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A52725 What the possession of the living faith is, and the fruits thereof and wherein it hath been found to differ from the dead faith of the world, in the learning and following of Christ in the regeneration with an opening of light to all sorts of people that waits for the Kingdom of God, and a candle lighted to give the sight of the good old way of God, from the wayes that now ensnares the simple : also a message from the spirit of truth unto the holy seed who are chosen out of the world, and are lovers and followers of the light / written by J.N. in the time of his imprisonment, and now (the second time) published by a Friend. Naylor, James, 1617?-1660.; R. T. (Rebecca Travers), 1609-1688. 1664 (1664) Wing N329; ESTC R23113 74,833 93

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that suffers divers seeds shall have sorrow therein and he that sowes amongst thornes and bryars must reap trouble and where this kind is suffered to grow there is torment to themselves and trouble to others for how should the thistle change its nature So all that desire peace prepare a place that the seed thereof may grow alone and the Sun thereof may arise and shine clearly that nothing may grieve his holy spirit for Jacob must dwell alone and not be numbred among the rest of the Nations neither hath the Lamb fellowship with the beasts of the field Now as you have seen the Image of the earthly and felt his power and inclination to earthly things captivating your minds downward to things below even so must you bear the Image of the Heavenly if he reign that comes from above Till then think not you are perfect nor have attained to the resurrection of the dead For this I know of him in whom your life is hid that as he ariseth he shall as strongly lead your mindes into the Heavenly as ever you were captivated with the earthly So he that can read the figure rejoyce in hope concerning him that is to come yet let none glory in the fight of this knowledge but press into the life thereof that God may be seen and glorified in you For as he that hath gone much out with his mind and hath drunk in abundance of the earthly is become the most subtle selfish and hard and filled with all unrighteousness till he become incurable even so he that returns in and drinks abundantly of the heavenly doth become simple innocent and harmless separate from all ungodliness till he become incorruptible and receive power to attain the Son of God whose image declares the Father from whence he is for he that hath seen the Son hath seen the Father and he that hath the Son hath the Father also So dear friends behold the end of your calling and glory of your profession your life in this world and eternal inheritance for the which to attain we endure all things for which sufferings and patience we have a cloud of witnesses So we follow not fables and fancies as some suppose but every one as he is proved herein is able to set to his seal even to the day of the Lord with them that are gone before whose spirits herein are perfected Wherefore dearly beloved of God for his name sake I beseech you be zealous for his appearance and with meekness and fear instruct the ignorant who oppose themselves comfort the weak in all things leading with a life that cannot be blamed knowing how manifold your labour of love is doubled in everlasting glory as he comes to be made manifest to the world And the Lord God of power strengthen all your hands by the appearance of his love that by the shedding of it abroad in your hearts you may be made able to overcome the world and willing to give your necks to the yoak of Christ and to bear the burthens of the weak till the brotherhood arise and the body of Christ be perfected in one that none of you suffer an evil eye or ear which delights to behold the weakness of others but that your whole delight be to wait for the appearance of God in all and to behold his face in them rather than their failings And as this arises in every particular it shall be a sure token to you for good and that you are passed from the love of evil unto the love of God the Father and the Son And what you delight in shall be your inheritance And as you grow herein so shall he whom you love to see delight to make his appearance amongst you and to walk in you and you shall not seek his face in vain but with his likeness shall be satisfied and shall praise the beauty of his appearance Thus in honour preferring one another you shall know that the power of love is a ministration of life to that which is to be ●eloved Who will be on the Lords part now in this day of darkness when iniquity is growing to the full and the manchild is to be born above it And who will give up the vessel to bear his name against the enmity that is now arising And who will be glorified with the Lamb Blessed and happy is he that is found worthy to follow him out of the world bearing his reproach To as many as receive him he gives power to become the sons of God But he that will bear his name must receive his nature and himself also so walk even as he walked his name is power over sin and the world So the servants of sin and the world cannot bear it he that bears his name must bear it in his life and power