to keep it in remember Judas his end how he hanged himself how he thus fell into disparation and remember that the Angel of the Lord smote them that watched to keep Jesus in the grave or tomb that these watchmen were made to shake for fear and became as dead men and these watchmen who thus watch against the light of Christ which enlighteneth every man that cometh into the world the Lord God will smite them that they will be made to shake and quake for all their filthy crimes one day though now they despise Quaking and despises him that God regardeth who trembleth at his word And remember that Christ he called them graves that appeared not and painted Sepulchres who had gotten the true Prophets words but were out of the Prophets life in the pride and hypocrifie and may we not call these teachers graves now who profefesse the Scriptures to be their rule but are in the pride coverousness and hypocrisie And let people that follow them and seek for help among them note that they are but seeking the living among the dead and are but seeking life among the graves and whited Sepulchres who have gotten the words of the Scripture but the life lies buryed in them and know that that man that kept among the dead mens tombes or graves was not led by the spirit of truth but was possessed with an unclean spirit and is it not an unclean spirit of error that makes so many people keep among these filthy graves and tombes whose out-side is whited with an empty profeshion but their inside is full of rottennesse and ravening Consider these things vee people and Priests It is written in the book of Iohn that many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples which are not written in this book but these are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God that believing ye might have life through his Name Iohn 20.30 31. Also it is written that there are also many other things which Jesus did the which if they should be written every one I suppose that even the world it self could not containe the books that should be written Amen Iohn 21.25 Indeed the whole world lieth in wickednesse and are reproved by the spirit of truth because they believe not in Christ whom the Scripture doth testifie of So that If all things that Christ did and spoke were written the world it self could not contain them for they truly do not contain these things that are already written of Christ for as much as they are ignorant of Christ and his light and many hypocrites had the Prophets words that prophesied of Christ but knew not Christ but persecuted him when he came many there are now who are both ignorant of the power of God and of the Scriptures Neverthelesse the example of Christ is known in his light and by his power which he hath left to be walked after and his steps to be followed who did not sin neither was there guile found in his mouth 1 Pet. 2.21 22. which example comes to be followed and fulfiled in the power of God by such as receive Christ and walk in him who is the wisdome of God and the power of God to him be glory for ever and ever Amen The difference between the first and the second Covenants and between the first and the second Priesthoods plainly described And the end of the things abolished discovered according to the scriptures of truth for their sakes who desire to have the vail taken from off their hearts and to see to the end of the figures and shadowes that were under the first Covenant and Priesthood into the life of the everlasting Priesthood And here they may see who deny Christ come in the flesh and who are strangers to the Covenant of life both among the Jewes and the professors of of the world as followeth c. AS the Law was added because of transgression which all men by nature are guilty of who are aliens and strangers to the righteousnesse of the Law being in the degeneration falen in the first man Adam who is of the earth earthly and no man in that state can fulfill the righteous Law of God nor come into the Bighteousness of the Law without the drawings and assistance of God by his Son Christ who lighteth every man that cometh into the world which light doth answer the Righteous Law of God in every man So Christ Jesus is come to fulfill the Law and he is the end of the Law for Righteousnesse and not that men should say or conceit that they are no more under the law when daâ—ly they do transgress the law but for righteousness is Christ come that the righteousness of the law may be fulfilled in as many as walk not after the flesh but after the spirit And so none knowes any sure freedome from under the Law but who witness in themselves a sure freedom from under the transgression which the law takes hold of and hath power over the transgressors and many did and may seek to attain unto the righteousnesse of the Law but cannot so long as they believe not in Christ who is come a light into the World that whosoever believeth in him might not perish but have everlasting life and to this righteousnesse of the Law in Christ many have desirâ—d to come but never could so long as they stumbled at Christ the true light and believed not in his Light and in this stâ—te was Israel after the flesh when they had the vail over their hearts and stumbled at the stumbling stone which was Christ so that they câ—uld not see into Christ the everlasting salvation of God and the end of things abolished which none sees while the vail is over their hearts and the shadow or earthly part is standing in them which many shadowes without had a resemblance of and the types and figures without which were in the shadow did signifie a greater thing to come and to be manifest which was Christ the end of the figure Types and shadowes that were upheld in the first Covenant and Priesthood for in him dwelleth the fulness of the Godhead the fulnesse of all things And indeed though the Law had a shadow of heavenly things which are known in Christ yet it had not the very image of the heavenly things much lesse could the heavenly things or the fulnesse of Christ be contained or comprehended in the shadowes for they did but shadow or figure forth the life of the heavenly things which are a misterie for ever sealed and hid from that part which is cloudie and elementarie and earthly by which the Types in the first Covenant were upheld But now is the true light manifest and his Righteousness declared that all men through the light may believe and see Christ the everlasting righteousnesse and the salvation of God by whom all the ends of the earth that do look unto God may
