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I was moved to declare and open many things to those Friends who had received a part of the ministry, concerning the exercise of their spiritual gifts in the Church; which, being taken in writing by one that was present, was after this manner:
Friends,--Take heed of destroying that which ye have begotten; for that which destroys, goes out, and is the cast-away. And though that be true, yea, and may be the pure truth which such a one speaks, yet if he doth not remain in that, and live in that in his own particular, but goes out, the same which he is gone out /rom, cometh over him. So that which calms and cools the spirits goes over the world, and brings to the Father, to inherit the life eternal: and reaches to the spirits in prison in all. Therefore in the living, immoveable word of the Lord God dwell, and in the renown thereof; and remain on the foundation that is pure, and that is sure: for whosoever goes out from the pure, and from that ministers, comes to an end, and doth not remain; though he may have had a time, and may have been serviceable for a time, while he lived in the thing.
Take heed of many words; what reacheth to the life, settles in the life. That which cometh from the life, and is received from God, reaches to the life, and settles others in the life: for the work is not now as it was at first; the work now is, to settle and stay in the life. For as Friends have been led to minister in the power, and the power hath gone through, so that there hath grown an understanding among both the world and Friends: so Friends must be kept in the life which is pure, that with that they may answer the pure life of God in others. If Friends do not live in that life which they speak of, to answer the life in those they speak to, the other part steps in; and so there comes up an outward acquaintance, and such let that come over them.
But as every one is kept living in the life of God, over all that which is contrary, they are in their places; then they do not lay hands on any suddenly, which is the danger now; for if any one do, he may lose his discerning, and may lay hands on the wrong part, and so let the deceit come too near him; and the deceit will steal over, so that it will be a hard thing for him to get it down.
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So, Friends, this is the word of the Lord God to you all, be watchful and careful in all meetings ye come into; for where Friends are sitting together in silence, they are many times gathered into their own measures. When a man is come newly out of the world, from ministering to the world's people, he cometh out of the dirt; and then he had need take heed that he be not rash. For now, when he comes into a silent meeting, that is another state; then he must come, and feel his own spirit, how it is, when he comes to them that sit silent. If he be rash, they will judge him, that having been in the world, and amongst the world, the heat is not yet off him. For he may come in the heat of his spirit out of the world; whereas the others are still and cool; and his condition in that not being agreeable to theirs, he may rather do them hurt, by begetting them out of the cool state into the heating state, if he be not in that which commands his own spirit, and gives him to know it.
Now there is a great danger too in travelling abroad in the world. The same power that moves any to go forth, is that which must keep them. For it is the greatest danger to go abroad, except a man be moved of the Lord, and go in the power of the Lord; for then, he keeping in the power, is kept by it in his journey, and in his work; and it will enable him to answer the transgressed, and keep above the transgressor. So now every one feeling the danger to his own particular in travelling abroad, there the pure fear of the Lord will be placed, and kept in. Though they that travel may have openings when they are abroad to minister to others, yet, for their own particular growth they must dwell in the life which doth open; and that will keep down that which would beast. For the minister comes into the death to that which is in the death and in prison, and so returns up again into the life, and into the power, and into the wisdom, to preserve him clean.
So that this is the word of the Lord God to you all; feel that ye stand in the presence of the Lord God: for every man's word shall be his burden; but the word of the Lord is pure, and answers the pure in every one. The word of the Lord is that which was in the beginning, and brings to the beginning. It is a hammer, to beat down the transgressor (not the transgressed), and as a fire to burn up that which is contrary to it. So, Friends, come into that which is over all the spirits of the world, fathoms all the spirits of the world, and stands in the patience; with that, ye may see where others stand, and reach that which is of God in every one. Here is no strife, no contention out of transgression; for he that goeth into strife, and into contention, is from the pure spirit. For where any goeth into contention, if anything hath been begotten by him before, then that contentious nature doth get atop, spoileth that which was begotten, and quencheth his own prophesying. So if that which would arise into strife be not subjected by the power in the particular, that is dangerous.
