A Refutation of Some of the More Modern Misrepresentations of the Society of Friends, Commonly Called Quakers; With a Life of James Nayler by Joseph ... History, Doctrine and Discipline of Friends - Softcover

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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1800. Excerpt: ... A SUMMARY, &c. CHAPTER I. HISTORY. The beginning of the seventeenth century is known to have been a time of great dissention in England, respecting religion. Many pious persons had been dissatisfied with the settlement of the Church of England in the reign of Queen Elizabeth. Various societies of Dissenters had accordingly arisen; some of whom evinced their sincerity by grievous sufferings, under the intolerance of those who governed church affairs, (a) But these societies, notwithstanding their honest zeal, seem to have stopped short in their progress towards a complete reformation; (b) and, degenerating into formality, to have left their most enlightened members still to lament the want of something more instructive, and consolatory to the soul, than the most rigorous observance of their ordinances had ever produced. Thus dissatisfied and disconsolate, they were ready to follow any teacher, who seemed able (fi) Snveljp. j,6. $dit. 17a. (J) Penn.vol, J, p.ail, ai. edit. 178. to direct them to that light and peace of which they felt the need. Many such in succession engaged their attention; until, finding the insufficiency of them all, they withdrew from the communion of every visible church; and dwelt retired, and attentive to the inward state of their own minds; often deeply distressed for the want of that true knowledge of God, which they saw to be necessary for salvation, and for which, according to their ability, they fervently prayed. These sincere breathings of spirit being answered by the extension of some degree of heavenly consolation, they became convinced, that as the heart of man is the scene of the tempter's attacks, it must also be that of the Redeemer's victory. With renewed fervency, therefore, they sought his appearance in theif minds; a...

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