they must all submit them to the love and be reformed in herservice otherwise they can never although in their imagination they know perceive and com prehend all things come to the new man u Joh. 3. nor to the Kingdome of God for the love is only it wherein every thing which is the truth and wisdome of God is comprehended She x Col. 3. 2 Tim. 1. is also the band or establishing of the perfection 36. Whilest the sove then hath every thing which is of God Christ or Truth contained or included in it therefore might some man demand shal we then let the Scriptures passe O no God forbid but men are not to use them for the knowledge nor to the end to teach them forth historically but to the intent they may give regard to such an upright spirit or life as is set forth therein or required thereby even as is y 3 Clas 24. partly also set forth and declared both of this and of the knowledge in the third book of the Glasse of Righteousnesse that so through comfort of the Scriptures we should to our rejoycing z Rom. 15. have our hope on the promises and on the foreshewing of God by his Prophets and by the Apostles of Christ who have prophecied of the healthful life which abideth sure in the love for ever and so passing on towards it in the belief a Rom. 4. give credit unto God that he in his promises is true 37. But it is to be lamented that the Scripture is by so few at this day discerned out of the understanding of the truth and of the love whereby to understand the same rightly according to the mind of God 38. True it is there is much written and divers have set forth many writings and have had much provoking of spirit and great inclination to teach howbeit every one severally according to the sight or knowledge that he hath had being in the state of the fall from God and in the estranging from his Salvation 39. But inasmuch as they were not come to the love and that their hearts were not inclined to the love in all things as they were to the spirit of their glistering knowledge and comprehension therefore did many of them erre and mistake for the mind of God b Deut. 6.10 Mat. 22. Rom. 13. and the fulfilling of the Scriptures is the love 40. And the same is c Col. 3. the perfection wherein every thing to a life and truth of peace standeth firm to our joy and d Eph. 1. to the praise of the glory of God to all and on all that hope upon it and long thereafter CHAP. X. 1. Great calamity shall come upon the children of Men because of the contentious knowledge 2. Knowledge and truth differ 5. The way of life clearly shewed 6. Yet through ignorance mistaken 16. A lamentation over mans ignorance 24. The author by his writings sheweth what is commendable and what is discommendable counselling to learn upright understanding and the speciall Vertues of the Love and to shun all disputing with the partiall FOrasmuch as the man is now perswaded that he himself with his cies of the Spirit doth so clearly and nakedly discern and understand the right as he cannot be deceived and for that every one which standeth in partiality is by his sight or spirit contentious howsoever each severall party maintaineth his own matter and defendeth the same to be of God and will in all things have the right onely and alone passe with his own matter and will not effect the love above all to the unity of heart therefore even through the same glittering in case they have not all their understanding captive under the obedience of the love there shall come horrible calamity upon the children of men in such sort that upon this earth they shall become an a 4 Esd 5. abhorring one to another for that every one standing stiffe in the knowledge and in the clearnesse thereof vvill not for the loves sake give over his own matter thinking that the truth ought not to give place 2. It is true indeed that the truth ought not to give place but betwixt the knowledge and the truth there is great difference for much knowledge which yet men call truth can easily arise out of the subtilty of wit but the truth of God proceedeth out of the love and is even of one being with the love 3. Therefore is the knowledge b 1 Cor. 13. divided and broken but the love is the truth c Ioh. 17. and the true being it self and the perfection 4. But alas this do not many of them know to wit that they should come to the love and so bear the love for a mark of the righteous Spirit and rejoyce them with the truth d Ioh. 17. 