Prove me herein if I do not answer to that Conjugal Marriage-state after which you do make I will be yours as you are mine and free from all others No cause of jealousie shall be ministred on my part for as a sealing witness you may daily read me as ye are fixed with the pure ointment for to dip your finger in and therewith annoint your Eyes that so ye may have a right and clear sight of me and of all that is of a Celestial Nature and that is set out for your more pleasant and full rejoycing as you shall take up your living in me Oh here I do invite you as my Bride to make your abode Let all know who have their habitation in this World of distress and confusion that ye have found out a rest which is far more excelling being lodged in the Bosom of the Triune Soveraignty that can command all great and good things to satisfie you as ye remain in constancy Therefore over all this Worlds Temptations maintain victory that ye may inherit with your Bridegroom revenues of Crowns Princedomes Principalities over all universally in the Marriage Knot of Unity August the 27th 1677. Then there was presented unto me a fine piece of Wrought Work that was given one to take out and one said they could never learn it without going to some skilful one to teach them therein Then heard I a grave wise Person say No find it out of thy self Stir up the Gift which is within thee that is sufficient hereunto and thou wilt have the glory of it rest upon thee August the 28th 1677. An Interpretation was given to me of this Vision and thus it was interpreted That this Vision alluded to and did present the Workmanship of God renewed in Christ Jesus and so successively in those who are created again in him Now the draught without is Christ the Lord in all his holy and perfect Deportment as he lived without sin in this World in that he is become our example that according as it is written we might be as he was in this World Now this Pattern of Perfection was given to us but the curiosity and difficulty thereof put us to whom it was offered to a plunge not knowing how to take it out without a Guide And so likely we might spend and run out our whole time before we had attained half thereof always learning and yet not perfected Therefore while I was in this demur a word came to me This skill must spring from that New Birth within Yet it is in vain for any by imitation ever to attempt the Christ-like Life till they be born again As that grows up to the degree of Divine Capacity so it will be all perceiving and will aptly find out the Mystery of a God's likeness though incarnate in this terrestrial State Where Precepts and Patterns of Evil are continually inviting so that ye are in danger of taking a wrong Pattern out But this pure Birth in you will prevent that for it scents all what is of this Principle as a putrefactious life and therefore flies from it to its own express incorruptibility For which will proceed Gifts and Powers answerably to what your Head Pattern here acted marvelously Look to it for the Root of this Matter must rise from within your own inward holy ground Call up the Ghostly Power of Might that lieth hidden there and then ye may be able to produce the same wonderful working piece according to the form of the New Creation which must bear down and outdo all which came in by the fall Then was it further given me to know that there would be a trial and probation made of what ever was wrought it must be brought to the view of the Impartial Judge whose rejoycing it will be to pass the Sentence of Justification found in the imitation both of the Death and Life from the Birth Spirit which was in Jesus and is now entred into us to bring forth the same express Workmanship in all glorious variety as in the dying so in the rising conquering reigning Life Which is not to be manifested barely by Words but by mighty Deeds and Works from the Alpha and Omega Whose day of Love Light Peace and Joy is already working known and felt in the New Born August the 29th 1677. This Night I saw my self making hard towards a place wherein I was assured of all desirable good as relating to Company and Place And as I was striving to reach thereto there came a stubborn prancing Horse in a Cart and there was one went by to guide him but the Horse was so headstrong that he would no way be governed but would run in a hostile way towards the Gate that gave entrance into this secure place Seeing which I ran with all might and hast lest I should be stopped and just as I was entring in at the passage he came furiously upon me to grind me with the Wheels So that I was put to it hard but I passed through to great admiration as if I only had a Spirit without a Body so swift was my escape out of this danger For I saw it a perfect design to have prevented my going in then took I care of the well minded Person that would have otherwise ruled this head-strong Beast if he could have managed him but such was his inkindled rage that he would stand cross the Gate to hinder him that was to be his Governour from following after me But he wisely crept upon his Knees under the Cart and so got in and shut the Gate upon this tyrannical Beast This Vision had a considerable speaking in it unto us when we cannot but understand there is a foreseeing watchful Eye that does warn us of all evil occurrences that may ensue while yet we are but in our travelling way True it is we are running hard to enter within the everlasting Gate but much lumber and stuff there is which hath loaded the Cart of the Mind which is drawn by the prancing Horse of the Will that doth drive furiously and will not be under check or controul by that which doth see its danger This Principle with all its cares businesses and employs are dangerous to step in as a grinding Wheel to prevent our passing into that pleasant place Where not any of those Inhabitants are found in any working dress For they lived there by a Creating Breath that renews all fresh supplies There needed neither Building nor Planting nor Vine-dressing nor Seed-sowers for it was uttered by voice to me that passed through me This is the place of Iehovah's rest Who so can get through hereinto shall have cessation from all their works considered as they relate either to the Mind interiour taking thought or concern about its Salvation or to the Body exteriour for Food and Raiment Health or whatever else makes the Life worth living in it is to be here But then my Spirit objected Ah my Lord who ever could pass in here
an immediate dictate which thus far I obtained Oh Soul true it is no one President there hath been that hath so wrought out the very Originality of all Impurity as to assume a Body of that Celestial Clarity as therein to walk up and down among Mortals yet that makes not against the possibility hereof for there is that to come that yet never was in existency Which still will steal upon the World by degrees as in the successive Ages some one miraculous thing or other will be produced which was not before For this very Unbelief hath sealed up the mighty Birth-working Power which still cries How can such Transmutations be as to come forth another Spirit actuating it self in a suitable Body Ah what Doubtings and Debates have been here about it So that Age upon Age hath nothing seen of the Resurrection-state because afraid to destroy the Body of Sin Which is the first Alteration that must be made before the outward Body can be translated And know this further whoever doth attain to the one hath Power and All-sufficiency for the other as they shall see it expedient to Metamorphose their gross Corporeity And though your Jesus did not alter his Humane Shape into any visible Body of Glory it was not through any deficiency that he could not do it but it was his pleasure that he would not do it Who knew his Times and Seasons when and for what Ends such Transfigurations were needful He coming into this World upon Suffering account that thereby Concuering he might have all Power to convey such a Spirit as might form to it self such a proportionable Body for all such as do give themselves to be made like unto him as he is now in a glorified state But your further Objection is that if possibly you should attain hereunto this World would be no fit Principle for such transparent Spirits and Bodies for to live in The Inhabitants here could neither bear your Transparency nor you their gross Corporeity attended traditionally with all Evil of Sin in some more refined in others visibly lascivious running into all Excess from which the true Eagle-Body will mount away But this understand that while ye have a Work and Service of God to do here in this Principle you will not want the Fence of a Spiritual Body to go in and out to meet the Sacred Trinity in the serene Principle And as Moses did when he did talk immediately with God was then put into a shining Body that was not known or understood which was laid aside as a Garment for that purpose that so he might speak with the Most Holy but as soon as he did come out from that Holy Place and Heavenly Parley he then put on that Form in which he might be known of the lower Orb. Think it not incredible that this and much more is again to be done as your Jesus did often change his Body though it was not known to the vulgar Eye Doubt not but such wonderful sufficiency will display it self from the pure contaction of the Sapphire Body Therefore proceed to keep among the Immaculate and Just Ones according to that present transferring Power which comply'd withal will produce a change internally till a Body be assumed invisibly as shall rend the outward Temple-Vail Then the Ark of the Living Testimony shall be known read and understood yet of none but the Disciplehood As your Lord did only appear unto his own in his risen Body so shall it be when you so risen are as to descend from the Heavenly Sphere Ianuary the 13th 1676 7. AFter this Conference and satisfying Resolve as to the matter of my doubt This Word was further spoke unto me through the Holy Oracle that all those Ceremonial Ornaments which the Priests were 〈…〉 were to illustrate and 〈…〉 glorious Transfiguration 〈…〉 required in that near approach and ministring Service in all the Tabernacle-Worship wherein we come to bow our selves before the Most High Therefore it was asked me how I did think it was possible for to see the glorified Person of my Jesus till I had put on the Priestly Robe of a New Body he being now ascended into the most Holy Waiting there till the whole Priesthood called and anointed to be of the same Order with himself do enter upon the same terms having offered up in Sacrifice the vile reproachful Body of the Flesh through the same Eternal Spirit by which your Jesus offered up his Body visibly as by a violent Death so yours by a voluntary mystical Transformation working invisibly Then what a most holy melchizedeck-Melchizedeck-Spirit will ye pass into the Heavenly Place withal to effect in the true and eternal Tabernacle where the unchangeable Priestood is known in all the Celestial Orders for the accomplishing those Superiour Services required in that most Holy Place In which the pure Offerings celebrated will be no more grievous nor tedious because a Priestly Body is prepared to hallow and sanctifie incessantly the great Name of Iehovah and to proclaim in mighty Trumpet-sounds to the Ends of the Earth that the Kingly Priesthood is come with all the Tabernacle-Furniture revealed Which hath been concealed in Mount Sion only â—â—therto Types and Shadows of it have been manifested but now the real Thing it self shall be brought to pass in them who can hold out the Sanctuary Profession without turning aside or waving observing still their Nazaritical dedication Then the new Covenant will be confirmed upon you that their will need no more offering for Sin for a New Heart with the Law of the Spirit-written in the Heart as there will be no more a departing from the Mind of the Anointing For by this Fiery Law proceeding the Law of Sin within the Members where ever stirring will hereby be consumed For it is no more a weak literal Precept that now is given forth but the very Law-giver writes and engraves himself as an Endless Power of Life to obliterate and make void the Law of Sin and Death which to no other would ever have given place This is the Foundation-Work which the Spirit of your Jesus do first set about to pull down and demolish that which would be so great an impedimeâ—t and check to all this designed Reformation Now then let it be your Joy when you feel the Spirit of Burning is dispoiling all of Sin for that will perfect all the most holy Priesthood Ianuary the 14th 1676 7. UPon the Opening of the high Order of the Melchizedeck-Priesthood wherein I perceived such a deep Mystery lay hid as the Apostle himself had not fathomed But it was shewed to me that it was of great use to know and understand who this Melchizedeck was because thereto we had great reference For he had not only the denomination of a Priest to pronounce Blessings but a King to whom Tribute was paid for Abraham presented of the Spoil that he had taken and there Tiâ—led him the great King of Salem thus far the Scriptures give an
Act of your own Wills into a slumbering Trance that so ye shall gradually dye away as all sensitive Operations shall be wonderfully suspended which must be done actually through the disposing and yielding up the Life of the corruptible Body That Life must dye because of the habitual course of Sin After that way of dying of which it is written I am dead and crucified yet I live through that Life which swallows up Mortality Even so likewise the Time shall come when ye shall reckon your selves dead and freed from the Body of Sin when you shall lie passive and still in the sweet and pleasant Trance as fled away from out of this Principle no more to be known or seen but as in the Heavenly Form of a Powerful Body to work the mighty Works of God your Father in It is true what Eye hath yet seen this the Ear hath only heard hereof but who hath come to believe the possibility of such a Transformation Oh but Faith gives a mighty heave hereunto now as it hath been your Cry Who and how shall ye be delivered from the Body of Sin and Death and get a thorough Pass from Death unto such a fluent Vehicle whereby ye may be able to say neither Heights nor Depths Light or Darkness neither Earth or Air shall be able to seperate you from the Love nor yet from those immediate accesses into the Heavenly Places as belonging to that Royal Priesthood Truly it is your Father's pleasure for to bring you hereunto not only in the flight of your Spirits without a Body adjoyning consonant thereunto because a naked Spirit cannot produce and effect such Effects and Acts as a Body adhearing thereunto Therefore see and believe it of necessity for to be turned into a sublime Body in which only you can be with your Jesus in Glory and thereof take and bring thereby to declare which whom you have been Come ye who are the blessed of the Lord that have united with one accord fall on hard and close this Work Continually give up your selves and lo I will break for you all the Bands of Sin and Death that so the pure Spirit which even was at work in you may assume its own Body of Spiritual ability to pass and enter where nothing of Corporeity can be admitted Your Priestly portion is for such a time reserved whenas you shall come into the most holy of all for then you will have Boldness to make all your own Demands Ianuary the 23d 1676 7. In the sobriety of a wise and understanding Spirit that shall be your Advocate to plead in the shining Face of a transmuted Body In which the Majesty of Glory will very well know you and hear all you have to offer by way of request because you bear no more the Image Mark or Name of what is accursed from the Mountain of Holiness The Situation of the Great King is seen of none till they have put on the high Priestly Garment upon which is written the New Name that is given in the Baptizing Water of the Holy Ghost who hath sprinkled us from all Consciousness of Sin Now then slack not but drive forward for this Verily is the Mark I your Death-conqueror do set before you For it would be my Crown of Rejoycing to meet you as translated out of this gross and Elemenâ—â—â—y state which while ye are ranging and pudling in I cannot be so clearly seen nor afford to give out those more eminent and choice things because you are not yet saperated from the vile Body that so ye may be redeemed from all that is of a hurtful Conversation For indeed I would wholly appropriate you for my self who being in a glorified state must of necessity glorifie you before I can shew my self in such a familiarity as is so desirable For when I was in the World for the accomplishing of the State of Humiliation then the human Figure was proper for to unfold suitably the Mystery of the Most High and to relate it as Bearable in that Age. But now as a Prince and Shepherd of a glorified Fold I set in Heavenly Places to call my own by Name to pass away out of their dark Cloudy Bodies and not to stay till they fade away and fall down as Houses of Câ—â—y as it hath been hitherto universally Because this superiour Change hath not been believed in nor the Foundation by a thorough Death been understood in order hereunto or surely laid whereupon the Rising Body that is to swallow up Mortality hath not been manifested but now observe those Deaths and Life-Rules which have been set so evidently before you and you may possibly be changed into such a vigorous Spirit and Body as to pass through that Glassy Sea which is so brickle which whoever can stand upon it are probationed indeed to enter into farther Degrees of Glory all in Light the God of Light to see without any other Medium Ah Lord even so let it be Ianuary the 25th 1676 7. Oh from hence I did see with what Bodies we must enter withal into the Mystery that is on the other side of the Glassy Sea for there the Thrones were shewed me that were placed for the Conquerors Who could be able to say with their Jesus I was dead and slain but now Life is rising evermore then also will follow the Keys of Death and Life to open and shut Heaven and Hell as the Hand of the Spirit will Thus having great and manifold Discoveries of what was to be possessed after Death we came easily henceforth to be reconciled to all the deep Demensions thereto beloning For the Lord had dealt with us and carried it much after the manner as he did with Moses who upon the Mount of Vision had shewn unto us the New Heavens with all their Privileges and Glories also with the New Ierusalem and King thereof and though Moses was prohibited entring into that which was but a Shadow of what he really passed into by Death's Transmutation yet God did him no wrong by all that thereby to translate him out of the Mortal Principle into that of Duration which he had often Sights Gusts and Tasts of while he was in the Corporeal Figure and he enjoyed the Image of good things to come as he passed through the Worldly Sanctuary Ianuary the 26th 1676 7. This Word came this Morning fresh unto me saying Now I have shewn you what Rewards the Death-Conqueroâ—s will have will you not desire and most freely obey as my Servant Moses did to go up and dye on Mount Nebo That is take leave of this Earthly Congregation and go apart from all that still would invite you to abide with them For if you do not withdraw out of their sight you will never be able voluntarily to dye while they do see any strength vigour or force to be in your natural Ability as the beloved Moses had They will be crying What need is there of such a dying as no more
