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During this time I collected together as many as I could of the epistles I had written in former years to Friends. I made a collection too of the several papers I had written to Oliver Cromwell and his son Richard, in the time of their protectorships, and to the parliaments and magistrates in their times. I collected also the papers I had written to king Charles the Second since his return, and to his council and parliaments, and the justices or other magistrates under him. I made another collection of certificates, which I had received from various governors of places, judges, justices, members of parliament, and others, clearing of me from many slanders, which the envious priests and professors, both here and beyond sea, had cast upon me. This I did for the truth's sake, knowing that their design in slandering me was to defame the truth published by me, and hinder the spreading of it among the people. Besides these, I made two books of collections; one was a list or catalogue of the names of those Friends who went out from the north of England, when truth first broke forth there, to proclaim the day of the Lord through this nation. The other was of the names of those Friends who went first to preach the gospel in other nations, countries, and places, in what years, and to which parts they went. I made another collection, in two books: one of epistles and letters from Friends and others, on several occasions, to me; the other of letters of mine to Friends and others. I wrote also a book of the types and figures of Christ, with their significance; and many other things, which will be of service to truth and Friends in time to come. I took notice also of those who had run out from truth, drawn others out after them, and turned against truth and Friends, since the first breaking forth of truth in this latter age, and what became of them; noting particularly the repentance and return of those who came back to truth again. Some ran quite out, and never returned, but were cut off in their defiance and rebellion; for the word and power of God has blasted, and is blasting them, and the holy seed has ground, and is grinding them to pieces. I have observed that those who have been convinced and have not lived and walked in the truth, have been the worst enemies to the truth and done most hurt among Friends in the truth and to others. In these I have seen fulfilled what the Lord did long ago show me, 'That such would be greater deceivers than all the priests and professors. For such as came as far as Cain, Balaam, Korah, and Dathan, who could 'preach Christ,' and say, 'They had preached in his name;' ‘such as came to be apostles, and had tasted of the power of Christ, and then turned from it, such could yet speak their old experiences, and have good words like Korah and Balaam; but not keeping in the life and truth, they deceived the hearts of the simple. Such come to be of the devil, who abode not in the truth; as Cain and all the Jews that abode not in the truth were. For though Cain sacrificed to God and talked with God, and the Jews could talk of Abraham, Moses, and the prophets, yet Christ told them, 'They were of their father the devil.' In the same way, those called christians can talk of Christ and use his and his apostles' and disciples' words, yet not abiding in the truth, power, and spirit the apostles were in, they are of the devil, out of truth, and do his work. So are all those that have been convinced of God's eternal truth since it sprang up in this nation, that have not lived in the light, in the spirit and power of Christ Jesus, but have turned against the power and have opposed the work of that; though they may retain their former experiences, and be able to speak many good words. Yet not living in the life and power that gave them those experiences, they live in the power of darkness, which is of the devil; and by the light and truth both he and they are condemned; and if they ever come to truth again, they must own their condemnation. For to resist the heavenly power and to oppose the workings and divine manifestations through anyone is not a light matter. And as I had been moved of the Lord to travel in his power round this nation, and in other parts, to preach the everlasting gospel, and to declare the word of life, which was in the beginning, through many imprisonments, hardships, sufferings, and trials; so I was afterwards moved to travel in the same heavenly power about the nation again (and to write to such places where I did not go), to recommend to Friends the setting up of the Quarterly and Monthly Meetings in all counties, for looking after the poor, taking care for orderly proceedings in marriages, and other matters relating to the church of Christ. Though some meetings for this end were settled in the north of England in the year 1652. After this, truth still spreading further over the nation, and Friends increasing in number, I was moved by the same eternal power to recommend the setting up women's meetings also. So that all, both male and female, who had received the gospel, the word of eternal life, might come into the order of the gospel, brought forth by the power of God, and might act for God in the power, and therein do business and service for him in his church. All the faithful must labor in God's vineyard; they being his hired servants, he having given them the deposit of his spirit. For a master that hires a servant, and gives him the deposit of his hire, expects him to do his work after he knows his will in the outward creation; so all God's people that are of the new creation and have received the deposit of his spirit, ought to labor with, by, and in his spirit, power, grace, and faith, in the light, in God's vineyard that they may have their wages when they have done God's work and business in his day, which is eternal life. But none can labor in his vineyard, and do his work and will, but as they walk in the heavenly divine light, grace, and spirit of Christ; which has been, and is my travail and labor in the Lord to turn all to. Some that professed truth and had made a great show of it, being gone from the simplicity of the gospel into arguing, division, and a spirit of separation, endeavored to discourage Friends (especially the women) from their godly care and watchfulness in the church over one another in the truth; opposing their meetings, which in the power of the Lord were set up for that end and service. Wherefore I was moved of the Lord to write the following epistle, and send it among Friends, to discover that spirit by which those opposers were acting, its work and way by which it was accomplished, and to warn Friends of it that they might not be betrayed by it.
