The First CHAPTER.

HN Through the Grace 1 Cor. 3 15 and mercy of God, and through the holy Spirit of the love of Iesus Christ; Io [...]. 6. f. Act 17. d. Ephe. 2. a. rais [...]d up by the highest God, from the death, according [...]o R [...]. 8. c. d. the providence of God and his promises: a­nointed with the Holy Ghost, in the E [...]h. 4 b. old-age of the holy understanding of Iesus Christ; I [...]h 14.17 Apo. 21. a. God [...]d with God in the spirit of his love: made heire with Christ ▪ in the heav [...]nly goods of the riches of God [...] illuminated in the spi­rit with the heavenly truth, the true Iohn 1. a. 1 Iohn 1. a. light of the perfect being: [...]lected [...]o a Minister of the gracious word (which is now in the last time rais [...]d up by God, I [...]r. 33. b. according to his promises) in the most holy service of God, [Page 2] under the obedience of 1 Cor. 13. b. his love, for Apoc. 14 a to publish in the last time; out of the same grace and hearty mercifulnes of God, and through the same holy Spirit of the love of Iesus Christ; good tydings or a joyfull mes­sage of the Kingdom of God, unto all people which Esa. 42.61. a. [...]it in darknes, and have a desire or longing after the true light, and to bring un­to the beleevers, a great light of the true being of Iesus Christ, and the glorious day of his godly clee [...]nes: as also to expre [...], that God hath pitied the generations of mankind, and that Iesus Christ hath not left us Ioh 14. b. as or­phanes: but as our faithfull Father; for to be­get us Ioh. 3.2. anew, out of the safe-making water or doctrine of his service, and out of his ho­ly spirit of love, also Esa 11.32. a. Ier. 23. a. 33. b. to judge us with his righteousness, and to bring us into his rest; is come againe unto us, according to his pro­mises, to the end th [...]t they all; which love God and his righteousnes, and Christ and his upright being▪ might presently enter into the true Heb. 3.4. a rest, which God hath prepared from the beginning, for his elect; and Mat. 25. d inherit the everlasting life.

2 For that cause, all lovers of the truth, and all souls which Mat 5 a. hunger and thirst after the righteousnes, & become assembled obediently unto the service of the love of Iesus Christ, shal presently, according to the word of the Lord; eat of the Ioh. 6.7. d Apo 2 b. 7. b 21. a. 22. b. bread of life, and drinke out of the [Page 3] fountain of living water, and become satisfied.

3 Unto the same God which hath prepared all this for us, and bringeth it to us, out of the bosom of his love, be laud, Rom 11. Apo. 4. b. 5. b. 7. b. honor, praise & thanks-giving for ever and ever. Amen.

B 4. UNto the lovers of the Truth, here and there, wheresoever or in what quarter of the world they dwell or have their B abode:Super­scription. of what Nation and Religion soever they be, Christians, Jews, Mahomites or Turks and heathen, with all divided people: Eccl. 33. b Apo. 14. a. of what condition or dignity soever they be: Pa­stors of the Religious, or Fourders of Religi­on: Understanding ones, or expert in the god­ly wisdom: well learned, exercised & eloquent in the holy Scripture. High Magistrates, and renowned Potentates, noble of linage, rich or mighty of estate, rulers of commonalties, to­gether with all people. Let every Nation then have among them, so many manner of grounds, beliefs, religions, ceremonies, and services, as they will, wherein they love God his truth, and the righteousnes.

5 The grace and peace, from God our Fa­ther: the refreshing or Rom. a. Ephe. 4 c. renewing of the minde, from the naked or 2 Cor. 3. b. uncovered face of our Lord Iesus Christ: & the Eph. 4.5. c. communalty of holy ones & their uniformity of being with the holy spirit of the love of Iesus Christ, be­commeth presently published, proffered, and brought unto you: And to all the same, yee [Page 4] are also this day called and bidden: namely, yee all, which love the truth unto godlines, and have a desire to do the will of the Lord, and to humble your selves obediently, to the service of the love of Iesus Christ and his re­quiring.

C 6. HAppy are they, which have now in this day, intended or minded the love and the peace. For in this selfe same day, shall now the good, with all the repentant ones, which stand good willing towards the good; become known and made manifest from the wicked, and from all unrepentant ones, w^ch have a desire to the iniquity, and to the wick­ed and corrupted world, and they shall Mat. 25. d se­parate them the one from the other.

7 For it shall now in this day, be seen and evidently perceived, that all good willing ones to to the good, shall assemble them unto the good, (namely to the communalty of the love, wherein the Lord hath manifested and set his light, and where his Mal. 4. a. Sun of righte­ousnes, the true heavenly day-light, shineth) enter into Sap. 3. a. 5 a. Heb. 3. b 4. b Apo. 21. a. the rest of the Lord, and obtaine the everlasting godliness, and that they all which are evill of will, and hardned in the iniquity, shall make them up with their good thinking wisdom, ther-against: and b [...]ing the eternall 2 Pet. 2▪ 3, [...] damnation over themselves, like as there is written thereof.

Therfore cometh there presently great grace, [Page 5] unto all good willing ones: Rom. 2. a. but unto them that refuse the grace, also are evill of will, and love the darkness Ioh. 3. b. more then the light, great severity or indignation.

9 For behold, in this present Day, the Esa. 3. b. Mat. 24. d. 25. d. Iude 1. b. glorious coming of our Lord Iesus Christ, w^th the many thousands of his saints, becom­eth manifested: which hath set himselfe now upon the seat Esa. 16. b. of his Majesty, for to judge in this same day, which the Lord hath or­dained or appointed; Act. 17. d. the whole world with equity, and with faithfulnesse Zach. 8. a. and truth, according to his righteousnes.

10 For that cause; O all yee which dwell upon the earth; fear now the Lord, the most highest: and giv [...] him alone, all honour, laud, and praise, Apoc. 14 b for the day of his judgement is now come, that it might now, in the same day of the true judgement of God and Christ; become Luke. 22. c all fulfilled in Christ, whatsoever is written of him.

11 OH, that they now all had such an D heart, that they respected well this same day: submitted 1 Pet. 5 a. them, with Mat. 11. a. humble and Act. 4. c. single minded hearts; under the gra­cious hand of the Lord, and stood obedient­ly and concordably 1 Cor. 1. a. 2 Cor. 13. b. Phil 3. b. minded, to the holy and gracious word, so should then assuredly, every one right well perceive by experience, that God had opened now in the last time, a great door of grace, unto all faithfull and [Page 6] good willing hearts,Apoc. 12. b & declared and brought the salvation of the everlasting life unto them, and that the same grace bideth altogether Pro. 1. [...]. Mat. 7.29. b Esa. 59. b. closed to, before all Rom. 2.2. unbelievers of the word and his service of love, before all wave­ring minded ones and decliners from the same service, and before all such as have nei­ther lust nor will, unto God, nor unto his love, the salvation of the everlasting life 1 Cor. 2. a. un­knowne, and this Joyfull message of the Kingdome (which is now in the last time, through the holy and gracious word; pub­lished Mat. 24. b. Apo. 14. a. in all the world, before the destructi­on or 2 Pet. 2, 3 a. perishing of the wicked world; to an everlasting Ap. 7.21. a rest for all the children of God, and to the preservation of m [...]n, which hope on God) covered Esa. 29. b. Mat. 11.13. or secret.

E 12 For, verily, if this Joyfull Message of the Kingdom of Christ, which in his mistery, is the perfect cleernesse of God, and the true light of Christ himself; be 2 Cor. 4. [...]. covered or se­cret before any man: So is it then secret, be­fore them that perish, and are turned unto themselves and their knowledge, as also are captived with the minds of the unbelieving world.

13 FOr that cause, O yee good willing hearts; Rom. 13. b Ephe. 5. b. Awake now all out of the sleep of your sins: and hear and beleeve the out-flowing living voice of the love of Iesus Christ, which Christ in this present day letteth [Page 7] be heard through his holy spirit, and elected Minister H.N. upon the earth.

14 Happy is he, that can now in this pe­rilous time, indure the voice of the true light: also hearing the gracious word of the Lord, which becometh witnessed forth, and admi­nistred with the same voice, Iob. 3.6. [...]. beleeveth it: and Psal. 95. [...]. Heb. 3. b. har [...]neth nor d [...]praveth not his heart, in this same day, but becometh assembled un­to Christ, and unto the family of his love, Amen.

The Second Chapter.

SEeing now then that out of A God's grace; in this day of the godly love, the Mat. 1. b. mistery of the heavenly Kingdome of God, his righteous Mat. 25. d Act. 16.17 d. Iude 1. b. Judgement, and the coming of his Christ now in the last time; in the Eze. 37▪ b Io [...]. 5. c. Rom 8. b. Phil. 3. b. Re­surrection of the dead, is declared unto me (as an elected Act. 9. b. Rom. 9. c. vessel, house, Io [...]. 14. c. Apo. 21. a. or dwelling of God) and given me to know or understand the same: and that I, through the service of the love of Iesus Christ; declare forth again the same mystery of the riches of God, upon the earth: and minister the gracious and li­ving word of the [...]ord (which I have received out of the true light and Esa. 2. a. Mat. 4. a. heavenly Ierusalem, to a Ioh. 15. c. Act. 1. a. witnes of the truth, from the mouth of God himself) in his name and according to his will, to the preservation and blessing of all [Page 8] generations of the earth, which beleeve ther­on, according to the promises: So were it likewise very meet and right, that they all which will now bide preserved in these Amos 5. b. Mich. 2. a. Mat. 24 b. 2 Tim. 3. a. pe­rilous times; Mat. 10 c. Luk 10. b. gave ear unto me, in the gra­cious word of my heavenly father: turned their hearts, with all good willingnesse to the love and her service; unto the 1 Pet. 1. b. obedi­ence of the gracious word: and ran not forth in ignorance, according to their Deut. 12. a. Ier. 7.9.18. b. good-thinking or imagination of the knowledge: and that also they all, which hear to day this voice or witnessing of the holy spirit of love, Psa 95. b. Heb. 3. b. hardned not their hearts, nor yet took offence at the Ministra [...]ion of the gra­cious word: but stood well-minded to the lovely and upright being of our Lord Iesus Christ, and to his love: respected well this same day, to the Eze. 36. c 2 Cor. 7. a. purging of their heart and minde: and even so en [...]red with the children of God; into the Heb. 3▪ 4 b res [...] of the Lord.

2 Which rest: even till unto this same day, is Heb. 4. b. left unto the children of God, or reserved for them, to the end that the same should now in the last time be inherited, of all and in all them, that have minded the peace, and the upright amiable life.

B 3 FOr that cause, Ephe. 5. b. awake now in the spi­rit yee Lovers of the truth; and diligent­ly search or throughly measure this same spirit, which to the Rom. 8. b. 1 Cor. 15. c. 1 Thes. 4. b. making alive of all the [Page 9] Dead that are Apo. 14. b. deceased in the Lord; is proceeded from God: and marvel not at a­ny of this same, but Ioh. 5. [...]. Act. 17. b. search or scanne the Scripture, whether that it make not menti­on of the same.

4 But certes, this new miraculous work of God, whereof we witnes; hath God now in this his holy day of love, begunne or taken in hand with us, his elected ones, wherein the Scripture▪ becometh ful­filled in this present day like as there stand­eth written.

5 Behold (saith the Lord) Esa. 43. b. c I will doe a new thing, and it shall now appear; where­by yee shall well perceive, that I make ways, in the desert, and rivers of water in the wil­dernesse.

6 Again: Esa. 57. b. a spirit or wind shall blow forth from my face: and I will make wind.

7 Presently hath the Lord prepared Esa. 40. a. 57. b. 62. b. his way in the desert: and caused Esa. 35.41 b 43. c. 44 a a living Ri­ver to run there-thorow, that all thirsty, may drinke of the living waters.

8 FOrasmuch now, as that the River gi­veth C forth her water abundantly? and that the Ioh 3 a. winde or Spirit of the Al­mighty bloweth: So cannot I refraine nor keep silence: but must needs, through the powers of the same; make manifest even out of burning love, the secret mistery of God, which is given me Mat. 13. b. to understand [Page 10] out of the heavenly truth; in the obedience of the love of Iesus Christ; unto the lovers of the truth, and unto the diligent searcher [...] of the Scripture: as also expres or declare to them, the counsel and will of the most high­est, with the accomplishing of the service in his Sanctuary (like as the Scripture speaketh thereof) and witnesse the same before their ears.

9 Whosoever now ther [...]fore, seek the Ier 29 b. Eccle. 2 b. Lord with whole heart, they shall now ea­sily finde him, if so be that they Ioh. 3. b. c beleeve and obey the holy word of grace, Mat. 24. c. administred now in this present time.

10 Unto all them that presently knock, and would gladly be let in, through Ioh. 10. a. the right door, for to Psal 5.138. a. walke in the house of the Lord, it shall now Mat. 7. a. Luk. 11. a. be opened, and they shall be let in. They shall also dwell with the Lord, and eat with Christ and his holy ones; the Io [...]. 6. f. Apo. 2. b. bread of life which is come un­to us from Heaven; in the Lu. 14.22 Kingdom of God the Father, the lovely heavenly being.

D 11 THerefore give eare now unto the word of the heavenly verity; O yee lovers of the truth: and hearken to mee now in this day, Psal. 46. a. Pro 8. a. Eccl 33. b. yee great Lords or mighty of e­state, and yee rulers of communalties; and let this same enter into your ears, all yee peo­ple. For I will make relation of the things that Mat. 13. b Rom. 16. c. Eph. 3.2. Col. 1. c. are hidden before the world, and de­clare [Page 11] the same, from the beginning till unto this new or Ps. 118. a. Ier. 31. d. I [...]l. 2. c. Act. 2. a. b. last day, which is presently ap­peared and come unto us, according to the Scripture.

The Third Chapter.

O Sion, Esa. 62. a. for thy sake I will not keep silence, and for Ierusal [...]ms sake I will not leave off, untill that her righteousnesse rise up, as a shining light or clernesse, and her salvation burn as a Cresset, that the heathen may see thy righteousnesse, and all Kings thy glory

2 For this is the day of thy glorifying, and of thy joyfulnesse, O thou holy hill of Sion: and the day Esa. 60. a. wherin Ierusalem becom­eth seen glistering, and where-over the Lord with his light and glory, will shine for ever­more, according to the promises.

3 Now shall the Law be taught Esa. 2. a. Mich. 4. a. out of Sion, and the word of the Lord witnessed out of Ierusalem.

4 For this is the day of promise, Ps. 118. c. the day which the Lord maketh: Let us now re­joyce, and be glad therein.

5 This is the day, in the which the Lord hath prepared his seat unto judgement, Psal. 9. a. 96. b 98. b. Esa. 2. a. [...]. [...] 11, 12. a. 16 b. 32.42. a. Ier. 23.33. b Dan. 2 c. 7. Mal. 4. a. Mat. 25. d. Act. 17. d. that he might judge the earth with justice, and governe the people uprightly▪ and accom­plish therein, all which he hath spoken in times pa [...]t, through the mouth of all his ho­ly Prophets.

[Page 12] B 6 Therefore take now good heed unto this day, to your Sanctification: and Pro. 2.4. a learn therein, wisdom, and holy understanding: and walk even so Eph. 5. a. Psal. 91. a. in the light of the same, that yee may be able to endure, as children of the light of his cleernes, and the light of his lovelines, and Ioh. 11. b. not stumble in the mid-day.

7 In this day, saith the Lord; Psa. 50. a. Esa. 55. a. I will not keep silence, but will cause my word to be heard continually therein, that the chil­dren of men run not forth any longer with Ier. 7. c. 11 a. 13. b. 15. b their good-thinking; according to the imagination of their knowledge.

8 For out of this light of my holy day, shall my word, saith the Lord; Esa. 2. a. continual­ly proceed, according to the truth, Psa. 19. a. that it may be heard, even unto the end of the world. And I will let the children of men see, how that they all [namely they that Ioh. 3. b 8. a 12 c. hear nor beleeve not me and the service of my holy word, under the obedi­ence of my love; neither yet love my true be­ing, nor stand submitted to the same, for to become Ioh. 15. a Rom. 11. b. Eph. 3. b. planted thereinto] doe erre, in their wisdom, and Scripture learnednesse, and C Ier. 8. a. goe about with lies.

9 BEhold; I, saith the Lord, will take in hand a wonderfull work; like as I have heretofore spoken thereof, through my ser­vants the Prophets, and promised to perform the same. Esa. 13.32. a. 43 c. 60 a Ier. 23.33. c. Eze. 11. b. 36.37. b. c. Through which work of mine, [Page 13] saith the Lord; the man which hungreth and thirsteth after the true Righteousness▪ shall not be able to comfort himself any lon­ger with lies, nor to put his trust therein; nei­ther yet shall the Scripture learned, or such as set forth their own Opinions out of their own Spirit, drive or teach the People any longer according to their good thinking; but eve­ry one shall not chuse but acknowledge, that my word is Ioh. 6. f. 142, 17. b. the Truth and the Life.

10. For lo, I bring forth now my Day so clear, as Isa. 60.61. a.a light of my Glory to the Lighting of the whole World 2 P [...]t. 9. b. with Righteousness; my living Word, Ioh. 6. c. as a true Bread of Life, to Matth. 5. a. the satisfying of all hungry souls; my true Being or Perfection as a Apo. 12.51. a Kingdom of Hea­ven, full of all lovelyness, pure beauty, and un­disturbable Powers; and my Service of Love, as a naked or uncovered Truth▪ All which is my Spirit, where through the Man is led Ioh. 16. b into all Truth; to the end, that now in this my holy day▪ Isa. 4. a. 11. b. 12.2.my Righteousness might in the obedience of the requiring of my Love, break forth and obtain the Victory upon the Earth: and that all people may love the up­right Righteousness, and live peaceably in Eph. 4. [...] all Love.

11. AWakeEph. 5, b. now therefore, ye Lovers of the Truth; so shall Christ then illu­mina [...]e you; Anoint your eysApo. 3. b. with Ey-salve, [Page 14] and ye shall see the pure and glorious cleer­ness of this last or newest day, which God himself hath appointed or ordained, for to judge in the same Act. 17. d.the compass of the Earth with Righteousness; that one Man Iesus Christ, in whom he hath decreed it: which holds forth the Belief before every one, inas­much as God hath raised him from Death.

12. See, and consider; This is the Day of Renewing, the very Ps. 118. c.newest Day; to the Ho­nour and Glory of the supreme God: and to a great Joy and Gladness for us all, which love the Righteousness.

13. ClapPsal. 47. now your hands together with Joy; yea all which love the Righteousness, in the Peace of Christ: Sing and shout now unto God with a joyful noise.

14. For the Psa. 47.96 Ecc. 43. a. Lord (the most highest) is terrible and a great King on all the earth.

15. For now in this Day of his Love, He hath prepared his Ps. 9.45. a 93 a. Esa. 16. b. Seat unto Judgement, that the Earth Psal. 96.98. Isa. 32.42. a. Ier. 23. a. 33. b. and the People should be judged uprightly.

16. From henceforth shall he (whom God hath foreseen and elected thereto) sit upon the Lord his seat; Ier. 23. a. 33. c. which shall think upon Equity, and require Righteousness.

17. Whose Seed, Ps. 89. d. the Lord shall make to endure for ever; and his Seat shall be like the Days of Heaven.

[Page 15]18. Through the same and his service, the Righteous Ps. 92 b shall now in this Day flourish like a Palm tree; He shall increase or grow up like a Cedar tree on Libanus.

19. And all they that are planted in the House of the Lord, Ps 92. b. shall wax green in the Courts of our God; and flourish or blossom in the old age of the holy understanding; as those that are fat and lusty, or well prepared, for to publish that the Lord is just.

20. Now shall Ps. 106. c. the Righteous see their E Desire, and rejoyce them; and all Unrighte­ousness shall be compelled to stop his mouth in this day of the Glory of God.

21. For now in this Day, the Ier. 30. d. City of the Lord shall be builded in her old place or former estate; and the Temple of the Lord, or Tabernacle of his Dwelling, shall stand like as it ought to stand; namely, Lu. 17. c. Iohn 14.17. Apo. 21. ainwardly in us, in the Being of the holy Spirit of Iesus Christ.

22. Have now a good regard hereunto, ye wise and understanding ones, which re­ceive the righteousness into your Hearts; [...]nd ye all which daily search the Scripture: and consider, how that all what the Scripture saith, shall in such wise become fulfilled or accomplished.

The IV. Chapter.

A BEhold I declare unto you this day the ground of the scriptures; and will (in clee [...]ness) reci [...]e unto you many Acts (or things chanced) of the secret Mysteries of Go [...]; and partly also of the Dealing of Man; beginning from the former Kingdom where­in the Man was Gen. 2. a set, till unto this last Day of the perfect glory of God: In the which the former Kingdom becometh declared and brought again (in all loveliness of the upright Being) unto the Man, according to the Pro­mises.

2. From this former Kingdom (full of all Righteousness, Love, Peace, and Amiable­ness) the man hath (from the Beginning) turn­ed away his heart, and Gen. 3. Sap. 1. b. fell away from, or was disobedient unto the word of God; the upright life of his true light.

3. In which falling away of the man and in the turning unto himself, and unto his taken on darkness; it is become manifest and known that the man (which walketh therein and becometh not turned again unto his God; nor Ioh. 15. a 17 c. Eph. 3. b. 2 Pet. 1. a. incorporated into the true Christ of God) hath the Ier. 17. b. most crafty and subtilest heart among all that liveth and dwelleth upon the earth.

4. The which may now evidently be [Page 17] perceived by divers people, which vaunt or give forth themselves for Christians, and as i [...]luminated Men, that 1. Tim. 1. a, are Masters of the Scripture▪ namely how crafty, subtil, and Isa. 1. a. 59. b Ier. 9. a. perverse of heart, and how Rom. 1.11 b Eph. 2. a. 4. b darkned in their understanding that they yet are.

5. And what a perverse Nature they find oftentimes in them▪ that will I good willingly leave unto themselves to consider of; to the end that (if the Lord vouchsafed the same) they might judge themselves therein; and even so understand or well perceive, that no man (how wise or understanding soever he be in the knowledge of the Scripture) can by any meanes comprehend or understand 1 Cor. 1.2. b the Wisdom of God: nor yet Ioh. 14. b. see, know, find, nor receive the Gifts of God, nor the powers of the holy Ghost, but onely they that stand good willingly and obediently 1. Reg. 15. b 1 Pet. 1. b submitted under the Word of life, which proceedeth and hath his outflowing from the quarter or place where the Sun (the true Isa. 2 a. 60. a. day light of the most highest) shineth.

6 For that cause consider now well on the B State of men, and what a nature, love and being there is found by them; that being without the Communalty of the love, are (out of their own knowledge and Scripture learnedness) Judges of the Scripture, or that have taken the same upon them; so shall ye [Page 18] then certainly perceive, that all such are yet Rom. 1 c. Eph. 2. a. 4. b. strangers unto the holy Spirit of the love of Iesus Christ: and that they all likewise are mingled with wyliness, subtilty and falshood; and are without the body 1. Cor. 12. a Eph. 4. b. 5. c of Christ, or without the upright Christianity.

7. If then these (which notwithstanding seem to be wise and understanding, and can prate much of spiritual and heavenly things) be yet strangers unto the holy spirit, and unto the true love▪ and utterly without the body of Christ, or the true Christianity, and held Captive with a wicked nature; so consider then how wide and far estranged that the brutish world, and all that are Enemies or Resisters of the Doctrine of love, must yet needs be from the same Christian being; and with how many manner of falshood and wicked nature they are yet held captive.

8. If ye now ponder this same according to the truth, and throughly measure it all by the being of upright Christianity; so shall ye then verily begin well to perceive, that it is now the dangerous and horrible time of deso­lation, whereof Dam. 8.9 c. Oze. 4. a. b. Mich. 7. a 4 Esdr. 9.12.15, 14 15.16. Mat. 24. b 2 Tess. 2. [...]. b 1 Tim. 4. n. 2 Tim. 3.4. 2 Pet. 2.3. a. the Scripture (in many places) witnesseth: in which also few shall be saved or preserved; for that all under­standing hath now so utterly Gen. 6. b corrupted his way in the knowledge, and cannot well therefore Zep. 1. a submit it self single mindedly [Page 19] (with humbleness of heart) in all 1 Pet. 1. b. obedience of the word, and Subjection unto the love, with us little ones, and God his elect.

9. Whilst we now daily perceive this▪ same C by the Children of men, and that we are (in these dangerous times) become great with child 1 Iohn 1. a. with the word of life; and milch with Isa. 66. b. the brests of the love, and of the holy under­standing, for to give suck therewithal unto the young Children which is born out of the seed of the gracious Word, and his doctrine or testimonies; and out of the service of the holy Spirit of the love, and to nourish them up unto the Eph. 4. b. old age of the holy understand­ing of Christ; so cometh now verily that wo upon us, whereof Christ hath heretofore Mat. 24. spoken: wo unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck at that time; &c.

10. For we are great with child▪ Isa. 26. b and cry aloud like unto a woman with child, when as she at the time of her travel is ready to bring forth. Isa. 53. a. Rom 10. b. But who heareth us? or to whom is the arm of the Lord known? verily unto few: because many of them are Isa. 5. c. wise in their own conceit, and will judge the god­ly truth out of their knowledge; or perswade themselves, that they (with their prudent un­derstanding) Ier▪ 7. b c. 8. a. 18. b. see rightly into all things: and for that cause need not to harken unto the word of grace (which God hath brought [Page 20] unto us out of his true light, neither yet to humble them unto the service of the same.

D 11. Oh, these Ignorances of the unwil­ling unto the gracious word, and his requir­ing (which we dayly see and hear by them) do work us very much wo, anguish, and sor­row, in our hearts.

12. Therefore may we now in this perill­ous time rightly say, with the Prophet Isaiah, that it goeth also with us (in the presence of the Lord) like Isa. 26, b. as with a woman with child, which (through fear or smart) cryeth out in her travel: for we are with child, and travel in birth, and we are so full of anguish and wo, that we can scantly draw our breath.

13. Howbe [...]t, although all this come up­on us; and that we daily pass thorow this [...]ame, and must be fain to indure or suffer much falshood at our adversaries hands, Isa. 26. b. yet cannot we therefore help the earth, for that the Inhabitors of the world will not fal down or humble themselves; nor yet forsake or leave the falshood of the unrepentant unre­generated men.

14. For that cause our hope standeth now in this day very little, on many Inhabitors of the world: for of them there shall few come which shall mean or adjoyn them unto the love and the requiring of her service, with all their heart; and yet many fewer, which shall Matth. 14. b. persever therein unto the end.

[Page 21]15. Therefore hope we with joy, much more, on the appearing of the dead, Apo. 14. b. which dy in the Lord, or are dead in him; to wit, 1. Cor. 15 c. 1 Thess 4. b. that they in their Resurrection from the death, shall livingly come before either meet with us. For all the dead of the Lord, or members of Christ, shall Isa 26. c. Ezek. 37. b. now live, and rise with their bodies; and we shall assemble us with them, and they with us (to one body in Iesus Christ) into one lovely being of the love, and be all together concordable in the love and peace of Iesus Christ.

16. Behold ye dearly beloved; with those E shall our life and joy be, both now and for evermore. For we (which follow with them, the footsteps of Christ) shal in their appeaing or manifestation, Ap [...]. 4. b. 5. a. b. raign with the lamb (which hath made us Kings and Priests) upon earth.

17. This see and know we now nakedly and truly: Therefore have we (which are now in this day of love, adjoyned and incor­porated into the body of Christ) here in our 1 Thess. 4. b. Consolation amoag each other, and set our Comfort much more, on the righteous which are dead, then on the living ungodly.

18. For this is now the day of the Glori­ous, pomp and tryumph of Christ in his com­ing, wherein Christ (to our consolation) meeteth 1 Thess. 4. b. 2 Thess. 1. b. Iud. 1. b. us livingly and in glory, with his former Holy ones: and maketh manifest and [Page 22] bringeth the word of the Lord, namely the former Kingdom (full of all Gen. 2. a. Apo. 21. a b. beauty and lovelyness) which God Matth. 25. d. [...] hath prepared from the beginning, for his elect, in his perfection, and in his naked cleerness; and maketh us heirs therein, together with all his holy ones.

19. In which Kingdom of everlasting perfection, all minds of pure hearts do dwell and live (Isa. 60. b. Ier. 23. a. 33. b. Mich. 4. a. without fear) freely, lovely▪ and peaceably. Yea, therethrough becometh it presently seen, how that the Lord 2 Thess. 1. b. glorifieth himself in his holy ones, and becometh won­derful in his believers.

F 20. Now (this passed over) we will declare (from the Gen 3. a falling away or disobedience of the man forth) the earnest love, which God hath always (till unto this same day) shew­ed towards the man, through his elected mi­nisters, for to bring him again unto the heri­table beauty of the former Kingdom, from which he hath turned him away; and how God in process of time is approched neerer unto us in cleerness, with his true light, and hath now at the last (in the day of his love) declared Exod. 25. Heb. 9. b. c the most holy of his tabernacle, in his absolute beauty and perfection, and brought the same unto us, to the establishing of his promises.

21. What we had here more to say of the former Kin [...]dom and of his lovelyness, [Page 23] beauty, Garnishing, and riches; and of the mans falling away, is nakedly expressed and declared, in the glass of righteousness.

The V. Chapter.

BEhold and consider ye dearly beloved,A how that God (after the man's falling a­way) hath alwayes shewed his love on the man; and promised him even so (to the de­stroying of the sin) to Gen. 3. b. set Enmity betwixt the Serpent (whose head is the sin) and the woman (which consented to the sin) and betwixt the Serpents seed, and the Wo­mans seed, to the treading down of the head of the Serpent: and how that the same pro­mised Enmity against the sin, and the sinfull seed, had her beginning by the single minded Abel; which Abel Gen. 4. a. offered up his willing gift or offering (out of a good heart) unto the God of heaven, and was slain by the wicked Nature of the sin, through the hands of his Brother Cain; and how that Seth (after the death of Abel) was placed by God, Gen 4 [...] to be another seed in the pla [...]e of Abel, to the esta­blishing of the foresaid promise of God: as also how that Seth (which is the second seed in the place of Abel) and his seed, is the right stock or linage, whereout the believers and Children of God (namely, all they that have been enemies unto the sin) are born or brought forth, to the establishing of the pro­mises of God [...]he Father.

[Page 24]2. But all other people or Generations which were born upon the earth without the stock of Seth, and also they that walked not in the state of Abel (according to the man­ner or ordinances of Seth) were not of the right stock of Seth: but they were forain branches, which turned them away there-from, and were never prudent nor under­standing in the godly wisdom; but very well in their own self knowledge and good-thinking▪ wherewith they turned unto them­selves: and forsook even so the upright Childishness and Simplicity, and the willing oblation or God service of Abel.

3. [Abel signifieth un [...]o us, a breath, or a young manhood: by whom there is yet no more prudence, then a breath of God, which proceedeth from God, and breatheth to God again. It signifieth also, emptiness, or any what whereto there is not yet any thing added of the ordinance of the Lord. Cain signifieth unto us, a possession, or one is possessed in bondship by the sin, or is mastered or overwon by the same, and apply­eth him not according to the word nor law of the Lord. Seth signifieth unto us, an ordi­nance or law, which requireth the upright Righteousness, and the entrance into the single minded and upright being of Abel; which is an other seed or birth of God, that [Page 25] is ordained or set for Abel (or in the place of the breath of God) and this is the true law of the Lord, wherethrough it is set or or­dained, that the upright being of Abel, should remain in memory, till unto the per­fection of the upright being of God, which had gotten his beginning in Abel, after the mans faling away.]

4. Howbeit, although that many abode B not (according to the example of the Simpli­city of Abel) in the right stock and ordinance of Seth: but followed their own goodthink­ing; Yet hath there notwithstanding always a seed which was the right stock of Seth, and had regard unto the simplicity of Abel; remained over, Gen. 5. [...] which walked upright be­fore God, till unto Noah [which name sig­nifieth unto us, a ceasing or rest.

5. This Noah Gen. 6. a lived uprightly before God, and walked (with his whose house­hold) in the upright ways of his Fathers; but all other people (which were not of the house of Noah, or of the stock of Seth) for­sook the Gen. 6 a. b. example of the simplicity of Abel, and also the right ordinance of the life, which was set or adjoyned thereunto, through the seed of Seth.

6. Also they would not give any ear nor credit unto the word of truth, through the Preacher Noah, Matth. 18. a Mark [...] for to turn them about to [Page 26] the State or simplicity of the child of Abel: by which occasion they could no [...] enter into the rest, nor yet remaine alive with the righ­teous Noah.

7. Therefore hath God Gen. 6.7. a. extended his mercy upon Noah, and chosen him (with his houshold) to a remnant upon earth: and stretched out his indignation over all other people, whose hearts stood not submitted to the turning about, Mat. 18. to become as Children, nor to the word of truth.

