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
both Iews professors who are seeking rest for their souls and to meet with God in visible things and carnal ordinances which were upheld either under the Law or since the Law may see beyond and come out of these thing and out of their wil worships and feed no longer upon the husk buâ— come to the bread of life which cometh down from God By a lover of the seed of God and a friend to them that follow on to know him G.W. The seed of Israels Redemption and the Redeemer thereof fully prophecyed and declared of c. NOw are the times of Restauration come and coming as thousands do witness and will witness for the remnant of Jacobs sake the seed concerning which the determination of the everlasting God is gone forth which he will fully accomplish and fulfill for the gathering of the remnant of the seed unto himself for which his his holy Arm is made bare and stretching it self forth over all the Nations of the earth where the Remnant of his seed hath been scattered whether among Jewes or Gentiles bond or free kindreds or Peoples the Lord God of power and glory hath a controversie to plead with all Nations where his remnant hath been carryed away captive yea and his promises will he fulfill which hath been declared by the mouth of his holy Prophets since the the world began for his captivated seed which lyeth desolate and which is troden under foot by the heathen the uncircumcised and the unclean even as a vine that 's troden under foot by the wilde beasts of the forests that it could not spring up nor bud forth nor bring forth fruit for many years yea and the remant which the Lord hath to gather unto himself is even like unto a widow who is cast out of her habitation and bereaved of her children and now hath her habitation been troden down and laid waste and her children taken from her by the enemies and she as a widow is in a waste howling wilderness as one that mourneth for the want of her husband and for the want of her children and who wanteth a Comforter even so hast thou O seed of Jacob and oh habitation of Israel long been oppressed and long hast thou been desolate and long hast thou been destitute thou hast been incompassed with death with captivity with want with bondage by thy oppressor within and without he that hath oppressed thee within is he that hath the power of death and whose dwelling and kingdom is in the darkness and hath caused many thousands to transgresse the Law and to erre from the Covenant and to disobey the Councel of the most high God and they that are thy oppressors without are they that fear not the Lord God neither do they serve nor worship him but followes the imaginations of their wicked hearts and serves and worships strange Gods And even among many who in words professes the true God and do often make mention of his name is Jacob very small in many he is even eaten up and destroyed and among many is his habitation laid desolate and waste And these that feel not his habitation nor him raised up they are out of Gods Councel and out of his Covenant what ever they in words do professe or speak concerning him or what ever they act in pretence of obedience to him who is the true and living God whose name is to be professed in truth and in righteousnes even in the righteousnes of himself whereinto he will gather his seed to serve to obey him and to bring glory to his powerful name through his own righteousness sincerity wherein his pure name must be held forth and no otherwise for the wo is to all them that professe God or hold his truth in unrighteousness and wo to all them that reject and hare the Councel of the Lord God and cast his law and fear behind their backs and yet do present their prayers and vain oblations before him who is Lord of heaven and earth who will have a pure people or seed to place his name in and he will raise up a clean habitation and an holy house to dwell in wherein no uncircumcised nor unclean person must dwell and he will raise up his holy mountain and manifest his everlasting salvation which his holy seed shall possesse and into which no unclean thing shall come and into his mountain shall no venomous beast nor any destroyer enter but there shall the seed inhabit which must have dominion and power over the earth and over all the powers of the earth and the Lord God hath a seed to bring forth and to gather both among Jews and Gentiles yea both among many professors and among many that have not a profession of the truth in words yea the Lord God hath an heritage to possesse among the heathens whom he will rule with a rod of Iron and subdue Nations by his holy Arm and make way for his annointed his Elect seed who is the right heir and chosen One that he may possesse the inheritance now is the day come and the Sun risen whereby the darkness which hath covered the earth and the people shall be expelled and driven away and in this the day of the everlasting God will he fulfill his promises and finish his work which he hath begun in the Northern Islands who have waited for his law and many have received the law and the everlasting Covenant which is the inheritance of the seed which God is bringing forth according to his promises and all that now incline their hearts towards the Lord God and wait for his law believing his promises his righteousness shall appear and his salvation shall be brought near unto them but they who refuse the Counsel of the Lord God and do still walk on in their Rebellion and wickedness who will not wait for his law to be written in their hearts nor yet receive his Covenant nor believe his promises they shall be overturned and scattered in Gods fierce wrath and heavy displeasure and his love to such will be turned into fury and his mercies into bitterness for as much as in the time of their visitation they have hated reproof and hated to be reformed from their evil wayes and have despised the messenger of Gods Covenant even his own living witness which he hath sent and which hath often appeared and knocked at the door of their hearts to warn them and to instruct them to cease from their iniquities and Rebellion that they might have returned from their wickedness and the Lord might have healed their backslidings who often erred and backslided from the true messenger when he hath appeared to convince them of and to draw them from their wickedness and evils Therefore O thou seed of Jacob which hath been scattered and dispersed abroad and oppressed and O thou tabernacle of David and habitation of the righteous arise arise and come forth for thy day is come and thy time
