do they e Deut. 5. sanctifie the Lords Sabbath day for they live peaceably in the light or day of his sanctification 4. They do honor their Father f Eph. 6. and their mother as in the Loves Obedience Even so doth the Lord likewise give unto them a long g Eccl. 3. life a life for ever in this same holy Land 5. Also they h Exo. 20. Matt. 5. kill not for they have no nature to destroying but all their desire is that it might all live whatsoever is of the life and can live and whatsoever serveth and laudeth God 6. They also commit not any i Deut. 5. adultery for they are all honest k Tob. 3. and chaste of lift and l Matth. 5. clean or pure of heart Thus they live in the blessing of their God wherein God blesseth them and whereunto he hath appointed or ordained them 7. They do not steal m Exo. 20. Matth. 19. nor rob likewise but they till or dress the lands of God and are labouring towards all things and in all things whatsoever is n Ephe. 4. profitable and expedient and are much more inclined to impart or distribute their spiritual gifts and heavenly goods if any thing thereof were needful unto any one then that they would be inclined to crave any earthly things of any one o 2 Cor. 9.12 or to diminish or scant him in his possession for no man desireth to possess nor to have any thing more under his hand or power then is needfull for him or expedient to a good Government 8. They also bear no p Exo. 20. false witnesse For no man q Eph. 20. Col. 3. lyeth against his neighbor there 9. They likewise desire not anotherbodies r Mat. 5. house nor their neighbors wife but every one there liveth in faithfulnesse with his own Å¿ 1 Cor. 7. Conjunction even as God hath joyned them together t Gen. 1. Matth. 19. from the beginning 10. Thus doe they live in all faithfulnesse among each other and permit not their thoughts to think u Tob. 4. any thing to the satisfying of their owne Appetites without the same 11. Inasmuch now therefore as that they have such an upright disposition and nature as that they do not desire nor lust for any thing that is against the Law or Ordinance of the Lord so are they likewise faithfull therein 12. Seeing then also that their Love is x Eph. 1. pure and undefiled as that they live uncoveredly according to the truth so are there likewise among them no deceitfull y Mat. 18. Mar. 9. eyes nor false thoughts nor yet bitternesse z Eph. 4. Col. 3. contempt nor offensivenesse 13. Also they know not there of any a 1 Cor. 1.15 contention or discord nor yet of sin nor death for there is nothing else but b Gal. 5. love and unity of peace with joy of the everlasting life 14. There is likewise no deriding or mocking c Eph. 4.5 1 Pet. 2. nor any unfit thing used They talk not there also of any foolishnesse nor lightnesse 15. They use not also any unlawfull or disorderly Liberty but all what they use speak and do that same is agreeable to the d Pet. 4. holy Word of Life and is the true Libertie of all the Children of God And therefore is there likewise among them no superfluous vice that exceedeth measure or equity 16. Seeing then that they stand every one concordably inclined to the good so is no man there also compelled to the good life but every one liveth in the upright e Eph. 4. righteousnesse and holinesse that God esteemeth And thus all their nature is no other but to be f Gal. 5. serviceable one to another out of meer love CHAP. XXXVII BEhold in such an upright being is this lovely people which hath his dwelling in this good City named Gods-understanding grounded or established and the a Eph. 4. Col. 3. love is their band wherewith they are united with each other in the light of the true life 2. By which means all their nature and mind is nothing else but love b Gal. 5. Peace and righteousnesse as upright Children c 1 Pet. 1.2 borne of the love like those that are risen againe from the death with the Resurrection d Dan. 12. Joh. 5. 1 Cor. 15. of the righteous ones in in the everlasting life and do live eternally 3. For ever them there is no death nor e Rom. 8. damnation neither doth any f Esa 25. 1 Cor. 15. death reigne in the same Land of the righteous and so the man dieth not there neither yet whatsoever is manly 4. The women likewise do not bring forth their children in paine or grief g Esa 65. 66. but with joy for the whole Land is h Deut. 28 blessed for the righteous lifes sake yeelding forth his fruits as a blessing 5. Thus the man eateth not his bread in the sweat of his face or in the carefull travell of his life i Esa 65. but with joy and receiveth his food in blessing 6. Forasmuch now as God hath made and ordained all things k Gen. 1. well from the beginning therefore do they also live uprightly in Gods Ordinance do neither take from nor adde to any thing 7. And therefore inasmuch as they do neither take from nor adde to touching all that which is the Lords so live they likewise only in the Works and Ordinances of the Lord and do not vow orbind themselves in the Matrimony of men nor yet suffer themselves to be bound therein but are l Mat. 22. Luke 20. like the Angells in heaven or like Messengers that are publishers of the spirituall heavenly goods and are the chosen generation the Kingly m Exo. 19. 1 Pet. 2. Apo. 1.5 Priesthood the holy people the peculiar people of God who are all Kings and Anoynted ones 8. For all there whatsoever is manly those same are every one Lords Kings and Priests and doe bear their Dominion over Sin Death Devill and Hell 9. Also no man reigneth over another and that pleaseth God well namely that the one man of God raigneth not over the other nor that the one is the others n 1 Cor. 7 bond-servant neither yet to the o Rom. 6. sin nor to his owne sensuality or affection but that they doe alwayes submit them concordably p Eph. 4. 1 Pet. 1. under the love and her service and do still stand ready to doe the Lords Will to serve their God q Luk. 1. in righteousnesse and to beare the Dominion with him r Rom. 6. 1 Cor. 6.7 over the evill and over all what hath a liking to the evill whereby to live eternally in the Å¿ 4 Esd 2. immortality with God and his Saints CHAP. XXXVIII EVen thus now these spirituall Saints of God that dwell in this
sufferance and it is the true Altar in thee Holy upon the which the true Meat-offering is that is given to the faithful believing travellers to eate and also the true Drink-offering that is given them to drink Which Meate-offering is named m Ioh. 2. The Flesh or Body of Jesus Christ and the Drink-offering is named The Blood of Jesus Christ and the same body and blood of Jesus Christ is unto the constant and faithful traveller in the proceeding on in his Pilgrimage n Ephe. 2. Col. 1.2 a true Mediator to lay away the sin in the flesh and to establish the o Rom. 15. Promises with him that are made to the Fathers and so through the same and with the same Meate-offering and Drink-offering the traveller is able to bide p Heb. 12. constant to the Compass and on the Cross till unto the accomplishing of his Passover and debt offering that is unto the death and burying of all the lusts and desires of the sinful flesh and of all the fleshes wisdom or good-thinking and so can overcome all false ends and all the enemies of the good Life of the upright Love and enter into the good Land of Peace without harm and be assembled to all the holy ones of God in the everlasting life 7. Whosoever then hath even thus as is said these two forementioned Instruments with him and giveth himself captive thereunder q 2 Cor. 10. obediently according to the doctrine and requiring of the Law of the Lord he r Sap. 3. cometh through the same captivity to the upright freedom of all the children of God 8. Howbeit it Å¿ Sap. 3. 5. Matth. 27. seemeth as that he dieth on the Cross through the compass with the said meat offering and drink-offering but he cometh through t Rom. 6.8 the same death of the Cross to the upright life 9. Now when the traveller giveth himself to the journey with this said Armor of the upright warlike souldiers of Jesus Christ and so prepareth his u Eccle. 2. soul against all temptations then can he likewise in the days of his temptations keep the victory against all the enemies of the good life and of the upright love For so in that Armor none of the enemies of the life nor the ungodly ones with their temptations bide x Heb. 12. standing before the forsaking of himself for the good lifes sake and before the parience nor the v Matt. 16. Gates of Hell the danger of death the bands of the Devâ—l not yet the world nor flesh have not any power against those same but they be all overcome therethrough and all that whatsoever is not any life neither yet of God must give back before them 10. Therefore all ye lovers of the good Land and z Ioh. 1. Iam. 1. disciples of the holy Word have a diligent regard unto the compass and continue on the Cross a Matt. 10. and 24. even unto the end For there-through do we obtain the victory against all the enemies and we may likewise through those same enter without harm into this good Land which lieth right in the East and where the Sun always shineth b Isa 60 Apo. 22. and never goeth down and so may inherit the same for evermore CHAP. IX â—F so be now that the traveller do give eare to the councel of the Law of the Lord and giveth himself to the journey with the said Instruments then doth he in his travelling forward come into a great unpathed Land where many maner of temptations and deceits do meet with him and coming into the same there appeareth unto him immediately a Matth. 2. a star out of the East which guideth him till into the good Land to the end that he should always in all the temptations of deceit have a good confidence to pass by all the temptations and deceiveable things that do meet with him and to come to the good Land 2. This Star is named b Abac 2. Rom. 1. Heb. 11. Belief and hope by the which he doth behold afar off to what good rest the Star will bring him 3. This great unpathed Land that he travelleth through is named Many maner of walkings because the Travellers do travel and pass from all quarters through the same Land c Deut 1. to that one good Land of rest but in all the same Land named Many maner of walkings there is not one plain pathed way 4. But although the Travellers do in this Many maner of walkings travel to the good and peaceable Land yet do they all at the last assemble into one way for they all have their guiding by that one d Matt. â— 2. Star which Star according to the pointing of their compass bringeth them all to that one Land of Peace 5. Moreover this Land into the which one cometh through the Fear of God and the Beginning of Wisdom is of it self a e Eccles 2. sorrowful minded Land and the people of that Land neither yet the Travellers in the same f Psa 126. 137. are never merry wherefore there do happen there unto the Travellers many temptations to choose g Matth. 4. Luke 4. something whereby to be released from the sorrow or grief But with the forsaking of himself they overcome it all through the patience 6. The names of the people are these Stricken in heart h Exod. 16.17 Cumbered in minde Wofulness Sorrowfulness Anguish Fear Dismaidness Perplexitie Vncomfortableness Vndelightfulness Heavy-mindedness Many maner of Thoughts Dead courage 7. Behold such names and natures of people there are and do dwell in this Land Many maner of walkings CHAP. X. THis Land is an open weak or unwalled Land and is like unto a a Exo. 26. Num. 21. barren wilderness wherein there 〈…〉 joy to be found but it is full or perils of deceit because of the sundry sorts of temptations that do come to the Traveller through Perplexities 2. For if they according to the doctrine of the Law of the Lord have not a sharp watch unto the compass nor hold them fast on the Cross and also do not still mark the b Matth. 2. leading star then may they soon be led away into a by-way and that because of the Heavy mindedness of the Inhabitants of the Land For the wisdom of the flesh doth also come forth there oftentimes very subtilly c Rom 1. 2 Pet. 2. with her self seeking for to point the Traveller aside But all what is self-seeking that is seducing but whereunto the forsaking of himself pointeth or leadeth that is the right path 3. Verily in this Land of mortifying and abstaining d Mat. 16. Matth. 8. from all things there is not much joy to be gotten but the Traveller that with the forsaking of himself passeth through the same in the patience and seeketh not his own selfness but under the obedience of the love hath a much more desire to do
