The life of William Penn : with selections from his corespondence and autobiography

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Chapter I

His birth and Parentage ; Education ; Expelled from Oxford for non-conformity ; Sent to France ; Returns and enters Lincoln's Inn ; Goes to Ireland ; Assists in quelling a Mutiny ; Prospect of a Captaincy ; Correspondence with his father ; Hears Thomas Loe a second time ; Convinced of Friends' principles ; Imprisoned ; Released and returns to England ; His Father's displeasure ; His expulsion from home.

1644-67.

It is the purpose of this work to narrate the life and delineate the character of William Penn; a man alike distinguished for his moral qualities and mental endowments ; his sufferings and his success ; his labors as an author, a gospel minister, and a Christian legislator ; who, having wisely improved the talents intrusted to him, has left his impress upon the world, and bequeathed to posterity an example that will not soon be forgotten.

His father is known in history as Vice-Admiral Sir William Penn, a distinguished commander in the British Navy during the wars of the Commonwealth and in the reign of Charles U., who conferred on him the honor of knighthood, as a reward for his services in a great victory gained over the Dutch, commanded by Admiral Opdam.

Sir William Penn married early in life Margaret, the daughter of John Jasper, of Rotterdam, by whom he left two sons — the younger of whom survived him only three years — and one daughter.*

William, the elder son, who is the subject of this work, was born in the parish called St. Catherine's, near the Tower of London, on the 14th day of October, (then the 8th month), A. D., 1644.t

Admiral Penn being possessed of an ample estate, and desirous that his son William should become distinguished in the world, determined to give him a liberal education. At an early age he was sent to a free grammar school at Chigwell, in Essex, which was near Wanstead, one of the country seats of his father. Here he gave evidence of promising talents, and received some of those serious impressions by means of w-hich his youth was preserved in purity, and pious desires were awakened in his mind. It w^as here, while in his eleventh year, that he experienced the enlightening influence of divine grace ; and the good seed being sown in the soil of a sincere and willing heart, was not lost, but in after years produced a rich harvest of spiritual enjoyment and usefulness. It is related by one of his biographers,! that being alone in his chamber, " he was suddenly surprised with an inward comfort, and, as he thought, an external glory in the room, which gave rise to religious emotions, during which he had the strongest convictions of the being of a God, and that the soul of man was capable of enjoying communion wdth him." He believed also "that the seal of Divinity had been put upon him at. this moment, or that he had been awakened or called to a holy life." When we consider how great is the influence exerted by powerful emotions, and how much our impressions, even of external objects, are modified by the state of the mind, it is not surprising that a youth of his age, while under strong religious convictions,

* Memorials of Sir William Penn, by Grenville Penn.

■j- Perm's Life, prefixed to his Select Works. In Penn's time the year began with the first of March, which, among the Friends, was then called the first month, April the second month, and so on. October, as its name implies, was then the 8th month. In this work the old style is retained.

^ Clarkson's Lite of Penn.

should suppose he beheld an external glory shining around him ; for the light that shone in his own spiritual nature was " above the brightness of the sun."

In the year 1656, Admiral Penn removed with his family to Ireland, where he possessed valuable estates ;* and William being then about twelve years of age, diligently pursued his studies at home, under the direction of a private tutor. At the age of fifteen he went to Oxford, and was entered as a student at Christ's Church College. Here he advanced rapidly in learning, and cultivated the acquaintance of those students who were most distinguished for talents and virtue, while at intervals he engaged in manly sports and athletic exercises, in which he took great delight.f Among his comrades at this time was John Locke, afterwards distinguished for his Essay on the Human Understanding.

While Penn was at Oxford, the Duke of Gloucester, brother of Charles II., died of the small pox. He was much beloved by the king, and was a favorite with the nation on account of his amiable character.

Many poetic effusions were written by the students in commemoration of this mournful event, and among the rest, William Penn produced an elegy written in Latin verse, which affords evidence of his genius and acquirements.:!:

About this time, he attended a meeting of the religious Society of Friends, who were then, in derision, called Quakers. Thomas Loe, who had formerly belonged to the University of Oxford, preached on this occasion, and his discourse made a deep impression on the mind of Penn, who began to perceive that the simplicity and purity of the Christian religion was lost sight of by most of its professors, while their attention was occupied by a round of lifeless ceremonies. His early religious impressions were revived, and earnest desires were experienced for a " closer walk with God."