many thousands and this I say before you and before the Gentiles that you eyes might wair upon the Lord God and you may have respâ—ct to the holy One of Israel who is descended and revealed unto and in many of the children of men and hath given gifts unto men yea he hath received gifts even for the Rebellious that the Lord God might dwell among them Psa 68. marke Here is the end of the outward Temple which God departed from here the Lords Temple or Tabernacle is among men and his sacrifices are a broken spirit a brokeâ— and contrite heart and this doth his gift bring many to witnesse who come to feel their hearts prepared and firted for the Lord by his own good spirit or gift which he freely bestowes upon them and this is he whom God hath given for a Covenant who hath ascended and received gifts even for the rehellious this is the Shilo that was promised and this is he unto whom the gathering of the people must be Gen. 49. And this is the Prophet whom God promised unto Moses to raise up whom the people was to hear and whosoever will not hearken unto him shall be cut off for God will even require it of him that will not hearken unto the words of God spoken by him And saith h the Lord God I will give him for a Covenant unto tâ—e people and for a light unto the Gentiles yea for a Leader to be my salvation to the ends of the earth mark this is the true Leader who is the light the everlasting covenant now since that your fathers have broken the first covenant that the Lord God made when he had brought Israel out of Egypt It is expedient for you that you turne your mindes from the outward Temples or Synagogues from the outward offerings and outward things that pertained to the first covenant and looke unto the holy one of Israel who is the salvation of God freely tendred unto you that by him your hearts may be cleansed and you saved from your manifold transgressions and offences and be established on an everlasting foundation least that through your obstinacy and wilfulnesse and rebellion you be found in your fathers iniquities and so perish with them that God destroyed for Israel was as the sand of the Sea in number yet it was but a remnant that were saved or preserved in comparison of the number that were destroyed and had it not been that the Lord of Hosts had left unto Israel a smal remnant they had all been unto the Lord as Sodome and as Gomorrah whom God destroyed read Isa Is and Chapter the 10th and even so it would be with many Nations but that God hath respect unto his heritage the seed whom God will sift from among the Nations and gather into his everlasting covenant that a right vine plant may grow up among them which plant he wil cause to take root and to spring up and bring forth fruit in abundance this is he that cometh out of the stem of Jesse and out of the root of David unto whom the Gentiles shall seek and his rest shall be glorious who shall be for an ensigne of the people and the second time will the Lord set his hand to recover the remnant of his people unto him both out of the Sea Jslands and many far countries and he shall assemble the outcasts of Israel and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the foure corners of the earth Isa 11. mark this is the seeker and saviour of that which was lost unto whom the people must be gathered both of Jews gentiles yea this is the righteous plant upon whom resteth the spirit of wisdome of understanding of might and of the fear of the Lord whom man despiseth and the Nations abhoreth who is a servant of Rulers Thus saith the Lord concerning him Kings shall see and arise Princes also shall worship because of the Lord that is faithful and the holy One of Israel and he shall chuse thee thus saith the Lord in an acceptable time have I heard thee and in a day of salvation have I helped thee and I will preserve thee and give thee for a covenant to the people to establish the earth to cause to inherit the desolate heritages that thou maist say to the prisoners goe forth and to them that are in darknesse shew your selves they shall feed in the waies and their pastures shall be in all high places they shall not hunger nor thirst neither shall the heat nor Sun smite them for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them even by the springs of water shall he guide them and I will make all my mountaines a way and my high waies shall be exalted behold these shall come from far and loe these from the North and from the West and these from the land of Sinim Read Isa 49. Even this in the North and in several of the Islands of the Sea is come to passe already and believed by many who have been as desolate heritages but now the Redeemer is come who is bringing many out of bondage and out of the prison house of corruption and iniquity wherein many are yet in bondage unto whom this shall be reported and who shall be visited by this Redeemer and Saviour whom God is raising up and hath raised him up in his power and Majesty amongst many in the North Countries whom God hath gathered unto him and who now are led by the River of water which cometh from the everlasting fountain of life and mercies as many in the Island of England do and shall witnesse who were once desolate and as Gentiles by nature that knew not the everlasting covenant of light but now are come into the light and power of God in which God is setting up his holy mountain that