1677.—George Fox sails for Holland, with several other Friends, and lands at Briel—attends the Quarterly Meeting at Amsterdam—writes an epistle to Friends against the spirit of separation—writes to the Princess Elizabeth—her answer—a monthly meeting is established at Frederickstadt—Friends are imprisoned and banished from Embden, and suffer greatly—a Monthly Meeting settled at Harlingen—a priest assents to the doctrine promulgated by George Fox—he is questioned for it by his hearers—George Fox writes an epistle to Friends respecting the seducing spirit—he writes an epistle of encouragement to Friends under suffering at Dantzic—and again to Friends respecting the spirit of separation—spends considerable time at Amsterdam in writing on Truth’s account—a warning to the magistrates and people of Oldenburg—an epistle concerning fasts, prayers, honour, persecution, true liberty, and the observance of days and times—a warning to the magistrates, priests, and people of Hamburg—to the ambassadors met to effect a treaty of peace in the city of Nimeguen—completes his travels in Holland—writes a book addressed to the Jews.
After the meeting at Harwich we returned to John Vandewall’s, where I had lodged; and when the boat was ready, taking leave of Friends, we that were bound for Holland, went on board about nine in the evening, on the 25th of the 5th Month, 1677. The Friends that went over with me, were William Penn, Robert Barclay, George Keith and his wife, John Furly and his brother, William Tallcoat, George Watts, and Isabel Yeomans, one of my wife’s daughters.
About one in the morning we weighed anchor, having a fair brisk wind, which by next morning brought us within sight of Holland. But that day proving very clear and calm we got forward little, till about four in the afternoon, when a fresh gale arose, which carried us within a league of land. Then being becalmed again, we cast anchor for that night, it being between the hours of nine and ten in the evening: but William Penn and Robert Barclay, understanding that Benjamin Furly was come from Rotterdam to the Briel to meet us, got two of the boatmen to let down a small boat that belonged to the packet, and row them to shore; but before they could reach it the gates were shut; and there being no house without the gates, they lay in a fisherman’s boat all night. As soon as the gates were opened in the morning, they went in and found Benjamin Furly, with other Friends of Rotterdam, that were come thither to receive us; and they sent a boat, with three young men in it, that lived with Benjamin Furly, who brought us to the Briel, where the Friends received us with great gladness.
We stayed about two hours to refresh ourselves, and then took boat, with the Holland Friends, for Rotterdam, where we arrived about eleven that day, the 28th of the Month. I was very well this voyage, but some of the Friends were sea-sick. A fine passage we had, and all came safe and well to land; blessed and praised be the name of the Lord for ever!
Next day, being First-day, we had two meetings at Benjamin Furly’s, where many of the town’s-people and some officers came in, and all were civil. Benjamin Furly or John Claus, a Friend of Amsterdam, interpreted, when any Friend declared. I spent the next day in visiting Friends there. The day following, William Penn and I, with other Friends, went towards Amsterdam with some Friends of that city, who came to Rotterdam to conduct us thither. We took boat in the afternoon, and, passing by Overkirk, came to Delft, through which we walked on foot; and then took boat again to Leyden, where we lodged that night at an inn. This is six Dutch miles from Rotterdam, which are eighteen English miles, and five hours’ sailing or travelling; for our boat was drawn by a horse that went on the shore. Next day taking boat again, we went to Haarlem, fourteen miles from Leyden, where we had appointed a meeting, which proved very large; for many of the townspeople came in, and two of their preachers. The Lord gave us a blessed opportunity, not only with respect to Friends, but to other sober people, and the meeting ended peaceably and well. After it we passed to Amsterdam, accompanied by several Friends of that city and of Alkmaar.
Next day was the quarterly meeting at Amsterdam, to which came Friends from Haarlem and Rotterdam, and with them those of our company, whom we had left at Rotterdam, viz.: Robert Barclay, George Keith and his wife, &c. The meeting was at Gertrude Dirick Nieson’s house. A very large and serviceable one it was; for both William Penn and I were drawn to open many things concerning the order of the gospel, and to show the benefit and service of yearly, quarterly, and monthly meetings of men and women. We had another meeting at Gertrude’s the next day, more public, and very large, at which were professors of several sorts, unto whom the way of life and salvation was largely and livingly opened; which they hearkened very attentively to, none making any objection to what was declared. In the afternoon we had another meeting in the same place, but less, and more private. The day following we had a meeting of Friends only, wherein by joint agreement were settled several meetings; to wit, monthly, quarterly, and a yearly meeting, to be held at Amsterdam for Friends in all the United Provinces of Holland, and in Embden, the Palatinate, Hamburg, Frederickstadt, Dantzic, and other places in and about Germany; which Friends were glad of, and it has been of great service to truth.
