Epistle 268
George Fox emphasizes God's provision for man, the limitations of human effort, and the restoration of man through Christ to the image of God.
George Fox emphasizes that God provided for humanity even before creation, making man in His image and endowing him with righteousness and holiness. He explains that Christ's mission is to restore humanity to this original state, highlighting the futility of worrying and the importance of faith in God's provision. Fox reminds us that true growth and increase come from the Lord, as He is the Creator and sustainer of all things. He calls believers to recognize their dominion and purpose in glorifying God through righteousness and holiness, as intended from the beginning. Ultimately, Fox encourages faith in the light of Christ to achieve spiritual growth and restoration.
Text
Friends,--Did not God provide for man and woman before he made them? Did he not make all things in six days? And the sixth day he made man in the image of God [Gen 1:27], in righteousness and holiness [Eph 4:24]. And therefore Christ, who is the son of God, who comes to restore man up again into the image of God, and leads man up into his image in righteousness and holiness, as he was in before he fell: doth he not reprove such as take thought, and told them of their little faith [Mat 6:30], and that they could not add one cubit to the stature [Mat 6:27] that God had made; and it was the practice of the heathens and of the Gentiles to take thought [Mat 6:32]?
So it is clear, before God made man, he took care for him; but after man was fallen from the image of God, and his righteousness, he took care and toiled, though he cannot add one cubit to his stature in the Lord's work. For thou mayst sow thy seed in the ground or garden, thou mayst have much cattle, and other things, but yet there is no increase but by the Lord [1 Cor 3:7], neither of thy seed, nor of thy cattle; for is not the earth the Lord's and the fulness thereof [Psa 24:1]? Mark! and doth he not give the increase, who upholds all things by his word and power [Heb 1:3], who is the Creator of all, and provided for man before he made him, and set him in dominion over all the works of his hands [Psa 8:6]; which dominion man lost.
Man lost righteousness and holiness, in his disobeying the command of God, which Christ comes to restore man to, and sets man above all again, as he was in the beginning, and up to his own state beyond Adam before he fell, to him that never fell [1 Pet 2:22]. And so all that believe in the light [John 12:36], as Christ commanded, in the light they see they cannot add one cubit to the stature, and so they come to grow in the faith, in Christ and in God.
And so herein hath the Lord the praise of his works; and all things praise him, who hath created them all to his honour, and to his glory, and to his praise; and man to glorify him in righteousness and holiness, in the image of God and of Christ Jesus, above all other creatures in the covenant of God, in the covenant of light and life in Christ Jesus, him by whom the world was made; by him they praise and please God, and in their pleasing God, they honour God and Christ.
G. F.
Sermon Outline
- God's Provision for Man
- The Limitations of Human Effort
- The Restoration of Man
- The Praise of God's Works
- All things praise God for his honor and glory
- Man glorifies God in righteousness and holiness
Key Quotes
“For thou mayst sow thy seed in the ground or garden, thou mayst have much cattle, and other things, but yet there is no increase but by the Lord [1 Cor 3:7], neither of thy seed, nor of thy cattle;” — George Fox
“And so herein hath the Lord the praise of his works; and all things praise him, who hath created them all to his honour, and to his glory, and to his praise;” — George Fox
“Man lost righteousness and holiness, in his disobeying the command of God, which Christ comes to restore man to, and sets man above all again, as he was in the beginning, and up to his own state beyond Adam before he fell, to him that never fell [1 Pet 2:22].” — George Fox
Application Points
- Recognize God's provision for you and trust in his care.
- Understand the limitations of human effort and rely on God's power.
- Seek restoration to the image of God through Christ and live in righteousness and holiness.