opportunity of travelling, he published two or three papers, to be spread among his friends and others, to instruct and confirm them in the principles which he was concerned to promulgate. Thus did this diligent labourer in the gospel of Christ lose no opportunity of promoting the cause of truth and righteousness on earth.

It was while he was a prisoner at Derby, or perhaps at his first examination, that the name of Quakers was given to him and his friends.He was exhorting Gervas Bennett, already mentioned, and some other persons who were in company, to tremble at the word of the Lord; on which Bennett contemptuously called the friends of George Fox, Quakers, by which name they have since that time been distinguished.

The Magistrates not being able to accomplish any of their objects by imprisonment, and growing uneasy with their conduct towards their prisoner, devised various means for liberating him; but not agreeing among themselves, they at length turned him out of jail in as irregular and arbitrary a manner as they had detained him. This was in the early part of the winter of 1651.

About eleven years after his release, he received the following letter from the Keeper of the House of Correction, which, though not in the order of time, may most properly be introduced here. It manifests the beneficial effects of that patient suf

fering and faithful labour, in the cause of truth and righteousness, which remarkably characterised the life of this innocent man.

"DEAR FRIEND,

' "Having such a convenient messenger, I could do no less than give thee an account of my present condition; remembering that to the first awakening of me to a sense of life, and of the inward principle, God was pleased to make use of thee as an instrument; so that sometimes I am taken with admiration, that it should come by such a means as it did; that is to say, that Providence should order thee to be my prisoner, to give me my first real sight of the truth. It makes me many times think of the Jailer's coversion by the Apostles. O happy George Fox! that first breathed that breath of life within the walls of my habitation.

"Notwithstanding my outward losses are, since that time, such that I am become nothing in the world; yet I hope I shall find, that all these light afflictions, which are but for a moment, will work for me a far more and

exceeding weight of glory. They have taken all from me; and now, instead of keeping a prison, I am rather waiting when I shall become a prisoner myself. Pray for me that my faith fail not; but that I may hold out to the death, that I may receive a crown of life.

"I earnestly desire to hear from thee, and of thy condition, which would very much rejoice me. Not having else at present, but my kind love to thee, and all Christian Friends with thee, in haste, I rest

Thine in Christ Jesus,

THOMAS SHARMAN"

"Derby, 22d of the 4th Month, 1662.”

CHAP. III.

1651 and 1652.-Extraordinary concern at Litchfield. Travels through Nottinghamshire into Yorkshire, &c. where there are great convincements.

AFTER George Fox was liberated from his confinement at Derby, he travelled again in his religious engagements. At Litchfield he was concerned to go without his shoes through the streets of the city, and to cry, "Wo to the bloody city of Litchfield." So strong was an impression of some extraordinary circumstance upon his mind, that as he passed along, there appeared to be a channel of blood running down the streets, and the market place was like a pool of blood. After this engagement, he was thoughtful what could be the cause of his concern, not knowing of any circumstance which should warrant so singular a declaration; but he afterwards understood, that during the reign of the Emperor Dioclesian, above 1000 Christians were put to death in this place, from which it obtained its present name, signifying the Field of dead bodies. Such was the sensibility that attended the mind of this exercised man, that circumstances of this kind frequently affected him in diffesent places, in the course of his journies.*

*The relation of this singular concern at Litchfield, has been censured, because it seems to imply some punishment

Continuing his travels, he came through Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire into Yorkshire, and preached repentance through the streets of Doncaster and several other places. At Balby, near Doncaster, he continued awhile, and Richard Farnsworth, with several others, was convinced there. Afterwards he visited Wakefield, Selby, and Beverley. At Selby, he seems to have parted with his horse, and travelled on foot. At Beverley, he went to the public place of worship, and after the Minister had finished his sermon, George was concerned to speak to him and the people, in order to turn them to the true teacher, Christ Jesus. Here he met with no material molestations, but passed quietly out of the town and went

on the inhabitants, for a crime which had been perpetrated many centuries before, by Heathens on Christians. But I do not consider the word, Wo, as always conveying a denunciation of judgment. On examining Bailey's Dictionary, I find, he explains Wo, by "grief, trouble, sorrow." Dr. Johnson gives the same signification, with other meanings of the word; and he also notices it, as an exclamation of sorrow. In this sense, and as relating to the past, rather than the future, George Fox no doubt used the expression. This appears clear from the context, for he himself explains what The apprehended was the cause of his using the words in question, and which he imputes to the circumstance already mentioned. There is nothing in his own account, which conveys any apprehension in him, that some judgments would fall upon the place, for this massacre; but it simply conveys the sympathetic feelings of his tender mind.

to another place of worship, where he met with a kind reception, and the people desired him to come again, and preach among them. Next day he went to Captain Pursloe's, at Cranswick, whom he had also visited at his house near Selby. He seems very much to have favoured George Fox, and accompanied him to several places in this neighbourhood. He also introduced him to Jus tice Hotham, who was a man of religious experience, and proved very friendly to George, on various occasions. Whilst they were at this house, a woman of quality came to the Justice on business; and in the course of conversation, told him, that "the last Sabbath day, there was an angel or spirit came into the church at Beverley, and spake the wonderful things of God, to the astonishment of all that were there; and when it had done, it passed away, and they did not know whence it came nor whither it went; but it astonished all, priests, professors, and magistrates." This the Justice related to George, who informed him that he had been that day at Beverley, and had preached to the people there.

In the course of his travels, he came to York, where he found several persons seriously disposed, and ready to receive his doctrine. Whilst in this city, he went to the Cathedral, on a first day; and when the priest had finished his sermon, George told them that he had something to communicate.