to be seen or known by us after the manner of what hath been so as without you follow this Example to go apart you will hardly dye away quietly but you will be disturbed to bring your Life back again so as it will be a lingring dying Death therefore well consider this impeding thing and that you might not be alone in a suffering dying state I have provided one that will be a dying-Mate with you to support and strengthen each other till a Dissolution is finished Then you may totally cast your selves upon your dying Beds there waiting for the Hour of your Change The utmost grievousness of it will be but as a slumbering Trance that will make you forget this Principle with all its good or evil Properties all things will be alike unto you because gathered unto your own People in the Land of Light where more transparent things will take up your Minds and satisfie your Sights There be certain measures and rules whereby ye may know whether or no your approaching End be near First Consider the Years and Date of your Age there is a set and appointed time for Spiritual Death as well as for the Natural The bounds thereof are determined though few or rarely any have tasted this Spiritual Death before their outward Man hath been broken by Natural Death Yet some known and some unknown Examples hereof have been as Enoch Moses and Elias with the Lord of Life who though he suffered Death yet rising in that Body again was with it for a certain time conversant in the Earth to testifie another Change was to pass thereupon or else he never could have stood upon the Sea of Glass without being changed into another Figure meet for Mount Sion Light More also have found this Translation though happily concealed But it is enough that you know by what means it may possibly be reached through the serious disposing of your selves unto this dying state Making observation by self-Examination of those Signs and Marks that you may certainly conclude that the time of your departure is at hand Secondly For the Bounds and Time without all controversie the Body of Sin is old enough to dyeâ— it is not few but many and evil have been its days which have been spent unprofitably therefore the Life thereof is not to be prolonged but to seek the cutting of it off as an unprofitable Member with all that do pertain unto it As the vile Body which through the corrupt Principle entring in changed the very Form into the like deformed Image which being brought back again unto a Nullification then the Eternal Life will spring and set all in order as to the very outward Vehicle again The Third Symptom you are to take notice of is this how your Life-Pulse beats weak or strong that is whether the Life and Vigour of the Heart be much deaded and spiritless to all whatever can be named that hath its Root from this degenerated Principle The Fourth Symptom is this do you feel your Stomach and Appetite fully gone that yon cannot digest any of the Fruits that is brought forth by the Sweat of the Brow and Toil of the Hands all which was the product of the Curse A Fifth Symptom is this nay more try your selves that to all which seems to carry a more refined excellency in it are you able to distinguish it as garnished only with somewhat out of Paradise but mixed with the wild and sowre Vintage of this World whether you do feel real disgusts and loathing hereunto The Sixth place this is another palpable Sign the Life-Breath is much pent and stopped The thick Air and unsavoury Fumes of this worldly Region have near stifled the very Life-Breath so as it will be unbearable finding nothing at all in this whole Universe pleasant unto you because of this your Spiritual Sickness which presageth Death to be so near Can you now but give a real Proof of such languishing Symptoms then may you hope and believe a glorified Translation is hereby working out where nothing more that is uneasie shall be felt Concerning some means to this perfect Death consider these that follow Ianuary the 27th 1676 7. First Let your Bridegroom Spirit you who are thus truly dying and direct you wisely to put your visible Affairs into order as only using them as for a meer constrained necessity during the time of your sick mortal state always expecting that their Date is wearing out For a transformed Body will hereof have no need Secondly Then yet again take this Rule from your dear Comforter who would have you finish all things that may be in order to this accomplishment of what may make perfect and entire lacking nothing that may make comely The Third Place There is another Act as necessary to be performed as this in passing away and making a disposal as your last Will of all that you possess in and from the Spirit of this mutable Region that doth constitute and give forth to the fallen Ones their several Portions by and through the visible Constellations that work uncessantly in all the Rational and Sensitive Faculties as also from the subtle introducement of the Prince of Darkness who thereby holds the Life captive that it cannot so easily come to its total decease Therefore give up all as they have proceeded from the Earthly Rudiments let them inherit them as their own again For the Spiritual Birth and Body that is to take place upon the Remove of this hath more high graduated Intellectuals and Faculties supersensually engraven upon the Mind which will always generate from the Crystal Source of the Immense Being Ianuary the 28th 1676 7. This Morning the Spirit gave this Word of Counsel as also for a Caution in and upon this great Expectation Beware of the Tempter in relation to the Hope of Transmutation Who subtilly stands ready here to mingle who waiteth to see if you should hereby be exalted by any elevated aims that are not clear and justifiable in the Eye of the Holy Trinity Therefore keep down upon the sure ground of Deaths deep Humility make no terms or conditions what Body you shall come forth with leave that to him who is the Resurrection and Life Who will give every Spirit a Body as may answer to what for them is designed whether to appear or disappear in this Principle according as the most Holy shall see meet to employ you in new raised Bodies or to draw up into that Orb which is all invisible to officiate as an Eternal Sanctuary Only in this be watchful and purge out all high and self-ambitious aims testifying how great your Rejoycings are in the dying Marks and Signs whereby as it is said the World is crucified to you and you unto the same and hereby you shall lose no due Fame whether or no ye look unto the Reward that shall follow all this God himself hereunto will have respect for you upon whose Faithfulness and Truth you may well rest Who
will dignifie and honour what hath been set mostâ— light and contemptably by therefore observe and narrow up to this Death-Path in the first place and that most circumspectly Aâ—d the Blessing of Life will evermore attend you Ianuary the 30th 1676 7. In the first part of the Night my Meditations were wholly intent upon that Way Order and Method by which a Decease might be to the Body of Sin For the Spirit intimated and declared plainly that while it was alive there could be made no Claim to Mount Sion's Revenue For as much as the wise and holy God and our Father had made a Settlement according to eternal Counsel upon the true Birth-Heirs begotten of the Virgin-Spirit who only the Eternal Goods can inherit Now then so long as the false evil intruding Birth reigneth in the Mortal Body the Heavenly Off-spring must needs be kept down and made to serve in a strange Country Because of their first-born Lord Esau that is so potent and great in this earthly Principle that until such time as the Iacob's Birth is grown strong and mighty he cannot look the supplanted Esau in the Face Therefore full armed with God's Host we must maintain our Battel and be in no fear but the Edomites will fall down when they shall see the Angel of the Most Holy with his Flaming Sword passing before us to make our way into our own Land where our Inheritance doth lie God saying unto us Come return unto your Rock and there I will hide you till the Fury Wrath and Indignation shall pass away and I will be unto you and Eternal Cleft of Stillness Where secured ye shall be as in Death's sweet passive Liberty so as ye shall no more hear the noise of the pransing Warriour who always is annoying while he can find you on this side of Death Therefore see it of necessity ye must from Mount Nebo into this Rock ascend where buried as out of sight ye shall be for your Dying shall only be Hiding till such time as the Life Power and Goodness of the Deity shall re-enter as a quickning Breath all fully to Spirit you withal That so the very Nature and Goodness of this Rocky precious Stone may out-flow in you Then when-ever you will smite this Rock with the Rod of the Spirit it shall gush out Rivers of Living Waters to be come in each of you a Springing Well That so you may Proclaim the mighty Name of him that hath gotten unto a Life and Victory by lying close hid as in the Heart of this ever blessed Saphire Rock February the 1st 1676 7. AFter this Opening I saw as I lay in my Bed waving Clouds descend upon me one after another as the Night and the Day dark Clouds and Light swiftly following one after another At which I was somewhat amazed till I did understand the meaning hereof Which was thus manifested that the black Clouds were hard pursuing as the dark Shadow of Death that still would be enterposing with the light Cloud which presented the Life that was to reign over Death I saw the Sâ—rife and Contest was very great but the bright Cloud was last which descended By which assurance was given that Death 's black Cloud of Mortality in the Light of the Crystal Rock should be swallowed up If we thereto did resort and fixedly abide as the unknown Sepulchre where the Dead in the Lord as Lillies of Paradise shall first thereout spring as the Glory renewed for to plant as encrease a most Holy and Priestly Generation For this Word followed also sayiâ—g What Goodness the Lord hereby shall shew unto you the same shall ye be able to do and shew forth in marvellous Deeds as giving Proof that the Cloud of Death is passed away and that Life which hath been hid with God is risen with a Body like to the Rock from whence it hath proceeded Then with the high Saints in Light ye shall be equally Sharers in what hitherto hath been kept from you February the 2d 1676 7. There was this Day set before me a Crystal Gate by which Glassy clearness we might see and take a measuring view of that wonderful place Wherein was the New Ierusalem-Seat with all her Temple-Magnificency which was shewn to be the high Serene Majesty who as circling Bow all of Saphire Stone did include such as could pass through chis Gate For only those true and Sacred Worshippers who with the Lamb had overcome could stand within that Temple as Kindly Priests of the high Tabernacle-Order for to be Then this Word hereupon followed What have you through this Glassy Gate beheld but such things as might make you strive hard and even force an entrance within the Glassy Screen For these Presentations are given forth from the Celestial Globe to set a Work that transforming Stone that must all-power fully Anatomize the gross fleshly Body that no way can pass through here till it is changed like to that Door which you did see which till then is as a bright Bar of Separation This Privilege only you have a Prospect as Moses had of the Figurative Land but hereinto you can by no means come till you have endured the Refining Fire of the Saphire Stone Which will be given for to do the last finishing part that so Transubstantiation may be set afoot The Worthy will certainly it see who are found in the Life of Conquest resolving to beat down that Sinacting Body which is all the Alienation that separates you from your God and this Holy Place which within the pure Gate hath been viewed These words lay up as from the Holy and Just One and go forward to this high Procedure As not being satisfied with these transient Discoveries no further then as Mediums of Provocation to call up all your Powers and thereby to encourage that other who is to be for me a Witness in Priestly Power working in his measure steadily till the Shadow of Death shall fully flee away That so successively each one may be cloathed substantially with a Body declaratively which will be God's mark to testifie who are partakers of the First Resurrection Therefore set your Hearts hereunto fully for your Labour shall not be in vain as co-working with the Lord whose Spirit will have its day for to do Wonders February the 3d. 1676 7. Thus I did by all come to learn and know how strait the Passage would be into that Temple which all over was a God-flaming Glory with the mighty great Change that must come upon Soul Spirit and Body before entrance here could be Which awaked and set all my Intellectual Powers fresh awork to Nothingnize what in me was found in the non-conformity to the Rule day by day set before me Such a force of Attractive Sweetness did take hold upon my Heart that I did desire upon some other to shed of the same abroad that they might not faint or be weary till we might walk and talk together as in the