So if any have a moving to any place, and have spoken what they were moved of the Lord, let them return unto their habitation again, and live in the pure life of God, and in the fear of the Lord; so will ye be kept in the life--in the solid and seasoned spirit, and preach as well in life, as with words.
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He that is kept in the life, hears God, and sees man's condition; and with that he answers the life in others, that hear God also; thus one Friend that is come into that comprehends the world. But that which Friends speak, they must live in; so may they expect that others may come into that which they speak, to live in the same. Then the water of life cometh in; then he that ministreth, drinketh himself, and giveth others to drink.
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It is a mighty thing to be in the work of the ministry of the Lord God, and to go forth in that. It is not as a customary preaching but it is to bring people to the end of all outward preaching. For when ye have declared the truth to the people, and they have received it, and are come into that which ye spake of, the uttering of many words, and long declarations out of the life, may beget them into a form. And if any should run on rashly into words again, without the savour of life, then they that are come into the thing that he spake of will judge him; whereby he may hurt again that which he had raised up before. So, Friends, ye must all come into the thing that is spoken in the openings of the heavenly life among you, and walk in the love of God, that ye may answer. the thing spoken to.
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And all Friends, be careful not to meddle with the powers of the earth; but keep out of all such things; and as ye keep in the Lamb's authority, and keep out of all vain jangling, ye will answer that of God in them, and bring them to do justice, which is the end of the law.
More was then spoken to many of these particulars which was not taken at large as delivered.
After this meeting was over, and most of the Friends were gone away, as I was walking in John Crook's garden, there came a party of horse with a constable to seize me. I heard them ask who was in the house, and somebody answered that I was there. They said I was the man they looked for; and went forthwith into the house, where they had many words with John Crook, and some few Friends that were with him, But the Lord's power so confounded them, that they never came into the garden to look for me, but went their way in a rage. When I came into the house Friends were very glad to see them so confounded, and that I had escaped them. Next day I passed thence, and after I had visited Friends in several places as I went, came to London, the Lord's power accompanying me, and bearing me up in His service.
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And I was moved of the Lord to send for one or two out of a county to Swarthmoor, and to set
up the men's meetings where they were not; and to settle that meeting at Skipton concerning the
affairs of the Church which continued till 1660.
And at the first the North took six hundred of every sort of books that were printed; and that
continued for many years till the truth was spread over the nation; and this was settled when we
first began to print. And then, when the truth was spread, it was left to Friends' liberty for every
county to send for what they liked from all parts of the nation. The North, at the first, bore all the
charges of all the printing for several years, but when the Lord's truth spread over the nation and
people came to be turned to Christ, then they were eased.
During the time I was at London, many services lay upon me; for it was a time of much suffering. I was moved to write to Oliver Cromwell, and lay before him the sufferings of Friends, both in this nation and in Ireland. There was also a talk about this time of making Cromwell king: whereupon I was moved to go to him. I met him in the Park and told him that they that would put him on a crown would take away his life. And he asked me what did I say. And I said again, they that sought to put him on a crown would take away his life; and I bid him mind the crown that was immortal. He thanked me, and bid me go to his house. Afterwards I was moved to write to him more fully concerning that matter.
About this time she they cared the Lady Claypole(2) was very sick and troubled in mind, and nothing could comfort her; which when I heard of, I was moved to write to her.
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When the paper was read to her, she said it settled and staid her mind for the present. Afterwards many Friends got copies of it, both in England and Ireland, and read it to distracted people, and it was made useful for the settling of the minds of several.
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Divers times, both in the time of the Long Parliament, and of O. Cromwell and of the Committee of Safety, when they proclaimed fasts, I was moved to write to them, and tell them their fasts were like unto Jezebel's; for commonly when they proclaimed fasts there was some mischief contrived against us. I knew their fasts were for strife and debate, to smite with the fist of wickedness.
