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
of the Flesh Now I readily submit to the Censure of those who have that good desire and of those who are not proudly and perversly wedded to their own conceits when they have considered this Authors meaning whether this will not be as beneficial to us as it hath been to other Nations Indeed my Mind is led to think that our troubled doubting Souls may receive much Comfort leading to that inward Peace which passeth all understanding that all the disturbing Sects and Heresies arising from the Darkness and Malice of Men and Devils will be made to vanish and cease by that understanding which may be kindled in them from it they that rule will perceive how to effect all their good purposes to the joy and happiness of them that are subjected to their Government And Subjects will soon learn to obey in every thing as the Primitive Martyrs did though they should live under such Governours as they had So God shall be glorified by all mens love to one another and Peace will flourish over all the Earth It may be some will think it so hard to attain the understanding of this Author when they read the Answer to the First Question which is far more difficult then any of the other because it contains the sum of them all in brief that they will forbear to take so much pains as they suppose is requisite but if it should prove a little harder then other writings the profit will countervail the Labour with a hundred-fold advantage yet let every One read it themselves or hear it read with their own Ears that others misreport hinder them not from so great a benefit and they shall no doubt attain it for I am convinced by my own Experience that every one may receive according to their vast or narrow Capacity who have according to my own Measure been satisfied though I be One of the unworthiest of the Children of Men J. S. Before the Catalogue to the 40. Questions was this Preface to the Reader THe Author wrote this Answer to these Questions chiefly for his Friends sake that sent them to him as also for the Benefit of all such as love the knowledge of Mysteries this Friend of his was Doctor Balthasar Walter who travelled for Learning and hidden Wisdom and in his return home hapned to hear of this Author in the City of Gerlitz and when he had obtained acquaintance with him he rejoyced that at last he had found at home in a poor Cottage that which he had travelled for so far and not received satisfaction then he went to the several Universities in Germany and did there collect such Questions concerning the Soul as were thought and accounted Impossible to be resolved sundamentally and convincingly which he made this Catalogue of and sent to this Author from whom he received these Answers according to his desire wherein he and many others that saw them received full satisfaction When this Book was first Printed I endeavoured by a Friend to present one of them to his Majesty King Charles that then was who vouchsafed the perusal of it about a Month after was desired to say what he thought of the Book who answered that the Publisher in English seemed to say of the Author that he was no Scholar and if he were not he did believe that the Holy Ghost was now in Men but if he were a Scholar it was one of the best Inventions that ever he read I need not add the Censure of any other Person knowing none to compare with this one way or other This Author may be easily understood in every thing by such a Consideration as this which followeth THis outward World is to the outward Man the best Looking-Glass to see what ever hath been is or shall be in Eternity Our Minds and the Cogitations therein are our best Inward Looking-Glass to see Eternity exactly in In God are all things therefore every thing hath been in all Eternity in God both unmanifested and manifested only to himself in himself but in the world and in our Minds they are unmanifested and hidden and also Manifest or capable of being manifested in their real Truth and Existence both as they are uncreaturally in God and Creaturally in all things Accordingly one Text says Rom. 1. 20. The Invisible things of him that is his Eternal Power and God head or Deity are seen by the Creation of the World being considered in his works Rom. 1. 19. And another says Whatsoever is possible to be known of God he hath manifested in Man John 17. 