QSCP Chapter Two

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CHAP. II

In April 1667, I came to London, within Ten dayes after, I became acquainted with Hilkiah Bedford at the Angel in Hoser Lane, a Mathematical Instrument-Maker, of whom I heard so much Fame in the North, and what Service he did here for Friends in London; and not only for those that were in London, but also in other Parts of the Kingdom; for he was a man of a bold Spirit, and could go to the King at any time, when others could not possible come to speak with Him; and that he was ready at all time to go to the King, to deliver either Letter, or and Message, according as he had Orders or Directions; whereby, he became very serviceable to all Friends; and he was a Faithful good Friend himself; then I thought my self in no small Happiness, for coming to visit him: I often found George Fox with him, and sometimes while I stood or sate by him, George Fox would come and enquire of him about business that he had done at the Court; then I thought my self more happy then ever, that at the first I should light with so good an Acquaintance: And understanding that George was great with him, I thought by this means, I might get some Preferment, and come to great Credit; by which means, I might get Patients, which fell out even as I thought in my self; for in a few Dayes {Page 12} after by this means, I had two or three Patients: But also, many times when a men thinks himself most happy, then is he most miserable; And when a man thinks himself the best befriended, then many times is he most abused: Now I thought my self happy, and in very Great bliss and Felicity, and how sweet it was to me in this City, to have Acquaintance; how pleasant it was to me, that was a stranger to get such Acquaintance: But Alas, how soon did all turn to my Ruin and Destruction, (as they think) not only to the loss of my Friends, new Acquaintance, and Patients; But at the last cast out from amongst men, and to become one that is not fit to keep company with men, as will appear by this Discourse.

Now I must come to speak of these my New Friends in this City of London: First of their abuses and Carriage towards me; And then of the Tryal in their High Court of Justice; how they first cast me out from amongst them; and after that, from the Society of Men; and also, the Proceedings amongst themselves.

First of Hilkiah Bedford, when he had been acquainted with me a short time, and understanding that I was not Married, he Commended a Widdow to me of good Credit, and Civil behavior; Telling me, that she was a Fit Match for me; and withal, he told her the same; and further, he said, that if we were Married, he did hope to have a Chamber with me; I told him, he should, when that was done; then he endeavoured as much as in him lay, to bring it to Perfection: but after a time, he thought that I did not visit the Party so often as he thought I should.

I coming to his Shop, he asked me when I was with the Widdow, and whither I would go to her then? I said, Yes; so I went to her, and he came after me, and found us together; then he took our hands in his hand, and joined them together, and said, Those that God hath joyn’d together, let no man part in sunder; then made as though that were enough.

But Time passing away, and he saw little Hopes of this his intented Marriage, he blamed me for my Negligence; but however, {Page 13} there was no danger, but that it might be accomplished, if one thing did not hinder it, and that was her covetousness, and for his part, he knew not my estate, nor desired to know; but if I would take his counsel, he would do well enough for all that; but then I must keep his counsel, and do as he would instruct me; I asked of him, what that was? he told me, he would have me to buy four or five Hundred Pound Bags, (if I had not so many;) I enquired what I must do with them; he said, I must go to Hackney High-way, and there fill them with little Pibbles (I asked him what they were, he told me little Stones) and bring them home, and set them in my Closet; and then I must invite him to my Chamber, and when he came there, I must set open my Closet Door, that he might see them, and when he returned, he would pretend to her that it was so many Bags of Money, and then there was no doubt but the she would have me: but I abhorring all such (?)ouzening devices in my heart, I did not condescend to it.

Now the Glass of time running away, and by this time several Weeks were already spent, and there no more hopes of it, than at the first, he told me I must observe the old Proverb, I enquired of him what that was, then he told me, That he that would Woe a Maid, must fain, lye, and flatter; but he, That Wooes a Widdow (rehearsing these words several times over, I sitting as if I understood him not) must down with his Britches and at her.

But after all this his endeavours, labour and counsel, he thought he should lose his labour, and also his lodging, with other conveniences; and now knowing what he had done and said, he was, as I suppose, afraid, lest I should betray him, certainly he thought that it would be his wisest course to begin first, which too (?) well with his own fancy, that now he proceeds, and goes presently to George Fox, and told him, that I was going to take an Heathen to Wife, and that I would be married by a Priest, and also that I was at his house, and offered abuse to his Sister or Kinswoman: thus spake he against me to George Fox, that he might incense him against me, and then he thought he was right.

After some Days were past, George Fox met with me at the Pewter Platter in St. Johns Street, and he told me he should speak with me; then said he, I hear a bad report of thee; I askt him what it was, he said, that he heard I was going to take a Heathen to Wife, and that I said I would be married by a Priest: I answer George, and told {Page 14} him, that it was not true; and also told him, that I know who was that told him, for it was Hilkiah Bedford, and that it was he that first motion’d us together, and that he join’d our hands together, and said, That they whom God had joyn’d together, Let no Man part asunder; then George Fox said, he heard also that I was a Hammer-Smith at Hilkiah Bedfords House, and that I offered some abuse to his Sister or Kinswoman: I answered that for my part I knew them not, any more than those I never saw; and further I told him, that to my best knowledge, I did not salute them; within a few Days after this, George Fox, went out of the Town.

Then Hilkiah Bedford set himself wholly against me, and called me Rogue and Knave, and that he would prove me a Knave, and a Drunken cheating fellow; and that I was not fit to come into an honest Mans house, for I was forewarned several sufficient houses already, and this he spread abroad amongst all that knew me, insomuch that I was asham’d to go through that part of the City; for many believe’d him, because he was so eminent a Quaker.

