l. 7. for †r. * v. 190. l. last r. own self Are and wit v. 216. l. 10. Marg. r. half Circles l. 12. f. one r. on v. 222. l. 17. f. world r. word v. 253. l. 2 r. * One Margin * l. 5. f. turns r. turned v. 254. l. 1. r. or the total l. 19. Marg. l. 7. for parts r. Parrots v. 256. l. 7. r. Sulphur l. 9. r. Magia v. 257. l. 4. f. Magiâ—k r. Magick v. 260. l. 4. f. beareth r. boweth v. 278. l. 5. f. right r. Light v. 287. l. 5. r. Christs Flesh v. 327. l. 8. r. God put out the Inward Q. 4. v. 9. l. 2. f. breatheth r. breathed q. 6. v. 10. l. 8 f. Natue r. Nature q 6. v. 14. l 4. f conanteth r concenteth v. 15. l. 4. Marg. f Stolyen r Stoltzen q. 7. v. 9. l. 5. Marg f Wondelt r Wandeit q. 11. v. 5. l 4. f Carnal r Councel 16. f Prime r Prince q. 11. v. 6. l 4. r Mymick q. 12 v 27. l 2. r shouldst l 3. r. to fill q 12 v 32 l 9. f have r hear v 40 l 6 f Charity r clarity q 14 v 13 l 4 r Self-Desire q 17 v 19 l 2 f yet r let v 20 l 2 f the r Thee l 6 f them r thou v 11 l 4 r to and depend v 25 l 3 r the Harvest q 18 v 5 l 1 f they r then l 6 f one r and. v 11 l 4 r receiveth q 21 v 3 l 1 f Seeketh r Seeth v 23 l 5 r taken in q 23 v 7 l 4 r thereby v 10 l 11 f ceaseth r seiseth q 24 v 17 l 4 r Chest we say q 26 v 19 l 7 f their r them v 22 l 2 r acteth q 30 v 17 r of the world v 39 l 3 f breaking r breathing v 50 l 8 r such short words or answer r 56 l 7. f been r heere q 32 v 15 l 3 f Megia r Magna v 20 f keep r know q 35 v 1 l 5 r herein v 6 l 3 r Distinguish v 37 l 2 r Self up q 36 v 18 l 2 Marg. f Wasâ—er r Wasser v 26 l 3 f and r as q 37 v 5 l 4 f winking r working q 40 v 10 l 5 r Lises-Essences Appendix v 6 l 5 r it is v 29 l 3 r Imaged v 31 l 9 r or is v 33 l 5 r Imaging v 34 l 1 f Men r Man The TABLE of the Forty Questions 1. WHence the Soul existed at the beginning 2. What the Souls Essence Substance Nature and Property is 3. How the Soul was created to the Image of God 4. What the Souls breathing in was and when it was effected 5. How the Soul was properly formed and fashioned 6. What the Souls power or ability is 7. Whether the Soul be corporeal or not corporeal 8. In what manner the Soul cometh into Man or into the Body 9. How the Soul doth unite it self with the Body 10. Whether the Soul be Ex Traduce and propagated humanely and corporeally or every time new created and breathed in from God 11. How and in what place the Soul is seated in Man 12. How the enlightening of the Soul is 13. How the Soul feeds upon the Word of God 14. Whether such a new Soul be without sin 15. How Sin cometh into the Soul seeing it is God's Work and Creature 16. How the Soul is kept in such union or connexion both in the Adamical and Regenerate Body 17. Whence and wherefore the opposition of the Flesh and Spirit is 18. How the Soul departs from the Body in the Death of a man 19. Whether the Soul be mortal or immortal 20. How the Soul returneth to God again 21. Whither the Soul goeth when it parteth from the Body be it happy or unhappy 22. What every Soul doth whether it enjoyeth or rejoyceth it self till the Day of the Last Judgment 23. Whether the wicked Souls without difference in so long a time before the Day of Judgment feel any ease or refreshment 24. Whether mens wishes benefit them or sensibly come where they are 25. What the Hand of God and the Bosom of Abraham is 26. Whether the Souls departed take care about men their friends children and goods and know see like or dislike their undertakings 27. Whether they know understand this or that art or business whereof in the body they had good skill 28. Whether also they can certainly know and get any more skill in Divine Angelical Earthly and Diabolical things than they had in the Body 29. What their Rest Awakening and Clarification is 30. What the difference ef the livings and deads Resurrection of the Flesh and of the Soul is 31. What kind of new glorified Bodies they will have 32. What furthermore in the other life their form condition joy and glory is 33. What kind of matter our bodies will have in the other life 34. Of the miserable and horrible condition of the damned Souls 35. What the Enochian life is and how long it will continue 36. What the Soul of the Messiah or Christ is 37. What the Spirit of Christ is that was obedient which he commended into his Father's hand 38. Of those things which shall be done at the End of the World 39. What and where Paradise is with its Inhabitants 40. Whether it be mutable and what it will come to be hereafter The PREFACE of J. B. to Dr. Belthasar Walter BEloved Sir and my good Friend it is not possible for Reason to answer to your Questions for they are the greatest Mysteries which are alone known to God 2. For as Daniel faith to King Nebuchadnezzar That which the King asketh and desireth of the Learned Chaldeans Astrologians and Wise men is not in their power only the God of Heaven can reveal or manifest the hidden Thing It is not in my Reason to answer the King but that the King may perceive the Thoughts of his heart God hath revealed it not that my Reason is greater than of all them that live 3. So say I also to you you shall be answered not that my Reason is greater than of all them that live but that you might perceive and obtain the thoughts of your heart your earnest seeking and desiring it is given to me to answer you 4. And you should not in such a way so eagerly seek after such things for it standeth in no outward Reason but to the Spirit of God nothing is impossible and seeing we are the Children of God and in Christ born again in God surely the Son must needs see very well what the Father doth in his house's and also learn his skill and work 5. And seeing we our selves are the Mysteries of God shall we not so much as look upon them as if we ought not to meddle with such Mysteries as Antichrist in folly forbiddeth us for none apprehendeth any thing of God's Mysteries unless it be given to him
