is freely given and tendred to all Nations and none are hindered from having a priviledge or interest in it but they who are hindered and kept from it by their iniquities unbelief so you cannot justly challenge an interest in the Covenant because of any outward line or succession you are of since many of your fathers did provoke the Lord God to wrath who were cut off for their grievous abominations whose feed was mixt with the uncircumcised neither can you attain unto this Covenant wherein God presents his seed faultless by all your will-worships and carnal observations pertaining to the first Covenant where neither Priests nor people are without fault so are all short of the promise in the second Covenant which now the Lord God is fulfilling even among many who have been strangers and many of Israel after the flesh did seek after the righteousness of the Law but attained not to it because they sought it not by faith and stumbled at the holy one who is a stumbling stone in Zion and a Rock of offence Psa 118. Isai 28. which if you stumble at and seek after the righteousnes of the law by the works of the law then your expectations will fail you and you 'l be broken to pieces and scattered in Gods wrath and perish among the uncircumcised and Rebellious if you continue in hardness of heart and Rebellion against the Redeemer who comes to turn away iniquity from them that receive him and though many of Israel after the flesh did not or do not attain to the everlasting righteousness in Gods Covenant yet his Covenant shall not be disanulled neither will he fail thereof neither shall his City lie waste nor his habitation desolate for as a City may be builded in a Barren wilderness or desart place and the Elect one may spring up as a root out of a dry ground that groweth up as a tender plant and increaseth till it bring forth precious fruit even so can the Lord God raise up seed unto Iacob who is called Israel from among the heathen and outcasts who have been accounted as the barren places and as the dry ground that doth not bring forth fruit And as that wch was planted a noble vine wholly a right seed did become a degenerate Plant of a strange vine unto the Lord even so can the Lord take plants of a wilde vine and plant them into the true vine that they may receive nourishment from the true root and grow into the nature and become branches of the true vine and said the Prophet David thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt thou hast cast out the heathen and planted it thou preparedst room before it and didst cause it to take deep root and it filled the land Ps 80. and now are the last dayes come and now is the accepted time wherein God is causing the light of Israel to break forth as a flame that shall burn up the stuble and the Bryars and the thorns which the wicked are compared unto and now behold the light appeareth to lead many thousands into the path of life and the way of peace that Israel may now remember his resting place and the people that are weary and deeply loaden under the burthen of their iniquities who does seek unto the holy One of Israel may come to find rest for their souls and in the light of the holy One they may come to learn doctrine who have murmured and they that have Erred in spirit may come to understanding Isa 29. and again it shall come to passe in the last dayes that the mountain of the Lords house shall be established in the top of the mountains and shall be exalted above the hills and all Nations shall flow unto it and many people shall go and say come ye and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord and to the house of the God of Jacob and he will teach us of his wayes and we will walk in his pathes O house of Jacob come ye and let us walk in the light of the Lord Isai 2. Mich. the fourth chapter Now in these last days is the Lord God bringing this to pass that his holy mountain may be exalted and many may have a true desire to walk and come to walk in the light of the Lord which now he causeth to be Preached and published which Light many do oppose and many hates it and rejects it even many who make a professing of God in words but in practices deny him though they do build themselves up in their own imaginations and sets up their own knowledge but in resisting the light of the Lord these builders do reject the chief corner stone as it is written of them but he that believeth on him shall never be confounded nor ashamed for he shall be counted among the remnant that God hath chosen and gathered according to his promise as he hath promised Therefore behold the dayes come saith the Lord that they shall no more say the Lord liveth which brought the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt but the Lord liveth which brought up and which led the seed of the house of Israel out of the North Country and from all Countries whether I had driven them and they shall dwell in their own land Read Ier. 16. and chap. 23. Now this in a great measure hath the Lord fulfilled and hath gathered and is gathering his seed in the North Country and he hath made his Arm and power so far manifest in many there that he hath made them able to War against Babylon who hath long oppressed the seed of Israel but spoilers and men of War cometh forth of the North that shall fight against and spoil Babylon whose weapons are the weapons of indignation which God hath given them to fight withal Isai 13. and Ier. 50. Chapters