Selected quad for the lemma: spirit_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
spirit_n	letter_n	scripture_n	word_n	8,209	5	5.0930	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A46916	Strength in Weakness or The burning bush not consumed Being an answer (formerly published under this title) to two letters written by James Naylor. To which is now added several other papers written since by the same hand (whereof one is intituled, The secret shootings of the wicked reproved.) With a reply thereunto, as also to the rest respectively. By J.J. Published at the request of some, for the satisfaction of others: and tendred to the serious perusall of the impartiall and un-prejudic'd reader.	Jackson, John, fl. 1651-1657.; Naylor, James, 1617?-1660. Secret shooting of the wicked, reproved.	1655 (1655)	Wing J78B; ESTC R216982	27,934	42

hast not said it And thou would charge me with lies because I say she says I am no way troubled at thy continued charges but if thou read her Papers over thou may find the thing confessed by her Also thou would charge me with a ly because I say the Visitors are those Letters published and thou sayest the Publisher speaks of Persons not of Papers I say let the things published be witness against thee herein wherein is no persons named but I and she And whereas thou sayst the Publisher speaks not of 〈◊〉 If thou read his first line thou mayst see he speaks of letters and then thy testimony is false unless thou think to escape between the word Papers and Letters but there thou canst not hide thy self And seeing the Publisher names no other Visitors in particular but I and I not visiting her any other way but by these letters must not those Papers needs be the Visitors spoken of Nor doth my Paper exclude any other Visitors but in answer to the particulars published Again thou goest about to put it out of dispute who is the Lyar and to clear thy self thou wouldst have me take a few words from her mouth wherein she tells how she was distressed under my heavie charge and in her Letter before she said she was no way troubled at that charge and so thou hast proved her the Lyar as thou sayst by her own words and so put it out of doubt And when thou hast done thou goes about to clear her by thy crooked way that she might be distressed in soul for a time at my letters and yet no way troubled at them But this cover will not hide thee these two cannot stand together the matter being naught raving in it makes it worse Also thou chargest me because where she says assuredly she knows her self to be in the Kingdom and my offence is because I call this the Kingdom of God I say in Scripture I read but of two Kingdoms the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Sathan reading no where of the Kingdom of Grace that I know of and she in this Letter not naming any Kingdom in particular my offence is that I took her words in the letter sense And whereas thou sayst the words in the Letter are these where she says she knows her self assuredly to be in the Kingdom I should have said the Kingdom of Grace for so saith the Letter I say read that letter again which speaks of assuredly and see thy self mistaken but if she or thou intend a Kingdom which is not the Kingdom of God I shall not contend with you about it so in thy next thou may send whether thou intend the Kingdom of God or some other Kingdom imagined which the Scripture speaks not of And thou heaps many of the Saints words together whose conditions thou never learnedst of God and thou tells of Mortification and Anger c. but deal plainly and tell us in Anger or any unmortified thing in the Kingdom of God Also take in her condition which thou hast missed in thy answer and tell us whether any self be in the Kingdom or any who have their own Deceivings within them or that have the yoke of sinful covenant within them Hast thou not a cover for these things as well as the other Let it be seen what a Kingdom it is thou be rest witness to whether thy rest be in the poluted or where no polution cometh Another thing is because I set down the word wonder for more wonder and such like words thou art carping at and because I omitted one thou knowst not I say a Lye is better omitted then set down But if it be such a fault to miss a word or a sillable when thou hast the substance then first judge thy self who in printing her Letter hath missed both in words and sense as I can shew her hand against thee herein were it worth contending about Thou tells of searching the Scriptures Berean like I say the Bereans did not search the Scriptures to oppose the light nor to deny that spirit that reveals things to come but those who search the Scriptures to that end must needs be left blind as they are found blinde And for thy unbelief in that spirit that giveth knowledge without outward appearance I say thou might have spared to have written to me of it for I knew it before of thee and all that oppose the light then must own the light that leads out of the world and thy own imaginations before thou know the spirit of Revelation or believe in it yet all thou knows without it is but as thou knows naturally or bruit beasts and in that knowledge is unbelief opposition and death with which the spirit of Iudgement is rebuked and shut out from Ierusalem and rejoyceth in the flesh and speaks evil of the spirit of light that leads to mercy and