opened to declare the name of the Lord, and Our early Friends believed themselves repreach repentance to the people; and the work quired of the Lord, at times to bear their tes of the Lord prospered in the hands of his faith- timony boldly against an unscriptural ministry ful servants. I knew a bridle to my tongue, and its fruits, in the public national places of and was greatly afraid lest I should offend the worship. The following statement of facts Lord, in thought, word, or deed: and the word from the pen of George Fox, in which Wil of the Lord was in me-Thou shalt not do liam Dewsbury's name occurs among others, thy own works, nor think thy own thoughts, will give but a faint idea of the cruelty, the nor speak thy own words on this my holy day.' abuse, and the persecution Friends at that time And though I suffered and went through many endured from this cause. He says, "After great exercises, yet the Lord bore up my spi- I was set at liberty," (that is, from Carlisle rit, and carried me on, while I abode faithful jail,—a memorable instance of the triumph of to him, to the praise of his own name. But truth over wickedness, cruelty and falsehood,) through reasonings, and looking too much at "I went to Thomas Bewley's, where there my own inabilities and unfitness for so weigh-came a Baptist teacher to oppose me; and he ty a work, the enemy sometimes prevailed to was convinced. Robert Widders, who was keep me in disobedience, and cast down my with me, was moved to go to Coldbeck steeple mind so low, that my growth was thereby hin- house; and the Baptist teacher went along dered for a time; yet did the Lord, in his end- with him the same day. The people fell upon less love to my poor soul, renew his visitations, them, and almost killed Robert Widders! and my mouth was often opened in the con- They took the Baptist's sword from him, and gregations of his people, to praise his worthy beat him sorely. This Baptist had the inher name. In those days I often accompanied Wil-itance of an impropriation of tithes, and he liam Dewsbury, John Whitehead, and some- went home and gave it up freely. Robert times James Nayler, and other early ministers, Widders was sent to Carlisle jail; where hav to and fro in the East Riding of Yorkshire; ing lain awhile, he was set at liberty again. and the glorious presence and power of the William Dewsbury also went to another steeLord our God was richly with us, to the over-ple-house, hard by; and the people almost coming of our souls, the comfort of his heri- killed him, they beat him so. But the Lord's tage, and the praise of his own name." power was over all, and healed them again. At that day many Friends went to the steeple houses, to declare the truth to the priests and people, and great sufferings they underwent ; but the Lord's power sustained them."

The circumstances above related, appear to have occurred in part, at the period immediately preceding that which has just been noticed as William Dewsbury's first journey into the north-western counties.

CHAPTER VI.

It was in the course of this journey, of which no further particulars have been preserved, that he was at Sedberg, as we are in minister, a voluminous writer in the controformed by George Whitehead; an eminent

1652-3. William Dewsbury's first journey-Suffers abuse with other Friends—Is almost kill-versies of those days, and a zealous and dili ed at Sedberg-Occurrences there—Epistle on Church Discipline.

gent fellow-labourer with George Fox, William Penn, and others. He tells us, that at SedIt is uncertain whether William Dewsbury berg in Yorkshire, on a market day, about had settled with his family at Wakefield as the year 1653, as William Dewsbury was early as the year 1652, or continued for a few publishing the truth at the market-cross, and years after his marriage at Allerthorpe. But warning the people to turn from the evil of as Brigham and Frodingham, the scene of oc- their ways to the grace of God, the light of currences mentioned by Thomas Thompson, Christ in their consciences, some rude persons at the close of the preceding chapter, are endeavoured with violence to push him down. neighbouring villages to the latter place, the And setting their backs against the high stone probability seems on the side of this conclu- cross, not aware most likely of its tottering sion; and the more so as no mention is made condition, with their hands against him, the of Wakefield until the year 1655, when it had cross gave way, and in its fall broke in pieces. become the place of his residence. His first George Whitehead was at this time about sixjourney on a religious account as a minister, teen years of age, having been himself conbeyond this vicinity, appears to have been in vinced of the truth of the doctrines preached the latter months of the year 1652, when he by Friends about a year before; and he retravelled into Westmoreland, Cumberland, and lates this occurrence as one which was noLancashire; and shared the common lot of ticed at the time as a remarkable instance of other Friends in those days, who were sub- the special providence of God attending Wiljected to great sufferings for the truth's sake. liam Dewsbury in his labours; for notwith

standing the multitude of people collected to hear him, not one was killed or even injured by the accident.

children, masters and servants, as to the discharge of their relative duties, and also in regard to strict justice in trade, and a cheerful and faithful performance of civil offices in the commonwealth." P. xviii.

