Epistle 167
The sermon emphasizes the importance of denying the world's influence and following the truth and guidance of the Most High, as exemplified by praying in the spirit, giving thanks to the Lord, and praising Him always.
George Fox emphasizes the importance of holding onto the truth, life, light, and power of the Most High, staying grounded in Christ, the bread of life. He encourages believers to sing in the spirit, make melody in their hearts, pray always in the spirit, give thanks in everything, and praise the Lord continually. Fox also urges fasting in a way that breaks the bond of iniquity and sets the oppressed free, leading to spiritual growth and shining light.
Text
My dear friends,--Be not carried away by good words and fair speeches [Rom 16:18], nor the affectionate part, which is taken with them; but every one have hold of the truth in yourselves, and the life, and light, and power of the Most High, by which ye may be stayed upon Christ, your bread of life [John 6:35]; he is the staff of your heavenly and eternal life; bread is the staff of life. Now friends, who have denied the world's songs and singing; sing ye in the spirit [1 Cor 14:15], and with grace [Col 3:16], making melody in your hearts to the <156> Lord [Eph 5:19]. And ye having denied the world's formal praying, pray ye always in the spirit, and watch in it [Eph 6:18].
And ye that have denied the world's giving of thanks, and their saying of grace, and living out of it; do ye in every thing give thanks to the Lord through Jesus Christ [Eph 5:20, 1 Th 5:18]. And ye that have denied the world's praising God with their lips, whilst their hearts are afar off [Isa 29:13]; do ye always praise the Lord night and day, and from the rising of the sun to the going down of the same, praise ye the Lord [Psa 113:3]. And ye that have denied the world's fastings, and of their hanging down their heads like a bulrush for a day, who smite with the fist of wickedness, keep ye the fast of the Lord, that breaks the bond of iniquity, and lets the oppressed go free [Isa 58:4-6]; that your health may grow, and your light may shine as the morning [Isa 58:8].
G. F.
Sermon Outline
- Deny the World's Influence
- Pray in the Spirit
- Give Thanks to the Lord
- Praise the Lord
- Keep the Fast of the Lord
- Deny the world's words and speeches
- Deny the world's singing and music
- Pray always in the spirit
- Watch in the spirit
- Give thanks in every thing
- Praise the Lord always
- Praise the Lord from the rising of the sun
- Keep the fast to break the bond of iniquity
Key Quotes
“And ye having denied the world's formal praying, pray ye always in the spirit, and watch in it [Eph 6:18].” — George Fox
“And ye that have denied the world's praising God with their lips, whilst their hearts are afar off [Isa 29:13]; do ye always praise the Lord night and day, and from the rising of the sun to the going down of the same, praise ye the Lord [Psa 113:3].” — George Fox
“And ye that have denied the world's fastings, and of their hanging down their heads like a bulrush for a day, who smite with the fist of wickedness, keep ye the fast of the Lord, that breaks the bond of iniquity, and lets the oppressed go free [Isa 58:4-6];” — George Fox
Application Points
- Pray always in the spirit and watch in it to stay connected to God.
- Give thanks to the Lord in every thing to break the bond of iniquity and let the oppressed go free.
- Praise the Lord always, making melody in your hearts to Him, to stay in His presence and guidance.