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Now as concerning those dead Bodies, which lay in the way, which I was to pass through. It was by the Spirit of Truth given me to understand, that it did signifie and figure out these last Ages, since Christ's time; Those who are passing through the tempting Wilderness to Mount-Sion, under the conduct of the Spirit. Who give Rules and daily Manuductions for journeying on, as God did visibly by Moses, give Laws and Ordinances to the Church in the Wilderness. Now as Moses had immediate access, and received all from God's Mouth: So the Spirit takes from Christ, and delivers the whole Counsel of God the Father. Who hides nothing from the Spirit of Jesus, but admits to search as deep as it will; entering and finding out the most hidden Ground, and Cause of all Creatures, and things existing in and out of Nature. But as Moses had to do with a perverse and doubtful Generation, doubting, and questioning God's Love, Truth, and Faithfulness, nay, his All-sufficiency, though daily proofs thereof were manifested: So in these Ages, since Christ's coming in the Flesh, there has been infused, and shed in of his Spirit to give Light and Wisdom, and the express rule of Faith to walk by: Yet what Repugnancy, and Crossness, and Mutiny hath the Spirit met with all, refusing to obey, and yield to the new Creation-Laws. So that it is no marvel, that there hath been such a dying short of the promised Liberty, and Kingly Dominion. The Spirit no doubt hath been provoked and grieved through unbelief, and could not bring through into the Rest, which is spoken of, where no care or thoughtfulness need to be for any thing. For the good of the whole Land, that never was under the Curse, doth lie before, (and is ready to be possessed by) such, who are steady and mighty in Faith. But where is such Faith to be found, as can clear off every doubt, and not stagger at any seeming impossibility: Such a Spirit as Joshua had, who cried Fear not, for we shall be able to encounter, and overcome all the Nations, which do strive against us? He knew the Arm of strength, which he rested on, would make all to fly before them. Even to this end the dead Carcasses were set before me, as was certified to stagger our Faith, and to stop the Chariot of Hope. For look, and see, how all these were running to enter into the new State, where all Care and Labour are to cease, but they were cut off, before they could reach the Sabbath Jubilee, in this known Sphear, where only Mortal Robes have been worn. Who can expect to exceed this degree? Some of whom was shewn to me to be those, which pressed hard for the Resurrection-Mark, and were also strong in Faith; yet did not see Enoch's Translation; but did let fall their visible Bodies in Suffering and Martyrdom, in common with other Mortals.
All which consider'd, it was Objected in me, How, or what was it? that should induce us to believe, to have such an expectation as to put off this dead Body more Honourably, and Triumphantly, which must be, by cloathing it upon with Christ's risen Body, which hath been yet scarce known in any Age? What manner of Faith will carry us through to this?
Answer hereunto was given in by this Word, It is long striding Faith that leapeth over all dead Carcasses, which have come short of Christ's immediate Kingdom. Which is brought into this World by transmuting Powers, exerted from a life quickning Breath, that includes Faith of all kinds and sorts. Which must bear Heights, and Depths, Breadths, and Lengths, in its going forth with all impregnable force, as a Bow of Steel, which cannot be broken. Now it was verified by the Spirit from this Vision, that there is a Faith, that remains yet to be revealed, that is to exceed all those degrees that yet have been arrived to. Though of a truth great and mighty Things have been wrought and done by the Worthies, who have been of great renown for Faith, as the Scripture plentifully testifies of. And verily no such acts of believing have been known, by these last Ages. Therefore it may be well Objected we are a great way off from these higher working Powers. For if impartial Judgment be given, there is a great abatement in the very highest of Saints now, to what was before, and after Christ's time. For it [Faith] is hardly to be found after such a way of working, either invisible in the Mystery; or visible in doing Signs or Wonders. Oh, how may it be bewailed, that this precious Grain is so lost out of the Earth; and in the more eminent also, who do dispose themselves for God; Yet in them it is deeply sunk down. The great heap of Senses, as a Mountain lies upon it, to keep them from working the mighty Works of God, in sending out the pure Acts of Faith. Well, but what is to be done to find, and fetch up this essential Omnipotence, that hath been so long withdrawn? There was never more need, since the Creation than now, for its rising: even to bring forth Salvation, to save us out of a self-destroying World. Oh! Where, and with whom, shall this dram of Faith be first found, which will give the most certain sound of the all-Powerful Gospel-Spirit?
While I was Lamenting the Being shut-up, and bound under the Laws and Rudiments of this outward Creation, for want of this all-Powerful Faith, that will set free from all Bondage. A Vision of this came before me, as thus, A pure Circle did work out it self, rising from out of a thick darkness, it was streaked with Transparent Colours, and was in the form of a Wheel: And through great Combate with a dark Cloud it was lifted up, and moved with great swiftness, and went over all things, and touched nothing; yet levell'd Rocks and Mountains, and strong grown Trees fell, where it moved over them. This was opened to be the Faith-Magia-Wheel: Which will break out, though long it have been kept down in Nature's cloudy Body. It will make a quick work, when once it can throw off this weighty Earth, it then can make no stay; till it hath finished its Race in leveling, and bringing down those strong rooted Cedars of the senses and craggy Rocks of strong Reason, that have kept off the Righteousness of Faith's Kingdom. Which could not come into Manifestation, till they were brought low by this rising Wheel: That must mount over all, and will not touch the Dead. What though there hath been a worthy Generation, that did not reach to this full Unity of Faith to come, but dyed Martyrs in the process of this Faith; yet we, who are reserved to see the greater things, which do belong to this last Age, must not stumble at them, who may lie as Dead in our way, and judge it impossible to pass beyond their bounds. For there is a Faith that the Just and Perfect are to live by, and wholly upon: Which will bring in all kinds of supplies, when the Magia-Wheel works high. Therefore the advice of the Spirit is, that we should apply our selves fully to this study, that through the Mystery taught us, we well versed in this Heavenly Magia may be, to help, save, and succour in this distressed Age, where all sorts of Cruelty and Oppression are exercised. What will be more acceptable, than to know, how to exert forth all precious redeeming Faith, to save our selves and others, from the Wolfish Spirit, that is now so great in Power? What can this Beast else bear down, whose Kingdom is made so strong? But the rising Kingdom of Faith that will over run, and crush the Head-strength of their vile Kingdom. Oh, the Lord our King invites to come to possess the Riches, Might, and Power of Faith's Kingdom: and that immediately.
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