FOX AND HUBBERTHORN S A DECLARATION FROM THE HARMLESS AND INNOCENT PEOPLE OF GOD, CALLED QUAKERS (1660)

Transcription

1 FOX AND HUBBERTHORN S A DECLARATION FROM THE HARMLESS AND INNOCENT PEOPLE OF GOD, CALLED QUAKERS (1660) A. INTRODUCTION When the British monarchy was restored in 1660 Quakers, along with the other radical and nonconformist religious groups that had emerged during the English Revolution, were regarded as a threat to the new regime. King Charles in his Declaration of Breda (April 1660) had promised religious toleration for all who did not threaten the peace. However, before the Restoration year was out, a group called the Fifth Monarchists attempted a violent insurrection in London. Although the uprising did not succeed, it prompted a severe crackdown on dissenting groups and the imprisonment of many hundreds of Quakers. It was within this context that Friends made two key declarations to the King and Parliament asserting their peaceable principles. Margaret Fell wrote the first declaration and after a few months this was followed up by a second declaration signed by a number of prominent male Quaker leaders including George Fox and Richard Hubberthorn, who were probably its principal authors. This latter declaration is the one that has been remembered in Quaker history. This papers offers a summary of the key points in the declaration and a modern English paraphrase of the text. B. THE KEY POINTS: 1. We have been liberated from violent urges - The motivations that lead to violent conflict come from the human desire to own and control things. God has liberated us from these urges and so we can no longer fight or kill. We have been liberated from the ways of war and violence and instead endure suffering with patience. This is the way of God s people. 2. The Lord has taught us to reject war and fighting We are a truthful people who follow the way of Christ and the apostles. Taking up arms is contrary to this way. Violence, insurrection and plotting are the ways of the world not the way of Christ. 3. The Spirit that leads us is a consistent Spirit Because we are a spirit-led people, you claim that if the spirit tells us to we rise up and fight against the authorities. However, we know that the Spirit of Christ which leads us is a consistent Spirit. It will not teach us one day that something is evil and to be avoided and then the next day lead us to do that same thing. The Spirit of Christ will never lead us to fight or kill. 4. The Kingdom of God will come by peaceable means - The kingdom of God is a peaceable kingdom. It will not come by physical force or coercion. It can only be realised by God s Spirit changing people s hearts. Our main interest is in helping people to turn to this Spirit that has taught us the Truth and liberated us from the urge to fight and kill. Only spiritual weapons can overcome the evil in human hearts and establish the kingdom of Christ. 1

2 5. We are an innocent people who have suffered persecution - We have been persecuted for our religious beliefs and practices and have often suffered violent attacks against us. Despite this, we have not responded violently or sought revenge of any kind. We were persecuted in the time of Cromwell and the Commonwealth and we are being persecuted now. We were innocent then, and we are innocent now. 6. Our ultimate loyalty is to the Kingdom of God - We are willing to suffer persecution and attacks without fighting back because of our commitment and loyalty to the way of Christ and God s peaceable kingdom. 7. We recognise a legitimate role for human government - We will not fight against the governing authorities. We recognised that these powers have a legitimate role in this world. They were ordained by God in order to keep evil under control. 8. A plea to the governing authorities to act justly - We ask the governing powers to exercise their authority in a moderate and measured way. As Christ Jesus taught, we encourage them to do unto others as you would have them do unto you (Matthew 7:12). C. A PARAPHRASE IN MODERN ENGLISH A Declaration from the harmless and innocent people of God, called Quakers This is a statement from the peace-loving people of God called Quakers. We want to make it clear that, because we opposed war and violence, the king and others in authority in this country need have no cause to suspect us of plotting to overthrow the government by force. We are innocent when it comes to all such accusations. Our way as Quakers is one of peace. We try to follow the way of God and have the best interests of all people at heart. We agree with the Apostle James that war and violent conflict are rooted in human greed and the desire to own and control things (James 4:1-3). The Lord has liberated us from these desires and motivations and therefore we are not led to fight or kill. We reject all violence and will not engage in fighting with physical weapons for any reason. This is our testimony to the whole world. We know, however that a number of accusations have been made against us and so we will answer them here. Accusation You say that you are not a violent people and will not fight physically. However, because you are a group who claim to be led by the spirit, you would fight if the 2

