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
time be inherited of all and in all them that have minded the peace and the upright amiable life 3 FOr that cause awake now in the spirit yee Lovers of the truth and diligently search or throughly measure this same spirit which to the making alive of all the Dead that are deceased in the Lord is proceeded from God and marvel not at any of this same but search or scanne the Scripture whether that it make not mention of the same 4 But certes this new miraculous work of God whereof we witnes hath God now in this his holy day of love begunne or taken in hand with us his elected ones wherein the Scripture becometh fulfilled in this present day like as there standeth written 5 Behold saith the Lord I will doe a new thing and it shall now appear whereby yee shall well perceive that I make ways in the desert and rivers of water in the wildernesse 6 Again a spirit or wind shall blow forth from my face and I will make wind 7 Presently hath the Lord prepared his way in the desert and caused a living River to run there-thorow that all thirsty may drinke of the living waters 8 FOrasmuch now as that the River giveth forth her water abundantly and that the winde or Spirit of the Almighty bloweth So cannot I refraine nor keep silence but must needs through the powers of the same make manifest even out of burning love the secret mistery of God which is given me to understand out of the heavenly truth in the obedience of the love of Iesus Christ unto the lovers of the truth and unto the diligent searcherâ— of the Scripture as also expres or declare to them the counsel and will of the most highest with the accomplishing of the service in his Sanctuary like as the Scripture speaketh thereof and witnesse the same before their ears 9 Whosoever now therâ—fore seek the Lord with whole heart they shall now easily finde him if so be that they beleeve and obey the holy word of grace administred now in this present time 10 Unto all them that presently knock and would gladly be let in through the right door for to walke in the house of the Lord it shall now be opened and they shall be let in They shall also dwell with the Lord and eat with Christ and his holy ones the bread of life which is come unto us from Heaven in the Kingdom of God the Father the lovely heavenly being 11 THerefore give eare now unto the word of the heavenly verity O yee lovers of the truth and hearken to mee now in this day yee great Lords or mighty of estate and yee rulers of communalties and let this same enter into your ears all yee people For I will make relation of the things that are hidden before the world and declare the same from the beginning till unto this new or last day which is presently appeared and come unto us according to the Scripture The Third Chapter O Sion for thy sake I will not keep silence and for Ierusalâ—ms sake I will not leave off untill that her righteousnesse rise up as a shining light or clernesse and her salvation burn as a Cresset that the heathen may see thy righteousnesse and all Kings thy glory 2 For this is the day of thy glorifying and of thy joyfulnesse O thou holy hill of Sion and the day wherin Ierusalem becometh seen glistering and where-over the Lord with his light and glory will shine for evermore according to the promises 3 Now shall the Law be taught out of Sion and the word of the Lord witnessed out of Ierusalem 4 For this is the day of promise the day which the Lord maketh Let us now rejoyce and be glad therein 5 This is the day in the which the Lord hath prepared his seat unto judgement that he might judge the earth with justice and governe the people uprightly and accomplish therein all which he hath spoken in times paâ—t through the mouth of all his holy Prophets 6 Therefore take now good heed unto this day to your Sanctification and learn therein wisdom and holy understanding and walk even so in the light of the same that yee may be able to endure as children of the light of his cleernes and the light of his lovelines and not stumble in the mid-day 7 In this day saith the Lord I will not keep silence but will cause my word to be heard continually therein that the children of men run not forth any longer with their good-thinking according to the imagination of their knowledge 8 For out of this light of my holy day shall my word saith the Lord continually proceed according to the truth that it may be heard even unto the end of the world And I will let the children of men see how that they all namely they that hear nor beleeve not me and the service of my holy word under the obedience of my love neither yet love my true being nor stand submitted to the same for to become planted thereinto doe erre in their wisdom and Scripture learnednesse and goe about with lies 9 BEhold I saith the Lord will take in hand a wonderfull work like as I have heretofore spoken thereof through my servants the Prophets and promised to perform the same Through which work of mine saith the Lord the man which hungreth and thirsteth after the true Righteousness shall not be able to comfort himself any longer with lies nor to put his trust therein neither yet shall the Scripture learned or such as set forth their own Opinions out of their own Spirit drive or teach the People any longer according to their good thinking but every one shall not chuse but acknowledge that my word is the Truth and the Life 10. For lo I bring forth now my Day so