Kingdom of Israel should have been restored according to the promses of the prophets 6. Likewise there were many that were offended at his word and doctrine but chiefly the scripture learned which were thâ— expertest or learnendst in the scripture and seemed to be the holiestq. Many of these could not away with him 7 And although they were daylie converversant with him and heard his word which was the word of God his Father it self as also saw his wonderful signes which he did yet believed they not but were so much the more displeased with him 8. Hereout we may evidently understand ye dearly beloved that the wisdom the holy understanding nor the holiness which God regardeth cometh not unto the Disciples in the Scripture learnedness nor in the knowledge but unto the Disciples in the obedience of the requiâ—ing of the word as also of the light of life and of the godly truth whereunto our upright service of love together with the Scripture and the Ceremonies which are administred out of the true light of our most holy service of love do point and lead 9. WHilst now that Iesus Christ himself is the very true holiness and the upright substance of God his Father whereon we witness so gave he also in times past like as presently in his service such a cleerness from him wherewith he sufficiently witnessed and manifested who he was 10. But forasmuch as the children of men were utterly estranged from the substance of the Being of God like as in this present day there are many estranged therefrom so have they not known him according to his godly Being like as he is a Christ of God much leâ—s understood his word which is the spirit and life of his Father 11. Although he spake or witnessed before the ears of men of the new birth or renewing in the spirit of the turning about and to become as children of the kingdom of the God of heavens of the bread that cometh from heaven of the light of the world of the way the truth and of the resurrection and the life all which he himself is yet was it all covered before their eys with the flesh of Christ whereat many Scripture learned took offence and secret before the ears of their understanding yea and it remained also all covered or secret before his Disciples although they were not offended at his flesh and word until that Christ had fulfilled or accomplished with them through his death of the Cross his Pass-over and the true oblation Godservice in the holy of the true Tabernacle and they had imitated him therein that Christ after the Spirit replenisht them out of his heavenly being with his holy Ghost and so declared himself unto them according to the spiritual form of his heavenly being 12. BEhold until that time remained the vail which is the flesh of Christ before the most holy so that they could not behold with the eyes of their inwardness the most pure beauty of the heavenly Being namely the naked cleerness of the most holy of the true Tabernacle of God nor the perfect lovelyness of the everlasting life of Jesus Christ nor yet understand the same according to the heavenly truth 13. For although Christ after the flesh witnessed much unto them of Spirit and life yet was notwithstanding their heart so long as Christ after the spirit was not declared unto them captived with the love of Christ after the flesh and they understood all things for the most part according to an outward form or observation 14. If now the right Disciples of Christ understood not the spiritual and heavenly truth of Christ before their Passover with Christ into the second birth how much less then understood they the truth of Christ which were offended at his flesh and at his word and doctrine which also turned them away from him and would not be his Disciples For verily all they that were offended at his flesh and at his doctrine and works and humbled not themselves obediently under his Doctrine nor yet assembled them unto him understood nothing at all of the spiritual and heavenly Testimonies of Jesu Christ nor of the kingdom of the God of heavens and yet much less of the salvation of men even like as also yet in this present time all unregenerated men which shew forth no upright fruits of repentance nor become incorporated into Christ after the flesh with his like death nor yet baptised in his death for to become renewed in the second birth from the death of Christ through the holy Spirit of Jesu Christ in their Spirit and mind understand not any thing at all thereof neither yet of the spiritual and heavenly testimonies of the holy Spirit of the love of Jesu Christ nor yet likewise of all that which the Scripture speaketh of Christ of the coming of his glory and of his judgement over the living and dead And for that cause there are also now in the last time so many which take offence at the appearing of the coming of Jesu Christ or of the son of maa and at the ministration of the word and doctrine of Jesu Christ after the flesh as also contemn the requiring of the obedience of his service of love and turn them away therefrom The XXI Chapter FOrasmuch now as that in times past the cleerness of Christ through the holy Ghost was yet unknown unto the upright and faithful Disciples of Iesus Christ whilst that they knew him not otherwise but after the flesh namely how or in what godly and heavenly cleerness that Iesus Christ is the only begotten Son of the most highest the very like Being or substance of God his Father the way the truth and the life the light of the world the dore of the sheep the right Vine the living bread of heaven the resurrection from the death and the new heavenly man So was it therefore needful that Christ should keep the Pascha or Pass-over with them which is called in Hebrew Phase the which signifieth the true Pass-over which the right Disciples and Believers of Iesu Christ do pass or go through in the following of Christ after the flesh and it is the true oblation or Godservice in the holy to the remission and purging of sins Which Phase as in a figure of the very true had been observed by the Jews in his figurative service even until the same time 2. For that cause the Lord Iesus caused the same to be prepared him for to keep the Pass-over or Pascha with his Disciples in the true being and told them before of his suffering and Pass-over and that they must also do the like if they would come to his cleerness in the heavenly Being with his Father 3. Therefore he gave them to understand in what manner his pass-over should be to wit that he namely Christ
EVANGELIUM REGNI A joyful MESSAGE OF THE KINGDOM Published by the holy Spirit of the love of Jesus Christ and sent forth unto all Nations of people which love the Truth in Jesus Christ. Set forth by H. N. and by him perused anew and more distinctly declared Translated out of Base-Almayn O how lovely are the feet of the Messengers which publish the peace preach good tidings and evangelize the salvation Isa. 52. b. Nah. 2. a. Rom. 10. c. The Evangely of the Kingdom shall be preached unto the world for a witness unto all people and then shall the end come Matth. 24. b. I saw an angel flie thorow the midst of heaven having an everlasting Evangely to publish unto them which sit and dwell upon the earth namely unto all heathen generations languages and people Apoc. 14. a. Imprinted at London 1652. THE PREFACE COnsider on the Time O all yee People which love the truth of Iesus Christ. 2 Presently in this day of the love and of the appearing of the coming of our Lord Iesus Christ in the Resurrection of the dead wherein the Law the Prophets and all that is written of Christ becometh fulfilled is this Ioyfull Message of the Kingdom out of the hearty mercifulness and love of God the Father Evangelized unto us all and sent especialy by the holy spirit of the love of Iesus Christ unto all lovers of the Truth as also published in all the world for a testimony unto all peoplâ— aâ—â—ording to the scripture To the stirring up of all â—nderstandings unto the true knowledge of the godlines in Iesus Christ and to an everlasting concordable and stedfast peace upon the earth according to the promises 3 Let every one respect well this profered Grace for even now in the last time the Lord sendeth his Angel or Messenger before him for to prepare his way and to publish an everlasting evangelie unto all generations languages and people according to his promises to the intent that they all should now withdraw them from the iniquity turn them to the family of the love of Iesus Christ God his mercy seat and even so to their preservation in the godlines shew fortst upright â—epentance for their sins the end shall come 4 And albeit that we have set forth these present testimonies O yee lovers of the truth of Iesus Christ to an Evangelie of the Kingdome and publish to a joyful message that the God of heaven hatâ— shewed mercy on all people for that they should repent them and stand goâ—d-willing unto his requiring declared his great Day-light of the upright righteousnes through us his elected ones in the world out of heavâ—n from his right-hand and brought it ovâ—r the whole earth for to judge the â—ame with righteousnes yet are not therefore these present testimonies alone the Evangelie of the Kingdome which was promised to be published in the world and unto all people but also all the Testimonies which the God of heaven hath brought forth through his holy ones and through his elected Minister H. N. 5 For all those same are also evangelical testimonies of the Kingdom of his declaring All which testimonies are also new in the last time held forth to a true â—lass of righteousnes before the children of men to an everlasting peace upon earth unto men which are good of will according to the promises 6 For that cause O ye lovers of the truth if yee now this day hear his voice and that this grace and loue of God the Father Christ become to your preservation in the godlines proffered unto you so hardâ—n not then your hearts that ye bide not without the rest of the Lord which is prepared from the beginning for the people of God and for all repentant sinners and is appeared now in the last time according to the Scripture Take it to heart A Joyfull Message of the Kingdom of God and CHRIST The First CHAPTER HN Through the Grace and mercy of God and through the holy Spirit of the love of Iesus Christ raisâ—d up by the highest God from the death according â—o the providence of God and his promises anointed with the Holy Ghost in the old-age of the holy understanding of Iesus Christ Godâ—d with God in the spirit of his love made heire with Christ in the heavâ—nly goods of the riches of God â— illuminated in the spirit with the heavenly truth the true light of the perfect being â—lected â—o a Minister of the gracious word which is now in the last time raisâ—d up by God according to his promises in the most holy service of God under the obedience of his love for to publish in the last time out of the same grace and hearty mercifulnes of God and through the same holy Spirit of the love of Iesus Christ good tydings or a joyfull message of the Kingdom of God unto all people which â—it in darknes and have a desire or longing after the true light and to bring unto the beleevers a great light of the true being of Iesus Christ and the glorious day of his godly cleeâ—nes as also to expreâ—â—â— that God hath pitied the generations of mankind and that Iesus Christ hath not left us as orphanes but as our faithfull Father for to beget us anew out of the safe-making water or doctrine of his service and out of his holy spirit of love also to judge us with his righteousness and to bring us into his rest is come againe unto us according to his promises to the end thâ—t they all which love God and his righteousnes and Christ and his upright being might presently enter into the true rest which God hath prepared from the beginning for his elect and inherit the everlasting life 2 For that cause all lovers of the truth and all souls which hunger and thirst after the righteousnes become assembled obediently unto the service of the love of Iesus Christ shal presently according to the word of the Lord eat of the bread of life and drinke out of the fountain of living water and become satisfied 3 Unto the same God which hath prepared all this for us and bringeth it to us out of the bosom of his love be laud honor praise thanks-giving for ever and ever Amen 4. UNto the lovers of the Truth here and there wheresoever or in what quarter of the world they dwell or have their abode of what Nation and Religion soever they be Christians Jews Mahomites or Turks and heathen with all divided people of what condition or dignity soever they be Pastors of the Religious or Fourders of Religion Understanding ones or expert in the godly wisdom well learned exercised eloquent in the holy Scripture High Magistrates and renowned Potentates noble of linage rich or mighty of estate rulers of commonalties together
with all people Let every Nation then have among them so many manner of grounds beliefs religions ceremonies and services as they will wherein they love God his truth and the righteousnes 5 The grace and peace from God our Father the refreshing or renewing of the minde from the naked or uncovered face of our Lord Iesus Christ the communalty of holy ones their uniformity of being with the holy spirit of the love of Iesus Christ becommeth presently published proffered and brought unto you And to all the same yee are also this day called and bidden namely yee all which love the truth unto godlines and have a desire to do the will of the Lord and to humble your selves obediently to the service of the love of Iesus Christ and his requiring 6. HAppy are they which have now in this day intended or minded the love and the peace For in this selfe same day shall now the good with all the repentant ones which stand good willing towards the good become known and made manifest from the wicked and from all unrepentant ones which have a desire to the iniquity and to the wicked and corrupted world and they shall separate them the one from the other 7 For it shall now in this day be seen and evidently perceived that all good willing ones to to the good shall assemble them unto the good namely to the communalty of the love wherein the Lord hath manifested and set his light and where his Sun of righteousnes the true heavenly day-light shineth enter into the rest of the Lord and obtaine the everlasting godliness and that they all which are evill of will and hardned in the iniquity shall make them up with their good thinking wisdom ther-against and bâ—ing the eternall damnation over themselves like as there is written thereof Therfore cometh there presently great grace unto all good willing ones but unto them that refuse the grace also are evill of will and love the darkness more then the light great severity or indignation 9 For behold in this present Day the glorious coming of our Lord Iesus Christ w th the many thousands of his saints becometh manifested which hath set himselfe now upon the seat of his Majesty for to judge in this same day which the Lord hath ordained or appointed the whole world with equity and with faithfulnesse and truth according to his righteousnes 10 For that cause O all yee which dwell upon the earth fear now the Lord the most highest and givâ— him alone all honour laud and praise for the day of his judgement is now come that it might now in the same day of the true judgement of God and Christ become all fulfilled in Christ whatsoever is written of him 11 OH that they now all had such an heart that they respected well this same day submitted them with humble and single minded hearts under the gracious hand of the Lord and stood obediently and concordably minded to the holy and gracious word so should then assuredly every one right well perceive by experience that God had opened now in the last time a great door of grace unto all faithfull and good willing hearts declared and brought the salvation of the everlasting life unto them and that the same grace bideth altogether closed to before all unbelievers of the word and his service of love before all wavering minded ones and decliners from the same service and before all such as have neither lust nor will unto God nor unto his love the salvation of the everlasting life unknowne and this Joyfull message of the Kingdome which is now in the last time through the holy and gracious word published in all the world before the destruction or perishing of the wicked world to an everlasting rest for all the children of God and to the preservation of mâ—n which hope on God covered or secret 12 For verily if this Joyfull Message of the Kingdom of Christ which in his mistery is the perfect cleernesse of God and the true light of Christ himself be covered or secret before any man So is it then secret before them that perish and are turned unto themselves and their knowledge as also are captived with the minds of the unbelieving world 13 FOr that cause O yee good willing hearts Awake now all out of the sleep of your sins and hear and beleeve the out-flowing living voice of the love of Iesus Christ which Christ in this present day letteth be heard through his holy spirit and elected Minister H.N. upon the earth 14 Happy is he that can now in this perilous time indure the voice of the true light also hearing the gracious word of the Lord which becometh witnessed forth and administred with the same voice beleeveth it and harâ—neth nor dâ—praveth not his heart in this same day but becometh assembled unto Christ and unto the family of his love Amen The Second Chapter SEeing now then that out of God's grace in this day of the godly love the mistery of the heavenly Kingdome of God his righteous Judgement and the coming of his Christ now in the last time in the Resurrection of the dead is declared unto me as an elected vessel house or dwelling of God and given me to know or understand the same and that I through the service of the love of Iesus Christ declare forth again the same mystery of the riches of God upon the earth and minister the gracious and living word of the â—ord which I have received out of the true light and heavenly Ierusalem to a witnes of the truth from the mouth of God himself in his name and according to his will to the preservation and blessing of all generations of the earth which beleeve theron according to the promises So were it likewise very meet and right that they all which will now bide preserved in these perilous times gave ear unto me in the gracious word of my heavenly father turned their hearts with all good willingnesse to the love and her service unto the obedience of the gracious word and ran not forth in ignorance according to their good-thinking or imagination of the knowledge and that also they all which hear to day this voice or witnessing of the holy spirit of love hardned not their hearts nor yet took offence at the Ministraâ—ion of the gracious word but stood well-minded to the lovely and upright being of our Lord Iesus Christ and to his love respected well this same day to the purging of their heart and minde and even so enâ—red with the children of God into the resâ— of the Lord. 2 Which rest even till unto this same day is left unto the children of God or reserved for them to the end that the same should now in the last
