THE VISION OF THE NEW JERUSALEM

PART III

    First-- there must be an absolute trust reposed in Christ, the essential Deity, as contacting and coagulating with our soulish essence and thereby recover its omnipotence. 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 is given us here to understand a deep and mystical sense. That is, how the Lord did not limit nor shut up the faith to His particular person and appearance on the earth, for that was not able 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 divine powers from, thus our faith is directed to a Godlike almightiness within ourselves. 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 to and work out our freedom powerfully. Having somewhat of subtle pure matter to work upon, we may go on forward to projection.

    Another rule is the going forth in the royal prerogative of the will that is immersed into and become one with the power of the Holy Ghost. We may remember that Christ the Lord, upon doing any great or marvelous cure, put forth the sovereignty of His will, as when he said to the leper, "I will, be thou clean." 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 Savior's may be a ground rule for us to follow and ought well to be regarded by us, for in the will is the highest power when it is united with the will of the Highest. When these two wheels meet in one, they are the swift running chariot which nothing can cross or stop, in which the Bridegroom with His bride, Sophia, ride most triumphantly together over all things, namely, over rocks, mountains and hills which are all made a plain before them and seas dried up.

    What is able to resist a will that is united with God's will before which everything must stoop and bow! This will, whenever it goes forth, always accomplisheth its enterprise. It is 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 of this power will be centered in the royal free-born 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 divine will, to glorify the great ELOHIM, whether in body visible or invisible.

    All is and shall be acted forth according to the foresight of the divine globe-eye and carried on in and through the operation of the Holy Ghost in impotent and despicable vessels in the eyes 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 wisdom and to be so perfectly accomplished as that nothing may be beyond their art and skill to perform to exalt and magnify their God and King, by whom alone they shall be enabled to do all marvelous things.

    Now, from the foregoing rules we are taught to drown the many wills 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 anything of degenerate man. This virgin-will stands free and clear in conjunction with almighty power (which will most certainly produce answerable consequences) as if kept fixed in the socket where the burning oil of the Holy Ghost flames out in sparkling divine power, 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 power of faith which was once delivered unto and exerted by the saints of former generations. Why we should give it up for lost now, I see no cause but that we should be earnest for reviving it and calling it up from the dead.

    I shall not here determine 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 divine 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 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 divinity of the Holy Ghost to encourage and provoke us to set upon the work, giving praise unto Him, who hath been pleased to reveal where the key of the power 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 be planters of a new paradisiacal earth through the divine operation of the Holy Ghost. This is the absolute employment 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 threats and sufferings, at first from Nabal, the churlish spirit of this world that can love or favor nought but what is of its own liking, but Wisdom's children shall be able to set themselves free as they become students in the art of divine power.

    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 the stone of divinity for the bringing in of a superabundant increase 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 everywhere will appear in the highest unity and community in all those celestial 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 oil doth spring afresh for an addition so that all help might be ministered by way of manuduction (led by the hand) to 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 Sovereignty, which is a peculiar prerogative appropriated only to the wise and pure in heart who shall set themselves apart to follow the path of the divine power which is prescribed by the Holy Ghost. This is so we may once more again stand upon the 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 spring-tide of the spirit doth in us rise, which was renewed in this word--

    "Learn to live in God, and God shall live in 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, Who, in the waste and desolate places of the earth, with His Own will dwell."

    Urging that foregoing rule for this end, that the divine attraction of faith, which riseth from the burning love, must bring God down to be All in all so that the humanity may be covered over with the tabernacle of the Deity.⁽¹⁾ This 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 (starry heavens and natural elements) take their origin from the holy Being, yet they cannot abide forever because they cannot incorporate with pure Deity. Therefore, they must have their time to expire when God shall descend in His most holy tabernacle. What will this be but the rending away the veil of these visible Heavens in their first and second administrations and all shadowed presentations and figurations wherein somewhat of glory as a twinkling star in this benighted day doth appear. All of which have but made way for the opening of the everlasting tabernacle where we may be clothed upon with the divine body of the Holy Ghost so that we may know what it is to live in 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 union. But here may be inquired, "What is it that may qualify us to possess God's living tabernacle?" Verily no less is required than for us to live in God and for God to live in us. This is the wonderful hypostatical union (union of essence) 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 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 Powers, 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 divine arts which were practiced before this world or its craft were in being. But now the wisdom of this world is heeded 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, succor and support of the mortal spirit and body.

