The humble, meek, merciful, just, pious, and devout souls are everywhere of one religion; and when death has taken off the mask they will know one another though the divers liveries they wear here makes them strangers. This world is a form; our bodies are form; and no visible act of devotion can be without forms. But the less form in religion, the better, since God is a spirit....

– William Penn, Some Fruits of Solitude, 1693

Prefatory Remarks:

Note: Biblical quotations throughout the book are from these translations, noted by title initials: