That Which Is Set Up by the Sword
The sermon emphasizes the importance of living in peace and using spiritual weapons, as opposed to carnal ones, to achieve victory in the kingdom of God.
George Fox preaches about the power of spiritual weapons over carnal weapons, emphasizing that what is established by the sword is sustained by the sword, while what is established by spiritual weapons is upheld by spiritual means. He encourages believers to be peacemakers, holding dominion over those who disrupt peace through the power of God. Fox prophesies a new and living way emerging from the north, transforming nations like waters, and urges against harming those who recognize the earth belongs to the Lord. He speaks of the days of virtue, love, and peace dawning, with the Lamb overcoming earthly kings with the sword of the spirit, ensuring victory.
Text
That Which Is Set Up By The Sword (1652)
Friends, - that which is set up by the sword, is held up by the sword; and that which is set up by spiritual weapons, is held up by spiritual weapons, and not by carnal weapons. The peacemaker hath the kingdom, and is in it; and hath dominion over the peace-breaker, to calm him in the power of God.
And friends, let the waves break over your heads. There is rising a new and living way out of the north, which makes the nations like waters. Hurt not the vines, nor the oil, nor such as know that "the earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof." The days of virtue, love, and peace, are come and coming, and the Lamb hath and had the kings of the earth to war withal, who will overcome with the sword of the spirit, the word in his mouth; for the Lamb shall have the victory.
And are not some like Ephraim, with a miscarrying womb? which have not brought forth the substance, the birth form above; but have brought forth children to murder?
G.F.
Sermon Outline
- The Nature of Spiritual and Carnal Weapons
- The Kingdom of God and the Power of Peace
- The Coming Days of Virtue, Love, and Peace
- Warning Against Carnal Behavior
- Some like Ephraim have brought forth children to murder
- They have not brought forth the substance of spiritual birth
Key Quotes
“The peacemaker hath the kingdom, and is in it; and hath dominion over the peace-breaker, to calm him in the power of God.” — George Fox
“The Lamb shall have the victory.” — George Fox
“Hurt not the vines, nor the oil, nor such as know that 'the earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof.'” — George Fox
Application Points
- As a peacemaker, you have dominion over those who break peace, and can calm them in the power of God.
- You should not harm those who are innocent, such as the vines and oil, and those who know that the earth belongs to the Lord.
- You should live in the days of virtue, love, and peace, and use the sword of the spirit to overcome evil.