imaginations imagining a Christ like themselves and for salvation afar off and Justification afar off and yet they are in their sins and believe not that they shal be otherwise so long as they live upon earth they are strangers to the true Christ and to his righteousness and their minds are from that which Justifieth and comes not to see these things which Christ did in his own person fulfilled in his Kingdom as the Saints did who were translated into the Kingdom of Christ which stood in his power who knew Christ in them and his Kingdom in them and so they whose minds are out from the light who are gazing from it and will not own the coming of Christ within nor a justifying by his righteousness within the cloud of darkness is over them that they cannot see Christ in his power as they who were gazing when Jesus was taken from them they could see no further then the cloud which received him out of their sight but Stephen who was full of the holy Ghost he saw the heaven open and the glory of God and the Son of man on the right hand of God and John who witnessed the light within him and the spirit of God and Christ who is the light the quickening spirit revealed in him he saw the heaven open and they that walked in the light of Christ in them they witnessed his righteousness revealed in them and thereby are Justified from their sins and not in their sins for no further are any sanctified nor justified then they feel themselves made holy and just by Christ in his righteousness in them and no further are they justified by Christ then they are made partakers of the life of Christ in them for Justification is a real work of God in that creature that feels a sanctifying or cleansing from sin so ve that say ye are justified by Christs suffering without you above 1600. years since and yet you continue in sin and would lay all your iniquities upon Christs back you are of them that cause Christ to suffer by your sins and are condemned by his light in you for your sins and know that while you are condemned for your sins you are neither sanctified nor justified for as Christ the just suffered for the unjust and was grieved and burthened by their sins it cometh to passe that the unjust must come under his judgements and wrath for their iniquities they must bear their own burthens and he that denies the light or gift of Christ within to be his leader he hath no share in the death and refurrection of Christ for no further are any justified by Christ then they are brought to live with him in his life which is the light of men and no further are any justified and made free and restored by Christ then they are brought to have a share in the death and resurrection of Christ knowing his spirit in them which raised up Jesus from the dead to quicken their mortal bodies which have been dead in trespasses and sins for Christ rose again for our justification mark he doth not say that though men live in their sins all their life time that they are justified by what Christ suffered so long since without but he rose again for our justification as much as to say he rose again and gave gifts unto us of his spirit and grace which we have in us and so we are justified by his grace for since Christ is risen we have received the Comforter and Christ is in us and he shall abide with us for ever according to his promise Consider these things you blinde guides and professors that say there are two righteousnesses one that sanctifieth another that Justifieth when as the righteousness of Christ is but one who is the righteousness of God and who is made wisdom righteousness Sanctification and Redemption to the Saints who also are justified by Christ which is but one as they are brought to live unto him who gave his life a ransom for many which life is his light the light of men and he dyed for all that as many as live should not live unto them-themselves but unto him who dyed and rose again and they who are dead unto sin are healed by his stripes But they who live to sin are enemies to the Crosse of Christ which is the power of God unto salvation to the true believers and these that are enemies to the Crosse are they by whom Christ suffers and these who diswade people from heeding or following the light within which Christ hath enlightened them withall they are even such as keeps Christ in prison and such watchmen as are blind and ignorant such as they were that watched the Tomb where the body of Jesus laid that he might not rise yea these Priests now are worse then they were then whom the chief Priests hired to lie touching Jesus that people might not believe that he was risen for these were not such hypocrites as these Priests are now for people blindly hires them to Preach Christ now they professe to do it but directs them from the light within so that they are still in death having no part in his life or Resurrection whilst their minds are kept from his life which is the light of men and such Priests were alwaies enemies to Christ and Judas that turned to the Priests betrayed and sold the innocent into the hands of the Priests and murtherers for thirty pieces of silver and with it they bought but one field but these Priests now who teach for hire do make a trade of these