strength i Job 9. of all powers or strengths the true understanding of all understandings the true righteousnesse of all righteousnesse 8. He is the true k Mal. 1. Eph. 3. Father of all Fathers the Lord of all Lords l 1 Tim. 6 the King of all Kings 9. He is the true begetter of all Generations For he it is which m Esa 45. 66. John 1. begetteth all that whatsoever is born of the truth out of the truth and through the truth out of whom also all what is any thing is be gotten for he himself begetteth his children out of himself 10. He is n 1 Cor. 8.15 Heb. 1. all in all who likewise hath comprehended all in himself 11. He is the true o 1 Joh. 4. love of all lovelinesse the upright p Joh. 14. truth of all truth 12. He is the true q Mat. 11. meeknesse of all meek ones the true r Joel 2 Jona 4. mercy of all mercifull ones 13. He is also the true nature of all naturalnesse 14. To conclude He is all what his people is unto whom he is a Paradise full of joy and a Å¿ 4. Esd 2. Apo. 2.22 tree of life or a living Tree full of all sweetnesse and fruits of everlasting life 15. He it is that was t Mich. 5. Heb 13. everlasting from the beginning He it is that is now presently he it is that shall remain for ever 16. He is the everlasting unbroken the everlasting undevidable the everlasting perfect good 17. This living God is their only God for he only is God and none els u Deut. 32 Esa 45. and besides him there is no God more as is already said this God do they love x Deut. 6. 10. Mat. 22. with all their hearts minds and thoughts 18. Seeing then that they are borne and brought forth out of him so is likewise all their life sence and mind only in him y Joh. 17. and God himself in like manner is in them with his mind life or Spirit and so they are one being with each other namely God and z Jer. 31. Ezek. 37. his people of peace 19. And the same the living Godhead with the Manhood is the only true being or substance in this peaceable Land of rest and peace 20. The same is also the a 1 Cor. 13 perfect of all perfection which shall continue for ever to the which state God hath created the manly generation b Gen. 1. 4 Esd 6.7 for to make them heirs therein and called or bidden them thereunto by Jesus Christ 21. The same perfection are likewise Gods promises c Gen. 12. 17.22 to the blessing of all generations of the earth and out of the same perfection is the true service of love ministred to a godly life in the last time 22. And wheresoever now the same cometh in the Spirit and maketh it selfe known essentially there doe all d 1 Cor. 13 peece-works divisions and dissentious cease and the love getteth there the victory and remaineth there for ever never breaking nor decaying any more CHAP. XLI WHosoever now forsaketh all the desolate lands and people as is before said also hath his respect diligently bent upon the a Mat. 2. leading star in the East and walketh on rightly according to the compasse as likewise forsaketh not the Crosse and so cometh to the submission by him shall be found the equity with the which he entteth into Gods b 2. Pet. 1. Apo. 22. nature and so he cometh into this good Citie full of all riches of life and joy 2. By which means he hath a free entrance into this holy City of Peace named Gods-understanding for to become one only c Rom. 12. Eph. 4.5 body with all the Saints of the heavenly company the which are the peaceable children of love in the Land of the living 3. He now therefore that is in this manner come thereunto essentially may as then in the love and in the unity of peace go out d John 10. and in without harme and may walk thorough all Lands Places and Cities bring unto all lovers of the good Land that are seeking the same good e Esa 33.52 Rom. 10. tydings give them good incouragement as to respect all the enemies like f Job 21. Esa 5.7 chaffe and as nothing show them the next way for to go into g Esa 30. the life and so lead them with him into the good Land and assemble h Jer. 3. them to the holy and peaceable people of the Lord to an unitie of heart with them in all love for that same is the concordable service of love to the life ministred by the i Eccl. 6.8 Heb. 13. Elders in the Family of the Love of Jesus Christ and whosoever turneth himself there-from and is not obedient to his requiring he doth severely erre and turneth him away from his Salvation 4. The next way therefore to go into the foresaid life is this That one doe forsake k Mat. 16. Mar. 8. Luk. 9.14 all what he hath taken on and not any more to take on nor desire any thing and so through the service of love to enter into the simple life wherein all faithfulnesse and truth is found and no slandering nor stumbling l 1 Cor. 13 or offensivenesse nor any blameing of others that do labour after righteousnesse and concord and are minded to the peace of Jesus Christ 5. For the simple life is the equity of the nature of God and by the same one goeth into the holy Citie of rest and peace 6. Whosoever now is even thus as is said under the obedience of the love become uniform with the children m Bar. 5. of the Kingdome and that his Spirit Word or Speech doth flow out of and into the same secret Kingdome even like unto a n 4 Esd 3. living breath of God that floweth out from God and into him again Hee verily is become a fellow-elder in Gods holy and godly understanding with the Elders in the Family of Love and can very well walke in freedome among all people and also remaine still very free united with the peaceable ones in the City of peace and can live in the upright o Eph. 1.4 righteousnesse 7. For the k knowledge separateth nor hurteth not him p Gen. 2. 8. The Devill q Mat. 4. Joh. 12. overcometh not him 9. The sin r Rom. 6. or the evill delighteth not him 10. He feareth not the death Å¿ Oze 13. not him 11. The Serpents deceit nor her poison s Mar. 16. cannot kill him for he hath eaten of the Wood of Life t Apo. 2. which standeth in the middest of the godly Paradise and liveth eternally not fearing any burden of condemnation for that cause also the hell cannot condemne him 12. Nor the accuser v Apo. 12. accuseth not him 13. The foolishnesse
e 2 Tim. 3. 2 Pet. 2.3 Jud. 1. stout and puffed up in mind as those that will reigne themselves according to their own advice or opinion seeking their selfnesse and not the Lords the which they do apparently shew by the deed because they will not stand submitted under the love nor her service neither yet do love the unity in the love and therefore likewise they understand not the f 2 Tim. 5. truth 3. Whose hearts are blinded with the g 2 Cor. 4 blindnesse of the wicked world and with the blindnesse h 1 Cor. 1.3 of her dissentions and chosen i Col. 1. holinesse for that they should not behold the light of the heavenly cleernesse in the love 4. For that cause also they cannot understand nor comprehend the service of Love which tendeth to the everlasting life nor the upright k Rom. 8. freedome to the blessing of the manly generation whereof we do witnesse 5. For that same is our service towards all those which love the good life and the peace namely for to declare and shew unto them under the obedience of the love and assured way to the life to the end that they might all now in this day of love have a free l 2 Pet. 1. passage to the good life through Faith for to live lovingly and peaceably in the same life m Joh. 1. 1 Joh. 1. which was likewise from the beginning and shall remain for ever and unto the which the manly generation is created and that â—t might go well and prosper with them perpetually 6. That same is the everlasting life that was n Mat. 28. Act. 2. published in times past unto the people as an Evangelie or good message for that they should be saved therein CHAP. LII BUt oh alas we have now in this perillous time very speciall cause to sigh and mourne grievously over the a Esa 6. 59. blindnesse of many people and to bewaile the same with great dolour of our hearts and that chiefly because there is now in this same day of love b 2 Mac. 2. and of the mercy of God so little knowledge of the good life of Peace and of love to be found among them and also for that the same knowledge is desired of so few and yet much lesse loved But they do almost every one delight to walk in strange c 4. Esd 5. Mat. 7. waies that stretch to contention and destruction by which occasion they live in many molestations and deadly afflictions every where 2. Therefore may we with wofulnesse and â—ighing hearts very jostly say that it is now a perillous d Amos 5. Mat. 24. 2 Tim. 3. time to be saved or to escape or remain over to preservation Oh what venemous winds do there blow to the desolation and destruction of men Yea it seemeth to be almost e Mat. 19. 24. unpossible for the man to come to his salvation or preservation in Christ or to the lovely life of peace 3. But yet is it easie and f Mat. 19. possible with the Lord namely for all those that seek him with all their g Deut. 4. Jer. 29. hearts and under the obedience of the Love do believe his Word of Truth whereof all false hearts have a lothsomnesse and it is unto them a secret h Mat. 13. 2 Cor. 4. or unknowne Treasure of wisdome 4. Oh! when we behold all the perills and snares which are now presently in the way as lets or hinderances against the good life of peace namely by the worldly foolishnesse pride and corruptiblenesse also by the many manner of seditions of the Scripture-learned i Mat. 6. 15. 23. Act. 7. and chosen holinesse and again by the sundry sorts of conceited opinions of men so doth our soule oftentimes suffer great sorrow and that even herefore because that all understanding of the flesh which is borne of the bloud of the flesh k Gen. 6. 4 Esd 3. and earthly being runneth on so ignorantly after the knowledge of the godly truth and over-reacheth it selfe so grossely in giving judgement in the testimonies of the spirituall things 5. For verily many of the opinionated or good-thinking wise ones and of the Scripture-learned sort have with their good-thinking understanding or arrogant wit of the flesh made up themselves for to judge there-through the truth of God which is brought to light by us and so have by the fleshly conceiving or mind of their l Act. 7. uncircumcised hearts and unilluminated understandings considered of or weighed our spirituall and heavenly testimonies of God and of the holy Spirit of the Love of Jesus Christ m Joh. 7. 8. according to the outward appearance and judged them after the same manner 6. Not only these our spiritual and heavenly testimonies of the spirituall land of Promise and of the spirituall Saints of God but they have also judged according n Joh. 7.8 to their earthly and fleshly minds other more spirituall and heavenly testimonies of God which are gone out from the holy Spirit of the love of God and Christ and that are set forth or published by us and which have their ministration unto spirit and unto inward spirituall things or doe extend thereunto and have not rightly understood our Ministration which guideth to the spirituall and heavenly even like as the same is happened unto us by some and become manifest before our eyes but chiefly by the principall ones in the Scripture-learnednesse and likewise by those which did advance and give forth themselves to be o 1 Tim. 1. Treachers and that seemed to be the most prudent and expert ones in the services and also how resistingly many false hearts have made up themselves with their earthly and fleshly minds against the truth of the spirituall and heavenly testimonies of God and his Promises and against the holy Spirit of Jesus Christ and of the mercifull love of God the Father p Heb. 10. 2 Pet. 2. Jud. 1. as blasphemers of their most holy goods and likewise against us who do witnesse and publish forth Gods Word his everlasting truth out of those same spirituall and heavenly goods for to defame and persecute us with much q Mat. 5. lying and falshood CHAP. LIII BUt although many of them have grossely over-reached themselves therein yet have some notwithstanding according to the imagination of their knowledge run on or laboured for the spirituall things for that they would understand them also many have according to their understanding of the flesh testified of them 2. But seeing they have not sought their knowledge of the spirituall things in the obedience of the Christian doctrine of the Service of Love but in their knowledge of the flesh and so have taken on their understanding of the knowledges of the spirituall things out of the imagination of their owne knowledge therefore have they likewise understood those same
