AN INTRODUCTION TO The holy Understanding of the Glass of RIGHTEOUSNESS. Wherein are uttered many notable admonitions and exhortations to the good Life: Also sundry discreet warnings to beware of destruction, and of wrong-conceiving, and misunderstanding or censuring of any Sentences. Set forth by H. N. and by him perused anew, and expressed more plainly. Pro. 1. Who so is wise, he will be counselled, to the end he may understand the parables, and their interpretations; also the doctrine of the wise, and their dark say. Pro. 4. He will be guided in the straight path [to the holy understanding] that (when he goeth) the way be not tedious unto him, and when he runneth, that he do not stumble. LONDON, Printed for George Whittington, at the blue Anchor, near the Royal Exchange in Cornhill. 1649. The Counsel of the Wisdom. STrive not so for the death, by your error, and wrestle not so for the destruction, through the work of your hands: For God hath not made the death nor destruction, neither rejoiceth he in the destruction of the living; for he created all things, that they should have their being: likewise he made all people of the earth, that it should go well with them, and that there should be no destruction in them, and that moreover the Kingdom of hell should not be on the earth; for righteousness is everlasting and immortal, but unrighteousness is the procuring of death, Sap. 1. Go not in the path of the ungodly, and walk not in the way of the wicked; let it pass, and go not therein, turn from it and pass by, etc. keep thine heart with all diligence, for thereout goeth the life: put away from thee a froward mouth, and let reproaching lips be far from thee, Psal. 1. Prov. 4. Who so (among you) is wise and expert, let him show by his good conversation, his works & fruits in the meekness of wisdom, etc. for where envy and strife is, there is sedition, and every evil work; but the wisdom which cometh from above, or out of the height, is first, chaste: after that peaceable, modest, constant, gentle, full of mercy, and good works or fruits: For righteousness is sown in peace by them that maintain peace, Jam. 3. Be ye all , pitiful, brotherly, merciful, friendly; recompense not evil with evil, nor rebuke with rebuke; but contrariwise bless: and know that ye are thereto called, even that ye should inherit the blessing, 1 Pet. 3. But above all things, put on the love; for the love is the band of perfection: And the peace of God keep the preeminence in your hearts, Col. 3. AN INTRODUCTION TO The holy Understanding of the Glass of Righteousness. CHAP. I. 1. Amidst the variety of opinions, H. N. is granted to see, and appointed to show unto all men, which is the elect and holy Congregation. 7. And the same he affirmeth (as an eyewitness) to be with the Family of Love. 10. Without which all man's work is but a bondage. 11. And where it is not, there is all error, and misery. 13. The cause of error. 14. Which is not without the foretelling of God. 16. Neither can it, nor any man's fault frustrate God's promises. 20. An Exhortation to rest upon the promises of God, and to prove ourselves, whereby to amend ourselves, and to win others. 27. For God will now manifest his own work of the Love. 30. And unto that his Grace, the holy Minister persuadeth to be obedient. FOrasmuch as we now find sundry sorts of commonalties, Religion-urgers, Tongues, and Peoples, and that (with different Religions, God services, conceivings, and understandings) each laboureth to defend his own cause to be the very best; (by means whereof, the whole world is every where a Infra. 4. in great division and discord, and all against one another:) And whilst that I H. N. (concerning the divisions and discords, and other causes which I find to be among them in great reviling, strife, and hatred) am impartial towards them all, and do contend with none of them: and that b 1 Tim. 1. mercy is (now in these dangerous times) extended on me from the highest God [namely, through the manifestation of his upright Righteousness;] therefore could I not hid the understanding of the upright Righteousness (by God's grace) c Eph. 3. Col. 1. 2 Tim. 1. revealed unto me. 2. For the most holiest being [which is the upright righteousness and holiness itself; and wherein the true Saints of God and Christ do live, and are comprehended] is (out of God's heavenly Revelation, and his grace) d Mat. 11. Rom. 16. Eph. 1.3. Col. 1. 2 Tim. 1. revealed unto me through the love of God the Father, for to witness the same again, and (out of the inclination of love) to declare it unto the people on earth, to the end all mouths might be stopped, all understandings satisfied, all hearts well affected to the Righteousness contented, and all strife ended, so to draw all people to the peace, and to the unity of heart in Jesus Christ, under the obedience of the love, the most holiest God service: and that they might so be lead to the holy understanding of the Glass of Righteousness. 3. Under which most holiest God service, we witness and set forth the wonderful Acts of God, which are revealed and manifested unto us in these last days, according to the e Isa. 44.60.61.62.65.66. Jer. 23.30.33. Ezek. 36 7. Joel. 2. Act. 1. foretelling of the Prophets. 4. Wherefore seeing that the Providence of God, and all what he in former times hath spoken, by the mouth of his holy Prophets, cannot fail nor lie: and that moreover he cannot f Joh. 14. leave his people like Orphan's God doth now, according to his promises, manifest and make known (by his righteous judgement in this last day of the love) which is his Elect and holy Congregation. 5. For (to the intent there may be an end of contending) he himself, as the true glorious God, who is g Joh. 11. the Resurrection and the Life, revealeth his Saints out of his bosom, where (since the time they h Esa. 26. 1 Thes. 4. fell asleep) they have rested until this day of the love, because they should now in these last times, in the Resurrection of the Righteous) be manifested i 1 Cor. 15. 1 Thes. 4. with Christ in glory, to k 2. Thes. 1.6. a righteous judgement of God on the earth. 6. Inasmuch then as this righteous judgement of God hath his manifestation in us, now in the end of the world, through the l 2 Tim. 1. Act 1. appearing of the glorious coming of Jesus Christ; and will break thorough and appear (to Righteousness on the earth) over all the world, according to the Scripture, therefore are we also (out of the same judgement of God) to speak, and to write of the upright communality of the Saints of God and Christ, and to witness, and declare the same on the earth, to the end that she likewise may be manifested to the world, and the world may know that she is worthy to inhabit the earth, and that the will of God, the everlasting Father, may be done m Mat. 6. Lu. 11.2. on the earth as it is in heaven. 7. Therefore behold that which we with our n Joh. 1. 2 Pet. 1. 1 Joh. 1. eyes do see. The right communality of the Saints of God and Christ, is of one mind with us, and we with her (as of one accord with each other) stand under the lov●, obediently subject unto her requiring; and the love is to us all, a o Col. 3. band of perfection, to an heritable peace for evermore. 8. Wherefore the right of service of love, is among us the little ones and chosen of God (in as much as we bring into the world, the p Esa. 43.65.66. Eph. 1. 1 Pet. 3. 1 Cor. 13. renewing of life in Jesus Christ through the same) and it shall never cease, but have his course among us for eevermore, for God is with us, he bringeth unto us (in the obeying of the requiring of the same service of love) his blessing and increase, for a fruitfulness to his service of love. 9 And the holy spirit of love showeth likewise his power and effect among us, namely, that God himself is the Lord, and the Manifester and Worker of his Work (in the service of his love) among us, the communality of his holy ones. For he (as a God of Life) doth now through us, and his service of love, reveal and bring to light r Esa. 33. Amos 9 Mic. 7. Act. 15. his building (the holy City Jerusalem) prepared by s Heb. 12. Apo. 21. him (for an holy adorning wellpleasing unto him) even as a bride is trimmed for delighting of her husband. 10. Without this building of the Lord, and without our holy communality of God and Christ, and without this blessing or increase, out of the power of the Almighty, and without this our most holiest God service of the love, and of the gracious word appeared unto us according to the promises, t Esa. 44.45.46.47. Jer. 10. truly all the man's work, and all his God services, Wisdom, and Doctrine, are nothing else but a very blinding of the heart, or a tying and bewitching of the senses and thoughts, how skilful, u 1 Cor. 1. how learned in the Scriptures or Languages, how eloquent, how wise, or how glorious and rich of spirit, soever the man can be. 11. Where God therefore doth not buy us his chosen holiness, execute his office of the Love according to his promises; or where men have no regard unto his promises, according to the foretelling of the Prophets, neither do endeavour to the obeying of the love: and whilst the man goeth on no otherwise, but according to his own mind, or after the instigation of his own spirit, x Esa. 8. there cometh the man into nothing but sorrow, and into erring blindness and miseries, whereby many do either become faint-hearted and y Esa. 13. hopeless, or else find themselves as vain, and z Esa. 59 Sap. 5. without understanding, as aforetimes they were; whereof in the end ariseth (among them that are without understanding) a bondage unto men, under men's imaginations. Likewise, divers sorts of chosen Holinesses, bewitching of the heart a Col. 2. 2 Thes. 2. 2 Tim. 3.4. and strong errors; whereof (alas) there are now every where to be found many, and many sorts among the children of men. 12. Oh, how do many err, and fail in their opinion and vain conceiving, and how do many turn them from us, whilst they walk b Esa. 53. their own way, and have no right regard to the promises of God, nor to the service of his love! and therefore understand not the requiring thereof. 13. But this doth the gloriousness of their knowledge cause, deceiving them in their disobedience. Nevertheless, (because of the Shine c Col. 2. of the spiritual humbleness, which they behold by it) they suppose that it cannot possibly beguile nor deceive them, and so they go on, some in a vain conceited knowledge, and some in a chosen holiness, which God hath never required nor willed. 14. Many others forsake all Religions and Ceremonial services, and even God's promises also, [insomuch that they give no credit to God in his promises, nor yet expect his Salvation, in such manner as he aforetimes (through his Prophets) hath so spoken and promised the same] and so cleaving to the world, or to their own imagination, they wax distrustful of God, because (in many) they have found the word of unregenerate men, and their own word also to be lying, not considering nor understanding, that the Scripture and Prophecies (given forth of God aforetimes) must thus be fulfilled, upon all unregenerate and opinionish or vaine-conceited men: Yea it shall now all be fulfilled, Evil, and Good, and Strife, and Peace, Lie, and Truth, Destruction, and Salvation, in such sort as it is written thereof. It is the Lords Testimony: He himself hath by the mouth o● his holy Prophets fore-spoken that it sha●l so come to pass: and his will it is, that now in this last time it shall all be fulfilled, d Rom. 9 than who is he that can let it? 15 For in the rising up of unregenerate men, w●●h their deceive, imaginations, and lies (and ●hat in show of the name of the Lord) e Leu. 10. Num. 16. Deut. 13.18. Esa. 33.34.35.42.43. etc. Jer. 4.5 6.7.8.23.26.27.28.29.30. etc. Mat 24. 2 Tim. 3. 2 Pet. 2.3. Judas 1. to contention, confusion, blindness, and ●rrupting of the Gentiles or People, there is the Scripture, and the Prophets as w●ll fulfilled, as in the setting up of Israel ●o a Salvation of the People of the Lord or so it was foretold to come to pass, and it is written thereof. Read Moses and t●● Prophets, together with the testimonies of Jesus Christ, and of his Apostles, and there shall ye find the same manifoldly declared. 16. For albeit that many vaine-conceited men and unsent Prophets or Preachers, have been found lying, and might yet daily be found so, or that we (through any ignorance) do any way misdemeane ourselves; yet shall God in his promises, and in the mouth of his Prophets be found true. 17. He will f Gen. 17.22. never forget his Covenant which he hath made with Abraham and his seed; but in due time will remember his Covenant, and show, that he is the God of Abraham, and a God of his seed, for evermore. 18. In whom or through whom, he hath heretofore made his name notable, and glorious among all people; and will yet again through the same, make his name great and glorious in the last time, showing therein, that the God of Israel is only the Lord, Israel his chosen people, that his purpose and wisdom is steadfast, and that the world by her wisdom, g 1 Cor. 1.2. knoweth not the wisdom of God. 19 Therefore it hath pleased God also that his elect people should h 1 Cor. 3. circumvent the world in her wisdom, and to save the world (if they believe God) in Jesus Christ i 1 Cor. 1. by a foolish preaching, to the end, they may know that God's foolishness in his people, is wiser than all the wisdom of this world; and hereby it is manifest and apparent unto us, that God's promises abide firm and unmoveable for ever, and that in his holy and gracious Word they are fulfilled and established, howsoever the requiring of the obedience thereof be foolishness to all the selfe-wise. 20. Hereon [that is to say, on the promises of God, k Luk. 2. and upon the consolation of Israel] aught we to trust, hope, and long, even as the seed of Jacob (which is scattered among all Heathen) doth also hope thereon, and long thereafter. 21. And though many unsent Preachers be (before the coming of Jesus) risen up, l Mat. 24. Luk. 21. 2 Tim. 3.4. 2 Pet. 2.3. who have falsely boasted of Christ, yet let us notwithstanding remember, that it was so prophesied of before, and that the Scripture maketh mention of such things; therefore reproach none, seeing it falleth out to us all m Rom. 8. for the best. 22. For, if we find any to be false, deceitful, unwise, or lying, yea resistant against our most holiest Service of the Love, that same is for a stirring up of us, and for a serious examining of ourselves, whereby to prove whether we also might find such evil or iniquity in ourselves, or not; and whether likewise we ourselves do with humble hearts, n Gal. 6. endeavour us after the good, as all upright Christians ought to do: therefore let us judge none, but so much the more circumspectly look to ourselves, that no man o Rom. 2. judge another, and forget to judge himself. 23. Now when the man perceiveth his own evil, falsehood, and lying, and beareth his judgement therein, then let him seek (according to the doctrine and requiring of the gracious Word and his Service) to find grace at God's hand, and abiding firm in the hope of salvation, let him be renewed in the holy and gracious Word, under the obedience of the Love, and so (out of love) endeavour to draw another to the same grace also, then shall he p Mat. 7. Luk. 6. judge nor condemn none: Behold, this is the q Heb. 5. true school-rule of Christian Doctrine, according to the nature and requiring of the Service of Love. 24. If now any man be a Christian, or boasteth himself, that he is illuminated, and hath his fellowship with the Lord Jesus, let him then r 1. Joh. 1. have also a Christian nature; and stand subject with us under the obedience of the love of Jesus Christ. 25. But if he be not so, to wit, that he hath no Christian nature, nor s Exod. 33. Deut. 4. Joh. 1.5. 1 Joh. 4. hath not yet seen the Lord Jesus, nor standeth subject under the love, then can he not assuredly be illuminated, neither be any Christian in the sight of God, nor yet have any fellowship with Christ. 26. Then if his fellowship be not with Christ, and his love, he ought not to vaunt himself as yet for a Christian: but if he submit himself with us, under the obedience of the love of Jesus Christ, and so ground himself on the promises of t Gen. 17.22. God, & on the u Esa. 2.44.60. Jer. 23.29.31. Ezek. 36.37. Joel. 2. foreshowings of the Prophets & x Act. 2.17. 1 Cor. 15. Phil. 3. 1 Thes. 1. Tit. 2. Apostles of Christ, and believeth God, that he is true in his promises, he may then (as a Learner and Disciple of Christ) speak y 1 Pet. 3. of the hope that he hath in Jesus Christ: but he may not judge another, much less God's Saints and Ministers. 27. For God will now in the last time, (when the man with all his deceive, false judge, and working of lies is z Esa. 10. run to an end) himself appear through his love, and manifest both himself and his true judgement, by his Elect Saints, and bring unto his chosen, who are falsely censured of all the false hearts, and vain-conceited wise of the letter-learned, his a Exo. 20. Esa. 58.66. everlasting Sabbath day, that they once have b Esa. 56. Apo. 14. rest that hope in him, in whom shall be found no falsehood, strife, nor guile; but continual thanksgiving, c Apo. 7. for the wonderful works of the great grace of God. 28. Hereon let us also hope and long, and endeavour that our fellowship might be with the love (that in no case we d Rom. 13 Eph. 5. rest, nor sleep in the sin) and so e Eph. 6. Phil. 4. in the Spirit, sigh and pray night and day unto God, f Abac. 2. Heb. 10. until that come, which shall come, and until the godliness, which is grounded in the Love, do appear unto us. 29. Which godliness I do perfectly witness and declare (out of the inclination of love) in the Glass of Righteousness, and do likewise show with full instruction, the upright stock of life, whereunto tendeth the way of the upright commonalty, or believers of Christ, and whereunto mankind was of God g Gen. 1. Sap. 2. Eccl. 17. created, and by Christ called, to live therein: upon which upright stock of life, and lovely being in the peace, they do all hope and have a longing which love, equity and righteousness, to the end that all those, who have a desire to God and his Righteousness, might be comprehended h Col. 3. in the band of love (wherein the upright stock of life, and God's Righteousness, is to be obtained and inherited) for to inhabit the i Psal. 37. Prov. 2. Esa. 60. 2 Pet. 3. world agreeably, k Rom. 15. Phil. 4. peaceably, and quietly (with one like mind to the love) in righteousness and in all love, according to the promises: and that the world in like manner might [with humble heart] give good ear to the upright understanding, to the obeying of the truth of the spirit, to the end that the service of love, might every where have his course, without any hindrance; and that the godliness might be understood, and l Psal. 98. Lu. 1. known, to the land and praise m Eph. 1. of the glory of God, and to an everlasting Thanksgiving for his bountiful grace shown on us, to wit, that he hath caused us to see, and made known unto us, what n Rom. 12. Eph. 5. 1 Thes. 4. his will is, and what manner righteousness he requireth of us. 30. If God therefore hath such a favour and inclination towards us, that through the administration of his gracious Word under the obedience of the love of Jesus Christ, he reacheth us the hand, and pulleth us to himself out of the desolation o Heb. 2. and captivity of the devil, into his glorious freedom, to the end we should be his inheritance in his love; then let us (for our parts) look to it, that we p 2 Cor. 6 Heb. 12. refuse not the same grace, nor separate our hearts therefrom, q Psal. 95. Heb. 3.4. nor harden them thereagainst; but be subject to his love, and love him, and bear good will towards him again. 31. For he hath showed his tender love r Joh. 3. Rom 5. and ardent affection upon us first, wakening us s Ezek. 37 Eph. 2. in the Spirit out of the sleep and death of sin, unto his Service of Love, which reacheth to the everlasting life, that we should walk in t Luke 1. righteousness and holiness before him in all love. 32. Lo, out of such a disposition of heart and mind, my writing is, and unto this is all my longing, that (if the Lord would vouchsafe it) I might in the truth any where upon earth, find any communality which might in that manner be comprehended in the Service of the Love, or were inclined thereunto; and that such grace might befall us, as to have fellowship one with another. 33. For in the service of the love, and in the virtuous disposition and good nature, it is all comprehended what God from the beginning and always, hath willed and required of the man; wherefore the Law and the Service of the Prophets and Apostles, u Mat. 22. Luk. 10. Gal. 5. 2 Tim. 1. are fulfilled in the Love: for to the righteousness of the Love all of them have their Service, and even all their office and ministration, is to the love, that so in the last time, the Love ( x Col. 3. the true perfection) might abide y 1 Cor. 13 in her Service for evermore. CHAP. II. 1. The Love never faileth. 3. The Law and the Prophets are not abolished by the belief. 6. But when the Love is come, and men are established in her, than (and not before) is the Service of the Law ceased. 9 The time is come, that the well-minded people shall join to the Love, and find nouriture in her Service. 11. According as the Prophets have foretell. In which time the houses of Israel and Judah shall be gathered into one, and the Gentiles also be joined into them. 14. H. N ' s. mild and peaceable service hereunto, yet without flattery. 21. He exhorteth to make this holy life (which by this Service is set forth) our pattern of righteous living, putting away evil thoughts, and reproaching lips. 26. The vengeance of the wicked world, in the last time. FOr though the Prophecies cease, and the knowledge leaveth off, yet the love never a 1 Cor. 12 faileth; for the prophesying is in part, and hath his Prophecy: and the knowing is in part, and hath his knowledge, and they do all cease in the love. In like manner, the Law also hath her Doctrine, out of which (in the end) the b 1 Tim. 1 love is required. 2. When the perfection therefore cometh, that we be established in the love, then is the Law, the prophesying, and the knowledge fulfilled, and accomplished, or then is the obedience shown in the same Commandment and doctrine of God, and not before. 3. To the intent therefore, that the odience, which availeth before God, should be set up, the c Rom. 10 Gal. 2.3.4 belief was published to salvation, through the service of the holy word of the Apostles of Christ: howbeit, not to break, nor to set aside the Law of Moses, and the Prophets, neither the obedience thereunto, d Mat. 5. Rom. 3. but to establish and to fulfil them. 4. Therefore many do utterly mistake and fail in their imagination, e Mat. 22. because they understand not the Scripture, and because they think (before the Love of f Gal. 4. Christ hath any form in them) that the law and the Prophets be fulfilled, and that they are not bound to be obedient to the Law. 5. O beloved, consider once rightly (1 pray you) how, and in what manner, or in what upright fruits of righteousness, the Law and the Prophets are fulfilled. For behold, must not the Law require of us g Rom. 3.8 Gal. 2.3. the upright Righteousness, and besides, remain (from one Generation of men to another) in her service and degree for ever? And do not the Prophet's prophecy thereunto, or have not the Prophecies and preach their service to that purpose, even to make the upright fruits of the Law known? and must not we then in like manner, through the belief (in the knowledge of the Righteousness) pass on obediently towards the same, to our Salvation, that so (thorough the belief) we might bring forth the fruits of the upright Righteousness of God, which are required by the Law, and be made the children of the new Testament, through Jesus Christ in his blood, h Rom. 3.8. Col. 1.2. Heb. 9 whereby we might be justified from the fin, and so live with each other in all love. 6. Now when we are i Eph. 3. Col. 2. established in the love, the foregoing services [namely of the Law and Prophets] have then the first time fulfilled their office with us, and their requiring doth also with us then k 1 Cor. 13. cease, and they have with us, their rest and form in the love, and so then have we peace l Eph. 2. with God, and likewise love and peace among each other. It is true. 7. Verily, that same, when it appeareth and is present, is the true being which is perfect. And therefore the love is the highest good, m Deut. 10. Mat. 22. Rom. 13. Gal. 5. the fulfilling of the Law, and the n 1 Tim. 1. principal scope of the belief. 8. For though a man could speak even as with Angel's tongues, or had such faith, o 1 Cor. 13. that he could move mountains out of their places; and though he wrought wonders and signs, or were endued with such knowledge, that he could open and declare all mysteries, and discover all secret treasures: or that he gave all his goods to the poor, or did out of a religious humble service p Col. 2. show a certain obedience; or as a servant were every ones Minister, or (by means of persecution) q Mat. 10.23. fled from Land, to Land, and from City, to City: yea though he yielded his body to be killed, or gave it over to be burnt, yet truly, all these cannot profit the man to Salvation, nor to the well pleasing of God, r 1 Cor. 13. if he have not the love; for without the love they are all of no value: wherefore let not men without the love give any respect unto them, as if they were any thing, much less hold of them; for they do all cease in the love. 9 Therefore the time cometh, [yea, it is come already] that it shall come to pass, that all Religions, all that are good of will, and every understanding, conceiving, and knowledge, shall be brought in under the obedience of the love, to the uniform building of Jerusalem, s Esa. 33. Eph. 2. Apo. 21. or house of God, t Rom. 12 Eph. 4. and body of the communality of Christ, and every understanding shall willingly yield itself captive under the obedience of the love, u Act. 2.3.4.5. etc. according as it came to pass in the Service of the communality of the Apostles of Christ, under the obedience of the belief, inasmuch as the service of the communality in the love, is not less than it: for in the communality of the love Christ is personally with the Father at his right hand, in whom is the forgiveness of sins. 10. Whosoever therefore hopeth in Christ, and whosoever is infirm, feeble, or weak, & is x Mat. 5.9 11. hungry or thirsty after the righteousness, he obtaineth his nouriture & strengthening out of the love; yea, every one that is fallen or is broken, y Esa. 61. Ezck. 34. or is strayed and separated from the true God & his Christ, shall through the love & her service (if he convert and humble himself, & be well-affected to the love) be restored, & brought to right again; and therefore grow ye up, & through the love, z Eph. 4. 1 Thes. 3. 2 Thes. 1. become manly in Jesus Christ. 11. Behold, unto this Service of Love have all the Prophets of God, and Apostles of Christ borne witness in the Word of Truth and Life, and therein likewise is restored all a Acts 3. what God hath spoken by the mouth of his Prophets, from the beginning of the world. 12. For all the doctrine of God, the Law, and the Prophets, the Images, Figures, and Ceremonies, do witness of this time of grace, concerning the restoring of the man in the Love, [which is the gracious Word promised in the last time;] in which Love, the House of Israel and the house of Judah ( b Jer. 29.33. Rom. 11 which now are dissolved, and scattered abroad among the Gentiles) shall be established. 13. They shall thenceforth be no more divided into two Kingdoms, c Ezek. 37 Dan. 2. but be gathered into one, and be set up in the love; the multitude also of the Gentiles shall join themselves unto them, d Esa. 2. Mic. 4. Zach. 8. to serve the God of Jacob, that they may learn his will, walk in his streets, among the Citizens of Israel, and so all that love the righteousness be one f Joh. 17. in the one living God, let them be who they are, and of what generations, peoples, or Religions, soever they may be, as Christians, Jews, Mahometists, and Heathen, or dispersed people; for all those which love the righteousness, and submit them obediently under the gracious Word of the Lord, and his service of Love, g Act. 10. are acceptable to God, and shall (all through the Word of Truth) be renewed in the love, to observe one manner Statutes, and Ordinances of the God of Israel, according to the promises. 14. Now seeing my service is in all peaceableness (under the obedience of the Love) inclined to the same, therefore also my writing is neither against nor with any Nations, Peoples, or Congregations, that boast themselves to be of God or Christ, [so as either to reproach, or to praise any of them.] but do set forth (through the grace of God the Father, which is given unto me) the plain evidence of the upright communality of God and Christ, according to my sight of the true being. 15. Moreover I do not set myself, either to contend against one, or against another, or to revile, reproach, or censure any man in his error or failing, because he should endeavour him to repentance: O no, that is not our service of the love. For verily, we have all grievously sinned; h Esa. 59 Rom. 3. yea we have all erred like the blind, there hath truly none continued in his estate, no not one. 16. Oh man! who art thou then, or why takest thou so upon thee, that thou i Rom. 2. judgest another, and justifiest thyself? for we are all void of the grace of God, which we receive and obtain, if we be of good k Lu. 2. Phil. 2. will, and do turn us unto God, and be well-minded to the love, from the heart. 17. And for this cause, I do not oppose myself against any sorts of people or Religions, either for to judge them to destroying, suppressing, or rooting out, or else to strive or to contend against them, but do out of the mercy, (which through the love of God the Father) is shown on me, desire to draw unto Unity, all those that love the Righteousness, under the obedience of the love, and to manifest unto them the upright righteousness, to the end they might all l Mat. 3. Acts 2.3 show repentance for their sins, and be saved, and that they with us, and we with them, might inherit in the love, the true peace of Jesus Christ, and the unity of heart, and that the true m Eph. 2.4 Col. 3. peace of Jesus Christ might be prepared on earth. 18. For in all this our most holiest God-service of the love, I have from my heart a pleasure in all them that love the love, and peace, and are minded to concord and righteousness of heart, or do endeavour thereafter, neither desire I to bear any thing in mind to the worst, which any man through unbelief, hath done or spoken against us. 19 Furthermore, seeing true belief n Eph. 2. is the gift of God, and that we are not o Rom. 3.5 Gal. 2. Eph. 2 saved out of ourselves, but out of God's grace, through the faith of Jesus Christ, therefore can I not in any wise oppose myself against any, either against the Popedom or Catholic Church, or against any temporal Rulers, against Jews or Gentiles, or against any institutions of Religion; for we are are all called in Christ to salvation and peace, that we should all in the last time be p John 17. Eph. 4. of one mind under the obedience of the love. 20. Now because I do not set myself resistingly or reproachingly against any, shall I then fawn and flatter, as to write any thing for any man's favour, to please men? that be far from me, but rather, I declare uprightly [even as it is through God's heavenly Revelation manifested and granted me to see] the thing that right is, and that availeth in the sight of God, and aught to have his passage among all men. 21. Lo, this [O ye well-willers of the righteousness] is now out of the inclination of love [as far as we may, and as God permitteth unto us] painted out and portrayed before you, according to the life thereof, as a precedent or pattern of the righteousness. 22. Let every one therefore once glass himself in the Glass of Righteousness, according to the truth, and look upon the thing which is right; let him put away from him all evil thoughts, together with his deceitful tongue, q Psa. 34. and let reproaching lips be far from him, and so seek peace, and zealously labour for it. 23. For if any man be innocent, or do endeavour so to be, and if he have right on his side, or do carry his matters uprightly, then will such a one by his righteousness agree with us in one mind, according to the nature of the love, even as we affect the love, and endeavour to the peace. 24. If on the other side, he be not so, then may he there (if he be not partially minded) have knowledge of his error, whereby he may turn him to the love, and live; for the inclination to be upright of heart in the love, or to inherit the love, is r Cant. 8. Mar. 22. 1 Cor. 12.13. truly, that is the most best virtue, and passeth all Religions, and like-resembled God-services; it doth likewise fare excel all self-chosen spiritual humility and holiness. 25. Such kind of hearts, as are inclined to love and peace, and have set their minds on the most best virtue to inherit it, I suppose there are some at least among all sorts of people; and albeit many of them do seek God the eternal Father, and his righteousness s Esa. 58.9. ignorantly, being yet ignorant of the truth, and bewitched in their hearts with spiritual appearances, t Col. 2. and vain wisdoms, whereunder their understandings and consciences are still held captive, yet nevertheless in their obedience to the requiring of the service of love, u Esa. 25. the covering wherewith many people or heathen are yet covered and bewitched, shall be taken away from their hearts, that those which love the good might cleave to it, with free and unbound consciences, and be comprehended in the band of love. 26. To that end [that is to say, for the peace and unities cause] is mine inclination to the service of the Saints that are called to the love, and the service of my exhortations is to those that hope and long after it, to wit, that they would all have regard unto the Service of the Love, to the intent that all we, who have any pleasure, will, or desire to the good, might (through the same Service) prepare our hearts thereunto, for to be joined in all love to the good, in humbleness of heart, and so might avoid the plagues of the ungodly, x Apo. 18. and not be made partakers of those plagues, which (as a y Luk. 21. snare) shall catch the blood-guilty, the wicked, and all the malicious in the last time, and they shall not be able to escape the vengeance of God. CHAP. III. 1. An admonition to observe the time, and to fly the abominations of the wicked world. 14. He hopeth that many believe the promises of restoring, and exhorteth all not to look bacl, as the greatest part in former times did; but to take their unbelief for instruction. SEeing now [dearly beloved] that we see, hear, and mark evidently, that the blind wicked world is wholly minded to error, hunteth for a Sap. 1. corruption, and destruction, and hasteth to fall into the plagues of the ungodly, to her own perdition, which all malicious ones, together with such as are strayed and departed from the upright life, do take pleasure with, and are blinded in, and do daily increase in blasphemy, Rom. 1. Eph. 4. wicked imaginations, false judgements, malice, and own conceitedness of self-chosen wisdom: therefore let every one now with earnest love to the good take heed to his time, that is to say, that he hate, die from, and forsake all that which the erring world increaseth in, and followeth after. 2. And let us increase daily in the spirit of the upright being, and c Col. 1. 1 Pet. 2. grow up in the true life of godliness, [namely, as many as (out of a good purpose) have turned them to the virtue of truth, and (in obedience) given over themselves to the word of the Lord and his service of love; for the righteousness sake] that none [through his carelessness, or delight in worldly desires] be d Heb. 3.4. disappointed of the rest of godliness, which rest of godliness and of the upright life hath ceased, but hath been reserved, for an everlasting inheritance for the children of God in the last days, according to the promises. 3. Now for to enter into this rest, let every one have the eyes of his spirit, and the ears of his heart, and understanding earnestly attended to regard the time of his calling thereunto. 4. Let no man look back to the vain and wicked being of the ungodliness, which e Lu. 9.17. Phil. 3. he leaveth, forsaketh, and dieth from: neither let any man think to turn again (with his heart to the world [that is to say, to her abominations of iniquity, or to her vain being of wantonness] for behold the days of her desolations be at hand, and are now already come at the door. 5. Oh fly f Esa. 48. Jer. 51. Apo. 18. from the ungodliness of the world with all your hearts, and from the wickedness of her abommations. Look not back after her deadly poison, and be not therewith made unbelieving to think, that the world shall not be punished for her abominations. 6. O! consider I pray you, how can a man that hath any understanding or knowledge of righteousness, take pleasure in the world? are not the sins of this last wicked world become out of measure abominable? are they not much more abominable and horrible, than the sins of the former wicked world, g Gen. 6.7. in the time of No, and of the Cities of Sodoma and Gomerra, h Gen. 18.19. 2 Pet. 2. in the time of Lot? If God then punished them so terribly and severely, how much more will he punish these, who do far pass the other in wickedness? 7. Oh children, keep your hearts separated from her, fear God and love his righteousness, that ye be not taken in the snares of the wicked, nor plagued with the reward of their errors. 8. Take an example by i Gen. 19 Lu. 17. Lot's wife: and remember the saying of our Lord Jesus Christ which he spoke, when ye shall see the abomination of desolation (spoken of by the Prophet Daniel) standing in the holy place; who so readeth it, let him consider it. Read Dan. 9 Mat. 24. Lu. 21. 9 Therefore (O all ye that love equity and righteousness) watch and pray; the sight of the destruction is ascended on high, the k Esa. 5.60. 4 Esd 14. darkness overwhelmeth the earth, her l Esa. 28.29.56. inhabitants are drunken & sleepy, the Sun of righteousness giveth little shine among them, m Esa. 13.14. Ezek. 32. Joel. 2.3. Sap. 5. the Moon of Understanding (which was wont to be a clearness to the darkness) is utterly darkened with them, and for bright shining, giveth them but little light; for almost all of them begin to grope, n Esa. 59 as if they were blind, by means of the thickness of the darknesses which have environed the earth, therefore is the woe of miseries, and the infelicity of unbelieving men, come hard by, even at the door. 10. Whosoever therefore rejoiceth him with the unbelieving wicked world, and o Jer. 6.8. Ezek. 13. promiseth or pronounceth happiness, peace, and prosperity unto her or to her Adherents, the same man speaketh lies, who so boasteth him of grace, and yet abideth in his ungodly being, he blasphemeth God in his righteous judgement, p Esa. 52. Ezek. 36. Rom. 2. and (with blasphemy) dishonoureth his holy Name. For God, is a God that loveth Righteousness, and hateth all (yea all) q Psal. 5. Prov. 3. ungodly being. 11. He is holy, r Leu. 19 1 Pet. 1. and will have us to be holy also, and that we (to the laud and praise of his glory should s 1 Cor. 15. Eph. 4. Col. 3. carry or bear his image and like being, and not the image of the devil, nor the vain being of the world, wherein we do mock and reproach him. 12. We are called through Jesus Christ and his service of love, unto God, and his upright Righteousness, t Joh. 15. Phil. 1. because we should bring forth the fruits of God, and not to the devil, through the Antichrist the devil's child, by whom we join to the world, u Sap. 1.2. Joh. 8. 1 Joh. 3. and bring forth the fruits of the devil, whose end or recompense is the everlasting condemnation, x Mat. 25. Heb. 10. 2 Pet. 3. and the judgement of the raging fire, which cometh upon the wicked world, and all wretched men that despise the Salvation of God, and believe not, that we ought to live the righteousness of God, with whole heart, soul, and body. 13. Now this passed over, I hope there are yet many good of will, and contrite of heart, which have a desire to do the will of the Lord, and which do steadfastly believe God's promises, and hope thereon; and y Rom. 8. 1 Cor. 1. Tit. 2. 1 Pet. 1. so with patience, wait for the coming of Jesus Christ, to their justifying and delivering from their sins, z Luk. 11. whereby they might serve God without fear all their life long, in such holiness and righteousness, as are pleasing unto him. 14. Hereunto we are to have regard, to the intent God's promises may be to our salvation, a Mat. 5. Rom. 2. and not to a rigorous judgement on us, as they are threatened to be to the ungodly. 15. If any man therefore count the everlasting God true in his promises, let him not look back on that which is past, b Luk. 9 Phil. 3. but have regard to that which is to come, and believe God that he will not neglect, but openly show his Salvation. 16. He will remember his holy Covenant, and c Esa. 40.42.60.61.62. Jer. 23 31.33. Ezek. 36.37. be gracious unto his people, and set them up again, according as he hath spoken it heretofore d Luk. 1. by the mouth of his holy Prophets. 17. Let no man reckon these things vain, or as though nothing shall come or grow of them, that he be not entangled by his blindness, as it came to pass heretofore with many, when the Lord would punish the ungodly. 18. At which time, always the most part of people were blinded, e Gen. 6.7.18.19. Esa. 6. Sap. 2. and had no regard hereunto, before it fell upon them, in such sort, that they could no way escape the vengeance of the wrath of God. 19 Which punishment, God (in sundry sorts) caused to come upon the ungodly, and are all set before us, for example, f 1 Cor. 10. that we being mindful of the things to come, should exercise ourselves in the most holiest belief of godliness, to the end we might g Heb. 5. find grace before God, and so be preserved from the plagues of the ungodly, h Lu. 21. and from the terrible malediction, and horrible end of the last wicked world. 20. Which plagues i Dan. 12. Mat. 24. shall be divers and more horrible than aforetime, because the time is otherwise, as being much wickeder, and more manifoldly k 4. Esd. 14. Mat. 24. increased in wickedness. 21. For behold, it was another time, and a different punishment upon the maliciousness of men, when the Lord l Gen. 11. confounded, and scattered the workmen at Babel (after which time of punishment, Abraham m Gen. 12. found grace before the Lord) than that time was, when the Lord n Gen. 6.7. 2 Pet. 2. punished the world with the flood, before which time of that punishment, No with his family, found grace (to be a Remnant) before the Lord. 22. In like manner it was also another time and punishment, upon Sodoma and Gomorra, o Gen. 19 2 Pet. 2. when Lot (the righteous) was lead out thence, and found grace before God, to his preservation. 23. Furthermore, consider the different punishments also of Jerusalem and her Inheritants, how that God punished them for their sins cause, p Vide Libros Reg. Proph. in locis plurimis. nevertheless, they always which were upright of heart, and turned them from the iniquity, found grace before God. 24. Now, all this aforegoing being set behind, and having regard unto that which is to come, let every one turn him to the Lord, the God of Israel, who hath made heaven and earth, q Jer. 18.25.35. Ezek. 14.18. 4 Esd. 14. and put away the abominations of idolatrous fantasies fare from his heart, and so amend his course of life. 25. Let every one love the good out of his whole heart, mind, and thoughts, and take heed of the perversity of the wicked world, wherein all impiety and the most horrible abominations do bear sway, r Mat. 11. Lu. 10.11. whose plagues and punishments shall now in the last time, be (out of measure) much more horrible than any aforementioned, according to the Scripture. 26. Wherefore let every one labour for an upright heart before God and towards his neighbour, s Esa. 55. Jer. 29. Heb. 5. and seek of the Lord, to find grace in his sight, whereby to inherit now in this day, the bountiful mercy of God in the preservation of the righteous, that he perish not in the blind errors of the abominable and wicked world. CHAP. FOUR 1. He willeth the wise to regard, how the unbelievers do proceed in the evil: 2. and the Lovers of Righteousness in the good. 6. It is now no time to sleep. 8. But to labour for an upright heart. 11. It is wisdom to buy the good things, whiles they are best cheap. 13. The World esteemeth not the true Virtues. 15. The Belief. 17. Hope, 20. and Love. 22. But the God fearing wise are to take the more heed, that their Lamps be not without oil. 26. The world contendeth for the knowledge, more than for the godliness itself. 29. Many that know not the man's fall from God, will yet speak much of Repentance, etc. 31. but it is all unprofitable. 33. H. N. found not upright people of the Lord: yet all contended to the Lords Communality, and defaced others. 41. Cruel persecutions. 47. By means of contentions many turned from their zeal, whom he lamenteth. OYe wise, who (according to the word of a Dan. 7.9.12. Daniel, do regard this, and understand the same, lift now up b Luk. 21. your heads, behold c Mat. 24. Luk. 21. and consider, for whiles the children of unbelief (which are minded to error) do love the darknesses more than the light, believe the lies, through their ignorance, rather than the truth: cleave rather to the world and her error, then to God and his Righteousness; and do more incline to the conceiving of their own cogitations (out of the mind of their flesh) then to the Salvation in the Spirit: Therefore do they also follow after the same: and estrange their hearts (the longer the more) from the truth, and from the light of life and Godliness: where through they are now e 2 Pet. 2. shut in with bands of darkness: withholding and sheltering themselves with their desire, lust, and will, under the works, of iniquity: where out they gather unto themselves, f Rom. 2. a treasure d Joh. 3. of wickedness, for a terrible judgement of g Esa. 66. Judith. 16. Eccl. 7. 2 Pet. 3. the violence of the fire of the last plagues, which now do come over the wicked world, and over all malicious unhappy men. 2. But in the mean time, whiles now the ungodly increase in the worst, the lovers of righteousness do contrariwise increase in the good, be they, who or wheresoever they be, h Rom. 6. Col. 3. they die from the evil, and grow up in the good, so as they increase daily more and more in the life of godliness. 3. They depart from the ungodly nature, and do pass into the nature of God and Christ, i Rom. 8. and all in the spirit, according to the spirit or mind of the love, and of the requiring of her obedience, for to live the righteousness which God esteemeth, and hath promised. 4. These have their sustaining (under the obedience of the love) in the works of righteousness, and do wait with patience, k Rom. 8. Heb. 10. for the promise which God to-fore hath made, by the mouth l Esa. 44.60.62. Jer. 23.31.33. Ezek. 36.37. of his holy Prophets, and to believe God that he is true, and keepeth his Covenant which he hath made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, (yea, the living God of Jsrael performeth his promises on m Rom. 9 Gal. 3. Heb. 2. the Seed of Abraham, even as he hath sworn unto their Fathers, and showeth thereby that he is their God, and the God of their seed for evermore.) 5. Hereon do they trust, and towards this do they pass forth in the spirit, through the illumination n 2 Pet. 1. of the upright being, which standeth before them in the sight of their hearts, to a continual joy and consolation of all godly men. 6. Behold the rise of both these up, [to wit, of the godliness, and of the ungodliness] shall in their time be made known, and in two kinds of people o Rom. 2. 2 Thes. 1. become manifest, that is to say, the godliness, in the well-willers of the righteousness, and the ungodliness, in the malicious. Let every one that loveth the righteousness, take now heed to his time; and let him p Rom. 13. Eph. 5. not sleep, whiles it is time to wake. 7. Let no man lie still upon his old Couch, in the darkness, when the day cometh on, and the light shineth bright and clear (wherethrough men may see and perceive plainly, how to obtain the riches of the good, that the darknesses cover him not, nor the abominations of ungodliness overwhelm him, and that he be not like the erring ignorant world, or the vain conceited wise of the letter-learned, who do boast much of wisdom, knowledge, and righteousness; and yet are far from the q 1. Cor. 1.3. wisdom of God, and from the righteousness r Rom. 10. that God esteemeth. 8. Therefore labour for an upright heart in the love, that in those days, when the refreshing s Act. 3. cometh from the face of God, to the preservation of the righteous, and when all ungodly being bestirreth and prepareth itself to destroying, you may be preserved from the horrible plagues of the ungodly. 9 For God's righteous judgement shall not be such, as that any man shall be able to hid or to cover himself before it, but it shall disclose and t 1 Cor. 4. lay open the counsel of every one's heart, whether they be well-willers unto him or not, and the righteous shall u Pro. 17. Zach. 13. Sap. 3. Eccl. 2. through the fire or furnace of humility be purged, cleansed, and purified, even as the fine gold, in the furnace of the Goldsmith. 10. Behold, this is showed unto you, out of the inclination of love, therefore be warned before it come to pass, x Mat. 24. Luke 21. 1 Pet. 5. watch and pray, cleave to the good, love wisdom and instruction, and love the light, to the virtue of life, that the y Joh. 8.12. sleep and darknesses take you not. 11. Use wisdom now ye wise, and you that have understanding z Mat. 35. get ye now oil in your vessels, a Esa. 55. it is to be had for nought, which the world in general, together with the unwise, and such as are without understanding b Esa. 5. 4 Esd. Heb. 20. do utterly contemn, esteem vile, and despise; yea tread under their feet. 12. If therefore any among you be wise and hath understanding, let him esteem of this oil c 1 Joh. 2. or anointing of Salvation, so much the better and the more worth, for it is spoken for a Proverb: When any ware or Merchandise is at lowest value, then will men pass most for it. For then there is greatest vantage and gain to be made and gotten by it. 13. Therefore consider now the time, ye that have understanding; what is there now (I pray you) of smaller value, or what is there less accounted of, than the upright virtue, and the godly wisdom, out of the love? d Esa. 59 4 Esd. 14. for the truth is fallen in the street. 14. She is imprisoned, e Mat. 25. who visiteth or goeth unto her? she is naked, who doth her? she is hungry, who feedeth her? she is thirsty, and who giveth her to drink? truly not the erring world: but rash crucifieth, f Esa. 53. jer. 20. Sap. 2. and treadeth her under foot, and giveth her bitterness g Psal. 69. and gall to drink, and letteth her lie altogether in prison, and cometh not once at her. 15. The belief blossometh, h 4 Esd. 6. her buds are shot forth, but who looketh for her fruits, who believeth that ever they shall come forth, and give a sweet taste, when they have gotten the heat of the Summer, and are become ripe or full grown? 16. Therefore pluck not the unripe fruit (to eat) before the time, until it be through ripe, else shall your teeth i Ezek. 18. be dulled or set on edge, and your mouth be made unrelishable, and unlikeing of the fruit, but who hath regard hereunto, or who hath knowledge of this time? 17. The hope k Rom. 5. remaineth firm in the Patience, and proffereth her treasure of l Jam. 5. patience (bountifully) to every one, that no man might be ashamed, but in due time, rejoice with her. 18. But the hasty people, that will not tarry the due season, but in the winter will reap and gather the fruit, and seek for it on the Sabbath, or m Mat. 24. Mat. 13.1. Gal. 12. in the barren winter, they think not on the treasure of hope. 19 Therefore let us pray for patience, that (in the time of heaviness) we may stand fast in hope, and n Lu. 21. 2 Cor. 6. Col. 1. Heb. 10. Jam. 1. unto patience commit our souls; but this (I know well) the world in general is not minded unto: for by her, this treasure and riches of God is contemned, despised and rejected. 20. The love, which hath all these (the truth, belief, and hope, clasped in her arms) is inclined to nourish all things with the milk of her concord, which floweth abundantly out of her breasts, for to unite herself with those (to a concord in the love) whom she embraceth in the truth, and in the belief and hope: and with all those likewise which love equity and righteousness. 21. Lo, This is the Christian oil, and holy unction, and this o Mat. 11. Lu. 20. 1 Cor. 1.2.3. neither the world, nor her wise, or letter-learned can away with, neither do they esteem the precious treasure of God, as being for them much too base, for there is no pride nor arrogancy to be found in it, nor any disputation about the knowledge, nor any wisdom of the Philosophers. 