outward relation but she was incouraged by an Angel who told her that that holy thing in her was of the holy Ghost and also Joseph was incouraged by the Lord in a dream concerning his virgin that was with child by the holy Ghost and the child was born in Bethlehem a City of Judea and his name was called Jesus according to the direction of the Angel unto Joseph and the Virgin and Immanuel that is to say a Saviour of the people from their sins and God with us and this was according to the prophesie of the Prophet Isay who said therefore the Lord shall give you a sign behold a Virgin shall conceive bear a Son and shall call his name Immanuel Isa 7 14. And the Prophet Micah prophesied saying but thou Bethlehem Ephratah though thou be little among the thousands of Juda yet out of thee shall come forth unto me that is to be Ruler in Israel whose going forth have been from of old from everlasting Mica 5.2 and that there was such a child born in Bethlehem as declared we have the evidences of several true witnesses Mat 1.18 and Chap. 2.5 6. Luke 1 27. to the 35. ver Now by the Law of Moses at the mouth of two or three witnesses every word is to be established And we have the Testimonies of many witnesses touching this same Jesus whose out-goings have been of old for this was the word which was made flesh and which grew in the spirit and power of his heavenly Father though he took part of flesh and blood and according to the flesh he was the seed of Abraham and David as the Scriptures do testifie this I speak to them that are without for we are satisfied by the spirit of truth touching this man 2. Touching the life of Jesus In him was life and the life was the light of men who walked in innocency and blamlesness and was without fault before his heavenly Father from the womb and he was tempted of the Devil yet he entred not into temptation but was kept clear and innocent for God gave his Angels charge over him as the Scripture declares Psa 91.11 and to this we have several testimonies as in the book of Mathew the 4. chap. and of Mark the first cha and of Luke the 4. cha And several others did bear witnesse of his innocency and humility and he having come of a woman made under the Law he was circumcised at 8. daies old according to the law And when the daies of his mothers purification were accomplished he was presented unto the Lord and a paire of turtle Doves and two young pigions was then offered as a Sacrifice unto the Lord according to the comand Gen. 17.12 Exod. 13.2 Numb 18.16 Levit. 12.2.6 and Luke 2.21 22 23. Moreover this Jesus was baptized in the river of Jordan by one Iohn Baptist who was a prophet And so he came to fulfill the righteousnesse passing through the shadowes Mat. 3.13 Mark 1.9 Luke 3.21 Also this Jesus found buyers and sellers in the Temple which God commanded under the first covenant who bought and sold in the Temple and Jesus reproved them and drove them out and the sheep and the Oxen which they had there and poured out the changers money and overthrew the tables and said unto them that sold doves Take these thing hence make not my house an house of merchandize Iohn 2.15 And he said unto them it is written my house shall be called the house of prayer but ye have made it a Den of theeves Isa 56.7 Jer. 7.11 Mat. 21.12 Mark 11.17 Luke 19.46 These things were thus confirmed at the mouth of several witnesses and thus Christ did reprove many who professed the law and outward Ordinances for prophaning the holy things and thus he set the figures or shadowes in their order and place according to the Law and passed thus under the shadowes which were but in force until he suffered and nayled them to the crosse so fulfilled the law righteousnesse in many things before he was glorified that others might come out of the shadowes into his glory and righteousnesse and have the righteousnesse of the law fulfilled in them yet he that hath defiled their bodies which are the temples of the holy Ghost or house of God may be driven forth and destroyed and the house of God may be made pure and clean for holinesse becomes his house for ever Thirdly touching Christs Ministry ANd at the was Law given by Moses so grace and truth came by Jesus Christ whom Moses prophesied of Iohn 1.17 Acts 3.22 and chap. 7.37 Deut. 18.15 and upon this Christ did rest the spirit of grace and of wisdome and might and the fear of the Lord as was foretold of him for he was full of grace and truth Isa 11.2 Iohn 1.14 And from this Jesus did proceed the words of grace and wisdome who often preached the truth in his everlasting Fathers name in so much that many people were astonished and thousands convinced and many converted with the truth of his doctrine and he disputed with the Doctors or learned men in the Temple at Jerusalem when he was but about twelve years old Luke 2.46 and chap. 4.22 32. Also he often with his wisdome and power stopped the mouthes of gainsayers and put the Jews Priests Pharisees and learned men to silence when they sought to intrap him in his words to get accusations against him so they could not justly accuse him thus he dealt prudently as was prophesied of him Isa 52.13 Mat. 19.3 to the 10. ver and chap 21.23 to the 27. ver Mar. 11.27 Luke 20.1 Mat. 22 46. Moreover he spoke many parables and uttered things that had been kept secret from the foundation of the world Psa 78.2 Mat. 