which gave us great advantage against them. The replevin being taken out and bond given by Thomas Cubage to proceed therein, we left them and went to Waterford that afternoon to the rest of our friends; but the meeting was over before we arrived, which was all the further hurt they could do us.

These rude disingenuous persons had not their ends of us; for William Penn wrote to the lords justices of Ireland, complaining of the abuse; and they issued an order, whereby they confined these officers to their chambers, and commanded them to decline the suit. They were detained several weeks, till they made application to the governor of Waterford to make way for them by some of our friends at Cork to William Penn, and to entreat him to write again to the lords justices for their release, and that they might not be broken. The first they did not expect, until it should be effected by his means, and the latter they much feared would happen, unless he signified his satisfaction; which they had endeavoured to obtain by paying all charges and discharging the suit at Ross. William Penn, who was not a man of revenge, but of justice and mercy, so soon as he found their request was made in a due sense of their error, delayed not to solicit for them accordingly; upon which they were released and forgiven, for which they appeared very thankful and much humbled.

The meeting at Waterford was very large and well; and it was said the bishop of the place and several of his clergy were in his garden, where they might hear; but we heard of no objection, William Penn having had the whole service of the meeting upon him.

On the 4th of the fourth month we went from Waterford to Clonmell, and the next day being the first of the week, were at the province meeting there, which was very large; and had another next day, on the afternoon of which, the men's and women's meetings were held.

cape and make discovery who they were, or that our number, though unarmed, over-awed them, or, which is most likely, the Lord by his power restrained them, I shall not determine; but through his good providence we went all safe to Youghall in the evening. The Lord is good to them that love him, and near to preserve those that trust in him and mean no hurt; and all these can praise his never-failing power.

At Youghall we staid one night, and had a small meeting with Friends there: on the 7th we went into the barony of Imokilley, where lies great part of William Penn's estate in that kingdom, some of which he viewed, and we staid thereabout till the 10th; and being at the castle of Shannigary, belonging to him, a gentlewoman of good sense and character, related to me the following passage, viz:

"That she being in the city of Cork when it was invested by King William's army, and having a little daughter of hers with her, they were sitting together on a squab; and being much concerned in mind about the danger and circumstances they were under, she was seized with a sudden fear and strong impulse to arise from that seat, which she did in a precipitant manner, and hastened to another part of the room; and then was in the like concern for her child, to whom she called with uncommon earnestness to come to her, which she did; immediately after which came a cannon-ball and struck the seat all in pieces, and drove the parts of it about the room, without any hurt to either of them."

From this relation I took occasion to reason with her thus: "That Intelligencer which gave her notice of the danger they were in, must be a spiritual being, having access to her mind-which is likewise of a spiritual nature-when in that state of humiliation; and must also be a good and beneficent Intelligencer, willing to preserve them, and furnished also with knowledge and foresight more than human. He must have known On the 7th we went for Youghall, though that such a piece would be fired at that time, not without some danger, of which we were and that the ball would hit that seat and innot then aware. For we were told after- fallibly destroy you both, if not prevented in wards that the Rapparees usually haunted due time by a suitable admonition; which he some waste places we had passed over; and suggested by the passion of fear, the passions that there had been about fourteen of them in being useful when duly subjected, and by ambush under a hedge, on the side of a moun- that means saved your lives. tain in our way, to have set upon us: for they that the passions of the mind can be wrought said if they could seize Mr. Penn, they should upon for our good, by an invisible, beneficent have a hatful of guineas. But it being a Intelligencer, in a state of humiliation and heavy rain, and some of us staying behind, stillness, without any exterior medium, is it our company was divided into several parties; not reasonable to conclude that an evil intelliand several of the Rapparees knowing some gencer may have access likewise to the mind, of our company belonging to Youghall, they in a state of unwatchfulness, when the pasdid not attack us, or appear. But whether sions are moving and the imagination at libfor fear that some who knew them might es-erty to form ideas destructive to the mind,

And seeing

might be felt. It was a hard meeting; and I came away with a heavy load, not having had any time therein; yet it cleared up towards the end, and some service was done as I believe.

