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nished him, he went again. Then they imprisoned him, and fed him with bread and water; and at length took his goods from him, and banished him, his wife, and children, leaving them neither place to come to, nor any thing to subsist on. We comforted and encouraged him in the Lord, exhorting him to be faithful, and stand stedfast in the testimony committed to him. And when we had taken our leave of him, we took boat and passed the same day to Groningen, where we met with Cornelius Andries, a friend that had also suffered much by imprisonment and banishment at Embden. We went with him to his house, and the next day we had a good meeting in that city, to which several professors came, and were very peaceable and attentive. After meeting we passed by boat to Strobus, and so to Dockum, where we lodged that night at an inn. ́And taking boat again next morning we passed to Leuwarden, the chief city of Friezland, where I found my daughter Yeomans, who was come from Amsterdam thither to meet me. That day we had a precious meeting there, at Sybrand Dowe's house, and after the meeting I had some discourse with some that were at the meeting, who had been formerly convinced of truth, but were not come into obedience to it. We staid there that night, but John Hill left us and went that day to Harlingen, and so to Amsterdam.

Next day we passed away by boat down the river to the lake of Hempen-Sarmer, and thence by the lake Lugmer, and so to a town called Anderigo; from whence sailing through the lake Whispool, we came to a town called Gardick. It was within night when we came thither, and we went and lodged at an inn; and the next day, being the first day of the week, we were at friends' meeting there, which was very large, many of the town's people coming in; amongst whom I declared the truth, in the power of the Lord that was upon me, which tendered the people, and they were very sober. After the meeting we staid but a little while to refresh ourselves, and then went to take boat again; but the people observing us, gathered together at a bridge, where we were to pass; and there I spake unto them again, declaring the way of life and salvation unto them; and they were very attentive and civil.

We took boat and went back that evening to Leuwarden, being twenty-seven miles; but before we could get thither the gates were shut, and the bridges drawn up, so that we could not get into the city, but were fain to lie in the boat all night. And the next morning, there having been a man killed in the city that night, it was late before

the gates were opened. When we could get in, we went to a friend's house, where we staid a while, and then taking boat again, we passed through Franeker to Harlingen, to Hessel Jacobs, where we found several Dutch friends, who were come to be at the meeting there next day. In the evening William Penn came to us from Amsterdam; who returning two or three days before out of Germany, had been at a large meeting at Amsterdam on the first-day; and after meeting, understanding I was at Harlingen, came thither to me.

The next day was the monthly-meeting for the men and women, to which we went, and it was large and good. And there it was agreed upon amongst friends, that there should be a meeting held there once a month, both for the men and for the women, to take care of the outward concerns of the church.

In the afternoon we had a public meeting, to which came people of several sorts, as socinians, baptists, lutherans, &c. amongst which was a doctor of physic and a priest. And after I had declared the truth a pretty large time to the people, opening unto them the happy estate that man and woman were in, whilst they kept under God's teaching, and abode in the Paradise of God; and on the other hand, the woe and misery that came upon them, when they went from God's teaching, and hearkening to the serpent's teaching transgressed God's command, and were driven out of the Paradise of God; and then came to set forth the way, whereby man and woman might come into that happy estate again. The priest, an ancient grave man, stood up, just as I had done speaking, and putting off his hat, said, I pray God to prosper and confirm that doctrine, for it is truth, and I have nothing against it. He would willingly have staid longer, until the meeting had been ended, but being a parish priest, and to preach that evening, he could not stay longer, (the time for his own worship being come ;) wherefore, when he had made confession to the truth he hastened away, that he might come to the meeting again, and did come it seems to the meeting-place, but the meeting was ended first. After meeting we went to Hessel Jacobs, where I had a meeting with friends, and the doctor of physic came thither to discourse with William Penn, who had a good opportunity to open truth to him. By this doctor the priest sent his love to me, wishing him to tell me, that he had left preaching that evening half an hour sooner than he used to do, that he might have come to our meeting again, to have heard more of that good doctrine.

I heard afterwards that his hearers questioned him, for what he had said in our meeting; and that he standing by his words, they had complained of him for it to the other priests of the city, who called him to account about it; but the result I could not learn.

Early next morning William Penn, taking John Claus with him, passed from Harlingen for Leuwarden, where he had appointed a meeting; intending after that, to travel into some other parts of Germany, to visit a tender people there. I with those friends that were with me, took ship the same day for Amsterdam, where we arrived a little after midnight, but the gates being shut, we lay on board till morning; then went to Gertrude Dirick Nieson's, where many friends came to see us, being glad of our safe return. Next day, feeling a concern upon my mind, with a relation to those seducing spirits, that made division among friends; and being sensible that they endeavoured to insinuate themselves into the affectionate part, I was moved to write a few lines to friends concerning them, as followeth :

All these that do set up themselves in the affections of the people, set up themselves and the affections of the people, and not Christ. But friends, your peaceable habitation in the truth, which is everlasting, and changes not, will out-last all the habitations of those that be out of the truth, although they be never so full of words. And so they that be so keen for J. S. and J. W. let them take them and the separation. And you, that have given your testimony against that spirit, stand in your testimony, till they answer by condemnation; and do not strive, nor make bargains with that which is out of the truth, nor save that alive to be a sacrifice for God, which should be slain, lest you lose your kingdom.'