And that he might further put this in execution, where ever he came he did the like; as in Old-street at on Meakens, he came there, when I was there upon business; it was to see one of the Daughters of the House that was sick, and being in the Kitchin by the Fire, he went by into the Parlor, and a stranger with him; I asked who it was that went by, and they told me that is was a good Friend; and as he came forth again, I saw the other, which I knew then, and I enquire who it was that was with him, and he said, Hilkiah Bedford: I not having any Malice either or spleen against him, went to him, and desired him to come to his friend that was with me; so he came, but would not speak to me; but when he went out of the Door, he said, thou hast gotten a large Mornings draught, and so goes his way: this was about Michaelmas, 1667. and about 10. or 11. of the Clock in the Morning the same day, and all that I drank that Day was part of two Flaggens betwixt four or five of us; judge therefore whether I could be drunk by that time, and with so little. By this time Margaret Meakens was come home, she for whom I waited, she desired me to walk into the Parlor, so I did, and left my Cloak on the back of the Chair wherein I sate; then came her Daughters to her, and {Page 15} whispered her in the Eare, what Bedford had said; but I being then in hast, would not sit down; but after I had done what I came about, I went forth to take my Cloak in the Kitchin, it being in my way; but when I came there it, was gone, and not to be seen; I was then vexed to see how I was abused: then I askt for my Cloak, Margaret Meakens reply’d, she was sorry for me; I askt her for what, she told me I was so sudled, that I knew not what I did with my Cloak; this she had from Hilkiah Bedford by her Daughters: I told her also I was not so much over-taken, but I knew what I did with my Cloak, for I left it on the back of the Chair, and her Daughters had hid it; she said, she was confident that they had it not, but that (being as I was) she calls one of her Daughters, and she denies it; then she charged them all to bring it, if they had it; so at last they brought it: By that time came on John Middleton, he askt me how I did, I answered that I was sudled; he said; why sayeth thou so? I see no such thing; I said, Margaret Meakens saith so, and it must needs be true: I pray thee saith he, wilt thou go along with me, and help thy Country-men fell their Cheese, thou didst use to help them; so I went along with him, and did my endeavour in sending for Chap-men; so it cost me money and time, but that was not so much to me, as the abuse put upon me.

When I had done what I could do for them, that I thought it was best to kill the Cockatrice in the Egg, if it was possible; where upon I went to the Peel (where I had several times been before) to complain of him for abusing me, and to desire them to call him to an account, why he did so; but all was in vain, also that I told them I was a stranger, and that they ought to do right to strangers, except they could finde any just cause against them: but he being the Orator to his Majesty, and so great at the Court, was the cause that they were so unwilling to question him; but now I was resolved to put it on to the uttermost of my power: with this resolution I went again to the Peel in St. Johns Street, where they kept there Court, and being come, I charged them with injustice, and with-al told them what abuses and affronts I had met with that day by Hilkiah Bedford, and through his means; whereupon at the last I had admittance to speak for my self, so I rehearsed those things that are above written; then they told me I should have a hearing that day fort-night, and I was to warn them in.

{Page 16} Before the time came, I went to him, and told him how he had done by me, and that he must appear there at the time appointed; he told me he did not care, for he had those that would justifie what he had said; but I told him that I could prove these things were false; but said he, what Margaret Meankens said, should be believ’d although I could bring a thousand witnesses, or any other that came constantly to the Meeting; but for my part, I came not constantly, therefore I should not be believed: after that I went to one in Houns-Ditch, she liveth at the Wheat-sheaf, where Thomas Salthouse useth to lodge; but when I came there, she was not within; but they told me where Thomas Salthouse was gone; then I went after him, and found him; I told him the occasion of my coming to him, and also to warn in the Mistris of the House where he log’d; for I did understand that she had call’d me a Drunkard, and that she was to be at the Peel, at the time appointed; he desired me to forbear, for they would all hold together, and it was better for me to refer it to George Fox: then I told him all the manner of it, and how I was wronged; he said, it was no matter for all that, for they would hold together, let it be right or wrong, because I was a stranger; but if he could stay in Town, he would come and speak for me himself, but that he was going out of Town that Day; I said I did not fear them all, for I would stand to that which was just and true; and if they would not do that which was true, I would declare against them; but he desired me not to pluck up the Wheat with the Tares, for (said he) you know that there were some amongst them that were honest and just, and for their sakes he desired that it might be deferred, until George Fox came to the Town, to which at last I condescended, but withal I told him, that if they should hold together in those things that were unjust, then I would not Favour any of them, but when I came there, I would not do as he had required me, upon which we departed each from other.

The next Day being the time appointed, I came there, and a short time after came Hilkiah Bedford and John Boulton, being then the chief Judge to determine all matters that came before him; I still waiting when I should be called, for there were many that were called and judged according to the manner of their Court, but I was not called at all; I suppose they had no mind to do me Right, and were afraid of do me Wrong, lest I should set them forth; but {Page 17} when they had done, the Clark of the court stood up, and said, That if there were any that had any complaints to make, they might speak, and they should be heard the next court day, which was to be there that day fort-night, I had made a complaint against some in that place, I was resolved to let rest till George Fox came to Town.

Then John Boulton, which was that Day Judge, said, That if I did so, they had something against me.

I asked of him, what that was; he told me, That the last time I was there, that I commanded them to do Justice, Did I think that they would not do Justice? Did I repent for that? I told him, that I must first see it done, and then I would speak more to him; but as yet I had no cause to repent, before I see it done.

Jo. Boulton, But those saidst, that thou wast at the Pewter-Platter this Day fort-night all the after-noon, it is not for thee to stay so long there, What didn’t thou there all that while, sitting drinking there?

Answ. I will not throughly resolve thee, unless thou wilt go through all and begin at the beginning, then I will give thee an account of it. (It was to help some of my acquaintance, that lived in the same Parish which I was born in, to fell their Cheese.)

J.B. But thou art found in a fault since the other was done, and therefore by the Law (that is, by their own I judge) thou must answer for it first, or else we shall not hear thee?

Answ. I will not, except thou wilt call this Man to an account for these things which he hath done against me, and see whether he or I am in the greatest fault, and let him that is found in the fault be reproved.

J.B. These are but frivolous things, and we take notice of no such things; but thou didst charge us with injustice, Doth thou repent for that, or else we shall not hear thee, for we shall not stand to dispute it with thee?

Here one may observe, that they take no notice of abominable Cheats, that’s nothing amongst them, otherwise they would have reproved him, for perswading me to it, as is before said. Neither of Whoredome, if it be not known; if they had made conscience (Page 18} of it, they would have reproved him; but they confess they take no notice of such frivolous things, but to question their Justice, is a great crime.

After this, he held his peace for a short space, then (looking on me) he said, Dost thou repent?

Answ. No; Then (saith he) thou are not to come any more amongst Us.

I told him, that if it were not for the promise I had made, I would Post him up in the Exchange; But here again you may understand, that he is more rash and severe than the Papists, or any other in their Courts; for they will give them some Days, Weeks, or Moneth to consider of it, before they cast them forth; but he will not give one hour, but they must be thrown to the Devil headlong, without time of consideration.