is the light of Ierusalem which hath no other light but it which all the world is at enmity with Thou says at our last conference I moved thee to write so thou hast prepared these ensuing Queries I say Deceipt speaks I moved thee to answer what was then in hand not to Query which first thou might have done and then queried But the latter is of more advantage to the Tempter and hath been in all ages yet thy queries I shall answer 1. To thy first I say Yea and that light is that which convinceth the world of sin and manifests thine deeds of darkness 2. To thy second I say the light and life are one and being brought into the world by the life so soon at the creature is capable to be tempted to sin from the life the light ariseth a witness against sin if it be but minded but not being taken heed to but disobeyed the eye is blinded by the God of this world and through the continuance of sin is the conscience sceared and the heart hardened against the light till they know no Gospel but the Letter receive it if thou canst. 3. To thy third I say that light is sufficient to all that beleeve and follow it but to the unbeleeving and disobedient a Rock of offence and stone of stumbling even to the builder for they that rebel against the light knows not the ways of it yet is the light sufficient though they turn it into their condemnation but had thou known him whose appearance is with great power and whose glory enlightens the earth which thou art talking of thou had not asked this question 4. To thy fourth I say that which groans for deliverance is the seed of God and to them who so groan is the grace to and that grace being beleeved and followed the seed is raised but who turn this grace into lasciviousness and live in their own wills are kept in death and such knows not the seed of God and therefore persecut it and thou that tells of this seeds groaning under the earth for deliverance and

then asks if it be in any one before they be born again manifest thy confusion and ignorance of the new birth 5. To thy fifth I say that perfection is Christ Iesus and his life made manifest in mortal flesh and self denyed dead and buried and there is no sin But thou that tells of going on to perfection and knows not what it is art going thou knowst not whether and stumbles at the light which should guide thee 6. To thy last that spirit is that which in fallen man lusteth after the works of the Devil and worldly things but receiving the light of Christ and by it being guided it comes to be redeemed from those lusts and joyned to God and receives his witness and so loves and serve him which before served Satan and the world Thus having Answered thine in as much plainnses as I can to the understanding of the meekest of the children of light I return these again to thee desiring the like from thee in as much plainness 1. Is the living word of God received or known in this life any other way but in spirit within or is it visible or invisible or can any have the Word of God who hath it not in spirit is the Covenant of God and his Kingdom within or without 2. Can there be any Redemption for the Creature with out Christ in them and is not he the only light and way to the Father in the creatures or can any come to God any other way but by his light was it sufficient before the Letter and what is the thing that must be added to it now to make it sufficient seeing its sufficiency is now questioned which never was before by any that professed him come in the flesh 3. Whether any who read the Letter without this light of Christ it them can find out the mystery of it or the way to the Father or do not all who have not learned first of that spirit wrest the Scriptuure to their own destruction or can any speak or walk according to the word who have not the light in them 4. Whether the Prophets the Christ or the Apostles did ever preach any other light but the saving light of Christ which is the true light which being beleeved and followed will lead out of darkness to the Father of light and was that light which John calls the true light the light of Christ and who they are that have not this light tendred to them and what is their condemnation or is any light of Christ 〈◊〉 of in the Letter not sufficient 5. Doth not the man of sin sit in the Temple of God within people till he be cast out and must not the light of Christ reveal him within 〈…〉 or 〈◊〉 the Letter 〈◊〉 reveal him within without the light or cannot the light of Christ within rev al him and the spirit of light cast him out without-the Scriptures 6. What is the inward man and what is the outward man spoken of in the Scripture and how doth the inward man renew though the outward man perish and what in the several food of each man and where it is to be found what is their several fruits and from what do they arise and can any redeemed one bring forth the same fruits that was before the fall or fruits better or fruits not so good and from what different ground shall they now arise in redeemed ones and whether the second Adam can recover to man in this world what was lost here in the first These being plainly answered people may know whether they be in the first Adam or in the second James Naylor Reply to the fore-going Paper FRiend he that is born of God in plainness and simplicity of his heart utters the things which he hath heard and learnt of him and can truly and