Next day an exercise came upon me concerning that deceitful spirit, which wrought in some to make divisions in the church; and the care of the churches being upon me, I was moved to write a few lines to warn Friends of it, as follows:—
“All Friends, keep over that spirit of separation and division, in the peaceable truth, and in the Seed of life, which will wear it all out and outlast it. For the Lamb will have the victory over all the spirits of strife, as it hath had since the beginning; and they will wither, as others have done; but all that keep in the Seed, which is always green, shall never wither; as Friends have been to this day kept. And if any have backslidden, and thrown off the cross, are grown loose and full, and are gone into strife and contention with their earthly spirits, and therein plead for a liberty, this spirit taketh with loose, earthly spirits, and cries imposition to such as admonish them to come to the life, light, Spirit, and power of God, that they may be alive, and may live again with the living. Upon this admonition, their spirits rise into contention, strife, and separation, turning against the living, in their loose, earthly spirits, which would have the name of truth, but are not in the nature of it, but are for eternal judgment of the living Seed. This is it which doth deceive; but it is judged by that which doth undeceive and save.”
Amsterdam in Holland, the 5th of the 6th Month, 1677.
This being First-day, we had a very large meeting again, there coming to it a great concourse of people of different opinions, as Baptists, Seekers, Socinians, Brownists, and some of the collegians. Robert Barclay, George Keith, William Penn, and I, declared the everlasting truth among them; opening the state of man in the fall, and showing by what way man and woman may come into the restoration by Christ Jesus. Indeed, the mystery of iniquity, and the mystery of godliness, were very plainly laid open; and the meeting ended quietly and well.
The day following, George Keith, Robert Barclay, and William Penn, leaving me and some other Friends at Amsterdam, set forward towards Germany; where they travelled many hundred miles, and had good service for the Lord; Benjamin Furly going with them and interpreting.
That day and the next I stayed at Amsterdam, visiting Friends, and assisting them in some business concerning their meetings. Three Baptists came to discourse with me, to whom I opened things to their satisfaction, and they parted from me in kindness. I wrote a letter also to the Princess Elizabeth, which Isabel Yeomans delivered to her, when George Keith’s wife and she went to visit her:—
“Princess Elizabeth,
“I have heard of thy tenderness towards the Lord and his holy truth, by some Friends that have visited thee, and also by some of thy letters, which I have seen. It is indeed a great thing for a person of thy quality to have such a tender mind after the Lord and his precious truth, seeing so many are swallowed up with voluptuousness, and the pleasures of this world; yet all make an outward profession of God and Christ one way or other, but without any deep, inward sense and feeling of him. For it is not many mighty, nor wise of the world, that can become fools for Christ’s sake, or can become low in the humility of Christ Jesus from their mighty state, through which they might receive a mightier estate, and a mightier kingdom through the inward Holy Spirit—the divine light and power of God; and a mightier wisdom which is from above, pure and peaceable. This wisdom is above that which is below; that is earthly, sensual, and devilish, by which men destroy one another, yea, about their religions, ways, worships, and churches; but this they have not from God nor Christ. The wisdom which is from above, by which all things were made and created, which the holy fear of God in the heart is the beginning of, keeps the heart clean: and by this wisdom are all God’s children to be ordered, and with it to order all things to God’s glory. This is the wisdom that is justified of her children. In this fear of God and this wisdom, my desire is, that thou mayest be preserved to God’s glory. For the Lord is come to teach his people himself, and to set up his ensign, that the nations may flow unto it.
“There hath been an apostacy since the apostles’ days, from the divine light of Christ, which should have given them ‘the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ Jesus;’ and from the Holy Spirit, which would have led them into all truth; and therefore have people set up so many leaders without them, to give them knowledge; and also from the holy and precious faith, which Jesus Christ is the author and finisher of; which purifies the heart, and gives victory over that which separates from God; through which faith they have access to God, and in which they please God; the mystery of which is held in a pure conscience. And also from the gospel which was preached in the apostles’ days (which gospel is the power of God,) which brings life and immortality to light in man and woman, by which people should have seen over the devil that has darkened them; which gospel will preserve all them that receive it, in life and immortality. For the eyes of people have been after men, and not after the Lord, who writes his law in the hearts, and puts it into the minds of all the children of the new covenant of light, life, and grace, through which they all come to know the Lord, from the least to the greatest; so that the knowledge of the Lord may cover the earth, as the waters do the sea.
