Fox's 1660 Catechism
An examination of George Fox's 1660 Catechism, looking at his views of Quakers, Quakerism, peace, pacifism, the light, the truth, and the nature of God.
Sources
SOURCES
Condia, Charlotte
The Pastoral Letters of George Fox.1660 Sunrise Publishing, Las Cruces New Mexico, 2005
No Man’s Copy, The Pastoral Letters of George Fox, Sunrise Publishing, Las Cruces New Mexico 2005
Fox, George
A Catechism for Children
Jones, Canby
The Power of the Lord is Over All, Friends United Press, Richmond Indiana, 1989
George Fox’s Attitude Toward War. Academic Fellowship, Annapolis, Maryland, 1972
George Fox’s Attitude Toward War originally published by Academic Fellowship, Annapolis, Maryland, 1972, is out of print. As it is an eloquent statement of the pacifist position, I thought that Friends would like to read it. So I asked Dr. Jones if I could add it to the Las Cruces Peace Organization’s web site. He was agreeable to this. My daughter and younger son helped me so now you can read:
-A short biography of George Fox
-The original text of the book
-The original text with underlining removed and some of Fox’s seventeenth century spelling modernized.
-A summary of the book
You can find this at Las Cruces Peace Resource Organization web site: http://geocities.com/lcpronm/ Go to the home page and click on peace books.
Select Concordance
able to see Christ through the Light 13
ABOMINATION 24
abomination which rules in the hearts of people that disobey the witness of God in them 101
abundance of destroying `one another 79abusive 103
acting contrary to the Light 35
ACQUAINTED
acquainted with His Life and Power. 103
acquainted with the Life of God
Roman 16: 25, 26, 27: acquainted with the Life of God, and the Covenant of promise the power of God which is without end...which is the Power of God. which is a mystery of the Fellowship they would be in unity
acted 4
acting contrary to the Light 35
actions 105
Adam 10
adulteries 103
age 3
ails the world 69all things were created 20
ALCOHOL 50
Alcohol and drunks are out of the Light. 50
Devour the Creation upon their lusts. 50
Out of the fear of God. 50
out of the wisdom of God 50
Flesh glories. 50
do not dwell in the Light 50
Drunks are out of the Light 50
out of the fear of God 50
devour the Creation upon their lusts 50
riotous persons 50
Heed the Light and see the Savior of thy Soul and escape all the pollution of the world. 50
smite their fellow servants 50
ALL
all must be brought to the power that answers the principle of God in all 103
anchors (hope)thy immortal soul 88
ANTI-CHRIST 14, 37, 91
does not confess Christ the Light 14
against the Light who enlightened every man 14
against Him who has enlightened every man in general and particular. 14
deceiver 14
denies the Light: I John 2.22 Quoted on page 37
does not confess Christ the Light
against the Light in others
hates the Light
his fruits – Thorns and Thistles – declare him
APOSTLES 77, 101
Apostles were to go into all Nations 76
understood and believed the Apostles’ words
Christ and the Apostles 101
Apostles words in the profession. 101
ashamed 88
AUTHOR
Author of thy Faith 54, 84
Faith lets him see the Author of the Faith. Look to. Heb. 12.2
Devil, the Author of darkness,
God is not the author of their confusion 69
Light sees Christ, Author of thy Faith, who gives thee faith. Heb. 12.2 quoted on page 84 (54?)
Heb. 12.2:
banished 75
beginning 70, 76
behaves like Cain 91
believe 2, 3, 4
binder up of the broken 9
BLIND
blind to the Light 21
blind Zeal Phil.3.6.Rom.0.2. quoted on page 86. blindness102
BLOTTETH 10
blotteth out sin 10
blots out sin and transgression. Luke 1. 12; Tim 2.5; Eph. 2. 10, 16, 17bodies are the Temples of the Holy Ghost 39, 40
BOND(S)
bond of Peace and the Fellowship is in the Spirit. Eps.3.9. Eph.4.3. quoted on page 73
breaks the bonds of iniquity 10born of God 3
breaking up meetings with swords, staves and stones 75
bridle my tongue 35
bring the creature into the liberty of the Sons of God 73
BRING(S)
bring it (the Creature) from under the bondage of Satan 73
bring the creature into the liberty of the Sons of God 73
Christ brings all subjects in oneness through one Faith. Col.1.18. quoted on page 85
broken down without the Life and Truth 73
cannot pray to God 87
CHIEF PRIESTS 12
didn’t have the Light
not really wise men
put Christ to death Mat. 2.5 quoted on page 12 child 11
Children of the Light 3
Christ and the Apostles 101
Christendom 76
CHRISTIANS 7, 8
Christian Teachers and professors 82
CHURCH 61, 76, 91
is in God. 61
Pillar and ground of the Truth 61
not a spot, nor a wrinkle, nor a blemish 61
not of man 61
Church of Christ is out of spots or wrinkles 61
not a great house 61
not a company of people who are full of pride 61
not an invention, a creation of something in the mind of man 61
solid support of the Truth
Christ is the head of the Church 84Christ is the Rock upon whom the Church is built 62
everyone being turned to the Light is turned to the Church which is in God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Mat 16.18 2 Thes. 1.1 Heb. 2
churches 70
clean 32
clothing 101
Col.1.18.: Christ brings all subjects in oneness. Quoted on pages 84, 85.
COMES
comes from God 20
comes to fulfil 78
comes from Christ the Savior of thy soul 105
COMETH
cometh into the world 2
cometh from the Word 32
cometh from Him by whom the world was made 20
Commandment of God 10
commits adultery 38, 103
COMPANY OF PEOPLE 61
full of pride, deceit and blemishes
spots and wrinkles
condemned 2
CONDEMNS
condemns Luke 1. 12; Tim 2.5; Eph. 2. 10, 16, 17, 27
confounded 70
confusion 69
CONTRARY 101
contrary to the Light 35
COVENANT
Christ the Covenant of Light. 18
everlasting Covenant 25New Covenant 40
out of the life of God and out of the Covenant 70
Covenant of promise 71, 103Law and First Covenant stood in types and figures and shadows and made nothing perfect. Heb.7.19. Quoted on page 88.