3. And it is life Eternal to know thee the only True God and him whom thou hast sent sayes the Son of God himself Christ Jesus The Eternal infinite Powers both of Light and Darkness in their own Immensities in God have alwayes been the same and have Eternally wrought the same effects and produced the same Substances Spiritually and Invisibly to any thing but God himself which they are Manifested to do in the invisible inward world of God Spirits and the Minds of Men and in this visible outward world So that we may truly learn to know him who is all things in our inward and outward World all things that are manifested come out from him and when they cease to be manifested they enter into him again as into their Center unmanifested So he is the cause of all Causes and when we know how he causes any thing to be as it is manifested to be in it self then we understand the Thing and him that is the cause of it his works in all things whatsoever are good and cannot cease to be so but when a Creature to whom he has given the power of the World to come doth use it otherwise then its true property requires that only becomes evil in and to the Creature not in God But God being every where present in his Total fulness as himself sayes Am not I he that filleth all things therefore the highest cause of every thing must needs be in the thing it self The inward heavenly and Hellish Looking-Glass is in all our Minds outwardly we want not a Corporeal Looking-Glass of whatsoever is Eternal to instruct our Minds withal So that if we consider all the Works of God in the World both inwardly and outwardly we cannot but find and know him and so know all things in our selves and in Him and him in our selves in all things else This I thought convenient to hint in brief as an Introduction of the mind into the Center of All Mysteries John Sparrow Sunday December 18. 1664. ERRATA FOrty Questions Jacob Behme p. 2. l. 7. r. such new Presace v. 2. r. Learned Caldeans v. 9. l. 10. r. also of that v. 10. l 8. for Beheme r. Behme Question 1. v. 3 l. 9. r. Mysterie to v. 22 l. 1. r. First there is v. 66. l. 6. f. one r. none v 77. l. 3. f. discetneth r. discovereth v. 171. l. 10. f. in r. into v. 183.
great Mystery 101. For if there were no Fire there would also be no Light and also no Spirit and if there were no Spirit that did blow up the Fire then the Fire would smother and extinguish and would be a Darkness and so one without the other would not be thus they belong both to one another and yet they sever one from the other but without flying away and yet there is a flying of the Spirit 102. To be understood thus look upon a glowing red hot Fire First There is the Matter out of which it burneth and that is the astringent austere source attracted bitter Substance which standeth in an anguish Source or Quality whether it be wood or whatsoever else which is a dark Body 103. Now when that is kindled then a Man sees three Principles 1. The Wood in the Darkness with the outward Source or fountain Quality of this World 2. Which also hath its life else it would not take fire 104. Now the Fire hath a fierce wrathful astringent or sour strong or stern bitter thirsty desirous Source or Quality a devouring Consuming and the Great Bitterness is its right Life a rager and a wakener that hath all Essences of Life in it and is also the power of the Life and of the Driving forth else there would be no Burning 105. And that maketh the great Anguish-seeking after the Liberty and in the Fire it attaineth the Liberty for it consumeth in the fierce wrath the Darkness and also the Matter of the Fire from which the Fire burneth 106. And here we apprehend the One only Spirit which parteth it self into Two Principles into Two Spirits yet not assunder but one flying from the other and yet the one comprehendeth not the other and one is the Life and Cause of the other 107. And therefore it is Two Principles since it giveth or affordeth a twofold Source or fountain Quality and Life and is but one Root which affordeth that the one giveth Life the other giveth food to the Life and this is a wonder and yet Not a wonder for there is nothing that it self can wonder at for it is it self all things in One Substance 108. Now behold the Fire is first the seeking to draw into it self that is the Substantiality the Phur for the Seeking maketh that in the Desiring in respect of its drawing else Nothing would be and the Drawing is the bitter sting a Breaker which cannot endure the Substantiality nor will not endure it and that not willing to endure is an anguish in the will to over-power the Substantiality with the bitter Sting and the Anguish penitrateth or presseth into it self and reacheth after the Liberty and the Liberty is esteemed a Light in respect of the Darkness 109. Now the Anguish is a horrible Sharpness and thus is the Liberty captivated and sharpned so that it is a Fire-flash of Lightning and the Anguish Will in the sharpness of the bitter Flash of Lightning consumeth the Substantiality