Epistle 49
The sermon emphasizes the importance of dwelling in the life and power of God, denying ourselves, and growing in peace and righteousness.
George Fox emphasizes the importance of living in the life and power of God, which teaches self-denial and keeps believers from strife and deceit. He encourages the faithful to remain in the light, where actions can be judged by the pure spirit, and to cultivate a deep fear of the Lord that leads to love and unity among one another. Fox warns against confusion and actions contrary to the light, urging believers to serve diligently and to wait for the power of God to transform their earthly nature. He reassures them that through faith and the spirit of promise, they can witness the eternal kingdom of God filled with love, joy, and peace. Ultimately, he calls for unity and growth in God's grace as they gather together in His name.
Text
Friends, dwell in the life and power of God, which doth teach you to deny yourselves, which keeps you from all strife, and from all deceit, that nothing may appear, but by the pure spirit it may be judged; and that by the spirit of God ye may all be kept up to him, who is a God of order, and not of confusion [1 Cor 14:33] . For all who are in confusion, are in that nature that is contrary to the light, who are with it to be condemned. And so the God of life be with you all, that the fear of the Lord may be set in all your hearts, that the dread, terror, and fear of the Lord amongst you may remain, and faith from him ye may all come to receive, and love.
And let love proceed one towards another, from the faith which purifies [Acts 15:9], that all actions may be brought to the light, that all deeds contrary to the light, may with it be condemned [John 3:19-21]; that in peace and righteousness ye may all grow up in that which is eternal, guided to him who is eternal, taking all heed to the measure of God's grace [Eph 4:7], that with it your minds may be guided up to God, the Father <65> of life, and all your minds with the eternal kept to him, who is eternal. That the kingdom of God ye may all come to see, waiting in the light, taking heed to it, which calls to repentance, which informs your minds towards the kingdom of God, where there is no end [Luke 1:33], but love, joy, and peace for evermore.
And wait in the light for power to remove the earthly part, that ye may all witness the kingdom, and joy in the holy ghost [Rom 14:17]; that with the light your minds may be kept up to God, who is pure, and in it ye may all have unity, who in the light of life do walk. For who act contrary to the light, this is their condemnation. And let no unsavoury speeches, nor profaneness, nor looseness, nor idleness, nor filthiness be amongst you, but be diligent, serving the Lord in the light; for all that which is contrary to the light, with the light is to be condemned.
And to you this is the word of the Lord, that with the spirit of the Lord, that comes from the Father of spirits [Heb 12:9], ye may all come to witness the spirit of promise, and set to your seals [Eph 1:13] that God the Father of spirits is true. So in the name and power of the Lord Jesus Christ be ye all kept and preserved; and keep together, and meet together, that ye may grow in the measure of God's grace.
G. F.
Sermon Outline
- Dwell in the life and power of God
- Fear and reverence the Lord
- Grow in peace and righteousness
- Deny yourselves and avoid strife and deceit
- Be guided by the pure spirit and the spirit of God
- Let love proceed from faith and purify actions
- Bring all deeds to the light and condemn those contrary to it
- Take heed to the measure of God's grace
- Be guided to the eternal and kept to God, the Father of life
Key Quotes
“For all who are in confusion, are in that nature that is contrary to the light, who are with it to be condemned.” — George Fox
“Let love proceed one towards another, from the faith which purifies, that all actions may be brought to the light, that all deeds contrary to the light, may with it be condemned [John 3:19-21];” — George Fox
“That in peace and righteousness ye may all grow up in that which is eternal, guided to him who is eternal, taking all heed to the measure of God's grace [Eph 4:7]” — George Fox
Application Points
- We should deny ourselves and avoid strife and deceit to grow in peace and righteousness.
- We should let love proceed from faith and purify our actions to bring them to the light.
- We should take heed to the measure of God's grace to be guided to the eternal and kept to God, the Father of life.