A brief relation of the irreligion of the northern Quakers wherein their horrid principles and practices, doctrines and manners ... are plainly exposed to the view of every intelligent reader : together with a (brief reply) to some part of a very scurilous and lying pamphlet called.

The Examination of Iames Nayler, upon an Indictment of Blasphemy, at the Sessions at Appleby, in Ianuary, 1652.

JUstice Pearson.

Put off your hats.

Iames.

I do it not in contempt of Authority: for I honour the power as it is of God; without respecting mens persons, it being forbidden in Scripture. He that respects persons, commits sin, and is convinced of the Laws a Transgressor.

Just. Pear.

That is meant of respecting persons in judgement.

Iam.

If I see one in goodly apparel and a gold ring, and see one in poor and vile rayment, and say to him in fine apparel, Sit thou in a higher place than the poor, I am partial, and judge of evil thoughts.

Col. Brigs.

If thou wert in the Parliament-house; wouldst thou keep it on?

Iam.

If God should keep me in the same mind I am in now, I should.

Col. Brigs.

I knew thou wouldst contemn Authority.

Iam.

I speak in the presence of God, I do not contemn Authoritie, but I am subject to the power as it is of God, for conscience sake.

Just. Pears.

Now Authoritie commands thee to put off thy Hat; what sayest thou to it?

Iam.

Where God commands one thing, and man another, I am to obey God rather then man.

Col. Benson.

See whether the Law commands it, or your own wills?

The Inditement was read, wherein Iames was Indited for saying that Christ was in him, and that there was but one Word of God.

Col. Brigs.

Where wast thou born?

Iam.

At Ardislaw two miles from Wakefeild.

Col. Brigs.

How long livedst thou there?

Iam.

Until I was married: then I went into Wakefeild Parish.

Col. Brigs.

What profession wast thou of?

Iam.

A Husbandman.

Col. Brigs.

Wast thou a Souldier?

Iam.

Yea, I was a Souldier betwixt 8 and 9 years.

Col. Brigs.

Wast thou not at Burford among the Levellers?

Iam.

I was never there.

Col. Brigs.

I charge thee by the Lord, that thou tell me whether thou wast or no?

Jam.

I was then in the North, and was never taxed for any Mutiny, or any other thing, while I served the Parliament.

Col. Brigs.

What was the cause of thy coming into these parts?

Jam.

If I may have libertie, I shall declare it. I was at the Plow, me∣ditating on the things of God, and suddenly I heard a voyce, saying un∣to me, Get thee out from thy Kindred, and from thy Fathers house: and I had a promise given in with it. Whereupon I did exceedingly rejoyce, that I had heard the voyce of that God which I had professed from a Child, but had never known him.

Col. Brigs.

Didst thou hear that voyce?

Jam.

Yea, I did hear it; and when I came at home, I gave up my E∣state, cast out my mony; but not being obedient in going forth, the wrath of God was upon me, so that I was made a wonder to all; and none thought I would have lived: but (after I was made willing) I began to make some preparation; as apparel, and other necessaries, not knowing whither I should goe. But short∣ly afterward going agate-ward with a friend from my owne house, having on an old Suit, without any mony, having neither taken leave of wife or children, nor thinking then of any journey, I was com∣manded to go into the West, not knowing whither I should go; nor what I was to do there: but when I had been there a little while, I had given me what I was to declare; and ever since I have remained, not knowing to day what I was to do to morrow.

Col. Brigs.

What was the promise thou hadst given?

Jam.

That God would be with me: which promise I find made good every day.

Col. Brigs.

I never heard such a call as this is, in our time.

Jam.

I believe thee.

Just. Pears.

Is Christ in thee?

Jam.

I witness him in me: and if I should deny him before men, he would deny me before my Father which is in Heaven.

Just. Pears.

Spiritual, you mean?

Jam.

Yea, Spiritual.

Just. Pears.

By Faith, or how?

Jam.

By Faith.

Just. Pears.

What difference then between the Ministers and you?

Jam.

The Ministers affirm Christ to be in Heaven with a Carnal bo∣dy, But I with a Spiritual body.

Just. Pears.

Which of the Ministers say Christ is in Heaven with a Carnal body?

Jam.

The Minister so called of Kirkby-Steven.

P. Higginson stood up, and affirmd it again openly before al the Court.

Jam.

