priest Andrews in the Steeple-house. Dewsbury then giving an Account of the Matter of Fact, and how the Thing happened; and that it was not any Breach of the Law of the Nation; the Judge resumed, But in that you are found wandering in the Country, you break the Law; for there is an old Law, That if any did go from their Dwellings to travel in the Country without a Certificate from some Justice, they were to be taken as wandring Persons. To this, Dewsbury said, If there be any such Law, read it to us; and if there be such a Law, thou knowest in thy Conscience it is contrary to the Scripture; for the Apostles and Ministers of Christ went to and fro in the Country preaching the Word of eternal Life; and there were added to the Church daily such as should be saved; and the Number of the Saints and Brethren was daily encreased: And the Law that is in Force in this Nation, doth allow all that profess Faith in Jesus Christ, to have free Liberty to walk in the Faith, which is according to Scripture. [Page 119] To this the Judge said, [...] had an eloquent Tongue, and thou art proud of it. Pride, I deny, replied Dewsbury, but the Truth I witness, which will judge Pride, The Judge, tho' he beha­ved himself moderately, continues them in Pri­son. and [...] all that [...] in it, until it be destroy'd. The Judge thou spoke to the other Prisoners; and tho' he behaved himself moderately, yet he could not resolve to set them at Liberty; but they were continued in Pri­son, tho' they had been kept there above twenty nine Weeks. One of these Prisoners was John Huchin, whom they had nothing else to charge with, but that being come into the Steeple-house at Wellingborough, Particularly J. Huchin. he stood there pea [...]eably in Science, but before Half the Sermon was over, Priest And [...]s [...] have him taken away; which was done by the Church-warden H [...]y H [...]ns [...], who carried him to an Ale-house, where it was told him by the Constable, That if he would not come into the Church in the Afternoon, he should be set free. But he refusing to make such a Promise, tho' they let him alone then, yet some Days after, a Consta­ble came to his Master's Shop, where he was working, and took him away without shewing any Warrant. Another of the Prisoners was Michael Pattison, M. Pattison. who having been in the same Steeple-house, and stood peaceably in Silence until the Priest Andrews had done, and the People were going away, said to him, Friend, canst thou witness this to be the Word of the Lord, that thou hast spoken here before the People? But this so of­fended the Priest, that he commanded the Officers to take Michael away, which the Constable John Brown did.And Thomas Goodyar. Thomas Goodyar, who also was one of the Prisoners, being come to Northampton to visit his Friends in Prison there, it was denied him by the Jailor; and he meeting the Mayor and some Aldermen in the Streets, spoke to them about Persecu­tion; but one of the Aldermen struck off his Hat, and said, he would teach him better Manners, than to stand and talk before the Mayor with his Hat on. Then they required Sureties for his good Behaviour; and he told them, That he was bound to good Behaviour by the righteous Law of God: And refu­sing to find Sureties, he was taken up in the Street, and sent to Prison without Mittimus, or farther Examination. But I won't detain my Reader any longer with these Prisoners; for if I should relate all Oc­currences of this Nature that are come to my Knowledge, and un­der what unreasonable Pretences, even such that were as yet not fully entred into the Communion of those called Quakers, were committed to Prison, I must write much more than I might be able to do, tho' my Life should yet be lengthened considerably.

I find among my Papers of this Time the Names of about an hundred Persons,T. Aldam's Sufferings by Priest Rook­bey of Warns­worth. who, for not paying Tythes to the Priests, and refusing to swear, suffer'd either by Seizure of their Cattle and Goods, or Imprison­ment. Thomas Aldam for not paying of Tythes to the Priest Thomas Rookby of Warnsworth, was imprisoned at York, in the Year 1652, Where he was kept above two Years and a Half, and besides had thirteeen Beeves and two Horses taken from him.

But passing by a Multitude of the like Cases, I return again to G. Fox, whom I left at London. He having had there several large Meetings, went from thence to Colchester, G. Fox visit J. Parnel at Colchester, thence goes to Ipswich, Nor­wich, and Yarmouth; then towards Lynn. where, with Difficulty he visited James Parnel in Prison. From Colchester he wont to Ipswich, and so on to Nor­wich, and Yarmouth, finding service every where.

Travelling farther in Company with R. Hubberthorn towards Lyn, and by the way being in Bed at an Inn, a Constable and Officers came thither, being sent with an Hue-and-Cry from a Justice of Peace to search for two Horse-men that rid upon grey Horses, and in grey Clothes; a House being broken up at Night, as was reported. Now, tho' they said, they were honest and innocent Men, yet a Guard with Halberts and Pikes was set upon them that Night, and in the Morning they were carried [Page 120] before a Justice of Peace about five Miles off.In the Way is seized, toge­ther with R. Hubberthorn by Hue-and-Cry on Suspi­cion of Robbe­ry, but let go. The Justice grew angry, because they did not put off their Hats to him: But G. Fox told him, He had been before the Protector, and he was not offended at his Hat; why then should he be offended at it, who was but one of his Servants? The Justice ha­ving examined them, said, He believed they were not the Men that had broken open the House, but he was sorry that he had no more against them. But G. Fox told him, He ought not to be sorry for not having Evil against them; but rather to be glad. The Justice, tho' stirred up by the Constable to send them to Pison,Comes, to Lynn, thence goes to Sut­ton, where many are con­vinced, parti­cularly the Mayor of Cambridge's Wife; goes to Cambridge, and so to Lon­don. yet let them go. G. Fox being thus set at Liberty, tra­velled on to Lynn, from whence he went to Sutton, where he had a great Meeting, many People from other Places being come thither, and also the Mayor's Wife of Cambridge, and many Hundreds were convinced of the Truth he preach'd. From thence he passed to Cambridge, and tho' the Scholars were exceeding rude, yet he got [...] an inn. In the Dark of the Evening the Mayor of the Town came, and fetch'd him to his House, whither some friendly People were sent for, and he had a Meeting there. Next Morning he departed the Town, and re-returned to London, where he staid some Time. In this Year came out the Oath of Abjuration against King Charles, whereupon he wrote to the Protector,Writes to the Protector. acquainting him that many of his Friends, who could not swear for Conscience-sake, suffered much on this Account.

From London he went to Leicestershire; and coming to Whetstone, where formerly he had been taken by Colonel Hacker, he now had a great Meeting there,Thence to Lei­cestershire. Has a great Meeting at Whetstone, where Colonel Hacker's Wife, his Mar­shal, and ma­ny more are convinc'd. Meets J. Nay­lor at Lon­don, and has Fear concern­ing him. E. Burrough writes to the Protector. where Hacker's Wife, and his Marshal came, and they, besides many more, were convinced by G. Fox's Ministry; who go­ing from thence, and after having passed thro' many Places, came again to London, where meeting James Naylor, and casting his Eyes upon him, he was struck with a Fear concerning him, being, as it were, under a Sense of some great Disaster that was like to befal him.

In this Year Edward Burrough wrote a Letter to the Protector, wherein he told him, That the Lord's Controversy was against him, because he had not been faithful in God's Work; but that he had taken his Rest and Ease upon a lofty Mountain of Pride and Vain Glory, having set up himself to be worshipped, and exalting his own Horn, without giving Glory and Honour to God. Moreo­ver, that he had not perform'd his Vows made to the Lord in the Day of Distress; and that now he suffered grievous Oppression, Cruelty, and Tyranny to be acted in his Name by unjust Imprisonments, and Persecution of the Lord's People. That therefore the Lord would bring his Judgments upon him, except be did re­pent. How boldly soever Burrough wrote in this Letter to Cromwel, yet I do not find that he shewed himself angry because of it: But yet he heark­ened too much to the Flatteries of those Teachers, who being now en­tred into the Possessions of the Episcopalians, exalted him as their Idol, by their Applause: And he revering them as such who could strengthen his Authority with the People, winked at the grievous Persecution, by their Instigation carried on against the Quakers, so called.

In the mean While there were many Malecontents, who could not bear that Cromwel should force the Members of Parliament to consent to make no Change in the Government then establish'd,Publick Trans­actions. and would not suffer any one to sit in the House, without having promised by Writing not to propose or give his Consent there to the Change of the said Go­vernment. This gave Occasion, that even some of those who had been his eminent Friends, now did not stick to reprove him sharply: Among these was Lieutenant Colonel John Lilburn, Some memo­rable Passages concerning J. Lilburn. who being an extraordinary bold Man, very stiff and inflexible, had more than once shew'd himself a publick Assertor of the People's Liberties and Freedoms; for which he had been prosecuted at Law, viz. once in the Year 1645, when he was [Page 121] publick Assertor of the People's Liberties and Freedoms; for which he had been proscuted at Law, viz. once in the Year 1645, when he was imprisoned as guilty of Treason, but was discharged; and afterwards in the Year 1649, when having publish'd several Books, to expose to the Publick, the arbitrary Power he thought was exercised in the Government, he was confined in the Tower: And after having been Prisoner above seven Months, was impeach'd of High Treason: But he so vigorously de­fended his Cause, that tho' strong Perswasions had been used to move the Jury to bring him in guilty, yet he so far prevailed, that at length he was set at Liberty again; tho' I find that once he was whipt for a Crime laid to his Charge, of which he gloried publickly. And when Cromwel had usurp'd the supreme Power, Lilburn made bold to charge him, both by Word of Mouth, and by Writing, with Falseness and Tyranny; and he went on at that Rate, that Cromwel, foreseeing that, it this Man con­tinu'd thus to expose his Doings, he should not be able to maintain his Credit and Authority, ordered him to be taken into Custody and im­peach'd of High Treason. When Lilburn, thus accused, appeared at the Bar, he behaved himself with that Undauntedness, and so defended his Cause, that, he seemed less to plead for his Life, than for the Freedom of his Country: And boldly answering what was objected to him, said, ‘That what he had done, was not only no High Treason, but the Go­vernment was such, that no High Treason could be committed against it; and that therefore all true Englishmen were obliged to oppose the Tyranny that was exercised.’ He also said, ‘That having been once much in Favour with Cromwel, he might have attained to great Prefer­ment, if he would have been quiet; but that he having thought this unlawful, it was now resolved to have his Life taken away; which he did not fear, because he asserted a good Cause.’ Thus vigorously Lilburn pleaded, and he defended his Cause with such strong Arguments, that the Jury brought him in not guilty, notwithstanding the Endeavours of the Judges to the contrary. Now, tho' according to Law he must have been set at Liberty, yet Cromwel would not consent to it, but kept him Prisoner; and because he indeed feared him, as one that would weaken his Government, he ordered him to be carried from one Prison to another, till at length he came to be confined in the Castle of Dover, Who while Prisoner in Dover-Castle comes to be acquainted with L. How­ard, and is partly con­vinc'd. in which Town liv'd Luke Howard, mentioned before; who thereby ha­ving occasion to speak with Lilburn concerning Religion, gave him such convincing Reasons for his Profession, as prevailed upon Lilburn to receive the Truth, as he himself signified in a Letter he wrote to his Wife; who having visited him in Prison, afterwards wrote to him this following Exhortation:

My Dear,Hereupon his Wife writes to him. Retain a sober patient Spirit within thee, which I am confident thou shalt see shall be of more Force to recover thee, than all thy keen Mettal hath been. I hope God is doing a Work upon thee and me too, as shall make us study our selves more than we have done.

These Words were so acceptable to Lilburn, that repeating them in his Letter to her, he answered thus, after many other Passages:

Whilst Lilburn was Prisoner here, Cromwel, as it seem'd, would have released him, if he would have signed a Declaration that he would ne­ver draw a Sword against his Government. But Lilburn as yet not being fully convinced, that to refrain the Use of the carnal Sword, was the Duty of a true Christian, refused, thinking; that tho' G. Fox had signed such a Declaration, yet this did not become him, because he did not perfectly approve that Point of Self-denial. But however, continuing in Faithfulness to persevere in Respect of that Knowledge he had already attained to, he became, in Process of Time, such an Assertor of the true Christian Life, that in a Paper, which at his Desire was given out in Print, he express'd himself thus:

It sufficiently appears by this, that Lilburn did not think that this Declaration would procure his Liberty; and he guess'd not wrong; for before he was releas'd, Cromwel died. Lilburn being then discharged from his Confinement, continu'd stedfast to the Doctrine of the Truth he had embraced, and died at London in the Year 1660. But being ad­vanc'd in the Time, I go therefore back a little, and intend in the Se­quel, to give a more circumstantial Description of Cromwel's Death.

And thus I conclude this Book with the Year 1655, in which Year there was a Plot of the Royalists against Cromwel; and in Nottingham­shire, they had already surprised some Places; and towards the West the City of Salisbury. The young King (Charles) was now come from Cologne, into Zealand, to be the nearer if the Attempt succeeded. But his Time of ruling was not yet come; for the Cavaliers were soon forc'd to give Way to the Power of Cromwel: And the Design being thus quash'd, King Charles return'd to Cologne. In the mean While Cromwel, to raise his Esteem abroad, sent a Fleet under Admiral Penn to the West-Indies, and another under the Command of Admiral Blake towards the Medi­terranean Sea.

NEAR the Beginning of the Year 1656.G. Fox goes to Surry, Chichester, Portsmouth, and Pool, where W. Baily a Bap­tist is convin­ced and comes to have a pub­lick Testimony, Thence to Southampton and Dorches­ter, where he discourses with the Bap­tists about Water Bap­tism, and many substan­tial People are convinc'd. G. Fox went from London, to Surry, Chichester, Portsmouth, and Pool, where Wil­liam Baily, a Baptist Teacher, and some others were convinced by G. Fox's Ministry, and entred into the Society of those called Qua­kers, among whom Baily afterwards became an eminent Minister. From Pool, G. Fox went to Southampton and Dorchester, where he desired of the Baptists to have their Meeting-House to meet in: But they re­fusing, he sent them Word, That they might come to his Inn, if they pleased. Many of them came with their Teacher, and they fell into a Discourse about Water-Baptism. G. Fox asked them, Whether they could say they were sent of God to baptize People, as John was? And whether they had the same Spirit and Power, that the Apostles had? They said, They had not. Then he asked them, How many Powers then are? Whether there are any more, than the Power of God, and the Power of the Devil? And they said, There was not any other Power than those two. Then said G. Fox, If you have not the Power of God, that the Apostles had, then you act by the Power of the Devil. And his speaking was of such Effect, that many Substantial People were convinced that Night. Next Morning when he was passing away, the Baptists began to shake the Dust from off their Feet after him. What, said he, in the Power of Darkness! We who are in the Power of God, shake off the Dust of our Feet against you. Thus leaving Dorchester he came to Weymouth, Then to Wey­mouth, where at a Priest's House many receive his Te­stimony; and also a Captain remarkable for Laughter. where enquiring after the sober People, about Fourscore of them gathered together at a Priest's House; and most of them were turned to Christ Jesus, who had enlightened them with his divine Light, by which they were reproved of their Sins. There was at that Time a Captain of Horse in the Town, who rode about seven Miles out of Town with G. Fox: This Cap­tain was of such a merry Temper, and so exceedingly given to Laugh­ter, that G. Fox several Times spoke very seriously to him about it; but it was become so customary to him, that he would laugh al­most at any Thing he saw. But G. Fox still admonish'd him to Gravi­ty, and the Fear of the Lord; and of this he spoke to him again when they parted. The next Time G. Fox saw him, the Captain told him, That when he spoke to him at parting, the Power of the Lord so struck him, that before he got home, he was serious enough, and had left his Laughing. He indeed became a serious and good Man; and being convinced of the Truth, died in the real Profession thereof.

