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 intolerant 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 st.oke of that arbitrary instrument.

"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.

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 informa tion. "Now the enemies and adversaries of

"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, secing 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 afflic tions" 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.

London, they were taken from prison; and the government agents, after much search and many refusals, having engaged with a man of infamous character to carry them to Jamaica-the prisoners were put on board, some of them being ill of the plague at that time. The ship, called the Black Eagle, the master's name Fudge, was seven weeks before it got to the Downs, within which time twenty-seven Friends died, many of whom were buried in the marshes below Gravesend. Fudge, who had run himself largely into debt in fitting out his ship, was arrested and cast into prison, and Peter Love was made master in his room. In the Downs, they were detained many weeks by contrary winds, as also between that and Plymouth. After considerable detention, clearing away from that harbour, the Black Eagle was captured by a Dutch privateer; they then encountered a storm, which separated the vessels, and car

the hand of the Lord is against me, that I dare not proceed on my voyage to carry them, they being innocent persons, and no crime signified against them, worthy of banishment," &c.-"for these reasons and many more, I will not carry them." This was certified and given to the sufferers, to show that they had not made their escape from the ship. After this, three other Friends, namely, Cannawell Briton, Bartholomew Croker, and Lewis Rogers, were put on board the ship Mary Fortune, bound for Barbadoes, John Lloyd, master: who also repented, and on that account refusing to carry them, set them on shore, giving them a certificate containing the following among other reasons for his doing so. After alluding to some causes of detention, he says, "But now, going to depart, their cry, and the cry of their families and friends, are entered into the ears of the Lord God, and he hath smitten us even unto the very heart, saying, 'Cursed is he that partethried one of them to the coast of Norway, but man and wife:' and moreover, 'They that oppress his people, his plagues shall follow them, wheresoever they go.' And assuredly, we do in part partake of them already; for our consciences will in no wise let us rest, or be in quiet, for the Lord hath smitten us with a terrible fear, so that we can in no wise proceed to carry them," &c.

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 oppress ion." 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

at length it succeeded in arriving at Holland, where all the Friends met. The Dutch, finding that their prisoners were not likely to be exchanged for prisoners of war, granted certificates to such of them and sent them home. Thus, in this instance, the mercy of an overruling Providence interposed, to frustrate and to blast the design of these arbitrary and cruel proceedings."

*George Fox has left us the following more circumstantial account of the same extraordinary instance of persecution." There were great impriwhile I was prisoner at Lancaster and Scarbosonments in this [1666] and the former years, into Newgate and other prisons, where the sickrough. At London, many Friends were crowded ness [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 Barthem there. There was one master of a ship, badoes, Jamaica, and Nevis; and the Lord blessed 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 Lord plagued him for his wickedness. For he 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 goThe last instance of banishment which it is vernor and magistrates would not suffer him or my intention to lay before the reader, may be any of his men to come ashore, though he wanted related as follows. In the year 1664, fifty-necessaries for his voyage. But Thomas Lower, five 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

Arthur Cotton, John Light and some other Friends went to the ship's side, and carried necessaries for ter being thus crossed and plagued, cursed those Friends who were prisoners on board. The maswho 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

jewels, and counted you worthy to suffer for the testimony of his name. He will go before you, through all the waters and floods of afflictions; and will appear with you before the councils of men; and his saving power shall compass you about in your hot and sharp afflictions, all you who have your confidence alone in the Lord your God.

possessions, liberty and life, [rather than] deny the testimony of his name before the sons of men. "Oh! you dear and tender children, who love not your lives unto death this day, that you may finish a good testimony for the glory of the Lord God; lift up your heads in the light of his covenant, and believe in his name, for he is near you, even the mighty God of safety. And let not any weight or burden lie upon you; for He will be more than a husband to wife, and more than wife to husband, or parents to children, or children to parents; yea, He will be a husband to the widow, and a father to the children who are deprived of their tender parents for his name's sake. He will enlarge your borders in the life of righteousness. You that suffer in true innocency, will he refresh with the depth of his mercies. "Therefore hear the word which is sounded Yea, he will guard you with the angel of his unto you. Rejoice not too much in spirits presence, and all that devise mischief against being made subject, but throw down your you, shall be confounded before the glory of crowns before him, that there be not a selfhis power, with which he will keep and pre-seeking, self-serving spirit in the family of his serve you in the word of his patience, in safety, in his presence.

"Therefore trust in his name, and cast all your care upon him. And if any of you joyfully suffer the spoiling of your goods, he will supply what is needful for you and yours. And if any of you seal your testimony in the word of his patience with your blood, he will take care of your tender wives and children, or parents, for whom your souls have been poured forth in prayers for their good.

