Jane Lead’s
The Revelation of Revelations

 

The Revelation of Revelations

Jane Lead’s second published Prophetic Work, brought forth for illumination and clarification  to the Nazarite Flock, regarding a further opening, unsealing and discovery of the Seven Seals, the Seven Thunders, and the new Jerusalem State which they are to look to in themselves —  also glimpsing the role of the Divine Magia  who shall work in the Holy Ghost’s Power as commissioned from the New Jerusalem Realm.  This authentic work was published to the World by Order from God’s Virgin Wisdom in 1683.

 

This authentic manuscript from the 17th century has been out of print for a very long time and has been generally inaccessible to the general public.  It contains terminology and sections that are missing  from modern edited versions.

The on-line reproduction presents the authentic old manuscript "as close to the original as possible" — rendering  the text and appearance of the 1683 printing without any interpretation or commentary — both of which are here left for the Spirit of Truth, who will always provide for the seeking and humble in heart.  Notes of the author that appeared in the margins of the original have been included "in-line" with the text but are shown in a reduced size.

 

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THE

R E V E L A T I O N

OF

Revelations

Particularly as an

E  S  S  A  Y

Towards The

Unsealing, Opening and Discovering

THE

Seven Seals,  the Seven Thunders,  and
the New Jerusalem State.

The which have not hitherto so far been brought forth
to light ( except by the Spiritual Discerner ) to any
degree of Satisfaction, as to the understanding of the
grand Mystery.

___________________________________________________________

Published by J.L., the Author of the Heavenly Cloud, made mention of,
particularly in the Preparatory Epistle to that Late
Theosophick Piece, Entituled {Entitled}, Theologia Mystica. A Work never Extant before.

___________________________________________________________

Rev. 5.9 And they sang a new Song, saying, Thou art worthy to
take the Book, and to open the Seals thereof.

1Cor.1.10 For God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit,
for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

___________________________________________________________

London, Printed and Sold by A. Sowle, at the Crooked-Billet in
Holloway-Lane in Shoreditch. Also by J.Lead at the Carpenters
in Bartholomew-Close; and at Bookselllers in London and
Westminster. 1683

 

 

 

An   E P I S T L E

To the living Stones gathered, and to be
gathered to Christ, the Foundation Stone,
(where-ever hid, scattered and dispersed) who
are elected in God for the New-Jerusalem-Glory
Mount-Zion-Church; all Love, Grace, Peace,
and Joy be multiplied from him who was, is,
and is to come.

THE Establishment of the restored Sion-Church cannot be by Man or after Manly Wisdom, but by the holy Spirit which Christ our Prince and Saviour hath sent in his own Name, to build upon the Foundation of the Father and the Son; a Rock indeed, which remaineth steady and unshaken from Time to Eternity. And indeed, who else is found sufficient for the gathering and building of these holy Temple-Stones, that are to be fitly compacted together, to make up this glorious Church, that may be presented all fair, without Spot, as becomes the Spouse and Bride of the Lamb, which you will find the whole subject of the following Revelations tend to, even to the bringing out of all that are found in Lifeless Forms, into the very substantial Life and Ministration of the holy Spirit, where the Increase and growing up is known, into that Body, in which God will move and work all; for the which end all Prophecies that have been from the foundation of the World, may have their fulfilling in this last Age; for the which, good Assurance is given, from the fresh springing of the Word of Wisdom, that may produce a sealed Commission, not only in Letter, but from the feeling fiery-breath of the true Unction, which is the living Epistle, by which alone I desire to be made known to you, and from thence do send pure Love-greeting to them whose Ears are opened to hear and receive what the Spirit of Truth hath declared and unfolded in this little Volume, which now is presented to publick view, contrary to the intent and purpose of the subordinate Author hereof, who, as I was waiting in my continued course and order, upon the heavenly showering, and to feed, and be refreshed in this all-fruitful and pleasant Pasture, being satisfied here to take my lengths and breadths in all free conference with the Lord, the Spirit, whom I did well know by his inward flaming Body, which at certain times did stir and rise, and then I could hear and distinctly know the Voice of his Mouth, which came as a soft melting Fire-breath, and said, Record what since October 1679 hath been seen, heard, tasted and felt and shun not to declare it, for it hath a peculiar service on Gods behalf to do, though at present hid from thee; only observe and be watchful, and I will certainly follow this at the Heels. And thus you may perceive under what constraint I am, and by whose Commission these deep and mystical Revelations are now published, who fore-sees what effects they are to have, and what Souls and Spirits are to be touched and enkindled from the same burning-Ray, which will surely over-shadow the believing. And for the doubtful, I have only this Caution, and that from the holy and just One, That henceforth they cease from rash and uncircumcised Judgment, which doth arise from the rational Will and Spirit, and above all to put on the meek, simple and child-like Spirit, and so cease to be injurious to their own Souls; for nothing is more prejudicial to the growing and springing Life and Light, than to give way to Incredulity, and an evil Suspicion raised from the dark Mists of Sense and worldly Wisdom, which can never reach the deep things of the Spirit. Therefore, if there be any force, power, or authority in that Word of Life that was from the beginning, and is now come to bear his own living Record in our day; which Word and Spirit of Truth and Wisdom let none resist, but open the everlasting Doors of their Souls and Minds for to take it in, and so you will of the lively Hope partake, and bear the true and living Testimony with us, That the Morning Star is risen for to lead us out of our Selves, where nothing but Darkness is, and where the fallen Spirits keep their strong Hold, binding and putting out the Eyes of Sampson the Nazarite, the figure of the eternal Spirit, which is in all the Sons of Adam, against which the grand Apollyon hatcheth his treacherous Conspiracy; for he hath great Indignation against us, because such Love, Grace and Goodness hath now abounded to us in Christ Jesus our Lord, who is come to offer himself an effectual Salvation in all; there is not a door that he passeth by, but that at one time or other he knocks at it, and would find entrance in, to redeem and fetch out his own eternal Spirit, from under Bondage, Death and Misery: But such are the subtil Wiles of that Enemy of all Mankind, that he provides a 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 subtil Bait he casts out for those who are mortified, and have escaped those worldly Charms, and are come to a sober and lawful use of the things of this Creation, and yet are held Captives through the Multiplicity of Mortal Cares, Businesses and Concerns for the outward Man, whereby they are so overcharged and weighed down in their Spirits, that they cannot get up to shake off this earthly Dust, to walk with God in Enoch’s state, not observing that counsel of the Lord Christ, First to seek the Kingdom of Heaven; and with all getting, to get Wisdom: The contrary to which is most universally practiced, in making sure first of 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 Christs Kingdom, but be wise, to avoid the choaking Earth and drowning Floods, and trust the Lord upon his Word, who will certainly make good whatsoever we part with on his account, as there are some who can witness to Gods Truth and Faithfulness in this matter.

A Third Caution is, for those who are got out of the Throng and Encumbrance of worldly Multiplicity, and have thrown off all those weights and sins which do so easily beset them; they must know that all this will not fully secure them, though it be a very good Ground-Work, and greatly advantageous for the rearing up of Gods perfect Tabernacle within them, for the following Glories to rest upon it; but be advertised from the holy and true fore-sight of the Spirit of Jesus, who knows the Dangers and Perils which attend this state also; which though they have escaped the worldly Bondage and earthly Pollutions, yet spiritual Defilements may remain, which are of more dangerous consequence than briary Cares and worldly Distractions; for we have not only to do with a Birth of Flesh and Blood, but there are internal Powers and Principalities of an higher Descent, which joyn their Forces with the rational Spirit, which is the more wise and sober part in man, and therefore most readily take upon them, to prescribe Laws and Rules for the superior Soul to walk by, who finding it self fallen, stands in great need of an Help and Guide, to bring it out of this wretched Plunge and confused State, being convinced by Christ the true Life and Light risen within, how the case stands with it, and thereby made eagerly desirous to be set free from those inward usurping Powers, which come with all deceiveableness to circumvent and keep the Soul in the strong hold of a rational Sense, which must be quitted. And now the enlightened Soul feeling the Malady so great and so 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; whereupon comes in a second danger, of which ye will do well to take heed, that is, to be cautioned from whom you receive Spiritual Medicine, and whether they be such who have the true 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 knows only how to pour out his Name as precious Ointment from Vessel to Vessel, are Physicians of no value. Therefore while ye in the state of Minority are, and have need to be under Pastors and Teachers, till you are come up to the highest Form, ready prepared and qualified for the great Master Teacher to undertake you, even the holy Spirit, who will perfect whatever was lacking in other Teachings, and through other Mediums, for which direct your Eye, waiting in a peaceable Concord and silent Harmony, in your own Jerusalem within, whereupon written is to be, Holiness to the Lord in every Property; and then you will come to know the fresh 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 to discolour this golden Stream. This is the ministration which you will find the following Openings to point out and lead to; and though as yet it be an unbeaten Path, which the Lord hath by his Instrument now declared, and made known in way of Vision and Prophecy; yet it is the true Day-star that will give its own light and witness: Therefore let the Wonderers, Despisers and Contemners take heed of making a Mock of that which the Alpha and Omega will own and stand by, as his express Mind, who prohibited the publisher hereof from altering the way and manner of the revealing of these great and deep things. Therefore you have them unpolished, in their own naked Simplicity as they were every day revealed & 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: And as for others, we do not heed their Judgment, 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 may give up their long buried Dead, and that this cursed Ground may no longer shut up the dead in Christ? Are not these Tidings brought from the bright East? that the Lord is coming to bring forth himself, in a new and marvellous Resurrection, such as never was yet, and therefore hath beforehand, sent his holy Spirit of Prophecy, to proclaim what he intends to fulfil, according to his antient Purpose and Decree, and for this end, hath shewed what Gates are to open, to give entrance into this All-fruitful Sharon, where the scattered love-Flock hath been hunted and chased as panting Harts, shifting their Pastures, and yet not finding where to lie down and be at Rest, which indeed can never be expected, till through the Seven Seals ye do come, where the full glorious Resurrection Day ye shall witness, through all things becoming New, where the holy Spirit, your Over-seer, and feeling Life, shall ever and always be known for fixation in the Resurrection State? And though the 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 been 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 gradually, so is also the Resurrection perfected through received Acts of Power; a Similitude whereof we may see in the visible Sun, which doth not attain its Meridian height at his first rising; and so the Body of the Resurrection doth not at once, but by degrees, advance to its full height of Lustre and Glory; So as we must give way to Measures and Degrees in all sorts, whether in dying or rising, all opening one Everlasting Mystery of Glory in the Powers of our Lord Jesus, who will bring all, one after another up to Glory. Now then let each one prove his own Work wrought in God, whether in Death, Resurrection, 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;  [Margin Note: As you may see in the Book, entitled, The Heavenly Cloud by the same Author.]  the way for the Attainment of which you will find described according to the measure of the Spirit, given for Manifestation of these long hidden Truths, that have lain under the Seals, where you will find the Path that leadeth into the Death, and the loosing therefrom, through the seventh Seal, opening for the Resurrection, which the seven Thunders do plainly express, and so proceed on to the ascending Reign in Christs Kingdom, which is great and magnificent, giving its own signal Demonstration, by opening the divine Magia, whereby the holy Spirit comes to act in his own place, viz. in the ascended Body of the Resurrection, from thence to go forth and work his Wonders, such as yet were never wrought, which will be the Introduction into the fixed Glorification, for to be Co-centred in the ascended triumphant Spirit, the Glory of which is attributed to the Lamb of God, of whom it is said, That he is worthy to receive Blessing, Wisdom, Power, Strength and Glory, for the effecting of so full and perfect a Redemption; all which shall be assigned to the glorified in Christ, who in the Royal unchangeable Priesthood shall be confirmed, as going up from Glory to Glory, till swallowed up in Glory, Power, Might and Excellency, the manner of which is defined as the Close of all that hath been treated of in this Book, as the finishing Testimony which at present was given me from the Lord of Glory. Therefore so receive them in Faith and Love, for this is the day of Gods Revelation, who sends forth this as a fore-going Harbinger, who according to his Promise will soon follow to fulfil all the rich and precious Things prophesied herein; and therefore calleth upon his scattered Stones to get together, to Harmonize in the Eternal Light, Love and Purity, provoking each other to go on forward in this four-fold Process of our Lord Jesus, arising out of this long Night of Slumber; for the Day is broken, and the Morning-Star may be discerned. Consider to what a Life of Glory and Immortality ye are called, it is great and wonderful indeed; yet know, the East-Gate now will open to those that earnestly knock thereat; so that there is a certain possibility to get up unto all these Degrees of Glory: Wherefore let none doubt, but be girded with the Omnipotency of Faith, which will ride 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, that so they may return to strengthen, and encourage their Companions in the Race, who may see the Rosy Garland of Victory in their Hands, and the Diadem of precious Stones, as the Prize which they have won, which doth well deserve to be run hard for, not delaying so much time as to look behind, being once set out, but so run that we may obtain. But it may be questioned, Who, and where those are which are so resolute and strong in Spirit, as to hold out to the end of the Race? For this, none can be found indeed, but such as are arisen with Christ from the dead, he is & must become the Racer in us; for all other Legs we run with will soon tire and be weary; therefore set not out till Christ your Life and Strength be risen, as a Giant refreshed, to run out this conquering Race, where ye may come to lie down under the encompassing Glory, as in an everlasting pleasant Shade, possessing all those high and wonderful Immunities, Glories, Crowns, Joys, Gifts, Powers, in the Holy Spirit, who will magnifie his Office in acting and working all in the Body of the Resurrection, concerning which I shall no further enlarge, but refer you to what is treated of in the former, and this the following Revelations. I shall now cease, and shut up all in that springing Fountain from whence this bundle of Revelations did proceed, having a good Hope and certain 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 Obtruse, Deep and Mystical, and hard to be understood, yet to others, who are come under the teaching of the same Unction, it will appear plain, and easily apprehended, and that the Spirit will bear record with us, of what was, and is, and yet is to come. Now the thing 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 suddenly be upon us, to take unto him his Kingdom, which nothing of the Beasts Reign shall mingle. Oh ! Holy, Precious and Elect, let us not Sleep, but set our Morning Watch, for 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 un-interrupted Nuptial Fruition, and so to be ever with the Lord, or rather the Lord to be ever with us, as his dear Bride, perfectly redeemed from the Earth, as it becometh her thus Holy and Blameless to be found; for the everlasting Priestly Celebration and Holy Ministration, in no other Temple but what is called God and the Lamb where the only true Spiritual Worshippers are found, and from whence our Praise-Offerings will spring, as from the bright Sphere of Glory, that swallows up Darkness, Death, Sorrow, Contempt, and the Curse in a full and total Victory; for the Hopes of which, and first budding Fruits now shall conclude with high Acclamation, Glory, Salvation and Praise to God and the Lamb, that cometh to Reign evermore; even so and Amen.

