the works of Love then he hath also no Faith the opinion maketh no salvation but is Babell a confusion of the Tongues of the one onely Love None is a Christian unlesse he love his neighbour and desireth to doe him good 14. The outwardly imputed Grace without the innate e Or childelike filial Grace is all false when Christ worketh in a Man then he is a Christian and then the sufferings merits and satisfaction of Christ availe him when he hath him in himselfe for an Advocate who hath done it that he doe it also in him and attracteth his merits to him then is the kingdome of God in that Merit otherwise all Imagelike Opinions are faise No work pleaseth God but what he himselfe worketh in Man through his Spirit therefore let us be the children of Christ and not the children of Images 15. Christ hath imparted his kingdome to us in his Testaments he that will receive it must be his childe else there is no Inheritance to work Repentance is better then to desire to know much Is not the knowledge given from God to a Man then he will not be able to understand the Ground of the divine secret Mystery but if it be given him he neede no Image to continue in the humility and simplicity of Christ and to cleave to his love and Grace without despising of any one is good Christianity All whatsoever speaketh of it selfe is Babell in Christ wee are all Members and all one AMEN The End of the second little Book concerning The Holy Supper The Table of the Two Testaments Angells Book 1. Ch 1. THe End why God Created the Angells and Men also of Reasons Misunderstanding of the Testaments of Christ Verse 23. Book 1. Ch 2. How Angells became Devills Verse 3 4 5 Anointing Anointed Book 1. Ch 3. How Christs anointing is understood in the Water Baptisme Verse 19 Book 1. Ch 3. How the Body and Soule is anointed by Christ in the Water-Baptisme Verse 19.20 Book 1. Ch 4. John Anointed when Mary saluted Elizabeth Verse 4 Book 1. Ch 4. A Baptizer should be the Anointed of Christ Verse 22 Antichristian Booke 2. Ch. 5. Of Antichristian doings Verse 4 Arise Booke 1. Ch. 3. What that is wherein Man at the last day shall Arise and stand before the Judgement Verse 16.17.20 Baptisme Baptised Baptise Baptiser Booke 1. Ch. 2. How the Deluge was a figure of Baptisme Verse 17 Booke 1. Ch. 2. Why God sent the Baptisme and Divine Infusion in an Elementary Earthly Medium Verse 26.27 Booke 1. Ch. 2. What is the Ground of that Water Baptisme to which the holy Ghost is the Hand that Baptiseth Verse 36 Book 1. Ch 3. How the whole Man needed Baptisme Verse 4 Book 1. Ch 3. How the Baptisme of the holy Ghost is effected Verse 6 Book 1. Ch 3. What it is in the Water Baptisme wherewith the Body from the Outward World and the Spirit of the Constellation in Man is Baptised Verse 12 Book 1. Ch 3. How wee are buried with Christ in Baptisme Verse 22 Book 1. Ch 4. John the Baptist the Beginner of Water Baptisme Verse 01 Book 1. Ch 4. Circumcision changed into Water Baptisme Verse 6 Book 1. Ch 4. Why God Ordained the Water Baptisme Verse 9 Book 1. Ch 4. Why the Outward Baptisme is requisite to those that live to have it Verse 14.15.19 Book 1. Ch 4. Wee are through Baptisme planted anew in the Word of God Verse 20 Book 1. Ch 4. How God is with the Holy with the Vnholy in the Baptisme Verse 24 Book 1. Ch 4. What required to Baptisme in them that are present Verse 33.34.40 Book 1. Ch 4. Wicked people at the Baptisme a hinderance to the work Verse 36 Book 1. Ch 4. Baptisme not a meere signe but a substantiall work Verse 38 Book 1. Ch 3. What was done that the Three Worlds properties in Man might be Baptised Verse 5â— Book 1. Ch. 3. What it is in Man that is Baptised into Death Verse 21 Book 1. Ch. 4. Faithfull Parents Baptised in Soule and Body generate Children in that Baptisme Verse 13 Book 1. Ch. 3. How the Father Sonne and Holy Ghost Baptise together Verse 11 Book 1. Ch. 4. Who it is that is worthy to Baptise with Water Verse 10.11.39 Book 1. Ch. 4. Holy Parents Baptise their Ofspring in Spirit yet why the Outward Baptisme is requisit in those that live to have it Verse 14 15.19 Book 1. Ch. 4. The unfaithfull Baptiser is dead in that work though God alwayes worketh in respect of his Covenant Verse 12 Beasts Book 2. Ch 1. The Image of Reconciliation in the sacrificing of Beasts and burning the Fat of them mentioned Levit. 8.14 c. Verse 5 Body Book 1. Ch 1. How wee came to have this Beastiall Body Verse 20 Book 1. Ch 2. What Body the Saints before and since Christ put on and what Body they waite for in the Resurrection at the Last Day Verse 14 Book 1. Ch 3. The Body of Man necessary to be Baptised Verse 2.3 Book 2. Ch 3. Why the Bread and Wine cannot be turned into the Body and bloud of Christ Verse 25 Book 2. Ch. 4. How it is not to distinguish the Lords Body Verse 1 Children Book 1. Ch 4. Christ biddeth Suffer little Children to come to him Verse 28 Christ Christs Christian Booke 1. Ch 2. Why God must become Man and why Christ must receive the Elementary part from us Verse 34 Booke 1. Ch 2. How Christ is bestowed upon Man Verse 37.38 Booke 1. Ch 3. How Christ is the Light of the little World Verse 10 Book 2. Ch. 2. How Christ is the Light of the world Verse 10 Book 1. Ch. 3. How Christ penetratrated through Death and Hell Verse 18 Book 1. Ch. 3. How Christ descended into Hell Verse 22 Book 1. Ch. 4. John the forerunner of Christ Verse 5 Book 2. Ch. 2. How Christ was the right High Priest Verse 3.4 Book 2. Ch. 2. Christ gave his whole Humanity to his Disciples Verse 8.9 Book 2. Ch. 2. What the Citie of God in Man is and how wee continue in Christ and be in us Verse 11 Book 2. Ch. 2. Christ by the last Supper fulfilled the Old Testament Verse 17 Book 2. Ch. 3. Man cannot say I am Christ though Christ dwelleth in him Verse 30 Book 2. Ch. 4 Who they are that Crucifie Christ now and wound him Verse 15 Book 2. Ch. 4. How a Man shall feele and Taste what Christ in him is Verse 23 Book 2. Ch. 5. None know Christ but those to whom and in whom the Father revealeth him Verse 2 3 Book 2. Ch. 5. How Men say heere is Christ Verse 8 Book 2. Ch. 5. How Christ is with us Every Day to the End of the World Verse 12 Book 1. Ch. 3. What was effected by Christs shedding forth his bloud upon the Earth Verse 18 Book 1. Ch. 3. What in Man is the Christian and why Mans works must be Judged Verse
