his Host escaped thereout nor remained alive 31. The which signifieth unto us in cleerness the perishing or going under of the ignorant or unknown sins which in the strictness reigned over Israel and burdned them very sore 32. The red Sea signifieth unto us the Hope namely for the People of the Lord an hope to come unto some better thing wherein the children of Israel obtained room when they were persecuted and which was opened before them that they might pass therethrough but closed or stopped before their enemies which persecuted them and went also therein with an hope to destroy the children of Israel and so they were all drowned therein 33. Thus the children of Israel journeyed through the protection of the Lord until they came unto the wilderness Sinai unto Mount Sinai which signifieth unto us a Thorny thicket or a thorny Desart 34. WHat we had here more to say of the multiplying of the children of Israel in Egypt and of their Departing or leading forth out of the same land is declared in the Glass of Righteousness The XI Chapter THe while now that the children of Israel became weary in their journey they murmured against Moses and Aaron and also against the Lord and became likewise unwilling to enter into the good land complayning that they were departed out of Egypt wherethrough we may perceive and understand that they have turned away from the doctrine and requiring of Moses as also from the right stock of Abraham and from his belief and were turned into their own knowledge and self seeking and for that cause they knew believed or understood not the works of God his waies Institutions and laws nor yet his word in such sort as their Fathers Abraham Isaac and Iacob had known believed and understood 2. Therefore the Lord came down to the Children of Israel upon Mount Sinai and called unto him Moses and Aaron and caused his word to be heard exceeding loud of all the people making manifest unto them how that he was the Lord. He taught them likewise which or in what sort his law Commandments institutions and rites were wherein their Fathers Abraham Isaac and Iacob had lived uprightly 3. Now when the Lord had caused them to hear his word exceeding loud they were afraid at the Sound of the same word because they loved him not nor yet knew his voice And for that cause they would not the Lord but Moses should speak unto them 4. HErewithal O ye goodwilling hearts consider and look into the matter how that the Lord would nor declare nor make known his secrets nor his councel mind or will of that which he either in the present time or in the time to come would do accomplish or atchieve with them unto such as had none other will desire or love unto him nor yet shewed thankfulnâ—ss for all the goodness love faithfulness and mercy wherewith God informed or trained them neither would he set up or perform the service of his true being according to his heavenly truth by them nor yet bring such unto his rest For they could not in their unbelief and disobedience comprehend or understand that which God required at their hands 5. In like manner will the Lord now also in these last days not make manifest his secret counsel mind and will unto the unbelievers and disobedient but unto them that seek him with all their heart believe and obey his word in the requiring of his service and have a desire to do his will The which cannot come to pass by any man but by them that have an unlust and unwil to themselves and that even so for the Lord's cause forsake hate and leave themselves and all what they have learned and taken on unto them 6. BEhold by such that love the wisdom of the Lord his word and Instruction and his righteousness will the Lord erect the service of his true being make manifest himself establish his promises and bring them unto his rest as also dwell live and walk in them 7. Therefore hath the Lord in times past not made manifest or erected his true service according to the heavenly truth or his being of perfect righteousness by the people which loved themselves and were unbelieving towards him and his ministers wherethrough the wrath of the Lord came upon them and they might not entâ—r in his rest but hath let them see the same through Moses in images figures and shadows and hath even so set forth before them through Moses the patern which was figured forth according to the very true to an example of the very true and to a doctrine which reacheth or leadeth to the very true witnessing there withall before al eys of godly understanding that the very true and perfect of the same was with the Lord. 8. Which absolute or perfect being of the same example patern and doctrine God would in the time to come bring in plant and set up by the children of men which would believe God and be good willing unto the obedience of his requiring 9. Therefore chanced not the services of the images and figures only for their sakes which tempted God and where unbelieving but for our sakes we which are presentâ—y in the end of the world stirrâ—d up and goodwilling unto the true being of God to the end that they all which love the Lord with all their heart and humble them under the obedience of the love might now understand and know the Lord's love and godness which he hath unto man and the true being or perfection of his lovely righteousness out of the images and figures also forsake and got out of themselves and so live therein 10. This same can we in the former figured example comprehend and understand like as we may also behold in the images that none other inhabiteth inheriteth or cometh unto the Kingdom full of the glory and maiesty of God but he that hath an unwil or unlust to himself and so cleaveth with whole heart unto Christ as is abovesaid The XII Chapter MOreover the Lord hath written his law institutions and rites in two tables of stone and given them unto Moses he shewed Moses also all the sanctuary of his tabernacle and gave him likewise therewith divers convenient laws or ordinances which he should set forth before the children o Israel which were ignorant of God's Law Institutions and Rites or of the convenient Ordinances of the Lord to the end that the Ordinances and Services of the Lord might be even so all prepared according to the same pattern which the Lord gave unto Moses upon mount Sinai and so the same prefiguration be observed with diligent service for a stedfast memorial of the same true Being in the Priests office of Aaron until that the glory of God and his love towards Israel should be brought through Christ the promises of God the Father to the
great with child and cry aloud like unto a woman with child when as she at the time of her travel is ready to bring forth But who heareth us or to whom is the arm of the Lord known verily unto few because many of them are wise in their own conceit and will judge the godly truth out of their knowledge or perswade themselves that they with their prudent understanding see rightly into all things and for that cause need not to harken unto the word of grace which God hath brought unto us out of his true light neither yet to humble them unto the service of the same 11. Oh these Ignorances of the unwilling unto the gracious word and his requiring which we dayly see and hear by them do work us very much wo anguish and sorrow in our hearts 12. Therefore may we now in this perillous time rightly say with the Prophet Isaiah that it goeth also with us in the presence of the Lord like as with a woman with child which through fear or smart cryeth out in her travel for we are with child and travel in birth and we are so full of anguish and wo that we can scantly draw our breath 13. Howbeâ—t although all this come upon us and that we daily pass thorow this â—ame and must be fain to indure or suffer much falshood at our adversaries hands yet cannot we therefore help the earth for that the Inhabitors of the world will not fal down or humble themselves nor yet forsake or leave the falshood of the unrepentant unregenerated men 14. For that cause our hope standeth now in this day very little on many Inhabitors of the world for of them there shall few come which shall mean or adjoyn them unto the love and the requiring of her service with all their heart and yet many fewer which shall persever therein unto the end 15. Therefore hope we with joy much more on the appearing of the dead which dy in the Lord or are dead in him to wit that they in their Resurrection from the death shall livingly come before either meet with us For all the dead of the Lord or members of Christ shall now live and rise with their bodies and we shall assemble us with them and they with us to one body in Iesus Christ into one lovely being of the love and be all together concordable in the love and peace of Iesus Christ. 16. Behold ye dearly beloved with those shall our life and joy be both now and for evermore For we which follow with them the footsteps of Christ shal in their appeaing or manifestation raign with the lamb which hath made us Kings and Priests upon earth 17. This see and know we now nakedly and truly Therefore have we which are now in this day of love adjoyned and incorporated into the body of Christ here in our Consolation amoag each other and set our Comfort much more on the righteous which are dead then on the living ungodly 18. For this is now the day of the Glorious pomp and tryumph of Christ in his coming wherein Christ to our consolation meeteth us livingly and in glory with his former Holy ones and maketh manifest and bringeth the word of the Lord namely the former Kingdom full of all beauty and lovelyness which God hath prepared from the beginning for his elect in his perfection and in his naked cleerness and maketh us heirs therein together with all his holy ones 19. In which Kingdom of everlasting perfection all minds of pure hearts do dwell and live without fear freely lovely and peaceably Yea therethrough becometh it presently seen how that the Lord glorifieth himself in his holy ones and becometh wonderful in his believers 20. Now this passed over we will declare from the falling away or disobedience of the man forth the earnest love which God hath always till unto this same day shewed towards the man through his elected ministers for to bring him again unto the heritable beauty of the former Kingdom from which he hath turned him away and how God in process of time is approched neerer unto us in cleerness with his true light and hath now at the last in the day of his love declared the most holy of his tabernacle in his absolute beauty and perfection and