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JOURNAL OF
THE LIFE CHAPTER VI 1655.—Visits Scotland, passing through Northumberland— IT was not long after this, that I took my leave of that blessed family, for I was to go to Scotland, towards which nation we had felt some drawings, before we were clear of that service beyond the sea. Having taken my leave in abundance of love of my dearly beloved friends at Swarthmore, I went through Westmoreland, and had some good meetings among Friends there, which were of good serevice. Upon the 12th of the ninth month, 1653, I went towards the bishoprick, in order to go into Scotland. When I came into the Bishoprick, I met with my dear companion John Stubbs again; and when we had visited the brethren and Friends in those parts, and had been truly refreshed together in the Lord, we went into Northumberland; in some parts of which we had very good serevice, especially in the country about Morpeth. About the beginning of the tenth month, 1655, we were at Berwick; and on the market day, it was upon us to go into their market, where we had some good service. On first-day following, I was moved to go into their great assembly, where none of our Friends had been, who had not been imprisoned and afterwards put out of the town. Nevertheless, I was not therefore to be discouraged, but went in boldly in the name and power of the Lord; and when the priest had finished, I stood upon a stall, but none seemed to make such haste to get away as the priest; however, my mouth was opened in much power, and the Lord was pleased to give me courage and boldness, and I had impartially good liberty to declare the truth. When I had finished, the mayor met me at the door, and took me by the hand, and delivered me to the sergeants. But afterwards I was brought before the mayor and magistrates, and further examined by them, who finally ordered that I should be turned out of the town, which also came to pass. In the afternoon I was at a steeple-house in the country, where I spoke to the priest; but he was furious, and called me madman, and told the people to take me to the stocks, and bind me hand and foot, with more such expressions. None of the people would obey him however, but gathered generally about me, and were pretty willing to hear the truth declared, though they were a dull, ignorant people. Afterwards I could not get any lodging among them for my money; and when I was wandering up and down, being unable to get a place to lay my head, or to rest and refresh myself in, there came a man out of Berwick to me, and I went along with him. The guard allowed me to pass very freely into the town again, where I met with my dear companion John Stubbs, who had also been in great service that day; in the morning among the Baptists, and in the afternoon he fulfilled the meeting which we had appointed; so that day we had good service, and stayed afterwards some few days in that town, and had another meeting or two there. We traveled from there into Scotland, towards Edinburgh; and though our travails were great, and our sufferings many, both in the inward and outward man, yet the Lord by his mighty power supported us, and carried us through them all. And what made them the easier to us, and made us the more capable to bear with them, was the extraordinary love and unity in which the Lord preserved us; so much that I do believe scarcely any of the brethren who traveled abroad upon the same honorable account, were ever more agreeable than we were, or were more mutual in their service, and in other things incident to travelers, than we. Therefore our travels and sufferings were so much more easy to us, through him that blessed us, and with the right hand of his righteousness supported us-to whom be glory, honor and dominion forever and ever! When we came to Edinburgh, we found things somewhat out of order there, through the unfaithfulness of some who were convinced of the truth, but who did not order their conversation aright, neither did they live as became the gospel; which we endeavored to rectify among them, as much as was possible; and the word of the Lord was effectual through us among them, to bring them into better order. After we had been some time together in that city, it was upon my dear brother to go to some other places, as to Burnt Island, Ayr, and afterwards to return to England again; so we parted in the fullness of endeared love, with much brokenness of heart. I stayed several weeks in that city, [Edinburgh], being accompanied by another dear brother, John Slee by name. And many good meetings we had in the city, especially upon the Castlehill, where many hundreds heard the truth of God in much power and plainness; and often the witness of God was reached, and many were made to confess to the truth; so that we had extraordinary good service for the Lord. Not only did we keep our meetings upon the previously mentioned public place, but also we often had meetings at William Osborne's, who formerly had been a Lieutenant-Colonel, but had now become very zealous for the Lord's truth. One time especially, it was upon me to go to their high place of worship - the greatest in the city - which accordingly I did. After the priest had finished, I spoke to the people, but was not allowed to speak much, before I was carried out with the press of the multitude, which was indeed extraordinarily great. When I came out in the street, there was a guard of soldiers set in readiness to secure me from the multitude, and to conduct me to the place where I wanted to go, which they did with their drawn swords; and after that I went in peace to the meeting of Friends. I was also about that time with General Monk, so called, who was seemingly moderate, and heard me, and received any papers from me which I had to deliver to him. I was also at Stirling; and at my going into the city, was carried to the main guard, and from there I was sent to the governor, who at first was high with me; but when I had spoken a little to him, and had given him something to read, he became more moderate. I went from his house to the English chaplain's, who was very moderate and kind in his way towards me. After I had good service among them, I went to Glasgow, another great city; and it was upon me to go