that my reliance might be wholly upon Him, and not on man.

When I had set up my horse I went directly to the hall where the
sessions were held, where I had been but a very little while before
a knot of my old acquaintances, espying me, came to me. One of
these was a scholar in his gown, another a surgeon of that city
(both my school-fellows and fellow-boarders at Thame school), and
the third a country gentleman with whom I had long been very
familiar.

When they were come up to me they all saluted me after the usual
manner, pulling off their hats and bowing, and saying, "Your humble
servant, sir," expecting no doubt the like from me. But when they
saw me stand still, not moving my cap, nor bowing my knee in way of
congee to them, they were amazed, and looked first one upon another,
then upon me, and then one upon another again, for a while, without
speaking a word.

At length the surgeon, a brisk young man, who stood nearest to me,
clapping his hand in a familiar way upon my shoulder, and smiling on
me, said, "What, Tom! a Quaker?" To which I readily and cheerfully
answered, "Yes, a Quaker." And as the words passed out of my mouth
I felt joy spring in my heart; for I rejoiced that I had not been
drawn out by them into a compliance with them, and that I had
strength and boldness given me to confess myself to be one of that
despised people.

They stayed not long with me nor said any more, that I remember to
me; but looking somewhat confusedly one upon another, after a while
took their leave of me, going off in the same ceremonious manner as