according to the name and stock of his Father 7. Lia bare his first son and called him Ruben and signifieth unto us a Son of the vision 8 Again Lia bare him his second Son and called him Simeon and signifieth unto us harkning 9 Again Lia bare him his third Son and called him Levi and signifieth unto us adjoyned 10. Again Lia bare him his fourth Son and called him Iuda and signifieth unto us a confessing or thanksgiving 11. But Bilha Rachels maid bare him his fifth Son and called him Dan and signifieth unto us a Iudgement 12 Again Bilha bare him his sixth Son and called him Nepthalim and signifieth unto us a making equal 13. Then Zilpha Lias maid bare him his seventh Son and called him Gad and signifieth unto us Prepared or Girded up 14. Again Zilpha barâ— him his eight Son and called him Aser and signifieth unto us Salvation or Blessedness 15. After that Lia bare him his ninth Son and called him Issachar and signifieth unto us a Reward 16. Again Lia bare him his tenth Son and called him Zabulon and signifieth unto us an Habitation or Dwelling place 17. But Rachel bare him his eleventh Son and called him Ioseph and signifieth unto us Perfection It signifieth also unto us Exalted as that â—he Perfection is worthy to be a Ruler and to govern Countries and People 18. Again Rachel bare him his twelfth Son and died and called him Ben-nom and signifieth unto us a Son of Sorrow But Iacob his father called him Ben-iamin and signifieth unto us A Son of the Right hand 19. MOreover Iacob with his whole house or Tribe came to dwel in Egypt which name signifieth unto us Strictness or Heaviness In which Land the Children of Iacob multiplied them into many people And they had not any other Ceremonies but such as had been by their Fathers Abraham Isaac and Iacob namely the ministration of the Circumcision Which Circumcision they bare for a Covenant of God in their flesh to a true signe that they were God's elected people and did bear the laying away of the sin in their flesh 20. But whenas now these Tribes of Israel in Egypt multiplyed them exceedingly and became great and mighty of People so reigned the king of Egypt over them with in justice and this king of Egypt was named Pharao which name signifieth unto us One that is making naked or wasting 21. NOw whilst that these Tribes of Iacob were by the king Pharao sore afflicted in the land of Egypt and overlorded with injustice so cryed they unto the God of their Fathers And the Iord remembred his Covenant which he had made with Abraham to wit That he would be a Judge over the seed of Abraham in the land wherein they were oppressed And he had compassion on the misery of the children of Iacob and chose them out from among themselves one man of the Tribe of Levi named Moses which name signifieth unto us Fetched or taken up out of the Waters Through whom God would lead his People out of Egypt and râ—lease them from the violent power of Pharao 22. And the Lord called this same Moses unto him and sent him unto the children of Israel and caused him to publish unto them the grace of the God of their Fathers and that the same God would lead them out of the Strictness deliver them from the violence of Pharao and bring them into a good land that floweth with milk and honey 23. Moreover the Lord prepared Moses an helper which should witness and manifest the word of Moses before the children of Israel and before Pharao king of Egypt which was also of the Tribe of Levi and Moses brother named Aaron which name signifieth unto us a Doctrine or an hill whereout Doctrine is recâ—ived or that is Teaching 24. And the Lord wrought many signes and wonders in the land of Egypt in the presence of Pharao and of the children of Israel but before Pharao to the hardning of his heart and before the children of Israel that they should believe the God of their Fathers understand and know the power of his wonderful works and humble them under him and his Word which was shewed unto them by Moses and Aaron out of the living word of the God of heaven as also be obedient unto the same 25. All this wrought the Lord among the children of Israel through Moses and Aaron to the end that they should witness and set forth the Lord's word and will with his Institutions and Rites before the children of Israel 26. BUt whilst now the children of Israel had not any further sight nor knowledge of the house or tabernacle of the Lord then of the Fear of God the beginning or forefront of God his true Tabernacle and did bear the Circumcision for a signe of the true Covenant of God that they were the Lord's people and feared the living God in their flesh and were not yet entred into the Holy of the true Tabernacle of God so would God declare the Holy by them and bring them therein and even so build among them the Holy of his Sanctuary or true Tabernacle to a great name of his glory and to the blessing and salvation of his people also upon the earth Therefore