V A f^ HISTORY OF THE PEOPLE called QUAKERS. From their firfl Rife to the prefent Time. Compiled from Authentic Records, and from the Writings of that People. By JOHN GOUGH. IN FOUR VOLUMES. VOL. IV DUBLIN: PRINTED BY ROBERT JACKSON, MEATH-STREET. M.DCC.XC. Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2011 with funding from Princeton Theological Seminary Library http://www.archive.org/details/historyofpeoplec04goug HISTORY O F T H S PEOPLE called QUAKERS. BOOK VI. CHAP. XIV. Queen Anne afcends the Throne. — Addrejjes to her. — She declares her Refoluiion to maintain the Toleration. — Second Addrefs. — Account of Margaret Fox. — G. Keith fent a MiJJionary to America. — Account of Ambrofe Rigge. — His Epijtle of Advice. x\NNE, the fecond daughter of King James, chap. who was married to Prince George of Denmark, xiv. fucceeded to the throne by virtue of the act of v— ^ — -* fettlement. Addreifes of congratulation were ll02- made to her from all quarters upon her accef- afcends the fion. The people called Quakers thought them- thronc- felves no lei's than others called upon to con- dole the king's death, and teftify their fidelity to the new fovereign. They accordingly drew up an addrefs, and deputed George Whitehead B 2 and HISTORY of the CHAP and fome other friends to prefent it, who being xiv. introduced by the Duke of Ormond and the Earl of Marlborough, read her the follow- 170a. msr : Addrefs to her. " To Queen Anne, over England, &c. " May it pleafe the Queen, " We thy peaceable fubjects cannot but be 6 forrowfuily affected with a deep fenfe of the 6 lofs fuitained by the death of our late King c William the third, whom God made the in- c flrument of much good to thefe nations ; a ' prince who indeed defired to be a father of 4 his people, and as fuch did by his great ex- 4 ample as well as precept, endeavour to unite 4 them in intereft and affection, and promoted 4 and confirmed a legal liberty to tender con- * fciences, by all which his reign was adorned, 4 to the renown of his memory." 44 And it having pleafed the all-wife God, 4 the difpofer of kingdoms, to preferve thee 6 to fucceed to the government of thefe na- ; tions, and thereby to the maintaining and ' confummating thofe great works fo happily • begun, we humbly beg leave to congratulate 4 thy free and peaceable accemon to the throne, c from whence we obferve the Queen's excel- ' lent declaration, manifesting her care for the ' good of all her people, and therefore doubt i not but we her proteftant diffenting fubjects ' fhall partake of her royal favour and pro- c teclion. " We fincerely declare, that with the aflif- " tance of the grace of God we will always, cc according to our chriftian duty, demonftrate " our PEOPLE called QUAKERS. 5 " our good affection, truth and fidelity to the chap.. " Queen and her government, and heartily XIV» " pray that his wifdom may direct, and his ,te^v~^ " bleffing be upon the Queen and her great !'G2, " council, to the fuppreffing of vice and im- " morality, and the promoting of piety, peace " and charity, to the glory of God, and the " benefit of thefe nations. " May the King of Kings make thy reign " long and glorious, to which temporal blef- " fing we mail pray for thy eternal happi- " nefs. " Signed on behalf and by the appointment " of the aforefaid people at a meeting in " London the 10th of 2d month 1702." This addrefs was very favourably received by the Queen, who, upon its being read to her, anfwered : " I thank you for your addrefs, and I affure " you of my protection." The Queen having afterwards publickly de-TheQi!een clared her refolution to maintain the act of to- glares her leration in favour of diffenters, friends at their to maintain fucceedinur yearly meeting in London thought it d,c tolera" 6 • i • l j j ,- ct,on- proper to wait upon her with an addreis or thanks for her faid declaration, and the follow- ing addrefs was drawn up by faid meeting, and prefented to her by a deputation of fuitable friends : To HISTORY of the " To Queen Anne, over England, &c. " The humble and thankful acknowledg- " ment of the people commonly called Quakers, " from their yearly meeting in London, the " 30th day of the third month called May, " 1702. " May it pleafe the Queen, second ad- " We thy peaceable and dutiful fubjects, drcfstothcce met from moft parts 0f thY dominions, at " our ufual yearly meeting (for the promotion " of piety and charity), being deeply affected " with thy free and noble refolution in thy late " fpeech at the prorogation of the parliament, " to preferve and maintain the act of toleration, " for the eafe *nd quiet of all thy people, " could not but in gratitude efteem ourfclves " engaged, both to thank Almighty God for " that favourable influence, and to renew and " render our humble and hearty acknowledg- " ments to the Queen for the fame, affuring " her (on behalf of all our friends) of our " fmcere affection and chriflian obedience. " And we befeech God, the fountain of wif- " dom and goodnefs, fo to direct all thy coun- " fels and undertakings, that righteoufnefs " which exalts a nation, and mercy and juftice " that eflablifh a throne, may be the character " of thy reign, and the bleflings of thefe king- " doms under it. " Signed by appointment and qn behalf .** of the faid meeting." Of PEOPLE called QJJAKERS. 7 Of thofe who prefented this addrefs, William chap. Perm was the deliverer, and the Queen was xiv. pleaied to fpeak to him in a very kind manner, v— • v-w and not only received the faid addrefs favour- »703- ably, but after it was read to her, fhe was pleaied to give the following anfwer : " Mr. Penn, I am fo well pleafed that what " I have faid is to your fatisfaction, that you " and your friends may be allured of my pro- " te&ion." This year died Margaret, the widow of George Account of Fox, being in or about the 87th year of her JJargarct age. She was the daughter of John Afkew of Marfli Grange in the parifli of Dalton in Lan- cafhire, a gentleman of an antient family and good eftate, and confpicuous for piety and charity. His daughter Margaret was religioufly inclined from her tender years, and was mar- ried before fhe attained the age of eighteen years to Thomas Fell, who being bred a lawyer, was, made a juftice of peace, was a member in feveral parliaments, appointed vice-chancellor of the county of Lancafter, and after fome time a Welch judge, in which ftations he acquitted himfelf with honour, being in reputation for wifdom, juftice, moderation and mercy. He deceafed in the year 1658, having been married twenty-fix years, and left behind him a fori and feven daughters. We have feen the means ufed to exafperate him againft the Quakers (fo called) on account of the convincement of his wife and moft of his family in his abfence, and the anxiety he conceived on that account ; but when he came home, the difcreet and obliging behaviour 8 HISTORY of the. CHAP, behaviour of his wife, and George Fox's dif- xiv. courfe, difpelled the cloud, and opened his un- v-~v~*-y derftanding to perceive that the reprefentation ll°2- he had received of this people was the effect of antipathy, and intended to prejudice him againfl them ; he therefore continued to treat his wife with his ufual complacency and affection : and after he gave up his houfe for a meeting-place for her and her friends, he was not obferved to give much attendance upon the public wor- fhip, but when the meeting was kept in his hall, he generally fat in an adjoining room, where he could hear without appearing to join the friends in their worfhip ; and although he did not profefs himfelf of their fociety, he af- forded them his protection againfl the malice of their enemies, as far as lay in his power. The principal part of Margaret Fell's tranf- actions, as a member of this fociety, have been already related in the. courfe of this hiftory ; her frequent applications to King Charles and ethers in favour of her fuffering friends, (in which her indefatigable perfeverance gave her fuc- cefs), me repeated at times to near the .King's death. To her own fufferings we have only to add, that belide her premunire and im- prilonments, fhe was feveral times fined for preaching. After a widowhood of eleven years fhe was married to George Fox, and furvived him about the fame length of time. That fhe was a woman of good fenfe and true greatnefs of mind, is evident from her behaviour and de- fence on her trial for refufing to fvvear ; that fhe was a prudent mother and fkilful manager of her family and domeftic concerns appeared in the effects thereof in her daughters, who were all PEOPLE called QJJAKERS. 9 all well married, honourable and well accom- chap. plifhed women: She was confpicuous for virtue XIv- in civil fociety, but this procured her no refpect ^— ^~»> from thofe who could fee no virtue without the 17°2- pale of conformity ; (lie was eminent for her rank and fervices in religious fociety, and there- fore was diftinguiihed by a peculiar feverity of perfecution ; fhe was honourable in her life, and evidenced me was well prepared for her death by the excellent expreffions fhe uttered near her conclufion. George Keith, who had as yet by his confor- g. k«a mity obtained no fettlement in the church of knlz~ a England, but preached in different places as the bifhops appointed him, was about this time fent as a miflionary to America, having raifed an expectation that he would bring over many of the Quakers and others to the church (fo called;) his fuccefs will appear when we come in courfe to treat of the (late of this fociety in America, for there we mail meet with him again. o In the year 1704, Ambrofe Rigge of Ryegate 1704. in Surrey, departed this life. He was born atAccounrof Banton in Weftmoreland, and convinced of the Riggc. C principles of this fociety about the year 1652, and was thereupon rejected by his parents and relations. In fome time after, he thought it his duty to appear as a minifter amongft them, and travelled in the exercife of his miniftry to Lon- don, and to the fouthern and weftern counties of England in or about the year 1655, in com- pany with Thomas Robertfon : Zealous for the promotion of the teftimony of the truth, his His fu&r- fufferings for his teftimony bore proportion to inss- his zeal. His imprifonment with his companion Thomas Rofcertfon at Bafingftoke, in the courfe At Bafinr- ef ftoke. IO H I S T O R Y OF THE C H A P. of that year, hath been already noticed. He xiv. was again impriioned at Southampton in the ^^ — ' fame year. In the year 1658, paffing through 17°4- thefe parts again, the impulfe of chriftian duty At south- incited him to vifit his friends in prifon there, ampton. an(j for ^g 0ffice 0f brotherly kindnefs he was feized by the conftable and other officers, and moll fhamefully abufed, being dragged down ftairs, feized by the throat, fet on a cowl ftaff, from which they let him fall ; then they dragged him by the feet to the cage, pulling his hair off his head, and tearing his clothes. After all this ill ufage, he was, by the mayor's order whipped in the market place ; then thrown down backward into a wheelbarrow, carried in that up a part of the ftreet, and from thence thrown into a dung cart, and fo fent away from tithing to tithing, and threatened, that if he came again he mould be whipped twice as much, burned on the (boulder and baniflied the land. At another time vifiting a friend in his ficknefs, he was taken before two juftices, who, becaufe he declined to pull off his hat at their command, fent him to prifon, where he lay five weeks. This is another fpecimen of the unchriflian treatment, which this people received from thofe hands, who, under pretence of the privileges of the people being infringed by the former powers, had taken up arms to redrefs their grievances. The fucceeding revolution of government in the reftoration of the monarchy exempted them from thefe fervile punimments of whipping and paffing them as vagrants, but expofed them to great hard (hips in long and uncomfortable im- priibnments, and fpoiling of their outward fub- pance. This PEOPLE called QUAKERS. « This friend feems to have fuffered feverely chap. under every government, by mod or all the xiv, variety of penal laws contrived for the diftrefling v^v^-' of non-conformifts. The fifth-monarchy men "W- had no fooner made their infurrection, than he was taken up as he was travelling on horfe- back and carried before the lieutenant of the county, who ordered him to be (tripped and fearched, fent away his mare, kept him on guard * all night, and next day fent him to Winchefter, ^T where after four days confinement in the mar- fhal's houfe, the oath of allegiance was tendered him by two juftices, who, upon his refufing it, committed him to the county jail, where he lay above four months. In 1662 he was committed * 4 to prifon at Horfham in Sufiex, and at the next AtHur- aiTizes indifted, tried immediately, and fentence J^^" of premunire was paifed upon him in the ufual manner, under which he was detained in prifon ten years and upward. He was profecuted in g the Exchequer for tithes at the fuit of Robert in the £v Pepys, prieft of Gatton, who furioufly threaten- che^uer* ed to kill him : Said Pepys profecuted him, his wife and two of his fervants in the Ecclefiaftical court, and procured their excommunication for abfence from the national worfhip. Ambrofe Rigge was indicted at feffions for not going to hear common prayer, and was committed to prifon, where he lay above a year. In 1683 he was profecuted by the aforefaid Pepys on the ftatute of 20I. a month for eleven months ab- fence from the national worfhip. Having thus paifed a life of religious labour in the fervice of God and man, whereby many were converted to righteoufnefs ; and endured perfection and affliction with remarkable faith - fulnefs 12 HISTORY op the CHAP, fulnefs and patience, whereby his peace was xiv. encreafed, in the time of his lad ficknefs, he ' — ' ' looked forward towards his dilTolution as the end '7°4' of all his troubles, faying, / a?n going where the weary are at reft ; and having been inured to patience in affliction, it deferted him not in this laft trial of all. He bore his ficknefs with much patience and refignation to the Divine Will, and his love and elteem of the pure truth abode with him to the laft, declaring a little before his departure, " If friends kept to the " root of life in themfelves they would be the " happieft people in the world." He departed thi's life the 30th of 1 im0, 1704, aged feventy years or upward, and a miniiter forty-nine years. He lived Ions: enough to fee with regret a decienfion in fome profeffing the fame principle of truth, in turning their attention more to the purfuit of great pofleflions in this world, to ag- grandize themfelves and families, than to make their calling and election fure, whereby fome meeting with difappointment in their aim, had deviated from that fcrupulous regard to moral juftice, which in the beginning had remarkably diftinguifhed the members of this fociety j the deep and affecting concern of his mind drew from him the following epiftle of advice to his friends : " Many days and months, yea, fome years, " hath my life been oppreffed, and my fpirit " grieved, to fee and hear of the uneven walking *' of many, who have a name to live, and pro- " fefs the knowledge of God in words, yea, " and alfo of fome who had tafted of the good " word of God, and have been made partakers " of PEOPLE called QUAKERS. 13 of the powers of the world to come, and have CHAP. received the heavenly gift and grace of God, xiv. which teacheth all ( who waik in it) to deny all ^-*"V^ ungodlincfs and worldly lifts, and to live foberly, I7°4- honeftly and righteoujly in this prefent world, whofe faithfuhicis (with great reafon) hath been expected to God in things of the highefl: concern, and to have walked as lights in the world, and in all faith) ulnefs both to God and man, to have flood as living monuments of the mercies of the Lord, letting their lights fo fhine before men, that they might fee their good works, both in fpiritual and temporal concerns ; and fo might have honoured and glorified God in their day and generation, and have convinced (or confounded) gain- fayers, putting to filence the ignorance of fuolifh men, whereby the worthy name of the Lord (by which they have been called), might have been renowned through the earth, and his precious truth and glory fpread to the ends of it. that many through the beholding their good and exemplary converfation in Chriit, (coupled with the holy fear of God) might have defired to lay hold of the fkirt of a chrif- tian indeed, whofe praife is not of men, but of God. " Thefe are the fruits which we have laboured and travelled for, through many and great tribulations, that many might be turned to righie- oufnefs, and thai the knowledge of the power and glory of the Lord might cover the earth, even as the waters do the fea. This was (and is) our only end and defign, which bleifed be the Lord, many are witnelfes of, and eftal .nlied in, to our abundant joy and comfort: But there " are i4 H I S T O R Y of the are fome amongft us, who have not walked humbly with the Lord, as he hath required, nor kept in that low eftate, neither inwardly " nor outwardly, which becometh fuch who are " travelling up to Zion, with their faces thither- " ward, but have launched from the rock which \sfirm and fare, into the great fea of troubles and uncertainty, where fome have been drown- ed, others hardly efcaping, and many yet la- bouring for the more, with little hopes of coming at it ; who have not only brought them (elves in danger of fuffering fhipwreck, " but have drawn in others, and have endan- " tage, before they can hazard other men's x7°4' " eitates to advance their own ; fuch are not " forward to borrow, nor to complain for want, " for their eye and truft is to the Lord their " preferver and upholder, and he hath con- " tinued the little meal in the barrel, and the oyl " in the cruj'e hath not failed to fuch, 'till God " hath fent further help ; this is certainly known " to a remnant at this day, who have coveted no K man's Jilver, gold or apparel, but have and do " labour with their hands night and day, that the " gcfpel may be without charge. " It is fo far below the nobility of Chri/lianityy " that it is fhort of common civility and honed fo- " ciety amongft men, to twijl into men's eftates, " and borrow upon the truth's credit, (gained by " the jufl and upright dealing of the faithful) " more than they certainly know their own *' eftates are like to anfwer ; and with what they " borrow reach after great things in the world, " appearing to men to be what in the fight of " God and truth they are not, feeking to com- " pafs great gain to themfelves, whereby to c; make themfelves or children rich or great in " the world : This 1 teftify for the Lord God, " is deceit and hypocrify, and will be blafled " with the breath of his mouth, and we have " feen it already. " And that eftate, that is got either with the " rending, or with the hazard of rending ano- " ther man's, is neither honeftly got, nor can *' be bleffed in the poffeiiion : For he that bor- " rows money of another, if the money lent be " either Id HISTORY of the CHAP. XIV. 1704. either the lender's proper eftate, or part of it, or orphan's money that he is entrufted withal, or widow's, or fome fuch, who would not let it go but upon certain good fecurity, and to have the valuable confiderarion of its im- provement ; and the borrower, though he hath little or no real or perfonal eftate of his own, but hath got fome credit, either as he is a profeilor of the truth, or other wife, and hath (it may be) a little houfe, and a fmall trade, it may be enough to a> low and con- tented mind ; but then the enemy gets in, and works in his mind, and he begins to think of an higher trade and a finer houfe, and to live more at eafe and pleafure in the world, and then contrives how he may bor- row of this and the other, and when accom- plifhed according to his defire, then he begins to undertake great things, and get into a fine houfe, and gather rich furniture and goods together, launching presently into the itrong torrent of a great trade, and then make a great (how, beyond what really he is, which is difhonefty ; and if he accomplifh his in- tended purpofe, to raife himfelf in the world, it is with the hazard (at ieaft) of other men's ruin, which is unjuft: but if he falls fhort of his expectation (as commonly fuch do) then he doth not only ruin others, but himfelf alfo, and brings a great reproach upon the blelfed truth he profeifeth, which is worfe than all ; and this hath already been mani- fefled in a great meafure, and by fad ex- perience witneifed. But the honeft, upright heart and mind knows how to want, as well as how to abound, having learned content " in PEOPLE called QUAKERS. 