and the heathen that do resist the spirit and the powerful truth of the Lord who have laid desolate the habitation of Iacob and devoured him they shall dread before the Lord of hostes who goeth before his hoste and overturneth the wicked and casteth out the heathen that his vine may take deep root and spread forth her branches even as far as the Sea and the Lord God is pouring forth his spirit upon all flesh that both Sons and Daughters may prophesie as he hath promised which already is come to passe both among Sons and Daughters Ioel 2. cha therefore O ye dispersed ones consider these things and lay them to heart for the Lord is bringing them surely to passe and he is not slack concerning his promises he that believes them and waits in the light to see them fulfilled shall partake therein and his soul shall live and be satisfied and he shall come to praise the Lord God in his fruitful hill and rejoice in his salvation in the land of the living But they that live in pride and stifneckednesse and hardens their hearts against the counsel of the Lord and
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
many thousands and this I say before you and before the Gentiles that you eyes might wair upon the Lord God and you may have respâ—ct to the holy One of Israel who is descended and revealed unto and in many of the children of men and hath given gifts unto men yea he hath received gifts even for the Rebellious that the Lord God might dwell among them Psa 68. marke Here is the end of the outward Temple which God departed from here the Lords Temple or Tabernacle is among men and his sacrifices are a broken spirit a brokeâ— and contrite heart and this doth his gift bring many to witnesse who come to feel their hearts prepared and firted for the Lord by his own good spirit or gift which he freely bestowes upon them and this is he whom God hath given for a Covenant who hath ascended and received gifts even for the rehellious this is the Shilo that was promised and this is he unto whom the gathering of the people must be Gen. 49. And this is the Prophet whom God promised unto Moses to raise up whom the people was to hear and whosoever will not hearken unto him shall be cut off for God will even require it of him that will not hearken unto the words of God spoken by him And saith h the Lord God I will give him for a Covenant unto tâ—e people and for a light unto the Gentiles yea for a Leader to be my salvation to the ends of the earth mark this is the true Leader who is the light the everlasting covenant now since that your fathers have broken the first covenant that the Lord God made when he had brought Israel out of Egypt It is expedient for you that you turne your mindes from the outward Temples or Synagogues from the outward offerings and outward things that pertained to the first covenant and looke unto the holy one of Israel who is the salvation of God freely tendred unto you that by him your hearts may be cleansed and you saved from your manifold transgressions and offences and be established on an everlasting foundation least that through your obstinacy and wilfulnesse and rebellion you be found in your fathers iniquities and so perish with them that God destroyed for Israel was as the sand of the Sea in number yet it was but a remnant that were saved or preserved in comparison of the number that were destroyed and had it not been that the Lord of Hosts had left unto Israel a smal remnant they had all been unto the Lord as Sodome and as Gomorrah whom God destroyed read Isa Is and Chapter the 10th and even so it would be with many Nations but that God hath respect unto his heritage the seed whom God will sift from among the Nations and gather into his everlasting covenant that a right vine plant may grow up among them which plant he wil cause to take root and to spring up and bring forth fruit in abundance this is he that cometh out of the stem of Jesse and out of the root of David unto whom the Gentiles shall seek and his rest shall be glorious who shall be for an ensigne of the people and the second time will the Lord set his hand to recover the remnant of his people unto him both out of the Sea Jslands and many far countries and he shall assemble the outcasts of Israel and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the foure corners of the earth Isa 11. mark this is the seeker and saviour of that which was lost unto whom the people must be gathered both of Jews gentiles yea this is the righteous plant upon whom resteth the spirit of wisdome of understanding of might and of the fear of the Lord whom man despiseth and the Nations abhoreth who is a servant of Rulers Thus saith the Lord concerning him Kings shall see and arise Princes also shall worship because of the Lord that is faithful and the holy One of Israel and he shall chuse thee thus saith the Lord in an acceptable time have I heard thee and in a day of salvation have I helped thee and I will preserve thee and give thee for a covenant to the people to establish the earth to cause to inherit the desolate heritages that thou maist say to the prisoners goe forth and to them that are in darknesse shew your selves they shall feed in the waies and their pastures shall be in all high places they shall not hunger nor thirst neither shall the heat nor Sun smite them for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them even by the springs of water shall he guide them and I will make