The Penns and Peningtons of the Seventeenth Century: In Their Domestic and Religious Life ...

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Chapter I

The Cbalfont Grange. — Isaac Penington settles there. — Alderman Penington and the Commonwealth. — Isaac Penington's politics.— His religious feeling^. — Memoir of Mary Pronde. — The Puritans.— The Springetts. — ^William Springett's home-life. — His removal to Cambridge. — Becomes a law-student. — Is knighted. — Mary Proude'f religious difficulties. — Forsakes the Church of England. — Joins the Puritans. — Sir William Springett returns home. — Marries Mary Proude. — ^Birth and baptism of their first child. — Sir William joint the Parliamentary army. — His promptness in raising troops. — Wounded at the battle of Newbury. — His ability as a soldier. — Hit death and burial • Page 17 to 46

Chapter II. 1640-1658

Sir William Springett's character. — Change in his religious opinions.— Puritan iconoclasts. — ^Aid to Irish Protestants. — Domestic cha* racteristics. — Monument to his memory. — ^Birth of Gulielma Maria Springett. — Her mother's religious feelings about infant baptism.— Character of Madam Springett. — Her useful life. — Her medical skill. Expenditure of her income. — ^Herbert Springett. — His monument in Ringmer church. — ^Lady Springett's dissatisfaction with the religion, istt around her.- -Withdrawal. — Tries fashionable life. — Her retro* tpect of that period. — Acquaintance with Isaac Penington. — Their narriage. — ^Firtt acquaintance with the Quakers. — William Simpson lo Contents.

and Thomas Cartis risit the Peningtons. — They are conrinced of the truth of Qaaker doctrines. — Religious joj and comfort. — ^Establish « ment in the truth Page 47 to 76

Chapter III. 1658-1661

The EUwoods' visit to the Peningtons at Chalfont.— Their impressions of their Quaker friends.^-James Najler and Edward Burrough at the Grange. — Discussion on the doctrine of election. — Isaac Penington's account of his earlj religious feelings and views.— His later spiritual experience.^Letters to his father, the Alderman.^-Alderman Pening. ton's impeachment as a regicide.-^harles the Second's declaration from Breda.— Alderman Penington's condemnation. — Imprisonment In the Tower and confiscation of his estates.— Sir John Robinson's crueltj. — Alderman Penington's death Page 77 to 106

Chapter IV. 1641— 1 66 1

Thomas Bllwood's early life. — His second visit to Chalfont. — His conyincement. — Joins the Friends — His father's displeasure — The Peningtons' visit to Crowell. — Young Ellwood returns with them to the Grange. — He is arrested for travelling on the first day of the week.— Quaker and Presbyterian views of the Sabbath. — Thomas Ellwood returns to Crowell.^Is imprisoned in Oxford under keeping of the Marshal. — Isaac Penington writes to him from Aylesbury jail, and Thomas Loe from that of Oxford. — Ellwood is released. — Isaac Penington's letter fVom Aylesbury to his wife. — His trials and difScultiea. ^Is released from prison Page 107 to 137

Chapter V

Thomas EUwod's desire to cultivate his knowledge of Latin.-^His introduction to John Milton. — He finally leaves Crowell and settles in London.^Becomes reader to Milton.^His enjoyment of that privilege. -^Is imprisoned with other Friends in Old Bridewell. — Trial .rr-Imprisonment in Newgate.— Crowded state of that jail. — Prison life.—

Cbntenta. 1 1

Inquest at Newgate. — ^Remoral to Old Bridewell. — ^Is released.-* Visits his friends in Newgate. — ^Visits Milton. — Goes to Chalfont.— Is engaged as tntor at the Grange. — ^His grief at the death of Edward Bnrrongb Page 138 to 164

RUwood a tntor at Chalfont.— Gnlielma Maria Springett. — ^His portrait of her character. — ^Her suitors.— Ellwood's cautious demeanour towards her. — ^''He for whom she was reserred." — ^William Penn.— Penn's Oxford experience. — Is expelled the Uuiversitj. — His father's displeasure and sererltj. — Continental trayel. — Returns home.— Becomes a law student. — ^The plag^ae in London. — Sent to the Duke of Ormond's court in Dublin. — His first and last military exploit.— Settles at Shangarrj Castle, near Cork. — ^Visits the Friends' meeting there, and hears Thomas Loe preach.-— Is imprisoned with the Quakers.^Released bj order of Lord Ossory and summoned to Lon« don. — Intenriew with his father. — Sir William turns his son out of doors.^Penn becomes a religious writer. — First interview with Guli Springett.— Controversy. — Imprisonment in the Tower.— 'Writes /n* noceney with her Open Faee.^1% released.^Acquaintance with the Peningtons.-^His letter to Isaac Penington on the death of Thomas Loe.— ^oes again to Ireland Page 165 to 199

