Chapter III: 1649-1650.—George Fox is first imprisoned at

Nottingham, where the sheriff is convinced—he is liberated and
quiets a distracted woman—he is cruelly treated at
Mansfield-Woodhouse—is taken before the magistrates at
Derby—acknowledges that he is sanctified—is temptingly asked if
he were Christ, which he denies, yet is committed for
blasphemy—his mittimus to Derby prison—writes to the priests of
Derby against preaching for hire, &c.—also against
persecution—to Barton and Bennet, justices, on the same
subject—to Justice Bennet against covetousness—to Justice
Barton, a preacher and a persecutor—to the Mayor of Derby
against persecution and oppression—to the court of Derby
against oaths and oppression—to the bell-ringers of Derby
against vanities and worldly pleasures—his jailer is
convinced—Justice Bennet first gives Friends the name of
Quakers in derision—writes to Friends and others, to open their
understandings, and to direct them to their true Teacher within
themselves—to the convinced people, directing them to internal
silence and to true obedience—an encouragement to the
faithful—to the justices of Derby against persecution, thrice
repeated—to the priests of Derby, on the same subject—to the
justices of Derby, to prize their time, and to depart from
evil—the like to Colonel Barton, justice, and warning of the
plagues and vengeance hanging over the oppressor. 42