to their great cathedral, where three congregations met at once. After they had all finished, I had some liberty to speak to the multitude in the yard, for the rude people were kept very much under control by the English soldiers, who were pretty moderate towards me, so that I had very good service in that city. I was at a place called Douglas, where I had good service, both in the steeple-house and elsewhere; but the priest caused me to be turned out of my lodging, and did what he could to hinder me from having any accommodation in the town; but some who lived a little from the town, were willing to receive me into their house. Thus after I had had such good service both in the city of Edinburgh, and at the places before mentioned, I was pretty free to return again to England, which I did. When I came back to England, I visited Friends both in Northumberland and in the bishoprick, [Durham] and had some good service among them, especially in the bishoprick; and afterwards I visited Friends again in Westmoreland, and in due time got well back to Swarthmore, where I was received as formerly, even in the fullness of dear and precious love. I found the power and the presence of the Lord with them as formerly, and therefore our refreshment together was again as it was apt to be. I could truly say, it was good to be there: but the Lord having much service for me abroad, I could not stay long before I was constrained to travel again in the work and service of the Lord. About the middle of the first month, 1656, it was upon me, and another dear brother, William Simpson, to go down into Lancashire and Cheshire, to visit Friends, which accordingly we did. Many precious and serviceable meetings we had, and the Lord's heavenly power and presence were much with us, and very good service we had both at Warrington and Manchester; and I was at the great Independent congregation at Stopard, [Stockport I] but Eaton, their pastor, caused them presently to take me away, so that I had very little liberty among them. Afterwards I went to the meeting at Manchester, and my companion was moved to go to the steeple-house, but had little liberty to speak, for he was taken there, and was turned out of the town, as he had been twice the day before. But that night he came in again, and we had a good meeting in the town, as I had had the night before at Stopard. The next day many people followed us, through William's speaking, at the end of the town, and there I had a favorable opportunity to declare God's truth among them; which they heard with moderation and attention. Upon the third-day following, we had a meeting at a place called Sunderland, and upon the fourth-day another meeting four miles from there, and on first-day, we had a good general meeting within four miles of Northwich. Yes, night and day we labored in the work and vineyard of our heavenly Father, and our reward was with us. We were put in prison at a place called Congleton in Cheshire; and remained there some few days, when Providence so ordered it, that we were again released. Time would fail me to relate particularly the good service which we had at that time in Cheshire, Lancashire, and at Leek in Staffordshire; sometimes in steeple-houses, sometimes in streets and markets, and night and day frequently in meetings. In due time we were made free in the Lord to return again, after we had spent several weeks as previously mentioned; and as always when I returned to Swarthmore, it was a place of refreshment to me. CHAPTER VII 1656.—Attends a general meeting in Leicestershire — ABOUT this time, as I remember, I took a journey into Leicestershire to a great general meeting which was appointed, to which many of the brethren came, and among therlest there was dear George Fox, whom I greatly desired to see. It was a very precious meeting. Afterwards I had some precious time with the brethren, and took my leave of them, and returned again into Lancashire. I had not been there long, when it was upon me to go into Cumberland and Scotland again; at which point took my leave of Friends in those parts, and went towards Cumberland. On the 4th day of the third month, 1666, I was at a meeting at Ambleside close by the chapel, and several of the people were with us after the priest had finished. In the afternoon I was moved to go into the chapel among them, but they were exceedingly violent against me, and seemed to thirst much after my blood, for they fell upon me, as if they would have torn me to pieces; but their power was limited, and I was preserved in the arms or the Lord, and endued with much courage and boldness to declare the everlasting truth among them. Afterwards I went into Cumberland, where I had several good and precious meetings among Friends, to the confirming of them in the truth, and to my great refreshment in the Lord. When I had visited Friends in that county, I look my leave of them, and went from there to Scotland again, being accompanied by a dear brother called John Grave. We traveled towards Douglas, where we visited the few Friends that were convinced, and had a meeting in the steeple-house yard, where many heard the truth declared in the power and demonstration or the Spirit, especially in the priest's absence; but when he was at his devotion many of them left us. In the steeple-house, when the priest was instructing his hearers, and sometimes when they could not answer him, I was ready to reply, and I gave him some questions to answer. Sometimes he said he would answer them, and sometimes he said he would not; but finally he broke out into a very great rage and passion, and caused the people to turn me out of my lodging; and it is possible he would have done much more, if he had had power. We traveled from there to Edinburgh, where we had several good meetings, also at Leith, and there openly in the street. Many came to them, both the English who were in that country, and also of the natives: so that we had many precious opportunities of declaring the everlasting truth of God freely and powerfully among them. About that time I was not well in body, having burdened it with sore travel; however the Lord was pleased to restore me again in a pretty short time, even for the service sake. When we were pretty clear of Edinburgh and Leith, we