to stand till my God shall come forth with the Express Word of Command that so the Heavenly Plantation may go on and nothing it withstand for lets and interposings have got in as I have from Year to Year seen and will be still I do find until the Spirit of Faith do get the upper-hand which in God the driver on is to be that so the long set back Work in Pentecost Day may after so many Years delay come forward once again For the which I have been a private and earnest waiter and diligent seeker where ever I might find Spirits that hereunto were inclined to wait in a pure Temple-mind unitedly for the great Dowry of the Holy Power again to rise but to this Day a scattering and dividing among the Holy People hath been who hitherto are scared and affrighted away from each other upon poor low and worldly Circumstances so as no Body of Saints can yet get together The which hath been very grievous unto me carrying a secret Sorrow and Mourning in my Soul here for I having according to the power given me made offers here and there but oh how little hath this Call been understood No not even by those who might become of the high and holy waiting Disciplehood so as that upon this account in long-suffering I have been looking this way and that way for the most holy Wind to blow some one or other in for a beginning into this great and Spiritual Gathering § 4. I have often seen my own Angel Spirit fluttering to and fro from Plant to Plant and so on to each Lebanon-Tree to find where the Eagle-Body might make her Nest her Young there 〈◊〉 Hatch and Brood in safety from the ravenous Birds of Prey but no sooner was I here alighted after many a long Flight but the flying Serpent hath with great sury come forth to prevent and demolish what was prepared for this intent and so hath often permitted been hitherto to keep off a selected gathering as a Heaven-Born Society which by coming together may make up the holy Priestly Body whom God may give witness unto by pitching with them his Tabernacle-Presence in great Power and Glory O for this how hath my Soul and Spirit been carried forth to seek and wait upon it and still must it pursue till my God shall it fulfil as decreed it is in his Will § 5. Now as to what hath passed this present Year relating to the outward Being with all Circumstances thereunto relating it hath been very considerable and worth taking notice of Wherein my God hath appeared greatly for my support answering all Bodily Necessities which hath been brought in by a signal Hand of renewed Providence as occasion hath required Although great plunges and difficulties with Temptations thereupon attending for my proving did meet upon me for the tryal of my Faith Which the Power of the Most High did still maintain and uphold invisibly and thereby brought me forth out of all most victoriously My Tribulations and Distresses were known to God only For I saw it in vain to complain to any Creaturely Being but still in all I did apply my self to that Name Great JEHOVAH whom I found a Refuge at all times very nigh procuring deliverance oft-times unexpectedly For the which great goodness from my God thus by me proved I have so much to say and make mention of by way of thankfulness and praise that the number of Times and Days are far too little to rehearse and proclaim the Bounteousness of this great Love that hath thus minded me in a desolate Widowhood state But what I may be short of in Time let Eternity while in Time and out and beyond all time for ever celebrate one Everlasting Sabbath of Laud with pure and powerful Praises to thee oh Holy Holy Holy Infinite Almighty whom my Soul doth so greatly adore that Silence must speak much more with a Life that must excel both § 6. Now waiting still upon thee O God for what may further produce this Approaching Year in order to the accomplishment of what hath been the main drift and whole Scope of my Life's attendency since the unsealing of the Heavenly Mystery By which the obligation hath pressed in so deep upon me that hath made me to relinquish all impeding Multiplicities which possiby I could wind my self off from that so I might follow on in pure Heart Spiritual-mindedness that so I might be a partaker and a possessor of what is to follow as hath been accordingly made known through the Spirit of Revelation unto me which have raised all the powers and forces of my Soul for the giving up it self to this high and heavenly Calling which is the Holy Profession of Faith which now my Life that I am henceforth to live must wholly consist of for so my Lord hath averred and established his Word renewedly unto me § 7. The Spirit doth hard upon me for this ply declaring unto me that upon Faith's bottom I must stand and go forward on all steadily the Work is great which I do stand chargable withal for the which oh God my own strength is but small therefore to thy Omnipotency I do call for that must be my all in all to make me a Practitioner in this high and Heavenly Calling The Matter which I have to work upon is only from that Word of Faith which did create all Worlds the which doth greatly support and satisfie and support me as a stock of strength and power that will carry on to Victory keeping my Eye always staid hereupon as the Priestly Portion which is set out for me who no Propriety have among the Tribes whose Inheritances are of another kind and therefore the Lord will still my Portion be in full for all things that shall needful be The Vision of the Tree § 8. Now in order to this there was shewn to me a Tree that should all suddenly spring up in me which spread forth its Branches for increase and fruitfulness and that no dependency would have upon any other Tree but it self Which was intituled to me to be Faith's Tree on which without fear the Eagle-Bird may build her Nest and not be disturbed while she is hatching her most holy Priestly Brood who from the Fruits of this Tree are to be fed and nourished till unto such strength arrived as to take their flight transcendently up unto their own Priestly Thrones near to CHRIST their Priestly Head there to meet that Company which of their own Royal sort and kind in sacred and pure White Robes all cloathed are So that here a mutual fellowship betwixt the lower and higher Worlds all agreeably will be which is the great Wonder that in the Heavens hath lately been opened to me not for Speculation only but for Provocation to set upon this Work with such as shall hereunto added unto me be For the which a pure bright attractive Eye is gone forth to fetch in such as are numbred to stand with
for certain is the only thing that will bring the long expected Redemption to its finishing End § 46. After which as from a New Gust the Eternal Word open'd it self Expresly in my Heart's Center informing and declaring the High Prerogative of such a Spirit in whom the Power of Transmutation did lie For in whom ever this comes to be witnessed it is no less then the Seed of the Trinity retained in the pure Matrix of the Virgin Wisdom which driveth forth till it cometh into Transubstantiation Nothing goeth beyond this for as much as it is the Beginning Strength Might and Excellency of the Father of all Spirits who generateth in Nature this High Birth of Power the true Heir of Faith as it did appear in the Immaculate JESVS How great is this Secret and to whom hath it been Revealed or who hath found this Wonderful Stone True it is that in all Ages it hath had its Seekers but none have digged deep enough for it Every Arm for these many Hundred Years hath been too short to reach it Now unto thee who art duly upon the Inquiry and watching for the highly precious Gate to open while thou art knowing in thy self the Invalidity of all other foregoing Births and Powers that yet have been rested upon as if this had been attained to which thou art now pressing to find within the Borders of Immanuel where the Seven Baptizing Pools are to be passed through before this Transmuting Stone comes to its perfection of Colour And though several of them thou hast been plunged into yet know this that there remain Three Which were shewn me to be Blood Oil and Fire The Four that I had passed through were first the Pool of Conviction secondly Repentance thirdly Renovation fourthly passing my Spirit over by pure Dedication By all which I was made meet to enter upon the last Three Baptisms which would finish the whole Mystery of the Incarnation The Bloody Pool is the Dying with JESUS the Offering up thy self through his Spirit to which end the many Lives are to suffer Death without pity or sparing any one of them as they were allied and in concord with the sensitive Root from whence they all do spring haply thou mayest believe thy self to have pass'd through every Death I grant that thou hast done so in thy Will yet art thou not come to an actual open and Triumphant shew hereof perfectly so expiring as to a Total giving up the Ghost of that Birth which was out of the Womb of that which was from the Earth earthly and into which it must be again delivered up through Death Now no more would I have thee to draw any Breath of Life from that Principle which is the Gulf of Seperation but to pass undauntedly through this Pool of Blood which is the Fifth Cirling Pool that surrounds that Wonderful Tree of Faith and Life which thou hast seen § 47. Now having after some Years pressing forward since this last Manifestation passed through these Deaths in a good Degree as hath been witnessed the Lamb having been slain in me gives a Resurrection of a New Life which standeth clearly out of all that is of the Out-Birth and that consisteth of the Astral Reason and Animal Sense which the being dead to gains the wonderful Conquest that maketh way for the being plunged into the Pool of Oil. Which Oil is the Matter and Essence