First Covenant ends 88
Law fulfills the first Covenant 88
Covenant of promise 103
Covenant of Light 25
Law and First Covenant stood in types and figures and shadows and made nothing perfect. Heb.7.19.
covets 103
CREATED
created 20
created light 19
Creation 50
creation of something in the mind of man
CREATOR 103
Creator, the Ruler of heaven and earth 104
creature 76
CROSS OF CHRIST 6, 95
not imagined thing 60
not made of wood or stone or any other thing that is visible. 60
not invented with the mind 60
not on top of the Steeple-house60
not upon the mace 60
not on a flag or an Ensign 60
is the Power of God 60
invented with the mind 60
darkness 69, 102
day ( First) 69
DEAD
dead hope 88
dead faith 83
DEATH 11
death reigns from Adam to Moses 10
death reigned 10
deed 5, 105
denier of Christ 15
deceiver where Thorns and Thistles grow out of. Whose fruits declare them. 66/67
denies the Light I John 2. 22. quoted on page 15 depart from evil 25
Deceiver where Thorns and Thistles grow out of. Whose fruits declare them. 66/67
denier
destroy 77, 104
DEVIL 3, 15, 69, 104
denier of Christ 15
denies the Light 15
does not abide in the Truth 15
Light helps us see the devil 20
devil tempted man out of his habitation so that he lost his being and his Dominion over all the creatures. Deceiver where Thorns and Thistles grow out of. Whose fruits declare them. 66/67
Devil went out of the Truth and led others out of the Truth. John 8.44. quoted on page 90
Devil ruled in their hearts. 90
Prince of the air 90
prince of darkness. 90
devour the Creation upon their lusts. 50
discovers 5, 105
DISHONESTY
Friends can’t lie, like the devil, to bring themselves gain. Obviously it goes out of the Truth and brings the individual to scorn. 39
disobedient to the Light 20
disobey the witness of God in them 101do not retain God in their knowledge 104
does not confess Christ the Light 14
does not persecute any 25
dominion 70, 100
DRUNKS
alcohol and drunks 50
out of the Light 50
devour the Creation upon their lusts 50
out of the fear of God 50
dwell in the Light 50
ear 101
earth 3
EARTHLY
earthly Adam 23
earthly things 101
easy 25
enables us to see the Kingdom of Heaven 27
END(S)
end of types 89
ends (first Covenant) 88
ends in Christ 78
ends in the Word 77
ENLIGHTEN(ED)
enlighten 2, 3
enlightened 9, 11, 20, 27, 79
enlightened every man in general and particular 14
enlightened
ENLIGHTENS 11
Christ enlightens 11
Ensign 60
Eph. 5.13. Light enlightens every man that cometh into the world. Quoted on page 4.
Eph. 6.12: Persecutor about worship is a wrestler with flesh and blood. quoted on page 80
escape all the pollution of the world. 50, 51
ETERNAL
Eternal Light 20
receive eternal Life 55
ever man having a light from Christ the way, it leads to the Father. Rom. 10. 20
everlasting covenant 25
every man 3
EVERYONE
every one has a Light from Christ Jesus
everyone turned to the Light
every one having a Light from Christ Jesus the Savior of the Soul Mat 16.18 2 Thes. 1.1 Heb. 2 61.
EVIL
evil 2, 73
evil words 34, 35
speak evil words 35
EYE
eye comes to be closed 60
FAITH 84,85
Faith lets him see the Author of the Faith. Look to. Heb. 12.2 54
see the Son of God 55
fall down to them 104
fallen into the creatures 70
False prophets 91
FATHER 2, 11
Light comes from the Father 2
Light way to the Father 2
Father’s vineyard 75
Father sees over the many ways in the world 79
Church is in God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Mat 16.18 2 Thes. 1.1 Heb. 2 61. 62Father of Truth 79
Father of Spirits 87
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Mat 16.18 2 Thes. 1.1 Heb. 2
FEAR
fear of the Lord 25
fear of God 50
feigned humility: profess Christ’s words and the Scriptures but don’t have his Spirit and his Mind. Rom.8.9. Quoted on page 85.
fellow servants 50
FELLOWSHIP 73
Fellowship is in the Spirit 73
Fellowship in isn the Spirit. Eps.3.9. Eph.4.3. Quoted on page 76
fellowship with the Son 79
fellowship with the Father 79
fellowship one with another 79
fighting 98
figures and shadows 89
FIRST PRINCIPLE OF PURE RELIGION.
