to our outward Reason 9. But we will now once more teach another A. B. C. All have not Christ's Flesh on them in this World hidden in the Old Adam indeed of very many scarce one onely the Regenerate who are gone forth from their own Will into Gods Will in whom the Noble and Precious Grain of Mustard Seed is sown there a Tree is sprung up and grown 10. Most Souls go from the Body without Christ's Body but they hang by a Threed and are in their Faith at last entered into the Will which Souls are indeed in the Spirit in the Image but not in the Flesh 11. They wait for the last Judgement Day wherein the Image viz. the Body will go forth out of the Grave out of the first Image for God will awaken or raise it up through Christ's Voice even that Image which Adam had in his Innocency which is sprouted or grown with or by Christ's Blood 12. But the Earthly Body shall not touch it that must also in the Turba come before the Judgement but after the Sentence of the Judgement the Turba swalloweth it up and the wonders only remain standing 13. Understand us aright thus Those Souls which must thus wait for their Bodies at the Last Judgement Day they continue with their Bodies in the still Rest without feeling any pain till the Last Judgement Day but in another Principle 14. They have in the Earth no Darkness also no Majesty but they are in the One onely still-Liberty in Rest without pain without touching of the Body 15. But they see their Wonders yet they perform nothing in them for they wait upon God and are in Humility for they are sunk down through Death and are in another World but there is yet a Cliff or Gulf between them and the Holy Souls in Christs Flesh and Blood yet not a Principle for they are in one and the same Principle 16. But a Spirit without a Body hath not that Might or Power as that Spirit which is in the Body therefore they are in the Rest they are under God's Altar 17. When the Last Judgement Day cometh it will then go forth and eat of God's Bread and put on God's Body as is mentioned in the Revelation of John where the Souls in white Garments under the Altar say Lord when avengest thou our Blood and it is said to them that they should rest a little while till their Brethren come to them which shall be slain for the Witness of Jesus 18. But the wicked Souls have another place viz. in the most innermost which also is the most outermost in the Darkness those Souls dare go no whither they remain directly with the Body in their Substance or Doings but not in this World also they do not touch the Earth 19. They are indeed powerful over the Earth they can open it without Substance or Labour and Feeling but the outward principle they have not they are not powerful enough over the outward Spirit and yet it can a long time play jugling Tricks in the Sydereal Spirit 20. As many of them appear again in the Starry Spirit and seek rest or Abstinence also cause much terrour and hurliburly in Houses all which they do through the starry Spirit till that be consumed and then its Pomp lyeth in the Darknesse and expecteth the Last Judgement 21. Our Babel saith it is the Devil which goeth about so in the form or shape of the Soul indeed there are right Devils enough with a Damned Soul but it is not a very Devil such a one as is in the Abysse and very readily plagueth the Soul in the time of the Body in the Abysse of the Soul 22. Though indeed it is not difficult for him to put on a Deceivers Hypocritical Garment he can easily put on an Outward Garment to seduce and to terrifie Man 23. But this we must complain against Babel that she is so altogether blind and hath so little knowledge of God she hath cast away the true Magia and Philosophy and taken in the Antichrist now she wanteth Wit Ingenuity or Understanding she hath Art but only Wit and Understanding faileth her and breaketh she hath broken the Looking-Glass and seeth with Spectacles 24. What shall a man say the world is blindfold men draw it into a Snare and lead it captive and it seeth it not and it were indeed free if it did but see it there is wicked knavish Cunning in the String men bind it with Thou wilt soon become seeing it is bright day only Awake thou keeper of Israel 25. Thus beloved Friend be informed of this that there is great difference of Place and Condition among Souls all according to that into which a Soul is entred Is it holy and born anew or Regenerate then it hath a Body which waiteth only for the Wonders of the Body at the last Judgement Day it hath comprised them clearly already in the Will but they shall stand before the Judgement at the Last Day All Souls the Good and the Evil every one shall receive its Sentence and Wages 26. The Holy shall be set in the sight of the Wicked that they may see and tast the Causes of their Source and Torment 27. If any shall conceit a several place or space