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THE VISION OF THE NEW JERUSALEM AUTHOR'S PREFACE (Jane Leade's)
To the
living Stones, gathered and to be gathered to Christ, the Foundation Stone, The establishment of the restored Zion-Church cannot be by man or after manly wisdom but by the Holy Spirit, which Christ our prince and savior 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. You will find the whole subject of the following revelations tend 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. This is so that all prophecies that have been from the foundation of the world may have their fulfilling in this last (latest) 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 the 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. From thence do I 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 volume which now is presented to public 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 showering 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 God's 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 foresees 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 overshadow 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 suspicion raised from the dark mists of sense and worldly wisdom, which can never touch 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, let none resist this word and spirit of truth, but open the everlasting doors of their souls and minds to take it in, and so you will of the lively hope partake and bear the true and living testimony with us. Then the morning star, being risen in us, shall lead us out of ourselves where nothing but darkness is and where the fallen spirits keep their stronghold, binding and putting out the eyes of Samson the Nazarite, who is the figure of the eternal spirit which is all the sons of Adam. Against this prospect, 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 subtle wiles of that enemy of all mankind, that he provides a Delilah 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 subtle 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 too overcharged and weighed down in their earthly dust to walk with God in Enoch's state, not observing that counsel of the Lord Christ,-- "Seek ye first the Kingdom of Heaven, and with all getting, get wisdom." The contrary to which is most universally practiced as making sure first the beast's kingdom and the perishing mammon 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 Christ's Kingdom, but be wise to avoid the choking 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 God's truth and faithfulness in this matter. A third caution is for those who are gotten out of the throng and encumbrance of worldly multiplicity and have thrown off those weights and sins which do so easily beset them. They must know that all this will not fully secure them though it is a very good groundwork and greatly advantageous for the rearing up of God's perfect tabernacle within them for the following glories to rest upon it. But be advertised from the holy and true foresight 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 briery cares and worldly distractions. For we have not only to do with a birth of flesh and blood, but there are internal powers and forces with the rational spirit, which is the more wise and sober part in man and therefore most readily take upon them to proscribe laws and rules for the superior soul to walk by, who finding itself fallen, stands in great need of a help and guide to bring it out of this wretched plunge and confused state. It is 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 deceivableness to circumvent and keep the soul in the strong hold of a rational sense which must be quitted. And now the enlightened soul, feeling the malady so great and painful, looks out diligently for a speedy relief and is ready to embrace every physician that doth profess to be skillful in the curing of souls. Upon this comes 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 balsam 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 sovereign white stone, which alone knows how to pour out His name as precious ointment from vessel to vessel, are physicians of no value. Therefore, while ye are in the state of minority 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 peaceable concord and silent harmony in your own Jerusalem within, whereupon is to be written, Holiness to the Lord, in every property. Then you will come to know the fresh pasture-springs, which are only under the breaking-up-seal of the holy unction where no defiled foot hath ever come to raise the dust or to discolor this golden stream. This is the ministration which you will find the following openings to point to, and though as yet it is an unbeaten path which the Lord hath by His instrument now declared and made known by way of vision and prophecy, yet it is the true Day Star that will give its own light and witness. Therefore let the wonderers and 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 unpolished in their own naked simplicity as they were every day revealed and given forth, not in the dress of human wisdom. No, they are of another descent, and the spiritual ones in God will feel, know and taste from what treasure house they proceed. As for others, we do not heed their judgment; these only shall be found in hearty prayer for their true enlightening, that all may come to know what the love-trumpet doth now sound for. Is it not that both earth and sea 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 marvelous resurrection such as never was yet and therefore hath beforehand sent His Holy Spirit of prophecy to proclaim what He intends to fulfill according to his ancient purpose and decree, and for this end hath shown what gates are open to give entrance into this all-fruitful Sharon where the scattered love flock hath been hunted and chased as panting harts, shifting their pastures and yet not finding where to lie down and be at rest. Which indeed can never be expected until through the seven seals ye do come where the full glorious Resurrection Day ye shall witness through all things becoming new. In this, the Holy Spirit, your overseer and feeling life, shall ever and always be known for fixation in the Resurrection State. And though the Sadducees 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 quickened, 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 gradual, so also is the Resurrection perfected through received acts of power. A similitude whereof we may see in the visible sun which doth not attain its meridian at his first rising. So the body of the resurrection doth not at once, but by degrees, advance to its full height of luster and glory. So we must give way to measures and degrees in all sorts, whether in dying or in 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, ascension or glorification. For these are all linked together, though not attained 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 leads into death and the loosing therefrom through the opening of the seventh seal for the Resurrection, which the seven thunders do plainly express, and so proceed on to the ascending reign in Christ's Kingdom. This is great and magnificent, giving its own signal demonstration by opening the Divine Magia (It must be borne in mind that this word (magia) did not carry the same connotation in her day that it does today. For example, the three wise men were referred to by the same word. Editor's note) whereby the Holy Spirit comes to act in His own place, namely, in the ascended Body of the Resurrection, from thence to go forth and work His wonders such as yet were never wrought. This shall be the introduction into the fixed glorification to be co-centered in the ascended triumphant spirit, the glory of which is attributed to the Lamb of God, of whom it is said, "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. It is 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 God's Revelation, who sends forth this as a foregoing harbinger, who, according to His promise, will soon follow to fulfill all the rich and precious things prophesied herein. Therefore, He 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 fourfold 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 omnipotence of faith which will rid the way swiftly, leaving all unbelieving loiterers 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 prize first come so that they may return to strengthen and encourage their companions in the race who may see the rosy garland of victory in their hand and the diadem of precious stones as the prize which they have won. Which prize 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 are those 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 risen with Christ from the dead. He is and must be 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 giant refreshed to run out this conquering race. Here 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, joy, gifts and powers in the Holy Spirit, who will magnify 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 persuasion 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 abstract, deep, 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 comprehended and their spirit will bear record with us of what was, and is, and is yet 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 sudden be upon us to take unto Him His kingdom, which nothing of the beast's reign shall mingle. Oh! Holy, precious and elect! Let us not sleep, but set our morning watch, for tidings 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 uninterrupted 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. The everlasting priestly celebration
and holy ministration is in no other temple but what is called God and the Lamb, where the
only true spiritual worshipers 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 grave in a full and total victory. 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.
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