God caused some better and godlyer thing to be published through Moses unto his people then that wherein they stood comprehended to the end that they should set their hope thereon and even so for to obtain the Rest be obedient unto the word of the Lord as also to their releasing from the violence of Phâ—raoh depart out of Egypt 27. BEhold in the same time did the Lord with great signes and wonders make maniâ—est his Glory among the Children of Israâ—l and even so to the end that his great Nâ—me and wonderful power might also be known among all Heathen and he feared as a true God led his people Israel through Moses and Aaron with a mighty hand and forcible Arm out of the land of Egypt and seâ— forth and taught them through Moses his Inâ—titutions and Laws for to observe those same in the good land whereinto the Lord would bring them 28. In which time there was no more spoken unto them of the circumcision of the flesh buâ— of that which was neerer unto the consummation or perfection and of the inheriting of the good land which God had promised unto the seed of Abraham Isaac and Iacob 29. BUt when as now the Lord had led his people out of Egypt and through the wilderness even unto the red sea where they were pursued by Pharao so opened the Lord the red sea before them dividing it asunder and brought his people through Moses and Aâ—ron undamaged therethorow 30. Buâ— Pharao with all his might and power which entred also into the red sea for to destroy the children of Isrâ—el perished in the same so that not one of all
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
diligent prudence of the flesh or of the earthly being which becometh born out of the letter shall serve the little single minded simplicity of Christ which becometh born out of the spirit or heavenly being and be wholy subject thereunto namely when as the spiritual birth hath through the coming of Christ gotten the dominion over the flesh 8. We can also in the service of the gracious word under the obedience of the love now openly feel and perceive these two births in our selves For the first or foregoing birth which in the ministration of the gracious word hath the foregoing by us is the knowledge of God and of his requiring and of God his truth spirit or being out of the letter or serviceable word which stretcheth to the obedience and fulfilling of the requiring of the gracious word and his service of love and the same knowledge which stretcheth to the said obedience is the right knowledge of the man out of the flesh or letter and that seed of Righteousness and his obedience is the former seed of the law or service which becometh born according to the flesh and hath no inheritance in the promises of the covenant of God the Father nor in the Testament of the holy Elders or Fathers for that same becometh fulfilled therein and hath even so in his service the foregoing unto the Inheritance of the same Testaments in the very true being 9. The second birth which appeareth thereafâ—er in the fulfilling or accomplishing of the serviceable word and of his requiring by us in the renewing of our spirit and mind is the Godhead the truth and spirit of God or God his true being it self yea the same spiritual heavenly being is the inheritance of all spiritual and heavenly goods and the true seed of the belief that becometh born in us aâ—cording to the spirit and inheriteth the promises of the Covenant of God the Father And these two births the one after the flesh and the other after the spirit are both out of the seed of the promise sown ingendred or brought forth in the letter and through the letter of the administration of the holy word and heavenly understanding or mind of the spiritual promises in our memory minds or thoughts 10. But the knowledge of the letter or the mind either understanding of the flesh out of the letter and the obedience unto the same appeareth first and taketh the foregoing in birth and diligently applieth it self therein for to inherit the blessing of the promises And whenas now this foregoiâ—g birth namely the knowledge of the letter which stretcheth to the obedience and accomplishment of the requiring of the gracious word and his service of love is become moving and forcible to such a diligency in our minds and understandings so inspect and understand we then at the first the testimonies of the spiritual and heavenly truth which extend unto spirit and life none otherwise but according to the flâ—sh and according to the minde of our flesh do we also seek after the same or apply us thereunto for to obtain the same according to the flesh And we suppose moreover we shal in such wise inherit the blessing of the promises of Christ. And this is in the man the knowledge of the letter or the mind of the flesh which is named Adam Esau or Edom and hath out of the administration of the holy word the fâ—regoing of birth in us and is the knowledge of Christ after the