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 Father's house, and travel into a land that I will show thee, Gen. 12 Act 7. I will lead thee on the ●●ght path that the course (when thou goest) be not painful unto thee, and that thou stumble not when thou runnest. Take ●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 th● 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 Garlic 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 mind ●●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 manner the holy and spiritual understanding, that is witnessed therein, to the end that the same which becometh seen and heard might be rightly judged according to the Spirit of the heavenly Truth, also the way, that lead●●● to the Life, entered into a ●●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 manner of weldernessed Lands, together with the sundry kinds 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 (than immediately 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 jer. 3 and 17. and 23. and 31. and 33.50. Ezech. 20. the Lord will now in the last time, under the obedience 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 mind: and the lovers of the Truth, humble you now every one under the obedience of the Love, and f joh. 13. and 15. 1 john 3. and 4. have or exercise love among each other, to the end that ye may remain unoffended: also g joh. 8. 2 joh. 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 being. 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 Understandings 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. hardened their hearts against the Truth. They have likewise wholly shut to, the sight of n jer. 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 show forth any upright Fruits of Repentance: o joh. 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 john 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 s 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 being 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 God's Love, x Rom. 2. 2 Thess. 2. nor liked that the Love should r●ign over them. But God's 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 rejoice 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 God's heavenly Truth (the Light of Life-from Heaven) all whatsoever is of God and Truth, becometh now published unto them c joh. 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 Being of Christ) he d joh 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 whilst the covering (which is the foreskin of the flesh of sin) was yet before their hearts and the Veil (which is the flesh of Christ) still before the clearness of the fare of God and Christ) they could not g joh. 16. endure that which is the clearness of the holy Ghost itself. 15. But when as now (in their new birth) the Vail● departeth from their hearts, so is it all th●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 john 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 yourselves 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 thyself 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, rejoicing them in the holy Word, and are mindful 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 Honour, as it beseemeth the children of the Kingdom. 22. For God will bring down s Isa. 2.40. Bar. 5. all high Hills, and make the high stony rocks, and the Valleys plain, that Israel may t Gen. 23.33. walk and dwell free (without fear) to the honour 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, etc. 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. jer. 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 will rehearse the mercy of God, where through this lovely rest of the spiritual land of Promise is (out of God's heavenly truth) appeared unto us and the knowledge 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 find it, or come to the knowledge of the same holy Land of Promise; so hath the God of heaven been gracious unto us, and not shut from us the knowledge 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 thorough, or passed beyond many and sundry manner 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 kind of manners, 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 whilst 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 dwelled or were born. 31. But when we passed thorough, 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 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 v●x●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. jer. 33. inhabited with no manner of vexation or unprofitable labour, 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 manner of k john 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 manner of people of the same city, any meet 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 full 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 strait 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 strait and narrow, and becometh found o Luke 13. of few, neither is it rightly regarded, therefore 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 encourage 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 testify of every one's 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. than 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 s Matt. 10. and 16. Luk 9.14. joh. 12. leave himself with all that he hath, he shall 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, shall (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 thorough 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 knowledge of the Way: So will we show the nearest 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 thorough the Gate, into the holy x Apo. 22. City of the good Land. We will also (for that men should in no wise err, 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 manner, evidently show, according to the Truth, how, wherewith, and wherethrough, 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 show 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, thorough 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 council 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 testify and show 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 pernicious 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 fallen 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, and among what sort of unrighteous or ignorant people he is, or hath united himself; and also how far off, or neerby, he is to the good Land of Peace, and to the peaceable people of the Love. 47. Behold (ye dearly beloved) (like as hereafter followeth) have we (out of an inclination of love) shown and described in this manner, because that every one of us (namely, ●●e to whom the Lord hath given i 4 Esd. 10 Ephes. 3. Col. 1. to know, or to understand the secretness of the good Land or of the heavenly Kingdom) might (with all lovers of the truth) be turned to the same good Land of the Kingdom of Peace, with one consent of mind, and with a good courage; as also enter into, and pass through the way k 4 Esd. 7. Luke 13. that leadeth to the same Life, with a good faith and firm hope; whereby to unite the same with us, and with those l sal. 32. & 33. peaceable people (in all m John 17 ● phes. 4. love and concord) who do always live in peace, and in all upright righteousness. 48. For this same good Land n Psal. 78. & 132. Matth. 25. is the upright place of rest, which God hath prepared, reserved, and kept for his People, from the beginning of the world; for to possess them with the same in the last time. 49. Moreover, this same Land, is a Land full of Joy, Life, and Songs of Praise, and likewise, full of all manner of Riches of God. For therein is the secret Treasure o Matth. 13. Col. 2. of all spiritual and heavenly Goods. It is also a Land, wherein Wine and Oil, Honey and Milk, and all Sweetness (to a joy and life) floweth abundantly; like as we shall hereafter following, rehearse more at large of the same. 50. Rejoice you now with this, p Psal. 96. Isa. 44.49. O ye Heavens, and recreate thyself now with us, thou Earth, and all ye that hope upon the Good. Give ear now to the Truth, understand and consider well of the strange States of the wildernessed Lands, and People, to the end, that ye may forsake or q Deut. 2. pass by them, and have also a good regard unto the lovely State of the good r Isai. 35.60. Land, and of the holy People, whereby to love the same, and to unite you, or to become one being with them. For all this same each one particularly, is hereafter following, described unto you in writing, even according to the Life and Truth. Take it to heart. THE Spiritual Land OF PEACE. Hear, and understand, taste, and perceive that which is spiritual, heavenly, and everlasting, and not that which is earthly, natural, and corruptible. Col. 3. CHAP. I. I Looked and behold: There is in the world a very unpeaceable Land, and it is the wildernessed Land, wherein the most part of all uncircumcised, impenitent, and ignorant people do dwell, and which is first of all needful for the man, to the end he may come to the Land of Peace, and to the good City of Life and Rest: to a Gen. 12. Apo. 18. forsake, and to departed out of the same. Which unpeaceable Land, is situate, or lieth against, or on the other, or contrary side of the East, or rising b Zech. 2. of the Sun; where neither Day not Sun ariseth, or shineth at any time. For when the Sun cometh near unto the same, then goeth she always under, or is c Isa. 5 60. 4. Esd. 14. covered with the Darknesses of the Land; and for that cause she d Sap. ●. shineth not there, nor yet giveth any cleverness in the same, because that the e Exo. 10. Psal. 105. Sap. 17. darknesses are too thick over the whole Land. 2. This same unpeaceable Land, hath also a City or Strength, wherein the people of the Land do put their confidence. The name of which City, they themselves which dwell therein, do not know, but only those that are come out of it; and it is named Ignorance, according to her own proper nature of the darknesses. 3. For the f Isa 8 9 4 Esd. 14. darknesses have wholly covered the same Land, and also the people that dwell therein; which darknesses are so g Exod. 10 Job 12. thick, that they may be felt. 4. And whosoever do dwell, or are born therein, they are likewise so ignorant, that they will not out of it; neither yet desire any better, because they have never seen the Light of Heaven, in his upright righteousness, nor yet known, nor loved the h Isa. 59 Rom. 3. Life of Peace in his upright Being. 5. They run from one place, and come to another, yet is it altogether in the same Land; but they will not departed out of it. Therefore is also the Proverb verified in them, which saith, It is evil, to be born in an evil Land. CHAP. II. THe people which dwell therein, know not their Original or first beginning; also, they keep not any Genealogy or Pedigree; neither do they know, from whence, or how, they are come into the same: And moreover then that, they are a Isai. 56.59. Matth. 15. altogether blind, and b John 9 blind born. 2. And yet over and above their blindness, although their eyes be shut, they are all bound over their eyes with blind clothes: that which also they have willingly over their eyes. For with the same they suffer themselves to be directed, and led into all error of Ignorance: persuading themselves, that the blind , are the light of their eyes, which do give light unto them; on whom likewise they have a confidence in their forthgoing, and desire not any better: And therefore the blind ones are led there with blind clothes. 3. The blind clothes are called c Isa. 56. Matth. 15. & 22. Luke 6. blind guides, because the blind ones (in the darkness, and in the Land of Ignorance) are led by them into all ignorance; but that same do they themselves neither know, nor understand. 4. And although one should take away the clothes from their eyes, in the same Land of Ignorance, and so should open their eyes in the knowledge, yet might it not help them any thing at all, to a beholding of the true Light; but it should be unto them more evil than good, because of the darknesses d Job 10.12. Isa. 5. & 9 which are spread over the whole Land; therefore must they also in the same (still groping after the way) be led in the darknesses; and must likewise, oftentimes e Matt. 15. Luke 6. with their blind guides, fall into the ditches. 5. For whosoever doth not forsake the same Land and his darknesses, as also the blind guides in the same, and suffereth not himself to be led into the true light, by the seeing guides of the Family of Love; f John 11. he must oftentimes stumble or become offended, and also many times g Prov. 4. stagger and fall, and that altogether; because he is not taught, nor led to the cleverness of the h Psal. 38. John 9 true Light, nor to the truth of the upright Life, whereby to behold the same true Light, in his upright Righteousness, and to inherit the upright Life, in his peaceable Being. 6. And although now one should speak much of the light, to any of the blind people (in the Land, called Ignorance) and should in most evident manner, expound or open the same unto them, in their knowledge; and that they then should have no lust nor will, to departed out of the darknesses of Ignorance; neither yet to be taught, nor led to the true light of the upright life: So could it not doubtless profit them, to the entrance into the rest of life; but it should be unto them, much more to a disquietness, to an offence, and to a death, because they remain inhabiting in the Land and in the City of Ignorance. For the whole City of the same Land, is full of Ignorance. For that cause also she hath her name, according to that she is herself. 7. Wherefore it is much better for the people of the same Land (the whiles they dwell therein, and have no desire to departed out of it, through the fear of God (that men give them) in their blindness and ignorant error) to understand of the i Ezek. 18. Mic. 6. Matth. 18. obedience which they owe to God and his Word, and to require the same of them, than that men should open the eyes of the k Gen. 3. disobedient knowledge unto them in their disobedience; and so then (if they endeavour them not to obedience) to let them go on still with their blind guides, till such time as they understand, that they are blind, and be led by the blind ones; and that they then likewise grow desirous after some better thing, and would very gladly or good willingly be taught to the Land of Peace, and to his peaceable people, and be led into the same. 8. Verily, that the same council, is the best council to be used among the blind people that know not their error, I have sufficiently proved by experience, among those that are ignorant of their error, and among the decliners from us, and our godly doctrine. Let every one therefore, take diligent heed, that he tie or bind not himself too fast unto his error, with his knowing wisdom, nor yet boast him of his knowledge; but let him study or endeavour himself to enter into the upright Christian life, and to the true understanding of God, through the right l John 10. door of the Humility and Obedience of Jesus Christ, and to become assembled to the family of Love; as also taught and exercised obediently, in the requiring of his Doctrine: so shall it then assuredly not miss or fail, to bring him to the true Light, and to the Life of the upright Righteousness. CHAP. III. THis forementioned City (named Ignorance) hath two Gates; the one standeth in the North, or Midnight, through the which, men do go into the City of Darkness, or of Ignorance. 2. This Gate now that standeth in the North, is very large and great, and hath also a great door, because there is much a Zech. 9 Matth. 7. passage of people thorough the same; and it hath likewise his name, according to the nature of the same City. 3. Forasmuch then as that men do come into Ignorance, through the same Gate, therefore is it named, b Mic. 7. Luke 21. Men know not how to do. And the great door (wherethrough the multitudes of people do run) is named, Unknown error; and there is else no coming in to the same City, named Ignorance. 4. The other Gate standeth on the one side of the City, towards the East, or Spring of the Day; and the same is the c Matth 7. Luke 13. narrow Gate, through the which, men travel out of the City of Ignorance, and do enter into the strait way, which leadeth to the Life of the Righteous. 5. Now when one traveleth out through the same Gate, then doth he immediately after espy some Light, and that same reacheth to the rising of the Sun. 6. The name of this Gate (wherethrough men travel out of the Land of Ignorance) we will rehearse d Infra. 7. hereafter: For we will now write forward of the manner of the ignorant Land and People. CHAP. IU. THis Land of Ignorance is in itself so utterly wildernessed, and encompassed, and be-set with so many a Eccles. 