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
time be inherited of all and in all them that have minded the peace and the upright amiable life 3 FOr that cause awake now in the spirit yee Lovers of the truth and diligently search or throughly measure this same spirit which to the making alive of all the Dead that are deceased in the Lord is proceeded from God and marvel not at any of this same but search or scanne the Scripture whether that it make not mention of the same 4 But certes this new miraculous work of God whereof we witnes hath God now in this his holy day of love begunne or taken in hand with us his elected ones wherein the Scripture becometh fulfilled in this present day like as there standeth written 5 Behold saith the Lord I will doe a new thing and it shall now appear whereby yee shall well perceive that I make ways in the desert and rivers of water in the wildernesse 6 Again a spirit or wind shall blow forth from my face and I will make wind 7 Presently hath the Lord prepared his way in the desert and caused a living River to run there-thorow that all thirsty may drinke of the living waters 8 FOrasmuch now as that the River giveth forth her water abundantly and that the winde or Spirit of the Almighty bloweth So cannot I refraine nor keep silence but must needs through the powers of the same make manifest even out of burning love the secret mistery of God which is given me to understand out of the heavenly truth in the obedience of the love of Iesus Christ unto the lovers of the truth and unto the diligent searcherâ— of the Scripture as also expres or declare to them the counsel and will of the most highest with the accomplishing of the service in his Sanctuary like as the Scripture speaketh thereof and witnesse the same before their ears 9 Whosoever now therâ—fore seek the Lord with whole heart they shall now easily finde him if so be that they beleeve and obey the holy word of grace administred now in this present time 10 Unto all them that presently knock and would gladly be let in through the right door for to walke in the house of the Lord it shall now be opened and they shall be let in They shall also dwell with the Lord and eat with Christ and his holy ones the bread of life which is come unto us from Heaven in the Kingdom of God the Father the lovely heavenly being 11 THerefore give eare now unto the word of the heavenly verity O yee lovers of the truth and hearken to mee now in this day yee great Lords or mighty of estate and yee rulers of communalties and let this same enter into your ears all yee people For I will make relation of the things that are hidden before the world and declare the same from the beginning till unto this new or last day which is presently appeared and come unto us according to the Scripture The Third Chapter O Sion for thy sake I will not keep silence and for Ierusalâ—ms sake I will not leave off untill that her righteousnesse rise up as a shining light or clernesse and her salvation burn as a Cresset that the heathen may see thy righteousnesse and all Kings thy glory 2 For this is the day of thy glorifying and of thy joyfulnesse O thou holy hill of Sion and the day wherin Ierusalem becometh seen glistering and where-over the Lord with his light and glory will shine for evermore according to the promises 3 Now shall the Law be taught out of Sion and the word of the Lord witnessed out of Ierusalem 4 For this is the day of promise the day which the Lord maketh Let us now rejoyce and be glad therein 5 This is the day in the which the Lord hath prepared his seat unto judgement that he might judge the earth with justice and governe the people uprightly and accomplish therein all which he hath spoken in times paâ—t through the mouth of all his holy Prophets 6 Therefore take now good heed unto this day to your Sanctification and learn therein wisdom and holy understanding and walk even so in the light of the same that yee may be able to endure as children of the light of his cleernes and the light of his lovelines and not stumble in the mid-day 7 In this day saith the Lord I will not keep silence but will cause my word to be heard continually therein that the children of men run not forth any longer with their good-thinking according to the imagination of their knowledge 8 For out of this light of my holy day shall my word saith the Lord continually proceed according to the truth that it may be heard even unto the end of the world And I will let the children of men see how that they all namely they that hear nor beleeve not me and the service of my holy word under the obedience of my love neither yet love my true being nor stand submitted to the same for to become planted thereinto doe erre in their wisdom and Scripture learnednesse and goe about with lies 9 BEhold I saith the Lord will take in hand a wonderfull work like as I have heretofore spoken thereof through my servants the Prophets and promised to perform the same Through which work of mine saith the Lord the man which hungreth and thirsteth after the true Righteousness shall not be able to comfort himself any longer with lies nor to put his trust therein neither yet shall the Scripture learned or such as set forth their own Opinions out of their own Spirit drive or teach the People any longer according to their good thinking but every one shall not chuse but acknowledge that my word is the Truth and the Life 10. For lo I bring forth now my Day so clear as a light of my Glory to the Lighting of the whole World with Righteousness my living Word as a true Bread of Life to the satisfying of all hungry souls my true Being or Perfection as a Kingdom of Heaven full of all lovelyness pure beauty and undisturbable Powers and my Service of Love as a naked or uncovered Truth All which is my Spirit where through the Man is led into all Truth to the end that now in this my holy day my Righteousness might in the obedience of the requiring of my Love break forth and obtain the Victory upon the Earth and that all people may love the upright Righteousness and live peaceably in all Love 11. AWake now therefore ye Lovers of the Truth so shall Christ then illuminaâ—e you Anoint your eys with Ey-salve and ye shall see the pure and glorious cleerness of this last or newest day which God himself hath appointed or ordained for to judge
great with child and cry aloud like unto a woman with child when as she at the time of her travel is ready to bring forth But who heareth us or to whom is the arm of the Lord known verily unto few because many of them are wise in their own conceit and will judge the godly truth out of their knowledge or perswade themselves that they with their prudent understanding see rightly into all things and for that cause need not to harken unto the word of grace which God hath brought unto us out of his true light neither yet to humble them unto the service of the same 11. Oh these Ignorances of the unwilling unto the gracious word and his requiring which we dayly see and hear by them do work us very much wo anguish and sorrow in our hearts 12. Therefore may we now in this perillous time rightly say with the Prophet Isaiah that it goeth also with us in the presence of the Lord like as with a woman with child which through fear or smart cryeth out in her travel for we are with child and travel in birth and we are so full of anguish and wo that we can scantly draw our breath 13. Howbeâ—t although all this come upon us and that we daily pass thorow this â—ame and must be fain to indure or suffer much falshood at our adversaries hands yet cannot we therefore help the earth for that the Inhabitors of the world will not fal down or humble themselves nor yet forsake or leave the falshood of the unrepentant unregenerated men 14. For that cause our hope standeth now in this day very little on many Inhabitors of the world for of them there shall few come which shall mean or adjoyn them unto the love and the requiring of her service with all their heart and yet many fewer which shall persever therein unto the end 15. Therefore hope we with joy much more on the appearing of the dead which dy in the Lord or are dead in him to wit that they in their Resurrection from the death shall livingly come before either meet with us For all the dead of the Lord or members of Christ shall now live and rise with their bodies and we shall assemble us with them and they with us to one body in Iesus Christ into one lovely being of the love and be all together concordable in the love and peace of Iesus Christ. 