of God and man 11. Therefore cometh now likewise the u Ezec. 7. end and Gods mighty hand upon the ungodly which have had no will to Gods Love x Rom. 2. 2 Thess 2. nor liked that the Love should râ—ign over them But Gods mercy cometh over his Elect which sigh and pray night and day unto him y Luke 18. and have an hunger and thirst z Matth. 5. after the Righteousness 12. For truly the gracious time cometh and is now already come wherein the blessed people of the Lord shall a Isa 60.61 and 65. and 66. Eccl. 2. delight recreated and rejoyce them 13. In which this gracious time there shall nothing be figurely or Image like nor yet also the Testimonies of the Truth of God b Matt. 13. Luke 8. any Parables or Similitudes to the children of the Kingdom for through Gods heavenly Truth the Light of Life-from Heaven all whatsoever is of God and Truth becometh now published unto them c Ioh. 16. openly nakedly or clearly from the right hand of God the Father and they are made heirs therein under the obedience of the Love 14. Yea the holy Spirit of Love which is a comforter of the heart whom the Father sendeth in the name of the Truth the Beeing of Christ he d Ioh 14. and 15. and 16. teacheth and declareth all things unto them namely all what was spoken unto them in times past concerning the Truth as Parables or Similitudes for in times past the whilest the covering which is the foreskin of the flesh of sin was yet before their hearts and the Vail which is the flesh of Christ still before the clearness of the fare of God and Christ they could not g Ioh. 16. endure that which is the clearness of the holy Ghost it self 15. But when as now in their new birth the Vailâ— departeth from their hearts so is it all thâ—n Light and life unto them through the holy Spirit of Love h 2 Cor. 3. and 4. Col. 2. which cometh unto them out of the Father i Ephe 5. from the uncovered face of Christ as also k Iohn 14. and 16. remaineth with them everlastingly and leadeth them into all Truth It is very true 16. Come now all hither O ye peaceable children together with all ye which love the Truth and Peace and have your Forth-going in the Spirit l Rom 6.8 Phil. 3. to the life of the new birth in Jesus Christ according to the Requiring of the Word of the Lord and his service of Love 17. Fly now m Zach. 2. out of the North and out of all wildernessed Lands Rest not your selves among the strange people nor among any of the enemies to the house and service of Love but assemble you with us into n Isa 60. Zach 8. Apo. 21. the holy City of Peace the new Jerusalem which is descended from heaven and prepared by God like a garnished Bride for her Husband 18. O Jerusalem thou holy City of the great King o Isa 60. the Light of thy God of Israel doth now rise up over thee according to the Promises 19. Therefore p Isa 51. and 52. and 60. Baruc 5. stand now up and set thy self in the high place and look round about thee towards the East or Sun rising and behold the Comfort which cometh unto thee from God 20. Behold q Isa 43. thy children assembled them together from the Sun rising and going down rejoycing them in the holy Word and are mindfull of God 21. They were r Bar. 5. led away captive from thee on foot by the enemies But now thee Lord bringeth them unto thee and exalteth them with Honor as it beseemeth the children of the Kingdom 22. For God will bring down Å¿ Isa 2.40 Bar. 5. all high Hills and make the high stony rocks and the Vallyes plain that Israel may t Gen. 23.33 walk and dwell free without fear to the honor of his his God 23. The Groves and u Bar. 5. all pleasant sweet-smelling trees shall shadow Israel round about by the commandment of the Lord. 24. For God will now in this day of his Love x Bar. 5. be gracious unto his people and through his mercy bring Israel again y 2 Mac. 2. with joy as also lead them continually with his Righteousness in the clearness of his Majesty c. 25. Now this passed over will in the Testimonies of the spiritual Land of Promise rehearse more at large touching the holy ones of the God of Israel and of their garnishing as also distinct the wildernessed lands and the unpeaceable people from the good land and the peaceable people to the end that the death and destruction may be understood and known from the life and preservation of salvation z Deut. 30. Ier. 21. Eccl. 25.35 and that no man may err ignorantly 26. But hereforth on following in this our Preface before the beginning of the spiritual Land of Promise we wil rehearse the mercy of God where through this lovely rest of the spiritual land of Promise is out of Gods heavenly truth appeared unto us and the knowledg thereof given us to understand therefore hear and understand ye dearly beloved 27. Forasmuch now as we had a great desire to the place a Psa 95. Heb. 4. of Rest and Peace which God hath promised and that we sought after the same with a fervent longing for that we might finde it or come to the knowledg of the same holy Land of Promise so hath the God of heaven been gracious unto us and not shut from us the knowledg of his holy Land which he hath promised unto his People as a land of Rest and Peace b Exod. 3. Heb. 4. neither yet covered nor hid from us his Truth of the same 28. But verily we are gone thorow or passed beyond many and sundry maner of wildernessed lands and ignorant people and so have considered of the nature of every land and people 29. In all which we have found the strange ignorant people very unpeaceable and divided in many kinde of maners dispositions and natures as also vexed with many unprofitable things to a great disquietness and much misery c Isa 42. and 59. unto them all 30. The whilest we considered diligently hereon so found we by experience that every people had their disposition and nature according to the disposition and nature of the land wherein they dwelt or were born 31. But when we passed thorow and perused used all this same so have we through the mercy of God at the end of all this found a lovely land d Isa 26.60 Zach. 8. or a peaceably city whose people and none other is a peaceable concordable and lovely people agreably minded living peaceably and are faithful to each other Into the which peaceable City and unto the peaceable people of the same the Lord the God of heavens hath
b Eccl. 8. old age of the holy Understanding and in the experience of the manly wisdom inherite the c Prov. 7. Ephe. 1. heritage of the peaceable land 14. The other Wise one cometh before him out of the thoughts of mans good-thinking and out of the opinion of the strangers from the Family of Love which wise one cometh often unto him to the intent to draw him away d Prov. 5. from the way that directeth to the land of the living and he standeth on the left side of the way and his form is sweet and friendly according to the mindes of the flesh to behold and his sayings and counsels delightful to be obeyed but if the traveller do regard him and cleave unto him and follow his counsel then becometh he altogether deceived and at the last â—indeth himself in many calamities and miseries and he is named e Rom. 8. The wisdom of the flesh whereunto is taken on the corruptible doctrine and ministration of mans good-thinking with the which many people be seduced and led away from the way of the passing over to the good land of the living 15. These two wise ones on both sides do give unto the traveller several counsel 16. The Law or Ordinance of the Lord requireth the traveller the obedience to her Requiring and so with a simple heart to accomplish f Matt. 3. all righteousness obediently and testifieth unto him that that same is g Pro. 3. and 4. the right wisdom of the upright people of the good land and councelleth him likewise that he in the obeying of the Requiring of the ministration of the gracious Word of the Lord should draw away his senses and thoughts from all unprofitable and corruptible things and so to let it be delightful unto him to love the God of life h with all his heart and to serve him only that he might come to such an upright i 2 Pet. 1. nature and good beeing h Deut. 6. and 10. Matth 22. as the people of the good land have and so then might live with the same peaceable people in k Ephe. 1.4 the upright Righteousness and Holiness 17. But The wisdom of the flesh with the doctrine of her good thinking doth in all things set forth her self there-against much subtiller and more prudent then to live so in the l Wisd 1. singleness of heart obediently and requireth of the traveller to do his diligence or indeavour to know all secrets and so counselleth him not to hear to believe nor to obey m Gen. 3. Rom. 1. the Law and Ordinance of the Lord nor the Elders in the same ministration but to endeavour him of himself to discern the best and the worst through his imagination of the knowledg and to excel all things with the knowledg n Ier. 9.11 and 13. and 18. as also to live according to the best of the good-thinking or judgment of his own heart 18. Besides this The wisdom of the flesh holdeth forth likewise before the traveller divers sorts of knowledg according to the desire and pleasure of the flesh because he should chuse such things to follow after also sundry kindes of o Col 2. 2 Tim. 3. false holiness and false freedom and many kindes of joy in the vanity and in the foolish and earthly p Wisd 2. Rom. 11. 