Thomas Lurting shares his transformative journey from a fighting sailor to a peaceable Christian, recounting his numerous deliverances during perilous naval battles and the profound impact of his conversion. He reflects on the internal struggles he faced, particularly in relation to the Quakers, whom he initially persecuted but eventually came to respect and join. Lurting emphasizes the importance of surrendering to God's will and the power of divine guidance in overcoming fear and violence. His experiences serve as a testament to God's mercy and the possibility of redemption, encouraging others to seek peace and spiritual truth.

THE Fighting Sailor TURN'D Peaceable Christian: Manifested in the Convincement and Conversion OF Thomas Lurting. WITH A short Relation of many great Dangers and wonderful Deliverances he met withal. First Written for Private Satisfaction, and Now Published for general Service. Isai. 2.4 They shall beat their Swords into Ploughshares, and their Spears into Pruning-hooks. LONDON: Printed and Sold by J. Sowle, in White-Hart Court in Gracious-Street, 1711. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TO THE READER. Since it hath pleased God to make way for me, through many very remarkable Deliverances and great Preservations, I am not willing altogether to keep silent; some whereof are mention'd in the following Treatise, which was first written for private Satisfaction, and now offer'd to publick View. And having for several Years past left the Sea, and betaken my self to a more solid Retirement, than that Hurry at Sea admits of; I have taken a view of my former Transactions, and am willing to give some short account thereof, and of the many Deliverances and Preservations I met withal, (together with the manner of my Conversion, and the mysterious Workings of the Enemy to prevent the same) that so others may be encouraged to a serious Consideration of their Ways, and to stand still in the Counsel of God, and see his Salvation. For as Silence is the first Word of Command in Marshal Discipline, so it is in the Spiritual: For until that's come unto, the Will and Mind of God cannot be known, much less done. And as I know no way so Effectual to answer my End, than to Expose the following Treatise to publick View, I commit it accordingly, hoping it may be serviceable to some in this and future Ages: Which is the only thing aim'd at, and sincerely desir'd by me. Thomas Lurting. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE Fighting Sailor TURN'D Peaceable Christian, &c. In the Year 1646, I being then about Fourteen Years of Age, was impress'd (or forc'd) and carry'd into the Wars in Ireland, where I remained about two Years in the time of the Long Parliament; then was carry'd to London, and I went into the Wars against the Dutch and Spaniards; in which I had many Deliverances, too long here to mention; yet they all at that time, wrought but little upon me. Then I was turned over into the Bristol-Frigot, in which Ship, in process of time, it pleased God to convert me; as will appear in the following Treatise. As I was Boatswain's Mate, I had the Command of about 200 Men in this Ship, and it was my Place, to see that the Men attended, and were present at the time of Worship; and I was diligent in the performance of that Service; and when any refused to obey my Command, in that respect, I endeavour'd by force to compell them. Now of the many Deliverances, I shall only hint at three or four that happen'd in one Day, which wrought some Remorse upon me. The aforesaid four Deliverances, was at a place call'd Sancta Cruze, in the Island of the Canaries; where I had not only those Four, but many Deliverances. New being brought to our General Blake, as we lay in Cales-Bay, that sixteen Sail of Galeons arriv'd at Sancta Cruze from the West-Indies, we instantly went out, and in a few Days got thither, and found as it was reported; and several Ships went in before us, to make Discovery how they lay, and anchoring at some distance, about half Gun-shot from the Castle, which was large, and had 40 Guns at least, and there was several Forts and Breast-Works, of about 8 or 10 Guns each. The Wind blew very right on the Shoar, and we coming in, in a latter Squadron, went under our General's Stern to know where we should be? and were answered, Where we could get room. So we ran in, But could get no room to bring up our Ship; so we went a-Stern all our Ships, and the Smoak being somewhat abated, we found our selves to be within half a Cable's length of the Vice-Admiral's Galeon, of about 50 Guns, and 300 Men; and not above a Cable's length from the Admiral, a Galeon of about 50 or 60 Guns, and having also about 400 Men, and within half Gun-shot of a large Castle, of 40 Guns; and within Musquet-shot of some Forts and Breast-Works. And when we had brought up our Ship, we were about half a Cable's length from the Vice-Admiral, just in his Weak, or in the Head of him; then our Captain call'd to me, to make all read, or get to veer nearer the Galeon: For I will, said he, be on Board the Vice-Admiral. So we veer'd to be on Board of him, and so fast as we veer'd towards him, he veer'd from us, until he came about Musquet=shot of the Shoar. Then the Captain call'd to me, to get a Hauser out of the Gun-Room-Port, and clap a Spring on the Cable; when done, we veer'd out Cable, and lay just cross his Hawse, about half a Musquet-shot from him; then we run all the Guns we could on that side towards him, which were in Number 28 or 30, and all Hands went to it in earnest. And the second broadside some of our Shot, as we judged, fell into his Powder-Room, and she blew up, and not one Man escaped, that we could perceive. Then the Spanish Admiral, was going to serve us, as we had served his Vice-Admiral; which we perceiving, ply'd him very close; with about 28 or 30 Guns; and the third Broadside, all his Men leap'd over Board, and instantly she blew up. And there was a small Castle on the other side, which (after the Spanish Admiral was blown up) we went to work against its Fort, and in a short time made them weary of it. And as for the Castle of 40 Guns, we were got so far into the Bay, that they could not bring upon us above two or three Guns. But when we went off, they ply'd us close with their great Guns, but did us no great damage. After this Expedition was over, and that we had blown up the two Spanish Admirals, I took the Long-Boat, to go on Board a Galeon, that lay on Shoar near to another Castle, supposing that the Men were not on Board; but there were some, and they lay close on Board, until we came within two or three Ships length of them, and then they rose up and fir'd several Guns at us; but being so near their Ship, all their Shot went over us: Which I call the first great Deliverance. Then on our return towards our Ship, they from several Castles and Breast-Works, fir'd briskly at us with great and small Shot, which came very near us; notwithstanding we all got safe on Board our own Ship: And this I call the second great Deliverance. In a little time, the Smoak of their Guns being gone, I saw three Galeons on Shoar, all on Board one another; one of them along the Shoar, and one cross her Hawse, and the other cross her Stern, about a Musquet-Shot from our Ship; and there was a Castle on one side of them, and a Breast-Work on the other, with about 50 or 60 Men in it, as was supposed; and the Galeons lay about half a Cable's length from the Castle, and the same distance from the Breast-work, and about fifty Yards from the Shoar. Then I took the Pinnace, and two Men with me, and was going to set them on Fire; but the Captain saw me, and call'd me back, and sent five