Epistle 404
The sermon emphasizes the importance of spiritual growth, pure religion, and diligence in God's work, while warning against the dangers of a carnal mindset and neglecting the gift of God.
George Fox emphasizes the importance of visiting and learning from the righteous, observing their spiritual growth and heavenly treasures stored in God's kingdom. He encourages walking in Christ's worship, truth, and the new living way, avoiding worldly influences and striving for unity in the spirit. Fox urges believers to be spiritually-minded, to stir up the gift of God in one another, and to diligently serve in God's vineyard to prevent it from being overrun by distractions and temptations.
Text
Dear friends,--I am glad to hear of the good Yearly Meeting at Rhode Island, and that the Lord's power and presence were there <291> among you; and it would be very well to visit the generation of the righteous [Psa 14:5], and to see how their seed and vines do grow in their heavenly vineyards and plantations, and what heavenly riches they have laid up in store [Mat 6:20] in God's kingdom, and to see how the wheat is gathered into God's garner [Mat 3:12]; and that all keep in the worship that Christ set up in his spirit and truth [John 4:24]; and that all walk in the new and living way [Heb 10:20], over all the dead ways in the world; and that all walk in the pure, undefiled religion, that keeps from the spots of the world [Jas 1:27]; and to see that all are guided in the pure and gentle wisdom that is easy to be entreated [Jas 3:17], and in the love of God that can bear all things [1 Cor 13:7]; by which all peevish, short, and brittle spirits may be kept down; so that all may have their good conversation in Christ Jesus, all striving for unity in the spirit [Eph 4:3], and the holy faith, that giveth and keepeth victory [1 Jn 5:4] over the enemy. And so that all may have a care of their minds running into the earth and carnal things; 'for to be carnally-minded is death, but to be spiritually-minded is life and peace [Rom 8:6].' And let all take heed of neglecting the gift of God [1 Tim 4:14], but stir up the pure mind [2 Pet 3:1] one in another; and the Lord, with his eternal arm and power, preserve you diligent in his heavenly work and service in his vineyard, that it may not grow over with briars, thorns, and thistles, to choak the tender plants [Mat 13:7,22].
And so my desires are, that you may live and walk in Christ Jesus, and that you may answer the truth in all the professors, and the heathen. And prize your liberty, both natural and spiritual, while you have it; and labour in the truth, while it is day [John 9:4]. Remember me to all Friends, as though I named them; and as for the state of Friends here, we are under great sufferings, and spoiling of goods, and imprisonments; and they have of late increased in spoiling of our goods; but God is all-sufficient, who doth support us. Glory to his name for ever. So, with my love in Christ Jesus, to you all, in whom you have all eternal rest and peace with God. Amen.
G. F.
Sermon Outline
- The Importance of Spiritual Growth
- The Necessity of Pure Religion
- The Danger of Carnal Mindset
- The Call to Diligence in God's Work
- Preserving the heavenly work and service
- Avoiding the growth of briars and thistles
Key Quotes
“For to be carnally-minded is death, but to be spiritually-minded is life and peace [Rom 8:6].” — George Fox
“Let all take heed of neglecting the gift of God [1 Tim 4:14], but stir up the pure mind [2 Pet 3:1] one in another;” — George Fox
“And prize your liberty, both natural and spiritual, while you have it;” — George Fox
Application Points
- We must strive to live and walk in Christ Jesus, answering the truth in all professors and the heathen.
- We must prize our liberty, both natural and spiritual, while we have it, and labour in the truth while it is day.
- We must preserve the heavenly work and service, avoiding the growth of briars and thistles that can choke out tender plants.