| As we travelled we came near a very great hill, called Pendle Hill,
and I was moved of the Lord to go up to the top of it; which I did with
difficulty, it was so very steep and high. When I was come to the top, I
saw the sea bordering upon Lancashire. From the top of this hill the Lord
let me see in what places he had a great people to be gathered. As I went
down, I found a spring of water in the side of the hill, with which I refreshed
myself, having eaten or drunk but little for several days before.
At night we came to an inn, and declared truth to the man of the house,
and wrote a paper to the priests and professors, declaring the day of the
Lord, and that Christ was come to teach people Himself, by His power and
Spirit in their hearts, and to bring people off from all the world's ways
and teachers, to His own free teaching, who had bought them, and was the
Saviour of all them that believed in Him. The man of the house spread the
paper abroad, and was mightily affected with the truth. Here the Lord opened
unto me, and let me see a great people in white raiment by a river side,
coming to the Lord; and the place that I saw them in was about Wensleydale
and Sedbergh.
The next day we travelled on, and at night got a little fern or bracken
to put under us, and lay upon a common. Next morning we reached a town,
where Richard Farnsworth parted from me; and then I travelled alone again.
I came up Wensleydale, and at the market-town in that Dale, there was a
lecture on the market-day. I went into the steeple-house; and after the
priest had done I proclaimed the day of the Lord to the priest and people,
warning them to turn from darkness to the Light, and from the power of Satan
unto God, that they might come to know God and Christ aright, and to receive
His teaching, who teacheth freely. Largely and freely did I declare the
Word of life unto them, and had not much persecution there.
Afterwards I passed up the Dales, warning people to fear God, and preaching
the everlasting gospel to them. In my way I came to a great house, where
was a schoolmaster; and they got me into the house. I asked them questions
about their religion and worship; and afterwards I declared the truth to
them. They had me into a parlour, and locked me in, pretending that I was
a young man that was mad, and had run away from my relations; and that they
would keep me till they could send to them. But I soon convinced them of
their mistake, and they let me forth, and would have had me to stay; but
I was not to stay there.
Then having exhorted them to repentance, and directed them to the Light
of Christ Jesus, that through it they might come unto Him and be saved,
I passed from them, and came in the night to a little ale-house on a common,
where there was a company of rude fellows drinking. Because I would not
drink with them, they struck me with their clubs; but I reproved them, and
brought them to be somewhat cooler; and then I walked out of the house upon
the common in the night.
After some time one of these drunken fellows came out, and would have come
close up to me, pretending to whisper to me; but I perceived he had a knife;
and therefore I kept off him, and bade him repent, and fear God. So the
Lord by His power preserved me from this wicked man; and he went into the
house again. The next morning I went on through other Dales, warning and
exhorting people everywhere as I passed, to repent and turn to the Lord:
and several were convinced. At one house that I came to, the man of the
house (whom I afterwards found to be a kinsman of John Blakelin's) would
have given me money, but I would not receive it.
The next day I went to a meeting at Justice Benson's, where I met a people
that were separated from the public worship. This was the place I had seen,
where a people came forth in white raiment. A large meeting it was, and
the people were generally convinced; and they continue still a large meeting
of Friends near Sedbergh; which was then first gathered through my ministry
in the name of Jesus.
In the same week there was a great fair, at which servants used to be hired;
and I declared the day of the Lord through the fair. After I had done so,
I went into the steeple-house yard, and many of the people of the fair came
thither to me, and abundance of priests and professors. There I declared
the everlasting truth of the Lord and the Word of life for several hours,
showing that the Lord was come to teach His people Himself, and to bring
them off from all the world's ways and teachers, to Christ, the true teacher,
and the true way to God. I laid open their teachers, showing that they were
like them that were of old condemned by the prophets, and by Christ, and
by the apostles. I exhorted the people to come off from the temples made
with hands; and wait to receive the Spirit of the Lord, that they might
know themselves to be the temples of God.
Not one of the priests had power to open his mouth against what I declared:
but at last a captain said, "Why will you not go into the church? this
is not a fit place to preach in." I told him I denied their church.
