Selected quad for the lemma: spirit_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
spirit_n	believe_v	faith_n	know_v	6,721	5	4.2859	3	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A82017	An exact history of the life of James Naylor with his parents, birth, education, profession, actions, & blaspheemies [sic]. Also how he came first to be a Quaker, and received his commission from heaven (as he saith) when he was in the field at plow. Taken from his own mouth. With the doctrines, tenets and practises of some other of the same sect. / By John Deacon.	Deacon, John, 17th cent.	1657 (1657)	Wing D482; Thomason E903_2; ESTC R207417	25,672	56

he would not be uncovered though he were in the Parliament house Yet let him know that he that resisteth or contemneth the Powers resisteth the Ordinances of God and he that resists See Mr. Bourn p. 41. receiveth unto himself damnation And it is a most sad thing indeed with Korah Dathan and Abiram to play with and contemn the wrath of God-lest the bowels of the earth chastise their presumption Rom. 13.2 3. I both would and shall endeavour brevity in what convenience may require yet for the good of those that stand between two not knowing whether they were better to backslide or stand fast where they are I shall endeavour in a few words to shew you what I apprehend to be the cause of the Lords for saking him and giving him over tp his own lust and as I often told him and George Fox Borows and Hoberthorn c. I observed a Learned Author laid this down as maxim in Divinity that when a man ceases with this quaking Sect to be guided by Gods Laws God gives him over to be ruled by his own lusts and therefore I wished them not to whet and provoke the anger of the Lord which is a consuming fire And in a word I am cleerly of this opinion that had he had true faith he could never have finally fallen to reprobation and blasphemie It is probable he might have faith but not true faith for as saith Dr. Holmes there is a faith of adherance and there is a faith of assurance c. The true faith must be exercised in true worship the end whereof is true happiness and all worship not agreeing with Gods revealed will is prophaness and irreligion the end whereof is not happy but wretched For this is life eternal to know God and whom he hath sent Jesus Christ and not James Naylor And he that expects to reign with nim must believe that he is able to save to the uttermost Heb. 11.6 John 1.11 2 Cor. 5.7 John 20 29. Heb. 11.1 Ephes 2.8 and all other that pretend so to doe besides him are seducers and let him pretend what revelations he will this a true believer must know and relye on That no man hath seen Gods essence that is greater then any finite apprehension so that let Quakers and their seducing teachers say what they please this is truth and no lie we walk by faith the eye of the soul and not by sight and therefore Christ when he had assumed a visible nature in his incarnation for that work of our Redemption would not be long conversant on earth in his publique Ministry that our salvations might not be in sense but believing blessed are they that have not seen yet have believed The necessity of faith appears in that the just shall live by it by faith we are justified without it we cannot please God Habakkuk 2.4 and what is not of faith is sin the excellency of it in that it apprehendeth the riches of Christ and in him the unspeakable treasure of Gods mercy peace of conscience reconcilation with God remission of sin indemptnity from the guilt and punishment c. In fine all things which concur to the compleating true happiness It stiled Abraham Gods friend and us his sons it is the sanctuary of a troubled spirit the first fruits of the heavenly Paradise In a word precious is that faith which believeth all the word of God is true and to be obeyed and saith that Jesus and not James is the true Christ and that there is Salvation in no other name under Heaven They best know how sweet a Jewel faith is that can value the enjoyment by the want of it but to such as Naylor and his sect who are deluded with false light and temptations of security there appeareth no want of it in themselves because they are secure but I heartily wish they knew and would believe there is a common faith which reprobates may have and that is either historical such at the Divels have Jam. 2.19 or temporal as Mat. 13.20 Acts 8.13 and this is either a faith of miracles or a delusion of security There be many degrees but one onely object of true and saving faith and that is Jesus Christ and not James Naylor and that which we are to believe and obey is the infallible truth of God the first God the second his Oracles and his Will concerning our Salvation revealed in his Word The word and testimony of man may be the ground of opinion which is of things probable but true faith can stand on no other basis but the Word of God which is infallible certain and can have no falshood in it and he that goeth without