unfoldeth it selfe in every Life and maketh it selfe Seperable according to every Lifes property Note Courteous Reader this is what our Authour blessed in the Spirit of the high knowledge indeed readily began to bring to the easier understanding for the simple but hath not finished it for * Anno. A. †O. 1624. in his Jubilee yeare or 50th yeare of his Age he went according to the Mystery againe into his Grave or Magick and Mentall Principle The Fourth Chapter Of the Outward Water-Baptisme by Mans hand who is worthy to performe such Baptisme and what Baptised Infant doth worthily receive this Baptisme how it goeth with the unworthy hand as also with the unworthy Baptised Infant In this time highly necessary to be considered 1. WHen God established the Testament of his holy Covenant of Grace in Paradise out of the Type and Sacrifices would ordaine the Circumcision into Water-Baptisme then he bringeth forth a Branch out of his Covenant in a humane Manifestation and began the Water-Baptisme thereby As is cleerely to be seene in John the Baptist who was proclaimed by the Angelicall Message or Embassie and moreover of the stock of the high Priests 2 His Incarnation or becoming Man came not from the will of the flesh for his Father Zachary and Mother Elizabeth which were ancient people full of Dayes who were cleerly dead in the fleshly sperme or seede where the ability of Man was cleerly gone The seede of Zachary and Elizabeth was raised up through the moving of the Holy Ghost out of the Paradisicall Grace-Covenant in their now quite vanished Spermatick Property 3. Indeed he came out of the humane Ground but not out of humane ability for the Anointing in the Covenant awakened it so that their sperme above the course and power of Natures owne ability was unlocked which Holy Ghost raised up a seede out of the humane sperme and to that purpose chose a The Seede it in its first beginning 4. But the anointing of John was done in Maries Salute when shee came to old Elizabeth and the divine anointing stirred in her understand in Mary out of Christs Incarnation or becoming Man When Mary full of this anointing saluted Elizabeth then the Incarnation of Christ diffused with the anointing through the salute of Mary in John in the Mothers womb and not onely in John but also in his Mother Elizabeth so that shee was full of this anointing and both the Mothers prophesied in the Spirit of this anointing 5. And this is the Baptisme of John when as he was anointed with the Incarnation of Christ out of Christ and received the Baptisme of the Holy Ghost out of the Covenant in the Mothers womb so that he should be a Forerunner and declarer that the time of the Anointing and fullfilling of the Covenant of God was at hand that God hath introduced his Covenant of the anointing of Grace into the humanity and that the Covenant is become a Man that God will hence forward shed forth his anointing through the humanity of Christ through an Elementary Medium or Meanes that consisteth no more in fire as in the Old Testament but in Love and Meeknesse of Water so that the time of Grace is at hand wherein God hath given his anointing into the humanity 6. And then wee see that God there began no new Covenant but onely a New Ordinance for John suffered himselfe to be Circumcised as also Christ John tooke the power and calling out of the Covenant of the Circumcision out of the Sacrifices of fire and by the command of God brought them into the Water-Baptisme to signifie that hence forward sinne should be drowned by the death of Christ in his Love and Meeknesse and no more burne in the fire as was done by Israel in the Type 7. Moreover wee see by John that he did not yet baptise with the forgivenesse of sinnes but with Repentance viz. with the Spirit of the anointing to Repentance which soundeth through the hearts of Men and prepareth the way for the Spirit of Christ which unlocketh the Doores of Mens hearts and soules that after b Viz. John the Baptist him the King of Glory might enter in at those Opened Gates concerning which David sayth Open the Gates wide for the King of Glory that the King of Glory viz Christ may enter in Psal 24.7.9 And as John witnesseth He baptised with water to Repentance and forgivenesse of sinnes yet he is not Christ but after him cometh he that hath the fan in his hand who will baptise with the fire of the Spirit Luk. 3.16 17. 8. Also wee see in John that he must be the sonne of a Priest who were conversant about Circumcision and Sacrifices he must come out of the Law of the Covenant and suffer himselfe to be Circumcised and put on the Covenant that he might with the Spirit of the Covenant and of Circumcision begin the Water Baptisme viz the Ordinance of Grace and forgivenesse for sinne should be destroyed now no more by fire but by Love which God manifested in the Covenant through Christ it sinne should be drowned and changed by Gods Meeknesse 9. Therefore also God ordained for this destroying of sinnes this meanes of the Water-Baptisme to signifie that sinne should be drowned in the bloud of Christ in his Love and Grace and that Man should henceforth have an open Gate of Grace to God in the Love and Meeknesse so that now with the Repentant sorrow for sinnes with the c The absolution from sinnes forsaking of sinnes he may Enter through this Gate into Grace 10. And wee see heere in John the beginner of the Water-Baptisme what Man is worthy to baptise with this new Grace Covenant viz such a one as also beforehand hath been baptised with this Grace as John was by Christ who was Baptised even in his Mothers womb for flesh and bloud without this anointing cannot Baptise for this Might standeth not in the d Or Power authority of Man but in Christs d Or Power authority 11. Note A Christian in whom is the anointing of Christ baptiseth with the anointing of Christ for the Holy Trinity baptiseth with the Grace-Covenant of the anointing with Christs Incarnation or becoming Man with his suffering death and victory Now will any baptise they must not onely baptise with the Hand and Water-Baptisme but also with the Faith of the anointing 12. An unfaithfull or unbeleeving Baptiser doth no more in this high work of the Baptisme Then the Font-stone or Bason doth which holdeth the water for though he sprinkle or powre water and useth the words of Christ yet he Effecteth nothing therewith but is dumb or dead in the working except the Covenant of Christ worketh and baptiseth he is but meerly a Medium or means like a worklesse inanimate e Or Thing Substance that doth not it selfe work together in this Covenant but onely doth the work in which work God worketh in respect of his Covenant
13. Not so to be understood as if the worke by the unworthy hand were therefore wholly f Or Ineffectuall powerlesse no the Covenant of God g Absenteth or withdraweth severeth not it selfe for the unworthy hands sake which is but a Medium or Means for faithfull Parents which stand in the anointing of this Covenant and have put on the Covenant they have the anointing also in their seede and generate Children out of the property of their bodyes and soules now if they be baptised in body and soule and have put on the anointing of Christ wherefore then not also the Ens of their bodyes if they be the Temples of the Holy Ghost who dwelleth in them and eate Christs flesh and drink his bloud so that Christ is in them and they in Christ as Christ sayth Joh. 6.56 Wherefore then not also the fruit of their Bodies For Christ sayth indeed Matth. 7.18 a Good Tree cannot bring forth bad fruit and a bad Tree cannot bring forth Good fruit If the eye of the spirit be light then is the whole body light If the Leven be Holy then is the whole Lump Holy Matth. 6. Rom. 11. 