From thence I passed through the country towards Captain Pursloe's house by Selby,(1) and visited John Leek, who had been to visit me in Derby prison and was convinced. I had a horse, but was fain to leave him, not knowing what to do with him; for I was moved to go to many great, houses to admonish and exhort the people to turn to the Lord. Thus passing on, I was moved of the Lord to go to Beverley steeple-house, which was then a place of high profession; and being very wet with rain; I went first to an, inn, and as soon as I came to the door, a; young woman of the house came to the door, and. said;" What! is it you? come in," as if she had known me before; for the Lord's power bowed their hearts. So I refreshed myself and went to bed; and in the morning, my clothes, being still wet, I got ready, and having paid for what I had had in the inn, I went up to the steeple-house, where was a man preaching. When he had done, I was moved te speak to him, and. to, people, in the mighty power of God, and turned them to, their Teacher, Christ Jesus. The power of the Lord war, so strong, that it struck a mighty dread amongst the people. The mayor came down to me and took me by the hand, and spoke a few words to me; but none of them had any power to meddle with me. So I passed away out of the town, and in the afternoon went to another steeple-house about two miles off. When the priest had done, I was moved to speak to him, and to the people very largely, shewing them the way of life and truth, and the ground of election and reprobation. The priest said he was but a child and could not dispute with me; I told him I did not come to dispute, but to hold forth the word of life and truth unto them, that they might all know the one Seed, which the promise of God was to, both in the male and in the female. Here the people were very loving, and would have had me come again on a week-day and preach among them; but I directed them to their Teacher, Christ Jesus, and so passed away, and came to an inn where they were loath to receive me unless I would go first to the Constable, which was the custom of their country. I was not free so to do; but told them I was an innocent man and should lie out rather. So at last they received me, and I stayed there all night.
The next day I went to Cramwick, to Captain Pursloe's, who accompanied me to Justice Hotham's. This Justice Hotham was a pretty, tender man, one that had had some experiences of God's workings in his heart. After some discourse with him of the things of God, he took me into his closet; where, sitting together, he told me he had known that principle these ten years, and was glad that the Lord did now publish it abroad to the people. After a while there came a priest to visit him, with whom also I had some discourse concerning Truth. But his mouth was quickly stopped, for he was nothing but a notionist, and not in possession of what he talked of.
While I was here, there came a great woman of Beverley to speak to Justice Hotham about some business; and in discourse she told him, that the last Sabbath-day (as she called it) there came an angel or spirit into the body of the church (meaning the steeple-house), and spake strange things and the wonderful things of God, to the astonishment of all that were there; and when it had done, it passed away, and they did not know whence it came nor whither it went; but it astonished all, both priests, professors, and magistrates of the town. This relation Justice Hotham gave me afterwards, and then I gave him an account how I had been that day at Beverley steeplehouse, and had declared Truth to the priest and the people there. There were in the country thereabouts some great high priests and doctors, with whom justice Hotham was acquainted. He would fain have them speak with me, and offered to send for them, under pretence that there was a patient at his house that wanted physic, but I wished him not to do so.
Now when the First-day of the week was come, Justice Hotham walked out with me into the fields; and Captain Putsloe coming up after us, Justice Hotham left us and returned home, but Captain Pursloe went with me into the steeple-house. When the priest had done, I spakr both to priest and people; declared to them the word of life and truth, and directed them where they might find their Teacher, the Lord Jesus Christ. Some were convinced, received the truth, and stand fast in it; and have a fine meeting there-a-ways to this day.
In the afternoon I went to another steeple-house about three miles off, where preached a great high priest, called a doctor, one of them whom Justice Hotham would have sent for to speak with me. I went into the steeple-house, and sate me down till the priest had done. The words which he took for his text were these, "Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters; and he that hath no money, come ye, buy and eat, yea come, buy wine and milk without money and without price." Then was I moved of the Lord to say unto him, "Come down, thou deceiver; dost thou bid people come freely, and take of the water of life freely, and yet thou takest three hundred pounds a-year of them, for preaching the Scriptures to them! Mayest thou not blush for shame! Did the prophet Isaiah and Christ do so, who spake the words, and gave them forth freely? Did not Christ say to His ministers, whom He sent to preach, 'Freely ye have received, freely give'?" The priest, like a man amazed, packed away. Alter he was gone and had left his flock, I had as much time as I could desire to speak to the people; and I directed them from darkness to the light, and to the grace of God, that would teach them, and bring them salvation; to the spirit of God in their inward parts, which would be a free teacher unto them.
Then having cleared myself amongst the people, I returned to Justice Hotham's house that night, who, When I came in, took me in his arms and said his house was my house, for he was exceeding glad at the work of the Lord, and that His power was revealed. Then he told me why he went not with me to the steeple-house in the morning, and what reasonings he had in himself about it; for he thought, if he had gone with me to the steeple-house, the officers would have put me to him; and then he should have been so put to it, that he should not have known what to do. But he was glad, he said, when Captain Pursloe came up to go with me; yet neither of them was dressed, nor had his band about his neck. It was a strange thing then to see a man come into a steeple-house without a band; yet Captain Pursloe went in with me without his band, the Lord's power and truth had so affected him that he minded it not.