Known to be Yours, in the unsealed Book of Life,
which none can shut again,

J. Lead
and E.H. follows.

 

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The Introduction

It was in my purpose to have suspended, as yet, any further manifestation of the Revelation that still followed me, and would have hid the golden Talent only for an increase in its own invisible Ground, from whence it open’d at first, till such time as it might come forth in the multiplying Number of the holy Spirit, to seal up the glory of all that had gone before in Vision and Prophecy; but Christ, the bright Banner of Glory stood before me, and said, Keep in Record the Journal of the new raised Life, according to the Profession thou art going on in; and know that what hath and is further to be revealed, shall be sealed with a mighty Witness, conquering all opposition, where-ever it shall rise: Wherefore, go on, and forbear not writing; for it shall be as the unclouding of the present dark Day, and many shall come in at the brightness of its rising, though it now seems to be under an Eclipse.

Thus was I afresh enkindled from the All-piercing Word of my Lord, who knows for what end he moves me hereunto, tho I still objected against it, as fore-seeing no Passage for such high Mysteries, nor likelihood of their Reception in that Love which is void of censuring, and therefore would rather have hid these heavenly things in their own Centre. But seeing it hath pleased the Lord to over-rule my Resolution, I shall be obedient to his Word, as believing it may extend to the benefit of some who are known to himself, who will not disesteem the preciousness of the Spirit for the Vessels sake; wherefore, I shall no longer be backward to reveal what is of great weight and importance, as being well assured, that the Lord Jesus will go along with me, till I have fulfilled the Declaration of the whole Mystery.

I feel the divine Agent that works mightily in holy separated Souls and Minds, driving on to make way for what is yet behind in reference to the manifestation of that Kingdom, which now the Lord is about to restore in his Saints and therefore gives forth fresh and lively Ideas of it, that pure Minds may be excited to look for its coming in their New Earth and Heavens, which are to be garnished as with Purity, so with Dominion and Power, even the rising Body of the Holy Spirit, which must restore all things which have been in Confusion. Now what goeth before to make ready for this,  [Margin Note: Meaning the Book of the Heavenly Cloud]  hath been already set down by the Golden Pen, which is dipped in the springing Unction, to which more considerable Revelations are added by him, who saith, He is come to make all things New, being ready to give forth the Promise of the Father in the Ministration of the everlasting Gospel. I say, the faithful Witness and Ground of all Mysteries, minded me of his Charge to his Disciples when he was to disappear to the outward, viz. That they should wait at Jerusalem, the holy City, in Harmony, Concord and Oneness of Mind, with great confidence and love to each other. [Margin Note: Acts 1. v.4.]   A deeper search the holy one doth make in them, who in this last Age are waiting to be endowed with the full acting Body of the Deity, which will be manifested in a different manner, than in the days of the Apostles, that being by way of Gift, coming down as a Shower; but now those who shall be endowed with this signal Blessing, must have it by way of a Birth in them. The Apostles were to wait at Jerusalem, which was a figure of the Principle of Light, where all Natures and Properties are harmoniz’d to an equal Temperature, all Faculties are spiritualiz’d and purged from their Drossiness, and reconciled to each other in a sweet Love-accord. It is plainly shewed me, that the holy Spirit will have his Birth in a peaceable Habitation, where the conquering Life of Jesus, by his dying and rising, hath first made its way by reconciling the Properties of Nature, and bringing them to a divine Harmony, by which renewing Nature into a soft and sweet Mildness, causing all Contrarieties of Spirit to cease by subduing it to the Light-Principle. Wherefore it is but in vain to expect the Establishment of that Kingdom, which the Birth of the holy Spirit will bring to us, till this thorough Work be wrought, that we may come to Unity in our selves, and with one another, which is a very high Perfection. And truly, from hence I have been informed where the Birth of Power hath stuck, and why so many Faculties, fruitless Births, have been brought forth: Wherefore, let not our bribed Senses, or the Spirit of Unbelief, so far delude us, to make us believe that the holy Spirit will open its Birth, but according to what hath been by the Lord himself revealed.

But it may be objected, That if the Terms be so hard, it looks as an Impossibility to obtain it, because nothing of the evil Qualities and striving Properties must remain, which are not so quite allayed in any, but may be stirred up again into Motion: Pray therefore let us know what Provision hath been revealed against this, that it may beget a Hope and Belief in those who are yet in the Division and Strife, the Good warring against the Evil, and the Evil against the Good, being divided betwixt the Night and the Day, as the greatest Saints are.

For Answer to the Objection; the Spirit of the Lord hath searched and found out a Cure, which will bring the broken and divided Estate of the first Adamical Birth into Unity, Harmony and pure Liberty; I shall, as I am able, bring it forth in the same Model it was given to me, for a true seeing Glass, by which I was directed to fathom the deepest Ground of my eternal Soul, and to find out its true essential Properties, as they were derived from the unmixed Purity of the one pure Element. This pure eternal living Soul, thus breathed by God, into an Angelical Image, and formed into an Organical Body from the one pure Element, all which was to be seen in the first Paradisiacal Man. But when Lucifer prevailed by darting in his hellish Fire, it left such a Sting, which hath poysoned all the inward Essences of the very Immortal part: and therefore the wound is found so deep that no Medicine can be found to reach it; but Christ, the in-breathed Word, who only can reach the Soul’s original Ground; and being the Creating Fiat can alone make all New again, [Margin Note: Ephes. 1. v.10.]   according to the highest Uniformity of the express Deity. And this cometh first to be known in a fiery Ray of Love-Light, that discovers where the Root of sin doth lie; and so when the Spirit of the Soul comes, by the Word of Life, to understand its own Original and by what means it hath been corrupted and captivated, it is made full-willing and eager to strike in with that Christ, which riseth from the Centre-Light in its own Soul, to redeem and reconcile all to himself, that was alienated from him in the Birth of Strife. Thus Christ in us, is our Peace indeed, who hath made of both and all, one New Creature, having abolished the Law of Enmity, blotting and rooting out sin, by the same degrees as his own righteous Nature enters in, which restores all peaceable Concord. So that the Spirit, who is made Partaker of this Gift of God, hath put on Royal Liberty, and being clothed with Christs essential Body, finds itself unloaded of all sinful weights, and moves swiftly in the Circle of Light, and runs its Races through the unknown Spaces and Christaline Spheres, where other Worlds do appear with all their glorious Objects, Ranks, and Orders, which must needs make this World look base and vile to a Soul that is come naked and free out of the original Womb, as begotten again from the dead, rising in a perfect clarified Body of Light, and being quite recovered from that desperate lapsed state that would have sunk the Soul into Everlasting Death. Thus you see by what means the disagreeing Properties of Nature may come to be harmoniz’d as in the beginning: God must become Man, and by his consuming fiery Property destroy original Sin, which is the first engine that moves the Wheel of Strife and Division in the Soul, which Fire is Gods choice Instrument, when set and tuned by his hand, who gave it a Beeing out of Eternal Nature, into which it must be dissolved again, that it may be a meet Instrument for the holy Spirit to play such Tunes and Triumphant Sounds, and teach such new Lessons as have not hitherto been understood. All which shall be made good when the Soul shall be brought forth as a well tuned Instrument, new strung and qualified, in the deified man, where the holy Spirit moves every Property, according to the central Wheel, in its new begotten Form, which is set free to run its Races in the Sphere of Light, where weak Mortality, with its sinful Essences are out-run and left behind in the Fall. Let not this seem strange or impossible; for in the Deep a Means is found for the bringing forth of this long buried Seed, which hath long waited to arise in its original Body of essential Perfection and harmoniz’d Powers, that it may appear that God is come to move and shew himself in the Covenant of his Love, according to the Preordination, in the heart of Christ; for by him we do obtain this Resurrection, in order to all the following Glories, which the holy Spirit shall bring with him; even so Amen.