flesh 11. Now whilst or in the mean time that the â—irst born with his earthly and bloudy mind is hunting after or labouring for the blessing of the promise g of God and Christ and yet notwithstanding inheriteth not the same so doth then the second born hold him in stilness and following the counsel of the wisdom he obtaineth through the prudence of the holy Ghost the blessing of the promises of the seed of Abraham as also the prevailing over the first or former born and becometh even so the lord over the first born And this is in the man the mind or spirit of Christ which is named Iacob or Israel which obtaineth at last the victory and the dominion with God and also keepeth the same And to have obtained the same second birth is the upright knowledge of Christ after the spirit 12. SEe ye dearly beloved and consider with spiritual understanding the mystery of these two Nativities or births namely the first after the flesh earthly and bloudy the second aftâ—r the spirit spiritual and heavenly and how that the understanding of the first birth would according to his fleshly mind inherit the promises of Christ and how that the second birth which is not minded according to the flesh but according to the spirit of the heavenly truth obtaineth the victory beareth rule with God and bringeth forth the name of Israel or Christ it self 13 WHat we had here more to say of Isaac the seed of promise of the birth of Esau and Iacob of the fleshly and spiritual birth and of the knowledge of Christ after the flesh and of the knowledge of him after the spirit is with larger Instruction declared in the Glasâ— of Righâ—eousness The X. Chapter IAcob the upright stock of his Fathers Isaac and Abraham walked uprightly before God in the ways of his Fathers And God was with him and was his God light life and cleerness in all respects even as God had been with Abraham and Isaac 2 And God made manifest himself unto this same Iacob and shewed him in what manner the house or tabernacle of his dwelling is and gave unto him and his seed the same promises which he had given and promised unto Abraham and Isaac And God erected his covenant with Iacob therefore called Iacob the place wherein the Lord appeared unto them Beth-el which name signifieth unto us an house of God 3. Behold ye dearly beloved how cleerly the scripture expresseth unto us who are God's elected people and the house of his dwelling wherein he as a living and glorious God maketh manifest himself letteth his word be heard and establisheth his promises 4. Iacob also won with his service two wives which were sisters germans The eldest was named Lia which name signifieth unto us a Labourice This Lia had a Servetrice which she gave Iacob also to wife and she was named Zilpha which signifieth unto us contempt 5. The youngest was named Rachel which name signifieth unto us a sheep This Rachel had a Servetrice which was named Lilha which name signifieth unto us a woman which is humble or lowly which Servetrice she gave Iacob to wife for that she whilst she was closed might through her Servetrice bring forth Children unto Iacob her husband 6. THese four wives brought forth unto Iacob twelve Sons out of which the twelve tribes of Israel are sprung or come forth and every Tribe was named
uprâ—ghtly before God 2. Whose Children also went forth evermore in all Simplicity and righteousness according to the example of the simplicity of Abel and after the manner of Seâ—h Noah and Sâ—â— till unto Abram which name signifieth unto us Old Father or a glorious Fâ—â—her to wiâ— one which hath attained or is grown up to the old age of the true and hâ—ly understanding and therefore is meet to take him a wife and to beget Children for to nourish them up also unto such an old age to the end that there might continually be found upright Fathers and Elders of the holy understanding which multiplyed them into such an upright and holy generations in all fruifulness to many thouâ—ands on the earth Abram was also by the Lord named Abraham which signifieth unto us a Father of many people 3. THis Abram which dwelled with his generations among the heathen and lived and walked uprightly according to the stock of his Fathers was indued with understanding above or more than all other people or heathen both in the godly wisdom and in the heathenish prudence 4. Whilst now his wisdom was born out of the right stock of Seth Noah and Sem and far excelled the wisdom of the world or the understanding of the heathen and that he even so had regard unto the upright being of God and the simplicity of Abel and walked in the upright righteousness of his Fathers so was it also given him to understand the secretness of the works of God Wherethrough he knew how to distinct or divide the form of the everlasting and unchangeable being of the supream Godhead from the form of the elementish things and the word which proceedeth or hath his out flowing out of the living