George Fox being at my house (as I remember, it was that time that he came into our Country, to set up the monthly, and quarterly Meetings) and there being several Writings or Epistles read of George’s, which were as Instructions to Friends, to be read at the quarterly Meetings, in which there was written (as I remember) that such Friends that did pay Tythe, should be exhorted, or admonished, which I took notice of, and when I had a convenient Opportunity, as George was in my Garden, I told him, there was two or three Priests, and two impropriators did claim Tythe of me or of my Land; but unto the Priests I had never paid any, and as for the Impropriators, I did not much contend with them, but did suffer them to take the Tythe; said G.F. to me canst not thou buy it? buy it (said he.) I answered him, that I did look upon it to be no odds, or difference between paying of it, and buying of it. So that what George did then say to me, I took it that it was in tenderness to me, and so I believe to this day.
Burton-Hill the 18th of the 11th Mo. 1677
Robert Arch.
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