Were Quakers Puritans?

With all the talk of “witch hunts” lately, we’ve noticed that sometimes people confuse Quakers with the Puritans. Clearly they haven’t heard the story of Mary Dyer.
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Max Carter: An old professor of mine at Earlham College, Earlham School of Religion, Hugh Barbour, once wrote a book called “The Quakers in Puritan England.” And it places the first Quakers within the context of the Puritan revolution in England in the mid-1600s. Hugh would describe Quakers as “left-wing Puritans.” They out-Puritan-ed the Puritans.
Were Quakers Puritans?
Now there were several similarities to the Puritans. The Quakers sought to purify the Church, the Church of England at that time. Some within the context of the Church, working from within to purify it. Others leaving the established church because they felt it was a corpse that couldn’t be resuscitated. But there was an attempt at least in the 1640’s, 1650s to purify the Church, to bring it back. To restore original Christianity in the expression of the Church of England.
Theological Disagreements
The Puritans, however (as an official body, capital “P” Puritans), had some beliefs that Quakers disagreed with. These were the major differences between that body of reformers. Primarily, it was that the Puritans believed in predestination, and Quakers believed in the possibility of all people being saved, that there was that “Light” within that when turned-to could lead to salvation, even if one had never heard the name of Jesus, because it was not the name it saved but the power that that name signified, that that name represented, that life and power that John’s gospel says is within each person.
So Quakers believed that when a person, whether they were a professing Christian or a Muslim or a Jew or a Native American or you name it, turned to that inward light which was the light and life and power of Christ within, they could overcome their sin and darkness, turn to the light and be made whole, be “saved/” That was a major difference.
“Preaching Up Sin”
Another major difference that Quakers had with the Puritans was that the Puritans were constantly-as George Fox said-preaching up sin. Constantly referring to humans as “loathsome sinners” as Jonathan Edwards once said, “dangling by a slender thread over the very pits of hell,” and nothing they could do would save them because of their sinful nature in both mind and body.
And as George Fox and other Quakers proclaimed, “You keep preaching up sin, you Puritans. You keep emphasizing the sin of Adam.” “In Adam’s fall we sinnèd all,” as the old McGuffey’s Reader used to say. What about the second Adam? What about Christ, the second Adam, who removes our sin, whose life and light and power enables us to overcome sin? Whereas George Fox once proclaimed, “There is that ocean of darkness and death but above it an infinite ocean of light and love.” And we can come through the darkness into that infinite ocean of light and love.
And so Quakers emphasized that possibility and continually railed against the Puritans for “preaching up sin” rather than that blessing of the second Adam.
Conflict Between Quakers and Puritans
The Quakers were not overly popular with the early Puritans, because there’s no fight like a family fight, and here these Quakers were these “left-wing” Puritans who had these disagreements over the understanding of sin, human nature and the possibility of salvation, opposing predestination and the elect, and were banished from Puritan colonies.
In Massachusetts in the 1650s, it was a capital offense to be caught “driving while Quaker” the third time. You come to the colony as a Quaker the first time, you were turned around and sent back at the captain’s expense. Second time, you were whipped, tortured, often women stripped to the waist, tied to the back of ox carts and whipped and tortured. Sometimes, full body cavity searches to see if there was Quaker material they were trying to smuggle into the commonwealth.
Third time, you were executed. Not that Quakers bear grudges, but we can still name them. William Leddra, Marmaduke Stephenson, William Robinson, and Mary Dyer. Mary Dyer being hanged in 1660 created such a stir that a woman was being executed that even King Charles II sent a missive back to the commonwealth of Massachusetts saying, “Uh, you can torture them. You can beat them, but just don’t hang them anymore.”
More: QuakerSpeak.com/were-quakers-p...

[@Quakerspeak]

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[@plainegrace5712]

I never thought Quakers and Puritans were the same (being from Massachusetts I knew there was a difference), but I do admit to thinking they had gone the way of the Puritans. I don't know how, because of the relief organizations, but I was Catholic, and I had never met a Quaker. Then I drove by the Framingham Friends Meeting and realized it was not a museum. I went to my first meeting, which was completely silent, and half way through it something said "Oh! *This* is where I was supposed to be all this time!".

[@convincedquaker]

Your last two sentences were my identical experience. Sadly, there are currently 600 miles between FFM and me.

[@LeeEricsson]

The Quaker’s were the good guys. The guy on the oatmeal box

[@SBPS20002]

As a Catholic about to join the Anglican Communion, I have a great respect for what Quakers have contributed to the world society and this KZbin channel has opened my eyes to what it means to be a Quaker in the modern world.

