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
ordinance or law which requireth the upright Righteousness and the entrance into the single minded and upright being of Abel which is an other seed or birth of God that is ordained or set for Abel or in the place of the breath of God and this is the true law of the Lord wherethrough it is set or ordained that the upright being of Abel should remain in memory till unto the perfection of the upright being of God which had gotten his beginning in Abel after the mans faling away 4. Howbeit although that many abode not according to the example of the Simplicity of Abel in the right stock and ordinance of Seth but followed their own goodthinking Yet hath there notwithstanding always a seed which was the right stock of Seth and had regard unto the simplicity of Abel remained over which walked upright before God till unto Noah which name signifieth unto us a ceasing or rest 5. This Noah lived uprightly before God and walked with his whose household in the upright ways of his Fathers but all other people which were not of the house of Noah or of the stock of Seth forsook the example of the simplicity of Abel and also the right ordinance of the life which was set or adjoyned thereunto through the seed of Seth. 6. Also they would not give any ear nor credit unto the word of truth through the Preacher Noah for to turn them about to the State or simplicity of the child of Abel by which occasion they could noâ— enter into the rest nor yet remaine alive with the righteous Noah 7. Therefore hath God extended his mercy upon Noah and chosen him with his houshold to a remnant upon earth and stretched out his indignation over all other people whose hearts stood not submitted to the turning about to become as Children nor to the word of truth 8. And the Lord gathered together through Noah all the souls which should main alive and they entred with Noah into the Ark of the Lord. 9. Ark signifieth unto us a Chist or Casket wherein one shuteth up somthing that he will keep close or in secret 10. And all what remained without the Ark that did the Lord cause to perish through the Deluge or Universal floud which fell upon them and took them quite away and so there came upon the earth an end of all flesh Deluge signifieth unto us a pouring over with water 11. Now when as Noah with his houshold was remained over so were there many generations and people born upon the earth out of the Children of Noah for to replenish the earth again But certain of the same generations remained not like unto Sem in the right stock of Noah out of Seth but brake or turned them off from the same and from the ordinance and Doctrine of the same stock and implanted them into a forrain stock and practised even so out of the subtill Industry of their forrain stock wiliness and craft or guile like as the decliners always do which turn them away from the stock or doctrine of their leader and follow their own spirit 12. These generations or progenies of Noah multiplyed them into many heathen or people upon the earth But many of them which persisted not in the stock of Noah and Sem have not understood the mind councel and word of the Lord nor the mistery of his work much less then essentially known the same but have followed their own councel mind and will according to the imagination of their good-thinking wisdom Wherethrough also they turned wholy and altogether to themselves and sought not to hâ—nour to exalt or magnifie any other thing but themselves and their own name 13. Through which addicting of them unto their selfness they practised their subtilty and iâ—geniousness purposing to set up a memorial of their name and would therefore make them a great strength or fortress 14. Now when as they had mingled their understandings together hereunto so begun they this work with one manner of speech mind and purpose and they applyed them boldly thereunto for to accomplish in such wise the same whose purpose of work and one manner of speech the Lord through his word intangled and scattered abroad the same people in all lands and the place of their work was named Babel which signifieth unto us confusion or a Commixture that is intangled with each other 15. Behold ye dearly beloved hereout may we perceive which was the seed of Seth that upright stock For all what desired to honour and exalt God and to magnifie his name as also walked uprightly before God in all respects like unto Seth which is the second seed in the place of Abel that was the seed of Seth according to the example of the simplicity of Abel wherein God had a good pleasure 16. But who so turned them away from the right ways and loved themselves and their own honour those were fallen away or broken off from their upright stock and became implanted into a forrain one and brought forth a strange seed and strange fruits which strange seed or fruits God knew not 17. But the right stock remained in his upright state whose seed like unto Abel walked evermore uprightly before God in such wise that God hath had there through continually a light in the stock of Seth and the righteousness a seed upon earth which light of God and seed of righteousness went not out nor decayed or failed not but increased in more cleerness and perfecter righteousness till unto this perfect light and absolute righteousness which is the very like being of God himself 18. BEhold In such sort hath this upright seed in the light and righteousness of his God had his procreation to righteousness and life upâ—n the earth namely from Seth the second seed in the place of Abel till unto Noah and Sem. 19. From