honestly witness that as he beleeveth so he speaketh viz. plainly without warping or prevaricating not departing from the truth by any covers or glosses but speaks out of a sincere heart as before him whose eyes behold the secretest thought At the reading of thy paper in answer to mine of the 25th of the last moneth I was grieved yea and I am so to see such an appearance of a departing from the simplicity which was held forth to thee therein easily discernable by any ingenious person And it is to me out of doubt that whosoever reads thy late Paper and compares it with what it refers to will easily discern more then I am willing to say touching it however I am willing to point thee to some things among many and to advise thy further perusal thereof I pass by thy personal reflections are they not written in a book I mean all thy hard words and speeches Doest thou deal sincerely and plainly touching the person on whom thou wouldest father a lie not distinguishing between the words I am and I was is there not difference enough here may not that be my case this day or in present which was not so erstwhile wilt thou see a case Psalm 73. When I thought to know this it was too painfull for me untill I went into the Sanctuary of God then I understood c. was not enough said to have sufficed an honest heart and to have set him to rights in a matter so clear but I refer thee to what is said and leave thee Thou art very crooked in thy reply about visitors for its evident the Publisher spake of persons to have been the Visitors whom he calls such as were distinguished by the name of the Northern people which cannot be truly affirmed of Papers or Letters saving thy quibble about the distinction between Papers and Letters I dis-own the stistinction I mean honestly and plainly Thou art seen in thy confounding the Letters making one speak for another its plain where thou sayest its said Kingdom of God the Letters speak not so but sayes Kingdome of Grace It s obvious to every ones view that reads them Though thou sayest thou readest but of two Kingdomes in Scripture the Kingcome of God and the Kingdome of Sathan thou mayest read of a Kingdome of Heaven a Kingdome of Priests besides that of the Father and of the Son but least thou shouldst say these are comprehended in the first I insist not on them But what may that be where it is said Matth. 8. 12. But the Children shall be cast out into utter darkness the Children of the Kingdome if these be the Children of the Kingdome of God that sounds something harsh if of Sathan are they not in utter darknesse already Let it be considered what Kingdome this must be Thou sayest I heap up many of the Saints words whose condition I never learned of God I say to that but this let God be true though man be a lie hadst thou looked into that heap thou talkest on thou would'st have seen what is there witnessed and have found thy self reproved by plain evidence of Scripture and mayest do so still

ever Heb. 13. 8. being the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world Rev. 13. 8. The Apostle witnessing in the second of the Cor. 4. 13. that he and others had received the same spirit of Faith with those who had been before reciting for testimony and proof hereof a passage of the Psalmes I beleeved therefore have I spoken we also beleeve therefore speak It is therefore not a new thing implyed in the word Now that God is doing but that which was from the beginning which doubtless every day shall be more and more perfected but especially then when that other Angel shall fly in the midst of heaven preaching the antient or everlasting Gospel to them that dwel on the earth and to every nation kindred tongue and people whose appearance shall be with great power the earth being enlightned with his glory which day the Lord hasten for his names sake and let all his people say Amen Against the appearance of which day the old Serpent the Devil is at work in the form of an Angel of light that he might seem to be the enlightner of the earth with a glory like unto the glory spoken of before if it were possible thereby to deceive the very elect under the great and specious shew and pretence of piety and sanctity And as no other cover or cloathing can become him pretending himself an Angel of light so no other shape or appearance can endanger the very elect they which are so indeed but such an appearance as this Therefore our blessed Lord Iesus speaking of the last times and forewarning his Scholars and followers touching false Christs and false Prophets which should arise saith If any man shall say unto you lo here is Christ or there beleeve it not for there shall arise false Christs and false Prophets and shall shew great signs and wonders insomuch that if it were possible they should deceive the very Elect. Behold I have told you before go not forth beleeve it not Math. 24. 23 24 25 26. but take you heed behold I have foretold you all things Mark 13. 21 22 23. Take heed lest any man deceive you Mark 13. 5 6. 2 Col. 8. 18. Luke 17. 23. Luke 21. 