and almighty God from the word of men which proceedeth out of the mans ingeniousnes or imagination of the knowledge 5. In the same time of Abraham the whilest that he dwelled among the heathen God had not upon earth any written services or Ceremonies nor Temple or Tabernacle wrought with mens hands And all generations of the earth or heathen which were not of the right stock of the holy Fathers walked in the seperation from God in the cursing And God had compassion on all the generations of the earth which for their ignorances cause and estranging from God must bear the cursing 6. For that cause God chose him Abram and called him out of the Nations of the Heathen as the principallest among all people which was in the godly understanding and in the simplicity of Abel according to the manner or ordinance of Seth Noah and Sem neerest unto God for to understand the Lord his word and will through whom God would take in hand and set forth some singulâ—r thing to the blessing of al the generations of the Heathen 7 And the Lord spake unto Abram go out of thy Native Country from thy kindred and from thy Fathers horse and â—ourney into a land that I will shew thee And I will make of thee a great people I will bless thee and make thee a great Name and thou shalt be a blessing I will bless them that bless thee and curse them that curse thee For in thee shall all generations of the â—arth be blessed 8. Consider here now ye beloved how that the Lord calleth and leadeth thâ— wisdom of the holy understanding out of the foolishness of the heathen and his elected stock or upright Olive tree out of all wild or unfruitfull Olive trees for to plant the same and his seed in a good land that it may continually bring forth convenient fruits unto the Lord to the intent that the strange sprouts grown out of the wilde Olive trees might even so be cut off and graffed into this upright Olive tree and bring forth good fruits out of the sap or growing of the upright Olive tree For in suchsort would God make Abram great that he might also be named Abraham and a father of many heathen according to the promises 9. Even thus doth the Scripture testifie unto us that God himself would make Abraham great and not that Abraham in the promises which were made unto him should make himself great or multiply him into many people but that it should all come to pass in such wise as the Lord had promised him the same like as there standeth written I saith the Lord will make of thee a great people I will increase thy seed This is the Lord his own work and not mans 10. Now when as Abraham had heard the word of the Lord and understood the mind or will of God so beleeved or trusted he the Lord in his word and that was â—ounted unto him for righteousness For in all this same Abraham stood wholy given over and was with all single mindedness obedient unto the Lord in his requiring without surmising any evil cogitations there over or making any suspition of the knowledge touching the same The VII Chapter BUt when as now Abraham dwelled in the land which the Lord had shewed him and promised unto his seed for an everlasting possession and that the promises to the Salvation of the heathen were freely given unto him so hath God furthermore with his godly wisdom dealt very prudently with Abraham and his seed that is God hath at all times revealed unto Abraham and to the right stock of his seed in naked cleerness how that he is an eternal and living God and which are according to the truth his upright laws Institutions and rites and of what maner or which is the upright house or the true Seat Temple or Tabernacle for his holy dwelling 2. Of which true Tabernacle the Lord hath prepared or builded the forefront in his true being to a dwelling for his glory and to the blessing of all men by the Fathers Abraham Isaac and Iacob on the earth namely in the Circumcision which God hath ordained or set for an everlasting covenant between him and Abraham and his seed 3. This true forefront of the Sanctuary of God which God hath prepared or builded in his Covenant of Circumcision is the true fear of God through which fear of God the foreskin of the sinful flesh was cut off or laid away from the hearts of Abraham's houshold and thus they became seperated from al iniquity and from al disorder of the heathen or uncircumcised for to serve even so the living God alone in his sincere righteousness and godliness 4. For that cause to the end that all they of Abraham's houshold should always serve the living God alone in the fear of God so was the Lord his true Covenant of Circumcision to an everlasting and stedfast covenant made thus with Abraham that the foreskin of all them that be born in the houshold of Abraham and are manly should be cut away from their flesh 5. Behold this Covenant of Circumcision would God that Abraham and his seed after him