2 Pet. 2. corruptible things to the end he should cleave unto them with a loose heart according to his own opinion and pleasure and to frame his own Righteousness joy and friendship there-out even as though the same also were a good holiness or Paradise of life and a good freedom but q Pro. 5. Wisd 3. Rom. 6. the end is the death and destruction 19. If so be now that the traveller do beleeve and follow the counsel of the wisdom of the flesh then doth he subject his heart unto two false and deceitful props the one is named r Phil. 2. and 3. 2 Pet. 2. Self-seeking the other Å¿ Gen. 3. Negligence toward the Law or Ordinance of the Lord and so he cometh into many kinde of errors through the wisdom of the flesh CHAP. VIII BUt if the traveller have an hearty desire to come into the rest of the good land and that his heart be inclined a Ephe. 4. unto Unity with the peaceable people then must he utterly forsake all the counsel of The wisdom of the flesh how pleasantly and prudently soever the same attempteth him in the Knowledg and all those likewise that are enemies to the Family of Love and that are captived with the fleshes wisdom or good-thinking and with the disobedience to the Requiring of the Word and service of Love for the end of the counsel of the wisdom of the flesh and of her servants or captives is nothing but deceit and extendeth to all b Wisd 5. Eccl. 21. grievous misery bitterness c Rom. 6.8 and sins of death and therefore must the traveller with all his heart follow the d Psa 119. counsel of the Law of the Lord according to the counsel of the said e Pro. 4. and 7. elders in the holy understanding 2. And although it seemeth at the first to be somewhat painful and bitter yet doth the end of the same for all that extend to all joy sweetness and f Rom. 6. and 8. righteousness of life and bringeth the traveller to the good land of rest and peace 3. But the principall counsel of the Law or Ordinance of the Lord is this that the traveller or lover of the good land shall in the beginning of his journey g Eccl. 7. submit himself altogether under the Requiring of the holy and gracious Word of the Lord and his service of Love and enter obediently into the Requiring of the same and prepare h Eccl. 2. his soul to temptation and so shall call and pray unto his i Psal 18. and 19. and 116. God in all his temptation and persevere stedfastly in the Law or Ordinance of the Lord even till into the good land of Peace 4. And this good counsel of the Law of the Lord giveth the traveller also two Instruments with him in the journey or by the way the one serveth him for to continue there through in the right way and it is a compass the which is the right Christian way sure that alwayes pointeth him rightly unto the good land this compass is named k Mat. 16. Mar. 8. Luk. 9.14 The forsakeing of himself for the good lifes sake As long as one goeth on according to the same in the Obedience of the Requiring of the Law of the Lord he cannot err 5. With the other instrument all the enemies and all the temptations that would hinder the traveller from coming into this holy place be overcome 6. This instrument of victory is the Cross of Christ and it is named l Lam. 3. Heb. 10.12 Iam. 5. Patience or
to thâ— good Land and so the love with hâ—â— lovely meekness to become planted 〈◊〉 him g Ephes 3. and that he himself may be madâ— free h John 8. by the same 4. For the same lovely Beeing of thâ— love is the life i Rom. 14. peace and joy and the Land of promise k Exod. 3. 13. Deut. 8. wherein Honey anâ— Milk floweth 5. If therefore the traveller or the love of the good Land will enter into the good Land then must he at the end of hâ—â— journey finde himself to be altogetheâ— l Mat. 18. 19. Luke 19. turned about and good-willing to the will of the highest God like unto an obedient childe standing in m 1 Cor. 14. 1 Pet. 2. all singleness and simplicity under the love to the obeying of her requiring not knowing or being wise as touching this or that bâ—â— that he hath onely intended or sought after n Phil. 3. the love for that he might live unto the same in her requiring 9. Behold to the same State doth the compass the Forsaking of himself and the Cross the Patience bring him and so he cometh before o Psa 118. the City gate of the holy Land 7. For whenas he now hath overcome or is passed through all these things with the forsaking of himself and in the patience then findeth he himself to be altogether p Matth. 5. poor of Spirit and to stand in the submission like unto a q Psal 40. Acts 9. good-willing one to the Lords will 8. Which submission is called r Rom. 6. Col. 2. The burying of the affections and desires for in the submission the traveller findeth himself to be quite emptied of the affections and desires through the obedience of the Cross therefore also he hath not loved his Å¿ Matth. 10. 16. Luk. 9.14 own life the which are his affections and desires but hath in the obedience of the Cross forsaken the same even unto the death t Col. 2. 3. and to the burying of the same own life namely of the affections and desires 9. Seeing then that the affections and desires are mortified and dead through the compass and the Cross and are buried by the Traveller in the submission as dead things so findeth he in the same submission the Key for to enter therewithal through the gate into the City u Apoc. 21.22 where the everlasting life peace and rest is 10. This Key is named Equity and with the same the traveller goeth through the gate named x 2 Pet. 1. The nature of God and so cometh into the holy y Isai 60. City of peace named Gods understanding for to possess in heir-like maner the everlasting good the heavenly Jerusalem where there is nothing but everlasting life z Isai 25. 35. 60 65. Apo. 7.21 and joy and where all sorrow and tears are done away CHAP. XXVI NOw when as one is come into this City of peace then is he received very lovingly and friendly by a Isa 9 32 33. the King of the same Land for he is not lordly b Isai 42. nor cruel or biting but c Joel 2. Matth 11. sweet-hearted and gentle 2. Even thus one becometh as then d Ephes 5. incorporated e Rom. 12. Col. 1. to the body of the same true King with the people of the same good Land even as a fellow-member of the King and of those same holy people and so they live together in one judgment and mind of the living God and that is the unity in the love and the onely judgment of the communalty of the holy people or of the heavenly company who are altogether one body with the Family of Love and are no more with each other but f Ioh. 17. Rom. 12. Col. 1. as one man in whom all the members of one minde Spirit or Life have their moving and do hold them together unto one head and so those same members are altogether one body with g Infra 38. their head 3. The head of their body is their King or Prince and is named h Col. 1. 2 Pet. 1. Gods true Beeing 4. This same is an upright i Isa 9. peaceable Prince and the members of his body are likewise very lovely and peaceable With whom the kingdom of Christ and of his Love is peaceably k Isa 60. inhabited for evermore 5. The names of the members of the body or the Saints of the true Beeing of God that are of one substance with the Family of Love are these 6. Meckness l Gal. 5. Ephe. 4. Col. 3. Courtesie Friendliness Longsufferance Mercifulness Naturalness Decentness Quietness Faithfulness Modesty Constancie Eyes of Simpleness m Psa 24. and 73. Marth 5. Pureness of heart Measureableness in works Helpfulness n 2 Pet. 1. Discreetness o Ephe 4. Concord Obedience to the true beeing of God Sweetheartedness Serviceableness out of love p Cor. 10 3. Laud Praise and thanks unto God c. 7. Such are the names of the lovely people that dwel in the holy City of Peace named Gods Vnderstanding 8. And according as every ones name is so is likewise his disposition and nature for all their disposition beeing and nature is according to the good Disposition or Nature of the Land and of their King 9. And no man can come into this good City nor become one body with these peaceable people except he do forsake q Isa 52. 2 Cor. 6. all the other forementioned confused lands and the detestable people for God hath not chosen any one of all them to his Kingdom neither can also the traveller enter into the holy Land or City of Peace with any of all them 10. But whosoever now hath forsaken all the confused Lands and people and in an humble heart with upright thoughts to the obeying of the Requiring of the Service of Love is come to the submission he goeth with the equity thorow the nature of God as is before said into Gods understanding r Supra 25 The which is the City of Rest that God hath reserved and left behinde for the children of God for an everlasting Å¿ Heb. 4. Rest because they should inherit the same in the last time according to the Promises t Isa 9. and 60. and 66. Luke 1. which Kingdom of Peace shall endure or continue still for evermore under the Obedience of the Love CHAP. XXVII THis City named Gods Vnderstanding hath very strong and invincible a Isa 26. and 52. Zach. 2. Walls Fortresses or Bulworks wherewith she is walled and fortified against all her enemies Therefore can no man climbe over into this city nor get the same by violence with any gain-fighting neither yet deceive her with subtilty 2. The Walls or Bulworks of this City are named b 1 Tim. 3. 1 Pet. 3. A free minde of the true Beeing 3.