lest he blaspheme Of flesh and blood it is not born nor by the will of man is it manifest it is he that is born again who hath his witness in himself that must bear his name before the world for a witnesse against them who hath that life in him which testifies against the deeds thereof but who bows thereto betrays him and proves false in his testimony Moses in his house made all things in likenesse of the pattern so it became a Tabernacle of witnesse to all the Nations of the true God therein and against all their false Gods and false worships and herein was he faithful to him that called him and to all that beheld the pattern he preached Gods presence dwelling in the Tabernacle made with hands How much more must he that bears the name of Christ follow the pattern and suit his example holding forth a Tabernacle of witnesse and preaching the presence of the true God therein and against all the world their false births false ways and worships herein proving faithful to him that hath called thereto and to all that beholds holding forth that holinesse is his habitation here on earth as it is in heaven bearing a lively testimony thereof by the Tabernacle of witnesse conformable to the heavenly example in all things And to this end Christ descended walked and suffered on earth leaving an example to all that follow his steps wherein as in a lively Oracle God is found in all that 's builded after his image and ●eek in his name and nature for the immortality that dwelleth therein Now God was not to be found in the Tabernacle of Molech though sought never so earnestly but in the Tabernacle of witnesse built according to the pattern neither is he now to be found in the image of the world nor is hi● name born in that nature though professed never so zealously Therefore let every one that nameth the n●me of the Lord depart from iniquity The seed of evil doers bears not the testimony of Christ but against him Did they blaspheme who said they were Jews and were not How much more do they who professe the name of Christ and are out of
life togather us unto God in the unity of the light and fellowship of the Gospel to the bringing forth of all vertue in Brotherly kindne●● and unfeigned love so 〈◊〉 the same he passed out of thi● City but a few days before he laid down the body in perfect peace returning to the Father who sent him and in whose will he brought forth unto God and his works follow him This and several others that he penned have formerly been printed and some have given praise unto God for the benefit received thereby And now out of a sincere desire that God over all may be glorified from whom every good and perfect gift cometh and the souls that are yet afar off from the life of righteousness may be brought nigh is this again published And in the ●●eling of the everlasting spirit the justifier of all that believe therein is it sent abroad by her that is a traveller for the breaking of the head of wickedness and the opening of the eyes of the ignorant and that the simple may not stumble at the Authors name but read this or any other of his Writings in Gods fear that thou may receive counsel instruction wisdom and comfort thereby as many who believe have done I have here set down his own words as they were written by him and sent unto the Parliament Concerning Christ Jesus that you may not be harmed or hindred by false reports but receive the truth in the love of it in which it is sent to you in the good will of God from her that is made willing to be a servant for Christs sake R. T. This following Testimony was written by his own hand and delivered to the then Parliament who persecuted him as a Blasphemer in the time of his imprisonment in Bridewel CHrist Jesus the Immanuel of whose sufferings the Scriptutes declares him alone I confess before men for whose fake I have denied what ever was dear to me in this world that I might win him and be found in him and not in my self whose life ●nd vertue I find daily manifest in my mortal body which is my eternal joy and hope of glory whom alone I seek to serve in spirit soul and body night and day according to the measure of grace working in me that in ●●e he may be glorified whether by life or death and for his sake I suffer all things that he alone may have the glory of my change whose work alone it is in me Even to that eternal Spirit be glory and to the Lamb for ever But to ascribe this Name power and vertue to James Nailor or to that which had a beginning and must return to dust or for that to be exalted or worshiped to me is great Idolatry and with the Spirit of Christ Jesus in me it is condemned which Spirit leads to lowliness meekness and long-suffering So having an opportunity given with readiness I am willing in the fear of God the Father in honour to Christ Jesus and to take off all offences from every simple heart this to declare to all the world as the truth of Christ is in me without guile or deceit daily finding it to be my work to seek peace in truth with all men in that Spirit James Nailor The Heads of the particulars contained in this ensuing Treatise I. What the Possession of the living faith is pag. 1. II. Who they be that are under the Law and who they be that have made void the Law against themselves and who they be