“This work of the Lord is beginning again, as it was in the apostles’ days. People shall come to receive an unction in them again from the Holy One, by which they shall know all things, and shall need not any man to teach them, but as the anointing doth teach them; and also to know what the righteousness of faith speaks, the Word nigh in the heart and mouth, to obey it and to do it. This was the Word of faith the apostles preached; which is now received and preached again, and which it is the duty of all true Christians to receive. Now people are coming out of the apostacy to the light of Christ and his Spirit, and to receive faith from him, and not from men; to receive the gospel from him their unction from him, the Word; and as they receive him, they declare him freely, as his command was to his disciples, and is still to the learners and receivers of him.
“For the Lord God and his Son Jesus Christ, is come to teach his people, and to bring them from all the world’s ways, to Christ, the way, the truth, and the life, who is the way to the Father; and from all the world’s teachers and speakers, to him the Speaker and Teacher, as Heb. i. 1.; and from all the world’s worshippers, to worship God in the Spirit and in the truth, (which the devil, the destroyer, is out of;) which worship Christ set up above sixteen hundred years ago, when he put down the Jews’ worship at the Temple at Jerusalem, and the worship at the mountain where Jacob’s well was; to bring people from all the world’s religions, which they have made since the apostles’ days, to the religion that was set up by Christ and his apostles, which is pure and undefiled before God, and keeps from the spots of the world; to bring them out of all the world’s churches and fellowships, made and set up since the apostles’ days, to the church that is in God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ; (Thess. i. 1,) and to bring to the unity and fellowship in the Holy Spirit, that doth mortify, circumcise, and baptize, to plunge down sin and corruption, that has got up in man and woman by transgression. In this holy Spirit there is a holy fellowship and unity; yea, it is the bond of the Prince of princes, and King of kings, and the Lord of lords’ peace; which heavenly peace all true Christians are to maintain with spiritual weapons, not with carnal.
“And now, my friend, the holy men of God wrote the Scriptures as they were moved by the Holy Ghost; and all Christendom are on heaps about those Scriptures, because they are not led by the same Holy Ghost as those were that gave forth the Scriptures; which Holy Ghost they must come to in themselves, and be led by, if they come into all the truth of them, and to have the comfort of God, of Christ, and of them. For none can call Jesus Lord, but by the Holy Ghost; and all that call Christ Lord without the Holy Ghost, take his name in vain. Likewise all that name his name are to depart from iniquity; then they name his name with reverence, in truth and righteousness.
“O therefore, feel the grace and truth in thy heart, that is come by Jesus Christ, that will teach thee how to live, and what to deny. It will establish thy heart, season thy words, and bring thy salvation; it will be a teacher unto thee at all times. By it thou mayest receive Christ from whom it comes; and as many as receive him, to them he gives power, not only to stand against sin and evil, but to become the sons of God; if sons, then heirs of a life, a world, and kingdom, without end, and of the eternal riches and treasures thereof. So in haste, with my love in the Lord Jesus Christ, who tasted death for every man, and bruises the serpent’s head, who is between man and God, that through Christ man may come to God again, and praise him through Jesus Christ, the Amen; who is the spiritual and heavenly rock and foundation for all God’s people to build upon, to the praise and glory of God, who is over all, blessed for evermore.”
Amsterdam, the 7th of the 6th Month, 1677.
“PostscriptPostscript.—The bearer hereof is a daughter-in-law of mine, that comes with Gertrude Dirick Nieson and George Keith’s wife, to visit thee.”
“Dear Friend,
“I cannot but have a tender love to those that love the Lord Jesus Christ, and to whom it is given, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him; therefore your letter and your friends’ visit have been both very welcome to me. I shall follow their and your counsel as far as God will afford me light and unction; remaining still your loving friend,
Herford, the 30th of August, 1677.
Next day John Claus and I took a boat and passed to Buyckslote, thence to Purmerend, where having refreshed ourselves, we went by waggon to Alkmaar, about thirty miles from Amsterdam. We went to a Friend’s house there, whose name was William Williams, where I had a meeting that night. I had another next day, which was larger; for several professors came, and all was quiet and well. After the meeting, I visited some Friends; and then, taking boat, passed to Hoorn, which is counted the chief city in North Holland. We lodged at an inn; and, taking waggon early next morning, passed to Enckhuysen, where we took ship for Friesland; and landing in the afternoon at Workum, took waggon and rode upon the high bank of the Friezen Seas, till we met two Friends coming with a waggon to meet us; with whom (discharging our waggon at Mackum, a village hard by,) we went to Harlingen, the chief seaport town in Friesland. We went to Hessel Jacobs’, whither several Friends came to visit us that night. Next day we visited the Friends of the place; and I wrote a paper, “To all them that persecute Friends for not observing their fast-day.”
