of God and man 11. Therefore cometh now likewise the u Ezec. 7. end and Gods mighty hand upon the ungodly which have had no will to Gods Love x Rom. 2. 2 Thess 2. nor liked that the Love should râ—ign over them But Gods mercy cometh over his Elect which sigh and pray night and day unto him y Luke 18. and have an hunger and thirst z Matth. 5. after the Righteousness 12. For truly the gracious time cometh and is now already come wherein the blessed people of the Lord shall a Isa 60.61 and 65. and 66. Eccl. 2. delight recreated and rejoyce them 13. In which this gracious time there shall nothing be figurely or Image like nor yet also the Testimonies of the Truth of God b Matt. 13. Luke 8. any Parables or Similitudes to the children of the Kingdom for through Gods heavenly Truth the Light of Life-from Heaven all whatsoever is of God and Truth becometh now published unto them c Ioh. 16. openly nakedly or clearly from the right hand of God the Father and they are made heirs therein under the obedience of the Love 14. Yea the holy Spirit of Love which is a comforter of the heart whom the Father sendeth in the name of the Truth the Beeing of Christ he d Ioh 14. and 15. and 16. teacheth and declareth all things unto them namely all what was spoken unto them in times past concerning the Truth as Parables or Similitudes for in times past the whilest the covering which is the foreskin of the flesh of sin was yet before their hearts and the Vail which is the flesh of Christ still before the clearness of the fare of God and Christ they could not g Ioh. 16. endure that which is the clearness of the holy Ghost it self 15. But when as now in their new birth the Vailâ— departeth from their hearts so is it all thâ—n Light and life unto them through the holy Spirit of Love h 2 Cor. 3. and 4. Col. 2. which cometh unto them out of the Father i Ephe 5. from the uncovered face of Christ as also k Iohn 14. and 16. remaineth with them everlastingly and leadeth them into all Truth It is very true 16. Come now all hither O ye peaceable children together with all ye which love the Truth and Peace and have your Forth-going in the Spirit l Rom 6.8 Phil. 3. to the life of the new birth in Jesus Christ according to the Requiring of the Word of the Lord and his service of Love 17. Fly now m Zach. 2. out of the North and out of all wildernessed Lands Rest not your selves among the strange people nor among any of the enemies to the house and service of Love but assemble you with us into n Isa 60. Zach 8. Apo. 21. the holy City of Peace the new Jerusalem which is descended from heaven and prepared by God like a garnished Bride for her Husband 18. O Jerusalem thou holy City of the great King o Isa 60. the Light of thy God of Israel doth now rise up over thee according to the Promises 19. Therefore p Isa 51. and 52. and 60. Baruc 5. stand now up and set thy self in the high place and look round about thee towards the East or Sun rising and behold the Comfort which cometh unto thee from God 20. Behold q Isa 43. thy children assembled them together from the Sun rising and going down rejoycing them in the holy Word and are mindfull of God 21. They were r Bar. 5. led away captive from thee on foot by the enemies But now thee Lord bringeth them unto thee and exalteth them with Honor as it beseemeth the children of the Kingdom 22. For God will bring down Å¿ Isa 2.40 Bar. 5. all high Hills and make the high stony rocks and the Vallyes plain that Israel may t Gen. 23.33 walk and dwell free without fear to the honor of his his God 23. The Groves and u Bar. 5. all pleasant sweet-smelling trees shall shadow Israel round about by the commandment of the Lord. 24. For God will now in this day of his Love x Bar. 5. be gracious unto his people and through his mercy bring Israel again y 2 Mac. 2. with joy as also lead them continually with his Righteousness in the clearness of his Majesty c. 25. Now this passed over will in the Testimonies of the spiritual Land of Promise rehearse more at large touching the holy ones of the God of Israel and of their garnishing as also distinct the wildernessed lands and the unpeaceable people from the good land and the peaceable people to the end that the death and destruction may be understood and known from the life and preservation of salvation z Deut. 30. Ier. 21. Eccl. 25.35 and that no man may err ignorantly 26. But hereforth on following in this our Preface before the beginning of the spiritual Land of Promise we wil rehearse the mercy of God where through this lovely rest of the spiritual land of Promise is out of Gods heavenly truth appeared unto us and the knowledg thereof given us to understand therefore hear and understand ye dearly beloved 27. Forasmuch now as we had a great desire to the place a Psa 95. Heb. 4. of Rest and Peace which God hath promised and that we sought after the same with a fervent longing for that we might finde it or come to the knowledg of the same holy Land of Promise so hath the God of heaven been gracious unto us and not shut from us the knowledg of his holy Land which he hath promised unto his People as a land of Rest and Peace b Exod. 3. Heb. 4. neither yet covered nor hid from us his Truth of the same 28. But verily we are gone thorow or passed beyond many and sundry maner of wildernessed lands and ignorant people and so have considered of the nature of every land and people 29. In all which we have found the strange ignorant people very unpeaceable and divided in many kinde of maners dispositions and natures as also vexed with many unprofitable things to a great disquietness and much misery c Isa 42. and 59. unto them all 30. The whilest we considered diligently hereon so found we by experience that every people had their disposition and nature according to the disposition and nature of the land wherein they dwelt or were born 31. But when we passed thorow and perused used all this same so have we through the mercy of God at the end of all this found a lovely land d Isa 26.60 Zach. 8. or a peaceably city whose people and none other is a peaceable concordable and lovely people agreably minded living peaceably and are faithful to each other Into the which peaceable City and unto the peaceable people of the same the Lord the God of heavens hath
e 2 Tim. 3. 2 Pet. 2.3 Jud. 1. stout and puffed up in mind as those that will reigne themselves according to their own advice or opinion seeking their selfnesse and not the Lords the which they do apparently shew by the deed because they will not stand submitted under the love nor her service neither yet do love the unity in the love and therefore likewise they understand not the f 2 Tim. 5. truth 3. Whose hearts are blinded with the g 2 Cor. 4 blindnesse of the wicked world and with the blindnesse h 1 Cor. 1.3 of her dissentions and chosen i Col. 1. holinesse for that they should not behold the light of the heavenly cleernesse in the love 4. For that cause also they cannot understand nor comprehend the service of Love which tendeth to the everlasting life nor the upright k Rom. 8. freedome to the blessing of the manly generation whereof we do witnesse 5. For that same is our service towards all those which love the good life and the peace namely for to declare and shew unto them under the obedience of the love and assured way to the life to the end that they might all now in this day of love have a free l 2 Pet. 1. passage to the good life through Faith for to live lovingly and peaceably in the same life m Joh. 1. 1 Joh. 1. which was likewise from the beginning and shall remain for ever and unto the which the manly generation is created and that â—t might go well and prosper with them perpetually 6. That same is the everlasting life that was n Mat. 28. Act. 2. published in times past unto the people as an Evangelie or good message for that they should be saved therein CHAP. LII BUt oh alas we have now in this perillous time very speciall cause to sigh and mourne grievously over the a Esa 6. 