A MESSAGE TO THE Philadelphian Society Whithersoever dispersed over the whole Earth Together with A CALL to the Several Gathered Churches among Protestants in this Nation of England By I. Lead Isa. 58. 20. Go ye forth of Babylon flee ye from the Chaldeans with a Voice of Singing declare ye tell this utter it even to the End of the Earth LONDON Printed and Sold by I. Bradford in Iewen-Street near Crowder's-Well 1696. THE EDITOR TO THE READER BLessed are the Poor in Spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven is not without the greatest Reason prefix'd in the Front of that Heavenly Doctrine which in the Greatness of the Majesty of Love is deliver'd to us by our Blessed Master from the Mountain of Holiness Wherefore the Opposite hereof is most True and there must certainly be a Wo unto those who are Rich in Spirit because theirs cannot be the Kingdom of Heaven But notwithstanding that a Poor Spirit is at this day so much Ridicul'd and is even Proverbially become a Reproach among those who call themselves Christians and Profess themselves the Disciples of IESVS who was so eminently Poor in his Spirit above all the Sons of Adam yet the Wisdom of God which runs counter to that of Man and Charges his Prudence with Folly will have that to be Honour'd which he has Dishonour'd and will have that to be Dishonour'd which he has most of all Honour'd and Prided himself in For that Poverty of Spirit which is the Scorn the Contempt and Offscouring of the World in the Day when God will bind up his Jewels will be made the Glory the Crown and the Kingdom to as many as shall have followed the Steps of their Master in the Regeneration We find that at this time the many Bodies and Societies of the so nominated Religions do all fall in with the Laodiceans saying We are Rich but the True and Faithful Witness may shortly let them see that they are Poor and will cause their Spiritual Merchants to cry out Alas alas in one hour so great Riches are come to nought And then shall the Poor Spirited Philadelphians that are now a despised Handful compared to the rest who have indeed but a little Strength and confess it be known to be the Children of the Kingdom having stood out the Hour of Temptation and kept the Living Word of God not denying his Name Power and Spirit nor taking or bearing it in Vain The true Poverty of spirit is the primary Qualification for reading as of the most Holy Scriptures so also of this little Treatise now given to the World from the Fountain of Love and Peace and is the very Foundation and Corner-stone of the New Creation upon which the most glorious Temple of God is to be built Whereas if we go to any of the Outward Professions that so much cry out the The Temple of the Lord the Temple of the Lord we shall find them to be of the number of those who esteem themselves increased with spiritual Goods and to â—ave need of nothing This is the Foundation â—nd Corner-stone of Baâ—ylon and of the Conâ—uâ—ion of the Sects â—hich according to the â—entence of the Righteâ—us Iudge must be all â—â—umbled and moulder'd â—â—to pieces that so out â—f this Chaos a beautiâ—â—l Fabrick may arise â—â—ly joined together ceâ—â—ented and compacted â—â—y that which every part supplieth to the Building up or Edifying of it self in the Love And in order to this the Decree is gone forth the Account of which is given in both the Ensuing Messages from the Spirit and Word of Prophecy The Great Angel being now descended with his Measuring Line and having receiv'd a Commission not to leave one Stone â—pon another of any Temple which Man hath â—uilt is measuring out the foundation of the New Temple upon the Gates of which shall be written PHILADELPHIA To the raising up this Temple of the Holy Ghost all the living stones of fire which have been and are seperately prepared are Now called together by the Harmonious Sounds oâ— the seven Spirits of God â— Such as have only a Name to be alive but are dead may not hear these Sounds to call them yet as these shall grow louder it is not despaired but that even the Dead and those that stick most in the lifeless Sardian Constitution shall hear their Voice and be brought into this living glorious structure Yea O God let the Dead hear thy Voice Amen Let the Dead hear thy Voice Amen Hallelujah Let them hear thy sweet Sounds and come with Singing into thy Temple Amen Hallelu-IAH Let thy Voice break the Cedars of Lebanon and the Oaks of Bashan Let it shake the Wilderness and let every one in thy Temple hearing it speak of thy Glory Amen Hallelu-IAH Thou wilt give Strength unto thy People yea unto Philadelphia the Least amongst the Thousands of Iudah wilt thou give Strength Thou wilt Bless thy People with Peace yea even with the Peace of IERVSALEM wilt thou Bless them Hallelu-IAH The Proud wilt thou scatter in the Imaginations of their hearts thou wilt put down the Mighty from their Thrones and wilt exalt the Humble and the Meek yea thou shalt exalt and establish them and they shall be established as Pillars in thy Temple to go no more out Hallelu-JAH Let thy Right Hand do this O God of Glory and let thy Right Arm establish these Pillars in thy House Yea let the very stones of Babylon and even such as have been Pillars in the Temple of Maozim be sanctified and fitted for thy service Let eâ—en those that know not that they are wretched and miserable and poor be brought to Buy of thee the Gold of Ophir which is seven times tried in the Fire that they may be Rich Let those that know not that they are Blind be convinced and made to anoint their Eyes with thy Eye-salve that they may see and obtain the Blessing of the pure in Heart Let those that know not that they are naked having clothed themselves with their own devised Forms be undeceiv'd that they may not take that to be the Covering of thy Spirit which is but a Covering of Fig Leaves that so they may be perswaded to Buy of thee the White Raiment and the Immortal Robe of thy Flesh that the Shame of their Nakedness may not appear Let tyh Priests be clothed with Righteousness and let thy Holy Ones rejoice and sing having put thee on O Lord JESUS Yea let them sing aloud from from the Isles Amen Halleluâ—JAHâ— ADVERTISEMENT WHereas some Things have been Scandalouslyâ— set forth and Printed under the Name of this Authors to the Reproach of Truth and the Dishonour of that which is Holy it is thought fit for the putting a Stop to such Impostures and the Evil which might thence ensue to give a Catalogue of the Books which the Author hath hitherto Published THE Heavenly Cloud or the Ascension Ladder 4 to 1682. p. 40. The Revelation of Revelations an Essay
