some blood. From thence they went to the Baptists' meeting-house, and gutted that also, as their term is. I lodging with young Thomas Nichols, we expected the same usage as his sister had met with; but as they came up to the house, they let fly their volley and broke all the windows, and so went along without doing us any further harm. But this I observed, that as satan raged in them, Truth moved in our minds with divine love, and filled us with heavenly consolation and life, so that we were without any fear of what they could do further.

it, believing they saw no hurt in it, though I thought I did; and at my coming over to London, I laboured among them, to regain and keep a right temper one towards another; and as they talked of a further solicitation concerning it, the late Act being ready to expire, I advised several leading men on both sides to proceed in one joint interest as one people. For though we could not all agree about the definition of an oath, or in what relation the affirmation stood to an oath, yet we all were as one man still, that an oath is not consistent with Christ's doctrine; and accordThe next morning we went to see the ruins ingly they did both solicit for a plain affirmaof our meeting-house, and that of our friend tion, without the sacred name at all. But Nichols'; and as we were at the former, I that could not be obtained; all that the Parstood upon a small eminence, and looking liament would do, was to perpetuate the forover the place, many scholars and people mer, adding some clauses for the levying of being there, said pretty loud, so that they tithes. When this came to be discoursed in might all hear, "Can these be the effects of the meeting, the minds of some on both sides religion and learning!" upon which several of the scholars hung down their heads, but none answered. Then young Thomas Nichols made a short speech, but very close, putting them in mind of Sodom and Gomorrah; and that this was the same evil spirit which wrought in that wicked generation, upon whom came destruction; and that if they continued in such evils, the same just God might bring like condign punishment upon them. To which they made no reply, but that the mob had done it, and it was illy done, so would have excused themselves; but some others said, they themselves were that mob, and would be met with one day. After some time we returned to our friend's house, and so departed that wicked place. This is one of the blind eyes of this poor nation! This is one of the filthy fountains of their religion and learning, from whence the whole land is poisoned and undone. Can sweet and bitter waters issue from the same place? Or can religion flow from hence to the nation, where the life of religion is so remote from these vain pretenders? And what learning can they have, who are destitute of all principles of civil behaviour?

being heated, things were likely to run high; but the Lord was near, and by his blessed wisdom and power, preserved us in unity. Some few of those who were for the affirmation inclined to have it established over all, as the testimony of Truth, by the yearly meeting; and some others on the other side, were resolved to reject it, and testify against it, as short of the testimony of Truth. But seeing the tendency of such a division, I and some others laboured for peace; and with much long-suffering, patience, and labour in the love and wisdom of Truth, and as he opened and made way, things came at last to this good issue, that such as could take the affirmation, might have the benefit of it without censure of their brethren, and such as could not take it, should not be reproached by them; but that the meeting for Sufferings should continue their care and solicitations, together with the dissatisfied, for further ease in that point, at a fit season. With this conclusion both sides were at last easy, and the meeting ended in more peace and brotherly kindness than for some years before, and to more general satisfaction; for which my soul was truly thankful, with many more.

The meeting being thus well over, on the 17th of the fourth month I went with some Friends from London to Braintree; and on the 19th, being the first of the week, was at their meeting, both forenoon and afternoon. The meetings were large, and filled with stran

That night we went to Richard Richardson's, near Uxbridge, and on the 31st to London, being about a week before the yearly meeting, which, in the main, was much more comfortable, through the great mercy of God, than many expected. The affirmation, from the beginning of it, had occasioned much dis-gers, who were generally satisfied. turbance in the church, some being for, and On the 20th I went to Colchester, to the some against it; and these divisions had ever been very oppressive to my spirit, knowing nothing could hurt us more than they, or give satan or evil men more advantage against us. But though I never liked the Act, yet I ever kept true charity to those Friends who were for VOL. X.-No. 6.

quarterly meeting, and the third and fourthdays being their yearly meeting, the Lord gave us a comfortable time, setting his blessed Truth and its living testimony over all.