Light enlightens every man and woman in the world 20
FIRST ADAMall died in the first Adam 10
Adam transgressed so is in sin 10
out of the life in the death 10
transgressed so is in sin 11
out of the life in the death 11
death reigns from Adam to Moses 11quickens from the trespasses which the first Adam is in 11
may profess all the Saint’s words, yet not believing in the Saints lights
first Adam is in the trespasses 11First Adam in the Death 11
First Adam, earthly Adam 23
FIRST
first step of Peace 6First day 69
First Covenant stood in types and figures and shadows and made nothing perfect. 88
FLESH 50
Flesh glories 50
out of the Truth and under the dark power 103
from the beginning 70
from the beginning 76
fulfill the Law 88
garden 91
gave forth Scripture 78
GENTILES 8
gift to overcome 84
GIVE(S)
give thee the Knowledge of the Glory of God in the Face of Jesus Christ 21Father of Truth 78
Glory 104
Hath all Power 104immortal 88
Life 86, 104
Living 104
not the author of our confusion 69, 70
over all the wiles of those who out of the truth 104
peace 104
Power 73, 86, 104
of God 71
redeems, saves, and keeps the faith 104
Ruler of heaven and earth 104
shows everyone the Truth 104the Light 38
Wisdom
within us 102, 103, 104Power and Spirit 101
without end 71
by the Power of God the sects, judgements, opinions are broken down 73God’s Church 62
good in everyone 73good overcomes evil 73
must overcome the evil with good 73
GOOD MANNERS 35
corrupt good Manners 34, 35
GOSPEL
Gospel 73, 95, 96
Matthew, Mark and Luke are not the Gospel; Christ is the Gospel, the power of God unto salvation. 55, 56
Christ is the Gospel, the power of God, and is everlasting. 56
the Gospel Christ Jesus which is the Power of God. Rom 16
GRAVEN IMAGES
came to trust graven images
grieve 87
guided 101
guided by that of God in them 102
HANDS
worshiping things made with hands 103
make gods with their hands 104hand-writing 38HATE(S) 5
hates the Light 66, 67
head of the Church 62, 84
HEAPS 76, 77, 89
all on heaps 76
heaps about the scripture and the worship of God. 89
HEAR
hear the Light 31
hearkened 5
hearts of the people 103
Heaven and Earth 70
Heb. 12.2: Light sees Christ Author of they Faith, who gives thee faith. Quoted on page 84
HEED
heed the Light 50, 54
Helps us see the devil 20
Holy Prophets and Saints 101
HOLY GHOST 39, 40
Temples of the Holy Ghost 39, 40
HOPE 88, 89Christ the Hope of Glory Col. I.27. I Pet. 52
living hope 88, 89
dead hope 88
True hope never perishes 88
hope anchors thy immortal soul 88
hope is God and purifies as He is pure. Hebr. 6. 19. Quoted on page 88.
hope saves Col.1.27. Quoted on page 88.
hope makes not ashamed 88
hope of Christ 88
Hope Christ remains and abides. Corinthians 1.13. Job 13. Quoted on page 89.
Hypocrites are not in the Living Hope but in the perishing Hope. 89
hope of the hypocrite shall perish 89 23
GO FROM
go from the Kingdom 27
go from the Light, go from the Kingdom Rom 14.17 Quoted on page 27.
go from the Principle of God 91
GOD 37
Creator 103
Dominion 100
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Mat 16.18 2 Thes. 1.1 Heb. 2
denies the Light I John 3.22 quoted on page 37
GODS
gods of stone 103
Teachers and Professors make gods with their hands 104
fall down to them 104
destroy one another about their gods 104
gone 60
HOUSES OF CORRECTION 75
causes people to be banished 75
whipt 75
imprisoned for the Priests maintenance 75
imprisoned about their worship and Church 75
knocking down shedding blood 75
breaking up meetings with swords, staves and stones 75
teachers made by the will of man hold up such things 75
humility 85
HYPOCRITE
hope of the hypocrite shall perish 89
hypocrites are not in the Living Hope but in the perishing Hope 89
idolatries 103idolizes 103
Image of God lost 76
imaginations 70
imagined 4
IMMORTAL
immortal and eternal 20
soul is immortal 88
God is immortal 88
IMPRISONED
imprisoned for the Priests maintenance 75
imprisoned about their worship and Church 75
inherit the promise and abide in it 55
invented crosses 60
INVENTIONS 69, 70
inventions and imaginations 69
Jews 3, 7, 8
John 1.12; Luke 1.79: Soul shall be satisfied.
John 8. 44 quoted on page 3
John 1.9; 8,12. Children of the Light quoted on page 3judgments 73
just men 78
kill one another 77
killed 91
KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.
Light enables us to see. 27
If you go from the Light, you go from the Kingdom, Power, Life, Glory. Rom 14.17 27
knew not Christ 12
knocking down, shedding blood 75
know 6
KNOWLEDGE 104
knowledge of the Glory of God in the Face of Jesus Christ 2 Cor. 44. Quoted on page 21
LAW
Adam transgressed the Law 10
Law of God 10
law is fulfilled in one word. 38
Law is Light 60
Law and First Covenant stood in types and figures and shadows and made nothing perfect. Heb.7.19. Quoted on page 88.
Prophets fulfill the Law 88
Law with power over man. 91
LEARN(ED)
learn of my beloved Son. 39, 40
learned of God that gave forth Scripture 78
learned of God, the Father of Truth 78
liberty of the Sons of God 76
LIE
Friends can’t lie, like the devil, to bring themselves gain. 39
lie to bring gain 42, 43
LIFE 27, 55
Life and Power 69, 86
Life and Truth 73, 76
Life and Truth 73
Life of God 103
Lips polluted 24
LIVE(ING)
Living God 69, 104
living faith 83, 84
living hope never perishes 88
Living Hope 89 live and walk in the Spirit 102
live in peace with God 104live in peace and unity of spirit 104
looks unto Christ 84loose the power within 91
Lord God 36
shows you your thoughts 36
fills Heaven and earth 36
seen and beholden in His Glory. 36
knows the Heart 36
checks thee for sin and unholiness 36
turns thee to holiness 36
through the Light checks thee for sin and unholiness 36
turns thee to holiness 36
lose the Garden and it becomes a wilderness 91
LOST
lost his being 70
lost his Dominion over creatures 70
LOVE
love the Light, love God, who is the Light. 37
love God above all 37
love my neighbor as myself 37
Love God above all goods and things created. 38
Love enemies 73
love your neighbor who is enlightened with the same Light. 38
lusts. 50mace 60
made Gods of creatures 70
make gods with their hands 104
makes them manifest 105
man 2 , 11, 76
manifest 2, 4, 5
many religions 76
matter of persecution 101
members of sects 79
men and women 91
MIND
Christ’s Spirit and Mind. Rom.8.9. Quoted on page 85.
mind to God 103
minds turned within 102
murders 103
MYSTERY 61, 73
Mystery of the Fellowship of the Gospel 97
NAME 32
Christ’s true and best name is Christ the Light who hath enlightened every man who cometh into the world.