No sooner was I got forth, but two of them came to present me with the Riches of this World, so that I would but hold my peace, and say nothing against them, nor take no notice of what had been done; for they told me, that if I would Joyn with them, that they would all be my Patients, and that they would perswade all others that were not friends, to come to me, and would cry me up for an able Physician.

I told them, that I would speak those things that were true, and would not be hired to deceit, Here you may see what they would do, rather than be discovered in the unjust Court; for right or wrong, i!f they say it, it must be so; and so some they fright into it, and others, that have a better understanding, that know that they have not the Keys of Heaven at their command, to shut out whom they please, these they entice by deceitful Riches of this World, as they would have done by me.

At another time, one of the chief of them did blame me much, that I was so as I was, to stand out against friends; I told the party, they might do their worst, I did not care; but said, they should do no more, for if they did, the Laws of the Nation would take hold of them. By this I understood, that there was the Spirit of Persecution amongst them, and if they could, (and the Law of the Nation {Page 19} not take hold of them) then my Excommunication should not have served my turn, but must either have been Imprisoned, Banished, or else not suffered to live.

Is not this contrary to your own Declaration at the First? and did not you speak against all these Courts, and Papists Laws, and against forcing Men to Religion? did you not say, that it did but increase hypocrisies and deceit, and that it was but making clean the outside of the Cup or Platter? are you become Platter-wipers? do you leave the Power of the Ministration of the Spirit, for external things? and are you going to make a Monarchy of your selves? Do you not return to the World again in these Ceremonies? Certainly you have forgotten your selves, and the first Declaration that you made against those things, which you are going about to set up, and have in part set up; certainly you were in an errour at the first, for speaking against such things, or now for setting of them up, I Judge you not, but I think you have cause to judge your selves, wither for the first, or last.

A Description of the QuakersCourt, the manner of it, and how they confess their Sinners, and of their Pardon.

Now I have a leisure-time betwixt my Trials, I will speak something concerning the manner of their Court, lest any one should think that I had not seen it, and that it was an invention of mine own to term it so, and that there was no such thing amongst them; for they are a People that deny all such things, therefore some may suppose that this was spoken out of envy and malice; but those that think so, I leave them to their own mistakes. and appeal to that great Divine Power, to Judge betwixt them and me, whether many time I have not been grieved for their ignorance, and would have reform’d some Errors amongst them, if I could, but they were stubborn, and would not: But to proceed,

First of all, when the Court begins, there cometh the Clark with his green Bag, like one of the Clarks of Peace, and he draweth forth his Papers, and layeth them before him, and then sometimes some give him more Papers, which he recieveth; and after a little time, when there are many come, then he that is Chief amongst them that Day, (or Judge) commandeth him to call over by name {Page 20} the Transgressors; which being done, some of them answer to their names, or some other for them, which saith, that they are in the House; so they choose some from amongst the Court, or Company, to go to them; then if they be tractable, and do submit and say they repent, (or before they will stand out, if they do but say they be sorry for it, that shall serve) then they shall be forgiven, and their name shall be blotted out from amongst the Wicked, and be restored to the Saints; but if they justifie themselves, then they shall be still in the hands of the Devil, and the World, to further Judgement.

Now as for Parriters, and other Officers, they want not, nor for Tale-bearers, for there are too many of them; for many times one shall have a douzen of them together, for I was ever scarce in their Companies, but there were two or three of them together; nay, many times, rather than they will be out of favour, (as is aforesaid) they would all turn to be Table-bearers; for I know of my own knowledge, that the greatest part of their discourse, when they are together, is to talk of others faults, and to back-bite them; for they that are so spoken against shall not know it, except he be called to the Court: this manner of back-biting, and marriage, is their private Divine discourse; for these several years, I have not heard scarce at any time, any other discourse. But to return.

If they refuse to confess, and repent, then they summon them in before the Court, there to answer; which if they do not, they go to them the third time; if they stand out then, they pass Sentence on them, That they are not to come amongst them: But to me they did not grant this privilege, but cast me forth at the first time, without letting me consider. Here they broke their own Law, but I shall forgive them, although they would not me.

After they have been once cast out, and then be found in any fault, then they are to be called as at the first, to their Confession and Repentance; but if the stand it out, then they are to be cast out from the Society of Men, as they did me, as you shall understand by what is hereafter written, ( I suppose, if they had power, and that the Law of the nation would not take hold of them, as aforesaid) then they would banish them into some Wilderness, where no Man Inhabits; but however, it must stand in the sence of the same, for no Man must have any commerce with such a one, as is thus excommunicated, as he tendereth his own good, and the favour of the church; but there is mercy for him, for if he will send his submission {Page 21} to them, signed with his own hand, then they will pardon him, and receive him amongst the Saints again, (but very doubtfully): but after the third transgression, there is no more remission for sin, repentance be never so great.

But here we may understand, that they are not like unto God, for he will forgive seventy times seven; but there is the end of their Law, and their charity cannot extend it self any further. But where George Fox found this Law, I know not, except he found it in some old Chronicle, when he sought to finde the beginning of the Pope, and the rest of his Saints; but this I * am certain of, that as soon as he had made and end of that piece, which he put forth in the Year 1667. concerning the Pope and his Laws, and of the beginning of his Ceremonies, with other things, as is declared at large in his Book, that as soon as he had done it, he set up this Law, and I know it was not before that time; but for my part I shall leave it to the judgement of others, whether it was by the same Spirit of Revelation, which revealed to him that the World was Flat, and that when it was 12. of the Clock with us here, then it was 12. all the World over: but as for this Spirit of Revelation, and George Fox’s Judgement upon it, (I leave to the Geographicks to Judge) and in both be silent. I* have here but given you a hint of the court, with other things, but it may so fall out, that you may have it more at large hereafter.

Of George Fox’s coming to Town, and my Address to Him, with this Answer.

I hearing of George Fox’s coming to this City. I was resolved to apply my self to him, as I had before determined; and upon the 15 Day of October, I went to him, and informed him of all things that had past, as also concerning Hilkiah Bedford; but his Answer was, that those were but light things, (as the other did, as you heard before) but he would give me the hearing of it; but he was desirous that it might be in private, because it was not convenient that others should hear: I told him, that as it had been done in Publick, so it was most fit that it should be so again; but however, {Page 22} he pleas’d, it should be at my Chamber, or any where he pleas’d; He would have had me let it alone, but I told him now he had abus’d me, and was resolved that he should Judge betwixt our selves; but he spoke not truth neither, for in the first, he would not let me speak what I had further to say, except I would plead guilty: and as unto the last, he spake not the truth, in that he himself cast me forth, and commanded the Clark to write the excommunication, and the cause of it, as you shall hear by and by: At last, he told me he would hear me that Day Week at the Peel, and I must warn them in, if they would appear; and according to his Order, I did, as is here at large inserted, as followeth.