59. blindnesse of many people and to bewaile the same with great dolour of our hearts and that chiefly because there is now in this same day of love b 2 Mac. 2. and of the mercy of God so little knowledge of the good life of Peace and of love to be found among them and also for that the same knowledge is desired of so few and yet much lesse loved But they do almost every one delight to walk in strange c 4. Esd 5. Mat. 7. waies that stretch to contention and destruction by which occasion they live in many molestations and deadly afflictions every where 2. Therefore may we with wofulnesse and â—ighing hearts very jostly say that it is now a perillous d Amos 5. Mat. 24. 2 Tim. 3. time to be saved or to escape or remain over to preservation Oh what venemous winds do there blow to the desolation and destruction of men Yea it seemeth to be almost e Mat. 19. 24. unpossible for the man to come to his salvation or preservation in Christ or to the lovely life of peace 3. But yet is it easie and f Mat. 19. possible with the Lord namely for all those that seek him with all their g Deut. 4. Jer. 29. hearts and under the obedience of the Love do believe his Word of Truth whereof all false hearts have a lothsomnesse and it is unto them a secret h Mat. 13. 2 Cor. 4. or unknowne Treasure of wisdome 4. Oh! when we behold all the perills and snares which are now presently in the way as lets or hinderances against the good life of peace namely by the worldly foolishnesse pride and corruptiblenesse also by the many manner of seditions of the Scripture-learned i Mat. 6. 15. 23. Act. 7. and chosen holinesse and again by the sundry sorts of conceited opinions of men so doth our soule oftentimes suffer great sorrow and that even herefore because that all understanding of the flesh which is borne of the bloud of the flesh k Gen. 6. 4 Esd 3. and earthly being runneth on so ignorantly after the knowledge of the godly truth and over-reacheth it selfe so grossely in giving judgement in the testimonies of the spirituall things 5. For verily many of the opinionated or good-thinking wise ones and of the Scripture-learned sort have with their good-thinking understanding or arrogant wit of the flesh made up themselves for to judge there-through the truth of God which is brought to light by us and so have by the fleshly conceiving or mind of their l Act. 7. uncircumcised hearts and unilluminated understandings considered of or weighed our spirituall and heavenly testimonies of God and of the holy Spirit of the Love of Jesus Christ m Joh. 7. 8. according to the outward appearance and judged them after the same manner 6. Not only these our spiritual and heavenly testimonies of the spirituall land of Promise and of the spirituall Saints of God but they have also judged according n Joh. 7.8 to their earthly and fleshly minds other more spirituall and heavenly testimonies of God which are gone out from the holy Spirit of the love of God and Christ and that are set forth or published by us and which have their ministration unto spirit and unto inward spirituall things or doe extend thereunto and have not rightly understood our Ministration which guideth to the spirituall and heavenly even like as the same is happened unto us by some and become manifest before our eyes but chiefly by the principall ones in the Scripture-learnednesse and likewise by those which did advance and give forth themselves to be o 1 Tim. 1. Treachers and that seemed to be the most prudent and expert ones in the services and also how resistingly many false hearts have made up themselves with their earthly and fleshly minds against the truth of the spirituall and heavenly testimonies of God and his Promises and against the holy Spirit of Jesus Christ and of the mercifull love of God the Father p Heb. 10. 2 Pet. 2. Jud. 1. as blasphemers of their most holy goods and likewise against us who do witnesse and publish forth Gods Word his everlasting truth out of those same spirituall and heavenly goods for to defame and persecute us with much q Mat. 5. lying and falshood CHAP. LIII BUt although many of them have grossely over-reached themselves therein yet have some notwithstanding according to the imagination of their knowledge run on or laboured for the spirituall things for that they would understand them also many have according to their understanding of the flesh testified of them 2. But seeing they have not sought their knowledge of the spirituall things in the obedience of the Christian doctrine of the Service of Love but in their knowledge of the flesh and so have taken on their understanding of the knowledges of the spirituall things out of the imagination of their owne knowledge therefore have they likewise understood those same
spirituall things according to the mind of their flesh and witnessed of them in the same manner also For that cause likewise the right a 1 Cor. 2 knowledge of the spiritual and heavenly understanding hath not in the cleernesse of the true b Sap. 5. light shined unto them 3. Forasmuch then as they were c Eph. 4. yet estranged from the true light of life and of love and stood not subjected under the love nor to the requiring of her service therefore have they also made up themselves so much the stouter against us and against our most holy Service of Love 4. But all that which is happened unto us by them and by all those that turne them away from us or which doth yet daily happen unto us as to slander or speak evill of us and reproachfully with many lies to defame and to persecute us with falshood have we for the love of Christ his sake indured at their hands d Mat. 5. Heb. 12. in all patience giving laud and thanks unto God with joy for that he hath accounted us worthy for to suffer e Act. 5. reproach slander and persecution for his love and truths sake to the end that our most holy Service of Love and the godly Doctrine of the same might in the proceeding on or continuance of our patience so much the more break thorow f 1 Cor. 4. 2 Cor. 6. or come to light unhindered and become generally knowne to be the true God-service that God requireth and that it might also be knowne that we are unguilty of the false bruits that be laid to our charge behind our backs and that we doe Minister the g 2 Cor. 6 Word of the Truth of God and Christ under the obedience of the Love to the peace and salvation of men 5. For verily this assured confidence have we in the Lord that although our Cause be oppressed or contemned by many for a certain time yet shall notwithstanding h Eccles 1. in his time the just or the right understanding ones commend our wisdome which God hath graciously given to us and laud God for the same 6. But truly those that do now charge contemne and with their venemous i Psal 14. Jer. 9. Rom. 3. Serpents tongues sharply reprehend or maliciously speak evill of us and persecute us have not spoken evill of and contemned us only but also k Mat. 10. Luk. 10. Acts 9. 2 Thes 4. God himselfe who is our true Master-builder of his house of Love and have judged his holy service of Love through the which we do testifie and publish abroad the upright righteousnesse before God and Men for a most detestable error and so with their false judgement have drawn away l Mat. 18. many wavering hearts from the same 7. But alas the which out of the good nature of the Love maketh us sorry for them the judgment and the condemnation wherewith they have judged and condemned us is come upon themselves m Mat. 7. Rom. 2. for with all their judgement over us they have not condemned us but themselves inasmuch as they are found guilty in that which they have judged over us CHAP. LIV. O My beloved hearts in the Love of Jesus Christ forasmuch now as we do consider all this to stand thus over our enemies and that it is become manifest unto us therefore let not their misunderstanding and their resistance against us be any offence unto us neither yet let us make up our selves against them a Rom. 12 1 Pet. 3. to requite evill but pray unto b Mat. 5. God for them that the Lord will give unto them and unto all erring or strayed hearts and unto all those which out of their ignorance and unskilfulnesse in the truth do slander and persecute us as likewise unto all those that have turned them away from us and our godly Doctrine c Eph. 1. eyes of true sight and hearts of upright understanding that they may see and know their error and turn them d Eze. 18. 