1 Ioh. 1. that same is the word of life which was spoken of according to the promises 5. Inasmuch now as I have noted and do yet at this present find so much boldnesse in men by reason of their knowledge and imagination of the truth whereon they are very stout and bold and yet for the most part it still faileth them of the truth and love and for that the right way to the true life and the loves nature is thereby missed of many And seeing moreover that the right way and entrance into the true life and into the loves nature is by Gods grace granted me to be seen into therefore have I out of the inclination of Love clearly and nakedly with uncovered words set forth the right way or entrance into the true life and the upright nature or being of the love in the Glasse of Righteousnesse distinctly noting the divine and the humane the spirituall and the naturall and what is decent and meet to be used for a discerning which is the establishing of the promises of God according to the Scripture that both Gods righteousnesse and mans righteousnesse might be knowne and that we likewise in an inclination of love might with consenting minds passe forth towards the same 6. But alas what availeth it any man that one point him out a good way and an even and plaine path if he walk not in the same nor have no liking thereunto 7. What availeth it to knock and in divers manners to call if there be no ears to hear nor any understanding to comprehend or to understand the same nor any heart to imbrace such things 8. Or how shall one be able I pray you to declare conveniently unto such a man his error and the entrance into the good life that he might rightly regard and understand wherein his salvation consisteth whereby he might be delivered from the bewitching of his heart and so know what right is to the intent he might once comprehend understanding rightly 9. If a man say unto him the increase and the blessing e 1 Cor. 3 cometh only of God f Prov. 2. Sap. 8. Eccl. 1. he
same are also to the health of all them that drink thereof 22. O how lovely is my Fountain and how sweet are my waters which flow forth there-out namely unto all them that love me and understand [c] Isai 42 1 Pet. 2 that I am friendly therefore [d] Isai 55 Apoc. 22 come now all unto me saith the Lord. 23. Leave now the friendship of the wicked world [e] Iam. 4 which is an utter enmity unto God and full of all manner of iniquity and make your friendship with me for I am in no case churlish [f] Isai 42 cruel horrible nor destroying like as the wicked world is but I am lovely gracious peaceable and beneficial or safe-making to the end that my dominion may even so through my lovely and upright Righteousness increase it self or [g] Isai 9 Mal. 1 3 become great now [h] Ioel 2 Acts 2 in the last time and that there be no end of the Peace from this time forth for evermore to the end that I may do even so that [i] Isai 32 and 42 Ier. 23 and 33 which is right on the earth and execute Righteousness among the people For all Heathen which turn their hearts unto God [k] Isai 42 and 51 attend on these my Institutions which come forth out of the Service of my Love saith the Lord. CHAP. VIII BEhold and consider and have a good regard hereon O ye beloved and good-willing hearts what an heart lust and love [a] Iohn 3 God hath turned or born towards us all for to rid and lead us all now in these last b Amos 5 Micha 2 Math. 24 perillous times through his Service of Love out of the abominations of the perverse would and so to bring us with our will to the Majesty c Isai 13 and 60 Ier. 3 of his Glory to the end that we should now in the last time through his Love and through the d 1 Tim. 2 Heb 9 Mediator his Christ become surely saved live e Luke 1 Eph. 1 4 always and for ever uprightly lovely and peaceably in the same Godhead with each other and so f 2 Pet. 3 inhabit the world according to the Promises of God the Father in Righteousness for evermore 2. Therefore namely for this same Loves cause which g Iohn 3 God is extending so graciously on us turn now your Love likewise to the same God of Life and [h] Eccl. 7 submit you all under the Obedience of his Love 3. O ye dearly beloved ye all I mean which say and profess that ye love the Truth stand in fear before the great glorious God and apply you not to any other thing then that which is according to his Will esteem right reverently i Psal 19 his Word have a singular regard to the Law of his Doctrine and with your whole heart respect well this [k] 2 Cor. 6 Heb. 12 proffered Grace which through the gracious Word of the Lord becometh expressed or held forth before you under the obedience of his Love 4. Which Word of Grace and Life God hath given in my mouth [l] Isa 49 51 and 59 Jer. 1 31 Heb. 8 and 10 written the same together with the Law of his Commandments in my heart minde and thoughts and chosen me to be his Minister to administer now in the last time under the obedience of his Love m Ier. 33 the same gracious Word to declare his Truth and to set up his most holy Service of Love through the Belief [n] Num. 14 to the end that the whole world may become full of the glory of God according to the Promises 5. For that cause come now all hither and refuse not the Lord but give over your selves and all what ye have o Psal 24. and 50 that is the Lords good-willingly unto the Lord and his Word to your preservation Come now all and lay down your selves and all what belongeth unto the Lord before the Seat of his Majesty 6. Respect well now this same p 2 Cor. 6 Gal. 