Matrimony in the true church : the practical and theological foundations of the 17th century Quaker marriage approbation discipline evinced in early Quaker practice and in the works and marriage of George Fox and Margaret Fell

• Main Author: Polder, Kristianna Katinka
• Published: University of Aberdeen 2011
• Subjects: 289.6
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.553839

Matrimony in the True Church:The practical and theological foundations of the 17th century Quaker marriage approbation discipline evinced in early Quaker practice and in the works and marriage of George Fox and Margaret Fell This thesis explores the early Quaker marriage approbation process and discipline as demonstrated through the works and marriage of the movement's leaders, George Fox and Margaret Fell. I intend to prove how the marriage approbation discipline, in both theory and practice, was an expression of the early Quakers' self-perception as the one and only True Church. The practical aspects of the early Quaker marriage approbation is considered followed by a discussion of the early Quakers' desire to maintain order. A review ofthe plentiful contributions of Fox and Fell to the marriage discipline is then discussed. Finally, an analysis of early Quaker Meeting Minutes, with a focus on the Bristol Men's Meeting Minutes, which approbated Fox and Fell's marriage, as well as the Women's Meeting Minutes, indicate the pragmatic issues which arose and how they creatively dealt with these issues. The marriage approbation discipline exhibits various aspects of early Quaker theology: 'Good Order' and their desire to return to the primitive Christianity of the apostolic church; their interpretation ofthe marriage of the Lamb with the True Church; their belief in the unity between each other and the divine through an encounter with the inward light of Christ; and their adherence to endogamous marriages. The meaning of 'honourable marriages with undefiled beds' is addressed, in addition to the the increasing importance of 'Gospel Family Order'. The marriage approbation process of the union between Fox and Fell was presented as a testimony of the union of Christ and his Church. An analysis ofthe biblical imagery within a letter written by Fox and the extant approbation and wedding testimonies, illuminates the spiritual nature oftheir marriage. In conclusion, their marriage is considered through their correspondence in the context of the spiritual gravity originally bestowed upon it.