its Originall Verse 3.4 Heaven Book 1. Ch 1. How Divine understanding is attained and the Kingdome of Heaven Verse 8.9 Book 1. Ch 1. Of the Misunderstanding where Heaven is Verse 24 Book 1. Ch 1. How Christ dwelleth in Man and Man in him in Heaven and witnesseth in the soule infallibly that wee are the children of God Verse 28.29.30 Book 1. Ch 3. How wee dwell in Heaven and have our Conversation there Verse 24. Hell Book 2. Ch 4. The wicked partaketh of Christs going to Hell It were better the wicked did not meddle with Christs Testaments Verse 7 Humanity Book 1. Ch 3. VVhy Christ assumed our Humanity Verse 1 Book 2. Ch 3. The Substantiall VVord taketh on it our Humanity the Spirituall Humanity the Invisible Substance with which Christ came downe from Heaven Verse 17 Image Book 1. Ch 2. The Beastiall Earthly Image of Man is preserved in the Fire of God Verse 13 Book 2. Ch 4. How wee are made conformable to Christs Image Verse 24 Book 2. Ch 5. How Three Parties strive onely about a literall Image of Christs Testaments Verse 7 Infant Book 1. Ch 4. How the Faithfull Baptiser Parents VVitnesses and Standers by work to the Baptising of the Infant though it hath no understanding of what is done Verse 15.16 Book 1. Ch 4. How the Command of Christ Matth. 28.19 is effectuall in the Baptising of an Infant Verse 17 Book 1. Ch 4. VVhat a wicked Baptiser doth and how the Infant is notwithstanding baptised with the Living VVord Verse 23 Book 1. Ch 4. How it is with an Infant of wicked Parents that is baptised by a wicked baptiser and wicked People standers by Verse 26.27 John Book 1. Ch 4. John the Baptist the sonne of a Priest Verse 8 Lamb. Book 2. Ch 4. How the wedding of the Lamb is rightly kept Verse 10 Law Book 1. Ch 3. How the soule is layd hold on by the Law of Nature and what is the Ground and fountain of Repentance Verse 7.10.11 Life Book 1. Ch 1. Where the Book of Life is to be found Verse 18 Book 1. Ch 2. What is the New Life of Regeneration Verse 31 Book 1. Ch 3. How the Sonne Giveth the Soule Eternall Life and what Eternall Life is Verse 9.11 Book 1. Ch 3. VVhat the Creaturely Life is Verse 15 16 Light Book 1. Ch 3. When the Divine Light in the Name Jesus is received into the Soule Verse 8 Book 2. Ch 3. The Invisible Substance of Christ is a Light and Spirituall Oyle in the Life of Man Verse 19 Medium Book 1. Ch. 2. VVhy there must be an Earthly Medium to Enter into the Covenant of God by Verse 33 Book 2. Ch 1. VVhy the Beastiall Medium in the Sacrifices must be used Verse 21 Book 2. Ch 2. Of the Elementary Medium of blessed Bread and Wine Verse 16 Book 2. Ch 2. How through the Medium of Bread and Wine wee participate of Christ in a Corporeall and Spirituall way Verse 18.19 Book 2. Ch 2. VVhy there must be a Medium in the New Testament as well as in the Old Testament Verse 20 Book 2. Ch 3. Bread and VVine a Medium to the visible Man Verse 22 Mumia Book 2. Ch 3. Of the Humane Mumia and what it is Verse 1 Opinion Book 2. Ch 5. How Men cleave to an Opinion whether they understand it or no. Verse 9 Ordinance Book 2. Ch 4. None should rely meerely upon the Outward Ordinance Verse 14 Participation Book 2. Ch 5. The Three Contenders about the presence of Christ in the Supper have no understanding how the true Participation is wrought Verse 6 Passeover Book 2. Ch 1. Of the Paschall Lamb the Passeover and how it was a Type of Christ Verse 1.2 Power Book 1. Ch. 1. How the Soule comes to loose the Divine power and knowledge Verse 5 Book 2. Ch 3. VVhat the Humane Power is to the Divine Power Verse 5 Book 2. Ch 3. What that Sinne was upon which Gods Power went into the received Humanity againe Verse 14 Book 2. Ch 3. Man liveth not by Bread onely but by the inward Power thereof Verse 23 Book 2. Ch 3. Mans Life cannot in its owne Power receive the Substance of God but it is given of Grace Verse 29 Presence Book 1. Ch 1. How Christs Presence Office and Kingdome are to be understood Verse 25.26.27 Principles Principle Book 2. Ch 3. Of the Three Principles in Man Verse 12 Book 2. Ch 3. How each Principle in Man eateth its like in the Participation of Christs Testaments Verse 15 Reason Book 1. Ch 1. How the Body and Reason and Soule of Man is distinctly fed with Nourishment Verse 13.18 Redemption Book 1. Ch 1. How Christ effected our Redemption and through Death brought the Soule into Eternall Life and how the Soule is become Lord over Sinne Death the Devill and Hell Verse 25.26.27 Book 1. Ch 2. Of Isaac a Type of Our Redemption Verse 19 Repentance Book 1. Ch 3. How the Soule is layd hold on by the Law of Nature and what is the Ground and Fountaine of Repentance Verse 7.10.11 Book 1. Ch 4. John baptised but with Repentance onely prepared the way and Opened the Gates for the King of Glory to Enter in Verse 7 Book 2. Ch 4. Repentance must not be deferred till the participation of the Testaments Verse 9 Sacrifices Sacrifice Book 1. Ch 2. How the Sacrifices were effectuall and how God and the Soule wrought with the Sacrifice Verse 20.21.22.23.24 Book 1. Ch 2. The Fat of Beasts a Medium in the Sacrifices Verse 28 Book 1. Ch. 2. VVhat the Sacrifice Typified Verse 29 Book 2. Ch 1. How the Sacrifices were a figure of Christs Sacrifice Verse 6 Seede Book 1. Ch 2. Of the Seede of the Woman and Destroyer of the Serpent Verse 8.9.10.11 Book 1. Ch 2. Of Abrahams seede as the Starres Verse 19 Book 1. Ch 2. The Love-fire awakened it selfe in the Seede of the VVoman Verse 30 Book 1. Ch 4. The Parents of John Dead in their fleshly Seede Verse 2.3 Book 1. Ch 4. How the Graine of Mustard seede is sowen in the Ens of the Childe Verse 18 Book 2. Ch 4. How the Seede of the Serpent stingeth Christ in the Heele Verse 4 Signified Signifieth Book 2. Ch 1. What the unleavened Cakes signified Verse 3.4 Book 2. Ch 1. What Moses Aaron the Heifer and the Ram signified in the figure Verse 7.9 Book 2. Ch 1. What the Tabernacle signified why Mary was called the blessed among all women what the Altar the Laver and anointing the Head of Aaron signified Verse 8 Book 2. Ch 1. What the Burning of the Fat signified Verse 10 Book 2. Ch 1. What the Burning of the Heifer without the Hoast signifieth and that the bloud sprinckled upon the Altar signifieth that our bloud shall come againe to the Soule in the power of it at the Last Day Verse 11.12 Book 2. Ch. 1. What the powering of the bloud at the foote of