fellowship with God the Father and his Christ and with the holy Ghost and all the Saints of God in the everlasting life And therefore seeing that they do know that that same wherewith they have fellowship is the fulness of all vertues and wisdom so do they hold them concordably unto each other b 1 Cor. 12 and 13. under the Love and stand affected only to this good City for there is no where any better thing to be found no not any where the like 11. For there wanteth nothing within this City but she is ful of all maner of c Apo. 1. and 22. riches and pure beauties which also are unspeakable with tongue and not possible to be written CHAP. XXXIII SEeing then that these precious riches are so utterly unknown to the people that are without them and that be not assembled unto them therefore also one a Isa 64. 2 Cor. 2. cannot well expound or declare unto them the unspeakable garnishing and joy of the same City nor the beauty and value of her riches nor yet make it known unto them in their knowledg namely how glorious and great how lovely peaceable and delightful they are 2. But unto those that are in this good City of Peace and to those that go into it thorow the gate of the City it is well known and not else to any others for to them it is given to understand b Matt. 11. and 13. Ephe. 3. the Mystery of the same kingdom but to those that are without it it is not given and therefore likewise all things happen unto them by Similitudes and Parables 3. Therefore all other lands and people are unperfect broken or divided but this good land is a perfect good this peaceable people is also an undivided people and are altogether c Ioh. 17. one in the love of their God and Christ therefore they are likewise no more but one body or one d Isa 2.4 man with each other in the same Love 4. For through the new birth in the Love of God and Christ they are all one e Rom. 12. 1 Cor. 12. it one beeing as many members of one body in one life 5. Whosoever also cometh into this good City of Peace he becometh f 1 Pet. 1. altogether born anew in the Spirit under the obedience of the Love through the said Love and her Service for he is changed in every part as g Rom. 12. Ephe. 4. in sences thoughts and minde 6. And whosoever is not born again thorow the Love and her service nor assembled unto it through the new birth h Ioh. 3. 1 Cor. 2.2 〈◊〉 likewise may not see or behold nor yet obtain these riches of God neither in thâ—â— time nor ever hereafter 7. But he that goeth into it through the Love and her service and as new born in the Spirit to him also it is all i Isa 43. 2 Cor. 5. Apo. 21. new what he seeth heareth and knoweth in the same for he hath neither understood known comprehended nor inherited any of those things before that time 8. How were it then possible that one should be able to describe or express at full all the amiableness of this City and all the good decentness and orders of this land and people with all her k Isa 64. 1 Cor. 2. Riches and Garnishing together with all her Rest and Joy and with her unfained Love pure Life and peaceable Unity all which is to be found therein 9. But it is and becometh rightly known unto all those that come into this City of Rest and that are become united and agreeably minded with this lovely people for as then there is no more l Soph. 3. 1 Ioh. 3. evil nor evil suspition nor yet sight of evil in them for within the same one doth neither see nor think any thing else but all m Isa 51. and 54. Good Joy Rest and Peace in the everlasting life 10. And the comer in who through the counsel of the chief elder in the godly Understanding of God is passed thorow the Passeover of the way that leadeth into the same and so is come into this good City thorow the Nature of God and united with this lovely people in unity of the Peace and of the Love he rejoyceth him likewise with unspeakable n Isa 60. and 61. and 65. joy in the same land as also recreateth o Psa 96. and 112. himself exceedingly in her Garnishing and thanketh and laudeth God for the great grace and mercy that is chanced unto him through the love of God the Father and her Service 11. Even thus becometh his heart joyful in the lovely Beeing of the friendly people where through he feeleth himself to be changed in all points in his Spirit like one that is risen p Rom. 6.8 Col. 3. from the Death into the everlasting Life wherein all rest faithfulness q Zach. 7.8 and Truth all Love Peace and Righteousness is found 12. Yea all the whole peaceable people of the Love do likewise rejoyce them every one when as any one repenteth r Luke 15. for his sins and so cometh into this City under the Obedience of the Love and uniteth him with that same peaceable people which liveth and dwelleth therein CHAP. XXXIV IN this holy City there is also a Light which is an everlasting and very true Light a Isa 60. 4 Esd 2. Apo. 21.22 that alwayes shineth and continueth for evermore in that land Wherefore there is neither night nor darkness there but alwayes day and clearness 2. This same Light is not risen up through any riches of the knowledg of Good and Evil nor come forth through any wisdom of man but it is the very true light of Life b Joh. 1. 1 Joh. 1. that hath been from eternity and that shall remain for ever 3. And the same is named c Joh. 1. The everlasting Life that was with God the Father in the beginning and all whatsoever is made is made through the same but without the same there is nothing made of all whatsoever is made 4. This everlasting life serveth d Joh. 1. for a light unto men to a peaceable walking of their course is this holy City of Peace 5. And the same Light is an upright and undeceiveable Light e Joh. 1. to the illuminating of all people namely of those f Ioh 10. Apo. 22. that do go into the City of Peace thorow the gate and that are adjoyned to the peaceable people 6. Therefore also the true life and the promised rest of the heart is only in this good City of Peace for without the same and without the way or passing-over that leadeth into it and among all those that separate themselves there-from there is nothing but death g Gen. 3. misery and calamity for without the same are the h Apo. 22. Inchanters the Dogs and Wolves and all wilde beasts
u Eph. 2. allureth not him 14. The chosen righteousnesse x Col. 2. snareth not him 15. The holinesse prideth not him 16. The y Dan. 12. adhominations of desolation hinder not him 17. The deceitfull hills seduce not him 18. The vaine comfort relisheth or liketh not him 19. The unbelief z 4. Esd 6.7 destroyeth not him 20. The delight to live in a Gal. 5. pleasures choketh not him 21. The b Eph. 4. ignorance blindeth not him 22. Nor the leaders of the blind doe not lead him For God is his c Esa 60. Apo. 21.22 light and life and to the same godly being he liveth and not to any strange things which be in his passing thorough them hath forsaken wherefore he is not captivated under the onenesse nor under any ungodly being but only d 1 Pet. 1. 1 Joh. 4. under the love and the requiring of her service 23. And even thus is God with him and he is with God For the true Spirit or the true godly being of the love e Joh. 16. leadeth him into all truth and love and in this manner under the obedience of the love is all his conversation f Esa 32.51 65. Apo. 21. in rest and peace who likewise liveth without fear everlastingly in all godly and spirituall heavenly goods with all the children of the Peaceable Kingdome and of the Love 24. Behold that same is the lovely rest h Esa 60.61.62.65 66. Jer. 23.33 and the godly life in the glorious freedome of the Children of God in the last time according to the promises CHAP. XLII WE praise thee O Father thou Lord of heaven and earth for that thou hast hidden a Mat. 11. Luk. 10. these things from the proud-boasting wise and the prudent understanding ones and revealed them to the little and humble ones 2. The rich of spirit nor the great wise or industrious Scripture-learned ones have not understood the same but to the b Esa 57.66 poor of spirit and to the simple of understanding hast thou given it 3. Yea O Father c Mat. 11. even so hath it pleased thee for that the rich of spirit should have no cause to boast d Esa 29. Abdi 1. 1 Cor. 1. them of their wisdome nor the understandingones of their prudence but that they may every one bow them under the obedience of thy love and so may acknowledge that thou only O my God and Father art a true God 4. Therefore because that the Lord would through his hearty love make his holy Name great and commendable e Luke 1. he hath exercised power with his arme and dispersed those that are proud in the device of their own hearts 5. He hath thrust downe the mighty f Eccl. 10. from the seat but exalted the humble 6. The g Luk. 1. hungry hath he filled with goods and left those empty that were rich or satisfied 7. Therefore the Lord forsaketh none that seek him with h Jer. 29. Eccle. 