in the same the compass of the Earth with Righteousness that one Man Iesus Christ in whom he hath decreed it which holds forth the Belief before every one inasmuch as God hath raised him from Death 12. See and consider This is the Day of Renewing the very newest Day to the Honour and Glory of the supreme God and to a great Joy and Gladness for us all which love the Righteousness 13. Clap now your hands together with Joy yea all which love the Righteousness in the Peace of Christ Sing and shout now unto God with a joyful noise 14. For the Lord the most highest is terrible and a great King on all the earth 15. For now in this Day of his Love He hath prepared his Seat unto Judgement that the Earth and the People should be judged uprightly 16. From henceforth shall he whom God hath foreseen and elected thereto sit upon the Lord his seat which shall think upon Equity and require Righteousness 17. Whose Seed the Lord shall make to endure for ever and his Seat shall be like the Days of Heaven 18. Through the same and his service the Righteous shall now in this Day flourish like a Palm tree He shall increase or grow up like a Cedar tree on Libanus 19. And all they that are planted in the House of the Lord shall wax green in the Courts of our God and flourish or blossom in the old age of the holy understanding as those that are fat and lusty or well prepared for to publish that the Lord is just 20. Now shall the Righteous see their Desire and rejoyce them and all Unrighteousness shall be compelled to stop his mouth in this day of the Glory of God 21. For now in this Day the City of the Lord shall be builded in her old place or former estate and the Temple of the Lord or Tabernacle of his Dwelling shall stand like as it ought to stand namely inwardly in us in the Being of the holy Spirit of Iesus Christ. 22. Have now a good regard hereunto ye wise and understanding ones which receive the righteousness into your Hearts â—nd ye all which daily search the Scripture and consider how that all what the Scripture saith shall in such wise become fulfilled or accomplished The IV. Chapter BEhold I declare unto you this day the ground of the scriptures and will in cleeâ—ness reciâ—e unto you many Acts or things chanced of the secret Mysteries of Goâ— and partly also of the Dealing of Man beginning from the former Kingdom wherein the Man was set till unto this last Day of the perfect glory of God In the which the former Kingdom becometh declared and brought again in all loveliness of the upright Being unto the Man according to the Promises 2. From this former Kingdom full of all Righteousness Love Peace and Amiableness the man hath from the Beginning turned away his heart and fell away from or was disobedient unto the word of God the upright life of his true light 3. In which falling away of the man and in the turning unto himself and unto his taken on darkness it is become manifest and known that the man which walketh therein and becometh not turned again unto his God nor incorporated into the true Christ of God hath the most crafty and subtilest heart among all that liveth and dwelleth upon the earth 4. The which may now evidently be perceived by divers people which vaunt or give forth themselves for Christians and as iâ—luminated Men that are Masters of the Scripture namely how crafty subtil and perverse of heart and how darkned in their understanding that they yet are 5. And what a perverse Nature they find oftentimes in them that will I good willingly leave unto themselves to consider of to the end that if the Lord vouchsafed the same they might judge themselves therein and even so understand or well perceive that no man how wise or understanding soever he be in the knowledge of the Scripture can by any meanes comprehend or understand the Wisdom of God nor yet see know find nor receive the Gifts of God nor the powers of the holy Ghost but onely they that stand good willingly and obediently submitted under the Word of life which proceedeth and hath his outflowing from the quarter or place where the Sun the true day light of the most highest shineth 6 For that cause consider now well on the State of men and what a nature love and being there is found by them that being without the Communalty of the love are out of their own knowledge and Scripture learnedness Judges of the Scripture or that have taken the same upon them so shall ye then certainly perceive that all such are yet strangers unto the holy Spirit of the love of Iesus Christ and that they all likewise are mingled with wyliness subtilty and falshood and are without the body of Christ or without the upright Christianity 7. If then these which notwithstanding seem to be wise and understanding and can prate much of spiritual and heavenly things be yet strangers unto the holy spirit and unto the true love and utterly without the body of Christ or the true Christianity and held Captive with a wicked nature so consider then how wide and far estranged that the brutish world and all that are Enemies or Resisters of the Doctrine of love must yet needs be from the same Christian being and with how many manner of falshood and wicked nature they are yet held captive 8. If ye now ponder this same according to the truth and throughly measure it all by the being of upright Christianity so shall ye then verily begin well to perceive that it is now the dangerous and horrible time of desolation whereof the Scripture in many places witnesseth in which also few shall be saved or preserved for that all understanding hath now so utterly corrupted his way in the knowledge and cannot well therefore submit it self single mindedly with humbleness of heart in all obedience of the word and Subjection unto the love with us little ones and God his elect 9. Whilst we now daily perceive this same by the Children of men and that we are in these dangerous times become great with child with the word of life and milch with the brests of the love and of the holy understanding for to give suck therewithal unto the young Children which is born out of the seed of the gracious Word and his doctrine or testimonies and out of the service of the holy Spirit of the love and to nourish them up unto the old age of the holy understanding of Christ so cometh now verily that wo upon us whereof Christ hath heretofore spoken wo unto them that are with child and to them that give suck at that time c. 10. For we are
the belief of the upright being of Abraham which also was Abraham's sister and become his wife is named Sara which name signifieth unto us a Lady or a Princess which is free 4. THis Sara had a servetrice which waâ— her own or subject unto her which is the Service the Law or Ordinance and the serviceable writing or letter of the belief of Abraham Which Servetrice through the belief of the true being standeth serviceable for to bring forth a serviceable seed unto the belief whilst that she is yet closed or barren 5. And this Servetrice namely the service of the belief of Abraham or his law either Ordinance is also a Testament of Abraham which is called the elders Testament because the same is administred through the belief out of the light of the true being by the eldest in the holy understanding and hath the foregoing in the Procreation out of the letter and out of the obedience of the requiring of the serviceable doctrine which also ceaseth when as the belief bringeth forth out of the true light which is the godly being it self whereunto the service of the word and of the letter doth likewise reach Nevertheless albeit that the service of the word and of the letter reâ—cheth to the belief and true lighâ— yeâ— appeareth not the righteousness out of the service of the letter nor out of his Ordinance although notwithstanding the same be required therewithall but out of the belief 6. This servetrice of Sara was named Agar and she was a Servetrice out of Egypt which signifieth unto us a woman coming on out of Strictness or which is stricting 7 But whilst that Sara the belief of the true being of Abraham was yet closed and brought not forth but was inclined thereunto so desired she Abram namely the old Father in the holy understanding that he would joyn him unto Agar her Servetrice and she gave him Agar to wife for that she might even so out of her obtain Children of the belief 8. Abram therefore joyned him unto Agar and Agar conceived or became with child and brought forth a seed unto Abraham 9. BEhold this was a seed of the Service namely of the unfree woman Agar whereof Paul maketh mention to the Galathians how that Agar in Arabia is called the Mount Sina 10. Arabia signifieth unto us a pledge or surâ—ty which standeth fast for that which is promised until that the promise be fulfilled Sina signifieth unto us Armour or a Shield wherewith one furnisheth him unto Battel when as he passeth thorow the way unto the rest of the promises and wherethrough one is sustained against the enemies and defended therewith until that he come unto the place whereas he inheriteth the rest the peace and all sweetness of the land like as there is promised 11. This Mount Sina in Arabia although it stretcheth even unto Ierusalem is not free with his Children but the belief the free hill within Ierusalem is free with his Children for the believers which are born out of the belief of the true being of Abraham and grown up in Christ in the holy and godly understanding are the free Children of the free woman according to the Scripture 12 But when as â—ow the time was â—come about that the fruit of the belief could live so became Sara fruitful and brought forth unto Abraham the true seed of promise to the Blessing of all Generations of the earth 13. Now when this seed of â—he free woman was born then was the Servetrice with her seed thrust out or given leave to depart as one whose service and seed was there no more needful to a service or help of the beliâ—f because the upright seed was born out of the belief and for that cause the Servetrice with her seed could have no Portion or Coinheritance with the son of the free woman 14. This seed born of the free woman was named Isaac which name signifieth unto us a laughing For Sara laughed when as she heard thet she should bear a Son 15. COnsider here now the Mistery of the Scripture of these two women and of either others service and procreation For behold I declare unto you this day the truth with naked speeches and not in similitudes or dark words inasmuch as that God and Christ with his holy ones is also declared in the most holy even so unto us 16. Where now then this seed of the true Testament after the Accomplishment of the foregoing serviceable Testament is born or brought forth even there is Christ the belssing the salvation and the spirit of the Lord come and where the spirit of the Lord is there is freedom He that hath ears to hear let him hear 17. WHat we had here more to say of the promises to Abraham of Sara the free woman and of Agar her servetrice and of the seed of both their procreations is declared in the glass of Righteousness The IX Chapter NOw when as Isaac the upright stock of his Father Abraham was grown up into a good old age of the holy understanding so took he a wife unto him named Rebecca which Name signifieth unto us one that setteth contention or debate And Rebecca conceived by Isaac and became with child with two Sons which she bare unto Isaac 2. He which she first brought forth was named Esau which name signifieth unto us one that is working he is also named Edom which signifieth unto us one that is earthly or bloudy And this is the first born after the flesh of the seed of the promise 3. Which first born may not inherit the heritage of the godly promises nor the covenant which God maketh with his elected people 4. Therefore God erecteth not his Covenant with him that is born after the flesh and is earthly or bloudy but wiâ—h him that is born after the spirit and is spiritual or heavenly For that cause God hath a good pleasure in the second birth â— But the second Son which was the second born next unâ—o Esau was named Iacob which name signifieth unto us one that treadeth under foot and so kâ—epeâ—h the Victory He was also named Israel and signifieth unto us one that lordeth or surmounteth with God 6. Behold this same which was born after the spirit increased and becamâ— prudent in the godly wisdom and heavenly truth and excelled Esau his brother in prudeâ—ce and holy understanding and hath brought the earthly or bloudy being under him obtained the blessing of his Father and is become an heir in the promises of God and in the testaments of his Fathers 7. VErily these two sorts of people or Procreations namely Esau and Iacob which Rebecca bare unto Isaac the seed of promise and how that the greatest must serve the lesser make known unto us a great mistery to wit that the Righteousness of the law with the great knowâ—edge and
blessing of all generations of the earth declared known and established and the true Being of the services of the Images and figures in the Spirit and in all truth erected in the obedience of the Belief 2. And this forementioned service of the Images Figures and Shadows wherein the perfection of the true Tabernacle of God with his true services of the spiritual and heavenly goods was well to be perceived had the foregoing in his service and became fruitful with the children of Israel and brought forth a serviceable seed of Righteousness after the manner as is said of Agar the which is the Elders Testament 3. For the Belief whereout the true and free seed of the upright Righteousness to the establishing of the promises of God becometh brought forth was yet closed after the manner as is said of Sara Which Belief is the true Testament that bringeth forth the free children of God according to the Spirit 4. Thus the Lord joyneth him unto the service for that the service might be fruitful to obtain yet at the last the seed of promise out of the Belief and the children of the service multiplyed into many and became a great people Howbeit the Lord's promises were not established nor his covenant erected therewith 5. For the same service was not the very true but it was unto the people which were yet captived with darkness a foregoing light in Images and figures before the face or perfect light of the Lord. 6. Which foregoing service had also cleerness in his service and for that cause it is also a Testament of the holy Fathers added unto the promises to a sustaining of the Lord's people in their youngness or ignorance until that the barren became fruitful and that the fruit could live 7. ACcording to this same manner had this Testament administred by the Elders of the holy Understanding the foregoing and his fruitfulness with the unillumiâ—ated until that the Belief out of the power of God became with childe through the holy Ghost and bare or brought forth a new man or a new creature according to the beiâ—g of the hâ—avâ—nly Gâ—dhead by the Beleevers and illuminated them even so in their spirit and mind with the upright righteousness and hâ—liness For this is the right prâ—creatioâ— to the renewing of the spirit aâ—d mind of the believers and is also the true new Testament which God hath promised to erect with his people 8. Which new Testament is the very true that God himself witnesseth in his people which are obedient unto him out of faith in the service of his word and bringeth even so unto them in the spirit of their mind the true God-service of the spiritual and heavenly goods and writeth according to his godâ—y and heavenly Truth his law institutions and rites in the being of their inward mind 9. In such sort worketh the Lord the holy one in Israel and bringeth forth even so his children sons and daughters servants and handmaids upon which he in these last days poureth forth his Spirit and remembreth no more thâ—ir sins For they are a reconciled people uâ—to him which do in all his Wiâ—l 10. BEhold and consider such is the new Testament with his children For that same new Testament is in his children the heaven the seat of the most highest also spirit and life And for that cause it is with his childreâ— heavenly spiritually and livingly minded Which children of the new Testament love not the world nor that which is in the world inasmuch as that the new Testament is wholy and altogether of God also the love the life and the upright being of the holy Ghost it self 11. But the Elders Testament is the serviceable word which is administred out of the spirit and life of God with unspeakable words writings or letters and which also figureth forth and expresseth unto us to wit serviceably in parables and in Images or Figures the new and very true Testament which is heavenly spiritual and living and endureth for ever and bringeth the believers unto the same 12. What we had here more to say of the Old and New Testament and what either others being in it self is and of the bringing in and use of the imagelike and figurative Services is declared in the Glass of Righteousness The XIII Chapter IN all that which the Lord shewed Moses so elected he Aaron which was of the tribe of Levi and his sons to Priests or Elders for to minister the figurative Tabernacle in his service with all that which was figuratively prepared thereunto 2. Which Priesthood with his Service in such wise as Aaron ministred the same pleased God well that it should have the foregoing unto the entrance of the godliness by the unilluminated people which knew nor understood not the verity of the true light and even so alwaies bide stable be ministred among them till unto the new birth in the true light to the end that the Priests or Elders of the holy understanding should daylie set forth in their service or Priests office unto which God had joyned or added his promises the Law of the Lord and the Testament of his covenant before the unilluminated people to a memorial of the promises of God to a sustentation of them whereout one yet hopeth for some better thing until that the true of that which was ministred came unto them in the Belief to the establishing of the promises and that the same should then likewise in true cleerness be seen and heard by them as also out of the power of the supreme Godhead spoken witnessed or confessed of them namely the true light come out of Heaven in blessing and with blessing according to the manner of Melchisedech And this same true light is the anointed with the holy Ghost 3. Which anointed is named in Hebrew Messias and in Greek Christus He was also in times past called of certain Rabbins among the Jews the Lord's Sabbath and they said that the same anointed is the seventh day in the paradise of God wherein God rested from all his works and is the perfection The which is also very true 4. For this same Messias or anointed is the Sabbath day which the Lord hath commanded to be always had in remembrance that we when the same cometh might rest therein and hallow or sanctifie the same wherein the law the service of the preisthood of Aaron out of Levi and the elders testament doth cease hath accomplished his service 5. For the same anointed which cometh at that time out of heaven with his anointing of the holy Ghost in the spirit and is the very like being of the Godhead it self he is a priest of the most highest higher and greater of dignity then Aaron because he bideth everlastingly and is a minister of the spiritual and heavenly goods in the very true being 6. VVHere now
after the flesh should be slain and even so fulfil perform or accomplish according to the true Being the true Godservice with the gift or offering of his flesh in the holy namely on the true Altar of the holy offering which is his Cross whereon he died in the Belief whereof the services after the manner of the Levitical Priests office out of Aaron in the holy were figures and became even so fulfilled in the Pass-over of Iesu Christ. 4. Herewith Christ shewed unto his Disciples how or in what manner his flesh must be offered and given over to a life of men and that they all even so which in the Belief of the safe-making from their sins ate his flesh and followed after him even into the second birth should have the life in fulness in all godly cleerness according to the spirit 5. NOw when he had set forth all this before them namely that the Father would glorifie his Son Christ with the same cleerness which he had with the Father ere ever the foundation of the world was laid and that they should also drink the cup of his Passover with him so began he then his Passover with them gave them the bread the which came from heaven and was his true flesh out of the seed of Dâ—vid to eat and gave them likewise after that to drink out of the Cup which is his passion his true blood which is his holy life of the new Testament 6. Thus have they eaten his flesh drunk his blood which was given over for many to a memorial in what sort the death and suffering or the Passover of the Lord Jesu Christ is till unto his renewing of the life to the intent that they all which believed in him should follow him therein and have the life of his godly Being in fulness and that their joy might be perfect 7. BEhold this is the true Pascha or Supper of the Lord Jesu Christ which he wil that we all like as his Disciples have kept the same with Jesus Christ after the flesh shall also keep in such wise with him after the flesh eat his flesh drink of his blood and and go thorow his Passover with him 8. For even so kept the Disciples of Christ the Pascha with him or the supper of his passover namely that Christ after the flesh although he had given them his body to eat and his blood to drink suffered among them the death of the Cross and was buried and they knew not of his declaring after the Spirit until that he was made alive again by his Father and appeared unto them in godly cleerness 9. Even thus is Christ in his Passover gone before his Disciples and believers to the end that they all should also in such sort with his body and blood which they had eaten or taken into them follow after him in the same passover remember and confess his passion â—ufâ—ering or death and become even so implanted with like death into him or baptised in his death until that they with the body and blood of Christ which they had taken â—nto them were passed or gone thorow the same passover till unto the second birth of the making alive with Christ in godly cleerness according to the Spirit 10. Behold this is the right Passover with Christ or the rigth Supper which the upright Believers and Disciples of Christ keep with Christ to wit that they depart â—ven so with Christ out of the flesh into â—he Spirit and out of the death or mortality â— into the eternal life of everlasting immortaâ—ity wherethrough the sin and all destruction becometh vanquished 11. What we had here more to say of tâ—e doctrine of Christ of his Disciples and of what sort they are is declared in the Glass â—f Righteousness The XXII Chapter NOw when Iesus Christ was found faithful in the death of his Cross till â—nto his Burial to a true Passover out of â—he flesh into the making alive according â—o the Spirit and was also through the power of God his Father raised up from the death and made alive again and that he hath shewed himself in his making alive unto his Disciples for that they should stedfastly believe so was he then wholy taken up from the eys of their flesh and he set himself according to the Spirit at the right hand of God his Father in the heavenly Being and entred even so as the true high Priest when as the service had perfectly ended his course according to the true Being in the holy into the most holy 2. His Disciples therefore were mindful of all this and what he had said unto them and remained within Ierusalem waiting concordably with supplication and prayer for the promises of the Father until that Christ after the spirit appeared unto them out of the heavenly Being the most holy in the holy in spiritual and heavenly powers like as he after the Spirit and according to the truth of the heavenly Godhead is an everlasting and true Christ of God 3. BUt when as now the time was come about that Christ declared his glory and the office of his high Priesthood according to the Spirit unto his disciples so sprinkled he by them the holy of the true Tabernacle of God his father with his blood which is the true Testament to an everlasting remissiom of the sins of his people even like as the former described pattern doth also in the figurative services shew forth the same unto us And this is his holy Spirit that he poured forth upon his Disciples to an everlasting stedfast Jerusalem descending from heaven which is not prepared of men but of God himself 4. Behold these Disciples of Christ in as much as that they had followed Christ in the death of his Cross and were in the sâ—cond birth or in the renewing of their mind filled with the holy Ghost have thus understood the truth of Christ and rightly known Christ like as he is a true Christ of God in the Spirit and according to the Spirit 5. But when as now Christ with his holy Spirit and with full cleerness of God his Father had gotten a living shape in his Disciples then published they the same wonderful works of God which they had seen and heard and which were become known unto them through the power of the holy Ghost in Ierusalem and witnessed that the same should also so come to pass in the last days 7. COnsider ye dearly beloved how that the disciples of Christ which were daily conversant with Christ after the flesh which also heard his word and with whom Christ spake much of the mysterie of the kingdom of God and of his cleerness which he had with his Father could not understand the naked cleerness of God nor Christ in his true Being like as he is a true light and the very true
