Letters on England | Page 7

Voltaire

obliged," says he, "to suffer it, because no one knows when a man rises
up to hold forth whether he will be moved by the Spirit or by folly. In
this doubt and uncertainty we listen patiently to everyone; we even
allow our women to hold forth. Two or three of these are often inspired
at one and the same time, and it is then that a most charming noise is
heard in the Lord's house." "You have, then, no priests?" say I to him.
"No, no, friend," replies the Quaker, "to our great happiness." Then
opening one of the Friends' books, as he called it, he read the following
words in an emphatic tone:- "'God forbid we should presume to ordain
anyone to receive the Holy Spirit on the Lord's Day to the prejudice of
the rest of the brethren.' Thanks to the Almighty, we are the only
people upon earth that have no priests. Wouldst thou deprive us of so
happy a distinction? Why should we abandon our babe to mercenary
nurses, when we ourselves have milk enough for it? These mercenary
creatures would soon domineer in our houses and destroy both the
mother and the babe. God has said, 'Freely you have received, freely
give.' Shall we, after these words, cheapen, as it were, the Gospel, sell
the Holy Ghost, and make of an assembly of Christians a mere shop of
traders? We don't pay a set of men clothed in black to assist our poor,
to bury our dead, or to preach to the brethren. These offices are all of
too tender a nature for us ever to entrust them to others." "But how is it
possible for you," said I, with some warmth, "to know whether your
discourse is really inspired by the Almighty?" "Whosoever," says he,
"shall implore Christ to enlighten him, and shall publish the Gospel

truths he may feel inwardly, such an one may be assured that he is
inspired by the Lord." He then poured forth a numberless multitude of
Scripture texts which proved, as he imagined, that there is no such
thing as Christianity without an immediate revelation, and added these
remarkable words: "When thou movest one of thy limbs, is it moved by
thy own power? Certainly not; for this limb is often sensible to
involuntary motions. Consequently he who created thy body gives
motion to this earthly tabernacle. And are the several ideas of which thy
soul receives the impression formed by thyself? Much less are they,
since these pour in upon thy mind whether thou wilt or no;
consequently thou receivest thy ideas from Him who created thy soul.
But as He leaves thy affections at full liberty, He gives thy mind such
ideas as thy affections may deserve; if thou livest in God, thou actest,
thou thinkest in God. After this thou needest only but open thine eyes
to that light which enlightens all mankind, and it is then thou wilt
perceive the truth, and make others perceive it." "Why, this," said I, "is
Malebranche's doctrine to a tittle." "I am acquainted with thy
Malebranche," said he; "he had something of the Friend in him, but was
not enough so." These are the most considerable particulars I learnt
concerning the doctrine of the Quakers. In my next letter I shall
acquaint you with their history, which you will find more singular than
their opinions.

LETTER III.--ON THE QUAKERS

You have already heard that the Quakers date from Christ, who,
according to them, was the first Quaker. Religion, say these, was
corrupted a little after His death, and remained in that state of
corruption about sixteen hundred years. But there were always a few
Quakers concealed in the world, who carefully preserved the sacred fire,
which was extinguished in all but themselves, until at last this light
spread itself in England in 1642.
It was at the time when Great Britain was torn to pieces by the intestine
wars which three or four sects had raised in the name of God, that one

George Fox, born in Leicestershire, and son to a silk- weaver, took it
into his head to preach, and, as he pretended, with all the requisites of a
true apostle--that is, without being able either to read or write. He was
about twenty-five years of age, irreproachable in his life and conduct,
and a holy madman. He was equipped in leather from head to foot, and
travelled from one village to another, exclaiming against war and the
clergy. Had his invectives been levelled against the soldiery only he
would have been safe enough, but he inveighed against ecclesiastics.
Fox was seized at Derby, and being carried before a justice of peace, he
did not once offer to pull off his leathern hat, upon which
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