people. But feel the birth immortal raised up in the resurrection of life in you all, which "Therefore, dear children, who drink the truly makes self of no reputation; so that all deepest in sufferings, think it not hard; for it loftiness be laid low, and all haughtiness is his purpose unto you all, that have not any bowed down in every one. Thus the Lord eye to self, but alone seek his glory in all that God, may be loved, obeyed, and exalted in you do, to make you more and more honoura- you all: who is taking to him his great power, ble, and double his blessings upon you and to exalt the meek upon the earth, and to reign yours. For he has beheld your integrity, and over all the pride of the children of men, who is mightily moved in compassion towards you. are exalted above the witness in their conTherefore he is risen for your sake, to declare sciences; so that his sons may be brought unto you, that not a hair of your head shall from afar, and his daughters from the ends of perish, neither shall you be detained in prisons the earth, in the sight of all people; whom and desolate holes any longer than he has de- he will make to confess, in subjection to his termined shall be for your good, and the glory power, that you are the people of God, and of his name. Therefore stand faithful; resist of the righteous seed which the Lord hath every evil thought, or whatever would cause blessed. Not any weapon that is formed you to murmur, or desire anything but what against you shall prosper, but come to naught, you know will advance the glory of his name, which will be hastened and certainly perand the exaltation of his truth, over all that formed, according to what is here declared, riseth up against it; in your being truly sub-to your comfort and joy. And you shall as ject to the measure of light and life, that will not let any seek pre-eminence or esteem amongst men. Neither let self-striving nor self-serving have power in any; but in true humility, love and meekness, watch one over another; and let the strong take the weak by the hand, that you may all gently, in love, meekness, and holy fear, serve one another and dread his name; that your love may be manifest one unto another, in the simplicity of your spirits. Then will he make his dwelling amongst you, and with you; and his glorious presence you shall feel mightily in you and amongst you, moving in the exercise of his spirit, to the renown of his name, and the comfort one of another. And he will crown you with heavenly blessings; and you shall praise his name forever, that he made you his

suredly know, that the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.

"The word of the Lord, before expressed, came to me in the prison-house at Warwick, the 13th day of the first month, 1664; which constrained me to send it to be read amongst you, dear, faithful, and suffering people of God, in whom I remain your brother and companion in tribulation and kingdom of patience in the Lord Jesus Christ. "W. D."

CHAPTER XVI.

Grounds on which Friends were willing to endure such sufferings-Statement of their principles-Additional testimony from Penington. In the last chapter we have seen, how the malice of the grand adversary of mankind

always, that it did not contradict any of those doctrines or principles which are revealed to us in the holy Scriptures; to which writings they at all times appealed, for a confirmation of the ground on which they acted.

was exercised towards those, who in that day, by the powerful efforts they were making, threatened to shake his kingdom to its very foundation. Friends had taken their station in the front of the battle, in which the nation was then engaged for the security of its rights Unjust laws, together with antichristian and liberties. They, however, fought not as practices, and even those in private or comothers did. They wrestled not with flesh and mon life that were vain or sinful, were things blood, neither were the weapons they wield- against which they kept up a continual war. ed carnal. With spiritual weapons they fare; refusing compliance with the former, contended against principalities and powers, and zealously reproving the latter, on all against the rulers of the darkness of this occasions, and without respect of persons, world, and against spiritual wickedness in as they were led by the Spirit of Truth: high places. No instrument could have been patiently enduring whatever sufferings they easily constructed, to put the constancy of this might be obnoxious to, from thus exercising faithful band more fully to the test, than the themselves to have a conscience void of ofact against conventicles; which, to the inflic- fence towards God and towards man. For tion of fine and imprisonment, now added the greater part of forty years they perseconfiscation and banishment; with the deter- vered, through grievous persecutions, in their mination, if it had been possible, to bend their resistance to man's usurpation of a prerogative steadfast wills under the despotism of the pre-over conscience, to which he has no real vailing power, and make them bow to the im- claim; until they saw their desires in some age of the day. Friends saw that the stake measure answered, by a considerable alterawas great, and that the trust confided to them tion in the laws, as well as a manifest ameliwas no less so. The cause was the Lord's, oration in public feeling. not their own; and their success, through his faithfulness who stood by and protected them, was beyond anything that mere human energy could have accomplished.

With regard to their religious opinions, they may be briefly stated as follows: they asserted it to be a doctrine clearly deducible from Scripture itself, that unless the truths of the Gospel are by revelation of the divine spirit sealed to the mind of man, he must remain without a true perception of their import, and so fail to obtain that saving knowledge of the truth, which those writings are intended to impart.

But such of my readers, as look upon the views of Friends to have been merely sectarian, may still be disposed to inquire what the object was, the attainment of which the Quakers proposed to themselves, that could possibly afford them an equivalent, either present While they asserted this as regards the or future, in return for the dreadful sufferings holy Scriptures, they were strenuous in affirmthey thus patiently and perseveringly endured. ing it as their belief, upon a foundation no less I answer, they suffered for the testimony of a solid, that the love of God to man is such and good conscience, and many of them were so universal, that he has provided for the salChristian martyrs, in the comprehensive sense vation of all his creatures, if they on their of the word. Their cause was identified with part do not wilfully reject the offers of his the broad principles and catholic spirit of love in Christ Jesus. That Christ, being the Christianity itself, and was by no means sec- "true light that lighteth every one that comes tarian. But to satisfy an inquiry of this kind, into the world," and by whom all things that it will be necessary to speak more in detail, are reprovable are made manifest,-believing and to define with some precision, though in the light, is virtually believing in Christ, briefly, those points in the religious opinions and following the light which teacheth tempeand practices of that period, in which their rance, righteousness, and godliness, is followconsciences were so deeply involved. ing Christ, although he may never have been heard of by the outward ear.*

They laid it down as a principle of paramount importance, that no earthly power ought to be suffered to interfere in matters of * By this it is not intended to exclude or underconscience. With this fundamental principle value the belief in the outward coming, sufferings, once established in their minds, they hesitated death, resurrection, ascension, mediation or atonenot to show by an open, decided, and intrepid ment of the Lord Jesus, a sincere faith in these line of conduct, that they were sincere in as-precious truths, and in all that is recorded conserting to be truth, whatever was thus solemnly and clearly impressed upon their minds as such, however greatly it might be opposed to prevailing notions, or at variance with human laws and long established custom; provided

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cerning him in the holy Scriptures, being obligatory on all those who have the blessing of these invaluable records. On this subject R. Barclay, in the fifteenth section of his fifth and sixth Propositions, says, viz:

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We do not hereby intend any ways to lessen