3 spirit moved you to do so. Then you would sell your coat and buy a sword and fight for the kingdom of Christ' (Luke 22:36). Answer We would point out that at his arrest, when Peter pulled out his sword, Jesus told him to put it away because all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Jesus also made it clear that, should he wish, he could call upon his Father to send armies of angels to protect him. He chose not to. We are committed to following the way that Christ Jesus shows us (Luke 22:36, Matthew 26:51-53). In addition, in the Book of Revelation, it is said if you kill with the sword, with the sword you must be killed. Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints. (Revelation 13:10). Christ Jesus told Pilate that his kingdom does not operate by the same rules as the kingdoms of the world and so his people will not fight or use violence (John 18:36). Despite this Pilate crucified him as a plotter against the Roman authorities. Jesus forgave his killers anyway. In this respect we are like Christ. We are falsely accused of sedition so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled. The Spirit of Christ which leads and guides us is a consistent Spirit. It will not teach us that something is evil and to be avoided one day and then tell us to do that very thing the next day. We know by experience and are willing to proclaim to the world that the Spirit of Christ, which unites us with God, will never lead us to fight physically or to hurt anyone in support of either the kingdom of Christ or the kingdoms of this world. Key Point One Because God will establish the kingdom of Christ not by might, nor by power (of physical weapons), but by my spirit, says the Lord (Zechariah 4:6), those who use physical violence and coercion to fight for Christ and his kingdom are wrong and we oppose them. Key Point Two We are not interested in taking control of the kingdoms of this world let alone fighting for them. Instead we wait with great anticipation for God s power in Spirit to work within all people so that the kingdoms of the world become the kingdom of God. For this to happen, Christ must rule within people s hearts so that the many differences of human belief and practice are overcome. This will be a life lived in harmony with God that brings love and unity and they will see the words of the prophet fulfilled nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more (Isaiah 2:4, Micah 4:3). The Lord has made us obedient to his Truth and so we reject war and fighting and can no longer participate in it. This is an honest declaration we make to the whole world. Despite the rumours and accusations that have been made against us, we are 3

4 truthful and consistent in what we say and in what we do. Our main interest is in encouraging others to turn to the Spirit within them so that they too are led into the ways of Truth that we have come to know. Although we have been accused of all manner of evil, we are addressing ourselves to you honestly now in order to demonstrate our integrity and ensure that innocent people are not persecuted unjustly. We are committed to living peaceable and Godly lives under the current governing powers which were ordained by God to punish those who do evil and reward those who do well. When we suffer persecution, it is for the sake of God s righteousness. What matters to us is being true to God s testimony in our consciences. We try to engage with the world and convince those who oppose us by God s grace rather than using earthly wisdom (2 Corinthians 1:12). We proclaim to the whole world that we have not harmed anyone nor damaged their possessions, we have not used violence against anyone and we have not plotted to overthrow the government. When we have suffered at the hands of others we have not sought revenge. We only resist the requirements of human authority when our consciences will not allow us to obey. As a people, we have suffered more than any other. We have been treated like sheep for the slaughter; being persecuted, despised, beaten, stoned, wounded, put in the stocks, whipped, imprisoned, ejected from church buildings, cast into dark dungeons, where we have died in large numbers, kept apart from our friends, denied food for many days and suffering many other acts of cruelty. We have not suffered due to any evil deeds but rather because of the religious practices which we believe God requires of us. We would rather suffer and die than disobey the Lord. We know that the Lord will uphold and support us in our sufferings. We don t want to do any wrong to anyone. All we want is to do God s will. This involves wanting only good and peace for other people. Christ has commanded us not to swear oaths (Matthew 5:34) and not to kill (Matthew 5:21) so this is how we have to behave. From the very beginning, this is what we have believed and so this is how we have behaved. So if we suffer persecution because we are accused of taking up arms and making war, then we suffer unjustly as an innocent people. We will not take up arms or make war because this is contrary to the practice of the apostles and to the way of Christ for whom we are prepared to endure anything that the world throws at us. People attack us with weapons but we never fight back. Instead we offer them our bodies to abuse. There is no honour in attacking a harmless people who will not return violence with violence. Our view is that those involved in plotting, insurrection and violence are following the unrighteous ways of the world. It was these ways that led to the killing of Christ who came to redeem us from these unrighteous ways. We do not abide by the ways of the world but rather give our loyalty to the eternal and incorruptible Kingdom of Christ. In the struggle for this kingdom, our weapons are spiritual and not physical. 4

