After this I met with people that held women have no souls-adding (in light manner) no more than a goose. But I reproved them and told them that was not right, for Mary said "My soul does magnify the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my saviour".
Now although I had great openings, yet great trouble and temptation came many times upon me; so that when it was day I wished for night, and when it was night I wished for day. Although when I had openings they answered one another, and answered the scriptures; for I had great openings of the scriptures.
But my troubles continued, and I was often under great temptations. I fasted much, and walked abroad in solitary places many days, and often took my bible and went and sat in hollow trees and lonesome places till night came on; and frequently in the night walked mournfully about by myself. For I was a man of sorrows in the times of the first workings of the Lord in me.
During all this time I was never joined in profession of religion with any, but gave up myself to the Lord; having forsaken all evil company, and taken leave of father and mother and all other relations, and travelled up and down as a stranger upon the earth, which way the Lord inclined my heart. I kept myself much as a stranger, seeking heavenly wisdom and getting knowledge from the Lord, and was brought off from outward things to rely wholly on the Lord alone.