The Revelation

June 10. 1680. The State of the Priesthood of the Order of Melchisedeck. HAving passed through Love’s Region and Dominion, we are come to set forth (according to the Gift still bestowed upon us) the Glorious State of the everlasting Priesthood of Christ; carried on in his most holy Temple-Body and Heavenly Sanctuary, which is framed for it by the Love-Power and Wisdom of the Most-High. Who will have a Kingdom of Priests elected, and set apart for this purpose, To draw near in full assurance of acceptance with him in all their holy Offerings; each one from their consecrated Tabernacle, to minister to the mighty JEHOVAH. For the which is required a special Ordination, which none can be capable of, but such as first are all purified in the burning Spirit of Love: that so they may become Holy, Merciful and Compassionate, to Intercede for the Ignorant, and such as are turned aside from the tract of the just and perfect One. Now then, to be called and anointed of God to this holy Function, is the greatest spiritual Dignity and Honour, that can be conferred upon the Love-Flock; it excels both the Prophetical and Kingly Dominion. All which intrinsically indeed do agree together: only the Priestly Office doth out-shine the other in Glory; being the last and finishing Ministration, which shall reconcile and gather into the Unity, with the most holy and ever blessed Trinity; where fixation within the Temple-Body of the Holy Ghost shall ever more be enjoyed. Now in order to the revealing, and making out this high and peculiar Priesthood, it is expedient I should declare, in what a living figure it appeared to me; or rather to somewhat which was raised up to be as a clear burning Lamp of Love, which was capable of this great and marvelous sight, which did open from the very God-head Being. In whose Body of Light and Glory this Priesthood in the Heavens was clearly manifested to my Eye-sight: which is the ground work I shall go upon; according to the express Pattern, which the great Melchezedeck Priest hath set open, and made teachable, for the benefit and service of that Holy and Royal Tribe that shall hereunto be numbered. For in the present Age, the most Precious have their Call to come out from what is Vile: And hence it is Plain, there can be no bearing part in this peculiar and Royal Priesthood, till there be a Departing; not only from what is Temporary, and Soul-cankering against the Love, which is the minding of Earthly Things; but also from all Superficial Holiness, and the more Refin’d Religious Dress, where the Viper of Sinful Hypocrisy hath had a fair Covering in every Changeable Ministration spread over it: So that there be an entring even into Love’s Substantiality it self. The Vision of the Heavenly Tabernacle. I Was carried in Spirit, where I saw a light Flaming Glory unfolding, and opening it self larger and more conspicuous: and in the midst of it an Abyssal Deep, from whence there was a working flowing Source, in a restless Motion, flashing up transparent Matter, so sparklingly glorious for Colours, as if all manner of precious Stones had been comixed in the Matter. Then did appear numerous Persons gathered to the Glory of this flowing Source, from the Virtue and Power that rose out of the Deep, which was as the Resurrection of pure Heavenly Bodies, bright and clear, that stood there to receive, and drink in from this Abyssal Deep. Then was it asked by that translated Spirit that saw all this, What was to be understood by all this? And it was Answered, It is the flowing Source of the Deity, that is ever generating forth, for begetting and renewing what is like to its own Being. And the sparkling Matter that so continually flashed out, was to consecrate the Heavenly Order of Kingly Priests; which would be the very Tabernacle-Glory upon them. For this Priestly Kingdom, under the highest degree of anointing are for to be: And who-ever can pure and abstractedly come up, and lie near the flowing of this Abyssal Deep, are under the Ordination for Kingly Priests; and so near to God, as nothing shall to them be denyed, for which they shall intercede. For great Power, they will have within their own commands; for they are Spirited very high, by daily drinking in this Deified Matter. In this Vision there was no * formal Temple, Tabernacle or Altar to be seen, but God in his Virtual Power [* Margin note: For the Kingdom was here delivered up, and God became all in all], Light Purity, filled the numerous company that made up the Priestly Body, which was termed the God-head-Fraternity. No particular Christ here I did see, but as he was said to be the Head and the Power that made them shine as so many burning Lamps before the Throne of the Father’s all-piercing Eye of Glory. There were degrees amongst this Holy Priestly fellowship, some in a higher; others in a lower order; But the Testimony of Truth, Love and Purity did open through all, as one entire Ark of the Heavenly Body compacted together, sounding forth New and Wonderful Laud and Praises, different from all others, who in the Heavenly places did Worship the Lord God Almighty.