8. And the Lord gathered together through Noah, all the Gen. 6.7. a. souls which should main alive, and they entred with Noah in­to the Ark of the Lord.

9. [Ark signifieth unto us a Chist or Casket, wherein one shuteth up somthing that he will keep close, or in secret.]

10. And all what remained without the Ark, that did the Lord cause to perish, through the Deluge or Universal floud which fell upon them▪ and took them quite Gen. 7. b away: and so there came upon the earth, an end of all flesh. [Deluge signifieth unto us, a pouring over with water.]

11. Now when as Noah (with his hous­hold) was remained over, so were there many Gen. 9. a. b. 10. a. b. generations and people born upon the earth, out of the Children of Noah; for to replenish the earth again. But certain of [Page 27] the same generations, remained not (like un­to Sem) in the right stock of Noah out of Seth: but brake or turned them off from the same, and from the ordinance and Doctrine of the same stock, and implanted them into a forrain stock: and practised even so (out of the subtill Industry of their forrain stock) Gen. 9. c wiliness, and craft or guile: like as the de­cliners always do, which turn them away from the stock or doctrine of their leader, and follow their own spirit.

12. These generations or progenies of Noah, multiplyed Gen. 10. a. b them into many heathen or people, upon the earth. But many of them (which persisted not in the stock of Noah and Sem) have not understood the mind, councel, and word of the Lord; nor the mi­stery of his work, much less then, essentially known the same; but have followed their own councel, mind, and will, according to the imagination of their good-thinking wis­dom. Wherethrough also they turned wholy and altogether to themselves, and sought not Gen 11. [...]. to h [...]nour, to exalt, or magnifie any other thing, but themselves, and their own name.

13. Through which addicting of them unto their selfness, they practised their sub­tilty and i [...]geniousness, purposing to set up a Gen. 11. [...] memorial of their name; and would there­fore make them a great strength or fortress.

[Page 28]14. Now when as they had mingled their understandings together hereunto, so begun they this work, with one manner of speech, mind, and purpose; and they apply­ed them boldly thereunto, for to accom­plish (in such wise) the same: whose Gen. 11. c. pur­pose of work and one manner of speech, the Lord (through his word) intangled; and scattered abroad the same people in all lands: and the place of their work was nam­ed Babel [which signifieth unto us, confusion, or a Commixture, that is intangled with each other.]

D 15. Behold ye dearly beloved; hereout may we perceive, which was the Gen. 4. c. seed of Seth, that upright stock. For all what desired to honour and exalt God, and to magnifie his name, as also walked uprightly before God, in all respects like unto Seth (which is the second seed in the place of Abel; that was the seed of Seth) according to the example of the simplicity of Abel, wherein God had a good pleasure.

16. But who so turned them away from the right ways, and loved themselves, and their own honour, those were fallen away Rom. 11. c▪ or broken off, from their upright stock, and became implanted into a forrain one: and brought forth a strange seed, and strange fruits: Mat. 7. c. which strange seed or fruits, God knew not.

[Page 29]17. But the right stock remained in his upright state: whose seed like unto Abel, walked evermore uprightly before God: in such wise, that God hath had there through continually a light in the stock of Seth; and the righteousness a seed upon earth: which light of God, and seed of righteousness, went not out, nor decayed, or failed not, but in­creased in more cleerness and perfecter righ­teousness, till unto this perfect light and ab­solute righteousness, which is I [...]h 1. a Col. 1. b H [...]b. 1. a. the very like being of God himself.E

18. BEhold, In such sort hath this up­right seed (in the light and righ­teousness of his God) had his procreation, to righteousness and life up [...]n the earth: namely, Gen 4 a. from Seth (the second seed, in the place of Abel) Gen 5.9 c till unto Noah and Sem.

19. From Noah and Sem, Gen. 11. b, c, 21, a, 25. c until Abra­ham Isaac and Iacob: which Iacob (whom Gen. 32. c, 35. b God named, Israel) begat the twe [...]ve Gen. 29. c, d, Fathers of Israel; out of the which, God Gen. 49. a chose him Iudah.

20. From Iudah un [...]il 1 Reg. 15. David, the King of Israel and Iudah.

21. From David the King, until 1 Esd. 3. a 2 Esd 5. a 3 Esd. 4.5. e. Zoro­babel, in the Captivity of Babylon,

22. From Zorobabel, until Mat. 1. b, c Luk. 1. c, 2 b Ioseph, which had a Virgin to wife (out of the same [Page 30] stock of David) named, Mary; of whom JESVS CHRIST (the Consummation of all the works of God, and the perfect light of the godly cleerness) was born or brought forth. Of this we will treat more Infra. 18. at large hereafter.

23. WHat we now had here more to say of Abel, Cain, Se [...]h, and Noah: and of the stock of the up­right seed, of the multiplying of the heathen, and of the building of Babel; is declared in the Glass of Righteousness.

The VI. Chapter.

AMong all these generations, Nations, and A people or heathen, which were sprung [...]ut of the tribes of Noah; the upright stock of Noah and Sem hath always walked Gen 5.9. [...] up­r [...]ghtly before God.

2. Whose Children also went forth ever­more in all Simplicity and righteousness, ac­cording to the example of the simplicity of Abel, and after the manner of Se [...]h, Noah, and S [...], [...] till unto Abram [which name signifieth unto us, Old Father, or a glorious F [...]her, to wi [...], one which hath attained or is grown up to the Eph. 4. b old age of the true and h [...]ly understanding, and therefore is meet to take him a wife▪ and to beget Children, for to nourish them up also, unto such an old [Page 31] age, to the end that there might continually be found upright Fathers and Elders of the holy understanding; which multiplyed them into such an upright and holy generations, in all fruifulness to many thou [...]ands) on the earth. Abram was also by the Lord named Gen. 17. a Abraham; which signifieth unto us, a Father of many people.]

3. THis Abram (which dwelled with B his generations among the hea­then, and lived and walked uprightly, ac­cording to the stock of his Fathers) was in­dued with understanding above (or more than) all other people or heathen; both in the godly wisdom, and in the heathenish prudence.

4. Whilst now his wisdom was born out of the right stock of Seth, Noah and Sem, and far excelled the wisdom of the world, or the understanding of the heathen; and that he even so had regard unto the upright being of God, and the simplicity of Abel; and walk­ed in the upright righteousness of his Fa­thers: so was it also given Gen. [...]8 b him to under­stand the secretness of the works of God▪ Wherethrough he knew how to distinct or divide the form of the everlasting and un­changeable being of the supream Godhead, from the form of the elementish things: and the word which proceedeth, or hath his [Page 32] out flowing out of the living and almighty God, from the word of men, which proceed­eth out of the mans ingeniousnes or imagina­tion of the knowledge.

5. In the same time of Abraham (the whilest that he dwelled among the heathen) God had not upon earth any written services or Ceremonies; nor Temple, or Tabernacle wrought with mens hands. And all genera­tions of the earth, or heathen, which were not of the right stock of the holy Fathers; walked in the seperation from God, Le. 26. b Deut. 27.28. c in the cursing. And Gen. 8. c God had compassion on all the generations of the earth, which for their ignorances cause, and estranging from God, C must bear the cursing.

6. For that cause God chose him Abram, and called Gen. 1 [...]. a him out of the Nations of the Heathen▪ as the principallest among all peo­ple, (which was in the godly understanding, and in the simplicity of Abel, according to the manner or ordinance of Seth, Noah, and Sem) neerest unto God, for to understand the Lord his word and will; through whom God would take in hand, and set forth some sin­gul [...]r thing, to the blessing of al the generati­ons of the Heathen.

7 And the Lord spake unto Abram: Gen. 12. go out of thy Native Country, from thy kindred, and from thy Fathers horse; and [...]ourney into [Page 33] a land that I will shew thee. And I will make of thee a great people: I will bless thee and make thee a great Name; and thou shalt be a blessing: I will bless them, that bless thee; and curse them, that curse thee. For in thee shall all generations of the [...]arth be blessed.

8. Consider here now (ye beloved) how that the Lord calleth and leadeth th [...] wisdom of the holy understand­ing, out of the foolishness of the heathen; and his elected stock or upright Olive tree, out of all wild or unfruitfull Olive trees; for to plant the same, and his seed; in a good land, that it may continually bring forth con­venient fruits unto the Lord; to the intent that the strange sprouts (grown out of the wilde Olive trees) might even so be cut off, and R [...]m. 11. c graffed into this upright Olive tree; and bring forth good fruits out of the sap or growing of the upright Olive tree. For in suchsort would God make Abram great, that he might also be named Abraham, and a father of many heathen, according to the promises.

9. Even thus doth the Scripture testifie D unto us▪ that God himself would make A­braham great; and not that Abraham (in the promises which were made unto him) should make himself great, or multiply him [Page 34] into many people: but that it should all come to pass in such wise as the Lord had promised him the same: like as there stand­eth written: I (saith the Lord) Gen. 12.13. b, 15. b, 17.22. b. will make of thee a great people. I will increase thy seed. This is the Lord his own work, and not mans.

10. Now when as Abraham had heard the word of the Lord, and understood the mind or will of God, so beleeved or trusted he the Lord in his word: Gen. 15. a, 22. b. Rom. 4. a Gal 3. a Iam. 2. c and that was [...]ounted unto him for righteousness. For in all this same, Abraham stood wholy given over, and was with all single mindedness, obedient unto the Lord in his requiring; without surmising any evil cogitations there over, or making any suspition of the knowledge touching the same.

The VII. Chapter.

A BUt when as now Abraham dwelled in the land, which the Lord had shewed him, and promised unto his seed, for an everlasting possession: and that the promises (to the Salvation of the heathen) were freely given unto him; so hath God furthermore (with his godly wisdom) dealt very prudent­ly with Abraham and his seed: that is, God hath at all times revealed unto Abraham, and to the right stock of his seed; in naked cleer­ness, [Page 35] Gen. 18. b how that he is an eternal and living God; and which are (according to the truth) his upright laws, Institutions, and rites: and of what maner, or which is the upright Gen. 28. b, c, house, or the true Seat, Temple, or Tabernacle, for his holy dwelling.

2. Of which true Tabernacle, the Lord hath prepared or builded the forefront in his true being, to a dwelling for his glory, and to the blessing of all men; by the Fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Iacob, on the earth: namely in Gen. 17. b the Circumcision, which God hath ordained or set for an everlasting cove­nant, between him and Abraham, and his seed.

3. This true forefront of the Sanctuary B of God, which God hath prepared or build­ed in his Covenant of Circumcision, is the Ec. 9.2. b, 19. b true fear of God: through which fear of God, the foreskin of the sinful flesh was cut off, or laid away from the hearts of Abra­ham's houshold: and thus they became se­perated from al iniquity, and from al disorder of the heathen or uncircumcised, for to serve even so the living God alone in his sincere righteousness and godliness.

4. For that cause, to the end that all they of Abraham's houshold, should always serve the living God alone, in the fear of God; so was the Lord his true Covenant of Circum­cision [Page 36] to an everlasting and stedfast covenant, made thus with Abraham, that the foreskin of all Gen. 17. b them that be born in the houshold of Abraham, and are manly, should be cut away from their flesh.

5. Behold, this Covenant of Circumcisi­on, would God that Abraham and his seed after him should bear (to a Covenant of God) Gen. 17. b in their flesh for evermore.

6. And even so God made (through his Covenant of Circumcision) that there should be always a difference had and known be­twixt Abraham and his seed▪ and the other heathen or uncircumcised people. Which Covenant of Circumcision God made with Abraham when he had Gen. 12. a called him out of the heathe [...]ship, and shewed him the Gen. 17. a land of promise, to an everlasting Inheritance for his seed, which should bear the same Cove­nant in their flesh.

C 7. VErily, this Covenant of God of the Circumcision (which God hath set for an everlasting Covenant betwix him and Abraham, and his seed in their flesh) giveth us presently in this day a great cleer­ [...]ess of his true being of the upright Circum­cision Deut. 10 in our hearts;Ier. 4. a. Rom. 2. c, Col. 2. b, Phil. [...], a. and teacheth or sheweth us (the whilst we are captived with the hea­th [...]nship, either implanted into the heathen­ship, and 2 Cor. 3. b bear yet the foreskin of the sinful [Page 37] flesh before our hearts) the departing from all heathenish being, and from all 2 Cor. 6.7. a Apo. 18. a ungodliness, or uncircumcision of all fleshly minds: as al­so the entrance into the fear of God, where­out the right wisdom doth spring: and how we shall go forth therein till unto the Rom. 6. a Col. 3. a mor­tifying of all fleshly minds, through the 1 Pet. 1. b o­bedience of the requiring of the godly word and his service.

8. This is verily the upright Circumcision, which cometh to pass Col. 2. b without the help of mens hands, and which is the everlasting and stedfast Covenant, Gen 17. b between God and Abra­ham and his seed. Through which true cir­cumcision, the upright seed of Abraham (which is of the faith of Abraham) is easily to be known from the uncircumcised heathen or unbeleevers.

9. For the right stock of the seed of A­braham, bear the same upright Circumcisi­on, for an everlasting Covenant of their God, Gen. 17. b in their flesh: to a token and testimo­ny of their upright Righteousness; and also, that the God of Abraham is their God, and they his e [...]ected people.

10. HEre out may we perceive (ye D beloved) that the Deut. 10. b Ier. 4. a Col. 2. b laying away of the sin in the flesh, is the upright Circum­cision which God regardeth: and that the same maketh the right difference betwixt [Page 38] the circumcised▪ and uncircumcised; or be­twixt them that fear God, and them that fear not God. For they that fear not God, and are not of the right stock, or of the faith of Abraham; or else that have turned them away therefrom, and yet nevertheless Mat. 3. b Iohn 8. d boast them to be the seed of Abraham, those can well bear the circumcision outwardly on their flesh; but not (as Abraham) inwardly in the flesh.

11. Therefore there is not (as concerning the Righteousness according to the inward man) any difference at all betwixt such Cir­cumcised (which bear no more but the cir­cumcision outwardly on their flesh) and the uncircumcised heathen; but they are both alike Rom. 3. b under the sin.

12. For the laying away of the sin in the flesh Rom. 2.6. a Phil. 3. a. Col. 2. b▪ 3. a (which is the upright Circumcision) maketh unto us the right difference betwixt the seed of Abraham, and the brutish or Uncircumcised Heathen, even as there is said.

13. Which Circumcised of heart, bear God his true covenant of circumcision Gen. 17. b in their flesh; and express even so (through their upright Conversation in the Ecc. 1.2. b fear of God) that God hath Gen. 12. a called them out of the heathenship, as also led them into the forefront of his true tabernacle, and planted them in his Sanctuary.

[Page 39]14. And this token of the true covenant of God, namely, the circumcision on the fore­skin of the heart [which is the Col. 2. [...] laying away of the sin in the flesh] and the walking in the fear of God, is not left by the right seed of Abraham ▪ but observed (Gen. 17. b. 18. b according to the word of the Lord) for evermore.

15. COnsider then, unto all those that E are in such like of the right stock of Abraham, or of his seed and faith, and bide stedfast therein, it is given to understand M [...]t. 11. c, 13. b Luke 8. a the mistery of the work of God, which God always taketh in hand and atchieveth with Abraham, and with his right seed of the belief.

16, But unto them that are therewithout, and also unto all that fall away from the stock of Abraham or his belief, either turn them therefrom, and cleave unto any strange be­lief, which Abraham hath not known, or that bind themselves without the Righteous­ness of the faith of Abraham Esa. 5. c, 6. b Ier▪ 7. c▪ 11. a, 13. b 18 b 1 Cor. 1. b on any self-wisdom, mens good thinking, Scripture learn­edness, or on the Imagination of their own knowledge, Mat. 13. b Act. 28. c all things chance in similitudes, figures, or images, which they also honour, serve, and greatly esteem: but of the myste­ry of the true being, 1 Cor. 2. b they know not any thing at all.

[Page 40]17. Therefore it is all unto them, a dark speech or Parable, Isa. 28.29. b Mat. 13. b Apo. 5. a and a closed book, which no man (of all their wise Seers, nor Pro­phets, or Teachers) can read, much less under­stand, or comprehend the Contents of the same.

18. WHat we had here more to say of the departing out of the heathenship▪ of the Gelatenheyt or free giving over of the upright Circumcision of the forefront of the true Tabernacle of God, of the difference betwixt the seed of Abra­ham and the heathen, and of the closed book (which is a book of life) is rehearsed, with larger declaration, in the Glass of Righteous­ness.

The VIII. Chapter.

A ABraham, which was indued with un­derstanding in the godly wisdom, hath (to a memorial of the godly works of God, and of the things which are right and reaso­nable to the Serviceableness of his houshold, or of the posterity after him) brought forth writings or letters, wherein he witnessed or figured forth before them the righteousness of the upright being, for a seal on their hearts; to his end, that the posterity (the whilst they were yet young in the holy un­derstanding, and understood not the upright [Page 41] being) might have the Lord his word, In­stitutions, and rites, and the events or things chanched concerning his wonderful works, figured forth in the letter; and remember those same: and might even so (with the service of the letter) be served, nourished up, Gal. 3. c, 4. a and sustained, in all good discipline, nurture and equity, Gen. 18. b for to deal with that which is right and reasonable; until that the Ecc 6. b Eph. 4. b. old age of the perfect wisdom and Righteousness came unto them: the which is the true light of Christ, or the heavenly truth, whereunto Moses, the law, and the Prophets of God do lead, and which cometh unto al the elect of God (from on high) Rom 8. b in their spirit: wherein it is given unto them (as to the children of God) to understand Mat. 13. b Iohn 14. b 1 Cor. 2. b the mystery of the works of God.

2. Therefore Abraham (which walked and lived in the light or Iohn. 8. c day of [...]hrist, whereon all Scriptures given by inspiration of God, do witness; and had a lust unto the seed of promise, to the blessing of all genera­tions of the earth) held Gen. 15▪ a him stedfastly by the belief; the true Testament, whereout he hoped to obtain the seed of Promise, to the blessing of all generations of the earth.

3. Which true Testament, namely, the belief of the upright being of Abraham which also was Abraham's sister, and Gen. 12. b, 16. a. 20 a be­come [Page 42] his wife) is named Sara [which name signifieth unto us, a Lady, or a Princess which is free.]

4. THis Sara had a servetrice, which B wa [...] her own, or subject unto her [which is the Service, the Law, or Ordinance and the serviceable writing, or letter of the belief of Abraham.] Gen. 16. a, [...], Gal. 4. c Which Servetrice (through the belief of the true being) stand­eth serviceable, for to bring forth a service­able seed unto the belief, whilst that she is yet closed or barren.

5. And this Servetrice [namely, the ser­vice of the belief of Abraham, or his law, either Ordinance] is also a Gal. 4. cTestament of Abraham, which is called, the elders Testa­ment, because the same is administred through the belief, out of the light of the true being; by the eldest in the holy understanding, and hath the foregoing in the Procreation out of the letter, and out of the obedience of the requiring of the serviceable doctrine: which also Gal 3. c, 4. a, ceaseth▪ when as the belief bringeth forth out of the true light, which is the godly being it self: whereunto the service of the word and of the letter doth likewise Heb. 7. b reach. Nevertheless, albeit that the service of the word and of the letter, re [...]cheth to the belief and true ligh [...] ▪ ye [...] appeareth not the righteousness out of the service of the letter, [Page 43] nor out of his Ordinance although notwith­standing the same be required therewithall, but Rom. 3.4. b Gal. 2. b, 3. c, out of the belief.

6. This servetrice of Sara, was Gen. 16. a Gal. 4.6. named Agar, and she was a Servetrice out of Egypt (which signifieth unto us, a woman coming on out of Strictness, or which is stricting.)

7, But whilst that Sara (the belief of the true being of Abraham) was yet closed, and brought not forth (but was inclined there­unto) Gen. 16. a so desired she Abram (namely the old Father in the holy understanding) that he would joyn him unto Agar, her Serve­trice: and she gave him Agar to wife, for that she might even so (out of her) obtain Children of the belief.

8. Abram therefore joyned him unto A­gar: and Gen. 16. a Agar conceived or became with child, and brought forth a seed unto Abra­ham.

9. BEhold, this was a seed of the Ser­vice; C namely, of the unfree wo­man Agar: whereof Gen. 16. a Gal. 4. c Paul maketh men­tion to the Galathians, how that Agar (in Arabia) is called the Mount Sina.

10. Arabia signifieth unto us, a pledge or sur [...]ty, which standeth fast for that which is promised, until that the promise be fulfill­ed. Sina signifieth unto us, Armour or a Shield, wherewith one furnisheth him unto [Page 44] Battel, when as he passeth thorow the way unto the rest of the promises; and where­through one is sustained against the enemies, and defended therewith, until that he come unto the place whereas he inheriteth the rest, the peace, and all sweetness of the land like as there is promised.

11. This Mount Sina, in Arabia (although it stretcheth even unto Ierusalem) is Gen. 4. c d not free, with his Children; but the belief (the free hill within Ierusalem) is free with his Children: for the believers (which are born out of the belief of the true being of Abra­ham, and Eph. [...]. b grown up in Christ in the holy and godly understanding) are the free Rom 8 c Gal. 4. c Chil­dren of the free woman, according to the Scripture.

12 But when as [...]ow the time was [...]come about, that the Gen. 18. b fruit of the belief could live, so became Sara fruitful, and Gen. 21. a Gal. 4. c brought forth unto Abraham, the true seed of promise, to the Blessing of all Generations of the earth.

D 13. Now when this seed of [...]he free wo­man was born, Gen. 21. [...] then was the Servetrice with her seed thrust out, or given leave to depart, as one, whose service and seed was there no more needful to a service or help of the beli [...]f; because the upright seed was born out of the belief: and for that cause, the [Page 45] Servetrice with her seed, could have Gen. 21. b. Gal, 4. d no Portion or Coinheritance with the son of the free woman.

14. This seed (born of the free woman) was named Gen. 21 a Isaac, [which name signifieth unto us, a laughing:] For Sara Gen. 18. b. laughed when as she heard thet she should bear a Son.

15. COnsider here now the Mistery of the Scripture, of these two women, and of either others service and procreation. For behold, I declare unto you this day the truth, with naked speeches, and Ioh. 16. c. not in si­militudes or dark words; inasmuch as that God and Christ (with his holy ones) is also declared (in the most holy) even so unto us.

16. Where now then this seed of the true Testament (after the Accomplishment of the foregoing serviceable Testament) is born or brought forth, even there is Christ, the belssing, Mat. 1. c 1 Cor. 1. c the salvation, and the spirit of the Lord come: and where the spirit of the Lord is, 2 Cor. 3▪ b there is freedom. He that hath ears to hear let him hear.

17. WHat we had here more to say of the promises to Abraham, of Sara (the free woman) and of Agar (her servetrice) and of the seed of both their pro­creations, is declared in the glass of Righ­teousness.

The IX. Chapter.

NOw when as Isaac (the upright stock of his Father Abraham) was grown up into a good Eph. 4. b. old age of the holy understand­ing, Gen. 24. g, 25. a so took he a wife unto him, named Rebecca [which Name signifieth unto us, one that setteth contention or debate.] And Rebecca conceived by Isaac, Gen. 25. c and became with child with two Sons, which she bare unto Isaac.

2. He which she first brought forth, Gen. 25. c was named Esau [which name signifieth unto us, one that is working: he is also named, Gen. 25. c E­dom: which signifieth unto us, one that is earthly or bloudy.] And this is the first born after the flesh, of the seed of the pro­mise.

3. Which first born may not inherit the heritage of the godly promises, nor the cove­nant which God maketh with his elected people.

4. Therefore God erecteth not his Cove­nant with him that is born after the flesh, and is earthly or bloudy: but wi [...]h him that is born after Ioh. 3 a Rom. 8. b the spirit, and is spiritual or hea­venly. For that cause God hath a good plea­sure in the second birth.

[...] But the second Son (which was the se­cond born next un [...]o Esau Gen. 25. c, 27. d was named Ia­cob, [Page 47] [which name signifieth unto us, one that treadeth under foot, and so k [...]epe [...]h the Victo­ry. He was also named Gen. 32. c, 35. b Israel; and signi­fieth unto us, one that lordeth or surmounteth with God.]

6. Behold, this same which was born af­ter B the spirit, increased, and becam [...] prudent in the godly wisdom and heavenly truth: and excelled Esau, his brother, in prude [...]ce and holy understanding; and hath brought the earthly or bloudy being▪ under him: ob­tained the Gen 27. c 29. d, 30. blessing of his Father, and is be­come an heir in the promises of God, and in the testaments of his Fathers.

7. VErily, these two sorts of people or Procreations (namely Esau and Iacob) which Gen. 25. c Rebecca bare unto Isaac, the seed of promise▪ and how that the greatest Gen. 25. c must serve the lesser, make known unto us a great mistery to wit, that the Righteous­ness of the law, with the great know [...]edge and diligent prudence of the flesh, or of the earthly being (which becometh born out of the letter) shall serve the little 1 Cor. 11. a single mind­ed simplicity of Christ, (which becometh Ioh. 3. a Rom. 6.8. b born out of the spirit or heavenly being) and be wholy subject thereunto: namely, when as the spiritual birth hath (through the coming of Christ) gotten the dominion over the flesh.

[Page 48] C 8. We can also in the service of the graci­ous word under the obedience of the love, now openly feel and perceive these two births in our selves. For the first or foregoing birth, which (in the ministration of the gracious word) hath the foregoing by us, is the know­ledge of God, and of his requiring, and of God his truth, spirit, or being, out of the letter or serviceable word, which stretcheth to the obedience and fulfilling of the requir­ing of the gracious word and his service of love: and the same knowledge which stretch­eth to the said obedience, is the right know­ledge of the man out of the flesh or letter; and that seed of Righteousness, and his obe­dience, is the former seed of the law or ser­vice, Ioh. 3. a 1 Cor. 15. c which becometh born according to the flesh, and hath no inheritance in the pro­mises of the covenant of God the Father, nor in the Testament of the holy Elders or Fa­thers; for that same becometh fulfilled there­in: and hath even so (in his service) the foregoing unto the Inheritance of the same Testaments in the very true being▪

9. The second birth which appeareth thereaf [...]er (in the fulfilling or accomplishing of the serviceable word, and of his requir­ing) by us in the Rom. 12. a Eph. 4. c renewing of our spirit and mind, is the Godhead, the truth, Ioh. 3. a, [...] 16 and spirit of God, or God his true being it self: yea, [Page 49] the same spiritual heavenly being, is the Rom. 8 b. 2 Cor. 3. b Rom. 8. b Eph. 1. b Col. 1▪ b▪ in­heritance of all spiritual and heavenly goods, and the true seed of the belief, that becometh born in us, a [...]cording to the spirit, and in­heriteth the promises of the Covenant of God the Father. And these two births (the one Rom. 8. a after the flesh, and the other after the spirit) are both out of the seed of the pro­mise, sown, ingendred, or brought forth (in the letter, and through the letter of the administration of the holy word and heaven­ly understanding, or mind of the spiritual promises) in our memory, minds or thoughts.

10. But the knowledge of the letter, or D the mind either Rom. 8. a 1 Cor 2. b understanding of the flesh out of the letter, and the obedience unto the same, appeareth first, and taketh the fore­going in birth: and diligently applieth it self therein, for to inherit the blessing of the promises. And whenas now this foregoi [...]g birth (namely the knowledge of the letter, which stretcheth to the obedience and ac­complishment of the requiring of the graci­ous word and his service of love) is become moving and forcible (to such a diligency) in our minds and understandings, so inspect and understand we then at the first, the testimo­nies of the spiritual and heavenly truth (which extend unto Iohn. 6. g spirit and life) none otherwise, but according to the fl [...]sh: and [Page 50] according to the minde of our flesh, do we also seek after the same, or apply us thereunto, for to obtain the same according to the flesh. And we suppose moreover, we shal in such wise inherit the blessing of the promises of Christ. And this is in the man, the knowledge of the letter, or Rom. 8. a. b [...] the mind of the flesh, which is named▪ Gen. [...].25. c. 1 Cor. 15. c Adam, Esau, or Edom, and hath (out of the administration of the holy word) the f [...]regoing of birth in us: and is the 2 Cor. 5. b knowledge of Christ after the flesh.

11. Now whilst or in the mean time, that the [...]irst born (with his earthly and bloudy mind) is hunting after or labouring for the blessing of the promise^g of God and Christ, and yet notwithstanding inheriteth not the same, Gen 27. [...], d so doth then the second born hold him in stilness: and (following the counsel of the wisdom) he obtaineth (through the prudence of the holy Ghost) the blessing of the promises of the seed of Abraham ▪ as al­so the prevailing over the first or former born: and becometh even so the lord over the first born And this is in the man, the mind or spirit of Christ, which is named, Gen. 25▪ 27.32. c, 35. b. Iacob. or Israel ▪ which obtaineth at last the victo­ry and the dominion with God, and also keepeth the same: And to have obtained the same second birth, is the 2 Cor. 5. b upright knowledge of Christ after the spirit.

[Page 51]12. SEe, ye dearly beloved, and con­sider with spiritual understanding, the mystery of these two Nativities or births; namely, the first (after the flesh) earthly and bloudy: Gen. 25. c the second (af­t [...]r the spirit) spiritual and heavenly: and, how that the understanding of the first birth, would (according to his fleshly mind) Gen. 27. b, c inherit the promises of Christ: and, how that the second birth (which is not minded according to the flesh, but accord­ing to the spirit of the heavenly truth) obtain­eth the victory, beareth rule with God, and bringeth forth the name of Gen. 3 [...].35. b Israel, or Christ it self.

13, WHat we had here more to say of Isaac (the seed of promise) of the birth of Esau and Iacob, of the flesh­ly and spiritual birth, and of the knowledge of Christ after the flesh, and of the know­ledge of him after the spirit, is (with larger Instruction) declared in the Glas [...] of Righ [...]e­ousness.

The X. Chapter.

IAcob (the upright stock of his Fa­thers,A Isaac and Abraham) walked up­rightly before God, in the ways of his Fathers: And G [...]n▪ 28 b, God was with him, and was his God, light, life, and cleerness, in all [Page 52] respects, even as God had been with Abra­ham and Isaac.

2▪ And God made manifest himself unto this same Iacob, and shewed him in what manner the house or tabernacle of his dwell­ing is; Gen. 28.35. and gave unto him and his seed▪ the same promises which he had given and pro­mised unto Abraham and Isaac. And God erected his covenant with Iacob: therefore called Iacob the place wherein the Lord ap­peared unto them, Gen. 28. c Beth-el [which name signifieth unto us, an house of God.]

3. Behold (ye dearly beloved) how cleer­ly the scripture expresseth unto us who are God's elected people, and the house Lev. 26. b. 2 Cor. 6. b Apo. 21. a of his dwelling▪ wherein he (as a living and glorious God) maketh manifest himself, letteth his word be heard, and establisheth his promises.

4. Iacob also won (with his service) Gen. 29. c, d two wives, which were sisters germans. The eldest was named, Lia [which name signifieth unto us a Labourice.] This Lia had a Servetrice, which she gave Iacob also to wife; and she was named Zilpha [which sig­nifieth unto us, contempt.]

5. The youngest was named, Gen 29. d Rachel [which name signifieth unto us, a sheep.] This Rachel had a Servetrice, which was named, Lilha; which name signifieth unto us, a woman which is humble or lowly; which [Page 53] Servetrice she Gen. 30. a gave Iacob to wife, for that she (whilst she was closed) might through her Servetrice, bring forth Children unto Iacob her husband.

6. THese four wives brought forth unto B Iacob, Gen. 29. d, 30. a, b c twelve Sons, out of which the twelve tribes of Israel are sprung or come forth: and every Tribe was named, according to the name and stock of his Father.

7. Lia bare his first son, and called him Gen. 29. d Ruben; and signifieth unto us, a Son of the vision.

8▪ Again Lia bare him his second Son, and called him Simeon; and signifieth unto us, harkning.

9, Again Lia bare him his third Son, and called him Levi; and signifieth unto us, adjoyned.

10. Again Lia bare him his fourth Son, and called him Iuda; and signifieth unto us, a confessing, or thanksgiving.

11. But Bilha, Rachels maid, bare him his fifth Son, and called him Gen. [...]0. a Dan; and signifieth unto us, a Iudgement.

12, Again Bilha bare him his sixth Son, and called him, Nepthalim; and signifieth un­to us, a making equal.

13. Then Zilpha, Lias maid bare him his seventh Gen. 30. b Son, and called him Gad; and [Page 54] signifieth unto us, Prepared, or Girded up.

14. Again Zilpha bar [...] him his eight Son▪ and called him Aser; and signifieth un­to us, Salvation, or Blessedness.

15. After that Lia bare him his ninth Son, and called him Issachar; and signifieth unto us, a Reward.

16. Again Lia bare him his tenth Gen. 30. c, Son, and called him Zabulon; and signifieth un­to us, an Habitation, or Dwelling place.