That afternoon we viewed some of the effects of the late siege there, and observed the walls of some houses, as well as of the city, had been much shattered with many large cannon shot, and that great breaches had been made at the late siege by King William's army. We viewed also the ruins of the besieged's out-works and bastions, and many unrepaired desolations and ruins, as so many characters of the indignation of Him who justly gives men up to the destruction one of another in furious wars, when they like not to retain God in their thoughts, nor really to embrace his Son, the Prince of love, peace, and concord; though in words they confess him. Yet we had occasion here to observe the kind and protecting hand of divine Providence over those who love and fear the Lord for we had a certain account from our friend Thomas Pearce, an apothecary in that city, that in the time of the siege a bomb fell into his yard close by the window, when divers Friends were with him in the house; which, if it had broken, might have destroyed them but falling into a cistern full of water, the fuse was quenched, and it did not break at all.

had neglected my own gift till the proper time for the exercise thereof was over, and so had come from thence greatly laden in my mind; fearing to do the like here, and add to my burthen, too heavy already to bear-I stood up to speak too soon; and that I might not be in the way of those I preferred, I spoke too fast, and thereby went before my right guide; so that my burden remained on that account, though not so heavy as before: for the Lord, who is merciful, knew it was not wilful, but out of weakness.

By this conduct I obtained further, though expensive, experience; that there ought to be neither too much regard nor disregard to any person, neither short nor over, staying behind our true guide nor going before; but in and with the divine and living truth, and the motion and operation of it, in God's time; and then only can men preach the gospel. When he moves his time is to be observed; and that and no other should be our time; though some disappointments there are, not properly our own fault, but occasioned by the unskil fulness and haste of others, taking a wrong time, and intruding where they ought not; in which there is evil, and the gospel of Christ thereby greatly hindered, often out of the view of the unskilful instruments acting or omitting to act therein.

The same afternoon was their meeting for business, where things were managed with a The next day we went to Birr, where we just severity against every appearance of evil, staid that night, and next day had a good to the great comfort of the upright and dismeeting in the town-hall, which the chief couragement of evil doers. A great instrumagistrate, at the instance of William Penn, ment of exact discipline was that ancient and let us have for that purpose. To this meeting worthy friend of truth William Edmundson, came the priest of the parish and several per- who lived within the precincts of that meetsons of quality thereabout, and were all civil.ing; for whom not they only, but also all In the evening came the priest to see William Ireland, may give thanks to the Lord, for the Penn, with whom he had some conversation, due observation of order in the churches of praising his good sermon and soundness of Christ in that kingdom. doctrine; to whom William Penn gave a little Next day we went to Edenderry, where we book concerning our principles, which he met our friends Samuel Waldenfield and John thankfully received and took a very respect. Vaughton from London, of whom we had an ful leave. ample account of the concern moved against Next morning we set forward for Rosean-William Penn in the yearly meeting at Lonallis, to see our ancient and honourable friend don, in his absence; and by whom, and to William Edmundson, where we arrived about the second hour in the afternoon, and William Penn and John Everot staid there; and some Friends went on with me to Mount-mellick, and that evening we visited some Friends in town and near it.

what purposes, and on what foundation it was chiefly begun and prosecuted; being only the fruits of emulation and envy in some who wanted that honour the Lord was pleased to put upon him, and could not have it.

Here also we were favoured with a large On the 10th, being the first of the week, and full meeting of Friends and others, divers William Penn and his company came to us, persons of quality being there, and two Episand we had a very large meeting at Mount- copal priests; one of whom, an ancient man, mellick, and the Lord was with us in general. was tendered in the meeting by the testimony But as I had greater regard to the services of of truth, to which he confessed. The Lord William Penn and John Everot than my own, was good to us that day; and when the meetand at Limerick, under that considerationing was ended we had comfortable society

together in his love, who never fails to be with all those, from age to age, and will be to the end of the world with them, that love one another in him, according to his new and blessed commandment.