From thence I passed on through the country, and came at night to an inn where was a company of rude people. I asked the woman if the house, if she had any meat(2) to bring me some; but because I said Thee and Thou to her she looked strangely on me. Then I asked her if she had any milk; and .she said, "No." I was sensible she spoke falsely, and being willing to try her further, I asked her if she had any cream; she denied that she had any. Now there stood a churn in her house, and a little :boy, playing about it, put his hand into it, and pulled it down, and threw all the cream on the floor before my eyes. Thus was the woman manifested to be a liar. She was amazed, and blessed herself, and taking up the child, whipped it sorely; but I reproved her for her lying and deceit. After the Lord had thus discovered her deceit and perverseness, I walked out of the house, and went away till I came to a stack of hay, and lay in the haystack that night in rain and snow, it being but three days before the time called Christmas.
The next day I came into York, where were several people that were very tender. Upon the First-day of the week following, I was commanded of the Lord to go to the great minster, and speak to the priest Bowles,(3) and his hearers in their great cathedral Accordingly I went: and when the priest had done, I told them I had something from the Lord God to speak to the priest and people. "Then say on quickly," said a professor that was among them, for it was frost and snow, and very cold weather. Then I told them this was the word of the Lord God unto them, that they lived in words, but God Almighty looked for fruits amongst them. As soon as the words were out of my mouth, they hurried me out, and threw me down the steps; but I got up again without hurt, and went to my lodging again. Several were convinced there, for the very groans that arose from the weight and oppression that was upon the Spirit of God in me, would open people, and strike them, and make them confess that the groans which brake forth through me did reach them, for my life was burthened with their profession without possession, and words without fruit.
After I had-done my present service in York, and several were convinced there, received the truth of God, and were turned to His teaching, I passed out of York, and looking towards Cleveland, I saw there was a people that had tasted of the power of God. I saw then there was a seed in that country, and that God had an humble people there.
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The day following I passed to Cleveland, amongst those people that had tasted of the power of God. They had formerly had great meetings, but were then all shattered to pieces, and the heads of them turned Ranters. I told them that after they had had such meetings, they did not wait upon God to feel His power, to gather their minds inward, that they might feel His presence and power amongst them in their meetings, to sit down therein, and wait upon Him; for they had spoken themselves dry; they had spent their portions, and not living in that which they spoke of, they were now become dry. They had some kind of meetings still; but they took tobacco and drank ale in their meetings, and were grown light and loose. But my message unto them from the Lord was that they should all came together again, and wait to feel the Lord's power and spirit in themselves, to gather them to Christ, that they might be taught of Him who says, "Learn of me." For when they had declared that which the Lord had opened to them then the people were to receive it; and both the speakers and hearers were to live in that themselves. But when these had no more to declare but went to seek forms without life, that made themselves dry and barren, and the people also; and from thence came all their loss: for the Lord renews His mercies and His strength to them that wait upon Him. The heads of these people came to nothing: but most of them came to be convinced, and received God's everlasting truth, and continue a meeting to this day, sitting under the teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ their Saviour.
Upon the First-day of the next week, the word of the Lord came to me to go to the steeple-house there, which I did. Whoa the priest had done I spoke the truth to him and the people, and directed them to their Teacher within, Christ Jesus, their free Teacher, that had bought them. The priest came to me and I had a little discourse with him; but he was soon stopped, and silent. Then being clear of the place, I passed away, having had several meetings amongst those people.
Though at this time the snow was very deep, I kept travelling; and going through the country, came to a market-town, where I met with many professors, with whom I had much reasoning. I asked them many questions, which they were not able to answer; saying they had never had such deep questions put to them in all their lives.
From them I went to Staithes, where also I met with many professors, and some Ranters. I had great meetings amongst them, and a great convincement there was. Many received the truth, amongst whom one was a man of an hundred years of age, another was a chief constable, and a third was a priest whose name was Philip Scafe.(4) Him the Lord, by His free Spirit, did afterwards make a pretty minister of His free gospel.