    But what will you say if this good old divine 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 advantageous art as will sufficiently pay the cost of what we shall be at in attaining it. The ground we go upon for this new way of living after a godlike manner are the many scripture prophecies that all run in this sense. With this 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 creatively.

    This mystical wisdom and power shall first be exercised upon those possessing it as having an old creation which must first be dissolved that a new one may take its place. The physician must first give proof that he can heal himself before he undertakes for others. So in this matter the true adept⁽²⁾ is taught to make a trial of his skill upon his own inward and outward defects and thereby gain the fearful and unbelieving. Then may they also come and enter through this everlasting gate where the New Jerusalem adepts 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 precedents to others.

    But it may further be enquired, "What is this power? And how does it act forth to alter the whole state of things internally and externally?"

    It is thus made out to us that it is a rising infinitum that forms itself into a birth, the matter of which cannot otherwise be described than the Unknown Being of God Himself, who is a mere virtual working power in a finite Being, from whence a flowing source of generating powers do act forth from what lieth hid so inconceivably as cannot be either seen, felt or heard out of itself but only as it produceth great and marvelous effects upon whatever it doth move. This is that which is called the power of the Holy Ghost, so defined, as He hath pleased to reveal it unto us.

    Now it remains to inquire, "By whom and how this is to be acted forth? And for what end is it to be manifested after such an high degree?"

    As to the first-- By whom is this to be exerted or acted forth? Of this, much has been said already. We shall only mention one thing, which is the principle qualification of those to whom this honor shall be given. They are to take up a firm and fixed resolution to follow this divine 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 divinity-tree must first grow and appear in all its various fruits. This, I say, is that which is to be done on our parts if we would be adepts 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 divine-way, which indeed is nothing else but a most pure single act of faith, heightened to that degree as to become a kind of omnipotence, if they can but get free from the life of sense. This life of sense is the 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 divine rod which may break their binding circle so that we may get a swift pass into the boundless liberty and come to be expert in the theosophical⁽³⁾ science. This science 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, it will drive it up into a body of all divine operation. For the free actuation of this 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 cries of the senses that would still have us to lie at the breast of the creature when nothing but death, sorrow and the curse can be sucked from it.⁽⁴⁾ 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 until 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 divine birth of life that could not display in free breath. Wherefore, let us now take heed and fly away from our mortal senses and totally exclude them from that newly erected throne, council and court, where in pure abstraction and child-like posture of spirit, we may wait to learn how to act forth each one according to his gift in this high and supernatural power. That we may speak out what lineage and birth we are brought forth in, after God's own likeness in power, wisdom and purity, to glorify Him in a new tabernacle body, powerfully raised.

    This birth, being consummated within the outward form of visible corporiety, 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 atonements and sin, which in this great and pure perfect tabernacle there will be no occasion for, sin being ended, and the Holy Ghost having obtained a more excellent ministration in us, namely, OFFERING THE FIRSTFRUITS OF REDEMPTION, which in no foregoing ministration was ever reached unto.

    But here it may be asked-- "What manner and kind of offerings will those firstfruits of redemption be?" This is a question which cannot be so fully answered until we are completely perfected in this tabernacle which hitherto is only nearing. But these immunities have been expressed by the great priest and opened from the tabernacle testimony unto me, and 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 mutual restoration with us who are expecting this accomplishment in all its divine ordinances and considerations for the perfecting of every comer hereunto. But now to define what kind of offerings we shall bring as priests to God-- they are the fruits of the divinity in their outflowing operation which actually send out a most powerful spirit, from its own essential spring of spirit, wherein God is the only pure origin of it.

    What is sent forth to effect (or to bring about), but a new generation of heaven and earth? The divinity 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 outgoing spirit incorporates with the word and makes it essential (or essence). Whether it be expressed vocally or not, the co-centered decree passeth into and through the spirit, carrying all power with it, either to nullify or to give a new plantation and a heavenly, splendorous formation upon creatures and things, for a lustrous transformation of what is fading and dying. This is so that immortality may be renewed, whether in rationals, animals or vegetables. The matter of the one element is so immersed and coagulated in a divine spirit that it is able to give life (where the very face of death doth appear) whether dead as to a spiritual life, according to that saying, "And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins."