where they shall sit one among another that is quite contrary to the Magia every one is in its own Land Soyl or Countrey and not bound to the place of the Body but it may be where it will and and then wherever it is it is there either in God or in the Darkness 28. God is every where and the Darkness is also every where the Angels are also every whery every one in his own Principle and in his own source or quality 29. The Conceits of outward Reason without apprehension and knowledge of the Principles is a fighting with a shadow in a Looking-Glass If I did ask a Thousand times and should be alwayes answered something concerning God if I were but still in Flesh and Blood I should look upon it as Babel doth which supposeth the Soul goeth up into a Heaven above the Stars I know nothing yet of that Heaven and I can well forbear being there 30. It is indeed above and there are the Angelical Prince-Thrones but this Eye of this Aether is OUR Principality and our Kingdom 31. Indeed it is all one with them that are in the UPPER Heaven and with them that are in OURS but our Creation and Substance or Doings is in our Aether A Soul may well go thither if it desireth it will be very lovingly received and entertained by Gods Angels 32. For there is the same Substance of God with them as with us and this only is the difference that they have Angelical works among them wholly pure without spot or Blemish and we have the Great Wonders therefore they delight also to be with us and they are besides that Our Ministring Servants during the Life of
you may understand it well enough in all the other Questions what is to be done and it is explained enough 5. We dare not answer concerning future things otherwise then after a Magical Manner and the Cause is this the Future VVonders are all seen in the Turba and if the Spirit seeth them then it speaketh clearly out how the Turba is loaded with Evil or Good 6. But it seeth that all is mixed for God is become Man and setteth forth his Mercy every where in the Anger and hindereth the Perdition and therefore must the Prophet now speak Magically and not with plain VVords for it cometh to pass many times that a thing that is Evil in the Substance yet there groweth suddenly a small Twig or Branch out of it which breaketh the Turba and so there cometh a Conversion into it 7. Therefore God causeth you to be admonished that you should subdue and resist the Heaven of the Firmament and then often the Evil which the Firmamental Heaven sheddeth abroad becometh turned into that which is Better 8. Else if all must needs come to pass which the Firmamental Heaven hath Men would need no Teaching but it would all be a certain stedfast and Eternal Calender 9. You know very well what Daniel Ezekiel as also David Mentioneth in his Prophecies especially the Revelation of Jesus Christ there ye have all lying in them whatsoever is to be done they have spoken Magically of things to come 10. But in our Writings ye have them clearer for the time is now nearer the End and the Beginning hath sound the End therefore it appeareth clearer what shall be done at the End 11. And I would have you directed to the other Questions where you shall find enough concerning it for the Evil VVorld is not worthy of a round clear explanation for alwayes the Great Mystery is touched thereby which belongeth only to the Children of God for God would not have men cast Pearls before Swine but to give Food to the Children 12. Thus do you also it lyeth not in this that the Mystery should stand under a Worldly Protection or Patronage that is a Folly and God would thereby be rejected as if he were not able enough to Protect it 13. You ought not to seek the Mystery among those in power or rely upon them above others for there cometh a Turba suddenly thereinto viz. by a Law and then is God's Spirit as it were bound or tyed up and that thing becometh an Antichrist 14. Look upon Israel when they rejected Samuel and their Judges and supposed when their Teaching stood under a worldly Arm and Power and that they had a King then they would keep their Law as it came to pass that their King introduced the Turba thereinto and made Calves for the Service and VVorship of God and compelled the Congregation or People to Honour and VVorship those Idols this we say from a good meaning 15. And we give you no Answer to this Question particularly by it self you will find enough of it in the other Questions for we ought to do no otherwise The Nine and Thirtieth Question What and where Paradise is with its Inhabitants 1. THis hath been explained to you in the Enochian Life that it is in this World but in the Mystery as it were swallowed up whereas yet in it self it is not altered It is only withdrawn from our Eyes from our source or quality else if our Eyes were open we should see it 2. Nay God in his Number Three