THE SECOND BOOK. 1651-1653.

1651.

The year 1651 had scarce begun, 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 leaving this,

We return again to George Fox, whom we left at Derby, 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 came 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 showed him his sins and troubled him for them,

would also show him his salvation; because He that shows a man his

sin, is the same that takes it away.’ Whilst he was thus speaking, the

trooper’s understanding began to be opened concerning the truth, and

he was sensible of God’s mercies, which made him speak boldly in his

quarters among the soldiers, and others, alleging the Scriptures for

what he 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 incensed his colonel, that, when at

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 answer 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 returned 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

Christian, 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

cried, ‘They would have none but him.’ So the keeper of the house of

correction was commanded to bring him up before the commissioners

and soldiers in the market place; and there they proffered him that

preferment, (as they called it,) asking him if he would not take up

arms for the Commonwealth, against Charles Stuart. G. Fox, never having

been a fighter, though it has appeared he was bold and valiant, told

them, ‘That he could not do so, as well knowing from whence all wars do

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 virtue.’ But he not mattering those flattering words, replied,

‘If this be your love and kindness, I trample it under my feet.’ This

bold answer presently showed how shallow their pretended kindness was:

for it so enraged them, that they said, ‘Take him away, jailer, 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 walk in the garden, for they believed of him that he would

not run away. 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 showed 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 meanwhile it was noised abroad, that he was in Derby dungeon,

and his relations came again to see him, they being much troubled about

it; for they thought it a great shame to them, that he should lie thus

in jail: besides, it was a strange thing then to be imprisoned 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 priests, 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 said also, ‘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 credulity of people, taking upon

trust any story, how false soever, when it relates to those that are

become the object of 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-conceited

persons. Once there came to him some that pretended they were 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 of

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 cattle, or money, &c. for the thieves in

the old time were to make restitution; and if they had not

wherewithal, they were to be sold for their theft. 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 show 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 show 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 profaneness. O consider,

ye that be men set in authority: be moderate, and in lowliness

consider these things. Show mercy to the fatherless, and to the

widows, and to the poor: and take heed of rewards or gifts, for

they do blind the eyes of the wise: 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

show 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 preserved 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

thing it was, that prisoners should lie long in a 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, showing

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 show 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

fear 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 threatened G. Fox, and also the jailer, that he

would raise the devil, and break the house down; so that he made the

jailer afraid. But G. Fox went to him, and said, ‘Come, let us 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 slunk away.

Now the justices to get rid of G. Fox, resolved to press him for a

soldier, seeing he would not voluntarily accept of a command; and

Bennet sent constables to give him press-money: but he told him, ‘That

he was brought off from outward war, and was dead to it.’ And though

the commissioners over and again proffered 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

unmerciful and rebellious. He doth bring out of prison and

bondage: but men, 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 of 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 yourselves, 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 show 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, reprobate 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 forsook

honours and pleasures, which he might have enjoyed. The apostle

in his time saw this corruption entering, 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 and 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 follow 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 unrighteousness.” 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 to 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

loathe it, and that nature which holdeth it up.’

He also wrote a serious exhortation to the magistrates of Derby, to

consider whom they imprisoned.

‘Friends,

‘I desire you to consider in time, whom ye do imprison: for the

magistrate is set for the punishment of evil-doers, and for the

praise of them that do well. But when the Lord doth send his

messengers unto you, to warn you of the woes that will come upon

you, except you repent; then you persecute them, and put them

into prison, and say, ‘We have a law, and by our law we may

do it.’ For you indeed justify yourselves before men; but God

knoweth your hearts; he will not be worshipped with your forms

and professions, and shows of religion. Therefore consider, ye

that talk of God, how ye are subject to him; for they are his

children, that do his will. What doth the Lord require of you,

but to do justice, to love and show mercy, to walk humbly with

him, and to help the widows and fatherless to their right? but

instead thereof ye oppress the poor. Do not your judges judge

for reward, and your priests teach for hire? The time is coming,

that he who seeth all things, will discover all your secrets.