from which the Holy Ghost doth spring Then passing from this to the Pool of Fire which also opens it self from this being a Fiery Seed from the Deity and so coagulating together it makes up a Deified Body which only can be capable to live in the Supercelestial Air of the One Element This we may entitle the Divine Magical Body whose Motions and Operations are all subsisting going forth in pure Acts of Faith For that is the Life that the Risen in Christ are called to to live by alone for as much as by this they are always ascending above the Earth as if they had no more to do with it bringing down by Faith all needful Things out of the Store-house of Heaven while yet they are in Bodies Terrestrial Our Spiritual Merchandizing is only to be upon the Fruits of Faith's Tree which will bring in both for Food and Cloathing abundantly while there is need for it But there is an Age coming as this Tree of Faith grows up in Persons in their inward ground to its full ripeness when the Fruit being eaten thereof Magically will Transfigure the very Elementary Body and give it a Radical Ruby Glory so that Mortality shall be hid in Immortality which is the Garment that may last the Thousand Years Reign of CHRIST and may be said to be the First Resurrection Body whereby Death shall be swallowed up All this will be effected by the Mighty Operation of Faith which subdueth all things to it self and changeth this visible Body into the Likeness of the Glorious Body of our Lord JESUS For when this Faith shall be wrought up to its highest Perfection it will be such a Prospective-Glass through which the Glorified Person of our Lord and the Father in him with the Virgin Wisdom and all the Saints shall so appear before the Spirit 's Eye that according as it is written beholding the Glory of the Lord as in Glass we shall be changed from Glory to Glory for when we see him we shall be made like unto him Thus hath it been shewn to me what the wonderful Effects of Faith shall do in its Time and Age. But it may be said who shall live such an Age as this to see To which I Answer though this be Prophesied in me yet it is not Determinated whether as to my own Particular I may it in my Age of Time see For I rather think that I may pass into Faith's Mystery where with the High VVorthies of Faith who died in the Faith not having received the Promise but seeing it afar off rejoyced in Spirit as I do hoping that others in the succeeding Age or Ages may this Transformation of Bodies know which Joy will be so to me when I into the Heavenly World translated shall be having put on Glorification which I do now already see my Superior Angel in the Mount Sion Kingdom cloathed withal in which my Rest and Satisfaction in assurance hereof do remain not knowing whether it may not be my Lot with the Elders and Worthies of the Faith to descend with CHRIST again upon the Earth to Reign The 4th of January 169 A Continuation of what further hereupon followed § 48. THis divine Opening was with me holding me in converse for some Hours in my Spirit saying Though the staff of Time for an expected deliverance seemeth to be broke yet cast not off the work you are called to abide and stand together in and understand it is the prerogative of God to change Times and Seasons who under no bounds of Time will be that his depending Creatures may
me while the Eagle-Spirit is hatching her Young upon Faith's Tree § 9. Which Tree I find can grow upon no other Soil but a Ground all purely refined with oily Springs and Dews from Heaven which must its watering be Then will it spread and flourish all richly having fruitfulness in it self without any dependency Oh! this is the Tree that will us bless with Wisdom Strength and Righteousness for the which I find it in my Heart most earnestly to seek and pray that it may be most choicely kept and circled round about with the pure Love Fire blown up by the Holy Ghost Which may its shelter be from all the invading Spirits that so diligently do watch to break in to crop and suck away its strength For this O my God an holy awful fear is upon me because I do well know what damage and spoil it hath occured keeping it of low and little stature to prevent what might be the World's Conquest and great working Wonder Therefore now my God what is to be done for its preservation Make me privy in the Secrecy of acting so wise a part as few or none have in this later Age found out and why is it so but because no skilful Artist in this Mystery of Faith hath been made to understand the way for the preserving and cherishing this choice Golden Grain from whence this Tree of Faith might to its full growth attain § 10. For the which such Rules prescribed are and revealed unto me by the only wise Counsellor my Friend which if I can observe and obey I may then win the Dayâ— God's great working Powers thereby for to display much more then have been in former Days But the way is such an aversion to what in the whole Universe of Mankind is practised that it will be a difficult point to enter hereupon so as to hold on for here is required a crossing of the Tide and stâ—m of Nature in all its motions which do put forth and generate so aptly Against which resist in the Faith I must all stedfastly till Conquest be wrought out by the growth of this all-powerful Tree § 11. This hath been shewn me to branch forth it self in twelve rising Degrees for the Manifestation of the Antient Apostolical Faith which in this Age is to be recovered anew for the cutting short that Work which in thousands of Years many Holy Souls have been puzling and striving about while sticking in the weaâ— and low degrees of Faith From the consideration of which Relapse a mighty stirring up I feel so to press on as to reach to all of these twelve degrees which from that small Mustard-Grain Seed of Faith sown by the Spirit in me may to such a great and full increase spread out it self as may transcend the growth of all other Trees that in the Forest of this World do stand bound down with Iron Yokes and Bands now the twelve Degrees of this Tree in their distinct Properties were thus expressed unto me § 12. 1. The first degree of this Faith is to believe the apostacy and ruinous heap and matter of which the Body of Sin is contracted into 2. A second degree is to believe that this Degeneracy hath parted the Soul from God and made it a Stranger to all Knowledge and Possession of those high and precious and choice things which might have been the propriety of the Soul in God had it not gone out from him 3. The third degree is to believe there is left a Spark or Seed of Eternity in all Mankind which may incline and turn them in so to feel after God as to lament bitterly their own Apostacy 4. A fourth degree is to believe the Eternal Word was incarnated in Flesh for a Universal Redemption and Restauration out of this lapsed state through Faith in him for the begetting a Likeness and Conformity through an Essential Birth brought forth in Spirit all evidently 5. A fifth degree is to believe that there is an All-sufficiency in CHRIST thus conceived and brought forth in Spirit internally within the Soul 's essential part as may have power to purge refine save and cleanse the Soul from all its Sins 6. The sixth degree is to believe and expect the Holy Ghost to come to join and co-operate with this new begetting Birth for the bringing it up and securing it from all Assaults Peâ—â—â—â— and Temptations mainâ—â—ing an holy Clarification cheâ—â—â—â—ing and strengthning it till it be strong to go forth for Manifestration to shew it self to the World as thus regenerated 7. A seventh degree is to believe and witness that Christ his risen Life in the Soul doth become a death to the Body of Sin totally which we may call a Love Kiss whereby Christ doth sweetly and seceretly draw and part the Soul from all the dregs and relicks that appertain to a Lapsed Nature which is known by a power working supernaturally 8. An eighth degree is to believe that when all this is finished Christ will appear in the Soul without Sin and so present it unto the Father as a new created Wonder all compleated to be his Spouse and Bride rejoycing that the Marriage of the Lamb is come all things therefore being made ready 9. A ninth degree is to believe that Christ the Lord will not fail to perform the sacred Nuptial and Marriage-Union both for Time and Eternity with the Spirit of the Bride thus made ready and will own and confess her so to be his choice before his Father and the whole Assembly of Angels and Elders Principalities and Powers in Heavenly Places and also here upon the Earth shall so owned be for her Excellency as shall be an all-amazing Glory 10. A tenth degree is to believe that hereupon will follow all mutual Joys and Pleasures in Love Festival Banquetting which she is so taken up and ravished in as all former Mournings and Sorrows are forgotten coming no more into Mind so ineffable are the Bride 's So lacements with the Lord her Bridegroom 11. The eleventh is to believe that Christ will settle upon this espoused Bride all that is his that she shall have a mutual Interest with him in what the Father hath put into his Hand which is all Power and Wisdom to manage that power which reacheth to a dominion in and over all created Beings and Things whatever herein for certainty she will be put into a Joint-possession with the Lord her Bridegroom as her Propriety 12. Twelfthly and Lastly as the â—â—m of all is to believe undoubtly that after this Representive Bride of the Lamb so declared in thiâ— World to be by her Ornamental Gifts and fruitful Powers that will generously go forth for the multiplying and making up of the pure spotless Virgin Church here on Earth will the Lord from Heaven descend in great and high state to fetch his Bride the Church up to his Fathers House or Royal City for the consummating and celebrating such a Tryumphant Glory in Unity with the