Now it was a time of great suffering; and many Friends being in prisons, many other Friends were moved to go to the Parliament, to offer up themselves to lie in the same dungeons where their friends lay, that they that were in prison might go out, and not perish in the stinking jails. This we did in love to God and our brethren, that they might not die in prison; and in love to those that cast them in, that they might not ring innocent blood upon their own heads; which we knew would cry to the Lord, and bring His wrath, vengeance, and plagues upon them. But little favour could we find from those professing Parliaments; instead thereof they would rage, and sometimes threaten those Friends that thus attended them that they would whip them, and send them home. Then commonly soon after the Lord would turn them out, and send them home, who had not a heart to do good in the day of their power. But they went not off without being forewarned, for I was moved to write to them, in their several turns, as I did to the Long Parliament, unto whom I declared, before they were broken up, that thick darkness was coming over them all, even a day of darkness that should be felt.
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After this, as I was going out of town, having two Friends with me, when we were little more than a mile out of the City, there met us two troopers belonging to Colonel Hacker's regiment, who took me and the Friends that were with me, and brought us back to the Mews, and there kept us prisoners. But the Lord's power was so over them, that they did not take us before any officer; but shortly after set us at liberty again.
The same day, taking boat, I went to Kingston, and thence to Hampton Court, to speak with the Protector about the sufferings of Friends. I met him riding into Hampton Court Park, and before I came to him, as he rode at the head of his life-guard, I saw and felt a waft of death go forth against him; and when I came to him he looked like a dead man. After I had laid the sufferings of Friends before him, and had warned him, according as I was moved to speak to him, he bid me come to his house. So I returned to Kingston, and next day went to Hampton Court, to speak further with him. But when I came he was very sick, and Harvey, who was one that waited on him, told me the doctors were not willing I should speak with him. So I passed away, and never saw him more
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Before this time the Church-Faith (so called) was given forth, which was said to have been made at the Savoy in eleven days' time. I got a copy before it was published, and wrote an answer to it; and when their book of Church-Faith was sold up and down the streets, my answer to it was sold also. This angered some of the Parliament-men, so that one of them told me they must have me to Smithfield. I told him I was above their fires and feared them not.
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After some time I passed out of London, and had a meeting at Sergeant Birkhead's at
Twickenham, to which many people came, and some of considerable quality in the world. A
glorious meeting it was, wherein the Scriptures were dearly opened, and Christ set above all, so
that one man amongst them admired and said, "This man is a pearl."
There was great persecution in many places, both by imprisoning and breaking up of meetings. At a meeting about seven miles from London, the rude people usually came out of several parishes round about, to abuse Friends, and often beat and bruised them exceedingly. One day they beat and abused eighty Friends who went to that meeting out of London, their coats and cloaks off their backs, and throwing ditches and ponds; and when they had besmeared them with dirt, they said they looked like witches. The next First-day I was moved of the Lord to go to that meeting, though I was then very weak. When I came there, I bid friends bring a table, and set it in the close, where they used to meet, to stand upon. According to their wonted course the rude people came. Having a Bible in my hand, I shewed them their and their priests' and teachers' fruits: and the people became ashamed, and were quiet. I opened the Scriptures to them, and our principles agreeing therewith; I turned the people from darkness to the light of Christ and His Spirit, by which they might understand the Scriptures, see themselves and their sins, and know Christ Jesus to be their Saviour. So the meeting ended quietly, and the Lord's power came over all to His glory.
It was a time of great sufferings; for besides the imprisonments (through which many died in prisons) our meetings were greatly disturbed. They have thrown rotten eggs and wild-fire into our meetings, and have brought in drums beating, and kettles to make noises with, that the truth might not be heard; and among these the priests were as hide as any.
