The writings of John Greenleaf Whittier, Volume 6.
John Greenleaf Whittier, Ed.

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[109] After the meeting was over, he was induced to visit a ‘Friend’ then confined in Banbury jail, whom he found preaching through the grates of his cell to the people in the street. On seeing Roberts he called to mind the story of Zaccheus, and declared that the word was now to all who were seeking Christ by climbing the tree of knowledge, ‘Come down, come down; for that which is to be known of God is manifested within.’ Returning home, he went soon after to the parish meeting-house, and, entering with his hat on, the priest noticed him, and, stopping short in his discourse, declared that he could not go on while one of the congregation wore his hat. He was thereupon led out of the house, and a rude fellow, stealing up behind, struck him on the back with a heavy stone. ‘Take that for God's sake,’ said the ruffian. ‘So I do,’ answered Roberts, without looking back to see his assailant, who the next day came and asked his forgiveness for the injury, as he could not sleep in consequence of it.

We next find him attending the Quarter Sessions, where three ‘Friends’ were arraigned for entering Cirencester Church with their hats on. Venturing to utter a word of remonstrance against the summary proceedings of the Court, Justice Stephens demanded his name, and, on being told, exclaimed, in the very tone and temper of Jeffreys: ‘I've heard of you. I'm glad I have you here. You deserve a stone doublet. There's many an honester man than you hanged.’ ‘It may be so,’ said Roberts, ‘but what becomes of such as hang honest men?’ The Justice snatched a ball of wax