Scriptures and sells the Letter of the Scriptures with much money they have thus unjustly gotten many of them have bought many fields or Lands so their wickedness doth in this exceed the wickedness of Judas and them who purchased but one field to bury strangers in and this ground they thus bought was not to live upon but to bury strangers in but these Priests now many of them do live of the earth or fields they purchase with the money they get for their preaching Christ as they pretend and they that crucified Christ they took his garments and parted them and so these coveteous Priests they get Christs words and make a Trade upon them but him they crucifie a fresh through these their horrible crimes and wickedness and so betrayes the just and watches to keep his life in the prison and in the grave for as much as they labour to keep people from following his light within them for they are afraid that it should discover their deceits for the light maketh manifest things that are reproved and the Apostle called the proud and the covetous teachers Traytors 2 Tim. 3.2 3.4 So let these Traytors and all that turn from the life of Christ within to the deceitful Priests without who makes a trade on Christs words and keeps the seed of God in bondage and his life which is the light they watch the graves
outward relation but she was incouraged by an Angel who told her that that holy thing in her was of the holy Ghost and also Joseph was incouraged by the Lord in a dream concerning his virgin that was with child by the holy Ghost and the child was born in Bethlehem a City of Judea and his name was called Jesus according to the direction of the Angel unto Joseph and the Virgin and Immanuel that is to say a Saviour of the people from their sins and God with us and this was according to the prophesie of the Prophet Isay who said therefore the Lord shall give you a sign behold a Virgin shall conceive bear a Son and shall call his name Immanuel Isa 7 14. And the Prophet Micah prophesied saying but thou Bethlehem Ephratah though thou be little among the thousands of Juda yet out of thee shall come forth unto me that is to be Ruler in Israel whose going forth have been from of old from everlasting Mica 5.2 and that there was such a child born in Bethlehem as declared we have the evidences of several true witnesses Mat 1.18 and Chap. 2.5 6. Luke 1 27. to the 35. ver Now by the Law of Moses at the mouth of two or three witnesses every word is to be established And we have the Testimonies of many witnesses touching this same Jesus whose out-goings have been of old for this was the word which was made flesh and which grew in the spirit and power of his heavenly Father though he took part of flesh and blood and according to the flesh he was the seed of Abraham and David as the Scriptures do testifie this I speak to them that are without for we are satisfied by the spirit of truth touching this man 2. Touching the life of Jesus In him was life and the life was the light of men who walked in innocency and blamlesness and was without fault before his heavenly Father from the womb and he was tempted of the Devil yet he entred not into temptation but was kept clear and innocent for God gave his Angels charge over him as the Scripture declares Psa 91.11 and to this we have several testimonies as in the book of Mathew the 4. chap. and of Mark the first cha and of Luke the 4. cha And several others did bear witnesse of his innocency and humility and he having come of a woman made under the Law he was circumcised at 8. daies old according to the law And when the daies of his mothers purification were accomplished he was presented unto the Lord and a paire of turtle Doves and two young pigions was then offered as a Sacrifice unto the Lord according to the comand Gen. 17.12 Exod. 13.2 Numb 18.16 Levit. 12.2.6 and Luke 2.21 22 23. Moreover this Jesus was baptized in the river of Jordan by one Iohn Baptist who was a prophet And so he came to fulfill the righteousnesse passing through the shadowes Mat. 3.13 Mark 1.9 Luke 3.21 Also this Jesus found buyers and sellers in the Temple which God commanded under the first covenant who bought and sold in the Temple and Jesus reproved them and drove them out and the sheep and the Oxen which they had there and poured out the changers money and overthrew the tables and said unto them that sold doves Take these thing hence make not my house an house of merchandize Iohn 2.15 And he said unto them it is written my house shall be called the house of prayer but ye have made it a Den of theeves Isa 56.7 Jer. 7.11 Mat. 21.12 Mark 11.17 Luke 19.46 These things were thus confirmed at the mouth of several witnesses and thus Christ did reprove many who professed the law and outward Ordinances for prophaning the holy things and thus he set the figures or shadowes in their order and place according to the Law and passed thus under the shadowes which were but in force until he suffered and nayled them to the crosse so fulfilled the law righteousnesse in many things before he was glorified that others might come out of the shadowes into his glory and righteousnesse and have the righteousnesse of the law fulfilled in them yet he that hath defiled their