shuts their eyes in their unbeliefe against the light of his countenance and against his promises Surely the Lord will cut them down in his vengeance and fury and they shall be cast out of his sight and become an abhorring unto all flesh and their worme shall never dye their plague shall never cease and the fire that shall scorch and burne them shall never be quenched Consider this ye stif necked ones who make mention of the name of God in words but not in righteousnesse whether you be Jewes or Gentiles you are as degenerate plants of a strange vine that bringeth not forth fruite unto the Lord God Consider the vine tree that groweth up wild in the forrest what is it more then any other tree or then a branch which is among the trees of the forest shall wood be taken thereof to do any work or will men take a pin off it to hang any vessell thereon Behold it is cast into the fire for fuel Eze. 15. Even so wil all they be counted as fuel for the fire who bringeth not forth fruit unto God in righteousnesse how many leaves and blossoms so ever they bring forth or what ever they professe in words they l wither and their glory will fall And the fire of the Lords jealousie and anger will take hold upon them and devour them So feâ—r the Lord God of glory and power and let all flesh dread his name and power and worship him that made heaven and Earth and the Sea and all things that therein is whose worship is in the spirit and in the truth and humble thy selfe before him thou that hast been a stranger and a foreigner who yet art not come to know the Redeemer of Israel but hast been as a sheep without a shepheard seeking rest but couldest find none who hast been wandring upon the mountaines and in the desert places where thou couldest find no satisfaction nor resting place for thy soul Look towards the Sun of Righteousness who doth arise with healing in his wings upon him that feareth the Lord and who putteth forth his beames and giveth light unto such as sit in darknesse and in the land of the shadow of death that they may come forth and receive life walk in his light that his everlasting Salvation may be their reward and this is the everlasting foundation and Rock of refuge to all that truly look unto him for help and Salvation whom I do freely publish both to Jew and Gentiâ—e that whosoever be a thirst may come freely and receive of the water of life which cometh from the rock and is to be drunk of freely and bought without mony and without price and this is the living water which issueth forth from the rock unto the waters to heal them and the waters are the peoples kindreds and Nations which the living water floweth forth unto to heal them glory to our King and keeper who is the Rock of ages whose righteousnesse hath appeared in this our age and time and whose faithfulnesse endures throughout all ages and generations and who is making known his glory and eternal Salvation as in the daies of old his righteousnesse as in former daies to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever Let Sion awake and put on strength and let Jerusalem shine forth in her beautiful garments and lie no longer in the dust but be renowned and dignified in beauty and glory instead of sorrowing in dust and ashes Let her that was desolate be glad and let her that was barren bring forth and her seed multiply and the Gentiles shall bring children unto her the Lord shall nourish her little ones and lead gently her that is with young and carry his babes and lambs in his armes Let the barren wildernesse become a fruitful field and the desolate and waste places rejoyce for behold the Lord omnipotent reigneth whose voice soundeth thorow the Earth who is at work in his vine-yard and sendeth forth labourers into his vine-yard fit for his own purpose and reapers to cut downe the tares and fruitlesse plants and to gather his seed from the ends of the earth Let the heathen and all Nations fear dread and tremble at the presence of the God of Jacob for his standard is lifted up and his banner is spread forth and his trumpet he is causing to be heard in the land the day of his appearance is dawned wherein he is gone forth before his army to make war with his enemies to get himselfe a name among them that have not been called by his name and to conquer where his dominion hath not been known that his Kingdom may reach over all the Earth the heavens shall tremble and the earth shall quake and the hills shall melt at the presence of the Lord God of Israel who hath a way in the cloudes and rideth upon the wings of the winde and hath his footsteps in the deep and whose works and wonders are seen in the deep where his trumpet is heard tremble tremble and quake O ye inhabitance of the Earth for the Lord is come to reigne and his anointed shall have the preheminence and Rule the Nations with a Rod of iron the Lord God of power and glory who is the onely wise and infinite God whose presence filleth heaven and earth Heaven is his Throne and earth is his footstool for all these things hath he made and he inhabiteth eternity yet he dwelleth with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit to revive the spirit of the humble and to revive the heart of the contrite ones and to this man will I look even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit and trembleth at my word saith the Lord read Psa 34. Isa 57. ch 66. Certain reasons according to the Scriptures of truth proving that Christ the Messias is come and made manifest and the word that made all things became flesh according as it was prophecied of him by the true Prophets of God formerly that the stumbling-block that lyes in the way of the Jewes or others they may see come out of the stumbling touching Christs coming who do not believe that he is come but looks for his coming as the Jews did when they persecuted him put him to death nigh Jerusalem but did not believe that was he because he came not according to their carnal expectations and now his coming and knowledge is to be felt and in the spirit and glory of his Father as he was known among the Saints who after they had known Christ after the flesh knew him so no more but after the spirit c. 1 Of the conception and birth of Jesus who is called Christ. THere was in the City of Galilee named Nazareth a certain virgin named Mary who was espoused to a just man named Joseph of the house of David this Virgin was found with child of the Holy Ghost or spirit before that Joseph knew her by the