Then stood up Francis Howgill, who was preacher to a congregation. He had
not seen me before; yet he undertook to answer that captain; and he soon
put him to silence. Then said Francis Howgill of me, "This man speaks
with authority, and not as the scribes."
After this, I opened to the people that that ground and house were no holier
than another place; and that the house is not the Church, but the people,
of whom Christ is the head. After awhile the priests came up to me, and
I warned them to repent. One of them said I was mad; so they turned away.
But many were convinced there that day, who were glad to hear the truth
declared, and received it with joy. Amongst these was Captain Ward, who
received the truth in the love of it, and lived and died in it.
The next First-day I came to Firbank chapel in Westmoreland, where Francis
Howgill and John Audland had been preaching in the morning. The chapel was
full of people, so that many could not get in. Francis said he thought I
looked into the chapel, and his spirit was ready to fail, the Lord's power
did so surprise him: but I did not look in. They made haste, and had quickly
done, and they and some of the people went to dinner; but abundance stayed
till they came again. John Blakelin and others came to me, and desired me
not to reprove them publicly; for they were not parish-teachers, but pretty
tender men. I could not tell them whether I should or no, though I had not
at that time any drawings to declare publicly against them; but I said they
must leave me to the Lord's movings.
While others were gone to dinner, I went to a brook, got a little water,
and then came and sat down on the top of a rock hard by the chapel. In the
afternoon the people gathered about me, with several of their preachers.
It was judged there were above a thousand people; to whom I declared God's
everlasting truth and Word of life freely and largely for about the space
of three hours. I directed all to the Spirit of God in themselves; that
they might be turned from darkness to Light, and believe in it; that they
might become the children of it, and might be turned from the power of Satan
unto God, and by the Spirit of truth might be led into all truth, and sensibly
understand the words of the prophets, of Christ, and of the apostles; and
might all come to know Christ to be their teacher to instruct them, their
counsellor to direct them, their shepherd to feed them, their bishop to
oversee them, and their prophet to open divine mysteries to them; and might
know their bodies to be prepared, sanctified, and made fit temples for God
and Christ to dwell in. In the openings of heavenly life I explained unto
them the prophets, and the figures and shadows, and directed them to Christ,
the substance. Then I opened the parables and sayings of Christ, and things
that had been long hid.
Now there were many old people who went into the chapel and looked out at
the windows, thinking it a strange thing to see a man preach on a hill,
and not in their church, as they called it; whereupon I was moved to open
to the people that the steeple-house, and the ground whereon it stood were
no more holy than that mountain; and that those temples, which they called
the dreadful houses of God were not set up by the command of God and of
Christ; nor their priests called, as Aaron's priesthood was; nor their tithes
appointed by God, as those amongst the Jews were; but that Christ was come,
who ended both the temple and its worship, and the priests and their tithes;
and that all should now hearken unto Him; for He said, "Learn of me";
and God said of Him, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased;
hear ye Him."
I declared unto them that the Lord God had sent me to preach the everlasting
gospel and Word of life amongst them, and to bring them off from all these
temples, tithes, priests, and rudiments of the world, which had been instituted
since the apostles' days, and had been set up by such as had erred from
the Spirit and power the apostles were in. Very largely was I opened at
this meeting, and the Lord's convincing power accompanied my ministry, and
reached the hearts of the people, whereby many were convinced; and all the
teachers of that congregation (who were many) were convinced of God's everlasting
truth.
At Kendal a meeting was held in the Town-hall. Several were convinced and
many were loving. One whose name was Cock met me in the street and would
have given me a roll of tobacco, for people were then much given to smoking.
I accepted his love, but did not receive his tobacco.
Thence I went to Underbarrow, and several people going along with me, great
reasonings I had with them, especially with Edward Burrough.
At night the priest and many professors came to the house; and a great deal
of disputing I had with them. Supper being provided for the priest and the
rest of the company, I had not freedom to eat with them; but told them that
if they would appoint a meeting for the next day at the steeple-house, and
acquaint the people with it, I might meet them. They had a great deal of
reasoning about it; some being for, and some against it.
