Used and Spent
George Fox emphasizes the importance of living a life of faithfulness, power over the tongue, and dwelling in the Light, all for the glory of God.
George Fox preaches about the importance of focusing on the inner light of God rather than being distracted by worldly matters. He emphasizes the need for sincerity in speech and actions, warning against vain practices that are not commanded by Christ. Fox encourages living in love, ruling in love, and working in love, with love being the guiding principle in all things. He urges his listeners to avoid conforming to worldly customs that do not glorify God, but instead to use all things for His glory.
Text
OH Friends, Look not out; for he that doth, is darkned. And take heed of Lightness; take heed of the World, and of busying your Minds with things not serviceable. A Wise man's Eye is in his head, but a Fool's Eye is gazing up and down. . . .
And keep to Yea and Nay; for he that hath not Power over his own Tongue, his Religion is vain. . . .
There is not a word in all the Scripture to hold up the Practice of Sprinkling Infants, nor the Word Sacrament, not to hold up an Hour-glass to preach for an Hour's time in a place; but the vain Mind doth hold up many things, which Christ doth not command. Earth maketh Masters (amongst Earthly Men) but let him that ruleth, rule in Love. . . . And he that laboureth let him labour as to the Lord, in Love. So let Love be the Head in all things. . . .
So, be faithful in all things, and keep from the World's vain Customs. Do not wear Apparel, to gratifie the proud Mind, neither Eat nor Drink to make your selves wanton; for it was created for the Health, and not for the Lust, to be as Servants to us, and we Servants to God, to use all those things as to his Glory: To whom be Praises, Honour and Glory for evermore, who hath created all things to his Glory, and so to be used and spent. . . . Look not back, but keep forward. . . . Ye that know the Light, love one another, and dwell in it, and know one another in it.
G.F.
Sermon Outline
- I. The Dangers of Worldliness
- A. Looking out and being darkened
- B. The importance of keeping to Yea and Nay
- II. The Importance of Power over the Tongue
- A. The vain mind holds up many things not commanded by Christ
- B. The need to rule in love
- III. The Role of Love in All Things
- A. Love should be the head in all things
- B. Faithfulness and keeping from the World's vain customs
Key Quotes
“A Wise man's Eye is in his head, but a Fool's Eye is gazing up and down.” — George Fox
“Earth maketh Masters (amongst Earthly Men) but let him that ruleth, rule in Love.” — George Fox
“To whom be Praises, Honour and Glory for evermore, who hath created all things to his Glory, and so to be used and spent.” — George Fox
Application Points
- We should strive to live a life of faithfulness, using all things for God's glory.
- Having power over our tongue is essential, as it shows that our religion is not vain.
- We should dwell in the Light and love one another, keeping to the Light.