Noah and Sem until Abraham Isaac and Iacob which Iacob whom God named Israel begat the tweâ—ve Fathers of Israel out of the which God chose him Iudah 20. From Iudah unâ—il David the King of Israel and Iudah 21. From David the King until Zorobabel in the Captivity of Babylon 22. From Zorobabel until Ioseph which had a Virgin to wife out of the same stock of David named Mary of whom JESVS CHRIST the Consummation of all the works of God and the perfect light of the godly cleerness was born or brought forth Of this we will treat more at large hereafter 23. WHat we now had here more to say of Abel Cain Seâ—h and Noah and of the stock of the upright seed of the multiplying of the heathen and of the building of Babel is declared in the Glass of Righteousness The VI. Chapter AMong all these generations Nations and people or heathen which were sprung â—ut of the tribes of Noah the upright stock of Noah and Sem hath always walked
then did Iosue circumcise again all the males And the children of Israel took in with forcible hand all the whole land 2. And thus in process of time they brought the people in sujection and had many battels against their enemies until David the king of the Tribe of Iudah which vanquished and subdued in battel the enemies of Israel and of the Lord with all his own enemies wherethrough his son Salomon inherited the Kingdom of Israel in peace sate upon the seat of David his Father and ruled the whole land and the people of Israel through the Godly wisdom peaceably and judged them uprightly 3. This David was exceedingly beloved of the Lord in such wise that the Lord said that he had found a man according to his own heart And the Lord nameth him also in certain places of the Scripture my servant David the which signifieth unto us my service which is lovely 4. BEhold this righteous plant of David hath the God of heaven raised up by us now in the last time like as the Lord promised the same according to the Scriptures and hath ordained him in this day of his love to be a ruler which shall govern wisely He shall set up judgement and Righteousness again upon earth that Iuda may now in this time be hopen and Israel dwel undismayed or without fear For his seed shall stand from henceforth before the Lord and sit upon the seat of David for evermore like as there is written thereof 5. Behold this covenant hath the Lord made thus in times past with his servant David and sworn to keep the same with him for evermore 6. But now when as Salomon which is the right seed of his Father David hath inheriâ—ed in peace the Kingdom of Israel and the seat of David his Father so builded he at the same time an house or temple within Ierusalem unto the name of the Lord and also an house for himself which was the house of Salomon and all lands and people humbled them under Salomon and his godly wisdom 7. Salomon signifieth unto us peaceable or one which is rich of peace Ierusalem signifieth unto us a vision of peace or of perfâ—ction 8. O Ye dearly beloved consider here the Mysterie of the works of God and the providence of his unsearchable wisdom and behold in the Jmages and figures what they shew forth unto us 9. Verily they will now in this day of love express some singular thing unto us and declare in this last time a great mysterie For in this day they make known unto us that it all which they signifie or whereof they give their cleerness shall now in this last time be erected according to the true being and fulfilled or accomplished according to the heavenly truth 10. But in all this former beauty and in the garnishing of the images and figures wherewith the Lord trained or informed he children of Israel that they might thereout know or understand the very true so served they at that time not the very true which God required out of the imagelike or figurative services but they served the images and figures and were subject to the service of the Levitical Priesthood after the order of Aaron Which service increased alwaies in glory to the multiplying and greater respecting of the righteousness 11. NOw after that Salomon was fallen asleep and buried with his Fathers so rented then the Kingdom of the children of Israel into two parts and ten Tribes of Israel fell away from the house of David and chose unto themselves another king named Ieroboam which name signifieth unto us an assaulting or a tempting of the People 12. Through this king which reigned over the ten Tribes of Israel they departed away from Ierusalem from the Temple of Salomon and from the services of the Priests after the order of Aaron and set up for themselves services and images at Beth-el and Dan and so brought the holy places into desolation They instituted Priests also which were not of the Tribe of Levi out of Aaron wherewith they observed the services falsly and did that which displeased the Lord and were for that cause at the last vanquished by the king Salmanaser which came from Assyria and by him led away out of the land and are yet estranged from the same even unto this same day in which the Lord will presently bring them again to their heritage and to the house of David 13. Beth-el signifieth unto us the house of God and Dan the judgement 〈◊〉 coming from Assyria signifieth unto uâ— a peace bound or knit together proceeding from the snares or sins which one â—ayeth to such a purpose or wherewith 〈…〉 assaulted or tempted like as their first king Ieroboam had brought in the same 14. What we had here more to say of the children of Israel of their disobedience against the Lord wherethrough they in times past remained without the rest of their uncircumcision