the Turba and in Eternity reacheth not to God also it knoweth nothing of him but is a Life according to the Essence Property of the Parents 13. Where yet it doth not reach to the kindling or burning for the Soul had not it self acted or committed sin but is a fountain-quality-Spirit without self-desire and wonders like the flame of Brimstone and like an Ignis Fatuus which cannot reach to God but remain so between Heaven and Hell in the Mystery till the Judgment of God which will gather in its harvest and give every thing its right and true place of Repository 14. Though perhaps our learned Masters in this may have another kind of Philosophy but we enquire not after their Art we have eyes they have Arts we speak what we see 15. Thus we give you to understand that no Soul is generated or born into this world without sin how honest vertuous and godly soever the Parents are for it is conceived and bred forth or hatched in earthly Seed and bringeth the Turba of the Body along with it and that hath also surrounded the Soul 16. Therefore in the Old Testament God made a Covenant with the Children in Circumcision and so ordered in the Covenant that they must shed their Blood and drown the Turba of the the Soul therewith 17. And in the New Testament there is the Baptism wherein the holy Spirit with the Water of Life washeth off the Turba of the Souls water that it may come to God and become God's Child 18. But if any will say that every one that hath not baptism as Jews and Turks and other People with whom is not the knowledge thereof who have not the Candlestick among them that they are all rejected of God although they never so vehemently press with their teaching Life and Death into the Love of God that is a phancy and Babel-like spoken without knowledge 19. Blessedness and Salvation lyeth not alone in the outward Word but in the Power and Vertue Who will exclude those that enter into God 20. Is it not Babel who seduceth and confoundeth the whole world so that they have devided People into Opinions and yet in their wills go but one way who is the Cause of this but the Antichrist when he drew the Kingdom of God into his might authority and power and made fictions concerning the Regeneration of which when it comes to be day the very Children will be ashamed of them 21. A Man may say with good ground that Antichrists Doctrine is a fighting with a shadow as in a looking-glass and a falshood and wickedness of the Serpent which continually beguileth Eve 22. Thus it is apprehensible to us that no Soul cometh into this world without Sin every one bringeth the Turba along with it for if it were without Sin then it must dwell in a totally pure body which hath no evil will or inclination at all in which there is no earthly seeking or desire 23. But thus indeed is every body and soul tyed and united together till the Turba findeth the Limit of the Body and then the Turba seeketh the works or actions of the Body as hath been mentioned above The Fifteenth Question How Sin cometh into the Soul being it is God's Work and Creature 1. IT is in such a manner as is above mentioned The Turba together with the earthly seeking came along with it into this world and so the Soul becometh vehemently drawn by two parties first by the Word of the Lord which is passed into the middle which there of Love is become Man or incarnate that draweth the Soul continually into God's Kingdom and setteth the Turba before the eys of the Soul so that the Soul seeth in Nature what is false or wicked and sin and if it suffereth it self to be drawn then it becometh regenerated in the Word so that it is God's Image 2. And secondly the Turba also draweth the Soul mightily with its bands and bringeth the Soul continually back into the earthly seeking or longing especially in youth when the earthly Tree sticketh full of green sprouting driving Essences and Poyson and then the Turba thus flyeth strongly or mightily in so that many a soul in eternity cannot become freed and loosed from it 3. A thing which is from two beginnings which stand in equal ballance or weight doth by putting in more weight on the one part sink down be it either by evil or good 4. Sin maketh not it self but the will maketh it it cometh from the Imagination into the Spirit and then the Spirit goeth into a thing and becometh infected from the thing and so the Turba of that thing cometh into the Spirit and destroyeth first the Image of God 5. And then it goeth further seeketh deeper and so it findeth the Abysse viz. the Soul and seeketh in the Soul and so it findeth the fierce wrathful Fire by which it mixeth it self with the thing introduced into the Spirit and so now sin is totally generated or born and so now all is sin which desireth to bring that which is outward into the Will 6. The will should simply or singly be inclined and exercised in Love Meekness as if it were a nothing or dead it should only desire God's Life that God may work act or create in it and whatsoever it doth besides its will should be inclined or intended so as to do it for God 7. But if it put its will into the Thing or Substance then it bringeth that thing or Substance into the Spirit which possesseth its Heart and so the Turba becometh generated and the Soul captivated with that Thing 8. Thus we