one blow at babel in those of the people called behmenites whose foundation is not upon that of the prophets ... but upon their own carnal conceptions begotten in their imaginations upon jacob behmen's writings &c. ... / by john anderdon. anderdon, john, 1624?-1685. 1662 approx. 23 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 5 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2007-01 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a25351 wing a3082 estc r28293 10492286 ocm 10492286 45169 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a25351) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 45169) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1641-1700 ; 1393:44) one blow at babel in those of the people called behmenites whose foundation is not upon that of the prophets ... but upon their own carnal conceptions begotten in their imaginations upon jacob behmen's writings &c. ... / by john anderdon. anderdon, john, 1624?-1685. 8 p. [s.n.], london : 1662. reproduction of original in the british library. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the 25,363 texts created during phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 january 2015. anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng böhme, jakob, 1575-1624. mysticism -history. 2006-02 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2006-03 apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images 2006-05 emma (leeson) huber sampled and proofread 2006-05 emma (leeson) huber text and markup reviewed and edited 2006-09 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion one blow at babel in those of the pepole called behmenites . whose foundation is not upon that of the prophets and apostles , which shall stand sure and firm for ever ; but upon their own carnal conceptions , begotten in their imaginations upon jacob behmen's writings , &c. they not knowing the better part , the teachings of that spirit that sometimes opened some mysteries of god's kingdom in jacob , have chosen the worser part with esau , according to the predominancy of that spirit which ruled in them when they made choice of their religion , as it doth in other the hearts of the children of disobedience . by john anderdon . london , printed in the year 1662. one blow at babel , in those of the people called behminites , whose foundation is not upon that of the prophets and apostles , which shall stand sure and firm for ever , &c. know ye not , that the stone cut out of the mountains without hands , is laid to the foot of all the images set up in all the earth ? before whom dagon shall fall , and bell shall be confounded , and all the gods of the heathen shall be dashed in pieces , and none shal stand though never so excellent and glorious in the sight of men , for god hath determined , that the image of his son christ jesus the light of the world , the fairest of ten thousands ( though hitherto more marred than any mans ) shall be set up , made manifest and brought forth in this the day of god 's power , by the operation of his eternal spirit in the hearts of men , which changeth them into the likeness of his glorious bodie , prepared to do the wil of god , and bringeth forth fruit to the praise and glorie of his grace for ever . and whither wander you in your imaginations , inventing and setting up strange gods in your minds , according to your own hearts lusts , & fall down & worship the works of your own hands , the image that ye have set up , that can neither go nor speak , but are altogether dead , and without life , being formed out of the dust of the earth , with your mediums and borrowed instruments , not according to the lively pattern & workmanship of god in christ jesus the hope of glorie , but according to your carnal inventions , the master-piece of your form and image that ye have created to your selves , grounded upon some mis-understood expressions , or imaginary conceptions of iacob behmen's writings , the tendencie of whose spirit ye can never fathom , nor see rightlie to judge of , until ye come to the light ( that thing so despicable in your eies also ) which gives the true understanding of the things of god , and through judgement brings men to sound and pure reason , and discretion to judg and discern between the operation of spirits , and shews what is imaginary , and what is true ; which lets us see and fathom the ground and bottom of your errors and delusions , and from whence your rise is , and what your end is , though you may propose great things to your selves , as if ye were a people more exce●lent then others , because there sometime appeared an excellent spirit in jacob behmen in some things , and ye are of his judgement : but alas ! alas ! the conclusions that you have drawn to your selves from his writings , will not profit you ; neither doth it make you any jot the more excellent , that ye can talk much of him , and his books and writings , being not come to the right spirit in which is life , which brings men out of dead forms , and vain imaginations , and by its immediate teachings and power leads them up to god , and teacheth them how to worship in spirit and truth . what advantage would it be to us if we were able to speak with the tongue of men and angels , if we through the strength of memorie were able to dispute and talk of all the lives of the holie men of god , and say that we are of such a man 's judgement , and knew not that unerring , infallible spirit of god to lead us thereto ? what is all else that is done by way of imitation of others , but traditional , and such knowledge as puffeth up , and maketh men pharisaical , as if they knew much , when in truth they know nothing yet as they ought to know ; and such a people may pay tithe of cummin and anniseed , be strict and zealous in formalities , and neglect judgement , righteousness and mercie , the weightier matters of the law. and friends , this i must tell you , that until ye have felt and known the spirit of judgement and burning to pass upon you as fullers sope , and as a refiners fire , to cleanse your earthen vessels , ye are not fit for the lord's use , neither do you serve him in your ordinances ( as you call them ) with acceptance , but toil and labour in your vain minds to bring forth nothing but abominations : it 's no better , whatever your conceits are yea , and your ways are as grievous and burthensome to the lord's spirit , as the way of prophanenesse , for hypocrisie is a most hateful thing unto the lord , and to professe religion by way of tradition , without the spirit of life to lead and guide men therein , is no better than to sacrifice swines blood , and the cutting off a dogs neck in this the day of the lord. therefore deceive not your own souls by your imaginary righteousness , and self-separation , which exceeds not that of the scribes and pharisees , which enter not god's kingdom , but will be shut out as an unclean and unholy thing , amongst the dogs that are without the gate of that city wherein dwelleth that righteousnesse which god hath chosen and appointed , and is wrought by his own eternal spirit : but the ground of your image is from that root which is evil , of the enemies planting , and can never bring forth fruit unto god. there is a right seed sown by god in the hearts of men , but some falls on the high-ways side , and satan immediatelie cometh and catcheth away the word out of their hearts , and so becomes their head , and leadeth them to do that which is evil , yet many times under a pretence of religion , righteousness , and zeal for god : and here the devil works in a mystery . and thus friends , i may deal plainly with you , there was sometime in you ( i believe ) a hungering and thirsting after righteousnesse , and from that desire , as not knowing the way to attain thereunto , you separated , and searched holy writings , as ye judged , to find out this way , and not keeping to the light in your own consciences , down to that which begat the desire , which also shews the way , ( and ye should have taken heed unto it , as to a light shining in a dark place , until the day had dawned and the day-star had arisen in your hearts , which would have given you the knowledge of the glory of god in the face of jesus christ ) ye wandered in your imaginations to find out this way without a guide , and so erred and went astray from that which would have manifested the waie to you , and in you , and laid hold on that which seemed most suitable to your judgments and understandings , which were darkned ; and by how much the more zealous and real ye were in your intentions , by so much the more firmlie ye stand united and joined to that waie which in your ignorance ye have chosen , and it may be somewhat the more fastened to it , because it may challenge a prioritie of images set up in these latter days wherein the mysterie of iniquitie hath wrought under so many divers colour , and forms of heavens and heavenlie things . and do ye think that when ye made choice of this your religion which ye now hold , that the spirit of this world , the prince of the power of the air , had not the greatest interest and over-ruling power in you ? or were ye come to know the voice of the true shepherd in you , from the voice of that false prophet which sate in god's judgement-seat in your hearts , and perverts the right waies of the lord ; if ye are not through god's righteous judgements upon the prince of this world in you , come to discern and know the true voice of god's eternal spirit , from the spirit of error and delusion in you , which presents it self ( when god's work is to be done ) to draw the mind after it , to follow after shadows instead of substance ; how can ye have confidence that ye are in the right waie , and are not deluded and drawn awaie with the error of the wicked ? and being built upon that foundation , the more abominable your profession is , it being a branch also of mysterie babylon the mother of harlots , who sometimes appears in the dresse of the true and chast spouse , but all to this very end , to hide her hypocrisie and deceit , the filthiness of her hearts fornications and whoredoms . and what is all the talk and profession of religion in the world without the present teachings and motion of god's spirit , but dead works , and the covering of antichrist ? and all your talking of god's kingdom , of salvation and redemption by the blood of christ , while sin and iniquitie lodgeth in your hearts , is no better than to account the blood of christ an unholy thing to cover the serpent's head in you : and the devil can say , that christ is the son of god , and this hurts not his kingdom ; but when the ax comes to be laid to the root of that tree in man which bringeth forth evil fruit , then all the world is an uproar , and the devil rageth against this work with all his strength and subtilties , for this strikes at the root of his kingdom ; and whosoever knows the destruction thereof in them by the power of god , which is christ jesus the light of the world , they must know many sore combats and bitter conflicts , and the righteous judgements of the lord god must be poured out upon the man of sin in them ; that through the cross of christ , the power of god , man may be made willing to forsake the devil and all his works , and so being brought from under satan's power into the power of god , they may come to know that seed raised in them which bringeth forth fruit unto god , it being that which redeems out of the fall , from under the curse , and is blessed for evermore . verily friends , the work of regeneration is not an easie work to flesh and blood , but is to be known through much sore travel of soul , yea such pains and pangs doth truly accompany that birth , as the pangs of a woman in travel ; and this is not a notional thing onely , but truly and really to be felt in the creature , and through death life is to be known : therefore deceive not your selves to think that ye are the people of the lord , and in a good state and condition , when it is otherwise with you ; think not i say that ye are come to the substance , but are catching after shadows which will not profit your souls . and this is my testimony to you from the lord , that ye are not in the truth of god , but out of the way of his salvation , yea in that which grieves his spirit , under death's power ye are , what images or likenesses soever ye frame to your selves , and bring forth , and what services soever ye perform , and not from the present teachings of god's spirit , are but abomination in the sight of the lord. and the more ye do struggle and strive in your unregenerate nature , and utter words without knowledge , the more are your understandings darkned , and alienated from the life of god , and the common-wealth of israel , and are enemies to god in your minds by reason of wicked works , and the spirit of bondage is over you , which crucifies the just . therefore repent and return from the evil of your waies , that you may be redeemed from the vanity of your minds , and know a change wrought in your hearts by the word of god , which is quick and powerful , sharper than any two-edged sword , piercing even to the dividing asunder between the soul and the spirit , the joints and the marrow , and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart , which word liveth and abideth for ever . and think not i say , that your imaginations from jacob behmen's writings about baptizing of infants , have any more authority or ground from the scriptures of truth given forth by the spirit of god , neither is it of more advantage to you , than the crosses set up by papists in the high-ways , and on the top of steeple-houses , are to destroy sin , and save your souls , which were set up in the daies of apostacie from the truth ; for here is the rise and ground of images , when men went from the truth of god within , then the devil which draws the mind into visible things of this world where he works ) perswades them to set up some likenesses without , which may please the carnal and sensual part , to feed that birth which is of the flesh , and stands at enmity against god , and so in the apostacie , when people forsook the cross of christ the power of god , that destroys sin in the flesh , then instead of that , up comes all sorts of crosses without , and so the like of other pictures and images set up and worshipped by men of corrupt minds ; and instead of the new birth spoken of in the scriptures , which is of water & the spirit , without which none can be saved , which is irksome & grievous to such as are grown old in sin and iniquitie ; therefore a more easie invention is found out , to make children christians by sprinkling a little water upon them , before they know the right hand from the left ; and so under the name of christians , live in the abomination of heathens all the daies of their lives , which profiteth them so much as the talking of god's salvation doth profit him that lives in sin and iniquitie , which is onely so much as for a man to have a name that he lives , while he is dead . and as for your mediums that you work by , they are little less then new saviours which ye have begotten in your carnal imaginations and reasonings about the things of god , not knowing him who is the way , the truth and the life , who is that bread which came down from god out of heaven , upon which he that is born of god feeds , and is nourished up unto eternal life ; but that which is born of the flesh , savours the things of the flesh , and feeds upon that which must die and come to an end , and comes not to know the bodie and blood of christ to be meat and drink indeed ; and except ye eat his flesh and drink his blood , ye have not life in you : but this is too hard a saying it may be , for you who have sed so long on husks , upon that food which perisheth , that ye cannot relish that food which liveth and abideth for ever : and have you that life in you , or else ye are dead in sins and trespasses : and is that fountain of water opened in you , that springeth up unto everlasting life ? or else ye are drie and barren , and without fruits unto god. and do ye eat his flesh ? and do ye drink his blood ? and are ye lead by his spirit ? or else ye are none of his . and where then is the man christ , the bodie prepared to do the will of god ? or else you are using your mediums as dead works , to attain this new and living waie , and so seek the living amongst the dead , to get qualifications into your souls , as simon magus would give money for the gift of the holy ghost , a corrupt price for a heavenlie purchase . and is the bodie and blood of christ too hard for you , and unsuitable to that birth which ye are of , and therefore is most agreeable to that ye feed upon , bread and wine , and plead for bread and wine as those that know no better food , but that which feeds that birth which is after the flesh , and must die , and lives upon shadows after the substance is come ? and what birth do you feed with your bread and wine , is it not that which lusteth , and ought not to be satisfied ? for that birth which is of god , hungers and thirsts after the living presence of the lord , & is therewith onely satisfied . therefore trie and examine wel this matter , whether ye are in the faith of god , and elect in that nature which pleaseth god , or else your eating and drinking , and sacrificing , is no better than the plowing of the wicked , which is sin . and as for your mediums and working-instruments that ye use as necessary for the conveyance of god 's grace and vertue into your souls , introduced by waie of example from the miracles done by moses and the old prophets , by christ and the apostles , by outward means , ye being not in the same power of god by which the noble acts of the lord were done : in you it tends to no other end but to set or keep up somewhat of men 's inventions above the present teachings and power of god , which is the beginning of false worships , and leads to set up the creature above the creator , and to exalt that birth which is after the flesh , above that which is of the spirit ; for whence comes all the worshipping of saints , and the heavenly host ( as they call it ) amongst the church of rome , as the means and way to get into god's favour , but from him who first taught people to worship strange gods , and to set up the traditions of men above the commands of jesus christ , who saith , come unto me all ye that are weary and heavy laden , and i will refresh you ; he who faith , i am the way , the truth and the life , appointed of god unto salvation ; and there is not another name under heaven whereby men can be saved . but in days of old there was a people that disigently searched the scriptures which testified of him , and thought therein to find life , but would not come unto him who hath the words of eternal life , that they might receive life from him ; but would have it in their own way from the scriptures as their mediums : and what is the end of all their attainments , but onely this , they grew wise to do evil , and crucified the lord of life . and what can ye with all your mediums do , as to the destroying of sin , & saving your souls , more than the sons of sceva , the vagabond iews , the exorcists could do to cast out devils by way of imitation , in the name of that jesus whom paul preached , whom they knew not to be the power of god unto salvation to every one that believes ; and there is not another mediator between god and man , but christ jesus the light of the world , unto whom ye must all come , as to that original fountain of life from whence all good doth flow ; and wait to know his voice in you , which will teach you the way of god more perfectly , and not to boast of other mens lines , but to come down out of all your imaginations , in the silence of flesh to wait to hear his voice , who is able to instruct you in the way of life , and teach you to do the will of god in earth as it is in heaven ; and whatever ye do without him , it 's no better than cain's sacrifice , which finds not acceptance with god : and all your treasuring up of wisdom and knowledge in your unregenerate nature , which is not from the present teachings of god 's spirit , ( who knows what is fit for you will profit you no more than the israelites gathering of manna beyond god 's command , did profit them , and it is no better than the treasuring up of wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of god 's just judgements upon all ungodly men , who hold the truth in unrighteousness . therefore come down to him who is meek and lowly in the heart , unto the appearance of christ jesus in you , who is come a light into the world , and follow him who reproveth the world of sin , that by it ye may be lead into all truth . and know assuredly , that until ye come to the light , to walk in the light , ye are not the children of god , but abide in darkness , and the prince of this world rules in your hearts , as in other the children of disobedience . and let not the shame of the cross affright you also from the crown of the kingdom , which cometh not by observation , but is within you ; and the word nigh , in the heart and in the mouth , which discovereth to man his thoughts , wil onely shew you the way ; and unless ye come to know christ in you the hope of glory , all other hopes are but as the hope of the hypocrite , that shall perish . and as to the necessity that ye seem to place in your mediums of water , bread and wine , as if a man could not be saved without them , by way of query something farther proposed . 1. whether ye own transubstantiation , and judge it to be the body and blood of christ , which cleanseth from all sin , and so set up the creature above the creator ? 2. or whether ye use them as signs and figures of good things to come , as not knowing him come who is the substance ? 3. or whether ye use them as helps to salvation , accounting the blood of christ the light of the world , insufficient to destroy sin , and to save your souls ? 4. or whether ye have notset up an imagination in your minds about the way of god's salvation , and resolve to have salvation in your own way , and to oppose that which is contrary to it , as men do that know not the present teachings of gods spirit ? 5. or whether do you think that christ hath left the work of god's salvation to any creature , and is not the same yesterday , to day and for ever , the alone saviour of the world ? 6. or whether the mysterie of gods kingdom be hid from you , and so it s beyond your capacities , and therefore with them that perish , you 'l feed upon mortals , upon that which must dye , and reject him who is the word of god , that liveth and abideth for ever , that bread which came down from god out of heaven , christ jesus the light of the world , the onely way to the father ? try and examine well these things , and let the witness of god in your own consciences be answerd in every particular , that so you may no longer live under death's power , but repent and be converted unto the power of god , which is onely able to destroy sin , and save your souls , as witnessed by your friend in truth , iohn anderdon . bridgewater the 26. of the 7th . month , 1661. finis . four tables of divine revelation signifying what god in himself is, without nature; and how considered in nature; according to the three principles. : also what heaven, hell, world, time, and eternitie are; together with all creatures visible and invisible: and out of what all things had their original. / written in the german language by jacob behm, and englished by h.b. tafeln von den dreyen principien göttlicher offenbarung. english böhme, jakob, 1575-1624. this text is an enriched version of the tcp digital transcription a76952 of text r175590 in the english short title catalog (wing b3408b). textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. the text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with morphadorner. the annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. this text has not been fully proofread approx. 83 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 12 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. earlyprint project evanston,il, notre dame, in, st. louis, mo 2017 a76952 wing b3408b estc r175590 45504333 ocm 45504333 171633 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a76952) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 171633) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1641-1700 ; 2581:18) four tables of divine revelation signifying what god in himself is, without nature; and how considered in nature; according to the three principles. : also what heaven, hell, world, time, and eternitie are; together with all creatures visible and invisible: and out of what all things had their original. / written in the german language by jacob behm, and englished by h.b. tafeln von den dreyen principien göttlicher offenbarung. english böhme, jakob, 1575-1624. h. b. (henry blunden) [22] p. printed for h. blunden, and sold at the castle in corn-hill, london : 1654. reproduction of original in: bodleian library. eng mysticism -early works to 1800. theosophy -early works to 1800. a76952 r175590 (wing b3408b). civilwar no four tables of divine revelation signifying what god in himself is, without nature; and how considered in nature; according to the three pri böhme, jakob 1654 12365 19 0 0 0 0 0 15 c the rate of 15 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the c category of texts with between 10 and 35 defects per 10,000 words. 2007-12 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2008-01 spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images 2008-02 robyn anspach sampled and proofread 2008-02 robyn anspach text and markup reviewed and edited 2008-09 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion four tables of divine revelation signifying what god in himself is , without nature ; and how considered in nature ; according to the three principles . also what heaven , hell , world , time , and eternitie are ; together with all creatures visible and invisible : and out of what all things had their original . written in the german language by jacob behm , and englished by h. b. london printed for h. blunden , and sold at the castle in corn-hill 1654. to the reader with an account of the following tractate . it 's no less common with men would seem wise , than inconsistent with those that are really so , to find a facile faith for what they like , and a sturdy diffidence for what they dislike : like the twins of a byass'd judgment , the one favouring of affection , the other of prejudice , and both of partiality . that some passages in the precedent life will meet with such , i make no question , and therefore thought it not unnecessary to acquaint them with this truth , that what therein is related concerning our author , by the learned gentleman that penn'd the narrative , was receiv'd not form uncertain wandring reports , but authentick information , from the tongues and penns of those , that ( during his life upon earth ) were his familiar associates ; men consciencious both in words and deeds , well knowing what strict account must be rendred of both . and how sad an account have they then to make , whose throats , like open sepulchers , blast with their breath ( as far as their venome reaches ) the most eminent gifts of god in men that bear his image ? whereof did they know the danger , it could not but make them tremble to consider how their poysoned arrows will return and stick in their own souls : yet have some not feared malitiously to defame this deep illuminated man of god ; a man whose writings ( though not to us made canonical by miracles ) manifestly appear to have been the dictates of god's spirit ; and the will of god , the rule of his whole life ; alwaies resigning himself ( as his own pen testifies ) to the divine will : to will and work nothing but according to the will of god . yet against the spirit of this pious man ( as if they feared an ecclips of their evening splendor , by the day-light of his writings ) have some ( especially among the lamps of our tabernacles ) spit forth their venom , in aspersions so injuriously false , and palpably absurd , that neither reason nor religion , prudence or piety , could yield any motive thereunto ; only the monster of their own frailty . thus doth the prince of the air blind men with self-love ; that though in others they abhor unrighteousness , yet themselves can rashly proceed to sentence , before they understood him , yea some of them , before they had read one leaf in his writings : vvhereas others that have seriously studied him , and ( with divine assistance ) understood much of him , can justly as clearly evidence the true concordance of his writings , with the word of god in holy vvrit ; and their inconsistence with conceited sects , corrupt doctrine , both of our own and former ages , and all heterodox opinions whatsoever . well may be said of him , what an experienc'd philosopher writeth of paracelsus ; cur praestantis viri famam , omni laude dignissimi , periclitari sinemus ? scripta sua non nisi ad dei gloriam , proximique emolumentum edentis ; lucrum utique , ut calumniantur , ex aliorum per scripta ipsius seductis incommodis nequaquam quaesitum ivit ; neque , quod inimici ipsius factitare solent , ideo medicinae dedit operam , ut ex aegris salutarem faceret ; sed quicquid fecit , bono animo fecit , absque mercede , quam nec accepit , nec opus habuit , artibus suis ipsi absque aliorum detrimento abundè sufficientibus . omnes prudentes veritatis amatores neminem ei unquam parem fuisse etiamnum credunt . quod vero ignorantium quorundam invidia contemtim habetur , ipsi nihil derogat , ipse enim manebit paracelsus , & hi imperiti convitiatores , suam tantum impudentiam prodentes , &c. 't is true , in respect of the common stile of most authors , his language may , to some , seem somwhat monstrous ; so do the characters of letters to children , primo intuitu ; and many , even scripture expressions , to the ears of the natural man besides , he proceeds much by affirmation ; not disputing , but convincing error ; having not received his knowledge from men , or from the imperfect fallible principles of the schools , but from the true fountain of wisdom and knowledg . nor did he write , as most do , by transcription out of other mens books ; nor were his dictates neither , the products of his own fancy , but by divine influence ; and ( as is his own expression ) out of his three-leav'd book , which the hand of god had opened in him : wherein he found the knowledge , not only of all that moses , the prophets , christ and the apostles taught in sacred scripture , but of all mysteries also in heaven and earth , as himself affirms in his epistles , and many other of his writings . but lest his own testimonie should seem invalid , i make bold to insert what a learned german writeth of him . now ( saith he ) when reason supposeth that it is ascended up to the height , with its wisdom and arts , god hath stirr'd up this our dear jacob behmen ( a plain unlearned tradesman ) and gifted him with such a noble endowment of the universal knowledge of god and nature , and shewn him the centre of all beings ; how all things arise from god originally , consist in god , and again return and flow into him &c. thereby to call man to the knowledge of god , of himself , and all things ; that he might turn from the corrupt dark being of this world to christ the only light &c. this high , rare , and pretious gift ( which hath not been manifested in the like manner and degree , height and depth , breadth and length before these times ) our jacob behmen learned in god , hath employed in all faithfulness and simplicity , and lay'd it forth as it was given and imparted to him : and in all his writings hath lay'd his ground in god , and hath reared up his whole building , very deeply founded , from him : as christ speaketh of the wise master-builder , that he digged deep , and layd his foundation on a rock , whereupon he built his tom'r on high . as it is clearly to be seen how he doth all along , drive and press at god , christ , and his spirit ; at faith and love ; at the mortifying of the old , and the renovation of the new-man ; and in brief , at the restauration in christ of god's image in us , which did disappear in adam ; also he sheweth the order , harmony , and birth of all things ; and how they subsist by the power of the yet uncessantly working word of gods fiat , and hold their analogy and orderly proportion in the wisdom of gods wonders : but he doth not set it forth with words of scholastick knowledg , and contrived art of vvisdom in babel , and of her builders ; but as it was given him according to the knowledge of nature , in his own gift . and though such tearms and phrases as he uses seem hard and harsh at first , yet the diligence of an observant reader , that earnestly defireth knowledge for his edification , will ( by the indwelling grace of god ) so bring him into a right apprehension thereof , that what before seem'd difficult and dark , will at length be plain , clear , and easy , as it hath hapned to my self . thus far his own country-man and accquaintance . moreover he had the knowledge of that wonderfull mystery ( containing the secrets of the whole creation ) the language of nature , and that in his native tongue ; whereby the very name of every thing gave him clear inspection into the nature of it . this knowledge had adam in his innocency , but by his fall lost it : else it had been understood ( as our author affirmeth ) in the language of every nation . now to the incredulous , if they could but fathom his depths , i should only bid them ask themselves this question ; vvhether art or nature ever did or can produce such sublime knowledge , such pure and distinct knowledge of the highest mysteries ? knowing that upon debate with their serious . thoughts , they must speak the negative . but there is a malicious ignorance possesseth many , by which they condemn all things above their , sphear , and cry down that excellency in others which exceeds the fathom of their own comprehensions : i need not travail for proof or instance , istorum plena sunt omnia , they are no where not to be found . concerning the following tractate , it contains four tables with their explication ; wherein may be seen , by a spiritual eye , the ground and foundation of all the authors works , and profound mysteries ; yea there is also clearly decypher'd , that so much sought , and so rarely found secret cabal of the antient rabbies . these tables indeed contain the summe of all the authors writings , of all his knowledge , of all in heaven and earth , yea of all the highest mysteries that man , in this life , is capable of knowing . the first table , as the radix , briefly includes the rest ; the other three are branches of the first , and all together are properly termed an a.b.c. to all that the author hath written ; which when i perceiv'd , i could not but much desire their publication ; and not knowing when or by whom that might be done , i furnish'd my self with all necessaries thereunto ; and so by god's enablement perform'd it with that care and diligence , which the majesty of the matter requires . and though i know it a general expect , that the skill of a translator should illustrate his author , yet that , in this and some other of his writings , can not well be done ; for whoever ( not perfectly baptised into his spirit ) shall render them in the genuine phrase of other language , and not punctually verbatim , will force his reader to a double loss , both in the significancie of expression , and in the mind of the mystery . in a word , this following tractate i have annexed to the author's life , and both , not unfitly , to his mysterium magnum : for the first ten chapters of that book , are not only introductory to the following commentary , but likewise an excellent illustration of these tables ; wherein the pious reader , by a due search , may happily find ( pulsanti dabitur ) a greater treasure than the vvorld can afford , and that to his infinite satisfaction ; which i heartily wish him , together with the life , light , and love of jesus christ ; in whom i rest his servant h. blunden 1 table what god is without nature & creature . what god without nature and creature is , and what the mysterium magnum is : how god , by his breathing forth or speaking , hath introduced himself into nature and creature . 1 abyss nothing & all   father 2 vvill of the abyss . je sonn 3 delight or impression of the vvill . ho spirit 4 science or motion . va 5 god in trinitie . thus is god without nature and creature considered . 6 vvord in god . 7 vvisdom . begining of mysterii magni of the eternal nature here begineth mysterium magnum as distinction in speaking the word ; where the word by wisdom is made distinct , natural , sensible , comprehensible , and invenible . the eternal begining of the principles is here also understood , with gods love and anger , in light and darkness . god in love god in wrath 9. the first principle spiri 8 the second principle   moving , thinking tual dark , feeling , mind , nature v ii angel , light , love-fire . 10 tincture or speaking of the trinity . i desire , ii. prick or science , iii angu●sh , iv fire , angelical world root of the four elements . vi sound or distinction . vii essence , or essential wisdom . austere cause of enmity , fire root of heat .   hard , hellish-life , hell , sub growing or greening in the spiritual world . 12 pure element . 13 paradise . sharpness cold fire root , devill , stan sal , mercurius , sulphur tial . 14 begining of the external world . here begineth the external visible world , as the out-spoken visible word . 1 is understood the good life of the creature which stands in the quint-essence . 2 the poison and grossness of the earth and earthy life . 3 the reader understanding these , all doubts and queries cease in him : and babel is lost in ignominie . the third principle     15 heaven . starrs 16 quint-essence good powers . the 17 the 4 elements . devill 's poyson introduced . out spoken word . 18 earthly creatures .   a brief explication of the first table , of god revealed ; how out of himself he continually begetteth , and breatheth forth himself : and how this table is to be understood . number 1. is the abyss , the nothing , and the all . there we begin to consider , what god in himself is , without [ or besides ] nature and creature ; and this consideration of the hidden god , extendeth unto wisedom , numb. 7. therein is understood how god dwelleth in all , and how all things from him have their existence ; but , himself is to all incomprehensible , and as a nothing ; yet through that all , he maketh himself visible , sensible , and (a) attainable . numb. 2. is the will of the abyss . and by it , at the right side , father , and on the other side , j e. this signifieth the will of the abyss , which is the father of all beings . and the j e signifieth the eternall one , as the name jesus from the eternall one . numb. 3. is the (b) delight [ lubet ] or impression of the will ; by which ( towards the right ) standeth son , and opposite to it , h o , signifying how the self will includeth it self in the place of its possession : the place is the procreation out of it self ; where god begetteth god ; according to the good pleasure of his propriety . the ho is the breathing of the will , through which the delight passeth . numb. 4. is science or motion : at the right standeth spirit , and over against it v a. science , is the attraction of the will to the place of god ; where the will comprehendeth the delight which proceeded to the son , or to the breathing ; by which outbreathing is understood the spirit of god . and here is understood the great name jehova , as the (d) tri-une being ; how the father of himself begetteth the son ; and how the holy spirit proceedeth from both , and yet they be but one being , which hath nothing before it . for the science , in the drawing in , is understood a root of the eternal knowledge , or motion . numb. 5. is god in trinity , signifying that the tri-une being , may be known , as a similitude of the will , mind , and senses ; wherein lyeth the eternal understanding . thus is the ternarie , the one eternal understanding , and cause of all things . numb. 6. standeth word , signifying distinction in the understanding , as speaking , the (e) perception of it self ; which word abideth eternally in god himself ; and god as the power of perception , is the eternal good . numb. 7. standeth wisdom , signifying the outspoken word , as the power of the divine contemplation ; wherein god to himself is intelligible , perceptible , and revealed . and thus far is god to the creature , invisible , incomprehensible , not natural , nor creatural . below the line standeth beginning of the great mysterie , or of the eternal nature ; as of the separability , perceptibilitie , and sensibilitie of the properties ; wherein is understood , the divine extrication or revelation , how god introduceth himself in the eternal nature , in love and wrath ; and not in himself , for himself is the one eternal good , but without distinction , were not perceptible or manifest . here is to be noted , that the 7. capitall forms of nature , are marked ( to distinguish them from the other numbers ) with i. ii. iii. iv. v. vi . vii . numb. 8. the second principle , standeth to the right . and numb. 9. the first principle , to the left . thus numb. 9. signifieth the fathers propertie , through the speaking of the word in wrath ; and the second numb. 8. signifieth the sons propertie in love ; where the love of god by the expressed word is revealed . as that in love , numb. 8. sheweth the angelicall power-world ; and that in wrath , numb. 9. signifieth the dark power-world of painfulness , wherein god is an angry god . numb. 10. standeth tinctur , signifying the temperature of all powers , how there through speaking they go forth in distinction and formes ; as first in the 7. capital forms , the desire , science , anguish , fire , love-fire , sound , and being . and further , there standeth by every capital form , what properties are born and proceed out of themselves . for , if there must be a speaking ; then the power must first contract it self , that it may breath forth it self ; then it begetteth that comprehensive or magnetick impression , the something ( which is the beginning ) wherein the fiat which attracteth the powers is understood . i. is the first capital form of the spiritual nature , and standeth with numb. i. desire , which desire sharpneth it self , from whence existeth sour , hard , and the cause of cold ; and is the ground of all saltish properties spiritual , in the spiritual world ; and essential in the external world . so also the desire of impression is cause of its own overshadowing , or darkness in the abyss ; as all these forms belong to numb. i. to the desire of (f) comprehensibility . ii. by the second capital form , standeth (g) compunction or science ; signifying the contraction of the desire ; where the first enmitie or contrary will ariseth ; for hardness and motion , are not alike . now in this form ariseth moving and feeling ; as the root of pain ; wherein is understood the mercurial poyson-life , both spiritual and (h) corporall ; and in the darkness the paine or torment of the wicked life ; neither was the good life without the root of the evill manifest unto him ; and that is the root of gods wrath , according to the perception [ sensibility ] of the eternall nature . iii. the third capitall form is anguish ; which ariseth from the desire of impression , and from the enmitie of compunction , where the will standeth in (i) torment , and is there the cause of feeling , and of the five senses : for in the anguish all formes grow painfull , and then are they sensible of one-another . and here is the word become distinct ; and is the root of sulphur , both spirituall and essentiall , [ corporall ] wherein is rightly understood the hellish fire in darkness , in painfull life , as appears in the table downward . iv. the fourth capitall form , is call'd fire ; where is understood the kindling of the fire , from the painfull sulphurish root ; for the will goeth out of anguish again into libertie ; and the libertie goeth to its revelation in anguish : in which conjunction cometh that terrible [ like a flash of lightning ] coruscation , where the abyss , as the eternall good , is revealed ; and is in the forms of nature , the understanding and life , in the dark enmitie ; and in the libertie is the root of joy , or rouzing up the (k) powers ; and is the kindling of the fire ; in which kindling the abyss becomes a shining light , as materiall . v. the fift form , is call'd the love-fire ; where is understood how the eternall good , through kindling the painfull fire , introduceth it self into an elevating burning love-fire , which love-fire was first in god . but thus only it (m) windeth up it self that it becomes sensible and moving , where in the good powers are operative . vi . standeth sound , or distinction , as the sixt capitall form ; signifying , that the naturall manifested life , where the eternall divine word , through the formes of nature , hath infolded it self ; and where all the powers of wisdom stand in (n) sound : therein standeth the understanding life ; which in light , is angelicall and divine ; but in darkness it is diabolicall ; as at the right , numb. 11. standeth angell . vii . standeth essence or essentiall wisdom , of the out-breathed word ; wherein all other forms are revealed ; and is even the essence of all forms ; as good and divine , in the light ; but in the darkness evill and devillish : and therein is chiefly understood mysterium magnum [ the great mystery ; ] the angelicall world is also therein understood ; and likewise the internall spirituall body of man , which disappeared in adam , when the souls will departed from gods will ; but revived again in christ , that giveth to him for the essence of this power-world , which is that heavenly flesh . joh. 6. and it is the dry rod of aaron , which in the spirit of christ , again springeth up in man . numb. 12. standeth pure element , signifying motion in the angelicall world in essence ; and is the one , holy , pure element ; wherein the four elements , in the temperature , lay , and is a root of the 4. elements . numb. 13. standeth paradise signifying the eternall springing , or spiritual growing , in the spirituall world ; from which the externall visible world , out of good and evill ( as out of both eternall principles ) is breathed forth : in which source and regiment , adam in his innocency stood ; when the four elements harmoniously existed in him , as in the holy pure element . numb. 14. standeth beginning of the external world ; signifying how god by his word , hath breathed forth that spiritual mysterium magnum , as the eternall nature of all spirituall properties , into a visible externall formall being ; and through the fiat , as the divine desire , hath fashioned it into creatures ; there standeth the third principle , where 3. worlds in one another , must be understood : as the dark world of gods wrath ; the eternall light world of divine love ; and this visible fading world . numb. 15. standeth heaven ; signifying the (p) parting mark , between the internall and externall world ; as of the visible and invisible essence ; which heaven standeth in the essence of the spirituall firie water . numb. 16. stands quintessence ; signifying the spirituall powers , as the paradise-ground in the four elements ; as well the astrall , breathed forth by internall powers at the beginning of time ; ●●d is that good in the four elements wherein the light of nature shineth ) as an outbreath'd (q) fulgor of the eternall light . numb. 17. standeth four elements , viz. fire , air , water , and earth , as the created world , out of the dark and light world , which is the framed word spoken out of the eternall natures essentiall power ; therein did the devill cast his poyson , which after the fall of man , was accursed of god . numb. 18. stands earthly creatures ; signifying that out of the quintessence and the four elements , were all creatures of this visible world created , and only from them have their life . but the animated man hath also in him both inward spirituall worlds , according to the internall soul of man ; therefore may gods love and wrath be manifested in him : for wherein the will impresseth and kindleth it self , of that essence it partaketh , and the same is manifest in him ; as is seen in lucifer . thus have you a brief intimation of the first table , and [ consequently ] of all the authors writings ; faithfully imparted , out of a good christian affection to his loving friends ; and [ is ] as an a b c. to beginners . ii. table . in this second table , god is considered according to his essence in unity ; what he is in trinity without nature and creature , whereby he filleth all things , and yet needs no place . ad father will ie o son delight ho n spirit science va a power word life i colours wisdom vertue tetragrammaton . in this table is consider'd the efflux of the eternal divine word ; how the word through wisedom brings it self from unity into separation and multiplicity ; as well in the eternal nature and creature ( according to which god calls himself angry jealous god , and a consuming fire ; as well as a mercifull god wherein is understood the foundation of angels & soules , and how they may receive salvation or damnation . ) gods wrath , or dark world gods love , or light world the first prin ciple the second prin ciple . similitude 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 t i n c t v r e desire or comprehending science or drawing anguish fire light love-fire sound essence t dark feeling or moving willing painful life love-life understanding working er austere hardnes enmitie minde terror joy five senses form nal sharpness elevating wheel of life killing power love sperm in the septenary without by it self , is understood the mysterium magnum , as the 7. properties of the eternal nature . in the novenarie downwards , are signifi'd the properties of life . in the fourth form , as in fire , 2. principles separate themselves from each other , as darkness and light . n furie pride despair hell glorie giving taking , or cōprehending a greater death false will lesser death souls ground devill souls spirit angell praising increasing t standing still breaking from original separating folly wisdom highnes humility vr impotent self-will robbing fantasie knowledge strength throne the second table expounded . the word adonai signifieth an (a) opening , or free motion of the bottomless eternal unity ; how the eternal generation , expansion , and effluence of the trinity of god is in it self . a , is a triple i , which comprehendeth it self cross-wise , as in a beginning , entrance , and effluence . d , is the motion of the triple i , as the opener . o , is the circumference of the triple i , as the birth of gods place in it self . n , is the triple spirit , issuing forth of the circumference out of it self as a triple i. a. this lower a , is the object , or operation of the threefold i , or spirit ; from whence eternally spring motion , colours , and vertue . i , is the essential effluence of the triple i , where the trinity floweth forth into unitie . and in this whole word adonai , is understood the eternal life of gods unity . the word father , is the eternall beginning of operation and will in the threefold i of the unitie . the word son , is that operation of power , as comprehension of the will into which the triple spirit incloseth it self as a place of the divine (b) self-hood . the word spirit , is the living , issuing motion in the comprehended power ; as by comparition may be understood in a flower : where the opening or working of the growth , is the beginning ; the power of the working , is the circumference and corporal comprehension of the growth ; and the scent [ or smell ] which proceedeth from the power , is the motion , or the growing issuing joy-life of the power , whereout the flower springeth ; by which comparition may be seen , how the birth of divine power is typified . the word power , signifieth the breathing , going forth , understanding , and sensible life ; as the foundation and fountain of the outflown knowledge of (a) distinction . the word colours , signifieth the subject , or object of power , where the distinction and original of the sensitive life and knowledge is understood ; whence an eternal contemplation existeth . the word will , signifieth the ebullition or motion in the opened unitie ; whereby the unitie willeth it self into trinitie , as the nothing , into its proper something , wherein it hath its motion and action . the word delight [ or lubet ] signifieth the effectual sensibility of the will ; as the highest ground of original love ; where 〈◊〉 will of the abyss findeth its self in its (b) something , where it yields it self to something as to its sensibilitie , in which sensibility it worketh and willeth in its own tast . the word science , signifieth the effectuall sensible knowledge and understanding in the love-tast ; the root of the five senses , and the ground of eternal life : thence floweth the understanding ; and therein the eternal unitie (c) planteth it self . the word , word , signifieth how the eternal love of the sensible unitie with knowledge speaketh forth it self eternally into an object : the word is the speaking or breathing of the will out of the power by the understanding : it is the driving and forming of the eternal power into an infinitness of multiplicitie ; as the creator of powers , out of the sole power in vertue . the word wisedom , is the outflown word , as an object of the divine knowledge of divine will ; as essential power of the great love of god ; from whence all things have received their motion and possibilitie : the ground of all the three principles ; a revelation of the unity of god ; a passive essence of divine operation ; the foundation of all humility ; the genetrix of all knowledge of creatures : an eternal domicil of the active love of god , and a ray and breath of the omnipotent spirit . the word jehovah , is the most holy name of god , as the divine sensual life , the only good ; whereby the holy trinity , with glory and omnipotency , is understood ; the life of the abyss , as of the unity ; which chiefly standeth in the only love : and therein also is understood the most holy name jesus : as the egress'd i . is the ground and fountain of the breathing of gods unitie , and a forming of the understanding . for the egress of the unity , leadeth it self with the i into e , as in the sight or beholding of a chaos ; wherein the mysterium magnum ( according to the divine manner ) is understood ; and is a triple breathing of the powers . j e , is the breathing of the unitie . h o , is the breathing of the j e. v a , is the breathing of the h o , and yet is only one breathing ; but maketh a triple egress , of the 3. centers or comprehensions . and therein is understood , how the triple i , at last closeth it self in a , as in a beginning to nature . under [ v a ] standeth life , signifying , that this threefold breathing , is a real life and power . under that , standeth vertue , which signifieth , the immense vertue of such a breathing life . now in this table is rightly understood , what god , without nature and creature , is , in trinitie ; as in a triple breathing of the unitie in it self ; where nothing can be said of the place , or dimension of his habitation : for god is neither here , nor there , but every where alike ; as the abyss is consider'd , namely the eternall unitie without nature and creature : and thus is he an active power and essence of unity . but that really such power and vertue is therein , may well be understood , in the effluence of the world , and the creatures therein , generated by the breath of god : and there is nothing in the being of this world , which beareth not witness thereof , if truly considered . tetragrammaton . in this table is also manifested how the holy name of the eternall power ; with the knowledge hereof , from eternity to eternity ; bringing it self into properties , in nature to eternal light & darkness ; and how the word of breathing forth , brings it self into a subject , and how self-will & acceptation of properties arise in the subject ; wherein two essences are alwayes understood ; as gods own effluence ; and then the properties own acceptation in the free wil ; in which acceptation another externall kinde of subject is understood ; whereby the unity in its effluence becomes more external ; and thereby the eternal love bringeth it self into a sensiblenes , and like a fiery flame , as in the working of divine power . at the upper end of the table standeth dark world ; and under , the first principle : and over-against it standeth gods love , light world ; and below it , from the figure 4. to the figure 7. the second principle ; which signifieth how the outflown will doth inclose and overshadow it self , with acceptation of its own desire ; and with the self desire bringeth it self into properties , and causeth darkness ; in which darkness the egressed one by fire in the light is revealed and made sensible ; and is the cause of the light ; in which light gods love assumeth a fiery operation , from the fire of eternal nature , and shineth in fire through the dark painful acceptation ; even as the light from a candle , or day in the night ; whence day and night have their names in time ; but in the eternal , there is also an eternal light and darkness in one another : the darkness is the ground of nature ; and the light is the ground of the joyful divine revelation . the dark world , as the ground of the properties of self-desire and will , is called the first principle ; because it is the cause of divine revelation , according to sensibilitie ; and also maketh a (a) proper kingdom in it self , as namely painfull torment ; according to which god calleth himself an angry jealous god , and a consuming fire . and the light which is revealed in the fire , wherein the unity of the divine effluence of love is understood , is called the second principle , as the divine power-world wherein gods love is a love-fire , and active life ; as it is written , god dwelleth in a light which no man can approach unto : for the power of the unity of god worketh in the light , and is god ; and the firy quality in the light is of the eternal nature ; wherein the eternal love of the unity perceiveth and loveth it self . below the first and second principles ( in the 7. spaces ) stand seven numbers ; which signifie the seven properties of the eternal nature ; and under it standeth tinctur , distributed in the seven spaces ; which signifieth the divine word in the (b) temperature , or equality of the seven properties ; wherein the divine powers lie in an equall will , action , and being ; as the outflown name of god , wherein is understood the great mysteries of divine power and operation ; with the characters of the letters [ on the left side ] divided into the seven properties . for the word tinctur , is that separating word , from whence flow the seven properties . t , is the tau , or the opening of the unitie [ monas ] the cross of the triple i a ground to the breathing . i , is the effluence from tau , or the egress of the unity , as the cross-angle of life . n , is the effluence of the sounding threefold spirit . c , is the cutting of the sound ; where the i as the effluence of unitie , separateth it self again from darkness , and where the (c) acceptation of the eternal will breaketh . t , under the figure 5. is that holy tau , or the opening of glory , in the firy sensibility openeth with * firing love , as with gods kingdom : and signifieth the great strength of the light-power . v , is the true character of the holy spirit with three points , the two upward signify the fire and light , and the third downward signifieth the unity in love , as the meekness . r , with this the holy fire and light , is comprehended in an active natural essence ; for it signifieth the kingdom , as the throne ; and hereby is intimated , how the holy name with the outflown will introduceth it self in mysterium magnum , as into the eternal mystery , whereout (d) existed the visible world . the great mysteries of the tinctur , or the highest ground of gods trinitie . t , is the triple i , the father . i , is that begotten i , jesus . n , is the threefold i , in spirit . c , signifieth christ . t , in the fift space , is the father in christ . u , is the spirit of christ in the word , which quickneth . r , is the royall throne , about which darknes and light strive ; there satan and christ stand against one another ; namely according to the assumption of satans self-will , as an erronious spirit , and according to the unity , christ ; where is understood love and anger in one ground ; but in a two-fold revelation . here are understood those that belong to god ; the other , (e) a lock rather , at this place . in this table in the 7. spaces is the ground of angels and soules ; as that great mystery of the change , in which lyeth all possibility . sidewayes , after the seven figures , the efflux from (f) one into seven , is understood . the first principle is to be understood , unto the fire ; out of which the light is manifested : and from fire to essence , the second principle . and downward under every propertie , is understood , what kind of effluence , out of every property , in the cooperation of other properties , doth proceed ; yet not so to be understood that one propertie alone , gives the efflux ; but all seven afford it ; though the first form is predominant therein , and retains the higher regiment . as under the figure i. standeth desire or comprehending , whereby is understood , that the desire is magnetick , and incloseth , and darkneth it self , which is also the ground of temporal and eternal darkness , and from that (g) attraction , cometh ( under it ) sharpness , austereness and hardness ; and is the original of wrathfulness , whence ariseth the great eternal death . for this magnet , draweth the powers into it self , and in it self incloseth them ; so that the working standeth still , and steps into impotency ; as under the number 1. appeareth . under number 2. standeth science or drawing , which is the second form to nature ; as the motion of the magnetick attraction , from whence the sensibility of nature existeth ; and is the ground of all contraries , for hardness and motion are enemies ; motion breaketh the hardness again , and yet also begetteth hardness by attraction . thus two essences have their existence in the desirous out-flown-will of god ; as the drawing of the magnetick power , giveth motion and sensibilitie ; and the thing attracted affordeth essence ; wherein is understood the cause (h) of spirit and body ; as in the attracting of sensibilitie is caused the spirit ; and in the extracted , the body or cause to corporietie . now if this attraction and essence be not able to reach the light of gods unity , whereby it may be mollified ; then in it self remaineth onely a meer enmitie , and is the cause of the torment of fury and ambition : whence existeth self-pleasing , and pride ; for the will of self-pleasing is a false-will , a continuall corruptor of it self , and its essence . and in these two forms , desire and in-drawing , in their out-flown properties , is understood gods wrath ; and though they be the ground of the sensible life , yet if the light shineth therein , then are they the ground of the joy-kingdom , as an inward motion of gods unitie ; and a ground of the five senses ; whence also the creatural life hath taken its beginning ; and therein standeth its (k) corruption , so farr as it loseth the light : for it is the spring of hellish anguish , as the cause of painfulness ; and is also the root of natural life . in the third space standeth the third form of nature called anguish , as a spiritual sulphur-source , according to its propertie : this taketh its ground from the first and second form ; as from the magnetick desire , and from the motion of drawing ; where the out-flown eternal will , in that unquietness standeth in anguish . this anguish is the cause of natural will , mind , and the senses , and is the wheel of life , as the cause of the firing-life : for when the out-flown will of gods unitie standeth in anguish , then it longeth again after unity , as after rest , and the unity or rest longeth after motion and revelation , for in the unity there can be no revelation without motion ; and therfore the divine will freely floweth out of it self ; and the divine (l) good pleasure in the out-flown-will , bringeth it self into a desire and motion unto a sensibility ; that it may perceive it self , and remain two in one essence ; as the sensible divine delight , and the cause of sensibility ; wherein god calleth himself a loving god , according to the sensibilitie of divine love-delight ; and an angry god according to the cause of sensibility ; as after the eternal nature . and thus , we understand by anguish ( when the divine light is not revealed therein ) the hellish fire , and an eternal despair and terrour : where the self-will of nature continually standeth in a dying torment ; ever desiring to be released from such a condition , which i therefore call the (m) lesser death ; it is the eternal dying death ; but in the hardness , it is the great still-standing death . this form if it hath not light , is the head spring of the false minde ; but if it perceiveth light in it self , then is it the spring and ground of the sensible mind , and the right root of fire , as appeareth in number 3. downwards . the fourth form , numb. 4. is the fire of the eternal nature ; understand spiritual life-fire : and that existeth from a continual conjunction or conjoyning of hardness and motion . understand , that thence ariseth the painfulness ; but the splendor existeth from the delight of the free-will ; where the unity of the delight [ good pleasure ] is acuated in the properties ; then like a flash [ of lightning ] it shineth through the continued conjunction , of the great meekness of the unity , and the fierceness and motion of the three first properties ; for then it is in the essence of the conjunction , as if steel and stone were rubb'd together ; whence the flash ariseth . such a flash , is the true natural life of the eternal ; for it is the revelation of divine motion , and hath the properties of nature ; and also the revelation of the unity of gods effluence in it self . now which of these two getteth predominancy , in that standeth the life . the splendor of the fire , is the light from the effluence of gods unity ; and the essence of the fire is the out-flown will , which hath brought it self with the desire into such properties . thus in the out-flown firy will , we understand angels and souls ; and in the sensible sharpned lights power from the unitie , we understand the spirit wherein god is revealed , and understood in the spiritual essence ; and in the fire two kingdomes separate themselves , as the kingdom of glory from the efflux of gods unity , and the kingdom of the properties of nature ; and yet [ these two kingdoms ] dwell in one another as one . the kingdom of nature is in it self , that great eternal darkness , but the light is the kingdom of god ; of which s john saith , the light shineth in darkness , but the darkness comprehendeth it not . as day and night dwell in one another , and yet the one is not the other . thus from the fires own propertie , comes the painful life , if it break it self off from the eternal light , and doth ( as in the propertie of selfhood ) enter the object ; then is it only fantastick and foolish ; even such as the devills were , and the souls of the damned are ; as appears numb. 4. downwards . in the fift propertie of nature , is the second principle , with its foundation understood ; as the essence of the unity in the light-power ) where in the out-flown unity is a fire-flaming-love understood , whence existeth the true understanding-spirit , with the five senses . the first three forms are only the property to life ; and the fourth is the life it self ; but the fift is the true spirit . when the fift property is revealed out of the fire , then she dwelleth in all the rest , and changeth them all into her sweet love , that no more painfulness nor enmity is discerned , but even as the day changeth the night . in the first 4. properties , is that life like the devills ; but when the lights-power ( as the second principle ) is revealed in the property , then is it an angel , & liveth in divine power & holiness , as appeareth in the num. 5. downwards . the sixt property , is the understanding , as the sound , where the properties in the light stand all in an equality ; then they rejoyce , and the power of the five senses is manifest , and all the properties rejoyce in one another ; and thus the love of the unity leadeth it self into working , willing , sensibility , finding , and (n) celsitude . thus is there a contrary in the eternal nature ; that the properties existing therein , the love is known , and that there might be something , to be beloved , wherein the eternal love of gods unity may work , and god may be praised . for if the properties of life be penetrated with the divine love-flame , then they praise the great love of god , & yield themselves all again into the unity of god . such rejoycing & knowledge could not be revealed in the unity , did not the eternal will bring it self into painfull moving properties . the seaventh property , is that essence , wherein all the other are essential ; wherein they all act , as the soul doth in the body : wherein the natural , essential , eternal wisdom of god ( as the mysterium magnum ) is understood ; out of which the visible world , with its essence and creatures , did arise . thus by this table is understood the hidden spiritual world , as the eternal manifestation of god ; from whence the angels and souls of men received their existence ; therefore may they turn themselves to evill or good , for both lie in their center . this spiritual world is no other than gods revealed word , and hath its being from eternity to eternity ; for therein is heaven and hell understood . iii. table . the seven properties of the visible world , or external nature . macrocosmus in this table is signified , how the hidden spiritual , eternal word , ( as the mysterium magnum ) by the motion of gods word issued forth , and became visible , manifest , and material ; and how the inward powers , through gods working , have comprehended and fashioned themselves ; how good and bad in every thing is to be understood ; and yet there was no evill in mysterium magnum , but existed through the sensibility and assumption of self-desire . here also is shewed what in the working issued forth from every property , and which have the predominancy ; according to which every thing is formed and governed . 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 ground of nature pure element para dise cold , earth , snow original of air fire of essence heaven light of nature starrs water saturn mercury the planet mars sol venus soft jupiter luna sal mercury thunder sulphur flesh sal-niter oyl power body black , gray mixt-colours red yellow green , and white within blew white without within red and green melancholy collerick sanguin phl●gmatick g●ossness of s●one metal , stone rust growing pearls jewels menstruum lead quicksilver iron , st●el gold copper tinn silver bone wood herbs res●n tincture in the earth swe●t bitter grass sour poyson 〈◊〉 opening healing srengthning flesh stopping smelling feeling seeing tasting hearing loathing of nature dying lying wrath war richness noble reason own possession lord craft force justice faithfull truth simplicitie stealing deceiving losing finding earthly love being friendly lightminded obstinate sad confounded senses careless constant pure jo●full ignorant earthly beastly evill h●●venly modest sensible low ●olfe fox dogg lyon bird ape great beasts worms venemous wormes evill beasts good beasts flying beasts tame beasts fish . an explanation of the third table , macrocosmus . in this table is understood , how the hidden spiritual world hath made it self visible ; and with its own breathing forth , hath made it (a) an object where the eternal principles are out-flown ; and the powers therein became co-material . for the external nature is no other than an efflux or object of the eternal nature . the 4. elements exist from the first 4 properties of the eternal nature ; as the earth and grossness of all essences of the dark desire , where the other six properties alwayes became co-material ; as we may conceive of metals and powers , good and bad . the air existeth from the motion of the magnetick impression ; the water from the abruption [ breaking off ] of the impression , where heat and cold are in strife ; the fire of the spiritual fire . the cold is perceived in the magnetick sharpness , as in the right root to fire . before the seven properties , above the table , standeth ground of nature distributed in the three first forms . and in the fourth and fift form or propertie , is divided the word pure element . with the word ground of nature , is understood the root of the 4. elements , as the four causes of motion and sensibility . by the word pure element , is understood the temperature , or the equalitie of nature , and the four elements ; where the light also is sensible , moving , and elemental . thus is understood , how the eternal element , as the motion of divine power is accuated by the ground of nature , and revealed in the light ; where the pure element is the motion of the inward spiritual world ; and at the creation of the world , went forth into a being ; and is understood of the fift essence . the word paradise in the 6. and 7. properties , signifieth the spiritual work in the lights essence ; as a springing up , or spiritual growth , which at the beginning of the world , sprung up through all the 4. elements ; and out of the earth formed it self into all manner of fruits , and changed all the properties of wrathfulness into a temperature . but when those fierce properties , with the 4. elements , were awakned , by the alienated desire , and false will in adam , and attain'd the dominion , then the greening [ springing forth ] retyr'd back ; that is , it remayned in the tincture of the inward ground , and is yet in the 4. elements , but , in the inward pure element only ; and may not be attain'd but in the new-birth of the inner man ; and in the material tincture , wherein the paradisical working is also fully manifest to our understanding . this table sheweth from whence all essences [ or beings ] in this world did arise ; and what the creator is ; namely that the creator hath been the divine power-world ; which the (b) unity , as the eternal will , hath moved , which will , is god himself , but the separator or divider , was the owt-flown will in the spiritual world ; in such motion , he issued out of himself , and made him a subject for his working ; in which motion , one subject issued out of another continually , untill the external matter of the earth ( through the divine motion ) was drawn into a mass or chaos : and this drawing of the motion standeth thus still : all things therefore fall in the deep towards the earth ; and that is the reason , that all power of motion , even to this day , and to the end of time , continueth so . the seven dayes , and seven planets , signify the seven properties of the spiritual world , the three principle in spiritu mundi , as sal , sulphur , and mercurius , signifie the trinity of the divine revelation ; as an everlasting spring or fountain , whereout all external creatures are flown , do flow , and will flow , even to the end of this time ; and therein the separator , with the 7 properties , is understood . in this table we see what proceeded from the 7 properties ; and how the spiritual power hath brought it self into a material one ( as in the seven spaces downwards appears ) whereby we may understand whence good and evill sprung up in this world . iv table . microcosmus . in this table man is held forth ; what he hath been in paradise ; as also how the properties in him ( without assuming self-desire ) equally stood in the image of god : and what he is become through satan's deceits : what that monster of the serpent ( whereby he is become earthly and mortal ) is in him . and then how gods word and love came in to help him again , new born in christ , daily destroying that serpentine image : also in what danger & misery he standeth in such an image , either on the ground of hell or heaven . also a similitude of divine revelation and knowledg in the seven properties according to time and eternity , formed out of all the three principles ; for a further understanding how he is wisely to regulate his life ; and unto what driving [ impulsion ] he should yield himself . humane ground before and after the fall 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 t i n c t u r s ou l e s pir it body ♄ saturday ☿ wednsday ♂ tuesday depiction of sun sunday ♀ friday ♃ thursday ☽ monday adam in paradise desire motion sensibility seeing loving rejoycing heavenly flesh erring sp. sharpness anger pain bitter woe hating despair passion christ gods word life acceptance sweet glorie power divine essence adam in paradise similitude out going spirit heating high humble will praising unity sathan self-seeking self-knowl . self-will dominiering pride reproaching folly christ gods unity resignation suffering yielding desire equality of power wisdom adam in paradise tasting thinking mind understanding spirit speaking evestrum of nature sathan desire of division lying anguish doubting fall stinck extruding christ baptism law breaking hopeing humility believing genius or type adam in paradise strength pentrating might holy modest powerfull throne sathan lord potent malice thirsty wanton mad self honor christ humility obedience mercy forgiving going generating reverence adam in paradise angel officious mild friendly beauty vertue diligent sathan devill perverse theevish mind murther belial's whore poyson earthly flesh christ christ returning repentance new life holy restoring sophia adam in paradise heaven child like secret manifest singing sounding paradise sathan hell or perdition strife torment ever falling fantasie changing a den of the deep christ christs calling , teaching , dissolving , new mind , rejoicing praying , springing . an explanation of the fourth table . microcosmus . in this table , man is held forth as a similitude of the three worlds , according to the soul , spirit , and body ; what he hath been in the beginning , according to his creation ; what he is become in the fall , by the spirit of error ; and what he will be in the new birth through the spirit of christ ; which is a true essential image , out of the three principles of the divine revelation ; as from the outflown word of the divine will . man according to the soul , is an eternal nature of the firing quality , as a spark out of the center , from whence the fire existeth : if this ground cannot reach into the divine light ; then is it a darkness of the magnetick attractive desiring power ; but if he reacheth out of the fire , unto the light , that his magnetick desire feeds on the out flown unity of gods love ; then ariseth from that fire the good true spirit , even as light shineth out of a candle . these are now two principles , the soul , in the fire of eternal nature ; and the spirit in the light of divine power . but the body is the third principle ; as an essence of the visible world , from the starrs and elements , formed into an image , out of the seven properties of nature . the soul hath the seven properties of the inward spiritual world , according to nature ; but the spirit of the soul is without these properties ; for it standeth out of nature , in gods unity but through the souls firie nature , is manifested in the soul ; for it is the true image of god ; as an idea , in which god himself worketh and dwelleth ; so far as the soul brings her desire into god , and submits unto gods will : if that be not done , then is this idea , or spirit of the soul , dumb and actless [ not working ] , standing like an image in a looking-glass , which soon vanisheth , and hath no being , as it befell adam in the fall . but if the soul submits to god , and bringeth its magnetick hunger into gods love , the soul then attracteth divine essence , namely , the essential wisedom of god ; then her idea or spirit becometh essential in the lights power , and obtaineth a pious life ; as being then the true temple of god , wherein gods unity is revealed and operative . but if the soul herself with her desire , bring in self-love ; and with her desire turn herself into the seven properties , to try them ; and feedeth on the vain delights of the seven properties ; then she extolls herself , and maketh to herself an (a) evestrum , as an astrall object ; which evestrum presently hungreth after the vanity of the false delight ; even as it befell lucifer and adam , where the evestrum of lucifer imagined it self into a phantasie ; and the evestrum of adams soul , into the animalish properties of the external world ; whereby the soul was poysoned , and the body ( out of the earth's limus ) was suddenly infected ; that the animalish properties awakened in him , and longed after earthly , beastly sustenance ; as heat , cold , sharp , bitter , sweet and sour ; and with these properties introduced it self into a springing fountain of such delights ; and so with the desire , fed on good and evill ; whereby the image of god , as the idea , became obscure and unactive . thus the true spirit ( as the active idea ) became dumb and dead , even as an image in a looking-glass ; and so was the soul cut of from god , and stood in a naturall will ; but gods will in the spirit worked work'd no more ; and the will of the evestrum ( as the opposite image of the dark eternal world began [ to work ] , for the holy genius was changed . at the head of this table standeth tinctur divided into the seven properties ; which signifieth the equalitie of the seven properties according to the soul & body that in the first man before the fall , the propertie [ or inclination ] to separation , (b) and acceptation , stood in a like will ; and all its desires were brought into gods unitie : thus were they the true paradise ; for the essential spirit with the unity of god , was revealed in them , who were to work through gods love in all things . but the devill envied them , and with his false lust deceived the seven properties of life , and perswaded them , it would be good for them , and they should become wise ; if the properties ( each one according to its kinde ) would introduce themselves into self-acceptance , then should the spirit tast and know what was good and evill : but then it could not subsist in gods unity , of that he told them nothing . but no sooner had they brought themselves in their own lusts , than such a strife and contention awakned in them , that all the properties began to be formed in their self-hood . thus the unity , as the element , was broken [ or divided ] , and the four elements strove for predominance ; whereupon suddenly from without , fell in the inequality , as heat and cold , and the astral division working in the body ; and gods wrath ( according to the dark worlds propertie ) in the soul ; which caused in them ( according to the soul ) , horror , anguish , necessity , and eternal despair ; and in the body , arose heat , cold , woes , sickness and a mortal life . thus gods image , the whole man , fell from his ordinance ; and became a disguised monster : and the awakened properties presently began to set up their government , with envying , murthering , raging , tearing and tormenting . love was changed into pride and self-love ; desire , into covetousness ; sensibility , into envy ; and the lifes fire , into wrath : thus was the hellish foundation , in the whole man , revealed , and ruled both in soul & body . now this hellish foundation , is the spirit of errour ; for which man must have been damned , had not the divine mercy , the serpent-treader ( as the efflux of gods love ) after the fall , been presently (c) promised to the new birth , in the holy name jesus . which holy name hath , in meer mercy , and great humility for mans soul & body , given it self forth , assumed humanity , broken the power of the diabolical spirit of error , killed the lives self-will , & brought again the properties into gods unity . there the true spirit ( as the human idea and gods image ) is renewed again , and filled with the divine love-essence . and thus the human soul , through christs soul and spirit in that love and divine essence , hath again attain'd an open gate unto god . thus in this table is held forth [ or drawn to the life ] what adam hath been ; what , through the fall , he is become ; and how he is again redeemed ; and what is his new-birth out of christ spirit . and these are delineated in the seven properties under the word tinctur . in which properties the soul hath its center , and in which the spirit , and in which the body [ have their centers also ] of which the reader may further consider ; for under them stand the seven dayes of the week , intimating , that man is even the same . this table sheweth what man is internally and externally ; first according to the good adam , and then according to the corrupted adam ; and also what he is again in christ . whereby , we may understand , how evill and good is man ; and whence exist the propertie of good and evill , both in the mind and senses . by the word sathan ( signifying the spirit of errour ) is not understood a creaturely-devill ; but the spring [ or fountain ] of the spirit of error . and by the word christ , is understood the new-man ( according to the internal ) in the spirit of christ . the other spaces , are understood as in the other tables ; wherein is understood the cause of mutation . finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a76952e-670 (a) invenible finditch . (b) good pleasure , beneplacitum . (d) three in one . (e) or sensibilitie . emp●ndligkeit . (f) infassligkeit . (g) pricking . (h) essential . (i) cruciatus . qual . (k) faculties . kraffen . (m) infoldeth wickeit . (n) n●yse shaue . thus hath this place been before the fall of lucifer and adam ; namely , in an equal temperature or harmony , of the 7. planets and 4. elements . (p) heaven is the parting-mark out of the spiritual fire and water between the heavenly and earthly . (q) or shine glast . man having 2. eternalls in him ; may be saved or damned . notes for div a76952e-4210 (a) or expansion . (b) egoitas ickheit . (a) distinctness . vnterscheiedligkeit . (b) aliquid etwas . (c) groundeth . in the eternal , is an eternal light ; but in the time he●e on earth , darkn●ss ●s the gr●und of n●ture ; and light the ground of the kingdom of joy , the revelation of god ▪ that we may behold his works and our selves . (a) own eigen . (b) moderation or mean . (c) or a willing receiving . annehmligkeit . * fewrenden lieve . (d) originalis , is outspoken . (e) ein shcios darier an diesem orthe . (f) monas . (g) orig. drawing in . (h) orig. to . (k) consumption . verterbnus . (l) lubet . (m) little . (n) highness hochkeit . notes for div a76952e-8510 (a) gegenwurff . the pure element is the equality in the elements ; and is called the quint-essence of the elements ; as the tincture of the equality of nature : both are the occult arcanum so much sought for . (b) monas einheit . god made first the angelical light world , which in this place ( after the devills apostacie ) separated into this external visible essence . notes for div a76952e-11680 what man is in his trinity ; as first according to paradise ; secondly , according to he spirit of error ; thirdly , according to the new birth , which christ teacheth and will have , john 3. n. b. the difference between the soul , and the spirit of the soul which without god , is but a dead image . (a) evestrum is a continued astral influence in the 4. elements , and likewise , an astral spirit in man . how the holy similitude of god in man became quenched , and a monstrous image assumed . (b) acceptabilitie annehmligkeit . thus was our nature first corrupted : which ground was never before so plainly discovered . (c) origin is in-spoken . souls ground . 1 , 2 , 3. first princip. souls spirit out of god 4 , 5 , 6. second princip. the body . 7. heavenly , now earthly . the heavenly cloud now breaking the lord christ's ascension-ladder sent down to shew the way to reach the ascension and glorification through the death and resurrection / by j. leade. lead, jane, 1623-1704. 1681 approx. 102 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 21 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2003-01 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a49869 wing l785 estc r42101 23830075 ocm 23830075 109584 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a49869) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 109584) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1641-1700 ; 1703:23) the heavenly cloud now breaking the lord christ's ascension-ladder sent down to shew the way to reach the ascension and glorification through the death and resurrection / by j. leade. lead, jane, 1623-1704. 40 p. printed for the author, london : 1681. imperfect: faded, with slight loss of text. reproduction of original in the harvard university library. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the 25,363 texts created during phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 january 2015. anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng second advent. private revelations. mysticism. 2002-01 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2002-01 apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images 2002-03 tcp staff (michigan) sampled and proofread 2002-03 mona logarbo text and markup reviewed and edited 2002-04 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the heavenly cloud now breaking . the lord christ's ascension-ladder sent down ; to shew the way to reach the ascension , and glorification , through the death and resurrection . by j. leade . john 20. vers. 17. — go to my brethren , and say unto them , i ascend unto my father , and your father ; to my god , and your god. london , printed for the author . 1681. the epistle . grace , mercy , love , and peace , from him who is the first begotten from the dead . to all of you who rejoice to die daily out of that life which is essenced in sin , curse , bondage , and sorrow , to such the following treatise is commended ; knowing to no other it will be pleasing , but them who have received the spirit of christ , that hath convinced of the necessity of dying , out of the body of sin , offering it up as a whole burnt offering upon christ our sacred altar . who is it then that would grieve to die thus , to become a living sacrifice , for so great a joy and glory as will hereupon follow , as will be matter of great encouragement to go forward on in spiritual dying till sin expire , whereby secured you will be from the serpent's sting ? who can therewith reach no souls that are plunged into this dying pool , where christ the lord hath first moved , to purchase a full and perfect cure ; to heal every spiritual malady which the soul groaneth under . for which end i am commissionated , as both servant and friend to my lord , and heavenly bridegroom , to invite you to the great supper of god , and the lamb. a table here is furnished , suitable to four ranks , and degrees of persons and spirits . the first course that is set hereupon , is the broken , and crucified body of our lord jesus . this is proper food for dying saints , who by eating of this spiritual flesh , may come to have their own sinful flesh to die , and moulder away ; for it is known , and experienced , as we do daily feed upon a crucified christ , it devours , and gradually works away the life of sin , and all the evil effects of it . whoso is wise , let them understand , and find out this mystery , and discern , and taste the lord's mystical body ; which being well digested down , the table is again spread for such , who are risen from the dead . now what is it comes on here ? behold and see ; christ the lord presents himself in a paradisical body , and saith , children , here i give my risen body , as more powerful , strong , and pleasant , to seed upon : for you it is , who have not feared to encounter the death . oh , what less is this , but the marriage feast , where the water is turned into wine ! and by the governour of this feast , ye are most earnestly called upon to eat of this transmuted body , which is so restorative , as nothing of putrefaction shall more be known in the soul's properties . such sweetness , and pleasure there is in eating of this paradisical body , that all other perishing things are disdain'd , and put out of taste . what joy now is it to god the father , to see his table beset with risen and spiritual souls , saying , hasten and dispatch ; also from this degree , taking off , and setting on that , which is proper for ascention . here now christ the lord comes down as a mighty eagle , body rushing , without spreading wings , to bear and carry away the waiters for ascention , that with him they may go up to worship in the new jerusalem , there for to hold the seven days feast of tabernacles , with all high celebration of praises . here you may believe a table is most richly furnished , in the most high and excellent degree , for all of the lord christ's ascending eagles , which cannot be satisfied with any other prey , but to feed upon the glorified body , which filled is with all the fulness of god , which flows largely into them , whose vessels are here prepared . now then , in the fourth and last ministration , what may be expected in the great nuptial-day of this feast , when the holy trinity shall descend , in the ascended angels of time , for the celebration of the marriage with the lamb , and bride ? what joys and glorys are now renewed ? for now appears the glorified person of christ , for a publick owning of his ascended ones ; and crieth , in his fathers , and his own , and holy ghost's name , saying , these are those in whom i will be glorified ; the long-sealed fountain is broke open ; the everlasting mountain droppoth down the powers of the holy ghost . come all ye who have laboured and not fainted , and have yet kept up your faith till this day , you are those that are to be fed and nourished with all the choice and precious fruits of the tree of life , and are ordained to be those josephs that shall give out of these heavenly stores , and maintain an open communit , to the thirsty and needy , that in a divine hunger are , that they may also be enriched , and partake of the same glory with you . this is the lord christ's own prophesy , now renewed by his spirit , and is sure and stable , and nigh to be fulfilled in those , that shall advance on , to all of these degrees , that are mentioned and further enlarged upon in this little treatise following : for that day-spring from on high , that hath visited me , would not have me to conceal those considerable heavenly mysteries , that i have been taught in by the holy unction , having well assured me , that there is a bright star that from heaven shall descend , and closly attend all these practical and weighty truths revealed , and fosten them with a golden nail , which shall not be moved away ; tho i am made to know also , that this divine ray shall pass over some , and glide away without making any impression . the which sort i shall spare to make mention what losers they will be , by slighting and neglecting this feastival invitation ; i shall leave such to take what they will not care to find . but now to return to them who all desirous are to taste of those choice and heavenly portions , who most readily do embrace their lord and bridegroom's call to this continued spiritual feast . know it , that for you , great things are prepared in the new jerusalem , there to have communion in one spiritual body at one table , each one according to their measure , and degree which they have attained unto , without grudging at one another : for you may see how the lord christ hath set himself forth in a four-fold transmutation in his heavenly humanity , for a feeding and strengthening life , to four sorts and ranks of spirits , that all may participate according to their growth . 1. for new-born babes . 2. for children . 3. for the young man's state. 4. for elders or fathers , who are come to full and perfect age , from whom may be expected the generating power of the holy ghost , to go forth for the replenishing the new heavens and earth . so as now ye may see here is suitable provision for every sort and degree , according to their calling and election in god , for communion in one body together . oh why should there then arise such emulations , strife , and spiritual wars , among the heaven-born spirits that should meet one another in harmony , love , and unity ? great is this evil which hath , as a leprosy , spread over all nations , kindreds , and tongues ; and truly the infection is got so deep in , as i see no cure here for , until the mighty sealing angels do come forth with viols filled with the love oil of the holy ghost , to pour forth every-where that ; so that the lord christ's disjointed body may come , bone to his bone , and member to its member ; for the which we shall not cease to invocate , and daily intercede for the holy trinity to hasten the saints gathering into this unity , for which a hopeful approach there is , which i in spirit do see ; for which end this is sent out as a pilgrim to find whom it may meet with in this lonely walk . oh how great would be our rejoicing , to meet with some fellow travellers herein , that are resolved in god's power not to grow weary or faint , till they may reach the top-step of this ascending ladder , that we may together be comforted , supporting each other , while in the travelling way , still putting off , and putting on our changeable raiment , that we may sit down at the great supper of the lamb , whose joy will be so great , that as a bridegroom , he will come forth himself to serve us , with the new wine of the kingdom , that will spirit us , for the great things that are to be brought forth into manifestation ; which things are now upon the working wheel , tho it worketh hiddenly in such chosen vessels , whom god will honour as his faithful stewards , being intrusted with the great secrets of his kingdom . i shall now conclude , with all true servour of spirit , and love , for the effectual operation of the holy ghost , to attend this whole matter and subject , which hath been given forth . it was my purpose , that some preceding openings and revelations given to me , should have been the first-born in way of publication ; but the wisdom and counsel of the most high , hath changed what was so intended , and hath ordered this first , as a preparation for the other , which also in time may come forth to disclose yet more wonderful and hidden things , that have been under a seal , that shall be broken up ; for there is a ripe age coming on that may be ready for their reception . in the interim , i shall be waiting for the knowledge of such as signatured are with that high graduated spirit , in the which i would be known and found as a friend and servant to my lord christ , and so to all my fellow members , that wait for this great day of his appearance in his saints . even so prayeth yours , in him that was dead , but now liveth , for our springing life and joy evermore . j. l. the introduction to the spiritual dying . the spirit of wisdom , revelation , and prophecy , having been shed abroad abundantly , to declare many great and wonderful mysteries now in this last age ; hath shewn also , by the same spirit , the way for consummation . the first passage hereunto , is through the mystical death , as the foot-step to the ascending mount of the following glory . but before i shall proceed upon this particular , it will be necessary to let you know , what hath occasioned the setting evidently before your eyes the crucified body of sin. upon a deep sense that opened in me concerning the three-fold bondage and captivity , which the holy and royal off-spring of god are groaning under , as to spirit , soul , and body ; the which things i being well acquainted withal in my self , could the more feelingly deplore and bewail it , on the behalf of all the elect seed of god : and truly , the spirit of daniel came upon me , and set it strongly on work , and caused me to set times often apart to lament and mourn , as beholding under what a law of sin and tyrannical bondage the saints are under ; in a three-fold consideration : the first from that old serpent , which from the beginning introduced the original venom of sin , whose vigilance is to increase and keep it stirring ; having great advantage , being a potent prince in this world , from which he presents all kind of temptations to allure withal , to prevent the souls restauration , by holding of it in the worldly charms . the second power , which under him doth rule , is the beast ; that is as the oppressing pharaoh , that consults to impose such weights and burdens as may wear out the saints of the most high. the third is the airy region , of which it is said , he is also the prince , having infected it with his poisonable influences , so as the very outward elements are corrupted , as they do contact with our outward bodies , bringing them to know sickness , sorrow , and death , with many other evil effects . all this being set before me , my soul in me was sorrowful unto death , and so great was my heaviness , as if the sin of the whole relapsed creation had been upon me : and then with all this , there was this farther aggravation of my troubles , to observe the strife , wars , and great divisions that are at this day enkindled among the sion-professors , which is the greatest evil under the sunshine of the gospel-dispensation , and to be seriously taken in , and sonowfully to be bewailed . the which came upon me as a very burthensome stone , which hath lain on me very heavily ; and being for some time under this exercise in mind , and spent , praying and pleading with my god , very close and constant in this mourning posiure , refusing all comforts ; behold michael , the prince of the new and everlasting covenant appeared unto me , speaking in these words : i have seen thy soul's contrition and humiliation , for the oppressed and desolated daughter of sion , whose hurt and wound lieth still bleeding : i am come to inform thee what is to be done , for the putting an end to all of this deplorable captivity , which hath lasted thus long , by reason there hath been lacking such sion-mourners , that might be seriously affected , and inwardly afflicted for that inherent root of sin , as not having searched into the depth of the infecting matter , which hath leavened the whole man , and kept him under this tyrannical servitude . i have waited in the office of mediatorship , for such soul-afflicted mourners to come up unto me , to spread and shew me all their internal woundings , from first to last . let it be known , that it hath been a grief to my spirit , that i have not been more servently sued unto , and made use of for easing the burdened ; for there hath been a secure carelessness , that hath made them carry it lightly off . but a consumption is determined upon the whole man of sin , and thou hast been all well-pleasing unto me , in that thou hast presented the whole and full of the relapsed state , in a sensible and sorrowful spirit , which is acceptable . i have also taken notice of this trouble and concern for the disunity among my own sheepfold , whereby they have rent and divided me in spirit , all which springs from the bitter essence of sin. therefore in order hereunto , do thou signify what way must be followed for restitution , and setting together my disjointed members ; which cannot be accomplished , but through the passage-gate of death . which from me thou art commissionated to declare , as i have revealed it to thee , and as thou hast the practical knowledge of it ; being what is designed by the father , as i am the way unto it , to bring forth life , and redemption through it , which promised was from the first wound of sin , that was introduced by the serpent into adam , which all fully is to be healed by conformity to the death with me , going forward in the four-fold process ; as the inward spiritual death , resurrection , ascension , and glorification . this i leave with thee first to publish before the other part , as the foundation that must bring up to the top-ladder , that hath been given by vision and prophecy , to see and understand : so hereby shall the utmost salvation be wrought out by the mystery of death , finishing with the following degrees , which putteth an end to all of that evil , the fall hath brought in , as having reserved this as the highest wonder that is to be brought into manifestation . go thou on , nothing doubting , having faith in me , who will always be with thee , and also among my mourning flock every where : even so come lord jesus . thus you are given to understand by whom i am led forward , to open and lay a sure foundation for the new and heavenly restauration , even in that living word , which died out of flesh , but now ceaseth not to live to send forth his renewed springs , and is at hand to reveal and expound all things , which may gather in the lost and scattered flock , for the bringing them into god's tent and tabernacle of rest , which only can be , by passing through this four-fold ministration . i shall take them as they lie in their own degrees and order . first , to shew what is a spiritual inward death that must be passed through , by such as do look for a reigning life with christ. and for this , it cannot be made out better , than that worthy apostle hath done it , as you will find in the sixth and seventh chapters of the romans , laying down full and clear arguments , shewing the necessity for a spiritual death ; so as we need not doubt but it will be granted : in the next place we are to consider , how it shall be effected . i would not fright any , if i tell them , it is at the first on-set , bloody work : where-ever this sacrificing knife doth come , it will touch to the quick . but then consider in whose hand it is put ; our emanuel's , whose love we may well confide in , who acteth this tragical part by the lance of his spirit , and will fall only upon the viperous body of sin , to let out the very heart blood of it : so it must be , for there is no favouring that life , that hath made all this to do , as in reference to god and our selves , spoiling and defacing that pure angelical image , in which the most holy one took such delight to see his own similitude in ; but now so changed , that it may give god cause of repentance , that ever he made such an unstable creature to grieve his spirit ; upon which account we must be driving out from his face and presence , to live in that awakened principle of good and evil. but here is a door of hope opened for such as are weary and oppressed , and are willing to give up their whole degenerated life unto death . but you will say , if we must suffer at this rate ; to what end did the lord christ offer himself as a propitiation for sin , in his own person , if our sinful life must go also for it ? in answer to this , take notice , that tho our lord christ was made a visible sacrifice for sin ; yet he never intended that should excuse any one of his members from a conformity and fellowship with him in his death , knowing his death for us would not do alone , without coming by his spirit , to put the sin to death in our flesh ; and so jointly he becometh salvation to the utmost , he having no sin to put to death in his own body , and so was a living type and example for us to follow . but it may be still objected , who is able to go through such a full and total death , to all that infection of sin , which the first adam brought in ? we must say , no one is sufficient , but the mighty god and saviour , as by his spirit coming to incarnate himself in our flesh , who hath the key that openeth this mystical gate of death , and thereby to pass us through the vail of the flesh : and for your comfort know , he goeth not to work violently all at once , but considers our mold and frame , and allures the soul into it by degrees , shewing and setting before it the absolute necessity for it , forcing all of love-incitements to follow him in this track of dying , despising the shame and contempt of it , as by faith seeing what glory , honour , and immortality of life with christ will ensue hereupon . this is then only our business , to intervert our life into christ our lord , for him to offer it up in us , through his eternal spirit , as he did in his own personal body , who laid it down freely : so now he wooeth the soul to a voluntary assignment of the whole man of sin for expiation ; so that when the heart and will is gained and brought over , dying work will not be so grievous and terrible , as many have feared : i can assure you , from my own experience , having been long and deeply exercised herein , knowing that great comforts and supports will meet you in your dying agonies , through internal infusions , that may be felt as a burning spirit that runneth into every part , till it giveth ease to the burthened in sin , and will not leave it , while there is any thing of an evil essence remaining , if the soul agrees and gives consent thereunto . and truly , a well-informed soul , that lies under any powerful constraint of christ's love , can do no less , but herewithal comply , and deliver up the accursed thing ; and when it cometh to this , what a hopeful dispatch will there be for the cutting off every member in the body of sin ? o , where shall we find a wise and valiant jael to smite sisera , aiming at the head , life , the very root of sin in its original ! oh , how do i hear the echo of some good willing spirit about me , thus saying , seeing you have presented the necessity of crucifixion , and the great benefits thereof ; and have rightly placed the lance of death , as in the hand of him that hath given such a full proof of his love and naturalness unto the fallen off-spring of adam , we have now an open ear to hear further what the particulars are we must die unto , and i most readily shall herewith comply ; as from the center of light , and experimental knowledg , give forth a narrative hereof , as reducing this inward death to three several branches . as first , the animal , rational , sensitive life . proceed we to the first of these , which is the more gross and right-down earthly life , consisting of a beastly nature , of bruitishness and worldly-mindedness ; loving and embracing the vain empty honours and riches of this principle ; bringing forth such cursed and vile fruits as these , namely , arrogancy , and an evil covetousness , self-promotion , wrathfulness , slandering , revengeful , and evil surmisings , cruelty , oppression , unmercifulness , with much more of this kind ; all which is to be most deeply deplored , that such a life as this should shew its face , where any thing of a god is known , and a christ revealed , for redemption out of all these bitter fruits ; and that instead of dying out of them , there is a living in them ; and so becoming insensible of their weights , fetters , and chains , all which is a most dangerous state to continue in , and not to make haste to die out of them . but we are persuaded better things of them , who are enquiring to find out the passage-gate of death , knowing they dare not allow themselves to live in any one of these , but as any matter of this kind does spring unwillingly , for to arraign , judg , condemn , and deliver up unto the piercing nail of the cross , as a testimony that they have abrogated the gross evils , and will not cherish and harbour what the serpent will hereby challenge place in the soul's essence , and will keep his hold ; therefore on that men in good earnest to die , will neither touch , taste , nor handle any of these poisonable fruits . now we proceed to the rational life , which is reckoned to be a wise , sober , righteous life , and therefore not to be laid aside ; being as a king that would govern the whole concerns of the soul , both as to heavenly and earthly things , determining all matters and causes . why then it may be alleadged , if he be such a prudent ruler , what exceptions have you against him , that he must fall under death ? but know it , from the lord , and that of a truth , that the serpent lies more hid in this than the other . it is in some , as a grand idol set up in the room of god : nay , it is so subtil in its counsel , as you can hardly know it from the true and superior wisdom ; for it will have righteousness for its covering . therefore none , but a high enlightned , and well-instructed soul in god , can have a right discerning of this great supplanter . and that he may be known so to be , here is a first and second charge brought in against him . first , although it may be granted , that he carries an appearance for god , and eternal things , and that with zeal too ; yet there is such a near alliance to the worldly interest , and earthly property , as there will be a holding fast in the mixed property , putting heavenly things in one scale , and earthly things in the other : if they can go upon even ballance , then the rational spirit carries all smoothly , as wise in his generation , not being willing to lose his part , either for spirituals , or temporals ; but the worldly interest shall be sure to be followed close . for if they cannot consist together , but the one must be laid down , then wise rationality will soon shew himself that his birth is but from the astral region , it is of no higher descent , but from the womb of fallen time , and therefore a spirit not to be trusted . the second charge we bring in against the rational life , is the great enmity , that he stands in to the spirit of faith , which curbs and nips it in its first buddings . for as long as degenerated reason lives , this plant can never thrive or prosper ; for it is ever more casting in choaking doubts , as in the case of nicodemus , how can a man be born again that is old ? and as in elisha's time , when the famine was so grievous in samaria ; the prophet then declaring , how scarcity should suddenly be turned into plenty ; the unbelieving lord of reason presently stands up , if god should make windows in heaven , can this be ? so as unbelief prevented him from seeing the accomplishment . so it doth at this day ; therefore if we would have any great and wonderful thing effected , either for time or eternity , we must shut out reason as a treacherous counsellor ; and there is no way , but to give him up for spiritual martyrdom , for the sharp ax of the spirit to do execution upon him . but you will say , this is too severe a judgment wholly to cut him off ; for he may be regenerated , and made subordinate to the life of faith. that indeed may be allowed upon the animal man's account , to order and govern those low and terrestrial affairs , which the fallen state hath necessitated into , if he may be bounded there , but not to clime higher : for in no case must he be admitted , as to the inward and sublime matters of the spirit , and soul , because the way of its restoration depends so much upon faith , which crosseth the who●e course and grain of reason . all his refining and regenerating , can never make him serviceable to help the soul towards its translation for degrees of perfection , its birth being of an incredulous nature , looking hereupon as unattainable for the soul to regain what it hath lost ; so here is enough to lay him aside for in all spiritual matters : for as rationality was not in adam before his relapse , so he had no occasion to use subtilty or craft , all things were provided to his hand . so now in the way of our return to the more transcendent liberty and glory , for which the holy ghost operating in the power of faith to perfect , will admit to have nothing contributed from the rational spirit . nay , the time is coming , when he shall also be put out of his stewardship for the very outward man ; for it is very rare to find a just steward in the use of this worldly mammon . and therefore god will settle the power for all blessing and increase for the bodily requirings upon the spirit of faith ; as that in the saints shall get up to its superiority , all of the worldly goods which now are ingrossed , where the corrupted reason bears rule . therefore it will be worth our care and vigilance , in keeping our stock , going on upon faith's bottom , as in reference both to heavenly and earthly things ; deposing the rational spirit , as to all power and claim to the superior transactions betwixt god and the soul ; only allowed he may be , for the present necessity , as a hewer of wood and drawer of water , till we shall discharge him upon this servile account also . now you see what a full charge is given against the man of reason , which may be a sufficient inducement to die , as we are able from day to day , unto him , till fully dead . the conquest of which will produce wonderful and miraculous working powers , which in its piace and order shall be made out more fully to you . now we fall upon the third particular , which is the sensitive life ; dividing it into three branches ; exterior , interior , and natural . i shall begin with the exterior ; as first , the lusting eye , that delights to please it self in visible objects , shadows and figures of mortality , minding outward adornings , and settings out of a poor piece of mortality . these are tempting objects for the very heart and mind to be tainted withal . for the outward eye is as a wandring star , it glides up and down to please its own unsatiableness , among all the various gross and perishing things , that in this evil world can be found . so every depraved sense doth pursue its own vain delight and satisfaction . but of this more gross part of sensuality , i shall not further enlarge , knowing that it hath been sufficiently set forth , and decried down by the godly and pious ones . i shall pass on to the interior sense , which is in part renewed and enlightned , so as for to escape the pollutions , which the gross sense falls in withal ; this being an inward sober sense , comprehending immortal and divine things : but yet it is so nearly annexed to the man of reason , as being the very body of that spirit , and can have no congruity with a life of faith. so that here comes in a hard struggle , as to the matter and case of a soul in its looking for redemption out of the body of sin. here now the good sense , that is awakened upon this account , will very aptly run out it self into a despondency , as seeing , feeling , and tasting the strength and bitterness of sin ; so as it may raise such an uproar and mutiny in the soul , as will not be for some considerable time quieted and allaid . but you will say , this is good and necessary to be immersed into such a deep sense of sin . it is in some degree to be granted , that an effectual sorrow for sin , is to be allowed from divine light and conviction ; that is , awakened by the holy anointing : thus it was with the saints of old , crying out to be delivered from the body of death and sin. and what penitential psalms did that holy david in this sense make ; but mind all along here was no sticking there , but soon acquitted their sense , flying up to the operating spirit of faith , as david and paul did in the same case ; crying , thanks be to god , that giveth us victory through that blood , which cleanseth from all sin , springing from the vein of christ's life opening within , that washeth out the pollutions of sin . for should not a soul hasten out of this working sense of sensibility , it would soon be overwhelmed . so that if in the life of this good sense , any should too long abide , what an anxious and sorrowful life would they know ? therefore what saith the spirit of jesus , believe , and ye shall enter into your rest ; for insensibility you will find none . now to speak to the natural and bodily sense , this hangs close as the skin unto the flesh , it affords an unwelcome constancy , as resolving not to leave the soul , unless mortality comes to be swallowed up of life . this sense indeed is apt and fit for such an inferior mortal state as we are fallen into ; a low and earthly sense doth well agree with a low and earthly world ; but oh ! what enlightned spirit , that hath been in the divine seeing , can take up here . for it is the great and only impediment to all of divine vision , prophecy , and revelation , ( for now all three degrees of sence we include ) . they are as a dark gathering cloud upon the center of light , and a strong inclosure , to keep the spirit from passing into that principle , where the trinity , and all the holy train of angels , seraphims , and cherubims , do attend god's throne . this i soberly aver , from a particular experience , that no soul or spirit can come to have a plain and open view of a glorified personality , as seen and known in the heavenly sphears , but as their sensible part is suspended , and laid as in a dead sleep , during the time that it is in broad open sight , of such an express glory . indeed there are representations of heavenly objects , and things in a lower degree , which may consist with the bodily sensation , as introverted into calmness , and sweet stilness . then the spirit of the soul stands in a powerful capacity for divine seeing and hearing , and this is very frequently known , and enjoyed by saints in this present time . but that , which is the most certain knowledg , and sight , and hearing , is , when the whole sensitive motion of soul , spirit , and body , is entred into a transical , eternal nothingness ; then it knows , hears , and sees , as in god's glance , and light of eternity . thus it was with duniel , paul , and john ; they were struck out of their senses , while the visions lasted upon them . so it , hath in these last days , been witnessed , that when the lord had any special revelation to give forth by his chosen thereunto , how hath the element of reason shut up , and the stars of sparkling sense fallen down , as not consisting with a purer spirit , descending from god , with great and deep revelations , that his mind and word might not be adulterated , which is the more sure way for it , even through the sensation of the senses . but here doth meet me an objection , that thus happens upon some extraordinary account , that any are so caught up out of their senses ; but it is not expected it should be durable , as you seem to drive at . you cannot blame us if we do ; for did you know what it were to be but one hour from the working motion of sense , by which ye might really and substantially find your self entered into the very beatifical vision of god , you would never care for to know your sense more . this doth but agree with that good saying of st. paul , knowing that while we are present with the body of sense , we are absent from the lord. but we shall be sober , and not run you out of your sensitive life all at once ; except some sudden shower from the heavens shall fall and drown you , as it hath for some time done , upon the good-willer hereunto , which would heartily congratulate further witnesses hereof . but to set by at present those great and eminent effects of cessation from sense , which is not the lot of every saint , nay , very few , that may as yet know open vision , and yet will find their names written in the book of life . but seeing it opens a door , and makes way to have more clear knowledg , and familiar access to god , and the glorified person of christ , and the high order of angels , let this be a powerful motive , to be dying by degrees , from that life , which is separating and eclipsing the face of god , wherein all peace , joy , and assurance of love is injoyed . but here meets me this question ; who is it that can die out of their own sense ? for so great and glorious are the advantages of it , that if we could find the passage-door out of them , we would not stay in the molested , and troubled sense . for this , i shall give you what hath been effected in my own experience , which i found great remedy and help in this case , as being instructed by the spirit of jesus herein , which brought me to famish the life of low mortal sense ; first , avoiding all that might feed and nourish it up , drawing out of all multiplicity of worldly concerns , which tendeth no higher than the exterior life , denying every thing , which was not of an absolute necessity ; for as dying to all superfluity , that sense doth work upon , and you will find it will grow weak , and gradually expire , and go currantly on for the anatomizing of every mutinous sense , so as there may not be so much as an evil essence left . but indeed , while this is but doing , and not throughly done , the senses will be striving , and casting up muddy waters , that cloudy the divine sight , and stop the inward hearing , whilst you stay amongst the noise and throng , that from this worldy region do all incompass . therefore i can give you no other hopes to get victory over the sensitive life , but by starving it coming out , from all the gross matter which feeds it . indeed there may be a quenching and silencing of this stirring motion , before there be an arivement to the high degree of annihilation for fixation ; which is a good introduction , and as daily exercised herein , may come at last to depose what-ever will not consist with that most excellent life of faith , which is the only ministry , which the lord christ doth set on foot a fresh now in this day . therefore let it not be thought a strange and severe doctrine ; blessed are those that are able to receive and practise it , there will be no loss ; sor as this sense dies , the fresh and supersensed life will spring . there is one sense more , which we must not omit to speak something of ; which is , the dolors , pains , and griefs of the elementary body , which may abide where the finful sense is much wrought out , which must be allowed till this corporal figure is changed ; as sensible hunger , and thirst , and want of this and that refreshing for the outward body , carrying symptoms of mortality ; impediments of this kind , may be , and yet sinless . christ the lord , was not without the sense of this , hanging upon his outward corporiety ; so as we cannot expect to be loosened here-from , till something else do sollow ; but yet carried through chearfully in hope of the redemption of the body also . here then we shall conclude , as well agreeing with that precious saying ; gal. 2. 