divine Virgin of wisdom 73. And you are to know that the souls Image stood in the Virgin-like-Image which was discovered in the Deity from Eternity 74. And the pure Image of Adam was out of the wisdom of God for God would thus behold and manifest himself in an Image and that was the similitude according to God understand according to Gods Spirit according to the Number Three a Total chast Image like the Angels of God 75. And in this Image Adam was the childe of God not a similitude onely but a Childe I say born of God out of the Being of all Beings or Substance of all Substances 76. Thus we have shortly acquainted you and offered to your understanding what kind of Image Adam was before his Fall and how God hath created him for the better understanding why Gods Word is become Man how it was brought about and what it hath caused or produced and effected The Fourth Chapter Of the Paradisical Being or Substance and Dominion How it would have been if Man had continued in Innocency 1. MAny Objections hath the Devil framed whereby he would Excuse himself saying God hath Creatted him thus as he is whereas his Angelical form which he once had alwaies convinceth him that he is a Lyer 2. And thus he alwaies doth to the poor fallen Man he introduceth alwaies the Earthly Kingdom with its power and ability into him that so he may have a constant looking Glass before him that he also may blame God as if he had created him earthly and Evil. 3. But he leaveth out the best viz First the Paradise in which Man was created and then Secondly Gods Omnipotence that Man liveth not by bread onely but also from the Power and Word of God and Thirdly that Paradise with its source or quality ruled over the Earthlinesse 4. He sheweth Man onely his Hard miserable fleshly Naked form or Condition but the form or Condition in Innocency wherein Adam knew not that he was Naked he covereth or concealeth that to seduce Man 5. And so he would have this very much concealed from us poor Children of Eve and though the Earthly Sack is not worthy to know it yet it is very Necessary for our Minds to know it 6. So it is also necessary for us to fly to the True Door Keeper who hath the Key to Open it to pray to him and yeeld up our selves wholly to him desiring him that he will yet vouchsafe to open to us the Paradisical Gate in the Inward Center of our Image that the Paradisical Light might shine to us in our Minds that so we might become longing to dwell with our IMMANUEL again with the Inward and New Man in Paradise 7. For without this Opening we understand Nothing of Paradise and of our Image which we had in Innocency 8. But being Christ the Son of God hath generated us again to the Paradisical Image we should not be so remiss to rely upon Art and earthly Reason for so we find noâ— Paradise and Christ who must become Man in us if we will ever see God in our Reason it is all but Dead and Blind 9. VVe must go out from Reason and enter into the becoming Man or Incarnation of Christ and then we shall be taught of God and then we have power to speak of God Paradise and of the Kingdom of Heaven 10. And in the Earthly Reason which onely proceedeth from the Constellation or Astrum we are but Fools in the presence of God if we will speak of the Heavenly Mystery for we speak of a Thing which we have not seen or known 11. But even a Childe knoweth its Mother so also every one that is born of God again knoweth his Mother not with Earthly Eyes but with divine with the Eyes of the Mother from whom he is born this we present to the true hearted Reader to consider what he is to do and from what mind and apprehension or understanding we will write 12. Reason of the outward world will needs hold that God Created Man in the outward Dominion in the source or quality of the fiery Stars and four Elements but if that were so then he was Created in the Angnish and Death 13. For the starry Heaven hath its limit when it attaineth that it leaveth the Creature of which it was a leader and then that Domininion and Beeing or Substance of the Creature passeth away which was subject to the outward Heaven 14. And we see very well how we fall away and dye when the outward Heaven with the Elements leave us so that even a Child in the Mothers womb is clearly old enough to dye also oftentimes it perisheth while it is yet without Life and in the Fiat of the outward Dominion is in the coming to be a Body before the Center of Nature striketh up the Fire of the soul 15. And thus by Adams fall we clearly know the Dying and Death that Adam as soon as he became Earthly dyed as to Paradise and was dead to the Kingdom of God therefore then the Regeneration was necessary for us else we could not become Living again 16. But seeing God did forbid Adam the Earthly fruit which was mixt not to touch it and also ereated onely one Man with Masculine and Feminine Properties with both Tinctures as of the fire and of the Light in the Love and brought him instantly into Paradise yea he was Created in Paradise therefore we cannot give way to Reason which by the Devils Infection or instigation saith that Man was Created Earthly 17. For whatsoever was solely Created from the Earthly life or from the Earthly source or quality that is Beastial it hath beginning and End and reacheth not the Eternity for it is not out of the Eternity 18. And that now which is not out of the Eternity that is transitory and onely a looking Glass wherein the Eternal wisdom hath beheld it self as in a Figure and similitude 19. There remaineth thereof nothing else but a shadow without source or quality and being or substance it passeth away as a wind which hath raised itself and then lieth down again 20. For such a Creatures sake the word of God is not become Flesh the Eternal is not for the sake of the Transitory entered into the transitory substantiality 21. Also it is not therefore entred into the Earthly that it would raise and introduce the Earthly transitory into the Power of the Majesty but for the sake of that which was proceeded out of the Power of the Majesty but was become evil and Earthly and as it vvere extinguished in Death that it might make it living again and awaken and lift it up into the power of the Majesty into that state it was in before it was a Creature 22. And we are to understand otherwise then we have hitherto done concerning Man having accompted him beastial Indeed he became Beastial according to the property of this World when he dyed in Adam from
the Womans seed with the Moving of the Deity which brake or destroyed Death which out of the water bringeth forth a Light-flaming Blossome wherein he is the spirit and life of the blossome 70. Not according to the Fire-source or quality of the fierce wrath but according to the Quality of the Light in the Meekness and humility The Twlefth Chapter Of the Pure Virginity How we poor Children of Eve must be conceived out of the pure Virgin-like Modesty or Chastity in the Becoming Man or Incarnation of Christ and be new born in God else we shall not see God 1. WE poor Children of Eve finde in us no pure virgin-like thoughts for Mother Eve which was a Woman hath made us all Feminine and Masculine 2. We are in Adam and Eve all become Men and Women except we enter into the heavenly virginity with our desiring Will in which God hath generated us out of Christ to be Virgins again 3. Not according to the Earthly Life in which there is no Modesty Chastity and purity but according to the Life of the Heavenly Virgin in which Christ became a Man and which with the Over-shadowing of the Holy Ghost became put on to Mary which is without ground limit and End which every where standeth before the Deity which is a Looking-Giass and representation or express Image of the Deity 4. Into this Virgin wherein the Holy Tinity dwelleth wherein we were discerned or discovered before the times of the world by the Spirit of God and were know in the Name of JESU we must Enter with our Will-Spirit 5. For our true Image in which we are the similitude of God is with Adam and Eve extinguished to Us and become Earthly 6. Which is done through Lust or Imagination and so Gods clear Countenance became covered for we lost the heavenly Modesty or Chastity 7. But seeing God for us hath out of his favour and Love opened his clear countenance towards us again in the becoming Man or Incarnation of Christ and so now it lyeth in this that as we in Adam have imagined into the earthly longing whence we are becom Earthly so we now set our desiring will in the havenly Virgin and bring our longing thereinto and then our Image goeth out from the Earthly Woman and conceiveth the virgin-like Essence and property wherein God dwelleth wherein the souls Image may attain the Countenance of God again 8. Outward Reason saith how may that come to pass that we might be born again out of the Virgin out of which Christ was born It understandeth solely Mary but we understand not the Mary which is a creaturely Virgin 9. For as we also in the immaterial Virgin-like modesty or chastity became Creaturely Virgins so if we enter into the becoming Man or Incarnation of Christ not according to the outward Life in the four Elements but according to the Inward in the One Element where the Fire of God swalloweth up the four Elements into it self and yet in his Light viz in the second Principle wherein the outward Man and Woman must go through death in Christs resurrection as a virgin in the one Element wherein all the four lye hidden we then grow forth and spring in the Right viâ—gin-like wisedome of God 10. We must dye away from the Man and the Woman and Crucifie the Corrupt Adam he must die with Christ and be cast into the Fathers Anger 11. That swalloweth up the Earthly Man the Earthly Woman and giveth to the soul out of the becoming Man or Incarnation of Chrâ—st a virgin-like Image wherein the Man and the Woman is but one only Image with one only Love 12. Now the Man sets his Love in or upon the Woman and the Woman in or upon the Man but if both the loves be turned into one there is then no desire of Co-mixture more in the one onely Image but the Image loveth it selfe 13. But now the Image in the beginning was Created in the virgin-like wisedome of God viz out of the divine substantiality 14. And now because the substance was become Earthly and fallen into death therefore the Word which became Man awakened and raised it up again and so the Earthly source or quality remaineth with death in the Anger and the raised remaineth in the word of life in the virgin-like Modesty or chastity 15. And so we bear here in this World a two fold Man in one Person viz a virgin-like Image born out of the becoming Man or Incarnation of Christ and an Earthly Image Masculine and Feminine shut up in Death and in the Anger of God 16. The Earthly must bear the Cross and suffer it selfe to be scorned persecuted and afflicted in the Anger and becometh at length given to Death and then the Anger swalloweth it up into the sourcive qualifycating fire of God 17. And so if the word of Life which in Mary became Man is together in the Earthly Image then Christ who wrought the word of Life out of God riseth up from Death and bringeth the Essence of the sourcive or Qualificating fire understand the humane Essence out forth from Death 18. For he is arisen out from Death and liveth in God and his life is become our Life and his death our Death we are buried in his death and sprout forth in his resurrection and victory in his Life 19. But understand the meaning right Adam was the virgin-like Image he had peculiar Love of his own for the Spirit of God had breathed it into him for what other can the Spirit of God breath out of it self then what it selfe is 20. But now that is All and yet all sources or qualities are not called God but in all sources or qualities there is but one onely Spirit which is God viz according to the second principle in the Light yet there is no Light without Fire 21. But in the fire he is not the love-Spirit or Holy Ghost but the fierce wrath of Nature and a cause of the Holy Spirit an Anger and a Consuming fire 22. For in Fire is the Spirit of Nature Free and yet the Essentiall fire also giveth or affordeth Nature and is it selfe Nature 23. And yet we understand but one holy Spirit in the Light though indeed all is but one substance yet we understand that the Matter which is generated out of the Meekness of the Light is as it were impetent and obscure which the fire draweth and swalloweth up into it selfe 24. But giveth forth out of the Material source or quality out of the fire a mighty potent Spirit which is free from the Matter and also from the fire and though the fire reteineth it yet it apprehendeth not its source or quality 25. As we see that the Light dwelleth in the Fire and yet hath not the source or quality of the Fire but a Meek love-source or quality which also would not be if the Matter were not dead and consumed in the Fire 26. Thus we consider and conceive
going away for he useth also no going or Entring in 44. But he manifesteth himself in Flesh and Bloud it is his longing pleasure to possess a similitude 45. And thus if we rightly know our selves and go according to it we then find that Man understand the whole Man is a right similitude of or according to God 46. For according to the Earthly life and Body he is of from this world according to the virgin-like Life and Body he is from heaven 47. For the virgin-like Essence hath heavenly Tincture and maketh heavenly Flesh in which God dwelleth 48. As the Gold in the Stone hath another Tincture then the rude drossy stone and that very Tincture hath another Body Every Body cometh to be out of its own Tincture 49. As therefore we know that the Earth is become generated from â—he fierce wrath out of the Center of the harsh astringent hellish fiâ—e viz Of the Cold Fire out of the Sulphur of the Stern severity in the Anguish to Fire as is mentioned in the Book of the Three Principles 50. Thus also a good Corpus or Body cometh out of a Good Essence for the Essence maketh the life and yet it self is not the Life the Life ariseth in the Principle as in the Fire be it in the Cold or in the Hot or in the light Fire each is a Principle of its own and yet is not severed 52. Thus we will now with good Ground of Truth speak and say concerning the Humanity with clear plain and unveyled words not from supposition or Opinion but from our own true knowledge in the enlightning given us from God 52. First that the new Regenerate Man which lyeth hidden in the Old as the Gold in the Stone hath a heavenly Tincture and hath divine heavenly flesh and Bloud on it 53. And that the Spirit of that Flesh is no strange Spirit but its own generated out of its own Essence 54. Secondly And then we also clearly know and say that the Word which in Mary became Man is the first Ground to the beginning Tincture in the Sulphur and plainly know that Christs Spirit which filleth heaven in All places dwelleth in that very Tincture 55. Thirdly we manifestly know that this heavenly Flesh is Christs Flesh in which the Holy Trinity dwelleth undivided 56. Fourthly we apparently know that it is possible that that very flesh and Blood in the Time of the Old Adam can through Imagination become perished or Corrupted again as came to pass in Adam 57. Fifthly we say that the Deity in the perishing or Corrupting doth not depart or go away also is touched with No Evil. 58. For that which looseth the Love of God that falleth home to the Anger what falleth out from the Light that catcheth the fire and the Spirit of God remaineth to it selfe unperished or uncorrupt 59. Sixtly That the possibility to the New-Birth is in all Men else God were divided and not in one place as he is in another 60. And herein we exactly know that Man is drawn by the Fire and the Light to which he inclineth with the Beam of the Balance into that he falleth and yet he may in his life time raise up the Tongue of his Angle or Beam aloft again 61. Also that the Holy clear Deity willeth no Evil it also willeth no Devil it hath desired none much less to have any man be in Hellin the Anger of God 62. But seeing there is no Light without fire therefore it is sufficiently knowable to Us how the Devil hath through Imagination gazed or reflected himself on the Anger-fire as also all men that will become Damned they will not suffer themselves to be remedyed but themselves fulfil the Greedy fire-source or quality they suffer themselves to be drawn and yet can well stand 63. Seventhly we say That the true Temple wherein the Holy Ghost preacheth is in the New-Birth 64. That all is Dead Crooked and Lame which teacheth not out of Gods Spirit 65. That the Holy Spirit mixeth not it selfe in the sound of the Mouth of the wicked That no wicked Man is Christs shepheard 66. For although in the Holy or Saints the Clock cometh to be struck with or by the voyce of the wicked it would indeed be done by the Cry of a Beast if its noise were intelligible and did sound the most precious Name of God 67. For as soon as the Name of God is mentioned and giveth a sound then instantly the other sound catcheth it viz in that place wherein it is sounded as in the holy Soul 68. But no wicked awakeneth or raiseth up another wicked out of Death for that cannot be they are both in the Anger of God and lie yet shut up in Death 69. Had we our selves been able to have risen up out of Death then had Gods heart not needed to have become Man 70. Therefore we say with Certain Ground That onely that very word which there is become Man awakeneth or raiseth up the poor sinner out of his Death and generateth him to Repentance and to a new life 71. Therefore all Preachers or Cryers that are wicked or ungodly are not profitable in the Temple of Christ but those that have Christs spirit they are his shepheards 72. We clearly know and say That all Teachers which give out themselves for Christs servants and Church-Ministers and that for their Bellies and honour sake and yet are Unregenerate are the Antichrist and the Woman in the Revelation of John upon the Dragon 73. We say That all Tyranny and selfe usurped power and Authority wherewith the miserable are squeezed Oppressed drunk up vexed and tormented is that abominable Horrible Cruel Beast upon which Antichrist Rideth 74. We know and say that the Time is near and the Day Dawneth or breaketh wherein this Evil Beast with the Whore shall go into the Abyss Amen Halelujah Amen The second Part of the Book of the Incarnation is concerning The Suffering Dying Death and Resurrection of CHRIST And How we must enter into Christs Suffering Dying and Death and Rise again with and through him out of his Death and become conformable to his Image and Eternally Live in Him Written In the Year 1620. in the German Tongue By Jacob Behme THE Teutonick Philosopher Dwelling at Gerlitz LONDON Printed by J. M. for Lodowick Lloyd at the Castle in Cornhil 1659. Of CHRISTS Suffering Dying Death and Resurrection And How we must Enter into Christs suffering dying and Death and arise with and through him out of his Death and become like his Image and live in him Eternally The First Chapter Of the Eternal Beginning and of the Eternal End 1. Reasons Objection OUtward Reason saith were it not sufficient that God became man in US wherefore Must Christ suffer and Dye 2. could not God then thus introduce Man into Heaven with the New Birth Is not God Omnipotent enough to do what he will 3. What pleasure hath God in Death and dying