is with us how then should Paradise be lost indeed we have lost the quality or source and fruit of it in the outward Life as the Devil lost God when he with his own self will went forth as a proud arrogant Spirit and would be Lord so it hath gone with us 3. When Adam would have Eaten of the Earthly Fruit Evil and Good then he gat also an Earthly Life Evil and good and became thrust out of the fair delightful Garden of Paradise where Heavenly Fruit grew into the outward Life 4. Many have written wonderfully of Paradise but their blindness appears now in the Day Light whom yet we shall not contemn for they have been seekers every Age hath had its seekers who have sought the Mystery but it hath been a long time very dark in Babel 5. Now within two hundred years it hath begun to open it self again wherein Antichrists Fall hath been discovered where Men have begun to storm Babel on One side but the strong Fort in Babel standeth firm still Men have revealed or manifested the Whore indeed but her Beast is but the more grown 6. Therefore there is yet a Wonderful time at hand which shall change all Many high Mountains and Hills shall be made a plain Field and a Fountain shall flow out of Sion wherein the Miserable shall drink and be refreshed 7. And they shall be led to Pasture with a staff and the Shepherd will rejoyce with his Sheep that God is so Gracious 8. For Silver and Gold is as common as in Solomons time and his Wisdom Ruleth over the Face of the Earth this is a Wonder The Fortieth Question Whether Paradise is Alterable and what shall be afterwards 1. AS little as God is alterable so little also is Paradise alterable for it is a part of the Deity when the outward Dominion shall pass away then will in the Place where this world now standeth be meer Paradise For there will be an Earth of Heavenly Substantiality which we may be able to dwell in Through and through 2. At the Last Judgement Day we shall not fly away from the Place of this World but continue so in our Native Countrey and go home into another World into another Principle of another source or quality 3. For there will be no Frost nor heat also no Night and we shall be able to go through the Heavenly Earth through and through without dividing or disturbing any thing 4. This Earth will be Like a Cristalline Sea wherein all the Wonders of the World will be seen all very Transparently and God's Glance Lustre or brightness will be the Light therein and the Holy Jerusalem the Great City of God where Men shall offer to God the Calves of their Lips there will be Paradise And the Tabernacle of God with Men For it is Written Behold I make all things New a New Heaven and a New Earth so that Men shall not regard the Old any more in that will the fair bright City of God with the Wonders and Wisdom stand and the Temple of God the New Jerusalem will stand upon the New Earth which is prepared and made ready out of God's Power and Wonders 5. ALL whatsoever the Prophets have written will there be fulfilled for God's Word and Wonders will spring and grow as Grass upon the New Earth 6. There is no more Death also no fear or sorrow or sadness No sickness No Superiour
Our Saviour Jesus Christ himself taught to his Apostles and Disciples and which the Comforter doth continually teach the Holy Servants of God ever since and by what is written by this Author it may be believed that both the same Wisdom may be attained now and the same Power of the Holy Ghost by which they speake and wrought their Miracles and the Cause discerned why scarce any hath been wrought for so long a while yes men will believe that greater things shall be done as our Saviour tells the Apostles then they saw him do for it will appear that the Power in one Man even of one Thought in a Man is able to change the whole Universe in a Moment This Power was in part in the Prophets and Apostles who could raise the Dead and when the time appointed is come that all the Dead shall rise that Power will do it though it should be but as a Grain of Mustard-Seed in one Man and restore the whole Creature to the Glorious Liberty of the Sons of God Surely it will be worth our pains to find such wisdom as this By the study of these Writings men may come to know every one according to his condition property and indination how all the real differences of Opinions of all sorts may be reconciled even the nicest Differences of the most Learned Criticks in all Ages that which seemeth different in the Writings of the Profound Magical Mystical Chymick Philosophers from that which we find in the Experimental Physicians Philosophers Astronomers may be reconciled by Considering what this Author Teacheth that the Names which were given to the Seven Planets do signifie the seven Properties of the Eternal Nature and are the cause of all those things which are by Experimental Men