give you for an answer that no Soul cometh pure and clean out of the Mothers body or womb be it begotten by holy or unholy Parents 9. For as the Abysse and Anger of God as also the earthly world do all cleave to and depend on God the Father and yet cannot apprehend or touch his Heart and Spirit so it is also with the Child in the Mother Body or Womb. 10. If it be begotten of godly pious Parents then each Principle standeth in its own part by it self when the Turba taketh the earthly Body then the Heaven taketh the Spirit and so the Majesty filleth the Spirit and so the Soul is in God and is free from pain 11. But while the Soul sticketh in the Earthly Life it is not free and it is because the Earthly Spirit continually bringeth its Abominations with its Imagination into it and the Spirit must continually stand in strife against the Earthly Life The Sixteenth Question How the Soul both in the Adamical Body as also in the New-born or Regenerate Body is held or preserved in such union together 1. VVE have mentioned above that there are Three Principles which moreover are all Three in the Soul and stand in one another as one thing and we offer you this that the strife in the Soul beginneth in the Seeds while they yet
Anguish into Death and sprouteth forth again into the Liberty and that is the Light together with the Fires source or quality but it now containeth or holdeth another Principle in it for the Anguish is become Love 6. And just such a manner and kind it hath in the Body for the Flesh striveth against the Spirit the outward Fleshes Life is a Looking-glass of the most inward Fire-Life viz. of the Souls Life therefore is the Souls Spirit-Life together with the Light in the Tincture the Middlemost Life and yet becometh generated out of the Soul 7. But understand us according to its precious height the Souls Spirit wherein the Divine Image standeth originateth in the Fire and is first the Will to the Fire but when the fierce Wrath to the Fire so sharpneth and kindleth or inflameth it self then the Will cometh into great Anguish like a dying and sinketh down in it self out of the fierce Wrath into the Eternal Liberty and yet it is no Dying but thus the other or second World cometh to be out of the first 8. For the Will now sprouteth into the other World as a Sharpness out of the Fire but without such Quality flowing forth in the Eternal Liberty and is a moving driving and apprehending of the Anguish Nature it hath all Essences which are become generated in the first sharp Fire-world in the Anguish but they are as one that goeth out of the Fire into the Water where the Anguish of the Fire remaineth in the Water 9. Understand us thus Concerning this Life of the Souls Spirit-Life the Soul is the Center of Nature The Spirit is the precious Noble Image which God created to his Image herein standeth the High-Kingly and precious Image of God for God is also thus and comprehended in the same Lifes quality or source 10. The Spirit is not severed from the Soul No as ye see that Fire and Shining is not severed and yet also is not one and the same it hath a twofold source or quality the Fire fierce wrathful and the Light meek and lovely and in the Light is the Life and in the Fire Δ is the Cause of the Life 11. Thus you may very easily and without much seeking find the Cause of the Contrariety of the Flesh and of the Spirit for the Inward Spirit hath God's Body out of or from the Meek Substantiality and the Outward Spirit hath the fierce wrathfull Fires-Looking-Glasses Body viz. the Souls Looking-Glasses Body which would continually awaken the fierce Wrathfulness viz. the Great Wonders which lie in the Arcanum or secresie of the Souls Sternness therefore the Inward Love-Spirit hindereth it that it should not lift up it self and kindle or inflame the Soul else it would lose its Love-habitation and Image and the Souls Fierce-wrath would destroy it 12. The Contrariety is thus the inward Spirit would be Lord for it Subdueth the outward and the outward would be Lord for it saith I have the Great Wonders and the Arcanum or Secret and thus Glorieth about the Mystery and yet is but a Looking-Glass of the Mystery 13. It is not the Substance of the Mystery but a Seeking or Searching like a palpable Looking-Glass in which the Mystery becometh seen he will needs be a Master being he hath attained one Principle and is an own Self-Life but he is to be accounted a Fool in respect of the Mystery 14. Therefore loving Brother if you would seek the Mystery seek it not in the outward Spirit for so you will be deceived and get but a Glimps of the Mystery go in even to the Cross then seek Gold you will not be deceived you must seek the pure Child without blemish in another World in this world you find only the Rusty or Drossy Child which is altogether imperfect and now take this right thus 15. Go from the Cross back into the Fourth Form there you have Sun and Moon one in another bring it into Anguish into Death and drive on the made or framed Magick body so far till it become again what it was before the Center in the Will and then it is Magical and hungry after Nature 16. It is a seeking in the Eternal Seeking and would fain have a Body therefore give him for a Body Sol viz. the Soul and then it will suddenly make it a Body according to the Soul for the Will sprouteth in Paradise with very fair heavenly fruit without spot or blemish 17. There you have the fair noble and precious Child you Covetous stiff-necked Person we must indeed tell you seeing it is together born and generated with the time and yet we will hereby