that is the circumcision which is inward known by the spirit and we are the circumcision in Christ who worship God in the spirit and have no confidence in the flesh and who are circumcised outwardly they are bound to keep the whole Law which none of the Jewes could do who had circumcision outwardly but who are of faith are of Abrabraham unto whom the promise was when he was in the uncircumcision or before he was circumcised so that neither circumcision availeth any thing nor uncircumcision but a new Creature Jer 4.3 Colos 2.11 Rom. 2.25.28 29. Phil. 3.3 1 Cor. 7.19 Gal. 5.2 Ioh. 7.19 Rom. 4.10 4 Of the outward Passover THe Lord God commanded the Passover to be observed in the first Covenant which was a Lambe without blemish a male of the first yeare which was to be roasted with fire and they were not to carry the flesh of it abroad but to eat it with their loines girded and their shoos on their feet and they did strike the blood of this lamb on the posts of the door of the house where they did eat it which was for a token unto them that the Lord seeing it he would not smite them when he smote the Egyptians but his plague did passe over them and did not hurt them that eat the passeover and they kept the feast of it seven daies with unleavened bread But no uncircumcised person might eate of the pasover now the ordinance of the passover was in force untill Christ fulfilled it that night he was betrayed he eate the passover with his disciples Exo. 12. Lev. 23.5 Num. 9.12 and 28.16 Mat. 26. Mark 14.12 Luke 22. In the second Covenant is Christ received and his life made manifest in the Saints and he is our passover who hath offered himselfe a lamb without spot to God having laid down his life for the ransome of many and he is the bread of life and his flesh is meat indeed and his blood is drink indeed which except a man eat and drink he hath no life in him and with him is the Saints feast and solemnity kept of unleavened bread of sincerity and truth having their hearts circumcised and purified unto God by his spirit and the old leaven of iniquity and corruption purged our and the loines of their minds girded up in the spirit and life of Christ which brings to see him the bread of life which came down from God and in this feast must none be partakers but who come to have their minds joyned unto God and their hearts circumcised from unrighteousnesse by his spirit and they who are come to Christ the Saints passover they are kept in remembrance of him and do witnesse him come that they need not observe the taking of outward bread and wine and elementary things to keep them in remembrance of him or to signifie the crucifying of his body and shedding of his blood as many in the world do 6. Io. 3.36 and 5 24. Mat. 20.28 1 Pet. 1.19 Iohn 6.53 1 Cor. 5.7 8. 1 Pet. 1.13 5 Of the outward Sabbaths THe first Covenant priesthood had a command to keep the Sabbath which was the seven daies of the weeks and in the Sabbath to rest from all their labours and works For the Lord rested from his work on the seventh day and was refreshed so that none of the Israelites was to travel nor bear any burthen on the Sabbath day seeing God had sanctified it neither might they gather sticks nor kindle a fire within all their families on the Sabbath daies Moreover they had a command to keep every seventh year for a Sabbath of rest unto the Lord which was called the year of Jubelee wherein every debter was to be freed from his servitude or bondage wherein he had served towards the satisfaction of his Creditors And every creditor was to release the debts owing them and they that had their lands or estates morgaged for debt were to have them released that every man might possesse his own in the year of the Sabbath but the everlasting Sabbath they were not then come to For they had often fightings and war with their enemies who sought to oppresse them Gen. 2.2 Exo. 16.23 and 20.8.11 and 31.15 and 35.2 Levit. 23.3 and 35.3 Num. 15 Deut 5.14 Neh 10.31 Jer. 17.21 Exo. 21.2 and 23.10 11. Levit. 25. Deut. 15.2.12 Jer. 34.14 They who are come into the second Covenant have received Christ who is the Lord of the Sabboth the end of the Sabbaths without for meats and drinks and new Moons holy dayes and Sabbaths were but a shadow of things to come which they who do observe the shadow they neglect the substance even the body of Christ And the Jewes who observed the Sabboths without they accused Christ because he healed the sick on the Sabboth-day and because his disciples had pluckt the eares of Corn on the Sabboth day but these knew not him who was Lord of the Sabboth And the Jews said unto one that had been an Impotent man that Christ had cured on the Sabboth day it is the Sabboth day it is not Lawful for thee to carry thy bed he Answerred them he that made me whole the same said unto me take up thy bed and walk and the Jews sought the more to kill Jesus not onely because he had broken the Sabboth but said also that God was his Father and in Acts 1.12 it is written then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet which is from Jerusalem a Sabboth dayes Journey And according to one Greek translation in the 6 Chap. of Luke next after the 5 vers it is written Jesus seeing a certaine man working on the Sabbath-day said unto him O man if thou didst know indeed what thou dost thou wert happy but if thou knowest not thou art accursed and a transgressor of the Law And the saints who were come to Christ the end of the outward Sabboths they met on the first dayes of the weeks not in observation to the dayes but in obedience to Christ in whom is the everlasting Sabboth of rest remaining where the burthens must not be for the people of God who continue in his Faith and love whereby the rest comes to be obtained And the year or time of release or restauration comes to be witnessed and the Bedemption from under the bondages and the burthens known and the Iniquity which hath caused burthens is there taken away by the Lord of the Sabboth who is the foundation of many Generations who is raised up to him that maketh the Sabboth his delight and doth not his own pleasure nor speaketh his own words on the holy day he shall delight himself in the Lord but unto this Sabbath are all strangers who are following their own pleasures and lusts from whence the Wars and the strifes do arise speaking their own words And none comes to the true rest but they who receive the true light wch brings man to deny his own will