16. Behold ye dearly beloved with those shall our life and joy be both now and for evermore For we which follow with them the footsteps of Christ shal in their appeaing or manifestation raign with the lamb which hath made us Kings and Priests upon earth 17. This see and know we now nakedly and truly Therefore have we which are now in this day of love adjoyned and incorporated into the body of Christ here in our Consolation amoag each other and set our Comfort much more on the righteous which are dead then on the living ungodly 18. For this is now the day of the Glorious pomp and tryumph of Christ in his coming wherein Christ to our consolation meeteth us livingly and in glory with his former Holy ones and maketh manifest and bringeth the word of the Lord namely the former Kingdom full of all beauty and lovelyness which God hath prepared from the beginning for his elect in his perfection and in his naked cleerness and maketh us heirs therein together with all his holy ones 19. In which Kingdom of everlasting perfection all minds of pure hearts do dwell and live without fear freely lovely and peaceably Yea therethrough becometh it presently seen how that the Lord glorifieth himself in his holy ones and becometh wonderful in his believers 20. Now this passed over we will declare from the falling away or disobedience of the man forth the earnest love which God hath always till unto this same day shewed towards the man through his elected ministers for to bring him again unto the heritable beauty of the former Kingdom from which he hath turned him away and how God in process of time is approched neerer unto us in cleerness with his true light and hath now at the last in the day of his love declared the most holy of his tabernacle in his absolute beauty and perfection and brought the same unto us to the establishing of his promises 21. What we had here more to say of the former Kinâ—dom and of his lovelyness beauty Garnishing and riches and of the mans falling away is nakedly expressed and declared in the glass of righteousness The V. Chapter BEhold and consider ye dearly beloved how that God after the man's falling away hath alwayes shewed his love on the man and promised him even so to the destroying of the sin to set Enmity betwixt the Serpent whose head is the sin and the woman which consented to the sin and betwixt the Serpents seed and the Womans seed to the treading down of the head of the Serpent and how that the same promised Enmity against the sin and the sinfull seed had her beginning by the single minded Abel which Abel offered up his willing gift or offering out of a good heart unto the God of heaven and was slain by the wicked Nature of the sin through the hands of his Brother Cain and how that Seth after the death of Abel was placed by God to be another seed in the plaâ—e of Abel to the establishing of the foresaid promise of God as also how that Seth which is the second seed in the place of Abel and his seed is the right stock or linage whereout the believers and Children of God namely all they that have been enemies unto the sin are born or brought forth to the establishing of the promises of God â—he Father 2. But all other people or Generations which were born upon the earth without the stock of Seth and also they that walked not in the state of Abel according to the manner or ordinances of Seth were not of the right stock of Seth but they were forain branches which turned them away there-from and were never prudent nor understanding in the godly wisdom but very well in their own self knowledge and good-thinking wherewith they turned unto themselves and forsook even so the upright Childishness and Simplicity and the willing oblation or God service of Abel 3. Abel signifieth unâ—o us a breath or a young manhood by whom there is yet no more prudence then a breath of God which proceedeth from God and breatheth to God again It signifieth also emptiness or any what whereto there is not yet any thing added of the ordinance of the Lord. Cain signifieth unto us a possession or one is possessed in bondship by the sin or is mastered or overwon by the same and applyeth him not according to the word nor law of the Lord. Seth signifieth unto us an
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
of the raign of King Nabuchodonosor there raigned a King over them which was not of Babylon named Darius coming from Media and Persia. 6. Darius signifieth unto us seeking or searching Media one which hath abundance Persia one which is parting sepâ—rating one from another or unsnaring 7. Under the might of this King Darius of Media and Persia it was licenced the Jews to build again the City of Ierusalem and the Temple of the Lord whereof Aggeus and Zacharias prophesied and moved or exhorted the people thereunto Which building of the City of Ierusalem and of the temple of the Lord. Ezechiel doth also cleerly describe or figure forth 8. Aggeus signifieth unto us beautiful or glorious Zacharias the remembrance of the Lord Ezechiel one whch seaeth God and also a taking hold of God 9. IN this time of Darius king of Media and Persia according to the Prophesie of Aggeus Zacharias and Ezechiel was the City of Ierusalem in all respects as she was before and the House of the Lord with the Vessels of Silver and Gold and all its ornaments like as Salomon had builded and garnished the same set again each thing in its old place All which was builded and accomplished by Zorababel a Prince in Iuda of the house of David and by Iosua an high Priest of the Tribe of Aaron 10. Zorobabel signifieth unto us One that hath not bâ—wrapped himself in the Commixture or that is without Tangling Iosua signifieth unto us a Saviour 11. From this time forth that Ierusalem was inhabited again of the Jews the Temple of the Lord consecrated by the Priests so was also like as Moses had ordained the same and as there was witnessed and figured forth in the Letter the Law and services of the Priests and Levites very diligently observed But all this came to pass under the might and dominion of the heathenish kings 12. And the Jews with their God-service obtained in process of time so wide room among the Heathen that certain of the heathenish kings and people esteemed the God-service of the Jews to be a true God-service and they came unto Ierusalem to worship and offer unto the highest God And certain of the heathen did let themselves also be circumcised and became proselytes or fellow companions in religion unto the Jews 13. In such sort was the Law of Moses with the ordinance of the Priests and Prophets so much as the Scripture mentioned thereof read daylie more and more with diligence and ferventness for to observe according to the Scripture in most perfect manner all what Moses had commanded 14. Through this same zeal or diligence which was used hereunto wherethrough the figurative services were in most gorgeous manner furthered or required and for to be observed set forth before the people many people were therein captived so that they supposed that the figurative services were were the very self true God-services and that God was to be reconciled therewith and marked not God's counsel or will because they respected not the cleerness of the very true Being whereof the images and figures gave their shadows wherethrough also they understood not the mysterie of those same For that cause they were yet bondmen and servants of the Lord which were yet bound unto the same services and not as children of God made free through the Truth 15. Whilst now that they were yet servants and not made free through the light of the truth so knew they not likewise the truth nor the mind