17. But Rachel bare him his eleventh Son, and called him Ioseph; and signifieth unto us, Perfection: It signifieth also unto us, Exalted: as that [...]he Perfection is wor­thy Gen. 41. c. to be a Ruler, and to govern Countries and People.

18. Again Rachel bare him his twelfth Son▪ and died, and Gen. 35. c. called him Ben-nom; and signifieth unto us, a Son of Sorrow. But Ia­cob his father called him Ben-iamin; and signifieth unto us, A Son of the Right hand.

19. MOreover Iacob with his whole house or Tribe, Gen. 46▪ 47.came to dwel in Egypt; which name signifieth unto us, Strictness, or Heaviness; In which Land the Children of Iacob multiplied them into many people: And they had not any other Ceremonies, but such as had been by their Fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Iacob; namely, [Page 55] the ministration of the Circumcision. Which Circumcision they bare (for a Covenant of God) in their flesh) to a true signe that they were God's elected people, and did bear the laying away of the sin in their flesh.

20. But whenas now these Tribes of Israel (in Egypt) multiplyed them exceedingly, and became great and mighty of People; so reign­ed the king of Egypt over them with in justice; and this king of Egypt was named Pharao;Exod. 1. a, b, which name signifieth unto us, One that is making naked or wasting.

21. NOw whilst that these Tribes of Iacob were (by the king Pha­rao) sore afflicted in the land of Egypt, and overlorded with injustice,Exod. [...]. c, so cryed they unto the God of their Fathers; And the Iord re­membred his Covenant which he had made with Abraham, to wit, That he would be a Judge over the seed of Abraham, Gen. 15. b, Exod▪ 3. a, Acts 7. d, in the land wherein they were oppressed. And he had compassion on the misery of the chil­dren of Iacob; and chose them out (from among themselves) one man of the Tribe of Levi, Exod. 3. a. named Moses; which name signifieth unto us, Fetched, or taken up out of the Wa­ters; Through whom God would lead his People out of Egypt, and r [...]lease them from the violent power of Pharao.

22. And the Lord called this same Moses [Page 56] unto him, and Exod. 3 a, b▪ sent him unto the children of Israel; and caused him to publish unto them the grace of the God of their Fathers; and that the same God would lead them out of the Strictness, deliver them from the violence of Pharao, and bring them into a good land that floweth with milk and honey.

23. Moreover the Lord prepared Moses an helper, which should witness and manifest the word of Moses before the children of Is­rael, and before Pharao king of Egypt; which Exod. 4 b. c, d. 5. a, was also of the Tribe of Levi, and Moses brother, named Aaron; which name signifi­eth unto us, a Doctrine, or an hill whereout Doctrine is rec [...]ived, or that is Teaching.

24. And the Lord wrought many signes and wonders in the land of Egypt, Exod. 7 8, 9, 10. in the presence of Pharao, and of the children of Israel; but before Pharao, to the hardning of his heart; and before the children of Israel, that they should believe the God of their Fathers, understand and know the power of his wonderful works, and humble them under him and his Word (which was shewed unto them by Moses and Aaron, out of the living word of the God of heaven) as also be obedient unto the same.

25. All this wrought the Lord among the children of Israel, through Moses and Aaron, to the end that they should witness and set [Page 57] forth the Lord's word and will, with his In­stitutions and Rites, before the children of Israel.

26. BUt whilst now the children of Israel E had not any further sight nor know­ledge of the house or tabernacle of the Lord, then of the Ecc. 1. c, 2. b, 19. b. Fear of God; the beginning or forefront of God his true Tabernacle; and did bear the Gen 17, b, Circumcision for a signe of the true Covenant of God (that they were the Lord's people, and feared the living God) in their flesh, and were not yet entred into the Holy of the true Tabernacle of God; so would God declare the Holy by them, and bring them therein; and even so build among them the Holy of his Sanctuary or true Ta­bernacle (to a great name of his glory, and to the blessing and salvation of his people) also upon the earth. Exo. 3.12.13. Num. 13.14. Therefore God caused some better and godlyer thing to be publish­ed (through Moses) unto his people, then that wherein they stood comprehended; to the end that they should set their hope there­on, and even so (for to obtain the Rest) be obedient unto the word of the Lord; as al­so (to their releasing from the violence of Ph [...]raoh) depart out of Egypt.

27. BEhold, in the same time did the Lord F with great signes and wonders) make mani [...]est his Glory among the Children [Page 58] of Isra [...]l; and even so (to the end that his great N [...]me, and wonderful power might al­so be known among all Heathen, and he fear­ed as a true God) Exo [...]. 15.16, 20, &c. D [...]ut. 4, 5, 6. led his people Israel, through Moses and Aaron, with a mighty hand and forcible Arm, out of the land of Egypt; and se [...] forth, and taught them (through Moses) his In [...]titutions and Laws, for to ob­serve those same in the good land whereinto the Lord would bring them.

28. In which time there was no more spo­ken unto them of the circumcision of the flesh, bu [...] of that which was neerer unto the con­summation or perfection; and of the inheri­ting of the good land which God had Gen. [...]5 17. a, pro­mised unto the seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Iacob ▪

29. BUt when as now the Lord had led his people out of Egypt, and through the wilderness, even unto the red sea (where they were pursued by Pharao) so Exod. 14. b, opened the Lord the red sea before them, dividing it asunder, and brought his people (through Moses and A [...]ron undamaged therethorow.

30. Bu [...] Pharao with all his might and power, which entred also into the red sea for to destroy the children of Isr [...]el ▪ Exod. 14. c, 1 Cor. 10. a, perished in the same; so that not one of all his Host escaped thereout, nor remained alive.

31. The which signifieth unto us in cleer­ness, [Page 59] the perishing or going under of the ig­norant or unknown sins, which (in the strict­ness reigned over Israel, and burdned them very sore.

32. The red Sea signifieth unto us, the Hope; namely, for the People of the Lord, an hope to come unto some better thing; where­in the children of Israel obtained room when they were persecuted; Exod. 15. a, b, and which was o­pened before them, that they might pass therethrough; but closed or stopped before their enemies which persecuted them, and went also therein, with an hope to destroy the children of Israel, and so they were all drowned therein.

33. Thus the children of Israel journeyed (through the protection of the Lord) until they came unto the wilderness Sinai, unto Exod. 15, 16, 19 a, Mount Sinai; which signifieth unto us, a Thorny thicket, or a thorny Desart.

34. WHat we had here more to say of the multiplying of the children of Israel in Egypt, and of their De­parting A or leading forth out of the same land, is declared in the Glass of Righteousness.

The XI. Chapter.

THe while now that the children of Isra­el became weary in their journey, they Exod. 17. a Num. 13, 14. a, 16.20, 21. Deut. 1. c, d, 1 Cor. 1 [...] a, murmured against Moses and Aaron, and [Page 60] also against the Lord: and became likewise unwilling to enter into the good land: com­playning, that they were departed out of Egypt; wherethrough we may perceive and understand, that they have turned away from the doctrine and requiring of Moses, as al­so from the right stock of Abraham, and from his belief; and were turned into their own knowledge and self seeking: and for that cause they Psal. 78. c, d, 106. b, c, knew, believed or understood not the works of God, his waies, Institutions and laws, nor yet his word, in such sort as their Fathers (Abraham, Isaac, and Iacob) had known, believed, and understood.

2. Therefore the Lord came down to the Children of Israel upon Mount Sinai, and called unto him Moses and Aaron; Exod. 20 21. &c. and caused his word to be heard exceeding loud of all the people; making manifest unto them, how that he was the Lord. Deut. 5. a. b, 6.8 10. &c. He taught them likewise, which or in what sort his law, Com­mandments, institutions, and rites were, where­in their Fathers (Abraham, Isaac, and Iacob) had lived uprightly.

3. Now when the Lord had caused them to hear his word exceeding loud, they were afraid at the Sound of the same word, because they loved him not, nor yet knew his voice. And Exo. 10. b, c. Deut. 5. c, for that cause they would not the Lord but Moses should speak unto them.

[Page 61]4. HErewithal ( O ye goodwilling B hearts consider and look into the matter, how that the Lord would Num. [...] c, D [...]t. 1.2. b, nor de­clare, nor make known his secrets, nor his councel, mind, or will (of that which he (either in the present time▪ or in the time to come) would do, accomplish, or atchieve with them) unto such as had none other will, desire, or love unto him, nor yet shewed thankfuln [...]ss for all the goodness, love, faith­fulness, and mercy wherewith God informed or trained them: neither would he set up or perform the service of his true being (accord­ing to his heavenly truth) by them, nor yet Ps. 95. b Heb. 3▪ b, 4. b, bring such unto his rest. For they could not (in their unbelief and disobedience) com­prehend or understand that which God required at their hands.

5. In like manner will the Lord now also (in these last days) not make manifest his se­cret counsel, mind, and will, unto the unbelie­vers and disobedient; but unto them Deut. 4. d Ier. 29. b, Sap. 1. a, that seek him with all their heart, believe and obey his word in the requiring of his service▪ and have a desire to do his will. The which cannot come to pass by any man, but by them that have an unlust and unwil to themselves: and that even so (for the Lord's cause) Mat. 16. c Mark 8. d Lu. 9.14. c forsake, hate, and leave themselves, and all what they have learned and taken on unto them.

[Page 62]6. BEhold, by such that love the wis­dom of the Lord, his word and In­struction, and his righteousness, will the Lord erect the service of his true being Ioh. 14. c Act. 1. a, 2. a, make manifest himself, establish his promises, and Heb. 4. b Apo. [...]2 a bring them unto his rest; as also dwell, live and walk in them.

7. Therefore hath the Lord (in times past) not made manifest or erected his true service (according to the heavenly truth) or his be­ing of perfect righteousness, by the people which loved themselves, and were unbeliev­ing towards him and his ministers (where­through the wrath of the Lord came upon them, and they might not ent [...]r in his rest) but hath let them see the same through Mo­ses; Exod. 25. Ad finem vsque sic Leuit. a principio ad finem. Num. 3 4▪ 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 17, 18. in images, figures, and shadows; and hath even so set forth before them (through Moses) the patern, which was figured forth ac­cording to the very true, to an example of the very true; and to a doctrine which reacheth or leadeth to the very true: witnessing there with­all (before al eys of godly understanding) that the very true and perfect of the same, was with the Lord.

8. Which absolute or perfect being of the same example, patern, and doctrine, God would (in the time to come) bring in, plant, and Psal. 69. d Isa. 11.92. a, Ier. 30. b, Amos. 9. Act. 15. b Apo. 21. a set up by the children of men which would believe God, and be good willing unto the obedience of his requiring.

[Page 63]9. Therefore chanced not the services of the images and figures only for their sakes which tempted God, and where unbelieving, but for our sakes; we which are present [...]y 1 Cor. 10 b, in the end of the world stirr [...]d up and goodwill­ing unto the true being of God, to the end that they all (which Deut. 6. a, 10 b, [...]0 a, love the Lord with all their heart, and humble them under the obedience of the love) might nowSap. 1. a, Mat. 11, c, 13. b Ioh 14. b, 16. c, understand and know the Lord's love and godness (which he hath unto man) and the true being, or perfection of his lovely righteousness, out of the images and figures; also Mat. 16. c forsake and got out of themselves, and so live therein.

10. This same can we in the former fi­gured example, comprehend and understand; like as we may also behold in the images, that none other inhabiteth, inheriteth or com­eth unto the Kingdom full of the glory and maiesty of God, but he that hath an unwil or Esa. 66. a Psal. 51. b unlust to himself: and so cleaveth (with whole heart) unto Christ, as is abovesaid.

The XII. Chapter.

MOreover, the Lord hath written his law,A institutions, and rites, Exo. 2 [...]. b, 31.32. b, [...]4. a, in two tables of stone and given them unto Moses, Exo. 25. a, 26. &c. he shew­ed Moses also all the sanctuary of his taber­nacle; and gave him likewise therewith, divers convenient laws or ordinances, which [Page 64] he should set forth before the children o Israel, which were ignorant of God's Law, Institutions, and Rites, or of the convenient Ordinances of the Lord; to the end that the Ordinances and Services of the Lord, might be even so all prepared, according Exod. 25. a, 26. &c. Lev. 1, 2, 3, &c. Numb. 3, 4, 5. to the same pattern which the Lord gave unto Moses upon mount Sinai; and so the same prefiguration be observed with diligent ser­vice (for a stedfast memorial of the same true Being) in the Priests office of Aaron, until that the glory Numb. 14▪ c, of God, and his love towards Israel should be brought through Christ; the promises of God the Father (to the bles­sing of all generations of the earth) declared, known, and established; and the true Being of the services of the Images and figures (in the Spirit, and in all truth) erected, in the obe­dience of the Belief.

2. And this forementioned service of the Images, Figures, and Shadows, (wherein the perfection of the true Tabernacle of God, with his true services of the spiri­tual and heavenly goods, was well to be perceived) had the foregoing in his ser­vice; and became fruitful with the chil­dren of Israel, and brought forth a ser­viceable seed of Righteousness (after the man­ner as is Gen. 16. a, Gal. 4. c, Supra a, said of Agar) the which is the Elders Testament.

[Page 65]3. For the Belief (whereout the true and B free seed of the upright Righteousness (to the establishing of the promises of God) becom­eth brought forth) was yet closed, after the manner as is said of Sara. Which Belief is the true Testament that bringeth forth Gal. 4. c the free children of God according to the Spirit.

4. Thus the Lord joyneth him unto the service, for that the service might be fruitful (to obtain yet (at the last) the seed of promise out of the Belief;) and the children of the service multiplyed into many, and became a great people. Howbeit the Lord's promises were not established, nor his covenant erected therewith.

5. For the same service was not the very true; but it was unto the people which were yet captived with darkness, a foregoing light (Heb. [...]. a, b. in Images and figures) before the face or perfect light of the Lord.

6. Which foregoing service had also 2 Cor. 3. a. cleer­ness in his service; and for that cause it is al­so a Testament of the holy Fathers (added unto the promises) Gal. 3. [...], 4. a, to a sustaining of the Lord's people in their youngness or igno­rance, until that the barren became fruitful,Gen. [...]8 and that the fruit could live.

7. ACcording to this same manner, had this Testament (administred by the Elders of the holy Understanding) the fore­going, [Page 66] and his fruitfulness with the unillumi­ [...]ated until that the Belief (out of the power of God) became with childe through the holy Ghost and bare or brought forth a new man, or Luke 1. c, 2. [...]. a new creature (according to theCol. 1. [...], H [...]b. 1. a, bei [...]g of the h [...]av [...]nly G [...]dhead) by the Beleevers: and illuminated them even so in their spirit and mind, with the upright Eph. [...]. c, righ­teousness and h [...]liness. For this is the right pr [...]creatio [...] ▪ to the Ioh. [...]. [...], Ro. 1 [...]. a, E [...]h. 4 [...], renewing of the spirit a [...]d mind of the believers; and is also the true new Testament, which God hath pro­mised to erect with his people.

8. Which new Testament is the very true▪ that God himself witnesseth in his peo­ple, which are obedient unto him out of faith in the service of his word; Luke 24. [...], Act▪ 1. b, 2. a, and bring­eth even so unto them in the spirit of their mind, the true God-service of the spiritual and heavenly goods: and writeth (accord­ing to his god [...]y and heavenly Truth) his law, institutions and rites, Ier. 31. d, Heb. 8.10. b, in the being of their inward mind.

9. In such sort worketh the Lord, the holy one in Israel; and bringeth forth even so his children, sons, and daughters, servants, and handmaids; upon which he (in these last days poureth forth Ioel a. b Act. 2. a, b his Spirit, and remem­breth no more th [...]ir sins: For they are a re­conciled people u [...]to him, which do (in all) his Wi [...]l.

[Page 67]10. BEhold and consider, such is the new D Testament with his children: For that same new Testament is (in his children) the heaven (the seat of the most highest) also spirit and life.Isa. 66. a Acts 7. c, And for that cause it is with his childre [...], heavenly, spiritually, and living­ly minded. Which children of the new Testament love not the world, nor that which is in the world, inasmuch as that the new Testament is wholy and altogether of God: also the love, the life, and the upright being of the holy Ghost it self.

11. But the Elders Testament, is the ser­viceable word which is administred out of the spirit and life of God, with unspeakable words, writings, 2 Cor. 3. b, or letters : and which al­so figureth forth and expresseth unto us (to wit▪ serviceably in parables, and in Images or Figures, the new and very true Testament; (which is heavenly, spiritual, and living, and endureth for ever) and bringeth the believers unto the same.

12. What we had here more to say of the Old and New Testament, and what either others being in it self is; and of the bringing in and use of the imagelike and fi­gurative Services; is declared in the Glass of Righteousness.

The XIII. Chapter.

A IN all that which the Lord shewed Moses, so elected he Aaron (which was of the tribe of Levi) and his sons,Exod. 4.39, 40. Lev. 1, 2, 3. Numb. 3, [...], 5, 6, 7, 8, 17, &c. to Priests or Elders, for to minister the figurative Tabernacle in his service, with all that which was figura­tively prepared thereunto.

2. Which Priesthood, with his Service (in such wise as Aaron ministred the same) pleased God well, that it should have the foregoing unto the entrance of the godliness, by the un­illuminated people, which knew nor under­stood not the verity of the true light; and even so alwaies bide stable, & be ministred among them,Iohn 3. a, Rom. 6. a, till unto the new birth in the true light; to the end that the Priests or Elders of the ho­ly understanding, should daylie set forth in their service or Priests office unto which God had joyned or added his promises) the Law of the Lord, and the Testament of his cove­nant, before the unilluminated people, to a me­morial of the promises of God, & to a susten­tation of them,Heb. 7.9. c, whereout one yet hopeth for some better thing; until that the true (of that which was ministred) came unto them in the Belief, to the Rom. 15. a, establishing of the promises: and that the same should then likewise (in true cleerness) Iohn 1. c, 1 Ioh. 1. a, be seen and heard by them; as also (out of the power of the supreme God­head) [Page 69] spoken Luk. 24. f, Ioh. 15. c, Act. 1. a, 2. a, witnessed, or confessed of them: namely, the true light come out of Heaven, in blessing, and with blessing, Gen. 14. b Heb. 7. a, ac­cording to the manner of Melchisedech, And this same true light, is the anointed with the holy Ghost.

3. Which anointed is named in Hebrew,B Messias; and in Greek, Mat, 1. b Christus. He was also (in times past) called of certain Rabbins among the Jews, the Lord's Sabbath, and they said that the same anointed, is the se­venth day in the paradise of God, Gen. 2. a, Heb. 4. b wherein God rested from all his works: and is the perfection, The which is also very true.

4. For this same Messias or anointed, is the Sabbath day, Exo. 20. b Deut. 5 b, which the Lord hath com­manded to be always had in remembrance, that we (when the same cometh) might rest therein, and hallow or sanctifie the same: wherein the law, the service of the preisthood of Aaron, Heb. 7.8. b out of Levi, and the elders testament doth cease, & hath accomplished his service.

5. For the same anointed which cometh at that time Act. 1. b Phil. 3. c, out of heaven (with his anointing of the holy Ghost; in the spirit, and is the Col. 1. b Heb. 1. 2, very like being of the Godhead it self, Psa. 110. a Heb 5.6.7 b, 9.10. b, he is a priest of the most highest, higher and greater of dignity then Aaron; because he bideth everlastingly, and is a minister of the spiritual and heavenly goods, in the very true being.

[Page 70] C 6. VVHere now then the Law and the Services do in such wise change by the believers of the Anointed; to wit, out of the figures, into the true being; and out of the letter or serviceable word, into the revealing of the holy Spirit of Christ; there is also then (by those same) the Priests office changed: Heb. 7, 8 a, For Christ the honorable Priest, cometh unto them from the right hand of God the Father, out of the heavenly Being, which hath or useth not his servce after the manner or ordinance of Aaron; which is yet a teaching or requiring to observe the Will or the Righteousness of the law of the Lord; but Heb. 6, 7, b, after the manner or ordinance of Melchisedech, which bringeth with him the Blessing, the accomplishing of the Law, or of the Lord's will, the salvation of life; and the anointing of the holy Ghost, (Eph. 1. b to a pledge of the godly inheritance, and to an everlasting Col. 2. a Apoc. 21. a, b, treasure or riches of God) and reigneth in the righteousness of the same.

7. Melchisedech signifieth unto us, One that ruleth in the Perfection; which is called a Heb. 7. a King of Righteousness. And in him is the fulfilling of the Law, and of the service of the Prophets. Therefore the [...]e shall not one Letter, nor the very least [...] fall from the Law, Matth. 5. b, until all come to pass.

[Page 71]8. OH alas! How grosly then have certain wise of the world, and Scripture learn­ed, over-reached them herein? which have (without diversity) forsaken the Law, and the service of the Elders Testament, and of the Priests office after the ordinance of Aaron, and set back the same as a thing unneedful; not once distinguishing unto whom the ser­vice after the Ordinance of Aaron is yet ne­cessary; nor yet with whom the same (at Gal. 4. a the appointed time) ceaseth or leaveth of [...].

9. But have all (for the most part) Mat [...]h. 24. c. Ma [...]. 13 c Luk. 17. ccryed Christ, Christ, and we are Christians; and at­tributed to themselves much freedom, ere ever the time of the appearing of Christ, or the 1 Iohn 2 c, anointing of the holy Ghost was come to pass, or fulfilled with them, in the accomplish­ing of the old Testament.

10. Oh that they yet now awaked,2 Cor. 6. a, Gal. 6. b, Heb 12 b and took heed (in the word of the service of love) unto this gracious time; and gave ear unto the same, that they might understand their safe making; and so then be rightly, and ac­cording to the truth, brought to the true Be­ing; that is, unto Christ.

11. What we had here more to say of the foregoing service after the ordinance of Aa­ron ▪ or of the foregoing before the true light, of the Elders of the holy Uunderstanding, of the Levitical Priesthood, of the Sabbath day [...] [Page 70] [...] [Page 71] [Page 72] of the Lord; and of the Treasures of the Riches of God, is declared in the Glass of Righteousness.

The XIV. Chapter.

A NOw when as all these forementioned holy things were prepared, according to the commandment of the Lord, so were there Numb. 13. a, men sent forth into the land of Promise, for to spy out the same.

2. But when as now these were returned out of the same land, Numb. 13. c, d, 14. a, certain reported unto the children of Israel, that the battel (where­with the land was to be won) was very tedi­ous; and that the land was invincible; or that it was impossible to destroy the inhabi­tants: wherethrough the people became un­believing of the promses of the Lord, and dis­mayed in heart unto battel, and were afraid of their enemies, which they (through the mighty hand of their God) should have de­stroyed and rooted out: and they murmured against Moses and his ministration.

3. Howbeit Iosue and Caleb (which had also spyed out the same land) Numb. 13. d, 14. a, brought good tydings; namely, that they could well win the same good land, and destroy their ene­mies which dwelled therein.

B 4. But they were not harkned to or belie­ved, because the people waxed Heb. 3, 4. b, unbeliev [...]ng [Page 73] of the word of the Lord, and his promises; and unlustful to the battel: and Numb. 14. a, complained sore, that they remained not in Egypt, to the end they might have died there.

5. And even so out of fear, and through unbelief and despair (to win the battel against their enemies) they wished Numb. 14. [...], that they might dy in the wilderness: and that came to pass even so.

6. For all they that had murmured con­tinually against the Lord, and bin unbelieving and disobedient unto him, and the ministrati­on and requiring of his word, came not into the good land: but Numb. 14. c, Ios. 14. a, b, Iosue and Caleb, which cleaved with all their heart unto the Lord, and believed, and were obedient unto his word, inherited the same. Iosue signifieth unto us, a Saviour: Caleb, the inward heart or minde.

7. HEreout we may perceive (ye dearly beloved) that the circumcision of the resisters or disobedient unto the word of the Elders (Moses and Aaron) was (through their unbelief and murmuring against the Lord, and the Ministers of his word, Ier. 9. c, become an Un­circumcision; and that there was also no Ioh. 5. c, love of God; but (in all) the love of them­selves found among them.

8. Whilst then they bowed not, nor incli­ned the ears of their heart unto the doctrine [Page 74] of the word, which was administred unto them by Moses and Aron: but after (their own Deut 29. b good thinking) were chusing this or that, or somthing else, even thus or even so; so have they not known the truth, nor yet Mat. 13. b understood the mysterie of the works of God; For that cause also they were not made free of the truth [...] they entred not likewise in­to the holy of the true tabernacle of God: nor have inherited the inheritance which God had promised unto the seed of Abraham.

9. The which giveth us to understand, that they are not Abraham's seed Rom. 9. a Gal. 3. a, which bear only the circumcision on their flesh; but they that are of his belief: for the believers N [...]m 14. c inherited the good land.

10. Notwithstanding, the glory of God was not at that time erected in his fulness, nor the promises fulfilled which the Lord had promised, to the salvation and Gen. 17. a Psal. 86. a blessing of the Heathen.

D 11. For (in his time) the Lord would also visit the heathen, declare Isa. 42. b, 53. b, 60. c, Eze. 39. 4 Esd. 1.2. his righteousness a­mong them, and even so (according to his promises) make Abraham a father of many heathen, which should not be of the circum­cision of the flesh, but of Rom. 9.11. a, his faith.

12. But the murmurers and complain­ers (which bare alwaies a care how it should go with themselves; but thought very little [Page 75] on the glory of the Lord, or on the magnify­ing of his holy name) Numb. 14. b, fell all into the in­dignation of the Lord; and God shewed no compassion on them for their infidelity sake: And therefore they must then remain with­out the Rest,Psal. 95. b, Heb. 3. b, 4. a, and dy in the Wilderness.

13. But Iosue (a leader or guide of Is­rael) brought Ios. 3. a, b, 4. a, b, the remnant of the people of Israel unto Iordan: which Iordan opened or divided it self asunder before them, and so they went thorow the same, even unto the borders of the good land. Iordan signifieth unto us, a River of Iudgement: And it is the same River wherein Iohn the Baptist Matth. 3. a, Luk. 3. a, after­ward baptised.

The XV. Chapter.

NOw when Israel was come into the A borders of the good land, then did Io­sue Ios. 5. a, circumcise again all the males. And the children of Israel took in (with forcible hand) all the whole land.

2. And thus in process of time they Ios. 8.10. Iudic. 1.8 10 &c. brought the people in sujection, and had ma­ny battels against their enemies; until David the king,1 Reg. 16. b, 2 Reg. 2.5, 8, &c. of the Tribe of Iudah, which van­quished and subdued (in battel) the enemies of Israel, and of the Lord, with all his own enemies; 3 Reg. 1.2. b, wherethrough his son Salomon in­herited the Kingdom of Israel in peace, [Page 76] sate upon the seat of David his Father: and ruled the whole land, and the people of Israel (through the Godly wisdom) peace­ably, and judged them uprightly.

3. This David was exceedingly beloved of the Lord; in such wise, that the Lord said 1 Reg. 13. b, Act. 13. c. that he had found a man, according to his own heart. And the Lord nameth him also (in certain places of the Scripture) my Psal, 89. c servant David: the which signifieth unto us, my ser­vice which is lovely,

B 4. BEhold, this righteous plant of Da­vid, hath the God of heaven raised up by us, now in the last time, Ier. 23. a, 33. b, Eze. 37. c, like as the Lord promised the same, according to the Scriptures: and hath ordained him (in this day of his love) to be a ruler, which shall govern wisely. He shall set up judgement and Righteousness again upon earth, that Iuda may now in this time be hopen; and Israel dwel undismayed, or without fear. For his 2 Reg. 7. b, Psa. 89. d, 132. b, Isa. 9. a, seed shall stand (from henceforth) be­fore the Lord; and sit upon the seat of Da­vid for evermore; like as there is written thereof.

5. Behold, this covenant hath the Lord made thus (in times past) with his servant David: Ps. 110. a, 132. b, Isa. 16. b, and sworn to keep the same with him for evermore.

6. But now when as Salomon (which is [Page 77] the right seed of his Father David) hath inheri [...]ed in peace, 3 R [...]g. 1. d, 2. b, 9.10. 1 Par. 20. 2 Par. 1.9. the Kingdom of Israel, and the seat of David his Father, so builded he at the same time, an house or temple (within Ierusalem) unto the name of the Lord 3 Reg. 6.7. 2 Par. 3.4. Act. 7. c, and also an house for himself, which was the house of Salomon: and all lands and people humbled them under Salomon, and his godly wisdom.

7. Salomon signifieth unto us, peaceable, or one which is rich of peace: Ierusalem signifieth unto us, a vision of peace, or of per­f [...]ction.

8. O Ye dearly beloved; consider here C the Mysterie of the works of God, and the providence Rom. 11. d, of his unsearchable wisdom: and behold in the Jmages and figures what they shew forth unto us.

9. Verily, they will now (in this day of love) express some singular thing unto us; and declare in this last time (a great mysterie. For (in this day) they make known unto us, that it all (which they signifie, or whereof they give their cleerness) shall now in this Isa. 2. a, Ier. 23. a. 33. b, Eze. 37. c, Ioel. 2. c, Mic. 4. a, last time be erected, according to the true being; and fulfilled Act. 2. b 3. c, or accomplished, according to the heavenly truth.

10. But in all this former beauty, and in the garnishing of the images and figures (wherewith the Lord trained or informed [Page 78] he children of Israel, that they might there­out know or understand the very true; so served they (at that time) not the very true, which God required out of the imagelike or figurative services; but they served the ima­ges and figures, and were subject to the ser­vice of the Levitical Priesthood, after the order of Aaron. Which service increased al­waies (in glory) to the multiplying and great­er Heb. 7. b, 8. a, 9. b, 10 a, b, respecting of the righteousness.

11. NOw after that Salomon was fallen D asleep, and buried with his Fathers, so rented then the Kingdom of the children of Israel into two parts: 3 Reg. 12. b, 2 Par. 10. and ten Tribes of Israel fell away from the house of David, and chose unto themselves another king, named Ieroboam; which name signifieth unto us, an assaulting, or a tempting of the People.

12. Through this king which reigned over the ten Tribes of Israel, they departed away from Ierusalem, from the Temple of Salomon, and from the services of the Priests, after the order of Aaron and set up for them­selves services and images 3 Reg. 12. d, at Beth-el and Dan; and so brought the holy places into desolation. They instituted Priests also which were not of the Tribe of Levi ▪ out of Aaron; wherewith they observed the services falsly, and did that which displeased the Lord; and were for that cause (at the last) vanquished [Page 79] by the king Salmanaser, 4 Reg 1 [...]. which came from Assyria; and by him led away out of the land, and are yet estranged from the same, even unto this same day; in which the Lord will presently bring them again to their heri­tage, [...] and to the house of David.

13. Beth-el signifieth unto us the house of God; and Dan, the judgement. [...] coming from Assyria, signifieth unto u [...], a peace bound or knit together, proceeding from the snares or sins which one [...]ayeth to such a purpose, or wherewith [...] assaulted or tempted; like as their first king 3 Reg. 12. Ieroboam had brought in the same.

14. What we had here more to say, of the children of Israel; of their disobedience against the Lord, wherethrough they in times past remained without the rest; of their un­circumcision, or which is the uncircumcision of heart; of Israel's casting out, and how long they shall abide cast out from the Lord, as also when they shall be restored or set up again: is declared in the Glas [...] of Righ­teousness.

The XVI. Chapter.

BUt the Stock of David, and all what A was of the Tribe of Iuda and Benja­min, 3 Reg. 12. b, kept themselves together, and held them unto the services of the Priesthood out [Page 80] of Levi, according to the ordinance of Aaron like as the Lord had commanded the same: which they observed at Ierusalem in the house of the Lord, prepared by Salomon.

2. Howbeit, the tribes of Iuda and Benja­min sinned against the Lord, and estranged them even so through a confusion or com­mixture unto intanglement from his law, and from the requiring of the same, wherethrough the Lord gave them over also (at the last) into the hands of the King Nabuchodonosor, 4 Reg. 24. b, coming from Babel; the which signifieth un­to us, a sighing or heaviness through strictness; proceeding from a confusion, or from a com­mixture, which hath intangled or snared it self in it self.

3. This Nabuchodonosor of Babel, 4 Reg. 24. b, ut­terly destroyed the temple of the Lord which Salomon had builded,4 Reg. 15 a, Ier. 39.52. a, b, and burned the same, and Salomon's house also; he brake down the wals of Ierusalem, and carryed away all the vessels of silver and gold (which were in the house of the Lord) and the most part of the Citizens of Ierusalem 2 Par. 36. Eze. 24. a, b into Babylon. Wherethrough the government of their King of Iuda, with their Psalms, Songs, and Mirth, was utterly laid down; the house of the Lord brought in desolation▪ and the City of Ierusalem (as a ruinated City) made to heaps of stones. Whereover Ieremy [Page 81] (in his Lamentations) greatly sighed,Lam. 1.2, 3, 4, 5. wayled, and wept.

