In which holy Spirit I believe, as the same his father's asperity towards him was consiAlmighty and eternal God; who, as in those derably softened. The mortification which he times he ended all shadows, and became the felt on discovering that his son was firmly united infallible guide to them that walked therein; to the Society of Friends, then almost univerby which they were adopted heirs and co-heirs sally villified and despised, must have rendered of glory; so am I a living witness, that the him averse to an open reconciliation. Yet the same holy, just, merciful, Almighty and eter- severity with which he saw him treated, the nal God, is now, as then, (after this tedious malicious efforts which were used to destroy night of idolatry, superstition and human in- his reputation, and the tedious imprisonment. ventions, that hath overspread the world) glo- to which he had been subjected, could hardly riously manifested to discover and save from fail to excite his sympathy: while the paall iniquity, and to conduct unto the holy land tience with which he sustained his compliof pure and endless peace; in a word, to ta-cated trials, the firmness with which he bernacle among men. And I also firmly be- maintained his principles, and the innocent lieve, that without repenting and forsaking of boldness with which he vindicated his chapast sins, and walking in obedience to his racter, excited his respect, and tended to satheavenly voice, which would guide into all isfy his father, both of the sincerity of his truth and establish there, remission and eter- intentions and the soundness of his religious nal life can never be obtained; but them principles. He allowed him to reside at his that fear his name and keep his command- own house, though he did not see him, and ments, they, and they only, shall have right caused it to be signified to him, through his unto the tree of life. For his name's sake I mother, that he might return to Ireland, to have been made willing to relinquish and for- execute a commission for him. sake all the vain fashions, enticing pleasures, alluring honours and glittering glories of this transitory world, and readily to accept the portion of a fool, from this deriding generation, and become a man of sorrows and a perpetual reproach to my familiars: yea, and with the greatest cheerfulness can obsignate and confirm, with no less seal than the loss of whatsoever this doating world accounts dear, this faithful confession, having my eye fixed upon a more enduring substance, and lasting inheritance; and being most infallibly assured, that when time shall be no more, I shall, if faithful hereunto, possess the mansions of eternal life, and be received into everlasting habitations of rest and glory." He accordingly left London in the seventh, and arrived at Cork in the eighth month of this year. It had happened when he was returning from Ireland, nearly two years before, that a person belonging to the Society of Friends, was a passenger in the same vessel. The religious conversation of this man, was at that time a strength and encouragement to him, being then recently convinced. Upon taking passage at this time, he found himself again in company with the same Friend. But their relative situation was now materially changed. The Friend had the discernment to perceive, that William Penn was much his superior in religious experience and weight. This discovery brought him to reflect seriously on his own want of faithfulness, and he expressed with many tears, his concern to pursue his journey heaven-ward with greater vigilance in future. Soon after the publication of this work, the author was discharged from the tower, after being detained there, upon terms of unusual severity, about seven months. His discharge came suddenly from the king, who had been Upon his arrival at Cork, he immediatemoved to it by the intercession of the duke ly visited his friends who were imprisoned of York. Whether the father of William there, and the next day had a meeting among Penn applied to the duke for his interference, them, in which their spirits were mutually or whether the act was spontaneous on the refreshed. Having remained a few days, he part of the latter, is not now known. It is, went from thence to Dublin, and on the 5th however understood, that his enlargement was of ninth month, attended the National Meetowing to the friendly offices of the duke. This ing of Friends, which was held at his lodgand other acts of kindness, are sufficient to ex-ings. At that meeting, an account of the plain the reason of William Penn's friendship sufferings of Friends was prepared, which a for James, when he became involved in trou- few days afterwards he presented to the lordble, without imputing to the former any im- lieutenant. proper motives. CHAPTER III. 1669. At the time when William Penn was discharged from his confinement in the tower, During his continuance in Ireland, he usually resided either at Dublin or Cork; and although the care of his father's estate occupied a large part of his time, he was careful to attend religious meetings, in which he was frequently engaged in Gospel ministry. His solicitude for the promotion of true religion, ing about them with every opposer, whom the and his sympathy with