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
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
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-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
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
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
Inability that is Being or Substance 16. For the Spirit ariseth in the Fire but it severeth it selfe into two Sources or Qualities as one into the Fire and one in the sincking down into the Liberty into the Light 17. This is called God for it is Meek and Lovely and hath in it self the Kingdom of Joy and the Angelical world is understood in the sunk down Liberty of the Substantiality 18. Therefore when we were gone out from the Liberty of the Angelical Substantiality into the Dark source or quality whose Abysse was the Fire then there was no Remedy unless the Lights power and Word as a word of Divine Life became a Man and brought us out of the darkness through the fire source or quality through the Death in the fire a-again into the Liberty of the divine Life into the divine Substantiality 19. And Therefore must Christ dye and with the soul-Spirit go through the Fire of the Eternal Nature viz through Hell and the fierce wrath of the Eternal Nature and enter into the Divine Substantiality and break open a way for our souls through the Death and Anger through which we may with and in him enter through death into the Eternall Life 20. But concerning the divine Substantiality viz concerning the divine Corporeity we are to understand as followeth 21. VVe understand that the Light giveth Meekness viz Love Now the fires anguish desireth Meekness that it may slake its great Thirst for the fire is desirous and the Meekness is giving for it giveth it self 22. Thus in the desiring of Meekness cometh to be substance or Being viz a substantial Essentiality which is sunk down from the fierce-wrath which giveth its own Life freely and that is Corporeity for out of the power in the Meekness it becometh substantial and is by the Astringency as by the Eternal Fiat attracted or put on and retained 23. And is therefore called Substantiality or Corporeity because it is sunk down from the fire source or quality and Spirit and is in respect of the spirit as mute or inanimate Dead and impotent whereas Yet it is an Essential Life 24. Understand us aright thus when God created the Angels there were onely Two Principles manifested and in Being or Substance viz that in the Fire and that in the light viz One in the fierce wrathful Substantiality in the stern astringent Fiat with the forms of the fires Nature 25. And then that in the Heavenly substantiality out of the Holy Power with the water source or quality of Meekness of the Life of Joy in which the divine Sulphur as in the Love and Meekness was generated its Fiat was Gods desiring will 26. Out of this divine Substantiality viz out of Gods Nature the Angels as Creatures were Created and the source or quality of their Spirit and Life ariseth in the Fire 27. For without Fire no Spirit doth subsist and if it go out of the Fire into the Light there it obtaineth the love source or quality and the fire becometh onely a cause of its Life but the fires fierceness becometh quenched with the Love in the Light 28. But Lucifer dispised this and continued in the Fire-Spirit and so Elevated himself also and kindled the substantiality in his Place out of which Earth and Stone came to be and he was thrust out and so the Third Corporeity and the Third Principle began together with the Kingdom of this world 29. So when the Devil was thrust out into the Darknesse then God Created another Image according to his similitude in this Place 30. But if it must be Gods similitude according to all the Three Principles then must it also be taken out of all the Three and out of All Beings or Substances of this Place or of this Deep as far as the Fiat had with Lucifers Principality given it self into the Ether to the Creation 31. For Man came in the sted of Lucifer and hence ariseth also the Envy of the Devils that they cannot afford Man that Honour but leade him continually into the Evil way of perdition whereby they may but increase their Kingdom and they do it as a spite against the Meeknesse viz the love of God supposing that seeing they live in the fierce strong Might that they are higher then the Spirit of God in the Love and Meekness 32. Understand it thus Gods Will-Spirit viz the Holy Spirit hath comprised the Two-fold Fiat in two Principles viz in the Angelical world the Inward and in this outward world the Outward and Created den Mesch oder Menschen as a Mixt person for The Mixture or Man he should be an Image according to the Inward and outward world but should with the inward source or quality rule over the outward thus he should have been the similitude of God 33. For the outward Substantiality hung to the Inward and the Paradise grew through the Earth and Men in this world upon the Face of the Earth was in Paradise for Paradisical fruit grew for him till the Fall when the Lord Cursed the Earth 34. Then Paradise passed into the Mystery and became a Mystery or hidden secrecy to Man whereas yet if he be born of God again according to the Inward Man he dwelleth in Paradise but according to the Outward he dwelleth in this world 35. VVe are further to consider the Beginning and Original of Man thus God hath created his Body out of the Matrix of the Earth out of which the Earth was Created 36. All was together one in another and yet parted it self into Three Principles of a Threefold Substantiality and yet that in the fierce wrath was not known 37. Now if Adam had continued in Innocency he had lived the whole time of this world only in Two Principles and had ruled with one over all and the fierce wrathful Kingdom had not been known or manifested in Him though indeed he had it in him 38. And we are to understand furthee that Adams Body was Created out of the Inward Element wherein the Inward Firmament and Heaven together with the Heavenly Essences do lye as to one Part by the Inward Fiat 39. And as to the other Part he was created by the outward Fiat out of the outward Four Elements and out of the Constellation or Astrum for in the Matrix of the Earth they stood one among another The Paradise was therein and the Body was created also in Paradise 40. Understand us aright He had divine and also Earthly Substantiality on him but the Earthly was impotent and as it were swallowed up in the Divine 41. The Substance or matter out of which the Body was Created was a Mass or Lump of fire and water together with the Essences of Both those principles although the First also lay therein but not stirring 42. Every Principle should continue in its seat and should not mixe even as is done in God and then Man were a Total Image according to Gods Being or Substance Of