33. penitently to the Love and her Service and so under the obedience of the love become amended touching all their errors and evill deeds and may through the Love and her Service be raised up e Esa 35. Heb. 12. againe from their fall or be set upright in the truth and godlinesse O yea that same with prayer unto our God is all our desire towards all our enemies to the end that they might every one turn them to the love of Jesus Christ receive the Doctrine and requiring of the Service of Love obediently and so under the obedience of the Love might live in the upright godlinesse of Jesus Christ 2. Wherefore ye deerly beloved for to avoid all perills of destruction so let not every man take upon him to be a f Mat. 22. Jam. 3. Teacher or a Minister of the Word much lesse a Judge of the Truth for therethrough bringeth he the more grievous g Rom. 2. judgement and condemnation over himself 3. For it is not every mans office to be a Teacher or Minister of the holy Word but only his that h Exod. 28 Num. 17. Heb. 5. like unto Aaron is raised up promoted or chosen thereunto by God and his Word whose rod or stock verily doth also even like unto Aarons rod wax green and blossom and beareth fruit and his likewise who in the first Schoole-rule of the Christian Doctrine of the Service of Love hath like a faithfull i Joh. 15. Acts 1. Disciple of the Word and lover of the true being of Jesus Christ received the Doctrine and Administration of the holy Word from the Elders in the Family of Love obediently with a simple heart and so is growne up under the obedience of the Love in the holy and godly understanding till unto the k Eph. 4. Col. 2. old age of the Man Christ and taught to the l Mat. 13. Kingdome of the God of heavens 4. Who doth then also as a meet Elder and Houshold Father in the Family of Love m Mat. 13. bring forth out of his Treasure both the new and the old in whom likewise Christ with his Spirit of Love hath his n Joh. 14. 17. dwelling and shape and also his being like unto a flowing or o John 7. springing fountaine of living waters 5. Which living waters do then likewise flow p John 7. from his body with the which the thirsty souls after the righteousnesse be refreshed and the Lords fields or tilled lands moistened or made wet to a fruitfulnesse for to bring forth good fruits which doe serve the life of man to q Apo. 22. all healthfulnesse 6. Behold such a one which with his understanding and thoughts is thus in all r 1 Pet. 1. obedience to the gracious Word and the requiring of his service of Love Å¿ Joh. 17. Eph. 3. 2 Pet. 1. incorporated to the
Sprit of God and Life of Christ and knoweth t Joh. 8 the truth in that manner he verily hath rightly continued stedfast in the Doctrine of Christ and is meet likewise to minister u Joh. 15. Acts 1. the holy Word of Truth and to be a Teacher of the people and not those which doe yet carry the x 2 Cor. 3 fore-skin before their hearts nor yet those which are still earthly y Gal 1. and fleshly minded and so turning themselves away from us and running forth of themselves do sow nothing else but pernicious seed among the people CHAP. LV. WHerefore it is in like manner found true that the fleshly-minded ones which sow upon the flesh or which build upon the fore-skin of their uncircumcised hearts doe mow a Gal. 6. the corruption and inherite the destruction 2. But those that are b Ier. 4. Col. 2. circumcised on their hearts in the laying away of the fore-skin of the sinfull flesh and in the obeying of the requiring of our most holy Service of Love are become spiritually minded and so then out of the upright being of the love of Jesus Christ do sow upon the Spirit c Gal 6. or build upon the spirituall which is the true being it selfe those same do receive or reap the fruits of blessing d 2 Esd 2. in the everlasting immmortality which do not perish e Joh. 15. but continue for ever in the eternall life 3. For all flesh although it doe also speak of spirituall and heavenly things through his knowledge yet is it doubtlesse nothing else but like f Esa 40. 1 Pet. 1. Jam. 1. the grasse of the field and all his garnishing of beauty and holinesse is also like unto the flowers of the field behold the grasse drieth away and the beauty of the flowers of the field withereth or decayeth 4. But the spirituall good the power of God and his g Sap. 1. 7. Heb. 1. living being wherein all what is of God standeth firme and floweth thereout remaineth stedfast h 1 Pet. 1. unchangeable for ever and in the same or through the manifestation of the same being the Kingdome of the God of heavens cometh i Luk. 17. inwardly in us and that is the k Joh. 1.17 true light of the everlasting life 5. Whose naked cleernesse although the same be nothing else but light and life is l Esa 29. Mat. 11. 13. 2 Cor. 4. hidden shut and covered from all understandings and wisdomes of the flesh and from all those that are minded on the flesh or that build thereon 6. But it is manifest and shineth bright to the circumcised of heart and to the upright spirituall-minded ones m 1 Cor. 2 in a spirituall heavenly understanding and the same cleernesse is the n 1 Joh. 1. being of God from heaven the upright o Eph. 4. righteousnesse and holinesse and the life p Joh. 17. of God in eternity 7. Wherefore ye deerly beloved seeing that the q Apo. 3. doore of life is now by Gods grace opened unto us the r Mat. 3. Kingdome of the God of heavens and the heavenly Jerusalem Å¿ Esa 60. Apo. 21. or City of Peace descended downe to us and come neerby therefore let us take good heed unto such a time of the godly t 2 Cor. 6. Heb. 12. grace and not neglect despise or contemne the same but as goodwilling children of Faith take speciall heed unto it and so in the v Mat. 3. Acts 2. 3. doing of upright fruits of repentance enter u Hâ—b 4. 10. into the same according to the Spirit and live therein 8. But not according to the thinking-good or imagination of our own hearts nor according to the mind of the earthly wisdome wherethorow many have estranged x Eph. 4. them from the truth of life but according to the mind and requiring of the Service of Love and of the Spirit of the heavenly y Sap. 1.7 Jam. 3. wisdome which extendeth to the land of the living and City of Peace 9. For if we will contiue safely kept from all sâ—ducing and destruction and enter rightly z Heb. 4. into the rest according to the promises of God the Father then must we submit our selves a 1 Reg. 15 1 Pâ—t 1. obediently under the gracious Word of the Lord and the godly Doctrine of his Service of Love and so in the Spirit enter into the foresaid rich City of peace Gods secret understanding thorow the nature of God and tast therein the spirituall heavenly things and all life and sweetnesse for even there in the same one is come to the b Rom. 8. Col. 1. rest of all the Saints and Children of God and there one eateth of the wood of life that standeth in the c Gen. 2. Apo. 2.22 middest of Paradise and liveth for evermore 10. Which Paradise and place of rest is shut d Gen. 3. and hidden before the old man of errour and it shall likewise continue hidden for ever before all those which according the nature of Adam are falling away e Esa 59. from the holy Commandement of God and Christ and so are erring from the truth of Jesus Christ and his Church for those same are they that carry the right Aprons f Gen. 3. 2 Cor. 3. or coverings before their hearts which Adam hath made him which aprons or coverings of Adam is the hiding of the transgressions or of the sins 11. Therfore can no man see g John 3. the Kingdom of God except the aprons the taking on of Adam be put off from his heart that is that he do make manifest himselfe h Pro. 28. Eccl. 4.17 uncoveredly in his sins of disobedience towards God and do forsake i Rom. 13. 1 Pet. 2. Heb. 12. or lay away the same in the obedience to the gracious Word of God and to the Service of his Love and that he even so becometh borne anew k Joh. 3. in the Spirit and is become plaine l Job 1. Mat. 18. 1 Cor. 14. and just and simple like unto a new-born Babe and doth grow up therein obediently taking nothing upon him any more nor yet hiding himself any thing at al before the face of God nor before the Ministers of his gracious Word 12. For whosoever doth not thus simply receive the Kingdome of God m Mat. 10. Luk 8. as a child he also shall not enter into it but must remain n Tess 1. separated from such a clearnesse of the godly light for ever and not tast o Mat. 22. or know any of the godly heavenly goods much lâ—sse inherite them CHAP. LVI BEhold because now that the craftinesse of the old man is counted by the man therefore doth likewise the noble a Gen. 3. rest the Paradise of the Lord and the Kingdom of the God of heavens as also his
