The History of the Rise, Increase, and Progress of the Christian People Called Quakers: Intermixed with Several Remarkable Occurrencs.Sewel, William
History
The History of the Rise, Increase, and Progress of the Christian People Called Quakers: Intermixed with Several Remarkable Occurrencs.
Sewel, William
Society of Friends -- History -- Early works to 1800
‘There is a spirit which I feel, that delights to do no evil, nor
to revenge any wrong, but delights to endure all things, in hope
to enjoy its own in the end. Its hope is to outlive all wrath
and contention, and to weary out all exaltation and cruelty, or
whatever is of a nature contrary to itself. It sees to the end of
all temptations. As it bears no evil in itself, so it conceives
none in thought to any other: if it be betrayed, it bears it;
for its ground and spring is the mercies and forgiveness of God.
Its crown is meekness, its life is everlasting love unfeigned,
and takes its kingdom with entreaty, and not with contention,
and keeps it by lowliness of mind. In God alone it can rejoice,
though none else regard it, or can own its life. It is conceived
in sorrow, and brought forth without any to pity it; nor doth it
murmur at grief and oppression. It never rejoiceth but through
sufferings; for with the world’s joy it is murdered. I found it
alone, being forsaken. I have fellowship therein with them who
lived in dens, and desolate places of the earth, who through
death obtained this resurrection, and eternal holy life.[20]
JAMES NAYLER.’
[20] N. B. There is a passage in the book called, The complete
History of England, vol. iii. page 201, which says that J.
Nayler died with no fruits, nor so much as signs of repentance.
How the author came by such information, we cannot tell, but
that it is a manifest mistake we doubt not but the impartial
reader is by this time abundantly convinced.
This was J. Nayler’s last testimony, or dying words; and thus he gave
proof, that though he had erred, yet with great confidence he hoped for
a happy resurrection.
So I conclude the story of J. Nayler, and leaving him now, time calls
me to New England.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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