spirituall things according to the mind of their flesh and witnessed of them in the same manner also For that cause likewise the right a 1 Cor. 2 knowledge of the spiritual and heavenly understanding hath not in the cleernesse of the true b Sap. 5. light shined unto them 3. Forasmuch then as they were c Eph. 4. yet estranged from the true light of life and of love and stood not subjected under the love nor to the requiring of her service therefore have they also made up themselves so much the stouter against us and against our most holy Service of Love 4. But all that which is happened unto us by them and by all those that turne them away from us or which doth yet daily happen unto us as to slander or speak evill of us and reproachfully with many lies to defame and to persecute us with falshood have we for the love of Christ his sake indured at their hands d Mat. 5. Heb. 12. in all patience giving laud and thanks unto God with joy for that he hath accounted us worthy for to suffer e Act. 5. reproach slander and persecution for his love and truths sake to the end that our most holy Service of Love and the godly Doctrine of the same might in the proceeding on or continuance of our patience so much the more break thorow f 1 Cor. 4. 2 Cor. 6. or come to light unhindered and become generally knowne to be the true God-service that God requireth and that it might also be knowne that we are unguilty of the false bruits that be laid to our charge behind our backs and that we doe Minister the g 2 Cor. 6 Word of the Truth of God and Christ under the obedience of the Love to the peace and salvation of men 5. For verily this assured confidence have we in the Lord that although our Cause be oppressed or contemned by many for a certain time yet shall notwithstanding h Eccles 1. in his time the just or the right understanding ones commend our wisdome which God hath graciously given to us and laud God for the same 6. But truly those that do now charge contemne and with their venemous i Psal 14. Jer. 9. Rom. 3. Serpents tongues sharply reprehend or maliciously speak evill of us and persecute us have not spoken evill of and contemned us only but also k Mat. 10. Luk. 10. Acts 9. 2 Thes 4. God himselfe who is our true Master-builder of his house of Love and have judged his holy service of Love through the which we do testifie and publish abroad the upright righteousnesse before God and Men for a most detestable error and so with their false judgement have drawn away l Mat. 18. many wavering hearts from the same 7. But alas the which out of the good nature of the Love maketh us sorry for them the judgment and the condemnation wherewith they have judged and condemned us is come upon themselves m Mat. 7. Rom. 2. for with all their judgement over us they have not condemned us but themselves inasmuch as they are found guilty in that which they have judged over us CHAP. LIV. O My beloved hearts in the Love of Jesus Christ forasmuch now as we do consider all this to stand thus over our enemies and that it is become manifest unto us therefore let not their misunderstanding and their resistance against us be any offence unto us neither yet let us make up our selves against them a Rom. 12 1 Pet. 3. to requite evill but pray unto b Mat. 5. God for them that the Lord will give unto them and unto all erring or strayed hearts and unto all those which out of their ignorance and unskilfulnesse in the truth do slander and persecute us as likewise unto all those that have turned them away from us and our godly Doctrine c Eph. 1. eyes of true sight and hearts of upright understanding that they may see and know their error and turn them d Eze. 18. 33. penitently to the Love and her Service and so under the obedience of the love become amended touching all their errors and evill deeds and may through the Love and her Service be raised up e Esa 35. Heb. 12. againe from their fall or be set upright in the truth and godlinesse O yea that same with prayer unto our God is all our desire towards all our enemies to the end that they might every one turn them to the love of Jesus Christ receive the Doctrine and requiring of the Service of Love obediently and so under the obedience of the Love might live in the upright godlinesse of Jesus Christ 2. Wherefore ye deerly beloved for to avoid all perills of destruction so let not every man take upon him to be a f Mat. 22. Jam. 3. Teacher or a Minister of the Word much lesse a Judge of the Truth for therethrough bringeth he the more grievous g Rom. 2. judgement and condemnation over himself 3. For it is not every mans office to be a Teacher or Minister of the holy Word but only his that h Exod. 28 Num. 17. Heb. 5. like unto Aaron is raised up promoted or chosen thereunto by God and his Word whose rod or stock verily doth also even like unto Aarons rod wax green and blossom and beareth fruit and his likewise who in the first Schoole-rule of the Christian Doctrine of the Service of Love hath like a faithfull i Joh. 15. Acts 1. Disciple of the Word and lover of the true being of Jesus Christ received the Doctrine and Administration of the holy Word from the Elders in the Family of Love obediently with a simple heart and so is growne up under the obedience of the Love in the holy and godly understanding till unto the k Eph. 4. Col. 2. old age of the Man Christ and taught to the l Mat. 13. Kingdome of the God of heavens 4. Who doth then also as a meet Elder and Houshold Father in the Family of Love m Mat. 13. bring forth out of his Treasure both the new and the old in whom likewise Christ with his Spirit of Love hath his n Joh. 14. 17. dwelling and shape and also his being like unto a flowing or o John 7. springing fountaine of living waters 5. Which living waters do then likewise flow p John 7. from his body with the which the thirsty souls after the righteousnesse be refreshed and the Lords fields or tilled lands moistened or made wet to a fruitfulnesse for to bring forth good fruits which doe serve the life of man to q Apo. 22. all healthfulnesse 6. Behold such a one which with his understanding and thoughts is thus in all r 1 Pet. 1. obedience to the gracious Word and the requiring of his service of Love Å¿ Joh. 17. Eph. 3. 2 Pet. 1. incorporated to the
Sprit of God and Life of Christ and knoweth t Joh. 8 the truth in that manner he verily hath rightly continued stedfast in the Doctrine of Christ and is meet likewise to minister u Joh. 15. Acts 1. the holy Word of Truth and to be a Teacher of the people and not those which doe yet carry the x 2 Cor. 3 fore-skin before their hearts nor yet those which are still earthly y Gal 1. and fleshly minded and so turning themselves away from us and running forth of themselves do sow nothing else but pernicious seed among the people CHAP. LV. WHerefore it is in like manner found true that the fleshly-minded ones which sow upon the flesh or which build upon the fore-skin of their uncircumcised hearts doe mow a Gal. 6. the corruption and inherite the destruction 2. But those that are b Ier. 4. Col. 2. circumcised on their hearts in the laying away of the fore-skin of the sinfull flesh and in the obeying of the requiring of our most holy Service of Love are become spiritually minded and so then out of the upright being of the love of Jesus Christ do sow upon the Spirit c Gal 6. or build upon the spirituall which is the true being it selfe those same do receive or reap the fruits of blessing d 2 Esd 2. in the everlasting immmortality which do not perish e Joh. 15. but continue for ever in the eternall life 3. For all flesh although it doe also speak of spirituall and heavenly things through his knowledge yet is it doubtlesse nothing else but like f Esa 40. 1 Pet. 1. Jam. 1. the grasse of the field and all his garnishing of beauty and holinesse is also like unto the flowers of the field behold the grasse drieth away and the beauty of the flowers of the field withereth or decayeth 4. But the spirituall good the power of God and his g Sap. 1. 7. Heb. 1. living being wherein all what is of God standeth firme and floweth thereout remaineth stedfast h 1 Pet. 1. unchangeable for ever and in the same or through the manifestation of the same being the Kingdome of the God of heavens cometh i Luk. 17. inwardly in us and that is the k Joh. 1.17 true light of the everlasting life 5. Whose naked cleernesse although the same be nothing else but light and life is l Esa 29. Mat. 11. 13. 2 Cor. 4. hidden shut and covered from all understandings and wisdomes of the flesh and from all those that are minded on the flesh or that build thereon 6. But it is manifest and shineth bright to the circumcised of heart and to the upright spirituall-minded ones m 1 Cor. 2 in a spirituall heavenly understanding and the same cleernesse is the n 1 Joh. 1. being of God from heaven the upright o Eph. 4. righteousnesse and holinesse and the life p Joh. 17. of God in eternity 7. Wherefore ye deerly beloved seeing that the q Apo. 3. doore of life is now by Gods grace opened unto us the r Mat. 3. Kingdome of the God of heavens and the heavenly Jerusalem Å¿ Esa 60. Apo. 21. or City of Peace descended downe to us and come neerby therefore let us take good heed unto such a time of the godly t 2 Cor. 6. Heb. 12. grace and not neglect despise or contemne the same but as goodwilling children of Faith take speciall heed unto it and so in the v Mat. 3. Acts 2. 