On the 22nd, being the fourth of the week, I went to Edmundsbury, and on the 23rd was

29

at their meeting, which was very dry and bar-rived well at Rotterdam on the 19th of the ren, but yet had some service and comfort.

fifth month, and I took up my lodging with my friend and old acquaintance, Robert Gerard, formerly of Aberdeen, in Scotland, who, for some years had lived there.

On the 27th we went together to the quarterly meeting at Norwich, and on the two days following was their yearly meeting, which was very large, especially the last day; On the 20th, being the fourth of the week, when came abundance of people of all sorts, I was at their meeting, which was very small, and things were full and plain. The more there not being above four small families, and particular matters wherein I was concerned, not all under a profession of Truth; but the being about the kingdom of Christ, the king- Lord, who is not confined to number, but doms of men, and the kingdom of antichrist, opened the law and the prophets to the two with his priestcraft and fallacy, which reached disciples going to Emmaus, was pleased to visit many understandings, and affected the people us together, tender our hearts by the same as well as Friends; and Truth gained among them to our mutual comfort.

On the 3rd of the fifth month, being the first of the week, I was at a general meeting at Titsil, which was large, and many of the world's people there, and Truth shined over all. In this meeting I had an opening concerning that creed commonly called the Apostles' Creed, and took some exceptions to some terms of it, viz: Christ's descending into hell, and the holy Catholic church, as they call it; the former importing more than the state of the dead, and the latter showing plainly what church, and not the apostles, was the author of it.

On the 4th I went back to Norwich, and on the day following, went by water, to Yarmouth, expecting a vessel to sail next day for Holland, in which I intended to go; but the wind proving contrary, we appointed a meeting at Yarmouth. There came many of the people, and a loose, airy company generally they were, though some sober persons were among them, and in the main things were well.

On the 11th, being the second-day of the week, I went back to Yarmouth; but the wind proving contrary again, we had another meeting there on the 12th, which was far larger than before, but some of the people more rude, and yet in the main it was a good meeting, several being tender, and many brought down under a sense of the weight of Truth.

I remained at Yarmouth till the 17th of the fifth month, being the first-day of the week, and the people being generally at their own worship, and no notice of my being there, the meeting was more select, and much quieter and more comfortable, the Lord being with us, and a few sober people also well satisfied who sat with us. The afternoon meeting being ended, the wind came fair, and I went on board the vessel about six in the evening.

word of his grace, and make them burn within us, to our solid consolation.

On the 26th, being the third of the week, I set forward by Delft, Leyden, and Harlaem, where I met with John Padley, from London. We went that evening to Amsterdam, where the meeting falling of course the next day, was small, and in the fore part of it very heavy and dull, under the temptation of a sleepy spirit, which prevailed on several, there being rather a lukewarmness and declension in this city, than a going forward; but the Lord was pleased to make way for us, through this veil of darkness, and the meeting ended in some degree of life, and things were pretty well. Here Jacob Claus interpreted for me, as Archibald Hope had done in Rotterdam; which being a thing I had not been acquainted with, was a little strange at first, but as I gained experience, it became more easy, and my spirit more at liberty in that exercise.

The next day we returned to Harlaem, where we had an appointed meeting; for though they formerly had a settled meeting there, most of them are become so cold, that they have wholly dropped it, and some of them so weak as to go among the Menists to hear them. There having been good notice given, the meeting was pretty large, most of them Menists, and some Presbyterians, and one minister, the public preacher in that town. Things opened largely and clearly among them, and Truth was in good dominion in the life and power of it. They were generally very quiet, and some of them being much reached by the power of Truth, and tendered, were loving after the meeting, and departed very solidly.