that their sound might be heard when Aaron went in came forth of the tabernacle and upon the Ephod was put a breast-plate of curious work wherein was the names and the Judgements of the people Israel and these things were made for Aaron that he might do the priests office in the holy place and upon the Mitre was put a plate of gold on Aarons forehead wherein was graved Holiness to the Lord And Aaron his sons had consecrated clothes and holy garments as Coates and Breetches other curious ornaments of fine linen and in these they did the service of the Tabernacle before the Lord in offering sacrifices as God had commanded Aaron who was a Levite and the Levites and no man was to take unto himself that honour but he that was called of God as Aaron was Exod. 39.2 31.10 35.10 28.29.12.33.36.42 verses Heb. 5.4 Now in the second Priesthood which Christ is the Minister and lise and beauty of the adorning is within where the covering is of the spirit and the Armour is of the light of the Lord and their Breast-plate is of righteousness and this the children of light are witnesses of who are come to know Christ their high Priest in whom is witnessed Holiness to the Lord in the life and righteousness of God alone which is more then the words of it without Ingraven in gold or silver and their names are written in the book of the life of the Lamb his seal of righteousness being on their fore heads and this shall never be taken from them whose delight is in Holiness and righteousness without which no man shall see the Lord. And the Saints adorning wherein they serve the Lord is not of divers colors as the adorning of the Priests without was for they are clothed in innocency with the robe and Ephod of righteousness and their garments are washed white by the blood of the Lambe of God who have passed through many tribulations who are clothed in white linen which is the righteousness of the Saints And our high Priest is not heard by a company of carnal Bells neither are the Saints brought to their worship by the sound of carnal Bells as the world and its proprosessors are but by the spirit of truth in the inward parts thereby they are brought to hear the voice of God and to worship him in the spirit and in the truth for it is such that he seeks to worship him but wo is unto them who are covered but not with the spirit of the Lord for they are covered with iniquity Eph. 6. Rev. 5.3 Heb. 12 14 Rev. 7.14 Rev 3 4.5 18 4 4 6 11 7 9 14 9 8 14. Psal 51 6 John 4 Isai 30 1. 13. Of the outward washing of of the Priests ANd moreover Aaron and his sons washed their hands and their feet with water at the door of the Tabernacle before they offered offerings to the Lord which was his command to them least that they had died Exod. 30.18 19. But now in the second Covenant and royal Priesthood of God the Saints are washed with living water by the living word of life their feet is shod with the preparation of the Gospel which is the power of God and so made beautiful and their hands are washed in innocency that by the power of God many are come and coming to offer the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to the Lord in righteousness that holiness may be known to the Lord in all their wayes within them and without but they whose feet are in the steps and wayes of the ungodly and whose hearts are polluted with unrighteousness and fingers defiled with iniquity cannot offer nor present any sacrifice acceptable to the Lord God but are abominable in all their own righteousness and sin in the best of their performances John 13 3 1 Corinth 6 11. Ephes 5 26. Titus 3.5 Heb. 10.22 Eph. 6 15 Rom. 1 16. Ps 50.23 Isai 1.15 59 3. 14. of meats and drinks and days in the first Priesthood ANd in the first Covenant there was Ordinances made touching meats and drinks as there was also for the keeping of certain dayes holy there were several creatures that were esteemed common and unclean which they might not eat of as the flesh of swine and ravenous birds with several others neither were they to eat the blood of any thing but to keep from blood Levit. 