TERRA PACIS A TRUE TESTIFICATION OF The Spiritual Land of Peace which is the Spiritual Land of Promise and the holy City of Peace or the heavenly Jerusalem and of the holy and spiritual People that dwell therein as also of the walking in the Spirit which leadeth thereunto Set forth by H.N. and by him newly per used and more plainly declared Translated out of Base-Almaine Depart out of thy land and from thy Kindred and out of thy Fathers house and travell into a land that I will shew thee Gen. 12 Act 7. I will lead thee on the â—â—ght path that the course when thou goest be not painful unto thee and that thou stumble not when thou runnest Take â—he information to heart leave it not keep it for it is thy life Go not in the path of the ungodly and walk not in the way of thâ— wicked leave the same and go not therein depart therefrom and pass by it Prov. 4. London Printed for Samuel Satterthwaite at the sign of the Sun on Garlick Hill 1649. THE PREFACE of H. N. To the Spiritual Land of PEACE H.N. Wisheth to the good-willing Reader and unto all Lovers of the Truth which read or hear these present Testimonies of the Land of Peace that they might be prepared to be an upright people for the Lord and taught to the kingdom of heavens and also to have obtained in their spirit and minde â—â—n the obedience of the Love the simple eyes of the true Sight the spiritual ears of the godly Hearing and he second birth in Jesus Christ whereby they might understand in spiritual maner the holy and spiritual understanding that is witnessed therein to the end that the same which becometh seen and heard migh be rightly judged according to the Spirit of the heavenly Truth also the waye that leadâ—â—â— to the Life entered into a â—â—ght and so the true Life of the Living and the pleasant Lands of Peace become inherited rightly and according to the Truth O yea that it come to pass even so IN these true Testimonies of the worthy Land of Peace O ye good willing Hearts which love the Truth there is out of an inclination of Love witnessed and described unto you by Writing the many maner of weldernessed Lands together with the sundry kindes of Travel and Vnrestfulness of the disorderly people of the wicked world and the a Isa 54. Apo. 18. departure out of the same as also then immediatly following the entrance into the spiritual Land of Promise b Isa 32. Heb. 4. Apo. 21. the Rest of all the children of God to the end that every one which loveth the Rest of the Lord in Jesus Christ might forsake the said wildernessed lands and so according to this our direction enter into the noble commodious Land and into the holy c Isa 60. City of Peace 2. Therein is likewise evidently declared unto you with clear manifestation the holy people of the same Land and how lovingly peaceably and uprightly they live in that same good Land 3. Into the Which good Land of Rest and Peace d Isa 13. and 54.55 Ier. 3 and 17. and 23. and 31. and 33.50 Ezech. 20. the Lord will now in the last time under the obedâ—ence of the Love according to his Promises assemble 〈◊〉 people or his Elect and be gracious unto them and so will through the service of his Love e Isa 65. and 66. Ezech. 34. and 37. 2 Mach. 2. bring them into the same out of all Wildernessed Lands and separate them from all disorderly and seditious people 4. O ye children of the Kingdom consider of the minde and the lovers of the Truth humble you now every one under the obedience of the Love and f Ioh. 13. and 15. 1 Iohn 3. and 4. have or exercise love among each other to the end that ye may remain unoffended also g Ioh. 8. 2 Ioh. 1. know the Truth in the Spirit through the Love and live in all Truth and upright righteousness 5. For I will open my mouth h Psal 49.78 Matth. 13. in similitudes reveal and witness the riches of the spiritual heavenly goods as parables and figure forth in writing the mystery of the Kingdom of God or Christ according to the true beeing 6. He that hath ears to hear let him hear and who so hath eyes to mark let him mark what the Spirit of Love saith and bringeth to light by his Minister 7. I looked and behold to the children of the Kingdom the Family of the Love of Jesus Christ it is given to understand i Matt. 11. and 13. Luke 8. and 10. the mystery of the heavenly Kingdom but to those that are therewithout it is not given to understand the same for that cause all spiritual Vnderstandings do chance unto them by Similitudes Figures and Parables 8. Verily the strange people together with all those that have their forth-going without the Family of Love are k Deut. 32. Sap. 2. and 5. Psal 14. ignorant and all the enemies to our godly Testimonies of the gracious Word of the Lord and of our most holy Service of Love are l Gal. 3. resisters of the Truth of God For that cause also they have heard very painfully with their ears and m Isa 6. Matth. 13. Act. 7. and 28. hardned their hearts against the Truth They have likewise wholly shut to the sight of n Ier. 5. and 7. and 16. their eyes before the Truth to the end they would not see the same nor her Requiring and altogether stopped the hearing of their ears before the calling-voyce of the Truth for that they would not hear the same nor the Requiring thereof because they would in no wise understand in their hearts the Truth and her Requiring as also for that they would not turn them to the Truth and her Requiring neither shew forth any upright Fruits of Repentance o Ioh. 5. nor yet come to the godly life and have even so in the hardness of their hearts turned them about to the condemnation 9. For that cause likewise their portion or inheritance is not with the children of the Kingdom in the Family of Love p Psal 1. Wis 2. and 5. but with the children of the wicked world whose q Iohn 8. father and head is the devil himself 10. Seeing then that they through their resisting against the Love and the requiring of her service are become children of r Rom. 9. Ephe. 2. wrath and through the seed of the old Serpent are grown disobeyers of the Requiring of the Word of Jesus Christ and of the Doctrine of his Service of Love as also a Å¿ Deut. 27. and 28. Eccl. 41. cursed people even to be coheirs of the everlasting fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels therefore verily they understand nothing at all of the wisdom of God the Father nor yet of the upright beeing of Jesus Christ the Son
miraculously e Psal 4. brought us 32. It is true the whole earth is unmeasurable great and large and the lands and people are many and divers but the most part of the lands are beset with grievous labour and with much trouble f Eccl. 1.2 and 3. and 6. and the pe ple captived with many and sundry unprofitable vâ—xâ—tions 33. But the g Bar. 5. children of the Kingdom have a land that is void of all molestation and a City that i. very h Isa 60.65 peaceable which also is i Isa 35. and 54. Ier. 33. inhabited with no maner of vexation or unprofitable labor but with joy in all peace 34. Wherefore the people that dwelleth therein is likewise a wise and understanding people according to the nature of the same good land and it is a people of one maner of k Iohn 17. Act. 4. nature and disposition concordable peaceable and lovely 35. Verily without this one City of Peace or land of the living there is no convenient place of Rest on the whole earth neither yet without the Commonalty of this one maner of people of the same city any meete people l Deut. 4. among whom such an understanding is to be found or that can live so peaceably as this same 36. But this land of peace which with his lovely people is ful of joy and liveth in concord is a secret land and is severed from all other lands m Deut 10 4 Esdr 7. and people 37. It is also known of no man but of his Inhabitants and of those which come into the same that be assembled with them But the entrance into the same is n 4 Esd 7. Matth. 7. very straight and narrow for that cause it is found of few but there are many that run past it or that have not any right regard thereon 38. Seeing then that the entrance into this same good land is very straight and narrow and becometh found o Luke 13. of few neither is it rightly regarded therfore remaineth this good land of the Living unloved and unknown of the most part of strange people and of all unbelievers of our godly Testimonies 39 Wherefore to the end now to incourage all people to the love of the same so will we out of inclined love partly describe the state of the good land and the upright dealing of the lovely people and testifie of every ones disposition and nature that if haply there might be any one found that did know his estranging from the same and had a desire with all his heart to assemble him with us thereunto 40. For verily in respect of the excellency thereof it is the best-worthy p Psa 48. Prov. 3. and 8. to be loved and for love thereof to q Matt. 16.19 forsake all whatsoever is without it for it is much better more precious and beautiful yea and more excellent rich and joyful or living r Isa 64. 1 Cor. 2. then all what may be found devised or invented upon the universal earth 41. But whosoever loveth not the same above all things neither yet doth for the love thereof forsake deny give over or Å¿ Matt. 10. and 16. Luk 9.14 Ioh. 12. leave himself with all that he hath he shal not enter into it 42. But if there be any one that is of the disposition or nature of the same or whose lusts and desires stand inclined or are affected towards it such a one verily shal for the worthiness cause thereof love the same as also not think it tedious to assemble him unto us t Num. 12 1 Cor. 9. and 10. and to pass thorow that way that leadeth thereto 43. Wherefore to the end now that all those which desire under the obedience of the Love to dwell in this good Land with this People of Peace might be gathered together into the same without harm and unhindered and that no man should remain without it for want of any knowledg of the Way So will we shew the neerest Ways and the needfullest Means and Guides that lead thereunto because that every Traveller may still keep the right High way and not turn from it neither u Deut. 5. 17. Josh 1.23 Prov. 4. to the right side nor to the left but may keep so much the more diligent Watch until that he be come thorow the Gate into the holy x Apo. 22. City of the good Land We will also for that men should in no wise erre nor be deceived on the way distinct and mark out those Land Places and People which are most needful to be y Deut. 2. 