crazy Building you may take the Word of your Lord Jesus who by his Spirit is now come to tell you the material Matter of this House which you are to enter upon the Matter and Form of which is God himself Who hath had the Denomination of Old to be the Dwelling-place of his People and the Saints Pavilion throughout all Generations This Building is all of Saphire Stone having perfect measures of Length Breadth and Heights according to the Figure de-declared by Ezekiel who obscurely pourtraied out this high and wonderful Palace for the most holy Priests to enter in and to perform their daily Worship God is not a naked unfurnished House you will find it already provided to your Hand without any care or toil in first second and third Story with suitable Furniture to every place So that you will cry Oh how amiable are the Courts of Holiness Here you will desire to dwell for ever in him who doth so splendorously dilate himself to your Internal Senses that all may have a satisfying Content Now the next thing to be considered is to know what is here included in the Promise Ans. Here is included the whole Number of Divine and Celestial Relations promised upon a new Score of which Iob was a true Similitude who lost all in this very same kind and had all again restored as a Figure of this new replenished state All the Comfort that may be expected further from hence is Marriage-Union From whence Encrease may come without this the other will not altogether perfect the Joy Therefore be assured that Care is taken for this also there is a numerous Off-spring out of this Holy Habitation to be Born Your Father hath already made the Match before Hand before you do come thither All things while you are in this Principle are determined upon Oh! here you will know the unutterable Pleasure of a Bridegroom who will be so intimately tender over you that you shall say Never was such kind of Love known or fathomed when you shall know no more any Interposing Lover but can appropriate each other in all Purity A blessed exchange here will then be understood But yet there are higher Degrees of Joy when you shall bring forth after your own Heavenly perfect Likeness The great Blessing that is promised upon this Conjunction with the Virgin-Bride is Fruitfulness Ye shall also see of the travel of your Spiritual Bodies and therewith be satisfied Wisdom as a fruitful Vine upon the sides of this Eternal House and Building will spread forth her self Consider that of Isaiah which Prophecy is yet to be fulfilled Isa. 49. 20 21. In this time the Children which thou shalt have after thou hast lost the other shall say the Place is too strait meaning this earthly Principle they cannot thereto be confined they may look into it and pass through it as Strangers to shew themselves as Jesus did after his Resurrection but no continued Habitation for them is here v. 22. But thou shalt say in thy Heart who hath begotten these seeing I had lost my Children and was left alone This represents your dead and deplorable state once and the suddain and unexpected Restoration In that clause Where have they been So that a Nation and Kingdom of Priests seems to be born in one Day This is marvellous indeed when ye shall see your Spiritual Offspring as Olive-Plants about your Table set This must needs heighten your Peace and Joy in him who is your Tabernacle framer who hath such durable and pleasant Comforts provided in this Mountain of Holiness Besides there are also Brethren and Sâ—sters which are born with you from one and the same Eternal Spirit whose Loves are pure and immutable as God's Love is rejoycing Not envying at each others Degrees of Glory No grudgings there is though a Benjamin's Portion be doubled Among these nothing known is but an high sweet refreshing Harmony A blessed Family thus compact It may well make you groan to put off this Earthly House that so this Royal Society may be made known to you And as ye have been long herefrom kept as Exiles so let this true and faithful account which now is given by that Spirit who doth bear a true Witness hereof provoke you this Translation to seek and that withal your Might For the Emphasis lieth in that Word of your Jesus his Promise if you well observe which runs Now in this Time or in this very time signifying all Here to be made good Which will awaken great Persecutions as it is said strange Uproars within and without you Which the Prince of this World will raise when he seeth that any one shall in great earnest resolve to put off all that he can challenge right unto It is the earthly Sinful Body that he disputes for leave it him for after this manner he contended for Moses Body which God had hid Be ye henceforth Exiles here but real Inhabitants with God your appointed dwelling Place Leave this Principle and all what is its own care not but render up what you had from it For when you have quitted all doubt not but the hundredfold will come upon you according as hath been revealed Be you the first Adventurers here for it and ye shall be undoubtedly highly blessed The same Day I had this Word spake in me thy Soul is among tearing Lyons but a Daniel guard is about thee They shall make no Prey whilst thou dost fly to thy Rock for shelter thou shalt see their Mouthes sealed up forcibly February the 18th 1676 7. Arguments to plead with the Lord were given to me this Night Which I found was from the Spirit of Prayer that urged strongly and potently in me for our remove out of this Tent of vile Humanity into what I did in Spirit see Upon which I had this Word spoke to me Be patient in Hope stedfast in Faith ardent in Love and ye will move the Trinity to send forth Decrees for your enlargement Then again was given into me an Idea as the Dr. and I did mutually joyn in Prayer in and for the same thing that our Condition was like to Ionah swallowed up in the Belly of the Whale shut up in the House of Death enclosed in the Body of Sin round which the Seas and Floods did beat upon and the Deeps did roar and boil as a Pot of Ointment All which presented this World with the mutinous Spirits that are as the restless Waves that would as the Belly of Hell devour us if not bounded It was thus shewed to me that the true Prophetical Ionah was in us who was cast into this boisterous Sea which would drown the Prophetical Life but that the wise preventing Love of God hath provided for Ionah's safety in the very Belly of Death Out of this Grave the Lord our God doth hear our Voice though the Earth with her Bars are about us yet said the Living Word out from Corruption your Lives shall be brought Thus
these essences did therewith mix Nâ— depravity in the Nature of sin was here infused Therefore this Birth may stand upon its royal freedom for to be born free from sin is a great and mighty thing Therefore know your New Birth-prerogative and come not under the power of what this holy inspiring breath is come to set at liberty from For the true Heir is a Son of Liberty in bondage to nothing when once he comes to know himself he will then assume that Sovereignty which shall make the corporeal life bow unto him Nay as this encreaseth and grows up to its princely greatness this Land will be too strait For out of Egypt God will call this his Heir through all terrestial Walls and Gates to come up unto that free City where the Trinity in Majesty will give out their sealed Commissions for what this Birth of might and excellency hath further for them to do in this low Region For that which hath been as the high builded wall of Perdition betwixt these Principles and the Mountain upon which the New Ierusalem stands by such strong Angels as these you shall see broken down without tool or weapon and passage made which the Eagle Eye of this Birth will spy and will be so skilfull as to know its way through the cloudy Air to mount Sion Hill the mystery of God in both Principles to fulfill April the 27th 1677. In the Morning after the Doctor had prayed I awaked and sunk down into the center of Life And there appeared unto me a pure azure blue streamâ— which was said in me was that Spirit and Breath of Life that must put the grosser Element to flight Then it was further opened to me that from this perfect thing would go forth an enriching Mist that should renew the face of all things in such whose inward ground was measured out by the Golden Reed of the Spirit Then was further shewed me the twofold nature and property of this Breath That as it could quicken and be a seed of Life in matter meetly prepared for it So likewise this Breath would extinguish that Life which worketh in contrariety against it According as it is written Oh Death I will be thy Death When all conclusions be tried for the expiation of the earthly birth there is no other that can so eternally anatomize it as the Body of Sin may be said to cease and not to be but by the Spirit of the Lord blowing upon the fleshly form of it which seemeth to be so goodly Verily this Life hath been too hard for all other weapons that have been tried upon it since the full outward death could not conquer this Life of Sin As Christ told the Iews if they did not believe on him as the resurrection of another Life they should die in their sins So as the mortal death cannot quit from that second death which follows that corrupt Birth-seed which was not in this Life demolished But then from hence this doubt will arise Who is it that hath left this Testimony behind them of all past Generations that before the mortal death did overtake them they had first cleared themselves of that vile and corruptible birth of sin Sure saith the objective Spirit if this be strictly examined how few or scarce any will be found but did mortally die before the inward body of sin was totally expired If so how then could they immediately pass where nothing that ever was of the polluted Nature of Sin could come in As to this obscure and deep Query of which I my self with others have been universally ignorant as not finding out the several reservatories that Spirits did pass into The letter of the Scripture not opening so positively what relateth hereunto as plainly to determine this doubtful matter But it hath been kept dark in the foresight of the most holy wise God Who hath left himself free to give the key of the knowledge hereof in what Age and to such in that Age as shall be worthy of such secret My Spirit hath been often solicitous with the Lord for this thing as in case my Body mightâ— break from my superior Spirit and the Mortal part die before the evil essences which are called Sinn be extinguished as to their very originality then into what Orb shall such a Spirit enter that may be almost but yet not quite got free from every relick of sin The Key of this unknown Door was hereupon put into the hand of my Guardian Spirit the mystery hereof to unlock that this great secret might be revealed and that hereby the Elect might be undeceived Who have nothing less believed but that though they should not come to see and feel sin finished through everlasting Righteousness coming in as a Conqueror Yet wheâ— got loose from this temporary life they should strait ascend into that principal City of the great King Which was once my belief according to that tradional manuduction that I was under But since of meer great and unparalled Love another deep is discovered from out of which a sure and pure word of Revealation hath sprung both as to this and other Obscure things And that the opening of this Truth might not go forth only in the authority of a private Revelation when indeed there is need enough for all Spirits to be tried that do take this Covering For this cause a Scripture foundation was given to confirm and ratifie what was so freely inspired into the mind As first that word was given to me to consider of as in the 14th of Iohn 2d verse In my Fathers house are many Mansions if it were not so I would have told you I go to prepare a place for you and when I have done that I will come and receive you to my self From which words it was given me thus to understand that by House the Spirit doth signifie the Locality of God's invisible Kingdom that hath various Regions for dwelling places as it is said there are many Mansions in which are degrees of Glory Solomon in the mirror of Wisdom had an account thereof when he had built that Magnificent House and Temple for the Most High Which made him as in a Spiritual Extasy cry out The Heavens of Heavens cannot contain thee So it is said of our Lord Jesus that he ascended up above ALL Heavens By all which we may conclude that there are degrees of Heavens and yet all within the Celestial Sphere For Adam before he had awakened the sinful essence was an inhabitant in one of the Heavens which had the Title of A Paradise because of its serene and fruitful soyl But yet God's local Habitation was not here but he sent forth his influencing mist and here did with Adam and Eve frequently commune while they were undefiled but they being once found in the depravation of this purity this Heaven could not bear their corruptible Image for the worm of mortality could not here live Upon which God said Let them out
while on this side of the mortal death Happily some there be who in Purity and Faith having finished their terrestrial Life here after their bodily dissolution may unknown to us Inhabitants of this working restless World enter in there But no President we have of any that could ever pass but through that known universal death of the Corporeal Body For that would be a great and marvellous thing beyond ever what was yet heard of that ever any went in and out amongst us that could give an account of passing out from us into that Paradisical Sphere it being shut up ever since Adam's turning out therefore in this present time we must not look for it For this weighty matter of doubt I besought the Lord earnestly for a resolve in whether or no such a Translation might be hoped for and believed in before death was tasted of My Spirit did very watchfully wait for an Answer hereupon which after some time was thus given to me to understand and from the Word of Knowledge was uttered True it is Oh Soul that none hath entred these Gates in a mortal shape neither can any more than a Camel can pass through the Eye of a Needle unclothed ye must be of sins body the gross bulk thereof cannot pass in And though ye have been Let hitherto by this full fraughted Principle yet possibly ye may grow so wise and subtile as to pass through by the virtue of that pure leavening Name Which like Oyl of Gold will all overflame you and so turn Gross Earthly Matter into an Aetherial Spiritual Body for none but such can come to be so near the Trinity Neither is it the death of the outward Body that can fit it hereunto for if the inward body of sin be not as well put off as the outward it will avail little as to thy entrance into this Supernal City Therefore now if in the throng of all present Temptations ye can but get the conquest then this blessed change will be from a Terrestrial Glory to a Celestial What though this hath not been evidenced neither before or since the Lord 's appearing in flâ—sh let not that sink down your hearts into discouragement For there is such a Fire-stone to burn that now is kindled that will effect greater things than yet ever have been Therefore stretch out the Neck of your Faith right forward hereunto for the fearful doubtful and impure will be shut out of all hope of entring here Therefore said the Just One Faith in God will remove this laded Cart which did appear to stand in your way The fury of the Beast and Dragon also are very great against you animating such as are nearest unto you and of dearest concern to stop your way But be ye both advised by watching all opportunities through Patience Wisdom and Lowliness of Mind to keep on your way For by the creeping through is signified great Humility by which the Serpents subtilty may be supplanted Let this then now stir up all care and watchfulness for ye will be put oft-times while ye are in this process to great distress but keep the blessed issue always in your Eye and that will renew strength continually For all of this high concern must be effected through immutability pressing hard though the Wheel of this oppressive Principle threatens to grind you Yet be constant and persevere unto the end and ye will receive the Crown of Life August the 31th 1677. I saw multitudes of People this Night presented to me of several Habits and Languages all in business and traffick saving a few that were together gathered out of these Who were in a cessation from all matters of entanglement in a waiting interceding posture Of whom it was said That these few should become a strong Nation and rise up to take the Prey from the strong and mighty For if there were not some allotted only for the Sanctuary Attendance in a Consecrated Spirit of anointing to approach the immense Glory nothing of the Mind of the Most High would come to be known in their days Herefrom it was shewn me that by those Multitudes which were of all sorts and kinds in their several employes that run on in the concerns of those are petty things and satisfied with such mean atchievements as this Creation affords it hath been permitted that they should arrive to no greater than visible things and That only by continued exercise both of Minds and Hands But now by that other sort which I did see do nothing but stood waiting in a silent posture as if they had departed from the whole universe of their Fellow-creatures These united ones were to break open a fast enclosed Center where the natural freedom and commanding Power of Paradise lieth These all are by pure severation not only from the mixed Congregation of the wilder sort but from those who were as Cakes baked but of one side who were not throughly leavened with the Altar-fire themselves also to divide For the Word thus spake Such who are all of one refined mould who do seek nothing else but the plucking down of the man of sin from his great Seat which he hath gotten in the World and this must be done by sequestring from the confused noise of all what may promote hereunto For to some it will be given thus closely to set to the work Or else what can be brought to effect of the primary state for to regain the antient Liberty and sinless Innocency with higher degrees of what is now the superadded state Which will ask the whole Age of man's Life for to give attendance hereupon Which will be worth your daily setting to that hereby you may undermine the Strong Tower of him who would keep up his regency in the divided property of part good and part evil For so long as this is allowed him he will have the greatest share of this Worlds Kingdom Now then who would not set close to this more superiour Business to find out what lieth hid in the Magia Storehouse Arts of a wonderful degree present themselves here For as ye can wade through this deep Ocean great mysteries will flow out As ye may see comparatively what the spirit of a man hath attained to by external industry This hath brought forth all that is delightful to the humane sense whereby all are deluded who have looked hereinto Oh the lustrous state that now this Principle is wrought up toâ— it is become such a Golden Bait that rare it is to find any who are not biting and nibling hereupon If therefore the wisdom of that which is but Earthly hath found out and invented such an inviting variety to make this Creation so desirable What may not such reach unto who have the advantage of that Spirit of Wisdom that truly inspireth to know from the originality of all whatever is to be comprehended This Anointing is the light that makes manifest what lieth in the Abyss of Eternity And verily such as