all my mountaines a way and my high waies shall be exalted behold these shall come from far and loe these from the North and from the West and these from the land of Sinim Read Isa 49. Even this in the North and in several of the Islands of the Sea is come to passe already and believed by many who have been as desolate heritages but now the Redeemer is come who is bringing many out of bondage and out of the prison house of corruption and iniquity wherein many are yet in bondage unto whom this shall be reported and who shall be visited by this Redeemer and Saviour whom God is raising up and hath raised him up in his power and Majesty amongst many in the North Countries whom God hath gathered unto him and who now are led by the River of water which cometh from the everlasting fountain of life and mercies as many in the Island of England do and shall witnesse who were once desolate and as Gentiles by nature that knew not the everlasting covenant of light but now are come into the light and power of God in which God is setting up his holy mountain that his peomay find rest and dwell in safty and shall praise the Lord in the glory of his light and beauty of his holinesse Therefore ye in whom there is some sincerity and some thirsting after holinesse in whom Jacob is not wholly eaten up or destroyed nor his habitation quite desolate and in whom there is some thing of the truth appearing and kindling look ye unto the servant of the Lord the Elect the chosen one in whom his soul delighteth he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles for the spirit of God is upon him A bruised reed shall he not break and the smoking flax shall he not quench he shall bring forth judgement unto truth this is he that is given for a Covenant of the people and for a light of the Gentiles to open the blind eyes to bring out the prisoners from the prison and them that sit in darknesse out of the prison house his Law the Isles shall wait for Isa 42. and he shall sprinkle many Nations though he be dispised and rejected of men he being a man of sorrowes and acquainted with grief yet he groweth up as a tender plant and
Covenant of God they come to be made partakers of the sure mercies of David whose Tabernacle the Lord God is building up among men and restoring the waste places thereof that his seed may be exalted and his Covenant may be injoyed among his people in which Covenant they may witness holiness and purity and life in the countenance of the everlasting Jehovah and the Prince of Peace whom the Kingdom and the government belongs unto and in this Covenant they shall be so spotless that the Lord will not find fault with them as he did with them that brake the first Covenant wch he commanded in Horeb and gave to the Israelites when he had led them out of Egypt which Covenant is put an end to for righteousness by that which never shall have end wherein his people shall be found faultless therefore linger not in death and darkness and go not a whoring after your inventions and take heed of rejecting the message or despising or persecuting the messengers of the everlasting Covenant of God as your fathers of old have done least the iniquities of them that hated Gods Covenant and slew the Prophets be upon you And now is the Lord God of power sending forth messengers to witness forth his everlasting name and Covenant and to direct peoples towards his holy mountain and habitation yea the Lord sends forth messengers from the North Countrey to witness forth his Covenant for his remnants sake and behold he causeth his trumpet to be sounded forth and his voyce to be uttered through his sanctified ones whom he hath chosen to War against Babylon against her that is polluted whose abominations have been long over all the earth therefore blessed is that people and happy is that land that receiveth the Testimony of the everlasting Covenant of God and do open the doors that the righteous that holds the truth may come in and be received among them in the name of the everlasting Jehovah who hath sent them that his Name may be published and may be great even among the Gentiles or heathen from the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same as he hath promised Malachi the first Chapter But wo unto them that reject the messengers whom God sendeth forth of the north Countrey and who despise their message and persecutes them or puts any of them to death he Lord God will himself arise like a man of war and will awake and come forth against them to destroy them as a fierce lion that cometh forth of his Thicket to lay hold on the prey for they that truely receive the witnesses that God sendeth forth to direct people into his living way they receive him that sent them and so receives his truth in the love of it but they that reject them they do reject him that sent them and so do refuse the waters of Shilo which run softly and therefore will the Lord bring upon them his fierce indignation as an overflowing scourge that shall sweep away the refuge of lyes and lyars and evil doers into the pit of his indignation therefore O ye scattered people have a regard to Gods Covenant and to his Truth that his Elect seed and heritage may be known among you that there may be a man found among you to make up the breach which hath been between God and you and that he may stand in the gap whom God hath chosen to mediate between him and you and to turn away his wrath from you which hath come upon you