Nature 18. O Blindness that we know not our selves O thou Noble Man if thou knewest thy selfe who thou art how woulst thou rejoyce How woulst thou give the Devil his Arrant to be gone who day and night endeavoureth to make our Minde Earthly that we should not know our true Native Country out of which we are gone forth 19. O miserable Corrupted Reason if thou knewest but one little sparke of thy first Glory how wouldst thou pant after it 20. How very amiable and blessed is but the glimps of the divine substantiality How sweet is the water of the Eternal Life our of Gods Majesty 21. O! Most worthy Light draw us into thee again we are now with Adam fallen asleep into the Earthly source or quality O! come thou most worthy Word and awaken or raise us up in Christ 22 O! thou most worthy Light for thou art indeed appeared destroy and break now the Devils Power which holdeth us captive break the power and Might of the Antichrist and of Covetousness and deliver us from the Evil one 23. Awaken and raise us up O Lord for we have long slept in the Devils Net in the Earthly source or quality let us yet once see thy salvation 24. Bring forth the New Jerusalem It is Day why should we sleep in the Day 25. O! Come thou breaker through Death Thou Powerful Saviour and Conquerour and break in pieces the Devils Kingdom upon Earth Give us Poor sick Adam yet a Cordial draught out of Sion that we may refresh us and go into our true Native-Country 26. Behold all Mountains and Hills together with the Vallies are full of the glory of the Lord it springeth up as a sprout who will hinder it Hallelujah 27. Now when Adam was fallen asleep he lay in the Mystery as in Gods Wonder what it did with him that was done 28. Thus the incorporated or Imaged Name JESUS moved the Fiat again in two Forms viz in both the Tinctures of the Fire and of the Water 29. For this first Image was now fallen home to the Name JESUS in the word of Life and so now the word of Life was the Second Creator understand with the incorporated or Imaged Name JESUS which would become Man that severed the two Tinctures one from another viz the Tincture of the Fire and of the Light 30. Yet not wholly in the power but in the substantiality for i◠the Substantiality of the Tincture of the Light was the Sulphur of Venus of the Love in which Adam should and could impregnate himselfe The Fires Tincture gave soul and the Lights Tincture gave Spirit 31. Viz an Image according to the outward Image the fire-Life Imagined after the Light-life and the Light-life after the Fire-life viz after the Essential power out of which the Light shineth 32. This was in Adam but One for he was Man and Wife 33. And the word of Life took the Tincture of Venus with the heavenly and earthly Fiat from Adam also a Rib or Bone out of his Side as also the half Cross in the Head 34. Which is the Character of the Holy Trinity Marked by the word of Life viz with the Severe Name of GOD GOTTES which beareth such a Character T. 35. T signifying the Cross of Christ on which he should suffer Death and New regenerate Adam again and in the Name JESU introduce him in Ternarium Sanstum into the Holy Ternary 36. All these the Fiat took into it selfe together with all Essences of the Humane property as also the property of the souls Fire but in Venus's Tincture not according to the might and strength of the Center and Separated it into the whole form of Man 37. Thus was the Woman built with all Members of the feminine properties as they still have them For the Spirit of the great world Spiritus Majoris Mundi had now the strongest Fiat and figured the woman in such a form as it could in possibility 38. For the Angelical Form was gone the propagation must now be in A Beastiall Manner 39. And so also there was given to Adam being he was fallen home to the Earthly Magia a beastial form and shape of Masculine Members and Adams generating was given to the Fiat and that maketh a similitude of him out of him 40. If he had continued heavenly Minded then he had himself generated heavenly but now the Earthly Fiat did it and his outward body hecame a Beast he lost also the heavenly wit or understanding and the Power of the Omnipotency 41. Beloved Reader thus thou art to know that the Second Adam Christ hath not in vain suffered himselfe to be Crucified and with a Speare to be pierced in his side nor hath in vain shed his blood here lyeth the Key 42. Adam was broken in the Side by the Rib for the Woman into that very Side must Longinus's Speare with Gods fierce wrath come for it was come into Adam and out of Maries earthliness into Christs Side also 43. And the Blood of Christ must drown the fierce wrath and take it away from the First Adam for the Second Adam had also Heavenly blood that must drown the Earthly Turba that the first Adam might be whole again 44. Let this be told you ye Children of Men for it is become known in Ternario Sancto in the Holy Ternary and not in Supposition or Opinion it concerneth both Soul and Body take heed what you do 45. Thus now the humane propagation began in a beastial manner for Adam reteined the Limbus and his Eve the Matrix of Venus for the the Tinctures were divided 46. So now Each Tincture is an entire or total Magia viz a desirous longing wherein the Centre of Nature is generated and that in the Sulphur 47. Thus then in the Sulphur is again the desirous Magia together with the Tincture and yet can not come to Life except the Tincture of Fire come into Venus's Tincture and Venus's Tincture can awaken no Life it is too weak so that life cannot be therein 48. And both the Tinctures desire also the Life and so the vehement Imagination of Man and Wife beginneth so that the one desireth to mix with the other 49. For the power of the Essences willeth to be living and the Tincture driveth on that and desireth the same 50. For the Tincture is from or out of the Eternal Life and yet is shut in with the Substantiality and in that respect it willeth to live as it hath done from Eternity 51. And therefore the Man longeth after the Matrix of the Wise and the wife after the Limbus of the Man 52. The Woman hath a Watery Tincture and the Man a fiery the Man soweth Soul and the Woman Spirit and both 〈◊〉 flesh viz Sulphur Therefore is Man and Wife but one Body 〈…〉 together a Child 53. And therefore ought to continue together if they Once Mix for they are become one Body and whosoever mixeth with another or separateth from
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
to fruit thereof but cannot get in but goeth round about the out-side and reacheth over with his hand after the fruit which yet the Gardener snatcheth out of his hand again and he must go away lamenting and cannot satisfie his Lust or longing 16. Thus it goeth also with him concerning the Woman when he was in Gods Love and the Woman in him a chast Virgin in Gods Sweetness and Wisdom then he did eat of her fruit and could very well refresh or delight himself with his own Love in the Matrix of Venus 17. For the Fire Tincture hath a great Joyful recreating delight in the Lights Tincture and that he had in himselfe he was Man and Wise 18. But now he must go round without that Gardine and touch the Tincture of Venus but with one Member whereas yet the Inward Tinctures in the seeds receive one another and labour to produce a Life 19. But the outward Body is not worthy that it should enjoy the Inward Joyful qualifying or operation wherein the souls Life is sowen 20. The inward Essence onely enjoy that for they are out of the Eternal but the outward Beastial Ass bringeth or affordeth onely a beastial Longing or Lust 21. He knoweth nothing of the Joy of the Essences when one Tincture cometh into the other and what is done then where there is yet somewhat of Paradise but the Earthly Essence mixeth it self suddenly therein and it is but as a joyful Glimpse 22. Wherein the will to