ALTHOUGH my Station, not be­ing so Eminent either in the Church of Christ, or in the World, as others who have moved in higher Orbs, may not afford such considerable Remarks as theirs; yet, inasmuch as in the Course of my Travels through this Vale of Tears, I have passed through various, and some uncommon Exercises, which the Lord hath been graciously pleased to support me under, and conduct me [...]hrough; I hold it a matter excusable, at least, [...]f not commendable, to give the World some [...]ittle Account of my Life, that in, Recounting [...]he many Deliverances and Preservations, which the Lord hath vouchsafed to work for [Page 34] me, both I, by a grateful Acknowledgmen [...] thereof, and Return of Thanksgivings unt [...] him therefore, may, in some measure set forth hi [...] abundant Goodness to me; and others, whos [...] Lot it may be to tread the same Path, and fal [...] into the same, or like Exercises, may be encouraged to persevere in the way of Holines [...] and, with full assurance of Mind to trust in th [...] Lord, whatsoever Trials may befal them.

date 1639 To begin therefore with mine own Beginning. I was Born in the Year of our Lord 1639, about the Beginning of the Eighth Mont [...] (so far as I have been able to inform my self [...] for the Parish Register, which relates to th [...] time (not of Birth, but) of Baptism, (as the [...] call it) is not to be relied on.

The Place of my Birth was a little Countr [...] Town, called Crowell, situate in the upper sid [...] of Oxfordshire, Three Miles East-ward fro [...] Thame the nearest Market-Town.

My Father's Name was Walter Ellwood; an [...] my Mothers Maiden-Name was Elizabeth P [...] man: both well descended; but of declinin [...] Families. So that what my Father Possesse [...] (which was a pretty Estate in Lands, and mo [...] as I have heard in Monies) he received (as h [...] had done his Name Walter) from his Grandf [...] ther Walter Gray; whose Daughter, and onl [...] Child, was his Mother.

date 1641 In my very Infancy, when I was but abo [...] two Years Old, I was carried to London. F [...] the Civil War, between King and Parliamen [...] breaking then forth; my Father (who favou [...] ed [Page 35] the Parliament-Side, though he took not Arms) not holding himself safe at his Country Habitation (which lay too near some Garisons of the King's) betook himself to London, that City then holding for the Parliament.

There was I bred up (though not without much Difficulty, the City Air not agreeing with my tender Constitution) and there con­tinued, until Oxford was surrendred, and the War, in Appearance, ended.

In this time, my Parents contracted an Ac­quaintance, and intimate Friendship with the Lady Springett; who being then the Widow of Sir William Springett (who died in the Par­liament Service) was afterwards the Wife of Isaac Penington, Eldest Son of Alderman Pe­nington of London. And this Friendship de­volving from the Parents to the Children, I be­came an early and Particular Play-fellow to her Daughter Gulielma; being admitted, as such, to ride with her in her little Coach, drawn by her Footman about Lincoln's-Inn-Fields.

I mention this in this Place, because the Con­tinuation of that Acquaintance and Friendship having been an Occasional Means of my being afterwards brought to the Knowledge of the Blessed TRUTH, I shall have frequent Cause, in the Course of the following Discourse, to make honourable Mention of that Family, to which I am under so many and great Obli­gations.

date 1646 Soon after the Surrender of Oxford, my Fa­ther returned to his Estate at Crowell; which [Page 36] by that time he might have need enough to look after, having spent (I suppose) the greatest Part of the Monies which had been left him by his Grandfather, in maintaining himsel [...] and his Family at an high Rate in London.

My elder Brother (for I had one Brothe [...] and two Sisters, all elder than my self) was [...] while we lived in London, Boarded at a privat [...] School, in the House of one Francis Atkinson, a [...] a Place called Hadley, near Barnet in Hertfordshire; where he had made some good Proficiency in the Latin and French Tongues. But after we had left the City, and were resettled i [...] the Country; he was taken from that privat [...] School, and sent to the Free School at Tham [...] in Oxfordshire.

Thither also was I sent, as soon as my tender Age would permit: for I was indeed bu [...] young when I went, and yet seemed younge [...] than I was, by reason of my low and little Stature. For it was held, for some Years, a doubtful Point, whether I should not have proved a Dwarf. But after I was arrived to the Fifteenth Year of my Age (or thereabouts) I began to shoot up, and gave not over growing [...] till I had attained the middle Size and Statu [...] of Men.

At this School (which at that time was i [...] good Reputation) I profited apace; havin [...] then a natural Propensity to Learning: so tha [...] at the first reading over of my Lesson, I commonly made my self Master of it: And y [...] (which is strange to think of) few Boys in th [...] [Page 37] [...]chool wore out more Birch than I. For tho' [...] was never (that I remember) whip't upon [...]he Score of not having my Lesson ready, or of not saying it well: yet being a little busie Boy, full os Spirit, of a working Head, and [...]ctive Hand, I could not easily conform my self to the grave and sober Rules, and (as I [...]hen thought) severe Orders of the School; but was often playing one waggish Prank or other among my Fellow-Scholars, which subjected me to Correction, so that I have come under the Discipline of the Rod twice in a Forenoon. Which yet brake no Bones.

Had I been continued at this School, and in due time preferred to an higher; I might in likelihood have been a Scholar: for I was ob­served to have a Genius apt to learn. But my Father having, so soon as the Republican-Go­vernment began to settle, accepted the Office of a Justice of the Peace (which was no way Be­neficial, but meerly Honorary, and every way Expensive) and put himself into a Port, and Course of Living agreeable thereunto; and having also removed my Brother from Thame-School to Merton-Colledge in Oxford, and entred him there in the highest and most chargeable Condition, of a Fellow-Commoner: he found it needful to retrench his Expences elsewhere; the Hurt of which fell upon me. For he thereup­on took me from School, to save the Charge of Maintaining me there: which was somewhat like plucking green Fruit from the Tree, and laying it by, before it was come to its due Ripe­ness; [Page 38] which will thenceforth shrink and wither, and lose that little Juice and Relish which it began to have.

Even so it fared with me. For being taken home when I was but young, and before I was well settled in my Studies, (though I had made a good Progress in the Latin Tongue, and was entred in the Greek) being left too much to my self, to ply, or play with my Books, or without them, as I pleased: I soon shook Hands with my Books by shaking my Books out of my Hands, and laying them, by degrees, quite a­side; and addicted my self to such youthfu [...] Sports and Pleasures as the Place afforded, and my Condition could reach unto.

By this Means, in a little time, I began to lose that little Learning I had acquired at School; and by a continued disuse of my Books, became at length so utterly a Stranger to Learn­ing, that I could not have read, far less have understood a Sentence in Latin. Which I was so sensible of, that I warily avoided reading to others, even in an English Book, lest, if I should meet with a Latin Word, I should shame my self, by mispronouncing it.

Thus I went on, taking my Swing in such vain Courses, as were accounted harmless Recre­ations; entertaining my Companions, and fami­liar Acquaintance, with pleasant Discourses in our Conversations, by the meer Force of Mo­ther-Wit and Natural Parts, without the Help of School-Cultivation: and was accounted good Company too.

[Page 39] But I always sorted my self with Persons of [...]ngenuity, Temperance and Sobriety: for I [...]athed Scurrilities in Conversation, and had a [...]atural Aversion to Immoderate Drinking. So [...]at in the Time of my greatest Vanity, I was [...]reserved from Prophanness, and the grosser E­ [...]ils of the World: which render'd me accept­ [...]ble to Persons of the best Note in that Coun­ [...]ry then. I often waited on the Lord Wenman, [...]t his House Thame-Park (about two Miles [...]rom Crowell, where I lived;) to whose Favour held my self intituled in a two-fold Respect: [...]oth as my Mother was nearly related to his Lady; and as he had been pleased to bestow his Name upon me, when he made large Promises [...]or me at the Font. He was a Person of great Honour and Virtue, and always gave me a kind Reception at his Table, how often soever I came. And I have cause to think, I should have received from this Lord some advantage­ous Preferment in this World, as soon as he had found me capable of it (though betwixt him and my Father there was not then so good an Understanding as might have been wish'd) had I not been, in a little time after, called into the Service of the best and highest Lord: and there­by lost the Favour of all my Friends, Relations and Acquaintance of this World. To the Ac­count of which most happy Exchange I hasten, and therefore willingly pass over many Parti­cularities of my youthful Life. Yet one Pas­sage I am willing to mention, for the Effect it had upon me afterwards: which was thus:

[Page 40] date 1657 My Father being then in the Commission [...] the Peace, and going to a Petty-Sessions at Wa [...] lington, I waited on him thither. And whe [...] we came near the Town, the Coachman seeing a nearer and easier Way, than the commo [...] Road, through a Corn Field, and that it wa [...] wide enough for the Wheels to run, withou [...] endammaging the Corn, turned down there [...] Which being observed by an Husband-ma [...] who was at Plow not far off, he ran to us; an [...] stopping the Coach, poured forth a Mouthfu [...] of Complaints, in none of the best Language [...] for driving over the Corn. My Father mildly answered him, That if there was an Offenc [...] committed, he must rather impute it to hi [...] Servant, than himself; since he neither directed him to drive that Way, nor knew whic [...] way he drove. Yet added, that he was going to such an Inn at the Town; whither if h [...] came, he would make him full Satisfaction, fo [...] whatsoever Dammage he had sustained there­by. And so on we went, the Man venting his Discontent, as he went back, in angry Ac­cents. At the Town, upon enquiry, we un­derstood that it was a way often used, and without Dammage, being broad enough; but that it was not the common Road, which yet lay not far from it, and was also good enough: Wherefore my Father bid his Man drive Home that way.

It was late in the Evening when we return­ed, and very dark; and this quarrelsome Man, who had troubled himself and us in the Morn­ing, [Page 41] date 1657 having gotten another lusty Fellow, like [...]mself, to assist him, way-lay'd us in the [...]ight, expecting we would return the same [...]ay we came. But when they found we did [...]ot, but took the common Way, they, angry [...]at they were disappointed, and loth to lose [...]eir Purpose, (which was to put an Abuse up­ [...] us) coasted over to us in the dark, and lay­ [...]g hold on the Horses Bridles, stopt them from [...]oing on. My Father asking his Man, what [...]e Reason was that he went not on, was an­ [...]wered, That there were two Men at the Horses [...]eads, who held them back, and would not suffer [...]em to go forward. Whereupon my Father, o­ [...]ening the Boot, step't out, and I followed close [...] his Heels. Going up to the place where [...]e Men stood, he demanded of them the [...]eason of this Assault. They said, We were [...]pon the Corn. We knew, by the Routs, we [...]ere not on the Corn, but in the common way, nd told them so. But they told us, They were esolved they would not let us go on any farther, but [...]ould make us go back again. My Father endea­ [...]oured, by gentle Reasoning, to perswade them [...] forbear, and not run themselves farther into [...]he Danger of the Law, which they were run [...]oo far into already: but they rather derided [...]im for it. Seeing therefore fair Means would [...]ot work upon them, he spake more roughly [...]o them, charging them to deliver their Clubs [...]for each of them had a great Club in his Hand, [...]omewhat like those which are called Quarter­ [...]taves.) They thereupon, laughing, told him, [Page 42] date 1657 They did not bring them thither for that En [...] Thereupon my Father, turning his Head to m [...] said, Tom, Disarm them.

I stood ready at his Elbow, waiting only fo [...] the Word of Command. For being naturall [...] of a bold Spirit, full then of youthful Hea [...] and that too heightned by the Sence I had, no [...] only of the Abuse, but insolent Behaviour o [...] those rude Fellows; my Blood began to boy [...] and my Fingers itch'd (as the Saying is) to b [...] dealing with them. Wherefore, stepping boldly forward, to lay hold on the Staff of him tha [...] was nearest to me, I said, Sirrah, Deliver you [...] Weapon. He thereupon raised his Club (whic [...] was big enough to have knock't down an Ox [...] intending (no doubt) to have knock't me dow [...] with it; as probably he would have done, ha [...] I not, in the twinkling of an Eye, whip't o [...] my Rapier, and made a Pass upon him. [...] could not have failed running of him throug [...] up to the Hilt, had he stood his Ground: b [...] the suddain and unexpected Sight of my brigh [...] Blade, glistering in the dark Night, did so amaze, and terrifie the Man, that slipping asid [...] he avoided my Thrust; and letting his Sta [...] sink, betook himself to his Heels for Safety [...] which his Companion seeing, fled also. I fo [...] lowed the former as fast as I could: but Tim [...] addidit Alas, Fear gave him Wings, and mad [...] him swiftly fly: so that although I was accoun [...] ed very nimble, yet the farther we ran, th [...] more ground he gain'd on me; so that I coul [...] not overtake him: which made me think h [...] [Page 43] date 1657 [...]k shelter under some Bush; which he knew [...]ere to find, though I did not. Mean while [...]e Coachman (who had sufficiently the outside [...]a Man) excus'd himself from intermedling, [...]der pretence that he durst not leave his [...]rses: and so left me to shift for my self. [...]d I was gone so far beyond my Knowledge, [...]t I understood not which way I was to go: [...] by Hollowing, and being Hollowed to a­ [...]in, I was directed where to find my Company. [...]We had easie Means to have found out who [...]se Men were (the principal of them having [...]en in the Day time at the Inn, and both [...]arrelled with the Coachman, and threatned [...]be even with him when he went back:) but [...]ce they came off no better in their Attempt, [...]y Father thought it better not to know them, [...]an to oblige himself to a Prosecutiou of them. [...]At that time, and for a good while after, I [...]d no regret upon my Mind, for what I had [...]ne, and designed to have done, in this Case; [...]t went on, in a sort of Bravery, resolving to [...]l, if I could, any Man, that should make [...]e like Attempt, or put any Affront upon us: [...]d for that reason, seldom went afterwards, [...]on those publick Services, without a loaded [...]stol in my Pocket. But when it pleased the [...]ord, in his infinite Goodness, to call me out [...] the Spirit and Ways of the World, and give [...]e the Knowledge of his saving Truth; where­ [...]y the Actions of my fore-past Life were set in [...]der before me: a sort of Horror seized on me, [...]hen I considered how near I had been to the [Page 44] date 1657 staining of my Hands with Human Blood. A [...] whensoever afterwards I went that way, a [...] indeed as often since as the Matter has come i [...] to my remembrance, my Soul has blessed t [...] Lord for my Deliverance; and Thanksgivin [...] and Praises have arisen in my Heart (as no [...] at the relating of it, they do) to Him, w [...] preserved, and with-held me from sheddi [...] Man's Blood. Which is the Reason, for whi [...] I have given this Account of that Action, th [...] others may be warned by it.

date 1658 About this time my dear and Honoured M [...] (who was indeed a Woman of singular Wor [...] and Virtue) departed this Life; having a litt [...] before heard of the Death of her eldest Son: w [...] (falling under the Displeasure of my Fath [...] for refusing to resign his Interest in an Estat [...] which my Father sold, and thereupon desiri [...] that he might have Leave to Travel; in hop [...] that Time and Absence might work a Recon [...] liation) went into Ireland, with a Person po [...] erful there in those Times, by whose Means [...] was quickly preferred to a Place of Trust a [...] Profit, but lived not long to Enjoy it.

I mentioned before, that during my Father [...] Abode in London, in the time of the Civil Wa [...] he contracted a Friendship with the Lady Spri [...] gett, then a Widow, and afterwards Marri [...] to Isaac Penington, Esq To continue which [...] sometimes Visited them at their Country-Lodg [...] ­ings (as at Datchet, and at Causham Lodge nea [...] Reading.) And having heard that they we [...] come to live upon their own Estate at Chalfo [...] [Page 45] date 1659 [...] Buckinghamshire (about Fifteen Miles from [...]well) he went one Day to Visit them there, [...]d to return at Night; taking me with him.

But very much surpized we were, when, [...]ing come thither, we first heard, then found, [...]ey were become Quakers; a People we had [...] Knowledge of, and a Name we had, till [...]en, scarce heard of.

So great a Change, from a free, debonair [...]d courtly sort of Behaviour (which we for­ [...]erly had found them in) to so strict a Gra­ [...]ty as they now received us with, did not a [...]tle amuse us, and disappoint our Expectation [...]f such a pleasant Visit, as we used to have, and [...]ad now promised our selves. Nor could my [...]ather have any Opportunity, by a private [...]onference with them, to understand the Ground or Occasion of this Change; there be­ [...]g some other Strangers with them (related to [...]saac Penington) who came that Morning from [...]ondon to Visit them also.

For my Part, I sought, and at length found Means to cast my self into the Company of the Daughter, whom I found gathering some Flow­ers in the Garden, attended by her Maid, who was also a Quaker. But when I addressed my self to her after my accustomed Manner, with Intention to engage her in some Discourse, which might introduce Conversation, on the Foot of our former Acquaintance: though she treated me with a Courteous Mein; yet, (as young as she was) the Gravity of her Look and Behaviour struck such an Awe upon me, that [Page 44] [...] [Page 45] [...] [Page 46] date 1659 I found my self not so much Master of my s [...] as to pursue any further Converse with h [...] Wherefore asking Pardon for my Boldness, [...] having intruded my self into her private Wa [...] I withdrew, not without some Disorder (a [...] thought at least) of Mind.

We stay'd Dinner, which was very ha [...] some; and lacked nothing to recommend it [...] me, but the want of Mirth and pleasant D [...] course: which we could neither have w [...] them, nor, by reason of them, with one a [...] ther amongst our selves; the Weightiness t [...] was upon their Spirits and Countenances, kee [...] ing down the Lightness that would have be [...] up in us. We stay'd notwithstanding till t [...] rest of the Company took leave of them: a [...] then we also, doing the same, returned, n [...] greatly satisfied with our Journey, nor kno [...] ing what in particular to find fault with.

Yet this good Effect that Visit had upon m [...] Father, who was then in the Commission f [...] the Peace, that it disposed him to a more f [...] vourable Opinion of, and Carriage towards tho [...] People, when they came in his way; as not lo [...] after one of them did. For a young Man, wh [...] lived in Buckinghamshire, came on a First Day [...] to the Church (so called) at a Town calle [...] Chinner (a Mile from Crowell) having, it seem [...] a Pressure on his Mind to say something to th [...] Minister of that Parish. He being an Acquain [...] tance of mine, drew me sometimes to hea [...] him, as it did then. The young Man stood i [...] the Isle before the Pulpit, all the Time of th [...] [Page 47] date 1659 [...]rmon; not speaking a Word till the Sermon [...]d Prayer after it was ended: and then spake [...] few Words to the Priest. Of which all that [...] could hear was, That The Prayer of the Wicked [...] Abomination to the Lord; and that God heareth [...]t Sinners.

Somewhat more, I think, he did say (which [...] could not distinctly hear, for the Noise the [...]eople made) and more probably he would [...]ave said, had he not been Interrupted by the [...]fficers, who took him into Custody, and led [...]im out, in order to carry him before my Fa­ [...]er.

When I understood that, I hastened home, [...]at I might give my Father a fair Account of [...]e Matter, before they came. I told him the [...]oung Man behaved himself quietly and peace [...] bly; spake not a Word, till the Minister had [...]uite done his Service: and that what he then [...]ake was but short; and was delivered with­ [...]ut Passion, or ill Language. This I knew would furnish my Father with a fair Ground, whereon to discharge the Man, if he would.

And accordingly, when they came, and made [...] high Complaint against the Man (who said [...]ittle for himself;) my Father, having Examin­ed the Officers, who brought him, what the Words that he spake were, (which they did not well agree in) and at what time he spake them, (which they all agreed to be after the Minister had done) and then whether he gave the Minister any reviling Language, or endea­voured to raise a Tumult among the People [Page 48] date 1659 (which they could not charge him with:) [...] finding that he had broken the Law, he Cou [...] ­selled the young Man to be careful that he d [...] not make, or occasion any publick Disturbance [...] and so dismissed him. Which I was glad of.

Some time after this, my Father, having go [...] ten some further Account of the People calle [...] Quakers; and being desirous to be informed co [...] cerning their Principles, made another Visit [...] Isaac Penington and his Wife, at their Hou [...] called the Grange in Peter's- Chalfont; and to [...] both my Sisters and me with him.

It was in the Tenth Month, in the Year, 165 [...] that we went thither; where we found a ve [...] kind Reception, and tarried some Days: o [...] Day, at least, the longer, for that, while w [...] were there, a Meeting was appointed, at [...] Place about a Mile from thence; to which w [...] were invited to go, and willingly went.

It was held in a Farm-House, called T [...] Grove; which, having formerly been a Ge [...] tleman's Seat, had a very large Hall, and th [...] well filled.

To this Meeting came Edward Burrough, b [...] sides other Preachers, as Thomas Curtis an [...] James Nailor: but none spake there, at tha [...] Time, but Edward Burrough. Next to who [...] (as it were under him) it was my Lot to sit (o [...] a Stool by the Side of a long Table, on whic [...] he sate;) and I drank in his Words with D [...] sire: for they not only Answered my Understanding, but warmed my Heart with a certain [Page 49] date 1659 Heat, which I had not till then felt from [...]he Ministry of any Man.

When the Meeting was ended, our Friends [...]ook us home with them again; and after Sup­ [...]er, the Evenings being long, the Servants of [...]he Family (who were Quakers) were called in, [...]nd we all sate down in Silence. But long we [...]ad not so sate, before Edward Burrough began [...]o speak among us. And although he spake [...]ot long, yet what he said did touch, as I sup­ [...]ose, my Father's (Religious) Copy-hold, as the [...]hrase is. And he, having been from his [...]outh a Professor (though not join'd in that which is call'd Close Communion with any one Sort;) and valuing himself upon the Knowledge [...]e esteemed himself to have, in the various No­tions of each Profession: thought he had now a fair Opportunity to display his Knowledge; and thereupon began to make Objections a­gainst what had been delivered.

The Subject of the Discourse was, The uni­versal free Grace of God to all Mankind. To which he opposed the Calvinistical Tenet of Par­ticular and Personal Predestination. In de­fence of which indefensible Notion, he found imself more at a Loss than he expected. Ed­ward Burrough said not much to him upon it, though what he said was close and cogent. But James Nailor interposing, handled the Subject with so much Perspicuity, and clear Demon­stration, that his Reasoning seemed to be irre­sistable; and so I supposemy Father found it, which made him willing to drop the Discourse.

[Page 50] date 1659 As for Edward Burrough, he was a Bri [...] young Man, of a ready Tongue, (and migh [...] have been, for ought I then knew, a Schola [...] which made me the less to admire his way o [...] Reasoning. But what drop't from James Na [...] lor had the greater Force upon me; because h [...] look'd but like a plain simple Country-Ma [...] having the Appearance of an Husbandman, o [...] a Shepherd.

As my Father was not able to maintain th [...] Argument on his Side: so neither did the [...] seem willing to drive it on to an Extremity o [...] their side. But treating him in a soft an [...] gentle Manner, did, after a while, let fall th [...] Discourse: and then we withdrew to our respective Chambers.

The next Morning we prepared to retur [...] Home (that is, my Father, my younger Siste [...] and my self: for my elder Sister was gone before, by the Stage Coach, to London.) An [...] when, having taken our Leaves of our Friend [...] we went forth; they, with Edward Burroug [...] accompanying us to the Gate: he there directed his Speech, in a few Words to each of u [...] severally; according to the Sense he had o [...] our several Conditions. And when we were gone off, and they gone in again; they asking him what he thought of us: he answered them, (as they afterwards told me) to this Effect, As for the Old Man, he is settled on his Lees; and the Young Woman is light and airy: but the Young Man is Reach't, and may do well, if he don't lose it. And surely that which he said to me, or [Page 51] date 1659 rather that Spirit in which he spake it, took such fast hold on me; that I felt Sadness and Trouble come over me, though I did not di­stinctly understand what I was troubled for. I knew not what I ayled, but I knew I ayled something more than ordinary: and my Heart was very heavy.

I found it was not so with my Father and Sister: for as I rode after the Coach, I could hear them talk pleasantly one to the other, but they could not discern how it was with me, because I, riding on Horsback, kept much out of Sight.

By that time we got home it was Night. And the next Day, being the first Day of the Week, I went in the Afternoon to hear the Mi­nister of Chinner; and this was the last time I ever went to hear any of that Function. After the Sermon, I went with him to his House, and in a Freedom of Discourse (which, from a cer­tain Intimacy that was between us, I common­ly used with him) told him where I had been, what Company I had met with there, and what Observations I had made to my self thereupon. He seemed to understand as little of them, as I had done before: and civilly ab­stained from casting any unhandsome Reflec­tions on them.

I had a Desire to go to another Meeting of the Quakers; and bid my Father's Man enquire, if there was any in the Country thereabouts. He thereupon told me, he had heard at Isaac [Page 52] date 1659 Penington's, that there was to be a Meeting at High-Wiccomb on Thursday next.

Thither therefore I went, though it was Seven Miles from me. And that I might be rather thought to go out a Coursing, than to a Meeting; I let my Gray-Hound run by my Horse-side.

When I came there, and had set up my Horse at an Inn; I was at a Loss how to find the House where the Meeting was to be. I knew it not: and was ashamed to ask after it. Wherefore having order'd the Horstler to take Care of my Dog, I went into the Street, and stood at the Inn-Gate; musing with my self what Course to take. But I had not stood long, e're I saw an Horse-man riding along the Street; whom I remember'd I had seen before at Isaac Penington's: and he put up his Horse at the same Inn. Him therefore I resolved to follow, supposing he was going to the Meet­ing, as indeed he was.

Being come to the House (which proved to be John Raunce's) I saw the People sitting to­gether, in an outer Room: wherefore I stept in, and sate down on the first void Seat, the End of a Bench just within the Door; having my Sword by my Side, and Black Cloaths on, which drew some Eyes upon me. It was not long e're one stood up and spake, whom I was afterwards well acquainted with (his Name was Samuel Thornton;) and what he spake was very suitable, and of good Service to me: for [Page 53] date 1659 it reached Home, as if it had been directed to me.

As soon as ever the Meeting was ended, and the People began to rise, I, being next the Door, step't out quickly; and hastning to my Inn, took Horse immediately homewards: and (so far as I remember) my having been gone was not taken Notice of by my Father.

This latter Meeting was like the Clinching of a Nail; confirming, and fastening in my Mind, those good Principles, which had sunk into me at the former. My Understanding be­gan to open, and I felt some Stirrings in my Breast, tending to the Work of a New Crea­tion in me. The general Trouble, and Confu­sion of Mind, which had for some Days lain heavy upon me, and pressed me down, with­out a distinct Discovery of the particular Cause for which it came, began now to wear off; and some Glimmerings of Light began to break forth in me; which let me see my Inward State, and Condition towards God. The Light (which before had shone in my Darkness, and the Darkness could not comprehend it) began now to shine out of Darkness, and in some Measure discovered to me what it was, that had before clouded me, and brought that Sad­ness and Trouble upon me. And now I saw, that although I had been, in a great degree, preserved from the common Immoralities, and gross Pollutions of the World; yet the Spirit of the World had hitherto ruled in me, and led me into Pride, Flattery, Vanity and Super­fluity; [Page 54] date 1659 all which was Naught. I found there were many Plants growing in me, which were not of the Heavenly Father's Planting: and that all these (of whatever sort or kind they were, or how specious soever they might appear) must be plucked up.