Congregation or flock of Christ. 11. For that cause they are also fore-goers unto them that are growing up to Elders in the mortifying burying of the sin and the ministers of the holy word in the holy of the true offering that is in the keeping of the Pascha or Passeover with Christ in his Supper wherein the death of the sin at the end of the same the making alive of the man cometh to pass 12. With which service they inform and are serviceable to the Priests or Elders which are a-coming on namely unto the weaned Lambes which are weaned or withdrawn from the milk of their youngness and growing up to the old-age of a sheep of Christ or which increase them in the godly wisdom of Christ till unto the old age of the holy understanding of Christ and of the godly wisdome of the oldest Father or chief Bishop 13. For because of this same service in the holy and because of their manly old age of the holy understanding such ministers of the holy Word were in time past in the true being named Bishops or Superiours of the Elders either Pastours of the sheep of Christ. 14. THe next unto the Bishops are named Parish-Priests or Curates which signifie unto us Levitical priests or adjoyned Pastors and Elders of the holy understanding as those that are joyned and ordained to the ministration of the holy Priests office and to the service of the Communalty for to minister even so in the service of the holy Word the fore-front of the holy Tabernacle or the entrance of the Church of Christ either beginning of the Christian life in his Service and Requiring Which Elders are chosen and joyned to the Service of the holy Word because they leave or let pass the childhood or youngness of the holy understanding and grow up according to the requiring of the service of Love unto the manly agedness of Christ that is unto the true being of the oldest and holiest Father or pass forth after the Perfection and even so go before the Communalty of the Believers in the Circumcision of the heart or in the laying away of the sin in the Flesh in all fear of God 15. For that cause they have also their Service in the Congregation or Church of Christ namely in the fore-front that is where the Sanctification or godliness or the new birth in Christ hath his beginning to a laying away of the sin in the â—lesh 16. Hereunto serve the Parish-priests as to â—â—ch procuratours or helpers forward of â—he communiâ—lities for to bear a good care over them and to witness â—nd teach them daily the holy understanding of Christ the oldest Father according to the ordinance of their Bishop to a leading of them into the holy of the true God-service in the Spirit where the purging and forgiveness of sins cometh to pass to the end that the communiality should even so with the service of the holy word be peaceably sustained and nourished and live godly in all love and concord 17. THe next unto the Parish-Priests are named Deacons Which signifie unto us Ministers or helpers of the Parish-priests in the holy God-services to the end that it all whatsoever concerneth the service of the holy Word and the godly doctrine might be orderly and godly ministred among the Communialities 18. THe next unto the Deacons are named Sextons Which signifie unto us conservers or keepers of the holy things or to whom the charge of holy things to be used in their Ordinance is committed that they might be occupied in due or convenient time 19. AMong all those there are also risen up many manner of Orders wherethrough many anointed ones and zealous People have sought the righteousness and holy ones which are named Monks Which signifie unto us such as dwell alone and are through the love of the righteousness sanctified and for that cause also separated from the World and from all what is worldly and fleshly for to live even so as sanctified ones of God in the solitariness of their life wholly in God and in his holy being 20. For such as were mortified touching the world and the flesh with all self-lusts and desires and busied them not with any thing save only with the things which concerned God and his righteousness were in time past so named 21. NExt unto all these forenamed anointed ones are the common People which believe and cleave unto the Services Religions Ceremonies of the anointed and which also humble them to the requiring of those same The which are named Christians and are yet unanointed and signifie unto us the Christian Church or the Congregation of Christians or anointed ones which are assembled through the service of the holy Word by the Elders of the holy understanding unto the sanctification in Jesu Christ and before whom the costly treasures of the holy things or of the spiritual and heavenly goods are set forth unto Salvation in Christ and which also submit them obediently under the doctrine of the anointed ones or spiritual persons which daily hold forth the law or ordinance of the Lord before them and teach them how they should live also come to the spiritual understanding or new Birth in Christ and what they ought to do and leave undone 22. And they that remaine live and walk without the same Christianity or her Congregation with al them that are not incorporated as fellow-members of the Church of Christ into the same are named Heathen which have their forth-going without Christ and his Church in the Heathenship or uncircumcision also are captived or blinded with darkness and cannot obtaine nor inherit any Salvation nor everlasting life with Christ. 23. BEhold All this hath been even so in times past in his true being whenas the light of life had his clearness and the belief of Iesu Christ her service in the holy ones of God the renewed or godded men upon the Earth But all this same as touching the knowledg thereof according to his upright being is become darkned or secret before many and the truth and right ordinance of the same also utterly unknown All which shall now in this day of love be restored or brought againe through the revealing of the coming of Christ and of his holy Spirit into his upright state and true being or Christian ordinance and flourish or become forcible according to the promises The XXXII Chapter NOw when these Services of the Images or figures to a memorial of the holy things which were tofore chanced concerning Christ and his holy ones had stood a long season in their Service so have many People been drawn therewithall which respected and believed those same for the very true and perfect God-services and works of righteousness which God required and they were likewise so set forth and taught by many namely after the manner as it also chanced in times past with the
ones shall stand fast everlastingly in his ministration and remaine for ever according to the Scripture 15. HAppy is he which giveth eare unto the same Service of the most holy which is ministred out of the Testimonies of the holy Spirit of love and believeth it as also obeyeth the requiring of those same and waxeth not bitter-hearted either offended thereat neither hardeneth his heart thereagainst but respecteth the same gratious time to the end that he may enter into the rest of the Lord and that the severe Judgement which cometh in this last day upon all ungodly and resisters of the service of love and upon all rich knowledge full wise which have corrupted the way of their understanding in the knowledge fall not upon him to his condemnation 16. Yea happy is he which now respecteth well the true light and assembleth him in this day unto the mercy-seat of the Majesty of God and Christ to his salvation 17. For after this day there shall no day of grace more come upon the earth because all the works of God and his prophecies become fulfilled according to the Scripture in the same and for that the righteous Judgement of God to an everlasting death and damnation of all ungodly and to an eternal life and salvation of all the holy ones and elect of God becometh also executed therein The XXXVIII Chapter COnsider and mark ye dearly beloved in what sort that the foregoing services of God are in many manner of wise how that they all out of one God as linked together do reach unto this day and service of the love of the most holy being of Christ and how that the God of heaven out of his mercifull love hath through the ministers of his gratious word informed trained up and served the generation of mankind that the same mought be set up again in the godly nature and forme wherefrom it is fallen away or estranged and so become saved with the foregoing services till unto this service and day of love of the perfection In which day the God of heaven hath also brought againe and erected with us the right ministration of his foregoing services and will likewise in this day with all that same which he hath spoken and wâ—ought from the beginning of the world and restored againe with us execute his righteous judgment to death and to life like as there is written thereof 2. Wherefore awake now all lift up your heads hear and see the wonderful acts of God and have regard unto the sound of the last Trumpet and consider 3. The fore-front of the true tabernacle of God wherein the beginning of the true god service and of the upright Christian life becometh erected The holy of the true tabernacle of God wherein the true god-service and his requiring and the obedience of the belief even unto the upright Christian life is accomplished and the veil removed from the most holy The most holy of the true tabernacle of God wherein the perfection of the true Christian life and all that which God hath spoken from the beginning and promised through his prophets is set up The kingdom of the God of heavens full of all pure beauty and heavenly powers wherein all minds of pure hearts do live with Christian triumph free without fear The day of the righteous judgment of God in which the compass of the earth becometh judged with righteousness The judgement-seat of Christ before which all things must needs be manifest The perfect being of God and Christ in his abundant clearness of the godly light The true rest of all the children of God in their perfect loveliness and upright being The mystery of the heavenly truth wherein the right service of love hath his ministration And the declaring of the spiritual Treasures or riches of the heavenly goods which are administred and brought through the service of love to an everlasting perfection unto the upright of heart and wherein al unperfect or childish things images figures and shadows do cease becometh now in this present day O ye lovers of the truth evangelized and declared unto you all and thereto also ye all so well as we were created for to live therein and are called and bidden unto the same out of the grace and mercy of God by me HN in whom God hath sealed the dwelling of his glory and his holy name 4. Not onely they with whom I particularly do speak and write unto but also all those that love the truth in Jesu Christ and to whose hands the godly Testimonies of our writings out of our most holy service of love do come to an assistance and leading into our communiality of love and which read or hear the same This day is the door of the heavenly truth the gate of the kingdom of the God of heavens the entrance into the Paradise of God or pleasant garden of the Lord and the way to the Tree of Life opened and great joy published unto you all and that the God of heaven restoreth againe with us in this day of his love all what he hath spoken from the beginning of the world through the mouth of his holy Prophets 5. WHoso now therefore are the People of the Lord and all such as have a desire to do his will They shall now be well able to understand that this our testimony and doctrine is of God and come with humbled hearts unto the house and work of the Lord submit them before the Lords feet and be assembled with us under the obedience of the love unto the communiality of the holy ones of God and incorporated to all unity of heart of the one man of God into the true body of Jesu Christ. 6. But whosoever appertaineth not to the Lord hath not minded the love truth nor unity of heart nor believed me HN in the service of love but supposeth to be wise out of his own spirit and understanding excuseth or justifieth himself and so hath no desire unto the will of God my Father He shall not desire to come unto us nor to make manifest himself in this day before the judgment-seat of Christ. 7. BUt I say unto you verily Whoso assembleth him not unto us nor manifesteth himself either confesseth not his sins good-willingly out of an inclination unto the love before the Lord and his seat of judgement he shall notwithstanding in this day not chuse but be manifested before the judgement of God and before this seat which God hath prepared to Judgement let him then cover himself so subtilly as he will in his sins and in his perverse and corrupt nature as also in his averted or off-turned meanings from us and from the requiring of the service of the love of Jesu Christ hear the judgement or sentence of his condemnation out of the righteous judgement of God and bear the burden of his damnation
wish much grace and Salvation in the Lord here have I endeavoured me to express and signifie unto you all out of our most holy service of love the counsel mind and will of God whereunto every one is debtour to humble and to submit himself obediently also Gods wonderfull work with his holy ones which the wicked world hath never known nor understood and which also bideth alwayes and for ever hidden or secret before the same and the declaration of the foregoing services of God and how that they all lead and have their ministration unto the service of love which is ministred out of the most holy of the true Tabernacle of God thus largely and in the most simple manner and each ones service briefly and with few words to an assistance and introduction unto those heavenly things which shall yet in their manifestation of clearness in the Spirit be seen and spoken of in the most perfect manner 2. For thereunto do we under the obedience of the love shew forth our service namely towards all them that God stirreth into our way and that assemble them unto us which also love the truth of the declaration of the true God-services and Christian Ceremonies and desire to accomplish the requiring of those same To the end that they all which seek after the truth of Jesu Christ and read or hear these godly testimonies of our writings mought be somewhat furthered with this assistance or hand-teaching to the knowledge of the truth of Jesu Christ and that the true God-services and Ceremonies which lead unto the godliness mought be in their upright use and whereto each ones God-service reacheth seen into and understood of them according to the truth and that likewise the unilluminated and unregenerated men mought then even so understand and know that they ought not through any taking out of the knowledge of the Scripture nor through any knowledge which ariseth in their hearts to set forth to preach nor to teach any services nor Ceremonies wherewith doubtless they seduce themselves and other moe but that they ought first humbly to turn them unto the Word of grace to submit them obediently under the service of love wherein the true light cometh with full clearness to give eare and credit to the same and to accomplish his requiring For in the same service every one shall receive good resolution and instruction how for to come to the new birth in Jesus Christ and to what manner of accomplishment the services and Ceremonies ought to be used and obeyed in their right use 3. And thereto and to the unity of heart in the love is likewise all my service chieffest unto all lovers of the truth That they all which love the truth mought now come-somewhat nearer unto us in the holy understading and be concordably minded with us under the obedience of the love to the unity of the heart in Jesu Christ and become assembled unto us and that they should then even so so much the better understand the holy mind of our God the true service of love wherein God the most highest hath comprehended us and the heavenly truth witnessed in The glass of righteousness and administred out of love in this declaration 4. FOr that cause my desire is unto you all which read and hear these our writings that ye will diligently revolve in minde and throughly measure our upright and undeceiveable service shewed on you and the ground of this same and have an inspection and consideration with pure devotion unto God upon the understanding of every particular sentence and whereunto the same serveth to the lightning of our understanding And take even so good heed unto the hearty mercifulness of God shewed on you through the service of love 5. For out of grace undeserved is this mystery of the works of God uncovered unto you all which love the truth and presently in this day of love is the Evangely of the Kingdome which is breathed on and brought unto us now in the last time out of of the word of grace and out of the Spirit of the living God to the procreating of the living souls of Sion published or evangelized in these perilous times to the Salvation and Preservation of you all To the end that you mought now in the last time be led out from the wicked world and from her perverse generations be released from all conceited opinions which the man taketh to him out of the knowledge of the Scripture and have your communion or society with us 6. For our communion in this true light of the love is the uniformity with God the Father with his son our Lord Jesus Christ with the holy Ghost the pledge of the promises of our Inheritance and with all the holy ones of God in the heavenly being It is very true The XLI Chapter UNto this same grace which is this day O ye lovers of the truth with all ye which love the upright and lovely life of the love proffered unto you and to the same Majesty of God and communiality of his holy ones which is this day declared unto you ye are all presently called and invited 2. For seeing that this great grace and hearty love is chanced unto us through the appearing of the glorious coming of our Lord Jesus Christ from God the Father and that the Lord hath stirred us up in the end of the world and sent us in the right time for to gather together his chosen holy ones unto the mercy-seat of the of the Majesty of God to unity of heart in the love of Jesu Christ So pass we with the presenting of the same grace and intire love of God thorow the Nations of People from the chiefest in the understanding and knowledge of the Scripture even unto the smallest and simplest For the sound of the last trumpet namely the voice or testimony of the grace of the holy Spirit of love shall be heard in all the world 3. Happy is he which to day heareth this voice and hardeneth not his heart but believing the Word becometh assembled unto the body of Jesu Christ the mercy-seat of the majesty of God and entreth into the rest of the Lord. 4. BEhold thereto is our service among all Nations of the people If happily we mought find any lovers of the truth which seek God and his righteousness with all their heart and assemble them with us to our communiality of love the onely Body of Christ and that they mought even so enter with us and all the children of God into the rest of the Lord to their preservation in this day of the righteous judgment of God 5. For that cause let every one take now good heed unto this Day and have regard what the holy Spirit of love requireth 6. For whosoever assembleth not himself in this day unto the body of Jesu Christ under the obedience of his