Consideration nothing can be more grateful to us O my Lord then to have that New and Living Way revealed through which we may come to know after what Manner and Pattern thy Worship now is to be and who also â—he Worshippers are that be required § 15. Now as to this Virgin Church the Lord did shew me how and after what manner it was to be Constituted with the Invalidity of all that which hath been in a Formal Imitation thereof As first in Answer to an Objection which I made How such a Pure Church could possibly be in such a Polluted Region Which was Answered thus While I was plunged into deep Introversion in my Spirit call to remembrance spake the Holy One Abraham the Faithful unto whom I appeared and consider how that he became the first Root of that Visible Church which was Peculiar of all the Earth unto me And farther this observe that the numerous Offspring hereof did proceed from that one Seed for so likewise it will be again God will send out One and Another that shall be after his own Heart who shall be ordained as the principal Pillars of this New Assembly And the mighty Spirit of a CYRVS will be absolutely Required both for the first laying the Foundation thereof and also for supporting it in its progress § 16. Now from hence it was revealed to me that Abraham and Sarah were a Type of that which should be produced and manifested in the last Age of the World according to all the Prophecies that run pointing still to the Glory of Mouâ—t Sion that hath always been expected to be revealed in every Age since Christ. Immediately after Christ's Ascension it was looked for and believed in when the Apostles gathered several Branches relating to such a Church to their Day But this was not fixed for Substance because Corrupted since and so in the Confusion of Babylon as it is at this Day the ruines of which are yet to be raised up and a perfect Temple-Body answerable to the Head-Power Which now the Holy Spirit hath given the true Model of in the Figure of Him who was the Beginning of the Israelitish Church whom God chose and called from out of his own People and from the Land of his Nativity Who in the Spirit of Faith obeyed all and every Requiring of God Upon such a Spirit as this was God will found this Virgin Church who shall be as the First-born out of Wisdom's Womb of which Sarah was a Type who by Faith conceived him of whom came the great Increase as to the making up of a Visible Church Amâ—â—g the Genealogy of which CHRIST was born after the Flesh in which Human Property he was Despised and though he came to his own yet was neither received nor owned by them But now in and from the Spirit of Faith there will be brought forth as from the Dead a New Off-spring and Virgin Generation altogether after the purifying natuâ—e of Faith unto whom CHRIST will Personally appear the second Time a Body being for that purpose thus prepared Him § 15. This I can say I have received from the LORD that this cannot be until such an holy seperated Congregation be found who have absolutely denyed and come out of the Old Birth and all of that Nature's Property into what is of the Spirit of Faith's Property and into Love's Nature Till then it is but a a fruitless expectation to believe the Lord will appear from Heaven before the Church the Bride be found thus ready to receive him Now the approaching Day is near in which He is moving his Fiery Wheels for the finishing of that Mystery the Foundation of which was first laid in Human Property who doth not reveal this great thing by his Spirit that so some one or other may in a sweet sense and Spiritual Emulation hereof be the First-born of Wisdom if possible For a Mother there must be of this Virgin Church that will appear without Evil upon the Mount of Holiness whose Increase will be as great as what did spring out of the Loins of Abraham § 16. That Prophecy is yet to be fulfilled and accomplished which the Beloved Iohn saw Rev. 7. where the Twelve Tribes were first to be sealed before the Angels could hurt or destroy the Earth And as it is written the Number out of eveâ—y Tribe was Twelve Thousand which summed up makes up the Hundred and Forty Four Thousand who with the Lamb shall stand upon the Mount of Sion Now from hence let all be convinced that as yet there is not to be found such a Church as beareth those Characters that are expressed for Sealing Therefore it is time to awake out of this dead sleep and to see where we are in all that fair Appearance in which Church-Forms and Fellowships do yet abide The Lord hath several times both by Vision and Voice shewn me all to be as an empty fruitless Vine much void of the Spirit and Water and Blood of Life And now again hath he set before me such Golden Candlesticks as he himself will walk in the midst of And I have heard this Cry saying Where shall I find Spirits that will go out of the Land of Pollution and walk with God perfectly as did my Faithful Abraham who never stuck at any thing required of him therefore he became Great and Mighty because he believed before he possessed From the same Spirit therefore of Faith Truth and Purity shall the New Covenant be established for an holy Priestly Convocation as the First Covenant was with him according to the Figurative Ceremony of things So where the same Spirit shall spring again they shall substantially bring their Priestly Offerings into the very Holy of Holies because the Mediation is now doing away § 17. O the great Blessing without all controversie that will be doubled upon them who shall put to their Hands to cut the first Stone out of this Mountain-Rock for the Foundation building of this unblemished