shuts their eyes in their unbeliefe against the light of his countenance and against his promises Surely the Lord will cut them down in his vengeance and fury and they shall be cast out of his sight and become an abhorring unto all flesh and their worme shall never dye their plague shall never cease and the fire that shall scorch and burne them shall never be quenched Consider this ye stif necked ones who make mention of the name of God in words but not in righteousnesse whether you be Jewes or Gentiles you are as degenerate plants of a strange vine that bringeth not forth fruite unto the Lord God Consider the vine tree that groweth up wild in the forrest what is it more then any other tree or then a branch which is among the trees of the forest shall wood be taken thereof to do any work or will men take a pin off it to hang any vessell thereon Behold it is cast into the fire for fuel Eze. 15. Even so wil all they be counted as fuel for the fire who bringeth not forth fruit unto God in righteousnesse how many leaves and blossoms so ever they bring forth or what ever they professe in words they l wither and their glory will fall And the fire of the Lords jealousie and anger will take hold upon them and devour them So feâ—r the Lord God of glory and power and let all flesh dread his name and power and worship him that made heaven and Earth and the Sea and all things that therein is whose worship is in the spirit and in the truth and humble thy selfe before him thou that hast been a stranger and a foreigner who yet art not come to know the Redeemer of Israel but hast been as a sheep without a shepheard seeking rest but couldest find none who hast been wandring upon the mountaines and in the desert places where thou couldest find no satisfaction nor resting place for thy soul Look towards the Sun of Righteousness who doth arise with healing in his wings upon him that feareth the Lord and who putteth forth his beames and giveth light unto such as sit in darknesse and in the land of the shadow of death that they may come forth and receive life walk in his light that his everlasting Salvation may be their reward and this is the everlasting foundation and Rock of refuge to all that truly look unto him for help and Salvation whom I do freely publish both to Jew and Gentiâ—e that whosoever be a thirst may come freely and receive of the water of life which cometh from the rock and is to be drunk of freely and bought without mony and without price and this is the living water which issueth forth from the rock unto the waters to heal them and the waters are the peoples kindreds and Nations which the living water floweth forth unto to heal them glory to our King and keeper who is the Rock of ages whose righteousnesse hath appeared in this our age and time and whose faithfulnesse endures throughout all ages and generations and who is making known his glory and eternal Salvation as in the daies of old his righteousnesse as in former daies to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever Let Sion awake and put on strength and let Jerusalem shine forth in her beautiful garments and lie no longer in the dust but be renowned and dignified in beauty and glory instead of sorrowing in dust and ashes Let her that was desolate be glad and let her that was barren bring forth and her seed multiply and the Gentiles shall bring children unto her the Lord shall nourish her little ones and lead gently her that is with young and carry his babes and lambs in his armes Let the barren wildernesse become a fruitful field and the desolate and waste places rejoyce for behold the Lord omnipotent reigneth whose voice soundeth thorow the Earth who is at work in his vine-yard and sendeth forth labourers into his vine-yard fit for his own purpose and reapers to cut downe the tares and fruitlesse plants and to gather his seed from the ends of the earth Let the heathen and all Nations fear dread and tremble at the presence of the God of Jacob for his standard is lifted up and his banner is spread forth and his trumpet he is causing to be heard in the land the day of his appearance is dawned wherein he is gone forth before his army to make war with his enemies to get himselfe a name among them that have not been called by his name and to conquer where his dominion hath not been known that his Kingdom may reach over all the Earth the heavens shall tremble and the earth shall quake and the hills shall melt at the presence of the Lord God of Israel who hath a way in the cloudes and rideth upon the wings of the winde and hath his footsteps in the deep and whose works and wonders are seen in the deep where his trumpet is heard tremble tremble and quake O ye inhabitance of the Earth for the Lord is come to reigne and his anointed shall have the preheminence and Rule the Nations with a Rod of iron the Lord God of power and glory who is the onely wise and infinite God whose presence filleth heaven and earth Heaven is his Throne and earth is his footstool for all these things hath he made and he inhabiteth eternity yet he dwelleth with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit to revive the spirit of the humble and to revive the heart of the contrite ones and to this man will I look even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit and trembleth at my word saith the Lord read Psa 34. Isa 57. ch 66. Certain reasons according to the Scriptures of truth proving that