And know this assuredly, the Lord will deliver his servants out

of your hands, and he will recompence all your unjust dealings

towards his people. I desire you to consider of these things,

and search the Scriptures, and see whether any of the people

of God did ever imprison any for religion; but were themselves

imprisoned. I desire you consider, how it is written, that when

the church is met together, they may all prophesy, one by one:

that all may hear, and all may learn, and all be comforted: and

then, “If any thing be revealed to him that sitteth by, let the

first hold his peace.” Thus it was in the true church; and thus

it ought to be. But it is not so in your assemblies; but he that

teaches for hire, may speak, and none may contradict him. Again,

consider the liberty that was given to the apostles, even among

the unbelieving Jews; when after the reading the law and the

prophets, the rulers of the synagogue said unto them, “Ye men

and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people,

say on.” I desire you to consider in stillness, and strive not

against the Lord; for he is stronger than you. Though he hold

his people fast for a time; yet when he cometh, he will make

known who are his: for his coming is like the refiner’s fire, and

like fuller’s soap. Then the stone that is set at nought of you

builders, shall be the headstone of the corner. O friends, lay

these things to heart, and let them not seem light things to you.

I wrote unto you in love, to mind the laws of God, and your own

souls, and do as the holy men of God did.’

During his imprisonment there, he was under a great exercise and

travail in spirit, because of the wickedness of that town; for though

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 the following lamentation.

‘O Derby! as the waters run away when the flood gates are up, so

doth the visitation of God’s love pass away from thee, O Derby!

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 Derby! thy profession and

preaching, stinks before the Lord. Ye do profess a Sabbath in

words, and meet together, dressing yourselves in fine apparel;

and you uphold pride. Thy women go with stretched forth necks,

and wanton eyes, &c. which the true prophet of old cried against.

Your assemblies are odious, and an abomination to the Lord; pride

is set up, and bowed down; 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 Derby!’

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 banished him

to Ireland. At first they called him a deceiver, and a blasphemer; and

afterwards, when the judgments of God befel 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 Derby about a year: six

months whereof in the house of correction, and the rest of the time in

the common jail and dungeon.

Being set at liberty, he went into Leicestershire, and had meetings

where he came, preaching so effectually, that several were convinced.

He went after to Nottinghamshire again, and from thence into

Derbyshire, where having visited his friends, he passed into Yorkshire,

and coming into Doncaster, and other places, he preached repentance.

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: and of these

was also G. 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, George 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, showing 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 Cranswick, to Captain Pursloe’s, who

accompanied him to Justice Hotham’s, and entering into discourse with

G. Fox, told him, he had known that principle above ten years, and was

glad that the Lord did publish it abroad among the people. While G. Fox

was there, a great woman of Beverly came to speak with the said justice

about some business, who in discourse said, that the last sabbath-day,

(as she 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 himself afterwards; and then G. Fox told

him, that it was he who had been that day at Beverly steeple-house,

and had declared 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, and without price.” G. Fox stayed 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 to take of the water of life freely, and yet

thou takest three hundred pounds a year of them! mayest 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

among the people, he returned to justice Hotham’s house that night, who

embracing him, said, ‘My house is your house;’ and also signified, that

he was exceedingly glad at the work of the Lord, and that his power was

revealed.

From thence G. Fox went through 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 further, and asked her 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 liar, 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, 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. G. Fox then 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 was so

reached, 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, and going 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, though

he came not to live up to it. The following day G. Fox passed to

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 within, Christ Jesus, who

had bought them. The priest then coming to him, he had little discourse

with him, and put him soon to silence.

