March 12. 1678. the Mystery of the Altar Further Explained.

This Word was further in special given to me, saying, the Altar-Inscription is not in vain unfolded. For hereby you are to find out, where the rich Inheritance of the Waiters thereupon doth lye, for a separated Portion to live in, which to none else doth appertain. Therefore consider your High-Calling as a Gift and Office from the Lord, by which you are taken from among others, upon the Altar-income to be satisfied. This only is required for the present time, let the Altar be cleaned all through, till the seventh Day is expired, that so your Messiah Prince may appear to you in another Altar-frame, and to put an end to such Altars, upon which trespass-offerings according to the course hath been offered again and again, because no Perfection could be attained.

For thus the Vision of the Holy One did explain it self, that as the Lord Christ's coming to offer up himself, did Abolish all other Sacrifices, which were ordained by the first Covenant, and did cause to cease as it is written, Sacrifice and Offering thou wouldst not, but a Body thou hast prepared. So likewise, he is yet to come once again, to put an end to what Offerings hath been ever since, in a more refined way of Spirituality, yet being weak and imperfect, not answering that high end of a compleat Redemption.

There is therefore a Necessity for him to appear in another kind of figure Transparent and all Powerful in a selected Priesthood, and to rear up the everlasting Tabernacle. Which the Spirit hath much yet to shew and open, but hard to be comprehended and uttered, because of the Medium, through which it must pass for knowledge and discovery. But thus much is fathomed and brought up by that Spirit, who hath entred into the Mystery, who hath verified that Christ in the form of Flesh, was also a Figurative Sacrifice offered, which was expedient for the transgressions under the first Covenant, that they should be attoned and purified by this immaculate Lamb, but his must rise to a further degree.

For this Heavenly Type is yet to have its fulfilling by bringing down the Holy Place and Heavenly Sanctuary with all it s Coelestial Ornaments, and Powers and Substantialities, that do belong to the everlasting Priesthood. For all of this Temple Glory is yet reserved to be revealed in its time, and for it anointed Holy Priests shall be constituted, who yet are but in the process of the seven Day's Clarifying their Figurative Altars in themselves, and are preparing for it, by taking a higher Order, when the Heavens shall rend, and all of the real Original Tabernacle shall come down.

Which hath there been shut up. But herefrom may be enquired, what foregoing Sign there will be, before the descending of this Priestly-Kingdom? That so we may know it is here. No greater Sign for this shall be given, than the traveling Birth, which is impregnated with the Holy Ghost. Which fulfilling Type will be in the Spirit of an Altar-Flame, that shall go forth to fetch and draw down the Holy Camp, in which God will dwell, and unite, as with his Spouse and Bride in his New Jerusalem-State.

Now the Blessedness will be to them, who shall be first favoured with this sign of this might Birth, and then it brings to the Golden Altar, as the first Born of a Virgin-Womb: then all the Powers in Heaven will open. This is the gift, that of all acceptation will be for to Burn incense, and herefrom to scatter Perfumed Coals, that when ever they do fall, all touched herewith shall be, and become Spirits in Heavenly forms, meet for high Conjunction with the Holy Trinity. Oh this is that, which the inspiring Spirit driveth hard for to put some one or other into a Spiritual Posture for to enjoy them, and therefore have presented, as in a Glass of Righteousness, and Sanctuary purity, these great things, to prove whether or no, we will be earnest for them, and acquit, and go out from the Worldly Sanctuary, and forsake the Land of our polluted Nativity, wherein is great darkness, distance, and ignorance of all these Supereminent Joys and Fruitions which are shut up from us. Which entred upon might be most clearly enjoyed, if we could shake off the Cloudy Black Body; from which the root of Sin does spring.