This is the first installment of my notes on my Quaker history talk. Please feel free to write a response if you want more information about anything below.
The period starts with the beginning of George Fox’s ministry – in 1647, he convinced Elizabeth Hooton.
This is the period when Quakerism was born -England during the Commonwealth. The King James translation of the Bible helped spread free thinking about religion. George Fox wandered the countryside seeking out Truth and he had the moment of epiphany described in his Journal:
“And when all my hopes in them and in all men were gone, so that I had nothing outwardly to help me, nor could I tell what to do; then, oh! then I heard a voice which said, ‘There is one, even Christ Jesus, that can speak to thy condition’: and when I heard it, my heart did leap for joy.”
The early Friends who travelled throughout England were called the “Valiant Sixty.” Their goal was to to convert all of Christianity to their way of thinking!
Some important dates:
1652 – George Fox’s vision on Pendle Hill of a great people to be gathered
1652 – George Fox first visits the home of Judge Fell at Swarthmoor Hall
1656 – James Nayler rides into Bristol modeling Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, he is tried by Parliament for blasphemy.
1657 – Mary Fisher visits the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, John Parrott and John Luffe attempt to visit the Pope. The Sultan hears Mary Fisher and lets her go. The papal authorities imprison Parrott and execute Luffe.
Personalities of the time: George Fox, Elizabeth Hooton, William Dewsbury, James Nayler, Margaret Fell, Mary Fisher, Mary Dyer
Reading passage: William Dewsbury
A True Prophecy of the Mighty Day of the Lord
Which is coming, and is appeared in the North of England, and is arising toward the South; and shall overspread this nation, and all nations of the world.
WHEREIN
The Lord is redeeming Sion forth of her long enthralled captivity in Babylon’s kingdom, where she hath been fettered in the cloudy and dark day, into forms and observations, and there kept by the priests, and the teachers of the world, who ran when God never sent them.
Now is the Lord appearing in this day of his mighty power, to gather His elect together, out of all forms and observations, kindreds, tongues and nations; and is making up his jewels, his mighty host, and exalting Jesus Christ to be King of Kings, to lead his Army he hath raised up in the North of England; and is marched towards the South, in the mighty power of the living Word of God, which is sharp as a two edged sword, to cut down the high and low, rich and poor, priests and people: and all the powers of the land, and all the world over, that are fruitless trees that cumbers the ground, defiles the flesh, and walks in disobedience to the righteous law of God, the pure light in the conscience; For who falls on this stone shall be broken, but on whom it falls shall be ground to powder: So shall this Nation, and all the nations of the world by conquered; and the victory witnessed, neither by sword nor spear, but by the Spirit of the Lord
A Word from the Lord to all inhabitants of England, rulers, priests and people, to haste to meet the Lord with speedy repentance, and returning within, to hearken diligently to his counsel, the pure light of Christ in your conscience, to be guided by his power, else you shall perish in your gainsayings; For if his anger be kindled a little, blessed are all they that trust in him.
From the Spirit of the Lord, written by one whose name in the flesh is William Dewsbury, called Quaker with the people of the World, who live in the perishing nature. London, 1655
Source: Early Quaker Writings 1650-1700, edited by Hugh Barbour and Arthur O Roberts, pp93-94
Questions:
1) William Dewsbury uses military imagery. He served briefly in the Parliamentary army. What was the Lamb’s War?
2) What is the pure light of Christ in your conscience? Is this concept similar to modern Quaker beliefs?
This phase ends with the restoration of Charles II to the throne of England in 1660.