4. NOw when the tribes of Iuda were led away into Babylon, so must they then (for their sins or confusions cause, wherein they had mingled and bewrapped themselves together) Ier. 39. serve there the King, Nabuchodonosor.

5. But after that (or after the end of the raign of King Nabuchodonosor) there raigned a King over them, which was not of Ba­bylon, named Dan. 6▪ 9. a, Darius, coming from Media and Persia.

6. Darius signifieth unto us, seeking: or searching. Media, one which hath abun­dance, Persia, one which is parting, sep [...]ra­ting one from another, or unsnaring.

7. Under the might of this King Darius, of Media and Persia, it was licenced the Jews to build again the City of Ierusalem, and the Temple of the Lord: whereof Ag­geus 1 Esd. 5.6 b, 3 Esd. 6. a and Zacharias prophesied, and moved or exhorted the people thereunto. Which building of the City of Ierusalem, and of the temple of the Lord. Ezechiel doth also cleerly Eze. 40.41▪ &c. describe or figure forth.

8. Aggeus signifieth unto us, beautiful, or glorious: Zacharias, the remembrance of the Lord: Ezechiel, one whch seaeth God, and also, a taking hold of God.

[Page 82] C 9. IN this time of Darius king of Media and Persia (according to the Prophesie of Aggeus, Zacharias, and Ezechiel) was [...] A [...]g. 1, 2 a, b, Z [...]ch. 1, [...], 4, [...], [...]. a, b, &c the City of Ierusalem (in all respects as she was before) and the House of the Lord, with the Vessels of Silver and Gold, and all its or­naments (like as Salomon had builded and garnished the same) set again each thing in its old place. All which was 1 Esd. 3. b, builded and accomplished by Zorababel, (a Prince in Iuda of the house of David) and by Iosua, an high Priest, of the Tribe of Aaron.

10. Zorobabel signifieth unto us, One that hath not b [...]wrapped himself in the Commix­ture, or that is without Tangling. Iosua sig­nifieth unto us, a Saviour.

11. From this time forth that Ierusalem was inhabited again of the Jews & the Tem­ple of the Lord consecrated by the Priests, 1 Esd. 6.9, 1 [...]. 2 Esd. 8.9, 1 [...], 13. 3 Esd. 6.so was also (like as Moses had ordained the same and as there was witnessed and figured forth in the Letter) the Law, and services of the Priests and Levites, very diligently observ­ed. But all this came to pass under the might and dominion of the heathenish kings.

D 12. And the Jews (with their God-ser­vice) obtained (in process of time) so wide room among the Heathen, that certain of the Dan. 4.6. heathenish kings and people, esteemed the God-service of the Jews to be a true God-service; [Page 83] and they came unto Ierusalem Hest. 8. to worship, and offer unto the highest God. And certain of the heathen did let themselves also be circumcised, and became proselytes, or fel­low companions in religion, unto the Jews.

13. In such sort was the Law of Moses, with the ordinance of the Priests and Pro­phets (so much as the Scripture mentioned thereof) read daylie more and more with di­ligence and ferventness, for to observe (accord­ing to the Scripture) in most perfect manner, all what Moses had commanded.

14. Through this same zeal or diligence, which was used hereunto (wherethrough the figurative services were (in most gorgeous manner) furthered or required; and (for to be observed) set forth before the people) ma­ny people were therein captived, so that they Isa. 1.43 c, Ier. 5. c, Oze. 5. a, supposed that the figurative services were were the very self true God-services; and that God was to be reconciled therewith; and marked not God's counsel or will, because they respected not the cleerness of the very true Being, whereof the images and figures gave Col. 2. b, Heb. 8.10. a, their shadows: wherethrough also they understood Isa. 6. Mat 13 b not the mysterie of those same. For that cause they were yet bondmen, and servants of the Lord, which were yet bound unto the same services; and not (as children of God) Ioh. 8. d, made free through the Truth.

[Page 84]15. Whilst now that they were yet ser­vants, and not made free (through the light of the truth) so knew they not likewise the truth, nor the mind or will of their Lord; neither what the Lord did, or would accom­plish: For a servant knoweth not Ioh. 15. b what his Lord hath in mind, neither what he will do or leave undone.

16. But unto his Son (Isa. 9.16. b which sitteth with him upon his seat, and raigneth with him, in wisdom and righteousness) Mat. 11. c he ope­neth all the secret counsel of his heart.

17. These forementioned imagelike or fi­gurative services, remained and stood a long time in their Garnishing and great estima­tion: by which the Lord had always a seed out of Aaron, which went daily (in the same services) before the people, for to minister in the holy: and entered once in the year (when the service had ended his course) into the most holy:Exo. 30. b Heb. 9. a, c, 10. a, b, and even so (out of the most holy) sanctified it all with the bloud of the testa­ment, to the forgiving of their sins.

18. Which services, witnessed and shew­ed unto them (in figures, and in secret words or parables) the very true and spiritual ser­vices, which should in the times to come be administred through the spiritual and hea­venly Goods,1 Cor. 13. b, [...] in the face of the Lord; name­ [...] [...] the [...]aked or uncovered clearness of [Page 85] Christ in the Spirit; that is, in the inward­ness of the believing men: and that the same spiritual and heavenly services, should then also in like manner be seen and known in all their cleerness; and the promises of God the Father (in all blessing) accomplished and ful­filled, according to the Scripture.

19. Hereout we have easily to perceive,F who are the ministers of the services and Scriptures; who stand yet captived under the letter: and which are the right believers and disciples of Christ, that as faithful servants of the Lord, pass or wade through the servitude of the service and Letter, and Iohn 8.15. b, obediently ful­fil the same, and so become Rom. 8▪ b, born again to children of God.

20. What we had here more to say, of the right stock of Iuda, or of the Jews, or of their servitude under the Law, of their free­dom, of their to coming dominion, and whereto to the figurative services do serve, and when or wherein they cease, or with whom they have ended their service, as also with whom they are yet needful and necessa­ry, is declared in the Glass of Righteousness.

The XVII. Chapter.

THis figurative service had in his state and A ministration according to the ordinance of Aaron (as Moses had commanded the [Page 86] same) in all garnishing (according as the Scripture maketh mention) the foregoing in frui [...]fulness, Luke 1. a, b, c. until Iohn the Baptist.

2. For the genealogie of Aaron the Priest (out of the seed of Levi) had his description (from the procreating of the Priesthood) un­til Zacharias and Elisabeth his wife, of whom Luke 1. a, c, Iohn the Baptist (the true fore-goer) was born: which declareth himself, not in figures, but in the Mal 4. b, Mat. 11 b Luk. 1. b, spirit and power of God and go­eth before the face of God, for to bring (in his service) all things again into their right state or form.

3. According to the same manner, after the genealogie of the kingly seed, hath the kingly seed of David (out of the tribe of Iuda) his procreation, till unto Ioseph, and the Virgin Mary his wife; Mat. 1. b, c, Luk. 2 a, of whom Iesus Christ (which is I [...]. 23.33. b, the true king of the Jews, the true seed of David after the flesh; and after the spirit the true Son of God and God's everlasting Iohn 1. a, 8. b, 14.1 [...]. a, b,light, li [...]e, and cleerness▪ the true Sap 7. c Iohn 14.16Spirit of the godly glory, and the lovely Being of the uncovered Face of God) was born or brought forth: Whereunto all foregoing services, with the images▪ figures, and shadows, do induce and lead, and cease therein; and Heb. 9. b, c. 10. a, b. wherethrough the true God-service of the spiritual and hea­venly goods, is nakedly seen known, ministred, and inherited in full cleerness. It is very true.

[Page 87]4. NOw when as these forementioned B figurative services had had their foregoing till unto Zacharias (at which Mat. 2. a, Luk 3. a, time Herod (out of the power of Rome) was king over the lands of Iuda) so ministred Zacharias the Priest's office at the same time, according to the ordinance of Luke 1 a, Abia; that is, in such wise as the Father of the Lord would have it, or as it pleased him. And Zacharias had a wife of the daughters of Aaron named Elisabeth.

5. Herod signifieth unto us, a Mountain of glory. Rome signifieth unto us, Puissance or strength. (These Romans (not being out of Iuda, but out of the Heathen) were in the time of Zacharias, lords over the land of Iuda.) Zacharias signifieth unto us, the me­mory, or remembrance of the Lord. Abia, the Will of the Lord. Elizabeth, the Oath or Covenant of God.

6. And when as now Zacharias ministred the Priest's office before God, according to the ordinance of Abia, and that he burned incense in the Temple of the Lord; so remem­bred the Lord the Oath or Covenant of his promises; and sent (at the same time) Luke 1. a, his Angel Gabri [...]l [...] Zacharias, & evangelized unto him, that Elisabeth his wife should bear him a Son, and his name should be called Iohn; which name signifieth unto us▪ the [Page 88] grace mercy of the Lord. Angel signifieth un­to us, a messenger or publisher Gabriel (which published the same) signifieth unto us the power or strength of God.

C 7. Gabriel witnessed yet further to Zach­arias: unto thee, and unto many people, there shall be joy in the birth of Iohn. Luk. 1. b For he shall be great before the Lord, &c. He shall go before the face of the Lord, Mal. 4. b in the spirit and power of Elias; which signifieth unto us, in the spirit and power of God the Lord.

8. With these sayings, there is made known unto us by the Angel Gabriel, that the foregoing of Iohn before the face of the Lord, should not chance in figures; but (according to the true being) in the spirit and power of God the Lord: in like manner as Zachari­is also witnessed of Iohn when he was born, read the first of Luke.

The XVIII. Chapter.

A NOw when the Lord had out of the i­magelike foregoing (after the manner of Aaron) brought forth a true foregoer, in the spirit and power of God the Lord; or ob­tained him out of Zacharias, and Eil­zabeth his wife: through whom he would begin his work or Office, according to the true being; so remembred he also his servant David [or his beloved service] [Page 89] and the oath, which he had sworn unto him: 2 Reg. 7. b, Psal. 89.110. a, 132. b. Isa. 16. b, Ier. 23. a, 33. b, Eze. 37. c to wit, that his seed should sit upon his seat,

2. Whilest then the procreation of the seed of David (according to the Genealogie) stretched even unto Mat. 1. b Luk. 1. c, Ioseph (which was the right stock of the Kingly seed of David) and that he had (out of the same house of David) a Virgin to wife, named Mary, which was betrothed unto him, so hath the Lord (ac­cording to his promises) also visited the house of David, and Luk. 3. c sent forth from him his Angel Gabriel (into a City of Galilee named Nazareth) unto the same Virgin Mary, which was espoused unto the man Ioseph, of the house of David, as is abovesaid.

3. Galilee signifieth unto us, a turning or winding about: Nazareth signifieth, hallow­ed: Mary, a Doctress; Ioseph, one that is per­fect, or an exalting or great esteeming of the perfection.

4. ANd Gabriel went in unto Mary:B and when he had saluted her, he said unto her: thou hast found mercy with God Luk. 1 c behold, thou shalt conceive in the womb; and bear a Son: and shall call his name, JESVS; which name signifieth unto us, Saviour.

5. This same (saith Gabriel) shall be great, Luk. 1. c & be called a Son of the most highest: [Page 90] And God the Lord shall give unto him the Seat of his Father David;2 Reg. 7 Psal, 89. d Psal. 9. a, Dan. 2.7. c. and he shall be a king over the house of Iacob for evermore, and of his kingdom there shall be none end.

6. When Mary had heard these sayings of Gabriel, Luke 1 d, she askt him how the same should come to pass, forasmuch as she knew no man.

7. Gabriel answered her, and said; Luk. 1. d, The holy Ghost shall come down from above, out of the height upon thee; and the power of the most High shall shine about thee. There­fore shall also that holy one which shall be born of thee, Isa. 8. a, Mat. 1. c, be called the Son of God.

8. And Mary believ'd the word of the Lord and became with childe by the holy Ghost. And Luk 1. c, rejoyced her in God, her salvation.

C 9. COnsider (ye beloved) how that there is shewed unto us and given us to un­derstand, through the speeches of the Angel Gabriel which he used with Mary, that at the same time (when the holy Ghost came (through the power of the most high) Luk. 1. d, upon the Virgin Mary, and procreated the true seed of promise) the time (of the procreating of the seed of Abraham according to the flesh) turned it self about; to wit that the holy and true seed of Abraham should not from thence­forth be conceived of the flesh, but of the ho­ly Ghost (through the power of the most high­est) in the Belief: and that the same should [Page 91] even so be born out of the true faith of Abra­ham; for the seed out of the faith of Abra­ham, and out of the pure Virgin Mary, is the true Ger. 21. b, 22. b, Rom. 9. a, Gal. 3. b, seed of Promise, to the blessing of all generations of the earth.

10. And thus (from that time forth) the genealogie of the seed of Abraham according to the flesh, cea [...]ed with the Believers. For the upright children of the Belief (which had their Descent out of the seed of the faith of Abraham, and of the pure Virgin Mary, as also from the holy Ghost) were known Rom. 9. a, to be the true seed of Abraham, because the same seed was the seed of the promise of God the Father; and was likewise in his mind according to the spirit, the likeness of God his Father; also Spirit and spiritual, of the godly Nature and Being, and (according to the will of God) wholy minded with God.

11. AT the same time when Augustus the Emperor of Rome reigned and had made a stedfast peace in all lands whereover he ruled; Luke 2. a, so caused he a Commandment to go forth from him, that all the world should be [...]axed, every one in his own City,

12. In which time, Ioseph and Mary jour­neyed also unto the City of David, named Beth-lehem ▪ that they might be taxed there, seing that they were of the same City of Da­vid: And even there in Beth-lehem, Mic. 5. a, Luke 2. a, Mary brought forth her first Son.

[Page 92]13. Augustus signifieth unto us, a great estimation or respecting of the thing that is glorious, holy, and increasing. Beth-lehem, an house of Bread.

14. AT the same time when Mary had brought forth her first Son in Beth-lehem, an Angel Luke 2. b, appeared unto the Shep­herds in the field, which published unto them, all that was chanced at Beth-lehem, to a great joy that should come unto all people. And he said, This day is born unto you the Preserver, which is Christ the Lord, in the City of David.

15. Christus is a Greek word, and is call­ed in Hebrew Messias, and signifieth unto us, Anointed, or the Oyl of the holy Ghost, wherein the perfect Godhead dwelleth and resteth.Luke 2. c. And he was circumcised the eight day, and named Iesus; that is, Saviour; like as the Angel Gabriel had said it before.

16. And this Child Jesus, born of the seed of David after the flesh, grew or increa­sed, & became Luke 2. c,strong in the Spirit, and full of all wisdom; for the mercy of God was in him

F 17. OH alas, how great contention and unprofitable disputations hath there been, concerning the Conception of Iesus in the Womb of Mary, and touching his birth! But if they all which contended hereabout had known the power of God; and that also [Page 93] the mysterie of the mind and works of God, had Mat 13. b Ioh. 10. d, bin given them to understand, so should they then verily not have contended therea­bout; neither yet many of them so grosly over­reached them in their Judgment, which they have witnessed and judged of the conception and birth of Iesus, or of his incarnation.

18. For which cause, to the end that all understandings might be satisfied, and much contention ended, we have (out of the light of the heavenly truth) nakedly declared (accord­ing to the truth) the conception of Iesus, with his birth, as also many secret works of God. He that hath ears to hear, Luk. 8. a, Apo. 2. b, 3. c, let him hear: and to whom wisdom is given, let him comprehend understanding.

19. What we had here more to say, of the conception of Iesus of the name Iesus Christ, of his birth, and of the eight day, is declared in the Glass of Righteousness, and in more other testimonies of our Writings.

The XIX. Chapter.

NOw when the time was fulfilled, that A God would (according to his promises) accomplish his work, to a good ending or fulfilling of all the services of the Images, figures, and Prophets (which services have all their ministrations Mat. 11. b, Luk. 16, b till unto Iohn the Baptist, which is the true minister [Page 94] and foregoer,Mal. 5. b, Luk. 1. b. before the true light or face of God, that cometh after Iohn or his service, with the holy Ghost) so hath Iohn (Luk. 5. a through the commandment of God) had the forego­ing in his service or office, to the true God-service in the spirit, and (in all the coasts of Iordan) preached and taught the baptism of repentance, to Mat. 3. a Mark. 1. a Luk. 3. a, Iohn 1. c, the forgiveness of sins; to the end, that he might even so, in his service (ac­cording to the word of the Lord, spoken be­fore by the Prophets) bring all things a­gain into their right state or ordinance.Isa. 40. a Mal. 3. a, 4. b,

2. At that time the people (which feared God) were informed and taught with other services, that were of greater force then the services of the images and figures.

B 3. Thus hath Iohn begun his office; pub­lished the Kingdom of the God of heavens Mat. 3. a to be at hand: and baptised the people in Iordan. with the water of repentance,

4, Iesus came also unto Iordan, for to be baptised of Iohn, Mat. 3. b Luk. 3. c, that all righteousness might be fulfilled through Iohn and Iesus, which also is called Christ.

5. COnsider and respect well now in understanding (ye dearly beloved) how Iohn ministred the office of his baptism: not that men should run forth with an hand­ful of water, and perswade themselves, when they have the elementish water, that it is there with enough to be a Christian.

[Page 95]6. O no the Baptism of Iohn is not in such sort: but he baptised them that confessed their sins, and where the water of Repentance flowed (inwardly) in the heart.

7. Behold, even thus [namely▪ in the con­fessing of the sins] hath Iohn Mat. [...]3. a▪ Luk. 3▪ a, baptised the people (with the water of repentance) in Ior­dan which signifieth unto us, a River of Iudgement.

8. For unto such (where the water of re­pentance C flowed inwardly in the heart) came the mercy or grace of the Lord: and they were baptised or washed with the same wa­ter of repentance, in the River of Judgment, to the knowledge of the salvation, and to the forgiving and purging of their sins.

9. And even so after that, came Messias or Christus [that is, anoin [...]ed] unto them to the sa [...]e-making of their souls: wherethrough they were Mat. 3. b Luk. 3. b, Iohn 1. c, Act. 2. d. baptised with the living waters of the holy Ghost, to the reedifying of the Ta­bernacle of the living God [namely, the gene­ration of mankind] wherein God himself (with his glory) would (to a light of men) Leui. 26. b, Ioh. 14. c, 2 Cor. 6. b, Apo. 21. a dwell, live, and walk, as an holy and true God, and everlasting life.

10. Wherethrough the man becometh Luk. 1▪ g, rightly released from the hand of all his ene­mies; and the comsummation or perfection erected by him: whereof God hath (from the [Page 96] begining spoken▪ through the mouth of all his holy Prophets, till unto the day or light of Iohn,

11. Behold, were the man once baptised in suchwise, might then verilyboast him to be a Christian, but not otherwise: for whosoever is not (in his mind and spirit) one spirit with Christ, he Rom. 8. a, belongeth not unto him.

D 12. OH alas, how great contention and disputation hath therebin among many touching the baptism. The one would have the baptism thus, the other so: but whilst that it was yet Ioh. 9, 11. b. night with them, so hath no man been able, before this day of love (which is the true light and the Glory of God himself) to understand nor distinct the baptism of Iohn, nor the baptism of Christ.

13. What we had here more to say, of Iohn; of his baptism; and of the baptism of Christ, is declared in the Glass of righte­ousness.

The XX Chapter▪

A NOw when Iohn had (in baptising) made himself manifest, so hath Christ (after the baptism of Iohn made himself also mani­fest;Mat. 4. c Mark 1. b & preached & taught, the Kingdom of the God of heavens. But he taught, as Mat. 7. c, Luk. 4. d, one that (in his doctrine) was mightier then the scripture learned after the law of Moses.

[Page 97]2. For the people were taught (through Christ) with other tongues, and through an other spirit; for there was preached and taught Isa. 32. a, c, 42. a, 57.60. peace, and peace abundantly.

3. Wherethrough the mysterie of the truth of God (whereon Moses in the law, the scrip­ture, and the prophets did wittness) was un­covered or made manifest;Luk. 2. d, and it was with many great offence, to a fall; and with many great joy, to restoring in Israel.

4. But whilst now that the word of Iesus had more efficacy and clearness then the ser­vices of the Levites and Priests according to the ordinance of Aaron, Mat. 4. c, Mark 3. a Luk 4.6▪ Iohn 1. c, 6. f, so have many peo­ple and devout men given ear unto the same Iesus, and beleeved in him, and even so ob­tained Iesus Christ many disciples, which fol­lowed him in his word and doctrine. Yet were there many of those same Disciples which Ioh. 6. g,fell away, and turned them from him and his doctrine,

5. In which time, there were also many B that hoped the Luk. 2. d Act. 1. a, Kingdom of Israel should have been restored, according to the promses of the prophets.

6. Likewise there were many that were offended at his word and doctrine; but chiefly Matth. 12. a, 15. a 21.22.23. a, b, c, Ioh. 6. d, 7.8, 9, 10, 11. the scripture learned, which were th [...] ex­pertest or learnendst in the scripture; and seemed to be the holiest^q. Many of these could not away with him.

[Page 98]7 And although they were daylie conver­versant with him, and heard his word, which was the word of God his Father it self, as also saw his wonderful signes which he did;Mat. 11 c, Iohn 8. c, 10. d, 15. c, yet believed they not, but were so much the more displeased with him.

8. Hereout we may evidently understand ye dearly beloved, that the wisdom, the holy un­derstanding, nor the holiness which God 1 Cor. 1.2. b, re­gardeth, cometh not unto the Disciples in the Scripture learnedness, nor in the knowledge; but unto the Disciples in the obedience of the requi [...]ing of the word, as also of the light of life, and of the godly truth, whereunto our upright service of love, together with the Scripture and the Ceremonies which are ad­ministred out of the true light of our most holy service of love) do point and lead.

C 9. WHilst now that Iesus Christ him­self is the very true holiness, and the Heb. 1. a Mat. 17. a upright substance of God his Father (whereon we witness) so gave he also in times past, like as presently, in his service such a cleerness from him, wherewith he sufficiently witnessed and manifested who Iohn 1. a, 6. c, 8. b, 14. c, he was.

10. But forasmuch as the children of men were utterly Eph. 2.4. b, estranged from the substance of the Being of God (like as in this present day there are many estranged therefrom) so have they not known him, according to his godly [Page 99] Being (like as he is a Christ of God) much le [...]s understood his word, which is the Iohn 6. g, spirit and life of his Father.

11. Although he spake or witnessed (before the ears of men) of the new birth Iohn 3. a, Rom. 12. a, Eph. 4. c or renew­ing in the spirit, of the turning about Mat. 18 a, and to become as children of the Mat. 13 b, kingdom of the God of heavens, of the bread Ioh. 6. [...], that cometh from heaven, of the Iohn 1. a, 8. b. 9. a, 12. d, light of the world, of the Ioh. 14. a, way, the truth, and of the Ioh. 11. c, resurrection and the life (all which he himself is) yet was it all covered before their eys (with the flesh of Christ, whereat many Scripture learned took offence) and secret before the ears of their understanding; yea, and it remained also all Luke 9 18. d, covered or secret before his Disciples (al­though they were not offended at his flesh and word) until that Christ had fulfilled Heb. 9. b, c, or ac­complished with them (through his death of the Cross his Pass-over, and the true oblati­on & Godservice, in the holy of the true Ta­bernacle, and they had imitated him therein,Rom. 6. a, Phil. 2. a, 1 Pet. 2.4. a, & that Christ after the Spirit, replenisht them out of his heavenly being with his holy Ghost and so declared himself unto them according to the spiritual form of his heavenly being.Act. 2. a

12. BEhold, until that time remained 2 Cor. 3. b, the vail (which is Heb. 10 [...], the flesh of Christ) before the most holy, so that they could not behold with the eyes of their inwardness, the [Page 100] most pure beauty of the heavenly Being, [namely, the naked cleerness of the most holy of the true Tabernacle of God) nor the per­fect lovelyness of the everlasting life of Jesus Christ, nor yet understand the same according to the heavenly truth.

D 13. For although Christ after the flesh witnessed much unto them of Iohn 6▪ g, Spirit and life, yet was notwithstanding their heart (so long as Christ after the spirit was not declared un­to them) captived with the love of Christ af­ter the flesh, and they understood all things for the most part, according to an outward form or observation.

14. If now the right Disciples of Christ understood not the spiritual and heavenly truth of Christ, before their Passover with Christ into the second birth; how much less then understood they the truth of Christ which were offended at his flesh, and at his word and doctrine, which also turned them away from him, and would not be his Disci­ples. For verily, all they that were offended at his flesh, and at his doctrine and works▪ and humbled not themselves obediently under his Doctrine, nor yet assembled them unto him, understood nothing at all of the spiritual and heavenly Testimonies of Jesu Christ, nor of the kingdom of the God of heavens; and yet much less of the salvation of men: even like [Page 101] as also yet in this present time all unregene­rated men (which shew forth no upright fruits of repentance, nor become incorpora­ted into Christ after the flesh, with his like death, nor yet baptised in his death, for to become renewed in the second birth from the death of Christ, through the holy Spi­rit of Jesu Christ, in their Spirit and mind) understand not any thing at all thereof, neither yet of the spiritual and heavenly testimonies of the holy Spirit of the love of Jesu Christ; nor yet likewise of all that which the Scripture speaketh of Christ, of the coming of his glory, and of his judgement over the living and dead. And for that cause there are also now in the last time, so many which take offence at the appearing of the coming of Jesu Christ, or of the son of maa, and at the ministration of the word and doctrine of Jesu Christ after the flesh, as also contemn the requiring of the obedience of his service of love, and turn them away therefrom.

The XXI. Chapter.

FOrasmuch now as that in times past, the A cleerness of Christ through the holy Ghost, was yet unknown unto the upright and faithful Disciples of Iesus Christ, whilst that they knew him not otherwise but after the flesh [namely, how or in what godly and [Page 102] heavenly cleerness, that Iesus Christ is the Mat. 1. c, Luk. 1. c, only begotten Son of the most highest; the Col. 1. b, Heb. 1. a, very like Being or substance of God his Father; the Ioh. 14. a, way, the truth, and the life; the Iohn 8 12. light of the world, the Ioh. 10. a, dore of the sheep; the Ioh. 15. a, right Vine, the Ioh. 6. d, e, living bread of heaven, the Iohn 11. c,resurrection from the death, and the Ioh. 3. b, new heavenly man.] So was it therefore needful that Christ should keep the Pascha or Pass-over with them; which is called in Hebrew Ezek. 45. c, Phase; the which signifieth, the true Pass-over, which the right Disciples and Believers of Iesu Christ do pass or go through in the following of Christ after the flesh: and it is the true oblation or Godservice in the holy, to the remission and purging of sins. Which Phase (as in a figure of the very true) had been observed by the Jews in his figurative service, even until the same time.

2. For that cause the Lord Iesus caused the same to be prepared him, for to keep the Pass-over or Pascha (with his Disciples) in the true being; and Matth. 26. c, Mark 14. c, Luke 22. b, Iohn 13.16. b. told them before of his B suffering and Pass-over; and that they must al­so do the like, if they would come to his cleer­ness (in the heavenly Being) with his Father.

3. Therefore he gave them to understand, in what manner his pass-over should be, to wit, that he (namely, Christ after the flesh) Matth. 16. c, 17. c, 20. b, Mark 8. d. 9. d, 10. d, should be slain, and even so fulfil, perform, [Page 103] or accomplish (according to the true Being) the true Godservice (with the gift or offering of his flesh) in the holy [namely, on the true Altar of the holy offering; which is his Cross, whereon he died in the Belief] whereof the services (after the manner of the Levitical Priests office out of Aaron) in the holy, were figures, and became even so fulfilled in the Pass-over of Iesu Christ.

4. Herewith Christ shewed unto his Disci­ples, how or in what manner his flesh must be offered and given over to a life of men; and Ioh 6. [...], f, that they all even so, which (in the Belief of the safe-making from their sins) ate his flesh, and followed after him even into the second Ma [...]. 19. d, Ioh. 3. a, Rom. 6. a, birth, should have the Ioh. 10. b, life in fulness, in all godly cleerness, according to the spirit.

5. NOw when he had set forth all this be­fore them [namely, that the Father would glorifie his Son Christ, Ioh. 13. d, 14. [...], 17. a, with the same cleerness which he had with the Father, ere C ever the foundation of the world was laid: and that they should also Mat. 20. c, drink the cup of his Passover with him] so began he then his Passover with them, & gave them Mat. 2 [...]. c, Mark 14. c, Luk. 22. b the bread (the which came from heaven, and was his true flesh out of the seed of D [...]vid) to eat: and gave them likewise after that to drink; out of the Cup, which is his passion; his true blood▪ which is his holy life of the new Testament.

[Page 104]6. Thus have they eaten his flesh, & drunk his blood (which was given over for many) to a Luke 22. b, memorial, in what sort the death and suffering, or the Passover of the Lord Jesu Christ is, till unto his renewing of the life; to the intent that they all which believed in him, should follow him therein, and have the life of his godly Being, in fulness, and that their joy might be perfect.

D 7. BEhold, this is the true Pascha, or Sup­per of the Lord Jesu Christ, which he wil that we all (like as his Disciples have kept the same with Jesus Christ after the flesh) shall also keep in such wise with him after the flesh, eat his flesh, drink of his blood, and and go thorow his Passover with him.

8. For even so kept the Disciples of Christ the Pascha with him, or the supper of his pass­over; namely, that Christ after the flesh although he had given them his body to eat, and his blood to drink) suffered among them the Matth. 27. f, Mar. 15. e Luk, 23. e Ioh. 19. d, death of the Cross, and was buried: and they knew not of his declaring after the Spi­rit, until that he was made alive again by his Father, and appeared unto them in godly cleerness.

9. Even thus is Christ (in his Passover) gone before his Disciples and believers, to the end that they all should also in such sort (with his body and blood which they had eaten, or [Page 105] taken into them; 1 Pet. 2, 4. a, follow after him in the same passover, remember Luke 22. b, and confess his passion, [...]uf [...]ering or death; and become even so im­planted with like death into him, or Rom. 6 a, Gal. 3. c, baptised in his death; until that they with the body and blood of Christ (which they had taken [...]nto them) were passed or gone thorow the same passover, till unto the second Iohn 3. a, Rom. 6. [...]. b, birth of the making alive with Christ, in godly cleer­ness according to the Spirit.

10. Behold, this is the right Passover E with Christ, or the rigth Supper which the upright Believers and Disciples of Christ keep with Christ: to wit, that they depart [...]ven so with Christ, Ioh. 16. a, out of the flesh, into [...]he Spirit; and out of the death or mortality, Esd. 2. c d, 7. b, c [...] into the eternal life of everlasting immorta­ [...]ity; wherethrough the sin and all destruction becometh vanquished.Oze. 13. b, 1 Cor. 15. f,

11. What we had here more to say of t [...]e doctrine of Christ, of his Disciples, and of what sort they are; is declared in the Glass [...]f Righteousness.

The XXII. Chapter.

NOw when Iesus Christ was found A faithful in the death of his Cross, till [...]nto his Burial (to a true Passover out of [...]he flesh, into the making alive, according [...]o the Spirit) and was also through the [Page 106] power of God his Father, raised up from the death, and made alive again; and that he hath Mat. 28. a, Mark 16. a, Luke 24. d▪ e, Ioh. 20. b, e▪ 21. a, b, c. shewed himself (in his making alive) unto his Disciples, for that they should sted­fastly believe: so was he then wholy Act. 1. b taken up from the eys of their flesh, and he set him­self according to the Spirit, at the right hand of God his Father, in the heavenly Being: and entred even so, as the true high Priest (when as the service had perfectly ended his course (according to the true Being) in the holy) into the most holy.Heb 9. b, 10. a, b,

2. His Disciples therefore were mindful of all this, and what he had said unto them; and remained Act. 1 b within Ierusalem, waiting con­cordably (with supplication and prayer) for the promises of the Father, until that Christ after the spirit Act. 2 a, appeared unto them out of the heavenly Being (the most holy) in the holy, in spiritual and heavenly powers, like as he (after the Spirit, and according to the truth of the heavenly Godhead) is an ever­lasting and true Christ of God.

3. BUt when as now the time was come about that Christ declared his glory, and the office of his high Priesthood (accord­ing to the Spirit) unto his disciples, so Heb 9. b sprink­led he by them, the holy of the true Taber­nacle of God his father, with his blood (which is the true Testament) to an everlasting re­missiom [Page 107] of the sins of his people (even like as the former described pattern doth also (in the figurative services) shew forth the same unto us.) And this is his holy Spirit that he Act. 2. a poured forth upon his Disciples, to an ever­lasting stedfast Jerusalem (Apo. 21 a, descending from heaven) which is not prepared of men, but of God himself.