Body of Saints that are in Heavenly Places before hand even such a Glory through the Spirit until we come there into the very same Glory as Christ had with the Father before the Worlds were which is too great to be known here § 13. Thus having had all the Degrees and Branches of Faith's Tree opened and set before me for Tryal Examination and Information not only in particular for my self but for such as do agree to ascend with me and go forward on to all these Degrees for the which God hath chosen some one or other that are made all willing to give up hereunto by waiting upon it until the great Operator shall bring forth this Tree in its full stature that the Eagle-Spirits may find all variety of Food for themselves and therewith greatly increase in all kind of Substance without being beholding to the World for it hath been testified unto me and that from a sure Hand that the Eagle and her Brood shall in all Worlds have command for the which I received an express charge to wait all believingly with such as hereunto are with me to agree for the full accomplishment of those Gifts and miraculous working Powers which so long have been silenced and laid asleep and by whom are these to be awakned but by the close setters and constant feeders upon Faith's Tree who are not to hitch off and on for if so the Work of Faith will never go on § 14. The Spirit of my God hath opened this Sense deep upon me for the bewailing of Faith's apostacy and how that the Jerusalem waiters in this Spirit have been along time scattered and carried captive into Babylon and the most holy Vessels and Things prophaned so considered in a Spiritual Sense and the anointed Holy Place where the great High Priest's entrance should be is greatly demolished and made common for unclean and worldly Spirits to pass in and so hath brought in great confusion Now it is much set upon me to strengthen the feeble Hands of Faith 〈◊〉 the recovery of this All commanding and Powerful Life which may bring us back from so great a Relapse for the which end it is averred by the Spirit that there is to be maintained one continued Act admitting of no Cessation as to what may be agreed upon to have Faith in God either for binding up what hurtful and pernicious is to hinder the process or going on of those perfect things yet behind then again for the unbinding and loosning of those mighty great and Heavenly Powers that may make us terrible as an invincible bright Army of flying Banners which as light Flashes may go forth on this Hand and on that as directed they shall be for the securing saving and delivering those who sorrowing and mourning are under Sin 's oppression and the worldly captivity § 15. Now hereupon followed this Vision there being put into my Hand twelve Arrows and a Bow the Bow seemed to be of pure Gold and the Arrows tip'd with Gold and directed I was to make my aim at this Tree of Faith which was the Mâ—rk to shoot at Which keepâ—ng my Eye upon stedily the true Archer the Spiâ—iâ— in me did let fly one Arrow after another till I came to the ninth Arrow which all did well hit and then there was a stop and I could to no higher degree go but was commanded to gather up those Arrows and give them into the Hand of them who were to come up to the Unity of this Faith With the same Bow and Arrows one who designed in special was did follow on to try with great industry and did hit the first and second and then attempting the third Degree the Arrow fell somewhat short for want of a fulness of Faith Whereupon I standing by directed the holding of the â—ow so heeding and observing well she reached the third Degree Then the other one came on to try with the same Arrows appearing in great resolution and hit the first Degree and going upon the second was pulled away which made a present delay Then did the other that had shot to the third Degree stick to it and after one or two onsets got to the fourth Degree then saw I her stop and it was said Be not hereat dismayed for Strength will renew though the Arm too weak may be yet lay not down the Bow but hold it steadily and through constant Exercise the Arrow will not fail to fly from the Hand that diligent shall be till it do attain to all Degrees For it was testified unto me thâ—â— there must be a continual keeping up and bending the Bow of the Mind that so we may all of this Faith's Treasure find and although to the Eye of the World nothing of this is seen they looking upon the true Archers of Faith in great derision saying That they are come to be desperate indeed that have nothing to live upon but what Faith's Tree must bring forth for such are look'd upon as a forlorn hope Oh far be it that this any discouragement to us should be for the Lord hath said it again and again that if any can hereunto reach come to an all-full perswasion then the whole World could not contain the Treasures which this Tree of Faith for us should command that so proved it may be who are the wise in Heart who have made it their choice to learn and exercised be in the Art of Faith only § 16. At another time I was alarm'd out of my Sleep with a Voice that cried in me thus O the Restaurative Tree of Faith And when I came to consider of the Word and the Meaning of it Wisdom's opening Key was put into my Hand to unlock that Place where this Precious Tree doth stand It did now appear to be enclosed by it self and a most lovely fair Tree it was the Body whereof seemed to be all of sweet smelling Cinnamon and in the Hollow of it there was a strong scented Perfuming Oil which did produce Fruit of the same Kind all of a Spicy Nature the which was shewn me to be of Twelve Sorts But this Fruit appeared different and more various then what I had ever seen in all former Representations Which made me very Inquisitive praying that I might know the Mind of Divine Wisdom in that Surprizing Word which came so suddenly upon me For I could no way be satisfied with any Visions or Magical views of things barely and without Interpretation § 17. Which through a renewed Glance of Light from her Orb I obtain'd an Understanding of And it was thus said to me O Spirit what makest thou here How dost thou think to live now that thou art departed out from the Earthly Region where thy Sensitive Life was maintained through the industry of the Rational Mind From these pleasant Things of the Earth thy Soul is now gone out and thou must eat of them no more For here is quite another Way and Manner of Living which thou and
Fear and Unbelief is stirred up from the World Within us so as the Power could not arise strong enough for so Great an Enterprize Wherefore there was all the need that is possible of a strong Guard upon these that were yet to go out from the Bow that the Gulf might not swallow them up This was the Counsel given from the Holy Spirit with this encouraging Word that strength of Omnipotency should attend us in whatever our Hand shall find to do as we go on to persue so worthy a noble and God-exalting a Glory as the Finishing Part will most evidently to all Spectators appear to be when we shall come to sit under Faith's Tree having through the seven-fold Spirit and Power of God arriv'd to all its Twelve Degrees there to feast upon all its Fruits and to know the true Banquet and Supper of the Lamb. § 22. Now turning again into my Watch for the Inspeaking Oracle to satisfie several Inquiries which arose in me one of which more particularly was with great submitted Humility an Inquiry Why the Expected Power of Faith in any one yet could not go forth albeit so many Promises have been Renewed and Repeated upon one and upon another of us that have been kept up still in the Infallible Word And it was hereupon Answered me thus saying Do ye think it a light or a small Thing which ye are aiming at Know this then for a present Stay to Thee and to the Waiting Spirits with Thee united in the same Eternal Band howsoever and wheresoever dispersed they may be upon the Face of the whole Earth that there is a Sphere which must be cut through that so the Spirit may pass to find the Central Power which this Starry Sphere and Outward Constellations do yet stop and hinder who would hold their Dominion still up over the Mortal Man For if this Circle be broken through by any * See Enoch Walks p. 39. Mighty Champion in the Faith of God himself opening in the Soul then all of that Opposing Kingdom falleth and till then the Kingdom of the Power can have no Place Therefore fly ye and get above the Starry Bindings and all that is of this lower Elementary World Mount mount above all the Elements ye Flying Archers and shoot the last and Seventh Golden Arrow which hath on it the Emblem of an Eye that is all-seeing and two Wings that are over all Gulfs to fly and so to pass God's secret Treasury then the Power will be set free and effect what each one of you have destred so exceedingly This gave for the present some satisfaction to my Spirit and an Encouragement to press forward to the Mark of the High Calling of Faith § 23. But having pressed on for some considerable while longer to this Mark and being still kept back from it I have been frequently casting up my Accounts in the Trust of the Heavenly things which have been to me committed and considering that the Thread of my Mortal Day was near spun out it hath often drawn my Mind and Spirit into God my Deep for Inquiry to find out what it is that hath so very long kept me from hitting the Mark of High Faith and that hath obstructed the Reigning Life in the Power of the Holy Ghost by one continued Motion and Act from the Deity that so I might know my self to be thereinto Baptized being no less then what I have been caused to Hope and