traveled towards Stirling city; but when we came there, the people were so incensed against us, that we had a very hard time getting lodging for our money, which finally some soldiers obtained for us. When the first-day of the week came, it was upon us to go to their great steeple-house, which accordingly we did; and being there at the very time when the priest was going about to swear some of them upon some occasion, I was moved to speak, and tell them that Christ, the head of the church, said, “swear not at all;" but they would allow us to speak only a little more in that place. Afterwards we were carried before the governor, who was very much against us, and would even have forced us out of the city; however he was then prevented from doing so, for the Lord had a very considerable service for us in the latter part of the day. We had appointed a meeting upon a green, near the steeple-house, to which a great assembly of people resorted; and a very precious and serviceable meeting we had,-for the Lord was pleased to give us his word plentifully to communicate to the people freely and powerfully, and his presence was with us. His living witness was reached in many, which testified to the truth of what we declared; and we met with little further opposition at that time. Yet some of the people were so envious, and others fearful, that many of them did not dare to entertain us. Neither could we get lodging in the city that night; so we went out into the country, and not without difficulty could we get lodging there; for the Scots were prejudiced against the English. They looked upon us as if we had been some straggling soldiers, and were therefore the more afraid of us; yet Providence did so order it, that we got well through the country to Glasgow. When we came there, we found the governor, one Colonel Ashfield, a very moderate man; and he sent for me to come to his house, and reasoned very moderately with me, as also his wife, who is since convinced of the truth, and he is very loving to Friends; his chaplain was also friendly to us. When the first-day of the week came, it was upon us to go to one of their steeple-houses, which accordingly we did. When the priest had finished, I began to speak to the people, but the drums beat, by which the soldiers were called away; and as for the Scots they could not endure sound doctrine, but turned away their ears from hearing the truth. At the city I was carried to the main-guard, where I had good service among the soldiers, who were very civil towards me, and in due time they suffered me to depart in peace to my lodging. When we had had very good service in that city, and were pretty clear and free of it, it was upon me to go to another noted place called Ayr, in the west of Scotland, and it was upon my dear companion John Grave, to go to another place, so that we parted for a season, which was no small trial to us in that dark and barbarous country. In due time I got to Ayr; and it was upon me to go to the steeple-house there. I had pretty good liberty to speak because there were many soldiers there, and I was civilly treated among them. After I was clear of that place and others, according to the will of God, I set my face again towards England, and traveled many mile alone in that barren and rude country. However the Lord was with me, and through his mighty power I was not only preserved out of the hands of unreasonable men, but also through his mercy, from the sin and evil which abounded among those people; for which my soul has cause to bless and magnify the name of the Lord, while I have my being. In due time afterwards I met with my dear companion to our mutual refreshment; and then with cheerfulness, after we were clear of that country, we returned to England again. When we got into Cumberland we had very large and precious meetings, even as we had had before our going into Scotland. Friends were strengthened and confirmed in the precious truth, which in those days flourished and prospered very much; and the Lord's power and presence were with us, through which we were carried on in his work and service, in which our souls delighted to be exercised. After I had good service, in Cumberland, I visited Friends in Westmoreland, and in due time got well back to Swarthmore again, where I was dearly received as in months past; after my great travels. I always found it a place of refreshment to me, both for soul and body. But I was not permitted to stay much, there since such an effectual door was open abroad in the country; and there- fore I was constrained, through the love of God which dwelled richly in my heart, to labor so much the more diligently,-for I knew it was good working while it was day. When I was at Swarthmore, we had not only many precious meetings there, but also several in the country thereabouts, near the steeple- houses and chapels; so that many heard the truth of God plentifully declared, both of them that believe and of them that perish. And, indeed, a glorious and precious time we had, to make known to people the way of salvation, and what the Lord had done for our souls. Many believed and were converted, and brought to serve and worship the Lord in spirit and in truth. I had not been long in those parts when it was upon me to go towards Bristol, and further westward so far as Cornwall; upon which I took my leave of Friends at Swarthmore in abundance of love and tenderness, in which we were accustomed to meet and to part, and traveled with a dear companion, whose name was Walter Clements. We visited many brethren and Friends in our journey to their and our comfort; and in due time, through mercy, we got well to Bristol, where I was more than a little refreshed with Friends, to see how the truth prospered among them, and what large and gallant meetings there were, both in the city and also in the country thereabouts. I was moved to communicate freely to them of the overflowing of the life and power dwelling in me, which tended to the comfort of many. After we were refreshed together in the Lord I left them, and went on in my journey westward, for I was determined to visit Borne of the brethren that were in prison in Launceston jail in Cornwall. I visited several Friends as I went, travelling mostly alone and on foot also: but the Lord was with me, and through his goodness I got well to my journey's end; where I was not a little comforted with the brethren. I went out also into the country where I had some very good service; and afterwards returned to the prison again, where my refreshment was so much, that my cup was even made to overflow-there being at that time dear George Fox and several other Friends prisoners there; of whom in due time I took my leave, even in the fullness of endear- ed love, and returned again out of those parts. CHAPTER VIII He returns to Bristol, and travels eastward into
