1. From The First Publishers of Truth.
2. Edward Burrough ‘O thou North of England’ from Francis Howgill &
Edward Burrough To the Camp of the Lord in England (1655)
3. Edward Burrough on his convincement, selections from A Warning from the
Lord to the Inhabitants of Underbarrow (1654).
4. Francis Howgill A TESTIMONY Concerning the Life, Death, Trials, Travels
and Labours of Edward Burroughs (1662)
5. Josiah Cole 'A Testimony of truth concerning the Servant of the Lord, and Minister of Jesus Christ, Edward Burroughs'
6. George Foxb'A Testimony of G. F. concerning E.B.'
From the account of Underbarrow in The First Publishers of Truth
Out of the Meeting then called Underbarrow, now Crooke (& ye Meet of Windermere allso) ... was that noble, valliant, & faithfull Minister of Xt Jesus, Ed: Burrow, Early raised up, whose memorable labours, travells, great services, and sufferings, both in this Nation & Jreland, & more particularly in & aboute the Citty of London, are more fully demonsterated in a large vollome thereof, in neare 900 pages in folio, to which we referr.1 He was born in ye yeare 1635, Convinced of Truth in 1652, began to preach toward ye later end of same yeare, died in prison in London, 1662, aged about 27 years.
‘The First Publishers of Truth’: being early records, now first printed, of the introduction
of Quakerism into the counties of England and Wales
edited Norman Penney (Friends Historical Society
Journal Supplements 1-5; London: Headley; New York: Taber, 1907) 263
Edward Burrough ‘O Thou North of England’ from To the camp of the Lord in England (London: 1655)
And O thou North of England, who art counted as desolate and barren, and reckoned the least of the Nations, yet out of thee did the branch spring, and the Star arise which gives light unto all the Regions round about; in thee the Son of Righteousness appeared, with wounding and with healing: and out of thee the terror of the Lord proceeded, which makes the earth to tremble and be removed: out of thee Kings, Princes & Prophets did come forth in the name and power of the most High, which uttered their voyces as thunders, and laid their swords on the neck of their enemies and never returned empty from the slaughter. Though I be as by the waters of Babylon, in a strange land; and as a Pilgrim and Stranger destitute, but not forsaken; as dying, but behold I live: yet if I forget thee let my right hand forget her cunning, and let my name be blotted out of the book of life.
Francis Howgill and Edward Burrough To the Camp of the Lord in England (London:
1655) 6 (written in Ireland),
transcribed from Early English Books Online.
From Edward Burrough A Warning from the Lord to the Inhabitants of Underbarrow (1654)
A true Declaration, and a discovery to all the World of my manner of Life; what I have been, and what now I am at present.
I was brought up by my natural Parents in the profession of Religion, according to the generalitie of this Nation, going one day in seven to hear a man Preach the Word, as they said to me, and to be exercised in the formal worship which was then upheld, to reade and sing, and to rabble over a Praier; but I was wanton and light, and lived in pleasure, without the fear of God, not knowing of God but by hear-say, and tradition; but when I grew up toward twelve years of age, somthing stirred in me, and shewed me, that there was a higher religion than that I was exercised in; and then I inquired where the chiefest of the Presbyterian Priests Preached, and would have gone some miles of a first day to have heard one of the best of them, which seemed liker truth than the other, and so I got up to be a Presbyterian, and followed the highest of the Priests and Professors of that form, and grew in favor with them, then some small of my vanity and lightness I left, and Pride grew up in me, for wisdom grew up in me, then some of my former acquaintance began to scorn me, calling me a Round-head, and the like; and by my laboring here, I gathered knowledge in things without, but yet was ignorant of the living truth: Then when I was about seventeen years of age, it pleased God to shew himself a little to me, and somthing struck me with terror, and when I had been praying, I heard the voice often, Thou art ignorant of God, thou knowest not where he is, nor what he is; to what purpose is thy Prayer? And so much fear and dread came upon me, and broke me off from praying manie times, and trouble came thick into my mind, and fearfulness fell many times upon me, and I was struck off my delights that I formerly loved, and what I had gathered in as of a god, died; and I left off reading in the Scripture, for somthing shewed me that I was very ignorant, and knew not the true God, and the beauty of all things vanished; And I went to some, asking, What God was, which was professed? for I said, I knew him not: but got no satisfaction from any ...
