An explanation of the parables

the wisdom of their God, in what manner I have led them on for their good.

And now come to the next Parable, that I ordered thee to put in print * ; and then discern the words I spoke: "That I should conquer in the woman’s form." original: "That I should conquer in the woman’s form." This refers to the belief that just as a woman was used by the adversary in the Fall, God would use a woman to help bring about the end of evil. Then know, it is by my Spirit, and by my Power, the adversary Satan or the devil must be cast and brought to justice, as the lady brought the man; but can this wondrous working be done by a woman, to have your enemy destroyed, whom I said was a murderer from the beginning? can this murderer be tried and cast, without my Spirit and without my power? It must be my Spirit to direct, my Wisdom to bring all dark sayings to light, and my Power to execute; all must be done by ME, though worked by a simple instrument, that is but as clay in the hands of the potter: and know, with clay I made the salve to anoint the eyes of the blind; then if my spittle upon the clay wrought so great a cure for man; let them know, when my Spirit in power visits strongly the house of clay the human body, specifically Southcott herself, it must be eye-salve to the blind: for this is the way I shall open their eyes. And now let men discern these Parables deeply, how I ordered them to be brought forward, and what I compared their likeness to, after my Spirit had entered thee, speaking in such powerful manner, to be discerned by all around you; and now, to open the eyes of your understanding, all must discern the words that were first spoken, before I ordered the parables to be brought forward; and then place the likeness of the parables, and what I compared them to, with the likeness of my words; and all was done in the secret chamber, when I ordered thee to be kept secret, that none but those I placed around thee should enter thy room; but what was done in the

• See page 70 of the book called "The Flock of Sheep." A reference to Southcott's 1805 publication, "The Flock of Sheep; or, A Help to the Weak."