although the Baptisme may be performed without such Persons through the Parents and the Baptisers Earnestnesse and prayer yet the Christian Church hath so ordained that living Witnesses should be present which with their prayer attend this Earnestnesse and it was well ordained but it is come to such a Misuse that it were many times better that such children of Infidelity were not present for the Devill belongeth not to this work Now if the Devill have the chiefe Dominion in a Man what is then such a Man profitable at it As is mentioned before The Funt-stone or Bason and the unfaithfull Stander-by is one as good as the other but that the Proud Man is a hinderance to others 38. The Baptisme is a substantiall working not a meere signe or z Or signification symbole of the Testament of Christ The Holy Ghost baptiseth the Soule and the Spirit from Christs bloud and Death with his victory and the Holy Element of the spirituall Water baptiseth the Body of the foure Elements to the Resurrection of the Dead and baptiseth the Serpents Ens and awakened introduced Poyson to dye or for Dead 39. It is a substantiall working Infusion of the Covenant of God therefore if the Infant baptised should worthily receive it there must be Earnestnesse A Christian who is a Christian in Christ Note in whom Christ worketh liveth and * Text. Ist dwelleth he should Baptise for he must enter into this Sheepfold by the Doore of Christ viz through Christs Spirit and not climbe up otherwhere else he is a Theefe and a Murtherer and cometh onely that he may robbe and steale the honour of Christ Note and deceive Men he should be A true Shepheard and not a hireling Heere availeth no babling and making a shew but there must be Earnestnesse for it is an Earnestnesse with God All Jangling and disputation about this work is an unprofitable thing and moreover hurtfull Men should lay hould of it with Earnestnesse and follow the Command of Christ and beleeve what Christ hath sayd 40. There belongeth no more to this work but Faith and Water and Earnest Prayer in true Repentance with such a Will that one Man would helpe to release another from Death the Devill and Hell and help to introduce him with himselfe into the Kingdome of God that is the whole processe that belongeth heereunto Every one that is a true Christian in Christ Note is worthy to be a Stander by and present at this work but he that is not such a one is unworthy whether he be Baptiser or Stander-by one as well as the other there is no respect of Persons with God In Christ wee are ONE Hee is the Stock wee are the Branches Hee worketh his work through his fellow Members as the Stock of the Tree generateth its fruit through its Twiggs and Branches The Stock useth no strange Tree for its Twigges so also Christ onely useth his Members to his work of his fruit The End of this first little Booke Concerning The Holy Baptisme The Second Booke Concerning The Holy Supper of our Lord Jesus Christ What kinde of Participation it is and how that is to be understood Also concerning the Contention of the Learned about Christs Cup what they doe about it also what is to be held concerning it Wherein Babell the Great City upon Earth with her forme and Wonders together with the Antichrist standeth quite naked and manifest To the Comfort of the simple Children of Jesus Christ and to the building up of the true Christian Religion in this confused troublesome Time All very Earnestly and sincerely discovered from the knowledge of the Great Mystery LONDON Printed by M. S. and are to be sold by H. B. at the Castle in Cornhill 1652. 1 COR. 11.28 Let a Man Examine himselfe and so let him Eate of this Bread and Drink of this Cup. An Intimation or Instruction to the READER THough indeed I heere dive and search sublimely and Deepe and set it downe very cleerely yet the Reader must be told thus much that without the Spirit of God it will be a Mystery to him and not apprehended Therefore let every one looke well to it what he judgeth that he fall not into the Judgement of God and be captivated by his owne Turba and that his owne Reason distract him this I say meaning well and give it to the Reader to Ponder in his Minde JACOB BEHM of Old Seidenberg The Contents of the Chapters in this Second little Booke Concerning the Holy Supper of Jesus Christ 1. OF the Ground of the Old Testament how this Testament was cleerly in the Type among the Jewes 2. Of the Supper of the New Testament how the Type is come into Essence or Substance 3. How the Disciples did eate and drinke the flesh and bloud of Christ 4. Of the difference in the Participation of it what the wicked receive with this Testament and how a Man should so prepare himselfe that he may be truly worthy 5. Of the Contention and Strife in the high Schooles or Universities about Christs Testaments how that Strife that hath filled the face of the Earth is a vaine and very hurtfull thing and ariseth in the Anger of God from the Devills desire and will whereby all brotherly Love and unity is destroyed the highly pretious Name of GOD blasphemed and the Holy GHOST in his Divine Wonders is Judged and despised by Reason The First Chapter Of the Ground of the Old Testament how this Testament was cleerly in the Type among the Jewes 1. WHen God sent Moses to Pharao and commanded him to let the Children of Israel goe into the Wildernesse and sacrifice to him and Pharao would not doe it then God sent great Plagues and punishments upon him and lastly the a Stifling destroying Angel which slew all the first-borne in Egypt and there he commanded Israel the Passeover or to slay and eate the Paschal-Lamb viz a Lamb of a yeare old and besprinkle the Doores