The Aggravating Part
The sermon emphasizes the importance of patience and moderation in our relationships with others, warning against the dangers of judging and striving with the Aggravating Part.
George Fox emphasizes the importance of patience and love among friends, urging them to refrain from judging one another and speaking ill behind each other's backs, as this breeds enmity. He warns against allowing the world's spirit to influence their actions, advocating for a community rooted in the life of God where they can truly see Jesus among them. Fox encourages believers to avoid the 'Aggravating Part' that leads to strife and confusion, reminding them that patience must prevail to align with God's truth and wisdom.
Text
FRIENDS, Keep to Patience, this is the counsel of the Lord to you. Do not Judge one another behind one anothers backs, nor speak Evil one of another, for that is that, which soweth the Enmity among Brethren. Nor do not Judge one another before the World, for that is that, which is in the Extremes, Passion and Hastiness; and there ye do let in the World's Spirit to rejoyce over you, and that is out of the Patience, and Love, and Wisdom and Fear of God and his Truth. And every one dwell in the Seed and Life of God, and in that know one another, and Meeting together in that,
ye may see the Lord Jesus in the midst of ou.
And Friends, go not into the Aggravating Part to strive with it, lest ye do hurt to your souls and run into the same Nature; for Patience must get the Victory and answers to that of God in every one, which will bring every one from the contrary. So let your Moderation and Temperance and Patience be known to all, for that which joins to the Aggravating Part sets up the Aggravating Part, and breeds confusion, and reaches not to the Witness of God in every one.
Sermon Outline
- The Counsel of the Lord
- The Dangers of Judging
- The Importance of Patience
- The Aggravating Part
- Striving with the Aggravating Part
- The need for Moderation and Temperance
Key Quotes
“Do not Judge one another behind one anothers backs, nor speak Evil one of another, for that is that, which soweth the Enmity among Brethren.” — George Fox
“Patience must get the Victory and answers to that of God in every one, which will bring every one from the contrary.” — George Fox
Application Points
- We should strive to cultivate patience and moderation in our relationships with others.
- Judging one another can lead to harm and enmity among brethren.
- Dwelling in the Seed and Life of God is essential for knowing one another and experiencing the presence of the Lord Jesus.