Now was all my former Life ripped up, and my Sins, by Degrees, were set in order before me. And though they looked not with so black a Hue, and so deep a Dye, as those of the lewdest Sort of People did: Yet I found that all Sin (even that which had the fairest or finest shew, as well as that which was more course and foul) brought Guilt, and with and for Guilt, Condemnation on the Soul that sin­ned. This I felt: and was greatly bowed down under the Sense thereof.

Now also did I receive a New Law, (an In­ward Law superadded to the Outward) The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus, which wrought in me against all Evil, not only in Deed, and in Word, but even in Thought also: so that every thing was brought to Judgment, and Judgment passed upon all. So that I could not any longer go on, in my former Ways, and Course of Life: for when I did, Judgment took hold upon me for it.

Thus the Lord was graciously pleased to deal with me, in somewhat like manner as he had dealt with his People Israel of Old (when they had transgressed his Righteous LAW) whom, by his Prophet, he called back, re­quired to put away the Evil of their Doings: [Page 55] date 1659 bidding them, First, Cease to Do Evil; Then, Learn to Do Well: before He would admit them to Reason with Him; and before he would impart to them the Effects of His free Mercy, Isa. 1. 16, 17.

I was now required, by this Inward and Spiritual LAW (The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus) to put away the Evil of my Do­ings; and to Cease to do Evil. And what, in Particulars, the Evil was, which I was requi­red to to put away, and to cease from: that Mea­sure of the Divine LIGHT, which was now manifested in me, discovered to me: and what the Light made manifest to be Evil, Judgment passed upon.

So that here began to be a Way cast up, be­fore me, for me to walk in: A direct and plain Way; so plain, that a way-faring-Man, how weak and simple soever ( though a Fool, to the Wisdom, and in the Judgment of the World) could not Err, while he continued to walk in it: the Error coming in by his going out of it. And this Way, with respect to me, I saw was that Measure of Divine Light, which was manifest­ed in me; by which the Evil of my Doings, which I was to put away, and to cease from, was dis­covered to me.

By this Divine Light then I saw, that though I had not the Evil of the common Uncleanness, [...]bauchery, Prophanness, and Pollutions of the [...]rld to put away, because I had, through the [...]at Goodness of GOD, and a Civil Educa­ [...], been preserved out of those grosser Evils: [Page 56] date 1659 yet I had many other Evils to put away, and [...] cease from: some of which were not, by t [...] World ( which lies in Wickedness, 1 Joh. 5. 1 [...] accounted Evils: but by the Light of Chr [...] were made manifest to me to be Evils, and, [...] such, condemned in me.

As particularly, Those Fruits and Effects [...] PRIDE, that discover themselves in the [...] nity and Superfluity of APPAREL: which I ( far as my Ability would extend to) took, ala [...] too much Delight in. This Evil of my Doi [...] I was required to put away, and cease from: a [...] Judgment lay upon me till I did so. Whe [...] fore, in Obedience to the Inward Law (whi [...] agreed with the Outward, 1 Tim. 2. 9. 1 P [...] 3. 3. 1 Tim. 6. 8. Jam. 1. 21.) I took [...] from my Apparel those unnecessary Trimmin [...] of Lace, Ribbands and useless Buttons, whi [...] had no real Service: but were set on only [...] that, which was, by mistake, called Orname [...] And I ceased to wear Rings.

Again, The giving of flattering Titles to Me [...] between whom and me there was not any R [...] lation, to which such Titles could be preten [...] ed to belong. This was an Evil I had be [...] much addicted to, and was accounted a read [...] Artist in: therefore this Evil also was I [...] quired to put away, and cease from. So th [...] thenceforward I durst not say, Sir, Master, M [...] Lord, Madam (or My Dame) or say, Your Se [...] vant, to any one to whom I did not stand i [...] the real Relation of a Servant; which I ha [...] never done to any.

[Page 57] date 1659 Again, Respect of Persons, in Uncovering the [...]ead, and Bowing the Knee, or Body in Saluta­ [...]ns, was a Practice I had been much in the [...]se of. And this being one of the Vain Customs [...] the World, introduced by the Spirit of the World, instead of the true Honour, which this [...]a false Representation of; and used in Deceit, [...] a Token of Respect, by Persons one to another, [...]ho bear no real Respect one to another. And [...]esides, This being a Type, and proper Emblem [...]f that Divine Honour which all ought to pay [...]o Almighty GOD, and which all, of all sorts [...]who take upon them the Christian Name) ap­ [...]ear in, when they offer their Prayers to Him; [...]nd therefore should not be given to Men. I [...]ound this to be one of those Evils, which I had [...]een too long doing; therefore I was now re­ [...]uired to put it away, and cease from it.

Again, The Corrupt and Unsound Form of Speak­ [...]g in the Plural Number to a Single Person (YOU [...]o One, instead of THOU;) contrary to the Pure, Plain, and Single Language of TRUTH (THOU to One, and YOU to more than One) which had always been used, by GOD to Men, and Men to GOD, as well as one to ano­ [...]er, from the oldest Record of Time, till Cor­ [...]pt Men, for Corrupt Ends, in later and Corrupt Times, to Flatter, Fawn, and work upon the Cor­rupt Nature in Men, brought in that false and senseless Way of Speaking, YOU to One; which hath since corrupted the Modern Lan­guages, and hath greatly debased the Spirits, and depraved the Manners of Men. This [Page 58] date 1659 Evil Custom I had been as forward in as others [...] and this I was now called out of, and require [...] to cease from.

These, and many more Evil Customs, whic [...] had sprang up in the Night of Darkness, an [...] general Apostacy from the TRUTH, and Tru [...] RELIGION; were now, by the Inshining o [...] this pure Ray of Divine Light in my Conscience [...] gradually Discovered to me, to be what I ough [...] to cease from, shun, and stand a Witness against [...]

But so subtilly, and withal so powerfully [...] did the Enemy work upon the weak Part in me, as to perswade me, that, in these things, I ought to make a Difference between my Father and all other Men: And that therefore, though I did disuse these Tokens of Respect to others, yet I ought still to use them towards him, as he was my Father. And so far did this Wile of his prevail upon me, through a Fear, lest I should do amiss, in withdrawing any sort of Respect, or Honour from my Father, which was due unto him; that being thereby beguil­ed, I continued for a while to demean my self in the same manner towards him, with respect both to Language and Gesture, as I had always done before. And so long as I did so (standing Bare before him, and giving him the accustom­ed Language) he did not express (whatever he thought) any Dislike of me.

But as to my self, and the Work begun in me; I found it was not enough for me to Cease to do Evil; though that was a good and a great Step. I had another Lesson before me, which [Page 59] date 1659 To learn to do well: which I could by no [...]ns do, till I had given up, with full Purpose [...] Mind, to Cease from doing Evil. And when [...]d done that, the Enemy took Advantage of [...] Weakness, to mislead me again.

[...]or whereas I ought to have waited in the [...]t, for Direction and Guidance into, and [...]e Way of Well-Doing; and not to have mo­ [...] till the Divine Spirit (a Manifestation of [...]ich the Lord hath been pleased to give unto [...]e, for me to profit with, or by:) the Enemy, [...]nsforming himself into the Appearance of an [...]gel of Light, offered himself, in that Ap­ [...]arance, to be my Guide and Leader into the [...]erformance of Religious Exercises. And I, [...]t then knowing the Wiles of Satan, and be­ [...] eager to be doing some acceptable Service to [...]; too readily yielded my self to the Con­ [...] of my Enemy, instead of my Friend.

He thereupon humouring the warmth, and [...] of my Spirit, put me upon Religious Per­ [...]mances, in my own Will, in my own Time, and [...] my own Strength; which in themselves were [...]od, and would have been profitable unto me, [...]d acceptable unto the Lord; if they had been [...]ormed in His Will, in His Time, and in the [...]ity which He gives. But being wrought in [...] Will of Man, and at the prompting of the [...]il One; no wonder that it did me Hurt, in­ [...]d of Good.

Read abundantly in the BIBLE, and [...]ld set my self Tasks in Reading; injoying [...] self to Read so many Chapters, sometimes [Page 60] date 1659 an whole Book, or long Epistle, at a tim [...] And I thought that time well spent, though [...] was not much the wiser for what I had Rea [...] reading it too cursorily, and without the tr [...] Guide, the Holy Spirit, which alone could op [...] the Understanding, and give the true Sense [...] what was Read.

I Prayed often, and drew out my Prayers [...] a great length: and appointed unto my self ce [...] tain set Times to Pray at, and a certain Nu [...] ber of Prayers to say in a Day; yet knew no [...] mean while, what true Prayer was. Whi [...] stands not in Words (though the Words whi [...] are uttered in the Movings of the Holy Spirit a [...] very available;) but in the breathing of th [...] Soul to the Heavenly Father, through the Ope [...] ation of the Holy Spirit, who maketh Intercessi [...] sometimes in Words, and sometimes with Sig [...] and Groans only, which the Lord vouchsafes [...] hear, and Answer.

This Will-Worship (which all is, that is pe [...] formed in the Will of Man, and not in th [...] Movings of the Holy Spirit) was a great Hu [...] to me, and Hinderance of my Spiritual Growt [...] in the Way of Truth. But my Heavenly Father, who knew the Sincerity of my Soul t [...] Him, and the hearty Desire I had to Serve Him [...] had Compassion on me; and in due time wa [...] graciously pleased to Illuminate my Understanding farther, and to open in me an Eye to discer [...] the False Spirit, and its way of Working, fro [...] the True: and to reject the former, and cleav [...] to the latter.

[Page 61] date 1659 But though the Enemy had, by his Subtilty, [...]in'd such Advantages over me; yet I went on [...]twithstanding, and firmly persisted in my [...]odly Resolution, of ceasing from, and deny­ [...]g those things, which I was now Convinced [...] my Conscience were Evil. And on this Ac­ [...]unt a great Trial came quickly on me. For [...]e General Quarter-Sessions for the Peace com­ [...]g on, my Father (willing to excuse himself [...]m a dirty Journey) commanded me to get [...] betimes, and go to Oxford, and deliver in [...]e Recognizances he had taken; and bring him [...] Account what Justices were on the Bench, [...]d what principal Pleas were before 'em; [...]hich he knew I knew how to do, having often [...]tended him on those Services.

I (who knew how it stood with me better [...]an he did) felt a Weight come over me, as [...]n as he had spoke the Word. For I presently [...]y, it would bring a very great Exercise upon [...]. But having never resisted his Will, in any [...]ng that was lawful, (as this was) I attempt­ [...] not to make any Excuse; but, ordering an [...]rse to be ready for me early in the Morning, [...]ent to Bed, having great Struglings in my [...]east.

For the Enemy came in upon me, like a [...]od, and set many Difficulties before me, [...]elling them up to the highest Pitch, by repre­ [...]ting them as Mountains, which I should ne­ [...] be able to get over; And, alas! that Faith [...]ich could remove such Mountains, and cast [Page 62] date 1659 them into the Sea, was but very small, an [...] weak in me.

He cast into my Mind, not only how I shoul [...] behave my self in Court, and dispatch the B [...] siness I was sent about; but how I should d [...] mean my self towards my Acquaintance ( [...] which I had many in that City) with whom [...] was wont to be Jolly: whereas now I coul [...] not put off my Hat, nor Bow, to any of the [...] nor give them their honorary Titles (as they a [...] called) nor use the corrupt Language of You [...] any one of them; but must keep to the pla [...] and true Language of Thou and Thee.

Much of this Nature revolved in my Min [...] thrown in by the Enemy to discourage, a [...] cast me down. And I had none to have r [...] course to, for Counsel or Help, but the Lor [...] alone. To whom therefore I poured forth m [...] Supplications, with earnest Cries and Breat [...] ings of Soul, that H E, in whom all Pow [...] was, would enable me to go through this gre [...] Exercise, and keep me faithful to Himself the [...] in. And after some time, he was pleased [...] compose my Mind to Stilness, and I went [...] rest.

Early next Morning, I got up, and fou [...] my Spirit pretty calm and quiet; yet not wit [...] out a Fear upon me, lest I should slip, and [...] fall the Testimony, which I had to bear. And [...] I rode, a frequent Cry ran through me to th [...] Lord, on this wise; O my God, Preserve [...] faithful, whatever befals me! Suffer me not to [...] [Page 63] date 1659 drawn into Evil, how much Scorn and Contempt soever may be cast upon me!

Thus was my Spirit exercised on the way al­most continually. And when I was come within a Mile or two of the City, whom should I meet upon the Way, coming from thence, but Ed­ward Burrough! I rode in a Mountier-Cap (a Dress more used then, than now) and so did he: and because the Weather was exceeding sharp, we both had drawn our Caps down, to [...]helter our Faces from the Cold; and by that means neither of us knew the other, but passed [...]y without taking Notice one of the other, till [...] few Days after meeting again, and observing [...]ach others Dress, we recollected where we [...]ad so lately met. Then thought I with my [...]elf, O! How glad should I have been of a Word [...] Encouragement and Counsel from him, when I [...]as under that weighty Exercise of Mind! But the [...]ord saw it was not good for me: that my Re­ [...]ance might be wholly upon him; and not on Man.

When I had set up my Horse, I went directly [...] the Hall, where the Sessions were held; [...]here I had been but a very little while, before [...] Knot of my old Acquaintances espying me, [...]me to me. One of these was a Scholar in his [...]own; another a Surgeon of that City (both [...]y School-Fellows, and Fellow-Boarders at [...]ame-School:) and the Third a Country Gentle­ [...]an, with whom I had long been very Familiar.

When they were come up to me, they all sa­ [...]ted me, after the usual manner, putting off [Page 64] date 1659 their Hats and Bowing; and saying, Your Hum­ble Servant, Sir: expecting, no doubt, the like from me. But when they saw me stand still, not moving my Cap, nor bowing my Knee in way of Congee to them; they were amazed, and looked first one upon another, then upon me, and then one upon another again, for a while, without a Word speaking.

At length the Surgeon, (a brisk young Man) who stood nearest to me, clapping his Hand, in a familiar way, upon my Shoulder, and smiling on me, said, What! TOM, a Quaker! T [...] which I readily, and cheerfully Answered, Ye [...] A Quaker. And as the Words passed out of m [...] Mouth, I felt Joy spring in my Heart: for [...] rejoyced, that I had not been drawn out b [...] them, into a Compliance with them; and tha [...] I had Strength and Boldness given me, to Co [...] fess my self to be one of that despised People.

They staid not long with me, nor said an [...] more (that I remember) to me: but lookin [...] somewhat confusedly one upon another, after [...] while took their Leave of me; going off in th [...] same ceremonious Manner, as they came on.

After they were gone, I walked a while about the Hall, and went up nearer to the Court to observe both what Justices were on th [...] Bench, and what Business they had before them [...] And I went in Fear (not of what they coul [...] or would have done to me, if they should ha [...] taken notice of me, but) lest I should be su [...] prized, and drawn unwarily into that, whi [...] I was to keep out of.

[Page 65] date 1659 It was not long before the Court adjourned, to go to Dinner: And that time I took to go to the Clerk of the Peace, at his House, whom I was well acquainted with. So soon as I came into the Room where he was, he came and met me; and saluted me after his manner: for he had a great Respect for my Father, and a kind Regard for me. And tho' he was at first some­what startled at my Carriage and Language: yet he treated me very civilly, without any Reflection, or shew of Lightness. I delivered him the Recognizances, which my Father had sent; and having done the Business I came up­on, withdrew: and went to my Inn, to refresh my self, and then to return home.

But when I was ready to take Horse, looking out into the Street, I saw two or three Justices, standing just in the Way where I was to ride. This brought a fresh Concern upon me. I knew, if they saw me, they would know me: And I concluded, if they knew me, they would stop me to enquire after my Father; and I doubted how I should come off with them.

This Doubting brought Weakness on me; and that Weakness led to Contrivance, how I might avoid this Trial. I knew the City pret­y well; and remembred there was a back Way, which, though somewhat about, would bring me out of Town, without passing by [...]ose Justices: Yet loth I was to go that Way. Wherefore I staid a pretty time, in hopes they would have parted Company, or removed to [...]ome other Place, out of my Way. But when [Page 66] date 1659 I had waited till I was uneasie, for losing so much time; having entred into Reasonings with Flesh and Blood, the Weakness prevailed over me, and away I went the back Way: which brought Trouble and Grief upon my Spi­rit, for having shunned the Cross.

But the Lord looked on me with a tender Eye; and seeing my Heart was right to him, and that what I had done was meerly through Weakness, and Fear of Falling, and that I was sensible of my Failing therein, and sorry for it: he was graciously pleased to pass it by, and speak Peace to me again. So that, before I got home, as when I went in the Morning, my Heart was full of Breathing Prayer to the Lord, that he would vouchsafe to be with me, and up­hold and carry me through that Days Exercise: So now at my Return in the Evening, my Heart was full of thankful Acknowledgments, and Praises unto Him, for his great Goodness and Favour to me, in having thus far preserved, and kept me from falling into any thing that might have brought Dishonour to his Holy Name, which I had now taken on me.

But notwithstanding that it was thus with me, and that I found Peace and Acceptance with the Lord in some good degree, according to my Obedience to the Convictions I had re­ceived, by his Holy Spirit in me: yet was not the Vail so done away, or fully rent, but that there still remained a Cloud upon my Under­standing, with respect to my Carriage towards my Father. And that Notion, which the Ene­my [Page 67] date 1659 had brought into my Mind, That I ought to put such a Difference between him all others, as that, on the Account of Paternal Relation, I should still deport my self towards him, both in Gesture and Language, as I had always heretofore done; did yet prevail with me. So that when I came home, I went to my Father bare headed, as I used to do; and gave him a particular Account of the Business he had given me in Command, in such manner, that he, observing no altera­tion in my Carriage towards him, found no Cause to take Offence at me.

I had felt for sometime before, an earnest Desire of Mind to go again to Isaac Penington's. And I began to question whether, when my Father should come (as I concluded e're long he would) to understand I enclined to settle a­mong the People called Quakers, he would per­mit me the Command of his Horses, as before. Wherefore, in the Morning when I went to Ox­ford, I gave Direction to a Servant of his, to go that Day to a Gentleman of my Acquaintance (who I knew had a Riding Nag to put off, either by Sale, or to be kept for his Work;) and desire him, in my Name, to send him to me; which he did, and I found him in the Stable, when I came home.

On this Nag I designed to ride next Day to Isaac Penington's: and in order thereunto, arose betimes and got my self ready for the Journey. But because I would pay all due Respects to my Father, and not go without his Consent, or Knowledge at the least, I sent one up to him [Page 68] date 1659 (for he was not yet stirring) to acquaint him, that I had a Purpose to go to Isaac Peuington's; and desired to know if he pleased to Command me any Service to them. He sent me Word, He would speak with me before I went; and would have me come up to him: which I did; and stood by his Bed-Side.

Then in a mild and gentle Tone, he said, I understand you have a Mind to go to Mr. Pening­ton 's. I answered, I have so. Why, said he, I wonder why you should. You were there, you know, but a few Days ago; and unless you had Business with them, don't you think it will look odly? I said, I I thought not. I doubt, said he, You'll tire them with your Company, and make them think they shall be troubled with you. If, replyed I, I find any thing of that, I'll make the shorter Stay. But, said he, can you propose any sort of Business with them, more than a meer Visit? Yes, said I, I pro­pose to my self not only to see them; but to have some Discourse with them. Why, said he (in a Tone a little Harsher) I hope you don't en­cline to be of their Way. Truly, answered I, I like them, and their Way, very well; so far as I yet understand it: and I am willing to Go to them, that I may understand it better.

Thereupon he began to reckon up a Bead-Roll of Faults against the Quakers; Telling me They were a rude unmannerly People, that would not give Civil Respect or Honour to their Superiors; no not to Magistrates: That they held many dan­gerous Principles: That they were an immodest, shameless People; and that one of them strip't him­self [Page 69] date 1659 stark-naked, and went in that unseemly manner about the Streets, at Fairs, and on Market-days in great Towns.

To all the other Charges, I answered only, That perhaps they might be either misreport­ed, or misunderstood, as the best of People had sometimes been. But to the last Charge, of Going Naked, a particular Answer, by way of Instance, was just then brought into my Mind, and put into my Mouth, which I had not thought of before: and that was the Example of Isaiah, who went Naked, among the People, for a long time, ( Isai. 20. 4.) Aye, said my Fa­ther, but you must consider, that He was a Prophet of the Lord, and had an express Command from God to Go so. Yes, Sir, replied I, I do consi­der that: but I consider also, that the Jews a­mong whom he lived, did not own him for a Prophet, nor believe that he had such a Com­mand from God. And, added I, how know we but that this Quaker may be a Prophet too, and might be commanded to do as he did, for some Reason which we understand not.

This put my Father to a stand; so that let­ting fall his Charges against the Quakers, he only said, I would wish you not to go so soon; but take a little time to consider of it: you may Visit Mr. Penington hereafter. Nay, Sir, replied I, Pray don't hinder my going now: for I have so strong a Desire to go, that I do not well know how to forbear. And as I spake those Words, I withdrew gently to the Chamber-Door; and then hastning down Stairs, went immediately [Page 70] date 1659 to the Stable: where finding my Horse ready Bridled, I forthwith mounted, and went off; lest I should receive a Countermand.

This Discourse with my Father had cast me somewhat back in my Journey, and it being Fifteen long Miles thither, the Ways bad, and my Nag but small: it was in the Afternoon that I got thither. And understanding by the Servant that took my Horse, that there was then a Meeting in the House (as there was Weekly on that Day, which was the Fourth Day of the Week, though I, till then, under­stood it not) I hastened in; and knowing the Rooms, went directly to the Little Parlour, where I found a few Friends sitting together in Silence: and I sate down among them, well satisfied, though without Words.

When the Meeting was ended, and those of the Company, who were Strangers, withdrawn, I addressed my self to Isaac Penington and his Wife, who received me courteously: but not knowing what Exercise I had been in, and yet was under, nor having heard any thing of me, since I had been there before, in another Garb, were not forward at first to lay suddain Hands on me; which I observed, and did not dislike. But as they came to see a Change in me, not in Habit only, but in Gesture, Speech and Carri­age, and which was more, in Countenance al­so: (for the Exercise I had passed through, and yet was under, had imprinted a visible Cha­racter of Gravity upon my Face;) they were exceeding kind, and tender towards me.

[Page 71] date 1659 There was then in the Family a Friend, whose Name was Anne Curtis (the Wife of Thomas Curtis of Reading) who was come upon a Visit to them, and particularly to see Mary Penington's Daughter Guli: who had been ill of the Small Pox, since I had been there before. Betwixt Mary Penington and this Friend, I ob­served some private Discourse, and Whisper­ings; and I had an Apprehension that it was upon something that concerned me. Where­fore I took the freedom to ask Mary Penington, If my coming thither had occasioned any In­convenience in the Family? She asked me, If I had had the Small Pox? I told her no. She then told me, Her Daughter had newly had them; and though she was well recovered of them, she had not as yet been down amongst them: but intended [...] have come down, and sate with them in the Par­ [...]our that Evening; yet would rather forbear, till [...]nother time, than Endanger me. And that that [...]as the matter they had been discoursing of. I assu­ [...]ed her, that I had always been, and then, [...]ore especially, was free from any Apprehen­ [...]on of Danger in that respect: and therefore [...]treated, that her Daughter might come [...]own. And although they were somewhat [...]nwilling to yield to it, in regard of me; yet [...]y Importunity prevailed, and after Supper [...]e did come down, and sit with us: and tho' [...]e Marks of the Distemper were fresh upon [...]er; yet they made no Impression upon me; [...]aith keeping out Fear.

[Page 72] date 1659 We spent much of the Evening in Retired­ness of Mind, our Spirits being weightily ga­thered inward: so that not much Discourse passed among us; neither they to me, nor I to them, offered any Occasion. Yet I had good Satisfaction in that Stilness; feeling my Spiri [...] drawn near to the Lord, and to them therein.

Before I went to Bed, they let me know [...] that there was to be a Meeting at Wiccomb nex [...] Day; and that some of the Family would g [...] to it. I was very glad of it: for I greatly d [...] sired to go to Meetings; and this fell very ap [...] ly, it being in my way home. Next Mornin [...] Isaac Penington himself went, having Anne Cu [...] tis with him: and I accompanied them.

At Wiccomb we met with Edward Burroug [...] who came from Oxford thither, that Day that [...] going thither, met him on the Way: and h [...] ving both our Mountier-Caps on, we recollecte [...] that we had met, and passed by each other [...] the Road unknown.

This was a Monthly Meeting, consisting [...] Friends chiefly, who gathered to it from sever [...] Parts of the Country thereabouts: so that [...] was pretty large, and was held in a fair Roo [...] in Jeremiah Steevens's House; the Roo [...] where I had been at a Meeting before, in Jo [...] Raunce's House, being too little to receive us.

A very good Meeting was this, in its se [...] and to me. Edward Burrough's Ministry ca [...] forth among us in Life and Power; and t [...] Assembly was covered therewith. I also, a [...] cording to my small Capacity, had a Sha [Page 73] date 1659 therein. For I felt some of that Divine Power, working my Spirit into a great Tenderness; and not only Confirming me in the Course I had already entred, and strengthning me to go on therein: but rending also the Vail somewhat further, and Clearing my Understanding in some other things, which I had not seen before. For the Lord was pleased to make his Disco­veries to me by degrees; that the Sight of too great a Work, and too many Enemies to en­counter with at once, might not discourage me, and make me faint.

When the Meeting was ended, the Friends of the Town, taking notice, that I was the Man that had been at their Meeting the Week before, whom they then did not know; some of them came, and spake lovingly to me, and would have had me staid with them: but Ed­ward Burrough going home with Isaac Penington. he invited me to go back with him; which I willingly consented to. For the Love I had more particularly to Edward Burrough, through whose Ministry I had received the first awak­ning Stroke, drew me to desire his Company; and so away we rode together.

But I was somewhat disappointed of my Ex­pectation: for I hoped he would have given me both Opportunity and Encouragement, to have opened my self to him, and to have poured forth my Complaints, Fears, Doubts and Ques­tionings into his Bosom. But he, being sensible that I was truly reach'd; and that the Witness of GOD was raised, and the Work of GOD [Page 74] date 1659 rightly begun in me: chose to leave me to the Guidance of the good Spirit in my self (the Coun­sellor that could resolve all Doubts) that I might not have any Dependence on Man. Where­fore, although he was naturally of an open, and free Temper and Carriage; and was after­wards always very familiar, and affectionately kind to me: yet at this time he kept himself somewhat reserved, and shewed only common Kindness to me.

Next Day we parted. He, for London: I home; under a very great Weight and Exer­cise upon my Spirit. For I now saw, in and by the farther Openings of the DIVINE LIGHT in me, that the Enemy, by his false Reasonings, had beguiled and misled me, with respect to my Carriage towards my Father. For I now clearly saw, That the Honour due to Parents, did not consist in Uncovering the Head, and Bow­ing the Body to them; but in a ready Obedience to their Lawful Commands, and in Performing all needful Services unto them. Wherefore, as I was greatly troubled for what I already had done, in that Case, though it was through Ig­norance: So I plainly felt I could no longer continue therein, without drawing on my self the Guilt of wilful Disobedience; which I well knew would draw after it Divine Displeasure and Judgment.