1. & 2. & 4. & 5. Isa. 41.59. vexations, troubles, and unprofitable labours; that by means thereof, there is no convenient place to be found there, to sow any Corn in, b Lam. 2.4 Amos 8. for the food of men; therefore there groweth neither c Jere. 14. Corn nor Grass, in the same Land. 2. The people of this Land, do all likewise live in confusion or disorder, and are very diligent d Eccles. 5. Isa. 44. in their unprofitable work and labour. And although all their work be vain or unprofitable, yet hath every one notwithstanding a delightful liking to the same. For according to the nature of the Land they are all ignorant, and inclined to unprofitable works. 3. Forasmuch then, as that they all have such a delight to such unprofitable work, e Isa. 24. so forget they to prepare the Ground for Corn and Seed to live thereby, according to the good manly Ordinance; and so they live not by the manly food, but by their own f Ezek. 4. Hos. 4. & 9 Mic. 6. dung; for they have there no other food to live by. 4. There is oftentimes hunger, but no man hath any lust, or yet desire to any other food g Jere 36. & 44. then to his own dung; for their stomach and nature is accustomed, and naturally inclined thereunto. 5. Wherefore, seeing they are not fed with any bread, b Job 33. Eccles. 14. but with their own filthiness, or dung; so is there likewise, no satisfying among them. 6. Seeing then that they understand not what kind of Food serveth them, to the good Life, but (through their Ignorance) do sustain themselves by their own dung; therefore they do not understand also how to prepare themselves the good things, i Deut. 32. Luke 19 that serve them unto peace, and to a peaceable life; but do vex and trouble themselves out of measure, for to make those things diligently (and that k Psal 4. with a delight) which are unprofitable, and which do afflict themselves, or bring them to much encumbrance. 7. The vain or unprofitable works, and the preparations or endeavours of the foolish people (wherethrough the whole Land, every where▪ is exceedingly burdened with great molestation and labour) are these. CHAP. V. THey make there divers sorts of Puppet works or Babies, for to bring up the children in vanity; there are made likewise many kind of Balls, Tut-staves, or Kricket-staves, R●ckets, and Dice; for that the foolish people should waste or spend their time therewith in foolishness. 2. There be made also, playing Tables, Draft-boards. Chess-boards, Cards and Mummeries or Masks, for to delight the idle people with such foolish vanity. There are made likewise, many Rings, Chains, and Gold and Silver Tablets, and Brooches; also Garnishing of Plumes or Tufts of Feathers, and many manner of stitched or embroidered works, with Gold, Silver, Pearl, and Silk. Likewise, many kinds of Tapestry, and Guards, or Borderwork upon Garments: And divers sorts of unprofitable colours upon Clothes; as also sundry manner of Cut and Pinked Garments; and likewise, many kinds of Pictures, Tables of Imagery, Painted Walls, and divers kind of Carved, and Graven, or wrought Images for to delight the foolish and proud minded people, a 1 Joh. 2. and to satisfy and fulfil the lust of their eyes. 3. Men do occupy there likewise, sundry sorts of unprofitable and unneedful merchandise, for to provoke the hearts of the foolish people, unto covetousness or greedy desire b 1 Tim. 6 Jam. 5. of vain riches, and to rejoice them in the same. 4. There are made also divers sorts of sounding instruments for melody; and there are Printed many manner of foolish Books, for to delight the heating of the foolish people therewithal: For after such things their ears do c 2 Tim. 4 itch. 5. They build there likewise, divers houses of common assembly, which they call Gods houses; and they use there many manner of foolishnesses of taken on Services, which they call Religions, or God-services, whereby to wave or hold forth something in show, before the ignorant people, touching the opinion of their d Sap. 17. Tit. 1. defiled consciences, because they should quiet their foolish consciences. 6. Seeing then that they are e Sap. 2. Rom. 1. covered with darkness, and dwell in Ignorance; so do they invent among themselves, many manner of good-thingking, or selfconceited knowledges, to their appeasment in their Ignorance; also sundry sorts of garnishing of services, f Isai. 44. & 46. Jere. 10. Baruch 6. and of gods, which they may handle or feel in their ignorance; for else they should think that they had neither Gods, nor God's services, neither could they set their consciences at quiet. 7. In this manner are the vain people bewitched with these things; where through they think or persuade themselves, that their gods services, and knowledges, which they themselves do make, or take on in their hypocrisy, must needs be some g Wisd. 14.15. holy or singular thing, and so then they honour the works of their own hands. 8. They bestow likewise much labour, for to exercise themselves well in the knowledge, and to teach forth the same, but b 2 Tim. 3. they remain in the same land, utterly unskilful and ignorant touching the knowledge of the truth. 9 They make there also many swords, halberds, spears, bows and arrows, ordnance or guns, pellets, gunpowder, armour or harness, and gorgets, etc. for that the tyrannical oppressors, and those that have a pleasure in destroying, should use war and battle (therewithal) one against another. 10. To be short, all the unprofitable works of the same wildernessed land, neither it all the abominations wherethrough the people of the same land do live very cumbersomly and unpeaceable, are not very easily to be written; but let him that hath eyes to mark, look farther into the same. 11. It is surely an evil land, where it is neither good to dwell, nor yet to remain: for the people of the same land, are too exceeding wonderful, and too strange or i Deut. 32. judic. 19 absurd of life: also too exceeding disorderly, and too k Isa. 57 unquiet of mind, from whom likewise there proceedeth a foul or l Isa. 34. joel 2. filthy vapour, that stinketh over the whole land; but because they are gross and soul of complexion, they themselves do not smell their own stink. CHAP. VI THe people of this Land have also strange names, each one according to his nature; every one is known there likewise by his nature; for according as their nature is, such are their names written upon them: whosoever can read the writing let him consider thereon; they are gross Letters; who so hath but a little sight and understanding, he may soon read them; whose names are these. 2. Highmindedness, a Rom. 1. Gal. 5. 2 Tim 3. lust of the eyes, stoutness, pride, covetousness, lust or desire to contrariness, foolishness, wantonness b Ephe. 5. or light behaviour, vanity or unprofitableness, c Rom 1. unnaturalness undecentness, masterfulness, gluttony, unchastity, unforesightfulness, macking, scorning, dallying, d Wis 14. adultery, or fornication, contemning, lying, deceiving, variance, e Gal. 5. strife, and contention, vexing, f Phil. 2. selfseeking, oppressing, undiscreetness, etc. 3. Behold such strange or absurd names, disposition, and nature have the people andinhabiters of this land called Ignorance. 4. Their dealing or manner of life, is also variable, for now they take on some thing, than they leave somewhat else; now they be thus led, then be they so driven; now they praise this, than they dispraise that; now they think to have this Vision, than they think to have that Prophecy: to be short, they are always unconstant. 5. Their Religion or God's service, is called g jer. 44. The pleasure of men. Their doctrine and ministration is called, h Ier 7. and 8. Ezec. 13. and 22. Goodthinking. Their king is called, The scum of ignorance [which signifieth unto us, the climbing up of the hasty or rash minds of ignorance;] whom they themselves do set up to be their Superior or King, for to bear sway, or to reign over them. CHAP. VII. WHosoever now findeth himself in this dark land full of ignorance, and desireth to go out of, and to forsake the same, and so hath a good liking towards the good land of Rest and Peace, for to assemble him into the same, among the peaceable people, he must go thorough the other gate that lieth towards the East, for that is the out-faring gate, wherethorow he must travel forth out of the dark land of Ignorance, and it is named a Prov. 1. and 8. and 15. and 16. The fear of God. 2. The same gate hath also a strong or mighty door for to go thorough, and it is named b Prov. 1. and 9 The beginning of Wisdom. Now when the traveller beginneth to go thorough these same; so can it not be otherwise with him then, but he must endeavour himself to give car and credit to the testimonies of the gracious Word of the Lord, and to the service of the Family of Love Wherethrough he then also (in his hearing and believing) is presented or met withal (by the Elders in the Family of Love) with the light of the first entrance of the way that reacheth into the holy Land of the living. With which light and his requiring, the upright life of the pure hearts in Jesus Christ, and the very true c Isa. 60. joh. 1. light of the same life (against the minds of the false light of the goodthinking Knowledge) is held forth, and evidently declared unto him, whereby he becometh then likewise humbled in all his minds and thoughts: and there is also made known unto him, what manner of sinner, and how d Matt. 15. unclean of heart he is without the upright being of the true light and life that proceedeth out of God (and so in the Knowledge 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, wherethrough likewise he is the more ready to consent to pass over and to travel thorough 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 thorough 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 than the great daylight of the good land, yet reacheth it notwithstanding to the great h Isa. 60. Mal. 4. Apo. 22. daylight 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 than 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 manner 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 goodthinking Knowledge, 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: jer. 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 goodthinking wisdom) become not hindered from entering into the godly life, by the many manner 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 travel forward toward the good land, thorough 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 imagination, nor yet unadvisedly without the counsel of the s Pro. 4. and 5. Eccle. 8. elders in the wisdom of the love, and of the upright being 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) attain 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 thorough this said gate and door, and so beginneth to travel forward towards the good land, then doth he find in the way of his forth-going two kind of wise ones or counsellors that do meet 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 minds of the flesh) to behold, nor yet his say and counsel to be obeyed, because that he is contrary to all minds 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 joined 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 adjoining 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 whilst 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) inherit the c Prov. 7. Ephe. 1. heritage of the peaceable land. 14. The other Wise one cometh before him, out of the thoughts of man's goodthinking, 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 minds of the flesh) to behold, and his say 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 ●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 man's goodthinking, 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 counseleth 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 being, 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 herself there-against much subtler 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 endeavour 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 knowledge, and to excel all things with the knowledge, n jer. 9.11. and 13. and 18. as also to live according to the best of the goodthinking or judgement of his own heart. 18. Besides this, The wisdom of the flesh holdeth forth likewise before the traveller divers sorts of knowledge, according to the desire and pleasure of the flesh, because he should choose such things to follow after: also sundry kinds of o Col 2. 2 Tim. 3. false holiness, and false freedom, and many kinds 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 lose 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 believe 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. Selfseeking; the other s Gen. 3. Negligence toward the Law or Ordinance of the Lord] and so he cometh into many kind 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 Knowledge, and all those likewise that are enemies to the Family of Love, and that are captived with the flesh's wisdom or goodthinking, 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 principal 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 steadfastly 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 always 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 life's 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 jam. 5. Patience, or sufferance, and it is the true Altar in thee Holy, upon the which the true Meat-offering is, that is given to the faithful believing travellers to eat, and also the true Drink-offering that is given them to drink. Which Meate-offering is named, m joh. 2. The Flesh or Body of Jesus Christ; and the Drink-offering is named, The Blood of Jesus Christ; and the same body and blood of Jesus Christ is unto the constant and faithful traveller (in the proceeding on in his Pilgrimage) n Ephe. 2. Col. 1.2. a true Mediator, to lay away the sin in the flesh, and to establish the o Rom. 15. Promises with him that are made to the Fathers; and so through the same, and with the same Meate-offering and Drink-offering the traveller is able to bide p Heb. 12. constant to the Compass, and on the Cross, till unto the accomplishing of his Passover and debt offering; that is, unto the death and burying of all the lusts and desires of the sinful flesh, and of all the flesh's wisdom or goodthinking, and so can overcome all false ends and all the enemies of the good Life of the upright Love, and enter into the good Land of Peace, without harm, and be assembled to all the holy ones of God, in the everlasting life. 7. Whosoever then hath even thus (as is said) these two forementioned Instruments with him, and giveth himself captive thereunder q 2 Cor. 10. obediently, according to the doctrine and requiring of the Law of the Lord, he r Sap. 3. cometh through the same captivity, to the upright freedom of all the children of God. 8. Howbeit it s Sap. 3. & 5. Matth. 27. seemeth, as that he dieth on the Cross, through the compass, with the said meat offering and drink-offering; but he cometh through t Rom. 6.8. the same death of the Cross, to the upright life. 9 Now when the traveller giveth himself to the journey, with this said Armour of the upright warlike soldiers of Jesus Christ, and so prepareth his u Eccle. 2. soul against all temptations; then can he likewise, in the days of his temptations, keep the victory against all the enemies of the good life, and of the upright love: For so in that Armour, none of the enemies of the life, nor the ungodly ones, with their temptations, bide x Heb. 12. standing before the forsaking of himself, for the good life's sake, and before the parience; nor the v Matt. 16. Gates of Hell the danger of death, the bands of the Devil, not yet the world, nor flesh, have not any power against those same; but they be all overcome therethrough, and all that whatsoever is not any life, neither yet of God, must give back before them. 10. Therefore (all ye lovers of the good Land, and z joh. 1. jam. 1. disciples of the holy Word) have a diligent regard unto the compass, and continue on the Cross, a Matt. 10. and 24. even unto the end: For therethrough do we obtain the victory against all the enemies, and we may likewise, through those same, enter (without harm) into this good Land, which lieth right in the East, and where the Sun always shineth, b Isa. 60 Apo. 22. and never goeth down; and so may inherit the same for evermore. CHAP. IX. ●F so be now that the traveller do give ear to the council of the Law of the Lord, and giveth himself to the journey, with the said Instruments, then doth he in his travelling forward, come into a great unpathed Land, where many manner of temptations and deceits do meet with him; and coming into the same, there appeareth unto him immediately a Matth. 2. a star out of the East, which guideth him till into the good Land; to the end, that he should always (in all the temptations of deceit) have a good confidence to pass by all the temptations, and deceivable things, that do meet with him, and to come to the good Land. 2. This Star is named, b Abac 2. Rom. 1. Heb. 11. Belief and hope, by the which he doth behold (afar off) to what good rest the Star will bring him. 3. This great unpathed Land (that he traveleth through) is named, Many manner of walkings, because the Travellers do travel and pass (from all quarters) through the same Land, c Deut 1. to that one good Land of rest; but in all the same Land, named, Many manner of walkings, there is not one plain pathed way. 4. But although the Travellers do (in this Many manner of walkings) travel to the good and peaceable Land; yet do they all at the last assemble into one way; for they all have their guiding by that one d Matt. ●. 