1652.—George Fox visits great men’s houses, warning them to repent—is
accused of calling himself Christ—refutes the charge, and tells the
accuser that Judas’s end would he his, which shortly came to pass;
hence a slander is raised against Friends—is stoned at Doncaster—a
scoffing priest made to tremble at the Lord’s power—a slandering
priest cut off in his wickedness—a murderous man seeks George Fox,
but misses him—he lays in a wood all night—the influence of one man
or woman, who lives in the same spirit that the prophets and
apostles were in, is to be felt within a circuit of ten miles—George
Fox ascends Pendle Hill, whence he sees the place of a great
gathering of people—on descending, refreshes himself at a spring of
water, having taken little sustenance for several days—foresees a
great people in white raiment about Wensleydale and Sedbergh—a
wicked man designs to injure him, but is prevented—many are
convinced in Dent, and a meeting is settled at Sedbergh, where he
had seen a people in white raiment—preaches for several hours in the
steeple-house yard there—preaches on a rock, near Firbank chapel, to
1,000 people, for three hours—the family of Judge Fell convinced,
and a meeting settled at his house, and continued for forty
years—preaches through Lancaster streets—at a meeting of priests at
Ulverstone he speaks in great power, so that one of them said, “the
church shook”—disputes with priest Lampitt—Justice Sawrey is the
first persecutor in the north—forty priests appear against George
Fox at Lancaster Sessions for speaking blasphemy; they are
confounded, and he is cleared of the charge—James Naylor’s account
of George Fox’s trial at Lancaster Sessions—priest Jackus is
reproved from the bench for his blasphemy—these priests are reproved
by the populace—Col. West defends and protects George Fox against
the machinations of the priests, and the design of Judge Windham, at
the risk of losing his place.
From PATRINGTON I went to several great men’s houses, warning them to
repent. Some received me lovingly, and some slighted me. Thus I passed
on, and at night came to another town, where I desired lodging and meat,
and I would pay for it; but they would not lodge me, except I would go
to the constable, which was the custom (they said) of all lodgers at
inns, if strangers. I told them I should not go; for that custom was for
suspicious persons, but I was an innocent man. After I had warned them
to repent, declared unto them the day of their visitation, and directed
them to the light of Christ and Spirit of God, that they might come to
know salvation, I passed away; and the people were something tendered,
and troubled afterwards. When it grew dark, I spied a hay-stack, and
went and sat under it all night, till morning.
The next day I passed into HULL, admonishing and warning people, as I
went, to turn to Christ Jesus that they might receive salvation. That
night I got a lodging, but was very sore with travelling on foot so far.
Afterwards I came to BALBY, and visited Friends up and down in those
parts; and then passed into the edge of NOTTINGHAMSHIRE, visiting
Friends there; and so into LINCOLNSHIRE, and visited Friends there. And
on the First-day of the week I went to a steeple-house on this side of
Trent; and in the afternoon to one on the other side of the Trent,
declaring the word of life to the people, and directing them to their
teacher, Christ Jesus, who died for them that they might hear him, and
receive salvation by him. Then I went further into the country, and had
several meetings. To one meeting came a great man, and a priest and many
professors; but the Lord’s power came over them all, and they went their
ways peaceably. There came a man to that meeting, who had been at one
before, and raised a false accusation against me, and made a noise up
and down the country, reporting that I had said I was Christ; which was
utterly false.
And when I came to GAINSBOROUGH, where a Friend had been declaring truth
in the market, the town and market-people were all in an uproar. I went
into a friendly man’s house, and the people rushed in after me; so that
the house was filled with professors, disputers, and rude people. This
false accuser came in, and charged me openly before all the people, that
I had said, I was Christ, and he had got witnesses to prove it. This set
the people into such a rage, that they had much to do to keep their
hands off me. Then I was moved of the Lord God to stand up on the table,
and, in the eternal power of God, to tell the people “That Christ was
_in them_, except they were reprobates; and that it was Christ the
eternal power of God, that spoke in me at that time unto them; not that
I was Christ.” And the people were generally satisfied, except himself,
a professor, and his own false-witnesses. I called the accuser Judas,
and was moved to tell him, that Judas’s end would be his; and that that
was the word of the Lord and of Christ, through me, to him. So the
Lord’s power came over all, and quieted the minds of the people, and
they departed in peace. But this Judas went away, and shortly after
hanged himself, and a stake was driven into his grave. Afterwards the
wicked priests raised a scandal upon us, and reported that a Quaker had
hanged himself in Lincolnshire, and had a stake driven through him. This
falsehood they printed to the nation, adding sin to sin; which the truth
and we were clear of: for he was no more a Quaker than the priest that
printed it, but was one of their own people. But notwithstanding this
wicked slander, by which the adversary designed to defame us, and turn
people’s minds against the truth we held forth, many in Lincolnshire
received the gospel, being convinced of the Lord’s everlasting truth,
and sat down therein under the Lord’s heavenly teaching.
After this I passed, in the Lord’s power, into YORKSHIRE, came to
WARMSWORTH, and went to the steeple-house in the forenoon,[13] but they
shut the door against me; yet after a while they let in Thomas Aldam,
and then shut it again; and the priest fell upon him, asking him
questions. At last they opened the door, and I went in. As soon as I was
in the priest’s sight, he discontinued preaching, though I said nothing
to him, and asked me, “What have you to say!” and presently cried out,
“Come, come, I will prove them false prophets, in Matthew;” but he was
so confounded, he could not find the chapter. Then he fell on me, asking
me many questions, and I stood still all this while, not saying anything
amongst them. At last I said, “Seeing here are so many questions asked,
I may answer them.” But as soon as I began to speak, the people
violently rushed upon me, and thrust me out of the steeple-house again,
and locked the door on me. As soon as they had done their service, and
were come forth, the people ran upon me, and knocked me sorely with
their staves, threw clods and stones at me, and abused me much; the
priest also, being in a great rage, laid violent hands on me himself.
But I warned them and him of the terrible day of the Lord, and exhorted
them to repent, and turn to Christ. Being filled with the Lord’s
refreshing power, I was not sensible of much hurt I had received by
their blows. In the afternoon I went to another steeple-house, but the
priest had done before I got thither; so I preached repentance to the
people that were left, and directed them to their inward teacher, Jesus
Christ.
Footnote 13:
The circumstance of Friends entering the public places of worship in
the times of the Commonwealth, is one which has been much
misunderstood, and greatly misrepresented. For these acts of
dedication they have been calumniated as disturbers of religious
congregations, and as outraging the peace and order of the churches.
This estimate, doubtless, has been formed with reference to usages of
more modern date; but to decide upon the conduct of Friends in this
particular, from a consideration of present circumstances, would be
exceedingly erroneous. In preaching in the national places of worship,
they did but avail themselves of a common liberty, in a period of
extraordinary excitement on religious things. There were numerous
other religious meetings held in those times, but into none of these
did Friends obtrude themselves. Some probably will argue, that the
fact of their being so severely punished for persisting in this
practice, may be adduced in support of its irregularity; but it may be
answered, that the preaching of Friends almost everywhere, at that
time, whether in steeple-houses or private houses, in-doors or out of
doors, equally called down the rigour of ecclesiastical vengeance. It
was not, in fact, because Friends preached in these places so much as
for what they preached that they suffered. When George Fox was
committed to Derby prison in 1650, after preaching in the
steeple-house at “a great lecture,” the mittimus states his offence
was, for “uttering and broaching of divers blasphemous opinions.” In
1659, Gilbert Latey went to Dunstan’s steeple-house in the west, where
the noted Dr. Manton preached. At the conclusion of the sermon,
Gilbert Latey addressed the assembly relative to some errors in
Manton’s sermon, for which he was seized by a constable and taken
before a magistrate; who, however, gave G. Latey leave to speak for
himself. The statement he made satisfied the justice, and he replied,
that he had heard the people called Quakers, were a sort of mad,
whimsical folks; “but,” said he, “for this man, he talks very
rationally, and I think, for my part, you should not have brought him
before me.” To which the constable replied, “Sir, I think so too.”
This occurred eleven years after G. Fox first visited a steeple-house,
and, during that time, Friends had suffered very much for speaking in
them, yet now a magistrate declares, that speaking rationally after
the preacher had finished in a steeple-house, is not an offence for
which a man ought to be brought before him. But the ministry of
Friends struck at the very foundation of all hierarchical systems, and
the discovery of this circumstance prompted the priests to call in the
aid of the civil power, to suppress the promulgation of views so
opposed to ecclesiastical domination.
From hence I went to BALBY, and so to DONCASTER, where I had formerly
preached repentance on the market-day; which had made a noise and alarm
in the country. On the First-day I went to the steeple-house, and after
the priest had done, I spoke to him and the people what the Lord had
commanded me; and they were in a great rage, hurried me out, threw me
down, and haled me before the magistrates. A long examination they made
of me, and much work I had with them. They threatened my life if ever I
came there again; and that they would leave me to the mercy of the
people. Nevertheless, I declared truth amongst them, and directed them
to the light of Christ in them; testifying unto them that “God was come
to teach his people himself, whether they would hear or forbear.” After
a while they put us out (for some Friends were with me) among the rude
multitude, and they stoned us down the street. An innkeeper, that was a
bailiff, came and took us into his house; and they broke his head, that
the blood ran down his face, with the stones that they threw at us. We
stayed a while in his house, and showed the more sober people the
priest’s fruits. Then we went to Balby, about a mile off, and the rude
people laid wait for us, and stoned us down the lane; but, blessed be
the Lord, we did not receive much hurt.