[@SharonPoet]

I was so glad to have found this information. ❤As I learn more about the original Quakers, I am finding validation for my own experiences and beliefs, as well as for my work. The core Quaker belief was that God is Love and we can directly connect to Love/Light/God through our own Hearts. And I realize the truth in this, because I've had experiences with it, since going through a grieving/healing process in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Since then I have felt that when we release the suppressed pain that blocks our Hearts, we automatically connect more deeply with Love/Light/God. This is why my work has focused on embracing our feelings and healing our Hearts, in order to bring more Love and compassion into our world. Many people have put me down and thought I was crazy. So, I am glad to be able to back up my realization with a stand for people who had also found the same reality many centuries ago - the original Quakers. I feel much less alone now, even though I do not know if any of the Quakers had realized how people can deepen their direct connection to God, through focusing on healing their own Hearts - through focusing on releasing the supressed emotional pain that blocks Hearts.

[@SharonPoet]

As I watched videos about Quakers, and heard some Quakers talk about their connection to God being a voice they can hear. I found myself hoping that the targeting of them has not included the V2K - the voice to skull radio wave transmission of voices, because this could easily be mistaken for God's voice, by unaware people, and it could seriously mess up their lives. Those who use these types of technologies on targeted people seem to enjoy playing god and controlling peoples lives. Its a horribly intrusive and criminal thing. I hope ALL Quakers become aware of the V2K capabilities of microwave and laser weapons, in case it has been used on them. The voice of the real God/Love/Light is not something I hear in my head. It is what I feel in my heart and experience in my inner visions. It is felt more than heard. Its like a deep inner knowing that can translate into thought, but is not a separate voice in my head. And there is a deep feeling of Love connected to it, the type of pure Love that brings me to tears, because it is so strong and so comforting and so beautiful. But this is just my experience. Perhaps the inner connection to God is different for different people. Or perhaps some people just describe it as something they "heard" because it is so hard to describe - because nothing compares to it and you have to feel it to understand it. But no matter how it is experienced or described; real Love/God speaks to us through our Hearts, not our heads. God is Love.

[@leahroberts8814]

Thank you for making this video. It has helped me as a newcomer to understand better some of the early thinking behind the quaker movement within the context of their history.

[@bbenezra1169]

As American this is my first time learning about Quakers and Puritans in depth of their conflict. Very educational material. Thanks

[@charlesdowning2532]

Excellent video! Your description between Puritan and Quaker were very clearly. Im 9x great grandson of Emmanuel Downing and Lucy Winthrop, sister of John Winthrop. Plus Samuel Gorton and Mary Mayplett of Warwick, RI. Cheers

[@thewayofthegunn]

A very clear & concise analysis.

[@SuperGreatSphinx]

The Puritans were English Reformed Protestants in the 16th and 17th centuries who sought to "purify" the Church of England from its "Catholic" practices, maintaining that the Church of England was only partially reformed. Puritanism played a significant role in English history, especially during The Protectorate. The Puritans were in alliance with the growing commercial world, the parliamentary opposition to the royal prerogative, and the Scottish Presbyterians in the late 1630s with whom they had much in common. Consequently, they became a major political force in England and came to power as a result of the First English Civil War (1642-46). Almost all Puritan clergy left the Church of England after the Restoration of 1660 and the 1662 Uniformity Act, with many continuing to practice their faith in nonconformist denominations, especially in Congregationalist and Presbyterian churches. The nature of the movement in England changed radically, although it retained its character for a much longer period in New England. Puritans by definition were dissatisfied with the limited extent of the English Reformation and with the Church of England's tolerance of practices which they associated with the Catholic Church. They formed and identified with various religious groups advocating greater purity of worship and doctrine, as well as personal and group piety. Puritans adopted a Reformed theology and, in that sense, were Calvinists (as were many of their earlier opponents), but they also took note of radical criticisms of Zwingli in Zürich and Calvin in Geneva. In church polity, some advocated separation from all other established Christian denominations in favour of autonomous gathered churches. These separatist and independent strands of Puritanism became prominent in the 1640s, when the supporters of a Presbyterian polity in the Westminster Assembly were unable to forge a new English national church. Puritanism was never a formally defined religious division within Protestantism, and the term Puritan itself was rarely used after the turn of the 18th century. Some Puritan ideals became incorporated into the Church of England, such as the formal rejection of Roman Catholicism; others were absorbed into the many Protestant denominations that emerged in the late 17th and early 18th centuries in America and Britain. The Congregationalist churches, widely considered to be a part of the Reformed tradition, are descended from the Puritans. Moreover, Puritan beliefs are enshrined in the Savoy Declaration, the confession of faith held by the Congregationalist churches.

[@virginiacrawford8039]

What is the Savoy declaration?

[@TheRockMorton]

Most excellent overview. Years ago I learned that Puritans banned Roger Williams and Anne Hutchinson from their colony. Roger went on to establish Providence, Rhode Island. Roger later became distraught when his close friend John became enthralled by the teachings of Quaker George Fox. Goes to show the dividing nature of religious intolerance.

[@stalfithrildi5366]

Driving Whilst Quaker is quite the concept. Wilfully endangering yourself in the hope of lovingly helping other rod users. With the radio off.

