Also we must know whoever will understand the Old Testament must set before him the two Types externally Adam the earthy Man and internally Christ and change both these into one and so he may apprehend Moses and the Prophets CHAP. XLVII Of the Covenant of Abimelech and Abraham and what it points at 1. BEershebah a bruising to Death is the same Fountain which the Angel shewed Hagar which Abraham viz. Christ digged and there afterwards preached the Eternal God The Covenant between Abimelech and Abraham is the Covenant of Christ with the Humanity where he sware not to destroy the Humanity as he said he was not come to condemn the World Abimelech viz. the Soul out of the Father's Property Picholl the outward Nature the third Principle Field-Captain or Officer of the Soul Abraham is Christ in the Humanity Now Abimelech's restoring Abraham's Wife saying he knew not c. signifieth That the Soul of Adam knew not Christ in the Tincture of Heavenly Venus therefore went into Self-lust but when God shewed it to the Soul the Soul said I knew not that God's Wife the Holy Tincture the Heavenly Matrix was in me 2. But now I restore whatever I have taken of the Divine Worlds Property it is thy Wife then all the Women of Abimelech and his Servants Eves Daughters were healed 3. Christ here sweareth not to shew any unkindness to the Human Property nor to the Children nor to the Grandchildren or Nephews viz those springing out of the wild Property where often a wicked Husband or Wife are joyned to a godly one and so those Children spring from the wild Property 'T is said Thou shalt do according to the kindness that I have done unto thee viz in restoring thy Wife thy Image shalt thou do to me and to the Land viz. the outward Man wherein thou viz. Christ sojournest art a Stranger Which Christ Sweareth As I live saith c. Then Abraham Christ reproved Abimelech the Soul that the Soul's Servants the Essences of Nature had taken away the Well the Essence from the Heavenly Corporality viz. Christ's Body in Adam for Christ's Holy Fountain sprung up in the fiery Essence of the Soul which being taken to Self-Power the Heavenly Image disappeared And Abimelech the Soul answered I knew not till this Day viz. that the Devil had deceived me 4. Then Abraham viz. Christ took Sheep his Children the Jews and Oxen the Gentiles and gave them to the Father of whose Property the Soul is by an everlasting Covenant And set seven Ewe Lambs apart viz. the seven Properties of the Natural Humanity of Christ manifested in us A part viz. a distinct Person 5. We poor Jews and Gentiles may not say we are Christ but his House he is a part with the Divine Property But in right resignation when Man's Will is Dead to Self Christ only liveth in it such Eternally witness that Christ digged the Well At Beersheba the place of Contrition Christ planted Trees Heavenly Branches Preached c. and remained there a long time viz. all the time of the Natural Life CHAP. XLVIII Of Abraham's Offering up Isaac 1. ABraham is represented in Adams stead Isaac in Christs Humanity The Voice is God the Fathers so is Christ Offered by Adam's Children the Jews to the Fathers Fire Thy Son whom thou lovest viz. thy will brought into Self-love in the devoration of which in Gods Wrath-fire the true Man Created in Adam must be form'd and preserv'd as Gold or Silver in the Crucible where Copper and all Impurities evaporate On Mount Moriah which God not we chuseth 2. Christ wholly resigns up our Humane Will of self to his Father in his Death for all and in all Men As when the stock of a Tree dyeth the Branches die also and as the Tree reneweth its Youth as the Râ—d of Aaron did it introduceth new Life into its â—ranches Abraham rose early teaching immediate obedience And girt his Ass the Bestial Man with power Took with him two young Men one the Soul from the first Principle the other the Spirit of the outward Life Clave the Wood as Adam clave Gods Love and Anger On the third day pointing at Adam's sleep to the Angelical World and the time of Christs Resurrection Afar off the Final Offering of Christ above two Thousand years The two young Men to tarry with the Ass till Christ is Offered and come again Abraham took the Knife and Fire Gods Anger and Death Isaac said Here is the Wood the Sins of all Men and the Fire Gods Wrath but where is the Lamb Abraham's Ens of Faith saw the Lamb. Abraham bound Isaac so was Christ and so must our self-wills be bound and resign'd to God in entire earnestness The Angel calleth hurt not Nature as he had done to Hagar at Beersheba He saw a Ram hung c. shews death kills not the true Man but the pushing Beast hung in the Devils Thickets of Thorny Cares and Vanity Next follows the Blessing increase and prevalency And Abraham return'd with his Son and two young Men to Beersheba into the toil and labour of this World so God exerciseth his people not always in operation of the Spiritual Figures but in weakness and infirmities in the Kingdom of Nature And sometimes again under the Cross and so they grow as in a Field sometimes Storms sometimes Sun-shine 3. Nahor Abraham's Brother had eight Sons by Milcah of whom came great Nations the Assyrians who tho' they sprung not from the Ens of Faith in the Line of Christ the Blessing of Abraham passed on them CHAP. XLIX Of Sarah's Death and Abraham's Hereditary Sepulchre 1. WHile Abraham lived he was a Stranger no continuing abode had he but when his Sarah died he would have a certain Possession of a peculiar and Hereditary Sepulchre for his Wife himself and Children which he would not have to be given him but bought it of the Sons of Heth and Ephron for four hundred Sheckles of Silver viz. the Cave of Machpelah The inward Figure of which is That 2. When Isaac viz. Christ is come the two fold Body returns back to its original Mother the Eternal and Temporal Nature When the Saints die to self the outward Life The resigned Life will no longer stand in a strange Serpentine one it cannot of due right take the first true Field but it must be purchased Thus Abraham in the Figure of Christ doth of the Sons of Heth who stand in the Fathers Figure And that Christs Ransom is signified by four hundred Sheckles hath this meaning The first is the true Magical Fire the second is the Light the third the holy sound of the Mental Tongue the fourth the conceived Ens of the other Properties forming the holy Life This is the pure Silver 3. And whereas the Children of Heth would freely have given it yet at last took Money for it So hath God the Father freely given the Kingdom of Grace to Christ