... yet then it pleased the Lord to shew himself a little in love to me, and I had sweet refreshments coming in from him to my soul, and had joy and peace in abundance, and openings of the living truth in me, which the world knew not of, and the mysterie of the Scripture was somthing opened, which before I knew nothing of, and I saw manie glorious things in it, which lie hid under the letter; and I was in much rejoycing manie times, and sang praise, for I was brought out of the land of darkness, & could say, I was in the Light, & I grew up to know high things; but not knowing the Cross of Christ, I ran forth in my wisdom comprehending the mysteries of God, having a Light shined in me, and I grew up into Notion, to talk of high things, for it was my delight to comprehend in my busie mind[. T]hus being ignorant of the Cross to keep low in it, I ran before my guide up into comprehension, and then was I above manie of the Priests and Professors, and followed only to hear the highest Notionists, that Preached high things ... and so I became one of them in their discoursings, and was looked upon by them to know much; the former terror was gone, and I had got up from under the judgement ...
... I grew to be weary of hearing any of the Priests, though never so high, for somthing, which shined deep in me, shewed me ignorance in all profession, and I was put to a stand many times in my self at those things, which were come to pass; then it pleased the Lord to send his true and faithful Servant and Messenger, who is called according to the flesh, Geo. Fox, he spoke the language which I knew not, notwithstanding all my high talking, for it was higher, and yet lower: And it pleased the Lord to speak to me by him, that I was in the prodigal state, and above the Cross of Christ, and not in the pure fear of the Lord, but full of corruption and the old nature, though I had professed freedom ... I began to see my self (the witness being raised) where I was, and what I had been doing ...
... and then I separated from all the glory of the World, and from all my acquaintance, and kindred, and betook my self to the company of a poor despised and contemned people called Quakers, and now am I one in that Generation, which is, and ever was, hated of the world, by the chief Priests and Pharisees, and Generation of Serpents, and hath chosen rather to suffer Affliction with a poor despised People, than to injoy the pleasures of Sin with the great multitude ... and now do I bear witness against all Forms of Religion, and false Hirelings, and chief Priests, who walks in the steps of the Scribes and Pharisees, and of the false Prophets of Israel ... And do freely Declare against all out-side Profession, and Notion, And do witness Geo. Fox to be a true Minister of God, one that speaks the Word of the Lord from his mouth, one who was sent of God, and who is the Servant and Messenger of the living God ...
Edward Burrough A WARNING FROM THE LORD TO THE INHABITANTS OF UNDERBARROW, and so to all
the Inhabitants in ENGLAND,
Where it shall meet with them, who holds up the false Teachers, and false worship .../
With the manner of my passage through the dark world,
(wherein the simple ones may see the deceits of the man
of sin in his actings like the true spirit) to warn all to follow the true light within,
which leads unto God,
& to beware of the voice, lo here & lo there, / By one who is a labourer in the Vineyard, who is not known to
the world;
(though named of the world) EDWARD BURROUGH (London: Giles Calvert, 1654) 31–5.
transcribed from Early English Books Online.
From Francis Howgill A TESTIMONY Concerning the Life, Death, Trials, Travels and Labours of Edward Burroughs (1662)
The Life and Death of Edward Burroughs that worthy Prophet of the Lord, &c.
Shall days, or months, or years wear out thy Name, as though thou hadst had no being? Oh nay! Shall not thy noble and valiant Acts, and mighty Works which thou hast wrought through the power of him that separated thee from the Womb, live in generations to come? Oh yes! the children that are yet unborn, and shall count thee blessed. Did thy Life go out as the snuff of a Candle? Oh nay! thou hast penetrated the hearts of many, and the memorial of the just shall live for ever, and be had in renown among the children of Wisdom for ever; for thou hast turned many to righteousness, and shall shine as a Star of God in the Firmament of God's Power, for ever and ever; and they that are in that, shall see thee there, and enjoy thee there, though thou be gone away hence, and can no more be seen in mutability; yet thy Life, and thy Spirit shall run parallel with Immortality. Oh Edward Burroughs! I cannot but mourn for thee, yet not as one without hope nor faith, knowing and having a perfect testimony of thy well-being in my heart, by the Spirit of the Lord; yet thy absence is great, and years to come shall know the want of thee ...
This same Edward Burroughs was born in the Barrony of Kendal, in the County of Westmoreland, of honest Parents, who had a good report among their Neighbours for upright and honest dealing among men, who brought up Edward in his youth in learning and good Education as the Countrey doth afford. He was a very understanding Boy in his youth, and his knowledge and understanding did far exceed his years: He had the Spirit of a man when he was but as a child; and I may say, grey hairs was upon him when he was but a youth; for he was cloathed with Wisdom in his Infancy; for I had perfect knowledge of him from a youth. He was inclinable from his youth upwards, to Religion, and the best way, always minding the best things, and the best and nearest way of Worship to the Scriptures of Truth, and always did accompany the best men, who walked in godliness and honesty, insomuch I have often admired his discreet carriage, and his great understanding of the things of God: He was never known to be addicted to feared the Lord, and walked uprightly according to the light and knowledge received in all things. In his natural disposition he was bold and manly, dexterous and fervent; and what he took in hand, he did it with his might; loving, kind and courteous, merciful and flexible, and easie to be entreated. His whole delight was always among good people, and to be conferring and reading the Scriptures, and little to mind any sports separated (I may say) from his Mothers Womb, and fitting for the Works sake whereunto he after was called.
