times, but was now grown more licentious that way, as the times did
now more favour debauchery. He and I had known one another for some
years, though not very intimately, having met sometimes at the Lord
Wenman's table.

This Clark was one of the deputy-lieutenants whom I was to be
brought before; and he had gotten another thither to join with him
in tendering me the oaths, whom I knew only by name and character;
he was called Esquire Knowls, of Grays, by Henley, and reputed a man
of better morals than the other.

I was brought into the hall, and kept there; and as Quakers were not
so common then as they now are (and indeed even yet, the more is the
pity, they are not common in that part of the country), I was made a
spectacle and gazing-stock to the family, and by divers I was
diversely set upon. Some spake to me courteously, with appearance
of compassion; others ruggedly, with evident tokens of wrath and
scorn. But though I gave them the hearing of what they said, which
I could not well avoid, yet I said little to them; but keeping my
mind as well retired as I could, I breathed to the Lord for help and
strength from Him, to bear me up and carry me through this trial,
that I might not sink under it, or be prevailed on by any means,
fair or foul, to do anything that might dishonour or displease my
God.

At length came forth the justices themselves (for so they were, as
well as lieutenants), and after they had saluted me, they discoursed
with me pretty familiarly; and though Clark would sometimes be a
little jocular and waggish (which was somewhat natural to him), yet
Knowls treated me very civilly, not seeming to take any offence at