20. i am crucified with christ , yet i live , yet not i : mind how he calleth that word back again ; do not think it is i , whose life did consist of the animal , rational , sensitive being , that is worn out and dead ; i live upon another root , though i appear in this very elementary body . i have changed my life of sense , for that high graduated life of faith , in which i please god , and am beloved , finding all acceptation with him , and therefore never desire for to know the disharmony of sense any more . this is the victorious triumph of a spirit and soul , that hath got over that low sensibllity ! here is a new model indeed , you will say ; but who is it that hath put off the body of sense thus conqueringly ? we shall not determine who hath done it ; but we may determine , that except it be done , or doing , there is no foundation laid for resurrection or ascention . now then see your way , and in what you are to be exercised , in order to what is to follow , christ the lord hath beaten the track ; he is again returned in spirit , with great and mighty power to carry you through , as ye give up , and let him take your wills , and give consent to demolish , and pluck that off , which hath been as a twisting briar about the lilly , which is to be transplanted , when got free from the valley of death , to the mount of immortality , and open vision of god's face in glory . thus you have had the true dimensions , what it is to be died unto , which will finish and compleat the whole mystery of death : pronounce , we may , blessing , joy , and glory to the overcomers . who can shew these dying marks , as hath bin described ? who shall now keep them from the presence of god and the lamb , for right they will have to possess and inherit all things , in heights above , and depths beneath ? one thing more we shall further add , which may be worthy of our taking notice of ; that there is a space of time limited for such , who have accomplished this mystical death , to be buried . as mortals when they die , they bury their dead out of sight : so it is with those who are departed out of the body of sin ; there is for them a quick dispatch by those , who are yet alive to all that which they are dead to . take them under what fellowship or form you will , there is no agreement between the living and the dead ; the dead are very unpleasant company , as being sensless and actless , as to matters and things relating to the fallen life and principle ; and so being unserviceable , they may well be forgotten and deserted by persons , fellowships , and societies , that are out of the dying order . we need not think much at it ; for was it not thus with the lord christ , when he went to suffer and die ? did not most of them , with whom he was conversant , forsake him ? and some followed afar off , keeping only a love-inspection on him , as john & two or three more : others were afraid they could not bear to see the crucifixion . so it was , and so it is at this day ; there is a kind of an horror , to see one a dying from all pleasant joys and things delectable , and invitable , and reckoned lawful to be injoyed ; but a soul and spirit that hath been under christ's discipline , understands other things , and does know that the fall hath brought in the poison of the curse , which hath spread it self through the whole creation . paradise is hid , and fled , and cannot be known , but to the risen from the dead ; and therefore look from one end of the earth to the other , and gather up all into one scene or representation for allurement ; and alas ! what is in it , but bundles of thorney cares , that lie at the root of every pleasant flower , that suck away the life and sweetness of it ? therefore in a true sense it is matter of joy and glory , to die out of that principle , where we live as banished exiles from god , in curse , woe , and misery ? and then why should it be such a reproach , and shame , to suffer crucifixion hereunto ? oh that the face of this covering might be taken off , especially among those that are fellow-members of the dying body of the lord jesus . it is meet they should encourage , and not despise it in one another ; it is enough for the worldly spirit to cast contempt , but fellow saints should rejoice in nothing more , than to see a crucified christ in one another . there is great need of all strengthning angels to incourage to hold out upon one open stage ; the on-set of inward fears and temptations will not be wanting at such a dying hour . suggestings will rise from within , and speak in the suffering soul , as the thief did to christ ; if thou beest the son of god , save thy self : let the deity secure , and save the humanity , and let it not die so ignominiously . but all this must not move a living christ in a dying soul , who sees deeper , and beyond the visible appearance , and therefore will go through it , and despise the despisers . but now here follows a grave silence , in which there is great questioning , and a demur among the very disciplehood concerning the resurrection , most doubting ; so as here comes a black cloud of dissertion ; while no resurrection appears , censures and judgments run from one to another . we expected , saith one to another , that great things would have been shewn forth upon the finishing such a course ; that a present redemption would follow . thus it must be suffered and debated a while ; for christ is as buried in the soul out of sight , feeling and sensation , which is the highest degree of spiritual death , far more proving than the dying to the whole sinful , and worldly life . as christ the lord committed his spirit to the father upon the giving up of the ghost , so it is with the dying soul , its spirit is given up , and hid with god in christ , and so the soul may remain in a grave , silence , darkness , and confinement , under the weighty stone , and cannot move , till the spirit returns from the father and the son , to give its quickning life for a glorious resurrection . therefore fear not , but be comforted from the lord ye holy souls . whoever have wrought out death , or are upon working out , according to what hath been described in the three-fold dimensions , you have no more cause to doubt of your resurrection , than christ in his own person had ; for ye are hereby become christ 's dead body , and therefore the same spirit which raised him , must and will raise up such as are dead in him ; but some there are that may lie longer bound in the grave than others ; but then it is , because there is not a thorow death in all members and parts of the body of sin ; for else they could not be long detained , the witnesses must rise at the third day . therefore by what hath been declared , let us examine our selves , by shewing forth the lord's death till he come , for life-quickning . but it may be said , while this is doing , and not finished ; what if the mortal death come and prevent the manifestation of it in this world ? why , if it should , nothing that hath been wrought shall suffer loss upon this account ; for after dissolution , the soul immediately ascends to be joined to that body , that doth consist of the angels which are of the resurrection , who before-hand are translated with moses , enoch , and elias . therefore so far as any have attained , it will be accounted for in that invisible world ; and so will have no cause to repent , except it be , that they did not set upon the dying work sooner , for carrying of time before them , for the finishing with christ the whole process . but now we will leave our dead in the lord , as those that have ceased from their own works , and are in the still rest with god ; and although the living inhabitants of mortality and time , do leave and forsake them , they need not be careful , for christ's own life-guard of angels are about them , to comfort , watch , and secure , and at the third day to roll away the stone , to make way for the dead to come forth . and who shall them first know and see , but the faithful lovers and believers , that have watched the sepulchre , and would not go from it ; attending there , in faith and hope , for their friends return from the reproachful death , to a life all new and incorruptible , joyous , and glorious ? this is the hidden treasure that lieth in the darkness of death , and will be a jewel , even to them that find it ; and though the grave may obscure the beauty and sparkling shine of it ; yet know , it will appear in a three-fold transparency . as it hath died to the three-fold life of degeneratedness ; so it shall be quickened and restored into the glory of the father , son , and spirit . thus you have had the passeover of the lamb dressed , and set before you , and commended to you by the lord , the true passeover , through such as he hath here-for chosen , and set apart to receive and give forth , as from light and experimental knowledg . for i would not be a taken-up instrument to declare of death , unless i had first tasted it ; and i must give it this good word and credit , that although it was tart and bitter in the beginning , so as i had some struggle to get it down ; yet through the daily exercise of my mind , and bent of my will hereunto , through and from the holy spirit 's conviction , i was made throughly resolved in it , and then it went on pleasant and smooth , and the grievousness of it was turned into joyousness . this i speak , not by way of boasting , but for comfort , and encouragement to such as are in fear to adventure to go through all the parts and degrees of it . i shall conclude this subject with this petition ; lord jesus increase the number of thy dying flock , and that the earth may not cover her slain ever , but cast out her dead to spring up in thy life , o dear emanuel . let none now fear , or supprest be , if they shall see death from the life of christ to spring , to put an end to sense of sin , and to bring in the supernatural thing . what welcome news do our ears hear ? we need not fear ; though to us fierce approach each death , stops rational and sensual breath ; and no pulse more beats in us here beneath . this is our hope , and way we count , to nebo's mount : in which bright , and glorious place , we shall behold the shining face of god , with all those saints who'ave run death's race . the universal law 's gone forth , of excellent worth : all that 's born in sin must die , natural , and spiritually ; or else no part have in christ's monarchy . who would not leave his mortal breath to embrace death ? what are dying sigbs , or groans ? but for a moment are those moans , when love new life brings to those holy ones . what we see , to you we boast ; in death 's no ghost t' affright , as it suppos'd may be ; a feast 't is to the faithful free , who shall through it to rise a new life see . here follows the resurrection . now having laid the foundation-stone with christ in death , the arch-angel's trumpet soundeth for a resurrection in spirit , soul , and body . there hath been a foregoing resurrection in the spirit , which hath been frequently known , being more sublime , apt , and ready to fly and mount up to its own ether . this i have experienced , while my soul hath been under bindings , heavy , and ponderous . but now for the foulish part to get up , is a more difficult case , because it cannot rise , till it hath a spiritual body all new organiz'd . for although sown in death , a natural sinful body , dishonourable , and vile , and must lie in the mystical grave , till all of this be mouldered away ; that so , both in new matter and form , it may rise , and come forth according to the working of the heavenly mystery . for herein a soul is to be wholly passive , can contribute nothing to this new frame and model , all that it is to do , is to cease to do . god knows how to give to the spiritual seed a body after its own kind , that it may be suitably cloathed upon ; for the honour of the resurrection , of which , i shall now present to you a plat-form in these particulars . first ; how it is raised , and by whom ; and to what state ; and the inscription which it beareth after the resurrection , to be known from others . to the first particular ; which is , how , and after what manner the dead in christ are raised ; there is a secret infused breath , after the manner as is expressed by ezekiel , that gave life to the dry bones , which do very properly figure out the resurrection of the soul. to which we may add , that which the lord christ also discoursed to nicademus , of the birth of the spiritual man , as born again from the dead ; so indiscernably it cometh , as none can see how this pure breath entereth in , but as it is felt for a quickening life . for as a child that in a natural womb lieth passive , and contributes nothing to its own life ; so it is with one that is born from the dead , as to the matter of its new consistency , which is from the superior and incorruptible element , which fashioned is within this gross bodily figure , as airy , thin , and of a transparent purity , in which the spirit and soul moveth : but upon the first awakening to life , it may stir but weakly , so as a soul may not discern its own quickening life , because of stirring so slowly ; but yet all the motions are working in a right and due order , increasing in strength from the eternal root and fountain of life , and so comes on daily to grow strong in every organical faculty . and as it died to the corrupt , animal , rational , sensitive life , and hath lost all of that ; so it hath regained to a thousand sold advantage , by the resurrection , into a new principle : which we shall make out , and illustrate for motive hereunto . 1. here is felt a divine animation of life , that runneth into pure , high , union with the holy trinity ; there it concenters , as finding all pleasurable , and satiating delights , which it can know no bounds nor excess in . the chaste eye may be allowed all fully to gratify it self upon heavenly objects , without controul ; nay , now it may be taken with its own beauty and comeliness : whereas before in the other state , there was matter of abhorrency , having reason enough to despise its own image ; but now to admire it self , as having put on the fine robe of the resurrection . and whereas self-love was in the old body to be abrogated and denied ; here it is all lawful to be owned , for now it loves the holy trinity in it self , and every spiritual member belonging to that eternal body as it self ; and as to all dignification and riches , fulness , take it as to what lieth within the circle of the superior heavens , those precious things which the sun and moon , that in the one pure element is fixed , do put forth for blessing and increase ; and then as to all of this lower orb , as cause requires , for any use of them ; they are all made subservient to the resurrection-state ; the holy and just one can well confide in a soul , that is fully risen , to make him ruler over much ; knowing of what spiritual temper it is raised up in , that will not abuse its trust , either as to eternal or temporal revenues : here is no engrossing in a partial spirit , to any thing wherein it is intrusted , as a steward for god ; as giving all freely out in love-community . in the next place ; what is to be considered for the loss of the subtil spirit of reason , that managed all things by exterior craft ; for this comes now in the high gradiated sound wisdom , which cometh from the father of light , by the which he made all that of a visible consistency , is out of nothing . this outvies , and puts rationality to the blush , which moved all upon the wheel of earthly and visible things , that included , are under the curse ; for this hath no other matter to work upon . but the superior wisdom , that connexed is to the body of the resurrection , that cooperateth with the eternal living word , that createth all things anew , calling those things to be , which were not ; there is no matter or cause obvious to any outward eye ; for the matter it works upon , is not gross or tangible , but all aetherial and spiritual , where god singly is the only productive cause and ground , through effectual operation , for the bringing forth into essences , and substances ; according as this wisdom shall in the spirit and soul lay its platform in order to the restoring that virgin nature , and godlike simplicity , that have been defloured through the subtilty of reason . it is not to be said what wisdom cannot do , as it is in marriage-union with god's omnipotency ; where then it will not go forth naked , but all cloathed with power and strength , to effect strange and marvellous things , by way of plantation and regulation of this old creation , that now lieth drowned in the earthly craft , and babylonish confusion ; all which must fall , as this day of wisdom's resurrection comes to be manifested ; for what shall be able to stand , when she opens her principle , where the powers of eternal nature will all be set awork to cloath the old face of things , with a new spring of unfadable glory ? oh , there is great need for this day of wisdom's resurrection , that so this old corrupt figure of things may pass away ; for the which many prophesies we have had from christ the lord so many ages past , as signified by the beloved john , testifying the desolation that must come upon the great city babylon , where all the worldly merchandizes have been carried on ! oh what a sudden destruction will come upon it , as in one hour , when that the mighty angels of god's wisdom shall descend , having great power to burn and consume , shake and dissolve the earthly frame of things ; at which the children of the resurrection shall not be dismaid , but rejoice to see this long expected day , through which all shall be governed by the spirit of wisdom and revelation . now we come to the third particular , which is the restoring of the lost senses in a supernatural way . for a risen soul and spirit have all the sensation of a spiritual body ; this is very high and unconceivable to any , except it be to such as have been caught up , as out of the earthly body ; ( as is mentioned by paul ) to know something of it before-hand ; which may happen before the full and total resurrection be attained ; as there are some that have , and so can the more knowingly define it , after what manner this divine sensation doth shew forth it self . it is an advance , upon some consideration , beyond the life of faith , and all visions and representations , which were through that medium : for it now ceaseth to see through that glass , which presents heavenly objects at distance and so but dimly ; but in this spiritual body of the resurrection , it sees in the light of god's eye , as being translated into that principle , where one perpetual everlasting day doth shine , where it doth behold greatness , goodness , and purity , as being entered into the same . this is a broad open sight , that do change from glory to glory ; this was it that made that worthy apostle , having known something of this glory , when he was caught up to the third heaven , press so after the resurrection , to be in that body , in which he might know no more absence from the lord ; for in this sense he speaketh , 1 cor. 5. 7. we yet live by faith , and not by immediate sight ; and although faith is the great moving wheel that must run us up to this resurrection , as its operation is in the power of god ; but then it hath done its work , having received the end of our faith , which is the resurrection of our spirit , soul , and body ; so as now it may be given us to understand , that spiritual sensation upon this account excels the life of faith , for it is a translation , where we do see , eye to eye , and hear as we are heard , and know as known ; what of eternal and heavenly objects were invisible , are most clearly obvious hereby , exercising every particular sense , as tasting , and feeling , the essential power , goodness , and sweetness of a god , whereby unutterable pleasantness is injoy'd , without the least shadow of interrupting fear or sorrow . when once got beyond the resurrection-probation then it can go out of time into mansions of eternity , as often as it pleaseth . but it may be questioned , whether any shall ever arrive to such a resurrection , before this visible body be dissolved , as the manner of all the earth is to die ? for this , we shall answer you in christ's own words , that such as shall be accounted worthy to obtain that vvorld , and the resurrection from the dead , they can die no more , for they are equal unto the angels , luke 20 , 35 , 36. so that mortality may come to be swallowed up in the body of the resurrection . to which agreeth that saying of paul ; all shall not die the mortal death , but he changed , even this visible and vile body transfigured : therefore it is no incredulous thing , though it hath yet been so rarely seen , because the way hereunto hath not been walked in , as the spirit of christ hath shewn ; for few there are that have got through the death , and fewer that have reached the resurrection : but the time is at hand now , when as the principal shepherd will quicken the slow-pac'd of his own flock , that are yet so much behind in the dying , and rising-work ; who will give forth of his spirit in greater abundance , for the finishing of this great mystery . this is verily the strange and new thing that will spring , in which an everlasting god will be evidently seen , for highest wonder and praise . all this now considered , who would not only and altogether set hard on upon the eagle rising body , which the lord our only life and resurrection is compared unto ? but , queried yet further , that if we could see any precedent for it in this present time , it might gain a belief for this great thing you declare of . answer , whether or no there be any in this age , that can give proof of such a resurrection ? we shall not decide that , but hope and believe , what is not yet made manifest may in time be . for the mortal figure being upon a rising spirit and soul , and not changed , must necessarily be a cloud , and a hiding of the excellent perfections that are there ; but if nothing of this kind could be produced , this must not make void the true doctrine of the resurrection . it is sufficient that christ the first fruits , is risen for us to follow after . we shall add one more evidence mentioned in the revelation of john , of the raising the two witnesses , of which there are various interpretations : but that which may be grounded upon as sure , and firm , is , christ in his deity and hamanity , in which he riseth in the soul , where he hath bin slain , and hath lain as dead in the properties of degenerated nature ; which cleareth by whom we do come to be raised , even by and through the nighty power of the deity . now it follows , to what we are to be raised unto . is it not to sit in heavenly places with christ ? and to have all our conversation there , and to have nothing more to do with the state of things below ? for the angels of the resurrection are now only for high communion & fellowship with the trinity , and those of their own spiritual raised order . they can contract no low unions with creatures , nor walk among the dead , hor immerse themselves with any thing , while they go in and out among mortals , that should lessen the dignification they are raised unto ; for there is a probation-time betwixt resurrection and ascension , as our lord jesus herein did show us in his own person , who went in and out forty days , before he ascended into his high throne of glorification , taking care to secure himself from being touched : no , a beloved mary must stand off at this time , left she should detain from ascension . all of which deportment of our lord is for our example , to be very cautious what we touch , taste , or handle , of those perishing things that we are risen from ; or permitting any indeared thing , to lay the weight of their concerns upon us ; for here is enoch's life so walking with god , as not to be . but you will say , how can such a high raised life consist with the present model , and circumstances of things in this creation , where there must be care , industry , and trafficking in these low things , for the service of themselves and one another ? this indeed is a considerable mountain , which hath kept down christ's risen life in his saints , which faith in god must only remove . but to answer this grand objection , you are to understand , that this is a state of life wholly peculiar to such , who are born again from the dead : for it is not to be expected , that others can altogether live so untouched , and unconcerned in the affairs of this mortal life ; but them who are in special called out of the worldly multiplicities , and imploys , for to be god's anointed priests , and prophets , and messengers , to act and live after such a spiritual way of consecrations , different from others , that are not assigned to this holy separation ; although with moses it might be desired , that the whole heritage of god were ordained prophets , and instituted for more high and heavenly services ; which we may hope shall be wrought out in time , by the mighty redeeming hand of our sion king , who will first begin with them who freely can leave all rudimental things , and give up for holy dedication , as is expedient for all , who of this high calling and profession would come to be . i must say it is great , it is worthy , and exceeding joyous , and honourable ; blessed are those that can get discharged from all low and earthly impediments , to follow and mind this heavenly vocation , which turns to the best of accounts ; which in the conclusion will prove the most gainful imploy and calling . but to return where we left ; as to the watchful , wary deportment that is required betwixt resurrection and ascension ; for it is the last probation , therefore it concerns the risen soul to be very cautious , to keep up to the celestial region , improving all those sublime faculties that it is raised in . we may observe , that our lord , after his resurrection , did shew himself only to the brethren going in and out , giving among them but short stays , having other worlds and spheres , to visit the inhabitants there : so it is with the risen in christ , who are his living witnesses , who do appear to their fellow saints , to their great astonishment ; declaring , the lord is indeed risen in them : and where a doubtful spirit is that doth question the truth thereof , they are able to shew the apparent marks for evidence . but you will ask , what are they , that so we may not be deceived in them ? first , you may know them by their swift motion , and sublime faculties , going in and out as strangers , no longer dwellers upon the earth : their home is properly with the lord , and can with their invisible spirit and body , pass through divers unknown spheres , some times more immediate with the deity ; and other times with the orders of glorified angels , and saints of high degree , that have got beyond mortality ; and then again return to be seen and known of such as are in this lower orb. the truth is , they are so spiritually greatned , by the birth of the resurrection , that they cannot but despise all mortal , terrestrial appearances of things in this low world ; although while living in it , subject to the just and necessary things of it , in all moderation ; while corporiety in its visible figure does remain : for christ himself did in his humane body appear after his resurrection , and did eat common food with his disciples , to prove all this might consist with a risen life . then again you may know the risen in christ , by their designing only great and noble enterprises ; they having got so much of god's nature into them ; that they are straitned till they bring it forth into manifestation , in way of fruitful powers , acting god's great wonders upon the visible stage of this world : in order to which , they always do keep the ladder of ascension steady in their eye , knowing their stay is not to be long before their way will be made to the everlasting burning throne of god's open face ; as being thus qualified , they do stand in all readiness for ascension . but we may add this by way of information , that there are many degrees of risings , and liftings up , in order hereunto , which often may be so strongly beset with a watch of unbelieving spirits , which may beat the resurrection-life back . this has been known by such as have been hard pressing forward to be of the resurrection-flock . in this i speak my own experience , as finding it the greatest impede ; for when the mystery of the resurrection was first opened unto me , and incitements from my lord , christ set home upon me , that as he raised up himself personally , so he would me spiritually . no sooner did i begin to entertain a belief herein , but i had legions of spirits came about me to make all void , as not attainable in this present time , discouraging and weakening my faith ; but the mighty god stood up in me as a flaming wall , driving back that floating sea of sensibility , and invading spirits , shutting and binding them out of his own risen body . now then by all this that hath been declared and proved by scripture and experience , we hope it may fasten a belief of this truth , and leave a provocation for getting up upon this resurrection-step , by which an high advance and great assurance is given , for the third staff of jacob's ladder to set foot upon , of which we shall go forward on to describe . the resurrection . ye angels rise from death , come up yet higher . mount to the place of the seraphick quire , and there , without all anguish , and all pain , in god your temple full of joys remain . ye who the vails of flesh have broken through , your blissful risen glory still pursue . oh ye high-born , arisen from the dead ! you now are rais'd , to live with christ your head. no more below cast down on things your eye , that in the worldly dust do groveling lie : for soul , and spirit , still must upward flee , and seek the bosom of the deity . what trumpet 's this , which soundeth now so loud ? comes not the sound from the etherial cloud ? calling the dead in christ to come away , and to shake off the heavy fleshly clay ? up , up ye souls , that shine like morning bright , from whence is banish'd quite black death and night . come now with me , a secret i 'le unfold , god's glorious body you shall all behold ! your senses all shall new enlightned be , and exercised in divinity : in glorious heaven , where low and mortal sense , in risen spirits , shall be banish'd thence . here follows the tract of ascension . having passed through , and got over the resurrection-step , and held out the probation-hour ; the heavens do open , and the bright cloud breaks , as the open gate for ascension , to receive the spirit and soul that hath put on its risen body ; it is now to be parted from the earth , and carried up to have conversation with the holy trinity , and all those princely dignities in heavenly places . oh what angelical sounds , and winding-up powers , that do make a soul all restless , till it comes to its own prepared mansion ! with what love-zeal is it now fired withal ? every motion is all ascending towards its own center ; for now it is very painful to live any space of time , out from the heavenly element , and it is judged as expedient for a risen soul to depart mystically and spiritually , as the lord christ did personally ; nothing must or can long detain it . all dues , debts , and demands being cleared in christ , the life and resurrection , who also hath ransomed the soul from death , so as that the evil accuser can bring no charge against a risen spirit , having once died to his kingdom ; no nor any of his worldly agents , that would readily lay wait of earthly cares to keep down , from mounting up to the lamb's throne ; but they have nothing to do in that principle , in which ascending spirits are center'd , as moving straight forward , not looking back or down any more to what they are now redeemed from ; keeping pace , and maintaining their walks with the holy trinity , being so refreshed and satisfied , both as to place and company , that they mind and study no other thing , but to become as fixed pillars , no more to come out , being answered there to the fulness of all joy. but here it may be queried , with what body do you ascend ? if your mortal figure be yet confined to stay in this visible world , how shall it be discerned when you do ascend ? in answer to this ; no gross earthly eye , that looks at things according to outward appearances , can indeed discern the lord's mystical body , which is put on for ascension ; no one can be in the true perceivance , but such as are in the same free and light principle ; others are not to see it or know it , till they come to descend in the tabernacle-body of the holy-ghost ; then they shall be confessed and owned by them , who are doubtful and unbelieving , as questioning all of this internal ascension , because not known experimentally . but blessed are they who know themselves in it , and are received as out of sight , to be very much with jesus their lord. how is that , you will say , to be out of sight , and yet in sight amongst mortals ? you are to understand it thus ; that the soul and spirit in the secret divine body , which it puts on in the resurrection , is so highly soaring and moving , as the cherubim-wheels mentioned by ezekiel , lifted up by the spirit , and ascending from the earth , as neither caring or minding worldly matters more . it hath no patience to demur its stay , such worthy and glorious objects , as all amazing it doth in the spirit 's eye behold , that it is so enkindled in flames of love-desire , as it can take in no check nor controul to detard it from ascension . oh! what is given us for to descry , though yet appearing in a mortal vehicle , as relating to ascension ; at the entrance of which gate do stand numerous angels and scraphims , with flags of victory , to give to each ascended spirit ; shouting with joy of salvation , that is now wrought out : then doth this holy and heavenly train usher in the ascended , and bring them close up to the throne of the lamb , who all in jasper light and glory doth appear , rising up from his throne-seat them for to meet , and shews each one their reserved crowns and thrones , given them for their instalment . oh we must be silent , for we can find no words to set forth what love , joys , and embraces , do mutually pass betwixt the lord christ , and the ascended ones . no measuring out of any heights , and lengths , and breadths of love , which is enjoyed here in the highest solacements ; it may be well and truly said , it passeth all understanding . but this is not all , there is yet much more to be done and conferred by the father of ascending spirits , whom the lord christ presents unto him , and saith , behold , and see them whom thou gavest me , are come up after me , being no more of the world than i am : therefore , o father , confer upon them what thou hast done upon me . at which sight and request , the supream presence of glory seems all well-pleased to behold the effect of christ's travel through death and sorrow , thus to save and redeem . upon this then there is a council held jointly by the holy trinity , all agreeing in one , as to what immunities and gifts that are to be conferred , with all those promised rewards , which do belong to the conquerors , for the encouragement of the rest of the elect flock to pursue ascension also . but here the lord , and great high priest , as more nearly entrusted , acts the part of an advocate , and makes demands from god the father , for all those eternal land-revenues setled by fore-ordination , upon those whom he had recovered and raised from the death of sin. whereupon a cry does go forth from an ascended soul , as the widow woman , whose son elisha raised to life ; who in a time of dearth and famine , sojourn'd in a strange land ; which when again returned , cryed to the king to have her house and land restored again ; shewing her son and heir whom the prophet had from death brought to life . thus it is with a soul that hath been banished from its ancient heavenly inheritance ; for which christ the now glorified mediator sueth , that there may be a return of all spiritual revenues and good things ; at which the mighty god and king appoints his angelical officers to search the everlasting records , and to bring forth the ancient deeds , which to the resurrection and ascension-state do belong ; every name therein to be found , which are predestinated unto glorification . for christ the lord hath a most lawful plea , and doth now make claim for the tree of life also , to stand all free to be fed upon , without any prohibition ; for as adam sucked in death by that other tree , so here is confirmation in eternal life ; and as adam's angelical and paradisical body was changed into that which was mortal and vile ; so by virtue of feeding upon this tree of life , we shall again reassume a pure and unfadable body , far more transparent than he had in that first creation-state ; which may be made out clear in the various properties of this tree of life , which we shall draw up the number of . the first property , it gives a single , clear , and christaline sight , to behold celestial glories , without any medium . secondly , it gives a supernatural hearing , it comes to understand the heavenly language , as from eternal nature spoken ; which language is in corrupted nature now quite lost , and can only be restored in the ascension . the third property is , the most profound and deep wisdom , which doth most highly excel and outvie all the craft and subtilty sucked in from the breast of fallen eve , whole children have herein been nourished up in a shifting way of worldly wisdom , which shewed it self in adam and eve , when the lord called them to an account for their disobedience to his command . all which subtilty must die and fall away , when god's wisdom shall be restored again . the fourth property of this tree of life , it gives an everlasting and unchangeable righteousness , as a white robe that covers from head to foot , suffering no more spot of the earthly life to fall upon it . the fifth property is , an unutterable ravishing pleasure , and joy drawn in as the sweetness of the dew , which lies always upon the branches of this tree , the precious favour hereof never departs from the soul ; it is all paradisical power . the sixth property is , a flowing torrent of love , which knows no bounds ; it expatiates it self from lengths to breadths , and from heights to depths ; it runs through all degrees first and principally ; it runneth it self into its own original being of love , where-out it comes all covered with love , sweetness , and amity towards all , to scatter among all fellowships and societies , these pure sparkling powers of love received from the deity . the seventh property produceth an absolute , free , and eternal liberty of will , which stands fixed in god , knowing no restraint or bondage ; for what-ever it willeth or decreeth is made good , because it moveth in the will of the holy ghost . eighth property is , the serene meekness , and tender mercifulness let forth , as from god's own nature of goodness , to objects that may require succour and help , whether upon an interior or exterior ; if in spiritual desertion and temptation , how readily is the balsam tincture of this tree given sorth , to heal and cure the wounded in spirit , that so they may find present cure. ninthly , here is the donation of durable riches and honour , which is so infinitly great and glorious , as it draws a black cloud of contempt upon all the babylonish treasures , that have been gotten and raised by earthly science and craft . tenthly , know in truth and verity , here is an eternal springing bank , that will never be spent out , for it is the generating-revenue , which the holy trinity spends upon , and freely does receive the ascended into community , to share in this springing gold-mine , where there will be no need of digging , nor labour , either of body or mind ; there will be no occasion to say , what shall we eat or drink , or where-withal shall we be cloathed ? the lilly-time is now here come , that all of this kind will be supplied from god's flowing fountain of all precious store , that will confer such a plenty of dowry riches and honours , that cannot be degraded , nor plucked away from the ascended . which as a ship they will sail with out-spread banners of conquest and victory , floating upon the throne-river of life , daring all sea and land enemies of this worldly principle , whose strength is rottenness , and cannot stand before the ark of god's moving power , in which his kingdom shall be established . the eleventh property of this tree of life , is known by sending forth sweet-scented odours and perfumes , a compounded spicknard , which is so strong and powerful , that it is all-penetrating : so deep , that it toucheth and doth influence , and is an antidote against all putrefaction of sin , and the evil consequences thereof ; the very out-breathing words , are all perfumed with the oil of the holy ghost , which sends forth a virtual healing-life , among whom they converse with in a spiritual sense . the twelfth and last property , which is the consummating glory of all , is an unceasant flow of immortal life , which fed is from the christalline river , proceeding from the throne of god , which river doth encompass this tree for fixation , that so no more death , nor curse may be known , but all swallowed up in victory , according to the vision which the beloved john saw , how that this tree grew in the midst , and of either side of this river , signifying it to be the holy trinity in their distinct variety , springing up for a feeding life to the spirit , soul and body , which hath reached to ascension . now then by all that hath been opened and revealed of the wonderful properties of this tree of life , can it do less than inforce most ardiant longings and aspirings , to go on forward to all of these degrees ? oh let not this low elementary kingdom , with all its subtile inchantments , and binding weights , keep down any that are of the resurrection . the ascension-gate , our emanuel hath passed through , and doth cause it to stand open for all that have good will and servent love to come up after him . what though as yet there may be but few presidents that have reached this ascension mark ; the serpent with his twisting tail having drawn down many ascending stars : let not that discourage , but rather fire our zeal the more , and watchful be to avoid his subtilty , who is not wanting to lay numerous stumbling-blocks in our way ; but through the spirit of faith , there may be a striding over all , taking up courage and holy resolution in this ascending way . for something i do see breaking forth as the light of a new day , and by the great alpha and omega it is testified , that what by his spirit hath been revealed , shall not go off as a dead seane , shewn only in literal description , and so foulded up again . no , a more lively draught the holy ghost will draw upon the hearts and spirits of those who are born again ; this being now the very time wherein our expectation groweth big , for bringing forth the heir to all of these heavenly immunities which hath been mentioned ; and what the tenor of the new and everlasting covenant runneth upon , wherein a new heart , and another spirit , in which god's own eternal and pure nature will be restored , so as to abolish the very root-essence of sin , which no verbal ministration , or doctrinal precept could reach , nor intellectual knowledg , or vision , that giveth divine seeing , and speculation of heavenly objects and things : all of these have the cessation and termination ; but that which is the surer ground-work , far excelling all , is to find our selves rooted and effenced in the birth of the holy ghost , which is firm , stable , and unchangeable , wherein the issues of a new-springing life will go forth in every motion , putting a stop to all profuse and impertinent imaginations , that from nature's root has been put forth . such a signal change we in our selves shall find , when the lord from heaven shall descend for to bring up to ascension , and will for ever maintain his superiority and kingly power over all principalities in this worldly region ; putting all things under , which hath exalted themselves above him . this is the unreversible decree of our great sion-king , wherein the ransomed shall passively stand , for the ruling scepter of the holy lamb of god , to take all kingly power into his own hand , to manage a pure , righteous , and peaceable kingdom , of which there shall be no end . this is that great and mighty over-turn , which we are looking and hastning for . the ascension . what is this rushing sound which i now hear ? the fiery chariots whirling through the air , for souls to mount up to the heavenly station ; and there for to put on their glorification . mount risen souls , and not in eden stay ; life's tree doth for you all its fruits display . fear not , be bold , as cherubs mount apace ; ascend on high into your native place . love's heart stands open ; it is there alone , you 'l see god face to face in his bright throne ; where you shall pleasures feel , life , joy , and peace , for you prepared , that will never cease . mount then the ladder , and to heaven ascend ; there lies the treasures , that shall never end : whose endless riches so shall take your eyes , all temporal wealth for it you shall despise . the income everlastingly shall flow ; and of the end of wealth no one shall know . in this ascending state , all spirits are free from all thought , disburthen'd of all care : for in this glorious , and this wealthy land , an endless store , and bank doth open stand ; which still does multiply , increase , and grow , as it does from the god-head fountain flow . upon ascension and descension . expect now that day of god , which as a fiery oven and molten heat , shall come upon the old heavens and earth not only to shake , but dissolve them ; such a signal change will be effected through the fiery baptising cloud , in which the holy ghost will descend the second time upon the new jerusalem waters , who called and fixed are to mind no other thing but ascension , to receive power from the most high , for to do works of glorification , which none can be capable of , but such as are separated and redeemed out of the earth . the apostles were commanded of the lord christ , when he intended to pour forth the holy ghost , wholly there to tend ; upon which they accordingly received the first fruits of it . but now where shall we find a holy separated fraternity , that in pure concord and unity of love , do together wait for the residue of the spirit , to do the great works of god in this earth , which hath lain so long barren from bringing forth any of this kind of fruitful powers ? therefore it is but all necessary to provoke to such a gathering in spirit , and ascend together unto the mount of olives , as apart from all worldly impediments hereupon , for to wait till the bright glance of the ghostly majesty shall again break forth in power and great glory , that we may shew our selves to those of our brethren , who yet in the kedar of a worldly state do dwell , to invite them out of this imbondaged life , where the sorrow and servile droil do attend . who then shall of these glad tydings first bring , but such close and servent seekers that have set the morning-watch , looking for the east-gate to open , which hath been the six working-days of man's labour shut ? all of which is to cease , when the great prince of the sanctuary shall rise and ascend in us , to enter into the most holy and inward court , as that one perpetual sabbath , where we come to rest from all our own works ; that the holy ghost may act , and do all in the most holy place in us , as an offering well pleasing to the father , who accepteth such worship only , as performed is by this most excellent spirit . therefore how lightly and unavailably are all our actings and workings to be set by , till the power of the holy ghost comes to move all pure , strong , and effectual ? for nothing will or can hold out or abide , but what is wrought up to the numberless measure of god the holy ghost : therefore this golden reed is given to be our measure , from thousands to thousands , till the living waters from under the threshold of the sanctuary do rise as an unpassable river , to drown all that is drossy and earthly , so as nothing may live there , but what is of a godhead-appearance . now then let us go on to pursue that , for which the lively hope is begotten in us , not looking back to any vailed or shadowed ministrations , which could never perfect what we in the everlasting counsel of the holy trinity are design'd unto ; for know it for a truth , from the yea and the amen , that the now vile drossy man shall be made all gold , through the tincturing virtue of the deity entring into him : this is the amazing wonder which is left for the holy ghost to bring about . but who are the elected hereunto , as subjects upon whom this shall first be wrought upon ? it may be further queried , there are various fore-running qualifications which have been already mentioned , as in the death , and following process . this only i shall further add , that those who are chosen in god for to be the first springing plants of this new creation , there will be given to them a mighty spirit of faith , and a clear and satisfying perswasion , that this great , thorow , and marvellous change is to be effected , and for this they must be cast as into a new spiritual model , fitted out by the spirit of wisdom , and so found in a believing and waiting posture ; for let none imagine this will fall upon any suddenly , but they will have a foregoing work for it , and know a great change in the secret of their souls inward part ; which is all necessary , that through cleansing work , there should be a getting through , to make ready for this great and last baptising , into the pure nature of the deity , who then will discharge all our bodily exercise , as to the most holy things , wherein fault might be found ; because performed from a mixed ground , where good and evil in contest was . it shall no more be said , the spirit and we together do work , for man must come to the end of his days work ; for the holy ghost doth take upon him to do this great work , which appertains to glorification , in those that are come thus forward on to cease to their own works , and doth see the utmost ends of their unprofitable and dead earth , and can no more act from that mixed property , being made to know another more excellent ministry , by uniting now with the seven forms of eternal nature compacted , and made up for a pure ghostly body , where all ability and god-sufficiency will shew forth it self quite of another sort , than while under internal purifications , and soul-cleansings , which were always a doing , and never done , nor could ever be expected , till the holy ghost comes to fix his own body , which will go forth in various working powers , which i should unfold as they have been revealed unto me ; but not knowing yet any that can bear or receive such wonder-working powers , they must lie a while under the seal of secrecy , till it be known who are worthy of them , which god will reveal to us in his time ; for the bringing forth a new creating store , that hath in bank been treasuring up , for those that shall meet me in this high and heavenly track , who have left this visible and fadable state , for the more sure and weighty precious things , which the day of the holy ghost must and will bring in ; to which lot , the wisdom of god hath charged us to stand , and not to let the golden stone which is left in trust , as unadvisedly to slip out of our hands ; but wait for him to work upon it , who only is mighty , able and skilful to use it , by opening the wonder-working virtue of it . in the mean time we are taught to hold out our six working-days , till the seventh year of this sabbatical rest is come . blessed are those which are arrived to the sixth and last day , in a ready preparation and hopeful expectation , that the east-gate will open to give an entrance into that good land , where we may be as those true rachabites , no more to build , or plant , or sow into a corruptible soil , nor any more to drink of the wine of any adulterated vine , wrought out by the sweat of the brow ; but come to reap all of those rich , good , and plentiful things , which are made ready unto our hand , according to that saying of our lord christ unto his disciples , i have sent you to reap that whereon you bestowed no labour , ( joh. 4. 38. ) referring here unto the gifts and powers of the holy ghost , which so fluently were shed abroad and given in that day . so again , much more will be known , when the residue of the spirit shall be poured forth , a rich prize shall be possessed , even such a living stock for subsistance , as shall be blessed with the multiplying power of the holy ghost . after this way will god for his own houshold provide distinguishingly ; but for this it is given us to understand , there will be such a kind of faith given , as shall run up as high , and extend it self as large , as an almighty and infinite god can answer unto ; for such a spirit of faith is all-necessary for the accomplishment of such mighty things ; therefore we may be provoked to pray uncessantly for this gift . thus we have defined some part of the glory that doth follow upon ascension , through being fixed in the body of the holy ghost ; by whose glance of light it is given us to see another degree , how that the ascended and glorified , are again to descend , to show and declare to their fellow saints , what dowry they are by the holy ghost possessed with to serve their lord and master's appointment with here in this visible principle . this is a secret written in the book of life , upon which there hath been a fast seal : but now the lamb of god is in spirit come to break it open , that we may read & know the great royalties , which he hath redeemed us to enjoy . we in the first place are to remind and make observation , that when any great and mighty change was to be wrought and effected upon the earth , it was to be done still by angels that descended from heaven , as mentioned is in holy john's revelation , rev. 18. 1. & 20. 1. which is not to be understood or limited unto those angels , which never knew a birth in time , whose descent was ever in seraphick figures ; but more properly to the angels of the resurrection , that have passed through the ten days tribulation , and have overcome through the blood of the covenant . these are those whom the mighty god will imploy for the replenishing of a new creation , and coming down with the ghostly powers to lay the foundation for the mount-sion glory ; and it could never be expected that this great over-turn , and change upon the confused babylonish state of things , as now standing , should be effected , till angels of time had ascended , and again descended , as having obtained personal conjunction , and power from christ their head-life , to act as his representatives in this world , shewing a godhead-commission beyond and above all worded testimonies , by signs , and deeds of wonders ; all which are reserved till elected angels do ascend to receive a mighty impowring from the holy trinity . this is the finishing mystery that is waited and looked for , that so the ruinated and apostratised state of creatures may be restored to their first principle , where the new jerusalem will open and descend , then shall the priestly kingdom be revealed , and its government be known , and managed by the saints of the most high , who after ascension must have some space of time for their instalment and fixation in the powers and gifts of the holy ghost , that they may not transiently come and pass away again , as formerly they did , but be established and founded as upon a rock immutable . for as the heavens have received the lord christ out of visible sight , so it will these ascended angels , till they be confirmed for kingly dominion : for their visible figures may be scen by mortals , while their inward transformed spirits , soul and body are translated out of sight , and are taken into the heavens . but it may be queried , whether those that may hereunto attain , shall be secured from the mortal death ? to this each one must stand to their election and lot , as known to god. we cannot say any thing more as from the lord , but only this ; we have received good assurance that if bodily death should overtake us , while upon this ascending ladder , there will be a considerable advantage , that an open access by christ the lord is made for such as die in the faith hereof ; who will find a free pass through the mortal death into that mount sion , to be received where the lord christ , and the high order of holy patriarchs , prophets , and apostles , are before-hand gathered . and therefore slack not your work , but pursue forward on , for nothing shall be lost , but all runs on upon account according to each one's measure attained ; although it must be granted , that such as shall continue in this visible body , till the whole process be accomplished , they will be more eminent instruments to glorify god in a world that lies under death and curse . for here comes in the very redemption of the visible , weak , and impotent body , which shall not die dishonourably , as the manner of the whole earth hath been ; but be changed , and mortality swallowed up of immortality , and so all rule and authority put under , as personating the lord christ in the earth ; according as it is prophesied , that judah shall rule with god , and be had in admiration by dignities , principalities , and powers ; such honour will the descended angels have . i shall omit any further enlargement upon this particular , having reserved it for another part , which is to follow this , wherein greater things will be discoverable for the sakes of those who have a living portion therein . but as to what is at present communicated , let it be accounted of as weighty and considerable to provoke , and stir up all pure minds to meet harmoniously upon this ascending ladder , where one saint may call to another in the attractive power of love , to go up together . oh where , where shall we find such , that so highly raised in the spirit of their minds are , and that will agree to run and hold out this heavenly race with us , till we reach the descension to bring down glorification ! is there not a sealed number here-for ? oh god bring them into manifestation and knowledg of each other , that as clustered grapes we may be all filled with the wine of the spirit , that ready is to be pressed out for the chearing the weak and faint , that also are members of this body of the lord jesus , which yet remain in an humbled suffering life , crushed down under sin . we should now conclude this present subject , but there meets me one objection which i am to give answer to , which is this : you have here discoursed of a high and wonderful state of ascension and descension for visible glorification , how come you to understand the way of it , without you were actually ascended by a cloud of glory , coming down to receive you out of all mortal sight , after the manner of our lord christ ? we answer to this , you are given to know , there is an ascension in spirit , which beats the track for the soul with its resurrection body to follow after : for who knows the way of spirit , it flies as a bird in the air , no mortal can discern ; it is of that sublime quality , as it can easily pass into the principle of light and glory , for a prospect and view of that celestial orb , which is to descend into time for the manifestation of what is to be eternal ; and thus it is given to some to be taken up in spirit , for to make discovery of what lies cancealed in superior regions , as not yet understood : so as from hence we may give satisfaction to this query , how truly and safely we may declare , and open these mysterious deeps concerning glorification , although the holy ghost's descension is not yet , he having not ascended in personality , but only in spirit , but not in soul , and with a risen spiritual body . for there we must keep a distinction , and not pretend to any thing beyond what is attained ; for i may have a revelation of what is designed and purposed , shall be accomplished by the power of the holy ghost , as ground for faith to work upon : but while this is not done , so as spirit , soul , and body are made one entire angel for ascension and descension , till then it is to be appropriated only to the swist flight of the spirit , that is as a heavenly spy sent before-hand to be a speculator , to be hold the pattern of those heavenly things , which are to be replanted , in like manner and order here in this world , by and through the creating word descending from on high , into the low , meek , and pure in heart , with whom the high and lofty one will tabernacle withal . for generating with new heavens and earth , which is the effect and consummation of all spiritual sight , vision , and revelation , as the purer production of the holy ghost in fruitful powers exerting forth . this is the substantial thing which in greatest valuation is with us to be , as for to be pressing on in the lord's spirit , to attain and possess what each step of this ascending ladder will bring up unto . for far be it from any , who have known translation in spirit , to see and hear what is in the heavenly sphear , to abide and stay here , without waiting for such a body as may be exercised in the holy ghostly might , or else will never turn to that advantagious account , which is to be greatly desired upon our mighty god and saviour's renown , that he alone may be exalted and glorified in his saints , filling up the full measure of it in his elected dove-flock , who by me hath sent , for to declare unto them , that he stands all ready to receive , and in glory to instal each one of our ascending angels , and to descend with us for the establishing an everlassing kingdom , where joy , triumph , and glory shall be the new song , which the redeemed from among men shall to their mighty god and saviour sing . thus i am now returned in spirit as a heavenly spy , to make report of those substantial , high , and worthy precious things , which i have seen and sound in the love-deep , and unmeasurable spaces of eternity , which hath all-fired my soul to be cloathed with that body which may effect all , which the spirit hath been made to see and understand ; for which good assurance is given to all that shall unite , travel , and journey on together with me in the love-harmony and spirit of faith , shall and may see that key suddenly to come down , that will open the ascension-gate , where we may pass in one by one as meetly herefor prepared , now who , o god , to this holy resolve will come , that may gird up , and as mighty strong elijah's , out-run all the ahab chariots , that entreth but into jezrcel ? 1 king. 18. 46. even so let thy mighty hand , o lord god , be upon thy ascending angels , which are thy chariots , which all swift do move , as driven on by the whirl-wind of thy spirit ; for which set our eye be fixed steady evermore ; so amen . the descension . oye spirits of the augelick race , that must descend , why stay you in that place ? descend , and with your presence chear the earth , it languishes , and waits for this new birth , that by your heavenly powers its sons may be releas'd from bondage , thrall , and misery . o mighty prince , and saviour ! in the end thou wilt with flaming ministring spirits descend , who in this world shall kings , and monarchs be , and represent thy power and soveraignty ? thy kingdom then descended they 'l proclaim , whilst they as kings , and priests , rule in thy name . o bow , o bow ye heavens , and come down ! o prince of peace descend in thy bright throne ! wonders and signs shall through the earth be burl'd , from the four quarters of this outward world. all earthly craft shall then be brought to nought ; and wisdom's hidden stone to light be brought . those glorious saints , whom christ then represents , shall all be clad in glorious ornaments : in brightness and in glory shall shine free , where nothing is of earth's obscurity . th' elected seed shall all be then brought in , christ then shall reign , and put an end to sin. finis . the enochian walks with god found out by a spiritual-traveller, whose face towards mount-sion above was set ... : with an experimental account of what was known, seen, and met withal there, as to an essay to a further revelation of an immense and infinite latitude of god's love ... / written by jane lead, in this year 1694. lead, jane, 1623-1704. 1694 approx. 113 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 24 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2003-01 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a49865 wing l783 estc r41367 31355196 ocm 31355196 110343 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a49865) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 110343) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1641-1700 ; 1743:10) the enochian walks with god found out by a spiritual-traveller, whose face towards mount-sion above was set ... : with an experimental account of what was known, seen, and met withal there, as to an essay to a further revelation of an immense and infinite latitude of god's love ... / written by jane lead, in this year 1694. lead, jane, 1623-1704. loutherbourg, philippe-jacques de, 1740-1812. [6], 38 p. printed, and sold by d. edwards ..., [london] : 1694. imperfect: cropped, stained, with slight loss of text. running title: a communion between the saints above and the saints below. "p.j. de loutherbourg" appears, printed or stamped, between author statement and imprint. philippe-jacques de loutherbourg, 1740-1812 (cf. dnb, lcnaf), was an artist active in france and england 18th/19th cent. reproduction of original in the british library. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the 25,363 texts created during phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 january 2015. anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng mysticism. private revelations. 2000-00 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2001-11 spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images 2002-04 tcp staff (oxford) sampled and proofread 2002-04 emma (leeson) huber text and markup reviewed and edited 2002-05 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the enochian walks with god , found out by a spiritual-traveller , whose face towards mount-sion above was set. gen. 5. verse 22 , enoch walked with god , and was not , for god took him . with an experimental account of what was known , seen , and met withal there . as to an essay to a further revelation of an immense and infinite latitude of god's love , to the restoring his whole creation , and how , and after what way and manner we are to look , and wait for this last appearance , and coming of our mighty god , and saviour christ jesus . o come and see , what the holy one in his spirit , is working down , and revealing , in order to his appearing ! written by iane lead , in this year . 1694. p. j. de loutherbourg . printed , and sold by d. edwards in nevils-ally in f●tter-lane 1694 imprimatur . iuly 24. 1694. d. c. an introduction , and apology to the following discourse . my friends , who in the universal love , of the god of love do dwell , to you i doubt not but the matter of this discourse may find acceptance , as it is a message from above , of good , and glad-tidings to the whole creation , from the beginning of time , to the final end and extension thereof ; for god's bounteous grace will thereto reach . but this love doth express it self , not only by saving , and delivering from an endless punishment , as the just merit of transgression , and disobedience which is proclaimed to the whole adamical fallen race by him who was made an offering for sin : but be it known , god's love is not so clearly seen , or illustrated . if , ( o if ) here it should stop in this visible way of redemption by christ ; but it must go much deeper in bringing forth a new created god-like similitude in the soul ; that what was dimunished , and disappeared , may be repaired by the birth of the holy ghost , conceived , and so springing up , intrinsical , for a thorow renovation in every part of the soul ; this you will find to be the whole scope and drift of what is written here ; god having taught me by his spirit , in this great mystery , of inward redemption ; i found my self impulsed and under a constraint to make it publick before my disease ( being aged 70 years ) that so this treasure might not die with me ; not knowing but that it may be my last farewell to this world , therefore have hastned to do my lord and master's work whilst the day spring from on high doth shine upon me ; if the outward day of my life is lengthened out to me , it shall ( all-improving of it ) be as my most delightful employ being called to it from on high . now to come to the matter in hand , as to the title which this subject doth bear , it is not an outward flourishing sound , but from a most essential and experimental ground from which this goeth forth ; which if otherwise , in my circumstances , i should not have rendred my self publick : for every wo her head. 1 cor. 11. 5. but christ being my head-covering , i have both commission , and munition-strength , upon which i shall proceed , and go forward , and say something as to the first part , which is the spring-flower of the mind , essenced in a never-dying root , which renders the face of the mind perfect in beautifulness , for love , and delight to him who is the express brightness of the father's light , in which you will ( as in a glass ) see the royal degrees , and spiritual assents , with festival entertainments in the spirit so prepared , that may be for an inviting imitation to the heaven-born spirits , as also to them that are yet unborn , that all may labour , in such a heavenly habit of mind for to be found . the next part which i have to commend to the reader is according to the inscription of the book , ( the enochian life ) that so hidden , and unknown hath been ; yet by the spiritual pilgrim , and traveller found ; and may still be found by such as shall cease from walking after the flesh and worldly ways , and resolve to take up , to walk with god in the spirit . for if once you can clear , and get off here , from these low clogging and heavy , sandy ways , then you may enter into these high and pleasant walks with god , which , when you are once come into , you will meet with those various sweets , and delights , that will ingage you to keep to them , because good company you will here meet ; if but few among mortals , yet numerous of the heavenly society will walk , and talk with you from those upper regions whereto your travels tend , of the which i have given an account for encouragement , and motive to draw up holy , and separated spirits hereunto ; who have liberty , and opportunity , to know beforehand the riches , and pleasant things of this heavenly country to contemplate upon them , for which end i have joyned and added to this first part what was opened and revealed to me last year 1693. where you will see a particular knowledge and experience of what the saints yet abiding in this lower world may enjoy of communion with holy and separated spirits of the higher world , which may be of great advantage . also a little tract lately manifested in what way and manner we may expect the lord iesvs his appearance about which so many prophecies and sounds in this present age have gone forth . i have according to my gift laid the sure foundation for both his present and future appearance in the world. sure i am , he doth , and will send his messenger before his face , which is the spirit of refining fire to prepare for his more visible and splenderous coming in his kingdom , to make kings , priests , and prophets , to reign in , and with him on the earth ; and when we shall see more of this multiplying oyl of the holy ghost poured forth upon those that are lookers for this blessed hope , and most glorious reign of christ ; then we may expect he may be drawing near . therefore in order hereunto , all publick , and private pastours and teachers , should know what to go forth with , and declare , and preach up the ministry of the spirit to make ready all nations , people , and languages to call them in , and by the power of the everlasting gospel , the which powerful sound may reach in christ's spirit to the free and bound , whether in the body , or out . for this gospel will so far extend , beyond the limits of time , to creatures in ages yet confined , of the which latitude of redeeming love you will in this volume find declared , of being also a revealed truth , which i was not from the world to conceal ; and as for those scriptures that may be alledged against it , they were to me interpreted this point to reconcile , and thus opened , that as the lord christ did go and preach to the spirits in prison that were disobedient in the days of noah , ( or before , and since ) who in bonds did remain in low regions , at whose appearance did then find deliverance , or else to what end did he preach to them ? as you may see in peter ; and so again at his second and last appearance , when he shall come to judge the quick and the dead , where will pass just and righteous sentence according to every ones work ; yet will this iudge reserve in himself the liberty to release , and remission give , to all that in fiery purgations have passed , and are humbled thereby . take notice of what the apostle paul speaks of in this matter , to be saved so as by fire ; and as to that great objection made from christ's words , go ye cursed into everlasting punishment ( which is opposed to the short limits of this world ; and admits only of number of ages , which suffering , and punishments there may yet be ) yet it is not to be beyond the time of christ : ( the lord's compleating , and delivering up the kingdom to his father ) for god was , is , and so hath designed in christ to reconcile all to himself which was at odds with him ; for it is not to be the least doubted but the efficacy of christ the second adam by the merit of his blood-shed , and his spirit given therein which will make all good again , which the first adam had made evil . much more i might inlarge , but i hope this may suffice , only to consider that scripture of the romans , chap. 6. ver. 14 , 15 , and 16 , which is enough to clear and satisfie that the plaister provided , is much broader than what the wound of sin hath made . this ( o reader ) who ever thou art , know , i have been hereto from a heavenly power driven to clear up , and vindicate the royal , and generous goodness , and love of the holy trinity , agreeing all in vnity , for the reconciling and bringing back again into themselves whatever of a spiritual quality was scattered and divided from them , which in the dispensation of the fulness of time will be made manifest to the wonderful amazement , for all of god's creation to love , and praise , and exalt , and pay their adoration to their merciful creator that hath compleated such an vniversal redemption ; only suffer this word of caution and councel , that none presume to turn this grace of god into a vitious and careless way of living , for anguish and terrour , of soul , and suffering , will be upon them here , and hereafter ; all which , may be prevented in the time of this life by an inward circumcision in spirit , and mortifying the evil nature bringing it into a subjection to the law of the spirit of holiness : for i must solemnly profess to all such as do loosely and vainly live , that they will have no part in the first resurrection , but be cut off from all those pleasant and unconceivable ioys , and glorious , and filling springs of refreshing from the presence of god , and the lamb , which in this present life may be tasted as the first fruits of the full harvest . i do this aver ( as from what i have known in my own particular ) that if there were no reward of a future blissful happy state when this life shall end , i should think it a very great felicity to have a present participation of the spirit of christ , and thereby be cloathed with his divine nature , and live in the present enjoyment of all those ineffable immunities that i have here given a real account of according to experience , which i do hope , and pray with all power of prayer , that what hath been by the holy spirit of imanuel unfolded here , may be received , and entertained , as the golden oyl from the dropping olive-tree ; that as the anointed ones of the lord do multiply for a priestly kingdom here upon the earth ; ( the which subject hath been treated of , and published by the author in 1683. ) entituled , the seven seals ' broke open , by divine revelation ( some of which are yet to be had in my possession ) and as the day of the spirit does more get up , and shine forth in this present generation in heart and mind , which only can be expected from such upon whom the anointing is poured forth plentifully , that may be so well stored with that pure grain and golden seed , as they may as sowers go forth to sow it every where . oh how were it to be wished , and how much would it be my ioy to know such powerful sowers in this our day , which may bring forth a pure white lilly crop of spirits , with whom christ our kingly shepherd may walk and feed ; then he will be no longer a stranger to his fold here upon earth , but be well known to be our feeding pasture continually . but i shall here now stop , and with this word conclude , ( as if it were my last dying-speech ) which i do direct to all ranks , sorts , and degrees , and more especially , to them who are called , and liberty have to exercise a true spiritual ministry , that they may know what this season and time may call for , being now past the first and second number of time ; and are come to the half-time : therefore go forth with your anointed shield , and with your horn fill'd with oil of the spirit . spare not to sound your trumpets of the spirit , that may gather in from the utmost parts of the earth , that they may both , see , know , and partake of this dawning and day-star rising first in our hearts , and from thence lead most rightly where we may our princely redeemer see eyé to eye in kingly majesty . for the which end it is incumbent , and chargeable upon you to propogate this fore-runner of our lord christ , which is the spirits ministry , as the one , and all that i have to leave , and commend to you who lovers , and walkers are in this spiritual way which hath been here described by the may 12 th . 1694. a flower from the paradisical ground hath appeared , the nature and property of which is never to fade , or die ; for its descent is from on high , which is the lord , the quickening spirit from eternity . this is the plant that has put forth it self , distinct from the outward nature in me ; well known it is by its pleasant scent , qualifying with fragrant love , so very sweet , and mild , that it harmoniseth the soul to that degree that it feels no other life , than a ghostly deity ; that is the root which feeds this rosie flower of the mind , with a certain kind of balsamick vertue ; that so its beauty is of a blushing freshness always . now herein lieth the greatest of all mysteries , that under the covert of a mortal humane form , such an anointed cherub , should there live and move , as having the fire-sparkling eye , that pierceth into the heavens , there to view , and see , what is of its own kind , and property , transplanted into that upper region : for known it is to me , that spirits , pure , and separate from this gross earth , may be both with christ the head , and with his body of saints , who in the heights of glory are . yet mutual greeting , and conversation allowed may be , as springing from one eternal root , and ground , coupled together in loves golden chain of everlasting unity . but it is given me to understand that such saints which are yet in the body , ( that is yet corporeal ) they must be highly spirited , and much estranged from themselves , as considered in an outward creaturely life ; for that part must be silenced , and shut up ; when ever the soul , in this body would hold a communion , or spiritual conference with the kingly shepherd , and that upper fold . now from hence it is to be concluded , they must be high graduated souls , that are priviledged to come up here to this heavenly court. every spirit according to its growth and attainment , so it will be ranked with such as are above ; each one joined to its like in heavenly places : for so it will be , whilst in the body of time , and when there from separated ( oh my friends , who ever this comes to know ) they will little care for any other society but what is above ; for christ being glorified , he mightily doth draw pure spirits to be with him , as their most proper center , and dwelling-place . the body of sin , and flesh , hath been indeed a great impediment to such heavenly-minded souls that in this liberty of mind for a spiritual flight would be ; but the mill-stone of this earth doth bind , and keep them down , so as they cannot ascend . the question then is , what must be done to get free , to hold up this all-desirable correspondency with god , and christ , and all the heavenly family ? i can give no other direction , than what my self have been taught in , and in some degree have put into practice so , as whereby i have found this all-secret pass , ( or way ) for my spirit to enter , and abide , in the inward tabernacle of god's delightful presence , which is as a foregoing pledge of what i may hope , and expect to take up in , when this my body shall break away . therefore that i might excite all holy , well-minded souls that are such lovers of their life christ , that they would not be bereaved of his company during the time allotted to live in this outward body : then let them observe these rules which i give as my experience . first , lay aside all vexatious , worldly matters , that are a cumber , and weight upon the mind , take in nothing that is not absolutely necessary : be contented with a little of the world , that thou mayest have much more of god. and if possessed thou art , of a plenty of these outward things , be sure to give a proof of thy alienation from them , by giving them all up as an offering to the temple-builders , to promote , and furnish the inward sanctuary , which the holy , spiritual-minded souls are to make up ; therefore to be encouraged in that , it may be by such as do more plentifully , things of this world enjoy . and bless god , that they have such a prize put into their hands as to honour god , and propogate the revelation of his kingdom , by supporting such as god hath indowed , and filled with the spirit of wisdom , revelation , and prophecy ; with all purity of conversation . sure i am , it would be a most sweet scented sacrifice to god , if any , there could be found , that were thus so largely , and well disposed in mind ; that so , a sequestration , and dedication of devout spirits , might be maintained , for fulfilling the will of god here on earth , as it is in heaven ; ecchoing to the saints in the upper world , in loving , praising , and admiring , paying all homage , and temple-worship , in god , to god and the lamb. i have been , and still am , of the same mind , that if such an holy convocation could be brought together , in a perfect accord , and oneness of spirit , a great witness would be given to it , and mighty things would succeed upon it . but woe , and alas , ( and may therefore a wailing be taken up ; that ) the pure spring of life in souls , hath been stifled , and choaked by the earth . i have made it my sorrowful observation , how deeply buried in the earthly life , the greater part of the creation is , in their several ranks , and degrees ; the higher order , in this world , that hath all advantages , by fulness of all desirable things that this world can afford , whereby they have opportunity to attend the high and heavenly calling , being they can subsist , and live without the toil , and labour , which others are necessitated to be imployed in . therefore let the great and rich ones , of this temporal state , believe and know , it is incumbent upon them , and god expects no less from them , that they principally honour god with their substance ; and seeing god hath given them such liberty , and command of their own time , highly to prize it , and make sure to themselves the pearl of the kingdom ; for that treasure may go along with them into the heavenly world , when they must leave all that belongs to this outward . now i have a word given me also , for the lower ranks , that indeed may have a more lawful plea , for want of time , and liberty , being ingaged in business that must give a livelihood ; and therfore they cannot be so much at leisure to wait the motions of the heavens . to this , the spirit of christ gives this caution and councel . take heed lest the cares for the bodily part do not eat out the life , and spirit ; and so bereave it of all that is spiritual-feeding , and cloathing for the soul : and so be put by , and excluded from commensing the degrees of the heavenly vocation and calling , and loose all benefit of conversation in heavenly places . therefore be watchful , and suffer not the outward to justle out the inward ; put but one grain of faith into thy stock of outward things , and eye god therein ; and the blessing of increase shall come on thee : for the just shall live both spiritually and temporally by his faith. we have instances of what the spirit of faith hath produced , when god hath been confided in ; it hath produced a thousand fold more than all the study of the head , and labour of the hands . and as this lilly of faith shall get up , and free it self from the twisting-strings of sense which hath bound it . solomon , in all his glory shall not be compared unto this sprouting-lilly-day of the heirs of faith. they who shall be born into this faith , they need not be thoughtful for any temporal thing , for all blessings in abundance will be brought in . therefore labour not so much for that perishing mammon , but rather for that white stone of pure faith , that fed many thousands with bread. remembring the lord's doctrine ; viz. take no thought what to eat , or drink , or wherewith to be cloathed . the lord knew , that by the spirit , and power of faith , there should be a support , and supply of all necessary things . but it may be said , this kind of faith , is yet but very rarely in any one sprung . well , grant it so to be for the present ; yet it is a truth that there is such a faith that hath been , and shall most surely be revived again in them , who willing are to die to all that which hath choaked , and stifled , ( yea bound this lilly of faith down . ) now to proceed on to the second rule for direction for such spiritual-minded souls , as do desire to be well acqainted with a life in god , and therein to rest . as the first rule was to discharge and acquit all unnecessary clogs , and weights , exteriourly ; so this , more interiourly ; which is by taking all care to clear away from the heart and mind the scum that boileth from corruptible nature ; from whence generateth multiplicity of profuse imaginations , that no stop can be put to , but as the spring of the holy-ghost doth open , and drown , that chaffy dust , which defileth the temples body . now this skill , the soul must of the holy spirit learn , that as fast as the puddled-matter of this kind do rise in the mind , so immediately dowse , and bath thy self in the springing pool , where from the water of life doth bubble up ; for that is our healing , and it is as near us , as the other contrary source . and thus we may keep our hearts all pure , and clearer reserved , to be the most holy sanctuary for the priestly-spirit to minister in , and to make ready a holy seperated place for god and christ to manifest themselves in us . upon this account , was the holy ghost promised , and also given , to prepare and make straight the crooked ways internally ; for christ his spiritual humanity to take up in a pure mind . as iohn the baptist went before to prepare , and declare him to be the lamb of god to take away the sins of the world ; that by iohn's ministry a reformation and repentance unto life might be given . but all this was short of the spirits ministry ( as iohn confessed ) which is now come to be revealed . christ being glorified in a body all spiritual . he cannot come to joyn himself with any soul , but where this holy spirit abides before-hand , to refine and purge the floor of the heart . this is the office of the spirit . now hence we do see our selves bound to treat this holy messenger kindly . it is an infinite valuable gift ; oh therefore prize him at a high rate , for by him , and through him , we have all knowledge , and intelligence from our father's house , and all of that heavenly family , we should never know any thing of that state of life which is after death , but as this good friend , the holy unction makes out from the treasury of god's manifold wisdom . therefore , who would not for so great a benefit keep their minds all vacant , and pure , for such a comforter to abide with them , who can tell us of things that are yet to come , as the time present , and eternity : and this he doth , and will do still , for those that love , and delight in his company ? i must say , and leave it for a living testimony behind me , that had it not been for this precious sealing-gift of this holy spirit , i must have spent my days , in gloominess , and sadness ; sorrow , and misery : which by the received gift of this spirit ; my age of time hath been past away with much peace , pleasure and joy ; tho' often thronged in upon , by this worlds annoy , which could never disrest me , whilst i could but keep the spirit with me : who had ever more , new things to bring out of his store , to quiet , and pacifie , what at any time was ruffled , and so much disquieted in me . this i have only made mention of , to provoke such , or as many , as this treatise may read , and seriously ponder it in the true spirit ; then will they know from whence this is written , and prize it greatly , and wisely make provision for this self-same bright , enlightning star out from their hearts to spring : who will prepare the way for christ the king to reign , till he hath put down all that can be called sin ; for to this end is the holy ghost given , and still a giving , but in various measures and degrees ; some one portion , others double , and treble , according as a dedication , and preparation of soul is found ; where most stillness and privacy for a divine contemplative life is fixed . there this holy guest will frequently visit ; whereby it doth well inform and acquaint the devout soul with what is doing , and transacting in the heavenly country , and royal city which the majesty of god doth enlighten with his glory . the discourse the spirit may maintain with us about this upper worlds affairs , will mightily hold us , and wind up our minds , so as we shall fear to let them down into this defiling world , lest it should raise a cloud of interposition betwixt the heavens and us , as too sorrowful it hath often been known ; therefore watch , and pray , and cease not to keep upon your guard always . but now it may be said , this is a glorious and high priviledge to receive of this spirit , which bringeth out of god's treasury things new , and old ; but the way to obtain this gift is very costly ; for the rules prescribed , carry out to such a self abnegation , and denounceation of a creaturely life in flesh and carnal sense ; that it is very rarely that any are able to obtain , and retain this precious and holy anointing , whereby we come to know the secret , and deep things of god. true it is , this jewel will not be found , in common earthly ground ; there are several measures , as i have mentioned , for they that have no degree of this spirit of christ , cannot be his ; but if there be so much of this light as doth check , and reprove of sin , and it be obeyed , then the spirit will manifestly multiply for councel and comfort ; and so go on to reveal himself clearer , as he finds the heart giving up to be his peculiar place of residence ; that so he may keep all in a sanctified order , in preparation for more extraordinary things to be communicated : for the spirit riseth higher , and higher , as the soul is emptied of its own self . it may be queried , but is there any in this age of time , that can give any instance of their being baptised with the holy-ghost , as in the apostles days ? yea surely , the succession of which hath been witnessed by some or other in every age since ; although not in the same manner as with cloven tongues , and rushing winds . this visible demonstration of the spirit was to have its day and so pass away ; and now operates in a more intrinsical manner and method in vessels fitted out thereunto . therefore what was done visibly , is now more invisible , inspiring and opening as a glowing flame in the heart , lying there as a live burning coal , which is known to us to be the true baptizing of the holy-ghost which is in present feeling ; and when ever it is , in its highest penetrating power , it may ac● forth it self in miraculous deeds , and works , as the present occasion may call for : this has been known , and experienced by some in this age. then again ; another evidence of the spirit , is , internals gusts , and breaths of divine air by which the soul is often mounted up upon the wing of this word , or breath of the spirit , and so gets up to the heavens , entring into the celestial globe of eternity , while its outward body remains in time : this is known to some . for as there was an outward personal going up to the visible jerusalem to eat the feast of the passover , which was a type of that great day of the feast , which is now kept the in new-jerusalem above , where the lord christ in his spiritual humanity doth appear , keeping up the solemnity of that spiritual feast , with the body of his saints there , and sometimes doth admit of pure spirits , that yet in the body of visible flesh are to come up , for to view the stately order and government of that feast , and to taste thereof : this is the true eating of the supper of the lamb , and drinking the royal wine of the new-testament with christ in his kingdom , which puts an end to all symbolical ceremonies . blessing , joy , and glory , we may pronounce to all which called and invited , to come up to feed upon this pascal lamb. they will never care nor desire to go out here , to take up in lower administrations ; for this is the sum and substance of all , to feed upon the quintessential body , and pure blood of the grape ; that as often as it presseth it self out , it filleth again , for a continual emptying forth ; so that none that is come up here may thirst any more : this is the true feast of tabernacles which i have here described to you ; for no one can go up here without putting on their tabernacle-body , which is the flaming heart of the holy-ghost . but now methinks , i hear some say at the reading of this , oh! you have mentioned a high and lofty state , which is as a new thing that hath not been declared ; as that in this present life there should be found any to ascend to the new-jerusalem , to feast and worship god there ; this , you will say belongs to the enochian life ; but that age of the world is not yet come , so as to know a translated state. we grant it , that it is not common , only peculiar to some , that in enoch's spirit are raised to walk with god , and so are taken up in the spirit wholly . but we may hope this day of the spirit is coming on , whereby it shall be known more universally ; in the which angelical spirits shall ascend , and that divine princicple shall open , that now hath been so long shut up : then you will know a new-state of living , that you never knew before ; for it will turn the love of all mortal things out of the hearts-door : this will in very deed be known . seeing we have thus far proceeded in opening this divine mystery , we shall not stop here , but go on to reveal and communicate to such as desire to be fellow-travellers with me to this holy city , the new-jerusalem , the track having been shewed unto me ; not by vision only as in past times : in my printed book of divine revelation ; there you may see what i had by way of vision , printed in 1683 ; but now the spirit hath moved it self in another degree to bring forth vision into an essential fruition , which ratifieth that scripture , psal. 84. verse 7 ; they shall go from strength to strength , each one appearing before god in sion . now this i find is to be taken in a two-fold sense , as to that part which is to appear before god in sion . the first is , while yet in the body of corporiety . the second is , when stept out of it , so , as no more to return again to it . now hence i , ( yet not i ) but the spirit of my jesus ) shall lead you on to the first part , knowing well the way , and have taken the measures thereof by the measuring-line in the hand of an angel : unaccountable to any but the travellers thereto . some heads , and propositions i shall lay down in order hereunto , that our fellow-travellers may not fail to find sure footing . the first is , what preparation , or qualification will be requisite for such intended travellers . secondly , what kind , or manner of way . thirdly , the several stages , or rests , by the way . fourthly , their arrival to this city of god. and fifthly , the welcome , and entertainment the travellers meets with there , from all the great assembly of mount sion : ( the court of god. ) first , then , it is to be considered what this traveller must be ; not a gross , tangible body , but a spirit that must thus take up enoch's walks , separated , and translated from a terrestial life to a celestial : this is our spiritual-traveller's first alteration ( an earthly creature turn'd into a spiritual . ) and now we come to enter upon the way , which looketh at first onset , as the valley of baca that openeth the floodgate of teers , and being now so environed with the light of the spirit , that hath discovered to it , an inward , and outward deformity , degraded of its angelical image , by the root of sin in nature springing ; so that this mourning and sorrow , not to be repented of . and while in this first beginning-way , the soul will have many enemies to encounter withal , and temptations from within , and without , and the more assaults will come because it is to rend away , and leave the walks of this evil world , and to betake it self to this new and living-way . but let not our fellow travellers be discouraged , but guird up , and go forward , this days journey will have its end , though it may go heavily on , this first day ; the second will be more lightsome and refreshing if it do but hold out this probation , and wrestle it out as iacob did . then the angels of god will meet the weary traveller , and accompany it throughout its way . there are seven angels ( or they may be called seven spirits ) that are appointed to be the guard of the travelling soul , whilst in this dangerous way . i shall name them , as i my self have found them a fortitude of strength in all my journey on to this very day : so it may be to the undertakers that will precisely keep to this perfect-way . the first of these seven qualifying spirits , and powers , for a guard , is holy , passive-patience ; this is an absolute necessary companion in this way . no holding out , without the indowment of a patient mind , that may hold out against all contradictions ; and what will make offer to pull down from this high , and heavenly walk . the second is , deep , or meek humility , keeping low , and humble ; for that secures the traveller : for god hath great respect for a soul that walketh softly , and steadily . the third qualification , is a lively hope , which is as an eye within the soul carrying a prospect of the heavenly sion , that mightily strengthens it , and bears it up . fourthly , a super-celestial wisdom , that directs , manages , and governs the soul , as to the fittest times , and seasons for journeying on ; that is , when to stop , and when to remove on forward , as the matter shall require . the fifth is the spirit of faith ; this is a most excellent companion that carrieth through all difficulties , because it is the evidence of objects of things in the heavens , not visibly seen . it is wings that makes the soul fly so high , that nothing of the crawling earth worms can reach , to molest , or hurt it . the sixth , divine power , that attends the traveller , is , the live-coal of flaming-love , that so vehemently longeth to arrive to the visional fruition of god , and christ , with all the glorified train of blessed , and perfect spirits . this love-gale , is so mighty strong , that it makes the soul pull up , and run swiftly in this race , seventhly , that which doth most compleat this holy guard , is , impregnable strength , and power ; for if god did not take care to fortify the travelling soul , with his own invincible strength , there were no possibility to reach this mark of the new-jerusalem-state ; but christ the lord , takes good care , and will not omit to provide munition-strength for accomplishing this heavenly journey ; for christ , the lord , longeth more to see the soul-traveller safely landed in his own bosom of love , than the souls desire is to appear before him : so by this mutual love-agreement , the everlasting knot of marriage-union will be tyed , when there once it is arrived . now then , by this time you see what the company is , that will support the soul in its travels , but the chief of all is christ in spirit , that walks in this holy qualified soul , as in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks . the second proposition is , what stages , or rests , that may be allowed the weary traveller to take up in a while , which are three . this second days journey is more easy , and refreshing ; the walks gives a sweet smell , from the evangelical promises , giving assurance by the atoning blood of the covenant , that all guilt of sin is obliterated , whereby the soul is incouraged and comforted . but from this it passeth on to a second rest , which is , the record , and seal of the spirit ; that which was now from the general promises ( literal ) is not to be staid in . christ in flesh withdraws , and will be known no more in that figure , but in the all-filling power , and presence of spirit , whereby the soul shall know him in her-self : so he does then become salvation to the purpose . no outward application of christ , is of that availance , as a christ within , who pours in his saving-name as oyntment , which performs the cure of the lapsed state of the soul , because an inward disease must have an intrinsical medicine , that may penetrate through the inward parts , that all may be made whole . this is the intended redemption by christ , and nothing less will set the soul to rights again , so as to give it boldness to come to appear before . that great assembly of perfect-spirits mount sions-kingdom . now we proceed to the third rest , which is yet more pleasant , because it is paradisical . as the travellor passeth through this country , there are various , delightful entertainments , ministring angels , and spirits , that in this divine principle do meet the soul. there also are the sharon's walks , adorned with the spicy-beds , that gives forth their ravishing odours . this sometimes opens in the soul , with sweet-tastes , and refreshing draughts ; for the godhead diffuseth it self through all of that climate , so as many spirits are made vigorous , and joyful , knowing nothing but an all-filling sweetness , all calm , and still in the mind free from the terrifying cares and combustions of this world ( though in it ) yet forgotten by it , at least during the time it is round beset , with this light , and heavenly paradise ; so that the soul is afraid to be disturbed , as to the lower descent into mortal things again . now we come to the third particular , which is the last remove that bringeth up to that mount-sion , which is mentioned in the hebrews . thus the unwearied soul goeth on from strength to strength , and is now come to the fourth particular . that is to the arrival , to appear before god in sion . this is a high , and glorious arrival ; this is a rest never to be disrested of . now open do the everlasting gates , to receive the faithful traveller , that hath held out its probation-state . it further remains to give you an account ( as the fifth particular ) of the traveller's welcome up there . the first appearance , are the angelical order , that stands before the throne , who commanded are to usher in the arrived , bringing forth the royal robe which is all pure , and light , without spot of the fallen-night , which giveth the soul an holy boldness to appear in that new world , or principal of light , as becomes all manifest ; so as christ the kingly priest doth to the soul appear : and as a bridegroom , greets it with such a kind of love-gratulations , as followeth ; my bride , and spouse , i joy to see thy soul in my righteousness , and that thou hast past through a dangerous , evil , tempting world , and hast escaped with that tender life of mine ( in thee ) by which thou art come up a conquerour here ; and now behold and view the glo●y of my kingdom , which the father hath placed me in , and over , all principalities , powers , and dominions , both in the heights above ; and in the earth below ; so as i can give to whom i will to possess with me , ioy , for ioy , and glory for glory with me , as i have received of my father , so freely i give to thee , and as many as from an evil world shall break , and get away ; and in a pure naked-spirit , in loves flame thus ascend . ask now ( oh spouse of mine ) what it is , that i should further for the do ; i give thee liberty to ask most free , for thou hast found favour both with the father , and me . whereupon the arrived traveller-worships , and bows before the throne of god , and the lamb ; and in great humility doth make this reply , saying in the language of the spirit . oh my lord ! i am come up to this degree , but sensible i am , it is all of benignant-grace , and love , from my god , and father , and thy spirit , o lord christ , that my conduct and guardian-strength hath been in this my journey . one great proof i have had of a mighty strong guard , with continual supply from thy fountain-heart , or else i had fainted , and failed by the way . the consideration of it takes such deep impression upon me , that i am at a loss , and know not wherewith to pay my debt-offering of thanksgiving unto thee my god and king ; only accept of what i have , which is beyond all sounds of words , that are too finite to express praises for such boundless goodness which my spirit hath tasted so largely . hence it is now that i do study to offer that unto thee , which hath been refined , and purified by the spirit of love-burning , given from thee unto me . this then which is of thine own receive , for i joy to pass it all away as my true thanksgiving-offering unto thee : no part shall i keep back from thee , had i ten thousand immaculate lives to give up to thee , all would be too little to run their strength of love into thee , who hath wrought out so great a redemption for me . and now my lord , seeing i am thus far admitted into thy presence , and liberty to ssk a boon of the , for thou knowest well what occasion i may have thereof , being yet in the region of time , where obvious i am to assaults and temptations manifold ; all be it illuminated in a good degree of light in thee , yet subject to drawings down by spirits from this world , and the astral kingdom , that may pervert , by mingling with the super-celestial part of the heart ; knowing and observing in my day what miscarriages among great inlightned saints have been , who as bright stars hath shined ; and then again , under a cloud have been . therefore , o my lord ( premising these things ) i in fear , and humility am , and dare not trust my self at any time , lest that a slip out of the right-way should be . therefore this is my principal request to thee , that thy spirit may be my constant overseer , guide , and teacher , as imediate from the father , and fountain of wisdom flowing from thee : then no errings from the truth can be . this is the one absolute needful request , for we stand all upon a nice point ; and if the petition of solomon was so grateful to god in his-day ; then i in no wise do doubt ( oh my lord ) to ask of thee , the spirit of truth ; which , ( promised by thee ) may never cease to be the oracle fixed in me , and all that do desire to be led rightly ; for it is already by thee given , as a caution to beware of transformed lights that do pretend to the right ; yet thou only art the true light , springing from within essentially . and as thou hast this record been , in me , oh multiply of this spirit of wisdom , and true revelation yet more fully ; so that what remains yet of thy councel and mind to be further declared , and known , may still ( as an enlightning-beam ) pass through me , and with them also who mutually shall in enoch's walks be found with their faces towards sion , ( the court of thy all filling majesty . ) oh! evermore find room , and place , for me , and all of thine that love thy appearance . to see thee as thou art will surely change us into the same similitude of likeness unto thee ; for so it becometh each one that still would keep their way open , and free for conversation : with all the priviledges that to the dilating of the kingdom which shall be given forth ; with the holy-ghost as the sure pledge of all those perfections that may agree with oneness of life and spirit , with thee my lord. thus i have offered my requests , and do commit my self to thy disposing , in all terrene matters and things . here follows the kind and courteous reply of the souls immanuel . all hail , with love , peace , and good will , to the virgin spouse , who is in spirit come up here , to make request for that which so much is in congruity with the father's heart and mine . this answer therefore receive , that this thy petition shall be fulfilled on my spirits part , who shall not fail to open in thee what hath lien under seals of secrecy ; do thou but attend him , and he will attend thee , and whoever shall watch in their hearts his movings : for he is the bright mornning-star who is to be the conduct and leader of my little flock , now in my personal absence from this lower world , where the evil-tempting tree doth in all souls spring ; therefore great need they have i know of this my anointed shield , that may be a defence upon every onset of perverting spirits , of which in danger all are , while in this body elementary . therefore i have provided this spirit of truth to be with thee for councel , and comfort , also to guard thee up to me , where thou mayest know , and see , by this glass of the spirit what i am a doing , and making ready for the present , and future day ( when uncloathed of the garment of mortality also ) but for the present , come and see , and taste of the heavenly-fare , and powers , and joys of my kingdom : the spring of life , and love shall rise so high , as to drink thy spirit up . thus with me thou shalt feast and sup , and never empty away to go ; which shall be such an encouraging motive as will make thee to bend all thy force , still in spirit to be with me thy lover , in my secret pavilion , where thou mayest have liberty of discourse with me in those weighty affairs that do pertain unto the new-jerusalem-state : so then ( oh spouse of mine ) if this thy entertainment is , thou wilt fly as a spark of light to the body , that is , the body and fulness of all light. these are the sweet-meats , i shall leave with my espoused ones to feed upon for a refreshing support till a further day shall break ( though through the shadow of death ) which shall consummated the everlasting marriage-feast , with me thy christ and living-head ; with all the royal society , and with myriads of angels that shall their trumpets of joy sound , at the lamb , and brides-nuptial-day and marriage-feast . so ends these hony-drops from the mouth of our dear immanuel . now by all this which hath been declared , you may see the blessed issue of an unwearied , and faithful traveller to the city of our god , which may invite and allure such as have not yet set their foot in this way ; and for them which have , to make the same progress , which will requite a thosand times over the loss , and pains here sustained in the way . oh ye that are friends and lovers of this way , and would arrive to be fellow-citizens in the court above with god and christ , and the numerous company of spirits , pure , and glorious there ; give me leave before i conclude , to commend these following motives for incouragement to set forward , and go swiftly on in this path of life . the first motive is a full assurance of all love-acceptance , with dear embraces , and most free communications ; all veils , and bars taken away , thy lord christ upon this mount will shew himself , and talk with thee as god did with moses : only thou must put off thy shoes , because it is holy ground you will walk upon : as much as to say , come here , all bare pure , and clear , leave all at the foot of the mount , that would contract of the worlds earthly dust ; then shall you know , hear , and see , that , which is so ravishing for the feeding of all your divine senses , that you will say , it is good to tabernacle here ; and so it may be permitted , for so long time as you can abide cloathed with the transfigured robe of the spirit of christ ; but that will be but at certain times and seasons ; but it will be enough to know such a thing as this is , and yet in the body of corporiety . now then the second motive is , that hereby , it is made acquainted with this heavenly country , before it quite leaveth its mortality in this low world ; it is an high , and extraordinary priviledge , to see , and know its place , and company beforehand ; for our lord christ is very free to shew unto the spiritual-minded , the principalities , and dominions , and powers in his kingdom , and to give a good assurance of being joint-heirs with him of the same glory , as you may see iohn 17 , and rom. 8. all this to confirm , what , in every succeeding age , may be as a fresh seal'd evidence , given forth by the most holy spirit . oh who would not among the number of these seal'd ones be ? sure it is worth forsaking , and denying whatever of this temporal-state of life , that may obstruct or be any impediment , to put by , and hinder its holding correspondency with the lord and the citizens , of that heavenly country . the way to hold up these great priviledges you have had , by an experienced traveller described . now one motive more is this , that by puting on this habit of the spirit , whereby it may be furnished with somewhat of those antient gifts , and powers , which went forth from the lord christ , and the apostles in their day : which renewed ( most certainly ) will be , as a fore-runner , that the reign of christ upon the earth in his saints is drawing very near ; for more mighty and miraculous power must be given in this age , to go forth as a preludium . the great day of christ's appearance in the world draweth near ; and for this end such deep and inward things are revealed beforehand to make ready an espoused bride , that may be found all fair and clear without blemish ; for such a church , christ must have prepared to entertain him upon this earth . of this i have inlarged upon in my other treatise published . therefore as many as this day are big with an expectation of christ in his kingdom appearing , to all such lovers , and waiters for it : let me commend that of the apostle paul's , thes. 5. ver. 23. that you may be found accomplished with all spiritual gifts , and vertues , and to be found of him blameless ; such qualified souls might hasten his coming , for it is not the cry of loe , here , or there , he will appear ; but to those whom he hath by his spirit , quickned , and raised up in his own inward spiritual body ; to them he will first appear , and so go forth as lightning every where , many are gazing to see him without , but who are they that watcheth in all pureness of heart and mind within , which will be the ready way to bring him down ; who will be ( in very deed in this last age ) the desire of all nations ? quer. but here , meets me a query , what shall become of the foolish virgins that are found asleep ; and of other ranks , and sorts , that are dead and buried in trepasses and sins , when this last trumpet shall sound for his appearance ? indeed it will be no desirable day to such as these are , who lived without a god , and christ , and are altogether strangers to this heavenly country ; having loved , and embraced this world , and made it their god. indeed a present woe is to them , while joy unspeakable to the lifting up of the head , of as many as are redeemed out of the earth ; their blissful day is come which they have long waited for , that do fly as doves to christ their life . but somewhat more i have had revealed unto me as to those multitude of souls that have gone out of this life in an evil and unregenerated state , and yet are still going in a desparate adventure , not caring what shall become of that immortal spark of their souls . how direful and bewailing will it be , that they have loitered and spent away , that in which they might have gained the priviledges and love imunities which hath been mentioned here ; for had they but improved their own talent , the increase would have been manifold , to present joy here , and much more , when time with them is to be no more . let me tell them their loss , and suffering is so great , and the anguish of their souls so deep , as no tongue can express it . therefore to the yet living let the warning trumpet found , both to those that are in part regenerated , and to them that have nothing of it begun . oh! are you not to be excluded from god's face , and from out of the kingly shepherds fold thrust out , while painfully you will see them , that lived in the same tempting region with you , hath over come , and are as conquerours set down with christ the lord upon his throne , while you are bid to depart in , to a prison-house of utter darkness . admit there should be a delivery , out here , at the end of all generations , and ages ; yet how numerous years may you abide in these purging and trying furnaces ; one day ( here , while in the body ) would have set forward your work more , than years in those centers , where you are to be confined ; therefore let this be an acceptable and seasonable work to all of this kind and sort , who so careless are of their soul's happiness , the present and future state of blessedness . now a word to those that are in part illuminated , but yet stick in che birth , and cannot get forth ; the earthly and temporal world gives a stop to it , that this pure life cannot rise to its perfection . the question is , how will it go with them that gets no further , but dies thus short , as milions of souls do daily out of this world depart , without having put christ on , for their cloathing , without which there is no coming to be expresly with him in the three heavens ? an answer to a pertinent question . in answer to this question ; be it known there are provided several-mansions , and regions , by the wise foreseeing gracious god , that knew how it would be , as to this matter , with the greater number of his own created beings ; tho' he had proclaimed , a love-redemption , to all by christ manifested in flesh , to destroy , and purge sin out of flesh ; which we see is very rarely done in the time of this life ; where one reacheth to this mark , a thousand do miss it ; therefore for such as were begotten by the eternal word , and are going on , in all good willingness in their spiritual progress ; ( dying short of finishing it ) they will be allowed to be in a paradisical region , to ex●●●ise their spiritual faculties , for the effecting what they were prevented , and hinder'd of here in this life ; and so go on to perfect that state of perfection , that shall make them meet , to make the higher removes , to reach to the mount-sion-state , which is yet more glorious : and tho' this has not been understood , or believed , yet it is a truth , that i have received from a good hand ; therefore i am bold to publish it , for all souls must pass through the refining , and calcining regions , so prepared for their purifying ; and according to the measures , and degrees they do attain to here in this life : of this kind ; the less they will have to do in the life to come , which will be much more easy . therefore it is much upon me to excite to a pressing forward , that they may so run , as to obtain the resurrection-mark , while in the body they are ; because it will turn to a present account of peace , joy , and glory . but yet we have somewhat further to declare , as to the clearing , and vindicating of the infinite and unsearchable love of our god to the whole fallen-race ; * as to angels that have had their time to deceive and tempt all mankind , which shall have its period and end ; for all must be redeemed and restored , to their first estate ; at the winding up of all the various scenes which were to manifest the wonders of god's wisdom in love , power , and righteousness . but you will say , this is only a private revelation , though it be , yet i know from whence it is ; and if i were not upon sure ground , i should not dare to have declared it : knowing it 〈◊〉 ●tumble many ; but i must pass that and must not baulk a truth g●●en me to make known , for the squemish stomach's sake ; but with all tenderness bear with such as may make scruple hereof ( for i my self did the same , till by divine seeing , and hearing , i was satisfied in this point ) but that you may not be altogether left to my bare testimony ; mind that scripture in the ephes. 