2. all their hearts for he is a strength unto the poore to the simple and to the little ones of understanding a i Psa 9.18 46.71.91.94 Esa 25. strength in the time of sorrow a refuge from the tempest and a shadow from the heat when the Tyrants fret or rage like a storme against a wall 8. For that cause k Esa 41.45.51.54 dismay not your selves O ye faint-hearted ones nor be not wavering-minded although the destruction do make up it selfe very high and that the decliners together with the good thinking wise and the Scripture-learned of the wicked world do slander or speak evill against this same and do persecute us for it shall all perish wating out like l Psal 10. Esa 50. Psal 37.68 Sap. 5. an old garment and like the smoke or vapour 9. For the Lord bringeth down the fury of the ungodly and maketh their heat strengthlesse like unto the heat in the wildernesse and woods 10. The Vine-branches of the Tyrants doth he wither with the shadow of his clouds n Esa 58 Eccl. 24. and bringeth forth his righteousnesse like a morning starre and his truth like a glorious cleernesse o Esa 60. or light of the Sun 11. And in peace p Esa 52.60 doth he set up again his holy City Jerusalem q Psal 79. â— Mac. 2.4 which the Heathen have trodden down 12. He doth now make manifest his holy Temple againe with joy r Esa 33.44 Apo. 21. and so permitteth his Tabernacle the Sanctuary of his dwelling to be beholden 13. And setteth up the same upon the top of the hill of Sion at Jerusalem that the hil of Sion may stand aloft Å¿ Esa 2. Mat. 4. and be exalted above all Hills even as the Lord hath forespoken the same by his Prophets 14. For the Lord of Hosts will now prepare upon his Hill of Sion at Jerusalem a sumptuous t Esa 25. Feast for all people of fat well marrowed Cattel and of pure wine wherein there is no dregs 15. And upon this hill he will take away u Esa 25. the covering or the veile wherewith all people are stopped and wherewith all Hathen are covered for the x 1 Cor. 15 death shall be swallowed up 16. And the Lord God will wipe off y Esa 25 Apo. 7. the tears from the faces of all the people and take away their reproach in the universall earth CHAP. XLIII BEhold that is the time of the Lords blessing in the which they shall sing this song in Judah 2. We have a a Esa 26. Supra 28. strong City the walls and the defence are our preservation 3. Open the gate b Psal 118. that the righteous people which keep the faith may enter therein 4. Thou alwaies keepest peace according to sure promise for men stay them upon thee 5. Therefore put your confidence in the Lord everlastingly for God the Lord is a stony rock for ever 6. He bringeth low those that dwell in pride and he casteth down the lofty City yea he throweth it downe to the earth so that it lyeth in the dust 7. That it is trodden upon with feet yea with the feet of the poor and with the feet of the simple 8. But the way of the righteous is plain and the goings of the humble dost thou O God direct aright 9. Therefore Lord c Esa 26. we wait upon thee in the way of thy righteousnesse for the lust of our heart standeth bent towards thy Name and to a remembrance of thee 10. We are desirous of thee in the night-season even with all our hearts and with our spirit do we walk up early unto thee 11. For where thy Law beareth rule in the Land there do the inhabiters of the earth learn righteousnesse 12. But although grace be profered to the ungodly yet do they learne no righteousnesse 13. But do nothing else but iniquity in the upright
spirituall and heavenly b Mat. 13. riches remain shut and covered or hidden from the man and he cannot find the way to the tree of life 2. But the same standeth c 4 Esd 8. Apo. 2. 22. open and also uncovered before all those which in like manner are open or d Eccles 4. 17. uncovered of heart before the Elders in the Family of Love for those same even like unto Christ and all his believers are minded to nothing else but to life peace and righteousnesse and so then likewise Jesus Christ the gracious Word of the Lord is unto them a e Pro. 3. tree of life in the Paradise of the Lord and the true being of God the heavenly Father which Christ after the Spirit hath his manifestation out of the love thorow her service so through his Spirit service of Love he begetteth or teacheth among us the f Mat. 11. humility and meekness of heart g Eph. 4. to unity of peace in all love 3. Whosoever now is not of the mind of Adam neither yet that the work of Adam hath through the Serpents counsell captivated him in h Gen. 3. the knowledge but that he unlearneth all in the same againe through the Service of Love and is taught i Eph. 4. 1 Tim. 4. or becometh taught in all love according to the mind of Christ he also belongeth k Joh. 13. unto Christ and is in the holy City of rest and Peace or he goeth into the same the right way 4. Loe such are the right believers the children of life and the warlike Champions which through the l Apo. 7. 12. blood of the Lamb have overcome or are overcoming the evill who do possesse or shall possesse all things with joy and are a lovely people m Eze. 19. 1 Pet. 2. a holy Kingly generation and do eat the breat and drinke the wine with Christ and his holy ones at the table of the Lord n Luke 22 Apo. 3. in the Kingdome of the God of heavens 5. Forasmuch then as they have in the Service of Love turned o Mat. 18. themselves about to be obedient children and have laid off the p Deut. 10 2 Cor. 3. fore-skin of the old man from their hearts therefore is likewise the Kingdome of God q 4. Esd 8 Act. 7. opened unto them and the mystery of the same given them to r Mat. 11. 13. understand the which remaineth shut unknowne Å¿ Lâ—k 10. 1 Cor. 1.2 and secret before all the wise of the world before all unregenerated rich of spirit and Scripture learned ones as also before all unbelievers of the Love and before all those that blaspheme and resist the Service of Love and that are uncircumcised on the fore-skin of the old man 6. And as long as they are unbelieving and disobedient or resistant towards the Love and her Service so doth not doubtlesse any of all their wisdom t Esa 29. 1 Cor. 1. and learning nor yet any searching in the depth of their understanding nor any subtilty in the knowledge help or further them any thing for to come to the same but are much more in the way against them or they do all stand as lets unto them to come to the u 2 Cor. 11 simplicity of Christ 7. Therefore is there nothing more needfull for the man at the first whereby he may enter into the life then that he do x Mat. 11.18 Luke 14. submit himselfe under the obedience of the Love and so become taught in the Service of Love for to unlearne again y Mat. 16. Phil. 3. all what he of himself hath taken on and learned 8. Now when he hath in this sort humbly yeelded himself under the Service of love z Mat. 19. and in the same hath unlearned all his taking on then doth he in like manner rightly receive the true Doctrine of the wisdome of God and becometh taught in all love 9. But not according to a mind of the flesh in the earthly a 1 Cor. 1.2 corruptible thing but according to the mind of the Spirit of Christ in the heavenly everlasting goods 10. Now when the new b 2 Cor. 5 Creature in Christ is there appeared in the obedience of the Love then is also the old quite perished there for behold it is there become c Esa 43.66 Apo. 21. all new through Jesus Christ 11. And that same is the gracious hand of God towards the man through his love and it is his promise to the blessing of all generations of the earth CHAP. LVII TO this a Joh. 3. Rom. 12. 1 Thess 4. renewing in the Spirit of Christ we are all called ye dearly beloved because that we should be spiritually minded in the spirit of our minds whereby to inherite in that sort with Christ b Mat. 13. Col. 2. the spirituall heavenly riches and to walk and deal before each other with naked hearts in c Eph. 4. all love 2. To the end now for to have or to enter into this open-heartednesse and love with each other whereunto we doe love all lovers of the truth that have diligently d Phil. 3. Col. 3. minded the love and the peace of Christ we have with these present testimonies witnessed of the true Kingdom of God and Christ as a Land or e Apo. 11. City of Peace and described and figured forth the passage unto it as a way that men travell thorow and the entrance into the Kingdome wherein the f Rom. 12 Eph. 4. renewing of the sense and mind is manifested as a gate or door 3. We have moreover signified or shewed in writing before the lover of the Kingdom all what he must g Mat. 19. forsake if he will come to the good land of Peace or enter into the h Heb. 4. rest of all the holy ones of God 4. But not that the lover of the good land shall therefore think that he must first come to every one of the forementioned horrible places or that he must passe thorow them all before he can come to the good City of Peace 5. O no ye dearly beloved but the cause why we have marked out all the abhominations and desolations is for to make knowne every place of deceit i 2 Cor. 2. 11. Eph. 6. 1 Pet. 5. and all seducing or leading away from the good land of life to the end that no man should be let by any of those same for entring into the noble Land full of Life and Peace 6. Also for this cause for to warn every one that are lovers of the true being of all vaine and false perswasions because that if any thing therof should chance to meet them they should not then be afraid nor yet joyn to the same for it is all deceit and bewitching and all k Luk. 9.14 such things must be forsaken if we will go into the good life of rest CHAP. LVIII IN what place soever now a lover of the good Land findeth himself being yet for the present time without the same he may then goe out of a Mat. 16. 2 Cor. 6. and forsake it and so according to the counsell b Tob. 4. of the Elders in the holy understanding in the Family of Love indeavour himself to proceed forward to the c Psa 37. Esa 30. submission that is to a submitted being without any desiring of self-wills choosing d Mat. 10. 16. and to stand unbound or free from his selfnesse and let him take unto him the equity and so enter thorow Gods holy nature into Gods understanding e Joh. 10. 17. the everlasting being of the heavenly truth through which entrance into the same all minds and thoughts be released and f John 8. made free from all what is vaine and corruptible in the world and from all captivity to the earthly things and creatednesse for to inherite even so the eternall life the Kingdome of the heavenly beauty and the upright being of Gods everlasting uncreatednesse in all love perpetually 2. That same is the everlasting g Gen. 2. perfection wherein neither the thoughts of corruption nor yet any mortality can h Apo. 21. indure but that which is pure clean and cleer according to the spirituall form of the heavenly things 3. Behold such is the Kingdome of Peace i Apo. 12. 21. the heavenly beauty and the holy Land of Promise to the k Gen. 22. blessing of all generations of the earth 4. And that is the holy rest l Esa 32. Heb. 4. and the noble freedome which God hath reserved for the children of God and given them now m 4 Esd 7. Col. 1. in the last time for an everlasting inheritance according to the Promises 5. Now the only God of Life grant the same rest unto us all Amen Take it to heart Charitas extorsit per H. N.