While in this frame of mind, he found that some of his fellow-students were, like himself, dissatisfied with the esta-

• Memorials of Sir William Penn. f Clarkson's Life of Penn. ^ Ibid.

blished form of worship. They concluded to withdraw from it, and they held among themselves meetings for divine worship, in which they were engaged in preaching and prayer. This conduct gave offence to the heads of the college, who fined them for non-conformity ; but Penn and his associates, believing themselves bound by a sense of duty to continue their meetings and to absent themselves from the established church, were finally expelled from the college.*

After his return home, his exemplary conduct and serious deportment evinced the change that had been wrought in his feelings. He withdrew from the society of the gay and frivolous, and sought the company of the pious and sedate.

His father saw with grief this change in his manners, and began to fear that all the prospects of worldly honor he had cherished for him would be blasted. Being himself a man of the world, he could not enter into the feelings of his son, nor appreciate that noble devotion of soul which enabled him to contemn the perishing things of time, and to fix his affections upon those heavenly treasures — those pure principles of righteousness — which are the gift of God and will endure forever. Having tried persuasion and threats without turning him from his purpose, the Admiral at length resorted to blows ; and these being alike ineffectual, he gave way to a transport of rage, and drove him from his house. f

In this trying situation William evinced that patience and fortitude which distinguished him through life. His father soon began to relent ; for although hasty in his temper, he was naturally a man of kind feelings, and his wife, who was an excellent woman, interceded for her son, and obtained his forgiveness and recall.

His father now^ adopted another expedient to dissipate this

• See Cough's History of Quakers, ii. 213. The account given by Clarkson, that William Penn and Robert Spencer " tore the surplices over the heads" of the students, must be founded in mistake ; for it appears from a letter of Penn, written in 1683 to Spencer, then Earl of iSundcrland, that they first became acquainted in France, about 1663.

j- Gough ii. 214. Select Works of Penn ; Proud's History Pennsylvania.

WILLIAM PENN.

serious turn of mind which he so much deprecated. He sent him to France in company with some persons of rank, who were about to make the tour of Europe. He resided first in Paris, and then went to Saumur, where he remained some months in the years 1662-63, in order to enjoy " the conversation and instruction of the learned Moses Auryrault, who was a protestant minister of the Calvanistic persuasion, professor of divmity in Saumur, and at this time in the highest estimation of any divine in France.* While residing here he read the works of the early Christian writers, paid some attention to other theological studies, and applied himself to the acquisition of the French language, in which he became a proficient. On leaving Saumur, he directed his course towards Italy ; but on reaching Turin he received a letter from his father recalling him home, in order to take charge of his affairs during the Admiral's absence' at sea.

William Penn, whilst in France, from whence he returned in the year 1664, is said to have acquired that polish of manners for which the French have long been distinguished. He is described by Pepys as " a most modish person, grown quite a fine gentleman ;" and it may reasonably be inferred that he had also worn off, by association with the gay world, a portion of that serious demeanor which had so much displeased his father, for we find that he was received with great satisfaction. An incident occurred during his residence in Paris, which gives an interesting view of his character at this period.

He was waylaid in the street, at night, by a person armed with a sword, who attacked him for an alleged affront. Penn, who was armed, as was then the custom, defended himself with skill, and disarmed his antagonist ; but when he had him completely at his mercy, he showed his magnanimity by allowing him to depart without injury. In one of his works, written after he became a Friend, he alludes to this incident to show " what envy, quarrels and mischief have happened among private persons upon their conceit that they have not been respected

• Clarkson.

2* according to their degree of quality among men, with hat, knee or title. Suppose he had killed me, (for he made several passes at me), or that I, in my defence, had killed him, I ask any man of understanding or conscience, if the whole round of ceremony were worth the life of a man, considering the dignity of his nature and the importance of his life with respect to God his Creator, himself, and the benefit of civil society?"

Soon after his return from France, he became, at his father's suggestion, a student at Lincoln's Inn, in order to acquire a knowledge of the laws of England.

In the spring of 1665 the British fleet put to sea under the command of the Duke of York, assisted by the nautical skill of Sir William Penn, who occupied the next post under him. The younger Penn, then about twenty-one years of age, accompanied his father for a few days, and was sent to the king with despatches, as appears by the following letters :

"From Harwich, 23d April, 1665. '* Honored Father : —

"We could not arrive here sooner than this day, about tTvelve of the clock, by reason of the continued cross winds, and, as I thought, foul weather. I pray God, after all the foul weather and dangers you are exposed to, and shall be, that you come home as secure. And I bless God, my heart does not in any way fail, but firmly believe that if God has called you out to battle, he will cover your head in that smoky day. And, as I never knew what a father was till I had wisdom enough to prize him, so I can safely say, that now, of all times, your concerns are most dear to me. It's hard, meantime, to lose both a father and a friend, &c.