From thence he went to Stath, where he had great meetings, and many

received the truth he preached, among whom was Philip Scarth, a priest,

that afterwards came to be a minister of the gospel among those called

Quakers, who now began thereabout to increase in number, and had great

meetings. It happened here, that a certain 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 knocked down within a month.’ Yet what is marvellous, this

same Scotch priest, after some years, came to be one of 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 hanged; but when she heard him preach, was

so reached, that, being convinced of the truth he declared, she 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 dress in those days,

not out of any superstition, but because leather clothes being strong,

it was not unsuitable for one that travelled so much as he did.

Coming to Malton he had great meetings; but it was thought such a

strange thing to preach in houses, that many durst 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:

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 off 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 was 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 go into the pulpit. This priest,

not satisfied with this refusal, sent again, desiring him to go up

unto it, for, said he, it is a better place 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 stepped upon an high

seat; and since somewhat had been spoken of false prophets, he declared

to the auditory, the mark of those prophets; and he showed, 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 to know

who the false prophets were. And having thus had a large time to preach

to the people, he went away without disturbance.

After some time, he came to 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 convinced that day; and word was

carried to justice Robinson, that his priest, whom he loved more than

all the others, was overthrown and convinced. 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 offered 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 Christ. 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, showing 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 this 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, that Charles the II. had been crowned king

by the Scots, but having been beaten, with his forces, by Cromwell, 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 Cromwell, that king Charles, to prevent being taken

prisoner after the battle, hid himself a whole day in a hollow oak, and

afterwards, being clothed like a servant, and called by the name of

William, passed the country, and through many hazards escaped out of

England, and arrived on the coast of Normandy in France: where we will

leave him to return again to

1652.

G. Fox, 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 called 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 tithes, nor

their Jewish and heathenish ceremonies; that the ground on which 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 tithes, 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 tithes, 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, that many of them 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 he sat 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, though

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 tithes, pray

come and take it.’ But he throwing up his hand, said, he had enough,

and would have none of it; they might keep it; and he praised the Lord

he had enough. At length they came into this priest’s steeple-house in

the moors; and the priest going before, 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 rise of all

those houses, and their superstitious ways; and he told them that, as

the end of the apostles’ going into the temples 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

tithes, 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 Birdet, where he had a

great meeting, and the priest Boyes accompanied him still, leaving

his steeple-house. Then he returned towards Cranswick, 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 overrun 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 of truth overthrows their principle, and the root and ground

thereof.’

Now, though G. Fox found good entertainment, yet he did not settle

there, but kept in continual motion, going from one place to another,

to beget souls unto God. I do not intend to relate all his occurrences,

but will give a short hint only of some of the chief.

Coming then towards night into Patrington, he walked through the town,

and meeting the priest in the street, he warned both him and the people

to repent, and turn to the 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 are enlightened. 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 following, 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 came 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 refusal. By this time it was grown so dark, that he could not

see the highway, but perceiving a ditch, he found a little water, and

so refreshed himself. Then he got over the ditch, and being weary, sat

down amongst the furze bushes, till it grew day; and then he arose, and

passing on through the fields, a man came after him with a pike-staff,

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 sin and wickedness, and exhorted them to repent. But they laying

hold on him, carried him back to Patrington, and guarded him with

halberts, pikes, staves, &c. Being come to the said town, all was in an

uproar; and the priest and constables consulting together what to do

with him, he took that opportunity to exhort the people to repentance,

and to preach the word of life to them. At last a discreet man called

him into 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

after, 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 guarded G. Fox, said, it would be well, if the justice

was not drunk when they came to him, because he used to be drunk early,

G. Fox being 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.’ G. Fox, who was unwilling to

let any opportunity slip, without admonishing people to virtue, warned

the justice to repent, and bid him come to the light which Christ had

enlightened 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. ‘Aye, aye,’ 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 Commonwealth. Then he

pulled out his linen, and showed that he had no letters; which made

the justice say, ‘He is not a vagrant, by his linen.’ 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 lie down 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 molested. 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 through 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, and

had a great meeting of the chief 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

tailor and some wild blades in that town, had occasioned his being

carried before the justice. This tailor 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, sent 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 men’s houses, warning them to

repent. Some received him lovingly, and some slighted him. Passing thus

through 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 the light of Christ, and Spirit of God, he passed

away. As it grew dark, he spied a 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, 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 filled;

