The First Edition, edited by Thomas Ellwood
From the text published London: Thomas Northcott, 1694 (unless otherwise noted.)
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THOMAS ELLWOOD'S ACCOUNT OF THAT EMINENT AND
HONORABLE SERVANT OF THE LORD, GEORGE FOX
This holy man was raised up by God in an extraordinary manner, for an extraordinary work, even
to awaken the sleeping world, by proclaiming the Might Day of the Lord to the Nations, and
publishing again the Everlasting Gospel to the inhabitants of the earth, after the long and dismal
night of apostasy and darkness. For this work the Lord began to prepare him by many and various
trials and exercises from his very childhood and having fitted and furnished him for it, he called
him into it very young; and made him instrumental, by the effectual working of the Holy Ghost,
through his ministry to call many others into the same work, and to turn many thousands from
darkness to the Light of Christ, and from the power of Satan unto God. I knew him not, till the
year 1660: and from that time to the time of his death I knew him well, conversed with him often,
observed him much, loved him dearly, and honored him truly; and upon good experience can say,
he was indeed a heavenly minded man, zealous for the Name of the Lord, and preferred the honor
of God before all things. He was valiant for the Truth, bold in asserting it, patient in suffering for
it, unwearied in laboring for it, steady in his testimony to it; immoveable as a rock. Deep he was in
Divine Knowledge, clear in opening heavenly mysteries, plain and powerful in preaching, fervent
in prayer. He was richly endued with heavenly wisdom, quick in discerning, sound in judgment,
able and ready in giving, discreet in keeping counsel: a lover of righteousness, an encourager of
virtue, justice, temperance, meekness, purity, chastity, modesty, humility, charity, self denial in all,
both by word and example. Graceful was he in countenance, manly in personage, grave in gesture,
courteous in conversation, weighty in communication, instructive in discourse; free from
affectation in speech or carriage. A sever reprover of hard and obstinate sinners; a mild and gentle
admonisher of such, as were tender, and sensible of their failings: not apt to resent personal
wrongs; easy to forgive injuries: but zealously earnest, where the honor of God, the prosperity of
Truth, the people of the Church were concerned. Very tender, compassionate and pitiful he was
to all, that were under any sort of affliction; full of brotherly love, full of fatherly care: for indeed,
the care of the Churches of Christ was daily upon him, the prosperity and peace whereof his
studiously sought. Beloved he was of God; beloved of God's people: and (which was not the least
part of his honor) the common butt of all Apostates' envy; whose good notwithstanding he
earnestly sought. He lived to seethe desire of his soul, the spreading of that blessed principle of
Divine Light, through many European Nations, and not a few of the American Islands and
Provinces, and the gathering of many thousands into an establishment therein; which the Lord
vouchsafed him the honor to be the first effectual publisher of, in this latter age of the world. And
having fought a good fight, finished his course, and kept the faith, his righteous soul (freed from
the earthly tabernacle, in which he has led an exemplary life of holiness) was translated into those
heavenly mansions, where Christ our Lord went to prepare a place for his; there to possess that
glorious crown of righteousness, which is laid up for, and shall be given by the Lord the righteous
Judge, to all them that love his appearance. Ages to come, and peoples yet unborn shall call him
blessed, and bless the Lord for raising of him up: and blessed shall we also be, if we so walk, as
we had him for an example; for whom this testimony lives in my heart, he lived and died the
SERVANT of the LORD.
T.E.