The Light in Their Consciences: Early Quakers in Britain, 1646-1666

by Rosemary Moore

Overview

Hailed upon its publication as “history at its finest” by H. Larry Ingle and called “the essential foundation to explore early Quaker history” by Sixteenth Century Journal, Rosemary Moore’s The Light in Their Consciences is the most comprehensive, readable history of the first decades of the life and thought of The Society of Friends. This twentieth anniversary edition of Moore’s pathbreaking work reintroduces the book to a new generation of readers.

Drawing on an innovative computer-based analysis of primary sources and Quaker and anti-Quaker literature, Moore provides compelling portraits of George Fox, James Nayler, Margaret Fell, and other leading figures; relates how the early Friends lived and worshipped; and traces the path this radical group followed as it began its development into a denomination. In doing so, she makes clear the origins and evolution of Quaker faith, details how they overcame differences in doctrinal interpretation and religious practice, and delves deeply into clashes between and among leaders and lay practitioners.

Thoroughly researched, felicitously written, and featuring a new introduction, updated sources, and an enlightening outline of Moore’s research methodology, this edition of The Light in Their Consciences belongs in the collection of everyone interested in or studying Quaker history and the era in which the movement originated.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780271085890
Publisher:	Penn State University Press
Publication date:	01/24/2020
Series:	The New History of Quakerism , #1
Edition description:	Twentieth Anniversary Edition
Pages:	350
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.91(d)

About the Author

An active member of The Society of Friends since 1954, Rosemary Moore is an honorary staff member with the Centre for Research in Quaker Studies at Woodbrooke. She is coauthor of The Quakers, 1656–1723: The Evolution of an Alternative Community, also published by Penn State University Press.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations ix

Preface and Acknowledgments from the First Edition of 2000 xi

Introduction to the Twentieth Anniversary Edition xv

Part I Quaker Beginnings, 1646-1658

1 Genesis 1

2 The Quaker Explosion 23

3 The Consequences of James Nayler 37

Part 2 Shaping The Quaker Faith

4 The Biblical Framework 53

5 The Kingdom of the Lord 62

6 Putting Experience into Words 77

7 Heated Controversy 90

8 Serious Theology 100

Part 3 Quakers In Practice

9 Walking in the Light 117

10 Foundations of the Gospel Order 131

11 Quakers Meeting 144

12 "Sufferings" Before the Restoration 157

Part 4 Turmoil And Transition, 1659-1666

13 The Defeat of the Radicals 169

14 Survival 182

15 The Consequences of John Perrot 195

16 Poetry, Testimonies, and Pastoral Epistles 206

17 Metamorphosis 216

Appendix 1 Sources of Information for Early Quakerism 231

Appendix 2 Research Methods 239

Appendix 3 Table of Publications 245

Notes 249

Selected Bibliography 299

Index 311