Extract from George Fox's Journal, 1662
And from Yarmouth we passed to another town about twenty miles off and there were many tender people in that town, and I was moved of the Lord as I sat upon my horse to speak to the people in several places as I passed alongst.
And from there we went about five miles to another town, and so we went to an inn and set up our horses, having travelled forty five miles that day, Richard Hubberthorne being with me. And there were some Friendly people in the town, and we had a tender, broken meeting amongst them in the Lord's power, to his praise. And we bade the hostler to have our horses ready by three of the clock in the morning for we were to ride to Lynn about thirty three miles next morning.
And from there we went about five miles to another town, and so we went to an inn and set up our horses, having travelled forty five miles that day, Richard Hubberthorne being with me. And there were some Friendly people in the town, and we had a tender, broken meeting amongst them in the Lord's power, to his praise. And we bade the hostler to have our horses ready by three of the clock in the morning for we were to ride to Lynn about thirty three miles next morning.
Despite planning an early start, they were not to get to Lynn as soon as they meant to
But when we were in bed at our inn, about eleven o'clock at night came in the constable and officers with a great rabble of people into the inn, and said they were come to search for two horsemen that rid upon grey horses and in grey clothes, with a hue and cry to apprehend us, from a justice, who lived near that town about five miles off where I had spoken to the people in the street as I passed along, a house having been broken the Seventh-day at night.
But when we were in bed at our inn, about eleven o'clock at night came in the constable and officers with a great rabble of people into the inn, and said they were come to search for two horsemen that rid upon grey horses and in grey clothes, with a hue and cry to apprehend us, from a justice, who lived near that town about five miles off where I had spoken to the people in the street as I passed along, a house having been broken the Seventh-day at night.
They spent the night as prisoners, but fortunately they had an alibi, with plenty of witnesses
And so they set a guard with forks and pikes upon us that night and made many of those friendly people to watch us with others. And we told them we were honest and innocent men and scorned and abhorred such things. And the next day we were up betimes and the constable with his guard carried us before a Justice of Peace about five miles off. And we took two or three of the sufficient men of the town with us that had been with us at Captain Lawrence's at the great meeting, and they could testify that I lay the Seventh-day and the First-day night at Captain Lawrence's. For they said the house was broken up the Seventh-day night.
And so they set a guard with forks and pikes upon us that night and made many of those friendly people to watch us with others. And we told them we were honest and innocent men and scorned and abhorred such things. And the next day we were up betimes and the constable with his guard carried us before a Justice of Peace about five miles off. And we took two or three of the sufficient men of the town with us that had been with us at Captain Lawrence's at the great meeting, and they could testify that I lay the Seventh-day and the First-day night at Captain Lawrence's. For they said the house was broken up the Seventh-day night.
The justice was not keen to see things their way, however, and the constable was eager to carry them off to gaol
But the constable and his guard carried Richard Hubberthorne and me to the justice about five miles off (as aforesaid), in our way towards Lynn, who was not an Independent justice as the rest. And when we were brought before him he began to be angry because we would not put off our hats to him, and I told him I had been before the Protector and he was not offended at my hat, and why should he be offended at it who was but one of his servants. So he read the forged hue and cry for the pretended house-breaking. And the constable told him that we had good horses and if it pleased him he would carry us to Norwich Gaol.
But the constable and his guard carried Richard Hubberthorne and me to the justice about five miles off (as aforesaid), in our way towards Lynn, who was not an Independent justice as the rest. And when we were brought before him he began to be angry because we would not put off our hats to him, and I told him I had been before the Protector and he was not offended at my hat, and why should he be offended at it who was but one of his servants. So he read the forged hue and cry for the pretended house-breaking. And the constable told him that we had good horses and if it pleased him he would carry us to Norwich Gaol.
George Fox was not afraid to admonish the justice, and this seems to have been the cause of further delay.
But I told the justice that that night they pretended the house was broken I was at Captain Lawrence's and these men could testify the truth thereof; and the justice, after examination of us and them, said he was sorry he had no more against us, for he believed we were not the men that had broken the house; but we told him he ought not to be sorry for not having evil against us, but rather be glad, for to rejoice when he got evil against people for house-breaking and the like, that was not a good mind in him.
So it was a good while before he would resolve either to let us go or send us to prison, and the wicked constable stirred him up as aforesaid; but after we had admonished him to fear the Lord God in his day, and he confessed we were not the men, he let us go. And the Lord's power came over him and their snare was broken.
But I told the justice that that night they pretended the house was broken I was at Captain Lawrence's and these men could testify the truth thereof; and the justice, after examination of us and them, said he was sorry he had no more against us, for he believed we were not the men that had broken the house; but we told him he ought not to be sorry for not having evil against us, but rather be glad, for to rejoice when he got evil against people for house-breaking and the like, that was not a good mind in him.
So it was a good while before he would resolve either to let us go or send us to prison, and the wicked constable stirred him up as aforesaid; but after we had admonished him to fear the Lord God in his day, and he confessed we were not the men, he let us go. And the Lord's power came over him and their snare was broken.
Finally they reached Lynn, and it was worth it
And from thence we passed to Lynn, and came there about three o'clock in the afternoon, and set up our horses; and we lighted on Joseph Fuce who was an ensign; and we bid him speak to as many people of the town that feared God, and the officers and captains, to come together. And we had a very glorious meeting amongst them and turned them to the spirit of God by which they might know God and Christ and know the Scriptures and so to learn of God and Christ as the prophets and apostles did, and many were convinced there that day. And it became a fine meeting that sits under the Lord Jesus Christ's teaching and is come off the hirelings.
And from thence we passed to Lynn, and came there about three o'clock in the afternoon, and set up our horses; and we lighted on Joseph Fuce who was an ensign; and we bid him speak to as many people of the town that feared God, and the officers and captains, to come together. And we had a very glorious meeting amongst them and turned them to the spirit of God by which they might know God and Christ and know the Scriptures and so to learn of God and Christ as the prophets and apostles did, and many were convinced there that day. And it became a fine meeting that sits under the Lord Jesus Christ's teaching and is come off the hirelings.