Is it more than a coincidence that the Southcottites should reproduce the forms and terminology of a heresy of the fourteenth centur
1
This he mentions in his tract, "A Vision of an Angel," Bradford, Inkersley, 1820.
2
My informant, who knew Wroe well, says: "J. Holt, the young man who saw this, told it me. He is now living at Bradford."
3
Is it more than a coincidence that the Southcottites should reproduce the forms and terminology of a heresy of the fourteenth century? The Abbot Joachim was the prophet then, and his "Eternal Gospel" proclaimed precisely the same doctrines as the "Eternal Gospel" of Joanna. This heresy invaded the ranks of the Franciscans, and produced a tremendous schism, which ended in the prescription of the Fraticelli. For an account of the Abbot Joachim and the Eternal Gospel see Hahn, "Ketzer Geschichte," ii. and iii.; and Dean Milman's "Latin Christianity."
4
The members were obliged to keep books of their earnings, and exhibit them, to prove that they paid 10 per cent. to Wroe.
5
This information comes from some of those who were thus victimised. Some members turned total abstainers, others vegetarians, to economise money in order to pay their subscriptions.
6
J. Aubery, in his "Miscellanies upon Various Subjects," 1696, gives the particulars of this curious story.
7
"The Life of Snowden Dunhill, written by Himself." Howden, 1833.
8
Authorities: – "The Grand Imposter Examined; or, the Life, Trial, and Examination of James Naylor, London, 1656," reprinted in the Harleian Misc., vi., 424. Johannis Lussenii "Hist. u. Schrifft-mässige Erörterung der vor wenig Zeit in Engelland entstandenen secte der Quäcker," in "Quäcker Grueuel," published by authority of the magistrates of Hamburg, 1702. "The Recantation of James Naylor," in "Somers' Tracts," vi., 22, pub. 1659. "Naylor's Writings Collected," 8vo, 1716. Sewell's "Hist. of the Quakers," 1714. Sewell was personally acquainted with Hannah Stranger, one of Naylor's followers. "The Journals of the House of Commons," vi., p. 448-59. Blome's "Fanatick History." J. Whiting's "Account."