TERRA PACIS A TRUE TESTIFICATION OF The Spiritual Land of Peace which is the Spiritual Land of Promise and the holy City of Peace or the heavenly Jerusalem and of the holy and spiritual People that dwell therein as also of the walking in the Spirit which leadeth thereunto Set forth by H.N. and by him newly per used and more plainly declared Translated out of Base-Almaine Depart out of thy land and from thy Kindred and out of thy Fathers house and travell into a land that I will shew thee Gen. 12 Act 7. I will lead thee on the â—â—ght path that the course when thou goest be not painful unto thee and that thou stumble not when thou runnest Take â—he information to heart leave it not keep it for it is thy life Go not in the path of the ungodly and walk not in the way of thâ— wicked leave the same and go not therein depart therefrom and pass by it Prov. 4. London Printed for Samuel Satterthwaite at the sign of the Sun on Garlick Hill 1649. THE PREFACE of H. N. To the Spiritual Land of PEACE H.N. Wisheth to the good-willing Reader and unto all Lovers of the Truth which read or hear these present Testimonies of the Land of Peace that they might be prepared to be an upright people for the Lord and taught to the kingdom of heavens and also to have obtained in their spirit and minde â—â—n the obedience of the Love the simple eyes of the true Sight the spiritual ears of the godly Hearing and he second birth in Jesus Christ whereby they might understand in spiritual maner the holy and spiritual understanding that is witnessed therein to the end that the same which becometh seen and heard migh be rightly judged according to the Spirit of the heavenly Truth also the waye that leadâ—â—â— to the Life entered into a â—â—ght and so the true Life of the Living and the pleasant Lands of Peace become inherited rightly and according to the Truth O yea that it come to pass even so IN these true Testimonies of the worthy Land of Peace O ye good willing Hearts which love the Truth there is out of an inclination of Love witnessed and described unto you by Writing the many maner of weldernessed Lands together with the sundry kindes of Travel and Vnrestfulness of the disorderly people of the wicked world and the a Isa 54. Apo. 18. departure out of the same as also then immediatly following the entrance into the spiritual Land of Promise b Isa 32. Heb. 4. Apo. 21. the Rest of all the children of God to the end that every one which loveth the Rest of the Lord in Jesus Christ might forsake the said wildernessed lands and so according to this our direction enter into the noble commodious Land and into the holy c Isa 60. City of Peace 2. Therein is likewise evidently declared unto you with clear manifestation the holy people of the same Land and how lovingly peaceably and uprightly they live in that same good Land 3. Into the Which good Land of Rest and Peace d Isa 13. and 54.55 Ier. 3 and 17. and 23. and 31. and 33.50 Ezech. 20. the Lord will now in the last time under the obedâ—ence of the Love according to his Promises assemble 〈◊〉 people or his Elect and be gracious unto them and so will through the service of his Love e Isa 65. and 66. Ezech. 34. and 37. 2 Mach. 2. bring them into the same out of all Wildernessed Lands and separate them from all disorderly and seditious people 4. O ye children of the Kingdom consider of the minde and the lovers of the Truth humble you now every one under the obedience of the Love and f Ioh. 13. and 15. 1 Iohn 3. and 4. have or exercise love among each other to the end that ye may remain unoffended also g Ioh. 8. 2 Ioh. 1. know the Truth in the Spirit through the Love and live in all Truth and upright righteousness 5. For I will open my mouth h Psal 49.78 Matth. 13. in similitudes reveal and witness the riches of the spiritual heavenly goods as parables and figure forth in writing the mystery of the Kingdom of God or Christ according to the true beeing 6. He that hath ears to hear let him hear and who so hath eyes to mark let him mark what the Spirit of Love saith and bringeth to light by his Minister 7. I looked and behold to the children of the Kingdom the Family of the Love of Jesus Christ it is given to understand i Matt. 11. and 13. Luke 8. and 10. the mystery of the heavenly Kingdom but to those that are therewithout it is not given to understand the same for that cause all spiritual Vnderstandings do chance unto them by Similitudes Figures and Parables 8. Verily the strange people together with all those that have their forth-going without the Family of Love are k Deut. 32. Sap. 2. and 5. Psal 14. ignorant and all the enemies to our godly Testimonies of the gracious Word of the Lord and of our most holy Service of Love are l Gal. 3. resisters of the Truth of God For that cause also they have heard very painfully with their ears and m Isa 6. Matth. 13. Act. 7. and 28. hardned their hearts against the Truth They have likewise wholly shut to the sight of n Ier. 5. and 7. and 16. their eyes before the Truth to the end they would not see the same nor her Requiring and altogether stopped the hearing of their ears before the calling-voyce of the Truth for that they would not hear the same nor the Requiring thereof because they would in no wise understand in their hearts the Truth and her Requiring as also for that they would not turn them to the Truth and her Requiring neither shew forth any upright Fruits of Repentance o Ioh. 5. nor yet come to the godly life and have even so in the hardness of their hearts turned them about to the condemnation 9. For that cause likewise their portion or inheritance is not with the children of the Kingdom in the Family of Love p Psal 1. Wis 2. and 5. but with the children of the wicked world whose q Iohn 8. father and head is the devil himself 10. Seeing then that they through their resisting against the Love and the requiring of her service are become children of r Rom. 9. Ephe. 2. wrath and through the seed of the old Serpent are grown disobeyers of the Requiring of the Word of Jesus Christ and of the Doctrine of his Service of Love as also a Å¿ Deut. 27. and 28. Eccl. 41. cursed people even to be coheirs of the everlasting fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels therefore verily they understand nothing at all of the wisdom of God the Father nor yet of the upright beeing of Jesus Christ the Son
and among what sort of unrighteous or ignorant people he is or hath united himself and also how far off or neer-by he is to the good Land of Peace and to the peaceable people of the Love 47. Behold ye dearly beloved like as hereafter followeth have we out of an inclination of love shewed and described in this maner because that every one of us namely â—â—e to whom the Lord hath given i 4 Esd 10 Ephes 3. Col. 1. to know or to understand the secretness of the good Land or of the heavenly Kingdom might with all lovers of the truth be turned to the same good Land of the Kingdom of Peace with one consent of minde and with a good courage as also enter into and pass through the way k 4 Esd 7. Luke 13. that leadeth to the same Life with a good faith and firm hope whereby to unite the same with us and with those l sal 32. 33. peaceable people in all m John 17 â— phes 4. love and concord who do always live in peace and in all upright righteousness 48. For this same good Land n Psal 78. 132. Matth. 25. is the upright place of rest which God hath prepared reserved and kept for his People from the beginning of the world for to possess them with the same in the last time 49. Moreover this same Land is a Land full of Joy Life and Songs of Praise and likewise full of all maner of Riches of God For therein is the secret Treasure o Matth. 13. Col. 2. of all spiritual and heavenly Goods It is also a Land wherein Wine and Oyl Hony and Milk and all Sweetness to a joy and life floweth abundantly like as we shall hereafter following rehearse more at large of the same 50. Rejoyce you now with this p Psal 96. Isa 44.49 O ye Heavens and recreate thy self now with us thou Earth and all ye that hope upon the Good Give ear now to the Truth understand and consider well of the strange States of the wildernessed Lands and People to the end that ye may forsake or q Deut. 2. pass by them and have also a good regard unto the lovely State of the good r Isai 35.60 Land and of the holy People whereby to love the same and to unite you or to become one being with them For all this same each one particularly is hereafter following described unto you in writing even according to the Life and Truth Take it to heart THE Spiritual Land OF PEACE Hear and understand taste and perceive that which is spiritual heavenly and everlasting and not that which is earthly natural and corruptible Col. 3. CHAP. I. I Looked and behold There is in the world a very unpeaceable Land and it is the wildernessed Land wherein the most part of all uncircumcised impenitent and ignorant people do dwell and which is first of all needful for the man to the end he may come to the Land of Peace and to the good City of Life and Rest to a Gen. 12. Apo. 18. forsake and to depart out of the same Which unpeaceable Land is situate or lieth against or on the other or contrary side of the East or rising b Zech. 2. of the Sun where neither Day not Sun ariseth or shineth at any time For when the Sun cometh neer unto the same then goeth she always under or is c Isa 5 60. 4. Esd 14. covered with the Darknesses of the Land and for that cause she d Sap. â— shineth not there nor yet giveth any cleerness in the same because that the e Exo. 10. Psal 105. Sap. 17. darknesses are too thick over the whole Land 2. This same unpeaceable Land hath also a City or Strength wherein the people of the Land do put their confidence The name of which City they themselves which dwell therein do not know but onely those that are come out of it and it is named Ignorance according to her own proper nature of the darknesses 3. For the f Isa 8 9. 4 Esd 14. darknesses have wholly covered the same Land and also the people that dwell therein which darknesses are so g Exod. 10 Job 12. thick that they may be felt 4. And whosoever do dwell or are born therein they are likewise so ignorant that they will not out of it neither yet desire any better because they have never seen the Light of Heaven in his upright righteousness nor yet known nor loved the h Isa 59. Rom. 3. Life of Peace in his upright Being 5. They run from one place and come to another yet is it altogether in the same Land but they will not depart out of it Therefore is also the Proverb verified in them which saith It is evil to be born in an evil Land CHAP. II. THe people which dwell therein know not their Original or first beginning also they keep not any Genealogy or Pedigree neither do they know from whence or how they are come into the same And moreover then that they are a Isai 56.59 Matth. 15. altogether blinde and b John 9. blinde born 2. And yet over and above their blindness although their eyes be shut they are all bound over their eyes with blinde clothes that which also they have willingly over their eyes For with the same they suffer themselves to be directed and led into all error of Ignorance perswading themselves that the blinde cloathes are the light of their eyes which do give light unto them on whom likewise they have a confidence in their forthgoing and desire not any better And therefore the blinde ones are led there with blinde clothes 3. The blinde clothes are called c Isa 56. Matth. 15. 22. Luke 6. blinde guides because the blinde ones in the darkness and in the Land of Ignorance are led by them into all ignorance but that same do they themselves neither know nor understand 4. And although one should take away the clothes from their eyes in the same Land of Ignorance and so should open their eyes in the knowledg yet might it not help them any thing at all to a beholding of the true Light but it should be unto them more evil then good because of the darknesses d Job 10.12 Isa 5. 9 which are spred over the whole Land therefore must they also in the same still groaping after the way be led in the darknesses and must likewise oftentimes e Matt. 15. Luke 6. with their blinde guides fall into the ditches 5. For whosoever doth not forsake the same Land and his darknesses as also the blinde guides in the same and suffereth not himself to be led into the true light by the seeing guides of the Family of Love f John 11. he must oftentimes stumble or become offended and also many times g Prov. 4. stagger and fall and that altogether because he is not taught nor