and travel'd to be deliver'd from the Bondage of it crying to God because of the Rigor of their Servitude as the Poor where-ever they are oppressed may do assuring themselves their cause is weighed 3. In this needful time God appears to Moses in the Fire of the first the Flame and Lustre of the second in the Bush representing the third both to shew them what they had lost and that as the Fire could burn in the Bush without consuming it so could the first and second Principles have well consisted with the third had the due order been kept 4. For when the Harmony was preserv'd the first with its four Properties was as a Root to the whole the second as a Life to the Root and the whole the third a Fruit or Vertue of and in the whole 5. Whereas in the Severation and Disorder the first was a fire to the whole the second only as an incomprehensible unknown Life and Witness and the third a Life of Vexation Sorrow and Pain and loaden with the Curse 6. Therefore was it the Lord appear'd in the Idea of the two first Principles and so appearing sanctified the third which was meant by the Command that Moses should put off his Shoes because the place was Holy Ground 7. By the first Principle is signified the Lord's Jealousie and Zeal and by the second his merciful Love and Pity Therefore is this Figure as are many others repeated over a thousand times from Age to Age on and towards the Souls of all God's ransom'd and Redeem'd ones Q. 96. From or out of what Power did Moses do his Works of wonder before Pharaoh A. 1. The Apostle saith I can do all things through Christ that strengtheneth me But to shew what Power enabled Moses to do his Wonders It must be known whither go the Groans and Complaints of the oppressed It is answered into the Principle of God's severe Justice such time as wicked Oppressors destroy and devour Wicked Men like themselves 2. But when cruel Beasts grind and hunt the Lord's Flock who are not of their Game though they also have the Beasts Hide on them but return Good for Evil Praying for their Persecutors This passeth into the Principle of fierceness with respect to the Enemy but the Holy World the Fountain of Grace and Compassion is strongly prest upon with respect to the wronged Children 3. And unless the Oppressor enter into the Grace Principle by humble earnest Repentance all his Works Words Thoughts and every their Aggravations go into a Substance and are treasur'd up for God's Judgment and then those that sow the Wind shall reap the Whirlwind 4. And from the Holy World is it said I have seen I have seen the affliction c. I have heard c. and am come down So that Moses ability lay in the Abyss of God's Power and Holiness that is in both first and second Principles 5. For whereas the Avarice Haughtiness Envy and Cruelty of the Driver goes into the Treasure of God's Wrath so the Patience of the Lord's Family goes into the Treasure of God's infinite Love-Principle and Holiness as we therefore reap Wheat or Cockles whence we sowed them so is it here thus Moses had Power out of his first Principle of awakened Zeal to Muster the fierce Qualities in the third Principle and bring them like a Victorious Army upon Egypt and out of the Treasure of Divine Grace to visit secure and exempt Gâ—shen 6. Yet God is but only One thus the sweet Odour of fragrant Herbs and the fumes of foetid Weeds differently ascend from one fire wherein they are burnt 7. Is it occasionally ask'd whence is the Power the Magicians did their Wonders by It 's answered it proceeded out of the divided Properties and Powers of the spoken formed Word or Out-birth which the Ancients were skill'd in yet was theirs impotent when in competition with the might Moses exerted for his was the speaking forming Holy Powers whereof theirs was a Figure and Representation 8. But our Modern Pretenders to Wisdom in Nature are Men of Words having neither Divine Substance as was in Moses and the Prophets nor true Knowledge of the figure or formed outward Powers as had the Antients but pretending Divinity to Umbrage their shallowness do call God's Power in the Out-birth Diabolical and pretending Philosophy fill their Schools and Books with an empty Sound of vain words fictitious and fabulous neither knowing what they say nor whereof they affirm first Coin feigned words then contend about their Etymologies thus fighting with a shadow themselves give being to instead of seeking the Spirits of the Letters of the Holy Tongue whence we departed by our Confusion at Babel Q. 97. What figure is the Departure or bringing forth of the Children of Israel out of Egypt A. 1. Man exchanged Paradise for the third Principle the Substance for the figure or obscure Representation and thereby his till then immortal Body became by the Contagion of the Fruit of the same like the Beast an Accident no longer a Substance Whereunto was added a Curse that by toil and sweat he should gather his sustenance out of the barren Earth which himself was near come to be 2. A tast and earnest figure