Christ the Messias is come and made manifest and the word that made all things became flesh according as it was prophecied of him by the true Prophets of God formerly that the stumbling-block that lyes in the way of the Jewes or others they may see come out of the stumbling touching Christs coming who do not believe that he is come but looks for his coming as the Jews did when they persecuted him put him to death nigh Jerusalem but did not believe that was he because he came not according to their carnal expectations and now his coming and knowledge is to be felt and in the spirit and glory of his Father as he was known among the Saints who after they had known Christ after the flesh knew him so no more but after the spirit c. 1 Of the conception and birth of Jesus who is called Christ. THere was in the City of Galilee named Nazareth a certain virgin named Mary who was espoused to a just man named Joseph of the house of David this Virgin was found with child of the Holy Ghost or spirit before that Joseph knew her by the
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
THE SEED OF ISRAELS Redemption Fully prophesied of And the Scriptures opened Which now is about to be fulfilled by its Saviour and â—edeemer whom God hath now raised up for an Ensigne to the Nations and the salvation of his people who is here evidently demonstrated and fully born witness of as he is the Remover of bondages the worker of perfect freedom and the end of things abolished to both Jews and Gentiles who through faith receive him And here all they who are weary with being captives under the bondage of corruption and would know the way to the Kingdom of God may receive a word of Consolation From a Witnesse of Gods Saâ—vation who waits for the Consolation of his Seed and thirsts for Sions welfare George Whitehead Amos 3.8 The Lion hath reared who will not fear The Lord God hath â—poken who can but prophesie Dan 10 21 I will shew thee that which is noted in the Scripture of truth and there is none that holdeth with me in these things but Michael your Prince LONDON Printed for Thomas Simmons at the Bull and Mouth near Aldersgate 1659. AS this following Testimony was given forth in the faith of the Righteous seed even as the things therein were revealed by the spirit of promise so they are not given forth to feed vain-minds nor to satisfie the seed of the wicked who continue in their sin unbelief and hardnesse of heart against God and his Eternal Truth for many of them do get the saints words and apply promises to themselves in that nature which is in enmity against the seed of God and so with an empty profession covers and paints themselves over so are covered but not with the spirit of God taking counsel but not of God and there are many in that nature gotten into a false ease who pretend a dependency upon the mercies and promises of God but when â—hey come to be tried they are found in â—he unbelief hating the Light of the Lord which bringeth them that believe in it to â—ee the promises of God fulfilled so then â—hey who believe not according to Gods â—romises in his gift but continue in the â—nbelief against the gift of God in them â—hey come short of the promise of God â—nd of his righteousnesse because of their unbelief and the deceit of their own hearts so that wo and misery is upon all such and wo is unto all selfe-conceited empty Professors who hate to be reformed and persist in their pride and rebellion against God yet this I testifie that God is not slack concerning his promises as dispisers unbelievers mockers and scorners count slacknes but is near to fulfil them to the seed where ever it is scattered which is willing to wait in the patience to see his coming and the establishing of his everlasting Covenant according to his promises to that Seed I prostitute these things which neither the swine nor the devourer hath any right unto And to the gift of God in people which witnesseth for him against all unrighteousnesse do I appeal to which I am manifest in the sight of God whatever such as resist the truth may think or speak of me my diligent labour in giving forth these things is known to the Lord God as one who there in have sincerely obeyed him And let such as read this following Testimony minde their own state and see if they believe according to these things as these who come to feel of the same things fulfilled and revealed by the gift of God in themselves For I have not written these things for people to feed their airy minds with reports of them and so to live upon reports of things they feel not but to be read singly believed seriously fulfilled effectually and witnessed eternally as they may be known and made manifest by the power of the Lord God which they receive who receive the Son of God and believe in his everlasting Name which is his Word which lighteth every man that cometh into the world The particular Contents or subjects treated upon in this following Treatise are as followeth c. FIrst the Seed of Israels Redemption and its Redeemer fully prophesied and declared of Afterward here are certain reasons according to the Scriptures of truth produced from a sure ground Whereby is proved that the Messias or Saviour of Israel did come in the flesh and things are come to passe touching him and his outward sufferings according as the true Prophets have foretold Whereby is proved First The Conception and birth of Jesus according to his outward Nativity who is