CHAPTER VI.-1652-1653.-George Fox is branded by the priests as a witch

-writes to Justice Sawrey, prophesying of the judgments impending over

him-warning to priest Lampitt-exhortation to the people of Ulverstone-to

the followers of Lampitt, against a hireling ministry, &c.-a rebuke to Adam

Sands for his wickedness-to priest Tatham, against his hireling ministry and

his suing for tithes-foretells the dissolution of the Long Parliament-fasts

ten days-James Milner and Richard Myer create a schism, which is soon

healed the latter is miraculously healed of his lameness, but afterwards dis-

obeys the Lord, and dies not long after-Anthony Pearson, an opposer, is con-

vinced the priests are shown to be Antichrist-George Fox preaches at

John Wilkinson's steeple-house three hours-admonishes a professor for

praising him-reproves Wilkinson for speaking against his conscience-

many hundreds are convinced-discerns an unclean spirit in a woman, and

speaks sharply to her-the like of some other women-speaks sharply to an

envious Baptist-preaches in the steeple-house at Carlisle, where the Lord's

power was such that the people trembled-committed to Carlisle prison as a

blasphemer, heretic, and seducer-the priests who come to see him are ex-

ceedingly rude-Anthony Pearson's remonstrance to the Judges of assize

against the unjust imprisonment and detention of George Fox-he is put in

the dungeon, a filthy place, where a woman is found eaten to death with

vermin-here James Parnell visits him—a challenge to professors to declare

their objections to George Fox's ministry-it being reported that George

Fox was to die for religion, the Little Parliament write to the sheriff respect-

ing him he himself expostulates with Justices Craston and Studholm on their

imprisoning him-A. Pearson and the governor visit the prison, blame the

magistrates, require sureties of the jailer, and put the under-jailer in the

dungeon for his cruelty to George Fox, who is soon after liberated-George

Fox has great meetings, and thousands are convinced-visits Gilsland, a

noted country for thieving-has a glorious meeting of many thousands, near

Langlands, on the top of a hill-great convincement in the six northern

counties,

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CHAPTER VII.-1653-1654.-George Fox disputes most of the day with