3. doing of upright fruits of repentance enter u Hâ—b 4. 10. into the same according to the Spirit and live therein 8. But not according to the thinking-good or imagination of our own hearts nor according to the mind of the earthly wisdome wherethorow many have estranged x Eph. 4. them from the truth of life but according to the mind and requiring of the Service of Love and of the Spirit of the heavenly y Sap. 1.7 Jam. 3. wisdome which extendeth to the land of the living and City of Peace 9. For if we will contiue safely kept from all sâ—ducing and destruction and enter rightly z Heb. 4. into the rest according to the promises of God the Father then must we submit our selves a 1 Reg. 15 1 Pâ—t 1. obediently under the gracious Word of the Lord and the godly Doctrine of his Service of Love and so in the Spirit enter into the foresaid rich City of peace Gods secret understanding thorow the nature of God and tast therein the spirituall heavenly things and all life and sweetnesse for even there in the same one is come to the b Rom. 8. Col. 1. rest of all the Saints and Children of God and there one eateth of the wood of life that standeth in the c Gen. 2. Apo. 2.22 middest of Paradise and liveth for evermore 10. Which Paradise and place of rest is shut d Gen. 3. and hidden before the old man of errour and it shall likewise continue hidden for ever before all those which according the nature of Adam are falling away e Esa 59. from the holy Commandement of God and Christ and so are erring from the truth of Jesus Christ and his Church for those same are they that carry the right Aprons f Gen. 3. 2 Cor. 3. or coverings before their hearts which Adam hath made him which aprons or coverings of Adam is the hiding of the transgressions or of the sins 11. Therfore can no man see g John 3. the Kingdom of God except the aprons the taking on of Adam be put off from his heart that is that he do make manifest himselfe h Pro. 28. Eccl. 4.17 uncoveredly in his sins of disobedience towards God and do forsake i Rom. 13. 1 Pet. 2. Heb. 12. or lay away the same in the obedience to the gracious Word of God and to the Service of his Love and that he even so becometh borne anew k Joh. 3. in the Spirit and is become plaine l Job 1. Mat. 18. 1 Cor. 14. and just and simple like unto a new-born Babe and doth grow up therein obediently taking nothing upon him any more nor yet hiding himself any thing at al before the face of God nor before the Ministers of his gracious Word 12. For whosoever doth not thus simply receive the Kingdome of God m Mat. 10. Luk 8. as a child he also shall not enter into it but must remain n Tess 1. separated from such a clearnesse of the godly light for ever and not tast o Mat. 22. or know any of the godly heavenly goods much lâ—sse inherite them CHAP. LVI BEhold because now that the craftinesse of the old man is counted by the man therefore doth likewise the noble a Gen. 3. rest the Paradise of the Lord and the Kingdom of the God of heavens as also his
TERRA PACIS A TRUE TESTIFICATION OF The Spiritual Land of Peace which is the Spiritual Land of Promise and the holy City of Peace or the heavenly Jerusalem and of the holy and spiritual People that dwell therein as also of the walking in the Spirit which leadeth thereunto Set forth by H.N. and by him newly per used and more plainly declared Translated out of Base-Almaine Depart out of thy land and from thy Kindred and out of thy Fathers house and travell into a land that I will shew thee Gen. 12 Act 7. I will lead thee on the â—â—ght path that the course when thou goest be not painful unto thee and that thou stumble not when thou runnest Take â—he information to heart leave it not keep it for it is thy life Go not in the path of the ungodly and walk not in the way of thâ— wicked leave the same and go not therein depart therefrom and pass by it Prov. 4. London Printed for Samuel Satterthwaite at the sign of the Sun on Garlick Hill 1649. THE PREFACE of H. N. To the Spiritual Land of PEACE H.N. Wisheth to the good-willing Reader and unto all Lovers of the Truth which read or hear these present Testimonies of the Land of Peace that they might be prepared to be an upright people for the Lord and taught to the kingdom of heavens and also to have obtained in their spirit and minde â—â—n the obedience of the Love the simple eyes of the true Sight the spiritual ears of the godly Hearing and he second birth in Jesus Christ whereby they might understand in spiritual maner the holy and spiritual understanding that is witnessed therein to the end that the same which becometh seen and heard migh be rightly judged according to the Spirit of the heavenly Truth also the waye that leadâ—â—â— to the Life entered into a â—â—ght and so the true Life of the Living and the pleasant Lands of Peace become inherited rightly and according to the Truth O yea that it come to pass even so IN these true Testimonies of the worthy Land of Peace O ye good willing Hearts which love the Truth there is out of an inclination of Love witnessed and described unto you by Writing the many maner of weldernessed Lands together with the sundry kindes of Travel and Vnrestfulness of the disorderly people of the wicked world and the a Isa 54. Apo. 18. departure out of the same as also then immediatly following the entrance into the spiritual Land of Promise b Isa 32. Heb. 4. Apo. 21. the Rest of all the children of God to the end that every one which loveth the Rest of the Lord in Jesus Christ might forsake the said wildernessed lands and so according to this our direction enter into the noble commodious Land and into the holy c Isa 60. City of Peace 2. Therein is likewise evidently declared unto you with clear manifestation the holy people of the same Land and how lovingly peaceably and uprightly they live in that same good Land 3. Into the Which good Land of Rest and Peace d Isa 13. and 54.55 Ier. 3 and 17. and 23. and 31. and 33.50 Ezech. 20. the Lord will now in the last time under the obedâ—ence of the Love according to his Promises assemble 〈◊〉 people or his Elect and be gracious unto them and so will through the service of his Love e Isa 65. and 66. Ezech. 34. and 37. 2 Mach. 2. bring them into the same out of all Wildernessed Lands and separate them from all disorderly and seditious people 4. O ye children of the Kingdom consider of the minde and the lovers of the Truth humble you now every one under the obedience of the Love and f Ioh. 13. and 15. 1 Iohn 3. and 4. have or exercise love among each other to the end that ye may remain unoffended also g Ioh. 8. 2 Ioh. 1. know the Truth in the Spirit through the Love and live in all Truth and upright righteousness 5. For I will open my mouth h Psal 49.78 Matth. 13. in similitudes reveal and witness the riches of the spiritual heavenly goods as parables and figure forth in writing the mystery of the Kingdom of God or Christ according to the true beeing 6. He that hath ears to hear let him hear and who so hath eyes to mark let him mark what the Spirit of Love saith and bringeth to light by his Minister 7. I looked and behold to the children of the Kingdom the Family of the Love of Jesus Christ it is given to understand i Matt. 11. and 13. Luke 8. and 10. the mystery of the heavenly Kingdom but to those that are therewithout it is not given to understand the same for that cause all spiritual Vnderstandings do chance unto them by Similitudes Figures and Parables 8. Verily the strange people together with all those that have their forth-going without the Family of Love are k Deut. 32. Sap. 2. and 5. Psal 14. ignorant and all the enemies to our godly Testimonies of the gracious Word of the Lord and of our most holy Service of Love are l Gal. 3. resisters of the Truth of God For that cause also they have heard very painfully with their ears and m Isa 6. Matth. 13. Act. 7. and 28. hardned their hearts against the Truth They have likewise wholly shut to the sight of n Ier. 5. and 7. and 16. their eyes before the Truth to the end they would not see the same nor her Requiring and altogether stopped the hearing of their ears before the calling-voyce of the Truth for that they would not hear the same nor the Requiring thereof because they would in no wise understand in their hearts the Truth and her Requiring as also for that they would not turn them to the Truth and her Requiring neither shew forth any upright Fruits of Repentance o Ioh. 5. nor yet come to the godly life and have even so in the hardness of their hearts turned them about to the condemnation 9. For that cause likewise their portion or inheritance is not with the children of the Kingdom in the Family of Love p Psal 1. Wis 2. and 5. but with the children of the wicked world whose q Iohn 8. father and head is the devil himself 10. Seeing then that they through their resisting against the Love and the requiring of her service are become children of r Rom. 9. Ephe. 2. wrath and through the seed of the old Serpent are grown disobeyers of the Requiring of the Word of Jesus Christ and of the Doctrine of his Service of Love as also a Å¿ Deut. 27. and 28. Eccl. 41. cursed people even to be coheirs of the everlasting fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels therefore verily they understand nothing at all of the wisdom of God the Father nor yet of the upright beeing of Jesus Christ the Son
