rest.

house, the door was shut against them all, and the lobby ordered to be cleared; and then both he and his company were fain to go out with the And the Lord knows the sighs and prayers that were put up to him that day for his people; and it was in measure a strength, and something of a conformation to Gilbert and others, to see the adversaries of friends thus disappointed; all which being the Lord's doing, was marvellous in the eyes of his servants, who that day attended there, and saw the same, ascribing the praise to him alone.

And the bill being then ordered to be carried before the Lords the friends concerned went on in the faith, and gave their attendance on the members of that house, and laid the reasonableness of the passing thereof before many of them; also before several of the bishops; and the good presence of the Lord was still felt to go with them, and make way in the hearts of these great ones, and by his secret and invisible hand, wrought for the carrying on that, which had been so far prosperously advanced. And though the labour of Gilbert, with the rest of the Lord's servants, in their long attendance, was divers months, from the time they attended the king, till it was quite passed in the Lord's house, the faith of some never failed, nor were they dismayed, but felt that power which supported and bore them up under all they met

with, and crowned their labours by obtaining ease for the Lord's people; whose prayers were put up to the great God for his blessing to attend those his servants in getting accomplished what thus happily was begun. And rejoicing together, [they had to] bless the name of Him that liveth for ever and evermore.

Now drawing to a conclusion, as to a little of what passed in king William's time, and having chosen brevity in giving the relation of Gilbert's attending the kings in former reigns, so my design here is to be as short as I may concerning his attending king William. But I shall here add one account more, it being an application drawn up and signed by friends, and delivered accordingly by Gilbert and some friends appointed; and is as followeth :

"To king William the Third, over England &c.

"The grateful acknowledgment of the people commonly called Quakers, humbly presented.

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"May it please the king,

'Seeing the most high God, who ruleth in the kingdoms of men, and appointeth over them whomsoever he will, hath by his overruling providence, placed thee in dominion and dignity over these realms, and by his divine favour has signally preserved and delivered

thee from many great and imminent dangers, and graciously turned the calamity of war into the desired mercy of peace; we heartily wish that we and all others concerned, may be truly sensible, and humbly thankful to Almighty God for the same, that the peace may be a lasting and perpetual blessing. And now, O king, the God of peace having returned thee in safety, it is a cause of joy to them that fear him, to hear thy good and seasonable resolution, effectually to discourage profaneness and immorality; righteousness being that which exalteth a nation; and as the king has been tenderly inclined to give ease and liberty of conscience to his subjects of differing persuasions, of whose favour we have largely partaken: so we esteem it our duty gratefully to commemorate and acknowledge the same, earnestly beseeching Almighty God to assist the king to prosecute all these his just and good intentions, that, his days may be happy and peaceable; and hereafter, he may partake of a lasting crown that will never fade away.

"Signed [by a good many] in behalf of the said People, London, the 7th of the 11th Month, called January, 1697."

Here follows what was spoken to the king by Gilbert, upon delivering the aforesaid paper at Kensington, the first of the 12th month, 1697-8.

"May it please the king,

"The favours received from the king can never be sufficiently acknowledged; but this we can truly say, we have prayed to Almighty God to bless and preserve the king; and now the king being returned again in peace and safety, we rejoice to see the king's face, for we wish well to the king, and that the Lord may bless and preserve the king to the end of his days; and we are glad of this opportunity to acknowledge the favours and kindness, which we have received from the king, which have been many: the Lord reward thee for them all!--- Whereupon the king replied, "I thank you, and I desire the continuance of your prayers for me."

"A TESTIMOMY of Gilbert Latey, which he desired might be communicated to the Women's Meeting in London.

"In early days, about three or four years after the settlement of the men's meeting, which was in an upper room at the Bull and Mouth meeting-house near to Aldersgate, London; where several of us were then present, viz. Gerard Roberts, Amos Stoddard, John Osgood, Richard Davis, and others, being about fifteen or more, all met about the concerns, and care

for the poor fatherless and widows among us, as it had been advised by our elder brethren, who then ministered amongst us; we found it was our place to look into the necessities of poor friends, and supply their wants; and as we were thus met, a care came upon us how this should be carried on, for we could truly say, the Lord's presence and power accompanied us, and was livingly felt among us, whereby our hearts were opened, and we enlightened so, as to see we wanted help-meets for carrying on the service which seemed to be, and was of great concern; upon which it opened in our he arts plainly, that the women being added to us as help-meets, would answer the service which was so needful, for that we could no longer do without their help, care, and assistance; we believing it would lie much on them as their concern, and, being satisfied they were fitted for the work and would be careful and vigilant therein. Upon which all the meeting, as one man, feeling the love of God to be shed abroad among us, did, in the openings of life, all agree that two of the meeting should go to Gerard Roberts's house to acquaint the ancient ministering friends what had opened in our hearts in relation to that service; there being then at Gerard Roberts's, George Fox, Francis Howgill, Edward Burrough, Richard Hubberthorn, and it may be

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