5 These weapons have the power to overcome evil which lies at the heart of all wars, fighting, murder and plotting (2 Corinthians 10:4). Our swords have been turned into ploughshares and our spears into pruning hooks (Micah 4:3). Therefore we can no longer take part in war or rise up against you, even though you regard us as dangerous subversives. The Lord is aware of our innocence and will uphold us until the day of judgement when everyone will rewarded according to how they have lived. We encourage you to act moderately and in a measured way so that you do not offend the Lord and his people. Consider whether mercy, justice and fairness is the best way to achieve your objectives while at the same time pleasing the Lord. During the days of Oliver Cromwell, our meetings were disrupted and broken up because the authorities suspected us of plotting against the authorities and trying to bring back the monarchy. Now we are accused of platting against King Charles. Can you not see that we were innocent then and we are still innocent today? We stated our opposition to plotting by word of mouth and in writing then and we continue to do so today. Indeed we have suffered greatly for our refusal to take up arms and fight against anyone. We are persecuted for being the innocent lambs of Christ who will not return evil for evil. We present these things to you in the hope that you will consider them carefully. We have been liberated from the ways of war and violence and instead adopt the patience of the saints. We know that, as Christ said, He that takes the sword, shall perish with the sword (Matthew 26:52, Revelation 13:10). This declaration was made by the people called Quakers to convince the king, the government and everyone who suspects us of violent intentions, that we are an innocent and peaceable people. Signed on behalf of the whole body of the Elect People of God who are called Quakers: George Fox, Gerald Roberts, Henry Fell, Richard Hubberthorn, John Boulton, John Hinde, John Stubbs, Leonard Fell, John Furley Jnr. Francis Howgill, Samuel Fisher Thomas Moore. Postscript Although we have been accused of plotting against the authorities and have suffered at the hands of violent people who have disrupted and broken up our meetings (which are used to pray to God and support each other in our faith), yet the Lord pleads our case in the world today. Those who are turned to God meet together regularly (Malachi 3:16) but for doing this we have been thrown into dungeons and prisons whether we are young or old, men or women. We have been attacked over-run by violent people. Our response is to pray The Lord forgive those who have done this to us. We will not respond to these attacks with more violence but will pray that God has mercy on the perpetrators and enable them to see the evil they are doing. Given all of this, how can we still be accused of being plotters? 5

6 Since we experienced for ourselves the life and power of Jesus Christ working within us, we have been liberated from the dark ways of the world, which includes all plotting and violence. We pray that the Lord will have mercy on those who persecute us and forgive them for what they have done. Do as you would be done by. And do unto others as you would have them do unto you. This is the message and the way of the law and the prophets (Matthew 7:12). We reject all plotting, insurrection and disorderly behaviour because this is the way of evil and darkness. We are a people who live in the power of Christ that existed before such evil and has overcome it. We rejected all wars and fighting with physical weapons because we have the sword of the Spirit. We will not fight against those who persecute us but instead leave them to the Lord s judgment. We have written this to show that we are not guilty of any of the accusations of plotting that have been made against us. Stuart Masters Woodbrooke Quaker Study centre