Francis Howgill

Francis Howgill (* 1618 in Todt Horne, † November 20, 1668 ) was a member of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in England. He was a preacher and author, and is considered one of the Valiant Sixty, a group of men and women who have taken in the early days of Quakerism much suffering upon themselves to spread their doctrine.

Life

Howgill was born in Todt Horne. He studied theology and worked for the Anglican Church as a priest. Then he joined the Anabaptists, and had in 1652 a municipality in the county of Yorkshire. In addition, he was in contact with Independents and Seekers. Contact this he held the same until the end of his life. When George Fox preached in the same year on his or her graveyard, Howgill came with the Quakerism in contact. In the same year he joined the Quakers.

When he moved preaching by Westmoreland in the subsequent period with the two Quaker James Nayler, and John Autland, he was arrested. After his release from prison of Appleby he immediately began again with the missionary work in the north of England. In 1654 he went on a mission trip to London, with the aim of the Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell himself to missionary work. But this was not crowned with success. Howgill founded in London the first public Quaker meeting in Watling Street in Moorfilds, near the Bethlem Hospital, in the house of Robert Dring. This gathering grew in the following years up to 3000 visitors per worship or devotion. Were held almost daily devotions.

From 1655 to 1659 his preaching tours led him through Durham, Yorkshire, Northumberland, Ireland and Scotland. The conflict between James Nayler and George Fox, he tried in vain to reach a reconciliation. 1663 Howgill was rearrested; this time because of the refusal of the oath. In addition, he was dispossessed and the rights of citizenship was denied him. In 1669 he died in custody. But even in prison he was visited by Quakers and asked for advice. His advice was many so important that they also took long journeys to the prison in purchasing. Together with Edward Burrough and Margaret case he created the Kendal Fund "for the service of truth". From (Mission ) trips, book projects and other things were financed. Without this discovery to the spread of Quakerism would not be so successful.

Literary work

As the author of Howgill was known in Germany since 1661. He wrote the first Quäkerschrift that was explicitly intended for the German-speaking countries and should support the young Quäkergemeinschaften. It is aimed in his address to the tracker and appeals to them to stop the oppression and to grant freedom of religion. His writings were taken in contrast to other Quäkerautoren, by opposing theologians of mainland note. So he finds a " Fanaticus " in the lexicon of Christian scholars Gottlieb mention. Howgills texts and sermons are often harsh and interspersed with military metaphors. He was known for his pugnacious nature and consciously sought to theological confrontation. Here he also made used of dams and curses, even though he clearly calling for conscience and freedom of belief. After his " Theology of Suffering" he looks at his persecution and his imprisonment as a necessary sign of divine election.