17 " in all ftates and conditions; a fmall cottage c hap.' " and a little trade is fufficient to that Mind, xiv. " and it never wants what is fufficient : For he "wv^ " that clothes the lilies, and feeds the ravens, I7°4- " cares for all who trujl in him, as it is at this " day witneffed, praifes to God on high ; and " that man hath no glory in (nor mind out after) " fuperfiluous or ncedlefs, rich hangings, cojily ti furniture, fine tables, great treats, curious beds% " vejfels of f ilver, or vejfels of gold, the very p of " fejjion of which creates envy, as faid the antient chriftian Clemens Alexandrinus. Padag. lib. 2. cap. 3. pag. 160, 161. " The way to be rich and happy in this world, is firft to learn righteoufnefs ; for fuch were never forfaken in any age, nor their feed begging their bread. . And charge all parents " of children, that they keep their children low " and plain in meat, drink, apparel, and every " thing elfe, and in due fubjection to all juft " and reafonable commands, and let them not (t appear above the real eftates of their parents, " nor get up in pride and high things, though u their parents have plentiful eftates ) for that tc I is of dangerous confequence to their future " happinefs : And let all whb'profefs the truth, " both young and old, rich and poor, fee that " they walk according to the rule and difcipline " of the gofpel, in all godly conversation and " honefty, that none may fuiTer wrong by them in any matter or thing whatever ; that as the Apoftle exhorted, they may owe nothing to any man, but to love one another ; for love out of a pure heart is the fulfilling the law : which law commands to do jujlly to all men : And he that hath but little, let him live according to that Vol. IV. C « little, a iS H I S T OR Y of thi little, and appear to be what in truth he is ; for above all God abhors the hypocrite, and he that makes halte to be rich falls into fnares, temptations, and many noifome and hurtful lufts, which drown many in perdition, and the love of money is the root of all evil, which while fome have lifted after, they have erred from the faith, and compaffed themfelves about with many forrows. " For preventing this growing evil for the time to come, let fuch by faithful friends be exhorted, who either live without due care, fpending above what they are able to pay for, cr run inco great trades, beyond what they can in honefty and truth manage, and let them be tenderly admonifhed of fuch their undertakings ; this will not offend the lowly upright mind ; neither will the honeft-mind- ed, who through a temptation may be drawn into fuch a fnare and danger, take any occa- fion to (tumble, becaufe his deeds are brought to the light. And if after mature deliberation, any are manifefted to be run into any danger of falling, or pulling others down with them, let them be faithfully dealt withal in time, before the hope of recovery be loft, by honeft, faithful friends, who are clear of fuch things themfelves, and be admonifhed to pay what they have borrowed faithfully and in due time, and be content with' their own, and to labour with their own hands in the thing that is honeft, that they may have wherewith to give to him that needeth, knowing that -it is more blcffed to give than to receive. And if they hear, and are thereby recovered, you will not count your labour loft t ' but if thev " be PEOPLE called QJJAKERS. 19 be high, and refufe admonition, it is a mani-CH A P. feft fign all is not well : Let fuch be admonilh- xiv. ed again by more friends, and warned of the v — v — J danger before them ; and if they (till refufe ' 4°4- and reject counfei and admonition, then lay it before the meeting (concerned about truth's affairs) to -which they do belong, and if they refufe to hear them, then let a teftimony go forth againft fuch their proceedings and un- dertakings, as not being agreeable to the truths nor the tejlimony of a good confcience, neither in the fight of God nor man ; this will be a terror to evil-doers of this kind, and a prcrTe, en- couragement and refreshment to them who do well, and nothing will be loft, that is worth faving, by this care : for he that doth truth, whether in fpiritual or temporal mat- ters, will willingly bring his deeds to light, that they may be manifefled to all, that they are wrought in God. " Thefe things lay weightily upon me, and I may truly fay, in the fight of God, / writ them in a great crofs to my own will, for I delight not, nay, my foul is bowed down at the occafion of writing fuch things ; but there is no remedy, the name of the Lord has been, and is likely to be greatly dimonoured, if things of this nature be not flopped, or prevented for time to come : Therefore I befeech you all, who have the weight and fenfe of thefe things upon you, let fome fpeedy and effectual courfe be taken to pre- ; vent what pofhbly we may, both in this and >ali other things, that may any way cloud the : glory of that fun which is rifen amongfb us. : And make this public, and fend it abroad to C 2 " be io HISTORY oi the chap." be read in true fear and reverence, and let xiv. " all concerned be faithfully and plainly warned ^—v**-; " (without refpect of perfons) by faithful friends, 1704. a ^q iiaVe the care of God's glory, and his " church's peace and profperity upon them : " So will the majefly and glory of God mine " upon your heads, and you mall be a good " favour of life, both in them that are faved, " and in them that are loft. " Written by one ivho longs to fee righteoufnefs u exalted, and all deceit confounded, ie Gatten-place in Surrey , the 16th *? of the nth month, 1678. « AMBROSE RIGGE." CHAP. PEOPLE called QUAKERS. ji CHAP. XV. Account of John Blakeling. — Gilbert Latey.—Anne Camm. — Perfecuting Acl, entitled Hereticks, pajfed in the Colony of Connecticut. — Repealed by the £>ueen and Council. JOHN BLAKELING of Draw-well in theCHAP. parifh of Sedbergh in Yorkfhire, on the border xv« of Weftmoreland, was one amongft the earlieft v^"v~'*-' profeuors of the univerfality of the light Account3 Lf of grace which came by Jefus Chrift ; him- JohnBiaka- felf, his wife, his father and mother being in£' people in etlimation with mod or all who knew them, for their fobriety and religious conver- fation, were all convinced by the miniftry of George Fox, when he firfl publiihed his doctrine of the divine light in man in thefe parts, viz. in the third month 1652. About the beginning of the year 1655, John Blakeling appeared as a public minuter of the fame doctrine, and foon after travelled into the counties of Durham, Northum- berland and Yorkfhire. A few years after that he travelled into Scotland, vifiting a great part of that nation, as alio the northern counties of England in his way thither, and in his return. He like wife travelled through molt of the coun- ties of the nation at different times in the exercife of his miniftry, wherein his labours were very ferviceable and very acceptable to his friends, by whom he was greatly beloved and reflected. Being 22 HISTORY OF THE chap. Being a man of primitive fimplicity in his xv. miniftry, he was more attentive to mimftef under v~~v*-' the influence of divine power :.ad wifdom to ,7°5" reach and affect the heart with fbhd !:npremons, than to pleafe the ear by clegar~e of ipeech ; although his teflimony was not eloquent, it was fubflantial in profound aud important matter, luitable to the Hates of the auditory to which he miniftered. In the difcipline of the fociety he was emin- ently Serviceable, being endowed with clear dis- cernment, found judgment and a good under- flanding in fpiritual fubjects, as well as in temporal affairs, whereby he was well qualified to give his fentiments with pertinence to matters under deliberation ; he was remarkably zealous for the promotion and maintaining of good order in the church, firm and fteadfaft in op- pofmg and bearing teflimony againfl contentious, diforderly and licentious fpirits, againfl fuch as occafioned difrepute to the character of the fo- ciety. It was at his houfe at * Draw-well, that the memorable meeting was held for the reco- very of John Wilkinfon, John Story and their adherents, as before recited. His benevolence and charity to the deferving were no Iefs remarkable, than his zeal for good order. A tender fympathizer with thofe in low circumflances, he frequently aflifted them in their difficulties, to the hazard of lofmg thereby, and frequently had the fatisfaclion to fee the good effects of this exertion of his benevolence, in being bleffed with fuccefs for their effectual ief. He * See vol. iii, p. I J, PEOPLE called QUAKERS. 23 He had both the qualification and difpofition chap. to prevent mifunderftandings and promote peace, xv. being poffeffed of penetration, judgment and v-^^~° patience, with impartiality, to determine contro- I7°5- verfies and reconcile differences about temporal concerns ; his reputation for juftice and know- ledge in which, produced the general confidence of his friends and others, to devolve upon him various trufls for orphans, &c. which he tranf- a&ed with unfpotted integrity ; fo that his re- moval, even in an advanced age, was reputed a fenfible lofs, not only in the fociety of which he was a member, but in his neighbourhood alfo. His unfpotted reputation did not exempt him from the fufferings attendant on his profeffion ; he was a confiderable fufFerer both in perfon. and property. In the year 1661, this friend, in company with many more, was taken from a meeting at South Shields in the county of Dur- ham by Major Graham, then deputy governor of Tinmouth caftle ; they were caft into filthy holes there, where they lay a month, and then he turned them out, having fo far as appeared to them, neither order, authority nor warrant for any part of his proceeding. In 1664 he was imprifoned in York cattle, fixty miles from his habitation, being taken with about fifty more from a meeting at Thomas Taylor's in Sedbergh, and after being detained fome time in the cuftody of the conitable, they were order- ed by the juftices to appear at the fellions about a week after, which they did ; and John Blake- ling, with about twenty others, were from thence committed to the aforefaid caftle. In the year 1683 he was profecuted in the arch- deacons 24 H I S T O R Y of the chap, deacons court at Richmond, and by a writ de xv« excommunicato capiendo committed again to York ^-^v^ caflle, where he was confined feveral years, as '7°5- appears by two-petitions figned by him in com- pany with other prifoners, one to the King in 1684, the other to the Members of parliament for the county in 1685. The following extract from the former exhibits a plain narrative of the ruinous and unfair modes of plunder adopted by ill principled men againft this inoffenfive body of fubjecls for the vileft purpofes : " Divers perfons convicted, fined and dif- ' trained upon the ftatute of 20I. a month, " were firft prefented and profecuted upon the " ftatute of 1 2d. a Sunday's abfence, and at " the beginning of the feffions called upon the 8 fafd prefentment and profecution ; yet during 8 the feffions the profecution was changed to : 20I. a month, and the informers and bailiffs " who were appointed to make the diftrefs, were " fo cruel, and fo deftitute of common huma-. 8 nity, that where there were not goods fuf- 88 ficient to gratify their avaricious defires, they " have taken the very beds from under the 8 fick, their working tools from tradefmen, 88 and the entire property of all kinds from c others, fo that many families have been to- 88 tally ruined, to the great grief of many fober 8 people who had the opportunity of obferving cc their cruel ufage. ' Since the profecution of our friends for ; monthly abfence began by qui tarns, feveral ' of the word fort of men, fome who have " wafted their own eftates, take this method of " repairing them by the fpoil of honeft people. 5 Others who owe money upon bonds, being " called PEOPLE called QUAKERS. 2$ " upon for payment, forthwith bring a qui- " tarn, and by this method difcoimt and pay " their debts, or elfe clap the juft creditor in *' prifon, to lie there unlefs the bond be given " up." In the year 1671 he was fined 20I. 10s. for a meeting at his houfe. While of ability of body he was a good ex- ample, in a diligent attendance of religious meetings ; but for fome time before his death, he was prevented by the infirmities attendant upon advanced age, during which, he exprefled the comfort , which he enjoyed in the Lord's peace and prefence with him in his old age, that his day's work was nigh done, and his reward and reji with God was fare. He often fignihed his pre- parednefs to leave the world, with fervent de- fires for truth's profperity, and the preservation of unity and concord amongft brethren, in a faithful and fteady teftimony for the fame in every part thereof. He had a fhort ficknefs and an eafy death, palling quietly out of this world without a finh or a groan, in the eightieth year of his age, and was honourably interred at Friends burying place at Sedbergh, the fourth day of the 5th month, 1705. Gilbert Latey, whom I have had repeated occa- Account of fion to mention, for his frequent folicitations to Latey? government in favour of his friends under fuf- ferings, died in the courfe of this year. He was born of honeil parents in the parifh called St. Iffey in Cornwall, in 1626. His fariier was a reputable yeoman, his mother a gentlewoman of the principal family in the parifh. Gilbert be- ing 20 HISTORY OF THE chap, ing their youngeft child, and his elder brothers xv« being iettled in bufmefs abroad, and in a prof- *-^s—> perous way, he was defirous alfo to learn fome pJJ^pren. trade ; and being a promifing youth, a perfon, tice to d a taylor by trade, was defirous of taking him as tayor' an apprentice, to whom he was bound accord- ingly, and ferved a fevere apprenticeihip with fidelity. When the term of his apprenticeihip was nnifned, he removed for improvement, in his occupation, firft to Plymouth, and afterwards to London, where he arrived in the 9th month, 1648. He was a man of a fober converfation, and fmcerely religious, attaching himfelf to thofe pallors and teachers who were in the greateft eftimation at that time, frequenting fermons with remarkable diligence, and exercifing him- felf much in private prayer : His integrity of heart, feen by the all-infpecting eye, drew down profpcred the divine bleffing on the labour of his facte. hands, which prospered his undertakings in bufmefs : His religious regard to honefty pro- cured him reputation, and his reputation pro- cured him the employment and cordial regard of many perfons of considerable rank and fla- tion in the world. But his outward profperity did not fatisfy the defire of his foul, which was to find peace with his maker : In fearch of this attainment he had reforted from one preacher to another, of thofe who were accounted the molt refined, and mod eminent for piety and re- ligious experience, but in his Searching without, he could not find what he wanted to obtain. Convinced In the year 1654, he heard that fome men nifiryCoTl" out of the North were to have a meeting at the Edward houfe Burrough. PEOPLE called QJJAKERS. 