be it wood or any thing else 110. And when it hath consumed it then is the Anguish again a Darkness and the Flash of Lightning remaineth hidden in it self again and is an extinguishing and the Anguish is in the Darkness viz. before the flash of fire and standeth now in a terrible Source or fountain Quality where the Bitterness in respect of the rough attracting becometh continually generated the more terrible 111. Now observe this is thus according to the outward Principle of this World as is undeniable before our eyes and so then there is in the Eternity such a continual subsisting Substance which we demonstrate to you thus Observe and consider the Depth and read here diligently 112. The sinking down of the Anguish in the eternal Darkness is an eternal Hunger and Thirst and an eternal Desiring and the Darkness in it self attaineth in the Eternity Nothing that it can have out of the Eternity for its satiating or fulfilling therefore it is rightly the very Hunger and Thirst of the Abysse of Hell and of the Anger of God 113. But the will in the Anguish being it can reach or find nothing it maketh to it self a figure and a similitude in the Desiring with the stern strong drawing and the strong astringent bitter dark Substance is the material Similitude it self it devoureth it self and is it self the Matter of the Fire that so the Eternal Flash continueth perpetually and the fierce Wrath is continually eternally ever burning and burneth eternally out of the Darkness and hath its own Life it it self viz. the bitter Sting of the Anguish which raveth and rageth and is the stirring and original of the Life and that is a Principle 114. And understand herein the Eternal desirous seeking an Eternal Covetousness and yet having Nothing but it self an Eternal Envious Enmity a seeking of the Essences wherein then the innumerable and unsearchable Multiplicity in the Will is continually generated and an eternal craftiness or subtilty a continual climing up in the Hunger and an eternal finding in the Will as namely of the Similitude of its desiring the Similitude of the Essences and in the Flash that is revealed or manifested for the Flash raiseth up it self Eternally above the Darkness and in the Flash are the Essences and are continually brought into the Will 115. Thus is the Fire-will a seeking of the rising Pride a contemning of the Darkness it contemneth its own Root it is a covetous one and willeth to devour more then it hath or then is its right It hath all Lust for the desirous Essences become revealed or manifested in the fire and thence it comes that in every will of every Essence there is again a Center of a whole Substance 116. And that is the Cause of the Creation of this World in that the Model hath thus appeared in A Looking-Glass from Eternity and hath stood in the Eternal Essences in the Figure as in a Vigin without generating and hath been seen in the Light of God And thence originateth the Matter of the Earth of the Stars and Elements also all Art Wit or Ingenuity Craft or Subtilty Deceit Falshood Covetousness and high-mindedness in the Creatures of this World 117. For this World is a material seeking out of the Eternal and is in the Creation viz. in verbo Fiat in the word Fiat through the Water-Heaven become material and palpable as is to be seen in Earth and Stones And the Firmament with the Elements is still the seeking and seeketh the Earthly for it cannot reach back into the Eternal 118. For every substance or thing goes forward so long till the End findeth the Beginning then the Beginning swalloweth up the End again and is as it eternally was except this that the Model remaineth for the Model is out of the Eternal out of which the Creation went forth into a Substance like the Wonder-Eye of God 119. Also it is mentioned to you that the Spirit-Air thus originateth out of the bitter eternal
Mystery which with the Magia viz. with the Desire introduceth it self into the fierce Wrath where then the strong loud-sounding life and strength is understood in the entrance of Nature in the first Three Forms viz. the astringent bitter and anguish as the word Wrath standeth in the space under the Line Number 18. signifying that the fierce Wrath doth not touch the Angle or Point of the Number Three but is generated or born in the Desire Craft Numb 19. 187. Under the word Omnipotence Number 19. standeth Craft signifying the Essence out of the Looking-Glass of the Mystery which Craft or Suttlety in the second Principle is changed into a right or rectified understanding and here in the Magick Fire it is only Craft or cunning Suttlety for it is accute or pointed and sharp and a cause of the Understanding Devil Numb 20. 