This Instruction being so immediately from the Lord, carried great weight with it, and made me resolve to wait upon the working Power in my inward Deep, for the reducing of every divided Property to Unity; for I was fully convinced that this Uniformity must be the Temple in which the holy Spirit will appear for the bringing of all working Powers to a heavenly Consort and Agreement: I sate upon this day by day, and as I found great drivings thereunto from the South Wind of Heaven, so strong Storms were raised from the North, with roaring Seas that lifted up their Waves to scatter and make void this holy Enterprise, in injecting divers Temptations that such a thing as this could not hold or abide, but would have its Overturnings and Changes, for that nothing less than a God can always be in an equal Temperature, and that this was rather the full effect of the holy Spirits coming, than a Preparation for it. Thus was I puzzled and tossed to and fro in my Mind, as if I were put upon that which could never be brought about, or carried through to the desired End. But the Lords Word was mighty and powerful to press me forward to this sweet and well ordered Composure of Mind, to abide in an equal Temperature, notwithstanding all that might come in to discourage me, whether from those visible things or from the dark Principality, which is much more hurtful, in regard that they, as Spirits, can shoot in their Darts before we are aware; so that this hath been my watchful Exercise for some days, to resist what would have done Violence to that, which in Concord and Peace, would ever unshaken remain.

The holy One, according to his friendly way and manner of Visitation, did after all this, exceedingly comfort and strengthen me to maintain his right of Conquest, over all that which yet is left to vex and awaken Anxiousness, or any Fear or Turmoil in the Soul. My Jesus thus spake, Consider and know thou art to hold fast what I have purchased by the fore-passed Death in thee, as having assumed that Body of Sin to offer it up for a consuming Sacrifice, once for all, as was shewed in the Type of the visible Body, which is now done again in the invisible. So that you are to reckon and account your sins virtually done away; they can claim no Law either to reign or condemn: Look upon all Motions of this kind to be at the check of the Spirit, who hath again quickened the dead, and will no more give way to that which came in to flesh for to destroy; And therefore let none pretend a necessity of continuing in that which hath brought in Confusion and Disagreement, seeing a Redeeming Spirit is come down to renew, and gather in the lost again to the divine Beeing, from whence they did proceed at first, pure as God is pure; to which degree of Perfection that we may be restored again, is the end of Christs Mediatory Office, not only without, but within us, where the Body of Sin hath been yielded up for an Offering. This confirming Word, Christ the Lord, who is arising, left with me, for them who have been in the Death with him, that we henceforth may know our selves in him to be acquitted and released from all Claims, which the evil Powers and Properties can make for upholding that Kingdom where the Beasts Throne is, which consists of envy, wrath & strife, from all which, by an eternal Decree of the Lord Jehovah, you are set free, and brought into the Harmony of that Kingdom, where the springing Joy, from the Peace of God doth run as a River that hath its Division through all Properties, for to bring them to the heavenly Unity, whereby the Creature is set free from the Bondage of Sin, and a wayfaring Life, according to the Pattern seen in the Mount of Vision, to which my Spirit hath been oft taken up to see the wonderful Plat-form of the New-Jerusalem.

 

The Vision of the New-Jerusalem

The Lord took me away from my mortal part, and shewed me the Situation of this great Glory, [Margin Note: Rev. 21. v. 10.]  and said, Behold, and see the Pattern of the heavenly Houses and Mansions, which make up the New-Jerusalem, where the Glory of the One only God doth fill all with the essential Light and Splendor of his divine goodness. I shall, as I am able, describe what I did see in the Heavens of this Mother-City (for so it was named to me) who is to bring forth her first and free-born to replenish the New Earth and Heavens.

It appeared as a City founded upon one square Stone, whose Dimensions were very large; It was all paved with light flaming Colours, appearing like so many various sparkling Stones, inlaid on the great Foundation Stone, which gave forth a luster, as if so many bright Suns had been there: Towards the Verge or out-side of this square Stone were seen many Seraphick Bodies, wreathing Arm in Arm, and several rows of various Spiritual Forms, of different Ranks and Stature: These Rows appeared like the Stories of a building, which were carried up higher & higher in a square Figure, till it was wonderful high; & upon the Heads of the most inward glorified Bodies a Covering was spread by one more Diaphanous, and of greater splendor than all the rest; the Height of his Person was higher by the head than all the other, who called to me out of this most glorious Building, To take good heed of all I had seen for it had a further meaning, which I was to have revealed, when driven by the Spirit into the light Mystery, where all deep things do open. Oh my dear Lord ! be thou an All-springing Testimony within, and from this New-Jerusalem.

My Spirit being drawn out for a further Enquiry concerning this New-Jerusalem state, what the Appearance of it to us did signifie for this present time? the Foundation Stone thereof gave forth this Word, That such a City the mighty Cyrus would himself be the Founder of, upon the visible Stage of this World, although there be little appearance of it, as yet, because the Elect Stones are at present lying amongst the Rubbish of Confusion, who in due time are to be linked together, to make up a strong City of Defense, through the Gates of which no unclean Vessel shall pass, nor whatsoever is Lame or Blemished, according as was seen in the Pattern. This the Lord will effect by his Might and Spirit, and establish this City on Mount-Zion, at which the whole World shall Tremble.

Whilst the Lord was communing with me about this heavenly City, I saw it descend and cover the whole Earth; and all those who were not prepared to enter, and who could claim no Birthright freedom in this Mother-City, did flee away by Multitudes, Heaps upon Heaps, to hide themselves from the bright Splendor of the divine Body, with the anointed head in the midst of it. The Glory was so great, that we can only give an Eclipsed account of what was seen. But as the descent of this Magnificence did terrifie, and cause above three parts of the World to flee away, as having an irreconcilable Enmity to Spirits and Bodies of such Purity; so on the other hand, I saw a Numerous Company gathered to it, from all Quarters; the Trumpet-shout of Jerusalems great King calling them in from all parts, they were all the first-born of this Mother-City, who well knows her own, calling them by that Name which is impressed upon them in flaming Characters of Love. Multitudes of this kind encompassed the holy City, but few were admitted to the Seraphick wreathe, even those only who had put on the glorified Body. Whereupon I asked, Why those who were called, and had the Name of the heavenly City upon them, were not received in ? And the Lord said, That those who were taken into the Glory, had finished their inward Transformation, to the utmost Perfection, waiting only for the Consummation of the Nuptial Glory; but that the rest, though far gone in true Regeneration, could not be admitted until their Redemption were perfectly wrought out, to the end that no flaw may be found in the Stones that are to constitute this divine Building; but as any shall arrive to this degree of Perfection, so this City shall descend and take them in.

Hereupon followed a further discovery, to let me know the Royal Freedom of the spiritual Seed proceeding from the New-Jerusalem, as the Virgin Bride of God, who though come down into this visible Birth of Time, yet was before all Time in the Substantiality of spiritual Essence, by whom the renewed fruitfulness of this free Birth shall in this last Age of the World be made manifest; which was the joyful Message which sounded in my Heavens, with what is further to be declared for our Consolation. It was thus laid before me, That the Jerusalem from above hath been these many Ages travelling to bring forth her first and free-born, according to that divine Likeness, whose Descent is not to be found within the verge of Time. For here the Gate of Gods deep hath been opened to let us in to see the wonderful Mystery that was fore-ordained to work through all the Vicissitudes of Time since the first Creation. Now then let us consider what the first Plant of Paradise was, from whence we are all sprung; it was but a flower from the Earth; for out of the Dust of the Earth the Lord God created man, and breathed into his Nostrils the Breath of Life, and man became a living Soul; which was pure, as immediately proceeding from the most Holy. But how soon did this Glory fade and return to Earth again; whereas if he had kept his first Estate, he would have been advanced to higher degrees of Perfection, and become fruitful in Gods Virgin off-spring. All which Design for a limited time was overturned, but the Foundation of God’s Election stood so firm in the Essentiality of the out-breathed Word (which was the Light of Adam’s Life in the Center of Immortality) that the same Word will restore all again, according to the first gracious Intent of the wise Creator, whose purposed Grace shall renew the face of all things that have been marred in the first Adamical Image. But though so desperate a Fall hath overtaken the whole Creation, yet is it but as the fading or cropping of a flower, whose eternal Root remaining, will put forth and spring a-fresh in a more glorious Beauty and Figure, than the first ever had. For though by one mans Disobedience all are made subject to Death and the Curse, [Margin Note: Rom. 5. v.12; Gen. 3. v. 6]  (which is the bruising of the Heel) yet the Head-Life remains, which will recover, raise and make all sound again; for in this promised seed the faded Life will be quickened, according to the Election of Him, who will hereby more Eminently make known the Riches of his Grace and Glory, in his Vessels prepared thereunto. For though there be in all men an holy seed remaining whereby they are in a possibility of recovery; yet because all have not an Heart to improve this Talent, it continues an unprofitable dead Seed to many, notwithstanding all are called, To take of the Water of Life freely, [Margin Note: Isa. 55. v.1.]  that by its quickening Virtue the buried Seed may be raised to a new Life, in a Body of its own kind, which Seed through many Deaths does renew its never fading Flower of Life for a higher degree of Glory in the New Jerusalem state of fixation. Now from what hath been said, we are informed, that there is an Elect Number which is to make up the New Jerusalem-Bride, here upon Earth, who shall finish the Mystery of the Seventh Seal, and be all instated in that Kingdom which the Alpha and Omega hath designed for his Virgin-Bride, before Paradise or this World were: And that I might know that this design and unchangeable purpose of God is still going on, there was shewed me a clear White Stone, in which were engraven numberless Names, all ordained to make up the Glory of the City of God which shall be the Praise and Admiration of the Heavens, and a dread and amazement to the Earth; for the Revelation of it will bring a Wo upon them, who have no part in it. This the Lord himself did signifie, saying, Henceforth know your Free-Birth, Name and Place in this City, and be not fearful or unbelieving, but travel on in the assured Hope, that shall not be made ashamed; for the everlasting Father hath prepared for you this City, of which I am the Builder in you.