put his willing-spirit into the outward Life viz into outward Principle into the false seeking or wicked longing Lust and Imagined according to or longed after the Earthly Life 86. And so he went out of Paradise which sprouteth forth through death into the Second Principle forth into the outward and wenâ— thus into Death and so must dye and thus his Image became deâ—stroyed 87. This we have inherited from Adam but from the second Adamâ—Christ the Regeneration 88. Where we must enter into Christs Becoming Man or Incarnation and with him into his Death and out of Death with him sprout forth into the Paradise-world into the Eternal substantiality of the Liberty of God The Sixth Chapter What Lust can do How we are fallen in Adam and helped again in Christ and how it is no Easie Matter to become a right true Christian 1. THus we understand that it lyeth in Lust that destruction or perdition is come out of the Lust and yet still Cometh from thence continually 2. For Lust is an Imagining where the Imagination windeth or insinuateth it self into all Forms of Nature so that they all become impregnated with the Thing out of which the Lust existeth 3. As then we understand that the outward spirit of Man which is a fimilitude of the Inward hath lusted after the fair Image and in that regard set its Imagination into the Inward whence the inward is become infected 4. And being it did not instantly feel the death therefore did it give the space and room to the outward in its willing-Spirit and so the outward is drawn into the Inward for a Lodging and is at length become the Host in the house and hath obscured or dimmed the inward so that the fair Image is disappeared 5. There the Image fell among the Murderers viz among the stern or severe Spirits of Nature and of the Life 's original these held the Image Captive and drew off from it the Paradise Garment and committed murther within it and left it lying half dead 6. And now the Samaritan Christ was needful and that is the Cause that God became Man 7. If the wound or hurt could have been healed by a word speaking or word forgiveness God would not have become Man 8. But God and Paradise were lost as also the Noble Image became destroyed and made desolate and must be New-Regenerated or born out of God again 9. And therefore came God with his word which is the Center in the Light-life * and became Flesh so that the Soul gat a divine Paradisical habitation again thus to be understood 10. That as Adams Soul had opened the Door of the Fires Essences and had let in the Earthly Essences whose source or quality had wound it self into the Paradise-Image and made the Image Earthly 11. So Gods Heart did set open the Doors of the Lights Essences and encompassed the soul with heavenly Flesh and so the Holy Fleshes Essences Imagined after the Image after the souls Essences 12. Thus now the soul became impregnated again so that it went with its willing-spirit through the Death into the Paradise-life 13. And thence came the Temptation of Christ that he became Tempted to try whether the Soul would Eat of the Word of the Lord whether it could enter through Death into Gods Life 14. Which in the End became fulfilled on the Stock or Tree of the Cross where Christs Soul went through the fire of the fierce wrath through the stern source through Death and sprouted forth again into the Holy Paradise-world in which Adam was Created 15. Thus are we Men become helped again and it is necessary for us that we draw away our willing Thoughts and Mind from all Earthly things and turn them into Christs Suffering Dying Death and Resurrection 16. So that we continually Crucifie the Old Adam with Christs Death and continually dye from Sinne in the Death and Dying of Christ and continually rise again with him out of the Anguish of Death into a New Man and sprout into the life of God else there is no Remedy 17. We must dye away to the Earthly willing in our willing and must continually become regenerated to the New world in Faith in the Flesh and Bloud of Christ we must be generated or Born out of Christs Flesh if we will see Gods Kingdom 18. It is not so sleight a thing to be a right true Christian it is the very hardest thing of all the willing must be a Champion and fight against the perished corrupt willing 19. It must sinck it selfe down out of the Earthly Reason into the Death of Christ into Gods anger and as a worthy Champion breake the power of the Earthly willing 20. And with so hardy and bold a courage that it will set and hazard the Earthly life upon it and not give over till it have broken the Earthly willing which indeed hath been a strong Battel with me where two Principles strive and fight one with the other for victory 21. It is no slight matter it must be earnest to fight for the victorious Crown and Garland for none get that unless he Overcome he must break the Might of the Earthly willing which yet of his own Might he can not do 22. But if he sincketh himself down out of the Earthly Reason into Christs Death with his inward willing then he sinketh down through Christs death through Gods fierce wrath and through all the holding Cords of the Devil into the Paradise-world into the Life of Christ 23. He must make his wil as it were dead and so he liveth to God and sincketh down into Gods Love though there he liveth in the outward Kingdom or Dominion 24. Yet I speak of the victorious Crown or Garland which he getteth in the Paradise-world if he once presseth in for there the Noble seed becometh â—â—wn and he getteth the Highly precious pledge or Earnest of the Holy Spirit which afterwards leadeth and directeth him 25. And though he must in this world travail or wander in a dark Valley wherein the Devil and the worlds wickedness continually Rusheth and Roareth tumultuously upon him and often casteth the outward Man into abominations and so Covereth the Noble Grain of Mustard seed yet it will not suffer it self to be kept back 26. But thence sprouteth forth and a Tree Groweth out of it in Gods Kingdom against all the raving and Raging of the Devil and his followers and dependents 27. And the More the Noble Pearl-Tree is sought the more swiftly and strongly it groweth suffereth not it self to be suppressed though it costeth the outward life 28. Thus my Dear Minde search aright after the Tree of Christian Faith it standeth not in this world 29. Indeed it must be in thee but thou must with the Tree be with Christ in God so that the world doth but hang to thee even as it hung also to Christ 30. Not so to understand it as if this World were
the Abominable Devils and do what the Abominable Prince Lucifer will The Eighth Chapter In what manner God forgiveth sinnes and how a Man becometh a Child of God 1. MY beloved seeking and desirous Minde thou that Hungerest and Thirstest after Gods Kingdom Mark the Ground I pray thee what is shewed to thee 2. It is not truly so easie a thing to become a child of God as Babol Teacheth where Men bring Consciences into the History and so tickle and flatter them Courtlike with Christs sufferings and Death where Men teach forgiveness of sinnes Historically 3. Like a worldly Judicatory where ones faults are remitted him of Grace though he plainly abide wicked in his heart 4. It is clean otherwise here God will have no dissembling Hypocrites he taketh not sinne from us in such a manner in that we cleave to the knowledge and Comfort our selves with the suffering of Christ and yet in the Conscience abide in the Abominations 5. It is said Ye must be born a New or else ye shall not see the Kingdom of God 6. He that will tickle himself with Christs suffering and Death and appropriate the same to himself and yet with his willing will abide unregenerated in the Adamical Man doth like one that comforteth himself that his Lord will bestow his Land upon him without considering that he is not his Sonne whereas he hath promised that he wil bestow it onely upon his Sonne so it is also here 7. Wilt thou possess the Land of thy Lord and have it for thy proper own then thou must become his right and true Sonne For the Sonne of the Maid servant shall not inherit with the free the Sonne of the History is a stranger 8. Thou must become born or generated of God in Christ that thou mayst be a bodily Sonne and then thou art Gods child and an heir of the sufferings and death of Christ 9. And Christs Death is thy Death his Resurrection out of the Grave is thy Resurrection his Ascention into Heaven is thy Ascention into Heaven and his Eternal lifes Kingdom is thy Kingdom 10. In that thou are his right true Sonne born of his flesh and bloud so thou art an heir of all his Goods else thou canst not be Christs Child and Heir 11. So long as the Earthly Kingdom sticketh to thee in thy Image so long thou art the perished Adams Earthly Sonne no flattering hypocrisie will help give as many good words before God as thou wilt yet thou art but a strange Child 12. And Gods goods do not belong unto thee so long till thou comest with the lost Sonne to the Father again with a right true sorrow and repentance for thy lost Goods of inheritance 13. Thou must go forth with thy willing-spirit out from the Earthly Life and break or destroy the Earthly willing which is woful to the Mind and willing-spirit to forsake the treasure it possessed wherein the willing-spirit became generated and must enter into Gods willing 14. And there thou sowest thy Seed in Gods Kingdom and art new born in God as fruit which groweth in Gods field for thy willing receiveth Gods power Christsâ—Body and the New Body in God groweth to thee 15. And then thou art Gods Childe and Christs Goods belong to thee and his Merits are thy merits his Suffering Death and Resurrection is all thine thou art a Member of his Body and his Spirit is thy Spirit He leadeth thee upon right Paths and all that thou dost thou dost to God 19. Thou sowest in this world and reapest in the Heaven of God thou art Gods Work of Wonder and openest in the Earthly Life his Wonders and drawest thy selfe with thy willing-spirit into the Holy Mystery 17. Mark this ye Covetous ye Proud ye Envious ye false Judgers ye wicked Malicious which introduce your willing and desire into Earthly Goods into Money and Plenty into pleasure and the voluptuousness of this Life and esteem Money and Goods to be your Treasure and set your desire therein and yet for all that will be Gods Children 18. Ye stand and dissemble before God â—e shall forgive you your Sins but ye abide with your Image in Adams Skin in Adams Flesh and so Comfort your selves with the Sufferings of Christ and are but dissemblers ye are not Gods Children 19. Ye must become born in God if ye would be his Children else ye deceive your selves together with your Hypocrites or dissemblers who paint before you a Glistring Colour 20. They Teach and are not known of God not sent to Teach they do it for their Belly and for worldly honours sake and are the Great Where at Babel who flatter God with their Lips and with the heart and willing-spirit they serve the Dragon at Babel 21. Beloved Mind wilt thou be the Chlide of God then prepare thy selfe for affaults and for Tribulation it is no light and soft entrance into the Childs Life especially where Reason lyeth captive in the Earthly Kingdom 22. It must be broken and the willing must go out from Reason it must sow it selfe into Gods Kingdom in lowly obedience as a Grain is sown in a field or soyl it must in Reason make it selfe as it were dead and give it self up to God and so the New fruit groweth in Gods Kingdom 23. Thus that Man standeth in a Three-fold Life and all belongeth to God 24. The Inward fiery Essences of the first Principle become incorporated with the New body in Christ so that they flow up in Christs Flesh and Bloud out of Gods willing and their Fire is Gods Fire out of which the Love meekness and humility burneth 25. Where the Holy Spirit goeth forth and helpeth him to stand out the Battel against the Earthly Reason also against the pâ—rished corrupt Flesh and the willing of the Devil his Yoak of the earthly willing becometh lighter to him but he must in this World abide in the strife 26. For to the Earthly Life belongeth sustenance that he must seek and yet ought not to hang his willing and heart thereupon 27. It must Trust God and his earthly Reason passeth alwaies into doubting it will faile him it will needs alwaies see God and yet cannot for God dwelleth not in the Earthly Kingdom but in himself 28. Thus must Reason being it cannot set God be compelled into Hope 29. There then Doubting runneth Counter against Faith or Believing and would destroy the Hope and therefore must the Earnest willing with the right true Image strive and fight against the Earthly Reason there is woe and it often goeth sadly 30. Especially if Reason looketh after the Course of this World and so its willing-spirit as it were foolish hath respect towards the Course of this world There it is said be sober watch fast and pray that is that ye may Tame the Earthly Reason and make it as it were dead that Gods spirit may find place in you 31. If that
The Fifth Book of the Authour In Three Parts The First Of the Becoming Man or INCARNATION of Jesus Christ The Sonne of God That is Concerning The Virgin Mary What she Was from her Original and what kinde of Mother she came to be in the Conception of her Sonne Jesus Christ And how the Eternal Word is become Man The Second Part is of Christ's Suffering Dying Death and Resurrection and how we may enter thereinto The Third Part is of the Tree of Christian Faith shewing what True Faith is Written Through the Inspiration of the Holy Ghost By Jacob Behme THE Teutonick Philosopher Dwelling at Gerlitz in Lusatia in Germany 1620. LONDON Printed by J. M. for Lodowick Lloyd at the Castle in Cornhil 1659. The PREFACE to the Reader of Jacob Behmes Book of Christs Incarnation Reader IT is an Eminent Text. Search the Scriptures for in them ye think ye have Eternal life and they are they which testifie of ME And Ye will not come unto ME that ye might have Life Joh. 5. 39. 