27 houfe of Sarah Mathews, widow, to which he c H A p- went ; thefe men were Francis Howgill and Ed- xv* ward Burrough ; by the powerful and convinc- s-~v"— ' ing miniftry of the latter he was fo effectually reached, that he yielded affent to his doctrine of the light of Chrift in man ; and not confulting with flefh and blood, he turned his attention to follow the leadings of the Holy Spirit, through the illumination whereof he attained a clear and difcernmg under (landing, and a found judg- ment, by which he was qualified to become a ferviceable affiftant, in thefe early times of the fociety, previous to the eftabliihing of a regular discipline, to introduce and preferve order in the church in the city of London and places ad- jacent, as well as in fettling and keeping up the meetings in thofe parts, being exemplary in attending and vifiting them, from place to place, as his concern drew him ; although frequently in great jeopardy, during the time of anarchy between Cromwell's death, and the restoration of King Charles, when the rude populace * were broken loofe, and ftimulated to rage and vio- lence, and would frequently (tone them going to, in, and coming from their religious meet- ings, to the fhedding the blood and endangering the lives of many. About this time I apprehend it was, that he met with a very clofe trial of his faith, com- parative to the cutting off the right hand : Lie He declines was ftill in a very profperous way of bufmefs, ^"uT^vith in which he employed many journeymen to an- fuperftaou* fwer the calls of his employers, many of whom ornaniel!ts- were perfons of rank and fafnion ; but being by the * See vol. i. p. 266, &c,; %% HISTORY of the CHAP, the power of the crofs of Chrift. induced to deny ^v» himfelf of all fuperfluity and needlefs ornaments w"v""*~' in his own apparel, in conformity to the plain- ' >* nefs of his profeffion, and the doctrine of the apoftles . of Chrift:, which was againfl the wearing of gold and filver and coftly array : The fame principle of light and grace which had inrlrucred him to lay afide all fuperfluiti.es in his own perfcn, inflrucr.ed him further that he could not keep up his teitimony for the fimplicity of the golpel with clearnefs, while he was in the prac- tice of furnifhing to others thofe fuperfluities, which he had, from confcientious conviction of their tendency to nouriih a vain mind, and their inconfiflency with chriflian gravity and humi- lity, laid afide. In order to appeafe his con- fcience, he was obliged to fubmit to the bitter- nefs of the crofs, and endure the fhame, by de- clining to adorn any apparel with fuperfluous or- naments of lace, ribbons and fuch like need- lefs trimming, or fuifering his fervants to do it ; which occafioned many to imagine he was going befide himfelf. His cuftomers left him; his trade declined ; he was obliged to difmifs his journeymen for want of employment ; his out- ward profpect-S were fo difcour aging that he did not know but, that he might now be reduced to the neceffity of working in the capacity of a jour- neyman himfelf, and of earning his bread by his daily labour : Yet being thus ftrengthened to prefer the testimony of a good confcience to the acquifition of temporary treafure. and give up all the flattering projects of this world for folic! peace of mind, poilemng his foul in pa- tience, and fubmitting to be accounted a fool for PEOPLE called QUAKERS. 29 for ChriiVs fake, he experienced the kindnefs of c H A P- divine providence fupporting him through his xv* trials ; fo that as his outward difcouragements v-^,/~N^ abounded, his inward peace did much more a- l?°** bound ; and having faithfully fought the king- dom of God, and his rightebufnels ; nil things necefiary, for his accommodation in this life, were added to his full content. And although he loft the employment of many of his cuftomers of rank and quality, he did not lofe their refpectful efteem of his virtue and his integrity ; this they retained with kindnefs, which gave him ready accefs to them, and others in authority and power ; many of whom were pleafed to favour him with their countenance and friendfhip on feveral occasions. His intereft and acquaintance with perfons of high rank and ftation he applied, not to his own emolument, but to the relief of his friends under fuffering in perfon or property ; deeply fympainizmg with them in their various afflictions, he was always forward to ufe his folicitations for their eafc, and frequently with fignal fuccefs. When intelligence was received in London of HisfclWu- the imprisonment of Katharine Evans and Sarah r'^-f^of Cheevers, in the inquihtion of Malta; Gilbert K"th"i5ie Latey (who in concert with Gecr ■<. was .-^h" concerned for their releafe*) applied himrelf with chcc™- folicitude to find out fome perfon, if poiable, who had an intered or influence in thofe parts, and, after fome time and pains fpent in the en- quiry, he received information, thai one, called Lord D'Aubigny, who had come over with the * 1 30 HISTORY of the c ii a P. Queen Dowager, and was Lord Almoner to her 9 xv- had both intereft, power and authority in the r^*~~~> ifland of Malta. Gilbert upon receiving this ' ' intelligence, thought it his duty to wait upon this Lord D'Aubigiiy, to requeft his intereft and in- terceffion for their releafe, which he readily pro- mifed. He was a prieft in orders according to the canons of the Romifh church ; yet no bigot, but a man of a rational, liberal and generous fpirit ; Gilbert, to fatisfy his enquiry, gave him fome information of friends principles and doc- trine, to which he anfwered to this purport, " Some of our people think your friends are " mad, but I entertain a very different opi- " nion." tnrdD'Au- Gilbert renewing his enquiry from time to c"!r"f their thne, if Lord D'Aubigiiy had received any an- reieafe. fwer to the letters he had promifed to write to Malta, at length received from him the accept- able account that his friends were reftored to their liberty : And fome time after they arrived in England, and coming to London, paid Gil- bert a vifit ; and after acknowledging his love in his exertions for their releafe, they requefted him to introduce them to Lord D'Aubigiiy, whom God had made the inftrument of their en- largement out of a fevere bondage. He readily complied with their requeft, and accompanied: them to their benefactor, to whom Gilbert, as ;:fual, found ready admittance.; when introduc- ing his companions, .he faid,. thefe friends, who have been partakers of thy kindnefs, are come' to pay their acknowledgments to thee for the fame; whereupon he afked, if they were the women I PEOPLE called QUAKERS. 31 women ? to which they replied they were ; and c h a p. after their grateful acknowledgment of his great xv* favour and kindnefs, added, that were it in their v ^"^ power they would be as ready in all love to l/05- ferve him: Upon which he replied, good women, for what fervice or kindnefs I have done you, all that I fhall defire of you is, that when you pray to God. you will remember me in your prayers, and fo they parted. Gilbert Latey was a party in moll or all the concerned folicirations to government for the eafe of Friends "].m'>ft„aP" . o • plications to in the different cafes of fevere fufFering, through govern- the reigns of King Charles, King James and Kingmcnt* William, as hath been already recited; but it may not be impertinent briefly to mention two cafes of application made by him, in company with his faithful colleague George Whitehead, which have not been noticed before. The firffc was the fuffering cafe of feveral Friends in Nor- wich, under the cruelty of the fherifF and jailer, who, for attending their religious meetings, were imprifoned to the number of fixt.y- three perfons, and very feverely treated ; ten of them being put into a deep dungeon, twenty-nine fteps under ground ; and feveral others into a hole amongft felons. An account of their griev- ous fufferings being fent to friends in London, and ineffectual endeavours ufed for their redrefs, being defeated by the mifreprefentations of the lherirl ; George Whitehead and Gilbert Larcy refoved to wait upon the king in perfon, whom they met, with feveral nobles and atrend- ants, w'hen they delivered the* king a petition from Friends of Norwich, and warmly iblicired him in their favour : They had a prerty long conference 32 H I S T O R Y of the chap, conference with him, and gave him pertinent xv* r anlwers to feveral enquiries he n ade in refpecV, ,-q,. to the lingular conduct of Friends in fome cafes ', yet rUll keeping the caufe of their application in view, repeatedly entreated him to compaf- fionate the cafe of their fuffering Friends in Norwich : In fine, the kin? beinj: fenlible that fome of their treatment was not only cruel but illegal, allured hem he would have it fearched into, and conllder their cafe. The affizes com- ing on foon 3uer, the prifoners were called, to whom the judges behaved with remarkable mo- deration, ana leleafed them from their impri- fonme±:t, adhng, as there was ground to fup- pcie, according to the inflructions they had from the king in confequence of this applica- tion. The other cafe not before related was con- cerning the Park and Savoy meetiiig-houfes ; the cafe of the Park meeting-houfe was this : Cafcofth* ■ About :he month called May, 16S5, the fol- Savoymeet- diers pcfTefTed themfelves of this meeting-houfe, mgnoufes. ancj converted part of it into a guard-houfe : Then, as if their forcible entrance had given them a right of poneiiion, they made great waile upon the premifes, pulling down pales, digging up and cutting down the trees, tearing down the wamfcqts, and burning them and the ben- ches, carrying away the outward door, and fe- veral of the caiements. Afterward, when they were drawn out to the camp, they left the houfe open to any inirufion. John Potter, in whom the title was vetted, re-entered, enclofcd the outward door, and made other repairs, and' had a iuryey taken or the damages, which were ef- ti mated at 40I. The PEOPLE called QUAKERS. 33 The foldiers returning again from camp, a c H A p* quarter-mafter belonging to Colonel Halle's re- xv* gin ent, came to the chambers of the faid John Potter, and demanded entrance, which was re- fufed : The quarter-mafter, affifted by foldiers, broke in, handed away the goods, turned out three aged women to another houfe, and made alterations in the meeting-houfe for their accom- modation, as if they meant to keep perpetual poffeffion. John Potter leveral times fhewed the colonel his leafe, and title to the place. ; but it availed nothing, he and his foldiers regarding neither law nor equity, kept pofTeflion, and (till continued there. Gilbert Latey and George Whitehead agreed to join in a folicitation to King James for re- dreis of this grievance, and having gained ad- mittance to his prefence, reprefented to him the hardfhip;; Friends were under, by having rheir property wrefted from them, both at the Park, and at the Savoy likewife, where Friends had been kept out in the cold yard in the winter many weeks by the guard. The King, who appears not to have been unconcerned in the matter, would needs have it, that thefe meeting-houfes were forfeited to him by the conventicle acl: ; but this they clearly disproved, and fhewed fo plainly the unreaionablenefs and illegality there- of, that wi'uhin a few weeks, he caufed both the meeting-houfes to be reftored, after the former was damaged, by computation to the amount of 150I. But it was not only in thefe folicitations to the His care for rulers, that the public fpirit and brotherly fjiti- &e.p00151 pathy of Gilbert Latey were excited to the fer- vice and relief of his friends j they were uni- Vol. IV. D formly HISTORY of the tormly exerted in every cafe, which might de- mand his friendly affiftance and attentive care, being one of thofe, who in early times had a l7°5' tender concern for the poor, fatherlefs and wi- dows ; the fick and the imprifoned, to enquire into their neceffities, and fupply their wants ; and when through persecution by imprifon- ment or diftraints, cafualties or difafters, the number greatly encreafed ; he was amongft the firft to fee the propriety and neceffity of call- ing in grave and motherly women to their af- fiftance, that fo none under thefe defcriptions might fuffer for want of attention and care in any part of the city. In 1665, when the deflruclive peflilence broke out in the city of London, and the generality of citizens, who were able, were fleeing for their lives to the country, this friend had taken lodg- ings to retreat to the country alio ; but was pre- vented by the confideration, that many of his brethren were detained in feveral jails for the teftimony of a good confcience, particularly in Newgate and the Gate-houfe in Weflminfter, in the midd of the contagion : For he could now feel no freedom to leave the citv, and defer t his friends under their multiplied calamities ; he therefore kept his habkarion, and according to He viGtshishis ufUal cuftom, vifited thofe in prifon ; to com- prifon fort them in their diitrefs ; to take care that no- a,nd. '" . thing might be wanting for their relief, fup- their fami- & & & , ' W lies during port or enlargement, as iar as in his power. the plague. ^n£j_ though his friends in prifon in this ca- lamitous feafon engaged his efpecial care, yet as the calamity was general, and not confined to prifons, neither were his fympathetic feelings ; he PEOPLE called QUAKERS. 35 e was alfo diligently employed at this feafon c H A p* 1 vifiting Friends in their families, both where (ley were laid up with the ficknefs, and where ^*~ Nr"" rey were recovering, (till under a concern that ' 5' othing mould be wanting for their comfort or ipport. And the hearts of Friends being open- d in brotherly fympathy with thofe, who were fflicted with this epidemical diftemper, money ras collected and fent up from the country to e distributed, where needful ; the care of this iftribution was committed to Gilbert Latey and ne other friend, to divide amongft poor Friends rho were lying ill of the contagion ; but more fpecially thofe who were fhut up in their houfes I the out parilhes. This truft they were care- II to difcharge with diligence and fidelity, en- uiring out, and vifiting thofe poor, who were Dnfined to their own hosfes, and diftributing to leir neceflities ; and paffing by none that they ould hear of, through all which he was merci- jlly preferved in health, till the contagion was mch abated, and the mortality was decreanng, rhen occafionally taking a cold, it brought on le prevailing diitemper ; but the divine provi- ence was over him for good, brought him ifely through the diftemper, and reftored him ) health again, to perfevere in doing good in is generation. We are now to view him in another light, as Receives a minifter of the gofpel. Soon after that clofe f^Xy^ ial of his faith, when in obedience to mani- ;fted duty, he relinquifhed his worldly profpe- ty, and declined to fit out the clothes he had > make with fuperfluous trimming, he received gift in the miniftry, in which he alfo laboured D 2 faithfully, native coun try 36 HISTORYofthe chap, faithfully, according to the ability received, xv* and fome were convinced, and many com- v>'"v^-/' forted, encouraged and ftrengthened in the I7°5' way of righteoufnefs and peace. His ferviqe in this line, as well as the former, was much re- ftri&ed to the city of London, and the vicinity thereof, where he was zealouily engaged, in the early times of the fociety to fettle or keep up meetings in convenient places, as at Kingfton, Hammerfmith, Weftminfter and other places ; and was frequent in his vifits thereto, as he found his mind drawn to one or another. vifits his Yet he paid two religious vifits to his native "country, the firft in 1670, being a time of great perfecution. He took the meetings of Friends in his way, Reading, Briftol, Bridgewater, South Moulton, fo into Cornwall, having fe- veral good meetings on his journey thither, as well as in that county. At John Ellis's; near the Lands-end, he had a comfortable edifying meeting on the firft day of the week, and next morning going to vifit fome Friends very near the Lands-end, he met a perfecuting juftice, who, as Gilbert was afterwards informed, was highly difpieafed that his accomplices had neglected to give him timely information, that he might have feized Gilbert's horie, and his man's, for that day's meeting. Thence returning by Penzance and Market- jew, near this latter he had a meeting at a place where no friends were fettled, to the great fa- tisfa&ion of feveral prefent, who had never been at a friends meeting before. He proceeded to Hellion and Falmouth, and had a meeting there; and from thence went back to Loveday Ham- bley's, PEOPLE called QJJAKERS, 37 bley's, and had a good meeting there, and atc « a p. feveral other places in that country. v-JLw Leaving Cornwall he returned towards Lon- don by Plymouth, and having vifited Friends there, he proceeded to King's-bridge, and con- trarv to his own and Friends' expectation had a peaceable good meeting ; for Friends here were under grievous perfecution ; he therefore fpent a little time amongft them, ftrengthening and ten- derly fympathizing with them in their iufferings, and particularly with two young women who had not been long convinced, and were com- mitted to prifon by a warrant from juftice Biere, (a paffionate perfecutor of this people) for not coming to church to hear divine worfhip. Gil- bert from that fraternal fympathy, which on all needful occafions excited him to ufe his endea- vours for the relief of his friends, refolved to renew them in behalf of thefe young women, and having an acquaintance with fome who were in the lieutenancy, and men of authority in the commiffion of the peace, he came to Ex- eter, and having vifited Friends there, proceed- ed to the houfe of a knight of great influence in the county, to whom he found ready accefs, and who expreffed himfelf glad to fee him in thofe parts : Gilbert let him know the occafion of his vifit, and fo warmly folicited his favour to his fuffering friends, and thefe two young wo- men in particular, that the knight at laft re- plied, he would do more for him than any other of his friends, and having by his application brought the knight to that favourable difpofi- tion, which gave him reafon to hope he had ob- tained the end of his vifit, he took his leave of him J705. 