George Fox

    Fox, who came out of a Puritan tradition, went on to become one of the great mystics of his time. In founding the Society of Friends (Quakers) he combined a strong social ethic with deep emotional fervor. Fox’s concern with social justice, eventually lead his followers to be among the most active in the abolition of slavery.

Heavenly Vision

    “Now I was come up in the spirit through the flaming sword, into the paradise of God. All things were new, and all creation gave another smell unto me than before, beyond what words can utter. I knew nothing bu pureness, and innocency, and righteousness, being renewed up into the image of God by Jesus Christ, to the state of Adam, which he was in before he fell. The creation was opened to me; and it was shewed me how all things had their names given them according to their nature and virtue…. But I was immediately taken up in spirit, to see into another and more steadfast state than Adam’s in innocency, even into the state in Christ Jesus that should never fall. And the Lord showed me that such as were faithful to Him, in the power and light of Christ, should come up into that state in which Adam was before he fell; in which the admirable works of the creation and the virtues thereof, may be known through the openings of that divine Word of wisdom and power by which they were made. Great things did the Lord lead me into, anwonderful depths were opened unto me beyond what can by words be declared; but as people come into subjection to the Spirit of God, and grow up in the image and power of the Almighty, they may receive the word of wisdom, that opens all things, and come to know the hidden unity in the Eternal Being.

George Fox, Journal of George Fox.