Isaac Penington (Quaker)
Encyclopedia
Isaac Penington was one of the early members of the Religious Society of Friends
(Quakers).
Penington was the oldest son of Isaac Penington, a Puritan who had served as the Lord Mayor of London. Penington married a widow named Mary Springett and they had five children. Penington's stepdaughter Gulielma Springett married William Penn
. Convinced that the Quaker faith was true, Penington and his wife joined the Friends in 1657 or 1658.
Penington became an influential promoter and defender of the Quaker movement, writing extensively on many topics. His writings are prized for their insightful and eloquent exploration of spiritual experience. While read in bulk they can seem repetitious, there is much that is eloquent, moving, and deeply insightful. His Letters have been read continuously within Quakerism for their spiritual counsel, and they deserve to be read more widely within Christianity. His complete works were first published in 1681. They are still in print today and can also be read online.
Penington became an influential promoter and defender of the Quaker movement, publishing several books about it. He was imprisoned six times for his beliefs, starting in 1661. Sometimes the charge was refusal to take an oath. Taking an oath was something that Friends were against doing (see Testimony of Integrity
). Refusing to take an oath was prohibited by the Quaker Act of 1662. At other times Penington was charged with attending a Quaker meeting, which was forbidden by the Conventicle Act
of 1664.
Penington's wife, Mary, was a remarkable woman in her own right . Her daughter Gulielma, from her first marriage, to Sir William Springett (who died young), became the first wife of WIlliam Penn.
Religious Society of Friends
The Religious Society of Friends, or Friends Church, is a Christian movement which stresses the doctrine of the priesthood of all believers. Members are known as Friends, or popularly as Quakers. It is made of independent organisations, which have split from one another due to doctrinal differences...
(Quakers).
Penington was the oldest son of Isaac Penington, a Puritan who had served as the Lord Mayor of London. Penington married a widow named Mary Springett and they had five children. Penington's stepdaughter Gulielma Springett married William Penn
William Penn
William Penn was an English real estate entrepreneur, philosopher, and founder of the Province of Pennsylvania, the English North American colony and the future Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He was an early champion of democracy and religious freedom, notable for his good relations and successful...
. Convinced that the Quaker faith was true, Penington and his wife joined the Friends in 1657 or 1658.
Penington became an influential promoter and defender of the Quaker movement, writing extensively on many topics. His writings are prized for their insightful and eloquent exploration of spiritual experience. While read in bulk they can seem repetitious, there is much that is eloquent, moving, and deeply insightful. His Letters have been read continuously within Quakerism for their spiritual counsel, and they deserve to be read more widely within Christianity. His complete works were first published in 1681. They are still in print today and can also be read online.
Penington became an influential promoter and defender of the Quaker movement, publishing several books about it. He was imprisoned six times for his beliefs, starting in 1661. Sometimes the charge was refusal to take an oath. Taking an oath was something that Friends were against doing (see Testimony of Integrity
Testimony of Integrity
Testimony to integrity and truth, refers to the way many members of the Religious Society of Friends testify or bear witness to their belief that one should live a life that is true to God, true to oneself, and true to others. To Friends, the concept of integrity includes personal wholeness and...
). Refusing to take an oath was prohibited by the Quaker Act of 1662. At other times Penington was charged with attending a Quaker meeting, which was forbidden by the Conventicle Act
Conventicle Act 1664
The Conventicle Act of 1664 was an Act of the Parliament of England that forbade conventicles...
of 1664.
Penington's wife, Mary, was a remarkable woman in her own right . Her daughter Gulielma, from her first marriage, to Sir William Springett (who died young), became the first wife of WIlliam Penn.
Sources
- Works of Isaac Penington. In four volumes. Glenside, PA: Quaker Heritage Press, 1995-97.