14. John was baptised in the Mothers womb through the Spirit of Christ out of Maries voice as also his mother Elizabeth and wee see cleerly how it came to passe for as Elizabeth heard the Spirit of Mary the Holy Ghost moved in her and also in her fruit alike they received the Baptisme of Christ out of his humanity alike the Mother with the Sonne wherefore then not also now at present in holy Parents in whom the anointing is For such as the Tree is such is also its fruit But the Covenant in the Baptisme is therefore that every one should themselves with their owne will as a particular branch on the Tree and as a life of their owne put on the Covenant of Christ as through the outward Medium or Meanes ordained thereunto 15. Not to understand that a childe of honest anointed Parents which hath attained life though it dye before the Baptisme that it is not in the anointing of Christ It hath indeed put on the anointing of its Parents for it is existed out of their substance out of their baptised soules and bodies substance and onely needeth if it liveth to enter into the Image of the visible Covenant as a life of its owne and with its will give it selfe up into that which it inheriteth from its Parents But seeing a childe understandeth not this therefore the Parents doe it with their Faith and every one of those that are called to that work viz the h Pathen Gossips Witnesses or God-fathers and God-mothers who in their faiths-desire with their Prayer i Transferre or deliver over recommend the childe to the Covenant of Christ and present it in the Covenant of Christ to the Holy Trinity and desire the Covenant to be upon this Childe 16. All these both the Parents and standers by viz the faithfull Baptiser and Witnesses worke with their faith in the property of the Childe and reach out to it with their faith the Covenant of Christ for the will of their Faith taketh the Childes will being without understanding into their faiths desire and so beare the childes will in their will with their anointing into the Covenant of Christ viz before the Holy Trinity 17. When the Baptiser sprinkleth or powreth the water upon the Childe then is his faith together in the water and fastneth it selfe in the words of Christ who sayth Matth 28.19 Goe hence into all the world Baptising all Nations in the Name of the Father Sonne and Holy Ghost Upon Christs command they Baptise Men the Baptiser Baptiseth with the Hand and with Faith and the Parents together with the Witnesses baptise with their Faiths desire with the anointed will they infuse it into Christs Covenant and Christ infuseth himselfe therein with his Bloud Death and Victory viz with the victory of his Death and kindleth the faiths Ens of the Childe with his love fire 18. Thus the Graine of Mustardseed of the love-fire soweth it selfe into the Childes Soules and Bodies Ens as a Glimmering k Hatcher breeder or Ember Mother of Divine Love which Mother afterwards when the childe getteth understanding of its owne is more kindled through Faith Repentance and Prayer and becometh a high shining Light and when afterwards the Mouth of Faith eateth Christs flesh and drinketh his bloud then this holy Mother love-fire atteineth holy Oyle to the burning of its Life 19. With the Baptisme is implanted the humanity of Christ according to the holy Love-water viz the Water of Eternall Life in which water the holy fire may burne and with the Supper is participated the Holy Tincture in the bloud and flesh of Christ viz the true Love-fire burning a spirituall Anointing Oyle out of the divine fire and Light which the water of Love kindleth viz the Baptisme-Covenant And though a Childe be borne of Holy Parents Note and in the Mothers womb be cleerely in this Covenant yet it ought also to put on this Covenant in its owne selfesubsisting person in its owne lifes will for this Cause that in the flesh Sinne and uncleannesse is together propagated and inherited and therefore should it selfe put on this Covenant for it ought and must it selfe with the Covenant of Grace breake the head of the Serpent in the flesh and therefore it ought also it selfe to put on Christ with his victory For Christ now offereth himselfe to it selfe it ought therefore in its owne person to receive him with its owne will and give its owne will up to him 20. For the Baptisme is nothing else but a marriage or Contract with God l Text. auff upon in Christs bloud and Death wherein Christ bindeth himselfe to Man with his victory and Resurrection and placeth Man therein And Man in the Baptisme giveth up his Adamicall averse will to the Death of Christ and desireth to dye to his owne will in the Death of Christ and to rise againe through Christs Resurrection out of Christs Death with and in Christ to a new will and to live and to will with Christ For wee are through the Baptisme with Christs victory planted anew in the Word of God for Man is the Outspoken Imaged Word of God which hath brought his will in Adam from the speaking of God into an owne will and speaking and is become treacherous to the Word of God and with the Baptisme the Imaged Word promiseth and incorporateth it selfe againe with the Eternall Speaking of God that it will speake and will according to God viz Gods righteousnesse and truth 21. The Baptisme is an Oath which Man sweareth m In or into to God when he renounceth the Devill and his Kingdome and giveth up himselfe to God for his proper owne viz for a Temple of God And though a childe understandeth not this yet the Baptiser as also the Parents and Witnesses should
the works of Love then he hath also no Faith the opinion maketh no salvation but is Babell a confusion of the Tongues of the one onely Love None is a Christian unlesse he love his neighbour and desireth to doe him good 14. The outwardly imputed Grace without the innate e Or childelike filial Grace is all false when Christ worketh in a Man then he is a Christian and then the sufferings merits and satisfaction of Christ availe him when he hath him in himselfe for an Advocate who hath done it that he doe it also in him and attracteth his merits to him then is the kingdome of God in that Merit otherwise all Imagelike Opinions are faise No work pleaseth God but what he himselfe worketh in Man through his Spirit therefore let us be the children of Christ and not the children of Images 15. Christ hath imparted his kingdome to us in his Testaments he that will receive it must be his childe else there is no Inheritance to work Repentance is better then to desire to know much Is not the knowledge given from God to a Man then he will not be able to understand the Ground of the divine secret Mystery but if it be given him he neede no Image to continue in the humility and simplicity of Christ and to cleave to his love and Grace without despising of any one is good Christianity All whatsoever speaketh of it selfe is Babell in Christ wee are all Members and all one AMEN The End of the second little Book concerning The Holy Supper The Table of the Two Testaments Angells Book 1. Ch 1. THe End why God Created the Angells and Men also of Reasons Misunderstanding of the Testaments of Christ Verse 23. Book 1. Ch 2. How Angells became Devills Verse 3 4 5 Anointing Anointed Book 1. Ch 3. How Christs anointing is understood in the Water Baptisme Verse 19 Book 1. Ch 3. How the Body and Soule is anointed by Christ in the Water-Baptisme Verse 19.20 Book 1. Ch 4. John Anointed when Mary saluted Elizabeth Verse 4 Book 1. Ch 4. A Baptizer should be the Anointed of Christ Verse 22 Antichristian Booke 2. Ch. 5. Of Antichristian doings Verse 4 Arise Booke 1. Ch. 3. What that is wherein Man at the last day shall Arise and stand before the Judgement Verse 16.17.20 Baptisme Baptised Baptise Baptiser Booke 1. Ch. 2. How the Deluge was a figure of Baptisme Verse 17 Booke 1. Ch. 2. Why God sent the Baptisme and Divine Infusion in an Elementary Earthly Medium Verse 26.27 Booke 1. Ch. 2. What is the Ground of that Water Baptisme to which the holy Ghost is the Hand that Baptiseth Verse 36 Book 1. Ch 3. How the whole Man needed Baptisme Verse 4 Book 1. Ch 3. How the Baptisme of the holy Ghost is effected Verse 6 Book 1. Ch 3. What it is in the Water Baptisme wherewith the Body from the Outward World and the Spirit of the Constellation in Man is Baptised Verse 12 Book 1. Ch 3. How wee are buried with Christ in Baptisme Verse 22 Book 1. Ch 4. John the Baptist the Beginner of Water Baptisme Verse 01 Book 1. Ch 4. Circumcision changed into Water Baptisme Verse 6 Book 1. Ch 4. Why God Ordained the Water Baptisme Verse 9 Book 1. Ch 4. Why the Outward Baptisme is requisite to those that live to have it Verse 14.15.19 Book 1. Ch 4. Wee are through Baptisme planted anew in the Word of God Verse 20 Book 1. Ch 4. How God is with the Holy with the Vnholy in the Baptisme Verse 24 Book 1. Ch 4. What required to Baptisme in them that are present Verse 33.34.40 Book 1. Ch 4. Wicked people at the Baptisme a hinderance to the work Verse 36 Book 1. Ch 4. Baptisme not a meere signe but a substantiall work Verse 38 Book 1. Ch 3. What was done that the Three Worlds properties in Man might be Baptised Verse 5â— Book 1. Ch. 3. What it is in Man that is Baptised into Death Verse 21 Book 1. Ch. 4. Faithfull Parents Baptised in Soule and Body generate Children in that Baptisme Verse 13 Book 1. Ch. 3. How the Father Sonne and Holy Ghost Baptise together Verse 11 Book 1. Ch. 4. Who it is that is worthy to Baptise with Water Verse 10.11.39 Book 1. Ch. 4. Holy Parents Baptise their Ofspring in Spirit yet why the Outward Baptisme is requisit in those that live to have it Verse 14 15.19 Book 1. Ch. 4. The unfaithfull Baptiser is dead in that work though God alwayes worketh in respect of his Covenant Verse 12 Beasts Book 2. Ch 1. The Image of Reconciliation in the sacrificing of Beasts and burning the Fat of them mentioned Levit. 