Church which will be upon a daily Increase till that it come up unto Wisdom's Number Seven who hath built her Temple upon so many Pillars and calleth aloud for every one to come and enter into it And thrice great will be the Blessing of him who is chosen from the Womb to raise up this Temple and to be made such a siâ—gular Instrument in the Hand of his God A mighty Standard will be lifted up to which the Dove Spirits will flock apace and shelter themselves under it The Priestly Trumpets are now going forth to summon in the Children of the Captivity under this glorious Standard of the Great God and Saviour which shall be pitched in the Valley of Decâ—sion Many things further in order hereunto were shewed me and not without great matter of Encouragement unto any such who find their Hearts bent thereunto § 18. Then was it made known unto me that where this united Spirit of Faith and Love did find a fixed Birth in any
Nature of Christ that as he was so they might be in this present Principle This was said to be the First Resurrection which breaketh the Bonds of Sorrow Hell and Death § 10. Then it was moved in me to make a Query to the Virgin Wisdom that had open'd in me all this great Mystery of the Church Whether it were necessary for this Body to be gather'd Personally into one Place for cohabitation together And it was Answer'd me That for as many as could with conveniency be so embodied together this would be greatly advantageous as to freedom of Fellowship and Personal Conversation while remaining as the present Case stood until that Corporeity had fully put on Incorporeity and this Church now in its Infancy had grown up to an higher Structure For then Faith will be so strong and omnipotent as to translate from the low Elementary Life into the Supercelestial Element and that as Christ put on his Body of Transfiguration so there should be Ability to do the sameâ— as occasion should require that admittance may be had into the Familiarity of the Supream Head and his Upper Fold when a bright shining Raiment must be put on which may be call'd the Immortal Robe For till such a time as this Earth shall be chang'd into a Paradisical Nature and Property the course of things mustrun after the manner of Corporeity both as to Feeding and Cloathing Then was it further given me to understand that though we cannot be at the beginning in one Family or Place yet we are to be of one Principle one Light one Love and one Faith and one in all the excellent Qualifications of Wisdom Humility Meekness Fortitude Righteousness Temperance and other Fruits of the Spirit which are the Golden Chain by which we are link'd together there being nothing to be out of the Unity and Harmony of this blessed Church § 11. Furâ—hermore it was noted to me what was requir'd of this Congregated Society as to their Calling and Employ wherein they were chiefly to be Exercised all Spiritually though as the present necessity of things requires an Allowance may be made for External and Outward Callings which followed may be until such time that the Heir of Faith in each one may be grown up to whom the Inheritance from a Supernatural Store doth belong Therefore this Câ—ution by Wisdom is given that none do rest and stick in the low rational way of making provision for the Outward Man as if nothing more were to be â—xpâ—cted â—hen what the Rational Spirit can provide for And the resting herein as if there were not an higher way of Living has not only among the Worldlings but even among the Illuminated themselves been the main stop and hindrance and prevented the Blessing from the Everlasting Mountains which would otherwise have come down upon â—hem For the further Confirmation of this there were some Scriptures brought to my mind as that Prophetical Passâ—ge in the 45th Psâ—â—m The Daughter of Tyre shall be there with a Giâ—t even the Rich among the People shall entreat thy Favour That also in the Prophet Isaiah Surely the Ships of Tarshish shall wait to bring thy Sons from far their Silver and their Gold with themâ— unto the Name of the Lord thy God Chap. 9. 9. It is there also promised That the Sons of Strangers would build up the Walls of Sion bringing their Forces and Riches to her and that their Kings should minister unto her That Promise was likewise brought to my remembrance Strangers shall stand and feed your Flocks the Sons of the Alien shall be your Plow-men and your Vine-dressers But ye shall be named the Priests of the Lord Men shall call you the Ministeâ—s of our God ye shall eat the Riâ—hes of the Gentiles and in this Glory shall ye â—oast your selves Now it was shewn to me that these Prophesies do appertain to the New Modelled Church and will have their Fulfilling according as it shall grow up from the State of Childhood to that of perfect Manhood And iâ— this wise will be the beginning of it the Father should depute his Representative and the Eternal Virgin also hers to stand in the latter Day upon the Eâ—rth for the bringing forth a Virgin Offspring in Corporeal Figures that should multiply and increase to a numberless number And that the Propagation of such shall be conceiv'd after another and more holy manner then what the Ordinary way of Generation hath been which is in Sinful Lust who may be as Ieremiah and Iohn Baptist sanctified from the very Womb who as they grow up may be capable of an Enochs Translation § 12. Then secondly there is another way of Begetting no less real then the former which is in Spirit and of such as are to be converted to the Faith thus are there to be Spiritual Fathers and Spiritual Mothers which will be true Fathers and Mothers indeed in this Church of the First born that shall generate and bring forth Births in the Spirit and after the Will of God Thus the New Creation will go on from which Root Christ's Reign upon the Earth will spring up and begin to be established and the love-Love-Kingdom from hence will open in the Spirit of Faith by which mighty Works shall be done to make the Kingdoms of this World submit themselves and bow down to this Rising-Sun of the Virgin Church § 13. Moreover it was shewn me that several