did in such a convincing way, that she not only assented to what he laid before her; but, her heart being reached by his discourse, she came clearly to see, that if she had not been so stubborn and disobedient to these inward reproofs, she would not have come into this miserable condition. For man not desiring the knowledge of God's ways, and departing from Him, is left helpless, and cannot keep himself from evil, even though it be such as he would formerly have abhorred in the highest degree.

William thus opening matters to her, by his wholesome admonitions so wrought upon her mind, that she who never had conversed with the Quakers, and was altogether ignorant of their doctrine, now came to apprehend that it was "the grace of God which bringeth salvation," which she had so often withstood; and to perceive that this grace had not yet quite forsaken her, but was now making her sensible of the greatness of her transgression. This consideration weighed so powerfully with her, that from a most grievous sinner, she became a true penitent, and with hearty sorrow she cried to the Lord, that it might please Him not to hide. his countenance. Continuing in this state of humiliation and sincere repentance, and persevering in watching unto prayer for the pardon of her sins, she was at length favored with a sure hope of forgiveness, through the precious blood of the "Immaculate Lamb," who came into the world to save sinners, and call them to repentance, and who died also for the sins of the world.

Of this change, graciously wrought in her by the Spirit of Christ revealed in her heart, she gave clear evidence, at her trial before Judge Hale; who, having heard how penitent she was, wished much to save her from the capital punishment due by the law to her offence, and accordingly had procured the insertion in the indictment, of the words. "wilfully and designedly," hoping that thence she might find occasion to deny the charge, and so to quash the indict

ment. But she, being as usual asked whether “Guilty or Not Guilty?" readily answered, "Guilty." This astonished the judge, who told her that she seemed not duly to consider what she said; since it could not well be believed, that such a one as she, who, it might be, had inconsiderately handled her child in a rough manner, should have wilfully and designedly killed it. Here the judge was opening as it were a back door for her to avoid the penalty of death. But now, the fear of God had obtained so much room in her heart, that no tampering would do-no figleaves could be made use of for a cover-she knew that this would have been adding sin to sin, and covering herself with a covering but not of God's Spirit. She therefore plainly acknowledged to the court, that she had indeed committed this wicked act intentionally; adding, that "having sinned thus grievously, and being now affected with true repentance, she could by no means excuse herself, but was willing to undergo the punishment the law required. She could not therefore but acknowledge herself guilty, since otherwise how could she expect forgiveness from the Lord?"

This undisguised and free confession, spoken with a serious countenance and demeanor, so affected Judge Hale, that with tears trickling down his face, he sorrowfully said, "Woman, such a case as this I never met with before. Perhaps you, who are but young, and speak so piously, as being struck to the heart with repentance, might yet do much good in the world. But now you force me, that ex officio I must pronounce sentence of death against you, since you will admit of no excuse." Standing to what she had said, the judge then pronounced the sentence of death.

When afterwards she came to the place of execution, she made a pathetic speech to the people, exhorting the spectators, especially those who were young, to have the fear of God before their eyes, to give heed to His secret

reproofs for evil, and so not to grieve and resist the good Spirit of the Lord: she not having timely attended to this, had run on in evil, and thus proceeding from one wickedness to another, had brought herself to this dismal exit. But since she firmly trusted in God's infinite mercy, nay surely believed that her sins, though of a bloody dye, were washed off by the pure blood of Christ, her Redeemer, she could contentedly depart this life. Thus she preached at the gallows, a doctrine very consonant with the views of the people called Quakers, and gave heart-melting proofs that her immortal soul was to enter into paradise, as well as in ancient days that of the thief on the cross.

This year, died Francis Howgill, a prisoner for the cause of Truth, in Appleby jail. He had been imprisoned in the year 1663, and the next year sentenced under premunire, to be confined during his life, and his property confiscated to the king; without any other crime being found against him, than that he could not transgress the command of his Divine Master, to "swear not at all," nor bind himself by any agreement to forsake the assembling together with his Friends for the worship of Almighty God, in spirit and in truth. "Hard sentence," he remarked to the court, "for obeying the command of Christ: but I am content and in perfect peace with the Lord; and the Lord forgive you all-it is for Christ's sake I suffer, and not for evil doing." Being by this sentence "put out of the king's protection," he was remanded to the prison where he first suffered for his righteous testimony, and remained there until released by death, towards the end of the year 1668, after an illness of nine days.

During his long imprisonment in this filthy jail, he evinced the peaceful condition of his soul, by great patience and resignation to all his sufferings; and his outward losses were abundantly compensated by that inward consolation. which the Lord alone can bestow. As he approached the

close of life, having passed the time of his sojourning here in fear, he met his change with great serenity, and felt the sting of death to be taken away. He said he was content and ready to die-praised the Almighty for the many sweet enjoyments and refreshing seasons, wherewith he had been favored, while lying on that prison-bed, -and freely forgave all who had had a hand in his restraint. To his wife and others, two days before his death, he gave a message of his dear love to his friends, adding, "As for me, I am well, and content to die-I am not afraid at all of death." And the mayor of Appleby visiting him, and some persons present, praying that God might speak peace to his soul, he answered emphatically, "He hath done it.”

A few hours before he departed, some friends from a distance came to visit him in his prison. He inquired after their welfare, and prayed fervently, "that the Lord by his mighty power might preserve them out of all such things as would spot and defile." His voice soon afterwards failed through weakness; but recovering, he said, "I have sought the way of the Lord from a child, and lived innocently among men; and if any inquire concerning my latter end, let them know, that I die in the faith which I have lived in and suffered for." After this, he uttered a few words in prayer, and so finished his earthly course in perfect peace, in the fiftieth year of his age. Conspicuous for his virtues, and the innocence and integrity of his life, the malicious efforts of his enemies were unable to sully his reputation; he was generally respected and esteemed by those who knew him, even though not of his religious persuasion; his sufferings were commiserated, and the unmerited cruelty of his persecutors justly condemned.

CHAPTER XXV.

MEETINGS FOR DISCIPLINE INSTITUTED IN THE SOCIETY. GEORGE FOX GOES TO AMERICA-AND RETURNING, IS IMPRISONED AT WORCESTER.

T was about this time that the Society of Friends assumed

advice of George Fox and those deeply experienced men and women who felt and labored with him, by the institution of meetings held periodically, for the good ordering of the affairs of the church. It will therefore be appropriate in this part of our history, to consider briefly the steps by which this important and highly useful feature was gradually introduced.

Many of the early members of the Society were poor as to this world's goods, though rich in faith; and the constant persecutions to which for many years they were subjected, reduced many of them to great destitution. But brotherly kindness abounded. Those who possessed pecuniary means remembered to do good and to communicate; they dared not esteem all that they possessed as exclusively their own; but felt bound to use it freely, in relieving with a noble liberality the necessities of their suffering brethren, remembering that they were all members of one body, "striving together for the faith of the gospel," and when one member suffered, all the members must suffer with it. This feeling being general, and the necessities of families deprived of their means of subsistence by the imprisonment of one or both of the heads being often pressing, the propriety of meeting together occasionally, to consider the circumstances of