22. But ye that fear God, and love the upright judgement sincerely, p Esa. 1. Jer. 18.25.35. Ezek. 14. put away the bewitching of your hearts, and labour for the oil of the true virtues. 23. Do not sleep, slumber, nor go to rest or be sluggish, before you have first filled your vessels or Lamps with the oil of the spiritual and holy understanding. 24. For in time of the midnight, ( q Sap. 18. when the darknesses have covered the world, and every one resteth in his sleep) she shall then through the voice of the Bruit, and noise of the sound of the last Trumpet, r Esa. 9.60. 2 Pet. 2. shine in the darkness, as a light, and be esteemed very precious and of great value, among all that are wise; for unto the wise, she shall be for an entrance to the everlasting joy, at that time, there shall none among the wise have too much, nor yet any of them lack any thing. 25. Who so now is wise and well-affected, let him not (like the unwise Virgins) give himself to the sleep or rest, with s Mat. 25. empty vessels or lamps that have no oil in them: for then verily he shall find himself deceived, as the foolish and unwise Virgins were. 26. Therefore, ye beloved (you I mean, that have any sight of the Peace, or affection to the good) consider once I pray you, of this present time, how the world, together with her wise and learned standeth in many contendings and divisions, and all for the knowledges cause and esteem, not above all things the virtue of godliness in Jesus Christ, the which thing (I mean to love any thing above the virtue of godliness) is nothing else but an unknown erring darkness, and a being of the fall, which the world will not know nor believe, because she seethe it not, but walketh in t Esa. 59 the darknesses, like the dead, and is also without the light and life which is of God. 27. Wherefore seeing they know not the fall or separation from their God, therefore can they not (though they would never so feign) turn them rightly unto him; the which Esay bewailed in the blind people, when he noted men's fall and separation from their God, saying, 28. We u Esa. 59 are in darkness like the dead, we roar all as bears, and mourn like doves, when we look for equity it is not any where; for health, so is it fare from us; for our transgressions are too many before thee, and our sins answer against us: for we must needs confess our transgressions, and know our misdeeds, to wit, our trespassing and lying against the Lord, and our fall or separation from our God, etc. 29. In like manner seeing unto me now in this perilous time, it is indifferently well known, that many (albeit they boast them of God) do not yet know the man's trespassing, and lying against the Lord, nor the fall or separation from their God; and do nevertheless speak much of repentance, and converting unto God: therefore do I also truly note, that in such a state (whilst this is unknown to the man) neither the man's repentance for sin, neither x Esa. 55. his conversion to God, neither his praying, is y jam. 4. at all performed aright. 10. But this the man will not understand; but in the separation from his God, he will judge of divine things, erect righteousness, and preach and teach the equity, such as in his separation from God, he conceiveth for right, as if it were very righteousness: he will also fast and pray, as though his matter (which he intendeth to himself) were upright before God, saying, dear Father, dear Master, thou Physician of our souls, vouchsafe to help us, and defend us, and so supposeth that God will not suffer him to come to shame. 31. But what availeth it? all such shall find themselves in darkness, as the dead, and mourn like the doves, till that they perceive their transgressing, and their sins answer against themselves, and so their trespassing and lying against the Lord be made known unto them, and the off-fallen being from our God. 32. Then shall they say, and confess, we have looked for equity, and to that purpose have preached & taught, if happily it might any where break through or come forth: z Esa. 59 howbeit, when we look about every way after it, it is not where to be found, and our righteousness vanisheth in itself as a shadow, and consumeth itself like smoke in the air, and the salvation is fare from us; for we see nothing before us but sorrow and desolation. 33. Now whilst that such things floated unto me, before the eyes of my spirit, and that I saw the sundry blindnesses of men, whereunder they lay bound with ignorance, through the falling away from their God, (which fall a 2 Thes. 2 when I saw it was so deep, and so utterly unknown, that the children of men were by means of it unwittingly enclosed and covered therein, with many grievous darknesses) I could not find that there were any of all the children of men, that were the upright people of the Lord, or such as walked in the true light and upright love of Christ, or had continued in the truth of God. 34. Wherefore I found no confidence in myself, that any of all the children of men had been rightly turned unto God and his Christ, again, or that God's holy Ministry and Service of Love, through his true Christ (according to the promises) had had passage among any. 35. But rather I have found at this present time, among the children of men, sundry kinds of boasting, much brawling, contending, wrangling, and discord, concerning God and Christ; which contention and discord came principally hereof, that every particular faction would in their blindness, and off-fallen being or separation from Christ, and without the true light of the love of Jesus Christ, be the people of God, and communality of Christ, and make others contemptible and odious. 36. For when of the one side it was said, we are the holy Church, the Congregation of Christ, b Mat. 24. Mark. 13. Luk. 17. it was answered on the other side, nay, we are it, and ye are Antichristians, a Congregation of the Devil, and of the unbelief. 37. Again, it was further said by some others, behold, this is it which God requireth, we have the right use of the Ceremonies, we are God's people, the holy Israel, and have the true faith of Christ; whereunto also it was said again to the contrary by others, nay, ye are heretics, deceivers, and murderers of souls: and thus every one stood for his Religion, out of contention against others, and not out of love to the unity of heart with each other. 38. In these sundry sorts of debate and discord, every particular faction was by their consorts and adherents, esteemed holy, and all other to be erring, blind: the ones Teacher to be of the Devil, or out of the bottomless pit, the others again to be a spirit of Belial. 39 After such a manner have I found many of them, and they were yet all Christians, as themselves said: whereby there arose up c Mat. 24. great contention, hatred, and envy among many, and all about Christ, in such sort, that divers of them contended for that, which they themselves knew not, even as the blind do, that strive about the judging of a thing, whether it be white or black, whilst yet themselves cannot discern the colours of the same; but because men say unto them, this is white, therefore they say so too, not having at all any sight of it. 40. In like sort there were many also, unto whom men said, there is a God, d Eph. 4. and a Christ, or they read themselves so, and thereout assumed the saying unto themselves, and took it upon them, that they conceived and understood the same very rightly, and that so they knew God and Christ well. But seeing in the truth, they knew not that which they spoke of God and Christ, e Eph. 4. and that they had not the form of God or Christ in them, and for that cause could not discern the same; therefore doubtless they contended thereof like the blind. 41. Among which sundry strifes and dissensions, some also laboured (by strong persecution) to reproach, revile, pursue, and root out or kill others that were not of one understanding with them, for the confession of their God, and for their beliefs cause; which persecution very many did suffer. Briefly, there hath been every where so sore betraying among many, f Mat. 24. that they have delivered up to the persecution and slaughter even one another of themselves. 42. But of all these sundry factions, my conceiving was, that they which suffered persecution for righteousness sake, and for conscience, which they had towards God and his righteousness, were nearest unto the truth; nevertheless, the one condemned and blasphemed the other, so well they that were persecuted, as those which were the persecutors: and upon many came fear and anguish, with much perplexity and distress of heart, and great sorrow (for lack of understanding) overwhelmed many of the children of men, in such sort, that they came to great misery. 43. There arose also many sorts of Sectaries with several Laws, Doctrines, Ordinances and Institutions, g Jer. 8. n. 25. Ezek. 13. every of which would maintain his own to be Gods requiring and appointment, h Supra. 1. and the consciences of men were (to obedience) drawn to the same, and bound therein, and every one loved and earnestly affected his own. 44. I espied likewise many offences, and many abuses, with sundry erroneous misunderstandings, among the children of men, by means whereof I was often in heaviness, because I was not joined with men, in the upright form of godly living, and because they erred so ignorantly every where. 45. And so in all this (because many of them gave so high respect to their own wisdom) I tried and examined their understandings, and therein earnestly noting and observing whereon the wisdom of many men was grounded, I found and perceived, that they which were best spoken, and could over-bear or stop the mouth of others, with hidden reasons or subtle arguments, and words of Scripture, those were in their own opinion, the stoutest and valiantest men. 46. Who so moreover, could in such sort (as it is said) outbrave, catch, or entrap others, and knew how to propound and defend their own ground in godliest and amplest manner, those were esteemed of their complices for the wisest, and on them stood all their wisdoms grounded. 47. Yet found I amongst them all many wellwilling hearts, that had a zeal to the good, but because of the misunderstanding which was found among many, and wherewith they were driven into much ignorance, and they perceiving the same, therefore ( i Mat. 24. with many of them) even the same zeal was waxen cold, and that is lamentable, specially because in their zeal, they had not turned them uprightly to the ways and doctrines of the holy Fathers. CHAP. V. 1. H. N. and others with him were much grieved for the blindness of people. 5. But the Lord comforted him. 6. He hath set forth many writings, and newly written them for a Glass of Righteousness. 15. Which he exhorteth us to consider of, and thereunto to conform ourselves, and to draw others. 19 Not blaspheming, if any thing therein seem contrary to the truth. 20. He requireth to cast away our self-knowledge, and to regard the balance of equity, and to set the truth free as God is free. 22. With whom she is coessential. 23. God is the God both of Jews and Gentiles. 24. From whom to be separated is death, but to be joined unto him, is life and salvation. 28. God's being is the life, bread, and communion of Christ's body, which the Disciples did eat of. 33. The same became flesh, and was distributed also to the Gentiles, and the same shall likewise be given in the last days, according to God's Promises, and not after the inventions of men. BUt in the mean time whilst I considered and scanned all this (inasmuch as I laboured for that which is right) I found myself oftentimes, through consideration of the man's weakness, and of his ignorant zeal to the righteousness and truth, in great anguish of heart, and in l●ke manner there were others more in the same case with me. 2. And I was sorry for the people, because many of them had so ignorant a zeal, and were bewitched with so many sorts of blindness, and vain imaginations, and I was oft times very unquiet in my mind, because I could not know any of the children of men, whom I might believe, or account for the people of God, such as stood in the stock of the righteousness of Abraham, or did a Phil. 1. preach Christ, out of the nature of the love. 3. For I grew suspicious, jealous, and distrustful of all flesh, yea, of myself also; for in my humane disposition after the flesh, I found oft times no power at all, to enter into the b Rom. 7. virtue of righteousness, in any such sort, as by God's heavenly Revelation (which came unto me from God in the Spirit) I had observed the same. 4. Howbeit many of the children of men looked not into the virtue of the righteousness, according to the truth; but were bewitched in their understanding and thoughts, bearing a zeal unto that which was not of God, and which did nothing further them to the righteousness: and therein was my humane understanding afore-times somewhat distressed, whilst I sought the righteousness among the children of men, where it was not to be found. 5. But the Lord (out of his grace) hath showed much mercy on me, and through his heavenly revelation, and manifesting of his truth, hath enlightened my understanding, and pulled my spirit unto him; his goodness leads me, and his Spirit vouchsafes to strengthen me in the Service of Love, that I may declare unto the man that which is most profitable for him to live in, to the establishing of the Word, which God afore-times hath spoken out of his truth, and according as he hath promised c Luk. 1. by the mouth of his holy Prophets, to the blessing and salvation of all people. 6. Then forasmuch as I have seen the misery of men, and do know the contrary nature to God, and that moreover, the good being of God, and the salvation of men is out of God's grace, appeared unto me in my sight; therefore have I set forth certain writings out of the same knowledge of the good being, and of the salvation of men, (so fare as in my understanding I could reach unto the same, and as the Lord revealed unto me) that the man's bewitched understanding and thoughts might be made known unto him, and so he might regard d Phil. 4. what were right and reasonable, and what were meet and profitable. 7. And those writings (according to the appointment of God, and testimony of his holy Word) we have now renewed afresh in the land of the living, and so through the true light of the godly wisdom, and of the holy Spirit of Love, expressed them more plainly, and written them again with the assistance of the principal Elders and Ministers of the holy Word in the Family of Love. 8. Which writings (that every one both small and great of understanding, might be satisfied, and none have any occasion to blaspheme the truth, but that they might all be minded to e 2 Cor. 1. Eph. 4. the unity of heart in the love) we have (out of the love's inclination) placed together with clear distinction, and compiled them to a Glass of righteousness, to the end men might the more easily (in their understanding) comprehend and mark the reason of our hope, for to cheer up thereby the mind of man to the good, and out of the inclination of love) to refresh and strengthen him with good courage, to draw him to a right discerning of the upright wisdom; and for that he should then be zealous with good understanding, and labour for that, which continueth for ever. 9 All that same (so far as we discern it, and as God hath permitted unto us) we show and declare with full instruction (in this Introduction to the holy understanding of the Glass of Righteousness, and principally in the book itself) setting down, wherein the man ought to stand comprehended, whence the happiness of our life cometh unto us, what manner of one the upright f 1 Cor. 12. Congregation of Christ is, and how that the ministration, and service of the holy word, g 1 Cor. 13. aught to have passage out of love. 10. For this is the service of the gracious word, h Jer. 29. promised in the last time, to wit, that all those who have any longing after the love and concord, or do hope thereon, should be stirred up to the same, to the intent, that all they which seek Christ, might with one consent cleave to the love and her service, and walk in all love, for that is the peace i Eph. 2. prepared for us by Christ, if so be we have any desire to the love, and to the true peace. 11. And thereunto, even for the unities sake in the love, is my service to all lovers of the truth, that the destruction of heart might once cease, that every one might have the love before his eyes, that the service of the love and word of truth, might have passage without hindrance, and that so all sentences which bear witness to the truth, might according to the truth be judged impartially. 12. True it is, that my spirit is well disposed hereunto [even that the bewitching of many men's hearts might be done away, and the calling of the Gentiles rightly be discerned and understood, according to the truth] to the end all matters appertaining to the righteousness, might out of love, be discerned and understood impartially, (with an unbewitched spirit, and an unbound heart, according to the truth, but inasmuch as I find little upright judgement among the children of men, as having much more inclination k Jer. 7.11.13.18. to their own sense, and to their own l Rom. 10. righteousness, then to the truth and righteousness which God accepteth, also a more inclination to their own self-chosen communality, then to the unity of heart, in the service of love, therefore is my heart many times not satisfied nor contented with the judgement of men. 13. For I find apparently by experience that the man is in his judgement altogether partially minded in every respect, and setteth his affection to this, or to that, which tendeth not to concord, but much rather to strife, and hath very little respect to the love, whereby he might out of the love, have regard to the truth of the sovereign good impartially, but [commonly] he will have the same bound, or tied to one thing or another, wherewith she is not of one being, whereas the truth is free, and in her upright being, abideth undivided for ever, m Gen. 1. Pro. 6. Sap. 9 whereby also every thing was made, and whereby all elementish things have their right ministration, and she shrinketh away from none. 14. But if we have regard unto her, then shall the true understanding [through the raising up of the image or like being of God in us] be discovered unto us, and the meaning of the knowledges be unlocked, to wit, after what sort God is the n Esa. 9 Lord, King, Saviour, and Prince of us all, namely, of those that are upright of heart, and do join themselves to his love, and her service. 15. Therefore, O ye upright hearts, which have the true sight of the good being of God or Christ, and do well discern and understand the promises of God, and do moreover sincerely love the upright righteousness from his heart, judge the matter yourselves, o Joh. 7. with rightful judgement, and understand the meaning aright. 16. Consider deeply, the godly testimonies of our writings, which (out of the inclination of love, we have set forth, and pointed out for a Glass of Righteousness, and endeavour you thereunto (even to obtain the same upright righteousness) obediently, and then to administer the same unto every one of them also, that love the truth and righteousness, to the intent the righteousness and life, may out of love, be be administaed according to the truth unto all people, to their Salvation. 17. Thus let every one pass on to the same upright life, which is set forth therein, and reach one another the hand, to the p Eph. 4. unity of heart in the love, and glass your selves daily in the Glass of Righteousness, and be you cleansed of the spots of unrighteousness, whereby with pure hearts you may inherit the same life in the Love. 18. And whom you know to have any desire to the beautifulness of virtue, and to the unity of heart with us, under the obedience of the Love, unto them deny not the same Glass also; and so in all things love ye the fairness of virtue, and of the pure Love. 19 But if any man thinketh that there is any thing set forth in the Glass of Righteousness, which is not suitable with the truth, or whereon Moses, the Prophets, and the Apostles of Christ have not witnessed, or that should not tend to the Love, let him there stay himself, and not blaspheme, but rather ask the meaning, and so tarry his time q 1 Cor. 4 till a further enlightening, that he may discern it all by the true light of the eternal truth, as agreeably minded with the love, whereunto we bear witness. 20. Wherefore (O ye dearly beloved) look to yourselves, and destroy not yourselves through your own knowledge; for our service of love is for a furtherance unto you all, to a distinguishing between the truth and lies, to the end, that every vain conceit, and every bewitched imagination might be taken out of the hearts of men, and the good seed of life r Mat. 13. Luk 8. obtain his fruitfulness in us, to all laud, honour, and praise of the Almighty, and to all love and concord amongst each other, and that all together, to one manner, congregation, s Rom. 12. 1 Cor. 12. Eph. 2.4. house, temple, or tabernacle of the one unseparated Spirit of Christ, and to a life of blessedness unto all people. 21. Now if any man be thus minded with us, and be comprehended with us in the judgement of the truth, and in the love impartially, or if he have any desire to judge uprightly, or would feign be knit in one consent with us in the love, whereby he might judge uprightly, according to the truth, let him then in like manner with us, have respect unto the t Esa. 28. balance of equity, and set or hold himself with us, according to the stock of the upright love and truth, impartial under the obedience of the Love, and so also with us, set the the truth free, not as tied hereto, or thereto, wherewith she is not of one being, forasmuch as the true God Jesus Christ, and the holy Ghost is so untied also. 22. For the true being of the eternal truth, is a free majesty of the high Godhead, an u Sap. 7. Heb. 1. everlasting steadfast power, life and mightiness; likewise the same true being comprehendeth all that is in heaven, in earth, and under the earth, and is not itself comprehended either of this or of that, wherewith it is not coessential, neither is it tied thereunto; for it is, and remaineth an everlasting, living, and free unclosed up fountain of wisdom, wherewith we all ought to be of one being, and to live therein. 23. Lo, this is our sight concerning the life, which we do freely declare even without partiality; as also that God is a living, everlasting, and undivided God, and that he is not only a God of the Jews, but also of the Gentiles, that is to say, a x Act. 10. Rom. 10. Gal. 3. Eph. 4. God of all people that love his righteousness, that join themselves to his love, and her Service, and that have a desire to do his will. 24. But to be separated from the same highest God, and from his love and her Service, is the middle wall, the sin and the darkness y Esa. 50. Eph. 2. between God and the man, and it maketh manifest and known, that the same sin is the fall and destruction of the inward manhood from his God; whereout also all wickedness and the sundry sorts of dissension and discord are come into the world: But to know the same, and to be incorporated again with God, under the obedience of the love, is the salvation, and bringeth into us again the unity of heart in the peace. 25. Behold the same God of whom we bear witness, and which bringeth unto us the true salvation and peace out of his love, and out of the obedience to the requiring of her service is the only God of life, whose hand hath made all that is, he is the true being, wherein the spirit of men ought to be incorporated and grounded; and we bear record that he even the same God is only the Lord, who also was in times past praised of the righteous, in Israel, a Psal. 118. Esa. 28. 1 Pet. 2. as the rock of their salvation. 26. Whilst then the people of Israel afore-times were grounded upon the same only God, they served no Idols, neither did they choose any thing for Gods besides their God, nor yet tied themselves to any other thing, but did celebrate, and glorify the same living God, as the King, Lord, and God of all the world, and declared his righteousness as the word of life, b Deut. 30 Rom. 10. and shown the same unto the man, and called him thereunto, that all knees might bow themselves before the same God, c Esa. 45. Phil. 2. and that all hearts of men might fear, honour, and only serve him. 27. Now where the word of life (to God's glory and men's salvation) was heretofore thus ministered, d Act. 2.3 4.5. etc. and God then gave his blessing and increase for a fruitfulness of his Word through the belief, there was also the same Word ministered out of Love by the Ministers thereof, namely to the believers, for their strengthening and growing up in the Word; and in like manner they held forth the same Word of life according to his worthiness unto the little, young, and weak ones, to cheer up their hearts thereunto and to confirm them in the holy being of the same Word, that such an holy being of God might have e Gal. 4. a sure form in them, and all people might with their tongues, laud and praise God. 28. Behold, this same holy being of God, is the true life of the holy Ghost, which heretofore God wrought among his people Israel, and likewise f Joel 2. Acts 2. among the Gentiles that feared his name; and the same is promised afterward to be given in the g Esa. 2.3.9.25.32.35. etc. last days. 29. This same being of God is indeed the right food of the soul, and bread of life, and is h joh. 6. descended unto us from heaven for a life to the man, and was heretofore i 1 Cor. 10 11. broken and distributed to the people of Israel and Dicsples of Christ, to feed on in their souls. 30. And this same bread which they broke, fed on, or eat, k 1 Cor. 10 is the Communion of the Body of Christ, which Christ is l Eph. 1.4.5. the Head, Lord, and Master of his Congreation, saving m Mat. 1. & redeeming his people from their sins, and the cup whereof they drank, n 1 Cor. 10 is the Communion of the blood of Christ. 31. This same bread which was given unto them, is the true meat-offering of Christ, namely, his body; o Mat. 26. Mat. 14. Luk. 22. 1 Cor. 11. and this cup which was poured forth unto them is the true shedding of his blood, the which is the outflowing of the holy Word or Spirit of Christ, upon all believers of Christ, to everlasting life. 32. Even thus did the Disciples of Jesus Christ eat of his flesh, and drink of his blood, to the forgiveness of their sins unto him, [namely to Christ] for an incorporating, and unto them [namely to the believers of Christ] for a life: and so then had they their fellowship p 1 Joh. 1. with the same Christ, and with his Father, and were flesh q 1 Cor. 12. of his flesh, and bone of his bones. 33. Behold that same bread or body of Christ, is the word that became flesh, r Joh. 1. and it dwelled amongst them, and they saw s 2 Pet. 1. 1 Joh. 1. his glory, as a glory of the only born Son of the Father full of grace and truth. 34. And that same is the new Testament, t Jer. 31. Heb. 8.10. which God (in those days) made and appointed with his people, u Act. 2. Tit. 3. and he poured out his spirit plenteously on them, x Apo. 12. and did let them see his Ark in the heaven, sent down his holy Jerusalem unto them, y Apo. 21. and shown them the Temple of his holy dwelling ( z Act. 7.17. which is not made with men's hands, but which he had prepared for himself) according as he promised to the house of Israel and to the house of Juda, and the same is published to the Gentiles, for a joyful message. 35. The same bread, which was sent down unto them from heaven, was heretofore broken, and distributed also to the Gentiles, as it is now unto us, there was also a 1 Cor. 11. poured forth unto them, of the cup of Christ: and God did likewise shed forth the same spirit of Christ, b Act. 10.11.13. upon the Gentiles, and (through the belief) justified their hearts from the sin, for a c Esa. 2.42.56.60.61.66. Jer. 23.33. Joel. 2. Zach. 2.8.13. serting up of the banner of righteousness unto them, according as God had avouched and promised the same to the Gentiles aforetimes, by the mouth of his Prophets. 36. Lo, such things doth God work, through his ministration of the holy Ghost, and it is the true service in the obedience of the love, and in this very sort my sight is, that it shall come to pass in the last days, when God setteth up again the house of Israel according to his promises, and not according to any humane Ordinance or invention, which the man bringeth forth out of his witty dexterity, or knowledge, or out of his letter-learned wisdom, wherewith the ignorant ones (who understand not Gods promises) are taken captive or tied, and with the bondage of heart through men's doctrine and wisdom, carried into a made holiness, and fed therewith, but not unto the word of life, or shedding forth of the Holy Ghost from the living father; the most highest, nor yet fed with it. 37. O no [ye dear beloved] God d Esa. 42. giveth not that honour unto any creature. It is also no man's work nor power, through man's invention, but the work and power of the Lord, through his gracious word, in the service of his love, that so they might all according to the promises, e Esa. 54. Joh. 6. be taught of God, and all know him, from f Jer. 31. the least to the greatest. CHAP. VI 1. The service of the love, being God's work by the illuminate elders. 2. Is of few believed, yet is it certainly the truth. 3. Nevertheless, he permitteth it to be judged of all upright hearts. 6. But with caution, that none judge of envy, but faithfully out of love. 16. The worthiness of the true wisdom. 25. For lack whereof, the course of the world is marred. 26. Of the false wisdom, 28. and of the true. 30. The end of the false wisdom is come. 32. How to come to the true wisdom. BUt this service out of the love, and this administration of the true bread or living word, where it is appeared out of the true God, is administered among the unlightned, by the Elders and illuminated men in the family of the love of Jesus Christ, ●o a Esa. 40.42.61. Jer. 1.20. Mat. 28. Mar. 16. prepare and make meet the unlight●ed, for to receive the true light of Christ and the gifts of his holy Spirit, yea the same ministration, is even God's Ordinance, where b 1 Cor. 3. God is the worker, but not else, and then the illuminated man [who is grown up under the obedience of the love, c Eph. 4. to the old age of the holy understanding, or of the man Christ] d Joh. 15 Act. 1.2. is a witness and serviceable instrument thereof, but the blessing or increase [which is the spirit of the living Word] e 1 Cor. 3. must God give, through which righteous spirit, or spirit of promise, f Act. 15. 1 Cor. 6. God justifieth our hearts from the sin, through the belief. 2. Lo, hereof have I written heretofore, and do now still bear witness to the same, but who believeth the truth? or who hath any regard unto God's promises, to wait [with long sufferance, and with a firm confidence in God] for such things to come, and [in the obedience to the requiring of the service of love] to hope for them? and my conceiving in the truth, and mine understanding, is even yet no otherwise, neither can I otherwise discern, but that God will thus [in his time] bring forth his work, to an everlasting peaceable living in the love, according to his promises. 3. Notwithstanding, if it be not so, as I [through the holy spirit of the love of Jesus Christ] do according to the life describe it, or that Gods working [according to his promises] be not in such wise promised, also that such a life of peace as we bear record of, should not be to come, or that men should not [under the obedience of the love] hope for it, according to the promises; Let any man give judgement of it, according to the truth, for every one that loveth righteousness, he intendeth doubtless the Salvation, after his best meaning. 4. But if on the other side [O all ye which observe these things] the Lord hath opened the door of understanding unto you, or hath g Eph. 1. enlightened your understanding, and that ye conceive that we have set forth and described the life of righteousness, and the service which leadeth thereunto, according to the truth, then verify the same, to the unity of heart in the love, and to one understanding of the true belief in Jesus Christ, one with another, and so h Eccl. 6. then give yourselves obediently to the same service of love, and to our communion of the living God, in one faith, and in one familiarity i 1 Pet. 1. of upright brotherly love, to the end the true belief, and the right obedience of the love, may among us all which love the righteousness, k 4 Esd. 6. grow and blossom [in all concord] in a sure hope to God's promises, and that the righteous in the love, may become many. 5. Else if you think, that we have conceived of the truth amiss, or if in any point it be too slenderly set forth, then give testimony thereof with a meek spirit, and so help forward the unity of heart, in the obedience of the love, and think no evil of it, neither blaspheme it, for in such a sort we stand pliable to examine the truth, whereby [out of love] we may cleave thereunto; and so receive the explanation of the truth, in that wherein we know it not aright, for the wisdom of the truth in a gentle and meek spirit l Pro. 3.8. Sap. 7. is the most precioust treasure, that a man can find. 6. But one that covereth himself in his evil conceiving, and thereby thinketh to be wise, and one which hath a tongue that slandereth, and an heart which is envious or wrath against any, he is not to be commended. Moreover an arrogant heart, which with contempt of another, hath a pleasure, in his own understanding, or which standeth partial in the testimony of the truth, or an heart that turneth it self away from the concord of the service of love, and cleaveth to the vain conceited flesh and blood, and taketh part therewith, that same can in no wise judge rightly. 7. Therefore judge with faithfulness and truth, and not with favour or disfavour, nor yet with reviling or despite, lest any man judge out of such a disposition, as they aforetimes did, that were the confederates of the high-Priest, and smote the mouth of the wisdom on his face, m Joh. 18. saying with arrogant minds and malicious hearts, wilt thou answer the Highpriest so? 8. Behold howsoever it be meet, and God's Ordinance that men should learn the Law, n Mal. 2. out of the mouth of the Priests, and the wisdom o Eccl. 6.8. of the Elders, or principallest of understanding, yet is such dealing an unreasonableness, and against the Law, also against the wisdom, and against the love which God requireth. 9 Wheresoever therefore men deal after that manner, or with such partiality, (though it seemeth to be some righteousness, holiness, or wisdom) there deem we not, the true Highpriest, nor any Elders of the holy understanding, nor yet the Law of the Lord, nor wisdom of God to be. 10. Therefore ought men to stand impartial with the heart in Gods upright being, and so to set forth the Salvation, out of the love and her service, for many seek it ignorantly, and through lack of wisdom, they go into ways, where it is not to be found. 11. But if any man love the salvation and wisdom from his heart, let him submit himself to the love and her service, and so then in obeying of the requiring of the service of love, let him be familiar, p Col. 3. 1 Pet. 3. brotherly, kindhearted, chaste, meek, gentle, sober, patiented, or long suffering, lowly of heart, and friendly, for that is a blessedness q Jam. 3. and wisdom, which is not earthly of the earth or of men, but only of God, the fountain of grace, full of all wisdom, and he distributeth her unto every one, that feareth, seeketh, and loveth him, for there is none only wise, nor only good, r Mat. 19 Luk. 18. but God, who only is the Lord, and the everlasting wisdom itself. 12. Therefore speaketh the mouth of the wisdom, and saith, s Mat. 18. where two or three of you be gathered together in my Name, there am I amongst you, and in the midst of you, t Deut. 17.19. Mat. 18. Joh. 8. for in the mouth of two or three witnesses, all matters shall be judged, and be rightly known out of the true wisdom. 13. But not of such, as (with subtlety of the knowledge, do inquire daily thereafter of another, or with wittiness and reason do search or sound deeply for it, whereby to discern the matters of understanding, touching things divine, out of the knowledge. O no! but u Esa. 57.66. Sap. 1.6. Mat. 11. 13. 1 Cor. 2. of those that are lowly of heart, and have not studied nor searched for any knowledge, x Bccl. 6. 1 Pet. 1.5. but (with a desire) do humble their hearts to the obeying of the requiring of the holy word, and his service of love, for to do the will of the Lord. 14. Lo, such are upright wiseones, and lovers of wisdom, upon whom also the wisdom ariseth, as a light, whose judgements agree in one understanding, and do tend or reach to one upright being. 15. O God, that the hearts of men were yet once rightly humbled before thee, and thy service of love, and were partakers of thy holy wisdom, that so they might live in thee. 16. O holy y Rom. 11. bottomless depth of the everlasting godly wisdom, who can sufficiently praise thy virtue? 17. Thou surmountest z Sap. 7. all humane understanding; therefore can no man compass nor enclose thee, for thou abidest for ever with the Godhead essentially. 18. In thee is a Sap. 7. the holy Ghost, and the perfection. 19 Through thee is the earth grounded, b Psal. 33. Pro. 8. the heavens are made through thee, and without thee, c Joh. 8. there is nothing made that is any thing. 20. Thou art d Joh. 8.9. the light of the world, the way of the righteous, e Joh. 14. the truth of God, f Gen. 2. Prov. 3. 4 Esd. 8. Apo. 2. and a tree of life. 21. Thou refreshest all them that are burdened and laden, if they do but come unto thee, g Mat. 11. for thy yoke is easy, and thy burden light to bear. 22. Thou distributest forth knowledge and understanding, h Prov. 8. Sap. 6. whereby the Lands are preserved, and wherethrough the people are protected. 23. But he that forsaketh thee, and loveth thee not, cometh into misery and destruction. 24. Oh that they all had tasted a little of the wisdom of God, then would there be no strife or dissension. 25. Wherefore do the Lands perish, and wherefore come the people into so much woefulness and misery? wherefore cometh the desolation, the division, and the abomination over the world? wherefore doth the man believe the lying, rather than i 2 Thes. 2. the truth? wherefore is the man bewitched with vain God-services, and wrapped with so many sorts of vain imaginations? wherefore do men come into such false freedom, and looseness of heart, that they will in no wise be obedient to the requiring of God's truth, and of his service of Love, and so draw away others, from the first entrance of the Christian life? wherefore do certain come also into such intanglement of heart, as that they give over themselves therein to a bondage, and not to a deliverance from the sin, under the obedience of the love? why do the people strive, and use craft and violence one against another? why are k Esa. 1. Jer. 5. Ezek. 22. Mal. 3. not the simple ones rescued or defended; why is there no righteousness, l Hos. 4. faithfulness, truth, nor love to be found? wherefore do dissensions, holiness, dissimulation, hatred, wrath, jangling, slander, battle, war, m Mat 24. 2 Tim. 3. betraying, and all deceivableness, reign among the children of men? but because there is no wisdom n Jam. 1. of God, nor any equity or righteousness loved, out of impartial love, but every one walketh and liveth o Jer 7. ●1. in his self-mindednesse, every where. 26. We find indeed some men, that imagine and seek their wisdom, in the knowledge of all things, thinking that the garnished speech of knowledge, the utterance of flowered words, and to have a golden tongue is the wisdom, but many are beguiled, and have been seduced thereby. 27. For that same, and to labour for such things, or to have regard thereunto, is not the wisdom which God requireth of us; for he desireth not that the man should toil or trouble himself therewith, howsoever the reason through his presumptuous imagination, searcheth most of all after it, contrary to God's appointment. 28. But this Gdoth odd require, lowliness of heart to p Mich. 6. bow unto him, and his Ordinance, and to have a desire and a delight to do his will, and to be obedient to the requiring of his love. 29. That truly is a wisdom of understanding, which bringeth forth the peace in righteousness, and which q Sap. 9 Solomon prayed for. 30. But forasmuch now as the man doth not rightly labour for this upright wisdom, nor yet from the heart desireth such things, and that now every understanding hath in the knovuledge, out of the first born Adam, corrupted his way towards the wisdom, as all flesh did, r Gen. 6. in the time of No, in such sort, that one can now find few, that have any understanding or knowledge of the upright wisdom, therefore is also the end of the knowledge, and of all the wisdom of the flesh, come before the Lord. 31. For out of the knowledge and wisdom of the flesh, are grievous errors come into the world, to a great misery, affliction, sorrow, and heaviness over the children of men, for the s 4 Esd. 14. Mat. 24. wickedness hath the upper hand, and her end, or the ripeness of her harvest t 4 Esd. 4. shall be out of measure horrible, it shall assuredly come so to pass, whether it be believed or not. 32. Wherefore hear and understand, ye dear beloved, if so be we love the upright wisdom, and desire to obtain, or to inherit the same, then may we not seek nor desire to inherit her, in the knowledge of our corrupt understanding, nor yet take upon us in the same, any judgement of ●he light, for in our corrupt understanding, and whilst we are yet u Eph. 4. estranged from God, or are not wholly incorporated into his Christ, according to the inner man, so long doth God require of us, no wisdom nor judgement of the light, but x 1 Pet. 1. the obedience of his word, and service of love, which leadeth us to the wisdom, and to the light of the divine clearness. 33. For that cause, it is before all things most needful for us, that we first come to the knowledge of ourselves, through the service of the holy word under the obedience of the love, y Esa. 59 and have sorrow for our estranging from the upright being, a Mat. 3. Luk. 3. Act. 2.3. and so show repentance and amendment for the sin, which hath brought forth unto us in our members, the b Rom. 5. death or the dying away from God, and so (in long sufferance) hope and comfort ourselves, on the avouching of the promises, concerning the coming of the living word from on high, c Rem. 12. Eph. 4. to a renewing of our spirit and mind, and to a restoring of all, d Act. 3. that God hath spoken through the mouth of all his holy Prophets, to the end that (with single hearts) we might obediently be incorporated e 2 Pet. 1. into the nature of God, or of his Christ, who is the true light, the upright wisdom, and the life of our salvation itself, and so know and livingly feel the form of Christ, f Gal. 2.3.4. not without us, but in us, and g 1 Cor. 15. carry or bear the Image of the Almighty God, whereunto the man was created from the beginning. 34. Behold to inherit that same true being, of God and Christ in our inwardness, is the upright wisdom, h Jam. 3. which is humble, meek, gentle, and friendly, in which the true light also is known and inherited, and whereout men judge uprightly. 35. To this wisdom is our calling, and thereunto are we bidden, through the service of the doctrines and writings of the Apostles of Christ i 1 Pet. 1. 1 Joh. 1. who have published in the world, such a life as is everlasting. 36. If then we believe in Christ, so as the Scripture saith, then shall not the upright wisdom remain separated from us, but have her form in us, and k Joh. 4.7. flow from our body, as a river of living waters. 37. But now is this upright wisdom, l Mat. 11. 1 Cor. 1.2. hidden or unknown before all flesh, also before the devil, before the world, and before all her wise and letter-learned ones. 38. Also, she is not to be learned in any schools, through any study in the knowledges, not found by any manner tongues or languages; but she riseth as a light, upon those, who in the Doctrine of Wisdom, & of her service of Love, are low and humble of heart, m Esa. 57.66. poor of Spirit, willing to the good, n Sap. 1.7. and not subject to the lustfulness of the sin. 39 Therefore speaketh the mouth of the Wisdom, saying, o Mat. 11. I thank thee, O Father of heaven and earth, that thou hast hidden this same from the wise and learned in the Letter, and hast made it known to the little and lowly. 40. Yea, it hath always so pleased the Father to make the lowly contrite hearts, partakers of the gifts of his holy wisdom. CHAP. VII. 2. In the off-fallen estate, there is none truly wise, though many boast. 3. The Glass of Righteousness is set forth to try every one's cause by it. 8. Though the Author be moved at the misunderstanding of others: 9 Yet would he not have men to think, that his own humane ways had been always right. 11. But through the Lord's mercy he hath been enlightened. 12. Which illumination and gifts he respected not, in regard of the Love. 13. And exhorteth all others to despise their gifts likewise, in respect thereof. 19 He bewaileth men's uncertain knowledge. 22. Yea, even of them that are foregoers unto others. 25. How to walk in the Service of the Love. 29. The written word is not the word itself. 31. Yet mens misunderstanding perceiveth it not. 39 But God can reveal the difference. INasmuch as I now have perceived the fall or estranging of men from this holy wisdom, and what a wicked nature, and crafty heart they have, or in what spiritual bewitching they stand, that account themselves for wise, and yet are strangers to the godly wisdom, which is according to the Love, and the requiring of her Service; therefore could I not give credit unto any of them as true wise ones, or upright Christians, although they boasted them of God's wisdom, or gave our themselves for a Christian Congregation. 2. For through mistrustfulness the fear of my heart was, that the Christianity was not so good or upright among the Children of men, as they made boast of, or that it might yet not be for all that the right Christianity, or that her Ministration was not yet proceeded out of the right stock of the Love. 3. Whilst then that they were yet unknown unto me in such sort, that I could credit no man for his boasting, fair speaking, nor profoundness, or deep knowledge: and that out of God's grace, and his heavenly revelation, there was granted me to see the good being of the Christianity, and that the same stood before me in the sight of my spirit, whereafter my hope and longing was, as also we have said before: therefore out of the inclination of love, am I occasioned to show openly, and to set forth a Glass of Righteousness, whereby to make known before all eyes of understanding (that glass themselves therein) the good and upright being of the true Christianity, and what our calling is through Jesus Christ by the Word of the preaching of the Apostles of Christ, and whereby also to lay open the understanding, a Eph. 3. whereon we are to set our hope, what manner life the Prophecies do stretch unto, wherein God's promises are to be established, and what manner one's they be, or aught to be, that are the upright Congregation of the Christianity. 4. This verily have I (through God's grace, b Rom. 12. 1 Cor. 3. which is given unto me) plainly expressed in Letters, according to the life of the upright Christianity; namely, according to the upright form, even as I behold the same in the vision of the truth, through God's heavenly Revelation which is c Rom. 16. Eph. 1.3. Col. 1. 2 Tim. 1. appeared and revealed unto me, d Eccl. 24.33. seeking therein the salvation of all men, and not mine own only; for therefore to the end, that all controversy might now be ended, and that it might be known what the true Christianity is, I have impartially noted or described in Letters, the upright being of the Christianity, and also in like manner the true teaching-office of the Ministration of the holy Word, in the obedience of the love of Jesus Christ. 5. If now any man have right in his matter, concerning the Christianity, or if any man minister the office of the holy Word rightly, in the obedience of the love of Jesus Christ, according to the promises, he will also keep it, and will likewise very willingly unite himself with us, in the obedience of the Love of Jesus Christ, for I desire not with my writing, to bereave any man of the true being of the Christianity, nor of the upright Office of the Ministration of the holy Word, but much rather to point him to it, and to be serviceable unto him therewith. 6. But they that are wrong, and stand in a conceit, or imagination, shall also very easily perceive wherein they mistake, or are wrong, if so be they read these writings, and do glass themselves in the Glass of Righteousness, and have regard unto these testimonies. 7. Let every one know himself, and turn him to the Communality of the love, that he may be enlightened in his e Eph. 1. understanding, and be delivered and unburthened of the f Rom. 1. vain bewitched being, and so with thanksgiving laud God. 8. Oh, what shall I say of the vain understanding of the children of men, and of all their conceits and imaginations, whereunto they are subject! Oh, how much experience have I of this their ignorance and conceitedness! I have examined it very much, I have had regard unto the judgement of many men, and made myself common with every one; howbeit, I have found many things vain or senseless. 9 But although I do thus write, yet let no man therefore think that my humane ways have been still in the true understanding: O no! but concerning my humane disposition and weak nature, I have found myself in much sin and ignorance above many others. 10. I have also passed thorough many g Sap. 5. tedious ways, struggled much, stumbled often, and fallen many times, yea, I have been even the chief among sinners. 11. But h 1 Tim. 1. mercy is showed on me, inasmuch as the most high God hath permitted me to see my humane ignorance, and throughly enlightened mine understanding, i Mat. 13. Eph. 3. and revealed his secret unto me, to the end, that I should discover the mind of the life, and of his righteousness, according both to the divine, and also humane nature and form, for to show evidently whereunto the man was created. 12. Now might some man say, that is assuredly a great gift of the most highest: It is true, I must needs highly praise, land, thank the goodness of the grace of God therein, inasmuch as the Salvation of men is manifested thereby: But I myself have never had my respect upon the knowing of this, whereby in any wise to rejoice myself therein, nor to glory thereon, as in regard of my knowledge; but (to the end that I would not set my confidence upon the knowing, nor upon the enlightening of mine understanding) I esteemed it rather, as if it were not given me, or were not appeared in mine understanding, then that in respect thereof, I would be without the love. 13. Wherefore in regard of the love, let us give no respect unto any of all the gifts of God, for to rejoice ourselves; or to glory in any of them without the love, to the end that we may get and obtain the love, k Cant. 8. which is the sealing or making sure of the divine promises, whereunto also all prophecies do point, l Mat. 22. Mar. 12. Rom. 13. and therein cease; for if we have not the love, or if we attain not thereunto, then m 1 Cor. 13. have we doubtless nothing. 14. Therefore [namely, for the love's sake] I do esteem it to be hurtful, to repose ourselves on any gifts of God, which in our knowledge are committed unto us, for to obtain the love, and to have love one to another; must be all our exercise, to the end the same might have a form in us. 15. For that cause let no man give respect unto his knowledge, nor to the excellency of his understanding, nor to the richness of his Spirit, out of the heavenly knowledge, nor to the gifts of his divine Prophecies, nor to his learnedness in the Scripture, nor to his sundry tongues and languages, nor to the constancy of his righteousness and holiness (as thereby to think himself to be any thing) but let him set all such things behind the back in silence, having no regard thereunto, and n 2 Cor. 10. so give his understanding captive under the obedience of the love in the spirit, and set his expectation and longing (fully and wholly) on the love, to the end he may win the love. 16. For the love, o Rom. 13. is the fulfilling of all this, and the divine being itself; and it is the true life and holy wisdom promised for to come, to a shining of Jerusalem round about. 17. After this wisdom let us hope and long, and esteem all to be nothing worth, whatsoever is without the same, For whatsoever is without the love shall perish, melt, and consume, p 1 Cor. 13. but the love abideth for ever, whose years are not shortened, neither doth the number of her days fail. 18. And so for the love's cause, let us not know or maintain that we know any thing, save q 1 Cor. 8. only the love, to the end we might win many unto her, for the ministration of the true Christianity, shall (out of the love) only bear sway according to the promises.) 