19 26 Deut. 12 22 23. and chap 14. Heb. 9 10. Now in the second Covenant is the holy place and habitation known where there is no curse and purity witnessed in the life and to the pure all things are pure for it was the swinish ravenous cursed nature which the law took hold upon and which the creatures are not clean unto and there were some after Christ was manifest that made their abstaining from some meats a matter of conscience and scrupled the eating of blood as some do at this day and the Apostles for a time suffered some to abstain from blood and things strangled but that is the weak conscience and the defiled minde that scruples meats for Christ bad his eat such things that was set before them And when Peter the Apostle saw the vision of all manner of four footed beasts of the earth and wilde beasts and creeping things and fouls of the Air. And there came a voyce from heaven unto him saying rise Peter kill and eat but Peter said not so Lord for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean and the voice spake unto him again the second time what God hath cleansed that call not thou common And the Apostle Paul said whatsoever is sold in the shambles that eat asking no question for conscience sake and he called them seducing spirits that would forbid to marry and command to abstain from meats which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them that believe and know the truth so with the light we see an end put to the first Tabernacle and the gifts and sacrifices that were offered in it which could not make perfect as pertaining to the conscience which stood onely in meats and drinks divers washings and carnall Ordinances imposed on them until the time of Reformation but now Christ being come and revealed in whom is the fulness and sum of all he worketh the Reformation in all them that believe in his light and maketh manifest his Kingdom in his people which stands not in meats nor drinks but in joy and peace in the holy Ghost and so let no man Judge you in meats or in drinks or in respect of an holy day or of the new Moon or of the Sabbath dayes which are as shadowes of things to come but the body is of Christ Rev 22 3. Titus 1 15. Acts 15 19. Rom. 14 14. Luke 10 7 8. Acts 10 10. Acts 11. 1 Cor. 10 25. 1 Tim. 4 3.4 Heb 9 10 Rom. 14.17 Colos 2.16 17. 15. Of the tribe that the
with golden vessels and divers instruments according to the command of God which command was given to Solomons father David who as God had shewed him directed Solomon for the building of it in Jerusalem But now in the everlasting Covenant of God he dwelleth and walketh in his people and their bodies are his Temple and he dwelleth not in Temples made with hands seeing that he giveth to all life and being the heaven of heavens cannot contain him much lesse could the Temple which Solomon built him and so the time is come wherein God is worshipped in spirit and in truth and not at Jerusalem as Christ said for that Temple was but a figure for the time then present of a Temple not made with hands so all that receive the spirit of the Lord walk in it they become a fit habitation for God through the spirit who dwelleth with the contrite with the meek and lowly in heart who are led by his spirit And in the holy City where the Lord makes his people Citizens there is no Temple but the Lord God is the Temple thereof and he is all and in all his Saints so seeing that that form of worship is ceased which was in the Jewes Temple which God commanded and the Lord hath forsaken that Temple much more is that worship and these Temples without to be denyed which God never commanded as the Gentiles Temples and these Temples that are builded by the Papists and in the idolatry which many calls Gods houses or Temples but be not deceived with their vain words who cry the Temple of the Lord the Temple of the Lord who know not the Lord whose dwelling is on high and also in his own people 1 King 6.2 Chro. 28.2 Chro. 3 4. 5. chapters 1 Cor. 3 16.2 Cor. 6.16 1 Cor. 6 19. Acts 7.48 17.24 1 King 8.27 Joh. 4 21 22. Ephes 2 22. Isai 57.15 Psal 34.18 Rev 21 22. Jer. 7.4 19. Of the singing and praising upon outward Instruments which was used in the outward Temple MOreover there was several men of Israel appointed for officers and overseers in the temple that Solomon built and then there was singing songs of praises and praising God with Cymbals psalteries and harps and such instruments used David in his time with Organs other instruments of Musick which was in the time of the first Covenant which stood onely in the figures but they that were officers is in the house of the Lord had portions given them by his institution according to every mans servitude in the house but it was onely the priests of the tribe of Levi that had the Tythes ordered them to dispose of according to the law of God who offered sacrifices and burnt offerings in the house of the Lord 1 Chro. 24. and 15. chapters Psal 150.1 Chro. 9 29. Levit. 6 21 1 Chro. 23 28 29. 2 Chro. 31 19 Ezra 2.62 Nehe. 12.46 Num. 18.26 But that worship without had an end and ceased and the songs of the Temple without was turned into Howling as the Prophets of God foretold and wo was unto them that invented to themselves Instruments of Musick like David for deceit and wicked men are gotten into that Musick which is used on carnal instruments and carnal people to sing in idols temples without as they pretend praises to God when their hearts are filled with unrighteousness singing Davids prayers praises and prophesies complaints lamentations in Rhime and Meeter which the Lord never required of them whose singing will be turned into weeping as theirs was who invented Instruments of Musick like David who were nearer in the form to David then these are now in their singing who now sing Davids conditions but do neither praise God upon the harp nor other instruments as David did so that such worships neither with the spirit nor with understanding For by the spirit of the Lord are many brought to worship God according to his own will who being gathered into God who is the Temple in his holy place they are come to pray to sing and to praise him with the spirit And I saw harpers harping with their harps which are the prayers of the Saints so that he that is led by the Spirit of God with it knows when to pray and how to pray worship according to the mind of the spirit which is acceptable to the Lord but all praying worshipping that's out of the spirit of truth in mens own wills and their own