4. Behold, these Disciples of Christ, in as much as that they had followed Christ Rom. 6. a, Phil. 3. b. 1 Pet. 2.4. a, in the death of his Cross, and were (in the s [...]cond birth or in the renewing of their mind) filled with the holy Ghost, have thus understood Ioh. 8. d, 17. a, the truth of Christ, and rightly known Christ (like as he is a true Christ of God) in the Spirit, and according to the Spirit.

5. But when as now Christ (with his ho­ly Spirit, and with full cleerness of God his Father) had gotten a living shape in his Di­sciples, then published they the same wonder­ful works of God (which they had seen and heard, and which were become known unto them through the power of the holy Ghost) in Ierusalem, Act. 2.3.4. &c. and witnessed that the same should also so come to pass in the last days.

7. COnsider, ye dearly beloved, how that C the disciples of Christ (which were dai­ly conversant with Christ after the flesh, which also heard his word, and with whom Christ spake much of the mysterie of the kingdom [Page 108] of God, and of his cleerness which he had with his Father) could not understand the naked cleerness of God, nor Christ in his true Being (like as he is a true Ioh. 1. a, 8. b, 12, d, e,light, and the Col. 1. b Heb. 1. a,ve­ry true substance of God his Father) nor yet (by any manner means of their knowledge) Isa. 64. b, comprehend, behold, nor inherit any beauty of the heavenly goods; and how [...]hat it all remained covered before them until they had kept the Passover with Christ (namely, in his death, burial, and resurrection, until that he as­cended from them into heaven, and that Christ had made manifest himself (in glory) unto them (in a spiritual cleerness) out of heaven, (from the right hand of God his father) with the Act. 2. a pouring forth of his holy Ghost abun­dantly.

The XXIII Chapter.

A BEhold, in the same day of the pouring forth of the holy Spirit of Christ (which was shed forth into them, as a flood of living waters, out Act. 2 a of the heavenly powers) they rightly knew Christ in the Spirit, even as he after the Spirit, is a true Christ of God: and understood his services and ceremonies ac­cording to the truth; and they had even so (through the same Spirit) their 1 Iohn 1. a. fellowship with God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ, in the heavenly being: whereout they [Page 109] brought forth and published the Counsel, mind, and will of God, and the Treasures of the spiritual and heavenly goods, to the salvation and joy of all men, and to the inhe­riting of those same, unto them which Ioh. 17. [...], Acts 4. b, belie­ved in Christ, and held the Passover or Sup­per rightly with him. For otherwise it could not come to pass.

2. Therefore no man knoweth Christ, nor Matth, 11. c, the Father, nor yet the upright services or ceremonies of Christ, for to minister those same according to the truth, but such as are even so Ioh. 3. a, Rom. 8.12. a, Eph. 4. c. renewed or born again through Christ (as we have declared) in their spirit and mind; neither yet doth it become any other to set forth any services or ceremonies of Christ, nor to ordain any unto Priests or ministers of the word nor to preach or publish the Evan­gelie, but such, or they that are Rom. 10. b, sent of Christ himself; for otherwise it is all false.

3. Ceremonies signifie unto us, Services, which have Mysteries or Secrets in them. Evangelie signifieth unto us, a joyful message, which is published (through Luke 1. b. Rom. 1. b the power of God, and operation of the holy Ghost) out of the heavenly Truth.

4. HEreout have we a great mysterie to B consider of, and also to note, how that many false Christians (or such as falsly make their boast of Christ) are risen up before this [Page 110] Iohn 10. a, day of Christ, or to have set them against the same: and how that many (through the knowledge which they have taken on unto them out of the letter of the Scripture) busie them to set forth the knowledge of Christ and his ceremonies, which are not sent of Christ, but are yet utterly estranged from him; much less then have kept the Pascha or Pass­over of his Supper, like as the Disciples of Christ held the same with Christ.

5. For I say unto you truly, whilst that the Disciples of Christ which had their conversa­tion in times past with Christ after the flesh, and spake mouth to mouth with him; have not in their knowledge understood or inherit­ed the cleerness of Christ (although the Matth. 13. b, my­sterie of the kingdom of God, was brought and given unto them to understand, neither yet could understand or inherit the same, be­fore that the fiftieth day (after the Passover of Christ) was fulfilled, that the heaven was opened before them, and that the holy Ghost was Act. 2. a shed forth upon them; so shall not like­wise presently (which thing I testfiie unto you for certain) the Scripture learned, nor yet any conceited disciples of Christ (which have not kept or passed thorow with Christ after the flesh, the Passover from Rom. 6. a, 8. a, b. death into life, and from flesh into spirit; nor in the following of Christ, attained (through the powers of the [Page 111] holy Ghost) unto the Iohn 5. e, cleerness of Christ) un­derstand the Matth. 11. c, 1 Cor. 1.2. b. cleerness of the word of Christ, out of the knowledge of the letter of the Scripture; nor out of the imagination of their knowledge touching the spiritual and heaven­ly things, much less receive or inherit his god­ly being of love; neither yet also set forth, teach or minister his ceremonies and services, according to the truth, nor publish the true Evangelie of Christ out of the light of life.

6. FOrasmuch then as that the Scripture-learned,C and wise of the world (which in times past believed not the word of Christ) neither yet they all which turned them away from the doctrine of Christ, and from his mi­nisters, and made up themselves thereagainst, have never known the very true of the hea­venly 1 Cor. 1. b, Truth of Christ, nor attained unto, or gotten (without the Passover with Christ) the Iohn 5. c, cleerness of his holy Spirit; so give I you then (ye good willing hearts) to consider and judge what testimonies of the truth that the Scripture learned, and the wise of the world can presently give forth, which believe not the love of Christ, but resist the same with their disobedient knowledge: and what coun­sel they can hold and decree, and after what Righteousness they can go forth, which con­cordably agreeth with the counsel of God, with the true righ [...]eousness and single minded [Page 112] doctrine of Jesu Christ, with his true services and ceremonies, and with the godly wisdom and the requiring of the love of Jesu Christ; seeing that the same is all unpossible for them to do.

7. For if they turn them not about to the childish single mindedness; nor come even so with humble hearts unto Heb. 5. a, this stool of grace, whereof we witness, nor to the obedience of the requiring of the same (to wit, that they be not assembled obediently according to the re­quiring of the service of love, unto Iohn 10. b, the com­munalty of the love of Jesu Christ, but turn them away from the same, and harden their hearts thereagainst) so shall they not under­stand the truth of Jesu Christ, nor his right service of love, nor the counsel or will of God, nor yet obtain or inherit, neither presently nor for ever, the true spiritual and heavenly goods, but perish in much contention, and in their hardness of heart, and unclean consciences, be estranged from the 2 Thes. 1. b, face of Christ, dy Ioh. 8. c, in their sins, and be Matth. 25. d, condemned with the ungodly, which will not believe nor obey God's truth, nor yet the love of Christ, in the fire of hell, and be constrained to bear the curse of the ungodly; also bide separated from the cleer­ness of the upright and vertuous Being of God and Christ: and not behold the amiable face of God in righteousness.

[Page 113]8. LEt every one take it effectually to heart,D For it shall all in his time come to pass, and be found even so; whether it be now be­lieved or no.

9. For I say unto you verily, the sun of this same day (shall not go down, or leave off to shin, before all this come to pass, and that the world be judged (through the judg­ment of Christ) Psal. 96. b, 98. b, Act. 17. d, with righteousness, accord­ing to the Scripture.

The XXIIII. Chapter.

NOw when the holy of the true taberna­cle, with his services (according to the A true being) was heretofore (as is abovesaid) builded among the disciples of Christ; and e­rected in his declaring and righteousness: and that the services of the same holy [namely, the trespass offering, sin offering, and death offering] were all likewise fulfilled with them; so became then also with the disciples of Christ, the va [...]le (that was before the most holy) 2 Cor. 3. b, 4. a, removed from the most holy, and the Isa. 59. a, Eph. 2, b▪ Col. 2, b, middle wall (which was betwixt them and God) taken away: and even so, in the true righteousness, became the clearness and friendliness of the uncovered face of God and Christ made manifest among them; and the fulness of the spiritual and heavenly goods brought unto them.

[Page 114]2. For even out of the heavenly cleerness, there was (in the upright being of Christ) un­covered among them the mercy seat of the true tabernacle of God Act. 2. Heb. 9.10. b, in the most holy; namely, in the heavenly being: wherein God would (through his Christ) gather to­gether his holy ones (so many as followed af­ter Christ in the holy, and held the passover or pascha with him, like as his disciples had (in the eating of his flesh, and drinking of his blood) holden or gone thorow the same with him) for to make manifest now likewise at the very last [namely, in this last time] with us lit­tle ones and God's elect, that same most holy of the true tabernacle of God, with the glory of Christ & his holy ones (as the most perfect) to an Isa. 33 c Sap. 3. a. everlasting rest and peace for his holy ones upon the earth, and to bring unto us in ful cleerness) the communion of his love;Supra. 1. b, 5. to the end that now even so at the very last [namely, how in this day of the love of God the Father, wherein God declareth and bring­eth unto us his holy goodsMat. 13. b 2 Cor. 4. a Col. 2. a, and spiritual rich­es] his true tabernacle should (in all perfecti­on) be everlasting upon earth, Ioh. 14. [...], Apo. 21, a to a dwell­ing, honour, and glory for him (the supream God) and to an everlasting bles­sing, joy, Isa. 35. c 51▪ b, 60. b and salvation, for all men which assemble them thereunto) according to the promises. For so it hath pleased [Page 115] God, to the end that his will and the Judgment of his righteousness, might be Isa. 42. a Ie [...]. 9. c, 23. a, 33. b, Mat. 6. b, done and executed on earth, as in heaven.

3. Behold, in suchwise is God glorified in his holy ones; and Christ wonderful in his believers. Let every one have a good re­gard thereon.2 Thess. 1. b,

4. IN all these wonderful works of God,B and also in the Images and figures, which are figured forth unto us in the scrip­ture, we can well make and understand (ye dearly beloved) how that the tabernacle of God and his service,Exod. 30. b, Levi. 10. d Heb. 7▪9. b was prepared (by Moses and Aaron) in images, figures, and shadows, and how that the unilluminated people have bin served therewithall, till unto Christ, the true light of life. And also how that God's elect and illuminated holy ones (which are obediently gone thorow the passover of Christ, with Christ after the flesh) and even so being departed out of the imagelike, and out of the fulfilling of his requiring are entred into the true being of Christ, are served with the spiritual and heavenly goods, and with the living word of truth, in the upright being of the love of Jesus Christ

5. For that cause, consider now in this day on the wonderful works of God, how that God (after the departure Gen. 12. a, out of the heathen­ship) [Page 116] prepared the forefront of his true ta­bernacle (which is the fear of God) with the Fathers of Israel (through the promses) Gen. 17. a, b, 28. b, in his Covenant of Circumcision.

6. But the holy (which is the belief of Iesu Christ) hath he prepared Mat. 20. b. Luk. 22. b 23.24. c, in the death or [...]uffering of Christ, and in the baptism or washing in the same death; namely, with the disciples of Christ, which were of the belief of Abraham, and the upright believers of Christ, and passed over with Christ Rom. 8. a, b, out of the flesh into the spirit through faith; the which is the true Pascha that we ought to keep with Christ, to a testimony that we believe uprightly in him.

7. For the belief is the true holy, wherein Christ (to the vanquishing of sin) is 1 Pe [...]. 2. c, gon be­fore us in the pass over of his suffering and death;Eph. 3. b Heb. 5.10. c, and hath prepared us the boldness, for to follow after him therein, to a new and liv­ing way, through the vail that is through his flesh; to the end that we should in the true holy (wherein Christ (if we enter into the same with him) Isa. 59. a 1 Pet. 2. c, beareth our sins, and taketh them clean a way from us) become Rom. 6. a, implant­ed into Christ, with the like death of Christ. For even so (through the Heb. 9. b oblation of Christ, and his death of the Cross, and to follow after him therein, in the holy) we obtain the everlasting remission and purging of the sins, [Page 117] and the making alive or Rom. 6. a, 8. b, 2 Cor. 4. b Phil. 3. b, resurrection from the death in Iesus Christ; as also the eternal life, with all holiness and righteous: and in­herit even so the true spiritual and heavenly goods, with Christ in the heavenly being,

The XXV Chapter.

BEhold, this way to the everlasting life and heavenly being in the pass over of A Christ (wherein Christ with his disciples hath gone before us in Heb. 9.10. b, the holy) is now likewise in this day of the coming of Christ, declared unto us (like as unto the people in time past) for that we should now also with Christ, [namely▪ when we have received Mat. 2 [...]. c, Luk. 2 [...]. b Ioh. 6. c, into us the body and blood of Iesus Christ] enter in­to the same way, keep his supper or pass over with him (like as he hath kept the same with his disciples) and even so accomplish the true oblation or God-service in the holy; namely, to lay of [...], to mortifie, and to bury the flesh, and all what is fleshly and wicked of nature, either perverse, or hath an earthly and fleshly or wicked and perverse mind,Rom. 6. a, Col. 2▪ b, in the death of Christ, or to pass thorow the same in such sort, and to rise again from the death, and be Eze 17. b Rom. 8. b, made alive with Christ (in the Rom. 12 a, Eph. 4 c renew­ing of our mind) in the upright spiritual being of Christ; to the intent that it might even so now all be accomplished in us (through Christ) whatsoever is Luk. 22. [...] c, 24. c. written of Christ, and of all them that love him.

[Page 118] B 2. If we now follow after Christ in such wise (according to the word of his doctrine) in the holy, so shall we then certainely in his Doctrine, know Ioh. 8. d the truth of Christ, also evidently understand, that the same Imitation of Christ in the holy, will lead or bring us to the accomplishing of the holy Heb 9. b offering of Christ and his Disciples, to the perfect light or glorious day of the love, and to the service of perfection, which is administred with the spiritual and heavenly goods, out of the most holy of the true taber­nacle of God.

3. In which day of perfect light, we be­hold (with naked cleerness) the most holy (which God hath brought now Ioel. 2. c, Act. 2. b, in the last time (with all his glorious garnishing) un­to us little ones and God his elect, erected the same with us, and herited us wonderfully therein) in his perfect Apo. 12. a, 21. a. b. beauty and loveliness; and live even so therein, as true holy ones of God, and Believers of Christ.

4. For behold, this same most holy of the true tabernacle of God, doth God now bring unto us, with himself, with his Christ, Mat. 24, d, 25. c, Iud. 2. b, and with all the thousands of his saints, in godly triumph, to a righteous Judgement upon earth, like as there is written thereof, accord­ing to the promises.

[Page 119]5. COnsider now (ye dearly beloved)C how or in what manner that God now in the last time bringeth and setteth up the 1 Cor. 13. b, perfection of his kingdom, with us little ones and God's elect: how that our testimo­ny and publishing of the joyful message, is of the same Kingdom: and in what manner all the services and prophecies (which are gone out from God, and added unto his promises) do lead hereunto, and rest or cease therein; namely, in Rom. 12. a, Eph. 4. c, the renewing of the spirit and mind, in Iesu Christ, through the holy spirit of his love.

9. The which we likewise (through the arm of our saviour) do even so set forth and express in cleerness before every one which heareth us, or whom God stirreth into our way; namely, that the perfection is no earthly or fleshly thing, nor any fleshly dealing or li­berty, but the perfect power of God, and the glory of Christ in his coming.

7. Which coming of Christ, is now decla­red unto us, that we might through the same, be seperated (in our spirit) from the death of sin; implanted into Christ with his like, death and so Rom. 6.8. b 1 Cor. 6. b 2 Cor. 4. b raised up out of the death of Christ, and made alive according to the very likeness of God (in the power of his holy Ghost)Eph. 4. c in upright righteousness and holiness, to Rom. 8. b Col. 2. [...], co­heires with Christ, in the treasures of the [Page 120] spiritual and heavenly goods; to the intent that we should even so (not according to the flesh, or in the uncircumcision, but according to the spirit, or in the laying away of the fore­skin of the sinful flesh) live and tryumph in the heavenly Being with Christ and all his Saints (which presently meet us, in all perfecti­on of the works of God, in this day of love, with Christian 1 Thes. 4. b, 2 Thes. 1. b, tryumph) everlastingly in all love▪ according to the promises.

8. BEhold, such is the perfect kingdom of God, and his most holy service, come D unto us from God's grace: and that same is the very true whereof we witness; and which we publish (to an Evangelie of the glorious kingdom of Christ) Matth. 24. b, Apo. 14. a in all the world, under the obedience of the love of Jesu Christ.

For that same very true with his perfect beauty, love, and righteousness, hath the God of heaven (out of the fulness of his grace) declared and brought unto us; and erected the same with us, now Isa. 2. a, Mic. 4. a. at the last time (in the time of the last divided kingdom of Babel) to an Dan. 2. everlasting peaceable kingdom for his holy ones, according to his promises.

10. And the upright righteousness of the same, and the true Ioel 2. c Acts 2. c. holy Ghost, which is poured out therein with perfect love, and floweth abundantly therein, is the true most holy of the everlasting▪ Being of God, where­out [Page 121] our upright service of the love is admini­stred, and whereunto all services and prophe­sies (which are gone out from God and his truth) do lead, as to the right and very true perfection: and that same perfect good, and his most holy service of love, shall bide for ever (with full declaration of the 1 Cor. 13. b, very true perfection) in his service; to the end that the same most holy perfect good, might (from henceforth for evermore) be declared upon the earth; and all peaceable ones, with all they that love the peace in Jesu Christ, Isa. 13. a Ier. 3. b, 50. [...], Ezek. 3.7. e, Zac. 8. b, a [...] ­sembled thereunto, according to the promises.

11. OH alas, how grosly have certain o­ver-reached them, which have (out of the imagination of their knowledge, or out of the riches of their spirit) taken on, set forth,E and taught the perfection according to the flesh, and applied the freedom of the children of God, on the elementish man, looked into the same according to a fleshly mind, and bound or knit fast themselves thereon, with a certain use Rom. 1. c, 2 Pet. 2. b, of fleshly dealing?

12. But verily, whilst that they were risen up before Ioh. 10. a, this day of the coming of Jesu Christ (or ever the sun of righteousness arose unto them in their stedfast obedience unto the requiring of Jesu Christ) and inclined out of their knowledge after the flesh, unto the free­dom according to the flesh; so have they [Page 122] likewise taken the same freedom unto them, according to the supposel or goodthinking of their elementish manhood; and missed the true Sap. 5. [...], light of righteousness; as also not known the Ioh. 8. d truth of God, which maketh free, much less then understood the same. No [...] there shall not any one know or understand the same (neither presently, nor for Sap. 1. a, Mat. 11. c 1 Cor. 2. b ever) which is turned unto himself or his elementish man­hood; and so taketh on any thing out of his knowledge or mind of the flesh, be it then what it is, wherewithal he turneth him away from the obedience of the requiring of the service of the love of Jesu Christ.

13. For I say unto you verily, that no man cometh through his knowledge unto the truth of God, nor unto the true light of life, but only he which through the Belief in Jesu Christ, forsaketh himself in the obedience of the requiring of the gracious word of the Lord, and his service of love; and so Ioh. 8. d, bideth stedfast therein, till unto the Gal. 4. a appointed time of the Father. That is, until that Christ after the spirit (which is the living truth of God, and the true light of life it self) be come un­to him, and have his 2 Cor. 4. b, Gal. 4. b, shape (as an upright Being full of all love) in him.

F 14. THerefore ought every one to look wel unto it, that he run not fo [...]th accord­ing to his mind or knowledge, nor according [Page 123] to the goodthinking of his own spirit, before the time (wherein the very true is appointed to be inherited) neither respect, give ear unto, nor believe any manner of knowledge which riseth up in his own heart, much less which is held forth before him by others, against us, and our ministration of the most holy service of love or wherewith he is assaulted or tempted. But that he alwaies in his assaulting or tem­ptation, Ecc. 7. b 1 Pet. 5. a, humble him (with Sap. 1. a singleness of heart) unto the 1 Pet. 1. b, obedience of the requiring of the gracious word and his service of love: and even so hear and believe the same sure prophetical word, in his service, and 2 Pet. 1. b, take heed thereunto [seeing that now in the last time, the true love and the upright Being of Christ, is administred and taught thereout] until that the true light of the same word and service, and the perfect Being of God the Fa­ther and Christ, come unto him, and arise in h [...]s heart, in the perfect Mat [...] 24. d, 25. d, Luke 17.21.24. Acts 1. a, 2. b, glory and power of God and of the holy Ghost, that he may live everlastingly with God and his Christ, in all love. O yea, that come to pass even so.

20. What we had here more to say of the Supper and Following of Christ, of the Holy and of his true Service or Oblation, and of the Altar in the Holy, and of the Vayl before the most holy, is declared in the Glass of Righteousness.

The XXVI Chapter.

A NOw when this true being of the holy of the true Tabernacle of God, whereof we witness, was declared, come and prepared (in his true service) with the disciples of Christ and ministred in the belief, so were then the foregoing services (which were the images, figures, and Col. 2. b Heb. 8.10. a, shadows of that same) no lon­ger fruitful with them: they ceased also a­mong them, with their services: and the true being of the promises (whereon (as on the seed of the blessing) the foregoing services pointed, Gal. 3. c 4. a, Heb. 7. b, and led threunto) was at the same time (to the Gen. 12. a, 17. b, 21.22. b. blessing of all generations of the earth) Act. 2. c 3. b, 4. b. &c. published by the same illuminated disciples of Christ (as the true seed of Abra­ham) in all the lands of Iuda, according to the promises.

2. There was also testified by them, that the righteousness of life was to be obtained in Rom. 6. the death of Iesus Christ, through Act. 13.15. b, Rom. 3.4. b, 5. a, 9. a, 10. a, Gal. 2. b, 3. a, faith, and not through the works of the law. And that the law of Moses, and the services of the Priest hood of Aaron, Heb. 7. b, 8. a, 10. a, ceased, and had ended their service with them, in the same service of Christ of the very true testament.

3. HEreon we ought advisedly to con­sider (ye dearly beloved) for to un­derstand B according to the truth, in what man­ner [Page 125] the Law of Moses, and the foregoing ser­vices of the Priesthood (after the Ordinance of Aaron) ceased with the Disciples of Christ.

4. Not verily, through the bringing in or setting up of any other services or ceremo­nies: nor yet through the knowing of a greater and truer Righteousness; and that one should even so pass forth therewith, un­regenerated or unrenewed in the Spirit and minde, and so forsake the foregoing ministrati­on and ordinance, wherewith the Righteous­ness is required. O no, that is far wide; and whosoever supposeth that, he misseth the truth very fa [...].

5. For the Law of Moses, the Images, Figures, and Shadows, with the Priests office, after the manner of Aaron (which are all fulfilled and cease in Christ) minister unto us out of the true light, an higher and perfecter cleerness; namely, 1 Cor. 12. d, 13. d, the perfect Being, and the renewing of Rom. 12. a, Eph. 4. [...], the heart and spirit: to wit, to be purged for a Tabernacle or House of the living God, 2 Cor. 6 b, Apo. 21. wherein God with his Christ, dwelleth, liveth, and resteth: wherein it becometh then all fulfilled; and the costly Treasure of the heavenly and spiritual goods, brought unto men, and from thence doth it flow forth again, Iohn 17 d, as waters of life.

9. BEhold, even thus, or to this end, had C the old Testament ended his Service [Page 126] with the Disciples of Christ. And in such a state (as being Acts 2. a, replenished with the fulness of the holy spirit of Christ) have the former services ceased with them, inasmuch as they had accomplished the requiring of those same in Jesu Christ.

7. And verily, not through other services, nor through the knowing of any thing better, truer, or perfecter, like as many conceited Christians suppose, and Rom. [...]. c, Eph. 4. b, say out of the blind­ness of their hearts, that the services of the old Testament (after the Law of Moses, and Ordinance of Aaron) are all ended: and that they therefore have now the services of the new Testament, and know the new or the best and the true: and run forth even so therewithal, not once distincting, that the fulfilling of the foregoing services which re­quire the very true, doth not come to pass in the knowledge of the very true: nor yet that the services of the new Testament, which fol­low or depend on the accomplishing of the foregoing are services of spiritual and heaven­ly goods, and bring a Rom. 1. b, 1 Cor. 1. b, power of God, in the spirit, to the declaring of the seat of God and Christ, in the heavenly Being.

8. Therefore let us have a regard, how and wherein the changing and renewing of the services came to pass: and how that the changing and renewing of the same services, [Page 127] shall not now also in the last time come otherwise to pass (then as is abovesaid, and as we have witnessed) Ioel 2. c, Acts 2. b, according to the Scripture. Therefore consider well.

9. WHen now the Law of Moses D (which is literal, and (for the sins cause) wrought Rom 7. b, the death) had ministred her Office, till unto the death of the sin, Rom. 6. a, in the death of Jesu Christ, then had the Law (which in her Service, required the Righteousness, with writings and ordinances, and with cor­rection and Doctrine, and was likewise in her service, deadly over the sin) served out her office, with the Disciples of Christ: and even so at the end or fulfilling of the requiring of the same Law [namely, in the death or end of the sin] the true spiritual Law, or heavenly Ordinance (Rom. 8. a, b, which made them alive in Jesu Christ) came unto them: wherethrough the foregoing service of the Law, was fulfilled and ceased with them.

10. Behold, when as now the Law of Moses was in such wise (as is said) fulfilled or accomplished, and had no longer service with the death of the sin, and with the Believers of Christ, which through the Law were dead un­to the Law; but the Spirit of Christ, which made the deceased Believers of Christ alive again in righteousness, out Rom. 8. b, of the death of Christ; so had then also the Priesthood in his [Page 128] Images, Figures, and Shadows, after the man­ner of Aaron, no more ministration with the living in Iesu Christ, neither yet gave it any cleerness more with them, because the heaven­ly cleerness of Christ, and his upright Being of love (wherein the Disciples of Christ were comprehended) excelled far away all 2 Cor. 3. a, b, cleer­ness of the figurative services.

E 11. For that cause the Priesthood of Aaron changed also with the Disciples of Christ, and ceased by them; Heb. 7. b, c, 8. a, 9. b, 10. a, for with them there was a spiritual heavenly Priesthood appeared, in up­right righteousness: and even so was the same with his service, established on Christ after the Spirit (the true light) Ps. 110. a, Acts 1. [...], Heb. 5. b, 6. c, 7. b, which is an high Priest that bideth for ever, at the right hand of God in the heavenly Being: whose service of the spiritual and heavenly ministration, cometh not to pass in the letter; nor in the fi­gures: but in the very true Being.

12. BEhold, even so was Christ after the spirit (in his Office or Service) Heb. 8. a, 9. b, 10. b, a minister of the very true and heavenly goods, among his Disciples and Believers: and hath (Act. 1. b when he had taken in the heaven) multi­plied himself (through his seed of the holy Ghost) out of the heavenly Being, to the in­creasing of his generation (the upright seed of Abraham) according to the Promises. And even so became Christ fruitful upon earth,Act. 2. e. in [Page 129] many thousands of his saints, all which he (through his death) made free Rom. 8. a, or justified from the sin, and made them alive through his holy Ghost, taking them up from the earth, and assembling them unto him at the right hand of God his Father, Act. 7. f. Eph 2. a, Phil. 3. c in the heavenly being.

13. Lo, in such wise ceased the law of Moses, and the services of the priesthood af­ter F the manner of Aaron, with the disciples of Christ: and have in such sort changed them, and verily not otherwise.

14. BUt this grace which appeared through Christ, and this everlasting life (to the joy and triumph of Christ) Act. 10. d. 13. e, f, 14. b, c, &c. was spread abroad in all the lands & generations of the heathen. And all those that believ­ed on Jesu Christ, kept the pascha with him; ate his body, and drank his blood; they 1 Cor. 10. c, 11. c, be­came one body and blood with Christ; which were also all, Children of the promises with Christ,Rom. 8. b, and coheirs in the secret treasures of the heavenly goods, and in the 1 Cor. 15. c, 2 Cor. 4. b, Phil▪ 3. b, resurrection of the righteous: and were even so all, the right children of the new testament.

The XXVII Chapter.

IN all this same (even as we have before A said) the Scripture giveth us to under­stand, who, or which they be, that inherit [Page 130] with Christ the heaven, Mat, 25. d Rom. 2. a, 6. c, 8 a, b, and the eternal life, and have a portion with Apo. 20. a, him in the re­surrection; namely, they, which belong unto him, or are Ioh. 15. a, 17. c, Rom. 8. a, b Eph. 3. b, incorporated into him.

2. For the firstling which riseth (of them that sleep) 1 Cor. 15. b, is Christ, after that, they which be­long unto Christ: which make them manifest, in the time of the 1 Thess. 4. b, Infra. 41. d coming of Christ in his ma­jesty. For otherwise it cannot come to pass.

3. But they which belong not unto Christ [namely, which are not incorporated into him, nor Rom. 6. a, baptised in his death; neither yet buryed with him, nor kept the Ioh. 6. c 1 Cor. 11. d supper (in his pass over) with him] have no portion with Christ, in the resurrection, nor in the e­ternal life, according to the Scripture. For they which are in him, and in whom he is glorified, those are one Ioh. 14. c, 17. c, body with him, and are like as he is: for that cause Rom. 8. a, they belong also unto him, and are always and for ever where Ioh. 12. c, 14. a, 17. c, he is, in the secretness of the King­dom of the God of heavens.

4, For this is the will of Christ, that all his members should inherit Mat. 25. d. Apo. 21. a, the kingdom of the God of heavens (the most pure beauty) with him; and so live with him everlastingly, according to the scripture.

B 5. BEhold over those which in times past followed Christ with perfect hearts, and have [...]ven so a part or portion [Page 113] with Christ, in Apo. 20. a the first resurrection, hath the second death which is come▪ and beareth do­minion over the world, & all unbelievers) no power; for they are entred Ioh. 5. c Rom. 6. athrough the death of Christ, into the everlasting life. And there­fore they shal both now and for evermore (as upright Christians and Priests of God)A [...]o. 5.20 b, 22. a, reigne with Christ according to the Scripture.

6. Consider, at the same time when Christ (the everlasting life) was Act. 2 c 10▪ c, 13. c, fruitful upon the earth (to a Ioh. 1. a light of men) through the belief, then was it known that the belief is the free woman, and the true testament, whereout the free Children & heirs Rom. 8. b, of the riches, & of the secret heavenly wisdoms of God, are born.

7. FOr that cause, O ye dearly beloved (ye C all which love the truth, and Psal. 95. b, Heb. 3.4, b hear this day my voice) let my sayings enter into the ears of your hearts; and become understand­ing in the mysterie of the heavenly and spiri­tual works of God, according to the spirit: as also in his outward works, according to the flesh.

8. For behold, In the time when the liv­ing souls of Christ (where through the holy Ghost) brought forth Act. 2. b Rom. 8. b upon earth, so was then the belief with the service of the word of the holy ones of Christ, the fruitful wife, of whom the living souls of Christ were born: but Christ (the light of life) was the husband [Page 132] the Lord, or the head of the same wif [...]; which out of the power of God, Act. 10. poured his Act, 2. a holy Spirit (which is the seed of the increase of Christ, to the procreating of his spiritual children) into her. And even so were all those which were born thereof, the upright chil­dren of God, according to the promises.

D 9. What we had here more to say, of the Law, and of her service, of the office of Christ through his holy ones, or of the procreation of the light and life through the service of the Word, of the procreation of the children of God (and who they are, as also who are not the same) of the establishing of the true Te­stament, through the blood of Iesus Christ, of the true resurrection, and of the second death, is declared in the Glass of Righteous­ness.

The XXVIII Chapter.

WHilst now the children of men clea­ved A unto the upright faith of Abra­ham (which was of one Being with the true light of life) or grounded themselves therein; and even so obediently respected the service of the Belief (administred out of the true light, which is Christ himself) in his requiring: ex­ercised them therein, & only gave ear & had regard unto the Mat. 13, f, 24. 1 Cor. 4. a 2 Cor. 5. c Heb. 13. b ministers of the holy word, which had kept the Passover with Christ, out [Page 133] of flesh, into spirit, and out of death into life: and Rom. 8. b, were even implanted into Christ; and Ioh. 17. c, 2 Pet. 1. a, codeified with God: and also (being obe­dient unto the word in his requiring) bid sted­fast therein, until that they had also kept the pass over with Christ, & obtained Rom. 12 a, Eph. 4. c, the renew­ing of their spirit & mind, in Iesu Christ (the which is the upright supper or pascha, Ioh. 6. c 1 Cor. 11. c, where­in men rightly eat the body of Christ, drink his blood; are partakers of his sufferings, and Rom. 6. a, Gal. 3. c, baptised in his death, unto his burying: and even so remember the suffering of Christ, and Luk. 22. b, witness or publish his death, till unto his coming; that is, until the true light arise 2 Pet. 1. b, in the heart) so were they made safe, Heb. 9. b justified from their sins, renewed Eph. 4. c Col. 3. b, in the spirit of their mind, & sanctified in Christ, Rom. 12. a, 1 Cor. 12. b Eph. 4. b, 5. c, to fellow mem­bers of his body, and to Rom. 8. b, Apo. 21. a coheirs in the rich­es of God his father, in the everlasting life.