    Who is this in the person of Christ but the same Holy Ghost in His outgoing power, that through our persons so influencing and giving a resurrection to a dead life, whether in ourselves 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 itself. But this quickening spirit is only appropriated to such as have died and suffered with Christ in the flesh, and thereby overcome the world. Therefore, let none think that they can come to this degree of power, might and dignity until 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 then 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 to 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 die. Whereupon the Holy Ghost, out of the virgin body, doth cry and calls such who would come to be all powerful, to offer up their first born rational life for a sacrifice. 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 contact with the more noble part within us so that this great and perfect tabernacle may be, according to its own secret way, compacted indissoluble where we may securely dwell and feel 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 fitting word averred, and He will see it fulfilled in anyone where such a spirit of resolution shall be found to go forward in this great enterprise to encounter and rush through every throng that would stop and put them by who are ready to venture their all for it.

    Now, somewhat may be said as to those high ends for which God is resolved to raise his principal powers. First to redress, comfort and relieve the groaning creation which is in spiritual travail, even such who are in famine and death, in agonies, sorrow and heaviness through divers temptations and the buffetings and wiles of Satan. To these, the divine balsam 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 itself 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.⁽⁵⁾

    A further addition to the former prospect-- know then that as in a miraculous way His will be made as healing waters from out of the threshold of the sanctuary which shall recover the dry and parched earth to make bud and flourish as it did before the curse did overcome it-- take it inward as to spiritual fruitfulness or as curse as to the outward elementary state. Great will be the trust that will be granted by the mighty Jehovah for management for His little flock's sake and put into the hands of some that are to be set apart as well, as good and principal shepherds indeed, who can both let out and lay down their lives for the elect sheep which are to be gathered in, not by sounds or words but by a divine impregnation which can send in breath of life to quicken what is as dead. This is now what we are in a daily expectation of from the rich furnishings which will come down with the tabernacle body.

    Oh come holy souls! And let us be in 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, and the separating veil 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 ourselves shall be brought up to that height of purity that all the 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 Pentecost.

    They were but the firstfruits 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 more powerful. What is to be done by us? Only to drink in the falling dews and dropping showers, and to grow as lilies that may know neither heat nor drought, toil nor care.-- "Hasten, Oh God! And send thy angel-reapers, for some fields do begin to look white, whose ripe fruits may into thy storehouse be brought as the first offerings for the consummation of all those great and mighty things which thou hast taught us in this little volume of thy life book!"

    Here follows a high, ravishing communion with the Trinity enjoyed, but receive it not as an elevation but from a spirit translated as into another light region, the half of which is not to be expressed which was here enjoyed.

    The 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 fullness of all blessing from the circle throne of His presence, and 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 anew and to confirm His covenant in the newness of the spirit and to nullify 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 oil from the sea of glass, which is broken up by the violent stroke of the Holy Ghost. All sanctifications and renewals are imperfect and changeable until this comes to rise as a covering to make the gross body transparent.⁽⁶⁾ Now then, we are to observe that whenever God shall come in very deed to enthrone Himself in any, there will be felt this burning sea from which the fiery lamps do proceed which guard the throne.

    Oh! It is the great and high attainment that a spirit veiled with corporiety can look for, to have God come down in His throne dominion and to cast down all other thrones in which the dark fiery spirits have acted their parts 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 and is sprung up in a feeling power. Oh! The joys and pleasure which my soul doth feel in its first rising, which is infinitely more precious than has 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 and fearful who have cried----"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 and fashioning, furnishing and enriching with glory and all this carried on very secretly till the whole mystery of the kingdom be first inwardly completed before it come to make a visible show by terrible acts 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 vilified 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 we will not be careful concerning judgment given or dominion exercised as yet out of the throne of the Lamb in ourselves, but must follow on until 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 so that springing in the light and love flames, a crystalline 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 to see all this process and enjoy even when retired out from all creaturely society and so translated into and among the seraphic spirits in heavenly places.

    Since my separation to be alone, a full concourse doth now continually meet me, even such company as makes me spend my hours and days with all spiritual mirth and joy. For I am now come in truth (without flattering or crackling sparks that go out again) unto the everlasting burning throne of the deity where just and perfect spirits do appear as so many lesser flames most numerously as God's encompassing host, ministering all that may delight me so that I find I am to be reserved for God's throne conversation, which is as the seven days 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 hinder now but that all within me may give the trumpet sound and great shout that the Lord Omnipotent is come to reign! Rejoice ye heavens without, within and round about, for the Lord Jehovah alone hath done it! He hath made war to cease and keeps the enemy without the gates! Oh! Mighty Prince and Savior! Thou art entered 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 quickening 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 prophesy 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.

