Feb. 8. 1680.
Now we are advanced one step higher towards Wisdom’s heavenly Throne, from whence her Golden Scepter is stretched forth to lay hold on, which passeth through and beyond every elementary Cloud, which the sensitive Life hath raised, so as we could not see our way to that sparkling Rock of the Deity; for which cause the bright Sun now shines from her Eternal Orb, through the dark Clouds, that we might see every ascending degree, twisting and winding so intricately, that without a Guide expressly sent down from that Sphear, there is no possibility ever to come to any one of her Gates which lead to the New-Jerusalem.
These are set before me to be in number Twelve, five of which were spoken of in the fore-going Chapter: And now we repair to her Oracle as our Guide for the revealing of the other seven Gates, together with the Way which leads from one to the other, where the hidden Track of the Virgins Way may be found, treading upon that unknown Ground, under which is found a rich and precious Stone, from which the highest blessing will abound.
The Way to the first of these seven Gates is very solitary and lonely; it is very rare to meet with two agreed to hold out in it to the end, it is so full of rending Thorns and affrighting wild Beasts; for herein lies the design of the horned Beast to scatter and divide such who are agreed to travel in Wisdom’s Path: Also, the Nimrod Hunters of this World send out after them, either to divide or bring them back again. These are the Oppositions we may expect in this Way, against which we must be provided and fore-armed, that our entrance by this Gate may not be prevented. The Inscription of this Gate is Abnegation or Renunciation of this outward Principle. The first Question which is asked by the Angel who keeps this Gate, is, Are you come away as Strangers and Pilgrims? Will you no more return to the Traffick of Babylon? For the Prince of this City will only admit of such as shall abjure all Commerce with the Merchants of Tarshish, though by this means all earthly Riches are gained, to keep up a Worldly Reputation and Fame; but the Angel of this Gate will have good Assurance that whoever comes up hither be quite broken off from, and have no further dealing with the Harlot daughter of Sidon, who hath deceived the Kingdoms of this World with her Sorceries. Who ever they be that get through this streight Gate, for them a sure and good Foundation is laid, to walk forward towards the second Gate.
But here another thing is to be considered, before entrance can be given; for this Angel is charged not to take any ones single Security, but enquires whether Christs Spirit in them, and his Person from them will stand engaged to perform all this Agreement? For she dares not trust the Soul upon a single Promise, though fervent and unfeigned, and full of good Will, yet it is not sufficient, if he be not able to maintain the Gate- ground against his Enemies, that will attempt to circumvent him. Therefore we that are come hereunto, are to give in the Name of our Security, and so pass on freely to the second Gate.
The second Gate is called the wrestling or struggling Gate; it is the Gate of Probation. Before it stands a Center-Gulf: Here will rise what will countermand the Pilgrim back again into the worldly Principle, which he had abjured and left behind. Wisdom stands by her Angel to call and invite to come through; but the Gulf swells so very high, that it appears impossible to get over. Legions of Spirits here do follow, crying out, What mean you to run so great a hazard, as to leave a place, where is store of all good things for supply and maintenance? Thus Temptations and Assaults will beset the Pilgrim, threatning hard and bitter things to him who is a seeking his own Native Country, and original Virginity, and endeavours with great wrestling to get rid of all these knawing Vipers. What! say they, will you turn quite away from those pleasant Joys in which others live, spending their days in God’s Love and Peace, and therein rest contented, not attempting the passing of this Gulf, till the limit of your Life requires it?