accounted the first and deepest causes of all Also thereby the differences in Religion may be so reconciled that the Minds and Consciences of all doubting persons may be satisfied about Predestination Election Creation Corruption Salvation and Restoration so clearly that all will love one another that hard Lesson to love our Enemies will be readily learnt and Men will quickly Contribute to the studying that one necessary thing that Treasure hid in the Field that Gold of the Kingdom of Heaven that Precious Pearl that All in All Faith and Love and Christ and God when they shall perceive that all this lyeth hid in every Soul in one Measure or other and may be found and the way set down so plain that every Soul may find it Thereby the Writings of all Men will be understood even the very darkest Mysteries conteined in the VVritings of the Prophets and Apostles will be made plain and easie to the simplest Thirsty Soul and then when that appeareth which is now hidden that Excellent Glory every one will not only see it but walk in the way that leadeth to it and so attain it in the highest Degree of every ones capacity and capability While this Wisdom is growing it will so reform the Laws the degrees in every Nation that at length the whole World will be governed in Peace to the joy of all Perhaps some will think this impossible let them consider that if they be told of a Curious City and of the incredible things that are done there by him that hath been there and seen what he relateth and he describe the way so plain that they may come thither themselves wil they not go that they may know as well as he that told them do so by this Author Read this Book diligently and seriously till you apprehend the meaning but of some part of the way he here describeth which may easily be done and you will be satisfied the things are true and that the way he sheweth is true and be able to walk in it and also be very thirsty to labour in that way more and more till you attain your whole desire and then you will keep it as the best Jewel a Memorial of all Mysteries But let every one read it themselves whether it be the highest King that sitteth upon a Throne or the meanest Maid that grindeth in a Mill or hear it read with their own Ears if they mean to partake of this so high a gift from the most High or else the Devil may easily bereave them of it J. S. To the Reader IF we knew the pretiousness of our own Souls we would confess and acknowledge with an inward feelingness the Answer to Christ's Question when he said What shall it profit a Man to gain the whole World and lose his own Soul Or what shall a Man give in exchange for his Soul The Soul is so pretious that Nothing can truly be valued at so high a Rate To save it is the greatest Gain to lose it is the greatest loss then who will not highly prize the study and understanding of the way to save it Christ saith He that will save his Soul shall lose it and he that will lose his Soul shall save it but who understandeth this We know it is the earnest desire of every Soul to be saved and to be happy and glorious but the way is very unknown to us poor fallen Souls for we can hardly suppose that losing will be the saving of our selves Christ also taught that the way to Glory was through many tribulations Death this way he entered into Glory and so have all the Blessed from the beginning of the World and can no otherwise to the end thereof but how shall a Soul know the way to lose and deny it self so that it may assuredly attain Eternal Salvation Let it listen in its Heart and Conscience inwardly to that Teacher which it shall find there who is God himself We have the Testimony of Moses for this who told the Israelites The Word the Commandment is nigh thee in thy Heart and in thy Mouth not the outward but the inward Heart and Mouth As also the Apostle Paul saith to the Romans That Christ the Eternal Essential Word of God the Word of Faith which they the Apostles preached is nigh us in our Hearts and in our Mouths and in another place he saith Do you not know that Christ is in you except you be past reproof 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 improbi Futhermore the Apostle John saith that God is love and he that loveth God dwelleth in him and he in God which we all perceive is true for in him we live and move and have our Being And this may be known though the Apostle Paul had not said so much for one of the Poets of Old spake what he knew and said We are all of his Off-spring as the Apostle mentioneth it Nay we all know that be that doth well is the Servant of God but he that doth Evil is the Servant of the Devil who ruleth in his Heart And though there is none that doth Good no not one nor can do of himself while he is in this Mortal-Life yet through Christ in him he
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.