brought the same unto us to the establishing of his promises 21. What we had here more to say of the former Kinâ—dom and of his lovelyness beauty Garnishing and riches and of the mans falling away is nakedly expressed and declared in the glass of righteousness The V. Chapter BEhold and consider ye dearly beloved how that God after the man's falling away hath alwayes shewed his love on the man and promised him even so to the destroying of the sin to set Enmity betwixt the Serpent whose head is the sin and the woman which consented to the sin and betwixt the Serpents seed and the Womans seed to the treading down of the head of the Serpent and how that the same promised Enmity against the sin and the sinfull seed had her beginning by the single minded Abel which Abel offered up his willing gift or offering out of a good heart unto the God of heaven and was slain by the wicked Nature of the sin through the hands of his Brother Cain and how that Seth after the death of Abel was placed by God to be another seed in the plaâ—e of Abel to the establishing of the foresaid promise of God as also how that Seth which is the second seed in the place of Abel and his seed is the right stock or linage whereout the believers and Children of God namely all they that have been enemies unto the sin are born or brought forth to the establishing of the promises of God â—he Father 2. But all other people or Generations which were born upon the earth without the stock of Seth and also they that walked not in the state of Abel according to the manner or ordinances of Seth were not of the right stock of Seth but they were forain branches which turned them away there-from and were never prudent nor understanding in the godly wisdom but very well in their own self knowledge and good-thinking wherewith they turned unto themselves and forsook even so the upright Childishness and Simplicity and the willing oblation or God service of Abel 3. Abel signifieth unâ—o us a breath or a young manhood by whom there is yet no more prudence then a breath of God which proceedeth from God and breatheth to God again It signifieth also emptiness or any what whereto there is not yet any thing added of the ordinance of the Lord. Cain signifieth unto us a possession or one is possessed in bondship by the sin or is mastered or overwon by the same and applyeth him not according to the word nor law of the Lord. Seth signifieth unto us an
blessing of all generations of the earth declared known and established and the true Being of the services of the Images and figures in the Spirit and in all truth erected in the obedience of the Belief 2. And this forementioned service of the Images Figures and Shadows wherein the perfection of the true Tabernacle of God with his true services of the spiritual and heavenly goods was well to be perceived had the foregoing in his service and became fruitful with the children of Israel and brought forth a serviceable seed of Righteousness after the manner as is said of Agar the which is the Elders Testament 3. For the Belief whereout the true and free seed of the upright Righteousness to the establishing of the promises of God becometh brought forth was yet closed after the manner as is said of Sara Which Belief is the true Testament that bringeth forth the free children of God according to the Spirit 4. Thus the Lord joyneth him unto the service for that the service might be fruitful to obtain yet at the last the seed of promise out of the Belief and the children of the service multiplyed into many and became a great people Howbeit the Lord's promises were not established nor his covenant erected therewith 5. For the same service was not the very true but it was unto the people which were yet captived with darkness a foregoing light in Images and figures before the face or perfect light of the Lord. 6. Which foregoing service had also cleerness in his service and for that cause it is also a Testament of the holy Fathers added unto the promises to a sustaining of the Lord's people in their youngness or ignorance until that the barren became fruitful and that the fruit could live 7. ACcording to this same manner had this Testament administred by the Elders of the holy Understanding the foregoing and his fruitfulness with the unillumiâ—ated until that the Belief out of the power of God became with childe through the holy Ghost and bare or brought forth a new man or a new creature according to the beiâ—g of the hâ—avâ—nly Gâ—dhead by the Beleevers and illuminated them even so in their spirit and mind with the upright righteousness and hâ—liness For this is the right prâ—creatioâ— to the renewing of the spirit aâ—d mind of the believers and is also the true new Testament which God hath promised to erect with his people 8. Which new Testament is the very true that God himself witnesseth in his people which are obedient unto him out of faith in the service of his word and bringeth even so unto them in the spirit of their mind the true God-service of the spiritual and heavenly goods and writeth according to his godâ—y and heavenly Truth his law institutions and rites in the being of their inward mind 9. In such sort worketh the Lord the holy one in Israel and bringeth forth even so his children sons and daughters servants and handmaids upon which he in these last days poureth forth his Spirit and remembreth no more thâ—ir sins For they are a reconciled people uâ—to him which do in all his Wiâ—l 10. BEhold and consider such is the new Testament with his children For that same new Testament is in his children the heaven the seat of the most highest also spirit and life And for that cause it is with his childreâ— heavenly spiritually and livingly minded Which children of the new Testament love not the world nor that which is in the world inasmuch as that the new Testament is wholy and altogether of God also the love the life and the upright being of the holy Ghost it self 11. But the Elders Testament is the serviceable word which is administred out of the spirit and life of God with unspeakable words writings or letters and which also figureth forth and expresseth unto us to wit serviceably in parables and in Images or Figures the new and very true Testament which is heavenly spiritual and living and endureth for ever and bringeth the believers unto the same 12. What we had here more to say of the Old and New Testament and what either others being in it self is and of the bringing in and use of the imagelike and figurative Services is declared in the Glass of Righteousness The XIII Chapter IN all that which the Lord shewed Moses so elected he Aaron which was of the tribe of Levi and his sons to Priests or Elders for to minister the figurative Tabernacle in his service with all that which was figuratively prepared thereunto 2. Which Priesthood with his Service in such wise as Aaron ministred the same pleased God well that it should have the foregoing unto the entrance of the godliness by the unilluminated people which knew nor understood not the verity of the true light and even so alwaies bide stable be ministred among them till unto the new birth in the true light to the end that the Priests or Elders of the holy understanding should daylie set forth in their service or Priests office unto which God had joyned or added his promises the Law of the Lord and the Testament of his covenant before the unilluminated people to a memorial of the promises of God to a sustentation of them whereout one yet hopeth for some better thing until that the true of that which was ministred came unto them in the Belief to the establishing of the promises and that the same should then likewise in true cleerness be seen and heard by them as also out of the power of the supreme Godhead spoken witnessed or confessed of them namely the true light come out of Heaven in blessing and with blessing according to the manner of Melchisedech And this same true light is the anointed with the holy Ghost 3. Which anointed is named in Hebrew Messias and in Greek Christus He was also in times past called of certain Rabbins among the Jews the Lord's Sabbath and they said that the same anointed is the seventh day in the paradise of God wherein God rested from all his works and is the perfection The which is also very true 4. For this same Messias or anointed is the Sabbath day which the Lord hath commanded to be always had in remembrance that we when the same cometh might rest therein and hallow or sanctifie the same wherein the law the service of the preisthood of Aaron out of Levi and the elders testament doth cease hath accomplished his service 5. For the same anointed which cometh at that time out of heaven with his anointing of the holy Ghost in the spirit and is the very like being of the Godhead it self he is a priest of the most highest higher and greater of dignity then Aaron because he bideth everlastingly and is a minister of the spiritual and heavenly goods in the very true being 6. VVHere now
