Epistle 116
George Fox emphasizes the importance of love, order, and wisdom in meetings, and warns against judging one another and giving offence.
George Fox emphasizes the importance of not judging one another in meetings, as it can harm individuals both within and outside the church, leading to disorder and destruction. He advises speaking privately to address issues instead of openly exposing weaknesses, highlighting the need for love that bears all things. Fox also encourages prompt service for the Lord and diligence to avoid giving any occasion for criticism, urging believers to answer to the truth of God in all things and to avoid causing offense or quenching the spirit.
Text
Friends, do not judge one another [Rom 14:13] in meetings, ye that do minister in the meetings; for your so doing hath hurt the people, both within and without, and yourselves under their judgment ye have brought. And your judging one another in the meetings hath emboldened others to quarrel, and judge you also in the meetings. And this hath been all out of order, and the church order also. Now, if ye have any thing to say to any, stay till the meeting be done, and then speak to them in private between yourselves [Mat 18:15], and do not lay open one another's weakness; for that is weakness and not wisdom to do so. For your judging <115> one another in meetings hath almost destroyed some Friends, and distracted them. And this is for want of love that beareth all things [1 Cor 13:7]; and therefore let it be amended. No more, but my love.
Friends, if any amongst you have movings to do any service for the Lord, when they have done it let them return again with speed to their habitation, and there serve the Lord in their generation; that no slothfulness may be amongst you. But all keep in diligence, that no occasion may be given to any 'to speak evil of the truth [2 Pet 2:2];' but that ye may answer that of God in all [Col 4:6/Rom 1:19]. So give no offence; for wo is to those by whom offences do come [Mat 18:7]. Yet quench not the spirit [1 Th 5:19].
G. F.
Sermon Outline
- Judging one another in meetings
- Order and wisdom in meetings
- Love and service
- Return to habitation and serve the Lord
- Keep diligence and avoid slothfulness
Key Quotes
“For your judging one another in meetings hath almost destroyed some Friends, and distracted them.” — George Fox
“Wo is to those by whom offences do come.” — George Fox
“Quench not the spirit.” — George Fox
Application Points
- Practice love and kindness in meetings to avoid harming others and yourselves.
- Speak in private, not in meetings, to handle conflicts wisely.
- Keep diligence and avoid slothfulness to maintain order and serve the Lord.