Guide to True Peace

This book was first edited and printed by William Backhouse and James Janson, two members of the Society of Friends, in the year 1813. It is unique among the publications of Friends in that it does not originate from the pen of a Quaker, but is rather a compilation of excerpts written by Francis Fenelon, Jeanne Guyon (both of France), and Michael de Molinos (of Spain), who each lived and died as (persecuted) members of the Roman Catholic Church. Early Quakers were a decidedly Protestant society, having found good cause to part with the church of Rome in many particular points of doctrine and practice. But with respect to a great many fundamental doctrines and realities relating to the inward nature, experience, and effect of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ—particularly regarding the necessity of experiencing His life in us, and the death of self on the cross—it seems impossible to deny that these three authors and early Friends spoke with one voice, and by one Spirit.