sung from everlasting to everlasting and wherein all minds of pure hearts do dwell live and walk with freedome and Christian triumph in all love 5. THis great day-light of the most high God hath presently in his righteous Judgement shined about us Which great grace and mercy is chanced unto us for that we should publish the true Evangelie of the Kingdom of the same light in all the world for a witness unto all people and to peace and joy as also to an eternal mercifulness or pitying of the servants of the Lord or of all them that seek the Lord that the Scriptures mought become fulfilled and all such as remember the Lord be assembled in the body of Christ unto this his seat of the righteous judgement and to his Most holy of the true Tabernacle or house of his dwelling and not for our sake nor for any mans righteousness cause 6. For even so in all such sort as God hath now made manifest his wonderful work upon the earth must the Scripture be fulfilled his Most holy declared to an everlasting true and perfect light and evangelized or published in all the world to an everlasting rest and peace of his holy ones 7. For I say unto you verily that the Lord hath wrought this wonderful work of his love extended on us out of his grace for his own sake for to make his holy Name now in the last time according to his promises great and glorious in all Lands and so to declare his truth and righteousness upon the earth to shew his true God-service to consecrate or hallow again the Holy of his true Tabernacle which hath a long time utterly lain waste with many abominations through his gracious word and service of Love out of the light of the Most holy and to set up again the daily offering which hath also ceased a long time for the abomination of desolations cause To the end that the same mought be ministred in his upright Service like as in times past to the purging and forgiveness of sins 8. EVen thus would tâ—e Lord let his Word of life be heard now in the last time upon earth that his promises mought be â—stablished the hungry souls satisfied with righteousness the Scripture fulfilled in all what God hath spoken through the Spirit of his Prophets and of his Christ and the man which hath utterly corrupted his understanding with the knowledge made safe and blessed out of his grace according to the promises The XXXV Chapter BEhold ye dearly beloved how that now in this present day the Scripture becometh fulfilled in all what it mentioneth of Christ of his seed and of the coming of his glory 2. Which coming of Christ in his glory like as the same was in times past published unto the heathen and also believed of them God hath now in the last time declared among the Heathen and shewed mercy on the Heathen before all other that the whole earth mought be filled with his glory like as there is written thereof As truly as I live saith the Lord the whole world shall be filled with the glory of God 3. Further saith the Lord through Esdras They that have not heard me shall notwithstanding believe me or put their trust in me and they to whom I have shewed no tokens shall do the thing that I command them They have seen no Prophets yet shall they call their unrighteousness to remembrance Therefore witness I mercy saith the Lord unto the People which are to come whose babes or little children rejoyce them with gladness And although they see me not with bodily eys yet believe they in the Spirit the thing that I say I will give unto them the Dukedom of Abraham Isaac and Iacob and of the Prophets 4. Further through Isaiah The Lord will display or set up a Banner far-abroad among the Heathen and allure them from the ends of the earth 5. Againe through Ezekiel I will bring my glory among the Heathen that all Heathen may see my Judgement that I have kept and my hand which I have stretched out over them to the end that the hous of Israel may thereby know that I the Lord am their God even from this day forth for evermore 6. Again over Israel O thou Daughter of Israel I will build thee again that thou shalt be firm and sure 7. Againe The habitations of Israel are very goodly For they are like broad valleys as the well-watered Gardens by the Rivers and as the Tabernacles which the Lord stablisheth even like the Cedars planted by the water side There shall water flow forth out of his bucket and his seed shall be a great water 8. BEhold In this present day is this Scripture fulfilled and according to the testimony of the Scripture the raising up and resurrection of the Lords dead cometh also to pass presently in this same day through the apearing of the coming of Christ in his Majesty Which resurrection of the dead seeing that the same is come unto us from Gods grace we do likewise in this present day to an Evangely or joyful Message of the Kingdom of God and Christ publish in all the world under the obedience of the love 9. In which resurrection of the dead God sheweth unto us that the time is now fulfilled that his dead or the dead which are fallen asleep in the Lord rise up in this day of his judgement and appear unto us in godly glory which shall also from hencefoâ—th live in us everlastingly with Christ and reign upon the earth wherein the Scripture becometh fulfilled in this present day like as there standeth written thereof 10. The Lord shall judge his people and he will have mercy on his servants or ministers For he shall behold that their power faileth them 11. Again The Lord slayeth and maketh alive he leadeth into hell and bringeth thereout again 12. The Lord maketh poor and rich he humbleth and exalteth 13. He lifteth up the needy out of the dust and exalteth the poor out of the mire that he mought set him among the Princes and let him inherit the seat of honour 14. Further the Lord saith touching his dead I will not contend for ever nor be always angry but there shall a spirit or winde blowe from my face and I will make breath 15. Again Christ speaketh touching him which believeth in him I will raise him again in the last day 16. Again The Lord hath appointed a day in which he will judge the compass or circuit of the earth with righteousness through one man in whom he hath decreed it which holdeth forth the Belief before every one inasmuch as God hath raised him from the death 17. Again There shall be no more death sorrow wailing nor pain for the first is passed by And he which sate upon the seat
The XXXIX Chapter THerefore let every one now take warning and let each one which is presently called and bidden to this true light and to this lovely marriage or supper of the lamb look now diligently unto it that he make not his excuse nor seek to clear himself either with this or that and so disdaine this voyce or calâ—ing Like as in times past They that were bidden to the supper of the Lord sought delays and excused themselves and for that cause tasted not the Supper of the Lord for evermore 2. Therefore let no man bind his heart now on Wife Child Oxen Lands nor on any manner riches of this world But let him turn his heart unto these infinite riches of the heavenly goods 3. And if any man now be without the house of the Lord in the field or on the top of his own house let him not go in againe to his house for to fetch any thing thereout but let him leave and forsake all that and turn him hither-ward and come to this holy mountain whereon the house of the Lord standeth and his day-light shineth and let him walk in the same light That the abominations of the wicked world and her condemnation catch or take not hold of him as a snare 4. For this is the condemnation which goeth now in the last time over the man namely that the light is come into the world and that the man loveth the darkness more then the light despiseth the proffered grace and taketh not heed unto this gratious time to his renewing and Salvation in the Spirit 5. In which time the whilst that the grace of the Lord standeth open and that there is yet space to obtain grace with the Lord the hearts of the believing men are changed or renewed as also grounded with minds of pure hearts in the living God and assembled to one heart and to one man in Jesu Christ. 6. For the Lord hath now set his help on one that is mighty and exalted him whom he hath chosen out of the People The Lords hand shall advance him and his arm shall strengthen him 7. For that cause the righteous shall now see their desire and rejoyce them For all Iniquity shall be compelled to stop his mouth because the Lord with his Saints is now become judge himself and this his day of love which the Lord hath made for us which walk in his light to mirth and joy shineth so clear and bright 8. Therefore shall now also the eyes of all men be humbled and the People which have exalted themselves shall be fain to bow them and there shall be peace upon earth 9. FOr behold The Lord maketh now the lips of peace which publish peace abundantly wherein the Scripture like as the Lord hath spoken thereof in times past becometh fulfilled in this present day like as there standeth written thereof 10. I saith the Lord inlarge the peace among you like a water-stream and the might or dominion of the Heathen like a river which floweth over with water At that time saith the Lord ye shall suck and be born upon the sides or in the arms They shall dandle you on their knees And I saith the Lord will comfort you like as a Mother comforteth her Children when any evil happeneth unto them 11. Again I saith the Lord will give you a concordable heart and plant a new spirit within you 12. BEhold ye dearly beloved all this same doth the Lord now accomplish in this his holy day with us little ones humble hearts and elected ones of God 13. Therefore our mouth shall now in this day be full of laughter and our tongue full of boasting For great and mighty is the glory of the Lord here among us in this house or temple of his dwelling For that cause let every one come hither now unto this house of the Lord whereout the glory of Lord is declared and his righteousness taught 14. COme now all ye thirsty souls after the righteousness and assemble you into the house of instruction Wherefore should ye now tarry any longer or defer the time seeing that your souls are exceeding thirsty 15. For even for your sakes I open my mouth and cry Come I pray you and buy you wisdome without silver or money and bow down your necks under the yoke or ordinance so shall your soul receive wisdome For even thereto have I wisdome poured out the streams I am as a course or chanel of the unmeasurable waters out of the rivers I am as the river Dorix that is which is swift and like a water-conduit am I gone into the garden of pleasure I said I will water my garden of plants and fill or make drunken the fruits of my birth For an overflowing passage is made for me and my river reacheth even to the Sea For my doctrine giveth light like the fair morning and I will declare forth the same wide and far abroad I will pierce thorow all the lowest parts of the earth and I will look upon all such as be asleep and will also lighten all them that hope in the Lord. I will pour out doctrine like a prophecie and leave it unto such as seek for wisdome I will not make an end in their generation till unto the holy eternity 16. BEhold how that I have not laboured for my self onely but also for all them that desire the truth and instruction Therefore apply you now all thereunto for to obtain wisdome For she is now near by and letteth her self be found and bringeth much rest unto them that labour in her Her children are a congregation of righteous ones whose exercise is obedience and love and they bring forth that which is the wisdome it self Which wisdome is the brightness of the everlasting and true light and undefiled mirrour of the godly powers the majesty of God and the Image of his goodness 17. WHat we had here more to say and to evangelize of the perfection of the rest of the children of God or the kingdom of heaven of the most holy of the true tabernacle of God and of his service of love of the true high priest and of his office of the ceasing of the foregoing services of the publishing of the Evangely in the last time of the wisdom of the truth of God of Christ of the holy Ghost of the upright Christian communiality and of what being or nature each one is in it self and of all what is spoken of in this Evangely of the kingdome is declared in The glass of righteousness If ye therefore O ye lovers of the truth have a regard unto the sayings of the same ye shall then find the full instruction of all what is needfull for the man to know to his salvation witnessed and declared therein The XL Chapter O All ye lovers of the truth to whom I