In the morning, after I had spoken to them again concerning the meeting,
as I walked upon a bank by the house, there came several poor travellers,
asking relief, who I saw were in necessity; and they gave them nothing,
but said they were cheats. It grieved me to see such hard-heartedness amongst
professors; whereupon, when they were gone in to their breakfast, I ran
after the poor people about a quarter of a mile, and gave them some money.
Meanwhile some that were in the house, coming out, and seeing me a quarter
of a mile off, said I could not have gone so far in such an instant, if
I had not had wings. Hereupon the meeting was like to have been put by;
for they were filled with such strange thoughts concerning me that many
of them were against having a meeting with me.
I told them that I had run after those poor people to give them some money;
being grieved at the hardheartedness of those who gave them nothing.
Then came Miles and Stephen Hubbersty, who, being more simple-hearted men,
would have the meeting held. So to the chapel I went, and the priest came.
A great meeting there was, and the way of life and salvation was opened;
and after awhile the priest fled away. Many of Crook and Underbarrow were
convinced that day, received the Word of life, and stood fast in it under
the teaching of Christ Jesus.
After I had declared the truth to them for some hours, and the meeting was
ended, the chief constable and some other professors fell to reasoning with
me in the chapel yard. Whereupon I took a Bible and opened the Scriptures,
and dealt tenderly with them, as one would do with a child. They that were
in the Light of Christ and Spirit of God knew when I spake Scripture, though
I did not mention chapter and verse, after the priest's form, to them.
Then I went to an ale-house, to which many resorted betwixt the time of
their morning and afternoon preaching, and had a great deal of reasoning
with the people, declaring to them that God was come to teach His people,
and to bring them off from the false teachers, such as the prophets, Christ,
and the apostles cried against. Many received the Word of life at that time,
and abode in it.
Thence I went to Ulverstone, and so to Swarthmore to Judge Fell's; whither
came up one Lampitt, a priest, who was a high notionist. With him I had
much reasoning; for he talked of high notions and perfection, and thereby
deceived the people. He would have owned me, but I could not own nor join
with him, he was so full of filth. He said he was above John; and made as
though he knew all things. But I told him that death reigned from Adam to
Moses; that he was under death, and knew not Moses, for Moses saw the paradise
of God; but he knew neither Moses nor the prophets nor John; for that crooked
and rough nature stood in him, and the mountain of sin and corruption; and
the way was not prepared in him for the Lord.
He confessed he had been under a cross in things; but now he could sing
psalms, and do anything. I told him that now he could see a thief, and join
hand in hand with him; but he could not preach Moses, nor the prophets,
nor John, nor Christ, except he were in the same Spirit that they were in.
Margaret Fell had been absent in the day-time; and at night her children
told her that priest Lampitt and I had disagreed, which somewhat troubled
her, because she was in profession with him; but he hid his dirty actions
from them. At night we had much reasoning, and I declared the truth to her
and her family. The next day Lampitt came again, and I had much discourse
with him before Margaret Fell, who then clearly discerned the priest. A
convincement of the Lord's truth came upon her and her family.
Soon after a day was to be observed for a humiliation, and Margaret Fell
asked me to go with her to the steeple-house at Ulverstone, for she was
not wholly come off from them. I replied, "I must do as I am ordered
by the Lord." So I left her, and walked into the fields; and the Word
of the Lord came to me, saying, "Go to the steeple-house after them."
When I came, Lampitt was singing with his people; but his spirit was so
foul, and the matter they sung so unsuitable to their states, that after
they had done singing, I was moved of the Lord to speak to him and the people.
The word of the Lord to them was, "He is not a Jew that is one outwardly,
but he is a Jew that is one inwardly, whose praise is not of man, but of
God."
As the Lord opened further, I showed them that God was come to teach His
people by His Spirit, and to bring them off from all their old ways, religions,
churches, and worships; for all their religions, worships, and ways were
but talking with other men's words; but they were out of the life and Spirit
which they were in who gave them forth.
Then cried out one, called Justice Sawrey, "Take him away"; but
Judge Fell's wife said to the officers, "Let him alone; why may not
he speak as well as any other?" Lampitt also, the priest, in deceit
said, "Let him speak." So at length, when I had declared some
time, Justice Sawrey caused the constable to put me out; and then I spoke
to the people in the graveyard.