Men more with me; and on our setting forward, our Ship fir'd a Gun, and in the Smoak thereof we got on Board the Galeon, and received no harm, (the Spaniards having left them) and I instantly set one of them on Fire, which burnt the other two Galeons. And when we could stay no longer, by reason of the Fire, and our Ship's Crew not being as formerly, mindful of us, to fire some Guns, that in the Smoak thereof we might have retir'd back, without being discovered by any from the Breast-Works, but they seeing of us, we were forc'd, by reason of the Fire, to return presently towards our own Ship. The Breast-Work then having full Sight of us, discharg'd a Volley of about 50 or 60 small Shot, and kill'd two of our Men, and shot a third in the Back; and I sat close to one that was kill'd, between him and the Shoar, and close to him that was shot in the Back, and receiv'd no harm: And this was a third and Eminent Deliverance. And coming out of the Bay, we came within three or four Ship's length of the Castle, that had 40 Guns; and they kept them in readiness, until we came directly over against the Castle; then they fir'd, but we were so near, that most of the shot went over, and did us little harm, only in our Rigging: And I was on the Clue of the Main-tack, getting the Main-tack on Board, and a Shot cut the Bolt-Rope a little above my Head: And this was the fourth Deliverance, and all in six Hours time, and never to be forgotten by me; but I desire to be thankful to God, who from these and many other Dangers, has apparently delivered me. And the aforesaid 16 Galeons, were very large Ships, from 300 Tonns to a 1000, and upwards; and the first that I burnt, as our Men judged, had a great deal of Silver on Board, being a Ship of about 800 Tonn, and the other two Richly Laden, and about 7 or 800 Tonn, and all perished together; and all the rest of the Sixteen, being Richly Laden, not having time to get their Lading out, we being so suddenly upon them, were all burnt and destroyed together, with their Lading. But then I neither was a Quaker, nor were any of the people so called on Board our Ship; nor ever to my Remembrance, had heard of any called by that Name. Now I shall a little hint at the first Rice of the People called Quakers in our Ship: There was some Soldiers put on Board us, and one of them had been at a Meeting in Scotland, of the aforesaid People; and there was two Young Men in the Ship, who had some converse with him, but he was taken away from the Ship in a little time, but the two Young Men made little appearance of any Conviction or Convincement, until about six Months after. The first thing observable was, they refused to hear the Priest, or put off their Hats to the Captain, for which they called them Quakers: These two met often together in Silence, and their so meeting caus'd a serious Enquiry among others, and their Number increased, and as they increased, so Persecution increased against them; and the Captain was sore troubled and disturbed at their Increase, himself being a Baptist Preacher; the Priest that officiated in our Ship, was Cruel and Bitter against them; crying out thus to me, O Thomas, an honest Man, and a good Christian! Here is a dangerous People on Board, (that is to say the Quakers) a Blasphemous People, denying the Ordinances and Word of God. The which made me as Cruel as himself, and I gave them many a Heavy Blow, and I was Violent upon them, and a great Persecutor of them; but the Remembrance of the aforesaid Deliverances stuck close to me, and the Lord wrought so much upon me, that I could no more beat any of the People called Quakers; and in a little time the Lord gave me a true sight of the Priest, for when I could not do his Work, and beat and abuse the said People, then I was accounted neither an honest Man, nor good Christian by him; so I began to look upon the said People with a single Eye, for good. And the Lord by his in-shining Light, open'd my Understanding, so that I saw a great deal of difference between them, and other Professors; whereupon I made many Promises unto the Lord, to be better; but they being made in my own Will, were of little Effect: Then the Lord shewed me, that in those many Promises, and not keeping them, I was not benefited thereby, and that caused much trouble to me; so that I seperated from all sorts of Professors, except on Roger Dennis, who was called a Quaker, whom I intirely loved; and in all my Cruelty exercised upon, and against the said People, I never struck him: For he had a Check upon me, tho' he spake not a Word; and many times when I had resolv'd to seperate the People called Quakers, when met together in a Religious manner, either by Blows or otherwise; then he looking upon me, I durst not touch one of them. After some time, I desired to be much alone, and in my still and quiet Retirements, the Lord was very good unto me, and gave me many a heavenly Visitation, and tho' it was in Judgment, yet that was my Portion, and I patiently bore them, and came to love his Judgments and Visitations, and they became to me very Sweet and Pleasant, and of more Value than Rubies, and was my great Delight; and with them I was very well pleased, because they brought me into much Tenderness, for the which I loved them at my very Heart, for it was a Heart Work; and many times when alone, the Lord would break in upon me, by the in-shining of his glorious Light in my own Heart, melted me, and mollified me: Yea, so Powerfully many times, that I could not contain, or forbear crying out, O Lord! Insomuch that the Professors could not tell what to make of it. But I knew and felt it to be the mighty Power of God, which brought and wrought Deliverance into my Soul; and with this Exercise, and many more, I continued about six Months, being taken off all outward Concerns, and being alone, some said I was Mad, others I was Distracted, and so wrote Home to England. Many came on Board to see me, thinking the Shape of my Body was alter'd, and I heard some say, that my Body was of the same shape, but I looked like a Dumb Saint. In short, I was a Scoff and a Derision with all Sorts of Professors, except the People called Quakers; but I was one of them in my Heart, tho' not yet joined to them, for the Cross was too hard for me as yet; but many a time I felt that Living Eternal Power, which hath made me both to Tremble and Quaker, and was glad when it was so with me; yet then I was no profess'd Quaker, for the Cross was still too hard for me. But it was the lord's good Will, and blessed be his Holy Name for it; that after the many Judgments and sore inward Afflictions, it was his good Will and Pleasure, to bring my Will, to be subject to his Will; for in those dark Times, I was fully given up; yea, Life and all, to have Peace in my Conscience with God, for that was the thing, and the only thing that my Heart thirsted after. And one Evening being alone, for in that I took great Delight, and being low in my Mind, I was very earnest with the Lord, to know what People I should join my self unto, for then I was alone; and it was plainly shewed me the Quakers; of which Number the Man I loved so well was accounted; and being one that I formerly highly esteemed, and who had the Check upon me, when I was in the height of Cruelty against the People called Quakers, then on Board, as is before mentioned. But the thing at that time did startle me, that I desired of the Lord, rather to die than live, for the reasoning Part got up: What to such a People, that both Priest and Professors are against! What to such a People, that I have been so long Beating and Abusing, and that without just Cause! Death would be more welcome to me. And here the