The hand of the Lord was strong upon me still, and took me up into a high and lofty Place, where I saw a burning Furnace, which appeared all Blew like the airy Clouds, and the Lord walking in it to and fro, who said, see whether thou canst make thy Pass to me, and abide in this pure everlasting burning Region, which is the Spirits purging Fire, which will devour whatsoever is not of the same Essentiality with me. Upon which I replied, Ah! my Lord, I am free to make my Pass to thee, but how shall I get rid of this Body?  I would fain exist in that pure Essence with thee where nothing of this lump of Earth might prevent my constant Walks in those high Places with thee, whose presence will make these outward Elements to flee away from the superior Spirit. The Holy One replied, Be not troubled at thy Binding Mortality, for I will descend in this fiery Cloud into thee as a baptizing Fire, which shall take away the gross Impurities of the Senses, that thou mayst be clarified, in order to thy Co-deification, which will manifest the out-spreading Name of thy Emmanuel, whereby thou shalt receive Power to ascend through Fire and Air, and continue that all-desirable freedom of Communion with the holy Trinity: And though none in a Body of Flesh and Sin can come up to me, yet Grace, Pity and Love do move to descend in the Spirits flaming Cloud to make the way free, that such may have a Pass, who account no Place their Rest or Dwelling besides me: Wherefore pursue and watch to drink in of this pure Spirit of Burning, which will clear and take out of the way whatsoever hath kept from ascending into the Holy City. Whilst these Words were inspoken from the Anointing, I felt a sensible rising and spreading over all my Heart, Head and Body, as if all were covered with a Cloud of Sun-heat, giving out light, by which I could see what was inwardly done, as well as feel it. Then it was further spoke in me, that I should take notice that this was also the bright Garment of the Sun. Such is the Nature of this secret flaming Matter, that it feeds, strengthens and clarifies a naked Spirit all at once. Then was I inquisitive to know the Substance or Ground of it, but it was replyed; Meddle thou not with that, only receive it passively, and Co-operate with it when it ariseth, and then walk with, and draw in the feeding Fire and Air, and when it resteth in its own place, rest thou with it, and be assured it will not leave thee, till it have concentred thee in the Deity.

This light flaming Cloud encompassing me, gave this further Revelation, to shew what the Holy One is about to do, in order to the laying of the Foundation of this strong City, in which the mighty God will pitch his Tabernacle, and settle his Rest forever. Many Types, Images and foregoing Figures of this Jerusalem, have been given through the several Ages of the World, but the Heavenly Thing it self hath not been brought forth, as now twill be, because the set time approacheth: For the trying burning Furnace is kindled, and the Wind of the Almighty forcibly blows up the Flames thereof in the center of the Soul of every one, who are the Elect Members of this Holy Corporation. Now is the time for the Spirit of Burning and Judgment to prepare each Stone, which is designed for this super-excellent Glory: No counterfeit Gold, or reprobate Silver can pass through this Furnace, which is ordained to prove whatsoever comes to be built on this Foundation. The mighty King sends forth his Decrees to fulfill the ancient Prophecies, concerning the return of the long Captivity of these, who belong to this Mother-City, that they may know their original freedom, and no longer abide as Captive-Exiles among the Babylonians in Confusion and Reproach. And what sign will the Lord give for this, but by loosing the last Seal, under which doth lie the rich Bank and vast Treasury of Wisdom, Spirit and Power, which shall so vigorously carry on this New-Jerusalem-Building, that all the Powers which the Dragon and Beast can raise by their Agents, visible and invisible, shall but turn to their Shame and Confusion, when the Lamb ariseth to open the Seventh Seal, under which the most precious things, even that fine transparent Matter lies hid, to be manifested in due time, for the beautifying of this divine Building.

But here an Objection may arise, and question this revealed Grace and proclaimed Liberty to the Children of the Captivity, who are now called to sit upon this heavenly Building, which is this; That the time is not yet, and that the last Seal is not so near breaking open; and who is it that can give a Sign for a Testimony that this Decree is already gone forth?

To all which the Spirit of Truth gives this Answer, (who best knows what he hath wrought, in order hereunto, in the Central Deep of some elect Vessels, who are not to make any out-cry until the Mystery be fully finished in them) know that the time is at hand; wherefore let none look afar off, or run out from themselves, and neglect their own Vintage at home, but regard how near the Grape is to ripeness, which contains the Wine that is to be drunk at the Marriage-Supper of the Lamb, who charges it as a great over-sight upon those that are Regenerate, that they have put this Day afar off, not discerning the Lord’s Body, who is quickened from the dead in them, who are passed from Death with him, and so are put in Subordinate Commission with the Lamb to break open all those Seals, which shall make way for the descent of the Holy City. For what in John’s Revelation is mentioned concerning these things, is very obscure and mystical, and there is no fathoming of it to the utmost, until the Lord himself come with the Plummet-Line of the Holy Spirit to measure out the meaning. Though there are some who have been favoured with this Light of Revelation, by means of which they understand what lies hid under those Allegorical Expressions, and through the opening of the Seals have discovered those rich Jewels, which were concealed under that dark Covert; the opening of which Seals I shall set down in order, according as it was acted in my own particular, through my Soul’s waiting with the Lamb’s-rising Power, in a particular experience of my own in the divine Mystery.

[Margin Note:  The opening of the first Seal. Rev. 6. v. 1,2]  At the opening of the first Seal, the Spirit of Faith came forth to encounter with the fearful and unbelieving Spirits, that set before me an Impossibility of ever reaching to a Paradisiacal Purity and Mount-Zion-Dignity, and was kept under a great Fear and Perplexity, under the dominion of Unbelief, until this first Seal was broke open; for thereupon the strong Lyon of the Tribe of Judah set me free to run the Race of Faith unto the end, giving in this Caution, to take care to be well mounted on this Horse of the Spirit of Faith, and to hold fast to him who rides on it, who hath the conquering Bow in his Hand, to shoot his Arrows into those unbelieving Spirits, that would still keep us in Doubts and Perplexity.

[Margin Note: The opening of the second Seal.   Rev. 6. v. 3,4.]  At the opening of the second Seal, all Peace, Pleasure and Joy were taken away from the Earthly Life, and withal such a Light broke forth, which made me see the vile Abomination of an earthly state, compared with the Perfection of the Divine Life, so that now I rejoyc’d in nothing more than to see him who sate upon the Red Horse, slaying with his Sword the Beasts and creeping things of the Earth; that is, all the moving stirring Essences springing from the original source of Evil, and to find him taking away Peace from the earthly Life, so that the earthly Mind is bereft of all Peace, Rest, Content and Satisfaction in all its goings out, whether in Thought, Word or Action. But how comes this to pass? Why because he that sits on the Red Horse gives a mighty Sword to the Spirit of the Soul, that thereby it may kill and destroy all the Essences of the earthly Life in joynt-Union with Christ, which Sword is nothing else but the Power of the Spirit of Life, which is Christ’s Deity in his Eternal Humanity, now fixed in the centre of the Soul. It is Christ’s rising Life in his Saints enabling them to conquer the Essences of the earthly Life (which is the Beast) in themselves. Now this taking away of Peace from the earthly Life, is a blessed Introduction to its final Destruction, which is to follow upon it, according to the intention of the Kingly Redeemer.

[Margin Note:  The opening of the third Seal. Rev. 6. v. 5,6.]  The opening of the third Seal, sheweth Christ in us riding on a black Horse, with a pair of Balances in his Hand, signifying Famine on the life of the Beast in his Saints, that its day of plenty is passing away, and that its earthly Essences must be weighed in the Balance of Righteousness. For the Lamb’s Life rising in his dead and rising Saints, putting them into one Scale, weigheth all their Thoughts, Words and Actions in the weight of Perfection; Christ, the holy One, in the other, to see whether they be brought into an even Poise with it; to the end that all Increase and Plenty might richly abound in the fruitfulness of the Spirit; from which heavenly sowing, such a Crop doth spring as may proclaim a Plenty, that may all former exceed; and thus it will naturally spring in the Soul, which is even balanced with Christ the Anointed: And nothing of the Oyl and Wine, which from hence shall proceed, shall ever be hurt or diminished.

[Margin Note:  The opening of the fourth Seal. Rev. 6. v. 7,8.]  At the opening of the fourth Seal, Christ rides in his Saints on a powerful Horse, whose Name is Conquering Death, and hath Hell following him. But though this Death looks grim, yet it is such a Death as shall only hurt the fourth part of the Earth, that is, the evil Principle in the earthly Life, which reigns, and hath the dominion until the Life of Christ be risen in his Saints, till which Time the Beast may be permitted to kill the Life of Christ in the Soul with Hunger, Famine, and languishing Death; for it is said, that the Beast shall make War with the Saints, and for a time overcome them, that is, keep them under by reigning over them in a worldly dominion, which reacheth to their outward Man, as standing in his Elementary Kingdom, where he hath great Power to afflict and famish unto Death, by several Cruelties, when so far permitted. But I have experimentally found that the greatest Fury, Hellish Force and Wrath of the Dragon is quelled and overcome by the Blood of the inlaid Life of the Holy Lamb of God, rising in his powerful Might within me, who upon my complaint of the continual Usurpation of the Beasts Kingdom, hath given assurance that there is a Vial of Wrath preparing to be poured out upon him, which shall drown his Kingdom in everlasting Perdition, that he may no longer insult over the sealed Ones of God, to whom Power shall be given to bind him in everlasting Chains. For the Lord Omnipotent in the Life of the Lamb, is coming to reign over all the Beasts of the Earth, and to exalt them to a victorious Kingdom, who have been killed and slain with him.

[Margin Note: The opening of the fifth Seal.  Rev. 6. v. 9,10,11.]  The opening of the fifth Seal discovers the Souls of the slain Saints under the Altar of the Deity and Humanity. Here the Soul witnesseth conformity to the Death of the Lamb, and lies as a live burning Coal under his Altar, and cries incessantly to rise in such Power of Majesty, that it might be able to take Vengeance of those that have killed the just One, whose eternal Generation is to be counted from the virgin Seed introduced into Nature, who hath lain a long time sealed up in Death; but as Abel’s Blood did cry for Vengeance, so does the Blood of Jesus cry more strongly in the Souls of them who are dead with Christ; and the Lord hath expressly assured that when the rising Incense goeth up from the Altar, from the Soul’s live Coal, it is a sure Testimony that the Resurrection is nigh, when the naked Soul shall be cloathed with its long white Robe; & though this hath been a long Rest and Confinement to many, yet it hath only been permitted that a stronger Cry might ascend: Even as we see now that John’s long sleeping Prophecy is now by some strong crying Souls awakened, till all the Seals be made to fly open, to the end that the imprisoned souls in Christ may by their opening, come to be set upon the Throne, where they shall judge the Dragon and the Beast, with all their Adherents, that formerly exercised Cruelty over them unto Death. Therefore rejoyce all ye, who do find the Effects of the fifth Seal opening in your selves, for by them ye may know the nearness of the Jerusalem-Kingdom; look for its fulfilling in the World within, which shall also in due time be fulfilled in the outward World.

[Margin Note:  The opening of the sixth Seal. Rev. 6. v. 12. to the end of chap 7.]  I proceed now to the opening of the sixth Seal, where the first thing observable, is the great Earthquake, representing the terrible Shakings of the very Foundation of the old Earth, in which is the original Seed of Sin, the hour of whose Judgment is come, and the Trumpet hath sounded for the dissolving this first Earth and Heavens, that their Place may be no more found; the Wind of the mighty Spirit blows upon all Flesh, to make it dye and wither. The Sun of the outward Reason is changed into Blackness, and the Moon of the Senses into Blood, and all the Starry Imaginations drop like untimely Fruit, and every Island and Mountain of strength melteth away; For there can be no hiding in this Day, a Consumption being determined upon the whole Universe, which hath been under the Beast’s captivity. We may call this a blessed Ruin and Undoing, to see a destruction come upon all that hath kept the Lamb and his Kingdom out. This causes a great out-cry and perplexity in the Properties of degenerate Nature, where the king of Reason, and the Captains, the Senses, do not know whither to flee from the Face of him who is come to make all things new, which could not be till all of the old Building was broken down and taken to pieces, where the fretting Leprosie of Sin did still rise. The Wisdom of God could no better way contrive, for the laying of a sound and sinless Foundation for the New-Jerusalem, according to this fore-contrived Model, as by express Word it came unto me, that none could or ever should come to the opening of the seventh Seal, till all this were fully finished; and I must give Witness that it is a doing, and it doth not seem grievous because of what is to succeed and follow, when the next Seal shall be opened.