3. over passed and z 2 Cor. 6. left as likewise all whatsoever is deceitful and harmful and will in like maner evidently shew according to the Truth how wherewith and where-through all harmful and destroying things together with all the enemies or adversaries and all tempters and assaulters are to be resisted and overcome which would let and hinder the traveller from coming into the good Land 44. And if now also there be any man in the journey that is become deceived or erring upon the way through any of the deceitful things which we do shew hereafter following or which hath set down a Num. 32. himself to rest any where upon the way to the intent to live quietly and is not yet come into the holy b Apoc. 21 City thorow c Psa 118. John 10. the Gate Let not him pitch his Tents there neither yet make him there any Tabernacle for to dwell there but let him give ear d Num. 32. Prov. 4. and credit to our undeceiveable councel of the Wisdom and set his feet in the right way that leadeth thereunto and so travel forward to the good Land of the Living and of the true e Isai 32. 60. Rest and Peace 45. For whosoever is not yet come into the holy City through the Gate or Door f John 10. he is not yet also come to the upright g Heb. 4. Rest of the Children of God 46. Wherefore ye dearly beloved seeing now that this way to the holy Land is perilous h 4 Esd 7. to pass through for him that is unexpert therein so have we thought good out of hearty love to testifie and shew forth distinelly and that altogether to the preservation of the traveller the most part of the wildernessed places of the strange people and the perils of deceit each one according to his pernitiouâ— disposition and nature to the end that every one may be of good cheer and may without fear pass through the way rightly and without harm and for that no man should remain lost except he would himself As likewise for this cause That if happily any man should be faln into error upon the way or should chance to be deceived and seduced by any of the same he might yet understand and perceive in which place of error
and among what sort of unrighteous or ignorant people he is or hath united himself and also how far off or neer-by he is to the good Land of Peace and to the peaceable people of the Love 47. Behold ye dearly beloved like as hereafter followeth have we out of an inclination of love shewed and described in this maner because that every one of us namely â—â—e to whom the Lord hath given i 4 Esd 10 Ephes 3. Col. 1. to know or to understand the secretness of the good Land or of the heavenly Kingdom might with all lovers of the truth be turned to the same good Land of the Kingdom of Peace with one consent of minde and with a good courage as also enter into and pass through the way k 4 Esd 7. Luke 13. that leadeth to the same Life with a good faith and firm hope whereby to unite the same with us and with those l sal 32. 33. peaceable people in all m John 17 â— phes 4. love and concord who do always live in peace and in all upright righteousness 48. For this same good Land n Psal 78. 132. Matth. 25. is the upright place of rest which God hath prepared reserved and kept for his People from the beginning of the world for to possess them with the same in the last time 49. Moreover this same Land is a Land full of Joy Life and Songs of Praise and likewise full of all maner of Riches of God For therein is the secret Treasure o Matth. 13. Col. 2. of all spiritual and heavenly Goods It is also a Land wherein Wine and Oyl Hony and Milk and all Sweetness to a joy and life floweth abundantly like as we shall hereafter following rehearse more at large of the same 50. Rejoyce you now with this p Psal 96. Isa 44.49 O ye Heavens and recreate thy self now with us thou Earth and all ye that hope upon the Good Give ear now to the Truth understand and consider well of the strange States of the wildernessed Lands and People to the end that ye may forsake or q Deut. 2. pass by them and have also a good regard unto the lovely State of the good r Isai 35.60 Land and of the holy People whereby to love the same and to unite you or to become one being with them For all this same each one particularly is hereafter following described unto you in writing even according to the Life and Truth Take it to heart THE Spiritual Land OF PEACE Hear and understand taste and perceive that which is spiritual heavenly and everlasting and not that which is earthly natural and corruptible Col. 3. CHAP. I. I Looked and behold There is in the world a very unpeaceable Land and it is the wildernessed Land wherein the most part of all uncircumcised impenitent and ignorant people do dwell and which is first of all needful for the man to the end he may come to the Land of Peace and to the good City of Life and Rest to a Gen. 12. Apo. 18. forsake and to depart out of the same Which unpeaceable Land is situate or lieth against or on the other or contrary side of the East or rising b Zech. 2. of the Sun where neither Day not Sun ariseth or shineth at any time For when the Sun cometh neer unto the same then goeth she always under or is c Isa 5 60. 4. Esd 14. covered with the Darknesses of the Land and for that cause she d Sap. â— shineth not there nor yet giveth any cleerness in the same because that the e Exo. 10. Psal 105. Sap. 17. darknesses are too thick over the whole Land 2. This same unpeaceable Land hath also a City or Strength wherein the people of the Land do put their confidence The name of which City they themselves which dwell therein do not know but onely those that are come out of it and it is named Ignorance according to her own proper nature of the darknesses 3. For the f Isa 8 9. 4 Esd 14. darknesses have wholly covered the same Land and also the people that dwell therein which darknesses are so g Exod. 10 Job 12. thick that they may be felt 4. And whosoever do dwell or are born therein they are likewise so ignorant that they will not out of it neither yet desire any better because they have never seen the Light of Heaven in his upright righteousness nor yet known nor loved the h Isa 59. Rom. 3. Life of Peace in his upright Being 5. They run from one place and come to another yet is it altogether in the same Land but they will not depart out of it Therefore is also the Proverb verified in them which saith It is evil to be born in an evil Land CHAP. II. THe people which dwell therein know not their Original or first beginning also they keep not any Genealogy or Pedigree neither do they know from whence or how they are come into the same And moreover then that they are a Isai 56.59 Matth. 15. altogether blinde and b John 9. blinde born 2. And yet over and above their blindness although their eyes be shut they are all bound over their eyes with blinde clothes that which also they have willingly over their eyes For with the same they suffer themselves to be directed and led into all error of Ignorance perswading themselves that the blinde cloathes are the light of their eyes which do give light unto them on whom likewise they have a confidence in their forthgoing and desire not any better And therefore the blinde ones are led there with blinde clothes 3. The blinde clothes are called c Isa 56. Matth. 15. 22. Luke 6. blinde guides because the blinde ones in the darkness and in the Land of Ignorance are led by them into all ignorance but that same do they themselves neither know nor understand 4. And although one should take away the clothes from their eyes in the same Land of Ignorance and so should open their eyes in the knowledg yet might it not help them any thing at all to a beholding of the true Light but it should be unto them more evil then good because of the darknesses d Job 10.12 Isa 5. 9 which are spred over the whole Land therefore must they also in the same still groaping after the way be led in the darknesses and must likewise oftentimes e Matt. 15. Luke 6. with their blinde guides fall into the ditches 5. For whosoever doth not forsake the same Land and his darknesses as also the blinde guides in the same and suffereth not himself to be led into the true light by the seeing guides of the Family of Love f John 11. he must oftentimes stumble or become offended and also many times g Prov. 4. stagger and fall and that altogether because he is not taught nor
led to the cleerness of the h Psal 38. John 9. true Light nor to the truth of the upright Life whereby to behold the same true Light in his upright Righteousness and to inherit the upright Life in his peaceable Being 6. And although now one should speak much of the light to any of the blinde people in the Land called Ignorance and should in most evident maner expound or open the same unto them in their knowledg and that they then should have no lust nor will to depart out of the darknesses of Ignorance neither yet to be taught nor led to the true light of the upright life So could it not doubtless profit them to the entrance into the rest of life but it should be unto them much more to a disquietness to an offence and to a death because they remain inhabiting in the Land and in the City of Ignorance For the whole City of the same Land is full of Ignorance For that cause also she hath her name according to that she is her self 7. Wherefore it is much better for the people of the same Land the whiles they dwell therein and have no desire to depart out of it through the fear of God that men give them in their blindness and ignorant error to understand of the i Ezek. 18. Mic. 6. Matth. 18. obedience which they ow to God and his Word and to require the same of them then that men should open the eyes of the k Gen. 3. disobedient knowledg unto them in their disobedience and so then if they endevor them not to obedience to let them go on still with their blinde guides till such time as they understand that they are blinde and be led by the blinde ones and that they then likewise grow desirous after some better thing and would very gladly or good willingly be taught to the Land of Peace and to his peaceable people and be led into the same 8. Verily that the same councel is the best councel to be used among the blinde people that know not their error I have sufficiently proved by experience among those that are ignorant of their error and among the decliners from us and our godly doctrine Let every one therefore take diligent heed that he tye or binde not himself too fast unto his error with his knowing wisdom nor yet boast him of his knowledg but let him study or endevor himself to enter into the upright Christian life and to the true understanding of God through the right l John 10. door of the Humility and Obedience of Jesus Christ and to become assembled to the family of Love as also taught and exercised obediently in the requiring of his Doctrine so shall it then assuredly not miss or fail to bring him to the true Light and to the Life of the upright Righteousness CHAP. III. THis forementioned City named Ignorance hath two Gates the one standeth in the North or Midnight through the which men do go into the City of Darkness or of Ignorance 2. This Gate now that standeth in the North is very large and great and hath also a great door because there is much a Zech. 9 Matth. 