was so far subjected to him as readily to take warning, and stop at
his check; an instance of both that very morning I had.

For as I rode between Reading and Maidenhead I saw lying in my way
the scabbard of a hanger, which, having lost its hook, had slipped
off, I suppose, and dropped from the side of the wearer; and it had
in it a pair of knives, whose hafts being inlaid with silver, seemed
to be of some value. I alighted and took it up, and clapping it
between my thigh and the saddle, rode on a little way; but I quickly
found it too heavy for me, and the reprover in me soon began to
check. The word arose in me, "What hast thou to do with that? Doth
it belong to thee?" I felt I had done amiss in taking it; wherefore
I turned back to the place where it lay, and laid it down where I
found it. And when afterwards I was stopped and seized on at
Maidenhead, I saw there was a Providence in not bringing it with me;
which, if it should have been found (as it needs must) under my coat
when I came to be unhorsed, might have raised some evil suspicion or
sinister thoughts concerning me.

The stop I met with at Maidenhead had spent me so much time that
when I came to Isaac Penington's the meeting there was half over,
which gave them occasion after meeting to inquire of me if anything
had befallen me on the way which had caused me to come so late:
whereupon I related to them what exercise I had met with, and how
the Lord had helped me through it: which when they had heard, they
rejoiced with me, and for my sake.

Great was the love and manifold the kindness which I received from
these my worthy friends, Isaac and Mary Penington, while I abode in
their family. They were indeed as affectionate parents and tender