19 But (alas) the children of men have very little regard hereunto, for every one will needs know much, and besides that know also, what is right; howbeit they come not to the knowledge of that which they should know, yet every one giveth his judgement out of the knowledge, and will thereout judge of the wisdom of God and all understandings. 20. But this I lament, with sorrow of my heart (the which I see hear, and prove by manifold experience) that the man is so unstayed, and that the upright understanding of wisdom, is so darkened in the children of men. 21. For I find that many of them do much fail in their judgement,, and do not comprehend the truth out of the testimonies of Scripture, because they r Mat. 22. understand not the Scripture. 22. Not only they, which are apparently without understanding, but they also, s 1 Tim. 1. that give out themselves for masters and teachers of understanding, t Rom. 2. as foregoers and leaders of the blind, and as lights unto them that are in darkness, and that account so of themselves, as if much divine understanding were discovered and disclosed unto them, and therefore (through the show of their deeds and works) they boast them highly, to have received u Mat. 13. Luk. 11. the key of the entrance into the Kingdom of God, for to open the same or to let in, or to shut it to and keep out, for to forgive fins or to retain. 23. The which I find in many to be nothing but a conceit, imagination, and self-wisdome, which themselves have taken upon them, and so think to be wise through the riches of their knowledge; and because of the respect which they give to their understanding, they judge the sooner and boldlier of those words and writings, which are set forth to the good, not rightly respecting that which is sought therein, and required or desired thereby. 24. But they that do rightly regard the word, will not judge rashly, but still will have their respect unto the love, also they will not search the Scripture, nor study therein for to know, utter, recite, or to publish the same in historical manner, as the clarks of the knowledge use it in their schools, & as the letter-learned do in their Synagogues and Assemblies, who (indeed) hold very much of the Scripture, and (according to their own sense) do gladly hear and speak thereof, u Mat. 23. but what the Scripture requireth, that do they not. 25. But in the service of love; it ought not so to be, ye dear beloved, but every one is to cast down himself, x 1 Pet. 5. and to humble his soul, that he may obtain such a heart, mind and spirit, as the service of the word pointeth us unto, and so regard his calling, whereunto he is required by the Scripture, to the establishing of the godly promises, not after the y Deut. 12. choosing of any man's conceiving, but as God hath heretofore spoken it, by the mouth of his holy Prophets. 26. If therefore we have an inclined mind to the same, in the belief of the love, that the love may obtain a lively form in us, then need we not to study, strive, or dispute much, neither yet to ask much advice, nor to hold Counsels thereabout, but we ought with our hearts z Ezek. 14. to turn away from sins and abominations, and so to come to an humble a Mat. 11. and meek heart, according to the mentioning of the Scriptures. 27. Now when we have heard or read the Scripture or service of the word, to that effect, and that we have given over and yielded ourselves before the Elders b Eccl. 6 8. in the family of love thereunto, then is it altogether needful for us (for the obtaining of such an upright heart) diligently and earnestly c Esa. 55. Jer. 29. to seek, d Mat. 7. Luk. 11. knock, and pray, e Eccl. 2. to abide patiently the battle or trial, that meeteth us against our passage towards the good life, f Mat. 10.16. Luk. 9.14. to take up our cross daily by belief and hope in the patience, and so with one accord, g Act. 2. to continue steadfast in prayer and faith, until that (through the service of the word) we be h 1 Pet. 1. born or brought forth alive in the true word, out of the death and blindness of the sin. 28. Which birth in the spirit, is not out of the word which is writable, nor which is set forth by the unregenerate man out of the letter! O no, but out of the holy and living word of God, i 1 Pet. i 2 Joh. 1. which is Spirit and life, and Christ himself according to the Spirit. 29. For the written word of the letter, is not the word itself, that cleanseth and sanctifieth the man from the sin, or which procreateth the life, but the same is a shadow or figure out of the holy and true word, and a serviceable instrument whereby we are made well affected, (inwardly in our souls) to the true word of Vivification, and do become believing of the same, to the end that (through the belief and love) we might so (in the spirit of our mind) be made k Eph. 4. ● Pet. 1. of like being with the nature and being of the good life, even as the word or Scripture witnesseth thereof. 30. Lo, this is our calling, through the service of the holy word of the Apostles of Christ, to the end we should so (through the same service, and her drawing of our hearts to the love) be brought to the ministering of the spiritual and heavenly goods, in such serving of the living God, l Luk. 1. and in that upright righteousness and holiness, which is pleasing unto him. 31. But where now is understanding? where is there now any regard had unto the word, and the matter rightly judged? 32. Where are the guides that err not? m Esa. 3.9.28.56. Jer. 8.18.23. Ezek. 13.22.34. The Prophets that lie not? the Seers that fail not? the teachers that mix not their own imaginations with the word. 33. Is not the world every where so blind and dark, that men cannot discern the shadow, n Joh. 1. from that which it shineth from, the sounding voice o Mat. 3. Rom. 10. 1 Pet. 1. from the word, the letter, p 2 Cor. 3. from the Spirit, the Image of God, from the Godhead, men's teaching and word, q Mat. 15. Col. 2. from Gods Teaching and Word, the obedience and fear of men, r Esa. 51. Luk. 12. from the obedience and fear of God, the righteousness which man esteemeth, s Mat. 23. Rom. 10. from the righteousness which is of value before God, the natural man, from the spiritual, the sacrifice of men, from the sacrifice of Christ, the Oblations, from the Reconciliation, the Law from the Gospel, etc. Is not every of these disorderly confounded one with another, in the understandings of men, and so taken all for one manner thing. 34. This I saw, that many hearts were entangled therein, and it grieved me exceedingly. 35. Oh darkness, and blindness, or weed, which from the beginning was sown in Adam's heart, how manifoldly hast thou spread thyself abroad amongst us, and thereby covered the whole world, that there is hardly any little plot to be found, where the good seed might have his growing or springing up unto fruitfulness. 36. If now it be not turned up [ u 4 Esd. 4. namely, the evil, and the peace wherein it is sown] then shall not the good appear, nor the place wherein it is sown. 37. O God, that the place of the evil seed were stirred and turned up, and the ungodliness taken away x 4 Esd. 3. out of the heart, that the thistles and thorns might grow there no more, than might the noble Lily branch [namely, thy Sanctuary] once have his springing up, y 4 Esd. 6.7. the belief blossom, and the love bring forth her fruits, whereby the upright righteousness might ( z Sap. 7. Mat. 13. above any treasure of this world) be embraced. 38. Oh this same is it, which I sigh for, bewail, and lament, because I find it not, and because that appeareth not, which God esteemeth, and is the Salvation of men, and for that moreover with many it is to be sought and fetched so far of. 39 But with thee (O God) are all a Mat. 19 things possible, who so (in belief of the truth) trusteth in thee, the same man can do much, and look what seemeth impossible with men, that canst thou soon bring to pass. CHAP. VIII. 1. He bewaileth the desolation of the Sheep of Christ, that go astray in the wilderness and know not their right Shepherd. 6. Yet many content themselves in that estate. 14. An exhortation to the Seers. 17. And to the desolate People, that they behold and bewail the same their misery, and the loss of the upright righteousness. 44. An inviting to the love, where the supply is only to be found. O God how long yet shall thy a Psal. 74.79. Sanctuary remain waist? how long shall the sheep run scattered abroad, b 3 Re. 22. Ezek. 34. and in all respects remain bound, entangled, tied, and holden captive, as though thou O God wouldst not be their redeemer and Shepherd? for they c Psa. 119. Esai. 53. go astray in the wildernesses, and forget the Land promised them of God for inheritance, and the holy City Jerusalem. 2. For behold (and it is to be seen and noted) the Foxes d Ezek. 13. do bear rule, and every one (in his own wisdom) useth craft, wiliness, and subtlety, whereby many sheep and Lambs are caught and bewitched, and so remain in the bands of the wildernesses, because they know not the true life, their upright Shepherd. 3. For the fear which the foxes make, with the show of their wisdom, is the snare, which hath taken captive, and keepeth bound, the poor silly sheep in the wilderness, that they neither hunger nor long for the good pasture, supposing they come to the best, and thus are they appeased. 4. O ye silly sheep, how long will you yet suffer yourselves to be bewitched; when will you hear the word of your Lord, e joh. 10. and the voice of your Shepherd, when will ye once desire to come unto him that hath made you, f Ezek. 34. that he himself may feed you? 5. Men may also see (yea it is plainly seen and observed) that g Jer. 10. Ezek. 22. Joh. 10. Apo. 16. the Wolves, Bears, Dragons, and Serpents, yea all venomous carrion (the Generation of Vipers) do environ and compass the Forest of the desert, watching night and day, that the sheep come not out thence, neither taste of the good pasture, nor yet be gathered to their good and upright Shepherd, to the intent that they themselves, [to wit, that false brood] might still h Ezek. 34. keep the Sovereignty and pre-eminence, and that the bands of their Dommion might not be broken. 6. And many of the common sort of Inhabitants of these wildernesses, (though they see and note, that it ought not so to be) do yet i jer. 3. quietly look upon it, and carelessly loiter forth the time, if it touch not them, they think then all is well, and use the Proverb, whilst a thing is tolerable, it is commendable. 7. O God, they are little moved, how it fareth with thine holy holy Land of inheritance, which lieth still waste, or that thy sheep remain (as strayed) in the wilderness, and thy Lambs be cruelly handled and torn, as long as themselves may have but peace. 8. They k jer. 5.8. mourn not once, neither bear they any sorrow O God, for thy holy City Jerusalem, howsoever they see, that it is trodden down, l jam. 1. Luk. 2. and lieth utterly waste. 9 They ask not once for Zion: thy temple, and thy Sanctuary, entereth not once into their hearts. 10. They make themselves delights, in the foreign Lands, and forget the Joy in Zion. 11. Oh what shall I say of these reckless ones, that neither seek nor desire any thing, but to have their ease and repose in the flesh, and moreover of those self-seekers, among the dispersed Israel, who daily rejoice them with the entangled Babylon, and shroud themselves, under the contentiousness and m Gen. 10. violence of Nimrod, and do not once think on the Law of their God, nor on the seat of his glory, but take unto them, the foreskin of the heathen, and wallow in the filthiness of the uncircumcised. 12. Oh! are not all these like the swine n Mat. 7. 2 Pet. 2. that hath his delight in the dirt, and regardeth not the fairness of the Roses, are they not also like the hedgehog, which delighteth to be in the waste places of uncleanlinesse, contenting himself with mice & swine's flesh, seeing it is even a pleasure unto them, to wallow themselves in all uncleanness, and to eat all unclean meat, wherein they have a desire to live, and do not once long for the pleasantness of the noble Garden, where men do eat the pure herb, and the clean beasts, and where they sing and play the laud song of the Lord, out of o Apo. 13.14.15. the Mercy Seat. 13. But (alas) the desolation (as is said) is yet (me thinks) best pleasing in this world; p Jer. 5.6 7.8.9.10. etc. Ezek. 16.20. for I see that the same getteth the prcheminence every where, and I cannot otherwise perceive, but that the desolation is (now adays) most embraced, and beareth greatest sway, else must mine eyes be blinded, that I look asquint, and see not aright. 14. Therefore, O ye Seers (which do bear sorrow, for the treading down of Jerusalem, q Psa. 74.79. Jer. 9 Lam. 1.2.3.4. 4 Esd. 2.3.4.8.10. and are grieved from the heart, that the Lords Temple and his Sanctuary lieth waste, judge ye the matter, whether I have noted it rightly, or unrightly. 15. If I have noted the thing rightly, suffer ye then with me; I pray you, grief and heaviness in your hearts, and sigh you with me to the Lord, that he will have mercy on us, and set up his Sanctuary, for his holy names sake. 16. Oh send forth a cry to the desolate peoples; give them (with lamentation) to understand the desolation whereinto they are fallen, that they may sorrow and be grieved. Let them behold how poor and naked they are of the godly riches. 17. Come hither (I pray you) to the love and her service, O ye desolate peoples, and consider (in this light) how that ye are all r Sap. 5. strayed from the way of life and understanding, and weep or lament over your froward ways. 18. And come all ye that are ignorant; s Pro. 6. come and eat of my bread, and drink of the wine, which I pour forth unto you, forsake the ignorant being, so shall ye live, and shall walk in the way of understanding. 19 I wisdom do in the love, cry and call unto you, O ye children of men regard it, O ye ignorant ones, ye unwise, take it to heart, and hear. 20. For I will speak, t Pro. 8. and my lips shall utter some singular matter. 21. For my mouth shall speak the truth, u Pro. 8. and my lips hate that which is ungodly. 22. All the words of my mouth are righteous, x Pro. 8. there is no frowardness nor falsehood in them. 23. Therefore come and go with me, into the house of mourning, (where the poor, the little ones, and the contrite of heart are) even there will I show you, y Apo. 3. how poor and miserable ye are, and which are the most precious treasures, z Pro. 3.8.6. Esa. 33. Col. 2. and riches that you lack. 24. Come and help me to make a lamentation before the most highest, and suffer sorrow for the most hurtfullest, a Mat. 16. loss of the upright righteousness, because it is not (or very little) found in this world: for my heart is therefore oftentimes heavy. Oh where is it, or where may I rightly find, where to ask after it? 25. Where (I pray you) is now b Mal. 1. the fear of God, (such as is unmixed with the fear of men) whereout the beginning c Pro. 1.9. Eccl. 1. of the holy wisdom appeareth? 26. Where is the most holiest faith d Rom. 5. Eph. 6. Heb. 11. in the true hope of salvation (which men e Ro. 3.5. Gal. 2. are justified by, from the sin) wherewith no vein or false faith is mixed? 27. Where is the pure love ( f Mat. 22. Rom. 13. Gal. 5. which is the fulfilling of the Law, and g 1 Tim. 1. the principal scope of the belief) wherewith is mingled no discord, nor self-seeking in the love? 28. Where is now h Hos. 4. faith and truth, whereon any heart may rest? 29. Where is the true ministering of the holy word, i Act. 2.3.4.7.8.9.10. etc. and working of the holy Ghost, wherewith the invention of man's wisdom hath not mixed itself? 30. Where is God's k Esa. 42.48. Apo. 4.5.7. Honour, Land, and Praise (that belongeth unto him only) wherein man's honour and praise is not mingled? 31. Where is the pure God-service, which is l Jam. 1. not mixed, nor spotted of this world? 32. Where is the Law of the Lord, which m Gal. 3. leadeth unto Christ, (whereout the Gospel of the Kingdom of God ariseth, where no humane Law is taught besides, that leadeth from Christ, and darkneth the Gospel? 33. Where is the upright Circumcision, n Dan. 10. Jer. 4. Rom. 2. Phil. 3. Col. 2. to the laying away of sin in the flesh, which was given by God, to Abraham and his seed, for an o Gen. 17. everlasting sign of his Covenant? 34. Where is the Law of the spirit, which p Rom. 8. quickeneth in Jesus Christ, and freeth us from the Law of sin and of death? 35. Where is now the q Rom. 5. Eph. 2. peace with God the Father, in pure and unspotted Consciences. 36. Where is now the r Mat. 3. Rom. 6. Gal. 3. Col. 2. 1 Pet. 3. Baptism of John [or the grace of the Lord] over those, that are distressed for the sins cause, to their amendment from the sin? 37. Where is now the true Baptism of Jesus Christ, s Mat. 3.28. Mar. 16. Act. 10.19. which followeth thereupon, to the forgiving and justifying from the sin, whereon the name of the Father is witnessed, the name of the son confessed, and the name of the Holy Ghost; t Eph. 1. for a pledge of the godly inheritance sealed. 38. Where do any now keep u Mat. 26. Mar. 14. Lu. 22. 1 Cor. 11. the supper of Christ, where they break, distribute, and eat the bread (which is the true body of Christ) to a remembrance of Christ, that he hath suffered in us for our sin's cause, x Rom. 6. Phil. 2. 1 Pet. 2. the death of the Cross, and so his death y 1 Cor. 11. is published, until he come in his glory? 39 Where do any now drink the cup z 1 Cor. 10. of Christ, in the communion of his blood, of the true Testament? 40. Where is now the Christian communion, a Rom. 12. 1 Cor. 12. Eph. 5. or where are the upright Christians which do all eat of the same bread, and do all drink of the same cup, b 1 Cor. 10. to an holy undivided body, whereof Jesus Christ is c Eph. 1.4.6. the head, and which are the d Eph. 1. 1 Pet. 2. peculiar ones of God, for an holy people to the God of Life, whom he hath made Kings e 1 Pet. 2. Apo. 1.5. and Priests through Jesus Christ? 41. Where is now the seed of the believing Abraham, f Gen. 15.17.22. Rom. 4. Gal. 3. wherein such promise is made, for the blessing of all Generations? 42. Oh where art thou, thou seed of Isaac, g Gen. 21.22. Rom. 9 that Son of the promise, who art blessed by the Son of the promise; thou noble stock h Gen. 27. of Jacob, thou chosen blossom of Israel, who only i Deut. 4. livest in God's Statutes, and not after the manner of the heathen? 43. Verily of all this, which I ask after, we find no whit at all in the wicked world, nor yet among you, O ye desolate peoples, but only in the stock of the love, that virtuous amiable being. 44. Therefore come ye all hither to the love, k Jer. 7.18.25.35. reform your being in her service, and let the love with meekness be planted in you, l Jam. 1. so shall ye even therein find, all the goodlinesses of the riches of God, and the whole communion of his Saints, namely, the whole house of Israel. 45. Unto which stock of Saints, and chosen Children of God, we m 1 Pet 1. are all called through Jesus Christ, that in the raising up of Israel, according to the promises of God the Father, we should inherit the blessing. 46. O Israel (ye right children in n Act. 3. the true Testaments of your holy Fathers) when shall your dispersing have an end, and your erecting come? o Esa. 2. Mic. 4. that the Law of the Lord, and his word may be declared, and his wondrous works manifested, and all the heathen seek the righteousness; learn the Law of the Lord, p Zach. 8. and walk in his streets, to the praise of the God of Israel, who only is the Lord, for q Esa. 43.44. besides the God of Israel, there is no God more. 47. For truly the Idols of the Heathen, and all their spiritual wisdom (which they set forth, besides the everlasting God of Israel and his Law, Esa. 44.45.46. jer. 10. is nothing else but foolishness and ignorance. 48. Many of them have no understanding in the Law of the Lord, nor knowledge of his Ordinances, and of their calling through Jesus Christ s Luk. 2. of the tribe of Juda, of the House of David, they have no right discerning at all. 49. And therefore it is, that they miss of the meaning or intention of God, and are thereby grounded on the glimmering of their knowledge, and not on the stock of the upright olive tree, t Rom. 11. to the which they are called, to be grafted thereunto. 50. But now when we consider all this, and that we are not partakers of the Sap of the stock of our calling, u Rom. 11. but to find ourselves breken off from the same, and thereby miss of all that, which is of God, and which his Ordinances are one with, if then we have any love to the riches of God, and do consider and know the damagefull x Mat. 16. loss, with all the desolation y Dan. 9.11.12. Mat. 24. and abominations, which are come in between, then cometh upon us, z Esa. 13. Dan. 12. all woe and anguish, and we greatly bewail the loss of these riches of God, above all the damages or losses of this world. 51. For where is there a more damagefull loss, a Mat. 16. then where one findeth no righteousness of God, and where the Law of God and his Statutes and Ordidances are in the loss so utterly darkened? 52. Oh what shall I more write, of this damagefull loss of the most precious riches? my heart is heavy, and my soul is pained, in such sort, b jer. 9.13.14. Lam. 1.2.3. that oftentimes I am forced to sigh and mourn, because my mind will not be pacified. 53. O God, that they all saw, how they are c Psal. 14. Rom. 3. turned herefrom, and that no man hath continued in thy truth, and how they are d Rom. 7. taken captive under the sin, and strayed from thee; (yea these precious riches of God, they scarcely know,) and how poor e Apo. 3 3. and naked in themselves they are, without thy Sanctuary, to the end (out of deep necessity) they might cry unto thee, f Psa. 130. for grace, and obtain (in their spirit) an inclined mind, to the obeying of thy love, that thou mighest have mercy on them all. 54. For if so be they come not to thy love, nor to the obedience of the requiring of her service, nor thereunto have no good will, belief or hope, surely there shall then no life of God's Sanctuary be found in them, how wise, how skilful, and excellent or rich of Spirit, how learned and expert in Scriptures, Languages or tongues soever they may be. 55. If moreover they lay not down their knowledge in the silence, even as though they knew nothing at all; and that (through the service of the holy Word) they reform not themselves under the obedience of the love, nor suffer their understanding to be stirred up to obedience, whereby to be wholly inclined to the love, to pass forth towards the same, g Mat. 10.16. Mar. 8. Luk. 9.14. to take up daily their Cross with humble hearts, and to persevere h Eph. 6. Phil. 4. Col. 4. in prayer and faith, with a firm hope, i Eph. 3. till the establishing in the love, they can by no means inherit any riches of God or Christ, nor k 1 Cor. 2. understand or know any wisdom of God at all, how skilfully soever they search, or study in Scriptures after it. 56. For there is no wisdom nor knowledge of Christ, nor understanding of the Scriptures, to be had in any thing, but only in the love, or among them, who are inclined, and well-affected thereunto. 57 They may many of them (I grant) seek much wisdom and understanding, whereby to comprehend the saute, and (in conceit) be satisfied and appeased with a taken on wisdom; but if they come not to the love, neither are taught in her service to the true wisdom, they shall then find no wisdom nor understanding, nor yet any righteousness nor life, but must l Joh. 8. die in their sins, and in their conceit of truth, for there is no right Spirit of truth, nor wisdom without the love. 58. Wherefore every thing, which is m Amos. 8. decayed or broken down, must even now (through the love and her service) be set up again, and all that strayeth and is dispersed, n Ezek. 34. Mic. 4. Soph. 3. must again be gathered together, through the love and her service: namely, all those that hope for the Salvation of the only body of Christ, for that is the promise, to the children of the Testament, in the o Jer. 23.30.31.33. Joel. 2. last time, in the which God will magnify himself against all heathen or uncircumcised ones. 59 This hath God in former times promised, and he will perform it for his holy names sake, p Ezek. 38. Mic. 5. to make it known and honourable far and wide, that his honour and Sanctuary q Psal. 74. Dan. 8. may no longer be trodden down, but may appear pure and clear: and he will show in the last time, how that he only is the Lord, and that his office, work and doing, is not bound nor tied to men's working, but that he performeth the same according to his will and pleasure. 60. O how happy is he, which is r Esa. 5. Rom. 12. not wise in his own conceit, neither is with any spiritual s Deut. 12. Jer. 7. imagination bewitched, tied, or bound; but (in the sin) is daily against himself, and loveth not the evil, but is well-affected to the love, and so t Luk. 21. possesseth his soul with patience, till the promises of Almighty God, that he might live unto God in all truth. CHAP. IX. 1. A Complaint over the greatest sort of People, that neither regard nor expect the promises of God's Righteousness, out of the love, but set up a righteousness of their own, as being persuaded that the same is of God. 15. The abuse of marriage. 22. The middle wall. 25. Shame to disclose the inward evilness. 33. A Prediction of calamity to come upon the conceited wise. 34. None can come to the new Man or Kingdom of God, but by the love. BUt who hath regard hereunto? who thinketh on the righteousness which God esteemeth. 2. Doth not the most part of people intent to set up their a Rom. 10 own righteousness? 3. Who thinketh on the Communion of Saints, b joh. 6. whom God the Father draweth, to justification through Jesus Christ, in the love? 4. Doth not every one (which is come or risen up before the love) seek to gather a private Congregation to himself, to advance his own word, and with contention to stick to the same? not thinking that the Lord shall c Esa. 66. himself bring forth, through his Word and service of love, and that his Salvation shall come from his right hand; and that so through himself, he will bring forth unity in the love, and his children d Esa. 66. out of Zion, according to the word of his promise. 5. But who looketh after it? who longeth for it? who dependeth upon God's promises, that (in time to come) they shall be established, who hungreth or thirsteth after it? who thinketh on the comfort of Israel, and upon the consolation of Juda? 6. Every one supposeth without fail, that he hath the blessing of God already, and that there is for to come, no more than is present with him, or which he himself passeth forth in. 7. Herein do the conceited Christians comfort them, and cheer up themselves (among each other) but they have catcht an hand full of wind, and do make themselves glad with chaff. 8. They thresh the straw, e Esa. 33. and crush it very hard, but what availeth it, in their binnes f 4 Esd 6. shall no bread be found, nor any corn in their barns, yea such things shall come upon them from the Lord, and (for their stoutness cause) shall not bide away. 9 Many of them cry also now: we have it, we have it, we are the Congregation of Christ, we are Israel, Lo here it is, Lo there it is, this is the truth, that is the truth, g Mat. 24. Mar. 13. Luk. 17. here is Christ, there is Christ. 10. But when Christ shall show himself, h Mat. 24. Luk. 17. even as the lightning ariseth from the East, and shineth unto the West, then shall their own word (which now is one with them) be clean against them, because they have not esteemed the love, wherein the truth of God or Christ is sealed for ever. 11. Moreover divers have gathered many people or companies every where together, by sentences of Scripture, and with glistering knowledges, terming them by the name of Christ, and by the name of Israel, but the love they have shut out at doors, and thereof had least respect and regard. 12. For who standeth now in the love to the end i Deut. 6.10. Mat. 22. to cleave fast to the God of Life, and to love him, with his whole heart, soul, and thoughts, and besides, to love another as himself, that God (who only is the Lord) might be their arm, fortress, and strength. 13. Is not every man's eye that accounteth not God, for the only Lord, fixed upon k jer. 17. flesh and blood, or upon the vain corruptible created things in this world? and doth not every one set his assurance on the same? doth he not count it for his arm or strength. 14. And thus living in such love to the corruptible things, and in that false confidence, every one loveth his own self, and ( l Esa. 29. Ezek. 33. Mat. 15. with his heart) turneth from the Lord, and so passeth on his error, and merrily singing, m Tob. 13. Apo. 19 Alleluia: even, as though that God had his delight in such abomination, and that Jerusalem were likewise builded up, and lay no longer trodden down. 15. In such a show or simulation, and in such pleasure of their own conceit (not having n joh. 5. the love of God, nor bearing the Law of the Lord o jer. 31. Heb. 8.10. in their hearts) they betake themselves to marriage, with bold courage, bringing forth their children p Ose. 5. in the unrighteousness, and account that same for pure wedlock ordained of God, the which yet among them, is but mere adultery, q Ezek. 16.23. and impudent whoredom. 16. For consider, who is now (I pray you) within the right matrimony or conjunction of man and wife? 17. Was it not expedient that God's Law and will r Psal. 40. Esa. 51. jer. 31. should be in the man's heart, and that so the same man should in his will and disposition cleave unto that God, which hath made heaven and earth? In like manner ought not the woman also to follow the man, and (with the like disposition) s Eph. 5. cleave only to the man's will, and so in her heart bear that which concerneth God, or at least, labour, hope, and long after it, and in that sort bring forth her children, to the end to bring them up t Tob. 1. Eccl. 7.30. Eph. 6. according to the Law of the Lord, in the upright being, that the name of the living God might therein be magnified, from their birth, and from Generation to Generation for evermore. 18. But if we observe and note this thing aright, there are but few (alas) that proceed by this rule, and therefore they are generally u Esa. 57 Mat. 12.16. adulterers and adulteresses. 19 For such as come not together by the Lord, but x Tob. 6. keep or shut God and his Law out at doors, are they not all y Sap. 3.4. children of adultery? liveth not every one of them that are such, in his own matrimony and conjunction, contrary to God's Ordinance or conjunction, z Sap. 3. Heb. 13. of the undefiled bed? 20. Therefore pass they not at all, for the pure begetting, procreating, or bearing, to the bringing up of children in godliness, to the praise of the most highest. 21. Oh! this same is with many, yet far from home, for every one desireth generally to bring up his children to himself, even to his own pleasure, that he may thereby spread his own name, and not the Lords; and therefore there is no love of God, nor unity in the love among them. 22. For every where there is a middle wall and division between God, a Esa. 59 4 Esd. 9.13.15. Mat. 24. Luk. 21. and the man, between the spirituality and the temporality, between the Prince and the Subjects, between the husband and the wife, between the Parents and the children, between one brother and another, and between one friend and another. 23. Every one mindeth his own, and would fain have another agreeing to his mind: yea the man is now come to such presumption and stoutness, b Esa. 45. that every one in particular would gladly have, that (in all things) he might use the everlasting God at his own will, and that God would give success to all things, according to his pleasure. 24. And in such a manner is the wife minded towards the husband, the children towards the parents, and moreover one people towards another, whether it be in Ordinances, Religions, and Righteousnesses, or in temporal Laws. In every thing there is own wills desire, middle wall, destruction, suspicion, mistrust, and covertnesse. 25. Yet who taketh it to heart? who doth forgo himself? who considereth it? doth not every man cover himself, that his shame might not be laid open? 26. Who can now (I pray you) acknowledge, that he himself is so unclean, unjust, wicked, c Esa. 1. and dissembling, and that he ought to turn him from his unrighteousness? 27. Truly not many (alas) can brook it, nor yet well endure or bear the shame thereof, by reason that they will not do away nor forsake the covering or show of virtue, wherewithal they are covered. 28. For in this regard, the husbands will be much too upright, the wives too honest, and the children much too proud d Esa. 3. and haughty, for to be content to acknowledge that they are open sinners, and no better than whores and naughty packs, e Mat. 22. for thereby they might not in any wise come into the Kingdom of God. 29. So perversely are the children of men minded against God. For albeit they are guilty in all respects, (if not with the deed, yet at least with the heart in secret) yet notwithstanding they do all keep themselves covered before the face of God, and his Saints; and would much rather be respected and accounted for just persons, (even as the Pharisees f Luk. 7. and letter-learned were) then with the Publicans to acknowledge their sins, g Luk. 18. convert and pray to Almighty God for his grace. 30. Whilst then the children of men will not understand nor acknowledge this same, h Joh. 9 therefore remain they in their sins. Notwithstanding (out of their unconverted hearts, and unacknowledgement of their errors) they search the Scripture, i Joh. 5. thinking to have the understanding of life therein, whereas the same is it, k joh. 5. that accuseth them, and giveth testimony of the upright life: but to the same life they desire not to come, for they know it not, neither the way that leadeth thereunto: howbeit they persuade themselves that they are wise, and do well know, how they ought or ought not to live. 31. But that which they ought before all things to know, they do not know, understand nor see, for they ought necessarily to have seen, that they are, (like broken of branches) l Rom. 11. separated and strayed from the upright stock, and likewise to know the defection, m Esa. 59 from their God and his Christ, and the lying against the Lord. 32. Seeing then they are blinded, in regard of the discerning of the fall from their God, and are not come to the incorporating with Christ, and yet say they are christian's (and indeed are not, but are a Synagogue of the devil) and do boast themselves of God, and God findeth them liars in his sight, therefore will he even n Apo. 3. spew such out of his mouth, and not suffer his holy name to be any longer blasphemed by them, because they should see and know that they have o Esa. 1. blasphemed the holy one in Israel, p 1 Mac. 3. trodden down his Sanctuary with their feet, contemned him and his gentleness, and in their presumptuousness, esteemed themselves great and wise. 33. Inasmuch as this same is still unknown to the world, and unto all wel-conceited wise, and is of few looked into, and that the man learneth not to know himself, whereby he might judge righteously; neither is with the inclination of his heart, disposed to the love, nor hungreth nor lusteth the conversion to his God, and will q 2 Tim. 4. not abide the godly doctrine, but remain selfe-wise and stout of heart, therefore do I even truly perceive great infelicity, sorrow, r Mat. 24. and misery, to be ready to come in this perilous time; yea such an estate shall fall upon the children of men, as shall be out of measure horrible, and all this same must needs light upon them, because every one is much too selfwise in his own conceit, also too self-expert in the Scripture: and for that every one supposeth s Jer. 8. when he hath the Scripture, and readeth or heareth the same, that he cannot then err nor be deceived. 34. This say they, and yet do they all err, because the upright judgement (out of a discerning of love) is not in them, and because out of the breasts of the love, they have not sucked, and tasted the godly wisdom. 35. For it is certainly mere lies, what the letter-learned, t Jer. 8. and what the wel-conceited wise of spirit also do without the love, institute or set forth, how clear soever in understanding, and how expert soever of good and evil they are become thereby, for they must all submit them to the love, and be reform in her service, otherwise they can never, although (in their imagination) they know, perceive, and come apprehend all things, come to the new man, u Joh. 3. nor to the Kingdom of God, for the love is only it, wherein every thing (which is the truth and wisdom of God) is comprehended. She x Col. 3. 2 Tim. 1. is also the band or establishing of the perfection. 36. Whilst the love than hath every thing (which is of God, Christ, or Truth, contained or included in it, therefore might some man demand, shall we then let the Scriptures pass? O no, God forbidden: but men are not to use them for the knowledge, nor to the end to teach them forth historically, but to the intent they may give regard to such an upright spirit or life, as is set forth therein, or required thereby (even as is y 3 Clas. 24. partly also set forth and declared, both of this, and of the knowledge, in the third book of the Glass of Righteousness) that so through comfort of the Scriptures, we should (to our rejoicing) z Rom. 15. have our hope on the promises, and on the foreshowing of God, by his Prophets, and by the Apostles of Christ (who have prophesied of the healthful life, which abideth sure in the love for ever) and so passing on towards it in the belief, a Rom. 4. give credit unto God, that he in his promises is true. 37. But it is to be lamented, that the Scripture is by so few at this day discerned, out of the understanding of the truth, and of the love, whereby to understand the same rightly, according to the mind of God. 38. True it is, there is much written, and divers have set forth many writings, and have had much provoking of spirit, and great inclination to teach, howbeit every one severally, according to the sight or knowledge that he hath had, being in the state of the fall from God, and in the estranging from his Salvation. 39 But inasmuch as they were not come to the love, and that their hearts were not inclined to the love in all things, as they were to the spirit of their glistering knowledge and comprehension; therefore did many of them err and mistake, for the mind of God, b Deut. 6.10. Mat. 22. Rom. 13. and the fulfilling of the Scriptures, is the love. 40. And the same is c Col. 3. the perfection, wherein eyery thing [to a life and truth of peace] standeth firm to our joy, and d Eph. 1. to the praise of the glory of God, to all and on all, that hope upon it and long thereafter. CHAP. X. 1. Great calamity shall come upon the children of Men, because of the contentious knowledge. 2. Knowledge and truth differ. 5. The way of life clearly showed. 6. Yet through ignorance mistaken. 16. A lamentation over man's ignorance. 24. The author by his writings showeth what is commendable, and what is discommendable: counselling to learn upright understanding, and the special Virtues of the Love, and to shun all disputing with the partial. FOrasmuch as the man is now persuaded, that he himself (with his eyes of the Spirit) doth so clearly and nakedly discern and understand the right, as he cannot be deceived, and for that every one which standeth in partiality, is by his sight or spirit contentions, howsoever each several party maintaineth his own matter, and defendeth the same to be of God, and will in all things have the right only and alone pass with his own matter, and will not effect the love above all, to the unity of heart, therefore even through the same glittering, in case they have not all their understanding captive under the obedience of the love, there shall come horrible calamity upon the children of men, in such sort, that upon this earth, they shall become an a 4 Esd. 5. abhorring one to another, for that every one standing stiff in the knowledge and in the clearness thereof, will not [for the love's sake] give over his own matter, thinking that the truth ought not to give place. 2. It is true indeed that the truth ought not to give place, but betwixt the knowledge and the truth, there is great difference: for much knowledge [which yet men call truth] can easily arise out of the subtlety of wit; but the truth of God proceedeth out of the love, and is even of one being with the love. 3. Therefore is the knowledge b 1 Cor. 13. divided and broken, but the love is the truth, c joh. 17. and the true being itself, and the perfection. 4. But [alas] this do not many of them know, to wit, that they should come to the love, and so bear the love, for a mark of the righteous Spirit, and rejoice them with the truth: d joh. 17. 1 joh. 1. that same is the word of life which was spoken of according to the promises. 5. Inasmuch now as I have noted, and do yet at this present find so much boldness in men, by reason of their knowledge, and imagination of the truth, whereon they are very stout and bold, and yet for the most part, it still faileth them of the truth and love, and for that the right way to the true life, and the love's nature, is thereby miss of many: And seeing moreover, that the right way and entrance into the true life, and into the love's nature, is (by God's grace) granted me to be seen into, therefore have I out of the inclination of Love, clearly and nakedly, with uncovered words set forth the right way or entrance into the true life, and the upright nature or being of the love in the Glass of Righteousness, distinctly noting the divine, and the humane, the spiritual, and the natural, and what is decent and meet to be used, for a discerning, which is the establishing of the promises of God, according to the Scripture, that both God's righteousness and man's righteousness might be known, and that we likewise in an inclination of love, might with consenting minds, pass forth towards the same. 6. But alas, what availeth it any man, that one point him out a good way, and an even and plain path, if he walk not in the same, nor have no liking thereunto? 7. What availeth it to knock, and in divers manners to call, if there be no ears to hear, nor any understanding to comprehend, or to understand the same, nor any heart to embrace such things? 8. Or, how shall one be able, I pray you, to declare conveniently unto such a man his error, and the entrance into the good life, that he might rightly regard and understand wherein his salvation consisteth, whereby he might be delivered from the bewitching of his heart, and so know what right is, to the intent he might once comprehend understanding rightly. 9 If a man say unto him, the increase, and the blessing e 1 Cor. 3 cometh only of God, f Prov. 2. Sap. 8. Eccl. 1. he is the giver of wisdom, and no man nor Letter, then runeth he clean away from the same illuminated man, which pointeth him to the life of wisdom, and utterly giveth over the Scriptures, and the daily Services of the holy Word, which direct him to the upright life, and are serviceable thereunto; and so departeth from the wisdom, g Jer. 7.11.13. cleaving either to his vain imagination, or else to the world in her foolishness and error. 10. If one say unto him, that he must suffer himself to be h Rom. 10 1 Cor. 3 2 Cor. 3.4.5. 1 Pet. 4. 2 Pet. 1. served to the peace of life, by some illuminated man, to the intent, that by hearing he may grow up in the belief to the salvation, then observeth he no difference often times between the unlightened men, and the Elders of the holy Understanding in the Family of Love; but giveth such respect to the unlightned men for their knowledge, that he suffereth himself to be i Gal. 1.6. Col. 2. taken captive thereby, to a bondage under their knowledges, and so becometh a servant unto men, and is by the unregenerated men bewitched with something that is not of God, nor leadeth to the life of salvation, in such sort, that through his liking unto that which he heareth of them, and by which he is seduced and beguiled, he betaketh him to the vain things of the flesh, and forsaketh or forgetteth the true ministration of the Word of the Lord, and likewise also the good exercises, wherethrough he might have come, or been brought unto God, and to k Psal. 36. jer. 2.17. the fountain of upright and perfect wisdom. 11. Unto which fountain of upright and perfect wisdom, the man should of right be always subject, and long after it: and moreover, according to the requiring of the good exercise that leadeth thereto, hope thereon; turn all his affection and inclination of heart thereunto, love the Wsdome and l Pro. 4. information, and submit himself obediently to the Service of the gracious Word, that so he might come to the m Prov. 2. life of the upright righteousness, and then take part therewith, and not with any of those things that lead not to the salvation. 12. If one say unto him that he must be spiritually minded, then climbeth he up (with his wit) very high, after the spiritual understanding, and will likewise take upon him to understand the spiritual things, by his own knowledge, and will be so utterly spiritual, and so quite and clean change himself out of flesh into Spirit; that thereby he forgetteth and foregoeth the humane Ordinance and equity, and to show love to his Neighbour, and unto all men likewise: Out of which bewitched opinion of spiritualness, many divisions and corruptions do arise. 13. If a man say unto him, that he should have regard unto the equity of nature, seeing God hath n Gen. 1. created the natural things also for the man's good, then doth he on the other side, so wholly addict himself to the natural and visible things, that he receiveth them to his own bondage, and slavish delectation, and tieth his heart thereunto, and so shooteth or keepeth off the most holiest being, and the true holy Spirit of Jesus Christ, out of his heart. 14. If the man read the Scripture, and do out of the testimonies of the same, hear that the Law of Moses and the Prophets have their Office and Ministry o Mat. 11. Luk. 26. Gal. 3. till unto Christ, and that in like manner all is in Christ fulfilled, and that Christ p Rom. 10 is the end or fulfilling of the La w, whereout the Gospel, or second Testament of the Holy Ghost proceedeth, according to the foreshowing of the Prophets, than he thinketh he will in any wise take the best, and in his spirit receive Christ, and the Gospel, and that which is spiritual and heavenly of God, supposing thus (with his understanding and knowledge) to run clean beyond the law of Moses and the Prophets of the Old Testament [to wit beyond the obedience of the foregoing Service,] and so will rely upon Christ, and be a child of the New Testament; for he readeth, that that is the most best, and imagineth, that if he should regard the Law and the Prophets, and should obey the foregoing Service and requiring thereof, he should then go back and finish his beginning of righteousness q Gal. 3. in the flesh or outward; for the Scripture and the foregoing Service maketh mention, that the fulfilling of the Law and the Prophets, is r Luke 18.24. in Christ, and that the spiritual and heavenly goods, be inherited in the Spirit: And thus will he be one of Christ's, of the Gospels, and of the New Testaments, and apprehend in his spirit the spiritual heavenly goods, e're-ever he be passed thorough the Law or the Old Testament, or hath understood the Prophets of the foregoing Service in their requiring, s Gal. 3.4 Heb. 7 how they lead him to Christ, and how, or in what sort all is in Christ fulfilled. 15. Herein lieth the man wrapped and snarled, and maketh nothing thereof, t Esa. 59 but desolation and destruction, altogether troubling his understanding and conscience, and in like manner more others also, by his ignorance. 16. O God how is the understanding of the noble generation of man destroyed, being become less of godly worthiness, than the beasts of the field! howbeit, thou hast chosen and created thee the man to this end, u Gen. 1 Sap. 2. that he should carry and bear the Image of thy living Godhead, to the land and praise of thy glory, to the intent he should be unto thee (O God) x Leu. 26 2 Cor. 6. Apo. 21. a Temple and Tabernacle for thy holy dwelling. 17. But alas, the man is quite contrary, and against this same, and hath very little mind or desire y jer. 5.8 to come to his God again. 18. And therefore the fall and straying of men from their God, is become so deep and far, that there is z Psa. 14 Rom. 3 scarcely any understanding, will, or desire of right conversion to be found among them. 19 O God, how are we blinded from the right knowledge of thy requiring, and become resisters and despisers of thee! 20. We have a Esa. 59 jer. 2, 32 turned the back unto thee, as those that know thee not, and are become as children that are brought up of strangers, and are so fond upon strangers, that they utterly despise and detest the sight of their Parents, and forget their Father's house. 21. We are even so far, O God, become strange towards thee, that we have almost no pleasure in thee; for thou art unto us as the very contemptiblest and most despised'st thing: b Esa. 53. Yea, so little have we rightly thought of thee, that (in respect of thy right worthiness) we have counted thee utterly of no value, and esteemed thee nothing worth; nevertheless, thou bearest c 1 Pet. 2. our sins, and hast compassion in our affliction, and art our Physician, healing us of our offences, for thou makest us whole of the deadly wounds of our souls. 22. O God, d Psa. 25.79. impute not our sins unto us, because of our ignorance, e Luk. 23. Act. 7. forgive them also their offences, that know not what they do. 23. For seeing the children of men know not thee aright, nor submit themselves obediently to the requiring of thy Word and Service of Love, therefore surely they fall here, or err there; in such sort, that oft times they keep no measure nor rule at all. 24. But seeing that such things are now sufficiently known unto me, and that my spirit out of God's grace, perceiveth a godlier life, then is found with many of the children of men, therefore the inclination to the righteousness constraineth me distinctly to show both that which is commendable, and that also which is utterly discommendable before God and among men. 25. Therefore O ye children of men, note (I pray you) your ignorance, and think once upon that which is right, and learn an upright understanding, and a right knowledge of the wisdom, that tendeth to the love. 26. Learn of the Love in her Service f Mat. 11. lowliness, longsufferance, meekness, soberness, chasteness, and righteousness, in faithfulness and truth; that same shall be wholesome to your reigns, do good to your g Pro. 3. navel, refresh your bones, and rejoice your heart, and shall be unto you a living fountain h joh. 7. that springeth to the everlasting life, and as a fruitfnll tree i Psal. 1. Icr. 17 Ezek. 47 Apoc. 22 planted by the water's side, that bring forth his timely fruits, whose greene's or leaves do not whither or fade. 27. Take this same to heart, and be not as the wild beasts; be k Psal. 32. not like horses and mules, that have no understanding of wisdom. 28. Enrage not yourselves in any wise, as the mad furious world doth; set no horns on your heads; thrust not yourselves out, l Prov. 1 Sap. 2. like the unwise or fools, neither let your part be among the greedy or covetous. 29. Keep you from the society of them that are forward to do violence, and of such as count it a small thing to shed men's blood. 30. Have not much disputation nor reasoning with them that (by their will) are desirous to have the matter to go on their side, or that are partially minded; but rather in all things, observe what is right and equal, and what m Rom. 14 serveth to peace and love. CHAP. XI. 1 An Exhortation to the Family of Love, to embrace the love's nature, and to pray with confidence for the godly wisdom. 18. Many pray for wisdom, that will not acknowledge themselves to be unwise. 20. The poor of spirit are blessed, 23. The selfwise will happily for a time, like of the Love and her Wisdom, yet according to his own sense. 25. H N. feareth lest the Glass of Righteousness shall be misunderstood, as other Sentences arc. 35. The Alarm is stricken up, to prepare men to the battle. 43. The Lord indeed worketh all; but not without us, nor without our obedience. 47. The wellwilling are not to be dismayed. 51. The Christian fight is not with cursing nor killing, but with patience to subdue the sin within us. 56. God is pleased to save the world by a foolish Preaching under the obedience of the Love. OYe children of the Family of the Love of Jesus Christ, if so be ye love the Love, then consider also the Love's nature; for the Love is clothed with righteousness, which also rejoiceth not a 1 Cor. 13 in the iniquity, for her joy is in the truth. 2. After such a fashion consider ye the Love, and not after a vain course, according to the mind of the flesh, b Esa. 40. for all flesh waxeth old and changeth; but the Spirit that cleaveth to the Love, doth neither wax old nor change, but it abideth for ever. 3. Hereunto have regard, that your life may be in the preservation of the righteous, and fear not, like the fools or ignorant. 4. For why should ye perish with the fools and ignorant? wherefore should ye inherit the cursing c Mat. 25. with the goats? 5. Separate d 2 Cor. 6 Apoc. 18. from them, and behold Gods right hand; for from thence cometh unto us the life of salvation, and the light of the holy understanding. 