As soon as he was come within the room, having a file or two of
musketeers at his heels, he commanded his men to present their
muskets at us, which they did, with intent, I suppose, to strike a
terror into the people. Then he made a proclamation that all who
were not Quakers might depart if they would.
It so happened that a young man, an apprentice in London, whose name
was --- Dove, the son of Dr. Dove, of Chinner, near Crowell, in
Oxfordshire, came that day in curiosity to see the meeting, and
coming early, and finding me there (whom he knew), came and sat down
by me.
As soon as he heard the noise of soldiers he was much startled, and
asked me softly if I would not shift for myself, and try to get out.
I told him no; I was in my place, and was willing to suffer if it
was my lot. When he heard the notice given that they who were not
Quakers might depart, he solicited me again to be gone. I told him
I could not do so, for that would be to renounce my profession,
which I would by no means do; but as for him, who was not one of us,
he might do as he pleased.
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