clear as a light of my Glory to the Lighting of the whole World with Righteousness my living Word as a true Bread of Life to the satisfying of all hungry souls my true Being or Perfection as a Kingdom of Heaven full of all lovelyness pure beauty and undisturbable Powers and my Service of Love as a naked or uncovered Truth All which is my Spirit where through the Man is led into all Truth to the end that now in this my holy day my Righteousness might in the obedience of the requiring of my Love break forth and obtain the Victory upon the Earth and that all people may love the upright Righteousness and live peaceably in all Love 11. AWake now therefore ye Lovers of the Truth so shall Christ then illuminaâ—e you Anoint your eys with Ey-salve and ye shall see the pure and glorious cleerness of this last or newest day which God himself hath appointed or ordained for to judge
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
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
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
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
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
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
sung from everlasting to everlasting and wherein all minds of pure hearts do dwell live and walk with freedome and Christian triumph in all love 5. THis great day-light of the most high God hath presently in his righteous Judgement shined about us Which great grace and mercy is chanced unto us for that we should publish the true Evangelie of the Kingdom of the same light in all the world for a witness unto all people and to peace and joy as also to an eternal mercifulness or pitying of the servants of the Lord or of all them that seek the Lord that the Scriptures mought become fulfilled and all such as remember the Lord be assembled in the body of Christ unto this his seat of the righteous judgement and to his Most holy of the true Tabernacle or house of his dwelling and not for our sake nor for any mans righteousness cause 6. For even so in all such sort as God hath now made manifest his wonderful work upon the earth must the Scripture be fulfilled his Most holy declared to an everlasting true and perfect light and evangelized or published in all the world to an everlasting rest and peace of his holy ones 7. For I say unto you verily that the Lord hath wrought this wonderful work of his love extended on us out of his grace for his own sake for to make his holy Name now in the last time according to his promises great and glorious in all Lands and so to declare his truth and righteousness upon the earth to shew his true God-service to consecrate or hallow again the Holy of his true Tabernacle which hath a long time utterly lain waste with many abominations through his gracious word and service of Love out of the light of the Most holy and to set up again the daily offering which hath also ceased a long time for the abomination of desolations cause To the end that the same mought be ministred in his upright Service like as in times past to the purging and forgiveness of sins 8. EVen thus would tâ—e Lord let his Word of life be heard now in the last time upon earth that his promises mought be â—stablished the hungry souls satisfied with righteousness the Scripture fulfilled in all what God hath spoken through the Spirit of his Prophets and of his Christ and the man which hath utterly corrupted his understanding with the knowledge made safe and blessed out of his grace according to the promises The XXXV Chapter BEhold ye dearly beloved how that now in this present day the Scripture becometh fulfilled in all what it mentioneth of Christ of his seed and of the coming of his glory 2. Which coming of Christ in his glory like as the same was in times past published unto the heathen and also believed of them God hath now in the last time declared among the Heathen and shewed mercy on the Heathen before all other that the whole earth mought be filled with his glory like as there is written thereof As truly as I live saith the Lord the whole world shall be filled with the glory of God 3. Further saith the Lord through Esdras They that have not heard me shall notwithstanding believe me or put their trust in me and they to whom I have shewed no tokens shall do the thing that I command them They have seen no Prophets yet shall they call their unrighteousness to remembrance Therefore witness I mercy saith the Lord unto the People which are to come whose babes or little children rejoyce them with gladness And although they see me not with bodily eys yet believe they in the Spirit the thing that I say I will give unto them the Dukedom of Abraham Isaac and Iacob and of the Prophets 4. Further through Isaiah The Lord will display or set up a Banner far-abroad among the Heathen and allure them from the ends of the earth 5. Againe through Ezekiel I will bring my glory among the Heathen that all Heathen may see my Judgement that I have kept and my hand which I have stretched out over them to the end that the hous of Israel may thereby know that I the Lord am their God even from this day forth for evermore 6. Again over Israel O thou Daughter of Israel I will build thee again that thou shalt be firm and sure 7. Againe The habitations of Israel are very goodly For they are like broad valleys as the well-watered Gardens by the Rivers and as the Tabernacles which the Lord stablisheth even like the Cedars