whereof was Israel whose Males were either to be Drown'd as soon as Born or Vassals as long as they Lived which yet was but a figure of the best Life Man hath in this World compar'd with that we departed from and whereof Solomon writes his black and pale Characters that it is altogether Vanity and Vanity of Vanities Vexation of Spirit and sore Travel 3. And whereas God tells Abraham his Seed should be in Bondage 400 Years it is a figure that all Poor Mankind undergoeth the Servitude of the four Forms of the first Principle and the four divided Elements 4. And now the figure of their departure out of Egypt stands thus As Man by falling into the third Principle stood with his Astral Man in the four Elements and his Soul in the four Forms of the first Principle which either murthered them at first falling to them or kept in rigorous Vassalage till laying off the Body 5. Out of which a series of Miracles only could deliver So Man can no more ransom or deliver himself than these poor oppressed ones could by their own Power call down the Ten Plagues guide their way and divide the Sea and Jordan 6. And the spoiling the Egyptians by borrowing and bringing away their Jewels shews that God's Children shall carry out of the place of their Captivity under the first and third Principles a Soul and Spirit wholly resigned to God signified by the Jewels of Gold and the Quintessenâ—e or Divine Tincture of the Humanity signified by Jewels of Silver the Seventh or Lâ—â—ar Property 7. And that Moses the Son of Amram of the Tribe of Levi one of their Brethreâ— should be their Deliverer hath this Signification That God raiseth up in Man a Prophet of his Brethren
be considered that this was no Life separate from the Elementary Body but as well it as the Essences of the Soul remained unchanged That Henâ—ch's Time and Ministration shall be within the Circle of Time signified by this that he lived just so many years as are days in one year It shall be in and under the six Forms of Nature not entring as such into the Sabbath as himself was the sixth Generation only excluding Adam who should so have generated The whole Essences of the first Principle and the whole Elementary Body of the third Principle remaining really such shall be throughly irradiated and penetrated by the second Holy Love Principle yet so secretly tho' absolutely as shall not be reached by the outward Eye 3. But in This Administration shall not be Henoch's Translation much less the change or mutation spoken of by the Apostle Paul but they tho' being in shall be yet unknown to the World 4. To the second part of the Question What is become of Henoch so also of Moses and Elias I readily confess to have an impulse and clearness to speak only of Henoch and Elias and concerning them Do answer they are no farther from us than the third Principle or Out-birth can be removed I speak not of Mathematical Distance but Metaphysically of Principles and tho' the Out-birth or Astral World in its divided depravity imageth Hell and Death blended with the Divine Powers yet in its due place it imageth the first and second Principles in sweet Harmony yet still is but an Image 5. Henoch was not transmuted or risen again but translated and hath the third Principle in or on him it is not as with the Saints raised at the period of the Sufferings of our Redeemer for it was with them then raised as it will be with us in the Resurrection It is not with him as with Christ risen and ascended but rather as with Christ when transfigured but not wholly so neither but he is in the Astral Man without the Turba a Substantial Image of the Spiritual World in the Heavenly Harmony 6. It is said of Henoch Gen. 5. 24. he was not which is expounded by the Holy Ghost Heb. 11. 5. he was not found so and no otherwise is it understood of him and Elias 7. They are not in highest Exaltation as those who having laid down their Astral Man and are raised receiving it again in the New Body or Christ's Heavenly Flesh and Blood in the One Holy Element the Divine Substance whereof the Astral World is the Spring and Image which Off-spring and Image Henoch and Elias retain tho' haply in the highest Glory the same Image is yet capable of 8. Therefore was Elias Ministration expected to return as it did once in John the Baptist and again his and Enoch's are yet to do For thus what the Lord Jesus saith of himself is in this state also a fixed Truth John 12. 24. Except a Corn of Wheat fall into the ground and die iâ— remaineth alone but if it die it bringeth forth much fruit Q. 87. What doth Noah's Flood for Sin typifie and point out A. It points out the Judgment of the Great Day 1. That shall be as the other was inevitable 2. That Day after many Warnings through all Ages shall yet come suddenly even as the Deluge after 100 years premonition came as a surprize 3. That Day shall hasten and be shorten'd even as the other was promised to be forborn 120 years came in the one hundredth year after 4. There shall be as safe a Deliverance to all the Children of the Faith of Noah by the Antitype of the Ark as was the Ark to Noah and those with him 5. The True Ark of the Covenant having the first second and third Principle composing and establishing one Eternal Power or Heavenly World is typified by the first second and third Stories of Noah's Ark. This World will be much less excusable than that was among a multitude of Instances producible in this that the Judgment to come is News to few nor hath been as appears by this that tho' in the first publishing the Gospel to the Gentiles many laughed at the News of the Resurrection yet find we none so doing at the Judgment to come Nevertheless how few enquire for the Ark whereas in the first World the Deluge could not be foreknown but by believing the one only Noah 1. It