7. passage of people thorow the same and it hath likewise his name according to the nature of the same City 3. Forasmuch then as that men do come into Ignorance through the same Gate therefore is it named b Mic. 7. Luke 21. Men know not how to do And the great door where-through the multitudes of people do run is named Vnknown error and there is else no coming in to the same City named Ignorance 4. The other Gate standeth on the one side of the City towards the East or Spring of the Day and the same is the c Matth 7. Luke 13. narrow Gate through the which men travel out of the City of Ignorance and do enter into the straight way which leadeth to the Life of the Righteous 5. Now when one travelleth out through the same Gate then doth he immediately after espie some Light and that same reacheth to the rising of the Sun 6. The name of this Gate wherethrough men travel out of the Land of Ignorance we will rehearse d Infra 7. hereafter For we will now write forward of the maner of the ignorant Land and People CHAP. IV. THis Land of Ignorance is in it self so utterly wildernessed and incompassed and be-set with so many a Eccles 1. 2. 4. 5. Isa 41.59 vexations troubles and unprofitable labors that by means thereof there is no convenient place to be found there to sowe any Corn in b Lam. 2.4 Amos 8. for the food of men therefore there groweth neither c Jere. 14. Corn nor Grass in the same Land 2. The people of this Land do all likewise live in confusion or disorder and are very diligent d Eccles 5. Isa 44. in their unprofitable work and labor And although all their work be vain or unprofitable yet hath every one notwithstanding a delightful liking to the same For according to the nature of the Land they are all ignorant and inclined to unprofitable works 3. Forasmuch then as that they all have such a delight to such unprofitable work e Isa 24. so forget they to prepare the Ground for Corn and Seed to live thereby according to the good manly Ordinance and so they live not by the manly food but by their own f Ezek. 4. Hos 4. 9. Mic. 6. dung for they have there no other food to live by 4. There is oftentimes hunger but no man hath any lust or yet desire to any other food g Jere 36. 44. then to his own dung for their stomack and nature is accustomed and naturally inclined thereunto 5. Wherefore seeing they are not fed with any bread b Job 33. Eccles 14. but with their own filthiness or dung so is there likewise no satisfying among them 6. Seeing then that they understand not what kinde of Food serveth them to the good Life but through their Ignorance do sustain themselves by their own dung therefore they do not understand also how to prepare themselves the good things i Deut. 32. Luke 19. that serve them unto peace and to a peaceable life but do vex and trouble themselves out of measure for to make those things diligently and that k Psal 4. with a delight which are unprofitable and which do afflict themselves or bring them to much incumbrance 7. The vain or unprofitable works and the preparations or endevors of the foolish people where-through the whole Land every where is exceedingly burthened with great molestation and labor are these CHAP. V. THey make there divers sorts of Puppet works or Babies for to bring up the children in vanity there are made likewise many kinde of Balls Tut-staves or Kricket-staves Râ—ckets and Dice for that the foolish people should waste or spend their time therewith
of the same life against the mindes of the false light of the good-thinking Knowledg is held forth and evidently declared unto him whereby he becometh then likewise humbled in all his mindes and thoughts and there is also made known unto him what maner of sinner and how d Matt. 15. unclean of heart he is without the upright beeing of the true light and life that proceedeth out of God and so in the Knowledg of his sins and of the upright Righteousness as also of the first entrance of the way to the land of the living he beginneth to perceive and to get a little e Prov. 4. wisdom of the holy Understanding where-through likewise he is the more ready to consent to pass over and to travell thorow the small way that leadeth to the life 3. This light now that is held forth before the traveller or wherewith he is met in the passing thorow the fear of God and the beginning of wisdom is called f Matth. 3. Luke 3 Act. 2. and 3. The grace of the lord in the confession of sins through which light the traveller is prepared to the true life of the upright Righteousness and washed with the water of Repentance to the knowledge of Salvation in the forgiveness and in the cleansing of his sins 4. With which and through which light and his foregoing service the traveller is g Gal. 3. led and proceedeth on even unto the good land of the upright living ones 5. And although now that this light in the foregoing of his service be lesser then the great day-light of the good land yet reacheth it notwithstanding to the great h Isa 60. Mal. 4. Apo. 22. day-light of the same land And moreover albeit that the least in the kingdom of the good land be greater of light then the same foregoing light i Mat. 11. Luk. 7. yet doth it for all that bring the traveller to the greatest and chiefest light in the kingdom of the good and peaceable land 6. But in travelling forward upon the way for to come to the good land of Peace so do the k Psal 34. Eccles 2. Act. 14. 2 Tim. 3. perils then first make manifest themselves Therefore must the traveller keep a diligent watch in the said grace of the Lord and in the obedience to the Requiring of the same foregoing service and so constantly follow after the requiring of the grace of the Lord l Eccl. 2. Heb. 13. and of the service of love according to the counsel m Prov. 1. and 2. and 3. and 4. and 5. of the wise or elders in the same for otherwise he becometh hindered and deceived upon the way by the sundry maner of temptations and conceited lights that do oftentimes meet with him to the leading away or seducing of him from the right way 7. Wherefore to the end now there should no man remain n Heb. 3.4 without the Rest of the Saints of God which dwell in this good City except it were then through his own unwillingness or good-thinking Knowledg so will we mark out both the perils of seducing and also the means unto preservation for that no man should err upon the way o Deut. 13 Ier. 28. nor be seduced or deceived by any false ends 8. The Lord vouchsafe to strengthen the courage of all hearts that desire to go into the life of peace and to give them wisdom that they in any wise through p Num. 14. Heb. 4. unbelief nor through any good-thinking wisdom become not hindered from entring into the godly life by the many maner of temptations that do chance unto them by the sundry false ends and so might happen to stay by the way 9. Therefore hear and understand when one now entereth into this gate named q Prov. 15. The fear of God and will travell forward toward the good land thorow the door named r Pro. 1.2.9 Eccle. 1. The beginning of wisdom in the light named The grace of the Lord in the confession of sins so shall he not then run on rashly without discretion according to his own good thinking or immagination nor yet unadvisedly without the counsell of the Å¿ Pro. 4. and 5. Eccle. 8. elders in the wisdom of the love and of the upright beeing of Jesus Christ for whenas the wisdom doth first begin in the traveller so is she at that time but small in him yet as young or growing on and he himself is yet also but young of understanding and small of comprehending in the godly wisdom 10. For that cause the traveller in the youngness of his understanding must in the beginning when the wisdom groweth first in him have his proceeding forward according to the counsel of his elder in the Family of Love who hath obediently performed the requiring of the gracious Word and his service and so is grown up therein unto the t Ephe. 4. old age of the godly understanding of the gracious Word of the Lord and well exercised in the passing over the way to the good life and land of the Living to the end that he may likewise to the overcoming of all foolishness and seducing that meeteth him attaine to the u Eccl. 6. and 8. 1 Cor. 13. old age of the manly wisdom without harm and so go into the good land of the upright Wise and Understanding ones 11. Now when the traveller passeth thorow this said gate and door and so beginneth to travel forward towards the good land then doth he finde in the way of his forth-going two kinde of wise ones or counsellers that do meete with him 12. The one of those wise ones presenteth himself before him out of the Family of Love to his preservation and he standeth on the right side of the way and his form is not very amiable nor pleasant according to the mindes of the flesh to behold nor yet his sayings and counsel to be obeyed because that he is contrary to all mindes and knowledges of the flesh x Rom. 7.8 or standeth minded against them notwithstanding if the traveller have no regard unto him neither doth daily receive any counsel of him unto obedience nor yet follow his counsel then shall he not come to the rest and he is named y Exod. 20. Deut. 5. The Law or Ordinance of the Lord whereunto also is joyned the safemaking doctrine and serviceable ministration of the holy and gracious Word under the obedience of the Love 13. And the same Law or Ordinance with the adjoyning doctrine and serviceable ministration doth z Gal. 3. and 4. sustain and keep with the counsel and instruction of the elders in the holy understanding of the gracious Word of the Lord and his service of Love the disciples of the Wisdom the whilest they are yet young and unexpert in the same that they may remain preserved and a Col. 1. 2 Pet. 3. growing up in the godly Wisdom may in the