33 H I S T O R Y of the CHAP. h}m an(j his family, with acknowledgments of xv* his kindnefs ; and after his return, received an account that this knight, mindful of the expecta- tions given him, had procured the liberty of thefe young women. He had now received letters from London, in- forming him of the persecution, which affected Friends there in perfon and property ; of the de- molition of the meeting-houies at Horfly-down and Ratcliff; and that Wheeler-ftreet meeting- houfe was threatened, the title of which was veiled in him ; he therefore haftened back to London with what expedition he could, with clearnefs as to his prefent fervice, and when ar- rived took the meafures already related *, to fe- cure that meeting houfe from fimilar depreda- tion. His fecond journey was in the year 1679, into the fame quarter, vifiting his friends, and ap- pointing or holding meetings with them to mu- tual edification in his going and returning, viz. at Reading, Bath, Briftol, through Somerfet- fhire, the North of Devonfhire to Falmouth in Cornwall, returning by the South fide of Devon- shire. As it feemed to be Gilbert's peculiar pro- vince to keep up a friendly intercourle with, and an open door of accefs to fuch perfons of autho- rity or influence as had been, or might be dif- pofed to apply them to the relief of Friends. He pays a And Lamplugh then Bifhop of Exeter, having Sfhop of6 granted him feveral favours, in refpect to Friends Exeter. ' under fufferings in his diocefe ; and upon a feli- citous enquiry now as he pafTed along, finding the moderation * See vol. ii, p. 2>Sl- PEOPLE called QUAKERS. 39 moderation and tendernefs both of himfelf and chap, the officers of his court, under his influence, to xv» have been extended to friends in a general way, he thought it his place to pay him a vifit„ to ac- knowledge his extraordinary kindnefs to his Friends. The Bifhop received him with remark- able civility and affr&ionate regard ; their con- versation was expremve of fincere friendfhip and mutual benevolence, which being ended, Gilbert took his leave with expreffing the grate- ful acknowledgments he propofed by this vifit. This Friend, although a refident in London **»s fuffer- through all the heat of perfecution, and although fuferabic exemplarily diligent in attending meetings in '* comP*- their public meeting-houfes, while they were permitted to meet in them, and in the ftreets in all weathers, when they were not ; efcaped fufferings and imprifonment beyond moft of his brethren of that time ; moft of his fufferings appear to have befallen him previous to the re- ftoration ; feeling a concern, with many of his Friends of this age, to go to feveral of the places of public worfhip, to bear witnefs to the truth and againft error. Amongft other places, he went one day to Dunftan's in the Weft, at which — Manton preached on this fubjeft, who might of right call Godfather, on which he enlarged firft, that they who were born of God, were his through regeneration, and had a juft right to call God father. To this doctrine Gil- bert attended with patience and aftent ; but af- terwards proceeded to enquire concerning thofe who were not born of God, he alledged they were the Lord's by generation ; and then in anfwer to this queftion, whether thev muft not call 4o HISTORY of the CHAP. call God father, replied, That they mull alfo xv* pray to God as their father, and to prove his I705 afleriion, faid, though Abfalom was a wicked fon, yet David was his father. After he had ended his fermon, Gilbert warned the audience to take heed of their ways, adding, that while peo- ple are workers of iniquity, according to the doc- trine of our bleffed Lord, they are of their fa- ther the devil : and while they regard ini quity in their hearts the Lord will not hear their prayers. The people were immediately all in a ferment, the conftable was called for, who with others haled him out of their place of wormip, and took him before a juftice, where he pleaded his caufe fo well, that the juftice afking the confta7 ble if what he faid was true, and if that was the whole matter ; the conftable anfwering in the affirmative, the juftice obferved that he had heard thofe people called Quakers wrere a fort of mad whimfical folks; but for this man he talks very rationally, and for my part I think you need not have brought him before me ; to which the con- liable replied, Sir, I think fo too. The conftable and Gilbert retiring, the former left him at li- berty to go whither he pleafed. He alfo fuffered imprifonment, together with Lufe, Weil- about fifteen or fixteen of his friends, in the piiafter. Gate-houfe in Weftminfter, for meeting together to worfhip God : They were all put into a little dungeon, which was about ten feet in breadth, and eleven in length, and fo dark, that they could fee no more by day than by night ; the walls were wet, and they being crouded into fb narrow a compafs, had room only to lie down by turns j fo that while fome lay down to reft, others PEOPLE called QUAKERS. 41 others were forced to (land : ' Befide this the CHAP, keeper was fo cruel as to command the turnkey xv* not to let a little ilraw be brought in for them ' /~^> to lie upon ; but the Lord was with them to fupport them through all the trials of their faith and patience ; and in his own time delivered them from their fufferings. During the reign of King Charles I cannot difcover that he was ever imprifoned, notwith- standing the frequent perfecutions that raged without reftraint. Being a great fupporter and frequent attender of the meeting at Hammer- fmith, in the year 1671, having occafion in the way of his trade to wait upon Lady Sawkell ; Sir William Sawkell her hufband, who had a command in a regiment of horfe, came into the room; he had a friendly refpect for Gilbert, and was often pretty familiar with him ; and now afked him what meeting he frequented, who an- fwcred fometime one meeting and fometime another. The reafon is, faid Sir William, be- caufe 1 have orders to break up a meeting of your people at Hammerfmith next Sunday, from fo high a hand, that I cannot avoid executing them ; and therefore, I inform you, that if at any time you go thither, you may refrain com- ing on that day. Gilbert notwithstanding., be- lieving it his duty to attend Hammerfmith meet- ing, let Sir William know it before they parted. The day came, Gilbert, not reafoning with flefh and blood, attended the meeting, in which he was much favoured, and as he was preach- ing, the troopers came, and Hood for fome time to hear his teflimony, till one of the ruder fort, cried out this man will never have done, let HISTORY of the let us pull him down, and accordingly laid hands on him. Gilbert fent word to the com- manding officer ; who coming in, laid, Latey, ^°*' did not I tell you that I was commanded to be here to day? Yes, replied Gilbert, and did not I teli thee I was commanded by a greater than thou, to be here alfo ? Upon this, faid Sir Wil- liam, go get thee gone about thy bufinefs, and I will take care of the reft who are met here ; Gilbert defired him, if he had any refpect for him to difcharge the reft, and let him be his pri- foner. After fome time the reft were fet at li- berty, and Gilbert taken before Lord Mordaunt and Sir James Smith ; the troopers were called in evidence, and Gilbert made his defence fo reafonably and difcreetly, that it feemed to make an impremon upon them, yet they fined him and the houfe, and diftrained fome Friends for the fines. Gilbert got accefs to the juftices a- gain, and mewed them the unreafonablenefs of that fevere law, which made one man fuffer for the offence of another ; that if he had tranf- grefTed any law, the Lord had bleffed him with a fufticiency, to enable them to reclaim the pe- nalty from his effects, and requefted that his friends might not fuffer for any thing by him faid or done j through his repeated applications, and the intereft and influence of others, their equals and acquaintance, he procured the goods* dif- trained to 'be reftored ; *and had the fatisfaction to fee the fufferings defigned to the Friends of that meeting, through divine goodnefs, and his folicitous endeavours, prevented. In his more private tranfactions in religious fociety, he was a lover and promoter of unity and PEOPLE called QUAKERS. 43 and concord ; very zealous againft deceit and chap. hypccrify, the fomenting of divisions and fchifms ; xv* but remarkably tender towards thofe who appear- - v~^"/ ed iincere and humble, although weak and young ' '°*' • in experience, and always ready to lend a hand of help to fuch : He had ever an honourable ef- teem for the elders, who were in Chrift be- fore him ; and it was his great rejoicing to fee the younger members treading in their ft eps ; and when any of thefe were raifed up in the mmiftry, as they kept to that power, which made their predeceiTors burning and fhining lights in their day, Lis rejoicing was encreafed ; thefe he encouraged with affectionate fym- pathy. In his own family he was an exemplary pat- tern of conjupal affection, and paternal care, being often folicitoufly concerned to admenifh and inftruct his children to live in the fear of their creator, that they might thereby be preferv- ed from evil. As age advanced, and fubjeeted him to the attendant infirmities of body, his mental facul- ties and religious feelings preferved their ufual vigour and livelinefs. His lail public appearance in the miniftry was in a meeting at Hammer- fmith j he was fo raifed up in his gift, and fo fupported by divine power, that with great au- thority and clearness, he delivered found and weighty doclrine for near an hour, with fer- vency and his accuitomed. zeal, as if he had been under no infirmity of body, to the admira- tion of many of the auditory. Towards the latter part of his time he delight- ed much to be retired, and dwelt mollly in the country : 44 HISTORY of the chap, country : And having ferved God and man in xv* his generation, the review of his life filled him * — ymm*J with confolation in his retreat, having been often ,7°5' heard to fay, that he had done the work of his day faithfully, and was now fat down in the will of God, and his peace he felt abounding towards him ; that he wailed the Lord's call and time of being removed, and that there was no cloud in his way. He was alfo in the time of his confine- ment, fo ftrerigtheried in his fpirit, and his love to his brethren, that he gave them much good cbunfel, when they came to fee him, with as much energy and livelinefs, as if he was in his health and ftrength : A very few hours before his departure, he faid to thofe about him, There is no condemnation to them, that are in Chrift Jefus ; he is the lifter up of my head, he is my flrength and great falvation : In this frame of mind he breathed his lad, the 15th day of the 9th month, 170^, in the feventy-ninth year of his age. Account of ""This year Anne Camm, late wife of Thomas cSL Camm, a woman eminent in her day for the ex- cellency of her qualifications, and her fervice in focicty, dice' in an advanced age. She was the daughter of Richard Newby, of the pariih of Kendal in Weftmorland, of a family of repute ; her par., nts gave her a good education, proper for her icx, and about the 13th year of her age font her up to her aunt in London for her fur- ther improvement, with whom me refided kxen years ; and being favoured with religious incli- nations from her early youth, fhe formed her acquaintance and connexion with the Puritans, from her apprehenfion of their being the molt ilrictlv PEOPLE called QJJ AKERS. 45 ftri&ly religious fed. And upon her return to CH A?- Kendal, feeking ftill to affociate herfelf with the J^ moitferious profeflbrs of religion, fhe joined a ( body of people, who frequently met in a feled fociety, fometimes fitting in filence, fometimes holding religious conferences, and often exer- cifed in fervent, prayer. About the year *& 5° %%£%£. ihe was married to John Audland, and was con- timewkh vinced at the fame time with him by the minif- J^jjj* try of George Fox, early in the year 1652 ; ^1" and in the courfe of the fucceeding year they both appeared in the miniftry, to the edification of their friends and convincement of many others; for fhe was in all refpects a mod agreeable help- meet to her valuable hufband, endeared to him by a fimilarity of difpofition, qualifications and purfuits, feelingly defcribed by her in her tef- timony concerning him*. Her nrft journey in the work of the rniiiiftry c;tc isim- J ' r , \ \ 1 1 j prifoned at was into the county or Durham. At Aukland, Aukland, for preaching to the people on the market day Jgj*" fhe was imprifoneddn the town jail ; but a pri- ' fon could not confine the freedom of her fpirit, or the charitable concern of her mind for pro- pagating religious truths and religious thought- fulnefs amongft the people affembled there. Un- der the influence of goipel love, and in the au- thority of the gofpel, fhe continued her miniilry from the window of the prifon, whereby many were folidly affecled, and confefled to the truth fhe publifhed. She was difcharged from her confinement the evening of the fame day. John Langftaff, a man of great repute in his neigh- bourhood, * See vol. ii. p. 88. 46 HISTORY or the CHAP, bourhood, was fo affe&ed by her miniftry, that xv* he voluntarily accompanied her in her imprifon- ^'"T* ment, and upon her releafe, took her home with ' J' him, in order to entertain her there. But his wife, offended at her hufhand's conduct, and ap- parent change, received him and his guefl with language, which plainly difcovered her diffatif- faclion with them both ; this treatment made Anne quite uneafy to take up her lodging under a roof, where me found fhe was no welcome guefl to one head of the houfe ; me therefore walked out into the fields, to feek fome covert, to take fuch lodging, as me could find there. But it was providentially ordered that Anthony Pearfon, of Rampfhaw, hearing by George Fox, who was then at his houfe, of her being in that town, came with a horfe, and took her behind him to his houfe that night. She continued her travels in thofe parts fome time longer, in the exercife of her miniftry, to the fpiritual advan- tage of many, and when me apprehended her fervice accomplished, returned home. In the fucceeding winter fhe travelled South- ward through Yorkfhire, Derbyfhire, Leicefler- fhire, and fo forward into Oxfordfhire, accom- panied by Mabel Camm, wife of John Camm. At Banbury, Mabel apprehended a call of duty to go to the place of public worfhip, to fpeak to the prieft and people ; and Anne accompa- nied her. The people dragged them out of the houfe in a rude and violent manner, and abufed them in the yard : The prieft palling by, Anne Audland called to him, faving, " Behold the impnTon- " fru'rts of thy miniftry" Next day they were edatBan- fummoned before the mayor, where two wit- oury. ' 7 — neiies PEOPLE called QUAKERS. 47 nefles were procured to fwear that Anne had CHAP, fpoken blafphemy ; and upon their information KV* (he was committed to prifon, and her companion v-""v ' difmified. Some days after, two inhabitants of *7°; the town gave bond for her appearance at the next affizes, which furnifhed her with feveral op- portunities of religious meetings with the people of that town and neighbourhood, in which me was fo favoured with power and wifdom in the exercife of her miniftry, that it proved effe&ual to convince her two bondfmen, and numbers more, of the truths me preached to them, where- by they were induced to join in fociety with her and her brethren, and in an inward attention to the grace of God which brings falvation, which fhe bore teftimony of, and recommended them unto. The eftablifhment of a large meeting in that town, and feveral other meetings in the country adjacent, were the fruits of her minif- try ; and to her friends here (lie cheriiried the inofl affectionate regard to the lad. Her fuc- cefsf ul labour provoked the refentment of the ad- verfaries of the ibciety to that degree, that they threatened me mould be burnt when the affizes came. Her enemies being numerous, powerful and much exafperated againit her, feveral of her friends thought it their duty to attend the affizes, to ftrengthen her by their fympathy, counte- nance and afliftance, in maintaining her caufe and the caufe of truth. Her hufband John Audland, John Camm, is tried for Thomas Camm, with fome friends from London b!afPhem>"« and Briflol, encouraged her by their prefence at her trial. The charge or indiclment of blaf- phemy was this, that fhe laid God did not live ; which 48 HISTORY of thi chap, -which charge was founded on a perverfion of a xv* remark file made concerning the pried of Ban- j bury, That true words might be a lie in the mouth of fome that /poke them: In proof and explana- tion whereof fhe brought the expreffion of the prbphet Jeremiah, chap. v. 2. though they fay the Lord liveth, furely they fzvear falfely. Her prudent demeanour, her judicious remarks, her innocent boldnefs, tempered with becoming mo- del!)', and her pertinent and wife anfwers to his queltions inclined the judge to moderation and ■ fentiments in her favour ; and perceiving the incompetence of the evidence, that the matter of fact did not come up to the charge, he ex- pounded her cafe to the jury thus, that Jhe ac- knowledged the Lord her God and redeemer to live, and that there were Gods of the Heathen that ivere dead Gods. Some of the juftices hereby perceiv- and ing their wifhes and intentions to be frultrated, infinity of ^ePPe^ from the bench to influence and bias amifde- the jury to bring in fome verdicl whereby their credit might be faved, who brought in their ver- dict, guilty of mifdemeanour only, which occafion- ed one of her friends to obferve, that, " it was " illegal to indict her for one fact, and bring " her in guilty of another ; for they ought to " have found her guilty or not guilty, upon the " matter of fad: charged in the indictment." The judge then told her, if fhe would give bond for her good behaviour fhe might have her li- berty ; this fhe refuted, for the like reafon as her brethren generally did. Her profecutors, afham- ed of their proceedings, flipped off the bench one after another in confufion ; and the judge, although in the trial he behaved with candour, and meanour. PEOPLE called QJJAKERS. 