This was a lively express and manifestation of the Everlasting and unchangeable Priesthood, which the Holy Ghost will build up; and appear All in it: And therefore is come before-hand to open the Scene of it; and to give Rules to direct in the Way, which leads thereunto; according to this substantial Ground which opens from the Central Eternity, from whence all perfect things must spring out again, in this faded and corrupted Region. For which a most Holy and Royal Priesthood is ordained, that is to be the Salt of the Earth, to send forth their seasoning for Life, where Putrifaction unto Death hath reigned.
Now we shall proceed and give forth, what hath run in as a Fountain, sending forth its Springs. It is then assured to us by an irreversible Covenant, that a Kingly Priesthood shall in this latter day stand upon the Earth. An Election and Call from the Holy Ghost is going out for to effect the same; who only knows where the true born Nazarites are, and where the sanctified in the Water of Life do lie. Who will be brought out as baptized Ones, into this Holy Priestly Order: so that it may be evident to all, to know who they are, and to acknowledge their Priestly Royalty, each one in their various order and degree for Power and Eminency. For which there are several Rules, Characters and holy Missions, that will make out where all these pure, clear, lively Stones are connexed together, for a ruling and governing Priesthood in this visible Earth.
These are of the Election hereunto, that may yet be hid amongst the Stuff of Babylon’s Confusion. A David may be keeping of Sheep, an Elisha Plowing with a yoke of Oxen; till a special Ordination come forth for Anointing them to a more high, worthy and honourable Employ, in which the business will be only to have to do with God: And therefore are they set apart, and sanctified only for that use, ceasing from all thronging Cares, and seculiar Services, and withdrawing from all defiling things of this kind. Whoever feels the touch of the Life-coal, that sets the only Matter of the Soul’s eternal Essence on burning, they will soon find what separation is made: and can henceforth no more savour the low, vulgar, gross and Earthly Concerns. From all which this Priestly Function doth set them free, as Called and Anointed they are by the most Holy One, that is the Head of this separated Congregation. Therefore it is but meet that the Body should answer hereunto: that as our great High-Priest is passed into the Heavens, being found perfect, separate from Sin and Sinners; so likewise may all appertaining to this Heavenly Order, be known in their pure consecration. For the Spring of the Spirit will rise from within, to cleanse every Instrument that must be used about the Tabernacle-Service; because God will have nothing to come near Him, but what hath Holiness engraved upon it. Which doth imply a coming out of what is Common and Defiling: that nothing of this Corrupting Nature may be found amongst the Priestly Tribe. For these are designed and appointed to deal with God in all weighty Spiritual Matters, belonging to the Restoration, and that may erect the New Jerusalem-State in this very World. Therefore there is to be an extraordinary Call of the Holy Ghost, for the impowering and fitting out Instruments hereunto. For else it will be impossible to carry on this Evangelical Ministration in such an Evil Region, where the Cry and Plea of mortal Necessities are continually heard; so making it a lawful Imposition upon the very Illuminated Saints to puddle about Earthly things; by which indeed the way unto the most Holy hath been blocked up. No open Face of God could through this muddy glass be seen; as being the dark side of the Cloud which keeps from God, by many removes and distances. Therefore an healing Balsam, for a continual bleeding Wound, the great and merciful High-Priest hath sent down; even the victorious reconciling Crown of the Priestly Anointing, which is in very truth his Essential Deity: which riseth as a Fountain of Purity, overspreading the whole Humanity; and Consecrates it for both Tabernacle, Ark and Altar; in which the Holy Ghost officiates, and accomplisheth the whole Divine Service.
Now whatever Soul and Spirit shall be thus taken up, and arrested upon God’s account, to serve and minister about the Heavenly and most excellent things, which belong to the Everlasting Priesthood; it is not to be thought that the Most Holy will allow or permit, such to prophane what he hath Sanctified; or the Living to be entombed with the Dead; or the high scented Oyl which springs from the Holy Ghost to let in the noisom Putrefactions from the loathed Kedar, where all unclean Spirits do dwell. Here is an absolute Command to have no touch, nor intermeddling withal, so as to ensnare, or come into hazard of breaking the consecrated Vows. For it is a true saying of that great Saint, That we in this consideration do cease to be our own: We cannot according to the Law of the Spirit dispose of our selves; no, not for an hour or day, from our Lord and Master’s Employ and Business; further than as good and faithful Stewards, we can give a satisfying account, according to those Spiritual Circumstances, we are bound in, unto him. The great and mighty King loveth to see all his Priestly Train and Attendants still about him, in such an Holy Order, and Heavenly Posture, as they may be ready to be sent forth upon the most eminent Services. Who can find employment enough for his Subjects, and Ministring Spirits; And who takes it as a great dishonour, to have this Holy Order suffer their high profession to be brought into contempt, by running into the Cloud, and thickest of vain rudimental things. Nay, more than this, the Restriction extends so to the Ordained and Called ones, upon whom the Anointing hath been poured forth, for the most Holy Incense-Offering; they cannot be at liberty to fall in with those very lawful and necessary Concerns which pertain to the feeding and cloathing of the Body; but if herein at any time they be engaged, the Spiritual part suffers hurt, because it acts out of its own Sphear, and Divine Property. Which should stand in Faith’s Essentiality; where all our motions should be accompanied with the Principle of Faith, in the Priestly Ministration: for the supplying what is Needful to the true Temple-Worshippers; whereunto keeping, and walking with God in a perfect way, in fulfilling all Sanctuary-Institutions, such are as Lilies to Spring and grow without toil or care. The blessings of the Deep shall upon such evermore abound, and flow in, while there is an abiding in the Faith hereof; giving God full credit, and running all fully upon His Account, in this Case.