The priest of this town was a lofty one, who much oppressed the people for his tithes. If they went a-fishing many leagues off, he would make them pay the tithe-money of what they made of their fish, though they caught them at a great distance, and carried them as far as Yarmouth to sell. I was moved to go to the steeple-house there, to declare the truth, and lay open the priest. When I had spoken to him, and laid his oppressing of the people upon him, he fled away. The chief of the parish were very light and vain; so after I had spoken the word of life to them, I turned away from them, because they did not receive it, and left them. But the word of the Lord, which I had declared amongst them, stuck with some of them; so that at night some of the heads of the parish came to me, and most of them were convinced and satisfied, and confessed to the truth. Thus the truth began to spread in that country, and great meetings we had, at which the priest began to rage and the Ranters to be stirred; and they sent word that they would have a dispute with me, both the oppressing priest and the leader of the Ranters. A day was set, and the Ranter came with his company; and another priest, a Scotchman, one Levens, came; but not the oppressing priest of Staithes. Philip Scafe, who had been a priest, and was convinced, was with me; and a great number of people met. When we were settled, the Ranter, whose name was T. Bushel, told me he had had a vision of me; that I was sitting in a great chair, and that he was to come and put off his hat, and bow down to the ground before me; and he did so; and many other flattering words he spoke, I told him it was his own figure, and said unto him, "Repent, thou beast." He said it was jealousy in me to say so. Then I asked him the ground of jealousy, and how it came to be bred in man, and the nature of a beast, what made it, and how it was bred in man. For I saw him directly in the nature of the beast; and therefore I wished to know of him how that nature came to be bred in him. I told him he should give me an account of the things done in the body, before we came to discourse of things done out of the body. So I stopped up his mouth, and all his fellow Ranters were silenced; for he was the head of them.
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After the meeting, this Scottish priest desired me to walk with him atop of the cliffs; whereupon I called William Ratcliffe, a brother-in-law of his, who was in some measure convinced, and desired him to go with me, telling him I desired to have some friendly man by to hear what we said, lest the priest, when I was gone, should report anything of me which I did not say. So we went together; and as we walked, the priest asked me many things concerning the light, and concerning the soul; to all which I answered him fully. When he had done questioning, we parted, and he went his way; and meeting with the other priest, Philip Scafe, that was convinced, he broke his cane against the ground in madness, and said if ever he met with me again, he would have my life, or I should have his; adding that he would give his head, if I was not knocked down within a month. By this, Friends suspected that his intent was, in desiring me to walk with him alone, either to have thrust me down from off the cliff, or to have stabbed me; and that when he saw himself frustrated in that, by my having one with me, it made him rage. For before this came to pass, I being one day at his house, I saw a dog-like nature in him. And I was moved to tell him he was a dog, and so his nature shewed itself. I feared neither his prophecies nor his threats, for I feared God Almighty. But many weak Friends, through their affection to me, feared much that this priest would do me some mischief, or set on others to do it. Yet after some years this very Scottish priest, and his wife also, came to be convinced of the truth; and about twelve years after this I was at their house.
After this, there came another high priest to a meeting where I was, one that was in repute above all the priests in the country. As I was speaking in the meeting that the gospel was the power of God, and how it brought life and immortality to light in men, and was turning people from darkness to the light, this high priest said the gospel was mortal. I told him, the true minister said the gospel was the power of God, and would he make the power of God mortal? Upon that the other priest, Philip Scale, that was convinced, and had felt the immortal power of God in himself, took him up and reproved him; so a great dispute arose between them; the convinced priest holding that the gospel was immortal, and the other high priest that it was mortal. But the Lord's power was too hard for this opposing priest, and stopped his mouth; and many people were convinced, seeing the darkness that was in the high priest, and the light that was in the convinced priest. But people generally waited to see the fulfilling of the other Scottish priest's prophecy that I should be knocked down before the month's end, and some were afraid; but I bid them fear God and not man, for I was not .afraid of him.
Then another priest sent to have a dispute with me, and Friends went with me to the house where he was; but when he understood we were come, he slipped out of the house, and hid himself under a hedge. The people went to seek him, and found him, but could not get him to come to us. Then I went to a steeple-house hard by, where the priest and people were in a great rage: this priest had threatened Friends what he would do; but when I me there he would not stand, but fled; for the Lord's power came over him and them. Yea, the Lord's everlasting power was over the world, and reached to the hearts of people, and made both priests and professors tremble. It shook the earthly and airy spirit, in which they held their profession of religion and worship, so that it was a dreadful thing unto them, when it was told them, "The man in leathern breeches is come." At the hearing thereof the priests, in many places, would get out of the way, they were so struck with the dread of the eternal power of God; and fear surprised the hypocrites.
From this place we passed to Whitby and Scarborough, where we had some services for the Lord; there are large meetings settled there since. From thence I passed over the Wolds to Melton, where we had great meetings; as we had also at the towns thereabouts. At one town a priest sent me a challenge to dispute with me; but when I came, he would not come forth; so I had a good opportunity with the .people, and the Lord's power seized upon them. One, who had been a wild, drunken man, was so reached therewith, that he came to me as lowly as a lamb; though he and his companions had before sent for drink to make the rude. people drunk on purpose that they might abuse us. When t found the priest would not come forth, I was moved to go to the steeple-house; the priest was confounded, and the Lord's Power came over all.
On the First-day following, came one of the highest Independent professors, a woman, who had let in such a prejudice against me, that she said before she came, she could willingly have gone to the hanging of me: but when she came, she was confounded and convinced, and remains a Friend to this day.
