The journal of George Fox, vol. 1 of 2 : $b Being an historical account of his life, travels, sufferings, and Christian experiences.Fox, George
Religion
The journal of George Fox, vol. 1 of 2 : $b Being an historical account of his life, travels, sufferings, and Christian experiences.
Fox, George
Fox, George, 1624-1691
While I was in the House of Correction, my relations came to see me; and
being troubled for my imprisonment, they went to the justices that cast
me into prison, and desired to have me home with them; offering to be
bound in one hundred pounds, and others of Derby with them in fifty
pounds each, that I should come no more thither to declare against the
priests. So I was had up before the justices; and because I would not
consent, that they, or any should be bound for me (for I was innocent
from any ill behaviour, and had spoken the word of life and truth unto
them,) Justice Bennet rose up in a rage; and as I was kneeling down to
pray to the Lord to forgive him, he ran upon me, and struck me with both
his hands, crying, “Away with him, jailer, take him away, jailer.”
Whereupon I was had again to prison, and there kept, until the time of
my commitment for six months was expired. But I had now the liberty of
walking a mile by myself, which I made use of, as I felt freedom.
Sometimes I went into the market, and streets, and warned the people to
repent of their wickedness; and so returned to prison again. And there
being persons of several sorts of religion in the prison, I sometimes
went and visited them in their meetings on first-days.
After I had been before the justices, and they had required sureties for
my good behaviour (which I could not consent should be given, to blemish
my innocency,) it came upon me to write to the justices again; which I
did as follows:—
“FRIENDS,
“See what it is in you that doth imprison; see, who is head in you;
and see, if something do not accuse you? Consider, you must be brought
to judgment. Think of Lazarus and Dives; the one fared sumptuously
every day, the other was a beggar. Now you have time, prize it, while
you have it. Would you have me to be bound to my good behaviour? I am
bound to my good behaviour; and cry for good behaviour of all people,
to turn from the vanities and pleasures, the oppression and deceits,
of this world; and there will come a time that you shall know it.
Therefore take heed of pleasures, and deceits, and pride; and look not
at man, but at the Lord; for ‘Look unto me, all ye ends of the earth,
and be ye saved,’ saith the Lord.”
Some little time after I wrote to them again:—
“FRIENDS,
“Would you have me to be bound to my good behaviour from drunkenness,
or swearing, or fighting, or adultery, and the like? The Lord hath
redeemed me from all these things; and the love of God hath brought me
to loathe all wantonness, blessed be His name! Drunkards, and
fighters, and swearers, have their liberty without bonds; and you lay
your law upon me, whom neither you, nor any other can justly accuse of
these things; praised be the Lord! I can look to no man for my
liberty, but to the Lord alone, who hath all men’s hearts in his
hand.”
And after some time, not finding my spirit clear of them, I wrote to
them again, as follows:—
“FRIENDS,
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