If Christ be in Heaven with a Carnal body, and the Saints with a Spiritual body, It is not proportionable; neither was that a Carnal body which appeared among the Disciples, the doors being shut, and appeared in divers shapes.

Quest. Was Christ man or no?

Jam.

Yea, he was, and took upon him the seed of Abraham, and was reall flesh and bone, but is a Mystery not known to the Carnal man; for he is begotten of the Immortal ••eed, and those that know him, know him to be Spiritual; for it was the Word that became flesh, and dwelt a∣mongst us; and if he had not been Spiritual, he had not wrought my Redemption.

Just. Pears.

Is Christ in thee as man?

Jam.

Christ filleth all places, and is not divided: separate God and man, and he is no more Christ.

Just. Pears.

If we stand to dispute these things, we should have the Mi∣nisters.

Iames Perceiving Priest Higginson offended, because he had told of h••s saying that Christ was in heaven with a Carnal b••dy. Iames said, Friend, I had not accused thee, had I not been asked what was the difference between the Ministers and me; for I am not come to accuse any; for I am against accusations.

Col. Brigs.

Wast thou not at a Kirk about Sawrby?

Jam.

I was a member of an Independant Church at Weed-Church.

Col. Brigs.

Wast thou not excommunicated for thy blasphemous Opi∣nions?

Jam.

I know not what they have done since I came forth; but before I was not, to my knowledge.

Col. Brigs.

called of Master Goale, saying, Did you ever heare such a call as this? Did you hear it?

Coale.

Yea, I heard part of it.

Col. Brigs.

Didst thou not write a paper wherein was mentioned, that if thou thinkest to be saved by that Christ which died at Jerusalem, thou art deceived?

Jam.

If I cannot witness Christ nearer then Jerusalem, I shall have no benefit by him; but I own no other Christ but that who witnessed a good Confession before Pontius Pilate; which Christ I witness suffering in me now.

Col. Brigs.

Wilt thou deny thy hand?

Jam.

I will not deny my hand, if I may see it; and I desire that I may have so much favour, that that paper may be kept as an evidence either with or against me.

A large Petition being read, wherein was something against Quaking and Trembling.

Just. Pears.

How comes it to pass that people Quake and Tremble?

Jam.

The Scriptures witness the same condition in the Saints for∣merly; as Dauid, Daniel, Habakkuk. and divers others.

Just. Pears.

Did they fall down?

Jam.

Yea, some of them did so.

Coale.

David said all his bones were broken, but they were whole.

Iam.

So are these now.

Coale.

Moses trembled: for he saw the face of God, and all Israel.

Iam.

Did all Israel see the face of God? that crosseth the Scriptures.

Coale.

They saw his Glory. I shall see the Lord with these eyes; putting his fingers to his eyes.

Iam.

They must first be made spiritual: he cannot be seen with car∣nall eyes, for he is a Spirit; and no flesh can see God, and live.

Coale.

That light by which I am justified is a created light.

Iam.

That light by which I am justified, is not a created light.

Coale.

That is true.

Just. Pears.

To the Word: What sayest thou to the Scriptures? are they the Word of God?

Iam.

They are a true Declaration of the Word that was in them who spoke them forth.

Higginson.

Is there not a written Word?

Iam.

Where readest thou in thy Scriptures of a written Word? The Word is Spiritual, not seen with Carnal eyes: but as for the Scriptures, they are true, and I witness them true, in measure fulfilled in me, as far as I am grown up.

Just. Pears.

Why dost thou disturb the Ministers in their publicke worships?

Iam.

I have not disturbed them in their publick worships.

Just. Pears.

Why doest thou speake against Tythes, which are allowed by the States?

Iam.

I meddle not with the States; I speak against them that are hirelings, as they are hirelings: those that were sent of Christ, never took Tythes, nor ever sued for any wages.

Just. Pears.

Dosh thou think we are so beggerly as the Heathens, that we cannot afford our Ministers maintenance? We give them it freely.

Jam.

They are the Ministers of Christ, who abide in the Doctrine of Christ.

Just. Pears.

But who shall judge? how shall we know them?

Jam.

By their fruits, you shall know them; they that abide not in the Doctrine of Christ, make it appear they are not the Ministers of Christ.

Just. Pears.

That is true.