The day following being First-day, Friends had a meeting there, to which we went, and many professors came to it. I declared the everlasting gospel amongst them, John Claus interpreting. They were all very civil, and heard attentively; and when it was done, departed peaceably, without making any opposition. After meeting I went to Hessel Jacobs’ again, whither after a while came a Calvinist to ask me some questions, which I answered to his satisfaction; and he departed friendly. Soon after he was gone, a preacher of the collegians came to discourse with me, who seemed well satisfied also, and we parted lovingly. That evening I had another meeting with the Friends there, and next morning, when we had taken our leave of them, we passed to Leeuwarden, the chief city in Friesland, and lodged that night at a Friend’s house there, whose name was Sybrand Dowes.
Next morning early, taking boat, we passed to Dockum, and walking through the city, took boat again to Strobus, which is the utmost part of Friesland. There we baited at a commissary’s house; and then taking boat again, passed to Groningen, the chief city of the province of Groningland. One of the magistrates of that city came with us from Leeuwarden, with whom I had some discourse on the way, and he was very loving. We walked nearly two miles through the city, and then took boat for Delfziel; and passing in the evening through a town called Appingdalem, where had been a great horse-fair that day; there came many officers rushing into the boat, and being somewhat in drink, they were very rude. I spoke to them, exhorting them to “fear the Lord, and beware of Solomon’s vanities.” They were boisterous fellows; yet somewhat more civil afterwards. We landed at Delfziel about ten at night, having travelled about fifty English miles that day. We went to an inn to lodge, and as we passed through the guards, they examined John Claus, whether I was not a militia soldier; and when he had told them I was not, they let us pass peaceably.
Delfziel stands on the river Ems, over which we passed next day to Embden, a place where Friends had been cruelly persecuted, and from which they had been often banished. I went to an inn, where I dined with some men that understood English, with whom I had a fine time, and they were loving. Meanwhile John Claus went with his wife to her father’s, in Embden; whither, after I had dined, I went also, understanding the old man was desirous to see me. In the afternoon John Claus and I walked through the city to the place where the waggon, which he had hired, was to meet us; and while we waited for it, the Friends that were in the city came to the house where we were, and we had a little meeting. When it was over, and the waggon came not, we sent to know the reason. The master of it sent us word, that he durst not let it go; for the bishop of Munster’s soldiers were up in the country, and he was afraid they would take away his horses. So being disappointed of our passage, we returned to John Claus’s father-in-law’s house, where I left him, and went to my inn at night.
We took shipping next day, and passed about fifteen miles upon the river Ems, to a market-town in East-Friesland, called Leer, where lived a Friend that had been banished from Embden. When we had visited him, we hired a waggon in that town, and passed to a garrisoned town, called Strikehuysen, where the guards examined us; and then went on to Deteren, where, hiring another waggon, we passed to another garrisoned town, where we were very strictly examined. Thence we passed to Apen, where we lodged that night. In our travelling this day, we met the Earl of Oldenburg, going to the treaty of peace at Lembachie.
Next day, we passed by waggon to Oldenburg, lately a great and famous place, but then burnt down, and but few houses left standing in it. At this place we hired another waggon, and went to Delmenhorst; where, after we had been examined by the guards, we went to a burgher-master’s to lodge, whose house was an inn. There being many people I declared the way of truth to him and them, warning them of the day of the Lord that was coming upon all evil-doers.
We passed next day by waggon to Bremen, a stately city in Germany; and thence, after a double examination, we went to a water called Overdeland, and there took boat to Fisherholder; where, finding many people together, I declared the way of God to them, and exhorted them to fear the Lord. There we took waggon again, and travelled in the bishop of Munster’s country to Closterseven; and, having no inclination to stay there, got fresh horses, intending to travel all night. We went a little way, but it quickly grew so dark, and rained so hard, that we thought it best to turn back again; for our waggon being open, we had no defence against the rain, and our clothes were already wet with what had fallen for several days before. So we went to an inn, and got a little fresh straw, upon which we lay till about break of day; and then set out and travelled to Buxtehude.
The people in the bishop of Munster’s country were very dark. As we passed amongst them, I preached truth to them, warning them of the great and notable day of the Lord; and exhorting them to soberness, and to mind the good Spirit of God in themselves.