maketh astringent austere or harsh from the attracting in the Will and the attracting is stinging and the suffering is bitter which the Will willeth not and thereupon in it self goeth forth from the sting and maketh a Principle of its own in which the Majesty appeareth 82. Thus existeth in the bitter suffering the great Anguish whereas yet nothing is there that suffereth but it is in it self thus and it is its own Life and if this were not the Glance of the Majesty would not be neither the one is the cause of the other for in the Darkness is the flash of Lightning and in the Liberty the Light with the Majesty 83. And this now is the parting that the Liberty is a still nothing which Liberty receiveth the Light and maketh the Darkness Material whereas yet there is no substance of palpability but dark spirit and power a filling of the Liberty in it self understand in the Desiring not without for without is the Liberty 84. Therefore is God the most secret and also the most revealed and that is Mysterium magnum the great Mystery Thus the Abysse is also secret and yet revealed as the Darkness is before our eyes but the source or pain is unsearchable or unperceptible till the will diveth thereinto then it becometh felt and found when the will loseth the Light and herein lyeth the ground of right beleeving or true Faith Let this be told you ye Teachers in Babel 85. Since then there is an Abysse which is called the Ground in respect of the comprehension of the Darkness where the source or pain is as a cause of the Life within for the fierce wrathfull slash of Lightening is the awakening of the Life whereas there is nothing there but in it self therefore it is also a Desiring and the Desiring is a Seeking and yet can find nothing but a Looking-glass and a similitude of the dark fierce wrathful source or pain wherein nothing is 86. For it is a figure of the earnest severe fierce wrathful flash of Lightning and of the sharp and strong Might which is God's according to which he calleth himself a Consuming Fire and an Angry Zealous or Jealous God 87. This Looking-glass is also without Ground without Beginning and End and yet hath an Eternal Beginning and End and is the Eternal Only Cause that the Abysse is Blew Dusky and Fiery It is the Cause of the Stars and Elements for the Firmament is the other or second Looking-glass generated out of this 88. Since then there is in all things a Threefold Source one whereof is the others Looking-glass Generating and Cause nor thing excepted All standeth according to the Substance or Working of the Number Three 89. Now seeing there is a Looking-glass in the Abysse wherein the source or quality beholdeth it self therefore that also is a figure and image of the source or quality which standeth before the source or quality and acteth or generateth nothing but is a Virgin of the source quality or pain wherein the fierce Wrath of the flash of Lightning discovers it self in infinity without Number and continually openeth its wonders therein with the bitter spirit of the stirring Essences which in the flash of Lightening hath its Life so that it goeth swifter than a Thought 90. Though indeed the THOUGHTS of the Creatures stand and move herein and the Spirits of all living Creatures are with their Root standing herein every Life according to its Principle 91. And in this Spirit of the fire-flash standeth the Great Omnipotent Life for it is consuming as the flash of Lightning consumeth the Darkness and that Fire all things and yet continueth a Life in it self but it is an Hunger and Thirst and must have Substantiality else it continueth a Dark Hunger-fire a will of devouring and having Nothing a will to rage prick and find nothing but it self out of which cause the Substantiality viz. the Water as also Sulphur is generated and generateth it self from Eternity to Eternity 92. Here seek the first Root of the Soul viz. in the Fire-Life and the second in the Light-Life in the Majesty and then you will find God's Image and similitude and the greatest Mystery of the Deity lying therein 93. Since then there is such an Eye of the fierce Wrath wherein the earnest severe stern fire-life originateth yet is not at all sundred from the Fire-Life it is One and the same Life and hath Two Principles for it burneth in a twofold source or quality one within another and is One Spirit in Two distinctions with two Wills the one dwelling in the Fire the other in the Light 94. And know for certain assuredly that the Dark Fire-Life is the the Abysse of Hell for it is the stern severe Anger of God 95. And seek it not so as Babel the great City of Confusion upon earth hath sought which yet we blame for nothing else but her negligence and inconsiderateness seeking self-honour and power and so hath captivated her self in the fierce wrathful Anger of God which hath had her a long time under its Wonders and drawn many souls into its source or quality Consider well of it 96. In the