Thus I have been driven on according to Experience and Revelation, to open the mystical meaning of what is written in the Revelation, according as it is to be fulfilled in Holy and Heaven-born-Saints; though I also well know, that their opening will cause a terrible Day of Wo to the Rebellious and Unregenerate, for they who shall then be found in the Beasts Kingdom, must look to fall and go into Perdition with him; for as there are inward Vials to be poured forth, so there are outward vials to be poured forth on the World, which I could enlarge upon, but that is not my Commission, being otherwise instigated: Besides, the Lord shewed me, that to every Seal there is an Eye opens within, which is therefore called upon to look inward, where the great Mystery is to be opened; and as every Seal hath its Eye, so the Ear hath its sounding Horn, which is filled with Holy Oyl, which makes Kings and Priests in Gods Tabernacle: These are the Trumpets that give the most certain sound for Time to end, and the everlasting Kingdom of the Alpha and Omega to begin, in that Soul when the sixth Trumpet shall sound, upon which follows the loosing of those Angels that have been bound who are to fight the Lamb’s Battle, and to revenge his Quarrel. For the great and last War will be upon this sixth Seal opening; and the Lord did testifie it would be such, as in no fore-going Seal had been known. But he said withal, I am the Lord strong and mighty, who will prevail, and wholly overturn the Kingdom of the Dragon and Beast: Continue thou, whilst I am doing this in the most holy secret of my Beeing, where the constant Mediatorship and Offerings may go on, as the strength of an Army that shall all overcome, through the burning Incense that is mingled by the Angel, whose place is to stand always at the Altar; no hurt or suffering by all this Conflagration, shall touch the Jewel that lies hid in my Deity, that would shine forth again in the Body of its Native Virginity, as before time was; wherefore suffer thou all this Violence on thy Elementary part, as knowing that it will not at all disturb the inward Temple-Worship and Communion of the pure Spirit. But now, as of old time in the first elect Church and People, God was ministered to, and worshipped in a dark formal, mixed manner, going up and down in a moveable Tabernacle, till Solomon’s day where the Typical Temple, which was to be filled with the Glory, was built, even so since the time of the Son of Man’s offering up himself, the holy One hath walked in Clouds, and hath been worshipped after an imperfect rate, and therefore he hath prepared a burning flaming Day for all his Vessels to pass through, to know whether they be Sanctuary proof or no: For the Lord is carrying on a pure Jerusalem-Worship in truth, and substantiality: Rejoyce all ye, who shall stand the tryal of this sixth Seal, in order to it.

Now according to this divine Interpretation of the sixth Seal, we may know how near the end of time, and the passing away of the old Heavens and Earth in ourselves are; for that it is we are to look to, at every Seals opening: For from the first to the last there is a sounding Trumpet to bring Ruin and Desolation, to the first six days Creation, because of Sin and the Curse which came in by the Serpent’s sting, by which means the Beast hath erected his Kingdom, and corrupted the whole Principle of time, which the holy One hath suffered now so many thousand Years, during which all Just Men died indeed in the Faith of this Prophecy, but attained not to that degree, which is to usher in the heavenly new Jerusalem in her Glory. But the Lord is now stirring, and in good earnest is sounding his Trumpets for Battle; and there is that in us which doth witness he is going on gradually to unmake and dissolve all of the first Creation; for the Lamb will not much longer carry the weight and burden of a sinful Creation; he hath in some already sounded to Judgment, and will set himself free thereby, and the Spirits and Souls of those who are resolved to follow him through every Seal, till they shall overcome. It was given me to observe, that there are six Engagements, to which six Overcomings do answer, mentioned in the Revelation, [Margin Note:  Rev. 2. 3.]  and to every Conquest a most high and wonderful Reward promised; all which is to encourage to follow him cheerfully, who is our Leader, who hath sworn that time shall be no longer than till he hath gotten the Victory over the Beast and Whore, and hath destroyed the Dragon’s Kingdom in every Property within us, who are elected to reign in his Life with him on his Throne, with a rain of new created Powers, in the Properties of the redeemed Earth in the Souls Essence; and then we shall know how unconfined the Lordly Dominion over all outward things is, even over all the Beasts of this visible Earth, who must be subjected to the Lamb, who hath taken his Victorious Crown, and put it on the Heads of the holy Warriors, that have passed through all, and are come to the last Overcoming, that gives entrance into the seventh Seal.

As I was collecting in my Mind the near approaching time for the manifestation of this great Overturning, which is to bring in the overflowing stream of Christ’s Kingdom into the Overcomers. Behold I did see and hear the Voice of him from whom the first Heavens and Earth did flee away, who uttered these Words; As there hath been a long and tedious War between the House of God, and the Serpent’s Brood, together with the Harlot and the Beast, who have maintained their envious War on the Ground of fallen Nature; but now come and see the Place where they shall lie bound in perpetual Captivity. And immediately I was all filled with Light from the opened Centre of the peaceable Kingdom, that flows in as a virtual Life, felt in the Quality of the pure glassy Sea, with Sounds, Powers and Lightnings, as if all of the old Earth were now drowned in this bright Ocean; and followed a bright Star, with a Voice going forth, which said, The Lamb rising out of this new Elementary Sea, overcomes the Serpent and Beast, with all their Seed; and this will be their Deluge to an everlasting Victory. So from hence it was demonstrated, that the Beast hath his Sea, wherein the great Leviathan sporteth himself, and casts out Floods to Persecute and make War against the Virgin-Seed, whose Element is the mild and sweet Temperature of the glassy Sea: The other, out of which it is said that the Beast did rise, is a terrible tossing working Sea, where all the worldly Spirits drive their Traffick, for to make Babylon pompous and great, who ever loves the Earth, and are admirers of the Beast, who gives Riches and worldly Honours to such as serve him; but oh! Come here and see how he must fall with his whole Hierarchy. Wherefore let none trust to his Kingdom, which in one day shall be made desolate through the fiery Judgments. Here are two Seas at strife one against the other; turn your Eyes inward, you who are the Lamb’s Warriors, and witness bear to these two Seas meeting, within the Ground of Nature. The Sea of the Beast contains great abundance of Riches, according to its perishable kind; besides, there is an overflow to the Merchants of it, that are in a free Trade to uphold that worldly Kingdom, wherein all Nursery of Sins-Witchcraft is maintained. But according as I was called upon to come and see, how the Beast and all his rich trafficking-Sea is to be dryed up, as the Lamb of God shall fill his Vials from out of this glassy Sea, and pour them upon it, when all its Pomp and Riches shall sink as a Mill stone, never to rise again. Oh! At this let all our Nations rejoyce within us as this Vision is fulfilling.

[Margin Note:  The seventh Seal, shown by way of Vision, some space of time after the opening of the other Seals.]  Now follows another great Mystery, which I was called upon to look into, concerning the seventh Seal, wherein lies hid the Reward and rich Prize, which though not yet given in Possession, yet the Holy One hath seen it expedient to reveal it, by breathing forth this Word in me, saying, Come thou apart, and sanctifie a Fast, touching nothing of the Leaven which is found in the House of fallen Nature; abstain from any other Cup, but what I the Anointed shall fill unto thee, from the burning Sea of Glass, which will be a Lamp to give Light, and perfect Knowledge in the most hidden things that everlasting Wisdom hath hitherto sealed up. For to you who are come to the sixth Seal, and to your burning Elements in the heat of that melting Furnace, these further Secrets are disclosed for the Consolation, who shall hold out in this last Battle-Race for Conquest: Therefore put on your Life-Armour day by day, and continue in the Fight for joy of that which is now revealed, as your Reward; taking all care to abstain from the Leaven of Imaginations, which may stop the Sluice of Revelation in its Purity. The empty Bowl with light burning Oyl began to come in, and became a rising Spring, which did give light to the dark Socket of my Understanding within; and the first thing that was shewed me, was an open Book, written within, and every one of the seven Seals broken; and it was in the Hand of the God-head-man, who said, Come and read what the seven Wonders, which my faithful Witness did declare of in his day of Revelation, which were then to be sealed up, because the Day of their fulfilling was so far off. But now in this present time, there hath been such a fervent heat of flaming Intercession, which hath made all these Seals to melt away, that the Secrets contained in the Book might be opened and made known.

This Living Book, which was presented to my view to read, was the glorified Person of the Lord Jesus, who did now appear to reveal what was sealed up in the seven Thunders. [Margin Note:   The seventh Seal is included in the seven Thunders, opening as the effect of this Seal.]  His presence was not terrible, as appearing under the Vail of pure Humanity, where he hides me as in the Clefts of his own Spiritual Body, whilst he talketh with me; who thus said, Thou art come to a deep Knowledge; for here the greatest Good, & highest Beeing stands unsealed to the introverted Eye of thy Spirit, that can enter into the Light of Eternity, where the Looking Glass of all Mysteries does stand open.

[Margin Note: The first Thunder. ]  Now the cry of the first Thunder was this: Behold! How the six days Creation is come to its limit, and Man ceaseth to be, being returned into the Eternity of his own Spirit, there to rest in God, while the Number of the Beast is summed up, and his Kingdom finished, with the Ordinances of Day and Night, which take place in this changeable Element, from whence the Craft and Subtilty of Reason doth arise to uphold and maintain the lapsed earthly Life. All which there will be no further need of, according to what the second Thunder doth utter.

[Margin Note: The second Thunder. ]  The second Thunder uttered as follows; Come and see, who out of the Bed of passive stillness do now arise and come forth all new and immortalized, to rule as Gods in an immutable Creation: These are they who have been exercised in great Tribulation, and lain as dead under the Seals; but they are come to live, and take the Lamb’s Power to reign in Gods omnipotency, which is the only Instrument they shall play upon, to subdue all inwardly and outwardly: For they are now put in Commission under him, who is come to judge the Quick and Dead, and to remove all things, wherein the Serpents Brood hath been nourished.

[Margin Note: The third Thunder. ]  The cry of the third Thunder is this; Ho! Come ye whose Names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life; The way is all cleared, and the great River Euphrates is dryed up, for to give Passage to the Holy Land, where the Tree of Life shall meet you with its flowing Fruits, whose savour leaves a perpetual Sweetness, and such a strength of Joy as will make you know the Feast of Tabernacles is come indeed with God alone, for to celebrate and keep. The Walls all ranged are with Seraphims, that are appointed for your Guard, to usher you into an higher Sphere, and more magnificent place, than this which was the Seat of the first Paradisiacal Man, where you are to make but your forty days stay: For an higher Orb doth descend as a Cloud to take up the Elders, that have their Throne-Seats prepared in the great Jerusalem City, which is the settled Rest, where no more removing is feared, for there is an indissolvable Link, all fixed in a Co-operating Power, which never shuts up.