Chapter VII. 1665-1671

Further persecution of the Friends. — The plague in London.— John Milton removes to Chalfont. — Magisterial tyranny. — Penington and Ellwood imprisoned.— The latter, on being released, visits Milton.— The manuscript of Paradise Lost handed to him to read. — Paradise Regaintd suggested by Ellwood. — Earl of Bridgwater imprisons Isaac Penington. — Pcnington's letter to his wife from Aylesbury jail. — Penington writes from prison to the Earl of Bridgwater. — A respite. — Another letter to his wife. — Writes to the Amersbam Friends from Aylesbury jail,— and to George Fox. — Penington's letter to his uncle —to his cousin. — ^Removed by Habeas Corpus to London. — Dismissed by proclamation. — Purchases Woodside. — Rebuilding of the old house. — ^Imprisonment of Isaac Penington in Reading jail. — ^Is released^— Christian influence in prison Page 200 to 232

12 Ocmtenta.

Chapter VIII. 1666-1669

Quaker meeting at Hedgcrlj. — Ambrose Bennett, the magistrate, breaks it up.-— Judith Parker, the doctor's wife, remonstrates. — ^Bennett ^gain imprisons Friends. — Release from prison. — Solemn meeting of Friends for the restoration of those who had been drawn away bj John Perrot. ^-Perrot's mission to the Pope. — His imprisonment in Rome. — ^Release and return home. — ^Extraragant proceedings. — Establishment of meetings for discipline hj George Fox. — Ellwood's choice of a wife.— Details of his courtship. — Is accepted. — Adventurous journej with Gulielma M. Springett.— Ellwood's brarerj. — Gulielma's return home. — Ellwood's marriage. — Isaac Penington's son lost at sea. — EUwood's grief. — His poetical effusions Page 233 to 260

Chapter IX. ' 1670

William Penn ceralled fh>m Ireland. — ^Reconciliation with his father.^- Decline of the Admiral's health. — Conventicle Act. — ^William Penn a prisoner with William Meade. — His letter to his father from prison. — Penn and Meade at the bar. — Indicted for a riot. — The jury refhse to bring them in guiltj. — The Recorder repeatedly insists that they must reconsider their verdict. — They persist in presenting the same.— Are confined to the juryroom for two nights and two days without food. — Ultimate triumph of jury, and liberation of the prisoners. — Jurymen and prisoners committed for pretended contempt of court. — Penn's letters f^om prison to his dying father. — Release from prison. — The jurymen bring an action against the Recorder for false imprisonment. — Triumph of the jury. — Death of Admiral Sir William Penn. — His last advice to his son. — The Admiral's monument. — William Penn's ability as a controversialist Page 261 to 289

CHAPTER X. x672-x679,

8!r John Robinson again imprisons William Penn. — Sends him to Newgate.— State of that prison.— Penn*s prison occupation. — Release.

Oontenta. 13

«^Tisit8 the Continent. — His marriage. — Settles at Ruscombe. — ^Visit of the Swarthmoor family. — ^Imprisonment of Georjfe Fox. — ^William Penn writes to his friend in prison. — Controrersy between Penn and Baxter. — Penn as a controversialist. — As an arbitrator. — Quaker trusteeship in connection with New Jersey. — Purchase of land from the Indians. — Government of New Jersey. — The Penns settle at Worminghurst. — Family concerns. — Another Continental Tisit.^ Penn's speeches before the Parliamentary Committee. — ^His address to Protestants Page 290 to 320

Chapter XI. 1673-1682

Cessation of Isaac Penington's religious persecution. — Pcnington's letters —to his brother Arthur, a Roman Catholic — to Joseph Wright respecting his brother — ^to his sister Judith — to the Countess of Conway. — Peace and happiness at Woodside. — Isaac and Mary Penington visit their property in Kent. — Isaac Penington's death. — Mary Penington's memorial of her husband. — She anticipates her own decease. — Arranges her outward affairs and makes her will. — Takes her sons to school at Edmonton. — Her illness there. — Returns home.— Continued illness. — Her resignation, patience, and peace of mind.— She visits Worminghurst, and dies there. — Thomas Ellwood's lines on the death of hit friends Isaac and Mary Penington. Page 321 to 342

