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The
Prefatory Letter
To all
the Love-Flock of Christ that are, or shall be
Elected and Chosen at this
Day to wait for and to
bring in, and to enter
upon the Fruition of His
Approaching Kingdom: Grace, Peace and Love
be multiplied abundantly.
To you is this little tract commended
so that you may observe with joy the forerunning signs of the Kingdom that is
even now at hand; that you may lift up your heads because your redemption
thus draws nigh. And being thus animated with fresh zeal, life and vigor, you
may run your course with all steadfastness and haste, even to meet your Lord
and enter with Him into the Marriage Feast. Then you may see the blessed
dignity of your nuptial tie with Him actually performed in the New Philadelphian
Temple. This temple is consecrated to and
built up by Love, Divine Love, to God and to each other.
Thus, as true
members of the same Body, sympathizing and partaking of each other's good,
and being united under the same Head and Spring of life and joy, you may be
made fixed pillars herein and never more go out.
The author was
under a strong impulse to bring forth these Signs of the Kingdom and
had thoughts at first to have added them to the former book, The
Ascent to the Mount of Vision. But as the Spirit opened and enlarged upon
the subject, it was found convenient to make a little tract of it by itself.
Also, it bears the date of another year.
It may well be
expected, upon the breaking forth of Wisdom's Day-Star (Jesus Christ) from on
high, that many new and wonderful things shall be brought to light. The darkness of the present
age, with its prejudices and biases against the truth, shall give a great
shock and offence to many. They, by thus confining themselves to the narrow
compass of their own design, deny and dispute the entrance of every truth
that is still to be opened. Thereby they shut the door upon themselves.
Whereas, those who stand in an unbiased and impartial Spirit may, by the free
admission of one ray of light, make way for another. Those who do so shall
come to such a prospect of Divine Truth as should, by its orderly range and
connection of each part, give an evidence of itself far more clear and sooner
than can be acquired by a long, scrupulous and sceptical examination of each
truth separately.
The writings of
this author are full of surprising manifestations of divine knowledge and are
chiefly given forth for the children of the Kingdom for their direction and
assistance in their preparation-work. On this account they are earnestly
recommended to their constant and diligent study above all
others. And all that would receive the benefit of them are advised to suspend
their censures and pass over such things as at first they fight and may not
be able to receive. But they are to go on and draw together and compare the
whole scheme of her writings, whereby I doubt not but there may be easily
discerned the hand of God, and the conduct of Divine Wisdom therein.
The Spirit of
Wisdom at this day calls aloud to all the lovers of her, that they stand with
open and enlarged hearts to receive her instructions and learn her secrets.
She invites and encourages them to proceed in the quest and knowledge of her,
and at every step and advance they make, she cries, "Believest thou
this?" Thou shalt yet see greater things than these. And to those
that shall thus freely admit her doctrine and obey her discipline, her intent
is no less than to lead them on to full redemption. Yes, even to the recovery
of their lost and faded state to the opening and enjoyment of Paradise upon
the earth again.
One of the signs
given of the near approach of the kingdom of power and glory is the
divisions and contentions that will arise through the malice and subtlety of
the Enemy among the true Zion-Waiters, the children of the Kingdom
themselves. The Father of the family will
be drawn to come Himself and quiet them and set all in due order. This sign
we have verified already, and by the strong drivings of the Holy Spirit upon
many at this time, we conceive the good hopes and assurance that God is
indeed drawing near to do it.
Wherefore we would
bestir ourselves and excite all engaged in the same blessed hope in unity and
love. For though the clamor the Enemy would make may hasten the
deliverance, yet God cannot be expected to manifest Himself in the power of
His Kingdom, except in such as do conquer and hold out in the hour of
temptation. These shall stand stedfast in the true child-like simplicity, in
sincerity and love of the Brethren. And this they shall do, notwithstanding
all the exercises and trials they may undergo for the approval thereof, and
in spite of all the stratagems, engines and batteries of the now raging enemy
to drive them from it.
Wherefore it has
been thought convenient to insert the following persuasive to brotherly love
and unity. It is a brief treatment of a comprehensive matter, drawn from a
display of that mighty increase of the blessings of the Kingdom that are to
be brought forth by it, and in it; and which are unhappily stopped and
impeded by the contrary spirit.
For the Divisions of Reuben
there were great searchings of heart
As there is a great occasion of
rejoicing in the Holy Powers of God that are moving among us at this day, it
is much to be wondered at and lamented that the children of the Kingdom, who
are made partakers of them, should be so divided among themselves; falling
out, opposing and fighting one against another. They do thereby stop the
free-flowing of the blessed Spirit among them and retard to themselves the
Kingdom whose full possession of which they are awaiting.