outward relation but she was incouraged by an Angel who told her that that holy thing in her was of the holy Ghost and also Joseph was incouraged by the Lord in a dream concerning his virgin that was with child by the holy Ghost and the child was born in Bethlehem a City of Judea and his name was called Jesus according to the direction of the Angel unto Joseph and the Virgin and Immanuel that is to say a Saviour of the people from their sins and God with us and this was according to the prophesie of the Prophet Isay who said therefore the Lord shall give you a sign behold a Virgin shall conceive bear a Son and shall call his name Immanuel Isa 7 14. And the Prophet Micah prophesied saying but thou Bethlehem Ephratah though thou be little among the thousands of Juda yet out of thee shall come forth unto me that is to be Ruler in Israel whose going forth have been from of old from everlasting Mica 5.2 and that there was such a child born in Bethlehem as declared we have the evidences of several true witnesses Mat 1.18 and Chap. 2.5 6. Luke 1 27. to the 35. ver Now by the Law of Moses at the mouth of two or three witnesses every word is to be established And we have the Testimonies of many witnesses touching this same Jesus whose out-goings have been of old for this was the word which was made flesh and which grew in the spirit and power of his heavenly Father though he took part of flesh and blood and according to the flesh he was the seed of Abraham and David as the Scriptures do testifie this I speak to them that are without for we are satisfied by the spirit of truth touching this man 2. Touching the life of Jesus In him was life and the life was the light of men who walked in innocency and blamlesness and was without fault before his heavenly Father from the womb and he was tempted of the Devil yet he entred not into temptation but was kept clear and innocent for God gave his Angels charge over him as the Scripture declares Psa 91.11 and to this we have several testimonies as in the book of Mathew the 4. chap. and of Mark the first cha and of Luke the 4. cha And several others did bear witnesse of his innocency and humility and he having come of a woman made under the Law he was circumcised at 8. daies old according to the law And when the daies of his mothers purification were accomplished he was presented unto the Lord and a paire of turtle Doves and two young pigions was then offered as a Sacrifice unto the Lord according to the comand Gen. 17.12 Exod. 13.2 Numb 18.16 Levit. 12.2.6 and Luke 2.21 22 23. Moreover this Jesus was baptized in the river of Jordan by one Iohn Baptist who was a prophet And so he came to fulfill the righteousnesse passing through the shadowes Mat. 3.13 Mark 1.9 Luke 3.21 Also this Jesus found buyers and sellers in the Temple which God commanded under the first covenant who bought and sold in the Temple and Jesus reproved them and drove them out and the sheep and the Oxen which they had there and poured out the changers money and overthrew the tables and said unto them that sold doves Take these thing hence make not my house an house of merchandize Iohn 2.15 And he said unto them it is written my house shall be called the house of prayer but ye have made it a Den of theeves Isa 56.7 Jer. 7.11 Mat. 21.12 Mark 11.17 Luke 19.46 These things were thus confirmed at the mouth of several witnesses and thus Christ did reprove many who professed the law and outward Ordinances for prophaning the holy things and thus he set the figures or shadowes in their order and place according to the Law and passed thus under the shadowes which were but in force until he suffered and nayled them to the crosse so fulfilled the law righteousnesse in many things before he was glorified that others might come out of the shadowes into his glory and righteousnesse and have the righteousnesse of the law fulfilled in them yet he that hath defiled their bodies which are the temples of the holy Ghost or house of God may be driven forth and destroyed and the house of God may be made pure and clean for holinesse becomes his house for ever Thirdly touching Christs Ministry ANd at the was Law given by Moses so grace and truth came by Jesus Christ whom Moses prophesied of Iohn 1.17 Acts 3.22 and chap. 7.37 Deut. 18.15 and upon this Christ did rest the spirit of grace and of wisdome and might and the fear of the Lord as was foretold of him for he was full of grace and truth Isa 11.2 Iohn 1.14 And from this Jesus did proceed the words of grace and wisdome who often preached the truth in his everlasting Fathers name in so much that many people were astonished and thousands convinced and many converted with the truth of his doctrine and he disputed with the Doctors or learned men in the Temple at Jerusalem when he was but about twelve years old Luke 2.46 and chap. 4.22 32. Also he often with his wisdome and power stopped the mouthes of gainsayers and put the Jews Priests Pharisees and learned men to silence when they sought to intrap him in his words to get accusations against him so they could not justly accuse him thus he dealt prudently as was prophesied of him Isa 52.13 Mat. 19.3 to the 10. ver and chap 21.23 to the 27. ver Mar. 11.27 Luke 20.1 Mat. 22 46. Moreover he spoke many parables and uttered things that had been kept secret from the foundation of the world Psa 78.2 Mat. 13.35 Fourthly Touching the workes of Christ HE opened the blind eyes he caused the Lame to walk he cleansed the Leapers caused the deaf to hear and raised the dead and cast out Devils and unclean spirits and cured many that were infected with grievous maladies and sicknesses and restored them into perfect health and strength and so he wrought such wonders in Israel and shewed such miracles that his fame went forth throughout all the countries he having done such works as none before him ever did In so much that many believed on him that were heathens and many of the Rulers in Israel and the poor received the Gospel yet for all these his mighty works which was more then was done in the time of the Prophets Ellezeus when there was none cleansed from their lâ—â—â—osie but Naaman the Syrian 2 Ki. 5.14 There wâ—â—e many of the Pharisees chief Priests Rulers which did not believe in Christ but were filled with wrath against him and sought to bring him within the compasse of their Law that they might take away his life though by his wisdome and power he often overcame them and stopped their mouthes and his power and truth spread dayly and overcame the