of the same life against the mindes of the false light of the good-thinking Knowledg is held forth and evidently declared unto him whereby he becometh then likewise humbled in all his mindes and thoughts and there is also made known unto him what maner of sinner and how d Matt. 15. unclean of heart he is without the upright beeing of the true light and life that proceedeth out of God and so in the Knowledg of his sins and of the upright Righteousness as also of the first entrance of the way to the land of the living he beginneth to perceive and to get a little e Prov. 4. wisdom of the holy Understanding where-through likewise he is the more ready to consent to pass over and to travell thorow the small way that leadeth to the life 3. This light now that is held forth before the traveller or wherewith he is met in the passing thorow the fear of God and the beginning of wisdom is called f Matth. 3. Luke 3 Act. 2. and 3. The grace of the lord in the confession of sins through which light the traveller is prepared to the true life of the upright Righteousness and washed with the water of Repentance to the knowledge of Salvation in the forgiveness and in the cleansing of his sins 4. With which and through which light and his foregoing service the traveller is g Gal. 3. led and proceedeth on even unto the good land of the upright living ones 5. And although now that this light in the foregoing of his service be lesser then the great day-light of the good land yet reacheth it notwithstanding to the great h Isa 60. Mal. 4. Apo. 22. day-light of the same land And moreover albeit that the least in the kingdom of the good land be greater of light then the same foregoing light i Mat. 11. Luk. 7. yet doth it for all that bring the traveller to the greatest and chiefest light in the kingdom of the good and peaceable land 6. But in travelling forward upon the way for to come to the good land of Peace so do the k Psal 34. Eccles 2. Act. 14. 2 Tim. 3. perils then first make manifest themselves Therefore must the traveller keep a diligent watch in the said grace of the Lord and in the obedience to the Requiring of the same foregoing service and so constantly follow after the requiring of the grace of the Lord l Eccl. 2. Heb. 13. and of the service of love according to the counsel m Prov. 1. and 2. and 3. and 4. and 5. of the wise or elders in the same for otherwise he becometh hindered and deceived upon the way by the sundry maner of temptations and conceited lights that do oftentimes meet with him to the leading away or seducing of him from the right way 7. Wherefore to the end now there should no man remain n Heb. 3.4 without the Rest of the Saints of God which dwell in this good City except it were then through his own unwillingness or good-thinking Knowledg so will we mark out both the perils of seducing and also the means unto preservation for that no man should err upon the way o Deut. 13 Ier. 28. nor be seduced or deceived by any false ends 8. The Lord vouchsafe to strengthen the courage of all hearts that desire to go into the life of peace and to give them wisdom that they in any wise through p Num. 14. Heb. 4. unbelief nor through any good-thinking wisdom become not hindered from entring into the godly life by the many maner of temptations that do chance unto them by the sundry false ends and so might happen to stay by the way 9. Therefore hear and understand when one now entereth into this gate named q Prov. 15. The fear of God and will travell forward toward the good land thorow the door named r Pro. 1.2.9 Eccle. 1. The beginning of wisdom in the light named The grace of the Lord in the confession of sins so shall he not then run on rashly without discretion according to his own good thinking or immagination nor yet unadvisedly without the counsell of the Å¿ Pro. 4. and 5. Eccle. 8. elders in the wisdom of the love and of the upright beeing of Jesus Christ for whenas the wisdom doth first begin in the traveller so is she at that time but small in him yet as young or growing on and he himself is yet also but young of understanding and small of comprehending in the godly wisdom 10. For that cause the traveller in the youngness of his understanding must in the beginning when the wisdom groweth first in him have his proceeding forward according to the counsel of his elder in the Family of Love who hath obediently performed the requiring of the gracious Word and his service and so is grown up therein unto the t Ephe. 4. old age of the godly understanding of the gracious Word of the Lord and well exercised in the passing over the way to the good life and land of the Living to the end that he may likewise to the overcoming of all foolishness and seducing that meeteth him attaine to the u Eccl. 6. and 8. 1 Cor. 13. old age of the manly wisdom without harm and so go into the good land of the upright Wise and Understanding ones 11. Now when the traveller passeth thorow this said gate and door and so beginneth to travel forward towards the good land then doth he finde in the way of his forth-going two kinde of wise ones or counsellers that do meete with him 12. The one of those wise ones presenteth himself before him out of the Family of Love to his preservation and he standeth on the right side of the way and his form is not very amiable nor pleasant according to the mindes of the flesh to behold nor yet his sayings and counsel to be obeyed because that he is contrary to all mindes and knowledges of the flesh x Rom. 7.8 or standeth minded against them notwithstanding if the traveller have no regard unto him neither doth daily receive any counsel of him unto obedience nor yet follow his counsel then shall he not come to the rest and he is named y Exod. 20. Deut. 5. The Law or Ordinance of the Lord whereunto also is joyned the safemaking doctrine and serviceable ministration of the holy and gracious Word under the obedience of the Love 13. And the same Law or Ordinance with the adjoyning doctrine and serviceable ministration doth z Gal. 3. and 4. sustain and keep with the counsel and instruction of the elders in the holy understanding of the gracious Word of the Lord and his service of Love the disciples of the Wisdom the whilest they are yet young and unexpert in the same that they may remain preserved and a Col. 1. 2 Pet. 3. growing up in the godly Wisdom may in the
e Psal 40. Heb. 10. the Lords will he obtaineth a good salvation of the peaceable life 4. And whosoever likewise hath not an hearty desire to the good life he also remaineth not constant in this way But whoso bideth constant til unto the f Matt. 10. and 14. end he shall be saved and rejoyce him in the everlasting life 5. Moreover in this land the travellers have not much sweetness of the herb of life wherewith they be g Exo. 16. fed in their hunger nor yet much satisfying of refreshing of the Fountain-waters h Exo. 17. Num. 20. wherewith they be refreshed in their thirst because that in the same land there is no perfect satisfying i Isa 41. of hunger and thirst to be found nor come by for the herb wherewith they be sustained to the Life and the Fountain-waters wherewith they be refreshed do k Eccl. 24. make them still the longer the more hungry and thirsty and as long as they are travelling in this land towards the good land of Peace they have stil hunger and thirst l Matth. 5. Luk. 6. after the righteousness but in the good land they become all satisfied 6. The herb wherewith the travellers be m 2 Cor. 3. Gal 3.4 sustained to the life is named The serviceable Word of the Lord and the Fountain-waters wherewith they be refreshed are named n Ier. 23. and 31. and 33. Luk. 22. 1 Cor. 11. The promises of Salvation in the new Testament of the blood of Jesus Christ CHAP. XI IN this land named Many maner of walkings there lie also fair hills that seem to be somewhat a Num. 33. Deut. 2. delightful of which the traveller must beware for it is nothing but Deceit Vanity and seducing 2. These hills are garnished with divers trees which do likewise bring forth vain and deceitfulâ— fruits 3. Now because of this garnishing of the trees and for the delectation of their vain fruits many travellers do suffer themselves to be seduced there-with b Num. 32. and do make their dwelling among them and so they remain without the good land of Life and of Rest 4. And seeing they are grown somewhat weary c Heb. 12. and grieved or somewhat d Num. 11.14 unbelieving or doubtful in the ministration of the Word therefore do they suffer themselves the more easily to be drawn away with the same for it hath a shew as if it were to their preservation and welfare or were some holiness 5 For that cause do the travellers also the more easely cleave unto it and so they leave the forsaking of themselves taking on e Exod. 16.17 Num. 11. their self seeking that is They take on their own f Rom 10. righteousness and made g Col. 2. holiness or their h Phil. 3. ease in the flesh They likewise leave the patience and become negligent towards the Law or Ordinance of the Lord following their i Gen. 3. self choosing wherewith they according to their own pleasures be drawn away by the deceit of the wisdom of the flesh 6. If they now bide not constant till unto the end of the travelling through k Num. 14. Psal 95. then remain they also without the good pleasant Land and do estrange themselves from the holy City of Peace and Rest 7. These hills are named l Prov. 3. Isa 5. Taken on wit or prudence Riches of the spirit m Rom. 1. 1 Tim. 1. Learned knowledg n 2 Tim. 3. Taken on freedom o Ezek. 13 22. Good-thinking prophecy Zeal after chosen holiness p Mat. 23. Col. 2 Counterfeit righteousness New invented humility q Luk. 18. Pride in ones own spiritualness Vnmindful of any better c. 8. The Trees that grow upon these hills are named r Judae 1. Coloured love Litteral wisdom greedy towards owns flattering-alluring s Cor 1. or 2. reproving of natural ones t Matth. 