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, stepped 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 through 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, though 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

through him. And though this was taken upon trust by hearsay, yet, out

of mere malice, a certain priest gave out this falsehood 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, and coming to Warnsworth, went to

the steeple-house in the forenoon, but found no acceptance; and being

thrust 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. 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 hauled before the magistrates, who threatened 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 Tickhill; 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 clerk 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, beat

and threw him down, and dragged him along the street, so that he was

besmeared with blood and dirt, and his hat taken away. When he was got

up again, he spoke to the people, and showed them how they dishonoured

Christianity. Some time after, the priest coming by, scoffingly 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 clerk

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 persuasion began also to preach publicly,

viz. Thomas Aldam, Richard Farnsworth, and, not long after, William

Dewsbury. This made such a stir, that the priest of Warnsworth procured

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 Thomas Aldam, and carried

him to York, and G. Fox went with him twenty miles; but though 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 Thomas

Aldam was his neighbour. About this time Richard Farnsworth went into

an eminent steeple-house, in or about Wakefield; where he spoke so

powerfully, that the people were amazed. The priest of that place,

whose name was Marshal, spread a slanderous report, that G. Fox carried

bottles 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 another country

three score 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, showed 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, he came to Wensleydale, 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, he came near Sedbergh; there he went to a

meeting at Justice Benson’s, where a people met that were separated

from the public worship; and, by his preaching he gave such general

satisfaction, that most of the hearers were convinced 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 Sedbergh, G. Fox declared

the day of the Lord through the fair: and afterwards went into the

steeple-house yard, where abundance of people came to him: here he

preached for several hours, showing, 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 showed 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 ye 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 Howgill, who was a preacher,

and though 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 Howgill, ‘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; 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 chapel in Westmoreland, where

the said Francis Howgill, and one John Audland, had been preaching in

the morning. The chapel at that time was so full of people, that many

could not get in: and Howgill said afterwards, he thought G. Fox looked

into the chapel, and his spirit was ready to fail. But G. Fox did not

look into it; however, Howgill had been so reached when he heard him

preach in the steeple-house yard at Sedbergh, that he was as it were,

checked, 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 sat down on the top of a rock hard by the chapel,

intending to have a meeting there. At this people wondered, because

they looked 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. Howgill, 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, sanctified, 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 showed the intent and scope of the apostles’ writings,

and epistles to the elect. Then he spoke also concerning the state of

apostacy, that hath been since the apostles’ days; how the priests had

gotten the Scriptures, 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.

While G. Fox was thus preaching, many old people went into the chapel,

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 tithes appointed by God, as those amongst the

Jews were; but that Christ was come, who ended both the temple, and

its worship, and their priests and their tithes; 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, tithes, 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.’ 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 Howgill, 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; 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. And here I shall make some small digression,

in saying something concerning these two excellent men.

John Audland was a young man, and of a comely countenance, and very

lovely qualities. 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 among

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 rags. 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 smoking 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 for that

service he was appointed to by God.

Concerning Francis Howgill; 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 although he, who had been

trained up in the university to be a minister, became a teacher

amongst the Independents, and was zealous in virtue: yet he remained

dissatisfied in himself, finding that notwithstanding all his fasting,

praying, and good works, the root of sin still remained in him; and

although 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

increasing in understanding, it was resolved 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 preached, 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 resigned in that state, saying within 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

locked up in a nasty place at Appleby, in Westmoreland, and was kept

there prisoner for some time.

But let me now return to G. Fox, who coming to Kendal, had a meeting

there in the town hall; where declaring the word of life, he showed 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, that when he

went to Under-Barrow, several people accompanied him, and he had great

reasonings with them, but especially with one Edward Burrough, who,

though 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 will mention here a little of his descent and

quality.

