twenty-five years of the life of William Dews- whom thy soul thirsted after, is hard to be bury might be comprised in a small compass; expressed. How, in God's authority, have and this will necessarily be the case with con- the striplings run to and fro on the earth, siderable portions of it. He was delivered willing to spend and be spent in all services from Newgate prison, in London, early in the of love, to persuade thee to forsake all that year 1662, and proceeded homewards, where hath entangled thy mind, and hindered thee it is probable he continued a few months. We from enjoying the innocent life of thy Beare informed by Besse, that persecution pur- loved. Thy mighty men, with many of the sued him there also. He says, that on the sons and daughters of glory, have sealed their 29th of the fifth month of that year, he was living testimony with their blood, in the patitaken from his own house at Durteen, in the ence and sufferings of the Lamb of God, that West Riding of Yorkshire, and committed to thou mayst be affected with the excellency of York Castle, his old residence, as a ringleader the glory of Him whom thy soul desireth. and preacher among the Quakers. "And now, the Lord God requireth of [A letter under his hand, dated York Castle, every particular son and daughter of Zion, the 3d of the eighth month, states, that there to watch and pray that none enter into are upwards of one hundred Friends his fellow-temptation: and all that have any stain upon prisoners, that they meet daily for the purpose their garments, to come to the fountain which of waiting upon and worshipping Almighty is opened for Judah and Jerusalem to wash God, and that his presence covers their assemblies, to their great comfort and the astonishment of their enemies.-Editor.] Here he was not idle, but still continued to visit the church by his epistles. Among those which he wrote during this confinement at York, the following is one which I should not feel myself excused in withholding from the reader. It is addressed "in the flowings of the tender compassion of the Lord Jesus, to all the mourners in Zion; and the afflicted, desolate people, who wait for his coming, as for the morning, and have no satisfaction in anything but in the enjoyment of his sweet and comfortable presence.' in, which is the heart-breaking love of God manifested in the light of his covenant, and sealed up to the soul in the blood of Jesus. "Oh! come away, come away, out of all your thoughts, desires, doubts, and unbelief, which would turn you aside from the enjoy. ment of the love of God in Christ Jesus. Let none stand afar off because of your littleness, lameness, blindness, weakness, or infirmities, who cannot live at peace until you be healed by the blood of the Lamb. "Arise, arise, you necessitated people, in the light of the Lord. Give up to the drawing spirit of life in the light of Jesus Christ. He will carry thee, who canst not go, in the arms of his compassions; he will cause the lame to walk; and thou, who art sensible of thy blindness, to recover thy sight; yea, he will heal thee of all thy infirmities, who waitest in the light, to be ordered and guided as a little child by the washing and sanctifying Spirit of the Lord Jesus; who is become a husband to the desolate widow, a repairer of the breaches, and a restorer of the desolate places; in whom the fatherless have found mercy this day, for his name's sake. “Oh, Jerusalem! who art become the beautiful bride, how did he seek thee in the day of thy divorcement, when thou wast weeping in the wilderness, as a desolate widow, who had not any to comfort her; then thy mournings and breakings of heart were thy greatest comfort! and the more thy tears were shed for want of him, the greater was thy satisfaction. Oh! the weary days thou hadst upon the earth, because thy languishing soul knew not where to meet with thy Beloved, neither didst thou know how to walk in the steps of the "Oh! what shall I say of the unspeakable flock of thy companions; who were comforted love of God in Christ Jesus, the Husband of with His presence whom thy soul wanted. the Bride. Oh! ye sons of the glorious day, Then, though thou knew it not, he was near read, and feel the unsearchable love, and you to thee, enlivening the desires that were to- handmaids, drink of the inexhaustible ocean, wards his name. And in the accepted time which flows over all opposition. This is the he sent forth whom he had ordained, to de- Son of the Father's love, who hath been clare unto thee the glory of his love, in the man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief." light of his own life, in which he hath covered" He was wounded for our transgressions, thee as with a wedding garment, and in it thou and by his stripes are we healed;" and this appearest comely in his sight, and acceptable is the work of the Lord.-Let all crowns be in his presence. thrown down before him, he alone shall have the glory, for besides him there is no other. "And for thy sake, Oh Jerusalem! thou city of the living God, what hath been endured? How many innocent lambs have suffered for bringing glad tidings to thee of Him VOL. II.-No. 7. 