Epistle 418
The Six Weeks Meeting aims to preserve unity and order in the church through the wisdom of God, promoting gracious and gentle communication.
George Fox emphasizes the importance of maintaining unity and peace within the church through the guidance of God's wisdom. He encourages members to conduct their meetings with a spirit of gentleness and to avoid lengthy debates and contentious discussions that can lead to division. Fox highlights the need for brevity and relevance in communication, urging members to listen more and speak less, all while embodying the grace of God in their interactions. He calls for a collective effort to uphold the fellowship of the Holy Spirit and to be virtuous examples for others. Ultimately, the sermon serves as a reminder of the Christian principles that should govern church meetings and relationships.
Text
The Six Weeks Meeting is for to see that all their meetings are preserved by the wisdom of God in the unity of the spirit, the bond of peace [Eph 4:3], and in the fellowship of the holy ghost [Phil 2:1/2 Cor 13:14], being ordered by the pure, gentle, heavenly, peaceable wisdom, easy to be entreated [Wis 8:1/Jas 3:17], holy and virtuous examples to all other meetings, both in city and country. <309> And that all may be careful to speak short and pertinent to matters in a christian spirit, and despatch business quickly, and keep out of long debates and heats; and with the spirit of God keep that down, which is doting about questions and strife of words [1 Tim 6:4], that tend to parties and contention: which in the church of God there is no such custom to be allowed.
And likewise not to speak more than one at a time [1 Cor 14:31]; nor any in a fierce way; for that is not to be allowed in any society, neither natural nor spiritual; but as the apostle saith, 'Be swift to hear, and slow to speak [Jas 1:19];' and let it be in the grace, which seasons all words [Col 4:6]. . . .
G. F.
Sermon Outline
- Unity in the Spirit
- Order in Meetings
- Conduct in Speech
- Respect in Communication
- Speak one at a time
- Avoid speaking in a fierce way
Key Quotes
“Be swift to hear, and slow to speak.” — George Fox
“Let it be in the grace, which seasons all words.” — George Fox
Application Points
- Be mindful of the spirit in which you speak, and strive to communicate in a gracious and gentle manner.
- Avoid long debates and heats, and focus on despatching business quickly and efficiently.
- Remember to speak one at a time, and avoid speaking in a fierce or argumentative way.