Enemy, that old subtile Serpent, was not wanting to insinuate many things into my Mind: But God was pleased to put me in Mind of the manifold Preservations and Deliverances he had brought me through; so I took up this Resolution, by the Assistance of the Lord, Whether Quaker, or no Quaker, Peace with God I am for: Yet it cost me many a bitter Sigh, and many a Tear, before I could give up to go to Roger Dennis, my Friend called a Quaker: But good was the Lord, and for ever Blessed be his worthy Name, who followed me with his Dreadful Judgments and Reproofs: Insomuch that I could contain no longer, but gave up and went to my Friend Roger Dennis, and said, I would speak with thee, and he very mildly answered, I will go with thee: I having a Cabin, we went down, and when in, I shut the Door, and we sate some time; and before he opened his Mouth, the Hand of the Lord was upon me, and melted my Heart, and brought me into great Tenderness, and then he spake but a few Words, but they were in great Humility and Tenderness towards me, hitting the Mark to a Hairs's Breadth; so that I had great Satisfaction, being quiet in my Mind, and we parted in great Love. Not long after that, the old Enemy, the Devil, was very busie. What, to join thy self to such a foolish People! And many more of his Stratagems, for he was like to lose his dominion, which made him the more furious to attack me. So that I was even weary of my Life, yet longed for the first Day, that I might go to the Meeting; and it was the first that ever I was at. And at the time appointed, I went to the Meeting with a great Dread upon my Mind, and sat me down in great Quietness amongst them, they being then but six Men. I had not been long there, but it was reported in the Publick Place of Worship, that I was amongst the Quakers, at which, many of them left the Priest and his Worship, to come and see me: And they made a great Noise and Bustle. When the Worship was over, the Captain ask'd the Reason of that Noise? and it was told him, that I was amongst the Quakers: Then he sent for me to himself, and divers more of his Officers were there: the first that began, was the Priest, saying, Thomas, I took you for a very honest Man, and a good Christ, but I am sorry you should be so deluded. The mean while, the Captain turning the Bible from one end to the other, to prove the Quakers no Christians. All this while I was very quiet and still in my Mind; for I found therein was my Strength: And when they saw they could not prevail upon me, then they fell to Slandering of me, saying, That at such and such a time, the Quakers came to me, saying, Do such and such a thing; Which was all false, by which I got great Strength: For never any Quaker came to me, but Roger Dennis, one that I dearly loved, and desired his Company, and that was but the Night before. So when they had done, I went to my Friends in great Peace and Satisfaction, saying to them, That when I went to the Captain, I was scarce half a Quaker, but by their Lyes and false Reports against me, they have made me almost a whole Quaker, or at least I hope to be one. My Friends received me in much Love and Tenderness, and ever after I kept to their Meetings. After this, Truth prevailed very much, and had a great sway in the Ship, and several were convinced; so that when I came among them, there was but six, but in less then six Months after, we were twelve Men, and two Boys, of which one was the Priest's. There was such a Blow given to Persecution, that it never got up again, whilst in that Ship, tho' much try'd for by the Captain; for he got several Men out of other Ships, on purpose to Persecute the Quakers; who came with great swelling Words, as tho' they would have devoured us at once: But, blessed be the Lord, they never had Power to touch one of us; for their Horns were nip'd in the Bud, and several of them in a short time were cut off by Death, insomuch that Men were afraid to be in that Office to abuse us. About this time we had a great Sickness, which swept away above forty in a little time; and most of us, called Quakers, had the Distemper, but none died of it, yet were brought very low. We took great care one of another when Sick, that nothing was wanting amongst us, but what one had, was free for all of us; and our Diligence and great Care of the Sick amongst us, was such, that I have heard some Men say, when upon a Languishing Pillow and Death-Bed, Oh carry me to the Quakers, for they take great Care one of another, and they will take some care of me. At this time, the Captain was very kind to me, and frequently sent me part of what he had, and order'd me a Cabin; for before I lay in a Hammock. And now all was very quiet, no Persecution, but a general Love amongst all sorts of Persuasions that were then on Board, and Truth had great Dominion, and several were Convinced. After I began to be well, I sent to the Captain, to know if I might have that Cabin I lay in before I was convinced; and he granted my Request, for no one inclined to lie therein; alledging, It was troubled with an Evil Spirit, for no less then three or four had died in it, in a short space of time; And it proved very serviceable; for I not only lay therein, but made use thereof for our Meeting-place. Now all things were in quiet, and the Captain continued our Friend for some time, and shewed us more Kindness than any other Professors: The Captain would often say, Thomas, take thy Friends; do so and so, or such and such a thing; and I took my Friends, and did it far beyond his Expectation, by which he got great Credit: For as yet we were not brought to Testifie against Fighting; yet we would take none of the Plunder. And in all our desperate Attempts, wherein we were then concerned, we received no hurt, tho' several others were killed and wounded, who sat close by us; at which time the Captain would say to other Captains, that he cared not if all his Men were Quakers, for they were the hardiest Men in his Ship. In this time of Liberty, I looked upon it but a forerunner of farther Exercise; for what was done in pretended Friendship, was but to serve their own Ends: I expected a time would come to try all Foundations; which accordingly did, and drove every Man to his own. We being now at Leghorn, were ordered to go to Barcelona, to take or Burn a Spanish Man of War; and our Station was to lie against a Castle to batter it, the which we did; and one Corner of the Castle play'd some Shot into our Ship, and I was for beating down that Corner: And we, called Quakers, fought with as much Courage as any, seeing then no farther; and for my part, I was strip'd into my Wastcoat, (every one in fighting Habit) and went to it in earnest, and with as much Courage as ever; and I went into the Fore-castle, and levell'd the Guns; but, said I, Fire not till I go out to see where the Shot lights, that we may level higher or lower; and here I was as great a Fighter as most: But he that hath all Mens Hearts in his Hand, can turn them at his Pleasure; yea, he in a Minute's time so far chang'd my Heart, that in a Minute before, I setting my whole Strength and Rigor to kill and destroy Mens Lives, and in a Minute after I could not kill or destroy a Man, if it were to gain the World; for as I was coming out of the Fore-Castle Door, to see where the Shot fell, the Word of the Lord run through me, how if I had kill'd a Man; and it was with such Power, that for some time I hardly knew whether I was in the Body or out of it; but when I came to see, and felt what it was, I turned about, and put on my Clothes, and walked on the Deck, as though I had never seen a Gun fir'd, under a great Exercise of Mind; and some ask'd me, If I was