Believe that I am to possess and enjoy through great Strife and Soul-Travels tending hereto as no way to be Pacified till I had brought forth in me the Mighty Birth of Faith the Heir of the Promise and the First-born of the Power Actually and God Manifestatively § 24. Now as I have been in this Inquisitive State and Unsatisfied that I had reached no further with my Arrow I have still found fresh Manuductions and Encouragements to lead me higher and nearer to the Last and Utmost Degree of Faith But more particularly while I was about the middle of April in the ensuing Year thus bemoaning and lamenting the melting and passing away of Time without any thing of a God-working Power that is seen as it was in the Day of Christ and of the Apostles I had this spoke in me from the Only Revealer of Secrets Who in Plainness of Speech discoursed the matter and caused me to receive right Information concerning the with-holding of God's wonderful Appearance throughout Soul Spirit and Body And it was thus made out that the seperation from the corruptible Matter was not yet wrought out for there was yet a dividing to be as of the pure from the impure in the very original Ground and Essence of the Soul For all is there to be consumed which is not clearly of God and this is to be done by the eternal purging Fire from that one pure Element which at first produced the Eternal Angelical Natures and as thus it was then so the same Motion of the Deity must in the Chosen hereunto be made manifest in its residing power which will multiply it self into a Heavenly and New Born Generation Which will be the fulfilling of the universal and particular Prophecies concerning the Reign of Christ in the Spirit For which now the Trumpet soundeth for the gathering the Tribe of Judah to whom the Scepter and Ruling Power of the Holy Ghost will first come in the waiting and separating Ground-work as hath been described by Judah's Law-giver Who hath said that a Body of Virgin-Spirits he will rear up that shall renew his great and mighty Works which all of former ones are to excell Therefore said he to me Go on to perfect that which remains in the Soul's ground from which may spring that which will multiply Numberless Powers § 25. Upon which Word of Counsel great and strong drivings I felt still following me for the very Body of God which is Christ to be manifested in a growing Substantiality from the first Eternal Nature without the which Deifick Matter do again spring and feed and maintain it self by and from it self it cannot otherwise live seperate and be free to act and do after its own kind supersensually And that it may thus get the upperhand I was taught here to sink away from the old Creaturely Nature with all its sensible Passions and Affections that so losing that Life I might come to find my Eternal Native Life from its own Original to put forth which is God in a fixed Body created and brought forth from the first Creating Word which is to restore the Lapse again § 26. So that this is the work and business that my Lord of Life doth set before me to practise constantly and is the true meaning of Christ's Doctrine of Self-denyal which teacheth me where lies the Vein of corrupt Blood that must be let out whereby the precious Life may be secured and saved that so the Blood of Spirits from God may circulate pure and free This will
renew Incorruption where the Selfhood of Corruption hath so long reigned for my Lord hath said this to me in solemn Verity henceforth therefore I see what it is which must be dismissed before ever I can come to say God is in the Act of a continued flowing Spring from the Express Deity passing through the Image of the Anointed Christ into me distinct from all Creaturely Images that are raised otherwise in the Mind § 27. This is the summity of the Everlasting Gospel that some Angels who thus qualified are shall as flying Messengers from the Heavens declare Then said my Spirit which was taken up into the Lord Oh who and where are the Angels of the Power that have prepared their Trumpets to sound no Tidings of them yet can be heard No said my Inspeaker they have not yet acquitted their Earthly Tombs nor put on their Resurrection Bodies that so they may have boldness to be witness-bearers to this Gospel-Revelation which yet to very few is made known and but darkly understood because there hath not been Credit given to that still Way of the Holy Spirit 's infusion and dictation which requires great heedfulness and an interiour watchfulness within the Mind at all times § 28. While thus I was entertain'd with a pleasant Internal Conference in the Spirit with my Lord I moved on the behalf of a Person Whether or no he might not be designed to go forth in this Everlasting Gospel-Message as having been a waiter with me for this And it was Answer'd me It might be his Lot if he could fix to it and observe the Method and Rules now given not digressing or dividing in his Mind but sticking close to the One Thing as gained to it he hath been for the Ministry of the Spirit was a very nice and pure thing that did require extraordinarily qualified Persons to speak God forth therein for if any thing of Self-hood should entervene it would quench the fiery Lamp of the Spirit and make it burn weak and dim This is caution for my self and Friend and such also who do separate themselves to this end to build up an Holy Priesthood and Tabernacle in which the Holy Ghost may come to Evangelize with a new Spring which will work away the pudled Matter of every Selfish born thing that hinders the Live Coal of the Spirit from Burning § 29. Then was I minded also of our Nazarite Vow whether or no we had kept to it for default herein found might keep back the Crown of Anointing which is and ever will be the true Mark and Character of Christ's anointed and most Holy Priests who are called within the Vail of the most Holy Place ever to attend There is no going out to pollute our selves with dead and unprofitable things as we would succeed and prosper in this High and Honourable Profession of Faith which by holding fast to my Lord hath it verified we shall become his anointed Priests and Kings being impowered to work the New Creation-Wonders according to the Holy Ghost's pure Act and Will in us § 30. This is the great encouraging Motive which the High Throne and Kingly Priest doth set before us to enkindle fresh Love and Zeal to compleat what lieth yet imperfected in the Ground-work in us for further purification so as passing through to the very root Essence of the Soul by the Hand of the Separator whose Love Fire it is that cleareth the morsy rough Metal from the Golden Ore that lieth so deeply hid which O God is that we would no longer be at a loss by seeking for and not finding But through the lustre of thy shine and Glory We in our selves this Golden Deep may find Still Watching to the Furnace of our Mind July the 26th § 31. THe Eternal Word did open it self thus in me how that the Spirit from this Word of Life had at sundry times and diversly by Vision and Prophecy been opening the Mystery of Faith unto me for the end that I might a skilful Practitioner in it come to be and now again a Live Coal was put into my Hand with an inspiring Breath that I did feel as Wind did blow upon it while I held it in my Hand so as that many Sparks were blown from it Which observing and inquiring into it was revealed that those Sparks were the Seeds of Faith that had been already in me sown which had for several Years been putting forth only as Sparks but the Live Coal it self which is the Root and Body of the Sparks of Faith had not till now been given the Power Nature and Quality of which I should well understand for it was designed I should still carry it in my Hand to go forth to touch such as called and chosen aâ—â— to wait and live with me in Love's Burning-Bush being thereto invited with my fellow Believers hitherto to turn in for out of this Flaming Body the Wonders of Faith should evidently be seen § 32. And it was further denoted unto my Intellectual Mind that God is upon Spiriting some in special to be as Moses and Elijah to act in the Spirit of Faith to deliver as Moses did God's Israel out of the servitude of the oppressing Pharaoh Whose Spirit in this day doth trouble molest usurp oppress and trample down the Holy People and no deliverance there will be till the lifted up Standard of Faith's Power shall into the Hand of some be put who set apart are to go forth in the Power and Spirit of Elijah The which Manifestation of Faith is to be set afoot and revived now in this present time for which purpose the Revelation of it is renewed § 33. The mighty Powers from the Heavens do in me râ—â—â— with the mild and sweet yeâ— thunder Cries which from the Heavens I do hear to call and gather in the dispersed of the Dove Flock who in Thrall and Bondage have all their days been locked up that now into Faith's School they may come there to be taught the true Antient and Eternal Freedom Of the which I shall as I my self have been taught by the great Master of this Divine Mystery somewhat thereof declare from that Scripture which was brought and opened unto me Gal. 4.22 23 24 25. For being all included under Sin this brings cursed Miseries as Cares Toils Sorrows Fears Distresses in Mind and upon the Soul's account also Clouds Doubts and Anxeities So that both inwardly and outwardly here is a sunk deplorable Case and what must relieve and redress and redeem Souls out of all these Evils but Christ who is the saving Ark of Faith giving himself to such as can receive him to be the Body in which the Live Coal of Faith by its Heat produceth vigorons Acts of Faith Now before this Faith is received or Christ who is the Power and Spring of this Faith we who were as the Scripture saith under the Law Under what Law even that Law of an Earthly carnal Sense that is ever more