Eminent Saviours and Supporters of this Church would stand upon the Mountain of Holiness from whom such a Power and Spirit shall go forth as all Nations People and Languages shall fly to the Body of this Resurrection Church as Eagles to the Carcass to be fed and nourished thereby and joyfully bring their Offerings of all precious things that may be necessary to set this Infant Church free from all care toil and labour paying their Tribuâ—e to this Royal Priestly House that is of the Tribe and Family of the Great Melchizedeck King § 14. Now then Hearken and Hear all ye Islands and give ear all ye Lands even from the utmost parts of the Earth from all the four Winds and from the Ends of the Sea ye are summon'd all by the Great Herauld the Archangel to come to the Brightness of Wisdom's Star that first ariseth in a Northern Islâ—nd This Word of Commission is gone forth by Wisdom's Representative to excite invite and stir up from all the wonderful Motives that have been mentioned that none to whom this Mâ—ssage shall come should make any Staggering or Delay for that this is the Lord Christ's Acceptable Day and a thousand times blessed will those be that do this Message Obey who shall be cloathed with the Rays of the Everlasting Sun For the Encouragement of which there is already a good Beginning from several Persons in Germany Switzerland and Holland as also at Home that have expressed their Living Testimony and have felt powerful Drawings to this Lifted up Standard of CHRIST in his Espoused Bride and Church Which will be the Crown and Glory of all Nations § 15. Before this Subject be concluded it will be necessary to answer an Obvious Question that may be made Whether this Representative of the Church as also of the Father's Power ought to be consider'd as in One Person or as in Plurality of Perâ—ons To which it is Answer'd that it may be both but in the Beginning it will fix in Two after the manner that iâ— did in the First Adam and Eve and so the travailing for the Birth of this Church will be by Virgin Spâ—rits that are joined in perfect Uâ—ity that will laboâ—â— together in the greatness of Iehovah's strength to bring forth the Man child from whom shall proceed an Innumerable Host. § 16. It may be here further Queried Whether these have a present Being and Existence I must hereupon say to you as Christ did to Iohn's Disciple Come and see For is there not a Star Risen which those that are of a wise Heart may see and understand the Time and Season when this expected Kingly Birth is to be brought forth Therefore come ye as Wise Men from the East fly ye as Clouds flock ye as Doves to the Windows to the Brightness of this Arising of the Day-Star from on high § 17. Thus have you had the Description of the True Perfect â—nd Catholick Church wherein Christ is risen as the First-born â—rom the Dead in his Members â—hat is the Quickâ—ning Spirit that will gather Persons out of all Forâ—alities into Power Life and Suâ—stance which as the little Stone cut out of the Mountain will dash to pieces the Image which is of a mixt and inconsistent Matter and then become it self a great Mountain yea the Top of all Mountains and the Fulness of the Earth which it shall fill with its Glory This is the Philadelphian Church which I must proclaim and which is already in some measure begâ—n and though at first it has but A little Strength and be comparatively as a Grain of Mustard Seed it shall spring up as a mighty Tree where the Lebanoâ— Glory under the Shadow of it will come to open in Power and Majesty This Lebanon Door is now opened by him that hath the Key of David and none shall be ever able to shut it there shall be continual going in and out through it to find the rich and undefiled Pasture such as none elsewhere is to be found Let none be offended at what the Trumpet of the pure Spirit hath sounded but fall in and submit themselves to the Ruling Scepter and Government of CHRIST in this Day of his Appearance as having alreadyâ— begun his Mighty Reign in Spirit The Bride and the Spirit can never cease to cry Come even so come Blessed Lord according to all that thou hast here Revealed and Declared Amen Amen FINIS
towards the Unsealing Opening and Discovering of the Seven Seals the Seven Thunders and the New Ierusalem State 4 to 1683. p. 130. The Enochian Walks with God found out by a Spiritual Traveller 4 to 1694. p. 38. The Laws of Paradise Given forth by Wisdom to a Translated Spirit 8 vo 1695. p. 69. The Wonders of Gods Creation manifested in the Variety of Eigâ—t Worlds as they were made known Experimentally to the Author 8 vo 1695. p. 89. The Message to the Philadelphian Society There will shortly be Published by the same Author Thâ— Tree of Faith or the Tree of Life springing up in the Paradise of God A MESSAGE TO THE Philadelphian Society Whithersoever dispersed over the whole Earth Together with A CALL to the SEVERAL Gathered Churches AMONG PROTESTANTS In this Nation of England LONDON Printed and Sold by I. Bradford in Iewen-Street near Crowder's-Well 1696. A Message to the Philadelphian Society c. § 1. A Voice from out of the Throne of the Majesty on High did â—hus cry saying Uâ—seal the living Testimony wherein new and Fresh things will be revealed For in as much as there are holy Seekers and loving Inquiâ—ers so accordingly my Spirit is at hand to open Seal after Seal â—ill the whole Mystery of a Total and Full Redemption shall be understood § 2. Now the same Voice did a second time cry saying Ye that have an Ear hear what the Spirit saith cast up and remove all stumbling-blocks ouâ— of the way For the Lord whom ye have waited for is drawing near to be revealed in and afâ—er a wonderful manner Therefore as my Dove-Flock do ye assemble and wait in the Unity of pure Love praying in the Holy Ghost who may go forth to multiply more Universally So shall my Kingdom upon the Earth spread as Plants of Righteousness in my own Likeness and so beholding my self in them my Joy shall be â—illed I am your Immanuel who am the Tree of Lifeâ— that with variety of Fruits will you feed and as ye are a Fountain of Gardens unto me so will the golden