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
THE SEED OF ISRAELS Redemption Fully prophesied of And the Scriptures opened Which now is about to be fulfilled by its Saviour and â—edeemer whom God hath now raised up for an Ensigne to the Nations and the salvation of his people who is here evidently demonstrated and fully born witness of as he is the Remover of bondages the worker of perfect freedom and the end of things abolished to both Jews and Gentiles who through faith receive him And here all they who are weary with being captives under the bondage of corruption and would know the way to the Kingdom of God may receive a word of Consolation From a Witnesse of Gods Saâ—vation who waits for the Consolation of his Seed and thirsts for Sions welfare George Whitehead Amos 3.8 The Lion hath reared who will not fear The Lord God hath â—poken who can but prophesie Dan 10 21 I will shew thee that which is noted in the Scripture of truth and there is none that holdeth with me in these things but Michael your Prince LONDON Printed for Thomas Simmons at the Bull and Mouth near Aldersgate 1659. AS this following Testimony was given forth in the faith of the Righteous seed even as the things therein were revealed by the spirit of promise so they are not given forth to feed vain-minds nor to satisfie the seed of the wicked who continue in their sin unbelief and hardnesse of heart against God and his Eternal Truth for many of them do get the saints words and apply promises to themselves in that nature which is in enmity against the seed of God and so with an empty profession covers and paints themselves over so are covered but not with the spirit of God taking counsel but not of God and there are many in that nature gotten into a false ease who pretend a dependency upon the mercies and promises of God but when â—hey come to be tried they are found in â—he unbelief hating the Light of the Lord which bringeth them that believe in it to â—ee the promises of God fulfilled so then â—hey who believe not according to Gods â—romises in his gift but continue in the â—nbelief against the gift of God in them â—hey come short of the promise of God â—nd of his righteousnesse because of their unbelief and the deceit of their own hearts so that wo and misery is upon all such and wo is unto all selfe-conceited empty Professors who hate to be reformed and persist in their pride and rebellion against God yet this I testifie that God is not slack concerning his promises as dispisers unbelievers mockers and scorners count slacknes but is near to fulfil them to the seed where ever it is scattered which is willing to wait in the patience to see his coming and the establishing of his everlasting Covenant according to his promises to that Seed I prostitute these things which neither the swine nor the devourer hath any right unto And to the gift of God in people which witnesseth for him against all unrighteousnesse do I appeal to which I am manifest in the sight of God whatever such as resist the truth may think or speak of me my diligent labour in giving forth these things is known to the Lord God as one who there in have sincerely obeyed him And let such as read this following Testimony minde their own state and see if they believe according to these things as these who come to feel of the same things fulfilled and revealed by the gift of God in themselves For I have not written these things for people to feed their airy minds with reports of them and so to live upon reports of things they feel not but to be read singly believed seriously fulfilled effectually and witnessed eternally as they may be known and made manifest by the power of the Lord God which they receive who receive the Son of God and believe in his everlasting Name which is his Word which lighteth every man that cometh into the world The particular Contents or subjects treated upon in this following Treatise are as followeth c. FIrst the Seed of Israels Redemption and its Redeemer fully prophesied and declared of Afterward here are certain reasons according to the Scriptures of truth produced from a sure ground Whereby is proved that the Messias or Saviour of Israel did come in the flesh and things are come to passe touching him and his outward sufferings according as the true Prophets have foretold Whereby is proved First The Conception and birth of Jesus according to his outward Nativity who is called Christ or the Messias 2 Concerning the life of Jesus 3 Touching his Ministery 4 Touching his works 5 Touching his sufferings death 6 Touching his Resurrection and Ascention With several things of concernment both to the professors of the world and others touching Christ and his way And these things are born witness of according to the evidences of faithful witnesses that both Jewes and others who are in the state of unbelief and have been gazing abroad and are yet looking to see the Messias come in person or who do not believe that he is already come may take warning to turn their mindes within and wait for the life and power of Christ Jesus to be revealed in them that thereby their souls may live and be satisfied least they die in their sins and their souls remain in misery with the hard-hearted and unbelievers Also here is the difference between the first and second Covenants and between the first second Priesthoods and the end of the things abolished and how far they reached truly described Wherein is discovered 1 SOmthing touching the giving forth of the outward Law and the establiing of the first Covenant and of the state of the people at that time 2 Of Moses his making intercession for the people when they had transgressed 3 Of the outward Circumcision 4 Of the outward Passover 5 Of the outward Sabboths 6 Of the brazen serpent that Moses made 7 Of oathes and swearing 8 Of the outward anointing of the Priests 9 Of the Tithes the Priests received 10 Of the outward Tabernacle under the Law and the instruments thereof and the Lords forsaking thereof 11 Of the outward sacrifices and burnt offerings 12 Of the Ephod and consecrated garments which Aaron and the Priests had 13 Of the outward washing of thepriests 14 Of meats and drinks and days in the first priesthood 15 Of the tribe that the first priesthood were of and their appointment 16 Of the reading of the Law and of the pulpit of wood 17 Of Jewels of silver and gold and costly ornaments 18 Of Solomons Temple 19 Of the singing and praising upon outward Instruments which was used in the outward Temple 20 Of the overthrow and destruction of Solomons Temple and the building it again and its destruction the 2d time And the end of the things particularly in like manner described A â—rue account of these things are given that