warring against the Law of Faith and next to this is the Law of Righteousness which the Apostle mentions And which must also give place unto the Law of Faith All Righteous Works must be excluded for only the Righteousness of Faith must here stand Now if we look in and examine how it hath been with us we shall find we have been in bondage to both these Laws which have carried it very severely towards us So that before Faith came to be revealed in what a dark imprisoned Life were we kept There was no Comfort nor Satisfaction in all strict Observation of the Law of Righteousness no more then in the Law of Sin and Carnal Sense so that it is time for us to look out for another Law which may redeem us out of both these which is this revealed Law of Faith Which will become a New Birth-Nature as is mentioned in the 26th Verse becoming all the Children of God by Faith in Christ Jesus and so Born from the Virgin-Womb of the Jerusalem-Mother § 34. So that you may plainly understand the drift of God our Father is to bring us up in the Faith from the very Day of our being born into it so that we as little Children must learn the Rules of Faith like as in the first and natural Birth we were brought up habitually and inherently in the rational corrupt sensibility and indeed were bound by that Birth and under the Laws also of righteous Rationality and sober Sensuality Which although good in its kind and to be obeyed and subjected to till such time as the Royal Birth of Faith comes to be Born then is to be sounded the Jubilee Hour the Hour and Day of our Release is come then no longer are we under those Laws which was the manifestation of bondage curse sorrow heaviness to Death From this first Husband we are by the Law of Faith set free that so we may gradually come up to that Vnity of the Faith as to come to be in great solemnity married to him who is the full Body Life and Resurrection of this Faith so that by this divine Matrimonial Continuity fruitful Births of Faith may be that may bear the Name of God's Angelical Hosts For none else can ever be capable to do the great Works and Wonders which are to be manifested in him while under the covert of a Mortal form but such as have the Live Coal of Faith conceived in their Hearts and put into their Hands whereby they may go forth to tincture and to touch and leaven from the Vertue of the central Marriage-Union which may bring forth the flaming or blown-up-Coal of the Holy Ghost which always the Birth of Faith doth precede as a Forerunner By which all Miracles may then most easily be wrought which must the last redeeming part of Mankind clear up and finish For all Dominions and Powers in the Worlds of Death Darkness Wars and Strife shall and must evidently by the Holy Ghost in Faith's Power and Might be put under and to flight Even so let it be in Faith's Spirit pray we § 35. Waiting further in Spirit upon this High Matter the Oracle of Witness again open'd in me after Three Days and it said Go forward do not slack to promote and to draw forth for an United Body in the Faith together to stand For hereunto are ye called to Accord and Believe in the One only Saving Name JESUS and such as with thee so shall avouch the Everlasting God their God only to be the Blessings of Faith upon their Heads shall flow Then hold forth do ye mutually a clear Testimony hereof by giving up your selves in way of Pure Seperation as in a Silent Wilderness there to attend for what is yet to come from the Seven Fountain Throne Spirits Which way being to light such Precious and Unutterable Things as have been kept from all vulgar sight Therefore I say in Faith's Tent together abide and to no other Business your Minds apply that so a Praise ye may be to Elohim Great who will assuredly own and stand by you in the Work he hath appointed you to which followed is to be close and uninterruptedly O therefore Courage take my Called and Anointed Ones that hereby raise up ye may that Glory which under a Cloud of Apostacy hath lain and withal count it all Joy that ye who thus agreed are together to see and obtain that high Love-Prize which others have negligently lost and which a warning may be to hold out and to Conquer the Temptations of a Mortal State § 36. As this Word came in the Figure of a Crown was lifted up upon the end of a Scepter which cast from it a Glance of Transparency of Glory And then the Word came anew and said Behold and see this shall be the Reward of Unwearied Waiters in the Faith who for a Kingdom are seeking and deserting all Visibles Such as these who seek out and wait Believingly and who through this Belief are made to forsake all shall come infallibly to inherit and postess the Scepter and the Crown with CHRIST their Head Prince of Righteousness Wherefore gird up ye who are Lovers of and Waiters for the Lamb 's victorious Day to be revealed in you that so glorious Representatives in his Life ye may come to be in the Kingdom of Conquest and Victory The which holding out to shall and will endear you to the Heart of your God and Father actually who hath waited for to see who so Valiant could be as to break through every Cloud of Temptation and in no wise be prevented of the great Felicity which by this Victory of Faith is to be § 37. Then was I for some time afterward followed still with this Word saying Fear not but go on to perform what hath been in the Platform presenâ—â—â— to thy Mind For the Heart of thy God will strengthen and cojoin such with thee as of a Gideon-Might and Spirit approved are in Valiantness for that which undertaken is now to be Thus having been encouraged to stand up unmoveably in that Faith which is of Divine Operation and not to be afraid in the least or wavering in the Belief of the Promises which have been given of Old Times and which have powerfully been renewed to me I have been made to hasten from one Degree of Faith to another and to shoot continually Arrow after that so at last I might obtain the Prize by aiming at the Unity of it in hitting the Point which for these many Years I have been Aiming at § 38. Thus having râ—â—â—ved Line upon Line and Prophecy upon Prophecy for my Eucouragement I was still upon the most inward Debate with the Lord Christ or rather with his Agent the Spirit why the Word of Revelation and Wisdom in the Prophetical Sense opened should not be attended with Miraculous working Powers For indeed that is the great Thing that the Mystery of Faith moves hard for namely to bring the Eternal
Working Properties to Fix again in Nature's inward ground Against which all the Earthly Senses conspire to resist continually raising up Blocks of Unbelief which hath been the one great Cause of Restraint as we in God's Light do understand § 39. But it was said to me by the Word of the Lord that these great mighty Working Powers that the whole Course of the Visible Reign in the Earth would change could not be intrusted with any till God becomes Man and Man becomes God all throughout in a distinct Personality as after the Manner of our Lord JESUS To which estate we are to be Redeemed that so we may come into a Joint Commission in the Kingdom which is all Power § 40. For this was the very Word that was given me Be not solicitous for Almighty working Power till the Deity hath wrought out Mens gross Essence that from the Mortal Birth doth spring and replenished all anew by pouring in his Baptizing Name which will the Seal of the Power again engravve For the Gifts and Powers no more given out will be till a Fixed Body be all Substantiated with Ingredients pure from the Celestial Orb. Which said the Word Ye shall do well to Believe and make all Hast after this Hope to pursue it for it hath its Season to be fulfilled June 6. 1691. § 41. THis Morning I felt the Spirit opening further unto me the Mystery of Faith of the which I have Recorded much for my own Private Improvement but this Day much more hath been Revealed out of the deepest Ground from its Eternal Originality God abstractedly which in a most full Body opens in me like as in all its Useful Members Now the Birth of Faith is on this wise shewed to be full of Life Motion and Activity yet all whatever it worketh and doth is after an hidden and silent way Foras the out ward Man hath all in a Visibility to exercise his Original Faculties upon so contrariwise doth this Spirit of Faith put forth all its Powers and Spiritual Facuities most effectually after a Secret Invisible Manner and effecteth that which it aimeth at though no outward Speech or Noise of Words may be here needed nor visible Hands to work or Feet to walk but all lieth hidden in the deep Center of a Pure Mind which works and performs Great Things on this Hand and on the other and yet no Vulgar Corporeal Being can the ground of this way of working find out or discern It is only known by the Operator who can Experimentally tell that it is Nothing less then what doth lie as Deep as God there Incorpoporating with the Soul and going forth with pure Acts of Power § 42. This Opening and Manifestation concerning the Mystery of Faith hath been presented to me as the Magical Key which openeth the shut-up Wonders of God's Eternity Now my Business is to handle and employ This Key as skilled and instructed I shall be from my Tuteress the Supream Wisdom who hath shewn and brought me to her several Gates and hath given forth to every Gate a distinct Key for the Opening One Deep upon another Whereinto my Spirit is to pass which now call'd forth afresh I am to follow For well satisfied I am that the Bright Star a Conduct will to me assuredly be and arise suddenly after some Years delay which had made me ready to give up the Ghost of my Hope in reference to that which in Divine Wisdom's