Epistle 133
George Fox's Epistle 133 emphasizes the blessings associated with meekness, righteousness, and love in the context of faith and covenant with God.
George Fox preaches about the importance of walking in wisdom, gentleness, meekness, thirst for righteousness, mercy, purity of heart, mourning, peacemaking, and enduring persecution for righteousness' sake as outlined in the Beatitudes. He emphasizes that love is essential for edification and that living faith, which is a gift from God, brings victory over the world, purifies the heart, and pleases God. Fox reminds the listeners that being in covenant with God through faith and love brings peace, while rejecting the light condemns individuals and puts them out of the covenant.
Text
Friends,--Towards all men walk in wisdom, and be gentle to all men [2 Tim 2:24]; 'for the meek inherit the earth ,' and receive the blessing [Mat 5:5]. 'And they that thirst after righteousness shall inherit righteousness,' and the blessing [Mat 5:6]. And the 'merciful do obtain mercy' and the blessing [Mat 5:7]. And the <131> 'pure in heart shall see God,' and receive the blessing [Mat 5:8].
And 'Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted [Mat 5:4].' And 'Blessed are the peacemakers, for they are the children of God [Mat 5:9].' And 'Blessed are they that are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of God [Mat 5:10].' And 'Blessed are ye when men shall revile and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for Christ's sake [Mat 5:11].' And it is love that edifieth [1 Cor 8:1], and the edifying is in the most holy faith [Jude 1:20, 1 Tim 1:4], which faith is the gift of God [Eph 2:8], which giveth victory over the world [1 Jn 5:4]; and in this is the blessing, which purifieth the heart [Acts 15:9], and this is it which bringeth to please God [Heb 11:6].
And that which edifieth is the living faith, and not the dead faith [James 2:17]; and love rejoiceth in the truth, and not in the iniquity [1 Cor 13:6], for that is not in love. So ye that are the Lord's lot, (mark!) and are his inheritance [Psa 16:5], and are in covenant with God, with him ye have peace; which covenant is given to all the world. But they that hate the light are out of covenant with God, and by the light they are condemned [John 3:19f]; and those which the light doth condemn are out of the covenant.
G. F
Sermon Outline
- I points: - Walk in wisdom towards all men - The blessings of the meek - Thirsting after righteousness
- II points: - The merciful obtain mercy - The pure in heart shall see God - Comfort for those who mourn
- III points: - Peacemakers as children of God - Persecution for righteousness' sake - Reviling for Christ's sake
- IV points: - The importance of love in edification - Living faith versus dead faith - Covenant with God and peace
Key Quotes
“''Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.''” — George Fox
“''Love that edifieth is in the most holy faith.''” — George Fox
“''Those which the light doth condemn are out of the covenant.''” — George Fox
Application Points
- Practice gentleness in your interactions with others to embody wisdom.
- Seek righteousness and mercy in your daily life to inherit God's blessings.
- Cultivate a living faith rooted in love to edify yourself and those around you.