8. Take heed you be not deceived for many shall come in my name saying I am Christ and the time draweth near goe ye not therefore after them Great cause have therefore all the followers of the Lamb the true and only Lord Jesus to take heed how they heare and who they hear and whom they follow and go after trying the spirits whether they be of God forasmuch as many false spirits are gone into the world and the enemy is at work knowing he hath but a short time and his actings are not so much amongst us in the form shape of a Dragon by outward force and hostility as in the form of a Serpent saying now as of old to Eve yea hath God said It is necessary therefore that the witnesses and followers of Christ be jealous over themselves and over each other with a godly jealousie lest by any means as the Serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety so their minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ provoking one another and stirring up one another that as we have received Christ Iesus the Lord that so we walk in him rooted and built up in him and established in the Faith as we have been taught not being moved away from the hope of the Gospel And it is the desire of my soul that both the Reprover and others of his mind were at leasure to consider seriously and calmly whether the Serpent may not be at work in them and making use of them as once he did of Eve in her innocency and simplicity to bring about his end though they themselves may not be aware thereof Touching the Reprovers Paper it contains such a bundle of Arrows and they so sharpened at the Philistins forge that they are greatly provoking and can scarce be medled withal without begetting their like a most undesired and unpleasing return And were it not for the Truths sake that suffers and for the Reprovers sake that he may see what yet he sees not if God peradventure may give him repentance for his sinful rashness I should not trouble my self to write nor him to read these lines A few things amongst many I shall set free from his false glosses and the rest shall submit to further tryal knowing that he before whom all things are naked and will try the work by fire of what sort it is will manifest a righteous judgement in his day Reprover Hast thou not helped on the Devils kingdome with lyes for sayes thou her temptations afflictions and conflict was repeated and renewed so often as opportunity was given by her new visitors which visitors are these Letters which thou hast published But saith she I am no way troubled at thy continued charge Now how must this be devided betwixt you seeing the one at least must be the lyar both in this and divers other things I might instance but I delight not to rake into such filth Reply Thou that reprovest another judgest thou not thy self Is such a sentence in the Publishers paper as thou recitest and sayest he sayes Read it again and whereas thou sayest which visitors are these Letters which thou hast published art thou not reproved in thy self for as much as the Publisher saith that she hath been visited by many of the persons distinguisht and commonly known by the name of the Northern people at sundry times and in divers manner of wayes And these were the new Visitors of which the Publisher speaks for he speaks of persons not of Papers but leaves the Letters to speak for themselves using these words viz. Touching the Letters themselves I will not say any thing at this time but leave it to the most wise and holy God to direct the wise in heart to consider them For the Lyar and who it is doe but exercise a little patience and 't wil presently be out of all dispute and thou wilt see cause to say it repenteth thee of thy rashness and unadvised censure For the better clearing of which seeming contradiction take a few words from her own mouth whom thou so much disdainest calling her Daughter of disobedience it is a passage of a Letter sent me then when I received the Copy which is now printed I have enclosed another Answer to James Naylor when I was about it my soul was distressed much under this consideration it was pressed with strong cries to him who alone knows how to deliver the godly out of temptation to uphold my distressed soul under his heavy charge This merciful refreshing I received I will set him at liberty from him that puffeth at him or from him that would ensnare him so I desire to bless God and wait for the issue By this which is here declared its most apparent that the

things spoken by both parties are reconcileable and that there is no lye to be devided between us nor applyed to either of us for that her soul was in bitterness and conflict at thy charge layd upon her 't is evident which sent her to him who alone knows how to deliver his sons and daughters when they fly and cry unto him and before her answer was returned to thee was heard in what she feared The strength of Israel was prevailed with and it was said unto her soul I will set him at liberty from him that puffeth at him thus of weak was made strong by the arm of the mighty God of Iacob who had set her above thy charge and therefore well might she say at the sending the Answer to thee I am no way troubled at thy continued charges thus hast thou this filth wiped off and needest not be troubled except it be that thou hast spoken unadvisedly with thy lips in accusing the innocent Reprover Onely I shall let thee see in a few words what a body of confusion is in this daughter thou art boasting of She saies she knows her self assuredly to be in the Kingdom of God yet still kept groaning for Adoption Reply Hast thou fairly and honestly recited passages or hast thou not injured the truth in this thy recital shouldst not thou have used her own words when thou sayst she sayes Thou shouldst have said the Kingdom of Grace for so saith the Letter And hast thou not left out a material sentence which manifestly alters the case and makes it speak another thing then is intended the words in the Letter are these Yet nevertheless am still kept groaning waiting for the Adoption to wit the redemption of my body Which last clause thou hast wholly omitted which is the explanation of the former and may not be read without it Was it not an aggravation of the fault in the Tempter to pretend Scripture to back his temptation with an omission of a material part of a sentence Mat. 4. 