world and through him was more way made for his powerful truth and for the spreading of his fathers name that many more came to believe then ever did in the former ages when they slew and killed the holy Prophets though he was despised by Rulers and rejected of men yet all these things were fore-known of God and were done that the Scriptures were fulfilled Read Isa 35.5 chap. 52.15 Mat 8. and chap. 9. Luke 4. 5. Touching the suffering and death of Christ NOw after the Jewes had long laid wait against Christ but could not put him to death untill his testimony was fulfilled though often they sought to have taken away his life but had not power till his time was come that these things that were written of him might be fulfilled one Judas Iscariot who for a time followed and owned Christ who was numbred among the eleaven other disciples he betrayed Christ sould him into the hands of them that sought to take away his life for 30. pieces of silver Mat. 26.14 Mark 14.10 Luke 22. thus the prophets words were fulfilled He that eateth bread with 〈◊〉 hath lift up his heel against me Psal 41.10 and they weighed for my price 30. pieces of silver and the Lord said unto me Cast it unto the potter Zachariah 11.12 and they bought with this price the potters field cal led the field of blood and Judas the traytor was so smitten for what he had done that he hanged himself there came two false witnesses against Christ and the people did spit in Christs face and buffetted him and others smote him with the palmes of their hands thus came the Prophets words to passe I gave my back to the smiters and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair I hid not my face from shame and spitting Isai 50.6 And the chief Priests and Elders of the people took councel together against Jesus to put him to death Mat. 27. Mar. 15. Luke 22 Joh 18. Psal 2.2 and afterward had him forth unto a place called Golvotha or Caluary nigh unto Jerusalem and they gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall which he did but taste off then they crucified him and thus came the Prophets words to passe they gave me also gall for my meat and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink Ps 79.21 and when they had crucified him they parted his garment casting lots upon them what every man should take and this was according to the Prophets words Ps 22.18 and when Jesus had said I thirst knowing that all things were now accomplished that the Scripture might be fulfilled they filled a spunge with vinegar and put it upon hysop and put it to his mouth and when he had received it he said It is finished or done and he bowed his head and gave up the Ghost Ioh. 19.29 thus he finished his Testimony faithfully through his deep suffering and gave his life into his Fathers hands a ransom for as many as believed in him through whom faith is offered unto all men and moreover he was numbered among transgressors for he suffered on the Crosse between two Malefactours who then suffered on each side of him Isai 53.12 and one Pilate put a Title over Christs head in Latin Greek and Hebrew where he suffered the title was Jesus of Nazareth the King of the Jews and the souldiers brake the legs of those that were crucified with Christ but did not break his legs and this was according to the Scripture touching the typical Passeover Exod. 12.46 Num. 9.12 Joh. 19. Now when Christ was crucified there was darkness over all the Land from the sixth hour to the ninth hour and behold the vail of the Temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom and the earth did quake and the Rocks rent and the graves were opened and many bodies of the Saints which slept arose and came out of the graves after his Resurrection and went into the holy City a dappeared unto many of this there are the Testimonies of several and one Joseph who was a Disciple of Jesus took his body and wrapped it in a linen cloth and laid his body in a new Tomb which he had hewen out in a Rock and he rolled a great stone to the door of the Sepulchre and Pilate and the chief Priests and the Pharisees caused the stone of the Sepulchre to be sealed and the Sepulchre to be made sure and a watch to be set least that his Disciples should have stollen the body of Jesus away by night as they said thus was the just pierced afflicted and put to death by them of his own-generation of the Jewes who rejected him in the dayes of his flesh when he witnessed forth the power and the righteousness of his Heavenly Father both in life in works and in doctrine and now the Priests were so envious against him that they would have had him kept in the grave thus the just suffered by the unjust and came unto his own and his own received him not who had gotten the Prophets words which foretold of Christ and had gotten Latin Greek and Hebrew as many of the Priests have now but they set it above the just whom they have pierced and crucified as the false Priests and traytors do now thus the just hath suffered for the unjust and his life is afflicted by the wickedness of people Sixthly Touching the Resurrection and Ascention of Jesus Christ MOreover as Christ prophesied often while he was in the flesh of his suffering and of his resurrection and ascending into glory to the right hand of the Father It came to passe that nigh the first day of the week which was the third day after Jesus was crucified when about the day began to dawn there was a great earthquake and the Angel of the Lord descended from heaven and rolled back the stone from the door of the Sepulchre where Jesus his body was laid and Jesus was raised again from the dead and the Angel smote the keepers with fear whom the chief Priests and the Pharisees had set to watch the Sepulchre where Jesus was laid in so much that the keepers did shake became as dead men And Jesus afterward appeared unto two women and he appeared in a form to some Disciples that then knew him not also he appeared to the eleven Disciples at one time and spoke unto them and he appeared in the midst of his disciples and brethren when thy were assembled and met together in an house where the doors were shut and he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once the greater part of whom was remaining until the Apostle Paul wrote unto the Corinthians 1 Cor. 15. to verifie these things we have certain evidences and Christ himself said after I am risen again I will go before you into Galilee which thing was fulfilled Mat. 26.32 Mar. 14.28 Mat. 28. Mar. 16. Joh. 20.19 As also that this Christ was immediately taken from the