only be understood by those that are Ours 18. For we mean not A Looking-Glass or Heaven but Gold wherewith you boast that hath so long time been your Idol That is born or generated and puts the Eyes of the blind Cow or Beetle quite out at last so that it seeth less than before but the Children shall see eat and be fat that they may praise God 19. We speak wonderfully here yet onely that which we should speak which yet none wonder at that he knoweth the Mystery who never learned it Doth not an Herb grow without your counsel or advice it enquireth not after Art so also is the Mystery grown without your Art It hath its own School like the Apostles on the day of Pentecost who spake with many Tongues and Languages without the precognita or the fore-skill of Art and so is this Simplicity 20. And it is a forerunning Message to thee Babel of thy Overthrow that thou mayest know it no fierce Wrath or Anger will avail the Star is born or generated which leadeth the Wise-men out of the East but seek them only where thou art and find thy self and cast the Turba away from thee and so thou wilt live with the Children this we speak earnestly there is no other Counsel or Remedy thy Anger is the fire which will devour thy self 21. Or dost thou suppose that we are blind If we did not see we should be silent how would a Lye be pleasing to God and so we should be found in the Turba which sifteth through the work and doings and substance of all men or do we this service for Wages is it our living why do we not hold to depend on Bread according to our outward Reason 22. If it be our day Labour we should do as the Father will have us For †we shall give an account of it in the evening this we speak dearly and earnestly with deep seriousness 23. Thus we can certainly understand the Contrariety of the Spirit and of the Flesh and apprehend very well how Two Spirits are in one another one striving against the other for the one would have God and the other would have Bread and both are profitable and good 24. But let this be said to thee O Child of Man lead thy life Circumspectly let thy Souls Spirit be Lord and then thou wilt
with strangers for in Heaven we are all Brethren they have no greater care about their Children and Parents then about others unless they work and Act in God and then indeed their service of God is much more full of Joy to them but they enter not into their Turba 43. For after the Last Judgement Day the honest Parents will know Nothing of their Children that are in Hell And so it is sufficiently apprehensible to us that they now take no care about their wicked Matters or Doings The Seven and Twentieth Question Whether the Souls in Death know or understand this or that Business and Art in which they were skilled when they were in the Body 1. THis is as in the following Question all their Substance or Matters and Doings appear to them in their Will or Mind in a Magical kind or manner they see it but the Figure or Frame of them will first be given to them in the Day of the Restoration that they may be able to look upon them aright for they must first be tryed by the Fire and that which is false or wicked must remain with its Turba in the Fire according to the purport of the Word of Christ 2. But if the Question be concerning Arts whether they know them surely they know all Arts though never so Deeply founded but they dare not awaken or stir them up that they should appear in their Spirit for Arts are Generated in the Center of Nature out of the Essences wherein the Wonders stand which they have sought in this World so much as hath been opened to them in the Mystery 3. A Soul without Gods Body goeth not into the Mystery for Art it standeth still and quiet in its Rest it feareth the Turba it giveth Glory to God 4. But the highly Enlightned Souls which carry Heavenly Substantiality in their Spirit they have the skill and knowledge of Heavenly Matters and of all whatsoever lyeth in the Mystery especially those which have been conversant in the Mystery here the other do not use to search into the Mystery 5. For every one continueth in his own Calling and Employment which he hath here loved and delighted in though indeed there be no such working or Labour there yet they have Joy in it for in Heaven there is a simple humble Childrens Life 6. Why should Men there enquire after Arts and Sciences The whole Mystery standeth Open God filleth all in all there are meer Wonders they live all in Wonders and are all the Art of God they have all great skill and knowledge but in a Paradisical simple Childrens Life The Eight and Twentieth Question Whether they have any more skill or knowledge of Divine Angelical and Earthly things and also of Devilish and can have more certain Experience and Knowledge of them then they had in the Body 1. Concerning Divine and Angelical Skill and Knowledge they have certainly much more for they are in the Principle of God and the Son seeth very well what the Father doth in his House so also the Soul seeth what is in Heaven 2. Their skill and knowledge is very various for the highest skill and knowledge is apprehended in the Majesty and there must most Souls wait till the Last Judgement Day when they shall get their New Bodies 3. But the highly Enlightned How Souls that are in God's Body and Power they have surpassing overflowing skill and knowledge of God and of the Angels for they are in the Wonders of God till their own Wonders shall be presented also to them 4. The Souls without a Body are in Heaven in God as it were Magically they awaken or stir up no Wonders but are under Gods