The way to the Sabbath of rest, or, The souls progress in the work of regeneration being a brief experimental discourse of the new-birth in which many of the serpents wiles are detected, the mysteries of the Cross unvailed, the death of the old man, the life of the new man, the angelical dispensation, with the entrance to the divine / clearly laid open and discovered by Mr. Thomas Bromley.
         Bromley, Thomas, 1629-1691.
      
       
         
           1692
        
      
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             The way to the Sabbath of rest, or, The souls progress in the work of regeneration being a brief experimental discourse of the new-birth in which many of the serpents wiles are detected, the mysteries of the Cross unvailed, the death of the old man, the life of the new man, the angelical dispensation, with the entrance to the divine / clearly laid open and discovered by Mr. Thomas Bromley.
             Bromley, Thomas, 1629-1691.
          
           xii, 58 p.
           
             Printed and are to be sold by Randal Taylor ...,
             London :
             1692.
          
           
             Imperfect: stained, with print show-through and loss of print.
             Reproduction of the original in the Huntington Library.
             Includes bibliographical references.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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         eng
      
       
         
           Regeneration (Theology)
           Theology, Doctrinal.
        
      
    
     
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           The
           WAY
           to
           the
           Sabbath
           of
           Rest
           .
           Or
           the
           Souls
           Progress
           in
           the
           Work
           of
           REGENERATION
           .
           Being
           a
           Brief
           Experimental
           Discourse
           of
           the
           New-Birth
           .
           IN
           WHICH
           Many
           of
           the
           Serpents
           Wiles
           are
           detected
           :
           The
           Mysteries
           of
           the
           Cross
           unvailed
           :
           The
           Death
           of
           the
           Old
           Man
           ,
           the
           Life
           of
           the
           New
           Man
           ,
           the
           Angelical
           Dispensation
           ,
           with
           the
           Entrance
           into
           the
           Divine
           ;
           clearly
           laid
           open
           and
           discovered
           .
        
         
           By
           Mr.
           
             Thomas
             Bromley
          
           .
        
         
           
             Except
             a
             Man
             be
             born
             again
             ,
             he
             cannot
             see
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             God
             ,
          
           
             John
             3.3
             .
          
        
         
           
             Whosoever
             doth
             not
             bear
             his
             Cross
             and
             come
             after
             me
             ,
             cannot
             be
             my
             Disciple
             ,
          
           
             Luke
             14.27
             .
          
        
         
           
             Be
             thou
             faithful
             unto
             Death
             ,
             and
             I
             will
             give
             thee
             a
             Crown
             of
             Life
             ,
          
           
             Rev.
             2.10
             .
          
        
         
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           .
        
         
           London
           Printed
           ,
           and
           are
           to
           be
           sold
           by
           
             Randal
             Taylor
          
           near
           
             Stationer's
             Hall.
          
           1692.
           
        
      
       
         
         
         
           THE
           PUBLISHER
           TO
           THE
           READER
           .
        
         
           
             Christian
             Reader
             ,
          
        
         
           THE
           following
           Practical
           and
           Experimental
           Treatise
           of
           the
           New-Birth
           ,
           was
           Writ
           and
           Publish'd
           by
           the
           Author
           in
           his
           Youth
           ,
           about
           Fourty
           Years
           since
           ;
           and
           having
           been
           long
           out
           of
           Print
           ,
           and
           desired
           by
           many
           ,
           has
           put
           those
           who
           are
           entrusted
           with
           his
           Writings
           to
           communicate
           it
           to
           the
           Publick
           a
           second
           time
           ,
           with
           some
           Alterations
           and
           Amendments
           ,
           by
           the
           Authors
           own
           hand
           ,
           to
           prevent
           any
           occasion
           of
           Offence
           or
           Mistake
           .
           And
           forasmuch
           as
           it
           hath
           pleased
           the
           Lord
           ,
           not
           long
           since
           ,
           to
           take
           his
           Servant
           up
           into
           that
           Rest
           ,
           whereof
           so
           many
           Years
           ago
           he
           had
           given
           him
           so
           ravishing
           a
           Pisgah
           sight
           (
           as
           will
           in
           part
           appear
           from
           the
           following
           Sheets
           )
           it
           has
           ,
           been
           the
           desire
           of
           many
           of
           his
           Friends
           (
           to
           whom
           his
           Memory
           is
           and
           ever
           shall
           be
           most
           sweet
           and
           pretious
           )
           that
           this
           DisDiscourse
           might
           be
           usher'd-in
           with
           a
           short
           Account
           
           concerning
           Him
           ,
           and
           some
           of
           his
           last
           Moments
           ,
           till
           a
           fuller
           Relation
           of
           his
           Holy
           Life
           be
           prepared
           for
           publick
           View
           ,
           which
           is
           a
           thing
           much
           desired
           by
           many
           ,
           to
           the
           end
           ,
           that
           so
           Saint-like
           and
           Exemplary
           a
           Life
           might
           serve
           for
           a
           Copy
           and
           Encouragement
           of
           the
           Godly
           ,
           and
           for
           the
           Reclaiming
           and
           Converting
           of
           the
           Wicked
           and
           Profane
           in
           these
           Dregs
           of
           Time
           ,
           wherein
           we
           have
           so
           great
           a
           Scarcity
           of
           such
           Examples
           ,
           and
           in
           which
           true
           Religion
           and
           the
           
             Fear
             of
             God
          
           seem
           to
           have
           left
           the
           Earth
           .
           But
           in
           the
           mean
           time
           ,
           till
           some
           or
           other
           undertake
           this
           Task
           ,
           be
           pleased
           Reader
           ,
           to
           accept
           of
           these
           short
           Hints
           ,
           concerning
           the
           Instrument
           by
           whom
           our
           good
           God
           has
           been
           pleas'd
           to
           reach
           forth
           the
           following
           Truths
           and
           Directions
           ,
           in
           the
           
             Way
             and
             Progress
             to
             the
             New-Birth
          
           (
           that
           Land
           of
           Rest
           and
           Peace
           )
           unto
           thee
           ,
           and
           all
           those
           who
           have
           
             Ears
             to
             hear
             what
             the
             Spirit
             saith
             to
             the
             Churches
             .
          
        
         
           Mr.
           
             Thomas
             Bromley
          
           was
           born
           at
           Vpton
           upon
           Severne
           in
           Worcester-shire
           ,
           of
           an
           Ancient
           and
           Honourable
           Family
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           Worlds
           Account
           (
           but
           methinks
           in
           mentioning
           this
           ,
           I
           sink
           below
           the
           Subject
           I
           am
           speaking
           of
           ;
           for
           what
           's
           this
           to
           one
           who
           by
           his
           better
           Birth
           ,
           was
           a
           Son
           and
           Heir
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           Coheir
           with
           the
           King
           of
           Kings
           ,
           &
           Lord
           of
           Lords
           ,
           the
           Holy
           and
           ever
           Blessed
           Jesus
           ?
           )
           He
           was
           in
           his
           younger
           Years
           religiously
           Educated
           ,
           and
           after
           he
           had
           gone
           through
           
           the
           Learning
           of
           the
           Schools
           ,
           became
           a
           Member
           of
           
             All-Souls
             Colledge
          
           in
           Oxford
           ,
           where
           God
           was
           pleased
           to
           reveal
           his
           Son
           in
           him
           ,
           and
           to
           make
           great
           and
           glorious
           Discoveries
           of
           himself
           unto
           him
           ,
           such
           ,
           as
           it
           may
           be
           ,
           should
           they
           be
           here
           related
           ,
           some
           would
           scarce
           be
           able
           to
           understand
           or
           bear
           .
           And
           from
           that
           time
           forwards
           the
           
             Supreme
             Love
          
           having
           ravish'd
           his
           Heart
           with
           his
           All-surpassing
           Beauty
           ,
           became
           a
           Vail
           to
           his
           Eyes
           ,
           keeping
           him
           from
           beholding
           Vanity
           ,
           or
           lusting
           after
           it
           ;
           and
           he
           again
           in
           return
           of
           this
           special
           Divine
           Grace
           and
           Favour
           ,
           wholly
           Dedicated
           himself
           to
           his
           Service
           from
           his
           Youth
           ;
           and
           parting
           with
           all
           ,
           and
           denying
           himself
           ,
           became
           a
           faithful
           Follower
           and
           Disciple
           of
           his
           great
           Lord
           and
           Master
           ,
           the
           Holy
           Jesus
           ,
           and
           a
           true
           Minister
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           
             not
             of
             the
             Letter
             ,
             but
             of
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             one
             that
             needed
             not
             to
             be
             ashamed
             ,
             rightly
             dividing
             the
             Word
             of
             Truth
             .
          
        
         
           But
           having
           spoke
           a
           few
           words
           of
           the
           Rising
           of
           this
           
             Bright
             Star
          
           ,
           I
           must
           next
           lead
           you
           to
           it
           's
           Setting
           ,
           passing
           by
           it's
           whole
           Course
           ;
           he
           therefore
           having
           thus
           for
           many
           Years
           
             walked
             with
             God
          
           ,
           the
           Lord
           was
           pleased
           (
           before
           he
           took
           him
           to
           himself
           )
           to
           exercise
           him
           with
           a
           long
           continued
           Weakness
           ,
           which
           yet
           did
           not
           hinder
           him
           from
           exercising
           the
           Functions
           of
           an
           Evangelical
           Preacher
           .
           About
           three
           Weeks
           before
           his
           Departure
           ,
           he
           preach'd
           his
           last
           Sermon
           from
           these
           Words
           ;
           Acts
           14.22
           .
           the
           latter
           part
           of
           the
           Verse
           ,
           
             That
             we
             must
             through
             much
             Tribulation
             enter
             into
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             God
          
           ;
           from
           whence
           he
           took
           
           occasion
           to
           discourse
           not
           only
           concerning
           the
           Outward
           ,
           but
           more
           especially
           concerning
           the
           
             great
             Inward
             Spiritual
             Sufferings
             and
             Combats
             of
             Gods
             People
             .
          
           After
           this
           Sermon
           he
           grew
           so
           weak
           that
           he
           could
           not
           Preach
           ,
           and
           but
           seldom
           Pray
           in
           the
           Family
           :
           Yet
           at
           sometimes
           when
           he
           felt
           the
           Power
           of
           God
           upon
           him
           ,
           he
           would
           have
           them
           call'd
           into
           his
           Chamber
           ,
           and
           would
           pray
           with
           great
           Fervency
           and
           Strength
           of
           Voice
           ,
           as
           if
           he
           had
           been
           in
           perfect
           Health
           .
           During
           this
           time
           (
           for
           his
           Setting
           was
           of
           one
           piece
           with
           his
           Rising
           and
           
             whole
             Course
          
           )
           he
           gave
           many
           holy
           Exhortations
           to
           those
           that
           came
           to
           visit
           him
           ;
           and
           would
           often
           say
           ,
           
             He
             could
             take
             delight
             in
             nothing
             but
             God
             ,
             as
             having
             been
             dead
             to
             the
             World
             these
             many
             Years
             .
          
           He
           declar'd
           to
           a
           familiar
           Friend
           of
           his
           more
           than
           once
           ,
           
             That
             except
             the
             Lord
             would
             be
             pleas'd
             to
             restore
             him
             to
             such
             a
             degree
             of
             Health
             ,
             that
             he
             might
             Preach
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             and
             so
             help
             to
             Edify
             the
             Church
             of
             God
             ,
             he
             had
             rather
             (
             if
             he
             might
             choose
             for
             himself
             )
             die
             than
             live
             ,
             for
             he
             knew
             whither
             he
             should
             go
             ,
          
           viz.
           
             to
             God
             and
             Christ
             ,
             and
             all
             the
             Blessed
             Angels
             ,
          
           &c.
           
           
             But
             that
             he
             must
             resign
          
           .
           And
           would
           often
           say
           ,
           
             That
             he
             lived
             in
             the
             Will
             of
             God.
          
           He
           was
           observed
           to
           be
           much
           introverted
           and
           exercised
           in
           Mental
           Prayer
           ,
           or
           Prayer
           of
           Silence
           ;
           and
           when
           he
           heard
           too
           much
           talk
           in
           his
           Chamber
           ,
           he
           would
           say
           ,
           
             Be
             silent
             ,
             be
             silent
             ;
             for
             Silence
             and
             Stilness
             is
             best
             .
          
        
         
           He
           had
           one
           Evening
           (
           being
           about
           Ten
           Days
           before
           
           he
           died
           ,
           such
           a
           mighty
           Power
           of
           God
           upon
           him
           ,
           as
           many
           Years
           ago
           he
           had
           experienced
           in
           the
           Company
           and
           Communion
           of
           his
           special
           Spiritual
           Friends
           ,
           so
           that
           having
           call'd
           some
           dear
           Friends
           up
           to
           his
           Chamber
           ,
           he
           broke
           forth
           into
           singing
           and
           praising
           of
           God
           ,
           to
           the
           great
           joy
           ,
           comfort
           and
           refreshment
           of
           all
           that
           heard
           him
           ;
           and
           so
           likewise
           did
           about
           four
           or
           five
           days
           before
           his
           decease
           .
           Sometime
           before
           this
           ,
           he
           discours'd
           to
           some
           Friends
           of
           the
           
             Difficulty
             of
             Salvation
             ,
             which
             was
             not
             to
             be
             secur'd
             but
             by
             giving
             our
             Hearts
             wholly
             up
             to
             God
             ,
             without
             any
             reserve
             whatsoever
             .
          
           And
           then
           mentioned
           the
           great
           Love
           he
           had
           to
           Souls
           ,
           and
           desire
           that
           they
           might
           not
           miss
           of
           Salvation
           ;
           and
           testified
           his
           
             Vniversal
             Charity
          
           to
           all
           that
           fear'd
           God
           ,
           of
           what
           Persuasion
           or
           Division
           soever
           .
        
         
           The
           day
           before
           he
           dyed
           ,
           some
           Friends
           being
           come
           some
           Miles
           to
           Visit
           him
           ,
           he
           with
           great
           earnestness
           and
           demonstration
           of
           Truth
           discours'd
           to
           them
           of
           
             God
             ,
             of
             the
             Immortality
             of
             the
             Soul
             ,
             the
             Excellency
             of
             the
             Holy
             Scriptures
             ,
             and
             how
             much
             those
             who
             profess
             to
             believe
             the
             Christian
             Doctrines
             ,
             are
             bound
             to
             live
             a
             holy
             Life
             ;
             and
             so
             gave
             a
             short
             ,
             but
             powerful
             Exhortation
             to
             Holyness
             ,
             as
             the
             only
             way
             to
             Happiness
             .
          
           And
           then
           said
           ,
           
             I
             have
             Peace
             of
             Conscience
             ,
             I
             have
             lived
             up
             to
             my
             Light
             ,
             and
             loved
             God
             above
             all
             things
             .
          
           And
           at
           another
           time
           he
           said
           to
           two
           intimate
           Friends
           ,
           
             I
             have
             Peace
             of
             Conscience
             ,
             I
             have
             walk'd
             with
             God
             ,
             tho
             I
             have
             made
             no
             Noise
             in
             the
             World.
             
          
        
         
           The
           same
           day
           he
           died
           (
           which
           was
           on
           
             Easter-Monday
             ,
             April
          
           13th
           .
           1691.
           )
           he
           oft
           cryed
           ,
           
             Come
             Lord
             Jesus
             ,
             
             come
             quickly
             !
             O
             when
             !
             when
             !
          
           And
           one
           time
           he
           said
           ,
           
             My
             Lord
             !
             my
             Rock
             !
             and
             my
             strong
             Habitation
             !
          
           Which
           words
           came
           from
           him
           with
           great
           Power
           .
           The
           last
           words
           that
           ever
           he
           spoke
           were
           ,
           
             Watch
             ,
             watch
          
           ;
           whereupon
           he
           fell
           into
           a
           sweet
           Slumber
           for
           an
           hour
           ,
           and
           in
           it
           departed
           ;
           thus
           truly
           falling
           asleep
           in
           him
           ,
           to
           whom
           ,
           for
           whom
           and
           in
           whom
           he
           had
           lived
           ,
           to
           whom
           be
           Glory
           and
           Praise
           for
           ever
           and
           ever
           .
        
         
           This
           was
           the
           End
           ,
           Reader
           ,
           of
           that
           pretious
           Saint
           ,
           who
           from
           the
           Light
           and
           Grace
           of
           God
           confer'd
           upon
           him
           ,
           pen'd
           the
           following
           Treatise
           ;
           concerning
           which
           I
           shall
           not
           need
           to
           add
           any
           thing
           further
           ,
           seeing
           the
           following
           Advertisement
           of
           the
           Author
           gives
           a
           full
           Account
           of
           the
           Design
           and
           Usefulness
           thereof
           .
           The
           Paraphrase
           in
           Verse
           upon
           the
           13th
           .
           of
           the
           First
           of
           Corinthians
           (
           printed
           at
           the
           end
           of
           the
           Treatise
           )
           being
           found
           amongst
           the
           Authors
           loose
           Papers
           ,
           was
           thought
           fit
           to
           be
           publish'd
           herewith
           ,
           because
           it
           expresseth
           much
           of
           his
           Spirit
           and
           Temper
           .
        
         
           But
           I
           must
           conclude
           after
           that
           I
           have
           inform'd
           the
           Reader
           ,
           that
           the
           Author
           has
           left
           several
           other
           excellent
           Spiritual
           Discourses
           behind
           him
           ,
           which
           if
           this
           be
           well
           received
           ,
           are
           intended
           to
           be
           made
           Publick
           for
           the
           use
           of
           the
           Church
           in
           her
           present
           Wilderness
           Condition
           .
           The
           great
           and
           glorious
           God
           ,
           who
           hath
           given
           this
           Seed
           to
           the
           Sower
           ,
           make
           it
           with
           all
           Fruitfulness
           to
           spring
           up
           in
           the
           Hearts
           of
           all
           that
           are
           of
           Good-will
           to
           the
           Regeneration
           in
           
             Christ
             Jesus
          
           .
           Amen
           .
        
      
       
         
         
           AN
           ADVERTISEMENT
           FROM
           THE
           AUTHOR
           .
           To
           all
           that
           shall
           read
           this
           following
           Discourse
           .
        
         
           I
           Have
           written
           this
           Experimental
           Discourse
           of
           the
           New-Birth
           ,
           not
           for
           the
           Wise
           and
           Rich
           ,
           who
           think
           they
           see
           ,
           and
           enjoy
           enough
           ,
           but
           for
           the
           Poor
           in
           Spirit
           ,
           who
           enquiring
           the
           way
           to
           Sion
           ,
           are
           sensible
           of
           their
           Defects
           ,
           and
           breath
           after
           a
           Supply
           .
           Let
           none
           then
           come
           with
           Prejudice
           ,
           for
           that
           will
           give
           a
           false
           Tincture
           to
           the
           Eye
           of
           the
           Mind
           ,
           and
           prevent
           the
           sight
           of
           Truth
           ,
           by
           a
           prepossession
           that
           't
           is
           Error
           .
           If
           any
           have
           attained
           ,
           and
           enjoy
           as
           much
           ,
           or
           more
           than
           is
           here
           expressed
           ,
           let
           them
           bless
           God
           for
           his
           Goodness
           ,
           both
           to
           themselves
           and
           me
           :
           If
           not
           ,
           let
           them
           not
           be
           ashamed
           to
           learn
           and
           practice
           more
           than
           they
           have
           already
           ;
           for
           ,
           
             Teach
             a
             wise
             Man
             ,
             and
             he
             will
             be
             yet
             wiser
             ,
          
           Prov.
           9.9
           .
           And
           't
           is
           no
           diminishing
           of
           Esteem
           ,
           to
           grow
           in
           true
           Knowledge
           ,
           or
           disparagement
           of
           Age
           ,
           to
           gain
           Wisdom
           from
           those
           that
           are
           Young
           ;
           because
           true
           Wisdom
           is
           the
           Gift
           of
           God
           ,
           who
           is
           no
           respecter
           of
           Persons
           ,
           bestowing
           his
           Gifts
           on
           whom
           he
           pleaseth
           .
           But
           think
           not
           ,
           I
           have
           here
           chalked
           out
           a
           Way
           for
           every
           one
           to
           walk
           in
           ;
           for
           I
           have
           only
           wrote
           my
           own
           Experience
           :
           And
           I
           know
           there
           may
           be
           great
           variety
           in
           Gods
           Works
           upon
           
           Souls
           ;
           so
           that
           none
           are
           to
           be
           confined
           to
           one
           exact
           Path
           ,
           though
           all
           are
           to
           be
           informed
           ,
           That
           we
           must
           turn
           ,
           and
           become
           as
           little
           Children
           ,
           and
           be
           wholly
           dead
           with
           Christ
           ,
           before
           we
           can
           be
           as
           the
           Angels
           in
           the
           Resurrection
           ,
           delighting
           our selves
           in
           the
           Light
           and
           Life
           of
           Eternity
           :
           Therefore
           the
           Perfect
           Death
           should
           be
           aimed
           at
           by
           all
           ,
           for
           nothing
           less
           can
           fit
           us
           for
           Glory
           .
           For
           how
           can
           any
           Imperfection
           enter
           there
           ,
           where
           is
           nothing
           but
           Perfection
           ?
           or
           any
           thing
           of
           Darkness
           dwell
           with
           him
           ,
           who
           is
           Light
           ,
           and
           in
           whom
           there
           is
           no
           Darkness
           at
           all
           ?
           'T
           is
           true
           ,
           many
           (
           from
           mastaking
           that
           Principle
           ,
           of
           Gods
           being
           the
           Root
           of
           all
           things
           )
           have
           endeavoured
           to
           reconcile
           Light
           and
           Darkness
           ,
           Good
           and
           Evil
           ,
           Flesh
           and
           Spirit
           ,
           Christ
           and
           Belial
           ;
           and
           so
           to
           laugh
           Tall
           Mortification
           and
           Self-denial
           out
           of
           the
           Church
           .
           But
           alas
           !
           what
           have
           the
           Practices
           and
           Notions
           of
           such
           ended
           in
           ,
           but
           shame
           and
           confusion
           of
           Face
           ?
           for
           they
           have
           sowed
           to
           the
           Wind
           ,
           and
           reaped
           the
           Whirl-wind
           ,
           grasped
           at
           an
           Imaginary
           Heaven
           ,
           and
           Perfection
           ;
           but
           have
           fallen
           like
           Lucifer
           into
           Hell
           ,
           and
           palpable
           Darkness
           ,
           having
           like
           foolish
           Virgins
           ,
           spent
           their
           Oyl
           ,
           and
           received
           Poyson
           into
           their
           Lamps
           ,
           and
           so
           made
           themselves
           unfit
           to
           meet
           and
           entertain
           the
           Bridegroom
           .
           Others
           there
           are
           ,
           who
           come
           forth
           in
           such
           Outward
           Strictness
           and
           Severity
           ,
           as
           they
           are
           ready
           to
           judge
           all
           that
           are
           not
           in
           their
           peculiar
           Mode
           ,
           and
           Form
           ;
           and
           so
           refuse
           Communion
           with
           some
           ,
           who
           have
           attained
           much
           further
           in
           the
           true
           Death
           and
           Resurrection
           (
           and
           are
           more
           acquainted
           with
           the
           Renewal
           of
           Gods
           Image
           ,
           and
           the
           State
           of
           Restoration
           )
           than
           themselves
           .
           And
           there
           be
           many
           others
           ,
           who
           though
           not
           owning
           the
           first
           sort
           ,
           and
           much
           disgusting
           the
           last
           ,
           yet
           give
           themselves
           too
           much
           to
           Earthly
           Indulgements
           ,
           under
           the
           notion
           of
           Christian
           Liberty
           ,
           and
           so
           make
           no
           real
           Progress
           in
           the
           Change
           of
           their
           Souls
           .
           Some
           of
           which
           ,
           are
           cheated
           with
           false
           Notions
           of
           their
           being
           in
           Christ
           ;
           and
           others
           of
           ,
           them
           with
           sublime
           apprehensions
           of
           false
           Imaginary
           Deaths
           ,
           and
           ways
           of
           Self-denial
           ,
           which
           they
           much
           feed
           upon
           ,
           instead
           
           of
           that
           Death
           and
           Cross
           ,
           which
           should
           work
           their
           Spirits
           and
           Natures
           out
           of
           Flesh
           into
           the
           true
           spiritual
           Divine
           Image
           .
           There
           are
           
             another
             sort
          
           ,
           who
           are
           too
           much
           offended
           at
           Forms
           ,
           and
           all
           usual
           ways
           of
           enjoying
           ,
           and
           speaking
           of
           God
           ,
           decrying
           them
           as
           Cheats
           ,
           and
           empty
           things
           ,
           though
           they
           be
           used
           never
           so
           spiritually
           and
           advantagiously
           to
           those
           that
           appear
           in
           them
           ;
           which
           is
           a
           great
           mistake
           ,
           flowing
           from
           Ignorance
           ;
           and
           the
           want
           of
           a
           clear
           sight
           ,
           which
           could
           not
           so
           confine
           the
           great
           and
           infinite
           Jehovah
           within
           the
           limits
           of
           No-forms
           ,
           and
           exclude
           him
           from
           appearing
           and
           working
           in
           and
           through
           Forms
           ;
           being
           it
           is
           at
           his
           own
           pleasure
           ,
           to
           shew
           himself
           how
           ▪
           and
           in
           what
           he
           pleaseth
           .
           But
           lastly
           ,
           
             a
             great
             part
          
           of
           those
           that
           profess
           Religion
           ,
           are
           such
           who
           rest
           too
           much
           upon
           the
           first
           work
           of
           Regeneration
           ,
           and
           two
           much
           eye
           their
           first
           Change
           ,
           afterward
           running
           in
           a
           Circle
           of
           Duties
           and
           Performances
           ,
           without
           making
           that
           Progress
           and
           Growth
           toward
           Perfection
           ,
           which
           the
           frequent
           Exhortations
           and
           Examples
           of
           the
           Holy
           Scriptures
           call
           and
           incite
           us
           to
           .
           Now
           the
           work
           of
           Regeneration
           ,
           renewing
           both
           the
           Will
           and
           Vnderstanding
           ,
           will
           bring
           those
           who
           persevere
           in
           it
           ,
           to
           a
           clear
           sight
           of
           the
           forementioned
           Mistakes
           ;
           by
           which
           they
           will
           be
           able
           to
           discern
           betwixt
           Light
           and
           Darkness
           (
           Chaff
           and
           Wheat
           )
           and
           come
           to
           own
           the
           Good
           Seed
           in
           all
           ;
           and
           endeavour
           by
           walking
           according
           to
           the
           Royal
           Law
           of
           Love
           and
           Charity
           ,
           to
           cherish
           it
           .
           Now
           this
           
             Law
             of
             Love
          
           ,
           is
           the
           Rule
           of
           Perfection
           ,
           being
           the
           Scope
           and
           end
           of
           a
           Christians
           Progress
           ;
           a
           true
           Conformity
           to
           which
           makes
           us
           like
           God
           ,
           who
           is
           Love
           ,
           and
           delights
           to
           impress
           his
           own
           eternal
           Character
           of
           Love
           upon
           his
           Children
           ,
           who
           are
           nearer
           to
           ,
           or
           further
           from
           Perfection
           ,
           as
           they
           partake
           more
           or
           less
           of
           this
           Essential
           Love
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           Spirit
           and
           Life
           of
           Christianity
           ;
           without
           which
           ,
           all
           Duties
           and
           Observances
           are
           but
           as
           sounding
           Brass
           ,
           and
           perishing
           Shadows
           :
           In
           which
           ,
           all
           have
           their
           worth
           and
           use
           .
           From
           the
           Dictates
           and
           Impulses
           of
           this
           Law
           ,
           I
           have
           written
           this
           small
           Discourse
           ,
           as
           believing
           it
           may
           be
           instrumental
           to
           undeceive
           
           many
           ,
           who
           are
           wandering
           in
           the
           Labyrinths
           of
           Error
           ;
           yet
           seek
           the
           true
           way
           :
           And
           to
           confirm
           ,
           strengthen
           and
           direct
           oothers
           ,
           who
           are
           making
           their
           way
           through
           the
           Cross
           to
           the
           Crown
           of
           Life
           .
           And
           truly
           th●s
           Subject
           is
           of
           great
           Concernment
           to
           all
           ,
           because
           all
           are
           capable
           of
           the
           New-Birth
           ;
           and
           none
           without
           it
           can
           ever
           be
           happy
           .
           
