very desirous to see and
converse with. And upon strict enquiry I was informed that they did
meet at one Widow Matthews in White Cross Street, in her garden, where
I repaired, where was our dear friends Edward Burrough and Francis
Howgill, who declared the Lord's everlasting Truth in the
demonstration of the Spirit of Life, where myself and many more were
convinced. A little time after there was a silent meeting appointed
and kept at Sarah Sawyer's in Rainbow Alley.'

Very rural and unlike London these places sound: but meetings were not
only held in secluded spots, such as the garden in White Cross Street,
and the house in Rainbow Alley, they were also held in the tumultuous
centres of Vanity Fair.

'Edward Burrough,' says Sewel the historian, 'though he was a very
young man when he first came forth, yet grew in wisdom and valour so
that he feared not the face of man.' 'At London there is a custom in
summer time, when the evening approaches and tradesmen leave off
working, that many lusty fellows meet in the fields, to try their
skill and strength at wrestling, where generally a multitude of people
stand gazing in a round. Now it so fell out, that Edward Burrough
passed by the place where they were wrestling, and standing still
among the spectators, saw how a strong and dexterous fellow had
already thrown three others, and was now waiting for a fourth
champion, if any durst venture to enter the lists. At length none
being bold enough to try, E. Burrough stepped into the ring (commonly
made up of all sorts of people), and having looked upon the wrestler
with a serious countenance, the man was not a little surprised,
instead of an airy antagonist, to meet with a grave and awful young
man; and all stood amazed at this sight, eagerly expecting what would
be the issue of this combat. But it was quite another fight Edward
Burrough aimed at. For having already fought against spiritual
wickedness, that had once prevailed in him and having overcome it in
measure, by the grace of God, he now endeavoured also to fight against
it in others, and to turn them from the evil of their ways. With this
intention he began very seriously to speak to the standers by, and
that with such a heart-piercing power, that he was heard by this mixed
multitude with no less attention than admiration; for his speech
tended to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of
Satan to God.

'Thus he preached zealously; and though many might l