1. and verse 10. that in the fulness of time , he might gather together in christ all things that are in heaven and earth consummated in him , whom the father hath sealed for the restitution of what sin had brought into a disorderly confusion . some scriptures more i could here bring , which are mentioned elsewhere by me briefly , tho' not here. oh my friends ! what more joyful tidings can come to our ears than this one everlasting-age , that shall swallow up all those ages wherein , sin and death hath reigned ; with all those miserable effects that have been ever since the creation of this world ? but a new and wonderful model god will bring forth in a new-created state ; behold , saith the lord , ` i will make all things new , the end shall return to its original-primary-being ; let none grudge that the grace of god of this latitude is , as to make a compleat restauration ; for as there was neither sin , nor center to it , so it must be again , when the hour of god's iudgment shall come , to pass a final sentence thereupon , to cast all into that lake , and bottomless pit , where all of sin , and death , sorrow , and curse , shall become a non-entity : then nothing of diabolical spirits ( any more god's offenders , and his crea●ure disturbers or tormenters ) shall be ; all this in the prophesy of eternity will be known , and everlastingly rejoyced in , as a fore-runner of this blissful iubile , the trumpet of the everlasting gospel , of love , peace , and reconciliation to every creature capable thereof , in flesh , and out of flesh , that are not yet fully redeemed . this gospel , is not a bare sound , to be heard only with ears ; it is a spirit that enters in , and gives the power of a resurrection-life , to the dead that could no way raise themselves , neither in bodies , nor out ; ( as is found in their several confinement ) will hereby be loosned , and set free . but it may be asked , when shall such a general , and universal restoration be , as for all apostatized spirits , and creatures to be in favour and friendship with their god , and creator again ? now in answer to this query , as to the time , it is known only to god in the secret cabinet of his councel ; only it is thus far revealed unto me , that it will be at the finishing of the great mystery , when all souls will have passed throu●●●heir purgation in their several degrees , that lacking is here ; for in all cen●●s are found souls that shall be brought into a purified state , by thorow humlliation for all their misdeeds : and also when generating ( according to fleshly births ) shall cease in this world ; then this general redemption will be compleated , and the mediating-office of our great high priest shall be at an end ; so that he hath nothing more to do but to deliver up the kingdom thus compleated , to his father , that god may be all-in-all , possessing , and satisfying himself in all of this his new-creation , which will amount to a perpetuity of endless joy , from the various wonders and pleasures that will fill up eternity , with tuned instruments of praises to the holy trinity in their unity , as it was from the beginning . thus i have given you a true , and single account of what in my spiritual travels i have seen , known , and understood , by being admitte into that heavenly court , at certain times and seasons ; and shall leave this living testimony to the spiritual-minded , hereof to judge : for no other can receive , or fathom this deep wisdom of god. i shall only leave this caution and advice , as my concluding part . the caution is to those , who would of the first resurrection-fold of christ be ( as mentioned of hath here been ) that they do not cavil , and dispute the holy spirit away from them , by their doubtful jealousy , concerning the brightness of its rising , in the pure in heart ; and so thereby may prevent themselves of this most valuable , and precious gift , who only is the true intelligencer of god's mind , and the breaker open of the sealed treasures , that are of that weighty import , that a soul , that hath found , the good , and sweetness here , will fling all impediments away ; that hinder its manifestation , and operation in the mind . but it may be objected , there are many deluded spirits that pretend they are of god ; therefore it may admit of a doubtfulness , and an enquiry to know the right spirit . true it is , this may well be granted , to try the spirits ; but then it must be by such as are of the true spirit , of sound judgment , and discerning , that can themselves give a proof that they here live , and do walk in christ his spirit : and that you may know where this your anointing is poured forth , by the fruits that such bring forth ; which renders another kind of life , than can be imitated by a false magus , who may , and do go forth with erroneous alarms , and empty sounds ; which is to be lamented , and mourned for , that it is at this day so frequent ; which fulfilleth the scripture that thus it will be , as a forerunner of christ the lord's drawing near ; and that the ends of the world are upon us . but nevertheless there is a spirit of truth , that according to christ's promise , is , and will be , plenteously poured forth ; also in this latter age , tho' permitted , is the false , and mixed-spirited , which is a design of the adversary to nullify , and make void what is from the true spirit of christ. but let not this stagger , or baffle us out of our right to a portion in this blessed spirit ; but let it put you upon an earnest seeking , and a most watchful survey what spirits enter you to suppress motions so ready , and numerous ; all which bring them up to the throne in an humble scrupulosity that the lord in the spirit , may give forth right judgment , what is pure of himself ; and what not , that may be tumbled in , as a mixed thing . this i advise as my own experiment , and being found thus tender , and fearful , of being misguided ; you will be sealed , or have this witness-seal , that shall agree with the record in heaven , and the scripture-record here upon the earth , whereby you will be setled , and established upon a sure eoundation , in this shaking , and perilous time , wherein , ( as it is said in daniel ) many shall run to and fro , to the low here , and low there , by which that will be tried . but so far as i am made acquainted with the mind of christ , i cannot but give my judgment , that it is more safe , for each one in his own lot , and pitched-tent of the spirit in themselves , for to abide till the seventh angel shall the right and true trumpet sound ; then the right gathering of eagle-spirits , where the bright body of glory , will through all clouds appear ; and as the everlasting sun , shine forth at once to be seen throughout the whole world , as this outward sun in our visible firmament ; so this son in the one invisible element shall from himself enlighten the whole earth ; that , as doves , they may fly to their everlasting sabbath of rest. even so let us be found waiting for this blessed and glorious appearing of our mighty god and saviour , in the which mortality shall be swallowed up of immortality ; even so , come lord iesus quickly ( saith the spirit of the bride , who is making her self ready to come to the marriage-supper of the lamb ) where in spirit i do beforehand see the feast of joy , and melody that prepared is . therefore my last concluding word and prayer is , that you may all upon your watch-tower keep , and be careful that you let not any thing of this worldly stuff make you fall into a deadly and dangerous sleep ; and so be prevented of a present possession of those ineffable felicities and sweet immunities , that in this little volume is made mention of . in the which hope , that to whom this that is written here , is , and shall come , may caution , and excitement be , to gird up close , and remember to keep unspotted from this world : and so you will have right to eat of the tree of life . so farewel . finis . iuly the 16. 1693. as my mind was environed with a divine light which opened the great design of god's love in the redemption of the fallen lapsed state of all mankind : that scripture being set before me in corinth . 15. 43. rom. 5. 12. to the end . the first man was made a living soul ; the second from the lord from heaven , was made a quickning spirit . and so as from hence it was shown to me , that the first created image , and form was never intended for an abiding-state ; if admit he had continued as he was first created , god from before the foundation of the world purposed far higher , and more excelling glory ; for as much as a spirit transcend in its quality and essence more than that which is of a soul in its consistency . christ the lord being one eternal spirit , in , and by which we are raised out of the fall , and quickned into spirit , whereby we come to partake of an united purity , wisdom , power , and glory with him . but here it may be said , this now is not evident , or come forth to all the whole world , which seemeth yet to lie in an apostatiz'd state. io. 2. 2. it must be so , for a time , and time , and half time , and then the finishing of the transgression and sin will be : for then will christ the eternal root of righteousness , in all , and over all , spring : so , as an vniversal restoration to all fallen angels and spirits , in bodies , and out , will by christ the quickning spirit be set fiee . eph. 1. to 10. but of this jubile , an allowance of time will be for the working out this more general salvation , for many are the degrees of purifying , which all souls must pass through ; * and such as do neglect their day , during the time of this life , as to the new-birth , and regeneration ; there is a law of necessity for them to go through it , after the time of this life , in centers and regions , which are provided in other worlds , which are to be passed through . but herefrom ariseth an objection , that if it be so that the grace of god be of this latitude as to save all , universally , † it may open a door for giving a presumptuous liberty to some ; because grace has thus far reached as to have any hopes of redemption after this life is ended . now as to this , let all know , that it is a punishment and hell enough to see their fellow-creatures entred into rest and joy ; and they in labour and work , having all to do , that tends to a renovation ; and how long they may be in punishment , it will be according as the wickedness of their living here have been , in all manner of evil , and sin , numerous years may spend away . all which time , they live excluded from the lord's presence of joy : all which may be argument and motive unto all to improve their mortal day , which , if they knew what others do possess , they would not lose what may be enjoy'd of the powers of the eternal world , while abiding in this very world , which is a forerunner , and sure pledge of what after the dissolution of the body shall be entred upon ; which here for encouragement , i do give some instance from what some have attained unto ; who have first given up for lost , the many lives for to live that one life , which is christ , which only gives rest from a restless world , and weary life : for whereever god in christ , in the spirit doth abide so purely , they may often be taken up in the spirit , into heavenly court , there to see , and view what makes up the heavenly-born family . but take notice such as comes up here , will find themselves as another translated enoch , that may keep their walks with god ; in which path of light may be seen the seraphims , and cherubims , guarding along up to this sion-seat of glory , in which filled up with light-streamers of glory , delighting the heavenly train of saints , there , all appearing in robes of glittering garments , which here do follow christ their head , in great order , according to every one's degree , rejoicing with him by whom they have overcome , and gotten victory over all worlds ; now to reign as kings with christ their mighty lord and king , this mount-sion-world , thus open-fac'd , and was seen . then saw i all these innumerable throne-princes , their homages and obeysance , given to the high , and lofty alpha , triumphing forth redeeming-praises . oh how pleasant it is to see what an united love-hermony from the highest to the lowest degree of these glorified saints , all with crowns , but some more highly dignified ; as kingly priests , which had breast-plates , set all with stones that sparkled out with sparks of fire . these , all next to the glorified person of christ , had their golden tents , and their temple to worship ; the form of which was only a more christaline light , which god the supream majesty opened to be the glory of it ; to which the lower ranks and orders of spirits , were sometimes admitted to worship there . thus is this holy and heavenly assembly imployed and exercised with all variety of motion tending to a divine adoration to the rock eternal , which does multiply amongst them most amazing , and renewed wonders , which gives perpetual matter to renew love-admirations . so that i was given to understand , that in this world was no cessation of spiritual vocation ; for out of god's infinite depth and fulness should matter still renew , and also with power be endowed , as fixed in the humility , all skilfully , and learnedly to act and do after the manner and way of god their life root ; and being subjected always to the laws of of this new vvorld and kingdom . but liberty is granted to many of this holy order that of the highest saintship are to communicate to them who are not yet come up to their degree , they may help them much in order to the bringing these their fellow-members higher up , the great saints will much delight in this office and service to their fellow-members ; for their joy cannot be compleated until all come up unto the unity of love , in a pure deifick-spirit . now to make out this , there was shewn to me some chief ones in the ministry of love , as enoch , and abraham , iohn the apostle , and paul , with others of their order , that had golden vials given to them to pour forth for annointing and healing ; and peter , with some of his rank to unlock centers , and set free those , who in those upper regions wanted to be perfectly set free , and in this lower vvorld also . now follows an enquiry whether there may not be a correspondency and intercourse maintained by these holy and devout souls , who are departed this body as to any love or pleasure in it , living yet here ; such assuredly are very capable to hold , and to have a holy league , and very near affinity with the glorified person of christ , and with the heavenly frame of glorified saints , which have put on bodies of immortality , for the high illuminated souls , spirited with christ's spirit here , but yet abiding in bodies corporal , they may have liberty of recourse by the spirit into the divine and light principle , where the antient vvorthies are , who would most willingly meet and confer with us about the things pertaining to our progress to the kingdom of christ ; they are very free to discourse us in what may refer to a perfect life , that so we may be made meet to come up to them in unity of love to god , as in triune-deity , which filleth all there with a full body of light. but it may be asked how , and after what way does spirits accompany souls here that are spiritual ? is it by apparition , or com-mingling by spirit ? in answer hereunto , according to my present measure and experience i find it very rare in this latter age that they visit souls by visible apparition , ( though sometimes they may ) as moses and elias appeared to the lord christ , since whose ascention all of this kind is transacted more invisible and essential , by passing in the way of a spirit , and having , and influencing our souls , through which there is a sweet congruity , and a reciprocal love , which is also in our spirits towards them , that hereby they often draw up to them our more superiour angel to be in heavenly places with them , being very affable and friendly to shew their princely thrones , and their delightful solaces and enjoyments they have from the perpetual motion of the triune-deity . now as any soul here below do find christ their root of love in them , as their true original , for securing their love , first in the eternal father , and spirit in christ the lord , then most easily may we , without being guilty of spiritual idolatry in this , pay a veneration of love , and high respect to these great potentates , that have power to befriend us upon many accounts , that we may need their assistance . for during the time of our probation in this life , so it is altogether expedient that we get acquaintance with the servants in this high and heavenly court , for they may do us many kindnesses , as they are in offices of great trust from their head prince and king ; it is made known to me , that holy and good souls have lost much as to the knowledge of divine arts , and holy skillfulness to do and act forth the wonders of the heavenly power in manifold vvisdom , as christ , moses and elias , and the apostles in their day did . now it may be demanded , what in scripture have you to authorize this assertion , or revelation ? first we bring you that of the hebrews , we are come to mount sion , to god , the judge of all , and to the spirits of just men made perfect . see further hereinto , heb. 12. 21. 22. if there were no more it speaks full enough to the purpose to the confirmation that the saints here upon earth are allowed to come up to the mount sion perfect spirits in heavenly places , and do maintain a holy conference mutually as there is to be instanced in the fifth chapter of the revelations , verse 4. how that the elders talked with the apostle iohn , and did show him several things , chap. 7. ver . 23 , 24. and likewise in daniel , where daniel asked questions , and heard one saint from the heavens speaking one unto another for resolving of daniel in his enquirings ; so that here is a cloud of witnesses to back it , besides what of this kind is known by some in this present time and age , who do obtain and retain several of these heavenly intelligents , whereby knowledge is communicated , and the invisible things and objects there made manifest to such as are in corporal figures . now to instance somewhat relating hereunto , in the first place , we give you to understand , whoever they be who would this priviledge know , and come to enjoy with holy angels , or separated souls , they are to be freed and sequestred in heart and mind from all mortal entanglements , as if they were divested of a gross body with its impediments , and so reserving themselves in a most inward purity of heart and mind ; without which habit of spirituallity , there is no commencing of this acquaintance with either angels , or patriarchs , prophets , or apostles , or any evangellical saints since those ages , for they having put on incorruption and glory , and quite redeem'd out of the earth , they will not touch no more with such as are defiled with corruptible things ; now such persons that stand thus pure and clear , they may have much assistauce from these throne spirits and powers in their way and travel to their heavenly country ; for those angelical spirits that once liv'd in flesh , do more nearly sympathise with us in all our infirmities , and therefore all feelingly they tenderly consider our tempting-state , and give themselves out most readily for our help ; nay they are advocates , and do remind the lord jesus of their prophesies , that they may have their fullfilling upon us . of this sort and degree , they are the choicest and greatest in the kingdom of our lord , and have very stately pavillions which are pitched round the majesty of the jehovah god , whose pavillion is so dreadfully bright , being mingled with numerous colours , so oriental and fine , that as glittering stones they do shine ; and above this is spread a wonderful element , which dilateth it self all over these upper heavens ; it seemeth to consist only of a transparent golden mist , which giveth a marvellous golden lustre for the pleasures and delight of the inhabitants of this heavenly orb ; here sometimes the lord christ enters into the father's royalty , and the holy ghost , and the seven spirits which appear as radient and sparkling flames ; and when i enquired about them what their office was , one of the chief elders told me they were the seven invisible counsellors , and mighty powers , equal with the trinity , by which the old heavens and earth should pass away in mortal creatures , and also in the room of which should spring all new . this new mold of creatures , both here and elsewhere in other regions are by these seven spirits to be performed , and also by the going forth of these seven fold powers , that are to do the great wonders in the highest heavens , and so passing down to this lower earth , which time for their sending forth , i was informed approach'd very near , wherein they should be seen to move , and turn all spheres upside down ; now the next marvellous appearance that opened , was the virgin ; her place and mansion was pitched betwixt the supream majesty of the father , and the throne of glory of the lord christ ; her beauty and comeliness being great , cloathed with the clouds , in which there was such a silver brightness , and on them fixed stars of gold , with golden hair hanging down , with a crown upon her head , more excelling than others , and numerous virgins , the honourable ones , such as loved , and ministred to the lord christ here on earth , and also to her ; these had seats round about hers ; it would fill up a great volume to give a particular of the greatness of the glory and magnificency of this heavenly court ; a thousand degrees of blessedness it is to have a place , and a name enter'd among this assembly . now it was shewn me that this glorious virgin was she of whom the * lord christ was born in flesh , who is the figure of the eternal virgin , which was from eternity , by whom is recover'd all of eves generation of lost births , in which the virgin-purity was deflowred ; but out of this virgins womb brought forth , and made manifest in time , angellical births again for a new created host of spiritual born creatures , begotten by the holy ghost , wherein the unfathomable mystery of the wisdom , and love of god is made manifest to the lapsed state which came in by adam and eve , so that we are to reckon our selves born anew into the unity tending to all purity of perfection with christ our first born from the dead , and for to appropriate this eternal virgin for our supernatural mother ; it is to be observed those words which our lord did let fall when he was upon the cross , to the beloved iohn , saying to him , behold thy mother ( which was the virgin mary , who was the representative of the eternal virgin. ) so that from this it may be concluded , that the lord doth transfer this priviledge of adoption , whereby we may entitle this virgin for our true mother ; now then from hence let us consider what great good we may expect , and promise our selves from this our eternal virgin mother , that now is very great in wisdom , majesty , and power , who cannot but be more naturally sympathising with her children , who are to be brought up after that high born degree and quality in wisdom and sanctity , as may be after the similitude of their virgin mother : now no little care and concern is upon her as may relate unto her childrens divine and spiritual education to keep them up to it whilst they are in this perillous , tempting , evill world , and whilst they are making their passage through it , therefore seeing we have such mighty paternal powers in heavenly places , as the triunity of the father , son , and spirit , with the virgin wisdom , and the seven spirits , and the court of ministring angels , and all the evangelical spirits to be our friends in this most holy and separated place , that all concurring together may fetch us off from the earth , and the temptations which therefrom do beset us with legions of spirits also , which invisibly do wind and twist their false injections into our minds , upon which account excited , we are to make use of all these securing dignities for our help . the next thing to be considered of in relation of this new off-spring that are thus born from on high , and yet are found to live here below in bodies elementary . the query is from hence , what is to be their business and employ , seeing none in the heavenly world do remain idle , therefore it is expected that all of virgin wisdom's children here upon earth should be in somewhat or other exercised , which may suit and agree with their eternal and spiritual descent , which is proper to them that are quickned , and made one spirit with the lord from heaven , heavenly . we are not in this place to meddle with the outword man's calling , what do pertain to him in this world , but here to give out the rules of divine wisdom , as to her children , which are in number three . the first is , that they learn to know themselves as to their original pre-existency in god the father , and brought forth through the vvomb of the eternal virgin , a pure simplified spirit . the second rule is to consider and contemplate the triune god as the father of such spirits holy and sure , seeing the glass of the works of his creation in his manifold wisdom made manifest therein , as love , power , omnipotency , with all goodness and kindness to what he hath created . a third rule is , that we study from all this knowledge to come to love , and bluss , fear , and adore , paying all . reverence , and practical conformity to the life of christ , all which will lay a foundation for what is to follow as tending to what is needful to accompany this high and heavenly calling , which may answer to the kingdom of the saints in the upper world , which are the gifts which have been much lost , and have had their cessation among the saints in these late ages , but now the virgin mother calleth upon her children to be looking after the restoration of them , that so they may be employed and exercised in the works that christ the lord speak of , should follow those who did believe in him , which are to to be the sealing witness of the holy ghost's coming , and going forth in acting powers through mortals : now it may be asked what are these gifts that are so needful and proper to wisdoms children . the first is the testimony of jesus the lord , which is the gift of prophesy , which is of very great use and service to the church here on earth , to have a foresight and knowledge of what things are yet to come , that all may be warned who are the friends of the bridegroom to make ready for his kingdom and appearance , which now in very deed is knocking at our doors . blessed are them that understand the voice of prophecy , and have it in themselves . the second gift is to have the gift of revelation opened as a spring that flows with heavenly doctrine for a true teaching-ministry to go forth with , to give feeding from a fresh pasture , which hath not ●●●n defiled by unwashed feet ; the holy spirit do now in some foretell such principal shepherds are now to stand in this latter day upon the earth , that shall not speak from litteral tradition , but from the revelation of the holy-anointing , the pure , and most excellent words of wisdom , which will not be in the weakness of the l●●ter , but in the strength and power of the spirit so made known . the third is the gift of vision , which is not by sight of the mortal eye , for that is too gross to see spiritual objects . now to describe the most pure and right kind of vision , is to have eyes within fixed in the head of a bright and clear understanding ; through this organ of sight , from pure and divine light , god in christ may be seen , and christ as in the glory of the father , and the eternal spirit streaming forth from both father and son. sometime thus seen all in one , and at other times distinct , and yet never divided ; thus is the holy trinity seen through the pure christalline globe of the eternal wisdom . oh ten thousand degrees of happiness to such as are thus divine and spiritual , seeing so as to be taken up in viewing and speculating the celestial and light-world , as filled and furnished with such variety of all amiable objects ; as seraphims , cherubims , and several degrees of these about god's throne , with the numerous company of angelical spirits , which once did live in mortal forms are there to be seen , all cloathed with bodies of spangling-light . what the eye of the spirit and mind doth here see , may well draw , and effect the heart abundantly . now to proceed to the fourth gift , which is the key that openeth the kingdom of the power ; which being endowed with , do coe-work with the powers in heavenly places , for binding , and loosning , shutting up , and opening ; which power will be granted for to act , and do mighty , and marvellous wonders , according to what by the saints in former ages have been carried forth in this world to do . and sure , such is the present time and age which we now live in , that do call for greater and more marvellous works , than yet have been done . seeing that the confusions and distresses throughout all nations look so dreadful upon us , that all need there is of an eliah's spirit to arise up amongst us , that may turn the hearts of fathers to children , and pour out oil for reconcilement , and healing the bleeding wounds of wars and divisions , kindled up into a flame through all nations , which only the strong impowered angels that are filled with spirit of anointing , shall in this latter day rise , for the quieting these north-winds , that from these tempestuous seas of this world do so furiously blow ; for it is seen that deliverances to this nation , will not by carnal weapons of slaughter be effected , but by the lifting up of the standard of god's spirit of power only . now for the coming forth of which power we are looking and hastning for , in order to the making way for that kingdom of peace and love , that must over the whole earth spread ; even so , come lord jesus , to reign on the earth in thy saints powerfully . the fifth gift is , the laying on of hands by such as are baptised with the holy-ghost , which being filled with , may convey , and let into , such prepared souls which have waited for it ; they may hereof partake , and be inspired from such a virtual fiery touch , and therefrom be so highly illuminated and deified , as to be made new creatures in very deed . from this ruby tincturing dye , a god-like purity and power , may suddenly arise , to anatomize , and burn up the gross , corrupt , and earthly part . for we do experimentally find , that all spiritual medicines are too short and weak , for the rooting out the venom of sin , till the holy-ghost do enter in to refine , and purify the vessel within , which may upon some come in more immediately , by god's own hand ; and then again , by a medium , as the holy-ghost shall take up any to convey himself , by their laying on of hands , which is not to be understood barely of the outward hands ; but as the inward power ; and rich virtue in the spirit of faith and prayer , shall be breathed forth ; for so it was , when by the apostles in their day , the holy ghost was given forth . oh how great , how worthy , is this gift , being the root and spring from whence all miraculous works , both inward and outward , do proceed . now from this holy anointing the healing-gift may also spring , for the curing of all bodily infirmities ; for as much as the mortal form and figure , which we bear , is the temple of the holy-ghost ; and it being of a corruptible matter , of flesh and blood , subject to putrefaction , and thereupon painful diseases do breed ; yet this often helped hath been , and cures have been performed upon the impotent body , by the omnipotency of the holy-ghost , moving through mortal creatures : as we have numerous instances both in the old and new-testament , and also since christ and the apostles , by saints of a lesser degree , who have been useful to those upon sick and dying beds , who have been raised up most miraculously . and this power will still attend to the worlds end , such holy souls as can retain their vessels , this all-healing-balsam , having love-pity to their fellow-members , may much release , and help in greatest extreamity ; but this power is not at all times commandable by any creaturely vvill : the apostles themselves could not act it forth upon the sick , but as the holy-ghost moved upon them ; neither can any that received this gift , but as the holy-ghost stirreth this healing-pool within them , which watching to healing-waters , may flow forth to effect all cures bodily , which is a great immunity belonging to vvisdom's children , that are observant to all her rules and commands , most willingly , thus having given an account of what the spirit of christ hath given in , as to what is expected and required for the accomplishing such as are to make up for an espousal bride to him . therefore it is absolutely needful , that we should be furnished out with such powers and gifts , as may qualify for such an high marriage-union , with the first begotten-son and heir of the high god , who doth most willingly give out , and bequeath these five golden talents here mentioned ; that so a stock of spiritual goods being taken in , may be to support , and carry on the heavenly calling withal ; which if found diligent in , may mount to a mighty encrease , for the making of a dowry so great , and large , as may somewhat agree with him , with whom we are to be matched unto : so here we see what is appointed , and cut out to be the saints business and employment , which is not mean but high and noble , answering to that of the glorified saints in the vvorld above , who will in this holy calling , our factors and correspondents be , and meet us frequently : and as those who are more skilful and knowing in this way than mortals can be , will very friendly the ignorant inform ; and such among us that may be more knowing still somewhat more secret and deep , out of the eternal virgins center may us meet . by all which the saints here upon the earth may hereby be made meet , for to be companions to them of high degree in heaven . i shall now this subject conclude , praying with all prayer in the spirit , for an increase of the number of such as may be diligent followers of this high and mighty , and most advantagious calling . happy and blessed , thousands of degrees are such , who chusing , are made partakers of this heavenly vocation , and that shall so prize the priviledge hereof , as to set light by all that shall hinder , and stop the freedom of this all-spiritual employ wherein exercised as high born spirits , they may be in love with the eternal unity . the manner of christ's appearing . hearken , o daughter of sion , behold thy bridegroom cometh no more a servant , but to be served by all flesh ; the word that was manifest in flesh reign in spirit , to prepare for christ's kingdom to come into a visible dominion here upon the earth , by signs and miracles , wrought by the spirit in forms of flesh to confirm christ the lord is coming to appear in his saints , to set them over the earth . for to the daughter of sion the dominion shall be restored through marriage vnion with the lamb of god. this is the first resurrection of the holy people , which shall be the trumpet-voice , that shall awaken the rest that lie dead in sin. the hour of god's judgment will thus come upon the evil nature that hath hitherto reigned in man : the spirit shall be so fully poured forth upon these first risen-one , as to go forth with a quickenning life , to raise the dead spiritually , and bodily ; this shall be the terrible day of the lord , for the condemning and destroying ( not persons , but ) the sin in flesh , so it is declared unto me , which will be fulfilled in its season and time ; which time will be when the wind of the spirit shall rise more strongly , for the holy-ghost is to be the latter day glory prophesied of , and the expected kingdom of christ to be manifested here , upon the earth , in which he will reign personally in his saints , who anointed are , first , with such measures of the spirit , that do highly sanctify , which do prepare for this great day of the thousand years reign prophesied of , but whether it be so to be understood according to our number of years , is not to be determined ; but glorious reign in the spirit there will be before christ in his glorified person will come distinctly upon the earth , to turn it into a paradise , to make these lower parts of the earth glorious , upon which in the last of times he will stand , and model it into a christalline land , which will be new-earth and heavens , as declared of in scripture is ; so from hence it is made known to me , what the work and business of our present age , and day is , which is to pass daily through the baptizing river , that may drown , and keep all of sin down , that the spring of righteousness may rise for the true washing of regeneration ; then will the holy-ghost be renewed , and set up his reign in souls , and will exercise power and dominion , so as it shall be known jehovah-shammah , the lord and mighty king liveeth and reigneth here ; for this must be the forerunner of that more great and notable day of christ , as to his appearance in his own personal glory . it is advertised me , that there is much to be done in the kingdom of this world by a more plentiful effusion of the spirit then yet hath been ; therefore each one in their own jerusalem within be waiting for the spirits day , which is the great increase , and mighty power that will turn the world upside down ; therefore nothing is more expedient for the hastning this blessed day of our lord's appearance . therefore all that are watchmen , and holy-seers to sound out that trumpet of the spirit , that may gather the dove-spirits together to wait in love-unity , that the thousand years reign may have a speedy beginning , and entrance ; upon the which it will follow , as enquiries made into this spirits reign and dominion , shall hereunto be encourag'd . even so , and amen , in the spirit , come lord jesus quickly . a dialogue betwixt christ , and the spirit of my mind , which was upon enquiry , whether i might not be initiated into a present dowry , and spouse to my lord : to partake of the heavenly possessions , which he himself is inheritour of , as the father's heir ? and it was replied unto me , yea surely , it will so follow to be , to the soul that has put on the deiformation of christ the lord ; such , hath a good and right claim to his person and possessions . and when thus believed , and apprehended , liberty is granted for to draw out of this stock , and treasury , as the present occasion shall require ; for out of this fulness an emptying into the most holy and sanctified vessel may be most easily , proportional to its growth and degree . for my lord said to me , you are not ignorantly to suppose that i willingly do hold back from that which stands in unity with me : but there is a cause if any stop be . then replied my spirit , oh my lord ! let it be given to me to know , and understand where the obstructions hath lien ? answered i was , that the veil of not knowing , and not believing the things reported of , which do of right belong unto my virgin spouse ; also wanting are holy boldness , and courage to come freely , and take what is mine , and make it your own ; for be it known to thee , it is far from me , to ingross to my self , what the father hath so much , and liberally bestowed on me , was it not that i might give out as plenteously ? therefore come with full assurance of faith to me , and ye shall receive grace for grace , wisdom for wisdom , love for love , and power for power ; as i have obtained , and received of my father in heaven , so you from me all answerably . pondering in my spirit these words of my lord's , i replied . how shall it be , that a spirit should thus be mingled , and made one pure lump with thee , so as nothing of it self for to be ? answered it was . this should be effected by dying out of creaturely censation , whereby a vacancy of place , for the holy-ghost to rise , and spring , and move , as one entire spiritual body within ; for so it will be when ever there is a cessation , and a rest , from the whirling thoughts and motions , which from the outward astral birth is . this will be the manner of my coming in this latter-day , to stand upon the earth , which thus emptied is , and refined by the fire , that never dieth ; which fire is that seed of god , that shall multiply it self , to bring your christ forth , numerously to overspread this world , till all shall be formed a new . thus shall each one become a christ , ( or an anointed ) from this deified root opening within their own soul. and when this life of christ shall out-grow its minority , and come to maturity of wisdom and strength ; then it shall be known what you are made heirs to , and shall possess , while in the age of time you do remain ; for christ fully grown will bring such gain , as trains of heavenly powers will open and fly like lightning , that shall reach from one nation to another , by which the dark corners of the earth shall become light . this is the new , and living model , which your lord christ will now begin to manifest himself in ; therefore hereunto , let the holy anointed ones , be ever waiting for me , till power come over all that is nature and creaturely spirit . seeing i have ( oh my lord ) liberty of speech further to proceed for enquiry into this deep condescending love of thine , what upon my spirit do move , which is , how the ardent soul , that so great a lover of thee is , may have frequent admittance into thy council-chamber , to know , hear , and learn , what may be conduceable , to such an high degree of unity , as hath been mentioned by thee ; for thou art so over cloathed with greatness and majesty , that it is no light , or easy thing to maintain such accesses unto thee , as required is in so high an import as this is : for to know the secrets that do concern the kingdom of thine , and my joy , and glory in thee ? o my lord , be pleased in this to satisfy me . which was answered most sweet and mildly of my lord , in these words . o thou soul of mine ! thou hast searched deep , for to find a path of life , that few have found , because it is all holy ground , where none but spirits that have put on my spiritual body can ascend , and keep their feet steady in this track , which i to god the father did freely pass ; and so may you , as i in you this risen-body shall quicken up , that so , as hereby you may know it is not my personal glory , that shall prevent such spirits , in this their humble , and love attempt : for i your lord do well know , it is but expedient you should thus keep up your acquaintance with me ; for great will be your advantage hereby , in taking and receiving from me such fresh and wonderful supplies of wisdom , and knowledge in the heavenly mysteries , as shall satisfy , and quiet the mind in the middest of an unquiet , and disturbing world. and now i have informed you , in what you are priviledged in , take all care to keep this way of the spirit all free and clear , that your flight may not be stopped ; so then you will keep your dwelling securely above with me in the heavens , and need not be careful what happeneth to the world beneath ; for your mountain scituation in god shall never be moved . therefore only happy unutterably are they who knows me thus for to be their new living and ascending way , that as with my spiritual body , they may go in and out , taking what is for their present use , which they may have from me , all free , as coming in the faith of sanctity . now having taken in these communications from my lord , i found a precious feeding hereupon , and did feel such a spreading and quickning life come upon me , as if all were filled with christ in every part , which may be compared to elijah's stretching himself upon the dead child , which was made alive thereby . thus the lord christ draws a lively draught of himself in every part in the soul , and nourisheth it with his own royal blood , which runneth thro' every vein , by which we know we have put on christ in his resurrection-spirit , and inward body , to which perfect thing coming , redemption is finished . highly blessed are those that shall arrive hereunto . by all these manifestations , i see the day of love is breaking out , to compass the whole earth , and christ will no longer a stranger be ; for so he doth prophesy in me , that in the holy-ghost , he will in this last age of the world more wonderfully appear ; therefore i am press'd in spirit to excite all that love , and longeth for to see , feel , and know him , as a present counsellor , and comforter , that they would thus prepare by pureness of heart and mind , waiting for this love-star to rise , and multiply it self to numberless stars of love , and power , that may a heavenly host be , to proclaim the glory of christ's kingdom . even so come , thou mighty king of glory , and make us kings to reign over all that of the earthly life , as so redeemed by thee , thou lamb of god , to whom the hallelujahs is given . a post-script . being a question put to the author ; which is this , viz. q. god , being so pure , holy , and good in himself ; how comes evil and sin to be awakened , since god is the original , from whence all created beings have proceeded ? as ( now ) both angels , and all rational-creatures are infected therewith all . as this was answered privately , so it is thought necessary and serviceable ( for the publich satisfaction of all in general ) to be incerted here , being of a weighty concern for to be resolved in , ( which is not from the reach of man's knowledge or wisdom , but from the revelation of the spirit of christ ( so given in , and in this wise opened ) viz. a. that the great and mighty god and creatour , had all principles and centers , both of light and darkness in himself ; with good and evil , death and life . but all of these ( tho seeming contrary ) were bounded in unity and harmony ; so that the darkness did not mingle , to ecclips the light ; nor the evil to lessen and diminish the good ; or the death to be hurtful to the life . the divine wisdom kept all in their place and station vnviolated in himself . but what the mighty god procreated , and generated out of himself angels of that kind ( which kept not their first station , they derived from their creator ) all essences , both in the light , and in the darkness , and were very noble , potent , and great . but being ( now ) distinct , and apart from their original root ( the being of god ) they found a power in themselves to awaken what principles or essence they would ( standing in a free-liberty , either to the good , or to the evil ) but not being watchful , to keep all in our bounds in a meek humility ; a sinful disorder brake forth , and the luciferian-spirits got against the creator , who , ( hereupon ) turned them out of the pure-angelical principles , so as they must remain apostates from god , till their number of punishment shall be finished . now , from hence came the infection of all mankind . these fall'n-angels envying that new , and heavenly image . for god , after this , made , and brought forth ( to replenish , and fill up the void and empty spaces of the light world ) man , whom he had created in their room : upon which they did conspire , how they might involve this new-created being , in the same fact of disobedience with themselves , for they were subtle-knowing-spirits , and understood better than adam , of what consistency of principles he stood in ; and that ( through temptation set on ) the hidden essence of evil might be awaken'd in him ; for he was essenced both in the good and evil ; and so , became more easily corrupted and defiled . thus we give the enquirer an answer to the question . how sin at first came in . now it remains to let you know , how this poyson of sin ( that hath infected all of adam's posterity ) shall be allayed and expell'd the original cure hereof , is so known , that i need not set that forth , being generally believed that christ came in the flesh to be a propitiation for the sins committed in the flesh. but now a deeper thing than this i have to declare and make known as thus. we know all outward-births have been conceived in sin ; and yet somewhat of good ( from the original root of nature ) hath therefrom ( in every one ) sprung forth . now know and consider , there is no other way to make a perfect cure , but by taking the sting of sin out ; and that by another birth conceived within the soul ( which is christ the quickning-spirit ) ( that which is a sinless birth : ) and as that groweth up , and becomes strong in spirit , the sinful part wythers and dies away . thus christ the god-man works out sin within the properties of fall'n-nature , and so , compleats redemption victoriously ; for that which is thus born of god , overcomes the world. 1 ep. of iohn , chap. 2. but here meets me a question , viz. is christ to be conceiv'd , and born in every one for salvation so intrinsically ? yea surely , this is , and must be the foundation-seal , whereby god the father will own , and rescue us , a being the express image of his beloved son. but again , it may be objected , that i have verified , that god's love is so great and large , as all fall'n-angels and spirits shall be redeemed ; but the question is , how can that be when so many die without any appearance of this new-birth you speak of ? it is so , that millions of souls do so ( out of this world ) pass away , and much to their loss and suffering it will be . yet know , the root of the eternal god is every soul , tho never so vile and evil in this body they have lived in and so died . for christ is the light that hath enlightned every one that cometh into the world. john 1. 0 that this light and life of christ hath been shut up , and sin hath got uppermost , yet christ ( the eternal spark of life ) will save himself in all that have apostatiz'd from him ; nothing shall suffer loss but the fuel of evil-works , that cannot pass through the judgment and burning ; and if this life be passed over , and little or nothing of this done ; there must be a remaining in a fearful-expectation of going through this terrible refining-work after this life , in regions so appointed for that end . oh! that all careless , desperate soul-adventurers , that know not the hard tugs they must go through to clear and get off , what they contracted of vile-matter , and evil-deeds in this life ; therefore let all be warned to mortify and renounce the earthly-birth , that so , they may escape the fiery-indignation , that will come upon the workes of iniquity . oh! now then , whilst you have day with the everlasting sun-shine of love in your souls , turn into it , and it will clarify and brighten you that ( so saved ) you may be out of all future-punishments , and entrance find into the joy of our lord ; which may be known now in this present time , in the heavens of a pure-heart ; the happy felicity of which i have already set forth , in this treatise . so , hoping this may give satisfaction to the impartial and sober-minded , for information into the mysteries , that have been under a veil ( which is now rending away ) for the which break of day , let us earnestly pray . a visional appearance , or prophesy . iuly 15. 1694. i had a sudden representation came before me of a round globe , like an oval , that had four circles , and with in the first circle , was a pure white glass of light ; in which , there appeared the personal prince of glory , with a numberless number of bright bodily-figures , with whom the elders were ; they had got victory over this world , who departed in the faith of what they now enjoy ; and the circle that was encompassed , was of a bright flame-colour . then , next to this was an azure blue-circle ; and here appeared the faces only of numerous persons , that are yet living in bodily figure in this world ( who some are known , and others unknown to me ) and the motto that was written on their fore-heads was , these are those who are waiting for to break through into mount-sion-principle , where christ the lord , with all that are redeemed out , and from the earth are . then , in the third circle , which appeared like pale-lightning , there open'd seraphims and cherubims , bright angels , very numerous that ascended ; and were appointed as a guard , always ministring to those . and did see them break their circle , , and come amongst those , who pressing were into the light-world . the fourth circle was a more dark dusky-colour ; and here were those who were yet to be gathered in , and born again ; some among them were known by face to me : they were yet but moving in the dark-principle ( as shut from the light. all of this was conspicuously opened unto me . and as i was waiting further upon the vision ( as it shut up , and opened again the next night ) then i saw one mighty-potent-angel break through the circle where the glorified-person and their elders were ; and a great shout there was , crying , the principle of salvation is broken through ; and now the beast's kingdom will quickly go down , and worthy is this mighty conquerour to receive ( with the lamb of god ) power and riches , wisdom and strength . honour , glory and blessing ; for the way is broken through for such to follow after , who in the same spirit of faith are , acquitting their sensual reasonings . then did i see many striving to enter in , but could not till they had relinquished the name and mark of the beast ( which is this worldly principle ) with all it s polluted immercements` and babilonian trafficks , which , by the sight of this all-conquering-angel , were prevailed upon so to do . then a free pass was made for many ( known by figure and name ) to enter in , and to receive mutual-power to multiply and spread mount-sions glory over the whole face of this earth . so will all nations be made to flow in , at the rising of this bright-orient-spirit ; for great powers are moving from the heaven in very deed. oh mighty jesus ! thou art this circle-breaker , by , and in such , whom thou wilt assume , and take up to open the fountain of great-wonders ; by the which , the lost-purity , shall again come to be restored , and the heavens ( as a curtain over the whole world spread . this is a prophetical vision , the fulfilling thereof draweth near ; therefore it seemed good to me to add it to the foregoing part. the author has much of this kind lying by her ( in manuscript ) that may yet come to light , as god shall open an effectual door , for more to be revealed , that may conduce , and make ready , the new-jerusalem bride to be married to the immaculate lamb of god : for the which , i say to all , come , oh come away with speed . the lifted up standard of christ , the trumpet of whose spirit does now sound , that the dead in sins may live again in a new-state , from the resurrection-life of christ , who cometh down in a fiery-baptizing-cloud : by which , he will enter into souls , who willing are to have this sin-defiling-garment taken away . the oil of the spirit is still flowing ; but must now stop for the present , till vessels shall be found and made ready to take it in . for the which , the incense of pure prayers shall still ascend up to heaven . finis . this book is to be sold by the author , iane lead , living at the lady mico's colledge , right against stepney church ; and at her daughters barbary walton , at mr. mileman's in new-street , at the end of dean-street , right against the 3 tuns . and if any one be disatisfied in any point handled in this book , the author is ready to give answer thereunto , while she is yet living . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a49865-e500 * note well from hence . notes for div a49865-e2690 * the gospel is preached to the dead , or souls departed . † ch. 3. 19. & 4. 6. 1 cor. 3. 13. * or christ the lord. the revelation of revelations particularly as an essay towards the unsealing, opening and discovering the seven seals, the seven thunders, and the new-jerusalem state ... / published by j.l. ... lead, jane, 1623-1704. 1683 approx. 307 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 65 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2003-01 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a49872 wing l789 estc r31694 12245573 ocm 12245573 56930 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a49872) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 56930) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1641-1700 ; 1507:11) the revelation of revelations particularly as an essay towards the unsealing, opening and discovering the seven seals, the seven thunders, and the new-jerusalem state ... / published by j.l. ... lead, jane, 1623-1704. [12], 130 p. printed and sold by a. sowle ... also by j. lead ... london : 1683. attributed to jane lead by wing and nuc pre-1959 imprints. imperfect: pages stained with print showthrough and loss of print. reproduction of original in the huntington library. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the 25,363 texts created during phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 january 2015. anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng mysticism. 2002-01 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2002-01 apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images 2002-04 tcp staff (michigan) sampled and proofread 2002-04 john latta text and markup reviewed and edited 2002-05 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the revelation of revelations particularly as an essay towards the unsealing , opening and discovering the seven seals , the seven thunders , and the new-jerusalem state. the which have not hitherto so far been brought forth to light ( except by the spiritual discerner ) to any degree of satisfaction , as to the understanding of the grand mystery . published by j. l. the author of the heavenly cloud , made mention of , particularly in the preparatory epistle to that late theosophick piece , entituled , theologia mystica . a work never extant before . rev. 5. 9. and they sang a new song , saying , thou art worthy to take the book , and to open the seals thereof . 1 cor. 1. 10. for god hath revealed them unto us by his spirit 's for the spirit searcheth all things , yea , the deep things of god. london , printed and sold by a. sowle , at the crooked-billet in holloway-lane in shoreditch . also by j. lead at the carpenters in bartholomew-close ; and at book-sellers in london and westminster , 1683. h. lion . to the living stones gathered , and to be gathered to christ , the foundation stone , ( where-ever hid , scattered and dispersed ) who are elected in god for the new-jerusalem-glory and mount-zion-church ; all love , grace , peace and joy be multiplied from him who was , is , and is to come . the establishment of the restored sion-church cannot be by man or after manly wisdom , but by the holy spirit , which christ our prince and saviour hath sent in his own name , to build upon the foundation of the father and the son ; a rock indeed , which remaineth steady and unshaken from time to eternity . and indeed , who else is found sufficient for the gathering and building of these holy temple-stones , that are to be fitly compacted together , to make up this glorious church , that may be presented all fair , without spot , as becomes the spouse and bride of the lamb , which you will find the whole subject of the following revelations tend to , even to the bringing out of all that are found in lifeless forms , into the very substantial life and ministration of the holy spirit , where the increase and growing up is known , into that body , in which god will move and work all ; for the which end all prophecies that have been from the foundation of the world , may have their fulfilling in this last age ; for the which , good assurance is given , from the fresh springing of the word of wisdom , that may produce a sealed commission , not only in letter , but from the feeling fiery-breath of the true unction , which is the living epistle , by which alone i desire to be made known to you , and from thence do send pure love-greeting to them whose ears are opened to hear and receive what the spirit of truth hath declared and unfolded in this little volumn , which now is presented to publick view , contrary to the intent and purpose of the subordinate author hereof , who , as i was waiting in my continued course and order , upon , the heavenly showring , and to feed , and be refreshed in this all-fruitful and pleasant pasture , being satisfied here to take my lengths and breadths in all free conference with the lord , the spirit , whom i did well know by his inward flaming body , which at certain times did stir and rise , and then i could hear and distinctly know the voice of his mouth , which came as a soft melting fire-breath , and said , record what since october 1679. hath been seen , heard , tasted and felt , and shun not to declare it , for it hath a peculiar service on gods behalf to do , though at present hid from thee ; only observe and be watchful , and i will certainly follow this at the heels . and thus you may perceive under what constraint i am , and by whose commission these deep and mystical revelations are now published , who fore-sees what effects they are to have , and what souls and spirits are to be touched and enkindled from the same burning-ray , which will surely over-shadow the believing . and for the doubtful , i have only this caution , and that from the holy and just one. that henceforth they cease from rash and uncircumcised judgment , which doth arise from the rational will and spirit , and above all to put on the meek , simple and child-like spirit , and so cease to be injurious to their own souls ; for nothing is more prejudicial to the growing and springing life and light , than to give way to incredulity , and an evil suspition raised from the dark mists of sense and worldly wisdom , which can never reach the deep things of the spirit . therefore , if there be any force , power or authority in that word of life that was from the beginning , and is now come to bear his own living record in our day ; which word and spirit of truth and wisdom let none resist , but open the everlasting doors of their souls and minds for to take it in , and so you will of the lively hope partake , and bear the true and living testimony with us , that the morning star is risen for to lead us out of our selves , where nothing but darkness is , and where the fallen spirits keep their strong hold , binding and putting out the eyes of sampson the nazerite , the figure of the eternal spirit , which is in all the sons of adam , against which the grand apollyon hatcheth his treacherous conspiracy ; for he hath great indignation against us , because such love , grace and goodness hath now abounded to us in christ jesus our lord , who is come to offer himself an effectual salvation in all ; there is not a door that he passeth by , but that at one time or other he knocks at it , and would find entrance in , to redeem and fetch out his own eternal spirit , from under bondage , death and misery : but such are the subtil wiles of that enemy of all mankind , that he provides a dalilah for some to steal and draw away their minds , and to seduce their more noble part to that which is vile , base and sensual . and then , another more subtil bait he casts out for those who are mortified , and have escaped those worldly charms , and are come to a sober and lawful use of the things of this creation , and yet are held captives through the multiplicity of mortal cares , businesses and concerns for the outward man , whereby they are so overcharged and weighed down in their spirits , that they cannot get up to shake off this carthly dust , to walk with god in enoch's state , not observing that counsel of the lord christ , first to seek the kingdom of heaven ; and with all getting , to get wisdom : the contrary to which is most universally practised , in making sure first of the beasts kingdom , and the perishing mamon of unrighteousness ; and then if the kingdom of heaven will fall in and be added to them , it shall be welcome ; but alas ! this will not do , christ will not be served last . wherefore , let not the serpent beguile any who seek the pearl of christs kingdom , but be wise , to avoid the choaking earth and drowning floods , and trust the lord upon his word , who will certainly make good whatsoever we part with on his account , as there are some who can witness to gods truth and faithfulness in this matter . a third caution is , for those who are got out of the throng and incombrance of worldly multiplicity , and have thrown off all those weights and sins which do so easily beset them ; they must know that all this will not fully secure them , though it be a very good ground-work , and greatly advantagious for the rearing up of gods perfect tabernacle within them , for the following glories to rest upon it ; but be advertised from the holy and true fore-sight of the spirit of jesus , who knows the dangers and perils which attend this state also ; which though they have escaped the worldly bondage and earthly pollutions , yet spiritual defilements may remain , which are of more dangerous consequence than briary cares and worldly distractions ; for we have not only to do with a birth of flesh and blood , but there are internal powers and principalities of an higher descent , which joyn their forces with the rational spirit , which is the more wise and sober part in man , and therefore most readily take upon them , to prescribe laws and rules for the superior soul to walk by , who finding it self fallen , stands in great need of an help and guide , to bring it out of this wretched plunge and confused state , being convinced by christ the true life and light risen within , how the case stands with it , and thereby made eagerly desirous to be set free from those inward usurping powers , which come with all deceiveableness to circumvent and keep the soul in the strong hold of a rational sense , which must be quitted . and now the enlightned soul feeling the malady so great and so painful , looks out diligently for a speedy relief , and is ready to embrace every physitian that doth profess to be skillful in the curing of souls ; whereupon comes in a second danger , of which ye will do well to take heed , that is , to be cautioned from whom you receive spiritual medicine , and whether they be such who have the true balsom and tincture of life to give forth from the very unction of god resting in them ; for no other can be profitable unto you . all who have not this soveraign white stone , which knows only how to pour out his name as precious oyntment from vessel to vessel , are physitians of no value . therefore while ye in the state of minority are , and have need to be under pastors and teachers , till you are come up to the highest form , ready prepared and qualified for the great master teacher to undertake you , even the holy spirit , who will perfect whatever was lacking in other teachings , and through other mediums , for which direct your eye , waiting in a peactable concord and silent harmony , in your own jerusalem within , whereupon written is to be , holiness to the lord in every property ; and then you will come to know the fresh pasturesprings , which are only under the breaking-up-seal of the holy unction , where no defiled foot hath ever come to raise the dust , to discolour this golden stream . this is the ministration which you will find the following openings to point out and lead to ; and though as yet it be an unbeaten path , which the lord hath by his instrument now declared , and made known in way of vision and prophecy ; yet it is the true day-star that will give its own light and witness : therefore let the wonderers , despisers and contemners take heed of making a mock of that which the alpha and omega will own and stand by , as his express mind , who prohibited the publisher hereof from altering the way and manner of the revealing of these great and deep things . therefore you have them unpollished , in their own naked simplicity as they were every day revealed & given forth , not in the dress of humane wisdom ; no , they are of another descent , and the spiritual ones in god will feel , know and taste from what treasure-house they proceed : and as for others , we do not heed their judgment , only shall be found in hearty prayer for their true enlightning , that all may come to know what the love-trumpet doth now sound for , is it not that both earth and sea may give up their long buried dead , and that his cursed ground may no longer shut up the dead in christ ? are not these tidings brought from the bright east ? that the lord is coming to bring forth himself , in a new and marvellous . resurrection , such as never was yet , and therefore hath before-hand , sent his holy spirit of prophecy , to proclaim what he intends to fulfil , according to his antient purpose and decree , and for this end hath shewed what gates are to open , to give entrance into this all-fruitful sharon , where the scattered love-flock hath been hunted and chased as panting harts , shifting their pastares , and yet not finding where to lie down and be at rest , which indeed can never be expected , till through the seven seals ye do come , where the full glorious resurrection day ye shall witness , through all things becoming new , where the holy spirit , your over-seer , and feeling life , shall ever and always be known for fixation in the resurrection state ? and though the saduces be numerous , that have no faith ever to see this first resurrection , which is from the body of sin to be made free , giving witness hereunto first , by being begotten alive from the dead , according to the scriptures ; you hath he quickned , who were dead in trespasses and sin : therefore it is not incredible to us that god should raise the dead , ( see rom. 4 , 5 , & 7 chapters ) but each one in christ's order ; for allowance must be given for degrees ; for as the death is gradually , so is also the resurrection perfected through received acts of power ; a similitude whereof we may see in the visible sun , which doth not attain its meridian height at his first rising ; and so the body of the resurrection doth not at once , but by degrees , advance to its full height of lustre and glory ; so as we must give way to measures and degrees in all sorts , whether in dying or rising , all opening one everlasting mystery of glory in the powers of our lord jesus , who will bring all , one after another up to glory . now then let each one prove his own work wrought in god , whether in death , resurrection , ascention or glorification ; for these are all linked together , though not attai ned or reached but in their own order , still going on from the first step to the last ; the way for the attainment of which , you will find described according to the measure of the spirit , given for manifestation of these long hidden truths that have lain under the seals , where you will find the path that leadeth into the death , and the loosing therefrom , through the seventh seal , opening for the resurrection , which the seven thunders do plainly express , and so proceed on to the ascending reign in christs kingdom , which is great and magnificent , giving its own signal demonstration , by opening the divine magia , whereby the holy spirit comes to act in his own place , viz. in the ascended body of the resurrection , from thence to go forth and work his wonders , such as yet were never wrought , which will be the introduction into the fixed glorification , for to be co-centred in the ascended triumphant spirit , the glory of which is attributed to the lamb of god , of whom it is said , that he is worthy to receive blessing , wisdom , power , strength and glory , for the effecting of so full and perfect a redemption ; all which shall be assigned to the glorified in christ , who in the royal unchangeable priesthood shall be confirmed , as going up from glory to glory , till swallowed up in glory , power , might and excellency , the manner of which is defined as the close of all that hath been treated of in this book , as the finishing testimony which at present was given me from the lord of glory . therefore so receive them in faith and love , for this is the day of gods revelation , who sends forth this as a fore-going harbinger , who according to his promise will soon follow to fulfil all the rich and precious things prophested herein ; and therefore calleth upon his scattered stones to get together , to harmonize in the eternal light , love and purity , provoking each other to go on forward in this four-fold process of our lord jesus , arising out of this long night of slumber ; for the day is broken , and the morning-star may be discerned . consider to what a life of glory and immortality ye are called , it is great and wonderful indeed ; yet know , the east-gate now will open to those that earnestly knock thereat ; so that there is a certain possibility to get up unto all these degrees of glory : wherefore let none doubt , but be girded with the omnipotency of faith , which will rid the way swiftly , leaving all unbelieving loyterers behind . a race we have to run , some may not be yet set out , others newly engaged , and others a good way in the race ; but blessed are they who shall at the price first come , that so they may return to strengthen , and encourage their companions in the race , who may see the rosie-garland of victory in their hands , and the diadem of precious stones , as the price which they have won , which doth well deserve to be run hard for , not delaying so much time as to look behind , being once set out , but so run that we may obtain . but it may be questioned , who , and where those are which are so resolute and strong in spirit , as to hold out to the end of the race ? for this , none can be found indeed , but such as are arisen with christ from the dead , he is & must become the racer in us ; for all other legs we run with will soon tire and be weary ; therefore set not out till christ your life and strength be risen , as a gyant refreshed , to run out this conquering race , where ye may come to lie down under the encompassing glory , as in an everlasting pleasant shade , possessing all those high and wonderful immunities , glories , crowns , joys , gifts , powers in the holy spirit , who will magnifie his office in acting and working all in the body of the resurrection , concerning which i shall no further enlarge , but refer you to what is treated of in the former , and this the following revelations . i shall now cease , and shut up all in that springing fountain , from whence this bundle of revelations did proceed , having a good hope and certain perswasion , that the lord will be with his own testimony in a light ray , spreading over all the darkness of those minds that shall attend and receive without prejudice what is written , though to some it may appear obtruse , deep and mystical , and hard to be understood , yet to others , who are come under the teaching of the same unction , it will appear plain , and easily apprehended , and that the spirit will bear record with us , of what was , and is , and yet is to come . now the things yet to come , is that powerful and princely reign unto glorification , which hath long been prophesied of , and now again with an affirmation , that the lord will suddainly be upon us , to take unto him his kingdom , which nothing of the beasts reign shall mingle . oh! holy , precious and elect , let us not sleep , but set our morning-watch , for tydings are come to make all things ready for him : let it appear who the wise virgins are , by their making themselves ready to meet the lord , not only for a visit or salvation , but for an eternal marriage , and an un-interrupted nuptial fruition , and so to be ever with the lord , or rather the lord to be ever with us , as his dear bride , perfectly redeemed from the earth , as it becometh her thus holy and blameless to be found ; for the everlasting priestly celebration and holy ministration , in no other temple but what is called god and the lamb where the only true spiritual worshippers are found , and from whence our praise-offerings will spring , as from the bright sphere of glory , that swallows up darkness , death , sorrow , contempt , and the curse in a full and total victory ; for the hopes of which , and first budding fruits now shall conclude with high acclamation , glory , salvation and praise to god and the lamb , that cometh to reign evermore ; even so and amen . known to be yours , in the unsealed book of life , which none can shut again , j. ☞ lead and e. h. follows . the introduction . it was in my purpose to have suspended , as yet , any further manifestation of the revelation that still followed me , and would have hid the golden talent only for an encrease in its own invisible ground , from whence it open'd at first , till such time is it might come forth in the multiplying number of the holy spirit , to seal up the glory of all that had gone before in vision and prophecy ; but christ , the bright banner of glory stood before me , and said , keep in record the journal of the now raised life , according to the profession then art going on in ; and know that what hath and it further to be revealed , shall be sealed with a mighty witness , conquering all opposition , where-ever it shall rise : wherefore , go on , and forbear not writing ; for it shall be as the unclouding of the present dark day , and many shall come in at the brightness of its rising , though it now seems to be under an eclipse . thus was i afresh enkindled from the all-pierciug word of my lord , who knows for what end he moves me horeunto , tho i still objected against it , as fore-seeing no passage for such high mysteries , nor likelihood of their reception in that love which is void of censuring , and therefore would rather have hid these heavenly things in their own centre . but seeing it hath pleased the lord to over-rule my resolution , i shall be obedient to his word , as believing it may extend to the benefit of some who are known to himself , who will not difesteem the preciousness of the spirit for the vessels sake ; wherefore , i shall no longer be backward to reveal what is of great weight and importance , as being well assured , that the lord jesus will go along with me , till i have fulfilled the declaration of the whole mystery . i feel the divine agent , that works mightily in holy separated souls and minds , driving on to make way for what is yet behind in reference to the manifestation of that kingdom , which now the lord is about to restore in his saints ; and therefore gives forth fresh and lively ideas of it , that pure minds may be excited to look for its coming in their new earth and heavens , which are to be garnished as with purity , so with dominion and power , even the rising body of the holy spirit , which must restore all things which have been in confusion . now what goeth before to make ready for this , hath been already set down by the golden pen , which is dipped in the springing unction , to which more considerable revelations are added by him , who saith , he is come to make all things new , being ready to give forth the promise of the father in the ministration of the everlasting gospel . i say , the faithful witness , and ground of all mysteries , minded me of his charge to his disciples , when he was to disappear to the outward , viz. that they should wait at jerusalem , the holy city , in harmony , concord and oneness of mind , with great confidence and love to each other . a deeper search the holy one doth make in them , who in this last age are waiting to be endowed with the full acting body of the deity , which will be manifested in a different manner , than in the days of the apostles , that being by way of gift , coming down as a shower ; but now those who shall be endowed with this signal blessing , must have it by way of a birth in them . the apostles were to wait at jerusalem , which was a figure of the principle of light , where all natures and properties are harmoniz'd to an equal temperature , all faculties are spiritualiz'd and purged from their drossiness , and reconciled to each other in a sweet love-accord . it is plainly shewed me , that the holy spirit will have his birth in a peaceable habitation , where the conquering life of jesus , by his dying and rising , hath first made its way by reconciling the properties of nature , and bringing them to a divine harmony , by which , renewing nature into a soft and sweet mildness , causing all contrarieties of spirit to cease , by subduing it to the light-principle . wherefore it is but in vain to expect the establishment of that kingdom , which the birth of the holy spirit will bring to us , till this thorow work be wrought , that we may come to unity in our selves , and with one another , which is a very high perfection . and truly , from hence i have been informed where the birth of power hath stuck , and why so many faculties , fruitless births , have been brought forth : wherefore , let not our bribed senses , or the spirit of unbelief , so far delude us , to make us believe , that the holy spirit will open its birth , but according to what hath been by the lord himself revealed . but it may be objected , that if the terms be so hard , it looks as an impossibility to obtain it , because nothing of the evil qualities and striving properties must remain , which are not so quite allayed in any , but may be stirred up again into motion : pray therefore let us know what provision hath been revealed against this , that it may beg it a hope and belief in those who are yet in the division and strife , the good warring against the evil , and the evil against the good , being divided betwixt the night and the day , as the greatest saints are . for answer to this objection ; the spirit of the lord hath searched and found out a cure , which will bring the broken and divided estate of the first adamical birth into unity , harmony and pure liberty ; i shall , as i am able , bring it sorth in the same model it was given to me , for a true seeing glass , by which i was directed to fathom the deepest ground of my eternal soul , and to find out its true essential properties , as they were derived from the unmixed purity of the one pure element . this pure eternal living soul , thus breathed by god , into an angelical image , and formed into an organical body from the one pure element , all which was to be seen in the first paradisiacal man : but when lucifer prevailed by darting in his hellish fire , it left such a sting , which hath poysoned all the inward essences of of the very immortal part ; and therefore the wound is found so deep that no medicine can be found to reach it ; but christ , the in-breathed word , who only can reach the soul 's original ground ; and being the creating fiat can alone make all nowagain , according to the highest uniformity of the express deity . and this cometh first to be known in a fiery ray of loue-light ; that discovers where the root of sin doth lie ; and so when the spirit of the soul comes , by the word of life , to understand its own original and by what means it hath been corrupted and captivated , it is made full-willing and eager to strike in with that christ , which riseth from the centre-light in its own soul , to redeem and reconcile all to himself , that was alienated from him in the birth of strife . thus christin us , is our peace indeed , who hath made of both , and all one new creature , having abolished the law of enmity , blotting and rcoting out sin , by the same degrees as his own righteous nature enters in , which restores all peaceable concord . so that the spirit , who is made partaker of this gift of god , hath put on royal liberty , and being clothed with christs essential body , finds it self unloaded of all sinful weights , and moves swifty in the circle of light , and runs its races through the unknown spaces and christaline spheres , where other worlds do appear with all their glorious objects , ranks and orders , which must needs make this world look base and vile to a soul that is come naked and free out of the original womb , as begotten again from the dead , rising in a perfect clarified body of light , and being quite recovered from that desperate lapsed state that would have sunk the soul into everlasting death . thus you see by what means the disagreeing properties of nature may come to be harmoniz'd as in the beginning : god must become man , and by his consuming fiery property destroy original sin , which is the first engine that moves the wheel of strife and division in the soul , which fire is gods choice instrument , when set and tuned by his hand , who gave it a beeing out of eternal nature , into which it must be dissolved again , that it may be a meet instrument for the holy spirit to play such tunes and triumphant sounds , and teach such new lessons as have not hitherto been understood . all which shall be made good when the soul shall be brought forth as a well tuned instrument , new strung and qualified , in the deified man , where the holy spirit moves every property , according to the central wheel , in its new begotten form , which is set free to run its races in the sphere of light , where weak mortality , with its sinful essences are out-run and left behind in the fall. let not this seem strange or impossible ; for in the deep a mean is found for the bringing forth of this long buried seed , which hath long waited to arise in its original body of essential perfection and harmoniz'd powers , that it may appear that god is come to move and shew himself in the covenant of his love , according to the preordination , in the heart of christ ; for by him we do obtain this resurrection , in order to all the following glories , which the holy spirit shall bring with him ; even so anon. this instruction being so immediately from the lord , carried great weight with it , and made me resolve to wait upon the working power in my inward deep , for the reducing of every divided property to unity ; for i was fully convinced that this uniformity must be the temple in which the holy spirit will appear for the bringing of all working powers to a heavenly consort and agreement : i sate upon this day by day , and as i found great drivings thereunto from the south wind of heaven , so strong storms were raised from the north , with roaring seas that lifted up their waves to scatter and make void this holy enterprize , in injecting divers temptations that such a thing as this could not hold or abide , but would have its overturnings and changes , for that nothing less than a god can always be in an equal temperature , and that this was rather the full effect of the holy spirits coming , than a preparation for it . thus was i puzled and tossed to and fro in my mind , as if i were put upon that which could never be brought about , or carried through to the desired end. but the lords word was mighty and powerful to press me forward to this sweet and well ordered composure of mind , to abide in an equal temperature , notwithstanding all that might come in to discourage me , whether from those visible things or from the dark principality , which is much more hurtful , in regard that they , as spirits can shoot in their darts before we are aware ; so that this bath been my watchful exercise for some days , to resist what would have done violence to that , which in concord and peace , would ever unshaken remain . the holy one , according to his friendly way and manner of visitation , did after all this , exceedingly comfort and strengthen me to maintain his right of conquest , over all that which yet is left to vex and awaken anxiousness , or any fear or turmoile in the soul. my jesus thus spake , consider and know thou art to hold fast what i have purchased by the fore-passed death in thee , as having assumed that body of sin to offer it up for a consuming sacrifice , once for all , as was shewed in the type of the visible body , which is now done again in the invisible . so that you are to reckon and account your sins virtually done away ; they can claim no law either to reign or condemn : look upon all motions of this kind to be at the check of the spirit , who hath again quickned the dead , and will no more give way to that which came in to flesh for to destroy ; and therefore let none pretend a necessity of continuing in that which hath brought in confusion and disagreement , seeing a redeeming spirit is come down to renew , and gather in the lost again to the divine beeing , from whence they did proceed at first , pure as god is pure ; to which degree of perfection that we may be restored again , is the end of christs mediatory office , not only without , but within us , where the body of sin hath been yielded up for an offering . this confirming word , christ the lord , who is arising , left with me , for them who have been in the death with him , that we henceforth may know our selves in him to be acquitted and released from all claims , which the evil powers and properties can make for upholding that kingdom where the beasts throne is , which consists of envy , wrath & strife , from all which , by an eternal decree of the lord jehovah , you are set free , and brought into the harmony of that kingdom , where the springing joy ; from the peace of god doth run as a river that hath its division through all properties , for to bring them to the heavenly unity , whereby the creature is set free from the bondage of sin , and a wafaring life , according to the pattern seen in the mount of vision , to which my spirit hath been oft taken up to see the wonderful plat-form of the new-jerusalem . the vision of the new-jerusalem . the lord took me away from my mortal part , and shewed me the scituation of this great glory , and said , behold , and see the pattern of the heavenly houses and mansions , which make up the new-jerusalem , where the glory of the one only god doth fill all with the essential light and splendor of his divine goodness . i shall , as i am able , describe what i did see in the heavens of this mother-city ( for so it was named to me ) who is to bring forth her first and free-born to replenish the new earth and heavens . it appeared as a city sounded upon one square stone , whose dimensions were very large ; it was all paved with light flaming colours , appearing like so many various sparkling stones , inlaid on the great foundation stone , which gave forth a luster , as if so many bright suns had been there : towards the verge or out-side of this square stone were seen many seraphick bodies , wreathing arm in arm , and several rows of various spiritual forms , of different ranks and stature : these rews appeared like the stories of a building , which were carried up higher & higher in a square figure , till it was wonderful high ; & upon the heads of the most inward glorified bodies a covering was spread by one more diaphanous , and of greater splendor than all the rest ; the height of his person was higher by the head then all the other , who called to me , out of this most glorious building , to take good heed of all i had seen , for it had a further meaning , which i was to have revealed , when driven by the spirit into the light mystery , where all deep things do open . oh my dear lord ! be thou an all-springing testimony within , and from this new-jerusalem . my spirit being drawn out for a further enquiry concerning this new-jerusalem state , what the appearance of it to us did signifie for this present time ? the foundation stone thereof gave forth this word , that such a city the mighty cyrus would himself be the founder of , upon the visible stage of this world , although there be little appearance of it , as yet , because the elect stones are at present lying amongst the rubbish of confusion , who in due time are to be linked together , to make up a strong city of defence , through the gates of which no unclean vessel shall pass , nor whatsoever is lame or blemished , according as was seen in the pattern . this the lord will effect by his might and spirit , and establish this city on mount-zion , at which the whole world shall tremble . whilst the lord was communing with me about this heavenly city , i saw it descend and cover the whole earth ; and all those who were not prepared to enter , and who could claim no birth-right freedom in this mother-city , did flee away by multitudes , heaps upon heaps , to hide themselves from the bright splendor of the divine body , with the anointed head in the midst of it . the glory was so great , that we can only give an eclipsed account of what was seen . but as the descent of this magnificence did terrifie , and cause above three parts of the world to flee away , as having an irreconcileable enmity to spirits and bodies of such purity ; so on the other hand , i saw a numerous company gathered to it , from all quarters ; the trumpet-shout of jerusalems great king calling them in from all parts , they were all the first-born of this mother-city , who well knows her own , calling them by that name which is impressed upon them in flaming characters of love. multitudes of this kind encompassed the holy city , but few were admitted to the seraphick wreathe , even those only who had put on the glorified body . whereupon i asked , why those who were called , and had the name of the heavenly city upon them , were not received in ? and the lord said , that those who were taken into the glory , had finished their inward transformation , to the utmost perfection , waiting only for the consumation of the nuptial glory ; but that the rest , though far gone in true regeneration , could not be admitted until their redemption were perfectly wrought out , to the end that no flaw may be found in the stones that are to constitute this divine building ; but as any shall arrive to this degree of perfection , so this city shall descend and take them in . hereupon followed a further discovery , to let me know the royal freedom of the spiritual seed proceeding from the new-jerusalem , as the virgin bride of god , who though come down into this visible birth of time , yet was before all time in the substantiality of spiritual essence , by whom the renewed fruitfulness of this free birth shall in this last age of the world be made manifest ; which was the joyful message which sounded in my heavens , with what is further to be declared for our consolation . it was thus laid before me , that the jerusalem from above hath been these many ages travelling to bring forth her first and free-born , according to that divine likeness , whose descent is not to be found within the verge of time. for here the gate of gods deep hath been opened to let us in to see the wonderful mystery that was fore-ordained to work through all the vicissitudes of time since the first creation . now then let us consider what the first plant of paradise was , from whence we are all sprung ; it was but a flower from the earth ; for out of the dust of the earth the lord god created man , and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life , and man became a living soul ; which was pure , as immediately proceeding from the most holy. but how soon did this glory fade and return to earth again ; whereas if he had kept his first estate , he would have been advanced to higher degrees of perfection , and become fruitful in gods virgin off-spring . all which design for a limitted time was overturned , but the foundation of gods election stood so firm in the essentiality of the out-breathed word ( which was the light of adam's life in the center of immortality ) that the same word will restore all again , according to the first gracious intent of the wise creator , whose purposed grace shall renew the face of all things that have been marred in the first adamiral image . but though so desperate a fall hath overtaken the whole creation , yet is it but as the fading or cropping of a flower , whose eternal root remaining , will put forth and spring a-fresh in a more glorious beauty and figure , than the first ever had . for though by one mans disobedience all are made subject to death and the curse ( which is the bruising of the heel ) yet the head-life remains , which will recover , raise and make all sound again ; for in this promised seed the faded life will be quickned , according to the election of him , who will hereby more eminently make known the riches of his grace and glory , in his vessels prepared thereunto . for though there be in all men an holy seed remaining whereby they are in a possibility of recovery ; yet because all have not an heart to improve this talent , it continues an unprofitable dead seed to many , notwithstanding all are called , to take of the water of life freely , that by its quickning virtue the buried seed may be raised to a new life , in a body of its own kind , which seed through many deaths does renew its never fading flower of life for a higher degree of glory in the new jerusalem state of fixation . now from what hath been said , we are informed , that there is an elect number which is to make up the new jerusalem-bride , here upon earth , who shall finish the mystery of the seventh seal , and be all instated in that kingdom which the alpha and omega hath designed for his virgin-bride , before paradise or this world were : and that i might know that this design and unchangeable purpose of god is still going on , there was shewed me a clear white stone , in which were engraven numberless names , all ordained to make up the glory of this city of god , which shall be the praise and admiration of the heavens , and a dread and amazement to the earth ; for the revelation of it will bring a wo upon them , who have no part in it . this the lord himself did signifie , saying , henceforth know your free-birth , name and place in this city , and be not fearful or unbelieving , but travel on in the assured hope , that shall not be made ashamed ; for the everlasting father hath prepared for you this city , of which i am the builder in you . the hand of the lord was strong upon me still , and took me up into an high and lofty place , where i saw a burning furnace , which appeared all blew like the airy clouds , and the lord walking in it to and fro , who said , see whether thou canst make thy pass to me , and abide in this pure everlasting burning region , which is the spirits purging fire , which will devour whatsoever is not of the same essentiality with me . upon which i replied , ah! my lord , i am free to make my pass to thee , but how shall i get rid of this body ? i would fain exist in that pure essence with thee , where nothing of this lump of earth might prevent my constant walks in those high places with thee , whose presence will make these outward elements to flee away from the superior spirit . the holy one replied , be not troubled at thy binding mortality , for i will descend in this fiery cloud into thee as a baptizing fire , which shall take away the gross impurities of the senses , that thou mayst be clarified , in order to thy codeification , which will manifest the out-spreading name of thy emmanuel , whereby thou shalt receive power to ascend through fire and air , and continue that all-desireable freedom of communion with the holy trinity : and though none in a body of flesh and six can come up to me , yet grace , pity and love do move to descend in the spirits flaming cloud to make the way free , that such may have a pass , who account no place their rest or dwelling besides me : wherefore pursue and watch to drink in of this pure spirit of burning , which will clear and take out of the way whatsoever hath kept from ascending into the holy city . whilst these words were in spoken from the anointing , i felt a sensible rising and spreading over all my heart , head and body , as if all were covered with a cloud of sun-heat , giving out light , by which i could soe what was inwardly done , as well as feel it . then it was further spoke in me , that i should take notice that this was also the bright garment of the sun. such is the nature of this secret flaming matter , that it seeds , strengthens and clarifies a naked spirit all at once . then was i inquisitive to know the substance or ground of it , but it was replyed ; meddle thou not with that , only receive it passively , and co-operate with it when it ariseth , and then walk with , and draw in the feeding fire and air , and when it resteth in its own place , rest thou with it , and be assured it will not leave thee , till it have concentred thee in the deity . this light flaming cloud encompassing me , gave this further revelation , to shew what the holy one is about to do , in order to the laying of the foundation of this strong city , in which the mighty god will pitch his tabernacle , and settle his rest forever . many types , images and foregoing figures of this jerusalem have been given through the several ages of the world , but the heavenly thing it self hath not been brought forth , as no wt will be , because the set time approacheth : for the trying burning furnace is kindled , and the wind of the almighty forcibly blows up the flames thereof in the center of the soul of every one , who are the elect members of this holy corporation . now is the time for the spirit of burning and judgment to prepare each stone , which is designed for this super-excellent glory : no connterfeit gold , or reprobate silver can pass through this furnace , which is ordained to prove whatsoever comes to be built on this foundation . the mighty king sends forth his decrees to fulfil the ancient prophecies , concerning the return of the long captivity of these , who belong to this mother-city , that they may know their original freedom , and no longer abide as captive-exiles among the babylonians in confusion and reproach : and what sign will the lord give for this , but by loosing the last seal , under which doth lie the rich bank and vast treasury of wisdom , spirit and power , which shall so vigorously carry on this new-jerusalem-building , that all the powers which the dragon and beast can raise by their agents , visible and invisible , shall but turn to their shame and confusion , when the lamb ariseth to open the seventh seal , under which the most precious things , even that fine transparent matter lies hid , to be manifested in due time , for the beautifying of this divine building . but here an objection may arise , and question this revealed grace and proclaimed liberty to the children of the captivity , who are now called to sit upon this heavenly building , which is this ; that the time is not yet , and that the last seal is not so near breaking open ; and who is it that can give a sign for a testimony that this decree is already gone forth ? to all which the spirit of truth gives this answer , ( who best knows what he hath wrought , in order hereunto , in the central deep of some elect vessels , who are not to make any out-cry until the mystery be fully finished in them ) know that the time is at hand ; wherefore let none look afar off , or run out from themselves , and neglect their own vintage at home , but regard how near the grape is to ripeness , which contains the wine that is to be drunk at the marriage-supper of the lamb , who charges it as a great over-sight upon those that are regenerate , that they have put this day afar off , not discerning the lords body , who is quickned from the dead in them , who are passed from death with him , and so are put in subordinate commission with the lamb to break open all those seals , which shall make way for the descent of the holy city . for what in john's revelation is mentioned concerning these things , is very obscure and mystical , and there is no fathoming of it to the utmost , until the lord himself come with the plummet-line of the holy spirit to measure out the meaning . though there are some who have been favoured with this light of revelation , by means of which they understand what lies hid under those allegorical expressions , and through the opening of the seals have discovered those rich jewels , which were concealed under that dark covert ; the opening of which seals i shall set down in order , according as it was acted in my own particular , through my soul 's waiting with the lamb's-rising power , in a particular experience of my own in the divine mystery . at the opening of the first seal , the spirit of faith came forth to encounter with the fearful and unbelieving spirits , that set before me an impossibility of ever reaching to a paradisical purity and mount-zion-dignity , and was kept under a great fear and perplexity , under the dominion of unbelief , until this first seal was broke open ; for thereupon the strong lyon of the tribe of juda set me free to run the race of faith unto the end , giving in this caution , to take care to be well mounted on this horse of the spirit of faith , and to hold fast to him who rides on it , who hath the conquering bow in his hand , to shoot his arrows into those unbelieving spirits , that would still keep us in doubts and perplexity . at the opening of the second seal , all peace , pleasure and joy were taken away from the earthly life , and withal such a light broke forth , which made me see the vile abomination of an earthly state , compared with the perfection of the divine life , so that now i rejoyc'd in nothing more than to see him who sate upon the red horse , slaying with his sword the beasts and creeping things of the earth ; that is , all the moving stirring essences , springing from the original source of evil , and to find him taking away peace from the earthly life , so that the earthly mind is berest of all peace , rest , content and satisfaction in all its goings out , whether in thought , word or action . but how comes this to pass ? why ? because he that sits on the red horse gives a mighty sword to the spirit of the soul , that thereby it may kill and destroy all the essences of the earthly life in joynt-union with christ , which sword is nothing else but the power of the spirit of life , which is christ's deity in his eternal humanity , now fixed in the centre of the soul. it is christ's rising life in his saints enabling them to conquer the essences of the earthly life ( which is the beast ) in themselves . now this taking away of peace from the earthly life , is a blessed introduction to its final destruction , which is to follow upon it , according to the intention of the kingly redeemer . the opening of the third seal , sheweth christ in us riding on a black horse , with a pair of ballances in his hand , signifying famine on the life of the beast in his saints , that its day of plenty is passing away , and that its earthly essences must be weighed in the balance of rightcousness . for the lamb's life rising in his dead and riaug saints , putting them into one scale , weigheth all chei . thoughts words and actions , in the weight of perfection ; christ , the holy one , in the other , to see whether they be brought into an even pois with it ; to the end that all increase and plenty might richly abound in the fruitfulness of the spirit ; from which heavenly sowing , such a crop doth spring as may proclaim a plenty , that may all former exceed ; and thus it will naturally spring in the soul , which is even ballanced with christ the anointed : and nothing of the oyl and wine , which from hence shall proceed , shall ever be hurt or diminished . at the opening of the fourth seal , christ rides in his saints on a powerful horse , whose name is conquering death , and hath hell following him . but though this death looks grim , yet it is such a death as shall only hurt the fourth part of the earth , that is , the evil principle in the earthly life , which reigns , and hath the dominion until the life of christ be risen in his saints , till which time the beast may be permitted to kill the life of christ in the soul with hunger , famine , and languishing death ; for it is said , that the beast shall make war with the saints , and for a time overcome them , that is , keep them under by reigning over them in the worldly dominion , which reacheth to their outward man , as standing in his elementary kingdom , where he hath great power to afflict and famish unto death , by several cruelties , when so far permitted . but i have experimentally found that the greatest fury , hellish force and wrath of the dragon is quelled and overcome by the blood and inlaid life of the holy lamb of god , rising in his powerful might within me , who upon my complaint of the continual usurpation of the beasts kingdom , hath given assurance that there is a viol of wrath preparing to be poured out upon him , which shall drown his kingdom in everlasting perdition , that he may no longer insult over the sealed ones of god , to whom power shall be given to bind him in everlasting chains . for the lord omnipotent in the life of the lamb , is coming to reign over all the beasts of the earth , and to exalt them to a victorious kingdom , who have been killed and slain with him . the opening of the fifth seal discovers the souls of the slain saints under the altar of the deity and humanity : here the soul witnesseth conformity to the death of the 〈◊〉 