             To
             mistake
             this
             work
             is
             very
             dangerous
             ,
          
           because
           't
           is
           the
           Passage
           to
           eternal
           Rest
           .
           The
           highest
           Heaven
           is
           situate
           in
           the
           large
           Plains
           of
           Eternity
           ;
           yet
           the
           Way
           to
           it
           is
           very
           narrow
           .
           At
           the
           Entrance
           ,
           the
           sharp
           Sword
           of
           Circumcision
           is
           placed
           .
           On
           the
           left
           hand
           there
           's
           a
           Gulf
           of
           Fire
           ,
           on
           the
           right
           hand
           a
           deep
           Water
           ;
           at
           the
           end
           there
           stands
           a
           Cherubin
           with
           a
           flaming
           Sword
           ,
           whose
           Office
           is
           to
           cut
           off
           the
           Reliques
           of
           all
           Corruption
           from
           the
           Soul
           ;
           so
           that
           the
           least
           Grain
           of
           Selfishness
           or
           Fl●sh
           ,
           cannot
           enter
           into
           the
           Kingdom
           of
           Heaven
           .
           The
           Spirit
           of
           Man
           is
           totally
           to
           be
           inhabited
           by
           Christ
           :
           There
           's
           not
           one
           Weed
           to
           be
           left
           there
           .
           We
           are
           to
           be
           stript
           of
           all
           the
           Riches
           of
           corrupt
           Nature
           ,
           before
           we
           can
           pass
           through
           the
           last
           Gate
           into
           the
           City
           .
           A
           naked
           Spirit
           quickly
           enters
           .
           Hence
           that
           of
           Christ
           ,
           
             Blessed
             be
             the
             poor
             in
             Spirit
             ,
             for
             their's
             is
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             God.
          
           An
           empty
           Spirit
           God
           will
           fill
           .
           For
           ,
           God
           is
           Love
           ,
           and
           delights
           (
           through
           his
           Son
           )
           to
           communicate
           of
           his
           own
           Fulness
           ,
           to
           all
           that
           can
           receive
           it
           .
           The
           Soul
           cannot
           be
           emptyed
           ,
           but
           through
           Regeneration
           ;
           nor
           filled
           ,
           if
           not
           first
           emptyed
           .
           We
           part
           with
           Darkness
           ,
           Vanity
           and
           Lust
           ;
           We
           receive
           Light
           ,
           Substance
           ,
           and
           Love.
           A
           complete
           exchange
           brings
           complete
           Happiness
           .
           How
           few
           are
           willing
           to
           sell
           all
           for
           Christ
           ?
           How
           many
           Distinctions
           are
           created
           by
           Reason
           ,
           to
           avoid
           the
           Cross
           and
           Death
           of
           Christ
           ?
           But
           it
           is
           very
           dangerous
           to
           take
           up
           such
           Principles
           ,
           that
           may
           indulge
           any
           part
           of
           that
           which
           must
           be
           destroyed
           .
           It
           may
           make
           us
           fall
           short
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           when
           we
           expect
           to
           enter
           into
           it
           .
           'T
           is
           far
           more
           safe
           to
           be
           too
           strict
           than
           too
           remiss
           :
           But
           the
           mean
           is
           best
           ;
           which
           (
           I
           believe
           )
           is
           here
           somewhat
           clearly
           discovered
           .
        
         
           
             Farewell
             .
          
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           The
           Way
           to
           the
           SABBATH
           of
           REST
           :
           OR
           ,
           THE
           Souls
           Progress
           in
           the
           NEW-BIRTH
           .
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             I.
             
          
           
             REgeneration
             is
             absolutely
             necessary
             to
             Salvation
             ,
             John
             3.3
             .
             Hence
             it
             greatly
             concerns
             us
             ,
             to
             know
             its
             Nature
             and
             Operation
             ;
             how
             it
             is
             to
             be
             considered
             ,
             either
             in
             it's
             Initiation
             ,
             Progress
             ,
             or
             Consummation
             .
             As
             it
             is
             taken
             for
             the
             Beginning
             of
             the
             Work
             ,
             it
             implies
             that
             first
             Change
             of
             the
             Soul
             ,
             when
             in
             general
             the
             Frame
             of
             the
             Will
             is
             swayed
             God
             and
             Heaven-ward
             .
             In
             it's
             Progress
             ,
             't
             is
             the
             growth
             and
             motion
             of
             the
             Soul
             ,
             from
             the
             Image
             of
             the
             Earthly
             toward
             the
             Image
             of
             the
             Heavenly
             .
             In
             it's
             End
             ,
             it
             is
             the
             bringing
             forth
             of
             the
             perfect
             and
             complete
             Image
             of
             God
             in
             our
             Humanity
             ,
             1
             Cor.
             15.49
             .
             When
             we
             attain
             this
             ,
             we
             are
             completely
             in
             Christ
             ,
             wholly
             New-born
             ,
             2
             Cor.
             5.17
             .
             and
             made
             fit
             to
             see
             and
             enjoy
             that
             eternal
             Kingdom
             ,
             which
             hath
             been
             prepared
             for
             us
             from
             the
             beginning
             of
             the
             World.
             
          
           
           
             Regeneration
             then
             in
             it's
             full
             Latitude
             ,
             
             comprehends
             all
             three
             States
             ,
             and
             may
             be
             thus
             defined
             :
             
               It
               is
               that
               transforming
               quickning
               Work
               of
               Gods
               Spirit
               ,
               which
               begins
               ,
               carries
               on
               ,
               and
               compleats
               Gods
               Image
               in
               us
               .
            
             And
             so
             it
             is
             taken
             by
             Christ
             ,
             Matth.
             19.28
             .
             where
             he
             promiseth
             twelve
             Thrones
             to
             his
             twelve
             Disciples
             ,
             as
             Rewards
             for
             their
             Faithfulness
             in
             following
             him
             ,
             
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             
               in
               the
               Regeneration
            
             ;
             where
             it
             is
             expressed
             by
             an
             emphatical
             Note
             ,
             insinuating
             the
             Fulness
             and
             Completeness
             of
             it
             ,
             as
             there
             meant
             .
             But
             in
             the
             ordinary
             acceptation
             amongst
             Professing
             Christians
             ,
             't
             is
             used
             in
             the
             most
             restrained
             sense
             ,
             for
             the
             first
             Change
             of
             the
             Soul
             ,
             when
             the
             bent
             of
             the
             Heart
             begins
             to
             be
             habitually
             carried
             toward
             God
             in
             Christ
             .
             And
             by
             what
             I
             have
             heard
             and
             seen
             ,
             from
             most
             I
             have
             conversed
             with
             ,
             I
             find
             too
             much
             weight
             laid
             upon
             this
             first
             Work
             ,
             as
             though
             it
             were
             the
             complete
             New-Birth
             ;
             and
             that
             which
             might
             give
             sufficient
             ground
             of
             Comfort
             ,
             even
             to
             those
             who
             feel
             not
             the
             comfortable
             growth
             of
             the
             inward
             Man
             in
             it's
             Motion
             towards
             Perfection
             .
             Hence
             many
             rest
             upon
             their
             first
             supposed
             Conversion
             ,
             and
             have
             a
             continual
             Eye
             to
             it
             ,
             as
             a
             great
             prop
             to
             their
             Souls
             ,
             though
             they
             feel
             their
             Chariot-Wheels
             stand
             still
             ,
             yea
             ,
             go
             backward
             ,
             and
             are
             in
             much
             more
             Deadness
             and
             Drowsiness
             of
             Spirit
             habitually
             ,
             than
             when
             they
             first
             entred
             into
             the
             work
             of
             the
             New-Birth
             .
             But
             certainly
             ,
             this
             is
             dangerous
             ,
             Ezek.
             18.24
             .
             and
             may
             much
             deceive
             the
             Spirits
             of
             many
             ,
             by
             making
             them
             more
             eye
             what
             they
             were
             ,
             than
             what
             they
             are
             ,
             or
             may
             be
             by
             pressing
             toward
             the
             Mark
             of
             perfect
             Union
             ;
             for
             it
             stops
             their
             Motion
             ;
             and
             hinders
             their
             Ascont
             toward
             Heaven
             ,
             and
             their
             constant
             practising
             Conformity
             to
             the
             Death
             of
             Christ
             ;
             by
             which
             Death
             only
             we
             pass
             out
             of
             the
             Fall
             ,
             are
             fitted
             for
             Glory
             ,
             and
             at
             length
             attain
             the
             Crown
             of
             Life
             ,
             Rev.
             2.10
             .
          
           
           
             Oh!
             then
             take
             heed
             of
             resting
             there
             ,
          
           
             Where
             living
             Flesh
             brings
             deadly
             fear
             ,
          
           
             And
             casts
             the
             Soul
             on
             that
             sharp
             Reed
             ,
          
           
             Which
             for
             a
             Cure
             will
             make
             it
             Bleed
             .
          
           
             Then
             stand
             not
             still
             ,
             nor
             turn
             thine
             Eye
          
           
             Backward
             unto
             Mortality
             ;
          
           
             But
             wing'd
             with
             Faith
             ,
             move
             apace
          
           
             Forward
             ,
             in
             thy
             Heavenly
             Race
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             II.
             
          
           
             HAving
             briefly
             shewed
             what
             I
             mean
             by
             Regeneration
             ,
             I
             shall
             now
             proceed
             to
             it's
             actual
             Work
             ,
             as
             it
             gradually
             discovers
             it's
             self
             in
             the
             Soul.
             The
             first
             Appearance
             of
             it
             in
             the
             Heart
             is
             by
             (a)
             Conviction
             ,
             through
             which
             the
             Soul
             comes
             to
             see
             its
             Corruption
             in
             the
             darkness
             of
             the
             Understanding
             ,
             the
             vanity
             of
             Imagination
             ,
             the
             delusion
             of
             the
             Will
             (
             in
             imbracing
             defiled
             Carnal
             Objects
             )
             and
             the
             irregular
             motions
             of
             the
             Affections
             ,
             running
             earthward
             ,
             like
             swift
             Torrents
             down
             a
             Precipice
             .
             In
             a
             word
             ,
             the
             Light
             of
             God
             shining
             into
             the
             Soul
             ,
             gives
             it
             a
             view
             of
             it's
             sad
             (b)
             Apostacy
             from
             it's
             Primitive
             State
             ,
             when
             it
             was
             created
             in
             the
             Image
             of
             God
             ;
             whereas
             now
             it
             sees
             it self
             in
             the
             Image
             of
             the
             Serpent
             ,
             bespattered
             with
             the
             dust
             of
             the
             Earth
             ,
             cloathed
             with
             polluted
             Rags
             ,
             wrapt
             up
             in
             darkness
             and
             hellish
             Confusion
             ,
             stained
             with
             the
             poyson
             of
             Sin
             ,
             centred
             in
             the
             fire
             of
             Gods
             (c)
             Wrath
             ,
             dwelling
             in
             the
             Valley
             of
             the
             shaddow
             of
             Death
             ,
             where
             Devils
             are
             it's
             Associates
             and
             Companions
             ,
             pleasing
             themselves
             in
             the
             pollutions
             and
             stains
             of
             the
             Soul
             ,
             as
             delighting
             to
             dwell
             in
             such
             (d)
             Graves
             of
             Corruption
             .
             Now
             when
             the
             Soul
             
             once
             beholds
             this
             ,
             Oh
             how
             it
             begins
             to
             be
             amazed
             !
             How
             it
             wonders
             at
             it's
             self
             !
             What
             Tumults
             begin
             to
             be
             raised
             in
             it
             !
             What
             Earthquakes
             discover
             themselves
             !
             What
             a
             Monster
             it
             appears
             to
             it's
             self
             ,
             when
             compared
             to
             the
             Righteousness
             ,
             Holiness
             ,
             and
             Purity
             of
             God
             ,
             expressed
             in
             the
             Image
             of
             his
             Law
             !
             It
             sees
             ,
             't
             is
             impossible
             in
             this
             State
             ,
             ever
             to
             enjoy
             God
             ,
             or
             come
             near
             him
             ;
             for
             ,
             
               without
               Holiness
            
             (e)
             
               no
               Man
               can
               see
               the
               Lord.
            
             Here
             it
             sees
             ,
             't
             is
             eternally
             undone
             ,
             without
             the
             great
             Mercy
             and
             Compassion
             of
             God
             ,
             not
             being
             (f)
             able
             to
             Answer
             the
             strict
             Requirings
             of
             the
             Law
             ,
             obliging
             to
             that
             which
             the
             Soul
             is
             not
             capable
             to
             perform
             ,
             through
             the
             presence
             and
             strength
             of
             Corruption
             .
             Here
             the
             Soul
             is
             driven
             to
             Christ
             ,
             the
             only
             Mediator
             betwixt
             God
             and
             Man
             ,
             who
             long
             waited
             for
             this
             time
             ,
             that
             so
             he
             might
             discover
             himself
             ,
             having
             long
             stood
             in
             the
             midst
             of
             it
             (g)
             unknown
             ,
             and
             unregarded
             ;
             who
             upon
             the
             melting
             of
             the
             Soul
             into
             Tears
             of
             Repentance
             ,
             upon
             the
             renouncing
             Flesh
             and
             Blood
             ,
             with
             all
             corrupt
             Objects
             ,
             and
             upon
             the
             opening
             of
             the
             Will
             (
             in
             the
             Thirst
             and
             desire
             of
             Faith
             )
             enters
             (h)
             into
             the
             Heart
             ,
             or
             rather
             shews
             himself
             to
             be
             There
             ,
             by
             opposing
             Hell
             ,
             by
             shedding
             abroad
             his
             holy
             Blood
             ,
             to
             quench
             the
             fire
             of
             Gods
             Wrath
             ,
             and
             wash
             (i)
             the
             Soul
             from
             those
             sad
             Defilements
             it
             then
             lyes
             under
             :
             Here
             he
             quiets
             the
             Soul
             ,
             gives
             the
             wings
             of
             Faith
             to
             it
             ,
             by
             which
             it
             flies
             above
             the
             reach
             of
             despairing
             Fears
             ,
             and
             by
             little
             and
             little
             enters
             into
             Peace
             and
             Stilness
             ,
             and
             shrouds
             it's
             self
             in
             some
             measure
             ,
             from
             the
             awakened
             Storms
             of
             wrathful
             Terror
             .
             Now
             ,
             so
             far
             as
             the
             Soul
             can
             get
             by
             Faith
             into
             Christ
             ,
             so
             far
             it
             finds
             Ease
             ,
             Refreshment
             and
             Peace
             ,
             and
             a
             cessation
             from
             the
             sense
             of
             Guilt
             ,
             with
             cherishing
             Belief
             of
             the
             present
             Pardon
             of
             Sin
             ,
             as
             finding
             at
             such
             a
             time
             no
             stirring
             of
             the
             Will
             to
             that
             which
             had
             so
             endanger'd
             it
             before
             ,
             by
             it's
             poysonous
             Insinuations
             .
             Now
             
             therefore
             beginning
             to
             hate
             Evil
             as
             a
             Monster
             ,
             and
             to
             love
             Christ
             as
             a
             Saviour
             ,
             it
             feels
             the
             Effects
             of
             Christs
             Meditation
             ,
             by
             satisfying
             Gods
             Justice
             ,
             taking
             away
             the
             Enmity
             in
             the
             (k)
             Soul
             ,
             by
             the
             Blood
             of
             his
             Cróss
             ,
             by
             the
             meltings
             of
             Love
             which
             it
             feels
             towards
             God
             ,
             and
             sweet
             Refreshments
             it
             receives
             from
             him
             .
             Now
             it
             comes
             to
             be
             sensible
             how
             it
             hath
             resisted
             Gods
             Love
             ,
             Christs
             Mercy
             ,
             the
             Spirits
             motions
             ;
             how
             it
             hath
             given
             the
             Devil
             interest
             in
             Christs
             Tabernacle
             ,
             and
             shut
             Him
             out
             from
             his
             (m)
             own
             Possession
             .
             Hence
             flow
             Tears
             of
             Love
             ,
             and
             Soul-melting
             Groans
             ,
             with
             the
             Mournings
             of
             the
             Turtle
             :
             Now
             it
             imbraces
             Jesus
             ,
             weeps
             over
             Him
             whom
             it
             hath
             pierced
             ,
             and
             is
             wounded
             the
             more
             ,
             the
             kinder
             He
             seems
             in
             Returns
             of
             Love
             ;
             in
             regard
             he
             was
             before
             so
             much
             disobliged
             by
             the
             Souls
             Unkindness
             ;
             now
             the
             Soul
             wants
             ways
             of
             expressing
             Love
             (n)
             overwhelmed
             with
             the
             sense
             of
             Goodness
             .
             In
             this
             State
             it
             could
             die
             Ten
             thousand
             Deaths
             ,
             undergo
             any
             thing
             in
             requital
             to
             it's
             Saviour
             ;
             all
             it's
             Motions
             and
             Expressions
             tend
             to
             advance
             Christ
             ,
             to
             extol
             Him
             ,
             and
             (o)
             predicate
             His
             unutterable
             Love
             ,
             thinking
             nothing
             enough
             for
             Him
             ,
             who
             thought
             not
             his
             own
             Life
             too
             much
             for
             it
             .
          
           
             O
             that
             the
             Soul
             would
             faithfully
             remain
          
           
             In
             this
             sweet
             Frame
             ,
             until
             He
             comes
             again
          
           
             To
             waft
             her
             in
             his
             Chariot
             to
             that
             Throne
          
           
             Where
             God
             and
             Man
             are
             in
             full
             Vnion
             .
          
           
             For
             Love
             doth
             pitch
             its
             true
             Pavilion
             there
             ;
          
           
             In
             other
             Places
             Love
             is
             mixt
             with
             Fear
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             III.
             
          
           
             WHen
             the
             Soul
             after
             its
             shakings
             ,
             attains
             this
             Settlement
             in
             Christs
             Love
             ,
             freely
             streaming
             towards
             it
             ,
             usually
             't
             is
             much
             carried
             out
             in
             the
             sight
             and
             opening
             of
             Free-Grade
             ,
             which
             for
             a
             time
             ,
             strongly
             work
             upon
             it
             ,
             and
             induce
             it
             to
             yield
             suitable
             Returns
             ,
             in
             constant
             Obedience
             .
             And
             this
             is
             commonly
             a
             Season
             of
             much
             Joy
             and
             Refreshment
             ;
             the
             Soul
             feeling
             that
             sensible
             Consolation
             ,
             and
             Divine
             Sweetness
             ,
             that
             causes
             it
             to
             break
             forth
             into
             continual
             Praises
             and
             Halelujah's
             to
             God.
             Now
             ,
             as
             this
             flows
             from
             the
             lively
             apprehension
             of
             Gods
             Love
             in
             Christ
             ,
             so
             likewise
             from
             the
             clear
             sight
             of
             Christ
             in
             us
             ,
             and
             of
             that
             mystical
             transcendent
             Union
             ,
             (p)
             betwixt
             him
             and
             the
             inward
             Man
             ;
             the
             Soul
             now
             beholding
             him
             in
             the
             ground
             and
             centre
             of
             her
             own
             pure
             humanity
             (
             there
             thence
             darting
             forth
             the
             Rays
             of
             Love
             upon
             her
             ,
             )
             whom
             before
             she
             look'd
             upon
             as
             at
             a
             distance
             ,
             without
             her
             ,
             as
             only
             sitting
             at
             the
             right
             hand
             of
             God
             in
             Heaven
             .
             Now
             whilst
             this
             Dispensation
             lasts
             ,
             the
             Soul
             is
             in
             a
             (q)
             perpetual
             Spring
             ,
             and
             a
             kind
             of
             delightful
             Paradise
             ,
             bathing
             and
             delighting
             its
             self
             in
             the
             sweet
             (r)
             Fruition
             of
             Christs
             Love
             ,
             who
             in
             this
             time
             ,
             expresseth
             much
             kindness
             to
             it
             ,
             and
             gives
             frequent
             Testimonies
             of
             his
             Divine
             Presence
             .
             But
             this
             day
             seldom
             continues
             very
             long
             ,
             and
             this
             Summer
             by
             little
             and
             little
             usually
             inclines
             toward
             an
             Autumn
             ,
             in
             which
             the
             Flowers
             of
             sensible
             Comfort
             ,
             and
             love-Raptures
             ,
             begin
             a
             little
             to
             wither
             ,
             and
             benumming
             flesh
             again
             shews
             its
             power
             ,
             in
             secret
             (
             almost
             insensible
             )
             dullings
             of
             the
             Souls
             Affection
             ,
             till
             by
             little
             and
             little
             ,
             it
             comes
             to
             a
             sensible
             (s)
             Deadness
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             more
             tedious
             and
             burdensom
             ,
             the
             more
             the
             former
             dispensation
             was
             pleasant
             and
             Joyous
             .
             Now
             
             what
             may
             be
             the
             reason
             of
             this
             declining
             in
             the
             Souls
             Enjoyments
             ,
             I
             shall
             not
             positively
             determine
             ,
             for
             it
             may
             proceed
             from
             different
             causes
             ,
             in
             different
             persons
             :
             In
             some
             it
             may
             flow
             from
             the
             want
             of
             (t)
             Watchfulness
             over
             their
             Hearts
             ;
             thorough
             the
             great
             Elevations
             of
             Free
             Grace
             ,
             in
             which
             time
             the
             flesh
             by
             little
             and
             little
             may
             collect
             Strength
             ;
             Gifts
             then
             being
             more
             eyed
             then
             Graces
             :
             It
             may
             also
             flow
             from
             the
             decay
             of
             the
             Souls
             lively
             apprehensions
             of
             Gods
             Love
             ,
             which
             it
             felt
             in
             freeing
             it
             from
             the
             poyson
             and
             Guilt
             of
             Sin
             ,
             when
             it
             groaned
             sadly
             under
             them
             ;
             for
             so
             long
             as
             the
             strong
             (u)
             impressions
             of
             that
             state
             remained
             ,
             Gods
             mercy
             eminently
             discovered
             ,
             forced
             the
             Soul
             into
             suitable
             meltings
             at
             the
             sight
             of
             it
             ,
             but
             these
             somewhat
             vanishing
             in
             time
             the
             effects
             likewise
             might
             cease
             by
             litle
             and
             little
             .
             It
             may
             also
             come
             from
             want
             of
             practising
             the
             way
             of
             the
             Cross
             ,
             through
             our
             misapprehensions
             of
             being
             Dead
             when
             we
             are
             not
             ,
             or
             accidentally
             through
             the
             sensible
             overflowings
             of
             new
             Comforts
             ,
             which
             may
             carry
             the
             Soul
             out
             of
             that
             watchful
             Exercise
             of
             the
             Cross
             ,
             which
             at
             such
             a
             time
             is
             most
             needful
             .
             But
             whatever
             is
             the
             Cause
             of
             it
             ,
             the
             Soul
             ought
             to
             enter
             into
             a
             strict
             Examination
             of
             it's
             self
             ,
             to
             sift
             every
             corner
             of
             it's
             inward
             Chambers
             ,
             and
             to
             pray
             for
             a
             clearer
             Light
             to
             view
             all
             subtil
             Corruptions
             ▪
             that
             may
             gull
             it
             and
             hinder
             its
             Progress
             ,
             and
             make
             it
             set
             up
             a
             Standard
             as
             though
             all
             were
             done
             .
             Oh!
             't
             is
             dangerous
             sticking
             here
             ,
             and
             resting
             upon
             former
             Changes
             ;
             for
             this
             tends
             to
             the
             indulging
             of
             spiritual
             Drowsiness
             and
             Stupidity
             ,
             and
             may
             bring
             the
             Soul
             in
             danger
             of
             losing
             (x)
             it's
             former
             Works
             ,
             by
             present
             Idleness
             and
             Relapses
             :
             For
             God
             looks
             not
             at
             what
             we
             were
             ,
             but
             what
             we
             are
             ;
             our
             present
             State
             making
             us
             either
             capable
             of
             Gods
             out-flowing
             Love
             ,
             or
             obnoxious
             to
             his
             chastising
             Justice
             .
          