or which is the uncircumcision of heart of Israel's casting out and how long they shall abide cast out from the Lord as also when they shall be restored or set up again is declared in the Glasâ— of Righteousness The XVI Chapter BUt the Stock of David and all what was of the Tribe of Iuda and Benjamin kept themselves together and held them unto the services of the Priesthood out of Levi according to the ordinance of Aaron like as the Lord had commanded the same which they observed at Ierusalem in the house of the Lord prepared by Salomon 2. Howbeit the tribes of Iuda and Benjamin sinned against the Lord and estranged them even so through a confusion or commixture unto intanglement from his law and from the requiring of the same wherethrough the Lord gave them over also at the last into the hands of the King Nabuchodonosor coming from Babel the which signifieth unto us a sighing or heaviness through strictness proceeding from a confusion or from a commixture which hath intangled or snared it self in it self 3. This Nabuchodonosor of Babel utterly destroyed the temple of the Lord which Salomon had builded and burned the same and Salomon's house also he brake down the wals of Ierusalem and carryed away all the vessels of silver and gold which were in the house of the Lord and the most part of the Citizens of Ierusalem into Babylon Wherethrough the government of their King of Iuda with their Psalms Songs and Mirth was utterly laid down the house of the Lord brought in desolation and the City of Ierusalem as a ruinated City made to heaps of stones Whereover Ieremy in his Lamentations greatly sighed wayled and wept 4. NOw when the tribes of Iuda were led away into Babylon so must they then for their sins or confusions cause wherein they had mingled and bewrapped themselves together serve there the King Nabuchodonosor 5. But after that or after the end
sung from everlasting to everlasting and wherein all minds of pure hearts do dwell live and walk with freedome and Christian triumph in all love 5. THis great day-light of the most high God hath presently in his righteous Judgement shined about us Which great grace and mercy is chanced unto us for that we should publish the true Evangelie of the Kingdom of the same light in all the world for a witness unto all people and to peace and joy as also to an eternal mercifulness or pitying of the servants of the Lord or of all them that seek the Lord that the Scriptures mought become fulfilled and all such as remember the Lord be assembled in the body of Christ unto this his seat of the righteous judgement and to his Most holy of the true Tabernacle or house of his dwelling and not for our sake nor for any mans righteousness cause 6. For even so in all such sort as God hath now made manifest his wonderful work upon the earth must the Scripture be fulfilled his Most holy declared to an everlasting true and perfect light and evangelized or published in all the world to an everlasting rest and peace of his holy ones 7. For I say unto you verily that the Lord hath wrought this wonderful work of his love extended on us out of his grace for his own sake for to make his holy Name now in the last time according to his promises great and glorious in all Lands and so to declare his truth and righteousness upon the earth to shew his true God-service to consecrate or hallow again the Holy of his true Tabernacle which hath a long time utterly lain waste with many abominations through his gracious word and service of Love out of the light of the Most holy and to set up again the daily offering which hath also ceased a long time for the abomination of desolations cause To the end that the same mought be ministred in his upright Service like as in times past to the purging and forgiveness of sins 8. EVen thus would tâ—e Lord let his Word of life be heard now in the last time upon earth that his promises mought be â—stablished the hungry souls satisfied with righteousness the Scripture fulfilled in all what God hath spoken through the Spirit of his Prophets and of his Christ and the man which hath utterly corrupted his understanding with the knowledge made safe and blessed out of his grace according to the promises The XXXV Chapter BEhold ye dearly beloved how that now in this present day the Scripture becometh fulfilled in all what it mentioneth of Christ of his seed and of the coming of his glory 2. Which coming of Christ in his glory like as the same was in times past published unto the heathen and also believed of them God hath now in the last time declared among the Heathen and shewed mercy on the Heathen before all other that the whole earth mought be filled with his glory like as there is written thereof As truly as I live saith the Lord the whole world shall be filled with the glory of God 3. Further saith the Lord through Esdras They that have not heard me shall notwithstanding believe me or put their trust in me and they to whom I have shewed no tokens shall do the thing that I command them They have seen no Prophets yet shall they call their unrighteousness to remembrance Therefore witness I mercy saith the Lord unto the People which are to come whose babes or little children rejoyce them with gladness And although they see me not with bodily eys yet believe they in the Spirit the thing that I say I will give unto them the Dukedom of Abraham Isaac and Iacob and of the Prophets 4. Further through Isaiah The Lord will display or set up a Banner far-abroad among the Heathen and allure them from the ends of the earth 5. Againe through Ezekiel I will bring my glory among the Heathen that all Heathen