2. So long now as that all this did flourish or bear sway (in his upright state) with the children of men, so was Christ (in his Be­lief, and through his Belief) also daylie fruitful Act. 2. c 3 c, to many multitudes of his holy ones, which assembled them all (through the ser­vice of the holy word) unto Christ, and be­came B Rom. 12. a, Eph. 4. b, 5. c, one body with him, like as we have also before said.

3. Behold, with this same Christ, and all his holy ones (which are the true members [Page 134] of his body) will God now in this day (which he himself hath appointed or ordained) Isa. 3. b, Sap 3. a, Act. 17. d Iud. 1. b, judge the earth with righteousness, according to the Scripture.

C 4. BUt when as now many of the children of men Ioh. 6. h fell away from the Belief of the true light and life, or turned them there­from, clave unto, or followed their Ier. 7. c, 9. b, Rom 1. c good thinking (according to the imagination of their knowledge) and the earthly ingenious wisdom of the flesh: and that they Mat. 24. a,boasted them to be Christians, and many gave forth themselves Act. 20. c, 2 Tim. 3.4. a, 2 Pet 2. a for preachers of Christ, ere ever they were baptised in the death of Christ and anointed by Christ with his holy Spirit: and that likewise the unilluminated inclined their hearts, with the ears of their hearing and un­derstanding, unto the testimonies of the unre­generated and unrenewed or ungoded men, or unsent Preachers, which meaned not Christ, (or had him not in consideration) aright, nor had kept (according to the truth) the Pascha with Christ, and were not entred (through the death of Christ) into the everlasting life; but out of their Deut. 12. a, 29. b. Ier. 7. c, 9. b, own goodthinking, or out of their literal knowledge, came into the sheep or communalty of the Believers, or besides the Church of Christ (which were also called of Christ, thieves, Ioh. 10. a, wolves and murderers; and of the true prophets, Ier. 23. c, 27.29. b, Eze. 34. a b, false pastors) so ceased [Page 135] then likewise with them, the true Dan. 9. c daylie offering or God-service in the holy; the in­corporating into Christ with his like death, and the renewing of the life and mind in Jesu Christ, or the procreation of Christ through his light and Spirit: and it became over them and over the whole face of the Earth, utterly night and dark; and through the same darkness, the foregoing service which lead­eth to the life of Jesus Christ, became unknown, and there entred in much rent­ing and division among the children of men, 1 Tim. 4. a, 2 Pet▪ 2. a to wit, that many of them became estranged from the truth, from the Church of Christ, and from the right sense of her ser­vices; and even so got the abomination of desolation, contrary to Christ▪ and the requi­ring of his doctrine, his breaking in over such as were declined or estranged from the true Doctrine of Jesus Christ, which leadeth to the new birth of the upr [...]ght mind and Being of Christ.

5. For with all them that turned off and D went astray from the Church of Christ▪ and from the right use of her services, the Belief of salvation was forsaken, and the Scripture was become to them all as a Isa. 29. b Apo. 5, a, closed book, or dark word that was without light. For that cause also the service which was admini­stred (out of the letter of the Scripture) of the [Page 136] unilluminated, was as a dead body without soul▪ or as a dead wife which is deceased from her husband, and can bring forth no children of life.

6. NOw when this true light (for the self wisdoms cause of the earthly man, which is the darkness against the true light) gave no more cleerness upon earth, with the off-fallers and estranged from the true belief; and that likewise the night or darkness had Ioh. 9. a captived the unbelievers, and the estranged from the Church of Christ; so obtained then the nature of sin, or the childe of the Divel and condemnation, that contrary nature, or adversary of Christ (which is called 2 Thes. 2. a, I [...]fra. 32. [...], An­tichrist) his shape, in the inward Temple of the unbelieving and unregenerated men, and multiplyed it self even so among many on the earth, in the bringing forth of his wicked frui [...]s.

E 7. Antichrist signifieth unto us, a contrary anointing: And is an anointing or a Io [...]. 20. a, freedom either an appeasing of the heart, which com­eth unto the man (when he is separated or estranged from the true Belief of Jesu Christ, and from his Church) in his inwardness (before the coming of the true Christ, or a­nointing of the holy Ghost) from the seed of the old serpent, or of the Divel. Which false anointing that the man taketh on to himself [Page 137] out of the flesh, and out of the fleshly wisdom of his goodthinking knowledge; as also cut of the seed of the divel, and wisdom of the flesh, worketh in him a secret res [...]sting and disobe­dience against the Lord Jesus Christ and his requiring. And the same resisting and disobe­ence, is the 2 Thes. 2. a secret iniquity of Antichrist, which the man (in his estranging from Christ, and his Church) cannot well perceive, because that he, in the separation from Jesu Christ, is well contented (in his heart) with the Iob. 20. a, wisdom of the flesh: and even so, contrary to the right doctrine of Iesu Christ (Ioh. 13. d, 14. b. 16. b, which hath her mi­nistration to the holy Spirit of Christ and his love, & on the good life of God) liveth boldly (against all God's truth) in his self wisdom, knowledge or scripture learnedness: the which is a false freedom, and the Iob. 20▪ a, Dan. 9. [...], 11. d. 12. a, Mat. 24. b 2 Thes. 2. a, abomination of desolation, against all that which is God▪ God service, and Christ, or the truth of God.

8. BEhold, this Antichrist hath exalted himself, with his deadly service and fals F light of disobedient knowledge (against all that which is of God, or of the upright Being of Jesus Christ; Dan. 12. a, 2 Thes. 2. a, above God, and above the true God service; and set himself (as though he himself were God) in the temple of the Lord (namely in the inward part of the man, where­in the living God with his Christ, ought Lev. 26. b, Ioh. 14. c, 2 Cor. 6. b. Aqo 21. a to dwell, to live, and to walk; and hath [...]ven so [Page 138] quite and clean abolished or destroyed the Law of the Lord, and the true faith in Jesu Christ; also driven out and taken away the same from the hearts, mindes, and thoughts of men, and darkned it in them: brought the Holy of the house of God Ps. 74. a, 79. a, Dan. 8, b, 9. c, 11. d, into desolation: caused the daylie offering in the Holy [which is the Rom. 6. a, mortifying of the sin, through the death of Christ] to cease: and even so set the abomination Dan. 9.11. d, Mat, 24. b Ma [...]. 13. b of desolation in the holy place, where it ought not to stand.

9. Out of which abomination of Deso­lation (which in the secret of the man's in­wardness, hath increased in all manner of iniquity and abominations, till unto this day; and obtained the preheminence with many) there are risen up many manner Matth. 24. c, 1 Tim. 4. a, 2 Tim. 3. a, 2 Pet. 2. a, spirits of Error, and sundry sorts of false hearts of the Scripture learned: which have (out of the goodthinking of their own spi­rit▪ and out of their Scripture learnedness, as also through their ingeniousness or imagina­tion of the knowledge) brought forth mani­fold false Doctrines, wherethrough they se­duced the people, and estranged them more and more from Christ and his Church, and from the new Birth in Jesu Christ.

The XXIX. Chapter.

NOw when the Apostates or off-fallers A from the safe making faith, had set aside the true doctrine of Jesu Christ, which taught the Believers of Christ, unto all Matth. 11. c, humility and meekness of heart; and to the upright Being of the love of Christ: and gave them to the ingeniousness of their knowledges: and even so with their knowledge, set up themselves to be Judges over the testimonies of Christ and his Apostles; so clave they [...]hen unto the 1 Tim. 4. a, spi­rits of error▪ and brought in therethrough, ab­surd 2 Tim. 2. b. arguments of Christ, and of all that the Scripture speaketh of him, or of the spiritual heavenly goods: stirred up the hearts of men unto many manner of foolish desire [...], 2 Tim. 3. a, 2 [...]et. 2. a, b, Iude 1. b, vain or fond knowledges, and to manifold false righteousness and chosen holyness: and ad­ministred even so their own Matth. 16. a, leaven, for the bread of life▪

2. Wherethrough likewise the daily Dan. 8. b, 9. c, 11, d, offer­ing in the holy of the true Tabernacle, was no more observed (according to the true Being) with them and their adherents: and for that cause also there chansed with them no purging of sins, nor pouring forth of the holy Ghost.

3. For the imagination of the knowledge B [...]ncreased in much richness of the knowledge, [...]nd obtained the preheminence with them, [Page 140] wherethrough many of the children of men, grounded their hearts thereupon, and not on Christ, nor on the obedience of his requiring. By which occasion also, the true services of the holy spirit of Christ, with the treasures of the spiritual and heavenly goods, ceased with them, and the an. 9.11. d, Mat. 2 [...]. b, abominations of desola­tion became the more manifold in the holy place of the Lord [namely, Luk. 17.21. c in the inward­ness of men.]

4. For that cause the true Ier. 5. a, Belief, and the upright service of the holy ones, is now also come into reproach or contempt; the Sun (that heavenly day light of Christ) be­come utterly covered with Isa. 13. b, Eze. 32. a. Ioel. 2. b 3. b. the darkness of the wisdom of men; and the Scripture (be­fore the understandings of men) as a dark word, Isa. 29. b Apo. 5. a, or a closed book, and as a Lanthorn without light: whereout many singular matters are presupposed, but not at all percei­ved or understood.

C 5. BEhold, from that time forth that the children of men estranged them from the true faith, 1 Tim. 4. a. and from the true service of Christ in the holy: and that the darkness and desolation, and the many manner divisions of Religion came fast upon the world; so was the world covered with such abominations and darkness, and the hearts of the peopl [...] with such desolation of confusion.

[Page 141]6. In which time of this same night and error, many goodwilling hearts to the Righ­teousness, have sighed with anguish of mind; also diligently sought the light and truth; groped thereafter Isa. 59. b 2 pet. 1. a as the blind (here and there) on the painted walls; and so (with great diligence, zeal, and earnestness) inqui­red after the righteousness; also searched for the same (with fervency) in the Scripture, and had a regard or consideration on many, whe­ther same were any where to be found, or to be gotten, by any man, or might break forth by any one.

7. But whereto soever they turned them or went, without Christ & his Church, and with­out his true belief, so was it everywhere, no­thing else but knowledg, wisdom of the flesh, good thinking of man Isa. 59. b darkness, lyes, and sin, or error, which met with & took hold of them.

8. And whilst that the Sap. 5. a sun of righteousness shined not unto them▪ so have they not been a­ble (how much diligence soever they bestowed thereabout) to find the righteousness which God esteemed.

9. Even thus have truly (in process of time)D the foresaid darknesses, lyes, and iniquities, with all erring Spirits, obtained the preemi­nence with the estranged from Christ and from his safe-making Belief, and with all the enemies [Page 142] of Christ and his love, and even so born rule upon the Earth; namely, from the ti [...]e forth of the defection or estranging from Christ and his true belief, till unto this day of love, and of the appearing of the coming of Christ.

10. In which day, God will now (Isa. 11. a 2 thes. 2. a with the Spirit of his mouth) slay the Antichrist or mischievous Nature, and make an end thereof; sanctifie again the Fore-front and the Holy of the true Tabernacle (which are utterly fallen into desolation and ruine, through the earthly wisdome of the slesh) according to the service of her true being; and set up again, the daily Offering: and judge the People, with his light and righteousnes, Isa. 9. a. 11. a. 32. a. 42. a. Jer. 23. a 33. b. according to the Scripture.

11. Yea, assuredly, the Lord will now ac­complish this same; and (with his light, truth, and righteousness) take the Isa. 9. a. 11. a. preheminence, according to the Promises.

12. WHat we had here more to say, of the defection or estranging from the true light; of the true faith; of the Child of the Devil, or Antichrist; of the abo­mination of desolation; of the false pastors; and of the many manner conceited opinions or good thinkings of me [...], is declared in the glass of righteousness.

The XXX Chapter.

BUt whenas now these foresaid many man­ner A of abominations, divisions, and er­rours, were entred in besides the Church of Christ; and that the Apostles of Christ, with the principall Elders of the holy understand­ing▪ or the codeified Men Joh. 15 17. through the incor­porating into Christ (which were the upright Ministers of the holy Wrd of Christ) with all the holy ones of God and Christ, were fallen asleep: that the light of life was become un­known, the Law of Lord forsaken; Jer. 5. a. Hos. 4. a. Mica. 7. a the true faith, taken away from the earth; as also the darkness, with much fals doctrine (through the unregenerated or ungodded men) come in aboundantly; and great discord, Matth. 24. a. and divi­sion risen up (among the children of men) upon the earth: so were there then many of the rem­nant of the Christianity, who (in the same time) greatly bewailed the discord and erring blind­ness of men, and did mourn in their hearts ve­ [...]y sore: and have even so (out of a good in­tent, and goodwilling heart to the righteous­ness) loved the peace and concord, among the children of men; and also with diligence, sought after the same.

2 These have (in their good-willingness to the B righteousness) searched the Scripture; also [Page 144] bestowed all their diligence and care to understand the same; and even so there­out (according to the utterest or best that they knew) figured out and set forth the services and Ceremonies, and the ordinances of the Christianity (in most like manner or confor­mabl [...]st unto the Scriptures, and requiring of the Apostolical doctrine of Jesus Christ) in the distinctest manner that they were able, before the Children of men, that they mought live therethrough, in righteousness and peace. They have likewise used the same Services and Ceremonies, to the requiring of the righteous­ness, and to a good discipline and orderliness for the people, which humbled them under thos [...] same.

3. Howbeit, whilst that the light of the true being of Jesus Christ, Sap. 5. a shined not (in his per­fect clearness) with many of them, so could they not use nor minister the right use of those Services or Ceremonies, which bring the spiri­tual and heavenly goods with them; reveale or declare 1 Cor. 13. b. 2 cor. 3.4. a. the face of Jesus Christ uncove­redly; and teach the beleevers, to the King­dome of Heaven: but they have, so far forth and so neer as they (to the utterest of their power) could by any means get or attain to the same (according to the testimonies of the Scrip­ture) with their understanding and knowledg, [Page 145] administred unto the people (to a memorial of Christ and his Acts) the signification and the image-like and figurative services, of that which is required through Christ: and even so taught them (through the same Services and Ceremonies) the civil or nurturable righ­teousness: but not the very true, Spiritual, or heavenly: for they could not attain unto the same.

4. NOw when these Services and Ce­remonies C (to a Testimony and Signification of the inward righteousness) were thus figured forth and ministered; so were they then set forth before the children of men, to holy signes, or such as signified holy things. And the Priests and Ministers of those same, have allured and drawn the hearts of the People therewithall: also nurtured many thereby to humility; and taught them there­out, that they (through the same Services and Ceremonies,) should always remember the Mat. 26.27. passion or suffering of Christ, the Heb. 9. b Offering for the sin, the death of Christ, his Burial, the Pascha or his Passe-over, and his Resur­rection and Ascension.

5. They held also a remembrance of the Saints, which had faithfully follow­ed after Christ; likewise of the confessing of sins, and of the forgiveness of the [Page 146] same, as also of the Cleansing (which is called, Purgatory;) Also they named certain obser­vations or usages of the same services, Sacra­ments, which they held forth before the be­lievers, to holy signes, and kept them therewith, D in orderliness of life.

6. [The Cleansing, which is called Pur­gatory, signifieth unto us, the making pure of the beleevers of Christ, which they, in distress, affliction, Joel 2. b 2 cor. 7. b sorrow, and anguish (for the sins cause) do pass thorow; wherein they (as in a fire Isa. 48. b sap. 3. a. of humiliation) are purged Act. 13.15. b. or justified from all their sins, through the belief, for to enter even so (Mat. 5. a. with pure hearts) into the Kingdome of the God of heavens. In which fire of Cleansing or Purgatory, the upright be­leevers of Christ Eccl. 2. a. luk. 21. b. shew forth patience, in Prayer unto God. And even so (in the Hab. 2. a heb. 10. d. be­leef, and in the manner of suffering) they fol­low after Christ in his Mat. 16. c. rom. 6. a. 1 pet. 2. c. 4. a death of the cross, to the purging of their sins. Sacrament, signifieth un­to us, an holy signe of a secret or hidden thing, to whom one giveth the name of some holy or godly thing, that the same Sacrament hath hidden in it; or it signifieth the same holiness or godliness, that hath been tofore or shall come after-ward.]

7. In conclusion: they held of all the holy [...]ngs (whereof the Scripture maketh menti­on) [Page 147] a memorial or remembrance. And all this same was daily set forth, and preached or published (in figures) unto the People, to a good memorial, or for to have the same conti­nually in remembrance, that it was come to pass, or had the foregoing (according to t [...]e truth) in the true being.

8 BUt verily, where now these figura­tive E services are far away preferred, above the upright righteousness, and above the very true which they signifie; so are they (in themselves or out of themselves) without the true light; void of force, for men to come (therethrough) to Phil. b. the perfection in Jesus Christ: neither yet can the People likewise through those same, obtaine or inherit the pur­ging from their sins, nor the putting away of spottedness from their conscience, nor yet the true being of the mystery of the Sacraments and figurative services, like as the same is now (through the holy Spirit of Jesus Christ and his service of love) declared and brought unto us.

9. Therefore have not these foresaid figu­rative services, been any more furtherance un­to them nor yet brought the People neerer un­to the true being, then unto nurturable susten­tation, and to a figurative remembrance of Christ, and of the things which the holy ones [Page 148] of Christ were passed thorow, and which all be­leevers of Jesus Christ ought to pass thorow.

F 10. BEhold, In the mean time (the while it was yet night with ma­ny, and that the figurative services, and Sa­craments, were with diligence set forth; and earnestly observed▪ to an humbling of the People) so have the People (which humbled them obediently thereunder) been kept under those figurative services, so that the great and horrible Is [...]. 4 [...]. b 2 pet. 2.3. a. b. destruction hath not fallen upon them, which shall now (in this last time) fall upon all ungodly and resisters of the truth; and upon all them (obediently) under the service of the love of Jesus Christ.

11. For that cause, the said figurative ser­vices and ceremonies, shall not now (in this day of the love of Jesus Christ) be imputed unto the People which have intended & sought the righteousness therein, for sin; but much rather for righteousness▪ because they have shewed therein, their good will unto the righteousness.

12. For now in this day of the love of Je­sus Christ, must (no doubt) the figurative ser­vices be all renewed unto their right use, through the true light, and through his upright service of love, a [...]d declaring of the requi­ring of his upright righteousness; also set or o [...]dained in their right ordinance; and used [Page 149] (to the requiring of the upright righteousness) in their right observation: & they shall even so in their right use (at the appointed time of the Father) have the fulfilling of their requiring, with the obedient beleevers in Jesus Christ.

13. And all good willing ones to the up­right righteousness in Jesus Christ, with all such as assemble them unto us and our com­muniality, and humble them to our most holy services of the love and his requiring▪ shall then likewise (to an entrance into the same upright righteousness) become renewed in their understanding, to the en [...] that they all might rightly (according to the truth, and according to the r [...]quiring of our most holy service of love) pass forth, from their beginning or en­trance of the Heb. 6. a Christian life, after the very true perfection. But whoso refuse this same, and they that turne them away therefrom, those shall not obtaine the upright righteousness of God, nether presently, nor for ever.

14. WHat shall we now say hereof? shall we then witness, that we G which are comprehended & established in the [...]rue love and upright being of Christ, and are Elders and Ministers of the word of the Lord, do let pass to minister the right use of the [...]mage-like and figurative services, and the [...]gnes of the secret godly things, among the [Page 150] unilluminated and unregenerated (seeing that their Images, figures, and shadows, have (through the 1 Cor. 13. b. heb. 7. b. 8. a. perfect righteousness) the fulfil­ling of the requiring with the perfect ones) and that also the unregenerated should for­sake those same? No in no wise: but we require (under the obedience of the love) with the right use of the image-like and figurative ser­vices, the obedience unto the requiring of those same, at their hands: and so daily instruct them with those same and through those same, that they are debtours to accomplish and obe­diently to [...]stablish the requiring of th [...]se same, and even so obediently to observe them till unto the appointed time of the fullfilling o [...] their requiring.

15. For this we say out of the living trut [...] of God, which is declared unto us out [...] Gods grace, that he, which without the lo [...] and h [...]r service (or without the very true bei [...] of the love of Jesus Christ and his service) fo [...]saketh the image-like or figurative servic [...] and the signes of the secret godly things through his Deut. 12. a. good thinking or knowledge and even so separateth him from the minist [...] ­tion of those same, and accomplisheth [...] their requiring, nor hath been obedient [...] the service of love, till unto the Is [...]. [...]8. a 2 [...]. 1. b. rising up t [...]e true light in his heart; nor yet remain [...] [Page 151] stedfast in the doctrine of the same services, un­to the upright being of the love; of Jesus Christ, [...]e forsaketh verily (although he have never so much knowledge of spiritual and heavenly things) the Images or figures, and the signes of the secret godly things, unrightly and with ignorance, and taketh unto him the free­dome for to be unbound from the services, not [...]o the edifying of the Congregation, but to [...]nedifying and contention: and is seduced and deceived by his owne spirit or imagination of [...]he knowledge, wherewith he also s [...]duceth [...]nd deceiveth other moe, which hear and fol­ [...]ow him therein: in such wise, that they not [...]ely utterly forsake the services, and the [...]mages figures▪ and signes; but also the 1. Reg. 15. c. obe­ [...]ience of the requiring of the gratious word [...]er. 33. b raised up presently with us, out of the grace [...]f God, according to his promises) and the te­ [...]imonies of his holy Spirit and service of love, [...]nd make up themselves there against: and [...]ill needs even so (according to the Imagina­ [...]on of their knowledge) live free or in free­ [...]ome: and cause nothing else but breach and [...]ivision among the Congregations, and resist­ [...]g against the Priests or Elders.

16. Now when they have thus (in every H [...]art) forsaken and resisted or derided the [...]age-like or figurative services, counting them [Page 152] as unneedful, so forsake and resisted they then those same, contrary to Gods truth and his requiring, and contrary to all godly and Christian ordinances: and understand nothing at all of the mystery of those same, nor of the right Salvation of men in Jesu Christ: and run even so forth with the far inspection of their knowledge, thinking all too little on the obe­dience which they are debtours to shew in the foregoing services: And so they remain in the taking on of their owne freedom, without the right and true freedom of the children of God.

Let every one take it to heart.

17. BUt of these our fore-mentioned Sayings of the figurative services and Ceremonies, consider (ye dearly beloved) how that the Christians (for a certain season) have had and ministred figurative services; and been sustained therewithall, till unto the day of the love of Jesus Christ. Which figurative services and Ceremonies, have been the I­mages, figures, and shadowes, of the true and spiritual things, which were tofore (through Jesus Christ) come to pass, seen, heard, ali [...] spoken and published, in the true being, fo [...] that we should therethrough remember th [...] same true and spiritual things: and that alto­gether [Page 153] in such wise, as the Jews also had and ministered their figurative Services and Cere­monies, wherewithal they were sustained unto the day, wherein Christ was borne unto them of the seed of David. Which figurative ser­vices and Ceremonies, were the Images, fi­gures, and shadowes, to a memorial of the true spiritual things, which should (in the time to come) come to pass, and be seen, heard, also spoken and published in the true being of the 1 Cor. 13. b. 2 cor. 3. b uncovered face of Christ.

The XXXI Chapter.

FUrthermore (ye dearly beloved) behold and consider, how that he Catholick Church of Rome, hath obediently grounded it self on the aforesaid Services and Ceremonies, which are the figures or the prefiguration of the true Christianity and her Services; and (with di­ligence and ferventy) observed those same, to a good discipline or ordinance of the congrega­tions; and even so (in figures) borne the name of Christians.

2. Christians, signifie unto us, those that are anointed. For the holy ones of Christ were in times past so named, Act. 2. a which were anoint­ed with the holy Spirit of Christ, to Priests or Elders of the holy understanding.

3. Through which anointing with the ho­ly [Page 154] Spirit of Christ, they were the upright Fa­thers of the houshold of Christ, and forego­ers in the Christian Congregation, which day­ly set forth Joh. 6. h. 1 Joh. 1. a. the word of life (which is Christ himself, and had his Gal. 4. b shape in them) before the Disciples of the Word or Christ: wherewith the Novices or Disciples of Christ, were nou­rished and brought up in all wisdome and righteousness of God (with holy understand­ing) unto the Eph. 4. b old age of the Man Christ, or anointing of the holy Ghost. The which shall now also in this day (under the obedience of the love) [...]lourish even so in the true being, ac­cording to the promises.

B 4. THis same foregoing of the Elders of the holy understanding, and their anointing of the Holy Ghost (to Priests, Elders, and Fathers) hath the Catholick Church of Rome (till unto this day) ministred and observed in figures, as is abovesaid. For, to a token of r [...]membrance of the holy anoint­ing of Christ, with the holy Spirit, they have used the anointing with Oile: And it is a Sa­crament of the holy Church of Christ, which signifieth unto us, the anointing of the Priests or Elders with the holy Ghost.

5. Of which anointed Elders, or foregoers of the Communality of the Catholick Church of Rome, the chiefest anointed is named, Papa, [Page 155] and signifieth unto us, an old Father in the ho­ly understanding; also the chief Bishop or High-priest, which hath his being or conversa­tion, in the most holy of the true and perfect Sanctuary, and ministereth his office of the ho­ly word thereout: and for that cause is also named, the most holy Father.

6. For in times past, the eldest in the holy understanding (among them which were a­nointed with the holy Spirit) was so named, because that he (before all other) was the eldest in the holy wisdom of God: also a Father of his spiritual Children, and of all spiritual Persons.

7. For through his service of the holy word, the true clearness of Christ was spread abroad in all Lands: and the living souls (through the seed of the holy Spirit of Christ) were brought forth, Eph. 4, 5. c. to a communality of Christ, and Ta­bernacle of the living God, 2 Cor. 6. b. apoc. 21. a. wherein God liv­ed and dwelt. Which true being, is the up­right service of Christ, that flourished in force by the anointed with the holy Spirit of Christ. And hath (to a memorial of the same service) been figuratively observed in the Catholick Church of Rome.

8. THose now that are next unto the C fore-mentioned Papa, are named, Cardinals; which signifie unto us, the Prin­cipallest, [Page 156] which are nearest (in the most holy un­derstanding of the godliness) unto the eldest or holiest father, & have their cōmunion with him, in the most holy of the true and perfect being.

9. For the Principallest (which were nee­rest to the Eldest or holiest Father, in the Eph. 4. b old age of the holy understanding, and in the righteousness and godliness) were (in times past) so named, in the true being.

10. THe next unto the Cardinals, are named Bishops. Which signifie unto us▪ the pastours of the sheep and Lambs of Christ, and the chief Priests or Elders, which in the service and testimony of the spiritual and heavenly truth (administred by the chief Bishop or oldest Father) are under­standing; and grown up so old and manly, to the manly stock of the oldest Father, that they have received the key of the spiritual and Heavenly understanding, for to unlock the same holy intelligence, unto them that are a-growing up to Elders, and to ordaine them to Priests or Elders. Wherethrough they di­stinctly divide the ordinance and laws of the spiritual and heavenly goods, and the under­standing of the same, from the earthly, natu­ral, and wordly ordinances; namely, to a good keeping and Pastouring of the Congre­gation or flock of Christ.

[Page 157]11. For that cause they are also fore-goers D unto them that are growing up to Elders, Rom. 6. a. col. 2. b. 3. a. in the mortifying & burying of the sin, and the mi­nisters of the holy word, in the holy of the true offering: that is, in the keeping of the Pascha or Passeover with Christ, in his Supper: wherein the death of the sin, & (at the end of the same) the making alive of the man cometh to pass.

12. With which service, they inform and are serviceable to the Priests or Elders which are a-coming on (namely, unto the weaned Lambes, which are weaned or withdrawn from the milk of their youngness; and Col. i. b. 2 pet. 3. b. grow­ing up to the old-age of a sheep of Christ, or which increase them in the godly, wisdom of Christ (till unto Eph. 4. b the old age of the holy un­derstanding of Christ, and of the godly wis­dome of the oldest Father, or chief Bishop.

13. For because of this same service in the holy, and because of their manly old age of the holy understanding, such ministers of the holy Word were in time past (in the true being) named Bishops or Superiours of the Elders, either 1 Tim. 3. a. Tit. 1. a. Pastours of the sheep of Christ.

14. THe next unto the Bishops are named Parish-Priests or Cu­rates: which signifie unto us, Levitical priests, or adjoyned Pastors, and Elders of the holy understanding, as those that are joyned and or­dained [Page 158] to the ministration of the holy Priests office, and to the service of the Communalty, for to minister even so (in the service of the holy Word) the fore-front of the holy Taber­nacle, or the Mat. 3 a luk. 3▪ [...]. entrance of the Church of Christ, either Heb. 5. 6. a. beginning of the Christian life, in his Service and Requiring. Which Elders are cho­sen and joyned to the Service of the holy Word, because they leave or let pass the child­hood or youngness of the holy understanding, and grow up (according to the requiring of the service of Love) unto the manly agedness 1 Cor. 13. b. eph. 4. b. of Christ [that is, unto the true being of the oldest and holiest Father] or pass forth after the Perfection; and even so go before the Com­munalty of the Believers (in the Deut. 10. b. je [...]. 4. a. Circumcision of the heart, or in the Rom 6. a col. 3. a. 1 pet. 2. a. Heb. 12 a laying away of the sin in the Flesh) in all fear of God.

15. For that cause▪ they have also their Ser­vice, in the Congregation or Church of Christ; namely in the fore-front; that is, where the Sanctification or godliness, or the Joh. 3. a. new birth in Christ, hath his beginning, to a Rom. 6. [...] 1 pet. 2. a. laying a­way of the sin in the [...]lesh.

F 16. Hereunto serve the Parish-priests, as to [...]ch procuratours or helpers forward of [...]he communi [...]lities, for to bear Heb. 13. b. a good care over them: and to witness [...]nd teach them daily, the holy understanding of Christ (the [Page 159] oldest Father,) according to the ordinance of their Bishop, to a leading of them into the ho­ly of the true God-service in the Spirit, where the Heb. 9 b purging and forgiveness of sins cometh to pass, to the end that the communiality should even so (with the service of the holy word) be peaceably sustained and nourished, and live godly Eph. 4. [...] in all love and concord.

17. THe next unto the Parish-Priests, are named Deacons. Which sig­nifie unto us, Ministers 1 Tim. 3▪ a. tit. 1. a. or helpers of the Pa­rish-priests, in the holy God-services, to the end that it all (whatsoever concerneth the ser­vice of the holy Word, and the godly do­ctrine) might be orderly and godly ministred, among the Communialities.

18. THe next unto the Deacons, are named Sextons. Which signifie unto us, conservers or keepers of the holy things: or to whom the charge of holy things (to be used in their Ordinance) is committed, that they might be occupied in due or conveni­ent time.

19. AMong all those, there are also ri­sen G up many manner of Orders, wherethrough many anointed ones, and zea­lous People, have sought the righteousness and holy ones, which are named Monks. Which signifie unto us, such as dwell alone, and are [Page 160] (through the love of the righteousness) san­ctified; and for that cause also, separated from the World, and from all what is world­ly and fleshly, for to live even so (as sanctified ones of God) in the solitariness of their life, wholly in God, and in his holy being.

20. For such as were mortified touching the world and the flesh, Gal. 5. a.with all self-lusts and de­sires, and busied them not with any thing, save only with the things which concerned God and his righteousness, were in time past, so named.

21. NExt unto all these forenamed an­ointed ones, are the common Peo­ple, which believe and cleave unto the Services, Religions, & Ceremonies of the anointed and which also humble them to the requiring of those same. The which are named Christians; and are yet unanointed: and signifie unto us, the Christian Church or the Congregation of Christians or anointed ones, which are assem­bled (through the service of the holy Word) by the Elders Mat. 13. f. heb. 13. bof the holy understanding, unto the sanctification in Jesu Christ, and before whom the costly treasures of the holy things, or of the spiritual and heavenly goods are set forth, unto Salvation in Christ; and which al­so submit them obediently under the doctrine of the anointed ones or spiritual persons: which daily hold forth the law or ordinance of the [Page 161] Lord before them, and teach them, how they should live; also come to the spiritual under­standing or new Ioh. 3. a. rom. b. a. Birth in Christ; and what they ought to do, and leave undone.

22. And they that remaine, live, and walk without the same Christianity, or her Congre­gation, with al them that are not incorporated (as fellow-members of the Church of Christ) into the same, are named Heathen, which have their forth-going (without Christ and his Church) in the Heathenship or uncircumcisi­on; also are captived or blinded with dark­ness; and cannot obtaine nor inherit any Sal­vation nor everlasting life, with Christ.