From thence I went into the island of Walney; and after the priest had done
I spoke to him, but he got away. Then I declared the truth to the people,
but they were something rude. I went to speak with the priest at his house,
but he would not be seen. The people said he went to hide himself in the
haymow; and they looked for him there, but could not find him. Then they
said he was gone to hide himself in the standing corn, but they could not
find him there either. I went to James Lancaster's, in the island, who was
convinced, and from thence returned to Swarthmore, where the Lord's power
seized upon Margaret Fell, her daughter Sarah, and several others.
Then I went to Baycliff, where Leonard Fell was convinced, and became a
minister of the everlasting gospel. Several others were convinced there,
and came into obedience to the truth. Here the people said they could not
dispute; and would fain have put some other to hold talk with me; but I
bade them fear the Lord, and not in a light way hold a talk of the Lord's
words, but put the things in practice.
I directed them to the Divine Light of Christ, and His Spirit in their hearts,
which would let them see all the evil thoughts, words, and actions that
they had thought, spoken, and acted; by which Light they might see their
sin, and also their Saviour Christ Jesus to save them from their sins. This
I told them was their first step to peace, even to stand still in the Light
that showed them their sins and transgressions; by which they might come
to see they were in the fall of old Adam, in darkness and death, strangers
to the covenant of promise, and without God in the world; and by the same
Light they might see Christ that died for them to be their Redeemer and
Saviour, and their way to God.
Soon after, Judge Fell being come home, Margaret Fell, his wife, sent to
me, desiring me to return thither; and feeling freedom from the Lord so
to do, I went back to Swarthmore. I found the priests and professors, and
that envious Justice Sawrey, had much incensed Judge Fell and Captain Sands
against the truth by their lies; but when I came to speak with him I answered
all his objections, and so thoroughly satisfied him by the Scriptures that
he was convinced in his judgment. He asked me if I was that George Fox of
whom Justice Robinson spoke so much in commendation amongst many of the
Parliament men? I told him I had been with Justice Robinson, and with Justice
Hotham in Yorkshire, who were very civil and loving to me; and that they
were convinced in their judgment by the Spirit of God that the principle
to which I bore testimony was the truth; and they saw over and beyond the
priests of the nation, so that they, and many others, were now come to be
wiser than their teachers.
After we had discoursed some time together, Judge Fell himself was satisfied
also, and came to see, by the openings of the Spirit of God in his heart,
over all the priests and teachers of the world, and did not go to hear them
for some years before he died: for he knew it was the truth that I declared,
and that Christ was the teacher of His people, and their Saviour. He sometimes
wished that I were a while with Judge Bradshaw to discourse with him.
There came to Judge Fell's Captain Sands before-mentioned, endeavouring
to incense the Judge against me, for he was an evil-minded man, and full
of envy against me; and yet he could speak high things, and use the Scripture
words, and say, "Behold, I make all things new." But I told him,
then he must have a new God, for his God was his belly. Besides him came
also that envious justice, John Sawrey. I told him his heart was rotten,
and he was full of hypocrisy to the brim. Several other people also came,
of whose states the Lord gave me a discerning; and I spoke to their conditions.
While I was in those parts, Richard Farnsworth and James Nayler came to
see me and the family; and Judge Fell, being satisfied that it was the way
of truth, notwithstanding all their opposition, suffered the meeting to
be kept at his house. A great meeting was settled there in the Lord's power,
which continued near forty years, until the year 1690, when a new meeting-house
was erected near it.
On the market-day I went to Lancaster, and spoke through the market in the
dreadful power of God, declaring the day of the Lord to the people, and
crying out against all their deceitful merchandise. I preached righteousness
and truth unto them, which all should follow after, walk and live in, directing
them how and where they might find and receive the Spirit of God to guide
them thereinto.
After I had cleared myself in the market, I went to my lodging, whither
several people came; and many were convinced who have since stood faithful
to the truth.