bodies which are the temples of the holy Ghost or house of God may be driven forth and destroyed and the house of God may be made pure and clean for holinesse becomes his house for ever Thirdly touching Christs Ministry ANd at the was Law given by Moses so grace and truth came by Jesus Christ whom Moses prophesied of Iohn 1.17 Acts 3.22 and chap. 7.37 Deut. 18.15 and upon this Christ did rest the spirit of grace and of wisdome and might and the fear of the Lord as was foretold of him for he was full of grace and truth Isa 11.2 Iohn 1.14 And from this Jesus did proceed the words of grace and wisdome who often preached the truth in his everlasting Fathers name in so much that many people were astonished and thousands convinced and many converted with the truth of his doctrine and he disputed with the Doctors or learned men in the Temple at Jerusalem when he was but about twelve years old Luke 2.46 and chap. 4.22 32. Also he often with his wisdome and power stopped the mouthes of gainsayers and put the Jews Priests Pharisees and learned men to silence when they sought to intrap him in his words to get accusations against him so they could not justly accuse him thus he dealt prudently as was prophesied of him Isa 52.13 Mat. 19.3 to the 10. ver and chap 21.23 to the 27. ver Mar. 11.27 Luke 20.1 Mat. 22 46. Moreover he spoke many parables and uttered things that had been kept secret from the foundation of the world Psa 78.2 Mat. 13.35 Fourthly Touching the workes of Christ HE opened the blind eyes he caused the Lame to walk he cleansed the Leapers caused the deaf to hear and raised the dead and cast out Devils and unclean spirits and cured many that were infected with grievous maladies and sicknesses and restored them into perfect health and strength and so he wrought such wonders in Israel and shewed such miracles that his fame went forth throughout all the countries he having done such works as none before him ever did In so much that many believed on him that were heathens and many of the Rulers in Israel and the poor received the Gospel yet for all these his mighty works which was more then was done in the time of the Prophets Ellezeus when there was none cleansed from their lâ—â—â—osie but Naaman the Syrian 2 Ki. 5.14 There wâ—â—e many of the Pharisees chief Priests Rulers which did not believe in Christ but were filled with wrath against him and sought to bring him within the compasse of their Law that they might take away his life though by his wisdome and power he often overcame them and stopped their mouthes and his power and truth spread dayly and overcame the
to keep it in remember Judas his end how he hanged himself how he thus fell into disparation and remember that the Angel of the Lord smote them that watched to keep Jesus in the grave or tomb that these watchmen were made to shake for fear and became as dead men and these watchmen who thus watch against the light of Christ which enlighteneth every man that cometh into the world the Lord God will smite them that they will be made to shake and quake for all their filthy crimes one day though now they despise Quaking and despises him that God regardeth who trembleth at his word And remember that Christ he called them graves that appeared not and painted Sepulchres who had gotten the true Prophets words but were out of the Prophets life in the pride and hypocrifie and may we not call these teachers graves now who profefesse the Scriptures to be their rule but are in the pride coverousness and hypocrisie And let people that follow them and seek for help among them note that they are but seeking the living among the dead and are but seeking life among the graves and whited Sepulchres who have gotten the words of the Scripture but the life lies buryed in them and know that that man that kept among the dead mens tombes or graves was not led by the spirit of truth but was possessed with an unclean spirit and is it not an unclean spirit of error that makes so many people keep among these filthy graves and tombes whose out-side is whited with an empty profeshion but their inside is full of rottennesse and ravening Consider these things vee people and Priests It is written in the book of Iohn that many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples which are not written in this book but these are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God that believing ye might have life through his Name Iohn 20.30 31. Also it is written that there are also many other things which Jesus did the which if they should be written every one I suppose that even the world it self could not containe the books that should be written Amen Iohn 21.25 Indeed the whole world lieth in wickednesse and are reproved by the spirit of truth because they believe not in Christ whom the Scripture doth testifie of So that If all things that Christ did and spoke were written the world it self could not contain them for they truly do not contain these things that are already written of Christ for as much as they are ignorant of Christ and his light and many hypocrites had the Prophets words that prophesied of Christ but knew not Christ but persecuted him when he came many there are now who are both ignorant