love but turneth his heart therefrom he shall become utterly confused in his heart and wax more and more estranged from Christ and have no part with him in this holy day of his coming nor enter into his rest for evermore but obtaine the condemnation which also belongeth rightly unto him with all ungodly whose part shall be with the devil and all wicked spirits with the chains or bands of darkness in the fire of hell 7. They now shall likewise all perish which remaine without Jesus Christ or without the communiality of his love as also such as turn them therefrom 8. For it shall now this say I unto you verily be found in the truth that Jesus Christ is onely the Saviour of his Body and not of them that remaine without him nor which turne them away from him much less to them which despise him and do all their diligence to tread his word of grace which is proffered unto us all out of the service of love to righteousness for to be made living in him under foot deriding the same and blaspheamor dishonouring the spirit of grace 9. COnsider on the testimonies of the Scripture ye dearly beloved how that Jesus Christ is in this day onely the Saviour of his Body For thus there standeth written of him He shall save his People from their sins But not the strangers which remaine without him 10. Again He shall gather the wheat into his barn and burn the chaffe with everlasting fre 11. Again the Lord Jesus Christ himself saith Every vine-branch of mine which bringeth forth no fruit shall be cut off 12. Again The world shall see me no more but ye saith the Lord Jesus Christ to his members shall see me For I live and ye shall live 13. Again The firstling which is risen from the death is Christ after that They that belong unto Christ or that are of his members namely of his Flesh and Spirit which make manifest themselves in the time of the coming of Christ in his majesty and after that cometh the end 14. Thereof speaketh Isaiah also saying to the Lord whenas he saw into the hardness or obstinancy of the People which should be upon earth in the last time Thy dead that is those which are deceased in the Lord shall live and arise with the Body Take it to heart The XLII Chapter HErewith ye dearly beloved will we conclude for this time I suppose that this groundly instruction and inconfutable declaration is sufficient for to satisfie throughly all understandings which love the truth and to make known unto every one in his understanding that this same which is declared unto us and becometh administred and published unto you all is the Lords work and that the Scripture must even so become fulfilled in all what is written of Christ. 2. Whosoever now therefore hath any good willingness towards God for to do his will he shall well consider and understand that these testimonies are no manly knowledges but are proceeded from God and that they have their service hereunto for to pluck all good-willing hearts in the unity of the love of Christ with us little ones and God his elect under the grace of life and hand of God which is appeared unto us now in the last time to an everlasting and stedfast peace upon the earth according to the promises 3. For that cause to the end that it may now all be fulfilled in Christ what is written and evangelized in times past of him all hearts which love the truth and also all men are now called on the behalf of the Lord our God with this or through the service of love unto the love the most soveraigne majesty of God our Father To the end that they all mought now assemble them to their preservation in this perilous time with us under the obedience of the Love unto the true Body of Jesu Christ and so we to become incorporated with each other in all love into Christ to one man of God 4. COnsider now rightly ye dearly beâ—oved whereto and wherefore the man is summoned or required to come unto the majesty of God and obediently admitted into the service of love and wherefore the man is also debtour ☞ wholly to give over himself unto the Lord in the service of his love namely even herefore that the Lord mought have his dwelling and work in the man and the man to live upright and peaceably in all Love with God and his neighbour and so inherit under the obedience of the love the spiritual and heavenly Goods and the everlasting life 5. But if now the man will not do so and that if he refuse the Lord and to give over himself under his gratious word and the testimonies of the holy Spirit of love So robbeth he God of his and keepeth back from him that which belongeth unto him and cannot therefore behold the lovely countenance of the Lord in his naked clearness for evermore 6. But happy is he which is humble of heart and hath bent his desire to the Lord and to the holy word of the heavenly truth and standeth even so obediently submitted to the holy and gratious word of the heavenly truth and to the requiring of his service of love and assembleth him to the people of the Lord. For he shall behold with a pure heart the glo-of God and live everlastinlgy 7. BEhold hereto whereunto also all people are now in repentance for their sins called and bidden was the man created the blessing of all generations of the earth promised the Law given through Moses the Evangely preached in times past through Christ and is now also in the last time in the glorious power of God to an introduction into the same published and spread abroad through the holy Spirit of the love of Christ in all the world 8. Whosoever now then forsaketh himself and giveth over himself obediently in Jesu Christ the gracious word of the Lord he becometh now admitted or received in Jesu Christ and in the obedience of his requiring 9. The Lord grant us all mercy and hearts of understanding for to understand the clearness of this holy Evangelie and a willing Spirit for to give over our selves humbly and obediently unto the gracious Word of the Lord and unto the service of his holy Spirit of love to all unity of heart in the Love Amen So be it 10. FInally yee dearly beloved ye all unto whom these our writings out of love come to hand and are brought in writing to an assistance and leading into our unity of heart in the love my desire is to every one in several that he after he hath perused and diligently read the testimonies of these writings this Publishing of the grace of life and these groundly instructions and advisedly considered the requiring of those sâ—me write
over his minde understanding will and meaning thereof freely and even from the heart unto the principallest of the family of love or unto any of ours which minister with us the out-flowing of the holy and gracious word and these testimonies of the holy Spirit of love or else that he come and present himself before â—im and so give testimony whether that he agreeth or consenteth herein with us little ones and elected holy ones of God which stand submitted under the obedience of the love and is willing to give over himself and his whole heart and minde to the unity of heart with us in the love of Jesu Christ whereunto he is summoned required to come on the behalf of the Lord the supream God and whether that he also desireth to be partaker of the out-flown grace and of the godly Doctrine of the service of the love of Jesu Christ which we have received from the uncovered face of God and Christ and to maintaine or further the same service like as there is also required or desired in the distinct declaration of the requiring of the Lord set forth by Fidelitas our beloved Co-elder in the family of love 11. Whosoever now wholly agreeth herein with us and standeth minded with us to the unity of heart in the love of Jesu Christ and to the godly Doctrine of the service of the same love let him then make the same apparent unto us and apply himself to be united to one concordable Communiality of the love of Jesu Christ with us like as we endeavour us towards him and let us even so to all concord under the obedience of the love of Jesu Christ and to his true Peace and upright godliness be gathered together So shall then the true love and peace of Jesu Christ well obtaine the victory in us 12. And we elders in the family of love do proffer us freewillingly with all Submission to the love of Jesu Christ to give every one which mindeth or addicteth him to the truth and love of Jesu Christ and desireth to be informed of us good instruction and resolution through the arm of our Saviour so much as we in see that it is necessary for every one to his salvation 13. FUrther so is also our desire and Exhortation out of the submission in the love of our Lord Jesu Christ unto you all that every one to whom this groundly instruction setting forth by the holy Spirit of love is administred out of love and which hath assembled him to our Communiality of love to the service of the same remember this superscription namely Vnto the Lovers of the truth c. To whom in the beginning of these Writings we do write and make another which he knoweth to love the truth with whole heart and to stand submitted unpaâ—â—ially to the love partake with him of the same grace and love whereunto he is loved and assisted and out of love to reach forth the hand or stand helpful unto such a one and that he then likewise write over his minde will or meaning or else present himself persoally as is abovesaid and so assemble him to the service of love and to our Communiality That the love in her service may be fruitful with many unto righteousness and bring forth such abundantly to the laud and praise of the supream God and to the peace and joy of all generations of the earth according to the promises The grace of Lord Jesu Christ be with you all Amen 14. HErewith yee are all O yee lovers of the truth which read and hear these godly testimonies of our writings or to whom they are administred out of love heartily saluted in all love by the whole communiality of holiness which are comprehended in the love of God and Christ. 15. We all hope in our prayer unto God of all your goodwillingness to the concordableness with us in the obedience of the requiring of the love 15. The grace of the supream God and the upright righteousness and godly being of the Communiality of the holy Spirit of the love of Jesus Christ whereunto ye are now out of Grace undeserved called and lovingly bidden obtaine the victory in all your Hearts Amen Sent from the Spirit of love through love to concord and through love to life into all lands over the universal world Charitas Extorsit per H. N. FINIS a Eccle. 3. a. Mat 16 a. b Psa 118 c c Mat. 24. c d Luk 17. c. Acts 2. a. d Esa. 26. c. 1 Cor. 15 f e Luk 24. e f Mat. 24. b g Esa. 32. b 54. b. 57. b. 66. b. 2 Pet 3. b. h 2 Cor. 6. 2 Heb. 12. b. i Mal. 3.2 Mat 11. b. k Mat 24 b Apoc. 14. â— l Esa. 1. c. 55 a. Ezek. 10. c. 33. b. m Mat. 3.2 Act. 2. d 3. c n Ezek. 7. a 1 Pet 4. a. o Mal. 4. a. p Act. 17. d. q Eâ—a 5â— c. Luk 2 â— Ephe. 2. c. r â—â—a 9â— b. â—eb 3 b. 4. b a 1 Cor. 3 15 b Ioâ— 6. f. Act 17. d. Ephe. 2. a. Râ— 8. c. d. d Eâ—h 4 b. e Iâ—h 14.17 Apo. 21. a. f Iohn 1. a. 1 Iohn 1. a. g Iâ—r 33. b. h 1 Cor. 13. b. i Apoc. 14 a k Esa. 42.61 a. l Ioh 14. b. m Ioh. 3.2 n Esa 11.32 a. Ier. 23. a. 33. b. o Heb. 3.4 a p Mat. 25. d q Mat 5 a. r Ioh. 6.7 d Apo 2 b. 7. b 21. a. 22. b. s Rom 11. Apo. 4. b. 5. b. 7. b. Superscription Eccl. 33. b Apo. 14. a. u Rom. a. Ephe. 4 c. x 2 Cor. 3. b. y Eph. 4.5 c. z Mat. 25. d a Mal. 4. a. b Sap. 3. a. 5 a. Heb. 3. b 4. b Apo. 21. a. c 2 Pet. 2 3 â— d Rom. 2. a. e Ioh. 3. b. f Esa. 3. b. Mat. 24. d. 25. d. Iude 1. b. g Esa. 16. b. h Act. 17. d. i Zach. 8. a. k Apoc. 14 b l Luke 22. c m 1 Pet. 5 a. n Mat. 11. a. o Act. 4. c. p 1 Cor. 1. a. 2 Cor. 13. b. Phil 3. b. q Apoc. 12. b r Pro. 1. â— Mat. 7.29 b Esa. 59. b. s Rom. 2.2 t 1 Cor. 2. a. u Mat. 24. b. Apo. 14. a. x 2 Pet. 2 3 a. y Ap. 7.21 a z Esa. 29. b. Mat. 11.13 a 2 Cor. 4. â— b Rom. 13. b Ephe. 5. b. c Iob. 3.6 â— d Psal. 95. â— Heb. 3. b. a Mat. 1. b. b Mat. 25. d Act. 16.17 d. Iude 1. b. c Eze. 37 b Ioâ— 5. c. Rom 8. b. Phil. 3. b. d Act. 9. b. Rom. 9. c. e Ioâ— 14. c. Apo. 21. a. f Esa. 2. a. Mat. 4. a. g Ioh. 15. c. Act. 1. a. h Amos 5. b. Mich. 2. a. Mat. 24 b. 2 Tim. 3. a. i Mat. 10 c. Luk 10. b. k 1 Pet. 1. b. l Deut. 12. a. Ier. 7.9.18 b. m Psa 95. b. Heb. 3. b. Eze. 36. c 2 Cor. 7. a. o Heb. 3 4 b p
diligent prudence of the flesh or of the earthly being which becometh born out of the letter shall serve the little single minded simplicity of Christ which becometh born out of the spirit or heavenly being and be wholy subject thereunto namely when as the spiritual birth hath through the coming of Christ gotten the dominion over the flesh 8. We can also in the service of the gracious word under the obedience of the love now openly feel and perceive these two births in our selves For the first or foregoing birth which in the ministration of the gracious word hath the foregoing by us is the knowledge of God and of his requiring and of God his truth spirit or being out of the letter or serviceable word which stretcheth to the obedience and fulfilling of the requiring of the gracious word and his service of love and the same knowledge which stretcheth to the said obedience is the right knowledge of the man out of the flesh or letter and that seed of Righteousness and his obedience is the former seed of the law or service which becometh born according to the flesh and hath no inheritance in the promises of the covenant of God the Father nor in the Testament of the holy Elders or Fathers for that same becometh fulfilled therein and hath even so in his service the foregoing unto the Inheritance of the same Testaments in the very true being 9. The second birth which appeareth thereafâ—er in the fulfilling or accomplishing of the serviceable word and of his requiring by us in the renewing of our spirit and mind is the Godhead the truth and spirit of God or God his true being it self yea the same spiritual heavenly being is the inheritance of all spiritual and heavenly goods and the true seed of the belief that becometh born in us aâ—cording to the spirit and inheriteth the promises of the Covenant of God the Father And these two births the one after the flesh and the other after the spirit are both out of the seed of the promise sown ingendred or brought forth in the letter and through the letter of the administration of the holy word and heavenly understanding or mind of the spiritual promises in our memory minds or thoughts 10. But the knowledge of the letter or the mind either understanding of the flesh out of the letter and the obedience unto the same appeareth first and taketh the foregoing in birth and diligently applieth it self therein for to inherit the blessing of the promises And whenas now this foregoiâ—g birth namely the knowledge of the letter which stretcheth to the obedience and accomplishment of the requiring of the gracious word and his service of love is become moving and forcible to such a diligency in our minds and understandings so inspect and understand we then at the first the testimonies of the spiritual and heavenly truth which extend unto spirit and life none otherwise but according to the flâ—sh and according to the minde of our flesh do we also seek after the same or apply us thereunto for to obtain the same according to the flesh And we suppose moreover we shal in such wise inherit the blessing of the promises of Christ. And this is in the man the knowledge of the letter or the mind of the flesh which is named Adam Esau or Edom and hath out of the administration of the holy word the fâ—regoing of birth in us and is the knowledge of Christ after the flesh 11. Now whilst or in the mean time that the â—irst born with his earthly and bloudy mind is hunting after or labouring for the blessing of the promise g of God and Christ and yet notwithstanding inheriteth not the same so doth then the second born hold him in stilness and following the counsel of the wisdom he obtaineth through the prudence of the holy Ghost the blessing of the promises of the seed of Abraham as also the prevailing over the first or former born and becometh even so the lord over the first born And this is in the man the mind or spirit of Christ which is named Iacob or Israel which obtaineth at last the victory and the dominion with God and also keepeth the same And to have obtained the same second birth is the upright knowledge of Christ after the spirit 12. SEe ye dearly beloved and consider with spiritual understanding the mystery of these two Nativities or births namely the first after the flesh earthly and bloudy the second aftâ—r the spirit spiritual and heavenly and how that the understanding of the first birth would according to his fleshly mind inherit the promises of Christ and how that the second birth which is not minded according to the flesh but according to the spirit of the heavenly truth obtaineth the victory beareth rule with God and bringeth forth the name of Israel or Christ it self 13 WHat we had here more to say of Isaac the seed of promise of the birth of Esau and Iacob of the fleshly and spiritual birth and of the knowledge of Christ after the flesh and of the knowledge of him after the spirit is with larger Instruction declared in the Glasâ— of Righâ—eousness The X. Chapter IAcob the upright stock of his Fathers Isaac and Abraham walked uprightly before God in the ways of his Fathers And God was with him and was his God light life and cleerness in all respects even as God had been with Abraham and Isaac 2 And God made manifest himself unto this same Iacob and shewed him in what manner the house or tabernacle of his dwelling is and gave unto him and his seed the same promises which he had given and promised unto Abraham and Isaac And God erected his covenant with Iacob therefore called Iacob the place wherein the Lord appeared unto them Beth-el which name signifieth unto us an house of God 3. Behold ye dearly beloved how cleerly the scripture expresseth unto us who are God's elected people and the house of his dwelling wherein he as a living and glorious God maketh manifest himself letteth his word be heard and establisheth his promises 4. Iacob also won with his service two wives which were sisters germans The eldest was named Lia which name signifieth unto us a Labourice This Lia had a Servetrice which she gave Iacob also to wife and she was named Zilpha which signifieth unto us contempt 5. The youngest was named Rachel which name signifieth unto us a sheep This Rachel had a Servetrice which was named Lilha which name signifieth unto us a woman which is humble or lowly which Servetrice she gave Iacob to wife for that she whilst she was closed might through her Servetrice bring forth Children unto Iacob her husband 6. THese four wives brought forth unto Iacob twelve Sons out of which the twelve tribes of Israel are sprung or come forth and every Tribe was named
then the Law and the Services do in such wise change by the believers of the Anointed to wit out of the figures into the true being and out of the letter or serviceable word into the revealing of the holy Spirit of Christ there is also then by those same the Priests office changed For Christ the honorable Priest cometh unto them from the right hand of God the Father out of the heavenly Being which hath or useth not his servce after the manner or ordinance of Aaron which is yet a teaching or requiring to observe the Will or the Righteousness of the law of the Lord but after the manner or ordinance of Melchisedech which bringeth with him the Blessing the accomplishing of the Law or of the Lord's will the salvation of life and the anointing of the holy Ghost to a pledge of the godly inheritance and to an everlasting treasure or riches of God and reigneth in the righteousness of the same 7. Melchisedech signifieth unto us One that ruleth in the Perfection which is called a King of Righteousness And in him is the fulfilling of the Law and of the service of the Prophets Therefore theâ—e shall not one Letter nor the very least 〈◊〉 fall from the Law until all come to pass 8. OH alas How grosly then have certain wise of the world and Scripture learned over-reached them herein which have without diversity forsaken the Law and the service of the Elders Testament and of the Priests office after the ordinance of Aaron and set back the same as a thing unneedful not once distinguishing unto whom the service after the Ordinance of Aaron is yet necessary nor yet with whom the same at the appointed time ceaseth or leaveth ofâ— 9. But have all for the most part cryed Christ Christ and we are Christians and attributed to themselves much freedom ere ever the time of the appearing of Christ or the anointing of the holy Ghost was come to pass or fulfilled with them in the accomplishing of the old Testament 10. Oh that they yet now awaked and took heed in the word of the service of love unto this gracious time and gave ear unto the same that they might understand their safe making and so then be rightly and according to the truth brought to the true Being that is unto Christ. 11. What we had here more to say of the foregoing service after the ordinance of Aaron or of the foregoing before the true light of the Elders of the holy Uunderstanding of the Levitical Priesthood of the Sabbath day of the Lord and of the Treasures of the Riches of God is declared in the Glass of Righteousness The XIV Chapter NOw when as all these forementioned holy things were prepared according to the commandment of the Lord so were there men sent forth into the land of Promise for to spy out the same 2. But when as now these were returned out of the same land certain reported unto the children of Israel that the battel wherewith the land was to be won was very tedious and that the land was invincible or that it was impossible to destroy the inhabitants wherethrough the people became unbelieving of the promses of the Lord and dismayed in heart unto battel and were afraid of their enemies which they through the mighty hand of their God should have destroyed and rooted out and they murmured against Moses and his ministration 3. Howbeit Iosue and Caleb which had also spyed out the same land brought good tydings namely that they could well win the same good land and destroy their enemies which dwelled therein 4. But they were not harkned to or believed because the people waxed unbelievâ—ng of the word of the Lord and his promises and unlustful to the battel and complained sore that they remained not in Egypt to the end they might have died there 5. And even so out of fear and through unbelief and despair to win the battel against their enemies they wished that they might dy in the wilderness and that came to pass even so 6. For all they that had murmured continually against the Lord and bin unbelieving and disobedient unto him and the ministration and requiring of his word came not into the good land but Iosue and Caleb which cleaved with all their heart unto the Lord and believed and were obedient unto his word inherited the same Iosue signifieth unto us a Saviour Caleb the inward heart or minde 7. HEreout we may perceive ye dearly beloved that the circumcision of the resisters or disobedient unto the word of the Elders Moses and Aaron was through their unbelief and murmuring against the Lord and the Ministers of his word become an Uncircumcision and that there was also no love of God but in all the love of themselves found among them 8. Whilst then they bowed not nor inclined the ears of their heart unto the doctrine of the word which was administred unto them by Moses and Aron but after their own good thinking were chusing this or that or somthing else even thus or even so so have they not known the truth nor yet understood the mysterie of the works of God For that cause also they were not made free of the truthâ— they entred not likewise into the holy of the true tabernacle of God nor have inherited the inheritance which God had promised unto the seed of Abraham 9. The which giveth us to understand that they are not Abraham's seed which bear only the circumcision on their flesh but they that are of his belief for the believers inherited the good land 10. Notwithstanding the glory of God was not at that time erected in his fulness nor the promises fulfilled which the Lord had promised to the salvation and blessing of the Heathen 11. For in his time the Lord would also visit the heathen declare his righteousness among them and even so according to his promises make Abraham a father of many heathen which should not be of the circumcision of the flesh but of his faith 12. But the murmurers and complainers which bare alwaies a care how it should go with themselves but thought very little on the glory of the Lord or on the magnifying of his holy name fell all into the indignation of the Lord and God shewed no compassion on them for their infidelity sake And therefore they must then remain without the Rest and dy in the Wilderness 13. But Iosue a leader or guide of Israel brought the remnant of the people of Israel unto Iordan which Iordan opened or divided it self asunder before them and so they went thorow the same even unto the borders of the good land Iordan signifieth unto us a River of Iudgement And it is the same River wherein Iohn the Baptist afterward baptised The XV. Chapter NOw when Israel was come into the borders of the good land