Altar and wait for the Wonders at the day of Appearing 5. They take no care about Devilish things for that belongeth to the Angels to strive with the Devil and defend Men No Soul Imagineth into Hell it is Enmity to them The Nine and Twentieth Question What the Souls Rest awakening and Clarification are 1. THis is also clearly enough Explained its Rest is without Substance in the stilness where they are in God's Hand and no source or pain toucheth them they have no feeling of any pain but it is as one that lyeth in a sweet sleep and resteth quietly 2. Their Clarification during this time is when they think and consider of the Joy to Come then the Spirit entereth into the Majesty of God whence they have Joy and Clarity or Glory and so during all the time they trim their Lamps that they may be ready in their New Body to be received by their Bridegroom 3. There is a very sweet Paradisical Joy in them but Paradise is not stirring in them with full perfection for that belongeth to the New Body out of the Earth The First Body which God Created which Christ hath redeemed by his Death that will bring the Wonders and enter again into Paradise and be surrounded or Cloathed with God's Majesty and then is the Tabernacle of God with Men. The Thirtieth Question What the difference of the Livings and Deads Resurrection of the Flesh and of the Soul is 1. COncerning this saith Christ there shall be great difference wherefore we remit you to the Scripture for it shall all be according to the Scripture 2. But seeing this is unsearchable and unapprehensible to Mans Reason therefore I know not how to answer you more then the Scripture saith but seeing you long and desire to know these things therefore you are also in your seeking the finding and I am only the Instrument 3. And though it be given and opened to me yet it is not from my own understanding and knowledge but the knowledge standeth in the Spirit of Christ according to which this Hand calleth it self Two-fold and saith WE for it speaketh from Two Persons and two Persons say not I but We and speak of Two as a Lord that speaketh of his Person and of his Dominion 4. And so Gods Children and Servants should not say the knowledge is Mine the understanding is Mine but give the Honour and Glory to God and in their opening or manifesting the Wonders of God should speak of two viz. of the Giver and of the Receiver 5. Neither should any understand our Writing so as if the hand did boast or Glory of it self according to the Authority and worthiness of Man though indeed in Christ we are worthy but according to the Outward Man we would have no boasting or praise and honour for the Praise is Gods 6. VVe are Children of the Father and should do that which he would have us do and not hide or bury in the Earth the Talent which he hath given us for the Father will require it of Us with Increase and if nothing be increased with it then he taketh it again from him to whom he had given it and giveth it to him that hath gained much which would be a Miserable taking away from me to
that is done in the twinckling of an eye 281. For the Water in the Deep originateth from the Fire yet not from the fierce Wrath but from the Light for the Light goeth forth from the Fire and hath its own seeking or longing it seeketh to it self a Looking-Glass that it may behold it self and have it for a habitation and draweth it in the Desiring into it self and dwelleth therein and that which is drawn in is Water which apprehendeth the Light else the Deep of the World would not apprehend the Light if the Light did not dwell in the Water the Water is the fulfilling or satiating of the Light in its desiring 282. And the Water seeketh again a Looking-Glass and willeth to have a habitation which is Flesh as ye see that the Water receiveth the glimps or shadow of all Substances or Things in their Body so that the Body it self is represented in the Water which is because the seeking of the Fire hath taken hold of it 283. Further herein is seen the End of Nature for the Eye findeth its Life in the Water and thus it goeth back into the seventh Form and seeketh its Body in the Water and there is further no desire more in the outward this Body desireth no other Body more in the outward but it looketh back after its mother of which ye have a right and true Example in a Looking Glass which is Fire and Water and that receiveth the Image very clearly 184. And thus ye see that the End goeth back again and seeketh the Beginning and nothing further in the outward for this World is at the limit and is included in a Time and runneth on to the Limit and then the End findeth the Beginning and this World standeth as a Model or as a Looking-Glass in the Beginning Let this serve you to the finding of the Mystery and remit your self rightly into the Beginning that ye may be apprehended or known to be a wonder in God's Love 285. And thus ye are to know that the the second Form of the Water consisteth in the Spirit it is its Fathers Looking-Glass its Makers which dwelleth in the Spirit and is found only by its Maker it self findeth not it self for so long as a thing goeth forward externally there is no finding in the Inward internally only the Spirit which dwelleth in the Inward findeth it self in the Outward 286. But the outward Life findeth not the inward unless it have the inward Spirit then is the finding and it is done according to the inward Spirit and then the outward Life speaketh of the inward and yet knoweth it not only the inward Spirit filleth the outward so that the outward is a Mouth and the inward hath