TERRA PACIS A TRUE TESTIFICATION OF The Spiritual Land of Peace which is the Spiritual Land of Promise and the holy City of Peace or the heavenly Jerusalem and of the holy and spiritual People that dwell therein as also of the walking in the Spirit which leadeth thereunto Set forth by H.N. and by him newly per used and more plainly declared Translated out of Base-Almaine Depart out of thy land and from thy Kindred and out of thy Fathers house and travell into a land that I will shew thee Gen. 12 Act 7. I will lead thee on the â—â—ght path that the course when thou goest be not painful unto thee and that thou stumble not when thou runnest Take â—he information to heart leave it not keep it for it is thy life Go not in the path of the ungodly and walk not in the way of thâ— wicked leave the same and go not therein depart therefrom and pass by it Prov. 4. London Printed for Samuel Satterthwaite at the sign of the Sun on Garlick Hill 1649. THE PREFACE of H. N. To the Spiritual Land of PEACE H.N. Wisheth to the good-willing Reader and unto all Lovers of the Truth which read or hear these present Testimonies of the Land of Peace that they might be prepared to be an upright people for the Lord and taught to the kingdom of heavens and also to have obtained in their spirit and minde â—â—n the obedience of the Love the simple eyes of the true Sight the spiritual ears of the godly Hearing and he second birth in Jesus Christ whereby they might understand in spiritual maner the holy and spiritual understanding that is witnessed therein to the end that the same which becometh seen and heard migh be rightly judged according to the Spirit of the heavenly Truth also the waye that leadâ—â—â— to the Life entered into a â—â—ght and so the true Life of the Living and the pleasant Lands of Peace become inherited rightly and according to the Truth O yea that it come to pass even so IN these true Testimonies of the worthy Land of Peace O ye good willing Hearts which love the Truth there is out of an inclination of Love witnessed and described unto you by Writing the many maner of weldernessed Lands together with the sundry kindes of Travel and Vnrestfulness of the disorderly people of the wicked world and the a Isa 54. Apo. 18. departure out of the same as also then immediatly following the entrance into the spiritual Land of Promise b Isa 32. Heb. 4. Apo. 21. the Rest of all the children of God to the end that every one which loveth the Rest of the Lord in Jesus Christ might forsake the said wildernessed lands and so according to this our direction enter into the noble commodious Land and into the holy c Isa 60. City of Peace 2. Therein is likewise evidently declared unto you with clear manifestation the holy people of the same Land and how lovingly peaceably and uprightly they live in that same good Land 3. Into the Which good Land of Rest and Peace d Isa 13. and 54.55 Ier. 3 and 17. and 23. and 31. and 33.50 Ezech. 20. the Lord will now in the last time under the obedâ—ence of the Love according to his Promises assemble 〈◊〉 people or his Elect and be gracious unto them and so will through the service of his Love e Isa 65. and 66. Ezech. 34. and 37. 2 Mach. 2. bring them into the same out of all Wildernessed Lands and separate them from all disorderly and seditious people 4. O ye children of the Kingdom consider of the minde and the lovers of the Truth humble you now every one under the obedience of the Love and f Ioh. 13. and 15. 1 Iohn 3. and 4. have or exercise love among each other to the end that ye may remain unoffended also g Ioh. 8. 2 Ioh. 1. know the Truth in the Spirit through the Love and live in all Truth and upright righteousness 5. For I will open my mouth h Psal 49.78 Matth. 13. in similitudes reveal and witness the riches of the spiritual heavenly goods as parables and figure forth in writing the mystery of the Kingdom of God or Christ according to the true beeing 6. He that hath ears to hear let him hear and who so hath eyes to mark let him mark what the Spirit of Love saith and bringeth to light by his Minister 7. I looked and behold to the children of the Kingdom the Family of the Love of Jesus Christ it is given to understand i Matt. 11. and 13. Luke 8. and 10. the mystery of the heavenly Kingdom but to those that are therewithout it is not given to understand the same for that cause all spiritual Vnderstandings do chance unto them by Similitudes Figures and Parables 8. Verily the strange people together with all those that have their forth-going without the Family of Love are k Deut. 32. Sap. 2. and 5. Psal 14. ignorant and all the enemies to our godly Testimonies of the gracious Word of the Lord and of our most holy Service of Love are l Gal. 3. resisters of the Truth of God For that cause also they have heard very painfully with their ears and m Isa 6. Matth. 13. Act. 7. and 28. hardned their hearts against the Truth They have likewise wholly shut to the sight of n Ier. 5. and 7. and 16. their eyes before the Truth to the end they would not see the same nor her Requiring and altogether stopped the hearing of their ears before the calling-voyce of the Truth for that they would not hear the same nor the Requiring thereof because they would in no wise understand in their hearts the Truth and her Requiring as also for that they would not turn them to the Truth and her Requiring neither shew forth any upright Fruits of Repentance o Ioh. 5. nor yet come to the godly life and have even so in the hardness of their hearts turned them about to the condemnation 9. For that cause likewise their portion or inheritance is not with the children of the Kingdom in the Family of Love p Psal 1. Wis 2. and 5. but with the children of the wicked world whose q Iohn 8. father and head is the devil himself 10. Seeing then that they through their resisting against the Love and the requiring of her service are become children of r Rom. 9. Ephe. 2. wrath and through the seed of the old Serpent are grown disobeyers of the Requiring of the Word of Jesus Christ and of the Doctrine of his Service of Love as also a Å¿ Deut. 27. and 28. Eccl. 41. cursed people even to be coheirs of the everlasting fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels therefore verily they understand nothing at all of the wisdom of God the Father nor yet of the upright beeing of Jesus Christ the Son