Hurt? I answered, No, but under some scruple of Conscience on the Account of Fighting, altho' I had not heard that the Quakers refused to Fight. And when Night came we went out of the Castle Shot, and I much desired to know, what the Friends would say to this: I sent for two of them, one was the Man I loved so well, and I queried much with them about Fighting; to which they gave me little Answer; but said, If the Lord sent them well home, they would never go to it again; my Answer to them was, with a Dread and Fear upon me, That if I stood honest to that of God in my own Conscience, and if we came to it to morrow, that with the Lord's Assistance I would bear my Testimony against it. For this I plainly saw, that inasmuch as we had been so great Actors in it, now we must bear our Testimony against Fighting; not doubting but way will be made for my Delivery; but if not, the Will of the Lord be done. The next Day, we heard that several were kill'd on Shoar; the which added much to my Sorrow. Some time after, a Friend went to the Captain to be cleared; he asked his Reason? His Answer was, He could Fight no longer: Then said the Captain, He that denies to Fight in time of Engagement, I will put my Sword in his Guts. Then, said the Friend, thou wilt be a Man-slayer, and guilty of shedding of Blood; For which the Captain beat him sorely, with his Cane and Fist: Although he was a Baptist-Preacher. So here the Captain, who had been our Friend, and a Shelter to us from wicked Men, is now become again our Enemy, and we left open to every wicked Spirit, to kill us, whensoever we deny to Fight: for the Printed Orders fixed upon the Ship says, If any Man flinch from his Quarters in time of Engagement, any may Kill him: Yet for all the hard things, I had a secret hope and belief, that if we stood true to what the Lord had made known unto us, the Lord would deliver us out of all their Hands. Some time after, (about the Year 1655.) we were at Leghorn, and we were order'd to go a Cruizing; and one Morning, we espied a great Ship bearing down upon us, which we supposed to be a Spanish Man of War, with whom we had Wars: So orders was given to make the Ship clear to Fight. Now comes a trying Time, to prove every man's Foundation. I being then upon the Deck, a great weight fell upon me, and I desired very earnestly of the Lord for Strength, to bear what was coming upon us, to try our Foundation; and farther, I desired of the lord, what to do in such a Streight? and it was answered me, to have a Meeting. And this seemed to be very strange; for all the Men were in an Uproar, one heaving one way, and another another; and then I queried, whether Friends would meet? and it was answered, if they met not I was clear. So then I went down, with a Dread upon me, and spoke to two or three of them; and they met all of them in a little time, twelve Men and two Boys, at our old Meeting-place, to my great Satisfaction; for only two of them knew of my Exercise, and how it was with me at Barcelona: But blessed be the Lord, who open'd my Mouth, and I declared to them how things was with me, and that things seemed very Dark and Cloudy, or words to that effect; yet my Hopes and Belief was in the Lord, that I had not the least scruple, but that the Lord would deliver me, and not me only, but all such as were of my Faith and Belief; adding, I lay not this as an Injunction upon any one, but leave you all to the Lord, to do as he shall direct you; yet one thing I have to advise you of, that you be not ensnared; in a little time they will call you to your Quarters; which if you go, you shew your selves Men for their turns. And farther, I must advise you, that the Captain puts great Confidence in you; therefore let us be careful, that we give him no just Occasion. Therefore, all that are of my Mind, let us meet in the most publick Place upon the Deck, in the full view of the Captain, that he may not say we deceived him, in not telling of him that we would not Fight, that he might have put others in our room or place. And as we were sitting together, one of the Ship's Company came to a Friend, saying, I will put a Crow in thy Guts; and another saying, I will kill thee; and as they had an Antipathy against them, so they threatned. Then I went with a great Dread of God upon my Mind, but clear of all fear of Man; for blessed be the Lord, all fear of Man was taken away. And when I came upon the Deck, I set my Back against the Geer-Capstan, with my Face towards the Captain, where he had a full view of me; standing there awhile, I turned my Head to see who was coming after me, and when I saw my Friends there behind me, my very Heart leap'd for Joy, and I was overcome with the sight of them; for to me they were the loveliest that ever I beheld, and my very Bowels rowled within me for them, and my Life was given up freely for them, to see them given up as Innocent Lambs, ready for the Slaughter, standing all together. In a little time comes the Lieutenant, and says to one of them, Go down to thy Quarters; his answer was, I can Fight no more: The which was what he looked for; for he was our great Enemy. Then he goes to the Captain, and makes the worst of it, saying, Yonder the Quakers be altogether, and I do not know but they will mutiny, and one says he cannot Fight; then he ask'd his Name, and came down: He first heaved his Hat Over-board, and took hold of his Collar, and beat him with a large Cane, and then dragged him down to his Quarters. Then the Captain goes upon the Half-Deck again, and call'd to his Man to bring him his Sword; which done, he drew it in as much Fury and Indignation, as ever I saw Sword drawn; for Passion had overcome him. No sooner was his Sword drawn, but the Word of the Lord ran through me like Fire, saying, The Sword of the Lord is over him: And if he will have a Sacrifice, proffer it him: And this Word was so Powerful in me, that I greatly quivered and shook, tho' endeavoured the contrary, fearing they should think I was afraid of the Sword, but I was not: And when the shaking was a little over, I turned my Head over my shoulder, and said to the Friend I loved so well, That I must go to the Captain: His Answer was, Be well satisfied in what thou dost: My Answer was again, There is a necessity upon me to go. Then his Answer was, I will go with thee. Then watching the Captain, as he came forward with his drawn Sword in his Hand, I fixt my Eye upon him, with the great Dread of the Lord upon my Mind; I step'd towards him, and he furiously looked on me, to have daunted me; but I was carried above all his furious Looks: I had about five Paces and six Steps upon the Quarter-Deck before I came to him, I still keeping my Eye upon him, in much Dread, and step'd the five Paces, and on the third Step, his Countenance changed Pale, and he turned himself about from me, and went off, and called to his Man to take away his Sword: I standing there awhile, said to my Friend, The Captain is gone, let us return to our Friends; who receiv'd us very kindly, and were glad to see how we were delivered. In a little time, the Ship we thought to Fight withal, prov'd a Genoese, our Friend; and before Night, the Captain sent the Priest to me, to desire me not to be angry with him, for it was in his Passion; my Answer by the Priest to the Captain was, That I had nothing but good Will to him, and all Men living; and bid him tell the Captain, That he must have a Care of such Passions, for if he killed a Man in his Passion, he might seek a Place for Repentance, and might not find it. And ever after this the Captain was very kind and respective to me. And thus the Lord brought me through many and various Exercises, for which I bless