The numbers who attached themselves to the new Society, being now rapidly on the increase, it appears from the tenour of William Such being the result of an examination Dewsbury's early epistles, that circumstances made into the origin of our discipline, I consoon arose among the first converts to the clude that those who have considered the subdoctrines preached by him and his fellows, ject, will agree with me in attributing to the which proved the necessity of some kind of writer of the following epistle, the credit of discipline for the mutual help of the members, having made the first suggestions on that for the preservation of unity and good order subject.*

"This is the word of the living God to his church that he hath called and chosen out of the world, to place his name in, to order and guide in his pure wisdom to his praise and glory, who alone is worthy, God over all, blessed for ever.

in the churches, and for the establishment of The prefatory address will show the high meetings, as the truth spread over new dis-authority under which William Dewsbury betricts. The two following addresses may lieved himself to be moving on this occasion. serve, the one to illustrate the fact, and the It is as follows: other to point out the manner in which he was led to supply this need. The latter of the two only, is in his collected works, where it stands the first in order of his epistles, having the date of 1653. It contains, I apprehend, the first outline on record of an attempt at a system of religious discipline among Friends; "That in every particular meeting of and it shows some considerable analogy to Friends, there be chosen from among you, that which was many years afterwards intro- one or two who are most grown in the power duced by George Fox in a form much ampli- and life, and in discernment in the truth, to fied, and which has continued in operation in take the care and charge over the flock of the Society to the present day. In the intro- God in that place. And this is the word of duction to the new edition of the "Rules of the living God to you who are chosen :Discipline of the religious Society of Friends Watch over the flock of God, you to whom is with Advices," I find the following statement, committed the charge and care; and take the which bears directly on this point, and gives oversight thereof, not by constraint but wilcountenance to the supposition which I had lingly, not for filthy lucre but of a ready entertained in regard to the epistle in ques- mind. I charge and command you in the tion." Previously to the establishment of presence of the living God, not to rule as that regular system of discipline, and of that mode of representation in the meetings for conducting it, which now exists, there had been many general meetings held in different parts of the nation, for the purpose of providing for the various exigencies of the Society. How these meetings were constituted, it is not easy to ascertain. The labourers in the Gospel,' by whose instrumentality the church had been gathered, appear to have taken the most prominent part in the proceedings of these meetings.

"George Fox mentions in his Journal, that some meetings for discipline were settled in the north of England so early as the year 1653. The first general meeting of which we are aware that any records are extant, was held at Balby, near Doncaster, in Yorkshire, in 1656; and from this meeting a number of directions and advices were issued, addressed To the Brethren in the North.'

This document refers to most of the points, which now form the main subjects of our discipline. It contains instructions as to the Gospel order of proceeding with delinquents, advices to husbands and wives, parents and VOL. II.-No. 6.

lords over God's heritage, but in the power of the Spirit in all purity. Be examples to the flock, and see that order be kept in the church, in constantly meeting together, according to the rule that hath been given forth, that is to say, once a week, or more, if it may be, besides the first-day meeting. And you are to have a general meeting with other Friends near you, once in two or three weeks, as the Lord orders and makes way.

"Be not slack and backward, but faithful to the Lord, in improving every opportunity for Friends to meet; and, in every town where Friends are scattered, lay the charge and care on some Friends who are most grown in the truth, to see that they meet together to wait on the Lord three or four hours, as the Lord orders it, one night or two in the week. And watch over one another with a pure, single eye, to see that those who come amongst

Dewsbury's handwriting: it was evidently sent * The editor has seen the original in William to George Fox, and received his signature, after that of William Dewsbury, and is endorsed in George Fox's handwriting, "William Dewsbury to Friends."