Disciples into heaven which while some men of Galilee stood gazing they saw Jesus taken out of their sight and that this Christ who was and is the word which made all things which became flesh as is declared who descended from the Father of spirits and life is now ascended and is on the right hand of power and of God who is the All power we have the testimonies both of faithful men and Angels and the life of Jesus in us which is the light of men which beareth witness to these things And all these things concerning Jesus came to passe according to the determinate Councel of God that the Scriptures might be fulfilled though wicked Priests and professors who had the Prophets words and were shut up in the unbelief were fitted in their iniquity as instruments of cruelty to fulfill their iniquity in these hard proceedings against Christ And that these things were true that Christ is ascended and is on the right hand of power Read Ps 68.18 and Psal 110.1 Mar. 16.19 Luke 24.51 Acts 1.9 Eph 4. And whereas after the watchers that were set to watch the Sepulchre where the body of Jesus lay were smitten by the Angel of the Lord and Jesus raised from the dead some of the watch went afterward and told the chief Priests what was done concerning Jesus the chief Priests with the Elders took councel gave large money unto the souldiers that were of the watch saying unto them say ye his Disciples came by night and stole him away while we slept and if this come to the governours ears we will perswade him and secure you so they took the money and did as they were taught and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day Mat 28.11 12 13 14 15. And 't is very likely that through that report are the Jews now perverted who do not believe that Christ is come as the Scriptures have foretold concerning him and for their sakes and the truths I chiefly write these things whether they believe them or not Let that lie upon their own heads but to prove these truths that all aspersions that have been cast upon us touching the denying Christ by the Priests and others have been cast upon us falsely and without a cause I say that all power in heaven and in earth is given unto Christ in whom dwelleth the fulness of the God-head who is ascended up on high yea far above all heavens that he might fill all things and he is God over all God blessed for ever the Judge of quick and dead and moreover his Resurrection was confirmed unto his disciples in this manner when he was risen he gave Commission unto his Disciples to go into all the world and Preach the Gospel in every creature and he said unto them he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved but he that believeth not shall be damned and these signes shall follow them that believe in my name they shall cast out devils they shall speak with new tongues they shall take up serpents and if they drink any deadly thing it shall not hurt them they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover Mar 16.15 and this his promise was fulfilled and confirmed to several that believed who had power given them by Christ to work these things Acts 16.18 Acts 2.4 Acts 28.5.8 these things do testifie that Jesus was risen and that his promise was made manifest who promised to come again and to manifest himself unto them that believed and to send the spirit which was the Comforter and to indue them that waited upon him with power who said he that is with you shall be in you and so the sheep of Christ were scattered to their own to wit his gift which was in them they came to receive and feel his power and spirit to lead them into all truth and this many thousands do and shall witness that the spirit of truth is their leader into all truth and thus though Christ be exalted far above the heavens yet he doth so far condescend unto them that believe in his name that he becomes their leader a light to them that have sat in darkness to lead them out of darkness and a seed to such as have been barren that they may bring forth fruit in him to the praise of his everlasting Name in whom is the life which life is the light of men that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world and Christ said unto his Disciples verily verily I say unto you he that believeth on me the works that I do shall he do also and greater works then these shall he do because I go unto my Father Joh. 14.12 and Christ said unto his Father concerning them that he sent forth as thou hast sent me into world so I send them into the world and thus he made manifest his power and gifts in his people as he doth in this day in these that believe in him for the same power that he gave unto his Disciples the same he giveth unto his servants now according to the several gifts and manifestations committed unto them that they may come to the measure of the stature of his fulness and to a perfect man in him and that they may feel handle taste of and injoy Christ who is glorified in that glory which he had with the Father before the world was and now by his power many do withess that the power of the Serpent the prince of the world is overcome and the sick are healed and the blinde are brought to see and the deaf to hear and the lame to walk and even such as have been dead in trespasses and sins are quickened and raised up and brought to live with Christ in newness of life and such have an interest in the death of Christ being made conformable thereto in that they are crucified with Christ and dead with him to the world and to the evil wayes fashions customs rudiments and conformities of the world so as the the vail of the Temple was rent and the dead was raised when Christ suffered they that feel his power made manifest and with it are brought to suffer with Christ they feel the vail that hath seperated them from his glory rent and in his light are come to see light and in his blood which is his life they are brought to feel life and his witnesss is raised and his seed is come to live as he hath promised the hour is coming and now is when the dead shall hear the voyce of the Son of God and they that hear shall live John 5.25 and this is truely witnessed among many that have believed in the light of the Lord Jesus praises praises to his holy name for ever and ever But they that deny the light of Christ within people to be sufficient to lead them to Christ and will not own Christ within them according to his promise to his but are looking and gazing abroad in their