40. which are the words of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to the Jewes at Jerusalem in the days of this Conversation upon Earth in Mortal Flesh They thought to have Eternal life in the Scriptures and were present with Christ outwardly yet would not come unto Him though the Scriptures are they that testifie of Him by which it may appear that the Coming to Christ must needs be inwardly in Coming to be like him in their Hearts in becoming Meek and lowly of Heart such onely and no other do come unto him in any Age or Place of this world or in Eternity nor can any other possibly have life Though the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament are indeed the written word of God Penned by the Holy Prophets and Apostles who speak as they were inspired by the Holy Ghost whose words are some of them recorded in the Holy writings the Bible Yet if we consider it seriously can we think that the Eternal Ever-living word CHRIST JESUS by which all things were Created and which is God himself who hath spoken by his Word in all his Holy Ones that have spoken forth the Things mentioned in the Scriptures and there recorded by the Command of the same word I say this being weighed can it enter into our Hearts to think that this powerful word which is God would onely have the Scriptures to be called the word of God and the living power to be slightly passed by as not observed or those Texts that speak of it to be interpreted of the Holy Scriptures onely as if there were no such Thing besides whereas for the sake of that they were written the holy Men spake and God hath wrought all things and that by and for it to his own Glory Also that the writing should be preferred before the Thing that is written of therein and which caused the writing and dictated it as it is by those that think the word is not that which filleth all Things calling in the Hearts of All though not regarded Further that this Holy Scripture doth say the word is in the Heart and yet is not by some conceived to be there before the word was known to be written by any Man or spoken by humane voyce neither of which could be or act unless first directed by the same Eternal Word And then that the Word is in the Hearts of those onely that have heard or read the Scriptures or the Word vocally pronounced by Man And at length to think the Word is onely the Scriptures of the Bible in their Hearts by and after the hearing or reading it and remembring what it mentions in Words according to their own Notions or apprehensions of the Things in their Minds though perhaps not understood by those Persons nor indeed can be but by the Spirit of understanding awakened and revived in Man by the power of the Living Word in the Heart filling the soul with understanding and believing in those who are obedient to the Movings and dictates thereof in the Mind though they never read or learned it from any outward word or writing at all of which there are many Examples in the Holy Scriptures And so now That the Scriptures which mention the word of Life should be taken to be that very word of Life it self and that thereby the Thing which is so called in the Scriptures should be thought to be the Scriptures only and no further search or inquiry made what that Thing is or where it is and how to find the very Thing it selfe as if that were impossible or not the Maine Matter to be looked after whereas God himself saith Am not I he that filleth all things and in him are all Things Can not HE then be found and whosoever findeth him can he miss of finding ALL THINGS This seemeth strange that it should enter into the Heart of any Man and that we should be so tyed up to former apprehensions and Conclusions fixed in our Minds that further consideration of it cannot easily take place and sink into us it may make us stand a while and examine what may be the cause thereof And then we may observe that commonly our disposition is such that we love not to hear opposion or a different apprehension of others least we should thereby be led to think Believe that which is contrary to our former once framed Ground of Opinion abstracted from outward sense onely and this because all Conclusions raised upon it when that is once removed do fall to the ground and so we loose that Great Labour and must be put to work a fresh upon that new Foundation and then a fear if that should again be shaken there must be another labour with the like hazard of unprofitable Success which is so huge a discourgement to any Mind that it bringeth it at length to be languishing and as it were dead epecially if an assured infallible immoveable internal Ground be not presented to it that it may go on cheerfully to build with hope to enjoy fruit in beholding the beauty of its Superstructure and when it is thus dead in it self it is most capable to be taught by the quickening Spirit of Truth that lyeth hidden in it under its former but supposed Truths Yet to deny that the Holy Scriptures are the written word of God or the Word of God Expressed in writing is besides the opposing of apparent Truth to undervalue that precious help to the knowing and understanding what that Word was by which it was written which is the very End for which it was committed to writing and continued to us and is one of the most Excellent fruits of the wisdom remaining in Letters which that Eternal Word hath produced in this outward visible transitory World But the Esteeming that fruit and looking after it more then the Roor and setting it up instead of and above the hidden Word in all things is that which hath been attempted
in the Hearts of Men by the suggestion of the Arch-Enemy of all Man-kind who knoweth well enough that if the inward Word be once Choaked and killed at the Root so that it groweth not to be felt known and obeyed he will soon cause in Evil Minds that Most precious literal Word to be used onely as a pretence thereby to cover all Sin in Hypocrisie causing the Word in the Heart not to be so much as thought on or observed whereas on the Contrary he that highly esteemeth of the Word the Commandment Christ in the Heart that word of Faith by which the heart it self cometh originally to have its very being cannot in the least fail of Esteeming the powerfull working thereof in the inexpressible various wisdom dwelling in the Heart and appearing from the Mouth or Pen of any Man whatsoever Therefore peruse this Book which will inform us how the Eternal Word became Man and how the Man JESUS CHRIST who was born of the Virgin Mary and lived upon Earth for the space of Three and Thirty years and upwards then was Crucified dyed was buried arose again and ascended into Heaven within the little part of the World that Space of the Country of Aegypt the Wildernss the Land of Canaan Judea and City of Jerusalem in the fulness of Time about sixteen hundred and fifty Eight years ago How HE was also this Eternal Word which was is and Ever shall be God and Christ the Eternal Alpha and Omega the beginning and the End the word of Faith that very Word which is in our Hearts the word of Life the inserted or ingrafted Word the word of Grace the Spirit of Life the Bread which came down from Heaven which alwaies is in Heaven not the outward though in the outward Bread for we live not by bread alone but by every word which proceedeth out of the Mouth of God this is the Bread of Life Our Dayly Bread and so how he is both God and Man Also how we that are Men may here in this Life be rightly partakers of Him according to the sayings of the Scriptures also of his Sufferings Death and Resurrection and how or in what manner it is that he is like unto us in all things Sinne onely excepted and yet he took our Sinnes upon him he that knew no Sinne became Sinne for us that we might be made the righteousness of God in him All this will be clearly discerned in this Treatise of the Incarnation of JESUS CHRIST or his Becoming Man and therefore also that so precious knowledg may not remain any longer shut up it is here published in the English Tongue Though by perusing it and Meditating therein the Holy Bible will appear assuredly to be as much the Word of God as a writing by Mans hand can be and the words there once spoken by the Prophets Christ the Apostles other Holy Men as much the word of God as words and voyces of Men can be The true sence and meaning thereof in the understanding as much the word of God as the Meaning in the Mind and understanding of any Man can be Yet the writing the Words and sense or meanings proceeding from Creaturely Instruments are creaturely whereas the Thing properly called the word of God which inwardly frames those Meanings and formeth all things whatsoever both visible and invisible is not a Creature for it is the Creator the Creating Word which is God himself who formeth all things in himself and so ALL is HE not one IOT a Creature But he createth the Creature and dwelleth therein yet the Creature is not nor ever can be He and so that word of his which is produced effected brought forth and Manifested Externally by the Creature is Gods Word but is not God the Word But the inward Word in the Heart that vvord of Faith even Christ the Word that Word is God Let me enquire a little Were not all Eternal Things whatsoever in Being in their own uncreated World before therewas so much as the least Glimps of any Created thing either Angel or Man either Created Light or Darkness either Created Heaven or Hell or this World And were not the Divine holy Spiritual and all other Natural things in Being without the Created inward and outward world as well as in them And had it not been so though the Angels world and ours had never been created And were not all the Things without them and within them in Being though they had not been spoken of in the Scriptures were not the Word God though John the Apostle had not said so were not the Pure in Heart Blessed should we not through Patience possess our Souls Is not God himself Light And if we walk in the Light as he is in the Light doth not the Bloud of Jesus Christ clense us from All Sinnes otherwise not though it be in us And is not his Flesh meat indeed and his Bloud drink indeed Why do we not eat and drink thereof If we deny our selves and take up the Cross of Christ that is tribulation anguish afflictions adversities and Crosses and follow him in Meekness and wel-doing loving those that hurt us returning Good for Evil to every one and blessing for Cursing and this unfeignedly from a sincere Heart are we not his true Disciples will not Heavenly Father give the holy Spirit to them that desire it though certain Disciples that believed and had been baptized in the Time of the Apostles had not so much as heard whether there was any holy Ghost yet being baptized in the Name of the Lord JESUS and having the hands of Paul laid on them they received the holy Ghost and Spake with Tongues and prophesied Do not they receive the Seed into Good Ground that heare the Inward Word and receive consent to or obey it and so understand it also bring forth fruit Doth not Faith come by inward Hearing and that Hearing by the same word of God And can those that have not Ears to hear that is Spiritual Ears hear though his voyce his Spiritual Tongue and voyce is gone into all the Earth that Word ingrafted in every thing by which all doth subsist Can the Natural Man perceive the Things of God seeing they are spiritually to be discerned or can any teach them rightly that is Spiritually but by the Spirit And if the word of Promise the Seed of the woman had not been quickned in Adam and Eve by Gods putting Enmity between the Womans and the Serpents Seed they both of them and all their posterity had been meerly Natural and Children of wrath onely and had been uncapable of ever becoming the Children of Grace and Mercy but in the Word of promise Christ in them all Mankind have in them the Spiritual Man the hidden Man of the Heart in whom even Cain was able to do well and so doing should have been accepted and in whom they are not only able to discern but to do all
thou art and remainest to be one Spirit with and in the will of God in his Love 127. Let the Evil Adam be gone there will a good and new one Sprout forth out of the Old as a fair Blossome springeth out of the stincking Dung onley have a care thou retainest the Spirit in God 128. Concerning the Evil Body which sticketh full of Evill Affections there is not much to be done if it be inclined to Evill do it the less good give it no occasion to wantonness 129. To keep it in subjection is a good Remedy to be full and frolick is at length to make the Ass perfectly to wallow in the Mirc where it defileth it selfe sufficiently like a Swine 130. To be sober and to lead a Temperate life is a Good purgation for the Evil Ass not to give it that it lusteth after to let it fast often so that it may not hinder Prayer that is good for it it is not willing but the understanding must be Lord for it beareth Gods Image 131. This Latine doth not relish well to the Rational World in the Lust of the Flesh but seeing that relisheth it not but drawes into the place thereof meer vain Earthly Voluptuousness and pleasure and swalloweth them into it selfe therefore is the Anger stirring in them that draweth them continually with Adam out of Paradise and with Lucifer into the Abyss and there thou wilt swallow and devour to the full what thou hast here willingly drawn into thy selfe 132. But thou shouldest not lay the blame on God if thou dost thou art a Lyar and an Enemy of the Truth God willeth no Evil also there is no Evil Thought in him he hath only one Source or Quality and that is Love and Joy 133. But his fierce wrath viz Nature hath many Sources or Qualities therefore let every one have a care what he doth every Man is his own God and his own Devil that source or quality which he inclineth himselfe or yeeldeth himselfe up into that leadeth and driveth him and he is the Work-master thereof 134. It is a great Misety that Man is so blind that he can not know what God is for all that he liveth in God 135. And yet there are Men that forbid such a thing that Man should not search what God is and yet will be Teachers of and for God verily such are even Teachers of and for the Devil that he may not be known The Sixt Chapter Of Adams Sleep How God made a Woman out of him and how he became quite Earthly also how God by the Curse hath withdrawn Paradise from him 1. WHen Man became weary and tired he fell into a sleep viz into the Magia it was with him as if he were not in this world for all his Senses or Thoughts ceased the wheel of the Essences passed into a Rest 2. He was as it were Essential Not Substantial he was altogether like the Magia for he knew nothing of his Body he lay as dead but was not Dead but the Spirit stood still 3. And then the Essences have their Effect and the Spirit of the soul onely seeth or discerneth and there is pourtrayed in the sydereal Spirit all whatsoever the starry heaven bringeth forth 4. And stood Magically in the Mind as a Looking-Glass on which the Spirit of this world Gazeth and conveigheth whatsoever it seeth in the Looking-Glass into the Essences and the Essences flow forth therein as if they did perform the work in the Spirit and pourtray it in the Spirit which are Dreames and Representations or Figures 5. Thus we are to know that when the Earthliness wrestled with Adam and that he Imagined thereinto he became instantly infected thereby and in his Minde became dark and stern 6. For the Earthliness began to qualifie or operate like water that beginneth to seeth by the fire the source or quality of the Starres became stirring and were now Lord of the Body 7. And now Moses saith very right God suffered a Deep sleep to fall upon him that is being his Will-spirit Imagined after Earthliness God let him fall down for he brought with the Imagination earthliness into the heavenly Substantiality and that the Spirit of God which is a Spirit of Light would not have 8. For Adams Spirit was a Creature and proceeded forth out of Gods Love-spirit therefore indeed it did not willingly leave him but the Earthliness had already captivated him 9. And when that left him then he sank down in impotency and fell home to the Third Principle viz to the Starres and the Four Elements thus he lay in the Earthly Magia and was not yet wholly Earthly 10. He lay in the Mystery between the Kingdom of God and of this world where both the Fiat's viz the divine and the Earthly were stirring in him and now the Two Kingdoms viz of God and of Hell were first in strife about Man 11. And so now if the dear Name JESUS had not been incorporated in Adam even before his Creation as in the substantiality of God wherein the Virgin of Wisdome stood wherein Adam was created he would indeed have slept still and have beene in the Earthly Death 12. And this is the cause why the Second Adam Christ must rest till the Third Day in the Earth in the first sleep of Adam and awaken or raise up the first Adam again out of the Earthliness 13. For Christ had also a soul and spirit out of Adam and the precious Dear word of the Deity together with Gods Spirit awakened and raised up again in Christs flesh the dead substantiality of the Sulphur viz the Body which in Adam was dead and put it again into the power of the Majesty of God and therewith US all 14. All those which with their Faith and Imagination in Christs flesh and blood in his Death and Rest go into the Earth they sprout all with their Spirit and will forth in the divine substantiality and are a fair Blossome in the Majesty of God 15. And God the Eternal word and power will at the last day awaken and raise up in himselfe with his spirit the dead Body which with Adam is fallen home to the Earth 16. For Christs soul and Flesh which is also our Soul and Flesh understand it right that part which Adam received out of the divine substantiality hath God through and in the Death of Christ separated from the Earthly source or quality and hath awakened and raised it up and introduced it into the divine substantiality again as it was before the Time of the World and Us in and with him 17. And we are onely wanting in our giving up our selves into it in that we suffer the Devil to with-hold us for our death is broken our sleep is become a Life and that in Christ and through Christ in God and through God in the Eternity with our Byss or Ground in the Abyss viz in the Majesty without or beyond the fiery