Then I turned to Malton again, and very great meetings there were; to which more people would have come but durst not for fear of their relations; for it was thought a strange thing then to preach in houses, and not go to the church (as they called it); so that I was much desired to go and speak in the steeple-houses. One of the priests wrote to me, and invited me to preach in the steeple-house, calling me his brother. Another, a high priest, kept a lecture there. Now the Lord had shewed me, while I was in Derby prison, that I should speak in steeple-houses, to gather people from thence; and a concern sometimes would come upon my mind about the pulpits that the priests lolled in. For the steeple-houses and pulpits were offensive to my mind, because both priests and people called them the house of God, and idolised them; reckoning that God dwelt there in the outward house. Whereas they should have looked for God and Christ to dwell in their hearts, and their bodies to be made the temples of God; for the Apostle said, "God dwelleth not in temples made with hands": but by reason of the people's idolising those places, it was counted a heinous thing to declare against them. When I came into the steeple-house, there were not passing eleven hearers, and the priest was preaching to them. But after it was known in the town that I was in the steeple-house, it was soon filled with people. When the priest that preached that day had done, he sent the other priest that had invited me thither, to bring me up into the pulpit ;but I sent back word to him that t needed not to go into the pulpit. Then he sent to me again, desiring me to go up into it: for he said it was a better place, and there I might be seen of the people. I sent him word again that I could be seen and heard well enough where I was; and that I came not there to hold up such places, nor their maintenance and trade. Upon my saying so, they began to be angry, and said, "These false prophets were to come in the last times" Their saying so grieved many of the people, and some began to murmur at it. Whereupon I stood high upon a seat and cried for audience; and I declared unto them the marks of the false prophets, and shewed that they were already come; and set the true prophets, and Christ, and His apostles over them; and manifested these to be out of the steps of the true prophets, and of Christ and His apostles. I directed the people to their inward Teacher, Christ Jesus, who would turn them from darkness to the light. And having opened divers Scriptures to them, I directed them to the spirit of God in themselves, by which they might come to Him, and by which they might also come to know who the false prophets were. So having had a large opportunity among them, I departed in peace.
After some time I came to Pickering, where in the steeple-house the justices held their Sessions, Justice Robinson(5) being chairman. I kept a meeting in the school-house at the same time; and abundance of priests and professors came to it, asking questions, which were answered to their satisfaction. Four chief constables and many other people were convinced that day; and word was carried to Justice Robinson that priest was overthrown and convinced, whom he had a love to more than to all the priests besides. After the meeting, we went to an inn. Justice Robinson's priest was very lowly and loving, and would have paid for my dinner, and would have wiped my shoes, but I would by no means suffer it. Then he offered that I should have his steeple-house to preach in, but I denied it, and told him and the people that I came to bring them off from such things to Christ.
The next morning I went with the four chief constables, and others, to visit Justice Robinson, who met me at his chamber door. I told him I could not honour him with man's honour. He said he did not look for it. So I went into his chamber, and opened to him the state of the false prophets, and of the true prophets; and set the true prophets, and Christ, and the apostles over the other; and directed his mind to Christ his Teacher. I opened to him the parables, and how election and reprobation stood; as that reprobation stood in the first birth and election stood in the second birth. I shewed also what the promise of God was to, and what the judgment of God was against. He confessed to it all; and was so opened with the truth, that when another justice that was present made some little opposition, he informed him. At our parting, he said it was very well that I exercised that gift which God had given me. He took the chief constables aside, and would have given them some money for me, saying he would not have me at any charge in their country; but they told him that they could not persuade me to take any; and so they refused his money, and accepted of his love and kindness.
From thence I passed up into the country, and the priest that called me brother (in whose school-house I had the meeting at Pickering) went along with me. When we came into a town to bait, the bells rang. I asked what they rang for: and they said for me to go and preach in the steeple-house. After some time I felt drawings that way; and as I walked to the steeple-house, I saw the people were gathered together in the yard. The old priest(6) would have had me to go into the steeple-house; but I said it was no matter. It was something strange to the people that I would not go into that which they called the house of God. I stood up in the steeple-house yard, and declared to the people that I came not to hold up their idol temples, nor their priests, nor their tithes, nor their augmentations, nor their priests' wages, nor their Jewish and heathenish ceremonies and traditions (for I denied all these), and told them that that piece of ground was no more holy than another piece of ground.
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Therefore I exhorted the people to come off from all these things, and directed them to the spirit and grace of God in themselves, and to the light of Jesus in their own hearts, that they might come to know Christ, their free Teacher, to bring them salvation, and to open the Scriptures to them. Thus the Lord gave me a good opportunity amongst them to open things largely unto them. All was quiet, and many were convinced; blessed be the Lord!
I passed on to another town, where there was another great meeting, the old priest before mentioned going along with me; and there came professors of several sorts to it, purposely to dispute. I sate on a haystack, and spake nothing for some hours; for I was to famish them from words. The professors would ever and anon be speaking to the old priest, and asking him when I would begin, and when I would speak. He bad them wait; and told them that the people waited upon Christ a long while before He spake. At last I was moved of the Lord to speak; and they were struck by the Lord's power; the word of life reached to them, and them was a general convincement amongst them.