6. Even there learn with the wise, the godly wisdom, that according to the Spirit, ye may be not earthly, e Col. 3. but heavenly minded. 7. Suck also in like manner all gentleness out of the breasts of the Love, and seek the peace of concord. 8. And when ye have gotten all this same, then play, sing, f Psal. 96.87. and praise the Lord as his little lambs, and g Psa. 79.95.100. as the sheep of his pasture, and as little children, h 1 Pet. 2. in whom there is no guileful heart hidden, and so get you a naked lovely heart, such as uncoveredly groweth up in the Love, and i 1 Thes. 3 2 Thes. 1. increaseth therein more and more; and increase ye likewise in wisdom, and in holy understanding. 9 If now ye be hereunto well minded, then shall your portion be with the Kings and Priests, or with the Elders of the holy Understanding, and your fellowship with such Senetors, as do further the Righteousness and your Service of the Word, with the peacemakers, that do earnestly seek the unity in the Love. 10. And thus shall then the slandering lips, k 'tis 2. 1 Pet. 2.3. which defame you with all evil, by your good conversation with the wise, in the wisdom, and with the just or virtuous, in all righteousness and integrity, be put to silence. 11. Therefore be now (through the love and her service) wholly l Rom. 12. Eph. 4. renewed, and purified in the spirit of your mind, pass now thorough the river of the love, even to the rest of life, the holy land of promise, that the ungodly bear no dominion over you. 12. Be altogether with one consent minded hereunto, and let the love have the pre-eminence and dominion with you all, that the little ones may be protected, and the simple defended. 13. Therefore, O ye lovers of the truth, seek unity, and labour for it, and make a departure out of all heathenish being, which is after the course of the world's foolishness. 14. Do away the foreskin m Deut. 10 jer. 4 of your uncircumcised hearts: lay away from you (according to the former conversation) the bewitching of the imagination, which glimmereth unto you before the eyes of your spirit, and glittereth before your understanding, as if it were some excellent thing. 15. Renew your understanding in the Service of the holy and gracious Word, under the obedience of the Love, and so in the spirit of your mind betake you n 1 Cor. 14 to the Love, and and as dear children be subject thereunto, whereby you may in the love obtain eyes of clearness. 16. If notwithstanding ye be o jam. 1. unwise, p Apoc. 3. blind, and q Mat. 5 poor of spirit, yet grieve not yourselves for all that; for than ye draw near to the Kingdom of God. 17. If you desire godly wisdom, then r jam. 1 pray and believe, she shall be given you, so far forth as your prayer s Rom. 12. is steadfast, and as ye pray to God, in a lowly heart, with such a prostrated soul, as hath a desire or pleasure to do, and to fulfil the Lords will. 18. Men may find many which pray unto God for wisdom, and for the right sight of his Kingdom; but they will not acknowledge, nor t Joh. 9 Apoc. 3. understand, that they are unwise, poor, and blind, therefore they obtain nothing. 19 For although that the wisdom stood even at their door, yet so well seen are they, and so rich of spirit, through their own wisdom of the knowledge, that the upright wisdom of God and the being of his Kingdom, must be feign to tarry without. 20. Therefore right well speaketh the mouth of the Wisdom, Blessed u Mat. 5. are the poor of spirit; for the Kingdom of heaven belongeth unto them, or the wisdom of God ariseth (as light) upon them, and not upon the rich, or upon the great knowers. 21. For when we of ourselves are become poor, blind, or unwise, or do forsake that which is ours, and do come to contrition and meekness of heart, x Psal. 51. Esa. 57.66 then will God dwell with us, and appear in such hearts, as also the Scripture maketh mention, and then are we also poor; but God is become rich in us, by means of our vileness, or because we are poor in the knowledge: It is true. 22. These and other like things have I in many places distinctly set forth in the Glass of Righteousness, and do here also set forth the same in this Introduction to the holy Understanding; if any man regard it, let him consider the inclination of mine understanding. 23. But what shall I say? I find the man much too selfwise y Rom. 1. 1 Cor. 1. in his own conceit, and too void of understanding, in the mind of the love; for commonly when the man heareth of the love, and of the right understanding of wisdom, he rejoiceth him in the hearing, and it seemeth as if it liked him well, likewise for a time he commendeth it. 24. But in conclusion there is nothing among the greatest sort but self-feeking, and very little do they understand the first school-rule of the Christian Doctrine of the service of love, for an entrance into the upright life in Jesus Christ; but do understand every thing, which is held forth before them out of God's wisdom and love, according to their imagination, and according to the mind of their liking. They seek thereout their own commodity, z 2 Phil. 2. and not the Lords; they run clean back from the mind of the love, and use all subtlety to manitain their own opinion. 25. Whereout I observe, that the man (which is thus minded) conceiveth of the wisdom and of the love utterly amiss. For which cause I likewise fear, lest the Glass of Righteousness (how plainly and rightly, evidently and clearly soever it is set forth) shall not of many be discerned aright, nor yet be conceived of, according to the truth. 26. If therefore they discern or conceive not aright of such apparent sentences (as are so clearly and plainly uttered) that even every one (which loveth lowliness and righteousness) must needs approve the same, and acknowledge that the man and the world is created thereunto) how should they then be able rightly to understand or judge of all the mysteries of the Kingdom of God? 27. For which causes sake (to the intent no man might have occasion to estrange himself from the truth, unless it might be by his own revolting heart) we have bidden or covertly set forth nothing, in the Glass of Righteousness. 28. Notwithstanding, if any thing be covered or hidden unto any, a 2 Cor. 4. it is hidden to the unbelievers, who have no desire nor love to the truth, nor to the life which is of God, for such are darkened b Rom. 1. in their understanding, through pleasure in their own mind, and through the ignorance which is in them, c Eph. 4. and through the blindness of their hearts, do gather unto themselves, d Rom. 2. a treasure of wickedness, to an horrible destruction; and so through their own wisdom, do turn away and separate themselves, from the love, and from her service. 29. But unto all lovers of equity, which have a desire and belief towards the love, [to the intent that by her service, they might taste of e 1 Pet. 2. the uncorrupted milk, the Word of God, that f Esa. 40. 2 Pet. 1. liveth for ever] we have out of the inclination of love, so openly and clearly, according to the life painted out, and set forth the Glass of Righteousness, that every one, who with an humble heart hath regard thereunto, and desireth the understand of Righteousness, shall be well satisfied therein. 30. If also any man turn his heart unto God, and desire to do his will, the same shall likewise well understand; that the testimonies of the upright life in the love, (as it is set forth in the Glass of Righteousness) is the upright ground of righteousness, that God from the beginning hath required of the man, which also in the restoring thereof shall continue for ever, to the Salvation of the world, according to the promises, even as God hath spoken the same aforetimes, by the mouth of his holy Prophets, who have all g Esa. 2.60.61.62. Jer. 31. Joel. 2.3. Zach. 2.8. Mich. 4. Soph. 3. Mal. 4. witnessed and prophesied of that same upright life; for to come in the last time, and in the same shall also all consciences be appeased. 31. For the end or fullness of the same, is the revealing or coming of the Kingdom of God, h Esa. 35.51.60.65. Apo. 21.22. and the beholding of the joys and Salvation of the eternal, perfect and uncorruptible being. 32. Oh that the man had any understanding in the godliness, and did perceive whereunto God calleth him, and did in like manner prepare his heart after the meaning of the written sentences, and did let alone judging by the knowledge! 33. But no, the man is much too selfwise by his knowledge, and therefore he is more inclined to judge of every thing after his knowledge, then to prepare his heart to the good, under the obedience of the love. 34. Therefore it is very much to be lamented, that many among the children of men, do oftentimes judge the sentences and writings (which have out of the service of love, their ministration to the good life) according to their Knowledge. For as soon as they read or hear the same, they suppose by and by that they have rightly apprehended, and well understood them, not first minding to enter in, to obtain, and to live in that which they bear witness of, whereas yet the service of our writing tendeth hereunto, even that men's hearts (as is there set forth) should be prepared to the same. 35. For men strike up no alarm, in the host, to the intent to make the people unlusty to the battle, nor yet that they should but know the exercise of the war, or judge of the Alarm-stroak, but that (with good courage) they should prepare themselves to the battle or fight. Thereby every one (that hath courage to fight) doth then make himself ready to encounter with his enemies, and to root out his adversary, or to subdue him. 36. But (alas) I find it with many, otherwise in that alarm by which the man is called to the spiritual i Eph. 6. fight, to the vanquishing of his enemies, which (inwardly in him) are killers and murderers of his soul. 37. Therefore it is very true, that the children of this world are much k Luk. 16. wiser in their dealing, as concerning the flesh, than the children of the Kingdom are, in that which concerneth the spirit. 38. What availeth I pray you, an alarm made, if men prepare them not to the battle? for many are persuaded, that this is no time of fight, and that there shall be no need thereof; supposing, because of their unbelief, that nothing shall come of it; and lay their hands behind on the back, or put them up in the bosom. Their heads are giddy, as if their hearts were utterly unlusty, or dismayed to the fight. 39 If one should seek for men of war, where I pray you, should he find them? Are they not for the most part gone back, l Levit. 26. Jer. 48. and become faint hearted as women? 40. If they do but once suffer harm, and be wounded; or forced by any evil defamation, or assault of the wicked) to sustain any molestation or reproach, then are they persuaded, that the cause is altogether nought, and so running again after their case, they suffer themselves to be ruled by women, m Esa. 3. their enemy to reign over them; and in like manner make truth n Esa. 28. with death, and a league with hell, retain peace with the sin and accuser, and become of one mind with the world, supposing that then all shall be well: moreover they make an appointment or conclusion with themselves, that they will no more trouble themselves with the doctrine of the Family of Love, nor yet with the battle, thinking, Let them run that will. 41. For to resist the evil, to break and subdue the wicked heart and evil thoughts, and to suffer much distress, contempt, and reproach, for the same liketh them not; they will none of that. Howbeit, we are always to fight apainst the evil, and to keep good watch continually: we are always to think night and day upon the virtue of the godly life, always to long, and to hunger and thirst after it, always to speak and to treat thereof, with such as do so labour thereafter; and yet then of many sorts of people (and letter-learned) to be despised and reproached. 42. Because of this toil, and for the shame and reproaches cause, which meeteth them (and because they love not the righteousness of the godly life, with the heart) they let the matter pass, saying, out of unbelief, I cannot further it, I hold me still or unoccupied about it: let the Lord work it, I will commit it unto him. Supposing when they thus pass on according to their imagination, or do live after the fashion of the world, and (with an o Rom. 2. unrepenting heart towards God, do hold peace with the blasphemers and strivers, against the truth of Christ and his love, that then God will make it to be well with them. 43. Deceive not yourselves ye dearly beloved, the saying is very right, p Act. 16. Eph. 3. Gol. 1. that the Lord worketh it, and that he will also cause it to go well with us, q Phila. 2. and prepare us after his will and pleasure: howbeit not without us, nor yet without the obedience of the requiring of the service of his holy and gracious word, and of his love; and whilst that we turn us away in such a sort from him, and from the Ministers of his word, and do refuse him; r Luk. 17 but it is done inwardly in us, under the obedience of the requiring of his gracious word and service of love, so as we stand subject unto him with good will) therein, and be of one mind with him, against the ungodly being, that God may so in us magnify his holy name s 2 Reg. 7. and be called t jer. 10. a God of Hosts, a u Esa. 47. God of Israel, or a God of such a one as beareth dominion with God over his enemies. 44. After this manner is God a Lord of his Army. He is only the Lord; but we the instrument of his hands. 45. Out of such an understanding under the obedience of the Law of the Lord, did the Kingly Prophet David, eftsoons apprehend a zealous stoutness, even as in divers manners we read in his Psalms, how valiantly and courageously he setteth himself on God's part, against his enemies, as well in fight with good courage, as also sometimes in praying and making supplication, that God might be his helper. 46. After the same manner ought it also to go with us inwardly in our hearts, under the obedience of the love, x 2 Cor. 3. for no man can do any thing of himself, how stout, strong, or wise soever he be, unless God be with him, who strengtheneth him, whom under the obedience of the Word and his love, he findeth to be of good will, and that prayeth unto him for his help. 47. If then any man be weak, finding himself infirm yet to the battle, the same is not y Eccl. 2. rejected nor despised, no nor any one that hath been in error, so that they do but trust in God, and be good of will, do abide in the faith, and so in process of time do increase in strength, and be not unwilling in the word of the Lord. 48. Therefore, Oye little and sorrowful hearts, z Esa. 35.41. be not dismayed, but be confident in hope, the Lord will not suffer you to be a Esa. 54. put to shame: Therefore be of good courage. 49. Though that the battle come unto you, and that ye be despised by the unbelievers of the gracious word, and by the blasphemers of the love of God, and of the holy spirit of Jesus Christ, and that moreover, b Mat. 5. 1 Pet. 2.3. all evil be lyingly spoken of you, yet be not therefore dismayed. 50. For the God of Israel is c Esa. 5. our comfort, and he the same God will be our redeemer and our King, wherefore have your refuge only on him, to the intent ye may not fear your adversary in the fight. For truly this fight is godly and amiable. 51. Men curse nor swear not there, they do not there kill nor destroy any, d Eph. 6. save only that opposite being against God, for it is no outward battle or war. 52. They use there no outward e Esa. 2. Mic. 4. swords or spears, they seek there to destroy no flesh of men, but it is a fight of the cross and patience, f Rom. 6. to the subduing of the sin. 53. This fight is also no disputation, brawling, nor wrangling for the knowledges sake of the Scriptures. It is likewise no contention with men, howsoever the most part of factious men (which do every faction in particular call themselves the right Christians) have even to this day so used it; and do also yet still brawl, g 1 Cor. 3. Jam. 3. contend, and strive one against another, (and that with a secret, hatred, and envy) who should be best, wisest and holiest, and how to have right and equity, every one in his conceiving, whereby they entangle themselves every way one with another. 54. But such brawling and discord, do not I hold for any Christianlike fight, seeing men do thereby forsake the love, therefore such a fight doth nothing further towards the life, nor towards the upright understanding of the divine wisdom. 55. Moreover, all those which stand minded to such a kind of outward fight, brawling, wrangling, & railing, have never rightly perceived nor understood h Eph. 7. the inward fight. For inasmuch as they know not the virtue of the love, nor that whereout she proceedeth, therefore do they account the battle of the righteous spirit (which through the cross, in the spirit of wel-willing hearts, carrieth forth the fight against death, sin, devil, and hell) for an ignorance and foolishness, because they do no more esteem of such a chosen Salvation, as is brought forth after the manner of men, and which the man hath his glorying in, then of the righteous spirit of love and life, which God himself bringeth forth, for i Esa. 60. a true light, and salvation of men, after his godly nature and manner: the k Esa. 42.48. glorying whereof belongeth only unto God, and to himself he also keepeth it. 56. Wherefore seeing God hath considered, that all man's wisdom is vain, and that men by their wisdom know not God's work (in his wisdom) nor his Salvation through his Christ, l 1 Cor. 1. it hath therefore pleased God through foolish preaching (under the obedience of the love of Christ) to save the world [that is to say, all those that believe in him] that he might catch the wise, m Esa. 29. 1 Cor. 1. 3. in their wisdom, the crafty in their subtlety and craftiness, and the letter-learned in their knowledge of the Scripture, thereby making known unto them, n Psal. 94. 1 Cor. 3. how vain and void of understanding they are in the purpose of God; and how that (by all wisdom and prudency, and by all their learnedness in the letter) they have not known any thing of o Mat. 11. 1 Cor. 2. God's wisdom at all, wherethrough the Almighty God is magnified, and by which it is known, that his foolishness is much wiser, than all the wisdom of the world, or prudence of man's wit. 57 Now whosoever believeth the same, but on the contrary party is yet so selfwise, that he giveth no ear at all, nor is inclined to the love, or to our communion through the love's service (wherein Gods purpose is known or understood) the same man surely shall not understand the mind of God, nor yet his secret, p Kom. 8. 1 Cor. 2. for it is impossible to understand the wisdom of God, without obeying of the love. CHAP. XII. 1. It is meet, that every one submit himself to the appeared grace. 2. The new day. 3. Patience towards the unbelievers. 4. Wherein the upright understanding is to be found. 5 The worldly wise find it not, but will rest upon their own wisdom. 13. An exhortation to cleave to the truth, without bondage to outward things 15. What the perfect righteousness is. 19 And how we ought to cleave thereunto, and to esteemof the outward things, so far as they are profitable, and no further. 21. And that not for their own sakes, but for the Ordinances sake. 22. How to behave ourselves towards all men, wives, children servants. 26. He exhorteth to give our minds to a lovely behaviour towards all. 32. Not to regard any thing that may cause dissension, but to set our chief respect upon the inward, and not upon the outward, 43. The upright life is the same that the Fathers lived in. 45. Whereunto also the Gentiles were called by the Gospel. 46. He requireth all people to take heed to their calling. 50. And to turn away from the self-minded thoughts that do tempt and entice us. 51. Our union with God in the spirit, is the stone that is disallowed of men, 55. The Glass of Righteousness serveth to try ourselves by. 56. The man is diversely perverted. How H. N. passed forth under the love in his humane nature, and how God received him unto grace. 61. His little regard to the outward. 63. Yet not despising it, because it is profitable to train up the man in his youngness. 65. Men ought to esteem the greatest, more than the least, and to put difference in the Age of the Disciples. 66. That teacher, which is not entered, nor hath not accomplished the Righteousness in the love, is both himself, and also his hearers far from the truth. 67. The Priesthood out of Levi is good in his right use; but the Prieshood of Messiah is yet more excellent. 71. Why he pointeth not to the outward. FOrasmuch then as (through the a 1 Cor. 8. revealing of the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, in the resurrection of the dead) there is out of grace, such an holy office or service of the love, to a renewing of the world, now in the last time come unto us, and (according to the secret counsel and will of God) committed unto us, in upright righteousness and holiness to be ministered, therefore it were very meet, that every one which is awakened thereby, should submit himself thereunto, and give ear unto us in the same service, to the obeying of the love in the spirit, that every man's eves might be made bright, and become clearer and clearer, to b Act. 7. behold with a clear sight of their eyes, God's Kingdom of heaven, the which now manifesteth itself unto us, and cometh unto us under the obedience of the love; and likewise with the same do appear and come unto us, livingly and gloriously all God's o 1 Gor. 15. Saints, which in times past died, and fell asleep in God. 2. Behold this manifestation or appearing of God's Kingdom of heaven, d Mat. 24.25. and of the coming of Christ, together with all his Saints, e Esa. 65. 2 Pet. 3. is the new day of life, and the f Dan. 12. 4 Esd. 7. 1 Cor. 15. 1 Thes. 4. Resurrection of the dead, according to the Scriptures; which manifestation of the Kingdom of God, and of the glorious coming of Christ, with his Saints, and of the new day, we now under the obedience of the love, publish abroad in all the world (for a Gospel g Mat. 24. of the Kingdom) according to the promises. 3. But if any man heareth not, nor believeth the same, neither is wakened out of the h Esa. 29. sleep of his ignorance, or will not hear this voice of the love, him do we let alone therein, still bearing a favourable good will towards him, and do cleave fast to the love, bear patience, with his ignorance and blindness, and do consider, that all of us have heretofore been unwise, i 2 Pet. 2. and have been blinded from this glorious light of life, yea we do yet doubtless often find in ourselves the lack of understanding, until the light of life do manifest itself perfectly in us. 4. Howbeit, the right understanding consisteth not in many words k 1 Cor. 2. or say, nor in high or deep knowledge, as is aforesaid: but it is found in long-suffering, and in such a heart as feareth the true God, under the obedience of the love, where men use temperance, l 2 Pet. 1 discretion and kind-heartedness, and where men love righteousness and information of equity. 5. But where is it now, where may one seek and find it? who doth earnestly desire lust, or long for it? who applieth his heart wholly thereunto? 6. Truly not the children of this world, which are the lovers of error, nor yet the selfwise of the vain-conceited hearts, neither the lovers of their own companies of Religion: For all these think not upon the service of the love; neither will admit any thing, but what they have chosen: they blaspheme also every thing, besides their own opinion, and have no regard to the Statutes and m Exod. 20. Deu. 4.5.6. Ordinances of the most highest, nor to the n Mat. 5.6.7.11.16.19.22. doctrine of Jesus Christ, neither to the requiring of his Catholic Church. 7. And therefore will the man to maintain his own cause, be always above the understanding of the love, and so be the love's Master: For there are few found that do with whole heart submit themselves under the Love, to the intent they might obtain (through concord and o Joh. 17 Eph. 4. Phil. 1. equality in the Love) one like mind to the good, to the one manner of subduing or mortifying of the evil hearts, minds, and thoughts. 8. For that, or him that directeth thereunto, they can by no means abide, nor yet be minded to the lovely life of upright Righteousness, which I H. N. out of entire love do bear witness of, because with many the same is not (according to his upright being) harkened unto, nor rightly understood; for every one (with his conceited imagination, and unclean heart) will fain be himself he, whom men ought to esteem for wise: in such sort, that many of them do arrogantly ascribe understanding to themselves, as if they knew already all that they should know, and were wholly such as in Jesus Christ they ought to be. 9 Moreover many of them are so rich p Apo. 3. & wise, as though they needed no more; and many persuade themselves that they are such as do live free, and that they are every whit the same that they should be, that also the Service of the love concerns them not, and that they are passed it all. 10. Lo, such things think the fools and unwise (those unfruitful q jude 1. trees) that love their selfwisdom, and their own ease in the flesh, and are quite dead therein; yea, though he be an Infidel or Heathen, yet scarcely thinketh he that he hath any wrong understanding for all that; what might then one that is wise think, or he that persuadeth himself that he is holy? 11. Now because many of them do esteem their own matter for such a fairness r 1 Cor. 1. or wisdom, therefore besides their own wisdom, they will in no wise hear any s Acts 7. other understanding, nor esteem it for wisdom; for every thing is evil or unclean in their eyes, which is without their wisdom; yet must they needs acknowledge, that the inside of their vessel, t Mat. 23. is not cleansed from the filthiness, neither do they believe to be cleansed through Jesus Christ, or to be justified from the sin under the Obedience of the Love. 12. What helpeth it then, or whereto is it profitable, that one should show any precious ornament or jewel of godly fairness unto such, if in their hearts, it were against them, or that they loved not the same? Even so is it also with the testimony of the Word in the Love, when there is no love joined thereunto, for to love that which is heard or witnessed. 13. Therefore let us in all things [and before all] grow like minded to concord u Rom. 12. 1 Pet. 3. in the Love, x 1 Pet. 5. humble our hearts to the living God, and so love the virtue and the godliness, & cleave to no ungodly being, or unorderlinesse of this world; but let us (with impartial minds) harken to the truth (for an instruction to the wisdom) with long suffering, and cleave to the virtue of the good life, with him that beareth witness only thereunto, and taketh part with no flesh. 14. Wherefore let no man bind his heart unto any outward thing which he is served with to the righteousness of life, much less to the worldly things, or to any thing which the desires of the flesh are inclined unto, that he be not disappointed of the entrance to the life, which thing would be a great grief unto me. 15. For this cause (that no man should err, but perceive whereunto our calling tendeth) hear and understand what the chief sum of the perfect Righteousness is. 16. It is an humble heart, y Psa. 51. that departeth from all earthly and corruptible things, and with a lowly and meek spirit is incorporated with God in pure Love, according to the Spirit, living in the form of Jesus Christ z 1 Tim. 1 in an unspotted conscience, and to have an inclined mind or desire to do the Lords will, and to fulfil all righteousness. 17. Towards this let us pass on (with a good hope) in a sure faith and confidence, let every one turn him a Esa. 55. Jer. 18.25 35 Ezek. 18. Jon. 3. from the ways of his error, and withdraw his heart from the bands of selfness, to the intent (in an upright being) to serve b Thes. 1 Heb. 9 the living God only, and turn away his senses and thoughts from that which hangeth on, to a bondage of the heart, [that is to say, from all that is created outward or vain, how holy, how good, how fair, or how amiable a grace soever (according to the outward appearance) it may show forth unto the man:] to the end, that no man be taken, or remain captive in any bewitching (to a thraledome of his mind) with that wherewith the Heathen, and the unwise, or uncircumcised of heart, are still bewitched, tied and bound, not only with the outward show of holiness, or wisdom, but also with the delight of the outward created things c Rom. 2 in this world, wherein with their hearts they become vain. 18. Therefore let us reckon all these things for such as they are, and repute some of them (in that whereunto they are commodious) for good in their degree and quality, to the end our heart may stand free in the everlasting uncreated Godhead, according to the Spirit; that is, in the God of Israel, the Creator of all good things: and moreover, let us suffer our hearts to be prepared thereunto in the obeying of the requiring of the Service of Love. 19 That is truly the everlasting life, which in times past was preached unto the world, and is now in the last time (by God's grace) come unto us, under the obedience of the Love, that our fellowship d 1 Joh. 1 should be with God the Father, and with his Son the Lord Jesus Christ, and that our joy in the Love might be perfect. 20. On this only and true God settle your hearts, to a union with him, and with his Christ, and love him e Deut. 6. from your whole souls, minds, and thoughts, and so then love all created things in their degree, or as they are profitable. 21. Yet not for their own sakes, but for the Ordinances sake that God hath created them unto, and whereunto he hath appointed them, as good; then shall God be loved, honoured, and served by you above yourselves, and above all visible things, and f Exod. 20 Deut. 4. you shall also neither have nor serve any Idols which are besides him. 22. In such a degree love ye also all men g Leu. 19 Mat. 22. Mar. 12. Rom. 13. as yourselves, or as your fellow-brethrens, so shall there be no dissension nor division found among you: and then (in the same sort) h Eph. 5. love your wives, which are minded with you in one heart and spirit to God ward, as fellow-members of your bodies, or else should ye be no married folks. 23. To the same good being of concord in the Love, i Eccl. 7.30 love ye likewise your children that they may be brought up in righteousness after the Law of the Lord, to serve the living God. 24. If any man hath servants, whether man-servants, or maidservants, k Eccl. 7.33. Eph. 6. Col. 3. let him not overcharge them with slavery, but use moderation; give them also now and then time to rest and to recreate their hearts in the things that God requireth. 25. But beware of the stout servants, l Eccl. 33. such as in their leisure time seek nothing but unseemliness, pride, disorder and lightness; for, for such, whether they be sons or daughters, man-servants or maidservants (if so be they exercise nor desire no righteousness) labour serveth much better than leisure; yet with discretion, according to time and measure, always be holding the good before them upon hope of amendment. 26. Hereunto let us be minded, and give over our hearts and minds, to live therein, and always exercise love m Rom. 12 1 Thes. 3. 1 Pet. 1.3. one towards another, and so n Heb. 10. James 5. with patience, and long-suffering, wait o Luke 2. for the consolation of Israel, and for the health of the house of Jacob, whom God (in his time) shall call together from all the ends p Mat. 24. or coasts of the earth, where now they are dispersed. 27. Wherefore increase ye in the good, q Eph. 4. Col. 1. 1 Pet. 1. and grow up in the Lord, and for the communion of the Love's sake, and that we with consent of heart, may be joined to the same, let us incline our hearts to each other, to the end we may all become one, such as love righteousness, and forsake dissension, & which despise nor reject none, neither Jew, Mahomet, Heathen, nor any Sect or Faction, but rather draw all that will follow to our communion under the obedience of the Love, that the Service of the Love may become prosperous, and (in all upright righteousness) obtain the pre-eminence. 28. Whosoever then joineth himself to our communion of the Love, yields himself to the love, and to the requiring of her Service obediently, loveth the righteousness, r Psal. 15.24. Esa. 33. John 9 Acts 10. and hath no guile in his heart, the same is acceptable to God, and all such shall be unied in the Love, and love one manner of righteousness, according to the mentioning of the Glass of Righteousness. 29. Hereunto let every one be humbly minded, and so incline his fatherly heart s Mal. 4. Luk. 1 to the children, to unity in the Love. 30. Let the children t Eph. 6. Col. 3. bow themselves (in holiness) to the humility, and so (for the unities sake in the Love) turn their hearts to the Fathers. 31. The like also let every one do towards his brother, and one man towards another, and that all under the obedience of the Love. 32. Do away from you u Esa. 59 the middle walls, and have love all that love righteousness, proceed on after it, with one accord, have no regard to the foolishness of the Heathen, nor to any such deal or witnessing, as cause Sects, dissension or renting, nor yet to their teachings and unprofitable devices, nor to the witching of their God-services, nor to the subtle knowledge of their wisdom: For their ways x Jer. 5. are snares, and their wisdom y Esa. 19.42.58. nets; who so hath no regard to the Law of the Lord, nor to Abraham's God, he shall be bewitched, tied, or taken, and be led away from the requiring of the service of love by them. 33. But all ye which turn you to the living God, which made heaven and earth, fear not the Gods of the Heathen, neither regard the nets of the wisdom of the uncircumcised, seeing they reject the Lords Word and his Ordinances. 34. For the nets of the Heathen are like Spider's webs, which do soon rend and fall asunder; but the Law or Ordinance of the Lord is steadfast, and abideth everlastingly. 35. Therefore let the Law of the Lord, and his Ordinances, be always for a teaching unto you, and fear the God of Israel, and let his love be still your rejoicing. 36. Mark the ground of the Love, ye dear beloved, and let your ears of the Spirit, that you may hear, your eyes of the heart, that you may see, and your understanding, that you may understand, be opened or unlocked, not only to the outward, earthly and corruptible, but chief to that which is inward, spiritual and eternal. 37. For behold, I do verily witness this same distinctly enough unto you, to the intent we might all have regard to the upright life inwardly in our hearts, a Rom. 8. become spiritually minded, and through the grace of the bountiful Godhead, serve in the upright life, the living God only. 38. Let every one b Gal. 6. take heed to his time; for if we be already separated with our heart from whoring with stocks and stones, (as from such Idolatries) doubtless it is then so much the more expedient (inasmuch as such grace is extended on us) that we observe our hearts and cogitations, and cleanse them from all outward unprofitable things, to be made free and unbound therefrom, to the intent our hearts abide not bound unto any manner elementish, created or worldly matter, nor yet unto any kind of appearance of c Col. 2. spiritual or holy things, whereby (in case our hearts stood bound therein) we may be lead a whoring, and our hearts be bewitched therewith. 39 Therefore let us not regard, nor give respect unto, or esteem any outward things higher than for elementish, or so much as they are in their degree, or as they are profitable in their Service: neither let us go a whoring with them, to the intent our eyes of the Spirit may still have respect to the only God and his upright life, for to cleave with true understanding, unto the same. 40. For whatsoever is outward, whether it be man or beast, and whatsoever is to be seen, heard or felt, how fair, good, holy, or wise soever it seemeth to be, must certainly every whit (so far forth as it standeth in his right degree) d 1 Cor. 15 Eph. 1. Heb. 2. be subdued under the only God and his love. 41. This same verily should the man once consider and understand, to the intent he might once be delivered and rid of his foolish witchery, and of dissension, and of whoring with this or that. 42. Therefore let no man be tied or bound to the lusts of whoredom with any outward thing, but give all his respect to that God, e 1 Cor. 15 which is all in all, and inwardly in his mind let him take heed to the upright life, which is godly, holy, and good, that he may bear the Image or like being of his God; f 1 Cor. 15 for as we have borne the image of the earthly, so shall we also in like manner, bear the image of the heavenly, to the laud and praise of the glory of God. 43. Lo, thereunto is my testimony, namely, that the upright life is the life of the upright Fathers, which served and worshipped the invisible, great, g Deut. 4.5.6. etc. and almighty God only, (who still was God in Israel, and in Israel also wrought wonderfully) who is h Exod. 3. Mat. 22. i God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. 44. Now in that these Tribes of Israel knew the God of heaven as a true God, and lived and cleave unto him, therefore did they stand free and untied from all the God-services of the Heathenish Sorceries, and were unbound from all whorings with outward things. 45. To obtain this grace in God, that is the Gospel, which is through Christ published to the Heathen, to the intent they should be released from their foolish bewitched God-services, and from all their lusts of whoredom, whereby they may with Israel, be incorporated into the stock of Abraham, and may altogether as one manner of people, serve the only living God in one manner, Laws, Statutes, and Ordinances, even as the second Book of the Glass of Righteousness maketh mention. 46. Therefore, O all ye people, Nations, and Tribes, if ye will not consider whereto ye are called of the God of heaven, through the seed of Abraham, according to the promises, neither do regard your heavenly calling aright in her degree, nor give yourselves over thereunto, nor fear Abraham's God, nor love his Laws and Ordinances, but do build upon another foundation, i Eph. 2 then surely shall ye be banished from God, and from the Citizenship of Israel, and be constrained to serve vain things, k Deut. 4. and to keep such Ordinances as you do not know. 47. That same shall entangle your hearts, bewitch your understanding, and make you bond-servants, which indeed we are, so long as we willingly remain l Rom. 6 subject to the sin, and to the Sorcery of the heathen. 48. Therefore lake heed to your time, and seek God, m Esa. 55. while he is near, and may be found, and while ye have yet space to turn you unto him. 49. Let the ungodly n Ezek. 18 forsake his ungodly being, and so come to the life through the death of the Cross of Jesus Christ, then shall he live and die no more. 50. Let us apply our minds to the same, and turn our hearts away from all sensuality of the flesh, not only from that which outwardly we look upon; but chief from the self-minded thoughts which do arise o Sap. 2. Mat. 15. out of ourselves, and do tempt or entice us thereunto, for to hold our hearts in bondage to the vain corruptibleness, which (through the works of unbelief) leadeth away from the living God, whereby we may be deprived of the fellowship with God in the Spirit; for the unity and p Eph. 2. peace with God the Father in the Spirit (for to live one with another in all Love) is the glorious liberty of the children of God, whereunto we are called by Jesus Christ. 51. Lo, this is the stone q Psa. 118 1 Pet. 2. which was not allowed of the workmen, yet is there r Acts 4. salvation in none other; which stone is clean against all sense of the flesh, and against all them that are minded only upon the outward: therefore of those bvilders, [which will themselves act, or set up the salvation] he is rejected, s Esa. 8.28 Mat. 21. and is unto them a stone of stumbling and offence: t Psal. 118 Mat. 21. and this is a wonderful work in our eyes. 52. Behold herein we have likewise all sinned, and trespassed. 53. Therefore it stands us now upon, to regard well from the heart the mind of the truth, and with humble hearts to pray unto the Lord, that he will not punish us for our misdeeds of ignorance, u Psa. 25 79. Dan. 9 but will think upon us according to his mercy, and guide our hearts after his will, that we might walk in his Ordinances, and be named after his Name, as our God and Saviour, who through the Service of his love maketh our errors known unto us, and releaseth or maketh us free from all perverse or covered nature of sin, from all arrogancy and haughtiness of the revolters, and from all falsehood, dissension and deceit, which at this time do every where bear sway, and among many, have even hitherto had the pre-eminence. 54. O God, x Dan. 9 let us in this dangerous time find grace in thine eyes, and incline thou our hearts towards thee, and towards thy righteousness: bring our spirit out of this desolation, and cleanse our hearts, minds, and thoughts from all dissension, y Psa. 51 and create in us an upright mind, that no evil come upon us. 55. Of which upright mind, and upright course of life of all upright hearts, I have set forth a clear instruction in the tree of life, the fourth book of the Glass of Righteousness, which Glass of Righteousness, with other more like testimonies, I have heretofore set forth, to the intent that every one might look into himself and know, whether he were of the upright communality of the righteous, and lived and walked in the upright ways of the just, and so served the living God only, or not: For I witted not how to call any by name, for to show outwardly, what sort I might judge for the rightfullest. 56. For I found the man a Jer. 9 so altogether deceivable, so bewitched of understanding, so given to cover or dissemble his lies, so lordly minded because of his understanding, so double of heart, so earnestly bend to destroying and oppressing, against those that were not like minded with his hearts conceiving, so b jer. 18.25.29.35. declining from him, that according to the truth, pointed him to the way of life, so selfseeking and partial for himself, so resolute in his opinion, so reproachful and malicious with accusation at him, that desired to bring him into the right way of the holy Fathers, so wel-conceited and affected towards his own fancies and errors, so hypocritical in the virtue, so divided from the righteousness, so separated from conscience, so little seeking that which is the Lords only, so unstable in fidelity, so slothful and slow to turn him to God, c Pro. 6.24. so without regard to the upright ways, so little reckoning of the straying from his God, so affectioned to the earthly visible things, and so self-captived of heart, that I was altogether suspicious, jealous, and doubtful of the man. 57 And not only of another, but also even of mine own humane nature, insomuch that I held it strait unto all virtues and righteous deal, for to do the Lords will; in all my proceed, for in that sort did I pass forth under the obedience of the love with my humane nature, to the intent to obtain the virtuous d 1 Cor. 13. disposition of the love, and to be incorporated to the same, with soul and body, and with all the senses and thoughts of my humane nature, and endeavouring me in this same, with all diligence the Lord received me into the grace of his love, and into him and his love incorporated my mind, together with my senses and thoughts, and so gave me inheritance with Christ and his Saints, in his heavenly riches, e Rom. 16. Eph. 1.2.3. Col. 1. and revealed his last will unto me. 58. But not according to any conceiving of the flesh, or after the outwardness, namely, in any outward appearance, that liketh the man, and the sight of his fleshly eyes, or whereunto the man doth sometimes set his heart and understanding, as though he could satisfy God thereby, or as if a man with his outward humanity, & with a show after the outward appearance, might be incorporated into the God of heaven, and into his heavenly goods, or could live in the Godhead according to the flesh. 59 O no, ye dearly beloved, Gods working in renewing of the man through Jesus Christ, is not after the pleasing of men, nor according to any affection of the flesh; nor yet such as any man by his fleshly conceiving or learned understanding, should be able after the outward, to judge of the same working of God in the spirit, or of him which is renewed in God. 60. For Gods working, and the renewing of the man, f Rom. 12. Eph. 4. is brought to pass inwardly in the spirit, and in the inward senses and thoughts, through the power of his holy spirit of love, wherethrough men are abundantly filled with love towards the living God, and with love towards all men. 61. My respect also (in my zeal to the virtuous nature of the love) was least upon the outward show after the flesh, but it was most upon an upright heart and mind, such as consisteth in a good willing obedience, and toeth or bindeth itself to no elementish things, whether they be earthly riches, or worldly possessions, because I would in spirit and mind, serve and please the living God only, and likewise thereby love every man as myself. 62. And for this upright being's sake (because in all love, the same should have and keep an g 1 Cor. 4. Gal. 4. essential form in me) I did (as is aforesaid) examine the senses and cogitations of my human nature, whether by them, any other thing were loved or desired besides, or whether they tied themselves unto any thing else. To the intent I might for the love's sake of God and Christ, h Mat. 16. Luk. 9.14. renounce, hate, and forsake it every whit, and crucify, i Rom. 6. Gal. 5. Col. 3. and kill my humane senses and thoughts with their lusts and desires, so far forth as they were not incorporated or subject to the good being of God, or to his virtuous nature of the love, whereby I might live through the power of God, and by the gifts of his grace, and through the co-incorporating of the upright being of Jesus Christ, k Luk. 1. Eph. 4. in all upright righteousness and holiness: that is, in the upright life and mind of the living Godhead. 63. Now although I have here showed, that my respect was less upon the outward obedience, then upon the inward godly obedience, and that I thus laboured for such an upright heart and mind, as was required by the outward obedience, because I would l Deut. 6.10. serve the living God in his upright righteousness, yet did I not therefore despise the outward obedience, nor the good Ordinances in their right use, neither is it my mind or will, that men should not observe nor obey the right use of the Church's services, or the Priests or Elders Ordinances, which are exercised for a good outward discipline and decency, and to a bringing in of the said upright righteousness! O yes, my meaning and desire is, that men should observe m Rom. 14. and obey them (as is said) in their right use, and likewise that the Elders and Ministers of the word in the family of love, should by them require the true righteousness of the upright inward being and mind which God esteemeth. 64. For so in that behalf, men are greatly to esteem the outward Ordinances, and the obedience to the same, yet with difference in the understanding, as according to their worth, and in respect of them for whom they are necessary, namely, in such consideration, as the Ordinances and Ceremonies of the Law of the Lord n Rom. 10. Gal. 3.4. Heb. 7. and of the belief of Jesus Christ, have their ministration for, that is, by them to train the man up, and so to support him in the youngness of his understanding, until he be released from all self-mindednesse, ignorance, and own wisdom or vain imagination, and the sight of the upright life, o 2 Pet. 1. come unto him in the spirit, and so of himself he love all that (with whole heart and mind) which is right and just, and have a desire both before God p Rom. 14. and amongst men, to live and to walk in all upright righteousness, and and to fulfil the requiring of the gracious word of the Lord, and his service of love: Lo, to show such obedience, is the best obedience, inasmuch as the obeyers thereof, do inwardly before God, and outwardly amongst men, live by the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, q Luk. 1. in the upright righteousness and holiness, and so not of compulsion but of faith, are obedient unto all inward righteousness, and outward Ordinances of the holy word and service of love, r Mat. 22.23. 1 Tim 1. and that is the principal obedience, whereto men are to give the greatest respect; for it is the principallest, which the outward services or ceremonies have their ministration unto: It is true. 65. Wherefore men ought even before all things, to give the worthiest praise and greatest honour to the greatest or best, and not to respect or esteem the smallest, for the principallest: Likewise to observe a difference, between the prudent, good-willing, and stable ones, and those that are without understanding, evil willers, and revolters that they minister not the services and Ordinances confusedly or mixedly out of the knowledge, nor disorderly require the obeying of the same, as if any man should urge them without difference, and should not distinguish between the state of the age of such Disciples as had obediently accomplished the requiring of the services, and attained unto the appointed s Gal. 4. time of the father and of the age of Christ, or were obediently grown up unto the same, and the state of those Disciples that had not yet accomplished the requiring of the services, nor attained unto the appointed time of the age of Christ, but should give like honour unto, and esteem of equal value, either's age and obedience. 66. When a man then ministereth an office of teaching, and yet is not entered into the Disciples beginning of the Christian life, among the Elders in the family of the Love, neither hath obediently accomplished the righteousness, which is wont to be required of the Disciples from their first entrance into the Christian life, until the age of the elder Christ, and even for that cause cannot distinguish the same passage in his right Ordination; surely the same man, and likewise the Congregation that heareth him, doth stray very far from the truth, and also from the right use of the Doctrine and Ordinances of the ancient Fathers, tending to the Christian life, and from the upright being of the love of Jesus Christ, and of his holy spirit, and do become both together one with another, [namely, the teacher and the Congregation which he teacheth] alike ignorant and unexpert in that which is of value before God, and likewise in that which is most needfullest to be used amongst men, to their preserving in the godliness. 67. For mark, the s Exo. 28.29. Levit. 1.2.3.4.5.6. etc. Priesthood out of Levi, which is ministered after the manner of Aaron is upright and good in his right use, and is also in his service, (with the Law and Ordinances of the Lord, and with the letter, and through the Letter) in the Family of the Lord, very profitable and necessary, while the t Gal. 4. heir is yet a child, and hath not attained or reached unto the appointed time of his Father or Elder. 68 But the Priesthood out of Messiah called Jesus, who is unto his Believers u Psal. 110. Heb. 3.9.10. an Highpriest at the right hand of the Almighty in the heavenly being, and a x joh. 1.14. true light, in the light of the ministration of his truth, is much more worthily to be esteemed, than the Priesthood out of Levi, for the same Highpriest doth in his office, bring unto the y Rom. 3. Gal. 2.3.4. believers in his name, [namely those that are obediently grown up under their tutors and Governors until the appointed time of their age] the upright righteousness, and the upright being of his love, and accomplisheth with them (in their spirit and mind) all that which (with the Letter, and with the Law or Ordinance, in the foregoing Priesthood) is taught and required in the ministration of the Elders, whereby the Lord Jesus Christ (called Messiah) is unto his believers and good willing obeyers in their spirit and mind, an everlasting a Joh. 14. life, and a b Heb. 8.9. minister of the spiritual and heavenly goods, whose service also with them is done in the c 2 Cor. 3. spirit, and by the spirit, and so is he unto them, an heavenly d Heb. 5.6.7. Eph. 1.2. Highpriest for evermore, not of the earth, nor of flesh and blood, but a son of the most high God, in the heavenly powers of the invisible being, and is now in the last time appeared and come unto us the chosen of God (in his glory and triumph) from the right hand of God his Father: and so hath with us (with the spiritual and heavenly goods) his ministration e Heb. 7.8.9.10. in the most holy of his Tabernacle, under the obedience of the love, af-the manner of Melchisedech, to the erecting of the perfection. 