October 22. 1668.

Concerning the second Tryal before George Fox, Hilkiah Bedford, and John Boulton, which being my first Judge, and both present to make their Plea against me, and what was brought against me, which I knew not of.

This Day being come, which was much desired by me, and with much patience waited for, I then (betwixt hope and despair) waited for the Hour appointed, I went to the Peel; now when I was come into the great room, or rather (at that time) Court of Judicature, (where they pretend, that righteousness should over-flow, and run like streams) I then expected that some reproof should have been given to those absurdities and abuses, but there was no such thing done, but rather commended, as you shall hear; After I had sat there about a quarter of an hour, my Adversaries being come, and George Fox in presence, he spake to me, as followeth.

G.F. Thou Maidst a complaint to me, concerning Hilkiah Bedford; thou mayst speak, What is it?

Ans. George, I told thee of it, and what is was about, and thou knowest it as well as I, therefore I desire thee to question him about it, and see what he can say for himself.

{PAGE 23} G.F. Thou maidst the complaint, therefore thou art to speak first, and say what thou hast to say, and then he shall speak for himself. (They had concluded what to say before, as will plainly appear by their Proceedings in their Court.)

Answ. George, thou knowest Hilkiah Bedford made a complaint to thee concerning me, that I was going to take a Heathen to Wife, and would be married by a Priest; it is thus, This party he motion’d me to her and likewise her to me; but some time being spent, and I not frequenting the party so often as he thought I should, spoke to me to go there, I did so as he Required me, then he comes after me, and finding us together, he took our hands in his, and joined them together, pronouncing these words, Those that God hath joined together, let no Man put asunder; making, as if the marriage was already done; After this, at another time he and I went to the Cooks Shop in Smithfield to Dinner, and being at Dinner, he was still pressing me to this party, but withall told me, that she was covetous; but if I would take his advice, he would do well enough for that, but I must keep his counsel, and do as he would tell me. I askt him what it was, and he said, that I must buy four or five Hindred Pound Bags, and go to Hackney High-way, and fill them with little Pibbles: I askt him what that was, and he told me. They were little Stones, and bring them home to my Lodging, and set them in my Closet, then I must open the Closet Door, and let him see them, and he would pretend to her, that they were money; but I abhorring all such deceit in my heart, did not condescend to it.

After this, another time at the same House, we being at Dinner, he blamed me that I went no oftener to the party; and said, that he would teach me; and it was this, That he that would Wooe a Maid must fain, lye, and flatter; but he that would Wooe a Widdow, must (rehearsing these words several times) down with his Britches, and at her. After this, with many other persuasions, which he used, and perceiving that I would not do as he would have me, he began to exclaim against me, and call me all he could devise, and also inform’d thee against me, as thou knowest.

G.F. Hast thou any more to say against him?

Answ. Yes; but I would have him to answer to this first, and leave the other for another part; this is enough at once for him to answer to, and when he hath so done, he shall hear the other.

G.F. I would have thee to say all thou hast to say first.

{Page 24} Answ. No. I will not, he shall answer to this first.

G.F. But there is another thing thou did’t at his House, thou wast uncivil there, and offeredst some abuse to his Kinswoman, or Sister.

Answ. I know not his Kinswoman, or Sister, any more than him whom I never saw in my life; nor I know not that I did any thing to them that was uncivil, that I remember; and if I did salute one, or both of them, it is more than I can remember; but it may be I did, and that was all. To this Hilkiah Bedford made no reply, to say whether it were so or no, and so it was let alone.

G.F. Come Hilkiah, make answer to what he hath said against thee; is it true, or not?

H.B. That is the devil, or it come of him, for he is the Father of all such (and looking upon me) lyes; for that which he hath said, is false, and there is not truth in it.

G.F. Speak to the first; is that true or not?

H.B. It was not as he said, but it is true that I came there, and found them together, and said, what, you want one to Joyn your hands together: so I took their hands, and in a light vain manner, put them together, and I blame my self for it.

G.F. That’s well said, thou dost well to confess the truth, and to be sorry for it: but what doth thou say to the other, concerning the Stones?

H.B. The truth is, that I could never see any thing in him, but lightness and vanity; I thought it was no matter of conscience in him, because he was so bad, and so I said to him, Canst thou not do so? But for the rest it is false.

G.F. Thou dost well to confess the truth, but what says thou to the last?

H.B. There was some idle discourse stir’d up by his vain mind, which made me speak some vain words; but what he saith, is false, and he lies.

G.F. Thou dost well to confess thy faults, and not to stand in them, I commend thee for it.

But yet for all his well-doing, and saving, and for this commendation of George’s, he did but praise a liar; for he spoke not the truth in any thing, as it was done at the first.

Then I said to him, that he had not spoken the truth, but did lie.

H.B. If they were the last words that I should speak, they are true; but he spoke after that, therefore the did lie.

I answered, if there by any truth in Heaven above, or in the Earth beneath, that which he hath spoken, is false; then they blam’d {Page 25} me for bringing that in question, upon such light occasion, and spoke well of him for yielding to the truth, whereas it was but to his own lyes that he yields to. This being ended, as you have heard, then he was to accuse me of things, that I am not sure whether ever I spoke them to him, however, I shall place them as they were spoken to me.

G.F. Hilkiah, Hast thou something to accuse him of about James Sparkes?

H.B. Yes; he said, he had proved James Sparkes Ministry false, and he a liar; and he said, thatGeorge Fox took his part also, and called James Sparkes a raw Boy.

G.F. But there is something concerning Jo. Boulton?

H.B. Yes, he boasted, and said, that he disputed him, and routed him, and put him in such amaze, that he could not finde way to the Meeting; and further said, that if the Ministers were in any dispute, they must be beholding to him to help them out.

G.F. What dost thou say to this? what, art thou sorry for abusing him?