8.14 c. Verse 5 Body Book 1. Ch 1. How wee came to have this Beastiall Body Verse 20 Book 1. Ch 2. What Body the Saints before and since Christ put on and what Body they waite for in the Resurrection at the Last Day Verse 14 Book 1. Ch 3. The Body of Man necessary to be Baptised Verse 2.3 Book 2. Ch 3. Why the Bread and Wine cannot be turned into the Body and bloud of Christ Verse 25 Book 2. Ch. 4. How it is not to distinguish the Lords Body Verse 1 Children Book 1. Ch 4. Christ biddeth Suffer little Children to come to him Verse 28 Christ Christs Christian Booke 1. Ch 2. Why God must become Man and why Christ must receive the Elementary part from us Verse 34 Booke 1. Ch 2. How Christ is bestowed upon Man Verse 37.38 Booke 1. Ch 3. How Christ is the Light of the little World Verse 10 Book 2. Ch. 2. How Christ is the Light of the world Verse 10 Book 1. Ch. 3. How Christ penetratrated through Death and Hell Verse 18 Book 1. Ch. 3. How Christ descended into Hell Verse 22 Book 1. Ch. 4. John the forerunner of Christ Verse 5 Book 2. Ch. 2. How Christ was the right High Priest Verse 3.4 Book 2. Ch. 2. Christ gave his whole Humanity to his Disciples Verse 8.9 Book 2. Ch. 2. What the Citie of God in Man is and how wee continue in Christ and be in us Verse 11 Book 2. Ch. 2. Christ by the last Supper fulfilled the Old Testament Verse 17 Book 2. Ch. 3. Man cannot say I am Christ though Christ dwelleth in him Verse 30 Book 2. Ch. 4 Who they are that Crucifie Christ now and wound him Verse 15 Book 2. Ch. 4. How a Man shall feele and Taste what Christ in him is Verse 23 Book 2. Ch. 5. None know Christ but those to whom and in whom the Father revealeth him Verse 2 3 Book 2. Ch. 5. How Men say heere is Christ Verse 8 Book 2. Ch. 5. How Christ is with us Every Day to the End of the World Verse 12 Book 1. Ch. 3. What was effected by Christs shedding forth his bloud upon the Earth Verse 18 Book 1. Ch. 3. What in Man is the Christian and why Mans works must be Judged Verse
they be knowne but by the same Spirit whose fruits they are he that hath not the fruits of this Spirit which is holinesse peace righteousnesse joy in the Holy Ghost enjoyeth not the kingdome of God nor till wee have sought and found peace and holinesse wee shall not see God and except wee be borne againe of water and the Holy Spirit we cannot enter into the kingdom of Heaven though it be Luke 17.21 within us Now can any teach what it is to be born again and what this Water and holy Spirit is but he that hath them and hath been borne againe by them I would men were diligent to desire such spirituall things and then God who dwelleth in their hearts would feele and heare their desires and breath forth his holy Spirit in them and satisfie their desires with his Gifts and Graces and then he would fill their minds and understandings also with the knowledge of all his Mysteries and so they would learne in the schoole of Christ by Divine Experience the true Ordinances of God and then we should be better able to edifie one another in our most holy Faith and wee should by degrees improving that measure of knowledge we have at length attaine the highest knowledge of the highest Apostle Wee want but the sincere practise of what we know for by that meanes wee should not Quench but stirre up the Gifts and Graces of Gods Holy Spirit that are within us till it multiply and flow forth with all its Gifts which wee suppose are not attainable because men have not endeavoured that they might attaine them And that is the Reason wee have the Ordinances not in Power but in much weaknesse wanting those Gifts which would enable Men to dispence the Ordinances of God It is a Great Gift to have our Calling and Election sure in that sense which the Apostle Paul meant it according to the highest understanding of that Mysterie which the Apostle himselfe knew must needs be attainable by labour and Endeavour and upon the knowledge of this Mysterie doth many other Mysteries depend it is that for which the Ordinances were Instituted as helps and meanes to bring us to the assured certainty of our salvation wee content our selves with an Imaginary superficiall perswasion without knowing assurance for if wee did endeavour labour search seeke and try wee should soone perceive how it might be made infallibly sure and then wee should as assuredly understand the high Excellency of Every Ordinance of God All the Arts and Trades in the world are Mysteries and are not truly knowne but by those that have had Experience in them then how can there be a skilfull Dispencer of the Mysteries of God his Ordinances but by Experience in them we are able to learne them all by Experience but without that wee know nothing of them more then the very beast The Devills that far surpasse Mortall Men in knowledge yet cannot know the Mysteries of God because they cannot experiment them but those of Darknesse they worke and therefore know them and wee are placed in this world to work the works of God that wee may know what that Good and acceptable will of God is and therefore wee should Work out our salvation with feare and trembling by obedience in well-doing and that will bring us to feele and know the good Spirit of God which will teach us the way and course how to finde every thing if wee search and enquire in that Spirit threfore let us endeavour after that which is Holy and wee shall feelè what the God of Holinesse is and then we shall cleerly understand the Scriptures and the writings of all other Men wee shall be able to discover what is true and what is false in all the words and writings of any Man understandingly and demonstratively to the convincing of all hearers both in Divine and Naturall things From these Instances that have been mentioned it may be perceived that all the Ordinances of God have proceeded from the Holy Ghost neither can any thing be the Ordinance of God where the Holy Ghost is not in some measure or other no man is the Minister of the Word of God any further then he is taught by the Spirit of God and speaketh what he understandeth by the same Spirit None were fit to be made Deacons or Elders but one full of the Holy Ghost then surely none are able to make Deacons or Elders but by the Power of the Holy Ghost that is in them and so of all other Ordinances and according to the measure of the Holy Spirit in us such is the validity and Efficacy of the Ordinances to us the Outward performance of the things directed in the Scripture by men of sincere hearts is sufficient and they are warnings to us to forsake our Evill wayes in the Observance of which course wee may assuredly finde true Christianity and consequently salvation but this is in the lowest degree and it were to be wished that none were so presumptuous as to arrogate to themselves that they are such as performe the true Ordinances of God unlesse they have the same holy Spirit of God filling their hearts as they had of whom it is recorded in the holy Scriptures that they did performe them aright when wee are scarce truly Children of God let us have a care that wee suffer not others to account us above what wee are but rather informe them sincerely that wee are not such as they take us to be and not take upon us to be called Gods Faithfull Servants Ministers of God Preachers of the Word Elders Teachers Pastours Overseers Messengers and Embassadours of Christ or Apostles such as are sent from God neither should any mention those Texts of Scripture which speake of the true Officers of Christ as if the same were meant and applyable to thamselves and so urge them in Sermons that those hearers that have not ability to discerne the truth in things that differ are made confident to maintaine stiffely that those Scriptures mean them they call Ministers as well as it did the Apostles Evangelists and other faithfull Teachers in those dayes and doe alledge those Scriptures in their behalfe and call them Divines whereas none of the Apostles were so named in all the Scripture but John the Divine the beloved Disciple and most sublime in vision and Revelation when as if wee truly examine our selves according to the Scriptures wee shall finde wee ought rather to be esteemed Enemies of God and of his Sonne Jesus Christ our Lord But let us presse forward in the wayes of Godlinesse that wee may be at length strong Men in Christ and enjoy his Ordinances in the Power as it was and is in the spirits and soules of all the faithfull holy ones who have true understanding and knowledge in the Divine Mysteries by Experience such were the Prophets and Apostles and faithfull in all ages No curious workman can make his servant expert in his work except the servant