188. Over against it standeth Devil Number 20. in the space of the Dark World signifying the evilness malignity or malice of the Devil in that he is gone away from the Angle or Point of the Number Three and hath set or put his will into the fierce Wrath Craft or Suttlety in willing therewith to rule or lord it over God's Meekness and himself to use the strength and might or potency of the Fire and of the Fierce-wrath Devils Art Numb 21 22. 189. Under the word Craft standeth Devils Art Number 21 22. Devils standeth without the Circle of Nature and Art standeth within the Circle of Nature signifying that the Devil was created as well out of the Mystery of the Father upon the Line or Stroak of the Cross in the Eternal Nature as the other Angels But he hath framed or created to himself his Art Number 22. in the magick seeking of Nature in the Center of the dark World whereas yet he should have gotten framed or created it in God's Heart and Power or Vertue and that is his Cause of his Fall and of his Envy or Hatred and Malice Will Numb 23. 190. Above the Line Number 23. standeth Will signifying that the Devil hath hath swung himself aloft above the Divine Line upon or in which he was created as a proud or haughty stately Spirit that would himself have been Lord and have governed in own Self Art and Wit Darkness Numb 24. 191. As now at present the pride or state and haughtiness and cunning suttle Policy and Prudence of Men doth which swingeth it self also thus from the Line of God up into own self wherein it cannot reach or attain the Divine Power or Vertue and Light within but falleth in it self into the Dark anguishing Magick Fire as above the word Will is marked Number 24. First into Darkness for Reason loseth the Divine Understanding and Desire wherein it can take hold of and receive God's Substance and so impregnate it self with Power and Vertue out of or from God Fire Numb 25. 192. And then the Magick Fire of Covetousness kindleth it self in that it willeth to have much and yet hath not enough as here Number 25. Anguish Numb 26. 193. And when it hath filled it self with Covetousness then beginneth the Magick Fire in the Anguish Number 26. to burn For that which is brought in by the Covetousness and laden the fire with is the Magick Fires wood or fewel wherein it burneth and there is Death generated or born which must separate what the Covetousness hath laid in Death Numb 27. 194. And here is also the heavy Fall of Adam who imagined as the Devil did and desired the multiplicity of this world for his own he would be wise or suttle and prudent and get much Wit or crafty Ingenuity and also the earthly hellish source or fountain quality in the wit Had he remained upon the Stroak or Arm in God's Line then he had not become earthly for his will-spirit had dwelt in God and had introduced Divine food into the Body but now he standeth in the Anguish Number 26 and must again go through the Principle into Death Number 27 where his Body must in the Mystery be consumed 195. And if he hath not in this time converted his will into the Cross of Christ as in this Figure is to be seen then is he in the Mystery reserved to the Judgement of God and there he shall be tryed in the Fire whether his will-spirit hath Divine Power and Vertue in it or not or whether he can subsist in the Fire And there the proud stately or haughty earthly works will be burned away from him and the soul will remain in the dark Magick Will-Fire for it self is also a Magick Fire when the Divine Light-Fire is not in it and so now one Magick Fire layeth hold of another out of which there is no remedy to help Will Numb 28. Light Numb 29. Spirit Numb 30. Man Numb 31. 196. But that Soul which hath in this time converted again and hath with its will given up it self into the Death of Christ on the Line of the Cross Number 27. that soul is sunk down from its proud or haughty evil works and is as to them will-less or free from willing and is entered into the Death of Christ and sprouteth forth with the Will-spirit Number 28. through the second Principle in the Divine Power and Vertue out of the Death of Christ where then the Will-Spirit viz. the Image attaineth again the Divine Light Number 29. and the Image standeth Number 30. again in the Divine Man Number 31. Image Numb 32. God Numb 33. 