Read Part One HERE
In this post I will continue to focus on Evangelical women born in 1600, this time focusing on a woman named Elizabeth Bathurst. She lived from 1655 - 1685. She was born in London, England. Her father was Charles Bathurst and her step-mother Grace Bathurst. She attended a Presbyterian Church but in 1678 two prominent Friends visited the Bathurst home where religious seekers were often welcomed. As a consequence of that visit, she became a Quaker.
During the 1680's, Elizabeth travelled in the minstry, often with her father, enduring persecution and time in jail. She was imprisoned at least once in the Marshalsa prison.
Elizabeth was recognised during her lifetime by the Quaker community as a gifted writer. George Whitehead, who discussed her major work with her before its publication in 1683, commented on her "excellent gift, both of understanding, life and utterance." She has been described by historian Sarah Apetrei as "by far the most theologically sophisticated" of the numerous women leaders among early Quakers.
One of her writings was "The sayings of Women... in several places of the Scriptures" presenting a theological defence of women's authority to preach and teach.
Elzabeth died in 1685.
Read Part Six HERE
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