For Brevities-Sake I don't intend to mention all the Places G. Fox past thro',Has good ser­vice at Kings­bridge. much less all his Occurrences. At Kingsbridge he had good Ser­vice; and returning in the Evening to his Inn, and there being many People drinking, he was moved to go amongst them, and to direct them ‘To the Light which Christ, the heavenly Man, had enlightened them withal; by which Light they might see all their evil Ways, Words. [Page 125] and Deeds: and by the same Light they might also see Christ Jesus their Saviour.’ But this Discourse did not please the Inn-keeper, seeing it hindred his Guests from drinking: And hearing G. Fox speak so much of the Light, he snatcht away the Candle, and said, Come, here is Light for you, to go into your Chamber. The next Day G. Fox went to Plymouth, and from thence to Cornwall; and travelling thro' the Country,Goes to Mar­ket-Jew in Cornwal, where he meets with Trouble; and more in Com­pany with E. Pyot and W. Salt, from Major Ceely▪ at Ives. he came to Market-Jew. Being there at an Inn, he met with some Trouble from the Magistrates; and he wrote a Paper, to shew, That the Lord was come to teach his People himself, by Jesus Christ, &c. This Paper came accidentally to the Hands of Peter Ceely, a Major in the Army, and also a Justice of Peace at Ives, whither G. Fox came. Here Edward Pyot and William Salt, who were G. Fox's Fellow-Travellers, were haled before the said Major, whilst G. Fox was walking down to the Sea-side: But he hearing this, followed them, and came also into the Justice's House, where the aforesaid Paper being produced, it was asked him, Whether he would own it? and he said Yes. Then the Major tendered them the Oath of Abjuration. G. Fox thereupon putting his Hand in his Pocket, drew forth the Answer to it, which had been given to the Protector.A Priest find [...] Fault with his Hair. A Priest being present there, found Fault with his Hair, which was then pretty long, and asked to have cut it: But G. Fox told him, He had no Pride in it. It happened also at other Times, that because of his long Hair he was spoken to, as I have seen my self; but of this I am fully perswaded, that he had not the least Pride in it; but it seems to me, not improbable, that he seeing how some would make it a Kind of Holiness to wear short Hair, did the contrary, to shew that in some Things there was a Christian-Liberty, for which we ought not to judge one another. But to proceed, G. Fox and his Companions were taken into Custody, and with a Guard of Horse sent to Prison with this Mittimus.

By this Mittimus it appears under what odd Pretences the Quakers, so called, were committed to Prison; for such Reasons as are mentioned therein, might be found and pickt up at any Time. Thus G. Fox and his Companions were carried thro' Redruth, Falmouth, and Bodmin, [Page 126] to Lanceston. By the Way they suffered great Insolences, both from the Soldiers that conducted them, and from others, by the Connivance of Captain Keat; They are had Prisoners thro' Redruth, Falmouth, and Bodmin, to Lanceston, and suffer great Abuses from Captain Keat's soldi­ers, &c. but I won't detain my Reader with all those Particulars. Being come to Lan [...]ston, Keat deliver'd the Prisoners to the Jailor. And tho' many were greatly enraged against them, and expected that these Prisoners, who Thou'd and Thee'd all, and did not put off their Hats to any Man, should at the Assizes be condemned to be hang'd, if they did not pay that Respect to the Bench; yet there were many friendly People, that out of several Parts of the Country came to visit them; for it was about nine Weeks from the Time of their Commitment to the Assizes; by Reason of which several got Opportunity to speak with them, which had that good Effect, that many were convinced of the Truth of the Doctrine held forth by them.

At the Time of the Assizes Abundance of People came from far and near to hear the Trial of the Quakers; Being [...]rought into Court at the Assizes, are examined by Judge Glyn, with whom G. Fox has a long Dis­course. who being guarded by the Sol­diers and the Sheriffs Men to the Court, had much ado to get thro' the Multitude that filled the Streets; besides the Doors and Windows were filled with People looking out upon them. Being brought into the Court, G. Fox, after all was quiet, said, Peace be amongst you. The Judge (Glyn,) who was then Chief Justice of England, said to the Jailor, What be these you have brought here into the Court? Prisoners, My Lord, said he, Why do not you put off your Hats? said the Judge to them. They saying nothing; Put off your Hats, said the Judge again: And they still continuing silent, the Judge said, The Court commands you to put off your Hats. Then G. Fox began to speak, and said, ‘Where did ever any Magistrate, King, or Judge, from Moses to Daniel, command any to put off their Hats, when they came before them in their Courts, either amongst the Jews, (the People of God) or amongst the Heathen? And if the Law of England doth command any such Thing, shew me that Law, either written or printed.’ The Judge then growing angry, said, I do not carry my Law-Books on my Back. But said G. Fox, Where is it printed in any Statute-Book, that I may read it? At this the judge said, Take him away, Prevaricator! I ll ferk him. Then the Prisoners were taken away, and put among the Thieves. But present­ly after the Judge call'd to the Jailor, Bring them up again. This being done, Come, said he, Where had they Hats from Moses to Daniel? Come answer me; I have you fast now. To this G. Fox replied, Thou mayst read in the Third of Daniel, that the three Children were cast into the fiery Furnace, by Nebuchadnezzar's Command, with their Coats, their Hose, and their Hats on. This plain Instance stopt him; so that not having any Thing else to say, He cried again, Take them away Jailor. Accordingly they were taken away, and being thrust among the Thieves, they were kept there a great While, and at length carried again to Prison: But in the Afternoon they were brought up again into the Court. G. Fox seeing the Jurymen there, gave them a Paper which he had written against Swearing. This Pa­per passing from the Jury to the Justices, they presented it to the Judge; and he bid the Clerk give G. Fox that Paper, and then asked him, Whether that seditious Paper was his? To which he said, If they would read it in open Court, that he might hear it, if it was his, he would own it, and stand by it. The Judge now would have G. Fox to have taken it, and look­ed upon it in his own Hand. But he desired again, That it might be read, that all in the Court might hear it, and judge whether there was any Se­dition in it, or no; for if there were, he was willing to suffer for it. At length the Clerk of the Assizes read it with an audible Voice; and when he had done, G. Fox said, It was his Paper, and he would own it; and so might they too, except they would deny the Scripture: For was it not Scripture Language, and the [Page 127] Words and Commands of Christ and the Apostles, which all true Christians ought to obey? Then they let fall that Subject, and the Judge speaking again about the Ha [...] of the Prisoners, bid the Jailor, take them off. Then they asked, What they had lain in Prison for these nine Weeks, seeing now nothing was objected against them, but what concerned their Hats? And; said G. Fox, as for Putting off our Hats, that was the Honour which God would lay in the Dust, tho' they made so much ado about it: The Honour which is of Men, and which Men seek one of another is the Mark of Ʋn­believers: For how can ye believe, saith Christ, who receive Honour one of another, and seek not the Honour that cometh from God only? And Christ saith also, I receive not Honour from Men, and all true Christians should be of his Mind. Then the Judge made a Speech, How he represented the Lord Protector's Person; and how he had made him Lord Chief Justice of England, and sent him to come that Circuit; &c. Thereupon the Prisoners desired him, That he would do them Ju­stice for their false Imprisonment, which they had suffered nine Weeks. But instead thereof, an Indictment was read against them, but so full of Untruths, that G Fox thought it had been against some of the Thieves; for it contained, That they came by Force and Arms, and in an hostile Manner into the Court; whereas they were brought there as Prisoners; which made him say, It was all false. And still they cried for Justice for their false lmprisonment, being taken up in their Jour­ney without Cause, by Major Ceely. Then this Peter Ceely, who as a Justice of Peace sat also on the Bench,The foolish malice of Ma­jor Ceely. said to the Judge, May it please you, My Lord, This Man, (pointing to G. Fox) went aside with me; and told me how serviceable I might be for his Design; that he Could raise forty thousand Men at an Hour's Warning, and involve the Nation into Blood, and so bring in King Charles: and I would have aided him out of the Country, but he would not go. And if it please you, My Lord, I have a Witness to swear it. And so he called upon his Witness, who, without Question, was one that was brib'd. But the Judge perceiving this palpable Lie, was not forward to examine the Wit­ness. Then G. Fox desired the Judge, That he would be pleased to let his Mittimus be read, in which the pretended Crime was signified, for which he was committed to Prison. But the Judge said, It should not be read. G. Fox still insisting to have it read, said, It ought to be: For if I have done any Thing worthy of Death, or of Bonds; let all the Country know it. Seeing then they would not read it, he said to one of his Fellow. [...]soners, Thou hast a Copy of it, read it up. It shall not be read said [...]he Judge, Jailor, take him away; I'll see whether he or I shall be Master. Then G. Fox was taken away, and a While after called for again. He still cried to have the Mittimus read, and the People being eager to hear it, he bid his Fellow-Prisoner to read it up. Which being done, and read according to the Copy already mention'd, G. Fox said to the Judge and Justices, Thou that say'st, thou art Chief Justice of England, and you that be Justices, ye know, that if I had put in Sureties, I might have gone whether I pleased, and have carried on the Design, if I had had one, which Major Ceely hath charged me with. And if I had spoken those Words to him; which he hath here declared, then judge ye, whether Bail or Mainprize could have been taken in that Case. Then directing his Speech to Major Ceely, he said, When, or where did I take thee aside? Was not thy House full of rude People, and thou as rude as any of them at our Examination, so that I asked for a Constable, or other Officer to keep the People civil? But if thou art my Accuser, why sittest thou on the Bench? That is not a Place for thee to sit in; for Accusers do not use to sit with the Judges: Thou ought [...] [Page 128] est to come down, and stand by me, and look me in the Face. Besides, I would ask the Judge and Justices this Question, Whether or no Major Cee­ly is not guilty of this Treason, which he charges against me, in conceal­ing it so long as he hath done? Doth he understand his Place, either as a Soldier,G. Fox charg'd with being in a Plot to raise 40000 Men to bring in King Charles.or a Justice of the Peace? For he tells you here, ‘That I went aside with him, and told him, what a Design I had in Hand, and how serviceable he might be for it: That I could raise forty thousand Men in an Hour's Time, and bring in King Charles, and involve the Nation in Blood. Moreover, that he would have aided me out of the Country, but I would not go; and therefore he committed me to Prison for want of Sureties for the good Behaviour, as the Mittimus declares.’ Now do not ye s [...]o plainly, that Major Ceely is guilty of this Plot and Treason that he talks of, and hath made himself a Party to it, by desiring me to go out of the Country, and demanding Bail of me; and not charging me with this pre­tended Treason till now, nor discovering it? But I deny and abhor his Words, and am innocent of his devilish Design.

The Judge by this seeing clearly that Ceely, instead of ensnaring Fox, had ensnared himself, let fall that Business. But then Ceely got up again, and said to the Judge, If it please you, My Lord, to hear me: This Man struck me, and gave me such a Blow, as I never had in my Life. G. Fox smiling at this, said, Major Ceely, art thou a Justice of Peace, and a Major of a Troop of Horse, and tells the Judge here in the Face of the Court and Country, That I, who am a Prisoner, struck thee; and gave thee such a Blow, as thou never had'st the like in thy Life? What! Art thou not ashamed? Prithee, Major Ceely, where did I strike thee? And Who is thy Witness for that? Who was by? To this Ceely said, It was in the Castle-green, Major Ceely calls Captain Bradden for Evidence, which he modestly re­fuses. and that Captain Bradden was standing by, when G. Fox struck him. Who then desired the Judge to let him produce his Witness for That: And he called again upon Ceely, to come down from off the Bench; telling him, It was not fit that the Accuser should sit as Judge over the Accused. Ceely then said, Captain Bradden, was his Witness: Which made G. Fox say to Captain Bradden, who was present there, Didst thou see me give him such a Blow, and strike him, as he saith? Bradden made no Answer, but bowed his Head. G. Fox then desired him to speak up, if he knew any such Thing: But he only bowed his Head again. Nay, said G. Fox, Speak up, and let the Court and Country hear, and let not bowing of the Head serve the Turn. If I have done so, let the Law be inflicted on me? The Prisoners at last fined 20 Marks a­piece for not putting off their Hats, and re-com­mitted. I fear not Sufferings, nor Death it self; for I am an innocent Man concerning all his Charge. But Bradden would not testify to it. And the Judge finding those Snares would not hold, cried, Take him away, Jailor; and fined the Prisoners twenty Marks a-piece, for not putting off their Hats, and to be kept in Prison till they paid the Fine: And so they were brought back to Jail again. At Night Captain Bradden came with seven or eight Justices to see them; and they being very civil, said, They did not believe that either the Judge, or any in the Court, be­lieved those Charges with Major Ceely had charged upon G. Fox. And Bradden said, Major Ceely had an Intent to have taken away G. Fox's Life, if he could have got another Witness. But, said, G. Fox, Captain Bradden, Why didst not thou witness for me, or against me, seeing Major Ceely produced thee for a Witness, that thou sawest me strike him? And when I desired thee to speak either for me, or against me, according to what thou saw'st or knew'st, thou would'st not speak. Why, said he, when Major Ceely and I came by you, as you were walking in the Castle-green, he put off his Hat to you, and said, How do you, Mr. Fox? Your Servant, Sir. Then you said to him, ‘Major Ceely, take heed of Hypocrisy, and of a rotten [Page 129] Heart; for when came I to be thy Master, or thou my Servant?’ Do Servants use to cast their Masters into prison? This was the great Blow he meant that you gave him. G. Fox hearing this, called to Mind, that they walking by, Ceely had spoken the aforesaid Words, and [...] he himself indeed made such an Answer as is mentioned; and he thought he said nothing amiss, since Ceely so openly had manifest­ed his Hypocrisy and Rotten-heartedness, when he complained of this to the Judge in open Court,Major Ceely's wicked Shift. and would have made all believe, that G. Fox gave him a Stroke outwardly with his hand. A Report of this Trial being spread abroad, divers People, of whom some were of Account in the World, came far and near to see him and his Friends in Prison, which tended to the Convincement of some. Being settled in Prison upon such a Commitment, that they were not likely to be soon released, they forbore giving the Jailor seven Shillings a Week a-piece for themselves, and as much for their Horses, which he had in a Manner extorted from them: But upon this he grew so very [...]icked, that he turned them down into a nasty stinking Place, where they used to put Persons condemned for Witchcraft and Murder.Their Jailor's inhuman Be­haviour to them. This Place was so noisome, that it was observed, few who went into it, did ever come out again in Health: For there was no House of Office in it, and the Excrements of the Prisoners, that from Time to Time had been put there, had not been carried out for many Years; so that it was all like Mire, and in some Places to the Top of the Shoes in Water and Piss; and the Jailor would not suffer them to cleanse it, nor let them have Beds or Straw to lie on. At Night some friendly People of the Town brought them a Candle, and a little Straw; of which they were about to burn a little to take away the Stink. The Thieves lay over their Heads, and the Head-Jailor in a Room by them over their Heads also. But it seems the Smoak went up into the Room where he lay, which put him into such a Rage, that he took the Pots of the Thieves Excrements, and poured them down thro' a Hole upon their Heads; whereby they were so bespattered, that it was loathsome to touch themselves, or one another: besides, the Stink so encreased, that by it, and the Smoak, they were almost in Danger of being suffocated. And all this could not satisfy the Rage of this cruel Jailor, but he railed against them so hideously, and called them by such horrible nick Names, that they never had heard the like before. In this Man­ner they were forc'd to stand all Night, for they could not sit down, the Place being so filthy. Thus he kept them a great While, before he would let them c [...]ean [...]e it, or suffer them to have any Victuals brought in, but what they got thro' the Grate. And even this could not be done without Difficulty; for a Lass one Time having brought them a little Meat, he sued her in the Town-Court for breaking the Prison; perhaps, because she had a little bent an half-broken Bar of the Grate, to get a small Dish thro' it. That this Jailor was so desperately wicked, is not so much to be wondred at, since (as they were inform­ed) he had been a Thief, and was on that Account burnt both in the Hand and on the Shoulder; and the Under-Jailor in like Man­ner: Their Wives had also been burnt in the Hand. It was not at all strange then, that the Prisoners suffererd most grievously from such a wicked Crew: But it was more to be wondered at, that Colonel Bennet, a Baptist T [...]cher, having purchas'd the Jail and Lands belonging to the Castle, had there placed this Head Jailor. Twas much talk'd of, that Spirits haunted this Dungeon, and walk'd there, and that many had died in it; Some thinking to terrify the Prisoners therewith. [Page 130] But G. Fox told them,G. Fox s [...]hts a Rep [...]rt of Spirits ha [...]nt­ing the Dan­geon wherein they were s [...]ut up. That if all the Spirits and Devils in Hell were there, he was over them in the Power of God, and scared no such Thing; for Christ, their Priest, would sanctify the Walls and the House to them; he who bruised the Head of the Devil, as the Priest was to cleanse the Plague out of the Walls of the House, under the Law.