EVANGELIUM REGNI A joyful MESSAGE OF THE KINGDOM Published by the holy Spirit of the love of Jesus Christ and sent forth unto all Nations of people which love the Truth in Jesus Christ. Set forth by H. N. and by him perused anew and more distinctly declared Translated out of Base-Almayn O how lovely are the feet of the Messengers which publish the peace preach good tidings and evangelize the salvation Isa. 52. b. Nah. 2. a. Rom. 10. c. The Evangely of the Kingdom shall be preached unto the world for a witness unto all people and then shall the end come Matth. 24. b. I saw an angel flie thorow the midst of heaven having an everlasting Evangely to publish unto them which sit and dwell upon the earth namely unto all heathen generations languages and people Apoc. 14. a. Imprinted at London 1652. THE PREFACE COnsider on the Time O all yee People which love the truth of Iesus Christ. 2 Presently in this day of the love and of the appearing of the coming of our Lord Iesus Christ in the Resurrection of the dead wherein the Law the Prophets and all that is written of Christ becometh fulfilled is this Ioyfull Message of the Kingdom out of the hearty mercifulness and love of God the Father Evangelized unto us all and sent especialy by the holy spirit of the love of Iesus Christ unto all lovers of the Truth as also published in all the world for a testimony unto all peoplâ— aâ—â—ording to the scripture To the stirring up of all â—nderstandings unto the true knowledge of the godlines in Iesus Christ and to an everlasting concordable and stedfast peace upon the earth according to the promises 3 Let every one respect well this profered Grace for even now in the last time the Lord sendeth his Angel or Messenger before him for to prepare his way and to publish an everlasting evangelie unto all generations languages and people according to his promises to the intent that they all should now withdraw them from the iniquity turn them to the family of the love of Iesus Christ God his mercy seat and even so to their preservation in the godlines shew fortst upright â—epentance for their sins the end shall come 4 And albeit that we have set forth these present testimonies O yee lovers of the truth of Iesus Christ to an Evangelie of the Kingdome and publish to a joyful message that the God of heaven hatâ— shewed mercy on all people for that they should repent them and stand goâ—d-willing unto his requiring declared his great Day-light of the upright righteousnes through us his elected ones in the world out of heavâ—n from his right-hand and brought it ovâ—r the whole earth for to judge the â—ame with righteousnes yet are not therefore these present testimonies alone the Evangelie of the Kingdome which was promised to be published in the world and unto all people but also all the Testimonies which the God of heaven hath brought forth through his holy ones and through his elected Minister H. N. 5 For all those same are also evangelical testimonies of the Kingdom of his declaring All which testimonies are also new in the last time held forth to a true â—lass of righteousnes before the children of men to an everlasting peace upon earth unto men which are good of will according to the promises 6 For that cause O ye lovers of the truth if yee now this day hear his voice and that this grace and loue of God the Father Christ become to your preservation in the godlines proffered unto you so hardâ—n not then your hearts that ye bide not without the rest of the Lord which is prepared from the beginning for the people of God and for all repentant sinners and is appeared now in the last time according to the Scripture Take it to heart A Joyfull Message of the Kingdom of God and CHRIST The First CHAPTER HN Through the Grace and mercy of God and through the holy Spirit of the love of Iesus Christ raisâ—d up by the highest God from the death according â—o the providence of God and his promises anointed with the Holy Ghost in the old-age of the holy understanding of Iesus Christ Godâ—d with God in the spirit of his love made heire with Christ in the heavâ—nly goods of the riches of God â— illuminated in the spirit with the heavenly truth the true light of the perfect being â—lected â—o a Minister of the gracious word which is now in the last time raisâ—d up by God according to his promises in the most holy service of God under the obedience of his love for to publish in the last time out of the same grace and hearty mercifulnes of God and through the same holy Spirit of the love of Iesus Christ good tydings or a joyfull message of the Kingdom of God unto all people which â—it in darknes and have a desire or longing after the true light and to bring unto the beleevers a great light of the true being of Iesus Christ and the glorious day of his godly cleeâ—nes as also to expreâ—â—â— that God hath pitied the generations of mankind and that Iesus Christ hath not left us as orphanes but as our faithfull Father for to beget us anew out of the safe-making water or doctrine of his service and out of his holy spirit of love also to judge us with his righteousness and to bring us into his rest is come againe unto us according to his promises to the end thâ—t they all which love God and his righteousnes and Christ and his upright being might presently enter into the true rest which God hath prepared from the beginning for his elect and inherit the everlasting life 2 For that cause all lovers of the truth and all souls which hunger and thirst after the righteousnes become assembled obediently unto the service of the love of Iesus Christ shal presently according to the word of the Lord eat of the bread of life and drinke out of the fountain of living water and become satisfied 3 Unto the same God which hath prepared all this for us and bringeth it to us out of the bosom of his love be laud honor praise thanks-giving for ever and ever Amen 4. UNto the lovers of the Truth here and there wheresoever or in what quarter of the world they dwell or have their abode of what Nation and Religion soever they be Christians Jews Mahomites or Turks and heathen with all divided people of what condition or dignity soever they be Pastors of the Religious or Fourders of Religion Understanding ones or expert in the godly wisdom well learned exercised eloquent in the holy Scripture High Magistrates and renowned Potentates noble of linage rich or mighty of estate rulers of commonalties together
with all people Let every Nation then have among them so many manner of grounds beliefs religions ceremonies and services as they will wherein they love God his truth and the righteousnes 5 The grace and peace from God our Father the refreshing or renewing of the minde from the naked or uncovered face of our Lord Iesus Christ the communalty of holy ones their uniformity of being with the holy spirit of the love of Iesus Christ becommeth presently published proffered and brought unto you And to all the same yee are also this day called and bidden namely yee all which love the truth unto godlines and have a desire to do the will of the Lord and to humble your selves obediently to the service of the love of Iesus Christ and his requiring 6. HAppy are they which have now in this day intended or minded the love and the peace For in this selfe same day shall now the good with all the repentant ones which stand good willing towards the good become known and made manifest from the wicked and from all unrepentant ones which have a desire to the iniquity and to the wicked and corrupted world and they shall separate them the one from the other 7 For it shall now in this day be seen and evidently perceived that all good willing ones to to the good shall assemble them unto the good namely to the communalty of the love wherein the Lord hath manifested and set his light and where his Sun of righteousnes the true heavenly day-light shineth enter into the rest of the Lord and obtaine the everlasting godliness and that they all which are evill of will and hardned in the iniquity shall make them up with their good thinking wisdom ther-against and bâ—ing the eternall damnation over themselves like as there is written thereof Therfore cometh there presently great grace unto all good willing ones but unto them that refuse the grace also are evill of will and love the darkness more then the light great severity or indignation 9 For behold in this present Day the glorious coming of our Lord Iesus Christ w th the many thousands of his saints becometh manifested which hath set himselfe now upon the seat of his Majesty for to judge in this same day which the Lord hath ordained or appointed the whole world with equity and with faithfulnesse and truth according to his righteousnes 10 For that cause O all yee which dwell upon the earth fear now the Lord the most highest and givâ— him alone all honour laud and praise for the day of his judgement is now come that it might now in the same day of the true judgement of God and Christ become all fulfilled in Christ whatsoever is written of him 11 OH that they now all had such an heart that they respected well this same day submitted them with humble and single minded hearts under the gracious hand of the Lord and stood obediently and concordably minded to the holy and gracious word so should then assuredly every one right well perceive by experience that God had opened now in the last time a great door of grace unto all faithfull and good willing hearts declared and brought the salvation of the everlasting life unto them and that the same grace bideth altogether closed to before all unbelievers of the word and his service of love before all wavering minded ones and decliners from the same service and before all such as have neither lust nor will unto God nor unto his love the salvation of the everlasting life unknowne and this Joyfull message of the Kingdome which is now in the last time through the holy and gracious word published in all the world before the destruction or perishing of the wicked world to an everlasting rest