4. promises of vanity Å¿ 1 Tim. 4. exalting of his own private invention pleasure in chosen holiness u Mat. 23. Luk. 18. greatly esteeming his own working of private righteousness 9. These trees do bring forth altogether one maner of fruits which be all likewise called by one maner of name and the name of their fruits x Psa 57. Wisd 3. and 5. Eccle. 34. is Vain Comfort with which fruits the people that have left the forsaking of themselves and the Cross with the Meate-offering and Drink-offering and have not brought their Debt-offering to the Lord and that seek their Rest or make their dwelling among these deceitful hills do let themselves y Isa 29. be fed 10. If therefore the travellers have left the forsaking of themselves and the patience with the Meate-offering and Drink-offering as also the accomplishing of their Debt-offering or are growing doubtful in the belief z Heb. 10. so finde they then some refreshing among these hils through the shadow of the trees They get likewise some satisfying through the vain comfort and are also at the first somwhat glad therethrough also singing and crying out We have it we have it we are illuminated born anew and come to the rest and to the best of all II. But alas when the Sun ariseth somewhat high then do the fruits a Psal 34. Matth. 13. wither namely the vain comfort and when the Winter cometh then stand the trees barren and it is all b Iob 20. Wisd 5. deceit and seducing 12. Therefore there is no true Rest but in the good land of Eternity which is ful of all pure hearts and souls of the living CHAP. XII THe whilest then that the traveller doth travell toward this good land by the leading Star Belief and Hope so cometh he clean thâ—row all the deceit by means of the a Matt. 16. Forsaking of himself For that â—t is a good compass unto him which pointeth to the good land 2. And with the Patience he likewise b Heb. 10. and 11. and 12. overcometh all assaults for that is unto him a good blessing of the holy Cross and a good armour to the conquering c Ephe. 6. 2 Pet 4. of all his assaultings where through all his enemies d Iam. 4. slye from him and so he may pass by all what is destroying free without harm 3. For there are many Molesters and destroyers to be found in this land which do grievously vex the travellers and would also destroy e Luk. 21. 1 Pet. 5. let or hinder them that they should not come into the good land of Peace But they do all fear and tremble before the holy Cross 4. The molesters that do oftentimes meete the traveller for to hinder his passing forward and to bring him to destuction are named f 2 Pet. 3. trying of The Belief g Num. 14. Matth. 24. 2 Pet. 3. Doubt or distrustfulness to come to the good land tempting with a chosen
right door which we do shew then should the piece of Ordnance o Ephe. 6. The power of God be too mighty for him and the walls p 1 Pet. 3. The free minde of the true beeing should be much too high to clime over and the River q Mal. 4. The Righteous Judgment of God and the strong winde The Spirit of the Almighty God should overthrow r Isa 29. break and scatter him abroad and utterly drive him away from the knowledg of the right way that leadeth to the good City of Peace and Life 9. But all the lovers of this good City that love the Peace and the Simplicity of life in the Love with all their hearts and that seek and desire nothing else but the Å¿ Matt. 11. meekness faithfulness and truth in the Love and desire to be no t 1 Pet. 5. Lorders over the Riches of this City nor over any of all her garnishing of sumptuous beauty but servants in the same those do go into the City of Peace and Rest with the Equity thorow the right u Ioh. 10. door and do live x Apo. 20. eternally in the everlasting life in the Communialty of the Love of the lovely people CHAP. XXXII THis holy City named Gods vnderstanding which is very beautiful goodly and delectable hath for her beauty and riches sake many assaults But whosoever hath not a a Ioh. 7. desire with all his heart to perform the Lords Will and all b Mat. 3.8 Righteousness he shall not come therein 2. But although now that this good City be unknown c Isa 64. 1 Cor. 2. unto all strange or outlandish people yet is the same notwithstanding sought after d Isa 9. Luke 13. with great labour by many that are without her to the end to know and to receive her beauty and riches also much consulted of as likewise great counsel held thereon in divers maners and much learned e 2 Tim. 3. and studied after the same But if they do not enter into nor pass thorow this way that we do shew and that directeth thereunto f 4 Esd 7. Matt. 19. then shall they also never know the same nor her Riches of pure beauty much-less possess them 3. For the Consulting Studying and Learning let it come to pass with what incessant Diligence and careful travel that it will g 2 Cor. 1. and 2. 1 Tim. 3. is doubtless all in vain For there shal no man know nor receive or inherit either her riches or beauty but those that stand submitted under the Obedience of the Love as also that do learn of the Love and her Service the h Matt. 11. humility and meekness of heart and so do in that maner enter into the same thorow the right door even as children that are born i Ioh 3. 1 Pet. 1.2 anew out of the Love through her Service 4. Seeing then that the beauty of the form of this good City is not known to the people that are without her so is there likewise nothing at all of her wisdom understood by any of all those that are without her therefore her form of beauty and her unsearchable wisdom is known and understood k Wisd 9. only by those that do walk and pass thorow the way that leadeth unto her and so do enter into the same l Apo 21. City of Peace through the right door or gate who do at that time first understand how unsearchable and unpossible her wisdom is m Isa 6. Matt 11. and 13. for the outlandish people to comprehend or to understand for without this City there is no understanding wisdom nor knowledg of God or of the godly things no none at all 5. And all whatsoever any man without this City supposeth to know and to have of the godly things and all what is taught and taken on without this City or without the way that extendeth thereunto to the intent for to know and to inhent the godly things there through and after what Wisdom of God soever any one n 2 Tim. 3. studieth whereby to understand the same is altogether a o Isa 58. and 59. vain foolishness where-through also one may easily know the foolishness of the people 6. For if any people beeing yet without this good City of Peace or without her right way do esteem their learned knowledg for a wisdom so is then the same as likewise all their forraign learned wisdon or that which they learn without the Obedience of the Love of Jesus Christ no better worth then to be p Isa 5. Rom. 1. Iam. 3. laughed at and it is all a very great foolishness and hypocrisie 7. For verily the greatest folly that I have found among the people upon earth is that some are foolish and withall so arrogant that they q Rom. 1. account of themselves to know something and so they consult use subtilty and Art to know what or of what maner the r 1 Tim. 1. godly things may be and in this sort they will being without this good City of Peace and her Family of Love learn and take on Gods Wisdom through their own knowledg and through their manly understanding also judg his spiritual goods his heavenly riches and his holy truth which is hid from all Å¿ Isa 29. Col. 1. mans understanding and will set up the holiness of Jesus Christ according to their judgment 8. But seeing now that there are no Lands nor Cities to be found that are like unto this City nor yet any strength that can overcome her and that it is altogether ignorance t 1 Cor. 1. and foolishness whatsoever is without her also that all forraign or outlandish holiness arts and wisdom is nothing else but a taken on chusing a great mockery and a vain hypocrisie or an unprofitable foolishness therefore do these people that dwell in this City and likewise all those that become assembled among them and adjoyned unto them live cheerfully and well quieted in heart having all their comfort in that u Mat. 25. Iohn 10. and 17. life that continueth for ever and in the endless x Isa 35. and 51. and 61. joy that shall endure perpetually 9. Which people y Bar. 5. of the peaceable kingdom also do not seek any good without this City nor without her Communialty neither can they think that there should be z Ioh. 6. Apo. 22. any good to be found without the same and therefore they do never turn out from it 10. And although it were so that they might seek any good without it or that it were permitted them by licence so to do yet do they know for all that that they should not finde it without the same and also that Gods good beeing and nature of the Love can be with none that have not their fellowship with them a 1 Ioh. 1. inasmuch as that they all doubtless have their
spirituall holy City of Peace a 1 Reg. 8.10 have no heads nor Kings that are borne of the Flesh and and Blood of Sinne For their King or the Head of their Body is the eternall and most mighty King b 3 Reg. 8 2 Par. 2.6 who is so great and glorious that no creature c Esa 66. Act. 7. nor any house made by the work of mans hand no nor yet all the heavens of heaven can comprehend or containe d Psa 104. Jer. 25. him 2. This great glorious King is a e Esa 9. peaceable Prince in this good City and this King is named f Col 1. Goas-true being as his name is also mentioned g Supra 26. before bearing all things h Heb. 1. with the Word of his Power and clenseth his people from the sin through himself and is fore-seen and chosen to be an heire of all things for that it may all live unto him 3. To this noble King of the heavenly glory do they live and are obedient unto him not by compulsion but out of inclined love and out of a good i 1 Pet. 1. nature of their God like-fellow-members k 1 Cor. 12. of one body of the godly truth who doe show forth nothing else but love and peace according l Joh. 13.15 1 Joh. 4. to the disposition and nature of their King named Gods-true-being which Prince m Esa 9. shall raigne for evermore according to the promises 4. This King of peace and his peaceable Commonalty of Kingly people and this Land of Peace is named A Kingdom of Kings because they are every one Kings n 1 Pet. 2. Briests and Anoynted ones that dwell in this Land 5. And besides this one Kingdome of Kings there are no Kingdomes in the whole world that are rich of Kings but they are altogether poore of Kings and are all likewise bond-servants o Rom. 6. 