Kent— About the latter end of the fifth month, or the beginning of the sixth, 1656, I was at Plymouth, where I visited Friends; and after I had had a meeting among them, I traveled into the country, and being refreshed with Friends, I came to a place called Totness in Devonshire. Upon my coming into the town I was apprehended, and carried before the mayor, who threatened to have the whip laid upon my back, though without cause. But Providence ordered it otherwise, for others of the magistrates were more moderate; and when they examined me the priest was present, and a very gallant opportunity I had, to bear a large and faithful testimony to the truth, which accordingly I did. For indeed the Lord was much with me, and it was given me in that very hour what I was to speak. That night they kept me prisoner, and the next day they sent me away with a pass from tithing-man to tithing-man, or from constable to constable; and by this I had a fine opportunity to declare the truth to the people in the country as I traveled. For when I had come into a town in the officer's hand, many people who heard of it, came out of their houses to see the Quaker, as I was called; and some were pretty tender and loving, and others were otherwise. I freely declared the truth among them as I was moved; and in due time I was freed from that entanglement by a countryman who would trouble himself no further with me, but gave me the pass, and let me depart in peace. I got well to Taunton in Somersetshire, where I visited Friends, as elsewhere in the previously mentioned shire; and in due time I got to Bristol, where I found several of the brethren such as Francis Howgill and John Audland, with whom I was more than a little comforted. For the Lord's presence was with us, and his heavenly power was among us, so that we were not only a refreshment to one another in the Lord, but many were refreshed through us; and we were all refreshed in the Lord, whom our souls did magnify and praise. When we had been sweetly refreshed together among Friends at Bristol, we went into Wiltshire, and were together at a great general meeting. After this we parted in an abundance of love and unity; for I was to go into Kent, and they elsewhere. I came to a place called Basingstoke, where I happily met with my dear brother and former companion, John Stubbs. Another dear brother called William Ames was with him, who had been with him iin Holland. But since they were travelling westward, and I eastward, we had only a little time together. However, in that little time we were truly comforted in one another; and afterwards, in the ancient brotherly love, we parted again. I traveled along on my journey, being much alone, but the Lord's heavenly presence was with me; and I had several good and precious meetings, to my and Friends' great refreshment in the Lord. Finally through mercy I arrived safely in Kent, where I went from place to place, and visited such, especially, who had previously received our testimony. I had many precious and large meetings in the county, and the Lord was very much with me, who furnished me plenteously with his word and power; so much that I stood admiring at various times, from whom I had that fullness. This was not only the case with me, but with many more, who looking with the eye of reason upon my earthly tabernacle of outward man, could not expect any great thing from me, being then only about twenty years of age - neither had I ever been in much profession, until I was convinced of the truth of God. Yet the Lord was pleased to open in me and through me plenty of heavenly things, to the end that I might communicate the same to the multitude; which sometimes was so great that I was ready to say within myself, how shall I have enough to satisfy all these? And when I looked at my own weakness and insufficiency as of myself, I was ready to faint; but when I looked only at the Lord, and put my confidence entirely in him, I was strong and courageous. For the Lord showed me by his eternal light, at a time when I was even bemoaning my own weakness, and groaning under the sense of the weight of the service and work of the Lord; saying or thinking within myself, Oh! such and such (meaning the ablest and wisest of the brethren) are so fitted and furnished, that they have no worries about what service they are called unto, - but as for me, I am so simple, - I am so weak, - and I never have any thing beforehand, - neither do I scarcely ever know, when I go into a meeting of several hundreds, what I shall say, or whether anything or nothing. But even when I was full of those and other such reasonings, the Lord showed me how they that had much had nothing over, and they that had little, had no lack; even as it was with the Israelites of old. For the brethren who were wise and eminent, who had received much from the Lord, behold there was so much the more required of them. So that of all they had, they had nothing over, but what they were to employ in the work and service of God. As for my own part, I, who was so little in my own eyes, and so small and contemptible in the eyes of others, had no cause to complain; for though I was often in the state that I did not know what I should say when I went into a meeting, yet even in such a meeting, the Lord was pleased to give me his word so plentifully, that through him I was enabled to speak two or three, yes, sometimes four hours in a meeting with little or no intermission. And often it has been with me, that as I knew not before the meeting what I should speak in the meeting, so neither could I well remember after the meeting what I had spoken in it; and yet had plenty and fullness, though I was