While I was at Swarthmore, William Lampit died; the priest of Ulverstone (the parish that Swarthmore is in.) He was an old deceiver, and perverter of the right way of the Lord, and a persecutor of the people of God. Much contest I had with him when I first came into those parts. He had been an old false prophet: for in the year 1652 he prophesied (and said he would wage his life upon it) ‘that the Quakers would all vanish and come to nothing within half a year:' but he came to nothing himself. For he continued in his false accusing of God's people until a little before he died, and then cried for a little rest To one of his hearers, who came to visit him before he died, he said, ‘I have been a preacher a long time, and thought I had lived well; but I did not think it would be so hard a thing to die.' After I had finished the services which lay upon me then to do, feeling my spirit drawn towards the south (though I was weak, and not able to travel far in a day) I left Swarthmore the twenty-sixth of the first month, 1677, and went to Thomas Pearson's at Powbank in Westmoreland, where I had a meeting the next day; and from there to Thomas Camm's at Camm's-gill, where Robert Widders, with his wife and several other Friends came to see me before I left the country, and to attend the meeting there the next day, which was very large, and in which I was largely drawn forth in testimony to the truth. I had much discussion with some of that meeting, who were not in unity with the Quarterly Meeting they belonged to; but afterwards several of them, who were somewhat tender, came to see their error, and gave condemnations against themselves. Next day John Blaykling came to Thomas Camm's to bring me to his house at Drawell in Sedberg in Yorkshire; where I went with him, visiting Friends on the way. I stayed at Drawell two or three nights, having meetings there and thereabouts; for while I was there, the men's and women's meetings were held, which were very large and precious. The first-day following I had a meeting at Brigflats, to which most of the Friends from the several meetings around came with a great gathering of other people; it was thought there were five or six hundred people. It was a very good meeting, where truth was largely declared and preciously opened, to the comforting and refreshing of the faithful, and the drawing near them that were afar off. I had another meeting at John Blaykling's, where many Friends came who were going to the Quarterly Meeting at Kendal. My wife went back with them, she with her daughter Rachel had accompanied me this far; and Leonard Fell and I then passed through Sedberg and Garsdale into Wensydale, visiting Friends as we went. At night I reached Richard Robinson's at Counterside, where several Friends came to me that evening, some of whom went with me next day to the widow Tenant's at Scar house in Langstroth-dale. We had trouble getting there, the snow lay so deep, though it was a week in the second month. Here on first-day we had a large meeting, Friends coming to it from several parts in the surrounding area; and the Lord gave me a very seasonable testimony to bear among them, which I did for several hours, to their great satisfaction and comfort. Therefore passing through Bishopsdale, Mildum, Barton, and by Bedal and Northallerton, I came to George Robinson's at Burrowby, where Friends also came from several parts, and we had a very large and good meeting, and very peaceable. Not long after, an envious justice, hearing I had a great meeting there, troubled Friends about it, and made them appear at the sessions, where he asked them many ensnaring questions; for he did not know how to convict them, because he had no proof against them. When he saw his questions did not catch them; he told them, 'he had heard that George Fox was at a large meeting with them, and they all sat silent, and none spoke in the meeting.' This false story he cunningly feigned; thinking by this to have drawn some of the Friends to have contradicted him, and have said, 'that I had spoke in the meeting;’ that he might have convicted them upon their own confession, and have fined them. But Friends standing in the wisdom of God, did not answer him according to his desire, and so escaped his snare. But two Friends that had come over from Ireland were having a meeting that evening about three miles off, and this evil minded justice got information of it, and fined Friends, and plundered them very greatly for it. I went from Burrowby to Isaac Lindley's, calling upon Friends as I went. Robert Lodge and some Friends with me, passed to York the next day; and the day following, being first-day, I was at Friends' meeting in York, which was large and peaceable. The second-day I also stayed in York, and had two meetings with Friends at John Taylor's, from where I wrote to my wife as follows:
