Epistle 60
George Fox encourages believers to seek guidance from God, delight in His judgment, and trust in His presence and provision for a life of joy, gladness, and plenty.
George Fox emphasizes the importance of recognizing and nurturing the pure essence of God within us, which guides us towards spiritual growth and obedience to His will. He encourages believers to delight in the truth that reveals the deceit of their hearts and to trust in God's constant presence and provision, likening Him to a shepherd who protects and nourishes His flock. Fox assures that those who seek the Lord will experience joy and abundance, moving from a state of want to one of plentiful redemption and divine guidance. He concludes with a blessing for the preservation and empowerment of the faithful in God's might.
Text
Friends,--Every particular, mind that which is pure of God in you, to guide you up to God, and to keep you in the fear of the Lord, that ye may receive refreshment from God alone in yourselves, and grow up in the inward man, nourished and strengthened by that which is immortal. And delight in that which shows you the deceit of your hearts, and judges that which is contrary to God, and be obedient to that which is pure; so ye will see the Lord God present with you, a daily help, his hand always ordering of you, and as a shepherd always keeping the dogs from his lambs, whom he feeds in green pastures [Psa 23;2], and waters with his heavenly dew of mercy, who makes them all fruitful. The cry of want and poverty shall be no more heard in the land of the living, but joy, gladness, and plenty.
The wearied soul, that hath lain in the pit and in the mire, and lived in the clouds of temptation, and cried out for want of the Lord, shall cry plentious redemption [Psa 130:7], and say, God is our king, who fills heaven and earth, and the voice of our king is heard in our land [Song 2:14]. So fare ye well in the Lord! and the Lord God Almighty keep you and preserve you in his mighty power.
G. F.
Sermon Outline
- Guidance from God
- Delighting in God's Judgment
- God's Presence and Provision
- Redemption and Joy
- The cry of want and poverty will be silenced
- Joy, gladness, and plenty will abound
Key Quotes
“The cry of want and poverty shall be no more heard in the land of the living, but joy, gladness, and plenty.” — George Fox
“The Lord God is present with you as a daily help, his hand always ordering of you, and as a shepherd always keeping the dogs from his lambs, whom he feeds in green pastures [Psa 23;2], and waters with his heavenly dew of mercy, who makes them all fruitful.” — George Fox
Application Points
- Seek guidance from God in all things, and trust in His leading.
- Delight in God's judgment as a means of correction and growth.
- Trust in God's presence and provision for a life of joy, gladness, and plenty.