Hereupon the Enemy assaulted me afresh; setting before me the Danger I should run my self into, of provoking my Father to use Seve­rity towards me: and perhaps to the casting [Page 75] date 1659 [...]e utterly off. But over this Temptation the [...]ord, whom I cried unto, supported me; and [...]ave me Faith to believe, that he would bear [...]e through whatever might befal me on that [...]ccount. Wherefore I resolved, in the Strength [...]hich he should give me, to be faithful to his [...]equirings, whatever might come on it.

Thus labouring under various Exercises on [...]e Way, I at length got home; expecting I [...]ould have but a rough Reception from my [...]ather. But when I came home, I understood [...]y Father was from home. Wherefore I sate [...]own, by the Fire, in the Kitchin; keeping [...]y Mind retired to the Lord, with Breathings [...] Spirit to Him, that I might be preserved [...]om falling.

After some time I heard the Coach drive in, [...]hich put me into a little Fear, and a sort of [...]ivering came over me. But by that time he [...]as alighted and come in, I had pretty well [...]covered my self; and as soon as I saw him, I [...]ose up, and advanced a Step or two towards [...]im, with my Head covered, said, Isaac Pen­ [...]gton and his Wife remember their Loves to [...]ee.

He made a Stop to hear what I said, and ob­ [...]erving that I did not stand bare, and that I [...]sed the Word [ Thee] to him; He, with a [...]ern Countenance, and Tone that spake high Displeasure, only said, I shall talk with you, Sir, [...]nother time: and so hastening from me, went [...]to the Parlour; and I saw him no more that Night.

[Page 76] date 1659 Though I foresaw there was a Storm arisi [...] the Apprehension of which was uneasie to m [...] yet the Peace which I felt in my own Brea [...] raised in me a Return of Thanksgivings to t [...] Lord, for his gracious supporting Hand; whi [...] had thus far carried me through this Exercis [...] with humble Cries in Spirit to Him, that [...] would vouchsafe to stand by me in it to t [...] End; and uphold me, that I might not fall.

My Spirit longed to be among Friends, a [...] to be at some Meeting with them on the Fi [...] Day, which now drew on; this being the Six [...] Day Night. Wherefore I purposed to go [...] Oxford on the Morrow (which was the Seven [...] Day of the Week) having heard there was [...] Meeting there. Accordingly, having order [...] my Horse to be made ready betimes, I got u [...] in the Morning and made my self ready al [...] Yet before I would go, (that I might be as o [...] servant to my Father, as possibly I could) I d [...] sired my Sister to go up to him in his Chambe [...] and acquaint him, that I had a Mind to g [...] to Oxford; and desired to know if he pleased [...] Command me any Service there. He bid h [...] tell me, He would not have me go, till he ha [...] spoken with me. And getting up immediately [...] he hastened down to me, before he was quit [...] dressed.

As soon as he saw me standing with my Ha [...] on, his Passion transporting him, he fell upo [...] me with both his Fists; and having by tha [...] Means somewhat vented his Anger, he plucked off my Hat, and threw it away. Then step­ping [Page 77] date 1659 hastily out to the Stable, and seeing my [...]rrowed Nag stand ready Saddled and Bridled, [...] asked his Man Whence that Horse came? who [...]ling him he fetch't it from Mr. — such an [...]e's: Then ride him presently back, said my Fa­ [...]r, and tell Mr. — I desire he will never [...]d my Son an Horse again, unless he brings a [...]te from me.

The poor Fellow, who loved me well, would [...] have made Excuses and Delays; but my [...]ther was positive in his Command: and so [...]gent, that he would not let him stay so much [...] to take his Breakfast (though he had Five [...]iles to ride;) nor would he himself stir from [...]e Stable, till he had seen the Man mounted, [...]d gone.

Then coming in, he went up into his Cham­ [...]r, to make himself more fully ready; think­ [...]g he had me safe enough, now my Horse was [...]e: for I took so much Delight in Riding, [...]t I seldom went on Foot.

But while he was dressing himself in his [...]amber, I (who understood what had been [...]e) changing my Boots for Shoos, took an­ [...]er Hat; and acquainting my Sister (who [...]ed me very well, and whom I could confide [...] whither I meant to go, went out privately, [...]d walked away to Wiccomb, having Seven [...]g Miles thither: which yet seem'd little and [...]e to me; from the Desire I had to be among [...]ends.

As thus I travelled all alone, under a Load [...] Grief, from the Sense I had of the Opposi­tion, [Page 78] date 1659 and Hardship I was to expect from [...] Father; the Enemy took Advantage to Assa [...] me again, casting a Doubt into my Mind, W [...] ther I had done well, in thus coming away from [...] Father, without his Leave or Knowledge?

I was quiet and peaceable in my Spirit, b [...] fore this Question was darted into me; but a [...] ter that, Disturbance and Trouble seized up [...] me: so that I was at a stand what to do; wh [...] ther to go forward or backward. Fear of offend [...] inclined me to go back; but Desire of the Meet [...] and to be with Friends, pressed me to go forwa [...]

I stood still a while, to consider and weig [...] as well as I could, the Matter. I was sensib [...] satisfied, that I had not left my Father with a [...] Intention of Undutifulness, or Disrespect to hi [...] but meerly in Obedience to that Drawing [...] Spirit, which I was perswaded was of t [...] LORD, to join with His People in Worshipp [...] Him: and this made me easie.

But then the Enemy, to make me uneasie [...] gain, objected, But how could that Drawing be [...] the LORD, which drew me to disobey my Fath [...]

I considered thereupon the Extent of Pat [...] nal Power; which I found was not wholly A [...] bitrary and Unlimited: but had Bounds set u [...] it. So that as in Civil Matters, it was restra [...] ed to Things Lawful: so in Spiritual and Reli [...] ous Cases, it had not a compulsory Power over C [...] science: which ought to be Subject to the H [...] venly Father. And therefore though Obedie [...] to Parents, be enjoyned to Children; yet it [...] with this Limitation, [IN THE LORD [Page 79] date 1659 [...]hildren, obey your Parents in the Lord: for this [...] right, 1 Pet. 6. 1.

This turned the Scale for going forward: [...]d so on I went. And yet I was not wholly [...]ee from some Fluctuations of Mind, from the [...]esettings of the Enemy. Wherefore, altho' [...] knew that Outward Signs did not properly be­ [...]g to the Gospel Dispensation: yet for my bet­ [...]r Assurance, I did, in Fear and great Humi­ [...]y, beseech the Lord, that He would be pleas­ [...] so far to condescend to the Weakness of his [...]rvant, as to give me a Sign, by which I [...]ight certainly know, whether my Way was [...]ght before Him, or not.

The Sign which I asked was, That if I had [...]e wrong, in Coming as I did, I might be Reject­ [...] or but coldly received, at the Place I was Going [...] but if this mine Undertaking was right in his [...]ht, he would give me Favour with them I went [...] so that they should receive me with hearty Kind­ [...]s and Demonstrations of Love. Accordingly, [...]en I came to John Rance's House (which, be­ [...]g so much a Stranger to all, I chose to go to, [...]ause I understood the Meeting was com­ [...]nly held there;) they received me with [...]re than ordinary Kindness; especially Frances [...]nce ( John Rance's then Wife;) who was both [...] Grave and Motherly Woman, and had a [...]rty Love to Truth, and Tenderness towards [...] that, in Sincerity, sought after it. And this [...] kind Reception, confirming me in the Be­ [...] that my Undertaking was Approved of by [...] LORD, gave great Satisfaction and Ease [Page 80] date 1659 to my Mind; and I was thankful to the Lord therefore.

Thus it fared with me there: but at Hom [...] it fared otherwise with my Father. He supposing I had betaken my self to my Chamber [...] when he took my Hat from me, made no Enquiry after me, till Evening came; and the [...] sitting by the Fire, and considering that th [...] Weather was very cold, he said to my Sister [...] who sate by him, Go up to your Brother's Chamber, and call him down: it may be he will sit the [...] else, in a sullen Fit, till he has caught Cold. Alas Sir, said she, He is not in his Chamber, nor i [...] the House neither. At that my Father startling said, Why where is he then? I know not, S [...] said she. where he is: but I know that, when [...] saw you had sent away his Horse, he put on Shoo [...] and went out on Foot; and I have not seen hi [...] since. And indeed, Sir, added she, I don't wo [...] der at his going away; considering how you use [...] him. This put my Father into a great Frigh [...] doubting I was gone quite away: and so grea [...] a Passion of Grief seized on him, that he fo [...] bore not to Weep, and to cry out aloud (so tha [...] the Family heard him) Oh! my Son! I shall never see him more! For he is of so bold and refolut [...] a Spirit, that he will run himself into Danger, an [...] so may be thrown into some Goal or other, wher [...] he may lie and die, before I can hear of hi [...] Then bidding her light him up to his Chamber, he went immediately to Bed; where h [...] lay Restless and Groaning, and often bemoaning himself and me, for the greatest Part o [...] the Night.

[Page 81] date 1659 Next Morning my Sister sent a Man (whom, [...]or his Love to me, shew knew she could [...]rust) to give me this Account: and though [...]y him she sent me also fresh Linnen for my [...]se, in case I should go farther, or stay out [...]nger; yet she desired me to come home as [...]on as I could.

This Account was very uneasie to me. I was [...]uch grieved that I had occasioned so much [...]rief to my Father. And I would have re­ [...]rned that Evening, after the Meeting; but [...]e Friends would not permit it: for the Meet­ [...]g would in likelihood end late, the Days be­ [...]g short; and the Way was long, and dirty. [...]nd besides, John Rance told me, that he had [...]mething on his Mind to speak to my Father; [...]d that, if I would stay till the next Day he [...]ould go down with me: hoping perhaps, that [...]ile my Father was under this Sorrow for [...], he might work some good upon him. [...]ereupon, concluding to stay till the Morrow, [...]ismiss't the Man with the things he brought; [...]ding him tell my Sister, I intended (God [...]ling) to return home to Morrow: and [...]rging him not to let any Body else know, [...]t he had seen me, or where he had been.

Next Morning John Rance and I set out; and [...]en we were come to the End of the Town, [...] agreed, that he should go before, and knock [...] the great Gate; and I would come a little [...]er, and go in by the back Way. He did so; [...] when a Servant came to open the Gate, he [...]ing if the Justice were at home, she told [Page 82] date 1659 him, Yes: and desiring him to come in, an [...] sit down in the Hall; went and acquainted h [...] Master, that there was one who desired to spea [...] with him. He, supposing it was one that ca [...] for Justice, went readily into the Hall to hi [...] But he was not a little surpized, when he fou [...] it was a Quaker. Yet not knowing on wh [...] account he came, he staid to hear his Busine [...] But when he found it was about me, he [...] somewhat sharply on him.

In this time I was come, by the back w [...] into the Kitchin; and hearing my Fathe [...] Voice so loud, I began to doubt things wroug [...] not well: but I was soon assured of that. B [...] my Father having quickly enough of a Quak [...] Company, left John Rance in the Hall, a [...] came into the Kitchin; where he was m [...] surprized to find me.

The Sight of my Hat upon my Head m [...] him presently forget, that I was that Son [...] his, whom he had so lately lamented as [...] and his Passion of Grief turning into An [...] he could not contain himself: but running [...] on me, with both his Hands, first viole [...] snatch't off my Hat, and threw it away. T [...] giving me some Buffets on my Head, he [...] Sirrah, Get you up to your Chamber.

I forthwith went; he following me at [...] Heels, and now and then giving me a Whi [...] on the Ear: which (the way to my Cham [...] lying through the Hall, where John Rance [...] he, poor Man, might see, and be sorry for [...] I doubt not but he was) but could not help [...]

[Page 83] date 1659 This was sure an unaccountable thing, That [...]y Father should, but a Day before, express [...] high a Sorrow for me, as fearing he should [...]ever see me any more: and yet now, so soon [...] he did see me, should fly upon me with such [...]iolence, and that only because I did not put [...]f my Hat; which he knew I did not keep on, [...] Disrespect to him, but upon a Religious Prin­ [...]le. But as this Hat-Honour (as it was ac­ [...]unted) was grown to be a great Idol; in those [...]es more especially: so the Lord was pleased [...] engage his Servants in a steady Testimony [...]ainst it; what suffering soever was brought [...]on them for it. And though some, who have [...]en called in the Lord's Vineyard at latter [...]urs, and since the Heat of that Day hath been [...]uch over; may be apt to account this Testimo [...] a small thing to suffer so much upon, as some [...]ve done, not only to Beating, but to Fines, [...]d long and hard Imprisonments; yet they who, [...] those Times, were faithfully Exercised in and [...]der it, durst not despise the Day of small things; [...] knowing that he who should do so, would [...]t be thought worthy to be concerned in [...]her Testimonies.

I had now lost one of my Hats, and I had [...]t one more. That therefore I put on; but [...] not keep it long: for the next time my Fa­ [...]er saw it on my Head, he tore it violently [...]m me; and laid it up, with the other, I [...]ew not where. Wherefore I put on my [...]untier-Cap, which was all I had left to wear [...] my Head; and it was but a very little while [Page 84] date 1659 that I had that to wear: for as soon as my Father came where I was, I lost that also. And now I was forced to go bear-Headed, wher [...] ever I had Occasion to go, within Doors an [...] without.

This was in the Eleventh Month (called Jan [...] ary) and the Weather sharp; so that I, wh [...] had been bred up more tenderly, took so grea [...] a Cold in my Head, that my Face and Hea [...] were much swelled: and my Gums had o [...] them Boyls so sore, that I could neither Che [...] Meat, nor, without Difficulty, swallow Liquid [...] It held long, and I underwent much Pain, wit [...] out much Pity, except from my poor Siste [...] who did what she could to give me Ease: a [...] at length, by frequent Applications of Figs, a [...] stoned Raisins, toasted, and laid to the Boy [...] as hot as I could bear them, they ripened [...] for Lancing; and soon after sunk, then I h [...] Ease.

Now was I laid up, as a kind of Prison [...] for the rest of this Winter; having no mea [...] to go forth among Friends: nor they Liber [...] to come to me. Wherefore I spent the Ti [...] much in my Chamber, in Waiting on t [...] LORD, and in Reading; mostly in the Bib [...]

But whenever I had occasion to speak to [...] Father, though I had no Hat now to offe [...] him; yet my Language did as much: fo [...] durst not say [YOU] to him; but THOU, [...] THEE, as the Occasion required, and th [...] would he be sure to fall on me with his Fi

[Page 85] date 1659 At one of these times, I remember, when [...]e had beaten me in that Manner, he command­ [...] me (as he commonly did at such times) to [...]o to my Chamber; which I did, and he fol­ [...]wed me to the Bottom of the Stairs. Being [...]me thither, he gave me a Parting-Blow; and [...] a very angry Tone, said, Sirrah, If ever I [...]ar you say Thou or Thee to me again, I'll strike [...]ur Teeth down your Throat. I was greatly [...]ieved to hear him say so. And feeling a Word [...]e in my Heart unto him; I turned again, [...]d calmly said unto him. Would it not be [...]t, if God should serve thee so: when thou [...]est Thou or Thee to Him? Though his Hand [...]as up, I saw it sink, and his Countenance [...], and he turned away, and left me standing [...]ere. But I notwithstanding went up into [...]y Chamber, and Cryed unto the Lord, ear­ [...]stly beseeching Him, that he would be pleas­ [...] to open my Father's Eyes, that he might see [...]hom he fought against, and for what: and [...]at He would turn his Heart.

After this I had a pretty time of Rest and [...]iet from these Disturbances: my Father not [...]ing any thing to me, nor giving me Occa­ [...]n to say any thing to him. But I was still [...]der a kind of Confinement; unless I would [...]ve run about the Country bare-headed, like [...] Mad-Man: which I did not see it was my [...]ace to do. For I found that, although to be [...]road, and at Liberty among my Friends, [...]ould have been more pleasant to me: yet [...]ome was at present my proper Place; a [Page 84] [...] [Page 85] [...] [Page 86] date 1659 School, in which I was to learn with Patience to Bear the Cross: and I willingly submitted to it.

But after some time, a fresh Storm, more fierce and sharp than any before, arose, and fell upon me: the Occasion whereof was this My Father, having been (in his younger Years more especially while he lived in London) [...] constant Hearer of those who are called Puritan-Preachers, had stored up a pretty stock o [...] Scripture-Knowledge, did sometimes (not constantly, nor very often) cause his Family t [...] come together, on a First Day in the Evening [...] and expound a Chapter to them, and Pray [...] His Family now, as well as his Estate, wa [...] lessen'd; for my Mother was dead, my Brother gone, and my elder Sister at London: an [...] having put off his Husbandry, he had put [...] with it most of his Servants; so that he ha [...] now but one Man, and one Maid-Servant. [...] so fell out, that on a First Day Night, he bi [...] my Sister (who sate with him in the Parlou [...] Call in the Servants to Prayer.

Whether this was done as a Trial upon m [...] or no, I know not; but a Trial it proved [...] me: For they (loving me very well, and di [...] liking my Father's Carriage to me) made [...] haste to go in; but staid a second Summon [...] This so offended him, that when at length the [...] did go in, he, instead of Going to Prayer, E [...] amined them, Why they came not in when th [...] were first Called: and the Answer they gave hi [...] being such as rather heightned, than abate [...] [Page 87] date 1659 [...]s Displeasure; he, with an angry Tone, said, [...]ll in that Fellow (meaning me, who was left [...]one in the Kitchin) for he is the Cause of all [...]is, They, as they were backward to go in emselves; so were not forward to call me in, aring the Effect of my Father's Displeasure [...]ould fall upon me: as it soon did: for I, [...]earing what was said, and not staying for the [...]all, went in of my self. And as soon as I [...]as come in, my Father discharged his Dis­ [...]easure on me, in very sharp and bitter Ex­ [...]essions: which drew from me (in the Grief [...]f my Heart, to see him so transported with [...]assion) these few Words; They that can Pray [...]ith such a Spirit, let 'em: for my part I cannot. With that my Father flew upon me with both [...]is Fists; and not thinking that sufficient, step't [...]astily to the Place where his Cane stood: and [...]atching that up, laid me on (I thought) with [...]ll his Strength. And, I being bare-headed, I [...]hought his Blows must needs have broken my [...]cull, had I not laid mine Arm over my Head, [...]o defend it.

His Man, seeing this, and not able to con­ [...]ain himself, step't in between us; and laying [...]old on the Cane, by Strength of Hand held [...]t so fast, that though he attempted not to take [...]t away, yet he with-held my Father from striking with it: which did but enrage him the more. I disliked this in the Man; and bid him [...]et go the Cane, and be gone: which he imme­diately did, and turning to be gone, had a [Page 88] date 1659 Blow on the Shoulders for his Pains; which ye [...] did not much hurt him.

But now my Sister, fearing lest my Fathe [...] should fall upon me again; besought him [...] forbear: adding, Indeed, Sir, if you strike hi [...] any more, I will throw open the Casement, and C [...] Murther; for I am afraid you will kill my Brothe [...] This stop't his Hand; and after some Threa [...] ning Speeches, he commanded me to Get to m [...] Chamber: which I did; as I always did whe [...]ever he bid me.

Thither, soon after, my Sister followed m [...] to see my Arm, and dress it: for it was, indee [...] very much bruised and swelled, between th [...] Wrist and the Elbow; and in some places th [...] Skin was broken, and beaten off. But thoug [...] it was very sore; and I felt for some time mu [...] Pain in it: yet I had Peace and Quietness i [...] my Mind; being more grieved for my Fathe [...] than for my self, who I knew had hurt himsel [...] more than me.

This was (so far as I remember) the la [...] time, that ever my Father called his Family t [...] Prayer. And this was also the last time, tha [...] he ever fell, so severely at least, upon me.

Soon after this my Elder Sister (who, in al [...] the time of these Exercises of mine, had bee [...] at London) returned home; much troubled t [...] find me a Quaker, a Name of Reproach an [...] great Contempt then: and she, being at London, h [...]d received, I suppose, the worst Cha­racter of them. Yet, though she disliked th [...] [Page 89] date 1659 People; her affectionate Regard to me, made her rather Pity, than Despise me: and the more, when she understood what hard Usage I had met with.

The rest of this Winter I spent in a lonesome solitary Life; having none to Converse with, none to unbosom my self unto, none to ask Counsel of, none to seek Relief from, but the LORD alone; who yet was more than All. And yet the Company and Society of Faithful and Judicious Friends, would (I thought) have been very welcome, as well as helpful to me in my Spiritual Travel: in which I thought I made but a slow Progress; my Soul breathing after further Attainments; The Sence of which drew from me the following Lines:

date 1660 At length it pleased the Lord to move Isaac Penington and his Wife to make a Visit to my Father, and see how it fared with me: And very welcome they were to me; whatever they were to him: to whom I doubt not but they would have been more welcome, had it not been for me.

They tarried with us all Night; and much Discourse they had with my Father, both about [Page 90] date 1660 the Principle of TRUTH in general, and m [...] in particular: which I was not privy to. Bu [...] one thing, I remember, I afterwards heard of [...] which was this.

When my Father and we were at thei [...] House, some Months before, Mary Penington [...] in some Discourse between them, had told hi [...] how hardly her Husband's Father (Alderma [...] Penington) had dealt with him about his Hat [...] which my Father (little then thinking that i [...] would, and so soon too, be his own Case) di [...] very much Censure the Alderman for: wondring that so wise a Man as he was, shoul [...] take Notice of such a trivial Thing, as the Putting off, or keeping on a Hat; and he spare [...] not to blame him liberally for it.

This gave her a Handle, to take hold of him by. And having had an ancient Acquaintance with him; and he having always had an high Opinion of, and Respect for her: she, who was a Woman of great Wisdom, of ready Speech, and of a well-resolved Spirit, did pres [...] so close upon him, with this Home-Argument [...] that he was utterly to seek, and at a loss how to defend himself.

After Dinner next Day, when they were ready to take Coach to return home; she desired my Father that, since my Company was so little acceptable to him, he would give me leave to Go, and spend some time with them [...] where I should be sure to be welcome.

He was very unwilling I should go; and made many Objections against it: all which [Page 91] date 1660 she Answered, and removed so clearly, that not finding what Excuse further to alledge; he, at length left it to me; and I soon turned the Scale for Going.

We were come to the Coach-side before this was concluded on, and I was ready to step in; when one of my Sisters privately put my Fa­ther in Mind, that I had never a Hat on. That somewhat startled him: for he did not think it fit I should go from home (and that so far, and to stay abroad) without a Hat. Wherefore he whi [...]p [...]red to her, to fetch me a Hat, and he entertained them with some Dis­course in the mean time. But as soon as he saw the Hat coming, he would not stay till it came, lest I should put it on before him; but breaking off his Discourse abruptly, took his leave of them, and hastened in, before the Hat was brought to me.

I had not one Penny of Money about me; nor any, indeed, elsewhere. For my Father, so soon as he saw that I would be a Quaker, took from me both what Money I had, and every thing else of Value, or that would have made Money, as some Plate Buttons, Rings, &c. pretending that he would keep them for me, till I came to my self again, lest I, in the mean time should destroy them.

But as I had no Money; so, being among my Friends, I had no need of any, nor ever honed after it: though once upon a particular Occa­sion I had like to have wanted it. The Case was thus.

[Page 92] date 1660 I had been at Reading, and set out from thence on the First Day of the Week, in the Morning: intending to reach (as, in point of Time, I well might) to Isaac Penington's; where the Meeting was to be that Day: but when I came to Maidenhead (a thorough-fair Town on the Way) I was stop't by the Watch for Riding on that Day.

The Watchman, laying hold on the Bridle, told me, I must go with him to the Constable [...] and accordingly I, making no Resistance, suf­fered him to lead my Horse to the Constable's Door. When we were come there, the Con­stable told me, I must go before the Warden (who was the Chief Officer of that Town) and bid the Watchman bring me on, himself walk­ing before.

Being come to the Warden's Door, the Con­stable knock't, and desired to speak with Mr. Warden. He thereupon quickly coming to the Door, the Constable said, Sir, I have brought a Man here to you, whom the Watch took riding through the Town. The Warden was a budge old Man; and I looked somewhat big too: having a good Gelding under me, and a good Riding Coat on my Back; both which my Friend Isaac Penington had kindly accommo­dated me with for that Journey.

The Warden therefore taking me to be (as the Saying is) Somebody; put off his Hat, and made a low Congee to me: but when he saw that I sate still, and neither bowed to him, nor moved my Hat; he gave a start, and said [Page 93] date 1660 [...]o the Constable, You said you had brought a Man, [...]ut he don't behave himself like a Man.

I sate still upon my Horse, and said not a Word; but kept my Mind retired to the Lord: waiting to see what this would come to.

The Warden then began to Examine me, Asking me Whence I came? and Whither I was [...]oing? I told him I came from Reading, and was going to Chalfont. He asked me Why I did Travel on that Day? I told him, I did not know [...]hat it would give any Offence barely to Ride, [...]r Walk on that Day; so long as I did not Car­ [...]y or Drive any Carriage, or Horses laden with Burthens. Why, said he, if your Business was ur­ [...]ent, did you not take a Pass from the Mayor of Reading? Because, replied I, I did not know, [...]or think I should have needed one. Well, said [...]e, I will not talk with you now, because it is time [...]o Go to Church; but I will Examine you further [...]non: And turning to the Constable, Have him, [...]aid he, to an Inn, and bring him before me after Dinner.

The Naming of an Inn put me in Mind, that [...]uch publick Houses were places of Expence; [...]nd I knew I had no Money to defray it. Wherefore I said to the Warden, Before thou [...]endest me to an Inn, which may occasion some Expence; I think it needful to acquaint thee, that I have no Money.

At that the Warden startled again; and turning quick upon me, said, How! No Money! How can that be? You don't look like a Man that has no Money. However I look, said I, I tell [Page 94] date 1660 thee the Truth, that I have no Money: and [...] tell it to forewarn thee, that thou mayst no [...] bring any Charge upon the Town. I wonder [...] said he, what Art you have got, that you can Travel without Money: you can do more, I assure you [...] than I can.

I making no Answer, he went on, and said [...] Well, well! but if you have no Money, you have [...] good Horse under you; and we can Distrain hi [...] for the Charge. But, said I, the Horse is no [...] mine. No! said he, [...]ut you have a good Coa [...] on your Back: and that, I hope, is your own: No [...] said I, but it is not: for I borrowed both th [...] Horse and the Coat.

With that the Warden, holding up hi [...] Hands, and smiling, said, Bless me! I neve [...] met with such a Man as you are before! What [...] were you set out by the Parish? Then turning to the Constable, he said, Have him to the Grayhound, and bid the People be civil to him. Accordingly to the Grayhound I was led; my Horse set up, and I put into a large Room [...] and some Account, I suppose, given of me to the People of the House.

This was new Work to me; and what the Issue of it would be, I could not foresee: but being left there alone, I sate down, and retired in Spirit to the Lord (in whom alone my Strength and Safety was) and beg'd support of Him; even that he would be pleased to give me Wisdom, and Words to Answer the War­den, when I should come to be Examined a­gain before him.

[Page 95] date 1660 After some time, having Pen, Ink and Paper about me, I set my self to write what I thought might be proper, if Occasion served, to give the Warden. And while I was writing, the Ma­ster of the House being come home from his Worship, sent the Tapster to me, to invite me to dine with him. I bid him tell his Master, that I had not any Money to pay for my Dinner. He sent the Man again to tell me, I should be welcome to dine with him, though I had no Money. I desired him to tell his Master, that I was very sensible of his Civility and Kindness, in so cour­teously inviting me to his Table; but I had not freedom to eat of his Meat, unless I could have paid for it. So he went on with his Din­ner, and I with my Writing.