or Iron with Gold The Spirit of this Heart is most subtle penetrating bubling and still flying upward above all low things As its Birth is from the Heart of the Deity so there again it will live Truly at the consideration that there is such a Heart to be given my Spirit is in an astonishment Therefore I call all ye Throne-Angels and Seraphims to be with me in wonderment that such a Heart shall come in any one to be fixed substantially For what less will this come to but the making good of that saying of the Lycaonians who said to Paulâ— The God's are come down in the likeness of Men. For as the Heart is so is the Man a Godlike Heart overturns the whole Course of Nature and changes all into another Scheme answerable to the first moving Cause Which sends forth Life and heat into all parts as naturally so spiritually for the existency of the divine Nature And further it was given me to know that it was a renewed act Creation A drop let fallen from the Heart-blood of God for Life inkindling into such in whom the Virgin Crystal Mold is formed that here for hath been making way in preparation through many Washings and Cleansings and Heart-relinquishings For this Word came closely unto me from the Lord and home to me Suffer and endure ye must who are looking for the gift of this New heart Such a breaking up of the Old as a dying man when his heart-strings are loosening This is the true mystical Death this is to be a dead man indeed which many have sought but could never find Because they did not strike at the heart-root for so long as there is life remaining it will Send forth it sin-reviving Effectâ— For what if thou shouldest cut off this that member yet life may be at heart still and then what avails hewings and hackings and suppressing the root of the evil life being still there The work is never done because the life of sin is still sending forth one bitter â—ume or other to pain and afflict what would be at ease and rest Now what remedy can for this be considered said the Holy One but the plucking up and breaking the very heart-strings that its Life may be a Sacrifice to divine Justice for so it must be both a passive and an active Offering for the Sin that hath been commited in the body of the flesh Which mystery hath not been understood but know it for an everlasting Truth Let not the Sentence of this Death be grevious because it will certainly usher in some what that will be Equivalent to the deep springing heart of the Deity whereout issues of Life Love Joy and Peace will flow They thou shalt know no more strife sorrow or pain because the root of all this is by death taken away Therefore Repent not that ye are entring into the very way Fear not to fail the old heart melting for when that faileth another heart and Spirit will be given Which is of that strength courage and perfection as that ye shall be spirited for the great and primary business and for the work of trust for God and the Lamb. So all may see what the effect of this New Heart will visibly produce in you November the 23d 1677. This Morning I was in a very deep and secret consultation with the holy inspiring Word concerning this great Change For this is but yet known in us how that every motion and thought springs from the mixed heart But now great searching thoughts were how we if possible by any means might attain to this perfect Heart which was all clean within For it was made equivalent that hereby would be the whole overturning of the old Creation making way for the new in each one in working a through demolishment For which this Word of advice was given Let it not seem incredible unto you that the old Heart shall fall away though it is as thy Life-Essence where that Law is engraven which hath brought all into perdition At the release of which a wonder working Heart shall be planted in its place in great renown Therefore watch daily hereupon for believe affuredly that this Covenant will be made good as ye have Faith to believe that the old stony Heart shall be rolled away which only hath kept and would still prevent this Heart rising far Where new Laws according to the new frame of things shall be understood by such a chosen Priesthood as all of Spirit shall be compacted and by Gods own Heart-strings of Love stand everlastingly together tied as Christ's perfect Spouse and Bride Now then hoist up your Sails of Faith and keep upon the broad Waters of Love's deep that spring from the silent Desart till all full Treasures of Joys and Peace shall upon you meet November the 24th 1677. This Morning after much sweet Communion had in a Contemplative way with him who is invisible I saw of a suddain a Rock fashioned out like an Arch whereinto a way was made to pass and it was pretty spacious At the first it seemed to be somewhat dark which made me fear to enter in but presently a Table was there upon which was a blazing Light and it then became all shining and exceeding lustrous to invite into it But about the Light there did appear a company of dark coloured Flyes which flâ—ttered so about it as that they would have obscured the Light but as they came up to it they were consumed by it So considering these divine Idea's the Word came saying Enter ye hereinto whom the sacred Vow of Separation is upon For here is a Munition-Rock for your Security Oh that here you may be hid and hope and quietly wait for the Birth of the pure and perfect Heart In which ye shall see the Face of God whose Voice may be frequently heard in this secret place therefore Love here to abide for here is the Heavenly stillness November the 26th 1677. The whole employ and exercise of my Mind was now to have the old Heart transmitted into a new one according as it is meet 〈◊〉 because therefrom the perfect New Creature is formed with all new and fresh Organical Senses and Affections proper for Communion with the highest purity and goodness As it was shewn me that the Heart and Spirit that movâ—th and acteth the old Creature is capable to comprehend nothing higher then what lieth within the circumference of its own Sphere and low Birth of Life that only reacheth to things that are seen and knowable by the highest graduated Life of Reason which is altogether to seek in matters Celestial and Eternal Now that we might come to know the Invisible only wise and everlasting God our Father it must be through the medium of such a Spirit as may be the very conceptive part of the New Heart From which springs a clear Light that giveth understanding in the mystery of God and in what relates to the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Which
account of him But it was further revealed to me that he was that Alpha and Omega the Second Person who had his Existency from all Eternity and was in a high Priestly Order from the time of Adam's Fall and did Officiat in the Heavenly Sanctuary and real Tabernacle in the Heavens Whereof Moses had a Sight and Pattern given him to figure out according to the low Capacity which the Church in the Wilderness then stood in But this great Melchizedeck incarnated himself in Flesh that he might visibly make an Offering thereof to testifie that an end must be to that weak corruptible and unprofitable state as now henceforth is to be thereunto put by the crucifying what he had assumed that so that mean and despicable Image might for ever be demolished That the first perfect glorious Priesthood after the Order of Melchizedeck might again rise and be in full accomplishment in the Residue of the Anointed hereunto who for this cause are putting off their Vile Body that they might be counted worthy to follow their Melchizedeck King where they shall not only pay their Praise Offerings but receive there a most high Priestly Portion which is an unknown and vast Spiritual income of Riches which shall be brought from all Parts as obligatory Ianuary the 14th 1676 7. In the forepart of the Night being newly fallen asleep I saw the Heavens as it were part and rend and mighty Commotions in it The earthly Inhabitants in great Trouble running up and down as fearing some unexpected Change was coming upon them Which awaked me and there was immediately presented unto my view as breaking through a bright Element two glorified Bodies of a bright Beryl Colour in such a wonderful Portraiture as did excel all I had formerly of this Nature in Vision seen Upon which my Eye kept fixed without any surprize or fear and still it was brought nearer The one seemed in a Manly Vissage and the other as a Woman very Lovely in her Countenance then soon after two or three more broke forth and joyned themselves unto them as in like glorified Figures This Sight was so pleasing that I could not but Pray Oh that we might be added unto them For it was said Behold this is the Lamb and his Bride which first I did see Oh this great Vision had so mighty an Influence upon my Spiritâ— as grievous it was still for to be confined in the Corporeal Body only hourly waiting for to see its Redemption But it was said Abide Patiently till your Salvation shall be fully wrought out then you shall swiftly be cloathed with the self same Body all Spiritual bright and airy as my Bride for to unite in one Body with me Then I replyed Ah my Lord why must this Translation be so earnestly sought and still prolonged It was again answered it was so considerable a Change as could not be without passing through many further Degrees For Sin and Mortality would not be so easily vanquished while we did abide in this tempting Region Ianuary the 15th 1676 7. This Morning it was much upon my Spirit how to quicken our Progress so as to arrive to that Nuptial Conjunction which did open unto me in the Heavens The Spirit sent forth deep and strong Invocations for the Consummation of this high Matrimonial Unity that so we might together display our Loves and Joys to each other in that Spicy perfumed Bed of the Celestial Orb. Oh the Eccho's which I did hear in me sound the Spirit called to the Bride to descend down the Bride called for the Spirit to ascend Thus cry upon cry did as a pure cloudy Incense send out which brought this Answer down Oh ye who are in the betrothed Spirit why may not the assurance hereof yet a while stay your most eager and Spiritual Passions of Love till such time as your Vessels of Clay be turned into the fine Ophire Gold through the working forth of that Saphire Stone that is formed in you Which shall work through all in its degrees till it hath brought you up to that perfect Stature as ye may make challenge with holy Boldness to the Marriage-state according to that pleasant and glorious Manifestation which you did see in the Heavens Which was shewn to you for this very end that so you might see your own Nuptial Day solemnized Before the accomplishing of which yet great Commotions will be permitted as you did see in the Vision See first what is still left alive of your dying part that will mutiny For the Sensitive Life cannot consent that ye should be married away out of their known Linage and Country Therefore they will lie in wait to entercept all Messages and Love-Tokens from your Immanuel to prevent the success of so great a Wedlock change Therefore I the Spirit of your Lord do warn you that you turn away from all self and creaturely Parly The Serpent also will subtlely back with Arguments in forms of Flesh that so ye might grow cold in your Love and slack in your Faith but spur forward and faint not for the everlasting Gate is set open by Soveraign Command The Trumpet doth daily sound to enter into Love's Holy Ground where only the Friends of the Bridegroom shall attend you at the Banquetting Feast of Bread and Wine Now away and draw from all the cursed things of Iericho and you shall meet assuredly your Melchizedeck King with a full Cup of Blessing This receive as a faithful and true saying from the Yea and Amen Ianuary the 20th 1976 7 About the Morning-break as I was contemplating upon the change of the Body for Translation A further Confirmation was given with Joy and Peace unutterable in hope of this Glory to be revealed My Spirit praying that we might obtain Grace for to be admitted of the same Order with our great Melchizedeck This Word immediately sprung saying The way and manner for it hath been most evidently set forth and plainly taught you as my Spirit could demonstrate it unto you You can find no surer Footing then first to be found in the walk of Death Trace it then so throughly till you can see no more Earth yield ye up the utmost ends without any reserve For no mingling state after Death but all immaculate the Feast of Tabernacles to celebrate within the most Holy Place Therefore fear not to pass through this Valley for I the Spirit of Truth will assuredly finish this Mystery because you have applied your Hearts to me having sought Death as a Treasury trying all ways and means for to expire out But as a deadly Enemy that is loath to be conquered it still revives which makes you to suspect that you shall never get rid of this grand and last Enemy but it will still hang a weight disgracing and separating from your high Priesthood But seeing you have cast your selves wholly upon me your Comforter to be advised in this matter Now then know I will cast you with the free
transparent form of God having no more Shadow of Mutation to prevent those higher Degrees of Glorification which but by the ascended cannot be known or felt Hereupon I called all in me to account to be judged by the Superiour Will and Spirit of Light which gave me to see what was in Bondage and what was free that would not now be any longer in Bondage to the Condemnation of Sin Having that Word brought to me to search and find out that Salt Stone that would make all perfectly sound and savoury which the Corrupter had most subtlely defiled For I saw for every Sacrifice to be salted with this Stone of Fire was absolutely necessary for in it lay hid all Perfuming Sweets Therefore an express Charge came down to re-assume it to our selves as the choice Altar-Stone where the unknown Superscription should be written Oh then said the Spirit of Truth ye cannot ask any thing fruitlessly as ye have done do but will and it shall be done Oh that the Most High could have such as were so fixed in Body Soul and Spirit to this all-seasoning Stone of Wisdom as to trust them with this Jewel of Superiority so as to leave all Matters whether great or small with them in whom his Heart might rest That all and every Circumstance of things might be managed for those Ends and Services which might agree with the In-written Name that as a Fountain of Oyl doth run into those Vessels which are seasoned by this Salt Stone of Fire For know in Verity the most Holy hath no pleasure to see his own in this World to live and walk up and down in so mean a Capacity unskilful to set a Foot or Hand to what lieth in the Divine Magia Root Which you may lawfully stir up since for you Christ the Lord hath made the Way by ascending on High for to subdue all things under him that so of the same Power he might subordinately pass away from himself unto you Who calleth you to draw out the Purchase of his Death by like dying and by like immortal Living according to the penetrating quality Which by stirring up may effect thereby great and mighty things answerably to the Wisdom and Soveraignty of Holiness which all as in Inclosure doth lie about this holy thing for you You little know what a Principality is nigh to you but your Superiour Will hath yet somewhat that doth clog its Wheel which is designed for to be the running Chariot whereunto the Spirit of Infinite Might must joyn Now then by all means seek the unthralling of your Will for could nothing mingle therewithal but what did fall from the pure Deity how would you find God all-active in and through you But herein lieth the great Nicety to keep the Will-Spirit untouched that nothing from the Bryery Root doth twist about it if this is kept spotless and free what may you not find Power to do with the Most Holy Observe and keep this great Secret it is from great and high Love that I have given an insight to thee that so all Offences may be removed who would you should come to Reign over all of the Earthly Further of this I besought the Lord might be revealed For the great Depravation was in the matter of the Will for it was shewn me it was unequally yoked and had married strange Flesh from which there must be a Separation