This Night I was exceeding restless, and my Sleep departed from me, upon the consideration of that Holy Innocent Nature, of the Lamb of God, that still must suffer in us, under the reign of the Beast. Who would still keep our Spirits in a Law and Sinful Servitude, and would terrifie us with his scourging Rod. In the sense of which I arose, and spent much of the Night in Prayer, pleading mightily with God, spreading the whole case of our Spirits before him, as in Relation to the more weighty and principal Work, that we, as passive Instruments might act in the Spirit's Hand. But when we hoped here, to be made manifest, according to those great Discoveries, and Love-drawings, and impulsive Powers moving, and were willing to go forward to the perfecting this great Thing made known, by the Spirit of Revelation to us. Behold now Satan is as it were let loose to winnow, sift, and try: And the Lord hath shewn me, it must be thus necessarily. We must first pass through the Kingdom of Tribulation and Patience: and must thereby stop the Mouth of the grand Adversary, that is most ready to accuse God of Partiality, and Love's Indulgency; to excuse and wink at that in us, that he does Condemn in others, who are in the same relapse. Therefore the Word of Life did thus signifie unto me, that it does thus become us to pass through all sorts and degrees of Sufferings, that God may say, though he hath loved us, yet he hath not spared us, no more than him, who was the first begotten from the Dead. So it was affirmed, that this was God's method and way to pass through the Thorny Cross with our Jesus. But this World of Comfort did come therewith, that from that lifted up we should in triumphant Faith be immediately Translated to walk upon the Glassy-Sea. Which none can ever set foot upon, but such, who have come through all Conquering Tribulations, and have dyed their Garments in the Blood of the Lamb. Oh, this is the sure way: Therefore to bear the Marks of these Dyings will be an assured Token of our reigning Life, that shall finish the whole tragedy of the present Afflictions. Under which we shall not faint; for the Lord, the LORD, hath it said, He will sustain with living Bread, and refreshing Springs, and uphold under all with the strong Arm of his Might. All that is required of us, is that we hold fast, and keep his charge, and make him our shelter, and safe dwelling Rock, there to abide for ever.
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