           
           
             If
             so
             ,
             awake
             dull
             Soul
             ,
             think
             not
             to
             be
          
           
             Excused
             from
             thy
             present
             Lethargy
          
           
             By
             former
             Kindness
             ,
             when
             the
             force
             of
             Love
          
           
             Did
             pierce
             thy
             Heart
             ,
             and
             made
             it
             upward
             move
             ;
          
           
             Awake
             and
             pray
             ,
             that
             Christ
             in
             thee
             may
             give
          
           
             New
             quickning
             to
             thy
             Dead
             ,
             that
             it
             may
             live
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             IV.
             
          
           
             MAny
             Souls
             stick
             long
             in
             this
             Condition
             ,
             before
             they
             make
             a
             new
             advance
             towards
             Perfection
             ,
             usually
             much
             reflecting
             upon
             their
             former
             work
             of
             Conversion
             ,
             as
             the
             chief
             Basis
             of
             their
             Comforts
             :
             And
             though
             sometimes
             they
             look
             forward
             ,
             and
             desire
             (w)
             growth
             ,
             yet
             that
             desire
             of
             growth
             is
             so
             weak
             that
             it
             terminates
             in
             its
             self
             short
             of
             effectual
             accomplishment
             ;
             and
             though
             they
             sometimes
             begin
             ,
             yet
             their
             Endeavours
             are
             (x)
             nipt
             in
             their
             first
             Blossoming
             ,
             and
             they
             themselves
             cast
             back
             into
             wonted
             Deadness
             ,
             and
             so
             they
             come
             to
             run
             in
             a
             Circle
             ,
             without
             getting
             ground
             of
             their
             Corruptions
             .
             And
             I
             confess
             ,
             I
             was
             long
             detained
             in
             this
             State
             ,
             without
             any
             clear
             evident
             progress
             towards
             Eternity
             :
             And
             though
             I
             grew
             much
             in
             Knowledge
             and
             mystical
             Notions
             of
             the
             Life
             ,
             Death
             ,
             Resurrection
             ,
             and
             Ascention
             of
             Christ
             ,
             and
             of
             our
             Conformity
             to
             his
             Example
             ;
             yet
             not
             in
             the
             Power
             of
             his
             Cross
             ,
             and
             Death
             ,
             working
             the
             same
             in
             my
             Nature
             .
             But
             afterward
             I
             came
             to
             a
             clearer
             sight
             of
             the
             Narrow
             Way
             which
             leads
             to
             Life
             Eternal
             ,
             and
             of
             the
             
             necessity
             of
             our
             exact
             (y)
             Conformity
             to
             Christs
             Sufferings
             and
             Death
             ,
             to
             bring
             us
             unto
             his
             Life
             ,
             and
             Resurrection
             :
             And
             that
             every
             degree
             of
             Life
             must
             come
             through
             a
             degree
             of
             Death
             ;
             and
             the
             New-man
             (z)
             spring
             up
             by
             the
             continual
             decay
             of
             the
             Old.
             And
             though
             I
             saw
             This
             before
             ,
             yet
             not
             so
             distinctly
             and
             effectually
             ,
             as
             now
             :
             Here
             likewise
             I
             was
             more
             powerfully
             convinced
             of
             the
             (a)
             Straitness
             of
             the
             Pilgrims
             Path
             ,
             which
             leads
             through
             the
             Visible
             and
             Invisible
             Worlds
             ,
             into
             the
             third
             Heaven
             :
             Every
             step
             being
             to
             be
             made
             through
             Death
             and
             Resignation
             ;
             and
             that
             the
             Soul
             could
             not
             attain
             perfect
             Bliss
             ,
             but
             through
             a
             Death
             to
             (b)
             all
             things
             ,
             which
             it
             came
             to
             love
             through
             the
             Fall.
             For
             as
             the
             Soul
             entred
             into
             Selfishness
             ,
             so
             it
             must
             come
             out
             of
             it
             ,
             casting
             away
             all
             that
             cloathing
             it
             is
             covered
             with
             ,
             through
             Lust
             .
             And
             as
             it
             descended
             from
             Paradise
             into
             the
             Spirit
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             the
             Devil
             ,
             so
             it
             must
             re-ascend
             out
             of
             the
             Spirit
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             the
             Dragon
             ,
             through
             the
             Root
             (c)
             of
             fallen
             Nature
             into
             the
             Bosom
             of
             Abraham
             .
             Here
             I
             saw
             what
             a
             real
             Progress
             the
             Soul
             must
             make
             from
             the
             External
             into
             the
             Internal
             ,
             from
             thence
             into
             the
             Eternal
             :
             And
             as
             it
             descended
             so
             it
             must
             ascend
             ;
             and
             as
             it
             fell
             by
             a
             gradual
             Change
             of
             the
             Will
             into
             Lust
             and
             Earthliness
             ,
             so
             it
             must
             Rise
             by
             (d)
             a
             gradual
             renewing
             of
             the
             Soul
             ,
             from
             Lust
             into
             Divine
             Love.
             Here
             I
             saw
             nothing
             without
             us
             could
             advantage
             ,
             but
             as
             it
             was
             apply'd
             to
             make
             a
             real
             change
             within
             .
             For
             (e)
             except
             we
             turn
             ,
             and
             become
             as
             Children
             ,
             we
             cannot
             enter
             into
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             God.
             It
             must
             be
             by
             a
             Transmutation
             ,
             and
             Metamorphosis
             of
             the
             Soul
             from
             the
             Image
             of
             the
             Earthly
             into
             that
             of
             the
             Heavenly
             .
             Nothing
             can
             ascend
             into
             Heaven
             ,
             but
             that
             which
             came
             from
             Heaven
             ,
             even
             the
             true
             
             (f)
             Image
             of
             God
             ;
             the
             Earthly
             being
             predestinated
             to
             destruction
             :
             For
             Earth
             it
             is
             ,
             and
             unto
             Earth
             it
             must
             return
             .
             Now
             the
             motion
             of
             the
             Soul
             through
             the
             gate
             of
             Death
             towards
             Life
             Eternal
             ,
             is
             the
             motion
             of
             a
             Spirit
             ,
             which
             is
             to
             be
             looked
             upon
             as
             ascending
             or
             descending
             ,
             as
             it
             comes
             nearer
             or
             removes
             further
             from
             God
             the
             Center
             ,
             as
             Bodies
             ascend
             or
             descend
             in
             relation
             to
             their
             Center
             ,
             by
             their
             tending
             toward
             or
             from
             ward
             the
             Visible
             Heavens
             .
             Vpward
             therefore
             to
             a
             Soul
             ,
             is
             
               Inward
               ;
               Outward
            
             is
             Downward
             .
             The
             Center
             is
             the
             Highest
             ,
             the
             Circumference
             the
             lowest
             .
             God
             is
             in
             the
             Center
             ,
             being
             most
             Inward
             ;
             Matter
             in
             the
             Circumference
             ,
             being
             most
             Outward
             ,
             (g)
             yet
             God
             is
             in
             the
             Outward
             ,
             as
             his
             footstool
             ,
             but
             in
             the
             most
             Inward
             ,
             as
             his
             Throne
             ;
             filling
             both
             ,
             though
             in
             both
             ,
             not
             manifest
             alike
             .
             In
             the
             Inmost
             ,
             he
             shews
             himself
             wholly
             in
             the
             Love
             ;
             in
             the
             Outmost
             ,
             in
             Love
             and
             Wrath
             ,
             Life
             and
             Death
             ,
             Generation
             and
             ,
             Corruption
             :
             But
             in
             the
             Inward
             dark
             World
             ,
             altogether
             in
             Death
             ,
             Darkness
             ,
             and
             Wrath
             ;
             as
             in
             the
             Inmost
             ,
             all
             in
             Light
             and
             Life
             .
             Therefore
             our
             Progress
             is
             from
             the
             Outward
             ,
             through
             the
             Inward
             ,
             to
             the
             Inmost
             .
             The
             Outward
             is
             the
             place
             of
             Good
             and
             Evil
             ,
             and
             as
             to
             its
             corrupt
             State
             ,
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             the
             Beast
             .
             The
             Inward
             is
             two-fold
             ,
             either
             the
             Dark
             or
             Light
             world
             .
             The
             Dark
             ,
             is
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             the
             Dragron
             ,
             the
             Center
             of
             Evil
             and
             Wrath
             :
             The
             Light
             World
             is
             the
             Paradisical
             Sphere
             ,
             or
             that
             Garden
             of
             Eden
             ,
             which
             is
             situate
             also
             in
             its
             Mesopotamia
             .
             or
             betwixt
             the
             two
             great
             Rivers
             of
             Wrath
             and
             Love.
             The
             first
             of
             which
             is
             called
             (
             in
             Revelation
             19.20
             .
             )
             
               The
               Lake
               of
               Fire
               ,
               burning
               with
               Brimstone
            
             ;
             the
             last
             ,
             in
             Rev.
             22.
             
             
               A
               pure
               River
               of
               Water
               of
               Life
               ,
               clear
               as
               Chrystal
               ,
               which
               proceeds
               out
               of
               the
               Throne
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               of
               the
               Lamb.
            
             The
             Inmost
             ,
             
             is
             the
             eternal
             Sanctuary
             ,
             or
             the
             true
             eternal
             Tabernacle
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             that
             spiritual
             Land
             of
             Peace
             ,
             where
             
               Abraham
               ,
               Isaac
            
             ,
             and
             Jacob
             ,
             and
             all
             the
             glorified
             ,
             departed
             Saints
             live
             and
             inhabit
             .
             But
             none
             can
             ever
             reach
             This
             ,
             but
             through
             the
             perfect
             Death
             ;
             and
             as
             we
             die
             daily
             ,
             so
             we
             rise
             nearer
             and
             nearer
             it
             .
             Death
             giving
             us
             a
             gradual
             passage
             towards
             this
             Eternal
             Kingdom
             of
             Life
             .
          
           
             And
             is
             it
             so
             ,
             that
             Death
             must
             waft
             us
             ore
          
           
             The
             Sea
             of
             Nature
             ,
             to
             the
             Heavenly
             Shore
             ?
          
           
             Then
             bring
             thy
             Boat
             ,
             blest
             Death
             ,
             that
             thou
             and
             I
          
           
             May
             saile
             together
             towards
             Eternity
             .
          
           
             A
             sweet
             Companion
             thou
             wilt
             be
             to
             me
             ,
          
           
             Till
             I
             imbosom'd
             am
             in
             Vnity
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             V.
             
          
           
             THe
             Soul
             having
             arrived
             so
             far
             as
             to
             see
             the
             necessity
             of
             a
             complete
             Death
             ,
             and
             of
             a
             perfect
             Conformity
             to
             the
             Cross
             of
             Christ
             ,
             and
             discovering
             much
             Selfishness
             which
             before
             it
             saw
             not
             ,
             as
             matter
             of
             this
             Death
             and
             Cross
             ,
             begins
             afresh
             the
             serious
             Practice
             of
             the
             Cross
             ,
             with
             great
             earnestness
             and
             resolution
             of
             Spirit
             ,
             
             to
             indulge
             (
             i
             )
             nothing
             that
             stands
             betwixt
             it
             and
             God.
             Now
             it
             enters
             upon
             a
             strict
             Enquiry
             into
             its
             own
             Heart
             ,
             searching
             its
             own
             Jerusalem
             with
             the
             Candle
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             that
             so
             all
             Selfishness
             may
             be
             discovered
             and
             extirpated
             ;
             and
             now
             it
             finds
             ,
             that
             although
             (
             before
             this
             Dispensation
             )
             the
             chief
             Bent
             of
             the
             Will
             inclined
             habitually
             toward
             the
             Good
             ,
             
             yet
             it
             was
             not
             strong
             enough
             to
             bear
             down
             that
             Opposition
             of
             Flesh
             that
             hindred
             its
             constant
             Ascent
             toward
             Heaven
             ,
             and
             had
             therefore
             need
             of
             a
             new
             Alarm
             from
             thence
             to
             awaken
             it
             ,
             and
             raise
             it
             from
             that
             Bed
             of
             Drowsiness
             ,
             and
             arm
             it
             with
             Power
             and
             Resolution
             to
             cast
             out
             the
             (k)
             Relicks
             of
             the
             Flesh
             ,
             and
             Corruption
             ,
             and
             defend
             its
             self
             against
             the
             Assaults
             of
             the
             Devil
             ,
             who
             having
             long
             possessed
             the
             unregenerate
             part
             of
             the
             Heart
             ,
             is
             loath
             to
             quit
             his
             hold
             ,
             least
             the
             Soul
             should
             get
             wholly
             out
             of
             his
             Kingdom
             and
             reach
             .
             At
             this
             remove
             therefore
             the
             Spirits
             of
             Darkness
             (l)
             exceedingly
             oppose
             and
             use
             all
             their
             art
             and
             strength
             to
             betray
             and
             weaken
             the
             Souls
             Endeavours
             .
             Here
             then
             begins
             a
             new
             and
             great
             War
             in
             the
             Soul
             between
             the
             Seed
             of
             the
             Woman
             and
             the
             Serpent
             .
             Michael
             and
             his
             Angels
             fight
             against
             the
             Dragon
             and
             his
             Angels
             ;
             Christ
             and
             Anti-Christ
             strongly
             oppose
             each
             other
             .
             The
             Wrath
             and
             Love
             bring
             forth
             their
             mighty
             wonders
             ,
             being
             both
             stirred
             and
             awakened
             afresh
             in
             the
             Soul.
             But
             the
             Soul
             being
             now
             sensible
             of
             its
             present
             state
             ,
             and
             seeing
             that
             there
             's
             no
             Safety
             where
             the
             Devils
             have
             such
             access
             and
             influence
             ,
             sinks
             down
             into
             the
             Mercy
             and
             Love
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             flies
             to
             the
             Cross
             ,
             imbracing
             and
             delighting
             in
             it
             ;
             that
             so
             the
             (m)
             Blood
             of
             the
             Cross
             may
             be
             shed
             into
             it
             ,
             to
             cleanse
             it
             throughout
             ,
             and
             to
             take
             away
             those
             Stains
             ,
             which
             are
             the
             Devils
             Mansions
             .
             And
             here
             it
             clearly
             finds
             ,
             there
             's
             no
             way
             of
             triumphing
             over
             the
             Prince
             of
             Death
             ,
             but
             through
             Death
             ;
             so
             (n)
             it
             dies
             daily
             ,
             to
             that
             the
             Evil
             One
             lives
             in
             ,
             and
             lives
             to
             that
             which
             is
             death
             to
             Sin.
             In
             this
             way
             ,
             there
             may
             much
             Discouragement
             sometimes
             seize
             on
             the
             Soul
             ,
             through
             the
             strength
             of
             Satans
             working
             and
             the
             reluctancy
             of
             Flesh
             ,
             and
             the
             Outward
             Man
             ,
             which
             is
             loath
             to
             subject
             his
             Neck
             to
             the
             sharp
             Axe
             of
             Death
             .
             But
             this
             Bitterness
             is
             recompenced
             
             with
             that
             Refreshment
             the
             Soul
             finds
             in
             its
             Constancy
             of
             Self-denial
             ,
             which
             is
             attended
             with
             many
             glances
             of
             Divine
             Comfort
             darting
             in
             upon
             the
             Soul
             to
             encourage
             it
             ,
             and
             though
             it
             should
             ,
             for
             a
             while
             ,
             remain
             in
             this
             Progress
             ,
             which
             is
             bitter
             to
             the
             Flesh
             ,
             without
             any
             sensible
             Comfort
             (
             which
             may
             well
             be
             ,
             through
             that
             great
             opposition
             the
             Dragon
             will
             make
             at
             this
             remove
             of
             the
             Soul
             ;
             )
             yet
             when
             Patience
             hath
             had
             its
             Work
             ,
             and
             the
             Soul
             is
             come
             to
             be
             wrapt
             up
             in
             Contentation
             and
             Passiveness
             ,
             as
             to
             any
             Change
             of
             its
             Condition
             ,
             and
             so
             fitted
             for
             Enlargement
             ,
             the
             showers
             of
             God's
             Love
             will
             seasonably
             and
             sweetly
             descend
             to
             the
             strength
             and
             blessed
             Support
             of
             the
             Heart
             ;
             so
             that
             it
             will
             be
             forced
             to
             cry
             out
             ,
             
               It
               is
               good
               that
               a
               Man
               should
               both
               hope
               and
               quietly
               wait
               for
               the
               Salvation
               of
               the
               Lord
            
             :
             And
             what
             the
             Spirit
             sometimes
             now
             enjoys
             ,
             so
             sweetens
             the
             Cross
             that
             it
             cannot
             but
             thus
             break
             forth
             .
          
           
             Why
             should
             the
             Soul
             refuse
             that
             Cross
          
           
             That
             Gold
             returns
             instead
             of
             Dross
             ?
          
           
             Why
             should
             it
             fear
             that
             piercing
             Nail
          
           
             Which
             rends
             away
             the
             fleshly
             Vail
             ?
          
           
             And
             gives
             a
             Prospect
             of
             that
             Place
             ,
          
           
             Which
             Time
             and
             Age
             cannot
             deface
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             VI.
             
          
           
             BY
             this
             time
             the
             Soul
             begins
             to
             delight
             in
             the
             habit
             of
             (p)
             strong
             Self-denyal
             ,
             and
             watches
             diligently
             over
             its
             self
             ,
             to
             discover
             whatever
             is
             to
             be
             slain
             upon
             
             the
             Cross
             of
             God's
             pure
             Will
             :
             and
             now
             it
             begins
             to
             be
             ashamed
             of
             all
             Passions
             and
             Affections
             that
             flow
             from
             the
             Animal
             Man
             ;
             and
             therefore
             much
             restrains
             it
             ,
             and
             keeps
             it
             in
             subjection
             to
             the
             Angelical
             ;
             which
             is
             according
             to
             that
             Order
             God
             himself
             set
             at
             the
             beginning
             .
             Now
             it
             likewise
             sees
             how
             the
             Animal
             Mortal
             part
             (
             with
             its
             Motions
             and
             Passions
             )
             is
             too
             much
             imbraced
             by
             most
             ;
             few
             understanding
             how
             it
             was
             in
             the
             Beginning
             ;
             or
             how
             it
             is
             to
             be
             changed
             ,
             and
             again
             subjected
             to
             the
             Angelical
             Part
             ,
             in
             the
             Children
             of
             the
             Resurrection
             :
             But
             the
             Soul
             having
             now
             some
             Sight
             and
             Enjoyment
             of
             the
             inward
             Spiritual
             Body
             ,
             raised
             from
             the
             dead
             ,
             is
             much
             ashamed
             of
             the
             outward
             Body
             ,
             which
             stands
             in
             the
             Curse
             ,
             under
             awakened
             Wrath
             ;
             seeing
             what
             Temptation
             Spirits
             are
             exposed
             to
             ,
             by
             Union
             with
             this
             ,
             which
             should
             continually
             be
             under
             the
             Law
             of
             Mortification
             ,
             till
             its
             Change
             ;
             lest
             through
             its
             Earthly
             Inclination
             ,
             it
             should
             infect
             the
             Intellect
             (
             and
             draw
             the
             Immortal
             Soul
             into
             Defilement
             )
             which
             now
             dares
             not
             hearken
             to
             the
             Allurements
             of
             the
             sensitive
             Spirit
             ,
             which
             as
             tempting
             Eve
             oft
             presents
             the
             Apples
             of
             Mortality
             ,
             as
             those
             which
             are
             pleasing
             to
             the
             Eye
             ,
             and
             good
             for
             Food
             .
             But
             through
             the
             renewal
             of
             the
             Spiritual
             Body
             ,
             with
             its
             (r)
             five
             Faculties
             ,
             or
             Powers
             ;
             (
             answering
             to
             the
             five
             Senses
             of
             the
             External
             Body
             )
             the
             Objects
             and
             Pleasure
             of
             the
             Outward
             begin
             to
             be
             forgot
             ,
             and
             to
             displease
             ,
             instead
             of
             alluring
             and
             affecting
             the
             Heart
             .
             For
             by
             the
             
               Exercise
               of
               the
               Internal
               Senses
            
             ,
             we
             see
             Spiritual
             Objects
             ,
             as
             the
             Internal
             Light-World
             ,
             Visions
             of
             Angels
             ,
             and
             Visions
             of
             Representation
             .
             In
             this
             state
             we
             likewise
             hear
             the
             Songs
             ,
             Voices
             ,
             and
             Harmony
             of
             Angels
             ,
             with
             the
             Harpers
             upon
             Mount
             Sion
             ,
             who
             there
             continually
             praise
             the
             Lord
             :
             We
             smell
             the
             Perfumes
             of
             Christ's
             
             Garments
             ,
             and
             are
             oft
             entertained
             with
             Paradisical
             Odours
             .
             We
             touch
             and
             feel
             the
             powerful
             tincture
             of
             Christ's
             Body
             which
             many
             times
             strongly
             affects
             the
             Heart
             with
             powerful
             delight
             :
             We
             also
             oft
             taste
             the
             Heavenly
             Manna
             ,
             and
             those
             Dews
             of
             Paradise
             which
             are
             sweeter
             than
             Honey
             ,
             to
             that
             Part
             which
             receives
             them
             .
             I
             could
             here
             more
             largely
             particularize
             the
             several
             Objects
             ,
             Delights
             ,
             and
             Enjoyments
             of
             the
             inward
             Spiritual
             senses
             ;
             but
             because
             there
             may
             be
             great
             (s)
             Variety
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             different
             Gifts
             and
             Capacities
             of
             several
             Persons
             ;
             and
             in
             regard
             some
             (
             for
             ought
             I
             know
             )
             may
             pass
             far
             in
             the
             Progress
             of
             the
             New
             Birth
             ,
             without
             a
             particular
             knowledge
             of
             those
             Enjoyments
             ;
             I
             shall
             not
             instance
             in
             many
             particulars
             ,
             I
             could
             ;
             nor
             set
             down
             my
             own
             (
             with
             some
             others
             )
             peculiar
             ,
             and
             various
             Experiences
             .
             Yet
             in
             general
             ,
             I
             cannot
             but
             affirm
             ,
             that
             the
             unlocking
             the
             Sences
             of
             the
             inward
             Man
             ,
             is
             a
             great
             Priviledge
             :
             and
             that
             the
             Soul
             by
             it
             attains
             many
             great
             Supports
             and
             Refreshments
             to
             uphold
             it
             ,
             and
             give
             it
             incouragement
             to
             hold
             out
             to
             the
             end
             .
             For
             truly
             ,
             this
             Communion
             it
             lives
             in
             now
             ,
             with
             the
             (t)
             Angels
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             other
             Divine
             Objects
             ,
             continually
             minds
             it
             of
             Heaven
             ,
             and
             Paradise
             ;
             and
             exceedingly
             draws
             the
             Heart
             from
             all
             that
             is
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             where
             Death
             and
             Corruption
             is
             wrote
             upon
             every
             thing
             ;
             And
             the
             Dragon
             and
             Beasts
             bring
             forth
             their
             various
             Wonders
             :
             But
             in
             this
             state
             the
             Soul
             blesseth
             God
             for
             that
             Constancy
             he
             afforded
             under
             the
             Cross
             ;
             and
             for
             that
             Death
             it
             hath
             undergone
             ,
             in
             Resignation
             to
             his
             Will
             ,
             which
             hath
             proved
             a
             passage
             into
             this
             Life
             ;
             in
             which
             the
             Soul
             beholds
             the
             opening
             of
             a
             (u)
             New
             World
             ,
             with
             its
             glorious
             Hoasts
             :
             And
             begins
             to
             feel
             the
             Sweetness
             of
             the
             Angelical
             Life
             ,
             and
             to
             see
             what
             we
             fell
             from
             by
             descending
             into
             the
             Spirit
             of
             Mortality
             ,
             and
             the
             sensitive
             Nature
             :
             Now
             this
             state
             
             cannot
             be
             attained
             but
             by
             a
             Death
             to
             that
             which
             was
             the
             chief
             Ingagement
             of
             the
             Soul
             to
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             the
             primary
             Chain
             that
             hindred
             its
             gradual
             Ascent
             towards
             God.
             And
             we
             may
             find
             there
             is
             something
             in
             every
             one
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             (w)
             Souls
             Dalilah
             ,
             that
             shaves
             its
             Locks
             and
             betrays
             its
             strength
             ;
             and
             whilst
             this
             remains
             ,
             it
             cannot
             effectually
             grow
             in
             the
             Love
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             Conformity
             to
             Christs
             Death
             .
             But
             when
             this
             subtle
             Harlot
             comes
             to
             be
             discovered
             and
             killed
             ,
             the
             Soul
             flies
             apace
             ,
             and
             very
             swiftly
             to
             Eternity
             ;
             for
             when
             this
             Wheel
             is
             taken
             away
             ,
             the
             smaller
             that
             depended
             on
             it
             ,
             lose
             their
             strength
             and
             motion
             and
             so
             cease
             with
             it
             ;
             giving
             Freedom
             to
             the
             Soul
             ,
             of
             tending
             towards
             its
             true
             Center
             ;
             which
             (
             having
             regained
             this
             Liberty
             ,
             and
             attained
             in
             some
             Measure
             the
             Restoration
             of
             the
             Holy
             Powers
             of
             Sensation
             )
             sings
             a
             Song
             of
             praise
             to
             God
             ,
             in
             this
             manner
             .
          
           
             Blest
             be
             that
             Power
             ,
             which
             hath
             that
             Idol
             broke
             ,
          
           
             Which
             did
             so
             long
             depress
             me
             with
             her
             Yoke
             !
          
           
             Blest
             be
             that
             Hand
             which
             hath
             restor'd
             to
             me
          
           
             An
             Eye
             ,
             within
             this
             World
             ,
             a
             World
             to
             see
             !
          
           
             Where
             Angels
             and
             blest
             Spirits
             freely
             move
             ,
          
           
             As
             they
             are
             acted
             by
             the
             Laws
             of
             Love
             ;
          
           
             Whence
             they
             a
             Visit
             (x)
             sometime
             deign
             to
             give
          
           
             To
             those
             imbodied
             Souls
             that
             purely
             live
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             VII
             .
          