Now the same of the Sessions at Bodmin being come, the Prisoners drew up their suffering-Case, and sent the Paper thither; upon reading of which,They present their Suffer­ings to the Sessions at Bodmin, and are a [...]w'd some Fase. Write to Lon­don for Ann Downer. Send their Case to the Protector. H. Peter's Observation. the Justices gave Order, that the Door of Doomsdale (thus the Dungeon was call'd) should be opened, and that they should have Liberty to cleanse it, and to buy their Meat in the Town. Having obtain d this Li­berty, they writ to London, and desired Ann Downer, a young Woman already mentioned in this Work, to come down, and to buy and dress their Meat: Which she being very willing to do, was therein greatly serviceable to them; for she was a good Writer, and could take Things in Short-hand. They also sent up a Relation of their Sufferings to the Protector; who thereupon sent down an Order to the Governor of Pendennis-Castle, to examine the Matter. On which Occasion Hugh Pe­ters, one of the Protector's Chaplains, told him, They could not do George Fox a greater Service for the spreading of his Principles in Cornwal, than to imprison him there. This was not altogether untrue; for he was much visited, and many were turned from Darkness to the Light; notwith­standing the Mayor of Lanceston was a fierce Persecutor, casting in Pri­son all he could get;Mayor of Lanceston a fierce Perse­cutor. and he did not stick to search substantial grave Women, as supposed, for Letters. In Devonshire it was not much better; for many of those call'd Quakers, that travelled thro' the Country, were taken up and whipt,Freinds in Devonshire whipt as Va­gabonds. under Pretence of being Vagabonds; nay, some Clothiers, that were going to Mill with their Cloth, and other substan­tial Men, were seiz'd and whipt: And Henry Pollexsen, who had been a Justice of Peace for the most Part of forty Years before,H. Pollexsen cast into Pri­son as a Jesu­it. was cast into Prison, under Pretence of being a Jesuit. In the mean While Edward Pyot, who had been a Captain, and was a Man of good Understanding in the Laws and Rights of the Nation,E. Pyot's Let­ter to Judge Glyn. See G. Fox's Journal, at P. 189. writ a large Letter to the Lord Chief Justice John Glyn, wherein he plainly set before him his unlaw­ful Dealings, and queried with him, ‘Whether his saying, If ye will be uncovered, (or put off your Hats) I will hear you, and do you Justice,’ was not an Overthrow of the Laws, that were made to maintain Right and Justice?" Many other Particulars (and among the rest that of G. Fox's striking Major Ceely) were also mentioned in this Letter. G. Fox him­self wrote also several Papers, wherein the Odiousness of Persecution was plainly set forth. Among those that came to visit him was also Thomas Lower, Dr. T. Low­er visits G. Fox, is con­vinced and enters into Communion with Friends. a Doctor of Physick at London, who, whilst I am writing this, is yet alive, and he asking many Questions concerning religious Matters, received such satisfactory Answers from G. Fox, that he af­terwards said, His Words were as a Flash of Lightning, they ran so thro' him; and that he never met with such wise Men in his Life, &c. Thus he came to be convinced of the Truth, and so entered into the Communion of the despised Quakers. While G. Fox was still in Prison, one of his Friends went to Oliver Cromwel, and offered himself Body for Body, to lie in Doomsdale Prison in his Stead, if he would take him, and let G. Fox go at Liberty. But Cromwel said, He could not do it, for it was contrary to Law: And turning to those of his Council, Which of you (quoth he) would do so much for me, if I were in the same Condition? Thus G. Fox continu'd in Prison, and it was yet a good While before he and his Fellow-Prisoners were released. The Next Year the wicked Jailor received a Recompence of his Deeds; For he was turned out of his Place, and for some wicked Act was Cast into Jail himself; and there his Carriage was so unruly, that he [Page 131] was by the succeeding Jailor put into Doomsdale, lock'd in Irons, and beaten,The Jailor Cruelty s [...]g­nally recom­pensed. and bid to remember, How he had abused those good Men, whom he had wickedly, without any Cause, cast into that nasty Dungeon: But that now he deservedly should suffer for his Wickedness; and the same Measure he had meted to others, he should have meted out to himself: And this mischievous Fellow, who might have grown rich, if he had carried himself civilly, grew now very poor, and so died in Prison.

About the same Time that G. Fox was released,A Parlia­ment call'd. S. Fisher at­tempts to speak before them. Cromwel called a Par­liament, which met, for the first Sitting, in the Painted Chamber at Westminster, on the 17th of the Month call'd September. Samuel Fisher got an Opportunity to come into this Assembly, where he heard the Pro­tector's Speech, and in it these Words, That he knew not of any one Man that suffer [...]d Imprisonment unjustly in all England. And after he had got the Conveniency of a Standing, he said, That he had a Word to speak from the Lord to the Protector, the Parliament and the People: And then he began thus:

‘The Burden of the Word of the Lord God of Heaven and of Earth, as it came unto me on the 22d Day of the last Month, and as it now lieth upon me to declare it in his Name, [...]ven unto thee Oliver Crom­wel, Protector (so called) of these three Nations, England, Scotland, and Ireland; and also to all you who are chosen out of the several Parts thereof to sit in Parliament this Day, to consider of such Things as concern the Commonwealth thereof; and likewise to the three Nations themselves, and all the People thereof whose Rulers and Re­presentatives ye are: Which Word of the Lord, as ye do not deem your selves too high, or too great, or too good to be spoken to from the Lord, and as you will not fall under the Guilt of that Sin of say­ing to the Seers, See not, and to the Prophets, Prophesy not, prophesy not unto us right Things, prophesy smooth Things, prophesy Deceits: I charge you all, in the Name of the living God; that without Interruption or Opposition, whether you like it, or like it not, you stand still and hear it; and when I have done, you may do with me as the Lord shall give you Leave, or leave me under the Power of your Hands to do; no Law of Equity condemning any Man before he be heard, especially when he speaks on so high an Account as from the God of Heaven himself, tho' to such as are no less than Gods un­der him here on Earth.’

Scarce had he spoken thus much, but some cried, A Quaker! a Quaker! keep him down, he shall not speak: Yet the Protector and the Parliament-men were still and quiet. But some others, among whom two Justices of Peace, had not so much Patience; but Fisher, as he related afterwards, believed that the Protector and the Parliament-men would have given him Audience,But is inter­rupted. had not others set him at nought, some saying, The Pro­tector had spoken long, and was very hot and weary; and that he [Fisher] might be ashamed to occasion his Stay any longer. Thus Fisher was interrupted, and the Protector and Parliament-men rising, went away; tho' Fisher did not question but the Protector would have heard him: For his Mode­ration in hearing what was said, having been experienc'd before, Fisher was willing to acknowledge his Nobility as freely, as Paul took Notice of the like in Festus, whom he held most noble in that he would hear him, tho' he thought him mad.He publishes his designed Speech, and some others be afterwards intended. Fisher being thus prohibited, pub­lished his Speech in Print, so as he intended to have delivered it, tho' not one Syllable of it was written before. It was pretty long, and con­tained a sharp Reproof to the Hypocrisy of those, who under a Shew of Godliness made long Prayers, kept Fasts, and nevertheless liv'd in Pride, Pomp, and Luxury, persecuting those who really were a pious [Page 132] People. And to the Protector he said, That unless he took away the Wick­ed from before him, and all flattering false Accusers, his Throne would never be established in Righteousness. In the Introduction plac'd before thi [...] Speech, he saith, That before this Burden came upon him, he had prayed God that he might have been excused of this Message, think­ing that a more unworthy one than himself could not have been singled out: But whatever he did, he could not be rid of it; and tho' he spent a whole Week with Fasting, Tears, and Supplication, yet during the Time of that Abstinence, he felt a daily Supply and Refreshmen to his Spirits, so that he fully resigned to do what he believed was required of him from the Lord; and he felt all Fears of the Frowns of Men re­moved from him. Some other Speeches which he intended to have made to the Parliament, but was obstructed therein, he also published afterwards in Print.

In the latter Part of this Year,H. Smith at Evesham. it happened that Humphrey Smith coming to Evesham in Worcestershire, was disturbed in a Meeting by the Mayor Edward Young, who said, He would break the Quakers Meetings, or else his Bones should lie in the Dirt. Thus resolved, he came in the Month called October, on a First-Day of the Week in the Morning, into their Meeting in a House where H. Smith was; and several Persons, after be­ing rudely abused,He is impri­soned with o­thers, and cruelly treat­ed by the Mayor E. Young. were haled out to Prison. In the Afternoon a Meeting being kept in the Street, some of the Company were by Order of the said Mayor put into the Stocks, and others, of which the afore­said Smith was one, into a dark Dungeon: And tho' the Mayor then said, It was an unlawful Assembly; but if they would meet in Houses, he would not molest them; yet on the next First-Day of the Week, he seeing one going to a Meeting that was appointed in a House,His Cruelty. put him in Prison. H. Smith, and his Friends had some Bedding and Bed-cloaths sent them, but the Mayor caused it to be taken away from them; and when afterwards some Straw was brought them to lie upon, the Jailor would not suffer it; nay, when one came, and askt Liberty to fetch out their Dung from them, the Mayor denied it, and ordered him to be put in the Stocks. The Place where they were kept, was not 12 Foot Square, and the Hole to take in Air, was but four Inches wide, so that even by Day-light they were [...]ain to burn Candle, when they had it. Here they were kept above fourteen Weeks, with their own Dung in the same Room; so that one of them grew sick of the Stink; and yet the Jailor said, If they had been there for Theft or Murder, he could have let them have more Liberty than now he durst, because of the May­or. James Wall, He hindred a Freeman's Wife of her Stand in the Market. one of the Prisoners, was a Freeman of the Town, and a Shop-keeper, and yet the Mayor forbad his Wife to stand in the Market-Place, which for many Years she had done. She going to him about it, he began to fawn upon her, and said, I hear that your Husband doth abuse you. To which she answered, My Husband did never abuse me; but as for that Judgment which he now holdeth, once I could not own it: but now seeing it is so much persecuted, makes me own it, because the Way of God was always persecuted. He hearing her speak so, said, She should not have a Standing-place for five Pounds.

About a Month after,He treats bar­barously M. Newby and E. Courton for visiting the Prisoners. Margaret Newby, and Elizabeth Courton came to this Town, and had a Meeting at the House of one Edward Pi [...]wayes, But coming in the Afternoon to visit the Prisoners, the Mayor himself said violent Hands on them, and caused them to be put in the Stocks, with their Legs near a Yard one from another; and he would not suffer them to have a Block to si [...] on, tho' they desired it; yet as one that would seem to have some Modesty, he bid the Constable fetch a Block, and put between their Legs; uttering indecent Expressions: In this [Page 133] Posture they were kept for the Space of fifteen Hours, and then in a freezing Night sent out of the Town, without suffering them to go to any Place to refresh themselves. And as to Humphrey Smith, and those with him, they were kept yet a good While in Prison.

In this Year Alexander Parker was at Radnor in Wales, A. Parker and Radnor. and bearing there a Testimony against the Priest Vavasor Powel, he also preach'd the Doctrine of Truth, as occasion offered. It was I think, about this Time that Ambrose Rigg and Thomas Robinson came to Exeter, A. Rigg, T. Robinson go to Exeter and Bristol. from thence to Bristol, and afterwards to Basing-stoke in Hampshire. Here, after much Trouble they got a Meeting appointed; but before all the People was assembled, the Chief Priest with the Rulers of the Place came there; and causing them to be taken away, tendered them the Oath of Abjuration. But they denying to swear, for Conscience-sake,Imprisoned and cruelly used at Ba­sing stoke in Hampshire. were committed to Prison: And the Jailor nailed Planks before the Window, to deprive them of the Light; neither would he suffer them to have a Candle at Night. Here they were kept about a Quarter of a Year, having nothing to lie on but some Straw. But this their Suffering had such Effect, that some of the Inhabitants seeing these unreasonable Dealings, began to enquire into the Doctrine held forth by the Suffer­ers, and so came to be convinced of the Truth thereof.They are re­leased. Preach at Ports­mouth, some there convin­ced. They at last being released, Robinson went to Portsmouth; where he preached Repen­tance. Some Time after A. Rigg came also thither, and reaped what Robinson in some Respect had sowed; tho' it was not long before he was sent out of Town. But returning within a short Time, he found Opportunity to have a Meeting there; and by his Preaching some were convinced, and embraced his Doctrine.

