natural, but fatal consequences that unavoidably follow the exaltation of a single party, to the detriment of others, rather than to keep a moderate and well advised balance upon all. This maxim Socrates Scholasticus reports to have been not unseen, nor wholly unpractised by the great wisdom of the emperor Jovianus, first suggested by his beloved friend and philosopher Themistius, whose time, though short, had a most differing success from all that went before, or followed after him, and more than a little confirms my present consideration. I shall omit the recital of later and present testimonies: In Europe they are fresh, and in our sight. It is not the property of religion to persecute religion; that scorns to employ those weapons to her defence, that others have used to her depression. It is her privilege alone to conquer, naked of force or artifice: and that person who hath not the election of his religion, hath none.

For my own part, I know not any unfit for political societies, but those who maintain principles destructive of industry, fidelity, justice and obedience, in all matters relative of them, (wherefore the Romans exiled their Mathematicos) which neither myself, nor any Quaker living, can with any shew of reason be charged withal. But to conceit that men must form their faith of things proper to another world, by the prescriptions of mortal men, or else they can have no right to eat, drink, sleep, walk, trade, be at liberty, or live in this, to me seems both ridiculous and dangerous. Since it is most certain, the understanding can never be convinced by other arguments than what are adequate to its own nature; which force is so remote from, that as it abundantly expresseth passion or ignorance in those who use it, so experimentally do we find, that it is not only unsuccessful, by confirming persons that really have reasons on their side, but greatly obdurates also the unreasonable, who forget their own weakness, by gazing on their persecutors, being well assured, that whosoever is in the right, he always is in the wrong, that by club-law and corporal extremities thinks to illuminate and convince the understanding it may make hypocrites, not converts; and if I am at any time convinced, I will pay the honour of it to truth, and not to base and timorous hypocrisy. Nor, indeed, are such inquiries material, as well as that it is unlawful to make so diligent search for conscience, and that in case they find her without the mark of public allowance, and that she pays no custom, she must be there forfeited. For who loves to ask at any shop, of what religion the master is, and not rather what is his price for this or that commodity? It therefore greatly were the king's interest to

clear the prisons of all conscientious persons, especially since uniformity of mind is not less impossible in all punctilios, than is exact resemblance in visage, and men must be new-made in both respects, before they can be changed to gratify such desires.

However my case is singular, since wholly guiltless of what was charged against me; and if the observation of Tacitus on Lingonius's various case be of any force, who, though he did deserve punishment inflicted, yet because it was done without examination, and due conviction, saith Tacitus, "He suffered unlawfully" then for a greater reason must my confinement seem injurious, who have been shut up above these six months, under a strict and close imprisonment, from many common comforts and necessary concerns of life, without the least formal cause or reason why exhibited against me, contrary, I conceive, to the natural privilege of an Englishman.

My hopes are, I shall not longer continue a prisoner, merely to assure the world I am not innocent of what in very truth I am not guilty; nor yet that matters of lighter moment be sought to prolong my restraint, because as yet there is no law to deprive an inoffensive Englishman of so great and eminent a right as liberty: since this were too nearly to resemble the lamentable case of the innocent daughter of guilty Sejanus, who, because the Roman laws allowed not virgins to be strangled, was first deflowered, that she might be. My life shall go before my chastity, let men contrive what they will. But, above all, methinks the name Christian imports so holy, so just, and so condescending a disposition, that these severities can have no plea from such as have truly entitled themselves unto it. For my own share, as it is my principle (as I have declared) to live myself, and encourage others, in the pursuit of just, sober, and industrious courses (which are the true grounds of all civil societies, and only ways to their prosperity) so in whatever I differ from the public establishment, it shall never find me remiss therein.

6 But I beseech thee to intreat the king, on my account, not to believe every man to be his enemy, that cannot shape his conscience by the narrow forms and prescripts of mens' inventions; and the personal obligations, besides the public respect that I owe him, but above all, the holy forgiving TRUTH I profess, will never admit of such a thing; nor do we own one principle that will not, instead of acting us to his prejudice, at all times in our stations fit us to dispute with any (in civil matters) the first place of obedience to his commands, our consciences being left unprescribed.

To conclude: since my adversaries have overshot the mark, that the accusation is fictitious, and many of them have publickly retracted their first opinions of the matter, after so strict an imprisonment, without any legal cause, or just procedure, contrary to the privileges of every Englishman, as well as the meekness, forbearance, and compassion inseparable from true Christianity; I think it is time, and I desire I may be ordered a release, to follow my ordinary employments: but if it should yet be scrupled, or denied, upon the least dissatisfaction unremoved, I intreat the favour of access to the king, where I shall freely and justly answer to all such interrogatories as may concern my present case or if that will not be allowed, that it would please thee to give me a full hearing to all such objections as may be thought to carry any weight; that so if I must remain a prisoner, it may be known for what; and in the mean time that such liberty may be granted me, as is customary for other prisoners to enjoy, after the first or second month of their imprisonment, the season especially considered.