figures Fallen Man as followeth 1. It points out That by Man's departure from the Order wherein he was set his Out-birth over-mastered him as did those Waters overwhelm all 2. As Waters whereof some are sweet others bitter fresh salt stinking or poisonous make all one Flood so all the Properties when separate though various in themselves make up one uncleanness 3. It figures the Universality of Man's Apostacy leaving no Man nor any part of Man exempt from the general Confusion like that of the Flood Q. 88. What doth Noah's Drunkenness signifie by reason whereof he cursed his Son Ham A. 1. Noah represented Adam several ways particularly as he was the beginner of the Second World or Monarchy as Adam was of the First Again Record is made of the Names of but three Sons of Adam viz. Cain Abel and Seth whereof one viz Cain only bare the Image of the Apostacy Noah had also three Sons whereof Ham only bare the same Cursed Image 2. Adam Lusted after This Worlds Property thereby falling from his Divine Understanding Creating Gratifying or Living in the Sensual Image which is signified by Noah's Drunkenness which clouded his Holy Image and uncovered his Shame and Brutish Image which is so evident as needs no enlargement 3. Ham was cursed for he was the Figure of Introduced Bestiality whereunto the Curse was annexed This was That False Lust taking pleasure in Shameful Nakedness therefore of Ham came the filthy and more than beastly Sodomites and the vile brutish Cananites whom Joshuah destroyed 4. But Ham's admission into the Ark shews that the very Mocking-spirited men are noâ— of purpose reprobated but Salvation is tendred them The farther Answer is referr'd to the 34th Chapter of the Mysterium Magnum c. Q. 89. What is the Tower of Babel and wherefore were the Speeches there altered A. 1. The Tower of Babel is Fallen Man's Confidence his Home and his Defence Yet is a mistake having no Foundation but one continued Cheat for whilst Adam stood in the Temperature he needed no Tower for himself in God was a strong Tower standing as the Image and in the Might of all the three Principles and Harmony of all the seven Properties 2. But when Man had run into the multiplicity of the divided Properties the Holy United Powers could no longer be imaged by him as a Branch cut off a Tree retains a little of the worser part but nothing of the vigour of the Tree He became a degenerate Plant and was like a City infested with Intestine Fatal Broils so
only to figure but of the real substance of the dark World So much as thou hast of Covetousness Envy Anger and Pride so much art thou not a representation but a part and limb of the dark Abyss an essential portion in thy proportion of the black raging blaspheming burning Hell of the Damned radically virtually and potentially What is the Long-suffering of God who bears affronts and despights from vile wretched Man while the whole Hosts of Stars punctually observe his Ordinance and are at his beck 3. In their as to Man Infinity they figure the Angelical Hosts And as every Angel is as one whole Kingdom so is every Star as one whole World how little a proud Worm then is the dirty piece of Clay call'd Man How dare any the greatest of them admit a thought of being his own Lord and Law-giver to enter his foolish Head and deceitful Heart And how much less darest thou my Soul who art of the least lowest and most unworthy of Men why delayest thou to give thy whole will thy love thy life thy self to him from whose word thou sprungeâ—t by whose word thou subsisteth on whose word anchoreth thine only hope for Time and for Eternity Deceive not thy self by giving up the guidance of small and indifferent things whilst thouswayest the weighty imports of thy Life and resenteâ—t a disappointment there as a dismembring but faithfully stedfastly willingly submissively bow with equal resignation to every of his Providential Determinations those of the nearest and most sensible concern as of the least so shalt thou dwell in a peaceable Habitation 4. In their steâ—dy duration their Morning commenced with what is call'd time and their Evening compleats it and then resolving Eternity resumes all but I am of yesterday or last hour and do post away with the next yet so feeble as cannot watch with our Lord one Hour A weight of Glory is at the God yet I would have it before I run more than Heart can conceive is prepared for perseverance but I would have all before I well begin O my dear holy God and must I stay enquiring after thee Must my short time seem long to me Must my hope be deferr'd till I faint Must my sick Soul be Imprison'd too and none to visit her Have I but one in my Heart on Earth and in Heaven and must I be so throng'd with Strangers as not to touch the Hem of his seamless Garment While I pine away for thee I do yet tremble and blush to approach thee how can so foul unclean a Creature come into so pure a Palace or Stand before thy Holiness Shame covers me yet Passionate Love makes me bold and impatient I will not I dare not plead modesty in excuse of disobedience iâ— I withhold my self I die for I cannot live in thy absence What kind of Life is this that keeps me from my Life when shall thy Banished be recall'd Oh let not time with-hold Eternity let not many days lengthen my Night Is my presence in this Body absence from my Lord for how can the dry Breasts within the reach of this vile Body satiate my thirsty Soul What kin is the perishing lump of this Body to me it is dead why should my living Spirit be tyed to the dead Yet will my Lord continue me under the load of mine own making bury me under so sad a Vail leave me in Anguish nail me to the Earth deny me the view of my one only most sweet dear precious and desirable Object It is the Lord he doth all things well who having