It was on a First-day that we went through Buxtehude; and without the walls there was a great fair of sheep and geese that day. We stayed a little to refresh ourselves, and went on as fast as we could to Hamburg, partly by waggon, and partly by water. We reached the city in time enough to get a meeting there that evening; and a good and glorious one it was. There were at it, amongst others, a Baptist teacher and his wife, and a great man of Sweden and his wife; and all was quiet, blessed be the Lord, whose power was exalted over all. Yet a dark, hard place this is, and the people are much shut up from truth.
At Hamburg was a woman that had spoken against me in John Perrott’s time, though she had never seen me till now. She had been troubled for it ever since, and now was glad of an opportunity to acknowledge her fault; which she very readily did, and I as readily and freely forgave her.
We stayed that night at Hamburg, encouraging and strengthening the Friends there in their testimony to the truth; and betimes next morning set forward towards Frederickstadt, two long days’ journey from Hamburg. We went the first day to Elmshorn, where we baited; and then rode on through a garrison-town of the king of Denmark’s; and passing by the monument of the Earl of Rantzow, came to the city of Itzehoe, where we lodged that night. I had some service in the evening among the people in the inn, whom I exhorted to soberness, and to live in the fear of the Lord. Next morning we travelled to Hoghenhorn, where we dined at an inn with one of the council of Frederickstadt; to whom, and to the rest of the people present, I declared the truth, with which they seemed to be affected. Then travelling on, we came to a river called Eyder, where we took boat and so went to Frederickstadt, to William Paul’s, where several Friends came to us, for there is a pretty company of Friends in that city. We had a fine refreshing meeting together that evening, which made us forget our weariness; for we were indeed very weary, having travelled hard two days, and being wet through our clothes, having had much rain in our open waggons. But the Lord made all easy and good to us; and we were well, and glad to see Friends; blessed be his holy name for ever!
This city is in the Duke of Holstein’s country, who would have banished Friends out of the city and country, and sent to the magistrates of the city to do it; but they said, they would lay down their offices rather than do it; inasmuch as Friends came to that city to enjoy liberty of conscience. Friends still enjoy their liberty there, and truth and they are of good report amongst the people, both in city and country.
On First-day I had a meeting here, to which many people came, and some rough spirits; but the power of the Lord bound them down, and the Seed of life was set over all. While I was here I had a discourse with a Jew that was a Levite, concerning the coming of the Messiah, and he was much confounded in what he said; yet he carried himself lovingly, and invited me to his house. I went, and there I discoursed with another Jew, who showed me their Talmud and many other Jewish books; but they are very dark, and do not understand their own prophets.
There was at this city a Baptist teacher, who had reproached and belied Friends; wherefore John Claus went with two Friends of the town, to the house where he lodged, and cleared truth and Friends from his reproaches; and laid his lies and slanders upon his own head, to his shame.
Before we left this place I had another meeting with the Friends only, wherein I laid before them the usefulness and benefit of a monthly meeting, for looking after the poor, and taking care that marriages, and all other things relating to the church, were performed in an orderly manner. The thing answered the witness of God in their consciences, so that they readily agreed to have monthly meetings thence-forward among themselves, that both men and women might take care of the outward concerns of the church.
After this meeting, feeling my spirit clear of that place, we took leave of Friends there, whom we left in good order, and turned back again for Hamburg. When we had travelled one day’s journey, and were come to an inn at night to lodge, I enquired whether there were any tender people in the town that feared God, or that had a mind to discourse of the things of God? The innkeeper told me there were few such in that town. Next night we got to Hamburg; and having passed the guards, went to a Friend’s house, being very weary; for we had been up those two mornings before three o’clock, and had travelled each day hard and late. Here we met with John Hill, an English Friend, who had been travelling in Germany, and being in a ship bound for Amsterdam, that waited for a wind, he had lain sick on board about two weeks. Hearing I was in the country, he left the ship and came hither to meet me, and go along with me.
The day after we came to Hamburg we had a very good meeting, and very peaceable. After it I had discourse with a Swede, an eminent man in his own country; who, having been banished thence on the account of his religion, was come to Hamburg, and was at the meeting I had there before. When I had done with him, I had another discourse with a Baptist concerning the sacraments, so called; in both which I had good service, having opportunity thereby to open truth unto them.