From hence I passed on, the old priest being still with me, and several others. ,As we went along, some people celled to him, and said, "Mr. Boys, we owe you some money for tithe, come and take it." But he threw up his hands, and said he had enough, he would have none of it; they might keep it; and he praised the Lord he had enough.
At length we came to this old priest's steeple-house in the Moors;(7) and when we were come in-to it, he went before me, and held open the pulpit door; but I told him I should not go into it. This steeple-house was very much painted. I told him and the people that the painted beast had a painted house.
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After this we went to one Birdet's house,(8) where I had a great meeting, and this old priest accompanied me still, leaving his steeple-house; for he had been looked upon as a great high priest, above Common-Prayer-men, and Presbyters, and Independents too. Before he was convinced, he went sometimes into their steeple-houses and preached; for he had been a zealous man in his way. And when they complained of him to Justice Hotham, he bid them distrain his horse for travelling on the Lord's day (as he called it); but Hotham did that only to put them off, for he knew the priest used no horse, but travelled on foot.
Now I came towards Cranswick, to Captain Pursloe's and Justice Hotham's, who received me kindly, being glad that the Lord's power had so appeared; that Truth was spread, and so many had received it; and that Justice Robinson was so civil. Justice Hotham said if God had not raised up this principle of light and life which I preached, the nation had been overrun with Ranterism, and all the justices in the nation could not have stopped it with all their laws; "because," said he, "they could have said as we said, and done as we commanded and yet have kept their own principle still. But this principle of truth," said he, "overthrows their principle, and the root and ground thereof"; and therefore he was glad the Lord had raised up this principle of li/e and truth.
From thence I travelled up to Holderness, and came to a justice's house, whose name was Pearson, where them was a very tender woman, that believed in the truth, and affected therewith, that she said she could have left all and have followed me.
Thence I went to Oram,(9) to one George Hartis's, where many of that town were convinced. On the First-day I was moved to go int, the steeple-house, where the priest had got another to help him; and many professors and contenders were assembled together. But the Lord's power was over all; the priest fled away, and much good service I had for the Lord amongst the people. Some of those great professors were convinced, and became honest, faithful Friends, being men of account in the place.
The next day, Friends and friendly people having left me, I passed alone, declaring the day of the Lord amongst people in the towns where I came, and sometimes by the seaside, and warning them to repent. One day, I came towards night into, a town celled Patrington; and as I walked along the town, I warned both priest and people (for the priest was in the street) to, repent and turn to the Lord. Now it grew dark before I came to the end of the town; ands multitude of people gathered about me, to whom I declared the word of life. When I had cleared myself, I went to an inn, and desired them to let me have a lodging; but they would not. Then I desired them to let me have a little meat and milk, and I would pay them for it; but they would not. So I walked out of the town, and, a company of fellows followed me, and asked me, "'What news?"' I bid them repent, and fear the Lord. After I had passed I pretty way out of the town I came to another house, and desired the people to let me have a little meat and drink and lodging for my money; but they denied me; Then I went to house and desired the same; but they, refused me also. By this time it was grown so dark that I could not see the highway; but I discerned a ditch, and got a little water and refreshed myself. Then I got over the ditch, and being weary with travelling, sate down among the furze-bushes till it was day. About break of day I got up and passed on in the field. A man came after me with a great pike and went along with me to a town; and he raised the town upon me, with the constable and chief constable, before the sun was up. So I declared God's everlasting. truth amongst them, warning them of the day of the Lord that was coming upon all sin and wickedness; and exhorted them to repent. But they seized me, and had me back to Patrington, about three miles, guarding me with watch-bills, pikes, stakes, and halberds.
Now when I was come back to Patrington, all the town was in an uproar, and the priest and constables were consulting together; so I had another opportunity to declare the word of life amongst them, and warn them to repent. At last a professor, a tender man, called me into his house, and there I took a little milk and bread, not having eaten for some days before. Then they guarded me about nine miles to a justice. When I was come near his house, a man came riding after me, and asked me whether I was the man that was apprehended. I asked him wherefore he asked. He said, "For no hurt"; and I told him I was; so he rode away to the justice before us. The men that guarded me said it was well if the justice was not drunk before we got to him; for he used to be drunk very early. Now when I was brought in before him, because I did not put off my hat and said Thou to him, he asked the man that rode thither before me whether I was not mazed or fond; but the man told him, no, it was my principle. Then I warned him to repent, and come to the light, which Christ had enlightened him with, that by it he might see all his evil words and actions, and to return to Christ Jesus whilst he had time; and that whilst he had time he should prize it. "Ay, ay," said he, "the light that is spoken of in the third of John." I desired him that he would mind it and obey it. As I admonished him, I laid my hand upon him, and he was brought down by the power of the Lord; and all the watchmen stood amazed. Then he took me into a little parlour with the other man, and desired to see what I had in my pockets of letters or intelligence. I plucked out my linen, and shewed him that I had no letters. He said, "He is not a vagrant by his linen"; and then he set me at liberty. I went back to Patrington with the man that had ridden before me to the justice; for he lived at Patrington. When I came there, he would have had me have a meeting at the Cross; but I said it was no matter, his house would serve. He desired me to go and lie down upon a bed or in the bed, that he and his wife might say they had seen me in a bed, or upon a bed; for a report had been raised that I would not lie in any bed, because at that time I lay many times without doors. Now when the First-day of the week was come, I went to the steeple-house, and declared the truth to the priest and people; and the people did not molest me, for the power of God was come over them. Presently after I had a great meeting at that man's house where I lay, and many were convinced of the Lord's everlasting truth, who stand faithful witnesses for it to this day. They were exceeding sorry that they did not receive me nor give me lodging when I was there before.