13.35 Fourthly Touching the workes of Christ HE opened the blind eyes he caused the Lame to walk he cleansed the Leapers caused the deaf to hear and raised the dead and cast out Devils and unclean spirits and cured many that were infected with grievous maladies and sicknesses and restored them into perfect health and strength and so he wrought such wonders in Israel and shewed such miracles that his fame went forth throughout all the countries he having done such works as none before him ever did In so much that many believed on him that were heathens and many of the Rulers in Israel and the poor received the Gospel yet for all these his mighty works which was more then was done in the time of the Prophets Ellezeus when there was none cleansed from their lâ—â—â—osie but Naaman the Syrian 2 Ki. 5.14 There wâ—â—e many of the Pharisees chief Priests Rulers which did not believe in Christ but were filled with wrath against him and sought to bring him within the compasse of their Law that they might take away his life though by his wisdome and power he often overcame them and stopped their mouthes and his power and truth spread dayly and overcame the
Disciples into heaven which while some men of Galilee stood gazing they saw Jesus taken out of their sight and that this Christ who was and is the word which made all things which became flesh as is declared who descended from the Father of spirits and life is now ascended and is on the right hand of power and of God who is the All power we have the testimonies both of faithful men and Angels and the life of Jesus in us which is the light of men which beareth witness to these things And all these things concerning Jesus came to passe according to the determinate Councel of God that the Scriptures might be fulfilled though wicked Priests and professors who had the Prophets words and were shut up in the unbelief were fitted in their iniquity as instruments of cruelty to fulfill their iniquity in these hard proceedings against Christ And that these things were true that Christ is ascended and is on the right hand of power Read Ps 68.18 and Psal 110.1 Mar. 16.19 Luke 24.51 Acts 1.9 Eph 4. And whereas after the watchers that were set to watch the Sepulchre where the body of Jesus lay were smitten by the Angel of the Lord and Jesus raised from the dead some of the watch went afterward and told the chief Priests what was done concerning Jesus the chief Priests with the Elders took councel gave large money unto the souldiers that were of the watch saying unto them say ye his Disciples came by night and stole him away while we slept and if this come to the governours ears we will perswade him and secure you so they took the money and did as they were taught and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day Mat 28.11 12 13 14 15. And 't is very likely that through that report are the Jews now perverted who do not believe that Christ is come as the Scriptures have foretold concerning him and for their sakes and the truths I chiefly write these things whether they believe them or not Let that lie upon their own heads but to prove these truths that all aspersions that have been cast upon us touching the denying Christ by the Priests and others have been cast upon us falsely and without a cause I say that all power in heaven and in earth is given unto Christ in whom dwelleth the fulness of the God-head who is ascended up on high yea far above all heavens that he might fill all things and he is God over all God blessed for ever the Judge of quick and dead and moreover his Resurrection was confirmed unto his disciples in this manner when he was risen he gave Commission unto his Disciples to go into all the world and Preach the Gospel in every creature and he said unto them he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved but he that believeth not shall be damned and these signes shall follow them that believe in my name they shall cast out devils they shall speak with new tongues they shall take up serpents and if they drink any deadly thing it shall not hurt them they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover Mar 16.15 and this his promise was fulfilled and confirmed to several that believed who had power given them by Christ to work these things Acts 16.18 Acts 2.4 Acts 28.5.8 these things do testifie that Jesus was risen and that his promise was made manifest who promised to come again and to manifest himself unto them that believed and to send the spirit which was the Comforter and to indue them that waited upon him with power who said he that is with you shall be in you and so the sheep of Christ were scattered to their own to wit his gift which was in them they came to receive and feel his power and spirit to lead them into all truth and this many thousands do and shall witness that the spirit of truth is their leader into all truth and thus though Christ be exalted far above the heavens yet he doth so far condescend unto them that believe in his name that he becomes their leader a light to them that have sat in darkness to lead them out of darkness and a seed to such as have been barren that they may bring forth fruit in him to the praise of his everlasting Name in whom is the life which life is the light of men that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world and Christ said unto his Disciples verily verily I say unto you he that believeth on me the works that I do shall he do also and greater works then these shall he do because I go unto my Father Joh. 14.12 and Christ said unto his Father concerning them that he sent forth as thou hast sent me into world so I send them into the world and thus he made manifest his power and gifts in his people as he doth in this day in these that believe in him for the same power that he gave unto his Disciples the same he giveth unto his servants now according to the several gifts and manifestations committed unto them that they may