The First-day following, in the forenoon, I had a great meeting in the street
at Lancaster, amongst the soldiers and people, to whom I declared the Word
of life, and the everlasting truth. I opened unto them that all the traditions
they had lived in, all their worships and religions, and the profession
they made of the Scriptures, were good for nothing while they lived out
of the life and power which those were in who gave forth the Scriptures.
I directed them to the Light of Christ, the heavenly man, and to the Spirit
of God in their own hearts, that they might come to be acquainted with God
and Christ, receive Him for their teacher, and know His kingdom set up in
them.
In the afternoon I went to the steeple-house at Lancaster, and declared
the truth to the priest and people, laying open before them the deceit they
lived in, and directing them to the power and Spirit of God which they wanted.
But they haled me out, and stoned me along the street till I came to John
Lawson's house.
Another First-day I went to a steeple-house by the waterside, where one
Whitehead was priest. To him and to the people I declared the truth in the
dreadful power of God. There came a doctor so full of envy that he said
he could find it in his heart to run me through with his rapier, though
he were hanged for it the next day; yet this man came afterwards to be convinced
of the truth so far as to be loving to Friends. Some were convinced thereabouts
who willingly sat down under the ministry of Christ, their teacher; and
a meeting was settled there in the power of God, which has continued to
this day.
After this I returned into Westmoreland, and spoke through Kendal on a market-day.
So dreadful was the power of God upon me, that people flew like chaff before
me into their houses. I warned them of the mighty day of the Lord, and exhorted
them to hearken to the voice of God in their own hearts, who was now come
to teach His people Himself. When some opposed, many others took my part.
At last some fell to fighting about me; but I went and spoke to them, and
they parted again. Several were convinced.
After I had travelled up and down in those countries, and had had great
meetings, I came to Swarthmore again. And when I had visited Friends in
those parts, I heard of a great meeting the priests were to have at Ulverstone,
on a lecture-day. I went to it, and into the steeple-house in the dread
and power of the Lord. When the priest had done, I spoke among them the
Word of the Lord, which was as a hammer, and as a fire amongst them. And
though Lampitt, the priest of the place, had been at variance with most
of the priests before, yet against the truth they all joined together. But
the mighty power of the Lord was over all; and so wonderful was the appearance
thereof, that priest Bennett said the church shook, insomuch that he was
afraid and trembled. And when he had spoken a few confused words he hastened
out for fear it should fall on his head. Many priests got together there;
but they had no power as yet to persecute.
When I had cleared my conscience towards them, I went up to Swarthmore again,
whither came four or five of the priests. Coming to discourse, I asked them
whether any one of them could say he had ever had the word of the Lord to
go and speak to such or such a people. None of them durst say he had; but
one of them burst out into a passion and said that he could speak his experiences
as well as I.
I told him experience was one thing; but to receive and go with a message,
and to have a Word from the Lord, as the prophets and apostles had had and
done, and as I had done to them, this was another thing. And therefore I
put it to them again, "Can any of you say you have ever had a command
or word from the Lord immediately at any time?" but none of them could
say so.
Then I told them that the false prophets, the false apostles, and the antichrists,
could use the words of the true prophets, the true apostles, and of Christ,
and would speak of other men's experiences, though they themselves never
knew or heard the voice of God or Christ; and that such as they might obtain
the good words and experiences of others. This puzzled them much, and laid
them open.
At another time, when I was discoursing with several priests at Judge Fell's
house, and he was by, I asked them the same question, -- whether any of
them had ever heard the voice of God or Christ, to bid him go to such and
such a people, to declare His word or message unto them. Any one, I told
them, that could but read, might declare the experiences of the prophets
and apostles, which were recorded in the Scriptures. Thereupon Thomas Taylor,
an ancient priest, did ingenuously confess before Judge Fell that he had
never heard the voice of God, nor of Christ, to send him to any people;
but that he spoke his experiences, and the experiences of the saints in
former ages, and that he preached. This very much confirmed Judge Fell in
the persuasion he had that the priests were wrong; for he had thought formerly,
as the generality of people then did, that they were sent from God.