those who were suf- devil, in a way of temptation, shall present to fering on that account, led him often to visit us; which does no way advance our growth those who were in prison, and to hold meet- and increase in the noble principle of Truth. ings among them. He was also very active "And I beseech you, my dear friends, let in bringing their sufferings to the knowledge not the fear of any external thing, overcome of those in power; and soliciting their release. the holy resolution we have made, to follow His efforts were so far successful, that he ob- the Lamb, Christ Jesus, through all the tributained an order from the proper authorities, lations, trials and temptations, he and his folin the fourth month, 1670, for their discharge. lowers meet with. O let us be valiant in But his zealous and active mind did not God's cause on earth, who have but a few rest satisfied with the exercise of his ministry, days to live. Let the constancy of the world and his labours for the relief of his suffering to the momentary fashions, pleasures and polfriends; he also wrote several tracts to pro-lutions of it, the more ardently stir us up to mote the cause of religion, one of which, viz. express ours, for the honour of our God "A Letter to the Young Convinced," was against them all, who will reward us for afterwards published in his printed works. whatsoever we bear, suffer, or part with, on The general object of this letter, which is a his account. Let neither father nor mother, sisvery pathetic one, is to fix the attention of ter nor brother, wife nor child, house nor land, those to whom it is addressed, more closely liberties nor life itself, deter us from our holy upon that light of Christ and grace of God, constancy; but as the faithful ancients did, in the heart, by which they had been con- through deserts, wildernesses, and solitary vinced and measurably enlightened; that places, in goat-skins and sheep-skins, endure by walking in this light, and following the torments and bitter mockings in this earthly teachings of this blessed Spirit, they might be pilgrimage, for the inheritance which is everenabled to make their calling and election lasting. So my dear friends, let us do as we sure; and to support the trials unavoidably have them for our example. Let us however attendant upon a life devoted to the cause of be careful to show all due respect to our relaJesus, in that age of licentiousness and perse- tions, not to be exalted nor any way unruly, cution. lest there be just cause taken against us, and the blessed Truth should suffer; but in the still, retired, holy and patient life, which this pure Spirit of light and truth, as seriously and "In the tender love of Jesus Christ, I diligently waited on, certainly brings into, let earnestly entreat you, let us no more look us all dwell and abide; so shall we feel the back upon our ancient pastimes and de- powerful operation of God's holy Spirit, to lights, but with holy resolution press on, the more complete redeeming of our exercised press on; for they will steal away our souls, from under the dominion of sin, and to precious souls, beget new desires, raise the the giving us all a clearer understanding and old life, and finally ensnare and pollute our sounder judgment, of those things that are to minds again; and what will be the end of be parted from, as the pleasures, cares and such rebellion, but woes and tribulations from customs of the world, that stand in the fallen the hand of the just God, world without end. nature and only nourish the same, but crucify Neither let us enter into many reasonings with the self-denying Lord of glory; and also of opposers, for that is the life which God's pow-the things of God and his spiritual kingdom, er is revealed to slay; it is the still, the quiet and the righteous life, which must be exalted over all. And this I say in a sound understanding, through the mercies of the Lord, that deadness, darkness and anguish of spirit, will be the end of such disputing, pragmatical "And as one who is a traveller in his way, Christians, whose religion consists much more I even beseech, caution and admonish you all in words than works, confessing than forsak-in the holy awe of God, that you never forbear ing, and in their own will-performances and meeting and assembling yourselves, with the external observations, than in the reformation and conversion of their souls to God. And we who have known something more of the Lord, may also reduce our good conditions to an utter loss, by seeking to comprehend dubious matters in our understandings, and disput Some idea of the character and spirit of this production, may be formed from the following extracts, viz.; which are to be adhered to, that in his pure wisdom which is from above, we may be all kept and preserved, over all the snares and temptations of the adversary, both on the right hand and on the left. holy remnant amongst whom we first received our blessed convincement. O forever let us honour the Lord's Truth, and those who sincerely profess the same; but more especially such as were in Christ before us, for this is well pleasing to the Lord. Beware of light LIFE OF WILLIAM PENN. years of ness, jesting or a careless mind, which grieves that if any person upwards of