Worship a God at Hand
“The old man worships a God at a distance, but knows him not, nor where he is, but by relation from others, either by word or writing. And as he receives his knowledge of him from men, so his worship towards him is taught by the preconcepts of men; and if men, on whom he depends, command him to go to a steeple-house, he goes; if they command him to pray, he prays; if the command him to sing, he sings; if they bid him hear, kneel, sit, stand, fast, or feast, he doth it. […]
The new man worships a God at hand, where he dwells in his holy temple, and he knows him by his own word and from his dwelling place, and not by relation of others. And thus the holy men of God always knew him; for Abraham did not know him by what he had spoken to Noah […]; but he that believeth hath the witness within himself, and thereby sets to his seal that God is true.”
— James Nayler, 1653
Early English Quaker leader
Today’s Invitation
Know God at hand, through your own witness within yourself.
Read the source of today’s quote