This is one of the
greatest stratagems of the Enemy, to raise contentions about particular
sentiments to the unhappy breach of that charity and unity in which they
ought to stand overlooking and bearing with and in each other, those things
wherein they differ in opinion. This they ought to do while
studying and pursuing unitedly those great and weighty things wherein they
agree.
For all agree to
the bringing forth the Image and Life of Christ in themselves and others, the
carrying on the work of the Kingdom, and the drawing down those mighty
blessings wherewith the heavens are at this time teeming as they were in pain
to be delivered and empty them forth into our bosoms. They call to us loudly
and earnestly to bring our vessels that they may be filled; yea to bring
more; to unite our vessels that they may be enlarged and multiplied; that the
powers and blessings of God may be also multiplied among us.
As God is at unity
in Himself and also in all the inhabitants of the heavenly worlds (which is
the completeness of their happiness), so He would be likewise in us, only we
ourselves hinder it and, as it were, tie His hands and imprison the Holy
Power and Spirit within us. God in one would go forth and meet Himself in
another and unite them in One, both in Himself and in one another.
But the corrupt
man in us interferes by his own act, his own wisdom, his presumptions and his
prejudices, and disputes His passage and denies Him free entrance. If these
bars were but removed, how blessed and happy might we be! Every one might
then freely open himself into another in pure union of divine love, under the
conduct of the Holy Spirit and really enlarge Himself into a new Kingdom of
joy and power in every member of Christ and the children of the Kingdom.
Each one would
communicate his talent to another and have it doubled and redoubled in
himself, thereby into as many as he shall pour it, and everyone would possess
the talent and Joy of another in himself. Now how glorious is this prospect
in the increase and enlargement of the Kingdom of our Lord? For herein each
one that shall be added, shall be given into us to be enjoyed and possessed
as the addition of a new Kingdom. If, even now, when two or three of us, or a
little company meet together in an imperfect and low degree of union and
opening of the holy powers, we cannot forebear crying out, "How great,
how excellent, how blessed is this ministration of the Spirit!", what
shall we say, or what shall we think when it shall come to increase to
hundreds, to thousands, to millions?
Yea, how blessed
beyond all thought or expression is this prospect of the increase of the
dominion and powers and joys of this Kingdom, and that still more and more in
vast and redoubled portions without limit and without end, whether in time or
in eternity itself. Here is the full completion of what the apostle describes
(Ephesians 4:11-14) - the apostolic, evangelical and pastoral work, the
perfecting of the saints, the edifying and building up of the glorious temple
of the Body of Christ till we all come in the unity of the faith [the
Divinely supernatural, all operative faith, the power, the will of God] and the knowledge of the Son
of God, unto the perfect man. [The perfection of Christ Jesus in
us, or the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.]
That, speaking
the truth in love, [Inspeaking from the Godhead Fountain opened
within us, God Himself the Essential Truth, speaking into each other. That
thus receiving Him into ourselves more and more, as the spiritual food of the
divine life in us,] we may grow up in Him in all things, [answering
and corresponding to Him by an essential reflection of Himself or a secondary
way of His existence, by generation of Himself into us, according to His own
fullness] who is our Head, our Root and Center, even grace for
grace, beauty for beauty, glory for glory, according to the proportion of
each member to the Head.
From which, [our
Head and life Root in whom dwells the abyssal fullness of the] Godhead
Bodily, the whole Body [of His Church] is fitly
joined together, [and united into One with Him] and
compacted by that which every joint supplies [each member adapted and
linked together, intertwining one into another in a seraphic wreath of love
in its proper part and office], according to the effectual working
in the measure of every part [as God opens Himself in this or
that power according to the nature and due proportion of each member to the
whole] makes the increase of the body to the edifying of itself
in love. [By the outflowing of the Deity through every part,
makes it increase with the increase of God in likeness to Him and possession
of Him, more and more eternally.]
Thus the act of
edifying or building up the Holy Temple-Body of the Church of Christ will be
this divine union and triumphant act of love. Hereby the eternal Father, ever
generating in Himself, His Son and Spirit shall, in and through the humanity
of Christ, make the Body partaker of the same joy with its Head. This shall
draw it into a representation of and conformity to, as well as a concurrence
with, that beatific act which united the Deity and Humanity in one in Him.
