with staves, and threw earth and stones at him; the priest himself laying violent hands upon him. He returned their cruel treatment, with an exhortation to them to repent, and turn to Christ. At Doncaster and Tickhill, he met with similar treatment, for which he returned similar exhortations. At the latter place, the clerk struck his face with the bible, which caused it to bleed much; and the priest reviled him, and those who were with him, calling them Quakers; but afterwards, while George was preaching, the priest was so much affected, that he began to tremble; which pro duced this remark from a person present: "Look how the Priest trembles and shakes, he is turned a Quaker also." Some Justices hearing of the violent conduct of the people, met to examine into the business, and the clerk was afraid of having his hand cut off, for striking in the church; but George Fox, as usual, forgave him, and would not appear against him."

About this time, (1652) a great opposition was raised in the West of Yorkshire, against George Fox and his friends; and a warrant was issued against him and Thomas Aldam, of Warmsworth; but it was executed only on the latter, who was sent to York Castle: and George travelled towards Wakefield, near which place lived James Naylor, who had been at a meeting with George, before he came there, and was convinced. Tra

velling on, and preaching at various places where he came, he passed by High Town, Bradford, &c. to Wensleydale. At the market town, (Askrigg, I suppose) there was a public lecture on the market day, which he attended; and after the priest had finished, George had an opportunity of relieving his mind to the people, without any or much interruption. He travelled in the Dales for a considerable time, and came to the neighbourhood of Sedbergh, where, at Justice Benson's, he attended a meeting of a people who were separated from the public worship, and of whom he had had a vision some time before, as of a great people in white raiment. The meeting was very large, and the people generally convinced through his ministry. He had several other meetings in this neighbourhood, where also many were convinced, and joined him in religious fellowship. Among them was a Captain Ward, of whom he says, that he received the truth in the love of it, and lived and died in it.

CHAP. IV.

1652-Visits several places in Westmoreland and Lancashire. His first visits at Judge Fell's, Swarthmore Hall. Is cruelly treated at the Isle of Walney. Predicts the Dissolution of the Long Parliament.

FROM Yorkshire, George Fox went to Firbank Chapel, in Westmoreland: near which, on a first day afternoon, he had a large meeting. Above 1000 people were supposed to be present, to whom he preached about three hours, opening to them the types and shadows of the law, and the predictions of the prophets, and directing them to Christ the substance; many of whose parables and sayings, with the writings of the Apostles, he also explained. The Lord's power accompanying his ministry, it reached the hearts of the people, many of whom were convinced, including all the teachers of that congregation, who it seems were Independents. Among them were Francis Howgill, and John Audland. With the latter George Fox went home; and the next day he held another large meeting at Preston-Patrick Chapel, from which place he went to Kendal. Here a meeting was appointed in the Town Hall, in which his ministry was attended with the usual success. Underbarrow, and at Crook, many, to use his own words, "were convinced, received the word of

At

life, and stood fast in it, under the teaching of Christ Jesus." Among these, it appears, was Edward Burrough, with whom George had much reasoning, previously to the meeting.

Leaving Westmoreland, he came to Newton in Cartmel, which is in Lancashire. Here he met with some rude treatment, in attempting to preach after the priest had finished; but John Brathwaite, a young man who was taking down the priest's sermon, was effectually reached, and became a minister of the gospel. Many, in this part of the country, received the truth, and abode in it. Soon after this, he came to Ulverstone, and went to Swarthmore, about a mile distant, to Judge Fell's. This place is memorable for many circumstances which will be detailed in his future history. Here he met with a priest of the name of Lampit, high, it seems, in notion, but dark in understanding. With him George had much controversy at Swarthmore. At one part of the dispute, Margaret Fell (the Judge's wife) was present, and her eyes were opened, to see beyond the priest and his doctrine, so that she and her family were in some degree convinced. The Judge, at this time, was from home, on the Welch circuit. A day being appointed for a public humiliation, George Fox found his mind engaged to attend the place of public worship at Ulverstone. When he entered the house, Lampit, the priest, was singing with the people, which

George considered so unsuitable to their states, that he spake to the priest and people what he felt on his mind. A Justice present called to have him taken away, but Margaret Fell interfered in his favour, and he was permitted to speak awhile longer; but being afterwards taken out, he finished his communication in the grave yard.

He continued a considerable time in the neighbourhood of Swarthmore, frequently returning to that place as his head quarters. At Ramside he met with Thomas Lawson, a priest of considerable eminence. He kindly offered Geo. Fox his chapel, and having informed the people in the morning that George was coming there in the afternoon, the priest did not attempt to preach himself. It appears to have been a memorable meeting. Many received the truth in the love of it, among whom Thomas Lawson was one; who thereupon ceased to preach for hire, and afterwards preached the Lord Jesus and his kingdom freely. After this, George went to Dalton, and to the island of Walney, where, among others, James Lancaster was convinced; as was Leonard Fell at Becliff. He next went to Gleaston, where he had a quiet peaceable meeting in a new chapel, that had not before been used. Here again many were convinced by his ministry.

Returning again to Swarthmore, several of the family were fully convinced of the truth of his