"Navy Office, 6th May, 1665, " At my arrival at Harwich, (which was about one of the clock on the Sabbath day, and where I staid till three,) I took post for London, and was at London the next morning by almost daylight. I hasted to Whitehall, where, not finding the king up, I presented myself to my Lord of Arlington and Colonel Ashburnham.

"At his majesty's knocking, he was informed there was an express from the Duke ; at which, earnestly skipping out of his bed, he came only in his gown and slippers ; who, when he saw me, said, ' Oh ! is't you ? how is Sir William?'

"He asked how .you did at three several times. He was glad to hear your message about Ka. [?] After interrogating me above half an hour, he bid me go about your business and mine too. As to the Duchess, he was pleased to ask several questions, and so dismissed me.

" I delivered all the letters given me. My mother was to see my Lady Lawson, and she was here.

" I pray God be with you, and be your armor in the day of controversy ! May that power be your salvation, for his name's sake. And so will he wish and pray, that is with all true veneration, honored father, " Your obedient son and servant,

After this short trial of naval life, he returned again to his legal studies, until the ravages of the plague in London induced him to quit the city, and probably revived the religious impressions of his early years.

His mind now underwent a great conflict of religious exercise. The seeds of piety sown in his heart during youth, although at times repressed by the influence of the gay world around him, continued to grow in secret, being nourished by the dews of heaven, — the holy influences of Divine grace, — by which he was drawn into silent meditation, and inward prayer. His natural disposition being lively and social, his accomplishments such as to render his society attractive, and his father's influence being exerted to the utmost to lead him in the path of worldly glory, where all his prospects were bright and dazzling; we may readily conceive he was exposed to temptations unusually great, and that the ordeal through which he was passing, must have been severe in the extreme. Early in the spring of 1666, his father, perceiving that he was growing more serious in his deportment, concluded to send him to Ireland, where the Duke of Ormond, then Lord Lieutenant, presided over a court of great gaiety and splendor.

Being furnished with a letter from the Admiral to Sir Geo. Lane, the Secretary of the Lord Lieutenant, he was received with the utmost kindness at the vice-regal court, where the Duke of Ormond's regard for his father procured him many

« Mem. Sir William Penn, ii. 318.

distinguished acquaintances to whom he highly recommended himself by his own personal qualities.*

During his residence there a mutiny took place among the soldiers in the garrison of Carrickfergus, and being a young man of high spirit, and acquainted with the use of arms, he joined the forces under the Lord of Arran, (second son of the Duke of Ormond,) and evinced so much energy and valor in quelling the mutiny, that the Duke wished to make him captain of the foot-company attached to his father's government of the fort of Kinsale.

His cousin, Captain (afterwards Sh^) Richard Booth, who commanded the frigate Dartmouth on the Irish coast, thus wrote to Sir William Penn, under date the 19th of July, 1666 :

" Right Honorable : —

" Since mj last from Holyhead I have been to Carrickfergus, where the soldiers mutinied, and was there commanded by his grace to remain till the castle was redviced, which was done by the Lord of Arran, and four companies of the R rogimfent ; an account whereof I presume your honor has long since had from my cousin William, who was pleased to accompany his lordship in that action, to his no small reputation."

The following letter from William to his father, written the same month, gives some further particulars of this transaction, and shows his willingness to accept the military distinction that the Duke wished to confer upon him :

" Honorable Sir : —

" When I was at Carrickfergus with my Lord Arran, Sir George Lane, in my Lord Dunagle's house, called me aside and told me the character my Lord Arran had pleased to give his father, obliged him to write you a letter on my behalf, which was to surrender your government and fort. My Lord Lieutenant himself, before a very great company, was pleased to call me to him, and asked whether you had not done it, and why? I answered that you had once intended it, and that his lordship had promised to favor his request. To assure you of my lord's design, I saw the letter under his own hand, but am to seek whether Sir George Lane sent it or no, which I am to ask of yourself ; my Lord Lieutenant telling me

» Memorials of Sir William I'cnn, ii , 572.

sometimes he wondered you never answered his letter. I excused it by the remoteness of your present residence from London. If there be any ■ under-dealing 'tis the secretary's fault, not my lord's.

" Howevev, sir, I humbly conceive it may be necessary you take notice of my lord's kindness in a letter by the very first, since he has asked whether you had writ me anything in reference to it.