and upper Poasts with the Bloud thereof that the slaying anger should there b Passe by passe over and kill none in the House Exod. 2.12 2. Which was a Type of the New-Testament shewing how the Poasts and Doores of our Life should be sprinckled with the Bloud of the Lamb Christ that Gods Anger in soule and body may not swallow us up into his wrath And as they must Eate up that Lamb wholly or quite and leave nothing over so would the Lamb Christ give himselfe in his Testament wholly for food to his Christendome and not divided and would besprinkle the Poasts of our Life with his Bloud of Love that the destroying Angel in Gods Anger might not take hold of us and slay us 3. Also wee have an Image or similitude thereof in the Vnleavened Cakes which they must Bake and Eate shewing that they should through this Paschal-Lambs Figure which signified Christ be a New and sweet c Dowe Lump when they should eate the right
25 Book 2. Ch. 4. The whole life of a Christian should be continuall Repentance and flying unto Grace and the meere Mercy of God Verse 17.20.21 Book 2. Ch. 4. A right Christian is afraid of all Sinne. Verse 18 Book 2. Ch. 5. None is a Christian but he that desireth to doe his neighbour good Verse 13 Church Churches Book 2. Ch. 4. Faithful Witnesses about Baptisme well ordained by the Christian Church Verse 37 Book 2. Ch. 5. How the Churches are made spirituall Denns of Murther Verse 11 Circumcised Book 1. Ch. 2. The Covenant and the Holy Fire renewed with Abraham and why Masculine Persons must be Circumcised Verse 18 Communion Book 2. Ch. 3. It is not enough to partake of Bread and Wine in the Communion Verse 32 Book 2. Ch. 3. What our purpose must be when wee goe to the Communion Verse 32 Book 2. Ch. 3. How a Christian partaketh of the Communion without Bread and Wine Verse 33 Book 2. Ch. 3. The usefulnesse of the Ordinance of the Communion Verse 33 Book 2. Ch. 4. Wee must desire the same to all our Enemies that wee desire for our selves if wee will worthily goe to the Communion of Saints Verse 21 Contention Book 2. Ch. 5. The Authour sheweth the Contention of the Learned for the Comfort of the simple Verse 1 Covenant Book 1. Ch 2. Why God transferred the Covenant from Circumcision into Baptisme Verse 25 Book 1. Ch 2. Why the Covenant of the Water-Baptisme was first brought into the Heavenly Ens of Man Verse 32 Book 1. Ch 4. The Covenant of Christs Testaments is alwayes powerfull Verse 6 Book 1. Ch 4. The wicked Man in Gods Covenant is a sweet savour unto condemnation Verse 25 Book 1. Ch 4. What it is to a childe that it is begotten of wicked Parents and brought by wicked people to the Covenant also what it is to God Verse 29 Book 1. Ch 4. Why the Covenant of God is made in Christs Bloud and Death Verse 30 Book 1. Ch. 4. Baptisme a Spirituall Substance brought with the Covenant into the VVater Verse 31.32.33 Creature Book 2. Ch 3. VVhat it was that vanished as to the Creature when Man fell Verse 13 Dead Death Book 1 Ch 5. VVhat is baptised to the Resurrection of the Dead or for Dead Verse 38 Book 1 Ch 1. How Christ became Death to Death Verse 24 Book 1 Ch 2. How the Soule dyed the Death was poysoned and came to have an Evill Life How Angells became Devills Verse 3.4.5 Book 1 Ch 3. VVhat it is that is baptised into Death Verse 21 Book 2. Ch. 1. How Death was broke open 18. Ch. 2 verse Verse 13 Book 2. Ch. 3. VVhat it is that is Death to Death which Outward Nature holdeth to be a Life Verse 8.9 Dispute Book 2. Ch. 1. The cause why Men Dispute about Divine things Verse 7.11 12 Book 2. Ch. 1. VVat Men should doe that they need not Dispute about God Verse 14 15 Book 2. Ch. 1. Men should conferre and instruct one another not Dispute Verse 16 Father Book 2. Ch 4. How wee are in the Drawing of the Father Verse 20 Faith Book 1. Ch 2. How the Spirituall Oyle and VVater of the Soule hath flowed into the Faith and made the fallen Soule capable of the New Birth Verse 1.2 Book 1. Ch. 2. In what Faith the Children of God before Christs Incarnation Sacrificed and why they used those Types Verse 8.9.10.11 Book 1. Ch. 4. Parents have power to give up the Childes will to God in their Faith Verse 21 Book 1. Ch. 4. A dangerous thing to Baptise without Faith Verse 35 Book 2. Ch 3. How the Invisible Substance of Christ falleth into our Faith as a sparke into Tinder Verse 18 Book 2. Ch 3. The Substantiall Faith in Man is a Branch on the Vine Christ Verse 28 Book 2. Ch 5. Of Mens crying the true Doctrine and Faith will be taken away from them and yet they have it Verse 10 Fire Book 1. Ch 2. How the Sacrifice was kindled with Holy Fire Verse 12 Book 1. Ch 2. How the understanding of the Holy Fire came to be quenched Verse 17 Book 1. Ch 2. How the Divine Holy Fire was introduced through Baptisme Verse 35 Book 2. Ch 1. Moses had holy Fire for the Sacrifice Verse 20 Flesh Book 1. Ch 1. How Christ giveth us Eternall Life how wee Eate his Flesh and drink his Bloud how he giveth us the water of Eternall Life Verse 28.29 Book 1. Ch. 3. To what in Man Christ giveth his holy Spirituall Flesh for food Verse 6 Book 2. Ch. 1. How there was holy Flesh and holy Bread Verse 23 Book 2. Ch. 2. Of holy Flesh Verse 13 Book 2. Ch. 2. How Christs flesh and bloud is the Sacrifice of the New Testament Verse 6.7 Book 2. Ch. 3. Christ gave his Disciples his Spirituall Flesh and Bloud Verse 1 Book 2. Ch. 3. In what manner wee eate and drink the Flesh and bloud of Christ Verse 6.7 Book 2. Ch. 3. Christs mortall Flesh but the shell of the Spirituall Flesh Verse 21 Book 2. Ch. 3. How Faith alwayes eateth Christs Flesh and bloud without a Medium as well as with it Verse 27.33 Book 2. Ch. 3. VVhy it was so ordained that wee should partake of Christs Flesh and bloud under Bread and VVine Verse 31 Food Book 2. Ch. 2. How Israell did eate blessed Food notwithstanding the Curse Verse 14 Forgivenesse Book 2. Ch. 4. No Forgivenesse of sinnes without Conversion and Resolution to depart from wickednesse Verse 9 Book 2. Ch. 4. What the Forgivenes of sinnes is Verse 10 Book 2. Ch. 4. The Power of Forgivenesse is in Christs internall Ordinance not in the Priest Also