2 Pet. 2. and captive slaves 6. And therefore also is this City of Peace only a Kingdome of Kings and they are all likewise free p Apo. 22. Kings and Lords that dwell therein The same City also with all what joyneth thereunto is an abundant rich land as likewise full of all Commodities that doe serve the people to the life and joy 7. This people of this same Land q Deut. 4. is also an understanding wise people For they have their inhabiting in Gods understanding and stand comprehended in the light of life r Joh. 17. being united in Gods true being 8. There is likewise no right understanding nor wisdome to be found in the whole world but only in this Land of Peace among this lovely people therefore is also this Land the best of all Lands and the people that dwell therein the most understanding and righteous people CHAP. XXXIX THis Land bringeth forth a fit herb for the food of the people and it is named a Deut. 8. Sap. 16. Mat. 4. John 6. Gods living Word by which food they doe live and rejoyce them in the good tast thereof and there is no other food taken by them for seeing they are heavenly and spirituall men so eat they likewise no other but the heavenly and spirituall food 2. In this Land there is also very good b Pro. 9. wine whereof the people of the Land doe drink and become exceeding merry therein and it is named The mind of God 3. There is likewise a c Apo. 22. living fountaine wherein the people of this City doe delight them and take their recreation and refreshing in the same the fouâ—tain is named A firme confidence in God 4. This people goeth also very gorgiously apparelled and the Garments are so very clear that one may behold the inward Members of their body naked and bare quite thorough them 5. Which apparell of the people and their garnishing or the Jewells of their beauty are named d Apo. 19. The justification of the Saints 6. To be short all manner of riches and all the Ornaments of God be found in this Land among e Esa 64. 1 Cor. 2. this lovely people the Members of the truth of God which peaceable people doth possesse the wealthy land of the godly understanding 7. In which plentifull Land there are no sundry chosen-out God-services nor severall Religions or Ceremonies used but the God-service that they doe use and with the which they are serviceable unto all men f Eph. 4. Col. to an unity of heart with them in all love is one only and true God-service which extendeth to the holy Spirit of love and to the everlasting life as also unto the holy City of Peace and of her peaceable people which God-service is well pleasing before God and to a salvation of men and it is named g Joh. 13. 1 John 3.4 The Service of Love with the administration of the spirituall and heavenly goods 8. Which service of love they do likewise h Rom. 12 15. Eph. 4. show forth on each other in peaceableness of heart and the same is their religion or God-service they know not also of any other Religion or God-service then of the service of love i Joh. 13.15 Col. 3. 1 Pet. 1. c. 3. 1 Joh. 3.4 and to love one another and so to keep themselves pure k Jam. 1. or unspotted of the world 9. Which pure God-service and most holy Religion and the ministration of the gracious word and service of love that tendeth thereunto is availeable before God and acceptable l unto him and not any other that be used without the same God-service of love CHAP. XL. THe people of this Land do in their God-service serve the most high God a Deut. 5.32 Psal 18. Esa 45. who is God only and they are subject to no other Gods nor Lawes nor Ceremonies but only to the Lord their God and to his most holy service of love 2. Also they are not subject to the creatures nor to any created thing as properly to belong thereunto but onely to the Creator b Gen. 1. Rom. 1. that hath made all creatures and created things 3. This God whom only they serve is a secret c Esa 45. God a God that dwelleth d Psal 2. 22. 115. in the heavens moveth above all heavens who likewise hath comprehended all in his hand whatsoever is 4. The same God is exceeding great glorious and miraculous and besides him there is no e Deut. 32. God more neither in heaven nor upon earth whose Name is knowne only in himselfe and in his 5. He is the f 1 Joh. 4. Love the g Joh. 14. Truth and the Spirit and the Spirit is the everlasting life in the truth and in the love 6. He is the true substance of all substances h Joh. 1. the true life of all lives the true light of all lights the true mind of all minds 7. He is the true power or
spirituall things according to the mind of their flesh and witnessed of them in the same manner also For that cause likewise the right a 1 Cor. 2 knowledge of the spiritual and heavenly understanding hath not in the cleernesse of the true b Sap. 5. light shined unto them 3. Forasmuch then as they were c Eph. 4. yet estranged from the true light of life and of love and stood not subjected under the love nor to the requiring of her service therefore have they also made up themselves so much the stouter against us and against our most holy Service of Love 4. But all that which is happened unto us by them and by all those that turne them away from us or which doth yet daily happen unto us as to slander or speak evill of us and reproachfully with many lies to defame and to persecute us with falshood have we for the love of Christ his sake indured at their hands d Mat. 5. Heb. 12. in all patience giving laud and thanks unto God with joy for that he hath accounted us worthy for to suffer e Act. 5. reproach slander and persecution for his love and truths sake to the end that our most holy Service of Love and the godly Doctrine of the same might in the proceeding on or continuance of our patience so much the more break thorow f 1 Cor. 4. 2 Cor. 6. or come to light unhindered and become generally knowne to be the true God-service that God requireth and that it might also be knowne that we are unguilty of the false bruits that be laid to our charge behind our backs and that we doe Minister the g 2 Cor. 6 Word of the Truth of God and Christ under the obedience of the Love to the peace and salvation of men 5. For verily this assured confidence have we in the Lord that although our Cause be oppressed or contemned by many for a certain time yet shall notwithstanding h Eccles 1. in his time the just or the right understanding ones commend our wisdome which God hath graciously given to us and laud God for the same 6. But truly those that do now charge contemne and with their venemous i Psal 14. Jer. 9. Rom. 3. Serpents tongues sharply reprehend or maliciously speak evill of us and persecute us have not spoken evill of and contemned us only but also k Mat. 10. Luk. 10. Acts 9. 2 Thes 4. God himselfe who is our true Master-builder of his house of Love and have judged his holy service of Love through the which we do testifie and publish abroad the upright righteousnesse before God and Men for a most detestable error and so with their false judgement have drawn away l Mat. 18. many wavering hearts from the same 7. But alas the which out of the good nature of the Love maketh us sorry for them the judgment and the condemnation wherewith they have judged and condemned us is come upon themselves m Mat. 7. Rom. 2. for with all their judgement over us they have not condemned us but themselves inasmuch as they are found guilty in that which they have judged over us CHAP. LIV. O My beloved hearts in the Love of Jesus Christ forasmuch now as we do consider all this to stand thus over our enemies and that it is become manifest unto us therefore let not their misunderstanding and their resistance against us be any offence unto us neither yet let us make up our selves against them a Rom. 12 1 Pet. 3. to requite evill but pray unto b Mat. 5. God for them that the Lord will give unto them and unto all erring or strayed hearts and unto all those which out of their ignorance and unskilfulnesse in the truth do slander and persecute us as likewise unto all those that have turned them away from us and our godly Doctrine c Eph. 1. eyes of true sight and hearts of upright understanding that they may see and know their error and turn them d Eze. 18. 33. penitently to the Love and her Service and so under the obedience of the love become amended touching all their errors and evill deeds and may through the Love and her Service be raised up e Esa 35. Heb. 12. againe from their fall or be set upright in the truth and godlinesse O yea that same with prayer unto our God is all our desire towards all our enemies to the end that they might every one turn them to the love of Jesus Christ receive the Doctrine and requiring of the Service of Love obediently and so under the obedience of the Love might live in the upright godlinesse of Jesus Christ 2. Wherefore ye deerly beloved for to avoid all perills of destruction so let not every man take upon him to be a f Mat. 22. Jam. 3. Teacher or a Minister of the Word much lesse a Judge of the Truth for therethrough bringeth he the more grievous g Rom. 2. judgement and condemnation over himself 3. For it is not every mans office to be a Teacher or Minister of the holy Word but only his that h Exod. 28 Num. 17. Heb. 5. like unto Aaron is raised up promoted or chosen thereunto by God and his Word whose rod or stock verily doth also even like unto Aarons rod wax green and blossom and beareth fruit and his likewise who in the first Schoole-rule of the Christian Doctrine of the Service of Love hath like a faithfull i Joh. 15. Acts 1. Disciple of the Word and lover of the true being of Jesus Christ received the Doctrine and Administration of the holy Word from the Elders in the Family of Love obediently with a simple heart and so is growne up under the obedience of the Love in the holy and godly understanding till unto the k Eph. 4. Col. 2. old age of the Man Christ and taught to the l Mat. 13. Kingdome of the God of heavens 4. Who doth then also as a meet Elder and Houshold Father in the Family of Love m Mat. 13. bring forth out of his Treasure both the new and the old in whom likewise Christ with his Spirit of Love hath his n Joh. 14. 17. dwelling and shape and also his being like unto a flowing or o John 7. springing fountaine of living waters 5. Which living waters do then likewise flow p John 7. from his body with the which the thirsty souls after the righteousnesse be refreshed and the Lords fields or tilled lands moistened or made wet to a fruitfulnesse for to bring forth good fruits which doe serve the life of man to q Apo. 22. all healthfulnesse 6. Behold such a one which with his understanding and thoughts is thus in all r 1 Pet. 1. obedience to the gracious Word and the requiring of his service of Love Å¿ Joh. 17. Eph. 3. 2 Pet. 1. incorporated to the