nations 76natural and created light 19
nature 7
NEW 39, 40
New covenant, priesthood, temple, living way 39Light of Christ makes everything new 39
Light of Christ maketh all new 41
new covenant 40
new priesthood 40
new temple 40
new way 40
NO
no teacher of Christ who only professes Scripture 15
No man kills another about Religion, Worship, Church, Ministry or sacrifice 91
No persecution or injustice or unrighteousness and ungodliness or unholiness or wickedness upon the earth. Rom 7.18. 90
none comes to life but who comes to Christ 11
NOT
not believing 11
not owning the Light 35
not to lie 38
not a sin to be tempted 104
on heaps 103
one Faith 85
opinions 73
our bodies are the Temples of the Holy Ghost 39
OUT OF
out of the Light 10
out of the Truth 10, 69
out of the way 11
out of the life 12
out of the wisdom of God 50
out of the fear of God. 50
out of the dominion 69
out of the Image of God 69
out of the image of the Creator 69
out of the doctrine of Christ that says love your enemies Mat. 5.24. quoted on page 71
out f the True Ministry 71
out of the Truth 101
out of the Life and Power that gave them forth 86
overcome evil with good 73
OWN THE LIGHT
own the Light 21, 23, 55
PEACE 6, 24, 70, 100
first step of peace 6
Peace and Life 85
PEOPLE OF THE WORLD
from the world which was in the beginning. 69
from the life and power 69
In transgression 69
in darkness 69
setting up strange gods 69
make Gods of that which the Living God hath made 69
out of the Image of God; out of the image of the Creator 69
out of the dominion 69
out of the Truth 69
in the power of darkness 69
of the devil 69
perfect. 88
perishing Hope 89
persecution 101
persecutor about worship is a wrestler with flesh and blood. Eph. 6.12 quoted on page 80persons 50
Phil.3.6.Rom.0.2.: Blind Zeal, Quoted on page 86.
plead for sin 3, 83
polluted 24
pollutes my lips 35
POWER 27
Power of God 60, 73, 103
power of darkness 69
Power of God 73, 76
Power is the Gospel 73, 76
Power, Light, Life and Spirit 102
PRAY(ERS)
pray to God (cannot) 87
prayers abomination 24
those that vex the Spirit and quench it cannot pray to God. 87
pray to God 87
vex the Spirit, and grieve and quench it, cannot pray to God, the Father of Spirits. 2 Thes. 5. Eccles. 1.14. Quoted on page 87.
preached and manifested 9
Preachers 9
pretense is of religion. 101
PRINCE
Prince of the power of the air 20, 100
Prince of Peace 75, 102
Prince of darkness 90, 100, 101
Prince of the Power of Joy 100Prince of Life 102
Principalities and powers 73
Principle of God 91, 102
PROFESS 4profess all the Saint’s words 11
profess Christ’s words 85
profess the Scriptures 86
profession 101
PROFESSORS 9
professors out of the mind of Christ 75
professors, teachers and Christians are filled with pride 101
Prophets 77, 89, 101
Protestants 99
PROUD 103
Proud and lofty.87
Prov. 20.27. Light is the eye but the may be closed quoted on page 60
Pure is refraining from evil words 35
purifies (hope) as God is pure 88
QUENCH(ES)
quench the Spirit 80, 87quickening spirit 11
QUICKENS
Second Adam quickens from the trespasses which the first Adam is in. 11
Quietness 70
ravened 91
RECONCILIATION
reconciliation one with another 70
peace and reconciliation with God 70
RELIGION
so many religions 76
remains and abides (Christ) 89
removes, shakes and throws down 60
RESURRECTION 11
Resurrection and Life 9
riotous persons 50
Rock upon whom the Church is built 62
grieve and quench the Spirit 87
Rom. 13.9. Light will tell you not to speak evil of any man.
Rom.0.2.: Blind Zeal
Rom.8.9: profess Christ’s words and the Scriptures but don’t have his Spirit and his Mind. Quoted on page 85.
Rom.10:20: Christ Jesus saith, I am the way who doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, and no man cometh to the Father but by me, ever man having a light from Christ the way, it leads to the Father.
rules in the hearts 101
SAINTS
Saints’ words 77
Saints’ lights 11
Salvation 68
sanctifies and makes clean. 32
SATAN 73
led the Creature out of truth into transgression and captivated it 73
SAVE
Save the Creature 73
saves (hope) Col.1.27 quoted on page 88.
Savior of thy soul 62, 105
scorn 42, 43
SCRIPTURES 2, 12, 33, 85, 86, 89
Scriptures where Christ should be born 12
believe them 33
read them 33
hear them 33
have them fulfilled 33
practice them John 5 quoted on page 33
SECOND
Covenant 38
Priesthood 38
SECOND ADAM 10, 11, 20
bring back that which was driven away 10
all made alive 10
Second Adam all made alive. 1 Cor. 15.22, Quoted on page 11.
life 11
light 11
quickens from the trespasses which the first Adam is in 11
quickening spirit 11
destroys death and the power of it 11
SECTS 76
sects, judgements, opinions 73
SEE(S)see the transgressions which have separated you from God. 25
see the Kingdom of Heaven 27 see the Word 32
see him whose name is called the Word of God 32
see the scriptures 34
God is seen who is Holy, and without holiness no one can see Him 36
see the Savior of thy Soul 50
see the Son of God 55
see thyself 84
sees Christ Author of they Faith, who gives thee faith. Heb.12.2. Quoted on 84see godly fear Col. I.27. I Pet.