30

of God in you, dwelling in Him who alone is power, and to whom all glory belongs forever. The pure spirit of the most high God, rest upon you, whom he hath chosen to watch over his flock; and his mighty power open the pure eye in you, to discern and separate between the precious and the vile, the holy and the unholy; and furnish you with courage and with boldness and wisdom to rule in the power of his spirit, to cut down all deceit, and to wash the disciples' feet, in bowing to the pure [mind] in the least appearance; and ministering to it, to strengthen the desire raised up towards the name of the Lord, until judgment be brought forth unto victory. Then will you have unity together in that which is begotten of God, who reigns over all, blessed forever. Wisdom is justified of her children. "W. D."

them walk orderly, according to what they profess. And if any walk disorderly, let those to whom the care and charge is committed, or any other who discerns them, and is moved to speak to them, deal plainly with them in reproving them, ministering to that which is pure in the conscience, for the restoring of them. But, if they will not reform, acquaint two or three more who are most grown in the truth; or you to whom the charge and care of the flock is committed, with the other that did admonish them in tender love, admonish them again; and, with plainness of speech, minister to that which is pure in their consciences, to raise up the witness and to judge and cut down the deceit; that their souls may be saved and their nakedness covered. But if they still walk in disorder, when the church is met together, reprove them openly; and if still they do not reform, but walk in their filthiness, when the church is met together, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, charge them to depart from amongst you. So, cast them out, and have no union with them, not so much as to eat with them, until they repent, and turn to the Lord, and walk in obe-tropolis. No reader will doubt its discovering dience to that which is pure. If they do this, then receive them again: but if they still walk on in the stubbornness of their wills, and do not bend to that which is pure in their consciences, keep them forth, that no filthy person dwell in the house of God. Then will the blessing of the Lord God be with you.

"And this is his word to you, see that there be not any in outward want in the church, and that all walk orderly in their places and callings. And if any root of bitterness spring up in any, which causeth strife in their minds one against another, as soon as you know of it, call such before you and examine the matter strictly; and stand in the wisdom and power of God to guide you to judge the cause, and end it in righteousness. But if the cause be hard for you to discern, and the measure you are grown to cannot discern between the parties, I charge you, and command you, not to be hasty in the cause before you, to order it in your doubtful and dark minds: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.' But send for some who are more grown in discerning, to judge the cause and end it in righteousness. Then will deceit be judged, and strife kept out, and the innocent set free to serve the Lord and your union will be in Christ Jesus, where you will bring forth fruit, abiding in him, and through his blood you shall overcome the world in you and without, and shall reign as kings upon the earth. In the power of Christ you shall command the unclean spirit, in all his appearances within you and without; and he shall submit to the power

been made, is dated 1653, and was printed in The other epistle to which allusion has London in 1654, as a tract, with three epistles of other Friends; and appears to have been one of the first pieces circulated in the me

strong symptoms of the need of oversight and care among those to whom it was addressed.

"Dear Friends,

"I suffer with the imprisoned Seed unto which I was sent to preach the everlasting Gospel, to the opening of your blind eyes, that you might see your lost estates; how your immortal souls lie in the pit wherein there is no water; and to bring them forth, that they might stand in the liberty of my Father's love in the free covenant of life in the Lord Jesus.

"This covenant is to the Seed, which is pure and holy; it enlightens your understandings, and lets you see every bypath and broad way, and cries behind you, 'This is the way, walk in it,' when you turn from the pure light which is in your consciences. To the light in your consciences I appeal, which shall witness it. Many of you have not been faithful in walking with the Lord, since you heard the Gos pel of your salvation. I charge you in the presence of the Lord and by his power, examine your consciences, every one of you, which will witness with me.

to

"I suffer amongst you, for the immortal Seed, that suffers in you. I charge you, slight not the examination of your hearts, every one of you in particular. I see who you are in whom the Seed suffers; in some under one deceit, and some in another: and to the light of Christ in your consciences I direct you; every one of you, dwell in the pure light which is in your consciences; and you will see yourselves, and witness these

CHAPTER VII.