c Jer. 14. 23. 27. Rom. 10. sent by God nor yet by Christ for to preach as also that they desire not to minister their Office of Preaching according to the requiring of the Service of the love of Jesus Christ 2. Yea all Majesties Rulers Governors and Magistrates d Rom. 13. that are of God shall every one submit e Esa 2. them with us thereunder for the peaces Cause which God hath even so fore-seen through his love and likewise for to prepare the same peace upon the earth under the obedience of the Love of JESUS CHRIST 3. And what Majesty Rulers Governors and Magistrates soever will not bow themselves in that manner under the love of Jesus Christ nor stand submitted thereunder those same shall declare thereby that they have no desire nor will to Minister their Office f Sap. 6. of Government according to Gods Ordinance and according to the love of Jesus Christ. 4. Seeing then that the Government is Gods Ordinance and that also those g Sap. 6. Rom. 13. 1 Pet. 2. Governors which undertake the protection of the good and simple people and of all those that sin unadvisedly or ignorantly are Gods Ministers therefore shall likewise every Governor that ministreth his Office out of Gods Ordinance or is well inclined thereto with all his heart submit himselfe good willingly to to the love of God and Christ and to her Service for a testimony that they are Gods Ministers and have a desire to the peace upon earth and to be serviceable unto the children of men to that effect 5. And all common people that have minded the good life and the peace shall in like manner bow h Mich. 4. them under the Service of Love for to live such a life of peace under the obedience of the Love according to the godly testimonies of the Glasse of Righteousnesse 6. But whosoever shall refuse thus to do and so will not live peaceable under the love with us as likewise all those that turn them away from us and from our godly Doctrine of the same Service of Love those same shall be accounted for no people but for a i Job 21. Jer. 9. destroyed and lost heap who are neither profitable in the World nor yet before God For there is nothing upright nor true that excelleth k 1 Cor. 13 the love and her service 7. Therefore it is also every ones duty both before God and men to bow him under the love of his God and l Deut. 6. Mat. 22. to the love of his neighbour whereby to learne through the Love and her service to observe what is right and m Tob. 4. Phil. 4. equall to the end that the love might by that means be seen and knowne that she is the band of n Col. 3. perfection and the upright o Eph. 4. being it self whereon the Law p Mat. 22. and the Prophets do witnesse and whereunto the Services and Ceremonies have their Ministration 8. Which love is likewise published by the Apostles of Christ to be a q 1 Tim. 1 principall sum of the Commandement and of Faith and to be a stedfast God-service r 1 Cor. 13 which continueth for ever according to the Promises 9. Out of which our most holy Service of Love that is come unto us Å¿ 1 Cor. 3. by Gods grace we have according to the sight of the true life shewed forth the upright t Deut. 30. Eccl. 15. difference of the life and death in the glasse of righteousnesse in most large and ample manner 10. In the which one may sind and reap all fulnesse of Declarations or Instructions tending to the furtherance of the profitable knowledge both of all godly heavenly things and also of all manly and naturall things CHAP. L. FOrasmuch then as God hath out of his bountifull grace shined or given a 2 Cor. 4. into our hearts such a cleer light of the lovely being under the obedience of his love therefore do we likewise restifie of God and of the true light of his love and not of any creatures for that we might make manifest now in the last time unto all those that are good of will to the obedience of the love the heavenly b 1 Cor. 2. Eph. 3. Col. 1. mystery of the Christ of God to the end that the love in her service might be spread abroad and have her going forward to a serviceablenesse unto the life and that they might all inherit the life and the rest in the love namely those which love the good life and the rest c Esa 32. Heb. 4. that God hath promised unto his people and that labour diligently thereafter 2. And inasmuch now as our Service under the obedience of the Love whereby we do testifie of the spiritual heavenly goods in Jesus Christ to an unity d Joh. 17. Eph. 4. in the love tendeth thereunto therefore doth not the Love also permit us to cease in that matter but the inclination of her lovely being e 2 Cor. 5. driveth us continually forward to the same 3. Yea the heart and mind of our conscience cannot indure to keep f 1 Cor. 9. Col. 4. silence thereof lâ—st that we our selves inasmuch as such a grace is happened unto us might by our silence-keeping in this perillous time be any let or hinderance therein 4. Wherefore because now that the Love to the life might be furthered so do we shew forth our Service with curtesie g 2 Cor. 4. towards all consciences of men to the end to witnesse unto all people and with reasons and sentences to declare unto them according to the truth in what manner of life that they all ought to deal and to walk with each other and are likewise bound in duty to live faithfully in the same 5. Let them then believe it or let them not believe it let them do it or let them not do it we quiet our consciences before God and are h Act. 20. blamelesse of the destruction of all those that believe not nor yet will enter into the i Heb 3. 4. rest of life but do refuse k Pro. 1. the profered grace of the Love CHAP. LI. WHerefore because that the same now which is to come might appeare so do we not speak coveredly as in secret manner in privy places or corners a Mat. 10. but naked and apparent in the day 2. But if now our testimonies be covered unto any one or be witnessed or spoken in hidden or secret manner before any one then are they covered secret or b 2 Cor. 4. hidden before those that perish namely the decliners from those same and the unbelieving minds of the wicked world c Jam. 4. who are Gods enemies as also enemies of the love and of Christ which will not that d Luk. 19. God nor Christ not yet the Love should reign over them but are
e 2 Tim. 3. 2 Pet. 2.3 Jud. 1. stout and puffed up in mind as those that will reigne themselves according to their own advice or opinion seeking their selfnesse and not the Lords the which they do apparently shew by the deed because they will not stand submitted under the love nor her service neither yet do love the unity in the love and therefore likewise they understand not the f 2 Tim. 5. truth 3. Whose hearts are blinded with the g 2 Cor. 4 blindnesse of the wicked world and with the blindnesse h 1 Cor. 1.3 of her dissentions and chosen i Col. 1. holinesse for that they should not behold the light of the heavenly cleernesse in the love 4. For that cause also they cannot understand nor comprehend the service of Love which tendeth to the everlasting life nor the upright k Rom. 8. freedome to the blessing of the manly generation whereof we do witnesse 5. For that same is our service towards all those which love the good life and the peace namely for to declare and shew unto them under the obedience of the love and assured way to the life to the end that they might all now in this day of love have a free l 2 Pet. 1. passage to the good life through Faith for to live lovingly and peaceably in the same life m Joh. 1. 1 Joh. 1. which was likewise from the beginning and shall remain for ever and unto the which the manly generation is created and that â—t might go well and prosper with them perpetually 6. That same is the everlasting life that was n Mat. 28. Act. 2. published in times past unto the people as an Evangelie or good message for that they should be saved therein CHAP. LII BUt oh alas we have now in this perillous time very speciall cause to sigh and mourne grievously over the a Esa 6. 59. blindnesse of many people and to bewaile the same with great dolour of our hearts and that chiefly because there is now in this same day of love b 2 Mac. 2. and of the mercy of God so little knowledge of the good life of Peace and of love to be found among them and also for that the same knowledge is desired of so few and yet much lesse loved But they do almost every one delight to walk in strange c 4. Esd 5. Mat. 7. waies that stretch to contention and destruction by which occasion they live in many molestations and deadly afflictions every where 2. Therefore may we with wofulnesse and â—ighing hearts very jostly say that it is now a perillous d Amos 5. Mat. 24. 2 Tim. 3. time to be saved or to escape or remain over to preservation Oh what venemous winds do there blow to the desolation and destruction of men Yea it seemeth to be almost e Mat. 19. 24. unpossible for the man to come to his salvation or preservation in Christ or to the lovely life of peace 3. But yet is it easie and f Mat. 19. possible with the Lord namely for all those that seek him with all their g Deut. 4. Jer. 29. hearts and under the obedience of the Love do believe his Word of Truth whereof all false hearts have a lothsomnesse and it is unto them a secret h Mat. 13. 2 Cor. 4. or unknowne Treasure of wisdome 4. Oh! when we behold all the perills and snares which are now presently in the way as lets or hinderances against the good life of peace namely by the worldly foolishnesse pride and corruptiblenesse also by the many manner of seditions of the Scripture-learned i Mat. 6. 15. 23. Act. 7. and chosen holinesse and again by the sundry sorts of conceited opinions of men so doth our soule oftentimes suffer great sorrow and that even herefore because that all understanding of the flesh which is borne of the bloud of the flesh k Gen. 6. 4 Esd 3. and earthly being runneth on so ignorantly after the knowledge of the godly truth and over-reacheth it selfe so grossely in giving judgement in the testimonies of the spirituall things 5. For verily many of the opinionated or good-thinking wise ones and of the Scripture-learned sort have with their good-thinking understanding or arrogant wit of the flesh made up themselves for to judge there-through the truth of God which is brought to light by us and so have by the fleshly conceiving or mind of their l Act. 7. uncircumcised hearts and unilluminated understandings considered of or weighed our spirituall and heavenly testimonies of God and of the holy Spirit of the Love of Jesus Christ m Joh. 7. 8. according to the outward appearance and judged them after the same manner 6. Not only these our spiritual and heavenly testimonies of the spirituall land of Promise and of the spirituall Saints of God but they have also judged according n Joh. 7.8 to their earthly and fleshly minds other more spirituall and heavenly testimonies of God which are gone out from the holy Spirit of the love of God and Christ and that are set forth or published by us and which have their ministration unto spirit and unto inward spirituall things or doe extend thereunto and have not rightly understood our Ministration which guideth to the spirituall and heavenly even like as the same is happened unto us by some and become manifest before our eyes but chiefly by the principall ones in the Scripture-learnednesse and likewise by those which did advance and give forth themselves to be o 1 Tim. 1. Treachers and that seemed to be the most prudent and expert ones in the services and also how resistingly many false hearts have made up themselves with their earthly and fleshly minds against the truth of the spirituall and heavenly testimonies of God and his Promises and against the holy Spirit of Jesus Christ and of the mercifull love of God the Father p Heb. 10. 2 Pet. 2. Jud. 1. as blasphemers of their most holy goods and likewise against us who do witnesse and publish forth Gods Word his everlasting truth out of those same spirituall and heavenly goods for to defame and persecute us with much q Mat. 5. lying and falshood CHAP. LIII BUt although many of them have grossely over-reached themselves therein yet have some notwithstanding according to the imagination of their knowledge run on or laboured for the spirituall things for that they would understand them also many have according to their understanding of the flesh testified of them 2. But seeing they have not sought their knowledge of the spirituall things in the obedience of the Christian doctrine of the Service of Love but in their knowledge of the flesh and so have taken on their understanding of the knowledges of the spirituall things out of the imagination of their owne knowledge therefore have they likewise understood those same