of the power of God and of the Scriptures Neverthelesse the example of Christ is known in his light and by his power which he hath left to be walked after and his steps to be followed who did not sin neither was there guile found in his mouth 1 Pet. 2.21 22. which example comes to be followed and fulfiled in the power of God by such as receive Christ and walk in him who is the wisdome of God and the power of God to him be glory for ever and ever Amen The difference between the first and the second Covenants and between the first and the second Priesthoods plainly described And the end of the things abolished discovered according to the scriptures of truth for their sakes who desire to have the vail taken from off their hearts and to see to the end of the figures and shadowes that were under the first Covenant and Priesthood into the life of the everlasting Priesthood And here they may see who deny Christ come in the flesh and who are strangers to the Covenant of life both among the Jewes and the professors of of the world as followeth c. AS the Law was added because of transgression which all men by nature are guilty of who are aliens and strangers to the righteousnesse of the Law being in the degeneration falen in the first man Adam who is of the earth earthly and no man in that state can fulfill the righteous Law of God nor come into the Bighteousness of the Law without the drawings and assistance of God by his Son Christ who lighteth every man that cometh into the world which light doth answer the Righteous Law of God in every man So Christ Jesus is come to fulfill the Law and he is the end of the Law for Righteousnesse and not that men should say or conceit that they are no more under the law when daâ—ly they do transgress the law but for righteousness is Christ come that the righteousness of the law may be fulfilled in as many as walk not after the flesh but after the spirit And so none knowes any sure freedome from under the Law but who witness in themselves a sure freedom from under the transgression which the law takes hold of and hath power over the transgressors and many did and may seek to attain unto the righteousnesse of the Law but cannot so long as they believe not in Christ who is come a light into the World that whosoever believeth in him might not perish but have everlasting life and to this righteousnesse of the Law in Christ many have desirâ—d to come but never could so long as they stumbled at Christ the true light and believed not in his Light and in this stâ—te was Israel after the flesh when they had the vail over their hearts and stumbled at the stumbling stone which was Christ so that they câ—uld not see into Christ the everlasting salvation of God and the end of things abolished which none sees while the vail is over their hearts and the shadow or earthly part is standing in them which many shadowes without had a resemblance of and the types and figures without which were in the shadow did signifie a greater thing to come and to be manifest which was Christ the end of the figure Types and shadowes that were upheld in the first Covenant and Priesthood for in him dwelleth the fulness of the Godhead the fulnesse of all things And indeed though the Law had a shadow of heavenly things which are known in Christ yet it had not the very image of the heavenly things much lesse could the heavenly things or the fulnesse of Christ be contained or comprehended in the shadowes for they did but shadow or figure forth the life of the heavenly things which are a misterie for ever sealed and hid from that part which is cloudie and elementarie and earthly by which the Types in the first Covenant were upheld But now is the true light manifest and his Righteousness declared that all men through the light may believe and see Christ the everlasting righteousnesse and the salvation of God by whom all the ends of the earth that do look unto God may
be saved and see that salvation and those things which many prophets and wise men have desired to see and have not seen it So blessed is he that beliveth and waiteth in the light of the Lord Jesus which he is enlightned withall which appeares in the inward parts to wit the heart mind conscience and understanding that he may see the vail rent and taken from off his heart and the end of the thing abolished and feel and see the salvation of God and the Son of his righteousnesse revealed and risen in the inward parts by whose power and brightnesse the darkenesse comes to be expelled which hath covered the people the Earth comes to be shaken and removed and the cloudes comes to be scattered so the shadowy part may be taken from off the seed of promise and the seed raised he that feels this fulfilled in himselfe sees the day dawned and the Sun risen and the shadowes fled away and his mind turned out of all the shadowes and earthly things and is a witnesse of a Mediator of a better covenant then that which had the figures and shadows which the Israelites or Jewes transgressed and brake And blessed is he that hath an eare to hear and a heart that understandeth whose eyes are open that he seeth perceiveth and readeth with understanding who hardneth not his heart nor stoppeth his eare nor shutteth