often daily at meetings; and not only during the day, but in the evenings also. The Lord always gave me fresh supply out of that good treasury, which affords things both new and old. These things I repeat, not for my own praise, but do say, "not to me, not to me, (who have nothing but what I have received,) be the praise; but to the Lord alone;" who is the giver of every good and perfect gift. And I can truly say, what I received from him, I delivered to his people; and no small favor, love, and esteem I had from them and among them; so that the Lord, whom I faithfully served, was pleased to give me even what my heart and soul desired. And an exceedingly glorious day I had of it, and did much rejoice in the Lord, notwithstanding my great travails and sufferings; all which, through him, were made easy to me; neither were they much to me, with all the perils and dangers I went through both by sea and land, in comparison to the power and presence of the Almighty, which did to sweetly and eminently accompany me in those days. After I had had good service in Kent and elsewhere in the country where I traveled, I went up to London. CHAPTER IX 1656.—Sails for Holland—Visits Amsterdam and Rotterdam- ABOUT the beginning of the seventh month 1656, being in London, with several of the brethren, we had at that time much disturbance in our meetings in the city by some troublesome and unruly spirit. These were gone from the truth into extremes; and though we suffered by them, yet we were refreshed together in the Lord, and one in another. About that time it was upon me to go over to Holland, unto which I was given up in the will of the Lord. I was then weak in body ,having gotten a sickness through heats and colds in my travels, as it was judged. Nevertheless I was in readiness, though in that weak condition, to take the first opportunity; and I desired very much to have a companion along with me, if Providence had so ordered it. However, I finally went alone; and met with some wicked and uncivil men in the same vessel in which I went over; some of whom in their jollity abused me; but before we got over to Holland, we had a pretty bad storm, and to outward appearance were in much danger. At that time great was the fear and anguish that came upon those that were so wicked; and even then the Lord raised me up, in whom my faith and confidence was. It was upon me to speak to them in their distress, and then the witness of God was near and ready to answer to the truth of what I spoke. The goodness and mercy of the Lord to me in that storm were very great; through whose hand we were preserved, and finally, through his mercy, brought well to our desired haven; blessed and magnified be his name forever and ever. When I landed at Dort, I do not know that I could speak three words of their language, and so was much pressed in spirit, and sorely laden with the weight of iniquity, which fell upon me; and since I needed an interpreter, my burden was the greater. From Dort I sailed to Rotterdam, where I found some few that had heard the truth, and who in some measure received it; however, I did not stay long there, for my drawings were to Amsterdam. Through the good hand of the Lord I got there well, where John Stubbs and William Ames, my dear brethren, had been before with another Friend; and very good service they had had among the professors there. Some had received their testimony and the truth in the love of it; and these with gladness and joy of heart received me. And the Lord made my service effectual among them for establishing and confirming them in that living truth, which they had heard and believed. There were some among them who could understand me, and interpret what I spoke to the rest; so that I had very good service among them, for that little time I stayed, which was not long, until it was upon me to return to Rotterdam. In the meantime, a young man came over from England, who went with me, and could understand both English and Dutch. When I was in Rotterdam he left me for a while; and in the meantime, I was much straitened for want of an interpreter; but there being one who could speak some Latin, I spoke some time in that language to him, and he interpreted it to the rest. But my sufferings were exceedingly great in that country, in various respects; and they were increased through some forward and unruly spirits who were convinced, but who run out into extremes both in words and writing; by which both the truth, and those who lived in it, came to suffer much. For my part, I would have fainted through weakness and sufferings, had the Lord by his mighty power not upheld and preserved me. At that time few or none of the priest' proselytes came to our meetings, but several high conceited professors, both at Amsterdam and Rotterdam attended, and several of them were more apt to take it upon themselves to teach others, than to receive instruction themselves. I was also at the Jews' Synagogue at Amsterdam upon one of their Sabbath days; and staying most of the time of their worship, I beheld the manner of it, which was very strange in various respects. Neither would they admit of any dispute in their Synagogue; but after their worship was ended, another Friend and I had some pretty good service with some of them in one of their houses; they are a very hard, obstinate, and conceited people in their way. When I had stayed some time at Rotterdam, it was upon me to go to Zealand, which accordingly I did, about the latter end of the eighth month 1656, and the previously mentioned young man went along with me. When we had been some days at Middleburgh, he went to some of their meeting places in that city, and was apprehended. When I understood this, I went to visit him, and they, perceiving that I was his companion, secured me also. Afterwards we were examined very late into the night, and after our examination we had three or four soldiers to guard us, and a place assigned to us where we might stay the night. But quickly after this, we were called up again in great haste, and were carried from there to the prison, about the eleventh or twelfth hour at night, and put in two different places, which caused my sufferings to be the greater, and even more so, because I could speak little or none of their