During his stint as a Conscientious Objector in World War II, Robert Leach was led to distill this abbreviation of Penington's works. "The spiritual writings of Isaac Penington (1617-1679) evoke a real response in our present war-torn world. Their advice concerning the slow growth of inward comprehension speaks to our condition."

The "first edition, of 1681, has been several times republished and a number of books of selections have been edited. These are now out of print. For this reason the crystal-clear purity of Isaac Penington's heavenly cadences is scarcely available to any but scholars... The lyric beauty of Penington's free verse carries the reader along to the subject of public worship, in which Christ himself speaks."

"Half of Isaac Penington's twenty-two Quaker years were spent in prison - "in outward bonds for Christ's sake." At first hand he knew of the blessed community, of the persecuting spirit, and of men's dependence upon war and violence. In the Inward Journey we participate in this flood-tide of Christian experience. We become "tinctured" by the authenticity of the witness that is here recorded. We should be, in a measure, revitalized by means of Isaac Penington's heavenly words."

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