Life becometh generated which afterwards driveth on and impregnateth it selfe with Sulphur till it may reach the Principle and strike up fire in the Centre wherein then there is a true Life and again a Soul is generated 23. Now when the fair Image thus departed away from Gods Love then it knew it selfe that it was come into another Source or quality then began feare and terrour before the fierce wrath of God for it began to qualifie or operate in them they looked one upon another and perceived their Beastial form and that they were Naked 24. And then sure the Devil Danced and God was derided for they were afraid and crept behind the Trees and took leaves from the fig-trees and wreathed them together and held them before their shame 25. For the heavenly Virgin was gone they knew the fall and were ashamed that is the Soul which is out of the Eternal was ashamedof the Beastlinesse as it is at this day when we are ashamed of our beastial Members 26. And hence it is that the Woman Clotheth her selfe with a white covering before her shame that the Spirit of the Soul which glanceth forth at the Eyes be not disturbed for it knoweth the Matrix of Venus which also as suddenly in the Man or Masculine begineth to Imagine upon it or Lust after it 27. Which if the Woman clotheth her selfe with Black and Covereth her Eyes it not easily Effected but onely by Imagining or Lusting 28. But else instantly both the Tinctures of the Man and Wife cath one the Other in the Eyes where the Spirit glanceth forth 29. Now when Adam and Eve stood thus in terrour before the Anger of God God cattel Adam and said Adam where art thou and be said Here I am I was afraid for I am Naked 30. And he said Who hath told thee that thou art Naked Hast thou not eaten of the Tree that I forbad thee and be said the Woman gave unto me and I did Eat 31. And he said to the Woman Why didest thou that she said the Serpent beguild me so that I did Eat 32. Here we understand the great Love of God in that God called Adam again that he should know seek and finde himself and turn again to God 33. For Adam had been in God but he was gone out from the Love out of the Second Principle into the Third 34. Wherefore God said Where are thou Adam dost thou not see thou are no more in Heaven he turned his friendly Countenance again to one part in Adam understand in that part which he had received out of the heavenly Substantiality and glanced upon it againe with his Spirit 35. And said to the Serpent the Old Devil Seeing thou hast done this cursed art thou 36. And to the Creaturely Serpent which must now be a Creature for the Devil had turned himselfe into the Form of a Serpent therefore must the Serpent also continue to it he said Thou shalt go upon thy Belly and eat Earth 37. Seeing it had seduced Man so that he was become Earthly therefore should also the Devils Image be Earthly and devour the fierce â—â—athful Earthly source or quality viz Poyson that should now be its source or quality 38. And here we are to know that the Devil figured or framed to himselfe the Serpents Image from the Constellations and Elements through his Imagination for he had great Power till the Lord wholly cursed him and set the Dear name JESUS for a Mark or limit of Separation and there his great power was laid 39. For he said to Adam and Eve the seed of the Woman shall Crush the Serpents head and Thou understand the Serpent shalt sting him in the heel that is in Gods fierce wrath thou wilt stay him 40. But he shall sprout forth out of Death and Crush thy Head that is take away thy power and overcome the wrath with the Love 41. And here in this place hath the word of the Promise of the seed of the Woman which was the Dear Name IHESUS with its Character Imaged it selfe in the Light of the Life 42. And likewise in that Character hath Imaged the highly precious Virgin of Gods wisdome in which Christ as the destroyer of Death should become a true Man and take away the power of Death and destroy the Devils sting 43. Which there should tread the Winepress of the fierce wrath and anger and enter into the Anger viz into the Center of the Fire and quench the Fire with his heavenly Blood and with the water of Meeknesse out of the fountain of the Heart of God 44. And know assuredly that if the Word of the Promise had not Imaged it selfe in the Light of Life when Adam and Eve sell into the Earthly source of quality then would the Spirit of the soul have become a fierce wrathful Devil and the Body an evil Beast as indeed it is now and if the Elementary Water did not allay the insolency of the Fierce wrath Men would well see how many a one would be a devouring Devil 45. Thus now we are to consider and Conceive that the world before Christs becoming Man or Incarnation were saved in this imaged or imprinted Word and Name 46. Those who have put their will into God they have received that word of Promise for the Soul was received thereinto 47. For the whole Law of Moses concerning the Sacrifices is throughout nothing else but a Type of the
fixed therein No O Man it is in another Manner 38. Let not Reason befool thee we understand somewhat else as little as God dwels alone in one onely place but is the Fulness of all things so little also hath God moved himself in one Sparkle 39. For God is not divisible but Totall Every where where he manifesteth himselfe there he is Totally manifest 40. Also he is not measurable for him is no place found unlesse he make a place for himselfe in a Creature yet he is totally neer the Creature without or beyond the Creature 41. When the Word moved it selfe to the opening of Life then it opened it selfe in the divine Substantiality in the water of Eternal Life it entered in and became Sulphur that is Flesh and Blood 42. It made heavenly Tincture which the Deity did close about and fill wherein the wisdom of God standeth Eternally together with the divine Magia 43. Understand it right The Deity hath longed to become Flesh and Bloud and although the pure cleer Deity continueth Spirit yet is it become the Spirit and Life of Flesh and worketh in the Flesh so that we may say when we with our Imagination enter into God and wholly give up our selves into him we Enter into Gods Flesh and Blood and live in God 44. For the Word is become Man and God is the Word 45. We do not thus take away the Creature of Christ that he should not be a Creature we will give you a simitude hereof in the Sun and its Lustre and take it thus 46. We liken the Sun to the Creature of Christ in a similitu de which is indeed a Body and we liken the whole Deep of this world to the Eternal word in the Father 47. Now we see plainly that the Sun shineth in the whole Deepe and giveth it warmth and Power 48. But now we cannot say that in the Deep without or beyond the body of the Sun there is not also the power of the Sun if that were not there then would the Deep also not receive the power and Lustre of the Sun it is onely thus one power and Lustre receiveth the other the Deep with its Lustre is hidden is hidden with its Lustre 49. If God would please the whole deep would be a Meer Sun it were but onely to be kindled that the Water might be sawallowed up and come to be a Spirit then would the Lustre of the Sun shine every where if the Fires Centre should but kindle as it is in the Place of the Sun 50. Know also that we understand that the Heart of God hath rested from