appointed times by carnal observation is neither regarded nor accepted of the Lord and the prayers of the wicked are abomination unto the Lord who often pray but never truely waits for nor receives an answer from the Lord but still remaines in wickedness and sensuality while their minds are estranged from the light and spirit of Christ for want of following and minding his spirit they pine away in their wickedness which dryeth up their souls Amos 8.3 5.23 6.5 Rom. 7.6 Rom. 8.15.26 1 Cor. 14 15. Rev. 5.8 Ps 109.7 Prov. 28.9 Jer. 7.12.14 26.6 20. Of the overthrow and destruction of Solomons Temple and the building it again and its destruction the second time BUt after Solomon had built the Temple Israel forsook the Lord God and defiled his house and served other gods committing Idolatry against the commands of the Lord God in so much that God did with them as he did with them and the Tabernacle in Shilo for he forsook them they were taken captives by Nebuchad-nezzar King of Babylon who destroyed that house which God had commanded and it and all the houses of Jerusalem were burnt with fire and the Israelites were captives in Babylon as the Prophets had prophesied But after this the Temple was builded again according to the command of the God of Israel wch came by his Prophets Haggai and Zechariah unto the Jews and unto Zerubabel and King Cyrus and after unto King Darius who fulfilled the command of the Lord in causing the Temple to be built again and in setting the officers and things pertaining to it in order as the Lord God had commanded And after these things Christ prophesied of the overthrow of the Temple and said there should not be left one stone upon another that should not be thrown down 1 Sam. 4.12 Ps 78.60 2 King 24.2 25.8 Ezra 5.12 Hag. 1.1 Zech. 1.1 Ezra 6. Mat. 24.1 2. Mark 13.1 Luke 19.44 21.5 So now the sum and fulness of all things in the Covenant of life being made manifest which is the Covenant wherein God establisheth his own seed and remnant let all that hunger and thirst after God for their souls health come unto Christ the light the fountain of life and wisdom in whom the treasures of life are set open to them that fear the Lord and wait in his light whose fulness cannot be contained nor comprehend in any carnal or visible things for they are changeable and the earth the things thereof waxeth old and they
is come wherein he is come to visit thee who will build thee up and restore unto thee thy fermer dignity and renown thee with beauty and Authority that thou maist even be the glory of the Nations and thy King may rule over the whole earth for he is King of Kings and Lord of Lords arise come forth and shew forth thy self thou that hast been as a vine troden under foot and as a desolate widow who long hast been barren since the spoilers and the destroyers had power over thee come forth and see him that visiteth thee and know thy Rock the everlasting Councelor that no longer thou may be desolate nor remain Barren but awake and come forth for thy light is come and a time of love is coming upon thee shake thy self from the dust and let thy oppressors come into the dust and sit in the darkness for now is he come who will spoil the spoiler and deliver the oppressed and will take away and remove the bands of wickedness that the oppressed may enjoy glorious liberty and Redemption out of all snares and incumbrances whatsoever that she that hath mourned in dust and ashes may rejoyce and have beauty for ashes and the garment of praise in stead of heaviness and that she that was desolate may be married unto an husband who is the everlasting Comforter and will be an husband unto the widow that receiveth him who hath waited for him and then the Barren shall bâ—ing forth children rejoyce in her precious fruit which shall increase abundantly and multitudes shall come up to the mountain of the Lords house and walk in the light of the God of Jacob in which light he that waiteth shall see these things brought in the day of the mighty God whose power is gone forth to manifest his saving health in the Nations whosoever will let them come freely and taste of the everlasting light and power of the Almighty who breaths and thirsts after righteousness and salvation whether they be Jewes or Gentiles that they may receive and feel his anointed brought forth who sets open the Treasures of life and mercies to all that do receive him who believe in his light according to his promises O ye Jews ye people who are scattered among the Nations There is a remnant the Lord hath among you even as it were the Corne which is left in the time of harvest for gleaners and as the gleaning grapes which is left for the stranger to gather For though you be many in number and you may professe the Law of Moses and the prophets yet the iniquity is great you are in and you worship an unknown God while you are worshiping in the outward observations and traditions held forth by your predecessors and forefathers and you have not seen felt nor known him whom you worship Jacob is small and how shall he arise among you And the remnant is little that will receive the witnesse and Testimony of the everlasting Covenant Say not you are Abrahams children except ye were in Abrahams faith and the righteousnesse which he was in he heard the voice of God and through faith obeyed him and was accepted yea whose worship stands in outward observations ye have not heard Gods voice nor do ye obey him while your hearts are enranged from the light and the power of the living God many of your forefathers transgressed and break the Covenant that God made with them wherein was the outward Tabernacle Altar Sacrifices and outward ordinances which