the belief of the upright being of Abraham which also was Abraham's sister and become his wife is named Sara which name signifieth unto us a Lady or a Princess which is free 4. THis Sara had a servetrice which waâ— her own or subject unto her which is the Service the Law or Ordinance and the serviceable writing or letter of the belief of Abraham Which Servetrice through the belief of the true being standeth serviceable for to bring forth a serviceable seed unto the belief whilst that she is yet closed or barren 5. And this Servetrice namely the service of the belief of Abraham or his law either Ordinance is also a Testament of Abraham which is called the elders Testament because the same is administred through the belief out of the light of the true being by the eldest in the holy understanding and hath the foregoing in the Procreation out of the letter and out of the obedience of the requiring of the serviceable doctrine which also ceaseth when as the belief bringeth forth out of the true light which is the godly being it self whereunto the service of the word and of the letter doth likewise reach Nevertheless albeit that the service of the word and of the letter reâ—cheth to the belief and true lighâ— yeâ— appeareth not the righteousness out of the service of the letter nor out of his Ordinance although notwithstanding the same be required therewithall but out of the belief 6. This servetrice of Sara was named Agar and she was a Servetrice out of Egypt which signifieth unto us a woman coming on out of Strictness or which is stricting 7 But whilst that Sara the belief of the true being of Abraham was yet closed and brought not forth but was inclined thereunto so desired she Abram namely the old Father in the holy understanding that he would joyn him unto Agar her Servetrice and she gave him Agar to wife for that she might even so out of her obtain Children of the belief 8. Abram therefore joyned him unto Agar and Agar conceived or became with child and brought forth a seed unto Abraham 9. BEhold this was a seed of the Service namely of the unfree woman Agar whereof Paul maketh mention to the Galathians how that Agar in Arabia is called the Mount Sina 10. Arabia signifieth unto us a pledge or surâ—ty which standeth fast for that which is promised until that the promise be fulfilled Sina signifieth unto us Armour or a Shield wherewith one furnisheth him unto Battel when as he passeth thorow the way unto the rest of the promises and wherethrough one is sustained against the enemies and defended therewith until that he come unto the place whereas he inheriteth the rest the peace and all sweetness of the land like as there is promised 11. This Mount Sina in Arabia although it stretcheth even unto Ierusalem is not free with his Children but the belief the free hill within Ierusalem is free with his Children for the believers which are born out of the belief of the true being of Abraham and grown up in Christ in the holy and godly understanding are the free Children of the free woman according to the Scripture 12 But when as â—ow the time was â—come about that the fruit of the belief could live so became Sara fruitful and brought forth unto Abraham the true seed of promise to the Blessing of all Generations of the earth 13. Now when this seed of â—he free woman was born then was the Servetrice with her seed thrust out or given leave to depart as one whose service and seed was there no more needful to a service or help of the beliâ—f because the upright seed was born out of the belief and for that cause the Servetrice with her seed could have no Portion or Coinheritance with the son of the free woman 14. This seed born of the free woman was named Isaac which name signifieth unto us a laughing For Sara laughed when as she heard thet she should bear a Son 15. COnsider here now the Mistery of the Scripture of these two women and of either others service and procreation For behold I declare unto you this day the truth with naked speeches and not in similitudes or dark words inasmuch as that God and Christ with his holy ones is also declared in the most holy even so unto us 16. Where now then this seed of the true Testament after the Accomplishment of the foregoing serviceable Testament is born or brought forth even there is Christ the belssing the salvation and the spirit of the Lord come and where the spirit of the Lord is there is freedom He that hath ears to hear let him hear 17. WHat we had here more to say of the promises to Abraham of Sara the free woman and of Agar her servetrice and of the seed of both their procreations is declared in the glass of Righteousness The IX Chapter NOw when as Isaac the upright stock of his Father Abraham was grown up into a good old age of the holy understanding so took he a wife unto him named Rebecca which Name signifieth unto us one that setteth contention or debate And Rebecca conceived by Isaac and became with child with two Sons which she bare unto Isaac 2. He which she