this guide runneth like those Israelites to the mountains of the Cananites Numb 14 40. to their own destruction as this Sect and particularly him of whom we now speak gives too sad a testimony of this truth I desire thy excuse Courteous Reader if I have been transported too far on this Subject be thou pleased to read it but with as much patience as I writ it and 't will extenuate the Teadiousnesse of it I shall rest no longer here but presse onward to what I intend and that leads me to the second ground which argues the spirit by which he is acted to be not divine but diabolical Which is this Secondly By his actions in general but chiefly by reason that the first step he took after his apostacy gives strong suspicion nay plain assurance that he is guilty of inconstancy and adultery to the clearing of which I shall proceed and in so doing it will be requisite to trace him along from the beginning when he first left that Church whereof he was a member and in so doing observe what is worth the noting as shall seem most convenient Naylor being a member of a Congregation at Wool-Church in Yorkeshire he was there excommunicated for his blasphemous Tenets as Mr. Christopher Marshall Pastor of that Church whereof he was a member confessed 〈…〉 who is also well known to be an able godly and sincere Minister of the Word of God who also in a Letter to a friend a Copy whereof I read is related this story that James Naylor since he was a Quaker having gotten into the acquaintance of a woman named Mistris Roper and her husband being gone away from her on some occasion a long voyage he the said James Naylor used greatly to frequent her company being more then ordinarily and to be plain more then civily familiar with her using frequently to dandle her on his knee imbracing and kissing her more then was either fitting or beseeming civility and in the time of her busbands absence either by some other or as is most likely and is supposed by James Naylor she was gotten with child and when her husband had been absent from her and Naylor acquainted with her seven and forty weeks she was brought to bed of a Bastard-child and this was

according to the flesh are mine I was obedient and after I had been there a while it was given me what I should declare and ever since I have been obedient to that which is pure in me and in you all Christ manifest in mortal flesh Whereupon I asked him whether that friend or any else besides himself heard that same voice or how should it be known to be a truth since we had nothing but his own word for it He answered it was not a carnal audible voice to be heard with an earthly ear for it was heavenly and that it is true the spirit beaereth witnesse and I know his witnesse is true Q. I asked him whether the voice were external or internal and to whom he gave his estate A. He said that that which is pure in all your consciences which convinces you of the evil you do Christ in you the true light spoke to that of God in me and I heard it and will witnesse to that of God in you all or words to this purpose that it is pure and eternal Q. I asked him to whom he gave his goods and estate A. He said to his Wife and children When indeed I had thought in imitation of the Pharisees he had boasted of some deeds of charity he had done with it before men not but that it was well bestowed as it was disposed of for I think as they had most need of it so they had most right to it and the promise he faith is fulfilled in that God hath witnessed to his doctrine but what that Witness what that Power and what that voice is and from whence is evident First By his Apostacy in that when he had associated himself with a people that endeavoured to live and walk with and in the Lord that he should backslide from those ways of truth and embrace such errors as have led him unto the height of blasphemy when as the Apostle saith They and so he went forth from us because they were not of us but like tares among Wheat disagreeable and fit for nothing but Destruction Secondly By his Actions the first step whereof led him to such art Act as gives much suspition nay even assurance of inconstancy and adulteries c. as hereafter shall be made evident in this discourse Thirdly His Doctrine in that he preacheth down all truth and up all errors as denying either Magistracy or Ministry or either Gospel or civil Laws or Discipline c. Fourthly By his Blasphemies of which he is justly convicted and for which he hath partly suffered by the Supreme Authority as that he is the Son of God and the Son of God is but one and then he being one and the Son of God as he saith there is by that account no other and questionless he hath been long of this judgement though not so publique in it For long since he said he was as holy just and good as God himself thereby claiming anequality with God though at a farther distance then now for then he onely claimed an equality by purity but now by dignity affinity as being the Son of God and one with