had a shadow of an everlasting Covenant which God hath in store for the seed of Abraham who come into the faith and Righteousnesse of Abraham And the Israelites forsook the true and living God and followed after the Gods of the heathen and prophaned his name and polluted his Sanctuary through their Idolatry and their abominations So that Gods anger turned against them he turned his countenance from them he gave them over for a pray to the heathen so that they were dispersed and scattered among strangers and their seed came to be mixt with the heathen and so the curse came upon them and their enemies got the preheminence over them for they hated his counsel and break his Covenant and persecuted and slew his prophets and messengers and yet the Lord God did not leave himselfe without a witnesse among them after that they had transgressed For he gave his good spirit to instruct them and yet they temped the Lord wrought grievous provocations against the Lord Nehemiah 9. and the Lord God overthrew and cut many off in his wrath and in their iniquities who tempted him would not hearken unto his words which he spake unto them by his holy prophets nor unto his good spirit which he gave to instruct them But they made their hearts as an Adamant least they should hear the Law the words which the Lord of Hosts hath sent in his spirit by his former prophets Zechariah 7.12 Yea and they set up covetous Priests who were greedy after gain as ravening wolves and they prophane the holy things that were consecrated under the Law For the service of the outward Temple which God comands and even abused the outward things that stood in the shadow by their cursed inventions and in serving strange Gods There was a time when Gods presence and of his vertues was found in the Temple that Solomon builded and in the outward things that he comanded which shadowed forth the heavenly things But when Israel fell into Idolatry and offered incense and sacrifices and built up high places to worship strange Gods in then the Lord forsook them and forsook the Temple and outward things which he had commanded according as he promised Read 2 Kings 18. 2 Cron 7. So when they had gon a whoring after their own inventions and had forsaken the covenant the Testimonies of the Lord God he was wearied with their prayers did not esteem of their sacrifices nor accept of their burnt-offerings nor of their vain oblations but cryed away with them and said the true prophet at that day shall a man looke to his maker and his eyes shall have respect to the holy One of Israel and he shall not looke to the Altars the work of his hands neither shall he respect that which his fingers have made Isai 17. And said the prophet David unto the Lord Thou desirest not sacrâ—ficeâ— else would I give it Thou delightest not in burnt offerings the secrifices of God are a broken spirit a brâ—ken and contrite heart O God thou wilt not dispise Psa 51 Therefore hear O ye Jews and consider these things ye people scattered among the heathen for now I come to witnesse forth the everlasting Covenant of Life and peace unto you which the first covenant that stood in the outward observations and ordinances had the shaâ—ow of And this is the second Covenant which in these latter daies the Lord God of power is bringing to light among
outward relation but she was incouraged by an Angel who told her that that holy thing in her was of the holy Ghost and also Joseph was incouraged by the Lord in a dream concerning his virgin that was with child by the holy Ghost and the child was born in Bethlehem a City of Judea and his name was called Jesus according to the direction of the Angel unto Joseph and the Virgin and Immanuel that is to say a Saviour of the people from their sins and God with us and this was according to the prophesie of the Prophet Isay who said therefore the Lord shall give you a sign behold a Virgin shall conceive bear a Son and shall call his name Immanuel Isa 7 14. And the Prophet Micah prophesied saying but thou Bethlehem Ephratah though thou be little among the thousands of Juda yet out of thee shall come forth unto me that is to be Ruler in Israel whose going forth have been from of old from everlasting Mica 5.2 and that there was such a child born in Bethlehem as declared we have the evidences of several true witnesses Mat 1.18 and Chap. 2.5 6. Luke 1 27. to the 35. ver Now by the Law of Moses at the mouth of two or three witnesses every word is to be established And we have the Testimonies of many witnesses touching this same Jesus whose out-goings have been of old for this was the word which was made flesh and which grew in the spirit and power of his heavenly Father though he took part of flesh and blood and according to the flesh he was the seed of Abraham and David as the Scriptures do testifie this I speak to them that are without for we are satisfied by the spirit of truth touching this man 2. Touching the life of Jesus In him was life and the life was the light of men who walked in innocency and blamlesness and was without fault before his heavenly Father from the womb and he was tempted of the Devil yet he entred not into temptation but was kept clear and innocent for God gave his Angels charge over him as the Scripture declares Psa 91.11 and to this we have several testimonies as in the book of Mathew the 4. chap. and of Mark the first cha and of Luke the 4. cha And several others did bear witnesse of his innocency and humility and he having come of a woman made under the Law he was circumcised at 8. daies old according to the law And when the daies of his mothers purification were accomplished he was presented unto the Lord and a paire of turtle Doves and two young pigions was then offered as a Sacrifice unto the Lord according to the comand Gen. 17.12 Exod. 13.2 Numb 18.16 Levit. 