From thence he went to the Isle of Wight, A. Rigg goes to several Places. where some also received the Doctrine maintain [...]d by him. After some Stay he returned to Sussex, where he had great Service. And travelling up and down the Country, he came to Weymouth and Milcomb-regis, Is persecuted and impri­son'd at Mil­comb-regis. where speaking in the Steeple-house against the Priest, he was seized and lockt up in a nasty Dungeon, where there was nothing to lie on but some filthy Straw; and a Stone to sit on: There was also no House of Office; but on the Ground lay an [...]eap of Dung, where he also was forc'd to case himself. But there being an Opening at the Top of the Room, she could see People go along the Streets, and thus took Occasion from this Subterranean Cave, to preach to the Passengers with such Power and Efficacy,There preach­es from under Ground. that his Do­ctrine entred into the Hearts of the Hearers, and stuck there. This Manner of Preaching often hath been in England; and I my self, in my young Years, have been an Eye-Witness of it; and have heard the Prisoners lift up, their Voice so, that it could be heard very easily in the Street [...]; which made People that pas [...]'d by, stand still, and hearken to what was spoken by such zealous Preachers. And tho these were often hindred of having Meetings, yet it was impossible to stop up the Foun­tain from whence their Words flowed. Thus it was also with A. Rigg, Is releas'd a­gain. Travels and is perse­cuted. who after an Imprisonment of eleven Weeks, being set at Liberty, tra­velled up and down again; but in many Places where he came, a Pri­son was his Lot; sometimes even when nothing could be laid to his Charge, but that he was gone from his Dwelling-place: For the, Par­liament had made a Law, that all who were gone from home, and could not give a satisfactory Account of their Business, should be taken up as Vagabonds. Under this Pretence, many who travelled to the Markets with their Goods, were seiz'd by the Way; for if it did but appear that such an one was a Quaker, which was presently seen by his not putting off his Hat, then there wanted no pretended Reason to clap him up in Prison.

[Page 134] A. Rigg travelling on, came also to visit some of his Friends in Prison at Southampton. This was taken so ill, that the Mayor Peter Seal, He is severe­ly wh [...]pt at Southamp­ton, and ex­amined, by Order of P. Seal, Mayor, without examining, caused him to be fastened to the Whipping-post in the Market-place, where he was severely lashed by the Executioner, and then put into a Cart, and sent out of the Town in freezing snowy Weather, the Mayor threatning him, that if ever he returned, he should be whipt again, and burnt in the Shoulder with an R. signifying Rogue. Notwithstanding this, he was moved to return; and the Mayor was very eager to have this executed on him; but the other Magistrates would not consent;who died of a Bloody Flux. and not long after the Mayor died of a Bloody Flux. This Relation hath carried me a little beyond the Course of Time. But now I leave A. Rigg for a While, intending to make further Mention of him hereafter.

In this Year William Caton went again to Scotland, from whence retur­ning,W. Caton goes to Scot­land; back to Bristol, Ply­mouth, Lon­don, and then to Holland, where W. Ames and J. Stubs had been. he travelled to Bristol, thence to Plymouth, and so to London; from whence he made a Voyage again to Holland, where William Ames and John Stubs had been, and also found some among the English People at Amsterdam who had received the Doctrine they preached, tho' after­wards they turned off from it again. W. Ames found also some Recep­tion among the Baptists there, who at first were pleased with him, but J. Stubs did not please them so well, as Dr. Galenus Abrahamson once told me, who compared Ames to a Musician that pray [...]d a very melodi­ous Tune, and Stubs to a Disturber of the harmonious Musick, tho' Ames afterwards for his great Zeal was found Fault with also. W. Caton now arrived at Dort, and from thence repaired to Rotterdam, where for Want of an Interpreter that understood English, he was fain to make Use of the Latin. But it grieved him exceedingly to meet with some unruly Spirits there, that having been in some Measure convinced by W Ames, ran out under the Denomination of Quakers, into Ex­tremes, both in Words and Writings. Some of these Persons I know, and have seen also some of the Books they gave out in Print, in which, under a Pretence of Plainness, not one Capital Letter was to be found, even not to proper Names, nay, not to Names of Authors themselves. And since they ran out into several other Extravagancies, it was not much to be wondred, that the Magistrates clapt them up in Bedlam. The Ring-leader of these People was one Isaac Furnier, Some extra­vagant Peo­ple disown'd [...] the Qua­kers. who formerly (as I have heard my Uncle tell, who had seen it himself) lived as another Diogenes, using at the Fire, instead of a Pair of Tongs, a split Stick; and now conversing among the Quakers, so called, made it a Piece of Holiness to use the most blunt Language he could think of, how absurd and irregular soever. In fine, he so behaved himself, that the Orthodox Quakers could not resolve to keep Society with him any longer. He it was, as I have understood, who was the Author of that ridiculous Saying, My Spirit testifieth: Which, tho' not approved, nor used, by the true Quakers, yet hath been so spread among the People in the Low-Countries, that it hath been constantly credited, and is not yet quite disbelieved, that the Quakers use to say so of any Thing they intend to do; and that if any one, who ever it be, says so, they will give Credit to his Saying. The above-said Dr. Galenus hath told me, that this Man, coming to his Door, and finding the Doctor's Name writ on the Post of the Door (as is usual in Holland) did, with his Knife, scratch out the Letters Dr. signifying Doctor. On which the Doctor askt him, Why he did so? And his Answer was, Because the Spirit did testify so unto him. And being askt farther, If so be, that Spirit did move him to stab the Doctor with the Knife, whether he would follow that Motion. He answered, (if the Relation be true) as the Doctor affirmed to [Page 135] me, Yes. But however it be, this is true, that this Furnier was a passi­onate and giddy-headed Man, whom the true Quakers could not own, tho' he had translated many of their Books out of English into Dutch; and would also preach amongst them. But at length he left them, and turning Papist, [...]ell to a dissolute and debauch d Life.

But to return to W. Caton; he coming to Amsterdam, From Rotter­dam, W. Ca­ton comes to Amsterdam. did not find much more Satisfaction there than at Rotterdam; for several high conceited Professors, who seemed to approve the Doctrine preached by the Quakers, were more ap [...] to take upon them to teach others, than to receive Instruction from others. Wherefore W. Caton did not stay long at Amsterdam, but returned to Rotterdam, and from thence went to Zealand, arriving at Middleburgh accompanied with a certain young Man,Afterward to Middle­burgh in Zea­land, where visiting a young Man (that went with him) in Prison he is also secured. who went to some of the Meeting-places in that City, and was appre­hended; which Caton understanding, went to visit him, and they perceiv­ing that he was his Companion, secured him also; and after having been kept in Prison some Days, being weak in Body, it was ordered that they should be sent to England; and so they were carried in a Coach-wagon to the Water-side, being conducted by a Guard of Sol­diers, to protect them against the rude Multitude, and brought on board a Ship of War,And after some Days put on board a Man of War, where he was hardly used; and arrives at last in Eng­land, where he is kindly recieved; then goes into Hampshire, Surry, Sus­sex and Kent. where Caton suffered great Hardship; for the Seamen were so ill natured, that they would not allow him so much as a piece of Sail-Cloth, but he was fain to lie upon the bare Boards, in very cold and stormy Weather. But tho' thus hardly used, yet he felt his Strength increase, and so experienced [...]he Mercies of God. It was in the Month called November, when he arrived at London, where he was kindly received by the Brethren: After some Stay there he went to Hampshire, Surrey, Suffex, and Kent.

Not long before this, G. Fox came to Exeter, where James Naylor was in Prison, and spoke to him by Way of Reproof; which Naylor slighted, tho' he offer'd to kiss G. Fox; but he unwilling to suffer this, said, Since he had turn'd against the Power of God, he could not receive his Shew of Kindness. It appeared from Letters the Magistrates found in his Pock­et at Bristol, that the Quakers found fault with him, and had reproved him of his High-mindedness, before it launched out into that extrava­gant Act, which made so great a Noise in the World, and hath been mixed with many Untruths, and false Turns. I have therefore thought it worth While to enquire narrowly into it, in Order to give a true Relation of Matters of Fact.

This James Naylor was born of honest Parents,^* in the Parish of Ardesloe near Wakefield in Yorkshire, History of J. Naylor. about the Year 1616. He had served in the Parliament Army, being Quarter-Master in Major General Lam­bert's Troop in Scotland, was a Member of the Independents, and after­wards in the Year 1651, he entred into the Communion of the Quakers so called^† . He was a Man of excellent natural Parts, and at first did [Page 136] acquit himself well, both in Word and Writing among his Friends, so that many came to receive the Truth by his Ministry. He came to London towards the latter End of the Year 1654, or Beginning of 1655, and found there a Meeting of Friends, which had already been gather [...]d in that City by the Service of Edward Burrough and Francis Howgill, and there he preach'd in such an eminent Manner, that many admiring his great Gift, began to esteem him much above his Brethren, which as it brought him no Benefit, so it gave Occasion of some Difference in the Society;See G. W's Preface to J. N's Works. and this ran so high, that some forward and inconsiderate Women, of whom Martha Simmons was the Chief, assumed the Boldness to dispute with F. Howgill and E. Burrough openly in their Preaching, and thus to disturb the Meetings^*. Whereupon they who were truly excellent Preachers, did not fail, according to their Duty, to reprove this Indiscretion. But hereupon these Women were so disgusted, that Martha, and another Woman, went and complained to J. Nailor, to in­cense him against F. Howgill and E. Burrough, but this did not succeed, for he shewed himself afraid to pass Judgment upon his Brethren, as they desired: Whereupon Martha fell into a Passion, in a Kind of Moaning or Weeping, and bitterly crying out with a mourning shrill Voice, said, I looked for Judgment, but behold a Cry; and with that cry'd aloud in a passionate lamenting Manner, which so enter'd and pierced J. Naylor, that it smote him down into so much Sorrow and Sadness, that he was much dejected in Spirit, or disconsolate: Fear and Doubt­ing then entred him, so that he came to be clouded in his Understand­ing, bewildred and at a Loss in his Judgment, and became estranged from his best Friends, because they did not approve his Conduct; inso­much that he began to give Ear to the flattering Praises of some whim­sical People, which he ought to have abhorr'd and reprov'd them for. But his sorrowful Fall ought to stand as a Warning, even to those that are endu'd with great Gifts, that they don't presume to be exalted, left they also fall, but endeavour to continue in true Humility, in which alone a Christian can be kept safe. Hannah Stranger, whom I knew very well, and have Reason to believe a Woman of high Imaginations, wrote in this Time several very extravagant Letters to him, calling him The everlasting Son of Righteousness; Prince of Peace; The only begotten Son of God; The fairest of ten Thousands, &c. In the Letters of Jane Woodcock, John Stranger, and others, were Expressions of the like Extravagancy: The said Hannah Stranger, Martha Simmons, and Dorcas Erbury arriv [...]d to that Height of Folly, that in the Prison at Exeter they kneeled before Naylor, and kissed his Feet: But as to what hath been divulged con­cerning his committing of Fornication, I never could find, tho' very [Page 137] inquisi [...]ive in the Case, that he was in the least guilty thereof.^* But for all that, he was already too much transported, and grew yet more exorbitant; for being released from that Prison, and ri­ding to Bristol in the Beginning of November, he was accompany'd by the aforesaid and other Persons; and passing thro' the Suburbs of Bristol, one Thomas Woodcock went bare-headed before him; one of the Women led his Horse, Dorcas, Martha, and Hannah spread their Scarfs and Handkerchiefs before him, and the Company sung, Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God of Hosts, Hosannah in the highest, Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God of Israel. Thus these mad People sung, whilst they were walking through the Mire and Dirt, till they came into Bristol, where they were examin d by the Magisrates, and committed to Pri­son; and not long after he was carried to London to be examin'd by the Parliament. How it went there, may be seen in the printed Trial, which the Parliament were pleased to publish.^† I believe that J. Naylor was clouded in his Understanding in all this Transation: But how grievous soever his Fall was, yet it pleased God in his infinite Mercy, to raise him up again, and to bring him to such sincere Repentance, that (as we may see in the Sequel) he abhorr'd not only this whole Business, but also manifested his hearcy Sorrow, in pathe [...]ical Expressions, which were publish d, as will be shewn in its proper Place. What hath been said of the odd Doings in Exeter-Prison, and of his riding into Bristol, was not denied by him, nor by the rest of the Company when they were ex­amin [...]d by a Committee of Parliament, who made their Report on the 5th of December, to which the House agreed next Day. On the 16th this Business, which had (not without much Contradiction; for many Members of the Parliament did not approve the Severity used against him) been treated both Forenoons and Afternoons, was proposed the twelfth Time, which made an ingenious Author say afterwards, That it was wondered at by many what the Cause might be that this foolish Business should hold so many wise Men so long at Work. On the 17th, after a long Debate, they came to this Resolution,

That James Naylor be set on the Pillory, with his Head in the Pillory, in the Palace- [...]ard, Westminster, during the Space of two Hours, on Thursday next, and be whipt by the Hangman thro' the Streets from Westminster to the Old-Exchange, London, and there likewise be set on the Pillory, with his Head in the Pillory for the Space of two Hours, between the Hours of eleven and one, on Saturday next, in each Place wearing a Paper containing an Inscription of his Crime [...] and that at the Old Exchange his Tongue be bored thro' with a hot Iron, and that he be there also stigmatiz [...]d in the Forehead with the Letter B, and that he be afterwards sent to Bristol, and be convey'd into and thro the said City on [Page 138] Horseback, with his Face backward, and there also publickly whipt the next Mar­ket-day after he comes thither, and that from thence he be committed to Pri­son in Bridewell, London, and there restrain'd from the Society of all People, and there to labour hard till he shall be released by Parliament, and during that Time be debarr'd the Ʋse of Pen, Ink, and Paper, and shall have no Relief but what he earns by his daily Labour.

They were long ere they could agree on the Sentence; for suppose there was Blasphemy committed, yet his Tongue seemed not properly guilty of it, since it was not proved that blasphemous Words had been spoken by him.^* Many thought it to be indeed a very severe Judgment to be executed upon one whose Crime seemed to proceed more from a clouded Understanding, than any wilful Intention or Evil.

Now altho' several Persons of differene Perswasions being moved with Compassion towards Naylor, as a Man carried away by foolish Imagina­tions, had offered Petitions to the Parliament on his Behalf, yet it was resolved not to read them till the Sentence was pronounced against him.