69. Thus (as is said) Jesus Christ hath his ministration even from the beinning, until the perfection through his Saints and Elect, and so is in his teaching to his f Heb. 9 people a Salvation from their sins, and a blessing and reviving g 1 Cor. 15. Eph. 2. Col. 1.2. from the death, and hath then in that manner with them [namely, with the living, his Believers] his ministration with the spiritual and heavenly goods: And so in the same ministration he is manifested by his believers, that he is he right Messiah and King of the Jews, and the true h Psal. 110. Heb. 7. high Priest for ever, after the manner of Melchizedeck, who in his Priesthood, is greater and more excellent than the man, because he abideth for ever. 70. Behold this same high Priest, in the ministration of the spiritual and heavenly goods, and this noble King of Israel and Juda, which ruleth in righteousness, and of God is chosen to such an excellent glory, before the foundation of the world was laid, is by inheritance sealed, to possess the i 2 Reg. 7. Esa. 9.32. jer. 23.33. Dan. 7. Mic. 4. Luk. 1. seat of David his Father, to the intent there may be no end of the peace upon the same, from this time forth for evermore, and that so he may rule and reign (as an everlasting peaceable King) over the house of Jacob, according to the promises. 71. For in this sort, and to the finishing thereof, is he revealed unto men, and published k joh. 1. 1 Tim. 3. 1 Joh. 2. to the world for a Saviour, because all people should believe in him, by him inherit the everlasting life, and so confess him, and that sameis the true righteousness which is available before God, and well pleasing unto those men which are of a good will. 72. Now inasmuch as the rich bountiful God hath (out of his grace) granted me to perceive, that we are all called and loved to the same glory of God, and to the upright being of the love of his Christ, because we should inherit with all what is of God and Christ, the everlasting life, and for that the same is the l Eph. 1.5. Col. 1. principal point of our godliness, therefore have I pointed none unto flesh and blood, nor to any elementish or visible things; neither doth my teaching tend to the outward, but from the outward, to pass on to the same inward and heavenly, and to God's Kingdom of heaven, whereof is spoken before, to the intent that no man should set the consolation of his soul, nor the comfort of his Salvation upon the outward nor earthly, nor put his confidence thereon, but only on the upright life of the righteous spirit, and upon the coming of the godly glory in Jesus Christ, of which things I have (according to my sight out of the heavenly revelation of God) much and abundantly spoken in the Glass of Righteousness, and in this Introduction, mine exhortation is out of love, also to the same, to the intent we should have an earnest love, and be provoked with desire towards it. 73. Which life of Righteousness, whereof we witness, is inwardly, godly, according to the divine nature, and outwardly brotherly, after the upright humane nature; and that same is the upright righteousness, before God and amongst men. 74. Who so now from the heart seeketh God and his righteousness, and rightly hath regard to the upright life, the same person will acknowledge that my teaching and ministration is of God, and that it tendeth to the upright life: and who so likewise to this end searcheth the Scripture for the promises, shall assuredly find, that it maketh mention of such things, and that the Law, the Prophets, and the Apostles of Christ, do all point and witness to the very same. 75. When the man now according to the truth perceiveth this same, then will he (for the love of righteousness sake) be also inclined there unto, and yield his understanding m 2 Gor. 10. captive under the obedience of the love, praise God highly for his grace; and through the belief pass on towards the upright life in all love. 76. Though he now and then fail, stumble, or fall, yet if his eyes of the spirit have respect to the upright life, and to the love, and that he glass himself daily in the Glass of Righteousness, doubtless the same shall cause him to see, and shall rightly show him his spots, and shall be unto him, n joh. 4.7. as an open fountain of life, against the sin and way of death. CHAP. XIII. 1. None can know God nor Christ rightly, but in the Spirit of the love. 11. No better grounds than the Doctrine of the love. 14. An exhortation to the obeyers of her service, that they blaspheme not other men's writings, nor condemn any for Sects, but rather allure all to the love. 19 and that they put away the evil as much as they can, out of themselves. 20. The despisers are vain. 23. The consenters hereunto are counselled, not to think they have already obtained, but to labour, and to continue in the doctrine of the love, till the laying away of the mortal body. 32. Not to be dismayed at the enemies, but like soldiers to prepare themselves to the battle. 33. Though we be sometimes hurt, yet to take new courage still. 36. Considering whereunto we are called through Jesus Christ. TAke it to heart, O ye children of men, and let your understanding be renewed, a Rom. 12. Eph. 4. according to the spirit, to such an upright knowledge as God esteemeth, to wit, with the word of truth, in the spirit, of the love, to an assured living hope and good conscience in Jesus Christ. 2. For who so after the spirit, conceiveth not the same, nor is renewed in his understanding (to the same upright knowledge) under the obedience of the love, in such a one there is no knowledge of Christ, neither can he be rightly turned to Christ, or to the upright belief, but only through the same. 3. For the fall from Christ is come, and it is according to the Prophecy understood, known, and well perceived, how that the same, b 2 Thes. 1. through the child of perdition (according to the mention of the Scriptures) hath in every respect so utterly c Rom. 1. Eph. 4. blinded, depraved, and corrupted the understanding of men, concerning God and Christ, that the children of men (how wise or learned soever they of themselves be) do neither d joh. 8.16. of the Father, nor yet of the Son, know any thing at all. 4. And surely, whosoever doth not submit his understanding, under the service of the love, the same man showeth thereby, that he is without understanding, because by his understanding he perceiveth not, how that he which hath not the love, e 1 joh. 2.4. hath not also the Son, nor the Father, but is without Christ and his Church, and can please God by no other means, also can neither now nor evermore without the inclination of love, neither through any other services or literal wisdom, come to the holy knowledge of God, or attain unto the same. 5. But if any now believe not this same by reason of the high regard to their knowledge, or by means of any respect unto their holiness f Col. 2. or spiritual humility, such as they have chosen or taken to themselves, and as is not according to the promises, as God in times past hath spoken by Moses his servant, and by the mouth of his holy Prophets, doubtless they (howsoever they suppose or maintain g Esa. 59 that they have the light) must needs abide in h 1 joh. 2. darkness, for their unbelievers cause, whose unbelief cannot hurt the believers, neither can the Work of God for all that abide back. 6. O deep and unsearchable wisdom of God i Esa. 40. Sap. 9 Rom. 11. 1 Cor. 2. which of the great and high glorious wise, or of the self-chosen holy ones, hath ever attained unto thee? 7. Unto which of them, is thine arm known, that hath heard or understood thy holy word, or thy mind aright? 8. Therefore needs must they all in lowliness of heart be humbled under thee, and become subject to thy true love (that they may rejoice them in the truth:) otherwise they must remain blind in their imagination k joh. 3. and may not see the Kingdom of God, for ever. 9 For so long as they through the love, or her inclination l Mat. 18. be not in their corrupt understanding, turned about by the word of truth, and are not well minded to the virtue of the love, certainly there can appear unto them no light of the truth, to Salvation; for God hath foreseen the perfection m Deut. 6.10. 1 Cor. 13. 1 Tim. 1. in the love, according to the promises, and not in the knowledge. 10. Therefore let every one be lowly of spirit, n 1 joh. 4. and humble of heart in his knowledge, even as though he knew nothing, and so have regard to the service of the love, what it requireth; and let him hope and long for it, to the intent he may be comprehended therein [that is to say in the doctrine thereof] for therein is the godliness understood and known; and so let him endeavour towards the best. 11. And I hope that I shall always towards the lovers of the truth do even so, and not omit to set before them the most best; for thereunto tend all my intents and desires, neither know I at all any better thing than the teaching and ministering of the holy word, under the obedience of the love. 12. True it is, I have as far as I might examined many sorts of Foundations and understandings, and have likewise considered and scanned whereon they stood grounded, but there is yet no better thing come to my hand. 13. The Lord grant me his mercy, and strengthen my mind to do and accomplish his will, to the Salvation of men in the love. 14. O ye lovers of the truth, that have humbled your fouls under the love and her service, o Deut. 6.11. ●2. Pro. 4. take (I pray you) the truth to heart, and reproach no man's writings, teaching, nor exhortations, that have their ministration to the righteousness, and to the concord, but draw it all under the love, that every one may give up and bring all what he hath taken on, or wherein he is learned, according to his humane imagination, to the communion of the love: give ear only to the godly Word of Life, under the obedience of the love, according to the manifestation of the glorious and godly light, set forth in the Glass of Righteousness, and so above all his humane knowledge, love the Concord, and the upright life. 15. Moreover condemn none particularly by name, and be not offended at any, that your hearts p Gal. 5. Acb. 12. be not moved to anger, stumble not at any thing, and reproach nor reject none for Sects, but love all them that endeavour towards righteousness, q 2 Pet. 1. with a like love, to that upright righteousness which God esteemeth, and thus draw all wel-willing ones to the true righteousness, under the obedience of the love. 16. And if any man seek the truth of you, and his heart be inclined to the love, then join yourselves with him in the love, and so speak r 1 Pet. 3. of the hope which is in you. 17. For who so loveth the good, though yet for a while he be in error, may for all that come to amendment in the love, unless he should give over his heart in a wilful contentiousness, and despise the love and her service, for his self-minds sake. 18. But unto every one that will follow, and is well minded to the love and her service, s Eph. 4. unto such reach forth the hand to the unity of the upright life, and that all in the love. 19 If the evil assail you, than put it from you, as much as is possible for you, until the same evil get a going down in you, and go into silence: give it no respite to follow after his desire, but become (according to the spirit) t Col. 1. 1 Thes. 3. 1 Pet. 5. strong and firm in the good life, u Deut. 7. 1 Pet. 2. to a peculiar possession of God, even as it is here in this Introduction, and in the Glass of Righteousness, according to the life showed and declared. 20. If so be ye cast this same behind the back, to wit, that ye refuse it, or have no belief nor lust thereunto, nor do hope thereon; and yet by your selfwisdom persuade yourselves to be wise, then are ye vain, and utterly unmeet to the Kingdom of God, and how wise soever ye be, yet shall you be found vain, and without understanding, and void of the true light of life. 21. Now if any man say, that he is already in the life, and needeth no more, or that it is needful no more for him to hearken after any other understanding, and therefore contemneth this form of the upright life, and his service to the same life whereunto we bear witness, and neither hath it, nor indeavoureth towards it, in the service of the love, certainly he is yet in the death x 1 joh. 2. and darkness, and knoweth nothing at all either of Christ, or of the life which is of God, even as the darknesses also have never perceived nor known him. 22. If any man than despise this good mind or spirit of love, and with the heart withstandeth, and blasphemeth it; and doth not entertain the upright virtue of the love, the same man hath beguiled his own heart, and after the requiring of the knowledge of the old serpent, seeketh his own advantage, and not to do the will of the Lord. 23. But if on the other side (O ye dearly beloved) any do accept this which we bear witness of, for right and truth, let him not hardly over-hastily persuade himself, that he by his knowledge hath already gotten it; for there must at the first belief be joined thereto, and then look whose belief through the increase of God blossometh y 4 Esd. 6. and is fruitful, let the same man attempt the battle in hope against that which maketh up itself against the same; Let him have regard to the Word of life, and so pass on towards it, a Luk. 21. with patience or in long sufferance. 24. That truly is the right Cross of Christ, b Mat. 16. Luk. 14. which we are daily with good will, in the obedience of the requiring of the service of love, to take up c Act. 14. in the belief, until we be well exercised in the love, and in the holy understanding (whereunto we bear witness) and not only in the knowledge. 25. Lo to this present, I find nor know no way else to the life, therefore, whosoever loveth the same, let him endeavour towards it, d Joh. 8. and so abide steadfast in the requiring of the gracious Word, and of the doctrine of the holy spirit of love, until the e Rom. 6.8. Col. 2. laying away of his mortal body; then shall he with Christ and all God's Saints inherit the Kingdom of God and the everlasting life, in the heavenly being. 26. Let every one take heed to his time, and f Gal. 6. let no man deceive himself, with any vain Opinion, that he do not err. 27. For if any man g Mat. 10. Luk. 14. loveth or esteemeth any thing, better than the godly life (which is the very Saviour himself) such a one is not worthy of the Salvation, nor yet of the life eternal. 28. And who so taketh not up his Cross, and followeth after the godliness with his heart, h Luk. 14. the same may not be his Disciple, that is, he cannot be taught in the godliness, nor born a child of God in the heavenly being. 29. Therefore it is all nothing, that any man speaketh much of it, if so be (with the heart) he i Esa. 29. Mat. 7.15. follow not after the same, yea it is before God much more an abomination, k Psal. 50. Ezek. 33. that any man speaketh of God's righteousness, with talking or reasoning, and doth not with the heart follow after it, than any pleasure or delight unto him, and yet may one find an hundred men, which reason and talk of it, where there is not one of them that liveth rightly therein, or loveth it from the whole heart. 30. Notwithstanding, though men do now and then (through some imagination) think they have it, and have nevertheless failed therein, yet are they not therefore to step back, tarry behind, or to lose the courage, but rather out of the inclination of love, to take good courage again, and to l Phil. 3. Heb. 6.10. pass on towards the same godliness, until that it be in us, and that we (according to the truth, be comprehended in the same, for by stumbling, falling, and creeping, and by being sometimes lead, doth a child (at length) learn rightly to go. 31. By going wrong, and by hurting one's self, by means of passing in unpathed ways, with breaking thorough thistles, thorns, and hedges, also sometimes by doubting, and then by enquiring (and that all in hope) men come at last, or in process of time to the right way, which we ought to walk to the life of truth in the love, therefore let no man be without courage. 32. Though we find ourselves sometimes without understanding, how to enter into the life, or the m Eph. 6. 1 Pet. 5. enemy's encounter with us, and so hardly beset us, that we know not how to get thither, yet let us for all that, though it seem not credible, take a good courage or mind n Heb. 11. in the belief, and not forsake the hope, for the hope o Rom. 5. leaveth none ashamed, and so give our attention, p Pro 4. to understanding and information, whereby we may attain thereunto, and to the very same arm ourselves, even as an unexpert soldier, that hath a desire to become a good man of war, armeth himself to the warfare. 33. Though at first he sustaineth some damage, as to be sometimes wounded, smitten, shot, hurt to death, and by his enemies to be taken captive, yet taketh he still a fresh courage, and abideth firm in hope, until he be well exercised in the feat of war, who then is known for a man of war, that is one that understandeth and knoweth well, where any thing is to be won or lost, and wherein damage or advantage lieth. 34. If therefore earthly warriors be so bold in hope, for the corruptible things sake; how much more than ought we so to be towards the everlasting uncorruptibleness, in case we have any desire or hope to the everlasting uncorruptibleness at all, q Osc. 23. 1 Cor. 15. wherein death is swallowed up, and the everlasting immortality abideth, where all destruction passeth away, and in itself as a smoke vanisheth in such sort, that there is even nothing remaining in it but the pure and clear, the fullness and fairness of all virtues, according to the promises. 35. But a slothful and unbelieving man that always feareth, and is r Pro. 6.24. negligent and disobedient hereunto, or a doubtful and wavering person, that still doubteth of error, wounds, damage, and loss, such a one thinketh not upon obtaining s 4 Esd. 2. Sap. 5. Apo. 2. the royal Crown of everlasting life, and therefore giveth no credit thereunto; for so through his unbelief and disobedience he distrusteth God in his promises, and is selfwise against God's truth and his omnipotency, and lying still on his lees or dregs, he prieth from far, how it shall far with the obedient believers in the service of the love; truly such as remain so minded, enter not into the Kingdom of God, nor in the t Heb. 4. rest or inheritance of eternal life. 36. Therefore let every one consider once rightly, whereunto we are called, through Jesus Christ. Is it not u Mat. 25. Luk. 22. Joh. 5. 1 Cor. 15. to the everlasting uncorruptibleness and immortality, or kingly x 1 Cor. 9 2 Tim. 4. Jam. 1. 1 Pet. 5. Crown of eternal life, to y Rom. 8. Gal. 5. Eph. 3. the inheriting in the spirit, of the infinite treasures of the divine heavenly goods, and moreover (through the belief) to be justified from the sin, for to bring forth the z Joh. 15. Eph. 4. Phil. 1. fruits of God, which God hath pleasure in, and to live in God eternally? 37. But (alas) this calling, the man hath utterly forgotten, and through his glozing which he hath invented thereon, he is quite strayed from the sense of his calling, and from the holy understanding. An INTRODUCTION To the Holy Understanding. CHAP. XIIII. 1. An admonition to awake, and observe our calling. 4. All without exception are called. 5. We have all been ignorant of our calling. 6. But God doth now graciously let us see our blindness. 7. Therefore let us regard this grace, and that the rather because of the horrible destruction that is for to come. 9 The wicked must be endured with patience. 12. the Love is stronger than the Belief. 15. If we fall, let us rise up again. 20. The way to the life. 21. Few do find. 23. The evil must be overcomed of the good in patience. 26. much written, yet great misunderstanding. 28. Those that have pleasure, and do continue in iniquity, are like the devil, and be incorporated into his son. 33. Their certain punishment. OH! awake yet once (I pray you) from the a Esa. 29.56. Rom. 13. sleep of your ignorance, O ye children of men, and have a sure confidence b Joh. 5. 1 Cor. 15. 1 Thes. 4. on the Resurrection of the dead, so shall Christ c Eph. 5. enlighten you. 2. Take heed to your calling, that whereunto ye are bidden, therein ye may be established according to the promises, that is for to obtain the high price or Crown of everlasting life, for this price or Crown of everlasting life, is not like a Crown of the Kings of this world, d 1 Cor. 9 which many of them stand for, and is of many greatly desired, and yet there is no more but one that obtaineth it, and becometh King. 3. But according to the calling of God, we may all obtain e 4 Esd. 2. Sap. 5. Kingly Crowns, and be endowed with one manner fullness of divine treasures, and be all Priests f 1 Pet. 2. Apo. 1.5. and Kings, according to the promises. 4. Hereunto we are all called to one, g joh. 17. and in one, no man exempted, h Gal. 3. the Gentiles as well as the Jews, the Commons of the people, as well as the Magistrates, the sinners as well as the righteous, the poor as well as the rich, the simple as well as the wise, the wives as well as the husbands, the children as well as the parents, i Eph. 6. Col. 3. the bond as well as the free, the servants as well as the masters, and the handmaids as well as the Mistresses, k Act. 10. Rom. 2.10. Gal. 2. God is no respecter of persons; for all those that turn them to God and love his Righteousness, are acceptable unto him. 5. Doubtless it is now made known unto many of us, that we have all in our understanding been utterly estranged and l Rom. 1. Eph. 4. darkened from the knowledge of our calling, and have cleaved to the m 1 Tim. 4. spirits of error, walking in the death, and not in the light of life, likewise in sundry divisions, and not in the unity of our calling. 6. Nevertheless, that God which is rich of mercy, n Ezek. 18. 1 Tim. 2. 2 Pet. 3. and would not that we should perish, letteth us now see through the ministration of his gracious word, and through his bountiful and kind love, the ways of our blindness, o Esa. 59 Sap. 5. and the deadly darknesses of our misunderstanding, pulling us to the light of his clearness, to the intent that all we which are estranged from God, and dead because of sin, might through the love of God the Father, and through the ministration of his gracious Word be renewed again, for to quicken us again p Rom. 6.8. 2 Cor. 4. Phil. 3. in Jesus Christ, out of the death of sin, into the true unity of our vocation, to wit, in this day of the coming of Jesus Christ in his glory, for had not the same Jesus Christ been with the Amighty for a remnant, q Esa. 1. we had all in our estrangeing been as Sodoma and Gomorra, and must needs all in like manner have perished. 7. Sith God therefore doth now show on us such love, that he proffereth his grace unto us, through the coming of his Christ, when as we (in our estranging from his good being) were openly his r Rom. 1. Eph. 2. Col. 1.2. enemies, and that he remembreth not our ignorance, to revenge on us such things, but out of the bountiful grace of his love, is inclined to help us, and by the ministration of his gracious word, to reach us the hand, for to pluck us to himself again in his love, let us then also make much of such a s 2 Cor. 6. Heb. 1.2 grace, that through the bountiful grace of his love, we may in this horrible time, be reconciled unto him, and not be punished with the wicked world: The rather, for that there hath been enough before hand shown us, of the horrible t Esa. 13. jer. 20.25. Mat. 24. destruction of the wicked world, and of all damned men, in the last days, wherein few shall remain, or be saved; but not by the Lord's fault, for God desireth instantly to draw us all to his salvation. 8. But because there are many now adays, that u 2 Thes. 1. 2 Pet. 3. believe not God in his promises, but count him a liar, and x 2 Cor. 6. Heb. 12. do not regard the time of his grace, neither will be saved, but have much more desire and will to the iniquity, y Eph. 4. 2 Pet. 2. juda. 1. and to all uncleanness, therefore also in this day, z Rom. 2. cometh the wrath of God upon those children of unbelief; and they shall not be able to escape the horrible and fearful destruction. 9 Therefore let every one convert him from the errors of his blindness, a Eph. 6. 1 Pet. 5. and arm himself in the belief, and stand fast in the hope b ja. 4. against the wicked, that maketh itself up against God's righteousness, the which must be endured with patience, for c Rom. 5.8. Patience bringeth forth in us a firmness, or a persevering in the hope, and hope suffereth us not to be ashamed, but prepareth for us the peace with God in the love. 10. But though now and then it pinch somewhat hard to show patience, yet have confidence, d Apo. 2.3. and keep still what ye have, turn not back in any case. 11. Though happily you think that it falleth heavy, find yourselves impotent or weak, and the ways dark, desolate, unpathed, very long, e 4 Esd. 7. Mat. 7. Luk. 13. small or narrow, the hills seem high to get over, and the gates very straight to go thorough, yet doubt not therefore ye beloved, give no regard to the unbelief, that saith it is impossible; but contrariwise, with belief and hope enter ye in, for the belief is strong and mighty, f Mat. 17.21. Luk. 17. she removeth mountains out of their places, vanquisheth the enemies, g Heb. 11. and is a certain assurance of that which is hoped for. 12. Look then what ye out of belief, and according to the truth do desire in God to obtain, that love ye with whole heart; for the love which in her service, holdeth the heart fast with earnest love, is yet stronger than the belief, h 1 Cor. 13. and goeth far beyond it all, and not regarding any difficulty, she overcometh it all, for the things sake which she loveth, for the love maketh that light, which appeareth heavy; and bringeth life out of that, which seemeth to be death. 13. Therefore the love is not wearied with any thing, for that which a man loveth is precious in his sight, and he esteemeth it of great value: i Rom. 8. moreover he regardeth neither loss nor trouble, to get or to come by that which he loveth best. 14. And therefore men are to k 1 Cor. 14. Col. 3. seek for the most best, that they may obtain the same, and not to respect any of those things, that would oppose themselves, or be hindersome there-against; for who so seeketh not, obtaineth not, who so tasteth not of the sour, shall not partake of the sweet. 15. If any man fall, let him rise again, if ye be hurt or wounded, believe, so shall ye be made whole, yea though ye were already dead; or were as dead in your minds, yet if ye believe the gracious word and Salvation in the obedience of his service of love, and put your trust in the power of God, l Joh. 5. ye shall surely live and not abide dead, for the saving from death m Joh. 11. is the Resurrection and eternal life. 16. Though ye find yourselves even damned in the hell; and taken captive of sin and devil, yet fear not but believe, n Psal. 18.23.33.116. ye shall be delivered and saved from thence. 17. For the belief and hope towards the Salvation, and the love to righteousness, in the grace of God, neither can nor may abide in the sin, death, devil or hell, but they must prevail, vanquish, and bring to nought or destroy, all that is not of God. 18. Therefore have neither the o Mat. 16. gates of hell, nor the bands of the devil, nor the p Rom. 8. pangs of death, nor the strength of sin, nor the lusts of the world, nor the mind of the flesh, any power over such believers, either to hold or to reign over them, q 1 Cor. 15. but they bring them all under them to a victory; 19 But if at any time through the slenderness of our understanding, we be plucked away from our good mind, or be after the nature of the Serpent, r Gen. 3. Sap. 2. 2 Cor. 11. beguiled by the wisdom of the flesh, and thereby through weakness fall, and be made so senseless, that we cannot discern the life from the death, yea, become so feeble and faint-hearted, that we have scarcely any desire at all to the good, but do daily s Rom. 7. suffer and feel the sting of death, yet let us not therefore be dismayed, nor despair in mind, but rather so much the more cheer up ourselves in the belief, and through the serviceable word of truth, take unto us a new stomach and fresh courage again, to a stouter going forwards, keep so much the sharper watch, and still have diligent regard on the thing that may annoy us to the entrance of the life, whereby we may through the belief and obedience of the Word, t Eph. 6. 1 Pet. 5. keep of and vanquish it every whit, and so with a good will have our passage towards God in the spirit, until the love abide firm in us, and that we have such a free heart and mind, as may be subject to nothing, but to the high Majesty of the living Godhead only. 20. Now to come hereunto, we must renounce ourselves and all created visible things, not only outwardly after the flesh, but quite and clean inwardly with the heart according to the spirit, and so give over ourselves obediently under the service of love, unto the God of life and his gracious word, u Rom. 6.8. to a dying in the spirit, from every thing whereunto our will and mind (according to the flesh or outward fashion) is tied, and keep ourselves diligently from all holy appearances, and worldly fashions, that so then x 1 Pet. 1. in the obeying of the gracious word and his service of love, our inward mind for to come to a submitted being, may be made tender, soft, and lowly, and we in like manner with humble hearts find ourselves y Psal. 57 ready to do the Lords will, a Rom. 6. the end whereof is eternal life. It is true. 21. Which way to the life few do b Mat. 7. find, because it is unknown c Mat. 11. 1 Cor. 1.2. and hidden unto all understandings of the flesh, and unto all wise ones of the world, and her Scripture learned. 22. Who is there now rightly inclined to the life and peace, but those that endure all deadly things, dissension, and whatsoever cometh upon them thereby, until it d Rom. 6.8. 2 Cor. 4. wholly vanish, and come to nought in them? and which have the life and peace always before their eyes, and do pray with great fervency unto God in the spirit, that he will be their power and strength. 23. After this manner ought we with humble hearts to be minded in every thing that cometh upon us against the good, for the evil must by the good be e Rom. 12. overcomed in patience. 24. Yet not out of our works or own power, f Rom. 3.4. Eph. 2. O no, but through the belief in affiance towards God, and so abiding God's leisure in his work, we are daily to pray unto God in the spirit, that he will destroy and take away, or root out the evil out of our hearts, and choose and set up the good again therein. 25. Hereunto are we to g 1 Pet. 5. humble our hearts before God in his service of love, that we may find such healthful grace before his eyes, in the coming of Jesus Christ, who now to the Salvation of all those that hope in Christ, h 2 Pet. 3. and long for his coming, cometh to a righteous judgement over the world with equity. 26. Oh hereof there is surely much written, showed, and testified, were it but observed and understood aright, but there is great negligence and much misunderstanding among the children of men, for we find many lamentable errors, not only in the erring world, but also in those that persuade themselves to be wise, and to love the good. 27. Awake once O thou precious man, and consider that the eternal, God i Ezek. 18. 1 Tim. 2. 2 Pet. 3. hath no pleasure in such unprofitable living, as is mixed with contrariety unto God. 28. But if so be Oye children of men ye have pleasure in the destruction, according to the course of the blind world, and do k Sap. 2. Rom. 1. Eph. 4. 2 Pet. 3. jude. 1. delight in the strange life of the ungodly being, go on thus boldly in the same, and do show no l Rom. 2. upright obedience to the word, m Mat. 3. Lu. 3.13. nor amendment from sin, than hardly think also that ye are certainly minded n Joh. 8. against God, even like the devil himself, and incorporated with the child of perdition, or of the devil that extolleth himself in the desire of his errors, by means of the pleasure or reward of unrighteousness against God, and against all that men worship God in, saying in his heart or essential mind, that he himself is the Lord, o 2 Thes. 2. and exalteth himself in like manner, in the hearts of the unbelieving and disobedient men, to a ruling above God, and above the godly nature, and so setting himself in the Temple of God, [that is, in man's heart] p Dan. 8.9.12. Mat. 24. he utterly layeth waste the House of the Lord, and in like manner worketh in the man, a secret wickedness, which is not soon to be perceived. 29. Truly, who so with the desires of their souls do cleave unto this pernicious nature, they are very abominable in their do; for there is none of them that doth good, no not one. 30. Their best virtue is a covered sin, and an abominable hypocrisy before God and his Saints. 31. Their throat is an q Psal. 5. Rom. 3. open Sepulchre; their tongue flattereth, their mouth speaketh arrogancy, and they deal with unprofitable and false things. 32. Their lurking is r Psal. 10. Pro. 1. how to beguile the simple, and to oppress the poor and innocent with tyranny, not once thinking that there is a God, which will revenge such things, and recompense it all unto them. O yes, he will certainly find them out, and render them their just reward. 33. For if God spared not the old world, but s Gen. 7. 2 Pet. 2. condemned the same through the flood because of sin, nor Sodoma and Gomorra, t Gen. 19 2 Pet. 2. but for their ungodliness sake, caused fire and brimstone to fall from heaven upon them, to their destruction, then will he not also assuredly spare this wicked nature, but recompense his wickedness upon his own pate. 34. Seeing then the Almighty God did in times past, cause so great punishment to come upon the ungodly for their unrighteousness sake, u Mat. 11. Luk. 10. how much horribler punishment are they worthy of, x 2 Pet. 2. Judas. 1. that do now in this evil world commit ungodliness, because all those former punishments upon them, who in times past committed ungodliness, are set forth before these for example, that they should fear these last plagues of the wicked world, y Mat. 25. 2 Pet. 3. which wicked world, is reserved for the fire, that it may perish thereby, according to the promises. CHAP. XV. 1. An expostulating with the man, for his bold and wilful cleaving to the abominations of the wicked world. 5. The curse of such boldness. 7. The fulfilling of the Law is the way to Christ, but the man by his wisdom will have other ways, by cleaving whereunto the Antichrist is brought forth, in the hearts of the unbelievers. 11. This embracing of Antichrist the man will deny with the mouth, and contrariwise will confess the Law of the Lord, but in the deed, he doth the contrary. 14. An admonition against misunderstanding of certain Scriptures and sentences. 24. Which sentences he explaineth. And first, how the righteous spirit is procreated. 34. How those that are taught by the righteous Spirit, are no longer the servants of the Prophets. O Thou man that dost yet with thy will cleave to the obominations, and vain things of the evil world, wilt thou not once fear before the God of all Gods, before the King of all Kings, before the wisdom of all wiseones, before the righteousness of all righteous ones, and before the highest judgement of all Judges? 2. Wilt thou not indeed once remember that there is such a God, a Esa. 45. as requireth righteousness? yes assuredly, he b Esa. 28. will make up himself with the same, terrify the earth and fall upon his enemies, for they shall not be able to c Lam. 2. escape the hand of his vengeance; for he will d Esa. 4 Ezek. 37. Eph. 5. cleanse the earth of the uncleanness of the ungodly being. 3. Or thinkest thou (O man) that God is dead, and thou shalt live? Or that God is blind, and thou seest? thinkest thou still to reign, and that God shall lie down under thee, and be according to thy mind, as though that thou wert the head, and God the feet, and that he should be driven as a footstool to be put under thee, and that his Law, Statutes, and Ordinances, shall still be trodden down, and forgotten? 4. Make not too much ado (thou e Esa. 28 45. Rom. 9 earthen vessel) against thy Creator; for truly thy stoutness is too presumptuous and arrogant against one that is much stronger than thou art. 5. Therefore look into it, all that have eyes to see, whether that all haughtiness of the flesh doth not exalt itself above God, and how gladly every one beareth dominion against God's truth, and how that there be many do cover themselves with the appearance of holiness, wherewith the eyes of many men are bewitched, supposing that such haughtiness and appearance of holiness is of God. 6. Under which covering of the show of holiness, and under the glorying f Mat. 24 of the Lords Name, the man boldly forceth on his arrogant conceiving, and advanceth his own will, and forsaketh or rejecteth utterly the Law of the most highest, and the Statutes and Ordinances of his people Israel, which God in times past gave them by Moses his servant, and ratified by the mouth of his holy Prophets. 7. For at the end, or g Gal. 4 in the fulfilling of all the same, hath God brought forth his Son (the h Sap. 7. Heb. 1. like Image of his Godhead) to the salvation of his people: which Son of God i Mat. 5 is not come to break the Law, but to accomplish the same, to the intent, that the Law and the Prophets may still remain in their state and office until Christ, whereby through the same Christ, men may be saved or justified k Acts 15. Rom. 3.4. Gal. 2.3. Eph. 2. from the sin by faith, and not by the works of the Law: Lo, thus cometh the Kingdom of God, and the everlasting life. 8. But whilst the man hath by his wisdom, set himself above the wisdom of God, he hath brought in other Laws besides these, which are none of Gods, but are false and lies, and hath made none account of the Law of the Lord. 9 Therefore are also the Prophets which are thereout risen up, l Mat. 24 2 Tim. 3, 4 2 Pet. 2 found false, and lying; and thereout likewise doth the Devil at the end of these same, bring forth the Image of his likeness [namely, the son or m 2 Thes. 2. child of the Devil, full of deceit and lies] in the hearts of lying and unbelieving men, to a destroying and desolation of the people, and to an abominable evil world, such as is full of wickedness and falsehood, even like the Devil himself. 10. That same is the adversary of God and Christ, which is now revealed unto us as a child of damnation, who (for as much as the fall from Christ is come) hath set himself n 1 Thes. 2. as a God in God's Temple, [that is in men's hearts] and boasteth himself as a God, and so (with his own holiness and wisdom) polluteth it all, presumptuously and proudly with great boldness o Apo. 13 blaspheming Gods holy Name; which wicked nature, and adversary or enemy of God and Christ, the man doth in all respects cleave unto, and becometh of one nature or coessence therewith. 11. Howbeit, that the man is joined to the adversary of God and Christ, and dealeth so ill and unkindly with God and his Christ, that he will not willingly confess with the mouth, but he is not ashamed to show it by his works and deeds. 12. Let every one glass himself once aright, and then acknowledge according to the truth, whom he loveth, serveth and cleaveth unto, whether to the world or to God, to Belial or to Christ, to his own mind, or to the mind of God or Christ, with the mouth no doubt he will say, to God, and to the mind or will of Christ, p Tit. 1. but with the deed it will be found quite otherwise. 13. In like sort fareth it also with the understanding of the testimonies or sentences of Scripture, with the mouth many happily will confess, that they have well conceived all the sense and understanding of the holy Scripture; but to follow that which the sense of the holy testimonies do betoken, point to, and require, they clean omit, whereby it doth sufficiently appear, that (with the life and heart) they are minded against the same, and have not understood the holy Scripture. 14. O ye dear beloved, err not so wholly with the erring blind world, nor with the conceitedness of the letter-learned, that ye should forsake the Law of the Lord: be not also q Prov. 3 Rom. 12 too wise in your own sight, and judge not of all sentences according to your imagination: for much ignorance hath taken the hearts of men captive, whereby oft times they judge ignorantly, because by their wisdom r Mat. 11. 1 Cor. 1 they understand not the wisdom of God. 15. It is all reasonably well known unto me with what a perverse eye the man doth oft times out of the testimony of the writings or sentences which he heareth, draw a perverse sense, as it goeth now every where very brief amongst men: of which sentences (wherein there do many err) there is both partly in these writings and likewise in the Glass of Righteousness, plain Declaration made, and how that many men do err therein, because they understand not the Scripture. 16. But to the intent that no man through any wrong conceiving of the sentences (which are now much treated of by the man) might receive any hindrance to salvation, and that likewise every one may be guided into the Holy Understanding of the Glass of Righteousness, and to an upright conceiving of the same, we will recite certain sentences here following, and uncover and clear the right understanding of the same, not only in this Introduction, but also in many places besides of the Glass of Righteousness, and show the wrong conceiving or sight of them, and warn every one to beware of the judgement of his sight, which he giveth by the ignorance of his imagination. 17. True it is, I have heretofore (in the beginning of my calling by God, to the ministration of his holy and gracious word; under the obedience of the love) set forth certain writings, but inasmuch as some sentences happily in them, were not uttered in the plainest manner, therefore have I with the s Supra. foresaid principal Elders of the Family of Love, more amply and plainly expressed them. 18. Also in the beginning of my writing, I could not find that among any of the children of men, there was any such communality of God or Christ, as was comprehended in the upright life of Christ (as is also before mentioned) but the everlasting God, who is s joh. 4. spirit and life, t 1 joh. 4. and the essential love itself, hath in my office or service under the obedience of the love, manifested the same unto me, and so the true Communality of God or Christ, which also is spiritual, lovely, and upright of life, hath he made known unto me in the spirit, I have also seen, heard, and touched, or felt it, and being of one substance therewith, have my fellowship as one body u Rom. 12. 1 Cor. 12. in Christ with the same. 19 Oh would to God that all men had the grace, to humble them under the love and her servite, that so then in the obeying of the service of love, the same true Communality of God or Christ, might also every where appear and come unto the children of men; and that in the spirit of Jesus Christ or of the love, to the intent that all error, contention, and wrangling among them all might once have an end, and so we all one with another, might be of u Rom. 12.15. 1 Cor. 1. 2 Cor. 13. Phil. 1. one mind in Jesus Christ. 20. But in as much as I could not heretofore in the beginning of my writing perceive, or find among the children of men, that true and lovely Communality which is comprehended in the upright life of Christ, and that all my desire and love was bend to the upright life of the same Commonalty, therefore have I also from the beginning of my writing (out of the Service of Love) witnessed of such a life of upright righteousness, and of such upright hearts, as the communality of God or Christ hath her life in, according as the Glass of Righteousness doth also mention, and make relation of the same upright life of the true communality of God or Christ: neither can I yet perceive nor know any other thing, then that the upright communality of God or Christ (where she in Christ appeareth or is revealed) liveth therein, and shall still be minded so to do. 21. And whosoever also x Sap. 8. loveth the righteousness with whole heart, and hath a desire to be joined and incorporated to the only God and his true Christ, or to have his fellowship with them, such a one will likewise (according to the sight of the true life, which is appeared unto me out of the living God) be inclined or bend unto such an upright being of the upright communality of Christ (whereof we bear witness) for to live, or to be comprehended therein under the obedience of the love, through the belief. 22. Wherefore let every one note and mark our testimonies of truth according to love, and not with perverseness of heart, nor in reproach or partiality, that they appear not unto him in a cross or a contrary sense. 23. For sure it is very lamentable, that the testimonies of truth (which are brought forth to the best) should be taken overthwartly and not aright; because the perverse sight maketh many to judge perversely and falsely, and unrightly to understand the director, causeth many greatly to stray. It is true. 24. It is recorded in the first book of the Glass of Righteousness, y 1 Glas. 2 that the upright procreation of the righteous spirit, cometh not of men but z Luk. 1. out of God only; this same word or sentence is very right, yea unchangeable for ever. For otherwise God hath never wrought among his holy ones, and yet hath testified of such things (afterward to come) by the mouth of his holy a Eze. 36. Joel. 2. Act. 2. Prophets, to the intent that men should think upon his wonders of old time, and trust firmly upon those of the time to come, according to the promises, namely, how that God is the Salvation, and will establish his holy Covenant, b Luk. 1. according as he hath made the same with Abraham and his Seed. 25. Now when men have read this saying, and heard such a sentence, to wit, that God will work things by his righteous spirit, they must then have regard to the counsel that directeth the way to God, and from the heart follow the same with humble souls, c Rom. 12 still persevere in prayer until the coming of the promises, d Tob. 4. Rom. 13. and not consent to the sin, but so take heed to such a healthful grace, as being out of God's mercy called to the very same, according to the promises. 26. For aforetimes the heathen were no people of the God of Israel, but were e Eph. 2. strangers in the Testaments of the holy Fathers, and in the inheritance of the godly promises, and f Eph. 4. 1 Pet. 4. every one walked his way in ungodliness, and in sundry Idolatries, and were ignorant of the Lord. 27. But the everlasting God of Israel forgot not his Covenant, g Luk. 1. but was mindful of the oath which he had sworn to Abraham his beloved, to a blessing of the Gentiles, and looked on h Act. 17. the time of their ignorance, and did in like manner for a season cast off his people, and show his hearty love on all the Generations of the earth, or heathen, and caused a joyful message, through his Christ, to be published unto them, i Mat. 3. Luk. 3.13. Act. 2.3. to a repentance and amendment from their offences, calling and bidding them k Eph. 2.3. to be coheirs with the Citizenship of his people Israel, l Esa. 2. Amos. 9 Zach. 8. Act. 15. that unto his people Israel, he might prepare him an upright people also out of the heathen, according to the promises and foreshowing of his holy Prophets. 28. Hereon ought all Generations of the earth to have regard, and duly to consider, whether they do accordingly take heed aright to their calling, which is out of grace come unto them from the bountiful God of Israel, and whether they do also with lowly hearts (as those that are unworthy the same) humble themselves for to obtain the right m joh 1. 3● 1 Pet. 1. birth of the righteous spirit out of God, to be fellow brethren with the children of the house of Jacob for to serve the living God, and in those days (when n Act. 3. the refreshing shall appear from the presence of God) to celebrate and glorify the same God of Israel with them, what time as he ingrafteth his branches into their right stock again, who for the Gentiles sakes, have been broken off and scattered, p Lu. 21. Rom. 12. until the fullness of the Gentiles should be come in, the treading down of Jerusalem have her end, and so all Israel be saved, according to the promises. 29. Therefore let us have a right regard to our calling, and separate ourselves according to the spirit, from the foolish course, q Rom. 1 Eph. 4, 5 1 Pet. 4 vain walking, and ignorant boasting of people, and humble our souls to the grace of our calling. 30. For if God in times past spared not his own people, but did cast out, break off, and scatter them abroad for their stiffneckedness, and pride's sake, and r Act. 13 Rom. 11 rejected the heathen in their room, how much less will he then spare the proud heathen, but cast out, break off, lay waist and scatter them, and in their stead, receive his own people Israel again, that they may serve him all the days of their lives, s Luk. 1. Eph. 4 in such righteousness and holiness as is pleasing unto him, they shall be his people, and he God with them, shall be their God from Generation to Generation everlastingly. 31. For thus saith the Lord concerning Israel, t Esa. 59 Rom. 11 there shall come a redeemer unto them in Zion, and to them that turn them from sin in Jacob, saith the Lord, and I make this Covenant with him saith the Lord, u Esa. 59 my Spirit which is in thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not departed from thy mouth, nor from the mouth of thy Seed, and childrens-childrens (saith the Lord) from henceforth for evermore. 32. In those days shall the treading down of Jerusalem have an end, and the word of the Lord shall be fulfilled concerning her; and unto her he said, x Esa. 60 arise Jerusalem, be bright, for thy light cometh, and the glory of the Lord ariseth upon thee; (than also will the Lord cause himself to be heard, even to the world's end) y Esa. 62 And they shall say to the daughter Zion, Lo thy Salvation cometh, behold he bringeth his Treasure with himself, and his reward is now prepared before him, they shall name them the holy People, the redeemed of the Lord, and thee [O Jerusalem] they shall call, the visited, and not the forsaken City. 33. Lo these are the promises concerning Jerusalem, and concerning Israel in the last time; let every one take heed to his time, according to his calling through Jesus Christ, and the end or principal scope of all righteousness, z 1 Tim. 1 is the love, wherein the promises of God are established; and that same is the true a 1 Joh. 3.4 token of the birth out of God, through the righteous spirit: It is true. 34. It is also there [in the same book] recorded, b 1 Glass. that those which are taught by the righteous spirit, are no longer servants of the Prophets, which (forsooth) some have read or heard thereof, and have by that means forsaken the requiring of the Prophetical Word of the Apostles of Christ, before they were (according to the mention of the Word) confirmed in their cailing, and through the persuasion that they had the truth or Spirit of God, they are stopped out of their calling, turned to the liking of their own opinion, c Rom. 1. Eph. 4. and so become vain in their understanding. 35. Some would needs account themselves free through the Spirit, d 1 Glass 3.4 before they have tasted or known the Spirit of Promise, and so have run forth before the time, and have not by their wisdom, understood the promises of God, nor the calling of the Gentiles. 36. When the man now regardeth not his calling (according to the requiring thereof) rightly, but looketh about to some other understanding, and will count himself free through the spirit, before the first or foregoing service (which e Gal. 3. Heb. 7. directeth or leadeth thereunto:) be accomplished or fufilled by him, then forsaketh he the service of the fore-witnessed or foregoing Word, and goeth forth in a liberty, which yet is false, according to his own spirit, before he hath fulfilled his servantship in the service of the foregoing holy Word, f Luk. 21. wherein he should possess his soul with patience, g 1 Cor. 11 and so show forth the death of Christ, upon hope and confidence of his coming for an holy anointing, and for an upright freedom in Jesus Christ unto him. 37. Who so therefore readeth these sentences in the first book, let him observe thereby what they require, and how they sound; namely, that those which desire to come to the blessedness and freedom of Christ, must h Rom. 6 Gal. 3.4 be at the first, servants or Disciples of the righteousness, deny and forsake themselves for Christ his sake, and always long to come to the true obedience of the righteousness in all love, i 1 Glass. 7. not according to men's imaginations, but according to God's calling, that so they might live k john 8 Rom. 6 free in the righteousness of God, and not in the sin, nor as servants of men: this same is there distinctly set forth, were it but rightly understood. 38. But who so hath regard to his own liberty, and not to the calling of his salvation, nor in the obeying of the foregoing Service ( l Rom. 6 13. Eph. 4. Col. 2.3 1 Pet. 2.4 to the mortifying and laying away of the sin in the flesh) doth not take heed to the same, that so he may be incorporated to the good spirit of Christ; the same man erreth not only from the doctrine of the Word after the manner of men, but also from the wisdom of the truth of God, and so getteth a delight in his own understanding; in such sort, that he neither hearkeneth, longeth, nor careth for the good any more, but hath a desire to error and perversity. 