Leaving York, I visited Friends at Tadcaster, Nottingly, Doncaster, and Balby, having meetings as I went. At Balby I stayed for the first-day meeting, and went next day to Thomas Stacy's at Ballowfield, where in the evening I had a meeting, to mediate a difference that had happened between some that professed truth, and they were reconciled. Next day I came to Stainsby in Derbyshire, in which county I had formerly lived, about the time of the first breaking forth of truth. Here I had a good meeting with Friends, and afterwards passed to Skegby in Nottinghamshire, and from there to Nottingham, to John Reckless'. I had a meeting with Friends at his house that evening, and another the next day in Friends' public meeting-house, which was peaceable and well. I went the day following to John Fox's at Wymeswould in Leicestershire, where I had a meeting that evening; and next day to William Smith's at Sileby, where, it being first-day, we had a very large meeting: for besides Friends from several places, many of the town's people, hearing I was there, came to the meeting, and heard the truth declared gladly. Next day I went to Leicester, there finding many Friends had come out of the country, to be at the horse fair next day. I had a very good meeting with them that night, and another next evening at William Wells' at Knighton, about a mile from Leicester. Next day I passed to Swanington, and had a meeting there: from there to Samuel Fretwell's at Hartshorn in Derbyshire, where I had a meeting also; then to Henry Sidon's at Badgely in Warwickshire, and stayed for the meeting there, which, being the first-day, was very large and peaceable, notwithstanding a justice had threatened to come and break it up. I went in the evening to Richard Baal's of Whittington, where several Friends came to visit me. Next day I went to Nathaniel Newton's at Hartshill, where several Friends met me, with whom I had good service. After this I passed on, visiting Friends in various places, until I came to Dingley, where a meeting was appointed before, which was very numerous, and truth was largely opened to the people. The meeting was peaceable, and the people generally sober; except that, while I was showing how Christendom (so called), was gone from the pure religion that is undefiled, a man rushed out in a furious manner, and said, 'I deny that.' After this meeting, I went with Thomas Charles to his house at Adingworth; and next day to Northampton, where I stayed the first-day meeting, which was very large and peaceable. I had much service among Friends besides. Next day Eftward Cooper of Northampton accompanied me to Olney in Buckinghamshire, where I stayed at James Brierlie's, several Friends coming to see me in the evening. Next day I went to a meeting at Turry in Bedfordshire, to which Friends came from several parts. It was a very large meeting. Here I met with William Dewsberry, who after the meeting took me to his son-in-law John Rush's of Kempston, where I stayed with William that night and most of the next day; passing from there towards the evening through Ampthill to Thomas Gamboll's of Bullock's hill. William Dewsberry went along with me, and several Friends came to visit us. Next day, passing through Luton, I went to Market-street, William Dewsbury accompanying me part of the way, and the next day, Leonard Fell was with me. I had a meeting at Kensworth, which was pretty large and peaceable; after which we visited Friends at Alban's, and next day at South Mims and Barnet. We came that night to the widow Haley's at Guttershedge in Hendon, Middlesex. Next day, being first-day, we had a very large meeting there, several Friends coming from London. I stayed second-day, and the third went to William Mead's house at Highgate, with whom next day I went to London. It being fourth-day, I went to the meeting at Gracechurch-street, where Friends and I were greatly refreshed in each other in the Lord, and the Lord's power and seed was set over all; blessed be his name for ever! Thus it pleased the Lord to bring me safely to London, though much wearied. For though I did not ride very far in a day, my body being weakened, continual traveling was hard for me. Besides, I did not get much rest at night to refresh myself, for I often sat up late with Friends where I lodged, to inform and advise them in things where they were lacking; and when I was in bed, I was often hindered from sleep by great pains in my head and teeth, caused, I thought, by a cold I had taken by riding often in the rain. But the Lord's power was over all, and carried me through all, to his praise. In my journey I observed a slackness and shortness in some that professed truth, in keeping up the ancient testimony of truth against tithes; for where ever that spirit got entrance it created division in the church, and opposed the men's and women's meetings, it weakened those who received it in their testimony against tithes. Therefore I was moved of the Lord to give forth an 'Epistle to Friends,' to stir up the pure mind in them, and to encourage and strengthen them in their Christian testimony against that antichristian yoke of oppression.