or will of their Lord neither what the Lord did or would accomplish For a servant knoweth not what his Lord hath in mind neither what he will do or leave undone 16. But unto his Son which sitteth with him upon his seat and raigneth with him in wisdom and righteousness he openeth all the secret counsel of his heart 17. These forementioned imagelike or figurative services remained and stood a long time in their Garnishing and great estimation by which the Lord had always a seed out of Aaron which went daily in the same services before the people for to minister in the holy and entered once in the year when the service had ended his course into the most holy and even so out of the most holy sanctified it all with the bloud of the testament to the forgiving of their sins 18. Which services witnessed and shewed unto them in figures and in secret words or parables the very true and spiritual services which should in the times to come be administred through the spiritual and heavenly Goods in the face of the Lord nameâ—◠〈◊〉 the â—aked or uncovered clearness of Christ in the Spirit that is in the inwardness of the believing men and that the same spiritual and heavenly services should then also in like manner be seen and known in all their cleerness and the promises of God the Father in all blessing accomplished and fulfilled according to the Scripture 19. Hereout we have easily to perceive who are the ministers of the services and Scriptures who stand yet captived under the letter and which are the right believers and disciples of Christ that as faithful servants of the Lord pass or wade through the servitude of the service and Letter and obediently fulfil the same and so become born again to children of God 20. What we had here more to say of the right stock of Iuda or of the Jews or of their servitude under the Law of their freedom of their to coming dominion and whereto to the figurative services do serve and when or wherein they cease or with whom they have ended their service as also with whom they are yet needful and necessary is declared in the Glass of Righteousness The XVII Chapter THis figurative service had in his state and ministration according to the ordinance of Aaron as Moses had commanded the same in all garnishing according as the Scripture maketh mention the foregoing in fruiâ—fulness until Iohn the Baptist. 2. For the genealogie of Aaron the Priest out of the seed of Levi had his description from the procreating of the Priesthood until Zacharias and Elisabeth his wife of whom Iohn the Baptist the true fore-goer was born which declareth himself not in figures but in the spirit and power of God and goeth before the face of God for to bring in his service all things again into their right state or form 3. According to the same manner after the genealogie of the kingly seed hath the kingly seed of David out of the tribe of Iuda his procreation till unto Ioseph and the Virgin Mary his wife of whom Iesus Christ which is the true king of the Jews the true seed of David after the flesh and after the spirit the true Son of God and God's everlasting light liâ—e and cleerness the true Spirit of the godly glory and the lovely Being of the uncovered Face of
EVANGELIUM REGNI A joyful MESSAGE OF THE KINGDOM Published by the holy Spirit of the love of Jesus Christ and sent forth unto all Nations of people which love the Truth in Jesus Christ. Set forth by H. N. and by him perused anew and more distinctly declared Translated out of Base-Almayn O how lovely are the feet of the Messengers which publish the peace preach good tidings and evangelize the salvation Isa. 52. b. Nah. 2. a. Rom. 10. c. The Evangely of the Kingdom shall be preached unto the world for a witness unto all people and then shall the end come Matth. 24. b. I saw an angel flie thorow the midst of heaven having an everlasting Evangely to publish unto them which sit and dwell upon the earth namely unto all heathen generations languages and people Apoc. 14. a. Imprinted at London 1652. THE PREFACE COnsider on the Time O all yee People which love the truth of Iesus Christ. 2 Presently in this day of the love and of the appearing of the coming of our Lord Iesus Christ in the Resurrection of the dead wherein the Law the Prophets and all that is written of Christ becometh fulfilled is this Ioyfull Message of the Kingdom out of the hearty mercifulness and love of God the Father Evangelized unto us all and sent especialy by the holy spirit of the love of Iesus Christ unto all lovers of the Truth as also published in all the world for a testimony unto all peoplâ— aâ—â—ording to the scripture To the stirring up of all â—nderstandings unto the true knowledge of the godlines in Iesus Christ and to an everlasting concordable and stedfast peace upon the earth according to the promises 3 Let every one respect well this profered Grace for even now in the last time the Lord sendeth his Angel or Messenger before him for to prepare his way and to publish an everlasting evangelie unto all generations languages and people according to his promises to the intent that they all should now withdraw them from the iniquity turn them to the family of the love of Iesus Christ God his mercy seat and even so to their preservation in the godlines shew fortst upright â—epentance for their sins the end shall come 4 And albeit that we have set forth these present testimonies O yee lovers of the truth of Iesus Christ to an Evangelie of the Kingdome and publish to a joyful message that the God of heaven hatâ— shewed mercy on all people for that they should repent them and stand goâ—d-willing unto his requiring declared his great Day-light of the upright righteousnes through us his elected ones in the world out of heavâ—n from his right-hand and brought it ovâ—r the whole earth for to judge the â—ame with righteousnes yet are not therefore these present testimonies alone the Evangelie of the Kingdome which was promised to be published in the world and unto all people but also all the Testimonies which the God of heaven hath brought forth through his holy ones and through his elected Minister H. N. 5 For all those same are also evangelical testimonies of the Kingdom of his declaring All which testimonies are also new in the last time held forth to a true â—lass of righteousnes before the children of men to an everlasting peace upon earth unto men which are good of will according to the promises 6 For that cause O ye lovers of the truth if yee now this day hear his voice and that this grace and loue of God the Father Christ become to your preservation in the godlines proffered unto you so hardâ—n not then your hearts that ye bide not without the rest of the Lord which is prepared from the beginning for the people of God and for all repentant sinners and is appeared now in the last time according to the Scripture Take it to heart A Joyfull Message of the Kingdom of God and CHRIST The First CHAPTER HN Through the Grace and mercy of God and through the holy Spirit of the love of Iesus Christ raisâ—d up by the highest God from the death according â—o the providence of God and his promises anointed with the Holy Ghost in the old-age of the holy understanding of Iesus Christ Godâ—d with God in the spirit of his love made heire with Christ in the heavâ—nly goods of the riches of God â— illuminated in the spirit with the heavenly truth the true light of the perfect being â—lected â—o a Minister of the gracious word which is now in the last time raisâ—d up by God according to his promises in the most holy service of God under the obedience of his love for to publish in the last time out of the same grace and hearty mercifulnes of God and through the same holy Spirit of the love of Iesus Christ good tydings or a joyfull message of the Kingdom of God unto all people which â—it in darknes and have a desire or longing after the true light and to bring unto the beleevers a great light of the true being of Iesus Christ and the glorious day of his godly cleeâ—nes as also to expreâ—â—â— that God hath pitied the generations of mankind and that Iesus