[Margin Note:  The fourth Thunder. ] The fourth Thunder opened thus unto me, by way of Vision; I saw seven Golden Candlesticks branched out from a Stud of Gold, and each Socket appeared empty; and there came one in the appearance of a Jasper-light, and poured in some sparkling Liquor, and there arose a shining burning, which sent forth Flakes of light very numerous, running up and down like Lightning, so as nothing could contain them, nor prevent them from going whither they would; then was it cry’d in my hearing, What hast thou seen? but the great Wonder of the fourth Thunder, disclosing the fiery Lamps, that are appointed to be fixed in renewed Nature, which are so impowering, that on whomsover they rest, they may act and do whatsoever they will into. For the Concord of these seven Spirits is of that force, as they can save or destroy, bind or loose; they are the seven proper Powers that must make out, who are God’s Co-deified Ones, and commissioned to act in this last Scene of Wonders, in the wonder-City, that shall be all compacted of pure Spirits: Hear and see, ye shall be planted there as the great Cannons; for these Powers will multiply as a great Host, which can cut off this visible World at one stroke: This is the great reserve to be given as a Reward to the suffering Conquerors.

[Margin Note:  The fifth Thunder. ] The fifth Thunder cryed, Now unseal the Tabernacle-Testimony; let the eternal Gospel of Love and Peace go forth in the cloven Tongue, which can only speak out what springs from the original Law of restored Nature, to its primary Purity, out of the Fountain of the Deity: Behold, these are the separated and anointed Ones, who have this Gospel-Dispensation as a perpetual rising spring, proceeding from the holy Spirit, who can indeed absolve and pronounce Remission of Sins. For Power will rest upon those who can conveigh the New-Testament-Blood, to heal and deliver from the infective Root of Sin; not in a painted formal Imitation, but there shall go forth a Fire-breath, to send this healing Gospel into the very Center-Root of the sick and sorrowful in Spirit, who under the wound of Sin have laid long for Cure. To which true Royalty and Priesthood, some shall be more eminently ordained, for the gathering in of those who lie under the Babylonish Rubbish, who shall be raised through the out-going Might of the everlasting Testimony in the Blood of the Lamb’s Life, which is the known Character that only shall be given to them.

[Margin Note:  The sixth Thunder. ]  The Declaration of the sixth Thunder was thus represented to me; I saw one holding forth a Sapphire Signet, or sealing Stone, with which were to be marked all the Free-born that do belong to the New-Jerusalem; for none but such as are marked can have right to the vast Riches which are concentred in Wisdom’s Bank, who to this day hath locked up the Brides Dowry, and will not part with it, till she can come with this Seal upon her Heart, which is now brought out to put the highest impress of Sapphire-Glory, and Purity, that may signifie, that the Lamb’s Bride is all thus dignified. Oh! Who shall henceforth detain those Riches, Wealth and Honour, which have been treasured up from before the Foundation of the World? For all must now be given up to her command, whether it be in Heaven or Earth, or in the glassy Sea, whether in Heights, or in Depths, or in any of the Eternal Spheres. The sealing Name is everywhere the Authority, that must set all open, which hath been locked up hitherto, because none could bring along with them the Seal which is now freely brought down of God’s own engraving, and therefore can never be counterfeited; for it bears the lively Portraiture of Father, Son and Spirit, to whom all Riches, Power and Glory are given.

[Margin Note:  The seventh Thunder. ]   The last Thunder comes in great Power, to declare the Great Day of the Marriage-Feast of the Lamb; The Fountains run now with that Spirit Wine, that was in the Grape before all Time; the choice and precious Fruits, ripened by the Serene and Pure Elements, are prepared, and the Table is covered with all Replenishments, that God himself can set out, to express the Content and Joy he takes to see this consummating Day, wherein Isaac hath brought home his Rebecca into God the Father’s and Jerusalem’s Glory, where henceforth a perpetual Feast of Joy forever is to be kept. Angels now sound your Trumpet-Songs, because the Harvest is reaped and God’s Kingdom come. The Lamb and Bride are now met to maintain a living Fame in another Creation. The Redemption is finished, Salvation is witnessed, and the Mystery of God is unsealed. The Harpers are summon’d to the Holy Quire, with their Sounds and fiery Tongues, that may proclaim the Lamb hath given up the Kingdom consisting of perfect Spirits, that God only may be the top covering of great Majesty, Strength, Wisdom and Glory, in and over all the Inhabitants of this Holy City, which beareth this Name. The Almighty creating Power dwelleth and taketh up his abode here.

Henceforth bless the Lord on High,
Its he that hath unsealed Treasures richly.
What can them hide from the Spirit’s Eye,
That pierced have into the Heart of the Deity
Tribute-Offerings pay to our God and King,
Who hath revealed Wonderful Things.

Oh what Seraphick Sounds do I hear!
Are they not the Thunders of the Celestial Sphere?
Calling for an attentive Ear Spirit to hear o’re,
Which as the Doors be to the Golden Ore,
Where vast Treasures laid up are in store;
But found are only by Spirits Pure.

This is the state in which the Souls blest Eye
May see God without Thought intellectually.
Though Speech and Converse away may fly,
The thunder of his Power abides essentially;
This is the Day we rejoyce to see;
Even the acting Power of the Deity.

What is it but the fiery piercing Eye,
That can the unsealed Book untye?
Wherein the perfect Number Seven lie
Blessed is that Power from on High,
That hath struck the Crystal Rock,
From whence the Thunders did fly.

I feel the gushing in of Crystal Springs,
That whirleth as upon Cherubim Wings
No more to look down to Earthly Things,
The Glass so clear through which I see,
Beholding glorious Objects variously,
That snatched away are, before I am aware.

Pass we on to the Sea of Glass;
Through all Worlds we make our Pass,
Brought we are to our own Land,
Where all Wonders in order stand;
Viewing what the Mortal cannot endure
Even those Celestials that are ever pure.

Blessed are those in whom the wonder
Of the seven Thunders uncloaked be,
That feel, that see, that possess God in Unity,
Raised high into the Heart of the Deity;
Where out Spring secret pleasant things,
That swallows up in Joy that hath no end.

 

Thus were the seven Thunders opened and interpreted to me from the springing Word, upon which I closely waited, and witnessed & felt a sweet & precious anointing and refreshing Joy to come in from every Thunder-Cry. Oh! This is so great, so weighty and rich, and such surprising Goodness, which in this Book of Life is found, which is now unsealing, that no other things any more ought to be minded by us.

Thus the triumphant King and Conqueror (who is possessed of all these Royal Powers and Dignities, that are infolded in these seven Thunders) hath given his Word, that none of these shall fail in any one that hath the mark of the seventh conquering Seal broken up in themselves, to whom joynt-power and authority will be given, in order to the beginning of that Reign, which is to be settled here on Earth, according to the Prophecy in John’s Revelation, which presseth hard upon me from the Fiery Cloud, that circles round my Spirit for a defensive Banner, which will let nothing of the eclipsing dark Principle come in, whilst the Center deep from the Soul’s fiery Essence opens, and the bright Streamers, from the Heart of the glorified Jesus, who meets me in such a peaceable Love-paved-Walk, into which none can come to see or hear what passeth by way of Prospect or Communication; but what, and so much as I am ordered to declare, I shall faithfully give out, according to the mind of my Lord, who sees the effect that shall follow all these Revelations given by him.

The Prophecy of the Thousand Years Reign, mentioned in the Revelations, was set before me and opened. As to the Time, Persons and Place, much Controversie hath been concerning this Mystery, which I shall not meddle with, but shall only faithfully declare what the Morning-Star hath expressly revealed from his own Mouth, who with this Salutation began; Awake ye, who have been under Death and Judgment; know ye not that my Reign is near? The fore-going Prophecy must have its fulfilling, and there are those who are a ripening for it, upon whom my Kingdom shall be fixed. Wherefore do thou warily observe the following particulars, which are the fore-going Signs of my Personal Reign, whereby it may be known how near it is.

The first particular concerns those Persons in whom this Reign is to begin, who are such as have been Beheaded, suffering an inward spiritual Martyrdom, for the hope of a Resurrection in a God-head-Body and Spirit. The manner of Death is here to be taken notice of; they are said to have been Beheaded, that is, who have their head Life, where the rational Understanding is seated, and from whence all sensible operations go forth, cut off, and separated from them, because by means of it the Dragon and Beast have found place to establish their Kingdoms in Man, and have been hereby in all Ages upheld; the main of the Serpents strength having always lain in the Craft and Subtlety of Reason, which is the Fore-Head mark of the Beast. Who then are they who have known this honourable Death from the flaming Sword in the Hand of the Cherubim, but those who shall hear the Resurrection-Trumpet, to let them know their Thrones are set, and their Conquering-Crowns to their new-risen Heads are fitted, and that all Power and Judgment is given unto them, to personate the mighty King Jesus here upon Earth. For Christ the Lord shall have no need in his own particular glorified Person to come down amongst the Inhabitants of the Earth. There is something to be done first by them, who are to Personate him in the Kingly Dominion; his transparent Body is such, as will not (till this first Reign be finished) be any way bearable to the present consistency of things, which must be first sublimed. It is sufficient that the Lord is come in his witnessing Power and Presence, through a new-risen Life with and in his Elders, for to reign in the Majesty of his all-governing Eye, which pierceth as devouring Flames, and burning Coals of Fire, which run from each to other, and from one end of the Earth to the other. If the Lord will but supply the visible Humanity with a mighty flow from the Deity, and with a witnessing Omnipotency, it will be sufficient and considerable Glory. Next, we are to consider where the Reign of Christ is to be manifested, to wit, in renewed Nature’s center, which is made all Seraphick, in the Souls inward Essence, from whence the Serpent and Beast are cast out, and have no more place; they are in this latter Reign chained up, though in the fore-going dominion which the Lord had in the Soul, he was always in Contest with these potent Adversaries, who exerted all their strength to keep their hold in the mixed frame of Nature; all of which being now overturned, they have no place where to establish their Dominion: So that now all Strife ceaseth, because the Lord alone doth reign in Peace over all the Region of Light. For now the Soul is Born anew into the light World, and is most firmly established in its Kingly Power, which is not from received Gifts or Powers, as in the day of Pentecost, but all comes in with the risen Birth, from whence the Powers do naturally and uncessantly flow, and therefore out of all danger of mutability, which might threaten a disappointment of any thing, that is agreed upon by the Kingly Soul, with his seven counseling Spirits, which do continually stand before the Throne in the inward Heavens; which by the scattering Coals from the Deity are made as an enduring burning Element, where the Glory of Christ’s Personality may be seen, but not otherwise detained as to his individual Person, but as the same likeness is risen by virtue of the creating Word in his Members, who are intrusted with this active powerful Body, suitable for the management of such a Kingdom, in which the Soul at first reigns invisibly over all its inward Motions and Properties, as over People, Nations and Languages, all which by Wisdom’s Power are kept in a God-like temperature, such as may express the Lord is come to Personate himself in a righteous and peaceable Government, such as never yet hath been in the World since Adam lost Paradise.

