And yet,
knowing what is right, we cannot pursue it. We go off, on the other
hand, against our better knowledge, into the road to evil. Now, it was
the opinion of George Fox, that something might be done to counteract
this infirmity of human nature, or to make a man keep up to the precepts
which he believed to have been divinely inspired, or, in other words,
that a system of Discipline might be devised, for regulating, exciting,
and preserving the conduct of a Christian.
This system he at length completed, and, as he believed, with the divine
aid, and introduced it into the society with the approbation of those
who belonged to it.
The great principle, upon which he founded it, was, that every christian
was bound to watch over another for his good. This principle included
two ideas. First, that vigilance over the moral conduct of individuals
was a christian duty. Secondly, that any interference with persons, who
might err, was solely for their good. Their reformation was to be the
only object in view. Hence religious advice was necessary. Hence it was
to be administered with tenderness and patience. Hence nothing was to be
left undone, while there was a hope that any thing could be done, for
their spiritual welfare.
From this view of the subject he enjoined it to all the members of his
newly formed society, to be watchful over the conduct of one another,
and not to hesitate to step in for the recovery of those, whom they
might discover to be overtaken with a fault.
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