deceitful way of the knowledg of good and evil thinking that he can want nothing there and so he entreth boldly into it i Num. 26 perswading himself that the same is the best and that he shall there-through go into the good land CHAP. XVIII NOw when any people are come into the same land whereunto the pleasant way of the Knowleg of Good and Evil leadeth and which in it self is full of a Num. 16 contention full of great and grievous incumberances and ful of all abominations of desolation then doth there appear immediatly unto them an inward or spiritual b Pro. 11. Matth. 22. Cor. 8. Col. 2. pride and an arrogant boldness against the discipline of the gracious Word and the obedience to the Requiring of his Service of Love the which deceiveth many namely for the most part all those that ground them upon the knowledg and so do think to obtain or to enter into the Life and the Truth by means of the knowledg of good and evil 2. For the inward pride getteth root in them and they suppose that they are somewhat singular c Iob. 11.12 Isa 5. Luke 18. above other people because they have so much knowledg to talk of the Truth and are so rich of Spirit therein perswading themselves that the riches of the knowledg is the very light of salvation and that same doth then make them presumptuous bold 3. Even thus verily do they in the knowledg arrogantly take upon them that d 3 Reg. 22. their Cause is sure and certain but it is all nothing else but abomination of desolation Contention Disagreement and intangling among the children of men 4. Therefore is also the same land into the which one cometh thus through the said knowledg named e Dan. 9. Matth. 24. The abomination of desolation because that it setteth it self in such a place or dignity and hath such reputation among many men as if it were the holy understanding of God it self Yea it doth also vaunt or give forth it self to be the same and so setteth it self in f 2 Thes 2. the hearts of men and will likewise be reputed and held for the same at mens hands whosoever now beholdeth the same g Mat. 24. Mark 13. let him consider thereon 5 But alas whosoever is come into this horrible land and hath taken a dwelling place therein such a one cannot rightly behold or consider the abominations of the same land nor yet very well come out of the same again because that the spiritual pride and the arrogant stoutness against the Love and her service is by means of the knowledg so deeply rooted in him and therefore he perswadeth himself that the h Col. 2. knowledg is a City ful of the wise riches of God and a good understanding of the holy Ghost 6. Howbeit it is all false and meer deceit because that the understanding of God the which is Gods true Being and Nature doth not bear sway nor hath the superiority therein but that the i Gen. 3. prudent knowledg and the rash bitterness together with all maner of falshood and self-seeking hath there the superiority and beareth the dominion Wherefore there is nothing there also but k Job 5. bottomlesness and no upright ground of unity of heart l John 17. Ephes 4. in the love nor yet the good life nor the truth And among the Inhabiters of the same there is likewise nothing but m Jam. 3. contention division or discord against the obedience to the entrance of the good life 7. In the same Land there is also a false light through the which the people perswade themselves that their cause is so much the more certain in the knowledg n Isa 5. Sap. 2. and they do likewise account the same false light for the best and most firm foundation which they have found in the knowledg for to build upon But the same light serveth them not to the life but nodoubt o Isai 58. 1 Cor. 3. to an Arrogant stoutness and to the intangling of men and to presumption and reproachfulness over others and to much sedition in the Lands or among the people 8. This false Light hath its original out of the Knowledg and is named p 1 Cor. 8. Col. 2. a lofty stout minde upon the Knowledg where-through the people of the land do suppose that it is their firm ground of faith where-from they must not start but stand firmly to it And even thus doth the false light ingender in them all a stout minde in their knowledg 9. Seeing then that the people do not know the q Ioh. 1.17 1 Cor. 2. true Light the which is a godly life therefore be they all by means of the knowledg the which they account for a skilful wisdom and true Light deceived and corrupted in this wildernessed land by the same false light besides the which they know no other r Rom. 1. perfect good and so they be held by the same in the deceit and do pluck over themselves there-thorow nothing else but all destruction and disturbance or dispersing of mindes and thoughts 10. But as long as they dwell in the horrible confused land they understand not that they are deceived and corrupted nor yet that they have missed the true entrance to the good land of the upright and concordable life and are gone into the Å¿ Wisd 5. way of error where-through they themselves do take on out of the knowledg many opinions false t Col. 2. 2 Tim. 3. holinesses or worldly foolishnesses to their own destruction CHAP. XIX THis same horrible land of desolation is like unto the intangled a Gen. 11. Babylon which was overthrown by the Word of the Lord and also the builders of the same were dispersed abroad every where because that the knowledges do there in loftiness of minde run one against another and cannot understand each other 2. In the same do likewise all maner of people dwel who are come into it out of many quarters or lands the which hath indeed a coming in but no passing thorow 3 Therefore they do never come thorow the same unless they do b Mat. 18. turn them about and come again to the same place where they were when they went into the pleasant way of the knowledg that leadeth them thereunto 4. But that can they not very well do because of the false c 2 Cor. 11. light which holdeth them so captive with deceit that they will in no wise depart out of it and also because that the inward pride and the stout lofty minde in the knowledg is too deep rooted in them 5. The people of this land are a strange wilde rebellious and seditious people and d Bar. 3. are a people divided in minde and grounded upon many kinde of grounds proceeding our of the Knowledg 6. Of the which some are without e 1 Tim. 1. 2 Tim. 3. 2 Pet.
presenteth or proffereth any better thing unto them then riseth up their King Bitterness z Acts 7. by and by in them for to defend them in their causes or to approve them to be right and to taunt and judg him to be naught that loveth them to the best good that is to an upright heart before God CHAP. XXIII IN this Land there is likewise a false Prophet who bringeth the people into divers considerations and into divers bindings or snarings of heart and bewitcheth them with many a 2 Pet. 2. longings whereof there cometh nothing and so he leadeth their hearts mindes and thoughts into the captivity of the knowledg and not into the truth 2. This false Prophet is named b 2 Pet. 2. Jude 1. Presumption whereof there cometh nothing and he beareth a great sway among the people who also do give high regard unto him because he presumeth or boasteth him so much but it is altogether bewitching whereof there followeth nothing 3. But forasmuch as he hath allured the people unto him with such a presumption or boasting that they likewise in their unregenerate state do boast them of the Light and Word of Life c Hosea 4. so perceive they not that they are bewitched by him 4. For like as the Prophet is d Jere. 5. 40. Ezek. 13. 1 Tim. 4. so are also the people namely very highly boasting and braging of many things as likewise presuming and enterprising of many things whereof nothing ensueth But it is all false and meer bewitching and is nothing else but a vain perswasion or fantasie 5. It seemeth sometimes indeed as though it would be somewhat but it is all vain and presumption and nothing else but knowledg whereof there cometh nothing and where-through many people be seduced e 2 Tim. 3. 2 Pet. 2. and brought into many false dealings the end whereof extendeth unto much grief CHAP. XXIIII THis false Prophet hath also an horrible beast with him which assisteth or a Apo. 11. 