Now began the priests to rage more and more, and as much as they could to
stir up persecution. James Nayler and Francis Howgill were cast into prison
in Appleby jail, at the instigation of the malicious priests, some of whom
prophesied that within a month we should be all scattered again, and come
to nothing. But, blessed for ever be the worthy name of the Lord, His work
went on and prospered; for about this time John Audland, Francis Howgill,
John Camm, Edward Burrough, Richard Hubberthorn, Miles Hubbersty, and Miles
Halhead, with several others, being endued with power from on high, came
forth in the work of the ministry, and approved themselves faithful labourers
therein, travelling up and down, and preaching the gospel freely; by means
whereof multitudes were convinced, and many effectually turned to the Lord.
On a lecture-day I was moved to go to the steeple-house at Ulverstone, where
were abundance of professors, priests, and people. I went near to priest
Lampitt, who was blustering on in his preaching. After the Lord had opened
my mouth to speak, John Sawrey, the justice, came to me and said that if
I would speak according to the Scriptures, I should speak. I admired him
for speaking so to me, and told him I would speak according to the Scriptures,
and bring the Scriptures to prove what I had to say; for I had something
to speak to Lampitt and to them. Then he said I should not speak, contradicting
himself, for he had said just before that I should speak if I would speak
according to the Scriptures. The people were quiet, and heard me gladly,
till this Justice Sawrey (who was the first stirrer-up of cruel persecution
in the north) incensed them against me, and set them on to hale, beat, and
bruise me. But now on a sudden the people were in a rage, and fell upon
me in the steeple-house before his face, knocked me down, kicked me, and
trampled upon me. So great was the uproar, that some tumbled over their
seats for fear.
At last he came and took me from the people, led me out of the steeple-house,
and put me into the hands of the constables and other officers, bidding
them whip me, and put me out of the town. They led me about a quarter of
a mile, some taking hold by my collar, some by my arms and shoulders; and
they shook and dragged me along.
Many friendly people being come to the market, and some to the steeple-house
to hear me, diverse of these they knocked down also, and broke their heads
so that the blood ran down from several; and Judge Fell's son running after
to see what they would do with me, they threw him into a ditch of water,
some of them crying, "Knock the teeth out of his head."
When they had haled me to the common moss-side, a multitude following, the
constables and other officers gave me some blows over my back with their
willow rods, and thrust me among the rude multitude, who, having furnished
themselves with staves, hedge-stakes, holm or holly bushes, fell upon me,
and beat me on my head, arms, and shoulders, till they had deprived me of
sense; so that I fell down upon the wet common.
When I recovered again, and saw myself lying in a watery common, and the
people standing about me, I lay still a little while, and the power of the
Lord sprang through me, and the eternal refreshings revived me; so that
I stood up again in the strengthening power of the eternal God, and stretching
out my arms toward them, I said, with a loud voice, "Strike again;
here are my arms, my head, and my cheeks."
There was in the company a mason, a professor, but a rude fellow, who with
his walking rule-staff gave me a blow with all his might just over the back
of my hand, as it was stretched out; with which blow my hand was so bruised,
and my arm so benumbed, that I could not draw it to me again. Some of the
people cried, "He hath spoiled his hand for ever having the use of
it any more." But I looked at it in the love of God (for I was in the
love of God to all that persecuted me), and after awhile the Lord's power
sprang through me again, and through my hand and arm, so that in a moment
I recovered strength in my hand and arm in the sight of them all.
Then they began to fall out among themselves. Some of them came to me, and
said that if I would give them money they would secure me from the rest.
But I was moved of the Lord to declare the Word of life, and showed them
their false Christianity, and the fruits of their priest's ministry, telling
them that they were more like heathens and Jews than true Christians.
Then was I moved of the Lord to come up again through the midst of the people,
and go into Ulverstone market. As I went, there met me a soldier, with his
sword by his side. "Sir," said he to me, "I see you are a
man, and I am ashamed and grieved that you should be thus abused";
and he offered to assist me in what he could. I told him that the Lord's
power was over all; and I walked through the people in the market, none
of whom had power to touch me then. But some of the market people abusing
some Friends in the market, I turned about, and saw this soldier among them
with his naked rapier; whereupon I ran, and, catching hold of the hand his
rapier was in, bid him put up his sword again if he would go along with
me.
