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manifested, though but in small things; unfaithfulness in which, is the cause of loss and hurt to many in their growth in the truth.

ling to go; but when I had given up to go, I would have known what I was to do there, which was the cause, that for a little time, I After I had passed through great tribula- was shut up within myself, and was in some tion, weeping and mourning in woods and measure darkened; so that I cried unto the solitary places alone, where I often desired to Lord, that if it was his will I should go, I be, I came to more settlement in my spirit, would give up. And being made sensible it and peace began to spring in my soul; where was, I went in faith and quietness of mind trouble and sorrow had been. Then at times, and spirit. As I was going, it appeared to I would be ready to think, that I should not me, as if the priest had been before me; and again meet with such combats and besetments it opened in me to say to him, "If thou be a by the enemy of my soul, as I had passed minister of Christ, stand to prove thy practhrough. But the more I grew in experience tice; and if it be the same as the apostles of the dealings of the Lord with me; so much and ministers of Christ, in doctrine and practhe more did the enemy transform himself, tice, I will own thee; but if not, I am sent of and as he could not prevail by his former God this day, to testify against thee." And presentations, so in his subtilty, he would so soon as I entered the place where the hireinvent new ones. Thus I came clearly to ling priest, George Larcum, was preaching, see that it was not safe for me to sit down he cried out, "There is one come into the ! satisfied with what I had passed through, or church like a mad-man, with his hat on his the victory I had already obtained; but to head. Churchwardens, put him out!" For travel on in faith and patience, and watch he could not preach after I came into the steediligently in the light of Jesus Christ, where ple-house. So they put me forth, as he bid the true power is still received. For notwith them. This was in Cromwell's time, and not standing the many deliverances, and strength, long after the government was changed and he and victory, I had experienced, the Lord, ac- himself turned out of the place. Some time cording to the greatness of his wisdom, was after I was put forth, I was moved of the pleased to make me sensible of my own weak- Lord to go in again, and had strength given ness, and that there was no strength to stand, me to stay until the priest had done; but his nor place of safety for me to abide in, but in preaching was burthensome and confused. his power, and under a sense thereof, I was Then, with the words aforesaid, I opened my humbled, bowed, and laid low. mouth, in the fear of God, which made the hireling go out with all the haste he could, at a contrary door than he used to do; and the people were in a great uproar, some to beat me, and some to save me from being beat. When they had haled me out of the house, I was enabled by the power of God, to declare the truth amongst the people and to manifest the deceiver they followed: and having obeyed the requirings of the Lord, I came away in sweet peace and spiritual comfort in my heart.

Wherefore I took up a godly resolution in his fear, "I will rely upon the sufficiency of thy power, O Lord, for ever." About six years after I had received the truth, through great exercise and godly sorrow, I came to be settled in the power of God, and made weighty in my spirit thereby; and had some openings from the Spirit of Truth, in silent waiting upon the Lord; which tended to minister comfort and satisfaction to my soul, in a renewed experience of the dealings of the Lord with me; and the Lord opened my mouth with a testimony in the fresh spring of life, that I was to give forth to his children and people.

Oh! then a great combat I had through reasoning, that I was but a child, and others were more fit and able to speak, than I. But the Lord, by his power, brought me into willingness, and with fear and trembling I spoke in our blessed meetings.

At a certain time being at a meeting of Friends upon the Howhill, near Coldbecke, in Cumberland, George Fletcher of Hutton Hall, a justice of the peace, so called, came into the meeting in a rude manner, riding among Friends, who were sitting upon the ground, and trod with his horses feet upon a woman's gown, I was moved of the Lord, to kneel down to prayer, at the head of his horse; and as a wicked persecutor of God's people, he At one time, as I was sitting in silence struck me bitterly over my head and face waiting upon the Lord, in a meeting of with his horse-whip. When he saw he could Friends, upon Pardshaw Crag, a weighty not move me, he called his man, being near exercise fell upon my spirit, and it opened in by, to take me away; who came in great me, that I must go to the steeple-house at fury, and took me by the hair of my head, Cockermouth, which was hard for me to give and drew me down the hill; but I got upon up to. But the Lord by his power, made me my feet, and said to his master, “Dost thou shake and tremble, and by it I was made wil-pretend to be a justice of peace, and break

