which had been made to them. They had an expectation also, that William Penn would soon occupy his former station among them in his own person, and they thought it not improper to suspend their decision concerning it till his return. CHAP CHAPTER XI. A. 1698-goes to Ireland as a minister of the Gospelwrites "The Quaker a Christian"—and "Gospel Truths as held by the Quakers"-preaches at Dublin, Lambstown, Wexford, Waterford, Clonmel, Cork, and many other places-has his horses seized at Rossincident and interview with the Bishop at Cashel-returns to Bristol-writes " Gospel Truths defended against the Bishop of Cork's Exceptions"-goes to London to take leave of adventurers to Pennsylvania in the ship Providence-returns to Bristol-writes "Truth of God as professed by the People called Quakers." WILLIAM PENN began now to think seriously of returning to America; but it was necessary that he should first settle his private affairs. He had a large estate in Ireland, which he had formerly superintended, and which he was desirous of visiting again. He felt himself also particularly called upon to work once more as a religious labourer in the vineyard there. Accordingly, taking leave of his family, he proceeded to Holyhead. Here he met by appointment Thomas Story and John Everott, two other ministers of the Gospel belonging to his own Society. These now joining him, they embarked in the the same vessel, and pursued their intended course. When they arrived at Dublin it was the time of the half-yearly meeting of the Quakers. Meetings for worship were usually held at this season, and they were generally well attended, not only by members of the Society but by others. But when it was known that William Penn had arrived, and that he was likely to come forth among the preachers, they were more than ordinarily crowded. Many of the nobility and also of the clergy were present, and among the latter the Dean of Derry, who was much pleased as well with the matter as the manner of his discourses. In the intervals of these meetings he took an opportunity of visiting the Lords Justices of Ireland, and several of the chief ministers of the Government; thus discharging the offices of friendship, and at the same time raising in their minds a good disposition towards those of his own religious persuasion, which might be serviceable to them on a future day. It is remarkable, while he was in Dublin, that John Plympton, the person whom he had silenced between two and three years before before at a dispute at Melksham in Wiltshire, as then related, was there circulating a pamphlet called "A Quaker no Christian.' This coming to the ears of William Penn, he answered it by another, which he called "The Quaker a Christian," and which he also circulated in like manner. But that he might do away the impression, if any had been made by Plympton, he thought it proper to draw up a little paper to inform the people of Ireland what the principles of the Quakers were. It was entitled "Gospel Truths held by the People called Quakers." It contained eleven principles as embraced by them. It was signed by himself and three others. But to render the information still more complete, he reprinted, while there, the eighth and ninth chapters of his "Primitive Christianity revived." The half-yearly meeting being over, he left Dublin in company with Thomas Story and others, and began his journey into the country. The first meeting he held was at Lambstown, where he preached. From thence he went to Wexford: here another meeting was gathered. From Wexford he set out for Waterford. He had previously given notice that he would hold a meeting a meeting there on the same day; but at Ross, on his way thither, he was detained for some time by a curious incident. Some of the horses belonging to him and the company had been ferried over the river, while they were at dinner; but the rest had been stopped and seized. The Irish Parliament had passed an Act, in order to discourage what they called the evil purposes of Papists, that no Papist should keep a horse of the value of five guineas and upwards: any Protestant discovering and informing against such a horse, might bring it to the Magistrate, and, by tendering him five guineas to be paid to the owner, might keep it afterwards as his own property. Upon this plea it was that they were detained; for Lieutenant Wallis and Cornet Montgomery, of Colonel Ecclin's dragoons, choosing to suspect William Penn and his Friends of being Papists, in the hope of getting a large booty, had made the seizure; for which they had previously obtained, upon their own informa tion, a warrant from the Mayor. The warrant stated that, whereas several persons, whose names were unknown, then in the town of Ross, were Papists within the |