Self 46
he that speaks and does not follow Christ 46
doesn’t own the Light 46
self willed 103
several teachings 76
shadows 88
SIN(S)
plead for sin 83
can’t be free from sin while upon the earth 83no one sins but first he goes from that of God in him 103
not a sin to be tempted 104
to enter into temptation is a sin 104 Christ tempted to worship the devil and to destroy himself 104
Singing 87
smite their fellow servants 50
Soldiers 74
soldiers of Christ. 73fight with the creatures 74
knocks down 74
shed blood 74
whips 74
burn 74
banishes 74
say they are the church 74
say they are ministers 74
do not worship God 74
are not servants of Christ 74
led by the power of darkness, not the Power of God 74
destroys God’s Workmanship 74
prince of the airs soldiers 74
ordains houses of corrections 74
led by the power of darkness 74
not led by the Power of God 74
soul 88
speeches 4
SPIRIT(S) 73, 86, 103
Spirit of prophecies 60
Spirit is the Fellowship 73, 76
spirits of just men 78
SPIRITUAL
spiritual wickedness in high places 73, 76
Spiritual Light 20
SPIRITUAL WEAPONS 74
Armour of God 74
feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel 74
Breastplate 74
helmet of Salvation 74
spots or wrinkles 61
STAND
Stand against the spiritual wickedness in the whole world 73
steals 103
Steeple-house 60
still in the Light 105
stood in types and figures and shadows 88
STRANGE
strange gods 69, 103
strange voices that own not the Light 27
strangers to the Life of God Jude 1. Quoted on page 90.
SUBSTANCE
substance of them all 89
substance. Mat, 2.5 12Swear and take oaths 99
TEACHER(S) 9
teacher Christ Jesus 39, 40
Teachers made by the will of man that hold up such things 75
make gods with their hands 104
fall down to them 104
destroy one another about their gods 104
TEMPTED
tempted man out of his habitation70
not a sin to be tempted 104 but to enter into temptation is a sin 104
Christ tempted 104 to worship the devil, out of the Truth, to destroy himself 104
Ten Commandments 38
TESTIMONY
Testimony of Jesus 60
thefts 103
thoughts 5, 105
tongues 62, 63
transgress the Law and Power of God 102
transgressing the Light 35
transgression 69, 76
TRINITY
scriptures speaks of Father, Son and Holy Ghost but does not use the words Trinity 121
TRUE
true Christ 3
true faith 3
true Light 12, 19
true Ministry 71
true Zeal 86
trust graven images 70
TRUTH 2, 103
worship in spirit and truth 79
TURN(ED)
turn to the Light 62
turned to the Church 62
turned to the Rock 62
types and figures and shadows 88, 89
unchangeable religion 88
UNGODLY 4
deeds 4
ways 4
words 4
UNITY 77
unity of spirit 104
uttering perverse things. I Tim. 6.5. 35vexes the Spirit 80
visible 60
ways 105
WICKED 4
thoughts 4
imaginations 4
Questions for George Fox
SOME QUESTIONS FOR GEORGE FOX ABOUT
HIS 1660 CATECHISM FOR CHILDREN
HIS 1660 CATECHISM FOR CHILDREN
WHO IS THE LIGHT IN WHOM WE MUST BELIEVE?
- The First Principal of pure religion is that Christ the Light said, "I am the way who doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, and no man cometh to the Father but by me, every man having a light from Christ the way, it leads to the Father."
- The true Light comes from God the Father; He is also the way to the Father of Light.
- The Light is not of the world but eternal.
- The Light comes from and gives knowledge of God.
- The Light lives within everyone, helps them, shows them what is right and wrong.
- The Light is the healer. He is concerned for all hurting, weary, sick, sinful humans.
- He is the binder up of the broken, restorer and seeker of the lost; he brings back those who are driven away.
- He is the Mediator between God and man, reconciles us to God.
WHAT IS THE LIVING FAITH, THE LIVING HOPE?
- The Light Christ is the true and living faith.
- The Light, the Hope Christ, purifies us as God is pure.
- In this better hope, we live in unity.
WHO IS THE FATHER OF LIGHT?
- The Father of Jesus Christ. Mat 16.18 2 Thes. 1.1 Heb. 2
- The Light comes from the Father.
- The Light is the way to the Father.
- The Father who sees over the many ways in the world.
- The Father of Truth.
- The Father of Spirits.
IS THE LIGHT NATURAL AND CREATED?
- No. The True Light, by whom the world was made, is eternal; the true Light was glorified with the Father before the world began.
WHO ARE THE FIRST ADAM AND THE SECOND ADAM?
THE FIRST ADAM
- The First Adam was a man, concerned with earthly things. In the first Adam everyone sinned against God’s Law and Commandments, so they died..
- The First Adam was
- out of the Light.
- out of Truth.
- out of the way to the Father.
THE SECOND ADAM
- is Christ the Light.
- bore the sins and iniquities of all mankind.
- was an offering for the sins of the whole world.
- is the quickening spirit who destroys death and its power.
- is the Glory who was with the Father before the World began.
- In Him all are made alive.
WHAT IS THE WORD AND WHAT ARE WORDS?
THE WORD
- Christ the Light’s name is "the Word of God."
- Christ, not the Bible, is the Word of God.
- The Light inspired the Scriptures and now helps us to understand them.
- We must grow up in and know the Word.
[Note: In the pastoral letters Fox wrote that if there were no scripture, Christ is sufficient.
WORDS
- Both the written word and the spoken word are spiritual weapons.
CAN THE LIGHT MAKE EVERYTHING NEW?
- Yes. The Light of Christ makes everything new – covenant, priesthood, temple, living way.
DO WE OWN THE LIGHT?
- We must own the Light. (Own means to confess, acknowledge, be aware of the Light.) This doesn’t mean that we possess the Light. We are obedient to Him, not He to us.
ARE WE ACTIVE PARTICIPANTS IN OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LIGHT?
- Yes. We are active participants in our relationship with the Light.
- The Light brings us to God.
- We are to heed, pay attention, to the Light.
- We are to stand still in the Light.
- In the Light we can stand against spiritual wickedness in the whole world.
- We walk in the Light and have fellowship with the Father and the Son.
- We are to wait in the Light to inherit the promise of Christ and abide in Him.