est the peace; and disturbs, persecutes, and abuses God's peaceable people, and sets on thy servant so to do?" He said, we should know he was a justice of peace before he had done with us; could no place serve us to meet in, but under his nose? Yet it was at a great distance from his dwelling, upon the common. He committed me and three more, to the common jail at Carlisle; it being at the time when that act was in force, which imposed a penalty of five pounds for the first offence; ten pounds for the second; and for the third, banishment. By his warrant he caused one cow and a horse, worth six pounds ten shillings, to be distrained of my father, with whom I lived, for my fine of five pounds; it being the first offence (so adjudged by him,) and kept me in prison some weeks too. George Martin, a wicked hard hearted man, being jailer, put us in the common jail, for several days and nights, without either bread or water; because we could not satisfy his covetous desire, by giving him eight pence a meal for our meat; so he threatened, when he put us in the common jail, that he would see how long we could live there without meat; and suffered none that he could hinder, neither would he allow any of our friends, to bring us any bedding, not so much as a little straw. We had no place to lie on, but the prison window, upon the cold stones, the wall being thick, there was room for one at a time; and when he saw he could not prevail, notwithstanding his cruelty, he removed us from the common jail, into a room in his own house, where he had several Friends prisoners, for non-payment of tithes, at the suit of the said George Fletcher.

The jailer was often cruel, wicked and abusive in his behaviour to Friends; but in a few years he was rewarded according to his doings; for he himself was cast into prison for debt, and so ended his days.

When the quarter sessions began, which was in about two weeks after our commitment, at Carlisle, we were called and examined by one Philip Musgrove, of the said city, called a justice, an old persecutor, who, under a great pretence of love to us, said that if we would but conform, and come to the church, they would show us all the favour they could; and when any one of us would have answered his questions or proposals, he would say, we must be silent, except we would conform, for we might not preach there, but would tauntingly say, "When you are banished beyond the seas, then you may preach there." One of us replied, "We were not afraid to be banished beyond the seas; for we did believe, and had good cause so to do, that the Lord our God, whom we worship and serve, and who by his

great power had preserved us all along until now, on this side the sea, would also preserve us on the other side, as we stood faithful in our testimony for him."

We were set at liberty that sessions; goods being taken for all our fines; but the sheriff for the county, Willfrid Lawson, of Issel Hall, being there, said to the jailer, "If they will not pay fees, put them into the common jail again, and keep them there until they rot." So the jailer put us into the common jail again, because we could not pay him fees; where was a Bedlam-man, and four with him for theft; and two notorious thieves, called Redhead and Wadelad; two moss troopers, for stealing cattle; and a woman, for murdering her child. Several of the relations and acquaintances of these, were suffered to come to see them, after the sessions was over, who gave them so much drink, that most of them were basely drunk; and the prison being a very close nasty place, they did so abuse themselves and us with their filthiness, that it was enough almost to stifle some of us. On the morrow, we let the jailer know how we were abused, whereupon he bid the turnkey bring us to the room where we were before; saying he scorned to keep us there, for we were honest men, setting our religion aside. One of us answered, "If the tree be good, the fruit cannot be evil." So in a little time after we had been in his house, he gave us our liberty, without paying fees. This was in the fifth month, 1663.

Here follow some letters I wrote whilst I

was a prisoner at Carlisle.

"Dear Father and Mother,

"My duty is hereby remembered to you; and my dear and tender love, both naturally and spiritually, doth hereby reach unto you both and as you are faithful according to what the Lord hath made known unto you, by his pure light, the Lord will preserve you.

"Dear parents, as it is thus ordered, that I am called to suffer, for no other cause, than worshipping God among his people, I desire you to be content, and do not murmur or complain: but live in love, quietness, and all unity with each other, that the blessing of the Lord may be upon you, and prosper what you go about; for they that truly fear the Lord, shall want no good thing. Let your faith stand here, dear hearts, and be patient, and content in your minds, and not too much concerned for me and my welfare; for I am persuaded, feeling the evidence of Truth in my heart, that I suffer not for evil-doing, but for obeying the requirings of the Lord: yea, for worshipping and serving him in spirit and in truth; so that it is, and shall be well with me, as

I

keep faithful unto the end. Be not at all de-
jected, or cast down in mind concerning me:
but rather rejoice with me, that the Lord hath
not only counted us worthy to believe in his
name, but also to suffer for the same.