6 Heb. 12 time of Grace ere ever the q Eccl. 5 Rom. 2 wrath of God and his indignation fall upon all ungodly and have a diligent regard in time what the Service of Love requireth 7. Howbeit if ye do r Prov. 1 refuse this same Love of God the Father and withhold from the Lord that which belongeth unto him not fear the same glorious God cast his Word Law and Will s Isai 5 4 Esdr 7 behind you not regard the hearty mercifulness of his Love which he sheweth so liberally on us forsake the Comunality of holy ones under the obedience of the Love and refuse to assemble you unto the same and even so cleave much rather with the ungodly unto the wicked world become puffed up in pomp and light-minded of heart and even so according to your lusts and good-thinking follow after your own freedom t Ier. 7 and 9 Rom. 1 1 Pet. 4 2 Pet. 2 Iude 1 will and counsel So will God then also turn away his Love from you and not let you taste the lovely being of his Love which he now in the u Joel 2 Acts 2 last time bringeth unto his elected holy ones which submit them under his Love to an eternal x Isai 32 Wis 3 5 Heb. 3 4 Rest of the Godliness nor inherit the same for evermore but ye shall y Iohn 8 dye in your Sins and be forced to bear your condemnation z Mat. 11 and 25 Heb. 10 and punishment more then the children of the perverse or wicked world to whom this Grace hath not been proffered 8. Ye shall likewise dayly the longer the more wax blinded a Rom. 1 from the Way of Life become incorporated to the wicked and malicious Being of the ungodly and end your days and time in ungodliness and even so the number of your years shall then perish or waste away with the ungodly and your end shall be b Mal. 4 Wisd 3 Eccl. 21 horrible 9. For like as it shall go with all ungodly even so shall ye also become c Psal 37 and 52 Prov. 2 rooted out in indignation from the Land of the Living and condemned in the d Mat. 25 2 Pet. 3 fire of Hell and I which am the Lords cannot likewise of the holy Natures part of my God be moved with any remorse of pity or compassion towards you 10. For that be far from the minde of my Soul that I should set mine affection of the Love towards any such as love not God nor his Law but abide by their [e] 1 Cor. 1 and 8 own Knowledg and are ungodly of Will be he then what he is Friend or Stranger 11. But f Psa 112 and 128 Eccl. 1 and 34 blessed are they to the Lord and beloved in my heart which fear the Lord also cleave
of truth for there is no right Spirit of truth nor wisdome without the love 58. Wherefore every thing which is m Amos. 8. decayed or broken down must even now through the love and her service be set up again and all that straieth and is dispersed must again be gathered together nEzek 34. Mic. 4. Soph. 3. through the love and her service namely all those that hope for the Salvation of the only body of Christ for that is the promise to the children of the Testament in the o Jer. 23.30 31.33 Joel 2. last time in the which God will magnifie himself against all heathen or uncircumcised ones 59. This hath God in former times promised and he will perform it for his holy names sake p Ezek. 38. Mic. 5. to make it known and honorable far and wide that his honour and Sanctuary q Psal 74. Dan. 8. may no longer be trodden down but may appear pure and clear and he will shew in the last time how that he onely is the Lord and that his office work and doing is not bound nor tyed to mens working but that he performeth the same according to his will and pleasure 60. O how happy is he which is r Esa 5. Rom. 12. not wise in his own conceit neither is with any spirituall Å¿ Deut. 12. Jer. 7. imagination bewitched tied or bound but in the sin is daily against himself and loveth not the evill but is well-affected to the love and so t Luk. 21. possesseth his soul with patience till the promises of Almighty God that he might live unto God in all truth CHAP. IX 1. A Complaint over the greatest sort of People that neither regard nor expect the promises of Gods Righteousnesse out of the love but set up a righteousnesse of their own as being perswaded that the same is of God 15. The abuse of marriage 22. The middle wall 25. Shame to disclose the inward evilnesse 33. A Prediction of calamity to come upon the conceited wise 34. None can come to the new Man or Kingdom of God but by the love BUt who hath regard hereunto who thinketh on the righteousnesse which God esteemeth 2. Doth not the most part of people intend to set up their a Rom. 10. own righteousnesse 3. Who thinketh on the Communion of Saints b Ioh. 6. whom God the Father draweth to justification through Jesus Christ in the love 4. Doth not every one which is come or risen up before the love seek to gather a private Congregation to himself to advance his own word and with contention to stick to the same not thinking that the Lord shall c Esa 66. himself bring forth through his Word and service of love and that his Salvation shall come from his right hand