WiUiam Penn applies to Charles II. for a grant of land in America.-^ Obtains a charter for Pennsylvania. — Penn's motives in this undertaking.— His code of laws.— His coadjutors in the work. — Algernon Sidney. — Penn's letter to Sidney. — Hepworth Dixon on the early Quakers. — Death of Lady Penn. — Penn's farewell letters on leaving England.— Emigration to Pennsylvania. — His treaty of peace with the Indians. — Purchases of land from them.^-Gulielma Penn in her husband's absence^^^Poetical address by Thomas Ell wood to his friend in America.— Letter from Gulielma Penn to Margaret Fox. — WiUiam Pcim'i return. — His letter to Margaret Fox ....•••.Page 343 to 31t&

14 OorUenta.

Chapter XIII. 1684/-1693

William Penu's difficulties about the boundary line of his prorince.-* His outlay without due return. — ^His influence with James tl.— Is accused of being a Jesuit.— His correspondence with Dr^ Tillotton. —William Penn at Chester during the King's progress. — ^King James driren ft'om the Throne.— The Prince and Princess of Orange inrited to assume the Crown. — ^William Penn suspected of treasonable correspondence with the exiled James II. — Letter from Gulielma Maria Penn to Margaret Fox. — Death of George Fox. — William Penn arrested. — ^Examined before the King and Privy Council. — Is imprisoned.^-His writings during his seclusion. — His province sequestrated. — Confiscation of his Irish estates'.— Is restored to liberty.— Death of Gulielma Penn Page 374 to 397

William Penn's testimony respecting George Fox.^-Penn applies successfully to Queen Mary for a restoration of his chartered rights in Pennsylyania. — Springett Penn's illness.— -His death and character.— Remoral of the Penn family to Bristol.— -William Penn and his son Tislt Ireland. — He removes with his family to Pennsylvania. — Is cordially welcomed.— Pennsbury past and present. — Slaves employed there. — Efforts in England to break Penn's charter. — Is obliged to return to defend it. — William Penn jun. in Pennsylvania. — His conduct and character.— Philip Ford's fraudulent claims.— Logan's opinion of him.— Penn in the Fleet prison. — Efforts which led to his release. — The Provincial Assembly of Pennsylvania. — Prosperity of the settlement.^>William Penn is attacked by paralysis. — Its effect on his mind during succeeding years. — Thomas Story at Ruscombe. — ^Death of William Penn. — His will. — Death of William Penn, jun. — His descendants .^Death of Hannah Penn. — Her descendants. — Descendants of the Peningtons.— Death of Thomas and SU17 Ellwood Page 398 to 446

THE

PENNS AND PENINGTONS,

Chapter I. 1623-1658

The Chalfbnt Grange. — Isaac Penington settles there.— Alderman Penington and the Commonwealth.— Isaac Penington's politics.— Hia religious feelings. — Memoir of Marj Proude.— The Puritans. — The Springetts.— William Springett's home-life. — His removal to Cambridge. — Becomes a law-student. — ^Is knighted. — Marj Proudest religious difficulties.— Forsakes the Church of England. — Joins the Purit^ns.-^ir William Springett returns home.— Marries Marj Proude.— 'Birth and baptism of their first child. — Sir William Joins the Parliamentary army. — His promptness in raising troops. — Wounded at the battle of Newburj. — His ability as a soldier. — ^His death and burial.

More than two hundred years have passed away since Isaac Penington, eldest son to Alderman Penington of London, brought his family to reside at the Grange, in the parish of St. Peter's, Chalfont, Buckinghamshire. Of the original old building in which they dwelt only a small portion is now standing ; on its site a modem villa has been erected, and that part of the ancient house still in existence does not present itself to view in front. 2 IT i8 The Peningtona at Choi font.

The Grange was a happy home in those hy-gone times. It was an abode where mental refinement^ literary taste, and evidences of an abiding sense of God's presence pervaded the resident family. The Peningtons settled there in the year 1658 — the same year in which Oliver Cromwell died.

The rustic beauty of the Chalfont vallies must have made that quiet neighborhood delightful to them, when contrasted with the social imrest and persecuting intolerance of which they had recently seen so much in the metropolis. The Grange was the family mansion which belonged to the paternal estate that Isaac Penington inherited from his ancestors. His father Alderman Penington had given up to his eldest son the property in question, on his marriage with Lady Springett. The few years that had elapsed from that event to their settlement at the Chalfont Grange, had been chiefly spent in London and its vicinity, where the highest circles were open to them.