    Oh! To have a cure come as to relieve this fallen, weary, tired-out life that was as perplexed strife, can do no less than give cause of triumph wherever such a dominion is known and entered upon, though invisible. None is privy to what is done or acted there but the obedient subjects that do wait upon the throne and are ready to fulfill 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 His spirit and life did protest unto 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 crystalline as that the spirit and soul are realized in a circled glory and so shut up as no more to look out or come down from off this high mounted white throne whereon the reins 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 liberty.

    No one that is shot up to 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. Here, where all carnal earthly senses and rational subtilty do still lie lurking, if the exalted spirit that doth sit upon the throne with Christ should but venture down and debase itself 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 for it.

    All which was laid before me for the holding fast the scepter in humility, purity, fear, righteousness and holy courageousness 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 of quite another spirit. It neither careth nor seeketh for regency or dignity from these inferior planets which give the world's wealth and honor to the vilest and basest of men. Wherefore, it is little regarded by such who have eyes to see the working of the superior constellations which move in the third heaven, remote from all mortal sight, from which alone I have sought for honor, credit and reputation.

    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 fullness and blessings from the beast's kingdom, whose glory will certainly wither and die 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 stone 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 act of man who have thereby so idolized 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 soul's essence to deify it so that it may abide in the unalterable substance of a God-head nature without the hazard of ever relapsing into sin, curse 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 lifted up ensign that all flesh may tremble and fall before it which did so insult and lift up itself in arrogance.

    When the Lord was but as yet come in His first reign, no show 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 spheres, where the high throne glories are manifested in another manner of kingly pomp and splendor that ever hath or indeed possibly could be figured out here till the kingdom itself do work out visibly. 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 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. Faithfulness, truth and love to carry through here will be signs and evidence sufficient what God will further exalt unto.

    In the interim, whosoever hath attained to the first kingdom in wisdom, sanctification and in the excelling charity know that these will give the mighty onset for entrance into the utmost bounds of this everlasting 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 everywhere upon the heads of the anointed ones.

HERE FOLLOWS DIVINE OPENINGS OF

THE REIGN AND KINGDOM OF 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 the year 1680 by the author.⁽⁷⁾ This hath had most forcible effects for the bringing in and establishing of this kingdom. For this spirit of prophecy 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 persons which are and shall be taken up in order to show it forth by that most excellent and perfect thing coming in-- The Love Dominion.

    This hath exalted the same prophetical spirit now with Christ upon the throne and doth absolutely rule in God's meek love over the whole region. Yea, reigning even to the utmost parts of the soul's inward earth where now great peace is found, the government being carried on serenely and calmly through the conquering love which hath overflowed the whole earth like a river. 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 sometimes I was under it, which was looked upon as sharp and severe, the whole man being reined 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.

    Such 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 sovereignty in their order and place to their superior governor, namely, the Heaven-born spirit who personates Christ upon the throne. Now to come to have every motion tinged with the fiery love balsam, how will they run and fly at the very look of the kingly anointed eye where love's rays are so vehement as to captivate every thought to the Lord's anointed king-- not in some but in all and every thing. This will indeed make every saint that hath attained hereunto walk worthy of God, whose being consisteth in the essentiality of love and admitted to be God's 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 sovereign 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 God's 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 anxiety. 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 itself to be returned to its primary concord and virgin simplicity.

    But now it may be asked 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 amiable 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 find an unspeakable benefit.

    But it may be asked further, "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 vision and revelation and formed in me as a true essential life-birth which I did find daily grow up and increase in wisdom and strength.

    But then, after 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 superb 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 beatifical enjoyment of His presence.

    The truth is, I had sucked in such a sweet savor 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 of any conversation to any in whom I could not see His all amiable spirituality, for which alone I reserved myself. 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 -- faith and love, which as twins did grow up out of the fresh Sharon which was renewed within. From hence they did with great strength and loveliness spring.

    But many hard encounters and rude assaults they were fain to bear. First in this respect-- my Lord Jesus having begotten His own lively signature in me by His oft appearing and so passing in Himself as an essential rising body that naturally cared only to move and act in the sphere 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 trial, 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 lily-birth, according to its native kind, neither could agree to go out into the gross muddy and infectious air of this noisome Kedar 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 service I looked upon as very low and mean in comparison of that high-born heir whom I carried as an invisible glory under the veil of contemptible corporeity.

    Upon this consideration, God tried His own begotten love, whether it would hold out under all clamps, 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 easy thing to have had all needful things to come to serve the free-born spirit and not be engaged in the toil, service and care after the rudiments of the present fallen and self-engrossing generation. The customs and manner of which, my spirit had long since been made to descend from in obedience to the law of faith which I continue to keep up unto, expecting all incomes of blessing therefrom.