for all the children of God and to the preservation of mâ—n which hope on God covered or secret 12 For verily if this Joyfull Message of the Kingdom of Christ which in his mistery is the perfect cleernesse of God and the true light of Christ himself be covered or secret before any man So is it then secret before them that perish and are turned unto themselves and their knowledge as also are captived with the minds of the unbelieving world 13 FOr that cause O yee good willing hearts Awake now all out of the sleep of your sins and hear and beleeve the out-flowing living voice of the love of Iesus Christ which Christ in this present day letteth be heard through his holy spirit and elected Minister H.N. upon the earth 14 Happy is he that can now in this perilous time indure the voice of the true light also hearing the gracious word of the Lord which becometh witnessed forth and administred with the same voice beleeveth it and harâ—neth nor dâ—praveth not his heart in this same day but becometh assembled unto Christ and unto the family of his love Amen The Second Chapter SEeing now then that out of God's grace in this day of the godly love the mistery of the heavenly Kingdome of God his righteous Judgement and the coming of his Christ now in the last time in the Resurrection of the dead is declared unto me as an elected vessel house or dwelling of God and given me to know or understand the same and that I through the service of the love of Iesus Christ declare forth again the same mystery of the riches of God upon the earth and minister the gracious and living word of the â—ord which I have received out of the true light and heavenly Ierusalem to a witnes of the truth from the mouth of God himself in his name and according to his will to the preservation and blessing of all generations of the earth which beleeve theron according to the promises So were it likewise very meet and right that they all which will now bide preserved in these perilous times gave ear unto me in the gracious word of my heavenly father turned their hearts with all good willingnesse to the love and her service unto the obedience of the gracious word and ran not forth in ignorance according to their good-thinking or imagination of the knowledge and that also they all which hear to day this voice or witnessing of the holy spirit of love hardned not their hearts nor yet took offence at the Ministraâ—ion of the gracious word but stood well-minded to the lovely and upright being of our Lord Iesus Christ and to his love respected well this same day to the purging of their heart and minde and even so enâ—red with the children of God into the resâ— of the Lord. 2 Which rest even till unto this same day is left unto the children of God or reserved for them to the end that the same should now in the last
ordinance or law which requireth the upright Righteousness and the entrance into the single minded and upright being of Abel which is an other seed or birth of God that is ordained or set for Abel or in the place of the breath of God and this is the true law of the Lord wherethrough it is set or ordained that the upright being of Abel should remain in memory till unto the perfection of the upright being of God which had gotten his beginning in Abel after the mans faling away 4. Howbeit although that many abode not according to the example of the Simplicity of Abel in the right stock and ordinance of Seth but followed their own goodthinking Yet hath there notwithstanding always a seed which was the right stock of Seth and had regard unto the simplicity of Abel remained over which walked upright before God till unto Noah which name signifieth unto us a ceasing or rest 5. This Noah lived uprightly before God and walked with his whose household in the upright ways of his Fathers but all other people which were not of the house of Noah or of the stock of Seth forsook the example of the simplicity of Abel and also the right ordinance of the life which was set or adjoyned thereunto through the seed of Seth. 6. Also they would not give any ear nor credit unto the word of truth through the Preacher Noah for to turn them about to the State or simplicity of the child of Abel by which occasion they could noâ— enter into the rest nor yet remaine alive with the righteous Noah 7. Therefore hath God extended his mercy upon Noah and chosen him with his houshold to a remnant upon earth and stretched out his indignation over all other people whose hearts stood not submitted to the turning about to become as Children nor to the word of truth 8. And the Lord gathered together through Noah all the souls which should main alive and they entred with Noah into the Ark of the Lord. 9. Ark signifieth unto us a Chist or Casket wherein one shuteth up somthing that he will keep close or in secret 10. And all what remained without the Ark that did the Lord cause to perish through the Deluge or Universal floud which fell upon them and took them quite away and so there came upon the earth an end of all flesh Deluge signifieth unto us a pouring over with water 11. Now when as Noah with his houshold was remained over so were there many generations and people born upon the earth out of the Children of Noah for to replenish the earth again But certain of the same generations remained not like unto Sem in the right stock of Noah out of Seth but brake or turned them off from the same and from the ordinance and Doctrine of the same stock and implanted them into a forrain stock and practised even so out of the subtill Industry of their forrain stock wiliness and craft or guile like as the decliners always do which turn them away from the stock or doctrine of their leader and follow their own spirit 12. These generations or progenies of Noah multiplyed them into many heathen or people upon the earth But many of them which persisted not in the stock of Noah and Sem have not understood the mind councel and word of the Lord nor the mistery of his work much less then essentially known the same but have followed their own councel mind and will according to the imagination of their good-thinking wisdom Wherethrough also they turned wholy and altogether to themselves and sought not to hâ—nour to exalt or magnifie any other thing but themselves and their own name 13. Through which addicting of them unto their selfness they practised their subtilty and iâ—geniousness purposing to set up a memorial of their name and would therefore make them a great strength or fortress 14. Now when as they had mingled their understandings together hereunto so begun they this work with one manner of speech mind and purpose and they applyed them boldly thereunto for to accomplish in such wise the same whose purpose of work and one manner of speech the Lord through his word intangled and scattered abroad the same people in all lands and the place of their work was named Babel which signifieth unto us confusion or a Commixture that is intangled with each other 15. Behold ye dearly beloved hereout may we perceive which was the seed of Seth that upright stock For all what desired to honour and exalt God and to magnifie his name as also walked uprightly before God in all respects like unto Seth which is the second seed in the place of Abel that was the seed of Seth according to the example of the simplicity of Abel wherein God had a good pleasure 16. But who so turned them away from the right ways and loved themselves and their own honour those were fallen away or broken off from their upright stock and became implanted into a forrain one and brought forth a strange seed and strange fruits which strange seed or fruits God knew not 17. But the right stock remained in his upright state whose seed like unto Abel walked evermore uprightly before God in such wise that God hath had there through continually a light in the stock of Seth and the righteousness a seed upon earth which light of God and seed of righteousness went not out nor decayed or failed not but increased in more cleerness and perfecter righteousness till unto this perfect light and absolute righteousness which is the very like being of God himself 18. BEhold In such sort hath this upright seed in the light and righteousness of his God had his procreation to righteousness and life upâ—n the earth namely from Seth the second seed in the place of Abel till unto Noah and Sem. 19. From Noah and Sem until Abraham Isaac and Iacob which Iacob whom God named Israel begat the tweâ—ve Fathers of Israel out of the which God chose him Iudah 20. From Iudah unâ—il David the King of Israel and Iudah 21. From David the King until Zorobabel in the Captivity of Babylon 22. From Zorobabel until Ioseph which had a Virgin to wife out of the same stock of David named Mary of whom JESVS CHRIST the Consummation of all the works of God and the perfect light of the godly cleerness was born or brought forth Of this we will treat more at large hereafter 23. WHat we now had here more to say of Abel Cain Seâ—h and Noah and of the stock of the upright seed of the multiplying of the heathen and of the building of Babel is declared in the Glass of Righteousness The VI. Chapter AMong all these generations Nations and people or heathen which were sprung â—ut of the tribes of Noah the upright stock of Noah and Sem hath always walked