197. For when the Will Spirit entereth into Death upon the Cross then it draweth again Divine Substantiality viz. Christ's Flesh to it self and bringeth the same with it self into the Light into the Light world there the Divine Life sprouteth again into the holy Body and the Image standeth free again As here Number 32. is to be seen and dwelleth in God Number 33. and eateth of God's Word or Substance for the Image is here without or beyond Nature in the Liberty but the Humanity is within Nature as is described 198. But as to those Souls which stick in their proud or stately and haughty covetous Works in the Anguish Number 26. they stick indeed in the Magick Anguish-Fire and their works are wood or fuel to or for the Fire 199. But if the Will-spirit do yet turn in it self a little into the Death of Christ and yet also is fast bound to the fierce Wrath that soul hangeth as by a thred to the Death of Christ The Ninth Number Numb 34. 200. This Soul may well thus burn a while till the Will-Spirit can enter into the Death of Christ till its sydereal wood or fuel be burned up when the earthly body dyeth then must the Image bathe which the present too wise and subtle world contemneth but in Death doth find it by woful experience There must this little sparkle which hangeth only by a thred wind it self into the Death
triurnphs upon the Cross but she entereth not in into the Center She wil NOT go through Death into Life 260. She saith She liveth but hath ar injurious unrighteous life yet that is her right or proper life if she would live in it alone to her self but she oppresseth borneth compelleth the Children that are born or regenerated on the Cross and treadeth them under foot 261. Therefore hath the Crossbent and drawn its Bow and will shoot away Babel from the Cross signifieth the Spirit of Wonders in the Magia The Seventh Form of Fire 262. One Magia goeth alwayes out of the other and is the others Looking-Glass and Eye where the Wonders are apprehended or known and propagated for in the Abysse is NOTHING and in the Magia is ALL Every Looking-Glass is a Center and yet of its own for the first pleasure or longing seeking and desiring generateth that it is the model of the first 263. For when I search for the Beginning of Substance then I find the Eye which is God that is a desirous Will of Eternity which entereth in into it self and seeketh the Abysse in it self 264. It is in nothing but it is the Abysses Looking-Glass and seeketh it self and findeth it self and that which is found seeketh again a model that it may seek find and see it self therein 265. And that goeth on to the Number Ten and then the last findeth the first again in it self and thus the Last is a model or looking-glass of the First and the First of the Last and is as an Eternal Band and standeth or consisteth in the Will in the desiring seeking and finding and in this Substance is the Mysterium Magnum or great Mystery contained or included 266. But now will the Middle in the Desiring have a satiating or fulfilling wherein it may rest else all would stand or be in an Anxious Source or Torment and the Desiring draweth the Middle out of all Forms wherewith it filleth or satiateth its hunger wherewith or whereby in it self it standeth in Perfection in Joy and so out of the Anguish a Love cometh to be a satiating fulfilling or easing of the Source or fountain Quality of Pain and the middle is Sulphur with that the Spirit refresheth it self in the Will For Sulphur hath two Forms in it self viz. Power or Vertue and Light 267. And that is together the Substance generated out of All Forms it is Matter Substantiality Corporeity God's Body Christ's Flesh the Heavenly and is the total or universal fulfilling or satiating of the Spirit in the O it is the Rest and Manifestation or Revelation of the Deity and standeth in the Virgin of Wisdom 268. The Cross is its limit and is the Substantiality which goeth with the sinking into Death as above mentioned where the fierce Wrath remaineth in Death and it is still quiet as a Death or a Nothing and the Life sprouteth out of it into another Principle 269. It is not the Principle only the Principle becometh generated in it in it are all Looking-Glasses of the Magia manifested or revealed moreover the Wonders of the Genetrix It containeth the Mysterium Magnum the Great Mystery and out of it the Spirit openeth the Wonders of Eternity the Spirit giveth it the Essences for that is its food for its hunger 270. It is a substance of wonders without number and end and is also of no Beginning for the Spirit in the Desiring beginneth it from Eternity and continueth in Eternity it is a Body of the Number Three which is called God and a Body of Angels so that the Spirit standeth or is in an Image else it would NOT be apprehended or known 271. Thus it knoweth it self in the Image it self and seeketh the best Magia and what it seeketh that it findeth and eateth it and therewith or thereby giveth to the Body of God its will so that there is an unity in the holy Principle 272. For in the Will of the corporeal