A sudden and cloudy messenger, with glimpses of great joy to the Israel of God declaring the hastning of that day of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus in his saints, tending to a deliverance from spiritual and temporal captivity ... / by a lover of peace and purity, though appearing so terrible and dreadfull, Edward Ellis.

An apology to the true Israel of GOD.

MY dear Friends, you have been very precious in my sight, formerly, though I, a poore weak creature, have wanted power so to walk as to adornthe glorious gospel of Jesus Christ, which hath caused me where I have loved, scarce to own God or you, for sear of bringing contempt, and despising to both; no injoyment satisfying me, but even to be declared the Son of God with power, as Christ was, which yet I wait for more, and more, God hath disposed of me now a little to bring my self forth by writing: the words used to great ones, to idle Shepherds, to many in the gathered Churches, may seem harsh to you, and grieve your spirits, thinking them to be contrary to the meeknesse & gentle∣nesse of Iesus Christ, and so be grieved and made sad; but shall I adde Sorrow to you, now my bowells are most yearning over you, and not able to speak any thing against you, but all I can for you, In blessings spirituall and temporall, to prevent your grief if it be possible; consider first, what is judged here of such a Generation, as have been, and are enemies to God, its in the wombe with you, its here brought forth: you had by the light of Christ spelt it, heres onely the pronounciation of the word.

Secondly, consider Iesus Christ is the Lion of the Tribe of Iu∣dah, as well as the Lamb slain from the beginning, both these he used on earth, he was meek, gentle, not quenching smoak∣ing Flax, nor breaking broken Reeds, yet was able to appeare otherwise, if need were, as you may see at large Mat. 23. which life he doth, and will bring forth in his Saints.

Thirdly, those raised expressions, and actions the Saints used, and shall act, did not, nor shall arise from a power or principall of darknesse, but from the power and puritie of God in them, read 2. Kings 3. 4. Acts 13. 10. Psal. 149. 6, 7, 8, 9. 1 Cor. 6. 23. Rev. 18. 6. 7.

Israel, I believe the Saints shall be more terrible to the world then ever they have been, and reward them according to their works, not in, or by a base power, but a pure one, rule, judge, inflict punishments, they shall, but in righteousnesse and judge∣ment, whereas the world hath ruled over, judged, and inflicted punishments on Israel by a beastly, and fleshly power, and princi∣ple, which the time is coming, and who knows how soon, but such a power then, shall not be found in Israel, but destroyed by the exaltation of Iesus in them.

Fourthly consider, hath not this generation of men spoken so too, been as Goliah, despisers of the host of Israel, not beccause they were filthy, but for the breaking forth of some Beams of the glory of God, and thereby defied God himself, most certain∣ly he hath and will defie them more and more, and that the breaking forth of himself in his people, in this I have endevoured to remove that sight of trouble I saw might befall your spirits. And Israel, through the goodnesse of God, you may in this book see a glimpse of a feast prepared for Israel, some have had a taste of it, how soon you may, I know not, see it, long for it, and re∣joyce as Abraham, youl say I may do it, and not taste of it my self, well you have been, and still are precious in my sight, the Lord doe with me as seemeth good in his sight, let me have your prayers who am unworthy of mercie,

Edward Ellis.