because of your Rebellion for thus saith the Lord to the men of Judah and Jerusalem break up your fallow ground sow not among thorns circumcise your selves to the Lord and take away the foreskins of your hearts ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Ierusalem least my fury come forth like fire and burn that none can quench it because of the evil of your doings Jer. 14. chapter so be not uncircumcised in heart but let thine ear and thy heart be circumcised and hearken to the words of the holy One who calleth unto the prisoners to come forth and who is come for to relieve the oppressed he saith the Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary and again he saith the spirit of the Lord God is upon me because he hath appointed me to Preach good tydings to the meek he hath sent me to binde up the broken hearted to proclaim liberty to the Captives and the opening of the prison to them that are bound to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord and the day of vengeance of our God to comfort all that mourn Isai 61. chap. Mark whom glad tydings liberty and comfort is Preached unto not to the hard-hearted nor the proud nor the stubborn nor such as are at ease in their inquities which causeth the seed of God to suffer and imprisons the just but to the meek to the prisoner and to him that mourneth hear this thou seed of Jacob and receive consolation O Israel for thy Saviour and Redeemer is come to visit thee according to the promise a deliverer shall come forth of Zion and he shall turn away iniquity from Jacob for unto him the Lord saith I am with thee to save thee though I make a full end of all Nations whether I have scattered thee yet will I not make a full end of thee but I will correct thee in measure and will not leave thee altogether unpunished Jer. 30. therefore come forth come forth O Israel in the light and glory and strength of thy Redeemer and let thy Tabernacle be set up for Nations to come to and let thy tents be set up and increased among the heathen and let them bow to thy Standard and Ensign and inlarge thy dwelling places and thy borders over the desert waste places where thou mayst find a way for thy seed and rivers of living waters may issue forth unto thee for thy thirsty ones to drink at that thou maist be nourished and thy children satisfied in a fruitful land that thou maist possesse a goodly heritage and thy seed shall be known among the Gentiles and thy off-spring among the people and all that see them shall acknowledge them that they are the seed which the Lord hath blessed for these are they who walk in the wayes and keep the judgements and obey the commands of the Lord God whom he calleth and Redeemeth and justifieth by his righteousness which he revealeth in them whom he finds out in a day of salvation and whom he gathers in an accepted time who do answer his call in due season and are willing to keep his Covenant and such a seed and a people will the Lord God find out in many Nations where his word shall be heard and unto whom his standard shall be listed up And ye scattered Jewes this know that now as the everlasting Covenant of light and life
with golden vessels and divers instruments according to the command of God which command was given to Solomons father David who as God had shewed him directed Solomon for the building of it in Jerusalem But now in the everlasting Covenant of God he dwelleth and walketh in his people and their bodies are his Temple and he dwelleth not in Temples made with hands seeing that he giveth to all life and being the heaven of heavens cannot contain him much lesse could the Temple which Solomon built him and so the time is come wherein God is worshipped in spirit and in truth and not at Jerusalem as Christ said for that Temple was but a figure for the time then present of a Temple not made with hands so all that receive the spirit of the Lord walk in it they become a fit habitation for God through the spirit who dwelleth with the contrite with the meek and lowly in heart who are led by his spirit And in the holy City where the Lord makes his people Citizens there is no Temple but the Lord God is the Temple thereof and he is all and in all his Saints so seeing that that form of worship is ceased which was in the Jewes Temple which God commanded and the Lord hath forsaken that Temple much more is that worship and these Temples without to be denyed which God never commanded as the Gentiles Temples and these Temples that are builded by the Papists and in the idolatry which many calls Gods houses or Temples but be not deceived with their vain words who cry the Temple of the Lord the Temple of the Lord who know not the Lord whose dwelling is on high and also in his own people 1 King 6.2 Chro. 28.2 Chro. 3 4. 5. chapters 1 Cor. 3 16.2 Cor. 6.16 1 Cor. 6 19. Acts 7.48 17.24 1 King 8.27 Joh. 4 21 22. Ephes 2 22. Isai 57.15 Psal 34.18 Rev 21 22. Jer. 7.4 19. Of the singing and praising upon outward Instruments which was used in the outward Temple MOreover there was several men of Israel appointed for officers and overseers in the temple that Solomon built and then there was singing songs of praises and praising God with Cymbals psalteries and harps and such instruments used David in his time with Organs other instruments of Musick which was in the time of the first Covenant which stood onely in the figures but they that were officers is in the house of the Lord had portions given them by his institution according to every mans servitude in the house but it was onely the priests of the tribe of Levi that had the Tythes ordered them to dispose of according to the law of God who offered sacrifices and burnt offerings in the house of the Lord 1 Chro. 24. and 15. chapters Psal 150.1 Chro. 9 29. Levit. 