It was not G. Fox alone who was grieved with the said hypocrisy, but
others of his friends also declared zealously against it. A certain
woman came once into the parliament with a pitcher in her hand, which
she breaking before them, told them, so should they be broken to
pieces; which came to pass not long after. And because, when the great
sufferings of G. Fox’s friends were laid before O. Cromwell, he would
not believe it, this gave occasion to Thomas Aldam and Anthony Pearson,
to go through all, or most of the jails in England, and get copies of
their friends commitment under the jailers’ hands, to lay the weight of
the said sufferings upon O. Cromwell, which was done; but he, unwilling
to give order for their release, Thomas Aldam took his cap from off his
head, and tearing it to pieces, said to him, ‘So shall thy government
be rent from thee and thy house.’
About the beginning of this year, E. Burrough wrote a letter to O.
Cromwell, and his council, complaining of, and warning them against
persecution, as being what would draw down God’s anger against them.
Several copies of the said letter were delivered to Oliver, and his
council: and some months after E. Burrough wrote the following letter
to him.
_To the Protector._
‘FRIEND,
‘The salutation of my life wisheth well unto thee in the Lord,
and most especially that thy precious soul may be redeemed out
of death to God, and live, that thou mayest have a rest and
habitation in him when this world is no more.
‘Now whereas it is a general outcry among the teachers and people
of this nation, and also is doubted, and hath been sometimes
objected by thyself, that the people called Quakers, are deluded
and deceived, and in error, and such like: and now, if it be
possible, that thyself and others may be resolved concerning
us; put therefore all thy objections and doubtings into plain
positions, or let the wisest of thy teachers do it for thee; that
whatsoever thyself, or any for thee; can object against us, or
what thou doubtest of, or stumblest at, either in respect of our
doctrines or practice, let the matter be stated in plain words,
in positions, or queries; and if God permit, a sufficient answer
thou mayest receive, to remove all conscientious scruples, and to
confound all subtle allegements and evasions; whereby hereafter
for ever thou mayest be altogether inexcusable of all doubting,
or speaking against us, or suffering evil to be done, or spoken
against us upon that account. And this I am moved to give forth
and send to thee, that thou mayest be satisfied; and all things
tried and made manifest in the sight of all men; and that all
rash judgment, and false supposition, which lodgeth in the hearts
of many, may be confounded and brought to nought; and let it
be left off, to cry out deceivers, and heresy, &c. and causing
any to suffer on suspicion thereupon; but bring all things to
light, and true judgment; that what is proved to be the Truth may
be owned and not persecuted any more; for we are willing to be
made manifest to all men; and if any thing be objected against
us, which may not be sufficiently answered, and resolved to
sober men, then our enemies are more free, and have whereof to
glory in against us; but if all occasion of stumbling be removed
by answers, according to the Scriptures, and our principles,
practices, and doctrines thereby vindicated, then let all the
teachers, and all our adversaries, shut their mouths from biting
at us, and railing against us, and accusing of us to thee; and
let thy ear be shut from believing lies against the innocent; and
let none suffer in thy dominion under the cruelty of men, upon
such a ground. Hereof I shall be glad to receive an answer, and
to join issue in this cause; and in the meantime, and always, am
a lover of thy soul, but a witness against all oppression.