12.2.6 and Luke 2.21 22 23. Moreover this Jesus was baptized in the river of Jordan by one Iohn Baptist who was a prophet And so he came to fulfill the righteousnesse passing through the shadowes Mat. 3.13 Mark 1.9 Luke 3.21 Also this Jesus found buyers and sellers in the Temple which God commanded under the first covenant who bought and sold in the Temple and Jesus reproved them and drove them out and the sheep and the Oxen which they had there and poured out the changers money and overthrew the tables and said unto them that sold doves Take these thing hence make not my house an house of merchandize Iohn 2.15 And he said unto them it is written my house shall be called the house of prayer but ye have made it a Den of theeves Isa 56.7 Jer. 7.11 Mat. 21.12 Mark 11.17 Luke 19.46 These things were thus confirmed at the mouth of several witnesses and thus Christ did reprove many who professed the law and outward Ordinances for prophaning the holy things and thus he set the figures or shadowes in their order and place according to the Law and passed thus under the shadowes which were but in force until he suffered and nayled them to the crosse so fulfilled the law righteousnesse in many things before he was glorified that others might come out of the shadowes into his glory and righteousnesse and have the righteousnesse of the law fulfilled in them yet he that hath defiled their bodies which are the temples of the holy Ghost or house of God may be driven forth and destroyed and the house of God may be made pure and clean for holinesse becomes his house for ever Thirdly touching Christs Ministry ANd at the was Law given by Moses so grace and truth came by Jesus Christ whom Moses prophesied of Iohn 1.17 Acts 3.22 and chap. 7.37 Deut. 18.15 and upon this Christ did rest the spirit of grace and of wisdome and might and the fear of the Lord as was foretold of him for he was full of grace and truth Isa 11.2 Iohn 1.14 And from this Jesus did proceed the words of grace and wisdome who often preached the truth in his everlasting Fathers name in so much that many people were astonished and thousands convinced and many converted with the truth of his doctrine and he disputed with the Doctors or learned men in the Temple at Jerusalem when he was but about twelve years old Luke 2.46 and chap. 4.22 32. Also he often with his wisdome and power stopped the mouthes of gainsayers and put the Jews Priests Pharisees and learned men to silence when they sought to intrap him in his words to get accusations against him so they could not justly accuse him thus he dealt prudently as was prophesied of him Isa 52.13 Mat. 19.3 to the 10. ver and chap 21.23 to the 27. ver Mar. 11.27 Luke 20.1 Mat. 22 46. Moreover he spoke many parables and uttered things that had been kept secret from the foundation of the world Psa 78.2 Mat. 13.35 Fourthly Touching the workes of Christ HE opened the blind eyes he caused the Lame to walk he cleansed the Leapers caused the deaf to hear and raised the dead and cast out Devils and unclean spirits and cured many that were infected with grievous maladies and sicknesses and restored them into perfect health and strength and so he wrought such wonders in Israel and shewed such miracles that his fame went forth throughout all the countries he having done such works as none before him ever did In so much that many believed on him that were heathens and many of the Rulers in Israel and the poor received the Gospel yet for all these his mighty works which was more then was done in the time of the Prophets Ellezeus when there was none cleansed from their lâ—â—â—osie but Naaman the Syrian 2 Ki. 5.14 There wâ—â—e many of the Pharisees chief Priests Rulers which did not believe in Christ but were filled with wrath against him and sought to bring him within the compasse of their Law that they might take away his life though by his wisdome and power he often overcame them and stopped their mouthes and his power and truth spread dayly and overcame the
that is the circumcision which is inward known by the spirit and we are the circumcision in Christ who worship God in the spirit and have no confidence in the flesh and who are circumcised outwardly they are bound to keep the whole Law which none of the Jewes could do who had circumcision outwardly but who are of faith are of Abrabraham unto whom the promise was when he was in the uncircumcision or before he was circumcised so that neither circumcision availeth any thing nor uncircumcision but a new Creature Jer 4.3 Colos 2.11 Rom. 2.25.28 29. Phil. 3.3 1 Cor. 7.19 Gal. 5.2 Ioh. 7.19 Rom. 4.10 4 Of the outward Passover THe Lord God commanded the Passover to be observed in the first Covenant which was a Lambe without blemish a male of the first yeare which was to be roasted with fire and they were not to carry the flesh of it abroad but to eat it with their loines girded and their shoos on their feet and they did strike the blood of this lamb on the posts of the door of the house where they did eat it which was for a token unto them that the Lord seeing it he would not smite them when he smote the Egyptians but his plague did passe over them and did not hurt them that eat the passeover and they kept the feast of it seven daies with unleavened bread But no uncircumcised person might eate of the pasover now the ordinance of the passover was in force untill Christ fulfilled it that night he was betrayed he eate the passover with his disciples Exo. 12. Lev. 23.5 Num. 9.12 and 28.16 Mat. 26. Mark 14.12 Luke 22. In the second