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  EPISTLE 405
  by George Fox
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Summary: George Fox's Epistle 405 encourages Friends to diligently share
the truth of God while living as faithful sojourners on earth.

Topics: "Evangelism", "Diligence in Faith"
Scripture References: 1 Chronicles 29:15, Jeremiah 9:3, Matthew 5:15, Matthew 25:3, Luke 19:20, 1 Corinthians 7:29, 1 Corinthians 7:31, 1 Timothy 2:4, 1 Timothy 6:9, Hebrews 13:17

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DESCRIPTION
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George Fox encourages his friends to actively engage in spreading the
truth of the Gospel, emphasizing the importance of not hiding their
gifts and talents. He urges them to be diligent in their service to God
and to be mindful of their time on earth, reminding them that they are
sojourners and should live in the fear of God. Fox warns against the
distractions of worldly desires and calls for unity among Friends in
ministry to effectively share the truth with others. He expresses a
desire for them to be valiant in their efforts and to give a joyful
account to God at the end of their lives.

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CONTENT
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Dear friends,--With my love to you all, and all the rest of Friends; I
was glad to hear from you; but you gave me no account of the increase of
truth amongst you, nor what meetings you have had amongst the Indian
kings and their people abroad in the countries, and of your visiting
Friends in New England, Virginia, and Carolina, nor of your travels and
labours in the gospel; who have in all those countries, liberty to serve
and worship God, and preach the truth. And I understand many have a
desire to live in it, especially in Carolina; and you  who travel now
from Friends, to Friends thither, it is thought strange that you do not
visit them; therefore I desire that you may all improve your gifts and
talents, and not hide them in a napkin, lest they be taken from you
[Luke 19:20]; and not to put your candle under a bushel [Mat 5:15], lest
it go out; and not to be like the foolish virgins, which kept their name
of virgins, but neglected having oil in their lamps [Mat 25:3]. Such
were not diligent in the work of God, nor in the concerns of the Lord,
nor in their own particulars. And therefore my desires are, that you may
all be diligent, serving the Lord and minding his glory, and the
prosperity of his truth, this little time you have to live [1 Cor 7:29];
and be not like Adam in the earth, but use this world as though you did
not use it [1 Cor 7:31]; for they that covet after this world, fall into
divers snares and hurtful lusts [1 Tim 6:9]. And therefore consider,
that you are but sojourners here [1 Chr 29:15], that you may pass your
time in the fear of God; and you being many, and having many of the
Friends of the ministry, going over into those parts, you may be a
hinderance one unto another, if you do not travel in the life of the
universal truth, that would have all men to be saved, and come to the
knowledge of the truth [1 Tim 2:4]. And if you would have them come to
the knowledge of truth, let them know it, and where it is to be found.
So I desire that you be valiant for it upon the earth [Jer 9:3], that
you may give a good account unto God at the last with joy [Heb 13:17].
So, I desire that all Friends in the ministry may see this in
Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

And so with my love to you all in the holy seed of life that reigns over
all. Amen.

G. F.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/george-fox/epistle-405/
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