Epistle 50
George Fox emphasizes the necessity of dwelling in purity and waiting on God to receive divine guidance and nourishment.
George Fox preaches about dwelling in purity and waiting for the power of God to preserve believers in that purity. He emphasizes knowing the seed of God in one another to overcome worldly wisdom and carnal knowledge, urging faith to stand against earthly nature and human pride. By dwelling in purity, believers can discern what is impure, have their minds guided by God, and confront their evil thoughts and desires. Fox warns against lusting, which veils the purity and leads to deception by dreamers, lying spirits, and false prophets. He encourages waiting on God in purity to receive His living nourishment for everlasting life.
Text
All Friends, dwell in that which is pure, and wait for the power of God to preserve you in that which is pure, up to God. And know the seed of God in one another, that the knowledge which is after the flesh may die; and know the power of God in one another. Let your faith stand in that which throws out the earthly nature, and the loftiness of man [Isa 2:17]; which overturns the worldly wisdom and the carnal knowledge, which is brutish [Jer 10:14] and devilish [James 3:15]. Dwell in that which is pure, that ye may be able to discern, and savour, and comprehend that which is not pure; and wait in that which is pure, to have your minds guided thereby, which will let you see God, and show you your evil thoughts, and judge them; and is a cross to your evil desires, wills, and lusts.
I say, dwell in that which is pure, which will guide you to God; but if ye lust, (as aforesaid,) then the pure is veiled, and the light mind speaks at random, with a drunken spirit, and not from the mouth of the Lord. And there lodgeth the dreamer [Deut 13:1, Jer 27:9], and the lying spirit [1 Ki 22:22f], and the false prophet [Rev 16:13], and that which is like the truth but is not the truth; but dwelling in the truth, this will be discovered. And wait upon God in that which is pure, for the receiving of that which comes from God, which is living, which nourisheth up to everlasting life. So God Almighty be with you!
G. F.
Sermon Outline
- I points: - The importance of dwelling in purity - Understanding the seed of God in one another - The contrast between earthly knowledge and divine wisdom
- II points: - The role of faith in overcoming earthly nature - The necessity of discerning purity - The guidance of the pure mind
- III points: - The dangers of lust and a veiled purity - Identifying false spirits and prophets - The call to wait upon God for nourishment
Key Quotes
“Dwell in that which is pure, and wait for the power of God to preserve you in that which is pure.” — George Fox
“Let your faith stand in that which throws out the earthly nature.” — George Fox
“Wait upon God in that which is pure, for the receiving of that which comes from God.” — George Fox
Application Points
- Focus on cultivating a pure heart to better discern God's will.
- Be aware of the influences of earthly desires that can cloud spiritual judgment.
- Regularly set aside time to wait on God for spiritual nourishment and guidance.