Self-Ends
The sermon emphasizes the importance of diligence and living in the Light to avoid slothfulness and to seek guidance from God.
George Fox emphasizes the importance of diligence and obedience to the Light within each individual, urging Friends to avoid slothfulness and to maintain a lively spirit in their faith. He warns against those who may come with selfish intentions, reminding the community that the Light will judge such self-ends and ensure that only those who are sincere and willing to embrace their own condemnation can be accepted. Fox encourages the community to support one another in their spiritual journey, ensuring that they remain united in Christ and uphold the truth without reproach.
Text
(To go among Friends every where)
. . . FRIENDS, to the Light in you all I speak: See, that there be no Slothfulness amongst you, but all keep in Diligence and Liveliness; for he that is Slothful, and gets the Form, may have an easeful Mind, but is an evil Example. And all such must be Judged with the Light, that they may come to know the Servant's place, and be Diligent. And such who have gone up and down a-Begging, if ye have received any such amongst you, with the Light, which have Convinced them, see that they be kept in Diligence, and not suffer'd to wander, but be kept in Obedience to the Light, to receive the Wisdom from God, how to labour in the Creation; and see that they have things decent and necessary . . . that no Reproach nor Shame may come upon the Truth amongst such as are without. . . .
And all being kept diligent, and walking in the Light, which is Eternal. Nor no one can come in amongst you, which hath such Ends, to make a Prey upon you, but ye, dwelling in the Light, which is Eternal, he is Judged, and his Self-ends, with the Light which is Eternal; which is one with the Light in his Conscience, which condemns him. Then if he own his Condemnation, he is to be received amongst you in the Light, in which ye all have Unity with Christ and with God.
And to you this is the Counsel of God.
G.F.
Sermon Outline
- The Importance of Diligence
- Guidance from the Light
- Protecting the Truth
- Unity in the Light
- Judging Others with the Light
- Receiving the Condemned in the Light
Key Quotes
“See, that there be no Slothfulness amongst you, but all keep in Diligence and Liveliness;” — George Fox
“And all being kept diligent, and walking in the Light, which is Eternal.” — George Fox
“Then if he own his Condemnation, he is to be received amongst you in the Light, in which ye all have Unity with Christ and with God.” — George Fox
Application Points
- Make a conscious effort to avoid slothfulness and to seek guidance from the Light in your life.
- Be diligent in your obedience to the Light and avoid taking advantage of others.
- Receive those who have been condemned by the Light with unity and forgiveness.