and death; the Seed reigns, blessed be the Lord.” Such was the composure which attended him at this solemn season, that he closed his own eyes and mouth at the time when life was expiring.

In this state of mind, his spirit quitted its earthly tabernacle, on Third-day, the thirteenth of the Eleventh Month 1690, between the hours of nine and ten at night; he being then in the sixty-seventh year of his age. At his close, he was surrounded by many of his sorrowful friends; who, it appears from various accounts, and particularly from letters written on the occasion, were deeply affected with the loss of one whom they so highly esteemed and revered.

The interment took place three days after his decease, on which occasion a very large and solemn meeting was held at Gracechurch street; after which the corpse was conveyed to Bunhill Fields, accompanied by several thousands of Friends and others. Here, as well as at the meeting-house,

* William Penn, in a letter which he wrote on this occasion, calculates the number of Friends and others at two thousand; but Robert Barrow states the number much higher. He also mentions the Friends who were publicly engaged at the meeting house and burial ground, in the order in which they spake, viz. At the meeting house, James Park, Robert Barrow, Ambrose Rigge, Jasper Batt, William Penn, Francis Camfield, Stephen

many public testimonies were given forth to the efficacy of that divine power, which had qualified their departed friend, for the important services to which he had been called; and to the faithful labours, patient sufferings, and exemplary conduct, with which he had adorned the gospel of God our Saviour.

Crisp, John Taylor of York, Francis Stamper, and George Whitehead; Thomas Green was afterwards engaged in prayer. Notwithstanding the number of preachers, it appears the meeting lasted only about two hours. Those who preached at the grave side, were William Penn, Jasper Batt, George Whitehead, John Vaughton, and William Bingley.

CHAPTER XXII.

Account of his property.- His character.

HAVING now terminated the account of the life and death of this devoted labourer in the Lord's vineyard, it remains to say something respecting his character, both in a private and public capacity. But before I enter upon this part of my work, it may be proper to give some idea of the property which he possessed. From an account which he left behind him, it appears that he held shares of two vessels, belonging to Scarborough; and had also a small share in some business. Several sums of money belonging to him are likewise mentioned, as being in the hands of different friends; and from the best estimate which I am capable of forming, the value of the whole was about eight hundred pounds, exclusive of above one thousand acres of land in Pennsylvania, which he says William Penn gave him ; but it is doubtful whether he ever came into possession of this land, so as to derive any benefit from it. As it does not appear that he at all enriched himself by marrying a woman of fortune, it is likely the property which he possessed, was principally patrimonial. This may account for the ability which he always manifested to support him

self in his travels, so as not to receive any assistance from others, further than that hospitable entertainment, which the great head of the church has provided for his ministers.

In the different relations of a son, a husband, and that of a father to his wife's children, he appears to have discharged the duties of these stations with affectionate regard, though the nature of his religious services, prevented him from enjoying so much of their society, as would have been mutually agreeable. To the children of his wife, as well as to her, he was much attached. From some letters still preserved, it is evident that the daughters of judge Fell, as well as their mother, had formed a very high opinion of George Fox, in the early part of his public services; and he having been the means of bringing them to the knowledge of the truth, they became united to him as a father and a friend... When he was married to their mother, the disinterestedness of his conduct, could not fail to add greatly to their esteem and affection; and it appears, by a testimony respecting him, given by his wife's daughters and their husbands, that they indeed found him "as a tender father, who never failed to give them wholesome counsel and advice." From this testimony it also appears that the esteem and affection which they had entertained for him in early life, was rather increased than diminished by

a longer and more close acquaintance; from which circumstance, as well as from others, we may gather, that he was a man of an amiable and liberal disposition, which greatly endeared him to those who were most intimately acquainted with him.

His natural faculties were clear and strong; and though he had not the polish of human learning, yet he was not deficient in useful knowledge. “A divine and a naturalist," says William Penn, "and all of God Almighty's making. He had in him the foundation of useful and commendable knowledge, and cherished it every where." He was indeed by no means opposed to the acquirement of learning, except as a necessary qualification for gospel ministry. On the contrary, he greatly promoted the establishment of schools, in his own society; and may be considered as a friend to learning, and not an enemy to it, as some have erroneously supposed.

His person was tall and corpulent; and his countenance graceful. His manners, to use the words of William Penn, were "civil beyond all forms of breeding :" and though some expressions which he occasionally used to those whom he considered as persecutors, and enemies of the truth, might be plainer, or coarser than would now be thought proper; yet this is confined to the early