language. I remained there some days, being weak in body, but in the process of time, we were brought before the council, and were severally examined, but returned to prison again. It seems they ordered (by what followed,) that we should be sent to England; for soon after, a coach-wagon was brought to the door, to carry us to the water-side, and several soldiers were also provided to guard us. For the city seemed to be in an uproar, and the rude multitude exceedingly raged, as if they would have torn us to pieces. But the Lord was with us, who was our chief keeper, though there were some in the wagon with us, and some who went on foot along by the wagon. According to their order, they brought us on board a ship-of-war, where we were kept prisoners, nearly two weeks, being confined to an open, cold room. The men were so hard hearted towards us, that they would not allow us so much as a bit of sail cloth to lie under us, or above us. Thus for the most part of that time we lay upon the bare boards in very cold, stormy weather, so that our sufferings were great both in the inward and outward man. But, how is the goodness and mercy of the Lord to be admired, for even then, while I was in prison, and so badly used, my strength grew much, and I recovered my health, in a great measure again, even to my own and others' admiration. And by this I came to have further experience of the goodness and mercy of our God, for which my soul has cause to bless and magnify his name for ever. About the middle of the ninth month 1656, through mercy, we got well to England, and about the same time came up to London. We had extraordinary pain in our feet after we came to lie in warm beds, having lain so long in cold weather in our stockings and shoes. But meeting with many of the brethren there, my refreshment was great among them, and in that good service which I had in the city. When I had been about two weeks in the city, it was upon me to go down into the country; and when I was travelling alone in Surrey, near Ryegate, a wicked, murderous fellow came out of a house, and fell upon me as if he would have murdered me; but the Lord delivered me out of his hands, and afterwards I went to the meeting of Friends that day. I had good service in Sussex, especially among a people that were called Seekers, who were mostly convinced, not far from Lewes. I was also at Steyning, Arundel, Chichester, Portsmouth and Southampton, at all which places I had good service for the Lord; as also at other places, both in Hampshire, Sussex, Surrey, and Kent. I had a meeting at the east side of Sussex, where there had never been any Friends before; and the rude multitude came with their drum, marching up to the house, like men ready for battle, in a desperate manner, as if they would have pulled the house down over our heads. I was moved to go out to them, and asked them what they wanted. They said Quakers; I told them I was one. And it was upon me to speak in much plainness to them, which I did, and in much power; and presently their countenance fell, and fear surprised them, and with shame and confusion they withdrew, not having power to harm any of us, blessed be the Lord; who in those days did eminently appear for us, as he has often done since, therefore have we cause to put our confidence in him to the end. About that time I had much good service for the Lord in those parts, and when I was free of the same I returned again to London. I had not stayed long there, when it was upon me to return again to Holland; although I had some very good service in London, and in some part of Surrey, before I was perfectly clear and ready to take ship. For about that time there was an effectual door open in and about the city, and many of the brethren were there, and a very precious opportunity we had together, to our refreshment in the Lord. In due time way was made for my going over, and in the fullness of dear and precious love, I took my leave of Friends and the brethren in London, and through mercy arrived well at Rotterdam. And understanding there that William Ames, a dear brother, was at Utrecht, I hastened there, where I found him in good service for the Lord, both to his and my refreshment. Entering into discourse with him, I understood that he had been in prison at Amsterdam with another Friend, and that they were turned out of the city. Nevertheless, according as it was upon me, I went to Amsterdam, though bound in spirit; and came there a bout the middle of the second month, 1657. I arrived there in a very opportune and needed time; for Friends being young, and having had a pretty severe storm, were somewhat scattered and scattering, being discouraged and frightened through the indignation and wrath of the magistrates and priests, which were kindled against them. I made it my work to gather them together again, and to establish them as much as was possible in the eternal truth. Besides what they had met with from the magistrates, there had been a bad instrument among them, who had bred much discord and dissension among them; but through the mercy and goodness of the Lord, they came in due time to be restored again into faith and confidence, peace and tranquility, in which they kept their meetings. But as for the professors, they were high and conceited, and would scarcely believe that a greater light was sprung up in any part of the world, than what was arisen among them. Neither could they well endure to receive instruction from those who would not or need not be instructed by them. There were also at that time many stumbling blocks laid in the way of the simple, and the truth met with many obstructions in that place. And therefore were my burdens the more, and my sufferings the greater; but the Lord was with me, and the right hand of his righteousness upheld me,-glory be to his holy name for ever and ever! [The following valuable epistle from the Swarthmore Collection, is dated “Amsterdam, in Holland, 15th of third month, 1657." It bears an endorsement in the handwriting (as the editor believes,) of George Fox, thus: " W. Caton to Friends, 1657."]
