justly termed too much officioufnefs: his answer was, "A proclamation in the year 1660, and new inftruc"tions to revive that dead and antiquated order." 'I leave your lordship to be judge, if that proclamation relates to this concernment; that only was defigned to fupprefs fifth-monarchy killing fpirits; and fince the king's lord-lieutenant and yourself, being fully perfuaded the intention of these called Quakers, by their meetings, was really the fervice of God, have therefore manifefted a repeal, by a long continuance of freedom, I hope your lordship will not now begin an unusual severity, by indulging fo much malice in one, whose actions favour ill with his nearest neighbours, but that there may be a speedy releasement to all, for attending their honeft callings, with the enjoyment of their families, and not to be longer feparated from both.'

And though to diffent from a national system, impofed by authority, renders men hereticks, yet I dare believe your lordship is better read in reafon and theology, than to fubfcribe a maxim fo vulgar and 'untrue; for imagining most visible conftitutions of religious government fuited to the nature and genius of a civil empire, it cannot be efteemed herefy, but to fcare a multitude from fuch enquiries as may create divifions, fatal to a civil policy, and therefore at worst deferves only the name of difturbers.'

But I prefume, my lord, the acquaintance you have had with other countries, muft needs have fur• nished you with this infallible obfervation, That di⚫versities of faith and worship contribute not to the disturbance of any place, where moral uniformity is barely requifite to preferve the peace. It is not long fince you were a good follicitor for the liberty I now crave, and concluded no way fo effectual to improve or advantage this country, as to difpenfe with freedom in things relating to confcience; and, I fuppofe, were it riotous or tumultuary, as by fome ⚫ vainly imagined, your lordship's inclination, as well

as duty, would entertain a very remote opinion. My humble fupplication therefore to you is, that fo malicious and injurious a practice to innocent Englishmen, may not receive any countenance or encouragement from your lordship; for as it is contrary to the practice elfewhere, and a bad argument to invite English hither, fo, with fubmiffion, will it not refemble that clemency and English fpirit that hath hitherto made you honourable.'

If in this case I may have used too great a liberty, it is my fubject; nor fhall I doubt your pardon, fince by your authority I expect a favour, which never will be ufed unworthy an honeft man, ⚫ and

Your Lordship's faithful, &c.

• W. P.'

His request in the letter, fo far as related to himself, was quickly granted, for the earl forthwith ordered his discharge.

His late imprisonment was fo far from terrifying him, that it ftrengthened him in his refolution of a closer union with that people, whofe religious innocence was the only crime they fuffered for.

And now his more open joining with the Quakers, brought him under that reproachful name: his companions wonted compliments and careffes, were changed into fcoffs and derifion: he was made a by-word, fcorn, and contempt, both to profeffors and profane; to the latter, for being religious, and to the former, for having a better than theirs.

His father being informed by letter from a nobleman of his acquaintance, what danger his fon was in of being profelyted to Quakerifm, remanded him home, and he readily obeyed. Upon his return, although there was no great alteration in his dress, yet his manner of deportment, and the folid concern of mind he appeared to be under, were manifeft indications of the truth of the information his father had received, who thereupon attacked him afresh and here my pen is diffident

of

of her abilities to defcribe that moft pathetick and moving conteft which was betwixt his father and him.' His father, actuated by natural love, principally aiming at his fon's temporal honour; he, guided by a divine impulfe, having chiefly in view his own eternal welfare: his father, grieved to fee the well-accomplished fon of his hopes, now ripe for worldly promotion, voluntarily turn his back on it; he, no lefs afflicted, to think that a compliance with his earthly father's pleafure, was inconfiftent with an obedience to his heavenly one his father, preffing his conformity to the customs and fashions of the times; he, modeftly craving leave to refrain from what would hurt his conscience: his father earnestly intreating him, and almost on his knees befeeching him, to yield to his defire; he, of a loving and tender difpofition, in an extreme agony of fpirit, to behold his father's concern and trouble: his father threatening to difinherit him; he, humbly fubmitting to his father's will therein his father turning his back on him in anger; he, lifting up his heart to God, for ftrength to fupport him in that time of trial.