called Christ or the Messias 2 Concerning the life of Jesus 3 Touching his Ministery 4 Touching his works 5 Touching his sufferings death 6 Touching his Resurrection and Ascention With several things of concernment both to the professors of the world and others touching Christ and his way And these things are born witness of according to the evidences of faithful witnesses that both Jewes and others who are in the state of unbelief and have been gazing abroad and are yet looking to see the Messias come in person or who do not believe that he is already come may take warning to turn their mindes within and wait for the life and power of Christ Jesus to be revealed in them that thereby their souls may live and be satisfied least they die in their sins and their souls remain in misery with the hard-hearted and unbelievers Also here is the difference between the first and second Covenants and between the first second Priesthoods and the end of the things abolished and how far they reached truly described Wherein is discovered 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 2 Of Moses his making intercession for the people when they had transgressed 3 Of the outward Circumcision 4 Of the outward Passover 5 Of the outward Sabboths 6 Of the brazen serpent that Moses made 7 Of oathes and swearing 8 Of the outward anointing of the Priests 9 Of the Tithes the Priests received 10 Of the outward Tabernacle under the Law and the instruments thereof and the Lords forsaking thereof 11 Of the outward sacrifices and burnt offerings 12 Of the Ephod and consecrated garments which Aaron and the Priests had 13 Of the outward washing of thepriests 14 Of meats and drinks and days in the first priesthood 15 Of the tribe that the first priesthood were of and their appointment 16 Of the reading of the Law and of the pulpit of wood 17 Of Jewels of silver and gold and costly ornaments 18 Of Solomons Temple 19 Of the singing and praising upon outward Instruments which was used in the outward Temple 20 Of the overthrow and destruction of Solomons Temple and the building it again and its destruction the 2d time And the end of the things particularly in like manner described A â—rue account of these things are given that
is come wherein he is come to visit thee who will build thee up and restore unto thee thy fermer dignity and renown thee with beauty and Authority that thou maist even be the glory of the Nations and thy King may rule over the whole earth for he is King of Kings and Lord of Lords arise come forth and shew forth thy self thou that hast been as a vine troden under foot and as a desolate widow who long hast been barren since the spoilers and the destroyers had power over thee come forth and see him that visiteth thee and know thy Rock the everlasting Councelor that no longer thou may be desolate nor remain Barren but awake and come forth for thy light is come and a time of love is coming upon thee shake thy self from the dust and let thy oppressors come into the dust and sit in the darkness for now is he come who will spoil the spoiler and deliver the oppressed and will take away and remove the bands of wickedness that the oppressed may enjoy glorious liberty and Redemption out of all snares and incumbrances whatsoever that she that hath mourned in dust and ashes may rejoyce and have beauty for ashes and the garment of praise in stead of heaviness and that she that was desolate may be married unto an husband who is the everlasting Comforter and will be an husband unto the widow that receiveth him who hath waited for him and then the Barren shall bâ—ing forth children rejoyce in her precious fruit which shall increase abundantly and multitudes shall come up to the mountain of the Lords house and walk in the light of the God of Jacob in which light he that waiteth shall see these things brought in the day of the mighty God whose power is gone forth to manifest his saving health in the Nations whosoever will let them come freely and taste of the everlasting light and power of the Almighty who breaths and thirsts after righteousness and salvation whether they be Jewes or Gentiles that they may receive and feel his anointed brought forth who sets open the Treasures of life and mercies to all that do receive him who believe in his light according to his promises O ye Jews ye people who are scattered among the Nations There is a remnant the Lord hath among you even as it were the Corne which is left in the time of harvest for gleaners and as the gleaning grapes which is left for the stranger to gather For though you be many in number and you may professe the Law of Moses and the prophets yet the iniquity is great you are in and you worship an unknown God while you are worshiping in the outward observations and traditions held forth by your predecessors and forefathers and you have not seen felt nor known him whom you worship Jacob is small and how shall he arise among you And the remnant is little that will receive the witnesse and Testimony of the everlasting Covenant Say not you are Abrahams children except ye were in Abrahams faith and the righteousnesse which he was in he heard the voice of God and through faith obeyed him and was accepted yea whose worship stands in outward observations ye have not heard Gods voice nor do ye obey him while your hearts are enranged from the light and the power of the living God many of your forefathers transgressed and break