There lived then at London one Robert Rich a Merchant (a very bold Man) who wrote a Letter to the Parliament, wherein he shewed what was Blasphemy; and on the 15th or December several Copies thereof were deliver'd to particular Members; and in that which was given to the Speaker, these Words were written at the Bottom, If I may [...]ave Liberty of those that sit in Parliament, I do here attend at their Door, and am ready, out of the Scriptures of Truth, to shew, that not any Thing J. Naylor hath said or done, is Blasphemy, &c.

The Parliament, after Judgment was concluded, resolved that the Speaker should be authoriz [...]d to issue his Warrants to the Sheriffs of Lon­don and Middlesex, the Sheriff of Bristol, and Governour of Bridewell, to see the said Judgment put in Execution: But by some it was question [...]d, whether this was a sufficient Warrant, unless the Protector concurr'd in the Matter; but he seemed unwilling to meddle with it. The Thing being thus far agreed upon, J. Naylor was brought up to the Bar; when the Speaker Sir Thomas Widdrington was about to pronounce the afore­mention'd Sentence, Naylor said, He did not know his Offence. To which the Speaker return'd, He should know his Offence by his Punishment. After Sentence was pronounced, tho' J. Naylor bore the same with great Pa­tience, yet it seem'd he would have spoken something, but was denied Liberty; nevertheless was heard to say, with a compos'd Mind, I pray God he may not lay it to your Charge.

The 18th of December, J. Naylor suffered Part of the Sentence; and after having stood full two Hours with his Head in the Pillory, was stript and whipt at a Cart's Tail, from Palace-Yard to the Old Exchange, and re­ceiv'd three Hundred and Ten Stripes; and the Executioner should have given him one more (as he confess [...]d to the Sheriff) there being three Hundred and eleven Kennels, but his Foot s [...]ipping, the Stroke fell upon his own Hand, which hurt him much. All this Naylor bore with so [Page 139] much Patience and Quietness, that it astonish'd many of the Beholders▪ tho' his Body was in a most pitiful Condition: He was also much hurt with Horses treading on his Feet, whereon the Print of the Nails were seen. R. Travers, a grave Person, who washed his wounds, in a Certificate which was presented to the Parliament, and afterward printed, says, ‘There was not the Space of a Man's Nail free from Stripes and Blood from his Shoulders near to his Waste, his Right-Arm sorely stri­ped, his Hands much hurt with Cords, that they bled, and were swelled. The Blood and Wounds of his Back did very little appear at first Sight, by Reason of Abundance of Dirt that covered them, till it was washed off.’ Nay, his Punishment was so severe, that some Judged his Sentence would have been more mild if it had been present Death: And it seem [...]d indeed that there was a Party, who not being able to prevail so far in Parliament as to have him sentenced to Death, yet strove to the utmost of their Power to make him sink under the Weight of his Punishment; for the 20th of December was the Time appointed for Ex­ecuting the other Part of his Sentence, viz. Boring thro' his Tongue, and stigmatizing in his Forehead; but by Reason of the most cruel Whipping, he was brought to such a low Ebb, that many Persons of Note, moved with Compassion, presented Petitions to the Parliament on his Behalf, who resp [...]ed him farther Punishment for one Week. During this Interval several Persons presented another Petition, in whicn are these Words: ‘Your Moderation and Clemency in respiting the Punish­ment of J. Naylor, in Consideration of his Illness of Body, hath re [...]reshed the Hearts of many Thousands in these Cities, altogether unconcern [...]d in his Practice: Wherefore, we most humbly beg your Pardon that are constrained to appear before you in such a Suit, (not daring to do otherwise) that you would remit the Remaining Part of your Sentence against the said J. Naylor, leaving him to the Lord and to such Gospel Remedies as he hath sanctified; and we are persuaded you will find such a Course of Love and Forbearance more effectual to reclaim; and will leave a Zeal of your Love and Tenderness upon our Spirits,’

And we shall pray, &c.

This Petition being presented at the Bar of the House, by about one Hundred Persons, on the Beha [...] of the whole, was accordingly rea [...] and debated by them; but not being, likely to produce the desired Effect, the Petitioners thought themselves in Duty and Conscience bound to address the Protector for remitting the remaining Part of the Sentence; who thereupon sent a Letter to the Parliament, which occasion'd some Debate in the House. But the Day for executing the remaining Part of the Sentence drawing near, the Petitioners made a second Address to the Protector. It was indeed very remarkable, that so many Inhabitants that were not of the Society of those call [...]d Quakers, shew [...]d themselves so much concern'd in this Business; but to me it seems to have proceeded meerly from Compassion towards the Person of J. Naylor, whom they regarded as one that was rather fallen into Error thro' Inconsiderateness than to have been guilty of wilful Blasphemy, for then he would not have deserved so much Pity. But notwithstanding all these humble Petitions, the publick Preachers it seems prevailed so much with Crom­wel, that he could not resolve to put a Stop to the intended Execution; for five of these Ministers, whom I find named thus, Caryl, Manton, Nye, Griffith, and Reynolds came on the 24th of December, by Order from the Parliament (as it was said) to Naylor, to speak with him concerning the Things for which he was detain'd, and would not permit either [Page 140] Friend or other to be present in the Room, tho' a certain impartial or neutral Person desir'd it earnestly, but it was denied him; yet after the Conference,W. H. coming into the Prison, he asked Naylor what had been the Issue of it? Who told him that he told those Ministers, That he saw they had an Intent to make him suffer (tho' innocent) as an Evil-doer, and therefore had denied any to be present that might be indifferent Judges betwixt them and him; and that therefore he should not say any Thing, unless what passed was wrote down, and a Copy thereof given him to keep, or left with the Jailor sign'd by them. This was by them consented to, and so they propounded several Questions unto him, and took his Answers in Writing: He far­ther told, That they asked him if he was sorry for [...] Blasphemies that he was guilty of, and whether he did recant and renounce the same? To which his Answer was, What Blasphemies? Name them: But they not being able to instance in any Particular, he continu'd, Would you have me re­cant and renounce you know not what? Then they asked him, Whether he did believe there was a Jesus Christ? To which he answered, He did believe there was, and that Jesus had taken up his Dwelling in his Heart and Spirit, and for the Testimony of Him he now suffer'd. Then one of the Preachers said, But I believe in a Jesus that never was in any Man's Heart: To which Naylor return'd, He knew no such Christ, for the Christ he witnessed filled Hea­ven and Earth, and dwelt in the Hearts of the Believers. Next they demand­ed of him, Why he suffered those Women— to worship and adore him? To which he reply'd, Bowing to the Creature I deny; but if they beheld the Power of Christ, where-ever it is, and bow to it, he bad nothing by which be might resist that, or gainsay it: ^* And withal said to the Ministers, Have you thus long professed the Scriptures, and do you now stumble at what they hold forth [...] Whereupon they desiring one Instance of Scripture wherein such a Practice was held forth. 2 Kings iv 27, 37. He answer'd, What think you of the Shuna­mite's falling down at the Feet of Elisha, and bowing before him? As also divers others in Scripture spoken of, I Sam. xxv 23. as that of Abigail to David, and that of Nebu­chadnezzar to Daniel:Dan. ii. 46. Upon which they pausing a while, said at length, That was but a civil Act or Acknowledgment: To which he return'd, So you might interpret the Act of those Women also, if your Eye were not evil, seeing the outward Action is one and the same: And he perceiving that they were seeking to wrest Words from him to their own Purpose, said, How soon have you forgot the Work of the Bishops, who are now found in the same, seeking to ensnare the Innocent. Whereupon they rose up, and with Bit­terness of Spirit burnt what they had written before, and so left him with some bemoaning Expressions; and when they were departing, he desired of them, That the Parliament would send him such Questions in Writ­ing as they desired Satisfaction to, and give him Leave to return his Answers in Writing also.

[Page 141]By this it seems that Naylor, tho' still under some Cloud, yet was a little more clear in his Understading than before; but he was en­countred by fierce Enemies, and therefore the Execution of his Sentence was not stopt, but perform'd on the 27th of December. Robert Rich, that forward Man, of whom something hath been mention'd already, was this Day at the Parliament-Door, from eight in the Morning till about eleven, crying variously to the Parliament-Men as they pass'd by [...] To one whom he judg'd to be innocent, he said, He that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God; for God is Love: And to another whom he thought to be swayed by Envy, he said, He that hates his Brother is a Manslayer, and he that hates his Brother is a Murderer. Some then thought that Naylor would not have suffered any farther Punishment, because many honourable Persons had attended the Parliament and the Protector on his Behalf: But Rich knowing how the Case stood, told the People, That the Innocent was going to suffer: And to some of the Parliament Men he cry'd, That he was clear from the Blood of all Men; and that he desired them to be so too. Then he went towards the Exchange, and got on the Pillory, held Naylor by the Hand while he was burned on the Forehead, and bored thro' the Tongue; and was not a little affected with Naylor's Suffer­ings, for he licked his Wounds, thereby as it seems to allay the Pain; and he led him by the Hand from off the Pillory. It was very re­markable, that notwithstanding there might be many Thousands of People, yet they were very quiet, and few heard to revile him, or seen to throw any Thing at him: And when he was burning, the People both before and behind him, and on both Sides, with one Consent stood bare-headed, as seeming generally moved with Compass­sion and Good-will towards him.

Many now rejoiced, seeing how some few among the Quakers, as Rich, and the like Sort of People did side with Naylor, whilst the Quakers generally spoke against him and his Doings; for those who hop'd to see the Downfal ot them, signified not obscurely, That now Things went as they would have, since the Quakers (as they said) were divided among themselves. But Time shewed that this pretended Division soon came to an End, and those Diviners and Guessers over-shot themselves. How it went with the Execution of Naylor's Sentence at Bristol, I am not inform'd^* ; but by a Letter of one Richard Snead, an ancient Man of about eighty Years, I have understood that Naylor had written a Letter to the Magistrates of Bristol, wherein he had disapproved, and penitently condemned his Carriage there^† . After this he was brought to Bridewel, London, (as sentenced) where he continued Prisoner about two Years, during which Confinement he came to a true Repentance of his Transgression; and having got the Use of Pen and Ink, wrote several Books and Papers, condemning his Error, which were publish'd in Print; and after his Release he published several others, one of which, by Way of Recantation, runs thus:

He wrote another Paper, wherein he related at large, how by Un­watchfulness he came to fall, after having once obtain'd much Victory over the Power of Satan, by the Grace of God, when he daily walked humbly in his Fear, having for some Years labour'd faithfully in the Ministry of the Gospel. But what is remarkable, tho' where-ever he [Page 144] did use to come, he went with great Boldness thro' all Opposition, yet coming to the City of London, he entred into it with the greatest Fear that ever he came into any Place with, in Spirit foreseeing (as he relates) somewhat to befal him there, but not knowing what it might be:Introduction to J. N's Works, p. 40.

That he came to a perfect Recovery from his having been in a Maze, seems to appear plainly by the following Thanksgiving to God for his Mercies, which he published after his Fall.

This plainly appears to be a Poetical Piece; for the Author all along makes Use of Allegorical Sayings, to signify the great Anguish and Tri­bulation he had been under.

The Hatred of his Enemies was the fiercer, because he had undis­guisedly and clearly demonstrated their Duty to the Rulers and Preach­ers, and Lawyers: For in a certain Book published by him in the Year 1653, to exhort Men to Repentance, he writes thus to the Rulers:

This and much more he wrote to the Rulers. And to the Preachers thus: ‘And you who say, you are the Teachers of the Nation, How long will it be ere you look at your own Ways? Is not all Manner of Filthiness a­mongst you, which you should lead the People out of? Is there not among you Drunkenness, Gluttony, Whoredom, and Sporting, Sitting down to eat and to drink, and rising up to play; Swearing, Lying, Backbiting, false Accusing, Railing, Slandering, Contention, Strife and Envy? Yea, are not the best of you given to Pride and Covetousness, which is Idolatry, Fulness of Bread, and Abundance of Idleness? Are not you Hirelings, and teach for the Fleece? Do not you contend for Money with your own Hearers, and sue them at Law for it; yea, altho' they cannot satisfy your Demand, without sinning against the Light in their own Conscience, and so sin against God? Are you not bitter, and Persecutors of any that come to discover your Lewdness, crying out to the Magistrate to uphold you in your beastly Ways, and to stop the Mouths of all those whom God hath sent to witness against you? And many more Works of this Nature are among you, which the pure All-seeing God hath shewed unto his People to be amongst you; and therefore it is that they come out from you, lest they partake with you of your Sins and Plagues. But are not you blind Leaders of the blind, when you neither see these to be the Works of Dark­ness, nor those that follow you. Woe unto you that devour Souls for Money and Gain, the Day of your Account is at Hand. O repent, the Blood of Souls is upon you, &c.’

The Lawyers in the same Writing had a Stroke also, thus: ‘And you Lawyers, ought not you to plead the Cause of Equity between Man and Man for Equity Sake, without Respect to your selves or others, but only to Truth it self, that a just Cause may be owned in whomsoever it concerns? But is not the justest Cause sure to fall, if the Party have not Money to satisfy your De­mands, which are many Times very unreasonable? And you who should instruct People in the Ways of Truth and Peace, do not you by your Wisdom teach them Lies and Strife? Do not you advise your Plantiffs, as you call them, to declare in Bills, Things that are not true, and make small Offences seem very great by false Glosses? For say you, We may declare what we will, and prove what we can; so that you, and they whom you act for, know before hand, that scarce one Thing of Ten can be proved, neither is true? Is this the Way to make up the Breach, and preserve Peace and Truth among People? O miserable Fall from God, when that Law which should before pre­serve in Peace, is used to aggravate Offences beyond Truth, and so make Differences greater. And do not you delight to fish in troubled Waters; and [Page 147] the greater Dissention amongst the People, the more is your Gain? Are not your Purses filled, and your Estates raised in the Ruins of the People? And are not those Laws which ought to be used to preserve People from Oppression, by abusing, made the Ʋndoing of whole Families, impoverishing Towns and Countries? The Law, as it is now used, is scarce serviceable for any other End but for the envious Man, who hath much Money to revenge himself of his poor Neighbours, which, may be, never did him Wrong? Is there any ap­pearing for the Poor against the Rich, altho' his Cause be just, but by Deceit, Delays and Expences; the Remedy is worse than the Disease?’