Glass I have seen heard and understood concerning what in my Day is to be Accomplished and brought into Effect § 43. But at this time the Power beginneth mightily to stir and the Virgin-Tincture of the pure Spirit of Wisdom doth in my Spiritual Veins run that the Revealed Things may into an Heavenly Body turn For I now do see and find a Body to its fuâ—l grown Stature prepared is to be in wonderful Spirituality till every Organ Member and Faculty be run through with the highest Vertue from the Deity This my Lord in the Spirit did tell me bidding me patiently to abide until this true Shilo Body in me was to its full heighth shot up for that then should the most Powerful and Glorious Holy Ghost appear to do and act his Part and after such a long Silence even in the very Heavens should then Speak through me not by Voice only but by pure Act. O this is the Proof that my God will of himself give when being thus filled with Him Deeds from a Deified Power and Root shall spring up and manifest themselves Some Workings in order to this I do already sensibly feel and therefore encouraged I am to wait and to give all place for the Fixation of this Holy Being which will nullify all other Beings that so entirely I may possess the Great JEHOVAH as my Fountain continually within to flow for the washing away of the Impurities and for the preparing a Body in which the Holy Ghost so Fixedly may dwell as never out of it to depart away § 44. Some short time after this the Manifold Wisdom did again open it self in me for my further Information that so I might hit the Mark which I have been so longing for and aiming at Now that â— might be right set in my Way the Spirit and Bride gave me not only a Call but a Love-enforcing Pull from all that is of this low Element and the Astral Life and so up my Spirit was presently Caught to understand and learn what was to be expresly wrought by the Supercelestial Art from which Altogether is excluded the outward Hand of Craft â— 45. Now the Copy I was to learn by was that Original Word that was from Eternity which by entring or opening it self in that Part which purely doth relate to God simply and abstractedly from the Lower Rational Consubsistency that is from the Outward Elements For all of this sort must be laid aside in this way of Working which is after the Manner of him who hath the Creating Power and Principle for giving a Life and Existency out of Nothing This is the Celestial School which I am taken into in order to be brought up according to the Degree of my Eternal Nativity which I am driving to run back again unto that so I might understand how to Act from this Supream Port even from the Centre of a New Heart â—pon which may be written that great Name Alpha and Omega Which only can renew the Working Power that shall the Seal'd Testimony open and get thereby the Crown of Dominion to enter upon the Lord Christ's Kingly Reign within the circle of the pure Mind and from thence to go forth to govern in all parts without till the Wonders of God shall as Lightning fly out upon the Eagle-Wings of Faith and the Fruits of this TREE springing up in the Paradisical Ground of the Soul so plentifully drop as to convert the howling Desert of this outward Mortal Principle into a pleasant Sharon and Eden of God This
never be off on their Knees as to Prayer and watchfulness Then after some large Conference with the Spirit which cannot be brought forth in words There was presented to me in sight a wonderful great Wheel which seemed to spread over the whole Earth the Colour was as a Ruby-Red and it was full of Eyes round the circle of it very piercing Then it was said to me This presents God the Almighty working Wheel of which there is no beginning or end so I saw a living Spirit moving in the Wheel hoisted up as between the Heavens and the Earth then saw I four small Wheels descend out of this one of the same colour and had Eyes also then I enquired Ah Lord tell me what this meaneth And it was answered These are the Charriot-Powers which pass through all things in Centers high and Centers low and to whom these Wheels shall be joined unto they only shall be able to act the great Wonders of time then saw I where they descended and rested for a while and then they went forth and were lifted up by the great Wheel which as a Loadstone drew them up and my Spirit was presently gone to them and presently the Angelical Center stood open and from thence my Spirit was carried by these Wheels into the Apostles Center then into the Son's Center then into the Father's deepest deep of all Centers where I was to center and abide till the Wheels went forth then my Spirit should go with them who would be Eyes to see what way and whither my Spirit was to go do and act for it was said to me Now no Creaturely Will can move here for the Holy Spirit assumeth all Will Power and Act here and then no defeat is to the high holy pure Enterprize which you together in the Faith and Love co-working with these Wheels it shall be as the spreading of the Net aright and casting it to the taking of a worthy and rich Prize so go forward on and prosper February 10. 1694. § 49. This Morning the Vision of the Four Wheels appeared again which moved in the Four Elements each one being carried upward by a Spirit that was as a bright Flash of Lightning The which considering in my Mind with an inquiry hereupon made it was told me That they did represent the working Wheels of Nature that the All-powerful Spirit doth drive upward to reach the One Eternal Element which being touched with it would penetrate through the whole Bodily Man that was made up of the Four Elements Then did I see these Four Elements expire into one great terrible Flaming Wheel that spread it self over the whole Heavens and in the middle of the VVheel there were Seven Eyes § 50. Which I waiting upon was thus opened to me that the gross Earthly Part in the nature of the Four Elements should by the Spirit of Christ who took upon him the Elementary Body so come into ours as to wind them up by a strong Circling Motion as every Part may be so touched as to be tinged with and to partake of the Superiour Properties and Powers of this pure and unmixed Element and so be swallowed up in this Great Governing Wheel that ruleth over all the lower Wheels with all the Planets which thereto do coagulare and work For all by Outward Nature are under their Power and Empire till got free by ascending up to this upper ruling Wheel with its Seven Eyes Concerning which it was told me that they were the Seven Supercelestial Planets or Constellations that did govern and controll all in this lower World and its Planets This is that which will reach to Redemption of the Body § 51. Much more the Spirit of my Lord discoursed me upon this Matter which must be concealed till my Outward Elementary Wheels shall fully expire into the upper and superiour Wheel Only this I may declare for the present time that the upper Flaming Wheel with its Seven Eyes as a Loadstone is drawing mightily some known to me that have been touched therewith And it will not rest in its wheeling Motion till they shall be as to their weak Elementary Life changed into the One Superiour Element whereby the Heavenly Constellations shall predominate over all of these outward Ones which hitherto have reigned over the Elementary Part that yet lieth Unredeemed February the 12th § 52. This Day being much drawn inward in the Spirit of my Mind this word met me Arise and ride upon the Mule of Faith stand over all that is Elementary There is a Thing to be done by some that in the Crown Number do stand who shall the Land of Havilah command but Abraham's High Faith for this must spring February the 14th § 53. VVhile I was in a deep Introversion about this Matter this Word spake in me saying There is a Birth that is upon breaking forth that shall bring the Blessing of mighty Increase to present and succeeding Generations Sarah in her Old Age is near her time of bringing forth the Heir who must possess the good things of the Upper and Neather World Understand thou then what this meaneth the Old Age is an arrivement unto the Mystery of Faith Now excite thou those that are of Good will to encourage themselves with the Hope this good Old Age to see as mighty Hero's in this Faith that so ye may bring forth the Blessing to the weary and oppressed Gird up I say and take heed ye do not falter or turn out of Faith's way then shall ye bring forth a Nation as in One Day § 54. Now as some of us were hereupon waiting together and while one was in Prayer there appeared this Vision from the Light World From the which the Virgin descended and met an ascending Spirit that was pressing and expecting to come up to the Mount Sion Orb unto the Glorious Lord. But there was a stop by the Descent of the Virgin of that Orb who appeared to us in great splendour and congratulated us saying Thus I know whereto ye would in your Spirits have arrived but I am come from your Lord to make known the Thing which ye have long been in travail for And now I do appear to you for this purpose that you may be overshadowed with my Virgin Nature which may be the Womb all sanctified for the conceiving of the Holy Ghost which will be the Lordly Birth in Spirit And as he was brought forth in the Fulness of Time by a single Personal Virgin so now in Plurality in Virgin Spirits to multiply upon the Earth that so Evil Births may sink and dye as these Virgin Births shall rise And therefore to you who in holy Dedication are this Counsel is given Observe from this Day how this Birth in you shall go forward on and therefore watchful each one of you be And after this Saying she cast a wonderful bright shining Ray of Glory as we were sitting together upon each of us § 55. Now at her first Appearance St.
