Epistle 97
To live in harmony with God's will, one must offer up their own will, wait in the fear of the Lord, and be faithful like Abraham.
George Fox emphasizes the importance of surrendering one's own will to God's will, echoing the prayer of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. He warns against striving against God's providence and encourages believers to wait in reverence to understand their duties to the Lord. Fox reminds the faithful of God's everlasting love and blessings, urging them to avoid rashness that could lead to curses and a broken covenant with God. He concludes with a prayer for faith in Christ, who fulfills God's promises.
Text
Stand in the will of God, with thy own will offered up, as his was who said, 'Not my will, but thine be done [Luke 22:42].' And beware of striving in thy own will against the eternal providence and power, which is now working invisibly, cross and contrary to all the powers of darkness. And wait in the fear of the Lord, that thy duty to the Lord thou mayst know, whose everlasting love is to thee; whose blessing reacheth unto thee, if thou be faithful with faithful Abraham, who received the blessing [Gal 3:9], and to his seed after him. So beware, lest through thy forwardness and rashness thou bring the curse upon thee, and so break thy peace in covenant with the Lord God. The everlasting God give thee faith in Christ Jesus, in whom the promise is yea and amen [2 Cor 1:20].
G. F.
Sermon Outline
- Stand in the will of God
- Wait in the fear of the Lord
- Beware of forwardness and rashness
- Avoid bringing the curse upon yourself
- Maintain peace in covenant with God
Key Quotes
“Not my will, but thine be done.” — George Fox
“The everlasting God give thee faith in Christ Jesus, in whom the promise is yea and amen.” — George Fox
Application Points
- Offer up your own will to God and seek to do His duty.
- Be faithful and trust in Christ Jesus to receive God's blessing.
- Avoid forwardness and rashness to maintain peace in covenant with God.