Leaving Cumberland, he came to Stricklandhead, in Westmoreland, where he had a large meeting. The Priests and Magistrates in these parts were violently disposed, and obtained a warrant to apprehend him; but they were not permitted to execute it. Visiting the meetings of his Friends on the way, he came again to Swarthmore. Some Baptists in Scotland had sent to offer to dispute with him, and he appointed to meet them at Thomas Bewlay's, in Cumberland; but when he came there, none of them met him. He received much personal abuse, in this journey, but sustained no material injury. He next visited part of the County of Durham, and passed into Northumberland. At Derwent-Water, he had several great meetings: "The everlasting word of life was freely preached, and freely received; hundreds being turned to Christ their teacher."

Coming to Hexham, he had a large meeting on the top of a hill, in the neighbourhood, at which he met with no interruption. After this meeting, he passed through the town, and came into Gilsland, a country then noted for thieves, some Friends being with him. Here a priest came to them at an inn, and said he would prove them deceivers, out of the Bible, but he failed of his design. In the course of their conversation, George asked him what he called the Steeple

house." "Oh, (said he) the dreadful house of God, the temple of God.” This shows the very superstitious reverence which was then entertained for these places, and accounts for that zeal with which George Fox opposed it, and endeavoured to convince the people of their erroneous opinions respecting them.

He now came again into Cumberland, and had a meeting on the top of a hill, near Langlands, at which several thousands of people were supposed to be present. It was a heavenly meeting. The minds of the people were so effectually turned to Christ, their teacher, that when Francis Howgill visited them afterwards, he found that they had no need of words, and he sat amongst them, without having any thing to communicate. Many predictions were about this time given forth by their enemies, of the speedy downfal of this new society, and its members met with great reproach and suffering, on account of their peculiar conduct. Many, for a time, refused to deal with them in the way of trade; but their uprightness and integrity soon raised them so much in the good opinion of the people, that they had in general more business than their neighbours, which frequently excited much envy towards them. There were now great numbers convinced in the Northern counties; and many mouths were opened to bear testimony to

the truth, and to publish it in various parts of the nation. This brought an exercise upon George Fox; and he wrote an epistle to his Friends, "stirring up the pure mind, and raising a holy care and watchfulness over themselves and one another."

Whilst he was in the North, Morgan Floyd, a priest of Wrexham, in North Wales, sent two of his congregation to inquire concerning Friends, and to try them, as he called it; but these triers being both convinced, did not hastily return to their master, continuing awhile with Friends hereaway. One of them, John ap Johu, continued a steady Friend, and became a minister, in which capacity he afterwards accompanied George Fox in Wales.

It does not appear when George first promulgated his testimony against oaths, but it is a doctrine that had now made some progress; for when, during Oliver Cromwell's Protectorate, an oath of allegiance or obedience to him, was tendered to the army, many of them refused to take it, in compliance with the command of Christ: "Swear not at all." It seems that these soldiers had been already convinced by George Fox's ministry, or that of his Friends, but had not yet left the army. This however was the means of entirely separating

them from it, and bringing them into nearer fellowship with Friends. Some proved unfaithful, and remaining in the army, several of them were shot by their fellow-soldiers, who mistook them for enemies.

From this and other circumstances, it appears, that several of our early Friends were convinced while in the army; and that they did not immediately relinquish this mode of life; but as the peaceable principles, promulgated by George Foxand his Friends, prevailed, the inconsistency of war with the Gospel dispensation, became increasingly manifest; and this new society considered itself called upon to bear testimony to the coming of that day, foretold by the prophets, in which ̧ "Nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more."

4654.-Returns into Yorkshire. Large meeting at Syns derhill Green. Goes into Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. Visits his relations in Leicestershire, and travels to London. Visits Bedfordshire. Returns to London, goes to Kent, Sussex, and Berks. Again visits London and several Eastern and Midland Counties-and writes an Epistle to Friends in Ireland.

THE Churches in the North being established, and Friends gathered under the teaching of Christ, George Fox was engaged to travel into the Southern parts of Yorkshire, and passing through Halifax, a rude town, he came to Thomas Taylor's, who had been a Captain in the army, and proceeded to Synderhill Green, where a meeting was appointed for him, about three weeks before he came there. The meeting proved very large, and it was supposed some thousands were present, many of whom were persons of note, or officers in the army. "There was a general convincement; for the Lord's power and truth were set over all, and there was no opposition." This was in the beginning of the year 1654.

There were now about sixty ministers raised up in the Northern counties, as fellow labourers with George Fox, and travelling in different parts of the nation. For these he felt much solici