66 a "Therefore, let every son, daughter, and servant of God, watch and diligently hearken to his counsel: and whatever the natural man 35 most inclines to, when the temptation besets you, judge yourselves, look up to the Lord, and resist the devil with boldness in the first assault, and the Lord God will give you dominion over them, and the bond of iniquity shall not have power over you. In his holy authority, every one stand in dominion upon the head of the first man, with all his excellency and glory; that in the perfect freedom every particular individual may reign, in the measure of the light, over every thought and desire that is contrary to the will of God; that, in his will, you may all dwell in the holy faith, which will arm against all the fiery darts of the devil. You shall break down Satan under your feet, and shall overcome through the blood of the Lamb and the word of your testimony; and continually drink of the rivers of pleasure, the presence of the Lord Jesus, our light, life, and righteousness for ever. For he is become our Husband, and we are as the wife of his bosom, in the delight of his glorious love. "Let the mourners in Zion rejoice, and the afflicted among the people be glad, and fear the Lord. And let not any who desires salvation in uprightness of heart, say, The Lord regards me not for whatever thou hungerest and thirstest for in this life, thou art the heir of it, and the Lord will satisfy thy hunger with his refreshings for his name's sake. And this is the portion of those that are least in their own eyes amongst the people: the Lord hath spoken it. "And all you, inhabitants of the city of the great God, whom the Lord hath prospered in your living testimony, in what he hath called unto,-blessed be the Lord God, for you retain the sense of your nothingness in self, and so become poor with the poorest, and weak with the weakest, and truly make self of no reputation,' but humble it to the cross, and do not serve self but God and his people, with all his gifts and ornaments, with which he hath adorned you. Because of the savour which you have in Christ, the souls of the upright in heart do praise the Lord for you. Your steadfast, valiant, unwearied travails, labours, and sufferings for the Lord, cause the hearts of his people to be enlarged with hallelujahs and high praises in the assemblies of his saints. You know that your reward is with you; and wo to them that devise mischief against you, whom the Lord hath blessed. "Oh, Zion's children, from the least to the greatest, love the Lord Jesus Christ. And let not a thought of the heart draw you from the light, life, and love of the Lord Jesus. Let the day of the resurrection arise upon you, which will set your souls in perfect love, above all infidelity and unbelief. Oh! drink, to the full satisfaction of your souls, of the cup of his salvation, for it is freely handed to all that love him, who thirst for his mercies, and tread down the self-working spirit: so that all may be bound down in silence, that would move in any exercise to utter words rashly before the Lord. 66 My dear Friends, let us comfort and console our souls together; for this is our Beloved, we have waited for him, and now he is come with power and great glory, to deliver his captives, and to establish them in his glorious freedom, where the evil one shall not prevail against them; and to marry unto himself the soul that has waited for him as for the morning. And all, in this union, feel his power abounding in you, to lead into the daily cross, and to stand over all that would draw from the sweet unity, which is in the footsteps of the flock of his companions who walk in the light. Stir up the gift of God in you, in all faithful obedience. As your hearts are filled with the heavenly power of the Lord, and broken in the sense of the overcomings of his life, and moved in the strength thereof, in any exercise in your families, or in the assemblies of his people,-quench not the Spirit of the Lord, but be obedient, and keep within the bounds of a broken heart and a contrite spirit, which sacrifice is acceptable in his presence. And all feel the love of God enlarging your hearts one to another, that the strong may bear the burdens of the weak, and in pure love all may grow fruitful plants in the vineyard, which God's right hand hath planted. "And as for our little sister, scattered among the people of the nations, whose broken cisterns have failed her; what shall we do for her? In this day which is come upon us, she shall be spoken for, though at present she cannot draw near, but mourns at a distance, and cries in secret for want of the enjoyment of the God of our salvation. Oh! let your hearts breathe unto the Lord, that he may seal his counsel to her, and cause her to walk in the light of the Lord, with us whom he hath raised to be the first fruits among many brethren, to bear his glorious testimony over the heads of the children of men and above all their wrath, who withstand the appearance of God; who will cause them to bow before his glory, in the day in which he will clear the innocence of his beloved people. Neither by sword, nor spear, nor by the arm of flesh, but with the breath of his mouth, shall he smite the hearts of them that know him