may see my Judgement that I have kept and my hand which I have stretched out over them to the end that the hous of Israel may thereby know that I the Lord am their God even from this day forth for evermore 6. Again over Israel O thou Daughter of Israel I will build thee again that thou shalt be firm and sure 7. Againe The habitations of Israel are very goodly For they are like broad valleys as the well-watered Gardens by the Rivers and as the Tabernacles which the Lord stablisheth even like the Cedars planted by the water side There shall water flow forth out of his bucket and his seed shall be a great water 8. BEhold In this present day is this Scripture fulfilled and according to the testimony of the Scripture the raising up and resurrection of the Lords dead cometh also to pass presently in this same day through the apearing of the coming of Christ in his Majesty Which resurrection of the dead seeing that the same is come unto us from Gods grace we do likewise in this present day to an Evangely or joyful Message of the Kingdom of God and Christ publish in all the world under the obedience of the love 9. In which resurrection of the dead God sheweth unto us that the time is now fulfilled that his dead or the dead which are fallen asleep in the Lord rise up in this day of his judgement and appear unto us in godly glory which shall also from hencefoâ—th live in us everlastingly with Christ and reign upon the earth wherein the Scripture becometh fulfilled in this present day like as there standeth written thereof 10. The Lord shall judge his people and he will have mercy on his servants or ministers For he shall behold that their power faileth them 11. Again The Lord slayeth and maketh alive he leadeth into hell and bringeth thereout again 12. The Lord maketh poor and rich he humbleth and exalteth 13. He lifteth up the needy out of the dust and exalteth the poor out of the mire that he mought set him among the Princes and let him inherit the seat of honour 14. Further the Lord saith touching his dead I will not contend for ever nor be always angry but there shall a spirit or winde blowe from my face and I will make breath 15. Again Christ speaketh touching him which believeth in him I will raise him again in the last day 16. Again The Lord hath appointed a day in which he will judge the compass or circuit of the earth with righteousness through one man in whom he hath decreed it which holdeth forth the Belief before every one inasmuch as God hath raised him from the death 17. Again There shall be no more death sorrow wailing nor pain for the first is passed by And he which sate upon the seat
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
uprâ—ghtly before God 2. Whose Children also went forth evermore in all Simplicity and righteousness according to the example of the simplicity of Abel and after the manner of Seâ—h Noah and Sâ—â— till unto Abram which name signifieth unto us Old Father or a glorious Fâ—â—her to wiâ— one which hath attained or is grown up to the old age of the true and hâ—ly understanding and therefore is meet to take him a wife and to beget Children for to nourish them up also unto such an old age to the end that there might continually be found upright Fathers and Elders of the holy understanding which multiplyed them into such an upright and holy generations in all fruifulness to many thouâ—ands on the earth Abram was also by the Lord named Abraham which signifieth unto us a Father of many people 3. THis Abram which dwelled with his generations among the heathen and lived and walked uprightly according to the stock of his Fathers was indued with understanding above or more than all other people or heathen both in the godly wisdom and in the heathenish prudence 4. Whilst now his wisdom was born out of the right stock of Seth Noah and Sem and far excelled the wisdom of the world or the understanding of the heathen and that he even so had regard unto the upright being of God and the simplicity of Abel and walked in the upright righteousness of his Fathers so was it also given him to understand the secretness of the works of God Wherethrough he knew how to distinct or divide the form of the everlasting and unchangeable being of the supream Godhead from the form of the elementish things and the word which proceedeth or hath his out flowing out of the living and almighty God from the word of men which proceedeth out of the mans ingeniousnes or imagination of the knowledge 5. In the same time of Abraham the whilest that he dwelled among the heathen God had not upon earth any written services or Ceremonies nor Temple or Tabernacle wrought with mens hands And all generations of the earth or heathen which were not of the right stock of the holy Fathers walked in the seperation from God in the cursing And God had compassion on all the generations of the earth which for their ignorances cause and estranging from God must bear the cursing 6. For that cause God chose him Abram and called him out of the Nations of the Heathen as the principallest among all people which was in the godly understanding and in the simplicity of Abel according to the manner or ordinance of Seth Noah and Sem neerest unto God for to understand the Lord his word and will through whom God would take in hand and set forth some singulâ—r thing to the blessing of al the generations of the Heathen 7 And the Lord spake unto Abram go out of thy Native Country from thy kindred and from thy Fathers horse and â—ourney into a land that I will shew thee And I will make of thee a great people I will bless thee and make thee a great Name and thou