Floods from pure Deity â—low to water you throughout that in a distinct way ye may grow and spring as the Lily and Rosy Sharon In the midst of which I your Kingly Shepherd will walk and familiarly with you talk so as you shall not complain that I am as a Stranger to you and gone away to leave you as if ye were nothing more to hear from me Know it is far from me so to desert my Love-Inquirers who will not leave you to live upon an old and literal stock for I am that Antient present Rock that will still follow you to open and give forth the Poweâ— of All-acting Wonders that will gush out plenteously § 3. Then the Voice the third time cryed Blow the Trumpet and proclaim the beginning of the Lamb's Reign who is come to pitch his Throne in Virgin Minds Into which the Honey-Dews shall fall to keep them from all Famine and Drought for that the Fountainâ— of Life now stands open to refresh and cherish every Plant. § 4. For a farther Confirmation of this and in order to gather up prepared Souls to Mount Sion by the sound of the Trumpet which now blows forth from thence and to knit them in the pure Unity of the Virgin Philadelphian Church thaâ— they may be presented as one holy Bride without the least spot or deformity by the beloved Bridegroom to his Father I had a Representation shewed me of the several Gathered Churches belonging to Protestantism that came every one in their Order before the Head-Shepherd who was sitting upon the Throne of Judgment Which alluded to Iesse's Seveâ— Now â—ons that were called to pass â—efore the Prophet Now follows the VISION of the Seven Churches § 5. Fiâ—st came the Eldest which was the Prelatical Function with their National Church and Disciplin'd Members who would be owned as the Lord 's Anointed but they were refused and shutâ—out The Second were of a more refined Order nominated by the Name of the Presbytery these also were excluded as the former they could not enter nor have their Mission sealed Thirdly came up a sort that assumed the Apostolical Dispensation in a separated way in the Use of Ordinances more Purely called Independants or the Congregational Churches these were also excepted against and dismissed Then in the Fourth place another sort that imitated the former but such a Flock as came up all washed and linked in the Fâ—ith of Water-Baptism known by the name of Anabaptists presented themselves these also passed away Then Fifthly a Congregated Company that were in the outward formal Part wholly looking and gazing after the State of Christ's Reign and Monarchical Government upon the Earth in a visible manner not turning into or eâ—ing the foregoing Reign of the Holy Ghost as that which constitutes the Heaveâ—ly Corporation named the Fiâ—th Monarchy Church but these were also disowned Then did I see a Body greater then any of these come up with great Boldness as deeming themselves to have arrived to Perfection and so visibly distinguishing themselves from all the rest and said Now surely the Anointed of the Lord is before him But a Voice said Neither are these they for the Lord seeth not as Man seeth No Formal Temple shall henceforth be in the everlasting Church of Christâ— But of the Stem of David a Virgin Church which hath known nothing of Man is yet to be born into this Earth as to the Manifestation and Propagation thereof § 6. And it was farther shewn me that as David was one of the Seven yet least of all set by or accounted of so it will be also in the matter of the Anointed Church For the Spirit of David who hath derived from Abraham the Spirit of Faithâ— Love and Meekness as the Type of Heart-Perfection which though it be of no repute but lieth obscure and hid yet the Holy One will find out such to be the Blossoming Root to precede Solomon's Day will bring forth a blessed Offspring whose Train shall be lifted up to the Throne where no more Types or Shadows or Forms shall be For all of this kind shall flee away and dye no corrupt Figure can stand with the Lamb upon Mount Sion For to such a Celestial Degree will the Seventh be Anointed for the Tabernacle-Church that no other Form but God and the Lamb shall be therein seen or understood § 7. And it was evidently Revealed to me that this great Mystery is upon the Agitation now in this very time And it was thus cleared to me That as David in his Minority was Elected and Anointed in a secret hidden way by the Prophet of the Lord yet as to the outward possession of the Kingdom for a considerable time was not admitted Saul keeping up his Reign and David not regarded or the least looked upon in that Capacity but the Counsel of the Lord must not by Man be overthrown For the Election upon
Person it should go forth with such an Eminent Breath of Power as daily added to it should be Spirits of like Virgin Purity preparing for those greaâ— Degrees of Sion's Glory Who still look forward after the utmost Redemption out of all that Sorrow and Distress which the Mortal Image is liable to For as the divine Sense shall clear up in them to make them see and feel under what heavy Oppression they are being subjected to the Pharaoh-Spirit of this World which will be throwing heavy weights and imposing servile Works upon them which suffered must be and will be so for a while to provoke and draw out their Cries to the most holy and great High-Priest that so he may be a Saviour of these his seperated Ones after a most miraculous way For therefore he will yet now again as in the days of old shew forth his great Wonders His mighty Hand must be lifted up on high to bring them out of Egypt that figured out this Servile Creation under which each one of Abraham's Seed doth groan A Prophet will the Most High yet raise up who shall delivâ—r his People from all Babylonish Charms by meer force of Spiritual Arms and release them from the Tyranny of that Dark Prince who doth visibly reign all over the World And how must this be bâ—t by the Standard of the Spirit that will in a Moses-like Figure stretch forth the Royal Scepter of an everlasting Throne-Might For the Seed of Abraham must still expect to be under Oppression throughout every Age until the Soveraignty