In the Truth of God, unto which all must bow,
At first I was not so strong as I am now.
Holy Praises be to my Rock and Strength for ever;
For from his Love no earthly thing can sever.
O. S.

ble he had overshot himself and was not willing to have his false charges at that time further opened, or that having had his dinner he was in a better humour, I know not; but all that afternoon he carried himself more quietly towards me and with a show of kindness.

After this I had little more to do with him for some time, till the Court Leet came which Mention was made how the priest having was in the second month, 1668, to which being taken away my goods for tithes, some of my summoned I did appear there; and the priest relations had made an agreement with him and being there also he soon fell upon me, charging paid him twenty pounds, that they might have me with having printed lies against him in a the disposal of the goods, and keep the overbook, which he said was almost filled with lies. plus-money for him until another time. One I desired him to instance in any one particular, of those relations was Thomas Bunce, my and prove it false if he could, before all the wife's father, who some time after, observing people; there being the chief men of three or that what he had done had made me very unfour parishes. He would not give an instance; easy, and did but make the priest more greedy but went on exclaiming against me with a loud after his prey, was troubled in his mind that he voice; saying I held erroneous principles, and had meddled in that matter; and being desirous that I denied the Trinity and the Sacraments. to be rid of that money which was left in his I answered that I denied no principle of reli- hands on that occasion and to clear himself gion that can be warranted by the Scriptures. from being further concerned therein, he sent But he not willing that I should be heard went the money to the priest, and with it the followon still, and made a long clamorous speech ing letter. against me, using many bitter reviling words. And not satisfied with that, he in his fury with his own hands violently plucked my hat from off my head two several times, in the presence of all the people, and the last time kept my hat did grow to such a height and on your part from me for a while. And thus he spent much was managed with such rigour, that about a of the time until he went to dinner, endeavour. year ago you did cause his house to be searched ing as much as in him lay to render me odious and took away what money was to be had, and and contemptible, and to make me a gazing- and also seized and drove away all his sheep stock to the whole assembly. But when the priest was gone to dinner it came in my mind to write a few words, for the better information and satisfaction of the people; which I did in

these words:

"Whereas I, Oliver Sansom, have this day been charged by James Anderton with printing lies in a book against him, and also with holding erroneous opinions, both which charges are absolutely false and untrue, as will plainly be made appear if he will but commit them to writing; and therefore I desire it may be so done. But if he refuse, may it not then be justly suspected that he cannot prove what he hath charged me with: let the wise in heart judge.

This is written, that things may be fairly tried, and false reports stopped, by OLIVER SANSOM.

The 6th of the Second month, 1668."

This little paper I fastened to a post in the middle of the great hall where the Court was kept, that it might be seen and read of all there present. And after it had stuck there some time and was pretty well viewed, one of the company took it down and carried it up to the priest. And whether it was that he was sensi

"MR. ANDErton,

Whereas there did arise a difference between son-in-law Oliver Sansom, which

you and my

and cows.

Whereupon I sent my other sonin-law Richard Vokins to assist my friend John Sansom to make an agreement with you; fearing lest you should make such a spoil of the goods of the said Oliver, as might be to his undoing. And so an agreement was concluded, and you being paid your demands in money, then the goods (that by your procurement were taken away as aforesaid) were by you delivered into their hands; that is to say, to John Sansom and Richard Vokins, and the said goods being sold did arise to more money than was paid to you for them. The overplus whereof being now in my hands and I considering seriously with myself that the man from whom the goods were taken detains his tithes only upon a conscientious account, therefore I think he should not be so hardly dealt with; for sure I am it is contrary to the doctrine and commands of Christ, which was to love enemies, and to forgive trespasses as we desire to be forgiven. And it is also contrary to the Apostles' practice who did not make the Gospel chargeable, for they testified to them among whom they preached, that they sought not theirs but them. And seeing you do profess the Scriptures to be your rule, I desire you would compare your practice with them. As for my part I am sorry that ever I meddled with those goods taken away

and he thought I had most right to it; and so left it and went his way.

