A Brief Study Guide to the Journal of

Compiled by John H. Curtis

������� INDEX

The numbers refer to the page and paragraph in the Nickalls edition (2005) of the Journal of George Fox. Since the comments are made in the same order, these numbers also refer to each comment.

Christ a present help...... 12-1 Christ can speak to my condition...... 11-2 Christ overcomes evil...... 13-2 Christ’s death and Christ centeredness ...... 5-2 Despair and temptation...... 5-3 Firbank Fell sermon...... 109-2 Flesh, The...... 16-2 &17-2 Fox’s financial resources...... 7-1 God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit...... 11-3 Hope...... 14-2 Journal, Why Fox wrote his...... 1-1 Law, the law and Christ...... 16-2 & 17-2 Originally published in 1976 by Light of Christ...... 33-2 New Foundations Fellowship Lord, The...... 1-1 Revised and reprinted (with permission) in 2017 Mission, Fox’s...... 34-1 by Cleveland Friends Meeting Notions...... 19-3 Library Committee Ocean of light and love...... 19-2 Perfection...... 18-3 Professors that did not possess...... 4-1 Prophet, Importance of...... 109-2 Scriptures, the...... 33-2 Shadows, etc...... 32-1 Source material, change...... 49-4 Temple, God does not dwell in...... 8-2 Tender...... 4-3 Theological training not necessary...... 7-2 Truth, the...... 1-1 Types, figures and shadows...... 32-2 Wait upon the Lord...... 12-2 Women’s souls...... 8-3

Additional Resource for Readers of Fox’s Journal

References are to the Revised 2005 Edition A Readers Companion to George Fox’s Journal by Joseph by John L. Nickalls Pickvance, Curlew Productions, Kelso, 1989: contains an introduction to George Fox and the legacy of his writings; a glossary ; an annotated word and phrase list (concordance); social testimonies and witnesses. 9 A Note on the Various Editions of INTRODUCTION George Fox’s Journal It is the purpose of this study guide to briefly comment George Fox first dictated his Journal to his son-in-law Thomas on some aspects of the message of George Fox as expressed Lower in 1675, while recovering from a spell in prison. This in his Journal. handwritten version of the Journal is known as the “Spence MS.” After Fox’s death, Thomas Ellwood was designated to edit the These comments are mostly on the beginning chapters of Journal for publication. In doing so, Ellwood added the narrative for his Journal. It is hoped that the reader can then continue the period from 1675 to the time of Fox’s death as well as editing reading the rest of the Journal with an understanding of most out passages from the original manuscript, which Friends at the of the ideas and expressions that are so distinctively a part time considered controversial, including most references to Fox’s of Fox. healing or “miracles.” The first edition of Fox’s Journal , as edited by Ellwood, appeared in 1694. George Fox dictated his Journal. He thought as if he were speaking. So it is helpful to read his Journal aloud. Also, his The Ellwood edition of the Journal was reprinted numerous times Journal lends itself to being read aloud and discussed by a unchanged. A two volume edition appeared in 1831 as part of an group of people.. eight volume The Works of George Fox. This edition of The Works was reprinted in 1975 by AMS. It was again reprinted by New I hope that readers of the Journal may experience the same Foundations in 1990 with a new introduction. This edition is sense of strong inward confirmation of the message of currently out of print. George Fox that I have experienced when reading his Journal. In 1911, the “Spence MS” was published verbatim by Cambridge University Press and is known as the “Cambridge Journal.” In 1925, John H. Curtis Cambridge University Press published the Short Journal, edited by 1976 Norman Penney, which was based on a manuscript dictated by Fox while imprisoned in Lancaster Castle in 1664 and covering the period between 1647 and 1664. The Short Journal was reprinted in ����� 2010 by Cambridge University Press along with other manuscripts as The Short Journals and Itinerary Journals of George Fox. About the Author In 1908, Rufus Jones edited an edition of the Journal. This edition was reprinted by Friends United Press in 1976 and again in 1983 John H. Curtis (1914-1992) served as controller for the American Friends Service Committee from 1942 till his retirement The Nickalls edition, to which this study guide refers, was first in 1974. He joined Lewis Benson in the work of the New published in 1952 and in 1975 and several times more. The most Foundations Fellowship. He also served for many years as recent edition, published jointly by Philadelphia treasurer of the Tract Association of Friends. He published a and , came out in 2005. The Nickalls edition number of articles including “Quaker Belief and Experience” restores much of the portions of the original Journal omitted by (Quaker Religious Thought, Vol. 8, Art. 5 (1962)) and “A Quaker Ellwood. The Preface to this edition gives a detailed history of the View of the Christian Revelation” (Tract Association of Friends). various editions. -CF

