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
he saw they did not possess what they spoke of to others; and sometimes
he began to question his own experience. Being thus many times put to
a stand, he seemed almost to be at a loss. In this condition he heard
G. Fox preach, and afterwards reasoned with him; and it pleased the
Lord so to open his understanding, that he perceived, (as he relates
himself,) that he was in the prodigal state, above the cross of Christ,
and not in the pure fear of the Lord. Being thus convinced, he entered
into the society of the despised Quakers, though he was now rejected by
his relations, and, by a blind zeal, turned out of his father’s house.
This he bore patiently, and continued faithful in the doctrine he had
embraced. And in process of time he so advanced in true knowledge, that
he became a very eminent minister of the gospel. But what adversities
did he not undergo? Reviling, slandering, buffeting, and caning, were
often his lot; watching and fasting were many times his portion;
and imprisonments, great jeopardies, and danger of life, he was not
unacquainted with. But nothing could make this hero shrink: he always
was laborious, and seldom had any hours of rest. In his preaching he
was very acceptable, and eloquent in his speech, and had the tongue,
(according to what an eminent author relates, that knew him from his
youth,) of a learned orator, to declare himself to the understandings
and consciences of all men he met with. He was also a great writer, and
often would engage in disputes with those of other persuasions, sparing
no pains, where he thought he could serve the Lord and the church. Thus
much, for this time, of E. Burrough.
Let us return now to G. Fox, whom we left at Under-Barrow, where, with
the consent of the inhabitants, he had a great meeting in the chapel,
and many were convinced, and received the truth preached by him. From
thence he went to Lancashire, and having in some places spoken in the
steeple-houses, he came to Ulverstone, and so to Swarthmore, to the
house of Thomas Fell, a Judge in Wales, where many priests frequently
came. The judge was at that time abroad, employed in the exercise of
his office, and his wife Margaret was also gone abroad that day. G. Fox
in the meanwhile coming thither, met the priest William Lampitt, who
was a high notionist, and rich in words. But G. Fox soon perceiving
that he was without the possession of what he professed, opposed him
boldly. Before it was night, Margaret Fell returned home, and her
children told her, that Lampitt and Fox had disagreed, which did
somewhat trouble her, for she, making much of the priests, especially
admired Lampitt. That same night G. Fox had much reasoning there, and
declared the Truth to her and her family. The next day Lampitt came
again, and G. Fox discoursed with him in the presence of Margaret Fell,
who then began clearly to discern the priest.
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