first brought forth was named Esau which name signifieth unto us one that is working he is also named Edom which signifieth unto us one that is earthly or bloudy And this is the first born after the flesh of the seed of the promise 3. Which first born may not inherit the heritage of the godly promises nor the covenant which God maketh with his elected people 4. Therefore God erecteth not his Covenant with him that is born after the flesh and is earthly or bloudy but wiâ—h him that is born after the spirit and is spiritual or heavenly For that cause God hath a good pleasure in the second birth â— But the second Son which was the second born next unâ—o Esau was named Iacob which name signifieth unto us one that treadeth under foot and so kâ—epeâ—h the Victory He was also named Israel and signifieth unto us one that lordeth or surmounteth with God 6. Behold this same which was born after the spirit increased and becamâ— prudent in the godly wisdom and heavenly truth and excelled Esau his brother in prudeâ—ce and holy understanding and hath brought the earthly or bloudy being under him obtained the blessing of his Father and is become an heir in the promises of God and in the testaments of his Fathers 7. VErily these two sorts of people or Procreations namely Esau and Iacob which Rebecca bare unto Isaac the seed of promise and how that the greatest must serve the lesser make known unto us a great mistery to wit that the Righteousness of the law with the great knowâ—edge and
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
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
heavenly being 13. Lo in such wise ceased the law of Moses and the services of the priesthood after the manner of Aaron with the disciples of Christ and have in such sort changed them and verily not otherwise 14. BUt this grace which appeared through Christ and this everlasting life to the joy and triumph of Christ was spread abroad in all the lands generations of the heathen And all those that believed on Jesu Christ kept the pascha with him ate his body and drank his blood they became one body and blood with Christ which were also all Children of the promises with Christ and coheirs in the secret treasures of the heavenly goods and in the resurrection of the righteous and were even so all the right children of the new testament The XXVII Chapter IN all this same even as we have before said the Scripture giveth us to understand who or which they be that inherit with Christ the heaven and the eternal life and have a portion with him in the resurrection namely they which belong unto him or are incorporated into him 2. For the firstling which riseth of them that sleep is Christ after that they which belong unto Christ which make them manifest in the time of the coming of Christ in his majesty For otherwise it cannot come to pass 3. But they which belong not unto Christ namely which are not incorporated into him nor baptised in his death neither yet buryed with him nor kept the supper in his pass over with him have no portion with Christ in the resurrection nor in the eternal life according to the Scripture For they which are in him and in whom he is glorified those are one body with him and are like as he is for that cause they belong also unto him and are always and for ever where he is in the secretness of the Kingdom of the God of heavens 4 For this is the will of Christ that all his members should inherit the kingdom of the God of heavens the most pure beauty with him and so live with him everlastingly according to the scripture 5. BEhold over those which in times past followed Christ with perfect hearts and have â—ven so a part or portion with Christ in the first resurrection hath the second death which is come and beareth dominion over the world all unbelievers no power for they are entred through the death of Christ into the everlasting life And therefore they shal both now and for evermore as upright Christians and Priests of God reigne with Christ according to the Scripture 6. Consider at the same time when Christ the everlasting life was fruitful upon the earth to a light of men through the belief then was it known that the belief is the free woman and the true testament whereout the free Children heirs of the riches of the secret heavenly wisdoms of God are born 7. FOr that cause O ye dearly beloved ye all which love the truth and hear this day my voice let my sayings enter into the ears of your hearts and become understanding in the mysterie of the heavenly and spiritual works of God according to the spirit as also in his outward works according to the flesh 8. For behold In the time when the living souls of Christ where through the holy Ghost brought forth upon earth so was then the belief with the service of the word of the holy ones of Christ the fruitful wife of whom the living souls of Christ were born but Christ the light of life was the husband the