49 and confefled fhe mould have been difcharged ;CHAP- yet to gratify the difappointed and angry juf- xv# tices, returned her to prifon upon her refufal to give bond. Being now left in the power of thefe perfe- .she is Put cuting magiftrates, fhe was put into a noifome "tyduiJ filthy dungeon, feveral fteps below the ground, gcon. on one fide whereof ran a common fewer, which was often very offenfive by its fmell, and ad- mitted difagreeable vermin, and there was no fire to qualify the damps. Jane Waugh, alfo a minifler of this fociety, J. Waugh from the pure motive of friendship, affection and ,n?P"Jonecl fympathy with her imprifoned friend, came many miles to vifit her there, and was rewarded for this chriftian-like office of love, with a participation of her fufFering, being for this caufe only, im- prifoned with her. Here they enjoyed great con- tent, in the confcioufnefs of fuffering in a good caufe. In great peace fhe continued feven or eight months in this noifome dungeon, and at length was releafed by the Mayor and Aldermen, and her companion fhortly after at her folici- tation. At her releafe, being clear of thofe parts, fhe travelled through the country to Briftol, where flie met with her hufband John Audland, whom I apprehend fhe accompanied, and joined in fervice, to their habitation in Weftmorland. The reader may recollect the reflections fuggeft- ed by the contemplation of this amiable couple in the account of her hufband's deceafe, which it is therefore fuperfluous to repeat. They were both engaged in frequent travels for the purpofe of promoting religion and righteoufnefs, in Vol. IV. E mofl 5o H I S T O R Y or the c h a p. moft parts of the nation, as far as I can collect, xv* fome times unitedly, and fome times feparately, *— "v--- until her hufband was difabled by that indifpo- I/-°-5- fition, which terminated in his death in the year 1663. she is mar- She continued a widow between two and lied aib- three years, and in the 31110. 1666, was married to to Thomas Thomas Camm, fon of John Camm, her former Camm. hufband's faithful companion. This her fecond huiba*nd was alfo a man, experienced in reli- gion, and a minifter of eminence in the fociety of his friends. Their union being centered in religion and the fear and united fervice of their maker, they lived together in the utmoft har- mony and nearnefs of affection forty years, within a few months. An union on this certain foundation of happinefs, naturally revives the recollection of the comprehenfive defcription which the Evangelift [Luke] hath left on record, of a religious pair of that age : They were both righteous before God, walking in all the command- Refleaions me)its 0f the Lord blamelefs. And here I feel an inclination to lay before my young friends, as I trull this may fall into many of their hands, the wife and folic! maxims, which were adopted by our faithful predeceffors for the rule of their conduct in this very important engagement of marriage, as that on which not only our peace and happinefs in this life very much depends ; but that whereby our efforts in the purfuit of future happinefs may frequently be very mate- rially promoted or obstructed. It was a maxim with them, as firmly believed as the moft felf- evident truth, that the only fure foundation of was laid in religion, and therefore their on mar- liage. PEOPLE called QUAKERS. 51 their advice and their practice was, to feek for c ** * p- divine counfel and approbation, in every Hep ju-v^j towards forming this indhToluble connection, 1705. and to proceed circumfpeftly in the fear of their creator. Both male and female, having their eye principally to an everlarting inheritance, in- corruptible, and that fadeth not away, were ex- ceedingly circumfpect in their ftepping, that their growth in pure religion might not be re- tarded thereby ; the former, by fervent prayers, feeking to the Almighty to be rightly directed in his choice ; and the latter, receiving the propofal with cautious referve,' pondered it in her heart, and alfo befought the fame divine being to di- rect her in her determination. Marriage thus determined in religious fear, and on religious confiderations, in the divine counfel, is doubt- lefs ratified in heaven, and draws down a blefiing upon the parties thus uniting themfelves in one holy difpofition, and one determined refolution to promote their own, and each others fpiritual and temporal advantage. This pure religion proves a foundation of uninterrupted harmony between themfelves, and a flay and a itaff in the viciflitudes of this^life, to which all are liable ; in profperous circumftances a Hay to the mind, when riches encreafe, not to fet their hearts thereupon, nor to confume them on their lulls, after the manner of this world ; but to let their moderation appear, knowing the Lord is at hand, as ftewards only of the good things they poifefs, and accountable to the Lord of the univerfe, whofe the earth is and the fulnefs thereof; the natural benevolence of their fouls, refined by religion into chriftian charity, teacheth them to E 1 fympathize $2 HISTORY OF THE C H A P. fympathize with, and feel deeply for the poor xv* and needy, and to communicate freely to their ^"^v"*""/ wants ; in adverfity and the various trials they iJ°$' are expofed to, they ever find it a ftaff to lean upon, fufficiently able to fupport them, and bring them fafely through all their afflictions and befetments, and in the end find all things work to*gether for their good, becaufe they fear and ferve the Lord. This worthy woman, Anne Camm, proved this truth, for fhe bore her fhare of the fufferings of this trying day, ftedfaft in her faith in divine fupport, in which (lie found ability to fuftain them with patient refignation and religious fortitude. She was tried with repeated feparations from her fecond hufband, as well as the former, by a fucceffion of tedious and clofe imprifonments. He was imprifoned particularly at Kendal for the fpace of three years, where his confinement was fo clofe that he was not permitted to fee his fa- mily during that time : Again at Appleby, near fix years ; and in all his fufferings and fervices me participated with him as a faithful helpmeet ; in the former fympathizing ^ith, and ftrength- ening him in his fuffering for the teftimony of a good conference, iupplying his place during his confinement, and without doubt exerting her care to keep their outward concerns in the bed order in her power, for (he appears to have been a very virtuous and difcreet woman. And in his religious labours and fervices, fhe was not only free to give him up and encourage him to faith- fulnefs, but often a powerful fellow labourer in the gofpel along with him, for they travelled together feveral journeys as companions in the work PEOPLE called QUAKERS. 5 work of the miniftry, in fundry parts of the CHAF nation, and particularly to London and Briftoi xv* oftner than once, at the latter of which (lie was feized with an indifpofition, which appeared to threaten her diflblution ; but was railed above the fear of death, and prtftrved in a lively frame of fpirit, wherein her expreflions were fo weighty and affedting, as to leave a land- ing imprefhon on the minds of feveral of the auditors, warning all to prize their time, and prepare for their latter end, as God had inclin- ed her to do, whereby (he enjoyed unfpeakable peace here, with full aiTurance of eternal reft and felicity in the world to come, which, faid ilie, I have defired to enter into, as gain, rather than live, if God fo pleafe. But the period of her zealous labours for the promoting of ngh- teoufneis was not by divine wildom affigned her at this time ; (he recovered her health and ftrength, to be of great fervice in fociety, for a length of time. Although (lie was in honourable eiteem, as (he deferved, for her accomplifhments, her vir- tues and her public fervices, (he was preferved in humility, not afrecling to do her works to be feen of men, but frequently retired alone into her clofet or other private place, in fervent prayer to feek the approbation of her maker, and the frefh diicovery of his will concerning her ; or fet apart an hour for perufing the holy lcriptures, and other pious writings for her edification. And though qualified above many with an excellent - gift in the minillry, (he was by no means for- ward to appear in preaching or prayer in public meetings ; but when (he did, it was with the de- monftration 54 H I S T O R Y of the CHAP, mon ft ration of the fpirit and with power, to the xv* refrefhment of the church : And efpecially in large meetings, where fhe knew there were bre- thren well qualified for the fervice of fuch meet- ings, fhe rarely appeared as a public minifler without an extraordinary impulfe, for fhe was endued with wifdom and a found understanding, to know the feafon of her fervice, when to fpeak and when to be filent, in which fhe was a good example to her fex ; and when any of them were too hafty or unfeafonable in their public appear- ances in fuch meetings, being a woman of found judgment, and difapproving thereof, fhe fre- quently found it her concern to hint an admoni- tion to fuch, in the authority ofthegofpel, and in the meeknefs of wifclom, which generally had a good effect Her laft public appearance in the miniftry, was at a monthly meeting at Kendal the 2d of 9"°, 1705, at which time, though far advanced in years, and affected with the bodily infirmity attendant on old age, the livelinefs of her zeal and her fpiritual abilities maintained their vigour even to admiration. In this her farewell fermon, with affecting energy, fhe clofely preffed her friends to faithfulnefs and diligence in the fer- vice of the Lord, that they might receive their reward with thofe who had nearly ferved out their day. The next day fhe was feized with that diflem- per which terminated her labours, and her end was fuch as naturally refulted from a well fpent life ; full of peace, fhe refigned her foul to him who gave it, in humble expectation of reaping the fruit of her labours, the fentence of approbati- on— Well done, good and faithful fervant, as mani- feftly »7P5- PEOPLE called QUAKERS. 55 feftly appeared by her expreffions on her death- c bed. Her hufband, who knew beft her worth, imprefled with a deep fenfe of forrow, and dif- covering the natural regret at the profpect of being deprived of fo valuable a companion, (he nobly encouraged to refignation in the following addrefs. " My dear, if it be God's good plea- " fure, who joined us together, and hath bleffed " us hitherto, to feparate us outwardly, I entreat " thee to be content therewith, and give me up " freely to the Lord, for thou knoweft we mull " part ; and if I go nrft, it is but what I have " defired of the Lord many a time ; and I believe " the confideration of the defolate condition I " fhouldbein, if left behind thee, will have that " place in thee, that thou wilt the more freely " commit me to the Lord, whofe 1 am, and " whom I loved, feared and ferved with an up- " right heart all my days : His unfpeakable peace '" 1 enjoy, and his faving health is my portion for " ever. I pray thee be content with what the " Lord pleafeth to do with me, whether life or " death, his holy will be done." And when me drew near her end, about ten days before fhe died, fhe imparted profitable counfel to her grand- children and fervants ; and renewed her requefl to her hufband to give her up freely, adding, " If it be the time of our parting, as I think it " will, I pray thee quit thyfelf of the things of " this world, as much as poilible, that thou " mayfl with the more freedom purfue thy ho- " nourable fervice for truth to the end of thy " days — and warn all, but efpecially the rich, to " keep low, and not to be high-minded, for " humility and holinefs are the badges of our pro - " feffion." 56 H I S T O R Y of the CHAP." fefnon." Her diftemper increafed upon her xv. near a month before her change came, during 1 — *-** all which time, her weighty counfel, her edify- 7°5* ing remarks, and perfect refignation of mind clearly evinced fhe was well prepared for her final change, which happened on the 30th of 9™°, 1705, and the attendance of her funeral was an evidence of the univerfal eftimation of her vir- tues and her fervices, her corple being accompa- nied to the grave by friends from 13 different meetings. The perfecution of the Quakers in New-Eng- land had fubfided in a great degree, fince the re- moval of the principal perfecutors by death, and a train of fucceeding occurrences of a very feri- ous and interefting nature, which neceffarily drew off their attention, to provide againft more imminent dangers, and more certain evils. The Indian wars, the lofs of their charter and their powtr ; their fucceeding political contefts amongfl themfelves ; and after their Charter was renewed by King William, their general infatuations in the bufinefs of witchcraft, had given them fuffici- ent employment ; whereby this peaceable body of people obtained a refpite of their fufferings, till the Aft of Toleration fet them at liberty to enjoy that peace they defired. But no fooner had Aperfecut- the ftate recovered from its commotions, and re- ^Td h' en" tuine(^ to a fettlement, than the colony of Con- tics, pancd ne&icut firfl difcovered a propenfity, notwith- iu the coio- ftanding the toleration, to revive the former oppref- ny of Con- o , ' , o. neakut. five meaiures agamit this lociety, by pailmg an act entitled Heretics, in relation whereto, application being made to the Queen and Counfel, it produc- ed the following order, by which the purport of this PEOPLE called QJJAKERS. 57 this aft will appear of a nature fimilar to their CHAP, former perfecuting acts. xv« " At the Court of Kenfmgton, the nth day of l7°5* " October, 1705, PRESENT, " His Royal Highnefs Prince George of " Denmark, " Lord Archbifhop of Canterbury, " Lord Keeper, " Lord Treafurer, " Lord Prefident, " Duke of Somerfet, " Duke of Ormond, " Earl of Ranelagh, " Mr. Boyle, " Mr. Secretary Hedges, " Mr. Secretary Harley, " Lord Chief Juftice Holt, " Lord Chief Juftice Trevor, " Mr. Vernon, " Mr. Earle. " A reprefentation from the lords commiffion- ers of trade and plantations, being this day read at the board, uponan act parted in her Majefty's colony of Connecticut, entitled only Heretics, whereby it is enabled, that all who (hall entertain any Quakers, Ranters, Ada- mites, and other Heretics, are made liable to the penalty of five pounds, and five pounds per week for any town that ihall fo entertain them ; That all Quakers mall be committed to prifon, or be fent out of the colony ; " That 5S H I S T O R Y of the CH A P. " That whoever fhall hold unneceffary difcourfe xv. " with Quakers, {hall forfeit twenty {hillings ; v- — v — t « That whoever fhali keep any Quakers books, l7°5- " (the governor, magiltrates, and elders except- " ed) fhall forfeit ten {hillings, and that all fuch " books {hall be fupprefTed ; That no mailer of " any vefTel do land any Quaker without carrying " them away again, under the penalty of twenty " pounds. " And the faid lords commimoners, humbly " offering, that the faid act. be repealed by her " majefty, it being contrary to the liberty of tc conscience indulged to diiTenters by the laws " of England ; as alfo to the charter granted to " that colony, " Her Majefty, with the advice of her privy " council, is pleafed to declare her difallow- " ance and difapprobation of the faid a6t ; and " purfuant to her majefty's royal pleafure there- tc upon, the faid act. paffed in her majefty's colo- " ny of Connecticut in New-England, entitled " Heretics, rs hereby repealed, and declared null " and void, and of none effect." In gratitude for this repeal, friends in Londoi thought it their duty to prefent an addrefs to the Queen, which addrefs, with her anfwer, are as fol- loweth : : yo6. " May it pleafe the QUEEN, " WE thy proteitant diflenting fubjects, com- t£ monly called Quakers, in London, having " lately been the Queen's humble petitioners on :; the behalf of our friends in New-England " againft a law made in Connecticut colony for u their fuppreffion, which law the Queen has " beeit PEOPLE called QUAKERS. 59 " been gradoufly pleafed to difallow and make chap. " void, xv. " We now find ourfelves engaged in duty and v-^~v"'^ " gratitude to make the jufl returns of our thank- l7°S- " ful acknowledgments to the Queen, for this " eminent inftance of inviolably maintaining " the toleration ; and do therefore humbly crave " leave ^ on this occanon, to repeat the fmcere " aluirance of our cbriitian and peaceable fubjec- " tion and unfeigned joy for the Queen's mild " and gentle government, aiming at the good " of all her people. " May the bleffing of the Almighty fo prof- " per and accomplifh the Queen's jufl defires of " union among her fubje&s, of firm peace in " Europe, and of the increafe of virtue, that in " the delightful fruition thereof, the Queen may " enjoy many days, and after a life of comfort, " be tranflated to a glorious immortality. Signed " on behalf of the laid people by « JOHN FIELD, " JOSEPH WYETH." The Q^U E E N ' S Anfwer. " LET the gentlemen know I thank them " heartily for this addrefs, and that while they " continue fo good fubjects, they need not doubt " of my protection." The repealing of this act. put a final period to the perfecuting of Quakers in NewvEngland: And 6® HISTORY of the And as the rigorous meafures purfued againfl them at their firft appearance in that colony, and for a feries of years after, may appear to have 17°5- been treated with fome feverity of animadverfion (as they delerved), it is but juftice to obferve, that the defcendants of thefe colonics, perceiving the enormous miftakes of their predecefTors, have adopted more liberal and humane maxims of conduct ; fo that for feveral years pad this body of people have been treated with lenity, and have been in fome refpe&s more eafy in the New-England provinces than in moft others, Penfylvania and Jerfey excepted ; particular- ly in an entire exemption from any contri- bution to the fupport of the eftabliihed mi- niflry. CHAP. PEOPLE called QUAKERS. €i CHAP. XVI. Addrefs to £>ueen Anne on the Prevention of a Rebel- lion.— Account of Tho?nas Camm. — His fuffe rings. — His Death and C ha racier. — Second Addrefs to the £$ueen on declaring her Refolution to maintain the Toleration. — Account of "John Banks. — Ac- count of William Crouch. 