I came to London ten or twelve days before the Yearly Meeting; in which time I joined with Friends there in the service of truth, visiting them at the meetings. The parliament was then is session, so we prepared something to put before them, concerning seizing the third part of Friends' estates, like popish dissenters; which was a great suffering, and a grievance we complained of; but we got no amendment. To the Yearly Meeting many Friends came from most parts of the nation, and some out of Scotland, Holland, etc. We had very glorious meetings, where the Lord's powerful presence was very largely felt, and the affairs of truth were sweetly carried on in the unity of the spirit, to the satisfaction and comfort of the upright hearted; blessed be the Lord for ever! After the Yearly Meeting, having stayed a week or two with Friends in London, I went with William Penn to his house in Sussex; John Burneyate and some other Friends were with us. As we passed through Surrey, hearing the Quarterly Meeting for the county was that day, William Penn, John Burneyate, and I went from the road to it; and after the meeting returning to our other company, went with them to William Penn's that night, which is forty miles from London. I stayed at Worminghurst about three weeks, in which time John Burneyate and I answered a very wicked and envious book, which Roger Williams, a priest of New England (or some colony near there), had written against truth and Friends. When we had finished that service, we went with Stephen Smith to his house at Warpledon in Surrey, where we had a large meeting. Friends there had been exceedingly plundered about two months before on the priest's account; for they took from Stephen Smith five cows (being all he had), for about fifty shillings tithes. From there we went to Kingston, and so to London, where I stayed not long; for it was upon me from the Lord to go into Holland, to visit Friends and to preach the gospel there and in some parts of Germany. Therefore setting things in order for my journey as fast as I could, I took leave of Friends in London, and with several other Friends went down to Colchester in Essex, in order to arrange my passage for Holland. Next day, being first-day, I was at the public meeting of Friends there, which was very large and peaceable. In the evening I had another large meeting, but not so public, at John Furly's house, where I lodged. The day following was the women's meeting, which was also very large. Next day we passed to Harwich, where Robert Duncon, and several other Friends came to see us; and some from London that intended to go over with me. Since the packet-boat was not ready, we went to the meeting in the town, and a precious opportunity we had together; for the Lord, according to his familiar goodness, by his overcoming, refreshing power, opened many mouths to declare his everlasting truth, and to praise and glorify him. After the meeting, we returned to John Vandewall's where I had lodged; and when the boat was ready (taking leave of Friends), we who were bound for Holland went on board about the ninth hour in the evening, the 25th of the 5th month, 1677. The Friends that went over with me were William Penn, Robert Barclay, George Keith and his wife, John Furly and his brother, William Tailcoat, George Watts, and Isabel Yeomans, one of my wife's daughters. About the first hour in the morning we weighed anchor, having a fair, brisk wind, which by the next morning brought us in sight of Holland. But that day was very clear and calm, so we made little progress until about the fourth hour in the afternoon when a fresh gale arose, which carried us within a league of land. Then the wind being becalmed, we cast anchor for that night between the hours of nine and ten in the evening. But William Penn and Robert Barclay (understanding Benjamin Furly had come from Rotterdam to the Briel to meet us), got two of the boatmen to let down a small boat that belonged to the packet and row them to shore. But before they could reach it, the gates were shut; and there being no house outside the gate, they were forced to lie in a fisher's boat all night. As soon as the gates were opened in the morning, they went in and found