On the 29th we went to the house of Simon Bevel, to make him a visit. He had once known a pretty good condition, but marrying a Menist, she had drawn him aside with her; and he coming to this meeting, was reached and affected, which drew some notice from us. When we got to his house he happened to be gone to Amsterdam; however, his wife THROUGH the goodness of the Lord we ar- received us courteously, and invited us into

A journal from England to Holland, Friesland,

and Germany, in the year 1715.

an arbour in the garden, and brought thither a baker, who is convinced of Truth, but has some of her good things; but we having an not strength to profess it: he and his wife were eye upon the Lord, and more towards her very kind. I having something to say, they good than her entertainment, the Lord was were reached, and their hearts still more pleased to draw us into a sweet silence, and opened; and we exhorted them to be noble, gave me a few words to her in particular, and take up the cross freely, and despise the which also reached all, and then John Padley shame, which now, as well as of old, attends prayed, and we had a very tender and divine the profession of the Lord Jesus, according to season; after which we departed in great love the present dispensation. and peace, she inviting us thither again in our return that way, if it should please the Lord so to order it.

Having finished this satisfactory visit, we returned to Amsterdam, and were at their first-day meeting, which, in the forenoon, was pretty well filled with strangers, some supposed to be young princes, or nobles, by their garb and retinue. Things opened clearly concerning the way of Truth, and I was interpreted by William Sewel; the people were very quiet, and many of them seemed concerned, and in some measure reached by the Truth. In the afternoon their meeting is usually more select, which being known to the inhabitants, it was smaller, but more strangers than commonly. In this country they make so little of the first-day, that many buy and sell in the shops in the afternoons, and are thereby detained from all worship, and others go a pleasuring in walks, gardens, coaches, boats, and the like, so that all places of worship, I am told, are very thin at such times. Our meeting was open and comfortable, the Lord being with us, to the praise of his holy name, who is worthy for ever.

On the 7th, being the first of the week, we had two meetings at Harlingen, in a room which Friends have for that purpose, being but two or three small families, and several of the collegian Menists came thither; but I believe our doctrine did not please some of them, though others of the Menists were well satisfied, and several of them came to see us. The Lord was with us, and all was well and comfort. able, several being touched with a sense of Truth.

There being only one poor old widow remaining in Embden under the profession of Truth, we went to visit her, which she took well, and was rejoiced to see us. After that we walked through the city, but were all of us greatly laden in our spirits, in a sense of the power of darkness, which is great there. Returning to our inn under this sense, it pleased the Lord to visit us together in a time of holy silence, and make us all sensible of his divine love to a people there, in which our spirits were released from the other load, and became concerned to visit some of them: accordingly, next day we had a meeting at the widow's house, which being but small, was well filled, so that several went up into an upper room, where they could hear, and many in the street about the windows, and were generally sober, and many well affected. The Lord being with us, we had a comfortable time, and the doctrine of Truth was clearly opened in a good degree of life and love, and the people departed in solidity in a general way. So that I have hopes of the place, that On the 4th we went back to Horn, and the inhabitants will receive Truth, and enterhad a meeting in the Menists' meeting-house, tain it better than heretofore; for there were which was not large but pretty open and well. several Friends there formerly, but being Several of their chief men were there, and greatly persecuted, some went from the place, were very sober, though I suppose, not pleased; and others died. After this meeting we reignfor there is a sect among them called Colle-ed over all in the Lord, who, when and where gians, who deny the divinity of Christ, or he is pleased to arise in his great power, subthat the Spirit of God is now to be expected dues and puts all things under him: so that, as of old; and that men may, if they will, as in the evening before we had been greatly keep all the doctrines and commandments of burdened, we were now as much rejoiced in Christ, and in so doing, are saved. And the Him, to whom be rule and dominion for ever. testimony of Truth that day went against them in all these points; but we did not meet with any opposition, for the Truth was over

Here we remained till the 2nd of the sixth month, being the third of the week, when we went thence, and that evening reached Twisk. On the 3rd had two meetings there; the first was pretty well filled, and an open time, but the second not so full, the people being about their cattle and business; but several were tendered and comforted in the Truth, whose blessed power was over all.

them.