He was born in the barony of Kendal, in Westmoreland, of parents who

for their honest and virtuous life, were in good repute; he was well

educated and trained 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 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 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 meetings of the Presbyterians, because their doctrine in many

things seemed to him to approach nearer to truth, than that of the

public church; wherefore he became a follower of the Presbyterians,

although 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 offered, he reproved others for their vain

conversation and wickedness; but for this he was derided and looked

upon scornfully by many, yet continued to live religiously, and felt

sometimes sweet refreshments to his soul. But though he had the Truth

in his comprehension, yet he wanted the real and experimental knowledge

of it, and so became darkened 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 experience. Being thus many times put to

a stand, he seemed 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 entered

into the society of the despised Quakers, though he was now rejected by

his relations, and, by a blind zeal, turned 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, were

often his lot; watching and fasting were many times his portion;

and imprisonments, 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 persuasions, sparing

no pains, where he thought he could serve the Lord and the church. Thus

much, for this time, of E. Burrough.

Let us return now to G. Fox, whom we left at Under-Barrow, where, with

the consent of the inhabitants, he had a great meeting in the chapel,

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, he came to Ulverstone, 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, employed in the exercise of

his office, and his wife Margaret was also gone abroad that day. G. Fox

in the meanwhile coming thither, met the priest William 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 she, 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 Ulverstone, 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

enlightened 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 pew, wondered at this doctrine, having never heard any such before.

In the meanwhile G. Fox went on, and opening the Scriptures, said,

‘That they were the prophet’s words, and Christ’s, and the apostles’

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 thyself 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 showed 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 sat 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 ourselves.’ G. Fox still going on, declared against the false

prophets, and said, that their way of worship was but talking of other

men’s 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, called John Sawrey, ‘Take him away.’ But Margaret Fell said

to the officers, ‘Let him alone. Why may not he speak as well as any

other?’ Priest Lampitt, it is like to please her, said also, ‘Let him

speak.’ G. Fox then speaking yet awhile, 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, of whom more hereafter. Margaret Fell in the meanwhile being

come home, was so reached, that she scarce knew 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, where, when the

priest had done, he spoke to the people, and admonished them to return

to the Lord. From thence he went to Ramside, where was a chapel, in

which one Thomas Lawson, who was an eminent priest, used to preach;

who having some notice of G. Fox’s coming, preached in the morning,

and told the 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

chapel, 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 received it, and among these, 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 experienced, 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 seemed a little shy of

him, when he perceived his great skill, to love him as a singular

friend. But this transiently.

Now I return again to G. Fox, who having performed his service about

Ramside, went somewhere else, and came also to Brerecliff, where he

found some people that told him, 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 to 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 show 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 showed 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 chapel near 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, 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 informed him, that a great disaster had befallen

the 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, 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 Nayler were at her house,

and she desired them to speak to her husband; which they did very

moderately and wisely: and though 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

further about them. Dinner in the meantime 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 music 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. Nayler, and R. Farnsworth, entered. He

now speaking, declared what the practice of Christ and the apostles was

in their day; and showed how the apostacy came in since; and what was

the practice of the modern priests in the apostacy. He also answered

all the objections of judge Fell, and so thoroughly satisfied him by

the Scriptures, that he was convinced in his judgment, 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 Ulverstone, 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. 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. And 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 though he did not enter publicly into

their society, yet he loved them, and several years before his death,

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, and there preached in the market; and on the next

First-day, 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 hauled out, and stoned along the street.

Then 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. 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 confirmed 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 they 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

Westmoreland; and coming into Crosland steeple-house, 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 showed them how the

priests were out of the way.

