This thesis deals both with how Quakers were perceived during the 16505 by their opponents, particularly by the clergy, and how they perceived their own role in seventeenth century society. It is argued that they adopted a prophetic role modelled upon that of the Hebrew prophets, that they were deeply influenced by the apocalyptic and millenarian thought which was widespread in seventeenth century England, and that within the context of this thought, they saw themselves as prophets of the last days. It is further argued that they undermined the clergy's function as transmitters and interpreters of the word of Scripture to the people, and therefore the role of religion as an agent for social control. Finally the retrospective view of Quakerism in the 1650s, which is presented in the early Manuscript texts of Fox's Journal and the first printed text, published in 1694, is analysed. The analysis attempts to discover the exact nature of the view which Quakers in the later seventeenth century were projecting of their earlier history, and how this differed from the reality.