All this and much more will press in to turn away the Soul from pursuing after its Virgin Crown; and therefore this Gate is called the Probation Gate. Now if the Spirit of Christ be so powerful in the Soul, as not to regard these Temptations, being resolved to venture through the fiery Gulf, that Soul will win the Virgin’s Heart. For here indeed is manifested a full proof of Love’s affiance, by coming out from, and renouncing all the Charms of the Daughter of Babylon, who hath used all her Art to fright the Soul from attempting ever to enter this Gate: She hath through all Ages rescued from the Serpent’s twisting toil, and brought many back to enter into her Gates again. Wonderful it will be to see any one come of a Conquerour here; for this is the most perilous Gate, because of the Gulf which stands before it. The mortal Spirit, whose Affection is joined to gross Elementary things, cannot pass this Gulf without suffering loss: it is a Life that cannot be saved, but must be swallowed up. But Christ, our Life, will swiftly pass through, as a fiery Chariot, and the naked Soul with him, who hath resisted all those Temptations which would have hindered his entrance into this Gate, which is the very winning of that Field, where Wisdom’s Gold of Ophir, and unknown rich Substance doth lie. Oh! who is it that will hold out the Encounter at this Gate? It may be truly said, That many have striven to enter, but because they would, or could, not leave behind all mortal Burthens, and come quite naked out of Babylon, they were not able to enter. This is that which hath dis-enabled many to enter, and will continue to do so, except the Christ of the mighty God enable us to pass, and then we shall with freedom and ease come up to the third Gate.
The third Gate is Translation, by Fixation in Wisdom’s Land or Principle. The Center of the Virgin Wisdom may often open and take up the Soul and Spirit into it, and then be shut again, and the Soul let down into Babylon’s Principle: This, I say, may happen often before the Soul comes to be fixed in Wisdom’s Orb. But when the Soul is fixed in the Heavenly sprouting Life of its Emmanuel, and translated into a pure Nazarite Virginity, which knows nothing more of the fallen Birth. Here the Soul stands in another Principle, having got firm footing in Wisdom’s Land. Here a goodly Lot is cast for the conquering Soul, who will find all riches stand before her in Wisdom’s Treasury, without either bounds or limits. Whatsoever is of use or service is there laid down at the feet of a translated Spirit, as the return of her Adventure and Trust in that day, whilst she was under the Temptation of the glistering Stars of this Elementary Region, all whose Promises were but as a snare and bar to keep from knowing this high Translation.
Oh! what a welcome Feast do I see already prepared within this Gate, to satiate both the Eye and Taste! The Virgin comes and salutes the Soul with a Loves entercourse, saying, Come now and inherit Substance with me, ye who have been in weary Travel to attain this fixation Gate, I behold you in the face of the Bridegroom, by whose means you are arrived here: Now in his Name ask and have. See now what Honour and Preferment you shall have in my Kingdom, which will recompence a thousandfold for the loss you have sustained in the World, from whence you are come out. As you did give credit to me upon the Word of my Testimony, and the same which was brought to your Ear, though as yet you possessed nothing of what’s intended for you. But here is now what will weigh down and recompence all your Sufferings, when you resisted manfully those busie Spirits that would have blocked up your way; but in strong Faith you have broke through all. Let your Victory be assigned to him who hath the opening Key for to let in from Gate to Gate. All this is from the dropping Lips of Sophia and her Bridegroom, who now stand ready to open the fourth Gate.
The fourth Gate is called the Bountiful-Gate. From hence the richest Gift is brought forth, that ever hath been received since Adam lost his Virgin, who now here gives her self again to the Soul. Oh, great is this Benignity! who could ever have hoped for such degrees of Advancement, after so long a day of Desertion and night of Apostacy? An Eccho sound we now do hear, that she will appear in her Bounty. But to whom shall this Gate open stand, to receive this Liberality from her hand? Is it not for Ruth, who hath forsaken the Moabitish Land, and come to be fixed There, whence her eternal Nativity is derived. Where she is no sooner arrived, but she is decked with all the Virgin’s Ornaments, which are the various Accomplishments in all supernal Powers and high Abilities, to act in a divine Omnipotent manner; whether in a corporeal form, or out of it, as shall be judged meet, with reference to Place, Time or Persons, and according to the Region where the Bridegroom, with his Bride, shall be, whether in the Heights above or Depths beneath, where his and her rejoicing shall be in each other, through the breaking opening of the Center, from whence the Virgin-Tincture, as a warm Fire-blood, doth flow in every Vein, and a nourishing Life is felt passing through every Sense. This is that Gift which the Virgin will bestow upon the fixed Soul, for a greater Manifestation of God’s manifold Wonders throughout the habitable part of this Earth, where the whole Trinity in Wisdom will assume a Virgin-humanity, to bring all what hitherto hath been confused into Order again. The Government of the brutish Spirit must give way to her day, who comes to overturn all Merchants with their Merchandize. No Wares of the Assyrian shall be brought through her Gates, neither shall any Sale of the Harlot’s goods be mingled with her Treasures: but a vast separation there shall be, as between Paradise and this World, where all things stand in an anxious Birth; but that other Sphear is blessed with a perpetual Spring of all pleasant things, which we shall know and understand in their variety in the next Gate. Which now we are, by the steady hand of Christ, led up to, that we may see the utmost Latitude of Wisdom’s inward City, and come to know all the goings in and comings out at these Mystical Gates.