Christ hath not left us as orphanes but as our faithfull Father for to beget us anew out of the safe-making water or doctrine of his service and out of his holy spirit of love also to judge us with his righteousness and to bring us into his rest is come againe unto us according to his promises to the end thâ—t they all which love God and his righteousnes and Christ and his upright being might presently enter into the true rest which God hath prepared from the beginning for his elect and inherit the everlasting life 2 For that cause all lovers of the truth and all souls which hunger and thirst after the righteousnes become assembled obediently unto the service of the love of Iesus Christ shal presently according to the word of the Lord eat of the bread of life and drinke out of the fountain of living water and become satisfied 3 Unto the same God which hath prepared all this for us and bringeth it to us out of the bosom of his love be laud honor praise thanks-giving for ever and ever Amen 4. UNto the lovers of the Truth here and there wheresoever or in what quarter of the world they dwell or have their abode of what Nation and Religion soever they be Christians Jews Mahomites or Turks and heathen with all divided people of what condition or dignity soever they be Pastors of the Religious or Fourders of Religion Understanding ones or expert in the godly wisdom well learned exercised eloquent in the holy Scripture High Magistrates and renowned Potentates noble of linage rich or mighty of estate rulers of commonalties together
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
blessing of all generations of the earth declared known and established and the true Being of the services of the Images and figures in the Spirit and in all truth erected in the obedience of the Belief 2. And this forementioned service of the Images Figures and Shadows wherein the perfection of the true Tabernacle of God with his true services of the spiritual and heavenly goods was well to be perceived had the foregoing in his service and became fruitful with the children of Israel and brought forth a serviceable seed of Righteousness after the manner as is said of Agar the which is the Elders Testament 3. For the Belief whereout the true and free seed of the upright Righteousness to the establishing of the promises of God becometh brought forth was yet closed after the manner as is said of Sara Which Belief is the true Testament that bringeth forth the free children of God according to the Spirit 4. Thus the Lord joyneth him unto the service for that the service might be fruitful to obtain yet at the last the seed of promise out of the Belief and the children of the service multiplyed into many and became a great people Howbeit the Lord's promises were not established nor his covenant erected therewith 5. For the same service was not the very true but it was unto the people which were yet captived with darkness a foregoing light in Images and figures before the face or perfect light of the Lord. 6. Which foregoing service had also cleerness in his service and for that cause it is also a Testament of the holy Fathers added unto the promises to a sustaining of the Lord's people in their youngness or ignorance until that the barren became fruitful and that the fruit could live 7. ACcording to this same manner had this Testament administred by the Elders of the holy Understanding the foregoing and his fruitfulness with the unillumiâ—ated until that the Belief out of the power of God became with childe through the holy Ghost and bare or brought forth a new man or a new creature according to the beiâ—g of the hâ—avâ—nly Gâ—dhead by the Beleevers and illuminated them even so in their spirit and mind with the upright righteousness and hâ—liness For this is the right prâ—creatioâ— to the renewing of the spirit aâ—d mind of the believers and is also the true new Testament which God hath promised to erect with his people 8. Which new Testament is the very true that God himself witnesseth in his people which are obedient unto him out of faith in the service of his word and bringeth even so unto them in the spirit of their mind the true God-service of the spiritual and heavenly goods and writeth according to his godâ—y and heavenly Truth his law institutions and rites in the being of their inward mind 9. In such sort worketh the Lord the holy one in Israel and bringeth forth even so his children sons and daughters servants and handmaids upon which he in these last days poureth forth his Spirit and remembreth no more thâ—ir sins For they are a reconciled people uâ—to him which do in all his Wiâ—l 10. BEhold and consider such is the new Testament with his children For that same new Testament is in his children the heaven the seat of the most highest also spirit and life And for that cause it is with his childreâ— heavenly spiritually and livingly minded Which children of the new Testament love not the world nor that which is in the world inasmuch as that the new Testament is wholy and altogether of God also the love the life and the upright being of the holy Ghost it self 11. But the Elders Testament is the serviceable word which is administred out of the spirit and life of God with unspeakable words writings or letters and which also figureth forth and expresseth unto us to wit serviceably in parables and in Images or Figures the new and very true Testament which is heavenly spiritual and living and endureth for ever and bringeth the believers unto the same 12. What we had here more to say of the Old and New Testament and what either others being in it self is and of the bringing in and use of the imagelike and figurative Services is declared in the Glass of Righteousness The XIII Chapter IN all that which the Lord shewed Moses so elected he Aaron which was of the tribe of Levi and his sons to Priests or Elders for to minister the figurative Tabernacle in his service with all that which was figuratively prepared thereunto 2. Which Priesthood with his Service in such wise as Aaron ministred the same pleased God well that it should have the foregoing unto the entrance of the godliness by the unilluminated people which knew nor understood not the verity of the true light and even so alwaies bide stable be ministred among them till unto the new birth in the true light to the end that the Priests or Elders of the holy understanding should daylie set forth in their service or Priests office unto which God had joyned or added his promises the Law of the Lord and the Testament of his covenant before the unilluminated people to a memorial of the promises of God to a sustentation of them whereout one yet hopeth for some better thing until that the true of that which was ministred came unto them in the Belief to the establishing of the promises and that the same should then likewise in true cleerness be seen and heard by them as also out of the power of the supreme Godhead spoken witnessed or confessed of them namely the true light come out of Heaven in blessing and with blessing according to the manner of Melchisedech And this same true light is the anointed with the holy Ghost 3. Which anointed is named in Hebrew Messias and in Greek Christus He was also in times past called of certain Rabbins among the Jews the Lord's Sabbath and they said that the same anointed is the seventh day in the paradise of God wherein God rested from all his works and is the perfection The which is also very true 4. For this same Messias or anointed is the Sabbath day which the Lord hath commanded to be always had in remembrance that we when the same cometh might rest therein and hallow or sanctifie the same wherein the law the service of the preisthood of Aaron out of Levi and the elders testament doth cease hath accomplished his service 5. For the same anointed which cometh at that time out of heaven with his anointing of the holy Ghost in the spirit and is the very like being of the Godhead it self he is a priest of the most highest higher and greater of dignity then Aaron because he bideth everlastingly and is a minister of the spiritual and heavenly goods in the very true being 6. VVHere now
