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
From hence I went to BALBY, and so to DONCASTER, where I had formerly
preached repentance on the market-day; which had made a noise and alarm
in the country. On the First-day I went to the steeple-house, and after
the priest had done, I spoke to him and the people what the Lord had
commanded me; and they were in a great rage, hurried me out, threw me
down, and haled me before the magistrates. A long examination they made
of me, and much work I had with them. They threatened my life if ever I
came there again; and that they would leave me to the mercy of the
people. Nevertheless, I declared truth amongst them, and directed them
to the light of Christ in them; testifying unto them that “God was come
to teach his people himself, whether they would hear or forbear.” After
a while they put us out (for some Friends were with me) among the rude
multitude, and they stoned us down the street. An innkeeper, that was a
bailiff, came and took us into his house; and they broke his head, that
the blood ran down his face, with the stones that they threw at us. We
stayed a while in his house, and showed the more sober people the
priest’s fruits. Then we went to Balby, about a mile off, and the rude
people laid wait for us, and stoned us down the lane; but, blessed be
the Lord, we did not receive much hurt.
The next First-day I went to TICKHILL, whither the Friends of that side
gathered together, and in the meeting a mighty brokenness by the power
of God was amongst the people. I went out of the meeting, being moved of
God to go to the steeple-house; and when I came there, I found the
priest and most of the chief of the parish together in the chancel. So I
went up to them, and began to speak; but they immediately fell upon me;
and the clerk took up his Bible, as I was speaking, and struck me on the
face with it, so that it gushed out with blood, and I bled exceedingly
in the steeple-house. Then the people cried, “Let us have him out of the
church;” and when they had got me out, they beat me exceedingly, and
threw me down, and over a hedge; and afterwards they dragged me through
a house into the street, stoning and beating me as they drew me along,
so that I was besmeared all over with blood and dirt. They got my hat
from me, which I never obtained again. Yet when I was got upon my legs
again, I declared to them the word of life, and showed them the fruits
of their teacher, and how they dishonoured Christianity. After a while I
got into the meeting again amongst Friends; and the priest and people
coming by the house, I went forth with Friends into the yard, and there
I spoke to the priest and people. The priest scoffed at us, and called
us Quakers. But the Lord’s power was so over them, and the word of life
was declared in such authority and dread to them, that the priest began
trembling himself; and one of the people said, “Look how the priest
trembles and shakes, he is turned a Quaker also.” When the meeting was
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