Members they came to have entrailes in the Body and a stincking Sack of Worms full of woe and misery in anguish and Toyl as is mentioned in the Book of the Three Principles and so we see now before our eyes what manner of Paradisical Angels we are and how we must generate and nourish our selves in Anxiety care and Misery which should have been done after another manner 83. Thus we sufficiently know Adams Fall and why he could not continue in Paradise and what Paradise was which is still to this very day onely it beareth not Paradisical fruit and we have not the Paradisical source or Quality and Eyes and so we see it not 84. For God hath cursed the Earth for Mans sake so that Paradise springeth no more through the Earth for it is become a Mystery and yet it is continually there 85. And into that Mystery the souls of the Saints depart when the Earthly body separateth it selfe from the Soul 86. It is in this world and yet is out of this world for this Worlds quality or source toucheth it not 87. The whole World would have continued to be Paradise if Adam had Continued in Innocency but when God pronounced the Curse then Paradise departed 88. For Gods Cursing is fleeing It is a fleeing not departing away but a going into another Principle viz into himselfe 89. For the Spirit of God proceedeth forth from God into the Substantiality but when this Sustantiality became Earthly and that the Devil dwelt therein who was Gods Enemy then the Spirit of God passed into its own Principle viz into the Love and departed out of the Earthliness and there it standeth now presented to Man in the Light of Life 90. So that whosoever now desireth to Enter into the Love of God let him go with his will-Spirit into Paradise and then Paradise will spring up again into or in his will-Spirit and he will receive on-to his Image again the Heavenly Substantiality in which the Holy Spirit ruleth 91. Let this be a Pearl to you ye Children of Men for it is the true Ground whosoever seeketh and findeth it he hath meer Joy therein It is the Pearl which lyeth hid in the field for which one sold all his goods and bought the Pearl of which Christ speaketh 92. Thus also we may know the Cherubine which draw Adam and Eve out of Paradise viz the stern or strong Angel which signifieth the Cutter off of the Earthly life from Paradise where Body and Soul must part asunder 93. It is indeed known to Us that Adam and Eve were driven away out of the place where the Tree of Temptation stood for Paradisical fruit stood there which they should no more see nor Eat for the Heavenly belongeth not to the Earthly 94. Also the Beasts were driven out in respect of the Evil Tree for they could not eat of the Paradisical fruit but of this Tree Every beast could Eat for it was Earthly 95. Thus must they leave Paradise for God had clothed them through the Spirit of the Great World with the skins of Beasts instead of the Heavenly Clothing of clarity and brightness 96. And he had pronounced their sentence what they should doe and suffer in this World what they should thence forward Eat and how they should nourish themselves or get their living in Care and Misery till they should return altogether to the Earth from whence they were extracted as to one Part. The seventh Chapter Of the promised Seed of the Woman and Crusher of the Serpent 1. NOw then Adam and Eve standing thus as Man and Wife in Paradise and having yet the heavenly source or quality and Joy though Mixed the Devil could not endure that for his Envy was too great 2. Seeing he had overthrown Adam and brought down his Angelical form he looked now upon Eve viz the Woman out of Adam and thought she might conceive Children in Paradise and remain in Paradise thou wilt therefore seduce her that she may eat of the forbidden fruit and so she will become Earthly and then thou maist reach into her heart and bring thy Imagination into her and so shalt get her into thy Kingdom and thou shalt continue still Prince in the Third Principle upon Earth 3. Which he then also did and perswaded her to the Evil fruit so that she laid hold on the Tree and brake off an Apple and did Eat and gave also to Adam 4. Now when Adam saw that Eve did not Instantly fall down and dye he did Eat also for the Lust was in both of them 5. This is the Bitt upon which Heaven and Paradise departed where the Cherubine viz the Cutter off with the Naked Sword came and stood before the Door and suffered them no more to come into Paradise 6. His Sword was that of the destroying Angel which now cutteth Men with heart cold sicknesse necessity and Death and at last cutteth off the Earthly Life from the Soul 7. When this Sword was to be broken in the Death of Christ then the Earth Trembled and the Sun lost its things Light and the Rocks cleft in sunder before the strong Might of God which thus brake Death in peeces 8. Thus also the Graves of the Saints Opened and their Bodies went out from Death again for the Sword was broken and the Angel which Guarded Paradise was done away and the Bodys of the Saints went into Paradise again 9. But here when Adam and Eve did eat the Earthly fruit they fell among Murtherers who wounded them and cast them out and let them lie half dead 10. Their going forth out of Paradise is the †going from Jerusalem to Jerico for they went out of Heaven into this Evil corrupt World into the house of Sinne. 11. Where instantly in their Minds in the Centre of Nature the wheel of the Senses or Thoughts began to qualifie or Operate in the Earthly source or quality where one sense or thought was against and Contrary to the other where Envy Pride Covetousness Anger and Contrary opposite will sufficiently flowed forth upon heaps 12. For the Noble Light of Love was extinguished which maketh the fierce wrathful source or quality amiable friendly and meek in which the spirit of God worketh and the fair Virgin of Gods Wisedom resteth they went out from the fair Wisdome 13. God had created Adam in the chast Virgin of his Wisdome but he became in the presence and stead thereof an Evil Earthly Opposire Woman with which he must live in this beastial form in meer care anxiety and necessity 14. And out of his fair Garden of pleasure which he had in him there came an Opposite Thorny and Thistly Garden whence yet he somewhat sought the Virgin-like fruit 15. But it went with him as with a Theese who hath been in a fair Garden to keep it but is for his Theft cast out from it and yet would fain eat
the Promise did incorporate it selfe in the Light of Life that is in the Tincture of the soul instantly in Paradise when Adam fell yea indeed before Adam was Created as Paul saith We are Elected in Christ before the foundation of the World was laid 7. For God in his wisdome knew the Fall therefore the Name JESUS did so instantly incorporate it selfe into the word of Life environed with the Virgin of Wisdom in Adamsâ— Image with the Cross 8. For the soul it selfe is even a Cross-Birth as when the soul-Fire kindleth it â—â—â—fe then it maketh in the flash a Cross that is an Eye with a Cross with Three Principles with the Character of the Holy Trinity as in the Third Book or part concerning the Threefold Life of Man is declared and yet further in the Fourth Part the forty Questions of the Soul 9. We are to understand that Mary in whom Christ became Man was truly the Danghter of Joachim and Anna according to the Outward Flesh and was extracted out of the Seed of Joachim and Anna according to the Outward Man 10. But according to the will she was a Daughter of the Covenant of Promise for she was the Mark to which it pointed at 11. In her stood the Center in the Covenant and therefore she was by the Holy Ghost in the Covenant highly blessed among and above all women Ever since Eve for the Covenant opened it selfe in her 12. You must understand it aright according to its high precious worth The word together with the Promise which with the Jewes stood in the Type or prefiguration as in a Looking-Glass wherein God the Angry Father Imagined and thereby quenched his Anger that moved it selfe Nâ—w after an Essential manner which from Eternity had not been done before 13. For when Gabriel the Prince brought her the Message that she should be impregnated or with Child and that she consented thereto and said be it unto me as thou hast said then the Center of the Holy Trinity moved it selfe and opened the Covenant that is the Eternal Virginity which Adam lost became opened in her in the word of Life 14. For the Virgin of Gods Wisdom environed the word of Life viz the Center of the Holy Trinity thus the Center became Moved and the Heavenly Vulcan struck up the Fire of Love so that the Principle in the Love-flame became generated 15. Undeâ—stand this right In Maries Essences in the Virgin-like Essences which perished in Adam out of which he was to generate a virgin-like Image according to the Wisdom of God the divine fire became struck up and the Principle of Love kindled 16. You are to understand that in the seed of Mary When she became impregnate with the Soul-Spirit that is with the Tincture of Venus for in the Tincture of Venus that is in the Source or Quality of Love Adams first Fire became struck up in the word of Life 17. And in the Child JESUS 〈◊〉 both Tinctures perfect just as in Adam and the word of Life in the Covenant understand in the Holy Trinity was the Center and rhe Principle appeared as in or to the Fathers part 18. Christ became Man in GOD and also in MARY in all the THREE Principles and together therewith also in the EARTHLY world 19. He took the form of a Servant upon him that he might be able to Master Death and the Devil 20. For he was to be a Prince in the Place or space of this world in the Angelical Prince-Throne viz uopn the seat and in the Authority of the late Angel and Prince Lucifer over all the Three Principles 21. Now then First If he must be Lord over this outward World then he must also dwell in the Outward World and have it Essence and property 22. In like manner Secondly If he must be Gods Sonne then he must also be generated out of God 23. And Thirdly If he must quench the Fathers Anger then he must of necessity be also in the Father 24. And Fourthly If he must be the Soone of Man then he must also of necessity be of Mans Essence and Substance and Fifthly must have a humane Soul and a humane Body as we all have 25. It is known to us that Mary his Mother as also Christ from or of his Mother were both of the humane Essence with Body Soul and Spirit and that Christ received a Soul out of Maries Essence yet without Masculine Seed 26. Onely the great Secret Arcanum of God was there opened and the first Man with his Sâ—cret Mystery which fell into Death was here generated to Life again understand in the Principle of God 27. For because of this the Deity Moved it selfe and struck up the Fire in the Fathers Principle and so the deadened Sulphur which dyed in Adant became living again 28. For the word had in it self heavenly Substantiality and opened it selfe in the Heavenly Substantiality in the virgin-like Image of the Deity this is the pure chast Virgin wherein the Word of Life became Man 29. And so the Outward Mary became adorned and blessed with the Highly blessed heavenly Virgin among all Women of this World 30. In her that which was dead and shut up of the Humanity became living again and so she became as highly graduated or Dignified as the first Man before the Fall and became a Mother of the Throne-Prince 31. This came not out of her ability but out of Gods ability unless the Center of God had moved it selfe in her she would have been no otherwise then all Eves Daughters 32. But in this place The word of Life had fixâ—d the Mark as also the Covenant of Promise and therefore she is the blessed among all Women and above all Eves Children 33. Not that she is a Goddess which Men should honour as God for she is not the Mark for she also said How shall that come to pass since I know not of any Man 34. But the word of Life in the Center of the Father which gave in it self with the Moving of the Deity into the Humanity and opened it selfe in the Humane Essence that is the Mark that is the Goal that we must run to in the Regeneration 35. This is a greater wonder then in the first Adam for the first Adam was created out of Three Principles and his Spirit was introduced into him through the Spirit of God and the Heart of God needed not to move it selfe in an especial manner for Gods Spirit did onely move it self out of Gods Heart 36. But now the Center or Heart of God moved it selfe which had rested from Eternity and the Divine Fire was there struck up and kindled or awakened as a Man may Express it The Dear or precious Gate 37. We should rightly understand the becoming Man or Incarnation of Christ the Sonne of God thus he is not become Man in the Virgin Mary onely so that his Deity or divine Substantiality did sit bolted up or
flow up in it self but would remain in one souce or quality 27. Even as the Deity bringeth its Life but into ONE onely source or quality viz into the Light into the Holy Spirit and yet carrieth on his Dominion over all the Three Principles 28. Also we are to understand concerning Christs becoming Man or Incarnation that when Gods Spirit awakened again the Virgin-like Life in Mary which in the Earthly Essence lay shut up in Deaâ—h and fierce wrath then that Life hence-forward turned it self onely into the ONE onely will viz into Gods Love and gave it selfe up to the Spirit of God 29. Thus that Life became impregnated of a right virgin-like Image which should have been with Adam but was not done 30. For the one Imagination received the other Gods Imagination received the Imagination in Death and brought it to Life again that Life Imagined again into God and became Impregnated with God and became out of the Deity and Humanity ONE Person 31. The Deity hung to the heavenly Substantiality which hath ever been from Eternity with the Kingdom Power and Glory viz the Kingdom of Paradise and the Angelical World viz the Spirit and the Seaven forms in the Center of Nature as in the Third Part or Book of the Threefold Life is mentioned with all Circumstances 32. And the Humanity hung to the Kingdom of this world but when the will of the humanity gave it selfe up into the Deity then this virgin-like Image in Christ Jesus came to be onely a Guest in this world and his Deity was a Lord over this World 33. For thus it was to be in Adam also that the lesser and impotent should be subject to the greater and Omnipotent 34. But Adams will went into the less and impotent end therefore he became altogether impotent and fell downe into sleep and home again to the Creator 35. But with Christ this Image remained standing in the Divine Wisdome and the Earthly source or quality hung to it in the Office and Manner of a Servant but now no more as a Lord as it was over Adam and Mary his Mother before the high blessing opening of the Deity but as a Servant for this Image became now in Gods Spirit and Might a Lord over the Third Principle of this World Qustion 36. Now saith Reason How is it come to pass in this becoming Man or Incarnation Was then the Life so suddenly with the Point of Conception become stirring above the Naturall Course so that that Part of Mary viz the Womans seed instantly lived Answer 37. No for it was an Essential seed and became in its Natural Time stirring with Soul and Spirit as all Adams Children 38. But that part of the Deity environed with divine Substantiallty and wisdome liveth from Eternity to Eternity 39. The Deity went not to nor fro what it was that it remained to be and what it was not that it came to be 40. It gave it selfe with divine Substantiality into the Essence and Substantiality of Mary and Maries Essence and Gods Essence became one Sonne 41. But Maries Essences were Mortal but Gods Essences were Immortal 42. Therefore must Maries Essences dye on the Cross and go through Death into Life to which Gods Essences did help else it had been impossible 43. Thus Gods Essence helped us and still always helpeth us through Christ into Gods Essence and Life again 44. Thus we konw the becoming Man or Incarnation of Christ to be natural as of all the Children of Men for the heavenly divine Subsstantiality hath given it selfe with its Life into the Earthly halfe dead subtantiality 45. The Lord gave himselfe to be under the Servant that the Servant might become living and is in like manner in Nine Moneths become a perfect Man and also continueth a True God and is also after the Manner and way of all Adams Children become born into this World through that very way and passage as all Men are 46. And that therefore Not that he needed it he could have been born Magically but he would not nor should not for he was to heal our impure Birth or Geniture and Entrance into this Life 47. He should enter into our Entrance into this World and introduce us out of this World into Gods Entrance and bring us out of the Earthly source or quality 48. For if he had been generated or born Magically after a divine Manner then he had not been Naturally in this World for the heavenly Substantiality must have swallowed up the Earthly source or quality and then he had not been like us 49. How then would he have suffered Death have entred into Death and destroyed it but therefore it was not so 50. He is truely and really the Womans Seed and is entered into this World the Natural way like all Men but yet also is gone forth through death the divine way of the divine Might and Substantiality 51. He is a divine living Substantiality which subsisted in Death and destroyed and despised death and brought the halfe dead humanity through Death into Eternal Life 52. For the Earthly part which he took to himselfe out of his Mother Mary that is to or upon the divine Substance dyed away on the Cross from the Earthly source or quality 53. Thus was the Soul in the Subantiality of God and as a victorious Conquering Prince went into the Hell of Devils that is into Gods Anger and quenched it with Gods love and Meekness of the divine Love-suhstantiality 54. For the Love-fire came into the Anger-Fire and drowned the Anger wherein the Devill would be God 55. Thus was the Devil taken captive with the darkness and lost his Dominion for the sting and the Sword of the Cherubine the staying Angel was here destroyed 56. And this was the Cause that God became Man viz that he might introduce us out of Death into the Eternal Life and quench the Anger which burned in Us with the Love 57. For you must understand us aright how Gods Anger became quenched not with the Mortal Bloud of Christ which he shed upon which the Jews despised him 58. But with the Bloud of the Eternall Life out of Gods substance which was immortal which had in it the fountain of the Water of Eternall Life that became shed upon the Crosse with and under the outward Bloud and when the outward fell to the Earth then fell the Heavenly with it but yet it was immortal 59. Thus the Earth received Christs Bloud whence it Trembled and Quaked for the fierce wrath of God in it became now overcome and the living Bloud came into it which was come out of Gods Substantiality from Heaven 60. That Opened the Graves of the Saints and Opened Death and made a Path through Death so that Death was made a shew of in Tiumph 61. For when Christs Body arose from Death then he bare Death as a Spectacle or shew on his Body for its Might was broken or