6. I will not apply it perhaps thou mightst do it ignorantly not willingly however at best it was not fair to say no more 2. But why should it seem to thee a thing incredible and be branded with so much contempt that a son or daughter of God who hath received the spirit of Adoption of Sonship and translated into the kingdom of the dear Son of Love the Lord Jesus that such should groan within themselves waiting for the Adoption to wit the Redemption of their body Hast thou never heard of a company of Redeemed ones who were delivered from the power of darkness and translated into the kingdom of the dear son of the Fathers love in whom they have redemption through his blood the forgiveness of sins Yet even these redeemed ones these that are thus translated into the kingdom of his dear son are advised to take heed of being spoyled through Philosophy and vain deceit after the tradition of men after the rudiments of the world and not after Christ These are further exhorted to mortifie their members which are upon the earth to put off anger and to put on bowels of mercy and above all to put on Love which is the bond of Perfectness There is all this and much more to be found in that Letter or Estle written by Paul to the Colossians who also testifies it was his own case as appears in the eighth of the Romans where notwithstanding that the Law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus had made him free from the Law of sin and death verse the second and that he and the beleeving Romans had the witness in themselves the spirit it self bearing witness with their spirits that they were the children of God and had received the spirit of Adoption whereby they did cry Abba Father Yet nevertheless this holy and blessed witness of Jesus Paul himself and others with him notwithstanding they had received the spirit of Adoption and all that is above mentioned yet account it but as a first fruits of the spirit and groan within themselves waiting for the Adoption to wit the Redemption of the body these were those who were heirs of God and joynt heirs with Christ who nevertheless waited for the Adoption in the sence mentioned before here is no cover no gloss no interpretation no meanings but plain testimonie of Scripture to which agrees that which is witnessed of the condition of other Saints of God who although they were translated into the kingdom of the dear son yet had somthing still to be subdued and mortified and were to cleanse themselves from all pollution or filthiness both of flesh and spirit perfecting holyness in the fear of God These things considered I hope thou wilt see cause to cease to condemn the generation of the righteous because they dare not say they are perfect though notwithstanding through the strength of Christ they are going on to perfection striving against sin watching against it and warring against it and assured in their measure that they shall one day be more then conquerors through him that loves them who both teacheth their hands to fight and their fingers to war and what else meanes those words of this friend whom thou dost charge with obstinate wickedness who saith in these words following Through Grace I can testifie the gracious preservation my heavenly father doth daily visit me with a teaching leading power of his holy spirit whereby I finde my self in the kingdom of Grace not shut out as thou sayest by my comprehension nor vain imagination having received union with that holy spirit in my measure do daily take counsel and try first my own deceivings which are within me and those also which are without which causeth me to turn away from so many who professe they are sent messengers from the Lord The good Lord I beleeve assuredly will as he hath faithfully promised to my soul break every yoke of sinful covenant within me it is no grief of heart but true joy yea wonderfully more then my pen at this season can express to feel and find the increase of his grace in my soul with his peace which passeth mans understanding yea even thy deep censures This may suffice to clear away that body of confusion at which thou art so causelesly offended and so grossy stumblest Reprover And had she known the kingdom of God in her she had never wondred how I-durst adventure to write to one whose face I had not seen as she doth in her Paper and saies she consider whether ever the Apostles or Prophets thou art like herein Art thou not still out of the way wouldst thou bear it from another see if thou hast not again varied the case much and judge if it be fair Doth the Letter say she wondered how thou durst adventure to writt to one whose face thou hadst not seen or doth it not say I therefore doe the more wonder how thou durst adventure upon one thou knowest not