Being clear of Hamburg, we took leave of Friends there, whom we left well; and taking John Hill with us, passed by boat to a city in the Duke of Luneberg’s country; where, after we were examined by the guards, we were had to the main-guard, and there examined more strictly; but after they found we were not soldiers, they were civil, and let us pass. In the afternoon we travelled by waggon, and the waters being much out, by reason of heavy rains, when it drew towards night, we hired a boy on the way to guide us through a great water we had to pass. When we came to it, the water was so deep before we could come at the bridge, that the waggoner had to wade, and I drove the waggon. When we were come on the bridge, the horses broke part of it down, and one of them fell into the water, the waggon standing upon that part of the bridge which remained unbroken; and it was the Lord’s mercy to us that the waggon did not run into the brook. When they had got the horse out, he lay a while as if dead; but at length they got him up, put him to the waggon again, and laid the planks right; and then, through the goodness of the Lord to us, we got safely over.
After this we came to another water, which finding to be very deep, and it being in the night, we hired two men to help us through, who put cords to the waggon to hold it by, that the force of the water might not drive it from the way. But when we came into it, the stream was so strong, that it took one of the horses off his legs, and was carrying him down the stream. I called to the waggoner to pluck him to him by his reins, which he did, and the horse recovered his legs, and with much difficulty we got over the bridge, and went to Bormer-haven, the town where the waggoner lived. It was the last day of the 6th month that we escaped these dangers; and it being about eleven at night when we came in here, we got some fresh straw and lay upon it, till about four in the morning. Then getting up, we set forward again towards Bremen, by waggon and boat. On the way I had good opportunities to publish truth among the people, especially at a market-town, where we stayed to change our passage; where I declared the truth to the people, warning them of the day of the Lord, that was coming upon all flesh; and exhorting them to righteousness, telling them, “that God was come to teach his people himself,” and that they should turn to the Lord, and hearken to the teachings of his Spirit in their own hearts.
At Bremen, after we were examined, we went to an inn, and stayed till another waggon was provided to carry us further. Though I felt the Lord’s power was over the city, and kept the wicked and unruly spirits down, yet my spirit suffered much in this place for the people’s sake. When our waggon was ready, we left Bremen and travelled to Keby, where we lodged at an inn, and early next morning set out for Oldenburg. It was a lamentable sight to see so great and brave a city burnt down. We went to an inn, and though it was First-day, the soldiers were drinking, and playing at shovel-board; and at the few houses that were left, the shops were open, and the people trading one with another. I was moved to declare the truth among them, and warn them of the judgments of God; and though they heard me quietly, and were civil, yet I was burdened with their wickedness. Many times in mornings, noons, and nights, at the inns and on the ways as I travelled, I spoke to the people, preaching the truth to them, warning them of the day of the Lord, and exhorting them to turn to the light and Spirit of God in themselves, that thereby they might be led out of evil.
Next day, passing through many great waters, we came at night to Leer, and the day following to Embden, where John Claus’s wife’s father lived; at whose house, when we went into Germany, we left a young man sick, who travelled with me, and used to write for me; whom now we found pretty well recovered. John Claus went to his father-in-law’s; John Hill and I to an inn, where we dined. After dinner we went also to John Claus’s father’s, and had a good meeting there in the evening.
The day following we took shipping at Embden, passed to Delfziel, and went to an inn, where a Friend came to us that then lived there, having been often banished from Embden; he was a goldsmith, and had a house and shop in Embden; and still as they banished him, he went again. Then they imprisoned him, and fed him with bread and water; and at length took his goods from him, and banished him, his wife, and children, leaving them neither place to come to, nor anything to subsist on. We comforted and encouraged him in the Lord, exhorting him to be faithful, and stand stedfast in the testimony committed to him. When we had taken leave of him, we took boat, and passed the same day to Groningen, where we met with Cornelius Andries, a Friend that had also suffered much by imprisonment and banishment at Embden. We went with him to his house, and next day had a good meeting in that city, to which several professors came, who were very peaceable and attentive. After meeting we passed by boat to Strobus, and so to Dockum, where we lodged at an inn. Taking boat again next morning we passed to Leeuwarden, the chief city of Friesland, where I found my daughter Yeomans, who was come from Amsterdam to meet me. That day we had a precious meeting at Sybrand Dowes’s house. After the meeting I had discourse with some that were at it, who had been formerly convinced of truth, but were not come into obedience to it. We stayed there that night; but John Hill left us and went that day to Harlingen, and so to Amsterdam.