In the evening we went along with the London Friends and some others, to John Barcroft's, where we staid that night; and next morning the London Friends went towards Carlow, and we, about thirty-one in company, set forward towards Lurgan in the north; but the greatest part being Dublin Friends, went thither, and William Penn, John Everot, Samuel Randal, Thomas Pearce, Thomas Winsloe, myself, and some young men from about Edenderry, went that night to Ardee, and lodged at an inn.

Our way to Lurgan was through a very wild, mountainous country; but being met by several Friends about eight miles from thence, and well received while there, we were fresh and easy next morning, when we had a very large meeting, about two parts Friends, and of others some were persons of quality. The Lord glorified his own arm that day, to the lasting honour of his name. I had a short concern in the beginning of the meeting, then John Everot much larger; and though slow a considerable time, and of no great appearance, for he made no flourish, yet in the end of his labour truth was over all, in the virtue and power of it, and so remained. By the time he had done William Penn was full, as a new bottle with new wine; and He who filled him therewith, by him dispensed the same liberally to all that were athirst.

Many professors among the sectaries were there, who now understood Friends had been much wronged by false reports concerning our principles, doctrines, and manners. The Lord was good to us, and the meeting ended under a solid sense of his holy presence; and that afternoon we rested, and had the society of Friends. The next morning, about seven, had a select meeting, in great sweetness, among Friends, and then departed towards Dublin.

doubt, rent from their bones by the wild beasts and dogs, and fowls of the air.

In the evening of seventh-day we arrived at Dublin; next day had two large and living meetings, many strangers being there. We rested as privately as could be till the 20th, and then had another meeting there; and that afternoon we went to Kilcock, about twelve miles from Dublin, and next day to Carlow, where, on the 22nd, we had a large meeting.

Thus we travelled through the country, visiting Friends and meetings as we went, till we came towards the south parts, where I left the company and went to Clonmell, in order to see my brother George, then dean of Limerick, and met with him at Thomas Osborn's, who had been sent into France for education, and there had embraced the Romish religion.

I found him of a frank and familiar temper, and he desired me to take a turn with him in the garden. Walking there together, he asked me some questions concerning our principles, and more particularly of our silent meetings, and of what advantage they were to us; for he did suppose they were of some use, else we would not continue in the practice of them.

I answered, that we had been as other men, subject to common infirmities and ignorant of God, as to any experience of his presence and divine working in us, till it pleased him, in his own goodness and mercy, to visit us by the Spirit of his Son Christ; through which we had known a time of condemnation and humiliation for sins past, and true repentance and forgiveness; and believing in him, through the work of his Spirit and power in our minds, he, with the light and life of his Son, became the object of our faith; by which also he sanctified our hearts, and reconciled us unto himself. Thus the enmity being slain, and we made temples of the Holy Ghost, we now worshipped the Father through the Spirit of his Son, in a state of faith and obedience; whereby we draw near unto him, even through We lodged that night at Dundalk, where that blessed Mediator whom he hath appointwe had opportunity to see the place of the ed, partaking of the nature of man; not of late miserable camps, where such numbers flesh and blood only as the Son of man, but died in great distress. Here we saw many also being clothed with a holy human mind. proofs of the misery many souls had en- By him we are made partakers of the divine dured in time of sickness, in a cold and wet nature as the sons of God; as it is written, winter season; but that which most of all" He shall take of mine, and show it unto gave occasion for reflection on the miseries you." And the Father being made manifest and calamities of war, by men professing, on in him, we have instructions in wisdom, and all hands, the peaceable Saviour, was the enjoyments in the divine and blessed presence, sculls and other bones of human bodies, of of which the world, in a state of nature, is the same flesh and blood with us, for God not aware, and never more so than in a state made of one blood all nations, who never had of true silence; where all the passions, affecreceived burial; but their flesh had been, notions, and natural desires of the heart are

silenced, by the all-commanding voice and consequence. For certainly God is with and power of the divine Word; who said, "Let the worlds be, and it was so."

