To the extent possible under law, the Text Creation Partnership has waived all copyright and related or neighboring rights to this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above, according to the terms of the CC0 1.0 Public Domain Dedication (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/). This waiver does not extend to any page images or other supplementary files associated with this work, which may be protected by copyright or other license restrictions. Please go to http://www.textcreationpartnership.org/ for more information.
In the Night, as I was waiting in my wonted solemn Retirement, what might further be administred. I was cast as in∣to a magical Sleep, where I saw my self carried into a Wilderness; where I saw only pleasant, pastoral Walks and Trees, which much suited with my Mind and Inclination there to walk; where I found nothing to disturb my superiour
Meditations. In which place I promised my self opportunity, as not willing that either my Name, or Place should be known to any, saving One. But while I was thus pleasured in my reserved state, I suddainly did see one, that was known to me, walking very strait and upright, with a Book reading in his Hand: He seemed to be as one, that would not look awry. But it was said presently, that this Person was a Spy: Then pre∣sently two more did appear of the Fe∣male Sex, both which did make a kind of Assault upon me; but one of the Fe∣males was more fierce, and did give my outward Skin a prick, as with a sharp Needle. Upon which I called for An∣gelical aid to succour me, or else too hard they would be. Whereupon I was parted from them, and saw them in that place no more: A voice, saying, None here shall henceforth come, but such as can agree to walk with thee perfectly. And so the Vision broke up.
Some Days after I did further enquire into the more full meaning of this Visi∣on, why such should so conspire against my solitary reserved Life: but especially that one, who was in my Eye of more value, because of a known Life of Truth, and Integrity? I found this written up∣on my Heart, Their Eyes must for a while be with-held; they will not you know, till ye can get the new Name engraven, as of pretious Stones upon your Fore∣head. For it was secretly whispered to my Spirit, that in some there might be a refined and spiritual Emulation, as in o∣thers a more Gross and Sensual. Both of which I had councel, and caution, how to walk with; so as no occasion, of stum∣bling might be given justly to the gain∣saying Spirits: Whose pryings were to see how we would walk, while in the Wilderness state. Out of which we were not to come, till our beloved Lord should bring us forth, as in another form; wherein me might be known as those, who are to live in another Sphere,
where neither the hissing Serpent, or bi∣ting Adder will adventure to appear in that High-way, where nothing which is unclean can pass. It is only for those, who have held out the Wilderness pro∣bation; waiting in Faith, Love, and Pa∣tience, till the jubilee Year. In which the Ransomed shall go forth, out of their so∣litary Place into the New Sharon: where the Glory and Excellency of their God, as a circling Saphir-bow will be for their Defence.