that are under grace p. 24. III. Of the way of life from the knowledge that devoures the life p. 26. IV. An opening of light to all sorts of Rulers and people that wait for the Kingdom of God p. 27. V. A Candle lighted to give the sight of the good old way of God at his coming from the wayes that now ensnares the simple p. 42. VI. The Living God glorified in his Temples the true worshippers that worship him in Spirit and in Truth p. 50. VII To the Ranters p. 57. VIII Deceipt discovered by its fruits p. 59. IX A Message from the Spirit of Truth unto the Holy seed p. 69. What the Profession of the Living Faith is c. FOrasmuch as a right Faith is the onely ground of mans Eternal happiness and the only thing which gains the Creature an entrance towards his Creator and without which it is impossible to please God though much hath been said of it already yet I having found by learning the true and living faith which hath the living power different from that faith which is dead and without that power And seeing that so many at this day are at ease in a dead faith and their souls in the grave In tender love thereto I am stirred up to declare something of the faith of Christ which I have found onely effectual to Salvation and Reconciliation with God And somewhat the rather in regard the Enemy hath spread so many false reports of me touching my faith in Christ Jesus which here I shall declare in plainness for the satisfying of simple minds who desire to know Truth rather then to Reproach it and for those who seek occasion I chuse rather to bear their reproach that are in that Nature then contend therewith for my work is not with Flesh and Bloud nor is it in my Spirit to strive with any about words that stir up strivings and contention and edefie not but with God I strive daily and to that of God in all I seek to be manifest which resists not evil but seek to overcome it with good waiting for the Kingdom of God in all and the Souls Redemption out of death and the Seed out of bondage and where that is not effected in measure I look not to be owned nor my witness received though it be not of my self but Christ Jesus in me And first a Faith or belief I have found in the World of which I shall say little in this place having found indeed little in it to the Salvation of Life It s a literal Faith grounded upon the History of the Scripture touching God and Christ and what Christ did in that Temple which the Jewes destroyed at Jerusalem c. But doth not know him in Spirit nor believe him as his Name is EMANUEL to all Generations and so doth not necessarily work the believer into a conformity to that head in his then walking by his coming again in the same Spirit and Power working in them the same Will Mind and Affections and Obedience to the Father in their measure which was in him the Example Author Worker and Finisher of the True and Living Faith And of this Faith being somewhat dressed by the several Opinions of men are all the unclean Spirits living in whatsoever abomination is to be mentioned in the world all Sects and Opinions or whatever may be found in all Colours in these Northern Parts of the World with this Faith they are covered and this
is the estate of many at this day though some there be whose Consciences are feared and feel not this witness living in them though their damnation slumbereth not though they have lost their Calling and Election also And this have I learned in Christ that there is a great difference both in effect and nature betwixt that Faith which is the gift of God and that faith which men make to themselves for that which is the gift of God is of his own nature clean pure and perfect are all his gifts and so it works naturally the work and will of God in all who receive it freely and mix nothing with it to darken it or stop his working and by this Faith I am saved from sin and condemnation and begotten to the Father thereof in Christ Jesus which faith is not of my self but is the gift of God to perfect holiness in the sight of God and whatever is done in this faith is not sin and whatsoever is against this Faith or not of this Faith is sin and brings Condemnation and this Faith approves not of it and if I act nothing doubtingly nor against this holy Faith in this Faith I am justified in my own heart and my own Conscience kept clean and I approved in Gods sight and I have boldness through the obedience of Faith in the day of Judgement that it is not my own work but the righteousness of Faith which is in Christ Jesus and this effect hath saving working Faith and this is its Nature and Grace But another Faith I have found which is not so in nature or effect being not freely received from above but is feigned and hath its ground here below and its ends also The earthly man in his wisdom from the letter or reason or comprehensions sets up an Opinion or Image in his minde touching God or Christ or Religion Worship Doctrine or Manners or any other thing and then looking upon the likeness of it in the reasoning part gathers strength to believe it must needs be so and so forms a faith in himself And though this faith be not perfect when he hath formed it and made it with all his strength but many things in Scriptures and the practise of the Saints but especially that of