The History of the Rise, Increase, and Progress of the Christian People Called Quakers: Intermixed with Several Remarkable Occurrencs.Sewel, William
History
The History of the Rise, Increase, and Progress of the Christian People Called Quakers: Intermixed with Several Remarkable Occurrencs.
Sewel, William
Society of Friends -- History -- Early works to 1800
Near the beginning of the year 1656, G. Fox went from London to Surry,
Chichester, Portsmouth, and Pool; where William Baily, a Baptist
teacher, and some others, were convinced by G. Fox’s ministry, and
entered into the society of those called Quakers; among whom, Baily
afterwards became an eminent minister. From Pool, G. Fox went to
Southampton, and Dorchester, where he desired of the Baptists to have
their meeting-house to meet in; but they refusing, he sent them word,
that they might come to his inn, if they pleased. Many of them came,
with their teacher, and they fell into a discourse about water-baptism.
G. Fox asked them, whether they could say they were sent of God to
baptize people, as John was; and whether they had the same spirit and
power, that the apostles had. They said they had not. Then he asked
them, how many powers there are. Whether there are any more than the
power of God, and the power of the devil; and they said, there was not
any power than those two. Then said G. Fox, ‘If you have not the power
of God, that the apostles had, then you act by the power of the devil.’
And his speaking was of such effect, that many substantial people
were convinced that night. Next morning when he was passing away, the
Baptists began to shake the dust from off their feet after him. ‘What,
said he, in the power of darkness? We who are in the power of God,
shake off the dust of our feet against you.’
Leaving Dorchester, he came to Weymouth, where, inquiring after
the sober people, about fourscore of them gathered together at the
priest’s house, and most of them were turned to Christ Jesus, who had
enlightened them with his divine light, by which they were reproved of
their sins. There was at that time a captain of horse in the town, who
rode about seven miles out of town with G. Fox. This captain was of
such a merry temper, and so exceedingly given to laughter, that G. Fox
several times spoke very seriously to him about it; but it was become
so customary to him that he would laugh almost at any thing he saw. But
G. Fox still admonished him to gravity, and the fear of the Lord; and
of this he spoke to him again when they parted. The next time G. Fox
saw him, the captain told him, that when he spoke to him at parting,
the power of the Lord so struck him, that before he got home he was
serious enough, and had left his laughing. He indeed became a serious
and good man; and being convinced of the Truth, died in the real
profession thereof.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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