his worthy Name; for if the Trial, or Exercise was ever so great, if I was but made willing to give up to that he made known unto me, to be his Will and Mind, he never fail'd to carry me through it; to whom be Everlasting Praise, saith my Soul. In the Year, 1660, about the time of King Charles the Second's coming into England, for the space of two or three Years, I met with many Sorts of Exercises, being Forc'd or Press'd divers times; all which the Lord brought me through. And of the many, I shall hint a few, that if any should meet with the like, they may not distrust the Lord's Goodness and Strength, for he is able by his Everlasting Power, to preserve to the uttermost, and will plead the Cause of such who put their whole Trust and Confidence in him. In the Year, 1661. Early one Morning, going from my Quarters, towards the Ship I belong'd unto, I met four Press-Masters, and I might have shunned them, but durst not; and when we met, they ask'd me, Whether I was a Master, or a Mate: I denying to be a Master, they reply'd, You must go with us: Not so, said I; then they took hold of me, two under my Arms, and two under my Hams, and lifted me upon their Shoulders, and carry'd me about three Hundred Yards, with my Face upwards; so that by the Signs I could discern which way they carry'd me, which was to Horsley-down Mill-Stairs; and then it was in my Mind, that they would heave me over the Wharf; then I considered what time of Tide it was, and being young-Flood, the Boat came to the Wharf side, and they heav'd me from their Shoulders, over the Wharf, cross the Boat-thaughts, which was about five Yards high, and had not Providence preserved me, they had killed, or else crippled me, and I lying still for some time, one of them cryed out, What shall we do, we have kill'd the Man; but getting up, I went into the Boat's Stern, at which they were glad and rejoiced; and so carried me over the Water, and put me on Shoar. Another time (in the Year, 1662.) going to Harwich laden with Cord, and no sooner we came to an Anchor, but a Press-Boat came on Board us; and the first Man they laid Hands on, was me, saying, You must go with us. I hope not so, said I. Then they swore that I was a lusty Man, and should go: Then they laid Hands on me, and lifted me into their Boat, and carried me on Board the Ship Mary, one Jeremiah Smith Commander, who was a very loose and wicked Man: So when I came to the Ship side, they bad me go in, the which I had not Freedom to do: Then they ty'd a Rope about my Waste, and with a Tackle hoisted me, making a Noise, as if I had been some Monster, and lower'd me down upon the Main-Hatches, where I sat about half an Hour, that all might have their full view of me: Then I got up, and walked abaft (or behind) the Main-Mast, amongst the Officers, and when Night came, I went under the half-Deck, and laid me down between two Guns, on the Boards, and slept very well. The next day the Steward came to me, to know my Name; I asked him for what? He reply'd, That I might have my Victuals. I told him It was time enough when I came for my Victuals. So I continued without any Food five Days, only at times a Draught of Water, for I was sensible, if I had eat of their Victuals, they would have kept me. The Seamen were very kind to me, and many came in great Tenderness, and proffer'd me of their Victuals. I accepted of their Love, but none of their Victuals. The Captain was a very Furious Man, and frequently in Drink, so that I could not have opportunity to speak with him; and I often desired of the Lord for Strength to oppose him, or else to be still and quiet. And on the sixth Day in the Morning, from the time I came on Board, I found much Exercise attending my Mind to go to the Captain, and I spake to the Master to tell him of it, which he did. The Captain, having most of his Officers about him, sent for me by his Man, himself being on the half-Deck; and as I was going along the Gallery, his Man turns about, saying, You must pull off your Hat when you come to the Captain, whose Back was towards me; and his Man offering to pull it off, I held it on, which caused a Bustle. The Captain said, Let his Hat alone, I know the Quakers very well, What is thy Business with me? To which I answered, I acquainted thy Men when they took my from my Imployment, that I was not for their Turns, and am come to acquaint thee; I also said, It is not unknown unto some in this Ship, that I have been as great a Fighter as others, but now no more so. I hear so, said the Captain, and thus thou hast had a Command, and so thou shalt have here; or else thou shalt stand by me, and I will tell thee what I will have done, and thou shalt call the Men to do it; or else thou shalt stand by the Fore-Braces, and I will call to thee to do so and so; and this is not killing of Men, to hale a Rope. I answered, but I will not do that. Then, said he, Thou shalt be with the Coopers, to hand Beer for them, there is great occasion for it. I answered, But I will not do that. Then, said he again, I have an Imployment for thee, which will be a great Piece of Charity, and a saving of Mens Lives, Thou shalt be with the Doctor, and when a Man comes down, that hath lost a Leg, or an Arm, to hold the Men, while the Doctor cuts it off; this is not killing Men, but saving Mens Lives. I answered, But I will not do that, for it's all an Assistance. Then he said, I will send thee a-shoar to Prison. I answered, I am in thy Hand, thou may'st do with me what thou pleasest. But, said the Captain, I hear thou wilt starve thy self. Not so, said I, for I have Money in my Pocket, and if thou wilt sell me any Victuals, I will eat before thee. The Captain said, I cannot sell the King's Victuals. I answered, Nor I cannot do the King's Work, therefore cannot eat the King's Victuals. In a little time after, I was called to go into the Boat, expecting to be sent to Prison, but when we came on Shoar, contrary to my Expectation, the Captain bad me, go which way I would. This done, I enquired for my Friend Mary Vanderwalt, who receiv'd me very kindly, and provided for me, such things as were necessary, my Teeth being very loose. And after two or three Days, I returned to the Vessel I was press'd out of: And the next Day, being very hard at Work, heaving out Corn into a Lighter, stripp'd in my Shirt and Drawers; then a Man of War's Boat clap'd us on Board, and the Coxon jump'd in; and swore, Here's a lusty Rogue come up, said he, but I took little notice of him, and continued heaving Corn; at which he swore, That if I would not come up, he would lay me cross the Shoulders. Then I said, Strike me not, for if thou dost, I will not come up; if thou strike me not, I may come up. Then he swore to the Captain, that I was a Quaker. Have him up, said the Captain, so I went upon the Deck: Come near, says the Captain; so I went into the Lighter, into which we heav'd the Corn, close by him. Then the Captain, in a scoffing manner, said, Thou art no Quaker; if thou wert, I would not take thee; for if thou wert a Quaker, thou shouldst be waiting upon the Lord, and let his Ravens feed thee, and not be toiling thy Body: So (my Shirt being then very wet with Sweat) Answer me, said he. The Seamen crying, The Spirit does not move him; one while saying, Pull him in, another while, Let him alone: Thus it was for some time. And I got very low in my Mind, not mattering what they said; desiring earnestly of the Lord, that if I answered the Captain, it might be to the purpose, or else to be silent. And it rose fresh in my Mind to the Captain: I perceive thou hast read some part of the Scriptures, didst thou never read, That he is worse than an Infidel, that will not provide