Thus shall be the
full answer of that prayer of our Lord, "That they all may be one, as
thou, Father, art in me and I in thee, that they also may be one in us."
And again, "The glory which thou hast given me, I have given them,
that they may be one even as we are one." (John 17).
Here also is the
full accomplishment of that glorious prophecy of Isaiah, Chapter 9:6, "Unto
us [now in us] a child is born, unto us a Son is
given: [Christ in us in His resurrection life, born to dominion
and Kingdom. For] and the government shall be upon His shoulder: [the
government both of the heavens above and of the earth beneath; He shall
display His glorious Reign in and through us and we shall reign in Him and
with Him.] and His Name shall be called Wonderful, [Opening
the amazing Wonders of the heavens, and the renewed and sevenfold powers of
the Holy Ghost in His Church.] Counselor, [Possessor
of the Eternal Wisdom; Opener of the everlasting Womb of the morning; the
Morning Light; the Divine Sophia and Virgin Spouse of God represented in
Revelation 12 as the wonder of the heavens, clothed with the sun,
and the moon under her feet.
Of which the
Church is made representative as she shall open and display herself within
her, travailing in and with her, as the true Mother of this divine
birth, the Manchild that is to rule the Nations with the Rod of
Power. This shall open that
glorious dispensation and day of Wisdom expected in the Evening of the
World (age), wherein Knowledge shall cover the earth as the
waters cover the Sea.] the Mighty God, [In whom the
Deity shall now exert itself in its mighty strength and power. The
Omnipotence of God now gloriously manifesting itself for the bringing forth
and establishment of this great birth and Kingdom.
Wherefore also He
is eminently called] the Everlasting Father. [For
in this last ministration, the Eternal Father opens His principle and joins
in the peculiar Power thereof to relieve and reverse the long dying and
suffering state of Christ in His Church to a state of glory and triumph. And
thus He becomes] the true Prince of Peace. [Putting an
end to the bloody wars and persecutions that have been raised hitherto
against His church, whether by the Prince and powers of darkness, or this
world; quenching the spirit of strife and division in it and pouring out the
spirit of meekness and brotherly love among all nations, turning their swords
into plough-shares, and their spear into pruning-hooks.
This shall be the
reconciling of the discord of the elements and all the contradictions of
nature so that nothing shall hurt nor destroy in His holy mountain. It will
introduce the blessed and peaceable reign of the true Solomon (whereof
the former was but a type and shadow), wherein shall be the abundant
increase and plenty of all good things. Riches, both spiritual and temporal
shall be had, with the highest Honor, magnificence and glory. Longevity of
Life, as in the patriarchial age, shall be obtained for the enjoyment of it.
Such is the dowry
of the Virgin-Wisdom--as it is said, "Length of Days is in her right
hand and in her left, riches and honour." (Prov.3:16). For this is
the reign wherein she manifests and gives herself. Working with those who
possess her, she orders all things sweetly and harmoniously and brings them
into the peaceful triumph and joy of concord and love. Thus the Church and Kingdom
of Christ on earth is formed after the model of that which is above, and that
prayer of our Lord, so earnestly and constantly offered by His Church, is
answered by the Father in its full extent. That His Kingdom come and His Will
be done on earth as it is in heaven. Its peace is the complete rest of the
Bride in the bosom of her Lord, enjoying the eternal stillness of the Deity
and Dying, as it were, out of herself into God.]
Then follows,
"Of the increase of His Government and peace there shall be no end. [It
shall increase till all nations shall be brought into it, and when
the corrupt and fleshy births everywhere shall cease, it shall be multiplied
by heavenly generation only, and that to infinity. It shall increase
in each particular member to boundless empire and dominion in itself, each
one possessing a new created world and paradise in himself--His Emmanuel
dwelling in him centrally, as in microcosm. So also, shall be the increase or
manifestation of God in the whole, as in macrocosm, through the eternal
impregnation of the whole Virgin-Body from and with all the various powers of
the deity.]
This, in and "upon
the throne and kingdom of David to order it and to establish it with judgment
and with Justice from henceforth even forever." [The
concurrence of the Father's power and Kingdom with the Son's, shall be the
uniting of the two reigns of David and Solomon in One. The invincible Might
of the Former subduing all enemies and bringing forth judgment unto victory,
concurs with the righteousness and beauty of holiness in the Latter, for its
manifestation and triumph; its fixation and establishment forever.]