Answ. George, I desire to have leave to speak how it was: this which he speaketh of, was done at Lancaster, upon a time when he came from Bristol; I having liv’d there formerly, desired to know how friends did there; they told me they were well; I asked also for George Bishop, and whether he was in Prison, or not; they said, yes; I enquired in what Prison he was in, they answered, in none, but in Thomas Gouldney’s new House; then said I, Thomas Gouldney’s new House is his Prison; then they thundered Plagues and Damnation on me, for saying Thomas Gouldney (a very good friend) should build Houses for Prisons for friends: I told them again, that I did not say, that Thomas Gouldney did build it for Prison; but if George Bishop were Prisoner, the place that did contain him, by vertue of the Law, was his Prison: but they told me there was no vertue, nor life in me, nor in any thing that I did; then I told them they did lye, and that I would prove vertue in a Post; then they said, that {Page 26} the Plagues and vengeance of God was for me, and hang’d over my head, and with many speeches of exclamation against me, they went to their Chamber, and I likewise went to mine; and when I was entered into it, I wept bitterly, to think how long a time they had professed the truth, and pretend that they had the divine teaching of the Spirit, and yet should be so foolish, as not to understand reason, nor moderation.

After that came Jo. Stubs into my Chamber, and found me there weeping; he askt me what was the reason of my weeping, then I told him I would turn a Diogines, before I would be abused by them; he told me it was their weakness, and that he would informe George of it: the next Morning he went to the Castle, and when he came back, he told me that he has informed George of all the Discourse; and his answer was, that James Sparkes was a raw Boy in those things, and that he must not meddle with those things that did not concern him; and this Jo. Stubs told me, that Geroge had said, as is aforesaid. Now as concerning his Ministry being false, and he a liar, it was thus; James Sparkes having been at home a certain time, came again to Lancaster, where there being many other friends of the same language, as he had the time before; adding also, that I was a Ranter, and said, that he had the Spirit of discerning; I told him that he lied, and withall, I told him that I would prove him one sooner than he could me; but withal, he told me that I had no light nor vertue in me; then I left him, and went to the Castle, where many came about me, and blamed me much for speaking against a minister, as they call’d him; but I told them, that one Man was no more to me than another, further than they spoke the truth; then they said to me, what, Would I offer to say that he that was a Minister, did not speak the truth? I answered, that he either was a liar, or his Ministry false, and the I would prove it, and they themselves should Judge; then I told them, that they themselves heard him say, that there was no life nor vertue in me; and yet in his ministry, he said, that it is in every Man; and I am sure that I am a Man, and yet he saith, it is not in me; therefore he is either a liar, or his ministry false; Judge ye.

{Page 27} G.F. We shall take no notice of these private things betweixt James Sparkes, and thee: But dost thou think that thou dids’t well to bring this story Two hundred Miles, to tell it in this City? What sayst thou to that?

Answ. I blame my self for that; but it is true, and I do not repent I did so by him.

George said, that that word (raw Boy) was out of the truth, and he was certain he never said so; but for my part, I know not whether he did or no; but this I certainly know, that J. Stubs told me so.

G.F. But what sayst thou concerning Jo. Boulton? Did he lose his way to the Meeting?

Answ. Yes, he knew not where he was, until he enquired.

G.F. But thou saydst that he was lost, and in amaze?

Answ. Yes, he knew not where he was.

G.F. John Boulton, Didst thou go to the Meeting after, or not?

J.B. Yes, I did, but it was nigh half done, before I came there.

G.F. Dost not thou see what an untruth thou hast spoken here before Us? thou saydst that he was lost, and yet he came to the Meeting after that; Art not thou a Lyar?

Answ. George, Thou art now upon Criticks; but what if a Man should be lost in a Wood or Desert, and after that should be taught the way home; was he therefore not lost?

G.F. Why, but he went to the Meeting that Day; therefore he was not lost.

Answ. But he knew not where he was until he did ask.

J.B. I was out of my way, because I came in lower than I use to do; for I came in at the Hollow-way, or Hog-lane under the Windmills.

Answ. Now let all judge betwixt thee and I, whether or no thou wast not both lost, and in amaze, when thou knowest not from that time, to this very Day, where thou wast; for we never came ne’er the Windmills, nor in that Lane; for thou wentest strait out of Oold- Street, along the Lane to Shoreditch Church; didst thou take that for a Windmill? certainly the Windmill it was in thy head at that time.

{Page 28} But thou sayst, I went not to the meeting, but that I left thee at the Alley, and so I did.

Answ. but I brought thee first into thy way, before I left thee, I wish thou mayst keep in a right way.

G.F. But art thou sorry that thou hast done this by him, in telling it again?

Answ. I am sorry I ever told it Hiliah Bedford.

G.F. That is, because thou art caught in it, and questioned for it; But dost thou condemn the thing in thy self for evil?

Answ. George, I came not here to condemn myself, I came here to be Judged of you, and to hear your Judgement; for I know my self, and what I am guilty of, better than you can tell me; I came here to have a Tryal of those things I was accused of, that you might be Judges betwixt us, to see who were in the fault, that they might be reproved which were found guilty.

G.F. But here is J. Bouldton, who is an ancient Citizen, and a sufficient Man, and well known, and hath suffered much, and there are none to speak against him; Art thou sorry for what thou hast said?

Answ. there is more that I have to say, which hath not yet been spoken of, let us go through with that, and than I shall answer you to your desire.

G.F. But thou must answer to this first, or else thou art not to go any further, for we will hear things as we go?

Answ. I remember that the last time I was here, he served me after this manner, which I condescended to, and then he would not let me speak any further; but that I must repent of that, or else I must not come amongst them; therefore I will not.

Then answered Doctor Gray, and told me, that I said that I had drinkt that Day.

Answ. That I do every Day, and eat also when I can get it, or have a stomach to it, (this is another petty Judge:) But all this while I had forgotten the Woman with her Apish tricks, for she seemed to me, as if she would have commanded me silence, with shaking of her Head, grinning of her teeth, and mumbling her Lips, and making of ill-favored Faces at me; I never saw the like before, except it {Page 29} were a Jackanapes; but I commanded her to speak what she has to say, but she was silent; but for some of the rest of the Women, I leave them to their merry Conceits, which they had gotten in a Corner. But to return:

Then there stood up a Country man, and began to speak.

G.F. Askt me, Whether I would stand to his Judgement, for he was my Country-man?

Ans. Yes I will stand to any ones Judgement; for I came here to the same intent.

G.F. Come Friend, speak

Coun. Country-man, It is thy boasting proud Spirit in thee.

G.F. Dost thou stand to his Judgement?

Answ. Yes, I said before, that I would stand to your Judgement.