Spirit rise up the Wonders those the Spirit of Eternity viz. the holy Spirit receiveth or apprehendeth and so there is a ringing and song out of the eternal Wonders for the corporeal Spirits will is therein 273. And in these seven Forms the Joy of the Deity becometh multiplied and perfect for it is a fulfilling of the eternal Desiring and is the Eternal Food 274. But seeing all things or every Substance originateth from the Fire we will clearly set before you the Mysterum Magnum the Great Mystery and plainly shew you Paradise if any will be blind to him it is told and discovered let him go away with Babel 275. Ye know that in Fire 🜂 and Water 🜄 all Life standeth or consisteth and the Substantiality is its Body and the Body is or existeth out of the Power or Vertue of the Spirit for it is the Spirits Food and the Spirit is again the Bodies Food and the highest greatest Nutriment is in it self for the outward would not hold or retain it if the right or true Life were not in it self 276. Therefore now the Fire is the first cause of the Life and the Light thereof is the second cause and the Spirit the third cause and yet is but one substance or thing which closeth it self into a Body and manifesteth and so with seeking findeth 277. And every Substance is or consisteth in two Substances viz. in an outward and inward the one seeketh and findeth the other the outward is Nature the inward is Spirit above Nature and yet there is no schism or rending asunder but only in that which is included in a time therein the time severeth the limit so that the End findeth the Beginning 278. Thus ye see also how out of the Light the right or true Substantiality exists for it is a fulfilling or satiating of the Will The Water existeth out of the Meekness of the fight for the desiring layeth hold of the Meekness and retaineth it for it is a good relish thus is the Meekness Substantial and a Substance of the Fire a fulfilling of the desirous fierce Wrath an allaying of the fierce Wrath and a corporeity of the Time for when the Body falleth away then is its Spirit in the Beginning in that which hath given it forth in that looking-glass it is 279. So then seeing the Source or fountain Quality is twofold therefore is the Water also twofold viz. an outward and an inward the one belongeth to the Spirit the other to the outward Life the outward is accompted a Death the inward is its Life the outward standeth between the fierce Wrath and Paradise in the in-sunk down Death and the inward is the Paradise it self for the Spirit sprouteth therein out of the Eternity 280. And you may see that this is true thus Consider Winter and Summer also Cold and Heat and you will soon perceive it if you be born or generated internally and not externally only but with the first Magick Will or Desire to find God for
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
Spirit of this World 19. By which then the Image in the Spirit becometh attered all according to what is contained in the Will which the Soul hath framed or contrived or brought forth out of the Center also out of the Fierce Wrath into the Light viz. according to the Imagination 20. And we give you to understand that the Spirit can alter it self in this Time of the Body which is done without its knowledge or apprehension through the Imagination viz. through the seeking Lust or Longing Pleasure and Delight where the desiring figureth such a Form in the Souls Will as the lust or longing Pleasure is to Evil or Good 21. And we say that the pure Soul is not corporeal but there groweth a Body in the Tincture either heavenly or hellish and yet it is no palpable body according to the outward but a Power-Body God's Body Christ's Heavenly Body heavenly Flesh which Christ giveth us to eat in his Testament 22. It is a Body which the Turba cannot touch or apprehend it is immortal unfadable comprised in Nothing but only in the noble or pretious Tincture which is without substance and this body is to the outward Flesh incomprehensible 23. But the Outward Spirit if the Soul do not hinder it but letteth it in bringeth its Imagination thereinto and covereth vaileth or obscureth it so that another strange Image cometh to be in the Spirit in the Tincture according to the contents or condition of the longing Pleasure or lust viz. a Covetous of a Wolf an Envious of a Dog a Proud of a Horse Peacok or other Beast or living Creature also of Toads Adders Vipers Serpents other Worms or creeping things which Image God's Spirit so long as it standeth or continueth so doth not receive or accept 24. And therefore Christ saith You must be born anew of Water and the Spirit if you would see the Kingdom of God and therefore