Amsterdam, the 14th day of

the 7th month, 1677.

G. F.

On the first day of the week following, I was at friends' meeting at Amsterdam, to which many people came, and were very civil and attentive, hearing truth declared several hours, and John Roeloffs interpreted for me.

Before this time, several of the friends that came over with me, were returned to England again, as Robert Barclay, George Keith's wife, and others; and now my daughter Yeomans went back also; so that I was now left alone at Amsterdam. And while I was here, it came upon

me to visit my suffering friends at Dantzic with a few lines, to encourage and strengthen them in their sufferings, as followeth :

'Dear friends,

To whom is my love in the Lord's truth, that is over all, and by which all God's people are made free men and women, being thereby set free from him that is out of the truth; that walking in the truth, they may answer the witness of God in all people; which truth all must come to, if they be made free. Therefore be faithful unto what the Lord manifests, and makes known unto you. I am glad that the Lord hath witnesses in that city, to stand for his glory and name, and to stand up for Christ Jesus, the great Prophet, whom God hath raised up, who is to be heard in all things; so that ye need none of the prophets, which men have raised up. Therefore stand faithful to Christ Jesus your Shepherd, that he may feed you; and hear his voice and follow him, who has laid down his life for you but follow none of the shepherds and hirelings that are made by men, though they be angry, because ye will not follow them to their dry and barren mountains; who have been, and are, the thieves, persecutors and rob bers, that climb up another way, than by Christ. So set up Christ to be your Counsellor and Leader, and then, ye will have no need of any of the counsellors and leaders of the world; for Christ is sufficient, whom God has given you. And also set up Christ Jesus to be your Bishop and Overseer, who is sufficient to oversee you, that ye go not astray from God; by which ye may see over all the hireling-overseers made by men, which do keep the people, that they do not go astray from the rudiments and formalities, fashions and customs of the world, which hath been and is their work. And I am glad, that ye are come to own Christ Jesus, your High-Priest, who is holy and harmless, and separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens, as the church and the apostle did own him in their days, Hebr. vii. who is the High-Priest over the household of faith; which faith Jesus Christ is the author and finisher of: and this do all the children of the new covenant witness, who walk in the new and living way. And therefore my desire is, that ye all may be stedfast, whether in bonds or out, in the faith of Christ Jesus, which is the gift of God; by which faith all the valiants overcame the devil and all their enemies; in which faith they had victory and access to God, and in that was their unity which mystery of faith is held in a pure conscience,

hidden from the world. And I do believe, that your imprisonments and sufferings in that place, will be for good in the end (as it hath been in other places) ye standing faithful to the Lord, who is all-sufficient. For your sufferings and trials will try their teachers and religions, churches and worships, and make manifest what birth they are of; even that which persecutes him that is born of the Spirit for ye know, that there is no salvation by any other name under the whole heaven, but by the name of Jesus, and therefore it is time to leave them, when there is no salvation by or in any of them. Now friends, I desire, that you would take a list of the names of all those persons that belong to the king of Poland, and where they do live, and how ye may send books or epistles to them, and keep a correspondence with them, and also the name of the bishop or cardinal, that I heard was with you; and if ye can get any of them that belong to the king, that are his attendants, to come and visit the prisoners, that they may inform the king of their cruel sufferings. Also I desire you to get as many books of mine as you can dispose of, that set forth your sufferings, and the cruelty of the magistrates of Dantzic; and give them to the king, and his council, and attendants, and his bishops: and some of the women may speak to the queen, if they can, that she may signify to the king their cruel sufferings; and especially some of the sufferers' wives, if there be any of a capacity to do it: you may likewise give his attendants any other friends' books, and what books ye lack, send for them to Amsterdam, where ye may be furnished with them, to answer every tender desirer and inquiring mind after the Lord. So let all your minds be bended with the Lord's power to spread his truth abroad; and where ye hear of any, or have any correspondence in outward trading with any sober people, far or near, send them books, that their understandings may be opened after the Lord. So the Lord God Almighty preserve you, and to his protection, in his eternal power, do I commend you all, in bonds or at liberty, with my love to you in the everlasting seed of God, Christ Jesus, who bruises the head of the serpent, that makes you to suffer. But Christ is over him, and will be when he is gone; who is first and last, over all, from everlasting to everlasting, in whom ye have both life, knowledge, wisdom and salvation; and through him live to the praise and glory of God, who is blessed for evermore. Amen.'

Amsterdam, the 18th of the 7th

month, 1677. English stile.

VOL. II.

G. F.

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