and produceth the Word so that the inward Kingdom standeth manifest in the outward in the sound and that now is a wonder 287. The inward is a Prophet and the outward apprehendeth it not but if it do come to apprehend it then it hath God's Substantiality in it viz. God's Flesh Christ 's Flesh the Virgins Flesh and yet the Prophet standeth or consisteth in the Spirit but that Flesh conceiveth its Power or Vertue and assureth the outward Man that he doth even that which his Maker willeth as indeed this Pen is in such a condition and no otherwise 288. Thus we apprehend the ground of this World that it is a Figure of the inward according to both Mothers that is according to both Fires viz. according to the Fire of fierce Wrath and according to the Fire of the Light as the Model viz. the Looking-glass of the Light of Eternity is the Sun and the Looking-Glass of the fierce Wrath is the outward Fire and the Substantiality of both is the Water and the Earth the Earth is the fierce Wraths Substantiality the Water the Lights the Air the Eternal Spirits which is called God the holy Spirit 289. Yet ye are to know that this World is not the Substance of the Eternity but a Figure a Looking-Glass therefore it is called a Principle of or by it self because it hath a peculiar Life of its own and yet standeth in the Magick Seeking of the inward 290 The Word Fiat is the Master of the outward for it holdeth the outward in its conceived or framed Looking-Glass it is not the Looking-Glass it self but a Similitude in which its Spirit discovereth it self in deeds of Wonder to behold the Wonders of Both Fires viz. of the Wrath and of the Love and thus continually bringeth the Substance of all Substances into the Beginning And therefore is this World turning as a Wheel or Orb for the End seeketh continually the Beginning and when it findeth the Wonders then the End giveth the Wonders to the Beginning and that is the Cause of the Creation of this World 291. The Life of all and every Creature is a Wonder before the Beginning for the Abyss knew nothing of it and the beginning of the Eye findeth it all and setteth or placeth the Model in it self so that it hath an Eternal Number and recreateth it self in the Number of the Wonders The Eighth Form of Fire 292. Seeing thus there is ONE Substance in TWO Forms one that taketh on an unsearchable Beginning in it self and holdeth it Eternally and another that is the Eternal Model which compriseth and with its Body is included in a limit therefore we are to consider of the Turba which breaketh the included comprised Life again and setteth the Model of the comprised Wonders in the Beginning and presenteth such things to the Beginning as were not from Eternity but came to be in the comprised Time 293. Beloved Friend to you and such as you are who seek the Beginning is this thing shewn for your Mind is our Mystery seek it in U S not in ME I the outward Man have it not but the Inward in the Virgin in which God dwelleth THAT hath it and that calleth it self twofold 294. My outward Man is not worthy of the Mystery but God hath so ordained it that he might manifest or reveal it to you by means that you might know him by Means and not say it is from my own wit and understanding 295. And seeing you are a learned Person you should know that God loveth also the silly and despised of this World if he seek God as indeed I have done and that the right and true finding or invention sticketh not in Art but in Gods Spirit and Will 296. For this hand is simple and accompted foolish in the esteem of the World as you know and yet there lyeth such a hidden secret or Arcanum therein as is unsearchable to Reason 297. Therefore have a care pour Oyl into the Wounds that desire or require healing and consider well what Christ saith How hard it is for a man to enter into the Kingdom of God who is captivated with cares of the Belly in Might or Potency and Honour 298. You will not find
with its Will Property be directed and inclined to be in God 5. But all Properties lye in it it may awaken and let in what it will and whatsoever then it awakeneth and letteth in that is acceptable to God if it stand converted with its will into Humility and into Obedience into God's Love then may it do what wonders it will it standeth or serveth all to Gods Honour and Glory The Third Question How the Soul is created to the Image of God 1. IT is clearly shewn that the Number Three with all the Three Principles hath pleased or longed to have a Total Similitude in Substance and Property according to the Sustance of all Substances 2. And the pleasure or longing to have that hath become awakened in Gods Heart as a Great Wonder 3. And that awakening was the harsh or astringent Fiat viz. the desirous attraction which hath drawn out of ALL into ONE and is become an Image according to the Similitude of God according to Heaven and this World and also according to the Anger-World It hath created all viz. the Total Fiat in verbo Domini in the Word of the Lord out of God's and out of the Anger-Kingdom 4. And as there is nothing higher than the Soul so there is nothing that can break it for all is under it and in it it is a child of the Total Substance of all Substances Thus it was created The Fourth Question What the Breathing in of the Soul is and when it is done 1. EVery Spirit without a Body is raw or void and knoweth not it self therefore every Spirit desireth a Body for its food and for its habitation 2. Now being God had before the Soul created the Third Principle as a Looking-Glass of the Deity therefore was the Looking-Glass