6 21 1 Chro. 23 28 29. 2 Chro. 31 19 Ezra 2.62 Nehe. 12.46 Num. 18.26 But that worship without had an end and ceased and the songs of the Temple without was turned into Howling as the Prophets of God foretold and wo was unto them that invented to themselves Instruments of Musick like David for deceit and wicked men are gotten into that Musick which is used on carnal instruments and carnal people to sing in idols temples without as they pretend praises to God when their hearts are filled with unrighteousness singing Davids prayers praises and prophesies complaints lamentations in Rhime and Meeter which the Lord never required of them whose singing will be turned into weeping as theirs was who invented Instruments of Musick like David who were nearer in the form to David then these are now in their singing who now sing Davids conditions but do neither praise God upon the harp nor other instruments as David did so that such worships neither with the spirit nor with understanding For by the spirit of the Lord are many brought to worship God according to his own will who being gathered into God who is the Temple in his holy place they are come to pray to sing and to praise him with the spirit And I saw harpers harping with their harps which are the prayers of the Saints so that he that is led by the Spirit of God with it knows when to pray and how to pray worship according to the mind of the spirit which is acceptable to the Lord but all praying worshipping that's out of the spirit of truth in mens own wills and their own appointed times by carnal observation is neither regarded nor accepted of the Lord and the prayers of the wicked are abomination unto the Lord who often pray but never truely waits for nor receives an answer from the Lord but still remaines in wickedness and sensuality while their minds are estranged from the light and spirit of Christ for want of following and minding his spirit they pine away in their wickedness which dryeth up their souls Amos 8.3 5.23 6.5 Rom. 7.6 Rom. 8.15.26 1 Cor. 14 15. Rev. 5.8 Ps 109.7 Prov. 28.9 Jer. 7.12.14 26.6 20. Of the overthrow and destruction of Solomons Temple and the building it again and its destruction the second time BUt after Solomon had built the Temple Israel forsook the Lord God and defiled his house and served other gods committing Idolatry against the commands of the Lord God in so much that God did with them as he did with them and the Tabernacle in Shilo for he forsook them they were taken captives by Nebuchad-nezzar King of Babylon who destroyed that house which God had commanded and it and all the houses of Jerusalem were burnt with fire and the Israelites were captives in Babylon as the Prophets had prophesied But after this the Temple was builded again according to the command of the God of Israel wch came by his Prophets Haggai and Zechariah unto the Jews and unto Zerubabel and King Cyrus and after unto King Darius who fulfilled the command of the Lord in causing the Temple to be built again and in setting the officers and things pertaining to it in order as the Lord God had commanded And after these things Christ prophesied of the overthrow of the Temple and said there should not be left one stone upon another that should not be thrown down 1 Sam. 4.12 Ps 78.60 2 King 24.2 25.8 Ezra 5.12 Hag. 1.1 Zech. 1.1 Ezra 6. Mat. 24.1 2. Mark 13.1 Luke 19.44 21.5 So now the sum and fulness of all things in the Covenant of life being made manifest which is the Covenant wherein God establisheth his own seed and remnant let all that hunger and thirst after God for their souls health come unto Christ the light the fountain of life and wisdom in whom the treasures of life are set open to them that fear the Lord and wait in his light whose fulness cannot be contained nor comprehend in any carnal or visible things for they are changeable and the earth the things thereof waxeth old and they
are corruptible and some have abused and Idolized many things without and corrupted the first Covenant which upheld the carnal things that in their time some upheld in obedience to God but they did but signifie or figure forth greater things which are comprehended in the everlasting Covenant of life and light which cannot be comprehended nor discerned by the carnal mind nor by natural men And things unutterable doth the Lord reveal to them that walk in his way the light of his Covenant which the world cannot Idolize or corrupt though outward things they may corrupt and in no other way can the presence of the Lord God be known nor the life of his law and Covenant be revealed and made known but by the light of his own Son which shineth in the hearts which he that believes and walkes in is blessed for he feels a living way an acceptable sacrifice and offering which is offered by the eternal spirit And now the light and spirit of the Lord Christ is Gods way wherein he will be obeyed worshipped and honoured and this is the way to the everlasting righteousness and salvation of God who is the everlasting Temple in his City in whom his seed shall find rest and solemnity And this is the life the wisdom and