to keep it in remember Judas his end how he hanged himself how he thus fell into disparation and remember that the Angel of the Lord smote them that watched to keep Jesus in the grave or tomb that these watchmen were made to shake for fear and became as dead men and these watchmen who thus watch against the light of Christ which enlighteneth every man that cometh into the world the Lord God will smite them that they will be made to shake and quake for all their filthy crimes one day though now they despise Quaking and despises him that God regardeth who trembleth at his word And remember that Christ he called them graves that appeared not and painted Sepulchres who had gotten the true Prophets words but were out of the Prophets life in the pride and hypocrifie and may we not call these teachers graves now who profefesse the Scriptures to be their rule but are in the pride coverousness and hypocrisie And let people that follow them and seek for help among them note that they are but seeking the living among the dead and are but seeking life among the graves and whited Sepulchres who have gotten the words of the Scripture but the life lies buryed in them and know that that man that kept among the dead mens tombes or graves was not led by the spirit of truth but was possessed with an unclean spirit and is it not an unclean spirit of error that makes so many people keep among these filthy graves and tombes whose out-side is whited with an empty profeshion but their inside is full of rottennesse and ravening Consider these things vee people and Priests It is written in the book of Iohn that many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples which are not written in this book but these are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God that believing ye might have life through his Name Iohn 20.30 31. Also it is written that there are also many other things which Jesus did the which if they should be written every one I suppose that even the world it self could not containe the books that should be written Amen Iohn 21.25 Indeed the whole world lieth in wickednesse and are reproved by the spirit of truth because they believe not in Christ whom the Scripture doth testifie of So that If all things that Christ did and spoke were written the world it self could not contain them for they truly do not contain these things that are already written of Christ for as much as they are ignorant of Christ and his light and many hypocrites had the Prophets words that prophesied of Christ but knew not Christ but persecuted him when he came many there are now who are both ignorant of the power of God and of the Scriptures Neverthelesse the example of Christ is known in his light and by his power which he hath left to be walked after and his steps to be followed who did not sin neither was there guile found in his mouth 1 Pet. 2.21 22. which example comes to be followed and fulfiled in the power of God by such as receive Christ and walk in him who is the wisdome of God and the power of God to him be glory for ever and ever Amen The difference between the first and the second Covenants and between the first and the second Priesthoods plainly described And the end of the things abolished discovered according to the scriptures of truth for their sakes who desire to have the vail taken from off their hearts and to see to the end of the figures and shadowes that were under the first Covenant and Priesthood into the life of the everlasting Priesthood And here they may see who deny Christ come in the flesh and who are strangers to the Covenant of life both among the Jewes and the professors of of the world as followeth c. AS the Law was added because of transgression which all men by nature are guilty of who are aliens and strangers to the righteousnesse of the Law being in the degeneration falen in the first man Adam who is of the earth earthly and no man in that state can fulfill the righteous Law of God nor come into the Bighteousness of the Law without the drawings and assistance of God by his Son Christ who lighteth every man that cometh into the world which light doth answer the Righteous Law of God in every man So Christ Jesus is come to fulfill the Law and he is the end of the Law for Righteousnesse and not that men should say or conceit that they are no more under the law when daâ—ly they do transgress the law but for righteousness is Christ come that the righteousness of the law may be fulfilled in as many as walk not after the flesh but after the spirit And so none knowes any sure freedome from under the Law but who witness in themselves a sure freedom from under the transgression which the law takes hold of and hath power over the transgressors and many did and may seek to attain unto the righteousnesse of the Law but cannot so long as they believe not in Christ who is come a light into the World that whosoever believeth in him might not perish but have everlasting life and to this righteousnesse of the Law in Christ many have desirâ—d to come but never could so long as they stumbled at Christ the true light and believed not in his Light and in this stâ—te was Israel after the flesh when they had the vail over their hearts and stumbled at the stumbling stone which was Christ so that they câ—uld not see into Christ the everlasting salvation of God and the end of things abolished which none sees while the vail is over their hearts and the shadow or earthly part is standing in them which many shadowes without had a resemblance of and the types and figures without which were in the shadow did signifie a greater thing to come and to be manifest which was Christ the end of the figure Types and shadowes that were upheld in the first Covenant and Priesthood for in him dwelleth the fulness of the Godhead the fulnesse of all things And indeed though the Law had a shadow of heavenly things which are known in Christ yet it had not the very image of the heavenly things much lesse could the heavenly things or the fulnesse of Christ be contained or comprehended in the shadowes for they did but shadow or figure forth the life of the heavenly things which are a misterie for ever sealed and hid from that part which is cloudie and elementarie and earthly by which the Types in the first Covenant were upheld But now is the true light manifest and his Righteousness declared that all men through the light may believe and see Christ the everlasting righteousnesse and the salvation of God by whom all the ends of the earth that do look unto God may