But before I had finished what was on my Mind to write, the Constable came again; bringing with him his Fellow-Constable. This was a brisk, genteel young Man, a Shopkeeper in the Town, whose Name was Cherry. They saluted me Civilly, and told me they were come to have me before the Warden. This put an End to my Writing; which I put into my Pocket, and went along with them.

Being come to the Warden's, He asked me again the same Questions he had asked me be­fore: To which I gave him the like Answers. Then he told me the Penalty I had incurred: which, he said, was either to pay so much Mo­ney; or lye so many Hours in the Stocks: and asked me which I would chuse. I reply'd, I shall not chuse either. And said I, I have told [Page 96] date 1660 thee already that I have no Money: though i [...] I had, I could not so far Acknowledge my sel [...] an Offender, as to pay any. But as to lying i [...] the Stocks, I am in thy Power, to do unto me [...] what it shall please the Lord to suffer thee.

When he heard that, he paused awhile; and then told me, He considered that I was but a Young Man, and might not, perhaps, understand the danger I had brought my self into: and therefore he would not use the Severity of the Law upon me; but in hopes that I would be wiser hereafter, he would pass by this Offence, and discharge me.

Then putting on a Countenance of the great­est Gravity, he said to me; But, young Man, I would have you know, That you have not only bro­ken the Law of the Land! but the Law of God al­so: and therefore you ought to ask Him Forgiveness; for you have highly offended Him. That, said I, I would most willingly do; if I were sensible that, in this Case, I had offended Him, by breaking any Law of His. Why, said he, do you question that? Yes, truly, said I: for I do not know that any Law of God doth forbid me to Ride on this Day.

No! said he, that's strange! Where, I wonder, were you Bred? You can read: Can't you? Yes, said I, that I can. Don't you read then, said he, the Commandment; Remember the Sabbath Day, to keep it holy. Six Days shalt thou La­bour, and do all thy Work: but the Seventh Day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God; in it thou shalt not do any Work. Yes, replyed I, I have both read it often, and remember it very [Page 97] date 1660 well. But that Command was given to the Jews, not to Christians; and this is not that Day: for that was the Seventh Day; but this [...] the First. How! said he, Do you know the Days of the Week no better? you had need then [...]e better taught.

Here the younger Constable (whose Name was Cherry) interposing, said, Mr. Warden, the Gentleman is in the right as to that: for this is the first Day of the Week; and not the Seventh.

This the old Warden took in dudgeon; and [...]oking severely on the Constable, said, What! [...] you take upon you to teach me! I'll have you [...]now, I will not be taught by you. As you please [...]r that, Sir, said the Constable; but I am sure [...]u are mistaken in this Point: for Saturday, I [...]ow, is the Seventh Day; and you know Yesterday [...]as Saturday.

This made the Warden hot and testy, and [...]ut him almost out of all Patience: so that I [...]ar'd it would have come to a downright Quar­ [...]el betwixt them: for both were confident, and [...]either would yield. And so earnestly were [...]ey engaged in the Contest, that there was no [...]oom for me to put in a Word between them.

At length the Old Man, having talk't him­ [...]lf out of Wind, stood still a while, as it were [...]

[...] take Breath; and then bethinking himself of [...]e, he turn'd to me, and said, You are discharg­ [...], and may take your Liberty to go about your Occa­ [...]ns. But, said I, I desire my Horse may be [...]ischarged too, else I know not how to go. [...]y, Ay, said he; you shall have your Horse: and [Page 98] date 1660 turning to the other Constable, (who had no [...] offended him) he said, Go, see that his Horse b [...] delivered to him.

Away thereupon went I, with that Constable; leaving the Old Warden, and the Young Constable to compose their Difference, as they could. Being come to the Inn, the Constable called for my Horse to be brought out. Which done, I immediately Mounted, and began to set forward. But the Hostler, not knowing the Condition of my Pocket, said modestly [...] me, Sir, Don't you forget to pay for your Horse [...] standing? No truly, said I, I don't forget it [...] but I have no Money to pay it with: and so [...] told the Warden before. Well, hold you yo [...] Tongue, said the Constable to the Hostler; I [...] see you paid. Then opening the Gate, they l [...] me out, the Constable wishing me a good Jou [...] ­ney: and through the Town I rode, withou [...] further Molestation; though it was as muc [...] Sabbath (I thought) when I went out, as i [...] was when I came in.

A secret Joy arose in me, as I rode on th [...] Way; for that I had been preserved from D [...] ­ing, or Saying any thing, which might gi [...] the Adversaries of TRUTH Advantage again [...] it, or the Friends of it: and Praises sprang i [...] my thankful Heart to the Lord, my Preserve [...]

It added also not a little to my Joy, that [...] felt the Lord near unto me, by His Witness i [...] my Heart, to Check and Warn me; and m [...] Spirit was so far subjected to Him, as readily [...] [Page 99] date 1660 take Warning, and stop at His Check: An In­stance of both that very Morning I had.

For as I rode between Reading and Mainden­ [...]ead, I saw lying in my way the Scabbard of an [...]anger; which, having lost its Hook, had slipt off, I suppose, and drop't from the Side of the Wearer: and it had in it a pair of Knives, whose Hafts being inlaid with Silver, seemed [...]o be of some Value. I alighted, and took it [...]p; and clapping it between my Thigh and [...]he Saddle, rode on a little way: but I quickly [...]ound it too heavy for me; and the Reprover [...] me soon began to Check. The Word arose [...] me, What hast thou to do with that? Doth it [...]elong to thee? I felt I had done amiss in Taking [...]: wherefore I turned back to the Place where [...] lay; and laid it down where I found it. And when afterwards I was stop't, and seized on at Maidenhead; I saw there was a Providence in [...]ot bringing it with me: which, if it should [...]ave been found (as it needs must) under my [...]oat, when I came to be Unhorsed, might [...]ave raised some evil Suspicion, or sinister [...]houghts concerning me.

The Stop I met with at Maidenhead, had [...]ent me so much time, that when I came to [...]aac Penington's, the Meeting there was half [...]er: Which gave them Occasion, after Meet­ [...]g, to enquire of me, If any thing had befal­ [...]n me on the Way, which had caused me [...] come so late. Whereupon I related to them [...]hat Exercise I had met with, and how the [...]ord had helped me through it: Which when [Page 100] date 1660 they had heard, they Rejoyced with me, and for my sake.

Great was the Love, and manifold the Kindnesses, which I received from these my worthy Friends (Isaac and Mary Penington) while I abode in their Family. They were indeed as affectionate Parents, and tender Nurses to me, in this time of my Religious Childhood. For besides their weighty and seasonable Counsels and Exemplary Conversations; they furnishe [...] me with Means to go to the other Meetings o [...] Friends in that Country, when the Meeting was not in their own House. And indeed, th [...] time I staid with them was so well spent, tha [...] it not only yielded great Satisfaction to m [...] Mind: but turned, in good Measure to my sp [...] ritual Advantage in the TRUTH.

But that I might not, on the one hand, bea [...] too hard upon my Friends; nor on the othe [...] hand, forget the House of Thraldom: after [...] had staid with them some Six or Seven Week [...] (from the Time called Easter, to the Tim [...] called Whitsuntide) I took my leave of the [...], to depart home; intending to walk to Wiccom [...] in one Day, and from thence home in another [...]

That Day that I came Home I did not see my Father, nor until Noon the next Day; when I went into the Parlour, when he was, to take my usual Place at Dinner.

As soon as I came in, I observed, by my Fa­ther's Countenance, that my Hat was still an Offence to him: but when I was sitten down, and before I had eaten any thing, he made me [Page 101] date 1660 [...]nderstand it more fully, by saying to me (but [...] a milder Tone, than he had formerly used [...] speak to me in) If you cannot content your self [...] come to Dinner without your Hive on your [...]ead (so he called my Hat) pray Rise, and go [...]ke your Dinner somewhere else.

Upon those Words I arose from the Table, [...]d leaving the Room, went into the Kitchin; [...]here I staid till the Servants went to Dinner, [...]d then sate down very contentedly with [...]em. Yet I suppose my Father might intend [...]at I should have gone into some other Room, [...]d there have eaten by my self. But I chose [...]ther to Eat with the Servants; and did so, [...]om thenceforward, so long as He and I lived [...]gether. And from this time he rather chose, [...] I thought, to avoid seeing me; than to re­ [...]w the Quarrel about my Hat.

My Sisters, mean while observing my Wa­ [...]ess in Words and Behaviour, and being sa­ [...]fied, I suppose, that I acted upon a Principle [...] Religion and Conscience, carried themselves [...]ry kindly to me; and did what they could to [...]itigate my Father's Displeasure against me. [...] that I now enjoyed much more quiet at [...]ome; and took more Liberty to go Abroad [...]mongst my Friends, than I had done (or could [...]) before. And having informed my self, [...]here any Meetings of Friends were holden, [...]ithin a reasonable Distance from me, I resort­ [...]d to them.

At first I went to a Town called Haddenham [...] Buckinghamshire, Five Miles from my Fa­ther's; [Page 100] [...] [Page 101] [...] [Page 102] date 1660 where, at the House of one Belson, [...] few (who were called Quakers) did meet som [...] times on a First Day of the Week: but I foun [...] little Satisfaction there. Afterwards, upon fu [...] ther Enquiry, I understood there was a settle [...] Meeting at a little Village called Meadle (abo [...] Four long Miles from me) in the House of o [...] John White (which is continued there still [...] and to that thenceforward I constantly wen [...] while I abode in that Country, and was ab [...] Many a sore Days Travel have I had thith [...] and back again; being commonly, in the Wi [...] ter time (how fair soever the Weather was [...] ver head) wet up to the Ancles at least: y [...] through the Goodness of the Lord to me, [...] was preserved in Health.

A little Meeting also there was, on t [...] Fourth Day of the Week, at a Town call [...] Bledlow (two Miles from me) in the House [...] one Thomas Saunders, who Professed the Trut [...] But his Wife, whose Name was Damaris, [...] Possess it (she being a Woman of great Since [...] ty, and lively Sense:) and to that Meeting a [...] I usually went.

But though I took this Liberty for the S [...] vice of GOD, that I might Worship Him [...] the Assemblies of his People; yet did I not [...] it upon other Occasions: but spent my Ti [...] on other Days, for the most part in my Cha [...] ber; in Retiredness of Mind, waiting on [...] LORD. And the LORD was graciously ple [...] ed to visit me, by his quickening Spirit a [...] Life; so that I came to feel the Operation of [...] [Page 103] date 1660 Power in my Heart, working out that which was contrary to his Will, and giving me, in measure, Dominion over it.

And as my Spirit was kept in a due Subjecti­ [...]n to this Divine Power, I grew into a nearer Ac­ [...]uaintance with the LORD; and the LORD [...]ouchsafed to speak unto me, in the Inward of [...]y Soul, and to open my Understanding in his [...]ear, to receive Counsel from Him: so that I [...]ot only, at sometimes, heard his Voice, but [...]ould distinguish his Voice from the Voice of [...]he Enemy.

As thus I daily waited on the LORD, a weighty and unusual Exercise came upon me; which bowed my Spirit very low before the LORD. I had seen, in the Light of the Lord, [...]he horrible Guilt of those deceitful Priests, [...]f divers Sorts and Denominations, who made [...] Trade of PREACHING; and for filthy Lucre [...]ake held the People always Learning: yet so [...]aught them, as that, by their Teaching and Ministry, they were never able to come to the Knowledge (much less to the Acknowledgment) [...]f the Truth: For as they themselves hated the Light, because their own Deeds were Evil: so [...]y Reviling, Reproaching, and Blaspheming the TRUE LIGHT, ( wherewith every Man that [...]ometh into the World is Enlightned, John 1. 9.) [...]hey begat in the People a Dis-esteem of the Light; and laboured (as much as in them lay) [...]o keep their Hearers in the Darkness, that they might not be turned to the Light in themselves, [...]est by the Light they should discover the Wicked­ness [Page 104] date 1660 of these their Deceitful Teachers; and turn from them.

Against this Practice of these false Teachers, the Zeal of the LORD had flamed in my Breast sor some time: And now the Burthen of the Word of the LORD against them fell heavy upon me, with Command to proclaim His Controversie against them.

Fain would I have been excused from this Service, which I judged too heavy for me [...] Wherefore I besought the Lord to take this Weight from off me (who was, in every re­spect, but young;) and lay it upon some other of his Servants (of whom he had many) who were much more able and fit for it. But the Lord would not be intreated: but continued the Burden upon me, with greater weight [...] requiring Obedience from me, and promising to assist me therein. Whereupon I arose from my Bed, and in the Fear and Dread of the Lord, committed to Writing what He, in the Mo­tion of his Divine Spirit, dictated to me to write. When I had done it, though the Sharp­ness of the Message therein delivered, was hard to my Nature to be the Publisher of: yet I found Acceptance with the Lord, in my Obe­dience to his Will, and his Peace filled my Heart. As soon as I could, I communicated to my Friends what I had written: and it was Printed in the Year 1660. in one Sheet of Pa­per, under the Title of An Alarm to the PRIESTS; or, A Message from Heaven, to forewarn them, &c.

[Page 105] date 1660 Some time after the Publishing of this Paper, [...]aving Occasion to go to London, I went to visit George Fox the younger, who (with another [...]riend) was then a Prisoner in a Messenger's [...]ands. I had never seen him, nor he me be­ [...]re; yet this Paper lying on the Table before [...]im, he (pointing to it) asked me, If I was [...]e Person that writ it? I told him, I was. It's [...]uch (said the other Friend) that they bear it. [...] is (replied he) their Portion: and they must [...]ear it.

While I was then in London, I went to a [...]tle Meeting of Friends, which was then held [...] the House of one Humphry Bache a Gold­ [...]mith, at the Sign of the Snail in Tower-street. [...] was then a very troublesome Time, not from [...]e Government, but from the Rabble of Boys [...]d rude People, who upon the Turn of the [...]imes (at the Return of the KING) took Li­ [...]erty to be very abusive.

When the Meeting ended, a pretty Number [...] these unruly Folk were got together at the [...]oor, ready to receive the Friends as they came [...]th, not only with evil Words, but with [...]ows; which I saw they bestowed freely on [...]me of them that were gone out before me, [...]d expected I should have my Share of, when [...] came amongst them. But quite contrary to [...]y Expectation, when I came out, they said [...]e to another, Let him alone; Don't meddle [...]th him: he is no Quaker I'll warrant you.

This struck me, and was worse to me, than [...] they had laid their Fists on me, as they did [Page 106] date 1660 on others. I was troubled to think what th [...] Matter was, or what these Rude People saw i [...] me, that made them not take me for a Quake [...] And upon a close Examination of my self, wit [...] respect to my Habit and Deportment, I coul [...] not find any thing to place it on; but that [...] had then on my Head a large Mountier-Cap [...] Black Velvet, the Skirt of which being turne [...] up in Folds, looked (it seems) somewhat abo [...] the then Common Garb of a Quaker: and th [...] put me out of Conceit with my Cap.

I came, at this time, to London from Isa [...] Penington's, and thither I went again, in [...] way Home: and while I staid there, among other Friends who came thither, Thomas Loe [...] Oxford was one. A faithful and diligent [...] bourer he was, in the Work of the Lord; a [...] an excellent Ministerial Gift he had. And [...] in my Zeal for Truth, being very desirous t [...] my Neighbours might have the Opporunity [...] hearing the Gospel, the glad Tidings of Salv [...] tion, livingly and powerfully preached amo [...] them; entred into Communication with h [...] about it: offering to procure some convenie [...] Place, in the Town where I lived, for a Me [...] ing to be held, and to invite my Neighbo [...] to it; if he could give me any Ground to [...] pect his Company at it. He told me he [...] not at his own Command, but at the Lord's; [...] he knew not how he might dispose of him: [...] wish'd me, if I found, when I was come home, t [...] the thing continued with Weight upon my Mi [...] and that I could get a fit Place for a Meeting [...] [Page 107] date 1660 would advertize him of it by a few Lines, direct­ed to him in Oxford (whither he was then going) and he might then let me know how his Freedom stood in that Matter.

When therefore I was come home, and had treated with a Neighbour for a Place to have a Meeting in, I wrote to my Friend Thomas Loe, to acquaint him, that I had procured a Place for a Meeting, and would invite Com­pany to it; if he would fix the Time, and give [...]e some Ground to hope, that he would be [...]t it.

This Letter I sent by a Neighbour to Thame, [...]o be given to a Dyer of Oxford, who constant­ [...]y kept Thame-Market; with whom I was pretty well acquainted, having sometimes for­merly used him, not only in his way of Trade, [...]ut to carry Letters between my Brother and [...]e, when he was a Student in that University: [...]r which he was always paid; and had been [...]o careful in the Delivery, that our Letters had [...]lways gone safe, until now. But this time Providence so ordering, or at least for my Tryal, permitting it) this Letter of mine, in­ [...]tead of being delivered according to its Dire­ [...]tion, was seized, and carried (as I was told) [...]o the Lord Faulkland, who was then called Lord-Lieutenant of that County.

The Occasion of this Stopping of Letters at [...]hat time, was that mad Prank, of those in­ [...]atuated Fifth-Monarchy-Men, who from their Meeting-House in Coleman-Street, London, break­ [...]ng forth in Arms, (under the Command of [Page 108] date 1660 their Chieftain Venner) made an Insurrection in the City; on Pretence of setting up th [...] Kingdom of Jesus; who (it is said) they expected would come down from Heaven, to be thei [...] Leader. So little understood they the Natur [...] of his Kingdom; though he himself had declared it was not of this World.

The KING, a little before his Arrival in England, had, by his Declaration from Breda [...] given Assurance of Liberty to Tender Conscience [...] and that no Man should be disquieted, or called in Question for Differences of Opinion in Matters of Religion, who do not disturb the Peace o [...] the Kingdom: Upon this Assurance Dissenters o [...] all sorts relied, and held themselves secur [...] But now, by this Frantick Action of a few ho [...] brain'd Men, the King was, by some, holde [...] Discharged from this his ROYAL WORD an [...] PROMISE, in his foregoing Declaration publickly given. And hereupon Letters were intercepted and broken open; for Discovery o [...] suspected Plots, and Designs against the Government: and not only Dissenters Meetings, o [...] all sorts, without Distinction, were disturbed [...] but very many were Imprisoned, in most Parts throughout the Nation; and great Search the [...] was, in all Countries, for suspected Persons who, if not found at Meetings, were fetch'd in from their own Houses.

The Lord Lieutenant (so called) of Oxfordshire had on this Occasion taken Thomas Loe, and many other of our Friends, at a Meeting; and sen [...] them Prisoners to Oxford-Castle, just before my [Page 109] date 1660 Letter was brought to his Hand, wherein I [...]ad invited Thomas Loe to a Meeting: and he, [...]utting the worst Construction upon it, as if I a poor Simple Lad) had intended a Seditious Meeting, in order to raise Rebellion, ordered [...]wo of the Deputy Lieutenants, who lived near­ [...] to me, to send a Party of Horse to fetch [...]e in.

Accordingly, while I (wholly ignorant of [...]hat had passed at Oxford) was in daily Ex­ [...]ctation of an agreeable Answer to my Letter; [...]me a Party of Horse one Morning to my Fa­ [...]er's Gate, and asked for me.

It so fell out, that my Father was at that [...]e from home (I think in London) whereup­ [...] he that Commanded the Party alighted, and [...]me in. My eldest Sister, hearing the Noise [...] Soldiers, came hastily up into my Chamber, [...]d told me there were Soldiers below, who [...]quired for me. I forthwith went down to [...]em; and found the Commander was a Bar­ [...] of Thame, and one who had always been [...] Barber till I was a Quaker. His Name was [...]ately: a bold, brisk Fellow.

I asked him, what his Business was with me? [...] told me, I must go with him. I demand­ [...] to see his Warrant: He laid his Hand on his [...]ord, and said, That was his Warrant. I told [...], Though that was not a legal Warrant; [...] I would not dispute it: but was ready to [...]r Injuries. He told me, He could not help [...] he was commanded to bring me forthwith be­ [...] the Deputy Lieutenants: and therefore de­sired [Page 110] date 1660 me to order an Horse to be got ready, because he was in haste. I let him know, I had no Horse of my own; and would no [...] meddle with any of my Father's Horses, in hi [...] Absence especially: and that therefore, if h [...] would have me with him, he must carry me a [...] he could.

He thereupon taking my Sister aside, told he [...] he found I was resolute; and his Orders were pe [...] emptory: wherefore he desired that she woul [...] give Order for an Horse to be made ready fo [...] me; for otherwise he should be forced to mou [...] me behind a Trooper, which would be ver [...] unsuitable for me, and which he was very u [...] willing to do. She thereupon ordered an Hor [...] to be got ready, upon which, when I had take [...] Leave of my Sisters, I mounted, and went of [...] not knowing whither he intended to carry me.

He had Orders, it seems, to take some [...] thers also, in a Neighbouring Village; who [...] Names he had, but their Houses he did n [...] know. Wherefore, as we rode, he asked m [...] If I knew such and such Men (whom he na [...] ed) and where they lived: and when he unde [...] stood that I knew them, he desired me to she [...] him their Houses. No, said I, I scorn to [...] an Informer against my Neighbours, to bri [...] them into Trouble. He thereupon, riding [...] and fro, found, by Enquiry, most of their Ho [...] ses: but, as it happened, found none of the [...] at Home; at which I was glad.

[Page 111] date 1660 At length he brought me to the House of [...]e called Esquire Clark of Weston by Thame; [...]ho being afterwards Knighted, was called [...]r John Clark: a jolly Man, too much addict­ [...] to Drinking in soberer Times; but was now [...]own more Licensious that way, as the Times [...]d now more favour Debauchery. He and I [...]d known one another for some Years; though [...]t very intimately: having met sometimes at [...]e Lord Wenman's Table.

This Clark was one of the Deputy-Lieute­ [...]nts, whom I was to be brought before. And [...] had gotten another thither, to joyn with him [...] tendering me the Oaths; whom I knew only [...] Name and Character: he was called Esquire [...]owls of Grays by Henly; and reputed a Man [...] better Morals, than the other.

I was brought into the Hall, and kept there. [...]d as Quakers were not so common then, as [...]ey now are (and indeed even yet, the more [...] the pity, they are not common in that Part [...] the Country:) I was made a Spectacle, and [...]zing-stock to the Family; and by divers I [...]s diversly set upon. Some spake to me cour­ [...]ously, with Appearance of Compassion; O­ [...]ers ruggedly, with evident Tokens of Wrath [...]d Scorn. But though I gave them the Hear­ [...]g of what they said (which I could not well [...]id) yet I said little to them: but, keeping [...]y Mind as well retired as I could, I breathed [...] the Lord for Help and Strength from him, [...] bear me up, and carry me through this Try­ [...] that I might not sink under it, or be pre­vailed [Page 112] date 1660 on by any Means, fair or foul, to d [...] any thing that might dishonour, or displease my GOD.

At length came forth the Justices themselve [...] (for so they were, as well as Lieutenants) an [...] after they had saluted me, they discoursed wit [...] me pretty familiarly: and though Clark woul [...] sometimes be a little jocular and waggis [...] (which was somewhat natural to him) ye [...] Knowls treated me very civilly; not seeming [...] take any Offence at my not standing bare b [...] fore him. And when a young Priest (who, [...] I understood, was Chaplain in the Famil [...] took upon him pragmatically to reprove me [...] standing with my Hat on before the Mag [...] strates; and snatch'd my Cap from of [...] Head: Knowls in a pleasant Manner correct [...] him, telling him he mistook himself, in taki [...] a Cap for a Hat (for mine was a Mountier-Ca [...] and bid him give it me again; which [...] (though unwillingly) doing, I forthwith p [...] it on my Head again, and thenceforward no [...] meddled with me about it.

Then they began to Examine me, putti [...] divers Questions to me, relating to the pres [...] Disturbances in the Nation; occasioned by t [...] late foolish Insurrection, of those frantick Fif [...] Monarchy-Men. To all which I readily A [...] swered, according to the Simplicity of [...] Heart, and Innocency of my Hands: for I h [...] neither done, nor thought any Evil agai [...] the Government.

[Page 113] date 1660 But they endeavoured to affright me, with [...]reats of Danger; telling me (with Innuen­ [...]s) that for all my Pretence of Innocency, [...]ere was high Matter against me, which, if would stand out, [...] would be brought forth, and [...]at under my own Hand. I knew not what [...]ey meant by this: but I knew my Innocency, [...]d kept to it.

At length, when they saw I regarded not [...]eir Threats in general, they asked me, If I [...]ew one Thomas Loe, and had written of late [...] him. I then remembred my Letter, which [...] then I had not thought of, and thereupon [...]nkly told them, That I did both know Tho­ [...]s Loe, and had lately written to him: but [...]at as I knew I had written no Hurt: so I did [...]t fear any Danger from that Letter. They [...]ook their Heads, and said, It was dangerous to [...]rite Letters to appoint Meetings in such trouble­ [...]e Times.

They added, That by appointing a Meeting, and [...]eavouring to gather a Concourse of People toge­ [...]r, in such a Juncture especially as this was, I had [...]dered my self a dangerous Person. And there­ [...]e they could do no less, than Tender me the Oaths [...] Allegience and Supremacy: which therefore [...]y required me to take.

I told them, If I could take any Oath at all, [...] would take the Oath of Allegiance: for I owed [...]legiance to the KING. But I durst not [...]ke any Oath, because my Lord and Master [...]SUS CHRIST, had commanded me not [...] Swear at all: and if I brake his Command, [Page 114] date 1660 I should thereby both dishonour and disple [...] him.

Hereupon they undertook to reason with m [...] and used many Words to perswade me, Th [...] that Command of Christ related only to common a [...] prophane Swearing, not to Swearing before a Ma [...] strate. I heard them, and saw the Weakn [...] of their Arguings; but did not return the [...] any Answer: for I found my present Busin [...] was not to dispute, but to suffer; and that [...] was not safe for me (in this my weak and Ch [...] dish State especially) to enter into Reasoni [...] with sharp, quick, witty and learned Me [...] lest I might thereby hurt both the Cause [...] Truth (which I was to bear Witness to) a [...] my self: Therefore I chose rather to be a Fo [...] and let them triumph over me; than by [...] Weakness give them Advantage to triumph [...] ver the Truth. And my Spirit being close [...] exercised, in a deep travel towards the Lord, [...] earnestly begged of him, that he would [...] pleased to keep me faithful to the Testimo [...] he had committed to me; and not suffer me [...] be taken in any of the Snares, which the E [...] my laid for me. And, blessed be his h [...] Name, He heard my Cries, and preserved [...] out of them.

When the Justices saw they could not bo [...] me to their Wills, they told me they must se [...] me to Prison. I told them, I was contented [...] suffer whatsoever the Lord should suffer the [...] to inflict upon me. Whereupon they wit [...] drew into the Parlour, to consult together wh [...] [Page 115] date 1660 [...]o do with me: leaving me mean while to be gazed on in the Hall.

After a pretty long Stay, they came forth to me again, with great shew of Kindness; telling me, They were very unwilling to send me to Goal; [...]ut would be as favourable to me, as possibly they [...]ould: and that, if I would take the Oaths, they would pass by all the other Matter, which they had [...]gainst me. I told them, I knew they could not [...]stly have any thing against me: for I had [...]either done, nor intended any thing, against [...]he Government, or against them. And as to [...]he Oaths, I assured them, that my refusing [...]hem was meerly Matter of Conscience to me: [...]nd that I durst not take any Oath whatsoever, [...] it were to save my Life.