After this, at the time called Easter following, the people of Boxford (where I lived) being gathered together in the house they called their Church, to choose officers for the parish; the priest took occasion at that time and in that place, to accuse me in a malicious manner before all the people there assembled; and spake also contemptuously against the Truth and way of God, which I and my Friends made profession of. Which when I heard of I was much grieved, and felt a concern lie upon my spirit to write something in answer thereunto, for the information and good of the people and for the vindication of the precious Truth from his slanderous suggestions; whereby he sought to ren der both it and them that professed it odious to his auditory. And that which I wrote was as followeth.

"FRIENDS AND NEIGHBOURS, Forasmuch as James Anderton hath opened his mouth wide against the innocent people of God called Quakers in general, and me in particular; but chiefly against the Truth which we profess; now it is well known to most of you that his enmity hath been openly manifested towards me both by words and deeds. Yet he could never justly charge me with evil doing, though he hath sought for it; to the praise of the God of my life be it spoken, who by his grace hath preserved me, and by his own good Spirit hath led and strengthened me hitherto; blessed be His holy name for ever.

Now as to what he hath charged me with from the printed book, wherein some of his envious doings are laid open and discovered; for the truth of what is therein contained you know I need not go far for witnesses; because that many of you can testify from your own knowledge that the greatest part thereof is true; and as to that passage in the latter end of the said book, to wit, that he preferred card-playing before the true worship of God, you know that in your hearing he said, that he did prefer cardplaying a hundred times before our meetings for worshipping of God.

Now if it can be proved, that the true worship of God is in that very way which we meet together to worship him in, and in that very way wherein we meet together and worship God in is the true worship of God performed; then it is evident, that he that speaks against our meetings speaks against the true worship of God: now it can be so proved, therefore he that speaks against our meetings speaks against the true worship of God.

For proof hereof, First, we can and do in truth testify that we have the seal and witness of the Spirit of Christ in ourselves, that in our

meetings we do worship the only true God in Spirit and in Truth, according to the words of Christ, (John iv.) And therein we do find acceptance with him, and are also led and guided by the same Spirit to do those things which please him. And as many as become faithfully obedient thereunto come to know the effectual working of his mighty power, to redeem them from the bondage and captivity of sin and death inwardly, and from a vain conversation outwardly; so as to live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world.

Secondly. We do abide in the doctrine of Christ and do keep his commandments; as might be largely evinced according to the Scriptures of Truth.

Thirdly. Our meetings are according to the examples of the Apostles and saints in the pri mitive times, who worshipped God in the Spirit and rejoiced in Christ Jesus and had no confidence in the flesh; and if anything was revealed to him that sat by, the first was to hold his peace; that all might be comforted and edified in the Truth. 1st Cor. xiv. 30.

Fourthly. We are also come to witness the fulfilling of the Scriptures which were spoken before by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, to wit, that against his followers, persecutors would arise who would say all manner of evil against them for his sake; and that they would cast them out of the synagogues; yea, said he, the time shall come, that whosoever killeth you will think he doth God service.

Now see and mark well, whether James Anderton be not exactly here pointed at; as First, for saying all manner of evil falsely. Secondly, for excommunicating or casting out of his synagogue. And Thirdly, for putting to death, if he had power to his will. For he hath told me in plain terms, that if the king would but grant a law, he would be the first man that would set a fagot to my tail. A sure sign that he is not a true Christian, not a follower of Christ Jesus. For we have the express testimony of the Apostle Paul, that all who will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution; not persecute, but be persecuted. And as the Christians of old had these things done unto them, so we have now the same done unto us; and that for no other cause but for godly liv. ing, innocent walking, and bearing our faithful testimony for the truth and worship of our God against all false worships. And like as they of old did, so we now for the same cause do take joyfully the spoiling of our goods; knowing in ourselves that we have in Heaven a better and more enduring substance. So that we are not terrified by our adversaries; "Which is to them an evident token of perdition; but to us of salvation, and that of God." Phil. i. 28.