2. Star, which Star (according to the pointing of their compass) bringeth them all to that one Land of Peace. 5. Moreover, this Land, into the which one cometh, through the Fear of God, and the Beginning of Wisdom, is of itself, a e Eccles. 2. sorrowful minded Land; and the people of that Land, neither yet the Travellers in the same, f Psa. 126. & 137. are never merry; wherefore there do happen there unto the Travellers, many temptations to choose g Matth. 4. Luke 4. something, whereby to be released from the sorrow or grief: But with the forsaking of himself, they overcome it all through the patience. 6. The names of the people are these, Stricken in heart, h Exod. 16.17. Cumbered in mind, Wofulness, Sorrowfulness, Anguish, Fear, Dismaidness, Perplexity, Vncomfortableness, Vndelightfulness, Heavy-mindedness, Many manner of Thoughts, Dead courage. 7. Behold, such names and natures of people, there are, and do dwell in this Land, Many manner of walkings. CHAP. X. THis Land is an open, weak, or unwalled Land; and is like unto a a Exo. 26. Num. 21. barren wilderness, wherein there 〈…〉 joy to be found; but it is full or perils of deceit, because of the sundry sorts of temptations that do come to the Traveller through Perplexities. 2. For if they (according to the doctrine of the Law of the Lord) have not a sharp watch unto the compass, nor hold them fast on the Cross, and also do not still mark the b Matth. 2. leading star, then may they soon be led away into a by-way; and that because of the Heavy mindedness of the Inhabitants of the Land. For the wisdom of the flesh doth also come forth there oftentimes very subtly, c Rom 1. 2 Pet. 2. with her self-seeking, for to point the Traveller aside: But all what is selfseeking, that is seducing, but whereunto the forsaking of himself pointeth or leadeth, that is the right path. 3. Verily, in this Land of mortifying and abstaining d Mat. 16. Matth. 8. from all things, there is not much joy to be gotten; but the Traveller, that (with the forsaking of himself) passeth through the same, in the patience, and seeketh not his own selfness; but (under the obedience of the love) hath a much more desire to do e Psal. 40. Heb. 10. the Lords will, he obtaineth a good salvation of the peaceable life. 4. And whosoever likewise, hath not an hearty desire to the good life, he also remaineth not constant in this way. But whoso bideth constant till unto the f Matt. 10. and 14. end, he shall be saved, and rejoice him in the everlasting life. 5. Moreover, in this land, the travellers have not much sweetness of the herb of life, wherewith they be g Exo. 16. fed in their hunger, nor yet much satisfying of refreshing of the Fountain-waters, h Exo. 17. Num. 20. wherewith they be refreshed in their thirst because that in the same land, there is no perfect satisfying i Isa. 41. of hunger and thirst to be found, nor come by; for the herb wherewith they be sustained to the Life, and the Fountain-waters wherewith they be refreshed, do k Eccl. 24. make them still the longer the more hungry and thirsty: and as long as they are travelling in this land towards the good land of Peace they have still hunger and thirst l Matth. 5. Luk. 6. after the righteousness; but in the good land they become all satisfied. 6. The herb wherewith the travellers be m 2 Cor. 3. Gal 3.4. sustained to the life, is named, The serviceable Word of the Lord; and the Fountain-waters wherewith they be refreshed, are named, n jer. 23. and 31. and 33. Luk. 22. 1 Cor. 11. The promises of Salvation in the new Testament of the blood of Jesus Christ. CHAP. XI. IN this land named (Many manner of walkings) there lie also fair hills, that seem to be somewhat a Num. 33. Deut. 2. delightful, of which the traveller must beware; for it is nothing but Deceit, Vanity, and seducing. 2. These hills are garnished with divers trees, which do likewise bring forth vain and deceitful fruits. 3. Now because of this garnishing of the trees, and for the delectation of their vain fruits, many travellers do suffer themselves to be seduced therewith, b Num. 32. and do make their dwelling among them, and so they remain without the good land of Life and of Rest. 4. And seeing they are grown somewhat weary c Heb. 12. and grieved, or somewhat d Num. 11.14. unbelieving or doubtful in the ministration of the Word, therefore do they suffer themselves the more easily to be drawn away with the same; for it hath a show as if it were to their preservation and welfare, or were some holiness. 5 For that cause do the travellers also, the more easily cleave unto it; and so they leave the forsaking of themselves, taking on e Exod. 16.17. Num. 11. their self seeking (that is, They take on their own f Rom 10. righteousness, and made g Col. 2. holiness, or their h Phil. 3. ease in the flesh.) They likewise leave the patience, and become negligent towards the Law or Ordinance of the Lord, following their i Gen. 3. self choosing, wherewith they (according to their own pleasures) be drawn away, by the deceit of the wisdom of the flesh. 6. If they now bide not constant, till unto the end of the travelling through, k Num. 14. Psal. 95. then remain they also without the good pleasant Land. and do estrange themselves from the holy City of Peace and Rest. 7. These hills are named l Prov. 3. Isa. 5. Taken on wit, or prudence, Riches of the spirit, m Rom. 1. 1 Tim. 1. Learned knowledge, n 2 Tim. 3. Taken on freedom, o Ezek. 13 22. Goodthinking prophecy, Zeal after chosen holiness, p Mat. 23. Col. 2 Sergeant righteousness, New invented humility, q Luk. 18. Pride in ones own spiritualness, Unmindful of any better, etc. 8. The Trees that grow upon these hills are named r Judae 1. Coloured love, Litteral wisdom, greedy towards owns, flattering-alluring, s Cor 1. or 2. reproving of natural ones, t Matth. 4. promises of vanity, s 1 Tim. 4. exalting of his own private invention, pleasure in chosen holiness u Mat. 23. Luk. 18. greatly esteeming his own working of private righteousness. 9 These trees do bring forth altogether one manner of fruits, which be all likewise called by one manner of name; and the name of their fruits x Psa. 57 Wisd. 3. and 5. Eccle. 34. is Vain Comfort: with which fruits the people that have left the forsaking of themselves, and the Cross with the Meate-offering, and Drink-offering, and have not brought their Debt-offering to the Lord, and that seek their Rest, or make their dwelling among these deceitful hills, do let themselves y Isa. 29. be fed. 10. If therefore the travellers have left the forsaking of themselves, and the patience with the Meate-offering, and Drink-offering, as also the accomplishing of their Debt-offering, or are growing doubtful in the belief, z Heb. 10. so find they then some refreshing among these hills through the shadow of the trees. They get likewise some satisfying through the vain comfort, and are also at the first somewhat glad therethrough; also singing and crying out; We have it, we have it, we are illuminated, born anew, and come to the rest, and to the best of all. II. But (alas) when the Sun ariseth somewhat high, then do the fruits a Psal. 34. Matth. 13. whither, namely the vain comfort, and when the Winter cometh, then stand the trees barren; and it is all b job 20. Wisd. 5. deceit and seducing. 12. Therefore there is no true Rest but in the good land of Eternity which is full of all pure hearts and souls of the living. CHAP. XII. THe whilst then that the traveller doth travel toward this good land by the leading Star (Belief and Hope) so cometh he clean th●row all the deceit, by means of the a Matt. 16. Forsaking of himself. For that ●t is a good compass unto him which pointeth to the good land 2. And with the Patience he likewise b Heb. 10. and 11. and 12. overcometh all assaults; for that is unto him a good blessing of the holy Cross, and a good armour to the conquering c Ephe. 6. 2 Pet 4. of all his assaultings; where through all his enemies d jam. 4. sly from him; and so he may pass by all what is destroying free without harm. 3. For there are many Molesters and destroyers to be found in this land, which do grievously vex the travellers, and would also destroy, e Luk. 21. 1 Pet. 5. let, or hinder them, that they should not come into the good land of Peace. But they do all fear and tremble, before the holy Cross. 4. The molesters that do oftentimes meet the traveller for to hinder his passing forward and to bring him to destuction, are named f 2 Pet. 3. trying of The Belief, g Num. 14. Matth. 24. 2 Pet. 3. Doubt or distrustfulness to come to the good land, tempting with a chosen appeasement according to the flesh, proving of the belief in a show of comforting with the Worldly beauties, h Matth. 4. Luke 4. proffering of the possession of all the riches of the earthly corruptibleness, to the end to forsake (in respect thereof) the true invisible being, God's i Wisd. 7. Col. 1. eternal Power and Might, the everlasting uncorruptibleness, and the heavenly Riches of the perpetual Immortality, wherein no k Apo. 21. corruption can remain or endure. 5. But let no man suffer himself to be discouraged at the passage of the l Heb. 10. jam 1. 1 Pet. 21. way, nor seduced by the molesters, but have all your longing (O ye lovers m Psal 42, of the upright Virtue) after the most holy being of the good land of the living, and keep still your eyes fixed upon the leading Star. 6. Have a diligent regard unto the Compass, that ye turn not out n joh 23. on a●● side. 7. Forsake not the holy Cross, nor the serviceable gracious Word of the Lo●● which is o Matt. 24. administered and given unto you to p Eccl. 15. feed upon (by the Elders and Minister of the same) for food of life, to the e●● that ye may therethrough be preserve● from all destruction in the way of yo●● Journey, till unto the entrance into the good land, and that all whatsoever is destroying may fly q jer. 4. from you; for even s● in your constancy, the holy Cross shall 〈◊〉 unto you an Altar of the true burnt-offering and the serviceable gracious Word 〈◊〉 the Lord, a safemaking gift or offering Christ upon the same Altar r Heb. 9 in the holy 〈◊〉 the true Tabernacle of God and Christ upon which Altar your Gift or Offent which ye offer up unto the Lord upon th● holy Altar in the holy, becometh sanctify (through the same safemaking Gift or Offering the serviceable gracious Word 〈◊〉 the Lord) and kindled, or set on fire for offering to the consuming of all th● enemies of the good life, wherethrough then likewise, your willing Debt offering Sin-offering and Death-offering shall be acceptable f Isa. 56. Rom. 12. unto the Lord, and ascend up before him (from the same Altar) t 2 Cor. 2. as a sweet savour. 8. Therefore be not afraid u Deut. 20. Isa. 41. 1 Mac. 4. of all your enemies, for God hath made them all dismayed through the holy Cross of Christ (the true Altar of his holy Offering in the Holy) and given them into our hands for to be vanquished. CHAP. XIII. IN this same thorowfaring land, men find also a crafty murderer, that both high and low, wide and far runneth all over this same land, and he is named a Num. 13. and 14. Unbelief. 2. Of this wicked Villain, it behoveth us to be b Heb. 3.4. very wary; for by him there are many murdered, and so they remain without the Rest, because they lose the Compass, and forsake the Cross through unbelief; and also, because they cover their eyes from the Light of heaven, and will no longer behold the Leading Star. 3. Therefore herein there is great danger to pass thorough, namely, for all those that will follow their own counsel, and are c Num. 13. and 14. faint-hearted, or wavering in faith, keeping no diligent watch unto the Compass, and (for fear of sustaining damage) do hastily cast the Cross from them. 4. But the travellers that give no regard unto their own counsel or opinion, shall not fear the danger of sustaining damage, but shall continue of d Ephe. 6. good courage: for it is all nothing and vanity, whatsoever meeteth them upon the way. It is all to be overcome through the patience; for there through it consumeth itself, e Psal. 37.68. like unto smoke, and there is nothing at all found that is any-what, or that remaineth over but the good land, with his holy Inhabitants and godly Riches. 5. Therefore let men travel thorough boldly f Heb. 5. and 10. and 11. with faith and a firm hope, and not doubt g Matt 14. nor grow wavering: then is there nothing that can endamage nor destroy them. CHAP. XIIII. IN this Land there lieth also a dangerous river, wherein a Psal. 69. many travellers be drowned and choked, that hold them not unto the counsel of the Law of the Lord, and therefore have no regard unto the Compass, nor have suffered themselves to be made fast on the Cross. 2. For that cause it is likewise very needful that the travellers do take diligent heed hereof, also regard well the Compass, and hold them unto the Cross, that they run not in the same. 3. This river is named, b Rom. 6, Ephes. 4. A desire in the pleasures of the flesh. And in the same there are also Fishes, who have their nature according to the name and nature of the river: but let not the traveller take upon him c Rom 6.13. Gal. 5. 2 Tim. 2. jude. 1. to go into the same river, nor to catch her fishes, neither yet suffer himself to delight to eat of them. 4. These fishes are named d jer. 5. Phil. 3. 2 Pet. 2. Meat of the temporal delights, in stead of the everlasting good. 5. Some fishes are likewise named, Ease in the flesh, in stead of zeal to the righteousness, e john 2. Honour of the world, in stead of the Rest in the Spirit, and of the honour of God. 6. Take you every one diligent heed of this deceitful River, and of her Fishes. It seemeth indeed to be a very pleasant water for one to refresh and recreate himself in; and the taste of the fishes doth also provoke a desire for to eat still of them: but it is all mere deceit, f Wisd. 5. 1 Cor. 7. 1 joh. 2. vain and nothing. 7. This river hath (in her bottomless deepness) a very evil rewarding. For if one sink into the same unto the bottomless depth thereof, then findeth he nothing there, but g job 18. Psal. 11. Psal. 34. Apo. 21. burning pitch, brimstone, heat, and flames of the hellish fire. 8. That is the reward of this river, towards all those that run to the same, and drown or choke themselves therein. 9 Therefore let no man intent nor endeavour him to take on any sweetness of life, so long as he is not yet come to the Rest of the good land; for as long as one is in the journey, he must account of himself as a h 2 Cor. 5. 1 Pet. 2. Heb. 11. Pilgrim, or walker in strange lands, who suffereth nothing to delight him in the same (for to take it on him) inasmuch as he hath no inheritance nor continuing place therein. i Heb. 13. 10. After this manner likewise, let every one stand minded, and not take on any thing, k 1 Cor. 9 according to his own pleasure, but proceed on right-forth towards the holy l Heb 11. Apo. 21.22. City, which is named, The understanding of God; for in the same is m Col. 2. all fullness of riches, n joh. 10. and all fullness of life and of joy to be found. CHAP. XV. IN this unpathed thorowfaring land, there do also spring or grow certain Thistles and thorns which do many times somewhat vex the traveller; but with patience he may escape and pass thorough them all. 2. The Thistles and Thorns, are named, a Num. 14 Wisd. 17. Uncertain Consciences. 3. Therein are likewise to be found divers natures of beasts, that are minded to devouring; the which also do pursue the travellers very stoutly, in such sort, that they sometimes retire a little because of them; but before the Cross they do all retire back at the last. 4. These beasts are named, b Rom. 3. Gal. 5. Envy, Wrath, Churlishness or Vnfriendliness, Cruelty, Offensiveness, Resistance or Disobedience, Craftiness, greedy desire of Honour, Subtilty to deceit and Violence; and also one of the most detestable beasts (that will worst of all give way) is named Hypocrisy c Luk. 12. or Dissimulation, where under all manner of naughtiness is covered with a coloured Virtue, d Mat. 6.7.23. or made holiness; and he is indeed the subtlest beast who provoketh all the other beasts for to devour the travellers. 5. Of which wild beasts the travellers must take heed with great foresightfulness, e Matt. 10. Ephe. 5. that they run not into the mouth of them, and so be swallowed up. CHAP. XVI. NOw when the traveller is passed thorough all this said land, and hath left all these abominations, then cometh he to three Castles, thorough the midst of the which he must pass, and must leave them in like manner; for he shall not need a 4 Esd. 2. to fear any thing of all whatsoever meetteth him in the journey. 