           
             THe
             Soul
             having
             now
             attained
             to
             the
             Death
             of
             that
             which
             so
             long
             hindered
             its
             growth
             in
             the
             Pure
             Life
             (
             and
             to
             the
             Enjoyment
             of
             those
             Spiritual
             Objects
             ,
             which
             exceedingly
             refresh
             and
             quicken
             the
             Heart
             ,
             in
             the
             midst
             of
             all
             discouragements
             )
             proceeds
             chearfully
             in
             the
             strait
             way
             of
             Resignation
             ;
             (x)
             offering
             up
             its
             Sin-Offering
             daily
             as
             a
             Sacrifice
             to
             the
             Fathers
             Justice
             .
             For
             now
             the
             Daily
             Oblation
             is
             restored
             in
             the
             Holy
             Place
             ,
             which
             must
             continue
             till
             the
             death
             of
             sin
             ,
             and
             the
             rending
             away
             the
             Vail
             of
             (y)
             flesh
             from
             before
             the
             most
             Holy
             :
             Now
             therefore
             the
             Circumcising
             Knife
             of
             Gods
             Power
             constantly
             cutts
             off
             the
             Fleshly
             part
             ,
             which
             is
             offered
             up
             in
             the
             Fire
             of
             Justice
             and
             consumed
             before
             the
             Lord
             :
             Now
             the
             Soul
             sees
             it
             must
             resist
             to
             blood
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             to
             the
             (a)
             Death
             of
             the
             Body
             of
             sin
             ,
             which
             is
             wholly
             to
             be
             separated
             from
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             with
             all
             its
             Members
             :
             For
             this
             is
             that
             false
             Covering
             it
             hath
             wrapped
             it self
             in
             ,
             through
             the
             Fall
             ,
             instead
             of
             that
             naked
             Innocency
             in
             which
             there
             was
             no
             uncomliness
             ,
             and
             therefore
             (b)
             no
             shame
             :
             Except
             therefore
             this
             Fore-skin
             of
             the
             Flesh
             be
             cut
             off
             ,
             the
             Angelical
             Robe
             cannot
             be
             put
             on
             :
             and
             as
             that
             falls
             off
             ,
             this
             is
             assumed
             ;
             increasing
             as
             that
             decays
             :
             for
             ,
             they
             cannot
             both
             rise
             and
             fall
             together
             ;
             for
             while
             the
             outward
             Man
             decays
             ,
             the
             inward
             Man
             is
             renewed
             day
             by
             day
             .
             Here
             it
             clearly
             appears
             ,
             we
             must
             forsake
             all
             we
             have
             ;
             otherwise
             we
             cannot
             be
             Christs
             (c)
             Disciples
             :
             All
             Objects
             of
             our
             Carnal
             Affections
             ,
             all
             complacency
             in
             Fleshly
             things
             ;
             all
             Propriety
             of
             Will
             ,
             which
             assuredly
             came
             through
             the
             Fall
             ,
             and
             the
             Souls
             Departing
             from
             the
             Universal
             Love
             ,
             (
             the
             true
             ground
             
             of
             heavenly
             Community
             )
             into
             the
             particular
             Objects
             of
             self-affections
             ,
             which
             as
             it
             hath
             been
             awakened
             by
             the
             Souls
             going
             out
             of
             Gods
             Will
             ,
             into
             its
             own
             ;
             so
             it
             must
             be
             Crucified
             by
             returning
             from
             its
             self
             into
             the
             pure
             eternal
             Will
             of
             God
             ,
             which
             we
             can
             never
             attain
             ,
             till
             we
             (d)
             are
             dead
             to
             the
             affections
             of
             the
             sensitive
             part
             .
             For
             ,
             carnal
             Love
             ,
             Joy
             ,
             Hope
             ,
             Fear
             ,
             Desire
             ,
             Displeasure
             ,
             are
             all
             the
             selfish
             Motions
             of
             the
             Natural
             Man
             ,
             the
             corrupt
             Members
             of
             the
             Body
             of
             Sin
             ,
             together
             with
             earthly
             Pride
             ,
             Covetousness
             ,
             Envy
             ,
             Jealousy
             ,
             Emulation
             ,
             Wrath
             ,
             Strife
             ,
             all
             which
             are
             the
             Leggs
             of
             the
             earthly
             Adam
             ,
             and
             therefore
             to
             be
             cast
             away
             and
             (e)
             destroyed
             ;
             and
             in
             their
             Fall
             ,
             the
             Will
             comes
             to
             be
             crucified
             to
             all
             their
             Objects
             ,
             and
             so
             to
             all
             selfish
             Propriety
             .
             Here
             we
             come
             to
             lose
             our
             own
             Lives
             ,
             to
             hate
             our
             selfish
             Motions
             ,
             to
             be
             slain
             to
             all
             fleshly
             Things
             ,
             the
             Will
             hath
             espoused
             ,
             instead
             of
             God
             in
             Christ
             .
             Here
             we
             begin
             to
             be
             truly
             Poor
             ,
             renouncing
             all
             (f)
             for
             Christ
             ,
             owning
             no
             Propriety
             in
             earthly
             Estates
             .
             We
             see
             here
             ,
             that
             the
             Earth
             is
             the
             Lords
             ,
             and
             the
             Fulness
             thereof
             ;
             and
             that
             Covetousness
             hath
             been
             the
             cause
             of
             Propriety
             ,
             and
             of
             all
             those
             engrossings
             of
             Land
             and
             Money
             ,
             which
             most
             are
             involved
             in
             ;
             and
             that
             Christ
             came
             to
             destroy
             this
             Work
             of
             the
             Devil
             ,
             by
             his
             Doctrine
             and
             Pattern
             ,
             who
             had
             all
             things
             in
             common
             with
             his
             Disciples
             ,
             even
             as
             the
             Primitive
             Christians
             one
             with
             another
             ,
             which
             was
             a
             renewing
             of
             the
             Law
             of
             Love
             ,
             by
             which
             we
             were
             ,
             and
             still
             are
             obliged
             to
             love
             our
             Neighbours
             as
             our selves
             ,
             and
             to
             do
             Gods
             Will
             on
             Earth
             as
             it
             is
             done
             in
             Heaven
             ,
             where
             the
             holy
             Angels
             and
             glorified
             Saints
             inherit
             their
             eternal
             Substance
             in
             common
             :
             
               For
               he
               that
               overcomes
            
             (g)
             
               shall
               inherit
               all
               things
            
             .
             Here
             likewise
             we
             die
             to
             ,
             and
             forsake
             earthly
             Relations
             ,
             as
             part
             of
             that
             we
             call
             Ours
             :
             And
             though
             we
             are
             not
             to
             destroy
             natural
             Affection
             ,
             nor
             to
             neglect
             the
             performing1
             
             forming
             of
             any
             due
             Obligation
             laid
             upon
             us
             by
             the
             Law
             of
             Nature
             ,
             
             as
             it
             accords
             with
             the
             Will
             and
             ,
             Justice
             of
             God
             ;
             yet
             we
             are
             to
             die
             to
             all
             such
             Propriety
             of
             Affection
             ,
             as
             flows
             from
             corrupt
             Nature
             ,
             and
             hinders
             the
             impartial
             Communication
             of
             our
             Love
             to
             every
             one
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             perfect
             Example
             of
             our
             Heavenly
             Father
             ,
             who
             takes
             in
             no
             fleshly
             Respects
             ,
             in
             the
             giving
             forth
             of
             his
             Love
             to
             his
             Creatures
             ,
             which
             is
             our
             Pattern
             to
             imitate
             ;
             for
             we
             are
             to
             be
             perfect
             as
             our
             heavenly
             Father
             is
             perfect
             .
             Here
             those
             that
             have
             Wives
             ,
             are
             as
             though
             they
             had
             none
             ,
             returning
             from
             Idolizing
             ,
             and
             desiring
             the
             Woman
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             to
             the
             Virgin
             Sophia
             ,
             who
             is
             the
             unspotted
             Mirrour
             of
             the
             eternal
             World
             ,
             the
             first
             and
             chief
             Spouse
             of
             Christ
             ,
             Rev.
             21.2
             .
             And
             they
             that
             are
             unmarried
             follow
             the
             Example
             of
             Christ
             ,
             who
             lived
             and
             died
             in
             Virginity
             ,
             as
             he
             was
             born
             of
             a
             Virgin
             ;
             and
             this
             they
             do
             for
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             Heavens
             sake
             ,
             according
             to
             that
             precept
             ,
             Mat.
             19.12
             .
             
               He
               that
               is
               able
               to
               receive
               it
               ,
               let
               him
               receive
               it
            
             ;
             where
             Christ
             speaks
             concerning
             the
             abstaining
             from
             Marriage
             ,
             and
             of
             those
             that
             have
             made
             themeselves
             Eunuchs
             for
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             Heaven
             :
             Whence
             it
             is
             clear
             ,
             that
             the
             dying
             to
             ,
             and
             crucifying
             of
             that
             Root
             ,
             whence
             the
             enjoyment
             of
             that
             State
             comes
             ,
             is
             to
             such
             a
             real
             mean
             to
             the
             growth
             and
             encrease
             of
             Gods
             Kingdom
             in
             the
             Soul
             ,
             which
             is
             to
             be
             presented
             as
             a
             Chaste
             Virgin
             to
             Christ
             ,
             2
             Cor.
             11.2
             .
             And
             Paul
             ,
             1
             Cor.
             7.31
             ,
             32
             ,
             33
             ,
             34
             ,
             25.
             prefers
             the
             Virgins
             State
             far
             before
             the
             Married
             ;
             and
             therefore
             Verse
             7.
             saith
             ,
             
               I
               would
               that
               all
               Men
               were
               as
               I
               am
               :
            
             Which
             certainly
             he
             spake
             according
             to
             true
             Light
             ,
             found
             Judgment
             ,
             and
             great
             Experience
             in
             the
             Work
             and
             Progress
             of
             Regeneration
             .
          
           
             But
             in
             a
             word
             ,
             in
             this
             State
             before
             described
             ,
             we
             come
             to
             see
             ,
             that
             we
             our selves
             are
             not
             our
             Own
             ,
             but
             
             the
             Lords
             ,
             and
             that
             we
             are
             to
             consecrate
             our
             Bodies
             ,
             Souls
             ,
             and
             Spirits
             to
             him
             ,
             and
             to
             resign
             up
             all
             we
             call
             ours
             to
             him
             ,
             whose
             is
             the
             Kingdom
             ,
             and
             the
             Power
             ,
             and
             the
             Glory
             ,
             for
             ever
             .
             And
             truly
             our
             gradual
             incorporation
             into
             the
             Body
             of
             Christ
             ,
             with
             the
             Enjoyment
             of
             new
             Relations
             and
             Treasures
             ,
             which
             are
             Spiritual
             and
             Eternal
             ,
             make
             it
             the
             more
             easie
             to
             die
             to
             ,
             and
             forsake
             all
             earthly
             Things
             ;
             which
             being
             of
             a
             lower
             Nature
             ,
             shew
             their
             Rise
             by
             their
             Fall
             ;
             for
             being
             of
             the
             Earth
             ,
             they
             are
             earthly
             and
             return
             to
             Earth
             ,
             as
             utterly
             (h)
             incapable
             t●
             enter
             with
             us
             into
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             Love.
             As
             we
             then
             leave
             the
             Spirit
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             they
             leave
             us
             ;
             and
             so
             we
             arrive
             to
             a
             good
             degree
             of
             Conquest
             and
             Victory
             over
             that
             (i)
             Beast
             ,
             which
             rules
             the
             whole
             World
             ,
             which
             gives
             the
             Soul
             occasion
             thus
             to
             express
             its
             self
             in
             praise
             .
             
          
           
             
               Blest
               be
               that
               Power
               ,
               by
               which
               the
               Beast
            
          
           
             
               Is
               made
               to
               serve
               ,
               and
               we
               releast
            
          
           
             
               From
               that
               base
               servile
               Drudgery
            
             ,
          
           
             
               Which
               some
               mistake
               for
               Liberty
            
             .
          
           
             
               Sad
               Liberty
               !
               that
               chains
               poor
               Souls
               to
               Dust
               ,
            
          
           
             
               And
               soils
               immortal
               Things
               with
               mortal
               Rust
               .
            
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             VIII
             .
          
           
             THe
             Soul
             having
             arrived
             so
             far
             in
             the
             Circumcision
             of
             the
             Heart
             from
             the
             Body
             of
             Flesh
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             Renovation
             of
             the
             Spiritual
             Image
             ,
             cannot
             but
             have
             attained
             a
             good
             step
             in
             the
             Command
             over
             Imagination
             ,
             especially
             in
             the
             death
             of
             it
             to
             Complacency
             in
             any
             corrupt
             fleshly
             Object
             ,
             which
             now
             becomes
             too
             gross
             for
             the
             renewed
             mind
             to
             regard
             .
             But
             yet
             we
             shall
             find
             the
             Tempter
             working
             much
             upon
             Imagination
             ,
             sometimes
             taking
             advantage
             of
             the
             strong
             Influences
             of
             the
             external
             Heavens
             ;
             and
             if
             we
             are
             so
             strong
             as
             to
             reject
             Thoughts
             ,
             which
             tempt
             to
             speculative
             Delight
             in
             Objects
             ,
             which
             our
             corrupt
             Nature
             formerly
             imbraced
             ,
             but
             now
             (
             being
             changed
             )
             abhorreth
             ;
             we
             shall
             find
             the
             Evil
             One
             drawing
             us
             to
             close
             with
             ,
             and
             entertain
             thoughts
             not
             evil
             in
             themselves
             ,
             yet
             very
             evil
             to
             us
             ,
             because
             they
             present
             and
             feed
             the
             Soul
             with
             unprofitable
             Pictures
             ,
             which
             should
             be
             alone
             entertained
             with
             the
             sweet
             Meditation
             of
             Christs
             Love
             ,
             and
             the
             way
             to
             be
             compleated
             in
             it
             .
             And
             I
             know
             many
             are
             exceedingly
             troubled
             with
             the
             working
             of
             their
             Imaginations
             on
             inconsiderable
             trifling
             Objects
             ,
             when
             as
             they
             dare
             not
             entertain
             any
             Thoughts
             grosly
             evil
             ;
             and
             where
             this
             State
             is
             grown
             into
             a
             long
             habit
             ,
             it
             will
             be
             difficult
             to
             come
             out
             of
             it
             ,
             though
             a
             Soul
             be
             very
             sensible
             of
             the
             Vanity
             of
             it
             ,
             and
             long
             to
             be
             freed
             from
             it
             ,
             as
             finding
             the
             Imagination
             in
             these
             workings
             to
             be
             like
             the
             Witch
             of
             Endor
             ,
             raising
             up
             the
             Old
             Prophet
             Samuel
             ,
             or
             the
             Inward
             Man
             from
             the
             sleep
             of
             Silence
             ,
             and
             innocent
             Stilness
             ,
             to
             be
             disquieted
             with
             vain
             Earthly
             things
             ,
             1
             Sam.
             28.15
             .
             In
             this
             case
             therefore
             ,
             it
             concerns
             the
             Soul
             to
             stand
             continually
             upon
             its
             
             Watch
             ,
             lest
             it
             be
             sometimes
             snatcht
             away
             unawares
             ,
             and
             ingaged
             in
             Vanity
             ,
             before
             it
             sees
             where
             it
             is
             .
             Here
             the
             continual
             Exercise
             of
             the
             Cross
             is
             very
             necessary
             ,
             that
             by
             it
             we
             may
             (k)
             cast
             down
             imaginations
             ,
             and
             lead
             Captive
             every
             thought
             into
             the
             Obedience
             of
             Christ
             :
             so
             that
             the
             chief
             work
             now
             ,
             is
             the
             reducing
             this
             moveable
             Sea
             into
             Subjection
             to
             the
             illuminated
             Understanding
             :
             therefore
             the
             Soul
             prays
             and
             strives
             continually
             against
             the
             Power
             of
             Imagination
             and
             Activity
             of
             Thoughts
             ,
             which
             hinder
             the
             silent
             actings
             of
             the
             Intellect
             upon
             Eternity
             ,
             and
             supernatural
             Truths
             .
             And
             here
             Faith
             and
             Perseverance
             are
             very
             needful
             :
             We
             need
             Faith
             to
             believe
             that
             by
             the
             Power
             and
             strength
             of
             Christ
             we
             may
             overcome
             these
             Imaginations
             ;
             and
             Perseverance
             ,
             that
             we
             may
             not
             faint
             in
             the
             Way
             ,
             and
             give
             off
             the
             constant
             Exercise
             of
             the
             Cross
             in
             rejecting
             ,
             beating
             down
             ,
             and
             ceasing
             from
             these
             Motions
             of
             the
             imaginary
             faculty
             ,
             till
             we
             come
             to
             be
             conquerors
             ,
             and
             to
             Command
             them
             ;
             which
             is
             possible
             through
             Christ
             ,
             who
             is
             come
             into
             our
             World
             ,
             to
             destroy
             the
             Works
             of
             the
             Devil
             ,
             and
             to
             rule
             till
             he
             hath
             put
             all
             his
             Enemies
             under
             his
             Feet
             ,
             of
             which
             these
             idle
             Thoughts
             are
             a
             part
             .
             And
             as
             the
             Soul
             here
             uses
             the
             Power
             it
             hath
             received
             from
             Christ
             in
             checking
             ,
             rejecting
             ,
             and
             beating
             down
             all
             idle
             thoughts
             ,
             as
             a
             means
             to
             overcome
             them
             ;
             so
             likewise
             it
             is
             oft
             Exercising
             of
             its
             Understanding
             upon
             the
             Eternal
             Love
             and
             free
             Grace
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             in
             considering
             the
             mystery
             of
             that
             (l)
             Paradisical
             World
             ,
             in
             which
             the
             Angels
             and
             Spirits
             of
             the
             just
             are
             :
             It
             much
             also
             reflects
             upon
             the
             Presence
             of
             its
             Saviour
             who
             hath
             promised
             to
             be
             with
             us
             to
             the
             (m)
             end
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             filling
             (n)
             all
             things
             in
             his
             Divine
             Nature
             ,
             for
             he
             continually
             stands
             at
             the
             Door
             and
             knocks
             ,
             so
             that
             the
             Soul
             waits
             every
             moment
             for
             the
             fulfilling
             of
             that
             Promise
             of
             his
             coming
             into
             it
             ,
             and
             supping
             with
             it
             ,
             Rev.
             3.20
             .
             
             And
             this
             constant
             attending
             upon
             God
             with
             the
             Eye
             of
             the
             Understanding
             ,
             proves
             a
             very
             effectual
             mean
             to
             the
             destroying
             of
             those
             Imaginations
             which
             come
             to
             Entangle
             the
             Soul
             in
             unprofitable
             diversions
             .
             In
             this
             practice
             the
             Understanding
             gets
             such
             power
             over
             the
             Imaginations
             ,
             that
             it
             enjoys
             almost
             a
             continual
             sight
             or
             (o)
             apprehension
             of
             God's
             Presence
             ,
             and
             sees
             beyond
             the
             working
             of
             Imagination
             ,
             by
             the
             (p)
             Eye
             of
             the
             Understanding
             enlightned
             ,
             and
             by
             little
             and
             little
             attains
             that
             strength
             ,
             that
             although
             we
             should
             have
             necessary
             occasion
             to
             take
             up
             our
             thoughts
             in
             some
             external
             Employment
             ,
             yet
             the
             Understanding
             pierceth
             thorough
             it
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             very
             time
             of
             exercising
             its
             reason
             on
             that
             particular
             ,
             it
             hath
             strong
             and
             clear
             Apprehensions
             of
             the
             Presence
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             the
             Spiritual
             World
             :
             which
             clearly
             shews
             that
             Intellection
             ,
             or
             the
             true
             acting
             of
             the
             Understanding
             ,
             is
             somewhat
             beyond
             Reason
             ,
             which
             is
             not
             able
             to
             do
             two
             things
             at
             once
             ,
             and
             Act
             upon
             several
             Objects
             ,
             at
             the
             same
             instant
             .
             And
             this
             constant
             Apprehension
             or
             Sense
             of
             the
             divine
             Presence
             is
             without
             any
             Fantasm
             ,
             it
             being
             in
             that
             Moment
             when
             the
             Phantasms
             are
             employed
             upon
             another
             Object
             ,
             and
             they
             having
             somewhat
             of
             materiality
             ,
             cannot
             afford
             that
             spiritual
             Sight
             and
             Apprehension
             such
             a
             Soul
             hath
             constantly
             of
             God
             ,
             which
             is
             without
             (q)
             figure
             ,
             colour
             ,
             or
             similitude
             ;
             yet
             I
             must
             confess
             the
             usual
             Contemplations
             of
             the
             Soul
             (
             in
             this
             state
             )
             upon
             spiritual
             Objects
             ,
             whether
             of
             Paradise
             ,
             Angels
             ,
             supernatural
             Truths
             ,
             and
             Scripture
             Verities
             ,
             are
             not
             without
             the
             use
             of
             Phantasms
             ,
             which
             being
             ordered
             by
             Divine
             Light
             and
             Wisdom
             do
             in
             some
             measure
             (
             according
             to
             their
             nature
             )
             express
             spiritual
             Truth
             .
             Though
             I
             confess
             this
             is
             far
             below
             the
             true
             Intellection
             of
             the
             Understanding
             ,
             informed
             with
             the
             presence
             of
             Divine
             Light
             ,
             in
             regard
             these
             Phantasms
             ,
             being
             generally
             drawn
             from
             Corporeal
             Objects
             ,
             
             cannot
             reach
             the
             essence
             of
             a
             Spirit
             .
             And
             truly
             here
             the
             Soul
             plainly
             discovers
             its
             fall
             from
             the
             Divine
             Mind
             ,
             (r)
             Image
             ,
             and
             Light
             in
             which
             it
             saw
             intuitively
             ,
             and
             could
             give
             (s)
             Names
             according
             to
             the
             natures
             of
             things
             into
             the
             imaginary
             (t)
             Spirit
             ,
             which
             belongs
             to
             this
             World
             ,
             and
             is
             too
             gross
             a
             Glass
             to
             express
             truly
             and
             essentially
             ,
             Spiritual
             Eternal
             Objects
             .
             And
             here
             it
             appears
             how
             easily
             Man's
             Reason
             (
             being
             the
             apt
             and
             methodical
             ordering
             of
             his
             Phantasms
             )
             may
             (u)
             misguide
             the
             Understanding
             in
             Spiritual
             things
             ,
             as
             in
             Comments
             upon
             Scriptures
             ,
             which
             were
             inspired
             by
             the
             Holy
             Ghost
             ,
             and
             wrote
             by
             Revelation
             ,
             and
             so
             require
             the
             (w)
             help
             of
             that
             same
             Spirit
             ,
             to
             elevate
             the
             Understanding
             above
             Imagination
             ,
             in
             the
             true
             Interpretation
             of
             them
             ,
             especially
             in
             things
             which
             are
             out
             of
             the
             Road
             of
             those
             Moral
             V●●ities
             ,
             which
             the
             light
             of
             Nature
             impresseth
             upon
             Mens
             Consciences
             ,
             to
             steer
             them
             in
             their
             Lives
             and
             Conversations
             .
          
           
             
               Then
               let
               us
               pray
               for
               that
               true
               Light
               ,
            
          
           
             
               Which
               gives
               a
               true
               and
               constant
               Sight
            
          
           
             
               Of
               God
               ,
               Christ
               ,
               Angels
               ,
               who
               do
               lie
            
          
           
             
               Much
               deeper
               than
               laps'd
               Reasons
               Eye
            
             ;
          
           
             
               Which
               in
               the
               Glass
               of
               Phantasie
               ,
            
          
           
             
               A
               lively
               Picture
               may
               espy
            
             ,
          
           
             
               But
               not
               the
               Essence
               of
               true
               Verity
               .
            
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             IX
             .
          
           
             THe
             Soul
             having
             arrived
             so
             far
             ,
             as
             to
             enjoy
             almost
             a
             continual
             apprehension
             of
             the
             Presence
             of
             God
             and
             Angels
             ,
             finds
             its
             self
             much
             freed
             from
             those
             vain
             thoughts
             ,
             which
             in
             former
             Dispensations
             were
             very
             troublesom
             :
             But
             being
             Conquerour
             over
             these
             ,
             it
             must
             
               take
               heed
            
             lest
             the
             new
             Objects
             of
             Heaven
             ,
             Angels
             ,
             and
             spiritual
             Gifts
             ,
             set
             the
             Imagination
             too
             much
             a
             work
             ,
             in
             representing
             their
             Excellencies
             ,
             and
             picturing
             forth
             such
             a
             State
             of
             the
             Soul
             enriched
             with
             them
             ,
             which
             may
             yield
             too
             much
             imaginary
             Delight
             ,
             and
             draw
             the
             Spirit
             into
             the
             admiration
             of
             fine
             pleasant
             (x)
             Pictures
             instead
             of
             the
             true
             Substance
             .
             Therefore
             we
             are
             strictly
             to
             watch
             over
             the
             Phantasie
             ,
             which
             may
             easily
             err
             in
             this
             particular
             ,
             and
             not
             without
             great
             prejudices
             following
             upon
             it
             ;
             for
             first
             ,
             by
             such
             working
             of
             Imagination
             ,
             we
             come
             to
             slacken
             the
             Exercise
             of
             the
             Cross
             ,
             both
             upon
             Imagination
             its
             self
             ,
             (
             which
             (y)
             is
             continually
             to
             be
             restrained
             ,
             and
             as
             much
             as
             is
             possible
             reduced
             unto
             subjection
             ,
             to
             the
             illuminated
             Understanding
             )
             and
             also
             upon
             the
             Relicks
             of
             the
             Old
             Man
             in
             any
             other
             Faculty
             ,
             which
             are
             always
             to
             be
             slain
             in
             their
             first
             Buddings
             ;
             and
             therefore
             to
             be
             strictly
             eyed
             ,
             which
             cannot
             be
             ,
             whil'st
             Imagination
             is
             so
             busie
             in
             its
             motions
             .
          
           
             The
             second
             is
             ,
             that
             Complacency
             which
             the
             Soul
             may
             take
             ,
             by
             representing
             its
             self
             adorned
             with
             ,
             and
             enjoying
             the
             Gifts
             of
             Hearing
             ,
             Seeing
             ,
             Touching
             ,
             Tasting
             ,
             and
             Smelling
             ,
             in
             a
             spiritual
             Way
             ,
             (
             with
             all
             the
             Beauty
             and
             Sweetness
             of
             the
             Objects
             of
             those
             Faculties
             )
             both
             in
             its
             self
             so
             proviledged
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             Objects
             themselves
             ;
             most
             of
             which
             being
             but
             Streams
             ,
             and
             not
             
             the
             Fountain
             it self
             ,
             the
             Soul
             may
             be
             in
             danger
             of
             taking
             too
             much
             delight
             ,
             and
             so
             of
             being
             entangled
             in
             them
             .
          