About two weeks after this I went into Walney island, and James Nayler went
with me. We stayed one night at a little town on this side, called Cockan,
and had a meeting there, where one was convinced.
After a while there came a man with a pistol, whereupon the people ran out
of doors. He called for me; and when I came out to him he snapped his pistol
at me, but it would not go off. This caused the people to make a great bustle
about him; and some of them took hold of him, to prevent his doing mischief.
But I was moved in the Lord's power to speak to him; and he was so struck
by the power of the Lord that he trembled for fear, and went and hid himself.
Thus the Lord's power came over them all, though there was a great rage
in the country.
Next morning I went over in a boat to James Lancaster's. As soon as I came
to land there rushed out about forty men with staves, clubs, and fishing-poles,
who fell upon me, beating and punching me, and endeavouring to thrust me
backward into the sea. When they had thrust me almost into the sea, and
I saw they would knock me down in it, I went up into the midst of them;
but they laid at me again, and knocked me down, and stunned me.
When I came to myself, I looked up and saw James Lancaster's wife throwing
stones at my face, and her husband, James Lancaster, was lying over me,
to keep the blows and the stones off me. For the people had persuaded James
Lancaster's wife that I had bewitched her husband, and had promised her
that if she would let them know when I came thither they would be my death.
And having got knowledge of my coming, many of the town rose up in this
manner with clubs and staves to kill me; but the Lord's power preserved
me, that they could not take away my life.
At length I got up on my feet, but they beat me down again into the boat;
which James Lancaster observing, he presently came into it, and set me over
the water from them; but while we were on the water within their reach they
struck at us with long poles, and threw stones after us. By the time we
were come to the other side, we saw them beating James Nayler; for whilst
they had been beating me, he walked up into a field, and they never minded
him till I was gone; then they fell upon him, and all their cry was, "Kill
him, kill him."
When I was come over to the town again, on the other side of the water,
the townsmen rose up with pitchforks, flails, and staves, to keep me out
of the town, crying, "Kill him, knock him on the head, bring the cart;
and carry him away to the churchyard." So after they had abused me,
they drove me some distance out of the town, and there left me.
Then James Lancaster went back to look after James Nayler; and I being now
left alone, went to a ditch of water, and having washed myself (for they
had besmeared my face, hands, and clothes with miry dirt), I walked about
three miles to Thomas Hutton's house, where lodged Thomas Lawson, the priest
that was convinced.
When I came in I could hardly speak to them, I was so bruised; only I told
them where I left James Nayler. So they took each of them a horse, and went
and brought him thither that night. The next day Margaret Fell hearing of
it, sent a horse for me; but I was so sore with bruises, I was not able
to bear the shaking of the horse without much pain.
When I was come to Swarthmore, Justice Sawrey, and one Justice Thompson,
of Lancaster, granted a warrant against me; but Judge Fell coming home,
it was not served upon me; for he was out of the country all this time that
I was thus cruelly abused. When he came home he sent forth warrants into
the isle of Walney, to apprehend all those riotous persons; whereupon some
of them fled the country.
James Lancaster's wife was afterwards convinced of the truth, and repented
of the evils she had done me; and so did others of those bitter persecutors
also; but the judgments of God fell upon some of them, and destruction is
come upon many of them since. Judge Fell asked me to give him a relation
of my persecution; but I told him they could do no otherwise in the spirit
wherein they were, and that they manifested the fruits of their priest's
ministry, and their profession and religion to be wrong. So he told his
wife I made light of it, and that I spoke of it as a man that had not been
concerned; for, indeed, the Lord's power healed me again.
The time for the sessions at Lancaster being come, I went thither with Judge
Fell, who on the way told me he had never had such a matter brought before
him before, and he could not well tell what to do in the business. I told
him, when Paul was brought before the rulers, and the Jews and priests came
down to accuse him, and laid many false things to his charge, Paul stood
still all that while. And when they had done, Festus, the governor, and
king Agrippa, beckoned to him to speak for himself; which Paul did, and
cleared himself of all those false accusations, so he might do with me.
