November 20. 1678. the Soveraignty of the Will.

I Was in the Ejaculations of an inspired Mind, proposing to my God and Father, somewhat that might free my outward Life from all kinds of Servility. For which I did know, I had a single Eye, to shew forth the hidden born-Life, that might carry Majesty every where with it, and not to stoop to inferiour things. Upon which I had a Word came in, saying, The eye of God doth well see, and read, what is in thy Heart, as to this particular, wherein thou hast been long proved. But a Medicine is preparing that will redeem from it. But the cry of the high Spiritual Will must run with great terrour, as a Principal ingredient hereunto, crossing and bearing down those many contrary Willings, that have taken their Birth from the Constellations of the Elementary World. That has bound the Hands of Faith in the powerful Will-Spirit, that nothing wrought or produced could be, beyond the circling course of Reason's Production. But now take good heed hereunto this advice from the light Element, and it fixed Star, as the Medicinal cure for it. Which I was instigated to write, as the Matter to me was given in, concerning these high, and also these low-born-Wills.

First consider what the Ground is, from whence the various Wills do proceed, which bears up the force of them, that makes them so pregnant. As now to begin with the many Wills, that are generated from the outward Life-Birth: they have all their Spring from the common Senses, which brings in those pleasant Pictures, and beget an imaginariness in the Mind, which is the proper Ground of the many springing Wills. Which inferiour Will goeth forth to effect, what the Birth-Ground of the rational Life doth set before it, as to the Honours, Profits, and Pleasures of it. Each hungry Will doth these pursue, and through the Strong earthly Magick of it doth them effect. As we see the Worldly hunting Esaus, what Venison do they get, and what Spoil and Prey they daily catch, through the violent pursuit of the Will, that thrust forward to obtain all that, which promiseth a present fading tranquility.

Object. But now this may be Objected, Can the Will abstractively carry on all that the Mind doth design? Not so: for we see that in all degenerated Births, that Will nothing beyond a Terrestrial World, yet come they short of what they Will into?

Answ. As answer to this, it is thus given me to unty this Knot, that whereas some natural Persons, in the natural Acts of their Will, do find the stop of that Wheel, that it will not turn to bring about that, for which it moves so strongly: So there must be somewhat which lets the same. But now what is it that lets? Or what can stop the Wise and Holy Creator? Since the outward Spirit is fallen into this gross outward Elementary Body, the earthly Will is now bounded by a superiour Power, that God hath given way unto: that may check and controul the Will, if it doth not agree with the Rules and Constitutions of the Starry Region, and with the Prince that ruleth there. Which is the sad Effects of our Spirits coming into these Elementary Bodies, to be under this curb and Astral Dominion. So that those who are not freed hereout, though they have a resolute strong Will, yet they must be in an intrinsical League and Combination with the working Power of the Stars, before their Wills can fully sway in the outward Matters of this World. Therefore no one thing of more consequence to be sought after, than to have That nullified, and made void, which is formed and wrought through the Conjunction of the Starry Heavens, wherein doth lie the venomous Strife.

But it will be Objected, That cannot be, without the Annihilation of the Elementary Body.

Answ. Then how was it with our Lord Jesus, who carried the same Body as we do: but nothing touched him of that kind? But it may be said, he was an extraordinary Person. But though he was, yet for that end he was manifested, that so he might not stand alone in the Superiour Birth, that could not be touched with the Poyson of the outward Elements: but gather a known Number, that should share in the self-same Superiority over the Starry Region. Out from which the Redemption will shew it self, through the springing Might of the Heaven-born Will, taking hold of the Coelestial Planet's Power, as its true Mother-Life, which will bring aid, to pass every purpose and determination, that is formed in the Will-Spirit; riding over the Heads of all the contradicting Wills, that are from Astral Birth. And truly we may take up Lamentation and say, the whole World lieth yet rocked asleep in this enchanted Bed, and know not, neither consider, that the Will-Spirit in compliance with the Stars, is now become their driver, and how hard is it to discern them, from the puttings forth of the Spirit, and his divine and unmixed Willings: Which are agitated from a higher Constellation, that any thing of this outward Birth can pretend to. Yet into this, if there be not a wise and clear discerning-Spirit, the Stars will very readily come in to mingle: because we are in such Bodies, as do carry their signature. For which cause the living Word, that is sharp and powerful to search and divide betwixt Life and Life, Spirit and Spirit, Will and Will, hath to me appeared to give the true understanding, and right character of what is Willed from the pure Coelestial Essence, as it comes naked and abstracted from God: and what puttings forth there are from the outward Birth, that is, from the Stars: Also what adulteratings there may possibly be, where there is a formation of a Christly Birth, yet Obnoxious to the ruffling of the restless Stars.