himself but one only Begotten gave that his only Beloved for me and shall not this silence me cause me to acquiesce and swallow me up for ever 5. In their order not justling starting losing over-running nor fainting but regularly steddily jointly ever proceed on their Creators great designs Their Motions Aspects Courses Positions and Variations so exactly precise to the praise of the God of Order that all or much of that they are about is easily fore-known But among Men what Kingdom tho' in Peace or Army when their Life depends on 't may be found without strange disorders what Town what Family without it what Man but for a very few steps treads order for we having by transgression lost it are both ignorant of it and obstinate against it so that to introduce the right order is requir'd in forming of the Intellect alluring of the Affections and subjecting of the Will and there is also requisite clenching of a Nail and driving in of a Goad or else order ether starts or dies But who is that Man dwelling in a House of Clay who upon an unerring Intellect is united to the Divine Order so as to conform an unwavering will thereunto How many faintings recoils runnings back and Apostacies hast thou my Soul sadly Experimented what hour hast thou continued only the Lords without mixing Linnen with the Woollen And must the Holy Spirit be grieved with so vile a wretch must thy Bones be set and dislocated by a continued Succession Oh thou Fountain of Goodness when shall thy will be done here as it is in Heaven when in the outward Man as in the outward Heavens when in the inward as in the holy Heavens Let thy sweet Order bury my confusions that in thee may be my Resurrection 6. In their energy strength and active vigour so are they the immediate Parent of the four Elements being the same in the outward Principle as the strength of their Root and Originals is in the Inward Worlds the four anguishing Constellations also afford matter and in the Moons property exhibit it into palpable substance this the solar power exalteth according to the kind the Separator disposeth every thing unto in Minerals Vegetatives and Sensitives generating animating maturing invigorating ennobling irradiating and again exhaling their volatile parts and dissolving the Fabrick All strong couragious Creatures owe their compaction and fortitude instrumentally to them But what am I who cannot by all Humane Art or Policy or by any Fortress or Arms be defended against a Fly who if Commission'd to Hostility can enter such Organ as may suffocate my Breath How inevitable my Misery that I at once nourish my Life and the Seeds of my Mortality brought forth of the Womb with and in me and after have with pain hazard care and sorrow struggled a few years my Constellations having wrought their course it must be said to me return to thy dust as all other the Sons of vain Mankind 7. In their Vertue which is so conspicuous that from them every Creature of this whole Principle derive their Excellency The Elements their simplicity the outward Heavens their purity and serene Beauty they enrich the Fields with Fruits clothe them with Flowers replenish the Sea with Inhabitants and precious Things the Air with foul penetrate the Bowels of the Earth so as to produce and generate precious Metals Stones and Sanatives give
Covenant of God with Noah 1. THat Ham was admitted sheweth an open Gate to all Men and that the Election passeth when the Souls Free-will goeth out of good into evil 1. The Mystery of the three Sons of Noah 2. The three Stories of the Ark 3. The three Men that appeared to Abraham 4. Especially Christ Moses and Elias at the Transfiguration denote the Trinity and three Principles The seven pair of clean Beasts shew the seven Properties of the Natural Life of the unclean but one pair represents only the Property of the Dark World 2. The Raining just Forty days points at Adams time of Proba in which he introduced the Turba 3. Gods Promising respite 120 years and bringing the Deluge in 100 points out that God will shorten time in the Conclusion of all Beings The Ark being rested at the end of Forty days Noah sends out a Raven signifying the Earthy Man which flew to and fro but return'd not to the Ark. 4. After seven days he sent forth a Dove signifying the Children of God who finding no rest in this World return to the Ark. After seven days more he sent forth a second Dove who return'd in the Evening with an Olive Leaf the Unction After other seven days he let fly the third Dove which denotes Antichrist flying out of the Ark but will no more forsake the World to return to the Ark. CHAP. XXXIII Of the beginning of the second Monarchy and of the Covenant of God with Noah c. 1. I Have set my Bow in the Clouds c. The Rainbow is a Token of Gods Covenant a representation to Man of all the three Principles out of which he was Created viz. the red and dark brown betoken the first Principle viz. the dark Fire-world the Kingdom of Gods Anger The white and yellow shew the second Principle the Majestick Colour the holy World Gods Love The green and blue is the third Principles Colour the blue from the Chaos the green from the Salt peter where in the flagrat the Sulphur and Mercury do sever and produce various Colours which betoken the inward Worlds hidden in the four Elements 2. The Rainbow also betokens Christ the Judge who shall then appear in all the three Principles viz. in the first or fiery into which the Turba in all Beings shall be swallowed up In the second or that of the Light to defend all his in Love and Meekness from the Flames of Fire In the third or Kingdom of Nature in his Assumed Humanity all the formed Word shall be manifest before him according to good and evil 3. Also the Rainbow is a reflex contra-glance of the Sun and in it the Chaos