"From the house of our friend, Mungo Bewly,
one of the prisoners, (being five) where the
constables are ready to take us away to pri-
son, in the city of Carlisle in Cumberland, the
8th day of the Fifth month, 1663.
"Your obedient son,

JOHN BANKS."

My second letter to my parents; with a few words to Friends.

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"Dear Father and Mother,

My dear and tender love, as a dutiful and obedient child, I do most dearly and tenderly remember to you; and if I should not write one word more to you, as to that, I do not question but that you believe and are sensible that my love is large and dear to you both, for your good in all respects; and this I can say of a truth, that all I desire of you is, that you would be patient and truly content; that you may come to say in truth, the will of the Lord be done, both concerning you and me. So, dear hearts, keep the faith, and hold fast the word of his patience; and in that suffer, as one with me, though you be at liberty and give up freely unto the Lord, for what we have is his; and if he bless, who can curse? Blessed, praised, and magnified be his holy name for evermore.

"Your dutiful son,

JOHN BANKS."

moreland, Lancashire, and some part of York.
shire, several times before the Lord sent me
forth into other countries; so when I was
clear of those counties, I returned home to my
parents, and lived with them about a year more.

Upon the 26th day of the sixth month, 1664,
I took a Friend, by name Ann Littledale, to
wife, in a public meeting of God's people, in
scorn called Quakers, in a Friend's house in
Pardshaw town, before many witnesses, as
having freedom and liberty in the Lord so to
do; which as a blessing and mercy I received
from his hand, wherefore I am bound in duty
to give him the praise, and to return him the
honour and glory, who lives for ever.

About four years after I was married, the Lord called me forth to travel in the work of the ministry, and I was made willing to leave all, in answer to his requirings, to go into the south and west of England. Yea, I was made willing to leave my dear wife and sweet child, though near and dear unto me, and went forth in the power and Spirit of the Lord Jesus. Our friend John Wilkinson and I travelled together in the Lord's work and service (this was Cumberland John Wilkinson). We took our journey in the second month, 1668, and travelled into Yorkshire, and visited many meetings in divers places, where we had good service for the Lord and his truth.

A letter to my wife, written upon my journey towards the west and south of England. "Dear Wife,

"Thou art dear unto me, together with our little one, in the nearness of that pure spirit "Dear Friends, in the precious Truth, to by which the Lord hath joined us together, as whom my love in the same is beyond ex-one heart and mind; from a sense of whose pressions; we are with our Friends at present who are in prison for tithes; and are like to be retained after the sessions for fees, if we get our liberty then, all our fines being levied. But be it as the Lord sees good, we can truly say he is near to support us; for his presence is even in the midst of us, and we are at true peace with him in our suffering, and are bound together with, and in the bond of love, peace, and unity. This, indeed, my heart rejoices to tell you, and I do believe you will be glad and rejoice with me, who am, and do remain your brother, and fellow-sufferer, who never knew the worth of a prison so much before, to my sweet peace and inward consolation, though I have yet tasted but a little thereof. "J. B.

"From the prison-house in Carlisle, the 18th of the Fifth month, 1663."

Some time after, I had drawings in my spirit to visit the neighbouring counties, as West

pure love felt to abound in my heart, I dearly
salute thee, and do hereby let thee know I am
very well at present, both in body and spirit,
for which I can do no less than bless and praise
the holy name and great power of the Lord
for ever, who hath thus far preserved me in
my journey, in true peace and comfort; where-
by it is confirmed unto me that I am in my
place, and that the work and service I have to
perform is for the Lord, and the furtherance
of his blessed truth. Blessed be that day in
which I was made sensible of the same, that
the Lord should count me worthy to do any
service for him.