his peomay find rest and dwell in safty and shall praise the Lord in the glory of his light and beauty of his holinesse Therefore ye in whom there is some sincerity and some thirsting after holinesse in whom Jacob is not wholly eaten up or destroyed nor his habitation quite desolate and in whom there is some thing of the truth appearing and kindling look ye unto the servant of the Lord the Elect the chosen one in whom his soul delighteth he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles for the spirit of God is upon him A bruised reed shall he not break and the smoking flax shall he not quench he shall bring forth judgement unto truth this is he that is given for a Covenant of the people and for a light of the Gentiles to open the blind eyes to bring out the prisoners from the prison and them that sit in darknesse out of the prison house his Law the Isles shall wait for Isa 42. and he shall sprinkle many Nations though he be dispised and rejected of men he being a man of sorrowes and acquainted with grief yet he groweth up as a tender plant and
of the Tythes as well as the Priests taht there might be no beggar in Israel And the Priests did offer an heave-offering unto the Lord of the tenth part of the Tythes as God commanded which command was in force until Christ was crucified as other Ordinances were the Jewes and Pharisees they payed Tythes in the dayes of Christ in the flesh but neglected the weightier matters of the Law Num. 18 26. Deut. 10.9 and 12.12 and 14.29 Mala. 3.10 Mat. 23.23 Luke 11.42 But now is Christ come and made manifest through suffering who is became an everlasting high Priest over the houshold of God who was not made a Priest after the Law of a carnal commandment as the Priests without were but by the power of an endless life and he is the end of that Priesthood which had the Tithes and offerings which could not continue by reason of death though tithes and offerings were Ordinances in the changeable Priesthood they did but continue by the law until Christ the one offering suffered on the Crosse who took away the hand writing of Ordinances blotted it out nailing it to his crosse and he abolished in the flesh the emnity that was against us even the Law of Commandments contained in Ordinances So that in stead of a Priesthood that dyed a Priesthood is witnessed in Christ the everlasting covenant of God so the priesthood being changed that had the tithes and offerings there is made of necessity a change of the law which upheld these outward things also And then certanly they that either take or maintain the taking of Tythes either Priests or others they deny Christ come in the flesh and are enemies to his Crosse minding earthly things in their taking or upholding tythes and he that denyeth Christ come in the flesh the same is Antichrist But they who own Christs coming and do receive him he becomes their friend their husband and father and leads them into his Fathers house which is an everlasting store-house of many mansions and bread enough and so sees the life and substance of that which the store-house without was but a figure of in which no strangers comes to be entertained but such as receive the truth in the love of it Heb. 10.21 and chap. 7. Colos 2.14 Ephes 2.15 2 John 7. Phil. 3.18 19. 10. Of the outward Tabernacle under the Law and the instruments thereof and the Lords forsaking thereof THe first Covenant and Priesthood had a Tabernacle of the Congregation which was made according to the pattern which God shewed unto Moses in the mount and made known unto him how to make the Tabernacle and instruments thereof and there was the Ordinances of Divine Service and this Tabernacle had the worldly sanctuary or outward Court called the sanctuary wherein the Priests did dayly service as offering sacrifices and offerings for the sins and trespasses of the people And there was seven Lamps continually burning and within the Tabernacle was there a second vail hung up and within that vail was the the Tabernacle called the most holy wherein was the Cherubims mercy-seat and the Ark of the Testimony that God gave to Moses the Testimony was in the Ark the mercy-seat was over the Ark and the Cherubims stood over the mercy seat on each end of it with their wings stretched forth overshadowing the mercy-seat and none was to go into the most holy place within the vail save the high Priest once a year but he went not without blood which he offered for his own sins and for the errors of the people and the Lord communed with the Priest from between the Cherubims of glory and yet neither the Priest nor the people were made pure as pertaining to the conscience by these offerings and Ordinances which they offered and upheld in that Covenant which had a shadow of heavenly things so that there was need of a second Covenant and of the blood of the heavenly Mediator whereby a cleansing from sin and error is witnessed by such as have received the end of these outward shadows which in their time was glorious But now mark this figure in the first covenant the Ark of the Testimony was under the mercy-seat which was over shadowed with the Cheribins And both the Ark and the mercy-seat was within the vail whether the people that was in the error and hardness of heart might not come save the Priest that was annointed with precious ointment for in this holy place was the golden censer also the golden pot which had the Manna and Aarons rod which budded and the Tables of the Covenant And thus this Tabernacle where God was heard was furnished with more instruments then I need mention at present And no stranger nor uncircumcised person might come nigh the Tabernacle least he was cut off Exod. 25.9.16 20.21.22 37.40 27.20 Num. 7 89. Acts 7.44 Heb 8.5 9. chap. Heb. 9.1.2 3 4 5. And moreover when the Israelites had forsaken the Lord and were turned into I dolatry and had set up high places and images the Lord forsook the Tabernacle in Shilo which before he was heard in and the Israelites sell into