Much more he wrote to the Lawyers, to stir 'em up to do Justice, and then addressed himself to the People in general, in these Words,

‘And you People of the Nation, that have seen the Hand of God, against the Prince and People for these and the like Abominations, and you your selves are escaped, as Brands placked out of the Fire; have you at all turned to him who hath smitten you? Or are you better'd by Correction? Or have you made your Peace with the Al­mighty? Altho' you have seen War, and the Sword reaching to the very Soul, are you not every one to your own Power, gathering Fuel to that Fire which hath been burning in the Land, and hath con­sumed Thousands; which should have been as a Warning unto you who are escaped, to return to the Lord from the Evil of your Doings? But are not you still making the Breach wider between God and the Nation, as tho' you were le [...]t for no other End, but to fill up the Measure of Iniquity that is yet behind, that the Just God may sweep the Land with the Besom of Destruction? O when will you cease to provoke the Lord by your Sins? Where is your Redeemer you have professed so long in Words and Forms? Can you witness him in your Works? And what hath he redeemed you from? For saith he, Why call you me Lord, and do not the Things which I say? Is he your Lord, and you Servants to all Manner of Filthi­ness? And notwithstanding that you have seen his Wonders in the Nation, yet do not you exceed all that ever went before you, in Pride, Covetousness, Drunkenness, Swearing, Envying, Quarrelling, Backbiting, Slandering, false Accusing, Self-Love, and Deceit in all Manner of Merchandize and Trading; false Weights and Measures, Sayings, Protestings one towards another, in your Bargaining, speak­ing Things that are not true, and hereby to over-reach your Bre­thren, and get dishonest Gain. How many false Oaths, and idle Words are spent about every Bargain in your Markets, and open Streets, without blushing, or being ashamed? Yea, it is able to break the Hearts of any who know the Pure God, to know it, and hear it, for it is come to such a Height of Deceit, that none can trust his Brother; for Lying, Swearing, and Forswearing, it abounds in the Nation; and yet you will profess your selves to be the Members of Jesus Christ: And had Jesus Christ ever such a Body as this? Nay, all that are Members of him, are of one Heart, and one Soul. And you talk of a Communion of Saints; Had ever the Saints such a Communion as this, to defraud one another for Money; and pro­fess a Redeemer, and are Servants to the Devil, and your own Lusts, in all the Motions and Temptations thereof, and are led cap­tive at his Will? But what Redemption is this you witness, so long as Sin, the Partition-Wall, is between God and you, stands still whole in your Wills; you will be drunk, swear, lye, and commit Adultery, di [...]semble, and satisfy your Lusts in all Things, and say, we [Page 148] are redeemed, yet commit all these Abominations, and live in them, under a Pretence of a Profession, and going to the Idols Temple once a Week: Did ever Jesus Christ redeem such a People, or dwell in such a People? Those whom he hath redeemed, he hath freed from the Servitude of Sin, by separating them from Sin, and recon­ciling them to God, from whence they are fallen by Sin; for God and Sin cannot dwell in one. And to such he saith, Be ye holy, for I am holy: And as he is the Lamb of God who taketh away the Sins of the World: Now see, how is your Sins taken away, when the Kingdom, of Darkness doth wholly rule in you, and leads you into Works and Ways of Darkness? Are you reconciled to God, and have you Fel­lowship with him? Are not you yet Strangers to him, and worship an unknown God? For he that commits Sin, hath not seen him, neither known him, and so worship they know not what, in formal and super­stitious Worships.’

Thus J. Naylor wrote: But I now break off, that I may not be te­dious.

So zealous was he before his Fall, which was wholly of another Nature than the common Sins and Transgressions: For by the Wiles of Satan he accepted the idolatrous Honour that some Persons gave him, instead of which he ought to have reproved them: And thus was he so stupified in his Understanding, that he imagin'd the Bow­ing and kneeling before him, was not done on Account of his Person, but for Christ: And with this false Opinion he blinded himself for a Time, till it pleas'd God to pity him, and to give him Light again, after he had suffer'd such an unheard of Punishment for his Trans­gression, as is already related in this History. And because his Free­dom of Speech against Unrighteousness of all Sorts, and his Preach­ing ran very sharp upon all, several were angry with him, became his Enemies, and took Occasion from his Crime to revenge themselves fiercely upon him, by making him suffer a cruel Punishment, which was no Ways proportionable to his Transgression. But herein barba­rous Cruelty plaid its Part so much, that the soberest Inhabitants did detest it, and therefore a Petition was presented to the Parliament, de­siring a Discharge of Part of the Punishment, of which, the first Subscriber was Colonel Scroop, who was Governor of Bristol.

While he lay in the House of Correction, he wrote several Papers to manifest his Regret and Repentance for his Crime; some of which are already inserted in this History. Since is come to my Hand a Letter to his Friends, being written with his own Hand, to this Purport:

He wrote also several other Confessions of his Faults about this Time; in one of which, amongst others, I find these Words:

‘And concerning you, the tender Plants of my Father who have suffered thro' me, or with me, in what the Lord hath suffered to be done with me, in this Time of great Trial and Temptation; the Almighty God of Love, who hath numbred every Sigh, and put every Tear in his Bottle, reward it a thousand Fold into your Bosoms, in the Day of your Need, when you shall come to be tri­ed and tempted; and in the mean Time fulfil your Joy with his Love, which you seek after. The Lord knows, it was never in my Heart to cause you to mourn, whose Sufferings is my greatest Sorrow that ever yet came upon me; for you are innocent herein.’

When he had finish'd that Letter, and set his Name, he wrote as follows:

‘I beseech you (all that can) to receive it, even as you would be received of the Lord; and for the rest, the Lord give me Patience to suffer, till he make up the Breach.’

While he was in Bridewel, he writ to the Parliament, who had punish [...]d him as a Blasphemer, to let them know what his true Opi­nion concerning Jesus Christ was.

After this, hearing that some had wrong'd him about that which he had spoken to the Committee of the Parliament, and understanding how Men had perverted his Words, he wrote a Paper, declaring himself far­ther, concerning his Belief of Christ, and his Sufferings and Death, &c. Also he complained of Things that some had published under the Title of James Naylor's Recantation, wherein they had much perverted him; and he declared,

This is certain, that James Naylor came to very great Sorrow, and deep Humiliation of Mind; and therefore because God forgives the Transgressions of the Penitent, and blotteth them out, and remem­breth them no more, so could James Naylor's Friends do no other than forgive his Crime, and thus take back the lost Sheep into their Society. He having afterwards obtained his Liberty, behaved himself as became a Christian, honest and blameless in Conversation, and pa­tiently bore the Reproach of his former Crimes.

[Page 151]When King Charles the IId. had ascended the Throne, one Richard Blome, published a Book entitled, The Fanatick History, which was said to be published with the Approbation of Orthodox Divines (so called) and dedicated by him to the King. This Book struck chiefly against the Quakers, and was stuft with a Multitude of lying Stories, and the Fall of J. Naylor was not concealed in it. He being then alive, took up the Pen, and answered the Falsities contained in it, relating to himself; and because R. Blome in his Dedication said, That if his Majesty put not forth his Royal Hand of Power suddenly to restrain us, we are so numerous and sedu­cing, that we will (in a little Time) diffuse our Poison over the better Part of his Kingdom, which none but a Regal Authority can stifle.

Thus much and more J. Naylor wrote to answer the Falshoods whereof he was accused, and to apologize for the Doctrine of which he made Profession, and to show that the Fault of his Crime must no Ways be attributed to the same, as many envious Persons in those Times asserted, to wit, that his Fall was a Consequence of the Doctrine that Men must take Heed to the saving Grace, the inward Anointing, or the Light wherewith every Man coming into the World is enlight­ned from God. ^* Yet to proceed farther with J. Naylor, he wrote af­ter his Recovery many Papers and edifying Letters: He also answered two Letters, which when the Persecution in New-England burnt so fierce, were sent over from thence in Defence of that Fact; one under the Name of John Endicot, Governor of Boston, and the other in that of [Page 156] Richard Bellingham. All the Arguments for the Persecution of the Qua­kers to be lawful and necessary, he answered at large, See J. N's Works, p. 737. and shewed how little Agreement their Crime of pursuing Persecution had with the Name wherewith they had called themselves, for a Distinction from other Persuasions, namely, Independents, by which they would have it known, that they were independent from all, except the Spirit of Je­sus Christ, on whom they pretended alone to be dependent: And yet nevertheless it now appear'd manifestly that it was the fleshly Arm whereby they supported themselves. He wrote also some Papers to the Parliament and the Rulers,Ibid. 748. Ibid. 760. to check the Vanities that were pub­lickly committed, and to mend their Faults; to ease the Oppressed, and to take Care for the Maintenance of Liberty.

At length ^* he died in Huntingtonshire, in the latter End of the Year 1660, about the 44th Year of his Age. About two Hours before his Death, he spoke in the Presence of several Witnesses, these Words:

[Page 157] This was J. Naylor's last Testimony or dying Words; and thus he gave Proof, that tho' he had erred, yet with great Confidence he hoped for a happy Resurrection.

So I conclude the Story of J. Naylor, and leaving him now, Time calls me to New England.

It was in the Month called July, M. Fisher & A. Austin come to Bost­on in New England, be­fore any Law made against Quakers. of this present Year, when Mary Fisher and Ann Austin arrived in the Road before Boston, before ever a Law was made there against the Quakers, and yet they were very ill treated; for before they came a-shore, the Deputy Governor Rich­ard Billingham (the Governor himself being out of Town) sent Officers aboard, who searched their Trunks and Chests, and took away the Books they found there, which were about One Hundred, and carried them ashore, after having commanded the said Women to be kept Pri­soners aboard; and the said Books were, by an Order of the Council, burnt in the Market-place by the Hangman.Yet are ill treated. Afterwards the Deputy-Governour had them brought on Shore, and committed them by a Mittimus to Prison, as Quakers, upon this Proof only, that one of them speaking to him, had said Thee instead of You: Whereupon he said, He needed no more, for now he saw they were Quakers. And then they were shut up [...]lose Prisoners, and Command was given that none should come to them without Leave; a Fine of five Pounds being laid on any that should otherwise come at, or speak with them, tho' but at the Window.Stript to know whether they were Witches, and barba­rously misu­sed. Their Pens, Ink, and Paper were taken from them, and they not suffered to have any Candle-light in the Night-Season; nay, what is more, they were stript naked, under Pretence to know whether they were Witches, tho' in searching, no Token was found upon them but of Innocence: And in this Search they were so barbarously misused, that Modesty forbids to mention it: And that none might have Com­munication with them, a Board was nailed up before the Window of the Jail. And seeing they were not provided with Victuals,Liberty being deny'd to send them Provisi­on, N. Upshal a Member of their own Church pur­chases it at 5 s. per Week. W. Chiches­ter bound to carry them back, and not suffer any to speak with them. Nicholas Ʋpshal, one who had lived long in Boston, and was a Member of the Church there, was so concerned about it, (Liberty being denied to send them Provision) that he purchas [...]d it of the Jailor at the Rate of five Shillings a Week, lest they should have starved. And after having been about five Weeks Prisoners, William Chichester, Master of a Vessel, was bound in one hundred Pound Bond to carry them back, and not to suffer any to speak with them, after they were put on board; and the Jailor kept their Beds, which were brought out of the Ship, and their Bible for his Fees.

Such was the Entertainment the Quakers first met with at Boston, and that from a People who pretended, that for Conscience-Sake they had chosen the Wildernesses of America, before the well-cultivated Old England; tho' afterwards, when they took away the Lives of those called Quakers, they, to excuse their cruel Actions, did not stick to say, that at first they had used no Punishment against the Quakers.

Scarce a Month after the Arrival of the aforesaid Women at Boston, Soon after came C. Hol­der, T. Thir­stone, &c. who are im­prison'd; and after about 11 Weeks Stay, sent back in a Ship at the Charge of R. Lock, Master. there came also Christopher Holder, Thomas Thirstone, William Brend, John Copeland, Mary Prince, Sarah Gibbens, Mary Wheathead, and Dorothy Waugh; they were lock'd up in the same Manner as the former, and after about eleven Weeks Stay, sent back; Robert Lock, a Master of a Ship, being compelled to carry these eight Persons back on his own Charge, and to land them no where but in England; having been imprisoned till he undertook so to do.

The Governor John Endicot, whose Blood-thirstiness will appear in the Sequel, being now come home, bid them, Take heed ye break not our Ecclesiastical Laws, for then ye are sure to stretch by a Halter. And when they [Page 158] desired a Copy of those Laws, it was denied them; which made some of the People say, How shall they know then when they transgress? But Endicot remained stiff, having said before, when at Salem, he heard how Ann Austin and Mary Fisher had been dealt with at Boston, If I had been there, A Law to prohibit Masters of Ships bring­ing Quakers into that Ju­risdiction. I would have had them well whipt. Then a Law was made, ‘Pro­hibiting all Masters of Ships to bring any Quakers into that Juris­diction, and themselves from coming in, on Penalty of the House of Correction’. When this Law was published, Nicholas Ʋpshal, al­ready mentioned, could not forbear to shew the Persecutors the Un­reasonableness of their Proceedings,N. Upshal for warning them, is fin'd, imprison'd, and banish'd. warning them to take Heed that they were not found fighting against God, and so draw down a Judgment upon the Land. But this was taken so ill, that tho' he was a Mem­ber of their Church, and of good Repute, as a Man of an unblame­ble Conversation, yet he was fined in twenty three Pounds, and im­prisoned also, for not coming to Church, and next they banished him out of their Jurisdiction. This Fine was exacted so severely, that Endicot said, I ll not bate him one Groat: And tho' a weakly old Man, yet they allowed him but one Month's Space for his Removal, so that he was forc'd to depart in the Winter.

Coming at length to Rhode Island, This Usage is amazing to an Indian Prince he met after at Rhode-Island who offers him Favour. he met an Indian Prince, who ha­ving understood how he had been dealt with, behaved himself very kindly, and told him, If he would live with him, he would make him a warm House: And farther said, What a God have the English, who deal so with one another about their God! For it seems Ʋpshal was already lookt upon as one that was departing from his Church-Membership. But this was but a Beginning of the New England Persecution, which in Time grew so hot, that some of the Quakers were put to Death on the Gal­lows, as will be related in its due Time.