therefore as he was a Murtheter and lyer at the beginning so he is still and infecteth or poysoneth Men. 62. Being he knoweth that they are fallen to the outward Dominion of the Starres into his Magick Longing therefore he is a Continual poysoner of the Complexion and where he smelleth but a Crum that serveth his turn that he alwaies setteth before Man and if a Man Imagineth into it he will suddenly infect him 63. Therefore it is said Watch pray be sober lead a Temperare life for the Devil your Adversary goeth about as a roaring Lyon and seeketh whom he may devour 64. Seek not so after Convetousness riches Money Goods Might and honour for we are in Christ not of this world 65. For therefore Christ went to the Father viz into the Divine substance that we should with our hearts Minds thoughts and wills follow after him and so he will be with us all the dayes to the End of the World but not in the source or quality of this World 66. We should press forth out of the source or quality of this world our from the Earthly Man and give up our wills into his will and Introduce our Imagination and Longing in to him and so we in his virginity which he hath stirred up again in us become impregnated and Conceive the Word which maketh it selfe stirring in him in our virginity shut up in Death and become born in Christ in our selves 67. For as death through Adam pressed upon us all so the word of Life out of or from Christ presseth upon us all 68. For the Moving of the Deity in the becoming Man or Incarnation of Christ hath continued moveable and standeth open to all Mâ—n the failing is onely in the Entering in that Man suffereth the Devil to detein him 69. Christ need not first depart from his Place and Enter into us when we become new born in Him for the divine Substance wherein he became born or generated hath in all places and Cornors the second Principle in it and where a Man may say there is God Present there a Man may say The Becoming Man or Incarnation of Christ is present also for it became opened in Mary and so qualifieth or operateth backward again even into Adam and forward even into the Lift man 70. Now saith Reason Faith alone attaineth it very right In the right Faith the Impregnation proceedeth 71. For Faith is Spirit and desireth Substance and that substance is nevertheless in all Men and that which is wanting is that it apprehend the Spirit of Faith 72. And if it be come apprehended then the fair Lilly blossometh out of it not onely a Spirit but the Virgin-like Image becometh generated or born out of Death into Life 73. The Rod of Aaron which is dry sprouteth forth out of the dry death and taketh its body out of Death the fair New virgin-like life out of the halfe dead virginity 74. And this the dry Rod of Aaron signified as also Old Zachary also Abraham with his old Sarah who according to the outward world were all as it were dead and no more fruitful 75. But the Promise in the New Regeneration must do it the Life must sprout out of Death 76. The Old Adam which became Earthly must not be Lord Nor Esau the first born to whom formerly the Inheritance had belonged if Adam had continued standing But the second Adam Christ who sprouted forth through death out of the first must remain Lord. 77. Not the Man or the Woman shall possess the Kingdom of God but the Virgin which becometh generated or born out of the Mans and Womans Death must be Queen of Heaven 78. One onely Generation or sex not two one onely Tree not Many Christ was the stock being he was the root of the New Body which sprouteth out of Death which brought forth the dead virgin again as a fair branch out of Death 79. And we all are his sprouts and stand all upon one stock which is Christ 80. Thus we are Christs Sprouts his branches his children and God is the Father of as all and also of Christ In him we live and Move and are 81. We bear Christs Flesh and bloud in us if we do but come to the New Birth for we become regenerated in Christs Spirit 82. That in Mary became a living Man in the dead humanity without the touching of a Man and that also becometh a Man in our selves in our dead virginity 83. And henceforward that which is wanting is this that we cast the Old Adam viz the Husk into Death that the Earthly lifes quality or source may depart from us and so we go forth from the Devil out of his Country 84. And not alone this for the Old Adam must not be so totally cast away but the Huske onely viz the Shell wherein the Seed or Kernel lyeth 85. Out of the Old Essence must the New Man in Gods blessing sprout forth as the blade out of the Grain or Corn as Christ teacheth us 86. Therefore must the Essence be injected into Gods Anger must be persecuted afflicted plagued scorned and lye under the Cross for the New Man must sprout forth out of God anger fire he must be Tryed in the Fire 87. We were fallen home to the Anger 's Essence but the Love of God set it selfe in the Anger and quenched the Anger with the Love in the blood of the Heavenly substantiality in the Death of Christ 88. Thus the Anger reteined the Husk viz the perished corrupt Man understand the Earthly source or quality and the Love reteined the New Man 89. Therefore can no Man besides shed heavenly Bloud the Earthly Mortal Bloud onely for Christ who was conceived without Man and Woman he onely could do it for in his heavenly substantiality there was no Earthly Blood 90. But yet he did shed his heavenly bloud under or among the Earthly that he might deliver us poor Earthly Men from the fierce wrath 91. For his heavenly bloud must in its bloud shedding mix it selfe together with the Earthly that the Turba in the Earthliness in us which held us captive might be drowned and that the Anger might be quenched with the love of the Heavenly bloud 92. He gave his life for us into Death he went for us into Hell into the source or quality of the Fathers Fire and out of Hell again into God that he might break or destroy Death and drown the Anger and make way for us 93. Therefore now the whole matter depends on this that we follow afteâ— him he hath indeed broken and destroyed death and quenched the Anger yet if we will be conformable to his Image then we must follow him into his Death take his Cross upon us suffer persecution be scorned despised and slain 24. For the Old Husk belongeth to the Anger of God it must be purged 95. For it is not the Old Man that must live in us but the
Aegypt 26. That is the Virgin-like Image must suffer it selfe to be put into Aegypt into Bondage and servitude and the Earth viz the fierce wrath of God Covereth the virgin-like Image it devoureth the streams of the Dragon 27. Although the Dragon with his abominations overwhelmeth the virgin-like Image and reproacheth slandereth and despiseth it yet that hurteth not the Virgins Child for the fierce wrath taketh the reproach and slander which is cast forth upon the Child to it selfe for the Earth alwaies signifieth the fierce wrath of God 28. Thus the Virgins Child standeth upon the Earth as upon the Earthly Moon and must continually flie into Aegypt before the Dâ—agon it must here be onley under the Bondage and Servitude of Pharao 29. But it standeth upon the Moon not under the Moon the Prince Josua or JESUS bringeth it through Jordan into Jerusalem it must onely through Death go into Jerusalem and leave the Moon 30. It is but a Guest in this World a stranger and Pilgrim it must wander through the Dragons Country and when the Dragon casteth forth his streams upon it it must bow downe and passe under the Crose and then the Anger of God receiveth the Dragons fire to it 31. It is known to us that the Old Adam knoweth and understandeth Nothing of the New it understandeth all things in an Earthly manner it knoweth not where nor what God is it flatters it self and ascribeth honesty and holiness to it 32. It supposeth it serveth God and yet serveth but the Old Dragon it Offereth Sacrifice and yet its heart hangeth to the Dragon it will suddenly be honest and with the Earthliness go into heaven 53. And yet it despiseth the Children of Heaven whereby it declareth that is a stranger in Heaven it is onely a Lord upon Earth and Devil in Hell 34. Among such Thornes and Thistles must Gods Children grow they are not known in this World for the Anger of God Covereth them 35. A Child of God also Knoweth not himself aright he seeth onely the Old Adam which hangeth to him which will alwaies drown the virgin-childe 36. But if the virgin Childe conceive a glimpse in the Holy Ternary then it knoweth it selfe when the Noble faire Garland or Crown of Victory is set upon it there must the Old Adam first look back and knoweth not what is done to him 37. He is indeed very Joyful like one that danceth to an Instrument of Musick when that Ceaseth sounding his Joy hath an End and he remaineth to be the Old Adam for he belongeth to the Earth and not to the Angelical World 38. So soon as it cometh so farre with a Man that the virgin-like Image beginneth to sprout forth out of the Old Adam so that a Man giveth up his Soul and Spirit into the Obedience of God then the strife with him beginneth then the Old Adam in the Anger of God striveth with the New Adam 39. The Old will be Lord in flesh and blood also the Devil cannot endure the virgin-like Branch for he dareth not to touch it but the Old Adam may touch infect and posses it 40. Because his own dwelling in the Darkness of the Abyss pleaseth him not therefore he would fain dwell in Man for he is an Enemy to God and hath without Man no authority 41. Therefore he possesseth Man and leadeth him according to his pleasure into the Anger and fierce wrath of God wherewith he scorneth Gods Love and Meekness for he supposeth still seeing he is a fierce wrathful fire-source or quality that he is higher then the Humility being he can go so terribly 42. But being he dare not touch the virgin-like Branch therefore he useth sublime subtle Craft knavery and wickedness and destroyeth it so that it is not known or acknowledged in this world else too many such little branches might grow in his supposed Country for he is wrath an Enemy to them he bringeth his Proud Ministers or Officers and Pâ—â—gurs with scorn upon that man so that he is persecuted despised and held a Fool. 43. And this he doth through the Reason-Learned wise world through those who call themselves shepheards or Pastors of Chirst upon whom the world looketh that so the Holy Lilly branch may not be known else men might observe it and too many such branches may grow for him and then he should loose his Dominion among Men. 44. But the Noble Lilly Twig or Branch groweth in Patience and Meekness and taketh its Essence pover and smell out of the Soyl of God as also out of Christs becoming Man or incarnation for Christs Spirit is its Essence Gods Substance is its Body 45. Not out of any strange or Heterogene property but out of its own included and shut up in Death aud in Christ Sprouting Essence groweth the virgin-like Lilly Twig or Branch It seeketh not nor desireth the fariness or excellency of this world but of the Angelical world 46. For it also groweth not in this world in the Third Principle but in the Second Principle in the Paradise-world and therefore there is great strife in flesh and blood in the outward Reason 47. The Old Adam knoweth not the New and perceiveth that it withstandeth and opposeth him it willeth not what the Old willeth it continually leadeth the Old to abstinence which causeth woe to the Old The Old willeth onely to have pleasure voluptuousness and temporal honour it Cannot endure the Cross and Contempt 48. But the New is well pleased that it shall bear the Marks or Prints of the wounds of Christ That it should become conformable to the Image of Christ 49. Therefore the Old goeth often very mournfully about when it seeth it must be a fool and yet knoweth not how it befalleth him for he knoweth not Gods will 50. He hath onely the will of this world what there flattereth faire he willeth to have that he would fain be Lord continually before whom Men must bowe or stoop 41. But the New boweth it selfe before its God and desireth nothing also willeth nothing but it panteth after its God as a childe after its Mother It casteth it selfe into the bosome of its Mother and giveth its body up to its heavenly Mother into the Spirit of Christ 52. It desireth the food and Drink of its Eternal Mother and it Eateth in the bosome of the Mother as a child in the body or womb of the Mother eateth of its Mother 53. For so long as it is covered in the Old Adam so long it is yet in the becoming Man or Incarnation but when the Old dyeth then the New becometh Generated or born forth out of the Old 54. It leaveth the Vessel wherein it lay and became a virgin-like childe â—o the Earth and to the Judgement of God but it becometh born or brought forth as a blossome in the Kingdom of God 55. And then when the Day of Resteration shall come all his Works which he hath wrought Good
must enter in through the same path which he hath made he must enter into the death of Christ and so in Christs Resurrection he entereth into the Light-world 60. Even as we know that the Eternal Word of the Father which is the Fathers heart becometh generated from Eternity to Eternity out of the fierce wrath of the Death of Darkness through the Fathers Fire and is in himself the right Center of the Holy Trinity and is out of himself together with the outgone Holy Spirit the Light-flaming Majesty or Light-world 61. Thus also in like manner and property must we with our Hearts Senses or Thoughts and Minds go forth out of the harsh astringent stern and Evil or malignant Earthliness out of our selves out of the perished or corrupted Adamical Man and with our earnest severe willing and doing slay him 62. We must take upon us the Old Adams Cross which hangeth to us while we live and must upon and in the Cross go into the Center of Nature into the Triangle and be born anew again out of the anxious wheel if we will be Angels 63. But seeing we were not able to do this therefore hath Christ given himself into that veâ—ry Center of the fierce wrath and broken the fierce wrath and extinguished it with his Love 64. For he brought heavenly divine substantiality into that very fierce wrath into the Center of the Anguish-Chamber and extinguished the souls anguish-fire viz the fierce wrath of the Father of the fiery world in the soul so that thus Now we fall no more home to the fierce wrath 65. But when we give up our selves into the Death of Christ and go forth out of our selves out of the Evil Earthly Adam then we fall in Christs death into the Path or way which he hath made or prepared for us we fall into the Bosome of Abraham that is into Christs Armes who receiveth us into himself 66. For the Bosome of Abraham is the unshut light world in the death of Christ it is the Paradise wherein God Created us 67. And now the Matter lyeth in this Not that we be Lip-Christians or Mouth-Christians and pourtray and represent Christs death before us and remain wicked in heart spirit and soul but that we very Earnestly with Mind and Thoughts with willing and doing go forth out of the evill Inclinations or Injections and strive and fight against them 68. And though they evidently cleave and hang to us yet we must daily and hourly slay that evâ—â— Adam as to his willing and doing â— we must do that which we would not willingly do 69. We must deny our earthly Evil life it self and put on Christs life in us and then the Kingdom of Heaven suffereth violence and the violens take it to themselves as Christ said 70. Thus we become impregnated with the Kingdom of Heaven and enter thus into Christs death with the living Body and receive the Body of Christ viz the divine substantiality we carry the Kingdom of Heaven in Us. 71. And thus we are Christs Children Members and heirs in Gods Kingdom and the express reflex Image of the Holy divine World which is God the Father Sonne and Holy Spirit and the same Holy Trinitys substantiality 72. All whatsoever becometh generated and opened out of the wisedom or substantiality is our Paradise and nothing dyeth to or in us but onely the dead Adam the Earthly Evil one whose willing we here nevertheless have continually broken and destroyed to whom we are become Enemies 73. Our Enemy onely departeth from us he must go into the fire understand into the Essential fire viz into the Four Elements and into the Mystery and must at the End of this Time be tryed through the fire of God and our Wonders and Works must be presented to us there againe whatsoever the Earthly Mystery hath devoured and swallowed up into it self that it must give up again into the fire of God 74. And yet not such an Evil one or substance but the fire of God devoureth the Evil and giveth us such a one for it as we here in our Anxious seeking have sought or desired 75. For as the fire deuoureth the substantiality but giveth Spirit for substance so shall our Works in the Spirit and Joy out of the fire of God be presented and set before us as a clear fair Looking-Glass like the wonders and wisdome of God 76. Let this be manifested or revealed to you dear Children for it is become highly known suffer not your selves to be so tickled with Christs death and to pourtray or paint the same before you as a work done and that it is enough for us when we know and believe that it is done for us 77. What doth it avail me that I know a Treasure lyeth hid deepeâ— and that I dig it not out it availeth nothing to Comfort and flater in hypocrisy and with the Mouth to give good words and fine babling but yet keepe Wickednesse in the soule 78. Christ saith Ye must become born anew or else ye will not see the Kingdom of God we must Convert and become as a Child in the Mothers body or womb and be generated or born out of divine substantiality 79. We must put a New Garment on to our soul viz the Mantle of Christ the Humanity of Christ else no flattering Hypocrisie availeth 80. It is all Lying which the Mouth-Cry saith which pourtrayeth Christ before our Eyes as that he hath done it for us and that we should onely comfort our selves with it and thereupon do walk in the old Adam in Covetousness high-mindedness and falshood in the Lusts of Evil and Maliciousness it is the Antichristian deceit of the false Spiritualty or Clergy of whom the Revelation warneth us 81. It all availeth nothing that we flatter our selves and tickle our selves with Christs suffering and Death we must enter into it and be like or conformable to his Image and then is Christs suffering and death profitable to us 82. We must take his Cross upon us and follow him quench the Evil Lusts and slay them and alwaies readily and earnestly will and desire that which is well and then we shall plainly see what Christs foot-steps are 83. When we shall strive and fight against the Devill the Old Adam and the Evil world against Earthly reason which desireth onely pleasure and voluptuousness then Christs Cross becometh rightly laid upon us for the Devil is it the world is it and our Evil Adam is it that we must fight against all these are our Enemies 84. And there must the New Man stand as a Champion and fight in the Footsteps of Christ 85. O how innumerable many Enemies will he there awaken and stirre up which will all fall upon him and this may indeed be called fighting for the Thorney victorious Garland or Crown of Christ as a Conquerour and yet onely be continually despised