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Then I returned to Patrington again, and visited those Friends that were convinced there; by whom I understood that a tailor, and some wild blades in that town, had made that warrant to carry me before the justice. The tailor came to ask me forgiveness, fearing I would complain of him. The constables also were afraid, lest I should tremble them. But I forgave them all, and warned them to turn to the Lord, and to amend their lives. Now that which made them the more afraid was this: when I was in the steeple-house at Oram not long before, there came a professor, who gave me a push in the breast in the steeple-house, and bid me get out of the church. "Alas, poor man!" said I, "dost thou call the steeple-house the church? The church is the people, whom God hath purchased with His blood, and not the house." It happened that Justice Hotham came to hear of this man's abuse, sent his warrant for him, and bound him over to the Sessions; so affected was he with the truth, and so zealous to keep the peace. And indeed this Justice Hotham had asked me before whether any people had meddled with me, or abused me; but I was not to tell him anything, but was to forgive all.
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After this I passed, in the Lord's power, into Yorkshire, came to Warmsworth, and went to the steeple-house in the forenoon, but they shut the door against me; yet after a while they let in Thomas Aldam, who went in to his seat, and then shut the door 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 left 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 beat me, and threw clods at me, and struck me with their crab-tree staves; 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 reward Teacher, Jesus Christ.
From hence I went to Balby, and so to Doncaster, where I had formerly preached repentance on the market-day; which had made a great noise and a dread in the country. On the First-day I went to the steeple-house, and after the priest had done, I spake to him and the people what the Lord had commanded me; and they were in a great rage, plucked 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 ever I 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 streets. An innkeeper, that was a bailiff, came and took us into his house; and the rude people brake 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 shewed 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. When
Friends were in the meeting, and fresh and full of the life and power of God, I was moved to go
out of the meeting 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 up with his Bible, as I was speaking, and struck .me on
the face with its 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 sore with books, fists, and sticks, and threw me down, and over a hedge into a close, and
there beat me again; and afterwards dragged me through a house into the street, 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 got again. Yet when I was get upon my legs again, I declared to them the
word of life, and shewed 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 spake 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 sate 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 steeple-house, but I forgave him, and would not appear against him.
In the beginning of this year 1652 great rage got up in priests 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 saw a vision of a man and two great mastiff dogs and a bear, and I passed by them, and they smiled upon me, and did me no hurt; and it proved so for the constable took Thomas Aldan and carried him to York. I went With Thomas Aldan 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 wonderfully declared amongst them. The constable stayed with Thomas Aldam till the meeting was over, and then went towards York prison; but did not meddle with me.
From hence I went to Wakefield; and on the First-day after, I went to a steeple-house, where James Nayler had been a member of an Independent church;(10) 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, that the people said we made more noice(11) in the country than the coming up of the Scotch army; the Lord's dread and power was mightily over all.
The priest of that church which James Nayler had been a member of, whose name was Marshall,(12) raised many wicked slanders upon me, as that I carried bottles and made people drink of them, which made them follow me; and that I had of 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 hellish 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 not long 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 Faresworth again, from whom we had parted a little before. When we came in, they set meat before us; but as I was going to sup of their posset the word of the Lord came to me, saying, "Eat not thy bread with 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, the Lord said unto me, if that I did but set up one in the same spirit that the prophets and apostles were in that gave forth the Scriptures, he or she should shake all the country in their profession ten miles about them. And if they did own God and Christ and His prophets and apostles they must own him or her. For people had the Scriptures, but were 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, and there, on the top, I was moved to sound the day of the Lord, and 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 hunk but little for several days before.
At night we came to an inn, and declared truth to the man of the house, and wrote a paper to the priests and professers. The man of the house did 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 that parted two counties, coming to, the Lord: and the place that I saw them in was near John Blayking's, where Richard Robinson lived.
The next day we travelled on, and at night got a, little fern or brackens to put under us, and lay upon a common.
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In my way up Wensleydale 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 distracted, 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 got up their clubs and were striking at me in a rage; but I reproved them, and brought them to be somewhat cooler; and then I walked out of tho house upon the common in the night. After same 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; mad he went into the house again. The next morning I went on through the Dales, warning and exhorting people everywhere as I passed, to repent and turn to the Lord: and several were convinced. At one home that I came to, the man of the home (whom I afterwards found to be a kinsman of John Blaykling'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, in Garsdale, who received me, as did also several others; and some that were then convinced have stood faithful ever since. I went also through Grisedale, 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 Rind Robinson's, and as I was passing along the way, I asked a man which was Richard Robinson's, and he .asked me from whence I came. I told him, "From ,the Lord." And so when I came in to Richard Robinson's I declared the everlasting truth to him. And yet a dark jealousy rose up in him after I was gone to bed that I might be somebody that was come to rob his house; and he locked all his doors fast.