Eternity but with the moving entring into the wisdom it is become manifest in all Places 51. Though yet in God there is neither place nor Mark but meerly in the Creature of Christ there hath the Total holy Trinity manifested it self in a Creature and so through the Creature through the whole Heaven 52. He is gone thither and hath prepared the place for us where we shall see his Light and dwell in his wisdom and Eat of his divine Substantiality his Substantiality filleth the Heaven and Paradise 53. Were we not in the beginning made out of Gods Substantiality why should we not also stand therein 54. As the Air and the Water fill this world and all of us enjoy them so in the hiddenness is the divine Substantiality which we enjoy if with earnest Imagining and with the will we giveâ— up our selves thereinto 55. And this now is Christs flesh and blood in the divine power for the Flesh and Blood of the Creature of Christ standeth therein and is one Beeing one Power one Spirit one God one fulnesse altogether undivided by any place yet in its own Principle 56. A swinish man will here say O how we will devour him O thou Ass first come so far that you may reach him for thou shalt not devour him with thy Earthly Mouth 57. He is a Principle Deeper and yet is the Outward He was in the Virgin Mary and also as to his Birth in this world and will also appear at the last day in all the Three Principles before all Men and Devils 58. He hath truly teken upon him the Earthly source or quality but in his Death when he overcame Death the divine source swallowed up the Earthly and took away its Dominion 59. Not in that manner as if Christ had laid off somewhat but the outward Source or Quality became overcome and as it were swallowed up and in that he now liveth he liveth in God 60. Thus was Adam also to be but stood not and therefore must the Word be generated and become Man and give it selfe up into the Substantiality that we might receive power to be able to live in God 61. Thus hath Christ restored or brought back again what Adam lost and much more for the Word is every where become Man 62. Understand it is every where opened in the divine Substantiality wherein our Eternal Humanity doth Consist 63. For in that Bodily Substance shall we stand in Eternity wherein the Virgin of God standeth 64. We must put on Gods Virgin for Christ hath put it on he is become Man in the Eternall virgin and in the Earthly virgin 65. Though the Earthly was no right Virgin but the Heavenly divine made it to be a Vigin in the blessing that is in the opening of the Word and Covenant for that part in Mary which she inherited from Adam out of the heavenly Substantiality which Adam made Earthly that became blessed 66. Thus the Earthly part in her onely dyed the other liveth Eternally and came to be a chast modest virgin again not in the Death but in the blessing 67. When God opened himselfe in her then she put on the virgin of God and became a Masculine virgin in the Heavenly part 68. Thus Christ became born of a right pure chast heavenly Virgin for she received in the blessing the Limbus of God into her Matrix in her Seed 69. She received no strange thing onley the Limbus opened it selfe in her in Gods power wherein Adam was Dead that in Gods moving became living 70. And Gods Essence in the word of Life entered in into her Limbus wherein the souls Center became opened so that Mary became impregnated of a Soul and also of a Spirit both heavenly and Earthly 71. And this was a Right Image of God a Similitude according to and in the Holy Trinity out of all the Three Principles The Nineth Chapter Of Maries Virginity what she was before the Blessing and what she came to be in the Blessing 1. IT is highly necessary for Us poor Children of Eve to know this for our Eternall Salvation lyeth therein It is the Gate of Immaâ—uel and the whole Christian Faith Standeth therein and it is also the Gate of the Greatest Secret Arcanum 2. For herein lyeth inclosed the Secrecy of Man in that he is the Similitude
Gods wisdome as in a Looking-Glass and hath stood against the Center of the Father viz the Center of the Fire and fierce wrath Not in the fierce wrath of the Essence but in the Light in the Lights Essence 31. And Man was foreseen also in that Essence in the Name JESU before the foundation of the world was laid wherein Adam then was in a Heavenly Essence without a Naturall and Creaturely Substance 32. For in the Wsdom the Fall was known e're Man became a Creature and that accoording to the fires property not in the Lights property but according to the first Principle 33. And thus now according to our deep knowledge we say of Mary that before the time of the opening and Massage of the Angel she was such a Virgin as Eve was when she wen out of Paradise 34. E're Adam knew her then indeed she was a Virgin but the right virginity was perished in her and infected with the Earthly Longing and the beastiall property was manifested on her 35. For the Earthly Imagination destroyed the heavenly property so that she was a Woman and was not chast pure Immaâ—â—â—aâ—e 〈◊〉 36. For She was but one part of the Heavenly Virgin the Other Part was Adam 37. And so there hath been no right pure virgin generated from Eve which was totall or entire in Substance the Turba destroyed the virgininity in all till the Saviour or Champion in the Battel Came who was a total masculine Virgin in Gods wisdom according to the Heavenly Substance and the Earthly hung to him but the heavenly ruled over the Earthly for so should Adam also be but he stood not 38. Therefore we say with good ground that Mary was the Daughter of Joachim and Anna and hath according to the Earthly part their Substantiality Essentially in her 39. And then we say that she was the Daughter of Gods Covenant and that God hath fixed the Mark of Regeneration in her so that the whole Old Testament hath looked into that Mark and all Prophets have Prophesied concerning that Mark that God would open the rhe Eternall Virginity again and that that Mark was blessed 40. For God had given himselfe with his Mercy with the Covenant of Promise into this Mark and the word of Promise stood in the Covenant in the Light of Life against the Anger 41. And the first world before the Deluge or Floud and after became saved in that Covenant which God set before himself as a Virgin-like Looking-Glass for the Eternal Virgin appeared in the Covenant as in Gods Looking-Glass and the Deity delighted it self therein 42. For if Israel had kept the Covenant and performed the work of the Covenant then that had been acceptible to God as if the humanity had been in the Looking-Gâ—ass of wisdome and though indeed Israel were Earthly and Evil yet nevertheless God dwelt in Israel in his Covenant in the Wisdome according to his Love and Mercy 43. Thus the Works of the Law were a Looking-Glass before God till the Life became generated or Born out of the Covenant till the fulfilling came and there the Works in the Looking-Glass Ceased and the work of the fulfilling in the flesh and blood in the Heavenly Substantiality began to rise again 44. For in Mary was the beginning when the Angel brought the Message and she said he is done unto me as thou hast said there instantly the Center of Life in the Word of God viz in the Heart of God moved in her dead heavenly seed 45. For all the Three Principles of the Deity became