of the raign of King Nabuchodonosor there raigned a King over them which was not of Babylon named Darius coming from Media and Persia. 6. Darius signifieth unto us seeking or searching Media one which hath abundance Persia one which is parting sepâ—rating one from another or unsnaring 7. Under the might of this King Darius of Media and Persia it was licenced the Jews to build again the City of Ierusalem and the Temple of the Lord whereof Aggeus and Zacharias prophesied and moved or exhorted the people thereunto Which building of the City of Ierusalem and of the temple of the Lord. Ezechiel doth also cleerly describe or figure forth 8. Aggeus signifieth unto us beautiful or glorious Zacharias the remembrance of the Lord Ezechiel one whch seaeth God and also a taking hold of God 9. IN this time of Darius king of Media and Persia according to the Prophesie of Aggeus Zacharias and Ezechiel was the City of Ierusalem in all respects as she was before and the House of the Lord with the Vessels of Silver and Gold and all its ornaments like as Salomon had builded and garnished the same set again each thing in its old place All which was builded and accomplished by Zorababel a Prince in Iuda of the house of David and by Iosua an high Priest of the Tribe of Aaron 10. Zorobabel signifieth unto us One that hath not bâ—wrapped himself in the Commixture or that is without Tangling Iosua signifieth unto us a Saviour 11. From this time forth that Ierusalem was inhabited again of the Jews the Temple of the Lord consecrated by the Priests so was also like as Moses had ordained the same and as there was witnessed and figured forth in the Letter the Law and services of the Priests and Levites very diligently observed But all this came to pass under the might and dominion of the heathenish kings 12. And the Jews with their God-service obtained in process of time so wide room among the Heathen that certain of the heathenish kings and people esteemed the God-service of the Jews to be a true God-service and they came unto Ierusalem to worship and offer unto the highest God And certain of the heathen did let themselves also be circumcised and became proselytes or fellow companions in religion unto the Jews 13. In such sort was the Law of Moses with the ordinance of the Priests and Prophets so much as the Scripture mentioned thereof read daylie more and more with diligence and ferventness for to observe according to the Scripture in most perfect manner all what Moses had commanded 14. Through this same zeal or diligence which was used hereunto wherethrough the figurative services were in most gorgeous manner furthered or required and for to be observed set forth before the people many people were therein captived so that they supposed that the figurative services were were the very self true God-services and that God was to be reconciled therewith and marked not God's counsel or will because they respected not the cleerness of the very true Being whereof the images and figures gave their shadows wherethrough also they understood not the mysterie of those same For that cause they were yet bondmen and servants of the Lord which were yet bound unto the same services and not as children of God made free through the Truth 15. Whilst now that they were yet servants and not made free through the light of the truth so knew they not likewise the truth nor the mind or will of their Lord neither what the Lord did or would accomplish For a servant knoweth not what his Lord hath in mind neither what he will do or leave undone 16. But unto his Son which sitteth with him upon his seat and raigneth with him in wisdom and righteousness he openeth all the secret counsel of his heart 17. These forementioned imagelike or figurative services remained and stood a long time in their Garnishing and great estimation by which the Lord had always a seed out of Aaron which went daily in the same services before the people for to minister in the holy and entered once in the year when the service had ended his course into the most holy and even so out of the most holy sanctified it all with the bloud of the testament to the forgiving of their sins 18. Which services witnessed and shewed unto them in figures and in secret words or parables the very true and spiritual services which should in the times to come be administred through the spiritual and heavenly Goods in the face of the Lord nameâ—◠〈◊〉 the â—aked or uncovered clearness of Christ in the Spirit that is in the inwardness of the believing men and that the same spiritual and heavenly services should then also in like manner be seen and known in all their cleerness and the promises of God the Father in all blessing accomplished and fulfilled according to the Scripture 19. Hereout we have easily to perceive who are the ministers of the services and Scriptures who stand yet captived under the letter and which are the right believers and disciples of Christ that as faithful servants of the Lord pass or wade through the servitude of the service and Letter and obediently fulfil the same and so become born again to children of God 20. What we had here more to say of the right stock of Iuda or of the Jews or of their servitude under the Law of their freedom of their to coming dominion and whereto to the figurative services do serve and when or wherein they cease or with whom they have ended their service as also with whom they are yet needful and necessary is declared in the Glass of Righteousness The XVII Chapter THis figurative service had in his state and ministration according to the ordinance of Aaron as Moses had commanded the same in all garnishing according as the Scripture maketh mention the foregoing in fruiâ—fulness until Iohn the Baptist. 2. For the genealogie of Aaron the Priest out of the seed of Levi had his description from the procreating of the Priesthood until Zacharias and Elisabeth his wife of whom Iohn the Baptist the true fore-goer was born which declareth himself not in figures but in the spirit and power of God and goeth before the face of God for to bring in his service all things again into their right state or form 3. According to the same manner after the genealogie of the kingly seed hath the kingly seed of David out of the tribe of Iuda his procreation till unto Ioseph and the Virgin Mary his wife of whom Iesus Christ which is the true king of the Jews the true seed of David after the flesh and after the spirit the true Son of God and God's everlasting light liâ—e and cleerness the true Spirit of the godly glory and the lovely Being of the uncovered Face of
God was born or brought forth Whereunto all foregoing services with the images figures and shadows do induce and lead and cease therein and wherethrough the true God-service of the spiritual and heavenly goods is nakedly seen known ministred and inherited in full cleerness It is very true 4. NOw when as these forementioned figurative services had had their foregoing till unto Zacharias at which time Herod out of the power of Rome was king over the lands of Iuda so ministred Zacharias the Priest's office at the same time according to the ordinance of Abia that is in such wise as the Father of the Lord would have it or as it pleased him And Zacharias had a wife of the daughters of Aaron named Elisabeth 5. Herod signifieth unto us a Mountain of glory Rome signifieth unto us Puissance or strength These Romans not being out of Iuda but out of the Heathen were in the time of Zacharias lords over the land of Iuda Zacharias signifieth unto us the memory or remembrance of the Lord. Abia the Will of the Lord. Elizabeth the Oath or Covenant of God 6. And when as now Zacharias ministred the Priest's office before God according to the ordinance of Abia and that he burned incense in the Temple of the Lord so remembred the Lord the Oath or Covenant of his promises and sent at the same time his Angel Gabriâ—l 〈◊〉 Zacharias evangelized unto him that Elisabeth his wife should bear him a Son and his name should be called Iohn which name signifieth unto us the grace mercy of the Lord. Angel signifieth unto us a messenger or publisher Gabriel which published the same signifieth unto us the power or strength of God 7. Gabriel witnessed yet further to Zacharias unto thee and unto many people there shall be joy in the birth of Iohn For he shall be great before the Lord c. He shall go before the face of the Lord in the spirit and power of Elias which signifieth unto us in the spirit and power of God the Lord. 8. With these sayings there is made known unto us by the Angel Gabriel that the foregoing of Iohn before the face of the Lord should not chance in figures but according to the true being in the spirit and power of God the Lord in like manner as Zachariis also witnessed of Iohn when he was born read the first of Luke The XVIII Chapter NOw when the Lord had out of the imagelike foregoing after the manner of Aaron brought forth a true foregoer in the spirit and power of God the Lord or obtained him out of Zacharias and Eilzabeth his wife through whom he would begin his work or Office according to the true being so remembred he also his servant David or his beloved service and the oath which he had sworn unto him to wit that his seed should sit upon his seat 2. Whilest then the procreation of the seed of David according to the Genealogie stretched even unto Ioseph which was the right stock of the Kingly seed of David and that he had out of the same house of David a Virgin to wife named Mary which was betrothed unto him so hath the Lord according to his promises also visited the house of David and sent forth from him his Angel Gabriel into a City of Galilee named Nazareth unto the same Virgin Mary which was espoused unto the man Ioseph of the house of David as is abovesaid 3. Galilee signifieth unto us a turning or winding about Nazareth signifieth hallowed Mary a Doctress Ioseph one that is perfect or an exalting or great esteeming of the perfection 4. ANd Gabriel went in unto Mary and when he had saluted her he said unto her thou hast found mercy with God behold thou shalt conceive in the womb and bear a Son and shall call his name JESVS which name signifieth unto us Saviour 5. This same saith Gabriel shall be great be called a Son of the most highest And God the Lord shall give unto him the Seat of his Father David and he shall be a king over the house of Iacob for evermore and of his kingdom there shall be none end 6. When Mary had heard these sayings of Gabriel she askt him how the same should come to pass forasmuch as she knew no man 7. Gabriel answered her and said The holy Ghost shall come down from above out of the height upon thee and the power of the most High shall shine about thee Therefore shall also that holy one which shall be born of thee be called the Son of God 8. And Mary believ'd the word of the Lord and became with childe by the holy Ghost And rejoyced her in God her salvation 9. COnsider ye beloved how that there is shewed unto us and given us to understand through the speeches of the Angel Gabriel which he used with Mary that at the same time when the holy Ghost came through the power of the most high upon the Virgin Mary and procreated the true seed of promise the time of the procreating of the seed of Abraham according to the flesh turned it self about to wit that the holy and true seed of Abraham should not from thenceforth be conceived of the flesh but of the holy Ghost through the power of the most highest in the Belief and that the same should even so be born out of the true faith of Abraham for the seed out of the faith of Abraham and out of the pure Virgin Mary is the true seed of Promise to the blessing of all generations of the earth 10. And thus from that time forth the genealogie of the seed of Abraham according to the flesh ceaâ—ed with the Believers For the upright children of the Belief which had their Descent out of the seed of the faith of Abraham and of the pure Virgin Mary as also from the holy Ghost were known to be the true seed of Abraham because the same seed was the seed of the promise of God the Father and was likewise in his mind according to the spirit the likeness of God his Father also Spirit and spiritual of the godly Nature and Being and according to the will of God wholy minded with God 11. AT the same time when Augustus the Emperor of Rome reigned and had made a stedfast peace in all lands whereover he ruled so caused he a Commandment to go forth from him that all the world should be â—axed every one in his own City 12. In which time Ioseph and Mary journeyed also unto the City of David named Beth-lehem that they might be taxed there seing that they were of the same City of David And even there in Beth-lehem Mary brought forth her first Son 13. Augustus signifieth unto us a great estimation or respecting of the thing that is glorious holy and increasing Beth-lehem an house of Bread 14. AT the same time when Mary had brought forth her first
Son in Beth-lehem an Angel appeared unto the Shepherds in the field which published unto them all that was chanced at Beth-lehem to a great joy that should come unto all people And he said This day is born unto you the Preserver which is Christ the Lord in the City of David 15. Christus is a Greek word and is called in Hebrew Messias and signifieth unto us Anointed or the Oyl of the holy Ghost wherein the perfect Godhead dwelleth and resteth And he was circumcised the eight day and named Iesus that is Saviour like as the Angel Gabriel had said it before 16. And this Child Jesus born of the seed of David after the flesh grew or increased became strong in the Spirit and full of all wisdom for the mercy of God was in him 17. OH alas how great contention and unprofitable disputations hath there been concerning the Conception of Iesus in the Womb of Mary and touching his birth But if they all which contended hereabout had known the power of God and that also the mysterie of the mind and works of God had bin given them to understand so should they then verily not have contended thereabout neither yet many of them so grosly over-reached them in their Judgment which they have witnessed and judged of the conception and birth of Iesus or of his incarnation 18. For which cause to the end that all understandings might be satisfied and much contention ended we have out of the light of the heavenly truth nakedly declared according to the truth the conception of Iesus with his birth as also many secret works of God He that hath ears to hear let him hear and to whom wisdom is given let him comprehend understanding 19. What we had here more to say of the conception of Iesus of the name Iesus Christ of his birth and of the eight day is declared in the Glass of Righteousness and in more other testimonies of our Writings The XIX Chapter NOw when the time was fulfilled that God would according to his promises accomplish his work to a good ending or fulfilling of all the services of the Images figures and Prophets which services have all their ministrations till unto Iohn the Baptist which is the true minister and foregoer before the true light or face of God that cometh after Iohn or his service with the holy Ghost so hath Iohn through the commandment of God had the foregoing in his service or office to the true God-service in the spirit and in all the coasts of Iordan preached and taught the baptism of repentance to the forgiveness of sins to the end that he might even so in his service according to the word of the Lord spoken before by the Prophets bring all things again into their right state or ordinance 2. At that time the people which feared God were informed and taught with other services that were of greater force then the services of the images and figures 3. Thus hath Iohn begun his office published the Kingdom of the God of heavens to be at hand and baptised the people in Iordan with the water of repentance 4 Iesus came also unto Iordan for to be baptised of Iohn that all righteousness might be fulfilled through Iohn and Iesus which also is called Christ. 5. COnsider and respect well now in understanding ye dearly beloved how Iohn ministred the office of his baptism not that men should run forth with an handful of water and perswade themselves when they have the elementish water that it is there with enough to be a Christian. 6. O no the Baptism of Iohn is not in such sort but he baptised them that confessed their sins and where the water of Repentance flowed inwardly in the heart 7. Behold even thus namely in the confessing of the sins hath Iohn baptised the people with the water of repentance in Iordan which signifieth unto us a River of Iudgement 8. For unto such where the water of repentance flowed inwardly in the heart came the mercy or grace of the Lord and they were baptised or washed with the same water of repentance in the River of Judgment to the knowledge of the salvation and to the forgiving and purging of their sins 9. And even so after that came Messias or Christus that is anoinâ—ed unto them to the saâ—e-making of their souls wherethrough they were baptised with the living waters of the holy Ghost to the reedifying of the Tabernacle of the living God namely the generation of mankind wherein God himself with his glory would to a light of men dwell live and walk as an holy and true God and everlasting life 10. Wherethrough the man becometh rightly released from the hand of all his enemies and the comsummation or perfection erected by him whereof God hath from the begining spoken through the mouth of all his holy Prophets till unto the day or light of Iohn 11. Behold were the man once baptised in suchwise might then verilyboast him to be a Christian but not otherwise for whosoever is not in his mind and spirit one spirit with Christ he belongeth not unto him 12. OH alas how great contention and disputation hath therebin among many touching the baptism The one would have the baptism thus the other so but whilst that it was yet night with them so hath no man been able before this day of love which is the true light and the Glory of God himself to understand nor distinct the baptism of Iohn nor the baptism of Christ. 13. What we had here more to say of Iohn of his baptism and of the baptism of Christ is declared in the Glass of righteousness The XX Chapter NOw when Iohn had in baptising made himself manifest so hath Christ after the baptism of Iohn made himself also manifest preached taught the Kingdom of the God of heavens But he taught as one that in his doctrine was mightier then the scripture learned after the law of Moses 2. For the people were taught through Christ with other tongues and through an other spirit for there was preached and taught peace and peace abundantly 3. Wherethrough the mysterie of the truth of God whereon Moses in the law the scripture and the prophets did wittness was uncovered or made manifest and it was with many great offence to a fall and with many great joy to restoring in Israel 4. But whilst now that the word of Iesus had more efficacy and clearness then the services of the Levites and Priests according to the ordinance of Aaron so have many people and devout men given ear unto the same Iesus and beleeved in him and even so obtained Iesus Christ many disciples which followed him in his word and doctrine Yet were there many of those same Disciples which fell away and turned them from him and his doctrine 5. In which time there were also many that hoped the