Covenant is Christ received and his life made manifest in the Saints and he is our passover who hath offered himselfe a lamb without spot to God having laid down his life for the ransome of many and he is the bread of life and his flesh is meat indeed and his blood is drink indeed which except a man eat and drink he hath no life in him and with him is the Saints feast and solemnity kept of unleavened bread of sincerity and truth having their hearts circumcised and purified unto God by his spirit and the old leaven of iniquity and corruption purged our and the loines of their minds girded up in the spirit and life of Christ which brings to see him the bread of life which came down from God and in this feast must none be partakers but who come to have their minds joyned unto God and their hearts circumcised from unrighteousnesse by his spirit and they who are come to Christ the Saints passover they are kept in remembrance of him and do witnesse him come that they need not observe the taking of outward bread and wine and elementary things to keep them in remembrance of him or to signifie the crucifying of his body and shedding of his blood as many in the world do 6. Io. 3.36 and 5 24. Mat. 20.28 1 Pet. 1.19 Iohn 6.53 1 Cor. 5.7 8. 1 Pet. 1.13 5 Of the outward Sabbaths THe first Covenant priesthood had a command to keep the Sabbath which was the seven daies of the weeks and in the Sabbath to rest from all their labours and works For the Lord rested from his work on the seventh day and was refreshed so that none of the Israelites was to travel nor bear any burthen on the Sabbath day seeing God had sanctified it neither might they gather sticks nor kindle a fire within all their families on the Sabbath daies Moreover they had a command to keep every seventh year for a Sabbath of rest unto the Lord which was called the year of Jubelee wherein every debter was to be freed from his servitude or bondage wherein he had served towards the satisfaction of his Creditors And every creditor was to release the debts owing them and they that had their lands or estates morgaged for debt were to have them released that every man might possesse his own in the year of the Sabbath but the everlasting Sabbath they were not then come to For they had often fightings and war with their enemies who sought to oppresse them Gen. 2.2 Exo. 16.23 and 20.8.11 and 31.15 and 35.2 Levit. 23.3 and 35.3 Num. 15 Deut 5.14 Neh 10.31 Jer. 17.21 Exo. 21.2 and 23.10 11. Levit. 25. Deut. 15.2.12 Jer. 34.14 They who are come into the second Covenant have received Christ who is the Lord of the Sabboth the end of the Sabbaths without for meats and drinks and new Moons holy dayes and Sabbaths were but a shadow of things to come which they who do observe the shadow they neglect the substance even the body of Christ And the Jewes who observed the Sabboths without they accused Christ because he healed the sick on the Sabboth-day and because his disciples had pluckt the eares of Corn on the Sabboth day but these knew not him who was Lord of the Sabboth And the Jews said unto one that had been an Impotent man that Christ had cured on the Sabboth day it is the Sabboth day it is not Lawful for thee to carry thy bed he Answerred them he that made me whole the same said unto me take up thy bed and walk and the Jews sought the more to kill Jesus not onely because he had broken the Sabboth but said also that God was his Father and in Acts 1.12 it is written then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet which is from Jerusalem a Sabboth dayes Journey And according to one Greek translation in the 6 Chap. of Luke next after the 5 vers it is written Jesus seeing a certaine man working on the Sabbath-day said unto him O man if thou didst know indeed what thou dost thou wert happy but if thou knowest not thou art accursed and a transgressor of the Law And the saints who were come to Christ the end of the outward Sabboths they met on the first dayes of the weeks not in observation to the dayes but in obedience to Christ in whom is the everlasting Sabboth of rest remaining where the burthens must not be for the people of God who continue in his Faith and love whereby the rest comes to be obtained And the year or time of release or restauration comes to be witnessed and the Bedemption from under the bondages and the burthens known and the Iniquity which hath caused burthens is there taken away by the Lord of the Sabboth who is the foundation of many Generations who is raised up to him that maketh the Sabboth his delight and doth not his own pleasure nor speaketh his own words on the holy day he shall delight himself in the Lord but unto this Sabbath are all strangers who are following their own pleasures and lusts from whence the Wars and the strifes do arise speaking their own words And none comes to the true rest but they who receive the true light wch brings man to deny his own will