it might pierce to God By Moses on Mount Sinai wee see this Image also where first the Fathers Property in the Fire manifested it selfe and required Mans full obedience to live before God in Holinesse and draw neere to him in purity through the Sacrifice If not then would he devoure them in the Curse through this fire Which also was an Image Type or Shadow signifying how the humane vanity should and must be purged through Gods Wrath-fire But Israel could not through the fire come to salvation and the Love of God and through Moses goe into the Promised Land but through Joshua and Christ Therefore God brought his Heavenly Substance with his Covenant into the Water-Baptisme that there might be a tolerable Medium whereby he might introduce his Love-Essence into our vanished also heavenly Substance wherein the Holy fire might kindle it selfe againe Even therefore because the humane Essence was become Earthly that Man might beare or endure it for there must be such a Medium wherein the humane Essence can take hold for in Gods Holinesse without a Medium it cannot take hold the will was rent off from it Therefore God became Man that he might cause to flow in us his Deity with the humanity that we might comprehend or take hold of him also that the Divine Imagination might introduce and awaken it selfe in Man and co-worke with the humane Imagination and therefore he assumed the humanity that he might work in us with the Deity through the Humanity Thus with the Water-Baptisme was a Glimmering Mother holy-fire imprinted in Gods Love for a Subject or Object of Divine Imagination and working whereby Death according to the Inwardnesse of Man would be broken to Pieces and a new life spring forth As fire in wood beginneth to Glimmer so was this Infusion or Baptising an z Or Vnction Anointing of the Holy Spirit for a new Lifes Oyle wherein the Divine Light might kindle it selfe This is now the Ground of the Water-Baptisme to which the Holy Ghost in the inward Ground is the hand which with the flowing forth of the Divine Love out of Christs suffering death and resurrection baptiseth with his victory That is Hee Infuseth Christs humanity suffering Death and resurrection into Man and kindleth the incorporated Paradisicall Covenant with this fire that the dry Rod of Aaron cometh to Bud forth againe For with this Infusion of the Holy Ghost Christ is bestowed upon Man he is hereby incorporated to Christ and the heavenly Ens which in Mary assumed our humane Ens with the whole processe of Christ is put on and imprinted in him to a new Life As a Tincture tinctureth the Mettle or as fire gloweth through the Iron so here also it is to be understood concerning those that are capable of this Infusion as it followeth further The Third Chapter A Briefer and more fundamentall Instruction how Man is Baptised by the Holy Ghost with Christs Suffering Death and Resurrection in Body and Soule 1. WHen God would introduce his Covenant with the Circumcision into the Water-Baptisme then the Word of the Inspoken Grace wherein the Holy Fire of God was First before hand became a Man and assumed first beforehand the Womans seede as our soule and humanity that he might baptise us with the Living Covenant which was become a Man 2. For the Body of Man to which the Baptisme was necessary was out of the Elements and now if it should be Baptised the Covenant must first beforehand give it selfe into an Elementary Medium as in the Humanity of Christ and Sanctifie that Medium that Man might through this Medium be baptised 3. For it was not to be done onely for the Heavenly Substance of Man which vanished in Adam in which the Covenant in Paradise incorporated it selfe that it alone should be baptised No but also for the Soule and for the Body out of the Limus of the Earth 4. The whole Man needed the Baptisme All the Three Principles of all the Three worlds in Man must be baptised viz The first Principle is the Eternall Nature viz the true Soules Life that came out of the Word of the Inspeaking into the Body The Second Principle is the true Eternall Spirit viz the Holy Power of the Light and Love which I call in this little Booke the heavenly vanished Ens and Substance in Adam wherein Adam vanished viz the Soules will departed out from it The Third Principle is the Astrall Animall Soule Ex Spiritu Mundi out of the Spirit of the World with its Body out of the Limus of the Earth viz the whole outward visible Man 5. This Threefold Man was wholly fallen for as the Divine Light in the Spirit of the Second Principle went out he was quite blinde as to God and dead as to Paradise In this must a Divine Love Ens be Infused againe in which Love Ens the Divine fire and Light might againe kindle to a new Life but if this must be done then must the Holy Fire first beforehand manifest it selfe with the Covenant in the Threefold Humanity as in Christs Humanity that Gods Spirit might baptise us out of with and through this threefold Humanity that Each Principle in us might be baptized with its like or similitude For the Holy Ghost Baptizeth through Christ to the forgivenesse of Sinnes 6. The Holy Fire of the Divine Power in Christ Baptiseth his Temple in us which the Holy fire viz the Divine life in us would possesse viz the vanished Ens of the Heavenly worlds Substance the Spirit of understanding or of Power viz the Second Principle or Angelicall Body out of the Angelicall worlds Substance to which Substance Christ afterwards giveth his most holy spirituall flesh for food in which he himselfe dwelleth This Divine Love in the Holy fire baptiseth this Spirit for it is an Ens of the Holy fire wherein it burneth or liveth And the first Principle viz the fiery Soule out of the Divine Science of the seperable speaking word out of the Fathers Property is baptised with the fiery Spirit of the Fathers Property as with the fire burning Love 7. Thus to be understood The Soule is of the Fathers Property and in this Baptisme with his Infusion into the Soule he giveth it to the Son in his Love-fire The Fathers Property in the fire taketh hold on the Soule first with the Law of Nature with his Strickt Righteousnesse with the Eternall Birth of the fire-Ground whereby the hard p Impression Compressed Dead Soule in that Infusion of the fire is moveable and its hard p Impression Compression of the false Magnetick Desire is broken in sunder and opened in that manner as a Man strikes up fire 8. Thus now the Divine Light of the Great Love is in the Opened Name JESUS out of JEHOVA in the Centre of the Fathers fire When the Fathers fire unlocketh the fiery Soule then the light of the Divine Love can shine into it and Introduce the Love Ens
into it for so soone as the Wrath-fire unlocketh the Soule iustantly it receiveth the Love-fire of the Sonne and goeth into it as fire Gloweth through Iron or as a Tincture penetrateth Metrall 9. And thus is the Soule given from the Father to the Sonne and thus the Sonne Giveth it the Love-fire viz the Eternall Life for if the Fathers Property did not move together in the shut up Soule then the Soule would remaine in its Impression in Eternall Death and the Light could not be manifested in it 10. The q Commotion or Contrition shrill sounding and kindling of the Fathers fire is the fountains of humane Repentance where man trembleth before sinne for in the fire-glance is the false compressed vanity of sinnes in the Darknesse of the Soule Manifest and the Love-shining in of the Sonne is the Meeke Love-Oyle that uniteth and tempereth the Contrition or shrill sounding againe 11. For the Sonne is in the Father and the Father in the Sonne and they baptise together The Father with fire and the Sonne with Light after that manner as fire is struck so that the meeke Light-Glance is manifested out of the fire and so the fire burning is wholly turned and growne into a Light Glance â— The Fathers fire with its terrour consumeth the vanity in the Soule and the Sonnes Love healeth it againe Thus is the Baptisme according to the Inward Ground of Mans Soule and Spirit to be understood 12. The Third Property of the Third Principle r Text. With. in the Water-Baptisme wherewith the body of the outward Worlds Substance as also the Spirit of the Constellation in Man is baptised is thus to be considered By the Water viz by the Element of the Body of Christ the right Adamicall Man which was created in Adam as to the Body understand out of the outward worlds Substance is baptised for here the Holy Ghost baptiseth who goeth forth from the Father and the Sonne his Going forth is the formation of the world and the world is the outspoken formed Word and the Spirit of God it is that hath formed it 13. For Hee is to be understood in all the Three worlds in each world according to their Property As in the Fathers wrath according to the Darknesse he is the flame of Painfullnesse and in the Eternall Light he is the Love-flame of God and in this world in Spiritu Mundi in the Spirit of the world he is the formour and workmaster of every thing in every thing according to its property As the Seperator of the thing is so also is the outflowne Spirit out of the out-spoken word in every thing 14. For in the outward worlds Substance it is not to be understood that the Spirit of its Substance is called God but it is the outflowne Spirit in the outspoken word of God which with its ground standeth in the Word of God 15. The Outflowne Spirit of the Outward Creaturely and Naturall Life is flowne forth out of Gods Love and Wrath out of Light and Darknesse viz out of the first and second Principle as out of the Eternall Nature out of the Speaking of the Word and standeth with its Ground in Gods Speaking for the Eternall Word Å¿ Or breatheth forth that out-spoken Spirit exhaleth it selfe with that Spirit into a Creaturely Life 16. It that same Exhaled Spirit is the outward Creaturely Life in Every Creature according to its property It is the Soule of the Outward World viz the Inceptive Soule a life of the foure Elements It s power is a fiery and lightish Constellation What the whole outward Constellation is in it selfe in its