The next day I went to a meeting at Justice Gervase 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.
In the same week thee was a great fair at Sedbergh, at which servants used to be hired; and I declared the day of the Lord through the fair. Alter I had done so, I went into the steeple-house yard and got up by a tree, 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, shewing 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, shewing 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 a Separate preacher, one Francis Howgill; 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. And so I passed away and came into a house, and there came in one Captain Ward,(13) and he said my very eyes pierced through him; and he received the truth in the love of it and lived and died in it.
The next First-day I came to Firbank Chapel, in Westmorland, where Francis Howgill, before named, .and John Audland 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 that I might have killed him with a crab-apple, 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 Blaykling 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 sate me down on the top of a rock, for the word of the Lord came to me I must go and sit down upon the rock in the mountain as Christ had done before. In the afternoon the people gathered about me, with several Separate teachers. 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.
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Now there were many old people, who went into the chapel and looked out of the windows, thinking it a strange thing to see a man preach on a hill, and not in their church, as they called it.
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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 Separate teachers(14) were convinced of God's everlasting truth.
After the meeting was over I went to John Audland's, and there came John Story to me and lighted his pipe of tobacco. And said he, "Will you take a pipe of tobacco?" saying, "Come; all is ours." And I looked upon him to be a forward bold lad; and tobacco I did not take, but it came into my mind that the lad might think I had not unity with the creation. For I saw he had a flashy, empty notion of religion. So I took his pipe and put it to my mouth, and gave it to him again to stop him lest his rude tongue should say I had not unity with the creation.
From thence I came 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 (and afterwards they met in houses), that they might come to witness their own 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, shewing 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 as I came on the way, several people going along with me, great reasonings I had with them, especially with Edward Burrough. 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, l 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 was walking upon the top of the bank 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 in such an instant, except I 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 these poor people to give them some money, being grieved at their hard-heartedness, who gave them nothing. Then came Miles and Stephen Hbbersty, 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 shewed them chapter and verse, 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 spake Scripture, though I did not mention chapter and verse after the priest's form unto them.
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;(15) 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(16) 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 ap the rude multitude, who haled me out, struck and punched me, mad 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 became a fine minister 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(17) 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, and the way was too strait for them. 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 Ulverston, and so to Swarthmoor to Judge Fell's;(18) whither came up one Lampitt,(19) a priest, who was a high notionist and a Ranter in his mind. 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(20) had been absent in the day-time; and at night, when she came home, her children told her that priest Lampitt and I had disagreed, which somewhat troubled her, became 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 Ulverston, 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 shewed 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 John 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, a rotten professor who was very full of hypocrisy and deceit and envy, caused the constable to put me out; and then I spake to the people in the grave-yard, and after came up to Swarthmoor Hall.
The First-day after, I was moved to go to Aidingham steeple-house; and when the priest had done, I spake 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 a high priest. He very lovingly acquainted his people in the morning of my coming in the afternoon; by which means all the country 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 carried over all, grew in the Wisdom of God mightily, and proved very serviceable in his place.
I returned to Swarthrmoor again, and on the next First-day went to Dalton steeple-house; where, after the priest bad 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(21) 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,(22) who was convinced in the island; and thence I returned to Swarthmoor, 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 sin. This, I told them, was their first step to peace, even to stand still in the light that shewed 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,(23) 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 troth about Gleaston.
From thence I returned to Swarthmoor. After I had stayed a few days, and most of the family were convinced, I went again into Westmoreland, where priest Lampitt had been amongst the professors in 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 sate up all night with them at James Dickinson's,(24) 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 Blayking's and Richard Robinson's, and mighty meetings there; and so up towards Grisedale.
Soon after, Judge Fell being come home, Margaret Fell, his wife, sent to me, desiring me to return thither; and, feting freedom from the Lord so to do, I went back to Swarthmoor. 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 t 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 spake 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(25) 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 spake to their conditions. While I was in those parts, Richard Farnsworth and James Nayler came to see me and the family, and James Nayler was under a fast fourteen days; 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 has remained above twenty years to this day.(26)
After I had stayed a while, and the meeting there was well settled, I went 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.
And there was a captain stood up after the meeting was done and asked me where my leather breeches were, and I let the man run on a while; and at last I held up my coat and said, "Here aremy leather breeches which frighten all the priests and professors."
And Margaret Fell had a vision of a man in a white hat that should come and confound the priests, before my coming into those parts.
And another man had a vision of me that a man in leather breeches should come and confound the priests; and this man's priest was the first that was confounded and convinced.