Evil or wickedness or else he hath a heavy Judgement upon him 69. What is he better then the Devil who also knoweth Gods will but yet doth his own Evil will one is as the other neither Good so long till he becometh a doer of the Word and then he walketh in Gods way and is in the Vineyard in Gods Labour 70. The Hypocritical Babel teacheth now at present that our works merit Nothing Christ hath delivered us from Death and Hell we must onely Believe and so we are righteous 71. Hearken O Babel The servant who knoweth his Lords will and doth it not shall suffer many stripes a knowing without doing is just as a fire which glimmereth but cannot burn for moisture 72. Wilt thou that thy divine Faiths Fire should burn then thou must blow it up and put off from Thee the Devils and the worlds Moysture thou must enter into the Life of Christ 73. Wilt thou be his Childe then thou must enter into his house and manage his work else thou art out of it without and an Hypocrite who beareth the Name of God in vain or unprofitably thou teachest one thing and dost another and testifiest thus that Gods Judgement is right concerning thee 74. Or what pleasure hath God in thy knowing when as thou stil continuest wicked dost thou suppose he will accept thy Hypocrisie 75. That thou Cryest to him Lord give me a strong Faith in the Merits of thy Sonne Christ that he hath satisfied for my sinnes supposest thou that that is enough 76. O Sir no hearken thou must enter into Christs Suffering and dying and be born a second time out of his Death thou must become a Member in and with him thou must constantly Crucifie the Old Adam and alwaies hang upon Christs Cross and must become an obedient Child that alwaies hearkeneth what the father saith and alwaies would fain do that 77. Thou must enter into the Doing Else thou art but a Vizard without Life thou must together with God work good works of Love towards thy Neighbour and continually exercise thy Faith and alwaies be prepared and ready at the voice of the Lord when he Calleth thee out of the old skin to go home into the pure Garment 78. See though thou plainly walkest in this way yet thou wilt have upon thee weakness enough and feel far too much thou wilt still work very farre too much Evil. 79. For we have an Evil Guest lodging within us to comfort ones self onely doth not avail but to fight and strive against it and Continually to slay and vanquish it without this it is ever too strong and will have the Dominion 80. Christ hath indeed in us and for us broken and destroyed Death and made way for us but what doth it help me to comfort my selfe with that and learn to know that and yet continue lying shut up in the dark Anger and Captivated in the Chains of the Devil 81. I must even enter into that very way and Path and walk in that street as a Pilgrim or stranger who wandereth out of Death into Life The Eighth Chapter Of the Pilgrims-VVay out of Death into Life 1. DEar Children let us very heartily speak one with another concerning the Ground and Foundation Our true life wherewith we should see God is as a damped fire in many also as the fire shut up in a Stone we must strike upon it with true earnest sincere entring and turning In to God 2. Look upon Gods care in providing which hath taken for us aforehand He hath regenerated us in Christ out of the Water of Eternal Life and hath left us at last the same in the Covenant of Baptism for a Key that we should therewith unlock and therewith besprinckle our souls Fire that it may become capable of the Divine Fire 3. And hath given us his Body for food and his Blood for drink that we should receive it and enter into his Covenant and feed our souls therewith that they may be quickened and awake up from Death that the divine Fire may kindle them 4. Dear Children It must burn and not continue to lie shut up in Stone or as an Ember or Tinder which would fain glimmer and cannot for the Devils Moysture 5. The Historical Faith is onely an Ember which glimmereth like a little spark it must become Kindled we must give it Matter wherein the sparkle may kindle it selfe 6. The soul must press forth out of the Reason of this world in to the life of Christ into Christs flesh and Bloud and so it conceiveth the Matter to its kindling It must be in Earnest Sincerity 7. For the History reacheth not Christs flesh and Bloud Death must be broke open 8. Although indeed Christ hath broke it open yet the Earnest sincere desire must follow after that would fain doe or act and alwaies labour therein 9. As a Pilgrim or Messenger who hath a long dangerous way to travail he alwaies runneth on towards the End and is unwearâ—ed though woe and misery befall him yet he hopeth for the End and cometh alwaies nearer where then he Expects in hope his wages and refreshment and joyeth that his sore travail and wandering will have an End 10. Thus must a man that will travail and wander to God behave himselfe in the Way of his Pilgrimage He must continually more and more wander or travail forth out of the Earthly Reason out from the will of the Flesh of the Devil and the World 11. Often woe and misery befall him when he must forsake that which he might well have had and could therewith have swum in Temporal Honour 12. But if he will Travel in the Right Path then he must onely put on the Mantle of Righteousness and put off the Mantle of Covetousness and the Hypocritical Life 13. He must impart his bread to the Hungry and give his clothes for a Covering and not be an Oppressor of the Miserable and onely fill his own Sack full squeese away the sweet from the simple and impose Lawes upon him onely for his pride and pleasure sake 14. He is no Christian that doth such things but he travelleth in the Path of this world as the starres and the Elements with the Devils infection and Lust drive him 15. And though likely he knoweth the Faith of Gods Mercifulness of the satisfaction of Christ yet that will not help him for not all that say Lord Lord shall enter enter into the Kingdom of Heaven but those that do the will of my Father in Heaven 16. And that will is Love thy Neighbour as thy self What thou wilt that men should do to thee that do thou also 17. Say not in thy Heart I sit in this Office and Lordship of Right I have bought purchased or inherited it that which my Subjects doe for me they are obliged to do it 18. See and search whether that hath a right original
standeth in the Center of the Life towards us 16. God is become Man and willeth to have us so also his Anger in the Kingdom of the fierce wrath willeth to have us the Devil also willeth to have us into his society and Gods Angels also into theirs to which soever we are Factour and Trade thither we go 17. If we put our Imagination into the Light of God and go with earnest sincerity into that then we come into it and are also with earnestness drawn into it 18. Will we then put our willing into the Glory of this world and let the Eternal go then we have to expect that we must with this worlds fierce wrath enter into the first Mystery 19. Shall we not then have divine Imagination viz Faith in us then the divine Love will leave us and not let us in at her Doars 20. Assuredly if God break them not open then we come into Necessity if thou bringest Not Gods spirit along with thee thou wilt never more attain it 21. Therefore it is Good to Spring and grow forth in this Life Christ is Become our field we may without any great anguish or trouble attain it it is but to do this viz to breake our Will 22. That is woeful for the Old Adam will not so also the Anger will not the Devil also will not 23. Behold O Man thou thy self art thy own Enemy that which thou holdest to be thy friend that is thy Enemy wouldst thou be saved and see God then thou must become worst Enemy to thy best friend viz to thy outward Life 24. Not that thou shouldest destroy it but its will onely thou must do what thou willest not thou must become thy own Enemy or else thou cast not see God 25. For that which thou now holdest for thy friend is proceeded out of the Anguish Chamber and hath still the Anguish life in it it hath the Anger source or quality and the Devils sicknesse longing or Malady in it 26. Thou must frame or Create a will in God thou must frame or Create a will out of thy soul and with the same go forth out of Evil wickedness and Malice into God and so thou wilt be introduced into Gods Fire 27. Understand the willing-spirit that will kindle thy soul and so then reach after the life and spirit of Christ and thou wilt receive it which will new Regenerate thee with a New willing which will abide with thee 28. The same is the blossome of thy soul wherein the New-Child standeth in the Image of God to that God giveth Christs flesh and bloud to feed on 29. And not to the Adamical Ass as Babel wonderfully Dreameth as if the wicked should participate or be made partakers of the Body of Christ O No. 30. They receive the four Elements and therein the Anger of God and therefore because they distinguish or discern not the Lords Body which is every where present in Heaven and becometh fed upon by that soul which attaineth Heaven 31. Not as a sign as the other Phantasy Dreameth not Spirit without Substance but the substance of the spirit environed and inclosed with Gods wisdome Christs Flesh which filleth the Light-world in every Place which the Word that became Man brought along with it into Mary 32. That same Substantiality although indeed in Mary it became Opened in its flesh and bloud and assumed humane Essence to it selfe was at that very Time while Christ lay in the body or womb of Mary in Heaven in the one Element in all Places 33. It never came at any time from any Place many miles off into Mary No but the included Center which Adam had shut up in the Anger of God in Death that the word of the Deity did unshut or unlock and introduced the divine substantiality into the virgin-like Center shut up in Death 34. That was done in the Body or womb of Mary in the limit or Mark of the Covenant not departing away also not entering in but unshutting in-generating and in this world Ex-generating 35. God-and-Man one Person Heavenly and in Death inclosed substantiality and virginity one substantiality one onely Man in heaven and in this World 36. And such must we also be for the Word which became Man is stirring in the soul and standeth in the sound of the Life in all Souls 37. Now go whither thou wilt thou hast now the Center of the Deity in thee in the sound and stirring and also the Center of the fierce wrath into which thou goest and which thou awakenest therein standeth thy Life 38. Do what thou pleasest thou art free and God letteth thee know it He calleth thee if thou comest then thou wilt be his Child if thou goest into the Anger then thou wilt also be taken up by that The Tenth Chapter Of Gods Express-Reflex Image of Man viz of Gods similitude and Man 1. WE cannot in this world see our substantiality or New Body while we are in the Earthly Body the Outward Man knoweth it not onely the Spirit which becometh generated and goeth forth out of the New Man that knoweth its Body 2. But if we would fain have the knowledge thereof and would know whether we are in the New Birth then we have no better proof or tryal of it then by or in the similitude of God which we understand to be viz the Desiring the sense or Thoughts and the Mind 3. These Things contein in them the Center of the spirit out of which the strong will becometh generated and brought forth in which the right true similitude and the Image of God with flesh and Bloud standeth which the outward man knoweth not 4. For that very Image is not in this world but it hath another Principle viz in the Angelical world and during this Time of the Body standeth in the Mystery in the secresie or Arcanum 5. As the Gold in the Stone whereas the Gold hath another Tincture another Essence another Glance and Lustre or shining and the rudeness or drossiness of the Stone cannot comprehend it and the Gold also doth not comprehend the rude drossiness of the Stone and yet the rude drossiness viz the Anguish Center is a Cause of the Gold for the rude drossiness is the Mother and the Sun or Sol is the Father 6. Thus also is our Old Adam and Body a Cause of the New Body for it is the Mother out of the Old substantiality originally ariseth the new Body and Gods Spirit in Christ is the Father as the Sun is the Father of the Gold so also is Gods heart the Father of the New-Man 7. But now we can not know the New Man better then in the Center namely in the Desiring Thoughts and Mind 8. When we find our selves thus viz that our Desiring standeth totally according to and towards God that our Thoughts continually run in the will of God and that the Mind totally giveth it self up in Obedience into the will