Being come to Lancaster, Justice Sawrey and Justice Thompson having granted
a warrant to apprehend me, though I was not apprehended by it, yet hearing
of it, I appeared at the sessions, where there appeared against me about
forty priests. These had chosen one Marshall, priest of Lancaster, to be
their orator; and had provided one young priest, and two priests' sons,
to bear witness against me, who had sworn beforehand that I had spoken blasphemy
When the justices were sat, they heard all that the priests and their witnesses
could say and charge against me, their orator Marshall sitting by, and explaining
their sayings for them. But the witnesses were so confounded that they discovered
themselves to be false witnesses; for when the court had examined one of
them upon oath, and then began to examine another, he was at such loss he
could not answer directly, but said the other could say it. Which made the
justices say to him, "Have you sworn it, and given it in already upon
your oath, and now say that he can say it? It seems you did not hear those
words spoken yourself, though you have sworn it."
There were then in court several who had been at that meeting, wherein the
witnesses swore I spoke those blasphemous words which the priests accused
me of; and these, being men of integrity and reputation in the country,
did declare and affirm in court that the oath which the witnesses had taken
against me was altogether false; and that no such words as they had sworn
against me were spoken by me at that meeting. Indeed, most of the serious
men of that side of the country, then at the sessions, had been at that
meeting; and had heard me both at that and at other meetings also.
This was taken notice of by Colonel West, who, being a justice of the peace,
was then upon the bench; and having long been weak in body, blessed the
Lord and said that He had healed him that day; adding that he never saw
so many sober people and good faces together in all his life. Then, turning
himself to me, he said in the open sessions, "George, if thou hast
anything to say to the people, thou mayest freely declare it."
I was moved of the Lord to speak; and as soon as I began, priest Marshall,
the orator for the rest of the priests, went his way. That which I was moved
to declare was this: that the holy Scriptures were given forth by the Spirit
of God; and that all people must come to the Spirit of God in themselves
in order to know God and Christ, of whom the prophets and apostles learnt:
and that by the same Spirit all men might know the holy Scriptures. For
as the Spirit of God was in them that gave forth the Scriptures, so the
same Spirit must be in all them that come to understand the Scriptures.
By this Spirit they might have fellowship with the Father, with the Son,
with the Scriptures, and with one another: and without this Spirit they
can know neither God, Christ, nor the Scriptures, nor have a right fellowship
one with another.
I had no sooner spoken these words than about half a dozen priests, that
stood behind me, burst into a passion. One of them, whose name was Jackus,
amongst other things that he spake against the Truth, said that the Spirit
and the letter were inseparable. I replied, "Then every one that hath
the letter hath the Spirit; and they might buy the Spirit with the letter
of the Scriptures."
This plain discovery of darkness in the priest moved Judge Fell and Colonel
West to reprove them openly, and tell them that according to that position
they might carry the Spirit in their pockets as they did the Scriptures.
Upon this the priests, being confounded and put to silence, rushed out in
a rage against the justices, because they could not have their bloody ends
upon me. The justices, seeing the witnesses did not agree, and perceiving
that they were brought to answer the priests' envy, and finding that all
their evidences were not sufficient in law to make good their charge against
me, discharged me.
After Judge Fell had spoken to Justice Sawrey and Justice Thompson concerning
the warrant they had given forth against me, and showing them the errors
thereof, he and Colonel West granted a supersedeas to stop the execution
of it. Thus I was cleared in open sessions of those lying accusations which
the malicious priests had laid to my charge: and multitudes of people praised
God that day, for it was a joyful day to many. Justice Benson, of Westmoreland,
was convinced; and Major Ripan, mayor of the town of Lancaster, also.
It was a day of everlasting salvation to hundreds of people: for the Lord
Jesus Christ, the way to the Father, the free Teacher, was exalted and set
up; His everlasting gospel was preached, and the Word of eternal life was
declared over the heads of the priests, and all such lucrative preachers.
For the Lord opened many mouths that day to speak His Word to the priests,
and several friendly people and professors reproved them in their inns,
and in the streets, so that they fell, like an old rotten house: and the
cry was among the people that the Quakers had got the day, and the priests
were fallen. |