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
A FOUNTAIN OF Gardens Vol. II. Being a Continuation of the Process of a Life according to Faith of the Divinely Magical Knowledge and of the New Creation IN Mutual ENTERTAINMENTS BETWIXT The Essential Wisdom and the Soul in her Progress through Paradise to Mount Sion and to the New Ierusalem By I. LEAD Isa. LVIII 11. Thou shalt be like a Watered GARDEN and like a Spring of Water whose Waters fail not London Printed and Sold by the Booksellers of London and Westminster 1697. THE EDITOR TO THE READER IN this Second Volume of the Diary which is here Presented there are many Things very Considerable relating to the several Progresses of a Life of Faith with various Manuductions to this Mystick and Supersensual State recorded within the Space but of One Year wherein this Author was most plentifully Visited of God There are many Informations given concerning the Paradisiacal the Angelical and the Divine Life in the Gradual Augmentation and Operation of the Holy Seed of Faith within the Soul Many things concerning the Bank of Wisdom with her Laws of Merchandize which besides an Interiour do carry also with them an Exteriour Sense that will be made good to her Children many things respecting the Establishment of a Royal Order of the Melchizedeck Priesthood upon the Earth with the Return of Prophecy and Miracles in a more Extraordinary and Fixed Manner than ever hitherto They are all Great and Momentous Matters which are here deliver'd Concerning both the Church of Christ in general and each Member thereof in particular neither are they such as are at a distance but such as are near at hand and at the very Door they beginning already to be accomplished in some Persons in divers Countries even almost of all Ranks Constitutions and Manners of Living Whereof much could be said And if they be not only Great but also Uncommon and Strange though it cannot be expected that they should easily be Receiv'd yet it may that they should at least be admitted to a fair Hearing and candid Examination as to the Pretences which are made Whatever also the Method of Delivering them down may be and how liable soever to the Exceptions of the Eloquent and the Learned this will not be a Prejudicate strong enough to make the Wise and Prudent in Heart throw away a rich Treasure that may be put into their hands because of the many Coverings that may be put upon it And if the Matters be of the greatest Consequence though they be couched for the most part under certain Parables Similitudes and Visional Ideas it is not at all doubted but that Many will be found who may hereby be stirred up to dive into and comprehend what others will slight and despise as seeing nothing more in it than an Enthusiastick Jargon of Words But let the Thoughts of these be never so mean it is certain to me that Wisdom will be justified of her children and that her Children are Children indeed Children in the Eyes of the World in their own Eyes and in the Eyes of God No wonder then it is that the World despises them laughs at their weakness and with a sort of Disdain pities their Folly It has been so from the days of Christ and of his holy Apostles and it is no new thing for the Mystick Wisdom of God to be accounted Foolishness and those that are led by an higher Spirit than that of this World to be termed Mad or even possess'd with a Devil But if the World know them not a Greater than the World doth know them Hear then Oye Little Ones and rejoice Hear also O ve Despisers and mourn For a glorious Kingdom and a beautiful Crown even the Crown of Philadelphia is now set before you both Take heed that ye neglect not so great an Offer and deride not those who do Believe and consequently Accept it If so the Evil Day of Temptation that is to try the whole Earth will overtake you suddenly and then will ye be constrain'd to confess How are these whom we counted Mad numbred among the Children of God and how is their Lot fallen among the Redeemed out of the Earth who stand upon the Mount of Sion with Crowns and Palms in their Hands following the Lamb The Ascending Steps to which Mount you will find Here so described as could be by none but such as have went up by them in conformity with that process of the Regeneration and the Transformation which hath been expressed by the Ascension-Ladder sent down that was in the year 1681. set forth by the Author and in the Year 1694. Translated into High Dutch and soon after that into Low Dutch Wherein it is at large declared how the Actions and Passages of our Blessed Lord in the Way to Glorification are not only Representative and Imputative as to their Meritoriousness or Efficacy but are also Operative of the same in the Members of his Mystical Body Who must also pass through Death and the Resurrection before they can Ascend and be glorified with him in the Kingdom of Mount Sion or of the New Ierusalem Let us then as many as Love the Lord JESUS and his Appearance behold the Cloud now breaking wherein he will Descend into Us in like manner as he Ascended and having carry'd us through the Cross will lead us back into Paradise whence we came out by restoring again the bright and pure Image of God through his all-virtual Resurrection and from thence conduct us still higher and higher as we shall be herewith by him Adorned into those Superiour States of Glorification in the Heavens above Paradise where he sits as at the right Hand of the Father in the Fulness of Majesty and Glory From whence he will Personally also descend to Judge the World according to Righteousness and Truth or Equity when he shall have thus prepared a Body of Saints made like unto him in the midst of whom he may pitch his Glorious Tabernacle Out of which his Edicts will be sent as on the Wings of the Lightning to the utmost ends of the Earth by Flying Angels who have liv'd in Bodies of Mortality but shall have then receiv'd the Immortal Crown and the Incorruptible Name O Blessed yea thrice Blessed are all those who through that Faith which in these Sheets is Discrib'd are made partakers of this First Resurrection and of the high Immunities and Prerogatives of the First-born But who is sufficient for these things And it may now again be said Alas Who hath believed our Report We are accounted as Liars all the day long for they sake O God of Truth Alas who will believe that thou hast remembred thy Promises of Old which all thy Holy Prophets have repeated from thy Mouth O Lord most Holy O Lord most True Or that thou hast spoken unto us out of the Cloudy Pillar and communed with us in the Silence of our Hearts How hast thou made us to bear thy Reproach O God and to be in
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