and that so through himself he will bring forth unity in the love and his children d Esa 66. out of Sion according to the word of his promise 5. But who looketh after it who longeth for it who dependeth upon Gods promises that in time to come they shall be established who hungreth or thirsteth after it who thinketh on the comfort of Israel and upon the consolation of Juda 6. Every one supposeth without fail that he hath the blessing of God already and that there is for to come no more then is present with him or which he himself passeth forth in 7. Herein do the conceited Christians comfort them and cheer up themselves among each other but they have catcht an hand full of wind and do make themselves glad with chaffe 8. They thresh the straw e Esa 33. and crush it very hard but what availeth it in their binnes f 4 Esd 6. shall no bread be found nor any corn in their barns yea such things shall come upon them from the Lord and for their stoutnesse cause shall not bide away 9. Many of them cry also now we have it we have it we are the Congregation of Christ we are Israel Lo here it is Lo there it is this is the truth that is the truth g Mat. 24. Mar. 13. Luk. 17. here is Christ there is Christ 10. But when Christ shall shew himself h Mat. 24. Luk. 17. even as the lightning ariseth from the East and shineth unto the West then shall their own word which now is one with them be clean against them because they have not esteemed the love wherein the truth of God or Christ is sealed for ever 11. Moreover divers have gathered many people or companies every where together by sentences of Scripture and with glistering knowledges terming them by the name of Christ and by the name of Israel but the love they have shut out at doors and thereof had least respect and regard 12. For who standeth now in the love to the end i Deut. 6.10 Mat. 22. to cleave fast to the God of Life and to love him with his whole heart soul and thoughts and besides to love another as himself that God who only is the Lord might be their arm fortresse and strength 13. Is not every mans eye that accounteth not God for the only Lord fixed upon k Ier. 17. flesh and bloud or upon the vain corruptible created things in this world and doth not every one set his assurance on the same doth he not count it for his arm or strength 14. And thus living in such love to the corruptible things and in that false considence every one loveth his own self and l Esa 29. Ezek. 33. Mat. 15. with his heart turneth from the Lord and so passeth on his errour and merrily singing m Tob. 13. Apo. 19. Alleluia even as though that God had his delight in such abomination and that Jerusalem were likewise builded up and lay no longer trodden down 15. In such a show or simulation and in such pleasure of their own conceit not having n Ioh. 5. the love of God nor bearing the Law of the Lord o Ier. 31. Heb. 8.10 in their hearts they betake themselves to marriage with bold courage bringing forth their children p Ose 5. in the unrighteousnesse and account that same for pure wedlock ordained of God the which yet among them is but meer adultery q Ezek. 16.23 and impudent whoredom 16. For consider who is now I pray you within the right matrimony or conjunction of man and wife 17. Was it not expedient that Gods Law and will r Psal 40. Esa 51. Ier. 31. should be in the mans heart and that so the same man should in his will and disposition cleave unto that God which hath made heaven and earth In like manner ought not the woman also to follow the man and with the like disposition Å¿ Eph. 5. cleave only to the mans will and so in her heart bear that which concerneth God or at least labour hope and long after it and in that sort bring forth her
to the Beleevers of his Word by the same Sonne testifying how that all is k Deut. 7. Eph. 1. 1 Pet. 2. His which Son he hath appointed for an heir of all things and l Heb. 1. the same beareth all things with the word of his power and he is unto us a cleansing of our sins through himselfe 4 This onely borne Sonne of GOD the Father is given to the Children of Men to the end they should be m Rom. 11. grafted into his Spirit which is the holy Spirit of Love and in their mindes be n Joh. 15 Eph. 3. 2 Pet. 1. of one Being therewith 5. Through which holy Spirit the same Sonne of God Jesus Christ hath also promised his Believers that the Truth of the Life should nakedly and clearly be o Joh. 14 Acts 1. manifested unto them whereby at the very last to a conclusion of all godly things they in like manner might declare the Love the most brightest Day-light and through the same true Light Gods most holiest Being draw all people that have any desire towards God to the unity of Peace under the obedience of the Love to the intent we all which love God and his Righteousnesse should in these last dayes know and understand in all things the mind of God in perfect clearnesse and through the holy Spirit of his Love walk in all truth as in a true light