When they heard this, they left me again; [...]nd went and signed a Mittimus to send me to [...]rison at Oxford, and charged one of the Troo­ [...]ers that brought me thither (who was one of [...]e newly raised Militia-Troop) to convey me [...]fe to Oxford. But before we departed, they [...]lled the Trooper aside, and gave him private [...]structions, what he should do with me; [...]hich I knew nothing of till I came thither; [...]t expected I should go directly to the Castle.

It was almost dark when we took Horse; [...]d we had about Nine or Ten Miles to ride, [...]e Weather thick and cold (for it was about [...]e beginning of the Twelfth Month) and I had [...] Boots; being snatch'd away from home on [...] suddain: which made me not care to ride [...]ry fast. And my Guard, who was a Trades­man [Page 116] date 1660 in Thame, having Confidence in me, that I would not give him the slip, jogged on, with­out heeding how I followed him.

When I was gone about a Mile on the Way, I overtook my Father's Man; who (without my Knowledge) had followed me, at a distance, to Weston; and waited there, abroad in the Stables, till he understood, by some of the Servants, that I was to go to Oxford; and then ran before, resolving not to leave me, till he saw what they would do with me.

I would have had him return home; but he desired me not to send him back: but let him run on, till I came to Oxford. I considered that it was a Token of the Fellows affectionate Kindness to me; and that possibly I might send my Horse home by him: and thereupon, stopping my Horse, I bid him, if he would go on, Get up behind me. He modestly refused, telling me, He could run, as fast as I rid. But when I had told him, If he would not ride, he should not go forward; he, rather than leave me, leap'd up behind me, and on we went.

But he was not willing I should have gone at all. He had a great Cudgel in his Hand, and a strong Arm to use it; and being a stout Fellow, he had a great Mind to Fight the Trooper, and Rescue me. Wherefore he de­sired me to turn my Horse, and and ride off. And if the Trooper offered to pursue, leave him to deal with him.

[Page 117] date 1660 I check'd him sharply for that, and charged him to be quiet, and not think hardly of the poor Trooper; who could do no other, nor less than he did: and who, though he had an ill Journey, in going with me, carried himself civilly to me. I told him also, that I had no need to fly; for I had done nothing that would bring Guilt, or Fear upon me: neither did I go with an ill Will: and this quieted the Man. So on we went; but were so far cast behind the Trooper, that we had lost both Sight and Hearing of him; and I was fain to mend my Pace, to get up to him again.

We came pretty late into Oxford, on the Seventh Day of the Week, which was the Mar­ket Day; and contrary to my Expectation (which was to have been carried to the Castle) my Trooper stop't in the High-Street; and cal­ling at a Shop, asked for the Master of the House: who coming to the Door, he delivered to him the Mittimus, and with it a Letter from the Deputy-Lieutenants (or one of them;) which when he had read, he asked where the Prisoner was. Whereupon the Soldier, point­ing to me, he desired me to alight and come in: which when I did, he received me civilly.

The Trooper, being discharged of his Pri­soner, marched back: and my Father's Man, seeing me settled in better Quarters than he expected, mounted my Horse, and went off with him.

I did not presently understand the Quality of my Keeper: but I found him a genteel, [Page 118] date 1660 courteous Man, by Trade a Linnen-Draper: and (as I afterwards understood) he was the City-Marshall, had a Command in the County Troop, and was a Person of good Repute in the Place; his Name was — Galloway.

Whether I was committed to him, out of Regard to my Father; that I might not be thrust into a Common Goal: or out of a Poli­tick Design, to keep me from the Conversation of my Friends, in hopes that I might be draw [...] to abandon this Profession, which I had but lately taken up; I do not know. But this I know, that (though I wanted no civil Treat­ment, nor kind Accommodations, where I was) yet, after once I understood, that many Frien [...] were Prisoners in the Castle, and amongst the rest, Thomas Loe: I had much rather have been among them there, with all the Inconvenien­cies they underwent; than where I was, with the best Entertainment. But this was my pre­sent Lot: and therefore with this I endeavour­ed to be content.

It was quickly known in the City, that a Quaker was brought in Prisoner, and commit­ted to the Marshall. Whereupon (the Men- Friends being generally Prisoners already in the Castle) some of the Women- Friends came to enquire after me and to visit me; as Silas Nor­ton's Wife, and Thomas Loe's Wife (who were Sisters) and another Woman- Friend, who lived in the same Street where I was; whose Hus­band was not a Quaker, but kindly affected to­wards them: a Baker by Trade, and his Name (as I remember) Ryland.

[Page 119] date 1660 By some of these an Account was soon given [...] the Friends, who were Prisoners in the Castle, of my being taken up, and brought Prisoner to the Marshall's. Whereupon it [...]eased the Lord, to move on the Heart of my [...]ear Friend Thomas Loe, to salute me with a [...]ery tender and affectionate Letter, in the fol­ [...]owing Terms.

Greatly was my Spirit refreshed, and [...] Heart gladded, at the Reading of this Cons [...] lating Letter from my Friend: and my So [...] blessed the Lord for his Love, and tender Goo [...] ness to me, in moving his Servant to wri [...] thus unto me.

But I had Cause soon after to double, a [...] redouble my thankful Acknowledgment to t [...] Lord my God; who put it into the Heart [...] my dear Friend Isaac Penington also, to vi [...] me with some encouraging Lines, from Alesbu [...] Goal, where he was then a Prisoner; and fro [...] whence (having heard that I was carried P [...] soner to Oxford) he thus saluted me.

[Page 122] date 1661 Though these Epistolary Visits in the Lov [...] os God, were very Comfortable, and Confirming to me; and my Heart was thankful to th [...] Lord for them: yet I honed after personal Conversation, with Friends; and it was hard, [...] thought, that there should be so many faithfu [...] Servants of God so near me: yet I should no [...] be permitted to come at them, to enjoy thei [...] Company, and reap both the Pleasure and Benefit of their sweet Society.

For although my Marshall-Keeper was ve [...] kind to me, and allowed me the Liberty of h [...] House; yet he was not willing I should b [...] seen abroad: the rather, perhaps, because h [...] understood I had been pretty well known i [...] that City. Yet once the Friendly Baker g [...] him to let me step over to his House; and onc [...] (and but once) I prevailed with him, to let m [...] visit my Friends in the Castle; but it was wit [...] these Conditions, That I should not go fort [...] till it was dark; That I would muffle my se [...] up in my Cloak; and that I would not sta [...] out late. All which I punctually observed.

When I came thither, though there we [...] many Friends Prisoners, I scarce knew one [...] them by Face, except Thomas Loe; whom [...] had once seen at Isaac Penington's: Nor did a [...] of them know me; though they had generall [...] heard, that such a Young Man as I was Co [...] vinced of the Truth, and come among Friend [...]

Our Salutation to each other was very Grav [...] and Solemn; nor did we entertain one anothe [...] with much Talk, or with common Discourse [...] [Page 123] date 1661 [...]ut most of the little Time I had with them was spent in a silent Retiredness of Spirit, waiting upon the Lord. Yet, before we part­ [...]d, we imparted one to another some of the Exercises we had gone through: and they [...]eming willing to understand the Ground, and Manner of my Commitment, I gave them a [...]rief Account thereof; letting Thomas Loe [...]ore particularly know, that I had directed a [...]etter to him, which, having fallen into the [...]and of the Lord Lieutenant, was (so far as [...] could learn) the immediate Cause of my be­ [...]g taken up.

Having staid with them as long as my li­ [...]itted time would permit (which I thought [...]as but very short;) that I might keep Touch [...]ith my Keeper, and come home in due time, [...] took leave of my Friends there, and with [...]utual Embraces parting, returned to my (in [...]me sense more easie, but in others less easie) [...]rison; where, after this, I staid not long be­ [...]re I was brought back to my Father's House.

For after my Father was come home (who, [...] I observed before, was from home when I [...]as taken) he applied himself to those Justices [...]at had committed me; and (not having dis­ [...]liged them when he was in Office) easily [...]tained to have me sent home: which between [...]m and them was thus contrived.

There was about this time a general Muster, [...]nd Training of the Militia-Forces at Oxford: whither, on that Occasion, came the Lord- [...]ieutenant, and the Deputy-Lieutenants of the [Page 124] date 1661 County; of which Number, they who Com­mitted me were two.

When they had been a while together, and the Marshall with them; he stept suddainly in, and in haste told me, I must get ready quickly to go out of Town; and that a Soldier would come by and by to go with me. This said, he hastned to them again; not giving me any Intimation how I was to go, or whither.

I needed not much time to get ready in, but I was uneasie in thinking what the Friend [...] of the Town would think of this my suddai [...] and private Removal: and I feared, lest a [...] Report should be raised, that I had purchase [...] my Liberty by an Unfaithful Complian [...] Wherefore I was in care how to speak wi [...] some Friend about it; and that friendly Bake [...] whose Wife was a Friend, living on the oth [...] side of the Street, at a little Distance: I we [...] out at a back Door, intending to step over t [...] Way to their House; and return immediatel [...]

It so fell out, that some of the Lieutenan [...] (of whom Esq Clark, who Committed me, w [...] one) were standing in a Balcony at a gre [...] Inn or Tavern, just over th Place where I w [...] to go by: and he, spying me, called out to t [...] Soldiers (who stood thick below in the Stree [...] to stop me. They, being generally Gent [...] mens Servants, and many of them knowin [...] me, did civilly forbear to lay hold on me, b [...] calling modestly after me, said, Stay, Sir, sta [...] pray come back. I heard, but was not willin [...] to hear; therefore rather mended my Pa [...] [Page 125] date 1661 [...]at I might have got within the Door. But [...] calling earnestly after me, and charging [...]em to stop me; some of them were fain to [...], and laying hold on me, before I could o­ [...] the Door, brought me back to my Place [...]ain.

Being thus disappointed, I took a Pen and [...]k, and wrote a few Lines; which I sealed [...], and gave to the Apprentice in the Shop [...]ho had carried himself handsomely to me) [...]d desired him to deliver it to that Friend [...]ho was their Neighbour) which he promised [...] do.

By that time I had done this, came the Sol­ [...]er, that was appointed to conduct me out of [...]wn. I knew the Man; for he lived within [...] Mile of me, being, through Poverty reduced [...] keep an Ale-House: but he had lived in bet­ [...] Fashion, having kept an Inn at Thame; [...]d by that means knew how to behave him­ [...]f civilly, and did so to me.

He told me, he was ordered to wait on me [...] Whately; and to tarry there at such an Inn, [...] Esq Clark came thither: who would then [...]ke me home with him, in his Coach. Ac­ [...]rdingly to Whately we walked (which is from [...]ford some four or five Miles) and long we [...]d not been there, before Clark, and a great [...]mpany of rude Men came in.

He alighted, and stay'd a while to eat and [...]ink (though he came but from Oxford,) and [...]vited me to eat with him; but I (though I [...]d need enough) refused it; for indeed their [Page 126] date 1661 Conversation was a Burthen to my Life; an [...] made me often think of, and pity good Lot.

He seem'd, at that time, to be in a sort [...] mix't Temper, between Pleasantness and Sou [...] ness. He would sometimes Joke (which wa [...] natural to him) and cast out a jesting Flurt a [...] me: but he would rail maliciously against th [...] Quakers. If (said he to me) the King wou [...] authorize me to do it, I would not leave a Quak [...] alive in England, except you. I would make [...] more, added he, to set my Pistol to their Ears, a [...] shoot them through the Head, than I would to [...] a Dog. I told him, I was sorry he had so [...] an Opinion of the Quakers: but I was glad [...] had no Cause for it; and I hoped he would [...] of a better Mind.

I had in my Hand a little Walking-Sti [...] with a Head on it; which he commended, a [...] took out of my Hand to look on it: but I sa [...] his Invention was, to search it, whether it h [...] a Tuck in it; for he tryed to have drawn t [...] Head; but when he found it was fast, he [...] turned it to me.

He told me I should ride with him to his Ho [...] in his Coach; which was nothing pleasant [...] me: for I had rather have gone on Foot ( [...] bad as the Ways were) that I might have bee [...] out of his Company. Wherefore I took no n [...] tice of any Kindness in the Offer: but onl [...] Answered, I was at his Disposal; not min [...] own.

But when we were ready to go, the Marsha [...] came to me, and told me, If I pleased I shou [...] [Page 127] date 1661 [...]ide his Horse; and he would go in the Coach with Mr. Clark. I was glad of the Offer, and only [...]ld him, he should take out his Pistols then; [...]r I would not ride with them. He took [...]em out, and laid them in the Coach by him: [...]d away we went.

It was a very fine Beast that I was set on; [...]y much the best in the Company. But tho' [...]e was very tall, yet the Ways being very foul, [...] found it needful, as soon as I was out of [...]own, to alight, and take up the Stirrups. [...]ean while, they driving hard on, I was so [...]r behind, that being at length missed by the [...]ompany, a Soldier was sent back to look [...]er me.

As soon as I had fitted my Stirrups, and was [...]emounted, I gave the Rein to my Mare; [...]hich being Couragious and Nimble (and im­ [...]tient of Delay) made great Speed to recover [...]e Company. And in a Narrow Passage, the [...]ldier (who was my Barber, that had fetch'd [...]e from home) and I met upon so brisk a [...]allop; that we had enough to do, on either [...]de, to take up our Horses, and avoid a Brush. When we were come to Weston, where Esq [...]ark lived; he took the Marshall, and some [...]hers with him into the Parlour: but I was [...]ft in the Hall, to be exposed a second time, [...]r the Family to gaze on.

At length himself came out to me, leading [...] his Hand a beloved Daughter of his; a [...]oung Woman of about Eighteen Years of [...]ge: who wanted nothing to have made her [Page 128] date 1661 Comely, but Gravity. An airy Piece she was [...] and very merry she made her self at m [...] When she had throughly viewed me, He, pu [...] ting her a little forward towards me, said, Her [...] Tom, will you Kiss her? I was grieved and ashamed at this frothy Lightness; and I suppos [...] he perceived it: whereupon he drew neare [...] as if he would have whispered; and the [...] said, Will you lie with her? At which I, wi [...] a disdainful Look, turning away; he said, [...] think it would be better for you, than to be a Qu [...] ker: and so little Consideration, and Rega [...] to Modesty had she, that she added, I thi [...] so too.

This was all by Candle light. And wh [...] they had made themselves as much Sport wi [...] me as they would, the Marshall took his lea [...] of them: and mounting me on a Horse [...] Clark's, had me Home to my Father's th [...] Night.

Next Morning, before the Marshall we [...] away, my Father and he consulted togeth [...] how to intangle me. I felt there were Snar [...] laid, but I did not know in what manner, or [...] what End; till the Marshall was ready to g [...] And then, coming where I was, to take [...] leave of me, he desired me to take notice, Th [...] although he had brought me home to my Fathe [...] House again; yet I was not discharged from [...] Imprisonment, but was his Prisoner still: and t [...] he had committed me to the Care of my Father, [...] see me forth-coming, whenever I should be cal [...] for. And therefore he expected I should in all thi [...] [Page 129] date 1661 [...]serve my Father's Orders: and not go at any time [...]m the House, without his Leave.

Now I plainly saw the Snare, and to what [...]d it was laid. And I asked him if this De­ [...]e was not contrived, to keep me from going [...] Meetings. He said, I must not go to Meetings. [...]ereupon I desired him to take Notice, That [...] would not own my self a Prisoner to any Man, [...]ile I coninued here. That if he had Power [...]etain me Prisoner, he might take me back [...]in with him, if he would, and I should not [...]se to go with him. But I bid him assure [...]self, that while I was at home, I would [...]e my Liberty, both to go to Meetings, and [...]isit Friends. He smiled, and said, If I would [...]esolute, he could not help it; and so took his [...]e of me.

By this I perceived that the Plot was of my [...]er's laying, to have brought me under such [...] Engagement, as should have ty'd me from [...]g to Meetings: and thereupon I expected, [...]ould have a new Exercise from my Father.

[...] was the constant manner of my Father, to [...] all the Keys of the Out-doors of his House [...]ich were Four, and those link't upon a [...]in) brought up into his Chamber every [...]ht, and fetch'd out from thence in the [...]ning: so that none could come in, or go [...] in the Night, without his Knowledge.

[...] knowing this, suspected, that if I got not [...] before my Father came down, I should be [...]ed from going out at all that Day. Where­ [...] (the Passage from my Chamber, lying by [Page 128] [...] [Page 129] [...] [Page 130] date 1661 his Chamber-Door;) I went down softly, without my Shoos, and as soon as the Maid had opened the Door, I went out (though too early) and walk'd towards the Meeting at Meadle, four long Miles off.

I expected to have been talked with about it, when I came home: but heard nothing of it; my Father resolving to watch me better next time.

This I was aware of; and therefore on the next First Day I got up early, went down softly, and hid my self in a Back-Room, before the Maid was stirring.

When she was up, she went into my Father's Chamber for the Keys: but he bid her leave them till he was up, and he would bring them down himself; which he did, and tarried in the Kitchin, through which he expected I would go.

The manner was, That when the commo [...] Doors were opened, the Keys were hung upo [...] a Pin in the Hall. While therefore my Fathe [...] staid in the Kitchin, expecting my Coming; [...] stepping gently out of the Room where I wa [...] reached the Keys, and opening another Doo [...] (not often used:) slipped out, and so got away

I thought I had gone off undiscovered. Bu [...] whether my Father saw me through a Window, or by what other means he knew of my going, I know not: but I had gone but a littl [...] Way, before I saw him coming after me.

The Sight of him put me to a stand in my Mind, whether I should go on, or stop. Ha [...] [Page 131] date 1661 been in any other Case than that of Going to [...] Meeting, I could not i [...] any wise have gone a [...]ep further. But I considered, that the intent [...] my Fathers endeavouring to stop me, was to [...]der me from obeying the Call of my heaven­ [...] Father; and to stop me from going to wor­ [...]ip him, in the Assembly of his People: upon [...]s I found it my Duty to go on; and observ­ [...]g, that my Father gained Ground upon me, [...]mewhat mended my Pace.

This he observing, mended his Pace also; [...] at length Ran. Whereupon I ran also; [...] a fair Course we had, through a large Mea­ [...]w of his, which lay behind his House and [...] of sight of the Town. He was not, I sup­ [...]e, then above Fifty Years of Age; and be­ [...] light of Body, and nimble of Foot, he held [...] to it for a while. But afterwards slacking [...] Pace to take Breath, and observing that I [...] gotten Ground of him; he turned back, [...] went home: and (as I afterwards under­ [...]d) telling my Sisters how I had served him, [...] said, Nay, if he will take so much Pains to Go, [...] him Go, if he will. And from that time for­ [...]rd he never attempted to stop me; but left [...] to my liberty, to Go when and whither I [...]uld: Yet kept me at the usual Distance, a­ [...]ing the Sight of me, as much as he could; [...]ot able to bear the Sight of my Hat on, nor [...]ing to contend with me again about it.

Nor was it long after this, before I was left, [...] only to my self; but in a manner by my [...] For the Time appointed for the Corona­tion [Page 132] date 1661 of the KING (which was the 23d of [...] 2d Month, called April) drawing on; my [...]ther, taking my two Sisters with him, went [...] to London sometime before: that they might [...] there in readiness, and put themselves in [...] Condition to see that so great a Solemni [...] leaving no body in the House, but my self a [...] a couple of Servants. And though this was [...] tended only for a Visit on that Occasion: ye [...] proved the Breaking of the Family: for he [...] stowed both his Daughters there in Marria [...] and took Lodgings for himself; so that aft [...] wards they never returned to settle at Cr [...]

Being now at Liberty, I walked over to [...] ­bury, with some other Friends, to visit my [...] Friend Isaac Penington; who was still a Pris [...] there. With him I found dear John Whit [...] and between Sixty and Seventy more; be [...] well-nigh all the Men-Friends, that were [...] in the County of Bucks: many of them [...] taken out of their Houses by Armed Men, [...] sent to Prison (as I had been) for refusing [...] Swear. Most of these were thrust into a [...] Room, behind the Goal, which had ancie [...] been a Malt-house; but was now so deca [...] that it was scarce fit for a Dog-house. A [...] open it lay, that the Prisoners might have g [...] out at pleasure. But these were purposely [...] there, in confidence that they would not [...] out: that there might be Room in the P [...] for others, of other Professions and Na [...] whom the Goaler did not trust there.

[Page 133] date 1661 While this Imprisonment lasted (which was [...] some Months) I went afterwards thither [...]etimes, to visit my suffering Brethren; and [...]ause it was a pretty long way (some eight [...]ine long Miles) too far to be walked forward [...] backward in one Day; I sometimes staid [...]ay or two there, and lay in the Malt-house [...]ong my Friends, with whom I delighted [...]e.

After this Imprisonment was over, I went [...]etimes to Isaac Penington's House at Chal­ [...], to visit that Family, and the Friends there­ [...]uts. There was then a Meeting, for the [...]st part, twice a Week in his House; but one [...]st Day in four, there was a more General [...]eting (which was thence called the Monthly [...]eting) to which resorted most of the Friends [...]ther adjacent Meetings: and to that I usu­ [...] went; and sometimes made some stay [...]re.

Here I came acquainted with a Friend of [...]don, whose Name was Richard Greenaway, [...] Trade a Taylor; a very honest Man, and one [...]o had received a Gift for the Ministry.

He, having been formerly in other Profes­ [...]s of Religion, had then been acquainted [...]th one John Ovy of Watlington in Oxfordshire [...] Man of some Note among the Professors [...]ere:) and understanding, upon Enquiry, [...]t I knew him; he had some Discourse with [...] about him. The Result whereof was, that [...] having an Intention then, shortly to visit [...]e Meetings of Friends in this County, and [Page 134] date 1661 the adjoyning Parts of Oxfordshire and Berksh [...] invited me to meet him (upon notice giv [...] and to bear him Company in that Journ [...] and in the way bring him to John Ovy's Ho [...] with whom I was well acquainted; wh [...] I did.

We were kindly received, the Man and [...] Wife being very glad to see both their [...] Friend Richard Greenaway, and me also; w [...] they had been very well acquainted with [...] merly, but had never seen me since I w [...] Quaker.

Here we tarried that Night, and in the [...] vening had a little Meeting there, with [...] few of John Ovy's People; amongst who [...] G. declared the TRUTH: which they a [...] tively heard, and did not oppose, which at [...] time of Day, we reckoned was pretty w [...] For many were apt to Cavil.

This Visit gave John Ovy an Opportunity t [...] [...] quire of me after Isaac Penington; whose Wri [...] (those which he had written before he [...] among Friends) he had Read, and had a [...] Esteem of: and he express'd a Desire to see [...] that he might have some Discourse with [...] if he knew how. Whereupon I told him, [...] if he would take the Pains to go to his Ho [...] I would bear him Company thither, intro [...] him, and Engage he should have a [...] Reception.

This pleas'd him much; and he embra [...] the Offer, I undertook to give him Noti [...] a suitable time: Which (after I had gone [...] [Page 135] date 1661 [...]tle Journey with my Friend Richard Greena­ [...]y, and was retured) I did; making Choice [...] the Monthly Meeting to go to.

We met, by Appointment at Stoken-Church, [...]ith our Staves in our Hands, like a couple of [...]lgrims, intending to walk on Foot: and ha­ [...]g taken some Refreshment and Rest at Wic­ [...]mb, went on cheerfully in the Afternoon, En­ [...]rtaining each other with Grave and Religi­ [...]s Discourse, (which made the Walk the ea­ [...]r) and so reached thither in good time, on [...]e Seventh Day of the Week.

I gave my Friends an Account who this Per­ [...]n was, whom I had brought to visit them, [...]d the Ground of his Visit. He had been a [...]ofessor of Religion, from his Childhood to [...]s old Age (for he was now both Gray-headed, [...]d Elderly:) and was a Teacher at this time [...]nd had long been so) amongst a People (whe­ [...]er Independants or Baptists, I do not well re­ [...]ember.) And so well thought of he was, for [...]s Zeal and Honesty, that in those late Pro­ [...]sing Times, he was thrust into the Commission [...] the Peace, and thereby lifted up upon the [...]ench; which neither became him, nor he it. [...]r he wanted indeed most of the Qualifica­ [...]ons, requisite for a Justice of the Peace; an [...]tate to defray the Charge of the Office, and [...] bear him up, in a Course of Living above [...]ontempt; A competent Knowledge in the [...]aws; and a Presence of Mind, or Body, or [...]oth, to keep Offenders in some Awe; in all [...]hich he was deficient. For he was but a Fell­monger [Page 136] date 1661 by Trade, accustomed to ride upon [...] Pack of Skins; and had very little Estate: [...] little Knowledge in the Law; and of but [...] mean Presence, and Appearance to look [...] But as my Father, I suppose, was the mea [...] of getting him put into the Commission: so [...] I know, did what he could to countenance hi [...] in it, and help him through it at every tur [...] till that turn came (at the King's Retur [...] which turned them both out together.

My Friends received me in affectionate Ki [...] ness, and my Companion with courteous Ci [...] lity. The Evening was spent in common ( [...] grave) Conversation: for it was not a prop [...] Season for Private Discourse; both as we we [...] somewhat weary with our Walk, and the [...] were other Companies of Friends come into [...] Family, to be at the Meeting next Day.

But in the Morning I took John Ovy into [...] private Walk, in a pleasant Grove near t [...] House; whither Isaac Penington came to [...] and there, in Discourse, both Answered all h [...] Questions, Objections and Doubts; and ope [...] ed to him the Principles of TRUTH, to [...] both Admiration and present Satisfactio [...] Which done, we went in, to take some Refreshment, before the Meeting began.

Of those Friends who were come over Nigh [...] in order to be at the Meeting, there was Isaac [...] Brother, William Penington, a Merchant London; and [...] with him a Friend (whose Nam [...] I have forgotten) a Grocer of Colchester in Essex [...] and there was also our Friend George White­head [Page 137] date 1661 whom I had not (that I remember) seen [...]efore.

The Nation had been in a Ferment, ever [...]ce that mad Action of the Frantick Fifth- [...]onarchy-Men; and was not yet settled: but [...]orms, like Thunder-Showers, flew here and [...]ere by Coast; so that we could not promise [...]r selves any Safety, or Quiet in our Meet­ [...]gs. And though they had escaped Disturb­ [...]ce for some little time before: yet so it fell [...]t, that a Party of Horse were appointed to [...]me, and break up the Meeting that Day; [...]ough we knew nothing of it, till we heard, [...]d saw them.

The Meeting was scarce fully gathered when [...]ey came. But we that were in the Family, [...]d many others were settled in it, in great [...]ace and Stilness; when on a suddain, the [...]ancing of the Horses gave Notice that [...]ght'ning was at hand.

We all sate still in our Places, except my [...]mpanion, John Ovy, who sate next to me. [...]t he being of a Profession that approved Pe­ [...]'s Advice to his Lord, To save himself, soon [...]k the Alarm: and with the Nimbleness of [...] Stripling, Cutting a Caper over the Form [...]at stood before him, ran quickly out at a pri­ [...]te Door (which he had before observed) [...]hich led through the Parlour into the Gardens, [...]d from thence into an Orchard: where he [...]d himself, in a Place so Obscure, and withal [...] convenient for his Intelligence by Observa­tion [Page 138] date 1661 of what passed; that no one of the Famil [...] could scarce have found a likelier.