not, and by the brightness of his coming, who shall spread his fame over all nations, to gather brethren from afar, and sisters from the ends of the earth. Yea, the mighty shall bow to his sceptre, and the nations that are saved shall walk in his light, with us, whom he hath made as dear unto himself as the apple of his eye. Though a woman may forget her sucking child, yet the Lord will not forget any that fear him. But he will lead them through all tribulations, with joy in his heavenly power, until they have finished their course with gladness, to the glory of his name for ever. during this imprisonment, to Friends under sentence of banishment, it will be necessary now to give the reader some information relative to the operation of that cruel and intole rant act of the government already mentioned, which was evidently intended to crush the Society and to root out their principles from the land. The persecution of Friends under the conventicle act was carried to such an extreme, that the prisons, in London especially, were continually crowded with them, and some hundreds were sentenced to banishment under the stroke of that arbitrary instrument. William Crouch, a Friend, who lived through that terrible period, for it was so on more accounts than the one in question, writing of the year 1664-5, gives us the following information. "Now the enemies and adversaries of "And this is the portion of the lot of thy inheritance, against whom every tongue that is lifted up shall fall in judgment, neither shall the weapons that are formed against thee prosper. For the Lord hath made thee to be a burdensome stone to the nations, and the praise of the whole earth: and the desires of the people shall be to the Most High God, who dwells in the midst of thee; who hath the church, were in deep counsels and condisplayed his banner of love over thee, and hath turned away the fury of his wrath from thee. Thou, who lovest the light, and bathest thy soul in the ocean of his inexpressible mercies, shalt never more want the fresh springs of life. The Lord will keep thee in safety, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against any of the sons and daughters who walk in the light of thy city, O Jerusalem, in whom there is no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb is in thee, and his servants do serve thee, and they behold his face, and his name is written in their foreheads. There is no night there, neither need of candle, nor light of the sun, for the Lord God giveth them light, and they do reign for ever,-as the Lord hath spoken through your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom of patience in the Lord Jesus. "Given forth in York Castle, the 19th of First month, 1663." CHAPTER XV. "W. D." sultations, utterly to root the Quakers out of England, by banishing them into foreign plantations: and a law being made, many of the magistrates and rulers were very intent on executing it; and many Friends were taken up at our religious meetings and imprisoned, and at their courts of assize and session were sentenced to banishment, and put on shipboard to be sent away. Some were actually carried to the plantations abroad; others who were put on ship-board, were afterwards set on shore in England by the masters of the vessels." "But it was not long before the Lord was pleased to manifest his displeasure, and to put a stop to these unnatural, unrighteous, and inhuman actions, by those severe strokes of his hand upon the nation, in the years 1665 and 1666."* It appears from the same author, that the first proceedings under this act took place at the assizes at Hertford, the 12th and 13th days of the month called August, 1664, where Orlando Bridgman presided as judge. He passed sentence of banishment against 1663. William Dewsbury released from York-eight Friends, who were then brought to trial. imprisoned for near eight years in Warwick Seven of these, namely, Nicholas Lucas, jail-Persecutions of Friends; the banishment Henry Feast, Henry Marshall, Francis Pryof many-William Dewsbury's consolatory or, John Blindell, Jeremiah Hearn, and Samand animating addresses to the sufferers. uel Trahern, were brought up to London, and on the 14th of the month called September, WILLIAM DEWSBURY was set at liberty put on board the Ann, a packet for Jamaica, from his confinement at York early in the Thomas May commander. But two months following year, and the scene of his imprison-afterwards they were set on shore, for the ment was changed towards the close of 1663, following among other reasons, given under to the common jail at Warwick; where he the commander's own hand, and duly witwas a prisoner from that time until the early nessed. "I, seeing Providence hath much part of the year 1671, a period of nearly crossed me hitherto, whereby I perceive that eight years. Thus were "bonds and afflictions" meted out to this patient and cheerful sufferer for "the Truth as it is in Jesus." As an introduction to some epistles of sympathy and encouragement which he addressed, *The plague which broke out in London, and the great fire which followed in the next yearsignal tokens of the divine displeasure with the wickedness of that city. the hand of the Lord is against me, that I London, they were taken from prison; and dare not proceed on my voyage to carry the government agents, after much search them, they being innocent persons, and no and many refusals, having engaged with a crime signified against them, worthy of ban-man of infamous character to carry them to ishment," &c.