for his Family? adding, I often heard the Quakers blamed for not working, but thou art the first that ever I heard blame them for working. Says the Captain, Turn him away he is a Quaker. Being gone a little way, he calls out, Pull him again, he is no Quaker: Thou art no Quaker; for here thou bring'st Corn, and of it is made Bread, and by the strength of that Bread, we kill the Dutch; and therefore no Quaker: Or art not thou as accessary to their Death, as we; Answer me? I kept very still and low in my Mind: And after their many Scoffs and Jeers: Then said I to the Captain, I am a Man that have, and can feed my Enemies; and well may I you, who pretend to be my Friends. The Captain reply'd, Turn him away, he is a Quaker. In a few Days after, I was press'd out of the same Vessel, and cary'd on Board a Man of War; and when I came on Board, was order'd to go into the Cabin, where the Captain and several officers were; and when I came into the Cabin, the Captain appear'd like a Mad Man, Swearing and Cursing against the Quakers; often swearing, That if he did not hang me, he would carry me to the Duke of York, and he would. And I said very little to them; for the Lord's Presence was with me, and carry'd me over all their high Threats. And when he had tired himself, then he said more mildly, What dost thou say nothing for thy self? My Answer was, Thou say'st enough for thee and me too; for I found it most safe to say little, except I had good Authority for it. So, when they had done, I went to my Lodging, between two Guns in the Half-Deck, on the Boards; and being betwixt Sleep and Wake, I heard a great Outcry, Where is the Quaker? Where is the Quaker? And the Cry much increasing, at last I said, Here am I, what lack you at this time of the Night? (it being about the first Hour.) Ho! said they, you must come to the Captain presently. And when I came to the Cabin-Door; said the Captain, Is the Quaker there? Yes, said I. I cannot sleep, said he: But I slept very well on the hard Boards. Then, said he, Thou must go on Shoar. I answered, I am in thy Hand, and thou may'st do with me as thou pleasest: So the Boat put me a-shoar at Harwich. And this was the Man that said, Hanging was too good for me; who, in six Hours time, was so weary of me, that he could not take his Natural Rest, whilst I was on Board. These, and many more of the like Exercises, hath the Lord carry'd me through, too long here to mention; for the which, I bless his worthy Name: For he was always, in the greatest Straights, ready to assist me, as I was made willing to give up to him, and to be nothing of my self. Thomas Lurting. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A true Account of George Pattison's being Taken by the Turks; and how Redeemed by God's Direction and Assistance, without Bloodshed, putting the Turks on Shoar in their own Country, about the 8th Month, 1663. I Thomas Lurting, was then George Pattison's Mate, and coming from Venice, we heard that many Turks Men of War were at Sea, and that they had taken many English Ships; and it was much in my Mind, that we should be taken; and I was very much concerned, as well for the Men, as for my self; at which I went to the Master, and desired of him to go to Leghorn, and to stay for a Convoy, and so long we would have no Wages; but the Master would not agree to this, but kept the Sea, much contrary to our Minds: And coming near a Spanish Island, called May-York, we were chased by a Turks Vessel, or a Man of War, called a Patach, as some time before we had been; and thought by our Vessel's well Sailing, to escape; but by carrying over much Sail, some of our Materials gave way, by which means the Turks came up with us, and commanded the Master on board; who accordingly went, with four men more, leaving me, and three Men and a Boy, on Board our Vessel; and so soon as our Boat came on Board the Turks Vessel, they took all our Men out of the Boat, and put in fourteen Turks. All this while I was under a great Exercise in Spirit, not so much for my self, because I had a secret hope of Relief, but a great stress lay upon me for the Men, in this very Juncture of time; for all hopes of outward Deliverance being then gone, the Master then on Board the Turks, with four of our Men, and the Turks just coming on Board of us: And being much concerned n Mind, I desired of the Lord Patience under such an Exercise, and going to the Ship's side to see the Turks come in, the Word of the Lord ran through me, thus; Be not afraid, for all this, thou shalt not go to Algier: And I having formerly great Experience of the Lord's Doings upon several Deliverances in times of War; I believed what the Lord did say in me. At this all kind of Fear was removed, and I received them, as a Man might his Friends, and they were as Civil to us. So I shewed them all parts of the Vessel, and what she was laden withal; then said I to our Men, Be not afraid, for all this, we shall not go to Algier; but let me desire you, as you have been willing to obey me, so be as willing to obey the Turks; for by our so doing, we got over them: For when they saw our great Diligence, it made them the more Careless of, and Favourable to us. So when they had taken some small matter of what we were Laden withal, some went on Board their own Ship again, and eight Turks stay'd with us. Then began I to think of the Master, and the other four, which were in the Turks Ship; for as for my self, and the others with me, I had no Fear at all; nay, I was so far from it, that I said to one of our Men, Were but the Master on Board, and the rest of our Men, if there were twice as many Turks, I should not fear them. So my earnest desire was to the Lord, that he would put it into their Hearts to send them on Board; and good was the Lord, in answering my Desire; for it was as a Seal to what he before had spoke through me, and in me. Soon after, the Master was sent on Board, with the rest of our Men. Then all manner of Fear was off me, as to going to Algier; and some said to me, I was a strange Man, I was afraid before I was taken, but now I was not. My answer was, I now believe I shall not go to Algier, and if you will be ruled by me, I will Act for your Delivery, as well as my own; but as yet I saw no way for it, for they were all Arm'd, and we without Arms. Now we being all together, except the Master, I began to reason with the: What if we should overcome the Turks, and go to May-York! At which they very much rejoyced; and one said, I will kill one or two; and another said, I will cut as many of their Throats as you will have me: This was our Mens Answer; at which I was much troubled, and said to them, If I know any of you that offers to touch a Turk, I will tell the Turks my self; But I said to them, If you will be ruled, I will act for you; if not, I will be still: Then they agreed to do what I would have them. Then said I, If the Turks bid you do any thing, do it without grumbling, and with as much Diligence and Quickness as you can; for that pleases them, and that will cause them to let us be together; to which they agreed. Then I went to our Master, who was a Friend, and a very bold Spirited Man, and told him our Intention; whose Answer to me was, If we offer'd to Rise, and they overcame us, we had as good be burnt alive. The which I knew very well: But I could get him no way to adhere to me, in that he was fearful of Bloodshed, for that was his Reason: Insomuch that at last I told him, we were resolv'd, and I questioned not but to do it, without one drop of Bloodshed; and I believed that the Lord would prosper it, by reason I could rather go to Algier, than to kill one Turk. So at last he agreed to this, to let me do