James Nayler

James Nayler (or Naylor ) (* 1618 in Ardsley, South Yorkshire, † 1660 ) was an English Quaker.

Life

Nayler was born in the town of Ardsley, South Yorkshire. He is known today primarily through the conflicts with George Fox, the ( from today's perspective ) founder of Quakerism. Cause was the one that the (predominantly female ) followers of James Nayler agitated against George Fox and he commanded left unchecked. On the other Fox Nayler accused arrogance. Was to make an open break came in the fall of 1656, as Nayler despite Cromwell's invitation lenient condemned by the House of Commons for blasphemy, abused and imprisoned after he by his followers as it feeds into Bristol as "Lord God of Israel" ( ie, as Second Coming of Christ ) has been received. In the following years he regretted what had happened and led to his defense that he had never taken can claim to be the Messiah, but only that Jesus was in it. The " divine guidance ", with which he had been justified earlier, he denied after his conviction. Since his prison stay he attempted to reconciliation with Fox. However, this came only in 1659 through the efforts of William Dewsbury about. Only a short time later died James Nayler.