of the Holy Ghost come to be annexed to some holy Souls by which they may be enabled to do the Wonders of IEHOVAH in the sight of their Exactors and Oppressors For by no other way can the Lamb of God set free his chosen Flock whom he hath purchased with his Blood but by raising all the Powers of a God which may go forth in the Birth of That which shall shake the â—ron-Rod over all Nâ—tions Then will the Reign of CHRIST have its beginning in Spirit For before his own distinct and Personal Appearance his Birth of Power will be first brought forth in some chosen Vessel or Vessels as Mâ—ses Ioshua and Aaron were Types anointed to be Heads and Leaders unto the rest to bring them into the Promised Land So likewise the Lord hath expresly revealed and shewn to me That there shall again be raised up Head-Powers such as are to be of great Eminency and Favour with the Trinity whose Dread and Fear shall fall upon all Nations because of the mighty Acting Power of the Holy Ghost which shall rest upon them whereby they shall make way for the Ransomed Ones to return with Joy unto Mount Sion Where the New and Living Priesthood shall according to the Covenant and Law of the Spirit of Life be officâ—ously and effectually performed after a much different manner then the First All Similitudes being too short to reach the Essential Top and highest Degree whâ—ch shall be acted by holy and perfect Spirits within the Walls of the New Ierusalem when it comes down upon the Earth and by them be offered up as a most perfect Sacrifice in the New Temple § 19. For it was given me to understand and know in very Truth that such an holy Order of Priests should be Anointed that was to be what the great High-Priest was in this World Holy Perfect without Guile wholly Born again of a pure Spiritual Nativity without Sin Even such as our Lord might not be ashamed to own as his Priestly Brotherhood He only having the Preeminence of being Anointed with a double Degree yet the Lower Order is to be without Sin that so there may be no exception but all freedom to ascend up to the holy â—phere where God himself will â—ppear in an everlasting Taberâ—acle to talk and give forth his Mind freely unto such as do draw near to him in a Priestly Spirit and Body For the Spirit which hath opened these Secrets did declare that it was expedient 〈◊〉 thus upon this account it should be § 20. First because our Head Prince could not yet descend for that his Bride the Church was not yet ready neither any Temple-Body as yet prepared that is able to bear the Glory of his Personality As God therefore took of the Spirit of Moses and caused it to rest upon Seventy chosen out to bear the Burthen with Moses So verily and in like manner will the same Spirit of our Lord IESVS be given out to Qualifie and Furnish for that high Degree of Spirituâ— Government Which will be puâ— upon some that yet are in a Morâ—tal Figure until another Body be put on them after a Priestly Order Which will be given when they are called up to enter into the most Holy Place of Purity When Power also wâ—â—â— given to them proportionable to that State into which they are called and to the State of that Virgin and Glorious Church which they are chosen and Redeemed from among Men to bear up and support in the Latter Day upon the Earth § 21. Secondly Now because Christ himself is in the Heavens to remain till such a Perfect Church be brought up as hath all those Characters and Marks that the Hundred Forty and Four Thousand are to have He will â—ctuate some by the Ghostly â—ower in an Extraordinary Manâ—er to Officiate as if he himself â—ere upon the Earth This is â—he Great Design that is Now â—ertainly on foot to bind the Miâ—istration of the Spirit withal â—or what else in this unbelieving Age will be of Force or Prevaâ—ency but a Power that may work according to Omnipotenâ—y Which may bear down all â—hat would still keep up the Formality of Things that is to â—e laid desolate § 22. All Oblations and Sacrifices which are weak and imâ—erfect must have their Cessaâ—ion For Pure Worshippers all composed of Life Power and Spirit must now wait upon the Altar for free Entrance into the most Holy Court. For which â—igh and signal Endowments we are pressed to wait that so no going out may be till we be richly furnished with every Gift to credit our High-Priest withal who hath made himself a Debtor to us for it and as we are his Remembrancers he will stand Charged to make full Payment unto us of these Great Things § 23. This only required is on our part to suffer the Spirit of Burning to do upon us the Refining Work fanning us with his Fiery Breath until all be Pure and Clean. For this Burning and Perfuming Oil of the Holy Ghost searching every part within us is the true Consecration for the Everlasting Priesthood that so we may come near to the Holy Being and be acceptable Worshippers before his Throne to Mediate for all these adorning Powers and Gifts that may demonstrate we are in Election to be the Beginning of that Priestly Church that is coming out of the Wilderness like to Pillars of Smoak and Flames of Fire
greatness of an Astral Spirit have ruled as potent and strong But the divine Magus that God will raâ—se shall far out-do all rational Câ—aft and Subtilty so that all must be Tributaries and Servants to the anointed of the Most High This is the Crown that will be â—he certain Reward to them who to these Baptisms do fully arrive § 39. An additional Opening came upon an Objection in my self that was raised upon the clear Oracle Dispensation which was this How we should possibly come to distinguish the true Sound of the Holy Ghost passing through us without being adulterated by contrary Spirits that do dash in before the Globe of Nature come to be all fully refined and the muddy Issue stopped This hath been the ground that hath made such deviation and erring from Truth For the method and manner of God's revealing his Mind is not Now so much by those Local Voices as before the Anointing of the Holy Spiâ—it was given For the Patriarchs and Prophets before Christ's sending down the Holy Ghost had God's Mind delivered