then did Iosue circumcise again all the males And the children of Israel took in with forcible hand all the whole land 2. And thus in process of time they brought the people in sujection and had many battels against their enemies until David the king of the Tribe of Iudah which vanquished and subdued in battel the enemies of Israel and of the Lord with all his own enemies wherethrough his son Salomon inherited the Kingdom of Israel in peace sate upon the seat of David his Father and ruled the whole land and the people of Israel through the Godly wisdom peaceably and judged them uprightly 3. This David was exceedingly beloved of the Lord in such wise that the Lord said that he had found a man according to his own heart And the Lord nameth him also in certain places of the Scripture my servant David the which signifieth unto us my service which is lovely 4. BEhold this righteous plant of David hath the God of heaven raised up by us now in the last time like as the Lord promised the same according to the Scriptures and hath ordained him in this day of his love to be a ruler which shall govern wisely He shall set up judgement and Righteousness again upon earth that Iuda may now in this time be hopen and Israel dwel undismayed or without fear For his seed shall stand from henceforth before the Lord and sit upon the seat of David for evermore like as there is written thereof 5. Behold this covenant hath the Lord made thus in times past with his servant David and sworn to keep the same with him for evermore 6. But now when as Salomon which is the right seed of his Father David hath inheriâ—ed in peace the Kingdom of Israel and the seat of David his Father so builded he at the same time an house or temple within Ierusalem unto the name of the Lord and also an house for himself which was the house of Salomon and all lands and people humbled them under Salomon and his godly wisdom 7. Salomon signifieth unto us peaceable or one which is rich of peace Ierusalem signifieth unto us a vision of peace or of perfâ—ction 8. O Ye dearly beloved consider here the Mysterie of the works of God and the providence of his unsearchable wisdom and behold in the Jmages and figures what they shew forth unto us 9. Verily they will now in this day of love express some singular thing unto us and declare in this last time a great mysterie For in this day they make known unto us that it all which they signifie or whereof they give their cleerness shall now in this last time be erected according to the true being and fulfilled or accomplished according to the heavenly truth 10. But in all this former beauty and in the garnishing of the images and figures wherewith the Lord trained or informed he children of Israel that they might thereout know or understand the very true so served they at that time not the very true which God required out of the imagelike or figurative services but they served the images and figures and were subject to the service of the Levitical Priesthood after the order of Aaron Which service increased alwaies in glory to the multiplying and greater respecting of the righteousness 11. NOw after that Salomon was fallen asleep and buried with his Fathers so rented then the Kingdom of the children of Israel into two parts and ten Tribes of Israel fell away from the house of David and chose unto themselves another king named Ieroboam which name signifieth unto us an assaulting or a tempting of the People 12. Through this king which reigned over the ten Tribes of Israel they departed away from Ierusalem from the Temple of Salomon and from the services of the Priests after the order of Aaron and set up for themselves services and images at Beth-el and Dan and so brought the holy places into desolation They instituted Priests also which were not of the Tribe of Levi out of Aaron wherewith they observed the services falsly and did that which displeased the Lord and were for that cause at the last vanquished by the king Salmanaser which came from Assyria and by him led away out of the land and are yet estranged from the same even unto this same day in which the Lord will presently bring them again to their heritage and to the house of David 13. Beth-el signifieth unto us the house of God and Dan the judgement 〈◊〉 coming from Assyria signifieth unto uâ— a peace bound or knit together proceeding from the snares or sins which one â—ayeth to such a purpose or wherewith 〈…〉 assaulted or tempted like as their first king Ieroboam had brought in the same 14. What we had here more to say of the children of Israel of their disobedience against the Lord wherethrough they in times past remained without the rest of their uncircumcision or which is the uncircumcision of heart of Israel's casting out and how long they shall abide cast out from the Lord as also when they shall be restored or set up again is declared in the Glasâ— of Righteousness The XVI Chapter BUt the Stock of David and all what was of the Tribe of Iuda and Benjamin kept themselves together and held them unto the services of the Priesthood out of Levi according to the ordinance of Aaron like as the Lord had commanded the same which they observed at Ierusalem in the house of the Lord prepared by Salomon 2. Howbeit the tribes of Iuda and Benjamin sinned against the Lord and estranged them even so through a confusion or commixture unto intanglement from his law and from the requiring of the same wherethrough the Lord gave them over also at the last into the hands of the King Nabuchodonosor coming from Babel the which signifieth unto us a sighing or heaviness through strictness proceeding from a confusion or from a commixture which hath intangled or snared it self in it self 3. This Nabuchodonosor of Babel utterly destroyed the temple of the Lord which Salomon had builded and burned the same and Salomon's house also he brake down the wals of Ierusalem and carryed away all the vessels of silver and gold which were in the house of the Lord and the most part of the Citizens of Ierusalem into Babylon Wherethrough the government of their King of Iuda with their Psalms Songs and Mirth was utterly laid down the house of the Lord brought in desolation and the City of Ierusalem as a ruinated City made to heaps of stones Whereover Ieremy in his Lamentations greatly sighed wayled and wept 4. NOw when the tribes of Iuda were led away into Babylon so must they then for their sins or confusions cause wherein they had mingled and bewrapped themselves together serve there the King Nabuchodonosor 5. But after that or after the end
Kingdom of Israel should have been restored according to the promses of the prophets 6. Likewise there were many that were offended at his word and doctrine but chiefly the scripture learned which were thâ— expertest or learnendst in the scripture and seemed to be the holiestq. Many of these could not away with him 7 And although they were daylie converversant with him and heard his word which was the word of God his Father it self as also saw his wonderful signes which he did yet believed they not but were so much the more displeased with him 8. Hereout we may evidently understand ye dearly beloved that the wisdom the holy understanding nor the holiness which God regardeth cometh not unto the Disciples in the Scripture learnedness nor in the knowledge but unto the Disciples in the obedience of the requiâ—ing of the word as also of the light of life and of the godly truth whereunto our upright service of love together with the Scripture and the Ceremonies which are administred out of the true light of our most holy service of love do point and lead 9. WHilst now that Iesus Christ himself is the very true holiness and the upright substance of God his Father whereon we witness so gave he also in times past like as presently in his service such a cleerness from him wherewith he sufficiently witnessed and manifested who he was 10. But forasmuch as the children of men were utterly estranged from the substance of the Being of God like as in this present day there are many estranged therefrom so have they not known him according to his godly Being like as he is a Christ of God much leâ—s understood his word which is the spirit and life of his Father 11. Although he spake or witnessed before the ears of men of the new birth or renewing in the spirit of the turning about and to become as children of the kingdom of the God of heavens of the bread that cometh from heaven of the light of the world of the way the truth and of the resurrection and the life all which he himself is yet was it all covered before their eys with the flesh of Christ whereat many Scripture learned took offence and secret before the ears of their understanding yea and it remained also all covered or secret before his Disciples although they were not offended at his flesh and word until that Christ had fulfilled or accomplished with them through his death of the Cross his Pass-over and the true oblation Godservice in the holy of the true Tabernacle and they had imitated him therein that Christ after the Spirit replenisht them out of his heavenly being with his holy Ghost and so declared himself unto them according to the spiritual form of his heavenly being 12. BEhold until that time remained the vail which is the flesh of Christ before the most holy so that they could not behold with the eyes of their inwardness the most pure beauty of the heavenly Being namely the naked cleerness of the most holy of the true Tabernacle of God nor the perfect lovelyness of the everlasting life of Jesus Christ nor yet understand the same according to the heavenly truth 13. For although Christ after the flesh witnessed much unto them of Spirit and life yet was notwithstanding their heart so long as Christ after the spirit was not declared unto them captived with the love of Christ after the flesh and they understood all things for the most part according to an outward form or observation 14. If now the right Disciples of Christ understood not the spiritual and heavenly truth of Christ before their Passover with Christ into the second birth how much less then understood they the truth of Christ which were offended at his flesh and at his word and doctrine which also turned them away from him and would not be his Disciples For verily all they that were offended at his flesh and at his doctrine and works and humbled not themselves obediently under his Doctrine nor yet assembled them unto him understood nothing at all of the spiritual and heavenly Testimonies of Jesu Christ nor of the kingdom of the God of heavens and yet much less of the salvation of men even like as also yet in this present time all unregenerated men which shew forth no upright fruits of repentance nor become incorporated into Christ after the flesh with his like death nor yet baptised in his death for to become renewed in the second birth from the death of Christ through the holy Spirit of Jesu Christ in their Spirit and mind understand not any thing at all thereof neither yet of the spiritual and heavenly testimonies of the holy Spirit of the love of Jesu Christ nor yet likewise of all that which the Scripture speaketh of Christ of the coming of his glory and of his judgement over the living and dead And for that cause there are also now in the last time so many which take offence at the appearing of the coming of Jesu Christ or of the son of maa and at the ministration of the word and doctrine of Jesu Christ after the flesh as also contemn the requiring of the obedience of his service of love and turn them away therefrom The XXI Chapter FOrasmuch now as that in times past the cleerness of Christ through the holy Ghost was yet unknown unto the upright and faithful Disciples of Iesus Christ whilst that they knew him not otherwise but after the flesh namely how or in what godly and heavenly cleerness that Iesus Christ is the only begotten Son of the most highest the very like Being or substance of God his Father the way the truth and the life the light of the world the dore of the sheep the right Vine the living bread of heaven the resurrection from the death and the new heavenly man So was it therefore needful that Christ should keep the Pascha or Pass-over with them which is called in Hebrew Phase the which signifieth the true Pass-over which the right Disciples and Believers of Iesu Christ do pass or go through in the following of Christ after the flesh and it is the true oblation or Godservice in the holy to the remission and purging of sins Which Phase as in a figure of the very true had been observed by the Jews in his figurative service even until the same time 2. For that cause the Lord Iesus caused the same to be prepared him for to keep the Pass-over or Pascha with his Disciples in the true being and told them before of his suffering and Pass-over and that they must also do the like if they would come to his cleerness in the heavenly Being with his Father 3. Therefore he gave them to understand in what manner his pass-over should be to wit that he namely Christ