stirring and catched hold of the divine Tincture in the Dead heavenly Substantiality 46 Not that God stood without Substance but Man was dead in the heavenly Substance and now came the Heart of God with living divine Substantiality into Death and awakened or raised up the Dead Substantiality 47. It did not at this time take away the Earthly source or quality but entered into the Earthly source or quality as a Lord and Vanquisher of the source or quality 48 For the right Life should be introduced through Death and the Anger of God which was done on the Cross where death was destroyed and the fierce wrath captivated and was quenched and vanquished with the Love 49. And thus we understand now what Mary with the fulfilling was come to be viz a right pure Virgin according to the heavenly Part for when the Heart of God moved it selfe and that the Day brake forth in her then shone in her the Light of the Clarity or brightness and purity of God for her dead virginity viz Gods wisdome became opened and Living 50. For she became filled with the divine virginity viz with Gods wisdome 51. And in that wisdome and divine Substantiality as also in the dead and now living Substantiality the Word became flesh a Sulphur with the Center of Nature out of the Fathers Essence and out of Mary's Essence a life out of Death a fruit with both the Tinctures perfectly whereas both the Tinctures were but One. 52. And as Adam was become a Man so Christ became a Man also according to the outward World 53. For not Eves Image in the Womans Tincture was to remain but Adams Image was to remain as he was a Man and also a Woman 54. But yet being one of the Marâ—s must appear according to the Might and power of the outward Fiat and that also the Champion in the Battel would be fixed and persented in all the Three Principles therefore the Champion in the Battel gat Masculine Marks of distinctionâ— 55. For the Man hath the Fires Tincture viz of the Fathers property so now the Father is the strength and Might of all things and the Sonne is his Love 56. Thus the Word became Man in the feminine Essence but became a Man that his love might quench the Anger and fierce wrath in the Father 57. For Venus's Tincture hath the Water-source or quality and the Woman hath Venus's Tincture Thus must the Fire become quenched by the water of Eternal Life and the Fathers burning Essence in the Fire become quenched again 58. Now we know that Mary the Mother of Christ according to Flesh Soul and Spirit in the blessing is a pure chast Virgin for that is her Blessing that God hath opened himself in her 59. She hath carried the Word of Life in her Body that hath moved it self in her 60. She hath not moved the Word but the Word hath moved her both the fruit which she did bear and her Soul as also that part of her dead Substantiality so that her Soul instantly became environed with the divine living Substantiality 61. Not according to the Earthly part viz according to the Third Principle but according to the Second Principle so that thus the Earthly did but hang upon her 62. For her soul should also with the word of Life which in her became Man together enter through death and the Anger of the Father
have suffered it selfe to be impregnated with Earthly seed 94. Here it attaineth the right fires and Mans Tincture so that thus it is also a right Masculine Virgin as Adam was in his Iâ—nocency The Tenth Chapter Of the Becoming Man or Incarnation of Jesus Chrst the Sonne of God and how he lay Nine Months as all the Children of Men shut up in his Mothers Body or Womb and how properly his Becoming Man is 1. MEn have had much disputing about Christs becoming Man but very blindly and have made many Opinions concerning it and so Men have beene turned about with Opinion and have left and let the right becoming Man or Incarnation lye still upon which our Eternal Salvation dependeth 2. Of which all the cause hath been that Men have sought it in outward Wit or Understanding and Art and Not at the right Mark Aim or Place 3. If a Man were entered into Christs becoming Man or Incarnation and were born of or out of God it would need no disputing for the Spirit of God openeth to every one the becoming Man or Incarnation even in himself and without this there is no finding it 4. For how will we find in this Worlds Reason that which is not in this World we find in the outward Reason scarce any Glimps thereof but in Gods Spirit is the right finding 5. The becoming Man or Incarnation of Christ is such a Mystery as which the Outward Reason knoweth nothing of for it is done in all the Three Principles and cannot be searched out unless a man know the first Man in his Creation before the Fall 6. For Adam was to generate the Second Man with the Character of the Holy Trinity out of himselfe in which the Name JESUS was Imaged or Incorporated 7. But that could not be and therefore must another Adam come in whom it was possible for Christ is the Virgin-like Image with the Character of the Holy Trinity he is conceived in Gods Love and generated in this world 8. Adam had divine Substantiality and his soul was out of the first Principle out of the Fathers property and that should have with its Imagination inclined it selfe into the Fathers Heart viz into the Word and Spirit of Love and purity and have eaten of the Substantiality of Love and then it had reteined Gods Substance in the Word of Life in it selfe and would have been impregnated with the power out of the Heart of God 9. Whence then it should have Imagined out of it selfe into â—s substantiality and it selfe have impregnated its Substantiality so that a whole similitude according to the first Image would have Existed through the Imagination and the yeelding up of the Soul into it and be conceived in the power of the Substantiality 10. But being this could not be done in Adam because of the Earâ—â—liness which clave to him therefore it was done in the Second Adam Christ who was in such a manner conceived through Gods Imagination and entering into the Image of the first Adam 11. And it is known to us that being the first Adam had fixed his Imagination in the Earthliness he is become Earthly and that done against the purpose of God yet the purpose of God must stand 12. For here God set his purpose in Adams Child and brought his Imagination into the perished Image and Impregnated the same with his divine power and Substantiality and Converted the Souls will out of the Earthliness into God so that thus Mary became Impregnated with such a Childe as Adam should have been impregnated with 13. Which selfe ability could not effect but sunk down into sleepe viz into the Magia where then the Woman was made out of Adam which should not have been Made but Adam should himselfe have impregnated in Venus's Matrix and have generated Magically 14. But seeing that might not be therefore was Adam divided and his own wilâ— of Great Might and power was broken in him and shut up in Death 15. And seeing he would not set his Imagination into the Spirit of God therefore must his great Might and power in Death hold still and let the Spirit of God set his Imogination into it and do with it what he will 16. Therefore Gods Spirit awakened the Life to him out of that Death and became the Spirit of that Life that the Image and Similitude according to God which was known from Eternity in Gods wisdom might yet be generated and