times. Perhaps if they hunted Mr. Justice Sawrey's quarry for him in
the daytime, he would be more likely to turn a blind eye the next
moonlight night that they were minded to go out snaring other game,
with fur and feathers, in the Justice's own park! Anyhow, faces began
to grow threatening as the Quaker's discourse proceeded. Presently
loud voices were raised. Still the calm tones flowed on unheeding. At
length, clenched fists were raised; and, at the sight, the smile on
the Justice's face visibly broadened. Nodding his head emphatically,
he seemed to be saying, 'On, men, on!' till at length, like sparks
fanned by a bellows, the congregation's ill-humour suddenly burst into
a flame of rage. When at length rough hands fell upon the Quaker's
shoulders and set all his alchemy buttons a-jingling, Mr. Justice
Sawrey leaned against the back of his high wooden pew, crossed his
legs complacently, and laughed long and loud at the joke. The crowd
took this as a sign that they might do as they chose. They fell upon
Fox, knocked him down, and finally trampled upon him, under the
Justice's own eyes. The uproar became so great that the quieter
members of the congregation were terrified, 'and the people fell over
their seats for fear.'

At length the Justice bethought himself that such behaviour as this in
a church was quite illegal, since a man had been sentenced, before
now, to lose his hand as a punishment for even striking his neighbour
within consecrated walls. He began to feel uneasily that even the
excellent sport of Quaker-baiting might be carried too far inside the
Church. He came forward, therefore, and without difficulty rescued
George Fox from the hands of his tormentors. But he had not finished
with the Quaker yet. Leading him outside the Church, he there
formally handed him over to the constables, saying, 'Take the fellow.
Thrash him soundly and turn him out of the town,' adding, perhaps,
under his breath, 'and teach him to behave with greater respect
hereafter to a Justice of the Peace!'

George Fox describes in his own words what happened next. 'They led
me,' says the Journal, 'about a quarter of a mile, some taking hold of
my collar, and some by the arms and shoulders, and shook and dragged
me, and some got hedge-stakes and holme bushes and other staffs. And
many friendly people that was come to the market, and had come into
the steeple-house to hear me, many of them they knocked down and broke
their heads also,