July 21. 1678. Earth to Earth.

Going to my rest, somewhat troubled, that any thing of a Worldly concern should interrupt me, in that Spiritual employ and calling, that now I had so delightfully betaken my self unto; I met with this in the Night, I saw my self imposed upon to carry a heavy Bag, the stuff that was in it, seemed to be Lime. I went with it, till I was full weary, and coming to a place which was as a Pit, that I must pass down into, and up again with my burthen, at which I was much disturbed, and stooping to go down.

There suddenly appeared two Persons, having great pity towards me, saying, Come we will bear off this burthen for you, so they took it from me, and threw it into the Pit, saying, Let the Earth go to the Earth, but come thou after us to the Land: Where thou shalt know the Peaceable rest. So greatly eminent was my Deliverer, only at the joy of which, I came out of the Vision. Then I consider'd the thing, and it was shewn me, it came for support, and to relieve under the present Weight of care and concern that was thrown upon me.

For the Word said, Fear not; out of this horrible Pit thou shalt be delivered also. For my great strife lay here, I knew not how to let in any gross thing into the Mind of my Spirit, which I had assigned over to God for Spiritual replenishments: Which could have no agreement with the Earthly stuff. For truly I found Store-house little enough to take in, and to stow up, what from my Father's Treasury of Spiritual Goods was sent in to imploy my whole time upon. Therefore I could rather have chosen Death, than be put by, or prevented the following of my Heavenly Vocation.

So it was shewn me, that the Pit which was prepared to swallow me up, should be ordained for to received what had oppressed and burthened me. And by the greatest plunges, our escape and deliverance would be wrought out. For by experience I found hereby a fear, and holy jealousie, lest I should be over balanced with Cares, that did proceed from the sensitive Life. And such were the eager out-cries of the Soul, as it was heard to what it feared. For by strength of Faith I well know, God will suffer all to be brought under, that is now in exteriour Height of Dominion. O precious Grain of Omnipotency! God, even our Rock, will raise thee up, to be our saving Friend.