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George Fox
George Fox (1624 - 1691). English Dissenter, founder of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), born in Drayton-in-the-Clay, Leicestershire. Apprenticed as a shoemaker, he left home at 19, seeking spiritual truth amid Puritan and Anglican tensions. In 1647, after visions and direct experiences of God, he began preaching an “inner light” accessible to all, rejecting clergy and formal worship. By 1652, he gathered followers in northern England, forming the Quakers, known for pacifism and simplicity. Fox traveled across England, Ireland, the Netherlands, and America, enduring eight imprisonments for his beliefs, including at Lancaster Castle. He wrote Journal (1694) and numerous letters, shaping Quaker theology with calls for equality and justice. Married to Margaret Fell in 1669, a key Quaker leader, they had no children, but she had eight from her prior marriage. His 1660 Declaration rejected violence, influencing conscientious objection. Fox’s emphasis on personal revelation transformed Protestantism, and his writings remain central to Quaker thought.
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Sermon Summary
George Fox emphasizes the importance of walking in the Light, which enlightens and teaches good manners and pure communication. He encourages believers to use the 'Besom' to sweep away corrupt manners and vain communication, allowing the Light to judge and condemn what is not of God. Fox urges that speaking should only be done as moved by the Spirit of the Lord, promoting obedience as faithful servants to enter into the joy of the Lord. He warns against pride and stresses the need to keep it down through the Eternal Spirit.
Scriptures
The Besom
SO, all walk in the Light, with which we are Enlightned, for it will teach you all the good Manners and pure Communications. . . . And all walking in the Light ye have the Besom; labour to sweep the Land from such corrupt Manners and vain Communication, and with the Light all that comes to be Judged down. So the Light is the Judge and the Condemnation; and in the Light walk, and ye will shine. . . . And Friends, none to speak abroad, but as ye are moved of God with the Spirit of the Lord, and to that be obedient, as faithful Servants, that ye may enter into the Joy of your Lord. . . . And Friends, none to speak abroad, but as ye are moved of God with the Spirit of the Lord, and to that be obedient, as faithful Servants, that ye may enter into the Joy of your Lord. . . . And take heed of Pride, but by the Eternal Spirit, keep all that down, and judge it. . . .
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George Fox (1624 - 1691). English Dissenter, founder of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), born in Drayton-in-the-Clay, Leicestershire. Apprenticed as a shoemaker, he left home at 19, seeking spiritual truth amid Puritan and Anglican tensions. In 1647, after visions and direct experiences of God, he began preaching an “inner light” accessible to all, rejecting clergy and formal worship. By 1652, he gathered followers in northern England, forming the Quakers, known for pacifism and simplicity. Fox traveled across England, Ireland, the Netherlands, and America, enduring eight imprisonments for his beliefs, including at Lancaster Castle. He wrote Journal (1694) and numerous letters, shaping Quaker theology with calls for equality and justice. Married to Margaret Fell in 1669, a key Quaker leader, they had no children, but she had eight from her prior marriage. His 1660 Declaration rejected violence, influencing conscientious objection. Fox’s emphasis on personal revelation transformed Protestantism, and his writings remain central to Quaker thought.