in his own appointments; and whosoever is denied by the church of Christ, is denied by himself. For as she acts in and by his Spirit, which is ever in her, and present with her, it is his act by her; and in that respect, she is called the ground and pillar of truth. Of fenders so denied, undergo, even in this life, a burden more sinking than the loss of all they have in the world; whereby life itself becomes a load and tedious. But where any form of excommunication is invented only by the wisdom or policy of men, from secular views, with punishments of their own contriving annexed, the Lord doth not co-operate there, nor own that ordinance; so that the punishments awarded, which are often inadequate, cruel, and unjust, are all that the ex

He heard me with attention, and replied, that he firmly believed what I had said; that we were such a people, and consequently the happiest in the world; over whom the Almighty hath a particular care. Then he told me a passage concerning himself, saying, that he and some other gentlemen being at Clonmell some time ago, they heard that one of our meetings was appointed there that day, by one of our preachers from the west of England, and they agreed to go to it. After they had been there about half an hour, the rest all tired, and would have had him away with them; but he was so much satisfied with what he felt there, that he could not go with them, but staid the meeting to the end; having never communicated sustain; not for the salvation met with the like satisfaction any where else. By the time this relation was finished, he began to be apprehensive that his priest might miss us out of the company, and be in quest of him, for he kept a Popish priest in his house, under the appearance of a gentleman, and so it proved, for we were but got back into the garden till he came to us. The priest beginning to ask me some questions about religion, he withdrew; for the priests will seldom permit, if they can avoid it, that their people shall hear any debates between them and Protestants, lest they should be infected with what they call heresy; unless where they think they shall have manifestly the advantage in the argument upon the subject.

The first question he asked me was, whether we believed predestination? I answered "No, but that the grace of God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, is universal, and free to all mankind." He said, they were of different opinions on that subject; some one way, and some another: and then asked me what we thought of excommunication, and its effect in the church?

I answered, that it ought to be applied to such as deny the faith in express words; or if not in words, yet by actions, by committing and persisting in any immoral or sinful acts, or declining the common and stated rules of the community, or terms of Christian communion among them: but that excommunication ought not to affect life, liberty, property, or the person of any one, but only to deny him Christian communion till reformed.

This, he said, was not of sufficient force to awe offenders, or to induce their return, where the motives to their offences were strong and cogent.

I replied, that to be denied communion by any real Christian congregation, of which one is a member, is a matter of great weight and

of the soul, but satisfying the ends of power, pride, covetousness, and envy, to the destruction of the character, estate, body, and family, if not ruin of the soul, by complying, under such grievous temptations, with heterodox errors in opinion, and practices immoral, idolatrous, and antichristian; fruits of the inventions of apostate and fallen spirits, by whom the children of men are deceived.

Being then near the house, we were called to supper; and that being over, he began to introduce other matter of controversy.

He saluted me with some encomiums, that he might cast his net with greater certainty and success. "Sir," said he, "I have heard a very good character of you, both as to your understanding and other qualifications and accomplishments; from which I conclude, it must have been something extraordinary, or very particular, which induced you to embrace a religion and opinions so generally exploded by men of sense and penetration; and as sufficient reasons, to yourself at least, for what you have done on that account, cannot be wanting to a man of your repute, I beg leave to ask you some questions, that I may be better informed than yet I have been concerning the religion you now profess.

"Do you believe there ever was such a man in the world as Jesus Christ?" This question looked scurrilous and smiting; yet, perceiving he meant to lay a foundation for some further superstructure, I answered, "Yes, we believe all that is written in the holy Scriptures concerning our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and upon as good a foundation and evidence, if not better, than any who have pretended to suspect us on that account." Then he went on; "Do you believe that Jesus Christ made choice of twelve persons, called his apostles?" I answered yes. Again said he, "Do you believe that Christ commanded his