Next day we passed down the river to the lake of Hempen-Sarmer, and thence by the lake Lugmer, and so to a town called Anderigo; whence sailing through the lake Whispool, we came to Gardick within night. We lodged at an inn; and next day being First-day, we were at Friends’ meeting there, which was very large, many of the town’s-people coming in; amongst whom I declared the truth, in the power of the Lord that was upon me, which tendered the people, and they were very sober. After it we stayed a little while to refresh ourselves, and then went to take boat again; but the people observing us, gathered together at a bridge, which we were to pass; and there I spoke unto them again, declaring the way of life and salvation; and they were very attentive and civil.
We went back that evening to Leeuwarden, twenty-seven miles; but before we could reach it, the gates were shut, and the bridges drawn up, so that we could not get into the city, but lay in the boat all night. Next morning, there having been a man killed in the city that night, it was late before the gates were opened. When we could get in, we went to a Friend’s house, where we stayed a while; then taking boat again, we passed through Franeker to Harlingen, to Hessel Jacobs’s, where we found several Dutch Friends, who were come to be at the meeting there next day. In the evening William Penn came to us from Amsterdam; who having returned two or three days before out of Germany, had been at a large meeting at Amsterdam on First-day; and after it, understanding I was at Harlingen, he came thither to me.
The next day was the monthly meeting for the men and women, to which we went; it was large and good. And there it was agreed, that “a meeting should be held there once a month, both for the men and for the women, to take care of the outward concerns of the church.”
In the afternoon we had a public meeting, to which came people of several sorts, Socinians, Baptists, Lutherans, &c., amongst whom were a doctor of physic and a priest. After I had declared the truth pretty largely to the people, opening the happy state that man and woman were in, whilst they kept under God’s teaching, and abode in the Paradise of God; and on the other hand, the woe and misery that came upon them when they went from God’s teaching, hearkening to the Serpent’s—when they transgressed God’s command, and were driven out of Paradise; and then came to set forth the way, whereby man and woman might come into that happy state again—the priest, an ancient, grave man, stood up, just as I had done speaking, and putting off his hat, said, “I pray God to prosper and confirm that doctrine, for it is truth, and I have nothing against it.” He would willingly have stayed till the meeting ended, but having to preach that evening, he could not stay longer, the time for his own worship being come. Wherefore when he had made confession to the truth, he hastened away, that he might come again; and did come, it seems, to the meeting-place, but the meeting was ended first. After meeting we went to Hessel Jacobs’s, where I had a meeting with Friends, and the doctor of physic came thither to discourse with William Penn, who had a good opportunity to open the truth to him. By this doctor the priest sent his love to me, wishing him to tell me, that he had left preaching that evening half an hour sooner than he used to do, that he might come to our meeting again, to hear more of that good doctrine. I heard afterwards that his hearers questioned him, for what he had said in our meeting; and that, he standing by his words, they had complained of him for it to the other priests of the city, who called him to account about it; but the result I could not learn.
Early next morning William Penn, taking John Claus with him, passed from Harlingen to Leeuwarden, where he had appointed a meeting; intending after that, to travel into some other parts of Germany, to visit a tender people there. I with those Friends that were with me, took ship the same day for Amsterdam, where we arrived a little after midnight, but the gates being shut, we lay on board till morning; then went to Gertrude Dirick Nieson’s, where many Friends came to see us, being glad of our safe return. Next day, feeling a concern upon my mind, with relation to those seducing spirits that made division among Friends, and being sensible that they endeavoured to insinuate themselves into the affectionate part, I was moved to write a few lines to Friends concerning them, as follows:—
“All these that set up themselves in the affections of the people, set up themselves, and the affections of the people, and not Christ. But Friends, your peaceable habitation in the truth, which is everlasting, and changes not, will outlast all the habitations of those that are out of the truth, be they ever so full of words. So they that are so keen for J.S. and J.W. let them take them, and the separation; and you, that have given your testimony against that spirit, stand in your testimony, till they answer by condemnation. Do not strive, nor make bargains with that which is out of the truth; nor save that alive to be a sacrifice for God, which should be slain, lest you lose your kingdom.”
Amsterdam, the 14th of the 7th Month, 1677.
On the First-day following, I was at Friends’ meeting at Amsterdam, to which many people came, and were very civil and attentive, hearing truth declared several hours. John Roeloffs interpreted for me. Before this time, several of the Friends that came over with me, were returned to England, as Robert Barclay,[44] George Keith’s wife, and others; and now my daughter Yeomans went back also; so that I was left alone at Amsterdam.