2. It is true when any thing meeteth him in any place, that hath a show (or that he himself regardeth) as if it were of some value; hen doth it vaunt out itself so highly sometimes, as if it were impossible to be overcome; b Exod. 1●. Num 13 but when one is gone thorough or past the same, and then looketh about after it, so is it nothing at all, and is afore deceit, c ●ob 20 Psal. 37 vanity, and bewitching. 3. Upon these Castles there lie subtle watchers, which are very crafty and wily; but thorough the d Mar. 8. Luk. 9 forsaking of himself, and with the patience one may pass by them: but whosoever (through unbelief) hath lost the Compass, and left the Cross, him do they take captive to be their bondslave. 4. The one of these Castles is named, e job 1. and 2. Matt. 4. The power of the Devils assaulting: the second, f Heb. 12. The forsaking of Hope: the third is named, g Psal. 55. Fear of death. 5. The Watchers that lie upon these Castles (for to take the people captive under the same) as named according to their nature; and these are their names. 6. h 2 Cor. 11. Appearing like angels of light, i bzec. 13. and 22. Indeavoring to the stealing of the heart, k Pro. 14.16. 2 Tim. 3. Appearance of Virtue, Subtle invention, l Prov. 12. Col. 2. Confidence in Knowledge, m Mat. 23. 1 Tim. 4. Made laws and imagined rights, Disguised or unknown holiness, Self framed Righteousness (there goeth also among them) n 4. Esd. 16. Wisd. 17. Rom. 2. Accusation of sins, Fear of evil, Fear of adversity, Careful of destruction, Fear of hell etc. 7. These and such like before named, are the Watchers of the Castles, who do go out with many o ● Isal. 35.57. subtle snares, for to let the travellers, and to catch them into their Captivity. 8. But the p Mat. 16. forsaking of himself pointeth quite beyond, as to forsake it all; and with the patience, one passeth thorough the same, as if it were nothing; for the Compass doth point only unto the Understanding of God, to the end to bring the traveller to the same, and to arm him thereunto; forasmuch doubtless as all other things are q Wisd. 5. seducing and foolishness. CHAP. XVII. NOw when one is passed beyond and hath left all this (as is rehearsed) then doth he a Num. 27. Deut. 34. come hard by the good land, and he approacheth near unto the understanding of God. But many do run past the entrance thereof, because they persuade themselves too soon, that they have left it all, and that they are grown so wise, that they think it is not needful for them to near the serviceable Word of the Lord any more, and think that therefore they cannot fail to know very rightly the entrance of the good land; and also the manner how they shall go into the good land, and so they lose the Compass, coming even so yet into very great errors. 2. For the nearer one cometh to the Land, the more subtly doth the deceit assault him; for besides the entrance of this good land (as the one ways entrance joined to the other) there lieth also a way b Matth. 7. that leadeth to an abominable or horrible land; and the same way is a pleasant way to behold; and c Gen. 3. Pro. 14.16. pleasant likewise to enter into, wherewith many be deceived; supposing (forasmuch as his coming in is so delightful and pleasant in beholding) that the same is the very way that leadeth into the good land. 3. Here it is very needful to have a diligent and sharp regard, to which of both these ways the d Matth. 2. Star leadeth and upon which the Compass pointeth; whither it be to the same pleasant way, or to the peaceable life of the good land, and also that the Cross be not forsaken; for through e Heb. 12. 1 Pet. 2. the Cross one may perceive which of them is promised to be the Rest, namely, the pleasant way, or the peaceable life of the good land. 4. This pleasant way is named f Gen. 2.3. Knowledge of Good and Evil, the which deceiveth many people, because they persuade themselves, that to know the good and the evil doth far excel the serviceable Word of the Lord, and his Requiring; and that likewise the same is the very best, the most holy, and the most prudent Understanding, whereby to go into the good land, and to inherit his Riches; and so they judge that the Knowledge is the greatest or the chiefest Riches of God. Howbeit it is nothing at all g Gen 3. Wis. 2.5. but deceit, pain, labour, trouble, and no rest; also nothing but Death, and no Life. 5. For if any man adjoin him unto the knowledge of good and evil, and maketh more account of it then of the Nature of God, h Gal. 3. Heb. 7. whereunto the Law of the Lord is serviceable unto him, then doth he forsake the door or gate serving to the entrance of the life; and so chooseth to enter into the deceitful way of the knowledge of good and evil, thinking that he can want nothing there; and so he entereth boldly into it, i Num. 26 persuading himself, that the same is the best, and that he shall therethrough go into the good land. CHAP. XVIII. NOw when any people are come into the same land, whereunto the pleasant way of the knowledge of Good and Evil leadeth; and which in itself is full of a Num. 16 contention, full of great and grievous incumberances, and full of all abominations of desolation; then doth there appear immediately unto them an inward or spiritual b Pro. 11. Matth. 22. Cor. 8. Col. 2. pride, and an arrogant boldness against the discipline of the gracious Word, and the obedience to the Requiring of his Service of Love; the which deceiveth many; namely, for the most part, all those that ground them upon the knowledge, and so do think to obtain or to enter into the Life and the Truth by means of the knowledge of good and evil. 2. For the inward pride getteth root in them and they suppose that they are somewhat singular c job. 11.12. Isa. 5. Luke 18. above other people, because they have so much knowledge to talk of the Truth; and are so rich of Spirit therein, persuading themselves, that the riches of the knowledge is the very light of salvation; and that same doth then make them presumptuous bold. 3. Even thus verily do they (in the knowledge) arrogantly take upon them, that d 3 Reg. 22. their Cause is sure and certain, but it is all nothing else but abomination of desolation, Contention, Disagreement, and entangling among the children of men. 4. Therefore is also the same land (into the which one cometh thus, through the said knowledge) named e Dan. 9 Matth. 24. The abomination of desolation, because that it setteth itself in such a place or dignity, and hath such reputation among many men, as if it were the holy understanding of God itself: Yea, it doth also vaunt or give forth itself to be the same; and so setteth itself in f 2 Thes. 2. the hearts of men, and will likewise be reputed and held for the same at men's hands: whosoever now beholdeth the same, g Mat. 24. Mark 13. let him consider thereon. 5 But (alas) whosoever is come into this horrible land, and hath taken a dwelling place therein, such a one cannot rightly behold or consider the abominations of the same land; nor yet very well come out of the same again, because that the spiritual pride, and the arrogant stoutness against the Love and her service, is (by means of the knowledge) so deeply rooted in him, and therefore he persuadeth himself, that the h Col. 2. knowledge, is a City full of the wise riches of God, and a good understanding of the holy Ghost. 6. Howbeit, it is all false and mere deceit, because that the understanding of God (the which is God's true Being and Nature) doth not bear sway, nor hath the superiority therein; but that the i Gen. 3. prudent knowledge, and the rash bitterness, together with all manner of falsehood and selfseeking, hath there the superiority, and beareth the dominion. Wherefore, there is nothing there also, but k Job 5. bottomlesness, and no upright ground of unity of heart l John 17. Ephes. 4. in the love, nor yet the good life, nor the truth: And among the Inhabiters of the same, there is likewise nothing but m Jam. 3. contention, division, or discord, against the obedience to the entrance of the good life. 7. In the same Land, there is also a false light; through the which, the people persuade themselves that their cause is so much the more certain in the knowledge; n Isa. 5. Sap. 2. and they do likewise account the same false light, for the best and most firm foundation, which they have found in the knowledge, for to build upon. But the same light serveth them not to the life, but nodoubt o Isai. 58. 1 Cor. 3. to an Arrogant stoutness, and to the intangling of men, and to presumption and reproachfulness over others; and to much sedition in the Lands, or among the people. 8. This false Light hath its original out of the Knowledge and is named, p 1 Cor. 8. Col. 2. a lofty stout mind upon the Knowledge; wherethrough the people of the land do suppose, that it is their firm ground of faith, wherefrom they must not start, but stand firmly to it. And even thus doth the false light engender in them all a stout mind in their knowledge 9 Seeing then that the people do not know the q joh. 1.17. 1 Cor. 2. true Light (the which is a godly life) therefore be they all (by means of the knowledge, the which they account for a skilful wisdom and true Light) deceived and corrupted in this wildernessed land by the same false light, besides the which they know no other r Rom. 1. perfect good, and so they be held by the same in the deceit, and do pluck over themselves there-thorow, nothing else but all destruction, and disturbance or dispersing of minds and thoughts. 10. But as long as they dwell in the horrible confused land, they understand not that they are deceived and corrupted, nor yet that they have miss the true entrance to the good land of the upright and concordable life, and are gone into the s Wisd. 5. way of error, wherethrough they themselves do take on (out of the knowledge) many opinions, false t Col. 2. 2 Tim. 3. holinesses, or worldly foolishnesses to their own destruction. CHAP. XIX. THis same horrible land of desolation is like unto the entangled a Gen. 11. Babylon (which was overthrown by the Word of the Lord, and also the bvilders of the same were dispersed abroad every where) because that the knowledges do there (in loftiness of mind) run one against another, and cannot understand each other. 2. In the same do likewise all manner of people dwell, who are come into it out of many quarters or lands, the which hath indeed a coming in, but not passing thorough. 3 Therefore they do never come thorough the same, unless they do b Mat. 18. turn them about, and come again to the same place where they were when they went into the pleasant way of the knowledge that leadeth them thereunto. 4. But that can they not very well do, because of the false c 2 Cor. 11. light which holdeth them so captive (with deceit) that they will in no wise depart out of it, and also because that the inward pride, and the stout lofty mind in the knowledge, is too deep rooted in them. 5. The people of this land are a strange, wild, rebellious, and seditious people, and d Bar. 3. are a people divided in mind, and grounded upon many kind of grounds proceeding our of the Knowledge. 6. Of the which some are without e 1 Tim. 1. 2 Tim. 3. 2 Pet. 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, full of lamenting and murmuring, dying without hope. 8. Othersome are full of g 2 Pet. 2. jude 1. reproachings, selfseeking, contentions, and h Rom. 1. 2 Cor. 12. jam. 3. resistant against one another. 9 Some covet diligently after the highest honour, wishing gladly that they, or their taking on wisdom and holiness, were (above all other) exalted, hearkened 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 choose a way unto themselves, according to the knowledge of their own mind, to the intent to live to themselves therein: and thus doth every one walk there k Isa. 53.56. jer. 6. and 8. according as his knowledge 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. knowledge, 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 job 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 knowledge; n Bar. 3. and supposeth that he must needs have the right (or cannot err) in his knowledge, and that he is illuminated by the Lord, through his cunning knowledge, 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 mere deceit, because that they themselves have laid those same foundations o jer. 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 choosing. 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 seethe that another man's foundation is vain and mee● foolishness; but there is no man there (or very few) that can a Matth. 7. mark 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 jer. 44. Ezec. 13. Bar. 6. Self wills choosing; 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 knowledge and self wills choosing, in the which they proceed, and with the which they strive and contend, and with high knowledge do they cast down one another's work, and turn up the foundation of it. 4. For whosoever there hath the highest mounting knowledge, 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 show no e 2 Thes. 2. love to the unity of heart, in the good being of Jesus Christ. 5. And now when any man's foundation or work is overthrown through any manner of knowledge, 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 knowledge) overthrew the others foundation, building, and work, and to bring him into contempt among others, whereby to enlarge their own knowledge, 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 mind; 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 knowledge, 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 choosing. 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 several Religions, and many manner of god-services, yet do they notwithstanding give their Religions and God-services altogether one manner of name. 10. Every one's Religion or God service is named, Assured knowledge that it is right and good: thereupon do they set their confidence, and every one liveth in his own God-service, thinking and persuading 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 knowledge, 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 ●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 knowledge) that they do right and well therein. 4. They use not likewise any common brotherhood, among whom the h John 13. & 15. love is exercised, with a good, or kind nature, but are i Jere. 5. Luk● 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 knowledge. 5. Every one there seeketh nothing else but his own l Joh. 5. & 7. honour and dignity, commending his own wisdom or knowledge. 6. Every company accounteth only 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 partake. 7. But although these teaching masters be many, and in divers sorts of dissensions, do profess and teach several doctrines, and are contentiously minded, one against another in their doctrine; yet are they altogether named by one manner of name, and every one's name is, Boasting of the knowledge. 8. And every one of these masters teacheth his Sect very n 3 Reg. 22. Matth. 22. vehemently and stiffly in his Religion, which is named, Assured knowledge that it is right and good, because they should continue steadfast, warning them of the seducing of all the other. 9 These verily are always teaching, but (alas) in the same Land; they themselves do o 2 Tim. 3 never come to the knowledge 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 etc. unmerciful, also hateful and despising, and given to speak all manner 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 knowledge 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 submitted under the love, to an unity; so desire they likewise, none other teaching masters, but those that continue so courageous bold in themselves, as boasting of the knowledge; who do teach assured knowledge, that it is right and good, and do also very boldly call the same knowledge, the Being of God; and so in their arrogant boldness, they s Dan. 11. Heb. 10. blaspheme the most highest, t Psal. 76.135. who with his godly Being, 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 Sceptre, 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. Honour 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 Council is named, Subtle invention. 7. His Kingdom is named, Unfaithfulness. 8. All his Nobility, Horsemen. Soldiers, and Guarders, are named, d Sap. 14. Rom. 1. Disorderly life. 9 His Decrees, Precepts, or Commandments, are named, Self-will. 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 King's Commandments. 13. The sharp side of his Sword, is called h Jere. 6. Matth 2. Acts 7. & 22. unmercifulness, and cutteth very sharply over those whom he liketh not, or over them that will not (according to his pleasure) stand pliable 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. knowledge 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 lose of heart, in him (that is, in the bitterness of the King) without accusation, or showing 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, Spite, Sudden anger, Greedy of revenge, Gluttony, Cruelty, Blood-thirstiness, Resistance against the love, and her service, r Rom 1. 