God was born or brought forth Whereunto all foregoing services with the images figures and shadows do induce and lead and cease therein and wherethrough the true God-service of the spiritual and heavenly goods is nakedly seen known ministred and inherited in full cleerness It is very true 4. NOw when as these forementioned figurative services had had their foregoing till unto Zacharias at which time Herod out of the power of Rome was king over the lands of Iuda so ministred Zacharias the Priest's office at the same time according to the ordinance of Abia that is in such wise as the Father of the Lord would have it or as it pleased him And Zacharias had a wife of the daughters of Aaron named Elisabeth 5. Herod signifieth unto us a Mountain of glory Rome signifieth unto us Puissance or strength These Romans not being out of Iuda but out of the Heathen were in the time of Zacharias lords over the land of Iuda Zacharias signifieth unto us the memory or remembrance of the Lord. Abia the Will of the Lord. Elizabeth the Oath or Covenant of God 6. And when as now Zacharias ministred the Priest's office before God according to the ordinance of Abia and that he burned incense in the Temple of the Lord so remembred the Lord the Oath or Covenant of his promises and sent at the same time his Angel Gabriâ—l 〈◊〉 Zacharias evangelized unto him that Elisabeth his wife should bear him a Son and his name should be called Iohn which name signifieth unto us the grace mercy of the Lord. Angel signifieth unto us a messenger or publisher Gabriel which published the same signifieth unto us the power or strength of God 7. Gabriel witnessed yet further to Zacharias unto thee and unto many people there shall be joy in the birth of Iohn For he shall be great before the Lord c. He shall go before the face of the Lord in the spirit and power of Elias which signifieth unto us in the spirit and power of God the Lord. 8. With these sayings there is made known unto us by the Angel Gabriel that the foregoing of Iohn before the face of the Lord should not chance in figures but according to the true being in the spirit and power of God the Lord in like manner as Zachariis also witnessed of Iohn when he was born read the first of Luke The XVIII Chapter NOw when the Lord had out of the imagelike foregoing after the manner of Aaron brought forth a true foregoer in the spirit and power of God the Lord or obtained him out of Zacharias and Eilzabeth his wife through whom he would begin his work or Office according to the true being so remembred he also his servant David or his beloved service and the oath which he had sworn unto him to wit that his seed should sit upon his seat 2. Whilest then the procreation of the seed of David according to the Genealogie stretched even unto Ioseph which was the right stock of the Kingly seed of David and that he had out of the same house of David a Virgin to wife named Mary which was betrothed unto him so hath the Lord according to his promises also visited the house of David and sent forth from him his Angel Gabriel into a City of Galilee named Nazareth unto the same Virgin Mary which was espoused unto the man Ioseph of the house of David as is abovesaid 3. Galilee signifieth unto us a turning or winding about Nazareth signifieth hallowed Mary a Doctress Ioseph one that is perfect or an exalting or great esteeming of the perfection 4. ANd Gabriel went in unto Mary and when he had saluted her he said unto her thou hast found mercy with God behold thou shalt conceive in the womb and bear a Son and shall call his name JESVS which name signifieth unto us Saviour 5. This same saith Gabriel shall be great be called a Son of the most highest And God the Lord shall give unto him the Seat of his Father David and he shall be a king over the house of Iacob for evermore and of his kingdom there shall be none end 6. When Mary had heard these sayings of Gabriel she askt him how the same should come to pass forasmuch as she knew no man 7. Gabriel answered her and said The holy Ghost shall come down from above out of the height upon thee and the power of the most High shall shine about thee Therefore shall also that holy one which shall be born of thee be called the Son of God 8. And Mary believ'd the word of the Lord and became with childe by the holy Ghost And rejoyced her in God her salvation 9. COnsider ye beloved how that there is shewed unto us and given us to understand through the speeches of the Angel Gabriel which he used with Mary that at the same time when the holy Ghost came through the power of the most high upon the Virgin Mary and procreated the true seed of promise the time of the procreating of the seed of Abraham according to the flesh turned it self about to wit that the holy and true seed of Abraham should not from thenceforth be conceived of the flesh but of the holy Ghost through the power of the most highest in the Belief and that the same should even so be born out of the true faith of Abraham for the seed out of the faith of Abraham and out of the pure Virgin Mary is the true seed of Promise to the blessing of all generations of the earth 10. And thus from that time forth the genealogie of the seed of Abraham according to the flesh ceaâ—ed with the Believers For the upright children of the Belief which had their Descent out of the seed of the faith of Abraham and of the pure Virgin Mary as also from the holy Ghost were known to be the true seed of Abraham because the same seed was the seed of the promise of God the Father and was likewise in his mind according to the spirit the likeness of God his Father also Spirit and spiritual of the godly Nature and Being and according to the will of God wholy minded with God 11. AT the same time when Augustus the Emperor of Rome reigned and had made a stedfast peace in all lands whereover he ruled so caused he a Commandment to go forth from him that all the world should be â—axed every one in his own City 12. In which time Ioseph and Mary journeyed also unto the City of David named Beth-lehem that they might be taxed there seing that they were of the same City of David And even there in Beth-lehem Mary brought forth her first Son 13. Augustus signifieth unto us a great estimation or respecting of the thing that is glorious holy and increasing Beth-lehem an house of Bread 14. AT the same time when Mary had brought forth her first
that likewise the unilluminated inclined their hearts with the ears of their hearing and understanding unto the testimonies of the unregenerated and unrenewed or ungoded men or unsent Preachers which meaned not Christ or had him not in consideration aright nor had kept according to the truth the Pascha with Christ and were not entred through the death of Christ into the everlasting life but out of their own goodthinking or out of their literal knowledge came into the sheep or communalty of the Believers or besides the Church of Christ which were also called of Christ thieves wolves and murderers and of the true prophets false pastors so ceased then likewise with them the true daylie offering or God-service in the holy the incorporating into Christ with his like death and the renewing of the life and mind in Jesu Christ or the procreation of Christ through his light and Spirit and it became over them and over the whole face of the Earth utterly night and dark and through the same darkness the foregoing service which leadeth to the life of Jesus Christ became unknown and there entred in much renting and division among the children of men to wit that many of them became estranged from the truth from the Church of Christ and from the right sense of her services and even so got the abomination of desolation contrary to Christ and the requiring of his doctrine his breaking in over such as were declined or estranged from the true Doctrine of Jesus Christ which leadeth to the new birth of the uprâ—ght mind and Being of Christ. 