convict a Quaker on the ground of his apprehension, the oath of allegiance, knowing beforehand that he could not take it consistently with his religious scruples, and yet that a refusal to take it, when legally offered, was imprisonment by law. He knew also that the very oath, which he thus offered him, was unnecessary; for, if the Quakers could not conscientiously take up arms against the enemies of their country, much less could they take them up against their King. William Penn accordingly refused to take it, giving his reasons at the same time for so doing. But no reasoning could avail with Robinson. He still pressed the oath. William Penn still rejected it. The following are some of the questions and answers which were then put and given. Sir f. Robinson.-Do you yet refuse to swear? W. Penn.-Yes, and that upon better grounds

than those for which thou wouldst have me swear, if thou wilt please to hear me.

Sir J. Robinson.—I am sorry you should put

me upon this severity: it is no pleasant

work to me.

VOL. I.

H

W. Penn.

W. Penn.--These are but words: it is manifest that this is a prepense malice; thou hast several times laid the meetings for me, and this day particularly.

Sir J. Robinson.-No. I profess I could not tell you would be there. W. Penn.-Thine own corporal told me you had intelligence at the Tower, that I would be at Wheeler-street to-day, almost as soon as I knew it myself. It is disingenuous and partial. I never gave thee occasion for such unkindness. Sir J. Robinson.-I knew no such thing; but if I had, I confess I should have sent

for you.

W. Penn.-That might have been spared; I do heartily believe it.

Sir J. Robinson.-I vow, Mr. Penn, I am sorry for you: you are an ingenious gentleman; all the world must allow you and do allow you that: and you have a plentiful estate: why should you render yourself unhappy by associating with such a simple people?

W. Penn.-I confess I have made it my choice to relinquish the company of

those

those that are ingeniously wicked, to converse with those that are more honestly simple.

Sir J. Robinson.-I wish you wiser.

W. Penn. And I wish thee better.

Sir J. Robinson.-You have been as bad as other folks.

W. Penn.-When and where? I charge thee to tell the company to my face.

Sir J. Robinson.—Abroad and at home too. Upon this Sir John Shelden, hurt at the reflection cast upon the character of William Penn, interfered, crying out "No, no, Sir John, that's too much." William Penn also upon hearing it was set as it were on fire. Conscious that he had endeavoured from early youth to lead a life of purity, he could no longer contain himself, but broke out at once into this impassioned appeal: "I make this bold challenge to all men, women, and children upon earth, justly to accuse me with having seen me drunk, heard me swear, utter a curse, or speak one obscene word, much less that I ever made it my practice. I speak this to God's glory, who has ever preserved me from the power of these pollutions, and who from a child begot

an hatred in me towards them. But there it nothing more common, than when men are of a more severe life than ordinary, for loose persons to comfort themselves with the conceit, that these were once as they themselves are; and as if there were no collateral or oblique line of the compass or globe, from which men might be said to come to the arctic pole, but directly and immediately from the antarctic. Thy words shall be thy burthen, and I trample thy slander as dirt under my feet."

After this the conversation was renewed for some time, when Sir John Robinson informed him, that he must send him to Newgate for six months, and that, when these were expired, he might come out. To this William Penn immediately replied, "And is that all? Thou well knowest a larger imprisonment has not daunted me. I accept it at the hand of the Lord, and am contented to suffer his will. Alas! mistake your interest! This is not the way to compass your ends. I would have thee and all men know, that I scorn that religion which is not worth suffering for and able to sustain those that are afflicted for it. Thy religion persecutes,

you

persecutes, and mine forgives. I desire God to forgive you all that are concerned in my commitment, and I leave you all in perfect charity, wishing your everlasting salvation."

Directly after this he was escorted by a corporal and a file of musqueteers to Newgate, there to expiate by a six months imprisonment the crime of having refused to take the oath which had been offered him.

CHAP