Page "George Fox" Paragraph 45

Following extensive travels around the various American colonies, George Fox returned to England in June 1673 confident that his movement was firmly established there.

Back in England, however, he found his movement sharply divided among provincial Friends ( such as William Rogers, John Wilkinson and John Story ) who resisted establishment of women's meetings and the power of those who resided in or near London.

With William Penn and Robert Barclay as allies of Fox, the challenge to Fox's leadership was eventually put down.

But in the midst of the dispute, Fox was imprisoned again for refusing to swear oaths after being captured at Armscote, Worcestershire.

His mother died shortly after hearing of his arrest and Fox's health began to suffer.

Margaret Fell petitioned the king for his release, which was granted, but Fox felt too weak to take up his travels immediately.

Recuperating at Swarthmoor, he began dictating what would be published after his death as his journal and devoted his time to his written output: letters, both public and private, as well as books and essays.

Much of his energy was devoted to the topic of oaths, having become convinced of its importance to Quaker ideas.

By refusing to swear, he felt that he could bear witness to the value of truth in everyday life, as well as to God, who he associated with truth and the inner light.