Whereupon the Spirit does give this Counsel, that whoever is once mounted upon the Horse of the Pure abstracted Will, that they be so watchful, as not to be plucked down again with the infectious Stars, but keep up the Authority, and tread down those many thwarting Spirits, that will thrust to overthrow the Horse and Rider. Which must keep pace together, till they have clean passed into their own Eternal Element to obtain a full confirmation; which the Constellations of this World cannot alter, nor ever mingle withal. When once it is thoroughly Baptized with the fiery Element, which fixeth the Birth of the Holy Ghost, then it will nourish it self, from its own Fountain-Life, and will grow so strong, as to resist the Starry Constellations, where have been the long strife. For the Kingdom of God is all Harmony: and it puts forth in one entire Will, that reconcileth Heaven and Earth together. Which being once brought to pass, the rich Land of BEULAH, with all its Rich Golden Mountains, will soon break open, as the unexhausted Bank, that supplies the High-Born Will with all sufficiencies. So that the Proverb may hence forth cease, that to will is present: but such War and Strife there is, that the Will is left Naked without Power to effect. But blessed is that Light, that hath given us understanding to know, what it is that we must cloath our Wills withal, that so they may become Impregnable to carry all before them.

The first Rule that is given is: That we clear the House of Nature of all those striving Wills, against this one interiour Will, which opens purely, and distinctly from the Birth of the Holy Ghost. We are not to delude our selves, as we do too Universally: Saying, That there is an allowance for Impotency, that cannot move the Wheel of God's Omnipotency. For this we are lawfully to contend, till we arrive to the Superiourity in God's own Will, that may bring in all to bow. That Variety may come into the Unity, and no more be at odds. And this is the work of the Holy Spirit doth now set us upon, that so our Warfare may come to an end, and we be redeemed out of the jarring Elements, under which we have suffered.

The second Rule is, that as we clear off all Scores and Obligations, as pertaining to the Astral Birth: So henceforth to be still raising and stirring up those Powers of Love, and exercising those high floating Acts of Faith, that may forceably attract the Super-Coelestial Planets, that our Will-Spirits may run into a near and high Conjunction with them, as they in their course do move. And herefrom we are to expect our true Medicinal Healing, and Tranquility of Life with all successive blessings: That may infinitely outvy, what from the Starry Region hath been given to their Children. Now for the obtaining this more high and wonderful Dowry, we must remember that no divided Will must remove us, but we must ascend in the one strait line of the Spirit: neither must our Eyes look two ways; for while it is so, we are in the demur, and then God is left free, whether or no to entail or settle the Coelestial Inheritance, from Beulah-Land. But could we come up to a clear simplified Willing, trusting thereinto, confiding and expecting our income from no other hand; The Lord of this Eternal Heavenly Region, stands charged and obliged according to our trust and belief, to make performance, out of his infinite Stores. O who can raise, and keep up upon the flying Wing this High-Born Will, that it may flag no more, nor be beaten down with the pelting Stars, that are shot in from the great Prince of this Region? Now, O Lord Jesus, let all his Constellations fall as untimely Fruit: that he may find no more in us, which he may call his own. So we shall rise in Victory over all of his Kingdom.