planted by the water side There shall water flow forth out of his bucket and his seed shall be a great water 8. BEhold In this present day is this Scripture fulfilled and according to the testimony of the Scripture the raising up and resurrection of the Lords dead cometh also to pass presently in this same day through the apearing of the coming of Christ in his Majesty Which resurrection of the dead seeing that the same is come unto us from Gods grace we do likewise in this present day to an Evangely or joyful Message of the Kingdom of God and Christ publish in all the world under the obedience of the love 9. In which resurrection of the dead God sheweth unto us that the time is now fulfilled that his dead or the dead which are fallen asleep in the Lord rise up in this day of his judgement and appear unto us in godly glory which shall also from hencefoâ—th live in us everlastingly with Christ and reign upon the earth wherein the Scripture becometh fulfilled in this present day like as there standeth written thereof 10. The Lord shall judge his people and he will have mercy on his servants or ministers For he shall behold that their power faileth them 11. Again The Lord slayeth and maketh alive he leadeth into hell and bringeth thereout again 12. The Lord maketh poor and rich he humbleth and exalteth 13. He lifteth up the needy out of the dust and exalteth the poor out of the mire that he mought set him among the Princes and let him inherit the seat of honour 14. Further the Lord saith touching his dead I will not contend for ever nor be always angry but there shall a spirit or winde blowe from my face and I will make breath 15. Again Christ speaketh touching him which believeth in him I will raise him again in the last day 16. Again The Lord hath appointed a day in which he will judge the compass or circuit of the earth with righteousness through one man in whom he hath decreed it which holdeth forth the Belief before every one inasmuch as God hath raised him from the death 17. Again There shall be no more death sorrow wailing nor pain for the first is passed by And he which sate upon the seat
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
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
ordinance or law which requireth the upright Righteousness and the entrance into the single minded and upright being of Abel which is an other seed or birth of God that is ordained or set for Abel or in the place of the breath of God and this is the true law of the Lord wherethrough it is set or ordained that the upright being of Abel should remain in memory till unto the perfection of the upright being of God which had gotten his beginning in Abel after the mans faling away 4. Howbeit although that many abode not according to the example of the Simplicity of Abel in the right stock and ordinance of Seth but followed their own goodthinking Yet hath there notwithstanding always a seed which was the right stock of Seth and had regard unto the simplicity of Abel remained over which walked upright before God till unto Noah which name signifieth unto us a ceasing or rest 5. This Noah lived uprightly before God and walked with his whose household in the upright ways of his Fathers but all other people which were not of the house of Noah or of the stock of Seth forsook the example of the simplicity of Abel and also the right ordinance of the life which was set or adjoyned thereunto through the seed of Seth. 6. Also they would not give any ear nor credit unto the word of truth through the Preacher Noah for to turn them about to the State or simplicity of the child of Abel by which occasion they could noâ— enter into the rest nor yet remaine alive with the righteous Noah 7. Therefore hath God extended his mercy upon Noah and chosen him with his houshold to a remnant upon earth and stretched out his indignation over all other people whose hearts stood not submitted to the turning about to become as Children nor to the word of truth 8. And the Lord gathered together through Noah all the souls which should main alive and they entred with Noah into the Ark of the Lord. 9. Ark signifieth unto us a Chist or Casket wherein one shuteth up somthing that he will keep close or in secret 10. And all what remained without the Ark that did the Lord cause to perish through the Deluge or Universal floud which fell upon them and took them quite away and so there came upon the earth an end of all flesh Deluge signifieth unto us a pouring over with water 11. Now when as Noah with his houshold was remained over so were there many generations and people born upon the earth out of the Children of Noah for to replenish the earth again But certain of the same generations remained not like unto Sem in the right stock of Noah out of Seth but brake or turned them off from the same and from the ordinance and Doctrine of the same stock and implanted them into a forrain stock and practised even so out of the subtill Industry of their forrain stock wiliness and craft or guile like as the decliners always do which turn them away from the stock or doctrine of their leader and follow their own spirit 12. These generations or progenies of Noah multiplyed them into many heathen or people upon the earth But many of them which persisted not in the stock of Noah and Sem have not understood the mind councel and word of the Lord nor the mistery of his work much less then essentially known the same but have followed