And when it pleased the Lord to raise up the ancient horn of salvation among us, who were reckoned in the North part of England, even as the outcasts of Israel, and as men destitute of the great knowledge which some seemed to enjoy; yet there was more sincerity and true love among us, and desires fter the living powerful presence of God then was among many in that day, who seemed to make a it; God out of his everlasting love did appear unto us according to the desire of our hearts who longed after him, when we had turned aside from the hireling Shepherds Tents, we found him whom our souls loved, and God out of his great love, and great mercy, sent one unto us immediately by his Power, a man of God, one of ten thousand, to instruct us in the way of God more perfectly, who laid down the sure foundation, and declared the acceptable year of the Lord ...
Howbeit after all this and much more, which time would fail me to write of ... we did come through very great tribulations, extream distresses, great perplexity, and passed out oftentimes hungry, and hard put to it both within and without; yet such was our love to the Lord, and such fervency in our hearts, that we rather chused to dye, and to undergo every difficulty, than to dishonor or deny the Name of Christ in the midst of suffering ... this young man of whom I am speaking, had his share, though but a youth at that time, of 16. or 17. years of age, because of the Truth which crossed all the Worlds way; his nearest Relations, even his own Parents cast him off as an Alien, and turned him out from their House, as not to have any part or portion therein as a son, nay, not so much as a hired servant, which this young man bore and the Spirit of Prophesie came upon him like as it did upon many more, through the Holy Ghosts power and operation; and he spake of the wonderful things of God amongst them that believed, and was one of the first among us which the Lord opened the mouth of, to shew forth his praise, and to speak of the things of his and hoped after eternal life ... and though he was but young in years, yet he was full of fortitude and true valour: The Lord often times when he exercised him in such War as this, hath filled his Quiver full often made a breach, a breach in the face of an Host.
And it was my lot (which I cannot but say fell in a good ground) to be his companion and fellow-labourer in he Work of the Gospel, whereunto we were called for many years together: And oh! when I consider, my heart is broken; how sweetly we walked together for many Months & Years! in which we had perfect knowledg of one anothers hearts, & perfect unity of spi[rit], not so much as one cross word, or one hard thought of discontent ever rose (I believe) in either of our hearts, for 10 years together, but our souls were bound up in unity and peace, having the frame of our hearts bent after one and the self same thing, to wit, the propagation of that Truth by which liberty was obtained, and salvation received through Jesus Christ the true Light of the World ... and accordingly he went forth in the Name and Power of the Lord Jesus the Saviour of mankind, and was an able Minister of the glad tydings of salvation, in many, or most parts of this Land; and also he travelled thorow again and again, the whole Nation of Ireland, and in some part of Scotland, and some part of Flanders; and his Ministry was made effectual through the Almighty Power of God, in turning many from darkness to light ... it was his share to break up rough places and untilled ground; & to walk amongst many bryars and thorns, which scratched, and pricked, and teared; and travelled with some others, not without great opposition; and he often trod the pathes and wayes which had not been occupied in the Truth; and where darkness had the Dominion, and was as a covering, he brake through as an armed man, not minding the opposition, but the victory, and the good of all souls; though to my knowledg his sufferings and tryals hath not been small, nor his exercise a little ... often times buffeted, sometimes knocked down by unreasonable men, who had not faith, loaded with lyes, slanders, calumnies and reproaches, often in weakness, yea in deaths often, in watchings, fastings and temptations often; in straits and necessities; in perils among rude multitudes, in perils in Idol-Temple besides the exceeding weight of service from Weeks end to Weeks end, in so much that he had seldome many hours of repose ... He was very diligent and faithful, true-hearted and valiant, and the yoke at last came to be easie unto him, though no ease at all in the body as to the outward man; for he made the Work of the Lord his whole business, without taking so much liberty unto himself, or about any outward occasion in this World, as to spend one Week to himself (to my knowledg) these ten years ...
He was a man of no great learning in natural Tongues, which men so much applaud; yet indeed his heart was full of matter, and his Tongue was as the hand of a ready Scribe and yet he had the tongue of the learned, having had experiment of the Work of the Lord, and being acquainted with many conditions which or otherways in his publike Ministry he was very plausible and elegant in his speech, & indeed had the tongue of a learned Orator to declare himself to the understandings & consciences of all men with whom he conversed ... and his words were forcible and very pleasant, as apples of Gold in pictures of silver.