Objection. But shall this be an Universal Reign? And after what manner shall it be Modelized in this visible Creation? That which is Internal and Spiritual will not be so much taken notice of, though it comes to this height of Perfection, for it may be hid amongst a small Number, yet may be known but only to one another, the generality still abiding under the Beasts Power and Name, which is his accursed Nature.

This Query was answered me in plainness of Truth, thus; That this glorious Reign would not be Universal, nor break out all at once, but gradually from the burning Unction, which prepares Christ’s way, and makes room for his Kingdom: There is much to be done first, and here must a Beheading go before, and a plucking up all that hath made desolate, and after all this, a coming up again in the Resurrection, which is a rare attainment indeed; for it is a Resurrection to a state wholly sound and sinless, even the same to which our Lord was raised after Death. The Prophecy doth not say, That all the dead were raised up to reign with Christ a Thousand Years; but it is expressly declared, that the rest of the Dead did not rise till the Thousand Years were expired; from whence it was cleared up to me, that many may be going through this Spiritual dying, and yet continue dead, whilst others are raised, according to that Word, Blessed are they who are partakers of this first Resurrection; so that it will not be Universal. But besides this, there are those who are Unrighteous, of whom it is Prophesied, Let him that is unjust, be unjust still; these shall in no wise enter into Christ’s Kingdom, but be shut out of the holy City, which shall rule over them. For this Kingdom shall not only be inward, in the Properties of the Soul, but shall also exercise its dominion over this visible Principle; and those who are unconverted shall be as Stubble before the bright flaming Cherubims, who in the Lamb’s Power shall reign on the Earth: The Elect shall reap and long enjoy the creating Works of their own Hands; for with no less Power shall the Representatives of Christ the Lord be invested. This declared must be throughout all Worlds, that Christ will appear in his Saints that are risen again to bear the Trophy of a Death-Conquering Power.

Now the next enquiry is, When is the time that this may be expected, because hitherto there is but very small appearance of any such thing? that is, Who is it qualified in such a high degree as this heavenly Kingdom requires? Who are willing to be Beheaded, and through Death to be made partakers of this Reign?

But yet not withstanding all these Objections of Fear & Unbelief, and the whole throng of discouraging Spirits of the sensible Life, whose cry is, Who is able to suffer all this? Faith and Love are given to the worthy pretenders to this Kingdom, whereby they are carried as with Wings, over all the Floods of Fear and Discouragement; neither shall they want either Resolution or Valour to wade through the greatest opposing Difficulties, who are designed for it, and found in the Lamb’s Roll. A double and trebble portion of his Spirit the Lord hath said he will add to them, who first shall abrogate the Law of Sense, which hath been the chief hinderance of his Kingdom, which therefore is to be made void, because it diverts the Soul from fetching all its Supplies from the Rock; neither can Faith arrive to its full strength, till Sense be led into captivity, and cast into a dead sleep.

Now as to the time of the Lord’s Reign, when it shall be, you will be apt to say, That this is an unknown thing, and that none can prefix the time. It is true, that many have Calculated, and puzzled their Spirits about it in vain: But if we will know how near the time is, we must not look without us, but in the unsealed Book of Life within us; there you will find the fore-going Signs, which are first to be accomplished in your own Heavens and Earth: We may try and prove our selves by what hath been already revealed from the seven Seals and Thunders, how near the Kingdom of our Lord is approached unto us. Let each of us examine our selves, how far the preparative work is advanced in us: We see what the Beast and Dragon’s Kingdom must suffer in us, to make way for this Reign, which cannot be established till all this Trash be taken out of the way. Therefore we shall only know the time by such an one, who shall give the first deadly stroke, and come forth a Conqueror over the whole sensitive Life, and this outward Kingdom, which stands divided between Good and Evil; in such an Overcomer as this my Jesus expressed, he would appear and personate a Kingly Reign; and that we are not to look out for any other Sign at this time, but the Manifestation of this conquering Life: And further said, There would go forth an Arrow from the Word of Revelation, which should so closely stick in some, as to pierce through the Heart of the Beast, who hath warred to hinder the Lord’s triumphant Reign in his Saints. By all which it is clear, that there is no surer sign of the approaching Personal Reign of Christ, than to see the Beast wounded to the Heart; for no sooner will the Beast be removed, but his Kingdom will appear, whose right it is to rule in Heaven and Earth. Who is it now that will suck in the Marrow of these precious things, which is the dropping Oyl which distills from the Olive-Tree, to make our way smooth, light and clear, and to preserve us from being daunted, though our portion should be a draught of Blood? for the life of the Beast must be taken away, before the Lord appear in us like himself, in Power, Glory and Majesty. Oh! What Drawings and Desires may these weighty sayings from the Lord, enkindle in us from his coming to reign in absolute dominion within us!

The Word came to me, Run hard, there is a rich Prey to be taken, by treading down of the Beast, which may be taken, if pursued to the Victory: Wherefore be valiant in the Faith, for all Might is in God, to overcome whatsoever opposeth his Reign and Personal Kingdom.

[Margin Note:  January, 2d, 1682]  Much and free Communication I had with the Lord this Night, and a Cloud of Light appeared in me, which raised my hope higher; I had also many Queries satisfied; Then there appeared to me a pitched Standard, which reached from the Earth to the Heavens, where its top was hid; it resembled a strait ascending Flame; and it was signified, that this was the Standard of overcoming Power, which no earthly Warrior would venture to engage with; for its Dominion reached from the Earth to the Heavens; and this Word was added, Stick close to it, and move not from under it, for it will be a shelter from the Storm which is coming on, with a flowing Sea of Troubles, raised by the wrathful One, whose Kingdom is Division.

This Motto and Inscription was given out from the sealed Book within, as follows; In Christ I live, in Christ I dye, that I may cease from Sin and beastly Properties, that so the first Ground of Life may rise over all, to immortalize the Reign of Christ. Words no more as empty Sails spread out shall be, but become the thundering Air of an Almighty Power, which is Christ in his essential Spirit, who wanders from the Heights above and Depths below, will in his time show: Look and read the circle Line, and the most marvelous things may further know and find.

Upon some inward Conference with my Lord about the Ship-wrecked-Bark of Nature, which still upon the foreign Coast doth lie, and is often in Jeopardy by reason of some Tides, which might make the Vessel Spring-a-Leek; the Lord did immediately come in with these Words, saying, Make reflection and ponder well my Grace and Love, which hath been so great as to lay in my Life so deep with thine, that thou canst suffer nothing but I do call it mine. Thy broken Vessel shall be renewed into its Original, when all of sinful Properties shall be drowned in the Alpha and Omega, who is the beginning and end of Time, and who will open the sealed Mine, where the unsearchable Riches shall freely abound as in the state of Innocency, where nothing of necessity or want was known: All this is going on, and advancing in the moving Circle of the Deity: all that is required of thee, is to be steady in the highest float of Faith.

My Spirit was let down into the deep Center and Circumference, where the personal Glory met me, with whom I had great Felicity to behold the Shepherd with his Fold, who friendly saluted me; for though a naked Spirit, I was not despised by such dignified Bodies, though I was made very sensible of the want of such a glorious Body; and soon as I desired it, I was forthwith imbodyed as in the same Glory, and was joyned to the heavenly Train. [Margin Note:  So soon as desired, that is to be understood, carried up in a Spiritual Transportation.] I rejoyced greatly that I had made a slip out of the vile Garment, though but for a while, though I was to take it up again, and appear amongst the Inhabitants of time, till my course was fulfilled: This bright Cloathing is only bearable by Jerusalem Natives; and though these were the all desirable Flocks, that I would chuse to abide withal forever, yet I found a prohibition at the present, that it must not be desired.   This royal Priestly Garment being reserved till we be called into view, and have communion with the most Holy of Beeings, who did not bring me hither to send me away empty, but gave me to taste of the choice Fruits of that unknown Climate, the refreshing taste of which is left upon the Center-Mouth of my Heart, from whence the Life-Fruits should spring evermore, as was said to me, with an Advertisement to wait till Wisdom’s Garden in the Soul be planted, and richly furnished with those blossoming Powers that may draw the high and lofty One to look down and walk there.

Oh! what are these forcible Powers which I feel winding my Spirit deeper in; where enquiry was made, What would be the sign of the Center dwellers in the most holy of Beings, which should need no Witness from Man, for that was poor and insufficient? Wherefore be quiet and still, and cease from all Creaturely Evidence, and look for the Witness of the unsealed Book, to exert the seven flowing Properties of the holy Ghost, which will out-vive all worded Testimonies that are so fluent in this Age: Wherefore a more sure Seal is provided, that will remove all Doubts and Suspicions, of which festival Cup I was called to drink, from the Hand of him who is appointed to fill it out, as the last and great Reserve which shall silence all Controversies, and doubtful Disputations, and ratifie and confirm who they are that are Born again to act, move and live from a new generating Spring, that worketh away every thing that defiles and makes obstruction: Which seven evidencing Powers were revealed to me, in which the Personal Reign of Christ would consist.

[Margin Note:  First Property ]   THE First was a circuling Cloud of Light, from whence uncessant Revelation would spring, and open what was never known before, concerning the invisible Scenes of Glory, to which the mortal Man hath been altogether a stranger, not having understood his original Royalty. But where Christ, the central Light, is entered into the Soul’s Essence, there everlasting Light doth break, which shews invisible things in their first pure Ground, where the eternal Fire-Soul moves strong to come out of an impotent weak Life, that hath been shut up in this vile Body of Sin; the Light of Revelation making it restless any longer to abide therein, and so it is made to pursue another beginning from a new-rising-Spring, flowing from the God-head, that affords strength for a Co-deified operation, which may give a living Testimony, that a new Spring is appearing out of an old Tree, whose Sap is renewed to bring forth the second Property of the holy Ghost, as another Fruit bearing Branch.

[Margin Note:  Second Property ]  Which Branch is put forth from the all-encompassing-Element, wherein the Soul is baptized, as in a Cloud of Fire; whoever they be that come to know this, need no greater Witness, as to their own particular, for they know their dwelling is in the very center Heart of God; they are fed and cherished with the Blood of Life, and oily Lamp that makes all the Body within to be as a burning Cherubim, that at times and season can mount & fly into the very Heavens: Though this be yet a mystical and dark Speech, and little experienced, yet know, the time of Elijah is nigh, and a Whirl-wind is descending from the Alpha and Omega, to take up the slain Witnesses, who have been in the World so undervalued. The Ascension-Gate by this bright Key is unlocked, to go in after him, who was translated from among Men, so as not to be yet hid in the Mystery: And thus shall it be again, though in another Form and Model; for these Elijah Prophets, though they shall be redeemed from every thing which is of the degenerate Nature, yet in this shall differ from Elijah, for whereas he was taken up, and seen no more among Men, these in their viable Persons shall remain on the Earth, and every where carry along with them their encompassing Chariots of Fire, which shall be discoverable to none but the Ministering Elijah’s, that will not cease to follow fully, where the Life Witness doth remain after this sort and kind.