clearly appendant to the Eternal for it was generated out of the Eternal Wonders and so created Therefore also the Third Principle would not leave the Soul free being it also was created out of God's Wonders and stood in the Beginning as a Figure in God's Wisdom and desired seeing it was material that it also might have a material Similitude in or on the Soul so stirred up in the Souls Creation also its Spirit together in the Fiat 3. And there was the outward Image according to the Spirit of this World laid hold on by the outward Fiat and became a Body created out of the Earths Matrix A Mesch a Mixture a Red Earth consisting of Fire and Water 4 And the Heavenly Matrix longed also after the Soul and would that the Soul should bear its Image and with the Bodies creation laid hold of its own Fiat and did create before the earthly Fiat created that was the First for out of the Center of the Word went the Fiat forth with the Word thus was the Third Principle Created in the Second 5. The Virgin-Wisdom surrounded the Souls Spirit first with heavenly Substantiality with heavenly Divine Flesh and the holy Spirit gave the heavenly Tincture which made heavenly Blood in the Water as in our Third Book is mentioned at large 6. Thus stood the inward Man in Heaven and its Essences were Paradisical its glance in the inward Eye was Majesty an incorruptible Body that could understand God's and the Angels Language the Language of Nature as is to be seen in Adam that he gave all Creatures their Names every one according to its Essence and Property he stood thus in the outward Image and yet knew not the outward Image by Experience as indeed the outward Body hath no apprehension 7. In this Twofold Body which was created on the Sixt Day on the Sixt hour of the Day even in the Hour when Christ was hanged on the Cross was the Kingly or Royal Soul after the finishing of the Body breathed in by the holy Spirit into the Heart into the holy Man into its Principle like an awakening of the Deity 8. The Third Number hath moved it self with the Souls breathing in for it was upon the Center in the Seed as a sprout of the springing of the Essences thus it was breathed in into the inward Center into the inward Man into the Heavenly Heart-blood into the Water of the Eternal Life with all the two inner Principles 9. And the Outward Spirit viz. the Air with the total outward Principle with Stars and Elements hung to the Inward and the outward Spirit breatheth into him its life together also with the Soul through the Nostrils into the Heart into the outward Heart into the Earthly Flesh which yet was not so Earthly for it became corporeal out of the Matrix out of the seeking out of which the Earth came to be 10. Thus the Holy Spirit rode upon the Souls Chariot upon the Inward Majestick Will and moved upon the Water for the Water comprehended him not therefore he moved upon it and in it it is all one and the Soul did burn or flame out of the Heart-blood as the Light out of a Candle and went through all the Three Principles as a King over his Country or Dominion 11. It could potently rule over the outward Principle if it were with its will entered again into the Heart of God into the Word of the Lord. 12. Also the Source or Quality of the fierce Wrath did thus together press in with the Breathing in viz. with the Original of the Soul 13. And the Soul could not otherwise continue to be God's Image unless it continue in Humility and Obedience and incline or set its will into God's Will wherein it was an Angel and God's Child else there was great danger for a Creature to over-power two Principles viz. the Angry and the Outward which was generated out of the Anger 14. Therefore its Temptation was not the mere biting of an Apple and hath endured for a few hours only but Forty Dayes so long as Christ was tempted in the Wilderness and even by all the Three Principles and Israel in the Wilderness when Moses was Forty Dayes upon the Mount when they also stood not but made a Calf The Fifth Question How the Soul is peculiarly formed and fashioned or framed 1. VVHen a Twig or Branch groweth out of a Tree then its Fashion or Shape is from the Tree it is not the Stock or the Root but yet its Form is like the Tree So also when a Mother breedeth a Child it is an Image of her 2. And that cannot otherwise be for there is nothing else that can make it otherwise unless it be fallen back home to the Turba which often awaketh a Monster according to the Spirit of this World according to its beginning or inceptive Maker viz. the Moon where the Fiat maketh a Moon-Monster in the Turba 3. Thus we are to apprehend and know in what Form it is viz. of a round Globe according to God's Eye through which the Cross goeth or pierceth and parteth it self into two parts viz. into Two