of the Bride of Christ Verse 11.12 Formes Book 1. Ch. 1. VVerein the seaven Formes of Nature take their Beginning Verse 6 God Book 1. Ch. 3. VVhat in the Outward VVorlds Substance is called God Verse 1 Book 1. Ch. 3. How with the Minde Paul served God and with the flesh the Law of sinne Verse 23 Book 1. Ch. 3. VVho are called according to the Purpose of God Verse 24 Book 2. Ch. 3. VVhere it is that God dwelleth in Man Verse 11 Grace Book 1. Ch. 1. How Grace the New Covenant came into the Soule to helpe it againe of which Aarons Rod was a Figure Verse 6.7 Book 1. Ch. 4. John declared that the time of Grace the Kingdome of Heaven was at hand Verse 5 Book 2. Ch. 3. Mans Life cannot in its own Power receive the Substance of God but it is given of Grace Verse 29 Book 2. Ch. 4. The true imputed Grace is to live in Christ Verse 16 Book 2. Ch. 4. The whole Life of a Christian should be continuall Repentance and flying unto Grace and the meere mercy of God Verse 17.20.21 Book 2. Ch. 5. The Innate Filiall Grace is the true imputed Grace Verse 14 Ground Book 1. Ch. 1. VVhat searching cannot reach the true Ground whence every Beeing taketh
Of CHRISTS TESTAMENTS Viz Baptisme and the Supper Written in two Bookes The 1. Of holy Baptisme how it is to be understood in the Ground thereof and why a Christian should be Baptised The 2. Of the holy Supper of the Lord Christ what it is with the Benefit and Effects of it and how the same may be worthily Participated of And how these are to be understood both according to the Old and New Testament Set forth from the True Theosophicall Ground through the three Principles of the Divine Revelation and presented to the Children of God for the Information of their understandings Written in the yeare of Christ 1624. by JACOB BEHM of Old Seidenberg alias Teutonicus Philosophus And Englished by JOHN SPARROVV Barrister of the Inner Temple London LONDON Printed by M. Simmons and are to be sold neare the signe of the Golden Lyon in Aldersgate-streete oâ—â—y H. Blunden at the Castle in Cornhill neere the Exchange 1652. Jesus said to his Disciples Matth. 28.19 Mark 16.16 Goe forth into all the World and Teach all People and Baptise them in the Name of the Father and of the Sonne and of the Holy Ghost Whosoever beleeveth and is Baptised shall be saved but whosoever beleeveth not shall be condemned The Englishers Preface THese two little Books intituled together by the Authour the Booke of the Two Testaments the one of Baptisme the other of the Supper doe the most deeply and plainly handle those two Grand Mysteries of any Booke extant since the Apostles Times and doe cleerly satisfie the doubts and put an end to the different Opinions concerning each of them and so make all friends together those that are called Anabaptists and those that are called Paedobaptists those that baptise persons of age upon confession of their Faith and those that baptise Infants with Witnesses to stand for them also this Treatise intimateth so much that it may be diseerned who is a fit administratour of Baptisme to those new converted or to the Infant children of converted Parents It reconcileth the difference of Opinion about Transubstantiation Consubstantiation and the Participation of meere Bread and Wine and sheweth how to understand truly the right Participation of the true flesh and bloud of Christ under Bread and Wine and being there is reall participation to be had of the flesh and bloud of Christ without Bread and Wine why the Bread and Wine was so Instituted to be celebrated and communicated and so also seeing the Baptisme of the Holy Ghost hath been many times without Water why the Baptisme of Water is necessary to be used even to those that had before received the Holy Ghost as well as the Apostles All which being understood it will likewise appeare what the Ground of the Preaching of the Word of God is as it is an Ordinance of God and how wee shall truly perceive what is the Essence of all Ordinances as they are so called which in the signification of the word is no more but a thing ordained or appointed and so it will be easie to finde how far short men are of rightly Esteeming the true Ordinances and how forward they are in taking that for such which is not indeed the Ordinance of God The Preaching of the Word the Administration of Baptisme and the Participation of the Supper are Ordinances of God The Communion of Saints or holy people two or three met in Christs Name are a true Church or Congregation of God according to his holy Ordinance The Magistrate Ruler or King and all that are in authority are the Ordinance of God for the punishment of Evill doers and for the encouragement of them that doe well Gods Ministers Presbyters or Elders Oldmen or Fathers in the Experimentall knowledge of Christ his Bishops or Overseers Shepheards or Pastours or feeders of his flock his Doctours or Teachers Instructors in the wayes of Godlines or Prophets appointed to tell People of their sinnes also Evangelists or Messengers of the Glad tydings of salvation Disciples or Schollers in the schoole of Christ such as are taught of God and Apostles or such as are sent of God and Christ by the Holy Ghost these must needs be ordained and appointed by God and so Forgiveness of sinnes or Absolution Excommunication or casting out from the Congregation of Christ and delivering to Satan Healing of the sick by the Elders fervent prayer of Faith The Laying on of the hands of the Presbytery or Eldership whereby the Gift of the Holy Ghost was bestowed Also Marrying in the Lord. Are all of them the Ordinances of God Every Duty of Man towards God or of one towards another mentioned either in the Old or New Testament are cleerly the Ordinances of God But how any thing is a true Ordinance of God and wherein it doth consist is hardly knowne and little considered as it should be that it might be certainly understood and there is much Exercise of our Minds before wee can goe about to examine it rightly wee must know God before wee can know his Ordinances which are of his own appointment and if we know not who he is how can we know that we