or hidden World out of which the four Elements with the hidden Humanity shews it self And if the Sun be in a good Aspect it may with the Astrum produce a wonderful Birth both in Animals and Vegetables For there the Chaos doth open it self which Saturn hungrily attracts The Sun enkindles Mars and so makes Mercury quick and active which Saturn amasseth and the Fiat of the outward World becomes a flying Life And Saturn may take the distilling Dew into it self which after falls on the Water and by some Fishes being eaten up may coagulate in them and become precious Pearls For the Paradisical Property doth open it self all along in the Chaos if it be not hindered by evil malignant Aspects For the Chaos is the Root of Nature and yieldeth it self nothing but a good Property but by an evil Constellation may be changed into evil as a good Man may by evil Company CHAP. XXXIV How Noah Cursed Ham and the Mysteries concerning the three Sons c. 1. NOah's Drunkenness sheweth how Adam by Lusting after this Worlds Property was overcome therewith and introduced the Bestial Lusts standing in nakedness and shame then did the Monster of false Lusts whereof Ham was the Figure mock the precious Image by introducing the shame 2. Sem did Typifie the fair Image of God in the Light the Sons Property who stood in the Covenant Japhet did Typifie the Soul the Fathers Property 3. The Garment to cover the shame is the new Heavenly Virgin Humanity in the Covenant the precious Sophia which should open it self out of the Angelical World This Garment Sem alone did not lay over the shame but Japhet the poor Soul must help by resignation 4. They went backward by Repentance for if Christ must lay the Garment to cover us the Soul must not dispute but resign its will and go back 5. Ham must be a Servant of Servants the mocking Spirit must never rule but always be kept under Of Ham came the Beastly Sodomites and Brutish Canaanites whom Joshua destroy'd 6. Japhet were the Gentiles who walked according to the Light of Nature which is Tenant to the Light of Grace for so they lived in Sem's Tents 7. Thus was the Tree of the second Monarchy in the same three Properties as the first was The Second Part. CHAP. XXXV How the Humane Tree by the Children of Noah hath spread it self c. 1. THE long Lives before the Flood were because the Divine Powers of the formed Word were then undivided But when the Language of Nature was divided at Babel the stem of Nature was faint and enfeebled Seventy seven is the whole number of the Divine Manifestation seventy two are Babel the five are holy 2. The Sons of Japhet are recorded to be seven Japhet noteth the first Principle out of which riseth Nature viz. The first seven Properties of Nature and the seven free Arts. 3. After which from two of Japhets Sons are named seven to spring whose Names signifie the Kingdom of Humane Rule In the fourteenth aâ—e the Prophetical and Apocalyptical Number and in them lye couched the Angelical will for in the wise Heathen the inward holy Kingdom beheld it self they law by the Light of Nature the restitution of all things and they shall when the covering is taken off dwell in the Tents of Sem. 4. Ham had Cush and of him came Nimrod the Hunter Man was fallen under the wrath in Nature and the wild Nature must be awed by a more mighty Hunter than it self and be caught torn and destroyed But 't is lamentable that tame Beasts which are none of his Game should be devoured But they also are outwardly but Beasts before God and have the Hunters hide on them Ham's Children and Grand Children are numbred twenty nine himself makes thirty for Ham sold the Righteous One for thirty pieces And in the thirtieth year Christ separated himself to his Office 5. Sem is said to be the Father of all the Children of Eber which Eber was the third degree after Sem but the mark of the Covenant was that chiefly intended Eber had two Sons Peleg and Jocktan in these two were the Seed of Adam and Christ divided as after in Isaac and Ishmael Jacob and Esau. Jocktan had fourteen Names hinting the Humane Kingdom 6. Peleg
and six of the Outward Nature of the Humane Property They were afterward Potent Renowned Nations Whereas Isaac and his Children were as Pilgrims shewing Christs Dominion is not of this World and yet the Kingdoms of this World shall fall before Him 4. Esau and Jacob's strife in the Womb shews that when Christ first manifests himself in the Adamical Nature the strife of the two Kingdoms begins The Serpent stingeth the New Birth Christ on the Heel a woful Distress but Christ assaults the Head And tho Esau be First-born Jacob comes soon after and deprives him and makes Esau the Kingdom of Nature his Servant And in that Esau came forth First and was Red and all over Rough The Red betokeneth the Fathers Nature in the Fire the Rough the Earthy Bestial Nature CHAP. LIII How Esau contemn'd his Birthright and sold it for a Mess of Pottage 1. THere is in this a Twofold Figure for Outwardly it is the Figure of the Earthy Man who carelessy and profanely gives away the Heavenly Substance to satiate its Lustful Will and fill its Carnal Belly But Inwardly Esau had the Souls Centre viz. Adam's Nature for a natural due Right which was Faint and wearied by the Driver This would Jacob who betokened the Power of the other Adam Christ have him This Day viz. from That day forward wholly to give up and Resign And would give him the Divine Ens. And in This Inward Understanding Abraham was the Field Ishmael the Root and Isaac the Fruit Also now Isaac the Field Esau the Root and Jacob the Fruit. And we see the Blossom and Fruit hath far a more subtle pure Property than the Stalk and Root by influence of the Solar Rays 2. The meaning of this Figure is that the evil Adamical Mans Will must be resigned up It is Rejected and availeth not in the Kingdom of God Not that the Person of Esau was intended as Babel ignorantly teacheth to be by Gods Soveraignty Reprobated and Hated CHAP. LIV. How Isaac by reason of the Famine went down to Abimelech at Gerar c. 1. HEre is shewed the Kingdom of Grace and Nature The Famine shews Adams Temptation wherein he should have fed on the Word of God and not gone into the strange Kingdom of the Stars and Elements where he Denied his Wife viz. the Heavenly Genitress in him and brought his Lust into the Bestial Property 2. And that Isaac grew so Great there that Abimelech was afraid of him shews Gods Blessing on the Kingdom of Christ. 