When I had stayed there for the most part of seven weeks, I left Friends for a season, having had very good service, not only at meetings, or the like, but about getting books printed and published, which were of good service in that country. Afterwards I went with my dear brother William Ames through some of the principal cities in Gilderland; however our movings were especially to a place called Zutphen, a city out of which William Ames had been banished before. When we came there we went to the meeting place of the Meonnonists, otherwise known as Baptists; but when we would have gone in, they bolted the door, and would not allow us to enter in among them. Since William was pretty well known in the city, the rude multitude gathered about us; but to avoid the occasion of a tumult, we withdrew out of the streets to the walls of the city, and many people followed us. As we were moved and allowed of God, so we spoke in his power, making known his eternal truth. A very good opportunity we had upon the walls of the city, from which we withdrew, when we were free. The baser sort of people were very rude in throwing stones and clods at us, however, but the Lord did so preserve us, that we received little harm by them. In the afternoon there came many people to us out of the city to our lodging, where we had also a very good opportunity to declare the everlasting truth freely. among them, and to disperse many books in their own language, which we had brought along with us; and several received pretty good satisfaction. My dear companion had proposed to stay there some time, but the magistrates being moved with envy, would not allow the people to entertain him. Besides they took it as a great presumption in him, that he should dare to return again there, after he was banished from there. Moreover, they threatened that if the Baptists came at us they should be treated in like manner. These threats, together with what they had done before, kept the people in much fear and slavery, so thus they dared not appear to defend that of which they were convinced. After we had good service in those parts, I returned again to Amsterdam, where my service consisted much in keeping things in as good order as was possible; und likewise in getting books printed and published, and in several other respects. CHAPTER X l657.—His service in several cities in Holland— In this year (1657) I was at the Hague, the place at which the head court is kept for the Seven Provinces. There was only a little entrance for the truth, though I had some good service with some in that city. I was also at the city of Dart when the plague was there, where I found some two or three who were somewhat loving. However, there was little reception for the truth in the place, and therefore my suffering was greater. I also went to the city of Utrecht to visit those who were convinced, where I now and then had good service, and pretty fine meetings. But in those days I spoke mostly by an interpreter. When the magistrates and priests came to understand that the truth seemed to get some entrance in that place, their enmity began to increase against it; and they gave forth an order, that those who entertained us, and had meetings at their houses, should from thenceforth neither entertain us, nor have any more meetings in their houses, on pain of being turned out of the city, or of being arbitrarily punished. These threats terrified some, and caused some to draw back, but not all. I was also in the city of Leyden, where their great university is; there a Baptist woman received me into her house, whose husband was a Papist, at whose house I was allowed to have n meeting, to which many sorts of people came. The truth being a new thing and very strange, I met with no small opposition, especially from the Papists and Baptists, both of which were stirred and offended; and more so, because the man and woman of the house came to be convinced. A meeting was in due time established in that city, where oftentimes, as also in other places, I had good service for the Lord and his truth. Most commonly, when my service was over in the country, I returned to the city of Amsterdam which was a place of greet interest, and where there was a more constant service than in other pans in that country. In due time there were additions to Friends, and the number of them increased. Their meetings were kept in very good order, and for the most part were pretty peaceable; and the goodness and mercy of the Lord abounded much to the remnant who were gathered. Sometimes the rude multitude was tumultuous and troublesome at our meetings. Once especially there were many rude people gathered together, who doubtless had much wickedness in their hearts, and some of the worst of them came into our meeting, and sought to lay violent hands on me, and to have done much mischief to me and others; but the Lord's power prevented them, and preserved me and Friends, even to our admiration. I was through Providence cast into a house in the presence of the rude multitude, who if they had not been, as it were, smitten with blindness, and restrained through the power of God, might have executed their fury upon me and the rest; but He that was in us, and by his power preserved us, was greater than he that was in them, who in their madness would have devoured us at once. But blessed be the Lord our God, who very often showed mercy to us, and at various times, with his heavenly presence and infinite loving kindness, plenteously refreshed and comforted our souls;-infinite praises be to his name forever and ever! When I had spent over a year in the service of the Lord in the Low Countries, especially in Holland, in which time I had also written two or three books, I was free in the Lord to return for England, which accordingly I did, through Zealand; where I wrote the book coiled, "The Moderate Inquirer. In due time I got well to London, through the mercy and goodness of the Lord, where I found many of the brethren. we had several precious meetings in and about the city, to our great refreshment; for about that time the truth multiplied, and spread, and many were added to the church, and came to receive the gospel. For in those days the Lord endued his servants and handmaids with much power and wisdom from above, and they went on in his name, preaching the Word of life, both in season and out of season, not only in the meetings which they were moved to appoint, and which