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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

And that to Juſtice Barton was thus worded:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Not long after he wrote to them again thus;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The other Letter was thus;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1655 This Year alſo he writ the following Epiſtle to his Fellow-Believers.

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

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

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

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

To this M. Halhead anſwered,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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