substance of God his Father nor yet by any manner means of their knowledge comprehend behold nor inherit any beauty of the heavenly goods and how â—hat it all remained covered before them until they had kept the Passover with Christ namely in his death burial and resurrection until that he ascended from them into heaven and that Christ had made manifest himself in glory unto them in a spiritual cleerness out of heaven from the right hand of God his father with the pouring forth of his holy Ghost abundantly The XXIII Chapter BEhold in the same day of the pouring forth of the holy Spirit of Christ which was shed forth into them as a flood of living waters out of the heavenly powers they rightly knew Christ in the Spirit even as he after the Spirit is a true Christ of God and understood his services and ceremonies according to the truth and they had even so through the same Spirit their fellowship with God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ in the heavenly being whereout they brought forth and published the Counsel mind and will of God and the Treasures of the spiritual and heavenly goods to the salvation and joy of all men and to the inheriting of those same unto them which believed in Christ and held the Passover or Supper rightly with him For otherwise it could not come to pass 2. Therefore no man knoweth Christ nor the Father nor yet the upright services or ceremonies of Christ for to minister those same according to the truth but such as are even so renewed or born again through Christ as we have declared in their spirit and mind neither yet doth it become any other to set forth any services or ceremonies of Christ nor to ordain any unto Priests or ministers of the word nor to preach or publish the Evangelie but such or they that are sent of Christ himself for otherwise it is all false 3. Ceremonies signifie unto us Services which have Mysteries or Secrets in them Evangelie signifieth unto us a joyful message which is published through the power of God and operation of the holy Ghost out of the heavenly Truth 4. HEreout have we a great mysterie to consider of and also to note how that many false Christians or such as falsly make their boast of Christ are risen up before this day of Christ or to have set them against the same and how that many through the knowledge which they have taken on unto them out of the letter of the Scripture busie them to set forth the knowledge of Christ and his ceremonies which are not sent of Christ but are yet utterly estranged from him much less then have kept the Pascha or Passover of his Supper like as the Disciples of Christ held the same with Christ. 5. For I say unto you truly whilst that the Disciples of Christ which had their conversation in times past with Christ after the flesh and spake mouth to mouth with him have not in their knowledge understood or inherited the cleerness of Christ although the mysterie of the kingdom of God was brought and given unto them to understand neither yet could understand or inherit the same before that the fiftieth day after the Passover of Christ was fulfilled that the heaven was opened before them and that the holy Ghost was shed forth upon them so shall not likewise presently which thing I testfiie unto you for certain the Scripture learned nor yet any conceited disciples of Christ which have not kept or passed thorow with Christ after the flesh the Passover from death into life and from flesh into spirit nor in the following of Christ attained through the powers of the holy Ghost unto the cleerness of Christ understand the cleerness of the word of Christ out of the knowledge of the letter of the Scripture nor out of the imagination of their knowledge touching the spiritual and heavenly things much less receive or inherit his godly being of love neither yet also set forth teach or minister his ceremonies and services according to the truth nor publish the true Evangelie of Christ out of the light of life 6. FOrasmuch then as that the Scripture-learned and wise of the world which in times past believed not the word of Christ neither yet they all which turned them away from the doctrine of Christ and from his ministers and made up themselves thereagainst have never known the very true of the heavenly Truth of Christ nor attained unto or gotten without the Passover with Christ the cleerness of his holy Spirit so give I you then ye good willing hearts to consider and judge what testimonies of the truth that the Scripture learned and the wise of the world can presently give forth which believe not the love of Christ but resist the same with their disobedient knowledge and what counsel they can hold and decree and after what Righteousness they can go forth which concordably agreeth with the counsel of God with the true righâ—eousness and single minded doctrine of Jesu Christ with his true services and ceremonies and with the godly wisdom and the requiring of the love of Jesu Christ seeing that the same is all unpossible for them to do 7. For if they turn them not about to the childish single mindedness nor come even so with humble hearts unto this stool of grace whereof we witness nor to the obedience of the requiring of the same to wit that they be not assembled obediently according to the requiring of the service of love unto the communalty of the love of Jesu Christ but turn them away from the same and harden their hearts thereagainst so shall they not understand the truth of Jesu Christ nor his right service of love nor the counsel or will of God nor yet obtain or inherit neither presently nor for ever the true spiritual and heavenly goods but perish in much contention and in their hardness of heart and unclean consciences be estranged from the face of Christ dy in their sins and be condemned with the ungodly which will not believe nor obey God's truth nor yet the love of Christ in the fire of hell and be constrained to bear the curse of the ungodly also bide separated from the cleerness of the upright and vertuous Being of God and Christ and not behold the amiable face of God in righteousness 8. LEt every one take it effectually to heart For it shall all in his time come to pass and be found even so whether it be now believed or no. 9. For I say unto you verily the sun of this same day shall not go down or leave off to shin before all this come to pass and that the world be judged through the judgment of Christ with righteousness according to the Scripture The XXIIII Chapter NOw when the holy of the true tabernacle with his services according to the true
beauty and loveliness and live even so therein as true holy ones of God and Believers of Christ. 4. For behold this same most holy of the true tabernacle of God doth God now bring unto us with himself with his Christ and with all the thousands of his saints in godly triumph to a righteous Judgement upon earth like as there is written thereof according to the promises 5. COnsider now ye dearly beloved how or in what manner that God now in the last time bringeth and setteth up the perfection of his kingdom with us little ones and God's elect how that our testimony and publishing of the joyful message is of the same Kingdom and in what manner all the services and prophecies which are gone out from God and added unto his promises do lead hereunto and rest or cease therein namely in the renewing of the spirit and mind in Iesu Christ through the holy spirit of his love 9. The which we likewise through the arm of our saviour do even so set forth and express in cleerness before every one which heareth us or whom God stirreth into our way namely that the perfection is no earthly or fleshly thing nor any fleshly dealing or liberty but the perfect power of God and the glory of Christ in his coming 7. Which coming of Christ is now declared unto us that we might through the same be seperated in our spirit from the death of sin implanted into Christ with his like death and so raised up out of the death of Christ and made alive according to the very likeness of God in the power of his holy Ghost in upright righteousness and holiness to coheires with Christ in the treasures of the spiritual and heavenly goods to the intent that we should even so not according to the flesh or in the uncircumcision but according to the spirit or in the laying away of the foreskin of the sinful flesh live and tryumph in the heavenly Being with Christ and all his Saints which presently meet us in all perfection of the works of God in this day of love with Christian tryumph everlastingly in all love according to the promises 8. BEhold such is the perfect kingdom of God and his most holy service come unto us from God's grace and that same is the very true whereof we witness and which we publish to an Evangelie of the glorious kingdom of Christ in all the world under the obedience of the love of Jesu Christ. For that same very true with his perfect beauty love and righteousness hath the God of heaven out of the fulness of his grace declared and brought unto us and erected the same with us now at the last time in the time of the last divided kingdom of Babel to an everlasting peaceable kingdom for his holy ones according to his promises 10. And the upright righteousness of the same and the true holy Ghost which is poured out therein with perfect love and floweth abundantly therein is the true most holy of the everlasting Being of God whereout our upright service of the love is administred and whereunto all services and prophesies which are gone out from God and his truth do lead as to the right and very true perfection and that same perfect good and his most holy service of love shall bide for ever with full declaration of the very true perfection in his service to the end that the same most holy perfect good might from henceforth for evermore be declared upon the earth and all peaceable ones with all they that love the peace in Jesu Christ aâ—sembled thereunto according to the promises 11. OH alas how grosly have certain over-reached them which have out of the imagination of their knowledge or out of the riches of their spirit taken on set forth and taught the perfection according to the flesh and applied the freedom of the children of God on the elementish man looked into the same according to a fleshly mind and bound or knit fast themselves thereon with a certain use of fleshly dealing 12. But verily whilst that they were risen up before this day of the coming of Jesu Christ or ever the sun of righteousness arose unto them in their stedfast obedience unto the requiring of Jesu Christ and inclined out of their knowledge after the flesh unto the freedom according to the flesh so have they likewise taken the same freedom unto them according to the supposel or goodthinking of their elementish manhood and missed the true light of righteousness as also not known the truth of God which maketh free much less then understood the same Noâ— there shall not any one know or understand the same neither presently nor for ever which is turned unto himself or his elementish manhood and so taketh on any thing out of his knowledge or mind of the flesh be it then what it is wherewithal he turneth him away from the obedience of the requiring of the service of the love of Jesu Christ. 13. For I say unto you verily that no man cometh through his knowledge unto the truth of God nor unto the true light of life but only he which through the Belief in Jesu Christ forsaketh himself in the obedience of the requiring of the gracious word of the Lord and his service of love and so bideth stedfast therein till unto the appointed time of the Father That is until that Christ after the spirit which is the living truth of God and the true light of life it self be come unto him and have his shape as an upright Being full of all love in him 14. THerefore ought every one to look wel unto it that he run not foâ—th according to his mind or knowledge nor according to the goodthinking of his own spirit before the time wherein the very true is appointed to be inherited neither respect give ear unto nor believe any manner of knowledge which riseth up in his own heart much less which is held forth before him by others against us and our ministration of the most holy service of love or wherewith he is assaulted or tempted But that he alwaies in his assaulting or temptation humble him with singleness of heart unto the obedience of the requiring of the gracious word and his service of love and even so hear and believe the same sure prophetical word in his service and take heed thereunto seeing that now in the last time the true love and the upright Being of Christ is administred and taught thereout until that the true light of the same word and service and the perfect Being of God the Father and Christ come unto him and arise in hâ—s heart in the perfect glory and power of God and of the holy Ghost that he may live everlastingly with God and his Christ in all love O yea that come to pass even so 20. What we had here more
to say of the Supper and Following of Christ of the Holy and of his true Service or Oblation and of the Altar in the Holy and of the Vayl before the most holy is declared in the Glass of Righteousness The XXVI Chapter NOw when this true being of the holy of the true Tabernacle of God whereof we witness was declared come and prepared in his true service with the disciples of Christ and ministred in the belief so were then the foregoing services which were the images figures and shadows of that same no longer fruitful with them they ceased also among them with their services and the true being of the promises whereon as on the seed of the blessing the foregoing services pointed and led threunto was at the same time to the blessing of all generations of the earth published by the same illuminated disciples of Christ as the true seed of Abraham in all the lands of Iuda according to the promises 2. There was also testified by them that the righteousness of life was to be obtained in the death of Iesus Christ through faith and not through the works of the law And that the law of Moses and the services of the Priest hood of Aaron ceased and had ended their service with them in the same service of Christ of the very true testament 3. HEreon we ought advisedly to consider ye dearly beloved for to understand according to the truth in what manner the Law of Moses and the foregoing services of the Priesthood after the Ordinance of Aaron ceased with the Disciples of Christ. 4. Not verily through the bringing in or setting up of any other services or ceremonies nor yet through the knowing of a greater and truer Righteousness and that one should even so pass forth therewith unregenerated or unrenewed in the Spirit and minde and so forsake the foregoing ministration and ordinance wherewith the Righteousness is required O no that is far wide and whosoever supposeth that he misseth the truth very faâ— 5. For the Law of Moses the Images Figures and Shadows with the Priests office after the manner of Aaron which are all fulfilled and cease in Christ minister unto us out of the true light an higher and perfecter cleerness namely the perfect Being and the renewing of the heart and spirit to wit to be purged for a Tabernacle or House of the living God wherein God with his Christ dwelleth liveth and resteth wherein it becometh then all fulfilled and the costly Treasure of the heavenly and spiritual goods brought unto men and from thence doth it flow forth again as waters of life 9. BEhold even thus or to this end had the old Testament ended his Service with the Disciples of Christ. And in such a state as being replenished with the fulness of the holy spirit of Christ have the former services ceased with them inasmuch as they had accomplished the requiring of those same in Jesu Christ. 7. And verily not through other services nor through the knowing of any thing better truer or perfecter like as many conceited Christians suppose and say out of the blindness of their hearts that the services of the old Testament after the Law of Moses and Ordinance of Aaron are all ended and that they therefore have now the services of the new Testament and know the new or the best and the true and run forth even so therewithal not once distincting that the fulfilling of the foregoing services which require the very true doth not come to pass in the knowledge of the very true nor yet that the services of the new Testament which follow or depend on the accomplishing of the foregoing are services of spiritual and heavenly goods and bring a power of God in the spirit to the declaring of the seat of God and Christ in the heavenly Being 8. Therefore let us have a regard how and wherein the changing and renewing of the services came to pass and how that the changing and renewing of the same services shall not now also in the last time come otherwise to pass then as is abovesaid and as we have witnessed according to the Scripture Therefore consider well 9. WHen now the Law of Moses which is literal and for the sins cause wrought the death had ministred her Office till unto the death of the sin in the death of Jesu Christ then had the Law which in her Service required the Righteousness with writings and ordinances and with correction and Doctrine and was likewise in her service deadly over the sin served out her office with the Disciples of Christ and even so at the end or fulfilling of the requiring of the same Law namely in the death or end of the sin the true spiritual Law or heavenly Ordinance which made them alive in Jesu Christ came unto them wherethrough the foregoing service of the Law was fulfilled and ceased with them 10. Behold when as now the Law of Moses was in such wise as is said fulfilled or accomplished and had no longer service with the death of the sin and with the Believers of Christ which through the Law were dead unto the Law but the Spirit of Christ which made the deceased Believers of Christ alive again in righteousness out of the death of Christ so had then also the Priesthood in his Images Figures and Shadows after the manner of Aaron no more ministration with the living in Iesu Christ neither yet gave it any cleerness more with them because the heavenly cleerness of Christ and his upright Being of love wherein the Disciples of Christ were comprehended excelled far away all cleerness of the figurative services 11. For that cause the Priesthood of Aaron changed also with the Disciples of Christ and ceased by them for with them there was a spiritual heavenly Priesthood appeared in upright righteousness and even so was the same with his service established on Christ after the Spirit the true light which is an high Priest that bideth for ever at the right hand of God in the heavenly Being whose service of the spiritual and heavenly ministration cometh not to pass in the letter nor in the figures but in the very true Being 12. BEhold even so was Christ after the spirit in his Office or Service a minister of the very true and heavenly goods among his Disciples and Believers and hath when he had taken in the heaven multiplied himself through his seed of the holy Ghost out of the heavenly Being to the increasing of his generation the upright seed of Abraham according to the Promises And even so became Christ fruitful upon earth in many thousands of his saints all which he through his death made free or justified from the sin and made them alive through his holy Ghost taking them up from the earth and assembling them unto him at the right hand of God his Father in the