5. For with all them that turned off and went astray from the Church of Christ and from the right use of her services the Belief of salvation was forsaken and the Scripture was become to them all as a closed book or dark word that was without light For that cause also the service which was administred out of the letter of the Scripture of the unilluminated was as a dead body without soul or as a dead wife which is deceased from her husband and can bring forth no children of life 6. NOw when this true light for the self wisdoms cause of the earthly man which is the darkness against the true light gave no more cleerness upon earth with the off-fallers and estranged from the true belief and that likewise the night or darkness had captived the unbelievers and the estranged from the Church of Christ so obtained then the nature of sin or the childe of the Divel and condemnation that contrary nature or adversary of Christ which is called Antichrist his shape in the inward Temple of the unbelieving and unregenerated men and multiplyed it self even so among many on the earth in the bringing forth of his wicked fruiâ—s 7. Antichrist signifieth unto us a contrary anointing And is an anointing or a freedom either an appeasing of the heart which cometh unto the man when he is separated or estranged from the true Belief of Jesu Christ and from his Church in his inwardness before the coming of the true Christ or anointing of the holy Ghost from the seed of the old serpent or of the Divel Which false anointing that the man taketh on to himself out of the flesh and out of the fleshly wisdom of his goodthinking knowledge as also cut of the seed of the divel and wisdom of the flesh worketh in him a secret resâ—sting and disobedience against the Lord Jesus Christ and his requiring And the same resisting and disobeence is the secret iniquity of Antichrist which the man in his estranging from Christ and his Church cannot well perceive because that he in the separation from Jesu Christ is well contented in his heart with the wisdom of the flesh and even so contrary to the right doctrine of Iesu Christ which hath her ministration to the holy Spirit of Christ and his love on the good life of God liveth boldly against all God's truth in his self wisdom knowledge or scripture learnedness the which is a false freedom and the abomination of desolation against all that which is God God service and Christ or the truth of God 8. BEhold this Antichrist hath exalted himself with his deadly service and fals light of disobedient knowledge against all that which is of God or of the upright Being of Jesus Christ above God and above the true God service and set himself as though he himself were God in the temple of the Lord namely in the inward part of the man wherein the living God with his Christ ought to dwell to live and to walk and hath â—ven so quite and clean abolished or destroyed the Law of the Lord and the true faith in Jesu Christ also driven out and taken away the same from the hearts mindes and thoughts of men and darkned it in them brought the Holy of the house of God into desolation caused the daylie offering in the Holy which is the mortifying of the sin through the death of Christ to cease and even so set the abomination of desolation in the holy place where it ought not to stand 9. Out of which abomination of Desolation which in the secret of the man's inwardness hath increased in all manner of iniquity and abominations till unto this day and obtained the preheminence with many there are risen up many manner spirits of Error and sundry sorts of false hearts of the Scripture learned which have out of the goodthinking of their own spirit and out of their Scripture learnedness as also through their ingeniousness or imagination of the knowledge brought forth manifold false Doctrines wherethrough they seduced the people and estranged them more and more from Christ and his Church and from the new Birth in Jesu Christ. The XXIX Chapter NOw when the Apostates or off-fallers from the safe making faith had set aside the true doctrine of Jesu Christ which taught the Believers of Christ unto all humility and meekness of heart and to the upright Being of the love of Christ and gave them to the ingeniousness of their knowledges and even so with their knowledge set up themselves to be Judges over the testimonies of Christ and his Apostles so clave they â—hen unto the spirits of error and brought in therethrough absurd arguments of Christ and of all that the Scripture speaketh of him or of the spiritual heavenly goods stirred up the hearts of men unto many manner of foolish desireâ— vain or fond knowledges and to manifold false righteousness and chosen holyness and administred even so their own leaven for the bread of life 2. Wherethrough likewise the daily offering in the holy of the true Tabernacle was no more observed according to the true Being with them and their adherents and for that cause also there chansed with them no purging of sins nor pouring forth of the holy Ghost 3. For the imagination of the
spake Behold I make it altogether new The XXXVI Chapter WIth this resurrection of the Lords dead God the Father doth now declare how that he hath chosen us to an house for his dwelling and liveth and walketh in us with his holy ones wherein the Scripture becometh fulfilled in this present day namely in all like as there is witnessed and written of the resurrection of the dead and of the restoring of his house or tabernacle Wherewith God sheweth now unto us that in this present day the time of the restoring of his house is fulfilled whereout the salvation of the people is evermore manifested and Gods true light Word Spirit and life published or preached and whereout also the same shall always and for ever be published and declared to the end that tâ—ey all which have a desire unto the house of the Lord and turne them thereunto mought now according to the word of the Lord be assembled unto the Lords house and walk in his light wherein the Scripture becometh fulfilled in this present day like as there standeth written thereof 2. It shall come to pass in the last time saith the Lord that the hill whereon the house of the Lord is shall be erected and exalted above all hills and all the Gentiles shall run thereunto and much people shall go thither and say Come let us go up to the hill of the Lord to the house of the God of Iacob that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths 3. BEhold where now the Lords house is there is also the holy City of Ierusalem and the hill of Sion Therefore shall now likewise namely where the house or dwelling of the Lord is the law of the Lord proceed out of Sion and his Word out of Ierusalem like as there is written thereof 4. Further Christ saith also touching the house of the Lord Whoso loveth me he will keep my word and my Father will love him We will come unto him and make a dwelling with him 5. Againe Behold the Tabernacle of God is with men And he will dwel with them and they shall be his People and he God himself with them will be their God And God will wash away all teares from their eyes 6. VEâ—ily with all these and in all these wonderful works of God in this holy day of love there is revealed unto us according to the Testimony of the Scripture the promised Kingdome of the seed of David and the seat of the true majesty and the same is also established with us for the righteousness cause even for ever and ever To the end that the same Kingdome of the seed of David and the seat of his Majesty mought indure for ever and ever like as the Scripture witnesseth thereof Wherewith the Lord sheweth and maketh known unto us that the time is now fulfilled and the day come wherein he establisheth his promises and accomplisheth it all which he hath assured or promised in times past unto his servant David that is unto his beloved service wherein the Scripture becometh fulfilled in this present day like as there standeth written 7. I will raise up thy seed saith the Lord to his servant David that shall proceed out of thy body after thee I will make his kingdom to prosper He shall build an house for my Name and I will make the seat of his kingdom prosperous for ever