power which brings to see over all the world and over all temporal things and no way will please the Lord but his own way which is his light which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world and thus God hath given his Son for a way for a light for his salvation for his Covenant to his people that his glory may be known and his Name may be published and known to the ends of the earth both among Jewes and Gentiâ—es who thirst after his righteousness which never hath an end Thus I have according to truth discribed unto the Jewes and professors the end of the Law of Commandments contained in Ordinances and the end of the figures and the shadowes as the Apostle Paul did to the Hebrewes or Jews of old that were upheld in the first Covenant that they that would receive life and salvation may see the way to the heavenly treasury and to the good things of God that will minister to the soul But the way into new Jerusalem the City of the living God the mother of the righteous all the workers of iniquity are out of it and nothing that works abomination or maketh a lie must enter into the City of the living God and no unclean thing must dwell there for the Lord God and the Lamb is the Temple the light and the glory thereof from whose wrath mountains and hills cannot cover the wicked for he is the fulness and the sum of all whose presence filleth heaven and earth he is infinite incomprehensible invisible eternal the heaven of heavens cannot contain him who can receive or discern any of the secret council of our great God But he that feareth his name and walketh in his light who is led by the spirit of light and truth which leadeth into all truth Holiness to the Lord our God for ever for he is in his Son Christ and Christ is the light that enlighteneth all men and women and Christ is God over all through all and in all God blessed for ever he is the Alpha and Omega the beginning and the End the first and the last Blessed are they that do his Commandments that they may have right to the tree of life and may enter in thorow the gates into the holy City for without are dogs sorcerers and Whore-mongers and Murtherers and Idolaters and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie and no such can enter into the City of God but the upright and the faithful who are clothed in righteousness and walk in their integrity they have accesse into the City of God and they shall praise him in the light of his countenance among the living who have right unto the Mysteries of life and salvation who know that worthy is the Lord our God to be glorifyed and to Reign Allelujah to the most high for ever and ever Amen This was written from the spirit of the Lord God G. W. THE END ERRTA IN page 14. line 16. for yea r. ye l. 32. f. pray r. prey p. 15. l. 20. f. commands r. commanded p. 16. l. 18. f. say r. lay p. 24. l. 25. for he r. the p. 29. l. 7. f. whether r. whither p. 34. l. 6. f. going r. goings f. from of old put out from p. 35. line the last save one f. yet r. that p. 72. l. 16. put out and the Levites p. 80. l. 28. a add and.
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
imaginations imagining a Christ like themselves and for salvation afar off and Justification afar off and yet they are in their sins and believe not that they shal be otherwise so long as they live upon earth they are strangers to the true Christ and to his righteousness and their minds are from that which Justifieth and comes not to see these things which Christ did in his own person fulfilled in his Kingdom as the Saints did who were translated into the Kingdom of Christ which stood in his power who knew Christ in them and his Kingdom in them and so they whose minds are out from the light who are gazing from it and will not own the coming of Christ within nor a justifying by his righteousness within the cloud of darkness is over them that they cannot see Christ in his power as they who were gazing when Jesus was taken from them they could see no further then the cloud which received him out of their sight but Stephen who was full of the holy Ghost he saw the heaven open and the glory of God and the Son of man on the right hand of God and John who witnessed the light within him and the spirit of God and Christ who is the light the quickening spirit revealed in him he saw the heaven open and they that walked in the light of Christ in them they witnessed his righteousness revealed in them and thereby are Justified from their sins and not in their sins for no further are any sanctified nor justified then they feel themselves made holy and just by Christ in his righteousness in them and no further are they justified by Christ then they are made partakers of the life of Christ in them for Justification is a real work of God in that creature that feels a sanctifying or cleansing from sin so ve that say ye are justified by Christs suffering without you above 1600. years since and yet you continue in sin and would lay all your iniquities upon Christs back you are of them that cause Christ to suffer by your sins and are condemned by his light in you for your sins and know that while you are condemned for your sins you are neither sanctified nor justified for as Christ the just suffered for the unjust and was grieved and burthened by their sins it cometh to passe that the unjust must come under his judgements and wrath for their iniquities they must bear their own burthens and he that denies