The next First-day I went to TICKHILL, whither the Friends of that side
gathered together, and in the meeting a mighty brokenness by the power
of God was amongst the people. I went out of the meeting, being moved of
God to go to the steeple-house; and when I came there, I found the
priest and most of the chief of the parish together in the chancel. So I
went up to them, and began to speak; but they immediately fell upon me;
and the clerk took up his Bible, as I was speaking, and struck me on the
face with it, so that it gushed out with blood, and I bled exceedingly
in the steeple-house. Then the people cried, “Let us have him out of the
church;” and when they had got me out, they beat me exceedingly, and
threw me down, and over a hedge; and afterwards they dragged me through
a house into the street, stoning and beating me as they drew me along,
so that I was besmeared all over with blood and dirt. They got my hat
from me, which I never obtained again. Yet when I was got upon my legs
again, I declared to them the word of life, and showed them the fruits
of their teacher, and how they dishonoured Christianity. After a while I
got into the meeting again amongst Friends; and the priest and people
coming by the house, I went forth with Friends into the yard, and there
I spoke to the priest and people. The priest scoffed at us, and called
us Quakers. But the Lord’s power was so over them, and the word of life
was declared in such authority and dread to them, that the priest began
trembling himself; and one of the people said, “Look how the priest
trembles and shakes, he is turned a Quaker also.” When the meeting was
over, Friends departed; and I went without my hat to BALBY, about seven
or eight miles. Friends were much abused that day by the priest and his
people; insomuch that some moderate justices hearing of it, two or three
of them came, and sat at the town, to hear and examine the business. And
he that had shed my blood was afraid of having his hand cut off, for
striking me in the church (as they called it;) but I forgave him, and
would not appear against him.
In the beginning of this year 1652 great rage got up in priests and
people, and in some of the magistrates of the West-Riding of Yorkshire,
against the truth and Friends; insomuch that the priest of WARMSWORTH
procured a warrant from the justices against me and Thomas Aldam, to be
executed in any part of the West-Riding of Yorkshire. At the same time I
had a vision of a bear and two great mastiff dogs; that I should pass by
them, and they should do me no hurt; and it proved so: for the constable
took Thomas Aldam and carried him to York. I went with Thomas Aldam
twenty miles towards York: and the constable had the warrant for me
also, and said, “he saw me, but he was loath to trouble men that were
strangers; but Thomas Aldam was his neighbour.” So the Lord’s power
restrained him, that he had not power to meddle with me. We came to
Lieutenant Roper’s, where we had a great meeting of many considerable
men; and the truth was powerfully declared amongst them, and the
Scriptures wonderfully opened, and the parables and sayings of Christ
were expounded, and the state of the church in the apostles’ days was
plainly set forth, and the apostacy since from that state discovered.
The truth had great dominion that day, so that those great men that were
present did generally confess to it, saying, “they believed that this
principle must go over the whole world.” There were at this meeting
James Naylor, Thomas Goodyear,[14] and William Dewsbury, who had been
convinced the year before; and Richard Farnsworth also. And the
constable stayed with Thomas Aldam till the meeting was over, and then
went towards York prison; but did not meddle with me.
Footnote 14:
Thomas Goodyear became a faithful minister, and suffered much
persecution and imprisonment. When in Oxford jail (for refusing to
swear), the jailer put irons on his legs, which being too small hurt
him, and besides other abuse, would not let him and other Friends have
straw to lie on. The jailer also told the other prisoners if they
wanted coats, they might take those of the Friends off their backs;
but one of the prisoners answered he would go naked first.
Thomas Goodyear was the author of “_A Plain Testimony to the Ancient
Truth and Work of God_.” He died at Selby, in 1693.
From hence I went to WAKEFIELD; and on the First-day after, I went to a
steeple-house, where James Naylor had been a member of an Independent
church; but upon his receiving truth, he was excommunicated. When I came
in, and the priest had done, the people called upon me to come up to the
priest, which I did; but when I began to declare the word of life to
them, and to lay open the deceit of the priest, they rushed upon me
suddenly, thrust me out at the other door, punching and beating me, and
cried, “Let us have him to the stocks.” But the Lord’s power restrained
them, that they were not suffered to put me in. So I passed away to the
meeting, where were a great many professors and friendly people
gathered, and a great convincement there was that day; for the people
were mightily satisfied that they were directed to the Lord’s teaching
_in themselves_. Here we got some lodging; for four of us had lain under
a hedge the night before, there being then few Friends in that place.
The same day Richard Farnsworth went to another great steeple-house,
belonging to a high priest, and declared the word of truth unto the
people; and a great service he had amongst them; for the Lord’s dread
and power was mightily over all.
The priest of that church which James Naylor had been a member of, whose
name was Marshall, raised many wicked slanders about me, as, “that I
carried bottles with me, and made people drink of them, which made them
follow me;” and, “that I rode upon a great black horse, and was seen in
one country upon it in one hour, and at the same hour in another country
threescore miles off;” and that I would give a fellow money to follow
me, when I was on my black horse. With these lies he fed his people, to
make them think evil of the truth which I had declared amongst them. But
by these lies he preached many of his hearers away from him; for I was
then travelling on foot, and had no horse at that time; which the people
generally knew. The Lord soon after cut off this envious priest in his
wickedness.
After this I came to HIGH-TOWN, where dwelt a woman who had been
convinced a little before. We went to her house, and had a meeting; and
the people gathered together, and we declared the truth to them, and had
some service for the Lord amongst them; they passed away again
peaceably. But there was a widow woman, named Green, who, being filled
with envy, went to one that was called a gentleman in the town, (who was
reported to have killed two men and one woman,) and informed him against
us, though he was no officer. The next morning we drew up some queries
to be sent to the priest. When we had done, and were just going away,
some of the friendly people of the town came running up to the house
where we were, and told us that this murdering man had sharpened a pike
to stab us, and was coming up with his sword by his side. We were just
passing away, and so missed him. But we were no sooner gone, than he
came to the house where we had been; and the people generally concluded
if we had not been gone, he would have murdered some of us. That night
we lay in a wood, and were very wet, for it rained exceedingly. In the
morning I was moved to return to the town, when they gave us a full
relation of this wicked man.
From hence we passed to BRADFORD, where we met with Richard Farnsworth
again, from whom we had parted a little before. When we came in, they
set meat before us; but as I was going to eat, the word of the Lord came
to me, saying, “Eat not the bread of such as have an evil eye.”
Immediately I arose from the table, and ate nothing. The woman of the
house was a Baptist. After I had exhorted the family to turn to the Lord
Jesus Christ, and hearken to his teachings in their own hearts, we
departed thence.
As we travelled through the country, preaching repentance to the people,
we came into a town on the market-day. There was a lecture there that
day; and I went into the steeple-house, where were many priests,
professors, and people. The priest that preached, took for his text
those words of Jeremiah, chap. v., ver. 31: “My people love to have it
so,” leaving out the foregoing words, viz., “The prophets prophesy
falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means.” So I showed the
people his deceit, and directed them to Christ, the _true Teacher
within_; declaring, “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.” Then warning them of the day of
the Lord, that was coming upon all flesh, I passed from thence without
much opposition.
At night we came to a country place, where there was no public-house
near. The people desired us to stay all night; which we did, and had
good service for the Lord, declaring his truth amongst them.
The next day we passed on; for the Lord had said unto me, “If but one
man or woman were raised up by His power, to stand and live in the same
Spirit that the prophets and apostles were in, who gave forth the
Scriptures, that man or woman should shake all the country in their
profession for ten miles round.” For people had the Scriptures, but not
in that same light, and power, and Spirit, which they were in that gave
forth the Scriptures; and so they neither knew God, nor Christ, nor the
Scriptures aright; nor had they unity one with another, being out of the
power and Spirit of God. Therefore as we passed along we warned all
people, wherever we met them, of the day of the Lord that was coming
upon them.
As we travelled we came near a very great hill, called PENDLE-HILL, and
I was moved of the Lord to go up to the top of it; which I did with
difficulty, it was so very steep and high. When I was come to the top, I
saw the sea bordering upon Lancashire. From the top of this hill the
Lord let me see in what places he had a great people to be gathered. As
I went down I found a spring of water in the side of the hill, with
which I refreshed myself, having eaten or drunk but little for several
days before.[15]
Footnote 15:
The spring here alluded to is called George Fox’s Well to this day.
At night we came to an inn, and declared truth to the man of the house,
and wrote a paper to the priests and professors, declaring “the day of
the Lord, and that Christ was come to teach people himself, by his power
and Spirit in their hearts, and to bring people off from all the world’s
ways and teachers, to his own free teaching, who had bought them, and
was the Saviour of all them that believed in Him.” The man of the house
spread the paper abroad, and was mightily affected with the truth. Here
the Lord opened unto me, and let me see a great people in white raiment
by a river side, coming to the Lord; and the place that I saw them in
was about WENSLEYDALE and SEDBERGH.
The next day we travelled on, and at night got a little fern or brackens
to put under us, and lay upon a common. Next morning we reached a town,
where Richard Farnsworth parted from me; and then I travelled alone
again. I came up Wensleydale, and at the market-town in that Dale, there
was a lecture on the market-day. I went into the steeple-house; and
after the priest had done, I “proclaimed the day of the Lord to the
priest and people, warning them to turn from darkness to the light, and
from the power of Satan unto God, that they might come to know God and
Christ aright, and to receive his teaching, who teacheth freely.”
Largely and freely did I declare the word of life unto them, and had not
much persecution there. Afterwards I passed up the Dales, warning people
to fear God, and preaching the everlasting gospel to them.