I will be his father and he shall be my son saith the Lord. 8. Again I will keep my goodness towards him for ever and my Covenant shall stand firm unto him I will give him seed perpetually and uphold his seat so long as the heaven endureth 9. Again There shall be a seat prepared through grace or benignity that one may sit thereon in truth in the habitation of David 10. FOr that cause the true seed of Christ the seed of David shall now in this day make manifest it self and come forth in righteousness and shall likewise through us out of this our true ministration of the love spread abroad and publish the Lords righteousness wherein the Scripture becometh fulfilled in this present day like as there standeth written thereof 11. A seed shall serve the Lord The Lord shall be published or declared unto childes childe that is from generation to generation for evermore 12. Again Such as are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God and when also they are old yet shall they blossom and be fresh or in good liking for to declare that the Lord is righteous 13. BEhold ye dearly beloved how that the Scripture becometh now made clear unto us the sealed-to prophecies opened and alâ—o accomplished in this present day And consider likewise how that the God of heaven hath shewed his great love grace and mâ—rcy on us little ones and Gods elect brought the Most holy of his true Tabernacle in his perfect building and gorgeous garnishing to us or in us out of his holy heaven and declared the same to an everlasting manifestation of the perfection of all his works through us upon the earth To the end that his gracious Word which he hath spoken in times past and raised up with us according to his promises mought remâ—in and stand fast with us from henceforth for evermore and the Scripture and all what it witnesseâ—h and requireth perfectly accomplished and this day of love and of salvation of the godly and heavenly clearness which is revealed and come unto us little ones with whom the living God of heaven hath begun his work to bring it to perfection published in all the world and that likewise in the passing thorow with his light the true judgement-seat of Christ before the which every one is debtour to humble himself with naked heart mought in the same day be seen among the People and the true most holy of the true Tabernacle ministred â—verlastingly in his true being in the same day And that even so the mercy-seat of the godly glory with his treasures of the spiritual and heavenly goods may bide and raign to an eternal rest and peace of his holy ones everlastingly on earth like as in heaven according to the promises 14. WHat we had here more to say of the wonderful works of God of his love extended out of grace unto us and of the fulfilling of the word of the Lord and of the Scripture is declared in The glass of righteousness and in more other testimonies of our writings The XXXVII Chapter SEeing then that this most holy and perfectest of the true Tabernacle of God is now come unto us from Gods grace upon the earth and that the living God is declared unto us in his glory so shall now also in this day the most holy be ministred in his true being to an everlasting perfection or consummation of all the works of â—od under the obedience of
love but turneth his heart therefrom he shall become utterly confused in his heart and wax more and more estranged from Christ and have no part with him in this holy day of his coming nor enter into his rest for evermore but obtaine the condemnation which also belongeth rightly unto him with all ungodly whose part shall be with the devil and all wicked spirits with the chains or bands of darkness in the fire of hell 7. They now shall likewise all perish which remaine without Jesus Christ or without the communiality of his love as also such as turn them therefrom 8. For it shall now this say I unto you verily be found in the truth that Jesus Christ is onely the Saviour of his Body and not of them that remaine without him nor which turne them away from him much less to them which despise him and do all their diligence to tread his word of grace which is proffered unto us all out of the service of love to righteousness for to be made living in him under foot deriding the same and blaspheamor dishonouring the spirit of grace 9. COnsider on the testimonies of the Scripture ye dearly beloved how that Jesus Christ is in this day onely the Saviour of his Body For thus there standeth written of him He shall save his People from their sins But not the strangers which remaine without him 10. Again He shall gather the wheat into his barn and burn the chaffe with everlasting fre 11. Again the Lord Jesus Christ himself saith Every vine-branch of mine which bringeth forth no fruit shall be cut off 12. Again The world shall see me no more but ye saith the Lord Jesus Christ to his members shall see me For I live and ye shall live 13. Again The firstling which is risen from the death is Christ after that They that belong unto Christ or that are of his members namely of his Flesh and Spirit which make manifest themselves in the time of the coming of Christ in his majesty and after that cometh the end 14. Thereof speaketh Isaiah also saying to the Lord whenas he saw into the hardness or obstinancy of the People which should be upon earth in the last time Thy dead that is those which are deceased in the Lord shall live and arise with the Body Take it to heart The XLII Chapter HErewith ye dearly beloved will we conclude for this time I suppose that this groundly instruction and inconfutable declaration is sufficient for to satisfie throughly all understandings which love the truth and to make known unto every one in his understanding that this same which is declared unto us and becometh administred and published unto you all is the Lords work and that the Scripture must even so become fulfilled in all what is written of Christ. 2. Whosoever now therefore hath any good willingness towards God for to do his will he shall well consider and understand that these testimonies are no manly knowledges but are proceeded from God and that they have their service hereunto for to pluck all good-willing hearts in the unity of the love of Christ with us little ones and God his elect under the grace of life and hand of God which is appeared unto us now in the last time to an everlasting and stedfast peace upon the earth according to the promises 3. For that cause to the end that it may now all be fulfilled in Christ what is written and evangelized in times past of him all hearts which love the truth and also all men are now called on the behalf of the Lord our God with this or through the service of love unto the love the most soveraigne majesty of God our Father To the end that they all mought now assemble them to their preservation in this perilous time with us under the obedience of the Love unto the true Body of Jesu Christ and so we to become incorporated with each other in all love into Christ to one man of God 4. COnsider now rightly ye dearly beâ—oved whereto and wherefore the man is summoned or required to come unto the majesty of God and obediently admitted into the service of love and wherefore the man is also debtour ☞ wholly to give over himself unto the Lord in the service of his love namely even herefore that the Lord mought have his dwelling and work in the man and the man to live upright and peaceably in all Love with God and his neighbour and so inherit under the obedience of the love the spiritual and heavenly Goods and the everlasting life 5. But if now the man will not do so and that if he refuse the Lord and to give over himself under his gratious word and the testimonies of the holy Spirit of love So robbeth he God of his and keepeth back from him that which belongeth unto him and cannot therefore behold the lovely countenance of the Lord in his naked clearness for evermore 6. But happy is he which is humble of heart and hath bent his desire to the Lord and to the holy word of the heavenly truth and standeth even so obediently submitted to the holy