1 HE incorporation of England and Scotland CHAP, into one kingdom, which was a favourite mea- XVI« fure with James the Firft ; and had alfo engaged <^^"^J the attention of King William, but which neither 17°7' of them could get effected, was brought about this year, under the title of The Kingdom of Great Britain. The Scotch nation in general being quite averfe to this union, it created great dif- contents among all the clafles of the people. Lewis XIV. king of France, being at this time An attempt unable to cope with his confederated enemies in IhePreTen- the Netherlands, of which the Engiifh were der fruf- amongft the moft formidable, looked upon this tldte difaffe&ion of Scotland to the Engiifh govern- ment, to prefent a favourable opportunity to di- vide the allied forces, by giving employment to the Britifh arms at home. With this view, he made great preparations to fupport the Preten- der, in an invafion of England, at the head of the Scotch malecontents ; but the vigi- lance of the Britilli government was the means of 6z HISTORY of the C H A P. of defeating his defign. Addreffe? of alleoiance xvi. or congratulation having been fent up to the v— -v — ' Queen from diiTerent parts upon this occafion, l7°8- the people called Quakers thought it expedient, from their yearly meeting, to prefent the follow- ing addrefs. " To Anne Queen of Great Britain, &c. c: The grateful and humble Addrefs of the people " commonly called Quakers, from their yearly " meeting in London this 28th day of the third " month called May, 1708. Third Aa- « WE having good caufe to commemorate Anae° " tne manifold mercies of God vouchfafed to this '.< united kingdom of Great Britain, believe it " our duty to make our humble acknowledg- " ments, firfl to the divine Majefly, and next to " the Queen, for the liberty we enjoy under her " kind and favourable government, with hearty " defires and prayers to Almighty God (who hath " hitherto difappointed the mifchievous and " wicked defigns of her enemies both foreign " and domeilicj that he will fo effectually reple- " nilh the Queen*s heart, together with thofe of " her great council, with his divine wifdom, that " righteoufnefs, juflice and moderation, which " are the ornaments of the Queen's reign, and " which exalt a nation, may be increafed and " promoted. " And we take this opportunity to give the " Queen the renewed aifurance of our hearty " aiiccliotfto the prefent eftablifhed government, and PEOPLE called QUAKERS. 63 c%" and that we as a people will, Jn our refpeclive chap. " ftations, according to our peaceable principles, XVI* " by the grace of God, approve ourfelves in all *" v " fidelity the Queen's faithful and obedient fub- I7° * " je&s, and as fuch conclude with fervent prayer " to the Lord of Hods, that after a profperous, " fafe and long reign in this life, thou, O Queen, " mayft be blefled with an everlafting crown of " glory." Seven friends were appointed to prefent this addrefs, amongft whom was George Whitehead, who upon prefenting it, faid, " We heartily wifii " the Queen health and happinefs : We are " come to prefent an addrefs from our yearly " meeting, which we could have defired might " have been more early and more feafonably " timed, but could not, becaufe our faid mcei- " ing was but the laft week, and therefore now " hope the Queen will favourably accept our " addrefs." When he delivered it, the Queen requefted him to read it, which he did, and the Queen anfwered, " I thank you very kindly " for your addrefs, and 1 allure you of my pro- t: teclion ; you may depend upon it." To this G. Whitehead replied, " We thankfully ac- " knowledge that God, by his power and " fpecial providence hath preferved and defended Ci the Queen againfl the evil defigns of her ene- " mies, having made the Queen an eminent in- " lirument for the good of this nation and realm " of Great Britain, in maintaining the tolera- st ticm, the liberty we enjoy in refpett to our " confciences againll perfecution : which liberty " being grounded upon this reafon in the late * King's reign, for the uniting the Proicjlant fnb- " jefix 64 H I S T O R Y of the CHAP.« jecjs [n inter eft and affeclion, the union of Great xvi. « Britain, now fettled, tends to the flrength and '^T " fafety thereof ; for in union is the flrength and " liability of a nation or kingdom ; and with- " out union no nation or people can be fafe, but " are weak and unliable. The fucceffion of the " crown being fettled and eflablifhed in the pro- " tellant line, mud needs be very acceptable to " all true proteftant fubjecls. " And now, O Queen ! that the Lord may " preferve and defend thee for the future, the " remainder of thy days, and fupport thee " under all thy great care and concern for the " fafety and good of this nation and kingdom of " Great Britain, and that the Lord may blefs " and preferve thee to the end, is our fincere " defire." To this the Queen returned, " I thank you " for your fpeech, and for your addrefs ; and " ye may be affured I will take care to protect " you." G. Whitehead replied, " the Lord " blefs and profper the Queen in all her good in- " tentions j" and then thefe friends withdrew. Account of In this year died Thomas Camm of Camm's- Camm" S^ ni Weilmoreland, fon of John Camm, whofe life and character is the firft recorded in this hif- tory. Both his parents being members of the fociety, confpicuous for their integrity and piety, he had the advantage of a religious education in the principles of the people called Quakers, their pious counfel and circumfpect example made a deep impreffion on his tender mind ; whereby, from his early youth, he was bleiTed with religi- ous fentiments, and delighted in the company of the moft religious perfons. And as he grew up, his PEOPLE called QJJAKERS. 65 his underflanding was illuminated, to perceive, chap. that befides an education in the mod perfect form xvi» of religion, the experience of inward fancti- <^m^**^. fication by that word, which is quick and 17°7' powerful, was neceffary ; and being hum- bled into frequent inward retirement to feel after this quickening word, he was favoured with the attainment of what he faw he flood in need of, and by the virtue of this refining power being pu- rified, he received a gift in the miniflry, in which his doctrine was found, and his delivery agreeable, not in the enticing words of man's wifdom, but in the demonflration of divine power, reaching the witnefs of God in the hearts of his hearers, whereby he was made inftrumen- tal to convert many to, and eflablifh many in the way to righteoufnefs and peace. He fpent much of his time in travelling in va- rious parts of the nation, in the exercife of his miniflry, for the edification of his friends, while he was left at liberty. But he bore his fhare of H;sfufr«r- the fufferings of this age both in perfon and pro-ings perty, whereby his travels were repeatedly inter- rupted. In the year 1674 he was fued by John Ormrod, priefl of Burton, for fmall tithes and oblations, and by a writ de excommunicato capiendo he was cafl into prifon at Kendal, where he was Impri/on^ detained in a clofe confinement for a great parf of ment « three years. He was afterwards imprifoned for ^en a' fix years in the county jail at Appleby (as before 2 noted in the account of his wife's deceafe) onj^ApPle* what account I am not informed, but moil pro- bably for the like demand of tithes, fo that he was imprifoned near nine years in all. On the 13th of October 1678, after the com- mencement of the laft conventicle act, Edward Vol. IV. F Wilfon, 66 HISTORY of the chap. Wilfon, a juftice of peace, fent feveral informers xvi. to a meeting held in the houfe of Edward Cragg ' — **—* of Ackonthwaite, and upon their evidence, con- ll°"I- victed feveral perfons without examination, or fummoning them before him, and iflued his war- rants ofdiftrefs, whereby there were taken from Diftrained Thomas Camm in particular, for preaching at Siu/of tne ^a^ meeting, nine head of cattle and fifty- 31I. 1 os. five fheep worth 31I. 10s. When the officers complained to this rigorous juftice that they could not fell fome of the cattle, he charged them to fell at any price, and fetch more till they had enough, and ordered them to drive them from market to market, to fell them cheap for the encouragement of buyers ; threatening them, that if they did not raife all their fines, they mould pay the reft out of their own pockets. 4 There were again, by warrant from the faid Wil- Tothcva- fon, two oxen taken from him worth 7I. upon an information of being at a meeting at Tarle- ton ; being with others fined on account of a preacher, who was faid in the warrant to be fled, and his habitation unknown : Whereas the preacher was fo far from fleeing, that he went to the juftice's houfe, and left word there, that his name was Thomas Dowcra, and that he dwelt at Swarthmore near Ulverftone, in LancafTiire, and that he was of ability to pay his own fine, for which reafon he defired it might not be impofed upon others. Ail his fufTerings, which were many, he bore with fortitude and firmnefs ; unfhaken in his teftimony for truth, he maintained it uniformly to the laft ; far from being difcouraged by fuffer- ing in a good caufe, it was his joy and crown of rejoicing. PEOPLE called QJJAKERS. 6j rejoicing, that he was counted worthy not only chap. to believe in the truth, but alfo to fufferforit. xvi. He was not only eminent amongft his brethren v-^v~^ for his fervice in the miniftry, but in the main- !707- taining the difcipline of the church, for which he was remarkably well qualified, being himfelf a mining example of righteoufnefs in his own con- verfation, richly replenifhed with divine wif- dom, and adorned with meeknefs and humility, his endeavours to promote an orderly converfa- tion, confident with their profeffion, amongft his friends, were attended with the greater weight and effect \ whether exerted in the meeknefs of wif- dom for the ftrengthening and encouragement of the weak and well difpofed ; or in a well temper- ed zeal againft every appearance of evil ; efpecially againft that fpirit which endeavoured to lay wafte the teftimony and religious care of friends, and foment divifions in the church, with which we have feen the county of his refidence was parti- cularly exercifed. Being a man of peace, he la- boured to follow it with all men; to promote it in the church and amongft all forts of people. Love and unity amongft brethren he rejoiced in, and where any thing appeared tending to a breach of it, he ufed his utmoft endeavours • to put a flop thereto. Benevolent and kindly affeclioned to all men, he was beloved and efteemed by the good, as far as his acquaintance extended. When he was advanced in years, and affected with infirmities in confequence of the hardfhips and fufferings he had endured in the fucceffive ftages of his life, his zeal for truth, and his love to his brethren, and concern for the well-being of mankind in a general way, engaged him in F 2 repeated 68 HISTORY o? the c h a p- repeated religious labours and vifits to his friends XVI« in various parts, to their comfort and edification, <^"v-fc-' to near the termination of his life. 1 7°7- His lafl journey in religious fervice was into Lancafhire, the weft of Yorkshire, and his own county of Weftmoreland, from which he return- ed on the 17th of the n™, 1707, O. S. to his Son-in-law's, John Moor's at Eldworth ; and here he was immediately attacked by a return of a diftemper which had been before at times trou- blefometo him, viz. the ftone and gravel, which continuing to encreafe upon him, and affect him with violent pain, fo that he could take little food or fleep, yet he bore it with much patience. In the profpecl of future happinefs he was perfect- ly refigned to the divine will, frequently expref- fing his acquiefcence therein in thefe or fimilar * terms, " I neither defire to live nor to die, but " am well content, however it fhall pleafe the " Lord to order it." One day fitting alone, his fon John Moor came to bear him company, and afking him how he did ? he anfwered, " I am " weak in the body, but ftrong in the inner " man, bleffed be the Lord, who hath been my " ftrength and fupport hitherto," exprefling his humble thankfulnefs to the divine Being for his multiplied and unfpeakable mercies to him, in the fucceflive viciflitudes of his life. About a week before he died, feveral of his grand-children being in the room with him, he laid unto them, " Now I think 1 mud leave you. " If the Lord had feen meet to fpare me a little " longer, I might have been of fervice to you in " couniel and advice ; but the Lord, the great " and wife counfcllor, as you have your eye to " him PEOPLE called QUAKERS. 6> " him above all things, will not be wanting in c h a p. " counfel to you ; I love you entirely, and the xvi. " blefling of the Almighty reft: upon you, if it be v_,r%"*J " his will." To John Moor and others prefent, I7° " Bear me record, that I die in perfect unity " with the brethren ; my love is as firm and true " as ever, in our Lord Jefus Chrift, the author " of our falvation." To recount all the folid expreflions which this good man brought forth from the good trea- fure of his heart, during a confinement of five or fix weeks, might to fome readers appear tedi- ous : The fore-cited exprefTions appear to befpeak a mind redeemed from the earth, and looking forward with ferenity to an habitation eternal in the Heavens, for which he had been, through the courfe of a pretty long life, careful to make preparation. He departed this life at Eidworth aforefaid, in much peace and quietnefs, the 13th day of the firft month 1707-8, in the 67th year of his age. His body was removed from thence to his late habitation at Camm's-gill, and on the fixteenth from thence to friends burying-ground at Park- end in Prefton-Patrick to be interred. The great numbers and decent folemnity of friends of that and other adjacent counties, and of the neigh- bourhood of other focieties, under a general ap- pearance of forrow, demonflrated the refpeel: they bore to his character. The corpfe being interred, mod of the attendants drew into the meeting- houfe, and had an edifying feafon together, the divine prefence eminently overfhadowing the alTembly, to the affecting many hearts with reve- rent folemnity and ferious confiderations, under the 7o HISTORY of the chap, the influence whereof, divers lively teftimonies xvi. were borne to the fufficiency of that univerfal prin- ^^v-^ ciple of light and grace, of which the deceafed 171°- had been a mining example. In this year party animofkies, which appear to have fubfided for fome time pad, broke out with remarkable violence. Sacheverel, a violent high church-man, inveighed againfl the diffenters in feveral harangues ; for two of which he was complained of to the houfe of commons, who im- peached him of high crimes and mifdemeanours, of which he was found guilty by the lords and filenced for three years ; the clergy and others of the fame ftamp, who were now become numer- ous, patronized his caufe as their own, with all the vehemence of a violent party fpirit, pointed their fermons and difcourfes with intemperate warmth againft the diifenters, and ftimulated the populace to riot and outrage againfl them, raifmg a popular cry that the church was in danger. The Queen alfo being influenced to change her mini- {try and meafures, he was ufed as a tool to turn the paffions of the vulgar in favour of the defign ; and from the prevailing fpirit at this time, many Apprehenfi- 0f the diffenters were filled with apprehenfions of conceived a defign to repeal or at leafl to weaken the act. of by fome, of toleration ; but a new parliament being elected, weaken the the Queen in her fpeech declared her resolution ata of Tok- to maintain the indulgence bv law allowed to fcru- ration, and .. . . 1 • r the Queen pulous coniciences, whereupon a committee or declaring tke pCOp}e called Quakers waited upon her with tiontofup- the following aaareis ; port it, » To PEOPLE called QUAKERS. 71 CHAP. " To Queen Anne of Great Britain, &c. xvi. " The humble and thankful Addrefs of the T£J f °- ^ " Queen's proteftant fubje&s, the people caiic jqL- " called Quakers, in and about the city of^er5a!,1rtft " London, on behalf of themfelves and the " reft of their perfuafion. " When we confider the Queen's royal regard to protect our religious liberty, and the frefh afTurance from the throne of her chriflian refo- lution to maintain the indulgence by law al- lowed to fcrupulous confciences, and her ten- der care that the fame may be tranfmitted to pofterity in the proteftant fucceffion in the houfe of Hanover, we find ourfelves concerned gratefully to acknowledge her goodnefs there- in, and the ready concurrence of her great council therewith. ' " Taking this occafion to affure the Queen of our duty and affection and peaceable behaviour under her government, as is our principle, and hath always been our practice. " And we heartily defire our fellow-fubje&s may lay afide all animofities, and in a fpirit of love and meeknefs, endeavour to outdo each other in virtue and univerfal charity. " That it may gracioufly pleafe almighty God to defend and blefs thee, O Queen ! and guide thee by his counfel in a long and profperous reign here, and afterwards receive thee to glory, is the hearty prayer of thy faithful fub- ject.s. To 72 HISTORY op the CHAP. xvi. To this Addrefs the Queen anfwered, j 710. "I thank ye for your addrefs, and ye may de- " pend upon my protection." Account of This year died John Banks, who was born of j©hnBanks.jlone£ parentSj in the parifh of IlTel in Cumber- land. In early youth he was convinced of the principle of the divine light in the heart, not by the preaching of men, but the inward conviction of his own mind, and brought to an acquain- tance therewith before he had any acquaintance amongft the people called Quakers, or heard their doctrine preached ; but by a motion in his own mind, he was incited to go to a meeting of the faid people, in confequence whereof he went to tneir meeting at Pardlhaw, where very few words were fpoken ; but a paper was read therein, which had a confiderable effect upon him, being pertinently applicable to his condition. And through dili- gent attention to the ingrafted word, which is able to fave the foul, he experienced a growth in fanc- tification, and was prepared for the reception of the gifts of the fpirit : in the year 1 665 he ap- peared in the minidry and vifited fome of the meetings in the neighbouring counties ; and in the year 1668, being more deeply experienced in the work of religion, he was made willing to forfake all, to perform his duty in the fervice of his maker and the caufe of truth, travelling into the fouthern and weftern counties, and in a great degree devoted the future time of his life to the like beneficial purpofe. He laboured zealoufly in the promulgation of the gofpel, both in feve- ral PEOPLE called QJJAKERS. 