In my way I came to a great house, where was a schoolmaster; and they
got me into the house. I asked them questions about their religion and
worship; and afterwards I declared the truth to them. They had me into a
parlour, and locked me in, pretending that I was a young man that was
mad, and had run away from my relations: and that they would keep me
till they could send to them. But I soon convinced them of their
mistake, and they let me forth, and would have had me to stay; but I was
not to stay there. Then having exhorted them to repentance, and directed
them to the light of Christ Jesus, that through it they might come unto
him and be saved, I passed from them, and came in the night to a little
ale-house on a common, where there was a company of rude fellows
drinking. Because I would not drink with them, they struck me with their
clubs; but I reproved them, and brought them to be somewhat cooler; and
then I walked out of the house upon the common in the night. After some
time one of these drunken fellows came out, and would have come close up
to me, pretending to whisper to me; but I perceived he had a knife; and
therefore I kept off him, and bid him repent, and fear God. So the Lord
by His power preserved me from this wicked man; and he went into the
house again. The next morning I went on through other Dales, warning and
exhorting people everywhere as I passed, to repent and turn to the Lord:
and several were convinced. At one house that I came to, the man of the
house (whom I afterwards found to be a kinsman of John Blakelin’s,)
would have given me money, but I would not receive it.
As I travelled through the Dales, I came to a man’s house, whose name
was Tennant. I was moved to speak to the family, and declare God’s
everlasting truth to them; and as I was turning away from them, I was
moved to turn again, and speak to the man himself; and he was convinced,
and his family, and lived and died in the truth. Thence I came to Major
Bousfield’s, who received me, as did also several others; and some that
were then convinced have stood faithful ever since. I went also through
GRISDALE, and several others of those Dales, in which some were
convinced. And I went into DENT, where many were convinced also. From
Major Bousfield’s I came to Richard Robinson’s, and declared the
everlasting truth to him.
The next day I went to a meeting at Justice Benson’s, where I met a
people that were separated from the public worship. This was the place I
had seen, where a people came forth in white raiment. A large meeting it
was, and the people were generally convinced, and continue a large
meeting still of Friends near Sedbergh; which was then first gathered
through my ministry in the name of Jesus.
In the same week there was a great fair, at which servants used to be
hired; and I declared the day of the Lord through the fair. After I had
done so, I went into the steeple-house yard, and many of the people of
the fair came thither to me, and abundance of priests and professors.
There “I declared the everlasting truth of the Lord, and the word of
life 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. I laid
open their teachers, showing that they were like them that were of old
condemned by the prophets, and by Christ, and by the apostles. I
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.” Not one of the priests had power to open his
mouth against what I declared: but at last a captain said, “Why will you
not go into the church? this is not a fit place to preach in.” I told
him, I denied their church. Then stood up one Francis Howgill, who was a
preacher to a congregation: he had not seen me before, yet he undertook
to answer that captain, and soon put him to silence. Then said Francis
Howgill of me, “This man speaks with authority, and not as the scribes.”
After this I opened to the people, that that ground and house was no
holier than another place; and that that house was not the church, but
the people, whom Christ is the head of. After a while the priests came
up to me, and I warned them to repent. One of them said I was mad, and
so they turned away. But many people were convinced there that day, and
were glad to hear the truth declared, and received it with joy. Amongst
these was one Captain Ward, who received the truth in the love of it,
and lived and died in it.
The next First-day I came to FIRBANK CHAPEL, in Westmoreland, where
Francis Howgill, before named, and John Audland,[16] had been preaching
in the morning. The chapel was full of people, so that many could not
get in. Francis Howgill said, he thought I looked into the chapel, and
his spirit was ready to fail, the Lord’s power did so surprise him; but
I did not look in. They made haste, and had quickly done, and they and
some of the people went to dinner, but abundance stayed till they came
again. Now John Blakelin and others came to me, and desired me not to
reprove them publicly; for they were not parish teachers, but pretty
tender men. I could not tell them whether I should or not (though I had
not at that time any drawings to declare publicly against them), but I
said they must leave me to the Lord’s movings. While the others were
gone to dinner, I went to a brook and got a little water; and then came
and sat down on the top of a rock hard by the chapel. In the afternoon
the people gathered about me, with several of their preachers. It was
judged there were above a thousand people; “amongst whom I declared
God’s everlasting truth and word of life freely and largely, for about
the space of three hours, directing all to the Spirit of God _in
themselves_, that they might be turned from darkness to the light, and
believe in it, that they might become the children of it; and might be
turned from the power of Satan, which they had been under, unto God; and
by the Spirit of truth might be led into all truth, and sensibly
understand the words of the prophets, and of Christ, and of the
apostles; and might all 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; and might know their bodies to be prepared,
sanctified, and made fit temples for God and Christ to dwell in.” In the
openings of heavenly life, I explained unto them the prophets, and the
figures, and shadows, and directed them to Christ, the substance. Then I
opened the parables and sayings of Christ, and things that had been long
hid, showing the intent and scope of the apostles’ writings, and that
their epistles were written to the elect. When I had opened that state,
I showed also the state of the apostacy since the apostles’ days; that
the priests have got the Scriptures, but are not in that Spirit which
gave them forth, and have put them into chapter and verse, to make a
trade of holy men’s words; and that the teachers and priests now are
found in the steps of the false prophets, chief priests, scribes, and
Pharisees of old, and are such, as the true prophets, Christ, and his
apostles cried out against, and so are judged and condemned by the
Spirit of the true prophets, and of Christ, and of his apostles; and
that none, who are in that Spirit, and guided by it now, can own them.
Footnote 16:
Francis Howgill and John Audland were both religiously inclined, and
were convinced during the present year. They became eminent ministers,
travelling in the gospel, and suffering fines and imprisonments for
its sake, turning many to God. Howgill, for refusing to swear, was
sent to Appleby jail, the following sentence being passed against
him:—“You are put out of the king’s protection and the benefit of the
law: your lands are confiscated to the king during your life, and your
goods and chattels for ever; and you to be a prisoner during your
life.” He praised God for the many sweet enjoyments and refreshments
he received on his prison bed, whereon he lay, freely forgiving all.
His end was in great peace, in 1668. See _Piety Promoted_, i. 64-67.
John Audland also laboured much in the gospel, for which he suffered
persecution and imprisonments. In his last sickness he was exceedingly
filled with high praises to God, being overcome with a sense of His
love and joy. When he grew weaker he was helped on his knees, and upon
his bed fervently supplicated the Lord on behalf of all His people
that “they might be preserved in the truth, out of the evil of the
world.” See _Piety Promoted_, i., 41-44; and _Memoirs of F. Howgill_,
by James Backhouse.
Now there were many old people, who 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 their church, as they called it; whereupon “I was moved
to open to the people, that the steeple-house, and the ground whereon it
stood, were no more holy than that mountain; and that those temples,
which they called the dreadful houses of God, were not set up by the
command of God and of Christ; nor their priests called, 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 the priests and their tithes; and that all should now
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.” I declared
unto them that the Lord God had sent me 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 had been
instituted since the apostles’ days, and had been set up by such as had
erred from the Spirit and power the apostles were in.” Very largely was
I opened at this meeting, and the Lord’s convincing power accompanied my
ministry, and reached the hearts of the people, whereby many were
convinced; and all the teachers of that congregation (who were many,)
were convinced of God’s everlasting truth.
After the meeting was over I went to John Audland’s, and from thence to
PRESTON-PATRICK chapel, where a great meeting was appointed; to which I
went, and had a large opportunity amongst the people to preach the
everlasting gospel, opening to them (as to others on the like occasion),
that the end of my coming into that place was, not to hold it up, no
more than the apostles’ going into the Jewish synagogues and temple was,
to uphold those; but to bring them off from all such things, as the
apostles brought the saints of old from off the Jewish temple and
Aaron’s priesthood, that they might come to witness their bodies to be
the temples of God, and Christ in them to be their teacher.
From this place I went to KENDAL, where a meeting was appointed in the
town-hall; in which I declared the word of life amongst the people,
showing them “how they might come to the saving knowledge of Christ, and
have a right understanding of the Holy Scriptures, opening to them what
it was that would lead them into the way of reconciliation with God, and
what would be their condemnation.” After the meeting I stayed a while in
the town; several were convinced there, and many appeared loving. One,
whose name was Cock, met me in the street, and would have given me a
roll of tobacco, for people then were much given to smoking: I accepted
his love, but did not receive the tobacco.
From thence I went to UNDERBARROW, to one Miles Bateman’s; and several
people going along with me, great reasonings I had with them, especially
with Edward Burrough.[17] At night the priest and many professors came
to the house, and much disputing I had with them. Supper being provided
for the priest and the rest of the company, I had not freedom to eat
with them, but told them, if they would appoint a meeting for the next
day at the steeple-house, and acquaint the people with it, I might meet
them. They had a great deal of reasoning about it; some being for it,
and some against it. In the morning I went out, after I had spoken again
to them concerning the meeting; and as I walked upon a bank by the
house, there were several poor people, travellers, asking relief, who I
saw were in necessity; and they gave them nothing, but said they were
cheats. It grieved me to see such hard-heartedness amongst professors;
so, when they were gone in to their breakfast, I ran after the poor
people about a quarter of a mile, and gave them some money. Meanwhile
some of them that were in the house, coming out again, and seeing me a
quarter of a mile off, said I could not have gone so far in such an
instant, if I had not had wings. Hereupon the meeting was like to have
been put by; for they were filled with such strange thoughts concerning
me, that many of them were against having a meeting with me. I told them
I ran after those poor people to give them some money, being grieved at
their hard-heartedness, who gave them nothing. Then came Miles and
Stephen Hubbersty, who being more simple-hearted men, would have the
meeting held. So to the chapel I went, and the priest came. A great
meeting there was, and the way of life and salvation was opened; and
after a while the priest fled away. Many of Crook and Underbarrow were
convinced that day, received the word of life, and stood fast in it
under the teaching of Christ Jesus. After I had declared the truth to
them for some hours, and the meeting was ended, the chief-constable, and
some other professors fell to reasoning with me in the chapel-yard;
whereupon I took a Bible, and opened to them the Scriptures, and dealt
tenderly with them, as one would do with a child. They that were in the
light of Christ, and Spirit of God, knew when I spoke Scripture, though
I did not mention chapter and verse, after the priest’s form unto them.