The fifth Gate bears the Title of Wisdom’s Factory of all that is managed by her Magia, from her own stock and Principle, being very different from all the Merchandize which is used in this visible World, which is wholly shut out of her Gates; for none can drive an earthly Trade, but such as bear the Mark and Number of the Beast here in this outward Principle: Wherefore Wisdom will take none to be her Factors, but those who have renounced all Babylonish Trade, which is maintained by bearing the Mark of the Beast, from the introduced subtilty of Reason. A new and wonderful Way is prescribed to them who shall have the Mark and Name of the Virgin’s white Stone, by which they shall be impowered to drive a free and mighty Trade within this heavenly City, which shall make all Babylon’s Wares grow out of request, both as to Spiritual Wares or bodily Sustenance, as soon as some Virgin-Passengers shall have entred this Gate, who shall be so highly favoured for having here broke through, that they shall have liberty to open this high Factory to the rest of their fellow-Members, that yet are Captives in the Assyrian Land, and were there brought up according to the Laws and Customs of the Babylonians, which could not be avoided, during their time of Captivity. But now Babylon’s Sun is going down, and the Night of Death and Darkness is spreading it self over all the pompous state of the Merchants of the Earth [Margin note: See Rev. 18.11, 12, &c.]. All this will be seen upon the breaking in of the Bridegroom’s Spirit, and his Virgin, who will deliver the exile Captives, and clasp them close within themselves, and exercise the Soul in another Science: Its Skill and Wisdom in the Divine * Magia [Margin note: *The Word Magia is the creating Power of the Holy Ghost: and is so to be understood as often as named.] will actually go forth from this Co-essential participation of the Virgin-Nature, to renew all good and pleasant things, according to the first Paradisical Property, as in the following Gate will be made out, where the Virgin will particularly exercise her Magia for Redemption out of the present Captivity, under which the Israelites as well as Ethiopians do groan, being beset with the effects of Sin and Mortality, which this sixth Gate doth deliver us from.
The sixth Gate is called the Transferring Gate, where the most choice and noble Gifts are transferred from the Palace of the glorious Majesty, as the Foundation of Wisdom’s factory, managed by Wisdom’s Correspondents, who are skilful in the working Wheel of the divine Magia. Oh! what transferring Powers will pass from one to the other! to bring forth the flourishing of Eden, that it may again appear in this habitable World. Wisdom’s Lovers now must dig deep to find this Kernal, which hath lain hid in the Ground of Virgin-Wisdom, from whom it must be transmitted to them, who shall plant Paradise in a greater Latitude in this World: For which a sure and unalterable Decree is gone forth; for it is affirmed by the living Word, who declares before-hand the truth of these things, which are already begun, and shall be finished as soon as all the Virgin’s Gates are past and entred. And this is more considerable where such a mutual constant Correspondency is betwixt those two Kingdoms, Paradise and Mount-Zion, all rich things will be transferred from each to other; yea, an immortal Factory is here to be maintained, betwixt the Inhabitants of these two heavenly Countries, and so transferred still into this lower Orb, as occasion shall be. For though some part of this Earth, by virtue of the Virgin-Stone, may be ting’d into a Paradisical Property, and thereby made capable of Commerce with the superior Worlds, yet there will be race of Vagabond Cains, that will abide still under the Curse. Tho’ Paradise be made visible in this World, yet all will not suddenly thereby be brought to leave Babylon’s Merchandize, neither will the divine Arts and Mysteries be transferred commonly, but upon such who have sought them diligently, and have let all other Arts and Callings go for them, being resolved to know no other but the Heavenly Magia. This is the invisible Stock which the Virgin doth traffick with, to gain Honour, Wealth, Renown, and a Crown of Glory to her God and Bridegroom.