subsist 17. For it stood before the time of the World and from Eternity in the Virgin-Looking-Glass in the wisdom of God and that in two Forms 18. Viz according to the First Principle of the Father in the Fire and in the second Principle of the Sonne in the Light and yet was onely Manifest in the Light and in the Fire as it were in a Magia viz in a possibility 19. As the Starry Heaven modelleth to Man a figure in sleep in his Minde according to its ability or possibility so also hath the Image in the Center of the Fires Nature appeared altogether Invisibly 20. But in the wisdom in the Looking-Glass of the Deity it hath appeared as an Image like a shadow yet without Material Substance and yet hath been in the Essence of that Spirit 21. Which if it had discerned it selfe in the Looking-Glass of the wisdome it would have known and seen this Image and would once have set its will thereinto to bring it into Substantiality that God might have an Image or similitude in Substance where it might not need any more to see it selfe as in a Looking-Glass but find it selfe in Substance 22. Therefore seeing the first Image Imagined into the stern Might and power and thereupon became Earthly and Dead Gods Spirit brought its will and life into Death and took to it selfe again the first Life out of Death that the first Life might stand in full obedience before it and that it alone may be the Will and the Deed. 23. Thus it is known to us that God hath Entered into the halfe dead Image understand into Mary and even into that virgin-like form which lay shut up in Death wherein Adam should have become impregnated and generated an Image of himselfe in the Virgin-like Chastity 24. In this shut up Virgin-like half dead Matrix is Gods Word or Heart viz the Center of the Holy Trinity become a Humane Image without hurt to his Substance 25. And whereas the first living Virgin-like Matrix in Adam would not be obedient to God yet now when it was again awakened and raised out of Death it became Obedient and gave it selfe totally humbly and willingly into Gods will and thus now the right Virgin-like Image became figured into the Obedience of God again 26. For the first will must remain in Death which Imagined against Gods will and a pure Obedient will became awakened which might remain in the heavenly Meekness which would no more suffer the Image in the fire in the Fathers part to
of the first Adam he was contrived or Imagined out of the Lights Essence and substantiality but being he was to go into a Creature and was to be a total or entire Similitude of God according to all substances according to all the Three Principles therefore he became also apprehended with the word Fiat in all substances of all the Three Principles and was brought into a Creature 27. Now certainly all the three Principles were free in Him and stood one in another each in its Order and so he was a right totall or entire similitude of God according to and out of the substance of all substances 18. But we are to know and observe How the Third Principle viz the source or quality of this world in the kindling of Lucifer became totally fierce wrathful thirsty and base or Evill and instantly in Adam thirsted after the Second Principle viz after the heavenly Matter whence the Longing in Adam Existed for the source or quality of the pure Love out of the Holy Spirit had refused that 29. But when the Love entered into the Earthly source or quality to satisfie it in its kindled thirst then the pure Material love conceived or received the desirous Earthly perished Cortupt Longing 30. And then the second Principle Extinguished not as a Death as that it were become a Nothing but it became caprivated in the fierce wrathful thirst 31. Now then seeing God is a Light the pure Love-source or quality stood as shut up in Death without the Light of God 32. And now the Image was perished and captivated in the fierce wrath of God and the Own selfe-love lost its might and strength for it was shut up in the perished corrupt Earthliness and loved Earthlness 33. Thus a Woman or Wife must be made out of this Image and the Two Tinctures viz the fires Essence and the Matrixes watery Essence must be parted viz into a Man and a Woman 34. Whereas yet the Love thus became moving in a twofold source or quality and so one Tincture loved and desired the other and mingled together whence the Generation was to be propagated and maintained 35. But now this Generation of Men thus in the Earthly source or quality could not know or see God for the pure Immaculate Love was shut up in the Earthly thirsty source or quality and was shut up and captivated in the fierce wrath of the Eternal Nature which Lucifer had kindled for the fierce wrath had attracted the love with the Earthliness into it self 36. That now in the captivated love stood the virgin-like Mcdesty or Chastity of the wisdome of God which to Adam was with the second Principle with the heavenly substantiality together incorporated to his body and much more the Spirit of the Meek substantiality through the breathing in of the Holy Spirit which was breathed into Adam 37. And so now ther was no Remedy unless the Deity awakened it selfe in the divine Virgin according to the second Principle in the virginity which was shut up in Death and that another Image came to be out of the First 38. Thus it is sufficiently known and understood by us that the first Image must be given to the fierce wrath wherewith it might quench its thirst and must go into Consumption as into the Essential fire whereas yet the Essence dieth not nor consumeth 39. For which cause God hath appointed a Day wherein he will being the Essence of the Old and first Adam through the fire that it might be delivered or loosed from the vanity viz form the Longing of the Devil and of the Anger of the Eternal Nature 40. And we understand further that God hath again borught into US the life of his Eternal substance when he moved himselfe with his own heart and Word or power of the divine Life in the virginity which was shut up in Death viz in the true pure Love and kindled that again and introduced his heavenly substantiality with the pure Virginity into the virginity which was shut up in Death and hath out of the heavenly and out of the Virginity that was shut up in Death and Anger generated a New Image 41. And then Thirdly we understand that this New Image must through Death and the fierce wrath of the fire be introuduced again into the heavenly divine substantialit in Ternarium Sanctum into the Holy Ternary 42. For the Earthly longing which the Devil had possessed must remain in the Fire and was given to the Devil for food therein he Adams virginity and introduced it out of Death through Gods fire into the divine source or quality 51. Christ is become Adam not the divided but the virgin-like Adam which Adam was before his sleepe 52. He hath introduced the perished-corrupted in Death into Gods fire and hath brought forth the pure virgin-like out of Death through the fire whose Sonne thou art if thou dost not remain lying in Death as rotten wood which cannot qualifie or operate which in the fire giveth no Essence but becometh Dark or black Synder or Ashes Question 53. Now saith Reason how cometh it then seeing I am Christs Member and Gods Childe that I do not find nor feel him Answer 54. Here indeed sticketh the Matter deare defiled piece of Wood