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 here in prison, there was a young woman in the jail for
robbing her master of some money. When she was to be tried for her life,
I wrote to the judge and to the jury about her, showing them how it was
contrary to the law of God in old time to put people to death for
stealing, and moving them to show mercy. Yet she was condemned to die,
and a grave was made for her; and at the time appointed she was carried
forth to execution. Then I wrote a few words, warning all people to
beware of greediness or covetousness, for it leads from God; and
exhorting all to fear the Lord, to avoid all earthly lusts, and to prize
their time while they have it: this I gave to be read at the gallows.
And though they had her upon the ladder, with a cloth bound over her
face, ready to be turned off, yet they did not put her to death, but
brought her back again to prison: and in the prison she afterwards came
to be convinced of God’s everlasting truth.
There was also in the jail, while I was there, a prisoner, a wicked,
ungodly man, who was a reputed conjuror. He threatened how he would talk
with me, and what he would do to me; but he never had power to open his
mouth to me. And once the jailer and he falling out, he threatened that
he would raise the Devil, and break his house down, so that he made the
jailer afraid. Then I was moved of the Lord to go in his power, and
rebuke him, and say unto him, “Come let us see what thou canst do; do
Thy worst;” and I told him the Devil was raised high enough in him
already, but the power of God chained him down: so he slunk away from
me.
Now the time of Worcester fight coming on, Justice Bennet sent the
constables to press me for a soldier, seeing I would not voluntarily
accept of a command. I told them that I was brought off from outward
wars. They came down again to give me press-money, but I would take
none. Then I was brought up to Sergeant Holes, kept there awhile, and
then taken down again. After a while the constables fetched me up again,
and brought me before the commissioners, who said I should go for a
soldier; but I told them that I was dead to it. They said I was alive. I
told them, where envy and hatred are, there is confusion. They offered
me money twice, but I would not take it: then they were angry, and
committed me close prisoner, without bail or mainprize. Whereupon I
wrote to them again, directing my letter to Colonel Barton (who was a
preacher), and the rest that were concerned in my commitment. I wrote
thus:—
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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