But Friend, what Country-man art thou? He answered, a StaffordpShire, as I did understand; Then said I, thou art none of my Country-man: Geo. blamed him for Speaking, but I suppose, and so may all others) that it was, because Geo. would not have himself to be found in an Untruth, as here he was; otherwise, it had been no matter.

G.F. But dost thou blame thy self, and Condemn it in the bottom of they Heart?

Answ. Geo. I told thee before, that I did Repent, and was sorry, in that I told it Hiliah Bedford; and I know not whether I did tell it to any other; but I must tell thee, that at that time he cast out some Words, that I thought to had told it to thee; And as I had done so, I should not have Repented; but in Telling it where it was not Expedient or Convenient, I am sorry, and repent for it.

G.F. But art thou sorry for it? and dost thou condemn they self? if thou dost, then we will proceed to the other: let me perswade thee, for if thou stand in it after this manner, thou art not to come amongst me, nor to discourse, not have any Familiarity with man; and what wilt thou do then? thou must be undone, because thou wilt not yield to {Page 30} this; It were better for thee to submit to Jo. Boulton.

Answ. I have said enough I think, if you would have me say anything else, tell me what I must speak, I shall say it.

G.F. We must not spend our Precious time thus, for we have other things to do, and to wait upon the Lord; and if thou wilt not Submit,then thou must go from amongst us.

We had more Words, which were to no effect, and cannot well be put in Order, because they were like a Horse in a Mill, still running round, but come to the same place.

Then G. Fox commanded the Clark to Write; That whereas Nathaniel Smith hath spoke Evil of Jo. Boulton behind his back, and will not submit to him; therefore he is not to have any Communication with any man, or any man with him.

This he was to Record against me; but let all judge, whether I did not submit enough to him; or whether he or I was in the greatest Fault; or whether he had not cause to have repented, or submit to me for his Judgement the last Tryal: But all that they did aime at, was to have me to condemn my self, that so they might the better have done it hereafter; and that he might Rule and bear Dominion over others.

Then G. Fox Commanded me to go from amongst them, for they had other things to do; but that good Saint, HIlkiah Bedford, was received again, and suffered to be as one of them; but I departed at this Command.

Some few dayes after this, I came to some of there Houses, and they took occasion to speak to me of the last Tryal, and said, that I must bear with Friends.

I told them, that I had born with them these 10 Years, in hopes, that in time they would grow in the truth, and righteousness, and then they would cast of all such Ceremonies, and Conceits, as they had got amongst them, as you shall here further in my Reply to their Answer, if they make any: if not, I shall let it rest. There was some others that said, I must forget and forgive, for that was according to the Truth, and not take Notice of such things, and that I ought to bear with others.

I know that all this is true; but what is the reason they observe it not themselves? they lay Burthens upon others, that they themselves will not bear; for this is the first they have to Accuse me of, but I have to Accuse them from time to time.

Yet I have born with, and forgiven it; but if they be not Satisfied in it, they shall have it the next time, when they desire me to Answer them to their Propositions.

But now G.Fox begins to clear himself of this Court, that he is not Guilty: For we (saith he) cast out none, but they cast out themselves through their Wickedness; for we do not receive them in, therefore we cannot cast them out; What then was that Sentence that the Clark of the Closet drew up?

But you Preach, Teach, and Speak, whereby to bring them in; and then if they will not observe your Ceremonies, then you do your Endeavour to do it; and to my own knowledge, by Words you have past Sentence upon them, as you did by me, and others you have carried out by Violence, and here it appears you do; for I my self did not leave you till Jo. Boulton Commanded me not to come: Here it doth appear that there is a different Spirit amongst them, and so it cant be said I cast out my self by reason of Wickedness; for I came to complain against the Wickedness of some of you; But you had rather Destroy any Person than your Juglings should come to light, as it hath done in this: but how G. Fox will clear himself that he doth not cast any forth, and yet did it by me; and said, That it was better for me to submit to Jo. Boulton (as I suppose) that Shoreditch-Church was a Wind-Mill, and that he was not lost, nor then out of his way, neither in amaze: If I would have submitted to this, then the Sentence should not have been past against me, nor I cast out; but it doth appear to me something like them, in Old time, when they cast them forth, and Imprisoned them, and put them, to Death; yet they said, it was their own Fault, and that they brought all upon their own Heads; for in all times, those that were the Persecuters, would ever clear themselves of it, as far as their Tongue or Pens could reach; and many times they would Reach over many Kingdoms to beguile the Ignorant.

Geo. But this is the Triming of the vineyard, and the plucking {Page 32} up of the Tares out of the Wheat, and so it is lawful. But yet, George, there is something more in it; for thou must have a care when thou Trim or Prune the Vine, for thou mayst as well Destroy it as Cure it, in Cutting off when it should rather have been Nursed up, and the Bryars and Thorns that did Cloak it, have been cut down before that thou hast meddled with it; then mightest thou have had abundance of Fruit; where as thou now art like to be pricked by that which thou hast Cherished, in not rightly Understanding of it, to discern between Good and Evil; but it may be, that it is thy Resolution to pluck up the Tares from the Wheat, and set the rest of thy Servants to do the like; But thou must receive a greater Call than those did which Christ reproved; and said, that the Wheat and Tares must grow together, lest they should Destroy the Wheat also: but I understand, that this is no great Burthen to tread down the Wheat if every blade do not please you, although the Wheat be Good in it self, yet it is the out-side that must be Fare, Neat, and Clean. For some of them that keep the Court constantly, and observe what is done, and do help you themselves, yet for all that, when I have laid this close to them, they have said, they did believe that they did cast some out that were better than some amongst themselves; but in that, they did carry it fair to the World, they could not meddle with them. Now see whether yours be not a making clean of the out-side, and a plucking up of the Wheat.

But by reason I am cast out from amongst men by you, and that I understand that you can well dispense with Hippocrites; give me leave to Write to the World, and peradventure they will furnish you with good Store, now they know your minds, and that you will advance their Fortunes, as you would have done mine.

If you will be willing to observe them in all things, and give way to such as Hilkiah Bedford, and Jo. Boulton, and to Extol Boulton to be a man more perfect than David was; for David might be reproved by a Prophet; but J. Boulton by no manner of person must be spoke against; but I leave him to answer for himself and proceed.

{Page 33} A few Words of Instruction, to all those that are desirous to come in the Society of the Quakers; and to be Received of them:

I mean not them only that comes out of Conscience, but all Sorts, whether it be them or not, they shall all be Recieved, although it be only for Preferment, and in time be taken for the Faithful; therefore I desire you to come near, and Understand what I shall Write to you.

