In the 17th century, many men and women became disenchanted with the existing denominations and sects of Christianity in England: Catholicism, Anglicism, Puritanism, etc. It was difficult to accept one set of beliefs over that of all others. Some men and women developed individual spiritual beliefs, arising from God's presence in their internal conscience. They accepted that an "Inter Light" guided their lives and lived accordingly. These individualists soon fell into disfavor with the establishment, to use a Sixties' phrase.

George Fox, generally credited with being the co-founder of the movement, was its principal early exponent. He believed that direct experience of God was available to all people, without mediation (e.g. without hired clergy, or going through outward sacraments like Mass). Fox described this by writing that "Christ has come to teach His people Himself."

While Quakers do not deny Scripture, they never accepted the Bible as the Word of God. That came directly from God or Christ through the individual. This gave a strong level of mystiscism to the sect. It also enabled them to escue a creed, accepting direct witnessing as providing guidence. They forego oaths, allegiences, and "anti-God" laws. Their worship service is inter-driven. The lack of clergy immediately put the orthodox denominations, dependent on clergy, against the Society.

One of the leading men, and possibly an ancestor, Isaac Penington wrote in 1670: "It is not enough to hear of Christ, or read of Christ, but this is the thing - to feel him my root, my life, my foundation..."

The early Quakers suffered horrible, indescribable persecutions both in England and in America in the first half of the 17th Century. Their seemingly only hope was to secure a grant of land in America where they could worship as they desired free of Royal persecution. That was finally granted in 1690 when young William Penn received title to Pennsylvania.