    And though hitherto the Lord hath exceedingly proved me herein, yet now the thousandfold 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 wherever 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-wrestle 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 law of the gospel 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 tried by God Himself and by our fellow disciples, which is more piercing than any trials from others. Yet all this will not quench the right spirit which is tinctured with the Godhead flame of love. It is so strong that it works over all chokings and flood-waters 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 Being 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 into 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 arrives hereat and can fixedly keep upon the throne and incessantly 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 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 summing 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 ascension, as it is by St. John and St. Paul abundantly recorded. Read their epistles and you will find what an eminence 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 revealed 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 seraphic heat that burns as a refiner's fire in our corporality to the end that it may tinge it with the Holy Ghost's property. This is the true and faithful delineation of this perfect thing called by the apostle, "Charity."

    Wherever 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 itself in all spiritual bountifulness according to its high nature and property. It is not shut up to itself upon any consideration as to what it possesseth 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 withhold 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 convey and freely distribute of this inexhaustible treasury to impoverished souls and to relieve them that are in great distress, which power can pass in us as an high virtual balsam to heal the wounded who are under the striking of the scorpion sting of the serpent. For this love is a ministering 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 household 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⁽⁸⁾ 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 so that God, who is love, may be All in all.⁽⁹⁾ But in order to the accomplishing of this last and finishing mystery, there shall arise a Melchizedek 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.⁽¹⁰⁾ 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 things, what can be said sufficiently of it so that if possible the reign of love might come to spread itself 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 of His resurrection. Observe that, and that it was to show 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 kinds 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 human minority, those sensible sorrows and passions.

    But He comes off 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 risen in perfect degree, 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 to willingly venture the loss of all to arrive at this pearl of charity, that you shall most surely find it, and great rejoicing there will be at the finding of this lost groat (a British coin worth about 4 pennies today). Indeed, the house of the soul must be first thoroughly 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! So that our hearts, being emptied and cleansed from all these, the king of love may enter in with 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 love's kingdom forward even unto its full height of perfection. And be tender of its first buddings, for it hath many subtle enemies both at home and abroad. It is the heir and therefore is conspired against, for can but the envious spirit 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 it is 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, whoever 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 celestial seed, coming immediately from the heart of the Deity, as cannot admit anything of defilement or pollution to abide with it. It soon leaves the soul if anything 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 itself 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 itself to rise sensibly in its flaming quality. Take this further account of it, that it is known 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 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 visage was marred more than any man's. He was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief, and there was no form nor comeliness 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, He therefore could not be exalted until He had slain the enmity and wrought out victory. 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 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 foresight 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. 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 demurred upon whether those elders themselves had completed their own regeneration and so were perfectly arrived to the throne-dominion of love as fixed overcomers. Paul, Peter and John, who were most eminent amongst them, seemed to have somewhat more in their eye than what they had attained to and so were still pressing after it.

    However, it may be concluded that they had got the start before any that are known at this day, yet it seems that hitherto love's womb hath been shut up from bringing forth children of the resurrection-- at least to anything that is manifestly known.

    But for this we may have good hope that if indeed it be born in anyone and made strong to maintain its right and 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, so that love may see her offspring to multiply exceedingly unto all perfect purity. Such an holy congregation and society, being once raised to reign upon love's throne together 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 continue to delay until perfect love is 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 and 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-scarlet 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. 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 foreknown in Christ before the world of wrath and bitterness did show itself. 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 die no more nor sin live which brought in curse and sorrow and estranged God from us.

    Now, is not all this a most persuasive motive to the love-flock, wherever scattered, that God intends to bring them to this love-band of perfection that we may know one another as God's enkindled sparks, increasing to flames, which are to consume all envy and 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 God's 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 visible 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 pre-eminence and honor 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 practiced. That heaven-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 lattice 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! Therefore, it becomes us to be tender of it; not to grieve it nor quench it in one another for that may cause it to sink and die away in ourselves, and then the very ark of our strength departs from us, and the heat and vigor of all spiritual life declines with it.

