diately caused it to be proclaimed three times over, that if any credible man on board would give evidence that Richard had done any thing deserving of death, he should have it; but no one appearing, he proclaimed, "that the Quaker was as free a man as any on board." So the men, who filled the shrouds, tops, and decks, heaved up their hats, and loudly cried, "God bless Sir Edward, he is a merciful man." And thus did the Almighty Care-taker of his lowly dependent children, defeat the evil intentions of those who sought the life of this faithful sufferer for the cause of a pure conscience, and for his testimony to the peaceful nature of true Christianity. Great was the peace with which his soul was filled on this memorable day. Much kindness was shown to him by all on board; but he declared that "the great kindness of the Lord exceeded all."

Being thus preserved from death, he was soon after made instrumental to the saving of the ship, and the lives of many on board. It appears that he was visited by a remarkable dream or vision, in which it was shown him that the vessel would be engaged with the Dutch on a certain sand-bank, and in imminent danger of running aground, and so becoming a prey to the enemy. And though it was death by the rules of the navy, for any one to say any thing calculated to discourage the crew in time of battle, yet he was not easy without mentioning the circumstance to one or two of the officers; and when afterwards they were engaged in battle, he from the shrouds pointed out to the pilot the very sandbank, which had been marvellously manifested to him several days before, when he and the rest were entirely unacquainted with such a shoal. The vessel was immediately put about, in spite of the commander's orders to the contrary, who knew nothing of the danger; and they were thus suddenly rescued from running, aground, through the instrumentality of this despised and abused man. During the engagement, he was employed in attending to the poor

wounded and dying men; and again saved the ship from danger, by pointing out a fire-ship rapidly approaching them through the smoke, filled with combustibles, in order to set them on fire by the collision which would soon have taken place.

About a week after this, they were again engaged with the Dutch, and Richard was as before employed in carrying down and attending to the wounded men. This day they lost about two hundred of their ship's company. In describing this day's work, he says, "The lieutenant meeting me, asked me if I had received any wound? I told him, none. He asked, 'How I came to be so bloody?' Then I told him, 'It was with carrying down wounded men.' So he took me in his arms, and kissed me; and this was the same lieutenant that persecuted me so with irons at the first."

Soon after this, the vessel arriving near Chatham, the admiral came up to Richard, and laying his hand on his head, said, "Thou hast done well, and very well too," and gave him liberty to go ashore. Richard requested from him a certificate, to show that he had not run away. The admiral, knowing he was a fisherman, and likely, from his occupation, to be exposed again to be pressed on board some ship of war, said, "thou shalt have one to keep thee clear at home, and also in thy fishing;" and having it made out, he signed it, and gave it to Richard, wishing him well, and desiring to hear from him if he got well-home. His pay was offered him; but he refused it, and told them that he had money of his own, which he hoped would serve him till he reached his home.

Such is the remarkable narrative of the sufferings of this faithful man, who, rather than violate his conscience by being instrumental to destroy other men's lives, endured with patience many sore trials, "loving not his life unto the death;" but was freely resigned to martyrdom for his testimony against war, and was preserved from it at the last

extremity, by a memorable interposition of Him who can change the hearts and purposes of men at his will. And thus was he enabled to triumph over the malice of his enemies, who conscious at length of his innocence and virtue, became his friends and favorers.

CHAPTER XXIII.

WILLIAM PENN'S EARLY LIFE AND CONVINCEMENT.

BOUT the year 1666, the Society was joined by one

the th,

whose talents, education, and rank in life opened to him the fairest prospects of promotion to the favor of courts, and the various gratifications which this world has to bestow; but who, preferring a life of self-denial and suffering, with and for the people of God and the cause of eternal Truth, forsook the pleasures of Egypt at an early age, and entering heartily into the ranks of the Lord's army, became eminently serviceable in advancing the cause of true Christianity, both in the old world and in the new.

William Penn was born in London, in the year 1644. His father, Admiral Sir William Penn, was a man of good estate and reputation, and distinguished himself in some of the highest stations of the British navy. He was knighted by King Charles the Second; and became a peculiar favorite with the Duke of York, afterwards James the Second. William received a liberal education, and made so early improvements in learning, that about his fifteenth year he was entered as a student in the university of Oxford. He soon however began to display an ardent

desire after pure and spiritual religion. He had been much impressed on one occasion, by the ministry of a member of the Society of Friends, named Thomas Loe; and yielding to the feelings which were secretly implanted in his mind, he, with certain other students of the university, withdrew from the national ceremonious way of worship, and held private meetings for devotional purposes, preaching and praying among themselves. He was now sixteen years of age; and this practice giving great offence to the heads of the college, he was fined for non-conformity; and still persevering in what he believed to be more consonant with the gospel, than the practices of the established form of religion, he was expelled the college, and returned home in 1661.

His father, who had fondly hoped for great worldly preferment for his son, was much disappointed in finding the change which had taken place in his views. For feeling a secret sympathy spring up in his heart for sober and religious people, William took great delight in their company, to the neglect of those associations and occupations which would have promoted his entrance into a courtly life. His father endeavored to persuade him to conform to his wishes, though at the risk of wounding his conscience; but finding that neither his entreaties nor blows were sufficient to induce his son to obey him, rather than his Maker, in a fit of anger he turned him out of doors.

Relenting however in some measure from his severity, the next year he sent him to France, in company with some persons of quality who were making a tour on the continent, hoping by this means to wean him from the serious thoughtfulness and strictness of life to which he was so strongly inclined. This snare was wellnigh succeeding; for being thrown for a year or more among the fashionable and dissipated circles of the continent of Europe, his mind became diverted from the concerns of his soul's salvation, and he came back, to his father's great gratification, an

accomplished man of the world. But He who watched over him for good, suffered him not to remain long in this state of ease. He was mercifully made sensible that the pleasures of the world, and the maxims dictated by its spirit, were at enmity with God, and incompatible with an earnest seeking after that crown immortal, which was renewedly presented to his view as the only object worthy of his supreme desires. He was thus brought into great conflict of spirit; for his natural inclination, his lively and active disposition, his acquired accomplishments, the respect of his friends and acquaintance, and above all, the favor of a fondly attached parent, combined strongly to entice his youthful mind to embrace the glory and pleasures of this world, then courting his acceptance. The earnest supplication of his soul was put up to the Lord for preservation; and He was pleased to grant him such a portion of His holy power and Spirit, as enabled him in time to overcome all opposition, and with holy resolution to follow Christ, whatsoever reproaches or persecutions might attend him.

In the year 1666, and the twenty-second of his age, his father sent him to Ireland, to manage a considerable estate there; and being at Cork, and hearing that Thomas Loe, whom he had heard preach several years before at Oxford, was expected at a meeting in that city, he went to hear him. Thomas began his declaration with these words: There is a faith that overcomes the world, and there is a faith that is overcome of the world:" and enlarging upon it with much clearness and energy, his living and powerful testimony made such impression upon William's spirit, that under the baptizing power thereof, he was effectually convinced that this was the people to whom he must attach himself; and he constantly afterwards attended the meetings of Friends, and was united in close fellowship with them.