of God and man 11. Therefore cometh now likewise the u Ezec. 7. end and Gods mighty hand upon the ungodly which have had no will to Gods Love x Rom. 2. 2 Thess 2. nor liked that the Love should râ—ign over them But Gods mercy cometh over his Elect which sigh and pray night and day unto him y Luke 18. and have an hunger and thirst z Matth. 5. after the Righteousness 12. For truly the gracious time cometh and is now already come wherein the blessed people of the Lord shall a Isa 60.61 and 65. and 66. Eccl. 2. delight recreated and rejoyce them 13. In which this gracious time there shall nothing be figurely or Image like nor yet also the Testimonies of the Truth of God b Matt. 13. Luke 8. any Parables or Similitudes to the children of the Kingdom for through Gods heavenly Truth the Light of Life-from Heaven all whatsoever is of God and Truth becometh now published unto them c Ioh. 16. openly nakedly or clearly from the right hand of God the Father and they are made heirs therein under the obedience of the Love 14. Yea the holy Spirit of Love which is a comforter of the heart whom the Father sendeth in the name of the Truth the Beeing of Christ he d Ioh 14. and 15. and 16. teacheth and declareth all things unto them namely all what was spoken unto them in times past concerning the Truth as Parables or Similitudes for in times past the whilest the covering which is the foreskin of the flesh of sin was yet before their hearts and the Vail which is the flesh of Christ still before the clearness of the fare of God and Christ they could not g Ioh. 16. endure that which is the clearness of the holy Ghost it self 15. But when as now in their new birth the Vailâ— departeth from their hearts so is it all thâ—n Light and life unto them through the holy Spirit of Love h 2 Cor. 3. and 4. Col. 2. which cometh unto them out of the Father i Ephe 5. from the uncovered face of Christ as also k Iohn 14. and 16. remaineth with them everlastingly and leadeth them into all Truth It is very true 16. Come now all hither O ye peaceable children together with all ye which love the Truth and Peace and have your Forth-going in the Spirit l Rom 6.8 Phil. 3. to the life of the new birth in Jesus Christ according to the Requiring of the Word of the Lord and his service of Love 17. Fly now m Zach. 2. out of the North and out of all wildernessed Lands Rest not your selves among the strange people nor among any of the enemies to the house and service of Love but assemble you with us into n Isa 60. Zach 8. Apo. 21. the holy City of Peace the new Jerusalem which is descended from heaven and prepared by God like a garnished Bride for her Husband 18. O Jerusalem thou holy City of the great King o Isa 60. the Light of thy God of Israel doth now rise up over thee according to the Promises 19. Therefore p Isa 51. and 52. and 60. Baruc 5. stand now up and set thy self in the high place and look round about thee towards the East or Sun rising and behold the Comfort which cometh unto thee from God 20. Behold q Isa 43. thy children assembled them together from the Sun rising and going down rejoycing them in the holy Word and are mindfull of God 21. They were r Bar. 5. led away captive from thee on foot by the enemies But now thee Lord bringeth them unto thee and exalteth them with Honor as it beseemeth the children of the Kingdom 22. For God will bring down Å¿ Isa 2.40 Bar. 5. all high Hills and make the high stony rocks and the Vallyes plain that Israel may t Gen. 23.33 walk and dwell free without fear to the honor of his his God 23. The Groves and u Bar. 5. all pleasant sweet-smelling trees shall shadow Israel round about by the commandment of the Lord. 24. For God will now in this day of his Love x Bar. 5. be gracious unto his people and through his mercy bring Israel again y 2 Mac. 2. with joy as also lead them continually with his Righteousness in the clearness of his Majesty c. 25. Now this passed over will in the Testimonies of the spiritual Land of Promise rehearse more at large touching the holy ones of the God of Israel and of their garnishing as also distinct the wildernessed lands and the unpeaceable people from the good land and the peaceable people to the end that the death and destruction may be understood and known from the life and preservation of salvation z Deut. 30. Ier. 21. Eccl. 25.35 and that no man may err ignorantly 26. But hereforth on following in this our Preface before the beginning of the spiritual Land of Promise we wil rehearse the mercy of God where through this lovely rest of the spiritual land of Promise is out of Gods heavenly truth appeared unto us and the knowledg thereof given us to understand therefore hear and understand ye dearly beloved 27. Forasmuch now as we had a great desire to the place a Psa 95. Heb. 4. of Rest and Peace which God hath promised and that we sought after the same with a fervent longing for that we might finde it or come to the knowledg of the same holy Land of Promise so hath the God of heaven been gracious unto us and not shut from us the knowledg of his holy Land which he hath promised unto his People as a land of Rest and Peace b Exod. 3. Heb. 4. neither yet covered nor hid from us his Truth of the same 28. But verily we are gone thorow or passed beyond many and sundry maner of wildernessed lands and ignorant people and so have considered of the nature of every land and people 29. In all which we have found the strange ignorant people very unpeaceable and divided in many kinde of maners dispositions and natures as also vexed with many unprofitable things to a great disquietness and much misery c Isa 42. and 59. unto them all 30. The whilest we considered diligently hereon so found we by experience that every people had their disposition and nature according to the disposition and nature of the land wherein they dwelt or were born 31. But when we passed thorow and perused used all this same so have we through the mercy of God at the end of all this found a lovely land d Isa 26.60 Zach. 8. or a peaceably city whose people and none other is a peaceable concordable and lovely people agreably minded living peaceably and are faithful to each other Into the which peaceable City and unto the peaceable people of the same the Lord the God of heavens hath
to thâ— good Land and so the love with hâ—â— lovely meekness to become planted 〈◊〉 him g Ephes 3. and that he himself may be madâ— free h John 8. by the same 4. For the same lovely Beeing of thâ— love is the life i Rom. 14. peace and joy and the Land of promise k Exod. 3. 13. Deut. 8. wherein Honey anâ— Milk floweth 5. If therefore the traveller or the love of the good Land will enter into the good Land then must he at the end of hâ—â— journey finde himself to be altogetheâ— l Mat. 18. 19. Luke 19. turned about and good-willing to the will of the highest God like unto an obedient childe standing in m 1 Cor. 14. 1 Pet. 2. all singleness and simplicity under the love to the obeying of her requiring not knowing or being wise as touching this or that bâ—â— that he hath onely intended or sought after n Phil. 3. the love for that he might live unto the same in her requiring 9. Behold to the same State doth the compass the Forsaking of himself and the Cross the Patience bring him and so he cometh before o Psa 118. the City gate of the holy Land 7. For whenas he now hath overcome or is passed through all these things with the forsaking of himself and in the patience then findeth he himself to be altogether p Matth. 5. poor of Spirit and to stand in the submission like unto a q Psal 40. Acts 9. good-willing one to the Lords will 8. Which submission is called r Rom. 6. Col. 2. The burying of the affections and desires for in the submission the traveller findeth himself to be quite emptied of the affections and desires through the obedience of the Cross therefore also he hath not loved his Å¿ Matth. 10. 16. Luk. 9.14 own life the which are his affections and desires but hath in the obedience of the Cross forsaken the same even unto the death t Col. 2. 3. and to the burying of the same own life namely of the affections and desires 9. Seeing then that the affections and desires are mortified and dead through the compass and the Cross and are buried by the Traveller in the submission as dead things so findeth he in the same submission the Key for to enter therewithal through the gate into the City u Apoc. 21.22 where the everlasting life peace and rest is 10. This Key is named Equity and with the same the traveller goeth through the gate named x 2 Pet. 1. The nature of God and so cometh into the holy y Isai 60. City of peace named Gods understanding for to possess in heir-like maner the everlasting good the heavenly Jerusalem where there is nothing but everlasting life z Isai 25. 35. 60 65. Apo. 7.21 and joy and where all sorrow and tears are done away CHAP. XXVI NOw when as one is come into this City of peace then is he received very lovingly and friendly by a Isa 9 32 33. the King of the same Land for he is not lordly b Isai 42. nor cruel or biting but c Joel 2. Matth 11. sweet-hearted and gentle 2. Even thus one becometh as then d Ephes 5. incorporated e Rom. 12. Col. 1. to the body of the same true King with the people of the same good Land even as a fellow-member of the King and of those same holy people and so they live together in one judgment and mind of the living God and that is the unity in the love and the onely judgment of the communalty of the holy people or of the heavenly company who are altogether one body with the Family of Love and are no more with each other but f Ioh. 17. Rom. 12. Col. 1. as one man in whom all the members of one minde Spirit or Life have their moving and do hold them together unto one head and so those same members are altogether one body with g Infra 38. their head 3. The head of their body is their King or Prince and is named h Col. 1. 2 Pet. 1. Gods true Beeing 4. This same is an upright i Isa 9. peaceable Prince and the members of his body are likewise very lovely and peaceable With whom the kingdom of Christ and of his Love is peaceably k Isa 60. inhabited for evermore 5. The names of the members of the body or the Saints of the true Beeing of God that are of one substance with the Family of Love are these 6. Meckness l Gal. 5. Ephe. 4. Col. 3. Courtesie Friendliness Longsufferance Mercifulness Naturalness Decentness Quietness Faithfulness Modesty Constancie Eyes of Simpleness m Psa 24. and 73. Marth 5. Pureness of heart Measureableness in works Helpfulness n 2 Pet. 1. Discreetness o Ephe 4. Concord Obedience to the true beeing of God Sweetheartedness Serviceableness out of love p Cor. 10 3. Laud Praise and thanks unto God c. 7. Such are the names of the lovely people that dwel in the holy City of Peace named Gods Vnderstanding 8. And according as every ones name is so is likewise his disposition and nature for all their disposition beeing and nature is according to the good Disposition or Nature of the Land and of their King 9. And no man can come into this good City nor become one body with these peaceable people except he do forsake q Isa 52. 2 Cor. 6. all the other forementioned confused lands and the detestable people for God hath not chosen any one of all them to his Kingdom neither can also the traveller enter into the holy Land or City of Peace with any of all them 10. But whosoever now hath forsaken all the confused Lands and people and in an humble heart with upright thoughts to the obeying of the Requiring of the Service of Love is come to the submission he goeth with the equity thorow the nature of God as is before said into Gods understanding r Supra 25 The which is the City of Rest that God hath reserved and left behinde for the children of God for an everlasting Å¿ Heb. 4. Rest because they should inherit the same in the last time according to the Promises t Isa 9. and 60. and 66. Luke 1. which Kingdom of Peace shall endure or continue still for evermore under the Obedience of the Love CHAP. XXVII THis City named Gods Vnderstanding hath very strong and invincible a Isa 26. and 52. Zach. 2. Walls Fortresses or Bulworks wherewith she is walled and fortified against all her enemies Therefore can no man climbe over into this city nor get the same by violence with any gain-fighting neither yet deceive her with subtilty 2. The Walls or Bulworks of this City are named b 1 Tim. 3. 1 Pet. 3. A free minde of the true Beeing 3.
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 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.