unto them by an Express Voice and plainness of Speech which was well understood and known by them to be the express Word of the Lord. And though in those Ages there were false and mixed things that did enter into some who did also reveal true Propheâ—ies from God yet the Event of things did it shew and there God's witness was against them But the very Holy Men of God who were truly inspired from his Mouth were ever more attended with a Signal Power whereby they knew it to be of the Lord As much might be called up from what is recorded in Scripâ—ure â—or to justifie this Truth But to Answer this grand Objection how it may be cleared What iâ— of the Spirit 's true dictate from that which is otherwise for it must be granted that it is rare to fiâ—d that any one hath arrived to that Clarity that nothing of Soil is cast up in the Mind to discolour the Golden Spring of Divine Revelation that does distinctly run Which is discernible by the Spirit of Sound Judgmentâ— that decides and determins all Matters according to the Laws of Christ's Invisible Kingdom which differs and thwarts all of this visible and exteriour judging that Kingdom down For such a superiour wise understanding Spirit doth still survive in some Elected hereunto as in Moses Samuel and Solomon and so all along according to the gift of God thâ—t doth run from Age to Age rising yet more high and eminent as the Most High takes pleasure to dignifie those who are of the right Line of Abraham's Seed to whom the Promise doth belong that there shall never cease to be a Prince upon thâ— Throne to judge in Truth and in Righteousness as God's impartial witness in the Soul Of this Moses and the seventy Elders were a Type upon whom God's spirit of Wisdom did rest for determining of Causes that the People from day to day brought before them So verily it is now applied more Internally to those innumerable generating Essences that within the circumference of the Mind do still rise as matter of Controversie to be decided by the true Judge and Law-giver Who in no wise will be corrupted or byassed but make all to bow according to the Light and Eternal Word of Truth Oh the strange Insurrections of Thoughts as so many Princes that would put in to bear part of the Priesthood and Prophetical Function rushing in as Korah â—athan and Abiram that rose â—p with all their Trains saying Are we not meet to judge equal with the Spirit Why take ye so much upon you are not we Spiritual Why may not our Verdict be heard in the Court of the Lord's Tabernacle This is the Language that may be understood in and among the confused Thoughts that would exâ—lt themselves against the One only Anointed of the Lord in us Who hath the preeminence to draw nigh to hear and to receive from the most Holy in a distinct separated way from all the common thoughts that rise from the sensitive ground that are under all mixed Confusion Which are the intruding Spirits that are to be brought to tryal and hereby it will be made to appear as in the case betwixt Moses and those murmuring Princes the Decision was given God owned and took part with his own meek Spirit in Moses and gave power to send them down alive into the Deep And thus it will be carried on Internally the Lord will raise and magnifie his own true Prophet within us that shall have a peculiar access unto him in the holy Priesthood and go apart from the whole Congregation of thoughts which are denominated for the mixed Multitude Upon which bounds are to be set that they break not in where God calleth his holy anointed One up to commune about â—he Secret Things that are yet furâ—â—er to be revealed in order to the â—â—tling of the Priestly Kingdom in 〈◊〉 â—eaceable Reign of Christ. § 40. For indeed all need there is for this Wise Solomon to sit upon the Throne to judge the many Causes that will arise and still come before him for determination Till such time that all Strife and Commotion from the Astral Spirit shall cease and no more any such evil occurrent shall be To which effect the Spirit 's Reign will bring all unto and every thought that contrarily does stir and yields not up to these Princely Spirits that in Love and Meekness with Truth and Righteousness doe govern all things in the reign of the Soul that is to be reduced to this pure and spiritual stilneâ— for a quiet Habitation in which the Trinity may aâ—â—ee to dwell meeting wiâ—◠〈◊〉 in most excellent Harmâ—â—y that answers to the Eternal Unity of their own Divine Being § 41. This is that Lebâ—non Glory in all its high dâ—grees Which the Spirit of Iesus is driving into from the cursed murmuring Spirits that still would be miâ—â—ng with the Loâ—d's anointed Prophet within us Therefore Authority is to be taken in Iehovah's Name to exclude and throw out what will not suit to the Priestly Government For with that Mosaical Spirit God will only be free with all to tell his Mind and commit his Secrets to All other springing Essences that do fly upward from the imaginary part must be searched tried and judged in the superiour Court by that Unction of God that is abstracted from all stirring strange Essences that would readily give in their Votes to corrupt the pure rising Spring of God's Counsel Which had need to be strongly guarded for Attempts to thrust in may easily be discerned But the cry that I do hear pass through me is to keep the Oracle clear that the Heart of God may always live and move there And for this cause Ioshuah after Moses doth arise to bring us forward and on till we come to possess the choice and rich things that are reserved to this Day in the New Ierusalem Land where our