of the godly Clearnesse according to the Promises even as God also hath spoken the same through the Son whom he hath made heire even of all that is Gods p Mat. 11. Luk. 10. Joh. 3. For all what the Father hath is His. 6. But because of his Long-suffering that his goodnesse might be known in the Love and that none through his default might misse of the fulnesse of the Life he hath spoken thus in times past for to establish it in the last time 7. I have saith q Joh. 16. the Lord Jesus Christ yet many things to say unto you but ye cannot beare them now How beit when the Spirit of Truth shall come the same shall lead you into all Truth For he shall not speak of himselfe but whatsoever he shall heare that shall he speake and he shall shew you that which is to come He shall glorifie me For he shall receive of mine and shew it unto you All what the Father hath that is mine Therefore have I said He shall receive of mine and shew it unto you 8. Lo all this Love doth GOD now through this new Day or Light of his Fatherly Love shew on us for to draw our Spirit in him out of the earthly lying and deadly Being unto his Love in the Heavenly true Life which is everlasting 9 Which his Love r Joh. 17 1 Cor. 13 1 Joh. 4. is the perfect Being of God and of Christ and of the holy Ghost which heretofore was Å¿ Esa 2. promised for to come in the last time and it is the t Apoc. 21. Jerusalem which is now in the last time come downe unto us from Heaven and the perfect fruit of Righteousnesse where the Sun of clearnesse doth never go down according as GOD hath spoken in times past by the mouth of his holy Prophets who have all likewise prophesied of this salvation to the intent that all people to the unity of heart in the Love should have a sure hope towards God and towards their salvation 10 But alas it seemeth that this Beliefe and Hope to this same is by many u Jer. 5. 1 Tim. 1.4 forsaken or else the salvation and the truth is not well understood for to hope thereon 11. For there are found with many sundry divided testimonies and every one in His or the most part will defend that his testimony is brought forth by the Spirit of Truth But among these there is found great faile by many whereby many are made doubtfull in their beliefe x Matth. 24. and become cold in their zeal to the Good And by means of their dissentions y Luk. 17. which they have stirred up and do yet daily stirre up among themselves against each other Many know not what they shal hope for or believe 12. Wherefore for the Unities sake in the Love O ye children of men lay downe your contentions under the Love and have regard unto God promises and to your Calling and incline likewise your hearts to the obeying of the love and of the requiring of her service 13. For in the obeying of the love and of the requiring of her service ye shall become of one mind and shall know that there is no more but z Eph. 4.2 1 John 5. one God or Father who alone is only good and almighty no more but one Christ with him at his right hand who only is the everlasting Mediator and Saviour between God and us out of him no more but one spirit who only is true and no more but one love a Col. 3. which only is the band of perfection 14. Nevertheles the Gifts of God through the spirit under the obedience of the love are manifold Likewise also the Services are manifold Which b Rom. 12. 1 Cor. 12. Eph. 4. Gifts and Services are all to the Commodity and Profit of the Communalty and are also all serviceable to the love and to the unity in the peace Howbeit it is all but c 1 Cor. 12 one spirit that worketh all through the service of the love Which service of the love is not ministred for to break that which God hath spoken and promised in times past but d Mat. 5 Rom. 3. to establish and accomplish it all according to the Scripture 15. Therefore let none of ours whose soules stand subject under the Love take upon him e 1 Cor. 5 to contend against any for any of the gifts of God which are of God graciously bestowed upon them nor for the Services or Ceremonies cause which any man observeth or publisheth albeit the same be manifold 16 For it is not for us to contend or strive against any for the gifts cause which any man receiveth of his God neither to contend against any mans Services or Ceremonies which he useth to the training up edifying of the people except as it is convenient edifiable to further the peace that they doe all stand subject under the Love and her Service 17. For one hath this gift and f Rom. 12 1 Cor. 12. Eph. 4. 1 Pet. 4. with the same he is serviceable to the Communaltie to a unity of heart in the Love Another hath another Gift and it is also serviceable to the Communalty and yet notwithstanding they are all used to the Love and to the Concord in their Services 18. Moreover some use one kind of service or such a manner of Ceremonies and some again other Services or Ceremonies wherewith they train up the people to the making known of that Righteousnes unto them