During much of the civil war and Interregnum, the English church was far too preoccupied with its own internal convulsions to concern itself with its relations with Catholic and Protestant communities abroad.

In those vast surroundings this box looked so lonely and so small that the sight of it moved me to internal convulsions.

Marinid Morocco subsequently went into internal convulsions, too busy for active intervention in Spain, clearing the way for a renewed attempt by the Castilians on Algeciras and Gibraltar.

He sat erect, with a kind of internal convulsion struggling to keep itself motionless; his eye from time to time flashing wilder, his lip curling in Titanic scorn.

It was the earthquake period, caused by internal convulsions, which suddenly modified the unsettled features of the terrestrial surface.

Outsiders do not start or stop these internal convulsions - but what should the U.S. say to the people in agony who are brave enough to oppose armed Communists clinging to power?

Or this: China, not now a rogue state, goes into an internal convulsion and an irrational warlord attacks Taiwan.

("The principle purposes to be answered by union are these - the common defense of the members - the preservation of the public peace as well against internal convulsions as external attacks").

He went into what seemed an internal convulsion of silent chuckles.

Hungary, perched on the Soviet Union's western border, is adjusting its trade and diplomatic policies to accommodate a fitful and ailing neighbor, one whose internal convulsions have often been dangerous for those living next door.