miraculously e Psal 4. brought us 32. It is true the whole earth is unmeasurable great and large and the lands and people are many and divers but the most part of the lands are beset with grievous labour and with much trouble f Eccl. 1.2 and 3. and 6. and the pe ple captived with many and sundry unprofitable vâ—xâ—tions 33. But the g Bar. 5. children of the Kingdom have a land that is void of all molestation and a City that i. very h Isa 60.65 peaceable which also is i Isa 35. and 54. Ier. 33. inhabited with no maner of vexation or unprofitable labor but with joy in all peace 34. Wherefore the people that dwelleth therein is likewise a wise and understanding people according to the nature of the same good land and it is a people of one maner of k Iohn 17. Act. 4. nature and disposition concordable peaceable and lovely 35. Verily without this one City of Peace or land of the living there is no convenient place of Rest on the whole earth neither yet without the Commonalty of this one maner of people of the same city any meete people l Deut. 4. among whom such an understanding is to be found or that can live so peaceably as this same 36. But this land of peace which with his lovely people is ful of joy and liveth in concord is a secret land and is severed from all other lands m Deut 10 4 Esdr 7. and people 37. It is also known of no man but of his Inhabitants and of those which come into the same that be assembled with them But the entrance into the same is n 4 Esd 7. Matth. 7. very straight and narrow for that cause it is found of few but there are many that run past it or that have not any right regard thereon 38. Seeing then that the entrance into this same good land is very straight and narrow and becometh found o Luke 13. of few neither is it rightly regarded therfore remaineth this good land of the Living unloved and unknown of the most part of strange people and of all unbelievers of our godly Testimonies 39 Wherefore to the end now to incourage all people to the love of the same so will we out of inclined love partly describe the state of the good land and the upright dealing of the lovely people and testifie of every ones disposition and nature that if haply there might be any one found that did know his estranging from the same and had a desire with all his heart to assemble him with us thereunto 40. For verily in respect of the excellency thereof it is the best-worthy p Psa 48. Prov. 3. and 8. to be loved and for love thereof to q Matt. 16.19 forsake all whatsoever is without it for it is much better more precious and beautiful yea and more excellent rich and joyful or living r Isa 64. 1 Cor. 2. then all what may be found devised or invented upon the universal earth 41. But whosoever loveth not the same above all things neither yet doth for the love thereof forsake deny give over or Å¿ Matt. 10. and 16. Luk 9.14 Ioh. 12. leave himself with all that he hath he shal not enter into it 42. But if there be any one that is of the disposition or nature of the same or whose lusts and desires stand inclined or are affected towards it such a one verily shal for the worthiness cause thereof love the same as also not think it tedious to assemble him unto us t Num. 12 1 Cor. 9. and 10. and to pass thorow that way that leadeth thereto 43. Wherefore to the end now that all those which desire under the obedience of the Love to dwell in this good Land with this People of Peace might be gathered together into the same without harm and unhindered and that no man should remain without it for want of any knowledg of the Way So will we shew the neerest Ways and the needfullest Means and Guides that lead thereunto because that every Traveller may still keep the right High way and not turn from it neither u Deut. 5. 17. Josh 1.23 Prov. 4. to the right side nor to the left but may keep so much the more diligent Watch until that he be come thorow the Gate into the holy x Apo. 22. City of the good Land We will also for that men should in no wise erre nor be deceived on the way distinct and mark out those Land Places and People which are most needful to be y Deut. 2. 3. over passed and z 2 Cor. 6. left as likewise all whatsoever is deceitful and harmful and will in like maner evidently shew according to the Truth how wherewith and where-through all harmful and destroying things together with all the enemies or adversaries and all tempters and assaulters are to be resisted and overcome which would let and hinder the traveller from coming into the good Land 44. And if now also there be any man in the journey that is become deceived or erring upon the way through any of the deceitful things which we do shew hereafter following or which hath set down a Num. 32. himself to rest any where upon the way to the intent to live quietly and is not yet come into the holy b Apoc. 21 City thorow c Psa 118. John 10. the Gate Let not him pitch his Tents there neither yet make him there any Tabernacle for to dwell there but let him give ear d Num. 32. Prov. 4. and credit to our undeceiveable councel of the Wisdom and set his feet in the right way that leadeth thereunto and so travel forward to the good Land of the Living and of the true e Isai 32. 60. Rest and Peace 45. For whosoever is not yet come into the holy City through the Gate or Door f John 10. he is not yet also come to the upright g Heb. 4. Rest of the Children of God 46. Wherefore ye dearly beloved seeing now that this way to the holy Land is perilous h 4 Esd 7. to pass through for him that is unexpert therein so have we thought good out of hearty love to testifie and shew forth distinelly and that altogether to the preservation of the traveller the most part of the wildernessed places of the strange people and the perils of deceit each one according to his pernitiouâ— disposition and nature to the end that every one may be of good cheer and may without fear pass through the way rightly and without harm and for that no man should remain lost except he would himself As likewise for this cause That if happily any man should be faln into error upon the way or should chance to be deceived and seduced by any of the same he might yet understand and perceive in which place of error
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
b Eccl. 8. old age of the holy Understanding and in the experience of the manly wisdom inherite the c Prov. 7. Ephe. 1. heritage of the peaceable land 14. The other Wise one cometh before him out of the thoughts of mans good-thinking and out of the opinion of the strangers from the Family of Love which wise one cometh often unto him to the intent to draw him away d Prov. 5. from the way that directeth to the land of the living and he standeth on the left side of the way and his form is sweet and friendly according to the mindes of the flesh to behold and his sayings and counsels delightful to be obeyed but if the traveller do regard him and cleave unto him and follow his counsel then becometh he altogether deceived and at the last â—indeth himself in many calamities and miseries and he is named e Rom. 8. The wisdom of the flesh whereunto is taken on the corruptible doctrine and ministration of mans good-thinking with the which many people be seduced and led away from the way of the passing over to the good land of the living 15. These two wise ones on both sides do give unto the traveller several counsel 16. The Law or Ordinance of the Lord requireth the traveller the obedience to her Requiring and so with a simple heart to accomplish f Matt. 3. all righteousness obediently and testifieth unto him that that same is g Pro. 3. and 4. the right wisdom of the upright people of the good land and councelleth him likewise that he in the obeying of the Requiring of the ministration of the gracious Word of the Lord should draw away his senses and thoughts from all unprofitable and corruptible things and so to let it be delightful unto him to love the God of life h with all his heart and to serve him only that he might come to such an upright i 2 Pet. 1. nature and good beeing h Deut. 6. and 10. Matth 22. as the people of the good land have and so then might live with the same peaceable people in k Ephe. 1.4 the upright Righteousness and Holiness 17. But The wisdom of the flesh with the doctrine of her good thinking doth in all things set forth her self there-against much subtiller and more prudent then to live so in the l Wisd 1. singleness of heart obediently and requireth of the traveller to do his diligence or indeavour to know all secrets and so counselleth him not to hear to believe nor to obey m Gen. 3. Rom. 1. the Law and Ordinance of the Lord nor the Elders in the same ministration but to endeavour him of himself to discern the best and the worst through his imagination of the knowledg and to excel all things with the knowledg n Ier. 9.11 and 13. and 18. as also to live according to the best of the good-thinking or judgment of his own heart 18. Besides this The wisdom of the flesh holdeth forth likewise before the traveller divers sorts of knowledg according to the desire and pleasure of the flesh because he should chuse such things to follow after also sundry kindes of o Col 2. 2 Tim. 3. false holiness and false freedom and many kindes of joy in the vanity and in the foolish and earthly p Wisd 2. Rom. 11. 2 Pet. 2. corruptible things to the end he should cleave unto them with a loose heart according to his own opinion and pleasure and to frame his own Righteousness joy and friendship there-out even as though the same also were a good holiness or Paradise of life and a good freedom but q Pro. 5. Wisd 3. Rom. 6. the end is the death and destruction 19. If so be now that the traveller do beleeve and follow the counsel of the wisdom of the flesh then doth he subject his heart unto two false and deceitful props the one is named r Phil. 2. and 3. 2 Pet. 2. Self-seeking the other Å¿ Gen. 3. Negligence toward the Law or Ordinance of the Lord and so he cometh into many kinde of errors through the wisdom of the flesh CHAP. VIII BUt if the traveller have an hearty desire to come into the rest of the good land and that his heart be inclined a Ephe. 4. unto Unity with the peaceable people then must he utterly forsake all the counsel of The wisdom of the flesh how pleasantly and prudently soever the same attempteth him in the Knowledg and all those likewise that are enemies to the Family of Love and that are captived with the fleshes wisdom or good-thinking and with the disobedience to the Requiring of the Word and service of Love for the end of the counsel of the wisdom of the flesh and of her servants or captives is nothing but deceit and extendeth to all b Wisd 5. Eccl. 21. grievous misery bitterness c Rom. 6.8 and sins of death and therefore must the traveller with all his heart follow the d Psa 119. counsel of the Law of the Lord according to the counsel of the said e Pro. 4. and 7. elders in the holy understanding 2. And although it seemeth at the first to be somewhat painful and bitter yet doth the end of the same for all that extend to all joy sweetness and f Rom. 6. and 8. righteousness of life and bringeth the traveller to the good land of rest and peace 3. But the principall counsel of the Law or Ordinance of the Lord is this that the traveller or lover of the good land shall in the beginning of his journey g Eccl. 7. submit himself altogether under the Requiring of the holy and gracious Word of the Lord and his service of Love and enter obediently into the Requiring of the same and prepare h Eccl. 2. his soul to temptation and so shall call and pray unto his i Psal 18. and 19. and 116. God in all his temptation and persevere stedfastly in the Law or Ordinance of the Lord even till into the good land of Peace 4. And this good counsel of the Law of the Lord giveth the traveller also two Instruments with him in the journey or by the way the one serveth him for to continue there through in the right way and it is a compass the which is the right Christian way sure that alwayes pointeth him rightly unto the good land this compass is named k Mat. 16. Mar. 8. Luk. 9.14 The forsakeing of himself for the good lifes sake As long as one goeth on according to the same in the Obedience of the Requiring of the Law of the Lord he cannot err 5. With the other instrument all the enemies and all the temptations that would hinder the traveller from coming into this holy place be overcome 6. This instrument of victory is the Cross of Christ and it is named l Lam. 3. Heb. 10.12 Iam. 5. Patience or