sixteen the holy Spirit, that stands ready to seal usage, should be present at any assembly, conunto the day of our perfect redemption; but venticle, or meeting, under colour or pretence of let us be grave, weighty and temperate, keep- the exercise of religion, in any other manner ing low in body as well as mind, that in all than according to the liturgy and practice of the things we may be examples, and a sweet sav-church of England, where there were five or more persons present, besides those of the our for God, who hath loved and called us. And my dear friends, keep in the simplicity household, in such cases the offenders were to of the cross of Jesus, even in plainness of pay five shillings for the first offence, and ten for speech, and out of the world's flattering and the second. The preachers and teachers, in deceitful respects; for we are as well to be a any such meeting, were to forfeit twenty pounds cross in our garb, gaits, dealings and saluta- for the first, and forty for the second offence. tions, as religion and worship, to this vain, Those who suffered such conventicles to be held In in their houses, barns, &c., were also to foradulterated and apostatized generation. the pure measure of Truth that has been mani- feit twenty pounds. fested to every particular, and has convinced us of the unrighteousness of the world, and the vanity and emptiness of all its professions of God, Christ and religion, let us stand and abide, that we may feel it to be our refuge and strong tower, when the enemy shall approach, either by inward exercises, or outward bonds and suffering, which may overtake us for the trial of our most precious faith; so shall we sensibly experience that heavenly blood of cleansing, which only can give remission, cleanse from all sin, and finally purge the conscience from dead works to serve the living God." 1670. Having accomplished his visit in regard to his father's business, and rendered a number of signal services to his friends in Ireland, he returned to his native land. It now becomes the pleasing duty of his biographer to mention, that his father was fully reconciled to him. Though the Admiral was only about forty-nine, yet his constitution had been so much impaired by the hardships of a sea-faring life, and exposure to a variety of climates, that he was then sinking under the infirmities of premature old age. Thus circumstanced, his opinions of the world, its honours and emoluments appear to have been greatly changed. He could then perceive the wisdom of his son's choice, and appreciate the magnanimity displayed by him in his inflexible adherence to the path of apprehended duty. To William Penn himself, it must have been a peculiar satisfaction to find, that after incurring his father's displeasure, and sacrificing all his prospects on the side of the world, for the sake of obtaining peace with God and the hope of final acceptance hereafter, his father's favour was now restored, without any compromise of principle or loss of peace. In the spring of this year, an act was passed, professedly for the suppression of seditious conventicles, but actually to prevent all meetings for religious worship, in any other way, than according to the liturgy of the Episcopal church. The substance of this act was, Though this act was principally aimed at the Presbyterians, who were considered as the political opponents of the court, its weight fell chiefly upon Friends, because they supported their principles without flinching, and openly attended their meetings for divine worship; beOther professors lieving with the apostles, that they ought to obey God rather than man. frequently held their meetings in private, but Friends continued to assemble at the usual times and places, notwithstanding the perils which awaited them. It was not therefore to be expected, that William Penn, who was now become one of the conspicuous members and ministers in the Society, could long remain undisturbed. Friends being forcibly excluded from their meeting house in Grace-church street, met William as near it as they were permitted, and performed their worship in the street. Penn attending a meeting held there on the 14th of the month, called August, and being engaged in the ministry, was arrested by a warrant from Sir Samuel Starling, mayor of the city, and committed to Newgate. At the next sessions held at the Old Baily, he was indicted, together with William Mead, for being present at and preaching to an unlawful, seditious and riotous assembly. In the trial that ensued, he maintained his civil rights with the greatest firmness and self-possession, and manifested throughout a protracted and exceedingly vexatious prosecution, the magnanimity and patience of a true Christian. This trial, as a specimen of the arbitrary conduct of the courts of that day, and the firmness with which William Penn defended his civil and religious rights, is too important to be omitted. To give the proceedings in all their detail would be to swell this work beI shall therefore yond its intended limits. endeavour to present it to the reader in an abridged form. This trial came on the 1st of the seventh month, (September) 1670. The persons on the bench were, Samuel Starling, mayor; John Howell, recorder; The