Alderman Penington had inherited a handsome property from his father, who was Robert Penington, a London merchant. He also commenced life as a merchant, but being in easy circumstances he soon devoted himself to civic duties, and became an active, earnest politician. He was married to Abigail, daughter of John Allen of London. In 1638 he served as high sheriff of London, and in 1640 he was elected Member of Parliament for the city, and made himself very

The B^ningUms and the Commonwealth. 19

oonspicuous in the House by his advocacy of the xights of the Parliament and the people. In 1642 he waa chosen Lord Mayor of London^ and afterwards was appointed Lieutenant of the Tower. He wajB one of the Commissioners of the High Court of Justice for the trial of Charles I., but he did not sign the warrant for his execution. He received the honour of knighthood from the Speaker of the House of Commons ; and in 1649 was made a member of the Council of State. . At the time Alderman Penington served as High Sheri£f of London^ his son Isaac Penington, junr. was twenty-two years of age. We may conceive from the above glance at his father's career, what opportunities for worldly aggrandizenouent the intervening twenty years, from 1638 to 1658, must have spread before the son of that popular, wealthy, democratic politician. But of no such opportunities did he avail himself; the aspirations of the son were not directed by ambition ; they were deep and earnest, but not worldly ; more of the maternal than the paternal type. His mother's heartfelt desires were rather for the religious welfare, and the establishment of the Christian character of her children, than for their elevation in the world ; and these feelings met a cordial response in the mind of her eldest son. It is true he did not ignore the importance of the great political questions which so much engrossed his &ther B attention, and which were so earnestly deao hdac Psningtoria political views.

bated in that day. But whenever he wrote on them, which was not often, he discussed them in a reasonable and Christian spirit, untinctured bj partizan bitterness.

One of his publications, written in 1651, which treats of matters connected with national government, is entitled TJie Fundamental Eighty Safe^ <y, and Liberty of the People. In that he says, alluding to a limited monarchy, ^^ Though I shall not plead for the resettlement of kingly government (for I am not so far engaged in my affections to it, as it yet hath been) yet I would not have any blame laid upon it beyond its desert; for doubtless it hath its advantages above any other government, on one hand; as it hath also its disadvantages on the other hand." "Kingly power did pass its limits — we may now speak of it." He then goes on to query, "Doth parliament now keep within its right limits ?" ... " and if things should yet devolve lower, into the great and confused body of the people, is it likely they would keep their limits?" He shows that in establisiiing justice the impossibility of the people acting for themselves, and the impropriety of their repre* sentatives in parliament assuming both legislative and administrative powers. But under no circum* stances would his conscience allow him to bind himself to a party. He says, " There is not one sort of men. on the face of the earth to whom I bear any enmity in my spirit; but I wish with iBCbOJC Bsnihgtani political views. ^x

aU my heat*t they might all attain and enjoy as ttiuch peace, pro&perity, and happiness as their state will bear; and there are not any to whom I should envy the power of government. But whoever they are whom I saw fitted for it, and called to it, they should have my vote on their behalf." He goes on to show that where the spirit of selfishness holds its natural place in men's hearts, their government will not promote spontaneously true freedom for others who are under them; for when the selfish man has great power, it will be exerted m promoting his own aggrandisement, and the freedom of others only in so far as it suits his selfish ends. Therefore he maintained it was alone the change of heart from sinful selfishness, to the desire after the promotion of Christian righteousness among the national governors, that could secure true justice to those they governed.

Openly declaring such views, Isaac Penington did not attach himself to any section, in that way which would prevent him from pointing out what he thought wrong in their proceedings. We cannot wonder under these circumstances, that he was not welcomed as a political writer by any of those who were struggling for power ; politics in their worldly constructions and acceptations could not be long pursued by such a mind as his. Religion was his home; and it was on religious subjects that his heart and pen were chiefly engaged for many years -labouring to promote righteousness in ail thin^

21 Acqiuziiitayice with Lady SpringM.

But in these ejffbrts he met with much that was disheartening, and finally his hopes became so mtrcli depressed by the conclusions he drew from the Calvinistic theology that had been presented to him as gospel truths, that his energies for a time seemed totally prostrated. In this depressed state he providentially made the acquaintance of Lady Springett. Her mind had more natural cheerfulness than his ; but, like his, was deeply impressed with the consciousness that nothing on earth was worth living for if the heart be not fixed in its trust in the Lord, and in its desire to do his will on earth above all things. With these feelings in her soul, she was moving about amid the amusements and fashions of London life, when she first became acquainted with Isaac Penington. Before she met with him, she had had many trying experiences in her search after spiritual life. She was the widow of Sir William Springett, who died when she was about twenty years of age ; and now she was about thirty, Isaac Penington being eight years older.