God in his own Conscience will not sure with it yet the strong man being above in the strength of his Comprehension forceth a Faith against all these and causes all to bow under it so this Faith brings not forth the Birth of Christ nor his pure Image and Life neither in Matter or Worship nor Manners but what he may imitate Christ and the Saints in worship and keep the world and escape the Cross and save his life and credit and glory there that he will conform to and glory in and for the rest he believes it concerns not him now in all things at this day so to walk as they did And as this Faith is not perfect in Worship so in Practise also for that evil he is not addicted to he condemns in all but that which is in his own heart and eye and brings him profit and pleasure that he will cover and believes it may stand with true belief at this day though formerly it could not And this is the Faith made after man and not after God and so serves in respect of Persons Times and Things but bows not all these for ever to worship in Spirit nor brings them under the foot of Jesus that Spirit but being earthly by nature hath earthly effects and God doth not own that with his Power nor goes forth with that which man makes but with his own Gift which is good and perfect in every measure thereof And this also I have learned in Christ Jesus and declare to all that seek Faith in him That I never received any measure of this Faith of Christ in vain but whatever I acted or suffered therein from the least measure till this day in it I prevailed against what ever the light of the Spirit led me out therein and a shield I have found it and a growth in it towards Christ Jesus in every work of it wherein I have stood single to the end however tempted or tryed before the end appeared yet in the end of that Faith I was ever a Conqueror through the Spirit and whoever proves it to the end in singlenesse of heart shall be witness with me herein with a Cloud of witnesses that have gone before who by this holy Faith have prevailed over the powers of sin and entred into the holy Rest who have not sought their own Kingdom but the Kingdom of Christ And only this pure Faith which works towards the appearance of Christ in all actions and sufferings is that which orders all things in their place and time and fits all Relations for his appearance therein to glorifie God for God is not glorified in any thing upon Earth but in which the Son appears who is the expresse Image and Glory of God and in whom alone he Reveals himself and the glory of his Judgements and Mercy the Grace and Truth of God is in his face in whom ever he appears And so every measure of the heavenly Faith works towards the heavenly appearance and the earthly faith to the earthly appearance And so Faith in God is that which works effectually by love to the Image and Life of God in this world which is seen onely in his spiritual begettings which being believed in and set above shines forth in every measure shewing the vertue and glory of the Spirit of God but the famed earthly faith admits of some earthly thing in the heart for its end in love to which it works disobedience to the Spirit and so comes short of the glory of God for it cannot hold forth the fruits of the Spirit to glorifie God with an earthly lover in the heart nor can one faith serve God and Mammon so he that loves the things of this world is Gods enemy whose faith withstands the appearance of Christ in his actions or sufferings and so withstands the glory of God which therein should be manifest to all men and this is that faith which ever of old hath put him afar off yet gets the form and words to withstand the life and vertue And of this sort they are of whom the Apostle speaks having a form of godliness but deny the power of godliness who ever was the greatest enemies to the coming of Christ being not of the Faith of Christ nor of the Spirit of Christ but being from below withstands his coming from above to be brought forth in his vertue or worshipped in his Spirit this is Antichrist And this spirit and this faith it is that wrests the Scriptures to seduce from Christ and destroy the way of his coming and to that end what Christ really Commands to be brought forth of his life and vertue in real appearance this spirit serves himself with a meaning instead of
and People that wait for the Kingdom of God that you may not oppose him in his appearance nor set up another to reign upon earth in his stead DO you say you seek God you Rulers and People will you seek his face upon earth or would you see his appearance to reign in righteousness or can you rejoyce to see him manifest in flesh or do you love his image who is the Fathers of Lights from whom you look for the Son from Heaven then be not carnally minded in your expectation least you know him not in his appearance who is a Spirit and so oppose him as your Fathers in the flesh ever did except you be born of the Spirit you cannot see the Kingdom of God The Father dwells in the light and changes not and the Son is the light of the World in his own Image by whom he changes all things that are out of him and overturns shadows and customs and makes the world new and in Spirit and power is his Kingdom upon Earth and the flesh is the Vail