23. BEhold, All this hath been even so in times past in his true being, whenas the light of life had his clearness; and the be­lief of Iesu Christ, her service, in the holy ones of God (the renewed or godded men) upon the Earth. But all this same (as touching the knowledg thereof according to his upright be­ing) is become darkned or secret before many; and the truth and right ordinance of the same, also utterly unknown. All which shall now (in this day of love) be Act. 3. c. restored or brought againe (through the revealing of the coming of Christ and of his holy Spirit) into his up­right state and true being, or Christian ordi­nance, and flourish or become forcible, accor­ding to the promises.

The XXXII Chapter.

A NOw when these Services of the Images or figures (to a memorial of the holy things, which were tofore chanced, concerning Christ and his holy ones) had stood a long season, in their Service; so have many People been drawn therewithall, which respected and believed those same, for the very true and perfect God-services, and works of righteous­ness, which God required: and they were likewise so set forth and taught by many; namely, after the manner as it also chanced in times past, Isa. 1. b. 43 c. 66. a jo [...]. 7. b. c. hos. 5.6. a mica. 6. a. with the Jews, which stood in such-like wise captived in their image-like and figurative Services and Ceremonies.

2. For unto all them that walk without the true being of the Godliness & heavenly Truth, or without the Family of the Love of Jesu Christ, and so (according to their good think­ing) set up, minister, teach forth, and observe Services and Ceremonies, all things chance (or they have them) in Similitudes, Isa. 6.29 b. mat. 13. b act. 28. d. apoc. 5. a. Parables, or closed books; and in Images, Figures, and Sha­dows, because they should not (without the Very true and his upright prefiguration) see, with the eyes of their earthly mindes; hear, with the ears of their fleshly thoughts; nor compre­hend in their dark hearts, the secret works of [Page 163] the holy Spirit of Christ: which also the world nor her Wise, Sap. 1. a. mat. 11. c 1 cor. 2. b. understand, know, nor receive.

3. BUt whenas now many manner abuses and ignorance of the right difference B of the said figurative Services (which witnes­sed, according to the Scripture (figuratively) of the Very true which was come to pass) were entered in; and that the Services and Ceremo­nies, were taught, believed, and observed with ignorance, by many: so is there at the last, great contention, debate, and division of minds and understandings, risen up (among them that were comprehended thereunder) for the Services and Ceremonies cause.

4. Wherethrough many, unorderly reject­ed and blasphemed the Services and Ceremo­nies of the Catholike Church of Rome; rented the concord and nurturable sustentation of the same; and turned them away therefrom; and even so, out of their knowledge (which they took out of the Scripture) brought in certain Services and Ceremonies, in another wise or order; and set forth and taught those same (for the upright Christian Ceremonies) unto the people. Howbeit, they have procured or ob­tained little love and righteousness; but rather much contention & controversie, therewithal. For many of them understood not, what they taught, nor what the Services and Ceremo­nies [Page 164] (which they rejected and blasphemed) sig­nified in themselves.

5. They spake likewise much of Gods Word, which yet they themselves (like as it is a living and mighty Word Jer. 23. c. heb. 4. b. that cutteth and pierceth (as a sharp sword) into the inmost part of the soul) had never heard; nor seen his clearness (like as it is shining and flowing forth out of the living God.) much less under­stood the mind or will of the same.

C 6. For that cause they have also not distin­cted nor declared unto the People, the figura­tive services▪ nor the mind of their right form and use (whereunto they were used by the old Fathers) from the perverse opinion, wherein they were set forth or taught by many; and the People captived therewith.

7. BEhold, in this contention and contro­versie, which sprang up among the unilluminated People (after that the defection or estranging from Christ and from 1 Tim. 4. [...]. 2. [...]. 3. a. 2 pet. 2. a. the holy belief, was once chanced with many (through the works of darkness) so became then mani­fest and known (like as there is written there­of) the nature of sin, or the Job. 18.20. [...]. 2 thes. 2. a child of the de­vil, and of the Supra. 28. d. condemnation, which in the Scripture, is named Antichrist: whose ini­quity (wherethrough the Law or Ordinance of the Lord was abolished; and the true holy and [Page 165] the requiring of his services, Dan. 9.11. d. mat. 24. b. 2 thes. 2. a. laid wast in the hearts of the men) remained secret and un­known unto many, till unto the same time.

8. In which time of the manifesting and knowledge of this same mischievous one, one might certainly (if he had had a right regard unto the Scripture) have easily perceived there­out, that the Joel. 2. b. d. great day of the Lord and the Mat. 24. d. 24. d. tit. 2. b. coming of Christ, was coming on or at hand, and h [...]rd by according to the Scripture.

9. BUt seeing now that there was much contention, and many divided minds D and understandings (which very much repre­hended, slandered, and judged each other for evil) risen up or come in place, and that cer­tain services and Ceremonies we [...]e brought in, in varible sort; so have there been also among them all, many zealous and God-fearing hearts, which have loved the righteousness with all their hearts; and for that cause, search­ed the Scripture (that they might understand the same) with great diligence and earnestness; and so sought after the most perfect under­standing of the Scriptures.

10. But for the most part, they were all divided one against another. For every one rested perswaded to have right in his cause; and like wise (in his service) the upright Christian Ceremonies, or the name thereof.

[Page 166]11. Among all these there have also been certain, which were counted of many, for Se­ctaries, Hereticks, and Seducers of the people; and for that cause, persecuted and banished; and many (for the conscience and faiths cause) were slain and put to death,

12. OH! what a lamentable thing, is the slaying or Isa. 59. a jer. 22. b. eze. 22. a. shedding of blood, for the consciences cause, to wit, of those that are zealous towards the righteousness▪ and (accor­ding to the outward dealing) do no man harm.

13. For this I say verily, that many single-minded hearts (for the consciences cause) which they had to God and his righteousness) have been guiltlesly put to death.

14. Oh, what is there more lamentable be­fore God and his holy ones, Psal. 56.58.59. a b isa. 59. a. jer. 22. b. then the shed­ding of innocent blood!

The XXXIII Chapter.

A AMong these divided people, there have many likewise mingled themselves, whose hearts sought not the righteousness: which also at the last became manifest, to be false hearts; namely, through their covetousness and Act. 20. c rom. 16 b ph [...]l. 3. c. 2 tim. 3. a. 2 pet. 2. a. ease in the flesh, and through manifold self-seek­ing, whereafter they sought, as also through much more other falshood, which they practi­sed and used.

[Page 167]2. Certain of those false hearts have turned them to slandering and traitory: in such wise, that they have (with slander and wicked back-biting) Mat. 24. a. betrayed the other, with whom they (in hypocrisie) had falsly their conversation: yea, and also delivered over certain into the hands of the Magistrates, for to be slain or rooted out.

3. Certain have killed, murdered, and (in many manner of wise) destroyed one another of them. Certain Mat. 24. a. have applied them (with subtilty) unto uproar and warlike dealings, and to stealing or the every: and certain also to false Sap. 14 c rom. 1. c. 2 pet. 2. b and inordinate liberties, and are even so fallen into manifold unjust dealings and blas­pheming of God.

4. For that cause▪ through these many man­ner of abuses and ignorances (taken on and maintained out of the knowledge of the Scri­pture) and by reason of the false hearts, which set forth and enforced Religions, Ceremonies, or God-services (wherethrough they (with many manner of false testimonies) accused each other for Sectaries and Seducers: and also brayed forth much wickedness (to slan­der and cursing) one over another) the Magistrates of the world were occasioned (against many) to persecution and putting to death.

[Page 168] B 5. AT that time there came great strict­ness and calamity, upon many peo­ple; also much doubting and bethinking, which might be the truth, the righteousness, and the upright services or Ceremonies which God regardeth.

6. But whilst that they knew not the truth the righteousness, nor the upright services and C [...] ­remonies, nor loved the upright righteousness with all their heart, so is also the love unto the righteousness, Mat. 24. b. waxen cold with many: and they are therethrough become slothfull to­wards the same; but very diligent in their own in [...]orcements or enterprises.

7. In like manner, many (seeing that they loved not the righteousness with whole heart) became altogether vainely minded; and like unto the world, in her abominations; and have even so let pass all fruitfull doctrine.

C 8. FOr that cause (O all ye which now in this day, love the truth and righteous­ness) have now a good regard hereon, Pro. 1. a and follow not the seducing of the destroyers nor the multitude of the ignorant, in their error: nor inforce you not Rom. 12. a. to be of one mind with the contentious world, nor with the discordable or divided wise and Scripture-learned: but ap­ply you unto concord, Eph. 4. in all love: and lock into it with undestandinging, what the Scrip­ture [Page 169] saith, what it requireth of us, and how it becometh fulfilled: as also how that we are not called (through the Scripture) unto 1 Cor. 7. b. eph. 4. a. strife, contention, nor to variance or discord; but unto peace, and to the love.

9. For I say unto you verily, that there are be­fore this day of love (which is the true light of God, and the coming of his Christ it self) many Scripture-learned (that were very richly learn­ed with the Mat. 23. a. b. 24. a. speeches of literal Scripture, in the subtilty and knowledg; but not in the Rom. 13. a. eph. 4. c. re­newing of the Spirit and mind, unto Mat. 15. f. the kingdom of God) risen up, which have not in­seen, understood, nor known the truth of God, in the light of the heavenly and spiritual wisdome of Christ; much less witnessed or taught the same; and yet much less brought in or ministred the upright or true Christian Ceremonies, which lead unto the God­liness in Jesus Christ; or to his love and Peace.

10. For they have not out of their literal D knowledge understood the 1 Tim. 1. a. 2 tim. 3. a. secret mind of God, nor the clear ground of the services and Cer [...]monies of the Christians; therefore also they have consulted or held Councels thereof: and are even so become disputing and at vari­ance betwixt themselves, about the Scripture, and about each others opinion and institu­tion [Page 170] of his Ceremonies and Services, and have not inherited the true love and peace of Christ.

11. Whereout each one may by himself, well perceive and mark, Jer. 8.23 c. d. that it is meer Lyes or untrue, what such Scripture-learned (through the knowledge which they get out of the Scri­pture) bring in, institute, preach, and teach.

E 12. THerefore consider now, that no man (out of his knowledge of the Scri­pture) can rightly erect, teach, nor set forth the Christian Ceremonies. But they shall (in their right form and use) be set forth, administred▪ and taught, by them that are chosen or raised up thereunto by God; which follow after Christ, Rom. 6.12. a. in his death; become renewed with him, in a new life: and in whom the living God with his Christ, hath even so then obtain­ed Joh. 14. c gal. 4. b. his dwelling and shape. From whose bodies likewise, the words of God and Christ, do then slow forth Joh. 7. d. as living waters; which also concordably agree with the testimonies of the holy Ghost; and with our Writings and their requiring; as also with the requiring of the Law, of the Prophets, and of the Apostles of Christ.

13. Behold, out of the declaring of these upright followers of Jesu Christ in the requi­ring of his doctrine, till unto his love, it shall now all (whatsoever concerneth God and his [Page 171] Services) be uprightly and according to the truth, used and ministred in his right Ordi­nance, according to the Scripture. Let every one now therefore have a good regard here­unto, and take it effectually to heart.

14. WHat we had here more to say, of the dissention, of the contending, about the Ceremonies; and of the pernicious Sectaries and Hereticks (and who they are) is declared in The Glass of righteousness.

The XXXIIII Chapter.

BUt the whilst now that the figurative Ser­vices and Ceremonies of the Christians, yet flourished in vigour; and that the discord­able mindes, out of the knowledge of the Scri­pture, did daily increase (to a more intangling) with much contending and disputation of Christ and of his Services and Ceremonies: and that many good-willing hearts (which had great Mat. 5. a hunger and thirst after the righteous­ness) searched the Scripture (for to understand the truth and the will of God, and to live therein) with great diligence and zeal, and sighed▪ and prayed unto God: so hath God at the last, remembred the desolate, Exo. 3. a psal. 9. b. heard the [...]ighing and prayer of the poor, and for his chosens sake (to the end that his Truth, and what his will is, mought (before all lovers of [Page 172] the Truth) be made manifest or declared, and the Scripture fulfilled) Mat. 24. c. shortened the days, according to his promises, and (through the hearty mercifulness of his love) wrought a great Hab. 1. a. act. 13. e. and wonderful work upon earth, out of his holy heaven; and Joh. 6. e. act. 17. d. Rom. 8. b. 1 cor. 6. b. 2 cor. 4. b. eph. 2. a. raised up me HN, the least among the holy ones of God (which lay altogether dead, and (without breath and life) Ezek. 37. b. among the dead) from the death, and made me alive, through Christ, as also anoint­ed me with his godly being; manned himself with me, and godded Joh. 17. c. 2 pet. a me with him, to a li­ving tabernacle or Joh. 14 c 2 cor. 6. b. apo. 21. a. house for his dwel­ling, and to a Psa. 45.89. c. [...]sa. 16. b. seat of his Christ, the seed of David, to the end that this wonderful works mought now Isa. 2. a. joel 2. c. acts 2. b. in the last time, be known; the light of his glory (with full clearness and in­struction) reavealed; and the coming of his Kingdome (to an Evangely of the same King­dome, and to the Gen. 22. b. blessing of all Generati­ons of the earth) Mat. 24. b. apo. 14. a. published in all the world, according to the Scripture.

2. Behold and consider (my beloved) how wonderfully Psal. 4.68, d. God worketh in his holy ones: and how that now in this Day or light of the love, the Rom. [...]4. b. [...] Cor. 5. Judgement-seat of Christ is re­vealed and declared unto us out of Heaven (to a righteous Judgement upon Earth) from the right hand of God: and how that on the [Page 173] same Judgement-seat of Christ (that the Scrip­ture mought be fulfilled) there sitteth 2 Reg. 7. b. psal. 98. c. d. isa. 16. b. 32. a. 42. a. jer. 23. a. 33. b. one now (in truth) in the habitation of David: which judgeth uprightly, thinketh upon equi­ty, and requireth righteousness.

3. Through him, God will now in this day (which he himself hath appointed; or ordain­ed thereunto) judge the Act. 17 d compass of the earth with righteousness.

4. In which this same day or last Time [namely, in the perfection of the works of God, and in his righteous Judgement] the God of heaven hath now declared himself and his Christ, together with Isa. 3. b. mat. 24.25. d. jude 1. b. all his Saints, unto us (his elect;) also made a dwelling with us; and brought even so unto us (out of his holy being) the most holy of his true Taberna­cle, Psa. 66. a apo. 21. a. b. with the fulness of his garnishing, and spiritual heavenly riches, to an everlasting fast standing Ierusalem, Joel 3. c. apo. 21. a. and house for Gods dwelling, according to the Scripture. The which is the very true Dan. 2. undisturbable king­dome (full of all godly Power, Joy, and of all heavenly beautifulness) wherein Psa. 67.96. Joel. 2. c. apo. 15. a. the laud of the Lord (with fulness of the eternal life and lovely sweetness) is sung, from everlast­ing to everlasting: and wherein all minds ma [...]. 5. a. of pure hearts, Lev. 26 b 2. cor. 6. b apo. 21. b. do dwell, live, and walk (with freedome, and Christian triumph) in all love.

[Page 174] C 5. THis great day-light of the most high God, hath presently (in his righteous Judgement) shined about us. Which 1 Tim. 1. b. great grace and mercy is chanced unto us, for that we should Mat. 24. b. apo. 14. a. publish the true Evangelie of the Kingdom of the same light, in all the world, for a witness unto all people, and to peace and joy, as also to an eternal Deut. 4.32. merciful­ness or pitying of the servants of the Lord, or of all them that seek the Lord, that the Scri­ptures mought become fulfilled; and all such as remember the Lord, be Isa. 2. a. 13. c. 60. a. jer. 3. b. 50. a. eze. 13. c. assembled (in the body of Christ) unto this his seat of the righ­teous judgement, and to his Most holy of the true Tabernacle or house of his dwelling; and not for our sake, nor for any mans righteous­ness cause.

6. For even so (in all such sort as God hath now made manifest his wonderful work, upon the earth) must the Scripture be fulfilled; his Most holy declared; to an everlasting, true, and perfect light; and evangelized or published in all the world to an everlasting Isa. 32. c. mica. 4. a. rest and peace of his holy ones.

7. For I say unto you verily, that the Lord hath wrought this wonderful work of his love (extended on us out of his grace) for his own sake, for to make his holy Name, now in the last time (according to his promises) Psal. 113. a. isa. 59. c. mal. 1. b. great and [Page 175] glorious in all Lands: and so to declare his truth and righteousness, upon the earth: to shew his true God-service: to consecrate or hallow again the Holy of his true Tabernacle (which hath a long time, utterly lain waste with Dan. 8. b. 9. c. 11▪ d. 12. a. mat. 24. bma­ny abominations) through his gracious word and service of Love, out of the light of the Most holy: and to set up again Dan. 8. b 9. c. 11. d. the daily of­fering, which hath also ceased a long time, for the abomination of desolations cause, To the end that the same mought be ministred in his upright Service (like as in times past) to the purging and forgiveness of sins.

8. EVen thus would t [...]e Lord let his Word D of life be heard (now Isa. 2. a. mic. 4. a. acts 2. b. in the last time) upon earth, that his promises mought be [...]stablished; the hungry souls, satisfied Mat. 5. a. with righteousness; the Scripture Luk. 24. c. fulfilled, in all what God hath spoken through the Spirit of his Prophets and of his Christ; and the man (which hath utterly corrupted his understand­ing, with the knowledge) Mat. 24. c. made safe and blessed, out of his grace, according to the pro­mises.

The XXXV Chapter.

BEhold (ye dearly beloved) how that now in this present day, the Scripture becom­eth fulfilled, in all what it mentioneth of [Page 176] Christ, Gen. 21.22. isa. 2. a. 60. a. mal. 3. a. 4. a. mat. 24.25. of his seed, and of the coming of his glory.

2. Which coming of Christ in his glory (like as the same was in times past published Isa. 40.49. mal. 1. b. act. 13. [...]. rom. 9. b. 21. a. b. c. unto the heathen, and also believed of them) God hath now in the last time, declared a­mong the Heathen; and shewed mercy on the Heathen, before all other, that the whole earth mought be Isa. 11. [...]. hab. 3. b. filled with his glory, like as there is written thereof: Num. 14. c. As truly as I live (saith the Lord) the whole world shall be filled with the glory of God.

3. Further, saith the Lord through Esdras, They 4 Esd. 1. [...]. that have not heard me shall notwith­standing believe me, or put their trust in me: and they to whom I have shewed no tokens, shall do the thing that I command them. They have seen no Prophets: yet shall they call their unrighteousness to remembrance. Therefore witness I mercy (saith the Lord) un­to the People which are to come: whose babes or little children, rejoyce them with gladness. And although they see me not with bodily eys, yet believe they in the Spirit, the thing that I say. I will give unto them the Dukedom of Abraham, Isaac, and Iacob, and of the Prophets.

B 4. Further, through Isaiah: Isa. 5. [...]. 11. b. The Lord will display or set up a Banner, far-abroad [Page 177] among the Heathen; and allure them from the ends of the earth.

5. Againe, through Ezekiel: Eze. 39. c. I will bring my glory among the Heathen, that all Heathen may see my Judgement that I have kept; and my hand which I have stretched out over them, to the end that the hous of Israel may thereby know that I (the Lord) am their God, even from this day forth, for evermore.

6. Again, over Israel: Soph. 3. b. zec. 2. b. O thou Daughter of Israel, I will build thee again, that thou shalt be firm and sure.

7. Againe: Num. 24. a. The habitations of Israel are very goodly: For they are like broad val­leys, as the well-watered Gardens, by the Ri­vers, and as the Tabernacles which the Lord stablisheth, even like the Cedars planted by the water side. There shall water flow forth out of his bucket: and his seed shall be a great water.

8. BEhold, In this present day, is this C Scripture fulfilled: and (according to the testimony of the Scripture) the raising up and Isa. 26. b dan. 12. b 4 esd. 7. d John 5. c. 1 thes. 4. b resurrection of the Lords dead, cometh also to pass presently in this same day, through the apearing Mat. 24. d. 25. d. luke 17. c act. 1. b. of the coming of Christ in his Majesty. Which resurrection of the dead (seeing that the same is come unto us from Gods grace) we do likewise in this present [Page 178] day) to an Evangely or joyful Message of the Kingdom of God and Christ) Mat. 24. b. [...]po. 14. a. publish in all the world, under the obedience of the love.

9. In which resurrection of the dead, God sheweth unto us, that the time is now fulfilled, that his dead (or Isa. 26. d 1 Cor. 15. [...]. 1 thes. 4. b the dead which are fallen asleep in the Lord) rise up in this day of his judgement, and appear unto us, in godly glo­ry: which shall also (from hencefo [...]th) live in us everlastingly, with Christ, and Apo. 5.22. a. reign upon the earth: wherein the Scripture becometh fulfilled in this present day, like as there stand­eth written thereof:

10. The Deut. 32. d. Lord shall judge his people: and he will have mercy on his servants or mini­sters. For he shall behold that their power faileth them.

11. Again: The Lord slayeth, Deut. 32. d. [...]b. 13. a. sap. 16. b. and maketh alive: he leadeth into hell, and bringeth there­out again.

12. The Lord maketh poor and rich: 1 Reg. 2. a. he humbleth and exalteth.

13. He lifteth up 1 Reg. 1. a. Psal. 113. a. the needy out of the dust; and exalteth the poor, out of the mire, that he mought set him among the Princes, and let him inherit the seat of honour.

D 14. Further, the Lord saith touching his dead, I Isa. 57. b will not contend for ever, nor be al­ways angry: but there shall a spirit or winde [Page 179] blowe from my face, Ezek. 37. b. and I will make breath.

15. Again, Christ speaketh touching him which believeth in him: Joh. 6. [...] I will raise him a­gain in the last day.

16. Again, Act. 17. [...]. The Lord hath appointed a day, in which he will judge the compass or cir­cuit of the earth, with righteousness, through one man, in whom he hath decreed it: which holdeth forth the Belief before every one, inas­much as God hath raised him from the death.

17. Again, Apo. 21. a. There shall be no more death, sorrow, wailing, nor pain: for the first, is pas­sed by. And he which sate upon the seat, spake, Behold, I make it altogether new.

The XXXVI Chapter.

WIth this resurrection of the Lords dead, God the Father doth now de­clare,A how that he hath chosen us to an house Joh. 14. c. apo. 21. a▪ for his dwelling, and liveth and walketh in us with his holy ones; wherein the Scripture becometh fulfilled in this present day [namely, in all] like as there is witnessed and written, of the resurrection of the dead; and of the re­storing of his house or tabernacle. Wherewith God sheweth now unto us, that in this present day, the time of the restoring of his house is fulfilled: whereout the salvation of the people [Page 180] is evermore manifested; and Gods true light, Word, Spirit, and life; Isa. 2. a. mica. 4. a. published or preach­ed, and whereout also the same shall always and for ever, be published and declared, to the end that t [...]ey all (which have a desire unto the house of the Lord, and turne them there­unto) mought now, according to the word of the Lord, be assembled unto the Lords house; and Isa. 60. a walk in his light: wherein the Scrip­ture becometh fulfilled in this present day, like as there standeth written thereof:

2. It shall come to pass in the last time (saith the Lord) that the Isa. 2. a. mica. 4. a. hill whereon the house of the Lord is▪ shall be erected; and ex­alted above all hills: and all the Gentiles shall run thereunto; and much people shall go thi­ther, and say, Come, Isa. 13. c jer. 50. a. zec. 8. b. let us go up to the hill of the Lord, to the house of the God of Ia­cob: that he may teach us his ways; and that we may walk in his paths.

B 3. BEhold, where now the Lords house is, there is also the holy City of Ierusa­lem, and the hill of Sion. Therefore shall now likewise [namely, where the house or dwelling of the Lord is] the Isa. 2. a. mica. 4. a. law of the Lord proceed out of Sion; and his Word, out of Ierusalem: like as there is written thereof.

4. Further▪ Christ saith also touching the house of the Lord: Joh. 14. c Whoso loveth me, he [Page 181] will keep my word: and my Father will love him. We will come unto him, and make a dwelling with him.

5. Againe: Apo. 21. a. Behold, the Tabernacle of God is with men: And he will dwel with them: and they shall be his People: and he (God himself with them) will be their God. And God will wash away all teares from their eyes.

6. VE [...]ily, with all these, and in all these C wonderful works of God (in this holy day of love) there is revealed unto us (according to the Testimony of the Scripture) the promised 2 Reg. 7. b. [...] isa. 9. a. 11.16. jer. 23. a. 33. b. dan. 7. [...]. 7. [...]. Kingdome of the seed of Da­vid, and the seat of the true majesty; and the same is also established with us (for the righ­teousness cause) even for ever and ever, To the end that the same Kingdome of the seed of David, and the seat of his Majesty, mought indure for ever and ever, like as the Scripture witnesseth thereof. Wherewith the Lord sheweth and maketh known unto us, that the time is now fulfilled, and the day come, where­in he establisheth his promises, and accom­plisheth it all, which he hath assured Psa. 89. c. d. 110. a a 132. b. or pro­mised (in times past) unto his servant David [that is, unto his beloved service:] wherein the Scripture becometh fulfilled in this present day, like as there standeth written:

[Page 182]7. I will raise up thy seed (saith the Lord to his servant David) 2 Reg. 7. b. 1 per. 18. b. that shall proceed out of thy body after thee. I will make his king­dom to prosper. He shall build an house for my Name: and I will make the seat of his kingdom prosperous for ever. I will be his fa­ther, and he shall be my son, saith the Lord.

8. Again, 2 Reg. 7. b. 1 par. 18. b. psa. 89. d. I will keep my goodness to­wards him for ever: and my Covenant shall stand firm unto him; I will give him seed per­petually; and uphold his seat, so long as the heaven endureth.

9. Again, Isa. 16. b. There shall be a seat prepared, through grace or benignity, that one may sit thereon (in truth) in the habitation of David.

D 10. FOr that cause, the true seed of Christ (the seed of David) shall now in this day make manifest it self, and come forth in righteousness: and shall likewise through us (out of this our true ministration of the love) spread abroad and publish the Lords righte­ousness: wherein the Scripture becometh ful­filled in this present day, like as there standeth written thereof:

11. A Psa. 22. d. seed shall serve the Lord: The Lord shall be published or declared unto childes childe: that is, from generation to generation for evermore.

12. Again, Psa. 92. b. Such as are planted in the [Page 183] house of the Lord, shall flourish in the courts of our God: and when also they are old, yet shall they blossom; and be fresh or in good liking, for to declare that the Lord is righte­ous.

13. BEhold (ye dearly beloved) how that E the Scripture becometh now made clear unto us; the Isa. 29. b. c. dan. 12. b. 4 esd. 6. c. sealed-to prophecies open­ed; and al [...]o accomplished, in this present day. And consider likewise, how that the God of heaven▪ hath shewed his great love, grace, and m [...]rcy, on us little ones, Isa. 57.66. a. mat. 11. c. and Gods elect; brought the Most holy of his true Tabernacle (in his perfect building and gorgeous garnish­ing) to us or in us, out of his holy heaven; and declared the same (to an everlasting ma­nifestation of the perfection of all his works) through us, upon the earth; To the end that his gracious Word (which he hath spoken in times past and Jer. 13. b raised up with us, according to his promises) mought rem [...]in and stand fast with us from henceforth for evermore, and the Scripture and all what it witnesse [...]h and re­quireth, perfectly accomplished; and this day of love and of salvation of the godly and hea­venly clearness (which is revealed and come unto us little ones, with whom the living God of heaven hath begun his work, to bring it to perfection) published in all the world: and that [Page 184] likewise (in the passing thorow with his light) the true Psa. 96. b 4 esd. 7. d. isa. 16. b. judgement-seat of Christ (before the which every one is debtour to humble himself, with naked heart) mought (in the same day) be seen among the People; and the true most holy of the true Tabernacle, ministred [...]verlast­ingly (in his true being) in the same day. And that even so the mercy-seat of the godly glory (with his treasures of the spiritual and heaven­ly goods) may bide and raign (to an eternal rest and peace of his holy ones) Isa. 9. a. 11. a. 32. a. 42. a. jer. 23. a. 33. b. apo. 5. b. 21. a. 22. a. everlasting­ly on earth, like as in heaven, according to the promises.

14. WHat we had here more to say, of the wonderful works of God; of his love extended (out of grace) unto us; and of the fulfilling of the word of the Lord and of the Scripture, is declared in The glass of righteousness, and in more other testimonies of our writings.

The XXXVII Chapter.

A SEeing then that this most holy and per­fectest of the true Tabernacle of God, is now come unto us (from Gods grace) upon the earth, and that the living God is declared unto us in his glory; so shall now also (in this day) the most holy be mini­stred in his true being (to an everlasting [Page 185] perfection or consummation of all the works of [...]od) under the obedience of the love. For all fore-going services (which are proceeded from God; and administred out of his light Mat. 24. d. mar. 12. c luk. 10. c. 1 cor. 13. b. direct and lead unto the most holy and his Service.

2. For that cause, they all cease, and are fulfilled (or have accomplished their services) in the same perfect being; namely, after this manner: to wit, to shew faithfull obedience, from the beginning of the Christian life, till unto the perfect 1 Cor. 13. b. eph. 4. b. old age of the most holy being of Christ; namely, from the 2 Co. 6. b. apo. 18. a. depar­ture out of the heathenship (through the 1 Pet. 1. b. o­bedience of the Word) unto God his Cove­nant of the Gen. 17. b. circumcision of the holy Fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Iacob: That is, unto the fear of God (the fore-front of Gods true Tabernacle) whereout the beginning of the godly wisdome proceedeth or springeth.

3. For with the said holy Fathers, God B hath (to an erecting or building of his true Tabernacle) begun his service of the Word, Gen. 17 b. 26. a. 28. b. in his Covenant of Circumcision: and even so (in the same service) builded or set up the fore-front of his true Tabernacle, with the Fa­thers of his Covenant.

4. From the service of the Fathers, [...]n Gods Covenant of the Circumcision, and of the [Page 186] accomplishings of the same service, in the fear of God (the true Fore-front) Exo. 2.3. unto Mo­ses, which hath (in his service) figured forth the true being of the true Sanctuary or Taber­nacle of God in the Spirit; and the accom­plishing of the true God-service (as a to-com­ing righteousness and perfection of all the works of God) Exo. 25.26. &c lev. 1.2. &c. num. 3. &c. in images▪ figures, and sha­dows, according to the very like manner or or­dinance, as it was ministred by the Priesthood of Aaron ▪ under the obedience of the Law.

5. From the service of Moses, and his pre­figuration of the upright righteousness and ho­liness unto 2 Reg. 7. b. isa. 16. b. jer. 23. a. 33. b. King David and the Prophets of God: to whom the true being was shewed, in the spirit of their sight: which likewise bear witness and proph [...]sie (in their service) out of the light, and through the Word of the Lord, on the true being, like as the same in this pre­s [...]nt day▪ is come unto us.

C 6. From the service of King David and the Prophets, Mat. 11. b. luk. 16. b. till unto Iohn the Baptizer with the water of repentance, the true mal. 3. a. mat. 3. a. fore­goer or the foregoing light, that goeth before Christ (the true true being) for to prepare the mal. 4. a. luk. 1. b. hearts of men (in his service) to the true being, in the confessing of their sins, and in Mat 3. a ma [...]. 1. a. luk 3. a. repentance for those same▪ for to make them even so meet, to enter into the holy of the true [Page 187] Tabernacle of God, to the knowledge of the true salvation in the forgiveness of their sins.

7. From the service of Iohn the Baptizer with the water of repentance, and the accom­plishing of the same service, Mat. 3. b mar. 1. a. luke 3. b. joh. 1. c. unto Christ and his service in the belief, to justification in the Spirit; And this is the true service and Heb. 9. b of­fering of Christ, in the Holy of the true Taber­nacle of God. In whose accomplishing, the images, figures, and shadows do cease, for that with the man, in the accomplishment of the re­quiring of the Word of Christ (through Christ, and through his service in the belief) the true being and the perfect rig [...]teousness, with the ministration of the heavenly goods, becometh made known in the Act. 1. b 2. a. spirit of the inward man; and all what God requireth of the man, fulfilled or accomplished.

8. For through Christ, and through his service in the belief, God hath builded his Ho­ly of the true Tabernacle, according to the true being (whereof the figurative services gave their shadows, and whereon all the Prophets of God have prophesied) with the disciples of Ch [...]ist; as also manifested and accomplished the true Isa. 53. b mat. 26.27. mar. 14.15. heb. 9.10. b. offering (to the for­giveness of sins, and to an everlasting atone­ment of the generation of mankinde) in the Holy.