[@SometimeAgo65]

Very interesting! I am supposed to have descended from some of the first settling Quakers. I don't really know but what lead me here was studying religion. Why settlers first came to America, which mentioned puritan. I knew my ancestors were Quaker so it lead me to their first coming here and the differences in Puritans and Quakers, lol. Anyway I think I have a lot to learn. What I'm really trying to find out is, was God behind this move to America? And I think Yes, The Lord must have been for it.

[@OHYS]

The Church of England still is the established church. It is the religion of the state

[@fortbumper]

after much disapointments with many religious groups like George Fox had , we would like also to try to meet the Quakers Please let us know were and how

[@evesperspective7662]

Wow! So well said. We all have light in us because we are breathing. We are capable of having an abundant life if we follow and practice the teachings of Christ.

[@annahkurtin9665]

Chosen ones tossed from England, troubles (vat's nu?) in Holland> New World. new troubles and on and on and in

[@brahimamidedieu6569]

salvation = love God + help men

[@Closed431]

Liked it..Could of been longer like 30 minutes....and since this 6 years ago...guess my message wont be read lol ...since its year 2023 im in

[@Quakerspeak]

I hope you're enjoying our other videos! (And, yep, here we are reading your comments in 2023. 🙂)

[@Closed431]

@@QuakerspeakThank you I will watch your videos when i am on youtube..God Bless

[@benhudson4014]

,,,,,keeping it simple,,,,,,,,

[@tt-jo4bd]

Do quakers believe in the biblical gospel?

[@justarandomgal2683]

Are Quakers Christian? kzbin.info/www/bejne/eX6rZIKne82Smq8

[@JayEhm1517]

No. They do not.

[@frogtownroad9104]

Well no but actually yes.

[@OHYS]

Of course they do!

[@superdevton1137]

In a roundabout way yes

[@Libra13Witch]

I’m a practicing pagan but I’m interested in the Quakers. Would I be welcomed?

[@valeriestoehr5531]

Yes, in many liberal Quaker meetings (the Quaker word for a church).

[@tannerfrancisco8759]

Well, any true Christians should welcome you because as a pagan, you are in need of salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ just as any other human. Once you truly trust in Jesus as having paid the debt for your sins--trust that He was God made man in Jesus to take on the sin of the world for which only God Himself could atone and rose from the dead, defeating death and sin. Through belief on Him and who He says He is, we receive God's grace not through any atoning works or efforts of our own, God forgives us and attributes the righteousness of Jesus Christ to us. When we truly believe, we receive His Holy Spirit and are brought to spiritual life and in right relationship with God again. The Holy Spirit will then assist you in breaking off the shackles of deception which you are under in paganism and you will receive revelation of the Truth from God's Spirit of Truth (the Holy Spirit) to your now born again spirit. You don't have to clean yourself up to come to Jesus--let Him clean you up after you are already His. The Puritans on the other hand are false Christians with no Holy Spirit --they have counterfeit holy spirit(s)--literal demons which keep them in the deception of false religion and fill them with religious pride, murder, and many other antiChrist attitudes. The Puritans trust in their false doctrines and in their own works to prove they are among the elect (the saved) rather than on Christ. To them, grace is just God giving you the opportunity to prove you are "saved" by following the rules rather than actually believing what Christ and the Bible say. But they don't understand they are in demonic deception--otherwise it wouldn't be deception.

[@DUFFYSaraxian]

Spirit will divide flesh and bone. When there is the Light of Christ (truth) I am certain it is impossible to make a uniform “visible” church. Uniform. Mistakes and offenses will occur if uniformity is sought above all else. “They went out from us, but that is because they were not of us”-the conviction of the total sovereignty of the living God is something that once seen (by the grace of God) can never never be removed from those saved. It is the living with it and working it out that is an individual endeavor. Visible Church and the communion thereof, should be of worship and thanksgiving and that is enough for anyone enlightened. I am Irish, not a Jew.

[@JerusalemRemembered28]

Please acknowledge why they were called QUAKERS-it’s because they had received the Baptism of Jesus Christ and were filled with the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in TONGUES of Resurrection Fire. (Acts 2:38) They “quaked” or “trembled” under the power of God when praying in the Holy Spirit (Tongues). This is what it means to “work out your own salvation with fear & trembling.” (Phil 2:12) __________________ John 1:14 🗣🔥📖

[@sheilanixon913]

The early quakers were like modern -day Pentecostals , and Charismatics >They gradually evolved into a very different form of Christianity. . They are very quiet , but still believe in their silent worship being led by the Holy Spirit. My husband's cousin and her family were members of the Bournville meeting , but now attend the meeting in Pickering, North Yorkshire They have a quiet loveliness about them and reflect the presence of God's Spirit living within them.

[@minui8758]

@@sheilanixon913quiet loveliness is the word - saturated in the Holy Spirit rather than obsessed with soteriology, creedalism, and theological complexity. It’s not a bad way to be Christian.