- Yes. We turn our minds inward to God the Light and away from the distractions of the world to become acquainted with the Life and Power of God.
- Believers are able to see Christ through the Light.
- We will see Christ the Hope of Glory.
- The Light also enables us to see the Kingdom of Heaven.
- In the Light, the Lord God is seen."
- The Light also helps us see the devil.
DOES THE LIGHT GIVE US KNOWLEDGE?
- The Light gives us knowledge of the Glory of God.
- The Light is the way to wisdom.
- The Light is our Teacher.
- The Light is the Author of our Faith.
- Light is good; darkness is evil. Christ the Light is good; the devil is darkness and evil.
- Friends are Children of the Light, Children of the Day who must turn from darkness. The day is light and good; the night is dark and evil.
- By believing in the Light.
- The Light
- is beautiful.
- was present before the world began.
- binds up the broken.
- blots out sin.
- breaks the bonds of iniquity.
- brings back that which was driven away.
- comes from the Father of Light.
- comprehends all ways.
- condemns sin.
- created all things.
- discovers all things and makes them readily seen and understood.
- enlightens everyone.
- is eternal, immortal.
- is the first step to peace.
- is from Christ Jesus.
- gives us Faith.
- justifies us to God.
- is the Kingdom of heaven.
- lets us see our sin and saves us from this sin.
- lets us see Christ, the way to the Father of Light, from whence light comes.
- is Life.
- lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
- is the Mediator between God and man.
- is not of the world.
- is not natural and created.
- is the only way to the Father.
- is peace.
- reconciles us to God.
- reigns.
- saves us from sin.
- seeks and restores the lost.
- is spiritual.
- is the True Light by whom the world was made.
- is the True Light who was glorified with the Father.
- is the True light who lighteth every man and woman. is the way, truth, and life.
- is wisdom which comes from above.
[Note: Fox believed that God had specially chosen and shaped him.]
- He told Friends on whose authority he acts.
- "I do warn you in the presence of the living God not to speak the things of God at random, or in a presumptuous mind."
- Fox’s authority comes from the "presence of the Living God" so he can charge and command Friends.
- He has the authority to judge and to understand the powers of darkness from the Power of God.
- "This is from the Word of God."
- Fox believed that he dwelt in the living God and had inspired knowledge of what God wanted him to do.
- "This is the counsel of the Lord to you."
- From God’s mouth to Fox’s ear to Friends. Fox is quite certain of his authority.
[Note: Fox has a consistent and orderly world view keeping the inner and outward life in harmony. He tried to bring order to both the inner spiritual life of Friends and their life in the world. The purity of a Friend’s inward life shows them how to live each day. This purity makes such good persons on the inside that it spills over in love and generosity to others. This kind of person cannot be involved in violence or war.
Spiritual values permeate all Fox’s; every aspect of life has a spiritual component. He states that truth is the only way to communicate with others. By having only one standard, he simplifies the complex. He doesn’t think that we can stand on the sidelines and leave getting to know and love God to some intermediary. We are active in our own redemption – walking, dwelling and living in Him who scatters the clouds and keeps our eyes clear.]
WHAT DOES FOX BELIEVE AS A UNIVERSALIST?
- Everyone, people everywhere, a company of people, citizens, every man and woman may know and worship God.
- God loves everyone.
- Christ the Light enlightens and saves every person in the world; He is also our intimate Friend.
- Christ died for everyone.
- Fox’s central belief based on Romans 10:20 is that Christ Jesus saith, I am the way who doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, and no man cometh to the Father but by me, ever man having a light from Christ the way, it leads to the Father. Fox believed that no one but himself held the true faith in its true form and had not done so since the time of the Apostles.
- He understood God’s holy Prophets and believed the Apostles’ words.
- He understood the Old Testament which prophesied Christ’s coming.
- He understood the New Testament which fulfilled the promise of this prophesy.
- The basic truth of Christianity is that Christ enlightens everyone.
- Some teachers, professors and Christians did not believe in and worship Christ in the right way.
- Some teachers are made by the will of man.
- Some professors do not behave as Christ wants them too.
- Some professors do not believe that Christ enlightens everyone.
- Teachers and Professors
- made gods with their hands.
- destroy one another about their gods.
- go from the God within themselves.
- Professors, teachers and Christians
- are filled with pride.
- teach Christ but deny the Light.
- The true, real Teacher is Christ Jesus.
- Some Christians, Professors and Teachers plead, that is, argue,
- no one will have a clear conscience while upon this earth.
- no one will be free from sin
- no one will be perfect while upon the earth.
"This is wickedness and impudency to say Christ scorned men when he bade them be perfect. This is anti-christ and the devil's doctrine, to say that Christ did command that which men could not come to; for neither Christ nor God commanded any thing, but what should be attained unto; and it will be attained unto, and hath been attained unto. Christ said, be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect. And so he did speak that which he knew people should come into, if ever they came into the kingdom of God. What is this to thee who cannot love enemies? for they that love enemies, shall know perfection, and perfect love and patience have their perfect work Jas. 1.4."]
WHY ARE THERE SO MANY SECTS?
- Men and women started to believe in many sects when they lost the Image of God and began to sin.
- Individuals, who put forward various sects, are not true ministers and have no unity with God.
- Many sects are authorized by the devil.
- People
- are not in the Kingdom of God.
- are out of the image of the Creator.
- behave in an evil way.
- live in the power of darkness, not in the power of the Light.
- set up strange gods, come to trust graven images.
- follow inventions and imaginations which are just the creation of man.
- Neither God nor Christ are the author of this confusion, but the devil.
- The people of the world are those who
- set up strange gods.
- live in the power of darkness and sin.
- are out of the image of the Creator.
- The Devil went out of the Truth and led the people of the world out of it. He ruled in the hearts of some men and women.
WHO ARE WILL– WORSHIPERS?