power the same is that Spirit alone in it selfe yet as a shut up Constellation that lyeth in the Temperament and yet unfolds it selfe in Every Life and maketh it selfe Seperable according to the lifes property t Text. By. In the Temporary Creatures with a Temporary Property and t Text. By. in the Eternall with an Eternall Property In Man with a temporary and fragile Corruptible property and also with an Eternall Which Eternall hangeth to the Eternall Exhaled Word to the Eternall Exhaling wherein Man at the Last Day according to the visible Image shall arise and come againe out of the Corruptibility and be presented before Gods Judgement before The Judgement and be put upon the Great u Or fiery Triall fires Proba where the Mortall shall seperate it selfe from the Eternall 17. Understand us now heere rightly thus concerning the Baptisme of this Outward Spirit The Inward Holy-Spirit of Divine Love kindleth the Outflowen Spirit and anointeth it with Divine Power For the humanity of Christ according to our Outward Spirit was anointed of the Holy Ghost and that same outward Spirit of Christ which in Christs Person in the Elements of the Body ruled after a humane Manner that in the Covenant of his Testament in the Water-Baptisme anointeth the Inward ground of the Water and the anointed power in the water in the word of the Covenant anointeth the true Man which in Adam was Created out of the Limus of the Earth and so also it anointeth the Spiritus Mundi the Spirit of the world viz the right x Note Astrall Soule which at the Last Day shall come againe and be tryed 18. Now understand us dearely and well it availeth us much This Anointing of Water-Baptisme is anointed with Christs suffering death and resurrection it is anointed with Christs shedding of his bloud with which heavenly bloud he changed Gods Wrath into Love and besprinkled Death in the humane Property wherewith he anointed the Earth when he shed forth this his bloud upon and into it Note also It was anointed therewith when Christ yeelded his anointed Life of the outward humanity received from us in his Death into this Spiritus Mundi this spirit of the world againe and anointed that also with his Anointing in his Death viz where his outward mortall soule received from us which dyed on the Crosse and yeelded it selfe into the hand of God as into his Outspoken Word went out of the Body into the Elements Also It is anointed therewith where this his outward Soule with the Eternall Soule wherein the holy Ghost was penetrated through Death and Hell And also therewith where the Holy Ghost in the Word received this his dead Astrall Soule our of death and brought it through death with his resurrection into Eternall Life where Gods Love anointed it with the Eternall Life 19. This Anointing of Christ is understood in the Water-Baptisme as in the Covenant of God for God anointeth in the humanity of Christ the Elements of the Body together with the Mortall and Immortall Soule and bringeth Christ with this anointing into his Death and into the Wrath and through Death into the Eternall Life And this Anointing wherein Christ hath overcome Gods Wrath Sinne Death the Devill and Hell hath God with his Covenant of the Old-Testament ordained in the Water-Baptisme and offereth it
now to Every man 20. And so now if a Man desireth it and inclineth himselfe to it as a Man and not a Beast then the holy-Holy-Ghost baptiseth the inward Ground viz his Temple which himselfe possesseth viz the true Eternall Spirit together with the Eternal Soule And the anointing of Christ out of his humanity received from us anointeth and baptiseth in us the true first Man Created in Adam out of the Limus of the Earth together with the Mortall Soule yet that a Man may understand the Ground herein is that which shall arise and live Eternally 21. This is done through Christs suffering Death and Resurrection in his bloudy y Or Fight or combat Conflict viz the victory of his Death is the hand that baptiseth Note the right Man is baptised unto Life and the Serpent-Grosse earthly Man is baptised with Christs Death and dying so that he shall dye and leave all his evill lusts and desires to the Death of Christ that that may kill it and bring a new will out of the Death of Christ out of Soule and Body 22. The Evill Man viz that Serpent-Monster is taken with this baptisme viz where the hand of God viz his speaking Word it selfe taketh and baptiseth and is buried with Christ in his Death and in that Hell into which Christ in his dying entred understand into the Darknesse of Gods Wrath viz into the Abysse of the humanity and this anointing in the Baptisme bindeth and uniteth it selfe with the true Adamicall first Body which was before the fall of Adam and generateth through Christs victory a new will in soule and body which obeyeth God 23. Thus then according to this anointing the true Man standeth in the Anointing of Christ and the Serpent-Monster standeth in Gods wrath and yet during this time of life dwell in one body but each in its Principle viz in its own Property concerning which St Paul saith Rom. 7.20.25 Now if I sinne it is not I but sinne in the Evill flesh that doth it Also so then I now serve God with the minde of the anointed Ground and with the Minde of the false flesh I serve the Law of sinne 24. And saith further Rom. 8.1.28 Now then there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus in his anointing which according to this purpose of God are called in the Word or are thus comprehended in the Calling in the Anointing where he then meaneth the right anointed Man which in this time of life sticketh hidden in the z Viz Shell Scales of the Earthly Body as fine Gold in a Grosse stone and yet according to the Anointing dwelleth in Heaven as St Paul also saith Phil. 3.20 Our Conversation is in Heaven Also Rom. 6.15 Gal. 2.17 Shall we then that belong unto Christ be yet sinners that be farre from us where he meaneth the Anointed Ground and not the beastiall Monster of Earthlinesse full of Evill inclinations which standeth in the wrath of God the Condemnation and shall not inherite the Kingdome of God which yet in this life time hangeth to the right anointed Man 25. The anointed Ground is the Christian and not the outward Grosse Beast The Anointing it is which daily breaketh the head of the Monster the Serpent viz the Evill Earthly will where the Strife in Man is where one property willeth Evill and the other Good and that which overcometh driveth Man on to Work Therefore shall and must Mans Works be Judged and every one be gathered into its barne viz that which is done in the power of the Anointing into the Kingdome of God and that which is done in the power of the Monster the Serpent into Damnation into the Darknesse of Wrath and Death The Third Chapter A Briefer and more fundamentall Instruction how Man is Baptised by the Holy Ghost with Christs Suffering Death and Resurrection in Body and Soule WHen God would introduce his Covenant with the Water Baptisme into the humanity then was the inspoken Grace-word of the holy fire of God viz the fiery Love First beforehand become Man and tooke first beforehand the Womans seede on him viz our soule spirit and whole humanity that he might Baptise us with the living Covenant which was God and Man For the Body of Man to which the Baptisme was necessary was out of the Elements and now if it should be baptised the Covenant Would first beforehand give it selfe into an Elementary Medium as in the humanity of Christ and sanctifie the same that Man might through this Medium be baptised For it was not to be done alone for the heavenly Substance which vanished in Paradise in which Substance as in the most inward Ground of the humanity the Covenant in Paradise incorporated it selfe that the same Ground alone should be baptised No but also for the Soule and for the Body out of the Limus of the Earth The whole Man needeth the Baptisme All the Three Principles viz all the Three worlds Properties in Man must be baptised The first Principle is the Eternall Nature The Mysterium Magnum the Great Mystery out of which the visible world is sprung forth a ground of the true Eternall Soule which through Gods inbreathing came into the Body The second Principle is the true Eternall Spirit viz the Holy Lights-Power which Power I call in this little Booke the heavenly Ens or Substance vanished in Adam which vanished in Adam with the Fall as the Soules-will departed out there-from into Earthlinesse and brake its will off therefrom The Third Principle is the Man from the outward worlds Substance viz the Astrall soule with its Body out of the Limus of the Earth which standeth in the foure Elements This Threefold Man was wholly fallen for as soone as the Light in the Spirit of the Second Principle went out he was quite blinde as to God and dead as to Paradise in this must a Divine Love Ens be Infused or imprinted againe wherein the Divine fire and Light might kindle it selfe to a new Life and therefore the Holy Fire of the Great Love of God in the Covenant must manifest it selfe in the Humanity of Christ that Gods Spirit might Baptise us out of with and through this Threefold Humanity that Each Principle in us might be baptised with its like or similitude For the Holy Ghost Baptiseth through Christ to the forgivenesse of sinnes How is this Baptisme of the Holy Ghost Effected Answer Gods holy Fire of the Divine Love power in Christ Jesus baptiseth his Temple in us which the holy fire Life viz Gods Spirit will possesse viz the vanished Ens of the Heavenly worlds Substance the Spirit of power and understanding the second Principle or Angelicall Ground to which Ground Christ afterwards giveth his holy Spirituall flesh for food wherein the true b Owne very Reflect Image Expresse Image of God doth Consist The Divine Love and sweetnes in the holy fire baptiseth this Spirit for it is an Ens of the holy fire wherin it