sufferance and it is the true Altar in thee Holy upon the which the true Meat-offering is that is given to the faithful believing travellers to eate and also the true Drink-offering that is given them to drink Which Meate-offering is named m Ioh. 2. The Flesh or Body of Jesus Christ and the Drink-offering is named The Blood of Jesus Christ and the same body and blood of Jesus Christ is unto the constant and faithful traveller in the proceeding on in his Pilgrimage n Ephe. 2. Col. 1.2 a true Mediator to lay away the sin in the flesh and to establish the o Rom. 15. Promises with him that are made to the Fathers and so through the same and with the same Meate-offering and Drink-offering the traveller is able to bide p Heb. 12. constant to the Compass and on the Cross till unto the accomplishing of his Passover and debt offering that is unto the death and burying of all the lusts and desires of the sinful flesh and of all the fleshes wisdom or good-thinking and so can overcome all false ends and all the enemies of the good Life of the upright Love and enter into the good Land of Peace without harm and be assembled to all the holy ones of God in the everlasting life 7. Whosoever then hath even thus as is said these two forementioned Instruments with him and giveth himself captive thereunder q 2 Cor. 10. obediently according to the doctrine and requiring of the Law of the Lord he r Sap. 3. cometh through the same captivity to the upright freedom of all the children of God 8. Howbeit it Å¿ Sap. 3. 5. Matth. 27. seemeth as that he dieth on the Cross through the compass with the said meat offering and drink-offering but he cometh through t Rom. 6.8 the same death of the Cross to the upright life 9. Now when the traveller giveth himself to the journey with this said Armor of the upright warlike souldiers of Jesus Christ and so prepareth his u Eccle. 2. soul against all temptations then can he likewise in the days of his temptations keep the victory against all the enemies of the good life and of the upright love For so in that Armor none of the enemies of the life nor the ungodly ones with their temptations bide x Heb. 12. standing before the forsaking of himself for the good lifes sake and before the parience nor the v Matt. 16. Gates of Hell the danger of death the bands of the Devâ—l not yet the world nor flesh have not any power against those same but they be all overcome therethrough and all that whatsoever is not any life neither yet of God must give back before them 10. Therefore all ye lovers of the good Land and z Ioh. 1. Iam. 1. disciples of the holy Word have a diligent regard unto the compass and continue on the Cross a Matt. 10. and 24. even unto the end For there-through do we obtain the victory against all the enemies and we may likewise through those same enter without harm into this good Land which lieth right in the East and where the Sun always shineth b Isa 60 Apo. 22. and never goeth down and so may inherit the same for evermore CHAP. IX â—F so be now that the traveller do give eare to the councel of the Law of the Lord and giveth himself to the journey with the said Instruments then doth he in his travelling forward come into a great unpathed Land where many maner of temptations and deceits do meet with him and coming into the same there appeareth unto him immediately a Matth. 2. a star out of the East which guideth him till into the good Land to the end that he should always in all the temptations of deceit have a good confidence to pass by all the temptations and deceiveable things that do meet with him and to come to the good Land 2. This Star is named b Abac 2. Rom. 1. Heb. 11. Belief and hope by the which he doth behold afar off to what good rest the Star will bring him 3. This great unpathed Land that he travelleth through is named Many maner of walkings because the Travellers do travel and pass from all quarters through the same Land c Deut 1. to that one good Land of rest but in all the same Land named Many maner of walkings there is not one plain pathed way 4. But although the Travellers do in this Many maner of walkings travel to the good and peaceable Land yet do they all at the last assemble into one way for they all have their guiding by that one d Matt. â— 2. Star which Star according to the pointing of their compass bringeth them all to that one Land of Peace 5. Moreover this Land into the which one cometh through the Fear of God and the Beginning of Wisdom is of it self a e Eccles 2. sorrowful minded Land and the people of that Land neither yet the Travellers in the same f Psa 126. 137. are never merry wherefore there do happen there unto the Travellers many temptations to choose g Matth. 4. Luke 4. something whereby to be released from the sorrow or grief But with the forsaking of himself they overcome it all through the patience 6. The names of the people are these Stricken in heart h Exod. 16.17 Cumbered in minde Wofulness Sorrowfulness Anguish Fear Dismaidness Perplexitie Vncomfortableness Vndelightfulness Heavy-mindedness Many maner of Thoughts Dead courage 7. Behold such names and natures of people there are and do dwell in this Land Many maner of walkings CHAP. X. THis Land is an open weak or unwalled Land and is like unto a a Exo. 26. Num. 21. barren wilderness wherein there 〈…〉 joy to be found but it is full or perils of deceit because of the sundry sorts of temptations that do come to the Traveller through Perplexities 2. For if they according to the doctrine of the Law of the Lord have not a sharp watch unto the compass nor hold them fast on the Cross and also do not still mark the b Matth. 2. leading star then may they soon be led away into a by-way and that because of the Heavy mindedness of the Inhabitants of the Land For the wisdom of the flesh doth also come forth there oftentimes very subtilly c Rom 1. 2 Pet. 2. with her self seeking for to point the Traveller aside But all what is self-seeking that is seducing but whereunto the forsaking of himself pointeth or leadeth that is the right path 3. Verily in this Land of mortifying and abstaining d Mat. 16. Matth. 8. from all things there is not much joy to be gotten but the Traveller that with the forsaking of himself passeth through the same in the patience and seeketh not his own selfness but under the obedience of the love hath a much more desire to do
e Psal 40. Heb. 10. the Lords will he obtaineth a good salvation of the peaceable life 4. And whosoever likewise hath not an hearty desire to the good life he also remaineth not constant in this way But whoso bideth constant til unto the f Matt. 10. and 14. end he shall be saved and rejoyce him in the everlasting life 5. Moreover in this land the travellers have not much sweetness of the herb of life wherewith they be g Exo. 16. fed in their hunger nor yet much satisfying of refreshing of the Fountain-waters h Exo. 17. Num. 20. wherewith they be refreshed in their thirst because that in the same land there is no perfect satisfying i Isa 41. of hunger and thirst to be found nor come by for the herb wherewith they be sustained to the Life and the Fountain-waters wherewith they be refreshed do k Eccl. 24. make them still the longer the more hungry and thirsty and as long as they are travelling in this land towards the good land of Peace they have stil hunger and thirst l Matth. 5. Luk. 6. after the righteousness but in the good land they become all satisfied 6. The herb wherewith the travellers be m 2 Cor. 3. Gal 3.4 sustained to the life is named The serviceable Word of the Lord and the Fountain-waters wherewith they be refreshed are named n Ier. 23. and 31. and 33. Luk. 22. 1 Cor. 11. The promises of Salvation in the new Testament of the blood of Jesus Christ CHAP. XI IN this land named Many maner of walkings there lie also fair hills that seem to be somewhat a Num. 33. Deut. 2. delightful of which the traveller must beware for it is nothing but Deceit Vanity and seducing 2. These hills are garnished with divers trees which do likewise bring forth vain and deceitfulâ— fruits 3. Now because of this garnishing of the trees and for the delectation of their vain fruits many travellers do suffer themselves to be seduced there-with b Num. 32. and do make their dwelling among them and so they remain without the good land of Life and of Rest 4. And seeing they are grown somewhat weary c Heb. 12. and grieved or somewhat d Num. 11.14 unbelieving or doubtful in the ministration of the Word therefore do they suffer themselves the more easily to be drawn away with the same for it hath a shew as if it were to their preservation and welfare or were some holiness 5 For that cause do the travellers also the more easely cleave unto it and so they leave the forsaking of themselves taking on e Exod. 16.17 Num. 11. their self seeking that is They take on their own f Rom 10. righteousness and made g Col. 2. holiness or their h Phil. 3. ease in the flesh They likewise leave the patience and become negligent towards the Law or Ordinance of the Lord following their i Gen. 3. self choosing wherewith they according to their own pleasures be drawn away by the deceit of the wisdom of the flesh 6. If they now bide not constant till unto the end of the travelling through k Num. 14. Psal 95. then remain they also without the good pleasant Land and do estrange themselves from the holy City of Peace and Rest 7. These hills are named l Prov. 3. Isa 5. Taken on wit or prudence Riches of the spirit m Rom. 1. 1 Tim. 1. Learned knowledg n 2 Tim. 3. Taken on freedom o Ezek. 13 22. Good-thinking prophecy Zeal after chosen holiness p Mat. 23. Col. 2 Counterfeit righteousness New invented humility q Luk. 18. Pride in ones own spiritualness Vnmindful of any better c. 8. The Trees that grow upon these hills are named r Judae 1. Coloured love Litteral wisdom greedy towards owns flattering-alluring s Cor 1. or 2. reproving of natural ones t Matth. 4. promises of vanity Å¿ 1 Tim. 4. exalting of his own private invention pleasure in chosen holiness u Mat. 23. Luk. 18. greatly esteeming his own working of private righteousness 9. These trees do bring forth altogether one maner of fruits which be all likewise called by one maner of name and the name of their fruits x Psa 57. Wisd 3. and 5. Eccle. 