with which he was ever hid from flesh and bloud but revealed in spirit to such as desired to know no man after the flesh to set up or to worship And no man could ever say that this Jesus was Lord but by the Holy Ghost So with the light of the Spirit alone which sees through the vail is Jesus known to be Lord and King for ever with which you may all see what you set up to be Lord and Ruler in your selves or over others You that chuse Rulers Judges and Justices Mayors and Constables c. Do you see through the Vail to chuse Jesus in Spirit to Rule over you or over others Is that eye open which knows the Holy Ghost what Vessel is filled therewith that you may chuse him to Rule in his Kingdom do you seek for that Spirit to chuse withall by which alone Jesus is known to be Lord Then it is plain yon seek Gods Kingdom in the face of Jesus Christ who is that spirit which turning to causes the vail to be taken away from all hearts and will change you also into his image by that Spirit as saith the Scriptures So there was none to be chosen for Judges Kings or Rulers in Israels Common-wealth but who had of this Spirit and Unction put upon them and then the Lord Reigned over them in his Anointed whether King Priest or Prophet man or woman but when they chused Rulers like other Nations then they rejected not Samuel but the Lord that he should not Reign over them Now you that say you seek the Lord to Rule over you and say thy Kingdom come mind what you chuse to rule in you or over you with what spirit lest your practise oppose your prayers and make void your daily expectation do you chuse after the ●●esh as other nations do or do you chuse after the holy Ghost If you chuse after the flesh then you set the vail betwixt you and the Lord and Gods Kingdom and his image you cannot see and so you reject the Lord as other nations do but if you look through the Vail unto that which is within the Vail then shall the vail be taken away from all your hearts and you shall see him amongst you whom you wait for and him alone set up and worship and chuse him alone to reign over yon who is near you at hand to all that put not his day afar off So if you make Rulers like all the Nations then after the flesh they that are rich they that are proud they that are full of earthly glory c. Here is the earth set above then the Vail is before your eye and you see not the Lord that Spirit nor do you set up Jesus to be Lord by the Holy Ghost but i● that eye be open in you that can see through the vail of earth and all this deal of flesh and darkness to that which is within the vail even the holy One in his Temple him to chuse and set above in your mindes then your eye shall see the Lords anointed and the King in his glory and he shall rule whose right it is in every heart and your Governors shall be of your selves and all violence shall cease and shakings of Governments the Government being upon his shoulders who is the Prince of all your peace in the great and in the small who shall reign in righteousness and judge the people with equity for God and not for rewards to whose authority every knee shall bow and every tongue confess for conscience sake his name being written in every heart will then be read whose kingdom is everlasting and in spirit and power he reigns and in spirit is worshipped in heaven and in earth who fills all things with the presence of his Glory and his kingdom is near to all that can believe it s within you saith Christ and he rules where he is not known though not to salvation who is made of the seed of David after the flesh by the word of God to all Generations a King for ever according to promise whose Kingdom the eye which the god of this world hath blinded is putting afar off who sees not the light of his glorious Gospel though he be not afar off but him in whom all things have life and being either to salvation or condemnation and this is the condemnation that light is come already into the world which men who loves their evil deeds say is to come and so looks for that withou● who is a spirit within and therein hath ever reigned more or lesse but now is arising to his day over all the world whose sound is gone out to the ends of the earth and his light ariseth in every heart to life or condemnation and some it leads into rest and others it pricks to the heart and they kick against it and will not have it to rule therein and to this day he is rejected of the builders who is the first born unto God in Spirit blessed over all And now all sorts of people who in truth wait for the Kingdom of God upon earth with that which in you is of him you may all see if you keep that eye single when he draws near who is born of the Spirit and when he is put afar off in his Government here below when you behold in any manner of Authority such a spirit as is for God alone looking to that of God in every man without respect of person or riches and with a single eye seeks to find out where that measure of God is transgress●d in any or where it is oppressed by any and with that measure of God in himself seeks to set judgement upon the head of the transgressor and to set free the innocent principle of God in all which will not lead any to evil then is the judgement of God and for God and that of God is set above in