their own councel mind and will according to the imagination of their good-thinking wisdom Wherethrough also they turned wholy and altogether to themselves and sought not to hâ—nour to exalt or magnifie any other thing but themselves and their own name 13. Through which addicting of them unto their selfness they practised their subtilty and iâ—geniousness purposing to set up a memorial of their name and would therefore make them a great strength or fortress 14. Now when as they had mingled their understandings together hereunto so begun they this work with one manner of speech mind and purpose and they applyed them boldly thereunto for to accomplish in such wise the same whose purpose of work and one manner of speech the Lord through his word intangled and scattered abroad the same people in all lands and the place of their work was named Babel which signifieth unto us confusion or a Commixture that is intangled with each other 15. Behold ye dearly beloved hereout may we perceive which was the seed of Seth that upright stock For all what desired to honour and exalt God and to magnifie his name as also walked uprightly before God in all respects like unto Seth which is the second seed in the place of Abel that was the seed of Seth according to the example of the simplicity of Abel wherein God had a good pleasure 16. But who so turned them away from the right ways and loved themselves and their own honour those were fallen away or broken off from their upright stock and became implanted into a forrain one and brought forth a strange seed and strange fruits which strange seed or fruits God knew not 17. But the right stock remained in his upright state whose seed like unto Abel walked evermore uprightly before God in such wise that God hath had there through continually a light in the stock of Seth and the righteousness a seed upon earth which light of God and seed of righteousness went not out nor decayed or failed not but increased in more cleerness and perfecter righteousness till unto this perfect light and absolute righteousness which is the very like being of God himself 18. BEhold In such sort hath this upright seed in the light and righteousness of his God had his procreation to righteousness and life upâ—n the earth namely from Seth the second seed in the place of Abel till unto Noah and Sem. 19. From Noah and Sem until Abraham Isaac and Iacob which Iacob whom God named Israel begat the tweâ—ve Fathers of Israel out of the which God chose him Iudah 20. From Iudah unâ—il David the King of Israel and Iudah 21. From David the King until Zorobabel in the Captivity of Babylon 22. From Zorobabel until Ioseph which had a Virgin to wife out of the same stock of David named Mary of whom JESVS CHRIST the Consummation of all the works of God and the perfect light of the godly cleerness was born or brought forth Of this we will treat more at large hereafter 23. WHat we now had here more to say of Abel Cain Seâ—h and Noah and of the stock of the upright seed of the multiplying of the heathen and of the building of Babel is declared in the Glass of Righteousness The VI. Chapter AMong all these generations Nations and people or heathen which were sprung â—ut of the tribes of Noah the upright stock of Noah and Sem hath always walked
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
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
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
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
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
spake Behold I make it altogether new The XXXVI Chapter WIth this resurrection of the Lords dead God the Father doth now declare how that he hath chosen us to an house for his dwelling and liveth and walketh in us with his holy ones wherein the Scripture becometh fulfilled in this present day namely in all like as there is witnessed and written of the resurrection of the dead and of the restoring of his house or tabernacle Wherewith God sheweth now unto us that in this present day the time of the restoring of his house is fulfilled whereout the salvation of the people is evermore manifested and Gods true light Word Spirit and life published or preached and whereout also the same shall always and for ever be published and declared to the end that tâ—ey all which have a desire unto the house of the Lord and turne them thereunto mought now according to the word of the Lord be assembled unto the Lords house and walk in his light wherein the Scripture becometh fulfilled in this present day like as there standeth written thereof 2. It shall come to pass in the last time saith the Lord that the hill whereon the house of the Lord is shall be erected and exalted above all hills and all the Gentiles shall run thereunto and much people shall go thither and say Come let us go up to the hill of the Lord to the house of the God of Iacob that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths 3. BEhold where now the Lords house is there is also the holy City of Ierusalem and the hill of Sion Therefore shall now likewise namely where the house or dwelling of the Lord is the law of the Lord proceed out of Sion and his Word out of Ierusalem like as there is written thereof 4. Further Christ saith also touching the house of the Lord Whoso loveth me he will keep my word and my Father will love him We will come unto him and make a dwelling with him 5. Againe Behold the Tabernacle of God is with