2 Tim. 3. Despising of naturalness, Disobedient to equity, Accusation over the righteousness, s Prov. 2. Matth. 23. Betrayers of innocency, Oppressors of humility, Killers of meekness, s Judas 1. Enviers of the love's unity, t Matth. 23. Exalters of chosen holiness, Usage of falsehood, 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 Selfseeking, etc. 20. These people have all one manner 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, than 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 judge 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 snaring of heart, and bewitcheth them with many a 2 Pet. 2. long, whereof there cometh nothing; and so he leadeth their hearts, minds, and thoughts, into the captivity of the knowledge, and not into the truth. 2. This false Prophet is named, b 2 Pet. 2. Judas 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 alured 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 bragging of many things; as likewise presuming and enterprising of many things, whereof nothing ensueth: But it is all false, and mere bewitching, and is nothing else, but a vain persuasion or fantasy. 5. It seemeth sometimes indeed, as though it would be somewhat, but it is all vain, and presumption, and nothing else but knowledge, whereof there cometh nothing, and wherethrough many people be seduced e 2 Tim. 3. 2 Pet. 2. and brought into many false deal, 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 God's nature, or his true Being of love, neither yet do love the godly goods, do honour 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. Unfaithfulness. 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 honour her Kingdom or Government; therefore is also the mark of the beast, named, Unfaithfulness. 4. This beast and her make (being both named, Unfaithfulness,) 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 selfseeking, and do willingly cover their own shame; f Gen. 3. and so walking in hypocrisy or dissimulation, the one trusteth not the other, and they deal g Jere. 9 deceitfully, or with falsehood, among each other; and that is the venom of the beast, the which she soweth or spueth forth abundantly among the h Apo. 16. & 17. people. 5. Therefore there is also no openheartedness 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 shamefacedness 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. dissension or division, to the breeding of manifold self willed services, wherethrough all kind of falsehood, craftiness, and railing against one another ariseth; yea, so that the people also speak p Dan. 11. Heb. 10. Judas 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 rend 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 (Unfaithfulness,) 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 knowledge) continue any longer therein; for it is a detestable Land and a wicked people of heart and mind. 2. Also, let him not endeavour 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 seethe or perceiveth that these abominations of desolation, do stand in the place where God's holy Being b Dan. 9 & 11. Matth 24. 2 Thes. 2. aught to stand, then let him immediately fly 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, wherethrough he came in, and not have regard any more to the c Gen. 3. Knowledge of good and evil, nor to the teaching masters, Boasting of the knowledge, nor to the Religions or Doctrines, Assured knowledge 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. Unfaithfulness, that he become not subject, and remain in bondage, unto (Bitterness) the King of th● same detestable Land; but let him ha●● regard to the service of love, and to th● requiring thereof, and show obedien●● there-under, f 1 Pet. 1. 1 John 4. for that he may come to th● good Land; and so the love (with h●● lovely meekness) to become planted 〈◊〉 him, g Ephes. 3. and that he himself may be mad● free h John 8. by the same. 4. For the same lovely Being of th● love, is the life, i Rom. 14. peace, and joy, and the Land of promise, k Exod. 3. & 13. Deut. 8. wherein Honey an● 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 h●● journey, find himself to be altogether l Mat. 18. & 19 Luke 19 turned about, and good-willing to the will of the highest God, like unto an obedient child, 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; b●● that he hath only 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 s 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, God's understanding; for to possess in heir-like manner, 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 judgement and mind, of the living God; and that is the unity in the love, and the only judgement of the communality 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 joh. 17. Rom. 12. Col. 1. as one man in whom all the members of one mind, 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 Being. 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 Being of God that are of one substance with the Family of Love, are these: 6. Meckness, l Gal. 5. Ephe. 4. Col. 3. Courtesy, Friendliness, Longsufferance, Mercifulness, Naturalness, Decentness, Quietness, Faithfulness, Modesty, Constancy, Eyes of Simpleness, m Psa. 24. and 73. March. 5. Pureness of heart, Measureableness in works, Helpfulness, n 2 Pet. 1. Discreetness, o Ephe, 4. Concord, Obedience to the true being of God, Sweetheartedness, Serviceableness out of love, p Cor. 10 3. Laud, Praise, and thanks unto God, etc. 7. Such are the names of the lovely people that dwell in the holy City of Peace, named God's Understanding. 8. And according as every one's name is, so is likewise his disposition and nature; for all their disposition, being, 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 thorough the nature of God (as is before said) into God's understanding. r Supra. 25 The which is the City of Rest, that God hath reserved and left behind for the children of God, for an everlasting s 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 God's Understanding) 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 climb over into this city, nor get the same by violence, with any gain-fighting neither yet deceive her with subtlety. 2. The Walls or Bulworks of this City are named b 1 Tim. 3. 1 Pet. 3. A free mind of the true Being. 3. And upon these walls, there is a prudent c Psa. 121. Isa. 21. and 62. Watchman or Espial, 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 midday, day, and the deepest of the darkness of the midnight. 6. This Watchman or Espial 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 always a diligent Watch; g Psa. 121. he never sleepeth nor slumbereth, but is still sounding and playing his Song upon his Trumpet: and all those that dwell in the same City do hear the sound of his Song. 11. His Trumpet wherethorow 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 itself, 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 joh. 1. the same life continueth for evermore. 13. The Song which he playeth and soundeth out thorough his Trumpet (with the sound of the everlasting Life) is named l joh. 13. and 15. 17. 1 Pet. 1. Unity 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 manner. CHAP. XXVIII. WE have a strong a Isa. 26. Zach. 2. City run thither apace, Which doth advance us in all virtue right, Upright in b Psa. 122. Mich. 4. Peace, is always her race, Therein now take your joy and delight. 2. God's Understanding is her noble name, builded with c Zach. 78 Truth and Faithfulness sure; There is true d joh. 13. 1 Pet. 1. love as beseemeth the same, Thence never flieth e joh. 14. God's Spirit most pure. 3. With the true Spirit of God's f 1 Tim. 3. 1 Pet. 3. free mind, She is g Isa. 26. walled to endure in eternity; All h Matt. 16.6. violence with his tempestuous wind. 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 always, 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; God's 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 rejoice 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 manner: CHAP. XXIX. Rejoice you all now a Psal. 69. and 103. and 104. pleasantly, For joy our ears doth fill: Cheer up your hearts courageously, Be glad b Psa. 48. and 97. Isa. 51. and 52. and 61. and 62. Soph. 3. O Zions hill. For lo, the new time doth appear, That hath been writ of long: And is in sight to view full clear, Wherefore rejoice with Song, Ye Remnant (God's Inheritance) Be c Zach. 2. Isa. 10. and 11. and 62. joyful in our City; Cast Fear out of Remembrance, 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 extol even thus, Your voice, and make solace. For here's f Isa. 7. and 8. Emmanuel our King, Against that fierce g jer. 51. Babel: Therefore now let your Trumpets ring, For he will her expel. Their hearts h judi 7. joel. 2. are all dismayed now quite, Sound up your Trumpets apace: Think now on God both day and night, And i 1 〈…〉 Discord from you chase. 3. Now is the last k I●r. 49. 5. Cup filled also, Over Babel's 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 Practices, That m 1 Cor. 1 comes now all to shame: And is no more of worthiness, Then for a laughing game. In God's Precepts most pure and right, Rejoice 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 joh. 1. Light of Truth even here doth rest, Triumphing evermore. His r Apo. 12. Kingdom eke do we possess, The Truth s joh. 8. doth make us free: And sets our hearts t Ephe. 2. in quietness, With God at one are we. Whose Love is unto us we find (That do obey her voice) As is the head u Ephe. 1. and 4. and 5. to's members kind, God's Life x 1 joh. 1. doth us rejoice. 5. His shut y Gen 3. Paradise wherein we might Not come, is oped a 4 Esdr 8. now fine: The tree of Life is sprouted out, Whose fruit is b 4 Esd 7. medicine. Drink now the c Ephe. 5. wine of Love most pure, With joy and merry cheer, God's Riches that always endure, Are never wanting here. Fore-sightfully d Matt. 10. Ephe. 5. with wariness, See that you lead your life, As do the wise, And seek no less To fly 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 joh. 12. Apo. 20. and Hell, whose bands we were in, The mockery appears now plain. The heavenly h Deut. 8. joh. 6. Bread, or ghostly Food, That same our souls doth nourish: In God's delightful Essence good, By means whereof we flourish. The Kingdom i Luke 7. Apo. 12. of the new man, pure, That out of God doth rise, Is now with us, here present, sure, In upright heavenly wise. 7. A peaceable k Isa. 2. Dan. 2. Kingdom have we now here, As Scriptures said before: Here is no l Isa. 30.65. Apo. 21. wailing, nor mourning there, Vex ye your hearts no more, But now with us associate, For in the heavenly m Act. 1. Phil. 3. being, Is our King: he doth n Isa. 60. illuminate Us all, as is agreeing To Scripture, where we read the same, Rejoice therefore and sing This new-land Song o Psa. 96.98. unto the Name Of him our heavenly King. 8. Ye Princes of our God most high (Ye p 1 Pet. 2. Apo. 5. people of the Lord) Which do agree in q 1 Cor. 1. unity, Come all with one accord, Your joy increase, and eke fulfil, The truth receive also: God's Spirit r Wis. 1 5. is on the path, and will Rebuke the s joh. 16. world, his foe, Of herself framed righteousness: t Isa. 29. 2 Cor. 1.2. And th'arrogant wise ones are (With their contentious spitfulness) Laid down in silence there. CHAP. XXX. BEhold, in such a mind of the living being, do the peaceable people live (with joy) in this City of Rest and Peace; not fearing any enemies; a Isa. 26. Apo. 11. for their City is very well walled to their preservation; as also fortified about with a strong defence. 2. For upon the walls of this City, there is a strong piece of Ordnance, whereof all the Enemies of the same, are sore afraid, as to be cast down by the strong piece of Ordnance. And this piece of Ordnance is named b Isa. 11. Ephe. 6. The Power of God. Against which piece of Ordnance none of all the Enemies of this good City can bide standing. 4. But although now that the Enemies (with arrogant boldness and hardiness) were so subtle and crafty, that they themselves knew how to invent cunning or subtle bulworks for a defence unto them; also through audacious boldness, did not fear the piece of Ordnance (The power of God,) and so (with all the multitudes of their power) would venture to besiege this City of Life, to the end to get her costly Riches, and the free and excellent Heritage of all the children of God for a prey unto themselves: yet is notwithstanding, all their labour, subtle endeavour, and purpose c Psa. 37. Isa. 29.54. in vain. And this plentiful Land remaineth for all that in his freedom; and the heritage of the children of God continueth likewise unharmed and unvanquished. 5. For out of this City, there floweth an unsearchable or infinite deep River, with also a very tempestuous wind; is such sort d Isa. 17.29. that this River, with the same wind, gusheth vehemently forth, as with an exceeding violent thorow-rushing stream; and breaketh out with such violent force, like burning heat e Psa. 50. Isa. 30.34. joel. 2. Mal. 4. and flames of fire, to the devouring of all the Enemies of the same good City. 6. And thus after this manner (in the rushing forth of this same River) the tempestuous wind f jer. 4. groweth so exceeding windy and forcible g Nahum. 1. even as it were a terrible tempest; and so rusheth forth very swiftly with the River among all the Enemies of the good City. 7. And this same boisterous storm giveth such a hugh terrible sound, like a wonderful great roaring noise of many multitudes of Trumpets and Shalms, and like a terrible thunderclap, wherewith h Psa. 48.78. it overthroweth all the subtle bulworks, wherethrough this strong unmeasurable deep River with the tempestuous wind, doth then likewise i Isa. 17.29. put to flight and destroy all the enemies of the good Land; and they do all disperse abroad and consume away, as if they were k job. 21. Psal. 1. and 18. and 35. Chaff and Dust. 8. This infinite deep river (wherewith the stormy wind doth violently arise to a terrible tempest; is named l Isa. 13. judae 1. The righteous Judgement of God. The stormy wind is named m Isa. 11. joel. 2. 2 Thes. 2. The Spirit of the Almighty God. CHAP. XXXI. THis unmeasurable, deep, and mighty strong River, and this tempestuous wind, proceedeth forth out of a a Psa. 46. water-fountain within this good City; and they have always their course of stream and rushing of wind round about the City, to the b Isa. 29. destroying of all her Enemies, because that the holy people of this City, c jer. 23.33. Ezee. 34. may dwell the more peaceable without fear, and may remain for evermore. 2. Out of this water-fountain (whereout the strong River floweth, and whereout the tempestuous wind bloweth) the children of Peace in this City, do learn all their wisdom; and fetch thereout all their d Eccl. 24. Understanding and Knowledge. Which wisdom (that they learn there-out) is also an holy wisdom, and that same Understanding (which they fetch thereout) is a godly Knowledge. 3. This water fountain, is named, e Heb. 1. The Mystery of God and of his infinite being. 4. Wheresoever now this River floweth, and this wind, with his rushing and tempestuousness, bloweth or stormeth, even there may none of all the Enemies of the good Land, nor yet any thing whatsoever is not of God, continue: and f job 21. Psal. 1. and 35. Isa. 5. and 17. the ungodly must all perish there like like Chaff and Dust that is dispersed abroad with the water and the wind. 5. Forasmuch then as this delectable plentiful City, is thus mighty and excellent, and standeth comprehended in a Light g Isa. 60. wherein no Darknesses can come therefore is she also invincible of all her Enemies; and none likewise can subdue her, nor bring her into bondage, but she remaineth a free City for evermore. 6. And all the people of this City h Mat. 17. are free also; and do all live in freedom. There is likewise no free people in the whole world, but only this people of this good City, named God's Understanding. 7. There are also to be found many strong i Barnes. 