Epistle 304

Dear friends, to whom is my love, I am glad to hear of the increase of truth amongst you, and the Lord prosper his work, and increase people in his knowledge, who will fulfil his promise, 'that the knowledge of the Lord shall cover the earth as the waters cover the sea [Isa 11:9],' in the new covenant; though in the old covenant, the word was to Jacob, and the statutes to Israel [Psa 147:19]; the like was not to other nations, but the new covenant is to all nations, Jews and Gentiles; 'For I will give him for a covenant of light to the Gentiles, and he shall be my salvation to the ends of the earth [Isa 42:6/49:6];' therefore he saith, 'Look unto me all ye ends of the earth, and be ye saved [Isa 45:22]:' and there is no salvation by any other name under heaven, but by the name of Jesus [Acts 4:12], which signifies a saviour.

And in his name keep your men's and women's, and all your other meetings, that you may feel him in the midst of you [Mat 18:20], exercising his offices; as he is a prophet, which God has raised up [Deut 18:15], to open to you, and as he is a shepherd, who has laid down his life for you [John 10:15], to feed you [Isa 40:11, Ezek 34:23], so hear his voice [John 10:27]; and as he is a counsellor [Isa 9:6], and a commander, follow him and his counsel; and as he is a bishop [1 Pet 2:25] to oversee you, with his heavenly power and spirit; and as he is a priest, who offered up himself for you [Heb 7:27], who is made higher than the heavens [Heb 7:26], (and that is higher than all the priests that are made upon the earth,) who sanctifies his people [Heb 13:12], his church [1 Cor 1:2], and presents them to God without blemish, spot, or wrinkle [Eph 5:27]: so, I say, know him in all his offices, exercising them amongst you, and in you. . . . <55> . . .

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