bourhood, and I suppose one of his own to Sherbourn, and on first-day had a large tenants, who being instigated and supported open meeting there, many of the people comby some of the members of the ecclesiastical ing in, and Friends from the meetings round court at Wells, and others of that sort, an old the country. antichristian engine of great oppression upon mankind, had been thus very mischievous and wicked. This our friend bore with Christian patience, though separated from the comforts of his new married wife and family, and necessary concerns of life. I was concerned to take some notice of the circumstances that day in my testimony, which was very open in the love of Truth to the faithful. Many truths opened to the people for their information and help, and we had a good season, to general satisfaction.

On the 11th I went to Bridport, and had two meetings there on the 13th, one being more select among Friends, which was a very solid and comfortable time, and the other in the evening, where the people came fully, and things opened well in order to their convincement; but they being as the stony ground, my time was something laborious, though it was a good meeting. Perceiving the people willing to hear, we appointed another meeting on the 15th, which was larger and more open than the former; and staying over first-day, I staid there that night, and on the 26th we had two meetings more, one in the fore went to Longsutton. The day following, being noon, of Friends for the greatest part, and the first-day of the week, I was at their meet- the other in the evening, which was very ing in a large new meeting-house, where we large, so that the house, though lately enhad the company of some hundreds of people, larged, could not contain them; and they were and two very open meetings. On the 30th I very sober and attentive, many things openwas again at their week-day meeting, which ing to them, both by Samuel Bownas and me, was fresh and well, and that evening had a suiting their condition, and so far as I could large good meeting at Summerton; for though observe, to general edification and satisfactheir meeting be small of itself, the people tion. came in fully, and we had a good time, things opening freely to the state of the meeting.

On the 1st of the eleventh month I was at a funeral at Ivil, where we had a large meeting on the occasion, and I believe, to general satisfaction; for the truths of the gospel were opened freely, with great authority and demonstration. After some refreshment I returned that night with Samuel Bownas to Lymington, where I staid till the first-day following, and then had a large open meeting in the town-hall at Ivelchester.

On the 4th I went to Grinton, upon the occasion of the death of the widow Powel, mother of Philip Watts, who was then prisoner at Ivelchester for church rates, and had leave to go home on that occasion. We went together, and next day had a large open meeting at the funeral.

On the 19th, leaving Samuel Bownas there, I went to Dorchester. There are but a few Friends belonging to that meeting; but notice being given in the town, there came some of the people, who looking in, and seeing but a few mean-like persons, went away, but after a while came again, and some others also. I found a concern in my mind, but delayed as long as I well could; and perceiving some without, waiting till they could hear some speak, I at length stood up and began to speak, which, when they heard, many more rushed in, and in half an hour the place was crowded, and we had a meeting much more open and large than I expected. And though many of them being strangers to Truth and our way, were at first airy and wanton, yet Truth coming over them, most of them were very solid before the meeting was over, which, when done, some of them, as their manner is, gave me thanks for my good ser mon, and gave me also their good wishes.

Two Friends being deceased at Glastonbury, the Friends of that place desired my company at the funerals, and I found freedom to answer their request. The meeting was On the 20th we had a meeting at Weyvery large on that occasion, the town's people mouth; on the 22nd two appointed meetings coming fully in, and a very open and com- at Corf, which were not very full; and on fortable time the Lord gave us, to his own the 24th, being the first of the week, I was at praise, which I believe many will remember. the meeting at Pool, which was large and That evening Samuel Bownas and I went to Puddymoor, and I lodged at James Salter's. On the 7th we had a meeting there, and on the 8th at Weston Bamfield, which, though laborious, I believe was of service; for there were several strangers there, not observed to evening, many of the inhabitants being there, have been at meetings before, and things opened suitably and clear. On the 9th I went

open in the forenoon; but on occasion of a funeral, was much larger in the evening, and very open, there being many strangers at the meeting of several notions. Here I staid till the 26th, and had another good meeting that

who did not usually come. On the 28th I was at Ringwood meeting, which was small

and heavy in some part, the life of Truth not having for some time a free passage, and some terms of correction and reproof were uttered in my testimony; but at length Truth making its own way, we had a good meeting. On the 29th we had a meeting at Fordingbridge, to which many of the inhabitants coming, and the truths of the gospel opening freely, in the demonstration of the wisdom and power of the Lord, we had a very open good time.

strength, and one another in him;" without which all speculations are vain; with many other truths of the gospel, which freely, and with good authority, opened in that meeting, to general satisfaction.