Penington's acquaintance with Lady Springett soon ripened into confidential friendship, and a loving attachment succeeded. In 1654 they were married. During the interval between their marriage and removal to the Grange in 1658, they first became acquainted with the Quakers, or Friends of Truth, as they originally designated themselves.

Thoroughly to understand Mary Penington's character, we must turn to th^ account she wrote of

CliUdliood of Mary Ptoude. 23

her own early life. It is comprised in two documents ; one left to her daughter, Gulielma Maria Penn; the other a letter addressed to her grandson, Springett Penn. The information in these autobiographical sketches I shall endeavour to combine 80 as to form a continuous personal history, as much as conveniently can be adhering to the writer's own words.*

THE CHILDHOOD AND EARLY LIFE OF MART PROUDE, ULTIMATELY PENINGTON.

Mart Proude was bom about the year 1624, and was the only child of Sir John Proude, a native of Kent, in which county he had valuable landed property. He entered into the military service of the States of Holland under the Prince of Orange, and was one of the oflScers killed at the siege of GroU in Guelderland. Her mother's death took place either immediately after or shortly before that of her father ; so that the little girl was left without either of her parents at the age of three years. She was brought up in a Protestant family, where the ordinances of the Episcopal Church were recognized. Speaking of their habits, she says they were ^^ a kind of loose Protestants, who minded no

religion, though they went to their place of wor-

* I belieTe I haye stndied Mary Penington's autobiographical letters in all the forms they have been brought forward— comparing the printed •elections in this country, and also the American edition in its folness, with the manuscript copy which has been transcribed by private hands

24 SdiffUm of her childhood.

phip on First'^lays, to hear a canonical priest preiu^h in the morning, and read common prayers in the ailemoon. They used common prayers in the family, and observed superstitious customs, and times, and days of fasting and feasting. At that time, when I was afraid in the night season of such things as spirits walking, and of thieves, I would often say over, as I had been taught, that which is called the Lord's Prayer, hoping by that means to be delivered from the things I feared." She used, as many a child has done, the words of that beautiful comprehensive prayer us a charm to ward off evil, without entering into its spirit, or at all comprehending its meaning. But when she was about eight years of age, and still living with the loose Proteetania she speaks of, she heard a sermon preached, the text of which made a more intelligible religious impression on her mind. It was the declaration of the Lord Jesus, " Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled." This, she says, was the first scriptural text of which she ever took serious notice, and who can imagine what a stay and blessing it proved in keeping alive religious hope in many an hour of discouragement and , depreission in after years? It appears to have served as a divine anchor, made so secure in that early time that no storm could afterwards entirely unsettle it.

When she was about nine years of age, the little orphan ^1, who seems to have been the ward of

Acqiuiintance with the Springetts. 25

Sir Edward Partridge, was removed to his residence. He had a large mixed family ; for beside his own immediate household, he ^ had a sister, Madam Springett, a young widow lady, with her three children and their servants, who boarded in his house. Madam Springett joined her brother^s family at meals, but had a private suite of apartments for her own family to retire to. She was a superior woman in every respect, and of her attention and kindness little Mary Proude appears to have largely partaken. She had a daughter Catherine, a little older than Mary, and two sons, William and Herbert. With these children Mary was educated under the roof of Sir Edward Partridge, until the boys were sent to a public school. Towards their uncle's ward the young Springetts, who were noble youths, acted with a chivalrous and most kind consideration, that made them the very best of friends. William was about two years and a half older than Mary. She thus speaks of his early habits : —

^^He was of a most courteous affable carriage towards all. He was most ingeniously inclined from a very lad; carving and forming thmgs with his knife or tools ; so industriously active that he rarely ever was idle. For when he could not be employed abroad in shooting at a mark with a gun, pistol, crossbow, or longbow; or managing his horses, which he brought up and trained hims3lf— teaching them boldness in charging, and all that

26 William SpringetCe hoyhood.

waa needful for service — ^when he could not, I say, be thus engaged abroad, then he would fence within doors ; or make crossbows, placing the sight with that accurateness as if it had been his trade ; and make bow-strings, or cast bullets for his carbines, and feather his arrows. At other times he would pull his watch to pieces to string it, or to mend any defect; or take to pieces, and mend, the house clock. He was a great artist not only in shooting but in fishing — making lines, and arranging baits and thins^ for the purpose. He was also a ffreat lover of coursing, and he managed his dogs hiiLlf. These things I mention to show his ingenuity and his industry in his youth. But his mind did not run into any vanity about such things after it was engaged in religion."