Now it may be asked, What matter is here to work upon for such abundant increase? Where lies the Mystery of this Art, that must be transferred by her as a Gift?
I Answer; That this is a great Secret, which cannot be revealed all at once, and so deeply Mystical, that none but Wisdom’s exercised Magicians have ever sounded it, and found the matter hereof. Yet we must not deny the great favour which the Most High hath afforded for the opening of this secret thing, through the very Person of Christ’s glorified Humanity, that so we might know what will make mortal Dross become like the fine Gold of Ophir.
But to give an Answer to that Question, What that matter is, which in Wisdom’s Principle we are to work upon? I say, first negatively, That it is no gross tangible Matter, that we shall traffick with; we shall need no Barns or Store-houses to lay it up in: To describe it according to what is revealed, we say, it is a rushing Breath, a tincturing Blood, a running flash of Light and Fire coagulating together; in a word, it is the Power of the Deity transferred to a Virgin-Spirit, on God’s behalf, as in the Person of Christ and his Virgin, transmitting themselves as a spiritual Root, from whence all fruitful Powers of the Holy Ghost may be proved; for otherwise all fore-passed things will bring little Glory to our mighty King and Saviour.
The seventh Gate is the Gate of Projection, which will take off all Vails that have been upon the most Holy Place, where we may enter, as all knowing in Wisdom’s Mysteries and Wonders. But here lies the difficulty, how to attain the skill to stir up the precious-Gift: that according to what was before described, from the tincturing Blood of the divine Virgin, we may be able to bring forth Matter, Form and Colour, according to the Quintessential Spirit, transferred from the highest Being.
But it may asked here, How, or in what manner doth this Projection operate?
I Answer; Several ways, all which may be referred to these two Heads, viz. Transformation and Transfiguration; in which two great effects, Projection will be known in its essential Virtue, flowing out, and entring in where the Venom of the Serpent is. Which poysonous Matter is transferred in his Seed universally into Man: and must be cured in the Soul by means of this Projection, from the Tincture of Wisdom’s Stone, which causes an unalterable Transmutation of all gross Matter, and the vile Bodie’s shape into a bright heavenly Consistency. Such a Coelestial Body Wisdom’s Virgins shall have power to put on, when called up to the Seraphick Thrones, there to appear before the highest Majesty, to receive new Commissions what to act further, according to the Counsel and Will of the Holy Trinity, who will greatly delight to put them upon working what is Noble, Great and Wonderful, which none can parallel, except they have first passed all the fore-mentioned Gates.
If it be asked, What Works and Signs shall follow Wisdom’s Projections?
I Answer; They are such as Jews will not believe before they see them; nay, even Wisdom’s Disciples, who have been gathered under her Wing, and drunk of her tincturing Blood, will be sometimes in doubt of these things, whilst they are yet but Passengers from Gate to Gate: Wherefore we must not expect to be believed by those who are yet without the Gates. However, we will, according to what hath been revealed by the supream Magus, declare and set forth what God can do by his Instruments, who are thus highly and divinely qualified.