Third Part of our Writings it is largely described for that is somewhat easier to reach than this but this is the deepest Ground of Eternity as much as a Spirit can be capable of for more it CANNOT bear yet it may be expressed much more at large but not more deeply for it is comprized in the Abysse in both Principles as indeed a Soul originateth in the Abysse in both Principles and in the spiritual Will in the Eternity 97. And therefore if it be not circumspect the Devil may easily ride upon its Chariot viz. upon its Will but if it be circumspect and casteth it self into the Will of the Majesty of God then the holy Spirit of God rideth upon its will and it is his Chariot 98. Herein you may clearly discern Heaven and Hell Angels and Devils Evil and Good Life and Death if you but search after it as we shall further mention to you The Sixth Form of Fire 99. Thus then seeing Two Principles stand in One Substance as none with reason can speak against it for every Life standeth in Poyson and Light every one in its own Principle according as it hath the Source or Fountain Quality so hath it also its Light Thus it may be discerned concerning the Sustenance of the Life what that is which sustains or preserves the Life that it starve or famish not and what driveth forth its Source or fountain Quality that it may subsist Eternally 100. Now this also is in Two distinctions for the Light-Life hath its source or fountain quality and driving forth and the Fire-Life also its source or fountain quality and driving forth each in it self but the Fire-Life is a Cause of the Light-Life and the Light-Life is a Lord of the Fire-Life and herein lyeth the Mysterium magnum the
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
fountain Quality of the Essences out of the Will 135. Now ye see also well that Fire must have somewhat to consume else it is a Darkness and though it devoureth it self viz. it s strong or stern attraction yet that very fire is only a source or fountain quality in the Darkness whereby we understand the Abyss of the Anger which in God is not revealed or manifested but only as a Cause of the Life in the Kingdom of God 136. Ye see this that every Fire must have substance if it must burn understand this thus the Fire affordeth Air the Air Water and it draweth the Air strongly again into it self with the water whence the Fires source or fountain quality of heat becometh mittigated or meekned so that it shineth 137. For without Water no Fire shineth where in a thing the Water is not to be attained there is no shining of the Fire but only a glimps as is to be seen in a glowing or red hot Stone which hath the source or quality of Fire of the shining it hath nothing but only glimps it may be not that but in the Iron ye see a glimps wherein the Fire attaineth the Water Therefore also Iron is at length consumed and getteth rust and a Stone Not. This is thus to be understood according to the outward Principle of this World but according to the inward viz. according to the Kingdom of God observe this understanding the Eternal Fire burneth Eternally but it is a Spirit and in the Kingdom of God not manifested or revealed in a fierce wrathful manner 138. Observe this thus the flash maketh a shining which originateth from the fire and dwelleth not in the fierce wrath of the fire but it satiateth or fulfilleth the fire totally and giveth light also externally out of the fire and is not held or detained by the fire and bringeth also a several source or quallity as Meekness and hath yet the Fires vertue or power Wit or Ingenuity and Art for in the Light is first the Fires Source or Quality in the Essences manifested or revealed 139. Now the Light maketh no source or pain but goeth in it self into a Meekness and is also desirous proceeding from the Fires source or Quality and its desiring is also an attracting as viz. of the meekness and vertue or power into it self and impregnaeth it self with meekness 140. For the Light is also a fire a very yearning fire a desirous fire and a continual finding fire which continually findeth what is generated in the Original 141. All the vertue and power which originateth in the fierce wrathful Fire is manifested or revealed in the Light and the Light desireth that in meekness for the Fires fierce wrathfulness and the Lights shining are Two Principles of a twofold Source or fountain Quality each dwelleth in it self and the one comprehendeth not the Other in Eternity and yet the One is the others Life and Cause Understand it thus 142. As we consider that a horrible anxious Source or Quality maketh a sinking down in it self like a death where then is the parting limit and yet the Anguish in it self retaineth its source or quality but the sincking into it self as a Death entereth into its Aethen where then the Anguish-Life is no more apprehended for the sinking breaketh it self forth out of the Anguish-source like a dying and is a dying whereas yet in