his eye against the truth for God is revealing his secrets and bringing forth his hidden Misteries to light for his Angel is come which sheweth unto his children these things which are noted in the Scriptures of truth that they see through the first Covenant which had the changeable Priesthood the changeable ordinances into the everlasting Covenant and unchangeable priesthood which hath the ordinances that are not shadowy but pertaining unto the life of Righteousnesse which is manifest in the upright conversation of the godly 1 Somthing touching the giving forth of the outward Law and the establiing of the first Covenant and of the state of the people at that time AT the giving forth establishing the first Covenant God was in the pillar of a cloud that the Israelites could not see him and in mount Sinai in the thick darkness that none of the Israelites then might come nigh him nor commune with him save Moses who received the Law at the mouth of God and gave it forth to the people but they stood a far off the mountain where the Law was received and they might not touch nor come nigh the mountain for it was set about with bounds and when the Lord descended upon the mountain there was Thundrings and Lightning and the sound of a Trumpet proceeding from the presence of the Lord and the mountain was all on a smoke and the whole mount quaked greatly Exod. 13 21.22 chap. 14.19.20 chap. 19. chap. 20.18 Deut. 4.11 5.24 Exod. 19.28 In the second Covenant the spirit of the Lord God is put into the inward parts of his people who are Israelites according to the spirit and his Law is written in their hearts his holy mountain is raised wherein he is exalted and the vail or covering of darkness is taken from off their hearts as he hath promised that God who is invisible is known and his presence injoyed among his people and by faith they see him who is invisible being brought into the knowledge of his glory and to see it with open face as in a glasse and this knowledge hath God given them by his light which he caused to shine in their hearts before they were brought out of darknesse And we are not come to mount Sinai that might be touched and that burned with fire nor unto blacknesse and darknesse and tempests but unto Mount Sion out of which the Lord hath uttered forth his voice and sounded his trumpet which we have heard and given his Law forth of Sion which we have received and the Lord hath chosen the Tribe of Judah the mount Sion which he loveth out of which the deliverer is come and he that believes in his light and trusteth in him shall be as mount Sion which cannot be removed Isa 54.13 Jer. 31.33 Joel 2.28 John 6.45 Isa 7.14 Isa 25 7. Heb. 11.27 â— Cor. 3.18 and 4.6 Heb. 12.18 22. Joel 2.1 Isai â— 3 Mica 4.2 Psa 78.68 Isa 59.20 Rom. 11.26 2 Of Moses his making intercession for the people when they had transgressed WHen the first Covenant was in force the people often brake it and transgressed the Law which cause the anger of the Lord to be hot against them and then Moses stood in the gap between Gods wrath and them and made intercession for the people to the Lord and then his wrath was sometime appeased and he repented of the evil that was in his heart against them but they often transgressed and made the ordinances and commands of none effect through their Rebellions whereby they caused the anger of the Lord to arise against them Exod. 32.9 10 11 12.13 chap. 33.3 Deut. 9.8 13 Numb 14.13 Psal 106.25 In the second Covenant the seed is revealed in the children of light which is Christ and he is their Intercessor who is a quickening spirit who maketh intercession according to the will of God in them who believe in his light by whom the anger of God is appeased through his righteous judgement which he doth execute upon the oflendets that the transgressors thereby comes to be redeemed from iniquity wch hath caused the wrath of God to arise So that in the righteous seed is God well pleased this Covenant is not according to the covenant of God made with the children of Israel when he led them out of Egypt which they break for in this is the sin taken away and he in whom the Father is well pleased abideth with the Saints for ever but Moses did not alwaies abide with the Israelites Rom 8.26 27. 1 Cor. 15.45 Jo. 3.36 Rom. 1.18 1 Thes 1.10 Jer. 33.8 Mat 17.5 Io. 14 17. 3 Of the outward Circumcision THe first covenant had a command for circumcision to Circumcise the males of every man child at eight daies old which was a token of Gods Covenant to them and every soul that had not the flesh of his fore-skin cut off was to be cut off for that soul was uncircumcised and no uncircumcised person might dwell in Abrahams house nor with the seed that God delivered out of Egypt and that command was in force untill Christ was crucified for he came under it Lev. 12.3 Gen. 17.10 11 12 13 14. cha 12.4 Luke 2.21 Ioh. 7.22 Acts. 7.8 They who are in the second Covenant do witness the circumcision with the spirit in the heart which is made without hands and such are circumcised to the Lord being circumcised with the spirit by the puting off the body of the sins of the flesh which circumcision the outward was a figure of So that is not now circumcision which is of the flesh but