by Death Had not the Royal Will yielded to the tempting Eve but had kept its Priority how great and mighty a Lord might Man have been in and over the whole Creation of God having absolute Power in himself But hearkening to the Dalilah that is still acted by the Serpent-like Spirit to this day it becometh successively despoiled of this Lock of Strength and Power and so hereby the Shame of our Nakedness doth appear as to what Cloathing we might have been made known in Had not Adam thus lost his Dignity and so hereby brought forth Fruit unto Death running through all his Posterity in and after the Similitude of his Sin Which hath brought Impotency deflowring us of all that Spiritual Might of this we need no other Proof then what we do each one carry about with us But the great Thing is Oh thou who art promised as the mighty Restorer of this Breach What must we do who are so unavoidably overtaken with the same Thral and come bound with the same twisting Cords which hath altogether weakened the force of our Wills To this great Query as I humbly pursued so I had my desire resolved February the 7th 1676 7. This know and well consider that your Original is from high extracted Matter which is so Eternal that it cannot dye but it stands at the pleasure of the Will what way it will drive forth it self into For now it is a distinct Essence and had it not been corrupted from that simplified Being of Purity you could never have fallen into such an dishonourable state wherein the Royalty of your Power is so withdrawn as ye have no defence nor can make against those numerous Circumstances of Evils that do conspire where they may find degenerated ground for to work upon Now then yet for a more clear and perfect Information what further on your behalf is to be done that the choice faculty of the Will may come to regain its Primary Liberty that so it may have all powerful success as before it was enthral'd by the tempting Eve No other way there is but for the Will to be born again that thereby it may recover its Virgins Might and Force then every right Essence will move and open from pure Nature's Center This Birth is not according to the Will of Man but God Who out and from an infinite Pity and Love is come by Water Blood and Spirit to recover and lift up your relasped Wills that so they may stand upon their true native Prerogative being also set free from the flattering Dalilah which includes the whole variety of all attractive Delights from this Principle that as with Cords hath bound the Will down Oh now then as beloved of your God for ever drink in this Word of Counsel and herein joyn and work with the Spirit of your Lord Jesus who is come to perswade and allure you to fuffer joyfully the breaking up of your whole Earthly Family Which only consisteth of what is indged but lawful and expedient by the false Seers who are Babylon's Merchants But to you I have other things revealed and do incite you to be at variance with whatever will not consist with the new-born Will Who is to be matched with her who is the real Bride and Heir to whom a great Retinue doth belong of which Family you are to bear the Name only Therefore let it not seem grievous to rend and divide from what is of this evil World for verily hereby as God is true ye shall sustain no loss For your Superiour Will will hereby be so free chast pure
and mighty as by its Conjunction with its Bride may out-spread into a wonderful fruitfulness more terrible then whatever hath been displayed to the check and rebuke of all and the best of those Mortals that yet are come no further than to a lame and divided Property of Will who nothing of Might can do February the 8th 1676 7. It was further discoursed to me the great and mighty Effects that would accrue to that Will which could from its Original Purity spring passing as a Golden Arrow with mighty swiftness nothing thereof touching by the way to spoil its force and with a fixed Eye dertermining to bring about that very thing which the Arrow of the Will is gone into Which verily will have the same success that our Lord had when he said I Will such and such to be made whole All those great and marvellous things which have been done in the World before and since Christ's time have been by the Act of the Will as delivered from the Poysonable Web of Mortal Self Oh then how free is it in it self to summon in the mighty Force which is laid up in God's strong Tower for the unbyassed Will to draw out to act and do upon the Holy Ones account as a just Steward entrusted with a power of so high a Nature as all Matters to determine in the Counsel of a simplified Will This was shewed to me as a great and wonderful Prerogative into which the holy Driver made me search and still further to pry into the Mystery hereof opening that Scripture to me in the Revelations Whosoever will let him come and take of the Waters of Life freely The force lay all in the Will taking and recovering by lawful Violences the Crown of Immortality and Life that hath during the Captivity of the Mind and Will been out of reach and sight But now our dear Immanuel in Spirit is come to unbind and set our Wills free revealing what the clog and stop hereunto hath been which hath prevented the going forth of the Will-Spirit in Soveraignty Who this more said Yet I will give thee a deeper Sight that ye may see what hath lain as upon the Mouth of the Cave which hath kept down the rising Power of the Will that it could do no mighty things February the 10th 1676 7. As I was Considering in my self to wing up in the Power of a Free-will according as it is said There is a willingness in the Day of God's Power and making an Enquiry throughout all the Regions of my Mind how in this matter it stood with me I found the Will deficient much after the manner as the Apostle Paul in the 7th of the Romans gives a Character in which is presented a divided Will in an uncertain Motion which argued great Strife Weakness and Imperfection Which by no means was to be found in us staying here For said the revealing Unction To this end I have manifested unto you the adjoyning Power of Supremacy Which must be looked after as the Bride-Mate of the Will which addeth the Dowry of all-sufficiency in the Lord's Work and Business to go forward uncontroulably carried up in the Chariot of the free willing Spirit that trampleth all down before it Upon this Word of Counsel I had a mighty Voice with it crying thus in me with many Ecchoings following upon it saying You now know the way why is it that you still stay with the viler sort try and see every day what force ye can raise for your Revenue to that Heavenly born Family where is nothing but Peace and Unity with Palm Trees of Victory and Wells of Salvation that so ye may come to tast that which is so sweet while you are yet but in your way The smell and sight of Paradise will you first entertain through the perfect Death of the mortal Life and a while must stay with those lower Inhabitants well viewing that native Place and Country for somewhat that was lost there shall be upon recovery as soon as you there appear Then the Tree of Life will invite you to eat of it that so Immortality may be regained Then your Souls and Spirits are with Bodies suited for a higher Degree to come up among the greater Dignities For Paradise is as your Bride-Chamber where ye must put on again your Virgin Body February the 11th 1676 7. After this Call to Paradise the Spirit presented that Scripture to me Mark 10. 28 29. and opened very powerfully to me every Sentence of it as shewing we both should sustain no Loss by acquitting all those Particulars there mentioned The occasion of our Lord Jesus giving forth the assurance of a better exchange upon the very fore-going of what was in present view and possession This Query was started upon the coming of the Young Man who had as he thought bid fair for the Kingdom of God supposing none could go higher then to observe and keep all the Commandments but our Lord had a more searching thing to try him withal which he was not aware of when he so confidently moved his question The Answer to which brought great Anxiousness that no doubt he repented him that he urged such a Discourse whereby as in a Glass he might see the impossibility of inheriting Eternal Goods till that he was stripped of all that whereby he was inriched from this lower state of things Which made our Lord to cry out of the great Hardship and Difficulty that would be to quit all to follow him to come to be no more of the World then he was but as a Stranger not having any dwelling place but to pass through it as a foreign Country only biding so long as to do the Lord's Message and perform his Work which ought to be our end and design For the whole drift of our Jesus in and by all his Life Example and Doctrinal Admonition was still to wind us off and ungraft us from out of the strange degenerated Vine from whence we so readily suck that Life from which a Death is to come upon But to come to what was opened to me from Peter's asking Christ so bluntly what they should have upon the account of forsaking of all for him Which seemed to be a pretty selfish Question but however our Lord overlooked that giving an high encouragement to whomsoever shall by forsaking of all give proof of their Love to him and esteem of the Heavenly Treasury above the Earthly Now upon the Call and Cry which I had follwed me to draw off and come away from what would make a Prey of us My Heart ecchoed back again saying Ah Lord how is it possible we should put off all so quickly when so deeply engaged and settled as House-keepers amongst the Inhabitants here below as not seeing our selves capable of passing into another Sphere because we do bear gross Bodies Upon which the Spirit brought those Words to me As first Whosoever shall forsake Houses that Word in Particular was thus interpreted
toiling Day into which all are fallen but can bear the Burthen as if it were indeed a Paradisical Sphere so lightly hath the whole Creation yet cared for its relasped state How choice and few are those that do seek herefrom to be released being of that Perswasion that the Earthly with the Heavenly must unseparably grow together as Twins Which is not so determined by the great God and Creator but he doth still expect that through the many depressions both in Spirit and Body some one or other are this long-run out time would be so weary of the Body of toil sorrow and Sin as to violate upon the Love Pity and Power of God the Father who cannot resist to send forth saving Succour to ransom such as still do fill his Ears with Cries and Groans for Redemption out of that which is the external Original matter of all and every kind of thraldom Hearken now and hear the Glad-tydings which is sent from your Father to you who hath taken notice of your travelling Sorrows while yoked with that Man upon whom Sentence is past that he might live by care and labour yet to you I say he shall not always and for ever be your clog There is a Birth of Strength upon the rising that will easily throw off this depressing Weight Yet a little while and the Iron-rod shall rule the Man of Sin so as to divide him from thee Many ways have been tryed to make him dye but all have been too short for he hath been a Warriour from his Original Sin-Conception and will keep the Field of this out-birth as he hath done from Adam's Day What hopes then say you that out of us he shall be thrown out for here I did object in Love Fear and Faith that many worthy Ones had striven hard to conquer by Death some of whom did go very far but scarce in any did this Death-Arrow so hit as to obliterate Sin altogether in its Root Then was it replyedâ— It is sufficient that one was perfect and just without Sin in a humane Figure then was that Scripture spoken in me Rom. 5. 19. As by one mans disobedience so by the obedience of one many shall be made righteous The Words were thus opened by the Spirit who said God revealed to Paul in his Day that nothing less was designed than a full and clear Acquitment from that first Man which did so naturally work in toyl and labour bringing only forth Fruit unto Death And who but that Man called the Branch shall answer to that defectiveness in abolishing the very Sperm of Sin that as nothing thereof could be found in himself so likewise in those who are elected for to be in joynt Heir-ship in the Kingdom of Mount Sion with him Whereunto he translates none till the old Adamical Life is laid in an everlasting Sleep of Death no more to awake for Contempt and Shame As often now it doth which hath stopped the New Ierusalem from descending down because once hath been perfect ready to meet this heavenly City Therefore saith the most Holy and True another manner of Church must be gathered from among Men who out of the Womb of that first Morning Star that is now upon breaking out a Star-like Off-spring is to proceed that shall go forth with the iron Rod of Power and dash in pieces every one of the Dragons Heads till this Church be born upon the Earth Who all are of Angelical Natures till then expect no Power over the Dragons and Beasts to reign To you who Numbred are to bear the Lambs Trophies stand to your Virgin Call fly not from her innocent White Colours whatever shall be here said against her If ye shall be the first born Star who shall shine upon Wisdoms Crown the Loves eternal Testimony for this end hath opened the clear Body of the Heavens that ye might understand what may be looked for in this Age. Therefore do you stand as mighty and immoveable Pillars for the Lamb and the Brides Church and great Indignation have against those that would it down decry Fear not those pushing Horns that war here against her she will make the glittering Sword of Power to be your defence against all your Enemies Be not troubled at the fewness of your Number for out of one or two that shall be perfect in their Generation a strange Generation may proceed who all mighty Warriours shall be for God and the Lamb to follow him in trampling down all earthly Powers Keep but up to your Leaders and ye need to fear no ill for invisible Seraphims shall still pitch a mighty Pavilion round about you March the 20th 1666 7. Thus ended this Revelation from the Vision I had seen which left a sweet perfumed Sence of Love Peace and Joy to feed upon Another Idea was presented to me from the History of Ahashuerus and Vashti his first espoused Queen Who by her act of Disobedience to her Royal Consort was banished his Throne This Word with great Power did through me sound A Virgin Queen among the Captives shall be found that shall be crown'd in the room of Vashti Then saw I one in the similitude of a Woman cloathed with Scarlet which was said This is one of Wisdom's Houshold who but she for the King of the New Ierusalem whose Garment is of an unstainable Dye From hence the Spirit made use of the whole literal Discourse Ahashuerus Vashti and Esther The most high Majesty hereby Figuring out himself having created and made for the Excellency and Glory of his Kingdom according to the state of so wise and infinite a Being That so he might take Pleasure in all the Glory and Riches of his Kingdom or Creation being all made perfect and good and high Princely Angels and Powers for Attendance As also Creating one more Noble Image as Male and Female who was in Election to be advanced to very high Dignity no ways inferiour to any Princely Spirit in the Angelical Figure But now the Sovereignty of the most High resolved to try this his new formed Creature with a Law of Restriction as from the Lord their Maker and Husband who might well expect a ready and punctual Obedience Who Vashti like was disobedient to the great King's Command and so thereby was turned into an earthly Eve and immediately banished out from the high Throne Presence For else it would have been an ill President if God should not thus have done the heavenly Hierarchy might have questioned God's immutability and thereby have taken advantage to deviate from those known Angelical Laws which the great Creatour had to them perfixed Thus much was opened of this Original Eve from whence the contradicting and slighting Vashti Spirit doth proceed The true Virgins Life which the first formed Man was once in is now as to him and all of his Posterity carried away as a Captive and sold for nought For this Virgin Nature was wholly taken away upon this act of Disobedience Who