and lies as a live burning coal under his 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to rise in such power of majesty , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to take vengeance of those that have killed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 eternal generation is to be counted 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●●●●●ced into nature , who hath lain a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; but as abel's blood did cry for vengeance , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of jesus cry more strongly in the soul● of them who are 〈◊〉 with christ ; and the lord hath expresly assured , that when the rising incense goeth up from the altar , from the soul 's live coal , it is a sure testimony that the resurrection is nigh , when the naked soul shall be cloathed with its long white robe ; & though this hath been a long rest and confinement to many , yet it hath only been permitted that a stronger cry might ascend : even as we see now that john's long sleeping prophecy is now by some strong crying souls awakened , till all the seals be made to fly open , to the end that the imprisoned souls in christ may by their opening , come to be set upon the throne , where they shall judge the dragon and the beast , with all their adherents , that formerly exercised cruelty over them unto death . therefore rejoyce all ye , who do find the effects of the fifth seal opening in your selves , for by them ye may know the nearness of the jerusalem-kingdom ; look for its fulfilling in the world within , which shall also in due time be fulfilled in the outward world. i proceed now to the opening of the sixth seal , where the first thing observable , is the great earthquake , representing the terrible shakings of the very foundations of the old earth , in which is the original seed of sin , the hour of whose judgment is come , and the trumpet hath founded for the dissolving this first earth and heavens , that their place may be no more found ; the wind of the mighty spirit blows upon all flesh , to make it dye and wither . the sun of the outward reason is changed into blackness , and the moon of the senses into blood , and all the starry imaginations drop like untimely fruit , and every island and mountain of strength meleth away ; for there can be no hiding in this day , a consumption being determined upon the whole universe , which hath been under the beasts captivity . we may call this a blessed ruin and undoing , to see a destruction come upon all that hath kept the lamb and his kingdom out . this causes a great out cry and perplexity in the properties of degenerate nature , where the king of reason , and the captains , the senses do not know whither to slee from the face of him who is come to make all things new , which could not be till all of the old building was broken down and taken to pieces , where the fretting leprosie of sin did still rise . the wisdom of god could no better way contrive , for the laying of a sound and sinless foundation for the new jerusalem , according to this fore-contrived model , as by express word it came unto me , that none could or ever should come to the opening of the seventh seal , till all this were fully finished ; and i must give witness that it is a doing , and it doth not seem grievous because of what is to succeed and follow , when the next seal shall be opened . thus i have been driven on according to experience and revelation , to open the mystical meaning of what is written in the revelation , according as it is to be fulfilled in holy and heavenborn-saints ; though i also well know , that their opening will cause a terrible day of wo to the rebellious and unregenerate , for they who shall then be found in the beasts kingdom , must look to fall and go into perdition with him ; for as there are inward vials to be poured forth , so there are outward vials to be poured forth on the world , which i could enlarge upon , but that it is not my commission , being otherwise instigated : besides , the lord shewed me , that to every seal there is an eye opens within , which is therefore called upon to look inward , where the great mystery is to be opened ; and as every seal hath it's eye , so the ear hath its sounding horn , which is filled with holy oyl , which makes kings and priests in gods tabernacle : these are the trumpets that give the most certain sound for time to end , and the everlasting kingdom of the alpha and omega to : begin , in that soul where the sixth trumpet shall sound , upon which so ows the loosing of those angels that have been bound , who are to fight the lamb's battel , and to revenge his quarrel . for the great and last war will be upon this sixth seal opening ; and the lord did testifie it would be such , as in no fore-going seal had been known . but he said withal , i am the lord strong and mighty , who will prevail , and wholly overturn the kingdom of the dragron and beast : continue thou , whilst i am doing this in the most holy secret of my beeing , where the constant mediatorship and offerings may go on , as the strength of an army that shall all overcome , through the burning incense that is mingled by the angel , whose place is to stand alwayes at the altar ; no hurt or suffering by all this constagration , shall touch the jewel that lies hid in my deity , that would shine forth again in the body of its native virginity , as before time was ; wherefore suffer thou all this vulence on thy elementary part , as knowing that it will not at all disturb the inward temple-worship and communion of the pure spirit . but now , as of old time in the first elect church and people , god was ministred to , and worshipped in a dark formal , mixed manner , going up and down in a moveable tabernacle , till solomon's day , where the typical temple , which was to be filled with the glory , was built , even so since the time of the son of man's offering up himself , the holy one hath walked in clouds , and hath been worshipped after an imperfect rate , and therefore he hath prepared a burning flaming day for all his vessels to pass through , to know whether they be sanctuary proof or no : for the lord is carrying on a pure jerusalem-worship in truth , and substantiality : rejoyce all ye , who shall stand the tryal of this sixth seal , in order to it . now according to this divine interpretation of the six seal , we may know how near the end of time , and the passing away of the old heavens and earth in our selves are ; for that it is we are to look to , at every seals opening : for from the first to the last there is a sounding trumpet to bring ruin and desolation , to the first six dayes creation , because of sin and the curse which came in by the serpent's sting , by which means the beast hath created his kingdom , and corrupted the whole principle of time , which the holy one hath suffered now so many thousand years , during which all just men dyed indeed in the faith of this prophecy , but attained not to that degree , which is to usher in the heavenly new jerusalem in her glory . but the lord is now stirring , and in good earnest is sounding his trumpets for battel ; and there is that in us which doth witness he is going on gradually to unmake and dissolve all of the first creation ; for the lamb will not much longer carry the weight and burthen of a sinful creation ; he hath in some already sounded to judgment , and will set himself free thereby , and the spirits and souls of those who are resolved to follow him through every seal , till they shall overcome . it was given me to observe , that there are six engagements , to which six overcomings do answer , mentioned in the revelation , and to every conquest a most high and wonderful reward promised ; all which is to encourage to follow him cheerfully , who is our leader , who hath sworn that time shall be no longer than till he hath gotten the victory over the beast and whore , and hath destroyed the dragon's kingdom in every property within us , who are elected to reign in his life with him on his throne , with a rain of new created powers , in the properties of the redeemed earth in the souls essence ; and then we shall know how unconfined the lordly dominion over all outward things is , even over all the beasts of this visible earth , who must be subjected to the lamb , who hath taken his victorious crown , and put it on the heads of the holy warriors , that have passed through all , and are come to the last overcoming , that gives entrance into the seventh seal . as i was collecting in my mind the near approaching time for the manifestation of this great overturning , which is to bring in the overflowing stream of christ's kingdom into the overcomers . behold i did see and hear the voice of him from whom the first heavens and earth die flee away , who uttered these words ; as there hath been a long and tedious war between the house of god , and the serpent's brood , together with the harlot and beast , who have maintained their envious war on the ground of fallen nature ; but now come and see the place where they shall lie bound in perpetual captivity . and immediately i was all filled with light from the opened centre of the peaceable kingdom , that flows in as a virtual life , felt in the quality of the pure glassy sea , with sounds , powers and lightnings , as if all of the old earth were now drowned in this bright ocean ; and rollowed a bright star , with a voice going forth , which said , the lamb rising out of this new elementary sea , overcomes the serpent and beast , with all their seed ; and this will be their deluge to an everlasting victory . so from hence it was demonstrated , that the beast hath his sea , wherein the great leviathan sporteth himself , and casts out floods to persecute and make war against the virgin-seed , whose element is mild and sweet temperature of the glassy sea : the other , out of which it is said that the beast did rise , is a terrible tossing working sea , where all the worldly spirits drive their traffick , for to make babylon pompous and great , who ever loves the earth , and are admirers of the beast , who gives riches and worldly honours to such as serve him ; but oh ! come here and see how he must fall with his whole hierarchy . wherefore let none trust to his kingdom , which in one day shall be made desolate through the fiery judgments . here are two seas at strife one against the other ; turn your eyes inward , you who are the lamb's warriors , and witness bear to these two seas meeting , within the ground of nature . the sea of the beast contains great abundance of riches , according to its perishable kind ; besides , there is an overflow to the merchants of it , that are in a free trade to uphold that worldly kingdom , wherein all nursery of sins-wuchcraft is maintained . but according as i was called upon to come and see , how the beast and all his rich trafficking-sea is to be dryed up , as the lamb of god shall fill his vials from out of this glassy sea , and pour them upon it , when all its pomp and riches shall sink as a mill stone , never to rise again . oh? at this let all our nations rejoyce within us as this vision is fulfilling . now follows another great mystery , which i was called upon to look into , concerning the seventh seal , wherein lies hid the reward and rich price , which though not yet given in possession , yet the holy one hath seen it expedient to reveal it , by breathing sorth this word in me , saying , come thou apart , and sanctifie a fast , tonelling nothing of the leaven which is found in the house of fallen nature ; abstain from any other cup , but what i the anointed shall sill unto thee , from the burning sea of glass , which will be a lamp to give light , and perfect knowledge in the most hidden things that everlasting wisdom hath hitherto sealed up . for to you who are come to the sixth seal , and to your burning elements in the heat of that melting furnace , these further secrets are disclosed , for the consolation , who shall hold out in this last battel-race for conquest : therefore put on your life-armour day by day , and continue in the fight for joy of that which is now revealed , as your reward ; taking all care to abstain from the leaven of imaginations , which may stop the sluce of revelation in its purity . the empty bowl with light burning oyl began to come in , and became a rising spring , which did give light to the dark socket of my understanding within ; and the first thing that was shewed me , was an open book , written within , and every one of the seven seals broken ; and it was in the hand of the god-head-man , who said , come and read what the seven wonders , which my faithful witness did declare of in his day of revelation , which were then to be sealed up , because the day of their fulfilling was so far off . but now in this present time , there hath been such a servent heat of flaming intercession , which hath made all these seals to melt away , that the secrets contained in the book might be opened and made known . this living book , which was presented to my view to read , was the glorified person of the lord jesus , who did now appear to reveal what was sealed up in the seven thunders . his presence was not terrible , as appearing under the vail of pure humanity , where he hides me as in the clifts of his own spiritual body , whilst he talketh with me ; who thus said , thou art come to a deep knowledge ; for here the greatest good , & highest beeing stands unsealed to the introverted eye of thy spirit , that can enter into the light of eternity , where the looking-glass of all mysteries does stand open . now the cry of the first thunder was this ; behold ! how the six dayes creation is come to its limit , and man ceaseth to be , being returned into the eternity of his own spirit , there to rest in god , while the number of the beast is summed up , and his kingdom furnished , with the ordinances of day and night , which take place in this changeable element , from whence the craft and subtilty of reason doth arise to uphold and maintain the lapsed earthly life . all which there will be no further need of , according to what the second thunder doth utter . the second thunder uttered as follows ; come and see , who out of the bed of passive stillness do now arise and come forth all new and immortalized , to rule as gods in an immutable creation : these are they who have been exercised in great tribulation , and lain as dead under the seals ; but they are come to live , and take the lamb's power to reign in gods omnipotency , which is the only instrument they shall play upon , to subdue all inwardly and outwardly : for they are now put in commission under him , who is come to judge the quick and dead , and to remove all things , wherein the serpents brood hath been nourished . the cry of the third thunder is this ; ho! come ye whose names are written in the lamb's book of life ; the way is all cleared , and the great river euphrates is dryed up , for to give passage to the holy land , where the tree of life shall meet you with its flowing fruits , whose savour leaves a perpetual sweetness , and such a strength of joy as will make you know the feast of tabernacles it come indeed with god alone , for to celebrate and keep . the walls all ranged are with seraphims , that are appointed for your guard , to usher you into an higher sphear , and more magnificent place , than this which was the seat of the first paradisival man , where you are to make but your forty dayes stay : for an higher orb doth descend as a cloud to take up the elders , that have their throne-seats prepared in the great jerusalem city , which is the settled rest , where no more removing is feared , for there is an indissolvable link , all fixed in a co-operating power , which never shuts up . the fourth thunder opened thus unto me , by way of vision ; i saw seven golden candlesticks branched out from a suid of gold , and each socket appeared empty ; and there came one in the appearance of a jaspher-light , and poured in some sparkling liquor , and there arose a shining burning , which sent forth flakes of light very numerous , running up and down like lightning , so as nothing could contain them , nor prevent them from going whither they would , then was it cry'd in my hearing , what hast thou seen ? but the great wonder of the fourth thunder , disclosing the fiery lamps , that are appointed to be fixed in renewed nature , which are so impowering , that on whomsoever they rest , they may act and do whatsoever they will into . for the concord of these seven spirits is of that force , as they can save or destroy , bind or loose ; they are the seven proper powers that must make out , who are god's co-deified ones , and commissioned to act in this last seene of wonders , in the wonder-city , that shall be all compacted of pure spirits : hear and see , ye shall be planted there as the great cannons ; for these powers will multiply as a great host , which can cut off this visible world at one stroke : this is the great reserve to be given as a reward to the suffering conquerors . the fifth thunder cryed , now unseal the tabernacle-testimony ; let the eternal gospel of love and peace go forth in the cloven tongue , which can only speak out what springs from the original law of restored nature , to its primary purity , out of the fountain of the deity : behold , these are the separated and anointed ones , who have this gospel-dispensation as a perpetual rising spring , proceeding from the holy spirit , who can indeed absolve and pronounce remission of sins . for power will rest upon those who can conveigh the new-testament-blood , to heal and deliver from the infective root of sin ; not in a painted formal imitation , but there shall go forth a fire-breath , to send this healing gospel into the very center-root of the sick and sorrowful in spirit , who under the wound of sin have laid long for cure. to which true royalty and priesthood , some shall be more eminently ordained , for the gathering in of those who lie under the babylonish rubbish , who shall be raised through the out-going might of the everlasting testimony in the blood of the lamb's life , which is the known character that only shall be given to them . the declaration of the sixth thunder was thus represented to me ; i saw one holding forth a saphire signet , or sealing stone , with which were to be marked all the free-born that do belong to the new-jerusalem ; for none but such as are marked can have right to the vast riches which are concentred in wisdom's bank , who to this day hath locked up the brides dowry , and will not part with it , till she can come with this seal upon her heart , which is now brought out to put the highest impress of saphire-glory , and purity , that may signifie , that the lamb's bride is all thus dignified . oh! who shall henceforth detain those riches , wealth and honour , which have been treasured up from before the foundation of the world ? for all must now be given up to her command , whether it be in heaven or earth , or in the glassy sea , whether in heights , or in depths , or in any of the eternal sphears . the sealing name is every where the authority , that must set all open , which hath been locked up hitherto , because none could bring alone with them the seal which is now freely brought down of god's own ingraving , and therefore can never be counterfeited ; for it bears the lively portraiture of father , son and spirit , to whom all riches power and glory are given . the last thunder comes in great power , to declare the great day of the marriage-feast of the lamb ; the fountains run now with that spirit wine , that was in the grape before all time ; the choice and precious fruits , ripened by the serene and pure elements , are prepared , and the table is covered with all replenishments , that god himself can set out , to express the content and joy he takes to see this consummating day , wherein i saac hath brought home his rebecca into god the father's and jerusalem's glory , where henceforce a perpetual feast of joy forever is to be kept . angels now sound your , trumpet-songs , because the harvest is reapea , and god's kingdom come . the lamb and bride are now met to maintain a living fame in another creation . the redemption is finished , salvation is witnessed , and the mystery of god is unsealed . the harpers are summon'd to the holy quire , with their sounds and fiery tongues , that may proclaim the lamb hath given up the kingdom consisting of perfect spirits , that god only may be the top covering of great majesty , strength , wisdom and glory , in and over all the inhabitants of this holy city , which beareth this name . the almighty creating power ●●●ileth and taketh up his abode here . henceforth bless the lord on high , it s he that hath unsealed , treasures richly . what can them hide from the spirit 's eye , that pierced have into the heart of the deity tribute-offerings pay to our god and king , who hath revealed wonderful things . oh what seraphick sounds do i hear ! are they not the thunders of the coelestial sphear ? calling for an attentive ear spirit to hear o're , which as the doors be to the golden ore , where vast treasures land up are in store ; but sound are only by spirit 's pore . this is the state in which the souls blest eye may see god without thought intellectually . though speech and converse away may fly , the thunder of his power abides essentially ; this is the day we rejoyce to see , even the acting power of the deity . what is it but the fiery piercing eye , that can the unsealed book untye ? wherein the perfect number seven lie ; blessed is that power from on high , that hath struck the crystial rock , from whence the thunders did fly . i feel the gushing in of crystial springs , that whirleth as upon cherubim wings : no more to look down to earthly things , the glass so clear through which i see , beholding glorious objects variously , that snatched away before i am awake . pass we on to the sea of glass ; through all worlds we make our pass . brought we are to our own land , where all wonders in order stand ; rewing what the mortal cannot endure , even those coelestials that are ever pure . blessed are those in whom the wonder of the seven thunders uncloaked be , that feel , that see , that possess god in unity , raised high into the heart of the deity ; whereout spring secret pleasant things , that swallows up in joy that hath no end . thus were the seven thunders opened and interpreted to me from the springing word , upon which i closely waited , and witnessed & felt a sweet & precious anointing and refreshing joy to come in from every thunder-cry . oh! this is so great , so weighty and rich , and such surprizing goodness , which in this book of life is found , which is now unsealing , that no other things any more ought to be minded by us . thus the triumphant king and conqueror ( who is possessed of all these royal powers and dignities , that are infolded in these seven thunders ) hath given his word , that none of these shall fail in any one that hath the mark of the seventh conquering-seal broken up in themselves , to whom joynt-power and authority will be given , in order to the beginning of that reign , which is to be settled here on earth , according to the prophecy in john's revelation , which presseth hard upon me from the fiery cloud , that circles round my spirit for a defensive banner , which will let nothing of the eclipsing dark principle come in , whilst the center deep from the soul 's fiery essence opens , and the bright streamers , from the heart of the glorified jesus , who meets me in such a peaceable love-paved-walk , into which none can come to see or hear what passeth by way of prospect or communication ; but what , and so much as i am ordered to declare , i shall faithfully give out , according to the mind of my lord , who sees the effect that shall follow all these revelations given by him . the prophecy of the thousand years reign , mentioned in the revelations , was set before me and opened . as to the time , persons and place , much controversie hath been concerning this mystery , which i shall not meddle with , but shall only faithfully declare what the morning-star hath expresly revealed from his own mouth , who with this salutation began ; awake ye , who have been under death and judgment ; know ye not that my reign is near ? the fore-going prophecy must have its fulfilling , and there are those who are a ripening for it , upon whom my kingdom shall be fixed . wherefore do thou warily observe the following particulars , which are the fore-going signs of my personal reign , whereby it may be known how near it is . the first particular concerns those persons in whom this reign is to begin , who are such as have been beheaded , suffering an inward spiritual martyrdom , for the hope of a resurrection in a god-head-body and spirit . the manner of death is here to be taken notice of ; they are said to have been beheaded , that is , who have their head life , where the rational understanding is seated , and from whence all sensible operation go forth , cut off , and separated from them , because by means of it the dragon and beast have found place to establish their kingdoms in man , and have been hereby in all ages upheld ; the main of the serpents strength having alwayes lain in the craft and subtilty of reason , which is the fore-head mark of the beast . who then are they who have known this honourable death from the flaming sword in the hand of the cherubim , but those who shall heat the resurrection-trumpet , to let them know their thrones are set , and their conquering-crowns to their new-risen heads are fitted , and that all power and judgment is given unto them , to personate the mighty king jesus here upon earth . for christ the lord shall have no need in his own particular glorified person to come down amongst the inhabitants of the earth . there is something to be done first by them , who are to personate him in the kingly dominion ; his transparent body is such , as will not ( till this first reign be finished ) be any way bearable to the present consistency of things , which must be first sublimed . it is sufficient that the lord is come in his witnessing power and presence , through a new-risen life with and in his elders , for to reign in the majesty of his all-governing eye , which pierceth as devouring flames , and burning coals of fire , which run from each to other , and from one end of the earth to the other . if the lord will but supply the visible humanity with a mighty flow from the deity , and with a witnessing omnipotency , it will be sufficient and considerable glory . next , we are to consider where the reign of christ is to be manifested , to wit , in renewed natures center , which is made all seraphick , in the souls inward essence , from whence the serpent and beast are cast out , and have no more place ; they are in this latter reign chained up , though in the fore-going dominion which the lord had in the soul , he was alwayes in contest with these potent adversaries , who exerted all their strength to keep their hold in the mixed frame of nature ; all of which being now overturned , they have no place where to establish their dominion : so that now all strife ceaseth , because the lord alone doth reign in peace over all the region of light. for now the soul is born a new into the light world , and is most firmly established in its kingly power , which is not from received gifts or powers , as in the day of penticost , but all comes in with the risen birth , from whence the powers do naturally and uncessantly flow , and therefore out of all danger of mutability , which might threaten a disappointment of any thing , that is agreed upon by the kingly soul , with his seven counselling spirits , which do continually stand before the thorne in the inward heavens ; which by the scattering coals from the deity are made as an enduring burning element , where the glory of christ's personality may be seen , but no otherwise detained as to his individual person , but as the same likeness is risen by virtue of the creating word in his . members , who are intrusted with this active powerful body , suitable for the management of such a kingdom , in which the soul at first reigns invisibly over all its inward motions and properties , as over people , nations and languages , all which by wisdom's power are kept in a god-like temperature , such as may express the lord is come to personate himself in a righreous and peaceable government , such as never yet hath been in the world since adam lost paradise . objection . but shall this be an universal reign ? and after what manner shall it be modalized in this visible creation ? that which is internal and spiritual will not be so much taken notice of , though it comes to this height of perfection , for it may be hid amongst a small number , yet may be known but only to one another , the generality still abiding under the beasts power and name , which is his accursed nature . this query was answered me in plainness of truth , thus ; that this glorious reign would not be universal , nor break out all at once , but gradually from the burning unction , which prepares christ's way , and makes room for his kingdom : there is much to be done first , and here must a beheading go before , and a plucking up all that hath made desolats , and after all this a coming up again in the resurrection , which is a rare attainment indeed ; for it is a resurrection to a state wholly sound and sinless , even the same to which our lord was raised after death . the prophecy doth not say , that all the dead were raised up to reign with christ a thousand years ; but it is expresly declared , that the rest of the dead did not rise till the thousand years were expired ; from whence it was cleared up to me , that many may be going through this spiritual dying , and yet continue dead , whilst others are raised , according to that word , blessed are they who are partakers of this first resurrection ; so that it will not be universal . but besides this , there are those who are unrighteous , of whom it is prophesied , let him that is unjust , be unjust still ; these shall in no wise enter into christ's kingdom , but be shut out of the holy city , which shall rule over them . for this kingdom shall not only be inward , in the properties of the soul , but shall also exercise its dominion over this visible principle ; and those who are unconverted shall be as stubble before the bright flaming cherubims , who in the lamb's power shall reign on the earth : the elect shall reap and long enjoy the creating works of their own hands ; for with no less power shall the representatives of christ the lord be invested . this declared , must be throughout all worlds , that christ will appear in his saints that are risen again to bear the tropky of a death-conquering power . now the next enquiry is , when is the time that this may be expected , because hitherto there is but very small appearance of any such thing ? that is , who is it qualified in such a high degree as this heavenly kingdom requires ? who are willing to be beheaded , and through death to be made partakers of this reign ? but yet notwithstanding all these objections of fear & unbelief , and the whole throng of discouraging spirits of the sensible life , whose cry is , who is able to suffer all this ? faith and love are given to the worthy pretenders to this kingdom , whereby they are carried as with wings , over all the floods of fear and discouragement ; neither shall they want either resolution or valour to wade through the greatest opposing difficulties , who are designed for it , and found in the lamb's roll. a double and trebble portion of his spirit the lord hath said he will add to them , who first shall abrogate the law of sease , which hath been the chief hinderance of his kingdom , which therefore is to be made void , because it diverts the soul from fetching all its supplies from the rock ; neither can faith arrive to its full strength , till sense be led into captivity , and cast into a dead sleep . now as to the time of the lord's reign , when it shall be , you will be apt to say , that this is an unknown thing , and that none can prefix the time . it is true that many have calculated , and puzled their spirits about it in vain : but if we will know how near the time is , we must not look without us , but in the unsealed book of life within us ; there you will find the fore-going signs , which are first to be accomplished in your own heavens and earth : we may try and prove our selves by what hath been already revealed from the seven seals and thunders , how near the kingdom of our lord is approached unto us . let each of us examin our selves , how far the preparative work is advanced in us : we see what the beast and dragon's kingdom must suffer in us , to make way for this reign , which cannot be established till all this trash be taken out of the way . therefore we shall only know the time by such an one , who shall give the first deadly stroke , and come forth a conqueror over the whole sensitive life , and this outward kingdom , which stands divided between good and evil ; in such an overcomer as this my jesus expressed , he would appear and personate a kingly reign ; and that we are not to look out for any other sign at this time , but the manifestation of this conquering life : and further said , there would go forth an arrow from the word of revelation , which should so closely stick in some , as to pierce through the heart of the beast , who hath warred to hinder the lord's triumphant reign in his saints . by all which it is clear , that there is no surer sign of the approaching personal reign of christ , than to see the beast wounded to the heart ; for no sooner will the beast be removed , but his kingdom will appear , whose right it is to rule in heaven and earth . who is it now that will suck in the marrow of these precious things , which is the dropping oyl which distills from the olive-tree , to make our way smooth , light and clear , and to preserve us from being daunted , though our portion should be a draught of blood ? for the life of the beast must be taken away , before the lord appear in us like himself , in power , glory and majesty . oh! what drawings and desires may these weighty sayings from the lord , enkindle in us from his coming to reign in absolute dominion within us ! the word came to me , run hard , there is a rich prey to be taken , by treading down of the beast , which may be taken , if pursued to the victory : wherefore be valiant in the faith , for all might is in god , to overcome whatsoever opposeth his reign and personal kingdom . much and free communication i had with the lord this night , and a cloud of light appeared in me , which raised my hope higher ; i had also many queries satisfied . then there appeared to me a pitched standard , which reached from the earth to the heavens , where its top was hid ; it resembled a strait ascending flame ; and it was signified , that this was the standard of overcoming power , which no earthly warrior would venture to engage with ; for its dominion reached from the earth to the heavens ; and this word was added , stick close to it , and move not from under it , for it will be a shelter from the storm which is coming on , with a flowing sea of troubles , raised by the wrathful one , whose kingdom is division . this motto and inscription was given out from the sealed book within , as follows ; in christ i live , in christ i dye , that i may cease from sin and beastly properties , that so the first ground of life may rise over all , to immortalize the reign of christ. words no more as empty sails spread out shall be , but become the thundering air of an almighty power , which is christ in his essential spirit , who wanders from the heights above and depths below , will in his time show : look and read the circle line , and the most marvelous things may further know and find . upon some inward conference with my lord about the shipwracked-bark of nature , which still upon the forreign coast doth lie , and is often in jeapordy by reason of some tides , which might make the vessel spring-a-leek ; the lord did immediately come in with these words , saying , make reflection , and ponder well my grace and love , which hath been so great , as to lay in my life so deep with thine , that thou canst suffer nothing but i do call it mine . thy broken vessel shall be renewed into its original , when all of sinsul properties shall be drowned in the alpha and omega , who is the beginning and end of time , and who will open the sealed mine , where the unsearchable riches shall freely abound as in the state of innocency , where nothing of necessity or want was known : all this is going on , und advancing in the moving circle of the duty : all that is required of thee , is to be steady in the highest float of earth . my spirit was let down into the deep center and circumserence , where the personal glory met me , with whom i had great felicity to behold the shepherd with his fold , who friendly faluted me ; for though a naked spirit , i was not despised by such dignified bodies , though i was made very sensible of the want of such a glorious body ; and as soon as i desired it , i was forthwith imbodyed as in the same glory , and was joyned to the heavenly train . i rejoyced greatly that i had made a slip out of the vile garment , though but for a while , though i was to take it up again , and appear amongst the inhabitants of time , till my course was fulfilled : this bright cloathing is only bearable by jerusalem natives ; and though these were the all desirable flocks , that i would chuse to abide withal forever , yet i found a prohibition at the present , that it must not be desired this royal priestly garment being reserved till we be called into view , and have communion with the most holy of beeings , who did not bring me hither to send me away empty , but gave me to taste of the choice fruits of that unknown climate , the refreshing take of which is left upon the center-mouth of my heart , from whence the life-fruits should spring evermore , as was said to me , with an advertisement to wait till wisdom's garden in the soul be planted , and richly furnished with those blossoming powers that may draw the high and lofty one to look down and walk there . oh! what are these forcible powers which i feel winding my spirit deeper in ; where enquiry was made , what would be the sign of the center-dwellers in the most holy of beeings , which should need no witness from man , for that was poor and insufficient ? wherefore be quiet and still , and cease from all creaturely evidence , and look for the witness of the unsealed book , to exert the seven flowing properties of the holy ghost , which will out-vive all worded testimonies that are so fluent in this age : wherefore a more sure seal is provided , that will remove all doubts and suspitions , of which feastival cup i was called to drink , from the hand of him who is appointed to fill it out , as the last and great reserve which shall silence all controversies , and doubtful disputations , and ratifie and confirm who they are that are born again to act , move and live from a new generating spring , that worketh away every thing that defiles and makes obstruction : which seven evidencing powers were revealed to me , in which the personal reign of christ would consist . the first was a circuling cloud of light , from whence uncessant revelation would spring , and open what was never known before , concerning the invisible scenes of glory , to which the mortal man hath been altogether a stranger , not having understood his original royalty . but where christ , the central light , is entred into the soul's essence , there everlasting light doth break , which shews invisible things in their first pure ground , where the eternal fire-soul moves strong to come out of an impotent weak life , that hath been shut up in this vile body of sin ; the light of revelation making it restless any longer to abide therein , and so it is made to pursue another beginning from a new-rising-spring , flowing from the god-head , that affords strength for a co-deified operation , which may give a living testimony , that a new spring is appearing out of an old tree , whose sap is renewed to bring forth the second property of the holy ghost , as another fruit bearing branch . which branch is put forth from the all-encompassing-element , wherein the soul is baptized , as in a cloud of fire ; whoever they be that come to know this , need no greater witness , as to their own particular , for they know their dwelling is in the very center heart of god ; they are fed and cherished with the blood of life , and oily lamp that makes all the body within to be as a burning cherubim , that at times and season can mount & fly into the very heavens : though this be yet a mystical and dark speech , and little experienced , yet know , the time of elijah is nigh , and a whirl-wind is descending from the alpha and omega , to take up the stain witnesses , who have been in the world so undervalued . the ascention-gate by this bright key is unlocked , to go in after him , who was translated from among men , so as not to be yet hid in the mystery : and thus shall it be again , though in another form and model ; for these elijah . prophets , though they shall be redeemed from every thing which is of the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 nature , yet in this shall differ from elijah , for whereas he was taken up , and seen no more among men , those in their visible persons shall remain on the earth , and every where carry along with them their encompassing charriots of hire , which shall be discoverable to none but the ministring elijah's , they will not safe to follow fully , where the life-witness doth remain after this sort and kind . the third out flowing poperty of the holy spirit , which pshers in christ's reign , is this , that a simplified raked som , coming forth from the baptizing cloud , puts on a cloathing of impregenable defence and power , viz. a meer 〈◊〉 such as the lord christ had after his resurrection , 〈◊〉 of the one pure element , which can swallow up the visible gross substance of flesh , that it may no longer be an impediment to the soul 's runing its race : indeed such a body is very suitable for the great things that are to be wrought by the christed kings on earth ; for if provision of such a body were not made by christ , it would be in vain for him to go about to settle his kingdom , where the beast and dragon have had their dominion so long , and who will not now be dethroned upon a slight account : they will hold their propriety in the outward husk of the body , when they can find no place for themselves in the soul : therefore the lord hath revealed , that he will turn the very body into its paradisical property again , that the dark prince and his agents may not be able to overthrow the lord's personal reign in his saints ; who would desire no fairer mark to shoot their arrows at , than a frail mortal body of flesh. wherefore the lord hath said , that he will raise a firm tabernacle , which no earthly weapon shall be able to pierce , which will be a fit garment to last out the thousand years : let the just and holy believe this , and see at this finished first , in the kingdom that is within the soul's essence , and then such may conclude that they shall assume a whole power and right to reign with christ , over all kingdoms of this world in magical might . the fourth out going power of the holy ghost , sets the soul free in the eternal liberty , here all conflicts which the dragon , or the starry region hath introduced ; for the soul now is influenced by those superior planets , to which these outward planets are subject . the soul & christ are in a mutual agreement , to break a way from the 〈◊〉 rays of time and mortality ; being encompassed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that will set no more , nor with-draw ; for it is the glory of 〈◊〉 dayes , that runs its circle without the least 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 light , and fixeth the soul in its pure splendorious body ; when 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 shall find it self in another form of life , and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 principality before jehovah's throne , attend 〈◊〉 to know the counsel and decrees of the soveraign majesty , under whom is mannaged all inferior government , which shall be committed to those who reign with christ the lord : oh! this will be a wonderful time indeed ! for while the lord is opening these things to me , i am as one sunk into the abyssal ground , where i am as nothing , till he put forth a piercing ray from his flaming eye , to fetch my spirit up again ; who thus spake unto me , stand thou up , and hear and declare the new model of my reign , and let it be published ; for it is time to awaken those who are ordained for the first resurrection , that they may no longer sleep in the day break of my appearance : and do thou solemnly see thy heart to the great immunities that are revealed , not only for speculation , 〈◊〉 for sulfilling , where great earnestness shall be found . thus the 〈◊〉 one set home his word , and causeth it to pass through a vessel that is nothing to be accounted of , whereat my self stands amazed , what should move the lord thus to appear , and hold such a free converse , and leave such weighty things in trust with me ? oh! what can be said , but that it is the good-will and pleasure of my christ and king , who will change tin and dross into gold , as it pleaseth him ? the fifth property of the holy ghost is , that whereby the soul gets free from the striving elements , and comes to rest and peace , all wars and combates ceasing . the soul having got up these four ascending steps towards the throne , can now look down like a tower of strength , terrible to all the lower inhabitants round about : it is a palace compacted within it self , knowing nothing but a serene peace and concord ; neither dragon nor beast do so much as attempt to come here , for love and peace is their hell and torment . christ's personal reign in his saints consists of peace , power , love & joy ; the holy ghost moveth in the mild and meek property from the water of life , that captivates the enmity and strife , and shuts up the dark center with all its spirits : this carries a two-fold meaning , for first it is to be understood of that love and peace which possesseth the whole inward hemisphere of the soul ; and in the next place of the same love flowing forth and diffusing it self through all the subjects of that peaceful kingdom , which christ will establish in the high angelical harmony of love. the sixth out-flowing property , is the omnipotence of god exerted in the renewed part , in an absolute and almighty dominion , that admits of no controule . here is no need of going out to borrow gifts or powers , which are now fixed in the soul to manifest the wonders of the magia , which hath been shut up in wisdom's principle , whose virgins crown of power is sent down as a signal testimony of the kingly reign that must prevail over all the earth . the bright flaming standard of christ's personality will be of that magnificence , as to draw home the dispersed and scattered flock , which hath suffered violence in this babylonish kingdom : a jubile will be proclaimed by them , to whom this dominion shall first come . they , the head-kings and leaders are appointed to shine forth as stars , that shall bear such sway in god's omnipotency , as shall make all the elect to haste and fly to this kingdom , as doves to the windows , where all occasions of complaint about the necessities of life shall be cut off , because wisdom's store-house shall from the inherent omnipotency , abundantly supply whatsoever is needful of this kind . the paradisical lost power shall be restored in a higher degree than ever , to the end that self-love and propriety may be taken away , which cannot enter into christ's kingdom ; for the lord hath averred , that none who are thus spirited shall ever his kingdom inherit . the vast and inexhaustable treasure of divine riches cannot be enjoyed in propriety , but only in loves communion . the seventh and last property of the holy ghost , that gives witness to christ's reign , doth consist in a life of praise & exaltation , which goeth forth in the angelical tongues , powers and sounds of so many persumed offerings , paying an everlasting love-tribute of joy to the antient of dayes , by and in whom they are come to reign over all kingdoms in this world , in christ's personal power : the new hallelujahs from the fire-breath of the holy ghost shall be the holy sport and coelestial play of the children of this kingdom : all their works shall speak forth the praises of the most high ; for wisdom's spirit will act so high , and in such a mysterious manner , as hitherto hath not been known ; all which miraculous powers have been reserved to make up the glory of christ's second coming in his representatives here on earth : for if the lord should not in this manner demonstrate his god-head-power in his saints , they would be set very light by , and it would be a vain thing to assume the title and name of kings without anointing power suitable to it . no dominion , whether inward or outward , can be maintained without loves-omnipotency . and truly , my lord hath assured me , that he hath made large and full provision for this day , who upon some private objections of my own , said to me , be thou nothing doubtful concerning all the great things of my kingdom , which have been opened to thee from the center of light ; they have been revealed for a ground of faith : the head of the dyal is moving towards the fixed hour , which will manifest all these working powers of the holy ghost : wherefore do not streighten thy self , nor any to whom this word shall come , but run out in a spacious large belief , answerable to loves-power , and the ability of the object , to whom the eye of faith is directed : for wonderful things are upon the wheel , by which you may know it is high time to put forth your hands to raise and awaken that which hath been so long asleep . this was the concluding word of counsel from the lord. the fore-going properties , is that which makes way for the reign of christ in personal power and glory , which is now the great thing to be waited for , as the end and consummation of all that hath been revealed , in the bare discovery of which we are not to rest , but we are to press forward to enjoy the fruit or product of it in the inward center , where christ will be manifested in his personal glory and power : for the driving seeking spirit will not be at rest , till it can put on its resurrection-body : it knows that hitherto , notwithstanding all its refinings and dyings to sinful self , and the world , it yet remains a naked spirit , which must return into the virgin-womb of eternity , there to be regenerated into an heavenly corporeity , from the one holy element , out of which christ's holy personality is taken : this is the rich garment with which the sion-kings are to be arrayed , and thereby will be distinguished from those who stick fast in corrupted nature , and are not regenerated into this bright image , and from those also who though they are regenerated according to the inward man , yet being intangled in the thickest of the many things , are fain to stay behind , till those who by their hard pressing forward have overcome the world , beast and dragon . therefore be first instated in the lord 's personal power ; for the lord assured me , that this would be the way he would take in this present age , to instate some who are known to him , in his personal reign , that they may enjoy here on earth their first heavens , to the terror , grief & envy of such , who have been hard , cruel in the dealt's kingdom , restraining their good things from the lambs of christ's fold . here it will be as in the case of dives and lazarus , they shall see those who were most despicable in their eyes , to be greatly beloved and honoured , as being intrusted with a kingdom , in which they shall reign as the true born co-heirs with their head , christ ; bearing rule over all those who have been their oppressors in this world. it was also revealed to me , that there were others which stood in a mixed state , and divided between the two kingdoms of light and darkness , but yet followed after the mark and crown ; these would scarce believe that such a commission as this would ever be given to any appearing in a mortal form , to be crowned as co-heirs with the lord in his personal glory : but the just one hath shewed that thus it shall be to convince and provoke to emulation these last spoken of , that they also may make haste to be made kings and priests to god. the grand query after all that hath been revealed concerning the reign of christ in his saints , is this , where this government shall be pitched ? it is an ancient scripture-prophecy , that judah shall reign with god , for he is faithful with the saints . the scepter shall not depart till shiloh come , who is the king and law-giver , that is , was , and is to come . and to whom will he come first of all , but to those pure virgin-spirits , who travel to bring forth christ spiritually , as the product of an invisible almightiness , which will appear to be that man-child which is to rule the nations with the rod of god's power , in this world , and do far greater wonders with it than moses ever did with his . for the eternal magia shall bring forth all her plants of renown . the highest wisdom shall be brought into manifestation , and replenish the earth a-new , that god may walk in the midst of it , and no longer be unknown to its inhabitants , who are refined from their dross , and thereby got a free and open entrance into the jerusalem from above . the partition wall must be broken down , that christ above and christ beneath may joy n together for mutual joy and fruition . but here it may be objected , how can this be as long as the body is yet terrestrial ; for an earthly body cannot ascend to the lord's glory ? i answer ; that therefore a new body is prepared , even a heavenly , such an one as christ had , who could change his form how and when he pleased : so he appeared to moses and elias in his transfigured bright body , and then came down again in a terrestrial body to the sight of mortals ; which power shall be renewed again in those who shall personate christ upon the earth , they shall ascend and descend at pleasure , and transmute themselves readily , which state will much excell all visions of the glorified person of christ ; for without this coelestial body we cannot hold out in that sublime and seraphick communion hid with christ , which shall be in this kingdom of the saints : wherefore there is such a body prepared , which shall be able to pass into the invisible orb where the king of glory dwells : it is given me to see this approaching day in the spirit : if the representation thereof be so glorious , what will the thing it self , when actually accomplished ? this report which the holy ghost doth give of it , doth powerfully constrain the soul to put in its whole stock of faith for it . the sum of all these discoveries concerning the reign of christ , must be terminated in the virgin seed . eve's lost chastity will produce a new generation , to whom this kingdom shall be committed in trust . this was revealed from that vision which holy john saw , of a great wonder in heaven , a woman clothed with the sun , and the moon under her feet , and a crown of twelve stars on her head . many interpretations have been made of this vision , which here i am neither to approve of or condemn , but to mind the opening of the living word , who is present to explain , whatsoever is obscure , to those who turn aside from the wisdom of the flesh , and receive the united drops , as they fall from the heavenly cloud ; to which is required a well purified vessel , in which no taint of putrifaction doth remain . this was a proviso given me to observe throughout all this ministration , which made me set time a-part to prepare the vessel , before i could see the cloud break , and send down its shower upon my ground : this i mention for their sakes who are in this ministration of revelation . now to proceed to what the lord hath opened to me , from this figure of the woman , who is represented here as travelling in birth ; intimating to us that as by a woman a finful off-spring was brought forth , in which sorrow , sin and the curse had dominion ; so from this eternal virgin-wisdom , a birth is to be born in which nothing but joy , life , blessing and eternal power and dominion shall take place . this virgin adam had in himself , before ever eve was taken out of him , but she with-drew as soon as adam looked outward , as if he were not sufficient of himself to encrease and multiply for the replenishing of paradise , god having created him male and female in himself . but this design was overturned , and eve's generation is now multiplied over the face of the whole earth , from whence paradise with the virgin is fled ; yet a wonder is now again seen in the heavens , which we are to declare to our own little flock , which brings such tidings of joy , as doth far excel that of gabriel , to her who was the blessed amongst women , as being defigned to be the mother of our jesus in his fleshly appearance . but now , by this virgin he is brought forth in another appearance , as a mighty ruler and potentate over this earth , who is really and truly to fulfill whatsoever was tipified in solomon's reign . david's wars must cease , which cannot be till this everlasting virgin hath brought forth her man-child , who is to possess what adam and eve have lost of paradise and mount-zion kingdom : all which is to be restored by the virgin , who is not limited to male or female , for she may assume either according to her good pleasure , for she is both male and female for angelical generation . but here it may be asked , what is this virgin ? whence is she ? how can she introduce her self into that nature , where her pure chastity hath been violated ? this last indeed may be accounted a wonder above our hopes and expectation , which yet she is in a rendiness to do , as is well known to them , who have understood her , and preferred her above all things , as being well assured , that like as all bliss and peace sted away with her , so upon her return , all good will come back with her again . as to her nativity , it is from everlasting , before the creation of heaven or earth . she was before all , as being the co-essential creating power in the deity , which formed all things out of nothing , and hath given a dignified existency to all those seraphick glories which move within her own sphear , who are the product of an unsearchable wisdom , for the replenishing of those superior worlds which are little known in this , where we are out-casts ; neither can we be acquainted with much glories , till we be born again out of her virgin-womb ; for so it must be before ever we come to be christs , in conformity with christ our head. a marvelous thing the lord hath revealed to me , concerning this woman which holy john saw , viz. that she represents gods spouse and mate , from whom the highest birth , the eternal word of wisdom did go forth , as the mighty alpha and omega , in a distinct glorious personality , known to himself in god , and the everlasting virgin , before any thing of the heavenly hosts were created . for he stood equally in the counsel of the father and virgin , for the bringing of the whole creation into a figurative manifestation . now for what is all this , but to discover the mystery of this woman , that she is the eternal virgin , who will essentially introduce her self into those who are prepared and appointed to enjoy her ? she will confer her sun and crown of stars upon her representatives . here will be brought down the one elemental robe , and the quint essential root will again be found , which will give a most glorious luster , and all renew the gross vile matter as heing the acting wisdom to shew forth gods wonders ; all which reserved are until her day . she is looked for as gods fruitful bride to bring forth christs personality in plurality , as so many immaculate princes , ruling in god. just cause will be found , if we consider this principle , wherein the serpent with so much bitterness wars against the virgin and her seed , why her off-spring , as soon as born , is caught up to heaven , from whence the dragon is cast out , and where the iron rod will crush him , and be too hard for him and his adherents . her off-spring will appear all virgins , with her own lustrous son , who is the first-born amongst the kings of the earth and heavens . oh the high and majestical glory , which shall proceed from the virgins womb , with whom is the blessing that will abound in fruitful gifts and high working powers from the magia ground . eve's conception in sorrow shall not here be known ; for this virgin never was disobedient , or broke faith with god , who is her husband ; the fruit of whose travel is blessing and joy through the whole generation that shall be born of her : she shall be the mother of the true virgin-church , wherein no mixture of will-worship or false doctrine shall be found . but it may be queried , how can this heavenly virgin endure to come down upon this defiled earth , for to multiply her off-spring in it ? for without doubt the serpent and dragon will violently rage against her , which we have experience of in our selves , when he crowds into our very heavens , with all evil beasts at his heels , waging war against us . yet nothing of all this shall be able to prevent god's purpose , who will appear with his virgin in the divine body , and cover her with the one element , which will torment all evil-spirits , and wear them out , who can as little endute her virgin-purity , as the virgin-spirit can bear their poyson . therefore a separation is made , as we read , that the woman had a place prepared for her in the wilderness , which signifies the spirit of faith , which carries it from off the sensual ground , where the concourse of fluttering spirits of all kinds are ; wherefore this is no place for god's virgin to stay in , she may be in danger of having her chastity violated , or of being drowned with the wrathful floods of the dragon . the serpent will not cease to make his attempts with more subtilty than eyer , because by this introduced virgin-spirit , his head-power shall be crushed , and his seed dis-inherited ; but the virgin-spirit shall mount like an eagle , and so escape the dragon's deluge . a fountain is opened in the desart , of which the soul , which is in union with the virgin , shall drink , instead of the muddy waters of the earth , which she loathes : pleasant food is provided in this wilderness by god himself , and his christ. the lord affords these dainties to the abstracted life , where the virgin-spirit is a stranger to sensitive self within , as well as to the enchanting world without . here it wants no good company , for its never without heavenly visitants , because it reserves it self chiefly for converse with the deity , from whom she expects all her blessing and encrease : and thus the soul shall spring and multiply , where the virgin hath realized her self . her wilderness shall become a rich sharon-pasture , a land of unknown plenty , where gold , silver , and precious stones shall be as the dust under the feet of these holy separated virgins : also within and without , their feeding shall be on power , joy and peace , till the division of time shall come to an end , in which a further mystery will be understood . but oh ! let all this be first sully witnessed . here follows a further advertisement from him , who is come to fulfill old prophesies in the substance of his own person , that is born of the virgin ; from whom we may expect the perfecting of that , which all fore-going ministrations and manifestations have left short , in regard of those wonders which shall be effected in this latter age. to which end christ hath opened the center-eye , that can pierce as deep as the deity , where this virgin lies with all her glory , who , ever since adam's day hath been obscured , because she would not trust her self with any mortal , only some of her shining rays have now and then been scattered into holy souls , a taste of which hath been given , as the first fruits of what is reserved for christ the lord's second birth-day , where shall be provided a penticost-feast , according to the royal and heavenly state of jehovah's bride and mate . oh! how unable am i to bring forth in words what hath been shewed me ! of the later fruits that wisdom's children shall feed upon in that day ; the discovery of which we will pass by at present , and first define what wonderful virgin this is , and of how noble an extract , who is taken into god's bosom , in a mutual love-imbracing , and therefore may be termed the eternal goddess , in a high and sober sense ; and it is an evil and sinful thing to give this title to any other , as it is too frequently done . but to proceed to describe this virgin , according to the delineation which god hath given of her ; as first to its matter and substance , it is of that thin pure airy subtlety , so as nothing of the gross and ponderous outward elements can mix with it ; for they would but tarnish her clarity , which is ever conversant with the deity , which was signified by the sun and stars which were seen about the head of the woman in the revelations , signifying those superior planets , which cannot be adulterated with the desilemonts of this inferior orb , as possessing far higher and more exalted powers , carrying dominion over all that is beneath them . for as the lower planets hold down in subjection to the curse , so these deliver and set free from it : wherefore it is all-worthy to be enquired , in what planet the nativity of the virgin may be again renewed ? which must be by bright venus , which must bring forth the mighty birth under sol , in conjunction with the rest of the superior planets , which are all harmoniz'd in one ; for they agree to bring forth the mother , and then the son in the virgin-humanity , that bears from the heavenly matter both figure and form organically for operation in their various properties , which are deciphered by the highest wisdom to illustrate the only true . virgin in her beautiful form. the divine mould for her shape is again found , according to what was before either angels or man were formed , which is not to be portrayed , till she come to be essentially manifested within ; only her organical faculties are unto us described , thereby to know what makes out the virgin 's high descent , in these several faculties , as follow . the first faculty set before me , was that of seeing , seated in her eye , which appeared like a fiery ray , and sparkled as a star , piercing all things in the heights and depths . an eye that slumbers not , but watcheth at each centers-gate , to spie what goeth in and out , to prevent all violation of her . virgin-chastity , that her vow may not be broken , by which she stands engaged to her husband . the second faculty is that of hearing , seated in the ear , which must be so chaste as to turn away from all corrupt and unsavoury language , which speaks not god forth in his immense love and goodness , or in his greatness and soveraignity . the true virgins ear is turned inward , to listen to the sweet voice of her bride-groom ; she waits for the dropping of his lips , whose words are the strength and marrow of her life ; she is in such union with the deity , that she can't hearken to any strange voice , left she should be desiled thereby : the greatest danger and hurt she feels from the talking spirits , from the dark center in the soul , from which her virgin-ear turns away , and dare in no wise stay in their astral counsel ; and therefore turns her ear to those eccho's , voices and sounds , which leave a sweetness , which resists the taking of delight in corrupt and impertinent communications from without : thus reserving both eye and ear , she still moves forward in her heavenly sphear . the third organical faculty is that of smelling : this may be understood in a two-fold sense ; the first is a drawing in of the paradisical perfumes , and those sweet ravishing odours , which are sufficient to renew languishing life , and to make it strongly active and vigorous : secondly , the virgin is in her self an high sented odour ; her garments send forth a fragrancy far surpassing all the spicy compositions of this earthly climate : how vile and despicable doth every thing , that hath lost its paradisical property , appear to those who sometimes draw in these ravishing odours , which might they but continue , they would never desire any other food . shall i declare what is made known to me of the virtue of these virgin perfumes ? it is aver'd to me , they will recover a putrified soul , and eat out all the poyson of original sin , and recover dead flesh , and keep it from putrifaction ; it is a balsom endued with so penetrating a spirit , that it can go through stone and iron , flesh and bones . none can know this till they have passed the virgins womb , and then they will double this witness . now it is to be considered how unsupportable all rank plants of the earth are to the virgin , who continually breathes this perfumed air : when ever she makes a swift pass through this noisom kedar , what a strong sented garland doth she need , that nothing of infection may hurt her virgin purity : to which end , this provision is made to keep out the evil scents , which every where meet us in the walks of this world. the fourth faculty is that of tasting . here we find what it is that nourisheth the virgin ; her food is in her self , and it is no other than pure deity , which riseth as a flowing spring from her own deep : she lives upon spirit of air , which maintains and blows up the quint-essential fire , as the first virgin-matter out of which the soul was made , which in adam became adulterated by eating of the forbidden-fruit , who might have lived upon the root of eternal life which he had in himself ; he might have tasted the paradisical fruits at pleasure ; but what was palpable without , he had essentially in the virgin within himself , so that he might chuse whether he would eat of them or no in a corporeal way . this hath been a secret hitherto little understood ; but god in christ , through his appearance hath revealed it , and for this end to let us know what we are to feed upon at the return of our virginity , whose life's nourishment will be in itself , without any dependence upon any thing from without . oh! there will quite another thing be known in the virgin soul , when she is espoused to her , though she hath liberty to eat , as adam had before the fall . so here the outward month may taste of these mortal fruits , but not of necessity , because the life is centred in , and maintained from the heart of the deity , for the enereass and growth of pure virgin nature . and truly nothing but god can be the virgins food , nothing is so well digested by her , for it is a flowing source of almighty strengthening , and pleasant tasting , according to an infinite variety . this being once found , the soul can no more eat down the fruits of the mixed tree , in whose root the curse is , whereby death comes in , which hides the virgin from the soul's essence . the fifth faculty is the saper-sential feeling : what sence more excellent than this ? can there be a greater confirmation than a feeling life , out of which joy , peace and assurance do spring ? the virgin feels her self in the centre of the deity ; she handles what doth not appear to be tangeable , viz. breath , spirit , fire and air , in all these her feeling-motion is in great serenity . a center-life , that burneth from the mirror of the deity , boyles love up to that height , as nothing is felt but pleasure and ravishing delight ; it is the heat and blood that runs through every vein of the virgin-body , and is an antidote against all fear and pain , which is felt in the mortal sense : oh! what deaths , akings and griefs have we felt in our souls , as well as in our bodies ! our minds being in continual anxiousness and trouble , to see what we are fallen into ; i speak of such who have been touched with the fire-stone of the virgin , which must go before her healing medicine . and blessed are they who have first known the painful feeling under her severe discipline ; for such shall be her polished pillars on which she will engrave her virgin name , as he saith , who is the true and faithful witness , who is come to take off the virgins vail , that we may see her in the glass of perfection , and come to know and feel her , not as distinct and a-part from us , but all virginized in her essential deity , that the joyful feeling in breath of fire and air may be witnessed , and then we shall see what shall follow the harmony of these sences , which is the character of the virgin-nature , the pattern we are to try our selves by , for which end we are also called to look into her mirror , that so it may stir up all favour of desire in us , to have those sences in their excellency awakened in us . oh , great goddess and queen of all worlds ! wilt thou , after so long a time of desertion , once appear again ! who is it that hath entreated thy favour , and gained a promise from thee , of a visit , though this be too short , because nothing now will satisfie , unless thou bestow thy self , with all thy divine sences , as a co-deified life , to shew that thou art now prevail'd upon , to joyn with the redeeming blood , to restore thy own virginity , where thou findest humility and importunity in that personality which is all beloved of the highest wisdom , and only spouse of god ; know and remember us who are brought to thy feet , and have been under thy severe discipline ; therefore allot thy self to be our garland and crown ! now we are advanced one step higher towards wisdom's heavenly throne , from whence her golden scepter is stretched forth to lay hold on , which passeth through and beyond every elementary cloud , which the sensitive life hath raised , so as we could not see our way to that sparkling rock of the deity ; for which cause the bright sun now shines from her eternal orb , through the dark clouds , that we might see every ascending degree , twisting and winding so intricately , that without a guide expresly sent down from that sphear , there is no possibility ever to come to any one of her gates which lead to the new jerusalem . these are set before me to be in number twelve , five of which were spoken of in the fore-going chapter , and now we repair to her oracle as our guide for the revealing of the other seven gates , together with the way which leads from one to to the other , where the hidden track of the virgins way may be found , treading upon that unknown ground , under which is found a rich and precious stone , from which the highest blessing will abound . the way to the first of these seven gates is very solitary and lonely ; it is very rare to meet with two agreed to hold out in it to the end , it is so full of rending thorns and affrighting wild beasts ; for herein lies the design of the horned beast to scatter and divide such who are agreed to travel in wisdoms path : also , the nimrod hunters of this world send out after them , either to divide or bring them back again . these are the oppositions we may expect in this way , against which we must be provided and fore-armed ; that our entrance by this gate may not be prevented . the inscription of this gate is abnegation or renunciation of this outward principle . the first question which is asked by the angel who keeps this gate , is , are you come away as strangers and pilgrims ? will you no more return to the traffick of babylon ? for the prince of this city will only admit of such as shall abjure all commerce with the merchants of tarshish , though by this means all earthly riches are gained , to keep up a worldly reputation and fame ; but the angel of this gate will have good assurance that whoever comes up hither be quite broken off from , and have no further dealing with the harlot daughter of sidon , who hath deceived the kingdoms of this world with her sorceries . whoever they be that get through this streight gate , for them a sure and good foundation is laid , to walk forward towards the second gate . but here another thing is to be considered , before entrance can be given ; for this angel is charged not to take any ones single security , but enquires whether christs spirit in them , and his person for them will stand engaged to perform all this agreement ? for she dares not trust the soul upon a single promise , though fervent and unfeigned , and full of good will , yet it is not sufficient , if he be not able to maintain the gate ground against his enemies , that will attempt to circumvent him . therefore we that are come hereunto , are to give in the name of our security , and so pass on freely to the second gate . the second gate is called the wrestling or struggling gate ; it is the gate of probation , before it stands a center-gulf : here will rise what will countermand the pilgrim back again into the worldly principle , which he had abjured and left behind . wisdom stands by her angel to call and invite to come through ; but the gulf swells so very high , that it appears impossible to get over . legions of spirits here do follow , crying out , what mean you to run so great a hazard , as to have a place , where is store of all good things for supply and maintenance . thus temptations and assaults will beset the pilgrim , threatning hard and bitter things to him who is a seeking his own native country and original virginity , and endeavours with great wrestling to get rid of all these knawing vipers . what! say they , will you turn quite away from those pleasant joys in which others live , spending their days in gods love and peace , and therein rest contented , not attempting the passing of this gulf , till the limit of your life requires it ? all this and much more will press in to turn away the soul from pursuing after its virgin crown ; and therefore this gate is called the probation gate . now if the spirit of christ be so powerful in the soul , as not to regard these temptations , being resolved to venture through the fiery gulf , that soul will win the virgins heart . for here indeed is manifested a full proof of love's affiance , by coming out from , and renouncing all the charms of the daughter of babylon , who hath used all her art to fright her from attempting ever to enter this gate : she hath through all ages rescued from the serpent's twisting toil , and brought many back to enter into her gates again . wonderful it will be to see any one come of a conquerour here ; for this is the most perilous gate , because of the gulf which stands before it . the mortal spirit , whose affection is joyned to gross elementary things , cannot pass this gulf without suffering loss ; it is a life that cannot be saved , but must be swallowed up . but christ , our life , will swiftly pass through , as a fiery charriot , and the naked soul with him , who hath resisted all those temptations which would have hindred his entrance into this gate , which is the very winning of that field , where wisdom's gold of opher , and unknown rich substance doth lie . oh! who is it that will hold out the encounter at this gate ? it may be truly said ; that many have striven to enter , but because they would or could not leave behind all mortal burthens , and come quite naked out of babylon , they were not able to enter . this is that which hath dis-enabled many to enter , and will continue to do so , except the christ of the mighty god enable us to pass , and then we shall with freedom and ease come up to the third gate . the third gate is translation , by fixation in wisdom's land or principle . the center of the virgin wisdom may often open and take up the soul and spirit into it , and then be shut again , and the soul let down into babylon's principle : this , i say , may happen often before the soul comes to be fixed in wisdom's orb. but when the soul is fixed in the heavenly sprouting life of its emmanuel , and translated into a pure nazarite virginity , which knows nothing more of the fallen birth . here the soul stands in another principle , having got firm footing in wisdoms land. here a goodly lot is cast for the conquering soul , who will find all riches stand before her in wisdoms treasury , without either bounds or limits . whatsoever is of use or service is there laid down at the feet of a translated spirit , as the return of her adventure and trust in that day , whilst she was under the temptation of the glistering stars of this elementary region , all whose promises were but as a snare and bar to keep from knowing this high translation . oh! what a welcome feast do i see already prepared within this gate , to satiate both the eye and taste ! the virgin comes and salutes the soul with a loves entercourse , saying , come now and inherit substance with me , ye who have been in weary travel to attain this fixation gate , i behold you in the face of the bridegroom , by whose means you are arrived here : now in his name ask and have . see now what honour and preferment you shall have in my kingdom , which will recompence a thousand fold for the loss you have sustained in the world , from whence you are come out . as you did give credit to me upon the word of my testimony , and the fame which was brought to your ear , though as yet you possessed nothing of what 's intended for you . but here is now what will weigh down and recompence all your sufferings , when you resisted manfully those busie spirits that would have blocked up your way ; but in strong faith you have broke through all . let your victory be assigned to him who hath the opening key for to let in from gate to gate . all this is from the dropping lips of sophia and her bridegroom , who now stand ready to open the fourth gate . the fourth gate is called the bountiful gate . from hence the richest gift is brought forth , that ever hath been received since adam lost his virgin , who now here gives her self again to the soul. oh , great is this benignity ! who could ever have hoped for such degrees of advancement , after so long a day of desertion & night of apostacy ? an eccho sound we now do hear , that she will appear in her bounty . but to whom shall this gate open stand , to receive this liberality from her hand ? is it not for ruth , who hath forsaken the moabitish land , and come to be fixed there , whence her eternal nativity is derived , where she is no sooner arrived , but she is decked with all the virgins ornaments , which are the various accomplishments in all supernal powers and high abilities , to act in a divine omnipotent manner , whether in a corporeal form , or out of it , as shall be judged moet , with reference to place , time or persons , and according to the region where the bridegroom , with his bride , shall be , whether in the heights above or depths beneath , where his and her rejoycing shall be in each other , through the breaking opening of the center , from whence the virgin-tincture , as a warm fire-blood , doth flow in every vein , & a nourishing life is felt passing through every sense . this is that gift which the virgin will bestow upon the fixed soul , for a greater manifestation of god's manifold wonders throughout the habitable part of this earth , where the whole trinity in wisdom will assume a virgin-humanity , to bring all what hitherto hath been confused into-order again . the government of the bruitish spirit must give way to her day , who comes to overturn all merchants with their merchandize . no wares of the assyrian shall be brought through her gates , neither shall any sale of the harlot's goods be mingled with her treasures , but a vast separation there shall be , as between paradise and this world , where all things stand in an anxious birth ; but that other sphear is blessed with a perpetual spring of all pleasant things , which we shall know and understand in their variety in the next gate , which now we are , by the steady hand of christ , led up to , that we may see the utmost latitude of wisdom's inward city , and come to know all the goings in and comings out at these mystical gates . the fifth gate bears the title of wisdom's factory of all that is mannaged by her magia , from her own stock and principle , being very different from all the merchandize which is used in this visible world , which is wholly shut out of her gates ; for none can drive an earthly trade , but such as bear the mark and number of the beast here in this outward principle : wherefore wisdom will take none to be her factors , but those who have renounced all babylonish trade , which is maintained by bearing the mark of the beast , from the introduced subtilty of reason . a new and wonderful way is prescribed to them who shall have the mark and name of the virgins white stone , by which they shall be impowered to drive a free and mighty trade within this heavenly city , which shall make all babylon's wares grow out of request , both as to spiritual wares or bodily sustenance , as soon as some virgin-passengers shall have entred this gate , who shall be so highly favoured for having here broke through , that they shall have liberty to open this high factory to the rest of their fellow-members , that yet are captives in the assyrian land , and were there brought up according to the laws and customs of the babylonians , which could not be avoided , during their time of captivity . but now babylon's sun is going down , and the night of death and darkness is spreading it self over all the pompous state of the merchants of the earth . all this will be seen upon the breaking in of the bridegroom's spirit , and his virgin , who will deliver the exile captives , and clasp them close within themselves , and exercise the soul in another science : its skill and wisdom in the divine magia will actually go forth from this co-essential participation of the virgin-nature , to renew all good and pleasant things , according to the first paradisical property , as in the following gate will be made out , where the virgin will particularly exercise her magia for redemption out of the present captivity , under which the israelites as well as ethiopians do groan , being beset with the effects of sin and mortality , which this sixth gate doth deliver us from . the sixth gate is called the transferring gate , where the most choice and noble gifts are transferred from the palace of the glorious majesty , as the foundation of wisdom's factory , mannaged by wisdom's correspondents , who are skilful in the working wheel of the divine magia . oh! what transferring powers will pass from one to the other ! to bring forth the flourishing of eden , that it may again appear in this habitable world. wisdom's lovers now must dig deep to find this kernal , which hath lain hid in the ground of virgin-wisdom , from whom it must be transmitted to them , who shall plant paradise in a greater latitude in this world : for which a sure and unalterable decree is gone forth : for it is affirmed by the living word , who declares before-hand the truth of these things , which are already begun , and shall be finished as soon as all the virgin 's gates are past and entred . and this is more considerable , where such a mutual constant correspondency is betwixt those two kingdoms , paradise and mount-zion , all rich things will be transferred from each to other ; yea , an immortal factory is here to be maintained , betwixt the inhabitants of these two heavenly countries , and so transferred still into this lower orb , as occasion shall be . for though some part of this earth , by virtue of the virgin-stone , may be ting'd into a paradisical property , and thereby made capable of commerce with the superior worlds , yet there will be a race of vagabond cains , that will abide still under the curse . tho paradise be made visible in this world , yet all will not suddainly thereby be brought to leave babylon's merchandize , neither will the divine arts and mysteries be transferred commonly , but upon such who have sought them diligently , and have let all other arts and callings to for them , being resolved to know no other but the heavenly magia . this is the invisible stock which the virgin doth traffick with , to gain honour , wealth , renown , and a crown of glory to her god and bridegroom . now it may be asked , what matter is here to work upon for such abundant increase ? where lies the mystery of this art , that must be transferred by her as a gift . i answer ; that this is a great secret , which cannot be revealed all at once , and so deeply mystical , that none but wisdom's exercised magicians have ever founded it , and found the matter hereof . yet we must not deny the great favour which the most-high hath afforded for the opening of this secret thing , through the very person of christ's glorified humanity , that so we might know what will make mortal dross become like the fine gold of opher . but to give an answer to that question . what that matter is , which in wisdom's principle we are to work upon ? i say , first negatively , that it is no gross tangible matter , that we shall traffick with ; we shall need no barns or store-houses to lay it up in : to describe it according to what is revealed , we say , it is a rushing breath , a tincturing blood , a running flash of light and fire coagulating together ; in a word , it is the power of the deity transferred to a virgin-spirit , on god's behalf , as in the person of christ and his virgin , transmitting themselves as a spiritual root , from whence all fruitful powers of the holy ghost may be proved ; for otherwise all fore-passed things will bring little glory to our mighty king and saviour . the seventh gate is the gate of projection , which will take off all vails that have been upon the most holy place , where we may enter , as all knowing in wisdom's mysteries and wonders . but here lies the difficulty , how to attain the skill to stir up the precious gift , that according to what was before described , from the tincturing blood of the divine virgin , we may be able to bring forth matter , form and colour , according to the quint-essential spirit , transferred from the highest beeing . but it may be asked here , how , or in what manner doth this projection operate ? i answer ; several wayes , all which may be referred to these two heads , viz. transformation and transfiguration ; in which two great effects , projection will be known in its essential virtue , flowing out and entring in where the venom of the serpent is , which poysonous matter is transferred in the soul by means of this projection , from the tincture of wisdom's stone , which causes an unalterable transmutation of all gross matter , and the vile bodie 's shape into a bright heavenly consistency : such a coelestial body wisdom's virgin shall have power to put on , when called up to the seraphick thrones , and to appear before the highest majesty , to receive new commissions what to act further , according to the counsel and will of the holy trinity , who will greatly delight to put them upon working what is noble , great and wonderful , which none can parallel , except they have first passed all the fore-mentioned gates . if it be asked , what works and signs shall follow wisdom's projections ? i answer ; they are such as jews will not believe before they see them ; nay , even wisdom's disciples , who have been gathered under her wing , and drunk of her tincturing blood , will be sometimes in doubt of these things , whilst they are yet but passengers from gate to gate : wherefore we must not expect to be believed by those who are yet without the gates . however , we will , according to what hath been revealed by the supream magns , declare and set forth what god can do by his instruments , who are thus highly and divinely qualified . in the first place , they will be able to act from a creating power , the virgin 's omnipotency will enable them to give a new form , virtue and purity to all things now existing in gross corruptibility . for as transformation first passeth upon all the fallen properties of the soul's essences , so it will go out and renew whatsoever doth stick in the curse , even all vegetable , animals and minerals , together with the body of fallen man. all these , i say , shall be sublimed and transmuted into a simple , pure and paradisical figure , colour and taste , quite of another nature than what they now have . thus the disciples of wisdom , by means of this tincturing spirit , shall bring in a new creation by way of transformation : the mystery of which none can ever find out but wisdom's magia , who are under her discipline , and do lie in her bridegroom's bosom . in the second place , they who are transformed into the virgin 's nature , will not only be able to separate the curse from the outward creation , so as death and corruption shall be tasted no more , because healing waters will flow from the glassy sea , and encompass every place where wisdom's off-spring , shall pitch their habitation ; but they shall also be able to trans mute all gross mettals into transparent gold , so as it shall be far more plentiful than in solomon's time . this very gross earth on which we nowtread shall be made chrystalline . the river that was divided into four heads , which have been cut off ever since adam was turned out of paradise , shall now be made to return again with a full stream to bring forth the seed of gold , bedellium , and the onyx stone in a sparkling glory . mansion-houses here shall be built , and goodly tents pitched , which shall excell all the structures which ever yet have been ; for these dwelling places shall be magical , sometimes visible , and at other times invisible , according to the pleasure of the blessed inhabitants , who dwell therein in everlasting security : these shall live alone , and shall not be numbred amongst the nations who live without wisdom's gates . if any sodomites shall attempt to break in upon them , devouring coals shall be scattered to terrifie and consume them ; though destroying of any be their strange work , and also disagreeable to the nature of love , and the peaceful region wherein they live ; yet upon just occasion , power will go forth in this way for their defence . moses was a meek & peaceable man , and yet he was made a terror to aegypt : he had no way to subdue pharoah , but by shaking his magical rod , which alone could do more than whole hosts of armed men , and this will be the way of god's appearance , to keep under the wild and bruitish sort of men , who are as ravenous beasts , greedy of prey . wherefore the paradisical planters will know how to deal with such , whilst they are commissionated to go in and out amongst them ; and it will be their daily business to deliver the israelites from bondage and thrall , and that by displaying jehovah's wonders in such a manner as that age shall require , which shall be in an higher degree than ever hath been done here before . for though the miracles of former dayes were great and excellent , as those which were wrought by our lord , and by the prophets before him , as well as apostles after him , such as were the healing of the sick , the raising of the dead , the restoring of the lame , the making of the dumb to speak , the deaf to hear , and blind to see ; all which were both inwardly and outwardly performed by our lord upon the soul as well as the body ; yet the lord hath given full assurance , that not only all these shall be revived , but that the magical center shall open in a greater degree of variety than heretofore . so that the greatest wonders are yet to be manifested , which we are appointed to wait for , till this projecting gate shall open upon us , where all miracles will be brought forth a fresh , for the crown and glory of the virgin-bride and her followers : which gate , lord jesus , hasten to open for such who are under thy strong and powerful drivings ! in thy light , sweet sophia we are come to a discovery , where long have lain our lost forgetten doury . those coelestial gates , which now open stand hath giuen us a view into the wealthy land , where all things in the divine magia stand ; in that place there is no working with tool or hand , for all in spirit there do act from that power , which nought of the earthly craft can severe . joy we then now in sight of this blessed day , wherein wisdom's wonders so richly display . but is may be asked , when shall this be ? and who amongst the now living shall see ? i tell thee for surety , some there are in corporeity , to whom she will with her golden key in soveraignity , thus shall unlock the precious stoney rock fully , where the ocean-treasury of her deity lies hiddenly . oh! hear virgin-wisdom's call and cry , who skill'd would be in her mystery : a new way of manifactory stands open , i see such treasures as the world's wonder be ; a ship laden within , that god himself again will enter in to seise upon those heav'nly gems ; ah , blessed sale for such rich goods imbark'd here , for what less than the acting stone will appear ? is there merchants as are not transitory , that understand wisdom's manifactory ? who hiddenly have increased their store , and do studdy these sciences yet more and more , that so they might to those eternal gems reach , or else redemption will not be compleat , for putting an end to the toyl , care and sweat , by passing through all of wisdom's twelve gates . come then away , holy souls , and separate from all drossy things that do captivate ; and you will find such a pearly price , that will make you flourish as in paradise ; the golden river there-from will flow , that all the essential goodness ye will know : for in wisdom's principle there doth lie that which will make the worldly craft to flyc . upon the close of this subject , i had renewed again from the person of my lord , a firey shower that did fall as the dropping rain from the holy ghost , to refresh and bring up what hath been sown by the former revelations , which is to be looked for as the effect of every true discovery : and i desire the same plentiful shower may come down upon them , who shall receive and read the words of this prophecy : for a most wonderful and strange time is at hand , and doth call upon us to leave the moabitish land , and to engrave our names on every one of wisdom's gates , that so we may claim a right to enter , and not be only spectators and admirers without of the great riches and glory to which magical spirits are advanced . but we are yet to open a more inward ear : to hear the message which the lord hath expresly 〈◊〉 for his elect , who are watching at wisdom's gates , from thence to ascend one step higher , that they may be enclosed in the magical eye of the holy ghost , where the highest wisdom is to be learnt and vnderstood , and actually practised , for the planting of a new paradisical nursery , and its never fading beauty and glory . by which means the deity may be invited to renew his walks with men , as at the beginning , who will take great delight to see the children of paradise acting magically under the conduct and government of the eye of the holy ghost : for no work or action is so agreeable to the trinity , as that which is wrought from the magical seeing eye , where god beholds and views himself in his manifold wonders of wisdom in nature's virginity . but now the great question of those who are willing to be wisdom's disciples , is , which way they may ascend up to this globe-eye , to become magicians in the holy ghost's property ? this question is deep and weighty , and shall be answered according to the gift of revelation received ; know then , that the way to ascend to the globe-eye , is through its descending down into the root-essence of the soul , and contracting with it philosophically , turning it into a magick eye ; where then it may most easily ascend , and fly to be an eye , in the globe-eye , before which all stands naked and open , whatsoever hath proceeded from the center ground of god's globe of eternity . therefore they who shall find such favour , as to be introverted and environed with this eye , may well come to understand the grounds of the divine magia , and be able to exert it from the co-essential power of the holy ghost , without which all attempts for it will lie in scorn and derision . hence we may understand where the ground-work for divine philosophy doth lie ; whereby great overturns and mighty changes may be effected in this worlds region , where god will have great occasions for divine magia to act in his behalf : and truly somewhat begins to work in order hereunto ; for the magick eye hath cast forth an enticing glance to draw up unto it , and there to stand a while as locked up in it , as a close working philosopher , that carefully tends his furnace , where the coelestial fire burns softly to bring forth a transparent stone , in which the first-born magick of the holy ghost doth consist : but here we may be said to lanch so deep into the abyssal eye , as to lose our selves whilst vve are seeking this one precious thing , that can make this old wrinkled face of the creation to become young and fresh , as paradise in its first springing . but who will grieve at the loss of this gross matter ? the true philosopher well knows , that this is the gross body which the fire is to kindle upon , being of that penetrating nature , as to dissolve the whole bulk of sensuality , with the strong twisted band of rationality : for when the great artificer , the holy ghost , comes to set his furnace at work in very deed , in the soul , all gross thick matter does by degrees transpire . for what is so great an enemy to the divine magia , as the rational wisdom , which is in strong combination with the humane sense ? it is as an inundation of waters which hath prevailed like noah's flood , to drown the fire-spark of faith , so that it is scarce to be found alive in any ones earth : all furnaces have hitherto been too weak ; the strong tide of the rational mind hath broke in like a sea , to chill and damp what the spirit of god would have still blown up unto victory . for whosoever shall attain to be an adiptist in the magical eye of sophia , must watch the mouth of the furnace continually , that the spirit of faith may work high through the gentle heat and constant supply of that matter which maintains the heavenly fire , which can only master and get dominion over all the thick dark body of mortal sense , which hath long been the grand adversary of virgin-wisdom's magicians , and hath kept them from attaining the gate of projection . now what is there to be considered further , to help us forward in this high point of magical philosophy , seeing the benefits are of so great import , and serve for the repairing of a ruinous state of things within our selves , and every where round about us . we are to observe these orders and rules , which go along with faith 's magia . first , there must be an absolute trust reposed in christ the essential deity , as contacting and coagulating with our soulish essence , and thereby recover our unipotency . the depth of those sayings of our lord , when personally upon the earth , who still invited and called upon all to believe on him , as co essential with the father , and thereby entrusted with all that power and sufficiency which can be called god's . now here is given us to understand a deep and mystical sense , how that the lord did not limit or shut up the faith to his particular personality and appearance on the earth ; for that was not to abide , but directed to the exerting forth of our faith to the lo i am , in whom there is no change to the end of all worlds . he is now therefore to be believed on , as introduced into our soulish essence ; for there he brings in the globe-eye , as the sure ground-work for all the various operations of the holy ghost to act out the great magical powers from : thus our faith is directed to a god like almightiness within our selves . if we can but find the incarnation of christ , the lord in us , we then have a sure and steady anchor for our faith to hold by , and work out our freedom magically , having somewhat of subtle pure matter to work upon , we may go on forward to projection . another rule is , the going forth in the prerogative royal of the will , that is immerced into , and become one with the power of the holy ghost . we may remember that christ the lord , upon doing any great or marvellous cure , put forth the soveraignity of his will , as when he said to the leper , i will be thou clean : and sometimes he put it to those , who , he perceived had faith in him , saying , what will ye that i should do unto you ? and no less was effected for them than they desired the lord should do for them . these expressions of our saviour may be a grand rule for us to follow , and ought well to be regarded by us , for in the will is the highest magick , when it is united with the will of the highest ; when these two wheels meet in one , they are the swift running charriot , which nothing can cross or stop , in which the bridegroom , with his bride sophia , ride most triumphantly together over all things , viz. over rocks , mountaints and hills , which are all made a plain before them , and seas dryed up . what is able to resist a will that is united with god's will , before which every thing must stoop and bow ? which will , when ever it goes forth , alwayes accomplisheth its enterprise . it s not a naked will that wants its garment of power , impregnable almightiness is with it , to pluck up , to plant , to kill , and to make alive ; to bind and to loose , to save and destroy : all which power will be centred in the royal freeborn-will , which we shall come fully to know , and to understand , as we are made one in the holy ghost ; then may we go forth safe and secure in the magick vvill , to glorifie the great elohim , whether in body visible or invisible ; all is and shall be acted forth according to the fore-sight of the magical globe-eye , and carried on , in and through the operation of the holy ghost in impotent and despicable vessels in the eye of the world . these are they whom god will take into his high school of divine wisdom , there to be brought up in the deep vvisdom , and to be so perfectly accomplished , as that nothing may be beyond their art and skill to perform , to exalt and magnifie their god and king , by whom alone they shall be enabled to do all marvelous things . now from the fore-going rales , we are taught to drown the many vvills , that have been generated from the mixed essence of the soul , and to loose them in the abyssal-deep , from whence then may spring the virgin-will , that never was in bondage to any thing of degenerate man , but stands free and clear in conjunction with almighty power , which will most certainly produce answerable consequences , as kept fixed in the socket , where the burning oyl of the holy ghost flames out in sparkling magick , operating here and there upon persons and things , for change and renovation , yet none can pierce the way , but such as are become masters of his high art. i know nothing more worthy for the single eye to look into , and contend for , than the magia of faith , which was once delivered unto , and exerted by the saints of former generations ; and why we should give it for lost now , i see no cause , but should be earnest for the reviving of it , and calling it up from the dead . i shall not here determin whether for want of this power , we may not lie under the charge of having lost our first love , but sure i am , that this magical power of faith is in a manner quite lost , for the re-attaining of which , the holy ghost is awakening wisdom's slumbering virgins ? and therefore the lord hath appeared in his own glorified humanity to reveal these mysteries , and that by one who is as the smallest dust , that lies under the trampling power of the earthly wise , and those that are mighty in reason . yet here the way is laid open to attain to this all-powerful activity in the magia of the holy ghost , to encourage & provoke us to set upon the work , giving praise unto him , who hath been pleased to reveal where the key of the magia doth lie , which will open that treasury that can fully enrich all impoverished souls : wherefore it is worth the lending our ear to wisdom's renewed call and cry , and no longer to delay , but hasten to get through all her gates , and to be planters of a new paradisical earth , through the magical operation of the holy ghost , which is the absolute imployment and business of some known to god , who if they continue faithful , shall never have reason to be ashamed , or repent of their being engaged therein ; notwithstanding they may meet with great treats and sufferings at first from nabal , the churlish spirit of this world , that can love or favour nought but what is of its own liking : but wisdom's children shall be able to set themselves free , as they become studients in the art of this divine magia . rebecca the true virgin-mother , is ready to give such advice as will supplant esau , that jacob may carry away the blessing . oh! what is like to the magical stone , for the bringing in of a superabundant encrease from the right golden grain , by which all excellent and perfect things did at first spring : at the return of which a new and marvelous change every where will appear in the highest unity and community , in all those coelestial immunities which the most-high is invested withal . thus having brought forth , in some part , what hath been showered down from the heavenly powers , at several seasons upon me , with a command to publish it , i have nothing more but to pray , we may obey all these precious rules . a further revelation upon the last subject , which i thought had been concluded , but the running oyl doth spring a fresh for an addition , that so all help might be ministred , by way of manuduction , to such high spirited souls as shall resolve to separate themselves , that they may be meet to intermeddle with all wisdom , and thereby be enabled to stand before the globe-eye of almighty soveraignity , which is a peculiar prerogative , appropriated only to the wise and pure in heart , who shall set themselves a-part to follow the track of the divine magia , which by the holy ghost is prescrib'd , that so we may once more again stand upon paradisical earth , with our impregnable circle drawn about us , to keep the serpent and all his brood of wild creatures out from us . it will be well worth our waiting for every drop of pure unction , which shall now fall for fuller instruction , and be distributed forth , as the sping-tide of the spirit doth in us rise , which was renewed in this word ; learn to live god , and god shall live thee ; his most holy tabernacle shall be thy covert , which shall be visible to the sons of men , that they may know the most holy one , in the waste and desolate places of the earth , with his own will dwell . urging that foregoing rule for this end , that the magical attraction of faith , which riseth from the burning love , must bring god down to be all in all , that so the humanity may be covered over with the tabernacle of the deity , which will be our house that cannot be dissolved , though the starry heavens , together with the four elements , and all their product do pass away ; for though they take their original from the holy beeing , yet they cannot abide forever , because they cannot incorporate with the pure deity . therefore they must have their time to expire , when god shall descend in his most holy tabernacle ; what will it be less than the rending away the vail of these visible heavens , in their first and second administration , and all shadowed presentations and figurations , wherein some-what of glory , as a twinkling star , in this benighted day , doth appear . all which have but made way for the opening of the everlasting tabernacle , where we may be clothed upon with the magical body of the holy ghost , that so we may know what it is to live god. oh! what weight doth this word carry with it ? let us not suffer it to go lightly off , but take in what the urim and thummim doth advertise about this high contaction . but here may be enquired , what it is that may qualifie to possess gods living tabernacle ? verily no less is required than for us to live god , and for god to live us ; which is the wonderful hypostatical union , which christ our lord spake of in his day . we shall know him in the father , and so reciprocally the father swallowing up into himself the whole body of the sonship , which is the height and luster of that kingdom which is to come , and is to be yielded up to the one god , who is over all : not that he will be a living tabernacle to all , but only to those who are meetly qualified . who are they then who may expect to be rearers up of this tabernacle , which the majesty of the glory will fill ? they are pure , holy and separated souls , set apart for this very purpose , bearing the inscription of heavenly magicians , as being principled in that great mystery , and being made all knowing through the friendly counsel and revelation of the virgin-wisdom , who is the great revealer of these mystical sciences and magical arts , such as were practised before this world or its craft were in being . but now the wisdom of this world is needed and universally exercised by all ranks and degrees under the present fall : regenerate and unregenerate do both agree in this matter , and do make use of reason for the supply , succour and support of the mortal spirit and body . but what will you say , if this good old magical way , from which the whole creation is turned , shall in this last age be restored and found again , for the redeeming out of the care , sorrow and painful exercise of mind and body ? this will be worth lending an ear to , it being such a mysterious and advantagious art , as will sufficiently pay the cost of what we shall be out in attaining it . the ground we go upon for this new way of living , after a god-like manner , are the many scripture-prophecies that run all in this sense , with which agrees what is of late-renewed to some , who are waiting for their lot within this new paradisical scene , being under the dispensation of such revelations as are in order to give entrance into the tabernacle of god , where it will be natural to produce all things magically , beginning first to exercise this mystical wisdom and power upon it self , as having an old creation which must be dissolved , that a new one may take its place . the physitian must first give proof that he can heal himself , before he undertake others . so in this matter , the true magus is taught to make a tryal of his skill upon his own inward and outward defects , and thereby gain the fearful and unbelieving , that they also may come and enter through this everlasting gate , where the new jerusalem magicians are in their first paradisical callings , which the holy ghost hath received commission to put some holy qualified souls afresh upon , that they may be leading presidents to others . but it may be further enquired , what this magia is ? and how it may be acted forth , to alter the whole state of things internally and externally ? it is thus made out to us , that it is arising infinitum , that forms it self into a birth , the matter of which can no otherwise be described , than the unknown beeing of god himself , who is a meer virtual working power , in a finite beeing ; from whence a flowing source of generating powers do act forth , from what lieth hid so unconceiveably , as cannot be either seen , felt or heard out of it self , but only as it produceth great and marvelous effects upon whatever it doth move : this is that which is called the magia of the holy ghost , so defined , as he hath pleased to reveal it unto us . now it remains to enquire , by whom ? and how this is to be acted forth ? and for what end it is to be manifested after such an high degree ? as to the first , by whom this is to be exerted , or acted forth ? of this much hath been said already ; we shall only mention one thing , which is the principal qualification of those to whom this honour shall be given , viz. they are to take up a firm and fixed resolution to follow this magical vocation only , and to reject all others that proceed from the astral birth , that do pour in whole floods to drown the little spark of faith , from whence the magia tree must first grow , and appear in all its various fruits . this i say , is that which is to be done on our parts , as we would be adeptists in the supersensual working wheel , which will run us into our lost dominion , to be in god again . but then watchfulness is required to repel and judge down every whirling motion and thought , that shall rise to thwart the magia way , which indeed is nothing else but a most pure single act of faith , heightned to that degree , as to become a kind of omnipotency ; if they can but get free from the life of sense , which is its great and home-born enemy , which will hardly suffer the soul to make its pass away , but follows still at the heels , till the hand of faith grows strong enough to use the magical rod , which may break their binding circle , that so we may get a swist pass into the boundless liberty , and some to be expert in the theosophical science , which is not of man , nor after any rational wisdom of man , but as the pure fiery breath of the holy ghost , doth incorporate with the fire-essence of the soul , and so drive it up into a body of all-magical operation . for the free actuation of which life , we are warned to cease from all other ways and employs , and upon this only to fix our minds , and to stop our ears to the pleas and cryes of the senses , that would still have us to lie at the breast of the creature , when-as nothing but death , sorrow and the curse can be sucked from it ; it is indeed but natural so to do , as long as we stand in the first birth , from which it will be hard to get loose , till the other come to rise in the soul's center . for in this second birth , there is a strong force , which is able to overcome and break that yoke , which hath been so often near strangling this magical birth of life , that it could not display its free breath ; wherefore let us now take heed and ny away from our mortal senses , and totally exclude them from that new erected throne , council and court wherein pure austraction and child-like posture of spirit we may wait to learn how to act forth each one according to his gift in this high land supernatural magia . that we may speak out what lineage and birth we are brought forth in , after gods own likeness in power , wisdom and purity , to glorifie him in a new tabernacle-body , magically raised , which being consummated within the outward form of visible corporeity , the unchangeable priesthood begins within the most holy place , and is carried on not as in the figurative and fleshly administration , wherein was need of attonements and offerings for sin ; which in this great and more perfect tabernacle there will be no occasion for , sin being ended , and the holy ghost having obtained a more excellent ministration in us , to wit , offering the first fruits of redemption , which in no fore-going ministration was ever reached unto . but here it may be asked , what manner and kind of offerings will those first fruits of redemption