causeth the Magia out of which the Multiplicity existeth 5. And yet the Multiplicity is not Gods willing it selfe which is free from all substance but in the Seeking or longing of the willing Nature generateth it self with all forms where then all originally ariseth out of the Desiring as viz out of the Eternal Magia 6. And we are further to know that all whatsoever there attaineth Life which Imagineth into the seeking or Longing and setteth its will into Nature that it is the Child of Nature and ONE life with Nature 7. But whatsoever with its willing goeth forth out of the seeking or longing of Nature into the free willing of God that becometh accepted and known in that free willing and is ONE spirit in or with GOD. 8. And though it be Nature as also Nature hath Ever from Eternity generated it selfe in Gods willing yet its Spirit-life is without or beyond Nature in the free willing and so the wonders stand manifested in God and yet are not God himself 9. And if the souls will-spirit goeth forth from the Reason of Nature into the free-willing of God then is the willing-spirit Gods Child and the Nature-spirit Gods wonder and the Creature standeth in-turned into it selfe as God himself 10. For the Sydereall or Reason-spirit seeketh in its Magia in it selfe in its Center the Wonders of Eternity To which End God hath created the soul in the Body of the outward Nature though indeed it be onely apprehended in the Inward 11. And the willing-spirit goeth into the liberty of God where then the Holy Spirit bringeth it into the Free divine Mystery so that the Deity standeth manifest in the willing-spirit and in the Reason Spirit standeth the Magia of Nature with its wonders Manifest 12. So then seeing the soul is the Center where the right willing-spirit towards the liberty of God goeth forth into the liberty of God viz into the Divine Mystery yet it hath the Sydereall spirit for a Band. 13. And if it tameth that so that it worketh not Evil may introduce the Sydereal Wonders which in the Elementary Looking-Glass became made or brought to a Substance and bring them before the Majesty of God into the free willing of God that so the wonders may shine or appear in the divine Liberty as a similitude of Gods willing 14. Not so to understand that the liberty of God mixeth with the Nature-wonders and with the similitude so that they be One NO 15. God abideth Eternally Free he dwelleth in the wonders as the Soul in the Body and so little as the Body apprehendeth the soul or the fire the Light so little also doth Nature the Deity 16. And yet is ONE substance and hath from Eternity parted it self into two substances viz the Fire and the Light 17. Where in the Fire we understand the source or quality of Nature and in the Light the Mystery the spirit of the Life without source or quality although the Fire also is a Mystery 18. Thus understand us it hath one and the same form or manner in Man The Soul is the Fire of the true humane life that God out of the Eternal Nature in Adam breathed or blew up by or with his spirit as viz out of the Center of God 19. And the Spirit that became generated out of the souls fire which Gods spirit formed to its Image that HATH the divine Mystery out of which the willing towards the Love of God becometh Generated out of which the Divine Magia or seeking Existeth that the willing spirit of God desireth 20. And so now if it Lift up it self that is go forth out of the hidden Mystery into the liberty of God then it is a branch bud or sprout in Gods Kingdom Sprouted out of Gods Mystery and worketh in Gods willing and Continually openeth the Wonders of Gods wisdome 21. NOT in that form or Manner as if in God somewhat New were become Generated that had not been from Eternity in Gods wisdome which hath no Ground or bottom nor Number 22. Onely in the souls Spirit in it self the Endless or Infinite Mystery becometh Manifest to Gods honour and deeds of Wonder and to the Eternal Joy of it self understand of the Creatures self 23. Now seeing the Earthly perished seeking or longing mixeth it self together with the Starry source or quality and that the soul in the heavy Fall of Adam hath with its willing imagined into the Starry seeking or longing as also into the Earthly and introduced the strange Magia into it self therefore is the willing become broken or Corrupted and the divine Image become destroyed 24. And the Heavenly divine Image of Man became Earthly so that the right willing standeth as it were reversed or turned about as viz. in the spirit of this world viz in Reason which is generated out of the Constellation 25. Now therefore it is necessary for the right Image of God which is thus destroyed and become Earthly that it become born againe anew 26. And there would be no Remedy or Council found to help this Image if the word out of the Center of God viz Gods own Life should not become Man and new Regenerate the pure soul again in it self whose Image was now perished and there the right Image become helped again else it would Eternally have been bereaved or deprived of the liberty and Majesty of God 27. And so now seeing all souls are proceeded out of ONE they are all THEREFORE generated out of the perished or Corrupted Root 28. But seeing the New regenerated Life in Christ is come again into a soul therefore it is necessary that we all cast our willing into the Regeneration of Christ for in Christ we are with our souls become Generated in God again and have in Christ attained the Image again 29. For our Mystery in the soul stood after the Fall onely and barely in the Magia of Nature which in its Center is a Fire and the Image was turned out of the liberty of God into the outward Magia viz into the outward Principle 30. So now when that breaketh or Corrupteth in the Substance then the poor perished Image of the Soul standeth as a forlorn lost child where in its own Center it can awaken or stirre up Nothing but onely the fierce wrathful fire-source or quality for it is gone out of the word of God viz out of Gods Mystery into a Corruptible Looking-Glass viz into the spirit of this world which is inceptive and finite or hath a beginning and End 31. And therefore also the souls Body is wholly become Earthly and is fallen home to Corruptibility and to Death 32. Therefore it is necessary for us being God hath out of Grace turned his Love to us and hath turned in our soul in Christ into himself again into the Liberty and made the divine Mystery stirring in the Image so that the Image can dwell again in God viz in the Paradisical Wonders that we break off our willing from the
breaketh and he that loveth the same is bereaved thereof 27. And he is like one who in a great water buildeth his house upon the sand and the water carrieth away his house and so it is also with the Earthly Hope 28. O Child of Man thou Noble Creature let it not have the power it costeth thy Eternal Kingdom seek thy self and find thy self but not in the Earthly Kingdom 29. O how very well is it with him that findeth himself in Gods Kingdom who draweth on the heavenly and divine Mystery and entereth thereinto 30. All the Ornament and Bravery of this world is Dung in respect of the Heavenly and is not worth a Mans setting his Love upon it 31. Although it be so that it must yet be brought to the Wonders to which End also God hath Created it that Man understand the outward Man should open the Wonders of the outward Nature viz in the outward Mystery both out of the Earth and above the Earth 32. All whatsoever the Starres can do and the Earth hath in it should Man bring into Wonders into Forms and into Being and Substance according to the Eternal Figure which became seen in Gods wisdome before the Times of the World 33. But he should not set his willing therein and Esteeme that for his Treasure but for his Joy and Ornament he may use it but with the Inward Man he should labour in Gods Mystery and then Gods Spirit helpeth him also to seek and finde the Outward 34. Seeing then we are through the Heavy fall become so perished that our Mind is become turned out of the heavenly Mystery into the Earthly as into the Looking-Glass so that we are found as it were half dead therefore it is highly necessary for us that we go quite forth out of the Earthly with our Mind and willing and seek our selves first before we seek the Earthly Beauty and Ornament that we may first learn to know where we are at home and not make our Mind Earthly 35. For though Man standeth clearly in the Image of God yet he is in a Three fold Life but if he loose Gods Image then he is only in a Twofold 36. The First Life is the Soules Life and it originally ariseth in the Fire of the Eternal Nature and standeth Especially in Seven Forms all according to the Spirit of Nature as in our second and Third Book is expressed and declared 37. And the Second Life standeth in the Image which is or becometh generated out of the fountain of the Eternal Nature viz out of the souls Fire which Image standeth in the Light in another source or quality and hath its living Spirit as you may find it in Fire and Light 38. For the source or quality of the Light is not as the source or quality of the Fire and yet the Light existeth out of the Fire where a Man is to understand in the source or quality of the Light the meek pure amiable Spirit and in the source or quality of the fire the Cause thereof 39. As you see that out of the fire the Air Originally ariseth which is the Spirit and the Air also is understood to be in Four Forms as First one Day according to the fierce wrath of the fire and Secondly a Moist or damp one viz water from the harsh astringent attraction and Thirdly a Meek one from the Light and Fourthly a swelling rising one from the fierce wrath of the fire-Crack 40. Wherein we then understand that the Light in all Forms is Master for it hath the Meekness and is a Life which becometh generated through the fierce wrathful Death viz through the Anguish source or quality in the sincking down viz as another Principle which subsisteth in the fire without feeling and yet hath its feeling in it self viz the Laudable worthly Relish 41. Wherein then we understand that the water becometh generated through the Death through the sincking down through the fires Anguish and we understand further how yet it is no Death and yet it is a Death 42. But the Light maketh it Sprouting so that there is a Life therein which life standeth in the Lights Power wherein the life sprouteth out of Death 43. And understand the Substantiality viz the Comprehensibility or Palpability for or to be the water which is dead in it selfe but the fire-life and the Lights power is its Life 44. Thus the substantiality is esteemed as it were dead where the Life is its own therein and possesseth and generateth it self in it self 45. Wherein the Death of the substantiality must give the Body thereto as is declared in our Third Book where then in the Light-life and in the water of the Death we understand two forms and according to the Anguish in the Fire the Third 46. As First in the Anguish of the Mortifying or killing in the fierce wrath of the Fire we understand a fierce wrathful water which in respect of the first four forms to Nature viz harshness bitterness anguish and fire is like Poyson and is also Poyson a hellish substantiality in the fierce wrath according to the original of the first Principle wherein Gods Anger springeth or floweth up 47. And Secondly we understand the other water in the Lights Crack in which the source or quality sincketh down quite through the Mortifying and in the Death becometh like as it were nothing for in the Nothing the Eternal Liberty viz the Eternal Abyss of the Eternity becometh attained 48. And if then the incomprehensible Light in that very sincking down into the Eternity shineth or discovereth it selfe and alwaies filleth the sinking down then sprouteth forth in the Light the power of the Light viz the Life of the demersed or sunck down Death 49. For the fierce wrath of the Fire abideth in the fierce wrathful source or quality of the fierce wrathful water and goeth not along into Death also it cannot be for the fierce wrathfulness is the stern Almighty life that cannot dye nor attain the Eternal Liberty for it is called remaineth to be in Eternity the Nature-life 50. And though indeed in the Light-life there is found also a Nature yet it is not painful odious or Enemicitious as that in the Original of Nature according to which God called himselfe a zealous jealous Angry God 51. For in the Light-source or quality the water which is sunck down through death into the Liberty becometh a source water of the Eternal life of Joy in which the Meekness and Love Eternally flow up 52. Where then there is no more sincking down but a sprouting which is called Paradise 53. And the movinng out of the waters-source is called Element that is the pure Element in the Angelical world 54. And the Cause of the fire in the Light is the Eternal Firmament wherein the Eternal skill and knowledg in Gods wisdom becometh opened as we have a similitnde hereof in the Firmament and Starres 55. Thus we understand two worlds
one in another one not comprehending the Other viz One in the fierce wrath of the fiery Nature in the water of the Poyson and Anguish source or Quality wherein the Devil dwelleth 56. And then one in the Light wherein the water of the Light is sunck down out of the Anguish into the Eternal Liberty which the Poyson-water cannot apprehend or reach 57. And yet is not severed asunder but onely through the Death where it divideth it selfe into two Principles and so severeth it selfe into two Lives viz one in the Anger and the other in the Love which Life is known to be the right Life 58. And herein sticketh the ground that as we with Adam went out of this Life into the Outward Life wherefore also God became Man so he must introduce us through this death through and out of the fierce wrathful source or quality out of the fire-Anguish-life through the Death into the Light-and Love-life again 59. Whereas yet the Gates of Death were in the wrathfulness shut up in the humane soul so that the soul stood in the Anguish source or quality in the inward Nature in the fire of the Poyson viz in the water of the Anguish 60. And there hath the Prince Christ broken the Look Fort or Barre of Death and is with his humane soul sprouted forth through the Death into the Light of God again and so now his Light-life leadeth Death captive and so it is become a Reproach and Scorn 61 For with the Lock Fort or Barre Lucifer thought to be a Lord and Omnipotent Prince 62. But when the Lock Fort or Barre became broken then the Power of the Deity in the Light destroyed his Kingdom and there he became a Captive servant for Gods Light and the Water of Meekness is his Death for the Anger becometh killed or mortified therewith 63. Thus is the Light and the Love entered into the Anger together with the Paradise-Element and the water of the Eternal Life and Gods anger is become quenched 64. And so now Lucifer abideth in himself in an anxious fierce wrathful fire-source where his Body is a Poyson a source of Poyson-water 65. And thus is become thrust out from Gods fire into the Matrix of the Eternal Nature viz. into the stern harshness which generateth the Eternal darkness wherein he manageth the very stern dominion in the Anxious Mercurius and so is as a Reproach or Out-cast 66. Who in his Original was a Prince but now is no more then an Executioner a Base Slave which must be there in Gods fierce wrath as a Hangman who punisheth the Evil when he is commanded by his Lord to do so he hath no further power 67. Although yet he is a deceiver that he might entrap many and that his Kingdom may be great that he may have many and not stand in reproach with so few 68. As a Whore thinketh if there were many Whores then I should not be a Where alone I am as others are thus he also desireth a great Tribe or Genealogy that thereby he may reproach God 69. For he alwaies attributeth the blame and fault to God that he is fallen as that bis wrath hath so drawn him and thrust him into such a willing of Pride and state so that he stood not 70. Thus he supposeth if he did draw many to him that his Kingdom would be great and so should get more to him that would do as he doth and Curse God but justifie himself that is his strength and pleasure in his dark harsh anguish where he continually stirreth up the fire in himselfe and flyeth out above the Thrones and so holdeth himself still to be a Prince and King 71. And though he be indeed Evil yet he is a Prince in his Legions in the Anger in his Creature but With the Anger without his Creature he hath not power to Act therein he must abide as an impotent captive 72. Thus understand the Life in two forms viz one according to the fire of Nature and the other according to the fire of Light which fire bunreth in the Love wherein the Noble Image of God appeareth or shineth 73. And we understand herein that the willing of Man should enter into Gods willing and so he goeth in Christs Death with Christs soul through Death into the Eternal Liberty of God into the light Life and there he is in Christ with God 74. And the Third Form of Life is the outward Created Life from or out of this world viz from the Sun Stars and Elements 75. Which Gods spirit with or by the Spirit of the Great world to Adam breathed into his Nostrils wherein then also he became an outward soul which moveth or swimmeth in the Bloud and Water and burneth in the outward kindled Fire viz in the warmth 76. That same outward Life should not gripe into the Image in the Inward Life also the Image should not let in that into the inward Light which shineth through Death and sprouteth with its power into the Eternal Liberty for the outward Life is onely a similitude of the inward Life 77. The Inward Spirit should onely in the outward Looking-Glass open the Eternal Wonders which in Gods wisdome were become discovered in the Abyss in the divine Magia and bring them to a figured Looking-Glass viz to a Looking Glass of Wonders to Gods honour and to the Joy of the Inward Man generated or Born out of God 78. But its will should not go into it to draw in the outward wonders into the Image as we now with Lamentable Misery know that Man draweth in and Imageth to himself an Earthly treasure into the Mind and so destroyeth the pure Image of God in the second Principle 79. For his willing spirit goeth into the Earthly Substance and bring th his Body wherein the Image standeth into the Earthly Substance viz into the Earthly Treasure into an Earthly Vessel or Comprehension 80. And now the Image through the Imagination becometh also Earthly and goeth again into Death and looseth God and the Kingdom of Heaven for his willing-spirit sticketh with the Body in the outward Life 81. And now the outward Life must die and break or Corrupt that the Created Image according to the Inward Kingdom may appear and shine 82. And thus the willing-spirit sticketh with the Body in the outward Wonders and bringeth them in the dying of the outward life along with it self before the Judgement of God 83. And there shall the willing-spirit go through the fire and the Image shall be tryed through the fire and all that is Earthly must be burned off from the Image it must be pure and Immaculate or without spot 84. As the Light subsisteth in the Fire so must willing-spirit also subsist in Gods Fire and if there it cannot go free through the fire of God through Death then will this Image be spewed out into the Eternal Darkness 85. And this is verily the heavy Fall of Adam that he hath