While I was there, it came upon me to visit my suffering Friends at Dantzic with a few lines, to encourage and strengthen them in their sufferings, as follows:—
“Dear“Dear Friends,
“To whom is my love in the Lord’s truth, that is over all, and by which all God’s people are made free men and women, being thereby set free from him that is out of the truth; that walking in the truth, they may answer the witness of God in all people; which truth all must come to if they be made free. Therefore be faithful unto what the Lord makes known unto you. I am glad the Lord hath witnesses in that city, to stand for his glory and name, and for Christ Jesus, the great Prophet, whom God hath raised up, who is to be heard in all things; so that ye need none of the prophets, which men have raised up. Therefore, stand faithful to Christ Jesus, your Shepherd, that he may feed you; hear his voice, and follow him, who laid down his life for you: but follow none of the shepherds and hirelings, that are made by men, though they be angry, because you will not follow them to their dry and barren mountains; who have been, and are the thieves, persecutors, and robbers, that climb up another way, than by Christ. Set up Christ to be your Counsellor and Leader, and then, ye will have no need of any of the counsellors and leaders of the world; for Christ is sufficient, whom God has given you. Set up Christ Jesus to be your Bishop and Overseer, who is sufficient to oversee you, that ye go not astray from God; by which ye may see over all the hireling-overseers made by men, who keep the people that they do not go astray from the rudiments and formalities, fashions and customs of the world; which hath been and is their work. I am glad ye are come to own Christ Jesus, your High Priest, who is holy, harmless, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens, as the church and the apostle owned him in their days, Heb. vii., who is the High-Priest over the household of faith; which faith, Jesus Christ is the author and finisher of: and this do all the children of the new covenant witness, who walk in the new and living way.
“Therefore my desire is, that ye all may be steadfast, whether in bonds or out, in the faith of Christ Jesus, which is the gift of God; by which faith all the valiants overcame the devil and all their enemies; in which faith they had victory and access to God; and in that was their unity: which mystery of faith is held in a pure conscience, hidden from the world. I do believe that your imprisonments and sufferings in that place will be for good in the end, as it hath been in other places, ye standing faithful to the Lord who is all-sufficient. For your sufferings and trials will try their teachers and religions, churches and worships, and make manifest what birth they are of; even that which persecutes him that is born of the Spirit: for ye know that there is no salvation by any other name under the whole heaven, than by the name of Jesus; therefore it is time to leave them, when there is no salvation by or in any of them.
“Now, Friends, I desire that you would take a list of the names of all those that belong to the king of Poland, and where they live, and how ye may send books or epistles to them, and keep a correspondence with them: also the name of the bishop or cardinal that I heard was with you; and if ye can, get any of them that belong to the king to come and visit the prisoners, that they may inform the king of their cruel sufferings. Also I desire you to get as many books of mine as you can dispose of, that set forth your sufferings, and the cruelty of the magistrates of Dantzic; and give them to the king, his council, attendants, and bishops. And some of the women may speak to the queen, if they can, that she may signify to the king their cruel sufferings; and especially some of the sufferers’ wives, if there be any of a capacity to do it. You may likewise give his attendants any other Friends’ books; what books ye lack, send for to Amsterdam, where ye may be furnished with them, to answer every tender desirer, and inquiring mind after the Lord. So let your minds be bended with the Lord’s power, to spread his truth abroad; and where ye hear of any, or have any correspondence in outward trading with any sober people, far or near, send them books, that their understandings may be opened after the Lord.
“The Lord God Almighty preserve you! To his protection, in his eternal power, do I commend you all, in bonds or at liberty, with my love to you in the everlasting Seed of God, Christ Jesus, who bruises the head of the serpent that makes you suffer. Christ is over him, and will be when he is gone; who is First and Last, over all, from everlasting to everlasting, in whom ye have life, knowledge, wisdom, and salvation; and through him live to the praise and glory of God, who is blessed for evermore. Amen.”
Amsterdam, the 18th of the 7th Month, 1677, English style.style.
Next day, the fourth of the week and 19th of the month, I had a large meeting at Amsterdam, many professors being at it; and truth was largely opened to them, in the demonstration of the heavenly power. The day following I went by boat from Amsterdam, many Friends going with me, to Landsmeer in Waterland (a town in which, they say, there are above a hundred bridges,) where I had a very good meeting, to which several professors came. After it I returned with Friends to Amsterdam, where I stayed till the First-day following, and went to their meeting, which was large. Many professors of several sorts were at it, and heard the truth declared with great attention.
I tarried there next day, and in the night following had a great exercise upon my spirit concerning that loose spirit, that was run out into strife and contention among Friends, and had drawn some after it into division and separation; the way, work, and end whereof the Lord opened to me: wherefore feeling the motion of life upon me, I got up in the morning and wrote the following epistle to Friends:—