be ? this is a question which cannot be so fully answered , till we are compleatly perfected in this tabernacle , which hitherto is only a rearing . but what of these immunities hath been expressed by the great priest , and opened from the tabernacle-testimony unto me , shall be given forth for their sakes who may have right to bring in such perfect offerings , to the most holy and separated place , in the day of their restoration mutually with us , who are expecting the accomplishment in all its divine ordinances and consecrations , for the perfecting every comer hereunto . but now to define what kind of offerings we shall bring as priests to god ; they are the fruits of the magia , in their out-flowing operation , which actually send out a most powerful spirit , from its own essential spring of spirit , wherein god is the only pure original of it . what is sent forth to effect , but a new generation of heavens and earth ? the magia worketh in this manner , saying , let the old tabernacle , with all its shadowy appearances , pass away and be no more : and it is so , for the force of the out-going spirit incorporates with the word , and makes it essential , whether it be expressed vocally or no ; the co-centred decree passeth into , and though the spirit carrieth all power with it , either to nullifie or make void , or to give a new plantation , and an heavenly splendorious formation upon creatures and things , for a lustrious transformation of what is fading and dying , that so immortality may be renewed , whether in rationals , animals or vegetables . the matter of the one element is so immerced and coagulated in a magical spirit , that it is able to give a life , where the very face of death doth appear , whether dead , as to a spiritual life , according to that saying , and you hath he quickned , who were dead in trespasses and sens. who is this in the person of christ , but the same holy ghost in his out-going power , that through our persons so influencing and given a resurrection to a dead life , whether in our selves or others , as cause requires : then also as to the very mortal life , to prolong it , and to secure it from pain and sickness , yea , from death it self . but this quickinmg spirit is only appropriated to such as have dyed and suffered with christ in the flesh , and thereby have overcome the world. therefore let none think that they can come to this degree of power , might and dignity , till they are born again from the dead , that is , a cessation to the enkindled life , from the stars which generate earthly motions and thoughts , which work in a way of sensuality , from which there must be a departing , in reference to those great things which are to succeed . i have been often brought to see the limit of the first born life , that doth consist between time and eternity , in the stirring essences of sin ; whereby i am made so wisely knowing , as not grieve , or to have any reluctancy upon the sentence of a total expiration of such an injurious life , as keeps me out of god's tabernacle-body , where i can no more dye . whereupon the holy ghost , out of the virgin-body , doth cry and call to such , who would come to be all magical , to offer up their first-born rational life for a sacrifice : and then of a truth we shall bring other kind of fruits and offerings , and no more as tributaries and servants to sin , beast or dragon , but be freed , through the rising birth , that will mount and fly over all those , who kept the other under great fear and bondage ; but in this we shall come to be kings in god's house , and of his own family . oh! what hath been here let down by golden drops from the head-fountain ! let it o god , mingle all forcibly for life contaction , with the more noble part within us , that so this great and perfect tabernacle may be according to its own secret way compacted indissolvably , where we may securely dwell , and nothing of violence , oppression or fear , but receive power from the rising body of the holy ghost to bear down and expel whatsoever is against us . this is what the lord hath by a signal word averred , and he will see it fulfilled , as in any one such a spirit of resolution shall be found , to go forward in this great enterprize to encounter , and rush through every throng , that would stop and put them by , who are ready to venter their all for it . now somewhat may be said as to those high ends , for which god is resolved to raise his principal magia . first , to redress , comfort and relieve the groaning creation , which is in spiritual travail ; even such who are in famin and death , in agonies , sorrow and heaviness through divers temptations , and the buffetings and wiles of satan : to these the magical balsom shall be given for cure , from such as are first risen in the tabernacle-body of god : they shall bind all evil spirits , and there shall go forth a virtual power from them to do , as if christ were in person there . and in the second place , this power shall extend it self to the taking away of all outward maladies of the body , and all sufferings relating to penury and want , and all weariness , toil , and anxious care for the needs and requirings of the body . a further addition to the former subject ; know then , that as in a miraculous way , this will be made as healing waters from out of the threshold of the sanctuary , that shall recover the dry and parched earth , to make it bud and flourish , as it did before the curse did overflow it : take it inward as to spiritual fruitfulness , or otherwise as to the outward elementary state . great also will be the trust that will be granted by the mighty jehovah , for mannagement for his little flock sake , and put into the hands of some that are to be set apart , as good and principal shepherds indeed , who can both let out , and lay down their life for the elect sheep , which are to be gathered in , not by sounds or words , but by a magical impregnation , which can send in a breath of life , to quicken what is as dead . this is now what we are in a daily expectation of from the rich furniture , which will come down with the tabernacle-body . oh come holy souls ! and let us be in a watchful posture ; for i do see in spirit , that the morning of this day begins apace to clear , the bright clouds do open , the face of our heavens appear , the separating vail is all rending away , that out of the first tabernacle we may pass , and within the most holy place fixedly stay , where we shall have no cause to fear , that god will henceforth move away ; because we our selves shall be brought up to that height of purity , that all offerings shall be most pleasant and powerful from the everlasting flame of the holy altar ; from whence ascending powers will go up , to bring down such gifts as will all abundantly enrich , more than came down in the day of penticost ; for they were but the first fruits , and did but continue a little while ; but here is such a shower of the eternal powers to fall down upon this second call to the jerusalem waiters , as shall bring forth the harvest of the lord's joy , whose spirit , for the ripening of these fruits doth work most powerful . what is to be done by us ? but only to drink in the falling dews , and dropping showers , and to grow as lillies that may know neither heat nor draught , toil nor care. hasten , oh god! and send thy angel reapers , for some fields do begin to 〈◊〉 white , whose ripe fruits may into thy store-house be brought as the first offerings for the consvmmating of all those great and mighty things , which thou hast taught us in this little volumn of thy life 〈◊〉 ! here follows a high ravishing communion with the trinity enjoy'd , but receive it not as an elivation , but from a spirit ●●●●●ated as into another light region , the half of which is not to be expressed which was here enjoyed . some throne of the most holy is now pitched in the center of the heart of jesus , as in conjunction with my heart , from whence such issues of life do flow , which renew a perpetual spring of joy. for the lord pronounced the fulness of all blessing from the circle throne of his presence , bedewing me with the water of life from the glassy sea , mingled with the fire of love , assuring me , that the curse , which is annexed to fallen nature , should now flee away from god , and the lamb's throne ; which throne , the lord hath chosen me to be unto him , in which the scepter of his kingdom should rule over all in the divine omnipotence . upon which thunder-cry , which passed through my heavens , all nations , tongues and languages , spirits and powers , did give up to him , who is come to fix his throne , and to create all things new , and to confirm his covenant in the newness of the spirit , and to nullifie all of the dead and fruitless-life , which stands in the letter-precept , which could never destroy the root of sin. it is now made known from the word of truth , that nothing else shall ever fetch out the serpent's sting , but the overflowing of the burning oyl from the sea of glass , which is broken up by the violent stroke of the holy ghost : all sanctifications and renewings are imperfect and changeable , till this doth come to rise as a covering , to make the gross body transparent . so now then we are to observe , that when-ever god shall come in very deed to enthrone himself in any , there will be felt this burning sea , from which the firey lamps do proceed , which guard the throne . oh! it is the great and high attainment , that a spirit vail'd with corporeity can look for , to have god come down in his throne-dominion , and to cast down all other thrones , in which the dark firey spirits have acted their part in the inward tent of the mind ; all which now to be destroyed and consumed by the pure flaming throne , will sufficiently witness , that god's kingdom is now got beyond words , & is sprung up in a feeling power . oh! the joys & pleasure , which my soul doth feel in its first rising , which is infinitely more precious than hath been related , though by christ's own personality , whose appearance did so variously describe the glory of his kingdom to me ; but now to come and bring it into me , will in due season produce other things , than what hath been believed or expected by the staggering & fearful , who have cryed , the lord doth yet delay his coming ; so upbraiding and beating his fellow servant , crying for signs and wonders , without which they can own nothing . but let all such slighting spirits know , that the throne and kingdom of the lamb may for some considerable time be forming , fashioning , furnishing and enriching with glory ; and all this carried on very secretly , till the whole mystery of the kingdom be first inwardly compleated , before it come to make a visible show , by a terrible acting of wonders . and know , that such as are come to feel the kingdom in its invisible powers , and the seven lamps of fire burning , and are set down with christ upon the throne , reigning over , and judging down all nations in themselves , shall have judgment and power given them over all , that have villified and set light by them , in the day of their outward rule and authority , whilst the suffering lambs of god were in their minority . but careful we will not be concerning judgment given , or dominion exercised as yet out of the throne of the lamb in our selves , but must follow on till it be fully perfected , and the kingdom established . it is the present business of our day , to watch to have every lamp fed from the glassy sea , that so springing in the light & love-flames , a chrystaline throne may be maintained for the whole deity : for verily whilst such a thing as this is felt and witnessed , there is a most ravishing tranquility . oh! what is greater than to have christ seated upon his throne within us ? all things then must needs be in a peaceable and holy order , and blessed subjection : happy are they whose inward eyes are opened all this to see , possess and enjoy , even when retired out from all creaturely society , and so translated into and among the seraphick spirits in heavenly places . since my apartment to be alone , a full concourse doth now continually meet me , even such company , as makes me spend my hours and dayes with all spiritual mirth and joy : for i am now come in truth ( without flattening , or crackling sparks , that go out again ) unto the everlasting burning throne of the deity , where just and perfect spirits do use as so many lesser flames , most numerously , as god's encompassing host , ministring all that may delight me : so that i find i am to be reserved for god's throne-conversation , which is as the seven dayes feast of tabernacles , wherein nothing of servile work is to be thought upon . this is a time of an holy convocation , and for celebrating the praises of the lamb , who alone hath wrought the victory for us . oh! what shall let now , but that all within me may give the trumpes-sound , and great shout , that the lord omnipotent is come to reign : rejoyce ye heavens without , within , and round about , for the lord jehovah hath only done it : he hath made wars to cease , and keeps the enemy without the gates . oh mighty prince and saviour ! thou art entred into thy throne-rest ! thou art become lord of the sabbath indeed , and therefore thou hast power to eternalize it ; as a memorial of thy redeeming blood , which is become the quickning and reigning life : maintain my love evermore in this new governing sphere with thee ; for never knew i such a pleasant state , as since the time thou hast brought thy kingdom into me , to rule over all in peace and love , and keep every spirit under check and in awe : thy throne is set , thy council is fixed , the urim and thummim of sound and right judgment is come down , and decrees are gone forth , which all powerful might will see executed within this hidden kingdom of my soul and mind . the prospect of all this which now is come , the spirit in christ , my lord's personality did give me to see , and therefore to prophesie , as hoping the time is at hand , which is so in good earnest : for i am made to understand , that the holy and just one is come , in his first and early reign to put all things to rights , that were found in confusion , in the fallen properties of nature , and to harmonize whatsoever did put forth from the bitter root essence in jars and strife . oht to have a cure come in to relieve this fallen , weary , tired-out life , that was in perplexed strife , can do no less than give cause of triumph , where-ever such a dominion is known , and entred upon , though invisible : none is privy to what is done or acted there , but the obedient subjects that do wait upon the throne , & are ready to fulfil all royal laws that are expressed from the counsel of the trinity . and truly , i do find great joy in keeping up to this restriction and ordinances which do appertain to the lord , christ's kingdom , although they be quite different , and of another kind , than what was allowed to be , and by the just one winked at , before that word , which is spirit and life did protest to me , that he was come to make a total alteration , and to throw out all the forms and constitutions , which have passed for a heavenly formation , which yet never reached to this new , most perfect and excellent kingdom , which is so chrystaline , as that the spirit and soul are realized in a circuled glory , and so shut up as no more to look out or come down from off this high mounted white throne ; whereon the reigns of a great and wonderful government are to be held fast : for which many cautional words i have received , for it is the abiding that will work out the most glorious victory ; for no one that is shot up to the highest stature in christ , and so ripe for the government , is yet come to be exempted from assaults and temptations , that will put forth from the satanical earthly kingdom , where all carnal earthly senses , and rational subtilty do still lie lurking , that if the exalted spirit that doth sit upon the throne with christ , should but venture down and debase it self , by complying with what it hath rejected of this world's laws and rudiments , it is possible the kingdom may be rent away , as in saul's case ; nay , in solomon himself , god would not remit it , when he departed from the lord in any degree , but received a rebuke to purpose for it ; all which was laid before me , for the holding fast the scepter in humility , purity , fear , righteousness and holy couragiousness , that i might so hold out in this first and invisible reign of the lamb of god , that he may come to be visibly magnified , for the conviction of those that are yet alienated by a spirit of unbelief , not knowing the peaceable fruits of this kingdom within , which in no wise can mingle with what is of the starry government , as being quite of another spirit . it neither careth nor seeketh for regency or dignity from these inferior planets , which give the world's wealth and honour to the vilest and basest of men. wherefore it is little regareded by such , who have eyes to see the workings of the superior constellations , which move in the third heaven , remote from all mortal sight , from which alone i have sought for honour , credit and reputation : and now i am greatly satisfied to be esteemed of no repute , and to be as a poor lazarus for the joy of that kingdom , which is already possessed by me : yet not here so resting , as not to expect and believe , but that this invisible kingdom will so work out visibly , as it may make the sun , moon and stars of this inferior orb to bow before it ; for the assurance of which , we can desire no fuller nor better evidence , than the total and victorious reign of god over all the sin-infected properties : for let this be but finished , and it will be a certain introduction to the manifestative reign of the holy ghost , who will not fear to face the locusts of the earth , that have had their fulness and blessings from the beast's kingdom , whose glory will certainly wither and dye away . nay , they who are of the number of israelites , and yet abide in the abomination of self-love , will be so ashamed and confounded at the opening of this plentiful store , that will so abundantly shower down upon them that sit on the throne with christ , that all those who have detained these worldly goods , shall have such indignation against themselves for it , that they shall throw their gold and silver to the bats and moles of the earth , and take hold of the skirts of the throne-princes , and cry to partake of their lot and portion . for it will be of that quality and daily increasing substance , for the satisfying of all kind of requirings of the outward body , that jacob's all and enough will most surely be possessed without curse or sorrow , which we know have attended the whole visible treasury gotten by the outward wisdom and art of man ; who have thereby so idoliz'd the works of their hands , that they have quite run themselves out of those blessings , which come in by giving up their whole mind and will to be the lord's dominion . this is the surviving kingdom that shall spread from the root of christ risen up in his perfect stature , within and throughout the souls essence to deifie it , so that it may abide in the unalterable substance of a godded nature , without the hazard of ever relapsing into sin , curss or sorrowful weakness , which will be the most wonderful salvation that ever yet was brought to manifestation . for which cause it will necessarily follow , that this visible kingdom will be also established and become as a listed up ensign , that all flesh may tremble and fall before it , which did so insult and lift up it self in arrogancy . where the lord was but as yet come in his first reign , no shew of glory was seen to outward appearance ; but rather dark clouds of sufferings ; which being rightly improved makes meet for the full possession of the first and second kingdom , each one in their high graduation , for coming forth to glorification ; as are now in the hidden sphears , where the high throne-glories are manifested in another manner , of kingly pomp and splendor , than what ever hath , or indeed could possible be figured out here , till the kingdom it self do work out visibly , and then we shall know what we at present are known of our god for , in order to this excelling reign , which is to answer to the royalty , purity and pomp , that god himself is now with all in his glorified saints and angels . it is fully assured me that god hath taken into his eye and love election at this very day , those who shall come to sit in princely majesty and great dominion in the inward regency of the soul , conquering the thwarting motions of sin and their own passions ; for faithfulness , truth and love to carry through here , will be signs and evidence sufficient what god will further exalt unto . in the interim , whosoever have attained to the first kingdom , in wisdom , sanctification , and in the excelling charity ; know that these will give the mighty onset for enterance , into the utmost bounds of this overlasting kingdom , which we shall not think it only sufficient to pray for , but to be doing all that is required for it , in all comely order and fixed resolution , to hold fast what we have already gotten , that none may supplant us , of that which will be the lifted up crown , to be seen every where upon the heads of the anointed ones . here follows divine openings of the reign and kingdom of the love. having been exercised for some considerable time , in the prophetical office and ministration , from the spirit of revelation , as my writings bear witness ; concerning the kingdom of christ in its suffering state first of all , then in its rising up through tribulation unto victory , for dominion and glorification through the love. now the degrees which lead hereunto , have been sufficiently described in the heavenly cloud , printed in 1680 , by the author ; which hath had most forcible effects , for the bringing in and establishing of this kingdom ; wherein and to whom this spirit of prophesie was given for a sealing evidence , that the spirit of truth being the spring of those foregoing revelations , which are now to be confirmed by the present reign of a risen christ , in some personalities , which are & shall be taken up for this end , to shew it forth by that most excellent and perfect thing coming in , which is the love dominion , which hath exalted the same propetical spirit , now with christ upon the throne , and doth absolutely rule in gods meek love over the whole region , even to the utmost parts of the souls inward earth , where now great peace is found , the government being carried on sereinly and calmely through the conquering love , which hath , like a river , overflowed the whole earth . but this was not so fully felt , known and witnessed as of late . the former reign was maintained in an imperfect degree ; the spirits within were indeed under awe and check , and unwillingly made subject to the kingdom 's laws , that were renewed , suitable to this most eminent and singular ministration . while sometime i was under it , which was looked upon as sharp and severe , the whole man being rein'd in very straight , would have gone forth into a reluctancy , and so break all harmony in the properties , that should be found abiding in a new model . and thus indeed the kingdom hath suffered violence , and hath been hid in great strife , as many holy souls may witness with me in the same case , who are come thus far to the dominion : which is a good and hopeful introduction to the ruling scepter of love , in which will be found a far more pleasant and joyous kingdom , when all and every spirit is brought over , and subjected to the love's soreraignity , in their order and place to their superior governour , to wit , the heaven-born spirit , who personates christ upon the throne . now to come to have every motion tinged with the fiery love balsom , how will they run and fly , at the very look of the kingly anointed eye , where love's rayes are so vehement , as to captivate every thought to the obedience of the lords anointed king , not in some , but in all and every thing ; which will indeed make every saint that hath attained hereunto , walk worthy of god , whose beeing consisteth in the essentiality of love , and admitted for to be gods fellow companion , being in the center-life of a love dominion : there must necessarily follow all holy boldness to come into a christ propriety with god the father , as heirs of all kingdoms , that are worthy of inheriting , whether in the mystery , or out of it . love's center opens through all , and brings in an endless pleasure and joy , which cannot be by any worldly craft stolen away . therefore it is that most excellent thing , that will heal and cure all within the soul , reconciling what was at variance , whether in relation to god , or to any of our fellow members . therefore what is to be more desired , or to be paralleled with ? i must solemnly profess that i have found such soveraign power and sweetness in the opening of this love center , that i cannot but commend it to others , and seek earnestly to have more fellow-commoners with me at gods table , that there we may sit down together and feed upon the fruits of love , which are the wine and strength of the kingdom . for in very truth i am come to witness holy paul's conclusion of it , that it is the absolute perfect thing , that works out all imperfection , removing all sorrow and grief from the mind and heart . for it is a strong and vehement heat , that devours fear and anxity . oh! how doth it shelter and secure from all blood sucking vipers , that they cannot prey upon the inward part of the soul. because this is a love which cannot imagine into any evil thing , and therefore nothing of the serpent venom can mingle with it , which makes the soul to know it self to be returned to its priminary concord and virgin simplicity . but now it may be queried , whether i give forth the commendation of this high and perfect love , from revelation , or from divine and pure sensation ? i must acknowledge it is from both , they are met together , as proceeding from one love center , which is the first glass wherein i saw the aimable beauty , and worthiness of this most excellent thing , with all those advantages and great prerogatives attending it ; for it brings in no less than a kingdom of sweet peaceable amity and love , whereby i now sind an unspeakable benefit . but it may be asked farther , how comes this most precious and worthy thing to be wrought so essentially in the soul , as to be evermore ruling upon the throne , and as having got absolute conquest over whatsoever would stir up trouble and sedition ? in answer to this i shall give my own experience , as one who hath obtained grace of this kind , after it was begotten by species and revelation , and formed in me , as a true essential life birth , which i did sind daily grow up and encrease in wisdom and strength : but then after that this love was grown up to such a vehemency towards my god , as known to me in the person of my lord christ , from and through frequent visits , and very intimate conversation , which i did daily enjoy in an unknown and most singular way , which in very truth was so grateful and sweet that it drew up my superior vital spirit after him , that all places and companies became very tedious and unpleasant to me , where i was prevented of feeding the flame of my love , from the beautifical enjoyment of his presence . the truth is , i had sucked in such a sweet savour , through a most intimate friendliness , to which my lord condescended , for the joy and love-delight of my soul , that i could scarcely admit the giving my conversation to any , in whom i could not see his all-aimable spirituality , for which alone i reserved my self ; for indeed i could willingly have attended it day by day continually , without any intervening night . but my bridegroom after all this ingratiating of himself to me , did often prove those two great witnesses in me , of faith and love , which as two twins did grow up out of the fresh sharon , which was renewed within , from whence they did with great strength and loveliness spring . but many hard encounters and rude assaults they were fain to bear ; and first in this respect , my lord jesus having begotten his own lively signature in me , by his often appearing , and so passing in himself , as an essential rising body , that naturally cared only to move and act in the sphear of high and heavenly things , and at no time to be found out of that circumference , in which to be thwarted and prevented was my very great tryal , having reference only to god in this matter , on whom my faith and love was exercised ; for having all outward vacancies and advantages , that might cherish and nourish up this lilly-birth , according to its native kind , which neither could agree to go out into the gross muddy and infectious air of this noysom keder , or worldly region . but so it was that my lord suffered it thus , by reason of many temporal necessities , wherein i was constrained to spend my time , which should wholly have been employed upon a more worthy and considerable account , than to serve the table of the outward man ; which i looked upon as very low and mean in comparison of that high-born heir , whom i carried as an invisible glory , under the vail of contemptible corporeity . and upon this consideration god tried his own begotten love , whether it would hold out under all damps , checkings and suppressings , both inward and outward , which it met withal ; for i apprehend , i had so great an interest and hold of the almighty , that it had been an easie thing to have had all needful things to come to serve the free born spirit , and not be engaged in the toil and servile care after the rudiments of the present fallen and self-ingrossing generation ; the customs and manner of which , my spirit had long since been made to descent from , in obedience to the law of faith , which i continue to keep up unto , expecting all income of blessing there-from . and though hitherto the lord hath exceedingly proved me herein , yet now the thousand-fold is beginning to break in , even by that pure and only love-dominion , which i do feel opens in the highest leavening property ; for it reacheth to the bounds of the everlasting mountain of god's immutability of love , from whence it springs : and what ? may it not multiply and produce , as it goeth on , still conquering all enmity , where-ever it meets it , as having overcome it in its own soulish essence ; and so may do the same in others , who groan and travail for the same , being but weak in love , and so not able to out-wrastle love's opposite : this is , and will be the signal motto , whereby that perfect thing called charity will be known , which seeketh not its own dignity and tranquility in heavenly places , there to reign in the love alone , but most ardently seeks it for its fellow-members , even when rejected and fought against ; for this is the new gospel-law , so urged and pressed by the lord , and his apostles in their day , as knowing it was the only means to plant us again in our own pure eternal beginning , where nothing but perfect love was known . oh! this is of such import and weight , as i cannot but from the feeling sense hereof , set forth the exceeding sweetness that is to be found in it , when it comes of a conqueror , as having been tryed by god himself , and by our fellow disciples , which is more piercing than any tryals from others . yet all this will not quench the right spirit , which is tinctured with the god-head flame of love : it is so strong , that it works over all choakings , and water-floods that would drown it . thus having given a most true and experimental account , how the kingdom of love came to reign in dominion ; for all shakings of this pure plant , rooted and fastened it as an invincible rock , as in reference to god , the beeing of love , so likewise towards all my fellow-members , growing up in all their various degrees in this body of love , fulfilling that royal law , which is to love one another from a pure heart ; not superficially or feignedly , but with such a love as wherewith god our father hath loved us ; who caused his love to enter in our enmity , and did thereby slay it , and reconcile a depraved nature , which stood out in all refractoriness against his grace and kindness : now after this sort we are to love one another , even where we meet with reluctancy and gain-sayings , to the killing and opposing of this pure thing ; yet charity , that is begotten of god in us , will suffer , and bear and rise up a conqueror through all beatings and quenchings : and truly , whosoever hereunto arrive , and can fixedly keep upon the throne , and uncessantly reign over all assaultings and contradictions of this kind in themselves , and out of themselves , they may well and really conclude , that the perfect thing is come , that will redeem from all evils , even from the wrathful root of enmity , from whence all self-love , envy , haughtiness , covetousness and bitterness do proceed . now love's-birth rising in its strong might in the soul , as that eternal anointed christ , who is come to condemn sin in our flesh , yea , the very root and source of all sin , and we shall certainly know the falling away of the man of sin thereby ; for love is that which irrecoverably sinks him into his own bottomless lake , from whence he can never rise any more . but it may be said , this is a rare and wonderful thing indeed ; but is it attainable during this time of mortality ? yea , assuredly , or else the lord , christ , would never have urged it , and commanded it so frequently , both in leaving it as his last charge , and suming up the whole law of perfection , in love to god and our fellow-members ; preaching the same doctrine by his spirit in the apostles after his ascention , according as it is by st. john and st. paul abundantly recorded : read their epistles , and you will find what an eminency is put upon this gift , more than all others . now the holy ghost brings in charity , as distinct and more excellent than them all . the holy inspiration thus opened it , that charity is of that high extraction , and so purely descended , that no defiled thing can ever enter it ; its consistency is an invisible body , as thin as air , as piercing as a flame , an all-moving , acting and vigorous spirit of power and life , that can go in and out as an invisible breath , which no mortal eye can see , only its force may be felt as a seraphick heat , that burns as a refiners fire in our corporality , to the end that it may tinge it with the holy ghost's property . this is the true and faithful delienation of this perfect thing , called by the apostle , charity . where-ever this comes , it makes all imperfect things flee before it , but it strengthens and confirms every plant that is sown by the spirit , and makes them appear above ground , which have long lain buried under it : it is the king-flower of the whole paradisical spring , that protects the whole , transmuting all into one entire body of love , that doth extend and give forth it self in all spiritual bountifulness , according to its high nature and property . it is not shut up to it self upon any consideration , as to what it poslesseth and enjoys ; for it holds nothing in propriety , whatever its lot is , but all is free to the disciples of the same descent and birth with himself ; this love cannot with-hold from any of their necessities , for it seeks not its own . then it hath also a virtual power , as made to inherit the best of riches and substance of the everlasting kingdom , to conveigh and freely distribute of this inexhaustable treasury to impoverished souls , and to relieve them that are in great distress ; which power can pass in as an high virtual balsom , to heal the wounded , who are under the striking of the scorpion-sting of the serpent . for this love is a ministring flame , where holy passiveness and humility are as the open-door for its access , and there cherish and feed it with what its present degree doth require . charity is furnished with all sorts and stores ; it is god's steward upon earth , whom he dare trust with the care of his houshold , who are in spiritual hunger and nakedness . it is a most infallible truth , that god will appoint such holy overseers in his new-born church , that shall recover the apostolical spirit and power , that hath been lost out of the earth , and it shall rise as a more bright morning star , and multiply it into a generation that will be all lovely , in which god may see himself . for which end , the kingdom and dominion is already come into some , and prospering to this expected degree , treasuring up now for a full bank in store against that day , in which our son of man will again appear in the heavens , for the delivering up the kingdom to the father , that so god , who is love , may be all in all . but in order to the accomplishing of this last and finishing mystery , there shall arise a melchizedeck priesthood , which shall know the way into the holiest of all , concerning which , we shall come to declare after this subject is finished ; for it springs out of love's-root in us . for this is the most clear and undeniable witness of truth , when light and revelation , and life of enjoyment meet together , then declaration carries power and authority with it . but to return to the present thing , what can be said sufficiently of it , that so , if possible , the reign of love might come to spread it self as a net , to gather in for the priestly kingdom ? some other motions may be further urged , as these ; would you be always in a serene , quiet and peaceable frame and constitution of mind , so as no vicissitude working-cross , or turbulency towards you , whether from gentiles , barbarians or israelites , all which may give nothing of disturbance , where charity is predominant ; and why so ? this is very marvelous , never to be perplexed , and never to be put out of harmony ! objection . but how can this agree ? when as our most perfect pattern was said to be troubled , and his soul was sorrowful unto death ; as also , that afflictions are not joyous for the present ? first , we will answer this main objection , as to christ our lord in his agonies ; you must know , that all this was on this side his resurrection , [ observe that ] and it was to shew , that he had the sensible passions of our humanity , and that he was on our behalf to feel a sinless grief and sorrow , and to be really touched with these kind of infirmities ; or else how could he make provision through and by love's conquest ? if he had not been in temptation , and in encounter with all despite and defamations , but yet he maintained his own peace , which was the fruit of love , through all , and was reconciled to all the cross dispensations , that met him in the world. for it was this perfect love that carried him through to bear and suffer all things , and was for our example and encouragement to express , during the time of his humane minority , those sensible dolours and passions ; but he comes of a victorious champion , and tells us , that he had overcome , and assureth us , that in him we shall have a most fixed and firm peace , though in the world exercised with tribulation . so from hence it is to be admitted and allowed , that in the time of our minority , before love is in its perfect degree risen , it cannot be otherwise expected , but we may be liable to grief , sorrow , commotion , fears and jealousies , and so up and down in an uncertain motion , tossed to and fro in our minds , and all this because love is but little , weak , and low of stature ; it is not got up into the throne of dominion , so as to govern all by the law of love ; yet such are not to be hopeless , or of doubtful mind , as desponding ever to see the resurrection of love , so as to possess its peaceable immunities . know , whoever you be , that are made willing to venture the loss of all for to arrive at this pearl of charity , that you shall most surely find it ; and great rejoycing there will be at the finding of this lost groat . indeed the house of the soul must be first throughly searched , and the natural self-love must be swept out . for what is that which we must lose , but even all rubbish , filth and dross ? that so our hearts being emptied and cleansed from all these , the king of love may enter in with his full train , wherein we may know nothing but concord , tranquility and a springing treasury of all goodness ? wherefore let all holy and pure minds be stirred up to wait for the dropping dews , which fall from the one eternal element , to bring this plant of loves kingdom forward , even unto its full height of perfection ; and be tender of its first buddings , for it hath many subtil enemies , both at home and abroad . it is the heir , and therefore is conspired against ; for can but the envious spirits find out where its birth doth spring , they will attempt to kill it whilst it is but an infant ; for which cause it must be hid in the clefts of the eternal rock , there to be fed and nourished with its own nature-milk , and honey of love , till it become strong and able to encounter and overcome all its opposites , that it may reign alone , as monarch of the soul. my friends , who-ever you be that shall read this experimental writing , know assuredly , that if you can but find this burning star of love risen ; nay , if you can but feel the glowings and enkindlings of heat in the center of your hearts , it is more to be valued than all other spiritual gifts , powers and divine ornaments , which pertain to the new creation ; then we may boldly despise and contemn all worldly dominions , and all the joys and delights of sensual love. for you must know , it is such a sacred and coelestial seed , coming immediately from the heart of the deity , as cannot admit any thing of defilement or pollution to abide with it : it soon leaves the soul , if any thing be taken in which cannot abide the burning touch of this altar coal . but here it may be asked , what is this love , which is so highly exalted above all heavenly and earthly things ? sure there must be some rare transcending quality in it , not commonly known , that makes you press it so vehemently . truly , well i may , yet not i , but the essential love it self doth move me to open the mystery of it , which happily hath not been understood as now , by breaking up the fountain of it , that so it may plentifully run forth ; for giving the light of the knowledge of it , doth but make way for the very substantial body it self , to rise sensibly in its flaming quality . take this further account of it , that it is known for to be the most holy and pure generation of the immaculate virgin of god , for which is prepared a virgin-womb , that this birth might be the choice and and undefiled one of her that brings it forth . it will not be now at christ's second birth , as it was at his first ; then his vissage was marred more than any mans ; he was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief , and there was no form or comliness in him , which made him to be set at naught , and greatly despised , though without sin or guile ; but being found a sufferer under it , therefore could not be exalted till he had slain the enmity , and wrought out victory ; and thus he hath his first birth in us , which must precede his second . but there is a vast difference between christ's first and second coming . many ages are passed , wherein the saints have only known the birth of christ in them after this weak , suffering , dying and reproachful state . the apostles , upon whom the holy ghost was poured forth after a most signal manner , by which christ gave witness in them of his victory and exaltation , enabling them to work miraculously ; yet notwithstanding they were not got beyond the suffering birth of christ in themselves ; for they only had the revelation and fore-sight of his appearing in power and great glory ; but they departed this life , and did not see the sign of the son of man to take up in them for a visible reign and kingdom , that might redeem out of all tribulation , and so it hath continued until this day . but yet there is not to be found a generation so prepared and made ready for the second coming of christ , as was in that day , which might make us doubt , whether the coming of christ be so nigh , because this birth of love is so hardly found in any , risen up to an absolute dominion , which is a sure introduction to the omnipotent reign of christ , in this visible earth , in the inward properties of the love flock . but you will say , the apostles , and those that were converted by their ministry , were all in the dispensation of love , and were in expectation of having the kingdom restored to israel in their day ; and what was the reason then that christ's second birth did not rise in them ? to which i answer , that it was thought meet by the father of wisdom , that all of that generation should drink of their lord's suffering and dying cup , as he often hinted unto them , when personally with them , though they had a general spirit of prophecy concerning his glorious reign , in which he would appear in his saints . and then again , it may be demur'd upon , whether those elders themselves had compleated their own regeneration , and so were perfectly arrived to the throne-do minion of love , as fixed overcomers ? st paul , peter and john that were most eminent amongst them seemed to have somewhat more in their eye , than to what they had attained , and so were still a pressing after it . but however , it may be concluded , that they had gotten the start before any that are known this day , yet it seems that hitherto love's womb hath been shut up from bringing forth children of the resurrection , at least to any thing that is manifestly known . but for this we may have good hope , that if indeed it be born in any one , and made strong to maintain its right & superiority over the whole inward creation , ruling as god , by whom it is certainly avouched , that a virgin spirit shall be given to such for eternal generation , who shall be able to raise and quicken the holy grain of love , that lieth as dead , that so love may see her off-spring to multiply exceedingly unto all perfect purity . such an holy congregation and society being once raised to reign upon love's-throne together , they will be as so many raised banners , which will be terrible to the nations which stand without the circle of love. now by all this we see what hath hitherto put a stop , and caused the lord to delay his coming , and will still , till perfect love be come to burn up every image in the mind , that is not engraved by god's own finger . it is certainly to be concluded , that charity is the golden wash & baptizing pool , out of which souls do come all ruddy and white , clear and bright , to whom the lord may say , my dove , my fair one , my undefiled , come away ; the love-scarlct-dye hath washed thy blackness away , so that now thou art all fair in my eye . this is a prophecy which hath now in some its fulfilling , and will have more abundantly , as this spirit of burning love takes possession of hearts ; and then the very face of god will be the covering , by which we shall see and know , what before we were ignorant of , as to our own pure love's-nativity , which was fore-known in christ , before the world of wrath and bitterness did shew it self . and thus by the first and second birth of christ in us , all will come to be restored to a glorious new creation , where love shall dye no more , nor sin live , which brought in curse and sorrow , and estranged god from us . now is not all this a most perswasive motive , to the love-flock , where-ever scattered , that god intends to bring them to this love-band of perfection , that so we may know one another as god's enkindled sparks , encreasing to flames , which are to consume all envy & wrath as stubble and dross . the trumpet sounds from mount-zion , and waxeth louder and louder , we daily hear it , from which we have declared the most excellent things concerning the eternal love-fellowship in gods own clearness , in which no spot of darkness is to be found . you will say , where are such to be found , according to this degree , which you have here described ? all vsiible churches and societies are far too light , when weighed with this golden grain , and shekel of the eternal sanctuary . we know it to be so from the all-piercing eye , which doth try all degrees of love , and it may be universally bewailed , that so much superficial , formal and dead love is found both to god and one another . hence we do not wonder that the bridegroom makes no more haste , his bride wanting as yet her full vesture or robe of pure charity , without which she can never be said to be ready ; for this is to be all her glory both within and without , and to adorn her for love and delight . therefore all preheminence and honour give to love , taking all care to nourish it up in god , and there abound in it towards one another . this high , pure and mystical unity of love hath been yet very little understood , and less practised ; that leaven-born-society is much scattered : where is love's paved habitation to be found , in which fervent charity doth wholly act and move , loving and admiring , as god appears and looks forth through the lettice of humanity in each one ? oh! how should it draw out , and open the springs of love , as god himself , who is the spirit and life of love , which moveth and riseth in holy souls ! and therefore it becomes us to be tender of it , not to grieve it or quench it in one another , for that may cause it to sink and dye away in our selves , and then the very ark of our strength departs from us , and the heat and vigour of all spiritual life declines with it . upon which consideration , o ye heaven-born , out of the womb of eternal love , where-ever dispersed , let your gatherings be to this lifted-up-standard , where love's kingdom is known and possessed in all peace , joy and tranquility . the trumpet from mount-zion doth found , to call you away from all worldly , drossy , perishing loves , which are not supersensual and coelestial ; nay , further from all luke-warm supperficial loves ; for love's workings must be fervent , strong and immutable , for the making meet for the rising and abiding powers of the holy ghost to work from . all which will be brought out of the firey furnace of love , for the great and mighty things that give testimony of christ's kingdom in his saints being come ; for it will surely open from this center . now , who-ever ye are that feel the touch of this coelestial fire-stone send forth your warming sparks , to set one another in an holy flame , know your own mother's children , hide not your selves from them , be no longer strangers towards them ; sind them out from north to south ; revive yet once again the apostolical knot and band of unfeigned love , that may fore-run the bridegroom's return to dwell amongst us , that so we may no longer fast and mourn , but be ever feasted with love's multiplyings from the fountain-deity : even so confirm it , o lord jesus accordingly ! oh god! inspire with thy love-fires that we may abide with angelical quiers . the lamb's trump doth sound to call us up , to drink of this love-flaming cup : the spirit thereof doth so sweetly burn , that mortals into seraphims doth turn : is not this the transforming thing , which to a god-like beeing will bring ? oh charity ! what can be said of thee ? dost thou not proceed from the deity ? henceforth i must proclaim love's fame to all that bear that living name . who would not in love be with love also ? for its force is greater than all foe ; how doth it expel all fears , that they fly , because of sweet peace and serenity ? love born of god , heir to all goods , steward of his house , giving out food : is not this the one only excellent thing , which will fetch out the serpent's sting ? nay , more than this i clearly see , love will enter the secret of the deity , where ye will see love a burning lamp , upwards flying , never choked or dampt . wind we up our angels to god above , where we may drink our fill of love , and feast on those fat and pleasant things , that are within the gardening springs , where the everlasting gates open stand , for such as be united in love's hand : come , enter then as charriot burning flame , into that holy place which known is by name . we feel love like a bubbling spring , which make us the new song ever sing . all praises we will give to elohim , who rideth on the seraphims : floods of joy , with coelestial praise , shall now out-flow to the ancient of dayes ; for while we feel and taste love's fire , it doth extinguish all earthly desire . let thy love stream forth as a shower , let it flow forth in life and power ; this is the thing that is most pure , it can all of our desires fully cure . oh! let the kingdom of this love come , that we may reign with god the son in everlasting love's sweet harmony , hereby conquering all of the enmity . love is the lamb 's pure virgin-bride , she is all fair and comly so sweet , so mild and ravishing in his eye , that in his love-imbraces she must lie , there possessing such pure coelestial joy , as none can know , nor come to annoy . a bed of rest here for her is found , that makes love's-trumpet ever found . having passed through love's region and dominion , we are come to set forth ( according to the gift still bestowed upon us ) the glorious state of the everlasting priesthood of christ , carried on in his most holy temple , body and heavenly sanctuary , which is framed for it by the love-power : and wisdom of the most-high , who will have a kingdom of priests elected , and set apart for this purpose , to draw near in full assurance of acceptance with him in all their holy offerings , each one from their consecrated tabernacle , to minister to the mighty jehovah . for the which is required a special ordination , which none can be capable of , but such as first are all purified in the burning springs of love , that so they may become holy , merciful and compassionate , to intercede for the ignorant , and such as are turned aside from the tract of the just and perfect one. now then , to be called & anointed of god to this holy function , is the greatest spiritual dignity and honour , that can be conferred upon the love-flock ; it excels both the prophetical and kingly dominion , all which intrinsically do agree together , only the priestly office doth out-shine in glory , being the last and finishing ministration , which shall reconcile and gather into the unity , with the most holy and ever blessed trinity , where fixation within the temple-body of the holy ghost shall ever more be enjoyed . now in order to the revealing and making out this high and peculiar priest-hood , it is expedient i should declare , in what a living figure it appeared to me , or rather to somewhat which was raised up to be as a clear burning lamp of love , which was capable of this great and marvelous sight , which did open from the very god-head beeing , in whose body of light and glory this priesthood in the heavens was clearly manifested to my eye sight , which is the ground work i shall go upon , according to the express which the great melohizedeck priest hath set open , and made teachable hereby for the benefit and service of that holy and royal tribe that shall hereunto be numbred . for in the present age , wherein the most precious have their call to come out from what is vile , temporary and soul cankering against the love , minding of earthly things ; and as to the more refined religious dress ( where the viper of sinful hypocrisie which hath had a fair covering spread over it ) in every changeable ministration , which refers to an outside holiness , till from this there be a departing , and entering into love's substantiality , there can be no bearing part in this peculiar and royal priesthood . but let us go on to describe it according to the mount zion pattern , which we have seen , and the words which were heard from thence . the vision of the heavenly tabernacle . i was carried in spirit , where i saw a light flaming glory unfolding and opening it self larger and more conspicuous , and in the midst of it an abysical deep , from whence there was a working flowing sourse , in a restless motion , flashing up transparent matter , so sparklingly glorious for colours , as if all manner of precious stones had been comixed in the matter ; then did appear numerous persons gathered to the glory of this flowing sourse , from the virtue and power that rose out of the deep , which was as the resurrection of pure heavenly bodies , bright and clear , that stood there to receive and drink in from this abysical deep ; then was it asked by that translated spirit that saw all this , what was to be understood by all this ? and it was answered , it is the flowing of the deity , that is ever generating forth , for begetting and renewing what is like to its own beeing , and the sparkling matter that so continually flashed out , was to consecrate the heavenly order of kingly priests , which would be the very tabernacle-glory upon them , for this priestly kingdom , under the highest degree of anoiming are for to be : and who-ever can pure and abstractedly come up and lie near the flowing of this abysical deep , are under the ordination for kingly priests , and so near to god , as nothing shall them be denyed , for which they shall interceed ; for great power , they will have within their own command , for they are spirited very high , by daily drinking in this deified matter . in this vision there was no formal temple , tabernacle or alter to be seen , but god in his virtual power , light and purity , filled the numerous company that made up the priestly body , which was termed the god-head fraternity . no particular christ here i did see , but as he was said to be the head and the power that made them shine as so many burning lamps before the throne of the fathers all-piercing eye of glory . there were degrees amongst this holy preistly fellowship , some in a higher , others in a lower order ; but the testimony of truth , love and purity did open through all , as one entire ark of the heavenly body compacted together , sounding forth new and wonderful laud and praises , different from all others , who in the heavenly places did worship the lord god almighty . this was a lively express and manifestation of the everlasting and unchangeable priesthood , which the holy ghost will build up , and appear all in it , and therefore is come before hand to open the scene of it , and to give rules to direct in the way , which leads thereunto , according to this substantial ground which opens from the central eternity , from whence all perfect things must spring out again , in this faded and corrupted region , for which a most holy and royal priesthood is ordained , that is to be the salt of the earth , to send forth their seasoning for life , where putrifaction unto death hath reigned . now we shall proceed and give forth , what hath run in as a fountain , sending forth its springs . it is then assured to us by an irreversible covenant , that a kingly priesthood shall in this latter day stand upon the earth . an election and call from the holy ghost is going out for to effect the same , who only knows where the true born nazarites are , and where the sanctified in the water of life do lie , who will be brought out as baptized ones , into this holy priestly order , so that it may be evident to all to know who they are , and to acknowledge their priestly royalty , each one in their various order and degree for power and eminency ; for which there are several rules , characters and holy missions , that will make out where all these pure , clear , lively stones are connexed together , for a ruling and governing priesthood in this visible earth : these are of the election hereunto , that may yet be hid amongst the stuff of babylon's confusion . a david may be keeping of sheep , an elisha plowing with a yoke of oxen , till a special ordination come forth for anointing to a more high , worthy and honourable employ , in which the business will be only to have to do with god , and therefore is set apart and sanctified only for that use , ceasing from all througing cares and seculiar services , and a withdrawing from all defiling things of this kind . whoever feels the touch of the life-coal , that sets the only matter of the souls eternal essence a burning , they will soon find what separation is made , and can henceforth no more favour the low , vulgar , gross and earthly concerns ; from all which this priestly function doth set free , as called and anointed by the most holy , that is head of this separated congregation ; therefore it is but meet that the body should answer hereunto , that as our great high-priest is passed into the heavens , being found perfect , separate from sin and sinners , so likewise all appertaining to this heavenly order will be known in their pure consecration . for the spring of the spirit will rise from within , to cleanse every instrument that must be used about the tabernacle service , because god will have nothing to come near him , but what hath holiness engraved upon it , which doth imply a coming out of what is common and defiling , that nothing of this corrupting nature may be found amongst the priestly tribe . for these are designed and appointed to deal with god in all weighty spiritual matters , belonging to the restoration , and that may erect the new jerusalem state in this very world. therefore there is to be an extraordinary call of the holy ghost , for the impowering and fitting out hereunto ; for else it will be impossible to carry this evangelical ministration in such an evil region , where the cry and plea of mortal necessities are continually heard , as making it a lawful imposition upon the very illuminated saints to puddle about earthly things ; by which indeed the wayunto the most holy hath been blocked up ; no open face of god could through this muddy glass be seen , as being the dark side of the cloud which keeps from god by many removes and distances . therefore a healing balsom , for a continual bleeding wound , the great and merciful high priest hath sent down , even the victorious reconciling crown , of the priestly anointing , which is in very truth his essential diety , which riseth as a fountain of purity , overspreading the whole humanity , and consecrates it for both tabernacle , ark and altar , in which the holy ghost officiates , and accomplisheth the whole divine service . now whatever soul and spirit shall be thus taken up , and arrested upon gods account , to serve and minister about the heavenly and most excellent things , which belong to the everlasting priesthood , for it is not to be thought that the most holy will allow or permit such to prophane what he hath sanctified , or the living to be entombed with the dead , or the high sented oyl which springs from the holy ghost to let in the noysom putrifactions from the loathed kedar , where all unclean spirits do dwell . here is an absolute command to have no touch , nor intermedling withal , so as to ensnare , or come into hazard of breaking the consecrated vows ; for it is a true saying of that great saint , that we in this consideration do cease to be our own , we cannot according to the law of the spirit dispose of our selves , no , not for an hour or day , from our lord and master's employ and business , further than as good and faithful stewards , we can give a satisfying account , according to those spiritual circumstances , we are bound in , unto him . the great and mighty king loveth to see all his priestly train and attendants still about him , in such an holy order , and heavenly posture , as they may be ready to be sent forth upon the most eminent services , who can find employment enough for his subjects and ministering spirits , & who takes it as a great dishonour , to have this holy order bring their high profession to be brought into contempt , by running into the cloud , and thickest of vain rudimental things . nay , more than this , the restitution extends to the ordained and called ones , upon whom the anointing hath been poured forth ; for the most holy incense offering , they cannot be at liberty to fall in with those lawful and necessary concerns which pertain to the feeding and cloathing of the body , but if here at any time engaged , the spiritual part suffers hurt , because it acts out of its own sphear , and divine property , which should stand in faiths essentiality , where all our motions should be accompanied with the principle of faith , in the priestly ministration ; for the supplying what is needful to the true temple worshippers , whereunto keeping and walking with god , in a perfect way , fulfilling all his sanctuary institutions , such are as lillies to spring and grow without toil or care . the blessings of the deep shall ever more abound and flow in , while there is an abiding in the faith hereof , giving god full credit , and running all fully upon his acconnt , in this case . the truth is , the lord stands engaged to provide all sufficiency for his servants , whom he hath called from all other low inferior services and employes , being himself in covenant with the priesthood of his own ordination . holy paul makes use of it from the unchangeable law , that runs from shadows and figurative services , till it comes to the life and substance . do you not know ( saith he ) that they which minister about holy things , live of the things of the temple , and they which wait at the altar , are partakers with it ; they have a right hereunto , according to a law of divine institution . but the proprietors of these worldly goods , do uot hold themselves obliged hereunto ; but do engross and take up all ; and if they let go any thing , it is rather by constraint , than a free and voluntary offering . but we are not to search too deep into this matter , for faultiness may be found among our own tribe , that lie within the circle of the priestly covenant , in whom much remisness and shortness hath been found , as to the ministring to the necessities of the true dedicated nazarites . but we hope to see another power and spirit , that shall bear rule , which shall make the fast clasped proprietors to become all free and open-handed , according to the fore-going prophecy , that the churl shall be made liberal , yea , so as to reckon nothing to be his own . but here it may well be asked , what is it that must come to loosen from this self-bottom , so as to unhinge this strong gate , that hath kept out from the land of eternal store and blessing , whereof abraham's seed in the faith are heirs ? this doth in part answer the question , which may produce the great change in narrow spirit 's , which is the gift of the faith of the operation of god , which openeth from the springs of love , which are spread abroad by the holy ghost , and kept as a live coal that can multiply it self into a strong and vehement flame of love , which is the cherishing root that makes faith to become all fruitful , beyond all exteriour sense and sight , resting and considing in the creating fiat , which can call those things that are not to be , and make a something of nothing : this we may call the riches of faith , that can make an increase where no visible matter appeareth . this is no common faith , it is no where found , but where the holy ghost hath planted himself for a blessing and growing revenue : who ever shall receive of this gift , and taste the power of it , will soon cease to grasp and love earthly and perishing things ; they will be constrained to offer and consecrate all that may be for the service and use of the holy royal melcbizedeck priesthood . and though at this time little of this spirit and power doth appear in the world , yet know of a truth , from the witness of jesus , that the long tircling motion of the holy anointing , ( which hath hitherto but scattered his sparks of light ) is now in very deed upon the out-breaking day of life , that what hath been only in sweet love-movings , and transcient passing powers , that have in the very altar-waiters ceased . but we shall say now again , behold , come and see , the burning ghostly body is risen that will turn all uncertain motion into a fixed act of all flowing generating powers . but this the lord hath shewed me , this will be first appropriated to the high priestly order , that can pass beyond the vail , to whom the holy of holiest stands open : for there are different degrees , states and oders in this last and new erected priesthood , in which the holy ghost will appear to be all ; which according to our received instruction , i shall give a description of , and how it may be known , who are the called and chosen of god hereunto . for each one ordained hereunto will have the foundation seal , the priestly mark , which shall be the known character , which no one shall obliterate or deny . and as to the outward sex , there shall be no distinction , though the typical priesthood admitted none but males in its day : all of that is done away , for signs and figures in this ministration do fly away like a cloud : male and female are alike here , therefore the holy ghost doth include both in one , swallowing up all in the newness , strength , power and glory of his own springing new birth , according as it is witnessed , where there is neither male nor female , but christ is all , and in all ; who is the quickning spirit , and the true evidence , that will shew forth it self , according to their grown up measure and degrees . for persons here signifie little , wisdom's purity and power in the spirit is all that god respecteth in his priestly offerings . we must know that these priests are of three ranks or orders , constituted and ordained by the great high priest , who yet continues in his mediating kingdom , till the whole be brought up and finished for mutual glorification with him . the first and lower rank is of those , who are not yet got beyond the son's ministration , who are yet conscious of sins and transgressions , committed under the first covenant , according to the similitude of adam's transgression , running from that putrified line , for whom a necessity there is to come under the divers watchings & separations , attonings , blood-sprinklings , that so they may be qualified to come within mount-zion's circle , where no sin-offering is needed , but in order unto the rising up to the successive degrees of the melchizedeck order , the whole burnt-offering is required ; the goat must dye , and the sinful infected life must expire amidst the altar-flames : for a continual offering of this kind must be , till the whole body of sin be consumed ; for whilst any thing of that abides and works in its circling motion , there are required new and fresh attonings , pacifications and blood-sprinklings , till the one offering comes it self to be offered up once for all , which acquits from all sin , and makes meet & prepared vessels , to come to in the first degree of purity , whose consciences being purged there-from , all consciousness of sin may come up with boldness and full assurance of faith , in that anointing which is shed forth to cleanse from all sin , reconciling and making all scores and reckonings even , as in reference to god the most holy and justifier of those who are made partakers of christ in his prophetical , kingly and priestly office. for where-ever the lord comes to offer himself up through the eternal spirit , by his own body that are fully perfected : for as under the levitical ordinances prescribed by god , it was appointed for the priests only to bear the ark ; so under this covenant-ministration , none but the spiritually consecrated priests , that are of this order , can bear the living testimony of christ's risen and spiritual body , which goes forth with great power , where-ever it comes , to make rocks break , and islands flee away , and waters to divide ; all which makes way for the bringing up to the last step of the all priestly throne , to sit down with christ in heavenly places at the right-hand of the majesty on high , where we are to consider those , who of this holy , high and separated order , are here become the tabernacle , ark and altar , and the most inward holy place , where christ the anointed hath so poured forth himself , that he is to be known in them as no other than god the holy ghost , officiating and accomplishing the most holy service , as in the person of the great high priest , who having perfected holiness , comes in the open face of the most inward separated place , where god is manifest , and no spirit nor soul can ever come to know , or meet god but here , according as we have it from the mouth of the lord himself , who told moses , that here in this holy place he would commune with him , and appear in his glory . but alas ! who is able to see at first glance into this high exalted degree , of an high priestly calling ? it is so great and wonderful , that it makes the light of all fore-going ministrations to look dark and dim , as far excelling all , as the substance doth the the shadow . but before we proceed to set forth this third and last degree , that brings so into god , let us consider further of the two lower orders , which to this priesthood do belong , what their qualifications are , and from whence called out ? the first rank is of those afore-mentioned , who have been under the altar-purifyings , and divers washings , and blood sprinklings , and perfuming oyls , by which they are made perfect and clean , and become such who have no more conscience of sin ; for the fountain-spring of the life-blood stands ever open , christ in his bubling spirit , by which he maintains a sinless purity , of which sort god chuseth and ordains his tabernacle-ministers , who are made meet to officiate about the holy things , offering up the holy incense and heave-offerings , keeping all the laws and charge of the sanctuary , presenting only what is consecrated unto the lord , in order to the expelling of every defiled thing . now great is the dignity of this very lowest degree , forasmuch as they are made partakers of christ , and in him are become mediators of the new covenant , wherein great strength is found ; inasmuch as christ in spirit is made the surety of this faultless testament , which gives great boldness , to plead for remission of sins , in the behalf of others , who yet remain in the sinful imperfect state , who being ready and free to intercede , from the pure unfeigned-love on their behalf , may come up to be the highest also in this divine function . now to mention the service and office of the second order , who are such as take not this honour unto themselves , but are chosen , anointed and separated , by the heavenly ordination ; these are those who are set apart for god's sanctuary to be pitched in the midst of them , out of which they are not to depart , because the crown of the anointing oyl hath been poured forth upon them , which is no less than the sanctification in the holy ghost . here waiting in their perfect god-like order , who can set no desiled thing before their eye ; as david speaketh , thou hast set the godly man apart for thy self . god appropriates all that are of the priestly order to himself , he forbids them to be servants to men ; nothing of a divided service is here to be pleaded for ; no going back to bury their dead , or to be defiled with them . it was the blessing which moses pronounced upon the tribe of levi ; let thy urim and thy thumim be with thy holy one , who said of his father and mother , i have not seen them , neither did he acknowledge his own brethren , nor know his own children ; signifying that there was a coming out from , and forgetting whatsoever was of a mortal birth , and all external bonds and obligations . it is like god's taking up of enoch ; a cessation from a worldly beeing presently follows this separate order . god will have none come near him , that shall look back to the customs , traffick and immercements of this world , though lawful to others , yet not to these that are under this anointing ; for god , who is the most high purity , soon smells an esau-hunter , and a worldly demas , with whom the holy ghost can have no communion . nor will he take any to officiate in the holy priestly ministration , till separated from these gross and servile things . but here now follows an objection ; how such shall be provided for , that must discharge themselves from all secular callings , having no propriety in the common mammon , stock and store , and yet have bodies which stand in need of temporal things ? what way do you propose for their outward subsistance ? as to this , we refer you to what the almighty provider and overseer hath settled as a standing rule , throughout the holy priestly generation , that god himself is to be their portion and inheritance ; and therefore they were to have no inheritance with their brethren ; the sacrifices of the lord god of israel made by fire , are given them for their portion . how is that to be understood ? thus , they which wait at the altar , are to receive of the gifts of the altar , which none other hath right to partake of . there is a further meaning in this , than what we have license yet to declare , only thus much we may glance out in this gloomy day , that there is a vein which runs under ground , within the holy place , that to the priests revenue doth belong ; the vulter's eye hath it not descryed ; neither can any artificer among the sons of men this golden mine find , the everlasting precious rock a covering is upon it , and still will be , till the third rank of this high priestly order into manifestation shall be brought , in the conquest and sealing power of the holy ghost , and then you will see what force aaron the high-priest's rod hath to rule and pierce this long hidden vein , from whence will flow forth an inexhausted treasury . gold and silver in this time will be of little regard , the ingrossers of which tormented will be , when they shall see their coyn out of date . for the great melchizedeck will the absolute monarch be , and a new coyn shall stamp , which shall currantly pass through all the earth . but be this secret what in wisdom's glass we have seen , it is not yet our time any thing further to disclose ; but let us go on to the highest degree in this tabernacle , in the holiest of beeings to pitch , improving all present advantages here for in a pure nazarite dedication . this only observe , if we feel in our selves such an impulsive power from the holy spirit , strongly carrying out hereunto , this will be a sign of a divine ordination , and call hereunto . we need nothing of man's approbation or installation to this holy melchizedeck-order , in which christ is to be known the same yesterday , to day , and forever , tarrying on this everlasting priesthood , from his own eternal loins , in the spiritual generation , of which no account can be given , being chosen of him hereunto before the foundation of the world , which is not to vanish away , but that way may be made for the new creation , which shall consist of these three degrees of kingly priests . however , let all be cautioned not to presunie to thrust themselves into this sacred function , before the melchizedeck-king in his true eternal spiritual birth , do spring in the soul , where true regeneration , and pure and high . illuminations have passed before , in way of preparation for this priestly-star's rising : therefore what manner of abnegation and holy separation is hereunto required ? this one service and work is to be followed and minded . whoever are entred into this most high and holy profession , must cease from all other rudimental earthly services . the temple-service is to be mannaged by clean and sanctified vessels , set apart for that use . now here it will be convenient to shew the necessity of having all things ministred to such in their attendance , by those who endowed are with these worldly goods . there is an obligation lies in special manner upon all true israelites , to bring their gifts to those who are called out from amongst them , to serve at the altar , for whom provision should be made for their necessary supply , that they may have nothing of care or incumbrance upon them in their first entring thereupon ; all which is a most acceptable offering , if any shall freely communicate upon this consideration , which may not of this kind be always required ; for as this royal priesthood gets up to their all powerful degrees , and princely dignities , they will have no need of any creaturely contributions ; for to them the door of all heavenly store shall stand open , from whence they shall not only have to answer their own requirings , but also those of the whole oppressed and groaning creation . wherefore what more acceptable for the present distress can there be , then to promote and help forward this priestly dedication , which may bring so great a blessing upon the earth ? but it may be objected , how shall we know infallibly , such who under this nazarite vow and holy anointing are , that we may minister to them of our substance ? there being at this day so many rising stars , which the serpent's tayl hath plucked down to the earth ? know that it is a principal gift to have an impartial spirit of discerning in this matter , before the holy ghost comes to give the undeniable witness ; but now to know them whilst they are in their minority and suffering state , going on in the process of christ , who himself was questioned and doubted of sometimes , by them who were daily conversant with him ; the same spirit of incredulity and suspicious fear may have a great predominancy now among christ's disciples , as not discerning the lord returned in spirit , though yet in weakness of flesh , for the abolishing of the sin and curse out of it ; which while this is but a doing , in order 〈◊〉 the holy priesthood entring upon , all aid , support and encouragement ought to be ministred by those who are in more enlargement , as to these outward things , and to lay aside all jealousie , fear and suspition ; for it is much better to be found in the excelling spirit of charity , which hopeth and believeth the best of things , and thinketh no evil , and yet doth not take away right and found judgment , but that they may discern , who the lords true anointed ones are . there are several characters by which they may be known , before they reach to the high priestly mark : we will mention one or two , as the fore-running ground work . in the first place , they are crucified to all mortal and temporal things , that would invite and steal away the mind , and weaken the strength of love to god , that are perfectly unhinged and loosened from all of this kind , which is so great a sorcery and witchcraft , by which millions of souls have been bound down , so that they could never expect this resurrection state for to reach it . a second character is this , that as they are become dead to all the evil appearance of things , so in some respect to the show and seeming godliness , and formal state of the first temple-building , with all its ceremonial ministrations , which can never make the comers thereunto perfect . till these be removed no place for the temple-body and tabernacle of god to come down , from whence the everlasting burnning incense , and praise-offerings are to ascend . now from these two branches numerous fruits of the spirit will spring , by which you may know the high priestly off spring , who must needs appear as bright and terrible as an army with banners , eschewing and denying all of the changeable state of things , whether considered in the heavenly constellation , or in the earthly retinue , nor staying in any state or ministration , till got-up to dwell in the munition of rocks , where neither water nor bread shall ever fail . this and much more might be enlarged upon , as the first buddings out of the priestly lillies , which are to grow without care and toil , and therefore all-worthy to be cared for ; and if there shall be a carelesness or neglect of this duty , as to the present season , wherein outward things may be for the promoting of this high priestly fraternity , if no open heart here for shall be found , god would not fail to bring in by some other way , and shut out the earthly proprietors , that may overslip their day , in that they have omitted to consecrate their principal substances , to the use and service of this holy stock , through which their blessing would have been . for the lord , who is king of the whole creation , observes well who bring their free-will offerings of this kind . let not this seem as a dare tinkling sound , for the weight of a god is in it , who will certainly flow in through this rising priesthood , with such fruitful powers and gifts , as they may be able to bless many with the blessings from the holy ghost , and know the temple-body is here , for a raising the golden nail , is fixing , wherein the soveraignity of a kingly priesthood in this approaching time and age , is coming to be established . the lvon out of zion is roaring , to gather in his priestly prey , blessed are they who are come to know the thunder of his power , and do it obey , taking hold of that horn that is filled with the priestly oyl , which may give true separating mark to the elect sheep , the time being far spent in the hopeful expectation , for all these great things to be fulfilled . no other thing will now suffice ; after all this light and revelation , but to be found the living epistles , which is the sure engraving of the holy ghost , as it was said , that the writing of the law was by the finger of god ; even so , yet once more again , god will copy out himself , not in a dead draught , but in a lively acting power . for this end , a strong gust of wind from the third heavens doth blow , to open this fair rose and lilly , which is yet in its bud ; and although long it hath been hid , and kept under by the thicker of wild plants , yet now the love devouring flame is come forth to kindle upon them , that this holy thing may come to stand single and alone , from every twisting bryar and thorne , that hath shaded & overtopped this sprout of life , which is to run up unto the high throne of the everlasting priestly dominion , where all boldness and freedom is to enter the most holy place ; and what is that but the most secret tabernacle of the most high , wherein all pleasant joy and rest in love-communion is known ? can we but come to put on this priestly robe , admittance then we may have to speak with god at any time . but who is it that can be priviledg'd for such an immediate access , but such as wear the pure ephod , and the most holy breast-place , where is that urim and thummim , the shut-up oracle , all open to such doth stand , through which gods mind is well understood . of such qualifications as these , is that third and top stature of the melchizedeck-priesthood , in which the ark of the testimony doth open , that all difficult points will decide , either in reference to god or man. this is that last and wonderful ministration , beyond which nothing is to be looked for ; for it brings fallen man back again , to what he was designed before this visible creation was brought forth . may it not be permitted us to say , and that not without good authority , that fallen man is to be restored to a degree above the angels ? for unto which of the angels said he at any time , thou art my son , this day have i begotten thee ? and , let all the angels of god worship him . what is here appropriated to christ , the same appertains to all that are of his life-line begotten , from the same incorruptible word , to the same joyn pre-eminence , at which the fallen angels , to this day , great indignation have , and therefore they are so busie and active in this present proving time , watching to beguile , tempt and supplant all of this priestly crown , as those do well know , who to any good degree of this new springing birth are come ; they have thousand wiles and subtil baits to tempt withal , from this present world , by which they have great advantage to bind still under their power , striving to keep the creature still in enmity with themselves , to god their creator , introducing still of their poysonous sting , which is become the bitter root of sin , which the holy ghost can only pluck away , and heal again the infected part ; for what but a spirit can enter into that deadly thing for cure and restoration ? against which all the fallen angels do greatly war and struggle ? for they would still keep in their scorpion sting . but the love-compassion of the everlasting father hath made such provision , as to have it drawn out , where foundation building is laid for an holy royal priesthood . the soveraign ointment is all compounded and made ready for the perfecting this cure , at which all evil angels , whether visible or invisible , who in the earthly sinful principle do remain , may envy and be in pain , but no power have to hurt , or thrust in their leviathan hook , to wound again ; such a defensive virtue there i , found in this boyling oyntment , which works it self to such an height of spirit , as no malignity of sin is able to abide with it : so penetrating it is , that it throws out every black moat , that from this low blustering region is blown in upon it and thus the holy ghost is become the true working bubling spring , that maintains a divine clearness with wonder , in which god , the holy ghost , will make himself manifest in a more full and perfect manner , than what ever in former ages hath been witnessed . where-ever this powerful and piercing anointing shall first work through , it will do no less than produce those creating powers , that shall another world renew . god yet once more is to move himself in this mystery , from which such a conflagration is expected , that nothing more of the old earth or heavens shall remain . for there is a day that must burn as an oven , blessed are those in whom it shall have its enkindling , wherein all dead fruitless works shall be burnt up , which makes room for the seven governing powers of the holy ghost to go forth , whether in the arch-angel trumpet-sounds or lightning-voices , earthquakes , bindings , loosings , shuttings , openings , working on this and on that hand , as unperceiveable , yet all things effecting through the impregnable motion of this invisible operator . of this sort will be the new heavenly hosts , that created are again by the holy ghost , all lively sparkling stones , that are in their invisible nature , as fiery flames that can go hither and thither , to act according to the will of the great elohim . this is now the thing that we are day by day looking out , for its all-powerful springing ; all other flourishings in the very courts of holiness , in the use and exercise of divine ordinances and solemn convocations , they are not to be staid in , though they seem to be as the goodly tents of jacob. god , the holy ghost comes to move higher , from his own essential creating word , by which he makes new heavens , that shall forever remain , and no more subject be to vanishing . it will be the last and greatest proving to the saints themselves , to have their heavens not only shaking , but melted all away , which may be compared to an out spreading garden of various flowers , which look pleasant and delightful , but they are what must fade and dye ; these garnithings are not to be trusted to , for as grass they will wither : something else that is stable and durable iam taught and made to look for , which is nothing less than the creating word of the holy ghost , that may be as a new coyn'd mint , that will an ever alting treasure renew , which the sun and moon of these visible heavens must bow unto . all the glory of flesh rejected is , when pure breath and spirit , in a body of air , shall , as out of the valley of dry bones , appear , and move , as a coelestial wheel , both upward and downward , carrying and bearing up as an anointed cherub , that may mount and ascend , and face the supream glory of the lord almighty . this is the high adoption , that the spirit in the living creatures , do move from the earthly center up straight forward , being circled about with the unfadeable body of the immutable heavens , to whom the heaven of heavens will open , and descend to take in such royal clothed priests , that have put off their changeable heavens , and are all clothed with substantial power . if any one ask , how this shall be , and when ? vve can only direct you to wait at the high-priest's gate , by whom our inlet into all of this high inconceiveable working powers in the holy ghost , which will the separating description make , and show by real evidence , who it is , that from men and the earth are in truth all fully redeemed . before we can give over this subject , we are to make known , for the priestly election sake , that they may be strengthened , supported and encouraged in their process , from the knowledge of these special royalties , which to them do belong , it having been specified what are the high qualifications of this high priesthood , who must no more look down towards the creeping things of this earth ; for here you must consider the enochian translation , these priests being designed for the company of god , the most holy separated beeing ; for there is a real taking into god to be experienced , and a ceasing from the life of sin. now for the bringing up hereunto , there must be a passing through , until the holiest of all be entred into . but now come we to describe what this holy function stands chargeable withal , as also the dignity , power and pre-eminence which doth attend it . every high-priest , taken from men , is ordained in things pertaining to god , that he may offer gifts and sacrifices for sin. this is a charge , which to this new covenant priesthood doth still belong ; for whoso meet to deal with god , and to make intercession as the pure and merciful , who have themselves been encompassed with infirmity , and passed through divers temptations , who but these can know how to have compassion of the ignorant and knowing also , that have turned aside from the sanctuary of gods presence and walks , and thereby have lost their peace and joy ? therefore god hath as well provided in this case , priests and mediators on the earth , as he hath provided that great high-priest , who is entred into the heavens ; for the self-same prevailency and power will be found in and amongst this holy and undefiled priesthood , because where-ever christ in his spiritual body is present , with the breathing power of the holy ghost , it implies great efficacy in every oblation and prayer , which in their behalf shall be put up . thus a spirit of attoning is appropriated unto the melchizedeck-pristhood , from whom more fruitful powers must branch forth , for further service in their place and office. there is also an absolving commission given , that whosoever's sins they remit , they are from all guilt discharged , as pronouncing it in the person and power of him to whom the holy ghost was given without measure , and who after his resurrection breathed forth this power upon his disciples , that whatever they bound on earth should be bound in heaven . hereby communicating his priestly power and authority , that as he , the son of man , had power to forgive sins , so might they also have on earth after his departure , to carry on their apostolical dispensation , which only lasted for a while , and being lost , a feigned form was set up in stead of it , without any sealing effects of spirit or power . thus the shadow hath held up , without any living presence , in babel , which boasts of a key , which never yet could open , nor give enlargement to those who were bound in the cords of iniquity : for how should they , who are not purified themselves , help or succour their brethren ? and though this true thing hath been abused by the arrogant and self-exalting spirit , that with this priestly robe covers all manner of filch and uncleanness , all of which will come to bear its shame , and have its overthrow , as this true and royal priesthood shall rise in power in the true tabernacle , where the holy ghost will present the priestly offerings ; and this is that , which upon sure grounds , we know is now reviving again ; the most holy will bring forth his priestly unction , which will take the chair , that so this holy ordination may take place in great soveraignity . the holy and just one hath reserved his last and most wonderful sealing testimony , for to go forth from the unity of an holy priestly spirit , which is so far perfected , as to stand no more in need of offerings for sin , because he who sanctifieth , and they who are sanctified , are made all one in this ministration ; for if they come not to a sinless state , they cannot be of this high priestly order , because to it a key is given , which must open all the twelve gates before-mentioned . and without all controversie , great is that power that shall be here concentred ; for our exalted christ , who is passed higher than the heavens , hath recovered power to transfer himself in his divine purity and excellent might , unto this elected priesthood , which shall be visible here on earth . this is the true mount-zion , from whence decrees , laws , judgments and holy statutes shall go forth from the urim and thummim , sound knowledge and understanding , and the certainty of the words of truth hence shall proceed , so that it will be a most sure and safe oracle in all difficult soul-cases , and to determine all doubts and difficulties ; for of old the israel of god would not venture upon any concern , nor attempt any design , without having first enquired at the priests mouth , who only was to give forth the mind of god , which will now be again renewed , for those who are not admitted to this high calling of the holy priesthood ; for such honour these saints shall have above the lower ranks , as being not ordained by man , nor after the law of a carnal commandment , but by the impressed seal of the mighty god. here need no epistles of commendation , the powers of this priestly dignity will be sufficient orators to recommend them ; for great signs and wonders will be acted forth when the temple-body of the holy ghost shall come down and open it self in the priestly ministration , every branch of which will have its multiplying fruits for the praise-offering of the sanctuary . i shall now declare what the testimony of truth hath spoken in me , which is this , that whatever god is or can do , the same will appear in and amongst this priestly order ; visions , proverbs and similitudes must cease , which as leading stars have been under the son's ministration , this being the fulness of time , in which the father will shew himself plainly , without any figures or shadows , in the substantial body of power , uncessantly flowing , from which the new creation must bud out in a fresh glory , and all of the old fade and dye away . but here it may be objected , where are there any to be found of this royal priesthood , who may give forth a sealing evidence in this present time ? they have indeed been long predicted of , but we would fain see some really instated in this high order . for answer to this , i say , there may possibly be some who are advanced to a good degree of this high state , and who have passed through the first and second order ; all which is an inward , secret , purifying work from sin , and holy ground made ready for the righteous branch , in its lilly-beauty to spring , which may be done without any great noise ; for where christ is come to offer himself once for all , then the next thing that follows is the coming of the holy ghost to reign all in all : wherefore we will believe and hope , there may be some under this peculiar ordination though dispersed and unknown , who are all ready to enter upon the third degree , which is the spriritual rule and authority ; for it is no less than a perfect regeneration that bringeth to this gate , because whoever enters here , must first have shaken hands with a worldly conversation , no more touching any dead thing ; wherefore this state is not common or easily attained , but by such who are touched by love , and anointed for this holy melchizedeck order , of their calling to which , none shall ever have cause to repent ; for great are the royalties that will follow , according as hath been declared . the spirit of prophecy spake thus to me expresly , as the close of this subject , saying , i will chuse a disciplehood yet upon the earth a gain , who shall know me in my inward spiritual figure ; as in former time i was known in a visible humanity , by voice and shape ; but now i am come to appear and walk upon invisible earth , which none but the spiritual man understands my speech , or sees my transformed shape to such who my chosen disciples are , i will familiarly appear ; for behold , i upon a new election am , who the alpha and omega is to call together such whose names are sound in the crown number roll , one by one , till to the hundred and forty four thousand for the increase & manifestation of this most holy priesthood ; blessed are they that shall be the first foundation pillars hereof , so saith the yea & amen ; for this will be the virgin church , upon whom no spot ar wrinkle shall be found , for if found faulty , i cannot be their priestly head for the case is clean alter'd of what it was in the day of my visible corporiety , which was the first dawning of my day , in which the mixed and imperfect things among my disciplehood , could not so suddenly fly away ; therefore a suffering state was to succeed after me , that so sin , by its daily dyings might expire , which among my old disciplehood , in that age , great effect did take , but yet deceasing before reaching to the full and perfect date of what was to be the churches primitive state , now something greater and more perfect is to be revealed , after so long and cloudy a night of apostacy , where there has been a going back , instead of going forward ; but there is a star that shall arise out of the same light orb , whereof it shall be said , behold , wisdom's day through dark clouds doth appear , out of whose virgin womb bright stars of glory generated are , innumerably , to make up that temple-church , all fair and christaline , terrible as an army with banners , that shall display my strength and power . this is the trumpet sound of christ , the lords spirit , to such who of this high and holy order are , that they may break away from their iron yokes ; and be unbound from all terrestrial things , for to come to be received into this new disciplehood , and with the lord to have all freedom of speech . oh! where shall we find any that shall , for this high and spiritual degree , all they have and are here for to resigne , that as fixed pillars for this first born church , they may come so to be . lord jesus , it is thy golden crook that must take hold , i see , for such a priestly ministry . i shall , before i conclude , answer some queries that may arise in the minds of some , as they read these prophetical revelations , who may require some further satisfaction concerning the truth of these things . the first objection that meets me , asking , how and after what manner are these great and deep mysteries revealed and made known ? for we are in doubt whether any since the apostles days can have so pure and clear a discovery of the mind of god , by way of vision or revelation . as to this , i answer ; the thing is weighty , and may be allowed of to search and follow this query close and home ; for too many there be that are pretenders to the gift of prophecy and revelation , whereby they put a cheat upon themselves and others , and bring themselves under that wo of taking up the lords spirit for their covering , which is the greatest of all evils , to be under a spiritual fraud : therefore i say , let every one search , try and examine , from what ground and spirit they come forth as the oracles of god , to give his mind out ; for assuredly they will be called to a severe account by the spirit of truth . now as to this i will assure thee , ( o querior ) whoever thou art , it was my great fear and jealousie , even upon my first entrance into this ministration , and was made well aware of the wiles and subtilties of satan , that was ready enough to mingle his deceits with truth ; but divine wisdom was my counsellor and cautioner , and her spirit became the conduct to truth , and separater , she still throwing out what would not bear the touch of the burning stone , which wisdom had placed in the center of my heart , by which a wonderful light of manifestation did spring , for the knowledge of the truth , in the deep essentiality of it ; the way , method , measure and rules of it , as experienced by me , i shall demonstrate , for the service and benefit of such as are true seekers and fervent lovers of truth , how they may come to know the true revelation of the spirit of christ , from those mixed spirits that are apt to inject their motions , and so mudy the pure springs of revelation ; for know , it is a nice and difficult matter to know the spirit 's speech and voice in his day since christ the lords ascending , than what it was before , when as the word of the lord came expresly to the patriarchs and prophets , articularly , by immediate voice ; god was very familiar in way of speech , as with araham , moses , and so to the prophets , till christ's time ; but now in these last days he speaks to us by the spirit of his son , which is the spirit of truth and comforter , that is the spirit we are to try , and to be proved by , whether or no he is come into us , as a spirit of prophecy and revelation , which you shall know first by way of preparation of the inward mind ; for the speaking word or oracle of god must have a most holy separated place , distinct and apart from the outward man ; for there is to be prepared an inward temple body , else no expectation of the holy ghost , without a suitable body be prepared for him , as the living ark , in which the oracle of truth may open , and shew the records of the heavens . but it may be further queried , how can this temple . body be raised up and kept so spiritually , as to be distinct and separated from the mortal body , with its senses and earthly motions ? i answer ; herein indeed lieth the great mystery of all mysteries , how to keep the spirit of the outward birth , with all his infecting multiplicities , from rushing into the inward court , where the soul and god are to be in private counsel together ; for if there be a breaking in of the troubled sea of thoughts , this is that which adulterates the pure revealed things , and brings a false covering upon them ; therefore i shall give these following rules , as they were given me by the holy anointing , when i first sought this priviledge , of divine inspiration , i was counselled , as to the outward state of things , to avoid , as much as i could , the choaking intangling cares of this life , and also to sequester my self from all wordly conversation , and give up spirit , soul and body in pure dedication ; the which i can say , in my measure i have been obedient to , and have found good things , as to the spiritual part , have accrued thereby , which i shall never have cause to repent of , let my losses be what they can be , as to the worldly lot of things . now the next rule , which is more interior and evangelical , as to the inward and holy place of the mind , for this take more special care , and keep the outward birth at distance from the superior and inward birth ; call in your heavenly guard upon it ; enter into no parley with the outward man of reason , concerning spiritual matters , for you will find him a false prophet , and no way consonant to this ministration the soul is waiting upon , therefore to watch and be in a defensive posture against all invasions of this kind . then again take a further caution concerning a more finer subtiltier sort of imaginariness , which comes in the appearance of spirituality ; here lieth the greatest danger for mistake , when seeming good motions do rise and spring , and yet but from the astaral kingdom , but they are sometimes so divine as you can hardly discern them from the true teaching of the holy anointing ; there are spirits that will put on such a priestly dress , like those that rose up against moses , the lords infallible prophet , saying , are not we spiritual , and therefore may be admitted into the secret of god with you , and there give our verdict as front the oracle of god ? thus we are in danger to be encompassed with spirits so finely clothed , as they would think much to be refused , but where the urim and thummim of sound judgment in such is come , that can only discern and taste spirits of all sorts of qualities , natures and degrees ; for i well know , a mind may be replenished with knowledge and understanding of divine mysteries from the outward tongues receiv'd and taken in , and yet have been kept strangers to the flowing springs of wisdom and revelation within , from whence the certainty of the true prophet is to be known ; therefore let every one look to it , what they speak teach or write ; for it will pass through the inward ground for trial , where the fiery region will prove it . but now i shall come to describe the true and more certain way of divine openings and revelations ; know then , where holy consecrations and special separations , as the foregoing preparation to this high ministration , those are , as such may come to feel in themselves one essential birth of life to spring , which is not to be catched in by verbal comprehension , knowledge or understanding ; no such thing . but the spirit of truth and revelation openeth himself in the fiery essence of the soul , in a sweet silent stillness , where out all thoughts are excluded ; then doth the light ray of the deity rise , and overshadow and fill the temple of the mind with light and glory , then will the soul sink away deeper & deeper into the abyss being , where the greatest of wisdom's secrets are to be known , when the spirit of the soul can , after this manner steal & slide away from time and mortal day , then open stands that gate that given entrance to behold the glorisi'd beings , & to hear the languages of that light world , which none else can hear but them that are got out of the noise of all other hearings , into that still and silent deep , where most pleasant joyful voices and sounds are heard , which entring through the several orgains , as a siery bresth , and nothing of vocal words is either required or needed there : now then by this you may judge , that pure and unadultered revelation and vision of a true sight , is not so quickly rushed into , nor easily attained ; it is a great and peculiar gift , and also requires great watchfulness , and attenders upon it , if any would enjoy and hold it incorruptedly : and that there may be no deceit in this matter , when you come to try your own and other spirits , take this observation further with you , if any one brings out a prophecy or revelation , take notice what defensive power and guard it hath upon it . the beloved john , when he had all those visions and revelations , he gives an account how they were seen and heard by him ; for saith he , i was in the spirit on the lords day ( and a good proof there was of it ) as much as if he had said , that it was neither mans nor mortals day that did rise and inclose upon him , but the one everlasting day , or ancient of days , in whose light he had the glorious prospect of heavenly things themselves . thus he was in the spirit , which was his defensive power and guard , to keep out all ether trifling spirits . observe this further , it is a much different thing for the mind and spirit of the soul to be caught and taken up into the spirit pure and abstractedly ; for then it is secured from mixtures ; but when the holy spirit is come only into the property of our souls , giving sorth lustrous light and revelation , & in speaking fluently , yet hazardable to be twisted about from the self-promoting essence , that ready and apt is to dash in upon the divine inspiring , as soon as it arise from its own center deep . this i speak knowingly , having traced through the deep meanders , before i arrived to know the true and certain way of revelation , by which now i am put out of doubt concerning the true oracle speaking in the soul , as to my own particular , watching thereunto with heedfulness , for the keeping out all fluttering spirits that have their birth and nourishment from the astaral and elementary region , that can go in and out for proving , till we are got beyond their kingdom now indeed when the spirit of the soul meets with such a pull up into the spirit , as the beloved disciple , then it is out of all fears ; but this is very rare , they are high favourits that do frequently meet with such transportations ; but the other is more common and frequent to saints , that lovers and enjoyers are of that ministration , for whose sakes i have been impulsed to open these secret things , that they may put on their impregnable strength of defence , for the preserving this great immunity , as the choicest of all of gods favours , and that incorruptedly , as from the pure spring of the spirit , then you will find every faculty tinged with the fiery glance of the holy ghost , as you see by the dark & hard body of iron , being inclosed with fire , it is so penetrated therewith , as it becomes as one and the same fire flame ; but you must keep and feed it there as the salamander , which always liveth in the fire ; after this manner doth the holy ghost , with his invisible flaming body , penetrate through the spirit of the soul , that it is encompassed with light , as the angel , which is said ( rev. 19. 17. ) standing in the sun , all appearing as the very sun of glory ; therefore highly valuable it is , for any saint to get such a clothing of the spirit upon them ; for nothing of adam's weak or impotent nakedness can here be seen , but all glory , strength and power will be your habitation ; therefore these are gifts to be much set by and desired , and not slighted or despised . now having given a plain and experimental account of this nice and difficult point , which i hope may have reached to the satisfaction of the doubtful , i shall now , by virtue of a heavenly commission given me from the lord , give counsel and caution to three sorts and degrees of persons . the first of this is to them that do question , whether there be any spirit of prophecy or revelation given forth since the apostles deceased , as believing all dyed with them ? this would be a sad and deplorable thing , if god should since that age cut off the spring of revelation from its original , that so the sheep and lambs of christs flock should no more expect to be fed from the fresh springing pastures , where no footing hath been , as also to drink of those flowing rivers of life that renew daily from the fount of the god head ; let such but call to mind and consider those many scripture-prophecies and promises concerning the continuation of this gift unto the very end of time , both in the old and new testament ; i shall mention only some of the latter ; john 14. 16 , 17 , 18. 2 cor. 4. 8. 1 cor. 2. 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14. john 2. 28. heb. 8. 9 , 10 , 11. many more than these scriptures could call up for confirmation of the continued run of the spirit throughout all ages , christ by his spirit comforting us , saying , lohe would be with his to the end of the world , now , as from the lord , i beseech you , not to eclipse the light of the day-star ( 2 pet. 1. 19. ) in your own souls , nor quench the spirit , nor despise prophecying , then may the witness of jesus rise in you , to confirm this most glorious ministration , as a burning lamp of revelation . a word of love-caution is to another sort of persons , who are entred into this ministration , in its first degree , and are under the spirits discipline and teaching ; the word of counsel , from the father of spirits , is this , that they keep precisely to the rules and laws of the spirit ; for there will be expected from such more shining and singular conversation , shewed forth in a self-denying life , dying to all of those mortal things and sensual enjoyments , that strangle and choke the fiery breath of the holy spirit , to stop it from kindling further and deeper in the soulish essence , that so there may be a coming up to a mighty increase and fruitfulness in the love and unity of the spirit , having all tenderness to support , love and cherish each olive plant that springeth out of this eden garden , which is watered by the holy mists and dropping dews of the spirit . now to the third sort , this word of wisdom and counsel doth greet them , whom we discern to be of a high and lofty stature , having shot forth their branches in great lustre and glory , as having got beyond all declarative revelations and teachings , as not receiving or needing any but what their own center of light will supply them withal , here-from inclining to slight what lies in bank and store with their fellow-labourers for this same treasure , to such this word is sent , that they carry it in great humility and lowliness of mind , prefering each ones gift before , or as their own , maintaining all sweet and lovely fellowship , with those of lower or higher degrees , in mutual concord and harmony , for the maintaining a holy fraternity and spiritual neighbourhood , although each saint may have a full provision and plentiful portion of spirit in themselves , so as they have no dependance on another , yet love is freely communitive , and disperseth it self in great variety , so as what one saint is gifted and furnished with , the other may want of that sort and kind , and so a heavenly traffick and correspondency may be maintained , feeding and feasting with each other , on the various fruits , as all springing from one stock and tree of life ; for it is experienced , that much increase of the holy anointing hath flown forth by the converse and declaration of divine inspirations , from one saint to another , the which hath begotten a new and spiritual generation , as in former ages , so in this , sending forth divine sparks of light and love , for the gathering in of the holy priestly train , that are to make up the temple-glory , till the which shall come to be compleated , there will be all need of this holy in spiring breath to be breathed from one to another , whether by vocal voice , inspeaking or converse , as the holy spirit shall go forth in its various operations , for the edifying of the body of love , for a holy convocation to the lord. in the hopeful expectation of which , i have been driven to disclose these great and deep secrets , being assured , that this generation shall not pass away before there shall be a fulfilling of what hath been revealed & prophecied of in this little tract ; and blessed are they that shall have their lot and portion herein : there is a rich bank yet behind , from whence the oily springs do fill , that may be emptied forth , when vessels are made more fine , and ready thereof to take in ; for the which we shall wait and seek to find some such for to partake of that rich and weighty prize , that yet lieth in the secret & eternal mine ; for there is vally deep , which under , the water of life doth lie , that will bring forth the fruitful olive plants , that shall be there fed and nourished hiddenly , till of a strong and full grown stature in spirit and power they may come for to be ; then will they shew themselves to the true israel of god universally , that the priestly kingdom may come for to spread and flourish every where , in power and great glory , sealed with mission of the holy ghost , acting and going forth in signal miraculous working powers , for confirmation of the truth of this dispensation , in such a way as none shall resist , nor any dark magician shall be able to counterfeit ; for so strong and impregnable is the foundation of this temple-body of glory , that neither dragon , beast or false prophet shall be able it to undermine , it being built and compact together of precious saphire stones , transparent for beauty and glory , the jasper stone being both foundation and covering thereon , then will the shout of a king be heard in the land of salvation . oh! ye holy and elect of god , where-ever you have been hid , appear , if you have put on your anointed shield , promote and help forward this royal priesthood , wherein the lively express of the holy ghost is to be manifested : oh! that some fitch might be known , that hereto do give themselves , and mind no other thing , as the lords approved work-men , that may come to build up the inward priestly temple , whose furniture and glory shall be the gifts and powers of the holy ghost . and now , what have i more to do , but to wait in hope , that the pure flaming spirit may henceforth go forth to gather in this priestly host , who , as in a reathed chain of love , united may be inseparable , that so we may come to take our degrees of prophets , priests and kings , for the making good what hath been in this treatise revealed ; which though in the form of a dead letter , yet o god , as the auther hereof , did in the writing meet with a mighty flow of the anointing presence ; so let the same out-flowing spring accompany such whom thou hast ordained to be taken into this holy priestly order , to which give thy amen , o great high-priest , to whom the glory hereof doth belong . even so let that kingdom come into this world , that shall consist of kings , priests and prophets ; with all such righteous plants , let the whole earth be plantd , for joy and praise to him who is the antient of days . hellelujah to him who is king of kings . the end notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a49872-e280 as you may see in the book , entituled , the heavenly cloud , by the same author . notes for div a49872-e1540 meaning the book of the heavenly cloud acts 1. 