cannot but find a more favourable Reception if not from the former yet at least from the latter However let it be as it will at the first it is not at all to be feared but that God will vindicate what is from Him and all the Promises in the Holy Scriptures being given to Faith it cannot but reasonably be expected that he will do Right to one that is such an Eminent Asserter of it in an Age and Day of which it hath been Fore-prophesied that Faith shall hardly be found upon the Earth Whether it be not now high time for God to put to his Hand and to manifest his Sovereign Authority by all such Ways and Means as he hath done of Old through the Operation of his own Faith in all the great and mighty Elders of it and to shew himself in the behalf of Truth and Goodness as an Excellent Person who was never Censured as I know of for an Enthusiast expresseth it which are so every where trampled on and despised and to vindicate his own Honour from all those Affronts and Contumelies which stupid and Disingenuous Men which rebellious Spirits have cast upon it having made Shipwreck of the Faith that was delivered to them deserves well to be considered and weighted by every one The Consideration of which as well as of the genuine Sense of our Blessed Master's Words made this most Judicious Author to conclude all Christians under a necessary and daily Obligation to ask of God that he would be pleased to assert the Supream Authority of his Government amongst Men whether it be by a FARTHER and CLEARER Manifestation of his Will such as was made by our Lord and his Holy Spirit or whether some ACTS of Power be exerted for the Protection and Preservation of his Obedient Subjects c. Dr. Burton Of seeking first the Kingdom of God Published by J. TILLOTSON 1684. p. 402. Whence it is apparent that every true Christian may and ought to Pray both for New Divine Revelation which may be of the same Authority as that by Christ and his Apostles and for Miraculous Acts and Deeds which may be a Declaration of God's Sovereignty and Kingdom Even so let thy Kingdom come O God of the whole Earth let it come even so yea Amen! Thou art King let the Earth rejoice yea let the Great Isles be glad thereof Thine is the Kingdom and thou wilt now take it to thy self let the People be never so Impatient yea let them be never so Vnbelieving JEHOVAH Reigneth let the People tremble He sitteth between the Cherubims let the Earth stagger Great wilt thou be O Lord in Sion and thy Scepter shall be lifted up high above all the Nations The Captives and Prisoners of Faith wilt thou set free and thy Salvation unto them wilt thou openly shew in the sight of the very Infidels Let the Sea of thy Love roar for Joy and the Fulness thereof make a joyful Noise for that the despised Ones who have Believed thee wilt thou bring with triumph into the glorious Ark which thou hast prepared for them With Trumpets and with the Voice of a Psalm wilt thou bring them in they shall clap their Hands aloud they shall praise thy great and awful Name for that thou O Lord art Faithful and True and canst not disappoint any that have Faith in this thy Name Therefore a Fire shall go before thee and thy Messengers shalt thou send forth as Flames of Fire Thou shalt speak unto them as in the Cloudy Pillar and they shall be kept as in the Ark of thy Presence Samuel shall be seen among thy Prophets and Elijah among those that call upon the Lord of Israel Moses and Aaron among thy Priests and great shall be the Company of the Preachers to publish that our God liveth and that our Life which was hidden in him shall be made to Appear with him Out of Philadelphia shall thy Word go forth and in Ramath of the Prophets shall thy Voice be known Vpon Mount Sion shall they stand victoriously they shall follow thee there in thy mighty Deeds and from the Balmy Mountain of Gilead shall the precious Ointment distill For in the Name of their God shall they cast out Devils they shall speak with New Tongues no Weapon formed against them shall be able to prosper they shall take up Serpents they shall drink any deadly thing but nothing shall hurt them they shall lay Hands on the Sick and they shall recover So shall they go forth and Preach every where the Lord working with them and confirming the Word with the Signs that follow Faith Thus hath my Spirit been carried out and constrained to bear this Testimony to the Subject here treated on which is the Resurrection of the Faith of JESUS that has lain for a long time as it were in the Grave and is now to be raised up early in the Third Day of the Holy Ghost For which let us Watch Wait and Pray that we may be of the First Fruits of those that are Risen with him that so we may be admitted into Faith's Flying Ark here Described which will transport us into the New Earth of Wonders delivering us from the Deluge of the Curse that is from Infidelity When the Great Diary of this Author or as much as can be recovered of it shall come to be Published the Several Progresses of this Life of Faith the Various Manuductions for it and whatever else may conduce to its growth will then more evidently appear and all that which opposes the Secret and Hidden Divine Life will be more easily Removed and made to Vanish then till then it can be However to those that have been inisiated into the Mystery of it enough is said and it is not in the least doubted but that they will see what is Delivered both in the Former and in This Treatise to move upon a Real Solid and Substantial Bottom such as all the Powers of Darkness shall be never able to shake or the Gates and strength of Hell to prevail against THE Ark of Faith c. § 1. THere is a Cry that hath gone forth from the Heavens these several Years past for the Preparing and Building of an Ark for the Lord 's redeemed Ones and I am at this time as the Natural Term of my Years seems to be expir'd in order hereto again reminded of some former Prophecies that were altogether by me forgotten But the Spirit of Wisdom hath now presented them afresh to me as telling me they were in this Day to be looked into for Faith to be thence revived and Prayer envigorated that so the Heavenly Powers and Constellations co-operating therewithal they might bring down the Golden Floods of Love to cover the Earth that may bring up what hath lain under the Death that is to say a Resurrection Body of pure Spirits in a new springing Paradise which is the New Earth so much Prophesied of upon which Righteousness must dwell § 2. For
the Signs of the Superiour Heavens do signifie out as much that the Time is very near at hand for the Accomplishment of all these for which End there was shewn to me an Ark in the Figure but which was declared to me in the Mystery to be no less then the Substance of the whole Triune Deity who would suddenly send forth Ambassadours from themselves that are to be as the First Fruits and Representatives of the Bride to gather in all such as were to make up the whole Jerusalem Bride whose Habitation is prepared in Wisdom's Wonderful Paradisical Principle § 3. Wherefore it was not long after I had received the first Manifestation and Figurative Opening of Faith's TREE from the Spirit of Faith growing up in me before I had further Notice given me of an ARK into which Faith's Archers who had hitten the Mark were to be received in For in a little more then a Year after that I had this free Communication with my Lord concerning it which follows And notwithstanding the latter Part of this amongst many other of my Papers has been lost yet this which hath been by the All-wise Giver of it preserved for that end will I know be of some Service and Use and therefore have I been prevailed with to insert it here though I am not able to recal what either went before or followed after it February 21. 1687. § 4. Being upon my Internal Watch in the pure stillness of my Mind this Word came to me saying The Ark of Faith which the Lord hath been these many Years in raising and building is yet not persued and as little understood although Warning upon Warning and Sound upon Sound have gone forth for preparing and building such an Ark which may flote upon the broad River of the Holy Ghost Then was I touched at this saying of my Lord as being conscious how he had opened to me this effectual Door and Mystery of Faith charging me to keep to the Rules of it which upon this Word I questioned whether I had kept up to so precisely as I had received command to do Whereupon the Spirit pray'd in me Lord God Omnipotent if I have been negligent shew it me with much more to that effect in which my Heart was enlarged to pray about it Then was it in this wise revealed and answered me Thou hast been learned and taught as another Noah to prepare and build an Ark of Faith in this Invisible World therefore slack not but go on forward and I will strengthen the Studs and Stakes thereof which shall be as stable as Gold that shall be laid in as a firm bottom Who further said to me That there was One known by Name that should have of the same Spirit of Faith to concur and build with me and so we should be mutually made able to strengthen one anothers Hands to carry on this great Work as Male and Female in one Person or Spirit to enter first this Golden Ark of the Presence when reared up for which we should receive further Advertisement as we should wait diligently hereupon § 5. Then it arose further in me by way of Query to propound some things relating to this Fabrick unto the Great Master and Builder hereof who answered me most freely to whatever my Spirit was made to Inquire But the Particulars of this matter being obliterated and passed away the same Divine Spirit that was then present with me and ready to dictate what was requisite by me to be known hath now after many Years revealed and brought again to my Internal Sight this Ark of Faith in the ensuing manner which I am commanded to declare and publish for the Information and Encouragement of all those that seek to be redeemed from the Earth and would enter into this Ark. February 18. 