Now 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 preached the gospel freely, but several others, viz. John Audland,

Francis Howgill, John Camm, 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 meanwhile G. Fox returned into Lancashire, and went to

Ulverstone, 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; though man

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 lose their gain of burials, have endeavoured to

keep people in the belief, that the ground of these buildings was

holy; and this save occasion to the people called Quakers, to call

those buildings, steeple-houses. Now since a fantastical man I very

well knew 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_.[2] And though Croese says also in _Historia Quakeriana_

concerning them, _Templa cuncti Quakeri contumeliosè vocabant æedes

pyramidatas_,[3] yet he knew better. But this digression has led me

off from G. Fox, whom I left at Ulverstone, where he went to the

steeple-house whilst priest Lampitt was preaching. And when G. Fox

began to speak, 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, knocked him down, kicked 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 dragged 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 strengthened by an immediate power, he stood up, and

stretching out his arms, 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 through the love of God, stood still,

and after a while felt such an extraordinary strengthening power, that

he instantly recovered strength in his hand and arm.

[2] Steeple-house.

[3] All the Quakers contemptuously called churches,

steeple-houses.

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, showed 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 Ulverstone,

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, when he walked through the people in the

market; for none of them had power to touch him then, though some of

his friends were abused. And he seeing the soldier among them, with his

naked rapier, bade 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 having performed his service at Ulverstone, came again to

Swarthmore, where he found several of his friends dressing their wounds

and bruises received 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 fared

with those people as with trees, which grow best when most lopped.

_Duris ut ilex tonsa pipennibus, per damna, per cædes, ab ipso, ducit

opes animumque ferro._[4]

[4] IMITATED.

As by the lopping axe, the sturdy oak

Improves her shade, and thrives beneath the stroke;

Tho’ present loss and wounds severe she feel,

She draws fresh vigour from th’ invading steel.

G. Fox keeping in continual motion, went with James Nayler to Walney

Island, having first had a meeting at a little town called 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, 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 knocked down and stunned. 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 bewitched her husband, and promised 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 Nayler, with an horrible cry, ‘Kill him; Kill him.’ For

whilst they had been beating G. Fox, they had not minded Nayler, 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 Nayler. In the meanwhile

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, but was so bruised that he could hardly speak; only he

told where he left James Nayler. Whereupon the said Hutton, and Thomas

Lawson, the priest mentioned before, (who lodged then at Hutton’s

house,) took each of them a horse, to see if they could find James

Nayler; and they lighting on him, brought him thither that night.

Margaret Fell the next day hearing what was befallen G. Fox, 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 fled the country. But what is

remarkable, James Lancaster’s wife, who so wickedly behaved herself,

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 befallen 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 things 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 governor,

beckoned to him to speak for himself. And so, said G. Fox, thou mayest

do by me.’

Being come to Lancaster, at the sessions, there appeared about forty

priests against him; 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 priests’ sons. 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, the other can say it? It seems you did not hear those

words spoken yourself, though you have given it in 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 county, that were

then at the sessions, had been at that meeting, wherein the witnesses

swore he spake the aforesaid blasphemous words. Colonel West, being

a justice of the 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 mayest 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 a passion, and one of

them, whose name was Jackus, 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 endeavoured 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,

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, showing 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, 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, 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 stayed 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 from me. And therefore I intend only to describe

what I find most remarkable; though 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 beating,

buffeting, nor stoning of the mad rabble, nor the jails, nor whippings

that befel them from the magistrates, were able to stop the progress of

the doctrine they preached to the people in markets, streets, and also

in steeple-houses. And many and even of those that had been enraged

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

surmounted 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 though 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 Demetrian, viz. _Nemo nostrum, quando apprehenditur,

reluctatur; nec se adversus injustam violentiam vestram, quamvis nimius

et copiosus sit noster populus, ulciscitur._[5] But let not my reader

think, that these 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. Now I take up again the

thread of my relation.

[5] No one of us makes resistance when he is taken up; nor takes

any revenge on your unrighteous violence, although our numbers

are greater than yours.

G. Fox being acquitted by the court, as hath been said, it made the

priests fret to hear it cried 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, 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 stopped; and G. Fox coming

that night to Lancaster, heard of a warrant to be given out against

him, and therefore judged it better to show 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 flinch in danger. So he stayed

some days in town, and walked up and down there, without being meddled

with, or questioned by any.