the light or gift of Christ within to be his leader he hath no share in the death and refurrection of Christ for no further are any justified by Christ then they are brought to live with him in his life which is the light of men and no further are any justified and made free and restored by Christ then they are brought to have a share in the death and resurrection of Christ knowing his spirit in them which raised up Jesus from the dead to quicken their mortal bodies which have been dead in trespasses and sins for Christ rose again for our justification mark he doth not say that though men live in their sins all their life time that they are justified by what Christ suffered so long since without but he rose again for our justification as much as to say he rose again and gave gifts unto us of his spirit and grace which we have in us and so we are justified by his grace for since Christ is risen we have received the Comforter and Christ is in us and he shall abide with us for ever according to his promise Consider these things you blinde guides and professors that say there are two righteousnesses one that sanctifieth another that Justifieth when as the righteousness of Christ is but one who is the righteousness of God and who is made wisdom righteousness Sanctification and Redemption to the Saints who also are justified by Christ which is but one as they are brought to live unto him who gave his life a ransom for many which life is his light the light of men and he dyed for all that as many as live should not live unto them-themselves but unto him who dyed and rose again and they who are dead unto sin are healed by his stripes But they who live to sin are enemies to the Crosse of Christ which is the power of God unto salvation to the true believers and these that are enemies to the Crosse are they by whom Christ suffers and these who diswade people from heeding or following the light within which Christ hath enlightened them withall they are even such as keeps Christ in prison and such watchmen as are blind and ignorant such as they were that watched the Tomb where the body of Jesus laid that he might not rise yea these Priests now are worse then they were then whom the chief Priests hired to lie touching Jesus that people might not believe that he was risen for these were not such hypocrites as these Priests are now for people blindly hires them to Preach Christ now they professe to do it but directs them from the light within so that they are still in death having no part in his life or Resurrection whilst their minds are kept from his life which is the light of men and such Priests were alwaies enemies to Christ and Judas that turned to the Priests betrayed and sold the innocent into the hands of the Priests and murtherers for thirty pieces of silver and with it they bought but one field but these Priests now who teach for hire do make a trade of these Scriptures and sells the Letter of the Scriptures with much money they have thus unjustly gotten many of them have bought many fields or Lands so their wickedness doth in this exceed the wickedness of Judas and them who purchased but one field to bury strangers in and this ground they thus bought was not to live upon but to bury strangers in but these Priests now many of them do live of the earth or fields they purchase with the money they get for their preaching Christ as they pretend and they that crucified Christ they took his garments and parted them and so these coveteous Priests they get Christs words and make a Trade upon them but him they crucifie a fresh through these their horrible crimes and wickedness and so betrayes the just and watches to keep his life in the prison and in the grave for as much as they labour to keep people from following his light within them for they are afraid that it should discover their deceits for the light maketh manifest things that are reproved and the Apostle called the proud and the covetous teachers Traytors 2 Tim. 3.2 3.4 So let these Traytors and all that turn from the life of Christ within to the deceitful Priests without who makes a trade on Christs words and keeps the seed of God in bondage and his life which is the light they watch the graves
of the Tythes as well as the Priests taht there might be no beggar in Israel And the Priests did offer an heave-offering unto the Lord of the tenth part of the Tythes as God commanded which command was in force until Christ was crucified as other Ordinances were the Jewes and Pharisees they payed Tythes in the dayes of Christ in the flesh but neglected the weightier matters of the Law Num. 18 26. Deut. 10.9 and 12.12 and 14.29 Mala. 3.10 Mat. 23.23 Luke 11.42 But now is Christ come and made manifest through suffering who is became an everlasting high Priest over the houshold of God who was not made a Priest after the Law of a carnal commandment as the Priests without were but by the power of an endless life and he is the end of that Priesthood which had the Tithes and offerings which could not continue by reason of death though tithes and offerings were Ordinances in the changeable Priesthood they did but continue by the law until Christ the one offering suffered on the Crosse who took away the hand writing of Ordinances blotted it out nailing it to his crosse and he abolished in the flesh the emnity that was against us even the Law of Commandments contained in Ordinances So that in stead of a Priesthood that dyed a