Now I return to Old England, G. Fox goes from Exeter to Bristol, where he has a great Meet­ing in an Or­chard, and there Paul Gwin a Bap­tist, finds Fault with him, but is soon s [...]'d. where we left G. Fox at Exeter, from whence he went to Bristol. Here he had a great Meeting in an Orch­ard: And since some Thousands of People were come thither, and many very eager to see him, he stept upon a great Stone that stood there, and having put off his Hat, stood a pretty while silent, to let People look at him. There was there a Baptist, named Paul Gwin, who began to find Fault with G. Fox's Hair, and at last said to the People, Ye wise Men of Bristol, I strange at you, that ye will stand here, and hear a Man speak, and affirm that which he cannot make good. Then G. Fox ask'd the People, ‘Whether they ever heard him speak before, or ever saw him before? And he bid them take Notice what Kind of Man this Gwin was, who so impudently said, that he spake and affirm'd that which he could not make good; and yet neither Gwin nor they ever heard him, or saw him before; and that therefore it was a lying, envious, and mali­cious Spirit that spoke in him.’ Then G. Fox charging Gwin to be si­lent, began to preach, which lasted some Hours, without being disturbed. After this Meeting G. Fox departed from Bristol, and passing thro' Wiltshire, Marlborough, Passes to Lon­don, and on the R [...]ad speaks to the Protector in his Coach. and other Places, he return'd to London; and when he came near Hide-Park, he saw the Protector coming in his Coach; where­upon he rode up to his Coach-side, and some of his Life-guard would have put him away; but the Protector forbad them. Then riding by his Coach-side, he spoke to him about the Sufferings of his Friends in the Nation, and shewed him how contrary this Persecution was to Christ and his Apostles, and to Christianity. And when they were come to the Gate of James's-Park, G. Fox left Cromwel, who at parting desir'd him to come to his House. The next Day Mary Sanders, one of Crom­wel's Wife's Maids,M. Sanders, one of Crom­wel's Wife's Maids. came to G. Fox's Lodging, and told him, That her Master coming home, said, he would tell her some good News: And when she ask'd him, What it was? He told her, George Fox was come to Town. [Page 159] To which she replied, That was good News indeed. Not long after, G. Fox and Edward Pyot went to Whitehall, and the [...]e spoke to Cromwel, G. Fox and E. Pyot at Whitehall speak to Cromwel a­bout Friends Sufferings, and reason with him a­bout the light, &c. con­cerning the Sufferings of their Friends, and ‘directed him to the Light of Christ, who had enlightned every Man that cometh into the World.’ To which Cromwel said, This was a natural Light: But they shewed him the contrary, saying, That it was Divine and Spiritual, pro­ceeding from Christ, the Spiritual and heavenly Man: Moreover, G. Fox bid the Protector lay down his Crown at the Feet of Jesus. And as he was stand­ing by the Table, Cromwel came and sat upon the Table's Side by him, and said, He would be as high as G. Fox was. But tho' he continu'd to speak in a light Manner, yet afterward was so serious, that when he came to his Wife and other Company, he said, That he never parted so from the Quakers before.

G. Fox having visited the Meetings of his Friends in and about Lon­don, Afterward G. Fox tra­vels almost thro' England and returns to London. 1657 Publick Af­fairs. departed thence, and travelled almost thro' all England, not with­out many Occurrences, which for Brevity's Sake I pass by. At length he returned to London again, this Year being now come to an End.

In the Parliament which Cromwel had call'd, a Law was made, where­by Charles Stuart's Title of King was rejected, and the Year 1657 be­ing come, Subsidies were granted to Cromwel, and there was a Contri­vance under Hand to make him King, of which, tho' he expressed his Dislike, yet he seemed not altogether averse to it; for speaking once with General Fleetwood, and Colonel Desborough, he began to droll with them about the Word Monarch, and said, It was but a Feather in a Man's Cap; and therefore he wondred that Men would not please the Children, and per­mit them to enjoy their Rattle. But they not obscurely signify'd to him, that this Business did displease them; and told him, ‘That those who put him upon it, were no Enemies to Charles Stuart; and that if he accepted of it, he would infallibly draw Ruin upon himself.’ Now, tho' he would not openly oppose them, yet he did not stick to tell them, They were a Couple of scrupulous Fellows, and so left them. It is re­lated also, that Major General Lambert told Cromwel, That if he accepted the Crown, he could not assure the Army to him. The Design thus miscar­rying, and Cromwel having now seen that the Matter would not go so cleverly, he refused the Title of King; and the Parliament confirming him in his Title of Protector, it was agreed, that the Parliament hence­forth should consist of a Lower House, and another House, and that the Protector should name a Successor in the Government. Now he was solemnly vested in his Authority, a Throne for that Purpose being e­rected in Westminster-Hall, and he being clothed in a Purple-Robe lined with Ermins, and the Scepter and Sword being presented him, took the Oath to rule faithfully. Cromwel having called a new Parliament, it consisted of two Houses, viz. a House of Commons, and another House, as they called it. And many excluded Members having taken Place again in the House of Commons, it was believed that more than an Hundred of the Members were Enemies to Cromwel; and the Autho­rity of the Upper House began to be called in Question by some, because it was fill'd up with many of his Creatures, some of them of low Rank. And this Matter was so carried on in the House of Commons, that Cromwel dissolved the Parliament, and he also made Major Gene­ral Lambert surrender his Commission.

Edward Burrough who often writ to Cromwel, Edward Bur­rough's Let­ter to Crom­wel. having heard of the De­sign of making him King, wrote a Letter to him, wherein I find that after having told the Protector, That he had many Warnings from the Lord, he thus speaks to him;

That which E. Burrough mentions in the Fore-Part of this Letter of the grievous Burdens and Oppressions laid upon the Just, seems chiefly to re­gard the Tythes which the Priests extorted from the Quakers, so that many thereby were reduced to Poverty: And the Hainousness of this was was not unknown to Cromwel; for when he was about to give Bat­tle to his Enemies near Dunbar in Scotland, he said in his Prayer to God, Cromwel breaks his Promise made in Di­stress at Dunbar in Scotland. That if the Lord would be pleased to deliver him at that Time, he would take off that great Oppression of Tythes. But this Promise he never perform­ed, but suffered himself to be swayed by the Flatteries of his Teach­ers: And therefore it was not without great Cause that E. Burrough laid this grievous Oppression before him. A Copy of the said Letter, of which but a Part is inserted here to shun Prolixity, was given into the Hands of Oliver Cromwel, then Protector, in the third Month of this Year. In the next Month E. Burrough spoke with him about it and Cromwel told him in Effect, That all Persecution and Cruelty was against his Mind; and said, That he was not guilty of those Persecutions acted unjustly upon Burrough's Friends. This made E. Burrough write again to him, E. Burrough writes to him again. and bid

This Letter was delivered to O. Cromwel in the Fourth Month,Writes again. and in the Month following E. Burrough wrote again to him: ‘That the good Name PROTECTOR, by the great Oppression acted in his Name, was abused, and subverted; and that instead of Pro­tection by it, great Injustice was acted under it, and covered with it. Besides, that several Justices of Peace, and other Officers in Trust under him, when they had owned the People called Quakers, had been cast out of their Places, tho' they had not denied to serve him and the Common-wealth, neither had Unfaithfulness to their Trust been proved against them.’

In September, E. Burrough wrote another Letter to Cromwel, And again. wherein he signified to him; ‘That he had many Enemies, some of which endeavoured to destroy him, by any Means, without regarding a­ny Danger that might be in the Attempt. And that he going on in oppressing thro' Tyranny, or suffering it, perhaps the Lord might raise up the wicked to be a Plague to Wickedness, and suffer the Oppressors to overthrow Oppressions. That there were others, viz. the Fifth Monarchy Men, who, tho' not so bad as the former, yet secretly murmured against him, and envyed him, not being Friends to his Government, some of them being cast out and rejected, with­out just Cause, as they supposed.’ And as to us, how can we, said he mention thee in our Prayers to God, except it be to be delivered from thee, who are daily unjustly Sufferers by thee, or because of thee? Or how can we be Friends to that Government, under which we daily suffer such hard and cruel Things, as the Loss of our Liberty and Estates, and are in Danger of Life also?

It was about the Beginning of this Year that Christopher Birkhead came to Zealand, C. Birkhead in Danger of his Life, from Papists at Rochel. having before been at Rochel in France; where having spoken and written against the Popish Religion, he was imprisoned, and exami­ned by the Bishop: And some would have had him burnt, but the Criminal Judge absolv'd him. It was in the latter End of the Month called February, when he came to Middleburrough in Zealand, [...]mes to Zealand. and going to the English Congregation there, after the Preacher William Spanke had preach'd about three Quarters of an Hour, he said, Friends, the Apostle saith, that We may all prophesie one by one, that two or three Prophets may speak, and the others judge; and if any Thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, Has a Confe­rence in the English Con­gregation at Middle-burgh. let the first hold his Peace. This speaking caused a great Stir in the Congregation, and the rather because he stood in the Place where the Women used to sit: So he was apprehended by order of the Magistrates, and examined in the Presence of some of the publick Preachers. When he was asked, What his Name was? he answered, that his Name according to the Flesh was Christopher Birk­head [Page 164] Then it was ask'd him, whether he had yet another Name? And his Answer was, Yes, written in the Lamb's Book of Life. Being enquired, what that Name was? he made Answer, None knows it but him that hath it. To which was said, Why, if you have it, tell it us. No, replied he, read it, if ye have seen the Book of the Lamb opened: It is forbidden me to tell it. Then the English Teacher Spanke ask'd, Whether he had seen the Book of the Lamb opened? And he answered, yea. The next Question was, Whe­ther he had opened it? No, said Birkhead, it was the Lamb that did it. Then Spanke asked, Whether his Name in the Book of the Lamb, was not Jesus? No, quoth Birkhead, that is the Name of the Lamb. More other Questions to ensnare him, Spanke put to him. And being examined by the Magistrates concerning the Place of his Abode, his Calling, or Trade, &c. Spanke was asked what he had to say against him: Who then related what had happened in the Congregation. Concerning this, se­veral Questions were asked of Birkhead; but since he understood not Dutch, and the French Tongue but imperfectly, he complain'd that he could not fully answer for himself so as he wished. He was asked also, Whether any Body else came along with him, and he was charged to speak the Truth. To which he said, that God did not permit him to lye. One of the Preachers then said, That all Men were Liars. To this, Birk­head replied, that tho' all Man were Liars, yet he knew a Deliverance from Lying. Then Spanke bid him, not to add to the Scriptures. For Birkhead had accused him a little before, that he had added his Meaning to the Scriptures. And it being strongly asserted that all Men were Liars, Birkhead took Occasion from thence, to ask Spanke, Whether he was a Liar? who without any Hesitation answering, Yes, Birkhead bluntly told him, Then thou art of thy Father the Devil. Now the Matter of J. Naylor having caused strange Reports of the Quakers every where, and Birk­head, for Want of the Language not being able to answer so plainly every Objection, his Offence without Question was aggravated the more; and the Conclusion was, that he was sentenced to be confined in the House of Correction. But after some Time,Is sent to the House of Cor­rection, but after releas'd. G. Baily in Prison in France, therein dies. he was released at the Intercession of the Heer Newport, Ambassador of the States Ge­neral in England.

In this Year it was, I think, that one George Baily coming into France, was taken into Custody, and dyed in Prison there; he having zealously testified against Popery, and spoken boldly against the Worshipping of Images.

William Ames returning this Year to Amsterdam, W. Ames and H. Thatcher at Amster­dam. and one Humble Thatcher coming with him (whom I could never learn to have been tru­ly in Communion with the Quakers) it caused some Jealousie; for Ames, who formerly had been in Military Employment, was an extraor­dinary bold Man; and about this Time it seems, a Paper was put on the Door of the English Meeting-house, tho' Ames declared he knew Nothing of it, or who was the Author. And about this Time also the strange Business of J. Naylor being noised abroad by a Book that was given out in Print at Amsterdam, and some other Pamphlets stuft with several Untruths, and abominable Lies, it was not to be wondred at, that the Magistrates fearing some Mischief, sent for Ames and Thatcher to appear before them, and commanded them to depart the Town within twenty four Hours. But they being perswaded of their own Innocency, did not obey this Command. The next Day appearing before the Magistrates, and not putting off their Hats, it seems they were look'd upon as such as did not own Magistrates; (for this the Quakers stood charged with in publick Print, and were compared to the tumultuous Crew of Anabaptists or Fifth Monarchy [Page 165] Men at Munster in the foregoing Age:) And so they were kept in Custody for some Days,Taken into Custody and banish'd the Town. Ames returns next Day. and then at Night were led thro' the Re­gulars Gate, and so banish [...]d out of the Town. But W. Ames judging that he had committed no Evil, came again the next Day into the City, and passed the great Market-place called the Dam. It is report­ed that some of the Magistrates seeing him out of the Windows of the Town-house walking along the Street, said, Lo there's the Quaker; If we had a Mind now to make Martyrs, here would be an Opportunity for it. But it seems not without Reason, that it was look'd upon to be most safe to wink at this; for tho' strange Reports were spread up and down of the Quakers, yet there was no Proof of their evil Carriage here. Mean while Ames staid some Time in Town, and the Doctrine he preach [...]d found a little Entrance even with some of the Collegians.By whom the Author's Pa­rents were convinced, being some of the first Qua­kers in Am­sterdam. It was about this Time, that my Parents, viz. Jacob Williamson Sewel, of Ʋtreght, free Citizen and Surgeon at Amsterdam, and his Wife Judith Zinspenning, born in this Town, both Members of the Flemish-Baptists Church there, were convinced of the Truth preached by W. Ames; she having before had immediate Openings, that if ever she would become a Child of God, she must give Heed to this Light which reproved for Sin. They with two or three more were the first Ortho­dox Quakers in Amsterdam; Orthodox, I say, because I very well remem­ber what a strange and odd Sort of People about that Time did flock to the Quakers in this Country: But these whimsical People not being sin­cere in Heart, but more inclined to Novelties than to true Godliness, perceived in Time that they were not regarded by them; and they were also contradicted by Ames and others; so that at length, after many Exorbitances, they left the Quakers.

In the Fore-part of this Year,W. Caton, at a Meeting in Sussex, quiets a desperate rude Rabble. William Caton came also to Amsterdam. Before he left England, he had had a Meeting at the East-side of Sussex on the Day called Shrove-Tuesday, where there had never been any of his Friends before. But the People being on that Day more rude than ordinary, came up to the House with a Drum, and that in such a des­perate Manner, as if they would have pulled the House down. Caton stepping out, a [...]ked them, What they wanted? And they answered Quakers; at which he told them, He was one: And he spoke so plainly to them, and with so much Power, that Fear falling upon them, they withdrew with Shame and Confusion.

Not long after he went to London, Goes to Lon­don; thence to Rotterdam and Amster­dam. and from thence to Holland. And being safely arrived at Rotterdam, he repaired to Amsterdam; where he came in due Time to stop the Unruliness of some forward Spirits, among which one Anne Garghil an English Woman was not one of the least; whose Rudeness grew in Time to that Degree, that she would not suffer W. Ames to preach peaceably in the Meeting, but laid violent Hands on him; so that at length to be rid of her, he bad an English Sea-man that was present, to take her away, which was done accord­ingly: And how haughty she was, and continued, I well remember still, W. Caton procured also some Books to be printed at Amsterdam, Has some Books printed there. Goes to Zut­phen. to pre­vent evil and malicious Reports concerning the Quakers; and he went with W. Ames to Zutphen in Guelderland, where meeting with nothing but Opposition, he returned to Amsterdam, and from thence by Leyden and the Hague to Rotterdam; from which Place he went to Zealand, where he wrote the Book called The moderate Enquirer resolved, both in Latin and English, which was afterwards translated indifferently into Dutch. After some Stay, Caton returned again to England, Returns to England. and came to London, where the Society of his Friends was in a thriving Condition, and many were added to the Church.