In the first place, they will be able to act from a creating Power; the Virgin’s Omnipotency will enable them to give a new Form, Virtue and Purity to all things now existing in gross Corruptibility. For as Transformation first passeth upon all the fallen Properties of the Soul’s Essences, so it will go out and renew whatsoever doth stick in the Curse, even all Vegetables, Animals and Minerals, together with the Body of fallen Man: All these, I say, shall be sublimed and transmuted into a simple, pure and Paradisical Figure, Colour and Taste, quite of another Nature than what they now have. Thus the Disciples of Wisdom, by means of this Tincturing Spirit, shall bring in a new Creation by way of Transformation: The Mystery of which none can ever find out but Wisdom’s Magi, who are under her Discipline, and do lie in her Bridegroom’s Bosom.
In the second place, they who are transformed into the Virgin’s nature will not only be able to separate the Curse from the outward Creation, so as Death and Corruption shall be tasted no more; because healing Waters will flow from the glassy Sea, and encompass every place where Wisdom’s Off-spring shall pitch their Habitation; but they shall also be able to transmute all gross Mettals into transparent Gold, so as it shall be far more plentiful than in Solomon’s time. This very gross Earth on which we now tread shall be made Chrystalline. The River that was divided into four Heads, which have been cut off ever since Adam was turned out of Paradise, shall now be made to return again with a full Stream; to bring forth the Seed of Gold, Bdellium, and the Onyx Stone in a sparkling Glory. Mansion-Houses here shall be built, and goodly Tents pitched, which shall excel all the Structures which ever yet have been; for these dwelling places shall be Magical, sometimes visible, and at other times invisible, according to the pleasure of the blessed Inhabitants, who dwell therein in everlasting Security: These shall live alone, and shall not be numbred amongst the Nations, who live without Wisdom’s Gates. If any Sodomites shall attempt to break in upon them, devouring Coals shall be scattered to terrifie and consume them; though Destroying of any be their strange work, and also disagreeable to the Nature of Love, and the peaceful Region wherein they live; yet upon just occasion, Power will go forth in this way for their defence. Moses was a meek and peaceable Man, and yet he was made a terror to AEgypt: He had no way to subdue Pharaoh, but by shaking his Magical Rod, which alone could do more than whole Hosts of armed Men: And this will be the way of God’s appearance, to keep under the wild and bruitush sort of Men, who are as ravenous Beasts, greedy of Prey. Wherefore the Paradisical Planters will know how to deal with such, whilst they are commissionated to go in and out amongst them; and it will be their daily business to deliver the Israelites from bondage and thrall, and that by displaying Jehovah’s Wonders in such a manner as that Age shall require, which shall be in an higher degree than ever hath been done here before. For though the Miracles of former days were great and excellent, as those which were wrought by our Lord, and by the Prophets before him, as well as Apostles after him, such as were the healing of the Sick, the raising of the Dead, the restoring of the Lame, the making of the Dumb to speak, the Deaf to hear, and Blind to see; all which were both inwardly and outwardly performed by our Lord upon the Soul as well as the Body; yet the Lord hath given full assurance, that not only all these shall be revived, but that the Magical Center shall open in a greater degree of variety than heretofore. So that the greatest Wonders are yet to be manifested, which we are appointed to wait for, till this Projecting Gate shall open upon us, where all Miracles will be brought forth a fresh, for the Crown and Glory of the Virgin-Bride and her followers: Which Gate, Lord Jesus, hasten to open for such who are under thy strong and powerful Drivings!
Verses Upon the Twelve Gates of Wisdom
IN thy Light, sweet Sophia we are come to a discovery,
Where long hath lain our lost forgotten Dowry.
Those Coelestial Gates, which now do open stand,
Have given us a view into the wealthy Land,
Where all things in the divine Magia stand;
In that place there is no working with Tool or Hand:
For all in Spirit there do act from that Power,
Which nought of the Earthly Craft can Sever.
Joy we then now in sight of this bless’d Day,
Wherein Wisdom’s Wonders so richly display.
But it may be asked, When shall this be?
And who amongst the now Living it shall see?
I tell thee for surety, some there are in Corporeity,
To whom she will with her Golden Key in Soveraignity,
Thus shall unlock the precious stony Rock fully,
Where the Ocean-Treasury of her Deity lies hiddenly.