By that time he was got into his Burrow [...] came the Soldiers in; being a Party of th [...] County Troop, commanded by Matthew Ar [...] dale of Wiccomb. He behaved himself civill [...] and said, He was commanded to break up t [...] Meeting, and carry the Men before a Justice of t [...] Peace: but he said He would not take all; an [...] thereupon began to pick and chuse, chiefly a [...] his Eye guided him, for I suppose he knew very few.

He took Isaac Penington, and his Brothe [...] George Whitehead, and the Friend of Colcheste [...] and me, with Three or Four more of t [...] Country, who belonged to that Meeting.

He was not fond of the Work, and th [...] made him take no more. But he must ta [...] some (he said) and bid us provide to go wi [...] him before Sir William Boyer of Denham, w [...] was a Justice of the Peace. Isaac Penington being but weakly, rode: but the rest of us wa [...] ed thither, it being about four Miles.

When we came there, the Justice carrie [...] himself civilly to us all; courteously to Isa [...] Penington, as being a Gentleman of his Neighbourhood: and there was nothing charged against us, but that we were met together without Word or Deed. Yet this being contrary t [...] a late Proclamation (given forth upon the risin [...] of the Fifth-Monarchy-Men) whereby all Disse [...] ter's Meetings were forbidden, the Justice coul [...] do no less than take Notice of us.

[Page 139] date 1661 Wherefore he Examined all of us (whom he did not personally know) asking our Names, and the places of our Respective Habitations. But when he had them, and considered from what distant Parts of the Nation we came; he was amazed. For G. Whitehead was of Westmorland in the North of England; The Grocer was of Essex; I was of Oxfordshire; and W. Penington was of London.

Hereupon he told us, That our Case look't Ill, and he was sorry for it: for how (said he) can it be imagined that so many could jump altogether at one Time and Place, from such remote Quarters and Parts of the Kingdom; if it was not by Com­bination and Appointment.

He was Answered, That we were so far from coming thither by Agreement, or Appoint­ment; that none of us knew of the others Coming, and for the most of us, we had never seen one another before: and that therefore he might impute it to Chance, or, if he pleased, to Providence.

He urged upon us, That an Insurrection had been lately made by Armed Men, who pretended to be more Religious than others; that that Insurrect [...] ­on had been Plotted and Contrived in their Meet­ing-House, where they Assembled under Colour of Worshipping GOD; that in their Meeting-House they hid their Arms, and Armed themselves; and out of their Meeting-House issued forth in Arms, and killed many: so that the Government could not be safe, unless such Meetings were supprest.

[Page 140] date 1661 We reply'd, We hoped he would distinguish, and make a Difference between the Guilty and the Innocent; and between those who were Principled for Fighting, and those who were Principled against it: which we were, and had been always known to be so. That our Meet­ings were publick, our Doors standing open to all Comers, of all Ages, Sexes and Perswa­sions; Men, Women and Children, and those that were not of our Religion, as well as those that were: and that it was next to Madness, for People to Plot in such Meetings.

He told us, We must find Sureties for our good Behaviour, and to Answer our Contempt of the King's Proclamation, at the next General Quarter-Sessions: or else he must Commit us.

We told him, that knowing our Innocency, and that we had not mis-behaved our selves, nor did meet in Contempt of the King's Autho­rity; but purely in obedience to the LORD's Requirings, to Worship Him, which we held our selves in Duty bound to do; we could not consent to be bound, for that would imply Guilt, which we were free from.

Then, said he, I must commit you: And or­dered his Clerk to make a Mittimus. And di­vers Mittimusses were made, but none of them would hold: for still, when they came to be read, we found such Flaws in them, as made him through them aside, and write more.

He had his Eye often upon me: for I was a young Man, and had at that time a Black Suit on. At length he bid me follow him, and [Page 141] date 1661 went into a private Room, and shut the Door upon me.

I knew not what he meant by this: but I cryed in Spirit to the Lord, that He would be pleased to be a Mouth and Wisdom to me, and keep me from being Entangled in any Snare.

He asked me many Questions, concerning my Birth, my Education, my Acquaintance in Oxfordshire; particularly what Men of Note I knew there. To all which I gave him brief, but plain and true Answers; naming several Families, of the best Rank, in that Part of the Country where I dwelt.

He asked me, How long I had been of this Way, and how I came to be of it: Which when I had given him some Account of; he began to perswade me to leave it, and return to the right Way (the Church, as he called it.) I desired him to spare his Pains in that respect, and forbear any Discourse of that kind: for that I was fully satisfied, the Way I was in was the right Way; and hoped the Lord would so preserve me in it, that nothing should be able to draw, or drive me out of it. He seemed not pleased with that; and thereupon went out to the rest of the Company; and I follow­ed him; glad in my Heart, that I had escaped so well, and Praising God for my Deliverance.

When he had taken his Seat again, at the upper End of a fair Hall, he told us, he was not willing to take the utmost Rigour of the Law against us; but would be as favourable [Page 142] date 1661 to us as he could. And therefore he would discharge, he said, Mr. Penington himself, becaus [...] he was but at Home in his own House. An [...] he would discharge Mr. Penington of London [...] because he come but as a Relation, to visit hi [...] Brother. And he would discharge the Groce [...] of Colchester, because he came to bear Mr. Penington of London Company; and to be acquainted with Mr. Isaac Penington, whom he ha [...] never seen before. And as for those others o [...] us, who were of this Country, he would discharge them, for the present at least, because they being his Neighbours, he could send for them when he would. But as for you, said he to George Whitehead and me, I can see no Busi­ness you had there; and therefore I intend to hold you to it: either to Give Bayl, or Go to Jayl.

We told him we could not give Bayl, Then, said he, You must go to Jayl; and there­upon he began to write our Mittimus: which puzzled him again. For he had discharged so many, that he was at a Loss what to lay, as the Ground of our Commitment; whose Case differed nothing in Reality, from theirs whom he had discharged.

At length, having made divers Draughts (which still G. W. shewed him the Defects of) he seemed to be weary of us; and rising up said unto us, I consider that it is grown late in the Day, so that the Officer cannot carry you to Alesbury to Night; and I suppose you will be wil­ling to go back with Mr. Penington: therefore if you will promise to be forth-coming at his House [Page 143] date 1661 to Morrow Morning, I will dismiss you for the pre­sent; and you shall hear from me again to morrow.

We told him, we did intend, if he did not otherwise dispose of us, to spend that Night with our Friend Isaac Penington; and would (if the LORD gave us leave) be there in the Morning, ready to Answer his Requirings. Whereupon he dismist us all, willing (as we thought) to be rid of us: for he seemed not to be of an ill Temper, nor desirous to put us to Trouble, if he could help it.

Back then we went to Isaac Penington's. But when we were come thither, O the Work we had with poor John Ovy! He was so deject­ed in Mind, so Covered with Shame and Con­fusion of Face; for his Cowardliness, that we had enough to do to pacifie him towards him­self.

The Place he had found out to Shelter him­self in, was so commodiously contrived, that undiscovered he could discern when the Soldiers went off with us, and understand when the Bussle was over, and the Coast clear. Where­upon he adventured to peep out of his Hole; and in a while drew near, by degrees, to the House again: and finding all things quiet and still, he adventured to step within the Doors, and found the Friends, who were left behind, peaceably fettled in the Meeting again.

The Sight of this smote him; and made him sit down among them. And after the Meeting was ended, and the Friends departed to their several Homes; addressing himself to [Page 144] date 1661 Mary Penington (as the Mistress of the House) he could not enough magnifie the Bravery and Courage of the Friends: nor sufficiently debase himself. He told her how long he had been a Professor, what Pains he had taken, what Ha­zards he had run, in his Youthful Days, to get to Meetings; how, when the Ways were forelaid, and Passages stop't, he Swam through Rivers to reach a Meeting: And now, sai [...] he, that I am grown Old in the Profession of Re­ligion, and have long been an Instructor and En­courager of others; that I should thus shamefully fall short my self; is matter of Shame and Sorrow to me.

Thus he bewailed himself to her. And when we came back, he renewed his Com­plaints of himself to us; with high Aggrava­tions of his own Cowardice. Which gave Oc­casion to some of the Friends, tenderly to re­present to him the Difference between Profes­sion and Possession, Form and Power.

He was glad, he said, on our Behalfs, that we came off so well, and escaped Imprisonment.

But when he understood that G. Whitehead and I were liable to an After-Reckoning next Morning; he was troubled: and wish't the Morning was come, and gone; that we might be gone with it.

We spent the Evening in grave Conversa­tion, and in Religious Discourses; attributing the Deliverance me hitherto had to the LORD. And the next Morning when we were up, and had Eaten, we tarried some time to see what [Page 145] date 1661 [...]he Justice would do further with us; and to [...]ischarge our Engagement to him: the rest of [...]he Friends, who were before fully discharg­ [...]d, tarrying also with us, to see the Event.

And when we had staid so long, that on all [...]ands it was concluded we might safely go; [...]. W. and I left a few Words in Writing (to [...]e sent to the Justice, if he sent after us) im­ [...]orting that we had tarried till such an Hour; [...]nd not hearing from him, did now hold our [...]lves free to depart: yet so, as that, if he [...]ould have Occasion to send for us again, upon [...]otice thereof, we would Return.

This done, we took our leave of the Family, [...]d one of another; they who were for Lon­ [...] taking Horse; and I and my Companion, [...]ting forth on Foot for Oxfordshire, went to [...]ccomb; where we made a short Stay, to [...]t and refresh our selves, and from thence [...]ched our Respective Homes that Night.

After I had spent some time at Home; [...]ere, as I had no Restraint, so (my Sisters be­ [...]g gone) I had now no Society: I walked up [...] Chalfont again; and spent a few Days with [...] Friends there.

As soon as I came in, I was told, that my [...]ther had been there that Day to see J. P. [...]d his Wife: but they being abroad at a [...]eeting, he returned to his Inn in the Town, [...]ere he intended to Lodge that Night. After [...]pper, M. P. told me she had a Mind to go [...]d see him at his Inn (the Woman of the [...]use being a Friend of ours:) and I went [Page 146] date 1661 with her. He seem'd somewhat surprized to see me there, because he thought I had been at home at his House: but he took no notice of my Hat; at least shewed no Offence at it [...] for (as I afterwards understood) he had no [...] an Intention to sell his Estate, and thought h [...] should need my Concurrence therein; whic [...] made him now hold it necessary to admit m [...] again into some Degree of Favour. After w [...] had tarried some little time with him; [...] rising up to be gone, he waited on her hom [...] and having spent about an Hour with us [...] the Family, I waited on him back to his [...] On the way, he invited me to Come up [...] London, to see my Sisters; the younger [...] whom was then newly Married: and direc [...] me where to find 'em; and also gave [...] Money to defray my Charges. According [...] I went; yet staid not long there: but retu [...] ed to my Friend J. P's, where I made a lit [...] Stay; and from thence went back to Crowell.

When I was ready to set forth, my Frie [...] Isaac Penington, was so kind to send a Serva [...] with a Brace of Geldings, to Carry me as [...] as I thought fit to ride, and to bring the Ho [...] back. I, intending to go no farther t [...] Day than to Wiccomb, rode no farther than Beconsfield Towns-End; having then but F [...] Miles to walk. But here a new Exercise [...] fel me; the manner of which was thus.

Before I had walked to the middle of [...] Town, I was stop't, and taken up by [...] Watch. I asked the Watchman, What A [...] thority [Page 147] date 1661 he had to stop me, travelling peaceably on the High-Way. He told me he would shew me his Authority; and in order thereunto, had me into an House hard-by, where dwelt a Scrivener, whose Name was Pepys. To him he gave the Order which he had received from the Constables; which directed him to take up all Rogues, Vagabonds and sturdy Beggars. I asked him, For which of these he stopped me: but he could not Answer me.

I thereupon informed him, what a Rogue in Law is, viz. One, who for some notorious Offence has burnt on the Shoulder: and I told them, they might search me, if they pleased, and see if I was so branded. A Vagabond, I told them, was One that had no Dwelling House, nor certain Place of Abode; but I had, and was going to [...]: and I told them where it was. And for a Beggar; I bid them bring any one that could [...]y, I had begged or asked Relief.

This stop't the Fellow's Mouth; yet he would not let me go: but (being both weak­ [...]eaded, and strong-willed) he left me there [...]ith the Scrivener, and went out to seek the [...]onstable; and having found him, brought [...]im thither. He was a young Man, by [...] Trade Tanner; somewhat better Mannered than [...]is Wardsman: but not of much better Judg­ [...]ent.

He took me with him to his House. And [...]aving settled me there, went out; to take Ad­ [...]ice (as I supposed) what to do with me: [...]aving no Body in the House, to Guard me, [Page 148] date 1661 but his Wife; who had a young Child in her Arms.

She enquired of me, upon what Account I was taken up; and seeming to have some Pity for me, endeavoured to perswade me not to stay; but to go my way: offering to shew me a back way from their House, which would bring me into the Road again beyond the Town; so that none of the Town should se [...] me, or know what was become of me. But [...] told her, I could not do so.

Then having sate a while in a muze, she asked me, If there was not a place of Scripture wh [...] said, Peter was at a Tanner's House. I to [...] her there was such a Scripture; and direct [...] her where to find it.

After some time, she laid her Child to sle [...] in the Cradle; and step't out on a suddai [...] but came not in again in a pretty while.

I was uneasie that I was left alone in t [...] House; searing lest, if any thing should be m [...] sing, I might be suspected to have taken [...] yet I durst not go out to stand in the Stree [...] lest it should be thought I intended to slip [...] way.

But besides that, I soon found Work to i [...] ploy my self in; for the Child quickly waki [...] fell to Crying; and I was fain to Rock [...] Cradle in my own Defence; that I might [...] be annoyed with a Noise, to me not more [...] pleasant than unusual. At length the Wom [...] came in again; and finding me Nursing [...] [Page 149] date 1661 Child, gave me many Thanks: and seemed well pleased with my Company.

When Night came on, the Constable him­ [...]lf came in again, and told me, Some of the [...]hief of the Town were met together, to Consider [...]hat was fit to do with me; and that I must go with [...]m to them. I went, and he brought me to a [...]ttle nasty Hut, which they called a Town­ [...]ouse (adjoining to their Market-House) in [...]hich dwelt a poor old Woman, whom they [...]lled Mother Grime: where also the Watch used [...] turns, to come in, and warm themselves in [...]e Night.

When I came in among them, they looked [...]ome of them) somewhat sourly on me; and [...]k'd me some impertinent Questions: to which [...] gave them suitable Answers.

Then they consulted one with another, how [...]ey should dispose of me that Night, till they [...]uld have me before some Justice of Peace, to [...] Examined. Some proposed, That I should be [...]d to some Inn, or other publick House; and a [...]ard set on me there. He that started this was [...]obably an Inn-keeper, and consulted his own [...]terest. Others objected against this, That it [...]uld bring a Charge on the Town. To avoid [...]ich, they were for having the Watch take [...]arge of me; and keep me walking about [...]e Streets with them till Morning. Most [...]ices seemed to go this way; till a Third [...]shed them to consider, Whether they could an­ [...]er the doing of that, and the Law would bear [...]m out in it: And this put them to a stand. [Page 150] date 1661 I heard all their Debates; but let them alone and kept my Mind to the LORD.

While they thus bandied the Matter to and fro, one of the Company asked the rest, If any of them knew who this young Man was, and whi­ther he was going? Whereupon the Constable (to whom I had given both my Name, and the Name of the Town where I dwelt) told them my Name was Ellwood, and that I lived at a Town called Crowell in Oxfordshire.

Old Mother Grime, sitting by and hearin [...] this, clap'd her Hand on her Knee, and cry' [...] out, I know Mr. Ellwood of Crowell very we [...] For when I was a Maid I lived with his Gran [...] ther there, when he was a Young Man. A [...] thereupon she gave them such an Account of [...] Father, as made them look more regardful [...] on me: and so Mother Grime's Testimo [...] turned the Scale; and took me off fr [...] walking the Rounds with the Watch t [...] Night.

The Constable hereupon bid them take [...] further Care; I should lie at his House t [...] Night: and accordingly took me home wi [...] him; where I had as good Accommodation [...] the House did afford. Before I went to Be [...] he told me, That there was to be a Visitation, [...] Spiritual Court (as he called it) holden next D [...] at Amersham, about four Miles from Beconsfie [...] and that I was to be carried thither.

This was a new Thing to me, and it broug [...] a fresh Exercise upon my Mind. But be [...] given up, in the Will of God, to suffer w [...] [Page 151] date 1661 [...]e should permit to be laid on me; I endea­ [...]ured to keep my Mind quiet and still.

In the Morning, as soon as I was up, my Spi­ [...] was Exercised towards the Lord, in strong [...]ies to Him; that He would stand by me, [...]d preserve me: and not suffer me to be taken [...]the Snare of the Wicked. While I was thus [...]ying to the LORD, the other Constable [...]e; and I was called down.

This was a budge Fellow; and talked high. [...] was a Shoo-maker by Trade; and his Name [...]s Clark. He threat'ned me with the Spiri­ [...]l Court. But when he saw I did not re­ [...]rd it, he stop't; and left the Matter to his [...]rtner; who pretended more Kindness for [...]e, and therefore went about to perswade [...]rk, to let me go out at the Back Door; so [...] away.

The Plot, I suppose, was so laid, that Clark [...]uld seem averse; but at length yeild, which [...] did: but would have me take it for a Fa­ [...]r. But I was so far from taking it so, that [...] would not take it at all: but told them plain­ [...] That as I came in at the Fore-Door; so I [...]uld go out at the Fore Door. When there­ [...]e they saw they could not bow me to their [...]ll, they brought me out at the Fore Door, [...]o the Street, and wished me a good Journey. [...]t before I went, calling sor the Woman of [...]e House, I paid her for my Supper and Lodg­ [...]g for I had now getten a little Money in my [...]cket again.

[Page 152] date 1661 After this, I got home (as I thought) very well: but I had not been long at home, before an Ilness seized on me; which proved to be the Small-Pox. Of which so soon as Friends had Notice, I had a Nurse sent me; and in a while, Isaac Penington, and his Wife's Daughter, G [...] ­lielma Maria Springett (to whom I had been Play-Fellow in our Infancy) came to visit me, bringing with them our dear Friend Edward Burrough, by whose Ministry I was called [...] the Knowledge of the Truth.

It pleased the Lord to deal favourably wi [...] me in this Ilness, both Inwardly and Outwa [...] ly. For his Supporting Presence was with m [...] which kept my Spirit near unto him: a [...] though the Distemper was strong upon m [...] yet I was preserved through it, and my Coutenance was not much altered by it, But aft [...] I was got up again, and while I kept [...] Chamber; wanting some Employment, [...] Entertainment sake, to spend the Time wit [...] and there being at hand a pretty good Libra [...] of Books (amongst which were the Works [...] Augustine, and others of those Ancient Write [...] who were by many called the Fathers;) I betook my self to Reading. And these Books being Printed in the old Black-Letter, with Abbreviations of the Words, difficult to be re [...] I spent too much time therein: and thereb [...] much impaired my Sight, which was n [...] strong before, and was now weaker than usu [...] by reason of the Ilness I had so newly ha [...] [Page 153] date 1661 which proved an Injury to me afterwards; for which reason I here mention it.

After I was well enough to go abroad, with [...]espect to my own Health, and the Safety of [...]thers; I went up (in the beginning of the [...]welfth Month, 1661.) to my Friend Isaac Pen­ [...]gton's at Chalfont, and abode there sometime: [...]r the Airing my self more fully; that I might [...]e more fit for Conversation.

date 1662 I mentioned before, that when I was a Boy, [...] had made some good Progress in Learning; [...]d lost it all again before I came to be a Man: [...]or was I rightly sensible of my Loss there­ [...], until I came amongst the Quakers. But [...]en I both saw my Loss, and lamented it; [...]d applied my self with utmost Diligence, at [...]l leisure Times to recover it: so false I found [...]at Charge to be, which in those Times was [...]st, as a Reproach upon the Quakers, That [...]ey despised and decried all Humane Learning; [...]ecause they denied it to be essentially necessary [...] a Gospel-Ministry, which was one of the Con­ [...]oversies of those Times.

But though I toiled hard, and spared no [...]ains, to regain what once I had been Master [...]f; yet I found it a Matter of so great Diffi­ [...]ulty, that I was ready to say as the Noble Eu­ [...]uch to Philip in another Case; How can I, un­ [...]ess I had some Man to guide me?

This I had formerly complained of to my [...]special Friend Isaac Penington; but now more [...]arnestly: which put him upon Consider­ing, [Page 154] date 1662 and Contriving a Means for my Assist­ance.

He had an intimate Acquaintance with Dr. Paget, a Physician of Note in London; and he with John Milton, a Gentleman of great Note for Learning, throughout the Learned World for the accurate Pieces he had Written, on various Subjects and Occasions.

This Person, having filled a publick Statio [...] in the former Times; lived now a private an [...] retired Life in London: and having wholly l [...] his Sight, kept always a Man to read to hi [...] which usually was the Son of some Gentlem [...] of his Acquaintance, whom, in Kindness, [...] took to improve in his Learning.

Thus, by the Mediation of my Friend Isa Penington with Dr. Paget, and of Dr. Pag [...] with John Milton, was I admitted to come [...] him; not as a Servant to him (which at t [...] time he needed not) nor to be in the Ho [...] with him; but only to have the Liberty [...] Coming to his House, at certain Hours, wh [...] I would, and to read to him what Books [...] should appoint me; which was all the Favo [...] I desired.

But this being a Matter, which would [...] quire some time to bring it about: I, in [...] mean while returned to my Father's House [...] Oxfordshire.

I had before received Direction, by Lett [...] from my Eldest Sister (written by my Fathe [...] Command) to put off what Cattle he had [...] about his House, and to Discharge his Serva [...] [Page 155] date 1662 [...]ich I had done at the time called Michaelmas [...]fore. So that all that Winter, when I was [...] Home, I lived like an Hermit all alone; [...]ing a pretty large House, and no Body in [...]but my self, a Nights especially: but an el­ [...]rly Woman (whose Father had been an old [...]rvant to the Family) came every Morning, [...]d made my Bed; and did what else I had [...]asion for her to do; till I fell Ill of the [...]all Pox, and then I had her with me, and [...] Nurse. But now, understanding by Letter [...]m my Sister, that my Father did not intend [...] return to settle there; I made off those Pro­ [...]ions which were in the House (that they [...]ght not be spoiled when I was gone:) and [...]cause they were what I should have spent, if [...]ad tarried there, I took the Money made of [...]em to my self, for my support at London, if [...]e Project succeeded for my Going thither.

This done, I committed the Care of the [...]use to a Tenant of my Father's, who lived [...] the Town; and taking my leave of Crowell, [...]nt up to my sure Friend Isaac Penington a­ [...]in. Where understanding that the Media­ [...]n used for my Admittance to John Milton, [...]d succeeded so well, that I might come when [...] would; I hastned to London: and in the first [...]ace went to wait upon him.

He received me courteously; as well for the [...]ke of Dr. Paget, who introduced me: as of [...]aac Penington, who recommended me; to [...]oth whom he bore a good Respect. And [...]ving enquired divers things of me, with re­spect [Page 156] date 1662 to my former Progression in Learning; h [...] dismist me, to provide my self of such Accomodations, as might be most suitable to my futur [...] Studies.

I went therefore and took my self a Lodging [...] as near to his House (which was then in Jewe [...] Street) as conveniently as I could: and fro [...] thenceforward went every Day in the Afternoon (except on the first Days of the Wee [...] and sitting by him in his Dining-Room, re [...] to him in such Books in the Latin Tongue, as [...] pleased to hear me read.

At my first sitting to read to him, observi [...] that I used the English Pronounciation, he t [...] me, If I would have the Benefit of the Lat [...] Tongue (not only to read and understand Latin A [...] thors, but) to Converse with Foreigners, either [...] broad or at home, I must learn the Foreign Pr [...] nounciation. To this I consenting, he instru [...] ed me how to sound the Vowels; so differe [...] from the common Pronounciation used by t [...] English (who speak Anglice their Latin) th [...] (with some few other Variations in soundi [...] some Consonants, in particular Cases; as C. before E. or I. like Ch. Sc. before I. like Sh. &c. the Latin thus spoken, seemed as different from that which was delivered as the English generally speak it, as if it were another Language.

I had before, during my retired Life at my Father's, by unwearied Diligence and Industry so far recovered the Rules of Grammar (in which I had once been very ready) that I could both read a Latin Author, and after a sort ham­mer [Page 157] date 1662 out his Meaning. But this Change of [...]nounciation proved a New Difficulty to [...]. It was now harder to me to read, than [...] was before to understand when read. But

And so did I. Which made my Reading the [...]re acceptable to my Master. He, on the o­ [...]r hand, perceiving with what earnest De­ [...] I pursued Learning; gave me not only all [...] Encouragement, but all the Help he could. [...], having a curious Ear, he understood by [...] Tone, when I understood what I read, and [...]en I did not: and accordingly would stop [...] Examine me, and open the most difficult [...]sages to me.

Thus went I on, for about Six Weeks time, [...]ding to him in the Afternoons, and Exerci­ [...]g my self, with my own Books, in my Cham­ [...], in the Forenoons: I was sensible of an [...]provement.

But, alas! I had fixed my Studies in a wrong [...]ce. London and I could never agree for [...]alth: my Lungs (as I suppose) were too [...]der to bear the Sulphurous Air of that City. [...] that I soon began to droop; and in less than [...]o Months time, I was fain to leave both my [...]dies and the City; and return into the Coun­try [Page 158] date 1662 to preserve Life: and much ado I had [...] get thither.

I chose to go down to Wiccomb; and to Jo [...] Rance's House there: both as he was a Phy [...] cian; and his Wife an honest, hearty, discre [...] and grave Matron; whom I had a very goo [...] Esteem of, and who (I knew) had a good R [...] gard for me.

There I lay ill a considerable time, and [...] that degree of Weakness, that scarce any, w [...] saw me, expected my Life. But the Lord w [...] both gracious to me in my Ilness; and w [...] pleased to raise me up again, that I might ser [...] Him in my Generation.

As soon as I had recovered so much Streng [...] as to be fit to Travel; I obtained of my [...] ther (who was then at his House in Crowel [...] dispose of some things he had there, and w [...] in my Ilness had come to see me) so much M [...] ney as would clear all Charges in the Hou [...] for both Physick, Food and Attendance: a [...] having fully discharged all, I took leave of m [...] Friends in that Family, and in the Town; a [...] returned to my Studies at London.

I was very kindly received by my Maste [...] who had conceived so good an Opinion of m [...] that my Conversation (I found) was acceptab [...] to him: and he seem'd heartily glad of my Recovery and Return; and into our old Metho [...] of Study we fell again, I Reading to him, an [...] he Explaining to me, as Occasion required.

But, as if Learning had been a forbidde [...] Fruit to me, scarce was I well settled in my [Page 159] date 1662 Work, before I met with another Diversion, which turned me quite out of my Work.

For a suddain Storm arising, from I know [...]ot what Surmise of a Plot, and thereby Dan­ [...]er to the Government; and the Meetings of [...]issenters (such I mean as could be found, which [...]erhaps were not many besides the Quakers) were broken up throughout the City: and the [...]risons mostly filled with our Friends.