On the 1st of the twelfth month I went to Romsey, where we had a very small meeting the day following, they having given little or no notice to the neighbourhood; and as they were sparing that way, so the Lord was also sparing to them, for we had a poor time, though some were alive. On the 3rd I came away with a load upon my mind on that account, and at Southampton had another like meeting. I every where observe, that where the pretenders to Truth are cold and indifferent that way, they are asleep; and God is also sparing of his living mercies unto all such, and justly. After this meeting, which was a little better than that at Romsey, I staid at Thomas Curtis's house till about four next morning, and then embarked in a Cowes hoy for that place, in the Isle of Wight: where we arrived next morning about eight, being a very clear and pleasant morning, and that evening had a small meeting there, at the house of Jonathan Ely.

On the 5th, at six in the evening, I had another meeting on the east side, at Daniel Hollis's, which being very small, by the same neglect as at Romsey, we fared accordingly, though not quite without the presence of the Lord.

On the 30th I went to Salisbury, and the day following, being the first of the week, was at their meeting, where, in the forenoon, came several Friends from Fordingbridge, and the Lord gave us a good time together. There were also some of the town's people with us. I was greatly comforted in this meeting in silence, and had an open time in testimony; but in the afternoon the place was crowded with all sorts, the controversy being then warm about the Trinity, and some being willing to hear what might be said on that head. But I rather set forth Christ the light of the Gentiles and object of faith; exhorting all to a holy life, and to keep the commandments of God, Christ setting himself forth as an example that way, saying, "If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love." That keeping Christ's commandments is a necessary consequence of loving him; and without keeping his commandments, all profession of discipleship is vain. "If any man love me he will keep my On the 7th I went to Newport, where the commandments, and my Father will love him, meeting was small in the forenoon, there and we will come and make our abode with being but few in the island, and most of them him." Again, "In that day ye shall know there at that time; but we had a very comfortthat I am in my Father, and you in me, and able season. And putting off the afternoon I in you." Again, "He that saith he loves meeting till five in the evening, there came a God, and keepeth not his commandments, is a mixed multitude, some of the age of discreliar, and the Truth is not in him." And since tion, but had none, and others too young to it is eternal life "to know the only true God, have much of themselves, nor were there any and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent," and signs of instruction at all upon them; yet I that knowledge is not to be acquired but as had an open full time among them. And God pleases to make himself known, it was though many of them kept talking, and makbetter to wait humbly upon God for this ing noise most of the time, yet not regarding knowledge, to be experimental witnesses of them, and my voice being over them, the sober his presence in the Son of his love, than to sort were informed and satisfied, and I came have any notions of him other than what he away easy. But after the meeting was ended, gives, since no man can form any true idea I stood up and reproved them. First, I put of him, or is he any thing to any man, but them in mind of what the apostle Paul said of what he himself pleases. But as he is de- the trouble he had with the baser sort, who clared to be love to all the humble, faithful, were like themselves; and then told them they and obedient, and a consuming fire to the un- were a reproach to government, a shame to godly, it is better we all labour so to demean their parents, a scandal to their teachers, if ourselves to him, and one to another, as to they had any, and a grief to the honest-heartescape his wrath, and abide in his love, than ed. I added, that the teachers among the by unwarrantable curiosities, and neglect of first reforming Protestants, used to catechise our duty, to provoke his displeasure, since the youth of their profession every first-day, this is the sum of all his requirings, "To by which some impressions of religion were love God with all the soul, and with all the made early in their minds. But as most of

those now in this nation, of all sorts, mind a priest in town, were very rude and troublelittle else than to seek their gain from their quarters, their hearers were too generally gone so far from religion, that they were below a moral education. And having been so guilty, this they bore without reply, and went away quiet, only some of the soberer sort said, there was too much in it to be denied, and they blamed one another as they passed in the streets.