That afternoon we went by wagon to Enchuysen, where we went to see Martin Daniel,

We departed that city, the people in the streets showing no dislike, but rather civility, as we passed along; and that night lodged at an inn. On the 11th, early in the morning, we went to Oldenburg, where we were stopped a little at the gate, and examined whence we

came, and what we were. We refreshed our of account, and respected in the city, and selves at the inn, and soon departed, being having given notice to such as he thought reagain examined as we passed out at the gate ligiously inclined, there came among others, by the commander of the guard, and our the chancellor and counsellor of the king names again taken. We arrived at an inn on of Denmark, a counsellor of the Duke of the bank of the river before night, going with Ploen, near Lubeck, also a merchant from horses and wagon into the house, where there Riga, and divers other merchants of his acwere a coach and chariot before, all on the quaintance. They were all men of appearsame floor, and the people, and fire, and all ance in their way, and promised little towards their affairs in one view, the horses being set the comfort of a meeting, rather like persons on each side, all within the same walls, though of curiosity than religion, and some of the they have some chambers apart; which, though merchants at first a little light, talkative, and strange and odd to us, yet is the common way busy with their snuff-boxes among themselves. in that part of the world throughout our My spirit was much down, and under heavi journey. ness, till about a quarter of an hour had past, On the 12th, early in the morning, we set when Truth began to work, and soon arose forward in an open wagon, and passed on to in me over their spirits; and then I had the city of Breme; and there we heard that the courage and strength, and things opening plague was at the city of Altona, within a mile much to the inward appearance of the divine of Hamburg, whither we were going, and that Word, they were brought under in some deit was shut up and guarded on all sides. This gree. It was a good meeting, and most of gave us some exercise; for it looked, to human them took us kindly by the hand after the reason, a little dangerous to proceed towards a meeting was over, and passed away very solid. place so circumstanced, and by other towns and ly. The Friend told us afterwards that the places too, where, being strangers, we must above chancellor of the king of Denmark was expect strict examinations, besides our own an enemy to all priestcraft, and had written personal danger of the sickness. But after and published some very smart things against some inward retirement, our way was cleared the Lutheran priests, which had much galled up through all difficulties, and we resolved to proceed on our journey and service. Here we spoke with Sarah Schreders, a friendly woman, and loving the way of Truth. She told us of some others there who also favoured it; that there was great division among the people about religion; and that one of the public preachers having come near the doctrine of Truth, telling them that outward baptism and bread and wine, without the substance would not do, was silenced by a prevailing party, but had still many on his side; and feeling some degree of openness in my mind to the inhabitants, I kept the place in remembrance, intending that way in our return. From hence we departed about five in the evening, and that night about eleven arrived at Otterberg, and lodged at an inn.

them.

Remaining here till the next day afternoon, Jacob Hagen related the following passage, viz: "In the year 1712 the Czar of Muscovy being in the city of Frederickstadt, in Holstein, about two days journey from hence, with five thousand soldiers to assist the Danes against the Swedes, after he had quartered his men, inquired of one of the burgomasters, whether there were any of the people called Quakers there? The said officer told him there were a few. Then the Czar asked him if they had a meeting in that place? The officer told him they had. Then the Czar bid the officer let the Friends know, that if they would appoint their meeting that forenoon, being the first-day, he would be at it. The officer replied, that there were thirty of his On the 14th we went early to Hamburg, soldiers in the meeting-place, so that there and were strictly examined by the out-guards; could not be any meeting in it. When the but having a certificate from our last inn, tes- Czar heard that, he was angry that they had tifying that we had come over the river thither put soldiers there, and sent an order by one of in the evening, and we letting them know his own captains, that they should all be put that we had come directly from Holland, we out forthwith, and that notice should be given had admittance into the city, and were kindly to the Friends by the captain, that if they received and entertained by our friend Jacob would appoint their meeting he would come to Hagen, with whom we staid that day, but it. Accordingly the officer gave notice therecould not have a meeting, because the people of to the said Jacob Hagen, and Philip Defair, were generally at their worship, and none a public Friend who lived there, and not only there under a profession of Truth but himself. ordered the soldiers out of the room, but The next day, being the second of the week, made them take away all they had brought we had a meeting at his house; and he being thither. The place being made ready, they acquainted with most merchants and persons had their meeting at the second hour after

clothes dried as we rode along, and we were a little more. cheerful, and about eleven forenoon we arrived at Frederickstadt; and coming to the house of our friend Gysmond Otterloo, we were joyfully received, and kindly and plentifully entertained, and being comforted together in the love of Truth, we soon forgot the fatigue of our journey.