Lord or the head of the same wifâ— which out of the power of God poured his holy Spirit which is the seed of the increase of Christ to the procreating of his spiritual children into her And even so were all those which were born thereof the upright children of God according to the promises 9. What we had here more to say of the Law and of her service of the office of Christ through his holy ones or of the procreation of the light and life through the service of the Word of the procreation of the children of God and who they are as also who are not the same of the establishing of the true Testament through the blood of Iesus Christ of the true resurrection and of the second death is declared in the Glass of Righteousness The XXVIII Chapter WHilst now the children of men cleaved unto the upright faith of Abraham which was of one Being with the true light of life or grounded themselves therein and even so obediently respected the service of the Belief administred out of the true light which is Christ himself in his requiring exercised them therein only gave ear had regard unto the ministers of the holy word which had kept the Passover with Christ out of flesh into spirit and out of death into life and were even implanted into Christ and codeified with God and also being obedient unto the word in his requiring bid stedfast therein until that they had also kept the pass over with Christ obtained the renewing of their spirit mind in Iesu Christ the which is the upright supper or pascha wherein men rightly eat the body of Christ drink his blood are partakers of his sufferings and baptised in his death unto his burying and even so remember the suffering of Christ and witness or publish his death till unto his coming that is until the true light arise in the heart so were they made safe justified from their sins renewed in the spirit of their mind sanctified in Christ to fellow members of his body and to coheirs in the riches of God his father in the everlasting life 2. So long now as that all this did flourish or bear sway in his upright state with the children of men so was Christ in his Belief and through his Belief also daylie fruitful to many multitudes of his holy ones which assembled them all through the service of the holy word unto Christ and became one body with him like as we have also before said 3. Behold with this same Christ and all his holy ones which are the true members of his body will God now in this day which he himself hath appointed or ordained judge the earth with righteousness according to the Scripture 4. BUt when as now many of the children of men fell away from the Belief of the true light and life or turned them therefrom clave unto or followed their good thinking according to the imagination of their knowledge and the earthly ingenious wisdom of the flesh and that they boasted them to be Christians and many gave forth themselves for preachers of Christ ere ever they were baptised in the death of Christ and anointed by Christ with his holy Spirit and
unto him the freedome for to be unbound from the services not â—o the edifying of the Congregation but to â—nedifying and contention and is seduced and deceived by his owne spirit or imagination of â—he knowledge wherewith he also sâ—duceth â—nd deceiveth other moe which hear and folâ—ow him therein in such wise that they not â—â—ely utterly forsake the services and the â—mages figures and signes but also the obeâ—ience of the requiring of the gratious word raised up presently with us out of the grace â—f God according to his promises and the teâ—â—imonies of his holy Spirit and service of love â—nd make up themselves there against and â—ill needs even so according to the Imaginaâ—â—on of their knowledge live free or in freeâ—ome and cause nothing else but breach and â—ivision among the Congregations and resistâ—â—g against the Priests or Elders 16. Now when they have thus in every â—art forsaken and resisted or derided the â—â—age-like or figurative services counting them as unneedful so forsake and resisted they then those same contrary to Gods truth and his requiring and contrary to all godly and Christian ordinances and understand nothing at all of the mystery of those same nor of the right Salvation of men in Jesu Christ and run even so forth with the far inspection of their knowledge thinking all too little on the obedience which they are debtours to shew in the foregoing services And so they remain in the taking on of their owne freedom without the right and true freedom of the children of God Let every one take it to heart 17. BUt of these our fore-mentioned Sayings of the figurative services and Ceremonies consider ye dearly beloved how that the Christians for a certain season have had and ministred figurative services and been sustained therewithall till unto the day of the love of Jesus Christ. Which figurative services and Ceremonies have been the Images figures