39 Oh! it is sure very lamentable, that the man out of such a mind cleaveth to the unrighteousness, or else chooseth another calling, and practiseth a selfe-made humility, m Col. 2. or spiritualness, and careth not for God's promises, nor establishing of his Word, n Luke 1 Acts 3 in such a sort as God hath heretofore spoken by the mouth of his holy Prophets from the beginning of the world. CHAP. XVI. 1. Of the saying, that men should be impartial, how it ought to be understood. 12. How the Common Love is profitable to impartiality. 16. Of those that are outwardly just unto men, but unjust before God. 22. Of such as think themselves to be impartial, because they regard no outward Religions, and in the mean space withhold from God that which is his. 28. Divers rail at all that observe any Religion. 35. How we are to judge of all outward God Services and Ceremonies. THere goeth also a sentence abroad among many, (whereof likewise much mention is made in our writings) that according to the requiring of Christian Doctrine, men should stand a 1 Cor. 3 impartial. 2. O ye dear beloved, err not through any conceit of the imagination, but have regard to the Word concerning the upright impartialnesse, and if ye mark the same well, you shall understand, that men are to be impartial in the truth, and with those that witness the truth under the obedience of the Love, to the intent that no man take part with flesh and blood, but with the truth, and be in the unity of the love, b Rom. 12 15 1 Cor. 1 2 Cor. 13. Phil. 2 well minded to a like life of righteousness, namely, with all them that do under the obedience of the love, witness and minister the gracious word of truth, and be comprehended in the upright brotherly love. 3. But men may not thus be impartial with the world, or with those that with heart and will do cleave unto the world, that lie still in the vanity and sin, and that are not believing nor desirous to obtain any better thing: no, nor with the conceited wise, nor with the maintainers of factious ceremonies, c 2 Cor. 12 Gal. 3 1 Tim. 6. 2 Pet. 2. who are envyers, blasphemers, and evil speakers against the holy Word of Truth, and of the service of his Love. 4. Truly, with such men are not to stand impartial, but with spirit and life to be against them utterly, and yet to show forth the upright nature of the love unto them, if happily by some means they might be drawn (to their preservation in the godliness) unto the communion of the Love. 5. But with the d Infra. 18 lovers of righteousness (as is aforesaid) and likewise with the sinners (such as cleave not by their will to the unrighteousness, but do daily departed therefrom, and have a fervent desire to the righteousness, under the obedience of the love) men are to stand impartial, and to stick fast unto that which is godly, and that tendeth to the concord and peace. 6. Therefore judge of the impartialnesse with understanding, and put a difference between the godly life, and the life of the world, and try yourselves, if so be you know yourselves. 7. Look into your hearts (observing whom you cleave unto, desire, and love) how, or with what manner disposition, ye stand impartial, whether ye would rather suffer e Heb. 11. or endure disgrace, reproach, and contmpt, with the Lovers of the Righteousness, then cleave unto the honour, voluptuousness and riches, or ease of this world: Oh! I fear that many of them boast themselves to stand impartial with the truth, who notwithstanding are altogether partially minded against the truth. 8. Nevertheless, let no man take any thing unto him out of any choosing, whether it be out of loathing or of liking, but let every one search his own heart, how he findeth the same disposed, & examine once himself, whether he stand impartial rightly or not. 9 And when the man hath seriously tried and proved himself herein, in such sort that he knoweth assuredly how his heart standeth, (in case he wholly love God and his righteousness, intent the truth in the Love with his whole soul, and desire to deny and to forsake himself, f Mat. 16. Luke 9.14 with all that is in the world, for the godliness sake) then shall he very well know and understand a difference between the cleavers to the world, and those that from the bottom of their souls love the righteousness. 10. Wheresoevea than any upright impartial hearts are found, and that they do show forth under the obedience of the Love, the praise of God, the salvation of men and the truth, out of the love of righteousness, and do point none unto flesh and blood, nor to any visible elements, but only to the good life of the true essential Godhead, and are thereunto serviceable to all men, to all concord in the love of Jesus Christ, with those are the Lovers of righteousness and truth, to stand impartial to the unity of heart in the love, and so to have regard to the ministration of the godly testimonies of the holy spirit of the Love unto obedience, for to walk in such a life of godliness, as is pointed out and witnessed thereby, and in that manner to grow up in the good g Eph. 2. Apo. 21 to an house or tabernacle of the living God or Christ, and to give no further respect to the outward, then as it is serviceable thereunto, to the intent, that no man may be bewitched in his spirit, but may cleave to the virtue and nature of the love, and that the h Col. 3. love may obtain a dwelling place or form in him. 11. Lo, after this manner ought men to live impartially in the good, i Esa. 1. Psa. 37. 2 Pet 3. to turn from all ungodly being, and not to maintain the evil. 12. There goeth also a saying about among divers, that to show the k 2 Pet. 1. common love is the most best means to keep one's self thus impartial. 13. It is true, our writings do also testify such things; howbeit, let every one for all that look to it, and beware of his own judgement, that by the l Gen. 3. Sap. 2. 2 Cor. 11. subtlety of the Serpent, or of her nature, or else by the mind of the flesh, he be not beguiled; the saying in itself is very right, but many that mark not the saying according to the truth, do speak the same with a wrong sight or understanding. 14. For some use such sentences for their own seekings cause, and so in such a show of virtue, their heart (in regard of being incorporated with God in the spirit) remaineth covered, m Esa. 29 Jer. 23 and estranged from God, and many also give great respect unto such say, insomuch that by occasion thereof, they do ofttimes (according to men's private conceit) cleave to some outward virtue, which surely is the very smallest of all, and do leave the principallest n Mat. 23 1 Cor. 13 1 Tim. 1 or greatest, which God requireth. The like did also many heretofore that were learned in the Law, upon whom the Lord pronounced woe, because they observed the least things of the Law (whilst they tythed Mint, Anise, and Cummin) and left the greatest matters of the Law, o Mat. 23 Luk. 11 to wit, judgement, mercy and faithfulness. 15. For albeit they observed all this after an outward show, so as they seemed thereby to be righteous, yet was it all surely of no value, seeing they were not joined with whole heart unto God, p joh. 15 nor according to the spirit incorporated with him. 16. Furthermore, divers men there are found, which (after the outward fashion) give every one his own, and unto divers (out of common love) show outward mercy indifferently, who also carry themselves so justly, that q Phil. 3 outwardly they are not to be reproved in any thing, howbeit, they are inwardly before God thiefs and r Mat. 23 joh. 10 false men, because they withhold from God that which is his, s Esa. 29 Ezek. 33. Mat. 15 that is to say, their heart, which is far from him, and standeth subject or tied unto visible things, which heart or inward mind, belongeth wholly, yea only unto God. 17. Therefore God is not appeased nor satisfied with the least, when the heart is not turned from all visible and mutable things, and doth not cleave perfectly unto him, or at least endeavour towards it, to wit, that the man desire of God out of his grace, that God will strengthen him to the obeying of his will, and t Eccl. 3 prepare his heart to his will and pleasure. 18. Look whose hearts are not thus minded, u Deut. 6 Mat. 22 for to love and cleave unto God with all their souls, their common love is false and altogether unclean, x Rom. 1 for they have yet willingly a pleasure in their own concupiscence, and are yet far distant from the upright love of God, nevertheless they do sometimes persuade themselves that they have the very best conceiving of the righteousness, and so proceed on according to the common course of worldly hearts. 19 Therefore there is great diversity between the unpartial men, who addict their hearts unto God, and to the good, and those men whose hearts have minded worldly things, and yet do boast them of the unpartiallnesse. For look what unto worldly hearts [namely, unto such hearts as are turned from God and his service of Love] is a pleasure, lust, and life, that same is unto all the children of righteousness, y Luk. 16 an abomination and a horrible death. 20. Wherefore mark well the meaning, in what state or being the right unpartiality consisteth, and out of what heart it is, that men are to exercise the common-love, rightly; verily with such an heart, as out of all his mind z Eccl. 1.2 feareth God, and is inclined to the upright virtue in the love, or is comprehended therein, and not with an unadvised heart, which is without understanding in his common-love, and in his unpartialnesse that distinguisheth not the godliness, or the worldly righteousness, one from the other, or that hath a pleasure to run on crookedly and erringly, a Luk. 12 to set his rest or to fix his heart in the earthly love, b Rom. 1 Eph. 4 1 Pet. 4. according to the course of the blind world, or mind of the flesh. 21. Be not utterly I pray you c Eph. 5 without understanding, but learn well to discern the truth, and let the Lord and his righteousness be a pleasure unto you, and err not by any wrong sight that standeth in opinion or imagination, but observe judgement, and regard the thing which is right and just. 22. There is found moreover a certain kind of people, which persuade themselves that they are unpartial, because they stand untied and unbound from all outward Religions or God-services, and from all such as are called Sects, supposing that in such a sort it is altogether well with them, and that so standing they are in good case, because they are so free, and have such a conscience as passeth not for such things: they set up their rest also, that they will not trouble themselves about any thing, nor respect or have any regard, either of Jerusalem or of Zion, or else of God's Communion of Saints, but do earnestly care how they may get their living and welfare, maintain their Family, and withal do that which is equal and right to every man, having a Proverb: Let God's Water run over God's Field, and let us take our rest. 23. Is not this to have utterly mistaken the life of the truth, and the testimonies of the upright unpartiallnesse? Shall there be no d Esa. 2 40, 59 Mat. 5 1 Pet 1 word of life then, nor service of love ministered, nor any thing thereout to be expected, or e Rom. 8 longed for? Are then the promises of God (which concern f Esa. 51.52, 60 etc. Jerusalem and Zion) come all to an end? And shall the oath of God which he hath sworn (as that the world g Nu. 14 Mac. 2 shall be filled with his glory) be thus utterly forgotten? Will he not then gather together his holiness again, h Esa. 43 Baruc. 5. Mat. 24 from all Coasts of the earth, and be gracious unto them? Yes assuredly, he will not be slack, nor foreslow his time. 24. But alas this is least thought upon; howbeit, that which concerns themselves they think much of; but i Lam. 1.4 Ezek. 8.9 23 Dan. 8 whether God hath that which is his, or that he remaineth (as a stranger) without his Sanctuary, that care they not for; they will be sure to take to themselves the earthly things, which (as true it is) God hath created for the man, and for the man's welfare, but their hearts, which God (according to the inward man) hath created for k Leu. 26 Ezek. 36.37 2 Cor. 6 his own dwelling, and for the praise of his glory, they draw to the earthly l Sap. 2. Rom. 1 and corruptible things, and so steal or with hold-from God, that which is his, and are thiefs in God's honour, and in his earthly created goods. 25. Note once I pray you and consider, whether the same be a right unpartiallnesse or not; Notwithstanding in such a state they seem to be righteous men for all that: yea such a one shall with many welenough pass for a brother of the Gospel, but truly according to such a course (if we will come no nearer unto God) we are before God m Esa. 1 John 10 all thiefs and robbers, Idolaters, Adulterers, and Adulteresses. 26. This is doubtless a great abomination or abhorring, that the man toeth himself to such things as God hath n Gen. ● created unto good for him, I say nothing yet of such as use them so unseemly and inordinately, and so shutteth his God out at doors, and keepeth the godly being out of his heart. 27. Therefore let us learn to stand upright in the unpartialnesse, according to the truth, and not after the manner of men, and (afore all things) give unto God, o Deut. ● Mat. 22 that which belongeth unto him, [namely, the heart and mind] and likewise p 1 Tim. ●. use that well which belongeth unto us, to the land and praise of his glory, that he (blessed may he be) who is all in all, may also be glorified and praised in all, and that we in like manner might be made an q Tit. 2 acceptable people unto him, as his own Creation, r Gen. 1. Eph. 2 and work of his own hands, wherein he liveth and reigneth, and might moreover be made the Sheep of his Pasture, a City of Peace, and an house s 1 Cor. 3 or Temple for his dwelling. To this end should we take heed to his holy calling, that we may be made children or t Rom. 8 Eph 3 heirs of his spiritual and heavenly goods. O yea, even so be it. 28. Again there are found certain others, which persuade themselves to be unpartial, who boldly reproach or revile others, and rail at those whom they hold for Factions, or that are called Sects, and u 2 Pet. 2 jude. 1 so speak evil of that which themselves know not, neither can they discern the matter, according to the truth, but despise the thing that seemeth amiss in their eyes, and yet cannot point the erring or wand'ring one's to any better. 29. Oh when shall the perverse mouth once keep silence, the x Psal. 34 1 Pet. 3. reproaching lips be put far from us, and that once sought (from the heart, and out of love) which is equal? 30. O rail not ye beloved, and pluck no man from his zeal, to any fleshly or worldly understanding, as some have done, whilst they have turned those from their zeal, that were zealous after righteousness, and because they could not point them to any better, then that was, which before they had their zeal in, therefore fell they to the world, and became more erring and blind then ever they were before, but in this manner ought it not to go ye dearly beloved. 31. But if there were any godly wisdom & upright love, men should use it in this sort; that is to wit, they should testify that y Phil. 4 Heb. 10 which were right and reasonable, according to the requiring of God and the truth, they should cleave unto God with the whole heart in the spirit, and so z Eph. 4 reach one another the hand to the love, and not reproach nor despise any, nor yet turn any aside to the earthly and mutable things, or to any partiality, to the intent that they which had the right teaching and did minister the gracious Word of the Lord, might then likewise be heard and understood aright and according to the truth; and that all zealous hearts might be united a Col. 3 in one band of love, and all they likewise which love the equity b Sap. 8 and righteousness, become one heart c Act. 4. and mind, d Eph. 4 as there is one God, one Faith, and one manner Salvation, in all and with all. 32. After such a manner ought men to stand unpartial, and to this effect, e 2 Pet. 1 to use the common love, and not to destroy that which is good, or to make division, nor yet to strengthen the world in her wickedness, but to have a desire that the zeal to righteousness, under the obedience of the love, might be spread abroad among many, with a loathing of the sin, and all unrighteousness. 33. Howbeit, to exhort any man that he suffer not his heart to be bound nor entangled with any thing that is outward, is very meet, so far forth as his heart may thereby be turned to have regard to the upright virtue of a pure heart and to the love, f Gal. 3 whereby to be subject to the outward things no more, but to serve the living God with a willing spirit. 34. Thus or to this effect men shall lose the binding of the heart, and proceed towards the upright righteousness, with a free mind and humble heart to God; for such things doth God require above all, and not the g Rom. 3 Gal. 3.6 tying to the outward, wherein neither life nor death of souls consisteth, nor any life of righteousness required. 35. For indeed it is true, yea certain and sure, both by the testimony of the godly truth in the spirit, and also by the testimony of the Prophets and Apostles of Christ, that neither in any thing whatsoever is visible or feelable, nor in any factious God services or ceremonies, which are observed with men's hands in contention, and do not require any life of righteousness, consisteth either any salvation nor condemnation, before God; h Rom. 14 1 Cor 8 neither can they bring any vantage or damage at all unto the souls of them, whose hearts are not entangled therewith, or have not any abhorring thereof. 36. Notwithstanding, if the God-services and ceremonies be Jewish, or Christian, i Rom. 3 then do they testify of the life which God commandeth, and k Rom. 8 Gal. 3.4 Heb. 7 requireth by them: but if the ceremonies or God services be heathenish, or men's invention, or if they be ministered in strife, and in schism or partiality, then do those ceremonies and services show, that the life of those people that minister them, is bewitched, and that they l 1 Cor. 1.2 know not God, nor m Rom. 10 his righteousness, nor yet undeastand his Law or will, and that they do walk in a n jer. 7.11 Eph. 4 mere imagination, and not after the Lords will, and that is the thing which God forbiddeth. 37. For surely it is thick darkness over the children of men, o Esa. 59 that they be so utterly blinded and bewitched of spirit, that they cannot comprehend nor understand the upright life of righteousness; for men are not to be subject in the spirit to the outward things wherewith they are served, but should let themselves be served therewith to the upright righteousness, and should cleave unto that which is spirit and the true life itself, and which is required by those outward services. 38. After this manner p Rom. 14 1 Cor. 8 if the heart be not tied with lusting and liking unto the outward things, neither doth through any fear or disliking abhor them, the Ceremonies do stand free for the Believers, indifferently to be used. CHAP. XVII. In this Chapter is showed the right difference between the true God-service and the Idol-service, and also the Ceremonies of either's Services. NOw there are certain also that (being entangled) make conscience, that men must necessarily use the Christian Ceremonies (after the counterfeiting out of the Letter) as a Commandment of the Lord. 2. Therefore seeing we now find many such people, as in their consciences are tied or bound, that they must necessarily use the services and ceremonies, which after the testimonies of the Christian Services and Ceremonies, are counterfeited out of the Letter, as a Commandment of the Lord, and because they understand nothing at all of the difference between the right Services and Ceremonies, and the counterfeit, I could not for the Love's sake omit, to show also a right difference of the same. 3. Thus mark now, ye Lovers of the truth, how that between the true Services and Christian Ceremonies, which are administered a Mat. 28 Mat. 16 Acts 2.3 4. etc. out of the true light and word of life, and the counterfeit services and ceremonies which are administered out of the knowledge of the Letter, there must a right difference be noted and observed, and so then must be considered, to what intent or to what sense the true services and Christian ceremonies are God's Commandment, and whether the services and ceremonies be Gods everlasting Commandment, or else be but annexed b Gal. 3 Heb. 7 or joined to the everlasting Commandment of God or Christ, for to serve the man withal in the obeying of them, and to bring him in to the everlasting Commandment and life of God, and that he should by such a means understand Gods everliving Commandment c Rom. 12 and Will, and live therein: For Gods true Commandment hath been from everlasting, and d Esa. 4 Mat. 24 1 Pet. 1. and remaineth unchangeable, to everlasting. 4. It is e Exod. 20 Deut. 5. commanded in the Law, that men should rest upon the Sabbath day, or sanctify the same, and such other like; and after that the mouth of the the Wisdom and Truth saith, f Mar. 2 that the man is not made for the Sabbath day's sake, but the Sabbath day for the man's sake, showing a difference in God's Commandment, [namely, between that thing which was God's commandment from everlasting, and abideth unchangeable, and that which for men's sake was annexed thereunto] because they should understand God's righteousness, and his everlasting commandment thereby. 5. And thus were the g Exod. 12.38.39.40. Luk. 1.2.3.4, 5, 6. etc. ceremonies of the Law annexed to God's everlasting commandment, [that is, unto that which hath been God's commandment from everlalasting, and shall abide for ever,] because the people of Israel should out of the ceremonies of the Law, and out of the outward Godservices of the same, h Deut. 30 4 Esd. 7 understand the life of godliness and the righteousness which God requireth, and so live therein [namely, to love their God i Exod. 20 Deut. 4.6.10 Mat. 22 with all their hearts, and their neighbour as themselves] after all the manner of their Fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to whom the ceremonies were not commanded, and yet for all that (being obedient to the Lords commandments) they walked always in his statutes and ordinances, which obedience or walking in the upright life, was required by the Law, and by the obeying of the ceremonies or outward God-services, and were published through Christ in the world. 6. But whilst now that in times past, there came a k Rom. 11 blindness upon the learned in the Law, insomuch that they knew no difference between the upright life that God requireth (which is his commandment from everlasting) and the ceremonies of the Law, which were annexed thereunto, & that the upright life ( l Mat. 3.17 2 Pet. 1. wherein God had his delight) was appeared and come, therefore risen there up many controversies about the services and ceremonies amongst them that m Mat. 12.15, 19, 21, 22. knew not the upright life, and there fell out many questions and janglings, and that all for the law and the ceremonies cause; but God had no pleasure in any thing save only his beloved, the like life of his being, in whom he had good pleasure: And this is his Commandment, n Deut. 18 Mat. 17. Act. 3 even that men should hear, believe, and obey the same, and live for ever therein, and that men should obey the services and ceremonies administered out of the true light and word of life, to an incorporating thereinto. 7. Now inasmuch as divers in times past, o Mat. 15, 23. Joh. 9 gave greater respect to the ceremonies, and works of the Law, then to the life of godliness; therefore they did cleave to the ceremonies and works of the Law, and believed not the life that was required thereby, but fell away from the right stock of the p Joh. 8 father Abraham. 8. But the believers (that gave more regard to the life of godliness, then to the ceremonies or works of the Law) abode still q joh. 6 by the word of life, and were not bound, albeit they forsook the ceremonies of the Law, which were out of the Letter commanded, by the unilluminate and unbelievers of the word of life; for the ceremonies could not in themselves without the word or light of life, extend to any commandment of God. 9 Therefore was the upright life at that time r Deut. 18 published and taught, because men should believe the same as a precept or commandment of the Lord, and be obedient unto his requiring, that so (through the belief) they might be made free s Act. 15 Rom. 3 Eph. 2 from the sin, or be justified therefrom, and might live thereby with God the Father to an everlasting peace according to the promises. 10. This communality or believers of the good life, were as children of the belief and obedience, t Mat. 26.28 Acts 2.4. joined together to a bringing in to the same life, under the service of the holy Word, and the hand reached them thereunto, with the Christian ceremonies of Baptism, and the Supper of Christ, which Christian ceremonies were administered unto them out of the word of life, and observed by them to obedience; yet not for the ceremonies, but for the upright life's sake, which (being afterward to come) was u Infra. 23 required therewith. And thus the Christian ceremonies were not the everlasting commandment of God; but the word of life was it. 11. Howbeit, the ceremonies were annexed thereunto for an assistance x Gal. 3.4 Heb. 7 and bringing in of the believers into the life, as is aforesaid, even as the same is prefigured unto us, by the ceremonies of the Catholic Church of Jesus Christ, to the intent that the believers of the holy word, and of the good life or Christ, should through the service of the ceremonies, y 2 Pet. 1 have regard to the same word of life, being afterward to come. 12. Even thus for the good life's cause, and for the man's sake, are the true Christian ceremonies of the gracious word, and of his service of love now in the last time annexed unto God's everlasting Commandment, for an assistance of all them to the z 2 Pet. 1 entrance of the upright life, which believe in Jesus Christ, and humble themselves to the service of his love, to the end they should be brought thereby to the life, which is God's everlasting commandment, and still abideth [namely, to a Deut. 10 30 Mat. 22 love our God with all our hearts, and our neighbour as ourselves, and to obtain the same b Rom. 3 Eph. 2. through the belief] even as it is preached and written, because no man should trust upon the ceremonies, and find himself deceived by being without the upright life. 13. Nevertheless after those days of the foresaid ministration of the Christian ceremonies, many c 1 Tim. 4 2 Tim. 3. 2 Pet. 2 fell away from the true belief of Christ, or of the good life, knowing no difference in God's precept or commandment, wherethrough there are now also many become vain in their understandings, in such sort, that they themselves know not the meaning of the christian ceremonies, nor yet to what purpose they were adjoined to God's commandment; and by that occasion there is risen up (for the Christian ceremonies cause) much discord and debate, even as heretofore it came to pass, for d 2 Cor. 11 Gal. 1.2, 3, 4, 5, 6 the Jewish ceremonies. 14. Wherefore seeing the services of the former Christian ceremonies after the Letter, do bring in controversy, and are not set forth or observed out of the word of life, nor out of the love of Jesus Christ, to the unity of heart in the love, but out of the letter with different understandings, and in dissension, and cannot alone in themselves extend to any commandment of God, therefore are not the believers of the good life [namely, the communality under the obedience of the love of jesus Christ] bound (as is rehearsed) thereunto, as of necessity outwardly to observe them, but they stand free unto them either to keep, or to omit them, to wit e Rom. 14 as they serve them to peace, and are edifiable unto men; for God's commandment f joh. 12 is the everlasting life, and that is the very love itself, even g Deut. 10.30. Mat. 19.22 Rom. 13 to love God above all things, and our neighbour as ourselves. 15. Lo, this (to be short) is the difference of the Jewish and Christian ceremonies, and of those of the Family of the Love of Jesus Christ, namely, to what purpose their office or service is commanded, and to what intent they are annexed to the everlasting Commandment of God and observed. 16. Now there are likewise divers people that will not use some ceremonies (because they judge them as heathenish or idolatrous services, and as a forbidding of the Lord) by means of abhorring and fear that they have of them, lest any harm or hindrance should happen unto their souls thereby, concereing the which it also must be considered, how and wherefore the same should be idolatrous services, and a forbidding of God, for every unright asage hath his occasion, sense, and signification, 17. For whilst the heathen or the urcircumoised people (are in respect of the knowledge of God, become vain; h Rom. 1 Eph. 4 blind, and insensible, (as being utterly estranged from the upright life which God esteemeth,) therefore do they make or counterfeit unto themselves out of the vanity of their thoughts, services and ceremonies, which the vain hearts that understand not God's Law and Ordinance, are bewitched and bound with. 18. So then the vain, corrupt, and bewitched life [which neither knoweth, nor loveth the living God, nor his i Rom. 1 Eph. 4 righteousness; but is rebellious and unfaithful to God] is Gods forbidding. And out of it have the blind people which know not the upright life, joined thereunto their services and ceremonies, k Deut. 12 wherefore the contrary life to God is the forbidding of the Lord, [to wit, that men shall not believe, serve, nor be subject to the same] and not alone the heathenish services and ceremonies in themselves. 19 And for the bewitched life's cause, all is idol-service, and against God's will, which such people as are held captive under it, or in their inwardness are corrupted and bewitched by it, do observe and use, not for the services, but l Esa. 1.58 Amos 5 Mic. 6 for their corrupt lives sake. 20. For albeit they do out of such a bewitched life of unbelief take on them or counterfeit any thing, which men call Jewish or Christian ceremonies, yet it is not that which availeth before God, m Eph. 2.4 because they are strangers from the life which is of God. 21. Therefore seeing they are become n Rom. 1 vain and dark in their understanding, insomuch that they know neither the true God, or his true God-service, nor the Idol or his Idol-service, therefore neither are their outward Gods which men call Idols in themselves, o 1 Cor. 8 the right Idols (but they are that they are) neither are their services or ceremonies, the right Idol-services: For the Idol and the Idol-service (which God accounteth for such, and shutteth for ever without him and his Kingdom, and will not have it to be in his Temple or Tabernacle, but inwardly to be rooted out) p 1 Reg. 15. 1 Cor. 6 Eph. 5 Col. 3. is the depraved or corrupt life as is aforesaid; by which corrupt life, the people that are holden therewith, are bewitched and tied to the unprofitable and vain things, which indeed are all Idol-services. 22. Forasmuch then as the services and ceremonies of the vain minded people (which are ministered in their estranging from God's true righteousness) cannot bewitch our hearts, whilst that we are not, nor may not be made partakers of their vain, perverse and corrupt life with the heart, neither do suffer ourselves to take pleasure in such things, q 1 Cor. 10 how should their outward services and ceremonies (simply of themselves) be in any wise unto us a forbidding of the Lord, or any idolatrous service? r john 4 For God is a Spirit, and in the Spirit maketh known unto us, that he beyond all and above all, desirefh s Deut. 6.10 Mat. 22 only out hearts, and that therein (as in his living Temple) he will t Leu. 26 Ezek. 37 john 14 2 Cor. 6 Apo. 21 live and dwell, and only in the same be served and honoured, in all upright righteousness and holiness. 23. Therefore mark this ground, and consider in your understanding, to what purpose God commandeth to be obedient unto his services and ceremonies, which are administered out of his word of life, and wherefore the heathenish services and ceremonies be against God: and how that the right God-services and ceremonies do cleave, and are knit to the good life and upright being of the living God, and the right Idol-services and idolatrous ceremonies do cleave, and are knit to the corrupt life and word of vain imagination. 24. Now if ye mark this according to the truth, then shall ye well understand, how or in what sort u Mat. 15 23 Rom. that the outward services of the heathen or uncircuncised, be esteemed least of before God, and how also that the outward Ordinances of God, are the smallest services in the service of his Saints, and that God doth most of all regard that we (through his Ordinances and ceremonies) be joined unto him, and so then (according to the requiring of his ceremonies) x Deut. 6 Mat. 22 love him with all our hearts, and our neighbour as our ourselves, and y john. 17 know him as a true God, how that he only is the Lord, and the everlasting life. 25. Nevertheless it is unto me well known, that sundry speeches go about among the children of men, wherewith they despise and blaspheme our godly testimonies, and according to their conceit out of the Scripture or Letter, or out of the imagination of their knowledge, do allege much there-against, saying, this is God's commandment, hereby must we abide, or this is God's forbidding, who can say against it? 26. It is true concerning the outwad, they can (out of the Scripture) speak very much, do make therewith much z Rom. 16 division, strife, and discord among each other; but they seldom think or consider that they ought to come in the spirit, to a Joh. 5 that which the Scripture pointeth unto. 27. Oh that they all knew the right meaning of the commandment or forbidding of God, according to the truth, then should the strife for outward things be soon ended and laid down! 28. But look into the matter ye dearly beloved, whether it goeth not now also as it did heretofore with the Galathians (when many of them were bound with the outward circumcision) b Gal. 3, 5, 6 whilst certain caused themselves to be circumcised, supposing out of the testimonies of the Scripture according to the letter, that the same (although notwithstanding it was not administered unto them out of the Word of life, under the obedience of the belief) was yet a commandment of the Lord, such as according to the letter men were necessarily to keep; but inasmuch as they distinguished not the services and ceremonies, which were administered unto them out of the Word of Life, from the services which were administered unto them out of the letter, without the word and light of Life, neither had the sight of the living commandment of the Lord, or of God, nor yet discerned or knew the same from the commandment according to the letter, therefore were they c Gal. 3.5 lead away with the outward, from proceeding in the spirit, and were very miserably bewitched with the outward, because they thought that even the salvation of souls lay therein. 29. On the other side, there were also many among the Corinthians, that d 1 Cor. 8 made conscience, and counted it for an abomination, to buy, eat, or use the offering of the Idols, after the manner of the heathens ceremonies, supposing that Gods forbidding and the hurt of souls, lay in the outward ceremonies of the heathen, and that of themselves alone they were Idol-services. But what (I pray you) is there on the one side or on the other, or in any such like that concerns us? 30. Verily in case we be come to the knowledge of the truth, and to the right discerning of this difference, than we know that all the outward services of the heathen (so that the heart stand free from them) are not of force to e Mat. 15 defile the inward man, f 1 Cor. 4 Gal. 4 in whom Christ hath his form. 31. Also there consisteth in them alone, neither salvation nor condemnation, such as God respecteth. For look what the heathen or the vain minded uncircumcised people do observe, as concerning their God-services that is their ignorance, g Eph. 2.4 because they know not the true God, neither do hunger nor thirst after his upright righteousness. 32. In case then that we be come to the true knowledge h john 17 of the living God, (the which is our calling,) and do from the heart love his life of righteousness in the spirit, shall we then say, and in such an ignorance rest persuaded, that the God-service after the heathenish manner should be any thing, or that it were the very Idol-service itself, that be far from us. 33. We confess before God and his truth, and before all that believe thereon, that there is i 1 Cor. 8 no outward Idol, nor any outward Idol-service in heaven, nor on earth, but that there is one only God, (whose God-service requireth the upright righteousness, and likewise reacheth to the k Heb. 8.9 ministration of the spiritual and heavenly goods in the living being of God, according to the spirit, wherethrough all things are, & out of the same & his spiritual & heavenly ministration in the spirit, precedeth l john 17 Eph. 4 the upright righteousness & the unity of the heart in the love, & the true God-service on the earth, whose Altar is m Heb. 9 not made with men's hands, out is prepared of God from the beinning of the world for evermore; & on the other side, we confess that all the God-services & Gods of the heathen are but vain n jer. 10 mockeries, & for noughtels to be respected, then for a foolish enchantment in the ignorance, wherewith the vain hearts (which know nothing of God, nor of his Law) are bewitched and tied. 34. Whilst then the ceremonies which (in contention) men call God services, and as it were Ordinances of Christianity, and which in sundry manners are brought in out of the Letter, do now bring much wrangling, strife, and dissension in, therefore busy we not ourselves much about them (whilst that our heart is very little, or nothing at all tied unto them) but rather have more regard, o Gal. 5. Heb. 10 to give heed after the spirit unto that which the ceremonies of the Law, and the services of the holy, Church of Jesus Christ do require, or whereunto they are administered and used by the holy ones of God, and by the ancient Fathers of the holy Church of Jesus Christ, out of the true light. 35. Nevertheless though we say we have more regard to attend unto that which the ceremonies and services of the holy Church of Jesus Christ do require, yet do we not therefore despise the Christian ceremonies or services, as though they were of no value, or were besides the mind of the Spirit of Jesus Christ; O no, that be far from us, but we esteem them great in their right degree and use, p Gen. 17 Mat. 28 Mat. 16. as that the salvavation is with the ceremonies (but not through them) promised unto the believers, q Rom. 3.9 Gal. 2.3 yet not that it should appear or come out of them. 36. For if the salvation were bound to the ceremonies, then must God needs be a liar, whilst he had not ability to show mercifulness unto men out of his grace, nor to save them, r Rom. 3.11 Eph. 2. but that they must deserve the salvation through the works of the ceremonies. 37. Howbeit God abideth true, and gracious, s Psal. 116 Rom. 3 but the man is unfaithful and lying; for the man hath forsaken the covenant of his God, and hath t 4 Esd. 7.8 not regarded his promises, but abused his ceremonies, broken and despised the right ordinances, and in the ministration of them, hath not attended unto the salvation of the belief, nor yet trusted in God, to obtain the same according to the promises, but is u 1 Tim. 4 fallen away from the meaning of the belief, gone forth after his own taken on faith, and hath forgotten the rock x Deut. 32 Rom. 9 1 Pet. 2 of his salvation. 38. Nevertheless, though (through infidelity, and the ignorance of men) the right use of the ceremonies, and the meaning of the true belief, and of the godly promises, be of many men forsaken, y Num. 23 Deut. 4 Rom. 3 2 Tim. 2 yet is God true notwithstanding, and he withholdeth not that which he hath promised, for his holy names sake; hereby declaring, that he is not unfaithful or lying as the man is, but an everlasting, z Eccl. 2 gracious and true God towards those that love him, that seek his righteousness from the heart, and a Mat. 5 hunger and thirst after it. 39 For he b Deut. 4 forgetteth not his Covenant which he hath made with the Fathers, neither doth he break his promises in c Luk. 1 such manner as he hath spoken them (aforetimes) by the mouth of his holy Pruphets, but will (for his own sake establish them, and cause the man d Psal. 50 to see his own human unfaithfulness and lying against his God, how that the man hath not regarded God's Covenant nor his promises, under the services and ceremonies, which were ordained for him of God; to this end that he e Exod. 12 13 Mat. 26 Luke 22 1 Cor. 11 should think upon the same, to the intent he might be saved, according to the promises. 40. But not f Ro. 9.11 that God's promises are established out of the ceremonies, or through the works of the ceremonies. O no, but g Rom. 5 Gal. 5 in the love, according to the spirit, and according to the truth out of the heavenly being, through the belief, even as it is promised, and as the Scripture maketh mention. 41. Wherefore seeing that God hath now out of his grace given us h 2 Cor. 4 such clearness (under the obedience of the requiring of his service of love) in the spirit of our hearts, therefore look we more upon the promises, giving heed unto that [namely the i 1 Tim. 1 love] which the promises are established in, than we do upon the like counterfeited services or ceremonies: And for this cause we cannot let our hearts be bound or entangled with any thing that is ministered without the true light and service of love, nor yet yield to take part either against or with it, burdo endeavour ourselves to the upright k Eph. 4 righteousness and holiness in Jesus Christ, and to all concord in the love and her service. 42. For thereunto were we and all men called heretofore of God the Father, through the spirit of Christ, even that we should come through faith l Rom. 3.5, 8 to the righteousness in Jesus Christ, and to his true m Mat. 22 john 17 1 Tim. 1 love, and that the ceremonies out of the true light, should for the same intent be serviceable unto us. 43. Now might one here demand if the matter be so, why then have some yet regard to taking part with flesh and blood? And wherefore do some yet make conscience to themselves, to account the Schismatical ceremonies indifferent unto them for some are held captive with affections, in their conscience, n Rom. 14 Gal. 3.4, 5 insomuch that they must yet observe certain ceremonies, and others again have such an o 1 Cor. 8.10. abhorring of them, that they must necessarily leave them? Answer. 44. Their unbelief p Rom. 1 Eph. 4 and blindness is the cause of it, inasmuch as they believe not the promises of God, nor yet understand that the same are avouched in the spirit, but will justify and esteem themselves faithful, either by cleaving to these, or by leaving of those ceremonies, and think that before God they should be counted unfaithful, if their hearts were not steadfastly bound unto those things, which they q Col. 2 have chosen to themselves, and which without the word of life, and requiring of his service of love, they judge their faithfulness to consist in, not perceiving how unfaithful r Esa. 59 and lying themselves are in their inwardness unto God and his upright righteousness. For the Lord requireth by his services and ceremonies principally, the inward s Ezek. 36 Mat. 23 Luk. 11 cleanness according to the spirit. And even to that end did the old Fathers of the holy Church of Jesus Christ, t Act. 2.8 10. etc. use the ceremonies among Christ his believers. 45. But because this is not understood nor believed aright by the children of men, therefore know they not also what is reckoned unto them for salvation, nor yet wherein consisteth the condemnation. 46. For seeing they give respect to their unclean consciences, and are fast tied to something that directeth not to God and his righteousness, they cannot therefore perceive nor understand what God requireth of them, for their consciences are stained with something which they esteem for holy, and yet is not of God, and therefore they fear. 47. But if they came to the u Joh. 1 2 Pet. 1 1 joh. 1 sight of the living being of God, which only is holy, and whereby all visible things are hallowed, and be used or ministered uprightly, then would they (through the ministering of the x Sap. 13 Rom. 1 visible things) have regard to the everlasting, & not to the corruptible, either for to fear it, or else for to esteem the outward, above the profit thereof, as whereby they might in any wise be accused, and would in the spirit love that, which all is comprehended in, and which the ceremonies of the Law of the belief, and of the service of love do point and direct unto. 48. So then the sum of all that God requireth of us, is y 1 Reg. 15 an obedience which is after God, and not after the manner of men, or according to elementish working; namely, An z Ezck. 36 1 Tim. 1 upright heart towards God and his righteousness, a a Psal. 51 willing spirit, and a pure unspotted conscience in Jesus Christ. 49. b Heb. 6 10 Let us hereunto, in the obedience of the requiring of the service of Love, proceed on with c 1 Tim. 1 unfamed of faith, in d Rom. 12 1 Pet. 1.3 brotherly love, and in e Rom. 12 2 Cor. 13 Heb. 12 a peaceable mind; for thereunto are we called, and this same is the upright Salvation, which God maketh choice of in us. Take it to heart. CHAP. XVIII. 1. We are exhorted to accept of the proffered Grace, and to grow up in Righteousness, unto the Glory which shall be revealed at the last. 3. Not to bind our Consciences to any outward thing, nor to assume any Liberty to ourselves. 11. To take heed of Halting on both sides, and of Mixing with the World. 15. We are at first, called to Sanctification, and not to much Confessing with the mouth. 16. Christ (indeed) is to be confessed: but how? SEeing then (Dearly-beloved) that such a godly sight is now in these dangerous times by God's Grace appeared unto us, that we sensibly perceive in ourselves the divine Calling to the same: (which appeareth unto us, not out of Flesh nor Blood; but is brought unto us out of the heavenly Truth, or Loins of Jesus Christ, through a Acts 2. the holy Ghost, b Acts 15. for to cleanse our hearts through Faith, according to the Promises; the which is c 1 Cor. 3. the blessing and increase of God, that is not tied unto any working of men, but is the power of God the Father himself, for d Eph. 1. a pledge of our Inheritance:) therefore let us take heed to such an appeared e 2 Cor. 6. Hebr. 12. Grace, and f Heb. 3. not turn us away in the time of the godly calling of Salvation, but give over our hearts (in the belief) thereunto [namely, to the obedience of the Love, in the Spirit] and so (with all inclination of love, with lowly hearts unto God, and with long-suffering) g Eph. 1.4. 1 Pet. 2. grow up and increase in the Righteousness and Holiness that are pleasing unto God, that we may be a seat of the holy Triumph of our Lord Jesus Christ in his Coming. Which heavenly clearness of the godly Triumph, and of the glory of his Christ in the Spirit, h Rom. 16. Ephes. 3. Col. 1. 2 Tim. 1. hath hitherto been hidden from the World, and hath ceased, because it should be i 1 Pet. 1. disclosed and made manifest (in holy Glory) in the last time, to the joy of the Believers, that hope for the salvation of upright hearts. 2. That truly is it which God requireth, and whereunto all Gods Prophets have born witness: And k Joel. 2. Acts 2. it shall come to pass (saith God) in the last days. 3. Therefore let no man now make to himself any conscience, l Col. 2. Gal. 4.5 nor suffer his heart to be bound or tied by any earthly outward thing, that he be not thereby hindered for coming to the purity or sanctification of the heart, which (out of God) cometh to pass in the Spirit. 4. Let no man also take any thing upon him to any intent of Liberty, whereby to live m Gen. 3. Eph. 4. in the apple of conscience, after the mind of this World. For (in such a course) the Liberty should be wholly abused, and be unto us an occasion n Gal. 5. 1 Pet. 2. to use liberty according to the Flesh, and utterly to fail of the upright o John 8. Rom. 6. Liberty in Jesus Christ. 5. But seeing that we have now obtained an upright liberty in Jesus Christ (under the obedience of the Love) in the using of the Services and Ceremonies; and that both it, and the manner how we are to use the Ceremonies uprightly (in these dangerous times, is risen up unto us in our hearts, and vouchsafed us of God, therefore are we to look into this Liberty after the Spirit, for to use it to a growth of the upright life in the Spirit, that there may p Isa. 1.10. Rom. 9 remain a seed to preservation: for than will the God of heaven (now in the last time) make his holy Name, and his secret Wisdom famous and notable, against all the wise of this World, q Mat. 11. 1 Cor. 1. & 2. & 3. who by their own wisdom, do not understand the secret Wisdom of God. 6. Hereunto let your hearts be inclined, ye Dearly-beloved, and not to the infidelity delitie of the blind World, nor to the contention of the seditious Letter-learned. And in any case take heed to your r Eccl. 4. & 27. Gal. 6. time, ye that are come to such a sight, and to the holy calling of the godly love; and thank God from the heart (with a cheerful mind) s Tit. 2. for such an appeared grace, out of the bountiful kindness of his love, in this last abominable time, whose end reacheth to the destruction t Mat. 25. Rom. 2. 2 Pet. 3. or condemnation of all wicked men. 7. Let your eyes of the spirit, and u Prov. 4. your whole heart of Understanding stand ever fixed or bend upon the upright life. Look not about after the corruptible being, but love the happiness of preservation, which is (through the Word of truth) in all love proffered unto you; else shall you be found empty and without understanding, with all the x Jer. 7.8. conceited Wise of the blind World, which, with all her own wisdom, must needs y Isa. 29. 1 Cor. 1. go down, and God's wisdom (though unto the World it be a foolishness) shall in the love stand firm for ever. 8. For God's foolishness it z 1 Cor. 1. wiser than all the wisdom of the subtle wit, or understanding of the flesh. For, if the man should have the right in his wisdom, doubtless God must needs be in the wrong. 9 Therefore abideth the Saying ever steadfast; a Psal. 116 Rom. 3. God only good and true in trying, and all men (of themselves) deceivable and lying. 10. Which deceivable and lying b Eccl. 21. being the man ought, before all things, to eschew, even as a Canker, and with the heart to cleave to none c Pro. 1.3. 1 Joh. 2. whose mind, will, and desire hath any delight and pleasure in the ungodly being of the confused world: d Mat. 10. Luk. 14. yea, though it were even Husband, Wife, Children and Kinsfolks, Father or Mother, Sister or Brother, Master or Servant; Nay, be he who he will, so far as he cleaveth willingly to the evil. 11. Oh! Take heed to yourselves, that in any wise ye go not (with the heart) lame or limping e 3 Reg. 18 , nor halt on both sides: that ye seek not the living God, with retaining the Devil's nature; f 2 Cor. 6 nor Christ, with keeping the Belialish spirit of Antichrist; nor the righteousness, by retaining any unrighteousness, to the intent that in such a mixture ye perish not with the wicked erring World, which desireth to serve God and the Devil together. 12. With those which are so minded, g Supra 16 hold not your hearts common, or at unity; you [I mean] that have a longing to God and his Righteousness; but rather be ye against them, [namely, against such as withstand all Righteousness, and the Unity in the Love;] yet not with the Mouth, lest ye be burdened with any thing to your hindrance in Godliness: h Pro. 4. but with the Heart, Mind, and Life. For in the same opposition is the right Preservation in Jesus Christ which God esteemeth. 13. Nevertheless, unto the lovers of Righteousness, who have minded Love, Concord and Peace, or do endeavour thereafter, we are to speak (according as their Understanding can bear) i 1 Pet. 3. of the lively hope which is in us, [to wit, so much as serveth to edification, and may be godly to hear;] and so become full of the Spirit, and k Eph. 1. Phil. 1. Col. 1. knowledge of spiritual wisdom in all love. 14. Many have indeed heretofore (as it is reasonably well known unto many of us) spoken of Letter and Scripture abundantly, rehearsed every man's Failes, both of the Spiritual and Temporal, and (according to the Histories of the Scriptures) confessed their Understanding; and yet have not marked nor known in what sort or being they should prepare their l Eccl. 2. hearts before God: and so, by their untimely zeal, have cast themselves into the hands of the World, and plucked a yoke m Act. 15. or burden upon their necks, which they were not able to bear. 15. Keep yourselves, ye Deerly-beloved, from such things. For, at first, God calleth us n 1 Thes. 4. 2 Thess. 2 1 Pet. 1. unto Sanctification in the Spirit, and not unto much Confessing with the Mouth. 16. Now, if any man say, Christ hath taught to o Mat. 10. Mat. 3. Luk. 9 & 12. confess him; That is right indeed, if it were well understood. 