love him and that it is not somewhat else which we love instead of him for it is said by the Apostle John He that saith he loveth God and hateth his brother is a lyar and the truth is not in him for if a man loveth not his brother whom he hath seene how can he love God whom he hath not seene and 1 Joh. 4.8 he that loveth not knoweth not God for God is love Further the same Apostle saith that 1 Joh. 4.18 God is love and he that dwelleth in Love dwelleth in God and he in him and how can any know this Excellent thing Love in which who so dwelleth is 1 Joh. 3.14 passed from death to life if he knoweth not he hath it in him and then how can he either know God or love him This Love must be in us if we be the Disciples of Christ nay there is not any thing mentioned in the whole Bible concerning Heaven and Redemption but we must have it in us while we are in this life or else we are not Partakers of it yea God hath shed abroad his love into our hearts which is that word of Truth and life which is able to save our soules and doth perfectly save them that Yeeld to it in obedience to the dictates to it receive it that is beleeve and it is both shed abroad and received by very many soules that neither know what that word is nor how they have received it for example when any Man is troubled at his doing of Evill and is sorry for it and wisheth from his heart he had not done it endeavoureth to have a better watch over himselfe resolveth never to doe the same againe desiring strength to be able to resist his doing of Evill any more being carefull least evill suggestions in his minde should allure him and entice him to any
doe try and exercise himselfe and by practise attain the skill and readinesse in his trade by Experience that he may be able not onely to direct how to worke by hearesay but to shew his skill by his own doing the same thing himselfe The Apostles could doe the same thing which they taught others or else they could not have rightly taught as they did Now hee that considereth this Booke will finde that the Authour knew and writt Experimentally and that if wee follow his doctrine and Experience wee may attaine not onely the understanding of his Writings but be able to speak and write all that he understood and so disclose those things plainly and fully which he had not time nor leave to write otherwise then obscurely of Which when wee have arrived to wee shall leave that seeking after the most desirable worldly things which passe away in a Moment and presse after the high Price of the Calling of Jesus Christ now if by my means any shall be stirred up to strive and so undoubtedly attaine the blessed Crowne of Eternall Life it will be also my Crowne of rejoycing in the world to come though heere I must acknowledge my selfe one of the unworthiest of the children of Men. JOHN SPARROVV A LETTER TO Charles of Endern Carol von Endern Our salvation is in the Life of Jesus Christ in us NOble Sir beloved in Christ with the Hearty Desire of the Divine Light in the working power of the Holy Ens in our Immanuel I send over to you the little Booke of Christs Testaments with the Preface to it It should have been written but singly in the three first sheets for I would have written it all over againe and had begun with the first Chapter And I am purposed to bring to the Presse this little Booke in a more child-like manner for the better understanding of the simple But because of the high sense I let the One by the other one on one side the other on the other verse for verse one be written against the other seeing you and others Exercised Lovers understand this sense well and so the sublime understandings may have that which is high and the simple that which is lowly in the sense yet there is one and the same understanding in them both though in the lower sense more simple words might be made use of and so I commit you to the continuall saving Love of Jesus Christ Dated at Gerlitz 7â— May the yeare of Christ 1624. JACOB BEHM The Summary Contents of the Chapters in this first Booke concerning the Holy Baptisme CHAP. I. How Reason useth to behold it selfe in a Creaturely Image-like manner when it considereth of Christ and his Testaments and whence the strife about Christs Testaments ariseth and how that strife is an empty unprofitable thing CHAP. II. Of the Covenant of God after the Fall what the Fall of Man is and how God hath bound himselfe in Covenant with him againe What the Circumcision in the old Testament is and what the Baptisme in the New CHAP. III. A Briefe and fundamentall information how Man is Baptised by the Holy Ghost with Christs sufferings Death and Resurrection in body and soule CHAP. IV. Of the outward Water-Baptisme by the hand of Man who is worthy so to * Or to Administer it Baptise and what baptised Infant receiveth that Testament worthily and how it goeth with the unworthy Hand as also with the unworthy Baptised Infant The Preface to the Reader SHEWING How the Testaments of Christ must be fundamentally understood rightly participated and worthily fed upon A Looking Glasse for Teacher and Hearer 1. CHristian loving Reader this little Booke of the Testaments of Christ in this present time when Men strive onely about Opinions ought well to be considered Men are wholly and altogether departed from the right understanding seeing they will maintaine Christs Testaments with Disputing and the Sword 2. There needs no Disputing about it onely an earnest sincere penitent Man who hath the Faith understandeth this Testamentary a Covenanting Institution and participation in the Power of Christ but it is foolishnesse to the Naturall Man and cannot be apprehended 1 Cor. 2.14 3. There belongeth quite another Earnest Sincerity to the true understanding which is not apprehended by humane Reason and is rightly understood by no Man unlesse the Spirit of Christ open it to him in his Heart 4. There lyeth a fast Seale before it which no Reason nor Art can breake up but onely that slaine Lamb of the House of Israel who hath the Key of David Revel 3.7 Chap. 3.5 5. Christs Testaments are to Reason without the Divine Light a closed