This I Warn You In Love: witness of some early Quaker women

At the birth of the Quaker Way, the witness of women Friends was as powerful as the steadfastness of men. Their prophetic stand had to be doubly courageous. As chattels of their husbands, women had no independence. To break all conventions and travel in the ministry to preach with passion invited imprisonment as vagrants and whores. From their prison writings we learn of resilience and audacity. They outspokenly challenged injustices, penning pamphlets to be printed and broadcast, proclaiming their new-found faith. Punishments were often vicious and borne bravely. 'This I warn you in love' first sets the scene of these calamitous times of social revolution after civil war. It addresses early Quaker women in these troubled circumstances, looks at a moment in history, asks what is early Quaker mysticism and examines the role of Quakers and the Bible. Then evidence, rarely seen, is given from the writings of eleven women, three in pairs, each with an introduction that puts the words into context. They are further movingly brought to life on the accompanying CD. It is stirring and inspiring material. This booklet will challenge us, whether in study groups or individually, to ask where such radical faith could lead today.