17. But, O Beloved! tell me, I pray you, How will ye confess Christ, p Joh. 1.5. whom ye know not, or before ye have, in q Rom. 6.8 2 Cor. 4. Phil. 3. Col. 2. death and life, followed and put him on? 18. True it is, ye have read or heard of Him in the Scripture; nevertheless, many have never seen r Joh. 5. his shape, and his love dwelleth not in them: and therefore they understand not what they confess. For how should you by any means confess Christ, before s Gal. 4. he have his shape in you, and that ye t Joh. 17. Heb. 3. 2 Pet. 1. be made partakers of his being? 19 Know ye not, that it is written, how that Christ saith to his Father, u Joh. 17. I have given them the clearness which thou hast given me, that they should be one, even as we are one: I in them, and Thou in Me, that they may be perfect in one, and that the world may know, that thou hast sent me, and thou hast loved them, as thou hast loved Me. Father, I will, that where I am, there may they also be with me, whom thou hast given me? 20. Ruminate upon the sense, mark well the ground, understand the Scripture, and take a view of yourselves, whether ye have received of Christ such a clearness or not; and whether he be one with you, and ye with him, and with the Either. 21. Now, if it be thus with you, to wit, that ye be come to such a x 1 Thes. 4 2 Thess. 2 1 Pet. 1. sanctification in the Spirit, through Christ, than ye know who he is for to confess him; and ye know him, how that he is y Heb. 1. the like image of his Father, one Being, Spirit or Life with the Godhead z Apoc. 1.22. who hath neither beginning nor ending. 22. He saith also, a Joh. 14. I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no man cometh to the Father, but only through Me. 23. Moreover, b Joh. 10. I am the door of the Sheep; if any man enter in by me, he shall be saved. 24. Therefore have regard to the ground of the Scriptures, how (in all things) they point us unto Christ, to the intent that he should have his c Gal. 4. shape in us; and that we should be in all upright righteousness and holiness d Joh. 17. Heb. 3. 2 Pet. 1. partakers of his Being, if it were but rightly understood. For it is impossible e Exo. 33. Rom. 8. 1 Cor. 2. to know the Spirit of Christ, with an heart that is clothed or covered with a mind of the Flesh. 25. If Christ therefore hath a Shape in you, f Joh. 7. How men shall rightly confess Christ. and you believe in him, as the Scripture saith, then may you confess him rightly: Howbeit, not out of your imagining, nor according to your knowledge out of the letter, as the learned in the letter and the common people do, that are without the communiality of the love of Jesus Christ; but confess him out of the shape that he hath in you, through such a clearness as g Joh. 1. Acts 2. 2 Cor. 12 Gal. 1. 2 Pet. 1. his Apostles confessed him by; even as it is written, 26. That which was h 1 Joh. 1. from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled of the Word of life. And the life appeared, and we have seen it, and do testify and publish unto you the eternal life, which was with the Father, and is appeared unto us. 27. Here may every one look into himself, whether he also do thus know Christ, before he testify or confess much of him: otherwise he knoweth not what he confesseth. 28. Therefore, we must first be turned unto Christ according to the Truth; that is, i Rom. 5. Gal. 5. 1 Pet. 1. in Hope, through Faith, unto the righteousness, and so, with good will, stand firm thereunto in the belief, k Mat. 10. & 16. Lu. 9.14. take up daily our cross in the obedience of the holy Word of the Spirit of the love of Christ, and follow him with patience in our souls, to the salvation, until he obtain a l Gal. 4. Shape in us, and his death m Gal. 6. of the cross become a joy unto us; and so in the truth know him, to the intent we might confess him rightly. 29. For the heart must be turned into him, and he into our hearts; and then may we rightly confess him with the mouth. Or thinkest thou, O thou man, that this pleaseth God, to speak of God sometimes n Mat. 7. with the mouth, and so to confess his Christ (not respecting among whom, or to whom) of whom a man knoweth nothing at all, and whiles your o Isa. 29. Mat. 15. heart remaineth so far estranged from Christ, and from his upright righteousness and Holiness in the Spirit? O no: whosoever taketh it so, shall be deceived therein. 30. For, if thine heart be not turned to Christ and his Service of love, neither be inclined to the p 1 Thes. 4 2 Thess. 2 1 Pet. 1. sanctification in the Spirit, and thou, through the belief of the truth, dost not, with inclination of the love, q Eph. 4. grow up therein, then is all thy faith and confessing unprofitable, and unpleasing to God and his Christ. 31. If thou therefore, O man, dost either despise, or hast no regard unto that which is [out of love] held forth, or witnessed unto thee, thou shalt surely lament it at the last; namely, in those days when Misery shall fall upon thee, and that thou shalt see the Triumph of the gloriousness of Christ, r Judas 1. in many thousand Saints, coming s Isa. 43. & 49. from the rising of the Sun, and going down; from the midday, and from the North or midnight; and that they t Isa. 51. & 52.60.61.62. shall with gladness be assembled (as a Kingdom of God their Father) unto u Mat. 8. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and unto all the holy Prophets; x Mat. 8. & 25. Luk. 13. and thou then shalt find thyself shut out of doors. 32. And therefore now have ye all regard y Psal. 51. Isa. 57.66. Micah 6. to an upright heart and meek spirit, according to the spirit or life of Christ, and z Pro. 1. separate yourselves from the ways of all the uncircumcised and unbelieving. 33. Howbeit, not outwardly with the body, or with words; a 1 Cor. 5. for than must ye go out of the world, and abide in no place, for the unbelieving darknesses b Isa. 5.9 60. 4 Esd. 14. have covered the world . But c 2 Cor. 6. separate you from them with heart and spirit; Believe the good in the love, and become likewise a light in the Lord; d Apo. 18. so shall ye not be partakers of their ungodliness. 34. This writ I unto you, ye Deerly-beloved, for this intent, even to stir you up hereby to a pure mind, and to that piety which God regardeth: also for a warning of destruction to come; and that ye may perceive, how that men are to stand unpartial (according to the requiring of the Truth) for to use well the e 2 Pet. 1. common love, and to know the upright confessing of Jesus Christ: whereby to understand (so much as the Lord, out of his grace, permitteth us to see) wherein the calling of our salvation consisteth, to the intent that no man, through misunderstanding or vain imagination, deceive himself, or be deceived by others. 35. If now any man be drawn away, f Gal. 1. or lead aside from this good understanding which we bear witness unto, let such a one turn him again to the Good (that his inclination to Gods requiring be not in vain,) and lament and bewail his ignorance, that the Lord may be gracious unto him; and so apply himself, with whole heart, mind, and will, to the upright righteousness, which in the Love abideth firm for ever. CHAP. XIX. 1. Of the common Saying, They shall be all taught of God; How it is mistaken, and with what hurt. 11. Who they are, and how they order themselves, that shall be taught of God. THere goeth also a common Saying abroad amongst many, and it is Scripture, [the which is recited in the first Book of the Glass of Righteousness, and also in many more places of our Writings] a Isa. 54. Jer. 31. They shall all be taught aright of God, and b Ezek. 11. & 36. Joel 2. Acts 2. by his Spirit. 2. Now, whiles some that have heard and spoken of this Sentence, understood not the Scripture, nor rightly took heed to the sense of the Word, therefore they have not explained the meaning of the Word aright. 3. Also some that have heard it, have let the counsel of the Word go, and so are fallen into the forgetting of the good, turned away from the desire to the Righteousness, and from the hope of Salvation, according to the Promises, and have sticked unto c Rom. 1. Epes. 4. covetousness and lusts, the snares of the confused world. 4. Truly, those that cleave to the Word, and his Service of Love in such a sort, and do so take and understand it, they have conceived altogether amiss of the Word and his requiring; and therefore they are d Rom. 1. Ephes. 4. become vain in their understanding: Insomuch, that they forsake the Scriptures and Exhortations to the good all alike, and do let the conversion to God, and to his Righteousness, utterly die out of their hearts; speaking thus with unrepentant hearts, out of the vanity of their mind, (not discerning the upright understanding) It must all come of God; There is One that giveth all; For it is God only that can teach us; Of him must we receive all, and no men can give it us. 5. This they say well; and run yet nevertheless forth, as if there were no God, nor Ministering of his Word, that loved or required the Righteousness; and do not once know, nor consider the estranging or e Isa. 1.59. falling from their God, whereby to turn them again to him and his Righteousness, and to show repentance or f Matt. 3. Luk. 3. Acts 3. amendment for their sins; and so in all humility to have regard to what purpose God hath given his Promises, and annexed or ordained the Ministration of his Word under the obedience of the love thereunto, whereby they might receive of him the virtue of salvation. For out of such a heart of humility g Isa. 57.66. 4 Esd. 8. Eccl. 3. Jam. 4. 1 Pet. 5. the humble do always in God find their salvation; and not the stout hearts, that do not esteem of God's righteousness. 6. O God How dangerous a time is it now h 1 Tim. 4 2 Tim. 3 2 Pet. 3. Judas 1. in these last days, through the misunderstanding of the children of men! 7. What a number of false and venomous winds do there blow among the children of men, to the hurt of their souls, and to a drawing of them away from the Righteousness! 8. Oh, That there were in every one an hearty desire to the good! then might they be protected and defended from the bewitching of the false winds, which make the heart negligent to the upright Good, and bring it either to the bewitched Humility, or to the Lusts of the vain world. 9 Therefore it is expedient to have a regard to Understanding, i Prov. 1.2.3.4.8. to take heed to the Wisdom, to esteem much of Godliness, to account the upright Righteousness k Sap. 7.8 for the most precious, above all Riches, and to make choice of the Longsufferance, with the foresightfulnesse as Superintendents. 10. This did the holy Fathers in times past give heed unto; l Sap. 11. Eccl. 44.45, 46. and so God taught them in his wisdom, and preserved them, that they were not partakers of the plagues of the ungodly. 11. Wherefore let every one understand the meaning of the Word aright, and take a right view, that he may know who he is, and how he ought to apply himself to be taught of God, and to be endowed with his Spirit, and what manner of people God will choose for his holy people. 12. Truly not such, m Sap. 1. as with their hearts cleave unto the world, love the Evil, n Pro. 1. and in all things let go the counsel of God. Neither yet such, o Mat. Luk. 17.21 as hang their Hearts in buying and selling, upon covetousness, or p Rom. 13 1 Cor. 10 in eating and drinking, upon gluttony; or in marrying, or being married, upon unchasteness; or upon any vain transitory rejoicing, whether it be in building or in planting; and who in all their do do not attend nor have regard unto the works of the Lord, as it came to pass in the times q Gen. 7. of No, and in the r Gen. 19 times of Lot. 13. For all those, whose hearts in the time of No, clavae not to God's righteousness, but had a Lust, and gave over their hearts to the vain corrupt things: they marked not the work of the Lord, neither had any respect to the preservation of the Righteous, nor yet feared the punishment, which then was ready to come upon all wicked men. Of all this they knew nothing, till the Flood came upon them, and took them clean away. 14. Therefore understand and know the preservation of godly men in these last days, and consider well the meaning, who or which they are, that shall be taught of God, and in what course they walk (the which we have in some measure expressed, s 1 Glass. 7 in the first Book of the Glass of Righteousness, and do here at this present express it:) namely, they are those that t Mat. 5. have hunger and thirst after the Righteousness, u Judith. 8 Eccl. 2.3 that submit their souls to the obedience of the gracious Word, and his Service, x Luk. 18 and continue daily in prayer (not in many words, y John 4. Eph. 6. Phil. 4. but in the Spirit, with desire to the Lord and his Righteousness) that they may obtain grace at the hands of God, to live z Lake 1 in his righteousness, with an upright heart, and pure spirit. 15. These are sorrowful for their sins, and sighing over them, suffer not their souls to be quiet, so long as they know or feel in themselves any vain or naughty Being, which their hearts are tied or bound unto: or so long as any thing in them doth reign over them, which is not GOD, because they may not in all things serve their God only. 16. These that love the good Being from the heart, do seek in God to obtain the same, and do labour and zealously endeavour thereafter: a Deut. 4 Jer. 29. Mat. 7. Luk. 17. For they seek and find, they knock and it is opened unto them, they ask and receive: not in presumptuousness, as though God owed it them, because of their seeking, knocking, and ask. O no: they look not upon their own do, but labour only for this, even how to please the Lord, giving themselves over thereunto with humble hearts, according to the Spirit, and acknowledge that they are not worthy of such Grace, thus to be accepted and established in God's truth and love. 17. With such humble hearts do they through the Love and her Service, seek to find grace and peace at the hands of God the Father, and not the subtle knowledge, b 1 Cor. 6 which maketh the heart stout and lofty: c Mat. 6. but they seek above all, and afore all things, the Kingdom of God, and his Righteousness. The which are the gifts of God, that God richly bringeth in the everlasting life, unto such as worship and love him. 18 For those that pray unto him for an upright heart, and for a new and pure Spirit, d Luk. 11 he doth not endow with an evil heart or a wicked spirit (though sometimes the evil heart, or unrighteous spirit make up itself there-against: yet is the same taken away e Eph. 6. through the Belief, in the Cross or patience of Christ, upon hope of the good that is for to come:) but they obtain faithfulness and truth, f Luk. 11 and the righteous Spirit, with an heart of meekness and love. And that is Christ, or the Anointed, which is holy, and teacheth right. It is true. 19 After this manner do they apply themselves that will be taught of God, and his Christ, out of whom God will prepare him an g Tit. 1. acceptable people, to be a remnant for himself in the destruction of the wicked world. Yea it shall be a h Esa. 41 Soph. 3. Luk. 12. poor plain people: (not after the outward sight of the eye, but according to the hidden inward man) such as hope on the Lord, and in the Spirit, rely and trust upon his Name. And these same, yea such doth God choose unto him for his people, for to magnify his holy Name in them for evermore. 20. For consider, ye beloved, how should any man be taught of God, or Christ, that will not give ear to his teaching or counsel, but doth as God's enemy, cleave unto and love the i Joh. 8. 1 John 2. Devil and the World, which do openly resist God? 21. Therefore ought the lovers of the Truth, which hope for the salvation of the perfect. Being, utterly to put out of their hearts k Prov. 1 whatsoever concerneth the vanity or misbehaviour, and every thing which the heart, contrary to God & his Righteousness, is bound or tied with, so much as in the Lord they are able, and so to give over themselves to God, that God's goodness may have his place in them, and not any ungodly Being. 22. Also all lovers of the Righteousness ought to l Eph. 4. reach the hand; and to m Rom. 15. 2 Thes. 5 Heb. 3.10. exhort one another to the same: and so in one manner of Belief, to strengthen each other towards salvation with a good courage: n 2 Pet. 1 and to have regard to the sure prophetical Word [to wit, to the Service of the Love, administered in his time] to treat thereof: o Act. 2.20 to break that same bread among each other in stillness: and to persevere or abide stedfest in prayer, till p Esa. 25 2 Cor. 3. all cover (wherewith their hearts, after the flesh, or according to the visible, are covered) be done away: and that the pure or clear [that is to say, the spiritual, heavenly, and uncovered Being of Christ] q 2 Cor. 3. appear and come in their spirit, to the intent that so they might r 1 Joh. 4. 2 Cor. 5. know, and cleave fast unto the living God, and his Christ, in the spirit (even as he, blessed may he be, is a Spirit) & in all Love (wherein the Law and the Gospel of the Kingdom and the doctrine thereof, is s Rom. 15 Gal. 5. 1 Tim. 1. fulfilled) might with all their understanding, will and desire, live the upright righteousness of God: t Deut. 4 Mat. 22. and that God likewise may be the most best beloved, and his Righteousness u Mat. 13. 2 Cor. 4. their most precious Treasure, worthy to be esteemed high above all. 23. Whosoever now do thus, with an inclination to the same, stand in a good will, to them belongeth the blessing and happiness promised of God: to whom it is also promised, x Psal. 82. John 1. that they shall be made the children of God, and be blessed with the dew of his increase, and be anointed for y Psa. 45 Christians with the oil of Love and of his Spirit or Christian nature: yet not out of flesh and blood, but out of the holy Divine Being. 24. When the man therefore is thus joined unto God, then may he with God, rightly possess all things, and understand and know, whereout the horrible destruction cometh upon the Children of men. 25. Wherefore the man should fear his God, that he might come to the godly wisdom, and might cleave unto that which is right and reasonable, to the intent, that he might not perish with the wicked. 26. For wisdom, z Pro. 8. Sap. 7. is much better than Gold and Silver. Righteousness much worthier and preciouser, than all Pearls and precious stones; and prudence much more honourable, puissant, and strong, than all Castles, Cities, and Fonresses, also mightier than the multitudes of the Armed. The fear of God doth more quiet the heart in a little, than do abundant Riches in all the pleasures and delights of the world. It shall in his time be found and known to be even so. 27. Unto this holy and divine wisdom, apply ye your hearts, ye dearly beloved, and be ye warned in this dangerous time, in which, all foolishness and ungodliness beareth sway: whose end reacheth a Heb. 10 to the most horriblest destruction. 28. For so it cometh, which is for to come, and all ungodly being shall make up itself and be astonished, after that it shall b Esa. 13. fear, tremble, and quake, and be compelled in the beholding of his own destruction, to suffer the vengeance of the fire, but the godly shall obtain peace. 29. Therefore take heed, fear God, stick fast to virtue, humility, and meekness, lest ye remain in the ungodliness, c Apo. 18 and be made partakers of her plagues. 30. Watch d Mat. 24. Luk. 21. 1 Pet. 5. and pray, and be reform or justified, and stand fast upon God's promises. 31. Observe your time, e Gal. 6. unto sanctification, f Jam. 1. and behold in you daily the spots of your spirit, in the Glass of Righteousness, and wash you, g Esa. 1. Jer. 4. Ezek. 36 John 3. with the clean waters, in the laver of the Love; & be purged in your spirit, h Eccl. 2. in the Furnace of the lowliness of haert, and so love that thing which is right and reasonable. CHAP. XX. 1. The Author bathe kept back nothing, that is necessary to Salvation. 5. And therefore cleareth himself of the Man's destruction. 8. Yet if any the know any better thing, he desireth that they will show it out of love, as he hath done. 10. A Council to all lovers of the truth, how to behave themselves. 19 Showing them what God requireth. 26. He willeth, that men desire not to have all at once. 30. Many ignorant beginnings, have brought men into divers misunderstandings: especially, into security. 39 From which be exhorteth to return with a new courage, unto the service of the love. 43. Of divers that are diversely disposed to error. Some to rest upon themselves, some upon their Liberty, some regard neither sin nor Grace, some straiten themselves to get the promises: and afterward grow insolent upon their own worthiness. 57 Whereof he willeth to beware. BEhold ye beloved, according to all that in my labour I have been able to do, howsoever the same be plain, and not to be compared to the stile of the subtle and flowered eloquence) I cannot tell that I have (according to the sight which is a Rom. 16 Eph. 3. Col. 1. 2 Tim. 1. revealed unto me, out of God's grace) kept back any thing from the man, that serveth, or is needful for him to know either to his Salvation, or else for a warning unto him, of the present destruction, and of that that is to come. 2. Have regard to the time, and respect an unpartial heart in the Righteousness b Eph. 3. Be established in the love, and be still mindful of the same. 3. I have showed my service out of the inclination of love: howbeit, I have written against none in particular, but before all understandings indifferently: I have weighed the equity, c Esa. 28 Eccli. 21. in the balance, measured the Righteousness with the Square and Line, and described the Righteousness in Letters, according to the life, the inward life out of God, [to wit, his good nature] I have expressed, and the outward righteousness of man, have I not left out. To the intent, that it might all go rightly forward in the true Being, and that no man might be bewitched, or bound with any opinion or bewitching of spirit; but that every one might according to the truth, and in the love stand free in God. 4. Lo, God d Deut. 30. Act. 20. is my witness, and Heaven and Earth also; that in all my writing, I have neither sought nor desired any other thing, but the salvation of men in the love. The Lord of his mercy vouchsafe us to find grace in his sight, e Psal. 86 & lead us in his ways, for to cleanse our hearts by f Psal. 51. Act. 15. his righteous spirit and by faith, to the end, we may know him in the truth, and be defended from all the errors and abominations of the wicked world. 5. Behold and awake, g Eph. 5. in the spirit of your minds lay hold of understanding: look to yourselves, h 1 Joh. 2. and let not the errors of this world delight you. I clear myself this day before you all, and before all those that willingly desire or be minded to error, or to the wicked world, that my Council and will is not so. 6. If any man therefore take pleasure, or be addicted to the world or to her vanity and abominations: and do desire to fix his heart thereon. The same erreth through the pleasing of his own mind. But as for me, I clear myself of his destruction. 7. For lo, I have out of the inclination of love, called and bidden you all out of the abominable World, unto conversion to God, and unto Repentance, and unto Amendment, and have herein warned you all sufficiently: I have distinctly shown you (as much as I might do and saw necessary) both death i Deut. 11 Jer. 21. Eccl. 15. and life, destruction and preservation: I have witnessed and pointed forth the God of life, which hath made Heaven and Earth, his Statutes k Deut. 4 and Ordinances which stand fast for ever, (wherein all the upright Fathers have lived, and which all God's Prophets have born witness of) I have also distinctly marked out. Therefore shall no man (that heareth or readeth our writings, be able to l John 15 excuse himself, as though that we have hidden the Council or Will of God from him in any thing. 8. Nevertheless, if there be any greater God, than the God of Israel, which hath made Heaven and Earth: If there be now any better Law or Ordination, than his Law: m Deut. 4 Or better Statutes and Ordinances, than God's Statutes and Ordinances, according to his Ordination: If there be any perfecter life than the n 1 Cor. 13 Col. 3. 1 John 4. love, as is witnessed by his Christ: (for through the very same was o John 1. the life aforetimes published, which is everlasting: and on that same, or to that same everlasting life, is even our service and pointing also.) Or if three be any thing in any body, or if any man hath any better thing, that excelleth the everlasting life and the Love, which we bear witness unto, let him manifest the same unto us, or let it out of Love be known unto us, to the unity of heart in the Love, even as we to the self same unity, do witness, manifest and publish, the everlasting life, and his righteousness of the Love and of the upright being. 9 Or if any man persuade himself, that he knoweth some better thing, which pointeth nearer or clearer to the Almighty, than the holy Spirit of the Love and of th' everlasting Truth doth testify and point unto us, (by which Testimonies, he p joh. 14. bringeth, and leadeth us into all Truth:) Let the same man make himself apparent unto us under the obedience of the Love, with an unpartial mind; and not withhold from us the most best, for to serve in the unity of heart in the Love, as is said, in upright godliness, the living God only; For even thus standeth our whole heart affected. 10. Hereunto be ye now all armed and well disposed, O ye lovers of the Truth. Beware that ye sleep not, q Rom. 13. Eph. ● seeing it is now a time to Watch; but awake in the Spirit: and abide in any wise in the Hope, until ye see the light to the life your salvation. 11. Make not hardly any light account of it: cast it not with the unregarding ones, in the wind; but have respect always unto the good, and this service of the Love shown on you; which is in Letters described and ministered unto you, to a godly life, stretching to the Love, turn not aside from you; but take r Deut. 6. Prov. 4. the same to heart: and grow therein, to an upright being of the Love. And so then show your unpartial service towards one another, according to the upright nature and being of the Love; For the Love to the unity of the brotherly nature requireth such things, to the intent that the everlasting true God, might in such upright s Eph. 4. righteousness and holiness as pleaseth him, and in the establishment of his promises only be observed; and the earth likewise t Esa. 60.61. 2 Pet. 3. with righteousness, faithfulness and Truth, be inhabited. Towards this let us go forward, in a meek spirit. If ye hear any thing that soundeth unto you strange or v Hos. 8. absurd in your ears, yet be not bitterly minded: but follow after long suffering, and blaspheme nothing. 13. Let every one which is not to be spoken to, or to be counselled, run to an end, with his understanding; and grow ye up in stillness, and singleness of heart, x Sap 9 Jam. 1. praying God for Wisdom, and for an upright sight in the Truth; But tie not your hearts unto any thing, save only, to the good life of the Truth; y joh. 8. For that shall make you free. 14 Above all things ye beloved z 1 Cor. 14. Col. 3. follow still after the Love, For there neither is, nor shall be, any thing that may excel her. a Deut. 6. Mat. 22 1 Cor. 13 1 Tim. 1 The Love is the chiefest good, the Truth a light to the life, and the Righteousness our joy. Hereunto let our hearts be affected: for herein standeth the praise of the Lord. 15. Thus let us forsake all bewitching of the Spirit: and depart from the evil, and increase or grow up in the good: And that all in stillness, and in the hidden wisdom of God. For the time peradventure will yet a little while remain troublous, to speak freely before all people, of the Truth and godliness; For at this time, she is b Esa. 59 3 Esd. 14. yet with the World much too base, but love and esteem ye her so much the more: and gather ye her to yourselves, for a treasure in your hearts. 16. All what the wicked world loveth, all the enormities and abominations, that the Ministers of the wicked world, do gather in their hearts, and all the envy, contentiousness, & strife of the obstinate Teachers against us, and our most holiest service of the Love, cast and hurl them all out of your hearts, and inwardly have nothing to do with them; For their inwardness is full of vanity, falsehood and maliciousness, and their joy is only in their foolish knowledge, and in the earthly and transitory things. 17. But let your hearts be full of the life and being of the true Godhead, and your joy only in his righteousness, that therein ye may live, in the Spirit, and according to the Truth. 18. Let it be a pleasure unto you that God becometh Lord and King over all. Have a desirous heart to the good, to the same reach also c Eph. 4. one another the hand, & retain no offence of mis-doing one towards another; but exhort to amendment, d Eccle. 28. Mat. 6. Col. 3. and forgive in the Love, that so we may grow up with each other, in one band of Love unto the godliness, as a reconciled or e Tit. 2. acceptable people of the Lord, through jesus Christ, such as have found grace, and mercy at the hands of God the father, for to inherit his promises, & to serve him with pure hearts in all love. 19 Behold, to be comprehended herein, is the life which is everlasting: and to reach one another the hand to the same godliness, & to exort to amendment of life, and to retain no man his sins, is the f Hos. 6. Matt. 9 Mercy which God requireth of us, and not Sacrifices. 20. He requireth Righteousness, and hates the ungodly being; He showeth his long-suffering towards them of good will, g Esa. 53. Heb. 2. and beareth their infirmity or weakness, as one that would not have any man to perish or to turn back. 21. For a willing heart, is a delight unto him: and a broken or troubled Spirit, h Psal. 51. for his sins cause will he not despise. 22. A good confidence towards his grace of a converting sinner, is a joy unto him: i Luk. 15. and it causeth also a joy in the heavenly Being. 23. Therefore k Deut. 20. Esa. 55. let no man be dismayed, nor faint-hearted: but let every one from the heart, upon hope in the Belief; apply himself to the good: and l Luk. 21. possess his soul with patience, unto the godly promises. 24. Let no man take any yoke upon him, out of his own choice, least by some means of his unablenes, he fall into a loathing towards the good: but grow up by little and little, and profit ye still from time to time. 25. Keep always what ye have: go not m Apo. 2. back in any case, that you lose not the Crown of Salvation. Go still forward increasing in the good, and in the knowledge of the holy understanding: n Heb. 6. and so pass on towards the perfection. 26. Nevertheless, desire not to have every thing at once; but grow up in the good, from the o Heb. 5. beginning of the Christian life (That is, from the repentance for sin, p Matt. 3. to go on in amendment of life, and to abide steadfast therein, even to the q Matt. 24. end) until the true life of perfection: That is, r Eph. 4. until the old age of the Man Christ. The which is inwardly to obtain the Love essentially. 27. And that is the perfection of our godliness, wherein we are to grow up, from the beginning of our turning to God, and to the entrance of the first School-rule of the Christian Doctrine of the gracious Word, and his Service of Love; until we be established in God and his true Love, according to the Promises. 28. If therefore any man love the good, and his soul desire to inherit the same, let him go thereunto with an humble heart: and follow after it out of understanding, that ignorance grieve not his soul. 29. For there have been many in times past, that would by force, have all the righteousness all at once, and would feign, according to their fancy, consume and destroy the sin altogether by heaps; but they have fallen into greater and grievouser sins. 30. But in as much now as many beginnings, are with lack of understanding taken in hand; therefore divers men, are become unlustfull to the s Matt. 24. Righteousness, and have turned themselves back again: and do cleave to the world, and to her misunderstanding, more than ever they did before. 31. Divers others perceive no difference between the illuminated and unilluminatded Men; and so whiles they are not yet illuminated themselves, they give regard both to their own Imagination of the Knowledge, & also to the Precepts of unilluminated men because they trust upon such things: & suppose, that in such sort all is well with them. 32. They discern not also the life, from the death in their inwardness, nor yet the hearing t Pro. 4. of Council & Doctrine, whereby to draw near to the living Commandment of God, and to live therein. 33. Many others hold v Apo. 3. at a stay, and have no righteousness: neither do they ask, hunger, nor thirst after it: and do neither go backwards nor forwards, which is indeed a great shame. 34. It were better for one, to suffer now and then some Inconvenience for lack of experience t so that he abide in the Hope; than to hold himself still, or idle to the righteousness before he be come to the salvation. 35. For albeit one do sometimes by stumbling and falling, suffer some inconvenience, yet he riseth again for all that, & bewaileth his Ignorance: and so then he taketh a new courage again, with a more circumspect understanding in the Spirit, x against the craftiness of the sin; Eph. 6. and thereby profiteth and increaseth in the righteousness. 36. Now when a man perceiveth, or is ware of the gain, to wit, that he increaseth in the good; then is he of good cheer, and much stronger in the belief, and firmer in the hope. Thus, in process of time, he groweth up in the Spirit of the good life, until he come to the perfection: that is to the Love. 37. Wherefore the loss teacheth Prudence and Wit, for to attend unto the word with understanding; but the gain bringeth weetnes, it maketh firm, in the hope, and begetteth a gladness in our hearts. When as, to abide in undesire to the righteousness, and to be y Apo. 3. neither bot nor cold, but lukewarm, is by all means to be utterly discommended. 38. I esteem in this behalf, much better of that man, z Lu. 15. who like the lost Son, hath spent and consumed all his Treasure and Riches, and out of great poverty turneth him again, and seeketh at his Father's hands the room of a servant (out of which humbling a man cometh again to his riches: and through such loss getteth understanding, how to govern to a multiplying the riches of God) then of such a lazy, slothful, and ane loitering man, as for fear of loss a Matt. 25. Luk. 19 burieth his Talon: and will neither make gain nor loss therewith. 39 Hereof beware ye dearly beloved, that ye bury not that little which you have received of God, nor yet withhold or withdraw yourselves for any manner of cause, from this our undeceivable and most holiest service of the Love. 40. For though that many people, have partly through the sundry partial instigations of men, (risen up before our said service) been entangled, and darkened in that understanding; and that therefore they could not rightly know the truth in her degree; but did oftentimes stumble, fall, and and suffer harm; yet, all ye that love the Truth with us, and have likewise fallen in the same, learn Prudence now thereby: and turn again b Esa. 55 Jer. 3. Ezek. 18. into the way of righteousness. Refresh yourselves in the belief with a new cheer; and so through the service of the holy Word, be ye renewed in your understanding under the obedience of the Love. 41. Under the same service give ear to the Elders of the holy understanding, c Deut. 11. and follow not the Will or Council of your own mind; but d Eccl. 6. with the Elders, under the service of the Love, follow the mind and e Pro. 1. Eccl. 16. Council of the Wisdom, and always keep yourselves with the Elders in the family of Love, f 1 Thes. 5. Heb. 13. to the concord, and to the multiplying in the good, and of the peaceable Kingdom in all Love. 42. Become not wavering in any wise; But in case ye stumble, or fall, yet rise again; and think, that it is sometimes better, that a child do in his good willingness commit an error, or that a thing be done of him yet unperfectly, than that he should remain brutish or untaught. Be not afraid, g Matt. 25. Luk. 19 like the unfaithful Servant, that buried his Master's Talon: which was not very well taken at his hands. 43. Men may find divers that will take very great heed to themselves, lest they should be deceived or beguiled, and so will stay only upon themselves; But because they so staying upon themselves, give no heed to the grace under the obedience of the Love, therefore remain they such as they are: and come not at any time to the light of life or day of Love: but abide still in the Captivity of the blindness, because they know not her blindness, or bands of her darknesses, wherewith they are bound. 44. Some others will in their unregenerate estate and deprivation, account themselves free, and will not be subject unto any thing, neither to the Scripture, nor to any Teaching, nor yet to the Service of Love; and therefore in that sort do never come to the h joh. 8. Rom. 6. Freedom of the children of God. 45. For in as much as they have not perceived, nor observed in the sight of their understanding, the bondage of i joh. 8. Rom. 6. 2 Pet. 2. sin, nor her dominion; thereforr remain they unproved and unexperienced: neither do they sigh nor k Jer. 8. complain for the yoke of sin, which hath taken them Captive; and do know nothing at all, either of the Bondage, or of the Freedom, nor yet that they are so utterly deprived, or estranged from God and his Christ as they are. 46. Now men may also find divers, that are altogether light-hearted, and clearlyminded: and so, in the range of their misunderstanding, have taken unto them, l Esa. 59 a false light or conceited knowledge. These according to their natural understanding, are well at quiet: their hearts are not once grieved for their misdoings any more. They have also no regard, either of sin, or of Grace: they fear no Condemnation, nor hope for Salvation, or for any Redemption. 47. When it goeth well with them but in their creature, and in their Occupation of Trade, then are they content, and say, God be praised, we are in very good case: we are rid of all intanglement of heart: we now get our living godly and credibly, and toil not ourselves with any thing. 48. But alas, howsoever the godly nature, or the Image of God m Heb. 6. be trodden down in them, and constrained daily to suffer the death of the Cross for their sins, that pass they not once for. 49. Because they will not suffer with the godly nature, n 1 Pet. 4. or Christ, against the sin, they desire even nothing else, but according to the o Phil. 3. flesh to sit still in ease, and look what in this behalf crosseth them, that reckon they to be utterly evil and unright: and and so wax wanton, or lustful in the flesh, and licentious, or lightminded in their Spirit, following still p Sap. 2. Rom. 1. Eph. 4. that which liketh them, after the property of ignorant fools: and despise the godly Council of the Elders; as also the wisdom, and unity under the obedience of the Love. 50. These are surely in very bad case, although they think not so; For q Esa. 5. they have no consideration on the work of the Lord, nor on the work of the Devil; nor any regard unto that that shall perish, nor desire to that which shall continue; This verily is a lamentable misery, the Lord keep us from such a Plague. 51. Again, some may be found which do endure much straightness in dying from sin, for to receive the Promises which are made thereunto, according to the Scriptures; and that they might so become honourable Saints, and be also respected therefore. Yea they regard no affliction, so as they may receive or get that; and thus they fall into a choosing, applying to themselves the honour of the Promises. 52. And therefore, when according to their desire, they have gotten all that honour, then persuade they themselves, yea, it is already certain, that they have greatly merited, because they have suffered so much, strove and vanquished so valiantly, and have so much knowledge, & do assume unto them, that they are then holy; and that God on the other side is indebted unto them, of all the Promises, and of the Blessing mentioned in the Scripture, being well assured hereof, that it doth of right and equity appertain unto them. 53. Now because they have chosen to themselves such an opinion, they suppose that the Scripture witnesseth of them, as the people of God, and that likewise in regard of their holiness, the honour of God's Promises belongeth unto them. They hold also so greatly of themselves, that they know themselves to be worthy of all the high stile of the holy Titles that men do give them: also all the services that men show unto them, they boldly arrogate unto themselves and a great deal more. 54. For in their own eyes, they are the most understandingest, and the most best or holiest: yea, they are so exceeding proud upon their own knowledge and righteousness, as if there were no God any where else, save only with them, according to the knowledge of their cogitations; and as though that the true God, had utterly excluded all others his creatures. 55. Oh! What an abominable thing is it to assume and feign to ones self such a spiritual conceit? For thereout is able to spring great abomination and wickedness, such as is much worse than any fact of open sinners. 56. For there is no greater sin, than a spiritual pride; r Act. 12. in which, the man ascribeth holiness to himself by his works, and exalteth himself therewith; s Mat. 12 Luk. 11. which last error is much worse than the first. 57 O ye dearly beloved, beware of such a nature of bold arrogancy, that you become not backsliders thereby, from the single humility and meekness of the upright being of Jesus Christ; and that you fall not into the abominations and dreadful punishments of ungodly Men. CHAP. XXI. 1. Of the upright hearts, and their lowly estimation of themselves, 8. The ground of upright repentance is showed in the thirteenth chapter of the third Book of The Glass of Righteousness. MOreover, men may also find divers upright, and wel-willing to the righteousness, who in all obeying of the holy and gracious word, under the obedience of the Love, endure great straitness, for the righteousness sake; who also regard no straitness so as they might obtain but such Grace, a Rom. 6.14. that the Sun might not have Dominion over them; but that they might be b joh. 8. Rom. 6.18. freed from it, for to serve in righteousness, and love the living God only, and to be obedient to the requiring of his word, not thinking what they are then worthy of, or how they are then to reign, or what doth then belong unto them. 2. O no, their thoughts reach not so far; but they are still inclined for to walk brotherlike in the Love, and with earnest desire to do the will of the Lord. They have regard unto God's Promises, trusting even upon this, that God is true of his word, as one that showeth his Grace on such as love him, d Esa. 57.66. and are lowly of heart. 3. When as they have now, with singleness of heart shown all obedience, in the service of the gracious Word of the Lord, and of his holy Spirit of Love, suffered much grief and affliction for their sins cause; and have tasted of the refreshing or anointing to the health of their souls, then become they but so much the more lowly and humble of heart e Rom. 12 1 Pet. 1. and so much the more brotherly and peaceable towards all men; and count themselves unworthy of such grace: neither know they how they shall be able to be serviceable enough in the Love. 4. They esteem moreover very little of their own word, that ariseth out of themselves according to the flesh; but the requiring of the serviceable Word of the Lord, where-under their hearts stand humbly submitted, to all upright righteousness and holiness, they make great account of, and hold it very worthy to be obeyed unto: Moreover the life of righteousness, which is ministered & set forth in the service of the love, they cleave unto with all their hearts, and above all praise it exceedingly; and gladly would that all men were in the godly nature and brotherly love, obediently come thereunto. 5. These show always towards God and his service of Love true humility and obedience, and towards men true love, faithfulness; and Truth: and do not desire according to the foolish pride of the world, any praise or service of men to themselves; but rather that the righteousness in the Love, might have his proceeding, and all people might under the obedience of the Love serve God, and inherit the peace of Christ. 6. Out of such an upright heart (being f Eph. 4. grown up to the old age of the holy understanding, and g Matt. 13. taught to the Kingdom of God) they testify h Psal. 1 15. that all Laud, Honour and Praise, belongeth to God only, and not unto them. And so in their proceeding in the same upright life; they likewise serve or reach the hand either to other; and thus in their service they point the man only unto God, and to the salvation of God in Jesus Christ. 7. this mind or nature is far the most best, because by it the man esteemeth the Grace of the Lord to be great, and all his own do or works, and anguish respecteth or judgeth he, as i Phil. 2. of no value. The Lord of his Grace, bring us all to such a mind, Amen. 8. The Ground of upright repentance and amendment for sin, is at large plainly expressed and with clear distinction uttered unto you in the third book of the Glass of Righteousness, in the thirteenth chapter according as the same is practised and used of all good willing ones, which seek and love the good life of the upright and lovely being from the heart, and do out of all their soul pass forth towards it, under the obedience of the Love. Take it to Heart. CHAP. XXII. 1. Sundry Opinions are taken from the Scriptures. 2. Divers do contend about the Kingdom of God, both what it is, and whence to be had, and when. 5. But the Scripture is clear enough, and the matter itself is explained. 24. He exhorteth to the Reading and hearing of the Glass of Righteousness: where men shall see the everlasting Ordinances of God, and the upright life, wherein God's people have ever lived. 30. The same Ordinances were renewed by Moses, and the life published by Christ for a Gospel. 31. In sure hope whereof, the Believers rested, and are now with Christ manifested in Glory. 45. He calleth upon such as have too soon named themselves Christians, that they lay away their vain boasting, and turn to the Love and her Service. THere are also divers men that draw sundry Opinions of Understandings, out of the Scripture: But every one particularly, after his own conceiving. Howbeit in as much as they know not the Council of God, nor comprehended his wisdom, therefore do those Opinions and Understandings fall out to be of several sorts: and do for the most part run all one against another, and are among each other entangled. 2. Some strive for the Kingdom of God, or inward life of Christ (which is called the new Man:) and suppose that it is this or that, or that it is here-hence or there-hence after the outward appearance; for to come or to be obtained. 3. Others think, that it shall be first found and obtained, after the death of the Creature. Yea, the Principallest of the Learned in the Letter: who will (forsooth) be the understandingest in the Scripture, do maintain such a ground of Belief. 4. O God How long shall the Scripture through the false and unright light or sight, be yet set forth and taught? 5. It is doubtless plainly and clearly enough written, a Luke 17. that the Kingdom of God is inwardly within us. He is in the midst of you (saith b john 1. John) whom ye know not: The same is he, that baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. 6. But many (as it well appeareth) know him not. For he, who is the very c Col. 1. Image of God; or the Christ, and the Kingdom of the glory of God, hath his going down in us, inwardly: and suffereth the d Rom. 6. Death of the Cross, for the Sin's cause. 7. Nevertheless, if any man be baptised inwardly in the death of Christ, and e Rom. 6. Col. 2. with his like Death, be, until his burying, planted into him, the same ariseth also with Christ, and liveth. For then, inwardly is God's Kingdom of Heaven even in him, and not specially, here or there, as among these, or among those: but the Kingdom of God is here and there: among these, and among those: namely, in every one, in us. Howbeit unknown to many, as is already said. 8. Now if the Kingdom of God be within us, and that we (as the Scripture saith) f John 7. believe in Christ, then ought we, after the Council of the Wisdom, and of the holy understanding, to seek it inwardly there: for even thither shall it come, and so be found inwardly within us. 9 But who so seeketh it only at the hands of another, and doth not attend the coming thereof inwardly, according to the direction of the holy word and service of love, the same shall in no wise find it. 10. For this cause men are not in the seeking of the Kingdom of God, to despise the Council and Service of the holy word, which under the obedience of the Love, teacheth and directeth rightly to the same; but, with lowly hearts to give good ear thereunto. 11. Therefore believe the truth, and follow the Council of the Scriptures, g Mat. 7 seek and ye shall find, etc. h Mat. 18 Turn you about, and become as little Children, and not subtle, cunning, i Prov. 3. Rom. 12. or wise in your own selves. For who so receiveth not the Kingdom of God k Mar. 10 Luke 18 as a Child, he shall not enter therein. 12. Wherefore it is all to no purpose, to set one's mind upon any thing, that is above in the Heaven, or that is beneath under the earth: either what people, this or that is: or where hence Christ shall come, or not: or with what outward appearance the Kingdom of God cometh. 13. For behold, if ye find not the Kingdom of God and his Righteousness, l Lu. 17. inwardly in your souls, and the form of Christ in his glory, appeared not in your m 2 Cor. 4. Gal. 4. inwardness, then shall ye be constrained to miss, or be without the Kingdom of God and Christ; n John 6. and shall likewise not eat the bread from Heaven with Christ, o Lu. 14. in the Kingdom of God his Almighty Father. 14. Therefore seek it, where it is to be found: and take right regard, whether it cometh: hunger and thirst ye after it. Nevertheless, hast you not after it, out of your own choosing, through misunderstanding; but go ye p Psal. 84. from one virtue to another. 15. Possess ye your q Lu. 21. souls with patience, have regard on the coming of Christ, contend not any more, r 1 Tim. 6 2 Tim. 2. Tit. 3. and strive no longer with flesh and blood. 16. Let it once suffice that ye have contended and wrangled for the Scriptures cause: rather now endeavour you, in obeying of the requiring of the service of love, s Jam. 1. to receive or put on the gracious word of the Lord in your hearts, and labour ye t Eph. 4. for the unity of the love. For in such a sort shall the Kingdom of God come. 17. Now when you have thus received or put on the serviceable gracious word of the Lord, the true Christ after the flesh, in your hearts or inwardness, then apply yourselves therewithal, in your inwardness, to the good being which the gracious word of the Lord requireth in ●is service, for to overcome in like manner with Christ, every thing that is against him, to the intent his enemies, v Psal. 110. for a footstool; may be laid under his feet. 18. And when you exercise yourselves herein, be ye likewise baptised in the death of Christ, (that is, in his patience) x Rom. 6. Col. 2. and with his like death or patience be ye planted into him: and so y Eph. 6. overcome ye through the belief, with the like cross or patience of Christ, the sin, death, flesh, and the world, Devil and Hell, and all sensuality, which ariseth out of your own wisdom of the flesh: and be ye likewise in your inward man; z Rom. 12 Eph. 4. renewed unto righteousness, a 2 Cor. 4 Phil. 3. in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Lo. thus doth the Scripture teach us, if it were but rightly understood. 19 When we are now passed through this, b Col. 1. and have through the death of Christ, even until his Resurrection, overcomed all those deadly things, then have we peace c Rom. 5. Eph. 2. with God the Father, and stand firm in the love, which is the end or fulfilling of all the spiritual Testimonies. And therein is comprehended the perfection. 20. Not that we come hereunto, out of our own strength. But when, with lowly hearts we d Esa. 55. Ezek. 18 Joel. 2. Eccli. 2.17. turn us obediently to God, and the service of his gracious word, then doth God also offer himself unto us, and out of his Calling in the spirit, allureth or draweth he us unto himself, justifying us through the belief, in e Col. 1. Heb. 9 Apo. 7 the blood of Jesus Christ, and maketh us clean from our sins, and giveth us the everlasting life. 21. This is verily the word of Faith, f Act. 2.3 4, 5, 7, 8. etc. Rom. 10. 1 Pet. 1. which was published by the Apostles, through Christ, for a Righteousness unto us. g 2 Cor. 11. Gal. 1. Phil. 1. Whosoever therefore preacheth any other Christ, or preacheth Christ any other way: publisheth any other Gospel, or publisheth the Gospel upon any other fashion or ground: or believeth any otherwise, or buildeth upon any other foundation, h 1 Cor. 3 than God hath from the beginning, through his Prophets and Apostles, required and willed, the same man remaineth i Gal. 1. execrable or accursed, according to the mention of the Scriptures. 