Friends duly kept, but also in steeple-houses and markets, in streets and highways, or elsewhere, where ever and when ever any was moved of the Lord to publish and declare his living truth. When I had been some little time in London, I went into Surrey to some general meetings there near Reigate and Kingston; where I was more than a little refreshed with Friends, and they with me, in the power and presence of the Lord God, which was often eminently manifested among us, to the comforting of our souls. At the time called Whitsuntide, in the year 1658, there was a general meeting appointed in Bedfordshire, at John Crook's, to which I went with Friends from Kingston, and to which many hundreds of Friends came. Some of the brethren came from most parts of the nation, and great was our refreshment together in the Lord. When it had continued about two days, some troopers came, who apprehended few or none, though some were in jeopardy. Afterwards we parted, and everyone went as he was moved, some eastward, and others westward, some northward, and others southward: but I and a dear brother and former fellow- servant, whose name was Thomas Salthouse, went to the north, and visited Friends in our journey. Through mercy and we came finally to Swarthmore in Lancashire, the place of our former residence; where we were received with joy and gladness, and indeed great was our refreshment in the Lord, as it was likely to be in that place. Various precious and gallant meetings we had there and thereabouts, which tended not only to our own refreshment, but to the refreshment of many more, whose hearts were made truly glad, through the power and presence of the Lord God, which did accompany us. After I was abundantly refreshed at Swarthmore, and with Friends thereabouts, I went into Westmoreland, as it was upon me, about the latter end of the fourth month, in the previously mentioned year, 1658, where I had some very good service among Friends at and about Kendal. Afterwards I went out of those parts into the bishoprick, where I had several large and precious meetings. One was a very large, general meeting, upon a certain moor, in a convenient place for Friends to come from several parts of the country; and the Lord's power and heavenly presence was very much with me that day, even to the confirming of those who had believed in the everlasting truth, and to the convincing of those present who were giving their hearts to the truth. After this meeting I went to Durham, where the same night I had a very good meeting; for in those days it was common with us, while such an effectual door was open, to get meetings in the evening, besides what we had had in the day-time; for we were freely given up to spend and be spent in the work of the Lord, which in that day prospered exceedingly, to our joy and refreshment in the Lord. When I had had very good service for the Lord in the bishoprick, I went into some part of Northumberland, and visited Friends there, and afterwards from there to Carlisle, where I had very good service; as elsewhere in the county of Cumberland, where I had many precious meetings. For in that county, there would come many hundreds to a meeting, and our meetings were commonly very peaceable. The Lord was extraordinarily good to me, and gave me his word plentifully to publish and declare in the power and demonstration of his eternal Spirit, to the confirming of many that had believed in the everlasting truth of God. After I had visited Friends and their meetings in that county, and was clear of this, I returned again into Lancashire to Swarthmore, where I was accustomed to find Friends in the same love, life and power in which I left them. And it was very common with us, through the mercy of the Lord, to be plentifully refreshed together in and through the same; therefore had we many joyful and blessed days together, the remembrance or which does even unto this very day sweetly refresh me, especially when I feel the same love and life fresh in myself, which then was and yet is, the author of our living refreshments. When I was at Swarthmore, it was my manner, together with others of the brethren, to go from there to meetings in the country thereabouts, sometimes among Friends, and sometimes to fresh places, where, it might be, there had scarcely ever been a meeting or Friends. For I made it my sole work to be found doing the work of God, unto which he had called me, and for which he had in measure fitted and qualified me, blessed be his name for evermore, who never suffered me to go without my reward. CHAPTER XI 1658.—Travels to London—His labors in Kent, Sussex,
ABOUT the latter end of the Sixth month, 1658, I took my leave of that honorable family at Swarthmore and of Friends the area, and set my face southwards again, visiting Friends in some part of Lancashire, and especially in Cheshire, where I stayed about a week or more, and had several good and precious meetings to our great refreshment in the Lord. [Extract from a letter dated London, 13th of Seventh month, 1658, to Margaret Fell.] I spent some months in those southern parts, where especially there was an effectual door open : and often in great service for the Lord I was exercised both day and night, in which the Lord made my cup to overflow. CHAPTER XII 1659.—He proceeds by sea to Sunderland, and passes westward to Swarthmore BEING landed so far to the northward as Yarmouth, I determined to go from there by shipping; which accordingly I did, with a Friend to Sunderland, where I found two of the ancient ministering brethren, Francis Howgill and John Audland. I was much refreshed with them and the rest of theFriends. When first-day came, we went together to a general meeting in the country, where there were abundance of Friends and others; and the power and presence of the Lord was with us, through which we were much refreshed together.
Afterwards it was upon me to visit Friends in the west of that nation, which I did, to the confirming and establishing of them in the eternal truth; and after I had had good service among them, I became pretty clear of that country, and set my face again towards England. I travelled mostly alone, after my fellow-traveller had left me, and got well, through the goodness of God, back to England again. |