priest Wilkinson-Many Friends lose their business for declining the world's

salutations, but afterwards their tried faithfulness and integrity procure them

more than their neighbours-George Fox issues an address to Friends

everywhere two persecuting justices at Carlisle are cut off, and a third dis-

graced-George Fox passes through Halifax, a rude town of professors-at

Synderhill-Green he has a mighty meeting of some thousands, and there was

a general convincement—about sixty ministers are now raised up in the north,

to travel towards the south, the east, and the west, in Truth's service-

George Fox's address to Friends in the ministry-Rice Jones and many

other false prophets rise up against Friends and are blasted—a wicked man

binds himself with an oath to kill George Fox, but is prevented-great con-

vincement in Lincolnshire-at Swannington George Fox has much contro-

versy with professors-has a great dispute with priest Stevens, and seven

other priests at Drayton-his father being present was convinced, and said,

"Truly I see he that will but stand to the truth it will carry him out"-

priest Stevens propagates lies respecting George Fox, which the Lord swept

away-is taken before Colonel Hacker, who sends him to the Protector-

speaks prophetically to the Colonel-has a friendly conference with the Pro-

tector is dismissed by him very friendly-refuses his entertainment-

Captain Drury scoffs at trembling, but is made to tremble in a remarkable

manner-George Fox prays with some officers, who are greatly shaken by

the Lord's power-priests and professors greatly disturbed because many of

the people are convinced, and moved to declare against the rest,

169

CHAPTER VIII.-1654-1655.-Address to professors of Christianity against

persecution to such as follow the world's fashions-to the Pope, and all

PAGE

kings, and rulers in Europe, against persecution-to the justices appointed

for trying ministers of religion, being a testimony against hireling ministers

-Samuel Fisher and others are convinced at a meeting at Romney, where

the Lord's power is marvellously displayed a large meeting at Coggeshall

of about two thousand people, which lasted several hours—many reproaches

are cast upon the truth, and lying slanderous books published, which are

answered, and the truth set over the gainsayers-to those who scorn trem-

bling and quaking-great rage is manifested against the truth and Friends, and

their plainness is contemned-to the churches gathered into outward forms,

opening their state and warning of the woes coming upon them-to the

Protector, respecting the imprisonment of Friends for refusing to take oaths

and pay tithes, &c.-to friends to offer themselves to lie in prison for a

brother or sister—an encouragement to Friends in their several exercises, 190

CHAPTER IX.-1655-1656.-Friends slandered by Presbyterians and Inde-

pendents, suffer much from them and the Baptists for refusing to pay tithes―

the priests hunt after a fallen benefice like crows after carrion-great miracles

wrought through several-an Independent preacher convinced, but relapses

-address to the convinced in Ireland-a sick woman at Baldock restored-

George Fox parts and reconciles two furious combatants-to the seven

parishes at the Land's End, recommending attention to the Inward Light-

George Fox parts with James Naylor, and has a presentiment of his fall—

Major Ceely places George Fox and Edward Pyot under arrest-they are

sent to Launceston jail-put into Doomsdale, and suffer a long and cruel im-

prisonment a paper against swearing-Peter Ceely's mittimus-George

Fox has great service in jail-many are convinced, and opposers are con-

founded-experiences some remarkable preservations-Edward Pyot writes

an excellent letter to Judge Glynne on the liberty of the subject, and on the

injustice and illegality of their imprisonment-Truth spreads in the west by

the very means taken to prevent it-exhortation and warning to magistrates

-answer to the Exeter general warrant for taking up and imprisoning

Friends-exhortation to Friends in the ministry-warning to priests and

professors-cruel jailer imprisoned in Doomsdale, and further judgments

upon him follow-a Friend offers to lie in prison instead of George Fox-

Edward Pyot to Major-General Desborough, in answer to his conditional

offer of liberty-George Fox to the same-he and his Friends are soon after

liberated,

CHAPTER X.-1656-1657.-Address to those who are given to pleasures and

wantonness-to the bowlers in Castle-Green at Launceston-George Fox

visits Friends imprisoned at Exeter, amongst whom is James Naylor, who

has apostatized, but afterwards returned into the Truth-at a meeting in the

orchard at Bristol about ten thousand persons are present-Paul Gwin, a

rude Baptist, creates a disturbance, but is reproved and silenced-meeting

of two or three thousand persons at N. Crips's-Justice Stooks prevents the

magistrates from apprehending George Fox-speaks to the Protector at

Hyde Park, who invites him to his house-accordingly goes to Whitehall,

and speaks to the Protector about Friends sufferings'-travels through most

parts of the nation after his liberation from Launceston jail-this year, 1656,

there were seldom fewer than one thousand Friends in prison-to Friends on

the schism of J. Naylor-to Friends to keep up their meetings-on judging

the ministry, &c.—an answer to a high-flown professor-to professors,

priests, and teachers on immediate revelation and universal grace, &c. &c.-

at Cardiff, George Fox sends word to some who had run out that "the day

of their visitation was over"-at Brecknock, his companion, John-ap-John,

preaches in the streets-at night, there is a great uproar, like that of Diana's

craftsmen at William Gandy's has a large meeting of two or three thousand

persons-Cromwell proclaims a fast for rain, and is told by George Fox that