On the 8th, accompanied by Jonathan Ely of West-Cowes, I passed over to Portsmouth, where we had a meeting the same evening, which, though small, was very open. Here I met with Robert Roberts of Maryland, waiting for a wind for Barbadoes; being an old acquaintance, the occasion was acceptable. That night we lodged at Mary Graysden's together.

some, whom both James and I reproved. He had the concern of the meeting, only I concluded it; and being desirous to have a time with the people, gave them notice of another meeting at the same place the next evening, which accordingly was held. But being a wet evening, we were not troubled with the rude boys, nor with such as were more dainty than desirous, but a sober solid people, among whom I had an open time, wherein Friends were comforted in the Truth, and others satisfied in what was opened.

On the 13th I went to Alton, to James Hawkins's, and the day following, being the first of the week, was at their meeting, being a monthly day for worship, and many Friends from the places adjacent, and the Lord gave us a comfortable time together, there being also On the 9th we crossed the harbour to Gos- some strangers among us. The afternoon port, and had an evening meeting in the meeting, at my request, was put off till the Baptist meeting-house there, which was ex-fifth hour in the evening, and notice given in ceedingly thronged, being a new thing among the close of the first meeting. We had a them, but with a yet ruder company than at Newport; though, to do them justice, the noises were rather occasioned by the great press and crowd, than intentionally, and were most in the door and passage. But notwithstanding the inconveniences and disadvantages we laboured under that way, many things of great moment opened, with clearness and authority, of which many sober people among them had the advantage, who spoke well of the meeting, though grieved with the noises and ill-behaviour of others; for which I also reproved the offenders in the end of the meeting.

large gathering, and many of the inhabitants of different notions came, who were generally very sober and attentive to what the Lord gave me to say among them, which was not little, for I was largely opened, both in spirit and doctrine, which had a free and open passage. I had comfort concerning this me morable meeting, in which my natural strength being much exhausted, and the family where 1 lodged agreeable, and also desirous of my company, I staid there the next day, and visited some families and a Friend who lay ill, with whom I was comforted in prayer. And being well refreshed and recruited, both temporally and spiritually, and pleased with the conversation of Friends, as they with mine, on the 16th I proceeded to Godalming, having a particular desire to see and converse with Joseph Taylor, who had been teacher of a congregation of Baptists at London, and visited of the Lord with his day-spring from on high, had believed and obeyed the divine light, and thereby become a minister of it in a good degree, according to the dispensation that now is in the church of Christ, gathered thereinto throughout the world. I staid at his house, two nights, and we had much conference about divine things, and I found him a

The 10th being very cold, and a high wind, we crossed over again to Portsmouth, to accompany the corpse of a deceased Friend up to Port Chester, where it was to be interred; and the deceased being the commander of a ship, many of the same faculty went to the meeting on that occasion. We rowed against the wind and tide, and arrived not there till near the second hour afternoon; but having a large, sober, and open meeting, to general satisfaction, we were sufficiently rewarded for all our fatigue and labour. Here I parted with my friend Robert Roberts, who went back with the company to the town. That night I staid at Port Chester, lodging with Thomas Whit-man of good understanding. As I desired to ing, an ancient Friend of that old village, reported to be first settled, and the old castle there built, by Julius Cæsar.

On the 11th I went to Alsford, where I met with James Simpson, of Yorkshire, who had that day appointed an evening meeting there, to which I also went. We had some sober people, there being but few Friends; but a company of boys belonging to a free school taught by

see not only the few Friends belonging to the meeting, but as many of the inhabitants as might be, he and they took some pains to give large notice, and on the 17th in the evening, we had a very full and open meeting, more than their meeting-house could hold, and the people generally behaving very soberly, as Friends, went away solid and satisfied.