Priesthood is witnessed in Christ the everlasting covenant of God so the priesthood being changed that had the tithes and offerings there is made of necessity a change of the law which upheld these outward things also And then certanly they that either take or maintain the taking of Tythes either Priests or others they deny Christ come in the flesh and are enemies to his Crosse minding earthly things in their taking or upholding tythes and he that denyeth Christ come in the flesh the same is Antichrist But they who own Christs coming and do receive him he becomes their friend their husband and father and leads them into his Fathers house which is an everlasting store-house of many mansions and bread enough and so sees the life and substance of that which the store-house without was but a figure of in which no strangers comes to be entertained but such as receive the truth in the love of it Heb. 10.21 and chap. 7. Colos 2.14 Ephes 2.15 2 John 7. Phil. 3.18 19. 10. Of the outward Tabernacle under the Law and the instruments thereof and the Lords forsaking thereof THe first Covenant and Priesthood had a Tabernacle of the Congregation which was made according to the pattern which God shewed unto Moses in the mount and made known unto him how to make the Tabernacle and instruments thereof and there was the Ordinances of Divine Service and this Tabernacle had the worldly sanctuary or outward Court called the sanctuary wherein the Priests did dayly service as offering sacrifices and offerings for the sins and trespasses of the people And there was seven Lamps continually burning and within the Tabernacle was there a second vail hung up and within that vail was the the Tabernacle called the most holy wherein was the Cherubims mercy-seat and the Ark of the Testimony that God gave to Moses the Testimony was in the Ark the mercy-seat was over the Ark and the Cherubims stood over the mercy seat on each end of it with their wings stretched forth overshadowing the mercy-seat and none was to go into the most holy place within the vail save the high Priest once a year but he went not without blood which he offered for his own sins and for the errors of the people and the Lord communed with the Priest from between the Cherubims of glory and yet neither the Priest nor the people were made pure as pertaining to the conscience by these offerings and Ordinances which they offered and upheld in that Covenant which had a shadow of heavenly things so that there was need of a second Covenant and of the blood of the heavenly Mediator whereby a cleansing from sin and error is witnessed by such as have received the end of these outward shadows which in their time was glorious But now mark this figure in the first covenant the Ark of the Testimony was under the mercy-seat which was over shadowed with the Cheribins And both the Ark and the mercy-seat was within the vail whether the people that was in the error and hardness of heart might not come save the Priest that was annointed with precious ointment for in this holy place was the golden censer also the golden pot which had the Manna and Aarons rod which budded and the Tables of the Covenant And thus this Tabernacle where God was heard was furnished with more instruments then I need mention at present And no stranger nor uncircumcised person might come nigh the Tabernacle least he was cut off Exod. 25.9.16 20.21.22 37.40 27.20 Num. 7 89. Acts 7.44 Heb 8.5 9. chap. Heb. 9.1.2 3 4 5. And moreover when the Israelites had forsaken the Lord and were turned into I dolatry and had set up high places and images the Lord forsook the Tabernacle in Shilo which before he was heard in and the Israelites sell into the hands of their enemies who did make slaughter spoil both among them and their consecrated things that Gods presence in some measure had been found in till they had provoked him And when the Israelites sell into the hands of the Philistines that the Philistines got the upper hand of them they took away the Ark of the Covenant from the Israelites but they were fain to send it back unto them again for the Lord smote and plagued the Philistines for it and their Idol Dagon fell before the Ark and he smote the heathen men of Bethshemesh with a great slaughter because they looked into the Ark of the Lord Mark the uncircumcised heathen were not to look into the holy things And this Ark was of such a great account in the eyes of many in Israel seeing that it was a consecrated precious thing and the hand of the Lord was known with it that some counted that the glory of Israel was departed when the Ark was taken Deut. 32.21 Psal 78.58 59. Judg. 2.11 3.7 4.1 6.1 10.6 13.1 1 Sam. 4.10 11.16.17 5.3.4 6 chap. Now Christ Jesus being come he is the Mediator of a better Covenant which is established upon better promises then that Covenant which had the Tabernacle and Sanctuary without and the Cherubims and mercy seat Ark and Testimony without for that Tabernacle without did man pitch and the Priests and the people did God often find fault with and then there was a vaile over the peoples hearts that they could not see into the holiest of all while the first Tabernacle was standing but Christ the everlasting high Priest is a Minister of the Sanctuary and of the true Tabernacle which the Lord pitched and not man and according to his promises his Tabernacle is with men who have received his Laws in
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