men And he will dwel with them and they shall be his People and he God himself with them will be their God And God will wash away all teares from their eyes 6. VEâ—ily with all these and in all these wonderful works of God in this holy day of love there is revealed unto us according to the Testimony of the Scripture the promised Kingdome of the seed of David and the seat of the true majesty and the same is also established with us for the righteousness cause even for ever and ever To the end that the same Kingdome of the seed of David and the seat of his Majesty mought indure for ever and ever like as the Scripture witnesseth thereof Wherewith the Lord sheweth and maketh known unto us that the time is now fulfilled and the day come wherein he establisheth his promises and accomplisheth it all which he hath assured or promised in times past unto his servant David that is unto his beloved service wherein the Scripture becometh fulfilled in this present day like as there standeth written 7. I will raise up thy seed saith the Lord to his servant David that shall proceed out of thy body after thee I will make his kingdom to prosper He shall build an house for my Name and I will make the seat of his kingdom prosperous for ever I will be his father and he shall be my son saith the Lord. 8. Again I will keep my goodness towards him for ever and my Covenant shall stand firm unto him I will give him seed perpetually and uphold his seat so long as the heaven endureth 9. Again There shall be a seat prepared through grace or benignity that one may sit thereon in truth in the habitation of David 10. FOr that cause the true seed of Christ the seed of David shall now in this day make manifest it self and come forth in righteousness and shall likewise through us out of this our true ministration of the love spread abroad and publish the Lords righteousness wherein the Scripture becometh fulfilled in this present day like as there standeth written thereof 11. A seed shall serve the Lord The Lord shall be published or declared unto childes childe that is from generation to generation for evermore 12. Again Such as are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God and when also they are old yet shall they blossom and be fresh or in good liking for to declare that the Lord is righteous 13. BEhold ye dearly beloved how that the Scripture becometh now made clear unto us the sealed-to prophecies opened and alâ—o accomplished in this present day And consider likewise how that the God of heaven hath shewed his great love grace and mâ—rcy on us little ones and Gods elect brought the Most holy of his true Tabernacle in his perfect building and gorgeous garnishing to us or in us out of his holy heaven and declared the same to an everlasting manifestation of the perfection of all his works through us upon the earth To the end that his gracious Word which he hath spoken in times past and raised up with us according to his promises mought remâ—in and stand fast with us from henceforth for evermore and the Scripture and all what it witnesseâ—h and requireth perfectly accomplished and this day of love and of salvation of the godly and heavenly clearness which is revealed and come unto us little ones with whom the living God of heaven hath begun his work to bring it to perfection published in all the world and that likewise in the passing thorow with his light the true judgement-seat of Christ before the which every one is debtour to humble himself with naked heart mought in the same day be seen among the People and the true most holy of the true Tabernacle ministred â—verlastingly in his true being in the same day And that even so the mercy-seat of the godly glory with his treasures of the spiritual and heavenly goods may bide and raign to an eternal rest and peace of his holy ones everlastingly on earth like as in heaven according to the promises 14. WHat we had here more to say of the wonderful works of God of his love extended out of grace unto us and of the fulfilling of the word of the Lord and of the Scripture is declared in The glass of righteousness and in more other testimonies of our writings The XXXVII Chapter SEeing then that this most holy and perfectest of the true Tabernacle of God is now come unto us from Gods grace upon the earth and that the living God is declared unto us in his glory so shall now also in this day the most holy be ministred in his true being to an everlasting perfection or consummation of all the works of â—od under the obedience of
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
The XXXIX Chapter THerefore let every one now take warning and let each one which is presently called and bidden to this true light and to this lovely marriage or supper of the lamb look now diligently unto it that he make not his excuse nor seek to clear himself either with this or that and so disdaine this voyce or calâ—ing Like as in times past They that were bidden to the supper of the Lord sought delays and excused themselves and for that cause tasted not the Supper of the Lord for evermore 2. Therefore let no man bind his heart now on Wife Child Oxen Lands nor on any manner riches of this world But let him turn his heart unto these infinite riches of the heavenly goods 3. And if any man now be without the house of the Lord in the field or on the top of his own house let him not go in againe to his house for to fetch any thing thereout but let him leave and forsake