'I make no apology for my letter as a trouble, the usual stile of suppliants; because I think the honour that will accrue to thee, by being just, and releasing the oppressed, exceeds the advantage that can succeed to me: worthy and generous minds gladly embrace occasions to assist the helpless, and then are most ready to afford them their assistance, when nothing is to be got besides the hazard of expressing it. And I am well assured the kindness and justice it shall please thee to employ on that account, can never miss of a plentiful reward from God, and praise of all virtuous men.

'Thy true friend, who suffers wrongfully, which the Lord God forgive, if he so please,

1st of the 5th Month, 1669.

W. P.'

And in order to clear himself from the aspersions cast upon him, in relation to the "doctrines of the Trinity, the "incarnation and satisfaction of Christ," he published a little book called, "Innocency with her open face," by way of apology for the aforesaid "Sandy Foundation "shaken." In this apology he so successfully vindicated himself, that soon after the publication of it, he was discharged from his imprisonment, which had been of about seven months continuance.

On the 15th of the 7th month this year, he set out again from London for Ireland, took shipping at Bristol on the 24th of the 8th month, and on the 26th arrived at Cork. In

his passage thither, we think the following occurrence worth relating: At his former coming from Ireland, the conversation and society of a person called a Quaker, who came over in the same vessel, was a strengthening and encouragement to him then newly convinced. This man now happened to return thither again in his company, and observing how effectually the power of truth had wrought upon our author, and the great progress he through a sincere obedience had made in his journey heavenward, and seeing himself not only overtaken, but left far behind, by one that had set out after him, was led to a solid reflection upon his own negligence and unfaithfulness, and expressed, with many tears, a renewed visitation and deep concern upon his spirit.' So forcible is the example of the faithful, to the stirring up an holy zeal and emulation in others.

Being arrived at Cork, he immediately visited his friends imprisoned there, and the next day had a meeting with them, in which they were spiritually refreshed and comforted together having tarried there some days, he went from thence to Dublin, and on the 5th of the 9th month, was at the national meeting of friends there, which was held at his lodgings. At this meeting, an account of his friends sufferings being drawn up, by way of address, he presented the same a few days after to the lord-lieutenant.

During his stay in Ireland, though his business in the care of his father's estate took up a considerable part of his time, yet was he frequently present at, and preached in, friends meetings, especially at Dublin and Cork, in one of which places he usually resided. He also wrote during his residence there, several treatises, particularly, "A Letter to the Young Convinced." He very frequently visited his friends in prison, and had meetings with them: nor did he let slip any opportunity he had with those in authority, to solicit on their behalf: and in the beginning of the 4th month, 1670, through his repeated applications to the chancellor, the lord Arran, and the lord-lieutenant, an order of council was obtained for their release. Having settled his father's concerns to satisfaction, and done his own friends many signal services, he shortly after returned into England.

In this year 1670, came forth the conventicle-act, prohibiting dissenters meetings, under severe penalties; the edge of this new weapon was presently turned upon the Quakers, who, not accustomed to flinch in the cause of religion, stood most exposed. Being forcibly kept out of their meetinghouse in Gracechurch-street, they met as near it in the street as they could, and William Penn there preaching,

was apprehended, and by warrant from Sir Samuel Starling, then ford mayor of London, dated August 14th, 1670, committed to Newgate, and at the next sessions at the Old Bailey, was, (together with William Mead) indicted for being present at, and preaching to, an unlawful, seditious, and riotous assembly. At his trial he made a brave defence, discovering at once both the free spirit of an Englishman, and the undaunted magnanimity of a christian, insomuch that notwithstanding the most partial frowns and menaces of the bench, the jury acquitted him. The trial itself, with a preface and appendix thereunto, as it was soon after published, are inserted in this collection.

Not long after this trial, and his discharge from Newgate, his father died, perfectly reconciled to his son, and left him both his paternal blessing, and a plentiful estate. His death-bed expressions, being very instructive and pathetic, deserve a double reading.* He was buried in Radcliffe steeple-house in the city of Bristol; and over, or near, his sepulchre, is erected a fair monument, with the following inscription:

To the just memory of Sir William Penn, knight, and sometimes General; born at Bristol, anno 1621, son of Captain Giles Penn, several years consul for the English in the Mediterranean, of the Penns of Penslodge in the county of Wilts, and those Penns of Penn in the county of Bucks; and, by his mother, from the Gilberts in the county of Somerset, originally from Yorkshire; addicted from his youth to maritime affairs: he was made captain at the years of twenty-one, rear-admiral of Ireland at twenty-three, vice-admiral of Ireland at twenty-five, admiral to the streights at twenty-nine, vice-admiral of England at thirty-one, and general in the first Dutch war at thirty-two whence returning, anno 1655, he was parliament-man for the town of Weymouth: 1660, made commissioner of the admiralty, and navy, governor of the town and fort of Kingsale, vice-admiral of Munster, and a member of that provincial council; and anno 1664, was chosen great captain commander under his royal highness, in that signal and most evidently successful fight against the Dutch fleet. Thus he took leave of the sea, his old element, but continued still his other employs till 1669; at that time, through bodily infirmities, contracted by the care and fatigue of public affairs, he withdrew, prepared, and made for his end; and, with a gentle

* See them in a Treatise intituled, "No Cross, No Crown, inserted in this collection.