-"for these reasons and many Jamaica-the prisoners were put on board, more, I will not carry them." This was cer- some of them being ill of the plague at that tified and given to the sufferers, to show that time. The ship, called the Black Eagle, the they had not made their escape from the ship. master's name Fudge, was seven weeks beAfter this, three other Friends, namely, fore it got to the Downs, within which time Cannawell Briton, Bartholomew Croker, and twenty-seven Friends died, many of whom Lewis Rogers, were put on board the ship were buried in the marshes below Gravesend. Mary Fortune, bound for Barbadoes, John Fudge, who had run himself largely into debt Lloyd, master who also repented, and on in fitting out his ship, was arrested and cast that account refusing to carry them, set them into prison, and Peter Love was made master on shore, giving them a certificate containing in his room. In the Downs, they were dethe following among other reasons for his tained many weeks by contrary winds, as doing so. After alluding to some causes of also between that and Plymouth. After condetention, he says, "But now, going to depart, siderable detention, clearing away from that their cry, and the cry of their families and harbour, the Black Eagle was captured by a friends, are entered into the cars of the Lord Dutch privateer; they then encountered a God, and he hath smitten us even unto the storm, which separated the vessels, and carvery heart, saying, 'Cursed is he that parteth ried one of them to the coast of Norway, but man and wife:' and moreover, 'They that op- at length it succeeded in arriving at Holland, press his people, his plagues shall follow them, where all the Friends met. The Dutch, findwheresoever they go.' And assuredly, we do ing that their prisoners were not likely to be in part partake of them already; for our con- exchanged for prisoners of war, granted cersciences will in no wise let us rest, or be in tificates to such of them and sent them home. quiet, for the Lord hath smitten us with a ter- Thus, in this instance, the mercy of an overrible fear, so that we can in no wise proceed ruling Providence interposed, to frustrate and to carry them," &c. to blast the design of these arbitrary and cruel proceedings.* From Besse's account of the sufferings of Friends we learn, that many hundreds of them, were sentenced to drink of the same cup, but masters of ships, conscious of the innocence of the sufferers, generally refused to have any share in "the gain of oppression." But three Friends, namely, Edward Brush, James Harding, and Robert Hays, were, on the 24th of the first month, 1664, taken from Newgate and carried down to Gravesend, and there put on board ship with little or no warning; and Hays being ill at the time, soon died, and his brought back to London and there buried. The other two Friends were carried to Jamaica, where, under the divine blessing, they were prosperous; and after having remained a short time in the island, they returned to England, Edward Brush to his wife and family, and James Harding with a wife he had married there, and three children, with which she had presented him at a birth. corpse was The last instance of banishment which it is my intention to lay before the reader, may be related as follows. In the year 1664, fiftyfive Friends were sentenced to exile, by judgment passed at Hicks's Hall, by Judges Hyde and Twisden. Thirty-seven men and eighteen women. They were imprisoned in Newgate until the 4th of the sixth month, 1665; and at this time, whilst the plague was raging in *George Fox has left us the following more circumstantial account of the same extraordinary instance of persecution. "There were great imprisonments in this [1666] and the former years, while I was prisoner at Lancaster and Scarborough. At London, many Friends were crowded into Newgate and other prisons, where the sickness [the pestilence] was, and many Friends died in prison. Many also were banished, and several sent on ship-board by the king's order. Some masters of ships would not carry them, but set them on shore again: yet some were sent to Barbadoes, Jamaica, and Nevis; and the Lord blessed them there. There was one master of a ship, who was very wicked and cruel to Friends that were put on board of his ship: for he kept Friends down under decks, though the sickness was amongst them, so that many died of it. But the For he Lord plagued him for his wickedness. lost most of his seamen by the plague, and lay other ships went out and made their voyages. At several months crossed by contrary winds; though last he came before Plymouth; and then the governor and magistrates would not suffer him or any of his men to come ashore, though he wanted necessaries for his voyage. But Thomas Lower, Arthur Cotton, John Light and some other Friends Friends who were prisoners on board. The maswent to the ship's