           
             The
             third
             inconvenience
             is
             ,
             the
             obstructing
             that
             
               Still
               Silence
            
             of
             the
             Soul
             ,
             in
             which
             it
             (z)
             should
             be
             oft
             wrapped
             up
             ,
             as
             a
             mean
             to
             those
             extraordinary
             effusions
             of
             Light
             and
             Power
             which
             God
             many
             times
             affords
             the
             Soul
             in
             its
             passive
             quiet
             waiting
             ;
             Whereas
             this
             labour
             of
             Imagination
             too
             much
             keeps
             the
             Soul
             in
             action
             ,
             and
             so
             in
             an
             unfitness
             for
             those
             Divine
             Impressions
             ,
             which
             very
             seldom
             come
             down
             but
             into
             a
             Spirit
             profoundly
             silent
             .
             Seeing
             then
             there
             may
             be
             so
             much
             danger
             in
             indulging
             Imagination
             ,
             even
             in
             these
             pure
             Objects
             ,
             we
             shall
             find
             it
             very
             requisite
             ,
             oft
             to
             cease
             from
             all
             Imagination
             ,
             and
             to
             act
             no
             Thought
             upon
             any
             thing
             ,
             in
             the
             heights
             above
             ,
             or
             the
             depths
             below
             ;
             I
             say
             no
             Thought
             ,
             Thoughts
             being
             but
             Images
             ,
             which
             reach
             not
             the
             Essence
             of
             spiritual
             Objects
             .
             But
             this
             Practice
             excludes
             not
             that
             general
             ,
             constant
             ,
             intellectual
             sight
             and
             apprehension
             of
             God
             ,
             which
             the
             Soul
             (
             thus
             far
             arrived
             )
             enjoys
             :
             Therefore
             I
             speak
             not
             here
             to
             those
             who
             have
             not
             attained
             a
             continual
             ,
             habitual
             apprehension
             of
             the
             Divine
             Presence
             ;
             for
             if
             they
             should
             strive
             to
             cease
             from
             their
             good
             Thoughts
             ,
             they
             might
             fall
             into
             a
             kind
             of
             Stupidity
             ,
             far
             worse
             .
             But
             I
             here
             give
             Directions
             to
             those
             who
             having
             attained
             constant
             habitual
             Communion
             with
             God
             ,
             press
             after
             Perfection
             in
             their
             constant
             Progress
             ,
             through
             all
             Impediments
             ;
             of
             which
             ,
             this
             working
             of
             Imagination
             being
             one
             ,
             we
             here
             give
             experimental
             Directions
             to
             over
             come
             it
             :
             And
             certainly
             there
             is
             no
             better
             way
             than
             the
             Annihilation
             of
             all
             Thoughts
             ,
             and
             the
             retiring
             from
             the
             Phantasie
             into
             the
             silent
             (a)
             Mind
             ,
             which
             more
             fits
             the
             Soul
             for
             Divine
             Irradiation
             ,
             and
             spiritual
             Imbraces
             ;
             for
             the
             more
             quiet
             we
             are
             ,
             the
             less
             resistance
             we
             make
             against
             
             a
             supernatural
             Impression
             ,
             and
             the
             easier
             we
             perceive
             the
             Beginnings
             of
             Divine
             Attraction
             ,
             and
             so
             yield
             our selves
             to
             it
             .
             And
             truly
             ,
             when
             the
             Soul
             hath
             attained
             the
             Power
             to
             throw
             its
             self
             (
             as
             oft
             as
             it
             is
             meet
             )
             into
             the
             silent
             super
             imaginary
             State
             (
             which
             must
             be
             attained
             by
             the
             habitual
             constant
             Practice
             of
             it
             )
             it
             will
             then
             come
             to
             internal
             (b)
             Openings
             ,
             and
             intellectual
             Sights
             of
             the
             Invisible
             worlds
             ,
             and
             many
             times
             receive
             quickning
             Glances
             from
             the
             Eternity
             ,
             with
             those
             strong
             infusions
             of
             Love
             that
             bring
             the
             Soul
             many
             times
             near
             to
             a
             Rapture
             :
             And
             truly
             ,
             the
             enjoyment
             we
             have
             in
             this
             State
             fully
             recompenceth
             all
             that
             Self-denial
             ,
             we
             pass
             through
             to
             the
             attainment
             of
             it
             .
          
           
             Here
             then
             the
             false
             (c)
             Prophet
             (
             which
             is
             irregular
             Imagination
             )
             comes
             to
             be
             conquered
             ,
             being
             commanded
             by
             the
             inward
             Mind
             ,
             that
             now
             oft
             draws
             up
             the
             Soul
             into
             the
             Paradisical
             World
             ,
             
             from
             the
             motion
             of
             Phantasie
             and
             Imagination
             .
          
           
             
               And
               now
               the
               Soul
               doth
               bid
               Adieu
            
          
           
             
               To
               Phansies
               Glass
               ,
               '
               cause
               't
               is
               not
               true
            
             ;
          
           
             
               And
               to
               that
               Mirrour
               turns
               its
               Eye
            
          
           
             
               Where
               Things
               are
               view'd
               Essentially
            
             :
          
           
             
               And
               there
               in
               silence
               waits
               that
               State
               to
               know
               ,
            
          
           
             
               To
               which
               all
               former
               Dispensations
               bow
               :
            
          
           
             
               Wait
               on
               ,
               blest
               Soul
               !
               and
               know
               this
               Passive
               Life
               ,
            
          
           
             
               Will
               send
               thee
               into
               Oneness
               ,
               from
               all
               strife
               .
            
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             X
          
           
             IMagination
             being
             now
             over-come
             ,
             and
             the
             Animal
             Man
             mortified
             ,
             the
             Soul
             cannot
             but
             clearly
             discover
             its
             growth
             in
             the
             Image
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             the
             Resurrection
             of
             the
             Angelical
             Man
             ,
             which
             now
             evidently
             perceives
             its
             self
             springing
             up
             in
             a
             new
             Principle
             ,
             above
             the
             Spirit
             of
             the
             (d)
             World
             ,
             and
             its
             mixt
             Laws
             :
             And
             here
             we
             come
             to
             own
             and
             receive
             
               new
               Relations
            
             ,
             contracted
             by
             our
             Progress
             in
             the
             New-Birth
             ,
             and
             our
             tendency
             from
             the
             Spirit
             of
             the
             World
             toward
             Eternity
             .
             And
             as
             through
             the
             Act
             of
             Generation
             we
             came
             to
             be
             invested
             with
             Earthly
             Relations
             ,
             so
             by
             the
             Work
             of
             Regeneration
             we
             come
             to
             possess
             those
             that
             are
             Spiritual
             .
             Here
             we
             come
             to
             honour
             God
             ,
             as
             our
             Father
             in
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             (
             not
             excluding
             any
             other
             of
             his
             beloved
             Ones
             ,
             who
             have
             been
             instrumental
             to
             beget
             us
             into
             the
             Divine
             Image
             and
             Wisdom
             ,
             )
             or
             Jerusalem
             above
             ,
             as
             our
             true
             (e)
             Mother
             :
             And
             so
             all
             other
             Saints
             who
             have
             been
             begotten
             by
             the
             same
             Power
             into
             the
             same
             Nature
             ,
             become
             our
             true
             Brothers
             and
             Sisters
             ;
             all
             standing
             upon
             one
             Root
             ,
             drawing
             one
             nourishment
             ,
             and
             knit
             together
             by
             (f)
             one
             Spirit
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             Instructer
             ,
             Leader
             and
             Comforter
             of
             all
             .
             But
             we
             shall
             here
             find
             a
             
               nearer
               Vnion
               and
               Communion
            
             amongst
             those
             who
             have
             been
             by
             one
             particular
             Instrument
             begotten
             into
             the
             Life
             of
             Christ
             ,
             having
             a
             peculiar
             Vein
             of
             Spiritual
             Enjoyment
             running
             through
             them
             ;
             which
             others
             ,
             who
             received
             not
             that
             particular
             Tincture
             ,
             do
             not
             partake
             of
             .
             And
             had
             we
             lived
             in
             the
             Apostles
             times
             ,
             we
             should
             have
             seen
             this
             among
             the
             Primitive
             Christians
             ;
             for
             certainly
             they
             that
             were
             begotten
             by
             Paul
             ,
             had
             a
             particular
             endearment
             to
             him
             ,
             and
             to
             one
             another
             ;
             
             and
             so
             it
             may
             be
             said
             of
             those
             that
             were
             converted
             by
             
               Apollo
               ,
               Cephas
            
             ,
             and
             others
             :
             Which
             is
             clear
             by
             that
             Scripture
             1
             Cor.
             1
             ,
             12.
             
             
               Ev●ry
               one
               of
               you
               saith
               ,
               I
               am
               of
               Paul
               ,
               and
               I
               of
               Apollo
               ,
               and
               I
               of
               Cephas
               :
            
             And
             though
             Paul
             blames
             them
             here
             for
             Contention
             ,
             Emulation
             and
             Irregularity
             in
             their
             particular
             Affections
             ,
             to
             their
             Spiritual
             Fathers
             ,
             yet
             not
             for
             a
             peculiar
             ownment
             of
             those
             who
             instrumentally
             converted
             them
             ,
             for
             that
             is
             according
             to
             the
             Law
             of
             pure
             Justice
             ,
             seeing
             
               he
               that
               Converts
               a
               Sinner
               ,
               saves
               a
               Soul
               from
               Death
               ,
            
             (g)
             
               and
               covers
               a
               Multitude
               of
               Sins
               .
            
             And
             Paul
             himself
             in
             some
             places
             speaks
             of
             himself
             ,
             as
             a
             Spiritual
             Father
             ,
             requiring
             of
             those
             he
             had
             begotten
             into
             the
             Faith
             ,
             due
             Respect
             ,
             Obedience
             and
             Love.
             But
             amongst
             those
             who
             are
             thus
             peculiarly
             united
             ,
             we
             shall
             see
             some
             more
             closely
             knit
             in
             Spiritual
             agreement
             than
             others
             ,
             and
             essensed
             into
             one
             anothers
             Spirits
             ;
             as
             may
             appear
             by
             that
             great
             Union
             which
             Christ
             had
             with
             John
             ,
             and
             that
             particular
             Affection
             he
             bare
             towards
             him
             ,
             which
             was
             the
             reason
             why
             John
             was
             called
             (
             by
             way
             of
             eminency
             and
             distinction
             from
             the
             rest
             )
             
               The
               Disciple
               whom
               Jesus
               Loved
            
             .
             Now
             when
             we
             come
             to
             experience
             this
             ,
             we
             shall
             know
             the
             meaning
             of
             that
             Scripture
             ,
             where
             Bone
             is
             said
             to
             come
             (h)
             to
             
               His
               Bone
            
             :
             For
             as
             some
             Bones
             are
             locked
             one
             in
             another
             ,
             and
             some
             Members
             grow
             more
             immediately
             one
             out
             of
             another
             ,
             though
             all
             make
             up
             but
             one
             Organical
             Body
             :
             so
             some
             Spirits
             are
             nearer
             united
             in
             Christs
             body
             then
             others
             ,
             and
             stand
             closer
             joynted
             ,
             and
             more
             intrinsecally
             compacted
             ,
             but
             all
             make
             up
             but
             one
             spiritual
             and
             mystical
             Body
             .
             And
             this
             we
             shall
             find
             to
             flow
             from
             the
             Harmony
             and
             agreement
             of
             Spirits
             and
             Natures
             ,
             as
             they
             were
             signatured
             in
             the
             first
             moment
             of
             Existency
             :
             For
             Grace
             and
             the
             work
             of
             Regeneration
             do
             not
             destroy
             Our
             Natural
             signatures
             ,
             only
             rectifie
             them
             by
             that
             
             Heavenly
             Principle
             which
             reduceth
             all
             our
             Spirits
             into
             the
             highest
             perfection
             they
             are
             capable
             of
             ,
             by
             their
             primary
             Model
             and
             Frame
             .
             Hence
             it
             appears
             that
             they
             are
             more
             Truly
             Brethren
             (
             even
             according
             to
             Natural
             Nature
             ,
             )
             who
             thus
             agree
             ,
             and
             correspond
             their
             Essences
             ,
             then
             they
             that
             are
             ordinarily
             called
             so
             ,
             who
             are
             many
             times
             very
             contrary
             signatur'd
             :
             And
             the
             reason
             of
             this
             assertion
             is
             in
             that
             when
             our
             Natures
             come
             to
             their
             perfect
             rectitude
             ,
             and
             restauration
             by
             Union
             with
             God
             ;
             this
             secret
             propension
             and
             harmonious
             closing
             with
             those
             that
             are
             like-essenced
             ,
             remains
             ;
             whereas
             from
             meer
             natural
             Relation
             ,
             there
             nothing
             continues
             ;
             though
             in
             those
             who
             are
             related
             ,
             there
             may
             be
             this
             agreement
             too
             :
             But
             meer
             Relation
             is
             not
             the
             cause
             of
             it
             ,
             but
             that
             secret
             Law
             of
             influence
             which
             God
             hath
             established
             to
             signature
             some
             one
             way
             ,
             some
             another
             ;
             some
             in
             much
             agreement
             and
             proportion
             ;
             others
             more
             differing
             ,
             tho'
             all
             representing
             something
             of
             that
             variety
             which
             is
             wrapt
             up
             in
             the
             Unity
             of
             the
             Eternal
             Nature
             .
             I
             could
             not
             but
             give
             an
             hint
             of
             this
             ,
             because
             It
             may
             open
             some
             things
             concerning
             Relations
             ,
             which
             may
             lye
             dark
             to
             those
             who
             know
             not
             the
             deepest
             ground
             and
             Root
             of
             them
             .
             But
             I
             shall
             proceed
             to
             the
             further
             opening
             of
             those
             Enjoyments
             ,
             which
             flow
             from
             Union
             with
             new
             Relations
             ,
             which
             come
             now
             to
             be
             very
             dear
             ,
             because
             the
             ground
             of
             their
             Relation
             is
             so
             pure
             and
             good
             ,
             being
             (i)
             not
             of
             Man
             ,
             or
             the
             Will
             of
             Man
             ,
             but
             of
             God.
             Here
             we
             shall
             experience
             the
             happy
             effects
             of
             our
             pure
             Union
             ,
             which
             produces
             that
             Divine
             Love
             ,
             that
             none
             can
             know
             ,
             but
             those
             that
             enjoy
             it
             .
             But
             this
             will
             be
             strongest
             ,
             where
             there
             is
             most
             Harmony
             and
             Agreement
             in
             Spirits
             and
             Natures
             ;
             because
             the
             Eternal
             Tincture
             works
             upon
             ,
             and
             through
             every
             thing
             occording
             to
             its
             Nature
             and
             Capacity
             :
             Hence
             we
             come
             to
             enjoy
             more
             from
             some
             ,
             
             than
             others
             ;
             and
             some
             from
             us
             receive
             more
             than
             others
             :
             But
             that
             Brotherly-love
             and
             friendship
             ,
             which
             now
             come
             to
             be
             renewed
             in
             Spirit
             ,
             far
             transcend
             any
             enjoyments
             meerly
             Natural
             :
             And
             whatsoever
             we
             parted
             with
             ,
             in
             dying
             to
             all
             Earthly
             affection
             and
             its
             Objects
             ,
             we
             regain
             in
             the
             Resurrection
             of
             our
             Spirits
             ,
             in
             this
             pure
             Love
             ,
             which
             is
             not
             Affection
             but
             something
             above
             it
             ,
             not
             consisting
             in
             sudden
             out-flowings
             and
             eruptions
             ,
             but
             in
             a
             constant
             sweet
             inclination
             ,
             and
             secret
             propension
             of
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             to
             those
             which
             are
             one
             with
             it
             in
             the
             pure
             Life
             :
             And
             this
             good-willingness
             is
             so
             great
             ,
             that
             from
             it
             the
             Soul
             could
             give
             (k)
             its
             Life
             (
             or
             if
             there
             were
             any
             (l)
             thing
             dearer
             than
             Life
             )
             for
             its
             Brother
             ;
             and
             choose
             Sufferings
             ,
             to
             free
             others
             from
             them
             :
             In
             this
             state
             there
             will
             be
             a
             sympathizing
             in
             Joy
             and
             Sorrow
             ;
             and
             where
             the
             Union
             is
             eminently
             great
             ,
             there
             may
             be
             some
             knowledge
             of
             each
             others
             Conditions
             ,
             at
             a
             (m)
             distance
             ,
             which
             comes
             from
             their
             being
             essenced
             in
             each
             others
             Spirits
             and
             Tinctures
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             cause
             of
             this
             invisible
             Sympathy
             :
             And
             they
             that
             are
             in
             this
             near
             Union
             ,
             feel
             a
             mutual
             in-dwelling
             in
             the
             pure
             Tincture
             and
             Life
             (n)
             of
             each
             other
             ;
             and
             so
             ,
             the
             further
             we
             come
             out
             of
             the
             animal
             Nature
             ,
             the
             more
             universal
             we
             are
             ,
             and
             nearer
             both
             to
             Heaven
             ,
             and
             to
             one
             another
             in
             the
             Internal
             ;
             and
             the
             sitter
             Instrumentally
             to
             convey
             the
             pure
             streams
             of
             the
             Heavenly
             Life
             to
             each
             other
             ,
             which
             no
             external
             distance
             can
             hinder
             :
             For
             the
             Divine
             Tincture
             (
             being
             such
             a
             spiritual
             Virtue
             ,
             as
             Christ
             imprinted
             into
             the
             Heart
             of
             the
             Disciples
             ,
             with
             whom
             he
             talked
             after
             his
             Resurrection
             ,
             making
             their
             
               hearts
               to
               burn
               within
               them
            
             ,
             is
             able
             to
             pierce
             through
             all
             distance
             ,
             and
             reach
             those
             that
             are
             far
             absent
             ;
             because
             it
             is
             not
             Corporeal
             ,
             nor
             Subject
             to
             the
             Laws
             of
             place
             or
             time
             .
          
           
           
             Now
             this
             is
             known
             to
             some
             by
             Experience
             ,
             who
             in
             absence
             enjoy
             such
             influences
             of
             Spirit
             ,
             and
             secret
             Insinuations
             of
             Spiritual
             Virtue
             from
             one
             another
             ,
             that
             they
             cannot
             but
             value
             this
             Spiritual
             Communion
             ,
             above
             all
             Enjoyments
             in
             the
             World
             ;
             which
             compared
             to
             it
             ,
             seem
             but
             like
             the
             basest
             Metal
             to
             the
             purest
             Gold.
             
          
           
             
               Then
               quit
               that
               wretched
               state
               ,
               Immortal
               Soul
               ,
            
          
           
             
               Where
               poyson'd
               Ghosts
               in
               flesh
               together
               roul
            
             ;
          
           
             
               And
               take
               thy
               flight
               into
               that
               Mount
               of
               Love
               ,
            
          
           
             
               Where
               New-born
               Spirits
               in
               bright
               Bodies
               move
               ,
            
          
           
             
               And
               sport
               themselves
               in
               that
               Eternal
               Joy
               ,
            
          
           
             
               Which
               totally
               excludes
               Lusts
               base
               alloy
               .
            
          
           
             
               Lust's
               left
               below
               for
               those
               that
               flesh
               desire
            
             ;
          
           
             
               Love
               dwells
               on
               High
               ,
               Love
               fills
               the
               Heavenly
               Quire.
               
            
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             XI
             .
          
           
             THE
             Love
             which
             in
             this
             Spiritual
             Union
             ,
             (
             before
             described
             )
             we
             come
             to
             enjoy
             ,
             is
             unexpressibly
             refreshing
             ,
             proving
             to
             be
             sweeter
             than
             the
             Hony
             or
             the
             Hony
             Comb
             ,
             and
             continually
             raiseth
             the
             Soul
             to
             the
             true
             Fountain
             of
             it
             ,
             who
             being
             the
             true
             cause
             of
             all
             pure
             Union
             ,
             both
             preserves
             and
             increaseth
             it
             :
             But
             the
             Soul
             now
             having
             a
             View
             ,
             and
             Experience
             of
             the
             Beauty
             and
             Sweetness
             of
             the
             Spirits
             of
             other
             Christians
             ,
             and
             of
             the
             Excellency
             of
             
             that
             Love
             which
             may
             be
             enjoyed
             through
             them
             may
             (
             if
             it
             be
             not
             prevented
             by
             much
             self-denyal
             and
             Watchfulness
             )
             suffer
             very
             much
             Selfishness
             to
             spring
             up
             in
             a
             new
             Dress
             ;
             for
             here
             may
             arise
             Spiritual
             Covetousness
             ,
             or
             a
             desire
             of
             engrossing
             Spirits
             to
             ones
             self
             .
             Here
             Spiritual
             Pride
             may
             also
             discover
             it self
             in
             desiring
             much
             esteem
             of
             such
             :
             Envy
             likewise
             may
             start
             up
             against
             those
             we
             fear
             may
             draw
             them
             from
             us
             ,
             or
             enjoy
             more
             Love
             from
             them
             than
             our selves
             :
             and
             so
             all
             other
             Selfish
             Affections
             may
             here
             croud
             in
             ,
             in
             a
             refined
             dress
             :
             And
             as
             these
             
               Spiritual
               Evils
            
             may
             flow
             from
             the
             sight
             of
             the
             Excellency
             and
             suitableness
             of
             the
             Spirits
             of
             other
             Christians
             ;
             so
             also
             they
             may
             break
             in
             upon
             us
             from
             large
             and
             Eminent
             Gifts
             of
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             2
             Cor.
             12.7
             .
             For
             we
             seeing
             the
             Amiableness
             and
             Worth
             of
             these
             may
             come
             immoderately
             to
             desire
             them
             ;
             may
             fear
             to
             have
             them
             Eclipsed
             ;
             may
             reflect
             too
             much
             upon
             (n)
             our selves
             in
             the
             enjoying
             of
             them
             ;
             may
             look
             too
             much
             after
             Eminency
             in
             the
             use
             of
             them
             ;
             and
             (
             in
             a
             word
             )
             may
             take
             too
             much
             Complacency
             in
             the
             pleasant
             fruition
             of
             them
             ;
             even
             to
             an
             hindrance
             of
             our
             looking
             up
             to
             the
             Fountain
             ,
             as
             all
             in
             all
             :
             If
             then
             the
             Soul
             be
             here
             entangled
             (
             as
             it
             is
             hard
             totally
             to
             escape
             )
             it
             must
             fly
             to
             the
             (p)
             Cross
             ,
             and
             lay
             the
             Ax
             to
             the
             Root
             of
             the
             Tree
             of
             Self
             ,
             that
             so
             it
             may
             be
             hewn
             down
             and
             cast
             into
             the
             Fire
             :
             And
             it
             must
             pray
             for
             the
             Sword
             of
             Power
             ,
             to
             circumcise
             and
             cut
             off
             this
             refined
             Selfishness
             ,
             as
             it
             did
             the
             grosser
             part
             :
             And
             to
             take
             away
             this
             Propriety
             ,
             and
             Self-ownment
             of
             all
             Spirits
             ,
             Gifts
             and
             Graces
             .
             Here
             we
             must
             come
             to
             offer
             up
             the
             very
             Good
             it self
             ,
             (
             as
             (r)
             Abraham
             did
             Isaac
             )
             to
             God
             the
             Fountain
             and
             Bestower
             .
             Here
             we
             must
             dye
             to
             the
             Coveting
             of
             any
             Spirit
             ,
             Grace
             ,
             Vision
             ,
             Revelation
             ,
             Rapture
             ,
             or
             sensible
             Comfort
             .
             Here
             we
             must
             come
             to
             be
             nothing
             
             in
             all
             these
             ;
             to
             enjoy
             them
             as
             though
             we
             enjoyed
             them
             not
             ,
             and
             not
             to
             reflect
             upon
             our selves
             on
             any
             account
             ;
             to
             rejoyce
             to
             see
             others
             (s)
             flourish
             in
             the
             Riches
             of
             those
             ;
             and
             to
             have
             far
             more
             Light
             ,
             Wisdom
             ,
             Comfort
             and
             Honour
             ,
             than
             our selves
             ;
             to
             be
             willing
             when
             we
             are
             rich
             in
             Gifts
             (
             and
             esteem
             of
             the
             Saints
             )
             (t)
             to
             part
             with
             them
             ,
             if
             God
             so
             please
             ,
             and
             to
             hang
             so
             loose
             from
             all
             things
             below
             God
             ,
             as
             that
             nothing
             may
             the
             least
             hinder
             our
             Conformity
             to
             the
             Death
             of
             Christ
             ,
             or
             our
             rising
             again
             in
             the
             pure
             Life
             of
             Love
             and
             Innocency
             .
             And
             truly
             when
             we
             have
             known
             the
             Glory
             of
             those
             Spiritual
             Objects
             ,
             and
             have
             been
             rich
             in
             possessing
             them
             ,
             we
             may
             find
             it
             exceeding
             difficult
             wholly
             to
             give
             up
             ,
             and
             to
             own
             no
             Propriety
             of
             Will
             in
             them
             ,
             becoming
             nothing
             in
             the
             greatest
             Union
             of
             Spirits
             ,
             fruition
             of
             Gifts
             and
             Spiritual
             Honour
             ;
             keeping
             a
             sweet
             innocent
             Spirit
             free
             from
             Selfishness
             in
             all
             these
             .
             Now
             the
             Reason
             of
             the
             difficulty
             in
             being
             wholly
             freed
             from
             Self
             here
             ,
             is
             the
             Excellency
             of
             the
             Objects
             ,
             and
             the
             sweetness
             of
             their
             Enjoyments
             :
             For
             their
             Nature
             and
             Effects
             being
             very
             suitable
             to
             the
             Soul
             ,
             they
             have
             the
             stronger
             Influence
             upon
             it
             ,
             to
             close
             with
             them
             in
             too
             much
             delight
             and
             adherency
             :
             Whence
             it
             may
             be
             more
             difficult
             ,
             totally
             to
             give
             them
             up
             ,
             than
             it
             was
             to
             leave
             outward
             gross
             things
             ,
             which
             could
             not
             be
             so
             pleasing
             to
             the
             nature
             of
             the
             Soul
             :
             And
             though
             some
             (
             who
             think
             they
             have
             passed
             far
             in
             the
             New-Birth
             )
             never
             experienced
             this
             ;
             and
             may
             therefore
             look
             upon
             it
             as
             a
             thing
             not
             much
             to
             be
             regarded
             ,
             yet
             let
             all
             such
             know
             that
             the
             Reason
             may
             be
             in
             that
             they
             never
             yet
             passed
             clear
             out
             of
             the
             Spirit
             of
             the
             World
             ;
             nor
             overcame
             their
             Animal
             Nature
             by
             a
             Compleat
             Circumcision
             and
             Renunciation
             ;
             and
             so
             were
             not
             capable
             to
             receive
             any
             extraordinary
             Enjoyments
             
             of
             Visions
             ,
             Revelations
             ,
             In-speakings
             ,
             Prophesies
             ,
             Unions
             of
             Spirits
             ;
             and
             being
             not
             come
             into
             the
             Inward
             Wilderness
             ,
             where
             the
             Soul
             is
             fitted
             for
             such
             things
             ,
             and
             where
             these
             Spiritual
             Temptations
             arise
             to
             try
             it
             :
             Whereas
             being
             in
             the
             outward
             Sensitive
             (
             Spirit
             )
             and
             detained
             in
             Flesh
             and
             Blood
             ,
             as
             Israel
             in
             Egypt
             ,
             the
             inward
             spiritual
             Faculties
             of
             Sensation
             lie
             lock'd
             up
             and
             can
             have
             no
             knowledge
             of
             those
             Spiritual
             Operations
             and
             Enjoyments
             :
             But
             they
             that
             are
             come
             so
             far
             in
             the
             Work
             of
             the
             New-birth
             ,
             as
             to
             be
             acquainted
             with
             ,
             and
             to
             live
             to
             these
             things
             ,
             must
             of
             necessity
             dye
             to
             them
             ,
             and
             come
             to
             be
             (a)
             Nothing
             in
             them
             ,
             giving
             up
             all
             to
             God
             ,
             and
             forsaking
             the
             Propriety
             of
             their
             own
             Wills.
             Now
             this
             is
             a
             parting
             with
             our
             own
             Lives
             ,
             and
             the
             giving
             up
             the
             Ghost
             of
             refined
             selfishness
             ,
             which
             strikes
             at
             the
             Root
             of
             Sin
             and
             Evil
             ,
             and
             brings
             us
             to
             the
             Death
             of
             the
             Cross
             ,
             in
             Conformity
             to
             the
             Example
             of
             our
             Saviour's
             Progress
             ,
             who
             was
             Crucified
             betwixt
             two
             Thieves
             ,
             One
             of
             which
             was
             lost
             ,
             tho'
             the
             other
             went
             with
             him
             into
             Paradise
             ,
             which
             we
             in
             the
             Mystery
             likewise
             fulfil
             ;
             for
             our
             Wills
             are
             Crucified
             betwixt
             the
             outward
             Animal
             Man
             ,
             and
             the
             Inward
             Old
             Man
             ,
             or
             sinful
             Nature
             ;
             The
             first
             of
             which
             in
             the
             Resurrection
             ,
             shall
             be
             received
             (
             after
             Purification
             )
             into
             Paradise
             ;
             but
             the
             last
             ,
             must
             be
             destroyed
             and
             swallowed
             up
             into
             the
             fire
             of
             Wrath.
             