their hearts and in their minds and his spirit in their inward parts that they are taught of God as he hath promised behold the days come saith the Lord that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah not according to the Covenant that I made with their Fathers in the day wherein I took them by the hand to lead them out of the Land of Aegypt because they continued not in my Covenant c. for this is my Covenant that I will make with the house of Jsrael after those days saith the Lord I will put my Laws into their minds and write them in their hearts and I will be to them a God and they shall be to me a people and they shall not teach every man his Neighbour and every man his Brother saying know the Lord but they shall all know me from the least of them even unto the greatest saith the Lord Now this is the Covenant which Christ is the Meditator of And which he makes known and performes with his people who receive his Testimony which is the spirit of prophecy within them and witness his witness his Law and Judgments within and here they feel the mercy seat in the heavenly Tabernacle set open and the Vaile taken from off their hearts and in stead of hardness and stoney hearts he gives them an heart of flesh an heart to know the Lord according to his promise and this was more then many knew while the Tabernacle of mans pitching was standing for what was upheld in that Tabernacle was but a figure or shadow of the heavenly Tabernacle wherein the Lord is heard by all his people and his worship in the spirit is known which his Light leades them to which gives them understanding and causeth their Lamps to burn and fitteth them for the Lord that he makes his abode with them whose foundation stands sure and Tabernacle shall not be removed For it is builded upon the Rock of ages and the Lord hath a pure people to dwell among who are become Inhabitants of his holy City into which he will gather the outcasts of Israel and they shall not say the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord neither shall it come to mind but they shall call Jerusalem the Throne of the Lord. Let him that can receive this Heb. 8. Heb 9. Rev. 21.3 2 Cor. 6.16 Levit. 26.12 Ezek. 37.26 Heb. 8. Jer. 31.32 Rev. 19.10 Ezek. 36.26 Jer. 3.16 17. 11 Of the outward sacrifices and burnt offerings Moreover in the first covenant there was sacrifices burnt offerings commanded of the Lord to be offered by the Priests both for the sins of the Priests and the sins of the people offerings of divers sorts the Bullock the Heifer the Ram and the Goat were sometimes offered and burnt for the sins of ignorance and for the trespass offerings and sometimes a pair of Turtle Doves and two young Pidgeons were offered and for Peace offerings sometimes a Lamb without blemish of the Male of the first year of the dock and this being taken and slain at the door of the Tabernacle the blood of the offering was sprinkled on the Altar and on the people for their Consecration after they had trespassed And the offerings that were made by fire were for a sweet Savour unto God and thereby his command for a time was fulfilled and his wrath appeased but these things did not purifie the people nor the blood of Bulls and Goats nor the Ashes of an Heifer cleanse the people as pertaining to the conscience for as there was dayly offerings made for sin there was dayly a conscience remaining of their sin and almost all things by the Law was purged with blood so all the many offerings and the divers washings and cleansings that were in the first Covenant did neither bring the people into inward cleanness nor to persection as pertaining to their inward state Exod 19.10 18. Levit. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9. Chap. Num. 15.19.3 4. Heb. 9. But now in the fulness of time according to the promises of God whereon the second Covenant is established God hath made manifest his own begotten Son who hath offered himself a Lamb without fault to God and by his blood he cleanseth them that beleeve in him from all sin and he is the propitiation for the sins of the whole world through faith in his blood which is his life which he hath laid down and revealed in the saints And his righteousness being revealed his power and spirit is felt in the hearts of his people which is as a fire which consumeth the nature of the Bull the nature of the Heifer and the Goat and the Ignorance of the Ram which many are in who are bruitish in their knowledge and as natural bruit beasts then they are like unto the fat Bulls of Bashan and the wild heisers and as the rough Goots that are on the lest hand of God so it is the one offering Christ Jesus who redeemeth out of the brutish and the sensuall state that God is pleased in by which God hath for ever perfected them that are sanctified which could never be done by the offerings which were offered year by year according to the first covenant so the blood of Bulls and Goats and slain Beasts the Lord takes no delight in for the Cattell upon a thousand hills are his but a broken and a contrite spirit is a sacrifice to God and to him he looketh who is poor and of a contrite spirit and trembleth at his word and he that killeth an Ox is as if he slew a man he that sacrificeth a Lamb as if he cut off a Dogs neck and he that offereth a Lamb as if he offered swines blood So these things without became an abhorring to the Lord because of the Abhominations of the people but God in his Son who is the true and undefiled propitiation is forever well pleased for he is a good Savour to his Father and so are all who are made conformable to his Image who are partakers of his Life and Divine nature So in the second priesthood the heavenly Tabernacle is manifest and the life of Christ is felt and shed abroad which sanctifieth his people who being an high Priest of good things to come by a great and more perfect Tabernacle not made with hands that is to say not of this building neither by the blood of Goats and Calves but by his own blood he entred in once into the holy place haveing obtained eternall Redemption for us 1 John 1.7 2 2. Jer. 10.14 Jude 10. 2 Pet. 〈◊〉 12. Heb. 10.4 Psal 50.10 Psal 51.17 Isai 66.3 Heb. 9.11.12 12 Of the Ephod and consecrated garments wch Aaron and the Priests had ANd moreover in the first Covenant there was an Ephod of gold blue and purple and Scarlet and fine twined linen and a robe of the Ephod and about the hem of the robe was put Pomegranates and bells