3. Champions in the Knowledge, that would enter into this good City, through the power and Riches of their Knowledge; but it is impossible for them; for who so turneth not himself about, and becometh k Matt. 18.19. Mark. 10. as a child, neither yet cometh to the submission (wherein one l Rom 6. burieth the Lusts and Desires as dead, wherein the Equity is found) and entereth not into it, through the m joh. 10. Nature of God, he shall not come into the same. 8. And if so be also that any man do choose, and enter into another way that liketh him better than this, and that he would in that sort go into the good City, and not thorough the n joh. 10. right door which we do show; then should the piece of Ordnance ( o Ephe. 6. The power of God) be too mighty for him; and the walls ( p 1 Pet. 3. The free mind of the true being) should be much too high to climb over; and the River ( q Mal. 4. The Righteous Judgement of God) and the strong wind (The Spirit of the Almighty God) should overthrow, r Isa. 29. break, and scatter him abroad, and utterly drive him away from the knowledge of the right way that leadeth to the good City of Peace and Life. 9 But all the lovers of this good City that love the Peace and the Simplicity of life (in the Love) with all their hearts, and that seek and desire nothing else but the s Matt. 11. meekness, faithfulness, and truth in the Love, and desire to be no t 1 Pet. 5. Lorders over the Riches of this City, nor over any of all her garnishing of sumptuous beauty, but servants in the same, those do go into the City of Peace and Rest (with the Equity) thorough the right u joh. 10. door, and do live x Apo. 20. eternally in the everlasting life in the Communialty of the Love of the lovely people. CHAP. XXXII. THis holy City, named God's understanding (which is very beautiful, goodly, and delectable) hath for her beauty and riches sake, many assaults. But whosoever hath not a a joh. 7. desire with all his heart to perform the Lords Will and all b Mat. 3.8. Righteousness, he shall not come therein. 2. But although now that this good City be unknown c Isa. 64. 1 Cor. 2. unto all strange or outlandish people, yet is the same notwithstanding sought after d Isa. 9 Luke. 13. with great labour by many that are without her, to the end to know and to receive her beauty and riches; also much consulted of, as likewise great counsel held thereon in divers manners; and much learned e 2 Tim. 3. and studied after the same. But if they do not enter into, nor pass thorough this way that we do show, and that directeth thereunto, f 4 Esd 7. Matt. 19 then shall they also never know the same nor her Riches of pure beauty, much-less possess them. 3. For the Consulting, Studying, and Learning (let it come to pass with what incessant Diligence and careful travel that it will) g 2 Cor. 1. and 2. 1 Tim. 3. is doubtless all in vain. For there shall no man know, nor receive, or inherit, either her riches or beauty, but those that stand submitted under the Obedience of the Love; as also that do learn of the Love and her Service, the h Matt. 11. humility and meekness of heart, and so do in that manner enter into the same thorough the right door, even as children that are born i joh 3. 1 Pet. 1.2. anew out of the Love through her Service. 4. Seeing then that the beauty of the form of this good City is not known to the people that are without her, so is there likewise nothing at all of her wisdom understood by any of all those that are without her: therefore her form of beauty, and her unsearchable wisdom is known and understood, k Wisd. 9 only by those that do walk and pass thorough the way that leadeth unto her, and so do enter into the same l Apo 21. City of Peace through the right door or gate: who do at that time first understand how unsearchable and impossible her wisdom is ( m Isa 6. Matt 11. and 13. for the outlandish people) to comprehend or to understand; for without this City there is no understanding, wisdom, nor knowledge of God, or of the godly things, no, none at all. 5. And all whatsoever any man (without this City) supposeth to know, and to have of the godly things; and all what is taught and taken on without this City, or without the way that extendeth thereunto (to the intent for to know and to inhent the godly things there through; and after what Wisdom of God soever any one n 2 Tim. 3. studieth (whereby to understand the same) is altogether a o Isa 58. and 59 vain foolishness; wherethrough also one may easily know the foolishness of the people. 6. For, if any people (being yet without this good City of Peace, or without her right way) do esteem their learned knowledge, for a wisdom, so is then the same, as likewise all their foreign learned wisdon, or that which they learn without the Obedience of the Love of Jesus Christ no better worth then to be p Isa. 5. Rom. 1. jam. 3. laughed at; and it is all a very great foolishness and hypocrisy. 7. For verily the greatest folly that I have found among the people upon earth, is, that some are foolish, and withal, so arrogant, that they q Rom. 1. account of themselves to know something, and so they consult, use subtlety and Art, to know what, or of what manner the r 1 Tim. 1. godly things may be; and in this sort, they will (being without this good City of Peace, and her Family of Love) learn and take on God's Wisdom, through their own knowledge, and through their manly understanding, also judge his spiritual goods, his heavenly riches, and his holy truth (which is hid from all s Isa. 29. Col. 1. man's understanding) and will set up the holiness of Jesus Christ according to their judgement. 8. But seeing now that there are no Lands, nor Cities to be found that are like unto this City, nor yet any strength that can overcome her; and that it is altogether ignorance t 1 Cor. 1. and foolishness whatsoever is without her: also, that all foreign or outlandish holiness, arts and wisdom, is nothing else but a taken on choosing, a great mockery, and a vain hypocrisy or an unprofitable foolishness, therefore do these people that dwell in this City; and likewise all those that become assembled among them, and adjoined unto them, live cheerfully, and well quieted in heart, having all their comfort, in that u Mat. 25. john 10. and 17. life that continueth for ever, and in the endless x Isa. 35. and 51. and 61. joy that shall endure perpetually. 9 Which people y Bar. 5. of the peaceable kingdom also, do not seek any good without this City, nor without her Communialty; neither can they think, that there should be z joh. 6. Apo. 22. any good to be found without the same, and therefore they do never turn out from it. 10. And although it were so that they might seek any good without it, or that it were permitted them (by licence) so to do, yet do they know for all that, that they should not find it without the same; and also that Gods good being and nature of the Love, can be with none that have not their fellowship with them, a 1 joh. 1. inasmuch as that they all doubtless have their 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 fullness of all virtues 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 full of all manner 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 knowledge, 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 (thorough 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 joh. 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 being, 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 senses, thoughts and mind. 6. And whosoever is not born again thorough the Love and her service, nor assembled unto it through the new birth, h joh. 3. 1 Cor. 2.2. 〈◊〉 likewise may not see or behold, nor yet obtain these riches of God, neither in th●● 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 seethe, 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 unfeigned 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 joh. 3. evil, nor evil suspicion, 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 thorough the Passeover of the way that leadeth into the same, and so is come into this good City thorough the Nature of God, and united with this lovely people, in unity of the Peace and of the Love; he rejoiceth 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 Being 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 rejoice 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 always shineth and continueth for evermore in that land. Wherefore there is neither night nor darkness there, but always day and clearness. 2. This same Light is not risen up through any riches of the knowledge 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 joh 10. Apo. 22. that do go into the City of Peace thorough the gate, and that are adjoined 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 therefrom, there is nothing but death, g Gen. 3. misery, and calamity; for without the same are the h Apo. 22. Enchanters, the Dogs and Wolves, and all wild beasts, together with all abominations, and desolations, 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 Honour, 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 reigneth over another; but they are all alike with each other, loving and peaceable fellow-brethrens, 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 manner of bread, and l 1 Cor. 10 and 11. drink all there of one manner of drink; and inasmuch as they are every one spiritual 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. minds, 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 hid any spiritual o Gen. 2. members from each other; for they altogether are no more than one spiritual body, p Rom. 12. Eph. 2.5. or one man of God. Wherhfore 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 honouring 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 manner, doth God (in this holy City of Peace, and of Perfection) behold the man in his manly nakedness; s 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, cover, 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 handwork 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 mind of life, in the holy City of the living, and is God's Being and Nature, and the very true x 2 Cor. 3. cleverness 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 knowledge of God; therefore doth not the one brother there, teach the other, neither is it needful for any man there, to say to his neighbour, 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 God's true being itself) 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 manner of equity: so is there no desire to any man's increasing, nor diminishing, nor yet to any man's 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 than the same: For the Almighty God is k Psal. 7. & 9 Isai. 33. their Judge, 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. Being 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 manner do they e Deut. 5. sanctify the Lords Sabbath day; for they live peaceably in the light or day of his sanctification. 4. They do honour their Father f Eph. 6. and their mother as in the Love's Obedience. Even so doth the Lord likewise give unto them a long g Eccl. 3. life (a life for ever) in this same holy Land. 5. Also they h Exo. 20. Matt. 5. kill not, for they have no nature to destroying; but all their desire is that it might all live, whatsoever is of the life and can live, and whatsoever serveth and laudeth God. 6. They also commit not any i Deut. 5. adultery, for they are all honest k Tob. 3. and chaste of lift, and l Matth. 5. clean or pure of heart. Thus they live in the blessing of their God, wherein God blesseth them and whereunto he hath appointed or ordained them. 7. They do not steal m Exo. 20. Matth. 19 nor rob likewise, but they till or dress the lands of God; and are labouring towards all things, and in all things, whatsoever is n Ephe. 4. profitable and expedient: and are much more inclined to impart or distribute their spiritual gifts, and heavenly goods (if any thing thereof were needful unto any one) then that they would be inclined to crave any earthly things of any one o 2 Cor. 9.12. or to diminish or scant him in his possession; for no man desireth to possess, nor to have any thing more under his hand or power, then is needful for him, or expedient to a good Government. 8. They also bear no p Exo. 20. false witness; For no man q Eph. 20. Col. 3. lieth against his neighbour, there. 9 They likewise desire not, anotherbodies r Mat. 5. house, nor their neighbour's wife; but every one there, liveth in faithfulness with his own s 1 Cor. 7. Conjunction, even as God hath joined them together, t Gen. 1. Matth. 19 from the beginning. 10. Thus do they live in all faithfulness among each other, and permit not their thoughts to think u Tob. 4. any thing to the satisfying of their own Appetites, without the same. 11. Inasmuch now therefore as that they have such an upright disposition and nature, as that they do not desire, nor lust for any thing that is against the Law or Ordinance of the Lord, so are they likewise faithful therein. 12. Seeing then also that their Love is x Eph. 1. pure and undefiled (as that they live uncoveredly, according to the truth) so are there likewise among them, no deceitful y Mat. 18. Mar. 9 eyes, nor false thoughts, nor yet bitterness, z Eph. 4. Col. 3. contempt, nor offensiveness. 13. Also they know not there, of any a 1 Cor. 1.15. contention or discord, nor yet of sin nor death; for there is nothing else but b Gal. 5. love and unity of peace, with joy of the everlasting life. 14. There is likewise not deriding or mocking, c Eph. 4.5. 1 Pet. 2. nor any unfit thing used. They talk not there also, of any foolishness nor lightness. 15. They use not also any unlawful or disorderly Liberty; but all what they use, speak, and do, that same is agreeable to the d Pet. 4. holy Word of Life, and is the true Liberty of all the Children of God: And therefore is there likewise among them, no superfluous vice that exceedeth measure or equity. 16. Seeing then that they stand every one concordably inclined to the good, so is no man there also, compelled to the good life: but every one liveth in the upright e Eph. 4. righteousness and holiness, that God esteemeth. And thus all their nature is no other, but to be f Gal. 5. serviceable one to another out of mere love. CHAP. XXXVII. BEhold, in such an upright being is this lovely people (which hath his dwelling in this good City, named Gods-understanding) grounded or established: and the a Eph. 4. Col. 3. love is their band wherewith they are united with each other, in the light of the true life. 2. By which means, all their nature and mind is nothing else but love, b Gal. 5. Peace, and righteousness, as upright Children, c 1 Pet. 1.2. borne of the love, like those that are risen again from the death, with the Resurrection d Dan. 12. Joh. 5. 1 Cor. 15. of the righteous ones in in the everlasting life, and do live eternally. 3. For ever them there is no death, nor e Rom. 8. damnation, neither doth any f Esa. 25. 1 Cor. 15. death reign in the same Land, of the righteous; and so the man dieth not there, neither yet whatsoever is manly. 4. The women likewise do not bring forth their children in pain or grief, g Esa. 65. & 66. but with joy; for the whole Land is h Deut. 28 blessed, for the righteous life's sake, yielding forth his fruits, as a blessing. 5. Thus the man eateth not his bread in the sweat of his face, or in the careful travel of his life, i Esa. 65. but with joy, and receiveth his food in blessing. 6. Forasmuch now as God hath made and ordained all things k Gen. 1. well, from the beginning, therefore do they also live uprightly in God's Ordinance, & do neither take from, nor add to any thing. 7. And therefore, inasmuch as they do neither take from, nor add to, touching all that which is the Lords, so live they likewise only in the Works and Ordinances of the Lord, and do not vow orbind themselves in the Matrimony of men, nor yet suffer themselves to be bound therein; but are l Mat. 22. Luke 20. like the Angels in heaven, or like Messengers, that are publishers of the spiritual heavenly goods▪, and are the chosen generation, the Kingly m Exo. 19 1 Pet. 2. Apo. 1.5. Priesthood, the holy people, the peculiar people of God, who are all Kings, and Anointed one's. 8. For all there, whatsoever is manly, those same are every one Lords, Kings, and Priests, and do bear their Dominion, over Sin, Death, Devil, and Hell. 9 Also no man reigneth over another, and that pleaseth God well; namely, that the one man of God reigneth not over the other, nor that the one, is the others n 1 Cor. 7 bond-servant, neither yet to the o Rom. 6. sin, nor to his own sensuality or affection; but that they do always submit them concordably, p Eph. 4. 1 Pet. 1. under the love and her service, and do still stand ready to do the Lords Will, to serve their God q Luk. 1. in righteousness, and to bear the Dominion with him, r Rom. 6. 