On the 18th I had an evening meeting at

Guildford, where were Joseph Taylor, John Smith, and others, from Godalming; but there happening a burial of the corpse of one of the magistrates, where a sermon was expected, and general invitation given to the inhabitants, and also a Baptist meeting at the same time, our meeting was not so large as otherwise it might, and yet a pretty large gathering both of Friends and others. We had an open meeting, which Joseph Taylor concluded in prayer, after I had been largely opened in it, in matters doctrinal, which seemed to have a good reach upon the people, and Friends were comforted, especially those who travail in spirit for the prosperity and spreading of Truth, both in themselves and others.

On the 19th I went to Dorking, where we had a large meeting, though there are but few Friends. The people were generally sober, and the time satisfactory to most, if not to all, many things of moment being opened among them, and with good authority; coming close upon such as secretly are convinced of the way of Truth, but for reasons relating to this world, will not own it; especially in these texts, and some short comments upon them, viz; "He that denieth me before men, him will I also deny before my Father and the holy angels; and he that confesseth me before men, him will I also confess before my Father and the holy angels. He that receiveth you, receiveth me; and he that receiveth me, receiveth him that sent me: and he that rejecteth you, rejecteth me; and he that reject eth me, rejecteth him that sent me," &c. And "with the heart man believes unto righteousness; but with the mouth confession is made to salvation." It is not therefore sufficient that a man be inwardly and secretly convinced of the Truth, and way of it, or to know who are the people of God, and yet not own it openly; but as the unbelieving are excluded, so also the fearful. Neither father, mother, wife nor children, houses nor lands, oxen nor farms, liberty nor life, is to be preferred to the calling of God, since Christ has told his disciples from the beginning, what they must expect in this world for his name's sake, if they believe in him, and follow him fully. And as ignorance will be no excuse in the day of the Lord, and the unbelieving are condemned already, so it will be no plea in the day of the Lord, for any to say, I did not believe these were thy ministers, or these the truths of thy gospel, which I heard them declare; or that thy light and grace they witnessed unto or declared; since this is the condemnation of the world, "that they have not believed in the only begotten Son of God," who hath declared himself to be the light of the world; and his servants have witnessed

that he is that true light "that lighteth every man that cometh into the world," that all men, through him, might believe. The 21st being the first of the week, I went to a meeting at Street Cobham, which was not large, yet a comfortable time the Lord gave us. That evening I went with Samuel Streeter, to his sister's house at Kingston upon Thames, and the next day to London.

On the 18th of the first month, 1719-20, I was committed to the Fleet for not taking the affirmation; in which suffering I had great peace and acceptance with the Lord, who hath forbidden swearing to his disciples. On the 18th of the sixth month, 1721, I was released by order of the lord chancellor.

On the 25th of the third month, 1722, I went from London, accompanied by honest Benjamin Holme, and that night we lodged at our Friend Thomas Wyat's, at Chelmsford. On the 27th we were at a meeting at Coggeshall, and appointing another about five in the evening, it was very large and open, many of the town's people being there, and very sober. On the 28th we went to Colchester quarterly meeting, and were, on the 29th and 30th, at the yearly meeting there, which was large and open. On the 30th, in the afternoon, we returned to Coggeshall, to the burial of a Friend; where we had the largest meeting that could be remembered there, and very open, the people being very sober and attentive.

The things of God were largely and clearly opened and demonstrated to general satisfaction.

On

On the 31st we went to Witham to a marriage, which was attended by many Friends and others, and the Lord gave us an open and comfortable time on that occasion. On the 3rd of fourth month, being the first of the week, we had a meeting at Aughton Hall, which was small, by reason of thunder and much rain that fell that day. the 4th we went to the quarterly meeting at Woodbridge, where I found it upon my mind to exhort Friends to faithfulness against antichristian priests and priestcraft; as the suc cessors, not of the apostles, but of those antichrists the apostles witnessed against in their day; "who, with feigned words,” according to the apostle's prophecy, "make merchandize of the people." On the 5th we were at their yearly meeting in that place, which was large and open, many of the town's On the 6th, being the people being there. fourth of the week, we had a large open meeting by appointment at Ipswich, where came many people of note of the town, and were generally satisfied. On the 8th I had a good meeting at Needham, where some people of account in the town came, and were very quiet