And here we may not omit to give our reader a particular and obfervable inftance of his fincerity. His father finding him too fixt to be brought to a general compliance with the cuftomary compliments of the times, feemed inclinable to have borne with him in other refpects, provided he would be uncovered in the prefence of the king, the duke, and himself: this being propofed, he defired time to confider of, which his father fuppofing to be with an intention of confulting his friends, the Quakers, about it, he affured him that he would fee the face of none of them, but retire to his chamber till he fhould return him an answer. cordingly he withdrew, and having humbled himself before God, with fafting and fupplication, to know his heavenly mind and will, he became fo ftrengthened in his refolution, that returning to his father,

bly fignified, that he could not comply wit therein.

A 4

Ac

When all endeavours proved ineffectual to shake his conftancy, and his father saw himself utterly disappointed of his hopes, he could no longer endure him in his fight, but turned him out of doors the fecond time. Thus exposed to the charity of his friends, having no other fubfiftence, (except what his mother privately fent him) he endured the cross with a chriftian patience and magnanimity, comforting himfelf with the promife of Chrift, "Verily, I fay unto you, there is

man that hath left houfe, or parents, or bre

thren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of "God's fake, who shall not receive manifold more in"this present time, and in the world to come life "everlasting." Luke xviii. 29, 30.

After a confiderable time, his fteady perfeverance evincing his integrity, his father's wrath became fomewhat mollified, fo that he winked at his return to, and continuance in, his family; and though he did not publickly feem to countenance him, yet when imprifoned for being at meetings, he would privately use his intereft to get him released.

About the year 1668, being the 24th of his age, he first came forth in the work of the miniftry, rightly called to, and qualified for, that office; being fent of God to teach others what himfelf had learned of him: commiffioned from on high, to preach to others that holy felf-denial himself had practifed: to recommend to all that ferenity and peace of confcience himself had felt walking in the Light, to call others out of darknefs having drank of the water of life, to direct others to the fame fountain: having tafted of the heavenly bread, to invite all men to partake of the fame banquet being redeemed by the power of CHRIST, he was fent to call others from under the dominion of Satan, into the glorious liberty of the fons of God, that they might receive remiffion of fins, and an inheritance among them that are fanctified, through faith in Jefus Christ.

About

About this time he writ to a young perfon of his acquaintance, by way of caution, against the follies and vanities of the world, the following letter, viz.

Navy-Office, 10th of the 5th Month, 1668.

<FRIEND,

IT

T was a true word fpoke by Jefus Chrift, to undeceive all thofe carelefs wanton Jews, among whom he manifefted his glorious truth, through that body prepared of God for that very end, that the way which leads to everlasting life and reft, was very 'ftrait and narrow. My friend, how much may it import the welfare of thy immortal foul, to reflect upon that courfe of life and way thou now art walking in, before an evident ftroke from heaven 'call thee hence, and fend thy fo much indulged flesh ' and blood into the grave; an entertainment for no 'better than noifome worms! I beg thee, as ever thou wouldst be saved from that unfpeakable anguish, ' which is reserved for worldlings, and from whence 'there is no redemption, to keep thyself from those vanities, follies, and pollutions, which unavoidably bring that miferable ftate. Alas! How incongruous, or unfuitable, is thy life and practice, with thofe holy women of old, whofe time was mostly fpent in heavenly retirements, out of that rattle, 'noife, and converfation thou art in! And canst thou imagine that thofe holy men, recorded in fcripture, spent their days as do the gallants of thefe times? Where is the felf-denying life of Jefus, the crofs, 'the reproach, the perfecution, and lofs of all, which he and his fuffered, and moft willingly fupported, having their eyes all fixed upon a more enduring 'fubftance? Well, my friend, this know, and by 'these shalt thou be judged, and in it I am clear, that as without holiness none can fee God, fo without fubjection to that fpirit, light, or grace in the heart, which God in love hath made to appear to all,

" that