I was that Morning (which was the 26th [...]ay of the 8th Month, 1662.) at the Meeting [...] the Bull-and-Mouth by Aldersgate; when on [...] suddain, a Party of Soldiers (of the Trained [...]ands of the City) rushed in, with Noise and [...]lamour: being led by one who was called Major Rosewell; an Apothecary (if I misremem­ [...]er not) and at that time under the ill Name [...]f a Papist.

As soon as he was come within the Room, [...]aving a File or two of Musketteers at his [...]eels; he commanded his Men to present their Muskets at us: which they did; with Intent I suppose) to strike a Terror into the People. Then he made a Proclamation that all, who were not Quakers might depart if they would.

It so happened, that a Young Man, an Ap­ [...]rentice in London, whose Name was — Dove (the Son of Dr. Dove of Chinner, near Crowell, in Oxfordshire) came that Day in Curiosity, to see the Meeting: and Coming early, and find­ing me there (whom he knew) came and sate down by me.

[Page 160] date 1662 As soon as he heard the Noise of Soldiers, he was much startled; and asked me softly, [...] I would not shift for my Self, and try to get out. I told him, No; I was in my place; and was willing to suffer, if it was my Lot. When he heard the Notice given, that they who were not Quakers might depart; he solicited me again to be gone. I told him, I could not do so: for that would be to renounce my Profession; which I would by no means do. But as for him, who was not one of us, he might do as he pleased. Whereupon, wishing me well, he turned away, and with Cap in Hand, went out. And truly I was glad he was gone: for his Master was a rigid Presbyterian, who (in all likelihood) would have led him a wretched Life, had he been taken and Imprisoned a­mong the Quakers.

The Soldiers came so early, that the Meet­ing was not fully gathered when they came; and when the mixt Company were gone out, we were so few, and sate so thin in that large Room, that they might take a clear view of us all, and single us out, as they pleased.

He that Commanded the Party, gave us first a general Charge to come out of the Room. But we, who came thither at God's Requirings, to Worship Him (like that good Man of Old, who said, We ought to obey God, rather than Men, Acts 5. 29.) stirred not; but kept out Places. Whereupon he sent some of his Soldiers among us, with Command to Drag, or Drive us out; which they did, roughly enough.

[Page 161] date 1662 When we came out into the Street, we were [...]ceived there, by other Soldiers, who with [...]eir Pikes, holden length-ways from one ano­ [...]er, encompassed us round, as Sheep in a [...]und: and there we stood a pretty time, [...]ile they were picking up more, to add to [...]r Number.

In this Work none seemed so eager and ac­ [...]e, as their Leader, Major Rosewell. Which [...]bserving, stept boldly to him, as he was [...]sing by me; and asked him, If he intended [...] Massacre: for of that, in those times, there [...]s a great Apprehension and Talk. The sud­ [...]nness of the Question, from such a young [...]n especially, somewhat startled him: but [...]ollecting himself, he answered, No; but I [...]end to have you all hanged by the wholsome Laws [...] the Land.

When he had gotten as many as he could, or [...]ught fit (which were in Number Thirty [...]; whereof Two were catch'd up in the [...]eet, who had not been at the Meeting) he [...]ered the Pikes to be opened before us: and [...]ing the Word to March, went himself at the [...]ad of us; the Soldiers with their Pikes ma­ [...]g a Lane to keep us from scattering.

He led us up Martins; and so turned down [...] Newgate; where I expected he would have [...]ged us. But to my Disappointment, he [...]nt on through Newgate; and turning through [...] Old-Baily, brought us into Fleet-Street. I [...]s then wholly at a Loss, to conjecture whi­ [...]r he would lead us; unless it were to White­hall [Page 162] date 1662 (for I knew nothing then of Old-Bridwell; but on a suddain he gave a short Turn, a [...] brought us before the Gate of that Priso [...] where knocking, the Wicket was forthwi [...] opened, and the Master, with his Porter, r [...] dy to receive us.

One of those two, who were picked up [...] the Street, being near me, and telling me [...] Case; I stept to the Major, and told him, Th [...] this Man was not at the Meeting, but was [...] ken up in the Street: and shew'd him [...] hard, and unjust a thing it would be to [...] him into Prison.

I had not pleased him before, in the Questi [...] I had put to him about a Massacre; and t [...] I suppose, made this Solicitation less accepta [...] to him from me, than it might have been fr [...] some other. For looking sternly on me, [...] said, Who are you! that take so much upon [...] Seeing you are so busie, you shall be the first [...] that shall go into Bridewell: and taking me [...] the Shoulders, he thrust me in.

As soon as I was in, the Porter, pointing w [...] his Finger, directed me to a fair Pair of Sta [...] on the further side of a large Court; and [...] me Go up those Stairs, and go on till I could go [...] farther.

Accordingly I went up the Stairs; the [...] Flight whereof brought me to a fair Chap [...] on my left hand: which I could look i [...] through the Iron-Grates; but could not h [...] gone into if I would.

[Page 163] date 1662 I knew that was not a Place for me. Where­ [...]e following my Direction, and the [...] winding the Stairs, I went up a Story higher; which [...]ought me into a Room, which I soon perceiv­ [...] to be a Court-Room or Place of Judicature. [...]ter I had stood a while there, and taken a [...]ew of it; observing a Door on the further [...]e, I went to it, and opened it, with inten­ [...] to go in: but I quickly drew back; being [...]ost affrighted at the Dismalness of the Place. [...]r besides that the Walls quite round were laid [...]over from Top to Bottom, in Black; there [...]d in the middle of it a great Whipping-Post, [...]ich was all the furniture it had.

In one of these two Rooms Judgment was [...]en, and in the other it was executed, on [...]se ill People: who for their Lewdness were [...]t to this Prison; and there sentenced to be [...]hip'd. Which was so contrived that the urt might not only hear, but see (if they [...]ased) their Sentence Executed.

A Sight so unexpected, and withal so unpleas­ [...], gave me no Encouragement, either to rest; [...]ndeed to enter at all there: till looking ear­ [...]tly, I spy'd on the opposite side a Door; [...]ich giving me Hopes of a further Progress, I [...]entured to step hastily to it, and opened it.

This let me into one of the fairest Rooms, [...]t (so far as I remember) I was ever in; and [...] wonder: for though it was now put to this [...]an Use, it had, for many Ages past, been [...] Royal Seat, or Palace of the Kings of Eng­ [...]d; until Cardinal Woolsey Built Whitehall, [Page 164] date 1662 and offered it as a Peace-Offering to King HE [...] RY the Eighth; who until that time had ke [...] his Court in this House, and had this (as t [...] People in the House reported) for his Dini [...] Room, by which Name it then went.

This Room in length (for I lived long [...] nough in it to have time to measure it) [...] Threescore Foot: and had Breadth proporti [...] able to it. In it, on the Front-Side, were v [...] large Bay-Windows, in which stood a la [...] Table. It had other very large Tables [...] with Benches round: and at that time the F [...] was covered with Rushes, against some So [...] Festival, which (I heard) it was bespoken.

Here was my Nil ultra: and here I fou [...] might set up my Pillar: for although there [...] a Door out of it, to a Back-Pair of Stairs w [...] led to it; yet that was kept locked. So [...] finding I had now followed my Keeper's [...] rection to the utmost Point; beyond whi [...] could not go: I sate down, and considered [...] rhetorical Saying, That the Way to Heave [...] by the Gate of Hell; the Black Room, thr [...] which I passed into this, bearing some Re [...] blance to the latter, as This comparatively, [...] by way of Allusion, might in some sor [...] thought to bear to the former.

But I was quickly put out of these Thou [...] by the Flocking in of the other Friends, [...] Fellow-Prisoners; amongst whom yet, [...] all were come together, there was but [...] whom I knew so much as by Face; and [...] him I had no Acquaintance. For I having [...] [Page 165] date 1662 a little while in the City, and in that time [...]t close to my Studies; I was, by that Means, [...]wn to very few.

[...]oon after we were all gotten together, came [...] the Master of the House after us, and de­ [...]ded our Names: which we might reason­ [...] have refused to give; till we had been [...]lly convened before some Civil Magistrate, [...] had Power to Examine us, and demand [...] Names. But we, who were neither Guil­ [...] nor Wilful, simply gave him our Names; [...]ch he took down in Writing.

[...] was (as I hinted before) a general Storm [...]ch fell that Day; but it lighted most, and [...]t heavy, upon our Meetings; so that most [...]ur Men-Friends were made Prisoners, and [...] Prisons generally filled. And great Work [...] the Women, to run about from Prison to [...]on, to find their Husbands, their Fathers, [...]r Brothers, or their Servants; for accord­ [...]y as they had disposed themselves to several [...]etings; so were they dispersed to several [...]ons. And no less Care and Pains had they, [...]n they had found them; to furnish them [...] Provisions, and other necessary Accom­ [...]lations.

But an excellent Order, even in those early [...]ys, was practised among the Friends of that [...]y; by which there were certain Friends, of [...]er Sex, appointed to have the Oversight of [...] Prisons in every Quarter; and to take Care [...]ll Friends, the Poor especially, that should [...] Committed thither.

[Page 166] date 1662 This Prison of Bridewell was under the C [...] of two honest, grave, discreet and mothe [...] Women; whose Names were Anne Mer [...] (afterwards Vivers) and Anne Travers: b [...] Widows.

They, so soon as they understood, that t [...] were Friends brought into that Prison, [...] vided some hot Victuals, Meat and Broth, [...] the Weather was cold;) and ordering their [...] vants to bring it them, with Bread, Cheese [...] Beer, came themselves also with it: and ha [...] placed it on a Table, gave notice to us, T [...] was provided for all those, that had not othe [...] provide for them; or were not able to prov [...] themselves. And there wanted not among [...] competent Number of such Guests.

As for my part, though I had lived as [...] gally as possibly I could, that I might draw [...] the Thread of my little Stock to the ut [...] length: yet had I, by this time, reduced [...] Ten Pence; which was all the Money I h [...] bout me, or any where else at my Comman [...]

This was but a small Estate, to enter [...] an Imprisonment with: yet was I not [...] discouraged at it; nor had I a murm [...] Thought. I had known what it was ( [...] rately) to Abound: and if I should now [...] to suffer Want, I knew I ought to be co [...] and through the Grace of GOD I was s [...] had lived by Providence before (when [...] long time, I had no Money at all:) and [...] always found the LORD a good Provide [...] made no doubt therefore that He, who se [...] [Page 167] date 1662 [...]vens to feed Elijah, and who cloaths the Lil­ [...], would find some means to sustain me, [...]th needful Food and Raiment: and I had [...]rn'd by Experience the Truth of that Say­ [...]g, Natura paucis contenta; i. e. Nature is con­t with few things, or a little.

Although the Sight and Smell of hot Food, [...]s sufficiently enticing to my empty Stomach [...]r I had Eaten little that Morning, and was [...]gry:) yet considering the Terms of the In­ [...]ation, I questioned whether I was included [...]t; and after some Reasonings, at length con­ [...]ed, That while I had Ten Pence in my [...]cket, I should be but an injurious Intruder to [...]t Mess, which was provided for such as, [...]haps, had not Two Pence in theirs.

Being come to this Resolution, I withdrew [...] far from the Table as I could; and sate [...]wn in a quiet Retirement of Mind, till the [...]past was over, which was not long: for [...]re were Hands enough at it, to make light [...]rk of it.

When Evening came, the Porter came up [...] Back-Stairs, and opening the Door, told us, [...] we desired to have any thing that was to be had [...] the House, he would bring it us: for there was [...] the House a Chandler 's-Shop; at which Beer, [...]ead, Butter, Cheese, Eggs and Bacon might be [...]d for Money. Upon which many went to [...], and spake for what of these things, they [...]d a Mind to; giving him Money to pay for [...]em.

[Page 168] date 1662 Among the rest went I, and (intending [...] spin out my Ten Pence, as far as I could) desired him to bring me a Penny Loaf only [...] When he returned, we all resorted to him, [...] receive our several Provisions; which he de [...] vered: and when he came to me, he told m [...] He could not get a Penny Loaf; but he had broug [...] me two Half-Penny Loaves.

This suited me better: wherefore returni [...] to my Place again, I sate down, and Eat [...] one of my Loaves; reserving the other for [...] next Day.

This was to me both Dinner and Suppe [...] And so well satisfied I was with it, that I [...] willingly then have gone to Bed; if I had h [...] one to go to: but that was not to be expect [...] there; nor had any one any Bedding broug [...] in that Night.

Some of the Company had been so considerate, as to send for a Pound of Candles; th [...] we might not sit all Night in the dark: and h [...] ­ving lighted divers of them, and placed the [...] in several Parts of that large Room; we kep [...] walking to keep us warm.

After I had warmed my self pretty throug [...] ly, and the Evening was pretty sar spent; [...] bethought my self of a Lodging; and castin [...] mine Eye on the Table, which stood in t [...] Bay-Window; the Frame whereof look't, [...] thought, somewhat like a Beadstead. When [...] fore willing to make sure of that, I gathered [...] a good Armful of the Rushes, wherewith t [...] Floor was covered; and spreading them und [...] [Page 169] date 1662 [...]at Table, crep't in upon them in my Cloaths: [...]d keeping on my Hat, laid my Head upon [...]e End of the Tables Frame, instead of a [...]lster.

My Example was followed by the rest, who [...]thering up Rushes, as I had done, made [...]emselves Beds in other Parts of the Room: [...]d so to rest we went.

I, having a quiet, easie Mind, was soon a [...]ep; and slept till about the middle of the [...]ght. And then waking, finding my Legs [...]d Feet very cold, I crep't out of my Cabin, [...]d began to walk about apace.

This waked, and raised all the rest; who find­ [...]g themselves cold as well as I, got up and [...]lked about with me, till we had pretty well [...]rmed our selves: and then we all lay down [...]ain, and rested till Morning.

Next Day, all they who had Families, or be­ [...]g'd to Families, had Bedding brought in, of [...]e Sort or other; which they disposed at the [...]ds, and Sides of the Room, leaving the Mid­ [...] void to walk in.

But I, who had no Body to look after me, [...]t to my Rushy-Pallet under the Table, for [...]r Nights together, in which time I did not [...]t off my Cloths: yet, through the merciful [...]odness of GOD unto me, I rested and slept [...]ll, and enjoyed Health, without taking [...]ld.

In this time divers of our Company, through [...]e Solicitations of some of their Relations, or [...]quaintance, to Sir Richard Brown (who was [Page 170] date 1662 at that time a great Master of Mis-rule in the City, and over Bridewell more especially) were released: And among these, one William Muck­low, who lay in an Hammack. He, having ob­served that I only was unprovided of Lodging came very courteously to me, and kindly offer­ed me the Use of his Hammack, while I should continue a Prisoner.

This was a Providential Accommodation [...] me; which I received thankfully, both fro [...] the LORD, and from him: and from thenc [...] forth I thought I lay as well as ever I had do [...] in my Life.

Amongst those that remained, there were several Young Men, who cast themselves into [...] Club; and laying down every one an equ [...] Proportion of Money, put it into the Hand [...] our Friend Anne Travers: desiring her to lay [...] out for them in Provisions, and send them in [...] very Day a Mess of hot Meat; and they kin [...] ly invited me to come into their Club wi [...] them. These saw my Person, and judged [...] me by that; but they saw not my Purse; n [...] understood the Lightness of my Pocket. B [...] I, who alone understood my own Conditio [...] knew I must sit down with lower Commo [...] Wherefore not giving them the true Reaso [...] I as fairly as I could excused my self from e [...] tring, at present into their Mess; and we [...] on, as before, to eat by my self, and that ve [...] sparingly, as my Stock would bear. A [...] before my Ten Pence was quite spent, Prov [...] dence, [Page 171] date 1662 on whom I relied, sent me in a fresh Supply.

For William Penington (a Brother of Isaac Pen­ [...]ngton's) a Friend and Merchant in London (at whose House, before I came to live in the Ci­ [...]y, I was wont to Lodge) having been at his Brothers that Day upon a Visit, escaped this Storm; and so was at Liberty: And under­ [...]tanding when he came back, what had been [...]one, bethought himself of me; and upon En­ [...]uiry hearing where I was, came in Love to [...]ee me.

He, in Discourse, amongst other things, ask­ed me, How it was with me as to Money? and how well I was furnished? I told him, I could not boast of much: and yet I could not say I had none (Though what I then had was indeed next to none.) Whereupon he put Twenty Shil­lings into my Hand; and desired me to accept of that for the present. I saw a Divine Hand in thus opening his Heart and Hand in this manner to me. And though I would willing­ly have been excused from taking so much, and would have returned one half of it: yet he pressing it all upon me, I received it with a thankful Acknowledgment, as a Token of Love from the Lord, and from him.

On the Seventh Day he went down again (as he usually did) to his Brother's House at Chal­font: and in Discourse gave them an Account of my Imprisonment. Whereupon, at his Re­turn, on the Second Day of the Week following, my affectionate Friend Mary Penington sent me, [Page 172] date 1662 by him, Fourty Shillings; which he soon after brought me: out of which I would have re­paid him the Twenty Shillings he had so kindly furnished me with; but he would not admit it, telling me, I might have Occasion for that, and more, before I got my Liberty.

Not many Days after this, I received Twenty Shillings from my Father; who being then at his House in Oxfordshire, and, by Letter from my Sister, understanding that I was a Prisoner in Bridewell, sent this Money to me, for my Support there; and withal a Letter to my Si­ster, for her to deliver to one called Mr. W [...] (who lived near Bridewell, and was a Servant to Sir Richard Brown, in some Wharf of his, requesting him to interceed with his Master (who was one of the Governors of Bridewell for my Deliverance. But that Letter coming to my Hands, I supprest it; and have it y [...] by me.

Now was my Pocket from the lowest Ebb [...] risen to a full Tide. I was at the Brink o [...] Want, next Door to nothing; yet my Confidence did not fail, nor my Faith stagger: an [...] now on a suddain I had plentiful Supplies, shower upon shower, so that I abounded, yet wa [...] not lifted up; but in Humility could say, Thi [...] is the LORD's Doing. And, without defrauding any of the Instruments, of the Acknow­ledgments due unto them; mine Eye looked over and beyond them, to the LORD, who [...] saw was the Author thereof, and prime Agen [...] therein; and with a thankful Heart I returned [Page 173] date 1662 Thanksgivings and Praises to him. And this [...]reat Goodness of the Lord to me, I thus Re­ [...]ord, to the End that all, into whose Hands [...]is may come, may be Encouraged to Trust [...] the Lord; whose Mercy is over all his Works, [...]d who is indeed a God near at hand, to help [...] the needful time.

Now I durst venture my self into the Club, [...] which I had been invited; and accordingly [...]aving by this Time gained an Acquaintance with them) took an Opportunity to cast my self [...]mong them: and thenceforward, so long as we continued Prisoners there together, I was [...]e of their Mess.

And now the chief thing I wanted, was Im­ [...]loyment; which scarce any wanted, but my [...]elf: for the rest of my Company were gene­ [...]ally Tradesmen, of such Trades as could set [...]hemselves on work. Of these divers were Taylors, some Masters, some Journey-men; and with these I most inclined to settle. But be­ [...]ause I was too much a Novice in their Art, to [...]e trusted with their Work: lest I should spoil [...]he Garment: I got Work from an Hosier in Cheap-side: which was to make Night-Waist coats, of Red and Yellow Flannel, for Women and Chil­dren. And with this I entred my self among [...]he Taylors, sitting Cross-leg'd as they did; and [...]o spent those Leisure-Hours, with Innocency and Pleasure, which want of Business would have made tedious. And indeed, that was, in a manner, the only Advantage I had by it: for my Master (though a very wealthy Man, and [Page 174] date 1662 one who professed not only Friendship, but par­ticular Kindness to me) dealt, I thought, but hardly with me. For (though he knew not what I had to subsist by) he never offered me a Penny for my Work, till I had done Working for him; and went (after I was released) to give him a Visit; and then he would not Reckon with me neither, because (as he smilingly said) he would not let me so far into his Trade, as to ac­quaint me with the Prises of the Work; but would be sure to give me enough. And thereupon he gave me one Crown Piece, and no more; tho' I had wrought long for him, and made him many Dozens of Wastcoats, and bought the Thread my self: which, I thought. was very poor Pay. But, as Providence had ordered it. I wanted the Work, more than the Wages: and therefore took what he gave me, without Complaining.

About this time (while we were Prisoners in our fair Chamber) a Friend was brought and put in among us; who had been sent thither by Richard Brown to beat Hemp: whose Case was thus.

He was a very poor Man, who lived by Mending Shoos; and on a Seventh Day Night late, a Car-Man (or some other such labouring Man) brought him a pair of Shoos to mend, de­siring him to mend them that Night, that he might have them in the Morning, for he had no other to wear. The poor Man sate up at work upon them till after Mid-night; and then finding he could not finish them; he went [Page 175] date 1662 [...]o bed; intending to do the rest in the Morning.

Accordingly he got up betimes; and though [...]e wrought as privately as he could in his Chamber, that he might avoid giving Offence [...]o any: yet could he not do it so privately, but [...]hat an ill-natur'd Neighbour perceived it, who went and informed against him for working on the Sunday. Whereupon he was had before Richard Brown; who Committed him to Bride­ [...]ell for a certain time, to be kept to hard Labour, in Beating Hemp: which is Labour hard enough.

It so fell out, that at the same time were Committed thither (for what Cause I do not now remember) two lusty Young Men who were called Baptists, to be kept also at the same Labour.

The Friend was a poor little Man, of a low Condition, and mean Appearance: Whereas [...]hese two Baptists were topping Blades, that [...]ooked high, and spake big. They scorned to [...]eat Hemp; and made a Pish at the Whipping-Post: but when they had once felt the Smart of it, they soon cried Peccavi; and submitting to the Punishment, set their tender Hands to the Beetles.

The Friend, on the other hand, acting upon a Principle, as knowing he had done no Evil, for which he should undergo that Punishment, refused to work; and for refusing was cruelly Whipt; which he bore with wonderful Con­stancy, and Resolution of Mind.

[Page 176] date 1662 The manner of Whipping there is, To stri [...] the Party to the Skin, from the Waste upwards [...] and having fastned him to the Whipping-Post (so that he can neither resist, nor shun the Strokes) to lash the naked Body, with long, but slender Twigs of Holly, which will bend almost like Thongs, and lap round the Body [...] and these having little Knots upon them, tear the Skin and Flesh, and give extream Pain.

With these Rods they tormented the Friend most barbarously; and the more, for that, having mastered the Two braving, Baptists, they disdained to be mastered by this poor Quaker. Yet were they fain at last to yeild, when they saw their utmost Severity could not make him yield. And then, not willing to be troubled longer with him, they turned him up among us

When we had enquired of him, how it was with him; and he had given us a brief Ac­count of both his Cause and Usage: it came in my Mind, that I had in my Box (which I had sent for from my Lodging, to keep some few Books, and other Necessaries in) a little Gallypot with Lucatellu's- Balsam in it.

Wherefore, causing a good Fire to be made and setting the Friend, within a Blanket, befor [...] the Fire; we stripped him to the Waste (as [...] he had been too be Whipt again:) and foun [...] his Skin so Cut, and Torn with the knott [...] Holly-Rods, both Back, Side, Arm and Breast [...] that it was a dismal Sight to look upon. The [...] melting some of the Balsam, I with a Feathe [...] anointed all the Sores; and putting a softe [...] [Page 177] date 1662 [...]oth between his Skin and his Shirt, help­ [...] him on with his Cloaths again. This [...]essing gave him much Ease; and I continu­ [...] it till he was well. And because he was a [...]ry poor Man, we took him into our Mess; [...]triving that there should always be enough [...] him, as well as for our selves. Thus he [...]ed with us, until the time, he was commit­ [...]d for, was Expired; and then he was Re­ [...]sed.

But we were still continued Prisoners, by an [...]bitrary Power, not being Committed by the [...]vil Authority, nor having seen the Face of [...]y Civil Magistrate, from the Day we were [...]ust in here by Soldiers (which was the 26th [...]ay of the Eighth Month) to the 19th of the [...]nth Month following.

On that Day we were had to the Sessions at [...]e Old Baily. But not being called there, we [...]ere brought back to Bridewell, and continued [...]ere to the 29th of the same Month, and then [...]e were carried to the Sessions again.

I expected I should have been called the first, [...]cause my Name was first taken down: but [...] proved otherwise, so that I was one of the [...]t that was called; which gave me the Ad­ [...]ntage of hearing the Pleas of the other [...]risoners, and discovering the Temper of the [...]ourt.

The Prisoners complained of the Illegality of [...]eir Imprisonment, and desired to know what [...]y had lain so long in Prison for. The Court [...]garded nothing of that; and did not stick to [Page 178] date 1662 tell them so. For said the Recorder to them If you think you have been wrongfully Impris [...] you have your Remedy at Law; and may take [...] if you think it worth your while. The Court (sa [...] he) may send for any Man out of the Street, a [...] tender him the Oath: So we take no Notice [...] you came hither; but finding you here, we te [...] you the Oath of Allegiance: which if you ref [...] to take, we shall commit you, and at length P [...] munire you. Accordingly, as every one Refu [...] it, he was set aside, and another called.

By this I saw it was in vain for me, to [...] upon False Imprisonment, or ask the Cause [...] my Commitment; though I had before [...] nished my self with some Authorities, and M [...] ims of Law, on that Subject, to have plead [...] if room had been given; and I had the B [...] (out of which I took them) in my Bosom; [...] the Weather being cold, I wore a Gown, g [...] about the middle, and had put the Book wi [...] in it. But I now resolved to wave all th [...] and insist upon another Plea; which just th [...] came into my Mind.

As soon therefore as I was called, I ste [...] nimbly to the Bar, and stood up upon the St [...] ping (that I might the better both hear and [...] heard) and laying my Hands upon the B [...] stood ready, expecting what they would [...] to me.

I suppose they took me for a confident you [...] Man: for they looked very earnestly upon [...] and we faced each other, without Words, [...] a while. At length the Recorder (who was [...] d [Page 179] date 1662 Sir John Howel) asked me, If I would take [...]e Oath of Allegiance.

To which I answered, I conceive this Court [...]ath not Power to tender that Oath to me, in [...]e Condition wherein I stand.

This so unexpected Plea seemed to startle [...]em, so that they looked one upon another; [...]d said somewhat low one to another, What! [...]h he demur to the Jurisdiction of the Court? [...]nd thereupon the Recorder asked me, Do you [...] demur to the Jurisdiction of the Court? Not [...]bsolutely, answered I, but Conditionally; [...]th respect to my present Condition, and the [...]ircumstances I am now under.

Why, what is your present Condition? said the [...]corder. A Prisoner, replied I. And what is [...]t, said he, to your taking, or not taking the [...]th? Enough (said I, as I conceive) to exempt [...]e from the Tender thereof; while I am un­ [...]r this Condition. Pray, what is your Reason [...] that? said he. This, said I; That, if I [...]htly understand the Words of the Statute, I [...] required to say That I do take this Oath free­ [...] and without Constraint: which I cannot say, [...]cause I am not a Free Man, but in Bonds, and [...]der Constraint. Wherefore I conceive that, [...] you would tender that Oath to me, ye ought [...]t to set me free from my present Imprison­ [...]ent.