the Father See Mr. Farmer 's Satan inthron'd in his Chair of Pestilence c. I have first laid down those four Heads as a ground-work to what I intend to enlarge upon in prosecution of this Treatise but before I proceed to doe so I shall speak a word or two concerning the proceeding of the Supreme Authority against him of whom we now treat by reason that many though some indiscreetly say The sentence pronounced against him savours of a harsh judgment thereby endeavouring to scandalize the supreme and high Authority with cruelty to which I shall speak a word or two impartially Since it is esteemed not onely in this but in all other Nations an act of high in justice to sentence him to die the very worst of deaths that shall assume unto himself the title of his Prince or Governour or that shall any waies endeavour to impair the titles and glory of him how much more ought he to die or suffer a worse punishment that shall commit a greater offence and make himself the Son of God the King of righteousnesse I have read of them that for bearing in their Coats of Arms that which belonged onely to the Crowne have suffered as Traytors as Lord Howard Duke of Norfolk with his son the Earle of Surrey in the dayes of Henry the 8th though men in great and high esteem and of no less honour for this offence and no other were arraigned convicted and condemned as Traytors then how much more ought he that shall make himself the Son of God c. to die if it were possible a hundred times for look how much God is above man so much ought he to suffer a just torment more then death if it were possible And therefore the sentence which was past upon him and he hath partly undergone was more in mercy then justice could well admit and they with honour pronounce against him but 't is true indeed mercy shall find mercy and its a signal token of a tender charity in that mercy was exalted in the midst of just Judgement I shall now proceed to treat upon and examine the several things before laid down First That it is an evidence that that voice that power and that witnesse is not of God or goodnesse that spoke to him goeth with him and testifieth of him Firft by reason of his apostacy it is a precept in the word of God concerning him which backslideth from the faith which stands in Jesus Christ the onely reall and eternal Son of God the Father after the first and second admonition if he repent not give saith the holy Ghost or deliver such a man over to Satan which is excommunicate or exclude him so then he being delivered over to Satan is no more of God in respect that power which is given to the Church to excommuninate false members hath been exercised on him as a backsliding brother we ought to look on him as one under the power of Satan and not to bid him good speed lest we be partakers with him in his evill deeds And indeed if we consider him in the state of a falne brother we cannot wonder to see him raign in all manner of wickedness in respect the Holy Ghost saith that false Prophets mnst come and false Christs shall arise it is just with God to give him over to believe lies because he hath pleasure in unrighteousness 2 Thes 2 10 11 12. 1 John 4.8 Heb. 12.29 For as God is light and so able to discern all things so is he all-sufficient to understand and do all things and as he is all love to his children so is he all judgement yet merciful to his enemies Therefore let him repent him of and not persevere in his blasphemies 1 Tim. 1.23 for though he can contemn Authority and say in the mind he is in

upon his several lies and falshoods wich would rather afford a great volume then be contained in so small a tract as this Treatise and although much more might be said to this purpose I only intended to touch on this by the way and come to the next thing intended to be treated on as an evidence that he is under a spirit of error The third evidence is his Doctrine in that he preacheth down all truth and up all error c. and here I shall begin with that which is most material to this subject See Mr. Bourn his defence of the Scriptures 9. 20. And first In that he saith he is as holy just and good as God himself without either limitation or reservation as was witnessed by two at Kendal and an honest Inhabitant of Vnderborow neer to Kendal Saith he and many others heard him utter this blasphemy but being all followers of Naylor he believes they will be slow and unwilling to testifie the truth in this case yet he calls me lier often for accusing him for holding perfect perfection when by this account if he were as holy just good as God himself See my Publique discoverie of their secret deceit and not perfect what then is God imperfect O horrid blasphemy He holds that the Scriptures are not the word of God but only a declaration of that word and that their words and Letters are the declaration also so then both being one in quality equality afordeth no different distinction some of them have burned the Bible as I have heard them boast