4. ephef . 1. 10. rom 6. 14. notes for div a49872-e2000 rev. 11 10. rom 5. 12 gen 3 5. isa. 55. v. 1. the opening of the first seal , rev. 6. v. 1 , 2. the opening of the second seal rev. 6. v. 3 , 4. the opening of the third seal , rev 6. 5 , 6. the opening of the fourth seal . rev. 6 7 , 8 pa●●icular experiences co●●●rning this seal opening . the open ing of the fifth seal . rev. 6 , 9 , 10 , 11. the opening of the sixth seal . rev. 6 14. to the end , & chap 7. rev. 2. 3. the seventh seal : shown by way of vision , some space of time after the opening of the other seal . the seventh seal is included in the seven thunders , opening as the effect of this seal . the frst thunder the second thunder . the third thunder . the fourth thunder . the fifth thunder . the sixth thunder . the seventh thunder . january , 2d , 1682. so soon as desired , that is to be understood , carried up in a spiritual transportation . first property . second property . third property fourth property . fifth property . sixth property of the soul. seventh property . rev. 121. meaning wisdom , who is god's esposed virgin . for this virgin-nativity , see into she wisdom of sedemon , chap. 6. 7. which five gates were the 5 sences spoken of before . now proceed we to the following gates . by sophia is meant virgin-wisdom . see rev 18. 11 , 12 , &c. the word magia is the created power of the-holy ghost , so to be undestood as often as named . a weighty expression from emmanuel . methinks i hear some say , this is such a new model as is wonderful strange ; pray open the mystery of it yet more fully . answer ; i only can give out what the measuring line of the spirit hath fathomed , and no more . magia is the faith of the operation of the holy ghost . a fresh prophetical opening upon this subject seven days of solitude from all of mortal society as might be avoided . notes for div a49872-e11150 the which hath induced the author to publish these divine secrets col. 3 12. the general epistle of john , ch . 16. 17. & ch 4. 7. 8 , ● , 10 , 11. that is , love's infancy , before it grows strong . notes for div a49872-e13010 for the kingdom was here delivered up , and god became all in all . which body is the ark of the living presence , soto be understood . mal. 18. 18. joh. 20. 23. that is , by incorporation with christ , their sinless life , all purely acting in them . how blind to time , must that eye be , who would see the glories of eternity ? sure those who heaven most desire , they from all of the earth do most retire . the way to christ discovered by iacob behmen ... ; also, the discourse of illumination, the compendium of repentance, and the mixt world, &c. weg zu christo. english böhme, jakob, 1575-1624. 1648 approx. 375 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 176 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2005-10 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a28541 wing b3426 estc r19225 12258480 ocm 12258480 57657 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a28541) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 57657) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1641-1700 ; 171:4) the way to christ discovered by iacob behmen ... ; also, the discourse of illumination, the compendium of repentance, and the mixt world, &c. weg zu christo. english böhme, jakob, 1575-1624. sparrow, john, 1615-1665? böhme, jakob, 1575-1624. selections. english. 1648. [5], 119, [7], 65 [i.e. 67], [9], 48, [2], [2], 37, [1], [4], 47, [2] p. printed by m.s. for h. blunden ..., london : 1648. translation of: der weg zu christo. translation attributed to john sparrow. all parts have special title pages. reproduction of original in bodleian library. of true repentance (1648) -of true resignation (1647) -of regeneration (1648) -dialogue ... concerning the super-sensuall life (1648) -discourse between a soule hungry and thirsty ... and a soule enlightned (1648) -an appendix to a large treatise of election ... this appendix is a compendium of repentance (1648). created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the 25,363 texts created during phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 january 2015. anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng christian life -early works to 1800. mysticism -early works to 1800. 2004-11 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2004-12 apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images 2005-01 judith siefring sampled and proofread 2005-01 judith siefring text and markup reviewed and edited 2005-04 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the way to christ discovered . by iacob behmen . in these treatises . 1. of true repentance . 2. of true resignation . 3. of regeneration . 4. of the super-rationall life . also , the discourse of illumination : the compendium of repentance . and the mixt world , &c. london , printed by m. s. for h. blunden at the castle in corn-hill , 1648. the first book of true repentance . shewing , how man should stir up himself in mind , and will in himselfe : and what his earnest purpose and consideration must be . written in the germane language anno , 1622. by jacob behmen . mark . 1. 15. the time is fulfilled , and the kingdome of god is come neer : repent and believe the gospel . printed by m. s. 1648. the authors preface to the reader that loveth god. reader , who lovest god , if thou wilt use this booke aright , and act in good earnest , thou shalt certainely finde the benefit thereof ; but i desire thou mayest be warned , that ( if thou art not in earnest , ) not to meddle with the deare names of god , in which and by which the most high holinesse is named , stirred , and powerfully desired , lest they kindle the anger of god in thy soule . for we must not abuse the holy names of god ; this little booke is onely for those , that would faine repent , and are in a desire to beginne . both sorts will finde what manner of words are therein , and whence they are born . be you herewith commended to the eternall goodnesse and mercy of god. of true repentance . how man must stirre up himself in will and minde ; and what his consideration and earnest purpose must be when he will * performe powerfull ( and effectuall ) repentance : and with what mind he must appeare before god , when he will aske and obtaine of him remission of sinnes . when man will go about repentance , and with his prayers turne to god ; before he begin to pray , he must consider his own minde , that it is wholly and altogether turned away from god , that it is become faithlesse to god , that it is onely bent upon this temporall , fraile and earthly life , bearing no sincere love towards god and his neighbour ; and also that it wholy lusteth and walketh contrary to the commandements of god , seeking it selfe onely , in the temporall and transitory lusts of the flesh . secondly , he must consider that all this is an enmity against god , which satan hath raised and stirred up in him , by his deceit in our first parents ; for which abominations sake we die the death , and must undergo corruption with our bodies . thirdly , he must consider the three horrible chaines wherewith our soule is fast bound during the time of this earthly life : the first is the severe anger of god , the abysse and darke world , which is the center and creaturly life of the soule . the second , is the desire of the devill against the soule , whereby he continually fifteth and tempteth the soul and without intermission striveth to throw it from the truth of god into vanity , viz. into pride , covetousnesse , envie and anger , and with his desire bloweth up and kindleth those evill properties in the soule , whereby the will of the soule turneth away from god and entreth into selfe . the third and most hurtfull chaine , wherewith the poore soule is tied , is the corrupt & altogether vaine , earthly and mortall flesh and blood , full of evill desires and inclinations . here he must consider , that he lieth close prisoner with soule and body , in the mire of sinnes , in the anger of god , in the jawes of the pit of hell ; that the anger of god burneth in him in soule and body , and that he is that stinking keeper of swine , that hath spent and consumed his fathers inheritance , ( viz. the love and mercy of god ) with the fatted swine of the divill in earthly pleasures , and hath not observed the deare covenant and atonement of the innocent death and passion of jesus christ , which covenant god of meere grace hath * given into our humanity and reconciled us in him ; also he must consider that hee hath wholy forgotten the covenant of holy baptisme ( in which he hath promised to be faithfull and true to his saviour , ) and so wholy defiled and obscured his righteousnesse with sinne , ( which righteousnesse god hath freely bestowed upon him in christ : ) that hee now standeth before the face of god with the faire garment of christs innocency ( which he hath defiled : ) as a dirty ragged and patched keeper of swine , that hath continually eaten the graines of vanity with the devills swine , and is not worthy to be called a sonne of the father and member of christ. fourthly , he must earnestly consider , that wrathfull death waiteth upon him every houre and moment , and will lay hold on him in his sinnes , in his garment of a swine keeper , and throw him into the pit of hell , as a for sworne person and breaker of faith , who ought to be kept in the darke dungeon of death to the judgement of god. fifthly , he must consider the earnest and severe judgement of god , where he shall be presented living with his abominations before the judgement ; & all those whom he hath here offended and injured with words and works , and caused to doe evill , ( so that by his instigation or compulsion they also have committed evill ) shall come in against him , cursing him , and all this before the eyes of christ , and also before the eyes of all holy angels and men : and that there he shall stand in great shame and ignominy , and also in great terror and eternall desperation , and that it shall for ever grieve him that he hath fool'd away so great and eternall happinesse and salvation for the pleasure of so short a time , and not looked to himselfe better , that he might also have beene in the communion of the saints , and have injoyed eternall light , and divine power and vertue . sixtly , he must consider , that the ungodly loseth his noble image ( god having created him for his image ) and getteth in stead thereof a deformed a vizard , like a hellish worme or ugly beast , wherein he is gods enemy and against heaven and all holy angels and men , and that his communion is for ever with the devills and hellish wormes in the horrible darknesse . seventhly , he must earnestly consider the eternall punishment and torment of the damned , that in eternall horror they shall suffer torments in their abominations , which they have committed here , and may never see the land of the saints in all eternity , nor get any ease or refreshment , as appeareth by [ dives ] the rich man. all this , man must earnestly and seriously consider , and remember , that god hath created him in such a faire and glorious image , in his owne likenesse , in which he himselfe will dwell , that he hath created him in his praise for mans owne eternall joy and glory , viz , that he might dwell with the holy angels , and children of god , in great joy , power and glory , in the eternall light in singing and melodious harmonie of the angelicall and divine kingdome of joy , to rejoyce eternally with the children of god without feare of any end , where no evill thoughts could touch him , neither care nor trouble , neither heate nor cold , where no night is knowne , where there is no day or time any more , but an everlasting joy , where soule and body tremble for joy , and where he should rejoyce at the infinite wonders and vertues in brightnesse of colours and ornament of the infinite begetting in the wisedome of god , upon the new christaline earth , which shall be as transparent glasse ; & that he doth so wilfully lose all this , for so short and poore a times-sake , which yet in this vanity , in the evill life of the voluptuous flesh , is full of miserie feare and trouble , in meere vexation ; and it goeth with the wicked as with the righteous , as the one must die so must the other , yet the death of the saints is an entrance into the eternall rest ; but the death of the wicked an entrance into the eternall unquietnesse . eightly , he must consider the course of the world , that all things are but a play , wherewith he spendeth his time in unquietnesse ; and that it goeth with the rich and mighty , as with the poore and the begger ; that all of us equally live and move in the foure elements ; and that the mouthfull or morsell of the poore , is as relishing and savoury to him in his toyle and labour , as that of the rich is to him in his cares ; also that all of us doe live b in one breath , and that the rich man hath nothing but the pleasure of the palate and the lust of the eye more then other men , for else it goeth with the one as with the other ; for which lust of the eye , man so foolishly forgoeth so great a happinesse , and for the sake thereof bringeth himselfe into so great and eternall unquietnesse . in this consideration man shall feele in his owne heart and minde ( especially if he c represent and set before his eyes his owne end ) that he shall d get a hearty sighing and longing after the mercie of god ; and will begin to bewaile his committed sinnes , that hee hath spent his dayes so ill , and not observed nor considered , that he standeth in this world in a field , in the growing to be a fruit , either in the love or in the anger of god : and then he will first begin to find in himselfe , that he hath not yet laboured at all in the vineyard of christ , and that he is a drie branch in the vine of christ. and then in many , ( whom the spirit of christ toucheth in such a consideration ) there ariseth aboundant sorrow , griefe of heart , and inward lamentation over the dayes of his wickednesse , which he hath spent so in vanity , without any working in the vineyard of christ. such a one , now , whom the spirit of christ bringeth into sorrow and repentance ; so that his heart is opened , that he can know and bewaile his sins , is very easily to be helped ; he needeth but to draw to him the promise of christ , viz. that god willeth not the death of a sinner , but that he wisheth them all to come unto him and hee will refresh them ; and that there is great joy in heaven for one sinner that repenteth : let such a one but lay hold on the words of christ , and wrap himselfe up into the passion and death of christ. but i will speake with those , who feele indeede a desire in themselves to repent , and yet cannot come to acknowledge , and sorrow for their committed sins , the flesh saying continually to the soule : stay a while , it is well enough , or it is time enough to morrow , and when to morrow is come , yet the flesh saith again , to morrow ; the soul in the meane while sighing and fainting , conceiveth neither any true sorrow for the sinnes it hath committed , nor any comfort : unto such a one i say i will write a processe or way which i my selfe have gone [ that hee may know ] what he must doe , and how it went with me , if peradventure any be minded to follow it , and then he shall perceive what is hereafter written . * a processe of repentance . when any man findeth in himself , by the former consideration , a hunger , that he would willingly repent , and yet findeth no true sorrow in himselfe for his sinnes which hee hath committed , and yet [ perceiveth ] an hunger , or desire to sorrow ; being the poor & captive soule continually sigheth , feareth , and must acknowledge it selfe guilty of sinnes before the judgement of god : such a one i say can take no better course then this , viz. to wrap up his senses and minde , and also his reason together , and make to himselfe at the same time presently in the first consideration , ( when he perceiveth in himselfe a desire to repent ) a mighty strong purpose and resolution that he will this very houre , nay , this minite immediatly , enter into repentance , and go forth from his wicked way , and not at all regard the power and honour of the world , and if it should be required , would forsake and disesteeme all things for true repentance sake , and take such an earnest firme and strong resolution that he will never goe forth from it againe , though he should be made the foole & scorne of all the world for it : and that with his minde he will goe forth from the beauty and pleasure of the world , and patiently enter into the passion and death of christ in and under the crosse , and set all his hope and confidence upon the life to come ; and that now in righteousnesse and truth he will enter into the vineyard of christ , and doe the will of god ; and in the spirit and will of christ begin and finish all his actions in this world , and for christs word and promise sake , ( who hath promised us heavenly reward ; ) willingly suffer and beare every adversitie and crosse , that he may but be numbred in the communion or fellowship of the children of christ , and in the bloud of the lambe jesus christ be incorporated and united unto his humanity . he must firmely imagin to himself , & wholly wrap up his soule in this , that in this his purpose he shall obtaine the love of god in christ jesus , and that god will give unto him , according to his faithfull promise , that noble pledge , the holy ghost for a beginning , that , in the humanity of christ , as to the heavenly divine substance , he shall be borne a new againe in himselfe , and that the spirit of christ will renew his minde , a with his love and power , and strengthen his weake faith ; also that , in his divine hunger , he shall get the flesh and bloud of christ for foode and drinke in the desire of his soule , which continually hungreth and thristeth after b it , and with the thirst of the soule drinke the water of eternall life , out of the sweete fountaine of jesus christ , as christs most true and stedfast promise is . he must also wholly and firmely c imagine to himselfe the great love of god. that god willeth not the death of a sinner , but that he repent and live ; that christ calleth poore sinners so kindly and graciously to himselfe , and will refresh them , and that god hath sent his sonne into the world , to seeke and save that which is lost , viz. the poore repentant and returning sinner ; and that for the poore sinners sake he hath given his life into death , and died for him in our humanity which he tooke upon him . furthermore he must firmely imagine to himselfe , that god in christ jesus , will much rather heare him and receive him to grace , then he come : and that god in the love of christ in the most deare and precious name jesus , cannot will any evill : that there is no angry countenance [ at all ] in this name , but that it is the highest and deepest love & faithfulnesse , the greatest sweetnesse of the diety in the great name jehovah , which he hath manifested in our humanity d corrupted , and e disappeared as to the heavenly part , which in paradise disappeared through sinne ; and therefore moved himselfe in his heart to flow into us with his sweet love , that the anger of his father , which was kindled in us , might be quenched and turned into love by it ; all which was done for the poor sinners sake , that he might get an open gate of grace againe . in this consideration he must firmely imagine to himselfe , that this very houre and instant he standeth before the face of the holy trinity , and that god is really present within and without him , as the holy scripture witnesseth saying : am not i he that filleth all things ? and in another place it saith , the word is neere thee in thy mouth , and in thy heart : also it saith , we will come unto you and make our dwelling in you ; also , behold , i am with you always even to the end of the world ; also , the kingdome of god is within you . thus he must firmely know and beleeve , that with his soule he standeth really before the face of jesus christ even before the holy deity , and that his soule hath turned its backe to the face of god , and [ must resolve ] that he will this very houre turne the eyes and desire of his soule towards god againe , and with the poore lost and returning sonne come to the father . he must with the eyes of his soule and minde cast downe , in feare and deepest humility , beginne to confesse his sinnes and unworthinesse before the face of god as followeth . a short forme of confession before the eyes of god. every one , as his case and necessitie requireth , may order and enlarge this confession as the holy ghost shall teach him . i will but set downe a short direction . o , thou great unsearchable god , lord of all * things ; thou , who in christ jesus , of great love towards us , hast manifested thy selfe with thy holy substance in our humanity : i , poore unworthy sinfull man ▪ come before thy presence , which thou hast manifested in the humanity of jesus christ , ( though i am not worthy to lift up mine eyes to thee , ) acknowledging and confessing before thee , that i am guilty of unfaithfulnesse and breaking off from thy great love and grace which thou hast freely bestowed upon us . i have left the covenant , which of meere grace thou hast made with me in baptisme , in which thou hast received me to be a child and heire of eternall life , and have brought my desire into the vanity of this world , and defiled my soule therewith , and made it altogether beastiall and earthly , so that my soule knoweth not it selfe , because of the mire of sinne , but accounteth it selfe a f strange child before thy face , not worthy ▪ to desire thy grace . i lie in the filth of sinne , and the vanity of my corrupt flesh , up to the very lipps of my soule , and have but a small sparke of the living breath left in me , which desireth thy grace . i am so dead in vanity , that , in this vanity , i dare not lift up mine eyes to thee . o god in christ jesus , thou who for poore sinners sakes didst become man to helpe them , to thee i complaine , to thee i have yet a sparke of refuge in my soule : i have not regarded thy purchased inheritance , which thou hast purchased for us poore men by thy bitter death , but made my self partaker of the heritage of vanity , in the anger of thy father , in the curse of the earth , and am ensnared in sinne and halfe dead as to thy kingdome . i lie in feeblenesse as to thy strength and the wrathfull death waiteth for mee : the devill hath poisoned me , so that i know not my saviour ; i am become a g wilde branch in thy tree , and have consumed mine inheritance which is in thee , with the devills swine : what shall i say before thee , who am not worthy of thy grace ? i lie in the sleepe of death which hath captivated me , and am fast bound with three strong chaines ▪ o thou breaker-through-death , assist thou me i beseech thee , i can not , i am able to doe nothing ; i am dead in my selfe , and have no strength before thee , neither dare i for great shame lift up my eyes before thee , for i am the defiled keeper of swine , and have spent my inheritance with the false adulterous whore of vanity in the lusts of the flesh ; i have sought my selfe in my owne lust , and not thee . now in my selfe , i am become a foole , i am naked and bare , my shame standeth before thy eyes , i cannot hide it , thy judgement waiteth for mee , what shall i say before thee , who art the judge of all the world ? i have nothing else to bring before thee , here i stand naked and bare before thee , and i fall downe before thy face , bewailing my misery , and flie to thy great mercy , though i am not worthy of it , yet receive me but in thy death , and let me but die from my death in thy death ; cast me down i pray thee to the groūd in my received h self and kill this self of mine through thy death , that i may live no more to my selfe , seeing i , in my self worke [ nothing ] but sin , therefore i pray thee cast downe to the ground this wicked beast which is full of false deceit and selfe-desire , and deliver this poore soule from itsheavie bonds . o mercifull god , it is thy love and longsuffering that i lie not already in hell , i yeeld my selfe , with my whole will , sences and minde up into thy grace , and flie to thy mercy . i call upon thee through thy death , from that k small sparke of life in me , encompassed with death and hell , which open their throate against me , and would wholly swallow me up in death ; upon thee i call , who hast promised , thou wilt not quench the smoaking flaxe : i have no other way to thee but thy death and passion , because thou hast made our death life by thy humanity , and broken the chaines of death , and therefore i sinke the desire of my soule downe into thy death , into the gate of thy death , which thou hast broake open . o thou great fountaine of the love of god , i beseech thee , [ helpe mee ▪ ] that i may die from my vanity , and sinne ; in the death of my redeemer jesus christ. o thou breath of the great love of god , quicken i beseech thee my weake breath in me , that it may begin to hunger and thirst after thee . o lord jesus , thou sweete strength , i beseech thee give my soule to drinke of thy fountaine of grace thy sweete water of eternall life , that it may awake from death and thrist after thee . o how extreame fainting i am for want of thy strength . o mercifull god doe thou turne me i beseech thee , i can not [ turn my selfe ] o thou vanquisher of death , helpe me i pray thee to wrestle : how fast doth the enemy hold me with his three chaines , and will not suffer the desire of my soule to come before thee ! i beseech thee , come and take the desire of my soule into thy selfe , be thou my drawing to the father , and deliver me from the devills bonds , looke not upon my deformity in standing naked before thee having lost thy garment : i pray thee doe but thou cloath my breath which yet liveth in me , and desireth thy grace , and let me yet once see thy salvation ! o thou deepe love , i pray thee take the desire of my soule into thee ; bring it forth out of the bonds of death through thy death , in thy resurrection , in thee . o quicken me in thy strength , that my desire and will may begin to spring up and flourish anew . o thou vanquisher of death and of the wrath of god doe thou overcome in me l selfe , breake its will and bruise my soule , that it may feare before thee , and be ashamed of its owne will before thy judgement , that it may be obedient to thee as an instrument of thine , m subdue it in the bonds of death , take away its power , that it may will nothing without thee . o god the holy ghost in christ my saviour , teach me i pray thee , what i shall doe , that i may turne to thee ; o draw me in christ to the father , and helpe me , that now and from hence forward i may goe forth from sinne and vanity , and never any more enter into it againe ; stirre up in me a true sorrow for the sinnes i have committed : o keepe me in thy bonds , and let me not loose from thee , lest the devill sift me in my wicked flesh and bloud , & bring me again into the death of dea h : o enlighten thou my spirit ▪ that i may see the divine path , and walke in it continually ; o take that away from me , which alwayes turneth me away from thee ; o give me that which alwayes turneth me to thee ; take me wholy from my selfe , and give me wholy to thy owne selfe . o let me beginne nothing , let me will , thinke and doe nothing without thee . o lord how long ! indeed i am not worthy of that which i desire of thee : i pray thee let the desire of my soule dwell but in the gates of thy courts , make it but a servant of thy servauts ; o deliver it out of that horrible pit , wherein there is no comfort nor refreshment . o god in christ jesus ! i am blinde in my selfe , and know not my selfe for vanity ; thou art hidden from me in my blindenesse , and yet thou art neere unto me : but thy wrath which my desire hath awakened in me , hath made me darke : o take but the desire of my soule to thee , prove it o lord and bruise it , that my soule may attaine a ray of thy sweete grace . i lie before thee as a dying man , whose life is passing from his lipps , as a smale sparke [ going out , ] kindle it o lord , and raise up the breath of my soule before thee . lord i waite for thy promise , which thou hast made , saying , as i live i will not the death of a sinner , but that he should turne and live . i sincke downe my selfe into the death of my redeemer jesus christ and waite for thee , thy word is truth and life amen . in this or the like manner every one may confesse his sinnes , as he himselfe findeth in his conscience , what finnes he hath brought his soule into . yet if his purpose be truely earnest , to use a forme is needlesse , for the spirit of god , which at that instant is in the will of the minde , will it selfe make the prayer for him , in his conscience ; for it is it [ the spirit of god ] which in a true earnest desire worketh repentance , and intercedeth for the soule before god , through the death of christ. but i will not hide from the beloved reader , who hath a christian purpose , [ but shew ] how it commonly useth to goe [ with those who are ] in such a firme purpose and resolution ; though it goeth otherwise with ▪ one then with another , according as his purpose is [ more or lesse ] earnest and great : for the spirit of god is not bound , but useth diverse a wayes , as he knoweth [ fittest for ] every one . yet he that hath beene in the warres , can tell how to fight , and informe another that may happen to be in the like case . now if it so come to passe , that such a heart with a strong resolution and purpose doth thus come before god , and enter into repentance : it hapneth to it as with the canaanitish woman , as if god would not heare ; the heart remaineth without comfort , its sins and unworthynesse do also present themselves , as if it were unworthy of comfort ; the mind is as it were b speechlesse , the soule groaneth in the deepe , the heart receiveth nothing , nor can it so much as poure forth its confession before god , as if the heart and soule were shut up : the soule would faine , but the flesh keepeth it captive ; the devill shutteth it up strongly , and representeth , to it the way of vanity againe , and tickleth it with the lust of the flesh , and saith in the minde , stay a while , doe this or that first ; gather money or goods aforehand that thou maist not stand in neede of the world , and then afterwards enter into an c honest life , into repentance , it will be time enough then . o how many hundreds doe perish in such a beginning , if they goe backe againe into vanity , and are as a young graft broken off with the winde , or weithered by the heate . beloved soule , marke : if thou wilt be a champion in thy saviour christ against death and hell , and would'st have thy yong graft grow & become a tree in the kingdome of christ , thou must go on , and stand fast in thy first earnest purpose , it costeth thy first paternall inheritance , and thy body and soule too , to become either an angell in god , or a devill in hell. if thou wilt be crowned , thou must fight , thou must overcome in christ , and not yeeld to the devill : thy purpose must stand firme , thou must not preferre temporall honour and goods before it ; when the spirit of the flesh saith , stay a while , it is not convenient yet : then the soule must say , now is my time , for me to goe backe againe into my fathers [ my native ] countrey , out of which my father adam hath brought me ; no creature shall keepe me backe , and though thou earthly body shouldest thereby decay and perish , yet i will now enter with my will and whole desire into the garden of roses of my redeemer iesus christ , through his suffering and death into him , and in the death of christ subdue thee thou earthly body , which hath swallowed up my pearle from me , which god gave to my father adam in paradise : and i will breake the will of thy voluptuousnesse , which is in vanity , and binde thee as a mad-dogge , with the chaine of my earnest purpose , and though thereby thou should'st become a foole in the account of all men , yet thou must and shalt obey the earnest purpose of my soule , none shall unloose thee from this chaine , but the temporall death . whereto god and his strength helpe me . amen . a short direction , how the poore soule must come before god againe , and how it must fight for the noble garland , what kinde of weapons it must use , if it will goe to warres against gods anger , against the devill , the world , and sinne , against flesh and bloud , also against the [ influence of the ] stars and elements and all his other enemies . beloved soule , there is earnestnesse required to doe this , it must not be a meere commemoration or repeating of words ; the earnest resolved will must drive this worke , else nothing will be attained . for if the soule will obtaine the triumphant garland of christ from the noble * sophia it must wooe her for it in great desire of love , to get it at her hands , it must intreate her in her most holy name for it , and come before her in most modest humility , and not like a lustfull bull or a wanton venus ; for so long as any are such , they must not desire these things ; for they shall not obtaine them , and though something should be obtained by such in that condition , it would be but as a glimpse . but a chast and modest minde may well obtaine so much , as to have the soule in its noble image ( which died in acam , ) quickened in the heavenly corporality , as to the inward ground , and put on the garland , yet , if this come to passe , it is taken off againe from the soule , and layed by as a crowne useth to be , after a king is crowned with it , it is layed by and kept : so it is also with the soule , because it is yet encompassed with the house of sinne ; that if the soule should fall againe , it crowne might not be defiled . this ● spoken plainely enough for the children that know and have tried these things : none of the wicked are worthy to know any more of them . * the processe . a sober minde is there requisite which in an earnest purpose , all deepests humility , ( with sorrow for ● sinnes ▪ ) cometh before god , in which there is such a resolution , that a man will not enter any more into the old footsteps of vanity , and though the whole world should account , him a foole for it , and he should loose both honour and goods , nay and the temporall life also , yet he would abide constant therein . if ever he will obtaine the love and marriage of the noble sophia , he must make such a vow as this in his purpose and minde . for christ himselfe sayth : he that forsaketh not wife and children , brethren and sisters , money and goods , and all that even he hath , and even his earthly life , to follow me , he is not worthy of me : here christ meaneth the mind of the soule , so that if there were any thing that would keepe the mind backe from it , though it have never so faire and glorious a pretence , or shew in this world , the minde must not regard it , but rather part with it , then with the love of the noble virgine sophia , in the bud and blossome of christ , in his tender humanity in us , as to the heavenly corporality . for this is the flower in sharon , the rose in the † valley , wherewith solomon delighteth himselfe , and termeth it his deare love , his chast virgine , which he loved so much , as all other saints before and after him did , whosoever hath obtained her , called her his pearle . after what manner to pray for it , you may ●ee by this short direction following : the worke it selfe must be committed to the holy ghost , in every heart wherein it is sought : he ●ormeth and frameth the prayer for him . the prayer . i poore unworthy person come before thee o great and holy god , and i lift up mine eyes to thee , though i be no● worthy , yet thy great mercy , viz. thy faithfull promise in thy word , hath now encoucouraged me to lift the eyes of the de●i●e of my soule up to thee : for my soule hath now layd hold on the word of thy promise , and received it into it , and therewith it con●eth to thee , and though ●t be but a s●●ange childe before thee , which was d●s●●bedie●t unto thee , yet now it desireth to be obedient ▪ and my soule doth now i●fold it selfe with its desire into that word which became man , which became flesh and bloud , which hath broken 〈◊〉 and death in my humanity , which hath changed the anger of god into love in the soule , which hath deprived death of its power , and hell of its victory in soule and body ; which hath opened a gate for my soule to the cleare face of thy strength and power . o great and most holy god ; i have brought the hunger and desire of my soule into this most holy word , and now i come before thee ▪ and in my hunger call into thee , thou living fountain , through thy word which became flesh and bloud : thy word being become the life in our flesh ▪ therefore i receive it firmely into the desire of my soule , as my owne life : and i p●erce into thee with the desire of my soul , through the word in the flesh of christ ; viz. through his holy conception in the virgine mary , his whole incarnation , his holy nativity , his baptisme in jordan , his temptation in the wil●ernene , where he overcame the kingdome of the devill , and of this world , in the humanity : through all his powerfull miracles , which he did on earth ; through his reproach and ignominy , his innocent death and passion , the shedding of his bloud , when gods anger in soule and flesh was drowned : through his rest in the sepulcher , when he awaked our father adam ou● of his sleepe , who was fallen into a dead sleepe as to the kingdome of heaven ; through his love , which pierced through the anger , and destroyed hell in the soule ; through his resurrection from the dead , his ascention , the sending of the holy spirit into our soule and spirit ▪ and through all his words and promises : [ one of which is ] that thou o god the father wilt give the holy spirit to them that aske it , in the name and through the word which became man. o thou life of my flesh , and of my soule in christ my brother , i beseech thee in the hunger of my soule , and intreate thee with all my powers , though they be weake , to give me ▪ what thou hast promised me , and freely bestow upon mee in my saviour jesus christ , viz. his flesh for food , and his bloud for drinke , to refresh my poore hungry soule , that it may be quickened , and strengthened in the word which became man , by which it may long and hunger after thee aright . o thou deepest love in the most sweete name jesus , give thy selfe into the desire of my soule , for therefore thou hast moved thy selfe , and according to thy great sweetnesse manifested thy selfe in the humane nature ▪ and called us to thee , us that hunger and thirst after thee , and hast promised us that thou wilt ref●esh us ; i now open the lips of my soul to thee o thou sweet truth ; and though i am not worthy to desire it of thy holines , yet i come to thee through thy bitter passion & death thou having sprinkled my uncleanesse with thy bloud , and sanctified me in thy humanity , and made an open gatefor me through thy death , to thy sweete love in thy bloud , through thy five holy wounds from which thou did'st shed thy bloud ; i bring the desire of my soule into thy love . o jesus christ , thou sonne of god and man , i pray thee receive into thy selfe thy purchased inheritance , which thy father hath given thee . i crie within me , [ that i may enter ] thorough thy holy bloud and death into thee ; open thy selfe in mee , that the spirit of my soule may reach thee , and receive thee into it . lay hold on my thirst in me with thy thirst ; bring thy thirst after us men , which thou haddest upon the crosse , into my thirst , and give mee thy bloud to drinke in my thirst , that my death in me which holdeth me captive , may be drowned in the bloud of thy love , and that my a extinguished image , ( which as to the kingdome of heaven dis appeared in my father adam through sinne ) may b made alive through thy powerfull bloud , and cloath my soule with it âgaine , as with the new body which dwelleth in heaven , in which image , thy holy power and word which became man dwelleth , which is the temple of thy holy spirit , which dwelleth in us : as thou hast promised us , saying , we will come to you , and dwell in you . o thou great love of jesus christ , i can doe no more but sinke my desire into thee , thy word which became man , is truth : since thou hast bidden me come , now i come . be it unto me according to thy word and will. amen . a warning to the reader . beloved reader , of love to thee , i will not conceale from thee what is here earnestly signified to me . if thou lovest the vanity of the flesh still , and ar● not in an earnest purpose on the way to the ‖ new birth , intending to become a new ▪ man , then leave the above written words in these prayers unnamed , or else they will turne to a judgement of god in thee . thou must not take the holy names in vaine , thou art faithfully warned , they belong to the thristy soule : if the soule be in earnest , it shall finde by experience what [ words ] they are . a direction , how the soule must meete its beloved , when it s beloved knocketh in the centre , in the shut chamber of the soule . beloved soule thou must be earnest , without intermission , thou shalt certainely obtaine the love of a kisse from the * noble sophia in the holy name jesus , for shee standeth however before the doore of the soule knocking & warning the sinner of his wicked way : now if he once thus desireth her love , she is ready for him , and kisseth him with the beames of her sweete love , from whence the heart receiveth joy , but she doth not presently lay her selfe into the marriage bed with the soule ; that is , shee doth not presently awaken the extinguished heavenly image in her selfe which disappeared d in adam ; there is danger to man in it ; for if adam and lucifer fell , e it may then easily so come to passe with man he being yet so strongly bound in vanity . the bond of thy promise must be faithfull , before she will crowne thee ; thou must be tempted first and tried ; she taketh the beames of her love from thee againe , to see whether thou wilt prove faithfull ; also she letteth thee stand and answereth thee not so much as with one looke of her love : for before she will crowne thee thou must be judged , that thou mightest tast the f bitter potion which thou hast filled for thy selfe in thine abominations : thou must come before the gates of hell first , and there shew forth thy victory for her in her love , in that strength , wherewith she beheld thee in opposition to the devills aspect . christ was tempted in the wildernesse , and if thou wilt put on him , thou must go through his whole g progresse from his incarnation to his assention : and though thou art not able nor needest to doe that which he hath done ; yet thou must enter wholly into his processe and therein die continually from the vanity of the soule , for the virgin sophîa espouseth not her selfe to the soule except in this property which springeth up in the soule through the death of christ , as a new plant standing in heaven : the earthly body cannot comprehend her in this h life , for it must first die from vanity ; but the heavenly image which disappear'd in adam , viz. the true seede of the woman ( wherein god became man ▪ and into which he brought his living seede , the heavenly substantiality , ) is capable of the pearle , after the manner it came to passe in mary in the i limit of the covenant . therefore take heede what thou dost , when thou hast made thy prom●se , keepe it , and then shee will crowne thee rather then thou wouldst be crowned , but thou must be sure when the tempter commeth to thee with the pleasure , beauty , and glory of the world , that then thy minde reject it and say ; i must be a servant and not a master in the vineyard of christ ; i am but a servant of god in and over all that i have and i must doe with it as his word teacheth me ; my heart must sit downe with the simple and lowly , in the dust , and be humble alwayes . what state and condition soever thou art in , humility must be in the front , or else thou wilt not obtain her marriage : the free will of thy soule must stand as a champion : for it the devill cannot k prevaile against the soule with vanity , and if the soule will not bite at the baite , then hee commeth with the soules nworthinesse and catalogue of sinnes , and then thou must fight hard , and here the merits of christ must be set in the front , or else the creature cannot prevaile against the devill , for in ▪ this it goeth so terribly with many that the outward reason thinketh that person to be distracted , and po●ened with the devill : the devill defendeth himselfe so horribly in many ( especially if he have had a great l fort of prey in him ) that he must be stoutly assaulted before he will depart and leave his fort of prey , here heaven and hell are fighting one against the other . now if the soule continue constant and getteth the victory over the devill in all his a●●aults ▪ disesteeming all temporall things for the love of its noble sophia , then the precious garland will be set ▪ upon it for a m token of victory . here the virgine , ( which manifesteth her selfe from the deare name jesus with christ ▪ the treader upon the serpent , gods anointed ) commeth to the soule , and kisseth it with her sweetest love in the essence most inwardly and impresseth her love into its desire for a token of victory : and here adam in his heavenly part riseth againe from death in christ ; of which i cannot write , for there is no pen in this world that can expresse it , it is the wedding of the lambe , where the noble pearle is sowne with very great triumph , though in the beginning it be small like a graine of mustard-seed , as christ saith . now when the wedding is over , the soule must take heed that this tree n oft spring and grow , as it hath promised its virgine . for then the devill will presently come with his tempestuous storme , ungodly people , who will scoffe at , contemne and crie down this for madnesse , and then a man must enter into the processe of christ , under his crosse : here it will appeare indeed and in truth what christians we are : here he must suffe himselfe to be proclaimed a foo●e and ungodly wretch ; nay his greatest friends , who favoured him , or flattered him in the lusts of the flesh , will now be his enemies , and though they know not why yet they will hate him : thus christ hideth his bride wholy under the crosse , that she may not be knowne in this world ; the devill also striveth that these children may be hidden from the world , lest perhaps many such branches should grow in that garden which he supposeth to be his . this i have set downe for the information of the christian-minded reader , that he might know what to doe if the same should befall him . a very earnest prayer in temptation : against gods anger in the conscience , and also against flesh and bloud , when the tempter cometh to the soule , and wrestleth with it . most deep love of god in christ jesus , leave me not in this distresse , i confesse , i am guilty of the sinnes which now rise up in my minde or conscience , if thou forsake me , i must sinke : hast thou not promised me in thy word , saying , if a mother could forget her child , which yet can hardly be , yet thou wilt not forget me : thou hast set me as a signe in thine hands which were pierced through with sharpe nailes , and in thy open side whence bloud and water gushed out . poore man that i am , i am caught in thy anger , and can in my ability doe nothing before thee ; i sink my selfe downe into thy wounds and death . o great mercy of god , i beseech thee deliver me from the bonds of satan ; i have no refuge in any thing , but onely in thy holy wounds and death ; into thee i sinke downe in the anguish of my conscience , doe with me what thou wilt ; in thee i will now live or die , as pleaseth thee , let me but die and perish in thy death , do but bury me into thy death , that the anguish of hell may not touch me . how can i excuse my selfe before thee ? that knowest my heart and reines , and settest my finnes before mine eye● , i am guilty of them , and yeeld my self into thy judgement , accomplish thy judgment upon me , through the death of my redeemer jesus christ. i fly unto thee thou righteous iudge through the anguish of my redeemer iesus christ , when he did sweate the bloudy sweat on the mount of olives for my sake , and was scourged of pontius pilate for me , and suffered a crown of thornes to be pressed on upon his head , that his bloud came forth . o righteous god hast thou not set him in my stead : he was innocent , but i guilty , for whom he suffered , wherefore should i despaire under thy wrath ? o blot out thy anger in me , through his anguish , passion , & death : i give my selfe wholly into his anguish , passion & death : i will stand still in his anguish , & passion before thee , do with me what thou pleasest , onely let me not depart from his anguish : thou hast freely given me his anguish , and drowned thy wrath in him . and though i have not accepted it , but am departed from him , and am become faithlesse , yet thou hast given me this precious pledge in my flesh and bloud , for he hath taken my flesh and soule upon his heavenly flesh and bloud , ] and hath satisfied the anger in my flesh and soule in him , with his heavenly bloud . therfore receive me now in his satisfaction , and put his anguish , passion and death in thy wrath , which is kindled in me , and breake thy iudgement in me in the bloud of his love . o great love ! in the bloud and and death of iesus christ , i beseech thee breake the fort of prey , which the devill hath made , and built up in me , where he resisteth me in the way of thy grace ; drive him out of me , that he may not overcome me , for no one living can stand in thy fight , if thou withdraw thy hand from him . o come thou breaker through the anger of god , destroy its power , helpe my poore soule to fight and overcome it : o bring me into thy victory and uphold me in thee ; breake in peeces its seate in my vanity that is kindled in my soule and flesh . o mortifie the desire of my vanity , in flesh and bloud , which the devill hath now kindled by his false desire , by hellish anguish & desperation : o quench it with thy water of eternall life , & bring my anguish forth through thy death . i wholy sink my selfe down into thee ; and though both soul and body should this houre faint and perish in thy wrath , yet i will not let thee goe . though my heart saith utterly , no no , yet the desire of my soule shall hold fast on thy truth , which neither death nor the devill shall take away from me . for the bloud of iesus christ the sonne of god cleanseth us from all our sinnes , this i lay hold on , and let the anger of god doe what it will with my sinne , and let the devill roare over my soule in his fort of prey , which he hath made , as much as he will. neither the devill . death nor hell shall pull me out of my saviours wounds : thou must at length be confounded in me thou noysome devill , and thy fort of prey must be forsaken , for i will drowne it in the love of iesus christ , and then dwell in it if thou canst . amen . an information in temptation . beloved reader , this is no jesting matter , he that accounteth it so , hath not tried it , neither is he o judged as yet : and though it should be deferred till his last end , which is dangerous , yet he must passe through this p iudgement . happy is he that passeth through it be times in his young years , before the devill buildeth his fort of prey strong , he may afterwards prove a labourer in the vineyard of christ , and sow his seede in the garden of christ , he shall reape the fruit in due time . this judgement continueth a long while upon many , for severall yeares if he doe not earnestly put on the armour of christ , but stay till the judgement of temptations first exhort him to repentance . but he that commeth of himselfe , of his owne earnest purpose ; and endeavoureth to depart from his evill wayes , the temptation will not be so hard for him , neither will it continue so long , yet hee must stand out valiantly , till victory be gotten over the devill , for he shall be mightily assisted , & all shall turne to the best for him , so that afterwards when the q day breaketh in the soule ; he turneth it to the great praise and glory of god that the driver is overcome . short prayers . when the ‖ noble sophia kisseth the soule with her love , and offereth her love to it . o most gracious and deepest love of god in christ jesus ! i beseech thee grant me thy pearle , impresse it into my soule , and take my soule into thy armes . o thou sweete love ! i confesse i am uncleane before thee , take away my uncleanenesie through thy death , and carry through the hunger and thrist of my soule , through thy death in thy resurrection , in thy triumph ; cast my whole s selfe downe to the ground in thy death ; take it captive , and carry my hunger through , in thy hunger . o highest love , hast thou not appeared in me ? stay in me and inclose me in thee , keepe me in thee , so that i may not be able to depart from thee ▪ fill my hunger with thy love seede my soule with thy heavenly substance , give it thy bloud to drinke , and water it with thy fountaine o great love ! awaken my disappeared image in me ( which as to the kingdome of heaven disappeared in my father adam ) by that word which awakened * it in the seede of the woman in mary ; quicken it i beseech thee . o thou life and power of the deity , which hast promised us saying ; wee will come to you and dwell in you : o sweete love ! i bring my desire into this word of thy promise : thou hast promised , that thy father will give the holy spirit to those that aske him for it , therefore i now bring the desire of my soule into thy promise , and i receive thy word into my hunger ; increase thou in me my hunger after thee : strengthen me o sweete love in thy strength ; quicken me in thee , that my spirit may taste thy sweetnesse ; o doe thou beleeve by thy power in me , for without thee i can doe nothing . o sweete love i beseech thee through that love wherewith thou didst overcome the anger of god , and didst change it into love and divine joy. i pray thee also change the anger in my soule by the same great love that i may become obedient unthee , and that my soule may love thee therein for ever : o change my will into thy will , bring thy obedience into my disobedience that i may become obedient to thee . o great love of jesus christ , i humbly flie to thee , bring the hunger of my soule into thy wounds , from whence thou didst shed thy holy bloud , and didst quench the anger with love : i bring my hunger into open side , from whence came forth both water and bloud , and throw my selfe wholy into it ; he thou mine , and quicken me in thy life , and let me not depart from thee o my noble vine , i beseech thee give sappe to me thy branch ; that i may budde and grow in thy strength and sappe , in thy essence : beget in me true strength by thy strength . o sweete love art not thou my light ? enlighten thou my poore soule in its close prison , in flesh and bloud ; bring it into the right way ; destroy the will of the devill , and bring my body through the whole course of this world , through the chamber of death , into thy death and rest ; that at the last day it may arise in thee from thy death , and live in thee for ever : o teach me what i must doe in thee : i beseech thee be thou my willing , knowing , doing , and let me goe no whether without thee : i yeeld my selfe wholy up to thee . amen . a prayer for the [ obtaining ] the divine protection and government : ( shewing ) how he minde should worke with & in god , in christ the tree of life . o thou living fountaine , in thee i lift up the desire of my soule , and crie with my desire [ to enter ] through the life of my saviour jesus christ into thee . o thou life and power of god , awaken thy selfe in the hunger of my soule , with thy desire of love , through the thirst which jesus christ had upon the crosse after us men , and carry my weake strength through by thy mighty hand in thy spirit ; be thou the working and will in me with thine own strength , blossome in the strength of iesus christ in me , that i may bring forth praise unto thee , the true fruite in thy kingdome ; o let my heart and desire never depart from thee . but i swimme in vanity , in this valley of misery , in this outward earthly flesh and bloud , and my soule and noble image , which is according to thy similitude , is encompassed with enemies on every side ; viz. with the desire of the devill against me , with the desire of vanity in flesh and bloud , also with all the opposition of wicked men , who know not thy name : and i swimme with my outward life in the [ properties of the ] starres and elements , having my enemies lying in waite for me every where , inwardly and outwardly , together with death , the destroyer of this vaine life ▪ and therefore i flie to thee o holy strength of god : being thou hast manifested thy selfe with thy love in mercy , in our humanity , through thy holy name jesus , and hast also given it to be a * companion in us : therefore i beseech thee let his angels that minister to him , attend upon our soules , and encamp themselves about us , and defend us from the fiery darts of the desire of that wicked one , which shooteth into us dayly by the curse of the anger of god which is awakened in our earthly flesh : keepe backe by thy strength the infectious rayes [ of the influence of the ‖ stars in their opposition , into which raves the wicked one mingleth himselfe with his desire , to poison us in soule and flesh ; and to bring us into a false desires , and also into infirmity and misery . turne away these rayes of anger with the holy name jesus in our soule and spirit , that they may not touch us , and let thy good and holy angel stand by us to turne away these rayes of poyson from our bodies . o great love and sweete strength ihsvh , thou fountaine of divine sweetnesse [ flowing ] out of the great eternall name iehovah , i crie with the desire of my soule [ to come ] into thee ; my soule crieth [ to come ] into that spirit , from whence the soule was breathed into the body , and which hath formed it in the likenesse of god , my soule desireth in its thirst [ to get ] the sweete fountaine which springeth from iehovah , into it selfe , to refresh gods breath of fire , which it selfe is , so that the sweete love of iesvs may rise in its breath of fire , through the fountaine iesvs [ springing ] out of iehovah , and that christ the holy [ one ] may be manifested , and become man , in my disappeared image of heavenly spirituall corporality , and that the poore soule may receive its beloved bride againe in its armes , with whom it may rejoyce for ever . o immanvel ! thou wedding chamber , god and man , i yeeld up my selfe into the armes of thy desire towards us , in us ; it is thy selfe whom i desire : o blot out the anger of thy father , with thy love in me , and strengthen my weake image in mee , that i may overcome and tame the vanity in flesh and bloud , and serve thee in holinesse and righteousnesse . o thou great and most holy name and power of god iehovah , which hast stirred thy selfe with thy most sweete power iesvs , in the b limit of the covenanted promise to our father adam , in the womans seede ; in the virgine mary in our disappeared heavenly humanity , and brought the living essentiality of thy holy power in the * virgin-wisedome of god , into our humanity , which was extinguished , ‖ as to thee ; and hast given it to us , to be our life , victory , and new regeneration ; i entreate thee with all my strength , beget a new holy life in me , by thy sweete power iesvs , that i may be in thee and thou in me , and that thy kingdome may be made manifest in me , and that the will and conversation of my soule may be in heaven . o great and incomprehensible god ▪ thou who fillest all things , be thou my heaven in which my new birth in christ iesvs may dwell ; let my spirit be the stringed instrument , harmony , sound , and joy of thy holy spirit : strike the strings in me , in thy regenerate image , and carry through my harmony into thy divine kingdome of joy , in the great love of god , in the wonders of thy glory and majesty , in the communion of the holy angelicall harmony , build up the holy city zion in me , in which as children of christ we all live together in one city , which is christ in us , into thee i wholly c plunge my self , do with me what thou pleasest . amen . a prayer in temptation under the crosse of christ , at that time when all our enemies assault us , and when we are persecuted and hated , * in the spirit of christ , and slandered and reproached as evill doers . poore man that i am , i walke full of anguish and trouble , in my pilgrimage into my native country again , from whence i came [ in adam , ] and goe through the thistles and thornes of this world , to thee againe . o god my father : the thornes teare me on every side , and i am afflicted and despised by my enemies : they scorne my soule , and despise it as an evill doer , who hath broken the faith with them , they despise my walking towards thee , & account it foolish : they thinke i am senselesse , because i walke in this thorny way , and goe not along with them in their hypocriticall way . o lord jesus christ , i flie to thee under the crosse ; o deare immanuel receive me , and carry me into thy selfe through the path of thy pilgrimage ( in which thy selfe didst walke in this world ) viz. through thy incarnation , poverty , reproach and scorne ; also through thy anguish , passion and death . make me like unto thy image : send thy good angel along with me to shew me the way through the horrible thorny wildernesse of this world : assist me in my misery ; comfort me with that comfort wherewith the angel comforted thee in the garden when thou didst pray to thy father , and didst sweat drops of bloud : sustaine me in my anguish and perfecution , under the reproach of the devills and all wicked men , that know not thee , but refuse to walke in thy way : o great love of god , they know not thy way , and doe this in blindnesse , through the deceit of the devill ; have pitty on them , and bring them out of blindnesse into the light , that they may learne to know themselves , and how they lie captive in the filth and mire of the devill in a darke e dungeon , fast bound with three chaines . o great god , have mercy upon adam and his children , redeeme them in christ the new adam . i flie to thee o christ , god and man , in this f pilgrimage , which i must passe in this darke valley , every where dispised and troubled , and accounted an ungodly wicked man : o lord it is thy judgement upon me , that my sinnes and inbred vanity may be judged in this pilgrimage before thee , and i , as a curse be made an open spectacle on which thy anger may satiate it selfe , and thereby may take the eternall reproach away from mee . it is the token of thy love , and thereby thou bringest me into the reproach , anguish , suffering and death of my saviour jesus christ , that so i may die from vanity , in my saviour , and spring up in his spirit with my new life through his reproach and ignominie , through his death . i beseech thee o christ thou patient lamb of god grant me patience in my way of the crosse , through all thy anguish & reproach , thy death and passion , thy scorne and contempt upon the crosse , where thou wert despised in my stead ; and bring me therein , as a patient lamb to thee , into thy victory let me live with thee and in thee , and convert my persecutors , which ( unknowne to themselves : ) by their reproaching , sacrifice my vanity and inbred sinnes before thy anger : they know not what they doe , they thinke they doe me harme , but they doe me good , they doe that for me , which i should doe my selfe before thee . i should daily lay open and acknowledge my g shame before thee , and thereby sinke my selfe downe into the death of thy beloved sonne , that my shame might die in his death : but i being too too negligent , weary , faint , and feeble , therefore thou usest h them in thy anger , to open and discover my i vilenesse before thy anger , which thy wrath taketh hold of , and sinketh it downe into the death of my saviour . o mercifull god , my vaine flesh cannot know , how well thou intendest towards me , when thou sufferest my enemies to take my vilenesse from me and sacrifice it before thee : my earthly minde supposeth , that thou afflictest me for my sinnes , and i am extreamely perplexed at it ; but thy spirit in my inward new man telleth me , that it is of thy love towards me , that thou intendest good to me by it , when thou sufferest my enemies to persecute me , it is best for me , that they performe the worke in my stead , and unfold my sins before thee in thy anger , that it may swallow them up , that they may not follow me into my native countrey : for k they are strong and lusty still in thy anger , & therefore can do it better then i that am feeble & fainting already in the will of vanity : this thou knowest fulwell o thou righteous god i beseech thee therefore o righteous god , since thou usest them as servants to me , to doe so good an office for me ; though my earthly reason knoweth it not ; that thou wouldest make them also to know my way ; and send them also such servants , but yet before hand bring them to the light , that they may know thee and give thee thanks . o mercifull god in christ jesus ( in my knowledge ) i beseech thee , out of thy deepe love towards us poore men which thou hast manifested in me , in the hidden man , call us all in thee , to thee . o stirre thy selfe in us yet once in this last trouble , thy anger being kindled in us , doe thou resist thy anger in us , least it swallow us up both soule and body . o thou dawning of the l day-spring of god , breake forth to the full , art thou not already risen ? manifest thy holy city zion , thy holy jerusalem in us . o great god! i see thee in the depth of thy power and strength : awaken me wholly in thee , that i may be quickned in thee : breake off the tree of thy anger in us , and let thy love spring forth and bud in us . o lord , i lie downe in thy sight , and beseech thee , not to rebuke us in thine anger ; are we not thy possession , which thou hast purchased ? forgive all of us our sinnes , and deliver us from the enmity of thy wrath , and from the reproach and envy of the devill , and bring us under thy crosse in patience into paradise againe . amen . here followeth a prayer or dialogue betweene the poore soule and the noble virgine sophia , in the inward ground of man , viz. betweene the spirit of christ in the new birth out of his humanity in us , and the soule , shewing how great a joy there is in the heaven of the new regenerate man , and how lovingly and graciously the noble sophia presenteth her selfe to her bridegrome the soule , when it entreth into repentance , and how the soule behaveth it selfe towards her , when virgine sophia appeareth to it . the gates of the paradisicall garden of roses . this is understood by none but the children of christ , who have knowne it by experience . when christ the corner-stone , stirreth himselfe in the extinguished image of man , in his hearty conversion and repentance , then virgine sophia appeareth in the stirring of the spirit of christ , in the extinguished image , in her virgines-attire before the soule : at which the soule is so amazed and astonished in its uncleanesse , that all its sinnes immediately awake in it , and tremble and shake before her . for then the judgement passeth upon the sinnes of the soule , so that it even goeth backe in its unworth inesse , and is ashamed in the presence of its faire love , and entreth into it selfe , denying it selfe as utterly unworthy to receive such a jewell . this is understood by them who are of our tribe , who have tasted this jewell , and to none else . but the noble sophia draweth neare in the essence of the soule , and kisseth it friendly , and * tinctureth the darke fire of the soule with her rayes of love , and shineth through the soule with her kisse of love : then the soule skippeth in its body for great joy , in the strength of this virgine-love , triumphing , and praysing the great god , in the strength of the noble sophia . i will set downe here a short description , how it is , when the bride embraceth the bridegroome : for the consideration of the reader , who perhaps hath not yet beene in this place where the bride embraceth her bridegroome ; it may be , he will be desirous to follow us , and to enter into the place where men dance with ‖ sophia . when that which is before mentioned cometh to passe , the soule rejoyceth in its body , and saith , i. prayse , thanksgiving , strength , honour and glory , be to thee o great god , in thy power and sweetenesse , for that thou hast redeemed me from the driver of anguish : o thou faire love ! my heart embraceth thee , where hast thou beene so long ? me thought i was in hell in the anger of god. o gracious love , abide with me i beseech thee , and be my joy and comfort : leade me in the right way , i give my selfe up into thy love ; i am darke before thee , doe thou enlighten me . o noble love , give me thy sweet pearle , put it i pray thee into me . o great god in christ jesus , i praise and magnifie thee now in thy truth , in thy great power and glory , for that thou hast forgiven me my sinnes , and filled me with thy strength . i shout for joy before thee in my life , and extoll thee in thy firmament [ of heaven , ] which none can open but thy spirit in thy mercy : my bones rejoyce in thy strength , and my heart * delighteth in thy love . thanks be to thee for ever , for that thou hast delivered me out of hell , and turned death into life in me : o sweet love ! let me not depart from thee againe ; grant me thy garland of pearle , and abide in me : o be my peculiar possession , that i may rejoyce in thee for ever . upon this , virgine sophia sayth to the soule . my noble bridegroome , my strength and power , you are a thousand times welcome , why hast thou forgotten me so long , that i have beene constrained in great griefe to stand without the doore and knocke ? have i not alwayes called thee and entreated thee : but thou hast turned away thy countenance from me , and thy eares declined my territories : thou couldest not see my light , for thou didst walke in the valley of darknesse : i was very neare thee , and intreated thee continually , but thy sinne held thee captive in death , so that thou knowest me not : i came to thee in great humility and called thee , but thou wert rich in the power of the anger of god , and didst not regard my humility and lowlynesse : thou hadst taken the devill to be thy paramour , he hath desiled thee thus , and built up his fort of prey in thee , and turned thee quite away from my love and faith into his hypocriticall kingdome of falshood , wherein thou hast committed much sinne and wickednesse , and broken thy will off from my love , and so broken the bond of wedlock , and set thy love and affection upon a stranger , and suffered me thy bride which god did give thee , to stand alone in the extinguished substance , without the power of thy fiery strength , i could not be joyfull without thy fiery strength , for thou art my husband , my shining [ brightnesse ] is made manifest by thee , thou canst manifest my hidden wonders in thy fiery life , and bring them into majesty : and yet without me thou art but a darke house , wherein is nothing but anguish , and torment , & an odious horrible paine . o noble bridegroome , stand still with thy countenance towards me , and give me thy rayes of fier , bring thy desire into me , and kindle me , and then i will bring the rayes of my love from my meekenesse into thy fiery essence , and kisse thee for ever . o my bridegroome , how well am i , now i am in wedlock with thee ? o kisse me with thy desire in thy strength & power , & then i will shew thee all my beauty , and will rejoyce and delight my selfe with thy sweet love and shining brightnesse in thy fiery life : all the holy angels doe rejoyce with us , to see us now married together againe . my deare love i now intreate thee to abide in my faith , and doe not turne thy face away from me any more , worke thou thy wonders in my love , for which god hath raised thee up . ii. the soule sayth againe to its noble sophia , its love , that is borne againe in the soule . o my noble pearle , and opened flame of my light in my anxious fiery life , o how thou changest me into thy joy ; o beautifull love , i have broken my faith with thee , in my father adam , and with my fiery strength have turned my selfe to the pleasure and vanity of the outward world , and have fallen in love with a stranger , and had been constrained to walke in the valley of darkenesse in this strange love , if thou hadst not come to me into the house of my misery , in thy great faithfullnesse , by thy piercing through and destroying gods anger , hell and darke death , and restored thy meekenesse and love to my fiery life . o sweete love ; thou hast brought the water of eternall life out of the fountaine of god with thee , to me ; and refreshed me in my great thirst : i behold in thee the mercy of god , which was hidden from me before by the strange love : in thee i can rejoyce , thou changest my anguish of fire to be great joy to me . o amiable love , give me thy pearle , that i may continue in this joy for ever . upon this the noble sophia answereth the soule againe , and sayth . my deare love , and faithfull treasure : thou highly rejoycest me in thy beginning : i have indeed broken into thee through the deepe gates of god , through gods anger , through hell and death , into the house of thy misery , and have graciously bestowed my love upon thee , and delivered thee from the chaines and bondes , wherein thou wert fast bound ; i have kept my faith with thee : but thou desirest now an exceeding great thing of me , which i will not willingly venture with thee . thou wouldest have my pearle as thy proper owne ; remember i pray o my beloved bridegroome that thou didst carelesly loose it before in adam , and besides thou standest yet in great danger , and walkest in two dangerous kingdomes . viz. in the originall fire , thou walkest in that countrey , wherein god calleth himselfe a strong zealous god , and a consuming fire . the other kingdome thou walkest in , is the outward world the aire , wherein thou dwellest in the vaine corrupt flesh and bloud , where the pleasure of the world and the assaults of the devill passe over thee every houre , thou mayest perhaps in thy great joy bring earthlynesse againe into my beauty , and darken my pearl ; thou mayest also perhaps grow proud as lucifer did , when he had the pearle in his possession , and so mayest turne thy selfe away from the harmony of god , and then i must afterwards be deprived of my love for ever . i will keepe my pearle in my selfe , and dwell in the heaven in thee , in thy extinguished , but now in me revived , humanity , and reserve my pearle for paradise , untill thou puttest away this earthlynesse from thee , and then i will give it thee to possesse . but i will readily afford , and present my countenance to thee , and the sweete rayes of the pearle : during the time of this earthly life . i will dwell with the pearle in the inner quire , and be thy faithfull loving bride , i will not espouse my selfe o with thy earthly flesh , for i am a heavenly queene , my kingdome is not of this world : yet i will not cast thy outward life away , but visite it often with my rayes of love , for thy outward humanity shall returne againe ; but i will not have the beast of vanity , neither did god create it in adam with a purpose to have it so grosse and earthly , but in adam thy desire through lust , formed this beastiall grossenesse from and with all the essences of the awakened vanity of the earthly property wherein heate and cold , paine , enmity and p dissolution consisteth . now my deare love & bridegroome yeeld but thy selfe up into my will ; i will not forsake thee in this earthly life , in thy danger ; though the anger of god should passe upon thee , so that thou shouldest grow affrighted and disheartened ▪ or shouldest thinke that i had forsaken thee ; yet i will be with thee and preserve thee , for thou thy selfe knowest not what thine office is ; thou must in this time worke and beare fruite ; thou art the roote of this tree , branches must be produced out of thee , which must all be brought forth in anguish : but i come forth together with thy branches in their sappe , and bring forth fruite upon thy boughes : and thou knowest it not ; for the most high hath so ordered that i should dwell with and in thee . involve thy selfe therefore into patience , and take heede of the pleasure of the flesh , breake the will and desire thereof , bridle it as an unruly horse , & then i will often visit thee in thy fiery essence , & give thee my kisse of love , and bring a garland for thee out of paradise with me , for a token of my love , and put it upon thee , in which thou shalt rejoyce ; but i give thee not my pearle for a possession during this time : thou must continue in resignation , and hearken what the lord playeth in thy harmony in thee : moreover thou must give sound and essence to thy tune out of my strength and vertue : for thou art now a messenger of his mouth , and must set forth his praise and glory . for this cause i have now contracted my selfe a-new with thee , and set my triumphant garland upon thee , which i have gotten in the battell against the devill and death , but the crowne of pearle wherewith i crowned thee , i have layd that aside for thee , thou must weare it no more , till thou art become pure in my fight . iii the soule sayth further to the noble sophia . o thou faire and sweet consort , what shall i say before thee , let me be onely commended unto thee , i cannot preserve my selfe : if thou wilt not now give me thy pearle , i leave it to thy will ; give me but thy rayes of love , and carry me through this pilgrimage . awake thou and bring forth what thou wilt in me , i will from henceforth be thy owne , i will or desire nothing for my selfe , but what thou thy selfe wilt through me ; i had fooled away thy sweete love , and not keept my faith with thee ; whereby i was fallen into eternall punishment : but seeing of love , thou art come to me înto the anguish of hell , and hast delivered me from torment , and received me againe for thy consort , i will now therefore breake my will , for thy loves sake , and be obedient unto thee , & waite for thy love : i am satisfied now , that i know thou art with me in all my troubles , and wilt not forsake me . o gracious love i turne my fiery countenance to thee , o faire crowne , fetch me quickly into thee , & bring me forth frō unquietnesse , i will be thine for ever , and never depart from thee . the noble sophia answereth the soule very comfortably , & sayth . my noble bridegroome be of good comfort , i have bethrothed thee to me in my highest love , and contracted me with thee in my faithfulnesse : i will be with thee and in thee alwayes to the end of the world ; i will come to thee and make my dwelling in thee , in thy inner quier : thou shalt drinke of my fountaine , for now i am thine and thou art mine , the enemy shall not seperate us ; worke thou in thy fiery property , and i will put my rayes of love into thy working : we will plant & manure the vineyard of jesus christ ; afford thou the essence of fire , & i will afford the essence of light and the increase : be thou the fire , & i will be the water , & we will performe that in this world for which god hath ordained us , & we will serve him in his temple which we our selves are . amen . to the reader . beloved reader , count not this an uncertaine fiction , it is the true ground , and it comprehendeth in it all the holy scripture : for the booke of the life of jesus christ is plainely set forth therein , as it hath beene certainely knowne by the author himselfe , for it hath beene his ‖ way [ that he hath gone ] he giveth thee the best [ jewell ] that he hath ; god grant his blessing [ with it : ] an heavy sentence and judgement is gone forth against the mocker of this . be thou therefore warned [ that thou maist avoid the danger , and receive the blessing . ] a morning prayer , commending our selves to god when we rise , before we suffer any other thing to enter into us . blesse me o god , the father , son , and holy ghost , thou onely true god. i thanke thee through jesus christ our lord and saviour , for thy protection and all other benefits : i now commend my selfe both body and soule , and all that thou hast set me to doe in my * employment ; into thy protection : be thou the beginning of my † conceptions , of my seekings and endeavours in all my doings ; worke thou so in me , that i may begin all things to the glory of thy name , and accomplish them in thy love for the good and service of my neighbour : send thy good angell along with me , to turne the venomous rayes of the devill and corrupt nature away from me : preserve me from the desire of all evill men , make all my enemies favourable to me , and bring my minde into thy vineyard , that i may labour in my office and employment , and worke as thy obedient servant therein : and blesse me and all that i am to goe about and doe , with the blessing of thy love and mercy : ( continue thy grace and love in jesus christ upon me , and give me a mind , cheerefully to follow thy wonders ; let thy holy spirit guide me in my beginning , and so on to my last end , and be my willing and working , and accomplishing , in me . amen . an evening prayer . i lift my heart to thee , o god thou fountaine of eternall life , and give thee thanks through jesus christ thy beloved sonne our lord & saviour , for that thou hast stood by me , and preserved me this day in my condition and employment from all mischiefe [ that might have befallen me ] i commend now to thy disposing my condition and employment and the worke of my hands ; and humbly flie with my soule to thee : worke thou so in my soule , that neither that wicked enemy , nor any other influence and desire , may come or sticke fast in my soule : let my minde onely delight in thee in thy temple , and let thy good angel stay with me , that i may rest safely in thy power and strength : amen . revel . 21. 6. i am α and ω , the beginning and the end , i will give unto him that is a thirst , of the fountaine of the water of life freely . he that overcommeth shall inherit all , and i will be his god and hee shall be my sonne . the end of the first booke . the second book treating of true resignation . how man must daily die in his owne will , in selfe : and how he must bring his desire into god , what he should ask and desire of god : also how he must spring up out of the dying of the sinfull man , with a new mind and will through the spirit of christ. also , what the old and new man is , and what either of them is in life , will , and doings . written in the german language , anno 1622 ▪ by jacob behmen . alias , teutonicus philosophus . london , printed by m. s. for h. blunden , at the castle in corn-hill . 1647. matth. 16. 24. mark 8. 34. luke 9. 23. john 12. 26. christ saith , hee that wil follow me , let him deny himselfe , and take up his crosse , and follow me. matth. 9. 27. mark 10. 28. luke 18. 28. peter saith to christ , behold , we have forsaken all , and followed thee . of true resignation . chap. i. we have a cleare example in lucifer , and also in adam the first man , of what selfe doth , when it getteth the light of nature to be its owne , and may walke with the understanding in its owne dominion : we see it also in men learned in arts and sciences that when they get the light of this outward world or nature into the possession of their reason , nothing cometh of it but pride of themselves . and yet all the world so vehemently desireth and seeketh after this light as the best treasure ; and it is indeed the best treasure this world affords , if it be rightly used . secondly , but while selfe , viz. reason is ensnared and fast bound in a close and strong prison , viz : in the anger of god , and in earthlynesse ; it is very dangerous for a man to make use of the light of knowledge in selfe , as if it were in the possession of selfe . thirdly , for the wrath of the eternall and temporary nature will soone take pleasure in it , and then selfe , and a mans owne reason , will rise up in pride , and breake it selfe off from the true re●igned humility towards god , and will no more eate of the fruite of paradise , but of the property of selfe , viz. of that dominion of life , wherein good and evill are mixt : as lucifer and adam did ; who both entred with the desire of selfe , into the originall againe , out of which the creatures were brought forth , and entred into [ the condition of the ] creatures : lucifer into the center and wrathfull nature , into the * matrix of the fire , and adam into the earthly nature , into the matrix of the outward world , viz. into the lust after good and evill . fourthly , which happened to them both , because they had the light of understanding shining in selfe , wherein they could behold themselves , by which the spirit of selfe , went into the imagination , ( viz. into a desire to get the center , ) that they might exalt themselves , and so grow great , potent and more skilfull : now when lucifer sought after the mother of fire in his center , and thought to raigne therewith over the love of god , and all the angels ; and when adam also desired to trie in the essence , [ what it was in ] the mother , from whence evill and good did spring , and brought his desire into her , of purpose to become skilfull and full of understanding thereby ; both lucifer and adam were captivated thereby in their evill * desire in the mother , and did breake off themselves from resignation ( which proceedes from god ) and so were captivated by the spirit of the will , by the desire , in the mother , which desire immediately did get the dominion in nature , and so lucifer stucke fast in the wrathfull source of fire , and that fire became manifest in the spirit of his will , whereby the creature in its desire became an enemy to the love and meekenesse of god. fifthly , so also adam was immediately caught by the earthly mother , which is evill and good , created out of the love and anger of god , & made one substance , upon which the earthly property immediately got the dominion in adam , and from thence heate and cold , envy and anger , and all malice and contrariety against god , became manifest , and did beare rule in him . sixthly , but if they had not brought the light of knowledge into selfe , then the glasse of the knowledge of the center , and of the originall of the creature , viz. of the power of it selfe had not been manifested , from whence the imagination and lust did arise . 7 as also we see now a dayes it bringeth danger upon the enlightned children of god , so that when the sunne of the great presence of gods holinesse shineth , by which the life passeth into triumph , and then reason beholdeth it selfe therein , ( as in a glasse , ) and the will goeth on in selfe , viz. in its owne searching , and will trie [ what ] the center [ is ] out of which the light shineth , and will of it selfe force it selfe into it , from whence ariseth abominable pride and selfe love , so that o its owne reason ( which is but a mirrour or glasse of the eternal [ wisedome , ] supposeth it selfe to be greater then it is , and then whatsoever its [ reason ] doth , it thinketh gods will doth it , in it , and that it is a prophet , and yet is but in it selfe , and goeth on in its owne desire , in which the center of nature suddenly raiseth it selfe a loft , and entreth into that owne selfe desire of falshood against god , and so the will entreth into selfe-conceitednesse . 8 and then the flattering devill entreth into * it , and fifteth the center of nature , and bringeth * evill desires into it , so that a man becomes as it were drunken in selfe , and perswadeth himselfe that he is driven by god : by which the good beginning , ( wherein the divine light did shine in nature , ) cometh to be spoyled , and so the light of god departeth from him . 9 yet then the outward light of the outward nature remaineth shiing in the creature ( for its owne selfe throweth it selfe thereinto ) and then supposeth that it is still the first light of god , ( but it is not so : ) and into this selfe-conceitednesse , in the light of its outward reason , the devill throweth himselfe againe ( though in the first light , which was divine , he was forced to depart ) returning with a seven-fold desire , of which christ spake , saying , when the uncleane spirit departeth out of a man , he wandreth through dry places seeking rest & findeth none , and then he taketh to himselfe seven spirits worse then himselfe , and returneth to his first house , & findeth it swept & garnished , and then he dwelleth therein , and so it is worse with the man then it was before . 10 this house , that is thus swept and garnished , is the light of reason in selfe : for if a man bring his desire and will into god , and goeth on in abstinence from this wicked life , and desireth the love of god , then that love will manifest it selfe to him with its most friendly and chearefull countenance , by which the outward light also is kindled ; for where the light of god is kindled , there all will be light , the devill cannot stay there , he must depart thence : and then he searcheth through the mother of the originall of life , viz. the center , but it is become a dry * feeble place : the anger of god , viz. the center of nature , is in its owne property altogether * feeble , leane and dry , and cannot get the dominion , in the wrathfull property . satan searcheth through these places to finde an open gate to enter with the desire , & so sift the soul that it might [ come to ] exalt it selfe . 11 and now if the spirit of the will of the creature , doe throw it selfe with the light of reason into the center , viz. into selfe , and entreth into selfe-conceitednesse , then it goeth forth againe from the light of god : and then the devill findeth an open gate for him to enter in at , and a garnished house to dwell in , viz. the light of reason : and then he taketh to himselfe the seven o formes of the property of life in selfe , viz. the flatterers which are departed from god into selfe . and there he entreth and putteth his desire into the lust of selfe , and evill imaginations : wherein the spirit of the will beholdeth it selfe in the formes of the properties of life , in the outward light , and there that man sinketh into himselfe , as if he were drunk , and then the stars lay hold on him , & bring their strong constellations into him , * that he might seek the wonders of god there , that so they may manifest themselves therein : for all creatures groane , and long after god. and though the starres cannot apprehend the spirit of god , yet they had rather have a house of light wherein they may rejoyce , then a house shut up , wherein they can have no quiet . 12 then this man goeth on , as if he were drunke in [ the light of the outward reason : which is called ] the starres , and apprehendeth great and wonderfull things , and hath a continuall guide in them : and then the devill presently observeth , where any gate standeth open for him , where he may kindle the center of life , that so the spirit of the will may mount aloft in pride , in selfe conceit , or covetousnesse ; from whence selfearrogancy ariseth , the will of reason desiring to be honoured : for it supposeth it hath attained the summe of all happinesse , when it hath gotten the light of reason , and can judge the o house that is shut up , which neverthelesse god can well unlocke ; he now supposeth , that the honour is due to him , because he hath gotten the understanding of reason , and never considereth that the devill maketh himselfe merry with his desire in his seven formes of life , of the center of nature , nor what abominable errour he setteth up . 13 from this understanding , false babell is brought forth in the christian church on earth ; where men rule and teach by the conclusions of reason , and have set the childe ( which is drunke in its owne pride and selfecovetousnesse , ) as a faire virgine upon the throne . 14 but the devill is entred into its seven formes of life of the center , viz. into its owne selfe [ conceited ] reason , & continually bringeth his desire into this trimmed virgin : which the starres receive . hee is her beast on which shee rideth well adorned in her owne forces of life , as may be seene in the revelations ; thus it hath taken into possession the outward glance of divine holinesse , viz. the light of reason , and supposeth it selfe to be the faire childe in the house , but the devill hath his lodging within it . 15 and thus it is with all these that have beene once enlightened by god , and after goe forth againe from true resignation , and weane themselves from the true milke of their mother : viz. true humility . the way which a true christian must follow . 16 reason will object and say : is it not right for a man to attaine the light of god , and also the light of the outward nature and reason , that he may be able to order his life wisely , as the scripture sayth ? 17 yes it is very right , nothing can be more profitable to a man , neither can any better thing happen to him ; nay it is a treasure above all earthly treasures , for a man to have the light of god and of time , for it is the eye of time and of eternity . 18 but marke how thou oughtest to use it ; the light of god first manifesteth it selfe in the soule , it shineth forth , as light from a candle , and kindleth the outward light of reason immediately : yet it yeeldeth not it self wholly up to reason to be under the dominion of the outward man ; no , the outward man beholdeth himselfe in this , through shining lustre as he doth his likenesse in a looking-glasse ; he presently learneth to know himselfe , which is good and profitable for him . 19 and when he doth so , reason , which is the creaturely selfe , cannot doe better then to behold it selfe in the selfe of the creature , nor to enter with the will of the desire into the center , in seeking it selfe , if it doe , it breaketh it selfe off from the substance of god , ( which riseth together with the light of god , of which the soule ought to eate , and refresh it selfe therewith , ) and eateth of the outward substance and light , and thereby draweth the venome into it selfe againe . 20 the will of the creature ought to sinke wholly into it selfe with all its reason and desire , accounting it selfe an unworthy childe , that is no whit worthy of this so high a grace , nor should it arrogate any knowledge or understanding to it selfe , or desire and begge of god to have any understanding in its creaturely selfe : but sincerely and simply sinke it selfe into the grace and love of god in christ jesus , and desire to be as it were dead to it selfe , and its owne reason in the divine life , and wholly resigne it selfe to the life of god in love , that he may doe how and what he will with it , as with his owne instrument . 21 it s owne reason ought not to enter upon any speculation in divine , or in the ground , [ or foundation ] of humane matters ; nor to will and desire any thing but the grace of god in christ ; and as a child continually longeth after the breasts of the mother , so must its hunger continually enter into the love of god , and not suffer it selfe to be broken off from this hunger by any meanes , when the outward reason triumpheth in the light , saying ; i have the true child ; but then the will of the desire must bow it selfe downe to the earth , and bring it selfe into the deepest humility and simple ignorance , and say ; thou art foolish , and hast nothing , but the grace of god : thou must wrap thy selfe up into that , with great humility , and become nothing at all in thy selfe ; and neither know nor love thy selfe ; all that thou hast , or is in thee must esteeme it selfe as nothing , but a meere instrument of god , and then must bring the desire onely into gods mercy , and goe forth from all thy owne knowing and willing , and esteeme it as nothing at all , nor must thou ever entertaine any will to enter into it againe . 22 as soone as this is done , the naturall with entreth into weakenesse , and then the devill is not able to fift it thus any more with his * evil desire , for the places of his rest become very o weake and drie , and then the holy spirit [ proceeding ] from god , taketh possession of the formes of life , and maketh his dominion prevaile , viz. he kindleth the formes of life with his flames of love ; and then the high skill and knowledge of the center of all * things ariseth , according to the inward and outward constellation of the creature , in a very subtile drying fire , with great delight , and desire to sinck downe into that light , and esteeme it selfe nothing ; and thinketh it self to be unworthy of it . 23. and thus it s own desire pierceth into that nothing ( viz. into that wherein god createth , ) and doth what hee will therein : and the spirit of god springeth forth through the desire of the resigned humility : and so the humane self immediately followeth the spirit of god in trembling and joy of humility ; and so it may behold what is in time and eternity ; for all is present before it . 24. when the spirit of god riseth up as a fire and the flame of love , then the spirit of the soule descendeth , and saith : lord , glory be to thy name , not to me ; thou art able to take vertue power strength wisdom & knowledge : doe as thou wilt , i can doe nothing , i know nothing ; i will goe no whither , but whither thou leadest me as thy instrument , doe thou in me and with me what thou wilt . 25. in such an humble and totall resignation , the spark of divine power falleth into the center of the forms of life ( as a spark into tinder ) and kindleth it , viz. the o fire of the soule , ( which adam made to be a dark coale in himselfe , ) so that it glimmereth . and when the light of divine power hath kindled it selfe therein , the creature must goe on as an instrument of gods spirit , and speak what the spirit of god p telleth it : and then it is no more in its own proper possession , but it is the instrument of god. 26. but the will of the soule must without ceasing , in this fiery-driving sink into nothing , viz. into the deepest humility in the sight of god. for no sooner doth the will of the soule in the least measure goe on in its own speculation , or searching , but lucifer layeth hold of it in the center of the formes of life , and sifteth it , so that it entreth into selfe : it must therefore continue close to resigned humilith , as a well doth to its fountain , & must suck and drink of gods fountain , and not depart from the wayes of god at all . 27. for , as soon as the soule eateth of selfe , and of the light of outward reason , it goeth on in its own opinion ; and then its doings , which it sets forth for divine , are but from the outward constellation , which presently then layeth hold on the soule , and maketh it dry , and then the soule goeth on in errours , till it yeeld it selfe up again into resignation , and acknowledging it selfe anew to be a defiled child , resisteth reason , and so getteth the love of god again , which is harder to doe now , then it was at first : for the devill brîngeth in strong doubts , he will not easily leave his fort of prey . 28. this may be seen clearly in the saints of god from the beginning of the world ; that many who have been driven by the spirit of god , have yet oftentimes departed from resignation into selfe , viz. into their owne reason and will , in which satan hath cast them into sins , and into the anger of god , as appeareth by david & solomon , also by the patriarchs , prophets , and apostles , who have oftentimes committed great errours , when they have departed from resignation into selfe , viz. into their own reason and lust . 29. therefore it is necessary for the children of god to know how to behave themselves when they will learn the way of god. they must beat down & cast away their very thoughts , and desire nothing , nor have the least will to learn any thing , unlesse they find themselves to be in true resignation , so that gods spirit , leadeth , teacheth , and guideth mans spirit , and that the humane will which is addicted to it self , be wholly broken off from its own lust , and resigned in god. 30. all speculation in the wonders of god , is very dangerous , for the spirit of the will may soon be captivated therewith ; unlesse the spirit of the will goeth or walketh after the spirit of god , and then it hath power in the resigned humility to behold the wonders of god. 31 i doe not say that a man should search and learn nothing in naturall arts and sciences ; no , for it is profitable for him , but a man must not begin with his own reason : man ought not onely to govern his life by the light of outward reason , which is good in it selfe ; but he must sink with that light into the deepest humility before god , and set the spirit and will of god first in all his searching , so that the light of reason may see through the light of god. and though reason doe know much , it must not arrogate to it selfe as if it were in its own possession , but give glory to god , to whom alone wisdome and knowledge doth belong . 32. for the more , reason , sinketh it selfe down into simple humility in the sight of god , and the more unworthy it accounts it selfe in its sight , the more it dieth from self-desire , and the more the spirit of god pierceth through it , and bringeth it into the highest knowledge ; so that it may behold the great wonders of god. for the spirit of god worketh onely in resigned humility , in that which neither seeketh nor desireth it selfe . the spirit of god taketh hold of whatsoever desireth to be simple and lowly before him , and bringeth it forth in his wonders ; he hath pleasure onely in those that feare and bow themselves before him . 33. for god hath not created us for our selves onely , but to be instruments of his wonders , by which he desireth to manifest his wonders . the resigned will trusteth god , and expecteth all good from him ; but self-will ruleth it selfe , for it is broken off from god. all that self-will doth is sinne , and against god , for it is gone out of that order ( wherein god created it ) into disobedience , and desireth to be its own lord and master . 34. when its own will dieth from it selfe , then it is free from sinne ; for it desireth nothing but that which god desireth of his creature ; it desireth onely to doe that for which god hath created it , and that which god will doe by it ; and though it is and must bee the doing , yet it is but the instrument of the doing , by which god doth what he will. 35. for this is the true faith in man , viz. to die from himselfe , viz. from his own desire ; and in all his beginnings and designes , to bring his desire into the will of god , and arrogate the doing of nothing to himselfe , but esteem himselfe in all his doings , to be but a servant or minister of god , and to think that all he doth , or goeth about , is for god ; for in such an intention the spirit of god leadeth him into true uprightnesse and faithfulnes towards his neighbour : for he thinketh thus with himselfe : i doe my work not for my self , but for god , who hath called and ordained me to doe it , as a servant in his vineyard : hee listeneth continually after the voyce of his master , who within him commandeth him what hee shall doe : the lord speaketh in him , and biddeth him doe it . 36. but selfe doth what outward reason from the starres commandeth , into which reason the devill bringeth himselfe flying in with his desire . all what ever selfe doth , îs without the will of god , and it is done altogether in the phantasie , that the anger of god may accomplish its pastime therewith . 37. no work which is done without the will of god , can reach the kingdome of god , it is all but an unprofitable * imagery in this great turmoyling of mankind : for nothing is pleasing to god , but what he himselfe doth by the will , [ as his instrument . ] for there is but one onely god in the essence of all essences , and all that which worketh with him in that essence , is one spirit with him : but that which worketh in it selfe in its own will , is in it selfe without [ being under ] his dominion ; it is indeed [ under ] or in that dominion wherewith he ruleth every life , but not in [ or under ] that holy divine government in himselfe , but in the dominion of nature , wherewith he governeth evill and good , nothing is divine , which walketh and worketh not in the will of god. 38 christ saith , every plant which my heavenly father hath not planted , shall be rooted out , and burnt in the fire : all the works of man which hee hath wrought without the will of god , shall bee burnt up in the last fire of god , and given to the wrath of god , viz. to the pit of darknesse to recreate it selfe withall : for christ saith , hee that is not with me is against me , and he that gathereth not with me , scattereth . whosoever worketh , and doth it not in a resigned will , with confidence in god , he doth but make desolate and scatter , it is not acceptable to god ; nothing is pleasing to him but that which himselfe willeth with his spirit , and doth himselfe by his own instrument . 39. therefore whatsoever is done by the conclusions of humane selfe , in matters of the divine will , and knowledge , is a meere fiction , or fable , and it is babel , and is but a worke of the starres , and of the outward world , and not ackowledged by god to be his work ; but it is the play of the wrastling wheele of nature , wherein good and evill wrastle one with the other , what the one buildeth , the other destroyeth . and this is the great misery of vain turmoylings , all which belongeth to the judgement of god to decide the quarrell . 40. whosoever therefore worketh or laboureth much in such turmoylings , he worketh but for the judgement of god : for no whit of it is perfect and * permanent , ît must all be separated in the putrifaction . for that which is wrought in the anger of god , will be received thereby , and shall be kept in the mystery of its desire , to the day of gods judgement , where evill and good shall be severed . 41. but if a man turn and go forth from himself , and enter into the will of god , then also that good which he hath wrought in himself , shall be freed from the evill which he hath wrought . for isaiah saith , though your sins be as red as scarlet , if yee turne and repent , they shall become as wooll , white as snow : for the evill shall be swallowed up in the wrath of god into death , and the good shal goe forth as a sprout out of the wild earth . chap. ii. 1. whosoever intendeth to work any thing that is good and perfect , wherein he hopeth eternally to rejoyce , and enjoy it , let him depart from himselfe , viz. from his own desire , and enter into resignation , into the will of god , and work with god : and though the earthly desire of selfe in flesh and bloud cleaveth to him , yet if the will of the soule doe not receive that desire into it , self cannot perform any work : for the resigned will continually destroyeth the being of selfe againe , so that the anger of god cannot reach it ; but if it should happen to reach it sometime , as it may so come to passe , yet the resigned will prevaileth with its power , and then it beareth the figure of a victorious work in the wonders , and may inherit the * filiation . therefore it is not good to speake or doe any thing , when reason is kindled in the desire of selfe ; for then the desire worketh in the anger of god , by which a man would suffer losse : for his work is brought into the anger of god , and kept there to the great day of gods judgement . 2. every * evill desire , whereby a man thinketh craftily to gather to himselfe much of the world from his neighbour , to the hurt of his neighbour ; is taken into the anger of god , and belongeth to the judgement , wherein all things shall be made manifest , and every power , and * essence , both in good and evill , shall be presented to every one in the mystery of the revelation . 3. all evill workes done purposely ; belong to the judgement of god : but he that turneth , hee goeth out from them , and those his works belong to the fire . all things , shall and must be made manifest in the end : for therefore god brought his working power into essence , that the love and anger of god might be made manifest , and be a representation of gods deeds of wonder , to his glory . 4. and every creature must know , that it should continue in that [ condition ] wherein it was created , or else it doth run on into a contrary will , and into enmity to the will of god , and bringeth it selfe into pain : for a creature which is created of darknesse , hath no pain in the darknesse : as a venomous worm hath no pain in its venome , the venome is its life ; and if it should lose its venome , and have some good thing in stead thereof brought into it , and be made manifest in its essence , this would bee pain and death to it , and so also the evill is pain and death to the good . 5. man was created of , for , and in paradise ; of , for , and in the love of god ; but if hee bring himselfe into anger , which is as a poysonous pain and death ; then that contrary life is a pain and torment to him . 6. if the devill had been created of the wrathfull matrix , for , and in hell , and had not had the divine * ens , he could have no pain in hell : but he being created for , and in heaven , and yet did stirre up the source or property of darknesse in himselfe , and did bring himselfe totally into darknesse ; therefore the light is now a pain to him , viz. an everlasting despairing of gods grace , and a continuall enmity ; being god cannot endure him in himselfe , but hath spewed him out : and therefore the devill is angry and wrathfull against his own mother , ( of whose essence and being he hath his originall , ) viz. the eternall nature , which keepeth him prisoner in his own place , as a revolter , or fallen spirit , and sporteth it selfe in him , with its property of anger and wrath . and seeing he would not help forward the delight of the divine joy , therefore he must now doe the contrary , and be an enemy against goodnesse . for , of god , and in him , are all things , darknesse and light , love and anger , fire and light ; but hee calleth himselfe god onely , as to the light of his love . 7. there is an eternall contrariety between darknesse and light ; neither of them comprehendeth the other , and neither of them is the other ; yet there is but one onely essence , being , or substance , wherein they subsist : but there is a difference in quality and will , and yet the essence or substance is not divided , but a principle maketh the division ; so that the one is a nothing in the other , and yet , it is there , but not manifest in the property of that thing wherein it is . 8. for the divell continued in his own dominion , or principality , but not in that wherein god created him , but in the aking , painfull birth of eternity , in the center of nature and the property of wrath , in the property which begetteth darknesse , anguish and pain . indeed he is a prince in the place of this world ; yet in the first principle in the kingdome of darknesse , in the pit. * 9. but not in the kingdome of the sunne , starres , and elements , he is no lord or prince therein , but in the wrathfull part , viz. in the root of the evill of every thing , and yet he hath no power to doe what hee pleaseth with it . 10. for there is some good in all things , which holdeth the evill captive , and shut up in the thing ; there he can walk and rule onely in the evill , when it stirreth up an evill desire in it selfe , and bringeth its desire into wickkednesse ; which the inanimate creatures cannot doe : but man can doe it through the inanimate creature , if he bring the center of his will , with the desire out of the eternall center into it , which is an inchantment , and false magick . the will of the devill can also enter into that whereinto man bringeth the desire of his soul ( which is also from the eternall ) in wickednesse . 11. for the originall of the soule , and of angels , out of the eternall , is the same . but the divell hath no power more over the time , [ or temporary condition ▪ of this world , but in the o great turba ; wheresoever that kind leth it selfe in the eternall and naturall wrath , there he is busie , as in warres , fighting and strife , as also in great tempests without water : in the fire he proceedeth as farre as the * turba goeth in great showres and tempests of thunder , lightning and haile ; but he cannot direct them ; for he is not lord or master in them , but servant . 12. thus the creature stirreth up , with the desire , good and evill , life and death . the humane angelicall desire standeth in the center of the eternall nature ( which is without beginning ) and wherein it kindleth it selfe , whether in good or evill , it accomplisheth its work in that . 13. now , god created every thing for , and in that wherein it should be , the angels for and in heaven , and man for and in paradise : if therefore the desire of the creature goe forth from its own mother , then it entreth into the contrary will , and into enmity , and it is tormented with the contrariety therein , and so a false will ariseth in a good : and thence the good will entreth into its nothing again , viz. into the end of nature and creature , and so leaveth the creature in its own [ evill , or ] wickednesse , as appeareth by lucifer and also by adam , and had not the will of the love of god met with him , and of meere mercy entred into the humanity again , there could be no good will in man. 14. therefore all speculation and searching about gods will , is a vain thing , without the mind be converted : for when the mind stādeth captivated in the selfe-desire of the earthly life , it cannot o comprehend [ what ] the will of god [ is , ] it runneth on but in selfe , from one way into another , and yet findeth no rest ; for selfe-desire evermore bringeth disquietnesse : but when it sinketh it selfe wholly into the mercy of god , desiring to die from it selfe , and to have gods will for a guide to the understanding , so that it acknowledgeth and esteemeth it selfe as nothing , and willeth nothing but what god will : and then if the desire of anger in the earthly flesh , goe along or joyneth with the devils imagination , and assaulteth the will of the soule , then the resigned desire crieth to god , and saith , abba , ioving father , deliver me from the evill : and then ( though the earthly wil should grow too strong in the wrath of god by the infection of the devill ) the desire of anger would work but in , or upon it selfe ; as st. paul saith : now , if i sin , i doe it not , but sin that dwelleth in my flesh : also , now i serve the law of god in my mind ; but in my flesh , the law of sinne . paul meaneth not , that the will should consent in the will of the flesh ; but sin is so strong in the flesh ; viz. the awakened anger of god in selfe , that oftentimes it is brought into lust by force , through the * evill provocations of wicked men , or else by beholding worldly pomp and glory , so that it wholly bedeafeth the resigned will , and ruleth by force . 15. now , when sin is wrought in the flesh , then the wrath sporteth it selfe therewith , and catcheth at the resigned will , and then the resigned will crieth to god for deliverance from the evill , and prayeth that god would remove the sinne away from it , aud bring sin into the center , viz. into death , that it might die . 16. and s. paul saith further , now there is no condemnation to those that are in christ jesus , that are called according to the purpose of god , that is , those that in that purpose of god ( in which god called man ) are again called in the same calling , to stand again in that purpose of god , wherein he created man to be his likenesse , and image of him . 17. so long as a mans own will standeth in selfe , so long it is not in the purpose and calling of god , it is not called , for it is gone forth from its own place ; but when the mind turneth it selfe back again into the calling , viz. into resignation , then the will is in the calling of god , viz in the place for , and in which god created it , and then it hath power to become the child of god as it is written , he hath given us power to become the children of god. 18. the power which he hath given us is his purpose , for , and in which he created man in his image , this god hath brought again into the humanity , and he hath given power unto that power , to break the head of sinne in the flesh , viz. the will and desire of the serpent : that is , the resigned will in christ treadeth upon the head of the desire of the sinful wil of the serpent , and killeth again the sins which were committed . this power that is given , becommeth a death to death , and the power of life to life . 