smell into thy bolome what is it thou stinkest of Even of Hellish Lust and Longing viz of Hellish voluptuous pleasure Covetousness honour and power 55. Hearken these are the Devils Garment pluck off the Hide or skin and cast it away put thy desire into Christs Life Spirit flesh and bloud Imagine thereinto as thou hast Imagined into the Earthly Longing and so thou wilt put on Christ in thy Body and in thy flesh and blond thou wilt become Christ his becoming Man or Incarnation will instantly unite it self in thee and thou wilt become born or generated in Christ 56. For the Deity or the Word which moved it selfe in Mary and became Man that became Man also in like manner in all Men that had dyed from Adam to that time who had given up and Commended their Spirits into God or into the Promised Messiah 57. And it passed upon all those which were yet to be born out of the Corrupted perished Adam who would but suffer that word to awaken them or arise in them for the first Man comprehendeth also the last 58. Adam is the stock we all are his branches but Christ is become our sap virtue and life 59. Now if a branch on the Tree withereth what can the virtue and the sap of the Tree do to it It giveth its virtue to all brances why then doth not the branceh draw the sap and virtue into it 60. The fault is that Man draweth devillish virtue or power and Essence or sap instead of divine Essence into himselfe and letteth the Devil seduce him into Earthly desires longing and lust 61. For the Devil knoweth the Branch which in the Country that was his is grown up to him and still groweth and
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
to the outward Man but as to the Inward therefore we will pourtray it in a similitude for the Readers sake and for our Refreshment 10. If we would consider our selves how we are so twofold with a Twofold Mind Thoughts senses and will we can not better come to the knowledge thereof then by considering the Creature or Creation 11. We see a rude stone lying on the ground and in many of them there is the best Gold and we see plainly how the Gold glisters in the Stone but the stone is inanimate and knoweth not that it hath such Noble precious Gold in it 12. So also we we are Earthly Sulphur but we have an Heavenly Sulphur in the Earthly wherein each is its own by it selfe 13. Indeed during this life time they are one among another but they qualifie or operate not together one with the other the one is the conteiner and dwelling-house of the other 14. As we see in Gold that the rude drossy stone is not the Gold but is onely its receptacle that conteineth it also it s rude drossiness doth not afford the Gold but the Tinctura solis or Tincture of Sol affordeth it in the rude Stone 15. But the rude Stone is the Mother and Sol is the Father for Sol impregnateth the rude stone because it hath the Center of Nature out of which Sol hath its Original 16. If we would go on into the Center we would set it down but seeing it is sufficiently explained in the other writings we let it alone here 17. But so it is also with Men the Earthly Man is signified by the rude drossy Stone Sol signifieth the Word which became Man which impregnateth the corrupted perished Man 18. The cause is this the Corrupted perished Man is indeed Earthly he hath the Eternal Center of Nature he longeth after Gods Sol for in his Creation Gods Sol was taken along to his Substance 19. But now the rude Stone hath over-grown the Gold and hath swallowed it up into it selfe so that the Gold is intermixed with the rude drossy Sulphur and cannot escape the rude Sulphur unless it be clensed in the fire so that the rude drossiness be melted away and then Sol remaineth alone 20. Understand this of Dying and consuming therein the rude drossy Earthly flesh is melted away and then the virgin-like spiritual flesh remaineth alone 21. Understand us aright what we mean we speak the precious and sublime Truth as we know and understand it 22. The New-Man is not onely a Spirit He is even Flesh and Blood as the Gold in the stone is not onely Spirit it hath a Body but not such a one as the rude drossy stone is but a Body which subsisteth in the Center of Nature in the Fire 23. Whose Body the fire cannot Consume and that because the Gold hath another Principle 24. Dost thou know this thou Earthly Man No It justly remaineth Mute in silence for the Earth is not worthy of the Gold though indeed it carrieth it and also generateth it 25. So also the earthly Man is not worthy of the Jewel which he carrieth and though indeed he helpeth to generate it yet he is but dark or dusky Earth in respect of the virgin-childe born of God 26. And as the Gold hath a true Body which lyeth hidden and captive in the rude drossy stone so also the virgin-like Tincture in the Earthly Man hath a true real Heavenly divine Body in flesh and blood 27. But not in such flesh and and blood as the Earthly It can subsist in the Fire it goeth through Stone and Wood and is not apprehended as the Gold presseth through the rude Stone and breaketh it Not neither doth it break or destroy it self 28. Thus it is also with the Earthly Man when he conceiveth the Word of life which became Man in Christ then he conceiveth it in the perished Sulphur of his flesh and Blood in the virgin-like Center which was shut up in Death wherein Adam was a virgin like Image wherein the wilde Earth inveloped his Gold of the clear Divine Substantiality so that the heavenly must stand in Death in the Center of the Fire In that very Center I say 29. And in that very Center the Word of Life moved it self which became Man in Mary and therein the Substantiality shut up in Death attained a living Tincture 30. And then the Noble Gold viz the heavenly substantiality in Death began to sprout forth and had instantly in it selfe the Holy Spirit in the word of Life which there proceedeth from the Father and the Sonne and maketh the wisdome viz the heavenly Virgin as a Looking-Glass of the Express Image of the Deity as a pure Sulphur for it selfe a pure flesh and bloud wherein it dwelleth 31. Not earthly Essence but divine Essence out of the heavenly Substantiality 32. This is the true real Flesh and Blood of Christ for it groweth in Christs Spirit in the word of Life which became Man which brake or destroyed Death wherein the divine Tincture sprouted again and generated substance out of it selfe 33. For all is generated and proceeded out of Gods desiring But if God be a fire and also a Light then it is sufficiently knowable to Us out of what every thing is proceeded 34. Yet we cannot by any means say otherwise then that out of the Good and richly amiable Good is proceeded 35. For a Good-desiring will conceiveth in its Imagination its like it maketh that through the hunger of its desiring like it selfe 36. Thus it is knowable to us that being the Deity hath pleased to have a Looking-Glass an Image of its like that the divine longing Pleasure or Placet would also in its impregnating have the Good and Most lovely to be generated in its desirous will a right similitude according to the Good according to the clear bright Deity 37. But that the Earthly hath intermixed it selfe therewith that is the fault of the desirous Anger viz of the fire the fault of the Devil who with his Imagination kindled it 38. Thus also it is highly knowable to us That God would not forsake his own his very best and loveliest of all which he Created to his likeness into a Creaturely substance 39. He rather became himselfe such a one as he had Created that he might generate or bring forth the perished or corrupted out of perdition or Corruption again and put or change it into the Best wherein he might Eternally dwell 40. And we say with good ground that God himself dwelleth Subsistingly in the New Man not through a Glimps or a strange Glance or appearance but substantially yet in his own Principle 41. The outward Man toucheth or apprehendeth him not 42. Also the flesh and Blood of the New-Man is not God It is heavenly Substantiality God is Spirit God doth not perish or Corrupt though plainly the Substance perisheth or Corrupteth thus God remaineth in himself 43. He needeth no