come to the measure of the stature of his fulness and to a perfect man in him and that they may feel handle taste of and injoy Christ who is glorified in that glory which he had with the Father before the world was and now by his power many do withess that the power of the Serpent the prince of the world is overcome and the sick are healed and the blinde are brought to see and the deaf to hear and the lame to walk and even such as have been dead in trespasses and sins are quickened and raised up and brought to live with Christ in newness of life and such have an interest in the death of Christ being made conformable thereto in that they are crucified with Christ and dead with him to the world and to the evil wayes fashions customs rudiments and conformities of the world so as the the vail of the Temple was rent and the dead was raised when Christ suffered they that feel his power made manifest and with it are brought to suffer with Christ they feel the vail that hath seperated them from his glory rent and in his light are come to see light and in his blood which is his life they are brought to feel life and his witnesss is raised and his seed is come to live as he hath promised the hour is coming and now is when the dead shall hear the voyce of the Son of God and they that hear shall live John 5.25 and this is truely witnessed among many that have believed in the light of the Lord Jesus praises praises to his holy name for ever and ever But they that deny the light of Christ within people to be sufficient to lead them to Christ and will not own Christ within them according to his promise to his but are looking and gazing abroad in their
are corruptible and some have abused and Idolized many things without and corrupted the first Covenant which upheld the carnal things that in their time some upheld in obedience to God but they did but signifie or figure forth greater things which are comprehended in the everlasting Covenant of life and light which cannot be comprehended nor discerned by the carnal mind nor by natural men And things unutterable doth the Lord reveal to them that walk in his way the light of his Covenant which the world cannot Idolize or corrupt though outward things they may corrupt and in no other way can the presence of the Lord God be known nor the life of his law and Covenant be revealed and made known but by the light of his own Son which shineth in the hearts which he that believes and walkes in is blessed for he feels a living way an acceptable sacrifice and offering which is offered by the eternal spirit And now the light and spirit of the Lord Christ is Gods way wherein he will be obeyed worshipped and honoured and this is the way to the everlasting righteousness and salvation of God who is the everlasting Temple in his City in whom his seed shall find rest and solemnity And this is the life the wisdom and power which brings to see over all the world and over all temporal things and no way will please the Lord but his own way which is his light which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world and thus God hath given his Son for a way for a light for his salvation for his Covenant to his people that his glory may be known and his Name may be published and known to the ends of the earth both among Jewes and Gentiâ—es who thirst after his righteousness which never hath an end Thus I have according to truth discribed unto the Jewes and professors the end of the Law of Commandments contained in Ordinances and the end of the figures and the shadowes as the Apostle Paul did to the Hebrewes or Jews of old that were upheld in the first Covenant that they that would receive life and salvation may see the way to the heavenly treasury and to the good things of God that will minister to the soul But the way into new Jerusalem the City of the living God the mother of the righteous all the workers of iniquity are out of it and nothing that works abomination or maketh a lie must enter into the City of the living God and no unclean thing must dwell there for the Lord God and the Lamb is the Temple the light and the glory thereof from whose wrath mountains and hills cannot cover the wicked for he is the fulness and the sum of all whose presence filleth heaven and earth he is infinite incomprehensible invisible eternal the heaven of heavens cannot contain him who can receive or discern any of the secret council of our great God But he that feareth his name and walketh in his light who is led by the spirit of light and truth which leadeth into all truth Holiness to the Lord our God for ever for he is in his Son Christ and Christ is the light that enlighteneth all men and women and Christ is God over all through all and in all God blessed for ever he is the Alpha and Omega the beginning and the End the first and the last Blessed are they that do his Commandments that they may have right to the tree of life and may enter in thorow the gates into the holy City for without are dogs sorcerers and Whore-mongers and Murtherers and Idolaters and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie and no such can enter into the City of God but the upright and the faithful who are clothed in righteousness and walk in their integrity they have accesse into the City of God and they shall praise him in the light of his countenance among the living who have right unto the Mysteries of life and salvation who know that worthy is the Lord our God to be glorifyed and to Reign Allelujah to the most high for ever and ever Amen This was written from the spirit of the Lord God G. W. THE END ERRTA IN page 14. line 16. for yea r. ye l. 32. f. pray r. prey p. 15. l. 20. f. commands r. commanded p. 16. l. 18. f. say r. lay p. 24. l. 25. for he r. the p. 29. l. 7. f. whether r. whither p. 34. l. 6. f. going r. goings f. from of old put out from p. 35. line the last save one f. yet r. that p. 72. l. 16. put out and the Levites p. 80. l. 28. a add and.