19. therefore no man can make any excuse , as if he could not will. indeed , while he sticketh fast in himselfe , in his own desire , and serveth onely the law of sinne in the flesh , he cannot : for he is kept back , as being a servant of sinne ; but when he turneth the center of his mind away , and turneth it into the will and obedience of god ; then he can . 20. now , the center of the mind is [ come ] out of eternity , out of gods omnipotence , it can bring it selfe into what it will , and whither it will : for that which 〈◊〉 out of the eternall , hath no law ; but the will hath a law to obey god , and is born out of the mind , and it must not rent it selfe away from that , out of which god created it ▪ 21. now , god created the will of the mind for and in paradise , to be a companion with him in the kingdom of divine joy , it ought not to have removed it selfe from thence ; but since it hath removed it self from thence , god hath brought his will again into the flesh , & in his new-brought-in will , hath given us power to bring our will into it , and to kindle a new light in it , and so to become his children again . 22. god hardeneth no man ; but his own will , which o goeth on in the flesh of sin ; that hardeneth the mind , viz. the will of self bringeth the vanity of this world into the mind , and so the mind is shut up , and continueth so . 23. god , so far as he is called god , & is god , cannot will any eivll ; for there is but one onely wil● in god , and that is eternall love , a desire of thatwhich is his like , viz. power , beauty , and vertue . 24. god desireth nothing but what is like his desire ; his desire receiveth nothing but what it selfe is . 25. god receiveth no finner into his power and vertue , unlesse the sinner goe forth from his sinnes , and entereth with the desire into him : and he will not cast out them that come unto him ; he hath given to the will an open gate in christ , saying , come unto me all yee that are heavie laden with sinnes , i will refresh you ; take my yoak upon you , that is , the crosse of the enmity in the flesh , which was the yoak of christ , who must beare it for the sinnes of all men . this crosse the resigned will must take upon it , in the evill earthly sinfull flesh , and beare it after christ in patience , in hope of deliverance , and always brea kt he head of the serpent with the resigned will of the soule , in christs will and spirit , and kill and destroy the earthly will in gods anger , and not let it rest on a soft bed when sinne is committed , thinking i wil repent one time or other . 26. no , no , the earthly will groweth strong , fat and wanton upon this soft bed : but so soon as the breath of god shineth in thee , and sheweth sinne to thee , the will of the soul must sink it selfe down into the passion and death of christ , & wrap it selfe up close in it , and take the passion of christ into its possession , and be a lord over the death of sin by the death of christ , and kill it and destroy it in the death of christ. 27. it must die though it be never so unwilling : be at enmity with the voluptuous earthly flesh , give it not what it would have ; let it fast and suffer hunger till its tickling cease ; account the will of the flesh thy enemy , and do not what the desire in the flesh will , and then thou shalt bring a death into the death in the flesh . 28. regard not any scorne of the world , think they doe but scorn thy enemy , and that it is become a foole to them ; nay , doe thou thy selfe account it thy foole , which adam caused thee to have in thee , and suffered to be thy false heire . cast the sonne of the bond-woman out of the house , ( that strange child which god did not give to be in the house of life in adam at the beginning : ) for the son of the bond-woman must not inherit with the son of the free-woman . 29. the earthly will is but the son of the bond-woman : for the foure elements should have been mans servants , but adam hath brought them into * filiation : therefore god said to abraham , when he had opened the covenant of the promise in him : cast out the son of the bond-woman ; for hee shall not inherit with the sonne of the free . this [ sonne of the ] free is christ , which god of his grace hath brought again into the flesh for us , viz. a * new mind , wherein the will , viz. the eternall will of the soul , may draw and drink the water of life , of which christ speaketh , saying : whosoever shall drink of this water that he will give us , it shall spring up in him , and be a fountain of eternall life . this fountaine is the renovation of the mind of the soule , viz. the eternall astrum [ or constellation ] of the eternall nature , viz. of the creaturely property of the soul. 30. therefore i say , that all fictions and devices , to come to god by , let them have what name soever they will , which men contrive and invent for wayes to god , are lost labour and unprofitable , without a new mind there is no other way to god , but a new mind ; which turneth from wickednes , and entreth into repentance for the sinnes it hath committed , and goeth forth from its iniquity , and willeth it no more , but wrappeth its will up in the death of christ , and with all earnestnesse dieth from the sinne of the soule in the death of christ , so that the mind of the soule willeth sinne no more . 31. and although all the devils did follow him hard , and did go with their desire into the flesh , yet the will of the soule should stand still and hide it selfe in the death of christ , willing and desiring nothing but the mercie of god. 32. no hypocriticall flattery , or outward comforting ones self availeth at all , as when men will cover sinne and iniquity in the flesh , with the satisfaction of christ , and remain in self still . christ saith , except ye turn and become as children , yee shall not see the kingdome of god : the mind must become as wholly new as in a child , that knoweth nothing of sinne . christ saith also , ye must be born anew , or else yee shall not see the kingdome of god. there must arise a will wholly new , in the death of christ , it must be brought forth out of christs * entring into the humanity , and rise in christs resurrection . 33. now before this can be done , the will of the soule must dye in the death of christ first ; for in adam it received the son of the bond-woman , viz. sinne into it . this , the will of the soul must first cast out , and the poore captive soule must wrap it selfe up in the death of christ earnestly , with all the power it hath ; so that the sonne of the bond-woman , viz. sin , in it selfe , may dye in the death of christ. 34. truly , sin must dye in the will of the soule , or else there can be no vision of god ; for the earthly will in sinne , and the anger of god , shall not see god : but christ that came into the flesh . the soul must put on the spirit and flesh of christ : it cannot inherit the kingdome of god in this earthly tabernacle ; for the kingdome of sin hangeth to it outwardly , which must putrifie in the earth , and rise again in new power . 35. hypocrifie , flattery , and verball forgivenesse , availeth nothing , we must be children , not by outward imputation , but born of god from within , in the new man , which is resigned in god. 36. all such flattering of our selves , in saying , christ hath paid the ransome , and made satisfaction for sinne , he is dead for our sinnes : if we also do not dye from sinne , in him ; and put on his merit in new obedience , and live therein , all is false , and a vain frivolous comfort . 37. he that is a bitter enemy and hater of sinne , he can and may comfort himselfe with the sufferings of christ ; he that doth not willingly see , hear , nor tast sinne , but is at enmity with it , and would willingly always doe that which is well and right , if he knew but what he ought to doe : he that is such a one , i say , hath put on the spirit and will of christ. 38. the outward flattery of being accounted a child of god by imputation or externall application , is false and vain : the work done in the outward flesh onely , doth not make the child of god , but the working of christ in the spirit , maketh , and is the child of god ; which working is so powerfull in the outward work , that it shineth forth as a new light , and manifesteth it self to be the child of god in the outward work of the flesh . 39. for if the eye of the soule be light , then the whole body is light in all its members . now if any boast himself to be the child of god , and yet suffereth the body to burn in sins , he is not yet capable of being a child , but lieth captive in the fetters of the devill , in great darknesse : and if he doe not find in himselfe an earnest will burning in him , of well-doing in love ; then his pretence is but an invention of reason , proceeding from selfe , which cannot see god , unlesse it be born anew , and shew forth in its power and vertue , that it is his child : for there is no fire but hath light in it : and if the divine fire be in the mind , it will shine forth , and the mind will doe that which god will have done . 40. but perhaps thou wilt say , i have a will indeed to doe so , i would willingly doe it , but i am so hindred , that i cannot ? 41. yes , thou vile man , god draweth thee to be his child , but thou wilt not ; the soft cushion in evill , is dearer to thee then so ; thou preferrest the joy of wickednesse before the joy of god , thou wholly stick'st fast in selfe still , and livest according to the law of sin , and that hindereth thee : thou art unwilling to dye from the pleasure of the flesh , and therefore thou art not in the filiation , and yet god draweth thee to it , but thou thy selfe wilt not . 41. o how fine a thing would adam think it to be , if he might be taken into heaven with this will [ of the voluptuous flesh . ] & to have the child of wickednesse , that is full of deceit , set upon the throne of god. lucifer also would fain have had it so , but he was spewed out . 42. it is a troublesome thing to mortifie the evill will , none are willing to have it so : we would all willingly be the children of god , if we might be so with this * garment , but it cannot be . this world passeth away , and the outward life must dye ; what good can the childhood in the mortall body doe me ? 43. if we would inherit the filiation , we must also put on the new man , which can inherit the filiation , which is like the deity . god wil have no sinner in heaven , but such as are born anew , and become children , which have put on heaven . 44. therefore it is not so easie a matter to become the children of god , as men imagine . indeed it is not a burdensome thing to him that hath put on the filiation , whose light shineth ; for it is joy to him . but to turn the mind , and destroy selfe , there is a strong continual earnestnesse requisite , and such a purpose , that if the body and soule should part asunder by it , yet the will should persevere constantly , and not enter again into selfe . 45. a man must wrastle so long , till the dark center that is shut up so close , break open , and the spark in the center kindle , and from thence immediatly the noble * lilly-branch sprouteth , as from the divine grain of mustard seed , as christ saith . a man must pray earnestly , with great humility , and for a while become a foole in his own reason , and see himselfe as voyd of understanding therin , untill christ be formed in this new incarnation . 46. and then when christ is born , herod is ready to kill the child , which he seeketh to doe outwardly by persecutions , and inwardly by temptations , to try whether this lilly-branch will be strong enough to destroy the kingdome of the devil , which is made manifest in the flesh . 47. then this destroyer of the serpent is brought into the wildernesse , after he is baptized with the holy spirit , and tempted and tried whether he will continue in resignation in the will of god : he must stand so fast , that if need require , hee would leave all earthly things , and even the outward life , to be a child of god. 48. no temporall honour must be preferred before the filiation ; but he must with his will , leave and forsake it all , and not account it his owne , but esteem himselfe as a servant in it onely , in obedience to his master ; hee must leave all worldly propriety . wee doe not mean that hee may not have , or possesse any thing ; but his heart must forsake it , and not bring his will into it , nor count it his own ; if he set his heart upon it , he hath no power to serve them , that stand in need , with it . 49. selfe onely serveth that which is temporary , but resignation hath rule over all that is under it . selfe must doe what the devill will have it to doe in fleshly voluptuousnesse and pride of life : but resignation tteadeth it under with the feet of the mind . selfe despiseth that which is lowly and simple ; but resignation sitteth down with the lowly in the dust : it saith , i will be simple in my selfe , and understand nothing , lest my understanding should exalt it selfe and sin . i will lye down in the courts of my god at his feet , that i may serve my lord in that which he commandeth me : i will know nothing my selfe , that the commandment of my lord may lead and guide mee , and that i may only doe what god doth through me , and will have done by me : i will sleep in my selfe untill the lord awaken mee with his spirit : and if he will not , then will i cry out eternally in him in silence , and wait his commands . 50. beloved brethren , men boast much now-a-dayes , of faith , but where is that faith ? the modern faith is but the history . where is that child , which beleeveth that jesus is borne ? if that child were in being , and did beleeve that jesus is born , it would also draw neere to the sweet child jesus , and receive him , and ●urse him . 51. alas ! the faith now a dayes is but historicall , and a meere knowledge of the story , that the jewes killed him , that hee left this world , that he is not king on earth in the animall man : but that men may doe what they list , and need not dye from sinne , and their evill lusts : all this the wicked child selfe rejoyceth in ▪ that it may fatten the devil by living deliciously . 52 this sheweth plainly , that true faith was never weaker and feebler since christs time , then it is now , when neverthelesse the world cryeth a loud , and saith , we have found the true saith , and contend about a child , so that there was never worse contention since men were on earth . 53. if thou beest zion , and hast that new-born child which was lost and is found again ; then let it be seen in power and vertue , and let us openly see the sweet child jesus brought forth by thee , and that we may see that thou art his nurse : if not , then the children in christ will say , thou hast found nothing but the history , viz. the cradle of the child . 54. where hast thou the sweet child jesus , thou that art exalted with the history , and with thy false and seeming faith ? o how will the child jesus visit thee once in the fathers * property , in thy own turba which thou hast fatted . it calleth thee now in love , but thou wilt not heare : for thy eares are stopt with covetousnesse and voluptuousnesse . therefore the found of the trumpet shall once shiver thee with the hard thunder-clap of thy turba , and awaken thee , if perhaps thou wilt yet seek and finde the sweet child jesus . 55. beloved brethren , this is a time of seeking , of seeking and of finding : it is a time of earnestnesse , whom it toucheth it toucheth home : he that watcheth shall hear and see it ; but he that sleepeth in sin , and saith in the fat dayes of his belly , all is peace and quiet ; we heare no sound from the lord , he shall be blind . but the voyce of the lord hath sounded in all the ends of the earth , and a o smoke riseth , and in the midst of the smoke there is * a great brightnesse and splendor . ha le lu-jah . amen . shout unto the lord in zion : for all mountains and hills are full of his glory : he flourisheth like a green branch , and who shall hinder it ? ha le lu — jah . the end of the 2d book . the third book of regeneration , or , the new-birth . shewing how he that earnestly seeketh salvation , must suffer himself to be brought out of the confused and contentious babel by the spirit of christ , that he may be born anew in the spirit of christ , and live to him onely . written in the german language , anno 1622 , by jacob behmen . alias , teutonicus philosophus . london , printed by m. s. for h. blunden , at the castle in corn-hill . 1648. revel . 18. 4. come out of babylon , my people , that yee bee not partakers of her sinnes , and that yee receive not of her plagues : for her sins have reached unto heaven , and god hath remembred her iniquity . the authors preface to the reader . though i have in my other writings set down a clear description of regeneration , or the new birth , from the ground thereof : yet because ery one hath them not , neither hath every one the capacity to understand them ; i have therefore , as a service , to the simple children of christ , here set down a short-summe concerning the new birth . but if any desire to search the deep ground from whence all floweth , and have the gift to understand it , let them read these books following . i. the there principles of the divine essence . ii. the three-fold life of man. iii. the 40 questions of the originall essence , substance , nature , and property of the soule . iv. the incarnation and birth of jesus christ the sonne of god ; also of his suffering , death and resurrection . v. the six points treating of the three words , how they are in one another as one ; and yet make three principles , viz. three births , or centers . vi. the mysterium magnum , [ which is an interpretation ] upon genesis . and in them he shall find all that he can ask , and that as deep as the mind of man is able to reach . i have written this for the true israelites , ( that is for the hungry and thirsty harts that long after the fountain of christ ) who are my fellow members in the spirit of christ : but not for the ishmaelites and scorners : for they have a book within them , wherewith they vex , persecute , and suppresse the children of christ that are under the crosse ; and yet though it be against their wills , they must be servants to the children of christ ; though indeed they doe not understand so much . of regeneration , chap. i. shewing how man should consider himselfe . 1 christ said , except yee turn , and become as children , yee shal not see the kingdome of god : again , he said to nicodemus , except a man be born a-new , of water and of the spirit , he cannot enter into the kingdom of god : for that which is born of the flesh , is flesh ; and that which is born of the spirit , is spirit . joh. 3. 5 , 6. 2. also the scripture witnesseth plainly , that the fleshly naturall man receiveth not the things of the spirit of god ; for they are foolishnesse unto him , neither can he know them , or conceive them . 3. now , seing that all of us have flesh and bloud , and are mortall , as we see by experience ; and yet the scripture saith , that we are the temple of the holy ghost , who dwelleth in us ; and that the kingdome of god is within us ; and that christ must be formed in us ; also , that he will give us his flesh for food , and his bloud for drink : and saith further , whosoever shall not eat of the flesh of the sonne of man , he hath no life in him . therefore we should seriously consider , what kind of man in us it is , that is capable of being thus like the deity . 4. for it cannot be said of the mortall flesh , that turneth to earth again , and liveth in the vanity of this world , and contînually iusteth against god ; that it is the temple of the holy ghost : much lesse can it be said , that the new-birth commeth to passe in this earthly flesh , which dyeth and putrifieth , and is a continuall house of sin . 5. yet seeing it remaineth true , that a true christian is born of christ , and that the new-birth is the temple of the' holy ghost which dwelleth in us , and that the new man onely , that is born of christ , partaketh of the flesh and bloud of christ ; it appeareth that it is not so easie a matter to be a christian . 6. and that christianity doth not consist in the meere knowing of the history , and applying the knowledge thereof to our selves onely , in saying , that christ died for us , and hath destroyed death , and turned it into life in us , and that he hath paid the ransome for us , so that we need do nothing but comfort our selves with this , and stedfastly beleeve that it is so . 7. for we find in our selves , that sin is living , lusting , strong , and powerfully working in the flesh : and therefore it must be somewhat else ( that doth not co-operate in the flesh of sin , nor willeth sin , ) that is the new-birth in christ. 8. for st. paul saith , there is no condemnation to them that are in christ jesus . and further , should we , that are christians ; be yet sinners ? god forbid , seeing wee are dead to sinne in christ. 9. besides , the man of sinne cannot be the temple of the holy ghost ; and yet there is no man that sinneth not : for god hath shut up all under sinne . for the scripture saith , no one living is righteous in thy sight , if thou imputest his sinnes to him . the righteous man falleth seven times a day : and yet it cannot be meant , that the righteous falleth and sinneth , but his mortall and sinfull man. 10. for the righteousnesse of a christian in christ , cannot sinne : for st. paul saith , our conversation is in heaven , from whence we expect our saviour jesus christ. now , if our conversation be in heaven , then heaven must be in us : christ dwelleth in heaven , and then if we are his temple , that temple , heaven , must hee in us . 11. but for all this , seeing sinne tempteth us within us , whereby the devill hath within us an accesse to us , therefore hell also must bee in us too : for the devill dwelleth in hell ; wheresoever he is , he is in hell , and cannot come out of it . yes , when he possesseth a man , hee dwelleth in hell , viz. in the anger of god in that man. 12. therefore we ought to consider well , what man is , and how hee is a man ; and then we may perceive , that a true christian is not a meere historicall new man , as if it were enough for us outwardly to confesse christ , and beleeve that he is the son of god , and hath paid the ransome for ns ; for righteousnes availeth nothing if it be imputed from without , that is , by beleeving onely that it is imputed : but an innate righteousnesse , or the righteousnesse born in us , in which we are the children of god , that availeth . 13. and as the flesh must dy , so also the life and will must dye from sin , and be as a child knowing nothing , but longeth after the mother which brought it forth : so must also the will of a christian enter again into its mother , viz. into the spirit of christ , and become a child in it selfe in its own will and power , having its will and desire inclined and directed onely towards its mother , and a new will and obedience in righteousnesse , which willeth sinne no more , must rise from death out of the spirit of christ. 14. for that will is not born a-new , which desireth and admitteth vanity into it selfe : and yet there remaineth a will which longeth after vanity , and sinneth in the new-born , or regenerate man. therefore the image of man must well be considered , and how the new-birth commeth to passe , seeing it is not wrought in the mortall flesh ; and yet truly and really in us in flesh and bloud , in water and spirit , as the scripture saith . 15. we should therefore rightly consider what kind of man it is in us , that is the member of christ , and temple of god who dwelleth in heaven : and then also what kind of man it is , that the devill ruleth and driveth ; for he cannot meddle with the temple of christ , nor doth he care much for the mortall flesh ; and yet there are not three men in one another ; for all make but one man. 16. now , if we will consider this rightly , we must consider time and eternity , and how they are in one another ; also light and darknesse , good and evill : but especially the originall of man. this may thus be considered : 17. the outward world , with the starres and foure elements , wherein man and all creatures live , neîther is , nor is called god. indeed god dwelleth in it , but the substance of the outward world comprehendeth him not . 18. we see also , that the light shineth in darknesse , and the darknesse comprehendeth not the light , and yet they both dwell in one another . the foure elements are also an example of this , which in their originall are but one element , which îs neither hot nor cold , nor dry nor moist , and yet by its stirring , severeth it selfe into foure properties , viz. into fire , aire , water , and earth . 19. who would beleeve that fire * produceth water ? and that the originall of fire could be in water ? if we did not see it with our eyes in tempests of thundring , lightning and rain ; and did not find also , that in living creatures , the essentiall fire in the body dwelleth in the bloud , and that the bloud is the mother of the fire , and the fire the father of the bloud . 20. and as god dwelleth in the world , and filleth all things , and yet possesseth nothing : and as the fire dwelleth in water , and yet possesseth it not : also , as the light dwelleth in darknesse , and yet possesseth not the darknesse ; as the day is in the night , and the night in the day ; time in eternity , and eternity in time : so is man created according to the outward humanity , he is the time , and in the time , and the time is the outward world , and it is also the outward man. 21. the inward man is eternity , and the spirituall time and world ; which also consisteth of light and darknesse , viz. of the love of god , as to the eternall light ; and of the anger of god , as to the eternall darknesse : whichsoever of these is manifest in him , his spiirit dwelleth in that , be it darknesse or light . 22. for light and darknesse are both in him ; but each of them dwelleth in it selfe , and neither of them possesseth the other ; but if one of them doe enter into the other , and will possesse it , then that other loseth its right and power . 23. the passive loseth its power : for if the light be made manifest in the darknesse , then the darknesse loseth its darknesse , and is not known or discerned . also on the contrary , if the darknesse arise in the light , and get the upper hand , then the light and the power thereof is extinguished . this is to be considered also in man. 24. the eternall darknesse of the soule , is hell , viz. an aking source of anguish , which is called the anger of god : but the eternall light in the soul , is the kingdome of heaven , where the fiery anguish of darknesse is changed into joy . 25. for , the same nature of anguish , which in the darknesse is a cause of sadnesse , is in the light a cause of the outward and stirring joy : for the * source in light , and the source in darknesse , is but one eternall source , and one nature , and yet * they have a mighty difference in the source : the one dwelleth in the other , and begetteth the other , and yet is not the other . the fire is painufll and consuming , but the light is yeelding , friendly , powerfull , and delightfull , a sweet and amiable joy . 26. this may be found also in man , he is , and liveth in three worlds , one is the eternall dark-world , viz. the center of the eternall nature , which a produceth the fire , viz. the b source of anguish . 27. the other is the eternall light-world , which begetteth the eternall joy , which is the divine habitation , wherein the spirit of god dwelleth , and wherein the spirit of christ receiveth the humane substance , and subdueth the darknesse ; so that it must be a cause of joy in the spirit of christ in the light . 28. the third is the outward visible world , in the foure elements and the visible starres ; though indeed every element hath its peculiar constellation in it selfe , whence the desire and property ariseth , and is like a mind . 29. thus you may understand , that the fire in the light is a fire of love , a desire of meeknesse and delightfulnesse : but the fire in the darknesse is a fire of anguish , and it is painfull , irk some , enimicitious , and full of contrariety in its essence . the fire of the light hath a good relish , or taste , but the taste in the essence of darknesse , is unpleasant , loathsome and irksome : for all the * forms till fire , are in great anguish chap. ii. how man is created . 30 here we are to consider the creation of man. moses saith , god created man in his image , in the image of god created he him . this we understand to be both out of the eternal and temporall birth , out of the inward spirituall world , which hee breathed into him , into the created image ; and then out of the substance of the inward spirituall world , which is holy . 31. for as there is a nature and substance in the outward world : so also in the inward spirituall world , there is a nature and substance which is spirituall ; out of which the outward world is breathed forth , and produced out of light and darknesse , and created [ * to have ] a beginning and time . 32. and out of the substance of the inward and outward world , man was created out of , & in the likenesse of the birth of all a substances . the body is a b limbus of the earth , & also a limbus of the heavenly substance : for the earth is c breathed forth out of the dark and light world . in the word d fiat , viz. in the eternall desire , man was taken out of the earth , and so created an image out of time and eternity . 33. this image was in the inward and spirituall element , from whence the foure elements proceed and are produced . in that one element was paradise ; for the properties of nature from the fire-dark-and-light-world , were all in * harmony , in like agreement both in number , weight , and measure , none of them was manifested eminently more then another : and so there was no fragility therein ; for one property was not predominanr ovet another , neither was there any strife or contrariety among the powers and properties . 34. into this created image god breathed the spirit and breath of understāding out of all the three worlds , as one onely soule ; which * is in the inward dark and fire world , of the eternall spirituall nature , according to which god calleth himselfe a strong zealous god , and a consuming fire . 35. and this now is the eternall creaturely great soule , a magical breath of fire ; in which fire consisteth the originall of life , from the great power of variation : gods anger , and the eternall darknesse is in this property ; so farre as sire reacheth , without giving light . 36. the second property of the breath of god , is the spirit of the source of light , proceeding from the great fiery desire of love , from the great meeknesse , according to which god calleth himselfe a loving mercifull god ; in which consisteth the true spirit of understanding and of life in power . 37. for as light shineth from fire , and as the power of understanding is discerned in the light : so the breath of the light was joyned to the breath of the fire of god , and breathed into the image of man. 38. the third property of the breath of god , was the outward aire , with its * constellation ; wherein the life and constellation of the outward substance and body did consist : this he breathed into his nostrils ; and as time and eternity hang together , and as time is produced out of eternity , so the inward breath of god hung to the outward : and this threefold soul was at once breathed into man. 39. each substance of the body received the spirit according to its property : thus the outward flesh received the outward aire and its constellations , for a rationall and vegetative life , to the manifestation of the wonders of god : and the light-body , or heavenly substance , received the breath of the light of the great divine powers and vertues , which breath is called the holy ghost . 40. thus the light pierced through the darknesst , viz. through the dark breath of sire , and also through the breath of the outward aire , and its * constellation ; and so deprived all the properties of their power , that neither the anguish of the breath of fire in the inward property of the soule , nor heat and cold , nor any of all the properties of the outward constellation , might or could be manifested . 41. the properties of all the three worlds in soule and body , were in equall * agreement and weight : that which was inward and holy , ruled through the outward , viz. through the outward parts of the outward life , of the outward * starres , and the foure elements , and that was the holy paradise . 42. and thus man was both in heaven , and also in the outward world ; and was lord over all the creatures of this world , nothing could destroy him . 43. for such was the earth also , till the curse of god was : the holy property of the spirituall world , sprung up also through the earth , and brought forth holy paradisicall fruits , which man could then eat in a magical paradisicall manner . 44. and had neither need of teeth nor * entrails in his body . for as the light swalloweth up darknesse , and as the fire devoureth water , and yet is not filled therewith ; just such a center man also had * for his mouth [ to to eat withall ] according to the manner of eternity . 45. and in such a manner he could also * generate his like out of himself , without any dividing or opening of his body and spirit , as god did generate the outward world , and yet did not divide himselfe ; but did in his desire , viz. in the word fiat , manifest himselfe , and brought it into a figure , according to the eternall spirituall birth ; so also man was created such an image and likenesse , according to time and eterntiy , out of both time and eternity , yet in and for an eternall immortall life , which was without enmity and contrariety . 46. but the devill , having been a prince and hierarcha in the place of this world , and having been cast out for his pride , into the dark anguishing painfull , and hostile property and source , into the wrath of god : hee therefore envied man that glory , of being created in and for the spirituall world , the place which he himselfe had , and therefore brought his imagination into the image of man , and made it so lusting , that the dark world and also the outward world , arose in man , and departed from the equall agreement and harmony , and so one over weighed the other . 47. and then the properties were every one made manifest in it self , and every one of them lusted after that which was like it selfe , viz. that which was out of the birth of the dark world ; and also that which was out of the birth of the light world ; would each of them eat of the limbus of the earth , according to its hunger , and so evill and good became manifest in adam . 48. and when the hunger of the properties went into the earth , from whence the properties of the body were extracted , then the fiat drew such a branch out of the earth , as the properties could eat of in their aw●kened vanity : for this was possible . 49. being the spirit of the strong and great magicall power of time and eternity was in adam , from which the earth with its properties was breathed forth : and so the fiat , ● viz. the strong desire of the eternall nature , attracted the essence of the earth . and thus god let the tree of knowledge of good evill grow for adam , according to his awakened properties : for the great power of the soule and of the body , caused it . 50. and then man must be tried , whether he would stand and subsist in his own powers , before the tempter , the devill , and before the wrath of the eternall nature ; and whether the soule would continue in the equall agreement of the properties in true resignation , under gods spirit , as an instrument of gods harmony , a tuned instrument of divine joyfulnesse for ▪ the spirit of god to strike upon . this was tried by this tree here , and this severe commandement was added , thou shalt not eat thereof : for at that day thou eatest thereof , thou shalt dye the death . 51. but it being known to god , that man would not stand , and that he had already imagined and lusted after good & evill , god said , it is not good for man to be alone : wee will make him an help meet for him . 52. for god saw that adam could not generate magically , having entred with his lust into vanity . now therefore moses saith , god caused a deep sleep to fall upon him , and he slept ; that is , seeing man would not continue in obedience of the divine harmony in the properties , submitting himselfe to stand still as an instrument of the spirit of god : therefore god suffered him to fall from the divine harmony , into an harmony of his own , viz. into the awakened properties in evill and good , the spirit of his soule went into these , 53. and there in this sleep he dyed from the angelicall world , and fell to be the share of the outward fiat , and then bad farewell to the eternall image , which was of gods begetting . here his angelicall form & power lay on the ground , and fell into a swound . 54. and then by the fiat , god made the woman out of him , ex matrice veneris , of the matrix of venus , viz. out of that property wherin adam had the begettresse in himselfe ; and so out of one body he made two , and divided the properties of the tinctures , viz. the watery and fiery constellations in the element , yet not wholly in substance , but in the spirit , viz. the properties of the watery and fîery soule . 35. and yet it is but one thing , but the property of the tincture was divided , the desire of self-love was taken out of adam , and formed into a woman according to his likenesse ; and therefore man now so eagerly desireth the matrix of the woman , and the woman desireth the limbus of the man , viz. the fire-element , the originall of the true soule , by which is meant the tincture of fire : for these two were one in adam , and therein consisted the magicall begetting . 56. and as soon as eve was made out of adam in his sleep , both adam and eve were at that instant ordained , and constituted in the outward naturall life , having the members given thē for bestiall and animall * multiplication , and also the earthly * carkasse into which they might put their vanity , and live like beasts . 57. which the poore soule , that is captivated in vanity , is at this day ashamed of , that its body hath gotten a bestiall monstrous shape , as is manifest : and from hence came mankind to be ashamed of their members and nakednesse , and to borrow their clothîng from the earthly creatures , having lost the angelicall form , and is changed into a beast . 58. this clothing sheweth man sufficiently , that having this awakened vanity , and heat and cold , seizing upon him , he is not at home with his soule therein : for the vanity , together with this false clothing , must perish . and bee severed from the soule again . 59. now , when adam awaked from sleep , he beheld his wife , and knew that she came out of him : for he had not yet eaten of vanity with his [ outward ] mouth , but with the imagination , desire and lust onely . 60. and it was the first desire of eve , that she might eat of the tree of vanity , of evill and good , to which the devill , in the form of a serpent , perswaded her , saying , that her eyes should bee opened , and she bee as god himself , which was both a lye and truth . 61. but he told her not that she should lose the divine light and power thereby : he only said , her eyes should be opened , that she might taste , prove , and know , evill and good , as he had done : he did not tell her neither , that heat and cold would awake in her , and that the property of the outward * constellations would mightily domineere in the flesh and in the mind . 62. his onely aim was , that the angelicall image , viz. the substance which came from the inward spirituall world , might disappeare in them ; for then they would be constrained to live [ in subjection ] to the grosse earthlinesse , & the * constellations , and then he knew well enough that when the outward world perished , the soule should then be with him in darknesse : for he saw that the body should dye , which he perceived by that which god had intimated : and so he supposed yet to be lord to all eternity in the place of this world in his false shape which he had gotten ; and therefore he seduced man. 63. for when adam and eve were eating of the fruit , evill and good , into the body , then the imagination of the body received vanity in the fruit , & then vanity awaked in the flesh , and the dark-world got the upper hand , & dominion in the vanity of the earthlinesse ; upon which the faire image of heaven , [ that proceeded ] out of the heavenly divine world , instantly disappeared . 64. here adam and eve dyed to the kingdome of heaven , and awaked to the outward world ; and then the faire soule in the love of god , disappeared as to the holy power , vertue , and property ; and in stead thereof , the wrathfull anger , viz. the darkfire-world awaked in it : and so the soule became in one part , viz. in the inward nature , a halfe devill , and in the outward part of the outward world , a beast . 65. here are the bounds of death , and the gates of hell ; for which cause god became man , that he might destroy death , and change hell into great love again , and destroy the vanity of the devill . 66. let this be told you , yee children of men , it is told you in the sound of the trumpet , that you should instantly goe forth from the abominable vanity ; for the fire therof burneth . chap , iii. of the lamentable fall of man , and of the meanes of his deliverance . 67 now when adam and eve fell into this vanity , then the wrath of nature awaked in each property , and in the desire , impressed the vanity of the earthlinesse and wrath of god into it selfe . 68. and then the flesh became grosse and rough , as the flesh of another beast , and the noble soule was captivated in the essence therewith , and saw that its body was become a beast ; and it saw also the bestiall members for multiplication , and the stinking carkasse into which the desire would stuffe the loathsomnesse which it was ashamed of in the presence of god , and therefore they hid themselves under the trees of the garden of eden ; heat and cold also seized on them . 69. and here the heaven in man trembled for horror , as the earth did quake in wrath , when this anger was destroyed on the crosse with the sweet love of god ; there the anger trembled before the sweet love of god. 70. and for this vanities sake , which was thus awakened in man , god cursed the earth , lest the holy element should * spring forth any more through the outward fruit , and bring forth paradisicall fruit ; for there was no creature could then have enjoyed it ; neither was the earthly man worthy of it any more . 71. god would not cast the pretious pearles before beasts , an ungodly man in his body being but a meere grosse beastiall creature ; and though it be of a noble essence , yet it is wholly poysoned and loathsome in the sight of god. 72. now , when god saw that his faire image was spoyled , he opened himselfe before them , and had pitty on them , and promised himselfe to them for an everlasting possession , and that with his great love in the received humanity , he would destroy the power of the serpentine property , ( viz. of vanity in the wrath of god ) with love . and this was the breaking of the head [ of the serpent , which he would perform ] viz. he would destroy the dark death , and subdue the anger with his great love . 73. and this covenant of his incarnation , which was to come , he put into the light of life ; to which covenant the jewish sacrifices pointed , as to a * mark , to which god had promised himselfe with his love : for the faith of the jewes entred into the sacrifices and offerings ; and gods imagination entred into the covenant . 74. and the offering was a figure of the restitution of that which adam had lost ; and so god did expiate his anger in the humane property , through the offering in the limit of the covenant . 75. in which covenant , the most holy sweet name jesus , [ proceeding ] out of the holy name , and great power jehovah , had incorporated it selfe : so that he would again move and manifest himselfe in the substance of the heavenly world , which disappeared in adam , and kindle the holy divine life therein again . 76. this mark or limit of the covenant was propagated from adam and his children , from man to man , and did goe through , from one upon all , as sinne also , and the awaked vanity , did go through from one upon all . 77. and it stood in the promise of the covenant at the end , in the root of david , in the virgin mary , who was in the inward kingdome of the hidden humanity , ( viz of the essentiality that disappeared , as to the kingdome of god ) the daughter of gods covenant , but in the outward , according to the naturall humanity , she was begotten by her true bodily father joachim , and her true mother anna , out of the essences and substance of their soules and bodies , like all other children of adam , a true daughter of eve. 78 , in this mary , from the * virgin in the promised limit of the covenant , of which all the prophets have prophesied ; the eternal speaking word , which hath created all things , hath in the fulnesse of time , moved it self in the name of jesus , according to its highest and deepest love and humility : and hath brought living , divine , and heavenly substantiality into the humanity of the heavenly part , ( which was disappeared in adam , from which he dyed in paradise ) into the seed of mary , viz. into the tincture of love , viz. into that property wherin adam should have propagated himselfe in a magical and heavenly manner , viz. into the true seed of the woman , of heavenly substantiality , which disappeared in paradise . 79. and when the divine light in the heavenly essence was extinguished , the word of god , viz. the divine power of the divine understanding , did bring in heavenly and living substantiality , and awakened the disappeared substantiality in the seed of mary , and brought it to life . 80. and so now gods substance , wherein god dwelleth and worketh , and the disappeared substance of man , are become one person : for the holy divine substantiality , did anoynt the disappeared , therefore that person is called christus , the anointed of god. 81. and this is the dry rod of aaron , that blossomed and bare almonds , and the true high priest ; and it is that humanity of which christ spake , saying , that he was come from heaven and was in heaven ; and that no man could ascend into heaven but the son of man which is come from heaven , and is in heaven , john 3. 13. 82. now , when he saith , he is come from heaven , it is meant of the heavenly substance , the heavenly corporality : for the power and vertue of god needeth no comming [ any whither ] for it is every where altogether unmeasurable and undivided : but substance needeth comming ; the power or vertue needeth to move it selfe , and manifest it selfe in substance . 83. and that substance entred into the humane substance , and received it ; and not that part onely of hevenaly substantiality , which disappeared in adam , but the whole humane essence in soule and flesh , according to all the three worlds . 84. but the awakened and impressed vanity , which the devill by his imagination brought into the flesh , by which the flesh did commit sinne : he hath not received that , nor taken that upon him ; he hath indeed received the awakened formes of life , as they ▪ were gone forth from their equall agreement each of them into their own desire . 85. for herein lay our infirmity , and the death which he was to drown with his heavenly holy blood : herein he took upon himselfe all our sins and infirmities , also death and hell , in the wrath of god , and destroyed the devill in the humane properties . 86. the wrath of god was the hell into which the spirit of christ went , when he had shed that heavenly bloud into our outward humane bloud , and tinctured it with the love , and changed that hell of the humane property into heaven , and reduced the humane properties into equall agreement , into the heavenly harmony . chap. iv. how we are born a-new , and how we also fall into gods anger again . 87. now here we may rightly understand what our new-birth and regeneration is , and how we may be , and continue to be the temple of god , though in this [ lifes ] time , according to the outward humanity , we are sinful , mortall men . 88. christ in the humane essence hath broken up and opened the gates of our inward heavenly humanity , which was shut up in adam : so that nothing remaineth wanting , but that the soule bring its will out from the vanity of the corrupted flesh ▪ and bring it into this open gate in the spirit of christ. 89 : great and strong earnestnesse is required here , and not onely a learning and knowing , but a hunger and great thirst after the spirit of christ : for to know onely , is no * faith , but an hunger and thirst after that which i desire ; so that i imagine it to my self , and lay hold on it with the imagination , and make it my own : this it is to beleeve . 90. the will must goe forth from the vanity of the flesh ▪ and willingly yeeld it selfe up to the suffering and death of christ , and to all the reproach of vanity , ( which scorneth it , because it goeth forth from its owne house wherein it was born ) and minds vanity no more , but meerly desires love of god in christ jesus . 91. in such a hunger , and desire , the will impresseth into it self , the spirit of christ , with his heavenly corporality ; that is , its great hunger and desire taketh hold of , and receiveth the body of christ , viz. the heavenly substantiality , into its disappeared image , within which the word of the power of god is the working . 92. the hunger of the soule bringeth its desire quite through the bruised property of its humanity in the heavenly part ; which disappeared in adam : which humanity , the sweet fire of love in the death of christ , did bruise , when the death of that heavenly humanity was destroyed . 93. [ and so ] the hunger of the soule received into it , into its disappeared corporality , through the desire the holy heavenly substance , viz. the heavenly corporality . christs heavenly corporality , which filleth the father all over , and is high unto all , and through all things : and through that , the disappeared heavenly body riseth in the power of god , in the sweet name jesus . and this raised heavenly spirituall body is the member of christ , and the temple of the holy ghost , a true mansion of the holy trinity , according to christs promise saying , we wil come to you , and make our abode in you . 95. that essence of that life eateth the flesh of christ , and drinketh his bloud : for , the spirit of christ , viz. the word ( which made it selfe visible with the humanity of christ , out of , and in our disappeared humanity , through the outward ▪ man of the substance of this world : ) swalloweth its holy substance , into its fiery ; every spirit eateth of its own body . 96. now if the soule eat of this sweet , holy , and heavenly food , then it kindleth it selfe with the great love in the name jesus ; whence its fire of anguish becommeth a great triumph [ and glory ] and the true sunne ▪ ariseth to it , wherin it is born to another will. 97. and here is the wedding of the lamb , which we heartily wish that the titular and lip-christians might once find by experience , and [ so passe ] from the history into the substance . 98. but the soule obtaineth not the pearle of the divine power and vertue , for its proper own during the time of this life , because it hath the outward bestiall flesh sticking to its outward man. 99. the power of which espouseth it selfe in the wedding of the lamb , sinketh it selfe down into the heavenly image , viz. into the substance of the heavenly man , who is the temple of christ , and not into the fire-breath of the soul , which is yet , during this whole lifes time , fast bond to the outward kingdome , to the bond of vanity , with the breath of the aire , and is in great danger . 100. it darteth its beames of love , indeed very often into the soul , whereby the soule receiveth light : but the spirit of christ yeeldeth not it self up to the fire-breath in this [ lifes ] time , but to the breath of light ▪ onely , which was extinguished in adam , in which the temple of christ is , for it is the true and holy heaven . 101. understand aright now , what the new-birth or regeneration is , and how it commeth to passe , as followeth : the outward earthly mortall man is not born anew in this [ lifes ] time , nor the outward flesh , nor the outward part of the soule : they continue both of them in the vanity of their wills which awaked in adam : they love their mother , in whose body they live , viz. the dominion of this outward world : and therein the birth of sin is manifest . 102. the outward man in soule & flesh , ( we mean the outward part of the soule ) hath no divine will , neither doth he understand any thing of god , as the scripture saith , the naturall man perceiveth nothing of the spirit of god ▪ &c. 103. but the fire-breath of the inward world , if it be enlightned once , understandeth it ; it hath a great longing , sighing , hunger and thirst after the sweet fountain of christ : it refresheth it selfe , by hungring and desiring , ( which is the true faith ) in the sweet fountain of christ from his new body , from the heavenly substantiality , as a hungry branch in the vine christ. 104. and the cause why the fiery soule cannot attain to perfection during this [ lifes ] time , is because it is fast bound with the outward bond of vanity , through which the devill continually casteth his venemous rayes [ of influence ] upon it , and so fifteth it , that it often biteth at his bait , and poysoneth it selfe : from whence misery and anguish ariseth , so that the noble sophia hideth her selfe in the fountain of christ , in the heavenly humanity ; for she cannot draw neere to vanity . 105. for she knew how it went with her in adam , when she lost her pearle , which is of grace freely bestowed again upon the inward humanity : therefore she is called sophia , viz. the bride of christ. 106. here she faithfully calleth to the fiery soule , viz. to her bridegroom , and exhorteth him to repentance , and to the unburthening of himselfe , or going from the abomination of vanity . 107. here warre assaulteth the whole man , wherein the outward fleshly man lusteth against the inward spirituall man , and the spirituall against the fleshly : and so man is in continuall warfare and strife , full of trouble , misery anguish and care . 108. the inward saith to the fiery soule : o my soule : o my love ! turne i beseech thee , and goe forth from vanity ; or else thou losest my love , and the noble pearle . 109. then saith the outward reason , viz. the bestiall soule ; thou art foolish , wilt thou be a foole , and the scorn of the world ? thou needest the outward world to maintain this life : beauty , power and glory is thy chiefest treasure , wherein onely thou canst rejoyce and take delights . why wilt thou cast thy selfe into anguish , misery and reproach ? take thy● pleasure , which will doe both thy flesh and thy ●mind good . 110 ▪ with such filth the true man is often defiled ; viz. the outward man defileth himselfe , as a sow in the mire , and obscureth his noble pearle : for the more vain the outward man groweth , the more dark the inward man cometh to be , till at length it disappeareth together . 111. and then the faire paradificall tree is gone , and it will be very hard to recover it again : for when the outward light , viz. the outward soule is once enlightned , so that the outward light of reason is kindled by the inward light ; then the outward soule commonly useth to turn hypocrite , and esteem it selfe divine , and though the pearle be gone , which sticks hard to many a man. 112. and so the tree of pearle in the garden of christ , is often spoyled ; concerning which the scripture maketh a hard knot , [ or conclusion ] viz. that these who have once tasted the sweetuesse of the world to come , if they fall away again , they shall hardly see the kingdome of god. 113. and though it cannot he denied , but that the gates of grace do yet stand open ; yet the seeming light of the outward reason of the soule , so keepeth them back , that they suppose they have the pearle , and yet live to the vanity of this world , and dance with the devill after his pipe . chap. v. how a man may call himselfe a christian , and how not . 114. here a christian should consider wherefore he calleth himselfe a christian , and ponder well whether he be one or no : for surely my learning to know and understand that i am a sinner , and that christ hath killed my sins on the crosse , and shed his bloud for me , doth not make me a christian. 115. the inheritance belongeth onely to the children : a maid-servant in a house knoweth well enough what the mistresse would have to be done , and yet that maketh her not an heire of her mistresses goods : the very ▪ devils know that there is a god , yet that doth not change them into angels again . but if the maid-servant in the house shall be married to the sonne of her mistresse , then she may come to inherit her mistresses goods . and so it is to be understood also in our christianity . 116. the children of the history are not the heires of the goods of christ , but the legitimate children , regenerated of the spirit of christ : for god sayd to abraham , cast out the son of the bond woman , he shall not inherit with [ the son of ] the free : for he was a scorner , and but a historicall sonne of the faith and spirit of abraham : and so long as he continued such a one , he was not a true inheritor of the faith of abraham , and therefore god commanded he should be cast out from inheriting his goods , which was a type of the christendome which was to come . 117. for the promise of christendome was made to abraham ; therefore the type was then also represented by two brethren , viz. isaac and ishmael , [ shewing ] how christendome would behave it selfe , and that two sorts of men would be in it , viz. true christians and lip christians , who under the title of christianity would be but mockers , as ishmael and esau was , who also was a type of the outward adam , as jacob was a type of christ , and his true christendome . 118. thus every one that will call himselfe a christian must cast away , and out , from himselfe the sonne of the bond-woman , that is , the earthly will , and be evermore killing and destroying of it , and not settle it in the inheritance . 119. nor give the pearle to the bestiall man , for him to spo●● himselfe withall continually in the outward light , in the lust of the flesh : but we must with our father abraham ▪ bring 〈◊〉 sonne of the right will to mount vooria , and be willing in obedience to god , 〈◊〉 offe● in up ▪ alwayes willingly dying from sin in the death of christ ▪ gi●●ng no place to the beast of vanity in the kingdome of christ , nor ▪ ●●ff●ring it to grow wanton , proud , covetous , envious , and malicious ; all these are the properties of ishmael the son of the bond-woman , whom adam begat in his vanity , of the wanton whore the false bond-woman , by the devils imagination , out of the earthly property in flesh and bloud . 120. this mocker and titular-christian is the sonne of a whore , he must be cast out : for he must not inherit the inheritance of christ in the kingdome of god : he is not fit , he is but babel , a confusion of that one language into many languages : he is but a talker , and a wrangler about the inheritance , he meanes to get it to himselfe by talking and wrangling , by the hypocrisie of his lips , and seeming holinesse , and yet he is but a blood-thirsty murtherer of his brother abel , who is a true heire . 121. therefore we say what we know , that he that will call himselfe a true christian , must try himselfe , and [ find ] what kind of properties dr●●e and rule him , whether the spirit o● christ driveth him to truth and righteousnes , and to the love of his neighbour : so that he would willingly doe good , if he knew but how to perform it . 122. now if he find that he hath such a hunger after such a vertue , then he may surely think that he is drawne . and then he must put it in practice , and not have a will onely without doing : the drawing of the father , to christ , consisteth in the will , but the true life consisteth in the doing : for the right spirit doth that which is right . 123. but if there be the will to do , and yet the doing followeth not , then the true man is [ shut up ] in vain lust , which keepeth the doing captive , and he is but an hypocrite and an ishmaelite , he speaketh one thing and doth another , and witnesseth that his mouth is a lyer ; for he himselfe doth not that which he teacheth , and so he onely serveth the bestiall man in vanity . 124. for he that will say , i have a will , and would willingly doe good , but for the earthly flesh which i have , which keepeth me back that i cannot ; yet i shall be saved by grace , for the merits of christ : i comfort my selfe with his merit and sufferings , he will receive me of meere grace , without any merits of my owne , and forgive me my sinnes ; such a one i say , is like him that knew what food was good for his health , yet did not eat of it , but eat poyson in stead thereof , from whence sicknesse and death would follow . 125. what good doth it the soule to know the way to good ; if it will not walk therein , but go a wrong way that leadeth not to god ? what good will it doe the soule to comfort it self with the filiation of christ , with his passion and death , and so flatter it selfe , if it will not enter into the filiall birth , that it may be a true child , born out of the spirit of christ , &c. out of his suffering , death and resurrection ? surely , the tickling and flattering of it selfe with christs mirits , without the true innate childship , is falshood and a lye , whosoever he be that teacheth it . 126. this comfort belongeth onely to the penitent sinner , who striveth against sinne , and the anger of god. when temptations come , and the devill assaulteth the soule ; then the soule must wholly wrap it selfe up in the passion and death of christ , and in his merits . 127. christ indeed hath merited [ redemption for us ] alone , but he hath not merited it as such a merit ( for upon a merit a reward is given ) that for his own proper merits sake he would outwardly freely grant us his childshîp , and so receive us for children [ when we are none . ] no , hee * himselfe is the merit , he is the open gate [ that leadeth ] through death , through that gate we must enter : but he receiveth no beast into his merit , but those onely that turn and become as children : those children that come to him , are his reward , which he hath merited and deserved . 128. for thus he sayd , father the men were thine , and thou hast given them to me , [ as my reward ] and i will give them eternall life . but the life of christ will be given to none , unlesse they come to him in his spirit , into his humanity , suffering , and merit , and in his merit be born a true child of the merit . 129 , we must be born of his merit , & put on the merit of christ in his passion and death : not * outwardly with verbal flattery , with bare comforting [ of our selves ] and still remain aliens and strange children , of a strange * essence . no , the strange essence inheriteth not the childship , but the innate essence inheriteth it . 130. this innate essence is not of this world , but in heaven , of which st. paul speaketh , saying , our conversation is in heaven ; the filiall essence walketh in heaven , and heaven is in man. 131. but if heaven in man be not open , and a man stand without heaven flattering himselfe , and say , i am still without , but christ will receive me in by his grace , is not his merit mine ? such a one is in vanity and sinne with the outward man , and with the soule in hell , viz. in the anger of god. 132. therefore learn to understand rightly what christ hath taught us , and done [ for us : ] he is our heaven , he must get a forme in us , or else we shall not be in heaven . thus then , the soules inward man , with the holy body of christ , viz. in the new-birth , is in heaven ; and the outward mortall man is in the world , of which christ spake , saying , my sheep are in my hand , and none shall plucke them away , the father , which gave them to me , is greater then all . chap. vi. of the right and of the wrong going to church , receiving the sacraments , and absolution . 133. beloved brethren , we will tell you faithfully , not with flattering lips , to please the antichrist , but from our * pearle from a christian essence and knowledge , not from the husk and history , but from a filiall spirit , from christs knowledge , as a branch [ growing ] on the vine christ , from the measure of that knowledge which is opened in us , according to the counsell of god. 134. men tye us now-a-dayes to the history , to the materiall churches of stone , which were indeed good in their kind , if men did also bring the temple of christ into them . and men teach , that their absolution is a forgiving of sinnes , &c. that the supper of the lord taketh away sinne : also , that the spirit of god is infused into men by the ministery . all this hath a proper meaning , if it were truly expounded , and if men did not cleave meerly to the husk . 135. many a man goeth to church twenty of thirty yeares , heareth sermons , receiveth the sacraments , and some heare absolution read , or declared ; and yet is as much a beast of the devill and vanity , at the last , as at the first . a beast goeth into the church , and to the supper , and a beast commeth out from thence again . 136. how will he eat that hath no mouth ? how will he heare that hath no hearing ? can any man eat that food which is so shut up that he cannot get it ? how will he drink that can come by no water ? 137. what good doth it to me to goe to the material churches of stone , and there fill my eares with empty breath ? or to goe to the supper , and feed nothing but the earthly mouth , which is mortall and corruptible ? cannot i feed and satisfie it with a peece of bread at home ? what good doth it to the soule , which is an immortall life , to have the beastiall man , observe the form of christs institution , if it cannot obtain the jewell of the institution ? for st. paul saith of the supper , you receive it to judgement , because yee discerne not the lords body . 138. the covenant stands firm , and is stirred in the use of the institution : christ proffereth his spirit to us in his word , ( viz. in his preached word ) and his body and bloud in the sacrament ; and his absolution in a brotherly reconciliation [ one to another . ] 139. but what good doth it to a beast , to stand and listen , and yet hath no hearing to [ receive ] the inward living word , nor any * vessell wherein to lay the word , that it may bring forth fruit , of whom christ saith , the devill plucketh the word out of their hearts , least they beleeve and be saved . but how can he doe so ? yes , being the word findeth no place in the hearing to stick fast in . 140. and thus it is with absolution , what good doth it me for one to say , i pronounce [ or declare ] to thee , the absolution of thy sinnes , when the soule is wholly shut up in sinne ? whosoever saith thus to a sinner so shut up , erreth ; and he that receiveth it without the voyce of god within himselfe , deceiveth himselfe . none can forgive sins but god onely . 141. the mouth of the preacher hath not forgivenesse of sinnes in his own power ; but it is the spirit of christ in the voice of the priests mouth that hath the power , if he be also a christian. 142. what good did it do to those , that heard christ himselfe teaching on earth , when he sayd , come unto me all yee that are weary , and are heavy laden , & i will give you rest ? what good did it to those that heard it , and yet laboured not , nor were heavy laden what became of the refreshment , or rest then ? being they had dead eares , and heard onely the outward christ , and not the word of the divine power ; surely they were not refreshed : and so much good the bestiall man hath also of his absolution , and so much good also the sacraments doe him . 143. the covenant now is open in the sacraments , and in the * office of teaching also , the covenant is stirred : the soule doth enjoy it , but in that property the mouth of the soule ▪ is of . 144. that is , the outward beast receiveth bread and wine , which it may have as well at home . and the fiery soule receiveth the testament according to its property , viz. in the anger of god it receiveth the substance of the eternall world : but according to the property of the dark-world , as the mouth is , so is the food also which belongeth to the mouth ; he receiveth it to his own judgement or condemnation . and after that manner the wicked shall behold christ at the last judgement as a severe judge ; but the saints shall behold him as a loving immanuel . 145. gods anger standeth open in his testaments towards the wicked , but towards the saints , the heavenly loving kindnesse and in it the power of christ in the holy name jesus , standeth open . what good doth the holy thing doe to the wicked , that cannot enjoy it ? and what then is it , that can take away his sinnes , when his sinne is but stirred and made manifest by it ? 146. the sacraments doe not take away sinne , neither are sinnes forgiven thereby ; but it is thus : when christ ariseth , then adam dyeth in the the essence of the serpent : when the sunne riseth , the night is swallowed up in the day , and the night is no more : so sins are forgiven . 147. the spirit of christ eateth of his holy substance , the inward man is the receiver of the holy substance : he receiveth what the spirit of christ bringeth into him , viz. the temple of god , christs flesh and blood : but what doth this concern a beast ? or what doth it concern the devils ? or the soul that is in the anger of god ? these eat of the heavenly body , that is in the heaven they dwell in , which is the abysse , or bottomlesse pit . 148. and thus it is in the * office of preaching , the ungodly heareth what the outward soul of the outward world preacheth ; that he receiveth . viz. the history , and if there be straw or stubble in that which is taught , he sucketh the vanity out of that , and the soule sucketh the venemous poyson , and the murthering cruelty of the devill from it , wherewith that soule tickleth it selfe , in hearing how to judge and condemne others . 149. and if the preacher be one that is dead , [ and hath no true life in him ] but soweth venome and reproach , proceeding out of his affections , then it is the devill that teacheth , and the devill that heareth ; such teaching is received into a wicked heart , and bringeth forth wicked fruits , by which the world is become a murthering den of devils ; so that if you look among the teachers and hearers , there is nothing to be found but revilings , slanderings , and reproachings : also contention about words , and wrangling about the h●sk . 150. but the holy ghost teacheth in the holy teacher , and the spirit of christ heareth through the soule , and the divine house of the divine * sound in the holy hearer ; the holy man hath his church in himselfe , wherein he heareth and teacheth . 151. but babel hath a heap of stone , into that she goeth with her seeming holinesse , and hypocrisie : there she loveth to be seen in fine cloathes , and there maketh a very devout and godly shew ; the church of stone is her god , in which she putteth her confidence . 152. but the holy man hath his church about him every where , and in himselfe : for he alwayes standeth , and walketh , and sitteth , and lyeth down in his church : he is in the true christian church , in the temple of christ : the holy ghost preacheth to him out of every creature : whatsoever he looketh upon , hee seeth a preacher of god therein . 153. here now the scoffer will say , i despise the church of stone , where the congregation meeteth : but i say i doe not : for i doe but discover the hypocriticall whore of babylon , which committeth whore ome with the church of stone , and termeth herselfe a christian , but is indeed a strumpet . 154. a true christian brings his holy church [ within him ] into the congregation : his heart is the true church , where a man must practice the service of god. if i did goe a thousand times to church , and to the sacrament every week , and heard absolution declared to me every day , and have not christ in me , then all is false , an unprofitable fiction , and graven image in babell , and no forgiving of sinnes . 155. a holy man doth holy works from the holy strength of his mind : the work is not the expiation , or reconciliation , but it is the building which the true spirit buildeth in his substance : it is his habitation : but the fiction and fancie is the habitation of the false christian , into which his soule entreth with dissimulation . the outward hearing reacheth but to the outward , and worketh in the outward onely : but the inward hearing goeth into the inward , and worketh in the inward . 156. dissemble , roare , cry , sing , preach and teach as much as thou wilt , if thy inward teacher and hearer be not open , then all is nothing but babel , a fiction , and a graven image , whereby the spirit of the outward world doth modell and make a graven image in resemblance to the inward . 157. and maketh a holy shew therewîth , as if hee did [ performe some divine or ] holy service to god ; whereas many times in such service and worship , the devil worketh mightily in the imagination , and very much tickleth the heart with those things which the flesh delighteth in , which indeed not seldome happeneth to the children of god , as to their outward man , if they doe not take great heed to themselves , the devill doth so ●ift them . chap. vii . of unprofitable opinions , and strife about the letter . 158. a true christian , who is born anew in the spirit of christ , is in the simplicity of christ , and hath no strife or contention with any man about religion : he hath strife enough in himselfe , with his own beastiall evill flesh and blood : he continually thinketh that he is a great sinner , he is afraid of god ; but the love of christ pierceth through and expelleth that feare , as the day swalloweth up the night . 159. but the sinnes of the ungodly man rest in the sleep of death , and bud forth in the pit , and bring forth fruit in hell . 160. the christendome [ that is ] in babel striveth about knowledge , how men ought to serve god , and glorifie him ; also how to know god , and what he is in his essence and will ; and they preach peremptorily , that whosoever is not one and the same in every particular with them for knowledge and opinions , is no christian but a heretick . 161. now i would faine see how any can bring all their sects so to agree , in that one which might be called a true christian church , when all of them are scorners , every party of them reviling the other , and proclaiming it to be false . 162. but a christian is of no sect , he can dwel in the midst of sects , and also appeare in their services , and yet adhere and be addicted to no sect : he hath but one knowledge only , that is christ is him . he seeketh but one way which is the desire , alwayes willingly to doe and teach , [ that which is ] right : and he putteth all his knowing and willing into the life of christ. 163. he sigheth and wisheth continually , that the will of god might be done in him , and that his kingdome might be manifested in him : he , daily and hourely killeth sinne in the flesh : for , the seede of the woman , viz. the inward man in christ ; continually breaketh the head of the [ serpent , viz. of the ] devill , which is in vanity . 164. his faith is a desire to god [ and goodnesse ] which he wrappeth up into a sure hope , and therefore ventureth it upon the words of the promise ; and liveth and dyeth therein : though , as to the true man , hee never dyeth . 165. for christ telleth us , saying , whosoever believeth in me shall never dye , but hath pierced through from death to life ; and rivers of living waters shall flow from him , viz. good doctrine and works . 166. therefore i say , that whatsoever fighteth and contendeth about the letter , is all babell : the letters [ of the word proceed from , and ] stand all in one root , which is the spirit of god : as the many flowers stand all in the earth , and grow by one another : none of them fight with the other about their colours , smell , and taste : they suffer the earth , the sun , the raine , the wind , the heate & cold to doe with them as they please , and yet every one of them grow in their own essence and property . 167. and so it is with the children of god ▪ they have various gifts and knowledge , yet all from one spirit : they all rejoyce at the great wonders of god , and give thankes to the most high in his wisdome : why should they long contend about him , in whom they live and have their being , and of whose substance they themselves are ? 168. it is the greatest folly [ that is ] in babel , for people to strive about religion , as the devill hath made the world to doe ; so that they contend about opinions of their owne forging , viz. about the letter : though the kingdome of god consisteth in no opinion , but in power and love. 169. as christ said to his disciples , and left it to them at the last ; saying , love one another , as i have loved you ; for thereby men shall know that you are my disciples : if men would as fervently seeke after love and righteousnesse , as after opinions , there would be no strife on earth : and wee should live as children in our father ; and should need no law or ordinance . 170. for god is not served by any law , but only by obedience . lawes are for the wicked , which will not embrace love and righteousnesse , they are compelled and forced by laws . 171. we all have but one only * order , which is , to stand stil to the lord of all beings , & resign our wil up to him , and suffer his spirit to play [ what musick he will ] and work and make in us what he will ; and wee give to him againe , as his own fruits , that which he worketh and manifesteth in us . 172. now , if we did not contend about the various fruits , gifts , and knowledge , but did acknowledg them in one another , like children of the spirit of god , what could judge us ? for , the kingdome of god consisteth not in our knowing and supposing , but in power . 173. if wee did not know halfe so much , and were more like children , and had but a brotherly [ minde or good ] will towards one another , and did live like children of one . [ and the same ] mother , and as branches of one tree , taking our sap all from one root , we should be far more holy , [ then we are ] 174. knowledge serves only to this end , to learne to know , ( wee having lost the divine power in adam , and so now are inclined to evill ) that wee have evill properties in us , and that doing of evill pleaseth not god , so that with our knowledge wee might learne to do right : now if we have the power of god in us , and desire with all our powers to doe , and to live aright , then our knowledge is but our sport wherein we rejoyce . 175. for true knowledge is the manifestation of the spirit of god through the eternall wisedome : hee knoweth what he will , in his children : he powreth forth his wisedome and wonders by his children , as the earth [ produceth ] its various flowers . 176. now if we dwell one with another , like humble children in the spirit of christ , one rejoycing at the gifts and knowledge of another , who would judge [ or condemne ] us ? who judgeth [ or condemneth ] the birds in the woods , that praise the lord of all beings , with various voyces , every one in its owne essence ? doth the spirit of god reprove them , for not bringing their voyces into one harmonie ? doth not the sound of them all proceed from his power , and they sport before him . 177. those men therefore that strive and wrangle about knowledge and the will of god , and despise one another , for that , are more foolish , then the birds in the woods , and the wild beasts that have no true understanding : they are more unprofitable in the sight of the holy god , then the flowers of the field , which stand still quietly [ submitting ] to the spirit of god , and suffering him to manifest the divine wisedome and power through them : yes those men are worse then thistles and thornes [ that grow ] among faire flowers , for they stand still : indeed those men are like the ravenous beasts , and birds of prey , which fright the other birds from singing and praising god. 178. in summe ; they are * the growth of the devill in the anger of god ; which must by their paine yet serve the lord : for by their plaguing and persecuting , they presse out the sappe through the essence of the children of god so , that they move and stir themselves in the spirit of god , with praying and continuall sighing : in which the spirit of god moveth himselfe in them . 179. for thereby the desire is exercised , and so the children of god grow greene , flourish and bring forth fruit : for the children of god are manifested in tribulation , as the scripture saith : when thou chasti●est them , they cry fervently to thee . chap. viii . wherein christian religion consisteth , and how men should serve god and their brethren . 180. all christian religion wholly consisteth in this , to learn to know our selves ; first , what we are , and whence we are come , how we are gone forth from the unity into dissention , wickednesse , and unrighteousnesse , how we have awakened and stirred up these things in us . 181. secondly , how we were in the unity when we were the children of god in adam before he fell . thirdly , how we are now in dissention and disunion , in strife & contrariety . fourthly , whither we goe when we passe out of this corruptible being ; whither we goe with the immortall , and whither with the mortall part . 182. in these foure poynts our whole religion consisteth , viz. to learn to come forth from disunion & vanity , and to enter again into that one tree , christ in us , out of which we are all sprung in adam . 183. we need not strive about any thing , we have no contention : let every one exercise himselfe , in learning how he may enter again into the love of god and his brother . 184. the testaments of christ are nothing else but a loving bo●d , or b brotherly covenant , wherewith god in christ bindeth himselfe to us , and * us to him : all teaching , willing , living , and doing , must aim at that . all teaching and doing otherwise whatsoever , is babel , and a fiction , also a meer graven image of pride in unprofitable judgings , a disturbing of the world , and an hypocrifie of the devil , wherewith he blindeth simplicity . 185. every one whatsoever , that teacheth without the spirit of god , and hath no divine knowledge , and yet setteth himselfe up for a teacher in the kingdome of god , and will serve god with teaching , [ that teaching ] is false , and doth but serve the belly , his idoll , and his own proud and insolent mind , in desiring to be honored , and accounted * holy : he beareth an office to which he is set apart and chosen by the children of men , who doe but flatter him , and for favour have ordained him thereunto . 186. christ sayd ; whosoever etreth not by the doore into the sheepfold , that is , through mee , but climbeth up some other way , the same is a thiefe and a murtherer , and the sheep follow him not . 187. for they know not his voyce ; he hath not the voyce of the spirit of god , but the voyce of his own art and learning onely ; himselfe teacheth , and not the spirit of god : but christ sayth , every plant which my heavenly father hath not planted , shal be plucked up by the roots . 188. how then will he that is ungodly plant heavenly plants , that hath no seed [ alive ] in its power in himselfe ? christ saith expresly , the sheep heare not his voyce , they follow him not . 189. the written word is but an instrument whereby the spirit leadeth [ us to it selfe within us . ] that word which will teach , must be living in the literall word : the spirit of god must be in the literall sound , or else none is a teacher of god , but a meere teacher ▪ of the letter , a knower of the history , and not of the spirit of god in christ. 190. all that men will serve god with , must be done in faith , viz. in the spirit : the spirit maketh the worke perfect and acceptable in the sight of god. all that a man beginneth and doth in faith , he doth that in the spirit of god , which spirit of god doth co-operate in the work● , and that is acceptable to god , for he hath done it himself , and his power and vertue is in it , it is holy . 191. but whatsoever is done in selfe , without faith , is but a figure and * shell of a true christian work . 192. if thou servest thy brother , and dost it but in hypocrisie , and givest him unwillingly , then thou servest not god ; for thy faith proceedeth not from love , nor entreth into hope , into thy gift . indeed thou servest thy brother , and hee for his part thanketh god , and he for his part also blesseth thee ; but thou blessest not him : for thou givest him a * grudging spirit in thy gift , which entreth not into the spirit of god , into the hope of faith ; therefore thy gift is but halfe given , and thou hast but halfe thy reward for it . 193. the same is to be understood of receiving a gift : if any giveth in faith , in divine hope , he blesseth his gift in his faith ; but he that receiveth it unthankfully , and murmureth in his spirit , he curseth it in the use or enjoyment of it . thus every one shall have his own , whatsoever he soweth , that he shall also reap . 194. and so it is in the office of teaching : what ever a man soweth , that also hee reapeth : for if any man sow good seed from the spirit of christ , it sticketh in the good heart , and bringeth forth good fruit ; but in the wicked that are not capable of it , the anger of god is stirred . 195. if any sow contentions , reproaches , misconstructions , all ungodly people receive it into them , it sticketh in them also , and bringeth forth fruit accordingly , so that men despise , revile , slander , and misconstrue one another , out of which [ root ] the great babel is sprung and grown ; where men , out of meere pride and strife , contend about the history , and the justification of a poore sinner in the sight of god ; and thereby make the simple erre and blaspheme , insomuch that one brother despiseth and curseth the other , [ and excommunicateth ] or casteth him to the devill , for the history and the letters sake . 196. such railers and revilers fear not god , but to raise the great building of dissention ; and seeing corrupt lust lyeth in all men in the earthly flesh still : therefore they raise and awaken abominations even in the simple children of god , and make the people of god , as well as the children of iniquity to blaspheme : and so are master-builders of the great babel of the world , and are as usefull as a fift wheele in a wagon : and beside that , they erect the hellish building . 197. therefore it is highly necessary for the children of god , to pray earnestly , that they may learn to know this false building , and goe forth from it with their minds , and not help to build it up , and so themselves to persecute their fellow-children of god ; whereby they keep themselves back from the kingdome of god , and are seduced . 198. according to thē saying of christ to the pharisees , woe unto you pharisees : for you compasse sea and land to make one proselite ; and when he is one , you make him twofold more the child of hell then your selves : which truly commeth to passe after the same manner , in these modern factions and sects among these cryers and teachers of strife . 199. i desire therefore , out of my gifts which are revealed to me from god , that all the children of god that intend to be the members of christ , faithfully be warned to depart from such abominable contentions , and bloudy fire-brands , and to goe forth from all strife with their brethren , and to strive onely after love and righteousnesse towards all men . 200. for he that is a good tree , must bring forth good fruits , and must sometimes suffer swine to devour his fruits , and yet must continue a good tree still , and be alwayes willing to work with god , and not suffer any evill to master him : and then he standeth and groweth in the field of god , and bringeth forth fruit [ to be set upon gods table ; which he shall enjoy for ever . amen . all that hath breath praise the name of the lord . ha le lu jah . finished by jacob behmen 24. junii , 1622. a table of the contents of the chapters . chap. 1. how man ought to consider himselfe , from verse 1. to 29. ch. 2. how man is created , from 30. to 66. ch. 3. of the miserable fall of man , & how he is delivered again , from 67. to 86. ch. 4. how we are born anew , and also how we fall into the wrath of god again ; from 87. to 113. ch. 5. how a man may call himself a christian , how not , from 114. to to 132. ch. 6. of right and wrong going to church , receiving of sacraments , & absolution , from 133. to 157. ch , 7. of unprofitable opinions , and contention about the letter , from 158. to 179. ch. 8. wherein christian religion consists , and how men must serve god , & their brethren , from 180. to 200. the authors letter to his faithfull friend , dr balthasar walter . 1. my writing to you , is to exhort you , from a deep christian consideration and good will , not to commit my writings into the hands of every one , for they belong not to every one . 2. also none should cast the pearle into the way , to bee troden under foot ; whereby the highly pretious name of god might be blasphemed : for i know very well what satan intendeth to doe ; but it is signified to me , that his purpose shall bee brought to nought . 3. yet there is a thicke darknes to be feared : in the time whereof , the light shall first spring up in the hearts of men , when they shall be in great distresse and want , and quite forsaken : and then they shall seeke the lord , and hee will bee found . 4. my writings are not for those whose bellies be full , but for the hungry stomach : they belong to the children of the hidden mystery , because in them many pretious pearles lye lockt up , and some are manifest . 5. i have made my writings neither for the simple nor the wise ; but for my selfe , and for those to whom god shall give the understanding of them . 6. that bud , or branch , is in gods power , or hand : therefore i my selfe acknowledge it , not to be a worke of my reason , but to be the revelation of god : and therefore nothing ought to be ascribed to me at all in it ; neither ought any to regard my person , as if it were some wondrous thing ; for he shall find nothing but a very mean simple man : for my knowledge is hidden in god. 7. and though i know much , and that a great manifestation is given me , yet i know also well , that i shall be as one that is dumb , to all those that are not born of god : and therefore i intreat you to manage my writings wisely . 8. also to conceale my name , till at length the darke night shall come , as is signified to mee , and then the pearle shall bee found : for so long as my beloved is full , and satisfied , she slumbreth , and lyeth in the sleep of this world . 9. but when the lord shall awaken her with his storme , and that shee shall bee in anxiety , shee will then , in her trouble , cry to the lord , and awake from sleep , then shall my writing stand forth , and the pearle will be sought in them . 10. i desire , and also intreat , that none goe about to have them printed without my consent ; for that shall first be after the tempest . 11. but let them bee made knowne to the hearts of the wise onely , whom thou knowest that they love god : to others it will not hee profitable at present : for many seeke after them for nothing but evill will , and pride , and out of false wisdome , or subtile cunning . that they may appeare to be some body : therefore i intreat you to mannage them wisely . 12. many will receive them with joy , but having an evill root , yet thinke to bee honest , and to amend their lives , but suffer the devill to deceive them still : and then afterwards come to be despisers and scorners of these manifestations . this i tell you for good will ; not from a conceit , opinion , or supposition , but even from my present and certain knowledge . 13. there is somewhat very high and deep , begun in a new booke ; but there is strong opposition made against mee by the prince of wrath ; which hath so hindered mee till now , ( but i hope it will be written shortly ) for it is an hearb which the devill will not relish : yet the will of god must stand . 14. i hope your selfe shall come to me , and then we will rejoyce together . the grace of iesus christ be our * salutation and refreshing . dated june 7. 1620. jacob behmen . the fourth book a dialogue between a scholar and his master , concerning the super-sensuall life . shewing how the soule may attain to divine hearing and vision : and what its childship in the natural and supernaturall life is , and how it passeth out of nature into god , and out of god into nature and self again : also what its salvation & perdition is . written in the german language , anno 1624 , by jacob behmen . alias , teutonious philosophus . london , printed by m. s. for h. blunden , at the castle in corn-hill . 1648. 1 ▪ cor. 2. 7 , 8 , 9 , 10. we speak the hidden mysticall wisdome of god , which god ordained before the world , to our glory ; which none of the rulers of this world knew , &c. but as it is written , esay 64. 4. that which no eye hath seene , nor eare heard , neither hath it entred into the heart of man , that which god hath prepared for them that love him : but god hath revealed them to us by his spirit : for the spirit searcheth all things , yea , the deep things of god , &c. of the super-sensuall life , or the life which is above sense . in a a dialogue between a b scholer and his master . the scholar . 1. the scholler said to his master : how may i come to the super-sensuall life that i may see god , and heare him speake ? the master . his mast●r said : when thou canst throw thy selfe but for a moment into that , where no creature dwelleth , then ●●ou hearest what god speaketh . the scholar . 2. is that neer at hand , or far off ? the master . it is in thee , and if thou canst * for a while cease from all thy thinking and willing , thou shalt heare unspeakable words of god. the schoalr . 3. how can i heare , when i stand still from thinking and willing ? the master . when thou standest still from the thinking and willing of selfe : then the eternall hearing , seeing and speaking will be revealed in thee ; and so god heareth and seeth through thee : thine owne hearing , willing , and seeing hindreth thee , that thou dost not see nor heare god. the scholar . 4. wherewith shall i heare and see god , being hee is above nature and creature ? the master : when thou art quiet or filent , then thou art that , which god was before nature and creature , and whereof he made thy nature & creature : then thou hearest and seest , with that , wherewith god saw and heard in thee , before thy own willing , seeing , and hearing began . the scholar . 5. what hindreth or keepeth mee backe , that i cannot come to that ? the master . thy owne willing hearing and seeing : and because thou strivest against that out of which thou art come : thou breakest thy selfe off with thy own willing , from gods willing , and with thy own seeing thou seest in thy own willing only ; and thy willing stoppeth thy hearing with thy owne thinking of earthly naturall things , and bringeth thee into a ground ; and overshadoweth thee with that which thou willest , so that thou canst not come to that which is super-naturall and super-sensuall . the scholar . 6. being i am in nature , how may i come through nature , into the super-sensual ground without destroying of nature . the master . three things are requisite here ' ▪ the first is , thou must resigne thy will to god , and sinke thy selfe downe to the ground in his mercy . the second is , thou must hate thy owne will , and not doe that , whereto thy owne will driveth thee . the third is , thou must submit thy selfe under the crosse , that thou maist be able to beare the temptations of nature and creature : and if thou dost thus , god will speake into thee , and bring thy resigned will into himself into the supernatural ground ; and then thou shalt heare what the lord speaketh in thee ? the scholar . 7. i must forsake the world , and my life too , if i should do thus . the master . if thou forsakest the world , thou commest into that whereof the world is made : and if thou losest thy life , and commest to have thy own power faint , then thy life is in that for whose sake thou forsakest it , viz. in god , from whence it came into the body . the scholar . 8. god hath created man in and for the naturall life , to rule over all creatures on earth , and to be a lord over all things in this world , and therefore it is reason he should possesse it for his owne . the master . if thou rulest over all creatures outwardly only ; then thy will and ruling is in a beastiall kinde , and is but * an imaginary transitory ruling : and thou bringest also thy desire into a beastiall essence , whereby thou becommest infected and captivated , and gettest also a beastiall condition : but if thou hast left , the * imaginary condition , then thou art in the * super-imaginarinesse , and rulest over all creatures , in that ground out of which they are created , and nothing on earth can hurt thee , for thou art like all-things , and nothing is unlike to thee . the scholar . 9. o loving master : pray teach me how i may come the shortest way to be like all-things ? the master . with all my heart ; doe but thinke on the words of our lord jesus christ , when he said : unlesse ye turne and become as children , ye shall not see the kingdome of god : now if thou wilt be like all-things , thou must forsake all-things , and turne thy desire away from them , and not desire them , nor extend to possesse that for thy owne , which is something : for , as soone as thou takest something into thy desire , and receivest it into thee for thy own , then that something is the same with thy selfe , and it worketh with thee in thy will , and then thou art bound to protect it , and to take care for it as for thy owne being : but if thou receive nothing into thy desire , then thou art free from all-things , and rulest over all things at once : for thou hast received nothing for thy own , and art nothing to all things , & all things are also nothing to thee : thou art as a child which understandest not what a thing is : and though thou dost understand it , yet thou ▪ understandest it without touching thy perception , in that manner , which god ruleth and seeth all things in , and yet nothing comprehendeth him. thou didst also desire , that i would teach thee , how thou mightst attaine it , therefore consider the words of christ , who said ; without me you can do nothing : in thy owne power thou canst not come to such rest that no creature should touch thee , unlesse thou givest thy selfe wholly up to the life of our lord jesus christ , and resignest thy will and desire wholly to him , and willest nothing without him , then with thy body thou art in the world , in the properties ; and with thy reason under the crosse of our lord christ ; but with thy will thou walkest in heaven , and art at the end from whence all creatures are proceeded , and to which they go againe : and then thou maist behold all things outwardly with reason , and inwardly with the minde , and rule in all things , and over all things with christ , to whom all power is given both in heaven and on earth . the scholar . 10. o master , the creatures that live in me with-hold me , that i cannot wholly yeeld and give up my selfe as i willingly would ? the master . if thy will goeth forth from the creatures , then the creatures are forsaken in thee : they are in the world , and thy body onely is with the creatures , but spiritually thou walkest with god : and if thy will leaveth the creatures , then the creatures are dead in it , and live only in the body in the world : and if thy will doe not bring it selfe into them , they cannot touch the soule , for st. paul saith , our conversation is in heaven : also , you are the temple of the holy ghost , who dwelleth in you ; so then , the holy ghost dwelleth in the will , and the creatures dwell in the body . the scholar . 11. if the holy ghost dwell in the will of the mind , how may i keepe my selfe so , that hee do not depart from mee ? the master . marke the words of our lord jesus christ : if you abide in my words , then my words abide in you . if thou dost abide with thy will in the words of christ , then his word and spirit abideth in thee : but if thy will goeth into the creatures , then thou hast broken off thy selfe from him , and then thou canst not any other way keepe thy selfe , but by abiding continually in resigned humility , and entring into continuall repentance , so that thou art alwayes grieved , that creatures live in thee : if thou dost thus , thou standest in a daily dying from the creatures , and in a daily ascending into heaven in thy will. the scholar . 12. o loving master , pray teach mee how i may come into such a continuall repentance . the master . when thou leavest that which loveth thee , and lovest that which hateth thee ; then thou maist abide continually in repentance . the scholar . 13. what is that which i must thus leave ? the master . thy creatures in flesh and bloud , and all other things that love thee , love thee because thy will * entertaineth them : the will must leave them and account them enemies : and the crosse of our lord jesus christ with the reproach of the world hateth thee , which thou must learne to love , and take for a daily exercîse of thy repentance ; and then thou shalt have continuall cause to hate thy selfe in the creature , and to seeke the eternall rest , wherein thy will may rest , as christ said : in me you have rest , but in the world you have anxiety . the scholar . 14. how may ▪ i recover in such a temptation as this ? the master . if every hour thou dost once throw thy self beyond all creatures , above all sensuall reason into the meerest mercy of god , into the sufferings of our lord , and yieldest thy selfe thereinto , then thou shalt receive power to rule over sinne , death , and the devill , over hell & the world , and then thou mayst subsist in all temptations . the scholar . 15. poore man that i am , what would become of me ; if i should att●ine with my minde to that , where no creature is ? the master . his master said to him very kindly : loving scholar : if it were , that thy will could breake off it selfe for one houre , from all creatures , and throw it selfe into that , where no creature is , it would be over-cloathed with the highest splendor of gods glory , and would tast in it selfe the most sweete love of our lord jesus , which no man can express : and it would finde in it selfe , the unspeakable words of our lord concerning his great mercy ; it would feele in it selfe , that the crosse of our lord christ would be very pleasing to it , and it would love that more then the honour and goods of the world . the scholar . 16. but what would become of the body , since it must live in the creature ? the master . the body would be put into the imitation of our lord christ , who said , his kingdome was not of this world ; it would begin to dye from without and from within : from without , from the vanity and evill deeds of the world , it would be an utter enemie to all pride and insolence : from within , it would dye from all evill lusts and envy , and would get a minde and will wholly new , which would be continually directed to god [ and goodness . ] the scholar . 17. but the world would hate and despise it for doing so : seeing it must contradict the world and l●ve and do otherwise then the world doth . the master . it would not take that as any harm done to it , but would rejoyce that it is become worthy to be like to the image of our lord christ , and be willing to bear that crosse after our lord , meerely that the lord might bestow the influence of his sweete love upon it . the scholar . 18. what would become of it , when the anger of god from within , and the wicked world from without should assault it , as happened to our lord christ ? the master . be that unto it , as unto our lord christ , when he was reproached , reviled , and crucified by the world and the priests , hee commended his soule into the hands of his father , and so departed from the anguish of this world into the eternall joy . so also it would get forth from the reproach and anguish of all the world , and penetrate into it selfe , into the great love of god , and be sustained and refreshed by the most sweete name jesus , and see and find in it selfe a new world springing forth through the anger of god : then a man should wrap his soul up therein , and account all things alike , and whether the body be in * hell or on earth , yet his minde is in the greatest love of god. the scholar . 19. but how would his body be maintained in the world , and how would he maintaine those that are his , if he should incur the displeasure of all the world . the master . he getteth greater favour then the world is able to bestow ; for hee hath god , and all his angels for his friends , they protect him in all dangers and necessities : also god is his blessing in every thing ; and though sometime it seem as if god would not [ bless him ] it is but for a tryall [ to him , ] and the drawing of [ gods ] love , that he might the more pray to god , and commit all his wayes to him . the scholar . 20. but he loseth all his good friends , and there will be none to help him in his necessity . the master . yes , he getteth the hearts of all his good friends into his possession , and loseth none but his enemies , who before loved his vanity and wickednesse . the scholar . 21. how is it that hee getteth his good friends into his possession ? the master . he getteth the soules of all those that belong to our lord jesus , to be his brethren , and the members of his own life : for the children of god are but one in christ , which one is christ in all : therefore hee getteth them all to be his fellow members in the body of christ : for they have the heavenly goods common , and live in one [ and the same love of god , as the branches of a tree [ spring ] from one [ and the same ] sap : also , he cannot want outward natural friends neither , as our lord christ did not want such : for though the high priests and potentates of the would would not love him which belonged not to him , nor were his members and brethren : yet those loved him that were capable of his words : so likewise those that love truth and righteousnesse , would love that man , and associate themselves to him ▪ as nicodemus did to christ , [ who came to him ] by night , and in his heart loved jesus for the truths sake , yet outwardly feared the world , and thus he shall have many friends that are not known to him . the scholar . 22. but it is very grievous to be despised of all the world . the master . that which now seemes hard and heavy to thee , thou wilt afterwards love it most of all . the scholar . 23. how can it be that i should love that which hateth me ? the master . though thou lovest the earthly wisdome now , yet when thou art over-cloathed with the heavenly [ wisdome ] thou wilt see that all the wisdome of the world is but folly , and that the world hateth but thy enemy , viz. the mortall life ; and when thou thy selfe comest to hate the will thereof , then thou also wilt begin to love that despising of the mortall life . the scholar ▪ 24. but how may these two stand together , viz. that a man should both love and hate himselfe ? the master . in loving thy self , thou lovest not thy self , as thy own ; but as given [ from ] the love of god thou lovest the divine ground in thee by which thou lovest the dîvine wisdom , gods works of wonder , and thy brethren : but in hating thy selfe , thou hatest onely that which is thy own , wherein evill sticketh close to thee : and this thou doest , that thou mayest wholly destroy in thee [ that which thou callest thine ( when thou sayest i or my selfe doe this or that ) this thou wouldest wholly destroy ] in thee , that thou mayst become a ground wholly divine . love hareth [ self , or ] that which we call i , because it is a deadly thing , and they two cannot well stand together : for love possesseth heaven , ●c dwelleth * in it self ; but that which i call i , possesseth the world , and worldly things , and also dwelleth in it selfe , and as heaven ruleth the world , and as eternity ruleth time , so love ruleth over the naturall life . the scholar . 25. loving master , pray tell me , wherefore must love and trouble , friend and foe be together , would not love alone be better ? the master . if love dwelt not in trouble , it could have nothing to love ; but its substance which it loveth , viz. the poore soule , being in trouble and pain , it hath cause to loue its own substance , and to deliver it from pain , that it selfe also might be beloved again : neither could it be known what love is , if it had not something which it might love . the scholar . 26. what is the vertue , power , height , and greatnesse of love ? the master . it s vertue is that nothing [ whence all things proceed , ] and its power is [ in and ] through all things : its height is as high as god , and its greatnes is greater then * god : whosoever findeth it , findeth nothing , & all things . the scholar . 27. loving master , pray tell me , how i may understand this . the master . that i said , its vertue is that nothing , thou mayst understand thus : when thou art gone forth wholly from the creature , and art become nothing to all that is nature and creature , then thou art in that eternall one , which is god himselfe , and then thou shalt perceive and feele the highest vertue of love. but that i said , its power is [ in and ] through all things , thou perceivest and findest , that in thy own soul & body , when this great love is kindled in thee , it will burn more then any fire can doe : thou seest also in all the works of god , that love hath powred forth it selfe into all things , and is the most inward and most outward ground in all things : inwardly , in the [ vertue and ] power , and outwardly in the [ figure , forme or ] shape [ of every thing . ] and that i said , its height is as high as god , thou mayest understand this in thy selfe , in that it bringeth thee to be as high as god himselfe is : as may be seen by our beloved lord christ in our humanity ; which humanity love hath brought into the highest throne , into the power of the deity . but that i also said , its greatnesse is greater then god ; that is also true : for love entreth into that where god dwelleth not : as when our beloved lord christ was in hell , hell was not god , but love was there , and destroyed death . also , when thou art in anguish or trouble , god is not the anguish or trouble , but his love is there , and bringeth thee out of anguish into god : when god hideth himselfe in thee , love is there , and maketh him manifest in thee also , that i sayd , whosoever findeth it , findeth nothing and all things ; that is also true : for he findeth a supernaturall , super-sensuall abysse , having no ground , where there is no place to dwel in ; & he findeth also nothing that is like it , and therefore it may be compared to nothing ; for it is deeper then any thing , and is a as nothing to all things ; for it is not comprehensible : and because it is nothing , it is free from all things , and it is that onely good , which a man cannot expresse , or utter what it is . but that i lastly sayd ; he that findeth it , findeth all things , is also true , it hath been the beginning of all things , and it ruleth all things : if thou fi●dest it , thou comest into that ground from whence all things are proceeded , and wherein they subsist ; and thou art in it , a king over all the workes of god. the scholar 28. loving master , pray tell me , where dwelleth it in man ? the master . where man dwelleth not , there it hath its seat in man. the scholar . 29. where is that in a mans selfe , where man dwelleth not ? the master . it is [ in ] the soul , [ that is ] resigned to the ground , where the soule dyeth to its own will , and willeth no more [ of ] it selfe , but onely what god wil : and there * it dwelleth : for , so much of the soule , as its own will is dead to it selfe in , so much place love hath taken up therein : for where it s own will sate before , there now is nothing ; and where nothing is , there the love of god is working alone . the scholar 30 ▪ but how may i comprehend it without the dying of my will ? the master . if thou wilt comprehend it , * it flyeth away from thee ; but if thou yeeldest thy self wholly up to it , then thou art dead to thy selfe in thy will , and love will then be the life of thy nature : it killeth thee not , but quickneth thee according to its life ; & then thou livest , yet not to thy owne will , but to its will , for thy will becometh its will , and then thou art dead to thy self , but livest to god. the scholar . 31. how is it , that so few finde it , when all would so faine have it ? the master . they all seeke it in something , viz. in an imaginary opinion , in self-desire , whereto almost all have a peculiar naturall lust [ or inclination ] & though love should proffer it selfe to them , it would find no place in them , because the imaginarinesse that is in their own will hath set it selfe in the place thereof ; and so the imaginarinesse of selfe-lust would have the love in it : but love flyeth away ; for it dwelleth onely in nothing , and therefore they finde it not . the scholar . 32. what is the office of it in nothing ? the master . it s office is , to penetrate without intermission into something , and if it finde a place in something which standeth still , then its office is to take possession thereof , and to rejoyce therein , with its flaming fire of love , more then the sun in this world : and without intermission to kindle a fire in something , and to consume the something , and to over-enflame it selfe therewith . the scholer . 33. o loving master ! how shall i understand this ? the master . if it may but kindle a fire in thee , thou shalt feele how it consumeth thy [ selfe which thou callest , ] i : and rejoyceth so exceedingly in thy fire , that thou wouldst rather suffer thy selfe to be killed , then to enter againe into thy something ; its flame also is so great , that it would not leave thee , though it should cost thy temporall life , it would goe with thee in its fire into death ; and if thou wentest into hell , it would breake hell in pieces for thy sake . the scholar . 34 , loving master , i can no more endure any thing should divert mee ; how shall i finde the neerest way to it ? the master . where the way is hardest , there walke thou , and take up what the world rejecteth ; and what the world doth , that doe not thou : walk contrary to the world in all things , and then thou commest the neerest way to it . the scholar . 35. if i should walke contrary to every thing , i must needs be in meere misery and unquietnesse , and i should also be accounted a foole ? the master . i doe not bid thee do harme to any , but because the world loveth only deceit and vanity , and walketh in false [ and wicked ] ways ; therefore if thou wilt act a cleane contrary part to the wayes thereof in all things , walk only in the right way : for the right way is contrary to all the wayes of the world . but that thou ●aist , thou shouldst be in meere anguish [ and trouble ] that indeed will be so , according to the flesh , and it will give thee occasion of continuall repentance , and in such anxiety the love must willingly kindle its fire . that thou sayest also : thou shouldst be accounted a ●illy foole , is true ; for the way to the love of god is solly to the world , but wisedome to the children of god : when the world perceiveth this fire of love in the children of god , it faith they are turned fooles : but to the children of god it is the greatest treasure , [ so great ] that no life can expresse it , nor tongue so much as name what the fire of the inflaming love of god is , it is * whiter then the sunne , and sweeter then any thing , it is far more * nourishing then any meate or drinke , and more pleasant then all the joy of this world : whosoever getteth this , is richer then any king on earth , more noble then any emperour can be ; and more potent and strong then all [ authority ] and power . the scholar . 36. then the scholar asked his master further , saying : whether goeth the soule when the body dyeth ? be it either * saved or damned ? the master . his master answered : it needed no going forth , only the outward mortall life with the body doe separate themselves from the soule , the soule hath heaven and hell in it selfe before , as it is written ; the kingdome of god commeth not with outward observation , neither shall they say , loe here or loe there it is , for behold the kingdome of god is within you : and whether of the two , viz. either heaven or hell shall be manifested in it , in that the soule standeth . the scholar . 37. doth it not enter into heaven or hell as a man entreth into a house , or as a man goeth through a hole , [ door or window ] into another world ? the master . no , there is no such kind of entring : for heaven and hell are present every where ; and it is but the turning in of the will either into gods love , or into his anger ; and this commeth to passe in this life ; according to that of saint paul ; our conversation is in heaven : and christ saith also : my sheepe heare my voyce , and i know them , and they follow me , and i give them the eternall life , and none shall plucke them out of my hand . the scholar . 