8 1 Why Fox Wrote his Journal which [Thomas] Ellwood worked. This material is called the “Spence MS” and is printed in the “Cambridge Journal” of Nickalls We learn from the first paragraph that Fox wrote his Journal Page 1 1911. Para 1 so that “all may know the dealings of the Lord with me.” Also, (1624) we will learn the various exercises, trials, and troubles Since the various editions of the Journal of George Fox will through which Fox was led by the Lord as preparation for the differ from the Nickalls Edition after this point and since a work to which the Lord appointed him. number of comments have already been made in this guide, only a few further items will be discussed. This does not The Lord mean that the rest of the Journal is not important. In fact it is In the first line we have a problem that is so typical of Fox’s in the rest of the Journal that the message that Fox preached thought that some space should be devoted to a consideration is made clear. It was this message that changed so many of it right now. What does Fox mean by “the Lord”? people’s lives and produced the Religious Society of Friends. The usual statement about the term “the Lord” is that it The refers to God in the Old Testament and to Christ in the New Page 64 Here Fox states his belief in the life and power that takes Testament.. This does not help here because we do not know Para 3 whether Fox is using it in an Old Testament or a New (1651) away the occasion for all wars. I take this life and power to Testament sense. It is my own belief that Fox is probably using be Christ within. The belief that Christ takes away the it in both senses. occasion for war has meant a great deal to me. Fox occasionally makes statements like, “I told them they I feel that not participating in war is a very serious matter. were not to dispute of God and Christ but to obey him.” In Our family, friends, and other people can suffer in addition Fox’s thinking, based on his experience, God and Christ are to ourselves because of our nonparticipation in war. It is only always present as is the Holy Spirit. Christ’s action that gives sufficient basis to solve the many dilemmas of nonparticipation in war. The Truth This peace testimony is a testimony (witness) to the power The word “Truth” is used in this paragraph. It means the of Christ. Quaker cause and the Quaker message. Thus one of the earliest queries was, “How does Truth prosper among you?” Firbank Fell Sermon Here Fox’s travels in the service of Truth were to proclaim the Page 109 This summary of Fox’s three-hour presentation gives the message and promote the cause. Para 2 heart of the message Fox was preaching. The emphasis on Professors that Did Not Possess (1652) Christ as living teacher, counselor and, particularly as prophet, is the key to understanding Fox’s message. Christ Page 4 “They did not possess what they professed.” This was one Para 1 is the prophet like unto Moses , who must be heard in all of the strongest criticisms made by the early Friends. (1644) things (Deuteronomy 18). Tender Many of the hearers and all of the teachers of that Para 3 “Tender” means spiritually sensitive. congregation were convinced by Fox. A number of these people went on to proclaim the same message. This meeting Christ’s Death and Christ-centeredness is usually considered to be the beginning of Quakerism. Page 5 Nathaniel Stephens may have felt that this was such an ����� Para 2 answer to his question as he had not heard before, but it (1646) strikes me as a well-expressed view which is held by many types of Christians. As I began to read Fox and the early

2 7 Types, Figures, and Shadows Friends, I was surprised to find how close their thinking was to that of the other Christians of their age. The actions of Page 32 Fox states many times that Christ the substance has come Friends in worship, ministry, meeting for business, the peace Para 1 and therefore the types, figures, and shadows have been done (1648) testimony, status of women, etc., were all so radically away. By this he means that the coming of Christ into history different from other Christians, that I tried to find out the and into each person has done away with temple worship, cause of these differences. I decided that the reason was that priests, human prophets, ceremonial washings, etc., which the Friends were much more Christ-centered. As we read were part of Old Testament times. Also, these things were Fox’s Journal, we will have many occasions to evaluate this shadows, types, and figures of Christ who was to come. When conclusion. Christ the substance has come, these shadows, etc., have been replaced by the substance that they foretold (Colossians 2:17 - Despair and Temptation “body, ” KJV; “substance,” RSV) Page 5 At this time in his life, Fox was seeking to know “the Light of Christ Para 3 ground of despair and temptations” and how to overcome this “ground” or cause of despair and temptations. Page 33 Fox often uses “light” or “light of Christ” in a variety of Para 2 Fox’s Financial Resources (1648) ways. This paragraph is a good example of such use. I believe Fox does this for at least two reasons: Page 7 Here Fox states he had sufficient funds for his own needs Para 1 and to help others. The source of these funds is not known. 1. He lived in an age when Christian terminology and (1646) doctrine were well-known, but nothing was known about Theological Training not Necessary Christ as experienced as our inward teacher, shepherd, Para 2 The opening that it is not necessary to go to a theological counselor, etc. So Fox devotes most of his efforts to school to be a minister of Christ has been basic to Quakerism. proclaiming that there is this experience which is much more than just a belief in the efficiency of Christ’s death. God Does Not Dwell in Temples 2. Fox always thinks of God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit as Page 8 That God does not dwell in temples made with hands but being present. Para 2 (1647) that his people are his temple and he dwells in them is The Scriptures another basic belief of Fox.