is come wherein he is come to visit thee who will build thee up and restore unto thee thy fermer dignity and renown thee with beauty and Authority that thou maist even be the glory of the Nations and thy King may rule over the whole earth for he is King of Kings and Lord of Lords arise come forth and shew forth thy self thou that hast been as a vine troden under foot and as a desolate widow who long hast been barren since the spoilers and the destroyers had power over thee come forth and see him that visiteth thee and know thy Rock the everlasting Councelor that no longer thou may be desolate nor remain Barren but awake and come forth for thy light is come and a time of love is coming upon thee shake thy self from the dust and let thy oppressors come into the dust and sit in the darkness for now is he come who will spoil the spoiler and deliver the oppressed and will take away and remove the bands of wickedness that the oppressed may enjoy glorious liberty and Redemption out of all snares and incumbrances whatsoever that she that hath mourned in dust and ashes may rejoyce and have beauty for ashes and the garment of praise in stead of heaviness and that she that was desolate may be married unto an husband who is the everlasting Comforter and will be an husband unto the widow that receiveth him who hath waited for him and then the Barren shall bâ—ing forth children rejoyce in her precious fruit which shall increase abundantly and multitudes shall come up to the mountain of the Lords house and walk in the light of the God of Jacob in which light he that waiteth shall see these things brought in the day of the mighty God whose power is gone forth to manifest his saving health in the Nations whosoever will let them come freely and taste of the everlasting light and power of the Almighty who breaths and thirsts after righteousness and salvation whether they be Jewes or Gentiles that they may receive and feel his anointed brought forth who sets open the Treasures of life and mercies to all that do receive him who believe in his light according to his promises O ye Jews ye people who are scattered among the Nations There is a remnant the Lord hath among you even as it were the Corne which is left in the time of harvest for gleaners and as the gleaning grapes which is left for the stranger to gather For though you be many in number and you may professe the Law of Moses and the prophets yet the iniquity is great you are in and you worship an unknown God while you are worshiping in the outward observations and traditions held forth by your predecessors and forefathers and you have not seen felt nor known him whom you worship Jacob is small and how shall he arise among you And the remnant is little that will receive the witnesse and Testimony of the everlasting Covenant Say not you are Abrahams children except ye were in Abrahams faith and the righteousnesse which he was in he heard the voice of God and through faith obeyed him and was accepted yea whose worship stands in outward observations ye have not heard Gods voice nor do ye obey him while your hearts are enranged from the light and the power of the living God many of your forefathers transgressed and break the Covenant that God made with them wherein was the outward Tabernacle Altar Sacrifices and outward ordinances which had a shadow of an everlasting Covenant which God hath in store for the seed of Abraham who come into the faith and Righteousnesse of Abraham And the Israelites forsook the true and living God and followed after the Gods of the heathen and prophaned his name and polluted his Sanctuary through their Idolatry and their abominations So that Gods anger turned against them he turned his countenance from them he gave them over for a pray to the heathen so that they were dispersed and scattered among strangers and their seed came to be mixt with the heathen and so the curse came upon them and their enemies got the preheminence over them for they hated his counsel and break his Covenant and persecuted and slew his prophets and messengers and yet the Lord God did not leave himselfe without a witnesse among them after that they had transgressed For he gave his good spirit to instruct them and yet they temped the Lord wrought grievous provocations against the Lord Nehemiah 9. and the Lord God overthrew and cut many off in his wrath and in their iniquities who tempted him would not hearken unto his words which he spake unto them by his holy prophets nor unto his good spirit which he gave to instruct them But they made their hearts as an Adamant least they should hear the Law the words which the Lord of Hosts hath sent in his spirit by his former prophets Zechariah 7.12 Yea and they set up covetous Priests who were greedy after gain as ravening wolves and they prophane the holy things that were consecrated under the Law For the service of the outward Temple which God comands and even abused the outward things that stood in the shadow by their cursed inventions and in serving strange Gods There was a time when Gods presence and of his vertues was found in the Temple that Solomon builded and in the outward things that he comanded which shadowed forth the heavenly things But when Israel fell into Idolatry and offered incense and sacrifices and built up high places to worship strange Gods in then the Lord forsook them and forsook the Temple and outward things which he had commanded according as he promised Read 2 Kings 18. 2 Cron 7. So when they had gon a whoring after their own inventions and had forsaken the covenant the Testimonies of the Lord God he was wearied with their prayers did not esteem of their sacrifices nor accept of their burnt-offerings nor of their vain oblations but cryed away with them and said the true prophet at that day shall a man looke to his maker and his eyes shall have respect to the holy One of Israel and he shall not looke to the Altars the work of his hands neither shall he respect that which his fingers have made Isai 17. And said the prophet David unto the Lord Thou desirest not sacrâ—ficeâ— else would I give it Thou delightest not in burnt offerings the secrifices of God are a broken spirit a brâ—ken and contrite heart O God thou wilt not dispise Psa 51 Therefore hear O ye Jews and consider these things ye people scattered among the heathen for now I come to witnesse forth the everlasting Covenant of Life and peace unto you which the first covenant that stood in the outward observations and ordinances had the shaâ—ow of And this is the second Covenant which in these latter daies the Lord God of power is bringing to light among