what I would, provided we killed none. At that time, there being still two Turks lying in the Cabin with him; So he was to lie in the Cabin, that by his being there, they should mistrust nothing: which accordingly he did; and having bad Weather, and lost the Company of the Man of War, which thing I much desired, the Turks seeing our Diligence, made them Careless of us. So the Second Night, after the Captain and one of the Turks went to Sleep in the Cabin with our Master; Then I persuaded one to lie in my Cabin, and about an Hour after, another in another Cabin; until at last, it raining very much, I persuaded them all down to sleep; and when asleep I got their Arms in Possession; and all this was done by fair Means and Persuasions. Then said I to the Men of our Vessel, Now we have the Turks at our Command, no Man shall hurt any of them: for if you do, I will be against you; but this we will do, now they are under Deck, we will keep them so, and go for May-York. So when I had ordered some to keep the Doors, lest any should come out, strictly charging them not to spill Blood; and so order our Course for May-York; the which in the Morning we were near. So my Orders to our Men was, if any offer'd to come out, not to let above one or two at a time; and one came out expecting to have seen his own Country; but to the contrary, it was May-York: Then said I to our Men, Be careful of the Door, for when he goes in, we shall see what they will do: And as soon as he told them, we were going towards May-York, they, instead of Rising, fell all to Crying; for their Courage was taken from them, and they desired that they might not be Sold; which I promised they should not; and so soon as I had pacified them, I went into the Cabin to our Master, he not knowing what was done; and so he told their Captain, That we had overcome his Men, and were going for May-York: At which unexpected News he wept; and desired the Master not to sell him, which he promised he would not. Then we told the Captain, we would make a Place to hide them in, where the Spaniards should not find them; at which they were very glad, and we did accordingly. So when we came in, the Master went on Shoar, with four more, and left me on Board with the Turks, which were ten; but they could not come out except I let them: And when he had done his Business, not taking product or License, lest the Spaniards should come and see the Turks. But at Night an English Master came on Board, being an Acquaintance; and after some Discourse with him, we told him, if he would not betray us, we would tell him what we had done; but we would not have the Spaniards know it, lest they should take them from us; the which he promised, but brake the same, and would have had two or three of them, to have brought to England; but we saw his End: And when he saw he could not prevail, then he said, They are worth 2 or 300 Pieces of Eight each; whereat both the Master and I told him, That if they would give many Thousands, they should not have one, for we hoped to send them home again. So he look'd upon us as Fools, because we would not sell them; which I would not have done for the whole Island: But contrary to our Expectation, he told the Spaniards, who threatned to take them from us: But so soon as we heard thereof, we call'd up the Turks, and told them; They must help us, or the Spaniards would take them from us. So they resolvedly helped us, and we made all haste to run from the Spaniards; which pleased the Turks very well. So we put our lives to the hazard of the Turks to save them. So we continued about six or seven Days, not being willing to put into any Port of Spain, for fear of losing the Turks: We let them have their liberty for four or five Days, until they made an attempt to Rise; which I foresaw and prevented. All this while I was very kind to them; insomuch that some of our Men grumbled, saying, I had more care for the Turks than them. My answer was, They were Strangers, I must treat them well. And when at Sea, in the Day-time, we were going for Algier, but when Night came, for London; and so we kept them in Ignorance, for about eight or Nine Days, by which means they were quiet; and the ninth Day in the Afternoon, we came by an Island called Formeture, an Island they knew very well; and by that Island they knew we did not go for Algier, but for England; In the Afternoon they were all upon Deck, and our Master with them, and they threatned our Master very much, by reason he was gone by Algier; and none of our Men were upon the Deck, but my self and the Man at the Helm, but most of them a-sleep; and I sitting by the Main-mast, taking good notice of them; at last their Countenance began to change, and to look very sourly; and a great Weight fell upon me, and it rose in my Mind, How if they should lay hold on the Master, and heave him Over-Board. They being ten lusty Men, and he a small Man; and my Weight increased, then I started up, and stamp'd with my Foot, and our Men came up, saying, Where's the Crow? Another, Where's the Ax? And every one the thing they had provided for their own defence: So when I saw them all about me, and heard these Men threaten the Master; I said, Let us have them down, we have given them too much Liberty: But first, Lay thou down, said I, to one of our Men, the Crow and the Ax, and every Man of you, what you have provided to hurt them, they are Turks, and we are English Men, let it not be said, We are afraid of them; I will lay hold on the Captain. So I step'd forward, and laid hold of him, and said, He must go down; and he did very quietly; and all the rest. And at this time, and not before, we discovered, that several of them had long Knives, by which they might have done us much damage; and afterwards we were more careful of them: and not long after, two of them differing, drew out their Knives, one against the other, and our Men that kept the Watch, called me, and I called their Captain, who took their Knives from them, and gave them to me, and beat them. The before-mentioned Passage, was the first time of Resistance, for what was done towards the Turks before, was done by fair Means or Threats; not Violence; for I took great care of them. And on the 9th Day, after we had them on Board, I went to our Master, and desired him to go on the Coasts of Barbary, for there we were like to miss of their Men of War, to which he consented. And on the 11th Day, we were on that Coast, and about six Miles from Land, and in the Afternoon it fell Calm, and I had much upon my Mind, to set the Turks on Shoar; then I went to our Men, and said, Who will go with me, to set the Turks on Shoar. One said, I will go, and another said, I will go, then another the like; but three to ten is too little: Then I went to another, and said to him, Thou and I have been good Friends, wilt thou venture to go with me; He answered, Yes, if my Master will give me leave; This is enough, said I. And this was resolv'd on, and they promised me, that they would do nothing to the Turks, until I said, I could do no more; Then they were to shift for their Lives: This agreed on, I went to the Master, and acquainted him what we had resolv'd to do, if he would let us have the Boat. After some time together, and some Tears dropt on both sides, I told him, I believed the Lord would preserve me, for I had nothing but good Will, in venturing my Life, and that I had not the least fear upon me, but all would do Well. Then said I, If we give them the Boat, they will get Arms, and come and take us with our own Boat; and if we put half on Shoar, they will raise the Country, and surprise Us, when we come with the other half; but if he would let me go, and the other