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
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
then the Law and the Services do in such wise change by the believers of the Anointed to wit out of the figures into the true being and out of the letter or serviceable word into the revealing of the holy Spirit of Christ there is also then by those same the Priests office changed For Christ the honorable Priest cometh unto them from the right hand of God the Father out of the heavenly Being which hath or useth not his servce after the manner or ordinance of Aaron which is yet a teaching or requiring to observe the Will or the Righteousness of the law of the Lord but after the manner or ordinance of Melchisedech which bringeth with him the Blessing the accomplishing of the Law or of the Lord's will the salvation of life and the anointing of the holy Ghost to a pledge of the godly inheritance and to an everlasting treasure or riches of God and reigneth in the righteousness of the same 7. Melchisedech signifieth unto us One that ruleth in the Perfection which is called a King of Righteousness And in him is the fulfilling of the Law and of the service of the Prophets Therefore theâ—e shall not one Letter nor the very least 〈◊〉 fall from the Law until all come to pass 8. OH alas How grosly then have certain wise of the world and Scripture learned over-reached them herein which have without diversity forsaken the Law and the service of the Elders Testament and of the Priests office after the ordinance of Aaron and set back the same as a thing unneedful not once distinguishing unto whom the service after the Ordinance of Aaron is yet necessary nor yet with whom the same at the appointed time ceaseth or leaveth ofâ— 9. But have all for the most part cryed Christ Christ and we are Christians and attributed to themselves much freedom ere ever the time of the appearing of Christ or the anointing of the holy Ghost was come to pass or fulfilled with them in the accomplishing of the old Testament 10. Oh that they yet now awaked and took heed in the word of the service of love unto this gracious time and gave ear unto the same that they might understand their safe making and so then be rightly and according to the truth brought to the true Being that is unto Christ. 11. What we had here more to say of the foregoing service after the ordinance of Aaron or of the foregoing before the true light of the Elders of the holy Uunderstanding of the Levitical Priesthood of the Sabbath day of the Lord and of the Treasures of the Riches of God is declared in the Glass of Righteousness The XIV Chapter NOw when as all these forementioned holy things were prepared according to the commandment of the Lord so were there men sent forth into the land of Promise for to spy out the same 2. But when as now these were returned out of the same land certain reported unto the children of Israel that the battel wherewith the land was to be won was very tedious and that the land was invincible or that it was impossible to destroy the inhabitants wherethrough the people became unbelieving of the promses of the Lord and dismayed in heart unto battel and were afraid of their enemies which they through the mighty hand of their God should have destroyed and rooted out and they murmured against Moses and his ministration 3. Howbeit Iosue and Caleb which had also spyed out the same land brought good tydings namely that they could well win the same good land and destroy their enemies which dwelled therein 4. But they were not harkned to or believed because the people waxed unbelievâ—ng of the word of the Lord and his promises and unlustful to the battel and complained sore that they remained not in Egypt to the end they might have died there 5. And even so out of fear and through unbelief and despair to win the battel against their enemies they wished that they might dy in the wilderness and that came to pass even so 6. For all they that had murmured continually against the Lord and bin unbelieving and disobedient unto him and the ministration and requiring of his word came not into the good land but Iosue and Caleb which cleaved with all their heart unto the Lord and believed and were obedient unto his word inherited the same Iosue signifieth unto us a Saviour Caleb the inward heart or minde 7. HEreout we may perceive ye dearly beloved that the circumcision of the resisters or disobedient unto the word of the Elders Moses and Aaron was through their unbelief and murmuring against the Lord and the Ministers of his word become an Uncircumcision and that there was also no love of God but in all the love of themselves found among them 8. Whilst then they bowed not nor inclined the ears of their heart unto the doctrine of the word which was administred unto them by Moses and Aron but after their own good thinking were chusing this or that or somthing else even thus or even so so have they not known the truth nor yet understood the mysterie of the works of God For that cause also they were not made free of the truthâ— they entred not likewise into the holy of the true tabernacle of God nor have inherited the inheritance which God had promised unto the seed of Abraham 9. The which giveth us to understand that they are not Abraham's seed which bear only the circumcision on their flesh but they that are of his belief for the believers inherited the good land 10. Notwithstanding the glory of God was not at that time erected in his fulness nor the promises fulfilled which the Lord had promised to the salvation and blessing of the Heathen 11. For in his time the Lord would also visit the heathen declare his righteousness among them and even so according to his promises make Abraham a father of many heathen which should not be of the circumcision of the flesh but of his faith 12. But the murmurers and complainers which bare alwaies a care how it should go with themselves but thought very little on the glory of the Lord or on the magnifying of his holy name fell all into the indignation of the Lord and God shewed no compassion on them for their infidelity sake And therefore they must then remain without the Rest and dy in the Wilderness 13. But Iosue a leader or guide of Israel brought the remnant of the people of Israel unto Iordan which Iordan opened or divided it self asunder before them and so they went thorow the same even unto the borders of the good land Iordan signifieth unto us a River of Iudgement And it is the same River wherein Iohn the Baptist afterward baptised The XV. Chapter NOw when Israel was come into the borders of the good land
