took no notice of us. And though by this time. I had received some little strength, that I could (but not without fear) speak a few words in a meeting, when I believed I had them rightly given me in the life and power of Truth: yet it had never been required of me to supplicate the Lord in public; and this looked to me a more weighty matter to do, than to speak a few words in a meeting. Being in a meeting at Aberdeen, it was upon me to pray unto the Lord, and I was hardly beset in my mind how to give up; but another Friend kneeling down to pray, made way for me to follow, and I was easy.

CHAP. II.

1678-1687.

Return from Scotland-Religious Service in part of Yorkshire, &c. and visit to George Fox, at Swarthmore-Attends the Yearly Meeting in London, and visits Friends in different Parts-A time of Persecution-Much Convincement.

HAVING visited Friends in the north, where there was great openness, several convinced, and divers amongst themselves livingly opened by way of testimony, we returned for England again, and staying at home that summer, I had it in my mind to go and see George Fox, whom I had never seen, and who was then at Swarthmore; and the time that was in my mind to go, was after the harvest was over. But when the time drew near that I intended to have set forward, it was before me to visit divers meetings in Westmoreland, and in the dales of Yorkshire, in my way and a friend going along with me, we went forward, and visited meetings all along until we came to Wensleydale in Yorkshire, where we found great openness amongst Friends in their meetings. And being in Wensleydale meeting, there was so much brokenness and

tenderness among Friends, that after I had said a little, I sat down in silence; and it opened in my mind to speak of the Lord's appearance unto the prophet, not in the earthquake, nor in the rushing wind, but in the still small voice. And from thence we went to Swaledale; and though the Lord was near in meetings, and his comfortable presence and opening life I was a witness of, yet many times, when out of meetings, I was loaded and much under exercise of mind, and did not know what was the cause. At last I began to think I had missed my way in coming into those parts; and if I did not grow more easy, I would return home: and being at the widow Cherrie's, I was in the fields a little before the meeting; and not being much acquainted with the weight of a testimony, was much cast down in my mind. Being come into the house, after a little time came in Richard Robinson of Wensleydale, whom, I knew to be a weighty ancient friend, and having been at their meeting the day before, began to fear he had something against me, for I perceived by his own words he was come on foot six miles; and he said he had not done the like for several years. Concluding in my mind he was not come for nothing, I resolved, whatever he had to say to me, I would take it well, and withal I thought I should say but little if I could help it. The meeting being gathered, after some time I could not

easily forbear, but I must say what opened upon my mind, in the spring of love; and after I had done, Richard Robinson, appeared, and confirmed what I had said, and was, with other Friends loving and kind. But after all this, when we were parted, I was under exercise again, as much as before; and this being on the sixthday, we intended for Masham meeting on the first-day, and in our going, I concluded if I was not more easy, I would appoint no more meetings, but would go home. After I had sat in the meeting, I found the Lord was near to supply those that had their dependency upon him; and after I had spoken what was upon my mind to the meeting, Robert Lodge spake, and said on this wise: "That it is now as it was in the days of old: when the priests of God went mourning, between the porch and the altar, not because of their own sins, but because of the sins of the people; and now (said he) many are made to go mourning between meeting and meeting, not for any thing they have done, but for the sake of others." this eased me greatly of my burden, and I was helped on my way, for which the Lord shall have the praise. Taking meetings in the way, I came to Swarthmore, on the seventh-day, and was at their meeting on the first-day, where was George Fox, Margaret his wife, and four of her daughters, and all very loving and kind. When we parted, George

exhorted me to keep to the grace, and I should grow. After this I came homeward, had some meetings by the way, and remaining at home in the winter, I had a desire to go to the yearly meeting in London, but supposing there were many weighty ancient Friends, in the county, who were much more qualified, I was unwilling to speak of it; but being at our county meeting, which was of the nature of a quarterly meeting, but kept oftener, at that time inquiry was made of all the particular meetings, who intended for the yearly meeting in London, and none appeared to go in all the county, but John Banks and when the meeting was far over, and I perceived Friends were desirous there should be another Friend at least to go, I desired a friend to tell John Banks if he would accept me for a companion, I would offer my service to the meeting: he told me, if I had something in my mind for going, he was satisfied I should go with him, but he would not draw me.

And the time being short, I had to make ready; he appointed to meet me at Great Strickland, and he would appoint a meeting; accordingly I did, and we had divers meetings by the way, in which John Banks had good service, and I was well satisfied with his company. This yearly meeting was in the year 1679, and the first yearly meeting I was at,