(The Revelation) 09 - CHAP. III.

[November 28.] 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 tho’ 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 God’s 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 God’s 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 Adamical Image. But tho’ 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 Man’s Disobedience all are made subject to Death and the Curse [Rom. 5:12] (which is the bruising of the Heel [Gen. 3:15]) yet the Head-Life remains, which will recover, raise and make ALL sound again; for in this promised Seed the faded Life will be quickned, according to the Election of Him, who will hereby more Eminently make known the Riches of his Grace and Glory, in his Vessels prepared thereunto. For tho’ 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 call’d, To take the Water of Life freely [Margin Note: Isa. 55. v. 1.], that by its quickning Vertue the buried Seed may be raised to a new Life, in a Body of its own kind: Which Seed through many Deaths does renew its never-fading Flower of Life, for a higher degree of Glory in the New Jerusalem-State of Fixation. Now from what hath been said, we are informed, that there is an Elect Number which is to make up the New Jerusalem-Bride, here upon Earth, who shall finish the Mystery of the Seventh Seal, and be all instated in that Kingdom which the Alpha and Omega hath designed for his Virgin-Bride, before Paradise, or this World were. And that I might know that this design, and unchangeable purpose of God is still going on, there was shewed me a clear White Stone, in which were engraven numberless Names; all ordained to make up the Glory of this City of God, which shall be the Praise and Admiration of the Heavens, and a dread and amazement to the Earth; for the Revelation of it will bring a Wo upon them, who have no part in it. This the Lord himself did signifie, saying, Henceforth know your Free-Birth, Name and Place in this City, and be not fearful or unbelieving, but travel on in the assured Hope, that shall not be made ashamed; for the everlasting Father hath prepared for you this City, of which I am the Builder in you.