13 faithful in that which is most; but he that is faithful in that which is least, will be faithful in that which is most. Would it be consistent with the wisdom of God, to tell us wondrous things that were to come, when there was no appearance of them, and think we should give credit to them, before we had experienced the truth of his words. in lesser matters? No: therefore it might well be Isaid that the wisdom of man is foolishness with God. True it is: for the wisdom of man could never prevail upon me, in ninety-two, to leave my work, and go to my sister, and write that what was revealed to me was coming upon the whole earth, had I not experienced before the truth of the Spirit in little things,-and greater things, that would take me many sheets of paper to repeat, the undeniable truths I was foretold by the Spirit, before ever I was told of prophecies, or a word of the kind reached my ears. One trifling thing I shall mention: I was told what was in the hearts and thoughts of men concerning me, and told the man I should go to, and he would own the truth. I did, and the man, to his astonishment, owned it was true. He is now in the city. But he said it was the devil told me of it; and the same he saith by my prophecies; yet he owns he believes me to be a good woman. How inconsistent with reason to believe a good woman can always be conversing with the devil and perfect in obedience to all his commands! Well might it be said in my writings "I say, the heavens may sure smile here, to see the heads of men!" Do you believe that Abraham's faith would lead him to believe he should have a son in his old age, and after that to offer him up by the command of the Lord, if he had never experienced the truth of the Lord in many things which were never penned? Would the Jews believe that they should be preserved in the flames, if they never proved the truth of the Lord before, in things which were never left on record? We know not in what manner the Lord strengthens the faith of believers: faith is the gift of God, and not of man. Now I will come to another of your observations. You marvelled how I heard these things; and why it was spoken in verse; as you said, the prophets of old prophesied in plain words. I will answer. The reason assigned to me is, that the Bible was made by the Spirit of Inspiration, and it will be explained, as to the mysteries it contains, by the Spirit of Revelation, therefore is the last book called by that name. In the first chapter you mention is the truth now fulfilling, and deeply explained in my writings. You will find the time draws near of the fulfilment; but as you fear to trust me, I cannot trust you with the meaning of all the mysteries explained. In the Revelations, it is said, am Alpha and Omega, the first and he last;" then now consider what God made man at first: perfect in holiness, perfect in happiness; and, to do it at the last, he his about to accomplish it. Now, Reverend Sir, I shall come to some more of your own words. You said that the Gospel of Christ was plain to be understood; can you explain all the meaning of our dear Redeemer's words? He said he came not to destroy the Law of God or the Prophets, but to fulfil them: "this generation shall not pass away till all is fulfilled." It is 1797 years agone, and all is not yet fulfilled. He said- None is before nor after another; none is greater or less than another: but he that is greatest amongst you let him be your minister; he that is chief amongst you shall be the servant to you all " I remain, with the greatest respect, Your humble servant, JOANNA SOUTHCOTT. 15 The following Letter was sent to the Rev. Mr. Pomeroy, February 20th, 1797. REV. SIB, With what words shall I begin to convince you that I am still ordered to trouble you with letters, till you are convinced it is the Lord's doing, and marvellous in your eyes; but you will be ready to answer me," unless I see, how can I believe?" And you have offered to search out the truth and judge for yourself. I grant it but I will answer you, as our Saviour did the leprous men, "were there not ten cleansed, but where are the nine?" are there not six warned, but where are the five? I have sent letters to four ministers, but recei, ved no answer from either, This confirms my writings, as well as the truth of all nations; as you may remember, the first time I spoke to you of the writings, in ninety-two, I told you that one of the visions was the fruit that was fallen from the trees; and I thought the Lord said to me, "take it up, and open the shells; but thou shalt "not taste of the fruit thereof: it is fallen; it is not good." I opened it, and it was like French nuts; but they were dead and withered, and a black veil round them. I was ordered to look up; and I saw berries like potatoe berries. I was answered," when that is ripe it will be good." I awaked with my dream, and it was answered"couldest thou look into the hearts of men, as I do; thou wouldest see them as dead and withered as the fruit; for which reason the Lord will "visit the earth in his fierce anger." Now I have been ordered to try the fruit; and I find it like my dream ; for the ministers I have sent to plainly shew, if I am going to the pit of destruction, by saying the Lord saith, when he hath not spoken, a sin of the blackest dye, they will not give theirselves the trouble to convince me of my error: but if I had forged letters in the king's name, they would have been ready to search out the truth, by his command; ready to obey, and punish me for so doing. Then are not our Saviour's words verified?" Strict to observe the ordinance of men, "and forget all the inward ordinance of God; doing despite to the Spirit of God; and saying we want not the knowledge of the Most High." But you will be ready to say, my pen is harsh in condemning. Sir, I grant it; this is the measure they judge me by; and so I shall measure it back again.-They have judged me unheard; and I shall measure to them the same. This is the word of God. But I will ask pardon of the Rev. Chancellor Nutcombe; as I have not heard that he hath been in town since I sent the letter; and having a careless servant, that acted strangely about the letter, I know not whether ever she sent it. You said that all the ministers were branches in Christ: to your words I am now answered-" ask him who did come to me that I refused to hear; then how can they be branches in me? Now see the mystery clear." Can you remember the words I read to you in Mrs. Taylor's house? "Awake, my Shepherd, saith the Lord; Or all shall see the flaming sword, That I shall surely shake. For, like Jerusalem of old, Your shepherds are asleep ; The wolf may come and steal the fold, For they no watch do keep." And is it not so now? Then what have we to fear? If there be any credit to be put in the newspapers, the truth of Italy is fulfilled already, 17 perfectly as it is sealed up in your hand: but I do not credit the report, and think it like putting the Reverend Lord Bishop Buller's death in the paper before he was dead, and the next week contradicted; but it was true before the year ended. Just so do I believe it will be by Italy; but do not think the words are so soon, fulfilled. But nothing will awaken the Ministers, till you are awakened to awaken them. I may as well write to stocks and stones as to them. I ask your pardon. A clear conscience cannot be condemned. It grieves me to the heart, to see and hear how eager every serious mind and humble heart is to have the writings proved, and the carelessness and coldness of the ministers. I have troubled you with a long epistle; but this I am ordered to do, that you may weigh every thing deeply; and when you are convinced, awaken your brethren. I am sorry to be troublesome, but you will find there is cause enough. I remain, with the greatest respect, Your humble servant, A Letter sent to the Rev. Mr. Pomeroy, December 17th, 1797. Rev. Sir, That I might not be too troublesome to you, I have deferred sending to see you till the end of the year, that you might be a clear judge of the writings I sent to you in the Spring sealed up, as you doubted, like Thomas; unless you saw you would not believe that all my writings were from the Lord; then now I may say unto you, as our dear Redeemer did unto him, see and believe. In your own hands I put two seals, not to be broken but in the presence of ministers; the one |