1 Cor. 6.7 over the evil, and over all what hath a liking to the evil, whereby to live eternally in the s 4 Esd. 2. immortality with God and his Saints. CHAP. XXXVIII. EVen thus now, these spiritual Saints of God, that dwell in this spiritual holy City of Peace, a 1 Reg. 8.10. have no heads nor Kings, that are borne of the Flesh and and Blood of Sin: For their King, or the Head of their Body, is the eternal 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 man's hand, no nor yet all the heavens of heaven can comprehend or contain 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 cleanseth his people from the sin, through himself, and is fore-seen and chosen to be an heir 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 do 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 reign 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 Anointed ones, that dwell in this Land. 5. And besides this one Kingdom of Kings, there are no Kingdoms in the whole world, that are rich of Kings, but they are altogether poor 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 Kingdom of Kings: and they are all likewise, free p Apo. 22. Kings, and Lords, that dwell therein. The same City also, with all what joineth thereunto, is an abundant rich land, as likewise full of all Commodities, that do 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 God's 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 wisdom 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 do live, and rejoice them in the good taste thereof, and there is no other food taken by them: for seeing they are heavenly and spiritual men, so eat they likewise no other but the heavenly and spiritual food. 2. In this Land there is also very good b Pro. 9 wine, whereof the people of the Land do drink, and become exceeding merry therein, and it is named, The mind of God. 3. There is likewise a c Apo. 22. living fountain, wherein the people of this City do delight them, and take their recreation and refreshing in the same; the fountain is named, A firm confidence in God. 4. This people goeth also very gorgeously apparelled, and the Garments are so very clear, that one may behold the inward Members of their body naked and bare, quite through them. 5. Which apparel of the people, and their garnishing, or the Jewels 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 possess the wealthy land of the godly understanding. 7. In which plentiful Land, there are no sundry chosen-out God-services, nor several Religions or Ceremonies used; but the God-service that they do 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 spiritual 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 available 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 Laws, 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 only 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 known only in himself, 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 strength, i Job 9 of all powers or strengths: the true understanding, of all understandings: the true righteousness, of all righteousness. 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 loveliness: the upright p Joh. 14. truth of all truth. 12. He is the true q Mat. 11. meekness of all meek ones: the true r Joel 2 Jona 4. mercy of all merciful ones. 13. He is also the true nature of all naturalness. 14. To conclude, He is all what his people is, unto whom he is a Paradise full of joy, and a s 4. Esd. 2. Apo. 2.22. tree of life, or a living Tree, full of all sweetness 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 else, 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, sense, 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 God's 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 ministered, to a godly life, in the last time. 22. And wheresoever now the same cometh in the Spirit, and maketh itself known essentially, there do 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 bend upon the a Mat. 2. leading star in the East, and walketh on rightly, according to the compass; as likewise forsaketh not the Cross, and so cometh to the submission, by him shall be found the equity, with the which, he entreth into God's b 2. Pet. 1. Apo. 22. nature; and so he cometh into this good City, 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 harm, and may walk through 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. tidings, give them good encouragement, as to respect all the enemies, like f Job 21. Esa. 5.7. chaff, 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 unity of heart with them, in all love; for that same is the concordable service of love to the life, ministered by the i Eccl. 6.8. Heb. 13. Elders in the Family of the Love of Jesus Christ, and whosoever turneth himself therefrom, and is not obedient to his requiring, he doth severely err, and turneth him away from his Salvation. 4. The next way therefore, to go into the foresaid life, is this: That one do 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 faithfulness and truth is found, and no slandering, nor stumbling, l 1 Cor. 13 or offensiveness, nor any blameing of others that do labour after righteousness 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 City 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 Kingdom, and that his Spirit, Word, or Speech, doth flow out of, and into the same secret Kingdom, even like unto a n 4 Esd. 3. living breath of God, that floweth out from God, and into him again. He verily is become a fellow-elder in Gods holy and godly understanding, with the Elders in the Family of Love, and can very well walk in freedom, among all people, and also remain still very free, united with the peaceable ones in the City of peace, and can live in the upright o Eph. 1.4. righteousness. 7. For the k knowledge separateth nor hurteth not him. p Gen. 2. 8. The Devil q Mat. 4. Joh. 12. overcometh not him. 9 The sin r Rom. 6. or the evil delighteth not him. 10. He feareth not the death. s Oze. 13. not him. 11. The Serpent's 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 midst of the godly Paradise) and liveth eternally, not fearing any burden of condemnation; for that cause also the hell cannot condemn him. 12. Nor the accuser v Apo. 12. accuseth not him. 13. The foolishness u Eph. 2. allureth not him. 14. The chosen righteousness x Col. 2. snareth not him. 15. The holiness prideth not him. 16. The y Dan. 12. adhominations of desolation, hinder not him. 17. The deceitful hills, seduce not him. 18. The vain 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, do 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 through them) hath forsaken: wherefore he is not captivated under the oneness, 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 spiritual heavenly goods, with all the children of the Peaceable Kingdom, 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 freedom 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 proudboasting 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 wisdom, 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 arm, and dispersed those that are proud in the device of their own hearts. 5. He hath thrust down 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 poor, 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 storm against a wall. 8. For that cause k Esa. 41.45.51.54. dismay not yourselves, O ye faint-hearted ones, nor be not wavering-minded, although the destruction do make up itself very high, and that the decliners, together with the good thinking wise, and the Scripture-learned of the wicked world, do slander or speak evil against this same, and do persecute us; for it shall all perish, waiting 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 strengthless, like unto the heat in the wilderness and woods. 10. The Vine-branches of the Tyrants doth he whither with the shadow of his clouds, n Esa. 58 Eccl. 24. and bringeth forth his righteousness, like a morning star, and his truth like a glorious clearness, 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. ● Mac. 2.4 which the Heathen have trodden down. 12. He doth now make manifest his holy Temple again 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 Zion at Jerusalem, that the hill of Zion may stand aloft, s 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 Zion, at Jerusalem, a sumptuous t Esa. 25. Feast for all people, of fat, well marrowed , 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 veil 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 universal 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 always 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 down to the earth, so that it lieth 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 go of the humble dost thou, O God direct aright. 9 Therefore Lord, c Esa. 26. we wait upon thee, in the way of thy righteousness, for the lust of our heart standeth bend 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 righteousness. 12. But although grace be proffered to the ungodly, yet do they learn no righteousness. 13. But do nothing else but iniquity in the upright Land, for they do not see the Majesty of the Lord. 14. Lord, they see not that thy hand is exalted: but when they shall see it, then shall they be ashamed. CHAP. XLIV. THerefore a Psa. 113.133.135. exalt our God, and laud his holy Name. 2. Because he hath gotten the Kingdom, and the Sceptre of his Kingdom is made manifest. 3. For the Lord is become b Psal. 97. King, wherefore his people do rejoice. 4. His Word hath showed power, his righteousness c Esa. 45.51. is become manifest. 5. His Spirit hath appeared like a light, and confirmeth his salvation for ever. 6. The same God hath renewed us in him, and given d Esa. 29.32. Act. 2. us a new understanding. 7. A new creature e 2 Cor. 5. hath he brought forth, the Image of God f Eph. 1. the upright righteousness. 8. Therefore do the people speak g Mar. 16. Act. 2. with new tongues, the new song is in our mouth. 9 Lord, h Apo. 15. wonderful are thy works, for thou hast done marvellous acts i Psa. 71.77. among us. 10. The evil that was in us, k Psa. 10. Jer. 31.50 is now no where to be found amongst us, that which we know not in the death, is now apparent unto us in the everlasting life. 11. With us the sin l Rom. 8. is now condemned in the sin, the righteousness is declared unto us in righteousness. 12. Among us the death is now swallowed up m Oze. 13 in the death, the everlasting life is come unto us, in the renewing of our life. 13. The hell is judged or condemned into the n Apo. 20. pit of hell, the heaven is showed unto us in the heavenly being. Apo. 12.21.22. 14. The lie is come to shame in the lie, the p Psal. 85.117. truth is risen up unto us in the truth. 15. The darknesses are descended into 〈◊〉 bottomless pit to the darknesses, the light hath illuminated us q Psa. 36.118. in the light. 16. The Idol is fallen in his r Esa. 2. Idolatry; the living God is become known unto us in the Godhead. 17. Therefore do we confess the Majesty of our God, and the sanctification of his people perpetually. CHAP. XLV. O Lord, thou Almighty God, great a Psa. 139. and wonderful are thy works. 2. Righteous and true b Apo. 15. are thy ways, thou Prince and King of Saints. 4. Who c Jer. 10. should not fear and love thee, O Lord of life, and praise thy name? 3. Forasmuch doubtless as there is no holiness, but thou; for thou only, O Lord d 1 Reg. 2. art holy. 5. All people shall worship thee, e Psa. 72.87. in thy presence, where thou becomest manifest in thy holy Temple. 6. For thy righteousnesses are known, and thy holiness is inherited by thy people. 7. But not an holiness made by men's hands, but an holiness that is from eternity, and shall continue for ever. 8. Therefore dost thou, O God, remain a God in eternity, a King f Esa. 9 Dan. 1.7. which shall reign perpetually. 9 Wherefore we are now joyful in this portion, and sing Heia, Heia. 10. Play to the g Psal. 96.98. Lord a new Song, and sing, Alleluia, h Tob. 13. Apo. 15. Alleluia. CHAP. XLVI. Rejoice now with joy, ye a Psal. 48. Esa. 62. Soph. 3. daughters of Zion, and recreate you ye Citizens and Inhabiters of the City Jerusalem. 2. Shout now with triumph, all ye generations of Israel and Juda, and rejoice you in all love ye children of peace. 3. Behold, your King appeareth b Zach 9 unto you in meekness, and he cometh c Mat. 24.25. with Majesty. 4. For that he would establish you heire-like in his d Jer. 31. Eze. 37. Sanctuary, e Psal. 68 for to possess his Kingdom for evermore. 5. But unto his enemies, the resisters of the Love, he appeareth in f Psa. 5.7. Eccl: 5. wrath and in rigour. 6. For to thrust them from him, g Mat. 7.23.25. and to shut them without this Kingdom for ever. 7. For he will make an end of the iniquity, and cast all falsehood and offensiveness h Mat. 13. out of his Kingdom. 8. He will diperse the deceitful i Psa. 33. Pro. 15. thoughts, his life, disposition, and nature k Es. 65.66. will he bring to light. 9 He will establish his Kingdom in peace, l Esa. 9 and the peace of his Kingdom shall have no end. 10. Lo, that is the spiritual Kingdom of Christ, the heavenly King in eternity. Alleluia, Alleluia. CHAP. XLVII. WHerefore, O ye souls, shout now in your God for joy, and rejoice a Psa. 62. Luk. 1. your mind in his Salvation. 2. From whom you were turned away, and are turned to him again. 3. Behold, that is the b Psa 118. Esa. 28. 1. Per. 2. stone which saveth you, the everlasting God of Israel, who hath made heaven and earth. 4. His Anointing is at his right hand, out of his spirit of salvation, cometh the faithfulness and truth unto us. 5. That which he hath stricken and wounded, c Deut. 32 Tob. 13. he hath anointed and healed again. 6. He can kill, d 1 Reg. 2. Sap. 16. and make alive again, he leadeth into hell, and bringeth out again. 7. He thrusteth away and condemneth, as it were in cursing; e Esa. 54.57.60. he calleth to him again in blessing, as his best beloved. 8. He bringeth down to dust, earth, and ashes, he f Psa. 113. Esa. 52. exalteth again above all Cedar-trees. 9 He suffereth to fall into sorrow, as if it were nothing, and that he esteemed it not. 10. He rejoiceth it again, and esteemeth it much more precious than gold, silver, and precious stones. 11. Where is there a g Deut. 32 Psal. 18.113. God, like unto the God of Israel, which sitteth above, or over-spreadeth all heavens. 12. He hath founded h Gen. 1. Psa. 102. the earth upon his Word, the Firmament is comprehended in him. 13. Sun and Moon stand obedient i Psa. 104. Esa. 38. to his Commandment, all the hearts of the living hath he in his hand. 14. He doth all what he k Psal. 114 will, he respecteth l Sap. 6. Act. 10. no man, neither wise nor simple. 15. When he maketh up himself, m Psa. 76 Jer. 10. it must all bow to him, and fear his mighty hand. 16. He chasteneth or rebuketh for a certain time, n Job 5▪ Psa. 36. Mich. 7. but his goodness endureth for ever. 17. Laud him all ye o Psa. 138.148. Kings, and ye Counsellors, in the Land, fear his Majesty, all ye people. 18. He that worketh wonders among the heathen, and hath a lust towards his Elect. 19 He hath a pleasure p Deut. 10. in the house of Israel, for that he would plant q Esa. 49.11. the generation of Jacob in righteousness. 20. He will not ever be r Esa. 54 angry with his people, their chastisement shall not always endure. 21. He punisheth them for their sins, s 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 again 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. Rejoice 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 Zion, 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 apparel 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 Cymbals, Flutes, Tabors, Gitterns, and upon all manner of Instruments with strings. 34. For than will God k Esa. 33. Eze. 34. be your King, your Head, and only Pastor or Shepherd. 35. No sin l Jer. 50. shall ruinated or spoil 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 perpetual 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 showed on the man, through the Service of the Love of Jesus Christ; with also a lamentable complaint over the blindness of the people, and over certain good thinking wise, and Scripture-learned ones, and likewise how grossly they have overreached themselves, or failed in their giving of judgement over the spiritual 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 do witness, also wherein our health and preservation consisteth, and likewise whereunto th● promises of God the Father, a Gen. 22. made to the blessing of all generations of the earth, do 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 waxed old: as also, to become one only Commonalty 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 righteousness (which God esteemeth) might come to light, and be manifested through 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 withheld 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 say in the four Books of the Glass of Righteousness, 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. ways of life, from the ways of death. 5. Seeing then that the glorious g 2 Cor. 4 light (as a day or clearness of Christ) is by God's grace, given us to behold; therefore have we (out of the same sight, or heavenly Revelation) rehearsed 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) reveal and make them known unto his Saints. 6. Which testimonies of the heavenly treasures or riches of God, we have (out of inclined love) witnessed as a Glass of upright righteousness, and to a beholding in the Spirit of all Righteousness, 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 adjoin them to our Communality, 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 nearest 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 yield itself captive thereunder, shall all be known 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 peace's 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 God's Ordinance, and according to the love of Jesus Christ. 