burneth or liveth And the first Principle viz the fiery Soule out of the Divine Science of the Seperable Eternall-Speaking word out of the Fathers fiery Substance is baptised with the fiery Spirit of the Fathers Property as with the fire-burning Love Vnderstand this thus The Soule is of the Fathers Property according to the fiery omnipotency and in this Baptisme in which the Father cobaptiseth Hee giveth it to the Sonne in his Love-fire understand the Soule is of the Fathers fire become a wrath-fire This wrath-fire with his Infusion he giveth to his fire-burning-Love The Fathers Property in the fire taketh hold on the Soule first with the Law of Nature as with his strickt righteousnesse of the Eternall Birth of the fire-ground whereby the hard c Impressed Compressed dead Soule in that same d Eintauchen Infusion of the fire of the Divine life is moveable and its hard c Impressed Compression of the false Magnetick desire is broken in sunder and opened in that manner as a Man strikes up fire thus a new fire of God is kindled which e Trembling or Contrition Commotion or shrill sounding is also the Ground of Repentance Now when the Fathers fire is stirred and kindled then shineth the Divine Light of the Great sweet Love in the opened Name JESUS out of the Holy Name JEHOVA in the Centre of the Fathers fire out of the unity of God as the Beames of Divine Grace in the Soule for the Soule is with this Glimps unlocked and then suddenly the Light of Love taketh in the unlooked ground filleth it with the substance of Love And thus the Sonne viz the Love of the Father receiveth the Soule and sanctifieth it and throughly penetrateth it as fire throughly penetrateth the Iron And that is it which Christ saith Father the Men were thine and thou hast given them unto mee and I give them the Eternall Life Also Note This is the Eternall Life that they rightly know thee Father that thou art the true God and whom thou hast sent Jesus Christ Joh. 17.3.6 In this inshining and indwelling Light is the New Birth and God is Comprehended and knowne in the Spirit whereupon followeth instantly the true Faith which willeth nothing but what God will for thus is Christ the Light of the Little World viz of Man and giveth the Eternall Light-Life of God to the Soule And thus the Soule liveth in the Father and yet with the Sonnes office is governed and sanctified and its anxious Fire-Life is a meere Love-burning But the Fathers Concussion or shrill sounding is necessary that the soules fire-source may be touched that the Soule may finde what it is for it is thereby brought into continuall Repentance and humility when the Beame of Gods wrath often toucheth it that it consider its fall and is at no time secure for it hath a great Enemy neere it in its flesh and bloud viz Satans poyson that it may no more run-on in its owne will as formerly For the Soule in this Beame of wrath trembleth before sinne and so sinne is manifested in the Light and then comes Sorrow and Lamentation over sinne on a heape And thus standeth this pretious figure in the Inward Ground For where the owne will of sinne is shaken through Repentance there the holy anointing Oyle of Love penetrateth instantly and healeth these wounds Thus the Father Baptiseth with fire to Repentance and the Sonne with Love to Sanctification and the Holy Ghost manageth the office who baptiseth with a New life For the whole holy Trinity baptiseth according to the Divine Manifestation For without and beyond the Manifestation there is onely One Triune God in one onely Good f Substance or Essence Beeing and Will whereof a Man cannot say the Father is wrath this or that but is the Triune Good Beeing But according to his Manifestation out of which the Soules and Angells together with Every Heavenly and Hellish Beeing is sprung viz after the Manner of the Mysterium Magnum the Great Mystery from hence ariseth his Wrath or fire-source and that from Eternity in Eternity Note Thus now a Man may understand the Baptisme according to the Inward Ground according to Soule and Spirit viz the Father Baptiseth with the Concussion or shrill sounding to Repentance with fire in which fire the bitter suffering and dying of Jesus Christ is impressed into the poore Soule for the Wrath-fire which holdeth the Soule captive is overcome and softened with Love and this is impressed in the Soule as a victory and the Sonne baptiseth with the holy anointing-Oyle of Gods Love and healeth the poore shaken Soule againe And the true Comforter the Holy Ghost which goeth forth through Christs Death through Christs Resurrection through the Father in the Sonne he baptiseth with a new Life and giveth true Faith and understanding that wee receive and know this The Third Property of the Third Principle with the Water-Baptisme wherewith the body of the outward worlds Substance as also the Outward Life is baptised that is considered as followeth By the Water viz by the Element of the body of Christ the Right Adamicall Man out of the Elements which was created in Adam understand the outward worlds Substance is baptised for heere the Holy Ghost Baptiseth who goeth forth from the Father and the Sonne his going forth is the formation of the world and the world is the outspoken formed Word and the Spirit of God it is that hath formed that outspoken Word Hee is to be understood in all Three Principles or Worlds in each world according to their property As First in the Fathers wrath according to the Darknesse Hee is the flame of painefullnesse and Secondly in the Eternall Light he is the Love flame of God and Thirdly in this world in Spiritu Mundi in the Spirit of this world hee is the formour and workmaster of Every thing in every thing according to its property as the Seperator or Archaeus of the thing is from whence it ariseth so also is the outflowne Spirit out of the outspoken word in every thing And it is not to be understood that the Spirit of the Outward Substance is called God but it is the outflowne Spirit in the outspoken Word of God which with its Ground standeth in the Word of God The Outflowne Spirit of the outward Naturall and Creaturely Life is flowen forth out of Gods Love and Wrath out of Light and Darknesse viz out of the first and second Principle out of the Eternall Nature out of the Speaking of the Word for the Eternall Word hath breathed it selfe with that Spirit into a Creaturely Image-like Life It is the Soule of the Outward World a Life of the foure Elements It s power is as a fiery and lightish Constellation What the whole outward Constellation is in it selfe in its power the same is that Spirit every where alone in it selfe yet as a shut up Constellation that lyeth in the Temperament and yet
although the Baptisme may be performed without such Persons through the Parents and the Baptisers Earnestnesse and prayer yet the Christian Church hath so ordained that living Witnesses should be present which with their prayer attend this Earnestnesse and it was well ordained but it is come to such a Misuse that it were many times better that such children of Infidelity were not present for the Devill belongeth not to this work Now if the Devill have the chiefe Dominion in a Man what is then such a Man profitable at it As is mentioned before The Funt-stone or Bason and the unfaithfull Stander-by is one as good as the other but that the Proud Man is a hinderance to others 38. The Baptisme is a substantiall working not a meere signe or z Or signification symbole of the Testament of Christ The Holy Ghost baptiseth the Soule and the Spirit from Christs bloud and Death with his victory and the Holy Element of the spirituall Water baptiseth the Body of the foure Elements to the Resurrection of the Dead and baptiseth the Serpents Ens and awakened introduced Poyson to dye or for Dead 39. It is a substantiall working Infusion of the Covenant of God therefore if the Infant baptised should worthily receive it there must be Earnestnesse A Christian who is a Christian in Christ Note in whom Christ worketh liveth and * Text. Ist dwelleth he should Baptise for he must enter into this Sheepfold by the Doore of Christ viz through Christs Spirit and not climbe up otherwhere else he is a Theefe and a Murtherer and cometh onely that he may robbe and steale the honour of