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
Longing Malady The Gate of the New-Man 43. This is now to be understood thus God is become Man and hath introduced our humane soul into the divine substantiality again in Christ that eateth again of the divine substantiality viz of the love and meekness and drinketh of the water-spirit of Eternal Life out of the Eternal wisdome which is the fountaine of divine substantiality 44. That same soul of Christ hath gotten divine heavenly flesh and Bloud on it together with the word which is the Center of the Light-world which therein Imagineth or longeth after the poor Captive Souls that very Word dwelleth in the divine substantiality and in the virgin of Wisdom 45. But came into Mary and took our own Flesh and Bloud into the divine substantiality and brake and destroyed the power which held us captive in the anger of Death and of the fierce wrath on the Cross viz in the Center of Nature of the Original in the Fathers Eternal willing to Nature out of which our soul was taken 46. And kindled in that same Essence viz in the souls dark fire the burning Light fire again and brought the other or second willing of the soul through the fire of God viz quite forth out of the Original into the burning white clear bright Light 47. And when Nature in the soul found this it became richly full of Joy it brake Death in pieces and sprouted with Gods power forth into the Light world and made out of the fire a Love-desire so that in Eternity no fire more is perceived or known but a great and strong will in the Love after its sprouts and branches viz after our souls 48. And this is that which we say God thirsteth after our souls He is become our stock we are his sprouts and branches 49. As a stock alwaies giveth its sap to the Branches so that they live and bear fruit to the Glory of the whole Tree so doth also to us our stock the Lord JESUS CHRIST in the Light world which hath manifested himself in our souls he will have our souls viz his Branches 50. He is entered into Adams place or sted who hath destroyed us he is become Adam in the Regeneration 51. Adam brought our souls into this world into the Death of the fierce wrathfulness and he brought our soul out of Death through the Fire of God and kindled it in the Fire again so that it attained the shining Light again whereas else it had continued in the Dark Death in the Anguish source or quality 52. And now at present it lyeth onely in our selves Entering in that we onely follow after in the same way which he hath made 53. We need onely to cast our Imagination and Total willing into Him which is Called Glauben Believing or Faith and to oppose the Old Earthly willing and so we conceive or receive the Spirit of Christ out of the Regeneration which draweth heavenly substance into our soules viz Christs heavenly flesh and Bloud 54. When the Soul tasteth that then it breaketh through the dark Death in it self and kindleth the Fire of Eternity in it selfe out of which the shining Light of the Meekness burneth 55. That same very Meekness draweth the Soul again into it selfe viz the souls Fire and swalloweth the same up into it selfe and giveth forth out of the Death the Life and Spirit of Christ 56. Thus that same Spirit which goeth forth out of the Eternal fire dwelleth in the Light world with God and is the right Image of the Holy Trinity 57. It dwelleth not in this world the body apprehendeth it not but the Noble Minde wherein the soul is a Fire that apprehendeth it yet not palpably 58. Indeed the Noble Image dwelleth in the souls fire of the Minde but it hovereth therein as the light in the Fire 59. For while the Earthly Man liveth the soul is continually in hazard or Danger for the Devil hath Enmity with it who continually casteth forth his streames with false and wicked Imaginations into the starry and Elementary spirit and reacheth or graspeth therewith after the souls Fire and willeth continually to infect the same with Earthly devils longing and Malady 60. There must the Noble Image defend it self against the Souls fire and there it costeth striving and fighting for the Angels Garland there riseth up often in the Old Adam Anguish doubting and unbelief when the Devil sets upon the soul 61. O thou Cross of Christ how heavy art thou ofentimes how doth the heaven hide it selfe but so the Noble Grain is sown when that is sprung up then it bringeth forth much faire fruit in Patience Thus every little sprout groweth in the soule out of the divine wisedom 62. It must all press forth out of the Anguish Chamber as a sprout out of the root of the Tree it is all generated in the anguish 63. if a Man will have divine knowledge he must very many times go into the anguish-Chamber into the Center for Every sparckle of the Divine Ingenium wit skil or understanding out of Gods wisedom must become generated out of the Center of Nature else it is not permanent or Eternal 64. It must out of the Eternal Ground stand upon the Eternal Root and so it is a Sprout in Gods Kingdome out of Christs Tree 65. Thus we understand the Dying what it is and wherefore Christ must have dyed and why we must all dye in Christs Death if we will possess his Glory 66. The Old Adam cannot do that he must again into that out of which he is gone forth he shall be tryed through the fire of God and give up the wonders again which he hath swallowed up 67 They must come again to Man and appear to Man according to his will so far as he hath here made them in Gods willing but so for as to Gods dishonour so they belong to the Devil in the Abyss 68. Therefore let every one look to it what they here doe and make with what Minde and Conscience he speaketh doth and â—â—nye seth it shall all be tryed through the Fire 69. And what is capable of the Fire that it shall devour and give it to the Abyss in the Anguish of that a man shall have loss and hurt and shall want it in the other world 70 Instead of having Joy that he was a Labourer in the Vineyard of God he will be found to be a sluggish servant 71. Therefore will also the power Might clarity and brightnesse in the wonders of the divine wisdome in the other world be very unlike and different 72. Many is here a wiched King but in the other world to come a swine-heard shall be preferred before him in the Clarity brightnesse and Wisdome the Cause is his wonders wil be given to the Abyss being they were Evil. 73. Behold ye dear Men I shew ye a similitude of the Angelicaâ— world behold the flowery blossoming
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
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