Spiritual Reformers in the 16th & 17th Centuries Part 39

[10] _Ibid._ p. C2.

[11] _The Great Mystery of the Great Wh.o.r.e_, p. B.

[12] For evidence of Seeker-groups in America, see my _Quakers in the American Colonies_.

[13] _The Great Mystery of the Great Wh.o.r.e_, pp. B1-B2.

[14] Preface to _A Catechism and Confession of Faith_.

[15] _Works_ (London, 1726), ii. p. 781.

[16] _Ibid._ ii. pp. 781-783.

[17] "Salvation lieth not in literal but in experimental knowledge."--Barclay's _Apology_, Props. V. and VI. sec. 25.

[18] Barclay, "Truth cleared of Calumnies," _Works_ (London, 1691), i.

pp. 1-48.

[19] This view appears _pa.s.sim_ in the works of Isaac Penington.

[20] See Penington's Tract, "Concerning the Seed of G.o.d," _Works_ (edition of 1761), ii. pp. 593-607.

[21] _Apology_, Props. V. and VI. sec. 13. This pa.s.sage could be exactly paralleled in the writings of Schwenckfeld.

[22] It is interesting to see how closely William Law, the great exponent of "Spiritual" Christianity in the eighteenth century, carrying on this train of thought in another channel, approaches the Quaker position: "Thou needest not run here or there saying, 'Where is Christ?' Thou needest not say, 'Who shall ascend into heaven, that is, to bring Christ down from above?' or, 'Who shall descend into the deep, to bring up Christ from the dead?' For, behold, the Word, which is the Wisdom of G.o.d, is in thy heart. It is there as a bruiser of Thy serpent, as a Light unto thy feet and Lanthorn unto thy paths; it is there as an Holy Oil, to soften and overcome the wrathful fiery properties of thy nature, and change them into the humble meekness of Light and Love; it is there as a speaking Word of G.o.d in thy soul; as soon as thou art ready to hear, this eternal, speaking Word will speak wisdom and peace in thy inward parts, and bring forth the birth of Christ, with all His holy nature, spirit, and temper within thee."--"Spirit of Prayer," _Works_, vii. p. 69.

[23] _Works_, ii. p. 780.

[24] _Apology_, Props. V. and VI. sec. 13.

[25] "Truth Cleared of Calumnies," _Works_, i. p. 13.

[26] _Ibid._ i. pp. 13-15.

[27] _Works_, ii. p. 782.

_OTHER VOLUMES IN THIS SERIES_

_EDITED By RUFUS M. JONES_

STUDIES IN MYSTICAL RELIGION. (1908.) By Rufus M. Jones.

THE QUAKERS IN THE AMERICAN COLONIES. (1911).

By Rufus M. Jones, a.s.sisted by Isaac Sharpless and Amelia M. Gummere.

THE BEGINNINGS OF QUAKERISM. (1912.) By William Charles Braithwaite.

THE SECOND PERIOD OF QUAKERISM. (_In preparation._) By William Charles Braithwaite.

THE LATER PERIODS OF QUAKERISM. (_In preparation._) By Rufus M. Jones.