knowledge â—ncreased in much richness of the knowledge â—nd obtained the preheminence with them wherethrough many of the children of men grounded their hearts thereupon and not on Christ nor on the obedience of his requiring By which occasion also the true services of the holy spirit of Christ with the treasures of the spiritual and heavenly goods ceased with them and the abominations of desolation became the more manifold in the holy place of the Lord namely in the inwardness of men 4. For that cause the true Belief and the upright service of the holy ones is now also come into reproach or contempt the Sun that heavenly day light of Christ become utterly covered with the darkness of the wisdom of men and the Scripture before the understandings of men as a dark word or a closed book and as a Lanthorn without light whereout many singular matters are presupposed but not at all perceived or understood 5. BEhold from that time forth that the children of men estranged them from the true faith and from the true service of Christ in the holy and that the darkness and desolation and the many manner divisions of Religion came fast upon the world so was the world covered with such abominations and darkness and the hearts of the peoplâ— with such desolation of confusion 6. In which time of this same night and error many goodwilling hearts to the Righteousness have sighed with anguish of mind also diligently sought the light and truth groped thereafter as the blind here and there on the painted walls and so with great diligence zeal and earnestness inquired after the righteousness also searched for the same with fervency in the Scripture and had a regard or consideration on many whether same were any where to be found or to be gotten by any man or might break forth by any one 7. But whereto soever they turned them or went without Christ his Church and without his true belief so was it everywhere nothing else but knowledg wisdom of the flesh good thinking of man darkness lyes and sin or error which met with took hold of them 8. And whilst that the sun of righteousness shined not unto them so have they not been able how much diligence soever they bestowed thereabout to find the righteousness which God esteemed 9. Even thus have truly in process of time the foresaid darknesses lyes and iniquities with all erring Spirits obtained the preeminence with the estranged from Christ and from his safe-making Belief and with all the enemies of Christ and his love and even so born rule upon the Earth namely from the tiâ—e forth of the defection or estranging from Christ and his true belief till unto this day of love and of the appearing of the coming of Christ. 10. In which day God will now with the Spirit of his mouth slay the Antichrist or mischievous Nature and make an end thereof sanctifie again the Fore-front and the Holy of the true Tabernacle which are utterly fallen into desolation and ruine through the earthly wisdome of the slesh according to the service of her true being and set up again the daily Offering and judge the People with his light and righteousnes according to the Scripture 11. Yea assuredly the Lord will now accomplish this same and with his light truth and righteousness take the preheminence according to the Promises 12. WHat we had here more to say of the defection or estranging from the true light of the true faith of the Child of the Devil or Antichrist of the abomination of desolation of the false pastors and of the many manner conceited opinions or good thinkings of meâ— is declared in the glass of righteousness The XXX Chapter BUt whenas now these foresaid many manner of abominations divisions and errours were entred in besides the Church of Christ and that the Apostles of Christ with the principall Elders of the holy understanding or the codeified Men through the incorporating into Christ which were the upright Ministers of the holy Wrd of Christ with all the holy ones of God and Christ were fallen asleep that the light of life was become unknown the Law of Lord forsaken the true faith taken away from the earth as also the darkness with much fals doctrine through the unregenerated or ungodded men come in aboundantly and great discord and division risen up among the children of men upon the earth so were there then many of the remnant of the Christianity who in the same time greatly bewailed the discord and erring blindness of men and did mourn in their hearts veâ—y sore and have even so out of a good intent and goodwilling heart to the righteousness loved the peace and concord among the children of men and also with diligence sought after the same 2 These have in their good-willingness to the righteousness searched the Scripture also bestowed all their diligence and care to understand the same and even so thereout according to the utterest or best that they knew figured out and set forth the services and Ceremonies and the ordinances of the Christianity in most like manner or conformablâ—st unto the Scriptures and requiring of the Apostolical doctrine of Jesus Christ in the distinctest manner that they were able before the Children of men that they mought live therethrough in righteousness and peace They have likewise used the same Services and Ceremonies to the requiring of the righteousness and to a good discipline and orderliness for the people which humbled them under thosâ— same 3. Howbeit whilst that the light of the true being of Jesus Christ shined not in his perfect clearness with many of them so could they not use nor minister the right use of those Services or Ceremonies which bring the spiritual and heavenly goods with them reveale or declare the face of Jesus Christ uncoveredly and teach the beleevers to the Kingdome of Heaven but they have so far forth and so neer as they to the utterest of their power could by any means get or attain to the same according to the testimonies of the Scripture with their understanding and knowledg administred unto the people to a memorial of Christ and his Acts the signification and the image-like and figurative services of that which is required through Christ and even so taught them through the same Services and Ceremonies the civil or nurturable righteousness but not the very true Spiritual or heavenly for they could not attain unto the same 4. NOw when these Services and Ceremonies to a Testimony and Signification of the inward righteousness were thus figured forth and ministered so were they then set forth before the children of men to holy signes or such as signified holy things And the Priests and Ministers of those same have allured and drawn the hearts of the People therewithall also nurtured many thereby to humility and taught them thereout that they through the same Services and
Congregation or flock of Christ. 11. For that cause they are also fore-goers unto them that are growing up to Elders in the mortifying burying of the sin and the ministers of the holy word in the holy of the true offering that is in the keeping of the Pascha or Passeover with Christ in his Supper wherein the death of the sin at the end of the same the making alive of the man cometh to pass 12. With which service they inform and are serviceable to the Priests or Elders which are a-coming on namely unto the weaned Lambes which are weaned or withdrawn from the milk of their youngness and growing up to the old-age of a sheep of Christ or which increase them in the godly wisdom of Christ till unto the old age of the holy understanding of Christ and of the godly wisdome of the oldest Father or chief Bishop 13. For because of this same service in the holy and because of their manly old age of the holy understanding such ministers of the holy Word were in time past in the true being named Bishops or Superiours of the Elders either Pastours of the sheep of Christ. 