34. is Vain Comfort with which fruits the people that have left the forsaking of themselves and the Cross with the Meate-offering and Drink-offering and have not brought their Debt-offering to the Lord and that seek their Rest or make their dwelling among these deceitful hills do let themselves y Isa 29. be fed 10. If therefore the travellers have left the forsaking of themselves and the patience with the Meate-offering and Drink-offering as also the accomplishing of their Debt-offering or are growing doubtful in the belief z Heb. 10. so finde they then some refreshing among these hils through the shadow of the trees They get likewise some satisfying through the vain comfort and are also at the first somwhat glad therethrough also singing and crying out We have it we have it we are illuminated born anew and come to the rest and to the best of all II. But alas when the Sun ariseth somewhat high then do the fruits a Psal 34. Matth. 13. wither namely the vain comfort and when the Winter cometh then stand the trees barren and it is all b Iob 20. Wisd 5. deceit and seducing 12. Therefore there is no true Rest but in the good land of Eternity which is ful of all pure hearts and souls of the living CHAP. XII THe whilest then that the traveller doth travell toward this good land by the leading Star Belief and Hope so cometh he clean thâ—row all the deceit by means of the a Matt. 16. Forsaking of himself For that â—t is a good compass unto him which pointeth to the good land 2. And with the Patience he likewise b Heb. 10. and 11. and 12. overcometh all assaults for that is unto him a good blessing of the holy Cross and a good armour to the conquering c Ephe. 6. 2 Pet 4. of all his assaultings where through all his enemies d Iam. 4. slye from him and so he may pass by all what is destroying free without harm 3. For there are many Molesters and destroyers to be found in this land which do grievously vex the travellers and would also destroy e Luk. 21. 1 Pet. 5. let or hinder them that they should not come into the good land of Peace But they do all fear and tremble before the holy Cross 4. The molesters that do oftentimes meete the traveller for to hinder his passing forward and to bring him to destuction are named f 2 Pet. 3. trying of The Belief g Num. 14. Matth. 24. 2 Pet. 3. Doubt or distrustfulness to come to the good land tempting with a chosen
presenteth or proffereth any better thing unto them then riseth up their King Bitterness z Acts 7. by and by in them for to defend them in their causes or to approve them to be right and to taunt and judg him to be naught that loveth them to the best good that is to an upright heart before God CHAP. XXIII IN this Land there is likewise a false Prophet who bringeth the people into divers considerations and into divers bindings or snarings of heart and bewitcheth them with many a 2 Pet. 2. longings whereof there cometh nothing and so he leadeth their hearts mindes and thoughts into the captivity of the knowledg and not into the truth 2. This false Prophet is named b 2 Pet. 2. Jude 1. Presumption whereof there cometh nothing and he beareth a great sway among the people who also do give high regard unto him because he presumeth or boasteth him so much but it is altogether bewitching whereof there followeth nothing 3. But forasmuch as he hath allured the people unto him with such a presumption or boasting that they likewise in their unregenerate state do boast them of the Light and Word of Life c Hosea 4. so perceive they not that they are bewitched by him 4. For like as the Prophet is d Jere. 5. 40. Ezek. 13. 1 Tim. 4. so are also the people namely very highly boasting and braging of many things as likewise presuming and enterprising of many things whereof nothing ensueth But it is all false and meer bewitching and is nothing else but a vain perswasion or fantasie 5. It seemeth sometimes indeed as though it would be somewhat but it is all vain and presumption and nothing else but knowledg whereof there cometh nothing and where-through many people be seduced e 2 Tim. 3. 2 Pet. 2. and brought into many false dealings the end whereof extendeth unto much grief CHAP. XXIIII THis false Prophet hath also an horrible beast with him which assisteth or a Apo. 11. 13. aideth him which beast is likewise wonderfully extolled and served in the desolate abominable Land 2. Yea all people that have not Gods nature or his true Being of love neither yet do love the godly goods do honor and serve the same b Apo. 13. beast and do all receive her mark And they deal with the same in all their affairs yea the same mark do all those receive and use that are not assembled to the Family of Love nor written in the living Book of the Lamb. 3. The beast is named c Isai 1. Hosea 4. Vnfaithfulness And the same beast is the Kingdom or the Government of the false King Bitterness And such as is the beast and her name and Government such a d Apo. 13. mark giveth she likewise to the people that serve her and that cleave unto and honor her Kingdom or Government therefore is also the mark of the beast named Vnfaithfulness 4. This beast and her make being both named Vnfaithfulness do make the people utterly divided e Apo. 13. And forasmuch as the people that cleave unto and serve the same beast and that have received her mark are all likewise false of heart unfaithful and self-seeking and do willingly cover their own shame f Gen. 3. and so walking in hyppocrisie or dissimulation the one trusteth not the other and they deal g Jere. 9. deceitfully or with falshood among each other and that is the venome of the beast the which she soweth or spueth forth aboundantly among the h Apo. 16. 17. people 5. Therefore there is also no open-heartedness among those people that do carry i Apo. 13. the mark of the beast but they are ashamed of their inward nakedness k Gen. 3. both before God and before one another and therefore likewise they walk not with naked hearts before each other neither will they also in any wise make manifest themselves with naked hearts before the Elders in the Family of Love 6. For the l Apoc. 15. mark of the beast hath hunted shamefastness upon them therefore they do cover them also with their own Garments or m Gen. 3. Aperns which they themselves have made Their Garments or Aperns are named n Joh. 12. Fear of being despised 7. Forasmuch now as this horrible beast and false Prophet have sown such seed in the people so doth there come to pass through the same wonderful great o Apo. 16. dissention or division to the breeding of manifold self willed services wherethrough all kinde of falâ—hood craftiness and railing against one another ariseth yea so that the people also speak p Dan. 11. Heb. 10. Jude 1. Apoc. 13. blasphemy or railing against God and his Saints and against the house of his love wherein God will dwell live and walk for ever 8. And although there should be any unity erected in this said Land yet cannot the unity continue there but it becometh rent and broken immediately through the presumption whereof there cometh nothing and through the unfaithfulness whereout springeth much malicious blameing 9. Wherefore because of this false Prophet and the horrible beast q Tim. 3. Apoc. 16. there can no unity of the people bide standing in the unity of peace 10. This horrible r Apo 13. 16. 17. beast Vnfaithfulness this false Prophet Presumption and the cruel King Bitterness have a marvellous great dominion in this same desolate abominable Land CHAP. XXV THerefore a Isai 52. Zech. 2. let not the Traveller that is come into the same desolate abominable Land unawares or through want of knowledg continue any longer therein for it is a detestable Land and a wicked people of heart and minde 2. Also let him not endevor himself to travel through the same whereby to come to the good Land of rest for he shall not be able to bring it to pass 3. But assoon as he seeth or perceiveth that these abominations of desolation do stand in the place where Gods holy Beeing b Dan. 9. 11. Matth 24. 2 Thes 2. ought to stand then let him immediately flie out of the same and submit himself under the obedience of the love to his preservation and let him turn him about out of the same way where-through he came in and not have regard any more to the c Gen. 3. Knowledg of good and evil nor to the teaching masters Boasting of the knowledg nor to the Religions or Doctrines Assured knowledg that it is right and good nor to the false Prophet d 2 Pet. 2. Presumption whereof there cometh nothing nor yet to the wicked Beast e Apo. 13. Vnfaithfulness that he become not subject and remain in bonâ—age unto Bitterness the King of thâ— same detestable Land but let him haâ—â— regard to the service of love and to thâ— requiring thereof and shew obedienâ—â— there-under f 1 Pet. 1. 1 John 4. for that he may come
do they e Deut. 5. sanctifie the Lords Sabbath day for they live peaceably in the light or day of his sanctification 4. They do honor their Father f Eph. 6. and their mother as in the Loves Obedience Even so doth the Lord likewise give unto them a long g Eccl. 3. life a life for ever in this same holy Land 5. Also they h Exo. 20. Matt. 5. kill not for they have no nature to destroying but all their desire is that it might all live whatsoever is of the life and can live and whatsoever serveth and laudeth God 6. They also commit not any i Deut. 5. adultery for they are all honest k Tob. 3. and chaste of lift and l Matth. 5. clean or pure of heart Thus they live in the blessing of their God wherein God blesseth them and whereunto he hath appointed or ordained them 7. They do not steal m Exo. 20. Matth. 19. nor rob likewise but they till or dress the lands of God and are labouring towards all things and in all things whatsoever is n Ephe. 4. profitable and expedient and are much more inclined to impart or distribute their spiritual gifts and heavenly goods if any thing thereof were needful unto any one then that they would be inclined to crave any earthly things of any one o 2 Cor. 9.12 or to diminish or scant him in his possession for no man desireth to possess nor to have any thing more under his hand or power then is needfull for him or expedient to a good Government 8. They also bear no p Exo. 20. false witnesse For no man q Eph. 20. Col. 3. lyeth against his neighbor there 9. They likewise desire not anotherbodies r Mat. 5. house nor their neighbors wife but every one there liveth in faithfulnesse with his own Å¿ 1 Cor. 7. Conjunction even as God hath joyned them together t Gen. 1. Matth. 