their hearts and in their minds and his spirit in their inward parts that they are taught of God as he hath promised behold the days come saith the Lord that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah not according to the Covenant that I made with their Fathers in the day wherein I took them by the hand to lead them out of the Land of Aegypt because they continued not in my Covenant c. for this is my Covenant that I will make with the house of Jsrael after those days saith the Lord I will put my Laws into their minds and write them in their hearts and I will be to them a God and they shall be to me a people and they shall not teach every man his Neighbour and every man his Brother saying know the Lord but they shall all know me from the least of them even unto the greatest saith the Lord Now this is the Covenant which Christ is the Meditator of And which he makes known and performes with his people who receive his Testimony which is the spirit of prophecy within them and witness his witness his Law and Judgments within and here they feel the mercy seat in the heavenly Tabernacle set open and the Vaile taken from off their hearts and in stead of hardness and stoney hearts he gives them an heart of flesh an heart to know the Lord according to his promise and this was more then many knew while the Tabernacle of mans pitching was standing for what was upheld in that Tabernacle was but a figure or shadow of the heavenly Tabernacle wherein the Lord is heard by all his people and his worship in the spirit is known which his Light leades them to which gives them understanding and causeth their Lamps to burn and fitteth them for the Lord that he makes his abode with them whose foundation stands sure and Tabernacle shall not be removed For it is builded upon the Rock of ages and the Lord hath a pure people to dwell among who are become Inhabitants of his holy City into which he will gather the outcasts of Israel and they shall not say the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord neither shall it come to mind but they shall call Jerusalem the Throne of the Lord. Let him that can receive this Heb. 8. Heb 9. Rev. 21.3 2 Cor. 6.16 Levit. 26.12 Ezek. 37.26 Heb. 8. Jer. 31.32 Rev. 19.10 Ezek. 36.26 Jer. 3.16 17. 11 Of the outward sacrifices and burnt offerings Moreover in the first covenant there was sacrifices burnt offerings commanded of the Lord to be offered by the Priests both for the sins of the Priests and the sins of the people offerings of divers sorts the Bullock the Heifer the Ram and the Goat were sometimes offered and burnt for the sins of ignorance and for the trespass offerings and sometimes a pair of Turtle Doves and two young Pidgeons were offered and for Peace offerings sometimes a Lamb without blemish of the Male of the first year of the dock and this being taken and slain at the door of the Tabernacle the blood of the offering was sprinkled on the Altar and on the people for their Consecration after they had trespassed And the offerings that were made by fire were for a sweet Savour unto God and thereby his command for a time was fulfilled and his wrath appeased but these things did not purifie the people nor the blood of Bulls and Goats nor the Ashes of an Heifer cleanse the people as pertaining to the conscience for as there was dayly offerings made for sin there was dayly a conscience remaining of their sin and almost all things by the Law was purged with blood so all the many offerings and the divers washings and cleansings that were in the first Covenant did neither bring the people into inward cleanness nor to persection as pertaining to their inward state Exod 19.10 18. Levit. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9. Chap. Num. 15.19.3 4. Heb. 9. But now in the fulness of time according to the promises of God whereon the second Covenant is established God hath made manifest his own begotten Son who hath offered himself a Lamb without fault to God and by his blood he cleanseth them that beleeve in him from all sin and he is the propitiation for the sins of the whole world through faith in his blood which is his life which he hath laid down and revealed in the saints And his righteousness being revealed his power and spirit is felt in the hearts of his people which is as a fire which consumeth the nature of the Bull the nature of the Heifer and the Goat and the Ignorance of the Ram which many are in who are bruitish in their knowledge and as natural bruit beasts then they are like unto the fat Bulls of Bashan and the wild heisers and as the rough Goots that are on the lest hand of God so it is the one offering Christ Jesus who redeemeth out of the brutish and the sensuall state that God is pleased in by which God hath for ever perfected them that are sanctified which could never be done by the offerings which were offered year by year according to the first covenant so the blood of Bulls and Goats and slain Beasts the Lord takes no delight in for the Cattell upon a thousand hills are his but a broken and a contrite spirit is a sacrifice to God and to him he looketh who is poor and of a contrite spirit and trembleth at his word and he that killeth an Ox is as if he slew a man he that sacrificeth a Lamb as if he cut off a Dogs neck and he that offereth a Lamb as if he offered swines blood So these things without became an abhorring to the Lord because of the Abhominations of the people but God in his Son who is the true and undefiled propitiation is forever well pleased for he is a good Savour to his Father and so are all who are made conformable to his Image who are partakers of his Life and Divine nature So in the second priesthood the heavenly Tabernacle is manifest and the life of Christ is felt and shed abroad which sanctifieth his people who being an high Priest of good things to come by a great and more perfect Tabernacle not made with hands that is to say not of this building neither by the blood of Goats and Calves but by his own blood he entred in once into the holy place haveing obtained eternall Redemption for us 1 John 1.7 2 2. Jer. 10.14 Jude 10. 2 Pet. 〈◊〉 12. Heb. 10.4 Psal 50.10 Psal 51.17 Isai 66.3 Heb. 9.11.12 12 Of the Ephod and consecrated garments wch Aaron and the Priests had ANd moreover in the first Covenant there was an Ephod of gold blue and purple and Scarlet and fine twined linen and a robe of the Ephod and about the hem of the robe was put Pomegranates and bells