that their sound might be heard when Aaron went in came forth of the tabernacle and upon the Ephod was put a breast-plate of curious work wherein was the names and the Judgements of the people Israel and these things were made for Aaron that he might do the priests office in the holy place and upon the Mitre was put a plate of gold on Aarons forehead wherein was graved Holiness to the Lord And Aaron his sons had consecrated clothes and holy garments as Coates and Breetches other curious ornaments of fine linen and in these they did the service of the Tabernacle before the Lord in offering sacrifices as God had commanded Aaron who was a Levite and the Levites and no man was to take unto himself that honour but he that was called of God as Aaron was Exod. 39.2 31.10 35.10 28.29.12.33.36.42 verses Heb. 5.4 Now in the second Priesthood which Christ is the Minister and lise and beauty of the adorning is within where the covering is of the spirit and the Armour is of the light of the Lord and their Breast-plate is of righteousness and this the children of light are witnesses of who are come to know Christ their high Priest in whom is witnessed Holiness to the Lord in the life and righteousness of God alone which is more then the words of it without Ingraven in gold or silver and their names are written in the book of the life of the Lamb his seal of righteousness being on their fore heads and this shall never be taken from them whose delight is in Holiness and righteousness without which no man shall see the Lord. And the Saints adorning wherein they serve the Lord is not of divers colors as the adorning of the Priests without was for they are clothed in innocency with the robe and Ephod of righteousness and their garments are washed white by the blood of the Lambe of God who have passed through many tribulations who are clothed in white linen which is the righteousness of the Saints And our high Priest is not heard by a company of carnal Bells neither are the Saints brought to their worship by the sound of carnal Bells as the world and its proprosessors are but by the spirit of truth in the inward parts thereby they are brought to hear the voice of God and to worship him in the spirit and in the truth for it is such that he seeks to worship him but wo is unto them who are covered but not with the spirit of the Lord for they are covered with iniquity Eph. 6. Rev. 5.3 Heb. 12 14 Rev. 7.14 Rev 3 4.5 18 4 4 6 11 7 9 14 9 8 14. Psal 51 6 John 4 Isai 30 1. 13. Of the outward washing of of the Priests ANd moreover Aaron and his sons washed their hands and their feet with water at the door of the Tabernacle before they offered offerings to the Lord which was his command to them least that they had died Exod. 30.18 19. But now in the second Covenant and royal Priesthood of God the Saints are washed with living water by the living word of life their feet is shod with the preparation of the Gospel which is the power of God and so made beautiful and their hands are washed in innocency that by the power of God many are come and coming to offer the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to the Lord in righteousness that holiness may be known to the Lord in all their wayes within them and without but they whose feet are in the steps and wayes of the ungodly and whose hearts are polluted with unrighteousness and fingers defiled with iniquity cannot offer nor present any sacrifice acceptable to the Lord God but are abominable in all their own righteousness and sin in the best of their performances John 13 3 1 Corinth 6 11. Ephes 5 26. Titus 3.5 Heb. 10.22 Eph. 6 15 Rom. 1 16. Ps 50.23 Isai 1.15 59 3. 14. of meats and drinks and days in the first Priesthood ANd in the first Covenant there was Ordinances made touching meats and drinks as there was also for the keeping of certain dayes holy there were several creatures that were esteemed common and unclean which they might not eat of as the flesh of swine and ravenous birds with several others neither were they to eat the blood of any thing but to keep from blood Levit. 19 26 Deut. 12 22 23. and chap 14. Heb. 9 10. Now in the second Covenant is the holy place and habitation known where there is no curse and purity witnessed in the life and to the pure all things are pure for it was the swinish ravenous cursed nature which the law took hold upon and which the creatures are not clean unto and there were some after Christ was manifest that made their abstaining from some meats a matter of conscience and scrupled the eating of blood as some do at this day and the Apostles for a time suffered some to abstain from blood and things strangled but that is the weak conscience and the defiled minde that scruples meats for Christ bad his eat such things that was set before them And when Peter the Apostle saw the vision of all manner of four footed beasts of the earth and wilde beasts and creeping things and fouls of the Air. And there came a voyce from heaven unto him saying rise Peter kill and eat but Peter said not so Lord for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean and the voice spake unto him again the second time what God hath cleansed that call not thou common And the Apostle Paul said whatsoever is sold in the shambles that eat asking no question for conscience sake and he called them seducing spirits that would forbid to marry and command to abstain from meats which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them that believe and know the truth so with the light we see an end put to the first Tabernacle and the gifts and sacrifices that were offered in it which could not make perfect as pertaining to the conscience which stood onely in meats and drinks divers washings and carnall Ordinances imposed on them until the time of Reformation but now Christ being come and revealed in whom is the fulness and sum of all he worketh the Reformation in all them that believe in his light and maketh manifest his Kingdom in his people which stands not in meats nor drinks but in joy and peace in the holy Ghost and so let no man Judge you in meats or in drinks or in respect of an holy day or of the new Moon or of the Sabbath dayes which are as shadowes of things to come but the body is of Christ Rev 22 3. Titus 1 15. Acts 15 19. Rom. 14 14. Luke 10 7 8. Acts 10 10. Acts 11. 1 Cor. 10 25. 1 Tim. 4 3.4 Heb 9 10 Rom. 14.17 Colos 2.16 17. 15. Of the tribe that the