[Page 188] D 9. Even thus hath Christ wrought or erect­ed all this (that concerneth the holy and his service, in his true being) with his Disciples: Mat. 28. b. mar. 16. b luke 24. [...]. f. ordained them to Elders of the holy under­standing, and to Ministers of the same service in the belief or faith: and is even so ascended Mar. 16. b. act. 1. b into heaven to the right hand of God his Father, and entred into the most holy.

10. And from thence he hath, out of the same most holy, Act. 2. a. poured forth his holy Ghost, upon his Disciples: sanctified his holy, and ministred the same (in his full service) ac­cording to the true being; as also established the true Testament with them, to the Jer. 31. d luk. 22. b. heb. 8.10. b. for­giveness and purginig of sins: and hath even so declared (in the heaven) the most holy unto them, and given them to understand, how that he would bring the same again (in his coming) upon the earth (with power and glory) in the last time; and set up again his true fore-front and holy, each one in his ministration; toge­ther with the daily offering, Num. 14. c. isa. 11.59 c. hab. 3. b. mic. 4. a. mal. 1. b to an everlasting glory and majesty of God upon the earth, like as there is written and witnessed there­of.

11. BEhold, in such wise (as is said) have the fore-going services (which the God of heaven hath brought againe, and e­rected with us, through his Christ) their mini­stration, [Page 189] to the most holy Mat. 22. d. mar. 12. e 1 cor. 13. b. being of Jesu Christ, which is the true light of life; and the most holy of the true Tabernacle it self. Wherein it becometh all fulfilled, that is promised by the God of light: and written of Christ.

12. And this most holy whereon we wit­ness,E and which is (from God his grace) ap­peared and come unto us, is the same most holy, wherein and wherewith Christ (the true high priest and king of righteousness) cometh unto us, in the triumph and majesty: and mi­nistreth even so unto us in the same and out of the same most holy, his high Priests office with the spiritual and heavenly goods, to the erect­ing of the perfection.

13. Therefore also is this day or light of the love, with his service in the most holy, the last day, and the perfection or conclusion of all the works of God. In the which God him­self, with his Christ, Mat. 24. d. 25. d. jude 1. b. and with all the thou­sands of his Saints (as in the most holy of his true Tabernacle) appeareth and cometh unto the believers and obedient ones to the requi­ring of his word, to an eternal Heb. 3.4. a. rest of his holy ones and to a Godly consolation for all afflicted hearts, which hope on God and on his righteousness, and bear the love of God and Christ, in their hearts, To the end that [Page 190] they all which love God and his Christ, mought now live Zech. 8. a. eph. 4. a. lovely and peaceably in the same rest (with all the holy ones of God and Christ) in all love.

14. Which most holy (the most pure perfect beauty) and his upright and gracious service of love, we have received or attained unto, now in this last time: wherein we inherit the John 10. b. ful­ness of the life (to an everlasting joy) with God and his Christ. And that same most holy and his service of love, reacheth also no fur­ther: but it is the perfection it self. 1 Cor. 13. b. For that cause, the services of love (which the Lord hath erected with us little ones and elect ones) shall stand fast everlastingly in his mini­stration, and remaine for ever, according to the Scripture.

F 15. HAppy is he, which giveth eare unto the same Service of the most ho­ly (which is ministred out of the Testimonies of the holy Spirit of love,) and believeth it, as also obeyeth the requiring of those same: and waxeth not Psa. 95. b. heb. 3. b. bitter-hearted, either offended thereat, neither hardeneth his heart therea­gainst: but 2 Co. 6. a. gal. 6. b. h [...]b. [...] [...]. [...]. respecteth the same gratious time, to the end that he may enter into the rest of the Lord, and that the severe Judge­ment (which cometh (in this last day) upon all ungodly and resisters of the service of love, [Page 191] and upon all rich knowledge full wise, which have corrupted the Gen. 6 b. way of their understand­ing, in the knowledge) fall not upon him, to his condemnation.

16. Yea happy is he, which now respect­eth well the true light: and assembleth him in this day, unto the Heb. 5. a mercy-seat of the Majesty of God and Christ, to his salvation.

17. For after this day, there shall no day of grace more, Apo. 10. a. come upon the earth, be­cause all the works of God, and his prophecies, become fulfilled (according to the Scripture) in the same: and for that the Mat. 13. c. 25. d rom. 2. a. 2 thes. 1. a righteous Judgement of God (to an everlasting death and damnation of all ungodly, and to an eter­nal life and salvation of all the holy ones and elect of God) becometh also executed therein.

The XXXVIII Chapter.

COnsider and mark (ye dearly beloved) in A what sort, that the foregoing services of God are in many manner of wise; & how that they all (out of one God) as linked together, do reach unto this day and service of the love of the most holy being of Christ; and how that the God of heaven (out of his mercifull love) hath through the ministers of his gratious word, informed, trained up, and served the [Page 192] generation of mankind (that the same mought be set up again in the godly nature and forme (wherefrom it is Gen. 3. a. s [...]p. 1. b. 2. [...]. rom. 6. b. fallen away or estran­ged) and so become saved) with the fore­going services, till unto this service and day of love of the perfection. In which day, the God of heaven hath also brought againe and erect­ed with us, the right ministration of his fore­going services: and will likewise (in this day) with all that same which he hath spoken and w [...]ought from the beginning of the world; and restored againe with us, execute his righteous [...]sa. 96. [...]. d. [...]. judgment, to death and to life, like as there is written thereof.

2. Wherefore awake Ma [...]. [...]4. [...]. lu [...] [...] [...]. d. now all: lift up your heads: hear and see the wonderful acts of God: and have regard unto the 1 Cor. 15. [...]. 1 t [...]es. 4. b sound of the last B Trumpet, and consider:

3. The fore-front of the true tabernacle of God, wherein the beginning of the true god ser­vice and of the upright Christian life becometh erected; The holy of the true tabernacle of God, wherein the true god-service and his re­quiring, and the obedience of the belief even unto the upright Christian life, is accomplish­ed, and the veil removed from the most holy; The most holy of the true tabernacle of God, wherein the perfection of the true Christian life, and all that which God hath spoken from the [Page 319] beginning, and promised through his prophets, is set up; The kingdom of the God of heavens, Rom. 14. b. apo. 21.21. a. full of all pure beauty and heavenly powers, wherein all minds of pure hearts do live (with Christian triumph) Jer. 23.33. b. free without fear; The day of the Mat. 25. d. act. 17. d. righteous judgment of God, in which the compass of the earth becometh judged with righteousness; The Rom. 14. b. 2 cor. 5. b judge­ment-seat of Christ, before which all things must needs be manifest; The perfect being of God and Christ, in his abundant clearness of the godly light; The true Heb. 3. b 4. a. rest of all the children of God, in their perfect loveliness and upright being; The Mat. 13. b. mystery of the heavenly truth, wherein the right service of love hath his ministration. And the declaring of the spi­ritual Treasures, or riches of the heavenly goods, which are administred and brought through the service of love (to an everlasting perfection) unto the upright of heart, and wherein al unperfect or childish things, images, figures, and shadows do cease, becometh now in this present day (O ye lovers of the truth) Apo. 14. a. evangelized and declared unto you all: and thereto also ye all (so well as we) were Gen. 1. c. sap. 1. b. cre­ated, for to live therein: and are called and bidden unto the same (out of the grace and mercy of God) by me HN, in whom God hath sealed the dwelling of his glory, and his holy name.

[Page 194] C 4. Not onely they, with whom I particu­larly do speak and write unto: but also all those, that love the truth in Jesu Christ, and to whose hands the godly Testimonies of our writings (out of our most holy service of love) do come, to an assistance and leading into our communiality of love, and which read or hear the same: This day is the door of the heavenly truth, the 4 Esd. 8. f isa. 60. b. apo. 21.22. a. gate of the kingdom of the God of heavens, the entrance into the Paradise of God or pleasant garden of the Lord, and the way to the Tree of Life, opened; and great joy published, unto you all: and that the God of heaven Act. 3. restoreth againe with us (in this day of his love) all what he hath spoken from the beginning of the world, through the mouth of his holy Prophets.

5. WHoso now therefore, are the People of the Lord, and all such as have a desire to do his will, They shall now be well able to understand, that this our testimony and doctrine, is of God, and come (with Psa. 59. a. isa. 2. a. 13. c. jer. 3. b. 50. a. eza. 37. [...]. zac. 8. b. humbled hearts) unto the house and work of the Lord; submit them before the Lords feet; and be assembled with us (under the o­bedience of the love (unto the communiality of the holy ones of God; and Joh. 17. c. incorporated (to all unity of heart, of the one man of God) into the true body of Jesu Christ.

[Page 195]6. But whosoever appertaineth not to the Lord; hath not minded the love, truth, nor unity of heart; nor believed me HN, in the service of love: but supposeth to be wise, out of his own spirit and understanding; ex­cuseth or justifieth himself; and so hath no de­sire unto the will of God my Father, He shall not desire to come unto us, nor to make manifest himself, in this day: before the Rom. 14. b. judg­ment-seat of Christ.

7. BUt I say unto you verily, Whoso as­sembleth D him not unto us, nor manifest­eth himself (either confesseth not his sins) good-willingly (out of an inclination unto the love) before the Lord and his seat of judgement, he shall notwithstanding (in this day) not chuse but be manifested before the judgement of God, and before Isa. 16. b rom. 14. b this seat which God hath prepared to Judgement (let him then cover himself, so subtilly as he will) in his sins, and in his perverse and corrupt nature, 1 Cor. 4. a. as also in his averted or off-turned meanings from us and from the requiring of the service of the love of Jesu Christ; hear the judgement or sentence of his condemnation, Matth▪ 25. d. out of the righteous judgement of God; and bear the burden of his damnation.

The XXXIX Chapter.

A THerefore, let every one now take warn­ing: and let each one (which is presently called and bidden to this true light) and to this lovely marriage, or Apo. 19. a. supper of the lamb) look now diligently unto it, that he make not his excuse nor seek to clear himself, either with this or that: and so disdaine this voyce or cal [...]ing. Like as (in times past) They that were bidden to the supper of the Lord, Mat. 22. a. luk. 14. b. sought delays, and excused themselves: and for that cause, tasted not the Supper of the Lord for evermore.

2. Therefore let no man bind his heart now, on Wife, Child, Oxen, Lands, nor on any manner riches of this world. But let him turn his heart unto these infinite riches of the hea­venly goods.

3. And if any man now be (without the house of the Lord) Mat. 24. luke 21. b in the field, or on the top of his own house, let him not go in againe (to his house) for to fetch any thing thereout: but let Mat. 16. c. luk. 9.14. c. him leave and forsake all that, and turn him hither-ward, and Isa. 2. a. mat. 24. b luk. 21. b. come to this holy mountain, whereon the house of the Lord stan­deth, and his day-light shineth and let him Isa. 60. a walk in the same light, That the abominati­ons of the wicked world, and her condemnati­on▪ [Page 197] Luk. 21. d. catch or take not hold of him as a snare.

4. For this is the condemnation, which go­eth (now in the last time) over the man; namely, that Joh. 1.3. b. the light is come into the world, and that the man loveth the darkness, more then the light: despiseth Pro. 1. c. the proffered grace: and taketh not heed unto this gratious time, to his renewing and Salvation in the Spirit.

5. In which time (the whilst that the grace of the Lord standeth open, and that there is Isa. 55. 3 yet space, to obtain grace with the Lord) the hearts of the believing men are changed or re­newed;4 Esd. 2. c. d. 6. c. as also grounded (with minds of pure hearts) in the living God; and assem­bled to one heart, and to one man in Jesu Christ.

6. For the Lord hath now set his help, Psa. 89. c. on one that is mighty; and exalted him, whom he hath chosen out of the People. The Lords hand shall advance him; and his arm shall strengthen him.

7. For that cause, Psal. 107. c. the righteous shall now see their desire, and rejoyce them. For all Ini­quity shall be compelled to stop his mouth, because the Lord with his Saints, is now Psa. 7. b. 9. a. be­come judge himself, and this his day of love (which the Psal. 118. c. Lord hath made for us (which walk in his light) to mirth and joy) shineth so clear and bright.

[Page 198]8. Therefore shall now also the eyes of all men be Isa. 2. b. 5. b. humbled; and the People which have exalted themselves, shall be fain to bow them: and Mic. 4. a. soph. 3. b. hag. 2. b. there shall be peace upon earth.

9. FOr behold, The Lord maketh now C the lips Isa. 57.60. b. zech. 9. b. of peace, which publish peace abundantly: wherein the Scripture (like as the Lord hath spoken thereof in times past) becometh fulfilled in this present day; like as there standeth written thereof:

10. I (saith the Lord) Isa. 66. b. inlarge the peace among you like a water-stream; and the might or dominion of the Heathen, like a ri­ver which floweth over with water. At that time (saith the Lord) ye Isa. 66. b shall suck; and be born upon the sides or in the arms. They shall dandle you on their knees. And I (saith the Lord) will comfort you like as a Mother com­forteth her Children, when any evil happeneth unto them.

11. Again: Eze. i1. d. 18. d. 36. c. I (saith the Lord) will give you a concordable heart, and plant a new spi­rit within you.

12. BEhold (ye dearly beloved) all this same doth the Lord now accom­plish in this his holy day, with us little ones, humble hearts, and elected ones of God.

13. Therefore our Psa. 71. c mouth shall now in this day, be full of laughter; and our tongue, [Page 199] full of boasting. For great and mighty is the glory of the Lord, here among us, in this house or temple of his dwelling. For that cause let every one come hither now, unto this house of the Lord, whereout Isa. 2. a. mica. 4. a. the glory of Lord is declared, and his righteousness taught.

14. COme now all, ye thirsty souls after D the righteousness: Isa. 55. a eccl. 51. d. and assemble you into the house of instruction. Wherefore should ye now tarry any longer, or defer the time, seeing that your souls are exceeding thirsty?

15. For even for your sakes, I open my mouth, and cry, Isa. 55. a Come, I pray you, and buy you wisdome without silver or money: and Eccle. 6.51. d. bow down your necks under the yoke or ordinance, so shall your soul receive wisdome. For even thereto have Eccl. 24. d. I (wisdome) poured out the streams. I am as a course or chanel of the unmeasurable waters, out of the rivers. I am as the river Dorix [that is, which is swift] and like a water-conduit, am I gone into the garden of pleasure. I said, I will wa­ter my garden of plants; and fill or make drunken the fruits of my birth. For an over­flowing passage is made for me: and my ri­ver reacheth even to the Sea. For my doctrine giveth light like the fair morning: and I will [Page 200] declare forth the same, wide and far abroad. I will pierce thorow all the lowest parts of the earth: and I will look upon all such as be a­sleep: and will also lighten all them, that hope in the Lord. I will pour out doctrine, like a prophecie; and leave it unto such as seek for wisdome. I will not make an end in their ge­neration, till unto the holy eternity.

E 16. BEhold, Eccle. 24. d. 33. c. how that I have not la­boured for my self onely; but also for all them that desire the truth and instruction. Therefore apply you now all thereunto, for to obtain wisdome. Eccle. 51. d.For she is now near by, and letteth her self be found: and bringeth much rest unto them that labour in her. Eccle. 3. a. Her chil­dren are a congregation of righteous ones: whose exercise is obedience and love: and they bring forth that which is the wisdome it self. Which wisdome, Sap. 7. c▪ is the brightness of the everlasting and true light, and undefiled mir­rour of the godly powers, the majesty of God, and the Image of his goodness.

17. WHat we had here more to say and to evangelize, of the perfection; of the rest of the children of God; or the king­dom of heaven; of the most holy of the true ta­bernacle of God, and of his service of love; of the true high priest, and of his office; of the cea­sing of the foregoing services; of the publishing [Page 205] of the Evangely in the last time; of the wis­dom; of the truth; of God; of Christ; of the holy Ghost; of the upright Christian communiality, and of what being or nature each one is in it self; and of all what is spoken of in this Evan­gely of the kingdome, is declared in The glass of righteousness. If ye therefore (O ye lovers of the truth) have a regard unto the sayings of the same, ye shall then find the full instructi­on, of all what is needfull for the man to know (to his salvation) witnessed and declared there­in.

The XL Chapter.

O All ye lovers of the truth (to whom I A wish much grace and Salvation, in the Lord,) here have I endeavoured me, to express and signifie unto you all (out of our most holy service of love) the Act. 20. c. counsel mind and will of God (whereunto every one is debtour to hum­ble and to Deut. 4. a. 30. a. 1 reg. 15. c submit himself obediently:) also Gods wonderfull work with his holy ones (which the wicked world hath never known nor understood, and which also Mat. 11. c. 13. b. 1 cor. 2. b. bideth al­wayes and for ever hidden or secret before the same.) and the declaration of the foregoing services of God; and how that they all lead and have their ministration, unto the service of love, which is ministred out of the most holy [Page 202] of the true Tabernacle of God thus largely and in the most simple manner; and each ones service, briefly and with few words, to an assistance and introduction unto those hea­venly things, which shall yet (in their mani­festation of clearness in the Spirit) be seen and spoken of, in the most perfect manner.

B 2. For thereunto do we (under the obedi­ence of the love) shew forth our service (name­ly) towards all them that God stirreth into our way, and that assemble them unto us: which also love the truth of the declaration of the true God-services and Christian Ceremo­nies, and desire to accomplish the requiring of those same, To the end that they all which seek after the truth of Jesu Christ, and read or hear these godly testimonies of our wri­tings, mought be somewhat furthered (with this assistance or hand-teaching) to the know­ledge of the truth of Jesu Christ: and that the true God-services and Ceremonies which lead unto the godliness, mought be (in their upright use, and whereto each ones God-service reacheth) seen into and understood of them, according to the truth, and that likewise the unilluminated and unregenerated men, mought then even so understand and know, that they ought not (through any taking out of the knowledge of the Scripture, nor through any [Page 203] knowledge which ariseth in their hearts) to set forth, to preach, nor to teach any services nor Ceremonies, wherewith (doubtless) they seduce themselves and other moe: but that they ought first humbly Jer. 33. b psa. 59. a. heb. 3. b. to turn them un­to the Word of grace, to submit them obe­diently under the service of love (wherein the true light cometh with full clearness,) to give eare and credit to the same, and to accom­plish his requiring. For in the same service, every one shall receive good resolution and instruction, how for to come to Joh. 3. a. rom. 6. a. the new birth in Jesus Christ, and to what manner of accomplishment, the services and Ceremo­nies ought to be used and obeyed, in their right use.

3. And thereto, and to the unity of heart Eph. 4. a in the love, is likewise all my service (chief­fest) unto all lovers of the truth. That they all which love the truth, mought now come-somewhat nearer unto us, in the holy under­stading; and be 1 Cor. 1. a. concordably minded with us (under the obedience of the love) to the u­nity of the heart in Jesu Christ, and become assembled unto us: and that they should then even so, so much the better understand, the holy mind of our God, the true service of love (wherein God (the most highest) hath comprehended us.) and the heavenly truth, [Page 204] witnessed in The glass of righteousness, and administred (out of love) in this declara­tion.

4. FOr that cause my desire is unto you all (which read and hear these our wri­tings) that ye will diligently revolve in minde and throughly measure, our upright and un­deceiveable service, shewed on you, and the ground of this same; and have an inspection and consideration (with pure devotion unto God, upon the understanding of every particu­lar sentence, and whereunto the same serveth, to the Eph. 1. b lightning of our understanding: And take even so good heed, unto the hearty mer­cifulness of God shewed on you, through the service of love.

D 5. For out of grace (1 Tim. b. undeserved) is this mystery of the works of God, Eph. 3. a uncovered unto you all, which love the truth, and pre­sently in this day of love, is the Mat. 24. b. apo. 14. a. Evangely of the Kingdome (which is breathed on and brought unto us now in the last time (out of of the word of grace, and out of the Spirit of the living God (to the Isa. 59. c. 54. a. 66. b. procreating of the living souls of Sion) published or evangelized (in these Amos 5. b. mic. 2. a. mat. 24. c perilous times) to the Salvation and Preservation of you all, To the end that you mought now in the last time, be Mat. 16. c. act. 2. c. led out from the wicked world▪ and from her perverse [Page 205] generations; be released from all conceited opinions, which the man taketh to him out of the knowledge of the Scripture; and have your communion or society with us.

6. For our communion in this true light of the love, is the uniformity with God (the Fa­ther,) with Joh. 17. c 1 joh. 1. a. his son (our Lord Jesus Christ,) with the holy Ghost (Eph. 1.4. d. the pledge of the pro­mises of our Inheritance,) and with all the ho­ly ones of God, in the heavenly being. It is ve­ry true.

The XLI Chapter.

UNto this same grace, which is this day (O A ye lovers of the truth, with all ye which love the upright and lovely life of the love) proffered unto you; and to the same Majesty of God, and communiality of his holy ones, which is this day declared unto you, ye are all presently Eph. 4. [...] 1 thes. 2. b 2 pet. 1. a. called and invited.

2. For seeing that this great grace and hearty love, is chanced unto us (through the appearing Mat. 24. d. luk. 17. c. 2 tim. 1. b. tit. 2. b. of the glorious coming of our Lord Jesus Christ) from God the Father: and that the Lord hath stirred us up, in the end of the world; and sent us in the right time, for to gather together his chosen holy ones, unto the mercy-seat of the of the Majesty of God, to unity of heart Eph 4. in the love of Jesu Christ, So [Page 206] pass we with the presenting of the same grace and intire love of God) thorow the Nations of People: from the chiefest in the understand­ing and knowledge of the Scripture, even un­to the smallest and simplest. For the sound of the last trumpet [namely, the voice or testi­mony of the grace of the holy Spirit of love] Psa. 19. a. jer. 25. d. mat. 24. b rom. 10. b shall be heard in all the world.

3. Happy is he which to day heareth this voice, and Psa. 95. b heb. 3. b. 4. a. hardeneth not his heart: but be­lieving the Word, becometh assembled unto the body of Jesu Christ (the mercy-seat of the majesty of God) and entreth into the rest of the Lord.

B 4. BEhold, thereto is our service among all Nations of the people, If happily we mought find any lovers of the truth (which seek Deut. 4. d. jer. 29. b. God and his righteousness, with all their heart) and assemble them with us, to our com­muniality of love (Rom. 12. 1 cor. 12. b Eph. 4. b. the onely Body of Christ:) and that they mought even so enter, with us and all the children of God, into the rest of the Lord, to their preservation, in this day of the righteous judgment of God.

5. For that cause, let every one take now good heed unto this Day, and have regard what the holy Spirit of love requireth.

6. For whosoever assembleth not himself (in this day) unto the body of Jesu Christ, un­der [Page 207] the obedience of his love: but turneth his heart therefrom, he shall become utterly con­fused in his heart, and wax (more and more) estranged from Christ: and have no part with him in this holy day of his coming, nor enter into his rest, for evermore; but obtaine the Mat. 25. d. condemnation (which also belongeth right­ly unto him) with all ungodly: whose part shall be with the devil and all wicked spirits (with the chains 2 Pet. 2. a. or bands of darkness) in the fire of hell.

7. They now shall likewise all perish, which remaine without Jesus Christ, or without the communiality of his love; as also such as turn them therefrom.

8. For it shall now (this say I unto you ve­rily)C be found in the truth, that Jesus Christ is onely the Saviour Mat. [...]. [...] eph. 5. c. of his Body; and not of them that remaine without him, nor which turne them away from him: much less to them which despise him, and do all their diligence, Heb. 10. c. to tread his word of grace (which is proffe­red unto us all (out of the service of love) to righteousness, for to be made living in him) under foot, deriding the same, and blaspheam­or dishonouring the spirit of grace.

9. COnsider on the testimonies of the Scripture (ye dearly beloved,) how that Jesus Christ, is (in this day) onely the Sa­viour [Page 208] of his Body. For thus there standeth written of him: Mat. [...]. c He shall save his People from their sins. But not the strangers which re­maine without him.

10. Again: Mat. 3. b 13. d. Luk. 3. b. He shall gather the wheat in­to his barn, and burn the chaffe, with ever­lasting fre.

11. Again, the Lord Jesus Christ himself saith: Joh. 15. a. Every vine-branch an My. of mine, which bringeth forth no fruit, shall be cut off.

12. Again: Joh. 14. b. The world shall see me no more: but ye (saith the Lord Jesus Christ to his members) shall see me. For I live, and ye shall live.

13. Again: 1 Cor. 15. c. The firstling which is risen from the death, is Christ: after that, They that belong unto Christ; or that are of his members [namely, of his Flesh and Spirit:] which make manifest Supr. 27 a. themselves, in the time of the coming of Christ, in his majesty; 1 Cor. 15. c. 1 pet. 4. b. and after that cometh the end.

14. Thereof speaketh Isaiah also, saying to the Lord (whenas he saw into the hardness or obstinancy of the People, which should be upon earth, in the last time:) 1 Isa. 26. c Thy dead [that is, those which are deceased in the Lord] shall live, and arise with the Body.

Take it to heart.

The XLII Chapter.

HErewith (ye dearly beloved) will we con­clude A for this time. I suppose that this groundly instruction and inconfutable decla­ration, is sufficient for to satisfie throughly all understandings, which love the truth: and to make known unto every one, in his understan­ding, that this same (which is declared unto us, and becometh administred and published un­to you all) is the Lords work; and that the Luk. 21.24. Scripture must even so become fulfilled, in all what is written of Christ.

2. Whosoever now therefore, hath any good willingness towards God, Psa. 34. b. 1 pet. 3. b. for to do his will, he shall well consider and understand, that these testimonies, are no Joh. 7. b manly know­ledges, but are proceeded from God; and that they have their service hereunto, for to pluck all good-willing hearts (in Joh. 17. c eph. 4. a. the unity of the love of Christ) with us little ones and God his e­lect, under the grace of life and hand of God, which is appeared unto us now in the last time, to an everlasting and stedfast Hag. 2. b peace upon the earth, according to the promises.

3. For that cause (to the end that it may now all be fulfilled in Christ, what is written; and evangelized in times past of him) all hearts which love the truth, and also all men, are now [Page 210] called (on the 2 Cor. 5. c.behalf of the Lord our God) with this or through the service of love, unto the love (the most soveraigne majesty of God our Father,) To the end that they all mought now assemble them (to their preservation in this Mat. 24. a. 1 tim. 4. a. 2 tim. 3. a 2 pet. [...]. a. perilous time) with us (under the obe­dience of the Love) unto the true Body of Je­su Christ; and so we to become incorporated with each other (in all love) Joh. 15.17. 1 cor. 12. b. eph. 4. b. c into Christ, to one man of God.

4. COnsider now rightly (ye dearly be­ [...]oved) whereto and wherefore the man is summoned or required to come unto the majesty of God; and obediently admitted into the service of love; and wherefore the man is also debtour,☞ wholly to give over him­self unto the Lord, in the service of his love; namely, even herefore, that the Lord mought have his Lev. 26. b. joh. 14. c. 2 cor. 6. b. apo. 21. a. dwelling and work in the man; and the man to live Zech. 8. d. mat. 22. d upright and peaceably (in all Love) with God and his neighbour: and so inherit (under the obedience of the love) the spiritual and heavenly Goods, and the everlasting life.

5. But if now the man will not do so: and C that if he refuse the Lord, and to give over him­self under his gratious word, and the testimo­nies of the holy Spirit of love▪ So Esa. 42. a. [...]8. b. 66. a. [...] robbeth he God of his, and keepeth back from him, that [Page 211] which belongeth unto him: and cannot there­fore 1 thes. 1. b. behold the lovely countenance of the Lord in his naked clearness, for evermore.

6. But happy is he, which is Mat. 11. c. humble of heart, and hath bent Psa. 40. a his desire, to the Lord, and to the holy word of the heavenly truth: and standeth even so 1 Reg. 15. c. eccle. 6.7. b. 1 pet. 1.5. a. obediently submitted, to the holy and gratious word of the heavenly truth, and to the requiring of his service of love, and assembleth him to the people of the Lord. For he shall behold with a pure heart, the glo­of God, and live everlastinlgy.

7. BEhold, hereto (whereunto also all people are now (in repentance for their sins) called and bidden) was the man Gen. [...]. [...] sap. 1. b. created, the Gen. 22. b. blessing of all generations of the earth promised, the Law given through Mo­ses, the Evangely preached (in times past) through Christ, and is now also in Jer. 33 b joel 2. c. act. 2. b. the last time (in the glorious power of God) to an in­troduction into the same, published Mat. 24. b. apo. 14. a. and spread abroad (through the holy Spirit of the love of Christ) in all the world.

8. Whosoever now then Mat. 16. c. forsaketh him­self, and giveth over himself obediently in Jesu Christ (the gracious word of the Lord) he becometh now admitted or received in Jesu Christ, and in the obedience of his requir­ing.

[Page 212]9. The Lord grant us all, mercy, Baruc. 2. d. and hearts of understanding, for to understand the clearness of this holy Evangelie; and a Psal. 51. b. willing Spirit, for to give over our selves humbly and obediently, unto the gracious Word of the Lord, and unto the service of his holy Spirit of love, to all unity of heart, Eph. 4. a. in the Love.

Amen. So be it.

D 10. FInally, yee dearly beloved (ye all, un­to whom these our writings (out of love) come to hand, and are brought in writing, to an assistance and leading into our unity of heart in the love) my desire is to every one in several, that he (after he hath perused and diligently read, the testimonies of these wri­tings (this Publishing of the grace of life) and these groundly instructions, and advisedly con­sidered the requiring of those s [...]me) write over his minde, understanding, will, and meaning thereof, freely and even from the heart, unto the principallest of the family of love, or unto any of ours, which minister with us, the out-flowing of the holy and gracious word; and these testimonies of the holy Spirit of love, or else that he come and present himself before [...]im, and so give testimony, whether that he agreeth or consenteth herein with us little ones, [Page 213] and elected holy ones of God, which stand submitted under the obedience of the love, and is willing to give over himself, and his whole heart and minde, to the unity of heart with us, in the love of Jesu Christ, whereunto he is summoned & required to come, on the behalf of the Lord, the supream God: and whether that he also desireth to be partaker of the out-flown grace; and of the godly Doctrine of the service of the love of Jesu Christ, which we have received from the uncovered face of God and Christ, and to maintaine or further the same service: like as there is also required or desired, in the distinct declaration of the requi­ring of the Lord, set forth Fide. 5. d. [...]. f. Rev. 29. d. [...]. by Fidelitas, our beloved Co-elder in the family of love.

11. Whosoever now wholly agreeth here­in with us: and standeth minded with us, to the unity of heart in the love of Jesu Christ; and to the godly Doctrine of the service of the same love, let him then make the same ap­parent unto us: and apply himself to be uni­ted (to one concordable Communiality of the love of Jesu Christ) with us, like as we endea­vour us towards him: and let us even so (to all concord, under the obedience of the love of Jesu Christ, and to his true Peace and up­right godliness) be gathered together, So [Page 214] shall then the true love and peace of Jesu Christ, well obtaine the victory in us.

E 12. And we elders in the family of love, do proffer us freewillingly (with all Submissi­on to the love of Jesu Christ) to give every one (which mindeth or addicteth him to the truth and love of Jesu Christ, and desireth to be informed of us) good instruction and re­solution, through the arm of our Saviour, so much as we in see, that it is necessary for every one to his salvation.

13. FUrther, so is also our desire and Ex­hortation (out of the submission in the love of our Lord Jesu Christ) unto you all, that every one (to whom this groundly instruction (setting forth by the holy Spirit of love) is administred out of love, and which hath assembled him to our Communiality of love, & to the service of the same) remember this Supra. 1. b. superscription [namely, Vnto the Lovers of the truth &c. To whom (in the beginning of these Writings) we do write] and make a­nother (which he knoweth to love the truth with whole heart, and to stand submitted un­pa [...]ially to the love) partake with him of the same grace and love, whereunto he is loved and assisted, and (out of love) to reach forth the hand or stand helpful, unto such a one: [Page 215] and that he then likewise, write over his minde, will, or meaning, or else present himself perso­ally, as is abovesaid: and so assemble him to the service of love and to our Communiali­ty, That the love in her service, may be fruit­ful with many unto righteousness, and bring forth such▪ abundantly, to the laud and praise of the supream God, and to the peace and joy of all generations of the earth, according to the promises. The grace of Lord Jesu Christ, be with you all, Amen.

14. HErewith yee are all (O yee lovers F of the truth, which read and hear these godly testimonies of our writings, or to whom they are administred out of love) heartily saluted in all love, by the whole com­muniality of holiness, which are comprehended in the love of God and Christ.

15. We all hope (in our prayer unto God) of all your goodwillingness, to the con­cordableness with us, in the obedience of the requiring of the love.

15. The grace of the supream God, and the upright righteousness and godly being of the Communiality of the holy Spirit of the love of Jesus Christ (whereunto ye are now out of Grace, undeserved; called, and lovingly [Page 216] bidden) obtaine the victory in all your Hearts. Amen.