the Covenant that God made with them wherein was the outward Tabernacle Altar Sacrifices and outward ordinances which had a shadow of an everlasting Covenant which God hath in store for the seed of Abraham who come into the faith and Righteousnesse of Abraham And the Israelites forsook the true and living God and followed after the Gods of the heathen and prophaned his name and polluted his Sanctuary through their Idolatry and their abominations So that Gods anger turned against them he turned his countenance from them he gave them over for a pray to the heathen so that they were dispersed and scattered among strangers and their seed came to be mixt with the heathen and so the curse came upon them and their enemies got the preheminence over them for they hated his counsel and break his Covenant and persecuted and slew his prophets and messengers and yet the Lord God did not leave himselfe without a witnesse among them after that they had transgressed For he gave his good spirit to instruct them and yet they temped the Lord wrought grievous provocations against the Lord Nehemiah 9. and the Lord God overthrew and cut many off in his wrath and in their iniquities who tempted him would not hearken unto his words which he spake unto them by his holy prophets nor unto his good spirit which he gave to instruct them But they made their hearts as an Adamant least they should hear the Law the words which the Lord of Hosts hath sent in his spirit by his former prophets Zechariah 7.12 Yea and they set up covetous Priests who were greedy after gain as ravening wolves and they prophane the holy things that were consecrated under the Law For the service of the outward Temple which God comands and even abused the outward things that stood in the shadow by their cursed inventions and in serving strange Gods There was a time when Gods presence and of his vertues was found in the Temple that Solomon builded and in the outward things that he comanded which shadowed forth the heavenly things But when Israel fell into Idolatry and offered incense and sacrifices and built up high places to worship strange Gods in then the Lord forsook them and forsook the Temple and outward things which he had commanded according as he promised Read 2 Kings 18. 2 Cron 7. So when they had gon a whoring after their own inventions and had forsaken the covenant the Testimonies of the Lord God he was wearied with their prayers did not esteem of their sacrifices nor accept of their burnt-offerings nor of their vain oblations but cryed away with them and said the true prophet at that day shall a man looke to his maker and his eyes shall have respect to the holy One of Israel and he shall not looke to the Altars the work of his hands neither shall he respect that which his fingers have made Isai 17. And said the prophet David unto the Lord Thou desirest not sacrâ—ficeâ— else would I give it Thou delightest not in burnt offerings the secrifices of God are a broken spirit a brâ—ken and contrite heart O God thou wilt not dispise Psa 51 Therefore hear O ye Jews and consider these things ye people scattered among the heathen for now I come to witnesse forth the everlasting Covenant of Life and peace unto you which the first covenant that stood in the outward observations and ordinances had the shaâ—ow of And this is the second Covenant which in these latter daies the Lord God of power is bringing to light among
Disciples into heaven which while some men of Galilee stood gazing they saw Jesus taken out of their sight and that this Christ who was and is the word which made all things which became flesh as is declared who descended from the Father of spirits and life is now ascended and is on the right hand of power and of God who is the All power we have the testimonies both of faithful men and Angels and the life of Jesus in us which is the light of men which beareth witness to these things And all these things concerning Jesus came to passe according to the determinate Councel of God that the Scriptures might be fulfilled though wicked Priests and professors who had the Prophets words and were shut up in the unbelief were fitted in their iniquity as instruments of cruelty to fulfill their iniquity in these hard proceedings against Christ And that these things were true that Christ is ascended and is on the right hand of power Read Ps 68.18 and Psal 110.1 Mar. 16.19 Luke 24.51 Acts 1.9 Eph 4. And whereas after the watchers that were set to watch the Sepulchre where the body of Jesus lay were smitten by the Angel of the Lord and Jesus raised from the dead some of the watch went afterward and told the chief Priests what was done concerning Jesus the chief Priests with the Elders took councel gave large money unto the souldiers that were of the watch saying unto them say ye his Disciples came by night and stole him away while we slept and if this come to the governours ears we will perswade him and secure you so they took the money and did as they were taught and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day Mat 28.11 12 13 14 15. And 't is very likely that through that report are the Jews now perverted who do not believe that Christ is come as the Scriptures have foretold concerning him and for their sakes and the truths I chiefly write these things whether they believe them or not Let that lie upon their own heads but to prove these truths that all aspersions that have been cast upon us