News from the new-Jerusalem sent by letters from severall parts, relating some hints and observations of that citty, all conspiring in a testimony that renders it exceeding glorious.

Letter 23.

Dear friend,

THe Fathers love hath of late been much manifested toward me, exceeding hath that glory been in which I have dwelt since last I saw you; my joy unspeakable, my rest unutter∣able, my peace unconceiveable:

Having therefore received such large and plenteous fillings flowing from the heart of the most High; I can do no lesse than acquaint you with some few tastes and relishes of my late enjoyments, as in manner followeth:

On Munday the 24^th of this instant; I was in the Evening at a friends house in Cam∣bridge-shire, where, (being in a familiar con∣ference

with some of my acquaintance) it pleased the Father so freely to unbosome him∣self in me by such clear demonstrations of his presence as I never before beheld; insomuch that I appeared to my selfe as one out of my selfe translated into the substantiall and pure enjoyment of that love and peace which I have usually before, either but onely heard, or at least darkly seen and beheld through the vails of outward administrations.

That which was spoken by me under these workings, was faced with such an eivdent appearance of spirit and power, as that it struck astonishment in the hearts of those present; some thereat gushing out into teares, others possessed with shaking and trembling; and one there was, who was so filled with joy, as that he could not refrain singing and leaping; my heart was so overcharged with the pre∣sence of the most High, that I desired a more retyred being; and to that end, withdrew to my Bed, where I thought, I might in my more singular addresses expend my desires up∣on my received glory: I lay down in my Bed with unexpressible comfort, being overcome with the beauty of holy delights; I endea∣voured to cover this fire with silence; but it grew so hot within me, that no longer I could

retain it; but was forced to declare to my Bed-fellow (a friend of mine) how it was with me; I told him, I was over-come with love; I was so replenished with divine rest and consolation, that I could not contain my self: I began to sing and rejoyce, being every minute apt to be carried out of my Bed to daunce and leap about the room; but this noise soonvanished away by the power of that voice which commanded silence; saying, Rest and be still in thine own Love: Hereat a deep si∣lence possessed me, yet not a jot of my glory diminished, but onely brought under the po∣wer of a heavenly silence; yea, there was si∣lence in heaven.

My friend lying by me, was suddenly sur∣prized with a miraculous power from above, his body did shake and tremble in such a man∣ner, as I never saw; who declared the com∣ming of the day of God in a language divine and powerfull, sometimes singing and rejoy∣cing, in so much, that the people of the house being thereat awakened, wondred what the matter should be.

All this while, my lovely silence constrain∣ed me, yet under unspeakable enjoyments; my breath was by fits taken from me, and the divine life did so overpower the naturall, as

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that I expected a daily motion out of this form or body: nay how willing was I to commit my body to the power of an eternall sleepe, and to enter into that immensity which was able to comprehend me?

We spent almost the whole night, under the power of these raptures, while at last to∣wards morning I felt a timely withdrawing of the rigour and vehemency of this power, which I was made freely willing to part with at the Fathers pleasure; for I have learned both how to want, and how to a∣bound.

Yet notwithstanding to this day there re∣maines a virulent and powerfull impression of the same upon my heart, which I hope shall never be raced out: I then saw, and doe still behold a perfect reconciliation brought forth in me, to all that heretofore I have beene at enmity with; Hell, Sinne, Death, Divell, are all in a league with mee; I have fellowship with God in all these, I care not who knowes it: Sinne hath lost its strength, Hell its tor∣ment, Death its victory, the Divell his enmity, we are all friends, Hallelujah, God omnipotent reignes in all these. Good Lord! What a poor, low life is that which subsists onely in those things, that bring forth our advantage? I have

now learned to live upon the highest disadvan∣tages that may be; I can fetch life out of death, good out of evill, yea, enjoy light in dark∣nesse, peace in torment, Heaven in Hell; I know nothing can hurt, nothing can destroy in this Mountain where I live; Shall Sinne? alas that's to weake, the Law which was its strength is departed: it shall no more have dominion o∣ver me, for I am not under the Law, I can passe through all imaginable evill in the light of divine righteousnesse, and receive not the least dammage; Shall Hell? O its a lake of com∣fortable torment, I live in it joyfully, I love it dearly. I know the breath of God as rivers of brimstone kindles hell in me, it burnes, it scor∣ches, and so let it till the will of God be fulfil∣led; I can passe through these flames, yea lye down amongst them, and not one haire of my head shall perish by them; I glorifie and re∣joyce in the very fires.

I shall now desire you to acquaint my Fre••nds with these dealings of God towards me, if happily any thing may be given in upon their spirits about it. All that I have (at pre∣sent) is this: I looke upon it as an evident signe of some dreadfull appearance of the Sonne of man; for these two things were given in with much power upon my heart.

First, That the God of peace shall tread Satan under feet shortly.

Secondly, Lift up your head, your redem∣ption drawes nigh.

Read, Ʋnderstand, Rejoyce.