ftandings. There were three bishops prefent, and not one of them replied in all this discourse, though. fo nearly concerned in it. In the conclufion, the lord lieutenant bid God blefs us; adding, we fhould not fuffer for not going to their publick worship, neither for going to our meetings. Now this quieted the priest, and it foon went abroad, that the Quakers had the liberty of their religion, which was a great ease to friends, for we had been often imprisoned, and had much goods taken from us on that account.'

In the year 1666 a certain perfon, who afterwards became very confpicuous for his good fervices both to the church and to mankind in general, viz. William Penn was convinced; his father, fir William Penn, then vice-admiral of England, having committed to his care and management a confiderable eftate in this kingdom, which occafioned his coming hither; and being informed that Thomas Loe was to be at a meeting in Cork, he went to hear him; who began. his declaration with these words; "There is a faith that overcomes the world, and there is a faith that is overcome by the world; upon which fubject he enlarged with great clearnefs and energy; and by the living and powerful teftimony of this man (which had made fome impreffion upon his fpirit ten years before) he was now thoroughly convinced, and afterwards conftantly attended the meetings of the people called Quakers, even through the heat of perfecution.

On the 3d of the Ninth month, 1667, being again at a meeting at Cork, he, with many others, was apprehended and carried before the mayor, who obferving that his dress discovered not the Quaker, would have fet him at liberty, upon bond for his good behaviour; which he refufing, was, with about eighteen others, committed to prifon. He had, during his abode in Ireland, contracted an intimate acquaintance with many of the nobility and gentry,

and, being now a prifoner, wrote the following letter

To the Earl of Orrery, Lord Prefident of Münster.

• The occafion may feem as ftrange as my cause is juft; but your lordship will no lefs exprefs your charity in the one, than your juftice in the other.

Religion, which is at once my crime, and mine innocence, makes me a prifoner to a mayor's malice, but mine own freeman; for being in the affembly of the people called Quakers, there came feveral conftables back'd with foldiers, rudely and arbitrarily requiring every man's appearance before the mayor, and amongst others violently haled me with them. Upon my coming before him, he charged me for being prefent at a tumultuous and riotous affembly, and unless I would give bond for my good behaviour, who challenge the world to accufe me juftly with the contrary, he would commit me. I afked for his authority; for I humbly conceive without an act of parliament, or an act of ftate, it might be justly termed too much officioufnefs. His anfwer was, A proclamation in the year 1660, and new inftructions to revive that dead and antiquated order. I leave your lordship to be judge if that proclamation relates to this concernment: that only was defigned to fupprefs fifth-monarchy killing fpirits; and fince the king's lord lieutenant and yourself, being fully perfuaded the intention of thefe called Quakers by their meetings, was really the fervice of God, have therefore manifested a repeal by a long continuance of freedon, I hope your lordship will not now begin an unusual severity, by indulging fo much malice in one whose actions favour ill with his nearest neighbours, but that there may be a speedy releasement to all for attending their honeft callings, with the enjoyment of their families, and not to be longer feparated from both.

VOL. III.

H

And though to diffent from a national fyftem, impofed by authority, renders men hereticks, yet I dare believe your lordship is better read in reason and theology, than to fubfcribe a maxim fo vulgar and untrue; for imagining moft vifible conftitutions of religious government, fuited to the nature and genius of a civil empire, it cannot be efteemed herefy, but to fcare a multitude from fuch enquiries as may create divifions fatal to a civil policy, and therefore at worst deserves only the name of disturbers.

But I prefume, my lord, the acquaintance you have had with other countries, muft needs have furnished you with this infallible obfervation, that diverfities of faith and worship contribute not to the disturbance of any place, where moral uniformity is barely requifite to preserve the peace. It is not long fince you were a good folicitor for the liberty I now crave, and concluded no way fo effectual to improve or advantage this country, as to difpenfe with freedom in things relating to confcience; and I fuppofe were it riotous or tumultuary, as by fome vainly imagined, your lordship's inclination, as well as duty, would entertain a very remote opinion. My humble fupplication therefore to you is, that fo malicious and injurious a practice to innocent Englishmen, may not. receive any countenance or encouragement from your lordship; for as it is contrary to the practice elfewhere, and a bad argument to invite English hither, fo, with fubmiffion, will it not refemble that clemency and English spirit, that hath hitherto made you honourable.

If in this cafe I may have used too great a liberty, it is my subject, nor fhall I doubt your pardon, fince by your authority I expect a favour, which never will be used unworthy an honeft man, and

Your Lordship's faithful, &c.
W. Penn..

His requeft in the letter, fo far as related to himself, was quickly granted, for the earl forthwith ordered his discharge.

His late imprisonment was fo far from terrifying, that it strengthened him in his refolution of a closer union with that people, whose religious innocence was the only crime they fuffered for. And now his more open joining with the Quakers, brought himself. under that reproachful name."

From the year 1665 to 1668, it doth not appear that Friends were under any great fufferings, except by the priests, on account of tithes, &c. but the number of friends increased, and they gained credit. by their faithfulness, and several new meetings were fettled, whereof an account is given in due place hereafter.

And now the number of friends being become great, the neceffity of church government and difcipline did more and more appear; and the weight thereof did rest upon fome, and chiefly upon W. E. whom the Lord hath been pleafed to honour, as the chief inftrument in this land, for the fpreading of truth, and preferving friends faithful therein; fo that provincial meetings were fet up to be held once in fix. weeks, and these were prior to the monthly meetings. (even as the quarterly meetings in England were alfo prior to the monthly meetings there); and thofe affairs which have fince fallen under the cognizance of monthly meetings, were tranfacted at the provincial meetings, because in those times of infancy and sufferings the mutual help and advice of brethren affembled from different parts was neceffary, when particular meetings were frequently but fmall and weak. The chief bufinefs of thefe meetings was to take care of the poor, fatherless, and widows; that marriages fhould be decently and orderly accomplished

* See Penn's Works, Vol. I.

according to the example of Holy Scripture, that justice and equity upon all occafions might be practifed by fuch as frequented our affemblies; and whereas fome of thefe did not walk confiftently with their profeffion, it was neceffary that the judgment of truth might be exercised on fuch, in order that the Christian reputation of the fociety might be maintained and preferved.

Thus was good order and difcipline introduced in this kingdom, which was further confirmed, and monthly meetings and national half-year's meetings, were eftablished here upon the arrival of George Fox, in the following year.

In the mean-time, in the year 1668, died that eminent minister of Chrift, Thomas Loe, concerning whom the friends of Ireland have left the following teftimony:

He was a man of an excellent gift, found, clear, and powerful in his miniftry, elegant in fpeech, fharp and quick in his understanding, and his teftimony was very convincing, to the flopping the mouths of gainfayers. Much people flocked after him; many friends up and down this nation received their convincement by him, and many were by him confirmed in the Truth. He was often in meetings engaged by priests and oppofers of truth, in which exercife he was as a fharp threshing inftrument in the hand of the Lord to confound them. In conversation he was fweet and pleasant, and fympathizing with friends under afflictions, in which flate, yea, and in all states, he had a word in season to adminifter. He travelled this land very much, vifiting it feveral times from England, and was feveral times a prifoner for his teftimony to the truth. He was freely given up to spend and be spent in the fervice of the gofpel, and in his laft vifit to Ireland, his natural ftrength was much impaired; after which when his fervice