indictment stated that William Penn and William Mead, with other persons to the number of three hundred, with force and arms unlawfully and tumultuously assembled together on the 15th day of August, 1670, and the said William Penn, by agreement made beforehand with William Mead, preached and spoke to the assembly; by reason whereof a great concourse and tumult of people continued a long time in the street, in contempt of the king and his law, to the great disturbance of his peace, and to the terror of many of his liege people and subjects. Thomas Bludworth, William Peak, Richard but did not understand any thing that was said. Ford, John Robinson, Joseph Sheldon, alder-As to William Mead he did not see him there. men; Richard Brown, John Smith, James Ed- This was the amount of the testimony produced wards, sheriffs. The jurors empannelled to to establish the guilt of the prisoners. try this cause, were Thomas Veer, Edward The evidence being closed, William Penn, Bushel, John Hammond, Charles Milson, Gre-instead of taking advantage of its weakness, gory Walklet, John Brightman, Wm. Plum- boldly declared; "we confess ourselves to be so stead, Henry Henley, James Damask, Henry far from recanting, or declining to vindicate the Michel, Willam Lever and John Baily. assembling of ourselves, to preach, pray or worship the eternal, holy, just God, that we declare to all the world, that we do believe it to be our indispensable duty to meet incessantly upon so good an account; nor shall all the pow. ers upon earth be able to divert us from reverencing and adoring the God who made us." To this Richard Brown replied, you are not here for worshipping God, but for breaking the law. William Penn immediately affirmed that he had broken no law, and was not guilty of the indictment; he therefore desired them to inform him upon what law the indictment and the proceedings of the court were founded. The On the first day they were brought to the recorder answered, upon the common law. bar, and required to plead guilty or not guilty William Penn inquired where that law was. to the indictment. They both answered not The recorder replied, he must not expect him guilty, having been previously promised an to run over so many adjudged cases which opportunity of making their defence, and that they called common law, to answer his quesa fair hearing would be allowed them. They tion. William Penn told him if the law was were afterwards kept waiting while some other common it ought not to be hard to produce. prisoners, charged with felony and murder, He was then told to plead to the indictment. He insisted upon having the law pointed out were tried. On the 3d of the month they were again on which the indictment was grounded, and brought into court. As they came in, one of which he was charged with breaking, so that the officers pulled off their hats, upon which the jury might understand the case and decide the mayor in an angry manner, ordered him upon his innocence or guilt. He told them the to put them on again. The recorder then answer "that it was founded on the common fined them forty marks apiece for an alledged law," was too general and imperfect, unless contempt of court, in not pulling off their hats. they knew where and what that law was. This arbitrary proceeding immediately met Where there is no law there is no transgreswith a merited reproof from both the prisoners.sion, and that law which is not in being, is so To sustain the indictment, three witnesses far from being common that it is no law at all. were successively examined. The first testi-The recorder asserted that it was lex non fied that he saw three or four hundred people scripta, indignantly inquiring whether he exassembled in Gracious street, and that William Penn was speaking to them, but he could not hear what he said. He also saw William Mead there, who spoke to the witness. The second asserted that he saw a great crowd in Gracious street and heard William Penn preach to them, on the 14th of August, yet the indictment stated that the offence charged against the prisoners was committed on the 15th, a discrepancy sufficient in law to secure a verdict of acquittal. He also saw William Mead speaking to the former witness, but did not know what he said. Upon being questioned, he acknowledged the noise was so great that he could not tell what William Penn said. The third witness deposed that he saw a great number of people, and saw William Penn make a motion with his hands; he also heard some noise pected him to tell in a moment what some have studied thirty or forty years to understand. William Penn, in return to this legal bravado, quoted the declaration of lord Coke, that common law was common right, and common right the great charter privileges, confirmed by Henry III., Edward I., and Edward III. The recorder manifested great irritation, while William Penn, apparently quite calm and collected, urged the propriety of knowing upon what law the indictment was founded; declaring plainly, that if they denied the information demanded, and still refused to point out the law which he was charged with violating, they denied him a common right, and evinced a determination to sacrifice the privileges of Englishmen to their arbitrary designs. Upon this the