"The Zeal
of the Lord of Hosts will perform this." [The severe,
earnest, all-powerful, all-active Fire of the Father, united and manifested
in the meek love-flame of the Son, proceeding and issuing forth together in
the fiery baptism of the Holy Ghost; the whole Trinity, as it were, focusing
their power and influence in this third and last ministration, will
gloriously, triumphantly, and speedily bring all these wonders to their
accomplishment. His own arm will bring forth this mighty salvation and total
redemption for the honor of His great Name alone.]
This is the
Kingdom blessing and joy that our good God is moving in the powers of His
Spirit to bring down and open among us, and so dispense it to the whole
Church. Yea, the whole creation is groaning and travailing in pain even until
now, waiting for this manifestation of the sons of God. Yet, there is now
that which causes a delay in the birth and calls aloud for the unanimous
consent and concurrence in the strength of divine love to bring it forth.
Oh, who among the
Zion-waiters would not be ashamed and grieved at the thought of being in any
way instrumental in the unhappy prevention or proclamation of it? Or who
would not upon the nearer view and prospect of such indescribable blessings,
immediately discard even the least motion that shall tend to strife, disunity
or alienation of Love? Would not all true Zion-waiters rather concur
with all their might, in unity of Spirit, to increase the little strength of
brotherly love for the bringing forth of the Manchild of power; the son of
Mirth and Joy, of Peace and consolation to the whole creation of God?
If there were
among the apostles of Christ contentions and disputes, and that from the evil
root of self-love, emulation and prided strivings about who should be the
greatest in the Kingdom, it is needless to be wondered at, if among the
candidate-disciples for the triumphant Kingdom there should be found the like
Spirit of ambition and emulation and jealous eye in some because of the gifts
and favors bestowed on others. From there, through the violent temptation of
the Enemy at this day, it proceeds to variance and distraction and an untying
of the holy bands of love.
But as our Lord,
by an excellent document, set a little child in the midst of His disciples to
reprove and teach them, so here the childlike spirit must principally be
recommended and by all means labored after for its attainment of. This spirit
is meek, humble, peaceable, obedient, patient, modest, submissive and
resigned to the will of its Father in all things. We must have no
will or desire of our own; no opinion of our own gifts or wisdom; no evil eye
upon, or too forward to censure the gift of another, but delight to see them
displayed for the honor of God though it be in others more than ourselves. Here
there must be no self-appropriation. The very root of self must be removed.
For the blessings
of the Kingdom are not to be enjoyed in propriety, but in community. Here,
instead of striving to be the greatest, those that are highest and enjoy
most, must be the least and servants to the others. Communicating freely all
they have, to make it theirs as well as their own. This is the true, generous
and Christian Spirit, which according to the nature of love, overlooks,
forgets, and goes out of itself into that which it loves, and that is its God
and its brethren. As we shall be found in this, we shall truly approve
ourselves in the relation we profess to bear to that glorious Philadelphian
church which is to arise.
We are not to bear
only the outward name thereof, but also its inward signature in our hearts
and show forth its lively impress in our conversation and actions. This
will prove the most powerful and effectual persuasion to others and cause our
light indeed to shine before men [in the brightness of the Holy
Flame of Charity and Love] that they, seeing our good works, may
glorify our Father which is in heaven, and acknowledge the handiwork and
presence of His Holy Spirit in us.
For this, O ye
chosen and beloved ones, let the Spirit of supplication evermore ascend and
wrestle till as Princes ye may prevail with God, and the everlasting day dawn
upon you. Ye that make [such glorious] mention of the name [and Kingdom] of
the Lord, keep not silent, and give Him no rest until He make Jerusalem a
praise upon the earth. Give Him no rest till the New Jerusalem descend from
heaven and the Church Militant becomes one with the Church Triumphant and
both sing together the song of victory, blessing and honor and glory; and
power be given unto Him that sitteth upon the throne and to the Lamb for
ever. Amen.
Behold how joyful 'tis, how good, how dear,
Brethren to dwell in Love's delightful sphere,
Linked in Seraphic wreath of Union,
Each other's beauty, crown and joy their own.
Where the true
High-Anointed Priest divine,
Mingles His heavenly manna, oil, and wine,
Through every part the flowing unction,
From the head e'en to his garment's hem runs down,
The garment of His whole creation.
'Tis the rich,
odorous, fruitful, balmy dew,
That falls from God's high mountain, Hermon true,
Watering the dear-loved Zions hills below,
Which makes the Sharon Rose and Virgin-Lilies grow.
For hence the
promised blessings wondrous store,
Proceeds in the First-Resurrection Power,
Blessing of joy and life, e'en Life for evermore.
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