On the 19th, being the sixth of the week, we had a meeting in town, where came many of the inhabitants, and some of the best rank. They were generally satisfied, some tendered, and Friends much comforted, and we were glad together of our visit.

noon; to which the Czar came, and brought set out early, and driving at a good rate, our with him Prince Menzikoff, of Muscovy, the General Dolgorucky, and several other of his dukes, generals, secretaries of state, and other great men; and a great crowd following, he ordered the door to be shut as soon as a competent number were in to sit comfortably, and many more came to the windows. After some time of silence, Philip Defair preached the doctrine of Truth among them, and all sat very quietly, but especially the Czar, who sat very gravely all the time of silence, and all the others being awed by his example and presence, did so likewise. But the Muscovite lords and generals not understanding the language, and the Czar himself understanding it pretty well, interpreted to them what was declared, with much gravity and seriousness, commending what he heard, saying, That whoever could live according to that doctrine would be happy. A Friend after this present-Truth, and tendered. After the meeting in the ing him with Robert Barclay's Catechism and Apology in High Dutch, he said he would have them translated and printed in his own language."

On the first-day following we had two meetings there, which were both large and open, and the people generally well affected. The testimony of Truth was clear, and some made in measure sensible of the power of

afternoon was over, I said to the people before they departed, "That there was so much dif ference between our English language and theirs, that they might probably not well apOn the third-day after dinner I had a secret prehend every thing according to the true inwork of Truth in my mind, and we were all | tent of it; and our testimony, by that means, drawn into silence, and after some time, to might suffer loss, and some might not have prayer, and we were comforted together. This the full benefit of it. And therefore if any scrubeing over, notice was given to Jacob Hagen, ples arose, we were ready, at any convenient that there was an order come from the king time and place, to remove any objection.” of Denmark to shut up the city of Hamburg, But we heard of none. as Altona was, he being informed that the plague was also among them. Having no further concern there at that time, and intending for Frederickstadt the next morning, we were advised to depart that afternoon on our way, which we did accordingly, though some of us could have been very free, and rather have staid longer. It was near five in the evening before we set forward, and it began to rain as we departed the city; and being in an open wagon, we were much wet. We had an idle, ill-natured driver, who being hardy himself, and able to endure the weather, would hardly go out of a foot-pace, so that it was very late before we reached the inn; and when there, had but mean accommodations, some of us lying on straw only, and covered with wet clothes.

On the 17th, early in the morning, we again set forward, it still raining, and went about the same pace as before till we came to another stage. There we had the satisfaction to change our wagon-driver, and though it rained still, yet we were much better used, and proceeded more cheerfully, for this one went a good pace, and we shortened our journey a great deal that afternoon, but very wet still, and all of us had taken cold.

On the 23rd we went with several Friends to the city of Tuning, to try if we could have a meeting, and several were spoken to, but none would entertain a meeting in their houses, being afraid of their priests, they being generally Lutherans. Some of our company went to the priest and asked him if he would let us have a meeting in his house. He was pretty civil, and told them he could not consent to it; being a preacher among a people of other principles, it would look strange in him to admit such a meeting in his house. But he sent for two of his brethren, one of whom was more warm and averse; however, they parted pretty friendly on all hands. After this we walked through the streets, and about the town, but had nothing to say to the people there. They took great notice of us, but of fered no incivility. Returning to our inn, we gave notice in the town that we intended a meeting next day at Frederickstadt; and thither we returned that evening.

And here I think it not improper to relate what I had from several Friends concerning a former visit to this place by Christopher Midel, who some times had been preacher to the Danish chapel, at Well-Close, near Ratcliff, Lon. don; but being convinced of Truth, and faithThe next morning being fair and clear, we ful, had received a part of this ministry; it was