13. aideth him which beast is likewise wonderfully extolled and served in the desolate abominable Land 2. Yea all people that have not Gods nature or his true Being of love neither yet do love the godly goods do honor and serve the same b Apo. 13. beast and do all receive her mark And they deal with the same in all their affairs yea the same mark do all those receive and use that are not assembled to the Family of Love nor written in the living Book of the Lamb. 3. The beast is named c Isai 1. Hosea 4. Vnfaithfulness And the same beast is the Kingdom or the Government of the false King Bitterness And such as is the beast and her name and Government such a d Apo. 13. mark giveth she likewise to the people that serve her and that cleave unto and honor her Kingdom or Government therefore is also the mark of the beast named Vnfaithfulness 4. This beast and her make being both named Vnfaithfulness do make the people utterly divided e Apo. 13. And forasmuch as the people that cleave unto and serve the same beast and that have received her mark are all likewise false of heart unfaithful and self-seeking and do willingly cover their own shame f Gen. 3. and so walking in hyppocrisie or dissimulation the one trusteth not the other and they deal g Jere. 9. deceitfully or with falshood among each other and that is the venome of the beast the which she soweth or spueth forth aboundantly among the h Apo. 16. 17. people 5. Therefore there is also no open-heartedness among those people that do carry i Apo. 13. the mark of the beast but they are ashamed of their inward nakedness k Gen. 3. both before God and before one another and therefore likewise they walk not with naked hearts before each other neither will they also in any wise make manifest themselves with naked hearts before the Elders in the Family of Love 6. For the l Apoc. 15. mark of the beast hath hunted shamefastness upon them therefore they do cover them also with their own Garments or m Gen. 3. Aperns which they themselves have made Their Garments or Aperns are named n Joh. 12. Fear of being despised 7. Forasmuch now as this horrible beast and false Prophet have sown such seed in the people so doth there come to pass through the same wonderful great o Apo. 16. dissention or division to the breeding of manifold self willed services wherethrough all kinde of falâ—hood craftiness and railing against one another ariseth yea so that the people also speak p Dan. 11. Heb. 10. Jude 1. Apoc. 13. blasphemy or railing against God and his Saints and against the house of his love wherein God will dwell live and walk for ever 8. And although there should be any unity erected in this said Land yet cannot the unity continue there but it becometh rent and broken immediately through the presumption whereof there cometh nothing and through the unfaithfulness whereout springeth much malicious blameing 9. Wherefore because of this false Prophet and the horrible beast q Tim. 3. Apoc. 16. there can no unity of the people bide standing in the unity of peace 10. This horrible r Apo 13. 16. 17. beast Vnfaithfulness this false Prophet Presumption and the cruel King Bitterness have a marvellous great dominion in this same desolate abominable Land CHAP. XXV THerefore a Isai 52. Zech. 2. let not the Traveller that is come into the same desolate abominable Land unawares or through want of knowledg continue any longer therein for it is a detestable Land and a wicked people of heart and minde 2. Also let him not endevor himself to travel through the same whereby to come to the good Land of rest for he shall not be able to bring it to pass 3. But assoon as he seeth or perceiveth that these abominations of desolation do stand in the place where Gods holy Beeing b Dan. 9. 11. Matth 24. 2 Thes 2. ought to stand then let him immediately flie out of the same and submit himself under the obedience of the love to his preservation and let him turn him about out of the same way where-through he came in and not have regard any more to the c Gen. 3. Knowledg of good and evil nor to the teaching masters Boasting of the knowledg nor to the Religions or Doctrines Assured knowledg that it is right and good nor to the false Prophet d 2 Pet. 2. Presumption whereof there cometh nothing nor yet to the wicked Beast e Apo. 13. Vnfaithfulness that he become not subject and remain in bonâ—age unto Bitterness the King of thâ— same detestable Land but let him haâ—â— regard to the service of love and to thâ— requiring thereof and shew obedienâ—â— there-under f 1 Pet. 1. 1 John 4. for that he may come
right door which we do shew then should the piece of Ordnance o Ephe. 6. The power of God be too mighty for him and the walls p 1 Pet. 3. The free minde of the true beeing should be much too high to clime over and the River q Mal. 4. The Righteous Judgment of God and the strong winde The Spirit of the Almighty God should overthrow r Isa 29. break and scatter him abroad and utterly drive him away from the knowledg of the right way that leadeth to the good City of Peace and Life 9. But all the lovers of this good City that love the Peace and the Simplicity of life in the Love with all their hearts and that seek and desire nothing else but the Å¿ Matt. 11. meekness faithfulness and truth in the Love and desire to be no t 1 Pet. 5. Lorders over the Riches of this City nor over any of all her garnishing of sumptuous beauty but servants in the same those do go into the City of Peace and Rest with the Equity thorow the right u Ioh. 10. door and do live x Apo. 20. eternally in the everlasting life in the Communialty of the Love of the lovely people CHAP. XXXII THis holy City named Gods vnderstanding which is very beautiful goodly and delectable hath for her beauty and riches sake many assaults But whosoever hath not a a Ioh. 7. desire with all his heart to perform the Lords Will and all b Mat. 3.8 Righteousness he shall not come therein 2. But although now that this good City be unknown c Isa 64. 1 Cor. 2. unto all strange or outlandish people yet is the same notwithstanding sought after d Isa 9. Luke 13. with great labour by many that are without her to the end to know and to receive her beauty and riches also much consulted of as likewise great counsel held thereon in divers maners and much learned e 2 Tim. 3. and studied after the same But if they do not enter into nor pass thorow this way that we do shew and that directeth thereunto f 4 Esd 7. Matt. 19. then shall they also never know the same nor her Riches of pure beauty much-less possess them 3. For the Consulting Studying and Learning let it come to pass with what incessant Diligence and careful travel that it will g 2 Cor. 1. and 2. 1 Tim. 3. is doubtless all in vain For there shal no man know nor receive or inherit either her riches or beauty but those that stand submitted under the Obedience of the Love as also that do learn of the Love and her Service the h Matt. 11. humility and meekness of heart and so do in that maner enter into the same thorow the right door even as children that are born i Ioh 3. 1 Pet. 1.2 anew out of the Love through her Service 4. Seeing then that the beauty of the form of this good City is not known to the people that are without her so is there likewise nothing at all of her wisdom understood by any of all those that are without her therefore her form of beauty and her unsearchable wisdom is known and understood k Wisd 9. only by those that do walk and pass thorow the way that leadeth unto her and so do enter into the same l Apo 21. City of Peace through the right door or gate who do at that time first understand how unsearchable and unpossible her wisdom is m Isa 6. Matt 11. and 13. for the outlandish people to comprehend or to understand for without this City there is no understanding wisdom nor knowledg of God or of the godly things no none at all 5. And all whatsoever any man without this City supposeth to know and to have of the godly things and all what is taught and taken on without this City or without the way that extendeth thereunto to the intent for to know and to inhent the godly things there through and after what Wisdom of God soever any one n 2 Tim. 3. studieth whereby to understand the same is altogether a o Isa 58. and 59. vain foolishness where-through also one may easily know the foolishness of the people 6. For if any people beeing yet without this good City of Peace or without her right way do esteem their learned knowledg for a wisdom so is then the same as likewise all their forraign learned wisdon or that which they learn without the Obedience of the Love of Jesus Christ no better worth then to be p Isa 5. Rom. 1. Iam. 3. laughed at and it is all a very great foolishness and hypocrisie 7. For verily the greatest folly that I have found among the people