But, said the Recorder, will you take the Oath [...] you be set free? Thou shalt see that, said I, [...]en I am set free. Therefore set me free first, [...]d then ask the Question.

[Page 180] date 1662 But, said he again, you know your own M [...] sure, and can tell now what you would do, if you we [...] at Liberty. Yes, replied I, that I can: but [...] don't hold my self obliged to tell it, until I at at Liberty. Therefore set me at Liberty, a [...] ye shall soon hear it.

Thus we fenced a good while, till I was bo [...] weary of such Trifling; and doubted also, [...] some of the Standers by should suspect, I wo [...] take it; if I was set at Liberty. Wherei [...] when the Recorder put it upon me again, [...] him plainly, No; though I thought they ou [...] not to tender it me, till I had been set at [...] ­berty: yet if I was set at Liberty, I could [...] take that, nor any other Oath, because [...] Lord and Master, CHRIST JESUS, had [...] presly Commanded his Disciples Not to S [...] at all.

As his Command was enough to me: so [...] Confession of mine was enough to them. T [...] him away, said they; and away I was tak [...] and thrust into the Bail-Dock to my oth [...] Friends, who had been called before me. A [...] as soon as the rest of our Company were call [...] and had refused to Swear, we were all Co [...] mitted to Newgate: and thrust into the Co [...] mon Side.

When we came there, we found that Side [...] the Prison very full of Friends, who were P [...] soners there before (as indeed were, at that ti [...] all the other Parts of that Prison, and most of t [...] other Prisons about the Town) and our Addi [...] on caused a great Throng on that Side. No [...] withstanding [Page 181] date 1662 which, we were kindly welcomed [...] our Friends, whom we found there; and [...]ertained by them, as well as their Condition [...]ould admit, until we could get in our own [...]commodations, and provide for our selves.

We had the Liberty of the Hall (which is on [...]e first story over the Gate, and which, in the [...]y time, is common to all the Prisoners on that [...]de, Felons as well as others, to walk in, and [...] Beg out of:) and we had also the Liberty of [...]e other Rooms over that Hall, to walk or [...]rk in, a Days. But in the Night we all [...]dged in one Room, which was large and [...]nd, having in the Middle of it a great Pillar [...]f Oaken Timber; which bore up the Chap­ [...] that is over it.

To this Pillar we fastned our Hammacks at [...] one End, and to the opposite Wall on the o­ [...]er End, quite round the Room, and in three [...]grees, or three Stories high, one over the o­ [...]r: so that they who lay in the Upper and [...]ddle Row of Hammacks, were obliged to [...] to Bed first, because they were to Climb up [...] the Higher, by getting into the Lower. And [...]er the Lower Rank of Hammacks, by the [...]ll-sides were laid Beds upon the Floor; in [...]ich the Sick, and such weak Persons as could [...]t get into the Hammacks, lay. And indeed, [...]ough the Room was large, and pretty airy: [...]t the Breath and Steam that came from so [...]ny Bodies, of different Ages, Conditions [...]d Constitutions, pack't up so close together, [...]s enough to cause Sickness amongst us; and [Page 182] date 1662 I believe did so. For there were many Sick; and some very weak: though we were not long there, yet in that time one of our Fellow Pri­soners, who lay in one of those Pallet-Beds, died.

This caused some Bustle in the House. For the Body of the Deceased, being laid out, and put into a Coffin, was carried down, and set in the Room called the Lodge; that the Coroner might enquire into the Cause and Manner of his Death. And the manner of their doing it, is thus. As soon as the Coroner is come, the Turnkeys run out into the Street under the Gate; and seize upon every Man that passes by, till they have got enough to make up the Coroner's Inquest. And so resolute these rude Fellows are, that if any Man resist, or dispute it with them; they drag him in by main Force, not regarding what Condition he is of. Nay, I have been told, the will not stick to stop a Coach, and pluck the Men out of it.

It so happened, that at this time they lighted on an Ancient Man, a grave Citizen, who was trudging through the Gate in great Haste; and him they laid hold on, telling him He must come in, and serve upon the Coroner's Inquest. He pleaded hard, beg'd and besought them to let him go; assuring them He was going on very urgent Business, and that the stopping him would be greatly to his Prejudice. But they were deaf to all Intreaties; and hurried him in, the poor Man Chaffing without Remedy.

When they had got their Complement, and were shut in together, the rest of them said to [Page 183] date 1662 this Ancient Man, Come Father, you are the oldest Man among us: You shall be our Foreman. And when the Coroner had Sworn them on the Jury, the Coffin was uncovered, that they might ;ook upon the Body. But the Old Man, disturb­ed in his Mind at the Interruption they had given him; was grown somewhat fretful upon it: said to them, To what purpose do you shew us a dead Body here! You would not have us think, sure, that this Man died in this Room? How then shall we be able to judge how this Man came by his Death, unless we see the Place wherein he died, and wherein he hath been kept Prisoner before he di­ed? How know we, but that the Incommodiousness of the Place wherein he was kept, may have occasion­ed his Death? Therefore shew us (said he) the place wherein this Man died.

This much displeased the Keepers; and they began to banter the Old Man, thinking to have beaten him off it. But he stood up titely to them: Come, come, said he, Though you have made a Fool of me, in bringing me in hither; ye shall not find a Child of me, now I am here. Mis­take not your selves: I understand my Place, and your Duty; and I require you to Conduct me, and my Brethren, to the Place where this Man died: Refuse it at your Peril.

They now wished they had let the Old Man go about his Business, rather than by troubling him, have brought this Trouble on themselves. But when they saw he persisted in his Resolu­tion, and was peremptory, the Coroner told them, They must go shew him the Place.

[Page 184] date 1662 It was in the Evening when they began this Work; and by this time it was grown Bed-time with us: so that we had taken down our Ham­macks (which in the Day were hung up by the Walls) and had made them ready to go into; and were undressing our selves in Readiness to go into them. When on a suddain we heard a great Noise of Tongues, and of Tramplings of Feet, coming up towards us. And by and by One of the Turnkeys, opening our Door, said, Hold, hold, Don't undress your selves, here's the Coroner's Inquest coming to see you.

As soon as they were come to the Door (for within the Door there was scarce room for them to come) the Foreman, who led them, lifting up his Hand, said, Lord bless me, what a Sight is here! I did not think there had been so much Cruel­ty in the Hearts of Englishmen, to use English­men in this manner! We need not now question (said he to the rest of the Jury) how this Man came by his Death: We may rather wonder that they are not all dead: for this Place is enough to breed an Infection among them. Well, added he, If it please God to lengthen my Life till to Morrow, I will find means to let the KING know how his Subjects are dealt with.

Whether he did so, or no; I cannot tell; but I am apt to think that he applied himself to the Mayor, or the Sheriffs of London. For the next Day, one of the Sheriffs (called Sir William Turner, a Wollen-Draper in Paul's-Yard) came to the Press-Yard; and having ordered the Porter of Bridewell to attend him there; sent up a [Page 185] date 1662 Turnkey amongst us, to bid all the Bridewell Prisoners come down to him: for they knew us not; but we knew our own Company.

Being come before him, in the Press-Yard, he looked kindly on us, and spake courteously to us. Gentlemen, said he, I understand the Pri­son is very full; and I am sorry for it. I wish it were in my Power to release you, and the rest of your Friends that are in it. But since I cannot do that, I am willing to do what I can for you. And there­fore I am come hither to enquire how it is; and I would have all you, who came from Bridewell, re­turn thither again; which will be a better Accom­modation to you: and your Removal will give the more room to those that are left behind; and here is the Porter of Bridewell, your Old Keeper, to at­tend you thither.

We duly acknowledged the Favour of the Sheriff, to us and our Friends above, in this Re­moval of us; which would give them more Room, and us a better Air. But before we parted from him, I spake particularly to him, on another Occasion: which was this.

When we came into Newgate, we found a shabby Fellow there, among the Friends; who (upon Inquiry) we understood had thrust him­self among our Friends, when they were taken at a Meeting, on purpose to be sent to Prison with them; in hopes to be maintained by them. They knew nothing of him, till they found him shut in with them in the Prison: and then took no Notice of him, as not knowing how or why he came thither. But he soon gave [Page 186] date 1662 them cause to take Notice of him: for whereever he saw any Victuals brought forth fo [...] them to Eat; he would be sure to thrust in with Knife in hand, and make himself his own Carver, And so impudent was he, that if he saw the Provision was short; whoever wanted [...] he would be sure to take enough.

Thus lived this lazy Drone upon the Labours of the Industrious Bees; to his high Content, and their no small Trouble: to whom his Com­pany was as Offensive, as his Ravening was Oppressive: nor could they get any Relief, by their complaining of him to the Keepers.

This Fellow, hearing the Notice which was given, for the Bridewell-Men to go down, in order to be removed to Bridewell again; and hoping (no Doubt) that fresh Quarters would produce fresh Commons, and that he should fare better with us, than where he was: thrust himself amongst us; and went down into the Press Yard with us. Which I knew not of, till I saw him standing there, with his Hat on; and looking as demurely as he could, that the Sheriff might take him for a Quaker: at Sight of which, my Spirit was much stirred.

Wherefore, as soon as the Sheriff had done speaking to us, and we had made our Acknow­ledgment of his Kindness; I stept a little nearer to him, and pointing to that Fellow, said, That Man is not only none of our Company, for he is no Quaker: but is an idle dissolute Fellow, who hath thrust himself in among our Friends, to be sent to Prison with them, that he might [Page 187] date 1662 live upon them: therefore I desire we may not be troubled with him at Bridewell.

At this the Sheriff smiled; and calling the Fellow forth, said to him, How came you to be in Prison? I was taken at a Meeting, said he, But what Business had you there? said the Sheriff. I went to hear, said he. Aye, you went upon a [...]rse Design, it seems, replied the Sheriff; but I' [...] disappoint you, said he: for I'll change your Company; and send you to them that are like your self. Then calling for the Turnkey, he said, Take this Fellow, and put him among the Felons; and be sure let him not trouble the Quakers any more.

Hitherto this Fellow had stood with his Hat on, as willing to have passed (if he could) for a Quaker; but as soon as he heard this Doom passed on him, off went his Hat: and to bow­ing and scraping he fell, with Good your Worship have pity upon me, and set me at Liberty. No, no, said the Sheriff, I will not so far disappoint you: since you had a Mind to be in Prison, in Prison you shall be for me. Then bidding, the Turnkey take him away; he had him up, and put him among the Felons: and so Friends had a good Deliver­ance from him.

The Sheriff then bidding us Farewel, the Porter of Bridewell came to us, and told us, We know our Way to Bridewell without him; and he could trust us: therefore he would not stay nor go with us; but left us to take our own time; so we were in before Bed-time.

Then went we up again to our Friends in Newgate; and gave them an Account of what [Page 188] date 1662 had passed: and having taken a solemn Leav [...] of them; we made up our Packs to be gone [...] But before I pass from Newgate, I think it no [...] amiss, to give the Reader some little Accoun [...] of what I Observed while I was there.

The common Side of Newgate is generally accounted, as it really is, the Worst part of that Prison; not so much from the Place, as the People: it being usually stocked with the veri­est Rogues, and meanest sort of Felons, and Pick-Pockets; who not being able to pay Cham­ber-Rent on the Master's Side, are thrust in there. And if they come in Bad, to be sure they do not go out better: for here they have an Opportunity to instruct one another in their Art; and impart each to other what Improve­ments they have made therein.

The Common Hall (which is the first Room over the Gate) is a good Place to walk in, when the Prisoners are out of it (saving the danger of catching some Cattle, which they may have left in it:) and there I used to walk in a Morning, before they were let up; and sometimes in the Day time, when they have been there.

They all carried themselves respectfully to­wards me; which I imputed chiefly to this, That when any of our Women-Friends came there to Visit the Prisoners, if they had not Re­lations of their own there, to take care of them: I, (as being a young Man, and more at leisure than most others, for I could not play the Taylor there) was forward to go down with them to [Page 189] date 1662 the Grate, and see them safe out. And some­times they have left Money in my Hands for the Felons (who at such times were very im­portunate Beggars:) which I forthwith distri­buted among them in Bread; which was to be had in the Place. But so troublesome an Office it was, that I thought one had as good have had a Pack of hungry Hounds about one, as these when they knew there was a Dole to be given. Yet this, I think, made them a little the more observant to me; for they would dis­pose themselves to one side of the Room, that they might make way for me to walk on the o­ther. And when I walked there, I had usually a Book in my Hand; on which I had mine Eye: which made them think I did not heed what they said. By this Means, mine Ear be­ing attentive to them, I heard them relate one to another many of their Roguish Pranks.

One Day, as I was thus walking to and fro beside them, I heard them recounting one to another what feats they had done at Pocket-picking and Shop-lifting. Whereupon, turning short upon them, I asked them, Which of you all will undertake to pick my Pocket? They were not very forward to Answer; but viewed me round. I wore a long Gown, which was lap't over before, and tied about the Middle; and had no Pocket-Holes in it. When they had a while considered it, and I (having taken another Turn) was come up again to them, One of them said, Why, Master, If you will Pro­mise not to Prosecute us, we will show you a Piece [Page 190] date 1662 of our Skill. Nay, hold there, said I, I won [...] so far encourage you in Evil, as to promise no [...] to prosecute: and away I turned again; having mine Eye on my Book; but mine Ear [...] to them. And in a while I heard them contriving how they would have done it. I, said one of them, would give him the Budge; and before he can recover himself, you (said he to another of them) having your Penknife ready, should [...] his Gown; and then (said he) let Honeypot alone for the diving Part. This Honeypot was a little Boy (then in Prison with them for Picking a Pocket) who, by his Stature, did not seem to be above Ten, or a Dozen Years old: but for his Dexterity at Pocket-picking, was held to be one of the top of the Trade. As for the Budg [...] I had had it given me often in the Street; but understood not the Meaning of it till now; and now I found it was a Jostle, enough to throw one almost upon his Nose.

I have sometimes occasionally been in the Hall in an Evening; and have seen the Whores let in unto them (which I take to be a common Practice:) Nasty Sluts indeed they were; and in that respect the more suitable. And as I have passed by them, I have heard the Rogues and they making their Bargains, which and which of them should Company together that Night. Which abominable Wickedness must be imputed to the Dishonesty of the Turnkeys; who, for vile Gain to themselves, not only suf­fer, but further this Leudness.

[Page 191] date 1661 These are some of the common Evils, which make the Common Side of Newgate, in mea­sure a Type of HELL upon EARTH. But there was, at that time, something of ano­ther Nature, more Particular and Accidental, which was very Offensive to me.

When we came first into Newgate, there lay in a little By-place like a Closet, near the Room where we were Lodged) the Quartered Bodies of three Men; who had been Executed some Days before, for a real or pretended Plot: which was the Ground, or at least Pretext, for that Storm in the City, which had caused this Imprisonment. The Names of these three Men were Philips, Tongue and Gibs: and the Reason why their Quarters lay so long there was, The Relations were all that while Petitioning to have leave to bury them: which at length with much ado was obtained for the Quarters; but not for the Heads, which were Ordered to be set up in some Parts of the City.

I saw the Heads, when they were brought [...]p to be Boyled. The Hangman fetch'd them [...]n a dirty Dust Basket, out of some By-Place; [...]nd setting them down amongst the Felons, he [...]nd they made Sport with them. They took [...]hem by the Hair, Flouting, Jeering and Laugh­ [...]ng at them: and then giving them some ill Names, box'd them on the Ears and Cheeks. Which done, the Hangman put them into his Kettle, and parboyl'd them with Bay-Salt and Cummin-Seed: that to keep them from Putre­faction, and this to keep off the Fowls from [Page 192] date 1662 seizing on them. The whole Sight (as we [...] that of the Bloody Quarters first, as this of th [...] Heads afterwards) was both frightful an loathsom; and begat an Abhorrence in my Nature. Which as it had rendered my Confinement there by much the more uneasie: so [...] made our Removal from thence to Bridewell even in that respect, the more welcome. Whither we now go.

For having (as I hinted before) made up our Packs, and taken our Leave of our Friends, whom we were to leave behind; we took our Bundles on our Shoulders, and walked, Two and Two a Breast, through the Old Baily into Fleet-Street, and so to Old Bridewell. And it being about the middle of the Afternoon, and the Streets pretty full of People; both the Shopkeepers at their Doors, and Passengers in the Way, would stop us, and ask us what we were, and whither we were going. And when we had told them we were Prisoners, going from one Prison to another (from Newgate to Bridewell) What, said they, without a Keeper! No [...] said we, for our Word, which we have given [...] is our Keeper. Some thereupon would advis [...] us not to go to Prison, but to go home. Bu [...] we told them, we could not do so: we coul [...] suffer for our Testimony; but could not fl [...] from it. I do not remember we had any Abus [...] offered us: but were generally pitied by th [...] People.

When we were come to Bridewell; we wer [...] not put up into the great Room in which we ha [...] [Page 193] date 1662 [...]en before; but into a low Room in another [...]ir Court, which had a Pump in the Middle [...] it. And here we were not shut up as be­ [...]re: but had the Liberty of the Court to walk [...] and of the Pump to wash or drink at. And [...]deed, we might easily have gone quite away [...] we would, there was a Passage through the [...]urt into the Street) but we were true and [...]ady Prisoners; and looked upon this Liberty, [...]sing from their Confidence in us, to be a [...]nd of Paroll upon us; so that both Conscience [...]d Honour stood now engaged for our true [...]prisonment.

Adjoyning to this Room, wherein we were, [...]as such another; both newly fitted up for [...]ork-Houses, and accordingly furnished with [...]ry great Blocks, for Beating Hemp upon, [...]d a lusty Whipping-Post there was in each. [...]d it was said, That Richard Brown had Or­ [...]red those Blocks to be provided, for the Qua­ [...]s to Work on; resolving to try his Strength [...]ith us in that Case: but if that was his Pur­ [...]se, it was over-ruled; for we never had any Work Offered us, nor were we treated after the Manner of those, that are to be so Used. Yet we set our selves to Work on them; for, being [...]ery large, they served the Taylors for Shop­ [...]ards, and others wrought upon them, as [...]ey had Occasion: and they served us very well for Tables to eat on.

We had also besides this Room, the Use of [...]ur former Chamber above, to go into when we thought fit: and thither sometimes I with­drew, [Page 194] date 1662 when I found a Desire for Retiremen [...] and Privacy, or had something on my Mind t [...] write, which could not so well be done in Company. And indeed, about this time my Spiri [...] was more than ordinarily Exercised; though on very different Subjects. For, on the one hand, the Sense of the Exceeding LOVE and GOODNESS of the LORD to me in his Gracious and Tender Dealings with me did deeply affect my Heart; and caused me to break forth in a SONG of THANKSGIVING and PRAISE to Him: And, on the other hand, a Sense of the Prophaneness [...] Debaucheries, Cruelties, and other horr [...] Impieties of the AGE, fell heavy on me and lay as a pressing Weight upon my Spirit. And this drew from me a close Exp [...] bration; which my mournful Muse vented i [...] the following Lines: to which I gave for a Title,

After I had, in the foregoing POEM, some­ [...]at eased my Spirit of that; which, for some­ [...]e, had lain as a Load upon me: I breathed [...]th the following HYMN to God, in Ac­ [...]owledgment of his great Goodness to me, [...]fession of my grateful Love to Him; and [...]plication to Him, for the Continuance of [Page 212] date 1662 his Kindness to me, in Preserving me from t [...] Snares of the Enemy, and keeping me faith [...] unto Himself.

In this sort did I spend some leisure Ho [...] during my Confinement in Bridewell; especi [...] after our return from Newgate thither; w [...] we had more Liberty, and more Opportu [...] and Room for Retirement and Thought. as the Poet said,

[Page 215] date 1662 And this Priviledge we enjoyed, by the Indul­gence of our Keeper, whose Heart God disposed [...]o Favour us. So that both the Master and his [...]orter were very civil, and kind to us; and [...]ad been so indeed all along. For when we were shut up before, the Porter would readily [...]t some of us go home in an Evening, and stay [...]t Home till next Morning, which was a great Conveniency to Men of Trade and Business: which I being free from, forbore asking for my [...]elf; that I might not hinder others.

This he observed, and asked me when I [...]eant to ask to go out. I told him, I had not [...]uch Occasion, nor Desire; yet at sometime or [...]ther, perhaps, I might have: but when I had, [...] would ask him but once; and if he then de­ [...]ed me, I would ask him no more.

After we were come back from Newgate, I [...]ad a Desire to go thither again, to visit my [...]riends who were Prisoners there; more espe­ [...]ially my dear Friend (and Father in Christ) [...]dward Burrough, who was then a Prisoner, [...]ith many Friends more, in that Part of New­ [...]ate, which was then called Justice-Hall. Whereupon the Porter coming in my way, I [...]sked him to let me go out for an Hour or two, [...]o see some Friends of mine that Evening.

He to enhanse the Kindness, made it a matter [...]f some Difficulty; and would have me stay [...]ll another Night. I told him, I would be at [...] Word with him: for as I had told him before, [...]hat if he denied me, I would ask him no [...]ore; so he should find I would keep to it.

[Page 216] date 1662 He was no sooner gone out of my Sight, bu [...] I espied his Master crossing the Court. Wherefore stepping to him, I asked him, If he was willing to let me go out for a little while, to see some Friends of mine that Evening. Yes, said he, very willing; and thereupon away walk­ed I to Newgate; where having spent the Even­ing among Friends, I returned in good time.

Under this easie Restraint we lay, till the Court sate at the Old-Baily again: And then, whether it was that the Heat of the Storm was somewhat abated, or by what other means Pro­vidence wrought it, I know not; we were called to the Bar, and without further Question, discharged.

Whereupon we returned to Bridewell again, and having raised some Monies among us, and therewith gratified both the Master and his Por­ter, for their Kindness to us; we spent some­time in a solemn Meeting, to return our thank­ful Acknowledgement to the LORD, both for His Preservation of us in Prison, and Deliver­ance of us out of it: and then taking a solemn Farewel of each other, we departed with Bag and Baggage. And I took care to return my Hammack to the Owner; with due Acknow­ledgement of his great Kindness, in lending it me.

Being now at Liberty, I visited more gene­rally my Friends that were still in Prison; and more particularly my Friend and Benefactor, William Penington, at his House: and then went to wait upon my Master Milton. With whom [Page 217] date 1662 yet I could not propose to enter upon my inter­mitted Studies, until I had been in Buckingham­shire, to visit my worthy Friends Isaac Penington, and his Virtuous Wife; with other Friends in that Country.

Thither therefore I betook my self, and the Weather being Frosty, and the Ways, by that means, clean and good; I walked it thorow in a Day: and was received by my Friends there, with such Demonstration of hearty Kindness, as made my Journey very easie to me.

I had spent in my Imprisonment that Twen­ty Shillings, which I had received of William Penington; and Twenty of the Fourty, which had been sent me from Mary Penington, and had the Remainder then about me. That therefore I now returned to her, with due Acknowledge­ment of her Husband's and her great Care of me, and Liberality to me, in the time of my Need. She would have had me kept it. But I beg'd her to accept it from me again; since it was the Redundancy of their Kindness, and the other Part had answered the Occasion, for which it was sent: and my Importunity pre­vailed.

I intended only a Visit hither, not a Conti­nuance: and therefore purposed, after I had staid a few Days, to return to my Lodging, and former Course in London: but Providence ordered it otherwise.

Isaac Penington had at that time two Sons and one Daughter (all then very young) of whom the Eldest Son (John Penington) and the [Page 218] date 1662 Daughter (Mary, the Wife of Daniel Wharley) are yet living at the writing of this. And being himself both Skilful and Curious in Pronouncia­tion; he was very desirous to have them well grounded in the Rudiments of the English Tongue: to which End he had sent for a Man out of Lan­cashire (whom, upon enquiry, he had heard of) who was undoubtedly the most accurate Eng­lish Teacher, that ever I met with, or have heard of. His Name was Richard Bradley. But as he pretended no higher than the English Tongue; and had led them, by Grammar Rules, to the highest Improvement they were capable of in that: he had then taken his Leave of them, and was gone up to London, to Teach an English School of Friends Children there.

This put my Friend to a fresh Straight. He had sought for a New Teacher, to instruct his Children in the Latin Tongue, as the Old had done in the English: but had not yet found one. Wherefore one Evening as we sate together by the Fire in his Bed-Chamber (which, for want of Health, he kept) He asked me (his Wife being by) If I would be so kind to him, as to stay a while with him, till he could hear of such a Man as he aimed at; and in the mean time enter his Chil­dren in the Rudiments of the Latin Tongue.

This Question was not more unexpected, than surprizing to me; and the more, because it seemed directly to thwart my former Pur­pose, and Undertaking, of endeavouring to improve my self by following my Studies with my Master Milton: which this would give at [Page 219] date 1662 least a present Divertion from; and for how long I could not foresee.

But the Sense I had of the manifold Obliga­tions I lay under to these worthy Friends of mine, shut out all Reasonings; and disposed my Mind to an absolute Resignation to their Desire; that I might testifie my Gratitude, by a Willingness to do them any friendly Service, that I could be capable of.

And though I questioned my Ability to carry on that Work, to its due Height and Propor­tion; yet as that was not proposed, but an Initiation only, by Accidence into Grammar: I consented to the Proposal, as a present Ex­pedient (till a more qualified Person should be found;) without further Treaty, or mention of Terms between us, than that of mutual Friendship. And to render this Digression from my own Studies the less uneasie to my Mind, I recollected (and often thought of) that Rule in Lilly,

With this Consideration I undertook this Province; and left it not until I Married: which was not till the Year 1669, near Seven [Page 220] date 1662 Years from the time I came thither. In which time, having the Use of my Friends Books, as well as of mine own, I spent my leasure Hours much in Reading; not without some improve­ment to my self in my private Studies: which (with the good Success of my Labours bestow­ed on the Children, and the Agreeableness of Conversation, which I found in the Family;) rendered my Undertaking more Satisfactory, and my Stay there more easie to me.

But, alas! not many Days (not to say Weeks) had I been there; e're we were almost over­whelmed with Sorrow, for the unexpected Loss of Edward Burrough, who was justly very dear to us all.

This not only Good, but Great-good Man, by a long and close Confinement in Newgate, through the Cruel Malice, and Malicious Cru­elty of Richard Brown, was taken away by hasty Death, to the unutterable Grief of very many, and unspeakable Loss to the CHURCH of CHRIST in general.

The particular Obligation I had to him as the immediate Instrument of my Convince­ment; and high Affection for him, resulting therefrom, did so deeply affect my Mind; that it was some pretty time, before my Passion could prevail, to express it self in Words: so true I found that of the Tragoedian,

At length my MUSE, not bearing to be any longer mute, brake forth in the following ACROSTICK; which she called

And thus she Introduceth it.

date 1663 Having discharged this Duty to the Memory [...] my deceased Friend, I went on in my new [...]vince, Instructing my little Pupils in the [...]diments of the Latin Tongue; to the mutual [...]tisfaction of both their Parents and my self. As [...]n as I had gotten a little Money in my Poc­ [...]t (which, as a Premium without Compact I [...]eived from them) I took the first Opportu­ [...]y to return to my Friend William Penington [...] Money which he had so kindly furnished [...] with in my need, at the time of my Im­prisonment [Page 226] date 1663 in Bridewell; with a due Acknow­ledgement of my Obligation to him for it. He was not at all forward to receive it: so that I was fain to press it upon him.