shuts their eyes in their unbeliefe against the light of his countenance and against his promises Surely the Lord will cut them down in his vengeance and fury and they shall be cast out of his sight and become an abhorring unto all flesh and their worme shall never dye their plague shall never cease and the fire that shall scorch and burne them shall never be quenched Consider this ye stif necked ones who make mention of the name of God in words but not in righteousnesse whether you be Jewes or Gentiles you are as degenerate plants of a strange vine that bringeth not forth fruite unto the Lord God Consider the vine tree that groweth up wild in the forrest what is it more then any other tree or then a branch which is among the trees of the forest shall wood be taken thereof to do any work or will men take a pin off it to hang any vessell thereon Behold it is cast into the fire for fuel Eze. 15. Even so wil all they be counted as fuel for the fire who bringeth not forth fruit unto God in righteousnesse how many leaves and blossoms so ever they bring forth or what ever they professe in words they l wither and their glory will fall And the fire of the Lords jealousie and anger will take hold upon them and devour them So feâ—r the Lord God of glory and power and let all flesh dread his name and power and worship him that made heaven and Earth and the Sea and all things that therein is whose worship is in the spirit and in the truth and humble thy selfe before him thou that hast been a stranger and a foreigner who yet art not come to know the Redeemer of Israel but hast been as a sheep without a shepheard seeking rest but couldest find none who hast been wandring upon the mountaines and in the desert places where thou couldest find no satisfaction nor resting place for thy soul Look towards the Sun of Righteousness who doth arise with healing in his wings upon him that feareth the Lord and who putteth forth his beames and giveth light unto such as sit in darknesse and in the land of the shadow of death that they may come forth and receive life walk in his light that his everlasting Salvation may be their reward and this is the everlasting foundation and Rock of refuge to all that truly look unto him for help and Salvation whom I do freely publish both to Jew and Gentiâ—e that whosoever be a thirst may come freely and receive of the water of life which cometh from the rock and is to be drunk of freely and bought without mony and without price and this is the living water which issueth forth from the rock unto the waters to heal them and the waters are the peoples kindreds and Nations which the living water floweth forth unto to heal them glory to our King and keeper who is the Rock of ages whose righteousnesse hath appeared in this our age and time and whose faithfulnesse endures throughout all ages and generations and who is making known his glory and eternal Salvation as in the daies of old his righteousnesse as in former daies to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever Let Sion awake and put on strength and let Jerusalem shine forth in her beautiful garments and lie no longer in the dust but be renowned and dignified in beauty and glory instead of sorrowing in dust and ashes Let her that was desolate be glad and let her that was barren bring forth and her seed multiply and the Gentiles shall bring children unto her the Lord shall nourish her little ones and lead gently her that is with young and carry his babes and lambs in his armes Let the barren wildernesse become a fruitful field and the desolate and waste places rejoyce for behold the Lord omnipotent reigneth whose voice soundeth thorow the Earth who is at work in his vine-yard and sendeth forth labourers into his vine-yard fit for his own purpose and reapers to cut downe the tares and fruitlesse plants and to gather his seed from the ends of the earth Let the heathen and all Nations fear dread and tremble at the presence of the God of Jacob for his standard is lifted up and his banner is spread forth and his trumpet he is causing to be heard in the land the day of his appearance is dawned wherein he is gone forth before his army to make war with his enemies to get himselfe a name among them that have not been called by his name and to conquer where his dominion hath not been known that his Kingdom may reach over all the Earth the heavens shall tremble and the earth shall quake and the hills shall melt at the presence of the Lord God of Israel who hath a way in the cloudes and rideth upon the wings of the winde and hath his footsteps in the deep and whose works and wonders are seen in the deep where his trumpet is heard tremble tremble and quake O ye inhabitance of the Earth for the Lord is come to reigne and his anointed shall have the preheminence and Rule the Nations with a Rod of iron the Lord God of power and glory who is the onely wise and infinite God whose presence filleth heaven and earth Heaven is his Throne and earth is his footstool for all these things hath he made and he inhabiteth eternity yet he dwelleth with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit to revive the spirit of the humble and to revive the heart of the contrite ones and to this man will I look even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit and trembleth at my word saith the Lord read Psa 34. Isa 57. ch 66. Certain reasons according to the Scriptures of truth proving that Christ the Messias is come and made manifest and the word that made all things became flesh according as it was prophecied of him by the true Prophets of God formerly that the stumbling-block that lyes in the way of the Jewes or others they may see come out of the stumbling touching Christs coming who do not believe that he is come but looks for his coming as the Jews did when they persecuted him put him to death nigh Jerusalem but did not believe that was he because he came not according to their carnal expectations and now his coming and knowledge is to be felt and in the spirit and glory of his Father as he was known among the Saints who after they had known Christ after the flesh knew him so no more but after the spirit c. 1 Of the conception and birth of Jesus who is called Christ. THere was in the City of Galilee named Nazareth a certain virgin named Mary who was espoused to a just man named Joseph of the house of David this Virgin was found with child of the Holy Ghost or spirit before that Joseph knew her by the
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