Booke but to the true children of Christ they are an Opened Booke Christs Testaments are a Seale of the firme and Eternall Covenant of God wherewith God hath received Man to Grace againe after the horrible Defection and sealed him with the flowing forth of his Love by his bloud and Death that wee b Or Might should beleeve his Word and Promise which he hath revealed to us in the Holy Scripture concerning his Sonne with the Redemption from sinne and heertofore declared by the Prophets 6. Which Word in the flowing forth of his Love is come into our humanity and hath assumed a Humane Soule also flesh and bloud and hath established this Eternall Covenant with his Bloud and Death And so now he giveth this Testament to his Faithfull ones for a c Ausibeute Talent or earnest Penny or Pawne Pledge and so maketh them Branches on the Vine of his Flesh and Bloud so that they are imbodied to himselfe therewith and made his right children in whom HEE himselfe will dwell with his flesh and bloud with this Testamentary c Ausibeute Talent or earnest Penny or Pawne Pledge so that thereby they may Pray to the Father with joyfull affiance in true child-like Humility in the Name of his Sonne JESUS CHRIST and so he will give them this Grace John 16.23 7. This Testament he offereth to us after a twofold Manner First through his Word Preached whereby he Stirreth and Openeth the Hearts of the Hearers that they enter into true Repentance for their Sinnes and so procure themselves this Pledge of his Testaments 8. Secondly Through the True d Or Essentiall substantiall participation of his Flesh and Bloud by the Mouth of Faith with Bread and Wine whereby he sealeth the Faith with his Bloud and Death and thereby Openeth the Lifes understanding of the Inward Divine Hearing so that the poore fallen Man which was dead to the Divine Hearing through sinne attaineth againe the Divine Hearing in his understanding and so is converted againe and so entereth into his first Inheritance which he had in Paradise and giveth up his will to God who reneweth his Heart e Senses Thoughts and Minde through his Inspeaking or Inspiration and continueth and dwelleth in him with his Pledge of this Testament and powerfully worketh in him in
under his Rodde and pray for Grace 25. He who hath learned much and knoweth how to fit himselfe for it is no more acceptable to God then he that knoweth nothing but yet with his whole Heart and soule in sorrow for sinnes turneth to him and hath Faith in the Grace and a true Earnest Purpose and Resolution to be a New Creature 26. This Ground is onely therefore brought forth so deeply that every one that strive about it might see the true Inward Ground and cease from strife and yeeld himselfe into the simplicity and Love of Jesus Christ Whereby then suddenly the power of Sathan will be diminished and People and Nations will see that the Christians are the children of God If they thus walke in Love which I wish from my Heart for which Cause this little Booke is written Note Heere the Reader that loveth God is to know FIrst that these two little Books were copied faithfully and diligently out of the Authours own blessed Manuscript as he wrote them Anno 1623. And secondly that he afterwards in the yeare 1624. upon the desires of some good friends lovers of the Truth was purposed as may be seene in the foregoing Letter to Carol von Endern for the better understanding of the simple to bring them both into a more child-like forme but it is done onely to part of the third Chapter of this first Booke and no further Thus writeth the Publisher of the High dutch Copie But more particularly let the Reader take notice that the Authour had gone on to the 17th verse of the 3d Chapter as may appeare in the Printing of the double Pages in this Book and so it was Printed in the High Dutch and in the same manner here in the English only with a different magnitude of Letter those words which are the same on both sides are as neere as can well be observed in a letter of the same bignes with the whole Book but on the first side that which is not on the other side also is with a smaller letter and it was the first Booke that was written and finished by the Authour and on the second side that which was not in the other is with a larger letter was that other Copie which he entended to finish quite through the whole Booke and this is done to distinguish in some measure the alteration of the Expression in the two severall Copies for the better understanding of the Mystery and if it be diligently Observed it will very much help to the understanding of this and all his other Writings because where the Expression is obscure in the one it is cleerer in the other And besides by the varying the Expression all may discerne what latitude the Authours words may admit of in their meaning in all his Bookes Further it is certain that we may be lead by the severall Expressions to the true knowledge of some part of the Mystery and this great benefit accrues from thence that it will enable us to speak write infallibly that which hath never been spoken or written concerning that Mystery be it in Divine or Naturall things But by the way this is not to be attained by outward Hearing or Reading onely but by Experience Teachers or Hearers that want Experience are indeed Ordinary Teachers and Hearers but not true ones for such are Extraordinary in the account of our times such hearers are all they that understand the Word feelingly and bring forth fruit in their lives and Conversations and have the Power of Godlinesse these can teach truly from what they know though in a weake measure but those that are called Ordinary Teachers that have onely a forme of Godlines and deny the Power therof cannot teach at all nor deserve so much as the Name of an Ordinary Teacher such a one is not so much as a true hearer Our Saviour teacheth us that whosoever will do the will of our Father which is in Heaven Joh. 7.17 they shall know of his words whether they be of God and if he submit his doctrine to be Examined by every one by this Rule why should not every word of all others be examined