73 ral parts of England, in Scotland, and. Ireland *chap. feveral time^ over, to the edification of the fociefy xvi. of his friends and the convincement of others, "— "v*"-' who remained wimeffes to the efficacy of his mi- niC- niftry and as feals thereof. In the year 1679, he felt it his duty to go forth under a prefhng concern of mind into thofe counties and places, where the feparation be<;;un by f Wilkinfon and J. Story had got ground, to bear his teilimony againil that fpirit of feparation which had its life in contention and difcord. He firft went with Chriitopher Story for his compa- nion, to the yearly meeting in London, where (he writes) " the love and life of pure religion " was in dominion, fo that the oppofmg fpirit was " never once able to lift up its. head ; an agreea- " blc harmony prevailed throughout, the power " of God being over all." From London they turned weftward through Berkihire and Wilt, fhire to Briitol ; here he paiTed along under a deep travail and anxiety of foul by day and by night, thaj the deceitfulnefs and error of the fpi- rit of fepara cion, which fought to divide and make parties in the fociety, might be made manifeft, and * See vol. 2, p. 479. f It may be proper to obferve, there were at this time two perflms of the name of John Wilkinfon in the iociety, or under the name of Quakers, viz. John Wilkinfon of Cumberlmd, who had been a pricft of Brigham, and had two parifhes more ; he was convinced bv the miniftry of G. Fox in 1657, became an approved minifter among the people called Quakers, and many were convinced by him : Ke travelled into the South and V. eft oi England, with J. Banks for his companion in 166S ; and continued a faithful man till the day of his death in i6n ,. The other Join ilkinfon of Weftmo-eland, principally known in our hiftory fur his oppoficion and feparation. 74 HISTORY of the CHAP, and that the innocent might be preferved from xvi. being entangled or hurt by it, infomuch that he v-'-w^ could take little refrefhment of food or fleep; not- 1710. withftanding which he was fofupporied with the fpi- ritual ftrength and the authority of the gofpel in his teftimony,thatalthoughfomeof thefe feparatifts were highly provoked, railed at him behind his back, threatened to give him public oppofition, and for that purpofe followed him from meeting to meeting ; yet the power which fupported him, and evidently attended his teftimony, chained them down, fo that when the time came, they had no ability to put their threats in execution. He paffed through thofe parts, labouring in the mi- niftry to the comfort and edification of the church, and the increafe of peace in his own mind. He had a (hare alfo in the fuiferings attendant on his profemon in this perfecuting age, both in imprifonment and the lofs of goods. In the year 1662, George Fletcher, a juftice of peace, came to a meeting at Howhill in Sowerby parifh, ruin- ing in a hoftile manner, with a retinue armed with fwords and piftols, and finding John Banks on his knees, the juftice ftruck him over the head, and when he continued praying, ordered him to be pulled down backward, and caufed him and others to be dragged down the hill, in a violent and cruel manner, and afterwards fent them to Carlifle jail. At the enfuing feflions fome were fined iol. and the reft 5I. each, and diflraints made to confiderably more than the value. a In the year 1683 feveral informers came to the meeting at Pardmaw-Cragg, and found Peter Fearon preaching : They applied to juftice Fletcher, a Befle, vol. 1. PEOPLE called QUAKERS. 75 Fletcher, who fined him 20I. and ordered it toCHA p. be levied on himfelf and feveral others who were xvi. prefent, among whom John Banks was one : And v-— v-^ although Peter defired the whole might be charg- '7ro' ed on himfelf, he being of fufficient ability, the juftice perfifted in his defign, and ifiued his war- rants for diftraint, whereby goods to the amount of 7I. 1 os. were taken from John Banks. When thefe goods were expofed to fale, and no purchafers could be found, this juftice ordered his own fervants to purchafe fome of them, which they did at a very low price ; and the officers to fupply the defect made further fei- zures, whereby the value of the diftraints at lad amounted to 35I. This juftice Fletcher feems to have enter- tained a particular enmity againft this reputable man, impelling him to every meafure in his power, to diftrefs him and his family in their outward circumftances : For at the very time he granted the abovefaid Warrant for diftraining his goods for his arbitrary fine, being an impro- priator, he was carrying on a fevere profecution againft him for tithes. John Banks being fubpcenaed to anfwer his bill, becaufe, from hi:; confcientious fcruple, he could not put in his an- fwer upon oath, was run to a contempt, upon which he was arrefted at the very fame time, that the officers and informers with their afliftants, to the number of twelve, came to his houfe to execute Fletcher's warrant of diftrefsb. He was committed to prifon in Carlifle jail, where he was detained fix years and nine months, during which time he received much rude *» J. Banks's journal. 76 H I S T O R Y of the chap, rude treatment and abufe from the jailer and xvi. his deputy by his order ; being infligated there- v-^v*^' to, firft by his own vexation, becaufe John and 1710, fojg friends and fellow-priibners hefitated to gra- tify his avaricious difpofition, in taking chambers from him at his price ; and fecondly, by the priefts and magiftrates of the city, who were dif- turbed and exafperated at John Banks, becaufe the friends in prifon keeping up their meetings, particularly on the firfl day of the week, he fre- quently felt a concern to preach among them, and (landing near the cafement, which opened to the ftreet, his teftimony could be heard by the citizens as they came from their worfhip. This exafperated both the priefts (of which there were a confiderable number in that place) and the magiftrates, as the people in palling would frequently (land to hear him : In order to put a ftop thereto, the mayor of the city, ac- companied by fome of the aldermen and others, came into their meeting in the prifon one firft day while John was preaching, and in great paf- fion commanded him to be filent, making his wand at him, and threatening to gag him. But nei- ther his paffion nor his menaces couldeftec"t his pur- pofe ; John intimating to him, that he conceived he had his commiffion from a fuperior power ; and that as mayor he had no authority to moleft him and his companions in confinement ; they were the king's prifoners, and in fafe cuftody. With fome further menaces the mayor and his compa- ny departed, and gave them no further molefta- tion in perfon. But there is reafon to prefume they gave a charge to the jailer and his turnkey, to endea- vour PEOPLE called QJJAKERS. 77 vour to prevent him from preaching, even by c hap. violence. The turnkey generally watched their xvi. meetings, and as foon as he heard John Banks's <**m*~+J voice, would drag him by force out of the room x710' to fome other place, and confine him there till after the meeting was ended. The turnkey at other times would endeavour to prevent his fpeaking, by putting his hat over his face ; hoot- ing to drown his voice; clapping his hands on his mouth, and fuch like rough treatment. Once find- ing him on his knees at prayer, being urged by the jailer, who was alfo prefent, this turnkey pulled him off his knees, threw him down, and endeavoured to drag him by force along the ground, which not being able to do, the jailer came to his aftiftance, and then they jointly pulled him away, and fhut him up in a noifome fmoaky room over the brew-houfe, in which he was locked up feveral times ; at one time three days and two nights without a bed of any kind to lie down upon. The jailer finding thefe harm meafures inef- fectual to compafs their defign of filencing him, had recourfe to remonftrance, reprefenting to John " that the prieits, mayor and aldermen of " the city were greatly difpleafed, and threaten- " ed to fine him for fuffering him to preach, and " his friends to hold conventicles in the jail, " propofing their removal to another houfe from " the flreet, or at lead to the further end of " the room, where he might not be heard." In reply to this, John Banks, who conceived his miniftry not reilricled to his friends and fellow- prifoners ; bat that it was to be alfo exercifed to call the inhabitants to repentance as opportunity offered. 78 H I S T O R Y of the CHAP, offered, fignified, " That as his prifoner he xvi. " fhould be fubjeft to him, let him put him v--*^-' " where he would ; but as to matters of religi- *7 IO- « ous duty he could own no fubjeftion to him " or them ; but to the clear difcovery of the " light in his own mind only." The jailer and his deputy therefore returned to their former practice of haling, confining and perfonal abufe, whereby his body was much bruifed and his health impaired. The jailer, although he pretended at times to palliate his feverity, under the fear of the re- fentment of the magistrates and prieits, could not forbear at other times to give vent to his own private refentments on the fubject that touch- ed .him more clofely, becaufe they did not take their diet and lodgings from him at extravagant rates, abufing them with opprobrious language, calling them rogues, rafcals and cheating knaves, menacing them with the fmoaky loft and com- mon jail, and charging the turnkey to let them out on no occafion, not even to buy victuals, which charge was pretty ftri&ly obferved, in- fomuch, that for fome time they were hard put to it to provide neceflaries for them- felves. The jailer not fully gratified by this feverity, or not finding it anfwer his purpofe, in a few weeks proceeded to put his menace in execution, by thrufting John Banks and another friend into the common jail amongft the felons and poor debtors, at a time when it was fo crowded, that there was no convenient room to fit or lie down, and J. Banks was in an ill ftate of health, hav- ing been indifpofed for fome time before ; upon which PEOPLE called QJJAKERS. 79 which account one of his fellow-prifoners made chap. this remonftrance to the jailer, " If this friend (hall XVI« " die through thy cruelty and hard ufage,his blood ^^^v^o " will be required at thy hands :" The jailer, with I7,°- all the unfeelingnefs of fuch officers, replied, " he " did not care if J. Banks never flood upon his " feet again, he would put him into the common " jail ;" which he did, where J. Banks and his companion were obliged to fit all night near the fink, the common receptacle of the filth and ex- crements of the prifoners. And when they got fome draw to lie on, they had only the wet ground to lay it on, clofe by the noifome fink. He was confined here fixteen days and nights, during which time his wife (with other friends) coming twenty miles to vifit him in prifon, (he requefted of the jailer, that he would permit her hufband to come to her in fome place more con- venient than the common jail ; but as diverted of all tendernefs, he refufed her, and fent her word, " If (he wanted to fee him, me might in " the common jail, but no where elfe." She continued with him there one night and part of the next day, a fympathizing witnefs of the hard- fhips he underwent. When the jailer found he could not by any contrivance erFe£t his purpofe, to procure cham- ber-rent from him and his friends, growing uneafy in his mind from a troubled confcience, he brought John back to his fellow-prifoners, after a confinement of two weeks and upwards in the dark dungeon. And when he could neither by thefe harm meafures make the gain he wanted by thefe pri- foners, nor hinder John Banks from preaching, he, S© H I S T O R Y of the cha p. he, being much threatened by the priefts, re- xvi. moved himfelf and them to another houfe, and ^"■v — ' placed them in rooms backward from the ftreet, 1710. where they held their meetings peaceably, with- out much further moleftation from the jailer or any other ; who after perfecuting them as above described for about fix months, feems to have re- lented, and in procefs of time to have indulged them with as much liberty as they could expect. John Banks was detained in prifon till he was re- leafed by King William's ac"t of grace in 1690, feven years wanting three months from his firft commitment. Soon after his releafe he took another journey into the weft, to pay a religious vifit to his friends in that quarter, and thence to London, where his fervice was very acceptable and pro- fitable to many, and the meetings generally very large, all along his friends vere refpeftful and rejoiced to fee him again after his long impri- fonment. A few months after his return from this jour- ney, he met, (according to his own expreflion) with the greateft trial that had ever befallen him, in the removal of his virtuous and well-beloved wife, with whom he had lived in great comfort and neai affection twenty-feven years ; and whom he characterizes as a meet help to him, a fympa- rhizer in his exercifes ; a woman indirftrious and rareful in ordering their outward affairs, and in the religious education of their children in his abfence : That me was well-beloved amongft her friends and neighbours : bore her ficknefs with patience ; and ended her 'days in peace the 2d dayofio"10, 1691. In PEOPLE called QUAKERS. 81 In the year 1696 he married his fecond wife C H a p. at Glaflonbury in Somerfetlhire, and fixed his xvi. refidence in that county, firft at Mear, and af- b — v-*-' terwards at Street. He continued his travels W°« for the promoting a religious concern amongft feCondtime, his brethren, even in his advanced years, wbena"dremovcs affected with great bodily infirmity. About fetflure. two months before his deceafe he paid a religi- ous vifit to feveral meetings of his friends, both thofe for religious worfhip and thefe for difcipline, in the care of the poor, widows and orphans, being equally well qualified for fer- vice in both ; a man endued with excellent ta- lents for promoting good order, purfuing thofe things that were jufl, pure, lovely and of good report. In this lafl journey at: Somerton, in a large meeting, lie was raifed in his teftimony to the admiration of thofe ; who were acquainted with the infirm ftate of his health. He conti- nued a confiderable length of time in his tef- timony againft outfide appearances of religion, deftitute of the fubftance, with perfpicuity and juft diftinttion in his doctrine, demonftrating the ftrength of his memory and mental facul- ties, and the foundnefs of his judgment in fpi- ritual matters, being wonderfully fupported by divine aftiftance to preach the word to the con- folation, refrdhment and edification of the meeting. His zeal for the promotion of truth and righteoufnefs removed from his thoughts the prefent confideiation of his bodily infirmity. His natural ftrength was, by his exertion, io far weakened, that it was a talk fufficient for two men to lead him from the meeting to his Vol. IV. G lodging: 82 HISTORY OF THE chap, lodging : but he was very cheerful under the XVI« feeling of an increafe of peace in his bofotfi, 1 — >'■*-' for fpending his remaining ftrength in the bed 1710. caufe, and hgnified his inward fatisfa&ion in that day's fervice. He proceeded in his vifit to Puddimore, and from thence to Yeovil, where in a large meeting of friends he was afreih divinely influenced in his public fervice, with a lively zeal and quick difcerning of the ftates of feveral prefent, to which he addrefled per- tinent doctrine ; and from thence he returned home, where he was foon feized with that dil- temper of which he died. During the time of confinement he frequently faid, " Though my •* pain be great, my foul doth magnify the Lord " for his goodnefs to me". On the 2 2d of 7th month feveral friends being prefent, after fome time fpent in filence, he exhorted them to a diligent attendance of meetings for worfhip, both on firft days, and other days of the week, fet apart for that purpofe ; alfo their quarterly and monthly meetings for difcipline, expreffing fcis great love to friends of Glailonbury and Street, to whom he had been a good example in the diligent attendance of meetings, which he now recommended, adding, " Although I " am weak in body, and know not whether I " may live much longer, yet I am ftrong in " the Lord and the power of his might, and " have nothing to do but to die." To a young man that came with fome other friends to fee him he faid, " Art thou the young man that " lives at Somerton, lately convinced of the « bleffed truth ?" He anfvvered, " Yes." " The " Lord be with th.ee," continued John Banks, " and I defire thee in the love of God to PEOPLE called QJJAK^RS. give up " fpirit of God in thy heart, and then he will XVI« " do great things for thee; and do not thou .