first Priesthood were of and their appointment ANd this we note that in the first Covenant Aaron and his sons who were in the Priests office were of Levi. And there were Priests under the first Covenant made or appointed by the law of a carnal or changeable Commandment without to do their office Exod. 4.14 Num. 18.12 But Christ Jesus sprang up of the tribe of Judah and having finished his testimony through suffering and offered himself freely unto God an offeringwithout blemish for the sins of the people that his life or blood may be made known in them he is become an high Priest over his people by the power of an endless life and not by the law of a carnal Commandment so that such as are made Priests now by the carnal Commandments of men and do uphold or take tythes which was a thing pertaining to the changeable Priesthood of Levi they deny Christ the true Minister of the heavenly Sanctuary and such are not of Christ Heb. 19 14. Rev. 5 5. 16. Of the reading of the Law and of the pulpit of wood IN the time of the first Covenant and the law of Commandments contained in carnal Ordinances the Israelites and Jewes had the law read among them every Sabbath day to put them in mind of it and Ezra the Priest or scribe stood up upon a Pulpit of wood as it is recorded in the English Translation but according to the Hebrew it is a Tower of wood And there he read in the Book of the law in the street that was before the water gate which was in the sight and audience of the people from morning till mid-day and the Priests gave the sence of the law and caused the people to understand the Reading But here is not a telling that a Minister of the Gospel is to stand up in a Pulpit in a Steeple-house and preach half a day from a Text of Scripture as many now do who professe themselves to be Ministers of the Gospel and say they are not under the Law and yet are pleading for pulpits and giving their sences to the Scriptures Nehe. 8 3 4.5 6 7 8 Ezra 3 1 7 6. Deut. 17 19 31 11. And moreover the reading of the Law was continued among the Jewes every Sabbath day in their Synagogues when they were in Rebellion and envy against Christ in the dayes of his flesh nevertheless their reading of the law being before Christ was crucified people were to do these things they commanded according to the law but not after their wicked works for they were enemies to Christ though they had the law and sate in Moses seat Acts 13 27 15 21. Mat. 23 1 2 3. Now in the second Covenant and Priesthood he is not a Jew that 's one outward but he is a Jew that 's one inward whose praise is not of men but of God neither are they all Israel which are of Israel according to the flesh but they are true Israelites who have received the Covenant of God within and his law within who are come to know the Ministration of the spirit which in glory exceedeth the ministration of death written or the law without which was read to the people though in its time it was glorious but the Ministration of the spirit which the true Ministers are Ministers of exceedeth the other in glory And we are not Ministers of the letter but of the spirit and of the New Testament which Christ is the Mediator of that people may come to see and hear the righteous law of God and and his light within them and they may not be forgetfull thereof any more but know Christ the Mediator in whose hand the law is held and by whose power it is executed upon the ground of the offences within and it must come in Judgement upon the head of all them that are wresting the Scriptures and pleading now for their own sences upon the Scriptures and prophesies of the Scriptures who also are pleading for the chiefest places in the Assemblies as the pulpits and high places such did Christ cry often wo against But we have learned the example of Christ Jesus who was meek and lowly in heart and taught meekness and lowliness and he that would be the greatest among his was to be servant to all Therefore away with the Idolatrous high places wherein proud men are exalted And away with their imagined meanings sences and private interpretations which they give to the prophecies of the Scriptures for they came not by mans will neither are they of any private interpretations Rom. 2 28 29. 2 Cor. 3.6 7.8.9.10 11. Gal. 3 19. Mat. 23. Mat. 11 29. 20 27. 2 Pet. 1 21. 17. Of Jewels of silver and gold and costly ornaments IN the time of the first Covenant some did wear Jewels of silver and gold Bracelets and costly ornaments and attire and the Israelites borrowed of the Egyptians Jewels of silver and Jewels of gold and raiment but this was in Egypt but after they were come out of Egypt when the Lord was angry with them for their transgression by the mount Horeb they mourned and stript themselves of their ornaments according to the command of God Exod. 3.2 11.2 12 35. 33. chap. But now in the second Covenant God hath a plain people whose moderation may be known unto all men both in apparrel and other things for they are come to deny the strange apparrel and the gaudy attire and the bravery the bracelets and the Jewels the superstitious ornaments wch they had whom the true Prophets bare witnes against Isa 3. cha and the Harlot which John saw was arraied in purple and Scarlet Colour and decked with gold and precious stone and pearls read Rev. 17.4 And see now how that many professors are attaied in costly superstitious and gaudy attire like the Harlot And let the women be adorned in modest apparrel and their adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair and of wearing of gold or putting on of apparrel but let it be the hidden man of the heart in that which is not corruptible even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit which is in the fight of God of great price mark this ye proud professors and people And know that the day is coming wherein God will punish them that are clothed in strange apparrel And in the day of their visitation they shall monrn and be stripped of all their deceitful covers 1 Tim. 2.9 1 Pet. 3 3 4. Zeph. 1.8 18. Of Solomons Temple MOreover after the Tabernacle of the first Covenant was forsaken of the Lord in Shilo when Israel had violated the Covenant of God and after they were made a prey upon by the heathen King Solomon builded a glorious Temple for the Lords service according to the Law to be done in which there was neither hammer nor Ax nor any Iron tool heard while it was a building and this temple was furnished