by the same Rule let us thus do and we shall Ordinarily attain that which is indeed Extraordinary even the true knowledge of spirituall things the things of God which are impossible to be perceived by the Naturall man And accordingly I desire thee to Judge of the Authour of this Booke and no otherwise Farewell The First Chapter Of Reasons viewing of it selfe how it useth to run in a Creaturely Forme when it considereth of Christ and his Testaments 1. ALL Strife and Mis-understanding concerning Christs Person and his Testaments which he left behinde him ariseth from the defected Creaturely Reason which will be a Mistris of All things or Beeings and looketh onely in the Multiplicity of Beeings and in the variety and difference of Beeings and doth but loose it selfe in such viewing and breaketh it selfe off from its Centre or Originall and disperseth the a Or Senses Thoughts in the Multiplicity of Beeings that they cannot see what their ground is out of which they are sprung and so in their Confusion and running out breake themselves off from their Chaâ—s viz from the Eternall WORD of God and from the Eternall Divine speaking In which spoken Word all Beeings together with understanding Reason and Thoughts consist and take their Ground and beginning from it 2. For if the Abyssall not Naturall uncreaturall GOD viz the Eternall ONE speake his WORD no more and that speaking should Cease there would be no understanding Reason or Thoughts more also no Nature nor Creature and all Beeings would be an Eternall nothing for every Life ariseth from the Exhalation of the Eternall ONE viz from the Abysse and there could be no Formability in the Eternall One according to which or out of which something might be made 3. For if there were a formability to a figure then there must also have been a cause from whence the forme were arisen and God were not one onely God who were without Ground Time and Place for all that hath a beginning hath a Ground but that which hath no beginning is without Ground and Forme 4. Every beginning goeth out of the Eternall ONE through the Exhalation of the Eternall ONE whereby the Eternall ONE bringeth it selfe into selfe-viewing perceptibility and findingnesse to the Moving and forming of it selfe Every visible and Invisible Beeing Spirituall and Corporeall have taken their Originall in the Exhalation of the Eternall ONE and stand with their Ground therein for the beginning of every Beeing is nothing else but an Imagination of the Abysse that the same bring it selfe by its own longing into an Imagination and Modelleth and Imageth it selfe and apprehendeth the Imagelikenesse and b Or Exhaleth it breatheth it forth from the Eternall One to a viewing of it selfe 5. Which c Or Haling breathing is the Eternall Word of the
the Altar signifieth Verse 12.13 Book 2. Ch. 1. What the Ram signified how it was a sweet Saviour to the Lord. Verse 14.15.16.17.19.22 Ch 2. verse 3. Sonne Book 1. Ch 3. Of the Soules being given to the Sonne and how the Sonne giveth it Eternall Life and what Eternall Life is Verse 9.11 Ch 2. v. 2 Sop. Book 2. Ch 2. How it was with Vzza and with Judas after the Sop. Verse 5 Soule Book 1. Ch. 1. How the Soule came to be helped againe after the Fall Verse 21.22 Book 1. Ch. 1. How the Soule is become Lord over Sinne Death the Devill and Hell Verse 25.26.27 Book 2. Ch. 3. The Soule eateth of the supernaturall substantiall Love of the Name Jesus Verse 10 Spirit Book 1. Ch. 1. How the Spirit leadeth into all Truth Verse 18 Book 1. Ch. 3. How the Spirit of God is to be understood in all the Three Worlds Verse 13 Supper Book 2. Ch. 3. A resemblance between Christ in his Supper and the influence of the Sun in hearbs Verse 2.3.4.6 Book 2. Ch. 3. Why Christ Ordained the Testament of his Supper under Bread and Wine Verse 24 Book 2. Ch. 5. How all the Three Contenders and Disputers about the Presence of Christ in the Supper have no understanding how that participation is wrought Verse 6 Teachers Book 2. Ch. 5. Of Teachers not sent Verse 5 Testaments Testament Book 2. Ch. 4. Christs Testaments destroy sinne in the Penitent receiver Verse 8 Book 2. Ch. 4. XVIII enquiries into a Mans own heart to finde whether he may worthily receive the Testament of Christ Verse 19 Book 2. Ch. 4. How the Minde when it cometh to Christs Testaments must acknowledge it is able to doe nothing Verse 22 Book 2. Ch. 4. Hee that will not be a Man of New thoughts and will receiveth the Testament unto Judgement Verse 25 Book 2. Ch. 5. Hee that will receive the Kingdome of Christ in his Testaments must be his childe Verse 15 Types Type Book 1. Ch 2. How Cain and Abell differed and of their severall Types Verse 15.16 Book 2. Ch 2. Why the Type ceased Verse 1 Thoughts Book 1. Ch 1. What is the Ground of the understanding and Thoughts Verse 1.2 Book 1. Ch 1. How the Thoughts come to be fed with divine foode which is the Essentiall wisdome of God Verse 19 Variety Book 1. Ch 1. The cause of the changing and variety in Nature Verse 17 Vine Book 1. Ch 1. How Man becometh a Branch on the Vine Christ Verse 27 Book 2. Ch 3. How the Holy Man is a Branch on the Vine Christ Verse 20 Understanding Book 1. Ch 1. How Divine Understanding is attained and the Kingdome of Heaven Verse 8.9 Book 1. Ch 1. Of the Three Touch-Stones of the Divine Understanding Verse 18 Wicked Book 2. Ch 4. The wicked Priest and Pharisee is not capable of being in the Office of Christ Verse 13 Will. Book 2. Ch 2. How the Soules will cometh to be changed Verse 12 Word Words Book 1. Ch 1. Why the Eternall Word is become Man Verse 24 Book 2. Ch 3. What signifieth to us Christs saying My words are Spirit and Life Verse 16 Book 2. Ch 4. Mans spirituall Mouth receiveth Christs words and Life Verse 26 Book 2. Ch 5. The Living Word giveth Testimony to the Literall word Verse 5 Works Book 1. Ch. 3. What in Man is the Christian and why Mans Works must be Judged Verse 25 FINIS REader pray cause these faults to be mended with a Pen. Page 21. on the second side line 10. for unlooked reade unlocked Page 50. line 2. for foolish reade soulish page 55. line 31. for vision reade visible