the Eternity is no dying but such an Entrance into another World of another Principle of another Source or fountain-Quality 143. For the sinking goeth into the still Eternity as into the Liberty and being the fierce wrathful fires-Source continueth in it self in its life therefore is the sinking a going forth out of the Fire-Life and yet is from the Fire-Life but its source or fountain-spirit it hath not for it is broken off in Death and is the parting-limit in Death that so the sinking presseth through Death and hath another Substantiality viz. another Water wherein the Light shineth wherein no fierce wrathfulness is 144. For in the Eternity is no Death that with-holdeth but only such an entrance in for that which hath no beginning that hath also no end nor ground and thus originateth the Light out of the Fires-Source 145. For the Light dwelleth in the Fire also not in the Fire it is in another world and is another Fire which is called Love Vertue or Power Wonder Sweet Mild or Gentle Pure or Clean and is no Substance and also not Nature but without or besides Nature in another Principle 146. It is nothing else but a Light-flaming powerful Majesty and hath its own spirit which bringeth the sinking through Death which from the Anguish is the sinking through Death which maketh the sprouting out through Death 147. It is in it self free both from the Fire and from the Light and is held or detained by none as little as the fire holdeth or detaineth the Air and it goeth forth out of the Light out of the Power of the Light and openeth all whatsoever is in the Fire-Source or Quality and also in the Lights-Source or Quality 148. But it hath no perception in it self of the Fire but it is a blower up of the Light-Fire a bringer of the Love-Essences into the desirous power or Vertue an Opener of the Love-Essences 149. And yet that we may be understood when we speak thus of the Love-Essences as of another Fire Observe it Behold when the Light becometh thus generated through the fierce wrathfulness so that the one Fire goeth forth out of the other then the Light-fire desireth no more the fierce wrathfulness for it hath dyed away from the fierce wrathfulness and is an own peculiar fire in it self and sendeth its Life out of it self which is a sprouting for it is also desirous and attractive whence Essences exist and hath all forms in it as the Fire-life also hath such a rising up or springing 150. But the Essences are generated out of the Lights power and vertue and so the one alwayes tasting the other there is a mere pure desiring and satisfying or fulfilling whereas yet there is nothing that the Love desiring can draw into it self therefore it draweth it self into it self and impregnateth it self out of the Power of the Majesty so that that very will is full and yet also nothing is there but such power and vertue and Image of the Wonder it is a Similitude of the Birth or Geniture and is the power and vertue it self It is the Substance of the Spirit whence the Spirit hath its food for it goeth forth out of the Image and floweth or bubleth as the Air in this World doth 151. But now if the Spirit findeth no Similitude wich is without or besides it and yet findeth it self thus in the Power and Vertue then it is also desirous for it dweleth in the powers or vertues ground and is not it self the power or vertue therefore its desiring also maketh a Similitude according to it
and Favour of the Giver or Donor why is the Servant in the House Angry and Discontented at it that the Lord is so Good and Gracious and giveth a stranger the Dominion 12. We were Strangers and the Work was in the Family but the Lord hath given us the Promise in Paradise he would bestow upon us again his Kingdom out of Grace he left Cains Offering but to Abel he gave the Kingdom of Grace for Abel sought it in the Spirit and Cain in the Work 13. Thus understand how God's Kingdom is Magical for the first Will attaineth it and the Will in the Substance or Work NOT for it remaineth in the Substance or Work but he that goeth free findeth the Eternity and the Kingdom of Grace therein and the Promise with the Substance or Work together and then the Work dwelleth in the Will and is the Wills Houshold Servant 14. Thus ye understand if ye be seeing the whole Old Testament this is the Only Ground but comprised briefly and if we come to write upon Moses you shall find it wholly and thus we have shewen you the right and true Ground of the Bosom of Abraham and of the true Christian Religion 15. Whosoever teacheth otherwise is of Babel beware of him he hath not Christs Spirit but he is Ishmael and seeketh or gropeth in his own conceit 16. O thou VVorthy and Pretious Christendom be yet seeing else it will no more shine so clearly to thee go yet to Lazarus into Abrahams Bosom The Six and Twentieth Question Whether the Souls of the Deceased take care about Men their Children Friends and Goods and know see like or dislike their Purposes