Footnote 17:
Edward Burrough was a religious and promising young man, had left the
Episcopal church, for which he had been educated as a minister, and
joined the Presbyterians, with whom he was a preacher of great
account. After several discussions with George Fox, he became fully
convinced, and joined Friends, to the great displeasure of his parents
and relatives. He became a most active and zealous gospel labourer,
being both a great writer and a powerful and awakening preacher. In
1662, he was taken from a meeting in London, and for “testifying to
the name of the Lord Jesus,” was committed to prison, where he lay
with above 100 of his friends imprisoned on the same account, being
shut up among felons in nasty places, so that, for want of room, many
of them sickened and died. Amongst these was Edward Burrough, whose
sickness increased daily. He was heard often in prayer, day and night,
not forgetting to intercede for his persecutors. The morning before he
died, he said, “Now my soul and spirit is entered into its own being
with God, and this form of person must return from whence it was
taken.” His works were collected and printed in 1672, and parts of
them have recently been re-published.
From hence I went along with an aged man, whose heart the Lord had
opened, and he invited me to his house; his name was James Dickinson; he
was convinced that day, received the truth, and lived and died in it.
I came the next day to James Taylor’s, of NEWTON in CARTMEL, in
LANCASHIRE. And on the First-day of the week I went to the chapel, where
one priest Camelford used to preach; and after he had done I began to
speak the word of life to the people. But this priest was in such a
rage, and was so peevish, that he had no patience to hear; but stirred
up the rude multitude, who haled me out, struck and punched me, and
threw me headlong over a stone wall; yet, blessed be the Lord, his power
preserved me. He that did this violence to me was a wicked man, one John
Knipe, whom afterwards the Lord cut off. There was a youth in the
chapel, writing after the priest; I was moved to speak to him, and he
came to be convinced, and received a part of the ministry of the gospel;
his name was John Braithwaite.
Then I went up to an ale-house, to which many people resorted between
the time of their morning and afternoon preaching. I had much reasoning
with the people there, declaring to them, that “God was come to teach
his people Himself, and to bring them off from all false teachers, such
as the prophets, Christ, and the apostles cried against.” Many received
the word of life at that time, and abode in it.
In the afternoon I went about two or three miles to another
steeple-house or chapel, called LYNDAL. When the priest had done, I
spoke to him and the people what the Lord commanded me; and there were
great opposers; but afterwards they came to be convinced. After this I
went to one Captain Sands, who with his wife seemed somewhat affected
with truth; and if they could have held the world and truth together
they would have received it; but they were hypocrites, and he a very
chaffy light man. Wherefore I reproved him for his lightness, and for
his jesting, telling him it was not seemly in a great professor, as he
was. He told me he had a son, who upon his death-bed had also reproved
him for it, and warned him of it. But he neither regarded the admonition
of his dying son, nor the reproofs of God’s Spirit in himself.
From hence I went to ULVERSTONE, and so to SWARTHMORE to Judge Fell’s;
whither came up one Lampitt, a priest, who was a high notionist. With
him I had much reasoning; for he talked of high notions and perfection,
and thereby deceived the people. He would have owned me, but I could not
own nor join with him, he was so full of filth. He said, he was above
John; and made as though he knew all things. But I told him, “Death
reigned from Adam to Moses, that he was under death, and knew not Moses,
for Moses saw the paradise of God; but he knew neither Moses nor the
prophets, nor John.” For that crooked and rough nature stood in him, and
the mountain of sin and corruption; and the way was not prepared in him
for the Lord. He confessed he had been under a cross in things; but now
he could sing psalms, and do anything: I told him, “now he could see a
thief, and join hand in hand with him, but he could not preach Moses,
nor the prophets, nor John, nor Christ, except he were in the same
spirit that they were in.” Margaret Fell had been absent in the
day-time; and at night her children told her, that priest Lampitt and I
had disagreed; which somewhat troubled her, because she was in
profession with him; but he hid his dirty actions from them. At night we
had much reasoning, and I declared the truth to her and her family.
The next day Lampitt came again, and I had much discourse with him
before Margaret Fell, who then clearly discerned the priest. A
convincement of the Lord’s truth came upon her and her family. Soon
after a day was to be observed for a humiliation, and Margaret Fell
asked me to go with her to the steeple-house at Ulverstone, for she was
not wholly come off from them; I replied, “I must do as I am ordered by
the Lord.” So I left her, and walked into the fields; and the word of
the Lord came to me, saying, “Go to the steeple-house after them.” When
I came, Lampitt was singing with his people; but his spirit was so foul,
and the matter they sung so unsuitable to their states, that after they
had done singing, I was moved of the Lord to speak to him and the
people. The word of the Lord to them was, “He is not a Jew that is one
outwardly, but he is a Jew that is one inwardly, whose praise is not of
man, but of God.” Then, as the Lord opened further, I showed them, “that
God was come to teach His people by His Spirit, and to bring them off
from all their old ways, religions, churches, and worships; for all
their religions, worships, and ways, were but talking with other men’s
words; but they were out of the life and Spirit which they were in who
gave them forth.” Then cried out one, called Justice Sawrey, “Take him
away;” but Judge Fell’s wife said to the officers, “Let him alone, why
may not he speak as well as any other?” Lampitt also, the priest, in
deceit said, “Let him speak.” So at length, when I had declared some
time, Justice Sawrey caused the constable to put me out; and then I
spoke to the people in the grave-yard.
The First-day after, I was moved to go to ALDINGHAM steeple-house; and
when the priest had done, I spoke to him; but he got away. Then I
declared the word of life to the people, and warned them to turn to the
Lord.
From thence I passed to RAMPSIDE, where was a chapel, in which Thomas
Lawson used to preach, who was an eminent priest. He very lovingly
acquainted his people in the morning of my coming in the afternoon; by
which means very many people were gathered together. When I came, I saw
there was no place so convenient as the chapel; so I went into it, and
all was quiet. Thomas Lawson went not up into his pulpit, but left all
the time to me. The everlasting day of the eternal God was proclaimed
that day, and the everlasting truth was largely declared, which reached
and entered into the hearts of people, and many received the truth in
the love of it. This priest came to be convinced, left his chapel, threw
off his preaching for hire, and came to preach the Lord Jesus and his
kingdom freely. After that some rude people cast scandals upon him, and
thought to have done him a mischief; but he was preserved over all, grew
in the wisdom of God mightily, and proved very serviceable in his place.
I returned to Swarthmore again, and on the next First-day went to DALTON
steeple-house; where, after the priest had done, I declared the word of
life to the people, that they might be turned from darkness to light,
and from the power of Satan to God, and might come off from their
superstitious ways, and from their teachers made by man, to Christ, the
true and living way, to be taught of him.
From thence I went into the island of WALNEY; and after the priest had
done, I spoke to him, but he got away. Then I declared the truth to the
people, but they were rude. I went to speak with the priest at his
house, but he would not be seen. The people said he went to hide himself
in the haymow; and they went to look for him there, but could not find
him. Then they said he was gone to hide himself in the standing corn,
but they could not find him there either. So I went to James
Lancaster’s, who was convinced in the island; and thence I returned to
SWARTHMORE, where the Lord’s power came upon Margaret Fell and her
daughter Sarah, and several others.
Then I went to BAYCLIFF, where Leonard Fell was convinced, and became a
minister of the everlasting gospel. Several others were convinced there,
and came into obedience to the truth. Here the people said, they could
not dispute, and would fain have put some other to converse with me; but
I bid them “fear the Lord, and not in a light way talk of the Lord’s
words, but put the things in practice.” I directed them to the divine
light of Christ and his Spirit in their hearts, which would discover to
them all the evil thoughts, words and actions, they had thought, spoken,
and acted; by which light they might see their sin, and also their
Saviour, Christ Jesus, to save them from their sins. This, I told them,
“was their first step to peace, even to stand still in the light that
showed them their sins and transgressions; by which they might come to
see how they were in the fall of old Adam, in darkness and death,
strangers to the covenant of promise, and without God in the world; and
by the same light they might see Christ, that died for them, to be their
Redeemer and Saviour, and their way to God.”
After this I went to a chapel beyond GLEASTON, which was built, but no
priest had ever preached in it. Thither the country people came, and a
quiet, peaceable meeting it was, in which the word of life was declared,
and many were convinced of the truth about Gleaston.
From thence I returned to SWARTHMORE. After I had stayed a few days, and
most of the family were convinced, I went again into Westmorland, where
priest Lampitt had been amongst the professors on Kendal side, and had
mightily incensed them against me; telling them I held many strange
things; I met with those he had so incensed, and sat up all night with
them at James Dickinson’s, and answered all their objections. They were
both thoroughly satisfied with the truth that I had declared, and
dissatisfied with him and his lies, so that he clearly lost the best of
his hearers and followers, who thus came to see his deceit, and forsook
him.