of the Tythes as well as the Priests taht there might be no beggar in Israel And the Priests did offer an heave-offering unto the Lord of the tenth part of the Tythes as God commanded which command was in force until Christ was crucified as other Ordinances were the Jewes and Pharisees they payed Tythes in the dayes of Christ in the flesh but neglected the weightier matters of the Law Num. 18 26. Deut. 10.9 and 12.12 and 14.29 Mala. 3.10 Mat. 23.23 Luke 11.42 But now is Christ come and made manifest through suffering who is became an everlasting high Priest over the houshold of God who was not made a Priest after the Law of a carnal commandment as the Priests without were but by the power of an endless life and he is the end of that Priesthood which had the Tithes and offerings which could not continue by reason of death though tithes and offerings were Ordinances in the changeable Priesthood they did but continue by the law until Christ the one offering suffered on the Crosse who took away the hand writing of Ordinances blotted it out nailing it to his crosse and he abolished in the flesh the emnity that was against us even the Law of Commandments contained in Ordinances So that in stead of a Priesthood that dyed a Priesthood is witnessed in Christ the everlasting covenant of God so the priesthood being changed that had the tithes and offerings there is made of necessity a change of the law which upheld these outward things also And then certanly they that either take or maintain the taking of Tythes either Priests or others they deny Christ come in the flesh and are enemies to his Crosse minding earthly things in their taking or upholding tythes and he that denyeth Christ come in the flesh the same is Antichrist But they who own Christs coming and do receive him he becomes their friend their husband and father and leads them into his Fathers house which is an everlasting store-house of many mansions and bread enough and so sees the life and substance of that which the store-house without was but a figure of in which no strangers comes to be entertained but such as receive the truth in the love of it Heb. 10.21 and chap. 7. Colos 2.14 Ephes 2.15 2 John 7. Phil. 3.18 19. 10. Of the outward Tabernacle under the Law and the instruments thereof and the Lords forsaking thereof THe first Covenant and Priesthood had a Tabernacle of the Congregation which was made according to the pattern which God shewed unto Moses in the mount and made known unto him how to make the Tabernacle and instruments thereof and there was the Ordinances of Divine Service and this Tabernacle had the worldly sanctuary or outward Court called the sanctuary wherein the Priests did dayly service as offering sacrifices and offerings for the sins and trespasses of the people And there was seven Lamps continually burning and within the Tabernacle was there a second vail hung up and within that vail was the the Tabernacle called the most holy wherein was the Cherubims mercy-seat and the Ark of the Testimony that God gave to Moses the Testimony was in the Ark the mercy-seat was over the Ark and the Cherubims stood over the mercy seat on each end of it with their wings stretched forth overshadowing the mercy-seat and none was to go into the most holy place within the vail save the high Priest once a year but he went not without blood which he offered for his own sins and for the errors of the people and the Lord communed with the Priest from between the Cherubims of glory and yet neither the Priest nor the people were made pure as pertaining to the conscience by these offerings and Ordinances which they offered and upheld in that Covenant which had a shadow of heavenly things so that there was need of a second Covenant and of the blood of the heavenly Mediator whereby a cleansing from sin and error is witnessed by such as have received the end of these outward shadows which in their time was glorious But now mark this figure in the first covenant the Ark of the Testimony was under the mercy-seat which was over shadowed with the Cheribins And both the Ark and the mercy-seat was within the vail whether the people that was in the error and hardness of heart might not come save the Priest that was annointed with precious ointment for in this holy place was the golden censer also the golden pot which had the Manna and Aarons rod which budded and the Tables of the Covenant And thus this Tabernacle where God was heard was furnished with more instruments then I need mention at present And no stranger nor uncircumcised person might come nigh the Tabernacle least he was cut off Exod. 25.9.16 20.21.22 37.40 27.20 Num. 7 89. Acts 7.44 Heb 8.5 9. chap. Heb. 9.1.2 3 4 5. And moreover when the Israelites had forsaken the Lord and were turned into I dolatry and had set up high places and images the Lord forsook the Tabernacle in Shilo which before he was heard in and the Israelites sell into the hands of their enemies who did make slaughter spoil both among them and their consecrated things that Gods presence in some measure had been found in till they had provoked him And when the Israelites sell into the hands of the Philistines that the Philistines got the upper hand of them they took away the Ark of the Covenant from the Israelites but they were fain to send it back unto them again for the Lord smote and plagued the Philistines for it and their Idol Dagon fell before the Ark and he smote the heathen men of Bethshemesh with a great slaughter because they looked into the Ark of the Lord Mark the uncircumcised heathen were not to look into the holy things And this Ark was of such a great account in the eyes of many in Israel seeing that it was a consecrated precious thing and the hand of the Lord was known with it that some counted that the glory of Israel was departed when the Ark was taken Deut. 32.21 Psal 78.58 59. Judg. 2.11 3.7 4.1 6.1 10.6 13.1 1 Sam. 4.10 11.16.17 5.3.4 6 chap. Now Christ Jesus being come he is the Mediator of a better Covenant which is established upon better promises then that Covenant which had the Tabernacle and Sanctuary without and the Cherubims and mercy seat Ark and Testimony without for that Tabernacle without did man pitch and the Priests and the people did God often find fault with and then there was a vaile over the peoples hearts that they could not see into the holiest of all while the first Tabernacle was standing but Christ the everlasting high Priest is a Minister of the Sanctuary and of the true Tabernacle which the Lord pitched and not man and according to his promises his Tabernacle is with men who have received his Laws in