In the first place thou must become Acquainted with some one of them that goeth constantly to Meetings, and speak Lovingly to him; not Theeing or Thouing of him at first, but speak well of them in General; then it may be that he will Invite thee to go with him; Do so, and when all is done, then Praise him that Spoke, although he Spoke nothing else but Nonsence; then the other Good Friend that went with thee will say Yes, he is a precious man, or a Good Friend, or such like Words; then thou must be desirous to Hear him again the next Meeting, and he will tell thee thou mayst Hear him, or another: So be sure the next Sunday, to call upon him before he go to the Meeting, and go along with him; and there perchance, thou mayst light upon one that was a greater Dunce than the first, And that was bad enough; then be sure to keep close to thy Neighbor, and go with him back again to his House, and there begin to admire him that Spoke, and Praise him as highly as thou canst, and then thou shalt see how the other man will admire him also: and then thou must be more Desirous than ever, to go to the next, and Speak and Act as aforesaid; and perhaps that some Woman may be the Teacher, or else some one that hath as little Reason as a Woman; but however, thou must take it in good part, and say, That without all Doubt this is the Truth: for one there is this Scripture fulfilled, which God said should come to pass, That he would pour forth his Spirit upon all Flesh, and his Sons and his Daughters should Prophecy; Then the other will say, Blessed be the Goodness of the Lord, that he hath been pleased to hide those things from the Wise, and {Page 34} to deliver them to the Foolish of this World. But if thou dost but observe a while, thou shalt find them Cunning enough, if not too Cunning for thee, except thou hast a care; and thou must bless God for opening thine Eyes to see the Truth: Now by the next Meeting thou mayst begin to Thee, and thou; but be sure thou move not thy Hat, if thou shouldest meet the chiefest men in the City, for if thou dost, all thy Labour is lost thus far.

What they are to Observe; and how to carry themselves before the rest of the Brethren.

First as I told thee before, be sure to watch the Door of thy Lips, that there proceed not forth but Yea; nor No, but Nay; nor You, but Thou; nor Yours, but Thine, to any single Person; these must be truly Learn’d and Practiced; for in them there is wrapt up a great Mine, or a great Mystery of Godliness: therefore be sure that thou have this little Knack, or else thou dost nothing; but if thou hast it, then thou shalt see what wonders there may be done by it.

Now when thou hast done this, then thou must be very Curteous to them, but not with the Hat; neither must thou Salute them with a Kiss if they be Women; although at the first it was Common amongst them, both men and women; but in a short time, it did some hurt to some of the Women, for they got great Bellies by the bargain; and therefore it was let off by both Men and Woman. Now when thou hast attained to this great Perfection, thou must go amongst them at other times, and in the Week-dayes; but if thou chance to ask me what great Perfection these were that I spoke of; I answer, Thou knowest as well as I; but if thou hast not these, thou canst not be look’t upon as a Good Practick, or a Faithful Freind. But to proceed:

After thou hast been a constant Goer to the Meeting about a Quarter of a Year, then some of the Heads will come to Visit thee; they being come, thou must get the best things the House can afford; and if thou hast not such things as thou wouldest desire, then send for it presently; and give them more kind Entertainment then thou wouldest do to thy Father and Mother, or {Page 35} the dearest Friend thou hast; then after they had Eat and Drank with thee, they will depart, and report thee to be a very loving Friend, and that there is abundance of Love raised in thee in a short time: but thou must be sure to observe the Rules which I have given thee.

Then they will Report it to their Minister, what a good Friend there is lately come into the truth; and then in a short time thou shalt have him come and give thee a Visit, (especially if thou be a Rich man, for of others they have too many already;) and now thou must shew forth thy parts, and make much of him; and if thou hast no Wine in the house, be sure to send for some, with other things agreeable to it, and to thy Estate; it may be he will seemingly blame thee for sending for the Wine, but at last he will take it in good part, and if it be good Wine he will like it very well: but thou must be sure to have a care, that if thou shouldest meet them in any place, not to invite them into any publike House, as Tavern, Inn, or Ale-house; for then they will look upon thee as one that is Prophane: but behave thy self as I have Instructed thee, and then thou shalt get fame amongst them.

Of their Buying or Selling; and of the Carriage that may be used in either Buying and Selling.

Thou must come to a Word in thy Buying and Selling, and to Plainness of Speech, as thou wast taught before; but if it change, that by thy constant going to Meetings, thou want one more to be in thy Shop; or by reason that now thou art at more charste with the New Friends than thou was before; thou mayst help this in the Truth; for thou understandest thy Trade; and knowest how thy Wares were wont to be sold; and now thou mayst raise it a Half-penny in a Shilling, and this will serve thy Extraordinary Expence; and this will scarce be Discerned by the Buyer; and if he question it, thou must say thou are at a Word, and thou canst not bare a Farthing of it; so the Party is well contented, and Judgeth that this is as Cheap as he could buy it elsewhere; and he hath a better Conceit of it, because it came from thee.

{Page 36} And by this means thou mayst come into great Esteem, and that all will believe thee; and thou mayst begin to look after an Estate and Riches in this World, and all thy Friends, both Ministers and others will say, The Lord doth bless thee for the Faithfulness; but thou must be sure to observe this one thing that I shall teach thee, otherwise, all that they say of thee may be false; that is, when thou hast gotten this Name of an Honest man, then thou mayst raise another Penny higher in the Shiling, and then go on with Courage, and this will quickly raise thee a great Estate; and then thou shall be as much admir’d at the first; and by this means, thou shalt purchase thy self more Liberty than at first thou hadst; for by this, if thou hast a good Customer, thou mayest You him, and say, if it please you; but if thou ask me why it is so, that thou mayst do it now and not before, I will tell thee thou must as the first learn the Rules & Grounds of it, or else thou canst never be perfect, but thy Weakness will be discovered; for those that will learn any Language, they must first learn the Grounds of it, or otherwise, they can never be perfect; and another reason is, That thou art now come near to Perfection in this way, and none is to meddle with thee; or however, thou hast gotten an Estate and so thou art Winkt at.

But now thou hast Money at Command, and Credit at Pleasure, thou mayst make thy best Market; and if thou see or hear of any Bargine, that money may be gotten by it, although it be not in the way of Trade, and that one came to thee to desire the Assistance in it; and that thou knowest that he must of necessity have it, yet nevertheless, buy it out of his hand, and it may be the next day he will give thee 14 or 15 pounds more than thou givest. And by this means thou mayst have money to buy Lands, and build Houses, and then thou shalt be Great with all the chief of them; and their Ministers and other Divine people amongst them will cry up thy Name, and say, The Lord hath blessed thee in a Wonderful manner, One may see what it is to be Faithful. And thus mayst thou purchase to they self Honour and Wealth.