1654. William Dewsbury imprisoned at YorkCircumstances attending his apprehension— Malice of the constable-Pursued to Crake, and there taken at midnight-His ill treatment-Endures three months' imprisonment— Innocence-Imprisoned at Derby-Refuses to leave the prison without the magistrates' intervention-Is thrust out accordingly—Brought before the mayor at Leicester-Put out of the town, but returns-Proceeds to NorthamptonThomas Andrews' treatment of him—Is seized by the high-constable, but set at liberty—Francis Ellington convinced-William Dewsbury is taken up on a charge of blasphemy, and committed to the common jail.

lines to be from God, before whom all is naked and bare. I charge you by the Lord, hasten every one of you to meet the Lord, in speedily reforming your ways. Thou who art slothful, hearken to the light in thy conscience, and it will awaken thee; and thou who art flown up into the air, to speak of that thou livest not in, hearken, and it will stop thy mouth, and cause thee to lie low before the Lord. Thou who art exalted above thy brother, be attentive to the light in thy conscience, and it will pluck thee down and cause thee to serve him in love. Thou who art delighting in the earth more than in the Lord thy God, be attentive to the light in thy conscience, and it will bring thy earthly mind to judgment, and rend thee from the earth. And thou who art a self-lover, if thou save thyself and regard not thy brother, be attentive to the light in thy conscience, and it will bring thee IN the first month, 1654, we find this faithful man at York. to self-denial, and to love thy brother, to He was cast into the prison watch over him, and to suffer with him in his of that city under the name of a seducer, with sufferings. the following accusation, namely," for se"I charge you, in the presence of the ever-ducing the people of this nation, and for susliving God, that every one be faithful accord-picion of blasphemy and breaking the public ing to the measure of light, the Lord hath peace, in dispersing principles contrary to the given to profit withal, in the exercise of your Edward Bowles, priest of York, was his actruth of the Gospel and peace of the nation." consciences towards God and men. Let the cuser, who light guide you in all your ways, and it will purge away the filth of the flesh: so will the old man be put off with his deeds, and the imprisoned Seed set at liberty in you. Then, I shall no more come to you with a rod, as I am constrained to do at this time, through your foolishness, who have departed from the pure wisdom, to look abroad in the counsel of your own hearts. For the rod is prepared for the back of a fool,' but the wise man's eye is in his head.' This eye is the light in your consciences: being guided by it, it will lead you to Christ, who is the fountain of wisdom and knowledge.

gave forth a paper, charging him with being, in addition to the other allegations, a ringleader of the persons called Quakers. As the general assizes were then being held, this paper was delivered by the foreman of the grand jury to Hugh Wyndham, who sat on the bench as judge of the criminal court. He immediately granted a warrant in open court for the apprehension of Dewsbury. The charges were serious, and the agitation of the public mind was at that time so great, in consequence of a plot that was suspected against Cromwell, that people were ready to believe without examination or proof: nor was there much benefit in general to be derived from the most straightforward explanation of facts and circumstances. that

"Now, all you that walk in Him, denying yourselves freely, I have unity with every one of you: be faithful in your measures, In the prosecution of his religious labours, you may grow up together in the Lord Jesus, a peculiar people, a holy priesthood, to offer William Dewsbury had proceeded in the mean up your souls and bodies a living sacrifice time to Tholthorpe, where the constable, more unto the Lord our God: that he may guide like a ruffian than a peace officer, fell in with you by his power to his praise and glory, who him. While he was at a meeting, and enalone is worthy to be feared and obeyed by

all his saints forever and ever.

"With love, I salute you all in the Lord, and to his power I commit you. The Lord God Almighty enlighten your understandings, and bless you, and guide you in wisdom, to watch over one another in love, that the God of love may be exalted in all of you." "From WILLIAM DEWSBURY. "December, 1653."

gaged with others in the solemn act of waiting upon God, the aforesaid officer rushed in upon them, and with a manifest intention of injuring William Dewsbury, twice attacked him with an iron fork; "but," says he, “the Lord by his power chained him, and prevented his bloody intents."