mayor and recorder united in LIFE OF WILLIAM PENN. guilty of speaking or preaching to an assem- This result exceedingly exasperated the ordering him to be taken away and turned into the bale-dock. William Penn replied, these Must I are but so many vain exclamations. therefore be taken away, because I plead for the fundamental laws of England? However, this I leave upon your consciences, who are of the jury, and my sole judges, that if these an-dered the jury to return to their chamber and cient fundamental laws, which relate to liberty and property, and are not limited to particular persuasions in matters of religion, must not be indispensably maintained and observed, who can say he hath a right to the coat on his back? Certainly our liberties are to be openly inva-modations. In the morning they returned and ded, our families ruined, and our estates led away in triumph by every sturdy beggar and malicious informer, as their trophies, but our pretended forfeits for conscience sake. The Lord of heaven and earth will be judge between us in this matter. William Penn being then rudely turned into the bale-dock, William Mead renewed the demand for an account of the law upon which their indictment was founded, denied the facts stated in the indictment, as well he might, and explained from lord Coke what constituted a riot or unlawful assembly in common law, but was treated with greater indignity than William Penn had been, and turned with him into the bale-dock. When they were thus arbitrarily driven out of the court, in violation of the promise made at the opening of the trial; the recorder proceeded to give his charge to the jury in the absence of the prisoners, taking care to present the case in a light very unfavourable to the accused. Against this illegal procedure, the prisoners, who though put out of the court, were not out of hearing, both remonstrated, but their remonstrance had no other effect than to bring further abuse upon them. The jury were then sent to their room to As several of their agree upon their verdict. number were unwilling to bring in such a verdict as the rest were disposed to give, the dissentients, and particularly Edward Bushel, were treated by the bench with contumely and menacing language. At length they returned into court, when the foreman, on behalf of the whole, gave their verdict, that William Penn was guilty of speaking in Gracious street. Efforts were used by the court to extort a declaration that he was speaking to an unlawful assembly, but the foreman declared that the verdict already given was all he had in commission, and Bushel, Hammond and some others opposed the addition, openly testifying that they allowed of no such words as unlawful assembly in their verdict. This verdict being rejected by the court, the jury were again sent out, and returned their verdict in writing, with all their names affixed, that William Penn was VOL. V.-No. 2. reconsider their verdict. The jury protested against this piece of arbitrary authority, declaring they had already agreed; but they were rudely sent back to their room, and kept all night without food, fire or any other accomdelivered their verdict, that William Penn was guilty of speaking in Gracious street. This verdict was four times returned, but at length, after the jury had been kept two days and two nights without refreshment they delivered a verdict of not guilty, in case of both the prisoners, to the manifest satisfaction of the spectators, but to the great mortification of the bench. The recorder then addressing the jury, expressed his dissatisfaction with their verdict, and informed them that the court fined them forty marks a man, and imprisonment till the fines were paid. William Penn then demanded his liberty, being cleared by the jury, but he and William Mead were still detained, and sent to Newgate, as were also the jury for nonpayment of the fines which were thus arbitrarily laid upon them. Upon this celebrated trial, which William Penn, in his twenty-sixth year, sustained with so much ability, a few remarks may be made. It appears probable, that the arrest was made in consequence of the Conventicle act, then recently passed, but a prosecution upon that act was not sufficient to gratify the malice of the mayor and his associates. The mayor indeed, on their first arrest, when they were examined before him, treated William Penn in a very indecent and scurrilous manner, threatening to send him to Bridewell and have him whipped, casting at the same time some unhandsome reflections upon his father. This touched the filial affection of the son, who told him he could very well bear his severity to himself, but he was grieved to hear his father abused, who was absent. The mayor chose to commit them as rioters, and the indictment was apparently framed with a view to involve them and their case in the intricacies of the unwritten law, and to subject them to such penalty as the malice of the court might prescribe. The definition of an unlawful assembly, would appear to have been borrowed from the Conventicle act; for in the fourth section of that act, meetings for reli gious purposes, not according to the liturgy of the church of England, are reckoned unlawful assemblies, yet we have no account that this 6 |