" I beseech your answer to this, as also if you please, an acknowledgment to my Lord Lieutenant and Lord Arran's great and daily kindness. I wish, sir, you may have respite from your troubles, and some refreshments from your continual toils, (we supposing the fleet to be near out). I am, sir, j^our most obedient son, W. PENN.

« Dublin, 4lh Jul^, 1666."

THE DUKE OF ORMOND TO SIR WILLIAM PENN.

" Sir : — Remembering that formerly you made a motion for the giving up your company of foot here to your son, and observing his forwardness on the occasion of his repressing the late mutiny among the soldiers in this garrison, I liave thought fit to let you know that I am willing to place the command of that company in him, and desire you to send a resignation to that purpose, and so I remain your aifectionate servant,

" ORMOND.

« Carrickfergus, 29th May, 1666."

THE admiral's ANSWER TO HIS SON.

July 17th, 1666.

" Son William : —

" I have received two or three letters from you since I wrote any to you. Besides my former advice I can say nothing but advise to sobriety and all those things that will speak you a Christian and a gentleman, which prudence may make to have the best consistency. As to the tender made by his grace the Lord Lieutenant concerning the fort at Kinsale, I wish your youthful desires mayn't outrun your discretion. His grace may, for a time, dispense with my absence — yours he will not, for so he told me. God bless, direct and protect you.*

" Your very affectionate father, W. PENN."

From this correspondence it is evident that William had suffered the gay circle by which he was surrounded, so far to obliterate his former serious impressions, that he began to fix

* Memorials of Sir William Penn, by Grenville Penn.

his affections upon worldly glory, and was even desirous of obtaining the distinction of a military post, with the flattering title of Captain Penn. But happily for himself and for the world, the Admiral's pertinacious adherence to the captaincy, frustrated the ambitious aspirations of his son, who was destined, by Divine Providence, to a far nobler post, and a wider field of service.

About this time was painted the only portrait of William Penn, ever taken from life. A copy of this portrait was presented by Grenville Penn to the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, and from it was taken the engraving which accompanies this work. It w^ill be observed that he is dressed in the military costume usually appropriated to the high-born cavalier, which was well adapted to express the rank he held in society, as well as the hopes he then cherished of martial distinction. The features are rather full and beautifully moulded, the countenance combines energy and sweetness happily blended, and we read in that calm and earnest expression, the index of a mind formed for high designs and noble achievements.

Sir William Penn being occupied with his naval command, intrusted to his son the management of his estates in Ireland, which lay in the county of Cork. This business he conducted with such ability, as to give entire satisfaction, and the Admiral hoped that his son, being now far removed from his English acquaintances, and fully occupied with business, would soon forget the serious impressions which stood so much in the way of his worldly advancement.

But here Divine Providence again interposed to call him to that sphere of life in which he was destined to accomplish so great a work.

Being at Cork on business, he heard that Thomas Loe, the instrument of his religious impressions at Oxford, was to attend a meeting of the Friends in that city. His f^ffection for this eminent minister would not allow him to leave the city without seeing him, he therefore attended the meeting.

After an interval of silence, Thomas Loe arose and commenced his discourse with these words, " There is a faith which overcomes the world, and there is a faith which is overcome by the world." On this theme he enlarged in so remarkable and impressive a manner, that every word went home to the feelings of William, whose inward conflicts were, doubtless, depicted by the speaker, and attributed to their true cause, the opposition of his natural inclinations and desires to the secret touches of Divine grace and love, by which he had been called to renounce the glory of the world, and to devote himself to a higher and holier life.

The result was, that his feelings were deeply moved, his convictions of religious duty were revived, and he became a constant attender of the meetings of Friends.

Many years afterwards, when relating an interview he had with some pious persons, he alluded to his religious exercises in early life, saying,* " I let them know how and when the Lord first appeared unto me, which was about the twelfth year of my age, anno. 1656 ; and how, at times, betwixt that and the fifteenth, the Lord visited me, and the divine impressions he gave me of himself; of my persecution at Oxford, and how the Lord sustained me in the midst of that hellish darkness and debauchery ; of my being banished the college; the bitter usage I underwent when I returned to my father, whipping, beating, and turning out of doors in 1662. Of the Lord's dealings with me in France, and in the time of the great plague in London ; in fine, the deep sense he gave me of the vanity of this world, of the irreligiousness of the religious of it; then, of my mournful and bitter cries to him that he would show me his own way of life and salvation, and my resolution to follow him, whatever reproaches or sufferings should attend me, and that with great reverence and brokenness of spirit. How, after all this, the glory of the world overtook me, and I was even ready to give up myself unto it, seeing as yet no such thing as the primitive spirit and church on the earth ; and being ready to faint concerning my hope of the restitution of all things." "It was at this time that the Lord visited me with a certain sound and