I passed on to John Audland’s and Gervase Benson’s, and had great
meetings amongst those people that had been convinced before; then to
John Blakelin’s[18] and Richard Robinson’s, and had mighty meetings
there; and so up towards GRISDALE.
Footnote 18:
John Blakelin, mentioned elsewhere in this Journal, became a faithful
minister of the gospel, travelling much on truth’s account, for which
he also suffered imprisonments, and great loss of goods. He died
without sigh or groan, in 1705, aged about 80. He expressed, in his
old age, “the comfort he had in the Lord’s peace and presence with
him, that his day’s work was nigh done, and his reward and rest with
God sure.” See _Piety Promoted_, ii., 42-46.
Soon after, Judge Fell being come home, Margaret Fell his wife sent to
me, desiring me to return thither; and, feeling freedom from the Lord so
to do, I went back to SWARTHMORE. I found the priests and professors,
and that envious Justice Sawrey, had much incensed Judge Fell and
Captain Sands against the truth by their lies; but when I came to speak
with him, I answered all his objections; and so thoroughly satisfied him
by the Scriptures, that he was convinced in his judgment. He asked me if
I was that George Fox, whom Justice Robinson spoke so much in
commendation of amongst many of the parliament men. I told him, I had
been with Justice Robinson, and with Justice Hotham in Yorkshire, who
were very civil and loving to me, and that they were convinced in their
judgment by the Spirit of God, that the principle which I bore testimony
to, was the truth, and they saw over and beyond the priests of the
nation; so that they, and many others, were now come to be wiser than
their teachers. After we had discoursed some time together, Judge Fell
himself was satisfied also, and came to see, by the openings of the
Spirit of God in his heart, over all the priests and teachers of the
world, and did not go to hear them for some years before he died; for he
knew it was the truth that I declared, and that Christ was the teacher
of his people, and their Saviour. He sometimes wished that I were a
while with Judge Bradshaw to discourse with him. There came to Judge
Fell’s, Captain Sands before-mentioned, endeavouring to incense the
judge against me; for he was an evil-minded man, and full of envy
against me; and yet he could speak high things, and use the Scripture
words, and say, “Behold, I make all things new.” But I told him, then he
must have a new God, for his God was his belly. Besides him, came also
that envious justice, John Sawrey. I told him “his heart was rotten, and
he was full of hypocrisy to the brim.” Several other people also came,
whose states the Lord gave me a discerning of; and I spoke to their
conditions. While I was in those parts, Richard Farnsworth and James
Naylor came to see me and the family; and Judge Fell, being satisfied
that it was the way of truth, notwithstanding all their opposition,
suffered the meeting to be kept at his house; and a great meeting was
settled there in the Lord’s power, which continued near forty years,
until the year 1690, that a new meeting-house was erected near it.
After I had stayed a while, and the meeting there was well settled, I
went to UNDERBARROW, where I had a great meeting. From thence to KELLET,
and had a great meeting at Robert Widders’s, to which several came from
Lancaster, and some from York; and many were convinced there. On the
market-day I went to LANCASTER, and spoke through the market in the
dreadful power of God, declaring the day of the Lord to the people, and
crying out against all their deceitful merchandise. I preached
righteousness and truth unto them, which they should all follow after,
and walk and live in; directing them how and where they might find and
receive the Spirit of God to guide them thereinto. After I had cleared
myself in the market, I went to my lodging, whither several people came,
and many were convinced, who have stood faithful to the truth.
On the First-day following, in the forenoon, I had a great meeting in
the street at Lancaster, amongst the soldiers and people, unto whom I
declared the word of life, and the everlasting truth. I opened unto
them, “that all the traditions they had lived in, and all their worships
and religions, and the profession they made of the Scriptures, were good
for nothing, while they lived out of the life and power which they were
in who gave forth the Scriptures. I directed them to the light of
Christ, the heavenly Man, and to the Spirit of God in their own hearts,
that they might come to be acquainted with God and with Christ, receive
him for their teacher, and know his kingdom set up in them.”
In the afternoon I went to the steeple-house at Lancaster, and declared
the truth both to the priest and people; laying open before them the
deceits they lived in, and directing them to the power and Spirit of
God, which they wanted. But they haled me out, and stoned me along the
street, till I came to John Lawson’s house.
Another First-day I went to a steeple-house by the water side, where one
Whitehead was priest, to whom, and to the people, I declared the truth
in the dreadful power of God. There came to me a doctor, who was so full
of envy, that he said he could find in his heart to run me through with
his rapier, though he should be hung for it the next day; yet this man
came afterwards to be convinced of the truth, so far as to be loving to
Friends. Some people were convinced thereabouts, who willingly sat down
under the ministry of Christ their teacher: and a meeting was settled
there in the power of God, which has continued to this day.
After this I returned into Westmorland, and spoke through KENDAL, on a
market-day. So dreadful was the power of God upon me, that people flew
like chaff before me into their houses. I warned them of the mighty day
of the Lord, and exhorted them to hearken to the voice of God in their
own hearts, who was now come to teach his people Himself. When some
opposed, many others took my part, insomuch that at last some of the
people fell to fighting about me; but I went and spoke to them, and they
parted again. Several were convinced.
On the First-day after, I had a very large meeting in UNDERBARROW, at
Miles Bateman’s house, where I was moved to declare, “that all people in
the fall were gone from the image of God, righteousness, and holiness,
and were become as wells without the water of life, as clouds without
the heavenly rain, as trees without the heavenly fruit, and were
degenerated into the nature of beasts, and of serpents, and of tall
cedars, and of oaks, and of bulls, and of heifers: so that they might
read the natures of these creatures within, as the prophet described
them to the people of old that were out of truth. I opened to them how
some were in the nature of dogs and swine, biting and rending; some in
the nature of briars, thistles, and thorns; some like the owls and
dragons in the night; some like wild asses and horses, snuffing up the
wind; and some like mountains and rocks, and crooked and rough ways.
Wherefore I exhorted them to read these things within, in their own
natures, as well as without; and that, when they read without of the
wandering stars, they should look within, and see how they wandered from
the bright and morning star. And they should consider, that as the
fallow ground in their fields must be ploughed up, before it would bear
seed to them, so must the fallow ground of their hearts be ploughed up,
before they could bear seed to God. Now all these names and things I
showed them, were spoken of, and to man and woman, since they fell from
the image of God; but as they come to be renewed again into the image of
God, they come out of the natures of these things, and so out of the
names thereof.” Many more such things were declared to them, and they
were turned to the light of Christ, by which they might come to know
Christ, to receive him, and to witness him to be their substance and
their way, their salvation and true teacher. Many were convinced at that
time.
After I had travelled up and down in those countries, and had had great
meetings, I came to SWARTHMORE again. And when I had visited Friends in
those parts, I heard of a great meeting the priests were to have at
ULVERSTONE, on a lecture-day. I went to it, and into the steeple-house
in the dread and power of the Lord. When the priest had done, I spoke
among them the word of the Lord, which was as a hammer, and as a fire
amongst them. And though Lampitt, the priest of the place, had been at
variance with most of the priests before, yet against the truth they all
joined together. But the mighty power of the Lord was over all; and so
wonderful was the appearance thereof, that priest Bennett said “the
church shook,” insomuch that he was afraid and trembled. And when he had
spoken a few confused words, he hastened out, for fear it should fall on
his head. Many priests got together there; but they had no power as yet
to persecute.
When I had cleared my conscience towards them, I went up to SWARTHMORE
again, whither came four or five of the priests. Coming to discourse, I
asked them, “whether any one of them could say he ever had the word of
the Lord to go and speak to such or such a people?” None of them durst
say he had; but one of them burst out into a passion, and said, “he
could speak his experiences as well as I.” I told him experience was one
thing; but to receive and go with a message, and to have a word from the
Lord, as the prophets and apostles had and did, and as I had done to
them, this was another thing. And therefore I put it to them again,
“could any of them say he had ever had a command or word from the Lord
immediately at any time?” but none of them could say so. Then I told
them, the false prophets, the false apostles, and antichrists, could use
the words of the true prophets, the true apostles, and of Christ, and
would speak of other men’s experiences, though they themselves never
knew or heard the voice of God or Christ; and such as they might obtain
the good words and experiences of others; this puzzled them much, and
laid them open. At another time, when I was discoursing with several
priests at Judge Fell’s house, and he was by, I asked them the same
question, “whether any of them ever heard the voice of God or Christ, to
bid him go to such and such a people, to declare his word or message
unto them?” for any one, I told them, that could but read, might declare
the experiences of the prophets and apostles, which were recorded in the
Scriptures. Hereupon Thomas Taylor,[19] an ancient priest, did
ingenuously confess before Judge Fell, “that he had never heard the
voice of God, nor of Christ, to send him to any people, but he spoke his
experiences, and the experiences of the saints in former ages, and that
he preached.” This very much confirmed Judge Fell in the persuasion he
had, “that the priests were wrong;” for he had thought formerly, as the
generality of people then did, “that they were sent from God.”
Footnote 19:
Thomas Taylor, born in 1616, was educated at Oxford University, and
became a preacher among the Puritans, at or near Skipton, and also at
Richmond. He discontinued preaching for hire, and joined Friends,
becoming a valiant minister of Christ. He also wrote much in support
of the truth. He suffered many imprisonments, but the Lord was with
him, and upheld him by his mighty power, in the hardships and
opposition he met with for truth’s sake. He died in peace at Stafford,
in 1681.