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On a First-day I went to a steeple-house by the water side(27) 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 hanged 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 sate 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 spake through Kendal on a market-day. I had silver in my pocket, and I was moved to throw it out amongst the people as I was going up the street. So dreadful was the power of God upon me, that people flew like chaff before me into their houses and shops. 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 spake to them, and they parted again. Several were convinced.
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After I had travelled up and down in those countries, and had had great meetings, I came to Swarthmoor 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 a word of the Lord to go and speak to such or such a people. None of them durst say so; 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.
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. Here upon one of them, Thomas Taylor, an ancient priest, did ingenuously confess before Judge Fell that he had never heard the voice old God, nor of Christ, to send him to any people, but he spake 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. Thomas Taylor was convinced at this time.
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After this, on a lecture-day, I was moved to go to the steeple-house at Ulverston, where were an abundance of professors, priests, and people. I went up near to priest Lampitt, who was blustering in his preaching; and after the lord had opened my mouth to speak, John Lawry, the justice, came to me and said, if I would speak according to the Scriptures, I should speak. I stranged(28) 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 said: 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, and trampled upon me, he looking on; 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. The 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 brake their heads, so that the blood ran down from several of them so I never saw the like in my life; and Judge Fell's son(29) 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 stave, some with hedge stakes,, and others with holm-bushes, fell upon me, and beat me on my head, arms, and shoulders, till they had mazed me, 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, 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 numbed, 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 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 minute 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 shewed them their false Christianity, and the fruits of their priest's ministry; telling them the were more like heathens and Jews than true Christians. Then I was moved of the Lord to come up again through the midst of the people, and go into Ulverston market. As I went, there met me a soldier, with a 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 the 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. Yet 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, stoning, beating, and breaking their heads, so that they could hardly pass the highways. When I came to Swarthmoor, 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.
About two weeks after this I went into Walney Island, and James Nayler went with me. We stayed over-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 in a cellar. 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, dubs, 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 mazed 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 atop of me, to keep the blows and the stones off me. For the people had persuaded James Lancster'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 Nayler; 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 muckforks, 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 Nayler; and I being now left alone, went to a ditch of water, and having washed myself difor they had besmeared my face, hands and clothes with miry dirt), I walked about three miles to Thomas Hutton's house,(30) 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 Nayler; 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 Swarthmoor, Justice Sawrey, and one Justice Thompson(31) 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 evil she had done me; and so did others of those bitter persecutors also; but the judgments of God fell upon some of them. This persecuting Sawrey at last was drowned, and the vengeance of God overtook Justice Thompson that he was struck with the dead palsy upon the Bench and carried away off his seat and died. 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 the priest's ministry, and their profession and religion be wrong. So he told his wife I made light of it; and that I spake of it as a man that had not been concerned; for, indeed, the Lord's power healed me again.
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NOTES
1. Probably Richard Pursglove, of Cranswick. (N.P.)
2. Food generally. What we would call "meat" was referred to as "flesh." (-pds)
3. Edward Bowles (1613-1662), Presbyterian. (N.P.)
4. More accurately, Phillip Scarth. (N.P.)
5. Luke Robinson, M.P. for Scarborough. (N.P.)
6. His name appears to have been Boys. (N.P.)
7. Perhaps Kirby Moorside = Kirk-by-moorside. (N.P.)
8. At Egton Bridge. (N.P.)
9. Now Ulrome. (N.P.)
10. Woodchurch (West Ardsley.) (N.P.)
11. Common talk. (N.P.)
12. Christopher Marshall (c. 1614-1673). (N.P.)
13. Henry Ward, of Sunnybank, Grayrigg, died 1674. (N.P.)
14. That is, in congregations of "Seekers," who had separated themselves from all religious bodies. (N.P.)
15. Dickinson lived at Crosthwaite, inWestmorland. (N.P.)
16. Gabriel Camelford, of Staveley, died in 1676. (N.P.)
17. Adam Sands, chief constable of Ulverston. (N.P.)
18. Thomas Fell (1598-1658), of Swarthmoor Hall. (N.P.)
19. William Lampitt, vicar of Ulverston, died 1677. (N.P.)
20. Margaret Fell (1614-1702), wife of Judge Fell and later wife of George Fox. (N.P.)
21. "Mr. Soutwerke" was minister of Walney, between 1649 and 1647. (N.P.)
22. James Lancaster lived at Northscale in the northern part of the island. (N.P.)
23. This was the place called Dendron. The chapel was build in 1642, but was not used till long after the time of Fox's visit. (N.P.)
24. At Crosthwaite. (N.P.)
25. John Bradshaw (1602-1659), president of the Court that tried and sentenced Charles I. (N.P.)
26. The meeting at Swarthmoor Hall was first held in 1652, and continued till 1690 when a meeting-house was built. (N.P.)
27. Halton, on the Lune, near Lancaster, where Thomas Whitehead was rector. (N.P.)
28. Wondered. (N.P.)
29. George Fell (c. 1639-1670), only son. (N.P.)
30. At Rampside. (N.P.)
31. Probably George Toulnson, an ex-mayor of Lancaster, died 1655. (N.P.)