shalt be a blessing I will bless them that bless thee and curse them that curse thee For in thee shall all generations of the â—arth be blessed 8. Consider here now ye beloved how that the Lord calleth and leadeth thâ— wisdom of the holy understanding out of the foolishness of the heathen and his elected stock or upright Olive tree out of all wild or unfruitfull Olive trees for to plant the same and his seed in a good land that it may continually bring forth convenient fruits unto the Lord to the intent that the strange sprouts grown out of the wilde Olive trees might even so be cut off and graffed into this upright Olive tree and bring forth good fruits out of the sap or growing of the upright Olive tree For in suchsort would God make Abram great that he might also be named Abraham and a father of many heathen according to the promises 9. Even thus doth the Scripture testifie unto us that God himself would make Abraham great and not that Abraham in the promises which were made unto him should make himself great or multiply him into many people but that it should all come to pass in such wise as the Lord had promised him the same like as there standeth written I saith the Lord will make of thee a great people I will increase thy seed This is the Lord his own work and not mans 10. Now when as Abraham had heard the word of the Lord and understood the mind or will of God so beleeved or trusted he the Lord in his word and that was â—ounted unto him for righteousness For in all this same Abraham stood wholy given over and was with all single mindedness obedient unto the Lord in his requiring without surmising any evil cogitations there over or making any suspition of the knowledge touching the same The VII Chapter BUt when as now Abraham dwelled in the land which the Lord had shewed him and promised unto his seed for an everlasting possession and that the promises to the Salvation of the heathen were freely given unto him so hath God furthermore with his godly wisdom dealt very prudently with Abraham and his seed that is God hath at all times revealed unto Abraham and to the right stock of his seed in naked cleerness how that he is an eternal and living God and which are according to the truth his upright laws Institutions and rites and of what maner or which is the upright house or the true Seat Temple or Tabernacle for his holy dwelling 2. Of which true Tabernacle the Lord hath prepared or builded the forefront in his true being to a dwelling for his glory and to the blessing of all men by the Fathers Abraham Isaac and Iacob on the earth namely in the Circumcision which God hath ordained or set for an everlasting covenant between him and Abraham and his seed 3. This true forefront of the Sanctuary of God which God hath prepared or builded in his Covenant of Circumcision is the true fear of God through which fear of God the foreskin of the sinful flesh was cut off or laid away from the hearts of Abraham's houshold and thus they became seperated from al iniquity and from al disorder of the heathen or uncircumcised for to serve even so the living God alone in his sincere righteousness and godliness 4. For that cause to the end that all they of Abraham's houshold should always serve the living God alone in the fear of God so was the Lord his true Covenant of Circumcision to an everlasting and stedfast covenant made thus with Abraham that the foreskin of all them that be born in the houshold of Abraham and are manly should be cut away from their flesh 5. Behold this Covenant of Circumcision would God that Abraham and his seed after him
should bear to a Covenant of God in their flesh for evermore 6. And even so God made through his Covenant of Circumcision that there should be always a difference had and known betwixt Abraham and his seed and the other heathen or uncircumcised people Which Covenant of Circumcision God made with Abraham when he had called him out of the heatheâ—ship and shewed him the land of promise to an everlasting Inheritance for his seed which should bear the same Covenant in their flesh 7. VErily this Covenant of God of the Circumcision which God hath set for an everlasting Covenant betwix him and Abraham and his seed in their flesh giveth us presently in this day a great cleerâ—ess of his true being of the upright Circumcision in our hearts and teacheth or sheweth us the whilst we are captived with the heathâ—nship either implanted into the heathenship and bear yet the foreskin of the sinful flesh before our hearts the departing from all heathenish being and from all ungodliness or uncircumcision of all fleshly minds as also the entrance into the fear of God whereout the right wisdom doth spring and how we shall go forth therein till unto the mortifying of all fleshly minds through the obedience of the requiring of the godly word and his service 8. This is verily the upright Circumcision which cometh to pass without the help of mens hands and which is the everlasting and stedfast Covenant between God and Abraham and his seed Through which true circumcision the upright seed of Abraham which is of the faith of Abraham is easily to be known from the uncircumcised heathen or unbeleevers 9. For the right stock of the seed of Abraham bear the same upright Circumcision for an everlasting Covenant of their God in their flesh to a token and testimony of their upright Righteousness and also that the God of Abraham is their God and they his eâ—ected people 10. HEre out may we perceive ye beloved that the laying away of the sin in the flesh is the upright Circumcision which God regardeth and that the same maketh the