heavenly being 13. Lo in such wise ceased the law of Moses and the services of the priesthood after the manner of Aaron with the disciples of Christ and have in such sort changed them and verily not otherwise 14. BUt this grace which appeared through Christ and this everlasting life to the joy and triumph of Christ was spread abroad in all the lands generations of the heathen And all those that believed on Jesu Christ kept the pascha with him ate his body and drank his blood they became one body and blood with Christ which were also all Children of the promises with Christ and coheirs in the secret treasures of the heavenly goods and in the resurrection of the righteous and were even so all the right children of the new testament The XXVII Chapter IN all this same even as we have before said the Scripture giveth us to understand who or which they be that inherit with Christ the heaven and the eternal life and have a portion with him in the resurrection namely they which belong unto him or are incorporated into him 2. For the firstling which riseth of them that sleep is Christ after that they which belong unto Christ which make them manifest in the time of the coming of Christ in his majesty For otherwise it cannot come to pass 3. But they which belong not unto Christ namely which are not incorporated into him nor baptised in his death neither yet buryed with him nor kept the supper in his pass over with him have no portion with Christ in the resurrection nor in the eternal life according to the Scripture For they which are in him and in whom he is glorified those are one body with him and are like as he is for that cause they belong also unto him and are always and for ever where he is in the secretness of the Kingdom of the God of heavens 4 For this is the will of Christ that all his members should inherit the kingdom of the God of heavens the most pure beauty with him and so live with him everlastingly according to the scripture 5. BEhold over those which in times past followed Christ with perfect hearts and have â—ven so a part or portion with Christ in the first resurrection hath the second death which is come and beareth dominion over the world all unbelievers no power for they are entred through the death of Christ into the everlasting life And therefore they shal both now and for evermore as upright Christians and Priests of God reigne with Christ according to the Scripture 6. Consider at the same time when Christ the everlasting life was fruitful upon the earth to a light of men through the belief then was it known that the belief is the free woman and the true testament whereout the free Children heirs of the riches of the secret heavenly wisdoms of God are born 7. FOr that cause O ye dearly beloved ye all which love the truth and hear this day my voice let my sayings enter into the ears of your hearts and become understanding in the mysterie of the heavenly and spiritual works of God according to the spirit as also in his outward works according to the flesh 8. For behold In the time when the living souls of Christ where through the holy Ghost brought forth upon earth so was then the belief with the service of the word of the holy ones of Christ the fruitful wife of whom the living souls of Christ were born but Christ the light of life was the husband the Lord or the head of the same wifâ— which out of the power of God poured his holy Spirit which is the seed of the increase of Christ to the procreating of his spiritual children into her And even so were all those which were born thereof the upright children of God according to the promises 9. What we had here more to say of the Law and of her service of the office of Christ through his holy ones or of the procreation of the light and life through the service of the Word of the procreation of the children of God and who they are as also who are not the same of the establishing of the true Testament through the blood of Iesus Christ of the true resurrection and of the second death is declared in the Glass of Righteousness The XXVIII Chapter WHilst now the children of men cleaved unto the upright faith of Abraham which was of one Being with the true light of life or grounded themselves therein and even so obediently respected the service of the Belief administred out of the true light which is Christ himself in his requiring exercised them therein only gave ear had regard unto the ministers of the holy word which had kept the Passover with Christ out of flesh into spirit and out of death into life and were even implanted into Christ and codeified with God and also being obedient unto the word in his requiring bid stedfast therein until that they had also kept the pass over with Christ obtained the renewing of their spirit mind in Iesu Christ the which is the upright supper or pascha wherein men rightly eat the body of Christ drink his blood are partakers of his sufferings and baptised in his death unto his burying and even so remember the suffering of Christ and witness or publish his death till unto his coming that is until the true light arise in the heart so were they made safe justified from their sins renewed in the spirit of their mind sanctified in Christ to fellow members of his body and to coheirs in the riches of God his father in the everlasting life 2. So long now as that all this did flourish or bear sway in his upright state with the children of men so was Christ in his Belief and through his Belief also daylie fruitful to many multitudes of his holy ones which assembled them all through the service of the holy word unto Christ and became one body with him like as we have also before said 3. Behold with this same Christ and all his holy ones which are the true members of his body will God now in this day which he himself hath appointed or ordained judge the earth with righteousness according to the Scripture 4. BUt when as now many of the children of men fell away from the Belief of the true light and life or turned them therefrom clave unto or followed their good thinking according to the imagination of their knowledge and the earthly ingenious wisdom of the flesh and that they boasted them to be Christians and many gave forth themselves for preachers of Christ ere ever they were baptised in the death of Christ and anointed by Christ with his holy Spirit and
that likewise the unilluminated inclined their hearts with the ears of their hearing and understanding unto the testimonies of the unregenerated and unrenewed or ungoded men or unsent Preachers which meaned not Christ or had him not in consideration aright nor had kept according to the truth the Pascha with Christ and were not entred through the death of Christ into the everlasting life but out of their own goodthinking or out of their literal knowledge came into the sheep or communalty of the Believers or besides the Church of Christ which were also called of Christ thieves wolves and murderers and of the true prophets false pastors so ceased then likewise with them the true daylie offering or God-service in the holy the incorporating into Christ with his like death and the renewing of the life and mind in Jesu Christ or the procreation of Christ through his light and Spirit and it became over them and over the whole face of the Earth utterly night and dark and through the same darkness the foregoing service which leadeth to the life of Jesus Christ became unknown and there entred in much renting and division among the children of men to wit that many of them became estranged from the truth from the Church of Christ and from the right sense of her services and even so got the abomination of desolation contrary to Christ and the requiring of his doctrine his breaking in over such as were declined or estranged from the true Doctrine of Jesus Christ which leadeth to the new birth of the uprâ—ght mind and Being of Christ. 5. For with all them that turned off and went astray from the Church of Christ and from the right use of her services the Belief of salvation was forsaken and the Scripture was become to them all as a closed book or dark word that was without light For that cause also the service which was administred out of the letter of the Scripture of the unilluminated was as a dead body without soul or as a dead wife which is deceased from her husband and can bring forth no children of life 6. NOw when this true light for the self wisdoms cause of the earthly man which is the darkness against the true light gave no more cleerness upon earth with the off-fallers and estranged from the true belief and that likewise the night or darkness had captived the unbelievers and the estranged from the Church of Christ so obtained then the nature of sin or the childe of the Divel and condemnation that contrary nature or adversary of Christ which is called Antichrist his shape in the inward Temple of the unbelieving and unregenerated men and multiplyed it self even so among many on the earth in the bringing forth of his wicked fruiâ—s 7. Antichrist signifieth unto us a contrary anointing And is an anointing or a freedom either an appeasing of the heart which cometh unto the man when he is separated or estranged from the true Belief of Jesu Christ and from his Church in his inwardness before the coming of the true Christ or anointing of the holy Ghost from the seed of the old serpent or of the Divel Which false anointing that the man taketh on to himself out of the flesh and out of the fleshly wisdom of his goodthinking knowledge as also cut of the seed of the divel and wisdom of the flesh worketh in him a secret resâ—sting and disobedience against the Lord Jesus Christ and his requiring And the same resisting and disobeence is the secret iniquity of Antichrist which the man in his estranging from Christ and his Church cannot well perceive because that he in the separation from Jesu Christ is well contented in his heart with the wisdom of the flesh and even so contrary to the right doctrine of Iesu Christ which hath her ministration to the holy Spirit of Christ and his love on the good life of God liveth boldly against all God's truth in his self wisdom knowledge or scripture learnedness the which is a false freedom and the abomination of desolation against all that which is God God service and Christ or the truth of God 8. BEhold this Antichrist hath exalted himself with his deadly service and fals light of disobedient knowledge against all that which is of God or of the upright Being of Jesus Christ above God and above the true God service and set himself as though he himself were God in the temple of the Lord namely in the inward part of the man wherein the living God with his Christ ought to dwell to live and to walk and hath â—ven so quite and clean abolished or destroyed the Law of the Lord and the true faith in Jesu Christ also driven out and taken away the same from the hearts mindes and thoughts of men and darkned it in them brought the Holy of the house of God into desolation caused the daylie offering in the Holy which is the mortifying of the sin through the death of Christ to cease and even so set the abomination of desolation in the holy place where it ought not to stand 9. Out of which abomination of Desolation which in the secret of the man's inwardness hath increased in all manner of iniquity and abominations till unto this day and obtained the preheminence with many there are risen up many manner spirits of Error and sundry sorts of false hearts of the Scripture learned which have out of the goodthinking of their own spirit and out of their Scripture learnedness as also through their ingeniousness or imagination of the knowledge brought forth manifold false Doctrines wherethrough they seduced the people and estranged them more and more from Christ and his Church and from the new Birth in Jesu Christ. The XXIX Chapter NOw when the Apostates or off-fallers from the safe making faith had set aside the true doctrine of Jesu Christ which taught the Believers of Christ unto all humility and meekness of heart and to the upright Being of the love of Christ and gave them to the ingeniousness of their knowledges and even so with their knowledge set up themselves to be Judges over the testimonies of Christ and his Apostles so clave they â—hen unto the spirits of error and brought in therethrough absurd arguments of Christ and of all that the Scripture speaketh of him or of the spiritual heavenly goods stirred up the hearts of men unto many manner of foolish desireâ— vain or fond knowledges and to manifold false righteousness and chosen holyness and administred even so their own leaven for the bread of life 2. Wherethrough likewise the daily offering in the holy of the true Tabernacle was no more observed according to the true Being with them and their adherents and for that cause also there chansed with them no purging of sins nor pouring forth of the holy Ghost 3. For the imagination of the
knowledge â—ncreased in much richness of the knowledge â—nd obtained the preheminence with them wherethrough many of the children of men grounded their hearts thereupon and not on Christ nor on the obedience of his requiring By which occasion also the true services of the holy spirit of Christ with the treasures of the spiritual and heavenly goods ceased with them and the abominations of desolation became the more manifold in the holy place of the Lord namely in the inwardness of men 4. For that cause the true Belief and the upright service of the holy ones is now also come into reproach or contempt the Sun that heavenly day light of Christ become utterly covered with the darkness of the wisdom of men and the Scripture before the understandings of men as a dark word or a closed book and as a Lanthorn without light whereout many singular matters are presupposed but not at all perceived or understood 5. BEhold from that time forth that the children of men estranged them from the true faith and from the true service of Christ in the holy and that the darkness and desolation and the many manner divisions of Religion came fast upon the world so was the world covered with such abominations and darkness and the hearts of the peoplâ— with such desolation of confusion 6. In which time of this same night and error many goodwilling hearts to the Righteousness have sighed with anguish of mind also diligently sought the light and truth groped thereafter as the blind here and there on the painted walls and so with great diligence zeal and earnestness inquired after the righteousness also searched for the same with fervency in the Scripture and had a regard or consideration on many whether same were any where to be found or to be gotten by any man or might break forth by any one 7. But whereto soever they turned them or went without Christ his Church and without his true belief so was it everywhere nothing else but knowledg wisdom of the flesh good thinking of man darkness lyes and sin or error which met with took hold of them 8. And whilst that the sun of righteousness shined not unto them so have they not been able how much diligence soever they bestowed thereabout to find the righteousness which God esteemed 9. Even thus have truly in process of time the foresaid darknesses lyes and iniquities with all erring Spirits obtained the preeminence with the estranged from Christ and from his safe-making Belief and with all the enemies of Christ and his love and even so born rule upon the Earth namely from the tiâ—e forth of the defection or estranging from Christ and his true belief till unto this day of love and of the appearing of the coming of Christ. 10. In which day God will now with the Spirit of his mouth slay the Antichrist or mischievous Nature and make an end thereof sanctifie again the Fore-front and the Holy of the true Tabernacle which are utterly fallen into desolation and ruine through the earthly wisdome of the slesh according to the service of her true being and set up again the daily Offering and judge the People with his light and righteousnes according to the Scripture 11. Yea assuredly the Lord will now accomplish this same and with his light truth and righteousness take the preheminence according to the Promises 12. WHat we had here more to say of the defection or estranging from the true light of the true faith of the Child of the Devil or Antichrist of the abomination of desolation of the false pastors and of the many manner conceited opinions or good thinkings of meâ— is declared in the glass of righteousness The XXX Chapter BUt whenas now these foresaid many manner of abominations divisions and errours were entred in besides the Church of Christ and that the Apostles of Christ with the principall Elders of the holy understanding or the codeified Men through the incorporating into Christ which were the upright Ministers of the holy Wrd of Christ with all the holy ones of God and Christ were fallen asleep that the light of life was become unknown the Law of Lord forsaken the true faith taken away from the earth as also the darkness with much fals doctrine through the unregenerated or ungodded men come in aboundantly and great discord and division risen up among the children of men upon the earth so were there then many of the remnant of the Christianity who in the same time greatly bewailed the discord and erring blindness of men and did mourn in their hearts veâ—y sore and have even so out of a good intent and goodwilling heart to the righteousness loved the peace and concord among the children of men and also with diligence sought after the same 2 These have in their good-willingness to the righteousness searched the Scripture also bestowed all their diligence and care to understand the same and even so thereout according to the utterest or best that they knew figured out and set forth the services and Ceremonies and the ordinances of the Christianity in most like manner or conformablâ—st unto the Scriptures and requiring of the Apostolical doctrine of Jesus Christ in the distinctest manner that they were able before the Children of men that they mought live therethrough in righteousness and peace They have likewise used the same Services and Ceremonies to the requiring of the righteousness and to a good discipline and orderliness for the people which humbled them under thosâ— same 3. Howbeit whilst that the light of the true being of Jesus Christ shined not in his perfect clearness with many of them so could they not use nor minister the right use of those Services or Ceremonies which bring the spiritual and heavenly goods with them reveale or declare the face of Jesus Christ uncoveredly and teach the beleevers to the Kingdome of Heaven but they have so far forth and so neer as they to the utterest of their power could by any means get or attain to the same according to the testimonies of the Scripture with their understanding and knowledg administred unto the people to a memorial of Christ and his Acts the signification and the image-like and figurative services of that which is required through Christ and even so taught them through the same Services and Ceremonies the civil or nurturable righteousness but not the very true Spiritual or heavenly for they could not attain unto the same 4. NOw when these Services and Ceremonies to a Testimony and Signification of the inward righteousness were thus figured forth and ministered so were they then set forth before the children of men to holy signes or such as signified holy things And the Priests and Ministers of those same have allured and drawn the hearts of the People therewithall also nurtured many thereby to humility and taught them thereout that they through the same Services and
Ceremonies should always remember the passion or suffering of Christ the Offering for the sin the death of Christ his Burial the Pascha or his Passe-over and his Resurrection and Ascension 5. They held also a remembrance of the Saints which had faithfully followed after Christ likewise of the confessing of sins and of the forgiveness of the same as also of the Cleansing which is called Purgatory Also they named certain observations or usages of the same services Sacraments which they held forth before the believers to holy signes and kept them therewith in orderliness of life 6. The Cleansing which is called Purgatory signifieth unto us the making pure of the beleevers of Christ which they in distress affliction sorrow and anguish for the sins cause do pass thorow wherein they as in a fire of humiliation are purged or justified from all their sins through the belief for to enter even so with pure hearts into the Kingdome of the God of heavens In which fire of Cleansing or Purgatory the upright beleevers of Christ shew forth patience in Prayer unto God And even so in the beleef and in the manner of suffering they follow after Christ in his death of the cross to the purging of their sins Sacrament signifieth unto us an holy signe of a secret or hidden thing to whom one giveth the name of some holy or godly thing that the same Sacrament hath hidden in it or it signifieth the same holiness or godliness that hath been tofore or shall come after-ward 7. In conclusion they held of all the holy â—â—â—ngs whereof the Scripture maketh mention a memorial or remembrance And all this same was daily set forth and preached or published in figures unto the People to a good memorial or for to have the same continually in remembrance that it was come to pass or had the foregoing according to tâ—e truth in the true being 8 BUt verily where now these figurative services are far away preferred above the upright righteousness and above the very true which they signifie so are they in themselves or out of themselves without the true light void of force for men to come therethrough to the perfection in Jesus Christ neither yet can the People likewise through those same obtaine or inherit the purging from their sins nor the putting away of spottedness from their conscience nor yet the true being of the mystery of the Sacraments and figurative services like as the same is now through the holy Spirit of Jesus Christ and his service of love declared and brought unto us 9. Therefore have not these foresaid figurative services been any more furtherance unto them nor yet brought the People neerer unto the true being then unto nurturable sustentation and to a figurative remembrance of Christ and of the things which the holy ones of Christ were passed thorow and which all beleevers of Jesus Christ ought to pass thorow 10. BEhold In the mean time the while it was yet night with many and that the figurative services and Sacraments were with diligence set forth and earnestly observed to an humbling of the People so have the People which humbled them obediently thereunder been kept under those figurative services so that the great and horrible destruction hath not fallen upon them which shall now in this last time fall upon all ungodly and resisters of the truth and upon all them obediently under the service of the love of Jesus Christ. 11. For that cause the said figurative services and ceremonies shall not now in this day of the love of Jesus Christ be imputed unto the People which have intended sought the righteousness therein for sin but much rather for righteousness because they have shewed therein their good will unto the righteousness 12. For now in this day of the love of Jesus Christ must no doubt the figurative services be all renewed unto their right use through the true light and through his upright service of love aâ—d declaring of the requiring of his upright righteousness also set or oâ—dained in their right ordinance and used to the requiring of the upright righteousness in their right observation they shall even so in their right use at the appointed time of the Father have the fulfilling of their requiring with the obedient beleevers in Jesus Christ. 13. And all good willing ones to the upright righteousness in Jesus Christ with all such as assemble them unto us and our communiality and humble them to our most holy services of the love and his requiring shall then likewise to an entrance into the same upright righteousness become renewed in their understanding to the enâ— that they all might rightly according to the truth and according to the râ—quiring of our most holy service of love pass forth from their beginning or entrance of the Christian life after the very true perfection But whoso refuse this same and they that turne them away therefrom those shall not obtaine the upright righteousness of God nether presently nor for ever 14. WHat shall we now say hereof shall we then witness that we which are comprehended established in the â—rue love and upright being of Christ and are Elders and Ministers of the word of the Lord do let pass to minister the right use of the â—mage-like and figurative services and the â—â—gnes of the secret godly things among the unilluminated and unregenerated seeing that their Images figures and shadows have through the perfect righteousness the fulfilling of the requiring with the perfect ones and that also the unregenerated should forsake those same No in no wise but we require under the obedience of the love with the right use of the image-like and figurative services the obedience unto the requiring of those same at their hands and so daily instruct them with those same and through those same that they are debtours to accomplish and obediently to â—stablish the requiring of thâ—se same and even so obediently to observe them till unto the appointed time of the fullfilling oâ— their requiring 15. For this we say out of the living trutâ— of God which is declared unto us out 〈◊〉 Gods grace that he which without the loâ—â— and hâ—r service or without the very true beiâ—â— of the love of Jesus Christ and his service foâ—â—saketh the image-like or figurative servicâ—â— and the signes of the secret godly things through his good thinking or knowledge and even so separateth him from the ministâ—â—tion of those same and accomplisheth 〈◊〉 their requiring nor hath been obedient 〈◊〉 the service of love till unto the rising up tâ—e true light in his heart nor yet remainâ— stedfast in the doctrine of the same services unto the upright being of the love of Jesus Christ â—e forsaketh verily although he have never so much knowledge of spiritual and heavenly things the Images or figures and the signes of the secret godly things unrightly and with ignorance and taketh