Thomas Taylor was convinced at this time, and travelled with me into
Westmorland. Coining to CROSSLAND steeple-house, we found the people
gathered together; and the Lord opened Thomas Taylor’s mouth (though he
was convinced but a day before), so that he declared amongst them, “how
he had been before he was convinced;” and like the good scribe that was
converted to the kingdom, he brought forth things new and old to the
people, and showed them how “the priests were out of the way;” which
tormented the priest. Some little discourse I had with them, but they
fled away; and a precious meeting there was, wherein the Lord’s power
was over all; and the people were directed to the Spirit of God, by
which they might come to know God and Christ, and to understand the
Scriptures aright. After this I passed on, visiting Friends, and had
very large meetings in Westmorland.
Now began the priests to rage more and more, and as much as they could,
to stir up persecution. James Naylor and Francis Howgill were cast into
prison in Appleby jail, at the instigation of the malicious priests;
some of whom prophesied “that within a month we should be all scattered
again, and come to nothing.” But, blessed for ever be the worthy name of
the Lord, the work of the Lord went on and prospered. For about this
time John Audland, Francis Howgill, John Camm,[20] Edward Burrough,
Richard Hubberthorn,[21] Miles Hubbersty, and Miles Halhead,[22] with
several others, being endued with power from on high, came forth in the
work of the ministry, and approved themselves faithful labourers
therein, travelling up and down, and preaching the gospel freely; by
means whereof multitudes were convinced, and many effectually turned to
the Lord. Amongst these, Christopher Taylor[23] was one, brother to
Thomas Taylor before-mentioned; and who had been a preacher to a people
as well as his brother; but after they had received a knowledge of the
truth, they soon came into obedience thereunto, and left their preaching
for hire or rewards. And having received a part of the ministry of the
gospel, they preached Christ freely; being often sent by the Lord to
declare his word in steeple-houses and in markets; and great sufferers
they were.
Footnote 20:
John Camm, after joining Friends, became an eminent minister,
travelling in the service of truth. He was a man of weak constitution,
but richly furnished with the gifts of the Holy Spirit, clear in
judgment, and a sharp reprover of wickedness. His ministry was deep
and weighty. Having an estate of his own, he suffered the spoiling of
his goods joyfully. He often called his children together, and
exhorted them to fear the Lord, and would wonderfully praise God for
his goodness, counting his bodily weakness a happiness, saying, “How
great a benefit do I enjoy beyond many, I have such a large time of
preparation for death, being daily dying, that I may live for ever
with my God, in that kingdom that is unspeakably full of glory. My
outward man daily wastes and moulders down, and draws towards its
place and centre; but my inward man revives and mounts upwards,
towards its place and habitation in the heavens.” See _Piety
Promoted_, i., 3-6.
Footnote 21:
Richard Hubberthorn, who is frequently mentioned in this _Journal_,
and whose name often occurs in the early part of the history of
Friends, became an able gospel minister, and patient sufferer for the
truth. He was a native of Lancashire, the only son of a yeoman of good
repute. In his youth he obtained a post in the Parliamentary army,
which, on his embracing the truth, he quitted, and testified publicly
against it; becoming a valiant soldier under the banner of the Prince
of peace. After passing through many inward probations, he became
qualified to direct others in their way to the kingdom of heaven, and
was one of the first of our Society who travelled in the work of the
ministry.
Richard Hubberthorn was a man of much meekness, humility, patience,
and brotherly kindness, clear in judgment, and quick of understanding;
and, although he was of low stature, and had an infirm constitution
and weak voice, he was a powerful and successful minister, and great
numbers were convinced by him, and brought over to the faith and
practice which he preached. He travelled in the exercise of his gift
nine years, and shared at different times in the sufferings to which
the early Friends were exposed. In 1662, he was violently haled from a
meeting in London, and taken before that implacable persecutor,
Alderman Brown, who, after abusing him with his own hands, committed
him to Newgate. Here the throng was so great, and the air so impure,
that he soon fell sick. His disorder increased upon him, and, within
two months from the time of his commitment, with an unclouded prospect
of a resting place “where the wicked cease from troubling,” he was
released by death. He wrote many treatises, which were collected and
published in 1 vol. quarto, in 1663.
Footnote 22:
This is the only mention of Miles Halhead in this Journal. His name
occurs frequently in Sewell’s _History_, from which it appears he
travelled largely and suffered much on Truth’s account, being the
first of the Quakers imprisoned at Kendal.
Footnote 23:
Christopher Taylor, after writing and preaching much on Truth’s
account, removed to America about the year 1683, and died at
Philadelphia in 1686. See account of him in Whiting’s _Memoirs_, pp.
352-55.
After I had visited Friends in WESTMORLAND, I returned into LANCASHIRE,
and went to ULVERSTONE, where W. Lampitt was priest; who, though he had
preached of a people that should own the teachings of God, and had said,
“that men and women should come to declare the gospel;” yet afterwards,
when it came to be fulfilled, he persecuted both it and them. To this
priest’s house I went, where abundance of priests and professors were
got together after their lecture, with whom I had great disputings
concerning Christ and the Scriptures; for they were loath to let their
trade go down, which they made of preaching Christ’s, and the apostles’
and prophets’ words. But the Lord’s power went over the heads of them
all, and his word of life was held forth amongst them; though many of
them were exceedingly envious and devilish. Yet after this many priests
and professors came to me from far and near; of whom, they that were
innocent and simple-minded were satisfied, and went away refreshed; but
the fat and full were fed with judgment, and sent empty away: for that
was the word of the Lord to be divided to them.
Now when meetings were set up, and we met in private houses, Lampitt the
priest began to rage; and he said, “we forsook the temple, and went to
Jeroboam’s calves’ houses;” so that many professors began to see how he
had declined from that which he had formerly held and preached. Hereupon
the case of Jeroboam’s calves was opened to the professors, priests, and
people; and it was manifested unto them, “that their houses (which they
called churches) were more like Jeroboam’s calves’ houses, even the old
mass-houses which were set up in the darkness of Popery; and which they,
who called themselves Protestants, and professed to be more enlightened
than the Papists, did still hold up; although God had never commanded
them: whereas that temple, which God had commanded at Jerusalem, Christ
came to end the service of; and they that received and believed in him,
their bodies came to be the temples of God, and of Christ, and of the
Holy Ghost, to dwell in them, and to walk in them. And all such were
gathered into the name of Jesus, whose name is above every name, and
there is no salvation by any other name under the whole heaven, but by
the name of Jesus. And they that were thus gathered met together in
several dwelling-houses, which were not called the temple, nor the
church; but their bodies were the temples of God, and the believers were
the church, which Christ was the head of. So that Christ was not called
the head of an old house, which was made by men’s hands, neither did he
come to purchase and sanctify, and redeem with his blood, an old house,
which they called their church, but the people of whom he is the head.”
Much work I had in those days with priests and people, concerning their
old mass-houses, which they called their churches; for the priests had
persuaded the people that it was the house of God; whereas the apostle
says, “whose house we are,” &c., Heb. iii. 6. So the people are God’s
house, in whom he dwells. And the apostle saith, “Christ purchased his
church with his own blood;” and Christ calls his church his spouse, his
bride, and the Lamb’s wife; so that this title, church and spouse, was
not given to an old house, but to his people, the true believers.
After this, on a lecture-day, I was moved to go to the steeple-house at
ULVERSTONE, where were abundance of professors, priests, and people. I
went up near to priest Lampitt, who was blustering on in his preaching;
and after the Lord had opened my mouth to speak, John Sawrey the justice
came to me and said, “if I would speak according to the Scriptures, I
should speak.” I wondered at his speaking so to me, for I did speak
according to the Scriptures, and I told him, “I should speak according
to the Scriptures, and bring the Scriptures to prove what I had to say;
for I had something to speak to Lampitt and to them.” Then he said, I
should not speak, contradicting himself who had said just before, “I
should speak, if I would speak according to the Scriptures.” The people
were quiet, and heard me gladly, until this Justice Sawrey (who was the
first stirrer up of cruel persecution in the North) incensed them
against me, and set them on to hale, beat, and bruise me. Suddenly the
people were in a rage, and fell upon me in the steeple-house before his
face; knocked me down, kicked me, and trampled upon me; and so great was
the uproar, that some tumbled over their seats for fear. At last he came
and took me from the people, led me out of the steeple-house, and put me
into the hands of the constables and other officers, bidding them whip
me and put me out of the town. They led me about a quarter of a mile,
some taking hold of my collar, and some by my arms and shoulders, and
shook and dragged me along. Many friendly people being come to the
market, and some of them to the steeple house to hear me, divers of
these they knocked down also, and broke their heads, so that the blood
ran down from several of them; and Judge Fell’s son running after, to
see what they would do with me, they threw him into a ditch of water,
some of them crying, “knock the teeth out of his head.”
Now when they had haled me to the common moss-side, a multitude of
people following, the constables and other officers gave me some blows
over my back with their willow-rods, and so thrust me among the rude
multitude, who, having furnished themselves, some with staves, some with
hedge-stakes, and others with holm or holly-bushes, fell upon me, and
beat me on my head, arms, and shoulders, till they had deprived me of
sense; so that I fell down upon the wet common. When I recovered again,
and saw myself lying in a watery common, and the people standing about
me, I lay still a little while; and the power of the Lord sprang through
me, and the Eternal Refreshings refreshed me, so that I stood up again
in the strengthening power of the Eternal God; and stretching out my
arms amongst them, I said with a loud voice, “Strike again; here are my
arms, my head, and my cheeks.” There was in the company a mason, a
professor, but a rude fellow; he with his walking rule-staff gave me a
blow with all his might, just over the back of my hand, as it was
stretched out; with which blow my hand was so bruised, and my arm so
benumbed, that I could not draw it unto me again; so that some of the
people cried out, “he hath spoiled his hand for ever having the use of
it any more.” But I looked at it in the love of God (for I was in the
love of God to them all, that had persecuted me), and after a while the
Lord’s power sprang through me again, and through my hand and arm, so
that in a moment I recovered strength in my hand and arm, in the sight
of them all. Then they began to fall out among themselves, and some of
them came to me, and said, if I would give them money, they would secure
me from the rest. But I was moved of the Lord to declare to them the
word of life, and showed them their false Christianity, and the fruits
of their priest’s ministry; telling them they were more like heathens
and Jews, than true Christians.