to their future Posterity they had been in the same condemnation with the fallen Angels but the Eternal Word did even then incarnate himself for their help and recovery and to save them from sinking into that horrible Lake which the Serpent had prepared for them Thus did the Eternal Love immediately move towards them to free them out of the Dragon's Power whose design was to make them of their own Hierarchy in their Princely power of Darkness out from which the Lamb of God did redeem them Who from the Foundation of the World was the Salvation of God so still going on to the Ends of the Earth But while this new thing sprang in my understanding which seemed to differ from what I had formerly received as Truth I besought the Lord my Teacher to answer this Objection that was raised thereupon That if so immediately upon Adam's Fall the Eternal Word who is the new Birth-Seed did incorporate with Eve whereby power and ability were given to bring forth wholly after the Spirit how was it then that she should and did bring forth after the fleshly Image as appeared by the first Man which she brought forth in the wrathful Property first awakened In Answer to this I found Light at hand to resolve me As thus it did not seem good to the Wise Creator to obliterate and so presently to wipe off the Stain with which they by the act of Disobedience had blemished themselves Some marks of Displeasure the most Holy did still include them under as a Terrestial Body and to bring forth in Travel and Sorrow what should have been by Magical Power and Joy 〈◊〉 Celestial Angelical Forms but now as the effects of disregarding the Command of God they brought forth a mean and despicable Image according to their own Likeness But then I further queried but this Corporeity might have been Sinless 〈◊〉 Original Righteousness was also infused by the immortal Spark of Life entring in to incorporate with the outward Elementary Birth That Spirit which had so pure an Existency and was in free Liberty should come into a necessitated thraldom as in Cain was manifested As to this I also obtained Satisfaction that Cain had the Eternal Light of Life with him that did fore-warn him and convince him of the end and danger of Sin and that he was under Probation and that the Serpent had liberty still to â—â—â—mpt a new sutably to the Condition he wâ—s fallen into Who had an absolute Liberty of Will and Sufficiency of Power to stand his Ground as God said to him by way of Reproof If thou dost well shalt not thou be accepted but if not Sin lieth at thy own Door Which plainly doth declare that Cain should not have yielded himself Sins Captive So that in all Temptations you may know whither to fly even to that eternal Word within you who is mighty to Save who Is and Was from the Beginning the First and the Last Visible and Invisible Deity in Humanity and Deity out of Humanity all making and tending to the fullfilling and Manifestation of the Mystery which hath been hid in the Trinity Which Arcanum will be daily revealing in this latter Age. Then arose a further Query to be answered If Christ as a Seed of Life was infused into every individual Birth throughout the Line of Terrestial Propagation whereby a Sufficiency was found to bear down and overcome what the Serpent had introduced of this Venome and Sting of Sin add Death What further need was there of Christ to assume a Body and to be proclaimed in the World as a Personal Saviour by and through the offering up himself a Propitiatory Sacrifice for Sin If it could have been expiated by the Production of Internal Light and Life thus originally Springing according to that Scripture Christ the Light of every one that cometh into the World As this is a weighty and considerable Question so resolved it shall be from That which seeth into the first Ground of what cometh to be manifested in time Now then for these Reasons it was expedient for him who was nominated the Second Person in the Trinity to be exhibited in a corporal Form upon this Account First To declare the possibility of bringing in and acting forth an everlasting Righteousness in â—rail humane Nature which every way was beset and assaulted with Temptations from all dark Powers which from their evil Center did conspire to overturn Truth and Fidelity in this Immaculate Lamb for had the Dragon prevailed upon him here Mount Sion and the Heavenly Ierusalem should never have been revealed Secondly Then again for this Cause Christ was to be manifested in Flesh in God-like Power as very needful to become that great High-Priest to attone and make expiation for the Sins and Defectiveness under the first Covenant which was given in Paradise all since having sinned after the similitude of Adam's Transgression The holy Seed in them being weak through the Body which is included and falling under the gross Element which hath and doth in some much more then others choak and smother the Life and doth greatly cloud and darken universally this pure Light whereby the good part doth rarely get the Victory in any till they attain to a good degree of Illumination and Purification For this Spring of Light doth get through but by degrees for tho in it self its of great Potency yet need enough there is for Sins committed in the times of Ignorance and Minority before the Spirit comes to make the Soul understand it self from whence it is relapsed I say for the Remission of these Sins past through the forbearance of God not less then such a Sacrifice was your Jesus for you to become In the Third Place Then as Christ fulfilled all Righteousness in his Humanity for an Example to his fellow Breathren so they might come to the unity of the same perfect Life by the same perfect Spirit which was in him through the dying Life For thereby your Lord Jesus obtained a super-additional force and power of Spirit to give and shed abroad into you for the working out a full Liberty and Salvation For seeing his pure Life-Seed was under oppression he also came into a Body of Flesh to relieve and free it from the Bondage of Sin and Evil and also the very Mortality antecedent thereunto according as it is written delivering them who through fear of Death were all their Life-time subject to bondage Which no way could be effected but by Death destroying Death First in the humane Figure of your Lord Jesus who hereby shewed you the way to do mystically that so thereby you might escape the Second Death through the Resurrection which is said to quicken Mortal Bodies Fourth Place Now then further consider that thâ—s was the very great and primary end of Christ coming into a Body of Flesh to transfigure and to shew the way of Immortalizing of it as he did his own after his Resurrection when he ascended into
Birth being extraordinary and marvelous so soon as it was but noised abroad Councel was taken for to destroy him nay he had much ado to live out his determined time but as he preserved himself by his inward virtual Body upon every storm and assault The world that lieth in the evil of darkness could not bear such a Light to live amongst them whose life was that which did reprove them Therefore it is no needless question to ask of the most high Wisdom how in this Age such a Birth may be succoured and sustained till it hath got a body of might and fortitude which no weapon can destroy or hurt The resolve must be fetched up from the deepest of all centers as it is a matter of the most primary consequence to them who have such a Birth in such a dangerous Principle for to bring up a Birth which is from the power of the overshadowing hand Hence then for satisfaction to this Query saith the all knowing Spirit be it given you to understand That every Birth of what kind soever brings along with it through the wise Provision in Nature it s own nutriment That which is of corruptible seed hath what answers to it of its own perishing Quality What feeds on flesh either as to its fleshly mind or body shall suffer loss to purpose though all the care be to prop and nourish it to make it a well favoured piece of mortality Which to the most holy is a strange Similitude which he hath no delight to see or know his own any longer in Therefore he inciteth and calleth to look after another Birth that may be all of Quintessential matter of the very Nature of the Deity such a pure thing may have corporal humanity a while for its visible case As your Immanuel had assumed as the garment of Sackloath in which he humbled himself for the sins of the world and for that end sacrificed it Who though he took it up again it was for the manifestation of greater wonders by it through various changes which it was made the subject of For in that sometimes he was known and then again in such a figure unknowable to them who were daily conversant with him Who after that the pleasure and design of the Father was in that body finished then the power of the inward spiritual body was manifested to anatomise the visible humanity for that was not to pass into the Heavens From all which learn we to discern where the Christ like birth with his spiritual body is though clouded with a corporeal figure And that ye may not be mistaken take these special signs to know where it is truly fixed or impressed First then know this overshadowing hand through which this birth doth spring incompasseth only what is Paradisical ground there it drops in its golden seed This ground in its true native Virgin pureness must be separated from the common cursed matter of what produceth the earthly birth These two different soyles are to be found in the first Adam's generative off-spring but it is so mingled and overrun with the dark muddy element that great care labour and painful industry is used for its recovery out by the wise and learned Spirit in the heavenly Chymistry rightly to prepare for this holy Birth Which will be easily known from the course and rudimental that is in the image of the earthly For first here is a pure conception as from the high and pure radical infusive Spirit that quickens the Virgin soil and so cooperates it into a spiritual Body that it may be all of one and the same pure clear undefiled subtile matter with the quickning Spirit that you may know what that is which contributes to the Christ-like Births wherewith it will be one and the same that it may degenerate in nothing from the first perfection and pattern of his Life But only this heavenly man may be excused from that personal suffering in the tragical part as an outward death Which will not be required upon the same account having finished the mystery of the mystical death through this Birth taking place and bearing dominion over the outward But now to resolve that Question What this Birth that is from above which is coagulated into one unmixed matter must live upon in the house of humanity Which for a time it must be brought up in as Christ himself was and tempted with the evil fruits that will be daily proffered from the market of this world but yet in no danger though in minority For it is left under the guardian Spirit who warns it what to abstain from whose nature and composition is of such heavenly essentiality that it inclines naturally to obey the Paradisical laws Which is the second character of this New Creature Then again in the third place while but in its Infancy it will suck of no other but its Eternal Virgin Mother lay it to any other and it will be sick to Death And if at any time contrary Food is forced upon it it doth presently Vomit it up Then when grown to a further degree of strength not only the pure Milk of Wisdom its Mother those living Precepts of her Word but the very Body of the Deity which is the spiritual Flesh Christ spoke of and the Blood the Milk of the Word But when come to that Age as to be able to take and feed upon that Body that is extracted out of the very Being of all Eternal Spirits of what kind must this be brought forth but even such a Celestial Body as Christ told them could never taste of Death For as he did live by the Father by feeding upon the very power of the God-head So likewise that Birth which was of this extraction should live eternally by feeding it self upon his divine Flesh. Your Fathers saith he did eat Manna and are dead but I the Bread of Life will sustain you and thereby immortalize you if ye henceforth do feed upon no other but me the Tree of Life It was further revealed to me That the Mould and Paradisical Matter was found in us and brought out of all dispersions into one holy lump formed and quickned by that pure azure stream or breath which did present it self by way of Vision And this in process of time might come to be no less than God manifested in our fleshly forms of Corporeities therefore let us be careful and watchful over it and to hide it under the sheltering hand of the everlasting power forasmuch as it is enclosed with a terrestrial form as its house where the light of the Sun Moon and Stars of this Visible Region did break in and thereby would assume a government over it which might bind and keep it under as upon the outward elementary Spirit This was my fear and jeoperdy Concerning which the everlasting Comforter did satisfie me declaring This was a free birth not subject in any respect to the rudiments of this world because that nothing of
of those Mansions that are near to me let them be driven out for the present Therefore let this suffice from the Scriptures themselves not to mention those particular Idea's and Manifestations that to some it hath been given to see these several Heavens which upon others cannot be imposed for to believe who yet have not those anointed Eyes given to see withal But surely there are some standing in the figure of the Body Whose Spirits have roved to and fro to see these several Mansions with Spirits of all sizes and degress who are herefor designed Only hereout excluding those who are for the Dragon's Kingdom Who do pass away in a reprobate sense out of the Body Those left-hand Goats have no portion within these Eternal Gates a deep Gulf is fixed It is only of the Sheep and Lambs that I am to treat who have found out this new and only Life path-way Who though they are not come to the top-stone of perfection before they see the dissolution of the body Yet having attained to a good degree they may come unto the very next Throne Region and there awhile stay till they have drawn and assumed a heavenly clarity that is such an Essential Body against which no exceptions by the highest Courts of Dignities can be objected These now are the highest degrees of those who before Perfection be wrought do cease out of the Mortal Body Then again there are of a lower degree of growth Now what reservatory is there for them who may be but young in the New Birth As to this it was clearly imparted unto my Intellect that such did enter into a more inferiour Mansion than Paradice for that was too pure and serene for such Therefore a lower degree is prepared for them till they do attain to an Increase of the Divine Nature They want not here their true Pastoral Teachers for the Spirit of Christ is every where with his own Therefore it was said that he went and preached to the Spirits in Prison that were disobedient in Noah's days For should all the old world have been cut off at once and sealed under a final condemnation the Attributes of God's Love Mercy Goodness Truth and Long-suffering would have been obliterated wherefore he must have yet had respect unto such after the dissolution of their bodies as had a sense in them awakened for compunction and sorrow for what Evils they had committed in their Bodies To confirm this that we might not be altogether out of hope for such as may die in the first beginnings of Regeneration it is given me to declare that if these pass out of the Body such cannot go indeed immediately to God For such will find it otherwise they must wait till they have got somewhat more then what they went out withall in this world and then shall they be admitted to see God Surely there is a Provision made for a perfect Salvation in another Principle besides this For which we have that word in Peter 1 Pet. 3. 19. by which also he went and Preached unto the Spirits in Prison Also these words seem to speak fully to this 1 Pet. 4. 6. For this cause was the Gospel preached to them which were dead which generally is applied to such as are living and yet dead in sins But by the foregoing verse it concerns the first Position verse 5. who saith the Apostle speaking of Christ is ready to judge the quick and the dead so that it implieth there is a Ministry belonging to the dead that are not here made perfect Much more might be enlarged upon some particular sights and manifestations that have hereof been given to some in the Spirit From hence ariseth this Objection If this be a Truth why was it not positively declared and clearly revealed as a foundational Doctrine To which it may be answered That the Infinite Wisdom did judge it meet to conceal this mystery because none might take advantage to turn the Grace of God into wantoâ—ness and thereby to neglect the present opportunity for working out their own Salvation in this present time which would make for a far and more exceeding weight of Glory Therefore left it was for the Worthy to have this Secret made known to them by the Spirit of Revelation who God foreknew would not take Liberty to continue in sin that this Grace after Death might be made manifest towards such as did stand in need hereof But now to great holy and aspiring Spirits these lower Mansions in their Fathers house are too mean who cannot be satisfied to be so many degrees remote any time after death from their God and Lord Jesus since Liberty is proclaimed to work through all while we are in this terrestrial Body For there will be more joy and acclamations in Heaven for one such as shall finish their work here so as to make a full conquest then for milions of Souls that in the invisible Regions must perfect what was lacking to compleat them here Oh said the Spirit it will be well worth your Labour and great Travel to break open this deep Gate and so to put on Christ your Lord as in his all-powerful body that ye may make hereof but one ascending flight This was the Mark that was after Christs ascending so eagerly aimed at and by some in that Age reached to For Christ could not lose the effect of his prayer in that he did make his request that those whom the Father had given him might be with him where he was that so they might see and possess the same glory which could not be till they had gotten the victory For to none else is the admission given into his Kingdom according to that in the Revelations to him that overcometh will I grant saith Jesus to sit with me in my Throne But this may be objected further Those who had the Holy Ghost poured down in such an eminent manner had their way made very easie who was as their fiery Chariot that cut their work short And if any now in this Age had such a high endued Power it might soon give them a translation out of all mortal impediments As to answer this The Holy Ghost in that day was given after a visible manner as a sealing Character displaying and acting forth himself in Gifts and Power and miracles but now the same Spirit works in its beginning after another manner where it falleth it doth all its mighty works Within before it will shew forth his power Without For if the Apostles had not been purified by the Holy Ghost and inwardly sprinkled with the Water of Life for Soul cleansing they could not have rejoyced in that assured hope of entring into the joy of their Lord and Master Then was it plainly opened to me by the Spirit that the Holy Ghost would not now in this latter Age act out his Mighty Deeds by any one till their Hearts were perfectly purified by Faith That Scripture being repeated to me who after believing were