and shadowes of the true and spiritual things which were tofore through Jesus Christ come to pass seen heard aliâ—â— spoken and published in the true being foâ— that we should therethrough remember thâ— same true and spiritual things and that altogether in such wise as the Jews also had and ministered their figurative Services and Ceremonies wherewithal they were sustained unto the day wherein Christ was borne unto them of the seed of David Which figurative services and Ceremonies were the Images figures and shadowes to a memorial of the true spiritual things which should in the time to come come to pass and be seen heard also spoken and published in the true being of the uncovered face of Christ. The XXXI Chapter FUrthermore ye dearly beloved behold and consider how that he Catholick Church of Rome hath obediently grounded it self on the aforesaid Services and Ceremonies which are the figures or the prefiguration of the true Christianity and her Services and with diligence and ferventy observed those same to a good discipline or ordinance of the congregations and even so in figures borne the name of Christians 2. Christians signifie unto us those that are anointed For the holy ones of Christ were in times past so named which were anointed with the holy Spirit of Christ to Priests or Elders of the holy understanding 3. Through which anointing with the holy Spirit of Christ they were the upright Fathers of the houshold of Christ and foregoers in the Christian Congregation which dayly set forth the word of life which is Christ himself and had his shape in them before the Disciples of the Word or Christ wherewith the Novices or Disciples of Christ were nourished and brought up in all wisdome and righteousness of God with holy understanding unto the old age of the Man Christ or anointing of the holy Ghost The which shall now also in this day under the obedience of the love â—lourish even so in the true being according to the promises 4. THis same foregoing of the Elders of the holy understanding and their anointing of the Holy Ghost to Priests Elders and Fathers hath the Catholick Church of Rome till unto this day ministred and observed in figures as is abovesaid For to a token of râ—membrance of the holy anointing of Christ with the holy Spirit they have used the anointing with Oile And it is a Sacrament of the holy Church of Christ which signifieth unto us the anointing of the Priests or Elders with the holy Ghost 5. Of which anointed Elders or foregoers of the Communality of the Catholick Church of Rome the chiefest anointed is named Papa and signifieth unto us an old Father in the holy understanding also the chief Bishop or High-priest which hath his being or conversation in the most holy of the true and perfect Sanctuary and ministereth his office of the holy word thereout and for that cause is also named the most holy Father 6. For in times past the eldest in the holy understanding among them which were anointed with the holy Spirit was so named because that he before all other was the eldest in the holy wisdom of God also a Father of his spiritual Children and of all spiritual Persons 7. For through his service of the holy word the true clearness of Christ was spread abroad in all Lands and the living souls through the seed of the holy Spirit of Christ were brought forth to a communality of Christ and Tabernacle of the living God wherein God lived and dwelt Which true being is the upright service of Christ that flourished in force by the anointed with the holy Spirit of Christ. And hath to a memorial of the same service been figuratively observed in the Catholick Church of Rome 8. THose now that are next unto the fore-mentioned Papa are named Cardinals which signifie unto us the Principallest which are nearest in the most holy understanding of the godliness unto the eldest or holiest father have their coÌ„munion with him in the most holy of the true and perfect being 9. For the Principallest which were neerest to the Eldest or holiest Father in the old age of the holy understanding and in the righteousness and godliness were in times past so named in the true being 10. THe next unto the Cardinals are named Bishops Which signifie unto us the pastours of the sheep and Lambs of Christ and the chief Priests or Elders which in the service and testimony of the spiritual and heavenly truth administred by the chief Bishop or oldest Father are understanding and grown up so old and manly to the manly stock of the oldest Father that they have received the key of the spiritual and Heavenly understanding for to unlock the same holy intelligence unto them that are a-growing up to Elders and to ordaine them to Priests or Elders Wherethrough they distinctly divide the ordinance and laws of the spiritual and heavenly goods and the understanding of the same from the earthly natural and wordly ordinances namely to a good keeping and Pastouring of the