3. The Servants of King Abimelech's stopping the Wells digged by the Servants of Isaac sheweth that Abraham and Isaac having digged in the Ens of their Faith the Knowledge of the Messiah the same is obscured and stopped up by the Earthy Reason And then they digged and said we have found Water and Isaac call'd it Sheba hinting at Saba the Saboth Christ call'd also Beer-sheba viz. the Contrition or Breaking where the Saboth through Death brings forth the Fountain of Life 5. That Esau lived Forty years and then took two Evil Women to Wife points at Adam's Forty days in the Proha and then took two Evil Wives viz. one of the Bestial Property of the four Elements the other the Astral which were a vexation and grief of Heart to Isaac and Rebekah all their Life Thus as the whole Old Testament is a Figure of the New so is the New of the Future Eternal World CHAP. LV. Of Isaac's Blessing Jacob unknowingly when he was Old and ready to Die The Gates of the Great Mystery of the whole Bible 1. REason from this Figure conjectureth 1. That Rebekah lov'd Jacob more than Esau. 2. That it was from Gods Predestinate Purpose because Esau was not worthy of it 2. But rightly to interpret it The Patriarch Isaac is the Figure of God the Father Esau of the depraved Humane Nature Jacob of the New Birth in the Humanity of Christ Rebekah of the Virgin Mary 3. The Fathers Blessing would bring it self into Adam but his Heavenly Ens was extinct and the Kingdom of Nature so Poyson'd that it must be Dissolv'd for Adam's Fiery Tincture by being awakened in the wrath became an Earthy Image and mortified the Heavenly so that the Kingdom of Nature was in its own power uncapable of the Fathers Blessing and could not be remedied only by a Blessing the Blessing must become a Substance the Fathers Blessing turn'd it self on the Adamical Female Lights Tincture and from the power Thereof did assume the Souls Nature and then bruise the fiery Serpents Head and transmute the Souls fiery Will into a Love-fire or Meekness viz. the power of the Light 4. Esau was Hairy or Rugged signifying the gross Bestial Property and Christ did put on our Hairy Beast-like Skin to make us capable of the Blessing and destroy our Death of the Bestial Property Even as Jacob could not get the Blessing without having the hairy Garment on 5. Isaac's feeling Esau s hairy Garment on Jacob signified the Fathers reaching into the Essence of Christ whether it were the first Image Created in Adam whence was Christs Agony and Bloody Sweat 6. And as Isaac found outwardly Esau's Skin but inwardly heard Jacob's Voice yet Blessed him instead of Esau So had Christ our Rugged Humane Property yet God said This is my Beloved Son c. and Blessed our Humanity 7. The Blessing given Jacob denotes that the New Man in Christ should take away the Scepter and Might from the Devil and Man of Sin and be Lord over his Brethren the Adamical Nature in Flesh and Blood 8. The Corn and Wine and Dew of Heaven shew God blessed our Humanity in Christ with the Earth and Resurrection 9. Esau's bringing his Venison and Isaac's Astonishment shew that Gods holy People would have the Will of their Reason be done Their Misery is that Reason entreth into its Dominion which knoweth not the ways of God 10. Esau was Blessed also with the Dew of Heaven and Fatness of the Earth should live by his Sword and when he should have the Dominion should break the Yoke 11. But Isaac doth not say Live thou by thy Sword but Thou wilt Live so c. wherein he Prophesieth that the corrupt Nature would be a Tyrant and Murtherer and doth not justifie the use of outward Weapons and Violence but that he through his Anger should serve the Anger of God and so his hatâ—â—g Jacob noteth what the Great Ones of the World should do for the Devil rageth that the Kingdom of Christ should take away his Throne CHAP. LVI Of Jacob's Leaving his Parents for fear of Esau and of his Vision of the Ladder 1. JAcob having the Blessing and Unction soon departed from his Fathers House and left all to Esau so did Christ of whom this is a Figure after he had anointed our Humanity fled with it out of our Adamical House to the first Paradisical House So must the Christian fly the Depraved Nature begin
fifth shall be Pharaoh's viz. This Seed shall cherish the four Elements of the Body and four Properties of the Souls Fire-life but the fifth viz. The Love-fire in the Light is the Lords herein is the Soul an Angel and Gods Kingdom of Divine Joy is in us 8. The Priests Field the heavenly Worlds Substance Christ buyeth not with his Blood as the averted Soul was bought for that never received the Turba in it but in the Fall disappeared and the Soul was blind concerning it into this was the Word inspoken again in Paradise and is filled with Christs Flesh and Blood It is in the Soul through the Soul and of the Soul but hath another Principle as Light hath than Fire from which Fire and Light proceeds Air and a dewy Water which again nourisheth the Fire 9. The History of the Five Books of Moses is this in the Figure The Exit out of Canaan and return into Canaan shews how Man went out of Paradise to be