An explanation of the parables

Foxing and staining visible on page edges and throughout the text.

* See page 63 of the Flock of Sheep.

appeared in different forms to them in a dream, and the places shewn to both, how they ought to shun the mark where destruction stood in their way; but this mark they did not shun, though the warning had been given them in a dream, what places they ought to shun * ; but like the Lady, they went on, who despised the warning until destruction came upon her.

So now let men discern in what manner and what likeness the parables and dreams stand together, that I ordered thee to bring forward, as a warning to mankind; and let them weigh them deeply with the words I spoke in thee, before I ordered thee to bring these things forward; then they will see the sense and meaning of all the words I spoke in thee, when my Spirit entered strong within thee, to speak in love and anger; anger against thine adversary, whose temptations had been as strong, to seek thy destruction, as the gardener’s arts to murder the woman; and as the enemy in the house came to murder the gentleman, in like manner came Satan’s arts to murder thee, by temptations, before I came in power to prevent him, and plainly told thee how I should act according to the parable I brought to thy remembrance of the Hermit in Disguise a figure representing Christ or God's hidden work: I said it was my love to destroy the adversary of mankind; but those that refuse my love, and despise my invitation, I told thee they had to fear at last the dreadful horrors thou felt at first. Therefore they must deeply mark how thy fears were first alarmed, before my Spirit came strong to thee; and then discern the words I spoke; weigh them with the parables, and they will judge of the end; as horror and despair was the end of some; but a happy deliverance the end of others: and this will be felt by all nations; as these Books tell you the end.

And now come to thy own History, which I or-