God became Man and brought the divine Image again into the Souls Tincture being it was perished in Adam so that now we must be born anew in Christ if we will see God 25. And this is done through the Imagination or Faith or Believing for believing is eating of God's Body and every Body groweth by eating 26. And the New-Birth is not in such a Manner as Babel teacheth her Matters are only a Looking-Glass of the right and true way into God which Looking-Glass must be broken For Moses his cover or vail is done away we should see further with clear Paradisical Eyes understand thus much ye Children of God The Eighth Question In what Manner the Soul cometh into Man or into the Body 1. THis Question I understand of the Souls Propagation For how it came into Adam Moses telleth you and it is mentioned above but because you ask concerning its Propagation how it cometh into a Child in the Mothers Womb we must put on another Habit or Garment 2. In our Third Part it is written very exactly and at large with many Circumstances concerning its Propagation how Adam was created in an Image He was Man and Woman before his Eve he had the fires and waters Tincture that is Soul and Spirit and should have generated his like an Image of himself out of himself through his Imagination and own Love and this he could have done without disrupture 3. For as it is above mentioned that the Soul hath such might or ability to change the Body into another Form so it hath also had ability to generate a Branch out of it self according to its Property if Adam had stood out the tryal or Proba 4. But being he imagined after or desired the Omnipotence and let the Spirit of this World into the Soul into the Tincture and the Serpent and gazed on the Earthly Fruit longing to eat of Evil and Good then also his Tincture conceived such an Image viz. a Monster which was half earthly thereinto also instantly the Turba insinuated it self and sought the Limit 5. Thus the noble or pretious Image was found in the Earthly where then Fragility Corruption and Death Began and Adam could not then generate for his Omnipotency was lost 6. And would indeed for ever have been lost if the Heart of God had not suddenly with the Word of Promise turned in it self into Adams Soul which so preserved it that so Adams Image must break and the Soul with the heavenly Body sink down through Death into the New-Life where its Spirit became renewed again 7. Thus Adam fell into inability into sleep and the other or second Creation began for God took the Waters Tincture as in a Twig or Branch out of Adams Soul and a Rib out of Adam and the Half Cross in Adam and framed a Woman out of it 8. As ye know that the Woman hath the one half Cross in her Head and the Man the other for in the Head in the Brain dwelleth the Souls Spirit out of which God hath taken a Branch viz. a Child out of Adams Souls Spirit and given it to the Woman that she should not generate or bring forth Devils 9. And the Man hath the Fires Tincture viz. the right true Original of the Life 10. And therefore hath the Woman gotten the Matrix viz. Venus's Tincture and the Man the Fires-Tincture understand the Woman hath the Lights-Tincture which can awaken no Life the Life standeth in the Fires-Tincture 11. But now being it could not be otherwise they must propagate in a Beastial Manner in Two Seeds the Man soweth Soul and the Woman Spirit and is being it is sown in an Earthly Soyl or Field conceived or hatched after the kind and man-of all Beasts 12. And yet nevertheless all the Three Principles are in the Seed but the Inward is not knowable or apprehensible to the Outward for in the Seed there is no living Soul but when the Two Tinctures come together then it is wholly in Substance for the Soul is in the Seed Essential and in the Conception or Hatching it becometh Substantial 13. For so soon as the Fire is struck up by Vulcan then is the Soul in the Substance wholly perfect and presently the Spirit goeth out of the Soul in the Tincture forth and draweth the outward Dominion viz. the Stars with or by the Air. 14. And thus is an Eternal Child and and hath also the frail or corruptible Spirit with the Turba hanging to it which Adam through his Imagination took in 15. And there the Turba instantly seeth the Limit in the Spirit of this World and will enter into the limit then is the Body old enough as soon as the Soul hath its Life to dye also many a Soul perisheth in the Essence while it is a Seed in the Sulphur 16. But you are to observe this that the Man hath the Fires Tincture and the Woman the Lights Tincture in the Water viz. Venus's Tincture as is to be understood by both their vehement Imagination one towards another for