the hands of their enemies who did make slaughter spoil both among them and their consecrated things that Gods presence in some measure had been found in till they had provoked him And when the Israelites sell into the hands of the Philistines that the Philistines got the upper hand of them they took away the Ark of the Covenant from the Israelites but they were fain to send it back unto them again for the Lord smote and plagued the Philistines for it and their Idol Dagon fell before the Ark and he smote the heathen men of Bethshemesh with a great slaughter because they looked into the Ark of the Lord Mark the uncircumcised heathen were not to look into the holy things And this Ark was of such a great account in the eyes of many in Israel seeing that it was a consecrated precious thing and the hand of the Lord was known with it that some counted that the glory of Israel was departed when the Ark was taken Deut. 32.21 Psal 78.58 59. Judg. 2.11 3.7 4.1 6.1 10.6 13.1 1 Sam. 4.10 11.16.17 5.3.4 6 chap. Now Christ Jesus being come he is the Mediator of a better Covenant which is established upon better promises then that Covenant which had the Tabernacle and Sanctuary without and the Cherubims and mercy seat Ark and Testimony without for that Tabernacle without did man pitch and the Priests and the people did God often find fault with and then there was a vaile over the peoples hearts that they could not see into the holiest of all while the first Tabernacle was standing but Christ the everlasting high Priest is a Minister of the Sanctuary and of the true Tabernacle which the Lord pitched and not man and according to his promises his Tabernacle is with men who have received his Laws in
are corruptible and some have abused and Idolized many things without and corrupted the first Covenant which upheld the carnal things that in their time some upheld in obedience to God but they did but signifie or figure forth greater things which are comprehended in the everlasting Covenant of life and light which cannot be comprehended nor discerned by the carnal mind nor by natural men And things unutterable doth the Lord reveal to them that walk in his way the light of his Covenant which the world cannot Idolize or corrupt though outward things they may corrupt and in no other way can the presence of the Lord God be known nor the life of his law and Covenant be revealed and made known but by the light of his own Son which shineth in the hearts which he that believes and walkes in is blessed for he feels a living way an acceptable sacrifice and offering which is offered by the eternal spirit And now the light and spirit of the Lord Christ is Gods way wherein he will be obeyed worshipped and honoured and this is the way to the everlasting righteousness and salvation of God who is the everlasting Temple in his City in whom his seed shall find rest and solemnity And this is the life the wisdom and power which brings to see over all the world and over all temporal things and no way will please the Lord but his own way which is his light which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world and thus God hath given his Son for a way for a light for his salvation for his Covenant to his people that his glory may be known and his Name may be published and known to the ends of the earth both among Jewes and Gentiâ—es who thirst after his righteousness which never hath an end Thus I have according to truth discribed unto the Jewes and professors the end of the Law of Commandments contained in Ordinances and the end of the figures and the shadowes as the Apostle Paul did to the Hebrewes or Jews of old that were upheld in the first Covenant that they that would receive life and salvation may see the way to the heavenly treasury and to the good things of God that will minister to the soul But the way into new Jerusalem the City of the living God the mother of the righteous all the workers of iniquity are out of it and nothing that works abomination or maketh a lie must enter into the City of the living God and no unclean thing must dwell there for the Lord God and the Lamb is the Temple the light and the glory thereof from whose wrath mountains and hills cannot cover the wicked for he is the fulness and the sum of all whose presence filleth heaven and earth he is infinite incomprehensible invisible eternal the heaven of heavens cannot contain him who can receive or discern any of the secret council of our great God But he that feareth his name and walketh in his light who is led by the spirit of light and truth which leadeth into all truth Holiness to the Lord our God for ever for he is in his Son Christ and Christ is the light that enlighteneth all men and women and Christ is God over all through all and in all God blessed for ever he is the Alpha and Omega the beginning and the End the first and the last Blessed are they that do his Commandments that they may have right to the tree of life and may enter in thorow the gates into the holy City for without are dogs sorcerers and Whore-mongers and Murtherers and Idolaters and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie and no such can enter into the City of God but the upright and the faithful who are clothed in righteousness and walk in their integrity they have accesse into the City of God and they shall praise him in the light of his countenance among the living who have right unto the Mysteries of life and salvation who know that worthy is the Lord our God to be glorifyed and to Reign Allelujah to the most high for ever and ever Amen This was written from the spirit of the Lord God G. W. THE END ERRTA IN page 14. line 16. for yea r. ye l. 32. f. pray r. prey p. 15. l. 20. f. commands r. commanded p. 16. l. 18. f. say r. lay p. 24. l. 25. for he r. the p. 29. l. 7. f. whether r. whither p. 34. l. 6. f. going r. goings f. from of old put out from p. 35. line the last save one f. yet r. that p. 72. l. 16. put out and the Levites p. 80. l. 28. a add and.