And then if thou drink plenty of Wine, or of any other Liquor to comfort thy Spirits, and make thy Heart glad, they will say the Creatures are good in their places, and they are only for the Faithful, and so Lawful only for thee.

But if sometime thou shouldest light on a Customer that will {Page 37} not believe thee, but will put thee hard to thy trumps, by reason he understands it as well as thou dost, and he will give thee a price whereby thou mayst get sufficiently, and it may be the next that comes, may not give so much, neither pay in so short time, and that thy word hath past, that thou wilt have so for it, and when thou considers that thou shalt not have so much, then to save thy word, thou mayst take some more of the same ware, that is as good or better than the other, and say, that if he will take both together, he shall have them to, or any other thing he will take occasion for; and if thou canst but carry all on after this manner, then thou are come to perfection, and then there is none must speak against thee; and if a thousand should bear witness, they should not prevail, though it be never so true; let them speak never so much reason, it shall be but like Chaff driven upon the Mountains, and thou shalt stand as firm as a Rock against all their assaults.

Now when thou hast any occasion to buy of the Merchant, or painful Tradesman; thou knowest before-hand what it is worth, he will not ask thee much out of the way, because thou art his Chapman, and useth to take some of thy Money; he ofers thee a price, but thou tellest him that thou canst give no more, if thou should‘st, thou couldest not live by it, therefore he will take less, for he knoweth he may be sure of his Money, and that thou canst not do as others do, to ask twice the price, and sometimes catch many Men so, and sell cheaper (to those that know what it is worth) than thou canst afford; and this they do, that they may be lookt on as honest Men; but many times, though they get a great deal by their dishonest dealings, yet they spend it other wayes, there is a curse upon it, and it prospers not in their hands, so that many times they break and run away, and so all is lost; but as for thee, thou need’st not fear, but that thou wilt pay every Man to a farthing: and by this means thou bringest down their price, and they look upon thee as an honest Man, and so thou getest on both hands, and becomes greater than thy Neighbors. Then thou must be sure to bless and praise thy God for it, and say, that he lendeth thee good things: but yet this thou mayest observe to thy self, that it is the God of this World whom thou lovest so well, that hath given thee all this; but the vulgar People understand not this, but think that God sends it {Page 38} to thee privately, and so thou art secure enough, and they think themselves blessed, if they can but come under the shadow of thy roof; which if they do, ‘tis two to one if thou mayest not them pay for it; but thou must let this rest in silence, and not betray thy good fortune.

Reader, thou mayst see by this time, if thou are not blind, how under a Cloak of Religion, many Men get great Estates, and the simple People understand it not; but this I must say, that all are not so, but generally all those that get such great Estates, do worship the God of this World, and only make the true God a stalking-Horse, to cover, themselves withall; but I leave them to the true God to be Judged at the last Day; although many of them believe it not, as I shewed you before.

There is one thing more that I have known to be carried on with security, and never mistrusted; if thou hast a report, it’s no matter any further, for if thou shouldest buy a parcel of Goods, then thou mayest take about a fifth or a sixth part, and convert it to thy own use; and when a Chapmen cometh to buy the other, then thou mayst declare to him, that thou wilt tell him to a penny what it cost thee, and he shall know that thou wilt deal fairly and plainly with him, and that thou wilt not cheat any Man, but thou must have profit, and that shall be very reasonable, thou wilt refer thy self to him. This Man seeing thy fair dealing, as he judgeth, gives thee good profit, and here thou gainst on both hands also; for that which thou tookest forth was sufficient for thee to get, and the other that thy Chapmen gave thee, was clear gains. Thus have I known a very good friend do, and if ever thou thinkest to be a good friend, thou must imitate the best.

I have two or three Rules more to instruct thee in, and I will leave thee to thy new way of Conformity, hoping that if at any time I have occasion to request thee to deliver me a message to the Church, thou wilt do it, and by this means thou dost ingage one to instruct thee further.

First, thou must know, that he that is a Man, must be so in all parts, for if any thing be wanting, he is not esteemed; for if a Man want his Apparel, he is not taken for such a Person of honour as he is; therefore thou must have a special care that thou are well provided, or else all that thou hast done, is but in vain; {Page 39} therefore thou must observe that thou must cross the World in their fashions of Cloaths; for in this there is a weighty matter, and no small sin in the shape of Garments, although in the matter thereof there is none, save only in the forme; for if it be made like the Worlds, it is judgable, and not fit to come amongst friends, (although the Prophets, and Apostles, and Saint in the old time stood not upon this, but went like them of their own Nation) yet this is nothing to thee, for these are a People that comprehend all the Prophets, and other Saints; yea, and God himself, only they could never comprehend an Angel, nor any other Spirit, yet they could Prophesie without either Angel or Spirit, but which way soever it was done, it was strange to me: But to proceed, first, when this way came first up, there was long-toed Shooes, and high-crown’d Hats; which were more fit for their Heads: But now when others come to wear these, then thou must leave them of, and betake thy self to a great-crown’d Hat, big enough for an Asses Head, and broad-toed Shooes, contrary to the World, and then thou dost right; and if thou didst wear thy Cloak without a Cape, it would be more out of the Worlds fashion, and so the better accepted with them, although it would be worse for thy shoulders; but thou must not regard that, if it be according to the truth.

The second thing is, that thou have no Ribbons nor Lace about thee; for if thou hast, Lucifer, the Prince of Pride, will keep his Court, there in the sight of the whole World; and if thou hast any affection for him, thou mayst set open the door of thy heart, and let him sit there, and that will please him and friends also; for he will cause thee to carry thy mind very high, and to conceit thy self to some extraordinary Creature, and more pure and sublime than any other, that thou mayst stand in Authority, and Rule, to trample and tread all others (that saith and doth nor as thou sayst and dost) under thy Feet, and by this means purchase to thy self great fame.

I would have thee take a pattern of Dr. Gray, for he is as perfect in that, as any I know; as also of his discourse and carriage: but thou must pretend to some extraordinary Revelation, as he did, when he was cast into Prison, that through the everlasting goodness of God, he had reveal’d to him the secrets of Physick.