3. belief and hope to the sure promises of God having neither longing nor desire to God nor to his everlasting life 7. They delight in nothing else but to have their joy in the earthly f Isa 56. Wisd 2. corruptible things and when they want that then are they without joy and without comfort ful of lamenting and murmuring dying without hope 8. Othersome are ful of g 2 Pet. 2. Iude 1. reproachings self-seeking contentions and h Rom. 1. 2 Cor. 12. Iam. 3. resistant against one another 9. Some covet diligently after the highest honor wishing gladly that they or their taking on wisdom and holiness were above all other exalted harkned unto loved and commended i Matt. 6. over the whole land and that they might even so then have laud and praise among men 10. Many do chuse a way unto themselves according to the knowledg of their own minde to the intent to live to themselves therein and thus doth every one walk there k Isa 53.56 Ier. 6. and 8. according as his knowledg imagineth in him 11. To conclude they are all even every one with his consorts or fellow-companions resistant against each other with the l 1 Cor. 1.3 knowledg and the false light shineth upon them all quite over the whole land And the inward or spiritual pride ceaseth not there likewise but she groweth or m Iob 5. Wisd 3. taketh root and doth continually bring forth her false seed among those people more and more 12. Therefore every one there also is stout-minded upon the knowledg n Bar. 3. and supposeth that he must needes have the right or cannot erre in his knowledg and that he is illuminated by the Lord through his cunning knowledg and through his stout constant standing upon the same and is one of the number of the holy people but it is all false and meer deceit because that they themselves have laid those same foundations o Ier. 7. and 8. Eze. 13.22 2 Tim. 3. upon the which they set their confidence or quiet themselves and have made them of the dust of the same land which dust scartereth abroad all over the whole Land p Matth. 7. Luke 6. like unto a drift-sand and is named Self wils chusing CHAP. XX. BEhold in this land named The abomination of desolation it goeth very strange and wonderful absurdly the which is not possible to be all written 2. For every one there seeth that another mans foundation is vain and meeâ— foolishness but there is no man there or very few that can a Matth. 7. marke their own vanity or foolishness 3. Every one doth very gladly thrust off another from his foundation to the end to advance his own for the best yet are all their foundations notwithstanding b Ier. 44. Ezec. 13. Bar. 6. Self wills chusing and are every one uncertain and unstable and all their work that they build thereon is very c Matth 7. feeble or weak for it is all nothing but knowledg and self wills chusing in the which they proceed and with the which they strive and contend and with high knowledg do they cast down one anothers work and turn up the foundation of it 4. For whosoever there hath the highest mounting knowledg or is the richest of spirit or hath the most eloquent utterance of speech d 1 Tim. 1. he can there bear the sway or get the chief praise and can overthrow many other infirm foundations and works which are also vain but can shew no e 2 Thes 2. love to the unity of heart in the good beeing of Jesus Christ 5. And now when any mans foundation or work is overthrown through any maner of knowledg then is the same a great delight and glory unto the other that getteth the victory and to an advancement of himself 6. For that is the careful diligence that they use among each other f Num. 14 16. as how the one may with the knowledg overthrow the others foundation building and work and to bring him into contempt among others whereby to enlarge their own knowledg building or work and to make the same great or commendable 7. But whosoever hath his foundation and work overthrown the comfort of his heart is taken away and he falleth into grief of minde but if he do it for all that continue self-chusing and partially minded and doth not under the obedience of the Love turn him to the upright Life nor to the true entrance to the same then becometh he bound again unto g Ezec. 13. some other thing which is also knowledg and so he becometh a h Gal. 1. 2 Pet. 2. servant of men or of his own manly opinion or sense and buildeth again afresh upon Self-wils chusing 8. Even thus verily do they make one-another bondslaves in the good thinking-knowledg of men and seeing that they in their servitude do i 1 Cor. 1.3 2 Cor. 12. contend or take part against one another so do they likewise divide themselves into many several Religions or God-services 9. But although they be all partially affected as also have severall Religions and many maner of god-services yet do they notwithstanding give their Religions and God-services altogether one maner of name 10. Every ones Religion or God service is named Assured knowledg that it is right and good thereupon do they set their confidence and every one liveth in his own God-service thinking and perswading himself k 2 Tim. 4 assuredly that his Religion or God-service is the best or the holiest above all other CHAP. XXI THis people that dwelleth in this Land the Abomination of desolation hath indeed a a Rom. 16. fair spoken tongue but commonly they are not loving nor friendly of heart but full of b 1 Cor. 3. Heb. 12. Jam. 3. envy and bitterness soon stumbling and taking offence by reason they stand captived under the knowledg c 1 Cor. 8. and not submitted under the love nor under the obedience of her service 2. They are also generally d Rom. 1. Ephes 4. 2 Pet. 2. covetous of the earthly riches and in the Spirit of their heart they are proud e Rom 1. 2 Tim. 3. and stout minded 3. Their inclination lust and desire is to speak false witness against others also to blaspheme f â—sal 10. 35. 140. oppress persecute betray g Matth. 23 26. Acts 6. 7. and to kill and yet do know how to excuse all the same with the knowledg that they do right and well therein 4. They use not likewise any common brother-hood among whom the h John 13. 15. love is exercised with a good or kinde nature but are i Jere. 5. Lukâ— 22. lorders over one another And whosoever getteth the greatest multitude of people unto him or is the strongest company he exerciseth k Acts 5. 7. power and violence over the other that do not accord
with them in the knowledg 5. Every one there seeketh nothing else but his own l Joh. 5. 7. honor and dignity commending his own wisdom or knowledg 6. Every company accounteth onely his own Religion or God-service to be excellent and holy and every one in his own Religion hath also his own m 2 Tim. 4. teaching masters therefore the teachers are many and do stand divided in sundry sorts of partakings 7. But although these teaching masters be many and in divers sorts of dissentions do profess and teach several doctrines and are contentiously minded one against another in their doctrine yet are they altogether named by one maner of name and every ones name is Boasting of the knowledg 8. And every one of these masters teacheth his Sect very n 3 Reg. 22. Matth. 22. vehemently and stifly in his Religion which is named Assured knowledg that it is right and good because they should continue stedfast warning them of the seducing of all the other 9. These verily are always teaching but alass in the same Land they themselves do o 2 Tim. 3 never come to the knowledg of the truth 10. And whosoever presenteth or informeth them with the truth and would teach them otherwise then they themselves are minded to him they are p Jer 37.38 Acts 7. 22 23 c. unmerciful also hateful and dispising and given to speak all maner of evil of him And this cometh to pasts because that they all teach Sect particularly have a mighty strong boasting and a proud confidence that their knowledg is right and their doctrine the most holy Doctrine Religion and God-service 11. Seeing then that they each several Sect in their imagined opinions have set themselves q Matth. 23. Mark 11. in the highest place so can they not therefore suffer any gain-speaking out of the true service of the love of Jesus Christ nor yet endure r John 9. Acts 7. 22. any admonition by the Elders in the same For as long as they stand contentious and not submited under the love to an unity so desire they likewise none other teaching masters but those that continue so couragious bold in themselves as boasting of the knowledg who do teach assured knowledg that it is right and good and do also very boldly call the same knowledg the Being of God and so in their arrogant boldness they Å¿ Dan. 11. Heb. 10. blaspheme the most highest t Psal 76.135 who with his godly Beeing dwelleth and liveth in Israel CHAP. XXII THe people of this Land named The abomination of desolation hath also a King who reigneth very cruelly over them and he is named Wormwood a Apoc. 8. or bitterness 2 His Scepter and the Seat of his Majesty is named Great esteeming of the vain or unprofitable things 3. His anointing wherewith he is anointed is named Puffed up foolishness 4. His Crown is named b Prov. 2. Honor or glory in evil doing 5. His Horses and Chariots are named c Psal 14. 51. 56. Ezek. 22. Micah 3. Treaders down or oppressors of the simple people 6. His Councel is named Subtil invention 7. His Kingdom is named Vnfaithfulness 8. All his Nobility Horsemen Souldiers and Guarders are named d Sap. 14. Rom. 1. Disorderly life 9. His Decrees Precepts or Commandments are named Self-wil 10. His Dominion or Lordship is named e Ezek. 22. Micah 2. Violence 11. His f Isai 5. Matth. 3. Arms that he beareth is named Desire to reign over all 12. His Sword of Justice is sharp on the one side and blunt on the other side and is named g Isai 1. Jere. 5. Self-wills justice according to the name of the Kings Commandments 13. The sharp side of his Sword is called h Jere. 6. Matth 2. Acts 7. 22. Vnmercifulness and cutteth very sharply over those whom he liketh not or over them that will not according to his pleasure stand plyable unto him under his violence 14. The blunt side of the Sword is named Great grace For over those that do make great account of his Babylonish Kingdom and which have according to his self-will yielded them subject under the same although they be evil of nature and corrupt of life it cannot cut 15. This King bitterness hath great dominion in this Land named i Dan. 9. 12. The abomination of desolation and the people that dwell in the same are altogether his bond-servants for no man is free or left free there but they k Rom. 6. 2 Pet. 2. remain all bound under the Bitterness their King or Governor 16. For inasmuch as they be not taught in the doctrine l Matth. 11 Ephes 4. of the humility and meekness of Jesus Christ under the obedience of his love therefore come they not also to the m John 8. knowledg of the truth for to be made free by the truth For that cause there is likewise in the same Land no other freedom but in the bitterness their King and the same n Apoc. 8. bitterness granteth or permitteth them to live o Sap. 2. Matth. 27. Acts 6. 7 22. 23. free or loose of heart in him that is in the bitterness of the King without accusation or shewing of any Reformation thereof and in the same freedom to set forth boldly their false testimonies or counterfeit God services 17. And this same is a conceit of freedom or p 2 Pet. 2. a false freedom which also is not free in it-self but bound or subject unto the bitterness 18. The common people or the subjects of the King which dwell in this horrible Land have likewise horrible names according to the nature of the same I and and according to the nature of their King and these are their names 19. Craftiness q Rom. 1. Gal. 5. Arrogant stoutness Harmfulness Stubbornness Violence Spight Sudden anger Greedy of revenge Gluttony Cruelty Blood-thirstiness Resistance against the love and her service r Rom 1. 2 Tim. 3. Dispising of naturalness Disobedient to equity Accusation over the righteousness s Prov. 2. Matth. 23. Betrayers of innocency Oppressors of humility Killers of meekness Å¿ Jude 1. Enviers of the loves unity t Matth. 23. Exalters of chosen holiness Vsage of falshood u Gen 3. Taken on shame namely Coveredness of heart as those that are ashamed to confess the evil and bitterness of their hearts Own-selfness x 1 Tim. 2 Tim. 3. Self-wills desire or Self-seeking c. 20. These people have all one maner of disposition and nature even according to the disposition of their teaching masters 21. For they also can suffer no gain-speaking nor blaming neither will they endure to receive any y John 9. wisdom or instruction of the Family of love nor of the Elders in the same because they stand captived under their teaching masters Boasting of the knowledge And when one