          
           
             
               The
               Soul
               which
               on
               the
               Cross
               thus
               freely
               dyes
               ,
            
          
           
             
               Becomes
               to
               God
               a
               pleasing
               Sacrifice
               ,
            
          
           
             
               Through
               that
               Eternal
               Spirit
               ,
               and
               that
               Blood
               ,
            
          
           
             
               Which
               by
               meer
               Reason
               are
               not
               understood
            
             ;
          
           
           
             
               Nor
               by
               those
               Rabbies
               ,
               who
               Divines
               would
               be
               ,
            
          
           
             
               Though
               they
               know
               not
               the
               true
               Divinity
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             XII
             .
          
           
             AFter
             this
             death
             upon
             the
             Mystical
             Cross
             ,
             the
             Soul
             in
             Conformity
             to
             Christs
             progress
             ,
             passeth
             through
             a
             state
             Analogous
             to
             that
             of
             Christs
             descent
             into
             Hell
             ,
             being
             that
             Principle
             which
             stands
             as
             a
             smoaking
             Furnace
             before
             the
             Entrance
             of
             Paradise
             ,
             into
             which
             none
             can
             pass
             ,
             but
             those
             that
             are
             dead
             with
             Christ
             ,
             and
             washed
             from
             the
             Pollutions
             of
             flesh
             and
             Spirit
             by
             the
             Blood
             of
             the
             Lamb
             :
             For
             whosoever
             retain
             the
             spots
             of
             Guilt
             will
             be
             kept
             back
             by
             Gods
             Wrath
             ,
             which
             in
             this
             principle
             ,
             burns
             like
             fire
             ,
             Isa
             .
             30.33
             .
             This
             also
             is
             spread
             (
             at
             least
             potentially
             as
             to
             its
             Root
             )
             through
             the
             whole
             World
             ,
             yet
             invisible
             to
             the
             outward
             Eye
             .
             In
             this
             the
             Dragon
             and
             all
             Evil
             Angels
             and
             Spirits
             are
             ,
             for
             
               Jud.
               Epist
            
             .
             ver
             .
             6.
             
             The
             Lord
             reserves
             the
             fallen
             Angels
             in
             
               everlasting
               Chains
               under
               Darkness
            
             ,
             or
             as
             2
             Pet.
             2.4
             .
             
               hath
               cast
               them
               into
               Hell
               ,
               and
               delivered
               them
               into
               Chains
               of
               Darkness
               ,
               to
               be
               reserved
               unto
               Judgment
               .
            
             Now
             though
             the
             fallen
             Angels
             are
             every
             where
             tempting
             the
             Saints
             ,
             yet
             they
             are
             always
             in
             the
             Chains
             of
             this
             invisible
             Darkness
             ,
             which
             could
             not
             be
             if
             this
             were
             not
             every
             where
             in
             this
             World.
             Whence
             ,
             Ephes
             .
             6.12
             .
             it
             is
             called
             ,
             
               the
               Darkness
               of
               this
               World
            
             :
             of
             which
             the
             chief
             Devils
             are
             the
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             or
             Wordly
             Rulers
             .
             And
             although
             evil
             Spirits
             receive
             some
             Refreshment
             by
             mixing
             with
             the
             Souls
             of
             Men
             ,
             which
             are
             cloathed
             with
             the
             Animal
             sensitive
             Nature
             ,
             and
             live
             in
             the
             Spirit
             of
             the
             World
             !
             yet
             they
             are
             still
             in
             Chains
             under
             
             this
             Darkness
             ,
             as
             in
             their
             proper
             Center
             .
             And
             although
             it
             is
             said
             ,
             Luke
             8.31
             .
             That
             the
             Devils
             ,
             whose
             name
             was
             Legion
             ,
             besought
             Christ
             ,
             (
             after
             they
             were
             cast
             out
             of
             the
             Man
             )
             that
             he
             would
             not
             command
             them
             
               to
               go
               out
               into
               the
               Deep
               ,
            
             as
             though
             the
             Deep
             or
             bottomless
             Pit
             ,
             had
             been
             at
             a
             distance
             from
             them
             :
             Yet
             the
             meaning
             is
             ,
             that
             they
             might
             not
             wholly
             go
             out
             of
             the
             Spirit
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             out
             of
             Union
             with
             it
             ,
             deeper
             into
             the
             Center
             of
             Darkness
             and
             Wrath
             ;
             for
             in
             Union
             either
             with
             Men
             or
             Beasts
             ,
             who
             live
             in
             the
             Spirit
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             they
             receive
             some
             mitigation
             of
             their
             Torment
             ,
             which
             they
             have
             not
             ,
             when
             they
             are
             naked
             and
             uncloathed
             in
             the
             Abyss
             :
             Therefore
             their
             going
             into
             the
             Abyss
             from
             union
             with
             the
             Spirits
             of
             Men
             or
             Beasts
             ,
             is
             not
             as
             we
             depart
             from
             one
             Room
             into
             another
             (
             which
             are
             disjoyned
             by
             outward
             distance
             )
             but
             a
             sinking
             deeper
             from
             the
             Circumference
             toward
             the
             Center
             ,
             from
             the
             outward
             to
             the
             inward
             ,
             which
             we
             call
             the
             
               Dark
               World
            
             ,
             and
             Hell
             ;
             which
             (
             according
             to
             the
             sight
             and
             experience
             of
             some
             deep
             mystical
             Men
             )
             is
             made
             up
             of
             Spiritual
             
               Sulphur
               ,
               Mercury
            
             ,
             and
             Salt
             ,
             not
             united
             and
             harmonized
             in
             sweet
             proportion
             ,
             for
             then
             they
             would
             be
             Paradise
             ;
             but
             as
             in
             discord
             and
             disproportion
             working
             in
             contrary
             Motions
             ,
             through
             the
             absence
             of
             that
             pure
             Balsamical
             Oil
             ,
             which
             flowing
             from
             the
             heart
             of
             God
             ,
             makes
             Paradise
             so
             delightful
             .
             Now
             as
             all
             things
             in
             this
             visible
             World
             are
             compounded
             of
             these
             three
             Material
             principles
             ,
             
               Sulphur
               ,
               Mercury
            
             and
             Salt
             ,
             so
             are
             the
             Invisible
             Worlds
             ,
             in
             their
             spiritual
             nature
             ,
             from
             whence
             the
             Visible
             World
             proceeded
             ,
             and
             in
             which
             it
             is
             erected
             ;
             for
             (
             Heb.
             7.3
             .
             )
             The
             things
             which
             are
             seen
             were
             made
             (
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             )
             not
             of
             things
             that
             do
             appear
             ,
             but
             consequently
             out
             of
             things
             invisible
             ,
             as
             the
             Vulgar
             Latin
             hath
             it
             ,
             
               ut
               ex
               invisibilibus
               visibilia
               fierent
            
             ,
             and
             to
             the
             same
             sense
             is
             the
             Syriack
             Versions
             .
             
             But
             to
             proceed
             ,
             the
             dark
             World
             (
             Rev.
             9.2
             .
             )
             is
             called
             the
             Abyss
             or
             Bottomless
             Pit
             ;
             and
             whosoever
             go
             down
             into
             this
             Sea
             ,
             see
             Gods
             Wonders
             in
             the
             Deep
             ,
             Psal
             .
             107.24
             .
             for
             there
             is
             the
             great
             Leviathan
             ,
             the
             crooked
             Serpent
             ,
             the
             Dragon
             ,
             Isa
             .
             27.1
             .
             Out
             of
             whose
             mouth
             Job
             .
             41.19
             ,
             20
             ,
             21.
             )
             
               go
               burning
               Lamps
               ,
               and
               sparks
               of
               fire
               leap
               out
               :
            
             
             
               Out
               of
               his
               Nostrills
               goeth
               Smoak
               ,
               as
               out
               of
               a
               seething
               Cauldron
               :
               His
               breath
               kindleth
               Coals
               ,
               and
               a
               flame
               goeth
               out
               of
               his
               Mouth
               ,
            
             v.
             31.
             
             
               He
               maketh
               the
               Deep
               to
               boil
               like
               a
               Pot
               of
               Ointment
               .
               34.
               
               He
               beholdeth
               all
               high
               things
               :
               He
               is
               a
               King
               over
               all
               the
               Children
               of
               Pride
               ,
            
             which
             are
             the
             Principalities
             ,
             Powers
             and
             spiritual
             Wickednesses
             of
             this
             Dark
             World
             ;
             Many
             of
             which
             in
             their
             Dark
             Bodies
             bear
             the
             forms
             of
             terrible
             Beasts
             ,
             Rev.
             9.3.17
             .
             Into
             this
             Region
             ,
             Christ
             descended
             after
             his
             giving
             up
             of
             the
             Ghost
             upon
             the
             Cross
             ;
             for
             this
             is
             a
             distinct
             Article
             of
             the
             Ancient
             Creed
             and
             agrees
             with
             Acts
             2.27
             .
             
               Thou
               wilt
               not
               leave
               my
               Soul
               in
               Hell
               ,
            
             which
             was
             Prophetically
             spoken
             by
             the
             Psalmist
             ,
             of
             Christ's
             descending
             into
             Hell
             ,
             and
             of
             his
             Redemption
             from
             it
             ;
             and
             Ephes
             .
             4.9
             .
             't
             is
             said
             ,
             that
             before
             he
             ascended
             ,
             he
             descended
             into
             the
             lower
             parts
             of
             the
             Earth
             ,
             which
             cannot
             be
             meant
             of
             his
             outward
             Body
             ,
             because
             that
             lay
             in
             ,
             or
             near
             the
             superficies
             of
             the
             Earth
             :
             or
             as
             in
             Mat.
             12.40
             .
             into
             the
             Heart
             of
             the
             Earth
             :
             Where
             there
             is
             a
             parallel
             made
             betwixt
             Jonas
             and
             Christ
             ,
             the
             Type
             ,
             and
             the
             Antitype
             ,
             which
             cannot
             well
             correspond
             except
             Christ
             descended
             into
             the
             Sphere
             of
             the
             inward
             Spiritual
             Leviathan
             ,
             as
             Jonas
             into
             the
             belly
             of
             the
             outward
             :
             from
             whence
             (
             in
             Type
             of
             Christ
             )
             he
             said
             ,
             Jonah
             2.2
             .
             
               Out
               of
               the
               Belly
               of
               Hell
               cryed
               I
               ,
               and
               thou
               heardest
               my
               Voice
               .
            
             Now
             Hell
             or
             the
             Dark
             World
             ,
             
             may
             be
             called
             the
             heart
             of
             the
             Earth
             ,
             1.
             
             In
             allusion
             to
             that
             large
             Sphere
             or
             Lake
             of
             Fire
             ,
             which
             according
             to
             
               Des
               Cartes
            
             and
             some
             learned
             Hermetick
             Philosophers
             ,
             is
             seated
             in
             and
             about
             the
             Center
             of
             the
             Earth
             .
          
           
             2
             dly
             .
             In
             that
             acording
             to
             the
             eternal
             Gradation
             of
             Beings
             and
             Principles
             ,
             it
             may
             be
             said
             to
             be
             within
             ,
             in
             the
             middle
             or
             Center
             of
             it
             ;
             the
             Earth
             and
             all
             Terrestrial
             Matter
             being
             more
             outward
             ,
             in
             the
             Circumference
             .
             And
             though
             Hell
             is
             called
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             (
             Mat.
             8.12
             .
             )
             The
             utter
             or
             more
             outward
             darkness
             ,
             yet
             that
             's
             spoken
             in
             relation
             to
             Paradise
             ,
             and
             the
             Eternal
             World
             ,
             not
             in
             reference
             to
             the
             Earth
             and
             this
             World.
             Now
             Christ
             having
             passed
             through
             this
             Principle
             into
             Paradise
             ,
             draws
             us
             all
             after
             him
             ,
             according
             to
             that
             Promise
             ;
             
               When
               I
               am
               lifted
               up
               on
               the
               Cross
               ,
               I
               will
               draw
               all
               Men
               unto
               me
               .
            
             Now
             this
             is
             no
             other
             way
             ,
             than
             that
             he
             went
             through
             himself
             ;
             for
             there
             is
             but
             one
             way
             into
             everlasting
             Life
             ,
             and
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             Glory
             ;
             and
             that
             very
             narrow
             too
             ,
             according
             to
             Christs
             words
             ,
             
               Strait
               is
               the
               Gate
               and
               narrow
               ,
               or
               afflicted
               ,
               is
               the
               way
               that
               leads
               into
               Life
               ,
            
             
             
               and
               few
               there
               be
               that
               find
               it
            
             :
             Even
             they
             only
             who
             deny
             themselves
             and
             take
             up
             their
             Crosses
             ,
             and
             follow
             him
             ,
             who
             is
             the
             Way
             ,
             not
             only
             through
             this
             World
             ,
             but
             even
             through
             Death
             and
             Hell
             also
             ;
             for
             ,
             though
             in
             conformity
             to
             his
             pattern
             ,
             we
             come
             to
             be
             cast
             into
             Hell
             ,
             which
             (
             Mat.
             13.50
             .
             )
             is
             called
             the
             Furnace
             of
             Fire
             ,
             (
             typed
             forth
             by
             Nebuchadnezzars
             fiery
             Furnace
             ,
             into
             which
             the
             three
             Children
             were
             cast
             :
             )
             yet
             the
             Son
             of
             God
             walks
             there
             with
             us
             ,
             keeping
             us
             from
             that
             Torment
             and
             Pain
             ,
             which
             the
             damned
             undergo
             ;
             and
             making
             us
             (
             with
             him
             )
             to
             triumph
             over
             Principalities
             and
             Powers
             ,
             and
             to
             conquer
             them
             by
             the
             Blood
             of
             the
             everlasting
             Covenant
             ;
             which
             quenching
             the
             fire
             of
             wrath
             ,
             raiseth
             the
             Spirits
             of
             the
             Obedient
             
             out
             of
             this
             dark
             grave
             ,
             into
             the
             joys
             of
             Paradise
             .
             But
             we
             must
             know
             that
             in
             our
             Progress
             we
             may
             many
             times
             be
             cast
             into
             Terror
             and
             Anguish
             ;
             Yea
             feel
             Hell
             awakened
             in
             us
             ,
             and
             afterwards
             be
             delivered
             by
             some
             influence
             of
             Christs
             Spirit
             ,
             and
             infusions
             of
             his
             Love
             ,
             and
             yet
             be
             short
             of
             this
             Resurrection
             ,
             and
             of
             passing
             through
             Hell
             as
             Conquerors
             ,
             which
             can
             never
             be
             till
             we
             descend
             thither
             without
             Guilt
             ,
             in
             Child-like
             Innocency
             ,
             with
             the
             Candle
             of
             the
             Lord
             in
             our
             hands
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             Pillar
             of
             Fire
             which
             alone
             can
             lead
             us
             through
             this
             Night
             ,
             into
             the
             Day
             of
             Paradise
             .
             To
             which
             State
             whoever
             attain
             ,
             cannot
             but
             sing
             thus
             ,
             in
             the
             joy
             of
             their
             Spirits
             .
          
           
             
               Ye
               Morning
               Stars
               ,
               ye
               Sons
               of
               Light
               ,
            
          
           
             
               Rejoice
               with
               Jubilation
            
             :
          
           
             As
             (a)
             
               once
               ye
               did
               when
               that
               first
               Night
            
          
           
             
               Was
               scatter'd
               by
               Creation
            
             .
          
           
             
               Behold
               the
               Prince
               of
               Night
               is
               thrown
            
          
           
             
               Into
               his
               proper
               Place
            
             :
          
           
             
               And
               he
               that
               cast
               the
               Dragon
               down
               ,
            
          
           
             Hath
             (b)
             
               raised
               me
               by
               his
               Grace
            
             .
          
           
             
               And
               now
               I
               stand
               above
               that
               Grave
               ,
            
          
           
             
               Where
               Wrath
               entombed
               is
            
             ;
          
           
             
               And
               wait
               ,
               that
               rich
               Crown
               to
               receive
               ,
            
          
           
             
               Which
               will
               be
               perfect
               Bliss
            
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             XIII
             .
          
           
             BY
             this
             time
             the
             Soul
             experienceth
             the
             happy
             state
             of
             being
             freed
             from
             the
             principle
             of
             Selfness
             ,
             in
             returning
             to
             God
             from
             the
             Spirit
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             sees
             the
             real
             progress
             it
             hath
             made
             from
             the
             Outward
             through
             the
             Inward
             Dark
             World
             ,
             into
             the
             Internal
             Paradise
             ;
             where
             Adam
             lived
             before
             his
             Fall
             ,
             and
             where
             Christ
             conversed
             ,
             betwixt
             the
             time
             of
             his
             Resurrection
             and
             Ascention
             .
             In
             this
             spiritual
             Region
             the
             Curse
             is
             not
             manifest
             ,
             there
             being
             a
             perpetual
             Spring
             .
             Here
             are
             the
             Idea's
             of
             all
             visible
             bodies
             ,
             in
             much
             Beauty
             and
             appearing
             ,
             lustre
             .
             Here
             are
             those
             bright
             Clouds
             which
             overshadowed
             Christ
             on
             the
             Mount
             ,
             and
             when
             he
             was
             received
             up
             into
             Heaven
             ;
             in
             which
             he
             will
             descend
             (d)
             when
             he
             comes
             again
             to
             judge
             the
             Earth
             .
             Now
             the
             Soul
             having
             attained
             to
             the
             State
             of
             this
             Angelical
             Garden
             ,
             knows
             what
             it
             is
             to
             turn
             and
             become
             as
             a
             (e)
             Child
             ,
             and
             to
             attain
             a
             secret
             and
             quiet
             Life
             of
             Innocency
             and
             pure
             Love
             ,
             free
             from
             those
             Passions
             and
             Evil
             Affections
             it
             had
             formerly
             groaned
             under
             .
             And
             here
             it
             experienceth
             what
             it
             is
             to
             be
             born
             of
             (f)
             Water
             and
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             as
             a
             necessary
             qualification
             to
             do
             the
             will
             of
             God
             :
             And
             sees
             its
             Conception
             in
             the
             Womb
             of
             Wisdom
             (
             which
             is
             our
             new
             Mother
             )
             who
             here
             distills
             the
             Milk
             of
             the
             Eternal
             Word
             ,
             (
             from
             the
             Eternal
             World
             )
             to
             feed
             and
             nourish
             the
             Soul
             :
             whither
             it
             now
             Travels
             as
             fixing
             its
             sight
             upon
             that
             pure
             River
             of
             Water
             of
             Life
             ,
             clear
             as
             Chrystal
             ,
             (g)
             proceeding
             out
             of
             the
             Throne
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             of
             the
             Lamb.
             But
             now
             likewise
             the
             Soul
             lives
             the
             life
             of
             Spiritual
             Vegitation
             ,
             and
             grows
             like
             a
             Willow
             by
             the
             Water-Courses
             ,
             or
             (h)
             a
             Lilly
             in
             the
             Garden
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             being
             
             continually
             refreshed
             with
             the
             Dews
             of
             the
             Eternal
             Heavens
             ,
             and
             quickened
             by
             the
             Beams
             of
             the
             Sun
             of
             Righteousness
             ,
             and
             cherished
             with
             the
             enlivening
             gales
             of
             the
             Holy
             Spirit
             .
             All
             that
             are
             in
             this
             state
             are
             like
             the
             harmless
             flowers
             in
             a
             fruitful
             Garden
             ,
             springing
             from
             the
             same
             ground
             ,
             yet
             differing
             in
             Colour
             ,
             Virtue
             ,
             Smell
             ,
             and
             growth
             ,
             according
             to
             their
             several
             Natures
             ,
             and
             times
             of
             Planting
             ;
             yet
             all
             serving
             to
             express
             the
             Power
             ,
             Love
             ,
             and
             Wisdom
             of
             their
             Creator
             ,
             without
             any
             Strife
             or
             Contention
             for
             Eminency
             Place
             or
             Esteem
             ,
             being
             all
             satisfyed
             with
             what
             God
             affords
             them
             ,
             and
             their
             different
             Capacities
             fit
             them
             for
             .
             O
             what
             a
             sweet
             Harmony
             is
             here
             !
             What
             a
             beautiful
             consent
             in
             expressing
             the
             goodness
             of
             the
             great
             Creator
             of
             all
             things
             ?
             How
             far
             are
             Spirits
             here
             from
             envying
             the
             different
             Beauties
             and
             Ornaments
             one
             of
             another
             ?
             How
             sweetly
             do
             they
             incline
             to
             mutual
             love
             and
             agreement
             ?
             as
             being
             the
             Branches
             of
             one
             pure
             Root
             ,
             as
             enjoying
             the
             same
             kind
             of
             nourishment
             ,
             and
             receiving
             Life
             from
             the
             same
             (i)
             quickening
             Spirit
             ?
             How
             is
             all
             Wrath
             and
             Contention
             here
             forgot
             ?
             How
             amiable
             do
             Spirits
             now
             begin
             to
             grow
             in
             the
             Eyes
             of
             Christ
             ,
             by
             their
             innocent
             Childishness
             ?
             And
             truly
             in
             this
             dispensation
             ,
             we
             come
             to
             be
             cloathed
             with
             humility
             ,
             wrap'd
             up
             in
             meekness
             ;
             expressing
             nothing
             but
             the
             blessed
             Effects
             of
             Heaven
             upon
             Earth
             ;
             here
             we
             are
             full
             of
             Love-meltings
             towards
             Christ
             ,
             who
             baptiseth
             us
             in
             the
             soft
             Water
             of
             Spiritual
             Meekness
             ;
             which
             overspreads
             the
             Soul
             ,
             not
             suffering
             any
             of
             the
             fire
             of
             Passion
             to
             spring
             up
             .
             In
             this
             state
             the
             Soul
             is
             very
             watchful
             over
             every
             motion
             ,
             in
             the
             outward
             and
             inward
             Man
             ,
             fearing
             to
             step
             down
             again
             into
             Nature
             ,
             where
             before
             it
             had
             so
             much
             Trouble
             and
             (l)
             Bitterness
             ;
             whereas
             now
             it
             is
             in
             a
             sweet
             pleasant
             Rest
             ,
             lying
             upon
             the
             Bed
             of
             Innocency
             ,
             solacing
             its
             self
             in
             the
             sweet
             
             (m)
             Embraces
             of
             its
             Saviour
             ,
             who
             now
             begins
             to
             shew
             himself
             very
             clearly
             ,
             and
             to
             afford
             almost
             continual
             Refreshments
             :
             In
             a
             word
             ,
             this
             is
             a
             life
             of
             Stilness
             ,
             silence
             ,
             and
             Spiritual
             Simplicity
             ;
             in
             which
             the
             Soul
             turning
             its
             Eyes
             from
             Nature
             ,
             looks
             directly
             forward
             to
             (n)
             Eternity
             ;
             and
             strongly
             breaths
             after
             its
             arrival
             there
             .
             And
             here
             we
             come
             to
             know
             the
             Work
             of
             the
             fifth
             day
             in
             our
             New
             Creation
             ,
             answering
             the
             fifth
             of
             those
             seven
             Spirits
             ,
             which
             are
             the
             Eyes
             of
             the
             Lamb
             of
             God
             ,
             Rev.
             5.6
             .
          