In this City we left G. Fox: He wrote there several Papers for the [Page 166] Opening of the Understandings of People,G. Fox tra­vels into Kent Sussex, Surrey. and for the Edification of his Friends. From thence he travelled into Kent, Sussex, and Surrey, and coming to Basingstoke, tho' the People were rude there, yet he had a quiet Meeting in the Place. In the Inn he had some Trouble with the Inn-keeper, who was a Drunkard. Afterwards he came to Ports­mouth, Exeter, Bristol, and into Wales, And to Ports­mouth, Ex­eter, Bristol and into Wales. where many came to him. At Brecknock, (where he was accompanied by Thomas Holmes, who first of the Quakers in Wales, had preached the Doctrine of the inward Light, and by John-ap-John, who three Years before had been sent by a Priest out of Wales into the North, to enquire what kind of People the Qua­kers were) he had a great Meeting in the Steeple-house-yard,Has a succes­ful Meeting at Breck­nock. where was a Priest, and one Walter Jenkin, who had been a Justice, and another Justice. Here he preach'd so effectually, that many were convinced. And after the Meeting, he went with Jenkin to the other Justice's House, who said to him, You have this Day given great Satisfaction to the People, and answered all the Objections that were in their Minds. And at Lem­ster, where he is opposed. At Lemster he had a great Meeting, where Priest Tombs made some Opposition, by say­ing that the Light G. Fox spoke of was but a natural Light: But G. Fox asserted the contrary, and said that he had spoken of no other Light than John bore Witness unto, viz. The Word which was in the Beginning with God, and which Word was God; and that was the true Light, which en­lighteneth every Man that cometh into the World. G. Fox coming from this Place to Tenby, Comes to Ten­by, has a Meeting there. as he rode in the Street, a Justice of Peace came out and desired him to alight, and to stay at his House, which he did; and on the first Day of the Week had a Meeting there, whither the May­or and his Wife, and several others of the Chief of the Town came. John-ap-John, who was then with G. Fox, left the Meeting, and went to the Steeple-house, and was by the Governor cast into Prison. The next Morning the Governor sent one of his Officers to the Justice's House to fetch G. Fox, which grieved the Mayor and the Justice, and so they went up to the Governor; and a while after, G. Fox went with the Officer,Discourses with, and con­vinces the Go­vernor, who sets his friend at liberty. and coming in, said, Peace be unto this House: And before the Governor could examine him, he asked, Why he had cast his Friend into Prison? and the Governor answered, For standing with his Hat on in the Church. Why, resumed G. Fox, Had not the Priest two Caps on his Head, a black one, and a white one? And if the Brim of the Hat, which was but to defend from the Weather, had been cut off, then my Friend would have had but one Cap. These are frivolous Things, said the Governor. Why then, said G. Fox, dost thou cast my Friend into Prison for such frivolous Things? Then the Governor asked him, Whether he owned Election and Reprobation. Yes, said he, And thou art in the Reprobation. This so incens'd the Gover­nor, that he told G. Fox, He would send him to Prison, till he proved it. G. Fox, not at all at a Loss, said, I'll prove that quickly, if thou wilt but confess Truth: And then he asked him, Whether Wrath, Fury, and Rage, and Persecution were not Marks of Reprobation? For he that was born of the Flesh persecuted him that was born of the Spirit; and Christ and his Apostles never persecuted nor imprisoned any. This Speech of his so struck the Governor that he fairly confess'd That he had too much Wrath, Haste, and Passion in him. Which made G. Fox say, that Esau the first Birth was up in him, not Jacob the second Birth. By this the Man was so reach'd, that he confess'd to Truth, and inviting G. Fox to Dinner with him, he set his Friend at Liberty. It was with great Satisfaction that G. Fox departed the Town; and in several other Places of Wales he had some singular Occurrences; and tho' the People generally were rude, yet some were convinced.Visits several Places in the North. At length he came to Lancaster, where at the Inn he met with Colonel West, who was very glad to see him. Next he came to Swarthmore, where he writ some Epistles and other [Page 167] Papers. After having staid there some Days, he went to some other Places in the North, and to Scotland; here travelling from Town to Town, he met with great Opposition from some Priests:Goes into Scotland, has much Opposi­tion. For in an Assembly they had drawn up several Articles or Curses, to be read in their Steeple-Houses, the first of which was, Cursed is he that saith, eve­ry Man hath a Light within him sufficient to lead him to Salvation: And let all the People say Amen. An Independent Pastor preaching one Day against the Quakers and the Light,A Remark­able Occur­rence. and calling the Light natural, cursed it, and so fell down as dead in his Pulpit: The People carrying him out, and pouring Strong-Waters into him, it brought him to Life again; but he was mopish, and a [...] one of his Hearers said, he never recovered his Senses. In the Month October, G. Fox came to Edinburgh, where he was summon'd to appear before the Council, who, tho' indifferent civil, yet told him, He must depart the Nation of Scotland, by that Day Seven-night: Against which, he not only spoke, but wrote also. Whilst G. Fox was in Scotland, his Friends there were brought to a great Strait;His Friends there excom­municated. for being excommunicated by the Presbyterian Teachers, Charge was given, That none should buy or sell with them, nor eat or drink with them. Hence it came to pass, that some having bought Bread or other Victuals of their Neighbours, these frighted with the Curses of their Priests, did run, and fetch it from them again. But Colonel Ashton, a Justice of Peace,Col. Ashton is convinced. put a Stop to these Proceedings; and being afterwards convinced of the Truth, had a Meeting settled at his House, and declared the Truth, and lived and died in it.

G. Fox now travelled almost over all Scotland, G. Fox tra­vels over Scotland. and had in some Places good Opportunities to declare the Gospel, being often heard with Satis­faction by the English Soldiers, but the Scotch generally gave little Heed. He went also among the Highlanders, who were a mischievous People. Returning at length to Leith, the Inn-keeper told him that the Council had granted forth Warrants to apprehend him, because he was not gone out of the Nation after the seven Days were expired, that they had ordered him to depart in. Some others told him the same, to whom he said,Makes slight of Warrants to take him up. What do you tell me of their Warrants against me? If there were a Cart-load of them, I do not heed them; for the Lord's Power is over them all. From Leith, he went to Edinburgh again, and went to the Inn where he had lodged before, and no Man offered to meddle with him. Alexander Parker and Robert Widders being also there, he re­solved to go with Parker to Johnston, out of which Town some Time before he had been led by Soldiers: And he came into Johnston just as they were drawing up the Bridges, the Officers and Soldiers never questioning him. And coming to Capt. Davenport's House, from which he had been haled before, he found there many Officers, who lifting up their Hands, wondered that he came again: But he told them, The Lord God had sent him amongst them again. Then the Baptists sent him a Letter, by Way of Challenge,Is challenged by the Bap­tists at John­ston. That they would discourse with him the next Day. And he sent them Word, that he would meet them at a certain House, about half a Mile out of the Town, at such an Hour. For he thought, if he should stay in Town to speak with them, they might under Pretence of discoursing with him, have raised People to carry him out of the Town again, as they had done before. At the Time appointed, he went to the Place,They neglect to meet him. Captain Davenport and his Son accompanying him; and there he staid some Hours, but none of them came; whereby the Intent of the Baptists was sufficiently discover'd. Being thus disappointed, he went back again to Edinburgh, He returns to Edinburgh, and has a Meeting un­disturbed. and past thro' the Town, as it were, against the Canon's Mouth. The next Day, be­ing the first of the Week, he went to the Meeting in the City, and many Officers and Soldiers came to it, and all was quiet. The follow­ing [Page 168] Day he went to Dunbar, where walking with a Friend or two of his, in the Steeple-house-yard, he met with one of the chief Men of the Town there, and spoke to one of his Friends, to tell him, ‘That about the Ninth-Hour next Morning, there was to be a Meeting there, of the People of God called Quakers, of which they desired him to give Notice to the People of the Town. To which he said, that they were to have a Lecture there by the Ninth Hour: But that a Meeting might be kept there by the Eighth Hour, if they would.’ G. Fox thinking this not inconvenient, desired him to give Notice of it. Accordingly in the Morning many came, both Poor and Rich; and a Captain of Horse being quartered in the Town, came there with his Troopers also.Has a Meet­ing at Dun­bar. To this Company G. Fox preached, and after some Time the Priest came, and went into the Steeple-house; but G. Fox and his Friend being in the Steeple-house-yard, most of the People staid with them; so that the Priest having but few Hearers, made short Work, and coming out, stood a while, and heard G. Fox, and then went away. This was the last Meeting he had in Scotland, and he un­derstood afterwards that his Labour had not been in vain, but that the Number of Believers increased.Goes thence to Berwick and Newcastle. Now he departed from Dunbar, and came to Berwick in Northumberland, and from thence to Newcastle; where we will leave him a while, and return again to New-England.

We have seen before,Severities a­gainst the Quakers in New-Eng­land. that a Law was made there, to prevent the Quakers coming into that Country. The first I find that came after that, were Anne Burden, a Widow, whose Business was to gather up some Debts in the Country, that were due to her, and Mary Dyer from Rhode-Island, who before her coming, knew nothing of what had been done there concerning the Quakers. A. Burden, and M. Dyer imprison'd. These two were both impri­soned, which William Dyer, Mary's Husband hearing, came from Rhode-Island, and did not get her released without a great Deal of Pains, be­coming bound in a great Penalty, not to lodge her in any Town of that Colony, nor to permit any to speak with her: An evident Token that he was not of the Society of the Quakers, so called, for other­wise he would not have entered into such a Bond; but then without Question he would also have been clapt up in Prison. As for Anne Burden, Their farther Cruelties to Ann Burden. she was kept in Prison, tho' sick, about a Quarter of a Year. Whilst she was in this Restraint, some tender Hearted People had procured of her Debts to the Value of about thirty Pounds in Goods: And when she at length was to be sent away, she desired that she might have Liberty to pass to England by Barbadoes, because her Goods were not fit for England. Now how reasonable soever this Request was, yet a Master of a Ship was compelled to carry her to England, without her Goods, for which she came there, except to the Value of about six Shillings, which an honest Man sent her upon an old Account. And when the Master of the Ship asked what should pay for her Passage, the Rulers bid him take so much of her Goods as would answer it. But he was too honest to do so, being perswaded that she would not let him be a Loser, tho' he could not compel her to pay, since she went not of her own Will: Yet for all that, she paid him at London. After she was gone, when he that had the first Trust from her Husband, was to convey her Goods to Barbadoes, these rapacious People stopp'd to the Value of six Pounds ten Shillings, for her Passage, for which they paid nothing, and seven Shillings for Boat-Hire to carry her on Ship-board, tho' the Master profered the Governor to carry her in his own Boat; but that was not allowed; she being sent with the Hang-man in a Boat that was press'd: Besides, they took to the Value of Fourteen Shillings for the Jailor, to whom she [Page 169] ow'd nothing. Now tho' this Widow had made such a great Voyage, to get something of what was due to her, to relieve her and her Father­less Children, yet after three Years she had nothing of it come to her Hands: And whether she got any Thing since, I never understood.

The next of the Quakers that came to Boston was Mary Clark, M. Clark at Boston whipt unmercifully, and kept in Prison about 12 Weeks in Winter. who hav­ing left her Husband John Clark, a Merchant-Taylor, with her Children, at London, came thither to warn these Persecutors to desist from their Iniquity: But after she had delivered her Message, she was unmerci­fully rewarded with twenty Stripes of a Whip with three Cords, on her naked Back, and detained Prisoner about twelve Weeks in the Winter-Season. The Cords of these Whips were commonly as thick as a Man's little Finger, having each some Knots at the End; and the Stick was sometimes so long, that the Hangman made use of both his Hands, to strike the harder. The next that came were Christopher Holder and John Copeland, who had been banished before,C. Holder and J. Cope­land brought from Salem to Boston, cru­elly whipt, im­prisoned, and inhumanly used there. and coming to Salem a Town in the same Colony, Holder spoke a few Words in their Meeting after the Priest had done; but was haled back by the Hair of his Head, and a Glove and Handkerchief thrust into his Mouth, and so turn'd out with his Companion, and next Day had to Boston, where each of them received thirty Stripes with a knotted Whip of three Cords, the Hangman measuring his Ground, and fetching his strokes with the greatest Strength he could: Which so cruelly cut their Flesh, that a Woman seeing it, fell down as dead. Then they were lockt up in Pri­son, and the Jailor kept them three Days without any Food, not gi­ving them so much as a Draught of Water; and so close, that none might come to speak with them; lying on the Boards, without Bed or Straw. Thus they were kept nine Weeks Prisoners, without Fire in the cold Winter-Season. And Samuel Shattock of Salem, S. Shattock imprisoned. who endea­voured to stop the Thrusting of the Glove and Handkerchief into Hol­der's Mouth, lest it should have choaked him, was also carried to Boston, and there imprisoned, till he had given Bond for twenty Pound to answer it at the next Court, and not to come at any Meeting of the Quakers. The Career of this Cruelty did not stop here;L. and C. Southick. for Lawrence Southick and his Wife Cassandra, Members of the publick Church at Salem, and an ancient and grave Couple, having entertained the afore­said C. Holder and J. Copeland, were committed to Prison, and sent to Boston, where Lawrence being released, his Wife was kept seven Weeks Prisoner, and then fined Forty Shillings for owning a Paper of Exhor­tation, written by the aforesaid Holder and Copeland. The next that came from England, as being under a Necessity from the Lord to come to this Land of Persecution, was Richard Dowdney, R. Dowdney barbarously whipt, &c. who was apprehen­ded at Dedham, and brought to Boston, having never before been in that Country; yet he was not spared for all that; but thirty Stripes were also given him in like Manner as the Former. And after twenty Days Imprisonment, he was sent away with Holder and Copeland; after having been threatned with cutting off their Ears, if they returned. These cruel Dealings so affected many Inhabitants,This Usage makes some withdraw from the pub­lick Worship, and meet by themselves, for which they are fined, and undergo the Lash. that some withdrew from the Publick Assemblies; and meeting by themselves quietly on the First Days of the Week, they were fined Five Shillings a Week, and committed to Prison. The First whose Lot this was, were the afore­said Laurence, and Cassandra Southick, and their Son Josiah, who being carried to Boston, were all of them, notwithstanding the old Age of the Two, sent to the House of Correction, and whipt with Cords, as those before, in the coldest Season of the Year, and had taken from them to the Value of four Pounds thirteen Shillings for not coming to Church.