Benjamin Furly with other Friends of Rotterdam who had come to meet us; and they sent a boat, with three young men in it, who lived with Benjamin Furly, who brought us to the Briel, where the Friends received us with great gladness. The next day, being first-day, we had two meetings at Benjamin Furly's where many of the town's people and some officers came in, and all were civil. Benjamin Furly or John Claus interpreted, when any Friend declared. I spent the next day in visiting Friends. The day following, William Penn and I with other Friends went towards Amsterdam, with some of that city, who came to Rotterdam to conduct us there. We took a boat in the afternoon, and passing by Overkirk, came to Delft, through which we walked on foot; and then took boat again to Leyden, where we lodged that night at an inn. This was counted six Dutch miles from Rotterdam, which are equal to eighteen English miles and five hours sail or traveling; for our boat was drawn by a horse that walked on the shore. Next day taking boat again, we went to Harlem, fourteen miles from Leyden, where we had appointed a meeting, which proved very large. Many of the town's people came in, and two of their preachers. The Lord gave us a blessed opportunity, not only with respect to Friends, but to other sober people, and the meeting ended peaceably and well. After the meeting we passed to Amsterdam, accompanied by several Friends of that city and of Alkmaer. Next day was the Quarterly Meeting at Amsterdam, to which came Friends from Harlem, and Rotterdam, and with them those of our company, whom we had left at Rotterdam, Robert Barclay, George Keith and his wife, etc.The meeting was at Gertrucle Dirick Nieson's. It was a very large and serviceable meeting. William Penn and I were drawn to open many things concerning the order of the gospel, and to show the benefit and service of Yearly, Quarterly, and Monthly Meetings of men and women. We had another meeting at Gertrude's the next day, more public, and very large, at which were professors of several sorts, to whom the way of life and salvation was largely and lovingly opened; which they listened very attentively to, none making any objection to what was declared. In the afternoon we had another meeting in the same place, but fewer people, and more private. The day following we had a meeting of Friends only, where by joint agreement were settled several meetings: Monthly, Quarterly, and a Yearly Meeting, to be held at Amsterdam for Friends in all the United Provinces of Holland, and in Ernbden, the Palatinate, Hamburgh, Frederickstadt, Dantzig, and other places in and about Germany; which Friends were very glad of, and it has been of great service to truth. Next day an exercise came upon me concerning that deceitful spirit which wrought in some to make divisions in the church, and the care of the churches being upon me, I was moved to write a few lines to warn Friends of it, as follows:
This being first-day, we had a very large meeting, where there was a great gathering of people of several opinions, Baptists, Seekers, Sadnians, Brownilits and some of the collegians. Robert Barclay, George Keith, William Penn, and I, all separately declared the everlasting truth among them; opening, the state of man in the fall, and showing the way man and woman may come into the restoration by Christ Jesus. The mystery of iniquity and the mystery of godliness were very plainly laid open, and the meeting ended quietly and well. The day following, George Keith, Robert Barclay, and William Penn, leaving me and some other Friends at Amsterdam, set forward towards Germany, where they traveled many hundred miles, and had good service for the Lord, Benjamin Furly going with them, and interpreting. That day and the next I stayed at Amsterdam, visiting Friends, and assisting them in some business concerning their meetings. Three Baptists came to discourse with me, to whom I opened things to their satisfaction, and they parted from me in kindness. I wrote a letter also to the princess Elizabeth, which Isabel Yeomans delivered to her, when George Keith's wife and she went to visit her.
The princess Elizabeth's answer
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