side, and carried necessaries for ter being thus crossed and plagued, cursed those who had put upon him this freight, and said he hoped he should not go far before he was taken. And the vessel was but a little while gone out of The two epistles immediately following, are those referred to in a preceding paragraph. "For my dear, honourable brethren, who are or may be sentenced to be transported to the isles beyond the sea, for the testimony of the name of the Lord Jesus. "For those, from whom the Lord hath suffered or shall suffer their dear and tender husbands to be separated beyond the seas or elsewhere, for the testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ." "Dear handmaids, whom the Lord hath counted worthy to part with your dear, and tender husbands, for his name-assuredly, many put their shoulders to help to bear the burden of your trials this day. O, the tears and breakings of heart, that are poured forth before the Lord for your dear husbands, and you and your tender children! You are fami lies of many prayers, and assuredly shall be known to be families of many mercies. Be "My dear Friends, in the suffering of the Lamb, who liveth and reigneth forever and ever, and shall overcome all his enemies in the day determined, when all his enemies shall bow under the soles of his feet, then shall all that oppress you, call you the blessed of the Lord. O my dear brethren! lift up your heads in the light and life of Jesus, for whom you suffer; abide in his light: reign over your thoughts, either of wife or children, or what-content with your cup, handed forth to you; ever would trouble your minds, for giving up accounted worthy to be the first fruits. What and bless the name of the Lord, that you are freely in this your testimony. The Lord is with you, and thousands shall bless the name could the Lord do more for you, than count of the Lord for your faithful testimony, which you worthy to suffer in this nature, and give shall sound over nations, to gather the people. you such husbands, who are set as lights in “O, my dear brethren, triumph in the face the face of all people; let it be seen that you of all your enemies! it shall be well with you, bands. Stand over the affectionate part, and love the Lord Jesus more than your dear huswheresoever the Lord suffers you to be carried; and as to your wives and children, the solace your souls in the love and life of the Lord Jesus, your eternal husband and the comforter of your earthly husbands. He will make us all rejoice in whatever he calls us unto, we diligently watching and judging ourselves, and resting in the light and in the will of God. In which, the Lord establish you, for whom the soul of your brother breathes daily to the Lord, to strengthen you and your Lord hath said, it shall be well with them; the blessing of the Lord shall rest upon them and with you, to the comfort of the isles that wait for his law. Therefore, in the peaceable power of the Lord, go on, you chosen brethren of the suffering seed, which the Lord hath blessed. Blessed be the day, that the Lord called you by his power, to stand faithful in what he requires of you; in which living testimony, your memorial shall never perish, but preach to ages and generations, to the glory of the name of our God! Go on with gladness, for it is to bring in the seed from the ends of the earth, that our brethren may come from far, and our sisters from the ends of the world. "O, mighty God! cover thy faithful servants with thy glorious power, and cause them and their families to rejoice, in thy disposing of them! Amen. "My life in the suffering spirit go with you, in the name of the Lord! My dear companions in bonds salute you in the love of the Lord. Farewell! “Warwick common jail, 10th of the Eighth month, 1664." W. D." sight of Plymouth, when she was taken by a Dutch man-of-war, and carried into Holland. When they came into Holland, the States there sent the banished Friends back to England with a letter of passport and a certificate [to show] that they had not made an escape, but were sent back by them. But, in time, the Lord's power wrought over this storm, and many of our persecutors were confounded and put to shame."-Journal, fol. edit. 1786. p. 384. dear husbands and all that love the Lord Jesus "Warwick common jail, 10th of The following epistle belongs to this period; and it is subjoined for the information and satisfaction of those, who have faith to receive it as an evidence, in addition to those which have preceded, that the flock of Christ is not left alone and comfortless in the day of trouble, affliction, and distress. "To all faithful and suffering members in all holes, prisons, and jails, for the word of God and testimony of Jesus Christ; with the rest of the faithful, wherever scattered. "Dear brethren and sisters! "Hear the word of the Lord :—thus saith the Lord, though you now drink the cup of adversity, and eat the bread of affliction, and are trampled upon as though you were not worthy to live upon the earth, yet, notwithin the strength of his spirit, forever to be destanding all the fury of men, you are resolved prived of the sweet enjoyments of wife, husband, tender children, parents, and outward |