unto him the freedome for to be unbound from the services not â—o the edifying of the Congregation but to â—nedifying and contention and is seduced and deceived by his owne spirit or imagination of â—he knowledge wherewith he also sâ—duceth â—nd deceiveth other moe which hear and folâ—ow him therein in such wise that they not â—â—ely utterly forsake the services and the â—mages figures and signes but also the obeâ—ience of the requiring of the gratious word raised up presently with us out of the grace â—f God according to his promises and the teâ—â—imonies of his holy Spirit and service of love â—nd make up themselves there against and â—ill needs even so according to the Imaginaâ—â—on of their knowledge live free or in freeâ—ome and cause nothing else but breach and â—ivision among the Congregations and resistâ—â—g against the Priests or Elders 16. Now when they have thus in every â—art forsaken and resisted or derided the â—â—age-like or figurative services counting them as unneedful so forsake and resisted they then those same contrary to Gods truth and his requiring and contrary to all godly and Christian ordinances and understand nothing at all of the mystery of those same nor of the right Salvation of men in Jesu Christ and run even so forth with the far inspection of their knowledge thinking all too little on the obedience which they are debtours to shew in the foregoing services And so they remain in the taking on of their owne freedom without the right and true freedom of the children of God Let every one take it to heart 17. BUt of these our fore-mentioned Sayings of the figurative services and Ceremonies consider ye dearly beloved how that the Christians for a certain season have had and ministred figurative services and been sustained therewithall till unto the day of the love of Jesus Christ. Which figurative services and Ceremonies have been the Images figures and shadowes of the true and spiritual things which were tofore through Jesus Christ come to pass seen heard aliâ—â— spoken and published in the true being foâ— that we should therethrough remember thâ— same true and spiritual things and that altogether in such wise as the Jews also had and ministered their figurative Services and Ceremonies wherewithal they were sustained unto the day wherein Christ was borne unto them of the seed of David Which figurative services and Ceremonies were the Images figures and shadowes to a memorial of the true spiritual things which should in the time to come come to pass and be seen heard also spoken and published in the true being of the uncovered face of Christ. The XXXI Chapter FUrthermore ye dearly beloved behold and consider how that he Catholick Church of Rome hath obediently grounded it self on the aforesaid Services and Ceremonies which are the figures or the prefiguration of the true Christianity and her Services and with diligence and ferventy observed those same to a good discipline or ordinance of the congregations and even so in figures borne the name of Christians 2. Christians signifie unto us those that are anointed For the holy ones of Christ were in times past so named which were anointed with the holy Spirit of Christ to Priests or Elders of the holy understanding 3. Through which anointing with the holy Spirit of Christ they were the upright Fathers of the houshold of Christ and foregoers in the Christian Congregation which dayly set forth the word of life which is Christ himself and had his shape in them before the Disciples of the Word or Christ wherewith the Novices or Disciples of Christ were nourished and brought up in all wisdome and righteousness of God with holy understanding unto the old age of the Man Christ or anointing of the holy Ghost The which shall now also in this day under the obedience of the love â—lourish even so in the true being according to the promises 4. THis same foregoing of the Elders of the holy understanding and their anointing of the Holy Ghost to Priests Elders and Fathers hath the Catholick Church of Rome till unto this day ministred and observed in figures as is abovesaid For to a token of râ—membrance of the holy anointing of Christ with the holy Spirit they have used the anointing with Oile And it is a Sacrament of the holy Church of Christ which signifieth unto us the anointing of the Priests or Elders with the holy Ghost 5. Of which anointed Elders or foregoers of the Communality of the Catholick Church of Rome the chiefest anointed is named Papa and signifieth unto us an old Father in the holy understanding also the chief Bishop or High-priest which hath his being or conversation in the most holy of the true and perfect Sanctuary and ministereth his office of the holy word thereout and for that cause is also named the most holy Father 6. For in times past the eldest in the holy understanding among them which were anointed with the holy Spirit was so named because that he before all other was the eldest in the holy wisdom of God also a Father of his spiritual Children and of all spiritual Persons 7. For through his service of the holy word the true clearness of Christ was spread abroad in all Lands and the living souls through the seed of the holy Spirit of Christ were brought forth to a communality of Christ and Tabernacle of the living God wherein God lived and dwelt Which true being is the upright service of Christ that flourished in force by the anointed with the holy Spirit of Christ. And hath to a memorial of the same service been figuratively observed in the Catholick Church of Rome 8. THose now that are next unto the fore-mentioned Papa are named Cardinals which signifie unto us the Principallest which are nearest in the most holy understanding of the godliness unto the eldest or holiest father have their coÌ„munion with him in the most holy of the true and perfect being 9. For the Principallest which were neerest to the Eldest or holiest Father in the old age of the holy understanding and in the righteousness and godliness were in times past so named in the true being 10. THe next unto the Cardinals are named Bishops Which signifie unto us the pastours of the sheep and Lambs of Christ and the chief Priests or Elders which in the service and testimony of the spiritual and heavenly truth administred by the chief Bishop or oldest Father are understanding and grown up so old and manly to the manly stock of the oldest Father that they have received the key of the spiritual and Heavenly understanding for to unlock the same holy intelligence unto them that are a-growing up to Elders and to ordaine them to Priests or Elders Wherethrough they distinctly divide the ordinance and laws of the spiritual and heavenly goods and the understanding of the same from the earthly natural and wordly ordinances namely to a good keeping and Pastouring of the
Jews which stood in such-like wise captived in their image-like and figurative Services and Ceremonies 2. For unto all them that walk without the true being of the Godliness heavenly Truth or without the Family of the Love of Jesu Christ and so according to their good thinking set up minister teach forth and observe Services and Ceremonies all things chance or they have them in Similitudes Parables or closed books and in Images Figures and Shadows because they should not without the Very true and his upright prefiguration see with the eyes of their earthly mindes hear with the ears of their fleshly thoughts nor comprehend in their dark hearts the secret works of the holy Spirit of Christ which also the world nor her Wise understand know nor receive 3. BUt whenas now many manner abuses and ignorance of the right difference of the said figurative Services which witnessed according to the Scripture figuratively of the Very true which was come to pass were entered in and that the Services and Ceremonies were taught believed and observed with ignorance by many so is there at the last great contention debate and division of minds and understandings risen up among them that were comprehended thereunder for the Services and Ceremonies cause 4. Wherethrough many unorderly rejected and blasphemed the Services and Ceremonies of the Catholike Church of Rome rented the concord and nurturable sustentation of the same and turned them away therefrom and even so out of their knowledge which they took out of the Scripture brought in certain Services and Ceremonies in another wise or order and set forth and taught those same for the upright Christian Ceremonies unto the people Howbeit they have procured or obtained little love and righteousness but rather much contention controversie therewithal For many of them understood not what they taught nor what the Services and Ceremonies which they rejected and blasphemed signified in themselves 5. They spake likewise much of Gods Word which yet they themselves like as it is a living and mighty Word that cutteth and pierceth as a sharp sword into the inmost part of the soul had never heard nor seen his clearness like as it is shining and flowing forth out of the living God much less understood the mind or will of the same 6. For that cause they have also not distincted nor declared unto the People the figurative services nor the mind of their right form and use whereunto they were used by the old Fathers from the perverse opinion wherein they were set forth or taught by many and the People captived therewith 7. BEhold in this contention and controversie which sprang up among the unilluminated People after that the defection or estranging from Christ and from the holy belief was once chanced with many through the works of darkness so became then manifest and known like as there is written thereof the nature of sin or the child of the devil and of the condemnation which in the Scripture is named Antichrist whose iniquity wherethrough the Law or Ordinance of the Lord was abolished and the true holy and the requiring of his services laid wast in the hearts of the men remained secret and unknown unto many till unto the same time 8. In which time of the manifesting and knowledge of this same mischievous one one might certainly if he had had a right regard unto the Scripture have easily perceived thereout that the great day of the Lord and the coming of Christ was coming on or at hand and hâ—rd by according to the Scripture 9. BUt seeing now that there was much contention and many divided minds and understandings which very much reprehended slandered and judged each other for evil risen up or come in place and that certain services and Ceremonies weâ—e brought in in varible sort so have there been also among them all many zealous and God-fearing hearts which have loved the righteousness with all their hearts and for that cause searched the Scripture that they might understand the same with great diligence and earnestness and so sought after the most perfect understanding of the Scriptures 10. But for the most part they were all divided one against another For every one rested perswaded to have right in his cause and like wise in his service the upright Christian Ceremonies or the name thereof 11. Among all these there have also been certain which were counted of many for Sectaries Hereticks and Seducers of the people and for that cause persecuted and banished and many for the conscience and faiths cause were slain and put to death 12. OH what a lamentable thing is the slaying or shedding of blood for the consciences cause to wit of those that are zealous towards the righteousness and according to the outward dealing do no man harm 13. For this I say verily that many single-minded hearts for the consciences cause which they had to God and his righteousness have been guiltlesly put to death 14. Oh what is there more lamentable before God and his holy ones then the shedding of innocent blood The XXXIII Chapter AMong these divided people there have many likewise mingled themselves whose hearts sought not the righteousness which also at the last became manifest to be false hearts namely through their covetousness and ease in the flesh and through manifold self-seeking whereafter they sought as also through much more other falshood which they practised and used 2. Certain of those false hearts have turned them to slandering and traitory in such wise that they have with slander and wicked back-biting betrayed the other with whom they in hypocrisie had falsly their conversation yea and also delivered over certain into the hands of the Magistrates for to be slain or rooted out 3. Certain have killed murdered and in many manner of wise destroyed one another of them Certain have applied them with subtilty unto uproar and warlike dealings and to stealing or the every and certain also to false and inordinate liberties and are even so fallen into manifold unjust dealings and blaspheming of God 4. For that cause through these many manner of abuses and ignorances taken on and maintained out of the knowledge of the Scripture and by reason of the false hearts which set forth and enforced Religions Ceremonies or God-services wherethrough they with many manner of false testimonies accused each other for Sectaries and Seducers and also brayed forth much wickedness to slander and cursing one over another the Magistrates of the world were occasioned against many to persecution and putting to death 5. AT that time there came great strictness and calamity upon many people also much doubting and bethinking which might be the truth the righteousness and the upright services or Ceremonies which God regardeth 6. But whilst that they knew not the truth the righteousness nor the upright services and Câ—remonies nor loved the upright righteousness with all their heart so is also
the love For all fore-going services which are proceeded from God and administred out of his light direct and lead unto the most holy and his Service 2. For that cause they all cease and are fulfilled or have accomplished their services in the same perfect being namely after this manner to wit to shew faithfull obedience from the beginning of the Christian life till unto the perfect old age of the most holy being of Christ namely from the departure out of the heathenship through the obedience of the Word unto God his Covenant of the circumcision of the holy Fathers Abraham Isaac and Iacob That is unto the fear of God the fore-front of Gods true Tabernacle whereout the beginning of the godly wisdome proceedeth or springeth 3. For with the said holy Fathers God hath to an erecting or building of his true Tabernacle begun his service of the Word in his Covenant of Circumcision and even so in the same service builded or set up the fore-front of his true Tabernacle with the Fathers of his Covenant 4. From the service of the Fathers â—n Gods Covenant of the Circumcision and of the accomplishings of the same service in the fear of God the true Fore-front unto Moses which hath in his service figured forth the true being of the true Sanctuary or Tabernacle of God in the Spirit and the accomplishing of the true God-service as a to-coming righteousness and perfection of all the works of God in images figures and shadows according to the very like manner or ordinance as it was ministred by the Priesthood of Aaron under the obedience of the Law 5. From the service of Moses and his prefiguration of the upright righteousness and holiness unto King David and the Prophets of God to whom the true being was shewed in the spirit of their sight which likewise bear witness and prophâ—sie in their service out of the light and through the Word of the Lord on the true being like as the same in this presâ—nt day is come unto us 6. From the service of King David and the Prophets till unto Iohn the Baptizer with the water of repentance the true foregoer or the foregoing light that goeth before Christ the true true being for to prepare the hearts of men in his service to the true being in the confessing of their sins and in repentance for those same for to make them even so meet to enter into the holy of the true Tabernacle of God to the knowledge of the true salvation in the forgiveness of their sins 7. From the service of Iohn the Baptizer with the water of repentance and the accomplishing of the same service unto Christ and his service in the belief to justification in the Spirit And this is the true service and offering of Christ in the Holy of the true Tabernacle of God In whose accomplishing the images figures and shadows do cease for that with the man in the accomplishment of the requiring of the Word of Christ through Christ and through his service in the belief the true being and the perfect rigâ—teousness with the ministration of the heavenly goods becometh made known in the spirit of the inward man and all what God requireth of the man fulfilled or accomplished 8. For through Christ and through his service in the belief God hath builded his Holy of the true Tabernacle according to the true being whereof the figurative services gave their shadows and whereon all the Prophets of God have prophesied with the disciples of Châ—ist as also manifested and accomplished the true offering to the forgiveness of sins and to an everlasting atonement of the generation of mankinde in the Holy 9. Even thus hath Christ wrought or erected all this that concerneth the holy and his service in his true being with his Disciples ordained them to Elders of the holy understanding and to Ministers of the same service in the belief or faith and is even so ascended into heaven to the right hand of God his Father and entred into the most holy 10. And from thence he hath out of the same most holy poured forth his holy Ghost upon his Disciples sanctified his holy and ministred the same in his full service according to the true being as also established the true Testament with them to the forgiveness and purginig of sins and hath even so declared in the heaven the most holy unto them and given them to understand how that he would bring the same again in his coming upon the earth with power and glory in the last time and set up again his true fore-front and holy each one in his ministration together with the daily offering to an everlasting glory and majesty of God upon the earth like as there is written and witnessed thereof 11. BEhold in such wise as is said have the fore-going services which the God of heaven hath brought againe and erected with us through his Christ their ministration to the most holy being of Jesu Christ which is the true light of life and the most holy of the true Tabernacle it self Wherein it becometh all fulfilled that is promised by the God of light and written of Christ. 12. And this most holy whereon we witness and which is from God his grace appeared and come unto us is the same most holy wherein and wherewith Christ the true high priest and king of righteousness cometh unto us in the triumph and majesty and ministreth even so unto us in the same and out of the same most holy his high Priests office with the spiritual and heavenly goods to the erecting of the perfection 13. Therefore also is this day or light of the love with his service in the most holy the last day and the perfection or conclusion of all the works of God In the which God himself with his Christ and with all the thousands of his Saints as in the most holy of his true Tabernacle appeareth and cometh unto the believers and obedient ones to the requiring of his word to an eternal rest of his holy ones and to a Godly consolation for all afflicted hearts which hope on God and on his righteousness and bear the love of God and Christ in their hearts To the end that they all which love God and his Christ mought now live lovely and peaceably in the same rest with all the holy ones of God and Christ in all love 14. Which most holy the most pure perfect beauty and his upright and gracious service of love we have received or attained unto now in this last time wherein we inherit the fulness of the life to an everlasting joy with God and his Christ. And that same most holy and his service of love reacheth also no further but it is the perfection it self For that cause the services of love which the Lord hath erected with us little ones and elect