4. Seeing then that the Government is God's 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 God's Ministers, therefore shall likewise every Governor, that ministereth his Office out of God's Ordinance, or is well inclined thereto with all his heart, submit himself 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 Glass of Righteousness. 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 learn through the Love and her service, to observe what is right and m Tob. 4. Phil. 4. equal; to the end, that the love might by that means, be seen and known, that she is the band of n Col. 3. perfection, and the upright o Eph. 4. being itself, whereon the Law p Mat. 22. and the Prophets do witness, 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 principal sum of the Commandment and of Faith, and to be a steadfast 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 s 1 Cor. 3. by God's grace, we have (according to the sight of the true life) shown forth the upright t Deut. 30. Eccl. 15. difference of the life and death, in the glass of righteousness, in most large and ample manner. 10. In the which one may sinned and reap all fullness of Declarations or Instructions, tending to the furtherance of the profitable knowledge both of all godly heavenly things, and also of all manly and natural things. CHAP. L. FOrasmuch then as God hath (out of his bountiful grace) shined, or given a 2 Cor. 4. into our hearts, such a clear light of the lovely being, under the obedience of his love, therefore do we likewise testify 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 serviceableness 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 testify 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 endure to keep f 1 Cor. 9 Col. 4. silence thereof, l●st that we ourselves (inasmuch as such a grace is happened unto us) might by our silence-keeping in this perilous time, be any let or hindrance therein. 4. Wherefore, because now that the Love to the life might be furthered, so do we show forth our Service (with courtesy) g 2 Cor. 4. towards all consciences of men, to the end, to witness 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. blameless 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 proffered grace of the Love. CHAP. LI. WHerefore, because that the same now which is to come, might appear, so do we not speak coveredly, as in secret manner, in privy places or corners, a Mat. 10. but naked and apparent in the day. 2. But if now our testimonies be covered unto any one, or be witnessed or spoken in hidden or secret manner, before any one, then are they covered, secret, or b 2 Cor. 4. hidden before those that perish; namely, the decliners from those same, and the unbelieving minds of the wicked world, c Jam. 4. who are Gods enemies, as also enemies of the love and of Christ, which will not that d Luk. 19 God, nor Christ, not yet the Love should reign over them; but are e 2 Tim. 3. 2 Pet. 2.3. Jud. 1. stout, and puffed up in mind, as those that will reign themselves, according to their own advice or opinion, seeking their selfness and not the Lords; the which they do apparently show 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 blindness of the wicked world, and with the blindness h 1 Cor. 1.3. of her dissensions, and chosen i Col. 1. holiness, for that they should not behold the light of the heavenly clearness 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. freedom, to the blessing of the manly generation, whereof we do witness. 5. For that same is our service, towards all those which love the good life and the peace; namely, for to declare and show 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 ●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 passed unto the people, as an evangely or good message, for that they should be saved therein. CHAP. LII. BUt oh, alas! we have now in this perilous time, very special cause to sigh and mourn grievously, over the a Esa. 6. & 59 blindness of many people, and to bewail the same with great dolour of our hearts and that chief, 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 less loved. But they do almost every one delight to walk in strange c 4. Esd. 5. Mat. 7. ways that stretch to contention and destruction, by which occasion, they live in many molestations and deadly afflictions every where. 2. Therefore may we (with woefulness and ●ighing hearts) very jostly say, that it is now a perilous d Amos 5. Mat. 24. 2 Tim. 3. time to be saved, or to escape or remain over to preservation. (Oh, what venomous winds do there blow, to the desolation and destruction of men!) Yea, it seemeth to be almost e Mat. 19 & 24. impossible for the man to come to his salvation or preservation in Christ, or to the lovely life of peace. 3. But yet is it easy, 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 loathsomeness, and it is unto them a secret h Mat. 13. 2 Cor. 4. or unknown Treasure of wisdom. 4. Oh! when we behold all the perils and snares which are now presently in the way, as lets or hindrances against the good life of peace, namely, by the worldly foolishness, pride and corruptibleness, also by the many manner of seditions of the Scripture-learned i Mat. 6. & 15. & 23. Act. 7. and chosen holiness, and again by the sundry sorts of conceited opinions of men, so doth our soul oftentimes suffer great sorrow, and that even herefore, because that all understanding of the flesh, which is borne of the blood 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 itself so grossly, in giving judgement in the testimonies of the spiritual things. 5. For verily, many of the opinionated, or goodthinking wise ones, and of the Scripture-learned sort, have with their goodthinking, understanding, or arrogant wit of the flesh, made up themselves for to judge therethrough 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 spiritual 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 spiritual land of Promise, and of the spiritual Saints of God; but they have also judged, according n Joh. 7.8. to their earthly and fleshly minds, other more spiritual 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 spiritual things, or do extend thereunto, and have not rightly understood our Ministration, which guideth to the spiritual and heavenly; even like as the same is happened unto us by some, and become manifest before our eyes, but chief by the principal 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 spiritual and heavenly testimonies of God, and his Promises, and against the holy Spirit of Jesus Christ, and of the merciful 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 witness and publish forth God's Word, his everlasting truth, out of those same spiritual and heavenly goods, for to defame and persecute us, with much q Mat. 5. lying and falsehood. CHAP. LIII. BUt although many of them have grossly overreached themselves therein, yet have some notwithstanding according to the imagination of their knowledge, run on, or laboured for the spiritual 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 spiritual 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 spiritual things, out of the imagination of their own knowledge; therefore have they likewise understood those same spiritual 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 clearness 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 turn them away from us, or which doth yet daily happen unto us (as to slander or speak evil of us, and reproachfully with many lies to defame and to persecute us with falsehood) have we, for the love of Christ his sake, endured 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 truth's 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 thorough f 1 Cor. 4. 2 Cor. 6. or come to light unhindered, and become generally known to be the true God-service that God requireth, and that it might also be known, that we are unguilty of the false bruits that be laid to our charge behind our backs, and that we do 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 wisdom, which God hath graciously given to us, and laud God for the same. 6. But truly, those that do now charge, contemn, and with their venomous i Psal. 14. Jer. 9 Rom. 3. Serpent's tongues, sharply reprehend, or maliciously speak evil of us, and persecute us, have not spoken evil of and contemned us only, but also k Mat. 10. Luk. 10. Acts 9 2 Thes. 4. God himself, who is our true Master-builder of his house of Love, and have judged his holy service of Love, through the which we do testify, and publish abroad the upright righteousness 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 judgement 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 ourselves against them, a Rom. 12 1 Pet. 3. to requite evil, 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 unskilfulness 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 evil deeds, and may through the Love and her Service, be raised up e Esa. 35. Heb. 12. again from their fall, or be set upright in the truth and godliness. 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 godliness of Jesus Christ. 2. Wherefore ye dear beloved, for to avoid all perils 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 less 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 man's 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 Aaron's rod, wax green, and blossom, and beareth fruit; and his likewise, who in the first school-rule of the Christian Doctrine of the Service of Love, hath like a faithful 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 grown 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. Kingdom of the God of heavens. 4. Who doth then also as a meet Elder and Household 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 fountain 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 righteousness be refreshed, and the Lords fields or tilled lands moistened or made wet, to a fruitfulness, for to bring forth good fruits, which do serve the life of man, to q Apo. 22. all healthfulness. 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, s Joh. 17. Eph. 3. 2 Pet. 1. incorporated to the Spirit of God and Life of Christ, and knoweth t Joh. 8▪ the truth in that manner, he verily hath rightly continued steadfast 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 do yet carry the x 2 Cor. 3 foreskin 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 one's (which sow upon the flesh, or which build upon the foreskin of their uncircumcised hearts) do mow a Gal. 6. the corruption, and inherit the destruction. 2. But those that are b jer. 4. Col. 2. circumcised on their hearts, in the laying away of the foreskin of the sinful 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 spiritual, which is the true being itself; 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 eternal life. 3. For all flesh, although it do also speak of spiritual and heavenly things, through his knowledge, yet is it doubtless nothing else but like f Esa. 40. 1 Pet. 1. Jam. 1. the grass of the field, and all his garnishing of beauty and holiness, is also like unto the flowers of the field; behold, the grass drieth away, and the beauty of the flowers of the field withereth or decayeth. 4. But the spiritual good, the power of God, and his g Sap. 1. & 7. Heb. 1. living being (wherein all what is of God standeth firm, and floweth thereout) remaineth steadfast, h 1 Pet. 1. unchangeable for ever; and in the same, or through the manifestation of the same being, the Kingdom 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 clearness, 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 wisdoms 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 spiritual heavenly understanding, and the same clearness is the n 1 Joh. 1. being of God from heaven, the upright o Eph. 4. righteousness and holiness, and the life p Joh. 17. of God in eternity. 7. Wherefore, ye dear beloved, seeing that the q Apo. 3. door of life is now by God's grace opened unto us, the r Mat. 3. Kingdom of the God of heavens, and the heavenly Jerusalem, s Esa. 60. Apo. 21. or City of Peace, descended down 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 contemn the same, but as goodwilling children of Faith take special heed unto it, and so in the v Mat. 3. Acts 2. & 3. doing of upright fruits of repentance, enter u H●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 wisdom, 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. wisdom, which extendeth to the land of the living, and City of Peace. 9 For if we will contive safely kept from all seducing and destruction, and enter rightly z Heb. 4. into the rest, according to the promises of God the Father, then must we submit ourselves a 1 Reg. 15 1 P●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, God's secret understanding, thorough the nature of God, and taste therein the spiritual heavenly things, and all life and sweetness; 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. midst 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 error, 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 Commandment 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 cover before their hearts, which Adam hath made him, which aprons or cover of Adam is the hiding of the transgressions or of the sins. 11. Therefore 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 himself 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 plain l Job 1. Mat. 18. 1 Cor. 14. and just, and simple, like unto a newborn Babe, and doth grow up therein obediently, taking nothing upon him any more, nor yet hiding himself any thing at all before the face of God, nor before the Ministers of his gracious Word. 12. For whosoever doth not thus simply receive the Kingdom 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 clearness of the godly light for ever, and not taste o Mat. 22. or know any of the godly heavenly goods, much l●sse inherit them. CHAP. LVI. BEhold, because now that the craftiness 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 spiritual 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 righteousness, 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, thorough 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 Serpent's counsel, captivated him in h Gen. 3. the knowledge, but that he unlearneth all in the same again 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. Lo, 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 evil, who do possess, or shall possess 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 drink the wine with Christ and his holy ones, at the table of the Lord, n Luke 22 Apo. 3. in the Kingdom 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. foreskin of the old man from their hearts, therefore is likewise the Kingdom 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, unknown, s L●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 foreskin 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 doubtless 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 subtlety 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 needful for the man at the first, whereby he may enter into the life, then that he do x Mat. 11.18. Luke 14. submit himself 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 yielded 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 wisdom 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 inherit in that sort, with Christ, b Mat. 13. Col. 2. the spiritual 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-heartedness and love with each other (whereunto we do 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 travel thorough, and the entrance into the Kingdom (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 showed 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 pass thorough 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 abominations and desolations is, for to make known 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 entering 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 vain and false persuasions, because that if any thing thereof should chance to meet them, they should not then be afraid, nor yet join 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 go out of a Mat. 16. 2 Cor. 6. and forsake it, and so (according to the counsel b Tob. 4. of the Elders in the holy understanding, in the Family of Love, endeavour 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 selfness] and let him take unto him the equity; and so enter thorough God's holy nature, into God's 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 vain and corruptible in the world, and from all captivity to the earthly things and creatednesse, for to inherit even so the eternal life, the Kingdom of the heavenly beauty, and the upright being of God's 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. endure, but that which is pure, clean and clear, according to the spiritual form of the heavenly things. 3. Behold, such is the Kingdom 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 freedom, 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.