presenteth or proffereth any better thing unto them then riseth up their King Bitterness z Acts 7. by and by in them for to defend them in their causes or to approve them to be right and to taunt and judg him to be naught that loveth them to the best good that is to an upright heart before God CHAP. XXIII IN this Land there is likewise a false Prophet who bringeth the people into divers considerations and into divers bindings or snarings of heart and bewitcheth them with many a 2 Pet. 2. longings whereof there cometh nothing and so he leadeth their hearts mindes and thoughts into the captivity of the knowledg and not into the truth 2. This false Prophet is named b 2 Pet. 2. Jude 1. Presumption whereof there cometh nothing and he beareth a great sway among the people who also do give high regard unto him because he presumeth or boasteth him so much but it is altogether bewitching whereof there followeth nothing 3. But forasmuch as he hath allured the people unto him with such a presumption or boasting that they likewise in their unregenerate state do boast them of the Light and Word of Life c Hosea 4. so perceive they not that they are bewitched by him 4. For like as the Prophet is d Jere. 5. 40. Ezek. 13. 1 Tim. 4. so are also the people namely very highly boasting and braging of many things as likewise presuming and enterprising of many things whereof nothing ensueth But it is all false and meer bewitching and is nothing else but a vain perswasion or fantasie 5. It seemeth sometimes indeed as though it would be somewhat but it is all vain and presumption and nothing else but knowledg whereof there cometh nothing and where-through many people be seduced e 2 Tim. 3. 2 Pet. 2. and brought into many false dealings the end whereof extendeth unto much grief CHAP. XXIIII THis false Prophet hath also an horrible beast with him which assisteth or a Apo. 11. 13. aideth him which beast is likewise wonderfully extolled and served in the desolate abominable Land 2. Yea all people that have not Gods nature or his true Being of love neither yet do love the godly goods do honor and serve the same b Apo. 13. beast and do all receive her mark And they deal with the same in all their affairs yea the same mark do all those receive and use that are not assembled to the Family of Love nor written in the living Book of the Lamb. 3. The beast is named c Isai 1. Hosea 4. Vnfaithfulness And the same beast is the Kingdom or the Government of the false King Bitterness And such as is the beast and her name and Government such a d Apo. 13. mark giveth she likewise to the people that serve her and that cleave unto and honor her Kingdom or Government therefore is also the mark of the beast named Vnfaithfulness 4. This beast and her make being both named Vnfaithfulness do make the people utterly divided e Apo. 13. And forasmuch as the people that cleave unto and serve the same beast and that have received her mark are all likewise false of heart unfaithful and self-seeking and do willingly cover their own shame f Gen. 3. and so walking in hyppocrisie or dissimulation the one trusteth not the other and they deal g Jere. 9. deceitfully or with falshood among each other and that is the venome of the beast the which she soweth or spueth forth aboundantly among the h Apo. 16. 17. people 5. Therefore there is also no open-heartedness among those people that do carry i Apo. 13. the mark of the beast but they are ashamed of their inward nakedness k Gen. 3. both before God and before one another and therefore likewise they walk not with naked hearts before each other neither will they also in any wise make manifest themselves with naked hearts before the Elders in the Family of Love 6. For the l Apoc. 15. mark of the beast hath hunted shamefastness upon them therefore they do cover them also with their own Garments or m Gen. 3. Aperns which they themselves have made Their Garments or Aperns are named n Joh. 12. Fear of being despised 7. Forasmuch now as this horrible beast and false Prophet have sown such seed in the people so doth there come to pass through the same wonderful great o Apo. 16. dissention or division to the breeding of manifold self willed services wherethrough all kinde of falâ—hood craftiness and railing against one another ariseth yea so that the people also speak p Dan. 11. Heb. 10. Jude 1. Apoc. 13. blasphemy or railing against God and his Saints and against the house of his love wherein God will dwell live and walk for ever 8. And although there should be any unity erected in this said Land yet cannot the unity continue there but it becometh rent and broken immediately through the presumption whereof there cometh nothing and through the unfaithfulness whereout springeth much malicious blameing 9. Wherefore because of this false Prophet and the horrible beast q Tim. 3. Apoc. 16. there can no unity of the people bide standing in the unity of peace 10. This horrible r Apo 13. 16. 17. beast Vnfaithfulness this false Prophet Presumption and the cruel King Bitterness have a marvellous great dominion in this same desolate abominable Land CHAP. XXV THerefore a Isai 52. Zech. 2. let not the Traveller that is come into the same desolate abominable Land unawares or through want of knowledg continue any longer therein for it is a detestable Land and a wicked people of heart and minde 2. Also let him not endevor himself to travel through the same whereby to come to the good Land of rest for he shall not be able to bring it to pass 3. But assoon as he seeth or perceiveth that these abominations of desolation do stand in the place where Gods holy Beeing b Dan. 9. 11. Matth 24. 2 Thes 2. ought to stand then let him immediately flie out of the same and submit himself under the obedience of the love to his preservation and let him turn him about out of the same way where-through he came in and not have regard any more to the c Gen. 3. Knowledg of good and evil nor to the teaching masters Boasting of the knowledg nor to the Religions or Doctrines Assured knowledg that it is right and good nor to the false Prophet d 2 Pet. 2. Presumption whereof there cometh nothing nor yet to the wicked Beast e Apo. 13. Vnfaithfulness that he become not subject and remain in bonâ—age unto Bitterness the King of thâ— same detestable Land but let him haâ—â— regard to the service of love and to thâ— requiring thereof and shew obedienâ—â— there-under f 1 Pet. 1. 1 John 4. for that he may come
And upon these walls there is a prudent c Psa 121. Isa 21. and 62. Watchman or Espyall which overseeth all what is present or shall come namely Life and Death the Preservation and Destruction 4. His Sight reacheth from the rising of the Sun d Mal. 1. even unto her going down 5. He beholdeth the highest of the mid-day day and the deepest of the darkness of the midnight 6. This Watchman or Espiall is named e Isa 41. and 44 Apo. 1 and 22 The beginning and the end 7. He hath also two eyes a right and a left eye wherewith he overlooketh all things namely Good and Evil Light and Darkness 8. The eyes are named Wise Foresightfulness 9. With the right Eye f Psal 34. he looketh into all things wherein the Life the Rest and the Peace standeth firm for ever but with the left Eye whereout the Death the Unquietness the Confusion or Destruction proceedeth 10. This Watchman serveth to a safe keeping of this City and of those people likewise that dwell therein Therefore he keepeth alwayes a diligent Watch g Psa 121. he never sleepeth nor slumbereth but is stil sounding and playing his Song upon his Trumpet and all those that dwel in the same City do hear the sound of his Song 11. His Trumpet where-thorow he playeth his Song is named h Apo. 10. After this time no time more 12. Seeing then that the same time is the last time the everlasting Rest of all the children of God and the heavenly Kingdom it self therefore soundeth the Watchman also out of the same last time as out of the last i 1 Cor. 15. 1 Thess 4. Trumpet the sound or noise of the everlasting Life after the which there is no life more to be waited for for k 1 Ioh. 1. the same life continueth for evermore 13. The Song which he playeth and soundeth out thorow his Trumpet with the sound of the everlasting Life is named l Ioh. 13. and 15. 17. 1 Pet. 1. Vnity in the Love 14. With which noise of the Song the people do hold themselves in unity in the Love whose Fortresses or Hold is not to be overcome Therefore also soundeth the Song in this maner CHAP. XXVIII WE have a strong a Isa 26. Zach. 2. City run thither apace Which doth advance us in all vertue right Upright in b Psa 122. Mich. 4. Peace is alwayes her race Therein now take your joy and delight 2. Gods Understanding is her noble name Builded with c Zach. 78 Truth and Faithfulness sure There is true d Ioh. 13. 1 Pet. 1. love as beseemeth the same Thence never flyeth e Ioh. 14. Gods Spirit most pure 3. With the true Spirit of Gods f 1 Tim. 3. 1 Pet. 3. free mind She is g Isa 26. wall'd to endure in eternity All h Matt. 16.6 violence with his tempestuous winde Doth there procure his own adversity 4. The power of God hear this now I say That 's the i 2 Cor. 10. Defence Understand the Effect From trouble and grief to k Psa 18.31.41 Isa 25. keep us alway That is our refuge and doth us protect 5. Ye Princes elected l Isa 62. 1 Pet. 2. of God and new born Regard and love well our City of Peace Gods m Isa 27. and 54. wrath is not there nor cause why to morn The n 1 Cor. 15. Apo. 21. death lieth there swallowed up and doth cease 6. Behold such a Song singeth or playeth the Watchman upon the walls and the people of the City do rejoyce them them with o Psa 98. Isa 35. and 52. and 61. and 65. and 66. unspeakable joy and do likewise all of them together sing a danceing song dancing with great joy to a thankful lauding of God for their freedom And they sing in this maner CHAP. XXIX REjoyce you all now a Psal 69. and 103. and 104. pleasantly For joy our ears doth fill Chear up your hearts couragiously Be glad b Psa 48. and 97. Isa 51. and 52. and 61. and 62. Soph. 3. O Sions hill For lo the new time doth appear That hath been writ of long And is in sight to view full clear Wherefore rejoyce with Song Ye Remnant Gods Inheritance Be c Zach. 2. Isa 10. and 11. and 62. joyful in our City Cast Fear out of Rememberance And sing this dancing Ditty 2. For d Isa 41. and 43. Bar. 5. Matth. 8. North and South ye Righteous Come e Psa 81. Isa 27. blow the Horn apace From East and West extoll even thus Your voyce and make solace For here 's f Isa 7. and 8. Emmanuel our King Against that fierce g Ier. 51. Babel Therefore now let your Trumpets ring For he will her expel Their hearts h Iudi 7. Ioel. 2. are all dismaid now quite Sound up your Trumps apace Think now on God both day and night And i 1 〈…〉 Discord from you chase 3. Now is the last k Iâ—r 49. 5. Cup fill'd also Over Babels Kingdom high To stagger and strive l Psa 107. Isa 24.28.29 like drunkars lo That 's now her Melody Her Wisdom with her Practises That m 1 Cor. 1 comes now all to shame And is no more of worthiness Then for a laughing game In Gods Preceps most pure and right Rejoyce you n Psa 100. in every Land His e Isa 60. Light doth shine in us full bright And under him we stand 4 Now is the Kingdom p Apo. 18. and 19. of the Beast Made dark be glad therefore The q Ioh. 1. Light of Truth even here doth rest Triumphing evermore His r Apo. 12. Kingdom eke do we possess The Truth Å¿ Ioh. 8. doth make us free And sets our hearts t Ephe. 2. in quietness With God at one are we VVhose Love is unto us we finde That do obey her voyce As is the head u Ephe. 1. and 4. and 5. to 's members kinde Gods Life x 1 Ioh. 1. doth us rejoyce 5. His shut y Gen 3. Paradise wherein we mought Not come is op't a 4 Esdr 8. now fine The tree of Life is sprouted out VVhose fruit is b 4 Esd 7. medecine Drink now the c Ephe. 5. wine of Love most pure With joy and merry cheer Gods Riches that alwayes endure Are never wanting here Fore-sightfully d Matt. 10. Ephe. 5. with wariness See that you leade your life As do the wise And seek no less To flie e 1 Cor. 1. Dissentious strif 6. Now swallowed up f Hos 13. 1 Cor. 15. lie death and sin With their Folly great and vain The Devil g Ioh. 12. Apo. 20. and Hell whose bands we were in The mockery appears now plain The heavenly h Deut. 8. Ioh. 6. Bread or ghostly Food That same our souls doth nourish In Gods
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