Then was I moved of the Lord to come up again through the midst of the
people, and go into ULVERSTONE market. As I went, there met me a
soldier, with his sword by his side; “Sir,” said he to me, “I see you
are a man, and I am ashamed and grieved that you should be thus abused;”
and he offered to assist me in what he could. But I told him the Lord’s
power was over all; so I walked through the people in the market, and
none of them had power to touch me then. But some of the market-people
abusing some Friends in the market, I turned me about and saw this
soldier among them with his naked rapier, whereupon I ran in amongst
them, and catching hold of his hand that his rapier was in, I bid him
put up his sword again, if he would go along with me; for I was willing
to draw him out from the company, lest some mischief should be done. A
few days after seven men fell upon this soldier, and beat him cruelly,
because he had taken part with Friends and me; for it was the manner of
the persecutors of that country, for twenty or forty people to run upon
one man. And they fell so upon Friends in many places, that they could
hardly pass the highways, stoning, beating, and breaking their heads.
When I came to SWARTHMORE, I found the friends there dressing the heads
and hands of Friends and friendly people, which had been broken or hurt
that day by the professors and hearers of Lampitt, the priest. My body
and arms were yellow, black, and blue, with the blows and bruises I
received amongst them that day. Now began the priests to prophesy again,
that within half a year we should be all put down and gone.[24]
Footnote 24:
The priests reckoned wrong in this, for, as Sewell justly observed, it
fared with the early Friends as with trees, which grow best when most
lopped. “Duris ut ilex tonsa bipennibus, per damna, per cædes, ab
ipso, ducit opes animumque ferre.”
“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 the invading steel.”
About two weeks after this I went into WALNEY island, and James Naylor
went with me. We stayed one night at a little town on this side, called
COCKAN, and had a meeting there, where one was convinced. After a while
there came a man with a pistol, whereupon the people ran out of doors.
He called for me; and when I came out to him, he snapped his pistol at
me, but it would not go off. This caused the people to make a great
bustle about him; and some of them took hold of him, to prevent his
doing mischief; but I was moved in the Lord’s power to speak to him; and
he was so struck by the power of the Lord, that he trembled for fear,
and went and hid himself. Thus the Lord’s power came over them all,
though there was a great rage in the country.
Next morning I went over in a boat to James Lancaster’s. As soon as I
came to land, there rushed out about forty men with staves, clubs, and
fishing poles, who fell upon me, beating and punching me, and
endeavouring to thrust me backward into the sea. When they had thrust me
almost into the sea, and I saw they would have knocked me down in it, I
went up into the midst of them; but they laid at me again, and knocked
me down, and stunned me. When I came to myself, I looked up and saw
James Lancaster’s wife throwing stones at my face, and her husband,
James Lancaster, was lying over me, to keep the blows and the stones off
me. For the people had persuaded James Lancaster’s wife that I had
bewitched her husband; and had promised her, that if she would let them
know when I came hither, they would be my death. And having got
knowledge of my coming, many of the town rose up in this manner with
clubs and staves to kill me; but the Lord’s power preserved me, that
they could not take away my life. At length I got up on my feet, but
they beat me down again into the boat; which James Lancaster observing,
he presently came into it, and set me over the water from them; but
while we were on the water within their reach, they struck at us with
long poles and threw stones after us. By the time we were come to the
other side, we saw them beating James Naylor; for whilst they had been
beating me, he walked up into a field, and they never minded him till I
was gone; then they fell upon him, and all their cry was, “Kill him,
kill him.”
When I was come over to the town again, on the other side of the water,
the townsmen rose up with pitchforks, flails, and staves, to keep me out
of the town, crying, “Kill him, knock him on the head, bring the cart,
and carry him away to the churchyard.” So after they had abused me, they
drove me some distance out of the town, and there left me. Then went
James Lancaster back to look after James Naylor; and I being now left
alone, went to a ditch of water, and having washed myself (for they had
besmeared my face, hands, and clothes, with miry dirt), I walked about
three miles to Thomas Hutton’s house, where lodged Thomas Lawson, the
priest that was convinced. When I came in, I could hardly speak to them,
I was so bruised; only I told them where I left James Naylor; so they
took each of them a horse, and went and brought him thither that night.
The next day Margaret Fell hearing of it, sent a horse for me; but so
sore I was with bruises, I was not able to bear the shaking of the horse
without much pain. When I was come to SWARTHMORE, Justice Sawrey, and
one Justice Thompson of Lancaster, granted a warrant against me; but
Judge Fell coming home it was not served upon me; for he was out of the
country all this time, that I was thus cruelly abused. When he came
home, he sent forth warrants into the isle of Walney, to apprehend all
those riotous persons; whereupon some of them fled the country. James
Lancaster’s wife was afterwards convinced of the truth, and repented of
the evils she had done me; and so did others of those bitter persecutors
also; but the judgments of God fell upon some of them, and destruction
is come upon many of them since. Judge Fell asked me to give him a
relation of my persecution; but I told him they could do no otherwise in
the spirit wherein they were, and that they manifested the fruits of
their priest’s ministry, and their profession and religion to be wrong.
So he told his wife I made light of it, and that I spoke of it as a man
that had not been concerned; for, indeed, the Lord’s power healed me
again.
After I was recovered, I went to YEALAND, where there was a great
meeting. In the evening there came a priest to the house, with a pistol
in his hand, under pretence to light a pipe of tobacco. The maid of the
house seeing the pistol told her master; who, clapping his hands on the
door-posts, told him he should not come in there. While he stood there,
keeping the door-way, he looked up, and spied over the wall a company of
men coming, some armed with staves, and one with a musket. But the Lord
God prevented their bloody design; so that seeing themselves discovered,
they went their way, and did no harm.
The time for the sessions at LANCASTER being come, I went thither with
Judge Fell; who on the way told me, he had never had such a matter
brought before him before, and he could not well tell what to do in the
business. I told him, when Paul was brought before the rulers, and the
Jews and priests came down to accuse him, and laid many false things to
his charge, Paul stood still all that while. And when they had done,
Festus, the governor, and king Agrippa, beckoned to him to speak for
himself; which Paul did, and cleared himself of all those false
accusations; so he might do with me. Being come to LANCASTER, Justice
Sawrey and Justice Thompson having granted a warrant to apprehend me,
though I was not apprehended by it, yet hearing of it, I appeared at the
sessions; where there appeared against me about forty priests. These had
chosen one Marshall, priest of Lancaster, to be their orator; and had
provided one young priest, and two priests’ sons, to bear witness
against me, who had sworn beforehand that I had spoken blasphemy. When
the justices were sat, they heard all that the priests and their
witnesses could say and charge against me; their orator Marshall,
sitting by, and explaining their sayings for them; but the witnesses
were so confounded, that they discovered themselves to be false
witnesses; for when the court had examined one of them upon oath, and
then began to examine another, he was at such loss he could not answer
directly, but said the other could say it. Which made the justices say
to him, “have you sworn it, and given it in already upon your oath, and
now say that he can say it? It seems you did not hear those words spoken
yourself, though you have sworn it.”
There were then in court several people who had been at that meeting,
wherein the witnesses swore I spoke those blasphemous words, which the
priests accused me of; and these being men of integrity and reputation
in the country, declared and affirmed in court, that the oath, which the
witnesses had taken against me, was altogether false; and that no such
words as they had sworn against me, were spoken by me at that meeting.
Indeed, most of the serious men of that part of the country, that were
then at the sessions, had been at that meeting, and had heard me both at
that and other meetings also. This was taken notice of by Colonel West,
who, being a justice of the peace, was then upon the bench; and having
long been weak in body, blessed the Lord, and said, “the Lord 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 me, he said
in the open sessions, “George, if thou hast anything to say to the
people, thou mayst freely declare it.” I was moved of the Lord to speak;
and as soon as I began, priest Marshall, the orator for the rest of the
priests, went away. That which I was moved to declare was this: “that
the Holy Scriptures were given forth by the Spirit of God, and 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 the apostles learnt;
and by the same Spirit know the Holy Scriptures; for as the Spirit of
God was in them that gave forth the Scriptures, so the same Spirit of
God must be in all them that come to understand the Scriptures; by which
Spirit they might have fellowship with the Son, and with the Father, and
with the Scriptures, and with one another; and without this Spirit they
can know neither God nor Christ, nor the Scriptures, nor have right
fellowship one with another.” I had no sooner spoken these words, than
about half a dozen priests that stood behind me, burst out into a
passion; and one of them, named Jackus, amongst other things that he
spoke against the truth, said, that the Spirit and the letter were
inseparable. I replied, “then every one that hath the letter hath the
Spirit; and they might buy the Spirit with the letter of the
Scriptures.” This plain discovery of darkness in the priest, moved Judge
Fell and Colonel West to reprove them openly, and tell them, that
according to that position they might carry the Spirit in their pockets,
as they did the Scriptures. Upon this the priests being confounded and
put to silence, rushed out in a rage against the justices, because they
could not have their bloody ends upon me. The justices, seeing the
witnesses did not agree, and perceiving that they were brought to answer
the priests’ envy, and finding that all their evidences were not
sufficient in law to make good their charge against me, discharged me.