The Truth is, the Lord stands engaged to provide all Sufficiency for his Servants, whom he hath called from all other low inferior Services and Employs, being himself in Covenant with the Priesthood of his own Ordination. Holy Paul makes use of it from the unchangeable Law, that runs from Shadows and figurative Services, till it comes to the Life and Substance. Do you not know (saith he) that they which minister about Holy things, live of the things of the Temple, and they which wait at the Altar, are partakers with it; They have a right hereunto, according to a Law of divine Institution. But the Proprietors of these worldly Goods, do not hold themselves obliged hereunto; but do engross and take up all: and if they let go any thing, it is rather by constraint, than a free and voluntary Offering. But we are not to search too deep into this Matter; for Faultiness may be found among our own Tribe, that be within the circle of the Priestly Covenant: in whom much Remissness and Shortness hath been found, as to the ministering to the Necessities of the true dedicated Nazarites. But we hope to see another Power and Spirit, that shall bear Rule, which shall make the fast clasped Proprietors to become all-free and open-handed, according to the fore-going Prophecy, that the Churl shall be made liberal, yea, so as to reckon nothing to be his own.
But here it may well be Asked, What is it that must come to loosen from this Self-bottom, so as to unhinge this strong Gate, that hath kept out from the Land of eternal Store and Blessing, whereof Abraham’s Seed in the Faith are Heirs;
This doth in part answer the Question, which may produce the great Change in narrow Spirits, which is the Gift of the Faith of the operation of God, which openeth from the Springs of Love, which are spread abroad by the Holy Ghost; and kept as a live Coal that can multiply it self into a strong and vehement flame of Love. Which is the cherishing Root that makes Faith to become all Fruitful, beyond all exteriour sense and sight; by resting and confiding in the creating Fiat: which can call those things that are not to be; and make a Something of Nothing. This we may call the Riches of Faith, that can make an Increase where no visible Matter appeareth. This is no common Faith, it is no where found, but where the Holy Ghost has planted himself for a Blessing and growing Revenue. Who ever shall receive of this Gift, and taste the Power of it, will soon cease to grasp and love earthly and perishing Things. They will be constrained to offer, and consecrate all that may be for the service and use of the Holy, Royal, Melchizedeck-Priesthood. And though at this time, little of this Spirit and Power doth appear in the World. Yet know of a Truth from the Witness of Jesus, that the long circling Motion of the Holy Anointing, which hath yet but scattered his sparks of Light, is now in very deed upon the out breaking Day of Life: that so what has only been in sweet Love-movings, and transcient passing Powers, that have in the very Altar-waiters themselves ceased; shall come to be fixed in such a manner, as they shall be able to say now again, Behold, come and see, the burning Ghostly Body is Risen, that will turn all uncertain Motion into a Fired Act of all flowing generating Powers! But this the Lord hath shewed me, will be first appropriated unto the High-Priestly Order, that can pass beyond the Vail; whom the Holy of Holiest stands open unto: For there are different Degrees, States and Orders in this last and new erected Priesthood, in which the Holy Ghost will appear to be All. Which according to our received Instruction, I shall define, and give a description of; and shew how it may be known, who are the Called and Chosen of God hereunto. For each one ordained hereunto, will have the Foundation Seal, which is the Priestly Mark; that shall be the known Character, which no one shall obliterate, or deny. And as to the outward visible Sex of Corporeal Males; there shall be no distinction: Of which the typical changeable Priesthood did consist in its day. All of this is broken away; for Signs, Figures and Forms in this Ministration do fly away like a Cloud. Male and Female are alike consider’d in This; therefore the Holy Ghost doth include both in One, swallowing up all in the Newness, Strength, Power and Glory of his own springing New Birth; according as it is witnessed, Neither Male nor Female, but all one in Christ the Lord, the quickening Spirit. Therein is the true Evidence, that will shew forth it self, according to their grown up measure and degrees. For Persons here signifie Little; Wisdom, Purity and Power in the Spirit is all: this God respecteth in his Priestly Offerings.
Now we must know that these Priests do consist of three Ranks and Orders, as constituted and ordained, and set a part under the great and mighty High Priest: who yet continues in his Mediating Kingdom, till the whole be finished; and so come to be perfected in Him, for mutual Glorification with Him.
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