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After a while I went to Reading, where I was under great sufferings and exercises, and in great travail of spirit for about ten weeks. For I saw there was great confusion and distraction amongst the people, and that the powers were plucking each other to pieces. And I saw how many were destroying the simplicity and betraying the truth. Much hypocrisy, deceit and strife were got uppermost in the people, so that they were ready to sheath their swords in one another's bowels. There had been a tenderness in many of them formerly, when they were low, but when they were got up, had killed and taken possession, they came to he as had as others; so that we had much to do with them about our hats, and saying Thou and Thee to them, they turned their profession of patience and moderation into rage and madness; and many of them were like distracted men for this hat-honour. For they had hardned themselves by persecuting the innocent, and were at this time crucifying the Seed, Christ, both in themselves and others; till at last they fell a-biting and devouring one another, until they were consumed one of another; who had turned against and judged that which God had wrought in them, and shewed unto them. So shortly after God overthrew them and turned them upside down, and brought the King over them, who were often surmising that the Quakers met together to bring in King Charles, whereas Friends did not concern themselves with the outward powers or government. But at last the Lord brought him in, and many of them when they saw he would be brought in, voted for bringing him in. So with heart and voice praise the name of the Lord, to whom it doth belong: who over all hath the supremacy, and who will rock the nations, for He is over them.
I had a sight and sense of the King's return a good while before, and so had some others. I wrote to Oliver several times, and let him know that while he was persecuting God's people, they whom he accounted his enemies were preparing to come upon him. When several rash spirits that came amongst us would have bought Somerset House, that we might have meetings in it, I forbade them to do so; for I then foresaw the King's corning in again. Besides, there came a woman(3) to me in the Strand, who had a prophecy concerning King Charles's coming in, three years before he came; and she told me she must go to him to declare it. I told her to wait upon the Lord, and keep it to herself; for if it should be known that she went on such a message, they would look upon it to be treason; but she said she must go and tell him that he should be brought into England again. I saw her prophecy was true, and that a great stroke must come upon them in power; for they that had then got possession were so exceeding high, and such great persecution was acted by them who called themselves saints that they would take from Friends their copyhold lands because they could not swear in their Courts.
Sometimes when we laid these sufferings before Oliver Cromwell he would not believe it. Wherefore Thomas Aldam and Anthony Pearson were moved to go through all the jails in England, and to get copies of Friends, commitments under the jailers' hands, that they might lay the weight of their sufferings upon Oliver Cromwell. And when he would not give order for the releasing of them, Thomas Aldam was moved to take his cap from off his head, and to rend it in pieces before him, and to say unto him, "So shall thy government be rent from thee and thy house."
Another Friend also, a woman, was moved to go to the Parliament (that was envious against Friends) with a pitcher in her hand, which she brake into pieces before them, and told them so should they be broken to pieces: which came to pass shortly after.
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Now while I was under that sore travail at Reading, by reason of grief and sorrow of mind, and the great exercise that was upon my spirit, my countenance was altered, and I looked poor and thin; and there came a company of unclean spirits to me, and told me the plagues of God were upon me. I told them it was the same spirt spake that in them that said so of Christ, when He was stricken and smitten; they hid their face from Him. But when I had travailed with the witness of God which they had quenched, and had got through with it and over all that hypocrisy which the outside professors were run into, and saw how that would be brought down, and turned under, and that life would rise over it, I came to have ease, and the light, power and spirit shined over all. And then having recovered, and got through my travails and sufferings, my body and face swelled when I came abroad into the air; and then the bad Spirits said I was grown fat, and they envied at that also. So I saw that no condition or state would please that spirit of theirs. But the Lord preserved me by His power and spirit through and over all, and in His power I came to London again.
Now was there a great pother made about the image or effigy of Oliver Cromwell lying in state; men standing and sounding with trumpets over his image, after he was dead. At this my spirit was greatly grieved, and the Lord, I found, was highly offended.
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2.
Elizabeth Cromwell (1629-1658), second daughter of the Protector, became Lady Claypoole. (N.P.)3.
Esther Biddle, of London. (N.P.)