Lot does stand and will be divided to each one according to their Spiritual Nativity § 42. But it may be further opposed that this doth not take away all matter of objection for in doubt we still are whether there may be found any now since the Apostles Days through whom God doth speak expresly and doth declare without adding or diminishing I Answer according to what is given me to know in the deep Abyss whereinto my Spirit hath been plunged by a strong driving power that hath brought me to an Experience of renewed Revelations and that they are from the true and original ground of Truth And though I cannot father Belief upon others that the unmâ—xed Oyl of the Spirit is infused into a still mind yet where this Uâ—ction doth abide it may well be known and distinguished by the possâ—ssors of it though not so clearly to others but to themselves who live in the light sight feeling hearing and tasting the pleasant Powers that the holy Spirit of Iesus doth bring in And I must in a Spirit of Sobriety and humble Ownment of this Gift of the Word of Life opening and renewing its Witness again as in the Apostolical times which bubling Spring as from a clear and unmixed Fountain I have often experienced the flowing forth and by several Effects have known that it doth come from the true royal Priest and Prophet that is risen up in me who hath set up his Seat of Judgment and beareth now a preâ—ence of Majesty and Power to silence all Flesh and to vanquish from his Throne all those false and treacherous Spirits that would have thrust in for the Priesthood to have prophaned it through those mixed thoughts that do so aptly throng in But now through the long continued Exercises of the spiritual Senses they do know perfectly what is from the true ingrafted Word Which Word speaks distinctly from those common puttings forth of the Rational Root that do so generally spring and readily would mix with the sharp quick and powerful Word of Wisdom But this being grown up as an engrafted Word knows its own true Root and there abiding as the Lord hath said we may expect the fruitfulness thereof as Branches of Righteousness springing from the Tree of Life that is in the midst of the Paradise of God whereby we shall be distinguish'd from all those that grow from any other Root § 43. Thus will the Unction of the true anointed Church which was shewn me in David be discerned from that which is false low and counterfeit which shall in his Spirit go forth generating and multiplying it self continually till all the Antient Prophesies relating to it be fulfilled and the Covenant established with David and with his Spiritual Seed be fully performed For from the Root and Line of Iesse shall the Virgin-Branch spring up and spread forth it self to an innumerable Increase whereupon the Holy Ointment shall most plentifully flow § 44. Now at another time a Cry from the Heavens sounded in my Ears to this effect O thou that art travelling to bring forth the Omnipotent Birth which hath for so long a time staid in the place of Breaking â—orth yet rejoyce in this that thou shalt see the King of Nations that shall be born in the Almightiness of a Godhead Supremacy For true 〈◊〉 is what thou hast said and â—ften complained that no Disâ—atch can be made of the Great â—ork Which only accomplish'd â—an be as Wisdom's First-Born shall â—ome forth upon the Earth apâ—earing no more as an Infant â—ut now coming forth in full â—rown Stature that both a King â—nd a Nation may be born as in â—ne Day Now then lift up thy Head § 45. Nay further the Great â—LOHIM doth say The Eâ—erlasting Womb shall open that herefrom may issue forth Powers â—ndeed that may be expressed â—y Acts and Deeds which all of â—thers though in Regeneration â—orn must far exceed In that 〈◊〉 is a Codeified Matter that will â—uffer no mingling with Earthly â—lements O how strange and â—mazing will this Lordly Birth be who will it live to see This provoked the Virgin Spirit in me to send forth Groans and Cries yet more ardently For that must be the way as it is shewn to me that must unlock this long shut-up Womb that so the meer and pure Acting Ghost may appearâ— and go forth to do greater Works than in the Day of Pentecost For I do tell thee who am thus in pure Virgin Nature to be born again that hereby will be produced a present Redempâ—ion which will dilate it self so generously to Myriads of Angelical Births which shall in the Earth be manifested that so of this sort Saviours upon the Earth may stand and as Priestly Kings rule and govern over the Babylonish Land and also turn the long Captivity of the Tribe of Iudah This may you do as you may and can abide in Me From whence all your Powers must proceed Up therefore and quicken your pace see you not the Morning of this Day begins to clear Therefore blow the Trumpet and charge all true Sion Spirits that do love and long for my Appearance that they with One Heart in pure Unity and Accord do watch and in Ierusalem the City withâ—n wait for the Birth of this Mighty King Postscript § 46. NOw It was further Queried in me since the several Societies and Assemblies link'd together at this Day in seperated Bodies have been all rejected and excepted against by Christ what will be the Signs Tokens and Characters by which this Pure Virgin Church shall be certainly known and distinguished from all other Answ. The first and main sign and Character hereof must be that as this is to be a Pure and Spotless Church so must it be brought forth from the Virgin Womb of Eternal Wisdom and so grow to all the Degrees of Perfection under a strict Law and Discipline which extends it self so far as to abolish the Law of Sin Another Sign is that as it is conceiv'd by the Holy Ghost it will grow up to such a Manifestation as is to give absolute Power according to the Resurrection Life of Christ for that this Church must be agreeable to himself perfected in the Beauty and Strength of Holiness who will not own any that shall be found in any Disparity to him Therefore her Adorning must be with Purity Power and Spiritual Gifts to do and act those worthy things which he did and acted upon the Earth as representing the New Ierusalem State For Spirits that are thus purely begotten and born of God can ascend to the Ierusalem Above where their Head in his great Power and Majesty doth reign and thereby receive such mission to empower these to bring down its Glory upon this Earth having such an Oneness with God and Christ that will open through the Tri-Unity the Wonders of Time that will be acted forth by certain High and Principal Instruments dignified hereunto and make out that their Redemption is perfectly