together with all abominations and desâ—lations and all undiscreetness and unrighteousness 7. But within in the City among this lovely people of Peace there is nothing but all life and prosperity i Isa 60. and 61. and 62. as likewise all loveliness peace and heavenly delightfulness 8. Also no man getteth shame nor reproach there no man there coveteth after Honor or Praise nor yet after Dignity or greatness of estimation for there is no mastership nor violence but all brotherly love and concord 9. There likewise no man raigneth over another but they are all alike with each other loving and peaceable fellow-brethren or members of Jesus Christ even as one only man or as one k Ephe. 2. and 5. body of the godly Disposition and Nature 10. Even thus also they do all there eat of one maner of bread and l 1 Cor. 10 and 11. drink all there of one maner of drink and inasmuch as they are every one spirituall children of God and Christ and are not covered with any foreskin of the sinful flesh nor yet with fleshly or earthly m 1 Cor. 3.4 mindes therefore do they likewise with their spiritual members walk naked and uncovered both before God and before one another 11. Also there the one doth see no unclean thing in the other for it is there all of God n Ephe. 1. Apo. 21. spiritual holy and good and pure are all their works and thoughts 12. Seeing then that these holy people are every one Spirit and spiritual and pure and undefiled in all their works and thoughts and that likewise it is all namely Land City Riches with all whatsoever is and cometh into the same spiritual godly and Gods own workmanship therefore also they are not ashamed of the godly works neither yet do they hide any spiritual o Gen. 2. members from each other for they altogether are no more then one spiritual body p Rom. 12. Eph. 2.5 or one man of God VVherefore the one member cannot be ashamed of the other 13. Forasmuch then as there is no shame nor reproach there q Gen. 2. among each other and that it is all good there and is all looked into and known for good whatsoever is there among them and what becometh assembled unto them so is there likewise no coveredness before God nor before one another and lauding and honoring their God perpetually they live in the true freedom of their God wherein God hath made them free through his truth and put off the r Isa 23. covering of reproach from their eyes and members 14. And in this maner doth God in this holy City of Peace and of Perfection behold the man in his manly nakedness Å¿ Gen. 1. and again the man the glorious God in his godly nakedness even thus do they there also behold one another in their manly and godly nakedness and that altogether in the Spirit and life of the pure hearts and that same pleaseth God namely that all partitions coverings and middle walls are put away from his t Gen. 2. 2 Cor. 3. Ephes 2. hand work that God may behold his hand work for good even as he hath created it and so likewise again the hand-work his Creator that they may all praise and laud God in the works of his hands u Gen. 1. Eccles 39. because he hath made it all so upright and well 15. Behold this same is the upright minde of life in the holy City of the living and is Gods Being and Nature and the very true x 2 Cor. 3. cleerness of the uncovered face of Jesus Christ and the inheritance of the holy Ghost and of all spiritual and heavenly Goods It is very true CHAP. XXXV SEeing then that this City is a spiritual City of Life and of perfect Righteousness and also full of wisdom and of the knowledg of God therefore doth not the one brother there teach the other neither is it needful for any man there to say to his neighbor a Jere. 31. Heb. 8. 1 Pet. 2. Apoc. 1. Know the Lord for there they are all Kings Priests or Elders and do all know the great glorious God both small and great and have all their dealing among each other in the upright love 2. Inasmuch now therefore as that they do all stand well-minded with one accord to the love and her upright being b 1 Tim. 1. so do they not there likewise compel any one to any righteousness as to learn or to observe the same by compulsion but they have all of themselves a c Isal 2. Jere. 50. Zech. 8. delight and pleasure in the life of righteousness 3. And so out of their inclination in the love they deal in all what is d Phil. 4. right and equal For the life in the love which is Gods true being it self is their chiefest and most perfect righteousness who is the e Eph. 1.5 Col. 1. head of them all 4. Moreover there is no man that claimeth any thing to be his own as to possess the same to his own private use for no man and that out of every ones good disposition can desire any thing to be his own or yet to make any thing f Acts 4. proper to himself from another but all whatsoever is there is free and is there left free in his upright form 5. There is also no man denied to use any thing g 1 Tim. 4. in freedom of all what is profitable and needful for him for they stand all in the equity h Ephes 4. as one in the love 6. Seeing now that they walk i Phil. 4. according to all maner of equity so is there no desire to any mans increasing nor diminishing nor yet to any mans extolling nor dispraising and therefore likewise there is no man extolled above his state and ordinance nor yet contemned or debased to be reputed less or lower then the same For the Almighty God is k Psal 7. 9. Isai 33. their Judg who directeth leadeth and upholdeth every one in his right Ordinance through his holy Spirit of Love 7. Every one there also useth l 2 Pet. 1. temperance and equity There is nothing done privily neither do they deal in any thing secretly but all naked and openly there is likewise no m Acts 4. self seeking nor unfaithfulness CHAP. XXXVI THere also no man desireth to serve a Exod. 20 Isal 2. any strange gods nor to make to himself any Images or similitudes for to worship them for they are come to the b Joh. 1.3 Beeing of God in the light of life And so they are c John 17. Ephes 2.5 one with God and God is one with them 2. Whose name likewise they use d Exod. 20 Eccles 23. not in vain for all what they speak of the Godhead to the Laud of his holy Name that same hath a living form in them 3. In this maner
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
will not ever be r Esa 54 angry with his people their chastisement shall not alwaies indure 21. He punisheth them for their sins Å¿ Jer. 30 he saveth and justifieth them for his holy Names sake 22. He will not forget his Covenant that he hath made with Abraham Isaac and Jacob. 23. He will not leave his u Psal 32. Jer. 31. Mich. 7. mercy which he hath promised by his Servants and Prophets 24. Yet once againe will he move x Agg. 2. Heb. 12. the earth and gather his people together out of all quarters of the earth y 2 Mac. 2 and be gracious unto them 25. Also he will erect a new z Jer. 31. Heb. 8. Covenant with them and give them a new Name the everlasting free-ones a Esa 62. the released by the Lord. 26. To whom the Law of the Lord his Statutes and Rites shall no more b Exo. 34. stand written in tables of stone 27. But God will write them in their hearts in the c Jer. 31. Heb. 8. innermost part of their minds in the ground of Faith according to the manner of the Father Abraham 28. Rejoyce you then that have been d Esa 54.60 rejected among all Heathen 29. Clap then with your e Psal 47. hands and stamp then with your feet 30. Make then your songs of joy at Sion sing then Alleluia f Tob 1. in all the streets and lanes of Jerusalem 31. Then cast from you the mourning-garment for that is the end g Esa 61. of your shame and contempt 32. Then put on h Esa 49.54 the apparell or ornaments of joy sing play and laud the Lord in triumphing 33. Play i Psa 33.8 1.98.146.148.150 upon Harps upon Lutes upon Cymballs Flutes Tabors Gitterns and upon all manner of Instruments with strings 34. For then will God k Esa 33. Eze. 34. be your King your Head and onely Pastor or Shepherd 35. No sinne l Jer. 50. shall ruinate or spoile you any more no Prophets shall seduce you any more 36. You shall every one m Jer. 31. Heb 8.10 know the Lord your God as also his Law Statutes and Rites 37. Thereon hope now O Israel the same shall come unto n Esa 35.5.60.51 you all ye Children of Jacob Alleluia Alleluia 38. Give perpetuall thanks unto the great God of Israel for besides him o Esa 34. there is no God more CHAP. XLVII In these Chapters following there are recited certain benefits shewed on the man through the Service of the Love of Jesus Christ with also a lamentable complaint over the blindnesse of the people and over certain good thinking wise and Scripture-learned ones and likewise how grossely they have over-reached themselves or failed in their giving of judgment over the spirituall and heavenly things with more other notable Declarations and good Instructions ALL this O ye good willing hearts and lovers of the truth which we have here set forth in Letters have we through love written for the service and furtherance of you all because that every one of you likewise should understand the upright life of Peace whereof we doe witnesse also wherein our health and preservation consisteth and likewise whereunto thâ— promises of God the Father a Gen. 22. made to the blessing of all generations of the earth doe extend and nought become agreeably minded with us and we with you for to enter into the same good life under the obedience of the Love through the love and her service to a b Eph. 1. 2 Pet. 3. renewing of the world and of all whatsoever is waxen old as also to become one onely Communaltie of Peace whereby to prepare in that manner through the service of Love the c Esa 54. 60. 66. Agg. 2. Peace upon earth according to the Promises 2. To that end also tendeth our whole service of writing whereunto likewise we are moved out of an inclination of love for that the d Rom. 10 righteousnesse which God esteemeth might come to light and be manifested thorough the love and her service to an everlasting e Esa 9.26 1.54 Peace for Israel according to the Promises 3. Moreover because there should be nothing with-holden from any one of all what serveth or is profitable for the man to the knowledge of the life we have also to a more abundance of the godly understanding witnessed of this same life in the Spirit which we do here point unto in these present testifications of the Land of Peace with many distinct sayings in the foure Bookes of the Glasse of Righteousnesse and likewise in all our Writings that are published or set forth by us 4. In which writings we have also as much as we were able and saw into it to serve to edication evidently and apparently distincted the f Deut. 30 Jer. 21. Eccles 15. wayes of life from the wayes of death 5. Seeing then that the glorious g 2 Cor. 4 light as a day or cleernesse of Christ is by Gods grace given us to behold therefore have we out of the same sight or heavenly Revelation rehersed likewise in those same foresaid books and writings many of the secret heavenly h Rom. 16 Eph. 3. Col. 1. treasures or riches of God which in times past even hitherto have not been made known unto the world like as God doth now presently through his love reveale and make them knowne unto his Saints 6. Which testimonies of the heavenly treasures or riches of God we have out of inclined love witnessed as a Glasse of upright righteousnesse and to a beholding in the Spirit of all Righteousnesse Light and Life to the serving and furtherance of all Lovers of the true being whereby to draw all those to the love of the true being that are good i Luk. 2. of will to the same true being and that they might even so adjoyn them to our Communalty and Service of the love of God and Christ and likewise submit them with us under the obedience of the Love 7. Which God-service of ours under the obedience of the love of God and Christ is the most holy God-service k Mat. 22. Mar. 12. Jam. 1. before God the Father For the same Service in his Declaration is neerest unto the godly heavenly truth above all God-services and understandings of this world CHAP. XLIX FOr what God-services soever do not submit them with us under the obedience of the Service of the a 1 Cor. 13 love of God and Christ shall all be found false b Jer. 10. and as no God-services and what understanding soever doth not yeeld it selfe captive thereunder shall all be knowne to be lying and as ignorance and likewise what Preachers or Teachers soever do not submit them nor stand subject there-under shall all become manifest that they preach or minister not the holy Word of the Lord and that they are not
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