38. how commeth this entring of the will into heaven or hell , to passe ? the master . when the ground of the will yieldeth it selfe up to god , then it sinketh down from it self beyond all ground & place where god onely is manifest , worketh and willeth : and then it becommeth nothing to it selfe , as to its own willing , and so god worketh and willeth in it : and god dwelleth in this refigned will , whereby the soule is sanctified , and so commeth into divine rest. now when the body is dead , the soule is throughly penetrated all over with the love of god , and throughly inlightned with the light of god , as the fire throughly enflameth a [ bright shining hot ] iron , whereby it looseth its darknesse : and this is the hand of christ , where the love of god throughly inhabiteth the soul all over , and is a shining light , and a new life in it ; and then it is in heaven , and a temple of the holy ghost , and is it self the very heaven of god in which he dwelleth . but the ungodly soule will not in the time of this life , enter into the divine resignation of its will , but goeth on continually in its own lust and falshood , in the will of the devill : it receiveth into it selfe nothing but wickednesse , lyes , pride , covetousnesse , envie , and anger , and yeeldeth îts will into them ; and so this vanity also becometh manifest , and working in the soule , and throughly penetrateth it all over , as fire doth [ a burning hot ] iron ; and this soule cannot come to divine rest : for gods anger is manifested in it . now when the body parteth from this soule , eternall griefe and despaire beginneth ; for it perceiveth and findeth , that it is become a meere tormentive abomination , and is ashamed to strive to enter with its false will into god , nay it cannot : for it is captivated in the wrath , and is it selfe meere wrath , and hath shut it selfe up therewith by its * false desire which it hath raised up in it self : and since the light of god shineth not in it , and that his love toucheth it not , it is a great darknesse , and an aking anguishing source of fire , and carrieth hell in it selfe , and cannot see the light of god. thus it dwelleth in it selfe in hell , and needeth no entring [ into it ; ] for wherein soever it is , it is in hell : and though it should cast it selfe many hundred thousand miles from its [ present ] place , yet there it is in the same property , source and darknesse [ it was in . ] the scholar . 39. how commeth it then , that a holy soule in this [ lifes ] time , doth not perfectly perceive that light and great joy , nor a wicked soule feel hell , when both of them are in man , and one of them of necessity worketh in him ? the master . the kingdome of heaven in the saints is working and sensible in their faith , they feele the love of god in their faith , by which the will yeeldeth it selfe up into god : but the naturall life is compassed with flesh and blood ; and in the contrariety of gods anger , is compassed with the vain lust of this world , which cōtinually doth throughly penetrate the outward mortall life , where the world on one side , the devill on the other , and on a third the curse of the anger of god in flesh and bloud , throughly penetrateth and ●i●teth the life , whereby the soule is often in anguish , when hell thus assaulteth it and would manifest it selfe in the soule : but the soule sinketh down into the hope of divine grace , and standeth like a faire rose in the midst of thornes , till the kingdome of this world falleth off from it in the death of the body : and then the soule becommeth first truly manifest in the love of god ; having nothing more to hinder it : but the soule during the time of this life , must walk with christ in this world , and then christ delivereth it out of its own hell by throughly penetrating it with his love , and standeth by it in hell , and changeth its hell into heaven . but that thou sayest , why doe not the wicked feel hell in the time of this life ? i answer , he feeleth it indeed in his false [ or wicked ] conscience , but he understandeth it not : for hee hath earthly vanity yet , with which he is enamoured , and in which he taketh delight and pleasure : also the outward life hath yet the light of the outward nature , and so the pain cannot be revealed ; but when the body dieth , the soule ▪ cannot enjoy such temporall pleasure any longer , and the light of this outward world is also extinguished to it : and then it standeth in eternall hunger and thirst after such vanity as it was in love withall here [ in this ●●e , ] yet it can reach nothing but that false will which it * imprinted [ in it selfe , ] which it had too much of in this life , and yet was not contented ; but then it hath as little of it , which maketh it to bee in everlasting hunger and thirst after vanity , wickednesse , and [ vile ] lewdnesse ; it would fain doe more evill still , but it hath not wherein or wherewith to perform it , and therefore it performeth it onein it selfe . and this hellish hunger and thirst cannot be fully manifested in it , till the body dyeth , wherewith the soule hath played the wanton in voluptuousnesse , and which hath ministred to the soule what it lusted after , the scholar . 40. heaven and hell being in us in strife in this [ lifes ] time , and god being also thus neere us , where doe the angels and devils dwell ? the master . where thou dost not dwell as to thy selfe and thy own will ; there the angels dwell with thee , and every where all over : but where thou dwellest as to thy selfe and thy owne will , there the devils dwell with thee , and every where all over . the scholar . 41. i understand not this . the master . where the will of god willeth in any thing , there god is * manifested , and in that manifestation the angels also dwell ; but where god in any thing willeth not with the will of the thing , there god is not manifested to it , but dwelleth in himselfe , without the co-operating of the thing ; in that thing its owne will is without gods will , and there the devill dwelleth , and all what ever is without god. the scholar . 42. how farre then is heaven and hell from one another ? the master . as [ far as ] day and night , something and nothing [ are one from another : ] they are in one another ; and they doe cause joy and trouble one to another . heaven is through the whole world , and without the world all over , without being divided or included in a place , and worketh through the divi●● manifestation but onely in it self , and in that which commeth into it , or in that wherein it becommeth manifest , and there god is revealed : for heaven is nothing but a manifestation of the eternall one , wherein all worketh and willeth in quiet love . hell also is through the whole world , and dwelleth and worketh also but in it selfe , and in that wherein the foundation of hell is manifested , viz. in selfe , and in the false , [ or evill ] will. the visible world hath both [ heaven and hell ] in it : ma● , as to his temporall life , is only of the visible world , and therefore during the time of this life , he seeth not the spirituall world : for the outward world , with its substance , is a cover to the spirituall world , as the soule is covered with the body : but when the outward man dyeth , then the spirituall world , as to the soule , is manifested either in the eternall light , with the holy angels , or in the eternall darknesse with the devils . the scholar . 43. what is an angel , or the soule of a man , that they may be manifested thus either in gods love or anger ? the master . they came from one originall , they are a * branch of the divine sience of the divine will , sprung from the divine word , and made an object of the divine love , they are [ come ] out of the ground of eternity , from whence light and darknesse spring , viz. darknesse consisting in the receiving of self-desire ; and light consisting in willing the same with god , and there the love of god is in the working : but in the receiving of self in the willing of the soule , gods will worketh in pain , and is a darknesse , that the light may be known : they , [ heaven and hell ] are nothing else but a manifestation of the divine will , either in light or darknesse , according to the properties of the spirituall world . the scholar . 44. what then is the body of a man ? the master . it is the visible world , an image and essence of all that the world is ; and the visible world is a manifestation of the inward spirituall world , [ come ] out of the eternal light , & out of the eternall darknesse , out of the spiritual weaving , [ twining or connexion : ] and it is an object or resemblance of eternity ; wherewith eternity hath made it self visible ; where self-wil , and resigned will , viz. evill and good , work one with another : and such a substance the outward man also is ; for god created man of the outward world , and breathed into him the inward spirituall world , for a soule and an understanding life , and therefore in the things of the outward world , man can receive and work evill and good . the scholar . 45. what shall be after this world , when all things perish ? the master . the materiall substance onely ceaseth , viz. the foure elements , the sun , moon , and starres , and then the inward world will be wholly visible and manifest : but whatsoever hath been wrought by the spirit in this time , whether evill or good , i say , every work shal separate it self there in a spirituall manner , either into the [ eternal ] light , o● into the eternal darknesse : for that which is born from each will , penetrateth again into that which is like it selfe . and there the darknesse is called hell , and is an eternall forgetting of all good ; and the light is called the kingdome of god , and is an eternall joy , and an eternall praise in the saints , that they are delivered from the * evill pain . the last judgement is a kindling of the fire both of gods love and anger ; in which the matter of every substance perisheth , and each fire shall attract its own into it selfe , viz. the substance that is like it selfe ; that is , gods fire of love draweth into it whatsoever is born in the love of god , in which also it shall burn after the manner of love , and yeeld it selfe up into that substance but the pain draweth into it selfe what is wrought in the anger of god in darknesse , and consumeth the false substance ; and then there remaineth onely the painful [ or aking ] will in its own forme , image and figure . the scholar . 46. what matter and form , [ or shape ] shall our bodies rise with ? the master . it is sown a natural grosse & elementary body , which in this [ life ] time , is like the outward elements ; and in this grosse body there is the subtile power and vertue ; as in the earth there is a subtile good vertue , which is like the sun , and is one and the same with the sunne ; which also in the beginning of time , did spring and proceed out of the divine power and vertue , from whence all the good vertue of the body hath been received : this good vertue of the mortall body shall come again and live for ever in a kind of transparent crystalline material property , in spirituall flesh and bloud : as also the good vertue of the earth [ shall , ] when the earth also shall bee crystalline , and the divine light shine in every thing [ that hath a being , essence or substance : ] and as the grosse earth shall perish , and not return ; so also the grosse flesh of man shall perish , and not live for ever . but all things must appeare before the judgement , and in the judgement bee separated by the fire ; yes both , the earth , and also the ashes of the humane body : for when god shall once move the spirituall world , every spirit shall attract its spirituall substance to it selfe , viz. a good spirit and soule shall draw to it selfe its good substance , and an evill one its ▪ evill substance . but we must here understand such a substantiall materiall power and vertue , whose substance is meere vertue , like a materiall * tincture , whose grossnesse is perished in all things . the scholar . 47. * shall we not rise again with our visible bodies , and live in them for ever ? the master . when the visible world perisheth , then all that which hath come out of it , and hath been externall , shall perish with it : there shal remain of the world onely the heavenly crystalline nature and form , and so there shall remain of man also , onely the spirituall earth : for man shall be then wholly like the spiritual world , which as yet is hidden , the scholar . 48. shall there be also husband and wife , or children and kindred in the spirituall life , or shall one associate with another , as they doe in this life ? the master . why art thou so fleshly minded ? there will be neither husband nor wife , but all will be like the angels of god , viz. masculine virgins : there will be neither sonne nor daughter , brother nor sister , but all of one kind , all are but one in christ , ( as a tree and its branches , are one ) and yet severall creatures , but god all in all. indeed there will be spirituall knowledge of what every one hath been , and what he hath done , but no * possessing or desire of possessing such things any more . the scholar . 49. shall they all have that eternal joy and glorification alike ? the master . the scripture saith , such as the people is , such is their god : also it sayth , with the holy thou art holy , and with the perverse thou art perverse . and saint paul saith , in the resurrection they shall excell one another , as the sun , moon , and stars , therefore know , they [ the blessed ] shall indeed enjoy divine working , but their vertue and * illumination shall be very different : all according as they have been endued in this [ life ] time , with power and vertue in their painfull working : for the painfull working of the creature in this [ life ] time , is the opening and begetting of divine power , by which gods power is made moveable and working . now those that have wrought with christ in this [ life ] time , and not in the lust of the flesh , shall have great power and excellent glorification in them , and upon them : but others who have only expected and relyed upon an imputed satisfaction , and in the meane while have served their belly-god , and yet at last have turned and obtained grace ; those , i say , shall not have so great power and illumination ; so that there will be as great a difference between them , as is between the sunne , moon , and starres , and as is between the flowers of the field in their beauty , power , and vertue . the scholar . 50. how shall the world be judged , and by whom ? the master : with the divine stirring [ or motion ] by the person and spirit of christ : christ , by the word of god which became man , shall separate from himselfe , all that belongeth not to christ ; and he shall wholly manifest his kingdome in that place where this world is : for the separating motion worketh all over through all at once . the scholar . 51. whither shall the devils , and all the damned be thrown , when the place of this world is the kingdome of christ , and when ît shall be glorified ? shall they be cast out of the place of this world ? or shall christ have , and manifest , his dominion without the place of this world ? the master . hell shall remain in the place of this world every where ; but hidden to the kingdome of heaven , as the night is hidden in the day ; the light shall shine for ever in the darknesse , and the darknesse cannot comprehend it . and thus the light is the kingdome of christ , and the darknesse is hell , wherein the devils and the wicked dwell ; and so they shall be suppressed by the kingdome of christ , and made a foot-stoole , viz. a reproach . the scholar . 52. how shall all people and nations be brought to judgement ? the master . the eternall word of god , out of which every spirituall creaturely life hath come , will move it selfe at that houre , according to love and anger in every life which is [ come ] out of the eternity , and will draw every creature before the * judgment of christ , to be sentenced by this motion of the word ; the life will be manifested in all its works , and every one shall see and feele its judgement and sentence in it selfe : for the judgement shall immediatly , in the departure of the body , be manifested in the soule . the last judgement is but a return of the spirituall body , and a separation of the world , when the evill shall be separated from the good * in the substance of the world , and in the body , and every thing enter into its eternall reservatory ; and is a manifestation of the mystery of god in every substance and life . the scholar . 53. how will the sentence be pronounced ? the master . here consider the words of christ : he will say unto those on his right hand , come yee blessed of my father , inherit the kingdome prepared for you from the foundation of the world ; for i was hungry , and yee gave mee meat ; i was thirsty , and yee gave mee drink ; i was a stranger , and yee tooke me in ; naked , and yee cloathed me ; i was sick and in prison , and yee visited me , and came unto me . then shall they answer him , sayîng ; lord , when saw we thee hungry , thirsty , a stranger , naked , sick and in prison , and ministred unto thee thus ? then shall the king answer and say unto them ; in as much as yee have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren , yee have done it unto me . and unto the wicked on his left hand he will say , depart from me yee cursed , into everlasting fire , prepared for the devill and his angels : for i was hungry , thirsty , a stranger , naked , sick and in prison , and yee have not ministred to me . and they shall also answer him and say ; when have wee seen thee thus , and have not ministred to thee ? and he will answer them , verily , i say unto you , inasmuch as yee have not done it unto one of the least of these , yee did it not to mee . and they shall depart into everlasting punishment ; but the righteous into life eternall . the scholar . 54. loving master , pray tell me why christ saith , what have you done to the least of these , you have done it to me : and what you bave not done to them , neither have you done it to me ? and how doth a man this to christ so , as he doth it to himselfe ? the master . christ dwelleth really and essentially in the faith of those that wholly yeeld up themselves to him , and he giveth them his flesh for food . and his bloud for drink ; and so possesseth the ground of their faith , according to the * inwardnesse of man ; and therefore a christian is called a branch of the vine christ , and a christian , because christ dwelleth spiritually in him , and whatsoever any shall doe to such a christian in his bodily necessities , that is done to christ himselfe who dwelleth in him : for such a christian is not his own , but is wholly resigned to christ , and is his peculiar possession , and therefore it is done to christ himselfe . therefore also whosoever shall withdraw their hand from such a needy christian , and will not serve him in his necessity , they thrust christ away from themselves , and despise him in his members . when a poore person that belongeth to christ , asketh [ any thing ] of thee , and thou deniest it him in his necessity , then thou hast denied it to christ himselfe . and whatsoever hurt any shall doe to such a christian , they doe it to christ himself . when any mock , reproach , revile , or reject , or thrust away such a one , they doe all that to christ himselfe : but he that receiveth him , giveth him meat and drinke , cloatheth him , and assisteth him in his necessities , he doth it to christ himselfe , and to the [ fellow ] members of his own body ; nay thus , he doth it to himse●fe if he be a christian : for we are one in christ , as a tree and its branches are one . the scholar . 55. how then will those subsist in the day of that judgement , who torment and vex the poore and distressed , and deprive him of his very sweat , necessitating and constraining him by force to be subiect to their wills , and account them their foot-stool , onely that they may domineere and spend his sweat [ labour and pains ] in volup●uousnesse , pride , and vainglory ? the master . those doe it to christ himselfe : and that which they doe , belongeth to his severe sentence and judgement ; for in so doing , they lay violent hands on christ , and persecute him in his members . and besides , they help the devill to augment his kingdome , and by such pressing and constraining them , they draw the poore off from christ , and make him seek a lewd and unlawfull way to fill his belly : nay , they doe the very same which the devill himselfe doth ; who , without intermission , resisteth the kingdome of chrîst , [ which consisteth ] in love . all these , if they doe not turn with their whole heart to christ , and * minister to him , must goe into hell fire , where there is nothing but such meere selfe [ as that which hee hath exercised over the poore . ] the scholar . 56. but how will it fare with those , and how will they subsist , that in this time doe so contend about the kingdome of christ , and persecute , reproach , slander , and revile one another for it , [ viz. for their religion ? ] the master . all those that have not yet known christ , and are also but as a type or figure of heaven and hell , striving with each other for the victory . all rising , swelling pride , [ which maketh striving about opinions , is an image of selfe ; and whosoever hath not faith and humility , nor is in the spirit of christ , [ viz. love ] is onely armed with the anger of god , and helpeth forward the victory of the * imaginary selfe , viz. the kingdome of darknesse , and the anger of god : for at the day of judgement , all selfe shall be given to the darknesse , and all their * unprofitable contentions , in which they seek not after love , but meerly after their * imaginary selfe , that they may boast themselves in their opinions , & stirre up princes to wars , for such imaginary and conceited opinions sake ; and so by those images they lay wast & desolate whole countries of people . all such things belong to the judgement which will seperate the false from the true , and then all images or opinions shall cease , and all the children of god shall walk in the love of christ , and he in us. all whosoever in * this time of strife , are not zealous in the spirit of christ , and desirous to further love only ; but seek their own profit in strife , are of the devill , and belong to the pit of darknesse , and shall be separated from christ : for in heaven all serve god their creator in humble love . the scholar . 57. wherefore then doth god suffer such strife and contention to be in this time ? the master . the life [ it selfe ] standeth in strife , that it may be made manifest , sensible , and palpable , and that the wisdome may be made separable and known ; and it maketh the eternall joy of the victory [ to be : ] for there will arise great praise in the saints from hence , that christ in them hath overcome darknesse , and all selfe of nature , and that they are delivered from the strife ; at which they shall rejoyce eternally , when they shall know how the wicked are recompenced . and therefore god suffereth all things to stand in a free-will , that the eternall dominion both of love and anger , of light and of darknesse , may be made manifest and known , and that every life might cause and raise its own sentence in it selfe . for that which is now a strife and pain to the saints in their misery , shall be turned into great joy to them ; and that which hath been a joy and pleasure to ungodly persons in this world , shall be turned into eternall pain and shame to them . therefore the joy of the saints must arise to them out of death , ( as the light ariseth out of a candle by the dying and consuming of it in its fire ; ) that so the life may be freed from the painfullnesse of nature , and possesse another world . and as the light hath quite another property then the fire hath , for it giveth [ and yeeldeth forth ] it self : but the fire taketh [ in ] and consumeth it selfe : so the holy life of meeknesse springeth forth through death , when selfe-will dyeth : and then gods will of love onely ruleth , and doth all in al. for thus the eternall one hath attained feeling and separability , and brought it selfe forth again with the feeling , through death , in great joyfulnesse , that there might he an eternall delight in the infinite unity , and an eternall cause of joyfulnesse , and therefore painfulnesse must now be the ground and cause of this motion [ or stirring to the manifestation of all things . ] and herein lieth the mystery of the hidden wisdome of god. every one that asketh receiveth , every one that seeketh findeth , and to every one that knocketh it shall be oned . the grace of our lord jesus christ , and the love of god , and the communion of the holy ghost , be with us all , amen . heb. 12. 22 , 23 , 24. thank yee the lord , for ye are now come to mount zion , to the citie of god , to the heavenly jerusalem , to the innumerable company of angels , and to the generall assembly and church of the first born , who are written in heaven : and to god the judge of all , and and to the spirits of just men made perfect , and to jesus the mediator of the new testament , or covenant . and to the bloud of sprinkling , that speaketh better things then that of abel . amen . praise and glory and wisdome , and thanksgiving , and honour , and power , & might , be unto him that sitteth upon the throne , our god and the lamb , for ever and ever . amen . the contents of this treatise in briefe , divided into eight parts .. i. from the 1. to the 7. question . how men may come to the super-sensuall life . ii. from the 8. to the 11. question . how men must and may rule over all creatures , and can be like all things . iii. from the 12. to the 24. question . how men may come to continual repentance , and may subsist in temptation . iv. from the 25. to the 35. question . how love and sorrow stand together in one , and what love is , what its power and vertue , height and greatnesse is , and where it dwelleth in man. . also the neerest way to attain it . v. from the 36. to the 39 , question . whither the blessed and the damned souls go when they depart , and how heaven and hell is in man. vi. from the 40. to the 43. question . where the angels and devils dwell in this [ worlds ] time : how farre heaven and hell are asunder ; and what and whence the angels and soules are . vii . the 44. question : what the body of man is , and why the soule is capable of receiving good and evill . viii . from the 45. to the 57. question . of the perishing of the world , of mans body in and after the resurrection , where heaven and hell shall be : of the last judgement , and wherfore the strife in the creature must be . a discourse between a soule hungry and thirsty after the fountain of life , the sweet love of jesus christ , and a soule enlightned : shewing which way one soule should seek after and comfort another , and bring it in îts knowledge into the paths of christs pilgrimage , and faithfully set before it as a looking-glasse , the thorny way of the world , in which the fallen soule walketh , which leadeth into the abysse , or pit of hell. composed by a soule which loveth all that are the children of jesus christ under the crosse. written in the german language , anno 1624 , by jacob behmen . alias , teutonicus philosophus . london , printed by m. s. 1648. the way from darknesse to true illumination . there was a poore soule wandred out of paradise , and came into the kingdom of this world , and there the devill met with it , and asked , whither dost thou goe thou soule that art halfe blind . the soule sayd , i would goe see and speculate the creatures of the world , which the creator hath made . the devil sayd , how wilt thou look upon them , when thou canst not know their essence and property : thou wilt looke upō the outside only , as upon a graven image , and canst not know them thoroughly . the soule sayd . how may i come to know their essence and property ? the devil sayd , thy eyes would be opened , [ to see them throughly ] if thou didst but eat of that from whence the creatures are come to be good and evill , and thou wouldst be as god himself is , and know what the creature is . the soule sayd . i am now a noble and holy creature , but if i should doe so , i should dye , as the creator hath sayd . the devil sayd , no , thou shouldst not die at all , but thy eyes would be opened , and thou wouldst be as god himself , and receive [ or possesse ] good and evill . also , thou shalt be mighty , powerfull , and [ very ] great , as i am : all the subtilty that is in the creatures , would be made known to thee . the soule sayd , if i had the knowledge of nature , and of the creatures , i would then rule the whole world as i listed . the devil sayd , the whole ground of that knowledge lyeth in thee : doe but turn thy wil [ and desires ] from god [ or goodnesse ] into nature and the creatures , and then there will arise in thee a lust to taste , and so thou mayst eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil , and so come to know all things . the soule sayd , well then , i will eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evill , that i may rule all things by my own power , and be a lord of my self , on earth , and doe what i will , as god himselfe doth . the devil sayd , i am the prince of this world , and if thou wouldst rule on earth , thou must turn thy lust towards my image , [ desire to be like me ] that thou mayst get the cunning , wit , reason , and subtilty that my image hath . and thus the devill did present to the soule , the a mercury in b vulcan , that is , the fiery wheele of essence , [ or substance ] in the form of a serpent . the soule sayd . behold , this is the power which can do all things , how may i do to have it ? the devil sayd , thou thy selfe also art such a fiery mercury , if thou doest break thy will off from god , and bring thy desire into this art , then thy hidden ground will be manifested in thee , and then thou mayst work in the same manner also : but thou must eat of that fruit , wherein each of the foure elements in it self ruleth over the other , and are in strife , the heat striving against the cold , and the cold against the heat ; and so all the properties of nature work feelingly : and then thou wilt instantly be as the fiery wheele is , and so bring all things into thy own power and possesse them as thy own . the soul did so , and what hapened upon it . and when the soule broke its will thus off from god , and brought its desire into the vulcan of mercury , viz. the fiery wheele : there presently arose a lust to eat of the knowledge of good and evill , and the soule did eat thereof . as soon as it had done so , * vulcan did kindle the fiery wheele of its substance , and so all the properties of nature did awake in the soule , and exercised their own lust and desire . first then , there arose the lust of pride , to be great , mighty , and powerfull , to bring all things under subjection at command , and so be its own lord without controule , to despise humility and equality , to esteeme it self onely prudent , witty , and cunning , and account all folly that is not according to its way . secondly arose the lust of covetousnesse , a desire of getting , which would draw all things to it selfe , into its possession : for when the lust of pride had turned away its will from god , then the life [ of the soule ] would not trust god any further , but would take care for its selfe , and therefore brought its desire into the creatures , viz. into the earth , metals , trees , [ and other creatures , ] and so the kindled fiery life became hungry and covetous , when it had broken it self off from the unity , love , and meeknesse of god , and attracted to it selfe the foure elements and their essence , and brought it selfe into beastiality , and so the life became obscure , dark , void and wrathfull , and the heavenly vertues and colours * went out . thirdly , there awaked a stinging thorny lust in the fiery life , viz. envie , a hellish poyson , and a property which all devils have , and a torment which makes the life an enemy to god , and to all creatures : which envie did rage furiously in the desire of covetousnesse , as a sting of poyson in the body : envie cannot endure , but hateth and mischieveth that which covetousnesse could not draw to it selfe , by which the noble love of the soule was smothered . fourthly , there awaked in this fiery life a torment , like fire , viz. anger , which would murther and destroy all that which would not be subject to this pride . thus the ground and foundation of hell , which is called the anger of god , was wholly manifested in this soule , and thereby it lost the paradise of god , and the kingdome of heauen , and became such a worme as the fiery serpent was , which the devil presented to the soule in his owne image and likenesse . and so the soule began to rule on earth in a beastiall manner , and did all things according to the will of the devill , living in meere pride , covetousnesse , envy and anger ; and having no true love towards god any more ; but there did arise in the stead thereof an evill beastiall love of filthy lechery , wantonnesse and vanity , and there was no purenesse more in the heart : for the soule had left paradise , and taken the earth into its possession , the minde thereof was onely bent upon cunning knowledge , subtilty , and getting a multitude of naturall things : no righteousnesse nor vertue remained in it at all : but whatsoever evill and wrong it committed , the soule covered it cunningly and subtilly under the cloak of its power and authority [ law ] and called it by the name of right and justice , and accounted it good . the devil came to the soule . upon this the devill drew neere to the soule , and brought it on from one vice to another ; for hee had taken it captive in his essence , and did set joy and pleasure before it therein , and said to the soule : behold now thou art powerfull , mighty and noble : endeavour to be greater , richer , and more powerfull still : use thy knowledg , wit , and subtilty , that every one may feare thee [ and stand in awe of thee ] and that thou maist be respected , and get a great name in the world . the soule did so . the soule did as the devill counselled it , and yet knew not that it was the devill , but thought it was its owne knowledge , wit , and understanding , and that it selfe did very well & right [ all this while . ] jesus christ met with the soule . the soule going on in this course of life , our deare and loving lord jesus christ ( with the love and wrath of god ) who was come into this world to destroy the works of the devill , and to execute judgement upon all ungodly workes ; at a time hee met with the soule , and spake , by a strong power , viz. by his passion and death , into the soule , and destroyed the works of the devill in it , and discovered the way to his grace to the soule , and did shine upon it with his mercy , calling it back to returne and repent , and then hee would deliver it from that monstrous deformed shape , vizard or image which it had gotten , and bring it into paradise againe . how christ wrought in the soule . now when the sparke of the [ love of god or the ] divine light was manifested in the soule , it presently saw it selfe with its will and workes to bee in hell , in the wrath of god , and found that it was a mishapen ugly monster in the presence of god , and the kingdom of heaven ; at which it was so affrighted , that the greatest anguish awaked in it , for the judgment of god was manifested in it . what christ said . upon this the lord christ spake into it with the voyce of his grace , and said , repent and forsake vanity , and thou shalt attaine my grace . what the soule d●● . then the soule in its ugly mishapen image , with the de●●ed 〈◊〉 of vanity , went before god , and entreated for grace and the pard●● of its sinnes , and was strongly perswaded in i● selfe , that the satisfaction and ●tonement of our lord jesus christ did belong to it : but the evill properties of the se●pent formed in the astrall * spirit ▪ would not suffer the will of the soule to come before god , but brought their lusts and inclinations thereinto : for those evill properties would not dye to their own lusts , nor leave or forsake the world ; for they were come out of the world , and therefore they feared the shame of the world in case they should forsake their worldly honour and glory . but the poore soul turned its countenance to god , and desired grace from god , viz. that god would bestow his love upon it . the devill came to it again . but when the devill saw that the soule thus prayed to god , and would enter into repentance , he drew neere to the soule and thrust the inclinations of the earthly properties into its prayers , and disturbed the good thoughts [ and desires ] which pressed forward towards god , and drew them back again to earthly things , that they might have no accesse to god. the soule sighed . the will of the soule sighed after god , but the thoughts arising in the mind , that should penetrate into god were destroyed [ scattered and distracted ] so that they could not reach the power of god ; the poore soule was more affrighted at this , that it could not bring its desires into god , and began to pray more earnestly : but the the devill with his desire took hold of the mercuriall-kindled-fiery wheele of life ; and awakened the evill properties so , that evill or false inclinations arose and went into that thing , wherein they had taken pleasure and delight before . the poor soule would very fain goe forward to god with its will , and therefore used all its endeavours : but all its thoughts fled away from god into earthly things , and would not goe to god. the soule sighed and bewailed it selfe to god , but it was as if it were quite & clean forsaken , and cast out from the presence of god , it could not get so much as one looke of grace , but was in meer anguish , and also in great fear and terrour , and supposed every moment that the wrath and severe judgement of god would be manifested in it , and that the devill would take hold of it [ and have it ] and so fell into such great heavinesse and sorrow ; that it became weary of all the joy and pleasure it took in temporal things , though it were never so delighted with them before . the earthly naturall will desired those things still ; but the soule would willingly leave them altogether , and desired to dye to all temporall lust and joy , and longed only after its first native country from whence it came originally , but it found it selfe to be farre from thence , also in great distresse and want , and knew not what to doe : yet resolved to enter into it selfe , and still stir it selfe up to pray more earnestly . the devils opposition . but the devill opposed it , and withheld it that it could not bring it selfe into any greater fervency or repentance . the devil awaked the earthly lusts in its heart , that the inclinations might stil keep their * evill nature , and set them at ods against the will and desire of the soule : for they would not dye to their own will and light , but would stil maintain their temporal pleasures , and so kept the poore soule captive in their evill desires , that it could not stirre , though it sighed and longed never so much for the grace of god : for whensoever the soule prayed , or offered to presse forwards towards god , then the iusts of the flesh swallowed up the rayes and ejaculations that went forth from the soule , & brought them away from god into earthly thoughts , that the soule might not partake of divine strength ; and then the soule thought it selfe forsaken of god , and knew not that god was so neere it , and did thus draw it . also , the devill drew neere it , and entred into the fiery mercury , or fiery wheele of its life , and mingled his desires with the earthly lusts of the flesh , and mocked the poore soule , and sayd to it in the earthly thoughts : why dost thou pray ? dost thou think that god knoweth thee , or regardeth thee ? consider but what thoughts thou hast in thee in his presence ; are they not altogether evill ? thou hast no faith or beliefe in god at all ; how then should he heare thee ? he heareth thee not , leave off , wherefore wilt thou thus needlesly torment and vex thy selfe ? thou hast time enough [ to repent at leasure ] wilt thou be mad ? doe but look upon the world , i pray thee , a litle , doth it not live in jollity & mirth , yet it will be saved well enough for all that . hath not christ payd the ransome , and satisfied for all men ? thou needest doe no more but perswade and comfort thy selfe that it is done for thee ; and then thou shalt be saved . thou canst not possibly in this world come to have any feeling of god : therefore leave off , and take care for thy body , and look after temporall glory : what dost thou suppose will become of thee , if thou turn to be so melancholy and senslesse ? thou wilt be the scorn of every body , and they will laugh at thy folly , and so thou wilt spend thy dayes in nothing but sorrow and heavinesse , which is pleasing neither to god nor nature . prethee look upon the beauty of the world : for god hath created thee in the world to be a lord over all creatures , & to rule them ; gather store of temporal goods before hand , that thou mayst not stand in need of the world : and when old age commeth , or that thou growest neere thy end , then prepare thy selfe for repentance ; god will save thee , and receive thee into the heavenly mansions , there is no need of such adoe , in vexing , bewailing , and stirring up thy selfe as thou makest . the condition of the soule . in these and the like thoughts , the soule was ensnared by the devill , and brought into the lusts of the flesh , and earthly desires ; and so , as it were , bound with ●etters and great chaines , and did not know what to doe , it looked a little back into the world , and the pleasures thereof ; but still felt in it selfe a hunger after divine grace , and would rather alwayes enter into repentance , and come into favour with god : for the hand of god had touched it , and bruised it ; and therefore it could rest no where , but alwayes fighed in it self after sorrow for the sins it had committed , and would faine be rid of them , but could not get true repentance , much lesse the knowledge of sinne ▪ and yet had such a hunger and longing desire after repentance and sorrow for sin . the soule being thus heavy and sad , and finding no remedy nor rest , bethought it selfe where to find a place to perform true repentance in , and when it might be free from businesse , cares , and the hinderances of the world : also , by what meanes it might obtain the favour of god ; and therefore purposed to betake it self to some private solitary place , and give over all worldly imployment , and temporall things , and thought in being bountifull and pitifull to the poore , that god would have mercy upon it , and sought out all kind of wayes to get rest , and to get the love , favour , and grace of god again . but all would not doe ; for all its worldly businesse followed it in the lusts of the flesh , and it was ensnared in the net of the devill , now , as well as before , and could not get rest ; and though for some little while it was a little cheered with earthly things , yet presently it fell to be as sad and heavie again ; for it felt the awakened wrath of god in it selfe , and knew not how that came to passe , nor what it ayled : for many times great fear and temptations fell upon it , which made it comfortlesse , sick and ●aint with very fear , so mightily did the first bruising it with the ray or influence of the stirring of grace work upon the soul , & yet it knew not that christ was in its the wrath and severe justice of god , and sought with satan that spirit of error , that was incorporated in soule and body ; and understood not that the hunger and desire to turn and repent , came from christ himselfe , by which the soule was drawn in this manner : neither did it know what hindered that it could not yet attain to divine feeling ; it knew not that it selfe was a monster , and did bear the image of the serpent , in which the devill had such power and accesse to the soule , and in which [ image ] he had confounded all its good [ desires , ] thoughts [ & motions ] and brought thē away from god [ and goodnesse ] concerning which christ sayd , the devill snatcheth the word out of their hearts , lest they should beleeve and be saved . an enlightned and regenerate soul met the distressed soul. by the providence of god an enlightned and regenerate soule met this poore afflicted and distressed soule , and sayd , the enlightned soul sayd , what aylest thou , thou distressed soule , that thou art so restlesse and troubled ? the distressed soule answered , the creator hath hid his countenance from me , so that i cannot come to his rest , and therefore i am thus troubled , & know not what i shall doe to get his loving kindnesse again ; for great cliffes and rockes lye in my way to his grace , that i cannot come to him , though i long after him never so much , yet i am kept back , that i cannot partake of his power , vertue , and strength , though i sigh and long , and wait for him . the enlightned soule sayd ; thou bearest the monstrous shape of the devill , viz. the serpent , and art cloathed therewith , in which the devill hath an entrance into thee , being his owne property , and therein hee keepeth thy will from penetrating into god ; for if thy will might penetrate into god , it would be anoynted with the highest power and strength of god in the resurrection of our lord jesus christ , and that unction would then break [ in peeces ] that monster which is in thee , and thy first image of paradise would be manifested in thee again , and then the devil must lose his power in thee , and thou wouldst become an angel again . and because the devil doth envie thee this [ happinesse ] he holdeth thee captive in his desire in the lusts of the flesh , from which if thou beest not delivered , thou wilt be separated from god , and canst never enter into our society . the distressed soul terrified . at this speech the poore distressed soule was so terrified and amazed , that it could not speak one word more , when it perceived it was in the shape and image of the serpent , which separated the soule from god : and that the devill was so nigh it in that image , and did mingle evill thoughts in the will of the soule , and had so much power over it thereby , and that it was so neere damnation , and stuck fast in the abysse or bottomlesse pit of hell , in the anger of god , that it would have despaired of the grace of god : but that the power [ vertue and strength of the first stirring of the grace of god ] that bruised the soule , upheld it that it despaired not : and so the soule wrastled in it self between hope and doubt , whatsoever hope built up , that doubt threw downe againe , and so was in such continuall disquietnesse , that at last the world and all the glory thereof was loathsome to it , neither would it enjoy the pleasures of this world any more , and yet for all this , could not come to rest . the enlightned soule came againe . at a time the enlightned soule came againe to this soule , and finding it in so great trouble , anguish , and griese of mind , said to it : what dost thou ? wilt thou destroy thy selfe in thy anguish and sorrow ? why dost thou torment thy selfe in thy owne power and will ; who art but a worme , seeing thy torment increaseth thereby more ▪ and more ? yea , if thou shouldst sink thy selfe downe to the bottome of the sea , or couldest flie to the uttermost coasts of the morning , or raise thy selfe up above the starres , yet thou wouldst not be released , for the more thou greevest , tormentest , and troublest thy selfe , the more painfull thy nature will be , and yet thou canst not come to rest : for thy power is quite lost , and as a drie [ withered stick burnt to a ] * cole , cannot grow green & spring afresh by its own power , nor get sap to flourish againe , with other trees , [ and plants : ] so thou also canst not reach the place of god ( by thy owne power and strength ) and transform thy self into thy first angelical image againe , which thou hadst ; for , in respect of god , thou art withered and drie , ( like a withered drie cole-wort , [ or plant ] that hath lost its sap and strength ) and so art become a drie tormenting hunger : thy properties are like heate and cold , continually striving one against the other , and can never agree . the distressed soule said , what then shall i doe , to bud forth againe , and recover my first life which i had , wherein i was at rest before i became an image . the enlightned soule said , thou shalt doe nothing at all but forsake thy owne will , viz. that which thou callest i , or thy selfe : and thereby all thy evill properties will grow weake and faint , and read e●to die , and then thou wilt sinke downe again into that ( one thing ) from which thou art sprung originally : for now thou lyest captive in the creatures , and if thy wil forsaketh them , the creatures , with their evill inclinations , will die in thee , which for the present , stay and hinder thee , that thou canst not come to god : but if thou doest th●s ; thy god will meete thee , with his infinite love , which he hath manifested in christ jesus in the o humanitie ; and that will impart sap , life , and vigour to thee , that thou mayst bud , spring , and flourish againe , and rejoyce in the living god : [ as a branch growing upon his true vine : ] and so thou wilt recover also the image of god , & be delivered from the * image of the serpent , and then thou shalt come to be my brother , and have fellowship with the angels . the poore soule said , how can i forsake my will , that the creatures which lodge therein may die , seeing i must be in the world , and also have need of it , so long as i live . the enlightned soule said , now thou hast temporall honour and worldly goods , which thou possessest as thy owne [ to doe what thou wilt with them ] also the pleasure of the flesh ; and thou regardst not what thou doest therein , or how thou gettest them : and though thou seest the poore and needie , who wanteth thy help , and is thy brother , yet thou helpest him not , but layest heavie burdens upon him [ by requiring more of him then his necessities will beare ] and vexest him in forcing him to take paines , and labour for thee , and thou takest pleasure therein : and besides , thou art proud , and infultest over him , and art rough , crabbed , and sterne to him , and exaltest thy selfe above him , and makest small account of him in respect of thy selfe : and then that poore vexed brother of thine cometh , and figheth towards god , that hee cannot take the benefit of his labour and paines , but is forced by thee to live in miserie : and so with his sighings and groanings , he raiseth up the wrath of god in thee , which maketh thy flame and unquietnesse [ or thy unsatisfied desire ] greater and greater : these are the creatures which thou art in love with , and hast broken thy selfe off from god for their sakes , and brought thy love into them [ or set thy love upon them : and so they live in thy love , and thou nourishest and keepest them by thy continuall receiving them into thy desire , for they live in , and by thy receiving of them [ into thy mind : ] in that thou bringest the lust of thy life into them , which are but uncleane , filthie evill beasts , which in thy receiving of them in thy lust , have gotten an image , and formed themselves in thee ; and that image is a beast having foure evill inclinations , first pride . secondly covetousnesse . thirdly , envie . fourthly , anger . and in these foure properties the foundation of hell consisteth , which thou carriest in thee , and about thee , and it is imprinted and ingraven in thee , and thou art quite taken captive therewith : for these properties live in thy owne life , and thereby thou art severed from god , neither canst thou ever come to god , unlesse thou so forsake these evill creatures , that they may die in thee . but since thou desirest i should tell thee , how to forsake thy own perverse creaturly will , that the creatures might die , and that yet thou mighst live with them in the world : i tell thee , that there is but one way to doe it , which is narrow and strait , and it will be very troublesome , and irkesome to thee at the first beginning , to walke in it , but afterwards thou wîlt walk in it cheerefully . thou must rightly consider , that in the course of this worldly life , thou walkest in the anger of god , and in the foundation of hell , and that this is not thy true native countrie : and that a christian should , and must live in christ , and in his walking truly follow him ; and that hee cannot be a christian , unlesse the spirit and power of christ so live in him , that hee becometh wholly subject to it : now being the kingdome of christ is not of this world , but in heaven , therefore thou must alwaies be in a continuall ascension towards heaven , if thou wilt follow christ , though thy bodie must dwell among the creatures and use them . the narrow way to this perpetuall ascension into heaven , and the imitation of christ , is this : thou must despaire of all thy owne power and strength ( for in and by thy owne power thou canst not reach the gates of god ) and firmely purpose , and resolve wholly to give thy selfe up to the mercie of god , and also resolve to sinke downe with thy whole mind and reason , into the passion and death of our lord jesus christ , alwaies desiring to persevere therein , and to die from all thy creatures therein : also thou must resolve to turne away thy mind , and lusts from all receiving of evill [ into them ] and not suffer thy selfe to be held fast by temporall honour , and * profit , and thou must resolve to put away from thee all unrighteousnesse , and whatsoever else may hinder thee ; thy will must bee wholly pure , and thou must be in such a resolution ▪ that thou wilt never returne to thy evill creatures any more , but that thou wilt that very instant leave them , and separate thy mind from them , and that thou wilt immediately enter into the sincere way of truth ▪ and righteousnesse ; and follow the doctrine of christ : and as thou now doest purpose , to forsake the enemies of thine owne nature , so thou must also forgive all thy outward enemies , & resolve to meet them with thy love , that there may be no creature at all , that might be able to take hold of thy will , and stay thee , but that thy wil may be sincere & purged from all creatures : and also , that if it should be required , thou must be willing , and readie to forsake all temporall honour and profit for christs sake , and regard nothing that is earthly , to love it , but to esteeme thy selfe in whatsoever state , degree , and condition thou art , for temporall honour , or riches , and worldly goods , to be but a servant of god , and of thy fellow-christians , as a steward of god in thy office , [ which he hath set thee in . ] the lofty lookes , and selfe love , must be humbled , brought low , and so destroyed , that no creature may stay in the mind , to bring the thoughts , or imagination to be set upon them . also thou must firmely imprint in thy mind , that thou shalt partake of the promised grace , in the merit of jesus christ , viz. of his out-flowing love [ which is in thee ] which will deliver thee from thy creatures , and enlighten thy will , and kindle it with the flame of love , whereby thou shalt have victorie over the devill : not as if thou couldest will , or doe any thing , but enter into the suffring , and resurrection of jesus christ , and take them to thy selfe , and with them assault , and breake in peeces the kingdome of the devill in thee , and mortifie thy creatures ; and thou must resolve to enter into this way , this very houre , and never to depart from it , but willingly to submit thy selfe to god , in all thy endeavours and doings , that hee may doe with thee what he pleaseth . when thy will and purpose is thus prepared , it hath broken through its owne creatures , and is sincere in the presence of god , and cloathed with the merits of jesus christ , and then it may freely goe to the father with the prodigall sonne , and fall downe in his presence , and poure forth its prayers , and put all its strength forth in this divine worke , and confesse its sinnes and disobedience , and that it hath turned away from god : and that must bee done not with bare words , but with all its strength , which is but a strong purpose , and resolution to doe it ; for the soule it selfe hath no strength , nor power to effect it . and when thou art thus ready , and that thy eternall father shall see thy comming and returning to him in such repentance and humility , then he will inwardly speak to thee , and say in thee , behold , this is my son which i had lost , he was dead and is alive againe ; and he will come to meet thee in thy mind with the grace and love of jesus christ , and embrace thee with the beams of his love , and kisse thee with his spirit and strength : and then thou shalt receive strength to powre out thy confession before him , and to pray powerfully . and this now is the right place where thou mayst wrastle , in the light of his countenance ; and if thou standest resolutely here , and shrinkest not back , thou shalt see or feele great wonders : for thou shalt find christ in thee assaulting hell , and crushing thy beasts in peeces , and that a great tumult and misery will arise in thee : also that thy secret unknown sinnes will then first awake , and labour to separate thee from god , and to keep thee back ; and thou shalt truly find and feele , how death and life fight against one another ; thou shalt also find what heaven and hell is . at all which be not moved , but stand resolutely , and shrink not ; and then at length all thy evill creatures will grow faint . & weak ready to dye : and then thy will shall wax stronger , and be able to subdue and keep down the evill inclinations , and so thy will and mind shall ascend into heaven every day , and thy creatures dye daily , and thou wilt get a mind wholly new , and begin to be a new creature , and be changed into the image of god again , and be rid of the beastiall monstrous image , shape , or vizard . and thus thou shalt come to rest again , and be delivered from thy anguish . the poore soules practice . when the poore soule began to practice this course with such earnestnesse , it conceived it should get the victory presently ; but the gates of heaven were shut against it in its own strength and power , and it was as it were , left and forsaken of god , and received not so much as one beam , look , or glimpse of grace ; and then it thought in it self [ and said to it selfe ] surely thou hast not sincerely submitted thy selfe to god ; desire nothing at all of god , but onely submit thy selfe to his judgement [ sentence and condemnation ] that he may kill thy evill inclinations : sink down into him beyond the limits of nature and creature , and submit thy selfe to him , that he may doe with thee what he will ; for thou art not worthy to speak to him . upon this the soule took a resolution to sink down and to forsake its own will : and when it had done so , there fell upon it the greatest repentance for the ●innes it had committed , and it bewailed bitterly its ugly shape , and was very sory that the evill creatures did dwell in it . and because of its sorrow it could not speak one word more in the presence of god , but in its repentance did consider the bitter passion and death of jesus christ , viz. what great anguish and torment he had suffered for its sake , that he might deliver it out of its anguish , & change it into the image of god ; and in that consideration it wholy sunk down , and did nothing but complain of its ignorance and negligence , and that it had not been thankfull [ to its redeemer ] nor had once considered so great love , but had so idlely spent its time , & not regarded to cōsider how it might come to partake of that grace ; but in the mean while had formed in it selfe the images and figures of earthly things , with the vain lusts and pleasures of the world , from which it had gotten such beastiall inclinations , that now it must lye captive in great misery , and for very shame dareth not lift up its eyes to god , who hideth the power [ or light ] of his countenance from it , and will not so much as look upon it . and as it was thus sighing and crying , it was drawn into the abysse or pit of horror , and as it were at the gates of hell , and should there perish . upon which the soule was , as it were , bereft of sense , and wholly forsaken , and thereby did forget all its doings , as if it would wholly yeeld it selfe to death , and cease to be a creature any more ; and so did yeeld it selfe to death ; and desired nothing else , but to dye and perish in the death of its redeemer jesus christ , who had suffered such torments and death for its sāke : and in this perishing it began to sigh and pray in it selfe very inwardly to the mercy of god , and to sink down into the meerest mercy of god. upon this there appeared unto it the amiable countenance of the love of god , and penetrated through it as a great light , by which it grew exceeding joyfull , and began to pray aright , and to thank the most high for this grace , and to rejoyce exceedingly , that it was delivered from the death and anguish of hell ; and there it tasted of the sweetnesse of god , and of his promised truth . and in that very instant , all evill spirits which had afflicted it before , and kept it back from the grace , [ love and inward presence ] of god , were forced to depart from it : and the wedding of the lamb was kept and solemnized , with the espousing or contracting of the noble sophia with the soule , and the seal-ring of christs victory was impressed [ or printed , or set upon its substance or ] into its essence ; and it was received to be a child and heire of god again . when this was done , the soule became very joyfull , and began to work in this power , and to celebrate with praise the wonders of god , & thought henceforth to walk continually in this power , strength , and joy ; but it was assaulted from without , or outwardly , by the shame and reproach of the world ; and within , by great temptation , so that it began to doubt whether its ground were from god , or no ; and whether it had really and truly partaken of the grace of god , or no ; for the accuser , [ or satan ] went to it , and would lead it out of this way , and make it doubtfull [ of its way ] and sayd to it inwardly : the accuser , or satan spake to the soule , saying , it is not of god , it is but thy imagination . also the divine light retired in the soule , and shone but in the inward ground , as light in embers [ or fire raked up in ashes , ] so that reason was solly to it selfe , and thought it selfe forsaken , and the soule knew not what had happened to it selfe , nor whether it were true , that it had tasted the divine light of grace , or not , and yet it could not leave off [ strugling ] for the burning fire of love was sowne in it , by which there arose in it a great hunger , and thirst after the divine sweetnesse and now at length began to pray aright , and to humble it self in the presence of god , and to examine and trie its evill inclinations in its thoughts , and to put them away : by which the will of reason was broken , and the evill inbred [ innate , or native ] inclinations were killed , and destroyed more and more : and this was very wofull to the nature of the bodie ; for it made it faint , feeble and weake , as if it had been very sick , and yet it was no naturall sicknesse that it had , but it was the melancholy of the eatthly nature of the bodie , because its evill lusts were destroyed . and when the earthly reason found it self thus forsaken , & the poore soule saw that it was derided outwardly , and despised by the world , because it would now walke no more in the way of the wicked , and ungodly ; and that it was inwardly assaulted by the accuser [ satan ] who also mocked it , and continually set before it , the beautie , riches , and glorie of the world , and esteemed the soule foolish , [ that embraced them not , ] which made the soule thinke thus with it selfe ; o eternall god! what shall i now doe , to come to rest ? the enlightned soule met it again . while it was in this consideration the enlightned soule met with it againe , and said . what ailest thou my brother , that thou art so heavie and sad ? the distressed soule said . i have followed thy counsell , and thereby attained a ray , looke , or glimps of the divine sweetnesse , but it is gone from me againe , and i am now forsaken , and outwardly have very great tryalls , and afflictions in the world : for all my good friends forsake me , and scorne me , and also inwardly i am assaulted with anguish , and doubt , and i know not what to doe . the enlightned soul sayd , now i like thee very well ; for now our beloved lord jesus christ walketh in his * pilgrimage on earth with thee and in thee , as he did himselfe when he was in this world , being alwayes reviled , slandered , and evill spoken of , and had nothing of his own : and now thou bearest his mark or ensigne : but doe not wonder at it , nor think it strange ; for it must be so that thou must be tried , refined and purified . in this anguish and distresse thou shalt have often cause to pray , and hunger after deliverance , and in thy hunger and thirst thou attractest grace to thee from within and from without : for thou must grow from above and from beneath to be the image of god again . and as a young plant is stirred by the wind , and must stand in heat and cold , drawing strength and vertue to it from above and from beneath by that stirring , and must endure many a tempest , and undergoe much danger before it can come to be a tree , and bring forth fruit , for in that stirring , the vertue of the sunne commeth to move in it , whereby the wild properties of that plant come to be penetrated and tinctured , [ or qualified ] with the vertue of the sun , and grow thereby . and now is the time wherein thou must behave thy selfe as a valiant souldier in the spirit of christ , and cooperate with it thy selfe : for now the eternall father by his fiery power , begetteth his sonne in thee , who changeth the fire of the father , [ or the wrath ] into the flame of love ; so that out of fire and light , [ viz. wrath and love ] there commeth to be one essence , being or substance , which is the true temple of god ; and now thou shalt bud forth out of the vine christ in the vineyard of jesus christ , and bring forth fruit in thy life , and teaching of others , and shew forth thy love in abundance as a good tree : for paradise must thus spring up again in thee , through the wrath of god : and hell be changed into heaven in thee : therefore be not troubled at the temptations of the devill ; for he striveth for the kingdome which he had in thee , and having lost it once , he must be confounded and depart from thee ; & therfore he coveres● thee outwardly with the shame and disgrace of the world that his own shame may not be known , and that thou mayst be hidden to the world ; for with thy new-birth , [ or regeneration ] thou art in the divine harmony in heaven , therefore be patient , and wait upon the lord , and whatsoever shall befall thee , take it from the hands of the lord , as [ intended ] by him for thy best [ good ] and so the enlightned soule departed from it . the distressed soules course . this distressed soul began its course now under the patient suffering of christ , and entred into hope in divine confidence , and from day to day grew stronger and stronger , and its evill inclinations dyed mo●e and more in it , so that it came to be set in a great [ dominion ] or kingdome of grace , and the gates of the divine revelation , and the kingdome of heaven were opened and manifested in it , [ viz. in the soule . ] and thus the soule ( in faith ) returned to its true rest , and ▪ became a child [ of god ] ▪ again ; to which god help ▪ us all . amen . the end . this foregoing discourse concerning illumination , is called by the authour , a dialogue between the enlightned and the unenlightned soule , as it is set down in the catalogue of his works . an appendix to a large treatise of election : which treatise is dated february 9. 1623. this appendix is a compendium of repentance . or , a short description of the key which openeth the divine mysteries , and leadeth to the knowledge of them . dated also february 9. 1623. written in the german language , anno 1624 ▪ by jacob behmen . london , printed by m. s. for h. blunden , at the castle in corne-hill . 1648. to the reader . in the authors treatise of election , the ground of all doubts in any soule about election is laid down , which wil resolve them all , that they may see their condition , and find the way to attain the election , if they have not yet atained it . and in this short treatise is the practise of every soule in repentance set down , which will lead to the understanding of divine mysteries in such a way , as that the soule may get so much of the heav●ly divine treasure hidden in them , as it shall perceive it standeth in need of . to that end this labour is taken for thee , by j. s. a compendium of repentance . whosoever will attain to divine vision in himself , and speak with god in christ , let him follow this course , and he shall attain in . 1. let him gather all his thoughts and reason together , and all his mind into this one imagination , & take a strong purpose and resolution in himselfe , to consider what he is , being the scripture calleth him the the image of god , the temple of the holy ghost , who dwelleth in him ; and a member of christ ; and offereth the flesh and bloud of christ to him to be his meat and drink . 2. he must consider himselfe in his life , whether he be capable of so great grace , and worthy of so high a title as that of a christian , and begin to examine his whole life , and think with himself what he hath done , and how he hath spent all his time ; and examine whether he findeth himselfe to be in christ , whether he hath a godly will or holy desires in him or no , or to what he is inclined , or whether he find at any time in himselfe a will or desire heartily panting after god [ and goodnesse , ] and so would fain bee saved . 3 and if he find in himselfe a will , [ never so weak ] deeply hidden , which would fain turn to the grace of god if it could ; let him know , that that will is the * ingrafted , incorporated , and in-spoken word of god , in paradise , after sinne was committed , and that the god jehovah , viz. the father doth draw him [ thereby ] still to christ : for in selfe we have no will at all to obedience . 4. but that drawing of the father , viz. the ingrafted , incorporated , inspoken word , draweth all , eveu the most ungodly , ( if he be not altogether a thistle ) if hee will but stand stil frō his evil working for a moment . 5 so that none have cause to doubt of the grace of god , if at any time he once find in himselfe a desire [ or inclination ] to turn . 6. and let that party not defer his turning one moment , but as it is written , to day when you shall heare the voyce of the lord , harden not your eares and hearts . 7 for that desire [ or inclination ] once to turn , is the voyce of god in man , which the devill covereth and shutteth up by the [ species , representations , or ] images which he bringeth into the mind , whereby turning is delayed , and put off from one day to another , and from one yeare to another , till at length the soule commeth to be a very thistle , and can reach grace no more . 8 but let him that findeth a desire to turn , take it into his he●rty confideration , to examine his whole course [ of life ] and lay it to the ten commandements , and to the love which is required by the gospel , which commandeth him to love his neighbour as himselfe , and consider that he is a child of grace onely in christs love , and see how farre he is departed from it : and what his daily practice , desire and inclination is ; and then that drawing of the father will bring him into the righteousnesse of god , and shew him the images that are imprinted in his heart , which he hath loved in stead of god , and still accounteth them to be his best treasure . 9 which images he shall find to be , 1. pride , in liking and loving himselfe , and desiring to be honored by all others also : an image inclining him to get power and dominion in his pride , that he might be honoured above all others . 2. an image of a swine , covetousnesse , which would have all to it selfe onely , and if it had the whole world , and heaven too , yet it would have the dominion in hell also , desiring more then this temporall life hath need of ; and hath no faith towards god in it , but is a defiled swine , that desireth to swallow all things into it selfe . 3. an image of envie , stinging the hearts of all others , envying and grudging that any other should have more temporall goods and honour then it selfe hath . 4. an image of anger , which when envy as a poyson dwelleth in it , will upon any very little or frivolous occasion , storm , fight , wrangle , and be furious , and will revenge it selfe . also , there will be found a multitude , yea thousands of earthly beasts to be in him which he loveth [ and fostereth . ] sor he loveth every thing that is in the world , and hath set it in the stead of christ , and honoureth it more then he doth god. let him but observe the words of his mouth , and see how his lips slander , upbraid , and speak evill of others secrerly , and setteth them forth in the worst sense , [ and giving others the worst character ] to their fellows , [ associats , and familiar friends ▪ ] and often back bite without any sure ground or cause , rejoycing at his neighbours mishap , or the evill that commeth upon him , and wishing it to him . all which are the pawes and ginnes , slights or tricks of the devill , and the image of the serpent , which man beareth in him . 10. and let him compare all this with the word in the law and in the gospel : and he shall find that hee is more a beast and a devill , then a man , and shall clearly see how these here ditary , imprinted , [ ingraved or graven ] images keep him back , and lead him astray from the kingdome of god ; so that many times when he would fain repent and turn to god , these pawes and talons of the devill keep him off , and keep him back , perswading the poore soule that this monster is holy , and so the soule entreth again into the lusts thereof , and so sticketh fast in the anger of god , and at length goeth into the abysse or bottom lesse pit , when the grace and drawing of the father ceaseth . 11. we tell this man our way that we have gone , and which we have tried ; that as soon as he shall discover these beasts , he should that very houre and moment take a resolution , and bring himselfe into a will to depart from the bestiall will , and by true repentance turn to god [ and goodnesse : ] and being he cannot doe it by his own power , let him take the promise of christ into him selfe , when he sayd , seek and you shall find , knock and it shall be opened unto you . no sonne asketh bread of his father , and he giveth him a stone , or an egge and he giveth him a scorpion : and if you that are evill can give good gifts to your children , how much more shall my heavenly father give the holy ghost to them that aske him for it . 12. let him imprint this promise in his heart , ( for it is poyson and death to the devill , and all hereditary innate , and imprinted beasts ) and let him immediatly that very hour come with these words of promise imprinted in his mind , and prayers , into the presence of god , and let him first confider with himselfe , all these abominable beasts which are in himselfe , and let him think no otherwise of himselfe , but that he is that silthy keeper of swine . who hath spent all his fathers [ portion ] of goods [ that he bestowed upon him ] and his birth-right upon those swine of the world , viz. those evill beasts in himselfe : and also that now he standeth in the presence of god , as a miserable , naked , forlorne , ragged keeper of swine , that hath spent and cast away his fathers inheritance in whoredome , with these worldly beasts [ or graven ] images ; and hath no more right to the grace of god , neither is in the least measure worthy of it , much lesse ●o be called a christian , or the child of god. let him also despaire of all the good workes that ever he did ; for they proceeded but from an hypocriticall , seeming , or out-side holinesse , for which the man [ that is inwardly ] a devill , would be accounted an angell ; for without faith it is impossible to please god , as the scripture saith . 13 but let him not despaire of the divine grace [ that is in him ] but of himselfe onely , and of his own power and strength ; and let him with all the power and strength he hath , bow down himselfe in his soule , in the presence of god. and though his own heart be utterly against it , and say to him , doe it not , stay a while , it will not be convenient to day : or , if it say , thy sinnes are too too great , it cannot be that thou shouldest attain the grace of god ; and so he commeth into such anguish . that hee cannot pray to god , and receiveth no comfort nor strength in his heart , but is as if his soule were quite blind , and dead to god , [ and goodnesse , ] yet he must be resolnte , considering the promise of god is a certain infallible truth ; and with a submissive heart sigh to the grace of god , and in his great unworthinesse wholly resign himselfe thereto . 14 and though he doe esteem himselfe unworthy , as a stranger and alien to whom the inheritance of christ doth not any more belong , hee having lost his right : yet he should stedfastly rest upon that which christ sayd , [ knowing , that what hee saith , is certainly true , ] that hee came to seek and to save that which was lost , viz. the poore sinner that is blind and dead to god : he must firmly imprint this promise in himselfe , and take to himselfe such a strong purpose and resolution , that he will not goe forth from the promised grace of god in christ , though body and soule should bee broken to peeces ; and though hee should get no comfort in his heart all the dayes of his life , or the least assurance of the remission of his sinnes , considering that the promises of god are more s●re and firm then all comfort whatsoever . 15. also let him purpose to himselfe , and shut up his will so firmely in this resolution , that he will no more enter into the former beastiall images and vices againe , though all his swine and beasts [ in him ] should lament to the death the losse of their food , and pasture ; and hee himselfe should be a foole in the account of all the world for so doing , yet hee would be constant in his purpose [ in cleaving ] to the promised grace of god : and if he [ must come to ] bee a child of death , he would desire to be so in the death of christ , to die and live to him at his pleasure : and let him order and direct his purpose in continually praying , and fighing to god , and commit all his endeavours and doings , in the workes of his hands , unto god , and cease from the imagination , or thought of pride , covetousnesse , or envie ; let him but deliver up these three beasts , and the rest will soone become weake , faint , and readie to die : for christ will soone get a forme , in the words of his promise , which that man imprinteth in himselfe , and cloatheth himselfe withall , and so come to life , and begin to worke in him , whereby his prayers will bee more powerfull , and he be more and more strengthned [ and confirmed ] in the spirit of grace . 16. and as the seed in the mothers wombe , undergoeth the casualties of nature , and many outward accidents in growing to be a child , till it getteth life in the mothers wombe , so here , the more a man goeth forth from himselfe out of these images [ through much opposition ] the more hee entreth into god , till at length christ cometh to be living in the incorporated grace ; which comes to be so , in the great earnestnesse of his purpose : upon which there presently followeth the desponsation , espousing , or contract with virgin sophia , ( viz : the worthie humanity of christ ) where the two lovers [ viz : the soule and the humanity of christ ] embrace one another with joy ; and together with most inward desire , penetrate into the most sweet love of god ; and presently the marriage of the lamb is readie : where virgin sophia ( viz : the worthie humanity of christ ) is espoused [ or united ] to the soul : now what is done at it , and what joy is celebrated , christ intimateth saying : there is greater joy in the heaven which is in man , and in the angels , in the presence of god , for one sinner that repenteth , then for nintie nine righteous that need no repentance . 17. but we have no pen , nor words that can write , or expresse what that exceeding sweet grace of god in the humanitie of christ is ; and what they enjoy , that come worthily to the marriage of the lamb : which wee our selves have found by experience in this our way and course , and know for certain , that we have a sure ground from which we write : and we would from the bottome of our heart willingly * communicate it to our brethren in the love of christ : and if it were possible that they would beleeve our faithfull childish counsel ; they would find by experience in themselves , from whence it is that this simple hand knoweth , and understandeth these great mysteries . 18. but having heretofore written a treatise at large of repentance , and regeneration , therefore here we forbeare to write more then this short direction ; and referre the reader to those treatises ; as also to * the great worke upon genesis , and there he shall find the ground of whatsoever he will , or can aske , sufficiently laid downe : and we christianly admonish him , that he will follow our way and course , and then he shall attaine the divine vision in himselfe , and heare what the lord through christ speaketh in him : and hearewith wee commend him to the love of christ . dated the 9. of february . 1623. the xv. chapter , taken out of the three-fold life of man. concerning the mixt world , and the wickednesse thereof ; what it now i● , and how it ruleth : which is a glasse , wherein every one may behold himselfe ; and find , what kind of spirits child he is : from the seale of the wonders . 1 christ said * o jerusalem jerusalem , how often would i have gathered thy children together , as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings , but ye would not ? also ; oh jerusalem thou that killest the prophets , and stonest them that are sent unto thee . also : we have piped unto you , but you have not danced . also , what should i doe more to this stubborne [ or perverse ] generation , which will not suffer my spirit to reprove them any more ? also : their mouth is full of cursing , and bitternesse , the poyson of asps is under their lips ; and their hearts are never at unity . o! how faine would i eat of the best grapes ! but i am as a vine-dresser that gleaneth : i am altogether a stranger to my mothers children : they that eat of my bread , tread me under foot . 2. thus did the * mother , then lament , and complaine of the wicked children of men : but what should she doe now in these times ? she is now in great sorrow and lamentation , and hath turned her face away from these wicked children , and will not endure them in the garment they are now cloathed with all any more : she crieth , and there is none that heareth her : she is in great sorrow , weeping and wailing , over the wickednesse of these evill and unruly children : yet every one runneth after that whore , covetousnesse ; which is full of all vice , wickednesse , and abominations : this doth the shepherd , and also the sheep : it is a time of highest and greatest calamity , which if it should not be shortned none could be saved . thirdly , it is a time of which all the prophets have prophesied : and thou supposest it to be a golden time : but consider thy selfe , thou blind man ; whither thou art gone : dost thou thinke that this wickednesse , and falshood which thou practisest , is the ordinance of god ? waite but a while , and thou shalt soone see , that it is the time of the last seale , in which the anger of god poureth forth its vialls , so that the wonders of hell are come to light [ and knowne : ] let this be told you ; wee have knowne it in ternario sancto . [ or wee have understood it in the heavenly substantiality in the angelicall world . ] 4. for the mother hath rejected [ the wicked child of ] this [ time ] and will endure the abominations [ thereof ] no more : she is with child , and bringeth forth a sonue in her old age , who shall shorten the dayes of iniquitie : let this be told you : whosoever persevereth , or goeth on in his iniquity , shall have great shame thereof . 5. are not the little boyes , and children that runne up and downe playing together , now a dayes , full of venome and devillish wickednesse , and doe not all vices and abominations appeare in them ? doe they not mock and scorne , blaspheme , curse , sweare , cheat , and lye , and so are fully fitted to serve the devill in all shamelesse vices : lascivious impudence is * eloquence and fine language with them ; they know readily how to jeere the simple with all manner of scornefull and scoffing jests ; all theeving filtching , and stealing is counted a great piece of art and skill with them , deceit , and slie tricks are a credit to them : they mock honest people without any regard : one that feareth god they hout , and wonder at , as if it were an owle , and count him for a foole : and this the old ones , and their parents see , and take delight and pleasure in it , that their children are so expert in insolence and vanity : and when their children readily scoffe and jeere at honest people , their hearts are tickled at it : what they dare not doe themselves they teach their children to doe it , that they may have their owne hearts lust fulfill'd . all this the devill teacheth them , and so rideth in their hearts domineering over soule and body . 6. they that can cozen , slander , despise , and betray their neighbour ; and overthrow his honour , or good name , blemish his reputation , diminish , or hinder his estate , take great delight therein : all impudent wanton laughter , or unseemely words , and gestures , are counted wit , dexterity , and art : he that can out-jeere , or laugh another to scorne , is master of the game or place : all these are the devills tricks and feats ; and so he leadeth the poore soule in a string , and man understandeth it not . 7. youths both male and female , learne the devills trade , and handicraft before they learne any other thing ; despitefull , scornefull , wicked disdaine , pride , and insolence , is the first worke they learne ; and this their elders help them forward in , and count it civillity , manners , gallantry , and art. 8. and if they grow to be a little elder , then the desire of beastiall lust , and lasciviousnesse is the next worke they learne , to which one sex provoketh another : youths yeeld their heart for the devill to dwell in , in their first springing growth , that the devill may make his nest in it , and so he ensnareth one by the abominations of the other , the male by the female , and the female by the male. 9. if a man send his sonne to the university , to have him learne somewhat that is good , that he may be serviceable to god and the common-wealth : there he learneth pride , bravery , and cunning crafty subtiltie , and how he may deprive the simple of his goods , which hee hath gotten by his sweat and labour , and cloake their doings with that which they call their * right , they may doe it by law : but the cloake is the devills , and the false deceitfull heart is his servant : if he can smatter a little of any strange language ; then no plaine man is good enough for him , his pride and haughtinesse doth so overflow : his stinking carcasse must be trimmed and decked with trappings and fooleries : scortation and deflouring of virgins is a high accomplishment with them : they are a kind of people , that can complement and behave themselves finely ; and so often procure the worme that groweth to awake in the heart , and conscience of many a mothers daughter . 10. these are they that are entrusted with churches , schooles , and universities , and ordained , and accounted to bee the shepherds of christ : and yet they lodge the devill in their hearts : these also are preferred to civill government , and place of authority in the common-wealth , and then they rule just as he that harboureth in their heart would have them : and thus the superiours commit the greatest wickednesse , and the infetiours learne of them : the superiour deviseth how to get the goods , or estate of the inferiour to himselfe with subtilty , under pretence and colour of law : hee layeth taxes and impositions , and saith they are for the good of the common-wealth : he constraineth the poore and silly to take hard paines , and be his slave , to satisfie his owne pride : he threatens the ▪ simple with harsh , and rugged words , hee takes his sweat and labour from him , and afflicteth his bodie : hee bringeth all he can to be in bondage under him ; and yet himselfe hath nothing for his own , but one only soule , and is but a stranger , and a sojourner in this world : the needy must consume all his sweat for him , and his pleasure ; there is no pity , ease , nor rest to be had from him ; his dog hath a better life , then the needie soule under his roofe ; and all this he accounteth equall , just , and right : though it be not grounded upon nature , but in the dark abysse , or bottomlesse pit , where one forme [ or property of darkenesse ] afflicteth , vexeth , tormenteth , and tortureth the other , and where the life is an enemie to it selfe . 11. such things the inferiour learneth of his superiour , and maintaineth himselfe also with craft , cozening covetousnesse , and knavery : for if he did not so , he could not fill his belly in righteousnesse : and then his reason telleth him he is forced to doe so ; to exact more worke , profit , and commodity , and so extort from his neighbour his sweat , paines , and care , without love and righteousnesse onely to fill his belly : he learneth riotousnesse , luxurie , and junketings of his superiour , and a true beastiall life : but what the superiour doth in state and delicacie , that the inferiour doth in a beastiall swinish manner of life : thus wickednesse is wrought by wickednesse : and the devill continueth prince on earth , both over body , and soule . 12. how wilt thou bee able to subsist , when god will judge the secrets of men in his zeale ? for then the cause of every thing [ that every wicked man hath had to doe with all ] shall appeare , and curse him : euery thing will set its owne cause before him , and he shall feele it in his conscience : how wilt thou superiour bee able to endure , when thy inferiour shall crie , woe , woe , woe to thee , for giving him occasion to be lewd , and unrighteous : [ and say ] thou hast bereft him of his sweat , and so forced him to yeeld himselfe to doe unrighteously , and to embrace vanity : how wilt thou be able to render an account of thy office wherein thou hast been set and placed , that thou should'st hinder injurie and unrighteousnesse , and keep the wicked in awe by reproofe , correction , and punishment : but thou hast not regarded to prevent his wicked course , thou hast onely regarded thy owne covetousnesse , how thou might'st deprive him of his sweat ; thou hast not sought the good of his soule , but his sweat and labour , for in other things he might doe what hee would himselfe : thou hast gone before him in wicked examples , so that hee hath looked upon thee , liked thee , and followed thy course ; cursing , blaspheming , ambition , and defying others , hath been thy course , and hee hath learned to doe so too , and so continually blasphemeth the name of god ; but thou hast not regarded that , thou hast looked after his money , and not after the good of his soule . 13. and when the severe judgement of god shall appear , and that all works shall bee manifested in the fierie essences , when all things shall be tried in the fire ; what dost thou thinke ? shall not all such workes remaine in the fire ? and then the poore soule will crie out against its ungodly accursed labour , words , and workes , and one will curse another for giving him occasion to doe such evill ; and the torment of falshood will boyle up in the soule , and gnaw him , [ for it will be great anguish to him ] that he hath fooled away so great a glory for so frivolous vanitie , and false delights sake . 14. all malice , scorne , covetousnesse , pride , and deceit , will boyle up in the soule , and one torment , will continually kindle and gnaw the other , that caused it : [ for example where pride , or covetousnes have caused unrighteousnesse , there the unrighteousnesse will gnaw , teare , and curse that which caused it ] and then the soule will consider , if it were not for this abomination , i might attaine grace : and when it shall throughly weigh and consider it selfe , it will find that one abomination hath alwayes begotten and brough forth another ; and shall perceive , that it selfe is nothing but a stinking , loathsome abomination in the presence of god : and then it will cast it selfe in its anguish and torment inwards , into its centre , and curse god for having created it to be a soule ; and the deeper it desireth to throw it selfe , the deeper its fall is ; and yet it must still bee in the place of its abominations ; it cannot get out from thence : the hellish matrix , [ wombe , or mother ] holdeth it captive ; and so it must feed it selfe with aking , anguish , cursing , abominations , and bitternesse , even with those things which the heart hath wrought here [ in this life ] in which at last it despaireth , and that is its everlasting food . 15 all earthly food and pleasure perisheth at the end of dayes [ or time , ] and all return again into the aether , [ sky , sea , abysse , or receptacle : ] but the will , and the desire in the will , remaineth for ever . 16 therefore old and young , parents and children , superiours and inferiours , mark and observe : you have filled the mother of nature full of abominations , [ or with all manner of wickednesse ] the fierce wrath of god is at hand , the last judgement is at the doore ; god will purge or sweep the earth with fire , and give every one his due reward : the harvest commeth , this crop shall not stand : every thing will be gathered and carried into its proper barn ; he that will take no counsell let him goe on , he shall soon feele what the seventh seale bringeth with it in its center , [ or ●t the end thereof . ] 17 when reason looketh upon things , it saith , i doe not see that things are now otherwise then they formerly were : & besides , the world hath alwayes had good and bad in it , as histories tell us , and men must doe as they doe , , or else they will be made very fooles , and laughing stockes to the world , and must must be forced to starve . 18 if a man should not give his children liberty to learn the fashions and dealings of the world , they would be nothing but derided and despised : also , if a man should not be somwhat like in his carriage , and take some state and bravery upon him , he should not be regarded : and except he use some device to get by , he cannot maintaine that : for with truth , and love , and righteousnesse , saith hee , i am sure to get nothing [ but shall dye a beggar : ] i must do as others do , and then i may be able to live amongst them . why should i onely bee the foole of all the world ? if i do commit sin , god is gracious and mercifull ; hath not christ slain finne and death upon the crosse , and taken away the power of the devill ? i shall once repent well enough and be saved . 19 this is the rule that the world goeth by , this is the course both of superiour and inferiour , of the shepheard and of the sheep . christs passion and suffering must be the cloak for their knavery : every one would bee accounted a christian , and weare the mantle of christ , when the poore soule playeth the whore with the devill ; if with the mouth they can but confesse themselves to be christians , and cover their knavery with the purple mantle of christ , then all is well , and so we are brave christians with our lips under the mantle of christ , and yet we lodge the whore of antichrist in our hearts . 20 o yee false shepheards of christ ; you that climb up into the sheep-fold by the doore of robbers ; why doe you tickle [ or comfort ] the knave [ of wickednesse ] with the sufferings and death of christ ? doe you think that christ was such a one ? [ for none should weare his mantle but such as are like him . ] search the center [ or ground ] of nature , and shew the people the abysse that is in their hearts , shew them the snares of the devill , which we lye intangled in , that they may no more look after the cursed course of the world , but that they may learn to fight against flesh and bloud , and also against the devill , and an hypocriticall life , that they may goe forth from the pride of the devill , and enter into righteousnesse , love and humility . 21 the passion of christ will benefit none , unlesse they turn from their evil , false and wicked purposes , and repent , and enter into the covenant of god : to such a one the sufferings of christ are very powerfull and profitable . the hypocrites they seemingly carry themselves so , that they may have the name of christ put upon them ; but they thereby abuse the name of god , and must give a strict account of that . 22 o yee antichristian shepheards of the new order , you that with with false hypocrisie ( for the favour of men , or for your own idols sake , the belly ) cast the garment of christs sufferings over the hypocrites and deceivers , who are but seeming christians ; how will you answer it when christ shall require an account of his sheep from you , you having wittingly and wilfully , for favour , money , riches , honour , and reputation ] covered wolves in whom the devill dwelleth , with the purple mantle of christ : why doe you not breake the nut shell and looke upon the kernell and heart that lieth within it , and tell the superior as well as the inferior , of his abominations and wickednesse ? if you be the shepheards of christ , why doe you not as christ did , who told every one the truth to his face : he did both bruise and heale , not for favour , or respect to the person of any , but according to the will of his father : the shepheards of christ ought to doe so too . 23 o beloved reason ! thou walkest very wisely in the way of this world , as farre as concerneth the outward body : but what becometh of the poore soule ? this outward body is ▪ not its home , it is not its eternall native countrey . what will it avail thee to take thy pleasure here a very little while , and suffer eternall losse ? or what profit will it be , to suffer they children to follow [ their own will in ] bravery , luxury , and insolence , [ or what ill they please ] for a little while in this world , and for thee to take delight in their despising of the poore and needy , when after this life thou shalt lose them for ever ? thou supposest thou lovest them and doest them good , [ when thou hast so brought them up ] that the word commendeth their cunning fetches , deceit and gallantry , and it likes thee well ; but the devill taketh that to himselfe , and thou art the murtherer of thy own children , and art their greatest enemy : for children look upon their parents at every turn ; and when they see their [ idle , unhappy , waggery , and ] roguish trickes , doe please them , then the children play their trickes the more , and grow stouter , [ hardened ] bold [ and brazen-faced in their villany . these will cry out at the last judgement day against their parents , for not with-holding [ and restraining ] them from vanity and their wicked course , by nurturing them , correcting them , and bringing them up in vertue , and in the feare of god. 24 if thou lovest thy life , and thy children , then lose thy life and thy children , as to the iniquity of this world , that they neither walk nor be therein ; and then thou shalt find them and thy life again in heaven , as christ saith , whosoever loveth his life shall lose it ; but whosoever loseth his life , his goods , his credit , for my sake , he shall find them again in the kingdome of heaven . also , when the world despiseth , persecuteth , and hateth you for my sake , then rejoyce , your reward is great in the kingdom of heaven . also , what wil it profit a man to enjoy temporall pleasure , and honor here in this life , that endureth but for a moment , and lose his soule that endureth to eternity ? 25 loving children in christ , let every one consider in what soyle he groweth here ; we must not stay a fitter season for the bettering of our life ; but to day , to day , when the voyce of god soundeth , let every one enter into himself , and search and try himself ; let none regard the broad way of the world , if he doe , he will goe into the abysse to the devils : for the way to the kingdome of heaven is a very strait and narrow way , whosoever will walk therein , must not carry till the devil quite grateth [ or stoppeth ] up the doore ; he must not regard the course of this world , he must onely enter into himselfe , and seek or search himselfe : the time will come that he shal think that himselfe onely is left alone ; but god hath alwayes his seven thousand with elias besides himselfe , whom he knoweth not of . 26 for a sincere earnest christian doth not altogether know himselfe , he seeth nothing but his vices and faults , in which the devill fighteth against him , they are alwayes in his sight ; but he knoweth not his own holinesse in this world ; for christ hideth it under his crosse , so that the devill seeth it not : therefore bee alwayes sober and watchfull , and resist the crafty and subtill devill , that yee may live for ever . amen . a letter or epistle from iacob behmen to a good friend of his . our salvation [ or redemption ] consisteth in the working [ of the ] love of jesvs christ [ that is ] in us . 1. my very loving and christian friend , i wish you the highest peace , with the hearty love of a fellow-member of christ , working in the desire ; that the true sunne of the effectuall love of jesus christ , may continually rise and shine in your soule , spirit and body . 2 your letter dated the 24 of january , i received 14. dayes after easter ; rejoycing to see in it , that you are a thirsty , fervent , and desirous searcher and lover of the true ground [ of the knowledge of divine mysteries , ] which i perceive you have sought and searched for with diligence . 3 but that my writings are come to your hands , and please you , is certainly caused by the appointment of god , who bringeth lovers to [ that which they ] love , and often useth strange meanes , whereby he satisfieth the desire of them that love a thing , and feedeth them with his gifts , [ and graces ] and putteth an ens [ or substance ] of the true fire , into their love , that it may burn aright ; and you may rest assured , if you continue your constancy in love to truth , that it will open , reveale , and manifest it self to you in its flaming love ; and make it self certainly known : but the searching of it must be begnn aright : for we attain not the true ground of divine knowledge by the sharp searthing of our reason [ frō without : ] but the searching must begin from within in the hunger of the soule ; for reason pe●etrateth no further then its own a●rum , or constellation ] of the out●ard world , from whence reason ha●h ●ts originall . 4 but the soul searcheth in its own astrum [ or constellation , ] viz. in the ●nward spirituall world , from whence ●his visible world hath proceeded and ●own forth , and was produced , and wherein its ground [ or root ] standeth . 5. but then if the soule would search its own astrum [ or spirituall constellation , ] viz. the mysterium magnum , [ or the eternall divine nature , ] it must first wholly yeeld up all its power & its wil to the divine love and grace [ within it ] and become a childe , and turn it selfe to ●ts center by repentance , and desire to doe nothing but that onely which the spirit of god desireth to search by it . 6 and when it hath yeelded and resigned it selfe thus , seeking nothing but [ goodnesse , and the glory of ] god , and its own salvation , and also how it may serve and love its neighbour ; and doth then find in it selfe a desire to have divine and [ also ] naturall knowledge ; then it may know [ or be sure ] that it is drawn [ or inclined ] to it by god , and then it may well ▪ search that deep ground ▪ which is mentioned in my writings . 7 for the spirit of god searcheth by that soule , and bringeth it at length into the deepes of the deitie , as saint paul faith ; the spirit searcheth all things , yea , the deep things of god. 8 loving sir , it is a simple childish way that leadeth to the highest wisdome , the world knoweth it not : you need not [ travell into far countries ] to seek for wisdome in remote places ; she standeth at the doore of your soule and knocketh ; and if shee shall find an empty , resigned , [ free ] place in the soule , she will there reveale her selfe indeed , and rejoyce therein more then the sunne in the elements . if the soule yeeld it selfe up to wisdome for a full possession , then she penetrateth through it with her flaming fire of love , and unlocketh all mysteries to the soule . 9 sir , you may perhaps wonder , how a plain lay-man could come to understand such high things , having ever read them , nor heard them ●om any man. but , loving sir , i tell ●ou , that which you have seen in my ●ritings , is but a glimpse of the my●eries ; for a man cannot write them : god ▪ shall account you worthy to ●e the light kindled in your soule , ●u would see , taste , smell , feele , and ●eare , unspeakable words of god , ●oncerning this knowledge : and ●ere is the true theosophicall schoole ● pentecost , where the soule is taught * of god. 10 after this there is no more need ● searching and painfull toyling [ a●out it ] for all [ doores or ] gates and open : a very simple silly man ●ay attaine it , if he doe not hinder ▪ ●imselfe by his own willing and run●●ng : for it lieth in man before●nd , and needeth onely to be awa●ned [ stirred up , hatched or quick●d ] by the spirit of god. 11 in my talent [ or writings ] ●s in my simplicity i was able to de●ribe it ) you shall easily ●ind the way ● it , especially in this * foregoing book , which also is of my talent , and but for few weeks agoe published in print ; which , sir , i present to you in love , as to my christian fellow-member , and exhort you to read it over often , for its vertue is , * the more the better liked . in this book you will see a true short ground , and it is a sure ground : for the authour in his † practice hath found it so by experience . 12 but for the ground of the high naturall mysteries , which you and mr. walter , and mr. leonhart elverne desire a further and a clearer explanation of ; be pleased to enquire of mr. walter for it : for i have sent to you and him an explanation , and other new writings ; if you shall like them , you may cause them to be copied out , you will find very great knowledge in them . i ould that all of you might truly understand it ; i would fain have made it more plain ; but in respect of the great depth , and also in regard of the unworthy , it may not be done . christ sayth , matth. 7. 7. seek and you shall find , knock and it shall be opened unto you . none can give it to another , every one must get it himselfe of god : one may well give a manuduction , or direction to another ; but he cannot give him the understanding [ of it . ] 13 yet know this , that a lilly blossometh to you , yee northerne countreys . if you doe not destroy it with the sectarian contention of your learned men , it will grow to be a very flourishing or great tree among you . but if you rather choose to contend [ dispute and wrangle ] then to know the true god , the ray [ or influence ] will passe over you , and touch but some few ; and then afterwards you will be forced to fetch water from strangers for the thirst of your soules . 14 if you shall rightly observe it , my writings will give you great furtherance in it , and the signat-starre above your pole will help you , for its time born [ or begun . ] 15 i will freely and readily give you what the lord hath given me : but look to it , and bestow it aright , it will be a witnesse for you against the mockers , [ scorners or despisers : ] none ought to look upon my person , it is the meere gift of god , given not for my sake onely , but for your sakes also , and for all theirs that shall get to read * it . 16. let none gaze any longer after the time , it is alreadie borne or [ begun ] whomsoever it hitteth , him it hitteth ; hee that watcheth seeth it , and he that sleepeth seeth it not : the time is alreadie appeared , and shall suddenly appeare [ more ] hee that watcheth he shall see it : many have already felt it ; but a very great tribulation and calamity must passe over , before it be wholly manifested . the cause of which [ misery and calamity ] is , the contention of the learned , who tread the cup of christ under their feet , and contend about a child , with a contention , then which there was never worse since men were : that must be manifested ▪ therefore let no honest man defile himselfe with such contentions , there is a fire from the lord therein , that shall consume them , and himselfe reveale the truth . 17. you shall receive of mr. walter , what he hath more ; especially a table , with an exposition [ of it ] wherein the whole ground [ of all mysteries ] is plainly laid down . and so i commend you sir , to the love of jesus christ . dated the 20. of april . anno 1624. your servant in the love of christ . jacob behmen . an explication of some words in the writings of jacob behmen . turba magna . 1. the turba magna [ the great turba ] is the stirred and awakened wrath of the inward ground , when the foundation of hell is made manifest in the spirit of this world : from whence great plagues and diseases arise : and it is also the awakened wrath of the outward nature , as may bee seen in great tempests of thunder , and lightning , when the fire is manifested [ or generated ] in water . in briefe it is the effusion of the anger of god ; by which nature is disturbed . ternarius . 2. by the word ternarius [ the ternary , or number three ] in the language of nature we understand , the divine birth , [ or propagation ] in the six formes [ or properties ] of nature , which are the six seales of god. ternarius sanctus . 3. the ternarius sanctus [ or holy ternary ] is the inward heavenly working power in that substance wherein the trinity of god worketh : and so i understand thereby an essentiall power , and the number three , [ or trinity ] in the seven formes , [ or properties ] wherein also the angelicall world is comprehended . tria principia . the three principles . primum principium . the first principle . 4. by the first principle is meant the eternall darknesse , which consisteth in the receivingnesse of the properties , whence feelingnesse ariseth , and its ground extendeth as farre as to fire [ in order of the seven properties , fire being the fourth property into which its ground reacheth : ] by which ground we meane the eternall nature , and the wrath of god : [ according to which god is said to be a zealous angry jealous god , and a consuming fire . ] secundum principium . the second principle . 5. by the second principle is meant the light , and the angelicall powrefull world ; in which the effluence of the divine power and will , doth manifest it selfe by the magicall fire in the light , with the flaming fire of love : by this is meant the kingdome of god [ according to which god is said to be a loving mercifull god , and the eternall goodnesse and light. ] tertium principium . the third principle . 6. by the third principle is meant , the visible , produced , and created world , with all its hosts : which is an effluence out of the first and second principle , [ caused ] by the motion , and breathing forth of the divine power and will : in which the spirituall world , as to light and darknesse , is represented , and come to be a creature . tincture . 7. by the word tincture is meant , the power and vertue of fire , and light ; and the stirring [ up or putting forth like a bud ] of this vertue is called the holy and pure element : [ the vertue of the sunne is the tincture of all things , that grow and live in the visibility of the world : so also the colour is the tincture of the ground : christ ●s the tincture of the soule ; in briefe ; the tincture is the life , and the perfluent , and informing vertue , by which any thing doth subsist : for without the tincture that proceedeth from the sunne , gold were no gold : and so also the image of god in the soule without the true tincture [ the eternall sun of righteousnesse ] were not the image of god. christus . christ. 8. by the word christ is meant , the inward new man , in the spirit of christ ; understood inwardly . satan . 9. by the word satan is meant , the spirit of errour [ in us ] and not alwayes a creaturely devill , but the property of such an erroneous spirit . the end . concerning the authors life , the reader may finde some information in the preface to his 40. questions of the soul in english. and at the end of that book , a catalogue of his other writings . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a28541-e330 * * or worke. * * or put . a a larva or monstrous shape . b b or by c c or modell . d d or obtaine a drawing . * * or a way to conversion . a a or in . b b as its nutriment . c c or represent or set before himself . d d de ca●ed . e e or blowne out . * * or beings . f f or step-child . g g barren or unprofitable . h h i , that which is called i or my self . k k or dying sparke ready to goe out . l l or i , or i-hood , or inesse , that which wee meane when we say 't is i. m m or bowe . a a or processes . b b or dumb . c c vertuous pious or godly life . * * or the divine wisedome . * * or way . † † iericho . a a or disappeared . ‖ ‖ or regeneration . * * or divine wisedome . d d in paradise . e e having it manife sted in them . f f the vineger or dreggs . g g processe or journey . h h or time. i i bound end or full filling . k k or victorize . l l fortresse , castle , or den . m m or ●nsigne n n pearl●ree or tree of faith . o o his conscience is a sleepe still . p p triall or temtation . q q or dawning . ‖ ‖ or eternal wisedome . s s or selfehood . * * the image : * * or a● guide . ‖ ‖ the inward starres & costellations ▪ in our bodies . a a or evill desires ▪ b b gole or marke . * * in virginali sapientiâ ‖ ‖ or in thy sight . c c or sinck . * * for. e e or valley . f f or journey . g g or vilenesse . h h my enemies i i or shame . k k my enemies l l or day-breake . * * shineth through or co●●ureth ‖ ‖ or the divine wisedome ▪ * * sporteth . o o or into . p p division , corruption , or breaking asunder . ‖ ‖ or processe or course that he hath taken . * * or calling . † † sensing . notes for div a28541-e3670 * * or , vomb , which bringeth forth fire . * * or false . o o the creatures . * * or , the creature . * * or , false . * * or , barren . * * into outward reason . * or , of hidden my steries . * * or , false . o o or , fruitlesse , or barren . * * essences or substances . o o the. earnest zeale . p p or prompteth it . note what true faith is . * * carv'd work . * * or , durable . notes for div a28541-e4490 * * or childship . * * or , false . * * or , being . * * or , essence . * * or , abysse . o o or , turba , magna , the curse . * * mischief , or hurt . * * or , conceive . o o or , perse . vereth . * * or , childship . * * renewed mind . * * or , intarnation . * * or , fleshly lust . * * or , lilly-twig . * * or , property of anger . o o is the trouble that is upon the face of the earth light in his children . * * is the divine notes for div a28541-e5860 * * or , genera ▪ teth . * * or , original . * * light and darknesse . a a generateth , or begette . h. b b or , property . * * or , properties in the eternall nature ▪ notes for div a28541-e6320 * * or , into . a a or , things . b b a coneoction , or a kind of seed , which containeth aell the thing hath from whence it is . c c or , out-spoken , or expressed . d d or , creating word . * * or , concordance * * or , consisteth . * * or , astrnm * * or , astrum * * harmony or concordance . * * or , constellation . * * stomach and guts . * * or , in * * or , beget . * see limbus before . * * or , propagation * * that which when we are dead is meat for worms * * stars or astra . * * or ▪ stars . notes for div a28541-e7150 * * or , shine forth . * * or , limit . * * viz. the wisdom of god. notes for div a28541-e7440 * * or , beliefe . see the 3 prinples , cap. 16. from verse 47. to verse 51. notes for div a28541-e7800 * * note christ is the merit . * * or , ab extra . * * nature , or substance , or seed . notes for div a28541-e8060 * * the vertue , power , or spirit of christ. * * or , ground * * or , ministery . * * or , ministery . * * or , voyce . * forgivenes or remission of my sins . or , satisfaction ▪ notes for div a28541-e8460 * * law or ordināce . * * or , branch bud or sprout . notes for div a28541-e8810 b b or , we in him . * * a divine in holy orders . * * or , husk . * * or , churlish . notes for div a28541-e9370 * * or , greeting . notes for div a28541-e9750 a a or cōference . b b or diciple . i. how men may come to the supersensual life . * * or an houre . ii. how men must and may rule over all creatures , & can bee like all things . * * imagelkie . * * imagelike . iii. how men may come to continuall repentance , & subsist in temptation . * * feedeth , nourisheth , or preserveth . * * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 * * or , by iv. how love and sorrow stand together in one , and what love is , what its power , vertue , height and goodnesse is , where it dwelleth in man , also the neer est way to attain it * * here is meant the manifestation of the deity in the glorious eternall light of the divine ess●●●● * * love * * viz. in thy own will. * * or , brighter . * * powerfull , virtuall , or strengthening * * v. whither the blessed and damned soules goe when they depart , and how heaven and hell is in man. * * or , evil . impressed . vi. where the angels & devils dwell in this [ worlds ] time , how far heaven and hell are asunder ; and what and whence the angels and soules are . * * or , revealed . * * or , piece , or slip , or grift , or sience . vii . what the body of man is : and why the soule is capable of receiving good and evill . viii . of the perishing of the world , of mans body in and after the resurrection : where heaven and hel shal be : of the last iudgement , and wherfore strife in the creature must be . * * false . * * such a thing as hath all figures , colours , and vertues , and yet transparent . * * see the 40. questions of the soule , 21. question , 12. verse . * * or , receiving or using , or enjoying . * * or illustration , * * or , sentence . * * in or upon . * served or helped . * see the latter end of the answer following . * * or the inward man. * * or , serve him . * * or , image-like , or graven image . * * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . acts. 19. 19. * * in the time from the fall to the resurrection notes for div a28541-e14440 a a the power that is in the fire , or root of the creature , by which it is what it is : by which the b b smith , artificer , or workman doth work . * * or the artificer in the fire * * like a ●andle extinguished ▪ * * or , aerial spirit , or thereason of the outward man. * * or , false na turall right . * * colewort . o o or humane natre . * * or vizard . * * or , goods . * * or , journey . notes for div a28541-e16350 * * or the love of god shed abroad in all our hearts . * * or , impar● . * * the mysterium magnum , notes for div a28541-e16680 * * mat. 23. 37. * * or , the word , or wisdome of god crying in the streets . * * or , their latine which they speake . * * jura . notes for div a28541-e17090 * * from or by . * * this fore●ing book that the author mentioneth , is the ●●ok of repentance , the book of resignation , and ●e book of regeneration ; for no more of them ●ere printed in his life time . * * or , the longer the better beloved † † praxis . * * viz. my writings .