The XXXIX Chapter THerefore let every one now take warning and let each one which is presently called and bidden to this true light and to this lovely marriage or supper of the lamb look now diligently unto it that he make not his excuse nor seek to clear himself either with this or that and so disdaine this voyce or calâ—ing Like as in times past They that were bidden to the supper of the Lord sought delays and excused themselves and for that cause tasted not the Supper of the Lord for evermore 2. Therefore let no man bind his heart now on Wife Child Oxen Lands nor on any manner riches of this world But let him turn his heart unto these infinite riches of the heavenly goods 3. And if any man now be without the house of the Lord in the field or on the top of his own house let him not go in againe to his house for to fetch any thing thereout but let him leave and forsake all that and turn him hither-ward and come to this holy mountain whereon the house of the Lord standeth and his day-light shineth and let him walk in the same light That the abominations of the wicked world and her condemnation catch or take not hold of him as a snare 4. For this is the condemnation which goeth now in the last time over the man namely that the light is come into the world and that the man loveth the darkness more then the light despiseth the proffered grace and taketh not heed unto this gratious time to his renewing and Salvation in the Spirit 5. In which time the whilst that the grace of the Lord standeth open and that there is yet space to obtain grace with the Lord the hearts of the believing men are changed or renewed as also grounded with minds of pure hearts in the living God and assembled to one heart and to one man in Jesu Christ. 6. For the Lord hath now set his help on one that is mighty and exalted him whom he hath chosen out of the People The Lords hand shall advance him and his arm shall strengthen him 7. For that cause the righteous shall now see their desire and rejoyce them For all Iniquity shall be compelled to stop his mouth because the Lord with his Saints is now become judge himself and this his day of love which the Lord hath made for us which walk in his light to mirth and joy shineth so clear and bright 8. Therefore shall now also the eyes of all men be humbled and the People which have exalted themselves shall be fain to bow them and there shall be peace upon earth 9. FOr behold The Lord maketh now the lips of peace which publish peace abundantly wherein the Scripture like as the Lord hath spoken thereof in times past becometh fulfilled in this present day like as there standeth written thereof 10. I saith the Lord inlarge the peace among you like a water-stream and the might or dominion of the Heathen like a river which floweth over with water At that time saith the Lord ye shall suck and be born upon the sides or in the arms They shall dandle you on their knees And I saith the Lord will comfort you like as a Mother comforteth her Children when any evil happeneth unto them 11. Again I saith the Lord will give you a concordable heart and plant a new spirit within you 12. BEhold ye dearly beloved all this same doth the Lord now accomplish in this his holy day with us little ones humble hearts and elected ones of God 13. Therefore our mouth shall now in this day be full of laughter and our tongue full of boasting For great and mighty is the glory of the Lord here among us in this house or temple of his dwelling For that cause let every one come hither now unto this house of the Lord whereout the glory of Lord is declared and his righteousness taught 14. COme now all ye thirsty souls after the righteousness and assemble you into the house of instruction Wherefore should ye now tarry any longer or defer the time seeing that your souls are exceeding thirsty 15. For even for your sakes I open my mouth and cry Come I pray you and buy you wisdome without silver or money and bow down your necks under the yoke or ordinance so shall your soul receive wisdome For even thereto have I wisdome poured out the streams I am as a course or chanel of the unmeasurable waters out of the rivers I am as the river Dorix that is which is swift and like a water-conduit am I gone into the garden of pleasure I said I will water my garden of plants and fill or make drunken the fruits of my birth For an overflowing passage is made for me and my river reacheth even to the Sea For my doctrine giveth light like the fair morning and I will declare forth the same wide and far abroad I will pierce thorow all the lowest parts of the earth and I will look upon all such as be asleep and will also lighten all them that hope in the Lord. I will pour out doctrine like a prophecie and leave it unto such as seek for wisdome I will not make an end in their generation till unto the holy eternity 16. BEhold how that I have not laboured for my self onely but also for all them that desire the truth and instruction Therefore apply you now all thereunto for to obtain wisdome For she is now near by and letteth her self be found and bringeth much rest unto them that labour in her Her children are a congregation of righteous ones whose exercise is obedience and love and they bring forth that which is the wisdome it self Which wisdome is the brightness of the everlasting and true light and undefiled mirrour of the godly powers the majesty of God and the Image of his goodness 17. WHat we had here more to say and to evangelize of the perfection of the rest of the children of God or the kingdom of heaven of the most holy of the true tabernacle of God and of his service of love of the true high priest and of his office of the ceasing of the foregoing services of the publishing of the Evangely in the last time of the wisdom of the truth of God of Christ of the holy Ghost of the upright Christian communiality and of what being or nature each one is in it self and of all what is spoken of in this Evangely of the kingdome is declared in The glass of righteousness If ye therefore O ye lovers of the truth have a regard unto the sayings of the same ye shall then find the full instruction of all what is needfull for the man to know to his salvation witnessed and declared therein The XL Chapter O All ye lovers of the truth to whom I
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
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