The journal of George Fox, vol. 2 of 2 : $b Being an historical account of his life, travels, sufferings, and Christian experiences.Fox, George
Religion
The journal of George Fox, vol. 2 of 2 : $b Being an historical account of his life, travels, sufferings, and Christian experiences.
Fox, George
Fox, George, 1624-1691
While I continued so weak, that I could not go abroad to meetings,
the other Friends that came over with me, bestirred themselves in
the Lord’s work. The day but one after we landed, they had a great
meeting at the bridge, and after that several others in different
parts of the island; which alarmed the people of all sorts, so that
many came to our meetings, and some of the chief rank. For they had
got my name, understanding I was come upon the island, and expected
to see me at those meetings, not knowing that I was unable to go
abroad. And indeed, my weakness continued the longer on me, by
reason that my spirit was much pressed down at first with the filth
and dirt and unrighteousness of the people, which lay as a heavy
weight and load upon me. But after I had been above a month upon the
island, my spirit became somewhat easier, and I began to recover in
some measure my health and strength, and to get abroad among
Friends. In the meantime, having opportunity to send to England, I
wrote to Friends there, to let them know how it was with me, as
follows:—
“DEAR FRIENDS,
“I have been very weak these seven weeks past, and not able to
write myself. My desire is to you and for you all, that ye may
live in the fear of God, and in love one unto another, and be
subject one to another in the fear of God. I have been weaker in
my body than ever I was in my life that I remember, yea, my pains
have been such as I cannot express; yet my heart and spirit is
strong. I have hardly perspired these seven weeks past, though I
am come into a very hot climate, where hardly any but are well
nigh continually perspiring; but as for me, my old bruises, colds,
numbness, and pains, struck inwardly, even to my very heart. So
that I have taken little rest, and the chief things that were
comfortable to my stomach, were a little water and powdered
ginger; but now I begin to drink a little beer as well as water,
and sometimes a little wine and water mixed. Great pains and
travails I have felt, and in measure am under; but it is well, my
life is over all. This island was to me as all on a fire ere I
came to it, but now it is somewhat quenched and abated. I came in
weakness amongst those that are strong, and have so continued; but
now I am got a little cheery, and over it. Many Friends, and some
considerable persons of the world, have been with me. I tired out
my body much when amongst you in England; it is the Lord’s power
that helps me; therefore I desire you all to prize the power of
the Lord and his truth. I was but weak in body when I left you,
after I had been in my great travail amongst you; but after that,
it struck all back again into my body, which was not well settled
after so sore travails in England. Then I was so tired at sea,
that I could not rest, and have had little or no stomach a long
time. Since I came into this island, my life hath been very much
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