19. from the beginning 10. Thus doe they live in all faithfulnesse among each other and permit not their thoughts to think u Tob. 4. any thing to the satisfying of their owne Appetites without the same 11. Inasmuch now therefore as that they have such an upright disposition and nature as that they do not desire nor lust for any thing that is against the Law or Ordinance of the Lord so are they likewise faithfull therein 12. Seeing then also that their Love is x Eph. 1. pure and undefiled as that they live uncoveredly according to the truth so are there likewise among them no deceitfull y Mat. 18. Mar. 9. eyes nor false thoughts nor yet bitternesse z Eph. 4. Col. 3. contempt nor offensivenesse 13. Also they know not there of any a 1 Cor. 1.15 contention or discord nor yet of sin nor death for there is nothing else but b Gal. 5. love and unity of peace with joy of the everlasting life 14. There is likewise no deriding or mocking c Eph. 4.5 1 Pet. 2. nor any unfit thing used They talk not there also of any foolishnesse nor lightnesse 15. They use not also any unlawfull or disorderly Liberty but all what they use speak and do that same is agreeable to the d Pet. 4. holy Word of Life and is the true Libertie of all the Children of God And therefore is there likewise among them no superfluous vice that exceedeth measure or equity 16. Seeing then that they stand every one concordably inclined to the good so is no man there also compelled to the good life but every one liveth in the upright e Eph. 4. righteousnesse and holinesse that God esteemeth And thus all their nature is no other but to be f Gal. 5. serviceable one to another out of meer love CHAP. XXXVII BEhold in such an upright being is this lovely people which hath his dwelling in this good City named Gods-understanding grounded or established and the a Eph. 4. Col. 3. love is their band wherewith they are united with each other in the light of the true life 2. By which means all their nature and mind is nothing else but love b Gal. 5. Peace and righteousnesse as upright Children c 1 Pet. 1.2 borne of the love like those that are risen againe from the death with the Resurrection d Dan. 12. Joh. 5. 1 Cor. 15. of the righteous ones in in the everlasting life and do live eternally 3. For ever them there is no death nor e Rom. 8. damnation neither doth any f Esa 25. 1 Cor. 15. death reigne in the same Land of the righteous and so the man dieth not there neither yet whatsoever is manly 4. The women likewise do not bring forth their children in paine or grief g Esa 65. 66. but with joy for the whole Land is h Deut. 28 blessed for the righteous lifes sake yeelding forth his fruits as a blessing 5. Thus the man eateth not his bread in the sweat of his face or in the carefull travell of his life i Esa 65. but with joy and receiveth his food in blessing 6. Forasmuch now as God hath made and ordained all things k Gen. 1. well from the beginning therefore do they also live uprightly in Gods Ordinance do neither take from nor adde to any thing 7. And therefore inasmuch as they do neither take from nor adde to touching all that which is the Lords so live they likewise only in the Works and Ordinances of the Lord and do not vow orbind themselves in the Matrimony of men nor yet suffer themselves to be bound therein but are l Mat. 22. Luke 20. like the Angells in heaven or like Messengers that are publishers of the spirituall heavenly goods and are the chosen generation the Kingly m Exo. 19. 1 Pet. 2. Apo. 1.5 Priesthood the holy people the peculiar people of God who are all Kings and Anoynted ones 8. For all there whatsoever is manly those same are every one Lords Kings and Priests and doe bear their Dominion over Sin Death Devill and Hell 9. Also no man reigneth over another and that pleaseth God well namely that the one man of God raigneth not over the other nor that the one is the others n 1 Cor. 7 bond-servant neither yet to the o Rom. 6. sin nor to his owne sensuality or affection but that they doe alwayes submit them concordably p Eph. 4. 1 Pet. 1. under the love and her service and do still stand ready to doe the Lords Will to serve their God q Luk. 1. in righteousnesse and to beare the Dominion with him r Rom. 6. 1 Cor. 6.7 over the evill and over all what hath a liking to the evill whereby to live eternally in the Å¿ 4 Esd 2. immortality with God and his Saints CHAP. XXXVIII EVen thus now these spirituall Saints of God that dwell in this
strength i Job 9. of all powers or strengths the true understanding of all understandings the true righteousnesse of all righteousnesse 8. He is the true k Mal. 1. Eph. 3. Father of all Fathers the Lord of all Lords l 1 Tim. 6 the King of all Kings 9. He is the true begetter of all Generations For he it is which m Esa 45. 66. John 1. begetteth all that whatsoever is born of the truth out of the truth and through the truth out of whom also all what is any thing is be gotten for he himself begetteth his children out of himself 10. He is n 1 Cor. 8.15 Heb. 1. all in all who likewise hath comprehended all in himself 11. He is the true o 1 Joh. 4. love of all lovelinesse the upright p Joh. 14. truth of all truth 12. He is the true q Mat. 11. meeknesse of all meek ones the true r Joel 2 Jona 4. mercy of all mercifull ones 13. He is also the true nature of all naturalnesse 14. To conclude He is all what his people is unto whom he is a Paradise full of joy and a Å¿ 4. Esd 2. Apo. 2.22 tree of life or a living Tree full of all sweetnesse and fruits of everlasting life 15. He it is that was t Mich. 5. Heb 13. everlasting from the beginning He it is that is now presently he it is that shall remain for ever 16. He is the everlasting unbroken the everlasting undevidable the everlasting perfect good 17. This living God is their only God for he only is God and none els u Deut. 32 Esa 45. and besides him there is no God more as is already said this God do they love x Deut. 6. 10. Mat. 22. with all their hearts minds and thoughts 18. Seeing then that they are borne and brought forth out of him so is likewise all their life sence and mind only in him y Joh. 17. and God himself in like manner is in them with his mind life or Spirit and so they are one being with each other namely God and z Jer. 31. Ezek. 37. his people of peace 19. And the same the living Godhead with the Manhood is the only true being or substance in this peaceable Land of rest and peace 20. The same is also the a 1 Cor. 13 perfect of all perfection which shall continue for ever to the which state God hath created the manly generation b Gen. 1. 4 Esd 6.7 for to make them heirs therein and called or bidden them thereunto by Jesus Christ 21. The same perfection are likewise Gods promises c Gen. 12. 17.22 to the blessing of all generations of the earth and out of the same perfection is the true service of love ministred to a godly life in the last time 22. And wheresoever now the same cometh in the Spirit and maketh it selfe known essentially there doe all d 1 Cor. 13 peece-works divisions and dissentious cease and the love getteth there the victory and remaineth there for ever never breaking nor decaying any more CHAP. XLI WHosoever now forsaketh all the desolate lands and people as is before said also hath his respect diligently bent upon the a Mat. 2. leading star in the East and walketh on rightly according to the compasse as likewise forsaketh not the Crosse and so cometh to the submission by him shall be found the equity with the which he entteth into Gods b 2. Pet. 1. Apo. 22. nature and so he cometh into this good Citie full of all riches of life and joy 2. By which means he hath a free entrance into this holy City of Peace named Gods-understanding for to become one only c Rom. 12. Eph. 4.5 body with all the Saints of the heavenly company the which are the peaceable children of love in the Land of the living 3. He now therefore that is in this manner come thereunto essentially may as then in the love and in the unity of peace go out d John 10. and in without harme and may walk thorough all Lands Places and Cities bring unto all lovers of the good Land that are seeking the same good e Esa 33.52 Rom. 10. tydings give them good incouragement as to respect all the enemies like f Job 21. Esa 5.7 chaffe and as nothing show them the next way for to go into g Esa 30. the life and so lead them with him into the good Land and assemble h Jer. 3. them to the holy and peaceable people of the Lord to an unitie of heart with them in all love for that same is the concordable service of love to the life ministred by the i Eccl. 6.8 Heb. 13. Elders in the Family of the Love of Jesus Christ and whosoever turneth himself there-from and is not obedient to his requiring he doth severely erre and turneth him away from his Salvation 4. The next way therefore to go into the foresaid life is this That one doe forsake k Mat. 16. Mar. 8. Luk. 9.14 all what he hath taken on and not any more to take on nor desire any thing and so through the service of love to enter into the simple life wherein all faithfulnesse and truth is found and no slandering nor stumbling l 1 Cor. 13 or offensivenesse nor any blameing of others that do labour after righteousnesse and concord and are minded to the peace of Jesus Christ 5. For the simple life is the equity of the nature of God and by the same one goeth into the holy Citie of rest and peace 6. Whosoever now is even thus as is said under the obedience of the love become uniform with the children m Bar. 5. of the Kingdome and that his Spirit Word or Speech doth flow out of and into the same secret Kingdome even like unto a n 4 Esd 3. living breath of God that floweth out from God and into him again Hee verily is become a fellow-elder in Gods holy and godly understanding with the Elders in the Family of Love and can very well walke in freedome among all people and also remaine still very free united with the peaceable ones in the City of peace and can live in the upright o Eph. 1.4 righteousnesse 7. For the k knowledge separateth nor hurteth not him p Gen. 2. 8. The Devill q Mat. 4. Joh. 12. overcometh not him 9. The sin r Rom. 6. or the evill delighteth not him 10. He feareth not the death Å¿ Oze 13. not him 11. The Serpents deceit nor her poison s Mar. 16. cannot kill him for he hath eaten of the Wood of Life t Apo. 2. which standeth in the middest of the godly Paradise and liveth eternally not fearing any burden of condemnation for that cause also the hell cannot condemne him 12. Nor the accuser v Apo. 12. accuseth not him 13. The foolishnesse