appeareth that soon overcometh the Earthly Reason and the willing in the anguish discovereth it selfe with its love and sweetness where then alwaies one fair little Branch or other becometh generated out of the Tree of Faith 32. And all tribulation and assaults or Temptations serve for the best to the Children of God for as often as God hangeth hovering over them so that they become introduced into anguish and Tribulation then they alwaies stand in the Birth of a New little branch out of the Tree of Faith 33. When the spirit of God appearth again then he alwaies bringeth up a new sprout at which the Noble Image very highly rejoyceth it selfe 34. And now it is but to stand out the first earnest Brunt that the Earthly Tree may be overcome and the Noble Grain be sown in Gods field that Man may learn to know the Earthly Man 35. For when the willing receiveth Gods light then the †Looking-Glass seeth it self in it self one Essence seeth the other in the Light and so the whole Man findeth himself in himself and knoweth what he is which in the Earthly Reason he cannot know 36. Also none should Think that the Tree of Christian Faith may be seen or known in the Kingdom of this world outward Reason knoweth it Not. 37. And though the fair Tree standeth very clearly in the inward Man yet the outward earthly Reason doubteth for all that for the spirit of God is as foolishness to it for it cannot apprehend it 38. And though it be so that often the holy spirit openeth it self in the outward Looking-Glass so that the outward life highly rejoyceth therein and for great Joy becometh Trembling and thinketh now I have attained the worthy precious Guest now I will believe it yet there is no perfect steddiness therein 39. For the Spirit of God doth not stay continually in the Earthly sourcive quality it will have a pure vessel and if it departeth into its Principle viz into the right Image then the outward Life becometh weak and fainting 40. Therefore must the Noble Image alwaies be in strife and fight against the outward-Reason-life and the more it striveth and fighteth the greater groweth the fair Tree for it worketh or co-worketh with God 41. For as an Earthly Tree groweth in winde Rain Cold and Heat so also the Tree of Gods Image groweth under the Cross and tribulation and anguish and pain in scorn and reproach and sprouteth up into Gods Kingdom and bringeth forth fruit in Patience 42. Now seeing we know this we should labour therein and let no feare or terrour keepe us back for we shall well reap and enjoy it Eternally what we have here sown in anguish and weariness that will comfort us Eternally AMEN Written by the Author Anno 1620. in the Moneth of May. The End These whole Three parts translated into English in six weeks and four dayes Ending September 1657. THE CONTENTS of the Chapters of the First Part. Of the Becoming Man or Incarnation of Jesus Christ the Sonne of God that is concering the Virgin Mary what she was from Her original and what kind of Mother she came to be in the Conception of her Sonne Jesus Christ and how the Eternal Word is become Man CHAP. I. WHy the Incarnation of Jesus Christ or his becoming Man hath not been rightly understood hitherto Also Of the Two Eternal Principles and of the Temporary Principle Conteining 75. Verses CHAP. II. Of the Revelation of the Mystery how the Temporary Mystery is flown forth out of the Eternal spiritual Mystery Conteining 64. Verses CHAP. III. The Gate of the Creation of Man also of the breathing in of the Soul and of the Spirit Conteining 76. Verses CHAP IV. Of the Paradisical Being or Substance and Regiment or Dominion how it would have been if Man had continued in Innocency 72. Verses CHAP. V. Of the Lamentable and Miserable Fall of Man 135. Verses CHAP. VI. Of Adams Sleep How God made a Woman out of him How at length he became Earthly And how God by the Curse hath withdrawn Paradise from him 69. Verses CHAP. VII Of the Promised Seed of the Woman and of the Crusher of the Serpent 75. Verses CHAP. VIII Of the Virgin Mary And of the Becoming Man or Incarnation of Jesus Christ the Sonne of God 71. Ver. CHAP. IX Of the Virgin Mary what she was before the Blessing and what she came to be in the Blessing or Salutation 94. Verses CHAP. X. Of the Becoming Man or Incarnation of Jesus Christ the Sonne of God How he lay Nine Moneths as all the Children of Men in his Mothers Body or Womb and how his Becoming Man or Incarnation properly is 61. Verses CHAP. XI Of the Vtility or what profit the Incarnation and Birth of Jesus Christ the Sonne of God is to us poor Children of Eve The Most richly amiable and lovely Gate of All. 70. Verses CHAP. XII Of the pure Immaculate Virginity How we poor Children of Eve must be conceived of the pure virgin Chastity in the Incarnation of Christ and be new Born in God or else we shall not see God 102. Verse CHAP. XIII Of the Twofold Man viz the Old Adam and the New Adam two sorts of Men How the Old Evil one behaveth it self towards the New What kind of Religion Life and Belief each of them Exerciseth and what each of them understandeth 110. Verse CHAP. XIV Of the New Regeneration in what Substance Essence Being and Property the New Regeneration viz the Childe of the Virgin Consists while it yet sticketh in the Old Adam 74. Verses THE CONTENTS of the Chapters of the Second Part Being of Christs Suffering Dying Death and Resurrection and how we must enter into Christs Suffering and Death and rise again out of his Death with and through him and be conformable to his Image and live in him Eternally CHAP. I. OF the Eternal Beginning and of the Eternal End 50. Verses CHAP. II. The true and Highly precious Gate of the Holy Trinity The Eye of the Eternal Life or the Lustre of Life 30. Verses CHAP. III. How God without the Principle of Fire would not be manifested or Revealed also of the Eternal Being or Substance and of the Abyssal will together with the very severe Earnest Gate 64. Verses CHAP. IV. Of the Principle and Original of the Fire-world and of the Center of Nature and how the Fire severeth it selfe from the Light so that from Eternity in Eternity therè are two Worlds one in another 76. Verses CHAP. V. Of the Principle in it self what it is 100. Verses CHAP. VI. Of Our Death why we must dye notwithstanding Christ dyed for us the First Citation or Summons and of the New Man 91. Verses CHAP. VII Of Spiritual Sight or Vision How Man in this world may have divine and Heavenly Substantiality so that he can rightly speak of God and how his Sight or Vision is the Second Citation or Summons and
Mat. 28. 19. †Viz the Eternal Spirit of the Father * The Gall is the Dying source or quality * Note †Note Note †Seaven * Rota Centrum Eterna Natura revum Omnium * 1 Cor. 15. 36. * fire †cross * Note * Begriffe * Note Note †Heb. 2. 14. †Materia * Rom. 8. 22. * Note * Note * Note Fire is the Principle The white fire is the divine Love fire * Note †Rom. 8. 22. * Note * Choaked or made faint with thirst and hunger * In einer Mâ—â—teria * Rev. 21. 6. and 22. 1. 17. * Note * Shell * Purposed proposal * Or Ruler * ✚ †▵ * Or into the Bosome of wrath †Luke 16. 22. 23. * Note * Mat. 16. 24. †Mat. 11. 12. †Even while we are alive in this Body * Note what goeth from us in our death †Note what riseth again as our Resurrecti◠†Or for ‖ Note * Joh. 3. 3. 5. 7. †Mat. 8. 3. * Rom. 8. 21. †Mat. 16. 24. * James 4. 7. †Acts 22. 22. Heb. 11. 36. to the 38. * Note * Mat. 11. 28. 29. †Rom. 12. 21. * Gal. 2. 20. 1 Tim. 2. 6. †2 Cor. 1. 12. * Note * Summons warning arrest Constraint or Compulsary * Rev. 5. 7. * Gen. 3. 19. 18. 27. * Rom. 2. 14. 7. 23. †Rom. 2. 15. * The Limus is not of all the Three Principles * The Sulphur and Limus are near of the same portent †Flowed or qualified Quall * Note * 1. Joh. 2. 16. 17. †Gen. 3. 19. * Aspects * Joh. 3. 3. 5. * Note John 1. 14. * Joh. 15. 5. †Or Tree * Note * Note * Joh. 6. 51. 53. * According to the right Image our conversation is in Heaven †The Soul ‡ Note ye children of the Noble Sophia ‖ 1 Cor. 3. 13. * Note * Note †1. Cor. 3. 15. * Mat. 20. 1. †Mat. 25. 26. * Mat. 12. 32. Eph. 1. 21. †1 Cor. 15. 41. * Or Condition * Note * Mat. 6. 10. Luke 11. 2. †Mat. 22. 37 38 39. * Rom. 14. 23. †Gal. 6. 7. 8. * Summons warning arrest Constraint or Compulsary * Representation or Imagination * Note †Or purposeth and Contriveth * Put in Execution †Joh. 5. 9. * Or habitation * 1 Cor. 13. 9. to 12. * 1 Pet. 3. 4. †Or Bettering * 1 Cor. 14. 32. * Note * 1 Cor. 6. 19. * Note * So enflamed by the Devil * Note †Mat. 7. 7. ‖ Joh. 6. 37. * Joh. 17. 24. * 1 Cor. 7. 17. * Obscurities †Genaturetist qualified or capable ‖ Institutions †Or Institutions * Note Christendom * Discovered or bare †Note Seeming Christianity ‖ Mat. 3. 19. †◠Tim. 5. 6. * James 2. 19. †Luke 12. 47. * Exod. 20. 7. †Rom. 2. 21. c. * Via vitae * Monster or Mimick †Zach. 6. 15. * Note * Titus 3. 5. 6. * Note Heb. 10. 22. * Mat. 26. 26 27 28. * Isai 58. 6. 7. ‖ Mat. 7. 21. * Mat. 22. 39. ‖ Mat. 7. 12. * Luke 16. 2. †Mat. 25. 15. 27. * Note ye Magistrates and Superiours Emperours Kings Princes Lords Rulers and All Officers whatsoever * Rom. 14. 12. †Or Domineer ‖ That is the Tyrants are become the Eternal wraths own propriety †Or in the substance * Note ye Socinians who teach that the wicked shall not rise again or be tormented * Mat. 20. 1. * Mat. 20. 8. †Note * Note ye Lazy sluggish Labourers * Summons warning arrest or Constraint * Note * Gal. 5. 17. * Note * A Branch on the Vine Christ * Note * Note * Note †Or Material * Or Corporcity * Note * Ground or Foundation of Nature †Sternness anger or Malice * Note thâ— Devil was Created in the Divine substantiality * Note * Note * Note * â— Cor. 11. 29 †Joh. 3. 13. * Note * Note How we may know whether the Noble Lilly-branch viz the Body of Gods Image be Generated in us * Or Branches * Or dwelling of the soul * Or Quaking * â—um * Note What is the Devils riding Horse To be considered by Lyars Blasphemers and Boasters * Rom. 8. 28. †Rom. 6. 1. 2. * 2 Cor. 2. 15. 16. †Gal. 6. 7. * Mat. 6. 33. †Luke 11. 13. ‖ Joh. 16. 13. * Joh. 14. 26. †Joh. 16. 14. 15. ‖ Mat. 10. 19. * Rom. 8. 26. * Or a Spirit one with or in God * Phil. 2. 13. * Or Adorning †Or raiseth * Bosheit * Sophia * Faith is Gods Image viz the desiring seeing and Mind * 2. Cor. 5. 1. †Rom. 6. 10. * Note * Note * Note * Note * Note Thou must through Christ in thee deny thy self * Jâ—â— 6. 37. * Note * Note * Joh. 3. 3. 5. 7. * Or one * Joh. 3. 3. 5. 7. * Or Works * 1 Cor. 3. 13. †Note out of what the Earth is Created * Or Justificaâ—on * Ephe. 4. 18. †Mat. 6. 21. * Isai 33. 14. * Over or above * The false wicked deceiâ—ful Man †Zuversâ—cht * Or bringeth to Light * Note * Note ye Merciful * Gal. 6. 7 8. * Luk. 16. 26. †Psal 18. 10. * Rev. 3. 20. * Note * Eph. 6. 19. †Mat. 7. 15. * Note †Joh. 15. 5. * Rom. 8. 14. ‖ Joh. 10. 1. * Note Acts 14. 22. 2 Thes 1. 4. †Mat. 7. 26. * The outward Looking-Glass * Work or Effect * Note * Col. 3. 3. * Gen. 2. 7. * Note * Affected or Tincted * Note these spirits Cain was affraid of See Mysterium Magnum ch 29. vers 55. †Luke 10. 30. * Or Souldier †Note Note * Earthly will †Or Pawn * Mat. 13. 31. * Note * Note * NOTE NOTE * Note * Displayeth * Quetzung * 1 Pet. 5. 8. * Or Reception †Note the Outward MAN nor Reason knowthe not the Tree of Faith * 1 Pet. 5. 8. * Note Note * Or taketh notice of it †Joh. 8. 23. ‖ Psal 126. 5. * Sophia * Note you that do wickedly not onely without doubting but with confident daring presumption * Mat. 5. 6. * Joh. 3. 3. 5. 7. * Gen. 21. 10. Gal. 4. 3. †Or a Sonne of his body begotten or generated * Note †Luke 15. 20. †Prov. 4. 11. * Mat. 7. 22. 23. †Jer. 14. 14. 23 21. 27. 15. * Rev. 17. 1. †Rev. 12. 3. * 〈…〉 * Rom. 8. 28. * The right true Man * Or Similitude †Outgoing substantiaal power and understanding * Note * 1 Cor. 2. 14. * Luke 8. 15.
which is more Noble then what it had devoured it giveth Spirit for substance 29. For it devoureth the Meek munificence or well doing that is the water of Eternal Life but it giveth the spirit of Eternal Life As ye see that the Wind goeth out of the fire as also the Air viz the right spirit out of the fire-life 30. Thus understand our Minde aright God the Father is in himselfe the Liberty without or beyond Nature but maketh himself manifest in Nature through the Fire the fiery Nature is his property 31. But he is in himself the Abyss wherein there is no feeling of any source quality or pain 32. But yet bringeth his desirous willing into source or quality and Createth to himself in the source or quality an other or second willing to go out of the source or quality again into the Liberty without or beyond the source or quality 33. That same second will is his Sonne which he generateth out of his own Eternal willing from Eternity 34. Which he bringeth through the breaking open of the source or quality of Death viz through the Earnest severity of his fierce wrath forth Through the fire 35. That very second will viz the Sonne of God the Father is that which breaketh or destroyeth Death viz the stern dark source or quality which kindleth the fire and goeth forth through the Fire as a thining Lustre or Glance of the fire and filleth or satiateth the first willing which is called Father 36. For the Glance is also as a thinne as a Nothing or as the will which is called Father and therefore it can dwel in the Liberty viz in the Fathers Willing and maketh the Father Light clear bright amiable friendly for it is the Fathers Herts oder Barmhertzigkcit Heart or Mercifulness 37. It is the Fathers substantiality it filleth or satiateth the Father in all places though indeed there is no place in him no beginning nor End 38. Understand us further thus The Fathers fire devoureth the Meek substance viz the water-source or quality of Eternal Life into it selfe into the fires owne Essence and meekeneth it selfe therewith 39. There must the substantiality in the fire as it were dye for the fire devoureth it into it self and Consumeth it 40. And giveth forth out of the Consumingness a living richly Joyful spirit and that is the Holy Spirit which thus goeth forth from the Father and the Sonne into the Great Wonder of the holy substantiality and openeth the same perpetually and Eternally 41. Thus the Deity is an Eternal Band which cannot cease or pass away and thus it generateth it self from Eternity and the first is continually also the last and the last again the first 42. And thus understand the Father to be the fiery world the Sonne the Light and power-world and the holy spirit to be the Life of the Deity viz to be the outgoing driving Power and yet all is but ONE God 43. As the Fire and the Light together with the Aire are but one onely Substance but yet divideth it self into Three parts and none can subsist without the other for the fire is not the Light also not the wind which goeth forth out of the Fire 44. Each hath its office and Each hath its own Substance in it self and yet each is the others life and a cause of the others life 45. For the Woâ—â—â—â—loweth the fire up else it would be stifled in its fierce wrath 〈◊〉 would fall into the dark death even as the stifling is the true 〈◊〉 wherein the fire of Nature extinguisheth and no more draw â—â—â—bstance into it 46. Of all thiâ—â— have a good similitude in the outward World in all Creatures she◠〈◊〉 every Life viz the Essential Fire-life draweth substance to 〈◊〉 â—hat is its food to Ear. 47. And the fire of its life consumeth the substance and giveth forth the Spirit of the power out of that which is consumed and that is the life of the Creature 48. And you see doubtless very rightly how the Life ariseth out of Death it becometh no Life unless it break that out of which the Life should go fortâ— it must also go into the Anguish Chamber into the Center and must reach to attain the fire-flash in the Anguish else there is no Kindling 49. Although the Fire be manifold and so also the Life yet out of the greatest Anguish existeth also the greatest Life as out of a right Fire 50. Thus dear children of God in Christ we give you our knowledge and entent to ponder of We mentioned in the beginning that we would shew you concerning the Death of Christ First wherefore Christ must have dyed and secondly wherefore we must dye also and Thirdly rise again in Christ 51. This you see now in this description very clearly and understand our Great Misery that it hath been necessary for us that the word or Life of the Holy Light-world is become a Man and hath generated us anew in himselfe whosoever understandeth nothing here he is not generated or born of God 52. Do but see into what Lodging Adam hath introduced us He was an extract of all the Three Principles a total similitude according to all the Three-worlds and had in his Mind and Spirit the Angelical property in him 53. He was introduced into the holy power and substantiality viz into Paradise that is the divine substantiality he should have eaten of divine substantiality and have drunk the water of Eternal Life after an Angelical Manner as in the Book of the Threefold Life hath been mentioned at large 54. But he lost the divine substantiality and the Angelical property and Imagined into the out-birth viz into the Kingdom of the Earthly source or quality which the Devil had kindled in his Fall He turned his Eyes out from God into the Earthly God out from the divine Light into the light of this world 55. Thus he became captivated and remained in the Earthly source or quality and so he fell into the Earthly Corruptible source or quality which ruleth in him and filleth him it putteth a body on to him and breaketh or destroyeth it again and swalloweth it up into its own Essence into its Essential Fire 56. But being the soul was breathed in out of the Spirit of God viz out of the Eternal into Man so that the soul is an Angel therefore hath God assumed the same to himself again 57. And the power of the holy Light-world viz the Heart of God is entered into the humane Essence which lay shut up in death into the anguish Chamber of our Misery 58. He hath gotten into himself a soul out of our Essence he hath taken our Mortal Life into himselfe and introduced the soul through death through the Earnest severe fire of God the Father into the Light-world hath broken or destroyed death which held us captive and unshut the life 59. Now it may not nor cannot be otherwise wâ—osoever will possess the Light-world