the Devil and what propriety or part he hath in it it goeth not naked unless it be so that the Spirit of God conduct it so that it hath him for a shield or defence so that the Devils suttlety cannot press or slip into it 25. It makes no wonder unless God's Spirit awaken or stir it up it giveth God the Honour and Glory and attributeth the might power to him it doth as a humble Child and remaineth standing under the Cross and letteth the Devil bluster over it but it self sprouteth in Humility and Meekness through Death into the Eternal Life and bringeth forth much fruit in Patience 26. Thus the Devil can do nothing to that Soul it is as it were dead to him he may with his Turba in the Earthly Life with his helpers and instruments wicked and ungodly Men make a stir and racket but he hath only scorn and derision in the presence of God for it for he is a proud arrogant spirit and would fain be above God's Wonders but an Humility can bind him or subdue him 27. In such a manner may every man escape the false and wicked Magus and also the Nigromancer for no power takes hold on them where God dwelleth As Christ in his Death overcame the Devil and Death so also we in Christ for the Word that became Man dwelleth in us and in that Word we can rule over the Devil and Hell there is no hinderance 28. Thus we give you for an Answer upon this Question that the Soul in its Original is greatly powerful it is able and can do much but only in that Principle into which it looketh or standeth is its power and might for the Devil cannot rule over God Its might or power is not given to it as a King giveth Might Power Authority or Favour to any but it standeth in Natures-right therefore we are Children of the Omnipotency of God and inherit his Goods in the Omnipotency The Seventh Question Whether the Soul be Corporeal or not Corporeal 1. A Thing which is from no Beginning hath also nothing that can give it any thing and if it be something it must seek the Beginning in it self for every spirit dwelleth in the deepest Abysse of its substance but if it must make the substance to it self it can dwell in Nothing that is strange to it but in it self in its own substance 2. When God created the Soul the holy Spirit surrounded it with the Tincture for it stood therein as to one part in it self it was raw or red as the glowing of the fire is raw or red and is surrounded with the Tincture 3. As you understand that from the warmth the growing existeth that is a driving of the Tincture which driveth the Twig or Branch out from the Root viz. out of the same Fire be it cold or hot 4. For the Darkness hath a Cold Fire so long till it reach the Anguish and then it kindleth it self in the hot as is to be seen in an Herb if it come into another quality 5. Thus we give you to understand that the Tincture is the right and true Souls Body for the Soul is Fire and the Tincture goeth forth out of the Fire which the Fire draweth again to it self and meekneth or allayeth it self therewith so that the fierce wrathful source or quality extinguisheth 6. Thus the Tincture standeth in meekness and it hath no substance or might or power in it self but the Water is its might or power there cometh out of the meekness of the Tincture water to be 7. For the Fire is desirous and where there is a desiring of the Original there is also a finding of the Original thus the Fire findeth in the Tincture Water and turneth that into Sulphur according to power or vertue of all the Seven Spirits of Nature that is a Water of Life 8. For the Tincture driveth up in the Water as a sprout and the Fire in the Abyss causeth that 9. Thus is the Water in the Sulphur of the Seven Spirits changed into the Mystery and the great Areanum or Secret lyeth therein Whatsoever God and the Eternity can do Thus the Mystery containeth Two Forms viz. Fire Water and changeth it self according to Both viz. according to the Fire into Red and according to the Tincture into White so that a clear shining or glance existeth from the Fire so that the Life seeth or knoweth it self out of which Reason and Thoughts exist and the Mind is in the Wheel or Orb of the Anguish in the Fire out of which the Essences exist 10. And thus you see what the Blood is viz. a House of the Soul but the Tincture is its Body 11. The right or true Soul hath no palpable Body which is called Soul but in the Tincture groweth the Body in the Sulphur out of Sulphur that is every Spirit of the Seven Spirits of Nature desireth Substantiality which is together Sulphur 12. For Sul is power and vertue out of the Light and Phur is power and vertue out of the Four Forms of Natures Original as in the Third Book is mentioned at large 13. Thus the Phur desireth Flesh that is a Mixture out of Fire and Water and is in the Tincture conceived and generated or born 14. And the Tincture is the growing of the Body and the Fire is an Original of the Spirit through the Tincture For in the Tincture the Souls Spirit taketh its Original which viz. the right true Image figureth according to God's Image that is according to all the Three Principles for in the Fire the Soul is no Similitude of God but in the Spirit it is the Image of God 15. For the First Soul was together incorporated with the Divine Substantiality so that it had God's Body in the Virgin of Wisdom in which the Tincture standeth this is the Angels Image 16. And I give you for Answer that as to what concerns the Soul merely and purely by which we understand not the Spirit it is a Fire-Globe with a Fire-Eye and with a Light-Eye which turn back to back and one within another as the Wheel in Ezekiel that can go on all sides though Babel have made clean another understanding upon it but a blind one without Spirit 17. But as to what concerns its Tincture out of the Light which existeth out of the Fire and Light it is a Spirit where the Original of the Soul and of the Spirit in Eternity cannot separate assunder it is an Eternal BAND and when the Blood goeth away and the Body dyeth then this Band continueth in Eternity 18. The Body as to what concerns the Soul purely belongeth not to the Substance of the Soul they are Two Substances for the Body is the Souls Looking-Glass and dwelling House also its proper portion and it is also the cause that the meer pure Soul altereth or changeth the Spirit viz. according to the Pleasure or Longing of the Body or of the