           
             
               
                 If
                 Harmony
                 doth
                 in
                 this
                 Fifth
                 arise
                 ,
              
            
             
               
                 What
                 will
                 it
                 be
                 ,
                 when
                 thou
                 dost
                 Sabbatize
                 ,
              
            
             
               
                 In
                 that
                 last
                 day
                 ,
                 where
                 all
                 variety
              
            
             
               
                 Concenters
                 in
                 a
                 perfect
                 Vnity
              
               !
            
          
           
             
               
                 Then
                 stand
                 thou
                 fast
                 ,
                 poor
                 Soul
                 ,
                 and
                 keep
                 thy
                 ground
                 ,
              
            
             
               
                 Till
                 with
                 Eternal
                 Love
                 thou
                 shalt
                 be
                 Crown'd
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 Take
                 heed
                 of
                 Lust
                 which
              
               (o)
               
                 unlock'd
                 Adams
                 Eyes
              
               ,
            
             
               
                 And
                 Cast
                 him
                 to
                 the
                 Earth
                 from
                 Paradise
                 .
              
            
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             XIV
             .
          
           
             WHen
             the
             Soul
             is
             arrived
             to
             this
             ,
             Baptisme
             of
             Meekness
             and
             innocent
             Love
             ,
             and
             hath
             experienced
             the
             comfortable
             distillations
             of
             the
             Heavenly
             dew
             to
             its
             very
             great
             profit
             and
             growth
             ,
             it
             comes
             to
             be
             much
             confirmed
             and
             established
             in
             this
             principle
             ,
             and
             finds
             the
             effects
             of
             its
             present
             station
             to
             be
             very
             blessed
             ,
             in
             comparison
             of
             what
             it
             was
             ▪
             when
             it
             stood
             in
             the
             fire
             of
             awakened
             Nature
             .
             And
             now
             seems
             as
             one
             
             that
             hath
             passed
             thorough
             a
             hot
             fiery
             Region
             into
             a
             moderate
             cool
             Air
             ,
             where
             gentle
             gales
             of
             Wind
             breath
             upon
             it
             ,
             and
             refreshing
             dues
             entertain
             it
             ,
             and
             cooling
             (p)
             waters
             are
             afforded
             to
             take
             away
             the
             sense
             of
             Thirst
             .
             And
             now
             it
             perceives
             the
             happiness
             of
             those
             who
             have
             made
             their
             way
             by
             death
             thorough
             irregular
             and
             discording
             Nature
             ,
             into
             that
             Spiritual
             state
             where
             there
             is
             Joy
             ,
             Peace
             ,
             (q)
             Rest
             and
             Harmony
             .
             This
             condition
             then
             brings
             with
             it
             a
             greater
             Death
             (r)
             to
             the
             World
             and
             all
             Worldly
             things
             ,
             a
             total
             disrelishing
             of
             all
             things
             corrupt
             and
             impure
             though
             more
             refined
             ,
             and
             so
             as
             it
             is
             deadned
             to
             the
             World
             and
             Selfishness
             ,
             it
             (s)
             lives
             the
             more
             to
             God
             and
             all
             Goodness
             ,
             and
             finds
             its
             Will
             more
             strongly
             drawn
             to
             Christ
             and
             Eternity
             .
             And
             this
             dispensation
             into
             which
             the
             Soul
             now
             enters
             ,
             is
             a
             state
             of
             much
             (t)
             life
             and
             Quickning
             ,
             and
             of
             much
             pleasing
             Enjoyment
             from
             the
             Objects
             of
             the
             internal
             Senses
             renewed
             and
             restored
             by
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God
             ;
             for
             here
             the
             (u)
             internal
             Faculties
             of
             Spiritual
             Sensation
             are
             more
             opened
             ,
             and
             give
             a
             greater
             enjoyment
             of
             the
             first
             Angelical
             (w)
             Life
             which
             was
             in
             Paradise
             :
             And
             we
             attain
             the
             Use
             and
             Restauration
             of
             these
             Faculties
             ,
             through
             our
             growth
             in
             Regeneration
             ,
             and
             as
             a
             priviledge
             purchased
             for
             us
             by
             Christ
             :
             So
             that
             all
             Saints
             shall
             partake
             of
             them
             ,
             either
             Here
             or
             in
             Heaven
             ,
             according
             as
             their
             Attainments
             are
             .
             In
             this
             state
             our
             Internal
             (x)
             Eye
             is
             more
             unlocked
             to
             behold
             the
             Paradisical
             .
             World
             with
             those
             Luminous
             Objects
             and
             Inhabitants
             that
             are
             in
             it
             :
             Here
             we
             see
             such
             bright
             Clouds
             as
             the
             Disciples
             (
             Math.
             17.5
             .
             )
             saw
             on
             the
             Mount
             and
             at
             Christs
             Ascention
             when
             he
             was
             taken
             up
             into
             Heaven
             (
             Acts
             1.9
             .
             )
             In
             which
             he
             will
             likewise
             descend
             again
             Math.
             24.30
             .
             Here
             also
             we
             see
             the
             Angels
             of
             God
             ascending
             and
             descending
             ,
             as
             Jacob
             at
             Bethell
             ,
             Gen.
             28.12
             .
             In
             this
             state
             also
             our
             inward
             Ear
             is
             
             sweetly
             entertained
             with
             Angelical
             Harmony
             ,
             hearing
             the
             sweet
             (y)
             Harpers
             upon
             
               Mount
               Sion
            
             ,
             and
             the
             Voices
             of
             those
             that
             sing
             the
             Song
             of
             Moses
             and
             the
             Lamb
             ,
             and
             of
             those
             that
             cry
             Hallelujah
             !
             Hallelujah
             !
             Rev.
             19.1
             ,
             3
             ,
             4
             ,
             6.
             with
             many
             other
             voices
             out
             of
             the
             Eternal
             World
             ,
             Rev.
             4.1
             .
             Moreover
             our
             internal
             Feeling
             is
             almost
             continually
             entertained
             with
             the
             strong
             Contactions
             of
             the
             (z)
             Word
             of
             Life
             ,
             which
             sometimes
             discover
             themselves
             by
             thrilling
             Motions
             throughout
             the
             whole
             Man
             ;
             but
             most
             commonly
             by
             strong
             Infusions
             of
             the
             pure
             burning
             tincture
             of
             Jesus
             (
             Luk.
             24.32
             .
             )
             into
             the
             Heart
             .
             In
             this
             state
             likewise
             we
             oft
             Smell
             the
             hot
             perfumes
             (a)
             of
             Paradise
             ,
             and
             are
             pierced
             through
             with
             most
             delightful
             Odours
             ,
             which
             infuse
             themselves
             into
             the
             Tincture
             of
             the
             heart
             ▪
             and
             create
             Delight
             ,
             and
             give
             a
             plain
             feeling
             and
             sense
             of
             the
             presence
             of
             Paradise
             ,
             and
             that
             invisible
             light
             World
             where
             there
             is
             no
             Curse
             nor
             Corruption
             .
             And
             in
             a
             word
             ,
             here
             we
             feed
             upon
             the
             Heavenly
             Manna
             ,
             Angels
             food
             ,
             which
             is
             living
             bread
             ,
             that
             quickens
             ,
             enlivens
             ,
             and
             corroborates
             the
             Soul
             ;
             and
             we
             oft
             taste
             very
             sweet
             Dews
             diffusing
             themselves
             with
             much
             pleasure
             into
             that
             internal
             Sense
             of
             taste
             ,
             which
             lies
             within
             the
             Organ
             of
             the
             Tongue
             .
             Thus
             all
             the
             Spiritual
             Faculties
             of
             Sensation
             are
             in
             this
             dispensation
             more
             opened
             ,
             and
             more
             freely
             entertained
             with
             their
             peculiar
             Objects
             .
             But
             yet
             we
             are
             not
             to
             rest
             in
             these
             Enjoyments
             ,
             nor
             to
             go
             to
             build
             Tabernacles
             with
             them
             ,
             but
             to
             look
             forward
             and
             to
             press
             after
             perfect
             Union
             with
             the
             Divine
             Nature
             in
             the
             Eternal
             World
             ,
             where
             is
             our
             true
             Sabbath
             of
             Rest
             ,
             in
             the
             Vision
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             perfect
             fruition
             of
             his
             Love
             for
             ever
             ,
             1
             Thes
             .
             4.17
             .
             Heb.
             4.9
             .
          
           
           
             
               The
               Pleasures
               which
               in
               this
               state
               we
               enjoy
               ,
            
          
           
             
               Are
               only
               known
               to
               those
               that
               do
               Obey
            
             ;
          
           
             
               For
               Souls
               that
               do
               Imbibe
               sins
               poyson
               here
               ,
            
          
           
             
               Have
               neither
               Eyes
               to
               see
               nor
               Ears
               to
               hear
            
          
           
             
               Those
               sacred
               Objects
               of
               Divine
               Sensation
               ,
            
          
           
             
               Which
               are
               the
               Pleasures
               of
               the
               new
               Creation
            
             :
          
           
             
               Man
               's
               lapsed
               Sense
               and
               Reason
               know
               them
               not
               ,
            
          
           
             
               They
               are
               the
               Little
               Childrens
               Sacred
               Lot.
               
            
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             XV.
             
          
           
             BY
             this
             time
             the
             Soul
             begins
             to
             draw
             near
             the
             Eternal
             World
             ,
             in
             its
             fixed
             station
             and
             habitual
             Enjoyment
             ,
             lying
             under
             the
             showers
             of
             Love
             ,
             which
             descend
             from
             the
             heart
             of
             God
             and
             the
             bosom
             of
             Sophia
             :
             Here
             the
             blessed
             Tincture
             of
             Jesus
             coming
             so
             powerfully
             ,
             as
             though
             it
             streamed
             from
             his
             glorifyed
             Humanity
             ,
             flows
             into
             the
             Soul
             like
             a
             River
             of
             Oyl
             mixed
             with
             fire
             ,
             which
             affords
             that
             unutterable
             Delight
             ,
             which
             cannot
             be
             conceived
             by
             those
             that
             know
             it
             not
             experimentally
             .
             Here
             Christ
             saith
             ,
             Drink
             ▪
             yea
             ,
             drink
             abundantly
             ,
             O
             beloved
             ,
             and
             filts
             large
             Cups
             of
             Love
             ,
             Heavenly
             Love
             to
             power
             into
             the
             Soul
             ;
             so
             that
             it
             sometimes
             comes
             to
             be
             (b)
             sick
             of
             Love
             ,
             not
             knowing
             how
             to
             carry
             its
             self
             through
             the
             abundant
             showers
             that
             fall
             
             upon
             it
             ▪
             For
             Christ
             many
             times
             toucheth
             the
             Soul
             with
             a
             piercing
             Beam
             of
             Love
             ,
             which
             by
             this
             ,
             is
             suddenly
             drawn
             to
             a
             quick
             return
             ;
             and
             this
             gives
             freer
             passage
             for
             a
             new
             Impression
             ,
             which
             more
             exciting
             the
             Powers
             of
             the
             Soul
             to
             a
             new
             Imbrace
             ,
             opens
             the
             way
             more
             for
             the
             King
             of
             Glory
             to
             enter
             with
             that
             power
             and
             unutterable
             force
             of
             Divine
             Love
             ,
             that
             the
             Soul
             becomes
             filled
             ,
             swallowed
             up
             ,
             and
             transported
             into
             a
             kind
             of
             Rapture
             ,
             not
             being
             able
             to
             express
             those
             Pleasures
             ,
             Gusts
             ,
             Imbraces
             ,
             Love-Extasies
             ,
             which
             then
             are
             piercing
             thorough
             it
             ;
             nor
             sufficient
             Praises
             and
             Hallelujahs
             to
             the
             great
             King
             of
             Saints
             ,
             who
             bestows
             such
             Royal
             tokens
             of
             Love
             upon
             it
             .
             And
             as
             in
             this
             state
             there
             is
             such
             holy
             Commerce
             in
             pure
             Love
             betwixt
             God
             and
             the
             Soul
             ,
             so
             there
             is
             betwixt
             the
             Soul
             and
             (c)
             other
             Saints
             ,
             who
             cannot
             but
             wonderfully
             own
             and
             love
             one
             another
             ,
             and
             delight
             in
             that
             likeness
             of
             God
             ,
             which
             they
             see
             in
             each
             other
             ,
             and
             bless
             him
             for
             those
             living
             Powers
             of
             Grace
             and
             Love
             that
             are
             communicated
             in
             the
             Worship
             of
             God
             ,
             by
             which
             they
             exceedingly
             refresh
             each
             others
             Spirits
             .
             (
             Now
             this
             mutual
             love
             chiefly
             flows
             from
             a
             (d)
             sight
             and
             sense
             of
             Oneness
             ,
             which
             exceedingly
             enforceth
             this
             great
             closing
             and
             out-slowing
             of
             Spirit
             to
             delight
             ,
             comfort
             ,
             and
             refresh
             one
             another
             .
             And
             here
             is
             that
             strength
             of
             Love
             that
             we
             could
             give
             our
             (e)
             lives
             for
             the
             Brethren
             ,
             and
             endure
             much
             Affliction
             to
             flee
             them
             from
             sufferings
             :
             Here
             we
             bear
             one
             anothers
             Burdens
             ,
             and
             so
             fulfil
             the
             Royal
             Law
             of
             Love
             ;
             for
             we
             can
             keep
             nothing
             as
             our
             own
             ,
             but
             what
             we
             heartily
             communicate
             and
             make
             our
             Brethren
             partakers
             of
             ,
             because
             they
             are
             part
             of
             our selves
             .
             Here
             we
             come
             to
             practice
             that
             heavenly
             Law
             ,
             of
             loving
             our
             Neighbours
             as
             our Selves
             ,
             and
             of
             doing
             Gods
             Will
             on
             Earth
             as
             it
             is
             done
             in
             Heaven
             ;
             for
             which
             end
             Man
             and
             the
             visible
             World
             
             were
             brought
             forth
             .
             For
             the
             breaking
             forth
             of
             sin
             and
             wrath
             ,
             was
             not
             according
             to
             Gods
             most
             pure
             and
             holy
             Will
             ,
             which
             is
             good
             ,
             and
             tends
             to
             Salvation
             and
             Blessing
             ,
             and
             the
             keeping
             of
             his
             Creatures
             in
             that
             primitive
             Harmony
             ,
             in
             which
             they
             came
             out
             of
             Gods
             hands
             as
             fitted
             to
             glorifie
             him
             through
             mutual
             Love
             ,
             and
             regular
             Obedience
             .
             And
             this
             is
             the
             end
             of
             Christs
             Coming
             into
             the
             World
             of
             Mans
             Nature
             ,
             even
             to
             restore
             it
             from
             the
             Discord
             of
             Sin
             and
             Wrath
             ,
             to
             the
             Harmony
             of
             pure
             Love
             and
             Righteousness
             ;
             therefore
             't
             is
             a
             happy
             state
             to
             have
             attained
             this
             Habit
             of
             Love
             before
             described
             ,
             which
             will
             not
             terminate
             within
             the
             Sphere
             of
             our
             Neighbours
             and
             Brethren
             ,
             but
             in
             some
             measure
             flow
             out
             to
             all
             ;
             causing
             us
             to
             breath
             after
             ,
             endeavour
             ,
             and
             (f)
             pray
             for
             their
             Change
             :
             for
             it
             is
             the
             Nature
             of
             true
             Love
             to
             communicate
             it self
             and
             to
             delight
             in
             propagating
             its
             own
             heavenly
             Image
             ,
             that
             so
             many
             may
             come
             to
             partake
             of
             Bliss
             and
             Happiness
             through
             it
             :
             And
             in
             this
             Enjoyment
             ,
             if
             we
             find
             any
             that
             know
             and
             posses
             but
             little
             ,
             yet
             thirst
             much
             after
             God
             ,
             O
             how
             will
             our
             hearts
             burn
             within
             us
             !
             How
             ready
             shall
             we
             be
             to
             employ
             our
             Talents
             for
             their
             good
             ,
             and
             to
             discover
             that
             Way
             which
             leads
             through
             Nature
             into
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             the
             Love
             ?
             What
             labour
             and
             pains
             could
             we
             take
             to
             be
             instrumental
             in
             changing
             ,
             and
             quickning
             them
             ,
             and
             in
             bringing
             them
             through
             the
             Cross
             to
             our
             ovvn
             state
             of
             Happiness
             ;
             so
             that
             this
             Dispensation
             abounds
             much
             in
             Love
             ,
             both
             to
             God
             and
             our
             Neighbour
             ,
             fitting
             the
             Soul
             for
             Ascention
             into
             Eternity
             ,
             there
             to
             see
             and
             know
             with
             Satisfaction
             and
             Delight
             ,
             those
             Wonders
             which
             the
             holy
             Angels
             and
             glorifyed
             Saints
             are
             continually
             viewing
             with
             Joy
             and
             Admiration
             .
          
           
           
             
               Blest
               is
               that
               Soul
               which
               is
               arrived
               here
               ,
            
          
           
             
               Where
               quickning
               Love
               casts
               out
               dejecting
               Fear
            
             ;
          
           
             
               And
               gives
               that
               sweet
               Composure
               to
               the
               Mind
               ,
            
          
           
             
               That
               it
               lyes
               passive
               to
               that
               Holy
               Wind
               ,
            
          
           
             
               Which
               blowing
               from
               the
               highest
               Paradise
               ,
            
          
           
             
               Invites
               the
               Soul
               to
               come
               and
               Sabbatise
            
          
           
             
               In
               that
               bright
               day
               ,
               where
               the
               Arch-Angels
               sing
            
          
           
             
               Sweet
               Hallelujahs
               to
               our
               Christ
               their
               King.
               
            
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             XVI
             .
             
               Being
               the
               Conclusion
               to
               the
               Rest
               .
            
          
           
             THE
             Soul
             being
             brought
             thus
             far
             in
             the
             Heart-Work
             by
             the
             Power
             of
             Jesus
             ,
             through
             the
             practice
             of
             the
             Cross
             ,
             in
             Self-denial
             and
             Resignation
             ,
             lives
             in
             habitual
             springings
             up
             of
             the
             Love
             in
             the
             Centre
             of
             it's
             Spirit
             ,
             where
             the
             work
             is
             near
             finished
             ,
             the
             Will
             being
             constantly
             drawn
             toward
             the
             Heart
             of
             God
             in
             the
             Chariot
             of
             Love.
             And
             in
             this
             State
             the
             Soul
             is
             completely
             fitted
             for
             Ascension
             ,
             and
             the
             opening
             of
             the
             Eternal
             World
             ,
             which
             is
             part
             of
             the
             Head-work
             ;
             for
             in
             that
             the
             spiritual
             Eye
             is
             seated
             ,
             which
             is
             capable
             to
             see
             and
             know
             the
             wonders
             of
             Eternity
             .
             And
             though
             some
             in
             a
             rapture
             may
             be
             taken
             up
             into
             that
             World
             long
             before
             the
             work
             in
             their
             Hearts
             ,
             Wills
             ,
             and
             Affections
             is
             finished
             ;
             yet
             such
             must
             afterward
             go
             through
             the
             work
             in
             Nature
             ,
             of
             rectifying
             all
             their
             Properties
             ,
             and
             of
             bringing
             their
             Wills
             into
             
             Death
             ,
             and
             pure
             Resignation
             ,
             that
             so
             they
             may
             be
             fitted
             for
             the
             Birth
             of
             the
             Love
             ;
             whence
             its
             clear
             that
             this
             State
             of
             Regeneration
             ,
             attained
             in
             the
             Will
             through
             the
             Death
             ,
             is
             far
             more
             considerable
             ,
             and
             nearer
             Perfection
             than
             the
             highest
             Rapture
             without
             such
             a
             foregoing
             work
             ;
             and
             the
             Ascension
             after
             this
             work
             of
             Regeneration
             in
             the
             Heart
             ,
             is
             more
             weighty
             ,
             and
             more
             tending
             to
             Perfection
             ,
             than
             any
             Rapture
             of
             Transportation
             before
             ,
             can
             be
             ;
             because
             by
             such
             a
             Work
             ,
             the
             Will
             is
             wrought
             up
             into
             a
             constant
             Union
             with
             Christ
             ,
             which
             by
             Ascension
             ,
             is
             more
             confirmed
             and
             established
             ,
             the
             Heart
             through
             that
             ,
             being
             more
             raised
             above
             (g)
             all
             mortal
             corruptible
             Objects
             ,
             and
             more
             reduced
             into
             a
             passive
             silent
             waiting
             for
             the
             Opening
             of
             the
             
               Eternal
               Temple
            
             ,
             whence
             the
             infallible
             Voice
             proceeds
             ,
             and
             where
             the
             great
             High-Priest
             sparkles
             with
             the
             most
             bright
             Beams
             of
             divine
             Glory
             .
             But
             the
             manner
             of
             the
             Souls
             Ascending
             from
             the
             Internal
             to
             the
             Eternal
             World
             ,
             is
             very
             remarkable
             and
             wonderful
             .
             It
             (h)
             cannot
             of
             its
             self
             move
             one
             degree
             upward
             ;
             That
             same
             hand
             of
             power
             which
             carried
             it
             downward
             ,
             to
             see
             the
             Wonders
             of
             God
             in
             the
             Depths
             ,
             must
             carry
             it
             upward
             to
             see
             his
             Wonders
             in
             the
             high
             places
             above
             .
             So
             that
             in
             this
             the
             Soul
             is
             meerly
             passive
             ;
             The
             Spirit
             of
             Christ
             being
             the
             Agent
             ,
             which
             descending
             with
             an
             over-shadowing
             Vertue
             upon
             it
             ,
             wraps
             (i)
             it
             up
             swiftly
             ,
             and
             in
             a
             strong
             force
             (
             by
             which
             the
             Souls
             Acts
             are
             for
             a
             while
             suspended
             )
             translates
             it
             ,
             as
             it
             were
             ,
             in
             a
             strait
             Line
             from
             the
             Inward
             ,
             toward
             the
             Inmost
             .
             In
             this
             Translation
             or
             Ascension
             ,
             what
             Wonders
             are
             seen
             and
             felt
             ,
             I
             shall
             not
             particularly
             express
             :
             But
             in
             general
             ,
             this
             I
             must
             declare
             ,
             That
             there
             is
             an
             unutterable
             Power
             transfusing
             the
             Soul
             in
             this
             Ascent
             ,
             which
             first
             comes
             into
             the
             Womb
             of
             the
             Invisible
             Worlds
             (
             out
             of
             which
             they
             issue
             )
             in
             which
             it
             finds
             an
             Universal
             Silence
             or
             
             Stilness
             ;
             and
             above
             which
             ,
             it
             discovers
             a
             great
             Glory
             ,
             inhabited
             by
             glorified
             Spirits
             ,
             who
             there
             live
             in
             perpetual
             Harmony
             and
             Joy
             ,
             singing
             Halelujahs
             to
             the
             Lamb
             of
             God
             ;
             and
             continually
             waiting
             upon
             the
             Infallible
             Voice
             proceeding
             from
             the
             Throne
             of
             God.
             To
             be
             taken
             into
             this
             ,
             is
             a
             further
             degree
             of
             Ascension
             ,
             being
             the
             second
             Mansion
             in
             the
             Eternal
             World
             ;
             where
             (k)
             Myriads
             of
             Angels
             attend
             those
             Commands
             ,
             which
             come
             out
             of
             the
             Most
             holy
             place
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             last
             and
             highest
             Mansion
             in
             that
             World
             ,
             answering
             to
             Love
             ,
             as
             the
             second
             to
             Life
             ,
             and
             the
             first
             to
             Light
             ,
             corresponding
             with
             the
             threefold
             manifestation
             of
             Father
             ,
             Son
             ,
             and
             Holy
             Ghost
             .
             But
             to
             speak
             much
             of
             the
             two
             last
             ,
             requires
             greater
             Experience
             than
             yet
             I
             have
             enjoyed
             .
             Neither
             is
             it
             expedient
             to
             describe
             the
             first
             ,
             nor
             those
             Wonders
             which
             are
             in
             it
             ,
             in
             regard
             of
             that
             Blindness
             and
             general
             Enmity
             which
             is
             in
             Mens
             hearts
             against
             the
             deep
             Mysteries
             of
             God
             in
             Invisible
             Nature
             .
             But
             after
             Ascension
             into
             the
             first
             ,
             the
             Soul
             becomes
             so
             much
             indued
             with
             the
             sense
             and
             apprehension
             of
             those
             Spiritual
             Mysteries
             it
             was
             there
             acquainted
             with
             ;
             and
             hath
             such
             a
             clear
             View
             of
             the
             outward
             World
             ,
             and
             of
             the
             Misery
             that
             most
             there
             lye
             in
             ,
             that
             it
             cannot
             but
             weep
             over
             the
             greatest
             part
             of
             Men
             ,
             as
             Christ
             did
             over
             Jerusalem
             ,
             as
             seeing
             them
             exceeding
             Ignorant
             of
             Eternity
             ,
             and
             so
             of
             their
             own
             Everlasting
             happiness
             ;
             and
             involved
             in
             the
             Spirit
             of
             the
             outward
             World
             ,
             where
             the
             Prince
             of
             the
             World
             holds
             them
             Captive
             ,
             and
             makes
             them
             Enemies
             to
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             Love
             ,
             in
             which
             there
             is
             no
             Enmity
             ,
             Covetousness
             ,
             Lust
             nor
             Deceit
             ,
             nor
             any
             such
             things
             as
             those
             are
             ,
             which
             in
             the
             World
             are
             most
             courted
             and
             admired
             .
             After
             this
             also
             ,
             the
             Soul
             begins
             to
             discover
             the
             Evil
             Properties
             and
             Habits
             of
             Mens
             Spirits
             ,
             very
             much
             portrayed
             in
             their
             Faces
             ,
             discovering
             
             in
             their
             very
             Aspects
             and
             Signatures
             ,
             those
             Bestial
             and
             devillish
             Passions
             by
             which
             they
             are
             swayed
             and
             captivated
             within
             ,
             so
             that
             the
             Eye
             many
             times
             affects
             the
             Heart
             with
             grief
             ,
             in
             viewing
             the
             sad
             Estate
             of
             Souls
             estranged
             from
             the
             Life
             of
             Innocency
             and
             pure
             Virginity
             ,
             and
             imprisoned
             in
             the
             dark
             Chains
             of
             Corrupt
             flesh
             and
             blood
             .
             Here
             likewise
             the
             Soul
             is
             exceeding
             Passive
             ,
             and
             much
             comprehended
             in
             deep
             abstract
             Silence
             ,
             by
             which
             it
             much
             enjoys
             unutterable
             Pleasures
             and
             Gusts
             from
             the
             inward
             ground
             of
             Eternity
             ,
             having
             much
             sense
             of
             the
             nearness
             of
             that
             Kingdom
             ,
             where
             the
             Angelical
             Thrones
             sing
             Hallelujahs
             ,
             and
             sport
             themselves
             in
             the
             Innocent
             delights
             of
             their
             Eternal
             Spheres
             and
             Luminous
             Mansions
             .
             And
             as
             the
             Soul
             passeth
             from
             the
             first
             Mansion
             towards
             the
             second
             and
             third
             ,
             Jesus
             (m)
             of
             Nazareth
             (
             in
             his
             glorified
             Humanity
             )
             begins
             to
             give
             great
             demonstrations
             of
             his
             Presence
             ;
             
             and
             to
             visit
             the
             inward
             Man
             with
             frequent
             and
             very
             great
             impressions
             ;
             so
             that
             it
             cannot
             doubt
             but
             that
             he
             is
             some
             times
             personally
             present
             ,
             infusing
             the
             Tincture
             of
             his
             glorified
             Body
             into
             the
             Heart
             ,
             which
             is
             sweeter
             than
             Hony
             ,
             and
             burns
             like
             Oil
             and
             fire
             mixed
             together
             .
             And
             truly
             this
             Dispensation
             is
             exceeding
             comfortable
             and
             very
             weighty
             ;
             for
             the
             discovery
             of
             Christs
             presence
             sometimes
             swallows
             up
             the
             Soul
             into
             unspeakable
             Joy
             ,
             being
             transfused
             with
             the
             breath
             of
             his
             Mouth
             which
             is
             most
             Odoriferous
             ;
             and
             quickened
             by
             the
             touch
             of
             his
             Body
             ,
             which
             is
             most
             Delightful
             ;
             and
             pierced
             through
             with
             the
             Sound
             of
             his
             Voice
             ,
             which
             is
             most
             harmonious
             and
             powerful
             ;
             causing
             the
             Soul
             deeply
             to
             admire
             the
             Grace
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             to
             cry
             out
             with
             Thomas
             ,
             my
             Lord
             ,
             and
             my
             God.
             