* See his Journey into Holland and Germany.

testimony of his Eternal Word, through one of those the world calls Quakers, namely, Thomas Loe. I related to them the bitter mockings and scornings that fell upon me, the displeasure of my parents, the invectiveness and cruelty of the priests, the strangeness of all my companions; what a sign and wonder they made of me, but above all, that great cross of resisting and watching against mine own inward vain affections and thoughts."

William Penn being now drawn into close fellowship with the Friends, was soon made to experience some of the persecutions then so liberally inflicted upon that unoffending people.

Being at a meeting in Cork in the autumn of 1667, he was, with others, apprehended and carried before the Mayor, who, observing his dress to be different from that of the Friends, offered to set him at liberty, on his giving bond for his good behavior ; which refusing, he was, with eighteen others, committed to prison.* While in prison he wrote the following letter : —

" To THE Earl of Orrert, Lord President of Munster.

" The occasion may seem as strange as my cause is just, but your lordship will no less express your charity in the one than your justice in the other.

" Religion, which is at once my crime and mine innocence, makes me a prisoner to a mayor's malice, but mine own free-man ; for being in the assembly of the people called Quakers, there came several constables, backed with soldiers, 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 present at a tumultuous and riotous assembly; and unless I would give bond for my good behavior, who challenge the world to accuse me justly with the contrary, he would commit me. I asked for his authority ; for I humbly conceive, without an act of Parliament, or an act of State, it might be justly termed too much officiousness: his answer was, *a proclamation in the year IGGO, and new instructions to revive that dead and antiquated order.' I leave your lordship to judge if that proclamation relates to this concernment, that only was designed to suppress ' Fifth-monarchy' killing spirits, and since the King's Lord Lieutenant and yourself being

• Penn's hfe, prefixed to his select works.

WILLIAM rEiNTN. 20

"fully persuaded the intention of those called Quakers by their meetlnjjs, A^-as really the service of (rod, have therefore manifested a repeal by a long continuance of freedom, I hope your lordship will not now begin an unusual severity, by indulging so much malice in one, whose actions savor ill with his nearest neighbors, but that there may be a speedy releasement to all for attending their hon6st callings; with the enjoyment of their families, and not to be longer separated from both.

" And though to dissent from a national system imposed hj authority, renders men heretics ; yet I dare believe your lordship is better read in reason and theology, than to subscribe a maxim so vulgar and untrue; for imagining most visible constitutions of religious government suited to the nature and genius of a civil empire, it cannot be esteemed heresy, but to scare a multitude from such inquiries as may create divisions, fatal to a civil policy, and therefore at worst, deserves only the name of Disturbers.

"But I presume, my Lord, the acquaintance j^ou have had with other countries, must needs have furnished yuu with this infallible observation : that diversities of faith and worship contribute not to the disturbance of any place, where moral uniformity is barely requisite to preserve the peace. It is not long since you were a good solicitor for the liberty I now crave, and concluded no way so effectual to improve or advantage this country, as to dispense with freedom in things relating to conscience ; and I suppose were it riotous or tumultuary, as by some vainly imagined, your lordship's inclination, as well as duty, would entertain a very remote opinion. My humble supplication, therefore, to you is, that so 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 elsewhere, and a bad argument to invite English hither, so, with submission, will it not resemble that clemency and English spirit, that hath hitherto made you honorable.

" If in this case I may have used too great liberty, it is my subject, nor shall I doubt your pardon, since, by your authority, I expect a favor, which never will be used unworthy an honest man, and

" Your Lordship's faithful, &c.,

In this letter may be seen the germ of a noble principle, more fully developed in his subsequent works ; it was his first essay in behalf of universal toleration, — the beginning of that long series of efforts, which, after more than twenty years of arduous conflict, were crowned with success.

His request, so far as related to himself, was granted by the

I

Earl, who gave an order for his immediate release.* This imprisonment, so far from cooling his zeal, only tended to bring him into closer union with the Friends, whose principles became more and more dear to him, so that he became willing to bear the reproach and contumely which in that age were every where cast upon them, as upon the primitive Christians, by a misjudging world.

The report that he had become a "Quaker," was soon conveyed to his father, which induced him to recall him, an order which he promptly obeyed by returning home.