So it is clear, first, by the witness of the

Spirit of Christ in ourselves, (see 1 John v. 10,) and by our lives and conversations whereof the fruits thereof appear. Secondly, by our keep ing the commands of Christ. Thirdly, by our exercise and practice in our meetings. And Fourthly, by our sufferings for righteousness sake, that our meetings are of God and that the worship performed therein is the true worship of God. And therefore whosoever speaks against our meetings and worship speaks against the true worship of God.

And whereas he says we are worse than the papists; I know no ground he has so to say or think, unless it be for this; that the pope and papists first set up the antichristian yoke of tithes in this nation for the maintaining a company of priests in ease, idleness, pride and fulness, to the great oppression of the people. And now the Lord hath raised a testimony in the hearts of his people against all such false ministers and deceitful workers, so that we can. not put into their mouths; for which cause they have prepared war against us. But it is not to be wondered at if these men (whose god is their belly, and who mind earthly things) do so kindly remember their father the pope, for having left them this sweet legacy of tithes, and prefer him far before us, who would have them live as did the ministers of Christ in the primi tive times, who preached the gospel freely, and did receive no more than what was necessary for food and raiment, and were therewith con. tent; which also was freely given them by those that received and owned their doctrine; as may be seen at large in the Scriptures of Truth.

And as for all his other accusations which he in a clamorous manner vented against us; surely he had no more ground for them than his forefathers, the priests and persecutors of old, had against Christ and his followers.

or benefit to your souls from his ministry, you may as reasonably expect to gather good fruit from an evil tree; which Christ said, could not be.

Wherefore in Christian love to your souls I write this, to warn you not to trifle away your precious time; but turn to the Life of Christ and the manifestation of the Holy Spirit, which is the gift of God, shining in your own hearts and consciences, which will reprove for and condemn sin in your mortal flesh, and through believing will lead you out of sin into a state of acceptance with God; in which continuing, through obedience, you may come to be redeemed from the bondage of corruption, and be brought into the glorious liberty of the children of God, who are all led by his Spirit. I am a real friend to all tender-hearted people, but a living witness against deceit, O. SANSOM. The 28th of the First month, 1669.

I appointed my man to read this foregoing letter in the audience of the people, when they came forth from their worship, the next firstday after the priest had so despitefully clamoured against me, as is before expressed. The priest it seems was gone that day to his other quarter; for he had two places or quar ters from whence he sought his gain. And as And now I may say, as the apostle Paul once my man was standing in my garden, which did to his persecutors, that after the way which adjoined to that which they call the churchthis priest calls heresy, do I (with many more) yard, and began to read my letter to the people worship the living and true God; believing all as they came forth, who thronged near to hear; things that are written in the Holy Scriptures it so fell out, that at that very instant the priest which do bear testimony of Christ Jesus, the himself came home from his other shop or true Light, in whom I have believed; being place of trading-worship; and seeing the peofreely given up to follow him through the many ple soberly giving attention to what my man tribulations, hoping to keep the word of his pa- was reading, he hasted thither himself also, tience, even unto the end. And then I have and pressed near to the place where my man an assurance, that he will keep me in the hour of temptation and in the day of trial, which will come upon all that dwell on the earth.

And unto all you, my loving neighbours, is true love in my heart, with earnest desires that you would consider your own states and standings, every one of you, whether you are not in the broad way. For plainly I testify to you in the fear of the Lord God, that James Anderton your priest is not in the way that leads to life; and if any of you do think to receive any good VOL. XIV.-No. 1.

stood. And at first, in a deriding manner he put off his hat, endeavouring with mocks and scoffs to raise up lightness in the people; and often interposed questions to interrupt the man in his reading. But when he saw all that would not do, and that he could not baffle or hinder the one from reading nor the others from hearing; he then, in a sort of furious madness leaped at my man, and having torn the paper out of his hand rent it in the midst. Then told my man, he had behaved himself honestly hi

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