    Upon which consideration, O ye heaven-born out of the womb of eternal love, wherever 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 sound to call you away from all worldly, drossy perishing loves which are not supersensual and celestial. Nay further, it doth call you away from all lukewarm superficial loves, for love's workings must be fervent, strong and immutable for the making meet for the rising and abiding power of the Holy Ghost to work from. All which will be brought out of the fiery 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, whoever ye are that feel the touch of this celestial fire-stone, send forth your warming sparks to set one another in an holy flame. Know your own mother's children. Hide not yourselves from them. Be no longer strangers towards them. Find them out from north to south, and revive yet once again the apostolical knot and band of unfeigned love that may forerun the Bridegroom's return to dwell among us, so that 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-fire,
    That we may abide with angelical choirs.
    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 seraphim it doth turn:
    Is not this the transforming thing,
    Which to a god-like being will bring?

    Oh Charity! What can be said of thee?
    Dost thou not proceed from the Deity?
    Henceforth I must proclaim love's flame
    To all that bear that living name.
    Who would not in love be with love also?
    For its force is greater than any foe;
    How doth it expel all fears that they fly?
    Because of sweet peace and serenity.

    Love born of God, heir to all His good,
    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 damped.

    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 band:
    Come, enter then as chariot 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 seraphim:
    Floods of joy, with celestial praise,
    Shall now outflow to the Ancient of Days;
    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 our diseases 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 comely does abide.
    So sweet, so mild and ravishing in His eye,
    That in His love-embrace she must lie,
    There possessing such pure celestial joy,
    As none can know nor come to annoy.
    A bed of rest here for her is found,
    That makes love's trumpet ever sound.

   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, so that they may become holy, merciful and compassionate to intercede for the ignorant and such as are turned aside from the track of the Just and Perfect One.

    Now then, to be called and anointed of God to this holy function is the greatest spiritual dignity and honor that can be conferred upon the love-flock. It excels both the prophetical and kingly dominion,⁽¹¹⁾ all which intrinsically do agree together. Only the priestly office doth outshine 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 evermore be enjoyed.

    Now, in order to the revealing and making out of this high and peculiar priesthood, 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 Godhead being.⁽¹²⁾ In whose body of light and glory this priesthood in the heavens was clearly manifested to my eyesight. This is the ground work I shall go upon according to the express which the great Melchizedek priest hath set open and made teachable hereby for the benefit and service of that holy and royal tribe that shall hereunto be numbered.

    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 the more refined religious dress⁽¹³⁾ (where the viper of sinful hypocrisy hath had a fair covering spread over it) in every changeable ministration-- which refers to an outward holiness. Until from this there be a departing and entering into love's substantiality, there can be had no 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.

1. This statement alone should be ample proof of Jane Leade's wholehearted belief that God will eventually save all and bring all into union with Himself!

7. This writing of Jane Leade's has been printed under the title, Ascension Angels. We did not at the time even guess that we would print any of her other writings.

8. There is much said in this hour about this and that apostolic ministry which, when compared only to the standards of the early church, are found to be altogether light and wanting in power and authority. We shall indeed see a true restoration of this office (perhaps are already seeing it in a measure), but I believe the hallmark of this office will be no less than God's love motivating and moving the person in all things.

9. It is hoped that this one scripture will, upon due reflection, cause many of the readers of this book to stop and consider -- "God is eventually to become all in . . . A-L-L?" Indeed He is!

10. I have often, when preaching and teaching on the Melchizedek priesthood, dealt at length with the subject of giving, for this simple reason. God is Love and He so loved that He gave. If indeed we aspire to be in that number who shall be known as the Melchizedek priesthood, we must needs know what it is to move by that highest of all essences called love -- for, as Jane Leade here states, the Melchizedek priesthood springs out of love! It is the finishing touch to bring forth a finished work by God. How shall we who claim to love God with all our hearts and to disdain this present fading world, enter into such holy things while still clutching the crumbling trinkets of this fadeable world in a miserly fashion?

11. She is relating the prophetical ministration to the Outer Court realm, the kingly ministration to the Holy Place realm and the priestly ministration to the Most Holy Place realm. Each one progressively excelling the previous one in glory.

12. I find it quite amazing that Jane Leade goes beyond what is required of her to reveal the source of her understanding and revelation of these things. She very clearly says that these things came to her in very much the same manner as John's revelations did on Patmos. She is very explicit about the fact that they come directly from God and usually in vision form. She is putting us in the position of saying that she is either an outright liar and deceiver or indeed God's messenger of truth for this hour.

13. This, of course, has reference to the robes, collars and other accoutrements favored by both laity and clergy in their dress and has allusion to those passing ministrations as opposed to that fixed and permanent one to which we are come, in which the distinction and dress enjoyed by its priests shall be that of spirit.