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[Margin note: Object. I.]
THE first Objection that meets me, asks, How, and after what Manner, are these great and deep Mysteries revealed, and made known? for we are in doubt whether any since the Apostles days can have so pure and clean a Discovery of the Mind of God, by way of Vision or Revelation.
[Margin note:The manner of Divine Revelation}
As to this, I Answer; The thing is weighty, and it may be allowed of to search and follow this Query close and home: for too many there be that are Pretenders to the Gift of Prophecy and Revelation; whereby they put a cheat upon themselves and others, and bring themselves under that Wo of taking up the Lords Spirit for their covering; which is the greatest of all Evils. Therefore I say, let every one search, try and examine, from what ground and spirit they come forth as the Oracles of God, to give his Mind out: For assuredly they will be called to a severe Account by the Spirit of Truth.
Now as to this, I will assure thee, (O Querior) whoever thou art, it was my great fear and jealousie, even upon my first Entrance into this Ministration; and I was made well aware of the wiles and subtilties of Satan, that was ready enough to mingle his Deceits with Truth: but divine Wisdom was my Counsellor and Cautioner, and her Spirit became the Conduct to Truth, and the Separator; she still throwing out what would not bear the touch of the burning Stone, which Wisdom had placed in the Center of my Heart; by which a wonderful Light of Manifestation did spring, for the knowledge of the Truth, in the deep Essentiality of it. The Way, Method, Measure and Rules of it, as experienced by me, I shall demonstrate, for the service and benefit of such as are true Seekers, and fervent Lovers of Truth: and shew how they may come to know the true Revelation of the Spirit of Christ, from those mixed Spirits that are apt to inject their Motions, and so make muddy the pure Springs of Revelation. For know, it is a nice and difficult matter to know the Spirits speech and voice in his Day, since Christ the Lords Ascending, than what it was before, when the Word of the Lord came expressly to the Patriarchs and Prophets, Articulately, by immediate Voice. God was heretofore very familiar in way of Speech, as with Abraham, Moses, and so to the Prophets, till Christs time; but now in these last days he speaks to us by the Spirit of his Son, which is the Spirit of Truth and Comforter: that is the Spirit we are to try; and to be proved by; whether or no he is come into us, as a Spirit of Prophecy and Revelation. Which you shall know, first by way of Preparation of the inward Mind; for the speaking Word or Oracle of God must have a most holy separated place, distinct and apart from the outward Man. For there is to be prepared an inward Temple-body; else no expectation of the Holy Ghost, without a suitable Body be prepared for him, as the living Ark, in which the Oracle of Truth may open, and shew the Records of the Heavens.
[Margin note: Object. 2]
But it may be further queried, How can this Temple-Body be raised up, and kept so spiritually; as to be distinct and separated from the mortal body, with all its senses and earthly Motions?
[Margin note: Rules for Preservation against the mixture of Spirits.
I Answer; Herein indeed lieth the great Mystery of all Mysteries, how to keep the Spirit of the Outward Birth, with all his infecting Multiplicities, from rushing into the inward Court, where the Soul and God are to be in private Counsel together. Since if there be a breaking in of the troubled Sea of Thoughts, this is that which Adulterates the pure revealed things, and brings a false covering upon them; therefore I shall give these following Rules, as they were given me by the Holy Anointing. When I first sought this Priviledge, of divine Inspiration, I was counselled, as to the outward state of things, To avoid, as much as I could, the choaking intangling Cares of this Life, and also to sequester myself from all worldly Conversation, and give up Spirit, Soul and Body in pure dedication. The which I can say, in my measure I have been obedient to: and have found good things, as to the spiritual part, have accrued thereby; which I shall never have cause to repent of, let my losses be what they can be, as to the worldly lot of things. Now the next Rule, which is more Interior and Evangelical: As to the inward and holy place of the Mind, For this take more special care; and keep the outward Birth at distance from the superior and inward birth; call in your heavenly guard upon it; enter into no Parley with the outward Man of Reason, concerning spiritual matters; for you will find him a false Prophet, and no way consonant to this Ministration the Soul is waiting upon; therefore to watch, and be in a defensive Posture, against all invasions of this kind.
Then again take a further Caution concerning a more fine, subtil sort of Imaginariness, which comes in the appearance of spirituality. Here lieth the greatest danger for mistake; when seeming good Motions do rise and spring, and yet but from the Astral Kingdom: but they are sometimes so divine as you can hardly discern them from the true teachings of the holy Anointing. There are Spirits that will put on such a Priestly dress, like those that rose up against Moses, the Lords infallible Prophet, saying, Are not we spiritual, and therefore may we not be admitted into the secret of God with you, and there give our Verdict as from the Oracle of God? Thus we are in danger to be encompassed with Spirits so finely clothed, as they would think much to be refused. But where the Urim and Thummim of sound judgment in such is come, that can only discern, and taste Spirits of all sorts of Qualities, Natures and Degrees. For I well know, a Mind may be replenished with knowledge and understanding of divine Mysteries, from the outward Tongues and Sciences, receivd and taken in; and yet have been kept a stranger to the flowing Springs of Wisdom and Revelation Within; from whence alone the certainty of the true Prophet is to be known. Therefore let every one look to it, what they speak, teach or write; for it will pass through the inward ground for trial, where the fiery Region will prove it.
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