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.

A word to the Reprover: Or, some Animadversions upon the foregoing Paper.

AS now the living God, is visiting, and gathering his seed out of bondage and confusion, so hath he been ever doing from the time of the manifesting his pleasure in that word of Grace, Gen. 3. 15. (if by the seed be intended the remnant whom the Lord our God shall call, Acts 2. 39. Rom. 8. 28. Revel. 12. 17. Revel. 17. 14. That seed of whom its said, A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation, Psal. 22. 30.) This seed hath the most high been gathering since the time of their first scattering, and for that cause (among others) is Iesus Christ said to be the same yesterday, to day, and for ever, Heb. 13. 8. being the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, Rev. 13. 8. The Apo∣stle 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 there∣fore not a new thing (implyed in the word Now) that God is doing, but that which was from the beginning, which doubt∣less every day shall be more and more perfected, but especi∣ally then, when that other Angel shall fly in the midst of hea∣ven, * 1.1 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 * 1.2 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 spe∣cious shew and pretence of piety and sanctity: And as no other cover or cloathing can become him, pretending him∣self

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 be∣guiled 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 un∣pleasing 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 trou∣bled 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 Pub∣lisher 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 pa∣tience, and 'twil 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 considerati∣on; 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 re∣ceived: 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 ei∣ther of us, for that her soul was in bitterness, and conflict at thy charge layd upon her, 'tis evident; which sent her to him, who alone knows how to deliver his sons and daugh∣ters 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, how∣ever 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 Son∣ship, and translated into the kingdom of the dear Son of Love, the Lord Jesus; that such should groan within them∣selves, 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 trans∣lated into the kingdom of the dear son of the Fathers love, in whom they have redemption through his blood, the for∣giveness of sins? Yet even these redeemed ones, these that are thus translated into the kingdom of his dear son, are ad∣vised 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 exhor∣ted, 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 E∣stle

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 wit∣ness of Jesus, Paul himself, and others with him, notwith∣standing 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 men∣tioned before; here is no cover, no gloss, no interpretati∣on, 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 subdu∣ed 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 per∣fection, 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 king∣dom

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 faith∣fully 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 adven∣ture 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 to lay such a heavy charge as thou hast done on me whose face thou never sawest.

Now consider if there be not a great difference between writing to one thou never sawest, and laying an heavy charge on one thou never knewest nor sawest: however thou mayst deem, yet this is certain, thou hast not done wel nor truly in saying she saith, and yet hast not repeated the words she spake or writ therein but thine own.

2. Instead of answering and shewing which of the Apostles or Prophets thou art like herein; thou glydest off by a questi∣on of thine own in these words.

Reprover.] I say, did not God command his servants to write eis message to strange lands, and strange persons, and did he first send them to look upon their faces to know what to write to them, or doth that adde to his word? oh shame with your blindnes herein.

Reply.] Hadst thou answered directly to the former questi∣on as it was propounded, and shewed to which of the Pro∣phets thou wert like in this thing, there might have been oc∣casion administred (Berean like) to have searched the Scrip∣tures whether these things were so or no, and by that means our blindness might have been in part removed, though our shame had rested upon us: But now in thy not answering at all, thou hast left us as blind as thou foundst us, but for the shame that must be returned from whence it came, and there abide till thou hast given better satisfaction.

Yet let it be remembred, that before God would charge sin upon Sodom, it is thus recorded, I wil now go down and see whe∣ther they have done altogether according to the cry of it which is come unto me, and if not I will know: Hath not this some * 1.3 teaching in it both to thee and me?

But thou sayst,

Reprover.] Had I known thee no other way but by fight, or hearing, or any outward appearance, I durst not have written to thee.

Reply.] Well, if thou hadst another way of intelligence besides sight and hearing, or outward appearance, and know∣est persons without words, as in this thy reprobing Paper thou sayst thou dost: Till I see some evidence, and demon∣stration thereof I must give others leave to beleeve it (if they can) for I dare not, having no word, warranting me so to doe; remembring what is written, Who so boasteth of a false * 1.4 gift is like clouds and wind without rain

Touching that which remaines in thy Paper unspoken to, they are great high swelling words, full of fury, and a repe∣tition of more charges against the Innocent; the Answer to them shall be comprehended in these few words, The Lord rebuke thee, even the Lord that hath chosen Ierusalem rebuke thee; but let mercy rejoyce over judgement.

What is before mentioned was written upon another occa∣sion

as thou mayst perceive, and before our last conference (which to me was so unexpected, and far from my intenti∣on) Nevertheless thou having then, and there moved me to write, I have proposed these ensuing Quaeries to thy consi∣deration; as judging that the matters in question between thee and mee, do mainly consist therein; and I doe entreat thee as thou professest plainness and simplicity, for Iesus Christ, and a desire of profiting all men, so that thou wouldst in the same plainness and simplicity of spirit give answer thereunto, confirming what thou shalt say therein by plain Texts of Scripture, though never so briefly; and be assured, whatever use I make thereof, yet thy reward wil be with God, who wil not forget any labor of love manifested to his name; therefore though I be never so much despised, yet he is wor∣thy, and for his names sake be free, and plain herein.

1. Whether God enlightens every one that comes into the world with the light of Christ (as thou didst affirm at our first conference) and what that light of Christ is?

2. Whether every one that's born into the world by natu∣ral generation, be at the time of his, of her receiving life in the womb, or at their being brought forth into the world, enlightened by God with that light of Christ, or of not then, say when they are so enlightned?

Whether the light wherewith every man is enlightned, be sufficient, as it is in man, to lead him to the discovery of Christ, without any other means of discovery but that light thats in him?

4. Whether the seed which is said to be in prison and groans through the earth for deliverance, be the seed of God, or a talent of grace in every one that is born into the world, as is before mentioned? or whether it be in any one before they be regenerate and born again, and what that seed is?

5. What that perfection is which is attainable in this life, and whether thou thy self art perfect, and sinnest not?

6. What the spirit of a man is, and how dost thou distin∣guish it from the spirit of God, called the spirit it self, bear∣ing witness with our spirit. Rom. 8. 16.

The 25th day of the fifth month, 1655.

Thy Friend, and a lover of thy soul,

J. J.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Rev. 14. 6
• * 1.2

  Rev. 18. 1
• * 1.3

  Gen. 18. 2
• * 1.4

  Prov. 25. 14