1695 6. § 6. The Virgin Wisdom founded a joyful Cry saying Come and see what an Ark is prepared for them that are Born into the Faith as mighty Hero's to act the Wonders of the New Creation which Ark is made in my New Paradise that hath not yet been inhabited whereupon great Floods came down from the Heavens as a Golden Rain which covered the Face of the Mountains as the Waters did in Noah's time drown the Old World So that there was a mighty Sea which was called the Love-Sea Yet did it not as yet universally cover the Earth Then after this did descend also this mighty Ark in which was Faith's great Conqueror Christ Jesus with Abraham Noah and all the High Elders of the Faith which floated upon this Sea This Ark was all of a most diaphanous fine Gold with Six Wings on each side branching forth from it so that it did Fly as well as Swim which Wings were full of Eyes Then was it said to me What dost thou think this Ark is sent down for but to take in and receive such as have looked for Redemption to be Saved from the Violence and Curse of the Old Earth and from the Malignancy and Venom of the Starry Kingdom A loud Cry and Call then came out of the Ark saying Come Hasten and escape for your Lives for here is a Shelter prepared for you while those that do slight this Call and have not Faith to fly away must in another Deluge be swallowed up which will be as the Waters in Noah's Day falling down upon them from the Starry Firmament while the Children of Wisdom's Kingdom who have obeyed her Voice shall here be kept having the Wings of Power which I had before seen given to them that they might fly into this Ark. Whereinto some Eminent in the Faith were received with great Acclamations and Embracements and these that first entred had great longings to attract in others after them which they waited here in hope to see February the 19th § 7. Then the Great Captain of the Ark of Faith Christ Jesus did steer the Ark which with flying Wings did swiftly pass and landed us in the New Paradise Where we were received by the Divine Magus's and Masters of the Faith who understood the Mystery of all Miraculous Faith This was a wonderful Place the like of which I had never seen for the Walks were all paved as with Transparent Gold and several Temples were here in which these Elders in Priestly Robes all glittering did pay their Homage to the Great and Mighty King by whom they did work all their great Works and give Existency to that which never had been Then were we led out to view the pleasant Trees and Groves for delight and recreation and the Trees did seem to be as of pure Gold and the Branches to be laden as with Diamonds and all the variety of Precious Stones Besides which there were Trees also laden with all sorts of precious Fruits for Food and Rivers with Fountains flowing with spiced Wine and Cups and Flagons round about the Fountain So we were called to drink at these Fountains and to eat of these Fruits being
are able to receive So will I imprint not only the Image of Purity but of Power upon you that so ye may full out be made Partakers of my Profession Which doth not only consist in Love Meekness Gentleness Patience Wisdom and Soundness of Judgment but also in the Faith of the Omnipotency For in my Calling it is only requisite to have Light and Vnderstanding to find out the Mystery of this High Art but Strength and Might to Work out the same from the Eternal Magia Root from whence the Birth of Power doth proceed Now before ye can Proficients and Practitioners in all things answerable to your President herein be ye must come to be strong and find ability to turn about that which moveth the Creating Word by which all lost Dominion may be Renewed But what can draw forth that except it be somewhat that is Equal in Might with it self which will be found out if the will-Will-Spirit sinks deep into its own Central Root From whence the Life sappy-Power may spring which will do Miracles at Will This was the Principal Work and Business belonging to my Calling which on the Earth I did and yet do appear again to walk and to be admired through the raising again of this Mighty Power which in all of you shall wonderfully work that have ceased now to live promiscuously in that low Temporizing State which I have called you out of that so capable ye might be of this Worthy and Honourable Vocation exactly in and according to the Method that I have shewn to you That so not only in the Hopes circling about but coming to the very Manual Exercises themselves ye may reap and live upon the Benefits which this Pure Abstracted Calling shall and will abundantly bring in and not only bare Grain that is for and to your own Accounts which the least in your Eye must be VI. For Abel like ye are to bring the First Fruits of this high extracted Calling to sacrifice all in a flaming Oily Perfuâ—â— unto your Great Melchizedeck VII Further ye are Excited to feed upon no other Fruits but what the Tree of Faith doth give forth I am that Tree which ye must feed upon all other Trees forbidden are which cherish up the Life of Sensibility Therefore fix your Eye and center your Heart upon that which may nourish up this Birth of Faith till it reach to its full Maturity then will it come to understand what Sovereignty and Dominion it is entituled to as a King and Lord over all § 12. Then Queried I with my Lord What was meant by those Trees which I had seen all laden with Precious Stones and the Trunks of them of such fine Gold To which it was Answered me that those did run Parallel with the New Jerusalem representing the Bride of the Lamb that was thus to be adorned For it was shewn me that these Trees were Representative Figures of those that were brought into the Ark and here Landed whose Cloathing was to be in such variety of Sparkling Glory that from the Golden Sap of Faith should be always fresh and flourishing § 13. Then I Queried further of him that shewed me these things Whether it were possible for Mortals whose dwelling was in this lower World to know such a Translation as this It was hereupon Replyed There is no less a thing designed the Time and Age for this is already come to some that in the Inward Figure as Representatives stand who are in Spirit transported into this Mystical Land But in obscurity they must be till the Hand of Power shall rend away the Veil that hath upon this Glory a Covering been but yet the Faith is growing and when to a full Body of Strength it shall reach then shall ye see the Wonders fly from each of these bright lustrous Trees which in 〈◊〉 New Paradisical Earth shall multiply numerously § 14. It was then further said To you that attentive are to these my Sayings and obedient shall be to my Rules I will put no other Burthen upon you but to hold fast the Faith that springeth from the Golden Stem of Love wherein your Strength shall be as Anointed Cherubs still to move your Rest to find in me where no Annoyance can ever be For this is a New Time in which the New World will appear therefore spare ye not it to declare and proclaim By this now let all understand what a wonderful Time is at the Door § 15. Upon which my Spirit was carried to cry O Mighty Alpha and Omega Arise thou and Gather in by thy great Power and Strength into this Ark such as are to make up the First Resurrection-Body to whom thou wilt be the Head the Crown the Joy and the Glory Verily this is the Time in which thou wilt send forth thy Messengers that shall sound the Jubilee Horn and pour out therefrom that rich Anointing Oil to consecrate a Priestly Race that shall no other thing mind but to pursue and follow after that which is highly Divine For which there is this Day great Travail O God let not the Lordly Birth which is the King and Heir of Faith any longer stick let thy Mighty Arm and Hand take hold of it that no more drawings back there may be but the Son of Joy and Laughter we may see For surely the Virgin Bride preparing is her self in expectation that her Kingly Bridegroom will no longer stay but make speed and come away that all Redeemed from the Earth may be that have waited in the Faith this Resurrection-State to see And in this New World do thou O great Shepherd plant us as Trees of Righteousness and Glory circling about thee who the over-spreaking Tree of Life and splendorous Bightness art under whose Shadow we shall grow most fruitfully § 16. Neither pray we alone for these First Fruits but that a plentious new Sowing of thy Spirit may go forth to bring in the rest of the Harvest that lieth yet as under Death and Barrenness For thou hast said thy Ark shall not take up its Rest till it hath made its flight to all Corners of the Earth The Trumpet of thy Love shall such a loud Cry send forth throughout all Nations that constrained they may be to fly as swift Dromedaries and bring their Offerings into thy sacred Ark. Even so Blessed JESUS let all these Prophecies fulfilled be both what hath been in past Ages given and hath been of late so plentifully Renewed through them whom thou hast for this end chosen though not worthy to be named yet known by Name in thy Book of Life which sufficient is who shall never cease or any Rest take up in until thou hast made a Glorious Spotless Church upon the Earth to appear as a Flying Ark with Banners whose Eyes as Lamps of Fire may go forth to gather in the whole Priestly and Heavenly Host from all Quarters and Parts of the Earth Even so with thy Triumphant Church Shall we the Song of our Redemption Sing Glory Glory Glory to the Triune King Even so Amen Amen FINIS ADVERTISEMENT WHereas some Things have been Scandalously set forth and Printed under the Name of this Author 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 4to 1682. p. 40. The Revelation of Revelations an Essay towards the Unsealing Opening and Discovering of the Seven Seals the Seven Thunders and the New Jerusalem State 4to 1683. p. 130. The Enochian Walks with God â—ound out by a Spiritual Traveller 4to 1694. p. 38. The Laws of Paradise Given forth by Wisdom to a Translated Spirit 8vo 1695. p. 69. Thâ— Wonder of God's Creation manifested in the Variety of Eight Worlds as they were made known Experimentally to the Author 8vo 1695. p. 89. The Message to the Philadelphian Society whithersoever dispersed over the whole Earth together with a Call to the several gathered Churches 12ves p. 108. 1696. The Tree of Faith or the Tree of Life springing up in the Paradise of God from which all the Wonders of the New Creation must proceed 12ves p. 122. 1696. The Ark of Faith p. 33.