their hearts and in their minds and his spirit in their inward parts that they are taught of God as he hath promised behold the days come saith the Lord that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah not according to the Covenant that I made with their Fathers in the day wherein I took them by the hand to lead them out of the Land of Aegypt because they continued not in my Covenant c. for this is my Covenant that I will make with the house of Jsrael after those days saith the Lord I will put my Laws into their minds and write them in their hearts and I will be to them a God and they shall be to me a people and they shall not teach every man his Neighbour and every man his Brother saying know the Lord but they shall all know me from the least of them even unto the greatest saith the Lord Now this is the Covenant which Christ is the Meditator of And which he makes known and performes with his people who receive his Testimony which is the spirit of prophecy within them and witness his witness his Law and Judgments within and here they feel the mercy seat in the heavenly Tabernacle set open and the Vaile taken from off their hearts and in stead of hardness and stoney hearts he gives them an heart of flesh an heart to know the Lord according to his promise and this was more then many knew while the Tabernacle of mans pitching was standing for what was upheld in that Tabernacle was but a figure or shadow of the heavenly Tabernacle wherein the Lord is heard by all his people and his worship in the spirit is known which his Light leades them to which gives them understanding and causeth their Lamps to burn and fitteth them for the Lord that he makes his abode with them whose foundation stands sure and Tabernacle shall not be removed For it is builded upon the Rock of ages and the Lord hath a pure people to dwell among who are become Inhabitants of his holy City into which he will gather the outcasts of Israel and they shall not say the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord neither shall it come to mind but they shall call Jerusalem the Throne of the Lord. Let him that can receive this Heb. 8. Heb 9. Rev. 21.3 2 Cor. 6.16 Levit. 26.12 Ezek. 37.26 Heb. 8. Jer. 31.32 Rev. 19.10 Ezek. 36.26 Jer. 3.16 17. 11 Of the outward sacrifices and burnt offerings Moreover in the first covenant there was sacrifices burnt offerings commanded of the Lord to be offered by the Priests both for the sins of the Priests and the sins of the people offerings of divers sorts the Bullock the Heifer the Ram and the Goat were sometimes offered and burnt for the sins of ignorance and for the trespass offerings and sometimes a pair of Turtle Doves and two young Pidgeons were offered and for Peace offerings sometimes a Lamb without blemish of the Male of the first year of the dock and this being taken and slain at the door of the Tabernacle the blood of the offering was sprinkled on the Altar and on the people for their Consecration after they had trespassed And the offerings that were made by fire were for a sweet Savour unto God and thereby his command for a time was fulfilled and his wrath appeased but these things did not purifie the people nor the blood of Bulls and Goats nor the Ashes of an Heifer cleanse the people as pertaining to the conscience for as there was dayly offerings made for sin there was dayly a conscience remaining of their sin and almost all things by the Law was purged with blood so all the many offerings and the divers washings and cleansings that were in the first Covenant did neither bring the people into inward cleanness nor to persection as pertaining to their inward state Exod 19.10 18. Levit. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9. Chap. Num. 15.19.3 4. Heb. 9. But now in the fulness of time according to the promises of God whereon the second Covenant is established God hath made manifest his own begotten Son who hath offered himself a Lamb without fault to God and by his blood he cleanseth them that beleeve in him from all sin and he is the propitiation for the sins of the whole world through faith in his blood which is his life which he hath laid down and revealed in the saints And his righteousness being revealed his power and spirit is felt in the hearts of his people which is as a fire which consumeth the nature of the Bull the nature of the Heifer and the Goat and the Ignorance of the Ram which many are in who are bruitish in their knowledge and as natural bruit beasts then they are like unto the fat Bulls of Bashan and the wild heisers and as the rough Goots that are on the lest hand of God so it is the one offering Christ Jesus who redeemeth out of the brutish and the sensuall state that God is pleased in by which God hath for ever perfected them that are sanctified which could never be done by the offerings which were offered year by year according to the first covenant so the blood of Bulls and Goats and slain Beasts the Lord takes no delight in for the Cattell upon a thousand hills are his but a broken and a contrite spirit is a sacrifice to God and to him he looketh who is poor and of a contrite spirit and trembleth at his word and he that killeth an Ox is as if he slew a man he that sacrificeth a Lamb as if he cut off a Dogs neck and he that offereth a Lamb as if he offered swines blood So these things without became an abhorring to the Lord because of the Abhominations of the people but God in his Son who is the true and undefiled propitiation is forever well pleased for he is a good Savour to his Father and so are all who are made conformable to his Image who are partakers of his Life and Divine nature So in the second priesthood the heavenly Tabernacle is manifest and the life of Christ is felt and shed abroad which sanctifieth his people who being an high Priest of good things to come by a great and more perfect Tabernacle not made with hands that is to say not of this building neither by the blood of Goats and Calves but by his own blood he entred in once into the holy place haveing obtained eternall Redemption for us 1 John 1.7 2 2. Jer. 10.14 Jude 10. 2 Pet. 〈◊〉 12. Heb. 10.4 Psal 50.10 Psal 51.17 Isai 66.3 Heb. 9.11.12 12 Of the Ephod and consecrated garments wch Aaron and the Priests had ANd moreover in the first Covenant there was an Ephod of gold blue and purple and Scarlet and fine twined linen and a robe of the Ephod and about the hem of the robe was put Pomegranates and bells