asked me softly if I would not shift for myself, and try to get out.
I told him no; I was in my place, and was willing to suffer if it
was my lot. When he heard the notice given that they who were not
Quakers might depart, he solicited me again to be gone. I told him
I could not do so, for that would be to renounce my profession,
which I would by no means do; but as for him, who was not one of us,
he might do as he pleased. Whereupon, wishing me well, he turned
away, and with cap in hand went out. And truly I was glad he was
gone, for his master was a rigid Presbyterian, who in all likelihood
would have led him a wretched life had he been taken and imprisoned
among the Quakers.

The soldiers came so early that the meeting was not fully gathered
when they came, and when the mixed company were gone out, we were so
few, and sat so thin in that large room, that they might take a
clear view of us all, and single us out as they pleased.

He that commanded the party gave us first a general charge to come
out of the room. But we, who came thither at God's requirings, to
worship him, like that good man of old who said, "We ought to obey
God rather than men" (Acts v. 29), stirred not, but kept our places.
Whereupon he sent some of his soldiers among us, with command to
drag or drive us out, which they did roughly enough.

When we came out into the street, we were received there by other
soldiers, who with their pikes holden lengthways from one another
encompassed us round as sheep in a pound; and there we stood a
pretty time, while they were picking up more to add to our number.

In this work none seemed so eager and active as their leader, Major