Whether the fellow was over-awed by the calm, solemn, and dignified deportment of the Friends, or whether from some other cause, it is not easy to understand

by what means he was prevented from carry-of the Lord's dealings with him, that he had ing the warrant into execution. Thus disap- seen much of his mighty power manifested, pointed, however, he proceeded to Kirby Hall, in carrying him along in the service of the the residence of Thomas Dickenson, a justice of the peace, and there renewed his accusation, and procured another warrant for Dewsbury's apprehension and imprisonment, grounded in part on that issued previously by Judge Wyndham.

Gospel, wonderfully preserving and uphold. ing his outward man many times, when he seemed given over to death; and though the plots and snares of evil men had abounded against him, yet were none of them suffered to prevail," it pleased my dear Father they had no power against me, until I had been amongst all the Friends in the east part of

At Crake, a small town about twenty-five miles north-west of York, he was apprehended by John Lockwood, the high-constable, to Yorkshire."-Editor.] whose hands, it would appear, the warrant Here, innocent of the commission of any had been committed. This officer, very un- real crime, he was detained a prisoner until like the former one, willing to save himself the general assizes, which occurred on the trouble, proposed his remaining with his 22nd of the fifth month following, when friends that night, it being late, on condition Judge Wyndham sat again upon the bench. of their becoming bound for his appearance On that occasion, for the Truth's sake, and the next day. But Dewsbury told them resolutely, that no man should be engaged for hím, neither desired he favour at their hands: and turning to the constable, said, "If thou hast power over the body, do with it what thou hast power to do." But as the evening was advancing, he bade him stay at his friend's house until the morrow; whereupon he assured the officer of his readiness to go with him at the time appointed, if the Lord pleased.

This little season of respite afforded him and his friends an opportunity of sitting down together to wait upon God; an exercise at all times profitable, but never more so than in straits and difficulties. Thus engaged in the night season, with many of the Lord's servants and children," "waiting on Him who is worthy to be waited upon, and is good to the souls that wait upon him, to the souls that seek him," and the night being far spent under this exercise, they were surprised by the inhabitants of the town, with the high-constable at their head, (contrary to his own engagement,) who surrounded the house, and attacking the doors and windows with great_fury, determined to have the disposing of Dewsbury themselves. When, in their blind rage, they had got this innocent servant of the Lord into their hand, they urged him along the street, shouting from one ale-house to another, until they had found one into which entrance could be obtained. This done, they committed him to the custody of two men until the next day; and in the morning, he was brought before Dickenson, who being unable to prove anything against him, committed him to York Castle, by virtue of the warrant previously issued by Judge Wyndham.

[In an original letter written from York Castle, the 2nd of the fifth month, William Dewsbury speaks largely in commemoration

that nothing might lay unjustly either upon the holy cause itself or upon the sufferer for it, Friends, always courting investigation in open trial, anxiously interceded with the judge, for the prisoner to have the same ad vantages that thieves and murderers were al lowed, namely, to meet his accusers face to face; and then, if the transgression of any just law could be proved against him, they were willing he should suffer for it, as he was also himself. Nothing could be more fair than this; and publicly accused as he was, and abused as he had been, he had a right to demand the protection of the law. The judge promised him a fair trial, but broke his en gagement: for William Dewsbury was never, on those charges, brought before him, but, at the conclusion of the assizes, was cleared by proclamation, and set at liberty on the 24th of the fifth month.

Thus did they treat this innocent man. He was apprehended as a criminal, abused as one whom the law had placed out of its protection, committed to prison upon vague and empty and malicious charges, without shadow or pretence of proof, detained there for a period of three months; and then, without being af forded the opportunity of defending his cha racter, was set at liberty; no doubt, in order that his accuser, the priest Bowles, might escape the disgrace, which must have resulted from an impartial examination in open court.

[The following letter, addressed by Wil liam Dewsbury to Margaret Fell, will be interesting to the reader, as conveying his own account of these circumstances. It is copied from the original.-Editor.]

"My dear Sister,

"In the Lord Jesus, where my life is bound up with thee, and all my brethren and sisters in the Truth of God, in thy family and else where, my love salutes you all in the Lord,