the drought was a sign of their barrenness-concerning the true fast and the

215

false-preaches three hours at a great meeting in Radnorshire, and many are

convinced their horses are twice robbed of their oats-from a high hill

sounds the day of the Lord, and foretells where God would raise up a people

to himself, which came to pass-travels through every county in Wales,

where there is a brave people, who sit under Christ's teaching-has a large

meeting on the top of a hill near Liverpool--at Manchester is taken into

custody, but soon released,

CHAPTER XI.-1657.-Exhortation to Friends to take heed to the Light of

Christ-an expostulation with persecutors-to Friends to be valiant for the

truth-in parts of Cumberland the priests are so forsaken that some steeple-

houses stand empty-John Wilkinson, the priest, is so deserted, that he sets

up a meeting in his own house-then a silent meeting, and at last joins

Friends, and becomes an able minister-George Fox travels into Scotland

with Colonel Osburn and Robert Widders-the latter was a thundering man

against the rottenness of the priests' hypocrisy and deceit-Lady Hamilton

is convinced the Scotch priests raise the war-cry, and draw up their curses,

which George Fox answers-they are in a rage and panic when he comes

there, thinking "that all was gone"-some Baptists, with their logic and

syllogisms, are confuted by George Fox's logic-he is banished from Scotland

by the council, but disregards their order-George Fox and William Osburn

are waylaid by thieves, who are admonished by the former, and overawed by

the Lord's power-the Highlanders run at them with pitchforks—at John-

stons they are banished the town-on hearing that the council of Edinburgh

had issued warrants against him, George Fox goes thither, and is not

molested,

CHAPTER XII.-1657-1659.-George Fox journeys from Scotland to England

-dissuades a person from setting up a college at Durham to make ministers

-has a meeting with Rice Jones and his people-attends a general Yearly

Meeting for the whole nation, held at John Crook's, which continued three

days-address to Friends in the ministry-disputes with a Jesuit-writes to

Lady Claypole-writes to Cromwell respecting the fast on account of perse-

cution abroad, whilst there was much of it at home-writes a reproof to

Parliament for their hypocrisy-speaks to the Protector in Hampton-Court

Park about Friends' sufferings-the Protector invites Fox to his house-he

goes next day, but the Protector being sick he does not see him—the Protec-

tor died soon after-writes to encourage Friends to faithfulness-has a fore-

sight of the King's restoration long before the event occurred, as well as

several others-Friends are disseized of their copyhold lands for refusing to

swear-cautions Friends to avoid plots, &c.—against bearing arms-great

places in the army are offered to Friends, but invariably refused-priest

Townsend fails to substantiate his charge of error and blasphemy against

George Fox, and is signally defeated-George Fox's vision of the city of

London is realized he gives a final warning to those in authority before

their overthrow,

CHAPTER XIII.-1659-1660.-Address to the Cornish people, respecting ship.

wrecks the soldiers at Bristol are punished for disturbing Friends' meetings

-several thousands attend a general meeting at Edward Pyot's-General

Monk also restrains his soldiers-great drunkenness at elections for Parlia-

ment-men-the Yearly Meeting is held at Balby-and a general meeting of

discipline for several counties held at Skipton-a Friend goes naked (divested

of the upper garments) through the town, declaring truth, and is much

abused-general meeting at Arnside for three counties-George Fox is com-

Imitted to Lancaster Castle by Major Porter-writes an answer to his

mittimus-Margaret Fell writes to the magistrates thereon-address on true

religion-against persecution to Friends, on the change of government-to

Charles II., exhorting him to exercise mercy and forgiveness towards his

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enemies, and to restrain profaneness-the sheriff of Lancashire's return to

George Fox's writ of Habeas Corpus-M. Fell and Ann Curtis speak to the

King on the subject-the King orders his removal to London by Habeas

Corpus, and there sets him at liberty,

CHAPTER XIV.-1660-1662.-George Fox writes an epistle of consolation to

Friends unjustly imprisoned in consequence of the insurrection of the Fifth-

Monarchy Men-Friends' declaration against war and plots-John Perrot

and Charles Bailie create a schism-some Friends in New England are put

to death, a sense whereof is given to George Fox at the time-the King's

mandamus to the Governor of New England and others, to restrain them from

executing Friends-the Battledore is published, showing by examples from

thirty languages, that "Thou" and "Thee" are proper to one person-on

true worship-George Fox disputes with some Jesuits, and with all other

sects-John Perrot's heresy condemned-on judicial swearing-George Fox

and Richard Hubberthorn write to the King, showing the number of Friends

imprisoned prior to, and during the first year of the Restoration, and the

number who died in prison during the Commonwealth-Thomas Sharman,

jailer at Derby, convinced, and writes to George Fox-George Fox applies

to Lord D'Aubeny on behalf of two Friends imprisoned in the Inquisition

at Malta, who procures their liberation-the ground and rise of persecution

set forth-great service at Bristol, where also he has a vision-visits Capt.

Brown and his wife; the former had fled from persecution, and was judged

in himself, but afterwards convinced-George Fox and several others are

arrested by Lord Beaumont, and sent to Leicester jail-they are suddenly

liberated to Friends on the death of Edward Burrough-escapes from per-

secutors-Friends established on Christ, the Rock of Ages,

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