Christ Note and deceive Men he should be A true Shepheard and not a hireling Heere availeth no babling and making a shew but there must be Earnestnesse for it is an Earnestnesse with God All Jangling and disputation about this work is an unprofitable thing and moreover hurtfull Men should lay hould of it with Earnestnesse and follow the Command of Christ and beleeve what Christ hath sayd 40. There belongeth no more to this work but Faith and Water and Earnest Prayer in true Repentance with such a Will that one Man would helpe to release another from Death the Devill and Hell and help to introduce him with himselfe into the Kingdome of God that is the whole processe that belongeth heereunto Every one that is a true Christian in Christ Note is worthy to be a Stander by and present at this work but he that is not such a one is unworthy whether he be Baptiser or Stander-by one as well as the other there is no respect of Persons with God In Christ wee are ONE Hee is the Stock wee are the Branches Hee worketh his work through his fellow Members as the Stock of the Tree generateth its fruit through its Twiggs and Branches The Stock useth no strange Tree for its Twigges so also Christ onely useth his Members to his work of his fruit The End of this first little Booke Concerning The Holy Baptisme The Second Booke Concerning The Holy Supper of our Lord Jesus Christ What kinde of Participation it is and how that is to be understood Also concerning the Contention of the Learned about Christs Cup what they doe about it also what is to be held concerning it Wherein Babell the Great City upon Earth with her forme and Wonders together with the Antichrist standeth quite naked and manifest To the Comfort of the simple Children of Jesus Christ and to the building up of the true Christian Religion in this confused troublesome Time All very Earnestly and sincerely discovered from the knowledge of the Great Mystery LONDON Printed by M. S. and are to be sold by H. B. at the Castle in Cornhill 1652. 1 COR. 11.28 Let a Man Examine himselfe and so let him Eate of this Bread and Drink of this Cup. An Intimation or Instruction to the READER THough indeed I heere dive and search sublimely and Deepe and set it downe very cleerely yet the Reader must be told thus much that without the Spirit of God it will be a Mystery to him and not apprehended Therefore let every one looke well to it what he judgeth that he fall not into the Judgement of God and be captivated by his owne Turba and that his owne Reason distract him this I say meaning well and give it to the Reader to Ponder in his Minde JACOB BEHM of Old Seidenberg The Contents of the Chapters in this Second little Booke Concerning the Holy Supper of Jesus Christ 1. OF the Ground of the Old Testament how this Testament was cleerly in the Type among the Jewes 2. Of the Supper of the New Testament how the Type is come into Essence or Substance 3. How the Disciples did eate and drinke the flesh and bloud of Christ 4. Of the difference in the Participation of it what the wicked receive with this Testament and how a Man should so prepare himselfe that he may be truly worthy 5. Of the Contention and Strife in the high Schooles or Universities about Christs Testaments how that Strife that hath filled the face of the Earth is a vaine and very hurtfull thing and ariseth in the Anger of God from the Devills desire and will whereby all brotherly Love and unity is destroyed the highly pretious Name of GOD blasphemed and the Holy GHOST in his Divine Wonders is Judged and despised by Reason The First Chapter Of the Ground of the Old Testament how this Testament was cleerly in the Type among the Jewes 1. WHen God sent Moses to Pharao and commanded him to let the Children of Israel goe into the Wildernesse and sacrifice to him and Pharao would not doe it then God sent great Plagues and punishments upon him and lastly the a Stifling destroying Angel which slew all the first-borne in Egypt and there he commanded Israel the Passeover or to slay and eate the Paschal-Lamb viz a Lamb of a yeare old and besprinkle the Doores and upper Poasts with the Bloud thereof that the slaying anger should there b Passe by passe over and kill none in the House Exod. 2.12 2. Which was a Type of the New-Testament shewing how the Poasts and Doores of our Life should be sprinckled with the Bloud of the Lamb Christ that Gods Anger in soule and body may not swallow us up into his wrath And as they must Eate up that Lamb wholly or quite and leave nothing over so would the Lamb Christ give himselfe in his Testament wholly for food to his Christendome and not divided and would besprinkle the Poasts of our Life with his Bloud of Love that the destroying Angel in Gods Anger might not take hold of us and slay us 3. Also wee have an Image or similitude thereof in the Vnleavened Cakes which they must Bake and Eate shewing that they should through this Paschal-Lambs Figure which signified Christ be a New and sweet c Dowe Lump when they should eate the right
lyeth which Tincture is above the Elementary Substance wherein the foure Elements lye in the Temperature which is a heavenly Paradisicall power and vertue that same Tincture of Bread and Wine is the true Medium wherewith Christ the humane Tincture giveth himselfe as into the humane Life for Man liveth not f By Bread onely from the foure Elements onely Matth. 4.4 The Grosse food which entereth into the Mouth doth not alone sustaine Life but the Inward power and vertue viz the Quintessence or fist Essence wherein the Tincture lyeth as a spirituall fire 24. The Elementary food g Worketh or Effecteth produceth onely mortall flesh and giveth a Source or moving of the Mortall Life but the Spirituall Man taketh his Nutriment from the Tincture for it selfe is a Tincture viz a Spirituall Fire therefore Christ powreth or over-floweth his heavenly flesh and bloud viz the Holy anointing Oyle into the Life of Man through and with the Nutriment of the true Life viz through the Tincture of Bread and Wine Not to understand that the Tincture of Bread and Wine is able to apprehend such a thing but it is onely a permissive Medium thereunto as the Outward Mouth of a Man is but a Medium where-through the power and vertue of the Tincture in the food is over flowed into the Spirituall Man and because in Bread and Wine there lyeth the highest Tincture which is neerest to the Life of Man which most of all susteineth the Life of Man therefore also hath Christ ordained this Testament under it 25. But 1 wee should not be earthly minded and suppose that after the Bread and Wine is blessed with the words of Institution that then Christs flesh and bloud is inherent in the Bread and Wine and that every wicked Man may partake of it without the right Mouth No if that were so then could Bread and Wine comprehend the divine power and vertue in its own capacity and Christs Spirituall flesh and bloud were become Bread and Wine and it would no more continue to be as Christ sayd My words are Spirit and Life Joh. 6.63 26. Mans spirituall Mouth taketh with the Faith Christs words and Life which words are a power of his flesh and bloud where the divine word is become a humane Substance That same humane and divine substantiall word is given to Man with the Tincture of Bread and Wine as through a Medium that there may be a visible signe of what is done in the inward Ground 27. Note Note 2 wee should not depend on this meanes or Medium alone and think that Christs flesh and bloud is onely and alone Participated in this use of Bread and Wine as reason in this present time miserably erreth therein No that is not so Faith when it hungereth after Gods Love and Grace alwayes eateth and drinketh of Christs flesh and bloud through the Medium or meanes of the blessed food and without the Medium or meanes of the food Christ hath not bound himselfe to Bread and Wine alone but hath bound himselfe to the Faith that hee will be in Man Hee will continue in him and Man shall continue in Christ His powerfull living Word would continue substantially in the Faith of which Substance the Faith may alwayes as also it ever might eate for it is the Faiths Nutriment wherein the Faith doth subsist and is a Substance Note The Faith in such participation becometh a substance viz a spirituall flesh and bloud of Christ in which the Living GOD in Trinity dwelleth worketh and willeth 28. The Substantiall Faith in Man is Christ himselfe who continueth in Man who is the Life and Light of Man That is the Temple of the Holy Ghost who dwelleth in us as Paul sayth Know yee not that yee are the Temple of God that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you Also the Temple of Christ is Holy which yee are 1 Cor. 3.16 17. Also Shall wee that belong unto Christ be yet Sinners that be far from us then were Christ a servant of Sinne in us Galat. 