s, how I was a shepherd lad until I came to thine own age of
twelve years. Thereafter, when I was thirteen years old, I was bound
an apprentice to a clothmaker in a town called Holdbeck, near Leeds.
He was a godly man and strict, but sharp of tongue. I might have
continued in that town to this day. But when I was fully come to man's
estate the Civil War between King and Parliament broke out all over
the land. Loath was I to take up arms, having been ever of a peaceable
disposition, but when wise men, whom I revered, called upon me to
fight for the civil and religious freedom of my native land, it seemed
to me, in my dark ignorance of soul, that no other course remained
honourably open to me. I feared if I did not join the Army of the
Parliament that had sworn to curb the tyranny of Charles Stuart, then
upon my head would rest the curse of Meroz, "who went not to the help
of the Lord against the mighty." Thus I became a soldier, thinking
that by so doing I was fighting for the Gospel--and forgetting that my
Master was One who was called the Prince of Peace.

'Small peace, in truth, did I find in the ranks of the army of the
Parliament--or indeed in any other place, until in the fulness of time
it was made clear to me that I was but seeking the living amongst the
dead, and looking without for that which was only to be found within.

'Then my mind was turned within, by the power of the Lord, to wait on
His counsel, the Light in my own conscience, to hear what the Lord
would say: and the word of the Lord came unto me, and said, "Put up
thy sword into thy scabbard.... Knowest thou not that if I need I
could have twelve legions of Angels from my Father": which Word
enlightened my heart, and discovered the mystery of iniquity, and that
the Kingdom of Christ was within, and was spiritual, and my weapons
against them must be spiritual, the Power of God.

'It was on this wise that I came to join the Army of the Lamb, and of
His peaceful servants who follow Him whithersoever He goeth.'

'But, Grandfather, explain to me, how couldst thou leave the
Parliamentary army thou wert pledged to serve?'

'A hard struggle I had truly to get free. Yet I did leave it, for I
was yet more deeply pledged to Him Who had said, "My kingdom is not of
this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants
fight." At length my way was made more plain before me. I left the
army and resumed my weaving. Thus I passed through deep baptizi