a Bondslave of Gods Anger and there be afflicted persecuted and tormented and how the right Adamical Man should with great Hosts and Armies and much purchased Goods got in the Divine Operation enter again into the Promised Land CHAP. LXXV How Jacob blesseth the two Sons of Joseph and preferreth the Youngest c. 1. JOseph brought Manasseh in his left Hand towards Jacob's right Hand and Ephraim his youngest in his right Hand towards Jacob's left Hand These two signifie the inward Man the Eldeâ—t the fiery Soul the Youngest the Spirit of the Soul the Power of the Light the second Principle That with its Love it might be set before God's left Hand viz. his Anger and break the Serpents Head The Soul he setteth before his right Hand to receive the Blessing but that could not be Israel stretched his right Hand and put upon Ephraim's Head God would not give the Government to the first Birth viz. to the fiery Soul seeâ—ng i◠〈◊〉 turâ—ed away its will from God but laid his Hand of Omnipotency on the Image of the Ligâ—t so was the second Birth uppermost in the Dominion 2. Jacob gave Joseph above his Brethren a piece of Ground which he got from the Amorites by his Sword and by his Bow which signifieth Christendom got by the Sword of the Spirit of Christ. CHAP. LXXVI THIS Chapter though excellent is with part of the 77th referr'd to the Abridgment the Author himself makes of all the Twelve in the close of the 77th Chapter CHAP. LXXVII 1. REuben beareth the Image or Figure of the first World who was fickle though in the greatest Dominion 2. Simeon beginneth with Noah and hath Levi viz. Sem with him but Simeon was the Sword of Ham and Japhet 3. Levi beginneth with Moses whose Sword cuts very sharply 4. Judah beginneth under the Prophets and is manifest in the Incarnation of Christ. 5. Zebulon cohabiteth in and with the Kingdom of Christ representing Christendom who sits pleaâ—antly for she is a new Love 6. Issachar was the time of Christendoms being settled in Rest and Dominion yet must bear the â—ross of Christ and was about 300 years after Christ. 7. Dan began the Potency of Christendom when they set up Kings Emperors Popes and Pompous consecrated Places The Aâ—der and Serpent sate in Judicature cloak'd under Christ's Name Then saith the Spirit of Christ I wait for thy Salvation O Lord now is Truth bitten in the heels 8. Gâ—d beâ—inneth the time of Universities and Schools when with might of Arms Mer sâ—t up Antichrist in Christ's Chair by baâ—ling Disputes so bring in Tradition and Canons making the Tail to be the Head 800 years since 9. Asher began the time of flattering Antichrist for fat Bread about 600 years ago and nearer 10. Naphtaly beginneth the searching deep Disputes about God's Council and Predestination that Men might cover themselves with a Mantle of plausible Maxims acute Logick this hath continued to this time 11. Joseph beginneth Christ's remanifestation he Ejecteth the Adder and Joseph's Brethren must now be ashamed of their Unfaithfulness and Selling him for now their subtiltâ— craft c. and Babylon is fallen and become the Habitation of Abominable Beasts but Joseph flourisheth 12. Benjamin â—eginneth with Josâ—ph's Evening to divide the Spoil of the first Christendom he is the first and last time he begiâ—â—â—th to devour Antichrist as a Wolf yet is but a Wolf So Jacob having finished all these Sayings drew up his Feet on the Bed and departed Shewing that when God will recall the unfolded Nature in the strife of time into himself strife shall cease and be drawn into the Temperature CHAP. LXXVIII Jacob's Burial in Canaan accompanied with all the Children of Israel and many of the Egyptians 1. SHEWS Christ's powerful Exit hence to Paradise and that when Christ will bring home his Bride he will have many of the Heathen with him also 2. Their Weeping and Mourning shew in the Magi Eternal Joy 3. Joseph's Brethrens fear and falling down before him and Joseph's weeping and gracious Answer not only of Pardon but to provide for them and theirs is a mighty comfort to Joseph's Brethren viz. to the Repenting Sinner under Anguish for his first committed Sins who saith they shall not only be Pardoned but turn'd into the best 4. Joseph's Desire of an Oath to carry his Bones out of Egypt to his Fathers signifies God's Oath in Paradise that Christ would come again to his Brethren and â—â—ay forever with them Amen This was the Author's Eighteenth Book FINIS Some Brief Remarks concerning the Life and Conversation of the Blessed Jacob Behmen Collected out of the Relations published concerning him JAcob Behmen was Born in the year 1575. at a Town in the upper Lusatia named Old Seidenburg distant from Gorlitâ—â— about a Mile and a half his Parents were of the poorer sort yet of sober and honest demeanour His Education and Breeding was suitable to their Wealth his first Imployment being the care of the common Cattel amongst the rest of the Youths of the Town But when grown Elder he was placed at School where he learned to read and write and was from â—heâ—ce put an Apprentice to a Shoemaker in Gorâ—iâ—â—s with whom having served his Time in the year 1594 he Married one Kaetherine the Daughter of John Hunshman a Citizen of Gorlitts by her he had four Sons living in the state of Matrimony thirty years His Sons he did in his Life time place to several honest Trades He fell sick in Silesia of a hot burning Ague but was at his desire brought to Gorlitts and there died the 18th of November 1624. being in the 50th year of his Age and was Buried in the Church-yard A Hieroglyphical Monument was Erected over his Grave by a Friend which had remained but a while but was razed and embezelled by the rude Hands of the envious As to his Personage I may truly say it was not such as was Amiable among the Children of Men