^"v"*~' " (lumble at the crofs, for the more thou look- l^n " eft at it, and puttefl it off, the harder will " it be to thee to take it up." Much more good advice, during his ficknefs, he imparted to thofe who came to fee him, with a favour of life and power which greatly affected thofe to whom it was addreued. His laft expreflions on record were, " T. is well " with me, I have nothing to do but to die, " and I (hall end in the truth as I began." William Crouch, according to his bed calcu- Account of lation, was born on the 5th day of the 2dcrouch!! month called April 1628, in a fmall village called Penton by Wcyhiil, near Andover in Hampfinre. His father was a fubftantial yeo- man, of good repute in the country, and well beloved in his neighbourhood. His mother was a religious woman, and one of the people in that day called Puritans. She was a watch- ful guardian over her children, to preferve them from evil either in word or action ; and would often call them together to pray with them, and for them by day or by night, as fhe He is rd'- found feafonable opportunities, wherein {]he glou"y cf u* hath left a good example to ethers of her fex who are mothers of children, His father was taken of! in the prime of life, leaving his children young ; and the civil war arifmg Toon after unlet tied the family, and de- prived him, of his (hare of his father's pro- perty, and alfo of the advantage of learning, y/hich . other wife he might have had. He re- G 2 moved S4 HISTORY of the c H A P. moved to London in 1 646, and bound himfelf xvi. apprentice there. t — V~*J His religious education was not loft upon him, carefJuf ^or in a^ t^le cnanges °f Situation he was pre- his comp 1- ferved in a good degree of innocence and fo- fty' briety from many temptations and evils inci- dent to youth. Careful of his company, he fhunned the converfe of fuch as indulged in excefs, rudenefs and- diflipation, and chofe for his alTbciates fuch as were religiouily difpofed and fober in their conduct. He diligently attended the miniftry of fuch public preachers as were in the greateft reputa- tion for wifdom and piety ; he often wrote their fermons, and was fometimes much af- fected, and on his return home would fpend his time in retirement and prayer. Yet not knowing the Lord was fo near him as he was, he witnefTed little growth of grace in his heart, or power over his affections and lufts ; but was fometimes overcome by temptation, and allured to vanity and folly, which afterwards proved a burden and uneafinefs. to his foul ; yet in great mercy he was followed clofely with the reproofs of inftru&ion, which he found by experience to be the way to life. He begins th the year 1656 he firft began to frequent to frequent tne meetings of ' the people called Quakers, ingsofthe being convinced in his judgment of the truth' P'°PIe"!i" of their principles ; and as he gave heed to that 'grace and truth which they teflified of, he was not only convinced fpeculatively of the truth of their teftimony, but experimentally convinced by the operation of this light and grace in himfelf, that God, by his good fpirit, was nigh at hand, a difcoverer cf the thoughts and in- tents PEOPLE called QUAKERS. 85 tents of the heart, and a reprover in feeret for chap, every evil way, word and thought, and by his xvi. light in his confcience a difcoverer alfo of the ^*" y/~-> way to efcape temptation. Through the illumi- I7l( nation of this divine light he faw fin to be ex- ceeding finful, and that godly forrow was pro- duced in him, which brings repentance not to be repented of. A friend that well knew him teftifies, His treafure was in heaven, and as for the treafure of this world he fet no value upon it, further than to be his fervant for necelfary ufes, and to extend in charity to the indigent. His charity was amply and varioufly diffufed, and he was always difpofed, with a'i ready mind, to affift fuch as were in affliction or diftrefs of any fort, where either his advice or purfe was wanting. He looked upon himfelf not fo much a pro- prietor of the temporal treafure Divine Provi- dence had blefied him with, as a fleward, and accountable to the Lord of the univerfe for his flewardfhip, and therefore his care and endea- vour was to be found faithful in the difcharge of the truft committed to him. That love of money, which the apoftle declares to be the root of all evil, being the foundation of uncharitablenefs, he looked upon with fuch averfion, that he publifned a treatife under the title of The enormous Sin of Covetoufnefs dctecled, informing the reader in the preface, that /'/ was not ambition to appear in print that incited him to that undertaking, but afincere and juft abhorrence of that crying fin. And as he was exemplary in mewing mercy to the poor, and in helping and relieving the weak and afflicled, fo he was equally confpicu- ous HISTORY of the j 710. chap, ous for his punctuality and uprightnefs in com- XVI- merce, doing juftice to all, fulfilling his con- tracts, and paying his juft debts in due time, and doing to all men as he would wifh others to do to him. He was clearly fhewn what he mould do, and acted in obedience to the divine difcovery, to do jujily, love mercy, and zvalk humbly before God. The year before his death he wrote to his children a concife but comprehenfive paper or epiflle of chriftian counfel, which might remain as a teftimony of his paternal regard and affec- tionate concern for them when he mould be no more, viz. " The 7th 2mo. 1709. " You, my children all, I charge you love God above all ; love one another, live in peace one with another ; avoid all appearances of difcord ; remember you are brethren ; fee that you fall not out by the way in your travel and pilgrimage. Seek not a reft here, but pafs on to that city of reft which God hath prepared for his people. Be exemplary in your lives and conversations ; keep truth and it will keep you, and give you an inhe- ritance with the faints in light. Be watchful over one another for good, and as much as in you lies live peaceably with all men. And the God of peace blefs you and profper you, and make you a comfort to yourfelves, and one to another, which is the earned prayer and cry of my foul to God. " Your loving father, •« WILLIAM CROUCH." He, PEOPLE called QJJAKERS. 87 He, like moft of the reft of his brethren, chap. was repeatedly a furTerer both in his perfon and xvi. property. He was once cited to appear at Lj_v^J Chrift Church (fo called) to anfwer the prefent- Hij J^. ments of the church wardens, and for not ap- ing*. pearing he underftood he was excommunicated, but they proceeded againft him no further. But not long after, in the year 1661, he was chofen fcavenger of Broad-ftreet ward, and for declining to take the oath of office was com- mitted to the Poultry compter ; and for re- fufing to pay fees and what they call garnim money, he was (hut up in a hole among the common poor prisoners, where he had no lodging, and but very little room to walk, when the priloners were locked up at night. Some- time after he obtained his difcharge by an ap- plication to John Frederick, mayor of the city. In about three months after he was arrefled at ihe fuit of the pariih called St. Bennet link, as he was informed, for tithes or wages for the pried Samuel Clark, and was again committed to the Poultry compter, where he was continued in confinement about one year and three quarters ; but through favour of the jailer he got liberty fometime to go home to iuperintend his bulinefs. In the year 1665, during the time of the plague, the perfecution, as hath been cbierved, did not ceafe *, but the jails in and about the city of London continued to be crowded with frefh prifoners, infected as they were, ?Jid amongft others it fell to the lot of this friend ty » See vol. ii, p. 140. 88 H I S T O R Y of the ii a p. to be imprifoned. He was at Peel meeting on xvi. the third day of the week, where about the v-^v">^-/ number of fixteen were afiembled ; for, what *7l°- through the number confined by the ficknefs and in priibn, the meetings were frequently fmall ; for thefe reafons only, and no declen- fion in the zeal of friends, who continued to attend them diligently through all the attendant circumftances of difcouragement. At this time, while a friend was on his knees at prayer, a company of trained bands came in, haled the friend from his pofture in prayer, took the whole body aflembled to the guard-houfe near Whitehall, where they were kept all night ; next morning, refufing to pay 40s. each, arbi- trarily demanded of them, as the price of their liberty, they were committed by the Duke of Albemarle to the Gate-houfe, Weftminfter, for three months, by the following warrant : " You are on fight hereof to take into your " cuflody Solomon Eccles, Robert Towerland, " Thomas Portland, John Bolfover, Humble " Fletcher, William Crouch, John Pierce and u Chriflopher Cooke, who are guilty of being " at an unlawful meeting, and refufing to pay " their fines. Given under my hand this 23d " day of Auguft 1665. " To the keeper of the " Gate-houfe or his " deputy. " Albemarle. " The officer of the guards is to fend a fer " jeant and four files with them. Thus 17IO. PEOPLE called QUAKERS. 8p Thus were reputable citizens fent to prifon chap. by military authority, under a military guard, xvi. like vile criminals, and confined in an infected prifon, in which, as they were informed, the prifoners were dying of the contagion, four or five in a night. One of thefe friends, viz. Robert Towerland, was taken off; the reft, through the favour of Divine Providence, efcaped. Thefe appear to have been the laft friends imprifoned on the act for banifhment in the city of London. It hath been before remarked, that although fufferings on other accounts fometimes fubfided, yet thofe for tithes and prieft's wages were very rarely, if ever, intermitted. This friend had his dw%l!ing-houfe burned down in the ge- neral conflagration, and during the rebuilding, being as an inmate, he was not liable to thefe demands. But after the city was rebuilt, he feated himfelf in Grace Church-ftreet, where he was foon called upon for three quarters of a year's wages for John Cliff, called rector of St. Bennet, Grace Church, London, and for a demand of ll. 19s. had three pieces of white ferge taken from him worth 3I. 10s. Some- time after he received 15s. $d. fealed up in a paper, with an account, debiting him with the unreafonable fum of 15s. yd. for charges of dif- training. When he opened the paper, and found what it contained, he returned the ac- count and money to the prieft, faying in a let- ter to him, " I receive not aught from thee, " nor do I want any thing which thou felleft. " I never made bargain with thee for aught, " nor 9© HISTORY o! thi chap. iC nor never confented to pay thee any thing, xvi. " how then canft thou deem me thy debtor." v*""v~*"'' After the lafY conventicle-aft came in force l7l°' "W\ Crouch was expofed to the depredations of the informers and convicling jufiices, as ap- pears by the following warrant : . " To all condables, headboroughs, church-war- " dens, tithing-men, overfeers of the poor, *' bailiffs, and all other his Majefly's officers 44 within the faid city whatfoever : 44 Whereas by the oaths of two credible wit- 44 neffes before ' me, Sir Jonathan Raymond, ** one of his Majefly's juflices of the Peace for 44 the city aforefaid, there was a conventicle or " unlawful affembly, held the 13th day of this 44 inflant June, in a certain meeting, in White- hart-court by Grace Church-itreet, in the aforefaid city, in the forenoon, wherein were a company of perfons, all above the age of fixteen years, and fu'ojects of this realm, to " the number of above fixteen more than thofe 44 of the family or houfehold, contrary to the ei ac~l of parliament in that cafe made and pro- " vided, amongfl whom was William Crouch, 44 upholderer, in Grace Church-flreet in the 44 aforefaid city. In which convencicle or un- 4; lawful affembly, to thefe deponents was a 44 perfon unknown, who did take upon him 44 to teach and preach under colour or pretence 44 of exercife of religion, in other manner and 44 form than according to the liturgy and prac- 44 tice of the church of England, whereby the 44 penaky of sol. was forfeited by the preacher 44 or teacher aj aforefaid ; who being unknown D 44 as PEOPLE called QJJAKERS. 91 as aforefaid, the penalty by him forfeited CHAP, ought of confequence to be levied on any XVI« one perfon for any one offence, for which ^^^J caufe I have impofed the fine of ten pounds l710- for his own offence, and part of the preach- er's offence. " Thefe are therefore in his Majefty's name, and by virtue of the faid aft, to command you or fome of you to levy the faid fum of iol. by way of diftreis and fale of the faid offender's goods abovementioned ; and if you are refufed entrance into the houfe or houfes in poffellion of the faid William Crouch, af- ter you have declared your bufinefs in his Majefty's name, you are hereby required to break open all and every the doors, barrica- does, &c. belonging to any houfe or houfes as aforefaid, and to enter and levy the full contents of what you can find towards all and every the warrants that you fhall be charged with, during the time you (hall be in poffeffion of fuch premifes in purfyance of the faid flatute, and that you return the fame to me, to be difhibuted according to the faid ad ; and for fo doing this fliall be your warrant. Given under my hand and leal this 23d day of June, Anno Regni Ca- roli fecundi 35. Annoq. Domini 1683." Another warrant of the like tenour, bearing date the 2 iff of April 1684, was iffued agaihft him by Thomas jenner, Recorder of London, to levy ten pounds off' his goods by way of dif- treis for the like caufe, upon conviction execu- tion iffued, without hearing the party informed againff. The law we have feen allowed an ap- peal, 92 HISTORY OF THE c h a p. peal, but fuch was the management of many svi. juftices, and fuch the temper of the time, that *-— v—-' little right could be procured by appealing. ,7I°- Jenner in particular was a notorious encoU- rager of the informers. In his hands the dif- trefs or amount was depofited, and the money upon appeals ; and being alio the fole judge w. Crouch, upon thefe appeals, upon trial of illegal con- victions, he manifefted himfelf a party againft the appellant, and inftead of fitting to do righr and juilice, as he ought by his duty and his oath, he would employ every effort of chica- nery to baffle the appeal. In this inftance, the informers having fworn to a wrong day, the party aggrieved depofited the money charged upon him, and entered his appeal. When it came to a trial with others of the like nature, the witneifes being examined, and the jury gone forth to agree upon their verdict, Jenner alfo left the bench, and in fome fmall time re- turned. The jury coming in with their ver- dicts, this appellant found they had dropped his caufe, which was then called over again, in order to a new trial, upon which his counfel advifed him to withdraw his appeal, for, faid he, they are refolved to carry it ; fo he fuffered the lofs of the depolit, and all charges. Upon this tran faction the mfferer makes this obfervation, " I have been the more particular " in this relation oi fact, that the reader may " take notice of the combinations of wicked " men, who joined hand in hand to fecure to " themfelves the gain of oppreffion ; and ac- " cording to Ifa. li:c. 13, 14, 15, Conceiving " and uttering from the heart words of falsehood : " judgmnj is turned backward, and equity can- " not PEOPLE called QJJAKERS. 93 " not enter : Jujiice Jiandeth afar off, and truth chap. " is fallen in the Jlreets ; and he that departeth xvi. " from evil maketh himfelf a prey, and the Lord <-— v— ■» " faw it, and it difpleafed him that there was l7l°- " no judgment.*' I own I have often been ready to admire how this perfecuted body of men ever ftruggled through all the hardfhips and loffes, in perfon and eftate, they fuftained for fuch a length of time, under the hands of unreafonable men vefted with arbitrary power, that the whole of their fubftance particularly was not fwallowed up by the fpoilers : And how can it be ac- counted for better than they themfelves with thankfulnefs have done ; acknowledging the goodnefs of the Divine Being with them in all their fufferings, and his blefling greatly profper- ing the labour of their hands in their outward occupations and their commercial engagements; favoured with his peace in reward for their pa- tience and fidelity, hard mips were made eafy to them; and his providential hand attending their induflrv and frugality, compenfated all their loffes, fo that with many they were foon made up ; and it appears certain that great numbers were, notwithflanding all they loft, blell with a fufficiency of the things of this life to con- tent for their own ufe, and to fpare abundantly for the help of others, of which number this worthy man was one ; while at the fame time their fpoilers reaped little advantage from their plunder ; it wafted away ftrangely, as if to them it 'were an accurfed thing. They lived, many of them, in infamy, and died in poverty and wretchednefs. As I 710. HISTORY OF THE As he advanced in years he became infirm*- being, feverely afflicted with fits of the flone for about two years before his death, which he bore with much patience, meekly fubmitting to the divine will, without murmuring or complaining- in the lead. About nine months before his own departure, and at a time when his diftemper was fharp upon him, he met with an additional fevere af- fliction in the removal of his wife, a woman of fingular piety and virtue, with whom he had lived fifty years and upwards in much comfort, being united in the fear of their Creator, and fincere affection to each other. The lofs of a relation fo well and fo defervedly beloved, of whom he gave this teftimony, that /he would deny h erf elf to a very great degree to ferve hi?n, beyond what he could afk cr ex peel from her, could not but make a deep impreliion upon him ; but fuch was his refignation to the will of his Heavenly Father, that he pofteiTed his foul in patience, acknowledging with Job, " that the " Lord gave, and the Lord, hath taken away, " blevted be the name of the Lord." And as the time of his own dhTolution ap-v proached, being, through divine mercy, well prepared for it, and patiently waiting for the accomplishment thereof, he oken admired the goodnefs of God to him, in. inclining his mind to feek after right eouinefs from, his youth, and in prefer ving him through, the. whole courfe of his life to old. age. He .often- rehired in prayer; and when he law his children-; in affliction for him,, he exhorted them not fo dcj'ire his life, for he was through age and wcaknefs incapable