"Wherefore, my dear, be thou encouraged
to trust in the Lord more and more, and put
thy confidence in him in all things, who is
able to do whatsoever he pleaseth and seemeth
good in his sight; for he can make all things
work together for good, to them who truly love
and fear him, and are concerned for the pros-
perity of his blessed truth; though we must

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expect to meet with various exercises in the way to come to be made partakers thereof.

"Remember my love and due respect to my parents, and let them know that I am well every way; and to Friends without respect of persons, as they inquire of me.

"The desire of many people hereaway, is after the Lord; and they flock to our meetings, like doves to the windows, when they hear of any that have the way of truth to declare. We have had a meeting every day this week, and shall have one to-morrow, if the Lord will.

"Thy dear and loving husband, according to my measure of the truth received.

"JOHN BANKS.

" Written near Bradford, in Yorkshire, the 14th of the Third month, 1668."

From Yorkshire we travelled into Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, and Warwickshire, where we had many blessed meetings, and where I wrote the following letter to my wife.

"Dear Wife,

"Unto whom I am truly united; in the pure love and unity of the Spirit of Truth, wherein the Lord hath made us truly one, do I dearly salute thee, and let thee know that I am well in all respects; blessed and praised be the Lord our God for evermore.

"In my heart I reach forth a hand unto thee; give me thine, and let us go along together, in the work and service of the Lord; that so we may be a strength and encouragement to each other, to go on in faithfulness, and finish a faithful testimony for the Lord, in what he requires of us, in doing or suffering, and giving up whatever we have or enjoy in this world.

"My dear heart, give all up freely, as to the Lord our God, to be ordered and disposed of by him, who is wise and wonderful in counsel, and to be admired of all them who truly love and fear him, and wait for his glorious appearance of light and life. Take no thought nor care for me, but in the Lord, who hath a care and tender regard unto us, and all his people, as our hearts are kept near to him. We came this day to see our dear friend William Dewsbury, and intend to travel through the county, in visiting of the seed of God, towards Bristol, and then as the Lord may order us.

"So with the remembrance of my duty to my parents, and my love to Friends, as though named, I remain thy dear and loving husband,

"Warwick, the 4th of the

"J. B.

Fourth month, 1668." From Warwickshire we travelled into Gloucestershire, and so to Bristol, where the Lord

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"In that love which still endureth, and increaseth in my heart to thee, do I feel thee; and the further I am separated from thee, the nearer thou art unto me, even in that which length of time or distance of place shall never be able to wear out, or bring to decay. Feel the reach of my love in thy heart, and be thou broken and tendered in the sense thereof, even of the heart-breaking love of God: in which my heart abounds in love to thee; with breathings to God, that we may be kept living to him, through all our various exercises, that so we may daily learn with the blessed and wise apostle, in all conditions to be content; and that patience may have its perfect work in us; for patience gains experience, and experience hope, that never makes ashamed, but anchors the soul both sure and stedfast unto God.

"My dear, give me freely up to the will and disposing of Him, into whose hand I am freely given up, both soul and body. Keep near the Lord at all times, and pray for me in spirit, that I may be preserved faithful to the Lord, to finish a good testimony for him; and that I may not return to thee until his time, that so we may enjoy each other in the Lord, and be made partakers of his blessings upon us and ours, and all we take in hand, without which, it will not prosper; for it is in vain to strive against the Lord, before whom all nations are but as the drop of a bucket: if he bless, none can curse: blessed and praised be his holy name for evermore. Amen.

"By this, thou and the rest of my family and friends, may understand, that I am pretty well in health at present, through the goodness of the Lord, though I have been under weakness of body, at times, since I wrote my last from Warwick; but the Lord by his power strengthens me many times, far beyond what can be expected, considering my own weakness. I have faith to believe, and that upon good ground, that whatsoever the Lord is pleased to exercise me in, or call me to, he will give me strength to perform and go through, and nothing shall be able to hinder it. I am truly content, whatsoever the Lord may suffer to come upon me, because hitherto he hath kept and preserved me, to his praise and glory, and to my sweet peace and comfort; endless praises to Him who lives for ever!