right difference betwixt the circumcised and uncircumcised or betwixt them that fear God and them that fear not God For they that fear not God and are not of the right stock or of the faith of Abraham or else that have turned them away therefrom and yet nevertheless boast them to be the seed of Abraham those can well bear the circumcision outwardly on their flesh but not as Abraham inwardly in the flesh 11. Therefore there is not as concerning the Righteousness according to the inward man any difference at all betwixt such Circumcised which bear no more but the circumcision outwardly on their flesh and the uncircumcised heathen but they are both alike under the sin 12. For the laying away of the sin in the flesh which is the upright Circumcision maketh unto us the right difference betwixt the seed of Abraham and the brutish or Uncircumcised Heathen even as there is said 13. Which Circumcised of heart bear God his true covenant of circumcision in their flesh and express even so through their upright Conversation in the fear of God that God hath called them out of the heathenship as also led them into the forefront of his true tabernacle and planted them in his Sanctuary 14. And this token of the true covenant of God namely the circumcision on the foreskin of the heart which is the laying away of the sin in the flesh and the walking in the fear of God is not left by the right seed of Abraham but observed according to the word of the Lord for evermore 15. COnsider then unto all those that are in such like of the right stock of Abraham or of his seed and faith and bide stedfast therein it is given to understand the mistery of the work of God which God always taketh in hand and atchieveth with Abraham and with his right seed of the belief 16 But unto them that are therewithout and also unto all that fall away from the stock of Abraham or his belief either turn them therefrom and cleave unto any strange belief which Abraham hath not known or that bind themselves without the Righteousness of the faith of Abraham on any self-wisdom mens good thinking Scripture learnedness or on the Imagination of their own knowledge all things chance in similitudes figures or images which they also honour serve and greatly esteem but of the mystery of the true being they know not any thing at all 17. Therefore it is all unto them a dark speech or Parable and a closed book which no man of all their wise Seers nor Prophets or Teachers can read much less understand or comprehend the Contents of the same 18. WHat we had here more to say of the departing out of the heathenship of the Gelatenheyt or free giving over of the upright Circumcision of the forefront of the true Tabernacle of God of the difference betwixt the seed of Abraham and the heathen and of the closed book which is a book of life is rehearsed with larger declaration in the Glass of Righteousness The VIII Chapter ABraham which was indued with understanding in the godly wisdom hath to a memorial of the godly works of God and of the things which are right and reasonable to the Serviceableness of his houshold or of the posterity after him brought forth writings or letters wherein he witnessed or figured forth before them the righteousness of the upright being for a seal on their hearts to his end that the posterity the whilst they were yet young in the holy understanding and understood not the upright being might have the Lord his word Institutions and rites and the events or things chanched concerning his wonderful works figured forth in the letter and remember those same and might even so with the service of the letter be served nourished up and sustained in all good discipline nurture and equity for to deal with that which is right and reasonable until that the old age of the perfect wisdom and Righteousness came unto them the which is the true light of Christ or the heavenly truth whereunto Moses the law and the Prophets of God do lead and which cometh unto al the elect of God from on high in their spirit wherein it is given unto them as to the children of God to understand the mystery of the works of God 2. Therefore Abraham which walked and lived in the light or day of â—hrist whereon all Scriptures given by inspiration of God do witness and had a lust unto the seed of promise to the blessing of all generations of the earth held him stedfastly by the belief the true Testament whereout he hoped to obtain the seed of Promise to the blessing of all generations of the earth 3. Which true Testament namely
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
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
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
wish much grace and Salvation in the Lord here have I endeavoured me to express and signifie unto you all out of our most holy service of love the counsel mind and will of God whereunto every one is debtour to humble and to submit himself obediently also Gods wonderfull work with his holy ones which the wicked world hath never known nor understood and which also bideth alwayes and for ever hidden or secret before the same and the declaration of the foregoing services of God and how that they all lead and have their ministration unto the service of love which is ministred out of the most holy of the true Tabernacle of God thus largely and in the most simple manner and each ones service briefly and with few words to an assistance and introduction unto those heavenly things which shall yet in their manifestation of clearness in the Spirit be seen and spoken of in the most perfect manner 2. For thereunto do we under the obedience