Oh! hear Virgin-Wisdom’s call and cry,
Who skill’d would be in her Mystery:
A new Way of Manufactory stands open, I see
Such Treasures as the World’s Wonders be;
A Ship laden Within, that God himself again
Will enter in, to seize upon those Heav’nly Gems.
Ah, blessed sale! for such rich Goods imbark’d here,
For what less than the Acting Stone will appear?
Be there Merchants as are not Transitory,
That understand Wisdom’s Manufactory;
Who hiddenly have increased their Store,
And do study these Sciences yet more and more,
That so they might to those eternal Gems reach,
(Or else Redemption will not be compleat,
For putting an end to the Toyl, Care and Sweat,)
By passing through all of Wisdom’s twelve Gates?
Come then away, holy Souls; and separate
From all drossy Things that do captivate;
And you will find such a Pearly Price,
That will make you flourish as in Paradise;
The Golden River there-from will flow,
That the All-essential Goodness ye will know:
For in Wisdom’s Principle there doth lie
That which will make the Worldly Craft to flie.
The Same Paraphras’d by a Friend of the
AUTHOR.
IN Thy Light, sweet Sophia we Descry
Where our Long-lost forgotten Dower does lie.
Those Heavenly Gates, which now Unfolded stand,
Have Prospect given into That Wealthy Land,
Where there no Working is with Tool and Hand:
But All as God’s Amazing wonders fair,
In their Divine Magia stand.
All wrought by Spirits Act, ev’n full Intent
Of God’s Concurrence Will Omnipotent.
Rejoice with me then in sight of this Blest Day,
When Wisdom shall her Wonders rich Display.
But when? But who this Blissful Day shall see?
Fear not this Generation cannot pass,
Before she does the mighty Worthies raise,
To whom she will, with Golden Key
Of Her Omniscient Sovereignty,
Freely Unlock
The Pretious Stoney Rock,
Where lies the Ocean-Treasury of the Deity.
Oh! hear Virgin-Wisdom’s Call and Cry,
Who would be Adepts of Her great Mystery.
Adventurers on new way of Traffick bent,
Treasures that shall become the Word’s Astonishment.
O Come and here Imbark
On Faith’s All-ore-Floating Ark:
Which brings such Lading from the Heavenly Shoars.
Where the Glassy Ocean Roars,
As shall at last invite
Wisdom with Men again to take Delight;
And God himself Descending to partake,
And Bless, and back again receive His Stores;
O Blessed Sale! Rich Stock imported here!
What can less that th’ All-wonder-working Stone Appear?
And are there Merchants then not Transitory,
Trading in Wisdom’s Pearls, Coelestia Manufactory.
That secretly improve their Talents Store,
And keep Inestimable Treasures more and more;
Unwearied till that (a) Union-Gem they reach,
That brings Redemption full to Nature’s Breach.
That puts an end to Sweat, and Toil, and Care,
When the Twelve Gates of Wisdom entred are.
(a) The Latin Word Unio, signifies a rich and pretious Pearl: as well as Union. Both senses here Accord together. The secret and inestimable Pearl, is the Blessed Nuptial with Christ; which opens among the Saints on Earth in the Latter Day: through the Return and Manifestation of the divine Wisdom; which is the Female, or Virgin Nature in Christ.
Come then ye Holy Souls, and Separate
From Earth’s vile wares, that under Nature’s Curse
Their wretched Barterers Bind and Captivate.
Make out for this one Pearl of mighty Price:
I will make you Flourish in Eternal Youth;
‘Twill open in you Paradise.
For out of this the Golden Rivers flow,
That the Essential Goodness ye shall know.
In Wisdom’s Orb such Mines of Treasure lie,
Which when obtain’d Earth’s Merchants once shall spy,
To th’ Bats and Moles their Rusty Gold shall fling,
And to the Skirts of these Adeptist Magi cling,
Their Craft forgotten, here shall Crouch to Buy,
While Mammon’s Altars unfrequented lie:
And as their Purchase-Penny bring
To their Neglected God their Souls and Offering.
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