I had a very worthy friend then; and he was a very noble person, and I know his memory is very grateful to all,--Mr. John Hampden. At my first going out into this engagement, I saw our men were beaten at every hand. I did indeed; and desired him that he would make some additions to my Lord Essex's Army, of some new regiments; and I told him I would be serviceable to him in bringing such men in as I thought had a spirit that would do something in the work. This is very true that I tell you; God knows I lie not. "Your troops," said I, "are most of them old decayed serving-men, and tapsters, and such kind of fellows; and," said I, "their troops are gentlemen's sons, younger sons and persons of quality: do you think that the spirits of such base and mean fellows will ever be able to encounter gentlemen, that have honour and courage and resolution in them?" Truly I did represent to him in this manner conscientiously; and truly I did tell him: "You must get men of a spirit: and take it not ill what I say,--I know you will not,--of a spirit that is likely to go as far as gentlemen will go--or else you will be beaten still." XVI. _To the Committee of Ninety-Nine, April 21, 1657._ But surely the Laws need to be regulated! And I must needs say, I think it would be a sacrifice acceptable to God, upon many accounts. And I am persuaded that it is one of the things God looks for, and would have. I confess if any man should ask me, "Why, how would you have it done?" I confess I do not know how. But I think verily at the least, the delays in suits, and the excessiveness in fees, and the costliness of suits, and those various things which I do not know what names they bear--I hear talk of "Demurrers" and such-like things, which I scarce know--But I say certainly, the people are greatly suffering in this respect; they are so. XVII. _To the Second Protectorate Parliament, February 4, 1658._ I can say in the presence of God, in comparison with whom we are but like poor creeping ants upon the earth,--I would have been glad to have lived under my woodside, to have kept a flock of sheep--rather than undertake such a Government as this. But undertaking it by the Advice and Petition of you, I did look that you who had offered it unto me should make it good. FOOTNOTE: [3] _I.e._, passion. GEORGE FOX THE QUAKER (1654). =Source.=--_Journal of George Fox._ London, 1694. Vol. i., pp. 136-138.