in contempt of it And Naylor hath said more then once that he that expected to be saved by that Jesus Christ that died at Jerusalem should be deceived See the perfect Pharisee p. 8. and this character the holy Ghost gives of the man of sin antichrist See Mr. Boure p. 16. if any man as Naylor in effect denies Christ as being come in the flesh that is a deceiver and an antichrist 1 John 2.22.23 he hath also erroneously taught that we owe no obedience to any Magistrates or to render them any honour or subjection which though in publique he denied before the vulgar people yet then was he testified to be in a lie by one of his own Sect who openly confessed he received that doctrine from Naylor himself see the Northern Relation p. 9. and oftentimes he hath denied that the Scriptures and written word of God to be either the judge of spirits or of controversies or the rule by which every Christian ought to walk and by which he ought to guide himself and limit his actions and when I said I did understand a distinct and vast difference between Christ the word and the word of Christ the first being God the other but the expressive temporal word of God See my Publique discovery wherein the holy Ghost stooping to our infirmities speaks in such termes as may impresse on our capacities I defie your distinctions and your carnal words for Christ is the word and God is the word and all other words are without in the nature c. He also affirmed in his answers to my queries extant in my Publique Discovery that that immortality that incorruption c. spoken of us injoyed by Saints in Heaven he injoyed here immediately on earth and that in opposing him and his heresie I sought and indeavoured to kill the just one in them and that I would murder them that were out of Cains way and were transplanted from death to life with much more of the like absurd stuff And on a time being disputing with a godly able Minister about that light in all men Naylor laid down this absurd error That an Indian that never heard nor read of Christ by that which is in every man knew Christ Jesus See the defence of the Scriptures p. p. 22. as well as any man It will not be impertinent in this place to insert one notable story of him A very notable Story worth your Observation and unquestionably true JAmes Naylor being on a time at a place where it so fel out that a godly Minister* chanced to be at the same time who stood up said unto him One Mr. Cole a known godly Minister the Lord put it upon my spirit to speak a few words unto him on some things that might tend to edifie the audience to which Naylor audaciously and presumptiously said as making it a matter admirable hast thou received a message from the Lord and I not know of it thereby pretending privacy to and knowledge of the hidden secrets and unsearchable councels of the Lord like to Hezekiah 2 Chron. 15. Which way went the Spirit of the Lord from me to speak unto thee thus doth he presumtiously lift himselfe up above what he is but I shall wave what might be further said on this subject not intending to write much but onely to give an evident demonstration in brief of what may set him forth to be as he is a deceiver and not as he pretends a Saviour and to that end I come unto the Fourth argument or evidence that he is under a spirit of sedition and heresie The fourth evidence which plainly declares he is under a spirit not Divine but Diabolical to wit his Blasphemies ANd in this order might have been inserted several particulars already treated of but that I intend no needless repetition of things past in respect this present juncture of time gives too large a subject to treat upon and not onely for us to wonder at but for future posterity also to admire that so much of the Divel should inhabit in a man out of which I shall compleat this Chapter Most blasphemous is and was that expression I am the Son of God and the Son of God is but one See Mr. Farmer p. 14. 15 16 17 and the like I am saith he the prophet of the most high God I am the Son of God and the everlasting righteousnesse is wrought in me and then arrogantly as imitating Christ he blasphemously applyeth the words to himself if ye had known the Father ye would have known me also and as he gives these testimonies of blasphemy of himself and is thereby guilty of blasphemy so also in respect that he receiveth titles from others which are as bad as when they call him King of Israel he answers to it see Mr. Farmer 's Satan enthron'd c. When he was asked art thou the unspotted Lamb of God that takest away the sins of the world he answers in the affirmative Were I not a Lamb Wolves would not seek to devoure me thus taking to himselfe the titles and attributes onely belonging to Christ therein robbing God of his glory and honour And those Proselytes of his who are trained up by and under him doe questionlesse nothing but what they have learnt of him and a witnesse to this truth it is in that he corrects them not but countenanceth