               In
               this
               dispensation
               Christ
               shews
               very
               powerfully
               the
               necessity
               of
               his
               Mediation
               ,
               as
               God-Man
               ;
               and
               that
               whatever
               we
               receive
               is
               through
               him
               ,
               who
               standing
               in
               the
               deepest
               Vnion
               with
               
               the
               Father
               ,
               conveys
               all
               Light
               ,
               Life
               and
               Love
               from
               himself
               ,
               into
               us
               ,
               who
               at
               the
               time
               of
               the
               Restitution
               of
               all
               things
               ,
            
             Act.
             3.21
             .
             
               will
               again
               Breath
               the
               Holy
               Ghost
               on
               his
               chosen
               Vessels
               ,
               of
               which
               those
               in
               the
               Primitive
               time
               received
               but
               the
               first
               Fruits
               .
            
             He
             also
             reveals
             in
             this
             state
             how
             the
             Mystery
             of
             Iniquity
             (
             even
             the
             Spirit
             of
             Anti-Christ
             )
             works
             in
             most
             Sects
             of
             Christians
             ;
             carrying
             them
             either
             to
             deny
             or
             slight
             the
             great
             Mystery
             of
             his
             Mediatory
             Office
             :
             Or
             by
             misconceptions
             ,
             to
             cry
             up
             his
             Blood
             and
             Merits
             ,
             to
             the
             prejudice
             of
             Mortification
             ,
             Self-denyal
             ,
             and
             the
             Imitating
             of
             his
             most
             Innocent
             Life
             ,
             as
             our
             Pattern
             to
             walk
             by
             in
             this
             World.
             Moreover
             in
             this
             Dispensation
             ,
             the
             Soul
             enjoys
             very
             great
             Openings
             of
             Eternity
             in
             the
             Heart
             ,
             which
             are
             different
             from
             Openings
             in
             the
             Head
             ,
             where
             the
             inward
             Senses
             of
             hearing
             and
             seeing
             are
             resident
             ;
             for
             whatever
             in
             a
             Divine
             Sight
             (
             Eternity
             opening
             in
             the
             Head
             )
             we
             clearly
             and
             distinctly
             view
             and
             behold
             the
             same
             (
             in
             a
             Heart-opening
             )
             we
             really
             feel
             and
             handle
             in
             a
             Spiritual
             way
             ;
             for
             in
             it
             we
             come
             experimentally
             to
             know
             and
             perceive
             the
             Motions
             and
             Administring
             Influences
             of
             Angels
             ,
             the
             Vertue
             and
             Efficacy
             of
             Christs
             universal
             and
             particular
             Body
             :
             The
             Harmony
             ,
             Love
             ,
             and
             Enjoyments
             of
             the
             Spirits
             of
             Just
             Men
             made
             Perfect
             ;
             with
             much
             of
             the
             Glory
             and
             Majesty
             of
             that
             Kingdom
             prepared
             for
             us
             ,
             from
             the
             beginning
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             into
             which
             none
             can
             enter
             ,
             but
             those
             who
             have
             (n)
             forsaken
             all
             for
             Christ
             ,
             and
             have
             devested
             themselves
             of
             all
             the
             Vestments
             of
             Corruption
             ,
             and
             have
             put
             on
             the
             Robe
             of
             Innocency
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             Garment
             of
             true
             Virginity
             ,
             in
             which
             they
             will
             not
             be
             ashamed
             to
             stand
             before
             the
             Son
             of
             Man
             ,
             in
             his
             Kingdom
             .
          
           
           
             
               Then
               be
               ye
               wise
               Immortal
               Sparks
               of
               Fire
               ,
            
          
           
             
               And
               strive
               to
               get
               you
               Garments
               of
               pure
               Light
            
             ;
          
           
             
               In
               which
               you
               may
               from
               mortal
               Dregs
               retire
            
          
           
             
               Into
               that
               Glory
               ,
               where
               's
               no
               Spot
               of
               Night
               .
            
          
           
             
               O
               do
               but
               weigh
               how
               swiftly
               Time
               goes
               by
               ,
            
          
           
             
               And
               how
               all
               Earthly
               Pleasures
               rise
               and
               fall
            
             ;
          
           
             
               As
               soon
               as
               they
               a
               Being
               have
               ,
               they
               die
               ,
            
          
           
             
               And
               nothing
               can
               their
               hasty
               Joy
               recall
               .
            
          
           
             
               But
               when
               the
               outward
               Garment
               is
               withdrawn
               ,
            
          
           
             
               Eternity
               presents
               its
               constant
               Face
            
             ,
          
           
             
               In
               which
               all
               Actions
               clearly
               will
               be
               shown
               ,
            
          
           
             
               Which
               ever
               have
               been
               wrought
               in
               Times
               short
               Race
               .
            
          
           
             
               But
               such
               alone
               can
               there
               possessed
               be
            
          
           
             
               Of
               Happiness
               ,
               that
               have
               been
               born
               again
               :
            
          
           
             
               Others
               will
               feel
               the
               Pangs
               of
               Misery
               ,
            
          
           
             
               Who
               in
               their
               Wills
               Corruption
               still
               retain
               .
            
          
           
             
               Then
               die
               to
               Sin
               ,
               while
               on
               the
               Earth
               you
               live
            
             ;
          
           
             
               So
               after
               Death
               ,
               true
               Life
               you
               shall
               receive
               .
            
          
        
      
       
         
         
           A
           Brief
           ESSAY
           In
           VERSE
           ,
           Upon
           the
           13th
           .
           Chapter
           of
           Corinthians
           the
           First
           .
        
         
           
             1.
             
             THo'
             I
             with
             Eloquence
             should
             vested
             be
          
           
             Above
             the
             Pitch
             of
             meer
             Humanity
             ;
          
           
             So
             as
             in
             Tongues
             with
             Angels
             for
             to
             Vie
             ,
          
           
             Yet
             all
             is
             Nothing
             without
             Charity
             :
          
           
             Like
             Sounding
             Brass
             ,
             or
             the
             (a)
             loud
             Cymbals
             Noise
             ,
          
           
             Without
             true
             Life
             ,
             I
             should
             but
             form
             a
             Voice
             .
          
        
         
           
             2.
             
             And
             tho'
             I
             have
             the
             Gift
             of
             Prophecy
             ,
          
           
             And
             hidden
             Wisdom
             be
             unvail'd
             to
             me
             ;
          
           
             So
             that
             in
             Knowledge
             equal
             I
             become
          
           
             To
             the
             great
             Soul
             of
             Mighty
             Salomon
             :
          
           
             Yea
             ,
             tho'
             by
             Faith
             vast
             Hills
             I
             could
             remove
             ,
          
           
             Yet
             all
             is
             nothing
             without
             perfect
             Love.
             
          
        
         
           
             3.
             
             Tho'
             all
             my
             Goods
             on
             the
             Poor
             I
             bestow
             ,
          
           
             And
             so
             great
             Zeal
             for
             my
             Religion
             show
             ,
          
           
             As
             to
             consent
             my
             Flesh
             in
             Flames
             should
             burn
             ,
          
           
             Rather
             than
             from
             my
             Dear
             Opinion
             turn
             :
          
           
             Yet
             thence
             no
             Profit
             to
             my
             Soul
             can
             rise
             ,
          
           
             Except
             to
             Love
             ,
             it's
             self
             's
             a
             Sacrifice
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             4.
             
             This
             Love
             by
             its
             true
             Characters
             may
             be
          
           
             Distinguish'd
             from
             pretended
             Charity
             ;
          
           
             It
             perseveres
             in
             Patience
             ,
             and
             is
             kind
             ,
          
           
             Then
             when
             to
             try
             it
             ,
             all
             things
             seem
             combin'd
             .
          
           
             Envies
             black
             Tincture
             it
             did
             never
             know
             ,
          
           
             Nor
             Ostentation
             in
             its
             great
             Deeds
             show
             .
          
           
             'T
             is
             not
             inflated
             ,
             but
             will
             kiss
             the
             Dust
             ,
          
           
             To
             help
             those
             Souls
             ,
             which
             in
             its
             Goodness
             trust
             .
          
        
         
           
             5.
             
             Comely
             to
             all
             it self
             it
             doth
             express
             .
          
           
             Through
             Condescention
             seeking
             for
             to
             bless
             .
          
           
             No
             Self-Love
             ever
             did
             its
             Actions
             stain
             ,
          
           
             It
             stoops
             to
             suffer
             ,
             to
             make
             others
             Reign
             .
          
           
             No
             (b)
             bitterness
             did
             ever
             in
             it
             rise
          
           
             From
             the
             worst
             Actings
             of
             its
             Enemies
             ;
          
           
             But
             still
             it
             thinks
             the
             Best
             ,
             is
             not
             severe
          
           
             Sin
             to
             impute
             ,
             but
             rather
             all
             would
             clear
             .
          
        
         
           
             6.
             
             All
             Falshood
             and
             Injustice
             distant
             are
             ,
          
           
             As
             from
             it's
             Joys
             ,
             so
             from
             it
             's
             spotless
             Sphere
             :
          
           
             But
             Truth
             in
             Heart
             ,
             Word
             ,
             Works
             ,
             are
             it's
             delight
             ;
          
           
             A
             pleasing
             Object
             to
             a
             Virgin
             sight
             .
          
        
         
           
             7.
             
             It
             (c)
             covers
             all
             that
             Malice
             would
             reveal
             ;
          
           
             It
             pardons
             ,
             and
             would
             fain
             all
             Breaches
             heal
             .
          
           
             It
             doth
             believe
             all
             that
             may
             Crimes
             excuse
             ,
          
           
             Except
             meer
             Evidence
             makes
             it
             refuse
             .
          
           
             And
             tho'
             things
             at
             the
             present
             appear
             bad
             ,
          
           
             It
             hopes
             at
             length
             they
             will
             be
             better
             made
             .
          
           
             Thus
             it
             endureth
             all
             things
             ,
             waits
             to
             see
             ,
          
           
             Through
             the
             long
             Patience
             ,
             a
             full
             Victory
             .
          
        
         
           
             8.
             
             Which
             Love
             will
             gain
             ;
             for
             it
             can
             never
             die
             ,
          
           
             But
             must
             out-last
             the
             Gift
             of
             Prophecy
             ;
          
           
           
             Yea
             ,
             and
             of
             Languages
             ,
             for
             they
             must
             cease
             ,
          
           
             And
             give
             way
             to
             (d)
             United
             Blessedness
             :
          
           
             When
             all
             our
             Twilight
             Knowledge
             will
             expire
          
           
             In
             the
             Bright
             Beams
             of
             it's
             Eternal
             Fire
             .
          
        
         
           
             9.
             
             Knowledge
             and
             Prophecy
             are
             but
             in
             Part
             ,
          
           
             But
             Love's
             that
             Essence
             which
             must
             fill
             the
             Heart
             ;
          
           
             By
             that
             imperfect
             Gifts
             absorpt
             must
             be
             ,
          
           
             But
             that
             ends
             well
             that
             dies
             in
             Charity
             .
          
        
         
           
             10.
             
             Children
             like
             Children
             reason
             ,
             think
             and
             speak
             ,
          
           
             Their
             Intellectual
             Actings
             are
             but
             Weak
             ;
          
           
             But
             when
             to
             Manly
             Age
             we
             do
             arrive
             ,
          
           
             No
             longer
             then
             in
             Childish
             things
             we
             live
             .
          
           
             So
             when
             our
             Hopes
             in
             Love
             consummate
             are
             ,
          
           
             Imperfect
             Lights
             and
             Gifts
             will
             disappear
             .
          
        
         
           
             11.
             
             For
             little
             here
             but
             Images
             we
             see
             ,
          
           
             And
             Pictures
             of
             Essential
             Verity
             ;
          
           
             Eternal
             Truths
             in
             Riddles
             do
             appear
             ,
          
           
             Much
             is
             obscure
             ,
             but
             very
             little
             clear
             .
          
           
             Yet
             when
             the
             perfect
             Love
             we
             shall
             possess
             ,
          
           
             With
             Intuition
             Heaven
             will
             us
             Bless
             :
          
           
             Then
             Face
             to
             Face
             we
             shall
             that
             Beauty
             see
             ,
          
           
             By
             which
             Angelick
             Hosts
             astonish'd
             be
             .
          
           
             Then
             shall
             we
             know
             ,
             as
             we
             of
             him
             are
             known
             ,
          
           
             By
             Rays
             of
             Intellect
             and
             pure
             Sensation
             .
          
        
         
           
             12.
             
             Therefore
             when
             Faith
             ,
             Hope
             ,
             Love
             ,
             we
             do
             compare
             ,
          
           
             Love
             hath
             the
             Palm
             ;
             this
             Love
             the
             Crown
             doth
             wear
             .
          
           
             The
             Evidence
             of
             things
             not
             seen
             Faith
             is
             ,
          
           
             And
             Hope
             our
             Anchor
             till
             we
             come
             to
             Bliss
             ;
          
           
           
             But
             then
             they
             both
             expire
             ,
             and
             both
             resign
          
           
             To
             Love
             the
             First-born
             of
             the
             Sacred
             Trine
             ;
          
           
             Without
             which
             Heaven
             could
             not
             Heaven
             be
             ,
          
           
             Neither
             a
             Place
             of
             Rest
             ,
             nor
             Unity
             .
          
           
             'T
             is
             this
             that
             links
             Eternity
             to
             Time
             ,
          
           
             And
             makes
             the
             Heavens
             with
             our
             Earth
             to
             chime
             .
          
           
             'T
             is
             this
             that
             knits
             
               Eternal
               Souls
            
             in
             one
             ,
          
           
             And
             bind's
             the
             Angels
             in
             Conjunction
             .
          
           
             'T
             is
             this
             that
             draws
             down
             the
             Almighty
             Powers
          
           
             To
             over-shadow
             us
             in
             Golden
             Showr's
             ,
          
           
             That
             so
             our
             Hearts
             might
             more
             enriched
             be
          
           
             With
             the
             abundant
             Fruits
             of
             Charity
             .
          
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A29649-e1110
           
             Regeneration
             described
             .
          
           
             Foreseeing
             Matthias
             to
             be
             Surrogated
             into
             the
             place
             of
             Judas
             .
          
           
             (a)
             Acts
             2.37
             .
          
           
             (b)
             Eccles
             .
             7.29
             .
          
           
             (c)
             Ephes
             .
             2.3
             .
          
           
             (d)
             Luke
             8.27
             .
          
           
             (e)
             Heb.
             12.14
             .
          
           
             (f)
             Rom.
             3.19
             .
          
           
             (g)
             Ioh.
             1.26
             .
          
           
             (h)
             Rev.
             3.20
             .
          
           
             (i)
             1
             Ioh.
             1.7
             .
          
           
             (k)
             Rom.
             5.10
             .
          
           
             (m)
             1.
             
             Cor.
             6.20
             .
          
           
             (n)
             Cant.
             2.5
             .
          
           
             (o)
             Cant.
             1.2
             .
          
           
             (p)
             Colos
             .
             2.27
             .
          
           
             (q)
             Cant.
             2.4
             ,
             11
             ,
             13.
             
          
           
             (r)
             Cant.
             1.2
             .
          
           
             (s)
             Rev.
             3.1
             .
          
           
             (t)
             Rev.
             3.2
             .
          
           
             (u)
             1
             Ioh.
             4.19
             .
          
           
             (x)
             2
             Ioh.
             ver
             .
             8.
             
          
           
             (w)
             Isaiah
             1.19
             .
          
           
             (x)
             Gal.
             5.7
             .
          
           
             (y)
             2
             Tim.
             2.11
             .
          
           
             (z)
             Rom.
             8.13
             .
          
           
             (a)
             Mat.
             7.13
             .
          
           
             (b)
             Luke
             14.
             ●●
             
          
           
             (c)
             1
             Pet.
             2.21
             .
          
           
             (d)
             1
             Cor.
             15.49
             .
          
           
             (e)
             Mat.
             18.3
             .
          
           
             (f)
             I
             exclude
             not
             the
             Soul
             nor
             the
             Resurrection-Body
             ,
             for
             they
             both
             (
             vested
             with
             this
             image
             )
             shall
             arrive
             at
             Immortality
             ,
             and
             possess
             Heaven
             ,
             1
             Thes
             .
             4.17
             .
          
           
             (g)
             Isaiah
             66
             ,
             1.
             
          
           
             Phil.
             3.8
             .
          
           
             (k)
             1
             Cor.
             5.7
             .
          
           
             (l)
             Rev.
             12
             ▪
             7.
             
          
           
             (m)
             1
             Ioh.
             1.7
             .
          
           
             (n)
             Rom.
             6.5
             .
          
           
             (p)
             1
             Cor.
             9.27
             .
          
           
             (r)
             Heb.
             5
             ,
             14.
             
          
           
             (s)
             1
             Cor.
             12.5
             .
          
           
             (t)
             Heb.
             12.22
             .
          
           
             (u)
             2
             Kings
             6.17
             .
          
           
             (w)
             Heb.
             12.1
             .
          
           
             (x)
             Gen.
             32.1
             ,
             2.
             
          
           
             (x)
             Rev.
             1.6
             .
          
           
             (y)
             Heb.
             10.20
             .
          
           
             (a)
             Heb.
             12.4
             .
          
           
             (b)
             Gen.
             2.25
             .
          
           
             (c)
             Luk.
             14
             33.
             
          
           
             (d)
             Gal.
             5.24
             .
          
           
             (e)
             Col.
             3.5
             .
          
           
             (f)
             Mat.
             19.27
             .
          
           
             (g)
             Rev.
             21.7
             .
          
           
             Luk.
             14.27
             .
          
           
             (h)
             1
             Cor.
             15.50
             .
          
           
             (i)
             Rev.
             13.16
             ,
             17.
             
          
           
             Though
             I
             hint
             at
             the
             mystical
             Sense
             of
             the
             Beast
             in
             Rev.
             13.
             yet
             I
             deny
             not
             the
             Historical
             ,
             as
             it
             hath
             been
             truly
             applyed
             to
             a
             Succession
             of
             Persons
             in
             the
             signally
             lapsed
             or
             Antichristian
             Church
             .
          
           
             (k)
             2
             Cor.
             10.5
             .
          
           
             (l)
             Phil.
             3.20
             .
          
           
             (m)
             Mat.
             28.20
             .
          
           
             (n)
             Eph.
             4.10
             .
          
           
             (o)
             Heb.
             11.27
             .
          
           
             (p)
             Ephes
             .
             1.18
             .
          
           
             (q)
             Act.
             17.29
             .
          
           
             (r)
             Gen.
             1.27
             .
          
           
             (s)
             Gen
             2.19.20
             .
          
           
             (t)
             Eccles
             .
             7.29
             .
          
           
             (u)
             1.
             
             Cor.
             2.14
             .
          
           
             (w)
             Joh.
             14.26
             .
          
           
             (x)
             Isaiah
             2.16
             .
          
           
             (y)
             2
             Cor.
             10.5
             .
          
           
             (z)
             Psal
             .
             40.10
             .
          
           
             (a)
             Rev.
             1.10
             .
          
           
             (b)
             Rev.
             4.2
             .
          
           
             (c)
             Rev.
             16
             ,
             13
             ,
             &
             19
             ,
             20.
             
          
           
             Though
             I
             here
             allude
             to
             the
             false
             Prophet
             mention'd
             in
             the
             Apocalypse
             ,
             yet
             I
             exclude
             not
             the
             External
             Prophetick
             sense
             of
             this
             or
             any
             other
             part
             of
             the
             Revelation
             ,
             which
             is
             a
             Prophetick
             History
             of
             the
             Church
             to
             the
             end
             of
             the
             World.
             
          
           
             (d)
             1
             Cor.
             2.12
             .
          
           
             (e)
             Gal.
             4.26
             .
          
           
             (f)
             Eph.
             4.4
             .
          
           
             (g)
             Iam.
             5.20
             .
          
           
             (h)
             Ezek.
             37.7
             .
          
           
             (i)
             Ioh.
             1.13
             .
          
           
             (k)
             1
             Joh.
             3.16
             .
          
           
             (l)
             Gal.
             4.15
             .
          
           
             (m)
             Col.
             2.5
             .
          
           
             (n)
             2
             Cor.
             3.2
             .
          
           
             (n)
             Ezek.
             16.15
             .
          
           
             (p)
             Gal.
             6.14
             .
          
           
             (r)
             Gen.
             22.2
             .
          
           
             (s)
             1
             Cor.
             12.25
             ,
             26.
             
          
           
             (t)
             Phil.
             3.8
             .
          
           
             (a)
             2
             Cor.
             6.10
             .
          
           
             (
             a
             )
             I
             deny
             not
             but
             some
             great
             Sea-Monster
             is
             (
             in
             the
             Letter
             )
             here
             described
             ,
             but
             that
             the
             Devils
             is
             here
             also
             alluded
             to
             ,
             and
             intended
             ,
             is
             not
             only
             my
             judgment
             ,
             but
             of
             many
             of
             the
             Ancients
             ,
             as
             appears
             clear
             by
             ver
             .
             34.
             which
             is
             a
             Key
             to
             the
             Rest
             .
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             Mat.
             7.14
             .
          
           
             (a)
             Job
             .
             38.7
             .
          
           
             (b)
             Ezek.
             37.12
             ,
             13.
             
          
           
             (d)
             Rev.
             1.7
             .
          
           
             (e)
             1
             Pet.
             2.2
             .
          
           
             (f)
             Joh.
             3.5
             .
          
           
             (g)
             Rev.
             22
             1.
             
          
           
             (h)
             Hos
             .
             14.5
             .
          
           
             (i)
             1
             Cor.
             12.13
             .
          
           
             (l)
             Heb.
             12
             15.
             
          
           
             (m)
             Cant.
             2.6
             .
          
           
             (n)
             Heb.
             12
             ▪
             2.
             
          
           
             (o)
             Gen.
             3.7
             ,
             23.
             
          
           
             (p)
             Psal
             .
             46
             4.
             
          
           
             (q)
             Heb.
             4.3
             .
          
           
             (r)
             Gal.
             6.14
             .
          
           
             (s)
             1
             Pet.
             4.2
             .
          
           
             (t)
             1
             Joh.
             8
             3.14
             .
          
           
             (u)
             Heb.
             5.
             
          
           
             (w)
             1
             Joh.
             1.1
             .
          
           
             (x)
             2
             Kin.
             6.17
             .
          
           
             (y)
             Rev.
             14.2
             .
          
           
             (z)
             1
             Joh.
             1.1
             .
          
           
             (a)
             Psal
             .
             45.8
             .
          
           
             (b)
             Cant.
             2.5
             .
          
           
             (c)
             Psal
             .
             16.3
             .
          
           
             (d)
             Ioh.
             17.21
             .
          
           
             (e)
             2
             Cor.
             12.15
             .
          
           
             (f)
             1
             Tim.
             2.1
             .
          
           
             (g)
             Col.
             3.1
             .
          
           
             (h)
             John
             15.5
             .
          
           
             (i)
             2
             Cor.
             12.
             
          
           
             (k)
             Rev.
             5.11
             .
             and
             7.
             
          
           
             (m)
             Act.
             22
             &
             1.
             23.
             
          
           
             Joh.
             14.
             
          
           
             (n)
             Luk.
             14.
             33.
             
          
        
         
           Notes for div A29649-e7140
           
             (a)
             The
             Greek
             words
             imports
             rather
             a
             loud
             sounding
             ,
             than
             a
             tinkling
             Cymbal
             .
          
           
             (b)
             The
             Greek
             imports
             ,
             't
             is
             never
             provoked
             into
             high
             Passion
             ,
             or
             Imbittered
             .
          
           
             (c)
             In
             the
             
               English
               ,
               it
               beareth
               all
               things
            
             ;
             but
             according
             to
             the
             Greek
             it
             may
             be
             better
             rendred
             ,
             It
             covers
             or
             hides
             all
             Things
             :
             Else
             the
             last
             words
             of
             the
             Verse
             &
             these
             import
             the
             very
             same
             .
          
           
             (d)
             The
             Division
             of
             Tongues
             divided
             and
             scattered
             Mankind
             .