touching the denying Christ by the Priests and others have been cast upon us falsely and without a cause I say that all power in heaven and in earth is given unto Christ in whom dwelleth the fulness of the God-head who is ascended up on high yea far above all heavens that he might fill all things and he is God over all God blessed for ever the Judge of quick and dead and moreover his Resurrection was confirmed unto his disciples in this manner when he was risen he gave Commission unto his Disciples to go into all the world and Preach the Gospel in every creature and he said unto them he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved but he that believeth not shall be damned and these signes shall follow them that believe in my name they shall cast out devils they shall speak with new tongues they shall take up serpents and if they drink any deadly thing it shall not hurt them they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover Mar 16.15 and this his promise was fulfilled and confirmed to several that believed who had power given them by Christ to work these things Acts 16.18 Acts 2.4 Acts 28.5.8 these things do testifie that Jesus was risen and that his promise was made manifest who promised to come again and to manifest himself unto them that believed and to send the spirit which was the Comforter and to indue them that waited upon him with power who said he that is with you shall be in you and so the sheep of Christ were scattered to their own to wit his gift which was in them they came to receive and feel his power and spirit to lead them into all truth and this many thousands do and shall witness that the spirit of truth is their leader into all truth and thus though Christ be exalted far above the heavens yet he doth so far condescend unto them that believe in his name that he becomes their leader a light to them that have sat in darkness to lead them out of darkness and a seed to such as have been barren that they may bring forth fruit in him to the praise of his everlasting Name in whom is the life which life is the light of men that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world and Christ said unto his Disciples verily verily I say unto you he that believeth on me the works that I do shall he do also and greater works then these shall he do because I go unto my Father Joh. 14.12 and Christ said unto his Father concerning them that he sent forth as thou hast sent me into world so I send them into the world and thus he made manifest his power and gifts in his people as he doth in this day in these that believe in him for the same power that he gave unto his Disciples the same he giveth unto his servants now according to the several gifts and manifestations committed unto them that they may come to the measure of the stature of his fulness and to a perfect man in him and that they may feel handle taste of and injoy Christ who is glorified in that glory which he had with the Father before the world was and now by his power many do withess that the power of the Serpent the prince of the world is overcome and the sick are healed and the blinde are brought to see and the deaf to hear and the lame to walk and even such as have been dead in trespasses and sins are quickened and raised up and brought to live with Christ in newness of life and such have an interest in the death of Christ being made conformable thereto in that they are crucified with Christ and dead with him to the world and to the evil wayes fashions customs rudiments and conformities of the world so as the the vail of the Temple was rent and the dead was raised when Christ suffered they that feel his power made manifest and with it are brought to suffer with Christ they feel the vail that hath seperated them from his glory rent and in his light are come to see light and in his blood which is his life they are brought to feel life and his witnesss is raised and his seed is come to live as he hath promised the hour is coming and now is when the dead shall hear the voyce of the Son of God and they that hear shall live John 5.25 and this is truely witnessed among many that have believed in the light of the Lord Jesus praises praises to his holy name for ever and ever But they that deny the light of Christ within people to be sufficient to lead them to Christ and will not own Christ within them according to his promise to his but are looking and gazing abroad in their
their hearts and in their minds and his spirit in their inward parts that they are taught of God as he hath promised behold the days come saith the Lord that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah not according to the Covenant that I made with their Fathers in the day wherein I took them by the hand to lead them out of the Land of Aegypt because they continued not in my Covenant c. for this is my Covenant that I will make with the house of Jsrael after those days saith the Lord I will put my Laws into their minds and write them in their hearts and I will be to them a God and they shall be to me a people and they shall not teach every man his Neighbour and every man his Brother saying know the Lord but they shall all know me from the least of them even unto the greatest saith the Lord Now this is the Covenant which Christ is the Meditator of And which he makes known and performes with his people who receive his Testimony which is the spirit of prophecy within them and witness his