"Remember my dear and tender love, as also my duty and tender regard, to my parents, for they are very near and dear to me; with my love also to Friends, neighbours, and rela

tions, as if named. My companion and fellowlabourer in the Gospel desires to have his love remembered to thee.

"And so I bid thee farewell. The Lord keep and preserve thee, with all his people, faithful in this trying day, which possibly may have the effect to try the faith of many. "J. B.

"Puddimoore-Milton, in Somersetshire, the 28th of the Fourth month, 1668."

"POSTSCRIPT.

"The truth of our God prospers and gaineth a good report in these parts, and many other places where we have travelled; and many are coming in to partake thereof. For people in many places are weary of the hireling priests, and dead formal worship of the world, and their assemblies grow thin. The Lord, by the all-sufficiency of his power, hath made our service effectual unto many, both Friends and other people, and very full and peaceable meetings we have had in several counties and shires; wherefore we cannot but return the praise, honour, and glory unto Him, whose the work and power are; and count nothing too hard for us, so that we may bear a faithful testimony for Him, to the good of souls; that he over all may be glorified; and that we may feel true peace with Him in the

end for our reward.

My wife's letter to me.

J. B."

to whose care and fatherly protection I com-
mit and commend thee, and dearly salute thee,
with love to thy companion, J. W., and bid
thee farewell; and am thy dear and loving
wife,
ANN BANKS.

"Whinfell-Hall, in Cumberland, the
19th of the Fifth month, 1668."

From hence we travelled westward, through part of Devonshire, and into Dorsetshire, Hampshire, Wiltshire, and so up to London. The Lord was with us; and Friends were greatly refreshed and comforted with us, and we with them.

Great openness and tenderness there was in those days among Friends, and many other people where we came, and the witness of God was soon reached. We had very large and full meetings in most places where we travelled, and many were convinced and are yet alive, standing witnesses for God. At London, I wrote to my wife as follows:

"Dear Wife,

"Thine I have received, whereby I understand the great weakness thou hast been in, which hath been a near trial and great exercise to me. But when I consider the large love of God to thee, in preserving thee in faith to believe in him, and patience and true con. tentedness to give up unto him, under thy great weakness, it hath eased my burden and lessened my exercise.

"Dear Husband, "Wait daily to feel the Lord to be thy "After long expectation to hear from thee, strength, in the time of thy greatest weakness; I have, before the writing hereof, received two rely wholly upon him, trust in him, believe in letters, whereby I was much satisfied and re- him, and he will never fail thee. He can be freshed; but in thy last from Somersetshire, more to thee than a husband, and to thy child I observe, that thou hast been under weakness than her father. Mayest thou know thy porof body for some time. At the first hearing tion increased in Him, and thy inheritance to of which I was sad in my spirit; but con- be enlarged, that thou mayest dwell in the sidering the greatness and sufficiency of the borders of his sanctuary, in the sight of his Lord's love and power, in whom is our glorious Son for evermore; and mayest feel strength, I rest satisfied, hoping that all things thy faith to increase, and thy patience and will work for good in the end. Dear husband, contentedness to remain in him, by the suffi I have been and am brought very low in body, ciency of whose power, safety and preservaby a strong fever, but am well in mind, bless-tion is known. As we abide in Him, whether ed be the Lord therefor. It was one month we live or die we are the Lord's, and it shall last fifth-day, since the sickness took me, and be well with us for evermore, world without in about two weeks time I received some end: and no matter what we suffer or undergo strength, but became worse again, and am in this life, if that be attained unto. very weak. I greatly desire this may come "Remember my dear and tender love, and safe to thy hand, that thou mayest understand also my duty, to my parents; for still I find how it is with me; and that, in the wisdom of myself bound to be tender over them, and to God, thou mayest consider what may tend do what in me lies for them, under the conmost for the glory of God in this matter. Isideration of what they have done for me. can truly say, in a sense of the Lord's love and truth, according to my measure, whether ever I see thy face again or no, I desire nothing more than that the will of the Lord may be done in all things, whether in life or death;

I

With the salutation of my true love to thyself, in the remembrance of our little one, and my love to Friends, and relations and neighbours, I remain thy loving husband,

"J. B."

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