And after Judge Fell had spoken to Justice Sawrey and Justice Thompson
concerning the warrant they had given forth against me, and showed them
the errors thereof, he and Colonel West granted a supersedeas to stop
the execution of it.
Thus was I cleared in open sessions of all those lying accusations which
the malicious priests had laid to my charge; and multitudes of people
praised God that day, for it was a joyful day to many. Justice
Benson[25] of WESTMORLAND, was convinced; and Major Ripan, mayor of
LANCASTER, also. It was a day of everlasting salvation to hundreds of
people; for the Lord Jesus Christ, the way to the Father, and the free
teacher, was exalted and set up, and his everlasting gospel was preached
and the word of eternal life was declared over the heads of the priests,
and all such money-preachers. For the Lord opened many mouths that day
to speak his word to the priests, and several friendly people and
professors reproved the priests in their inns, and in the streets; so
that they fell, like an old rotten house; and the cry was among the
people, that the Quakers had got the day, and the priests were fallen.
Many people were convinced that day, amongst whom was Thomas Briggs, who
before had been averse to Friends and truth, insomuch that discoursing
with John Lawson, a Friend, concerning perfection, Thomas Briggs said to
him, “dost thou hold perfection?” at the same time lifting up his hand
to give the Friend a box on the ear. But this Thomas Briggs, being
convinced of the truth that day, declared against his own priest,
Jackus; and afterwards became a faithful minister of the gospel, and
stood so to the end of his days.[26]
Footnote 25:
Gervase Benson, once a colonel in the army, and, at this date, a
Justice of the peace, appears, from the burial register of Friends, to
have been resident at Kendal. He died in 1679. In _Barclay’s Letters,
&c., of Early Friends_, is a letter from him to George Fox and James
Naylor. It is dated at London, 11th Month, 29th, 1653. He appears to
have gone up to that city under a sense of duty. “Pray to the Lord for
me,” he writes, “that I may be kept in all faithfulness, with boldness
to bear witness to the truth, against all deceits as they are made
manifest in me, to the praise of his free grace and love to me, which
I find daily flowing into my soul, to the refreshing thereof.”
Footnote 26:
Thomas Briggs, from being a persecutor and an opposer, became an
eminent minister amongst Friends, and his name occurs frequently in
Sewell’s _History_, and in Whiting’s _Memoirs_, to which the reader is
referred for some account of his labours. He was very instrumental in
turning men from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto
God. Not only did he suffer personally, by imprisonment and violence,
but was fined five times, for having meetings in his house, to the
extent of £50. He travelled much in Wales, and other places, often
accompanying George Fox. He went with him to the West Indies in 1671.
A short time before his death, he wrote to George Fox, in which he
signified his perseverance in godliness. He bore “a large testimony
the First-day before his decease,” being aged about seventy-five; a
minister thirty-two years.
When the sessions were over, James Naylor, who was present, gave a brief
account of the proceedings in a letter, which soon after he wrote to
Friends; and which is here added for the reader’s further satisfaction
in this matter:—
“Dear friends and brethren in the Lord Jesus Christ, my dear love unto
you all, desiring you may be kept steadfast in the Lord Jesus Christ,
and in the power of his love, boldly to witness forth the truth, as it
is revealed in you by the mighty working of the Father: to whom alone
be everlasting praise and honour for evermore! Dear friends, the Lord
doth much manifest his love and power in these parts. On the
Second-day of last week, my brother George and I were at Lancaster;
there were abundance of Friends from all parts: and a high sort, who
sided with the priests, giving out, they now hoped to see a stop put
to that great work which had gone on so fast, and with such power that
their kingdom is much shaken. We were called before Judge Fell,
Colonel West, Justice Sawrey, &c., to answer what was charged against
George. There were three witnesses to eight particulars, but they were
much confused in themselves; which gave much light to the truth;
whereby the justices did plainly see that it was envy; and they many
times told them so. One of the witnesses was a young priest, who
confessed he should not have meddled, had not another priest sent for
him, and set him to work. The other witnesses were two priests’ sons:
it was proved there by many that heard one of them say, ‘if he had
power he would make George deny his profession, and that he would take
away his life.’ This was a single witness to one of the greatest
untruths that was charged against George; and the justices told him,
that they saw, because he could not take away his life, he went about
to take away his liberty. There was one priest chosen out of the whole
number, as an orator to plead against us; who spared no pains to show
forth his envy against the truth; and when he could not prevail, he
went down in a rage; and there came up a number of them into the room,
among whom was one Jackus. George was then speaking in the room, one
of the justices having desired him, if he had anything to say, he
would speak, at which priest Jackus was in such a rage, that he broke
forth into many high expressions against the truth spoken by my dear
brother George; amongst which this was one that the letter and the
Spirit were inseparable. Hereupon the justices stood up, and bid him
prove that, before he went any further. Then seeing himself caught, he
would have denied it; and when he could not get off so, the rest of
the priests would have helped him to a meaning for his words; but the
justices would admit no other meaning than the plain sense of the
words, and told him he had laid down a position, and it was fit he
should prove it; pressing the matter close upon him. Whereupon the
priests, being put to silence, went down in a greater rage than
before; and some of them, after they were gone down, being asked what
they had done, lied and said, they could not get into the room;
thereby to hide their shame, and keep the people in blindness. The
justices, Judge Fell and Colonel West, were much convinced of the
truth, and set up justice and equity; and have much silenced the rage
of the people. Many bitter spirits were at Lancaster to see the event,
but went home and cried the priests had lost the day: everlasting
praises be to him who fought the battle for us, who is our King for
ever! There were others called, whom the witnesses confessed were in
the room when the things charged on George were said to have been
spoken; but they all, as one man, denied that any such words were
spoken; which gave much light to the justices, and they durst rely on
what they witnessed; for they said they knew many of them to be honest
men.
“There was a warrant granted against us at Appleby; but Justice Benson
told them it was not according to law, and so it ceased. I hear he is
a faithful man in the truth. The priests began to preach against the
justices, and said, they were not to meddle in these things, but to
end controversy between neighbour and neighbour. They are not pleased
with the law, because it is not in the statute to imprison us, as the
priest that pleaded against us said. The justices bid him put it into
the statute, if he could; he said, it should want no will of his. They
are much afraid that they shall lose all; they are much discontented
in these parts; and some of them cry, all ‘is gone.’ Dear Friends,
dwell in patience, and wait upon the Lord, who will do his own work.
Look not at man, in the work; nor at man who opposeth the work; but
rest in the will of the Lord, that so ye may be furnished with
patience both to do and to suffer what ye shall be called unto; that
your end in all things may be his praise. Take up his cross freely,
which keeps low the fleshly man; that Christ may be set up and
honoured in all things, the light advanced in you and the judgment set
up, which must give sentence against all that opposeth the truth;—that
the captivity may be led captive, and the prisoner set free to seek
the Lord;—that righteousness may rule in you, and peace and joy may
dwell in you, wherein consisteth the kingdom of the Father; to whom be
all praise for ever! Dear friends meet often together, and take heed
of what exalteth itself above its brother; but keep low, and serve one
another in love for the Lord’s sake. Let all Friends know how it is
with us, that God may have the praise of all.”
J. N.
Written from Kellet, the 30th
of the 8th Month, 1652.
At this time I was in a fast, and was not to eat until this work of God,
which then lay weighty upon me, was accomplished. But the Lord’s power
was wonderfully exalted, and gave truth and Friends dominion therein
over all, to his glory. His gospel was freely preached that day, over
the heads of about forty hireling priests. I stayed two or three days
afterwards in Lancaster, and had some meetings there; and the rude and
baser sort of people plotted together to draw me out of the house, and
to throw me over LANCASTER bridge, but the Lord prevented them. Then
they invented another mischief, which was this: after a meeting at
Lancaster they brought down a distracted man, and another with him with
bundles of birchen rods bound together like besoms, with which they
would have whipped me: but I was moved to speak to them in the Lord’s
mighty power, which chained down the distracted man, and the other also,
and made them calm and quiet. Then I bid him throw his rods into the
fire, and burn them; and he did so. Thus the Lord’s power being over
them, they departed quietly.
But the priests, fretting to see themselves overthrown at the sessions
at LANCASTER, got some of the envious justices to join with them; and,
at the following assize at LANCASTER, informed Judge Windham against me.
Whereupon the judge made a speech against me in open court; and
commanded Colonel West, who was clerk of the assize, to issue forth a
warrant for the apprehending of me: but Colonel West told the judge of
my innocency, and spoke boldly in my defence. Yet the judge commanded
him again, either to write a warrant, or go off from his seat: then he
told the judge plainly that he would not do it; but that he would offer
up all his estate, and his body also, for me. Thus he stopped the judge;
and the Lord’s power came over all; so that the priests and justices
could not get their envy executed. That same night I came into
LANCASTER, it being the assize time, and hearing of a warrant to be
given out against me, I judged it better to show myself openly, than for
my adversaries to seek me. So I went to Judge Fell’s and Colonel West’s
chambers. As soon as I came in they smiled on me; and Colonel West said,
“What! are you come into the dragon’s mouth?” I stayed in town till the
judge went out of town; and I walked up and down the town, but no one
meddled with me, or questioned me. Thus the Lord’s blessed power, which
is over all, carried me through and over this exercise, gave dominion
over his enemies, and enabled me to go on in his glorious work and
service for his great name’s sake. For though the beast maketh war
against the saints, yet the Lamb hath got, and will get, the victory.