This young man of whom I am speaking, was one of the first ... who came to the City of London, where he met with no small opposition both from professors of divers forms, and also prophane, who heeded no Religion at all ... He continued in this City very much at time and times, betwixt eight and nine years together, preaching the Word of God, and speaking of the things of his Kingdom to all that looked after it; and great watching, travel, and exercise in the Work of the Lord; and his earnest desire was, That all might have come to know God's salvation, and the redemption of their souls ... And his heart was much drawn towards this City; and often times hath he said to me when suffering did come for the Gospel sake, which he knew would come, I can freely go to that City, and lay down my Life for a Testimony of that Truth which I have declared through the Power and Spirit of God: Which in the end indeed came to be his share, and will for ever be his Crown ...
And in the same year 1662. being pressed in his spirit to go visit them who were be Meetings, and divers particular Friends, he took his leave of them, saying unto very many, That he did not know he should see their faces any more; exhorting them all to faithfulness and stedfastness in that wherein they had found rest for their souls: And said to some, I am going up to the City of London again, to lay down my Life for the Gospel, and suffer amongst Friends in that place, as having some sence of his suffering before.
A TESTIMONY Concerning the Life, Death, Trials, Travels and Labours of Edward Burroughs
(London: William Warwick, 1662)3–4
transcribed from Early English Books Online.
Josiah Cole 'A Testimony of truth concerning the Servant of the Lord, and Minister of Jesus Christ, Edward Burroughs' from the above:
And it is well known unto many, that he was never backwards, but always ready and willing to appear in a way of publike conference, as in vindication of (and against any that should oppose) the blessed Truth of God which he held and professed, and also to manifest the grounds and reasons wherefore, we deny (and dissent from) the National Priests of the World, (and their traditional ways of Worship) and the hypocritical professors thereof, who have not the life and substance of what they profess in words. And these things (it is well known unto many) he was oft exercised in; and he did not go about in corners, nor creep into dark places hiddenly nor secretly, but preached the Truth of God, and Doctrine of our Lord Jesus Christ boldly and openly, even upon the house tops, and his valour for God's Truth on Earth, was well known unto many, and his voice was as the sound or ratling of the Charriots of God's Host upon the tops of the Mountains, and was oft uttered forth in the Name of the Lord, even like thunder, and the voice of the Son of God was uttered forth through him, by which the dead was raised; the Witnesses are now alive, let them bring in their testimony, that the truth hereof may be confirmed ...
He pleaded the cause of the innocent suffering Seed, and earnestly contended with the Powers of the Earth of all sorts, in the behalf, and for the freedom of the suffering people of God: He fore-prophesied unto them that were in Authority in the days past, of their destruction, and of their overthrow, because of their deceitfulness to God, and their false and cruel, treacherous and merciless dealings towards his people, who had made many fair promises both to God and man in the time of their adversity, That they would grant free liberty of Conscience in things relating to the Worship of God, and that Oppression should be removed, and the like; but in the time of their prosperity, when they were waxen fat, and grown great, and lived at ease and in pleasures, then they forgot God, and regarded not to perform their Engagements ... And he also warned the present Rulers of this Nation to take heed of walking in the steps of them that are gone before. And for these things, and for the publishing of the Truth of God, this generation, but chiefly by some of the Rulers of the City of London: He sealed his Testimony with his Life in bonds; and so they have wilfully brought innocent blood upon themselves, and heavy will it lye upon them in the day of account (which greatly hastens) wherein the Lord God wil make inquisition for the blood of the innocent, and reward every man according to his deeds; then wil his blood because you will be found guilty of the blood of his Prophets, Messengers and Servants, which he sent unto you in love to your souls, to forewarn you of the evil which greatly hastens to come upon you ...
A TESTIMONY Concerning the Life, Death, Trials, Travels and Labours of Edward Burroughs
(London: William Warwick, 1662)3–4
transcribed from Early English Books Online.
George Fox 'A Testimony of G. F. concerning E.B.'
HIs Name is Chronicled in the Book of Life; a righteous plant, pure, chaste, clean: Who can tax him for oppressing them, or burdening them, or being chargeable to them?
who through the sufferings hath finished his course and testimony, who is now crowned with the Crown of Life, and reigns with the Lord Christ for ever and ever. And in his Ministry in his
life-time, he went through sufferings by bad spirits, who never turned his back on the Truth, nor his back from any out of the Truth; a valiant Warrior, more then a Conqueror,
who hath got the Crown through death and sufferings, who is dead, but yet liveth amongst us, and amongst us is alive.
G.F.
A TESTIMONY Concerning the Life, Death, Trials, Travels and Labours of Edward Burroughs
(London: William Warwick, 1662)3–4
transcribed from Early English Books Online.
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