and attentive, though it was not so open as true, that the two universities, Oxford and at Ipswich. Cambridge, be the two eyes of the nation, or On the 9th I went to Edmundsbury, Ben-national church, how blind are they in the jamin Holme having gone thither before from things of God! And in whom more than in Needham, and the day following was at their them, and those led by them, is that saying meeting in the morning, which was pretty fulfilled, "If the blind lead the blind, they open, but small; but in the afternoon Friends shall both fall in the ditch;" as at this day is from divers parts, and a multitude of the too much the sad case of this professing natown's people, coming in, it was the largest tion, through the fogs of the pit, rather than known there; the house, galleries, and great- any light of the gospel of Christ, issuing from est part of the court-yard being filled. Some these rude and benighted dungeons; the stink persons of note in the world were there, among whom was sir John Holland's lady, daughter of the earl of Yarmouth, and granddaughter of king Charles II. a mild affable person. She came to the widow Dikes's, where I lodged, and drank tea with some of her sisters, with whom she was acquainted. We had some solid discourse concerning the meeting, which was open, though laborious, both by reason of its largeness, and the heat of the season.

On the 11th, parting with Samuel Alexander, his wife, sister and niece, who came from Needham on that occasion, I went to Milner, where I lodged with Simon Burgess, and the day following had an appointed meeting, which was large, considering it was the time of hayharvest; and a very open season the Lord was pleased to give us, in showers of heavenly rain, and some pruning and digging, in order to more fruit.

On the 13th I went to Cambridge, and that afternoon had an appointed meeting, which the scholars of the university hearing of, many of them came, and I had good suitable matter for them. But, alas! they were so wild, so airy, wanton, and foolish, many of them could not be touched; and yet several of them, in some time, grew much more solid and attentive, till some, to scare the rest and divert themselves, suddenly reported that the proctor was coming; upon which they all flounced away like wild colts that had never been haltered. However I did not mind that, but went on with what was in my mind to the people that staid; and the alarm proving false, many of them came back, and would have staid quietly, but others still renewed their fears by fresh alarms. I compared them to wild fowls, which are not to be taken, but shot flying. And I do believe the arrows of the Almighty did not miss them all. O that they had been still but one hour, for the advantage which might have accrued to them by the excellent openings I had that day, through the grace of God, which flowed towards them in me from the Lord! But this sort, of all men, are most miserably stated; professing themselves wise, (the leaders of them I mean) they are the greatest fools. And if that saying be

of which poisoneth and stifleth the people, that they draw little or no breath from the Lord and Giver of life, though near them, even in their own bosoms; but unknown, by the force of the power of death, still reigning by means of those children of darkness, those learned fools. These young men are lamentably circumstanced; they have not a sober education, and seem utter strangers to all piety and virtue. What then can be expected from the baser sort, if any thing can be baser than such behaviour as is too common among them.

The 14th being their meeting-day, I staid, which consisting only of a very few Friends, who live there, and two or three of the neighbourhood who came in, was sober and comfort. able. After I had visited a young person who was lying ill near the town, I went that evening to Zachariah Wyat's, at Saffron-Walden. On the 17th, being the first of the week, I was at their meeting at Walden, which was not large in the morning, yet living; but in the afternoon very large, so that several went away, not being able to endure the heat of the sun without. Some of the aldermen of the town were there, and a very free open time the Lord gave us to general satisfaction.

On the 18th I went to Royston, to Robert Izard's, and had a meeting there the day following, which was small, but a good one. On the 20th was at Bishop-Strafford, where the meeting was small, and many drowsy, but pretty well awake before the meeting ended. On the 21st I went with Joseph Dockwray to his house at Ware, where we had a meeting next day. It was heavy and drowsy in the fore part, but more open in the end.

On the 25th, in the morning, I visited a daughter of John Stout, who lay very ill of a lingering distemper, and had a very open and comfortable time in prayer with her and some other Friends, to our mutual refreshment. After that I went to Baldock, to John Izard's, where I staid writing letters, and putting some things in order till the 27th, and then had a meeting, which was small, heavy, and drow sy for some time, but ended well.

On the 28th I went to Hitchin week-day meeting, which was very heavy and sleepy a