In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, Fox and Wesley possessed by the same essential vision, broke away from the institution which was no longer supple enough to meet their needs, and formed their fresh groups outside the old herd.
When such creative personalities appear and such groups are founded by them, the phenomena of the spiritual life reappear in their full vigour, and are disseminated.

A new vitality, a fresh power of endurance, is seen in all who are drawn within the group and share its mind.

This is what St.Paul seems to have meant, when he reminded his converts that they had the mind of Christ.

The primitive friars, living under the influence of Francis, did practice the perfect poverty which is also perfect joy.

The assured calm and willing sufferings of the early Christians were reproduced in the early Quakers, secure in their possession of the inner light.