upon earth is that some are foolish and withall so arrogant that they q Rom. 1. account of themselves to know something and so they consult use subtilty and Art to know what or of what maner the r 1 Tim. 1. godly things may be and in this sort they will being without this good City of Peace and her Family of Love learn and take on Gods Wisdom through their own knowledg and through their manly understanding also judg his spiritual goods his heavenly riches and his holy truth which is hid from all Å¿ Isa 29. Col. 1. mans understanding and will set up the holiness of Jesus Christ according to their judgment 8. But seeing now that there are no Lands nor Cities to be found that are like unto this City nor yet any strength that can overcome her and that it is altogether ignorance t 1 Cor. 1. and foolishness whatsoever is without her also that all forraign or outlandish holiness arts and wisdom is nothing else but a taken on chusing a great mockery and a vain hypocrisie or an unprofitable foolishness therefore do these people that dwell in this City and likewise all those that become assembled among them and adjoyned unto them live cheerfully and well quieted in heart having all their comfort in that u Mat. 25. Iohn 10. and 17. life that continueth for ever and in the endless x Isa 35. and 51. and 61. joy that shall endure perpetually 9. Which people y Bar. 5. of the peaceable kingdom also do not seek any good without this City nor without her Communialty neither can they think that there should be z Ioh. 6. Apo. 22. any good to be found without the same and therefore they do never turn out from it 10. And although it were so that they might seek any good without it or that it were permitted them by licence so to do yet do they know for all that that they should not finde it without the same and also that Gods good beeing and nature of the Love can be with none that have not their fellowship with them a 1 Ioh. 1. inasmuch as that they all doubtless have their
will not ever be r Esa 54 angry with his people their chastisement shall not alwaies indure 21. He punisheth them for their sins Å¿ Jer. 30 he saveth and justifieth them for his holy Names sake 22. He will not forget his Covenant that he hath made with Abraham Isaac and Jacob. 23. He will not leave his u Psal 32. Jer. 31. Mich. 7. mercy which he hath promised by his Servants and Prophets 24. Yet once againe will he move x Agg. 2. Heb. 12. the earth and gather his people together out of all quarters of the earth y 2 Mac. 2 and be gracious unto them 25. Also he will erect a new z Jer. 31. Heb. 8. Covenant with them and give them a new Name the everlasting free-ones a Esa 62. the released by the Lord. 26. To whom the Law of the Lord his Statutes and Rites shall no more b Exo. 34. stand written in tables of stone 27. But God will write them in their hearts in the c Jer. 31. Heb. 8. innermost part of their minds in the ground of Faith according to the manner of the Father Abraham 28. Rejoyce you then that have been d Esa 54.60 rejected among all Heathen 29. Clap then with your e Psal 47. hands and stamp then with your feet 30. Make then your songs of joy at Sion sing then Alleluia f Tob 1. in all the streets and lanes of Jerusalem 31. Then cast from you the mourning-garment for that is the end g Esa 61. of your shame and contempt 32. Then put on h Esa 49.54 the apparell or ornaments of joy sing play and laud the Lord in triumphing 33. Play i Psa 33.8 1.98.146.148.150 upon Harps upon Lutes upon Cymballs Flutes Tabors Gitterns and upon all manner of Instruments with strings 34. For then will God k Esa 33. Eze. 34. be your King your Head and onely Pastor or Shepherd 35. No sinne l Jer. 50. shall ruinate or spoile you any more no Prophets shall seduce you any more 36. You shall every one m Jer. 31. Heb 8.10 know the Lord your God as also his Law Statutes and Rites 37. Thereon hope now O Israel the same shall come unto n Esa 35.5.60.51 you all ye Children of Jacob Alleluia Alleluia 38. Give perpetuall thanks unto the great God of Israel for besides him o Esa 34. there is no God more CHAP. XLVII In these Chapters following there are recited certain benefits shewed on the man through the Service of the Love of Jesus Christ with also a lamentable complaint over the blindnesse of the people and over certain good thinking wise and Scripture-learned ones and likewise how grossely they have over-reached themselves or failed in their giving of judgment over the spirituall and heavenly things with more other notable Declarations and good Instructions ALL this O ye good willing hearts and lovers of the truth which we have here set forth in Letters have we through love written for the service and furtherance of you all because that every one of you likewise should understand the upright life of Peace whereof we doe witnesse also wherein our health and preservation consisteth and likewise whereunto thâ— promises of God the Father a Gen. 22. made to the blessing of all generations of the earth doe extend and nought become agreeably minded with us and we with you for to enter into the same good life under the obedience of the Love through the love and her service to a b Eph. 1. 2 Pet. 3. renewing of the world and of all whatsoever is waxen old as also to become one onely Communaltie of Peace whereby to prepare in that manner through the service of Love the c Esa 54. 60. 66. Agg. 2. Peace upon earth according to the Promises 2. To that end also tendeth our whole service of writing whereunto likewise we are moved out of an inclination of love for that the d Rom. 10 righteousnesse which God esteemeth might come to light and be manifested thorough the love and her service to an everlasting e Esa 9.26 1.54 Peace for Israel according to the Promises 3. Moreover because there should be nothing with-holden from any one of all what serveth or is profitable for the man to the knowledge of the life we have also to a more abundance of the godly understanding witnessed of this same life in the Spirit which we do here point unto in these present testifications of the Land of Peace with many distinct sayings in the foure Bookes of the Glasse of Righteousnesse and likewise in all our Writings that are published or set forth by us 4. In which writings we have also as much as we were able and saw into it to serve to edication evidently and apparently distincted the f Deut. 30 Jer. 21. Eccles 15. wayes of life from the wayes of death 5. Seeing then that the glorious g 2 Cor. 4 light as a day or cleernesse of Christ is by Gods grace given us to behold therefore have we out of the same sight or heavenly Revelation rehersed likewise in those same foresaid books and writings many of the secret heavenly h Rom. 16 Eph. 3. Col. 1. treasures or riches of God which in times past even hitherto have not been made known unto the world like as God doth now presently through his love reveale and make them knowne unto his Saints 6. Which testimonies of the heavenly treasures or riches of God we have out of inclined love witnessed as a Glasse of upright righteousnesse and to a beholding in the Spirit of all Righteousnesse Light and Life to the serving and furtherance of all Lovers of the true being whereby to draw all those to the love of the true being that are good i Luk. 2. of will to the same true being and that they might even so adjoyn them to our Communalty and Service of the love of God and Christ and likewise submit them with us under the obedience of the Love 7. Which God-service of ours under the obedience of the love of God and Christ is the most holy God-service k Mat. 22. Mar. 12. Jam. 1. before God the Father For the same Service in his Declaration is neerest unto the godly heavenly truth above all God-services and understandings of this world CHAP. XLIX FOr what God-services soever do not submit them with us under the obedience of the Service of the a 1 Cor. 13 love of God and Christ shall all be found false b Jer. 10. and as no God-services and what understanding soever doth not yeeld it selfe captive thereunder shall all be knowne to be lying and as ignorance and likewise what Preachers or Teachers soever do not submit them nor stand subject there-under shall all become manifest that they preach or minister not the holy Word of the Lord and that they are not