- Will-worshipers are those who worship their own wills and quench the Spirit of God in themselves. They also worship the world and "stand not in the Spirit but in their wills."
HOW CAN ALL THE PROBLEMS OF THE WORLD BE HEALED?
- Everyone must answer and witness to the God and the good within everyone. In this way we can understand others and get along with them.
- Everyone must see the good in themselves and in others.
- Everyone must know and believe in the Light. Everyone is created in God’s Image so we may live peaceful and constructive lives.
- God’s Kingdom on earth is a peaceful and joyful one. He shows us how to answer the God in others, that which is good in them.
- Why are there so many sects?
- Why do men (women too) kill one another over the way they worship?
- Why do men (women too) err in knowledge and wisdom?
- Why do people act in such a terrible way?
- Fox gives the same answers to all these questions.
- People do not believe in Christ the Light who enlightened them.
- They are all out of the Image of God, out of the True Church.
- They do not obey Christ’s command to love their enemies.
Even though he is quoting Second Corinthians 3:18 in Letter 410: "with open face, behold as in a glass, the Glory of the Lord, and be changed into the same Image, from Glory to Glory, even by the Spirit of the Lord," Fox seems to be describing a particularly vivid and wonderful personal experience.
Of course, Fox believes that both men and women are created in the Image of God. The Truth makes one free from all sin and brings man and woman into the Image of God. In marriage men and women are restored and sanctified in the image of God. The couple are help-meets in righteousness in the image of God. Everyone is to be a new man or woman, renewed in the Image of God.
An image is a copy, not the real thing. For we certainly are not God; God is radically different from us. However, we are in God's Image in that we know right from wrong, good from evil. God is Love. One way in which we are in the Image of God is that we can love Him in return.
Part of being in the Image of God is that we share in the day-to-day process of creation, have children, do a job well, write a story, have a garden. We have a responsibility for the environment, are kings and queens over creation and all creatures.
We can lose or fall from the Image of God, if we turn away from His pure spirit. But if we dwell in the Light and wait upon God, He will renew His Image. Then we can be made like God, created anew in His Image, pure, holy, perfect and righteous. Sinners may be healed if we dwell in the Light and wait upon God for He can renew His Image. Christ Jesus restores faithful men and women into the Image of God and makes them as kings and priests to reign upon the earth. Everyone may be renewed into the Image of God by the Seed Christ. For He redeems man and woman up into the image of God as we were before we fell.
We are not only created in the Image of God but also "bear" the image of the Just Christ who suffered by the unjust. It would seem to follow that we can be just, too. In 1656 Fox writes in letter 110 to Friends in prison to be examples, patterns to the other prisoners in the Image of the Son of God. In Christ it becomes clear what being in the Image of God means.
Being created in the Image of God means that we are truly human. It means that we are of value because God lives within us. Our decisions are not completely selfish and self-serving but do consider other people’s wants and needs. We can live a full life and use the gifts that God has given us.
To have a complete life "Friends should know the Power and Life of Christ’s resurrection, have fellowship with Him in His death so that we will be comfortable to His Image."]
WHAT IS THE TRUE CHURCH?
- It is the "pillar and ground" that is, the solid support and foundation "of the Truth" with Christ Jesus as its Head, the Rock upon which it is built. Everyone who is turned to the Light is turned to the Church which is in God the Father. Mat 16.18 2 Thes. 1.1 Heb. 2
- The Church is in God. It is not
- a great house.
- an invention or a creation of something in the mind of man.
- a company of people who are full of pride.
- The world’s soldiers claim that they are the church and its ministers. But they do not worship God, are not the soldiers of Christ the Prince of Peace.
- The true Cross of Christ is the Power of God.
- The true Cross is not
- a creation of someone’s mind.
- an imagined thing.
- made of wood or stone or any other thing that is visible.
- on top of a building.
- on a flag.
- The Gospel is Christ, the everlasting power of God.
- The Gospel is not Matthew, Mark and Luke.
[Note: Purity is more than just everyday goodness.
- all that is virtuous.
- innocence, untouched by evil.
The basic underlying precept of all of George Fox’s beliefs and the one that makes them work is purity. Purity is absolutely essential to being a Friend:
- to know God.
- to follow our conscience.
- to live a good life.
- to get into heaven.
- to have faith.
- to look to that which is pure in ourselves to lead us to God.
- to look for that which is pure in others and watch over them in love.
- God is Pure, Holy, Perfect, Righteous.
- The Light leads us to purity and holiness
- Christ purifies us as He is pure.
- Pure and undefiled religion is free from any contamination.
- We should
- dwell in purity.
- grow up in that which is pure,
- mind that which is pure which will guide us to God.
- wait in, stand still, in the pure life of God.
- live in purity.
- obey, pay attention to, and be guided by that which is pure in us.
- As we are created in the Image of God, we can be made pure like Him.
- Purity will guide us into immortal life.
HOW MAY WE STAY OUT OF TROUBLE?
- Believe in the Light and have our deeds made in God.
- We can live a moral life because the Light
- admonishes us.
- condemns us.
- teaches us to give up our sins.
- saves us from sin.
- We love our neighbor because he or she is enlightened with the same Light as we are.
- No. We can’t lie to bring ourselves gain, or for any other reason, because this is what the devil does.
MAY WE GO INTO TAVERNS TO DRINK?
- No. Unless the individual is going among these drinker to reprove them. Fox is very hard on drunks for they are out of the Light.
- An anti-Christ
- is a false prophet, the beast and the well favored harlot.
- does not confess the Light
- is a deceiver who hates the Light.
- goes from the Light so is against Him in others.
- acts contrary to the Light, is turned from Him.
- opposes the Light, calls Him a natural conscience, a natural light.
- hates the Light.
- The Light understands the anti-christ and condemns him.
- The devil is the prince of the air and of darkness who
- denies the Light.
- does not abide in the Truth.
- seduces and deceives.
- lost his Dominion over all the creatures.
- went out of the Truth and led others out of the Truth. John 8.44.