Para 2 This paragraph also gives a good statement of Fox’s view Women’s Souls of the function of the Scriptures. These things are told in the Para 3 This shows what low regard some men had for women in Scriptures, but we need the inward help of the Holy Spirit to 1647. It also shows Fox’s contrary view and how he often know God, Christ, or the Scriptures aright. used Scripture to correct those who held mistaken views. Fox’s Mission Christ Can Speak to Thy Condition This paragraph tells of Fox being sent forth and of his Page 34 Page 11 This is the turning point in Fox’s personal life. The voice Para 3 mission. Para 2 told him that Christ Jesus can speak to his need. Fox saw that (1648) It is a good example of Fox’s emphasis on the living, active (1647) Christ enlightens, and gives grace and faith and power. This presence of Christ with God and the Holy Spirit also being is how temptations and despair are overcome. present. God, Christ and the Holy Spirit Change of Source Material Page 49 Page 11 I feel that Fox’s basic theology is contained in the words Para 4 Para 3 (1649) In the fifth line of this paragraph, the Nickalls edition “the Father of Life drew me to his Son by his spirit.” Fox changes from the Ellwood text to the original material from always thinks of God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit as present. 6 3 This was a major point of difference between the early Christ a Present Help Friends and other Christians of that time. The other Page 12 Fox puts great emphasis on Christ being alive, present, and Christians said that to believe that fallible human beings Para 1 active, as the last part of this paragraph shows. could know and do the will of God in this life was the worst (1647) sin of all - spiritual pride. The early Friends said that through Wait Upon the Lord the help of Christ within it was possible to know and do the Para 2 This paragraph is a moving statement of Fox’s experience will of God in this life. Also, the early Friends said the others of the help and power that comes from Christ within. were pleading for sin for the term of life. This continued to be a major difference between Friends Christ Overcomes Evil and many other Christians. If it is not possible to do the will Page 13 Like much of Fox’s writing, biblical terms and quotations of God, all that people can do is to do the best they can and Para 2 are paraphrased here, which gives his meaning clearness and pray for forgiveness for not fully doing the will of God. This (1647) depth. The Serpent is Satan who is the power of evil. The Seed is sometimes called the tragic dilemma of Protestant ethics. is Christ who is the seed of woman that shall bruise the By reading the Bible, people can learn what God wants them serpent’s head (Genesis 3:15). to do, but they can’t do it. I believe that this is one of the reasons why salvation to the Protestants means forgiveness Hope for sins committed. Page 14 Here Fox tells of his opening that “all was done and to be Fox believed in forgiveness for sins committed, but he also Para 2 done in and by Christ.” This gave Fox hope. The sentences (1647) believed in salvation from sin. If a group believes that it is beginning, “And when at any time my condition was possible to do the will of God in this life (salvation from sin) veiled…” and ending with “…and temptations are” has been that group will take very seriously what is the will of God of great encouragement to many people who have been in the for a particular situation. Friends under the guidance of midst of troubles, temptations, and despair. The soul’s Bishop Christ within have been led into many testimonies. These is Christ. testimonies testify to the power of Christ to guide and Flesh, the Law, and Christ empower people to do the will of God in this life. The better know testimonies are those against war and These two paragraphs give Fox’s view of the law and of Page 16 fighting, for simplicity and honesty, and respect for every Christ. He tells how people must have the law as their Para 2 person. Also, Friends have been led to be in the forefront of & Page 17 schoolmaster and must thus learn what is contrary to the law many movements for social betterment. Para 2 in themselves. Then they must come through the law to Christ (1647) who makes people free from the law of sin and death, and An Infinite Ocean of Light and Love brings them into liberty and freedom to do the will of God. The word “flesh” is used by Fox to mean that which refuses Page 19 The sentence beginning, “I saw that also there was an to do the will of God, but does something else instead. Para 2 ocean…” is often quoted. It shows that Fox has a positive (1647) faith that God’s love prevails. Perfection Notions Page 18 Here the “professors” could not bear to hear talk of Para 3 Page 19 This is typical of Fox’s belief. He contrasts words and (1647) “perfection,” and of a holy and sinless life. The word perfection Para 3 is used here in the technical sense. It means that it is possible notions with the inward life and inward cleansing blood of to know and do the will of God in this life. It does not mean Christ. These words and notions were not based on perfect in the sense of being sure one will never make a mistake. experience of Christ within, but were intellectual speculation. Fox often uses the word notions in this sense.

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