and Undertakings 1. MY beloved Friend this Question is above all humane Reason and knowledge according to Outward Reason but being we are Abrahams Children therefore we have Abrahams Spirit in Christ And as Abraham looked backward upon the Promise in Paradise and forward upon the fulfilling of the Promise so that he saw in the whole Body of Christ what was to be in the Middle and saw Christ afar off so also we 2. And being you so vehemently long after the Great Mysteries and desire them with earnest seeking giving God the Glory and accounting your self in your high knowledge very unworthy of it and so humbling your self before God therefore God also giveth it you though by so slight and mean an Instrument who accounts himself much more unworthy yet doth not desire to resist his Will thus you are the finding in this Hand and the Cause of attaining it 3. For this Hand knew nothing of the Mystery it sought only Abrahams Faith but Abrahams understanding was also given to it which you have caused by your seeking 4. Now see that you attain also Abrahams Spirit which hath written in the Knowledge and Apprehension of this Hand we will set you it down in a Brotherly manner for we are not your Lord in the Mystery but your Servant 5. Apprehend us aright we are Lazarus and you are in respect of us to be accounted Abraham you have laboured much more then we but we are fallen into your Harvest not of Merit but of the Grace of the Giver that no Tongue might boast before God and say this hath my Vnderstanding done 6. You ask a high Question I understand it not for if I should apprehend it then must I be in the Departed Soul and must be in that Souls Spirit apprehension 7. Nevertheless being we are in Christ one Body have also Christs Spirit therefore we see all in Christ out of one Spirit and have its apprehension for he is in us become Man and all Holy Souls are our fellow Members ALL begotten from or out of ONE and we have all one Will in Christ and the right and true Bosom of Abraham 8. And so now we have gotten Might and Power to Manifest or Reveal unto you that Hidden thing in Christ for our Soul seeth in their Souls not that they press and come to us but we press and go to them for they are in Perfection and we but in Part. 9. And Now we can Answer you not from Reason of the outward World but from or out of the Image of Christ and out of his and our Spirit 10. You ask whether the Souls Departed take care about Humane Matters or Doings and see like or dislike them Now this is to be understood in Three several wayes as to Three sorts of Souls as indeed there are Three distinct kinds of them 11. First I. concerning the Souls that have not yet attained Heaven which-stick in the source quality or pain in the Principle in the Birth these have still humane Matters with the works on them and they search diligently after the Cause of their Detention 12. And therefore many of them come again with the Starry Spirit and walk about in Houses and other Places and appear in Humane Shape and Form and desire this and that and often take care about their Wills and Testaments supposing thereby to get the Blessing of Holy People for their Rest and Quiet 13. And if their Earthly business and Employment stick in them and Cleave to them still then indeed they take care about their Children and Friends and this continueth so long till they sink down into their Rest so that their Starry Spirit be consumed then all is gone as to all care and perplexity and they have no more feeling knowledge thereof but meerly that they see it in the Wonders in the Magia 14. But they touch not the Turba nor seek what is in this World for they are once sunk down from the Turba through Death they desire that no more neither do they take any more care for in care the Turba is stirring for the Souls Will must enter with its Spirit into Earthly things which it would fain forsake for it hardly got rid away from them before it would not cumber it self to let in the Earthly Spirit again 15. This is an Information concerning that one part or sort of Souls and we speak freely and certainly that this Part or sort do no more after they are come to Grace purposely take care about Humane Earthly Matters but about Heavenly Matters which come to them through Mans Spirit they see them and have their Joy therein 16. But there remains this still to be said that a Living Man hath such Power and Authority that he can with his Spirit reach into Heaven to the Souls departed and stir them up often in a Question or a hearty Desire but it must be Earnest there belongeth Faith to the breaking open of a Principle 17. Such a thing we see in Samuel the Prophet whom the King of Israel raised up that he might manifest his Will to him though some look upon it otherwise of whom we say they are blind without apprehension or knowledge and speak their School-Conceits and make meanings and Opinions about that they have no knowledge of in the Spirit and