spirituall and heavenly b Mat. 13. riches remain shut and covered or hidden from the man and he cannot find the way to the tree of life 2. But the same standeth c 4 Esd 8. Apo. 2. 22. open and also uncovered before all those which in like manner are open or d Eccles 4. 17. uncovered of heart before the Elders in the Family of Love for those same even like unto Christ and all his believers are minded to nothing else but to life peace and righteousnesse and so then likewise Jesus Christ the gracious Word of the Lord is unto them a e Pro. 3. tree of life in the Paradise of the Lord and the true being of God the heavenly Father which Christ after the Spirit hath his manifestation out of the love thorow her service so through his Spirit service of Love he begetteth or teacheth among us the f Mat. 11. humility and meekness of heart g Eph. 4. to unity of peace in all love 3. Whosoever now is not of the mind of Adam neither yet that the work of Adam hath through the Serpents counsell captivated him in h Gen. 3. the knowledge but that he unlearneth all in the same againe through the Service of Love and is taught i Eph. 4. 1 Tim. 4. or becometh taught in all love according to the mind of Christ he also belongeth k Joh. 13. unto Christ and is in the holy City of rest and Peace or he goeth into the same the right way 4. Loe such are the right believers the children of life and the warlike Champions which through the l Apo. 7. 12. blood of the Lamb have overcome or are overcoming the evill who do possesse or shall possesse all things with joy and are a lovely people m Eze. 19. 1 Pet. 2. a holy Kingly generation and do eat the breat and drinke the wine with Christ and his holy ones at the table of the Lord n Luke 22 Apo. 3. in the Kingdome of the God of heavens 5. Forasmuch then as they have in the Service of Love turned o Mat. 18. themselves about to be obedient children and have laid off the p Deut. 10 2 Cor. 3. fore-skin of the old man from their hearts therefore is likewise the Kingdome of God q 4. Esd 8 Act. 7. opened unto them and the mystery of the same given them to r Mat. 11. 13. understand the which remaineth shut unknowne Å¿ Lâ—k 10. 1 Cor. 1.2 and secret before all the wise of the world before all unregenerated rich of spirit and Scripture learned ones as also before all unbelievers of the Love and before all those that blaspheme and resist the Service of Love and that are uncircumcised on the fore-skin of the old man 6. And as long as they are unbelieving and disobedient or resistant towards the Love and her Service so doth not doubtlesse any of all their wisdom t Esa 29. 1 Cor. 1. and learning nor yet any searching in the depth of their understanding nor any subtilty in the knowledge help or further them any thing for to come to the same but are much more in the way against them or they do all stand as lets unto them to come to the u 2 Cor. 11 simplicity of Christ 7. Therefore is there nothing more needfull for the man at the first whereby he may enter into the life then that he do x Mat. 11.18 Luke 14. submit himselfe under the obedience of the Love and so become taught in the Service of Love for to unlearne again y Mat. 16. Phil. 3. all what he of himself hath taken on and learned 8. Now when he hath in this sort humbly yeelded himself under the Service of love z Mat. 19. and in the same hath unlearned all his taking on then doth he in like manner rightly receive the true Doctrine of the wisdome of God and becometh taught in all love 9. But not according to a mind of the flesh in the earthly a 1 Cor. 1.2 corruptible thing but according to the mind of the Spirit of Christ in the heavenly everlasting goods 10. Now when the new b 2 Cor. 5 Creature in Christ is there appeared in the obedience of the Love then is also the old quite perished there for behold it is there become c Esa 43.66 Apo. 21. all new through Jesus Christ 11. And that same is the gracious hand of God towards the man through his love and it is his promise to the blessing of all generations of the earth CHAP. LVII TO this a Joh. 3. Rom. 12. 1 Thess 4. renewing in the Spirit of Christ we are all called ye dearly beloved because that we should be spiritually minded in the spirit of our minds whereby to inherite in that sort with Christ b Mat. 13. Col. 2. the spirituall heavenly riches and to walk and deal before each other with naked hearts in c Eph. 4. all love 2. To the end now for to have or to enter into this open-heartednesse and love with each other whereunto we doe love all lovers of the truth that have diligently d Phil. 3. Col. 3. minded the love and the peace of Christ we have with these present testimonies witnessed of the true Kingdom of God and Christ as a Land or e Apo. 11. City of Peace and described and figured forth the passage unto it as a way that men travell thorow and the entrance into the Kingdome wherein the f Rom. 12 Eph. 4. renewing of the sense and mind is manifested as a gate or door 3. We have moreover signified or shewed in writing before the lover of the Kingdom all what he must g Mat. 19. forsake if he will come to the good land of Peace or enter into the h Heb. 4. rest of all the holy ones of God 4. But not that the lover of the good land shall therefore think that he must first come to every one of the forementioned horrible places or that he must passe thorow them all before he can come to the good City of Peace 5. O no ye dearly beloved but the cause why we have marked out all the abhominations and desolations is for to make knowne every place of deceit i 2 Cor. 2. 11. Eph. 6. 1 Pet. 5. and all seducing or leading away from the good land of life to the end that no man should be let by any of those same for entring into the noble Land full of Life and Peace 6. Also for this cause for to warn every one that are lovers of the true being of all vaine and false perswasions because that if any thing therof should chance to meet them they should not then be afraid nor yet joyn to the same for it is all deceit and bewitching and all k Luk. 9.14 such things must be forsaken if we will go into the good life of rest CHAP. LVIII IN what place soever now a lover of the good Land findeth himself being yet for the present time without the same he may then goe out of a Mat. 16. 2 Cor. 6. and forsake it and so according to the counsell b Tob. 4. of the Elders in the holy understanding in the Family of Love indeavour himself to proceed forward to the c Psa 37. Esa 30. submission that is to a submitted being without any desiring of self-wills choosing d Mat. 10. 16. and to stand unbound or free from his selfnesse and let him take unto him the equity and so enter thorow Gods holy nature into Gods understanding e Joh. 10. 17. the everlasting being of the heavenly truth through which entrance into the same all minds and thoughts be released and f John 8. made free from all what is vaine and corruptible in the world and from all captivity to the earthly things and creatednesse for to inherite even so the eternall life the Kingdome of the heavenly beauty and the upright being of Gods everlasting uncreatednesse in all love perpetually 2. That same is the everlasting g Gen. 2. perfection wherein neither the thoughts of corruption nor yet any mortality can h Apo. 21. indure but that which is pure clean and cleer according to the spirituall form of the heavenly things 3. Behold such is the Kingdome of Peace i Apo. 12. 21. the heavenly beauty and the holy Land of Promise to the k Gen. 22. blessing of all generations of the earth 4. And that is the holy rest l Esa 32. Heb. 4. and the noble freedome which God hath reserved for the children of God and given them now m 4 Esd 7. Col. 1. in the last time for an everlasting inheritance according to the Promises 5. Now the only God of Life grant the same rest unto us all Amen Take it to heart Charitas extorsit per H. N.