in all wariness Then is this word uttered as I was hereof writing You of all others I saith the Lord have desired for to keep separated for my use therefore take heed what you let in to my Temple Body Oh saith the Just One that I could but have such large Credit from you as I had from some in past-ages that could lean and rest upon me without the Crutch of Reason under their Arms. For alas you are yet but as Children that are not able to stand alone You dare not trust your selves upon the bare ground of Faith and that makes you fly so readily to what is before your sensible Eye True Oh Soul thy terrestrial man hath a near disposition to the production of this earthly Climate and runs thereunto upon all occasions as to its nourishing and providing Mother knowing yet no better having found all sensible sustainment thereby according to the manner of this fallen Creation But know you have a Mother of a higher degree that is more true and natural to your Spirits and she would now you should come to understand and know her to be the Everlasting Wisdom of the Mighty God that can do much above Nature and Creature for you Who would have you desert all other and hear and learn from her mouth from which doth drop the Law of Love and Kindness Iune the 3d. 1677. Upon this Manifestation and Councel of the Spirit I found all my internal Powers strongly knit together to find out this more sure and all-sufficient Providence For there was somewhat in me of Infinite Being that was too great to be kept under the tuition and law of that which was earthly and terrestrial From out of the bounds of which my Spirit would break away to live to obey that Law of Faith which hitherto no Adeptist that I know hath arrived to Which hath failed as to my own part because so oft have I given place to self-reasoning being by a Foster-Mother so long brought up in that way that death it is therefrom to withdraw But taught I am not to favour my Life herein though daily solicited hereunto by thousands of Spirits Who do cry spare that delicate natural thing which this world doth glory in For indeed it hath carried all in a forcible stream but now in Spirit I do see this great Volative will be dried up For this Night I did see by way of Vision a muddy Sea boyling as a Pot but under it to my great marvel there was an invisible Fire hidden under the Mud and Water Which I did view thinking at first sight nothing less but that the Fire would there be choaked but it did get the Victory And in the Morning as I was hereof considering it was opened to me that this Muddy Sea was the natural rational Life that must be purged by Fire till all consumed it be in such who like worthy Champions shall come to shew themselves in the Life of Faith I did also see a Clear Water separated from the Muddy Water which by the Fire was driven upward as if it had been a Spring From whence it was given me to understand That there was a pure Heavenly Matter which when the Celestial Fire did work in any it would separate from the gross and evil quality This Muddy Sea was said to be the rolling Motions that work from the common sense of earthly things taken into the Mind which makes it soul and muddy Now what can purge this but fire that lieth in the deep beneath which gradually worketh through it by virtue of an Eternal force and might when once struck in by the Saphire Stone of the Deity Then it inkindles every property and becomes a pure Fire Element which suffers nothing combustible to mix with it After this I did see when the Fire had got the mastery of this pudled Sea that it became all as a bright Firmament and there sprung up a wonderful Tree Iune the 4th 1677. The Saphire Tree In Vision was shewn me a wonderful Tree which was strange and amazing being out of the course of Nature of all which formerly I had seen The Body of it was of the Fire Element and the Branches thereof were clustered with various sparkling Stones of all manner of Colours which were of such a dazling Glory that nothing less than the reflexion of this Tree could give the capacity of sight For as the day doth exceed the night for Light so did these Stones for lustre excel what are of the choisest of this Creation It no sooner appeared but it did again disappear but it left its light Raies upon my Mind for some certain time Whereupon this word was spoken This is the great original Saphire-Tree which as a Light springeth up out of the Dark Valley Iune the 5th 1677. Being much inquisitive to have the Mystery of this Oriental Tree that sprung out of the pure Element opened further unto me as I was waiting in the Fire of pure silence it was revealed that the Tree was shewn to make known that this was a degree beyond all in Paradise For no such lustrous Tree could be manifested in that Sphear Trees of Life and Righteousness might spring thereout but this Tree was a Diadem of Glory that doth grow out of the Element of the New Ierusalem Then was it upon my heart to plead thus with my Lord Ah my Jesus what doth this signifie to us as to our present state This surely presents the highest latitude of Glory which thou thy self art capable of We have many removes yet surely to pass through before we can come to the Clusters of this Stately Tree As we now appear what is more contemptible and vile And if so in our own Eye what in thine Therefore what Time will or may be allowed for our transportation into such Fire Stones of amazing Glory This and much more which would be too numerous to record was my Expostulation To which the Spirit made reply thus that this Vegetable Stone must have several Transplantations before it could rise to such a degree of Celestiality of Glory As first out of the dry hungry barren Earth to a Ground moistned with the dew of Paradise there it hath a certain season to work through as a Plant of Righteousness sending forth its fruitful operations according to the heavenly constellations which work with it It shifteth it self into various forms as the Center doth open for Multiplication of the Vegetable Life to bring it forth into manifestation of those more eminent Fruits of the Spirit As in clusters of Love Patience Meekness Faith Hope Joy to perseverance All which are to spring up unto Perfection as making way for a higher Transformation For when these Fruits are grown to their full Ripeness in any then expect such a pure conjunction as doth make up the very matter of this Saphire-stone Which may be adventured to be cast into that most holy burning Element that thereout all these may come forth
as one entire Body of Glory Iune the 6th 1677. This Morning about four of the Clock awaking with a raised Mind ready to entertain discoveries from that invisible Orb to which my whole Heart tended to I found my self suddenly carried out of my animal sense and several idea's did open to me from the Upper Region I saw in the Firmament of the Heavens Bright Figures like Half Moons and great rolling up and down of the Starry Heavens which seemed to be in a troubled Commotion Then there were great fears at the sight hereof among the lower Spirits of this Region Then I saw somewhat like a Standard set up with a Writing upon it proclaiming War with all the Inhabitants upon the Earth And about these I did see Bows and sharp Arrows and because I saw this Piller or Standard at a distance I thought it was or might not be real and so I went to it and touched it with my hand and read the Writing which was Controversie with the Nations of the World Then after this I saw the Clouds of Heaven pass away and various Persons of great Majesty descended down to the place where the Standard was set and they appeared as those that were Judges of the Earth And two or three of them made towards me to have spoke with me and their Presence was terrible that I shrunk away For my mean Corporeity was very inconsistent to their Glorious Personalities And this word followed This is the Lord who after this Tribulation will come with his Ancients to raign over the Earth Iune the 7th 1677. Then this word did speak through me Haste and pass away from Paradisical Righteousness to Sion's Glory For let your Condition seem never so mean and low yet verily designed ye are to work through all vicisitudes till Palms of Victorious Glory in the hand of the great Alpha and Omega be given to you which will make you to be the admiration of all in the higher and neather Regions Then these Rules were given expresly in order hereunto 1st Suffer gladly the Transplanting Power to crop off all what it finds superfluous dry and sapless 2dly Permit no other Pruning Hook to come near any Branch of your superiour Life-trees but that flaming word of the Spirit that knows rightly to divide betwixt the dead and the living 3dly Seek and make application to the Most High for an impregnable fence while these Fruits are ripening there will be required an invincible gard or else the subtile Foxes and Beasts of Prey may get in for to make spoil In the 4th place Then again watch not only against the Invasions from what Ministers from this visible Principle but from a near and more inward Center whereout the Serpent may move and twist himself while yet you are but in the Paradisical Property For in this first Transplantation lieth all your danger Therefore if all the Fruits of this mystical Life-tree can but reach to a Golden Hue so solid as to become a fixed Seed then ye are out of all hazard and fear But cast this Seed into Earth Air Water or Fire it will attract to it self out of every thing a bright consuming Glory Then this word was added saying Weigh and consider this mystical thing for here lieth the highest state of Perfection Observe the Most Holy in all his removes within your Heavenly Plantation for every new ingraffing from the Mighty Arm of Power will be an evidence that he will not leave you till Scions ye are made as Branches of this Saphire glorious Tree Iune the 8th 1677. This Morning this word was given me to feed upon saying I the Most Holy will Tabernacle with with a Spiritual Mind My Life and Peace as a Spring will bubble there The carnal and earthly Mind is Satan's seat the pure Mind is God's Throne Now choose which of those you will give place to for accordingly your Mind must be ordered If for the high and most holy Society then all Spiritual Then was that Scripture repeated to me For to be carnally minded is death but to be spiritually minded is life and peace Which life of Carnality is enmity to God who will be evermore a Stranger to such who shall know nothing of his Love Joy Goodness Power and Sweetness For if they commune with earthly Spirits and things of this terrestrial being then such dark influences are left upon their Minds as make them altogether unmeet to talk with God or to take in of those Species which tend for transfiguring the Soul into a bright body of Glory When the Mind is pestered and overcharged with thoughts that tend only for this gross elementary Life there is no room for the Holy Ghost that proceedeth and cometh from such a wonderful being of holiness as the Father of Spirits is Iune the 17th 1677. I saw a Ball of Fire and out therefrom went Flakes of Fire and fell amongst thorny Bushes so as they were no more being consumed by the Flame And it was said to me these are the particles and dispersive Powers that will go forth from the substantial God head to devour the Shrubs of the Earth Then after this internal sight I was as in a sleep where much combustion strife and spiritual Labour for the attainment of somewhat that was of Eternal Consequence And such was the clamorous onset of earthly Spirits that for a time I found my self sunk down into a dark Vally Upon which I awaked with great perplexity Then after this I saw in way of Vision a rich Golden Sledge set up and I was to slide down upon it And a voice cried Fear not for an end to all weariness and travel will come when this out of the Heavens shall descend Iune the 23th 1677. Sarah and Abimelech This Morning as I was recollecting my interiour Powers and Faculties which I found had been somewhat scattered by being let out and employed upon secular concerns and which I found was as going upon Thorns grievous and unsavory Upon this my Spirit made application with Soul-meltings for Life-recovery and restitution to those wonted familiarities and divine discoveries wherein consisted all my peace life and satisfaction Upon which my care now was how we who were under a peculiar obligation should discharge our selves of all and every weight that had beset us For it was presented to me that while we were gathering together what might accommodate our outward man as Paul did the sticks to warm him after his perilous voyage even so we upon necessary and lawful things being employed were in danger of the poisonous Vipers which would stick so close to our hands as we should be constrained to awaken and call up the Most Holy Adjuring Power of the Mighty God Whereby we might be able to cast them off before they infected our pure eternal Life-blood that so we might proceed forward in our Spiritual Work For this word was spoke why seek ye to dwell in ceiled houses and let the most holy in
