Daily Old Testament: Isaiah 60 and New Testament Inspired Words of James Nayler - Nayler Sonnet 9 by K. Boulding

Isaiah 60 – A poem meant to be read with 62 as well, probably composed by the author of the Book of Consolation [40-55 according to Jerusalem Bible note]. “[T]hough night still covers the earth and darkness the peoples . . . the glory of Yahweh is rising. . .” (60:1-2).

Kings will come to you and people from everywhere. A note says that these words were seen as applying to the Magi coming to Jesus’ birthplace. The wealth of the nations shall flow into the city dedicated to the worship of Yahweh. “Violence will no longer be heard of in your country, nor devastation and ruin within your frontiers. You will call your walls ‘Salvation’ and your gates ‘Praise’” (60:18). “Yahweh will be your everlasting light” (60:19).

New Testament Inspired:

Beautiful Quaker Words: James Nayler’s Deathbed Testimony

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; it 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.

Thou wast with me when I fled from the face of mine enemies: then didst Thou warn me in the night: Thou carriedst me in Thy power into the hiding-place Thou hadst prepared for me: there Thou coveredst me with Thy Hand that in time Thou mightst bring me forth a rock before all the world. When I was weak Thou stayedst me with Thy Hand, that in Thy time Thou mightst present me to the world in Thy strength in which I stand, and cannot be moved. Praise the Lord, O my soul. Let this be written for those that come after. Praise the Lord.

Kenneth Boulding’s Nayler Sonnets:

9. It sees to the end of all temptations

What is the end of greed but emptiness,

And what the end of a determined lust

But staleness, unfulfillment, sick disgust,

A debt of pride unpaid, and no redress?

Always we give the more, and gain the less

In bargaining with the ambassadors of dust:

Who, knowingly, would rate their contract just—

Ten future “No’s” for one sweet present “Yes”!

Need we but sight to run from every shame,

The sight that sees the future opened bare?

Or does a doom, writ with a darker name,

Condemn us to a tunnel of despair?

Not sight alone, but Will, by love made free

Can make us walk the pilgrim way we see.