Epistle 58
The sermon emphasizes the importance of living a life of truth, integrity, and love, guided by God's word and the Holy Spirit, rather than being led by the world or our own desires.
George Fox emphasizes the importance of focusing inwardly rather than being distracted by the world, warning against lightness and superficiality. He encourages believers to be steadfast in truth, to control their speech, and to avoid the puffing up of knowledge that leads away from genuine faith. Fox calls for a reliance on the inner teacher, the Holy Spirit, rather than external influences, and stresses that true holiness cannot be found in worldly practices. He urges Christians to act in love and sincerity, using all things for God's glory, while remaining faithful amidst worldly opposition. Ultimately, he reminds believers to love one another and to dwell in the light, as the world is at enmity with God.
Text
O Friends! look not out; for he that doth, is darkened [Eccl 12:3]. And take heed of lightness; take heed of the world, and of busying your minds with things not serviceable. A wise man's eye is in his head [Eccl 2:14], but a fool's eye is gazing up and down [Prov 17:24?]. Oh! be valiant for the truth upon the earth [Jer 9:3], and tread upon the deceit! And keep to yea and nay [Mat 5:37]; for he that hath not power over his own tongue, his religion is vain [James 1:26]. And take heed of knowledge, for it puffeth up [1 Cor 8:1], but dwell in the truth, and be what ye speak; he that abideth not in the truth, is led by the evil one [John 8:44].
Wait on the Lord, he will perfect his work amongst you; he that hearkens diligently to the teacher within [Isa 55:2?], denieth all outward hireling teachers [Mic 3:11]. He that is made the temple of the holy ghost [1 Cor 6:19], placeth no holiness in the world's temples. The teachers without exalt the carnal mind [Rom 6:7], but the teacher within destroyeth it. There is not a word in all the scripture to hold up the practice of sprinkling infants, nor the word sacrament, nor to hold up an hour glass, to preach by for an hour's time in a place; but the vain mind doth hold up many things, which Christ doth not command. Earth maketh masters, (amongst earthly men,) but let him that ruleth, rule in love; for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof [Psa 24:1].
And he that laboureth, let him labour as to the Lord, in love. So let love be the head in all things, and then the Lord is exalted; then there is no eye service, but singleness of heart [Col 3:22]; then all that is done, is done as to the Lord [Col 3:23]. So be faithful in all things, and keep from the world's vain customs. Do not wear apparel, to gratify the proud mind, neither eat nor drink, to make yourselves wanton; for it was created for the health, and not for the lust, to be as servants to us, and we servants to God, to use all those things to his glory. To whom be praises, honour, and glory for evermore, who hath created all things to his glory, and so to be used and spent.
Do not make profession to be seen outwardly, for Christ was condemned by the world, and the formal professors, and all his followers are as wonders to the world. Therefore marvel not if the world hate you [1 Jn 3:13], but rejoice. Look not back, but keep forward, knowing that the world is enmity with God [James 4:4]. Ye that know the light, love one another, and dwell in it, and know one another in it.
G. F.
Sermon Outline
- The Dangers of Worldliness
- The Importance of Truth and Integrity
- The Need for Inner Guidance
- The Role of Love in Leadership
- Avoiding Worldly Customs and Professions
- Not wearing apparel to gratify the proud mind
- Not eating or drinking to make oneself wanton
- Keeping to yea and nay
Key Quotes
“Oh! be valiant for the truth upon the earth [Jer 9:3], and tread upon the deceit!” — George Fox
“He that is made the temple of the holy ghost [1 Cor 6:19], placeth no holiness in the world's temples.” — George Fox
“So let love be the head in all things, and then the Lord is exalted; then there is no eye service, but singleness of heart [Col 3:22];” — George Fox
Application Points
- Be valiant for the truth and stand firm in your faith, refusing to compromise or conform to the world's standards.
- Labour as to the Lord, doing all things with a heart of love and a desire to please God.
- Dwell in the truth, living a life of integrity and authenticity, guided by God's word and the Holy Spirit.