and gratious word of the heavenly truth and to the requiring of his service of love and assembleth him to the people of the Lord. For he shall behold with a pure heart the glo-of God and live everlastinlgy 7. BEhold hereto whereunto also all people are now in repentance for their sins called and bidden was the man created the blessing of all generations of the earth promised the Law given through Moses the Evangely preached in times past through Christ and is now also in the last time in the glorious power of God to an introduction into the same published and spread abroad through the holy Spirit of the love of Christ in all the world 8. Whosoever now then forsaketh himself and giveth over himself obediently in Jesu Christ the gracious word of the Lord he becometh now admitted or received in Jesu Christ and in the obedience of his requiring 9. The Lord grant us all mercy and hearts of understanding for to understand the clearness of this holy Evangelie and a willing Spirit for to give over our selves humbly and obediently unto the gracious Word of the Lord and unto the service of his holy Spirit of love to all unity of heart in the Love Amen So be it 10. FInally yee dearly beloved ye all unto whom these our writings out of love come to hand and are brought in writing to an assistance and leading into our unity of heart in the love my desire is to every one in several that he after he hath perused and diligently read the testimonies of these writings this Publishing of the grace of life and these groundly instructions and advisedly considered the requiring of those sâ—me write
ordinance or law which requireth the upright Righteousness and the entrance into the single minded and upright being of Abel which is an other seed or birth of God that is ordained or set for Abel or in the place of the breath of God and this is the true law of the Lord wherethrough it is set or ordained that the upright being of Abel should remain in memory till unto the perfection of the upright being of God which had gotten his beginning in Abel after the mans faling away 4. Howbeit although that many abode not according to the example of the Simplicity of Abel in the right stock and ordinance of Seth but followed their own goodthinking Yet hath there notwithstanding always a seed which was the right stock of Seth and had regard unto the simplicity of Abel remained over which walked upright before God till unto Noah which name signifieth unto us a ceasing or rest 5. This Noah lived uprightly before God and walked with his whose household in the upright ways of his Fathers but all other people which were not of the house of Noah or of the stock of Seth forsook the example of the simplicity of Abel and also the right ordinance of the life which was set or adjoyned thereunto through the seed of Seth. 6. Also they would not give any ear nor credit unto the word of truth through the Preacher Noah for to turn them about to the State or simplicity of the child of Abel by which occasion they could noâ— enter into the rest nor yet remaine alive with the righteous Noah 7. Therefore hath God extended his mercy upon Noah and chosen him with his houshold to a remnant upon earth and stretched out his indignation over all other people whose hearts stood not submitted to the turning about to become as Children nor to the word of truth 8. And the Lord gathered together through Noah all the souls which should main alive and they entred with Noah into the Ark of the Lord. 9. Ark signifieth unto us a Chist or Casket wherein one shuteth up somthing that he will keep close or in secret 10. And all what remained without the Ark that did the Lord cause to perish through the Deluge or Universal floud which fell upon them and took them quite away and so there came upon the earth an end of all flesh Deluge signifieth unto us a pouring over with water 11. Now when as Noah with his houshold was remained over so were there many generations and people born upon the earth out of the Children of Noah for to replenish the earth again But certain of the same generations remained not like unto Sem in the right stock of Noah out of Seth but brake or turned them off from the same and from the ordinance and Doctrine of the same stock and implanted them into a forrain stock and practised even so out of the subtill Industry of their forrain stock wiliness and craft or guile like as the decliners always do which turn them away from the stock or doctrine of their leader and follow their own spirit 12. These generations or progenies of Noah multiplyed them into many heathen or people upon the earth But many of them which persisted not in the stock of Noah and Sem have not understood the mind councel and word of the Lord nor the mistery of his work much less then essentially known the same but have followed their own councel mind and will according to the imagination of their good-thinking wisdom Wherethrough also they turned wholy and altogether to themselves and sought not to hâ—nour to exalt or magnifie any other thing but themselves and their own name 13. Through which addicting of them unto their selfness they practised their subtilty and iâ—geniousness purposing to set up a memorial of their name and would therefore make them a great strength or fortress 14. Now when as they had mingled their understandings together hereunto so begun they this work with one manner of speech mind and purpose and they applyed them boldly thereunto for to accomplish in such wise the same whose purpose of work and one manner of speech the Lord through his word intangled and scattered abroad the same people in all lands and the place of their work was named Babel which signifieth unto us confusion or a Commixture that is intangled with each other 15. Behold ye dearly beloved hereout may we perceive which was the seed of Seth that upright stock For all what desired to honour and exalt God and to magnifie his name as also walked uprightly before God in all respects like unto Seth which is the second seed in the place of Abel that was the seed of Seth according to the example of the simplicity of Abel wherein God had a good pleasure 16. But who so turned them away from the right ways and loved themselves and their own honour those were fallen away or broken off from their upright stock and became implanted into a forrain one and brought forth a strange seed and strange fruits which strange seed or fruits God knew not 17. But the right stock remained in his upright state whose seed like unto Abel walked evermore uprightly before God in such wise that God hath had there through continually a light in the stock of Seth and the righteousness a seed upon earth which light of God and seed of righteousness went not out nor decayed or failed not but increased in more cleerness and perfecter righteousness till unto this perfect light and absolute righteousness which is the very like being of God himself 18. BEhold In such sort hath this upright seed in the light and righteousness of his God had his procreation to righteousness and life upâ—n the earth namely from Seth the second seed in the place of Abel till unto Noah and Sem. 19. From Noah and Sem until Abraham Isaac and Iacob which Iacob whom God named Israel begat the tweâ—ve Fathers of Israel out of the which God chose him Iudah 20. From Iudah unâ—il David the King of Israel and Iudah 21. From David the King until Zorobabel in the Captivity of Babylon 22. From Zorobabel until Ioseph which had a Virgin to wife out of the same stock of David named Mary of whom JESVS CHRIST the Consummation of all the works of God and the perfect light of the godly cleerness was born or brought forth Of this we will treat more at large hereafter 23. WHat we now had here more to say of Abel Cain Seâ—h and Noah and of the stock of the upright seed of the multiplying of the heathen and of the building of Babel is declared in the Glass of Righteousness The VI. Chapter AMong all these generations Nations and people or heathen which were sprung â—ut of the tribes of Noah the upright stock of Noah and Sem hath always walked