- is full of darkness
WHAT IS SIN?
- It is a sin to enter into temptation.
- It is not a sin to be tempted.
- The origins of outward war are human sin:
- lust
- pride
- ambition
- disobedience.
- The great act of betrayal which led to war occurs when men and women go from the Light within.
- The devil is also a major cause of war.
WHAT IS THE WAY OF PEACE?
- Christ the Light is the first step of peace, the way of Peace. Fox names Christ the Light the Prince of Peace and Life.
- Yes. Christ the Light says that we are to love our enemies and overcome evil with good.
- Christ’s weapons are spiritual:
- armor of God
- feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel
- a helmet of Salvation.
- Other spiritual weapons are
- kindness
- love
- truth
- persuasion
- propaganda
- non-resistance
- Then two which are spiritual but confrontational: rebuking powerful individuals and fearless preaching.
ARE WE SOLDIERS OF THE LIGHT?
- Yes. We are soldiers of the Prince of Joy and Peace, soldiers of the Light who stand against spiritual wickedness, sects, and opinions.
- There are also soldiers of the prince of darkness who destroys God’s workmanship. The Devil’s soldiers fight with God’s Creatures. They make houses of correction where God’s Creatures are imprisoned.
- Houses of correction are prisons where early Friends were confined
- for not swearing allegiance to the king.
- for not paying to maintain Anglican priests.
- for holding Quaker Meetings.
- Fox believes that the secular authorities imprisoned Quakers for the way they worshiped God.
- Yes. Christ, the Covenant of Light, is
- an everlasting covenant.
- a covenant of promise.
- the new covenant.
- Everyone must become acquainted with the Covenant of promise and the Covenant of God through which men have peace. The Light Christ, the Prince of Peace, reigns as ruler of the universe, is the answer to all human ills.
1) Fox believed that wars originated among Christians when they acted as traitors to Jesus Christ.
Friends should not fight in an outward war with material weapons instead they should fight in an inner spiritual war – the Lamb’s war – with spiritual weapons. An idea unique to Fox and the early Friends, the Lamb's war means the sovereign rule of Christ the king over all nations, all people, and throughout all history. It is also a program of social and religious revolution in the name and through the power of Jesus Christ.
The Lamb makes war in righteousness, and He will subdue all things to Himself. He has the right to rule. Friends need not fear the devil with his Beast’s Horns and Heels for the Lamb will be victorious over the Wild Beasts. As always for Fox, Christ is the answer. "Dear friends and brethren in the world" he wrote "should be of good cheer for the Lamb, Christ, has overcome the world." In Him we will overcome the devil and his works. Without Him we can do nothing, but through His power and strength, we will be able to do all things.
Friends must only fight in the Lamb’s War, a heavenly war, an inner spiritual war with spiritual weapons. Fox demands great allegiance and implicit obedience from Friends about this. He advises us to follow the Lamb, must follow Christ the King who reigns over all principalities and powers. (Principalities and powers are angelic beings, often evil ones.)
2) Fox lived in the Life and Power that Takes Away the Occasion of all wars.
This "Life and Power" is the Lamb, Christ the Royal Seed.
Fox’s job was to be a reconciler, valiant for truth and a fighter in an inward war. He called men to a spiritual struggle which was "the moral equivalent of war." He called them to be valiant for God's truth upon the earth, and only fear Him, who can break their fetters, their jails, and their bonds in sunder.
3) Covenant of peace
Fox believed that Friends are called to a covenant of peace to use only spiritual weapons. He relies on them because they are the only legitimate ones for the use of a Christian warrior. The source of these weapons is God to whom all men and women owe obedience:
our shield is our faith, by which we have victory over all that which separates from God
our sword is the word of God
our baptism is that of the spirit
our swords are beaten into ploughshares
our armor and weapons those of the spirit
The purpose of the inward war fought with inward weapons is to bring the truth and blessing of God to all people.
4) The Royal Law
The Royal Law, Christ's command to love our enemies, is not only a test of obedience but a requirement for membership in His Kingdom. Christ said love your enemies, not kill or persecute one another. Those individuals who do not love their enemies are not true Christians, neither are they that fight and kill and destroy one another in the Kingdom. The Royal Law means that we accepts suffering as God's gift. Blessing and praying for those who persecute us is part of the covenant of peace. One of the important signs that Friends have obeyed the royal law is their willingness to accept suffering and persecution, loving the oppressor, praying for him.
5.) Christ the King, sovereign ruler of the universe
Christ the King, sovereign ruler of the universe, is the answer to all human ills. He has
authority, jurisdiction and power over all men. Everyone owes Him allegiance. Fox’s belief in the universal kingship of Christ is the keystone of his faith and also of his attitude toward war. Christ begins his rule in the hearts of his saints, and through them he will reign over all the world. Christ, as King, will judge all nations, send the wicked to eternal torment, bring immediate joy, and deliver the righteous to his kingdom. The Lamb will be victorious.]
WHY IS GEORGE FOX A RELIGIOUS GENIUS, NOT A RELIGIOUS CRANK?
- He was an orthodox Christian.
- His faith is anchored in the Bible.
- He is a genuine mystic, who has a passionate love for God and Christ, and a rare insight into Their natures.
- He believed that he was specially chosen and loved by God but he also believed that everyone else was too.
- He was consistent and never took the easy path.
- He knew that there was terrible evil in the world. He didn’t ask Friends to endue evil and hardship unnecessarily but did everything that he could to protect Friends. He showed them how they could confront their persecutors
- He had real clarity on what is right and wrong; he never asked anything of his followers that he is not willing to do himself.
- He understood that everyone could make the choice between goodness and light or evil and darkness.
- He is a genuine egalitarian; he believed that everyone should have the chance to use their God given talents.
- He is a good and generous man who liked people; he wanted them to lead lives of peace and prosperity.
- He was a kind man who was concerned for widows and orphans.
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