22. For k 1 Cor. 3 no other Foundation may there be laid, than the same that is laid, which is jesus Christ, who from everlasting was, and is, and abideth for ever. Through whom God made all whatsoever is any thing: and l Heb. 1. he beareth up all things by the power of his might, and maketh the cleansing of our sins, through himself. Unto him as a Father of all, be Laud, Honour, and Praise, for evermore, Amen. 23. These and such like things, was I partly of necessity moved to rehearse unto you, ye dearly beloved, to the intent, you might consider them aright, and understand the diversity of every thing, that concerneth the Salvation of men. 24. Furthermore, see that ye humbly, with meditation to God, apply yourselves out of the inclination of love, to read, or to hear the Glass of Righteousness; and consider or mark the life which is witnessed and set forth in the same. Behold there in the spirit of your understanding, the everlasting unchangeable Statutes and Ordinances of Almighty God, which also shall remain unchangeable for ever. For that which is there witnessed, is such an upright life, m Gen. 1. Eph. 2. as the man is created unto, for to live therein. In which Statutes and Ordinances, the Lords people have lived from the beginning. 25. Yea, such a Life, Statutes and Ordinances, are a delight and joy to all upright hearts and Prophets, to live therein; and they have heretofore born witness thereunto, that in time to come, men should live in them. For through the truth, they saw into the life of peace in the love; and that through the life of peace in the love, every thing is made perfect, and therein standeth firm, or abideth steadfast. 26. That verily is the life which is true, n Joh. 1. and that life is the light of men, o Eph. 1.5. Col. 1. and the head of the holy Commonalty. Who so goeth out of it, cometh to the death, blindness and darkness. 27. But the souls of those that live therein, are blessed in the Lord. For such people doth God require, as do walk in his Ordinances, (that is to say, in the life and peace of love) p Deut. 6.2. and do love the only God from the heart. 28. Lo, it is the true God, that requireth such upright Righteousness: and he himself cleaveth to his Righteousness; his Statutes and Ordinances, everlastingly. q Joh. 1.2 For he is the spirit of his life, the life of his word, the word of his Spirit, r Exod. 3 Mat. 22. the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of jacob, or Israel. 29. That verily is the true life of peace, and love: and the Statutes and Ordinances, are the same upright righteousness, which the holy Fathers have lived and walked in. 30. The same Statutes and Ordinances of the holy Fathers were by Moses renewed, s Exod. 20. Deut. 5. and witnessed unto a life before all people. And that life was through Jesus Christ (being risen from the Dead, and ascended into Heaven) t Mat. 28. Mar. 16. published unto all people for a Gospel, because they should live therein. And unto all that believed thereon, was the Resurrection from the dead, and the everlasting life, witnessed and promised through jesus Christ. 31. In sure and firm hope whereof, the upright Believers have rested in the Lord jesus Christ, till the appearing of his coming, which is now in this day of the love, revealed out of the heavenly being, with which Jesus Christ, the former Believers of Christ; v John 5. 1 Cor. 15. 1 Thes. 4. who were fallen a sleep, rested, or died in him, are now also manifested in Glory. 32. For Christ in the appearing of his coming, raiseth his deceased from the dead, x 1 Cor. 15. to the intent that they should reign alive, with him over all his enemies: y Mat. 25. John 5. Rom. 2. 2 Thes. 1. and condemneth all the ungodly, which have not liked of him. 33. This is the joyful Message, published to the Gentiles, whereby z Eph. 2.3 as fellow-Heires in the Testaments of promise; they are bidden and called to the house of Jacob, and to the Citizenship of Jerusalem, To the intent, they should departed from the brutishness of their errors, and from the sundry entanglements of their Idolatries, and turn them to the God of Israel, for to serve him only, and to live in his Statutes and Ordinances, through the belief. 34. Which Righteousness a Ro. 2.3. is required out of the Law: and is now in this last time openly and evidently witnessed out of the inclination of love, and through the insight of the same upright life, to a view of the upright righteousness, which the man is created unto: and to a demonstration, whereunto, or to what end or fulfilling, God hath given his promises, and made his Covenant with the Fathers. 35. Behold hereunto (namely, to that which we bear witness of) is the Calling of the Gentiles made, b Rom. 11. Eph. 2. who are out of grace, called thereunto, for to serve with the Stock of Abraham, one God in one manner of Righteousness. 36. Lo, these are the promises, c Gen. 17. which were committed to the Jews in the Circumcision: And Jesus Christ, the safe-making word of the Lord is amongst them, Act. 13. Rom. 9 d Rom. 15. for the truth of God's sake become a Minister of the Circumcision, to confirm the promises made unto the Fathers, that the name of the God of Abraham might be magnified likewise among the Gentiles. And for the mercy's sake towards the Gentiles, is the Grace of life published also to the Gentiles, to the intent, e Act. 10.11.13. Rom. 11. they should praise God, and know the God of Israel, and his Ordinances. 37. Which God and his righteousness, we do now know in the love, through the spirit of truth, which according to the spirit, f Joh. 14. leadeth us into all truth: that is, into all love, according to the promises. g Col. 5. For the love is the band of perfection. By which Band, we are sealed and confirmed for ever in the same perfection, to the intent, that God's Glory, his Covenant and promises, may likewise abide firm, from everlasting to everlasting, Amen. 38. Behold the same God of Israel (who out of his Grace, prepareth and bringeth all this unto us) is the God, h Gen. 1. that hath made Heaven and Earth, the Sea, and all that is therein. He it is that doth wonders, who neither breaketh his promises, i Deut. 4. Luke 1. nor forgetteth his Covenant: who also suffereth not his Law and Righteousness to be trodden down for ever: but he setteth up the Children of Israel, his beloved: Not for their Righteousness; k Deut. 9 but for their Father's sakes, towards whom he had a desire, according as he promised, and spoke the same in times past, by the mouth of his holy Prophets. 39 Therefore have regard unto the everlasting unchangeable God, being an invisible living God: the God that hath made you, created every thing that liveth and hath breath. He l Heb. 13. it is, which was, which is, and which is to come: who liveth everlastingly, and shall still continue. And so is also his Life, Law, or righteousness. 40. Wherefore give heed unto the thing that is right and reasonable, and shall continue for ever: glass yourselves in the glass of Righteousness, and therein behold according to the spirit, the upright life, and the m Exod. 20. Deut. 5. Lords Statutes and Ordinances, which stand firm in God for evermore. 41. Let not the matter in any wise seem too slender or too small unto you. For though the Righteousness whereof we testify, be n 1 Cor. 2 no eloquent speech, and that the same seemeth to be but as a small brook, yet is it notwithstanding o Ezek. 47. a bottomless Sea, which all Rivers do run into. And whatsoever can be uttered concerning the Righteousness (were it even by so great multitudes of Books, as is the sand by the Seaside) it is every whit comprehended or grounded in the very same. 42. Who so liveth therein, or in the obedience of the same life the gracious word, p Prov. 4 loveth the same life, and with a lowly and humble heart, applieth himself obediently thereunto, q Ecl. 39 such a one shall become wise in the hidden wisdom of God. For the obeying of the requiring of the service of the gracious word of the Lord, and of the Law of his Statutes and Ordinances, r Psal. 119. doth make the man wiser, than all his chosen Masters or Teachers: and in that manner cometh he to the holy understanding of the godly wisdom. 43. Hereunto let us be minded from the heart, ye dearly beloved, and regard ye the kind mercy of God shown on us, out of his love. For such a perseverance or clearness of the healthful or safe-making Being, is showed unto us worthy in open sight, & hath in these last days, given us to know his requiring in our spirit and understanding, to a right distinguishing of life, s Deut. 30 Jer. 21. Eccl. 15 and death, to the intent, that we who are yet in peril of death, & do suffer grief & heaviness for the sins cause, should conceive hope towards such an healthful life, and rejoice us in the Godliness. 44. Therefore let no man be t 2 Cor. 6 Heb. 12. negligent in such an appeared Grace; but every one give God the Honour, and so sigh over his wretchedness, that he may be reform of his errors. 45. O ye Children of men, ye that have named yourselves before the time, or much too soon, with the name of Christ, or with the name of Israel: Lay away from you your vain boasting, v Mat. 3. Luke 3. Act. 2. repent, and amend you, and betake yourselves to the love and her service, that ye may be saved. 46. Do not think in your hearts, that ye yet remaining, without the gracious word and his service of love; do nevertheless stand sure in God's Covenant: or that ye may not have transgressed nor forsaken the Covenant of your God. 47. Think not also that ye are before God (howsoever after your conceit, ye have hallowed yourselves) any worthier, than all other Heathen are, which are without you. For truly, ye are subject with them all unto vanity, misunderstanding, and destruction and alike, covered under the darknesses, not knowing, what ways ye all walk. For your own righteousness is strange and unknown before the God of Israel: inasmuch as the same is not his life of righteousness, nor yet his Statutes and Ordinances. 48. Therefore ye, which live and walk without the Doctrine and Service of the gracious word, are even altogether, touching the inward man; one manner of people with all Heathen, although outwardly ye have sundry several sorts of good Services or Ceremonies; but truly they are to no advantage or unity unto you, but to all controversy and division: they are not to the life, but much rather to a death, and destroying one of another. CHAP. XXIII. 1. Whether the Christians and their Ceremonies have any preferment, or not. 6. They have been blinded as well as the Jews were in times past. 7. So as there was no difference between them and other people. 8. Every one hath made a chosen Righteousness to himself. 10. But now the godly knowledge is revealed out of the Love. And men ought to regard it, else to be found of no value. 15. Not the outward Christianity, but the inward man is the thing that God esteemeth. 20. But almost all turn them to the earthly things. 22. He leaveth every one free: but touching himself, he will hold him always to the good life. 25. The godliness shall surely come forth: but who shall be partakers of it, is known to the Lord. 27. He exhorteth to Unity and Peace, etc. 31. And requesteth that none will be offended at his Writings. 33. If any man have gifts, let him not be proud thereof, but ascribe all unto God. NOw some might here demand, whether the Christian Ceremonies be nothing at all furthersome, or whether they (omitting all other ceremonies) have not in them some advantage towards the life? For if the Christian ceremonies had no benefit in them, then to what end are the Christian ceremonies? And what preferment then have the Christians by them? Or to what purpose bear they the Name of Christ? 2. Truly, (as we have also shown before) the Christians and their ceremonies have in their right quality and use, much advantage: for unto the Christians is committed the ministration of the gracious Word of the Lord, and the revealing of the everlasting life: and to this end are the Christian Ceremonies given them, that all those which believe in Christ, the gracious Word of the Lord, should have a firm or sure confidence on the revealing of that same life, 2 Cor. 4. 2 Cor. 11. Gal. 3. the which is with the Christian Services and Ceremonies, promised for to come unto them, to an everlasting light and beholding of the naked clearness of God, through the uncovered face of Christ. 1 Cor. 13 2 Cor. 3. For thus with the same Services and Ceremonies, are the promises of Salvation to come committed to the Christians, Rom. 9.11.15. Eph. 2. or to the Christian communality. They are also the children of the Testament of the holy Fathers, Acts 3. through the Belief, and that in all respects, after the same manner as the jews are the children of the Testament, in the promises of their Fathers, out of whom are born the jews as heirs, and not as thereunto called. Gen. 17. Which promises were committed unto them in or with the Circumcision, which the God of Heaven ordained for an everlasting covenant between Himself and Abraham and his Seed; Namely, that the God of their Fathers (according to the promises, and according to the same covenant) is even their God, and remaineth a God of their seed for ever. 4. Which jews, (howsoever they are as Branches broken off from their right Stock) are also grafted upon no strange Stock, Rom. 11. nor yet set or built upon any strange foundation, but upon the foundation of the Promises, and Stock of their Fathers, to which salvation the Gentiles are, through the Belief, called, out of Grace, as fellow-heires of the same promises in Israel, for to serve the living God. Eph. 2.3. 5. Lo, these promises made to the Fathers, to the salvation of the Gentiles, are committed to the Christians in Belief: and the Christian ceremonies are witnesses of the truth of the same. 6. Howbeit, forasmuch as such a holy Belief, and service of Ceremonies to such a salvation (as was evangelized in the preaching of the Apostles of Christ) hath ceased, and by the Christians been forsaken, therefore have they been covered under the sin, blinded from the knowledge of their calling, and estranged from the understanding of God's promises, even as the Jews also in the time when they knew not the godliness of life, were blinded and estranged from the understanding of the promises. Yet were they Jew's notwithstanding outwardly: Rom. 2. but no Jews according to the inward hidden man, such as God esteemeth, John 8. according to the life of their Father Abraham: Rom. 3. And therefore there was no difference between them and the Grecians, but they stood alike under the sin. 7. Inasmuch as it goeth now also thus with the Christians (or which men so call) therefore is there between them and other people, no difference but they are all alike under the sin. And in regard of the righteousness which availeth before God, they are no otherwise to be distinguished, save only by the ceremonies. 8. And every one, because of his misunderstanding, maketh a righteousness or an Ordinance unto himself; which through the glistering of his knowledge, he chooseth or respecteth for a (very) Righteousness, and maketh to himself in like manner with the same, a Congregation, not attending upon the promises of God, nor upon the upright righteousness which through jesus Christ he is called of God unto. 9 Now whiles all this cometh to pass out of misunderstanding and bare imagination, Jer. 7. and out of the ignorance of the upright Righteousness, therefore is there dissension likewise. For every congregation in particular, Mat. 24. persuade themselves that they are the Christians, or the people of Israel: and do diligently use all dexterity & sharpness of wit in their cause, for to maintain the same in his proceeding, and think by their wit to obtain the salvation, and so walk their own way; Rom. 3. whereby also they are all void of the grace of God, to the knowing of their error and blindness. 10. But inasmuch as this godly Knowledge is now out of grace revealed unto us, as that we through the clearness which God hath poured into our hearts, 2 Cor. 4.2. do understand to what salvation, or to what manner of health of the earth God hath given his promises (to which purposefor to establish the salvation, the Belief is preached) Therefore for the love's sake can we not omit it, but must needs witness the same, and reveal the Peace, and the true Love whereunto we are called, if happily there might or may be found any which had a desire or inclination thereunto: and then likewise we with them and they with us (whether they were far or near) might be gathered together in the Love, according to the promises. 11. Seeing then that God neglecteth not his mercy towards is, but hath made known unto us his will (to the intent his Word may stand firm, according as he in times past hath spoken by his Prophets) that unto his people Israel he will gather him a people out of the Heathen, which shall serve him in righteousness: 2 Mac. 2 Amos 9 2 Mac. 2 Act. 15. (at which time God will gather his people together again, and be gracious unto them, and build again the Tabernacle of David, and again set up his people Israel, according to the promises:) therefore ought we in like manner, from the whole heart, and with good will to give heed unto that which is now by God's grace, according to the truth, made known and tendered, under the obedience of the Love unto us: & in the same appeared grace to believe the salvation whereunto we are called, and to prepare our hearts in lowly minds thereunto, that we might inherit our calling according to the promises. 12. But if any people refuse it, and for all that should persuade themselves in their hearts to be still Christians, or that their Congregation is the very people of Israel (not thinking of the restoring of Israel, which in times past was fallen: and thus suppose that they have attained to the best) and in their blindness set their confidence upon their own wisdom, righteousness and ceremonies, and upon their faith; then shall it likewise go with them in these days, as it did heretofore with the Jews that believed not on the grace which was appeared unto them. 13. 4 Esd. 6. For in his time shall their full storehouses be found empty, and the empty be filled with goods. For their Christianity according to the inward man shall be judged and known for an unchristianity, and their belief for an unbelief. 14. Therefore let no man boast himself of his Christiany because of his outward baptism, nor because of his outward righteousness, or narrow ways of his walking, according to his choosing, or bare imagination: but let him give heed to the promises, and unto what the Gentiles are called, and whom the Christianity consisteth: the which is a Christendom according to the inward man, in the Spirit; as also Paul in the preaching of his Gospel testifieth. 15. 2 Cor. 4. Phil. 2. Col. 1. Heb. 1. 1 Cor. 15 Eph. 4. 1 Cor. 3. Eph. 1. For the true inward man is the thing that availeth before God: namely, the very like Being of God, which the love is formed in, and the man created unto, to the intent he should bear it, to the laud and praise of the glory of his God. 16 And through the revealing of such a heavenly clearness (as that we discern, that many, yea almost all, which do boast themselves to be Christians, are yet mere strangers therefrom) we do well know the fall from the right ground of the Christianity, and the bands of darkness wherewith we were all held captive: And therefore we are all void of the grace of God, Rom. 3. that he may have mercy upon us all, to the intent he alone may have the glory. 17. Now whoso perceiveth this same, let such a one turn him to the Spirit, to the God of life, and to his righteousness, according to the requiring of the Love, and her service; that his understanding may, Eph. 1. through the Love and her service, be enlightened according to the Truth, in the knowledge of Jesus Christ, and that likewise he might love God the Father, Dent. 5. and live in his statutes with an upright heart. 18. For out of the God that hath made Heaven and Earth, goeth the right judgement, Heb. 4. his Word is living and powerful, and sharper than a twoedged sword: and his burning is as a flame of fire, to a consuming or devouring of all ungodly Being. Deut. 4. Heb. 12. 19 Whosoever feareth not him, as a true God, nor loveth his Righteousness, over such a one standeth his severity for ever. Rom. 2. Exod. 20 But many thousands find grace in his sight, that do but turn them unto him, love him, and keep his Commandments 20. But who hath any regard hereunto? Whose attention is towards the Lord? Who is there that is spiritually minded? Who giveth ear? Whose heart and eyes turn them to the inwardness of the Being of God? Truly very few: But they turn them almost all unto themselves, to the earthly things, or unto Flesh and Blood: and do very gladly hear that which soundeth pleasant unto them, 2 Tim. 4. according to the delight of their fleshly ears: and so shut the ears of their heart against the God of Life and all the World, alienate their spirit from his holy wisdom, and will not hear him, nor accept him for their King, that they might live in his Law and Ordinances. 21. Therefore will not he also count them for his people, neither regard them. Psal. 1. Esa. 29. But they shall be compelled in their estranging, to become like the tossing of chaff, wherein the whirlwind, to a scattering, mingleth itself. 22. Behold, ye dearly beloved, of these and other like things, I have opened much unto you in the Glass of Righteousness, to a distinction of the knowledge of righteousness: look unto which ye are minded, Deut. 30. Eccles. 15 into that may ye go; whether into the sin, to the death; or into the righteousness, to the life. I leave every one free, unbound, uncompelled. 23. But as for Me, my whole heart and mind standeth altogether inclined to the good life of upright righteousness, Rom. 12. 2 Cor. 3. and all my confidence is in the God of Life, that I shall not forsake the ways of his rightness (which are by the grace of God brought and given unto me in the sight and being of: my Spirit) but shall still observe the same; and under the obedience of the Love, administer them unto the children of men: according to all the manner, as I have set forth and described them, according to the life, out of the inclination of Love, in all my service of writing, for a serviceablenes to many. 24. Whosoeur therefore with me, hath any desire to God and his righteousness, let such a one then from his whole heart, apply himself also with me unto the same. He also that strayeth, and hath no regard unto God nor his righteousness, neither is minded to the Love and her concord; but will rather mix his heart with the World and her abominations, and go on after his own imagination, I must needs look upon it: howbeit, it maketh me sorry, and I suffer grief for it, because he doth willingly thus hunt after his own destruction. 25. For behold, it shall come to pass, that the k Esa. 60 61.62. Abac. 2. godliness, uncompelled through the belief out of the Love of righteousness, shall come to light, according to the Promises 26. But who they are that shall be made partakers of it, and find such Grace in the sight of God, or from whence they shall come to join with us, for the concord of the Love and her service, that is only known to the Almighty and his Spirit; But the unity of us all shall be l joh. 17. Act. 4. Eph. 4. one heart and mind in the Love. To the which one-minded Communality mine heart standeth always inclined. The Lord give us all Grace, to be joined to his People in righteousness of heart, Amen. 27. Let every one also from his whole heart be minded thereunto, and apply himself for the same unities cause, to the Love and her service, and to the righteousness of heart before God: and so stand for the good with all diligence. Let him likewise, daily apply himself m Eph. 6 Col. 4. 2 Thes. 3. in prayer unto the God of life, that he will vouchsafe to enlighten him and all lovers of the Truth, together with all People, with the knowledge of his wisdom and understanding, to the intent they might all incline their hearts, to the Love and her service, and so God's matters be well understood, and interpreted according to the Truth, to the health of the earth, and renewing of the World with righteousness. 28. Wherefore n Rom. 14. Gal. 6. bear one with another, out of Love: receive also unto you all wel-willing hearts, to the concord in the Love, & understand their testimony to the good: and repair one another's understanding, to the unity of heart in the Love, and let no man rail, nor make Sedition or Division but let every one oyn himself unto us in Jesus Christ, under the obedience of the Love: and let him likewise in Jesus Christ seek the good to his preservation, that the service of the Love be not hindered. 29. If now by any it should be found, that some man should bring forth any chaff amongst us, with the Corn; yet shall not men despise him for it, but repair him in his understanding, with good o Gal. 6. 2 Tim. 2. instruction to the meekness, and to the obedience of the Love in the Spirit, that so through the service of the Love, men may gather the good Corn, the treasure of righteousness, p Matt. 13. into the Barn, the man's heart, and that in like manner, the vain being together with that which is deadly and pernicious, may utterly perish. 30. Whosoever now can rightly judge let not him rail; but let him try the matter, q 1 The. 5. and take or conceive the best out of it: and thus meet the little ones: and draw all to the Love, that no man may be offended, nor made bitter-minded. Let every one be minded hereunto from the heart, r Matt. 13. that all offence may be rooted out, and destroyed from the Lords Kingdom. 31. After the same manner also my request is, that those which read or hear our Writings, will not take them to offence; but bow their hearts under the Love, and receive that only which is right and reasonable. 32. But if so be any man do suspect any misunderstanding in our writings, let him bear with the same through Love, that through the Love, all may be amended and repaired; For my service is to unpartiality and to unity of heart in the Love, and that according to the gifts of the holy and godly understanding; which are of God given and committed unto me. 33. Moreover, if any man persuade himself, that he is more richly endowed with gifts, s 1 Cor. 4 let him not be proud upon the riches of his gifts; but let him humble himself among us, under the obedience of the Love: and then show likewise with his gifts according to the mind of the Love, and according to the requiring of her service, his good willing service, without offence, and unseperated from us and our Communality, to the intent the fellowship of the lovers of righteousness, t 1 joh. 1. may in every respect be in the Love, and be drawn and served out of Love to that purpose. 34. For who art thou O man, that thou dost proudly lift up thyself, for the gifts cause of thy God, and that thou shouldst not be content to submit thyself with thy gifts or understanding, under the obedience of the Love of God and of Christ? v 1 Cor. 4. 2 Cor. 3. James 1. Knowest thou not, that there is no man, that of himself can have any good thing or upright understanding, except it be given him of God? Wherefore bring and submit all under God and his Love, x Es. 42. whatsoever doth belong unto him; and separate not thyself from us, seeing we are also wellwilling thereunto. 35. If then thy gifts, be all gifts of God, see that thou y Psal. 34. praise God in those gifts of his, under the obedience of his Love, and make no breach or division with the same, nor in any wise despise not another therewith, that hath received less than thou hast; but show forth Love in all that is given, or committed unto thee of God: and so join thyself with us, unto the gracious Word of the Lord, which the God of heaven hath raised up among us, according to his Promises. 36. Be also not z Ezek. 3.4. Lordly, neither advance thyself by accusation against thy inferior brother: likewise desire not to a 1 Pet. 5. a 1 Thes. 5. quench any man's small godly gifts, which he obtaineth under the obedience of the Love, nor judge, that any man besides his godly gifts hath taken on in his Council any Flesh and blood; but be at peace with all them, which to a concord with the Elders in the family of Love, do obediently submit and give over themselves, with all their gifts and understandings under the Love and her service; For b Rom. 2 1 Cor. 12. Eph. 4. the gifts of God are manifold, yet minded all to concord and Peace, forasmuch as the true God of life, is with his gifts no God of discord, but of Peace. 37. Wherefore there is also in the manifold gifts of God, no more but one God c 1 Cor. 12. which worketh all: to whom of right belongeth the highest respect, above all things; For he is the most highest, the living, and the Everlasting: d Psa. 139. whose Works are wonderful, and his e Sap. 17. Rom. 11. Judgements incomprehensible. 38. His height is unmeasurable, his depth unsearchable, his glory unspeakable, his wisdom unwritable, his grace infinite, his word is unchangeable, his Law inviolable, his Truth uncorruptible, his Spirit unmoveable, his mighty Arm unfrayable: and his glorious Majesty remaineth stable for evermore. 39 Behold, this living and true God, of whom we have received our godly gifts, is an everlasting and true Light. f John 1. The same Light is an everlasting true Life: that Life is an everlasting steadfast Word: that Word is g John 6. a true Spirit. 40. The same Spirit is h Sap. 7. the holy Wisdom, and the upright Understanding. The holy Wisdom and upright Understanding is the Providence. The Providence is the Will, which willeth that all what good is may be. In this Will is the Belief. The Belief is the Power and Might to accomplish. In the Power is the Work & Deed. The Work and Deed is all the visible and invisible Being which God for himself hath brought forth, 41. But all the things that are Gods, and which the true God hath brought forth and made [both the invisible Being, and the visible created Things] are all Witnesses, i Rom. 1. that He, the same our living God, is the Creator of all things, the giver of all good gifts, and the eternal and true God, to the intent men should serve, honour, and worship him k Deut. 6. Mat. 4. only as God, Lord, and King. 42. And that same like Being of his Godhead l Gen. 1. Eccle. 17 was in the beginning form in the man: Which like Being of the Godhead, and the light of his clearness, the man hath, m Gen. 3. Rom. 5. through the fall from his God, been deprived of. But the coming of the same light is in the resurrection of the dead; to a godly glory, n Esai. 60.62. Joel 2. Acts 2. 2 Pet. 3. promised to be in the last time. And that same [as a new World, full of Light and Life, wherein o Apoc. 21. God himself dwelleth] p Psal. 97. appeareth unto us now in the Love, and in the Righteousness of the everlasting uncorruptibleness, according to the Promises. CHAP. XXIV. 1. GOD hath ever spoken to the Father's concerning his Son, or like-being, who is the Heir of all things, and the end of the Law and the Prophets. 5. The same Son promised to the Believers, that the true Life should be declared in the last times. 8. Which is now fulfilled in the Love. 10. But not understood by many. 12. An exhortation to lay down all contending under the Love. 22. Every Father of a Family, in the Love, hath liberty to use special Ceremonies. 23. All to be done to the Love and Peace. 25. As GOD extendeth his mercy. on us: so should we take heed unto it. 26. H. N. witnesseth of this grace: and it shall in time be manifested over all. 28. He glorieth not in his Revelations, but in God: Neither doth he despise any others therewith. 32. Howbeit his heart is inclined unto them that embrace the Love. 34. There are no other people of the LORD, but such as obey the Love. 35. He hath not by his writings defamed any; but called all to the Unity of Heart. THis Almighty God, which was, which is, and which abideth for ever (who giveth his honour to a Esa. 42 none other) spoke in times passed by Moses and his prophets, unto the Fathers, b Heb. 1. and that oftentimes, and in sundry manners, whereby He c Deut. 4 Esa. 42.45.51.55. required the true fruit of his Righteousness: and did still testify of the like Image of his Being, and ceased not therein, till the time d 2 Kin. 7. Psal. 89. Acts 2. was fulfilled, that his beloved one was appeared unto them: namely, e Mat. 1 Rom. 1. 2 Tim. 2. his Son, the fruit of his loins, and the very like Being of his Godhead. 2. And even as the same God's Son, [namely, the like Being of the said God who liveth for ever] was from the beginning, the First, whom f Joh. 1. God finished all his works by: so is he also the last [that is to say, the perfection] of all those things which God hath promised by Moses & his Prophets, according as it is written thereof. g Rom. 10 1 Cor. 13. Gal. 3. In whom the Law and the Prophets cease, or be fulfilled. 3. Insomuch then as the Law and the Prophets were in the same Son of GOD in times past, fulfilled in Israel: and did cease in the same Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the h Rom. 10. Gal. 5. 1 Tim. 1. end of the whole sum of the fulfilling of the Law and the Prophets, to the confirming of the Promises of GOD the Father; therefore did GOD then also at the last, at the end or fulfilling of his Law and Prophets, i Heb. 1. speak unto the people of Israel, and to the Believers of his Word, by the same Son; testifying how that all is k Deut. 7. Eph. 1. 1 Pet. 2. His: which Son he hath appointed for an heir of all things, and l Heb. 1. the same beareth all things with the word of his power; and he is unto us a cleansing of our sins through himself. 4 This only borne Son of GOD the Father, is given to the Children of Men, to the end they should be m Rom. 11. grafted into his Spirit, [which is the holy Spirit of Love] and in their minds be n Joh. 15 Eph. 3. 2 Pet. 1. of one Being therewith. 5. Through which holy Spirit, the same Son of God, Jesus Christ, hath also promised his Believers, that the Truth of the Life, should nakedly and clearly be o Joh. 14 Acts 1. manifested unto them, whereby at the very last, to a conclusion of all godly things, they in like manner might declare the Love, the most brightest Daylight: and through the same true Light, God's most holiest Being, draw all people that have any desire towards God, to the unity of Peace under the obedience of the Love, to the intent we all which love God, and his Righteousness, should in these last days, know and understand in all things, the mind of God in perfect clearness, and through the holy Spirit of his Love, walk in all truth, as in a true light of the godly Clearness, according to the Promises, even as God also hath spoken the same, through the Son, whom he hath made heir even of all that is Gods. p Mat. 11. Luk. 10. Joh. 3. For all what the Father hath, is His. 6. But because of his Long-suffering, (that his goodness might be known in the Love: and that none, through his default, might miss of the fullness of the Life) he hath spoken thus in times past, for to establish it in the last time. 7. I have (saith q Joh. 16. the Lord Jesus Christ) yet many things to say unto you: but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when the Spirit of Truth shall come, the same shall lead you into all Truth: For he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he shall show you that which is to come. He shall glorify me: For he shall receive of mine, and show it unto you. All what the Father hath, that is mine: Therefore have I said, He shall receive of mine, and show it unto you. 8. Lo, all this Love doth GOD now, through this new Day, or Light of his Fatherly Love, show on us, for to draw our Spirit in him, out of the earthly, lying, and deadly Being, unto his Love, in the Heavenly true Life, which is everlasting. 9 Which his Love, r Joh. 17 1 Cor. 13 1 Joh. 4. is the perfect Being of God and of Christ, and of the holy Ghost, which heretofore was s Esa. 2. promised for to come in the last time: and it is the t Apoc. 21. Jerusalem, which is now in the last time come down unto us from Heaven, and the perfect fruit of Righteousness, where the Sun of clearness doth never go down, according as GOD hath spoken in times passed by the mouth of his holy Prophets, who have all likewise prophesied of this salvation, to the intent that all people, to the unity of heart in the Love, should have a sure hope towards God, and towards their salvation. 10 But alas, it seemeth that this Belief and Hope to this same, is by many v Jer. 5. 1 Tim. 1.4. forsaken: or else the salvation and the truth is not well understood, for to hope thereon. 11. For there are found with many sundry divided testimonies: and every one in His, or the most part, will defend, that his testimony is brought forth by the Spirit of Truth. But among these, there is found great fail by many, whereby many are made doubtful in their belief, x Matth. 24. and become cold in their zeal to the Good. And by means of their dissensions, y Luk. 17. which they have stirred up, and do yet daily stir up among themselves against each other. Many know not what they shall hope for, or believe. 12. Wherefore for the Unities sake in the Love, O ye children of men, lay down your contentions under the Love, and have regard unto God's promises, and to your Calling: and incline likewise your hearts to the obeying of the love, and of the requiring of her service. 13. For in the obeying of the love, and of the requiring of her service, ye shall become of one mind, and shall know, that there is no more but z Eph. 4.2. 1 John 5. one God or Father, who alone, is only good and almighty, no more but one Christ, with him at his right hand; who only is the everlasting Mediator and Saviour between God and us, out of him no more but one spirit, who only is true, and no more but one love, a Col. 3. which only is the band of perfection. 14. Nevertheless, the Gifts of God, through the spirit, under the obedience of the love are manifold. Likewise also the Services are manifold. Which b Rom. 12. 1 Cor. 12. Eph. 4. Gifts and Services, are all to the Commodity and Profit of the Communality, and are also all serviceable to the love, and to the unity in the peace. Howbeit, it is all but c 1 Cor. 12 one spirit, that worketh all through the service of the love. Which service of the love, is not ministered, for to break that which God hath spoken and promised in times past: but d Mat. 5 Rom. 3. to establish and accomplish it all, according to the Scripture. 15. Therefore let none of ours (whose souls stand subject under the Love) take upon him e 1 Cor. 5 to contend against any for any of the gifts of God, which are of God graciously bestowed upon them, nor for the Services or Ceremovies cause, which any man observeth or publisheth, albeit the same be manifold. 16 For it is not for us to contend or strive against any, for the gifts cause which any man receiveth of his God, neither to contend against any man's Services or Ceremonies, which he useth, to the training up & edifying of the people, except (as it is convenient & edifiable to further the peace) that they do all stand subject under the Love and her Service. 17. For one hath this gift: and f Rom. 12 1 Cor. 12. Eph. 4. 1 Pet. 4. with the same he is serviceable to the Commonalty, to a unity of heart in the Love. Another hath another Gift, and it is also serviceable to the Communality: and yet notwithstanding they are all used to the Love and to the Concord in their Services. 18. Moreover, some use one kind of service, or such a manner of Ceremonies: and some again, other Services or Ceremonies, wherewith they train up the people, to the making known of that Righteousness unto them which God esteemeth, and they are also serviceable to the same: And all likewise are done, to the Love and her Concord. 19 Therefore seeing the Gifts of God, and the services are manifold, we let them stand free to every one, and do not contend against them, so far forth as they stand all under one God: and that they do not exalt their Services and Gifts, above the love and her service; but do submit themselves all thereunder, and do likewise confess, that God only is the Lord, and only giveth in his service of love the godly Gifts. 20. Wherefore let no man contend with his Gifts or Services, nor let no man make any breach therewith, in the Communality of the love; but g Psa. 34 praise God in all his works. And that all, to a unity of peace in the love. 21. Lo, such a unity, do the services, Ceremonies, and gifts of the one-onely holy spirit of love serve unto, all to the good life and Peace: and if we be all minded to the good life, and to the peace, then shall no man's services or Ceremonies be offensive unto us: neither shall we contend or wrangle for them. 22. For every h 1 Pet. 4 Father of a Family under the love, hath doubtless the liberty, in his Family, to use Services and Ceremonies, according as he perceiveth out of the Testimonies of the holy spirit of love, that they are most profitablest or necessariest for his Household, to the life of Peace, for to keep his Household thereby, in Discipline and Peace: training them up therewith, that they may learn to practise and use i 1 Cor. 14. Phil. 4.2. that which is right and equal, for to manifest unto them thereby, the true righteousness which God esteemeth. 23. If any man therefore hath obtained in the obeying of the Doctrine of the gracious Word and his Service of Love, any gifts of God: or if any man hath any heavenly Revelation, or if any man use any service of the Priestly Ordinance, let him with us be serviceable to the love therewith, to the intent it may all be agreeable with the love, and may all be done to Concord, in the service of love, and not to strife, dissension, or schism, to the intent, that the good life in all love and peace, might be lined under one head, the living God, and only King, according as in times past it was prophesied thereof. 24. The same life in the love, is the life and very like Being of Almighty God: namely, Christ, the gracious word of God the Father, (by whom k John 1. God made all that is any thing.) It is also the one only holy spirit of the Prophets: unto the which, all spirits of the Prophets, and all services, that come out from God, l 1 Cor. 14. are subject and serviceable to the love, and only minded to the peace and life; for God is no God of discord, but he is a God of Peace. 25. Forasmuch then as the God of Heaven, doth now show his mercy on us: and doth daily disclose unto us, the thing that so many days hath been m Eph. 3 hidden, therefore let us likewise with thankfulness, and with submitted obedience to the love; n 2 Cor. 6 Heb. 12. take heed in the spirit, to the godly grace, and not be slack or slow, to further the good; but o Eph. 4. reach one another the hand, and be serviceable to the love, with helpfulness to the virtue, that the service of the love be not hindered p 1 Cor. 6 nor evil spoken of. 26. And seeing such heavenly Revelations, are by God's Grace to me unworthy committed, and according to the mention of the writings, which through the grace of God, are come forth or set out by me H.N. under the obedience of the love are opened, and granted me to be known and q Eph. 3. understood, because I likewise should reveal the same in the world: therefore do I also witness the same among the Children of men, indifferently out of the inclination of love, to the intent, that virtue and unity may grow and multiply. 27. And these my testimonies of truth, shall also unto those (which now are, and hereafter shall come) be to a right discerning of the upright and lovely life, to as many as believe the same, and be comprehended in the love. For among them shall this service of love to the same life, according to the true being; everlastingly proceed on out of the love, according to the promises. 28. Behold ye beloved, concerning all this which is revealed to me by the living God, r 2 Tim. 1 and which I have testified and published out of his holy and gracious Word, I have no other glorying, but s Jer. 9 2 Cor. 11. in God the most highest, in the light of his true being, and in his heavenly revelations, even as it is sufficiently testified. 29. Out of which Revelations of God, I show my service out of the inclination of love, unto all those that affect the Love, to the end we might with one consent be minded to the love; for to s 2 Cor. 10. draw the understanding under the obedience of the Love and her service. 30. In the same service standeth also all my hope and confidence in the living God, and my salvation in his Christ; Which Christ standeth firm for us t 1 joh. 2 to a Reconciler before God the Father, and in the service of his Love everlastingly; that through the same service our inward mind, should stand free, and firm in God and his Christ; and not be tied to any thing besides, without the Communion and service of the Love, whether to the sin, or else to men: neither to any created or elementish things nor yet to any earthly or worldly things; whereby with one accord we might live boldly in God the most highest, with the Communality of the Love. 31. With these despise I none in his understanding, whether he be great or small, that every one (as right and meet it is) may give his understanding v 2 Cor. 10. captive, or suffer it to be plucked under the obedience of the Love: and likewise do that x Phil. 4. which is just and equal; For who can refuse the Love, or withhold himself from her service, if so be he love the good. 32. Doubtless whosoever refuseth the love, and withholdeth himself from her service, or with his understanding, is against it, the same man showeth thereby, that he is without understanding, and not minded to concord in the love; And moreover, that his heart thinketh not upon the good, which God esteemeth; but rather, upon his own good, which he hath chosen to himself. But who so are fully affected to the love and her service, and unto all that are just and equal, and do unpartially submit themselves under the obedience of the love, unto them am I inclined. 33. For with them, doth my heart desire to live, in such a life as is just and reasonable, y Phil. 4. lovely and peaceable, and with them, in like obedience under the love, to stand obedient in the same life, z Eph. 4. to all unity of heart in the Love. 34. Behold, the true Christians of Israel, the people of the Lord, and even in this sort minded with us; and there are no other Christians, nor Jews, nor House of Israel, nor People of the Lord; but those that stand subject with us to the Love with one accord, and over whom the Love is likewise the head: who with us also, are not partial or divided with this or that, which is earthly or visible. 35. Thereunto in like manner is the service of my writing: namely, to the right stock of life in the Love, and not to contend or to strive against any. And I do not know, that I have written against any man's dealing, (so fare forth as the same is according to Truth, and out of love.) Neither have I named any faction by name for to contemn them, nor singled out any persons particularly, whereby to reproach them: neither reviled any man's Religion for heresy; but have called and invited all men, to the unity of heart in the Love. The which is the blessing of all the Generations of the Earth, according to the Promises made to the Fathers. 36. Therefore let every one glass himself, and look how near his cause is right: and so give over his understanding to the obedience of the Love: (for therein consisteth the upright being) to the intent that all may, through the Love and her service a Eph. 1. be renewed, and the Corruption reign no more; but that the upright Righteousness which God esteemeth, b Esa. 60. may come to light, according to the Promises. CHAP. XXV. 1, The Author concludeth this Introduction, with his Desire and Request to all that read; or hear his Writings, that they apply themselves unto that, which is set forth therein. 3. It is much happier to be among the lowly and sorrowers for fine than to be with the proud and dissolute. 6. A menacing of the obstinate. 12. The reward of the righteous: and the horrible End of the rebellious. HErewith ye beloved we will cut off, and end this Introduction, to the holy understanding of the Glass of Righteousness. And we desire of all those that read, or hear our writings of the godly Testimonies, and likewise of all those that have any desire to the Truth, and do humbly apply themselves to that which is witnessed by us, and do join with us in all uprightness, under the obedience of the Love, to the intent that the Love may bear the dominion, and rule in us to a one minded Communion, in one amiable and godly life, that they will not take it grievously, to suffer contempt, heaviness, or anguish for a little while, with those that love the Righteousness; but rather stand always minded (whether it be in prosperity or adversity) to be joined to the mind of God, in all love even as the same under the obedience of the Love, is plainly and clearly described, according to the life that abideth for ever in the Glass of righteousness. 2. The Almighty God grant us his Grace, and strengthen our minds to the same, Eph. 4. in the unity of Love and Peace: and in like manner all lowly hearts, that hope upon the righteousness and suffer heaviness, for the sins cause. 3. It is surely much happier to be among the lowly hearts, where b 2 Cor. 7. is heaviness and sighing for the sins cause, c Matt. 18. Rom. 15. 1 Thes. 5. Heb. 3. where exhortation to amendment, and instruction to the knowledge of God and Christ is, and where men out of love d Prov. 27. reprehend the blindness of the heart for the righteousness sake, than to be among the haughty, where the flattering lips of the ungodly and the dissolute stout, or uncircumcised of heart are; where men embrace all gladness, commendation, praise and honour of men, and not the honour of God. 4. Wherefore have regard hereunto, and awake to the good; For behold, It shall in his time be found, that the endurers or sufferers (who now for the sin's cause, bear heaviness, sorrow, and the Cross; and who out of the love of Righteousness, endure out such things) shall be turned to a e Esa. 60 62.66. 4 Esd. 2. joh. 16. godly joyfulness; where contrariwise, all despisers of the Righteousness which now rejoice themselves in ungodliness (how evilly soever they do it) shall be turned to f Matt. 25. grievous sorrow and pain; yea, g 4 Esd. 5. Apo. 21. horrible it is to remember, the reward of the unrighteous or wretched men, which is for to come upon them. 5. O how happy is that man, which joineth himself to the Word of the Lord, in his service of the Love, and h Esa. 1. Mat 18 turneth him away from the evil: which betimes i 1 Cor. 11. heareth his Judgement and so setteth himself down in the dust; k which receiveth Wisdom, and Instruction to Virtue: that loveth the Righteousness, and Prov. 3. Heb. 12. refuseth not the Chastening of the Lord, that he may be upright of heart, before God; For it shall go well with him in this day of the righteous Judgement which God, now bringeth over the whole Earth; yet passing through great dangers of his salvation. 6. How will it go with you then, m Prov. 11. 1 Pet. 5. O ye sinners and sinneresses, which receive n Sap. 2. 2 Pet. 2. Judas 1. this transitory life for your delight, and keep God out of your hearts, and have not once borne sorrow nor heaviness for your sins. 7. Where will ye then hid yourselves, ye haughty, ye covetous, and ye proud men, and all ye arrogant selfwise, that now will not submit nor give over yourselves to obedience, under the service of the Love of the graciove Word? o Sap. 5 What profit I pray you will your pride, and your riches then yield or bring you? 8. Who think ye, will then have compassion on your misery, ye which now withhold yourselves from the obedience of the Doctrine, and requiring of the gracious Word, and make yourselves common with the worldly minded and with those that oppress the little ones, grieve the Consciences of the simple, and betray, persecute, and spill p Ezek. 22. the innocent Blood? 9 Oh! I am astonished, whilst I think upon the horrible being of the ungodly, the wicked perverse nature that will not convert. 10. Oh how horrible and fearful shall it be unto him, that shall behold it with his eyes? Yea, what misery and Woe cometh over him, that shall taste bear, and be tormented with the same eternally, 11. Therefore q Pro. 15 much better in this dangerous Time is a little in the fear of God, with the Righteous; than superfluities with the ungodly. It is also much better, to suffer and endure Poverty, Shame, Reproach, Affliction, Heaviness, Anguish and Contempt, r Heb. 11 with the Children of Peace, which have regard on God's Righteousness, according to his Promises, than to have all the Delights or Pleasures, with all the honour, riches, and Triumphs of this world. 12. For the Reward of the Righteous redoundeth s Pro. 11. Sap. 5. to God's Glory; but the recompense of the ungodly, of the wicked world, with all unbelievers or resisters of the good, t Apo. 21 shall with confusion perish in horrible calamity, and with misery: It is true. Take it to heart. Love ye the Virtue fervently, Give God his Honour due: Delight therein continually, That is his Doctrine true. CHARITAS EXTORSIT, PER H. N. FJNJS.