2.17 This same substantiall Faith is also the branch on the Vine of Christ which power and vertue penetrates through the whole Man as the Sunne doth an hearb and killeth the Lust and workes of the flesh 29. The Mortall flesh is not the Substantiall Faith that flesh comprehendeth not Christs flesh and bloud but suffereth it as a Grosse stone suffereth the Tincture of Gold and as fine Gold lyeth and groweth in the Grosse stone so also the love of Christ groweth in the true Life of Man and penetrateth through the Life as fire doth through Iron Not that such power stood in Mans Life that it could receive the substance of God in its owne power and vertue No it is given him of Grace as the Sunne of its own will giveth it selfe to the Hearb And the Hearb cannot therefore say I am the Sunne because the Sunne worketh in it so also can Man not say Note I am Christ because that Christ dwelleth and worketh in him as in his Expresse Image But the Creature is the Passive wherein the Creator dwelleth and worketh 30. Wee are Members of Christ according to his humanity and are therefore called Christians because Christ dwelleth and worketh in us in that wee are in our Life his twiggs and branches in those in whom he bringeth forth fruit through his power and vertue O little Children it is a Great Mysterie Note Note the use of this Testament where wee especially under Bread and Wine should partake of Christs flesh and bloud is therefore ordained that so wee should come together and eate of One Bread drink of One Cup and thereunder receive Christ that wee should Instruct one another what he hath done for us and declare his suffering Death and bloud-shedding one among another and teach it to our children and should binde our selves therewith in Love and exhort one another that wee in Christ are Members of one Body that wee in Christ are all but One. 31. Even as the One onely Christ giveth himselfe into us all in Common to be one onely Life and loveth us all in his one onely Humanity and reacheth forth that same onely humanity with his great Love and Grace to us all in Common under one Bread and Wine and so bindeth himselfe to us in one only participation Thus should wee also in such coming together and participation as members of one body binde our selves together in true Love and faithfulnesse and seriously Consider that in such participation wee are all but one in Christ for wee partake all of one onely Christ and in that same one Christ wee are one onely Body which is Christ in his Members O little Children what a depth of Mysterie is this if wee did rightly consider it Satan in the Anger of God hath rent us asunder and made us at odds so that wee have Opposite thoughts and heere cometh Christ with his Love and maketh us all in himselfe one onely
his Faith and generateth him to be a new Creature which with its Spirit walketh in Heaven and is a right Image of God whereby the earthly fleshly will is daily killed and the Newborne will dayly goeth to Heaven Joh. 6.56 Phil. 3.20 9. Which Heaven in the Inward Ground of his Life is revealed in the Spirit of Christ in him where the good Angelicall f Or Senses thoughts climbe up upon the right Jacobs Ladder Gen. 28.12 and Christ his Lord sitteth above on the top of it at the Right hand of God and dayly presenteth them with his humane and heavenly flesh and bloud before the wrath of God and the severe Judgement and is with him in all his need Also incloseth his Prayers in himselfe and thereby presenteth them before Death Hell the Devill and the Anger of God 10. This Publication both of his Word Taught as it is written in the Bible and is g Impregnated or conceived received in the sacramentall participation where he profferreth his Word in his flesh and bloud a Christian Man should receive and finde himselfe in this h Celebration Custome and unite and tie himselfe as a Member with the Congregation of Christ for in Christ wee are all but one as a Tree i Text. in and its Branches Gal. 3.28 11. It is not so to be understood that this Covenant and Testament is given onely by an outward hearing of the Word Preached and Participation of Bread and Wine at the k Or Sacrament Testament as the present World so Erreth in Many Hearts No it must be a right sincere Earnest with true working Repentance so that God with the Key of his Love unlocketh and Openeth the Hearing and the right Mouth which shall receive this Testament so that the poore soule have a right hunger and thirst after it and bring its desire through Christs sufferings Dying Death and Resurrection to it 12. Otherwise there is no true Mouth for such participation It must be a right Earnest sincere purpose that must put off the Defiled Garment and be willing to passe into a New Life It must be doing doing or it availeth nothing 13. This Pledge belongeth onely to Christs Children which so heare and keepe the Word in their Hearts that it bring forth fruit There must be Great earnestnesse both in the Teacher and Hearer for if any will handle and impart the Covenant of Christ he must himselfe be capable of the Covenant and Testament If the Sheepe must heare the voyce of Christ out of the Mouth of any and follow him then also the Spirit and power of Christ must be in that Mans voyce Else he is but a Hireling and the Sheepe heare not Christs voyce from his Mouth but onely the word of Man Joh. 10. 14. So also in like manner the Hearers Eare should be directed to God in true Repentance that he also may heare the voyce of Christ not onely with outward Eares but with the Eares of Divine power that the Teachers and Hearers power may strike together that the Spirit of Christ may worke l Text Between them together with them and the Heart may finde the Teachers Power that Good fruit may Grow from it 15. A Teacher should not teach for the sake of wages onely but should know and well consider that he standeth there in Christs stead and that Christ will Teach through him if he be a right m Or Pastor Shepheard 16. So also the Hearers should incline their Eare to that and Consider that they should there heare Christs voyce and receive it with great Earnestnesse and not thinke it is enough to Goe into the Church and there sit an houre to play the Hypocrite and heare a Sermon and remaine afterwards as before No such going to Church and hearing is no Service of God It bettereth them not if in the Sermon or Preaching they have not heard Christ teach in their hearts Going to Church maketh none vertuous unlesse he heareth in the Church Gods Word workingly in his soule 17. So also is it with the Sacraments wee should not thinke it is enough to Confesse and goe away as if such a Custome did take away sinnes without true Repentance and that he may sin a new afterwards No it is not so whosoever is washed and afterwards defileth himselfe with the same Mire he is then as he was before 18. Christ must Absolve thee in thy soule with his sufferings and Death and Inspeake or Inspire his satisfaction into thee in thy soule else it availeth not The Priests Mouth is onely an Outward Instrument and coworketh in his Spirit but if he be a hireling he cannot cowork but yet the Covenant of God in Christ Jesus worketh in the Repentant Heart and absolveth it 19. Loving Brethren both teacher and hearer who handle the Covenant of Christ have a care what you doe there is great earnestnesse required that you be not Guilty of the Death of Christ Consider diligently the Great severe Earnestnesse of God how HE hath instituted this Covenant with so Great hard Paine and Anguish through so great reproach and sufferings It must needs be from a very great cause that this Testament was Ordained with such severe Earnestnesse 20. God requireth of Man againe Earnestnesse to the receiving this Testament Not with cold luke warme Hearts onely to cover over sinne with the sufferings of Christ and Comfort ones selfe with it in Impenitency 21. It is not a forgivenesse from without which is imputed to Man from without No but through Christs Bloud and Death when the poore soule penetrateth into that then the sufferings Dying and Resurrection together with the satisfaction in this Testamentary Covenant is put on to it in the Bloud of Christ This killeth Sinne Death and Hell and leadeth the poore soule to the Father in Christ 22. It is not enough for a Man to know that Christ dyed for sinne and assenteth to it and holdeth it for true and receiveth the satisfaction as a work done No no there is no such receiving but the whole Man must give it selfe thereinto and must will to dye in Christs Death to the Evill Naturall own will as also to wicked Lusts and then Christ putteth on him his victory and satisfaction and the true heavenly Spirit springeth forth through Christs Death in his Resurrection as a faire flower out of the wilde Earth and there is a true Christian borne who is a branch on the vine Christ John 15. 23. Now there belongeth no great art or skill to this but onely a childlike simplicity and Humility the Plowman is as neere it as the Doctor they must all in the simplicity of Christ enter into humility and come with the lost sonne and the Publicane in the Temple there is no other way to it 24. There needs no Great Speculation about it with what trimmed words or behaviour man cometh thereto but wee must come onely with the Children which yeeld to the Father