three would go with me, I would venture to put them on Shoar; To which he consented; so imbracing one another in great Tenderness, we parted; but I saw no other way, but to carry them all at once; then I called the Turks up, and when they came up, they knew the Place, there were two Towns about four Miles from the Water side: But when the Turks came up, one of the Men that promised to go with me, was afraid, and came to me saying, He was not willing to go, except I bound them. To which I answered, I was not afraid, and to bind them would but exasperate them, now they were quiet, let us keep them so: Come, let us hoist out the Boat; and when that was done, I went into her, and gave the Painter, or Rope into the Ship, then I called in the Captain, and placed him first in the Boat's-Stern, then for another, and placed him in his Lap, and one on each side, and two more in their Laps, until I had placed them all. And when our Men saw how I had placed them, they were willing to go without binding of them: So I gave two of our Men, each and Oar, and one of our Men sat on the Bow of the Boat with a Carpenter's Ax on his Shoulder, and I sat on the other side with a Boat-hook in my Hand, the two that rowed, having one a Carpenter's Addz, and the other, a Cooper's Heading-Knife; these were our Arms, besides the Turks Arms we had in our Command; and when all was ready, we took our leaves one of another, committing our selves unto the Lord, for Preservation; we being three Men and a Boy, and ten Turks: So we set for the Shoar, and having but two Oars, the time seemed long; but that which made it seem the longer, before we got half way to Shoar, our Mens Hearts began to fail them, and they began to reflect on me, saying, This was my Frolick. And as we came near the Shoar, the more they were afraid; so that every Rock, they made to be a Boat; so that I had very much to do to keep them quiet; saying many times, Give way my Lads, we shall get a Shoar in a little time. All this time I had not the least Fear on me: At last we came within 30 or 40 Yards of the Shoar; then I commanded to turn the Boat; then I said to one, that I put most trust in, To have care of those Bushes, that there be no Men in them, for I fear not the Men in the Boat; and turning my self about, with my Back to the Shoar, to heave the Grapling, the very same Man cryed out, Lord have Mercy on us, There are Turks in the Bushes on Shoar. I having not hove the Grapling, turns me about, saying, What's the matter? Says he, Positively there's Men in the Bushes. And he speaking so positively of it, it seized me, so that I was possessed with Fear: And so soon as the Turks in the Boat saw I was afraid, they all rose at once in the Boat. And this was one of the greatest straights that ever I was put to: Not for fear of the Turks in the Boat, but for Fear of our Men's killing them; for I would not have killed a Turk, or caused one to be killed, for the whole World. And when the Turks were risen, I caused our Men to lay their Oars cross the Boat; for that was all that wa betwixt us, and bid the Men, take up such Arms as they had: Then said I to them, I would have you be as good as your Word, for you promised me you would do nothing, until I said, I could do no more: Now I desire you to keep to that. (For there was nothing lacking but my Word, to kill the Turks) Then I sharply reproved them, for their many Reflections; but more particularly, he that had said, there were Men in the Bushes, and there was not. And your many Fears have brought some on me also; therefore now behave your selves like Men, and be not afraid. And when I had spoken these Words unto them; all this while the Turks stood up; Then I remained in Silence a considerable time, and was very low in my Mind: At last all Fear was taken away, and Life arose, and Courage increased again; and it was with me, It's better to strike a Blow, than to cleave a Man's Head or cut off an Arm; and I turned the Hook of the Boat-hook into my Hand, then I considered to strike them that was next me, which was the weakest, I should have still the strongest to Encounter; at which I got into the middle of the Boat, upon the main Thaughts, then I struck the Captain a smart Blow, and bid him sit down, which he did instantly, and so did all the rest, without any more Blows; then I step'd forward, and said to our Men, Now you see what it is to be afraid, What shall we do now? Some was for carrying them on Board again: Not so, said I, God willing I will put them on Shoar; for they'll come quietly near the Shoar, but if we carry them on Board, there will be nothing but Rising: For if it were my own Case, I would rise ten times, and so will they; on Shoar we must put them. And going along the Shoar, there was a small Rock, lay off the Shoar, which our Men would have me to put them on; but they not seeming willing, I would not: At last I espied a very convenient Place, in a small Bay, wherein was a Water-way, and we could see a Mile; we went thither, and finding it very convenient, turn'd our Boat, and hove out our Grapling; and with Signs of great Kindness, they took leave, and jump'd out not very wet, and when on Shoar, we put our Boat very close in, and gave them about half a Hundred of Bread and Match, and other things, and hove all their Arms on Shoar to them; And then they were not above 4 Miles from two Towns, and about 50 Miles from Algier and they would gladly have had us gone to the Town, telling of us, There was Wine, and many other things; and as for my Part, I could have ventured with them: So we parted in great Love, and stay'd until they had all got up the Hill, and they shook their Caps at us, and we at them. And as soon as we came on Board, we had a fair Wind; which we had not had all the while the Turks were on Board, nor many Days before. And when we came for England, coming up the River of Thames, some Boats going before us; and King Charles, and the Duke of York, and many of his Lords, being at Greenwich, it was told them, There was a Quaker's Katch, coming up the River, that had been taken by the Turks, and had redeemed themselves, and had never a Gun. And when we came near to Greenwich, the King came to our Ship's side, and one of his Lords came in, and discoursed the Master; and the King and the Duke of York, stood with the Entering Ropes in their Hands, and ask'd me many Questions about his Men of War; I told him, We had seen none of them. Then he asked me many Questions, How we cleared our selves, and I answered him; he said, I should have brought the Turks to him. I answered, That I thought it better for them to be in their own Country: At which they all smiled, and went away. I have wrote more large and particular than in my former Account, which I writ from Leverpoole, the 30th of the 5th Month, 1680, where I had not my Papers. So I rest in that which can do Good for Evil, which ought to be the Practice of all true Men. Thomas Lurting. London, the 30th of the 11th Month, 1709. F I N I S. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BOOKS Printed and Sold by J. Sowle, in White-hart-Court in Gracious-Street, 1711. A Journal, or Historical Account of the Life, Travels, Sufferings, and Christian Experiences, &c. of George Fox. The second Edition. Price 10 s. A brief Collection of Remarkable Passages, and Occurences Relating to the Birth, Education, Life, Conversion, Travels, &d. of that Ancient, Eminent, and Faithful Servant of the Lord, Margaret Fell, by her Second Marriage, Margaret Fox. Price 4 s. An Account of the Convincement, Exercises, Services and Travels of that Ancient Servant of the Lord, Richard Davies. 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