[December, about the Beginning, 1679.] THE Hand of the Lord was strong upon me still, and took me up into an high and lofty Place, where I saw a burning Furnace, which appeared all Blue 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 Spirit’s purging Fire, that 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 Codeification, 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 Spirit’s 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 shall clear and take out of the way whatsoever hath kept from ascending into the Holy City. Whilst these Words were spoken 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 to 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 it will be; because the set time approacheth: For the trying burning Furnace is enkindled, 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 fulfil the ancient Prophecies, concerning the return of the long Captivity of Those, 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 [Margin Note: Under the Dragon are the Irascible; under the Beast, the Concupisciple Affections, or Powers.], visible and invisible, shall but turn to their own 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; that is 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 set 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 Elected 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 Lords Body, who is quickned 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.
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