all that and turn him hither-ward and come to this holy mountain whereon the house of the Lord standeth and his day-light shineth and let him walk in the same light That the abominations of the wicked world and her condemnation catch or take not hold of him as a snare 4. For this is the condemnation which goeth now in the last time over the man namely that the light is come into the world and that the man loveth the darkness more then the light despiseth the proffered grace and taketh not heed unto this gratious time to his renewing and Salvation in the Spirit 5. In which time the whilst that the grace of the Lord standeth open and that there is yet space to obtain grace with the Lord the hearts of the believing men are changed or renewed as also grounded with minds of pure hearts in the living God and assembled to one heart and to one man in Jesu Christ. 6. For the Lord hath now set his help on one that is mighty and exalted him whom he hath chosen out of the People The Lords hand shall advance him and his arm shall strengthen him 7. For that cause the righteous shall now see their desire and rejoyce them For all Iniquity shall be compelled to stop his mouth because the Lord with his Saints is now become judge himself and this his day of love which the Lord hath made for us which walk in his light to mirth and joy shineth so clear and bright 8. Therefore shall now also the eyes of all men be humbled and the People which have exalted themselves shall be fain to bow them and there shall be peace upon earth 9. FOr behold The Lord maketh now the lips of peace which publish peace abundantly wherein the Scripture like as the Lord hath spoken thereof in times past becometh fulfilled in this present day like as there standeth written thereof 10. I saith the Lord inlarge the peace among you like a water-stream and the might or dominion of the Heathen like a river which floweth over with water At that time saith the Lord ye shall suck and be born upon the sides or in the arms They shall dandle you on their knees And I saith the Lord will comfort you like as a Mother comforteth her Children when any evil happeneth unto them 11. Again I saith the Lord will give you a concordable heart and plant a new spirit within you 12. BEhold ye dearly beloved all this same doth the Lord now accomplish in this his holy day with us little ones humble hearts and elected ones of God 13. Therefore our mouth shall now in this day be full of laughter and our tongue full of boasting For great and mighty is the glory of the Lord here among us in this house or temple of his dwelling For that cause let every one come hither now unto this house of the Lord whereout the glory of Lord is declared and his righteousness taught 14. COme now all ye thirsty souls after the righteousness and assemble you into the house of instruction Wherefore should ye now tarry any longer or defer the time seeing that your souls are exceeding thirsty 15. For even for your sakes I open my mouth and cry Come I pray you and buy you wisdome without silver or money and bow down your necks under the yoke or ordinance so shall your soul receive wisdome For even thereto have I wisdome poured out the streams I am as a course or chanel of the unmeasurable waters out of the rivers I am as the river Dorix that is which is swift and like a water-conduit am I gone into the garden of pleasure I said I will water my garden of plants and fill or make drunken the fruits of my birth For an overflowing passage is made for me and my river reacheth even to the Sea For my doctrine giveth light like the fair morning and I will declare forth the same wide and far abroad I will pierce thorow all the lowest parts of the earth and I will look upon all such as be asleep and will also lighten all them that hope in the Lord. I will pour out doctrine like a prophecie and leave it unto such as seek for wisdome I will not make an end in their generation till unto the holy eternity 16. BEhold how that I have not laboured for my self onely but also for all them that desire the truth and instruction Therefore apply you now all thereunto for to obtain wisdome For she is now near by and letteth her self be found and bringeth much rest unto them that labour in her Her children are a congregation of righteous ones whose exercise is obedience and love and they bring forth that which is the wisdome it self Which wisdome is the brightness of the everlasting and true light and undefiled mirrour of the godly powers the majesty of God and the Image of his goodness 17. WHat we had here more to say and to evangelize of the perfection of the rest of the children of God or the kingdom of heaven of the most holy of the true tabernacle of God and of his service of love of the true high priest and of his office of the ceasing of the foregoing services of the publishing of the Evangely in the last time of the wisdom of the truth of God of Christ of the holy Ghost of the upright Christian communiality and of what being or nature each one is in it self and of all what is spoken of in this Evangely of the kingdome is declared in The glass of righteousness If ye therefore O ye lovers of the truth have a regard unto the sayings of the same ye shall then find the full instruction of all what is needfull for the man to know to his salvation witnessed and declared therein The XL Chapter O All ye lovers of the truth to whom I
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