Concerning the Three Principles of the Divine Essence
65. Are we not lords in his kingdom? And being in his ministry [service or worship] we are the most holy and best. Who may compare himself with us ? He is ascended into heaven, and he hath given us his dominion on earth. The keys of Peter, he must be [deputy, viceroy, vicar, or] keeper of the city, and those he hath left us to [open] the kingdom of heaven and of hell. Who will take them away from us ? We can get into heaven well enough, though we be evil, it matters not, we have the keys that can open it ; we are priests in power [or ministers having authority], we will let those in that make much of us [fatten us], and give much to our kingdom ; and then the Christian Church will be in great honour [glory, and esteem], when they so highly honour her ministers [or servants] ; that will well please our Lord [and Master]. Where is there such a kingdom as we have ? Should not that [kingdom] be crowned with the 1most glorious crown of this 1 with riches, world ? And should not all bend and crouch treasure of i f '. n this world.
before it?
66. Yes indeed, say they, we ourselves confess that we are evil wicked men, but this 2 order2 holy orders, maketh us holy. Our office is holy, we are the ministers, true ministers of Christ in his service ; and although SIJtLtution of we be evil [mere natural wicked carnal] men, yet our office remaineth holy ; and the highest dignity is due to us for our office sake. As Aaron (with his worship of the calf) must be called holy in his
p. 454
THE THREE PRINCIPLES
[Ch. 18 office, although they forgat Moses, and rose up 1 their glut- (from 1 eating and drinking) to dance and to play ;
tony and drunkenness, and so also Aaron must be highly honoured [and reverenced] for his ministry or service to the calf.
67. But that the kingdom of Christ on earth in Babel might stand in great earnest [zeal], they say, We will ordain a holy divine service [and worship of God], that may be diverse [or separated and set apart] from the world, and procure there, that our laws may be in force [and put in execution by them]. We will impose great fasting days, and holy days of feasting, that the world also may have a looking-glass of holiness, and highly honour and reverence us, and acknowledge that our ministry [or worship], which we perform [when we pray] before God, is holy ; we must be the holy priests of God ; whosoever judge th otherwise, we will condemn them ; and we do right in it, and do God good service by it. For though an angel should come from heaven, and preach any other doctrine than we, he is accursed, as Paul saith.
68. Whatsoever we have 2 ordained at the convention of the chief fathers, [rulers, elders or presbyters], with the whole consent of our concilium [or council], that is holy ; for it is written, Thou shalt not curse the chief [or ruler] of thy people. And when our hearts (before the
3 challenge, light of nature) 3 condemn us, or that we must accuse, and -i-ii II/»/-NT affright us. stand ashamed of ourselves before God, and
2 Or concluded.
Ch. 18] PROMISED SEED OF THE WOMAN 455
65. Are we not lords in his kingdom? And being in his ministry [service or worship] we are the most holy and best. Who may compare himself with us ? He is ascended into heaven, and he has given us his dominion on earth. The keys of Peter, he must be [deputy, viceroy, vicar, or] keeper of the city, and those he has left us to [open] the kingdom of heaven and of hell. Who will take them away from us ? We can get into heaven well enough, though we be evil, it matters not, we have the keys that can open it ; we are priests in power [or ministers having authority], we will let those in that make much of us [fatten us], and give much to our kingdom ; and then the Christian Church will be in great honour [glory, and esteem], when they so highly honour her ministers [or servants] ; that will well please our Lord [and Master]. Where is there such a kingdom as we have ? Should not that [kingdom] be crowned with the 1most glorious crown of this 1 with riches, world ? And should not all bend and crouch treasure of i f '. n this world.
before it?
66. Yes indeed, say they, we ourselves confess that we are evil wicked men, but this 2 order2 holy orders, makes us holy. Our office is holy, we are the ministers, true ministers of Christ in his service ; and although SIJtLtution of we be evil [mere natural wicked carnal] men, yet our office remains holy ; and the highest dignity is due to us for our office sake. As Aaron (with his worship of the calf) must be called holy in his
p. 454
THE THREE PRINCIPLES
[Ch. 18 office, although they forgat Moses, and rose up 1 their glut- (from 1 eating and drinking) to dance and to play ;
tony and drunkenness, and so also Aaron must be highly honoured [and reverenced] for his ministry or service to the calf.
67. But that the kingdom of Christ on earth in Babel might stand in great earnest [zeal], they say, We will ordain a holy divine service [and worship of God], that may be diverse [or separated and set apart] from the world, and procure there, that our laws may be in force [and put in execution by them]. We will impose great fasting days, and holy days of feasting, that the world also may have a looking-glass of holiness, and highly honour and reverence us, and acknowledge that our ministry [or worship], which we perform [when we pray] before God, is holy ; we must be the holy priests of God ; whosoever judge th otherwise, we will condemn them ; and we do right in it, and do God good service by it. For though an angel should come from heaven, and preach any other doctrine than we, he is accursed, as Paul says.
68. Whatsoever we have 2 ordained at the convention of the chief fathers, [rulers, elders or presbyters], with the whole consent of our concilium [or council], that is holy ; for it is written, You shall not curse the chief [or ruler] of your people. And when our hearts (before the
3 challenge, light of nature) 3 condemn us, or that we must accuse, and -i-ii II/»/-NT affright us. stand ashamed of ourselves before God, and
2 Or concluded.
Ch. 18] PROMISED SEED OF THE WOMAN 455