Friends.

"I remain thine in the truth, to which the Lord my God preserve thee
single and faithful.

"I. PENINGTON.

"From Aylesbury Gaol, the 14th of the 12th month, 1660."


Though these epistolary visits in the love of God were very
comfortable and confirming to me, and my heart was thankful to the
Lord for them, yet I longed after personal conversation with
Friends, and it was hard, I thought, that there should be so many
faithful servants of God so near me, yet I should not be permitted
to come at them, to enjoy their company, and reap both the pleasure
and benefit of their sweet society.

For although my Marshal-keeper was very kind to me, and allowed me
the liberty of his house, yet he was not willing I should be seen
abroad; the rather, perhaps, because he understood I had been pretty
well known in that city. Yet once the friendly baker got him to let
me step over to his house, and once (and but once) I prevailed with
him to let me visit my friends in the castle; but it was with these
conditions, that I should not go forth till it was dark, that I
would muffle myself up in my cloak, and that I would not stay out
late: all which I punctually observed.

When I came thither, though there were many Friends prisoners, I
scarce knew one of them by face, except Thomas Loe, whom I had once