their course to renew your strength through the mutual concurrence of your wills Which to me I your Lord do own you have given in Therefore my Spirit I am moving upon the Face of your inward Deep till the whole mystery of the Celestial Figure shall again be restored Therefore I am calling the Eye of your Minds inward that so ye may take knowledge how many steps you have gone up to this Throne and so be encouraged to pass forward You are arrived to the third measure which is the Spirit of Prophecy and Revelation here is a pleasant standing because you have prospects of the unknown Scenes of Gâ—ory great advantage is from hence because you do live in the divine Idea's of what is contained in the invisible Sphear Yet far be it from thee to â—ake up rest here or like Moses for to die in journying to the Land where the New Ierusalem doth stand Yet four 〈◊〉 higher there are which have been seen in the Mount of Vision Who then now as high descended Spirits will in mighty Faith attempt them and renounce what ariseth of fear and doubt As Faith and Love are the Wheels that do hither bring so fearfulness and unbelief do the Wings of the Mind bind down Oh how flow of heart have you been to believe what of these Ministrations hath been so frequently prophesied by my Spirit Come forward on and put forth that little grain of Power which you have already in your selves and see what you can make hereof The more you act it forth the more it will encrease For as the Ministration of Immediate Revelation doth more clearly immerse you into the knowledge of what is unknown So the Mystery of the highest degree of Faith must necessarily therefrom begin to work and that in such a way as may be a sealing to what is revealed for manifestation For a let into invisible Species of things cannot but quicken up Faith and make it strong in God by which it may easily yea most naturally act and go forth in mirâ—culous Deeds for confirmation to others of what by a bare Testimony will not be believed in a residue of Spirit For this is also surely reserved which is the sixth step to Sions Glory But before this can be perfected in any one that do look Here for it they must be of a through grown experience in the Life of Revelation These Gifts will not come down by sudden rushing showers as it was in the Apostles times But henceforth they will be Consequents which will follow those who do gradually grow up from the very Birth-day of the Spirit into all the sublime perfections of Holiness as their constitution into a Christ-like Nature For it is the Root of that Heavenly Matter from whence Gifts of this kind do proceed and will in such pure and sanctified Vessels be inherent For they only stand in the Light Councel and Will of the Trinity ready to obey and execute his Will here on Earth as the Angels of the Presence who truly and faithfully do go forth in the Light Power and Force of the seven Spirits whose fortitude it is to secure from all the wrathful conspiracies which are in this evil World Iuly the 20th 1677. This day upon a foregoing Word which opened it self in me as we were met together to breath the Life to each other a superaddition thereof was given me The word was from that of Jesus crying in the great day of the Feast If any man thirst let him come unto me and drink then out of their Bellies shall flow Rivers of Living Waters speaking of the Spirit The Jews Feast being the Feast of Tabernacles was highly at that day solemnised from which the Lord did take an occasion to invite to another manner of Feast presenting himself as the principal Dish to feed upon and Well of Life to draw the Waters of Salvation from It was again revived to me in this word You are come to the festival day of the Spirit Set by it esteem it spare not to take your fill Tell me Oh ye that beloved are what from this Heavenly Table where all variety of Spirit is what is most relishable to your Heavenly Palate Had not I known you to have been in the vehement hunger and thirst after that Food which is all Spirit and Life you should never have drawn near to my Table For to others this kind of Fare has been little understood or tasted of and therefore not desired It is the pure Birth of the Spirit that can only live upon that which is Spirit as none can know the things of God but the Spirit so none can taste God but what is born of God What else did your Lord Jesus live upon during the time of his abiding in the humanity but the Essential Power of the Deity He still drew it in as the Invisible Bread of Life which he had to eat that the World knew not of Now said the Spirit unto me It will be to you according to what you believe or thirst for or after whether for the Milk or the strong Meat of the Spirit For this is called the Feast of the Spirit because it multiplies it self into Corn Wine Oyl Milk Hony Marrow and Fatness There is nothing that can be named for refreshing and strengthning which the Spirit of Jesus doth not afford to the strong in Faith Then again a further Information was given concerning the Ministration of Revelation that though this Mount of Divine Vision was not to be for ever the fixed Rest of such who are under such a dispensation which must be owned as a high and rich Prerogative Yet warning I had this day hereupon still to wait For the Spirit did expresly speak that we were come but to the shallows of that unmeasurable Deep our Feet did but yet stand upon the Golden-sea brim and that we must yet abide a while upou this Chrystalline Stone till launched into the deep ocean of all Manifestation and Knowledge of what is within the Vail Where all things of the Temple Glory are to be seen not as in Metaphors or Figures but in their own express Beings as the heavenly things themselves Then through the Oracle-ear this word did sound to me Ye have not yet known what it is to be wholly contracted into the Spirit that is as if you were without a Body of animal sense and changed into an unmixed Body of Spirit For thus it was with Iohn when he saw and talked with the Alpha and Omega Then the word of Jesus was made good to him as one of them who did not see death till he had seen the Son of Man in Majesty coming in the New Ierusalem Glory But this he could never have beheld if he had not been changed for the time being into a Spirit Which had so penetrated through his gross material Body as that he knew himself only in a Body of Light Therefore he called it the Lord's Day such a
while I was viewing it Then it was cried in my hearing Transplant this Tree or else never to Perfection will any 〈◊〉 come answerable to that Tree Let it be fixed under the warm shade of the almighty Tree for fruitfulness From this presentation I was given to understand somewhat that answered to that matter of doubt which was often raised in me what was the Reason that such a fair progress should be made of growth in this Tree richly flowred from the very Life-sap with beauteous appearances Which in way of similitude answers to the state of a Soul that hath the Life-root in her but its plantation being out of the warm shelter standing bleak and open to the sharp blasts on every side cold storms beating upon it cuts off the tender Blossom which would come to substantial Fruit. This was shewn me to be the very cause why so many holy good Trees of Righteousness could not reach to the full grown Fruit but withered off in the very prime of their spring For by fruitfulness here I was given to understand something above and beyond a pure and lively Conversation and a shiâ—ing forth in those known Ornaments of Love Joy Meekness and Patience These I may call the sweet scented Blossoms here many one stops and goes no further on but sheds them abroad And then by the mortal Life commixing with the cold sharp Element of this visible Region are they generally cut off before any such high degree of all-fruitful Power is got up unto As was expressed in former Ages when their Fruit was apparent from the root of God's Almightiness Our Lord means this fruitful Birth of Power when he telleth them of the absolute necessity of their abiding in him as the Branch upon a Tree As much as if he had said ye can do no mighty works till you come to be brought under me as that out-spreading Tree of Life If so as he told his Disciples ye abide in me and my words abide in you then ask what ye will and it shall be done From hence it may be truly inferred that the eminent fruitfulness which God the Father may come to be glorified in consists in a large and full ability to do and act such things as Christ himself did in his assumed humanity who was a Tree of all kind of Fruitfulness Now by this Vision it was also thus given me to know that the Tree which did stand in the wild field of Nature with a Fence did well signifie the true Life-off-spring of the Most Holy who might proceed to such a degree But while walking in the open bare Principle of this World where storms of all kind of Temptations would set on it it is altogether improbable that any such could come to any ripe powerful fruitfulness Therefore the Voice did cry from the upper Spheres in Loves Compassion for a Transplantation to be made that so the designed fruitful Plants might come for to be shaded under the great and mighty Lebâ—non-Tree O what less will this be but a very Translation from one Principle to another where Life of another kind will most naturally â—low not a weak deficient barren fruitless Life but a strong invincible all-powerful Heart of Righteousness in the Faith-opreation of the mighty God Who to this Tree shall make all Shrubs and even Cedar Trees of the outward Principle to bow when as your Branches shall sprout out with such Christ-like fruitfulness Suffer ye gladly then the gentle pluck even by that good hand though ye are hereby severed from the very Root of this Earth Because ye well see that the Destroyer and Despoiler of all your desired fruitfulness lurks at the bottom of that ground as a subtle Serpent making new offers of Temptations to beguile you Therefore the Holy Watcher cries still fly away from his Inchanted Tree August the 20th 1677. I have great Soul-wrestlings about a restraint from the Broad Walks of the World The former part of the Night I spent thus being made sensible of the divine pleasurableness of keeping to the Narrow Track of the Spirit I was then greatly thoughtful how we that were as in the midst of a thicket of wild thorny Briaâ—s should pass out as untouched to get into that privacy of walking with God according to the late words of Councel received from the Spirit which word followed me still In the midst of these solicitations that sprung in me I was overset with a drousiness upon my animal sense And immediately I saw my own Person with another got up a good height upon a mighty Bank where some stragling Houses were and we were minding to do and act some petty matters and concerns in them Of a sudden I looked down and beheld a Sea at the bottom floating and a Voice cried Hast way for here is no stay This Bank with all its Buildings will be overflown when the Sea breaks in With that I was afraid and called to my Friend with me to draw up higher for here was no standing for us the danger was so imminent Then was shewn to us through some degrees of ascent a place all plain of each side railed in into which we designed to make our way with all expedition But the ground being parched and bare and slippery we were constrained to stay each other by the hand till we came to that pleasant Walk which was so secured as before was mentioned where we were without fear Then were we in another Region all encompassed with a bright Element with two Globes all with spangling Sparks about them Which was a Vision so Glorious as could not well have been born if the bodily senses had not been suspended that so the Spirit might actuate free in its own Specie Whereby it may positively be concluded that the activity of the corporeal faculties are a great impediment to Divine Vision Therefore taught I am whenever I would attain any thing of this kind that then I must be slain to the exteriour imaginariness and that an absolute death is very meet in this case For there by the Spirit of the Mind is made free to slide down into its own Abyss from whence it was before it came into Nature August the 21th 1677. This Night I heard a Voice cry within me I am Alpha and Omega this is the Name by which I will be known unto thee Which sound awaked me and thereby quickned up all the internal Powers of my Mind to attend the meaning hereof Which as from a Spring thus opened That to know the Lord Christ by this Name would be of a very considerable advantage to us upon several accounts For consider what this Name carries and bears on it signifying everlasting Power Strength and Fortitude I am saith he not only to be known in my Weak Ignominious Suffering Dying Name but in my Living All-powerful Name especially to them who are now to be raised up by me to this state of Celestial Dignity as to be anointed Kings and
Death shall not at all hurt you let not your Souls faint but direct your Prayers to the Holy Temple that so through great fervency from these nether Depths you may there into enter and from Death's Bands ye shall beloosed The Body of mortality as the Fish shall vomit you up when great IEHOVAH shall once the Word give forth These Openings are still for your Support February the 21st 1676 7. I saw a Vision thus presented to me I did see a green Cloath-Covering which was sown over a White Sheet which was let down and I was bid to unrip it which after a metaphorical manner was done I know not how And under it there were Creeping Creatures that were of a devouring Quality then under the Linnen there appeared a Lamb pure and white with sparkling Eyes as Flames of Fire Which thing considering it was thus opened unto me This was the Face of the Covering that the Word of Command came forth to have unripped and taken off By which the very inward ground might be discovered where the fatned Beasts did lurk under who by the Covering were bounded But now the shame of their Nakedness did appear so as they crept away and could no longer abide by reason of the Lamb's sparkling Eye which caused the Remove to be made saying to me Now give place who am come to scatter and destroy all of this evil quality from before my Face I can no longer bear this Covering upon me this partition Vail must be rolled away even that dark Body of Sin which hath been as a weight upon the Lamb of God Whose Eyes do pierce to find out every thing that hath made a breach that so the Heart of God should not be concealed from you into which you could never see so long as this thick dark Covering remained whereby hid hath been the very Original matter that hath brought in all the Woe and Sorrow For which purpose by way of this Similitude you may come hereby to understand the force of that great Love that moveth to lay all naked and bare that so through the medium of that light Eye which did lie under covert for a time ye might see the Image of that Sin-breeding Beast that could multiply into such encrease under the green Covering Whose Seat and breeding-place shall make discovery to the most innermost Ground unto thee that so thou mayst be at rest from the source of Sin 's working property Let us in the first place now make enquiry into the Originality of this Monster how he came to have a Being For in the beginning of the Paradisical Creation all was created by God comely good and perfect how came then this strange Essence to be brought in to dispoil and alter the whole Heavenly Course of things in this Paradisical Creation Now know that before this there was a Creation of Angelical Hosts as an immediate product from the everlasting Being Who delighted to generate Thrones Mights and Powers that so God through distinct Existencies of Celestial Spirits of that high Angelical Order might come to manifest his Attributes which before lay void and hid in an Eternal Stillness So as here was the Angelical World in pre-existency before the Paradisical The Superiour Heavens were furnâ—shed in the first Place with Dignities suited for God's own peculiar Habitation Of which Number there was a Spirit of high Elevation that did awaken in some of them who were Principalities in this Kingdom to exalt themselves equal or above the Lord their Maker For which cause being cast out from the most meek and holy Presence they consulted how to spoil and infect having great Envy against God's new Creation and formation of Man in and after the express Image of himself This blew up their Coals of Jealousie and fiery Indignation which as deadly Arrows were soon sent forth namely so soon as Adam came to have an existency He must be tried by this subtle Serpent And the first onset was whether they could by their Magical Art cast him into a deadly Sleep that so thereby his Impotency might be manifested stupifying his seven high graduated Faculties Who hereby before he was aware did loose his Virgin generating strength and whereas it was said That God cast him into that Sleep the meaning is God suffered it and permitted the probation to come upon him to see whether he could stand this first Insinuation which was by some secret Poyson that he had drunk in from the fallen Spirits who had somewhat already of their evil Seed cast in In that God said Seeing Man is already fallen from that primary force and strength that he cannot bring forth from that Virgin Female property Now it will not be good for him to be alone he shall have a Companion answerable to his present state which is already lower by many degrees then when the pure immortal Breath did enter in But had Adam with his Eve here staid and had not been brought in a further Premunire Mankind had not seen the Sin fatal Death of Mortality But the Serpent seeing his Invisible Sorcery had taken so good â—ffect he now is more bold to adventure upon the second Tryal suiting his Temptation more subtlely telling them they should be as Gods Which was an inducing Argument at which Sugar-Bait they presently nibled and did eat of it and in that very moment were turned into that mortal Beastly shape the Figure whereof you do to this Day wear But well had it been if this had been all the injury but oh the Serpently Seed was cast in there who at once sent in that Poyson that hath had its death operation ever since Thus you see the Originality from whence ye have derived your Earthly Life of Mortality which is so inherent that as a boiling Source it is maintained from this strange introduced Fire so as though you are in continual Labour to scum off the Filth thereof yet it still renews again So while the root of this corrupt Matter remains your toil fear and care will have no end Now what is it think ye must enter in so deep as to suck out the Serpent's deadly Sting that hath made all this disorder in Nature Many Medicines have been applied and some have been safe and undoubted of yet they have not reached the place of Sin 's Conception to destroy both the Serpently Seed with the first Earthly Eve which is the Mother of all Living in the Earthly Property Her Womb is fruitful still to bâ—iâ—g forth Viperous Thoughts and evil Earthly Motion from a flowing Source throughout all Generations Now you will say how and by what means shall this be remedied You cry the Power is not in us how can that come to be nullified that is so essentially in us The Boughs may while but tender Boughs be bent and when strong grown they may be cropt but the stock as a deep grounded Oak our Arm is too short to reach We cannot move it the very Earth will