of the love shew forth our service namely towards all them that God stirreth into our way and that assemble them unto us which also love the truth of the declaration of the true God-services and Christian Ceremonies and desire to accomplish the requiring of those same To the end that they all which seek after the truth of Jesu Christ and read or hear these godly testimonies of our writings mought be somewhat furthered with this assistance or hand-teaching to the knowledge of the truth of Jesu Christ and that the true God-services and Ceremonies which lead unto the godliness mought be in their upright use and whereto each ones God-service reacheth seen into and understood of them according to the truth and that likewise the unilluminated and unregenerated men mought then even so understand and know that they ought not through any taking out of the knowledge of the Scripture nor through any knowledge which ariseth in their hearts to set forth to preach nor to teach any services nor Ceremonies wherewith doubtless they seduce themselves and other moe but that they ought first humbly to turn them unto the Word of grace to submit them obediently under the service of love wherein the true light cometh with full clearness to give eare and credit to the same and to accomplish his requiring For in the same service every one shall receive good resolution and instruction how for to come to the new birth in Jesus Christ and to what manner of accomplishment the services and Ceremonies ought to be used and obeyed in their right use 3. And thereto and to the unity of heart in the love is likewise all my service chieffest unto all lovers of the truth That they all which love the truth mought now come-somewhat nearer unto us in the holy understading and be concordably minded with us under the obedience of the love to the unity of the heart in Jesu Christ and become assembled unto us and that they should then even so so much the better understand the holy mind of our God the true service of love wherein God the most highest hath comprehended us and the heavenly truth witnessed in The glass of righteousness and administred out of love in this declaration 4. FOr that cause my desire is unto you all which read and hear these our writings that ye will diligently revolve in minde and throughly measure our upright and undeceiveable service shewed on you and the ground of this same and have an inspection and consideration with pure devotion unto God upon the understanding of every particular sentence and whereunto the same serveth to the lightning of our understanding And take even so good heed unto the hearty mercifulness of God shewed on you through the service of love 5. For out of grace undeserved is this mystery of the works of God uncovered unto you all which love the truth and presently in this day of love is the Evangely of the Kingdome which is breathed on and brought unto us now in the last time out of of the word of grace and out of the Spirit of the living God to the procreating of the living souls of Sion published or evangelized in these perilous times to the Salvation and Preservation of you all To the end that you mought now in the last time be led out from the wicked world and from her perverse generations be released from all conceited opinions which the man taketh to him out of the knowledge of the Scripture and have your communion or society with us 6. For our communion in this true light of the love is the uniformity with God the Father with his son our Lord Jesus Christ with the holy Ghost the pledge of the promises of our Inheritance and with all the holy ones of God in the heavenly being It is very true The XLI Chapter UNto this same grace which is this day O ye lovers of the truth with all ye which love the upright and lovely life of the love proffered unto you and to the same Majesty of God and communiality of his holy ones which is this day declared unto you ye are all presently called and invited 2. For seeing that this great grace and hearty love is chanced unto us through the appearing of the glorious coming of our Lord Jesus Christ from God the Father and that the Lord hath stirred us up in the end of the world and sent us in the right time for to gather together his chosen holy ones unto the mercy-seat of the of the Majesty of God to unity of heart in the love of Jesu Christ So pass we with the presenting of the same grace and intire love of God thorow the Nations of People from the chiefest in the understanding and knowledge of the Scripture even unto the smallest and simplest For the sound of the last trumpet namely the voice or testimony of the grace of the holy Spirit of love shall be heard in all the world 3. Happy is he which to day heareth this voice and hardeneth not his heart but believing the Word becometh assembled unto the body of Jesu Christ the mercy-seat of the majesty of God and entreth into the rest of the Lord. 4. BEhold thereto is our service among all Nations of the people If happily we mought find any lovers of the truth which seek God and his righteousness with all their heart and assemble them with us to our communiality of love the onely Body of Christ and that they mought even so enter with us and all the children of God into the rest of the Lord to their preservation in this day of the righteous judgment of God 5. For that cause let every one take now good heed unto this Day and have regard what the holy Spirit of love requireth 6. For whosoever assembleth not himself in this day unto the body of Jesu Christ under the obedience of his
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