witness his Law and Judgments within and here they feel the mercy seat in the heavenly Tabernacle set open and the Vaile taken from off their hearts and in stead of hardness and stoney hearts he gives them an heart of flesh an heart to know the Lord according to his promise and this was more then many knew while the Tabernacle of mans pitching was standing for what was upheld in that Tabernacle was but a figure or shadow of the heavenly Tabernacle wherein the Lord is heard by all his people and his worship in the spirit is known which his Light leades them to which gives them understanding and causeth their Lamps to burn and fitteth them for the Lord that he makes his abode with them whose foundation stands sure and Tabernacle shall not be removed For it is builded upon the Rock of ages and the Lord hath a pure people to dwell among who are become Inhabitants of his holy City into which he will gather the outcasts of Israel and they shall not say the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord neither shall it come to mind but they shall call Jerusalem the Throne of the Lord. Let him that can receive this Heb. 8. Heb 9. Rev. 21.3 2 Cor. 6.16 Levit. 26.12 Ezek. 37.26 Heb. 8. Jer. 31.32 Rev. 19.10 Ezek. 36.26 Jer. 3.16 17. 11 Of the outward sacrifices and burnt offerings Moreover in the first covenant there was sacrifices burnt offerings commanded of the Lord to be offered by the Priests both for the sins of the Priests and the sins of the people offerings of divers sorts the Bullock the Heifer the Ram and the Goat were sometimes offered and burnt for the sins of ignorance and for the trespass offerings and sometimes a pair of Turtle Doves and two young Pidgeons were offered and for Peace offerings sometimes a Lamb without blemish of the Male of the first year of the dock and this being taken and slain at the door of the Tabernacle the blood of the offering was sprinkled on the Altar and on the people for their Consecration after they had trespassed And the offerings that were made by fire were for a sweet Savour unto God and thereby his command for a time was fulfilled and his wrath appeased but these things did not purifie the people nor the blood of Bulls and Goats nor the Ashes of an Heifer cleanse the people as pertaining to the conscience for as there was dayly offerings made for sin there was dayly a conscience remaining of their sin and almost all things by the Law was purged with blood so all the many offerings and the divers washings and cleansings that were in the first Covenant did neither bring the people into inward cleanness nor to persection as pertaining to their inward state Exod 19.10 18. Levit. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9. Chap. Num. 15.19.3 4. Heb. 9. But now in the fulness of time according to the promises of God whereon the second Covenant is established God hath made manifest his own begotten Son who hath offered himself a Lamb without fault to God and by his blood he cleanseth them that beleeve in him from all sin and he is the propitiation for the sins of the whole world through faith in his blood which is his life which he hath laid down and revealed in the saints And his righteousness being revealed his power and spirit is felt in the hearts of his people which is as a fire which consumeth the nature of the Bull the nature of the Heifer and the Goat and the Ignorance of the Ram which many are in who are bruitish in their knowledge and as natural bruit beasts then they are like unto the fat Bulls of Bashan and the wild heisers and as the rough Goots that are on the lest hand of God so it is the one offering Christ Jesus who redeemeth out of the brutish and the sensuall state that God is pleased in by which God hath for ever perfected them that are sanctified which could never be done by the offerings which were offered year by year according to the first covenant so the blood of Bulls and Goats and slain Beasts the Lord takes no delight in for the Cattell upon a thousand hills are his but a broken and a contrite spirit is a sacrifice to God and to him he looketh who is poor and of a contrite spirit and trembleth at his word and he that killeth an Ox is as if he slew a man he that sacrificeth a Lamb as if he cut off a Dogs neck and he that offereth a Lamb as if he offered swines blood So these things without became an abhorring to the Lord because of the Abhominations of the people but God in his Son who is the true and undefiled propitiation is forever well pleased for he is a good Savour to his Father and so are all who are made conformable to his Image who are partakers of his Life and Divine nature So in the second priesthood the heavenly Tabernacle is manifest and the life of Christ is felt and shed abroad which sanctifieth his people who being an high Priest of good things to come by a great and more perfect Tabernacle not made with hands that is to say not of this building neither by the blood of Goats and Calves but by his own blood he entred in once into the holy place haveing obtained eternall Redemption for us 1 John 1.7 2 2. Jer. 10.14 Jude 10. 2 Pet. 〈◊〉 12. Heb. 10.4 Psal 50.10 Psal 51.17 Isai 66.3 Heb. 9.11.12 12 Of the Ephod and consecrated garments wch Aaron and the Priests had ANd moreover in the first Covenant there was an Ephod of gold blue and purple and Scarlet and fine twined linen and a robe of the Ephod and about the hem of the robe was put Pomegranates and bells