[Margin Note: Third Property ]  The Third out-flowing Property of the holy Ghost, which ushers in Christ’s Reign, is this, that a simplified naked Soul, coming forth from the baptizing Cloud, puts on a Cloathing of impregnable defense and power, viz. A meer Magical Body, such as the Lord Christ had after his Resurrection, consisting of the one pure Element, which can swallow up the visible gross substance of Flesh, that it may no longer be an Impediment to the Soul’s running its Race: Indeed such a Body is very suitable for the great things that are to be wrought by the christed Kings on Earth; for if provision of such a Body were not made by Christ, it would be in vain for him to go about to settle his Kingdom, where the Beast and Dragon have had their Dominion so long, and who will not now be dethroned upon a slight account: They will hold their Propriety in the outward Husk of the Body, when they can find no place for themselves in the Soul: Therefore the Lord hath revealed, That he will turn the very Body into its Paradisiacal Property again, that the dark Prince and his Agents may not be able to overthrow the Lord’s personal reign in his Saints; who would desire no fairer mark to shoot their Arrows at, than a frail mortal Body of Flesh. Wherefore the Lord hath said, That he will raise a firm Tabernacle, which no earthly Weapon shall be able to pierce, which will be a fit Garment to last out the thousand Years: Let the Just and Holy believe this, and see all this finished first, in the Kingdom that is within the Soul’s Essence, and then such may conclude that they shall assume a visible Power and Right to reign with Christ, over all Kingdoms of this World in Magical Might.

[Margin Note:  Fourth Property ]  The Fourth out going Power of the holy Ghost, sets the Soul free in the eternal liberty, from all Conflicts which the Dragon, or the starry Region hath introduced, for the Soul now is influenced by those superior Planets, to which these outward Planets are subject. The Soul & Christ are in a mutual agreement, to break away from the Infectious Rays of Time and Mortality; being encompassed with that Sun that will set no more, nor with-draw; for it is the glory of seven Dayes, that runs its Circle without the least diminishing of its Light, and fixeth the Soul in its pure splendorous Body; when the Soul shall find it self in another form of Life, and seated as a high Principality before Jehovah’s Throne, attending there to know the counsel and decrees of the Sovereign Majesty, under whom is managed all inferior Government, which shall be committed to those who reign with Christ the Lord: Oh! this will be a wonderful time indeed ! For while the Lord is opening these things to me, I am as one sunk into the Abyssal Ground, where I am as nothing, till he put forth a piercing Ray from his flaming Eye, to fetch my Spirit up again; who thus spake unto me, Stand thou up, and hear and declare the new Model of my Reign, and let it be published; for it is time to awaken those who are ordained for the first-Resurrection, that they may no longer sleep in the day-break of my appearance: And do thou solemnly set thy Heart to the great Immunities that are revealed, not only for speculation, but for fulfilling, where great Earnestness shall be found. Thus the holy One set home his Word, and causeth it to pass through a Vessel that is nothing to be accounted of, whereat my self stands amazed, what should move the Lord thus to appear, and hold such a free Converse, and leave such weighty things in trust with me? Oh! What can be said, but that it is the Good-will and Pleasure of my Christ and King, who will change Tin and Dross into Gold, as it pleaseth him?

[Margin Note:  Fifth Property ]  The Fifth Property of the Holy Ghost is that, whereby the Soul gets free from the striving Elements, and comes to Rest and Peace, all Wars and Combats ceasing. The Soul having got up these four ascending Steps towards the Throne, can now look down like a Tower of strength, terrible to all the lower Inhabitants round about: It is a Palace compacted within it self, knowing nothing but a serene Peace and Concord; neither Dragon nor Beast do so much as attempt to come here, for Love and Peace is their Hell and Torment. Christ’s personal Reign in his Saints consists of Peace, Power, Love & Joy; the holy Ghost moveth in the mild and meek Property from the Water of Life, that captivates the Enmity and Strife, and shuts up the dark Center with all its Spirits: This carries a two-fold meaning, for first it is to be understood of that Love and Peace which possesseth the whole inward Hemisphere of the Soul; and in the next place of the same Love flowing forth and diffusing it self through all the Subjects of that peaceful Kingdom, which Christ will establish in the high Angelical Harmony of Love.

[Margin Note: Sixth Property ]  The Sixth out-flowing Property, is the Omnipotence of God exerted in the renewed part, in an absolute and Almighty Dominion, that admits of no control. Here is no need of going out to borrow Gifts or Powers, which are now fixed in the Soul to manifest the Wonders of the Magia, which hath been shut up in Wisdom’s Principle, whose Virgins Crown of Power is sent down as a signal Testimony of the Kingly Reign that must prevail over all the Earth. The bright flaming Standard of Christ’s Personality will be of that Magnificence, as to draw home the dispersed and scattered Flock, which hath suffered Violence in this Babylonish Kingdom: A Jubilee will be proclaimed by them, to whom this Dominion shall first come. They, the Head-Kings and Leaders are appointed to shine forth as Stars, that shall bear such sway in God’s Omnipotency, as shall make all the Elect to haste and fly to this Kingdom, as Doves to the Windows, where all occasions of complaint about the Necessities of Life shall be cut off, because Wisdom’s Store-house shall from the Inherent Omnipotency, abundantly supply whatsoever is needful of this kind. The Paradisiacal lost Power shall be restored in a higher degree than ever, to the end that Self-Love and Propriety may be taken away, which cannot enter into Christ’s Kingdom; for the Lord hath averred, That none who are thus spirited shall ever his Kingdom inherit. The vast and inexhaustible Treasure of divine riches cannot be enjoyed in Propriety, but only in Loves Communion.

[Margin Note: Seventh Property ]  The Seventh and Last Property of the holy Ghost, that gives witness to Christ’s Reign, doth consist in a Life of Praise & Exaltation, which goeth forth in the Angelical Tongues, Powers, and Sounds of so many perfumed Offerings, paying an everlasting Love-Tribute of Joy to the Ancient of Dayes, by and in whom they are come to reign over all Kingdoms in this World, in Christ’s personal Power: The New Hallelujahs from the Fire-breath of the Holy Ghost shall be the Holy Sport and Celestial Play of the Children of this Kingdom: All their Works shall speak forth the Praises of the Most High; for Wisdom’s Spirit will act so high, and in such a mysterious manner, as hitherto hath not been known; all which miraculous Powers have been reserved to make up the Glory of Christ’s second coming in his Representatives here on Earth: For if the Lord should not in this manner demonstrate his Godhead-Power in his Saints, they would be set very light by, and it would be a vain thing to assume the Title and Name of Kings without anointing Power suitable to it. No Dominion, whether inward or outward, can be maintained without Loves Omnipotency. And truly, my Lord hath assured me, that he hath made large and full Provision for this Day, who upon some private Objections of my own, said to me, Be thou nothing doubtful concerning all the great Things of my Kingdom, which have been opened to thee from the Center of Light; they have been revealed for a ground of Faith: The Head of the Dyal is moving towards the fixed Hour, which will manifest all these working Powers of the holy Ghost: Wherefore do not streighten thy self, nor any to whom this Word shall come, but run out in a spacious large Belief, answerable to Loves-Power, and the ability of the object, to whom the Eye of Faith is directed: For wonderful things are upon the Wheel, by which you may know it is high time to put forth your Hands to raise and awaken that which hath been so long asleep. This was the concluding Word of Counsel from the Lord.

The fore-going Properties, is that which makes way for the Reign of Christ in personal Power and Glory, which is now the great thing to be waited for, as the End and Consummation of all that hath been revealed, in the bare discovery of which we are not to rest, but we are to press forward to enjoy the Fruit or Product of it in the inward Center, where Christ will be manifested in his personal Glory and Power: For the driving seeking Spirit will not be at rest, till it can put on its Resurrection-Body: It knows that hitherto, notwithstanding all its Refinings and Dyings to sinful Self, and the World, it yet remains a naked Spirit, which must return into the Virgin-Womb of Eternity, there to be regenerated into an heavenly Corporiety, from the one holy element, out of which Christ’s holy Personality is taken: This is the rich Garment with which the Sion-Kings are to be arrayed, and thereby will be distinguished from those who stick fast in corrupted Nature, and are not regenerated into this bright Image, and from those also who though they are regenerated according to the inward man, yet being intangled in the Thicket of the many things, are fain to stay behind, till those who by their hard pressing forward, have overcome the World, Beast and Dragon. Therefore be first instated in the Lord’s personal Power; for the Lord assured me, that this would be the way he would take in this present Age, to instate some who are known to him, in his Personal Reign, that they may enjoy here on Earth their first Heavens, to the terror, grief, & envy of such, who have been hard, cruel in the Beast’s Kingdom, restraining their good things from the Lambs of Christ’s Fold. Here it will be as in the case of Dives and Lazarus, they shall see those who were most despicable in their Eyes, to be greatly beloved and honoured, as being intrusted with a Kingdom, in which they shall reign as the true Born Co-heirs with their Head, Christ, bearing rule over all those who have been their Oppressors in this World. It was also revealed to me, That there were others which stood in a mixed state, and divided between the two Kingdoms of Light and Darkness, but yet followed after the Mark and Crown; these would scarce believe that such a Commission as this would ever be given to any appearing in a mortal Form, to be crowned as Co-heirs with the Lord in his Personal Glory: But the just One hath shewed that thus it shall be to convince and provoke to Emulation these last spoken of, that they also may make haste to be made Kings and Priests to God.

The grand Query after all that hath been revealed concerning the Reign of Christ in his Saints, is this, Where this Government shall be pitched? It is an ancient Scripture-Prophecy, that Judah shall reign with God, for he is faithful with the Saints. The Scepter shall not depart till Shiloh come, who is the King and Law-giver, that is, was, and is to come. And to whom will he come first of all, but to those pure Virgin-Spirits, who travel to bring forth Christ spiritually, as the product of an invisible Almightiness, which will appear to be that Man-Child which is to rule the Nations with the Rod of God’s Power, in this World, and do far greater Wonders with it than Moses ever did with his. For the eternal Magia shall bring forth all her Plants of renown. The highest Wisdom shall be brought into manifestation, and replenish the Earth a-new, that God may walk in the midst of it, and no longer be unknown to its Inhabitants, who are refined from their Dross, and thereby got a free and open entrance into the Jerusalem from above. The partition Wall must be broken down, that Christ above and Christ beneath may joyn together for mutual Joy and Fruition.

But here it may be objected, How can this be as long as the Body is yet Terrestrial; for an Earthly Body cannot ascend to the Lord’s Glory?

I Answer; That therefore a new Body is prepared, even a Heavenly, such an one as Christ had, who could change his Form how and when he pleased: So he appeared to Moses and Elias in his transfigured bright Body, and then came down again in a terrestrial Body to the sight of Mortals; which Power shall be renewed again in those who shall personate Christ upon the Earth, they shall ascend and descend at pleasure and transmute themselves readily, which state will much excell all Visions of the glorified Person of Christ; for without this Celestial Body we cannot hold out in that Sublime, and Seraphick Communion hid with Christ, which shall be in this Kingdom of the Saints: Wherefore there is such a Body prepared, which shall be able to pass into the invisible Orb where the King of Glory dwells: It is given me to see this approaching day in the Spirit: if the Representation thereof be so glorious, what will the thing it self, when actually accomplished? This report which the holy Ghost doth give of it, doth powerfully constrain the Soul to put in its whole stock of Faith for it.

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[This was File 1 of 3 ...of Jane Lead's Authentic Version of The Revelation of Revelations, 1683]

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