So long as mere childhood lasted under such care and with such companionship and bright surroundings, Mary's life must have passed on smoothly and pleasantly. Of the general religious habits and tone of the Partridges, she says they seemed to be more religious than the other family she had previously lived with. " They would not admit of sports on the First day of the week, calling it the Sabbath ; and they heard two sermons on that day of a priest who was not loose in his conversation ; he used a form of prayer before his sermon, and read common prayer. When I was about eleven years of age, a maid-servant who tended on me and the rest of the children, and was zealous in that

Pretdon en Prayer. 27

wa J, would read Smith's and Preston's sermons on Firstrdaj between the sermons. I diligently heard Ider read, and liking not to use the Lord's Prayer only, I got a Prayer-book and read prayers mornings and nights, according to the days and occasions. About this time my mind was serious about religion, and one day, after we came from the place of public worship, this forementioned maid-servant read one of Preston's sermons on the text, " Pray continually." Much was said of the excellency of prayer — ^that it distinguished a saint from the world ; for that in many things the world and hypocrites could imitate a saint, but in prayer they could not. This wrought much in my mind all the time she read, and it seemed plain to me that I knew not right prayer ; for what I used as a prayer an ungodly man might do by reading it out of a book, and that could not be the prayer which distinguished a saint from a wicked one. As soon as she had done reading, and all gone out of the chamber, I shut the door, and in great distress flung myself on the bed, and oppressedly cried out aloud, * Lord, what is prayer?' At this time I had never heard any, nor of any that prayed otherwise than by reading, or by composing and writing a prayer, which they called a form of prayer. This thing so wrought in me, that, as I remember, the next morning or very soon after, it came into my mind to write a prayer of my own composing to use m the mornings. So, a.s soon as I was out of

^8 Early Puritans,

bed, I wrote a prayer, though I then could scaitely join my letters, I had so little a time learned to write. It was something of this nature ; that, aa tlie Lord commanded the Israelites to offer up a morning sacrifice, so I offered up the sacrifice of prayer, and desired to be presented during that day. The use of this for a little time gave me some ease, and I soon left off using my books, and as the feelings arose in me, I wrote prayers according to my several occasions."

The time when the circumstances above related marked the experience of this thoughtful little girl, was when the spirit of Puritanism began to be manifested in the churches. The reading of the common prayers of the Chmrch of England Prayer-book, both in public and private worship, was one of the practices to which objection began to be raised by some of the most strictly, religious people of that time ; and there were other practices also, in both the Episcopal and Presbyterian Churches, to which these Puritans — as they were in ridicule called— nobjected. Mary Penington thus continues : —

" The next prayer I wrote was for an assurance of pardon for my sins. I had heard one preach how God had pardoned David his sins of His free grace ; and as I came from our place of worship, I felt how desirable a thing to be assured of the pardon of one's sins; so I wrote a pretty large prayer concerning it. I felt that it coming of grace, though I was unworthy, yet I might receive

Forme of prayer. 29

pardon, and I used earnest expressions about it. A little after this I received some acknowledgments from several persons of the greatness of my memory, and was praised for it. I felt a fear of being puffed up with that praise; so I wrote a prayer of thanks fur the gift of memory, and expressed my desires to use it to the Lord, that it might be sanctified to me, and that I might not be puffed up by it. These three prayers I used with some ease of mind for a time, but not long ; for I began again to question whether I prayed right or not. I knew not then that any did pray extempore, but it sprung up in my mind that to use words according to the sense I was in of my wants, was true prayer, which I attem^tted to do, but could not; sometimes kneeling down a long time, but had not a word to say. This wrought great trouble in me, and I had none to reveal myself to, or advise with, but bore a great burthen about it on my mind ; till one day, as J was sitting at work in the parlour, a gentleman that was against the superstitions of the times came »n, and looking sorrowful, said ^ it was a sad day.' TL is was soon after Prynne, Bastwick, and Burton weie sentenced to have their ears cut, and to be imprisoned. It sunk deep into my spirit, and strong cries were in me for them, and for the innocent people in the nation. It wrought so strongly in me, that I could not sit at my work, but left it, and went into a private room, and, shutting the door, kneeled down and poured out my soul to the