Yet his Friends in the meanwhile did not suffer the less; for all

the 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 hauled out of a meeting by some

wicked men, and carried some distance off in 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 persecutions thereabouts. That

to justice John Sawrey, was very sharp, and after this manner:

‘Friend,

‘Thou wast the first beginner of all the persecution in the

North. Thou wast the first stirrer of them up against the

righteous seed, and against the truth of God; and wast the first

strengthener of the hands of evil-doers against the innocent and

harmless: and thou shalt not prosper. Thou wast the first stirrer

up of strikers, stoners, persecutors, stockers, mockers, and

imprisoners in the North; and of revilers, slanderers, railers,

and false accusers, and scandal-raisers. This was thy work, and

this thou stirredst up! So thy fruits declare thy spirit. Instead

of stirring up the pure mind in the people, thou hast stirred

up the wicked, malicious and envious; and taken hand with the

wicked. Thou hast made the people’s minds envious, up and down

the country: this was thy work. But God hath shortened thy days,

and limited thee, and set thy bounds, and broken thy jaws, and

discovered thy religion to the simple and babes, and brought

thy deeds to light. How is thy habitation fallen, and become

the habitation of devils! How is thy beauty lost, and thy glory

withered! How hast thou showed thy end, and thou hast served God

but with thy lips, and thy heart far from him, and thou in thy

hypocrisy! How hath the form of thy teaching declared itself to

be the mark of the false prophets, whose fruit declares itself!

for by their fruits they are known. How are the wise men turned

backward! View thy ways, and take notice, with whom thou hast

taken part. That of God in thy conscience will tell thee. The

ancient of days will reprove thee. How hath thy zeal appeared to

be the blind zeal; a persecutor, which Christ and his apostles

forbad Christians to follow! How hast thou strengthened the hands

of evil-doers, and been a praise to them, and not to them that

do dwell! How like a mad man, and a blind man, didst thou turn

thy sword backward against the saints, against whom there is no

law! How wilt thou be gnawed and burned one day, when thou shalt

feel the flame and have the plagues of God poured upon thee, and

thou begin to gnaw thy tongue for pain, because of the plagues!

Thou shalt have thy reward according to thy works. Thou canst not

escape; the Lord’s righteous judgment will find thee out, and the

witness of God in thy conscience shall answer it. How hast thou

caused the heathen to blaspheme, and gone on with the multitude

to do evil, and joined hand in hand with the wicked! How is thy

latter end worse than thy beginning, who art come with the dog to

bite, and art turned as a wolf to devour the lambs! How hast thou

discovered thyself to be a man more fit to be kept in a place to

be nurtured, than to be set in a place to nurture! How wast thou

exalted and puffed up with pride! And how art thou fallen down

with shame, that thou comest to be covered with that which thou

stirredst up, and broughtest forth. Let not John Sawrey take the

words of God into his mouth, till he be reformed. Let him not

take his name into his mouth, till he depart from iniquity. Let

not him and his teacher make a profession of the saints’ words,

except they intend to proclaim themselves hypocrites, whose lives

are so contrary to the lives of the saints; whose church hath

made itself manifest to be a cage of unclean birds. You having

a form of godliness, but not the power, have made them that be

in the power, your derision, your by-word, and your talk at your

feasts. Thy ill savour, John Sawrey, the country about have

smelled, and of thy unchristian carriage all that fear God have

been ashamed; and to them thou hast been a grief. In the day of

account thou shalt know it, even in the day of thy condemnation.

Thou wast mounted up, and hadst set thy nest on high; but never

gottest higher than the fowls of the air. But now thou art run

amongst the beasts of prey, and art fallen into the earth; so

that earthliness and covetousness have swallowed thee up; and thy

conceitedness would not carry thee through, in whom was found the

selfish principle, which hath blinded thy eye. Thy back must be

bowed down always; for thy table is already become thy snare.