14. THe next unto the Bishops are named Parish-Priests or Curates which signifie unto us Levitical priests or adjoyned Pastors and Elders of the holy understanding as those that are joyned and ordained to the ministration of the holy Priests office and to the service of the Communalty for to minister even so in the service of the holy Word the fore-front of the holy Tabernacle or the entrance of the Church of Christ either beginning of the Christian life in his Service and Requiring Which Elders are chosen and joyned to the Service of the holy Word because they leave or let pass the childhood or youngness of the holy understanding and grow up according to the requiring of the service of Love unto the manly agedness of Christ that is unto the true being of the oldest and holiest Father or pass forth after the Perfection and even so go before the Communalty of the Believers in the Circumcision of the heart or in the laying away of the sin in the Flesh in all fear of God 15. For that cause they have also their Service in the Congregation or Church of Christ namely in the fore-front that is where the Sanctification or godliness or the new birth in Christ hath his beginning to a laying away of the sin in the â—lesh 16. Hereunto serve the Parish-priests as to â—â—ch procuratours or helpers forward of â—he communiâ—lities for to bear a good care over them and to witness â—nd teach them daily the holy understanding of Christ the oldest Father according to the ordinance of their Bishop to a leading of them into the holy of the true God-service in the Spirit where the purging and forgiveness of sins cometh to pass to the end that the communiality should even so with the service of the holy word be peaceably sustained and nourished and live godly in all love and concord 17. THe next unto the Parish-Priests are named Deacons Which signifie unto us Ministers or helpers of the Parish-priests in the holy God-services to the end that it all whatsoever concerneth the service of the holy Word and the godly doctrine might be orderly and godly ministred among the Communialities 18. THe next unto the Deacons are named Sextons Which signifie unto us conservers or keepers of the holy things or to whom the charge of holy things to be used in their Ordinance is committed that they might be occupied in due or convenient time 19. AMong all those there are also risen up many manner of Orders wherethrough many anointed ones and zealous People have sought the righteousness and holy ones which are named Monks Which signifie unto us such as dwell alone and are through the love of the righteousness sanctified and for that cause also separated from the World and from all what is worldly and fleshly for to live even so as sanctified ones of God in the solitariness of their life wholly in God and in his holy being 20. For such as were mortified touching the world and the flesh with all self-lusts and desires and busied them not with any thing save only with the things which concerned God and his righteousness were in time past so named 21. NExt unto all these forenamed anointed ones are the common People which believe and cleave unto the Services Religions Ceremonies of the anointed and which also humble them to the requiring of those same The which are named Christians and are yet unanointed and signifie unto us the Christian Church or the Congregation of Christians or anointed ones which are assembled through the service of the holy Word by the Elders of the holy understanding unto the sanctification in Jesu Christ and before whom the costly treasures of the holy things or of the spiritual and heavenly goods are set forth unto Salvation in Christ and which also submit them obediently under the doctrine of the anointed ones or spiritual persons which daily hold forth the law or ordinance of the Lord before them and teach them how they should live also come to the spiritual understanding or new Birth in Christ and what they ought to do and leave undone 22. And they that remaine live and walk without the same Christianity or her Congregation with al them that are not incorporated as fellow-members of the Church of Christ into the same are named Heathen which have their forth-going without Christ and his Church in the Heathenship or uncircumcision also are captived or blinded with darkness and cannot obtaine nor inherit any Salvation nor everlasting life with Christ. 23. BEhold All this hath been even so in times past in his true being whenas the light of life had his clearness and the belief of Iesu Christ her service in the holy ones of God the renewed or godded men upon the Earth But all this same as touching the knowledg thereof according to his upright being is become darkned or secret before many and the truth and right ordinance of the same also utterly unknown All which shall now in this day of love be restored or brought againe through the revealing of the coming of Christ and of his holy Spirit into his upright state and true being or Christian ordinance and flourish or become forcible according to the promises The XXXII Chapter NOw when these Services of the Images or figures to a memorial of the holy things which were tofore chanced concerning Christ and his holy ones had stood a long season in their Service so have many People been drawn therewithall which respected and believed those same for the very true and perfect God-services and works of righteousness which God required and they were likewise so set forth and taught by many namely after the manner as it also chanced in times past with the
wish much grace and Salvation in the Lord here have I endeavoured me to express and signifie unto you all out of our most holy service of love the counsel mind and will of God whereunto every one is debtour to humble and to submit himself obediently also Gods wonderfull work with his holy ones which the wicked world hath never known nor understood and which also bideth alwayes and for ever hidden or secret before the same and the declaration of the foregoing services of God and how that they all lead and have their ministration unto the service of love which is ministred out of the most holy of the true Tabernacle of God thus largely and in the most simple manner and each ones service briefly and with few words to an assistance and introduction unto those heavenly things which shall yet in their manifestation of clearness in the Spirit be seen and spoken of in the most perfect manner 2. For thereunto do we under the obedience of the love shew forth our service namely towards all them that God stirreth into our way and that assemble them unto us which also love the truth of the declaration of the true God-services and Christian Ceremonies and desire to accomplish the requiring of those same To the end that they all which seek after the truth of Jesu Christ and read or hear these godly testimonies of our writings mought be somewhat furthered with this assistance or hand-teaching to the knowledge of the truth of Jesu Christ and that the true God-services and Ceremonies which lead unto the godliness mought be in their upright use and whereto each ones God-service reacheth seen into and understood of them according to the truth and that likewise the unilluminated and unregenerated men mought then even so understand and know that they ought not through any taking out of the knowledge of the Scripture nor through any knowledge which ariseth in their hearts to set forth to preach nor to teach any services nor Ceremonies wherewith doubtless they seduce themselves and other moe but that they ought first humbly to turn them unto the Word of grace to submit them obediently under the service of love wherein the true light cometh with full clearness to give eare and credit to the same and to accomplish his requiring For in the same service every one shall receive good resolution and instruction how for to come to the new birth in Jesus Christ and to what manner of accomplishment the services and Ceremonies ought to be used and obeyed in their right use 3. And thereto and to the unity of heart in the love is likewise all my service chieffest unto all lovers of the truth That they all which love the truth mought now come-somewhat nearer unto us in the holy understading and be concordably minded with us under the obedience of the love to the unity of the heart in Jesu Christ and become assembled unto us and that they should then even so so much the better understand the holy mind of our God the true service of love wherein God the most highest hath comprehended us and the heavenly truth witnessed in The glass of righteousness and administred out of love in this declaration 4. FOr that cause my desire is unto you all which read and hear these our writings that ye will diligently revolve in minde and throughly measure our upright and undeceiveable service shewed on you and the ground of this same and have an inspection and consideration with pure devotion unto God upon the understanding of every particular sentence and whereunto the same serveth to the lightning of our understanding And take even so good heed unto the hearty mercifulness of God shewed on you through the service of love 5. For out of grace undeserved is this mystery of the works of God uncovered unto you all which love the truth and presently in this day of love is the Evangely of the Kingdome which is breathed on and brought unto us now in the last time out of of the word of grace and out of the Spirit of the living God to the procreating of the living souls of Sion published or evangelized in these perilous times to the Salvation and Preservation of you all To the end that you mought now in the last time be led out from the wicked world and from her perverse generations be released from all conceited opinions which the man taketh to him out of the knowledge of the Scripture and have your communion or society with us 6. For our communion in this true light of the love is the uniformity with God the Father with his son our Lord Jesus Christ with the holy Ghost the pledge of the promises of our Inheritance and with all the holy ones of God in the heavenly being It is very true The XLI Chapter UNto this same grace which is this day O ye lovers of the truth with all ye which love the upright and lovely life of the love proffered unto you and to the same Majesty of God and communiality of his holy ones which is this day declared unto you ye are all presently called and invited 2. For seeing that this great grace and hearty love is chanced unto us through the appearing of the glorious coming of our Lord Jesus Christ from God the Father and that the Lord hath stirred us up in the end of the world and sent us in the right time for to gather together his chosen holy ones unto the mercy-seat of the of the Majesty of God to unity of heart in the love of Jesu Christ So pass we with the presenting of the same grace and intire love of God thorow the Nations of People from the chiefest in the understanding and knowledge of the Scripture even unto the smallest and simplest For the sound of the last trumpet namely the voice or testimony of the grace of the holy Spirit of love shall be heard in all the world 3. Happy is he which to day heareth this voice and hardeneth not his heart but believing the Word becometh assembled unto the body of Jesu Christ the mercy-seat of the majesty of God and entreth into the rest of the Lord. 4. BEhold thereto is our service among all Nations of the people If happily we mought find any lovers of the truth which seek God and his righteousness with all their heart and assemble them with us to our communiality of love the onely Body of Christ and that they mought even so enter with us and all the children of God into the rest of the Lord to their preservation in this day of the righteous judgment of God 5. For that cause let every one take now good heed unto this Day and have regard what the holy Spirit of love requireth 6. For whosoever assembleth not himself in this day unto the body of Jesu Christ under the obedience of his