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-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
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
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
upright moral Conversation the Law of God written in their Hearts according to the Letter As it is said their Conscience accusiâ—g or excusing according to Truth or Falshood acted by them for by Nature things contained in the Law may be done so that you may take in this higher degree of things into the knowledge of the Spirit of a Man as an earthly Man and yet not able to receive or comprehend the more high wonderful and deep things of God It is only possible to that which is the meer Birth of the Spirit distinct from the Earthly Now then said the most holy Anointing that ye may know that this Spiritual Man is born shall appear by what shall be revealed unto it March the 2d 1676 7. Now as to the things of God which are given only to the Spirit of a Spiritual Man to find out verily they are so great various and numerous as in times Volumâ— they can never be unfolded Only the Spirit for the use of this new Born Creature or Spiritual Born Man doth bring down a Breviate of those invisible Things that are in heavenly Places or rather that are in God who is the Original from whence all glorious things that are in Existency are brought forth which may be named as the Back-parts of God framed and stretched forth into a Light Seraphick Globe which God furnisheth with his own Majestick Forms which no one ever saw or therfore can take upon them to describe The Spirit only hereof can make report to the Spiritual Man while yet imprisoned in a corporal Shrine and Shape But you will say what more of the things of God are discoverable when you are wholly in the Spirit you need not thus Quere but in the mean time there is a Spirit which will take it's range for you to view the Fathers Goods Possâ—ssions and Eternal Lands because as Heirs ye are concerned thereunto To proceed then to the heights depths and bredths of what are yours in Reversion within the Circle of Mount Sion state Consider then what of God's is there they are all yours as ye stand engrafted into the Tree of Life Now what hath the Spirit found out in all the heights above this earthly Sphere First into Paradise it doth take its Flight where all things are in good Order and flourishing state as before Adam had lost his Virgin Mate Paradise is now stock'd again with such as have waded through the floating Sea of Sin and Mortality in order to the putting on that image of Purity where the least Guile or Fault may not be found in any there The Spirit doth see all in wonderful Harmony for this Voice was heard to say from the high and lofty One with Men risen from the Dead I will also dwell though it be alotted for a time to be a separated Mansion till all be gathered into â—that one superior Kingdom Thus you hear good News that is all rich and flourishing within the Paradysical Kingdom no decay since Adam's day but much encrease and augmentation is daily through the Resurrection of a Spiritual Man March the 3d. 1676 7. These things whereof an account has been given you may be defined as the local Place of Paradice whereinto Spirits separated in a natural Death putting off there mortal Bodies do enter into it and there put on their Virgin Body which doth prepare them to meet their Bridegroom who from thence fetcheth them up to mount Sion These are such who in this very time have fought the good Fight of Faith and had very near overcome this World What is lacking to make them fully perfect in this Paradisical Place they are appointed to stay here till all their Bridal Trimming be finished and they find that they can pass the way to the Tree of Life through the flaming Cherub who still is a Guard upon that figurative Tree In that place holy Angels do there also wait by their course to minister to those who do come here as designed Heirs of that more glorious State which in Sion is revealed This is some part of those good things which belong to your Eternal Father But to open to thee a further Mystery which is what may be entred upon in this very Life time know there is a mystical Paradise as well as a local which springs metaphorically opening from a pure magical Center this is a wonderful state to know and wittness it chiefly stands in divine Visions Revelations Ideas Presentations Manifestations in Sounds Trumpets Voices in Speakings in Powers Raptures Joys and sensible-Feelings I say all these Golden Springs do flow from out of the Bowels of the new Paradisical Earth This will amount to your present Peace and Joy Wait I say to feel that Now that your Spirits may give a Seal with me that ye have received the anointing and that you do walk with your Spiritual Man in this Paradise where you do often hear the Eccho of the Bridegroom's Voice calling to you still to hast the getting on all that which will make you look sweet and amiable and the fragrant Sweets that may you perfume and scent that so all your Garments may smell of these Beds of Spices upon which you may stretch your selves Here a while confined be to dwell after the manner of Spirits in Spiritual Bodies till you shall all of this visible Orb over-come and much excell all Creatures in it having the Tree of Life to live upon Which is that which will rarify and put upon you a more transparent Body for they who here do daily feed upon it shall be in good deed metaphorized Behold to you this Paradise Gate doth open stand and what of the things of God is there not only to know but them as your own to enjoy But this Word of caution to you who resolved are to tast more deep of these flowing Sweets take heed of the Laws of Paradise which once in particular were given to you remind and observe them For you must not be in the Quality halting between two Principles but here keep company each with other and your Jesus will most frequently talk with you and shew himself according to the Love's betrothment that is made a fresh with you in this Paradise March the 4th 1676 7. The GLASSY-SEA Now from hence the Spiritual Man must make another remove to see what doth lie for him beyond this among the pretious things that out-flow from that rich Ocean-Sea which is betwixt Paradise and Mount-Sion This is that Glassy-Sea spoken of which doth encompass the Beloved City where is the residence of God your King and the Throne of the Lamb and the Seaven Sealing Powers that do go forth from the most Holy One. Now this Burning Sea is for Probation who is able to pass through here but they who have got a thorough Victory over the Beast and his Image that nothing more of his Mark do bear They and they only can stand here because they are signatur'd from this