The Journal of George Fox

George Fox showed his world and us the Truth of the Enlightenment that Jesus taught. The Love of enemies, the Acceptance of ALL beliefs and ALL believers. George (he preferred George) was a Puritan. He believed in witchcraft and divine retribution. He was not a man of science. He was never formally educated in any discipline. He was a livestock trader and a successful one at that. Yet he created a loving and honest movement that changed the world and spawned the two greatest economic powers in all of human development (Great Britain and the USA). This movement was instrumental in the founding of the United States. Philadelphia was not chosen to declare independence or create the Constitution because of simple geography. Congregationalists in Massachusetts, Presbyterians in New Jersey, Roman Catholics in Maryland and Church of England in all the urban areas and in the deep south knew that the only place on the continent where they would get a fair shake was in Quaker Philadelphia. Look up the history of the Liberty Bell. Even the language changed because George addressed everyone as "thou" and the quality hated that. This is the record of his ministry in his words. It records his travels throughout Britain, Ireland, Europe and North America. For me, it is intensely compelling and one of the reasons why I am a convinced Friend.

The journal of George Fox (1624-1691) is a a journal of a 17thC. John the Baptist from England who saw revival cross England and Britian as people embraced the true faith of Christianity and lived it, rather than just talked about it on a Sunday when church atendance was compuslery. The journal is good, telling of Fox's conversion to the Truth and proclaiming repntance and faith in Christ across England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland and then later visiting the West Indies and America and then Holland and North Germany. Fox became the elader of the Society of Friends - Quakers as people used to tremble under the word of the Lord. Fox talks about his message, his travels, his 9 imprisonments, encouters with Oliver Cromwell, prophetics symbolism, allusions to his intercessions (mighty man of prayers)divine healings, deliverance, his discernments, opposition, visions, persecutions; his followers and his fight for social justice (slaves, fair wages, freedoms, justice, poor, widows and orphans etc) and love for the Light in Christ. Enjoyable journal during, before and after Englands Civil War which was very informative and if you get one with editors fottnotes it helps explains old words and customs.

This book is incredible! From the first page onwards I was hooked! I would reccomend this for anyone who is interested in the life and times of good ol' George Fox. This book will grip you and suck you in and you will not be able to stop reading until the very VERY end! A fine choice for Fox fans both new and old. To sum it up in one word: magnificent! This Journal will forever remain my ALL TIME favourite book. Get it today, before you miss out!

George Fox, 1624-91, is sometimes called the "founder" of the Religious Society of Friends, a group that established itself in the 1650s. Early on, they called themselves Children of the Light and Friends of the Truth. As the group spread from the North of England into the south, they became known as Quakers, a name which stuck and is still used today. In the early years, Fox was one of several strong personalities most closely identified with the movement. Later, facing severe persecution and with the death of other early leaders, the Friends accepted Fox's institutional guidance, and he helped the movement to consolidate and survive through to an era of somewhat greater tolerance toward the end of his century.Certainly Fox never set out to start another "religion." He hoped simply to open the hearts of everyone to the leading of the divine Spirit, without allowing the existing distinction of clergy and laity. His journal, composed years after most of the events covered, retains Fox's direct, down-to-earth form of ministry. The language is not flowery, yet it brings up deep and powerful spiritual ideas, with strong imagery that still sparkles in Quaker language."Now the Lord God opened to me by His invisible power that every man was enlightened by the divine Light of Christ, and I saw it shine through all; and that they that believed in it came out of condemnation to the Light of life, and became the children of it; but they that hated it, and did not believe in it, were condemned by it, though they made a profession of Christ. This I saw in the pure openings of the Light without the help of any man; neither did I then know where to find it in the Scriptures; though afterwards, searching the Scriptures, I found it."This edition of Fox's Journal was abridged and edited by Rufus Jones in the early part of the last century, thus making it more accessible to a wider audience. However, some who dwell on the theological nuances and regard Fox as authoritative find this edition disappointing. (The John L. Nickalls edition of Fox's Journal is regarded as definitive.) Rufus Jones provides a helpful introduction, presenting briefly his own idea that Fox raised to a new level an already widespread movement of grassroots mysticism.

This is the first person account of the founder of the Quakers (Society of Friends), George Fox, and it is the best resource for the life and testimonies of Quakers. It is an exciting read full of action, truth and common sense living.