SermonIndex Audio Sermons
SermonIndex - Promoting Revival to this Generation

Give To SermonIndex
Text Sermons : George Fox : Epistle 375

Open as PDF

Dear friends,—In all your meetings, see that the Lord God be glorified, and have an eye to his glory, and let all things be done without strife [Phil 2:3] or reflections; but all to mind the testimony of life, and that which doth preserve your unity in it; and in that you will seek one another's good, and not slight one another; but to esteem one another [Phil 2:3] in the truth, and keep low in humility, for such God will exalt [1 Pet 5:6]. And be kind and tender hearted one to another, and dwell in the love of God, that he doth shed abroad in your hearts [Rom 5:5]; for that love which cometh from God doth edify the body of Christ [Eph 4:16/12]. And therefore you must be of a noble spirit, that are of the noble birth, born of the spirit; and to love the brotherhood in the spirit, and to esteem all men and women, as they are God's creation; whose natural sun shineth and rain falleth upon the just and unjust [Mat 5:45], and on their natural fields; and so doth God's eternal son of righteousness [Mal 4:2] shine with his light, and grace, and spirit, that he doth enlighten them withal, and gives his grace and peace to all; for his spirit is poured out upon all [Joel 2:28]. Thus doth he shine through all, and upon all, and over all, and above all; and therefore let your light shine [Mat 5:16], that are the believers in the light, that are become the children of the light [John 12:36], that others may glorify your Father which is in heaven in seeing your good works [Mat 5:16], and your good and gracious words, and lives and conversations; and mind the more excellent way [1 Cor 12:31] the apostle showeth to the Corinthians, which is the charity that will bear all things, and is not puffed up, nor envieth not [1 Cor 13:7,4]. This doth keep above all brittleness.

And, friends, after that your meetings are settled and seasoned by the power of the Lord, if you do alter them, without the consent of Friends in the power of the Lord, that makes and breeds discontent; and therefore keep them, after they are settled, in the power of the Lord, (and you settled in it,) upon Christ the holy rock and foundation of God, that standeth sure [2 Tim 2:19]. And in all your meetings, if there be any difference between brother and brother, do not reflect one upon another in meetings, but speak one to another between yourselves, as Christ commands Mat 18:15]; and then you may preach the gospel of peace [Rom 10:15] freely, and speak the truth in the love of it [Eph 4:15?], as it is in Christ Jesus. And this <213> is the best way; so that nothing may be seen in your meetings but the life, truth, and peace; so that the serpent, whose meat is dust [Isa 65:25], may find none in your meetings; and none to quench nor abuse the power or spirit [1 Th 5:19/1 Cor 9:18], nor any to go beyond its motion; for, if you do, you will both bring trouble and burthens upon yourselves, and others, and run out, that so you can hardly get in again. And therefore be wise in the heavenly wisdom of God, to be ordered in his spirit of understanding, to the glory of God, and the comfort and edifying of his people; that you all may know how to behave yourselves in the church of God, to the glory of God. And let all your lives and conversations preach virtue, purity, righteousness, holiness, and godliness, else you cannot be the lights of the world, nor the salt of the earth [Mat 5:13f]. And when any do badly or wickedly, they, instead of being lights or salt, are unsavoury, and are stumbling blocks; and when the salt hath lost its savour, it is good for nothing, but to be trodden under the foot of men [Mat 5:13]; and therefore keep your savour, and then you will not come under the foot of men; and in the light, and then you will not go into darkness.

And therefore have salt in yourselves [Mark 9:50], and oil in your own lamps [Mat 25:1-10], and keep in your own houses [Jude 1:6?], (for it is the whore that abideth not in her own house [Prov 7:11],) with the word of life [1 Jn 1:1], and grace, and truth within, and to the light and purifying faith [Acts 15:9], and mortifying and baptizing holy spirit of God [1 Cor 12:13/Rom 8:13]; the fruits of which spirit are love, peace, long suffering, gentleness, meekness, temperance [Gal 5:22f]. And bear one another's burthens, and so fulfil the law of Christ [Gal 6:2]; and forgive one another, as Christ hath forgiven you [Col 3:13]; and strive to excel one another in holiness, and righteousness, and godliness, and meekness, and modesty, in virtue, truth, and love, that you may all live to the praise and glory of God. Amen. And the Lord saith, Isaiah xlix. 8. speaking of Christ, ‘I will give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages. [Isa 49:8]’ So that you may see the fulfilling of this in the promise, and have a care of God's glory; and all live in the seed Christ, your sanctuary, which is a safe place, over all storms, and destroyers, who was before they were, and will be when they are gone; in whom you all have rest and peace; and by whom you are presented to God, holy [Eph 5:27] in body, soul, and spirit. And therefore all must be kept clean and holy, if that they do offer up, or be presented to him that is holy; and therefore you must be a holy people [Deut 7:6, etc], and walk in the holy truth, and obey the holy word of God [Deut 30:14], and walk godly, as the grace of God teaches, which brings salvation [Tit 2:11f], and walk in the light [1 Jn 1:7]; if that you do keep in the fellowship, in the heavenly light. And in this you do differ from the world that make a profession of the scriptures of truth [Dan 10:21], and dishonour God, and cause his holy name to be blasphemed [Rom 2:23f], by their not obeying the word, nor walking in the light, spirit, grace, and truth, <214> whose candle is gone out [Job 18:6], and now cannot endure to hear talk of the light. And therefore let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven [Mat 5:16];' and then you will have his favour, presence, and blessing; and the Lord God Almighty preserve you all, and Friends every where, in his power and seed Christ Jesus. Amen.

G. F.





©2002-2024 SermonIndex.net
Promoting Revival to this Generation.
Privacy Policy