first Priesthood were of and their appointment ANd this we note that in the first Covenant Aaron and his sons who were in the Priests office were of Levi. And there were Priests under the first Covenant made or appointed by the law of a carnal or changeable Commandment without to do their office Exod. 4.14 Num. 18.12 But Christ Jesus sprang up of the tribe of Judah and having finished his testimony through suffering and offered himself freely unto God an offeringwithout blemish for the sins of the people that his life or blood may be made known in them he is become an high Priest over his people by the power of an endless life and not by the law of a carnal Commandment so that such as are made Priests now by the carnal Commandments of men and do uphold or take tythes which was a thing pertaining to the changeable Priesthood of Levi they deny Christ the true Minister of the heavenly Sanctuary and such are not of Christ Heb. 19 14. Rev. 5 5. 16. Of the reading of the Law and of the pulpit of wood IN the time of the first Covenant and the law of Commandments contained in carnal Ordinances the Israelites and Jewes had the law read among them every Sabbath day to put them in mind of it and Ezra the Priest or scribe stood up upon a Pulpit of wood as it is recorded in the English Translation but according to the Hebrew it is a Tower of wood And there he read in the Book of the law in the street that was before the water gate which was in the sight and audience of the people from morning till mid-day and the Priests gave the sence of the law and caused the people to understand the Reading But here is not a telling that a Minister of the Gospel is to stand up in a Pulpit in a Steeple-house and preach half a day from a Text of Scripture as many now do who professe themselves to be Ministers of the Gospel and say they are not under the Law and yet are pleading for pulpits and giving their sences to the Scriptures Nehe. 8 3 4.5 6 7 8 Ezra 3 1 7 6. Deut. 17 19 31 11. And moreover the reading of the Law was continued among the Jewes every Sabbath day in their Synagogues when they were in Rebellion and envy against Christ in the dayes of his flesh nevertheless their reading of the law being before Christ was crucified people were to do these things they commanded according to the law but not after their wicked works for they were enemies to Christ though they had the law and sate in Moses seat Acts 13 27 15 21. Mat. 23 1 2 3. Now in the second Covenant and Priesthood he is not a Jew that 's one outward but he is a Jew that 's one inward whose praise is not of men but of God neither are they all Israel which are of Israel according to the flesh but they are true Israelites who have received the Covenant of God within and his law within who are come to know the Ministration of the spirit which in glory exceedeth the ministration of death written or the law without which was read to the people though in its time it was glorious but the Ministration of the spirit which the true Ministers are Ministers of exceedeth the other in glory And we are not Ministers of the letter but of the spirit and of the New Testament which Christ is the Mediator of that people may come to see and hear the righteous law of God and and his light within them and they may not be forgetfull thereof any more but know Christ the Mediator in whose hand the law is held and by whose power it is executed upon the ground of the offences within and it must come in Judgement upon the head of all them that are wresting the Scriptures and pleading now for their own sences upon the Scriptures and prophesies of the Scriptures who also are pleading for the chiefest places in the Assemblies as the pulpits and high places such did Christ cry often wo against But we have learned the example of Christ Jesus who was meek and lowly in heart and taught meekness and lowliness and he that would be the greatest among his was to be servant to all Therefore away with the Idolatrous high places wherein proud men are exalted And away with their imagined meanings sences and private interpretations which they give to the prophecies of the Scriptures for they came not by mans will neither are they of any private interpretations Rom. 2 28 29. 2 Cor. 3.6 7.8.9.10 11. Gal. 3 19. Mat. 23. Mat. 11 29. 20 27. 2 Pet. 1 21. 17. Of Jewels of silver and gold and costly ornaments IN the time of the first Covenant some did wear Jewels of silver and gold Bracelets and costly ornaments and attire and the Israelites borrowed of the Egyptians Jewels of silver and Jewels of gold and raiment but this was in Egypt but after they were come out of Egypt when the Lord was angry with them for their transgression by the mount Horeb they mourned and stript themselves of their ornaments according to the command of God Exod. 3.2 11.2 12 35. 33. chap. But now in the second Covenant God hath a plain people whose moderation may be known unto all men both in apparrel and other things for they are come to deny the strange apparrel and the gaudy attire and the bravery the bracelets and the Jewels the superstitious ornaments wch they had whom the true Prophets bare witnes against Isa 3. cha and the Harlot which John saw was arraied in purple and Scarlet Colour and decked with gold and precious stone and pearls read Rev. 17.4 And see now how that many professors are attaied in costly superstitious and gaudy attire like the Harlot And let the women be adorned in modest apparrel and their adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair and of wearing of gold or putting on of apparrel but let it be the hidden man of the heart in that which is not corruptible even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit which is in the fight of God of great price mark this ye proud professors and people And know that the day is coming wherein God will punish them that are clothed in strange apparrel And in the day of their visitation they shall monrn and be stripped of all their deceitful covers 1 Tim. 2.9 1 Pet. 3 3 4. Zeph. 1.8 18. Of Solomons Temple MOreover after the Tabernacle of the first Covenant was forsaken of the Lord in Shilo when Israel had violated the Covenant of God and after they were made a prey upon by the heathen King Solomon builded a glorious Temple for the Lords service according to the Law to be done in which there was neither hammer nor Ax nor any Iron tool heard while it was a building and this temple was furnished