Soul viz in the Fathers Principle in the sound for it hath by its entrance into the Anger set the Looking Glasse of his Covenant viz the Virgin of the Divine Wisdome before the Soul that it should behold it self therein 555. The Wisdome saith continually Come then saith the Devill behinde it also Come now to which so Ever it goeth thereby it becometh Elected for a Childe 556. God letteth no Soul which hath Light to Extinguish its Light out of his predestinate purpose The Free-Will Extinguisheth it The Devill set himself in the forme of an Angel before the Soul that it might Imagine in Evill and Good thus then its Imagination eateth of Evill and Good and so the Soul becometh blinde and captivated in its Imagination 557. Else if God did harden any out of his predestinate purpose and did let his Light Extinguish out of his predestinate purpose then would not that be true which David saith in the 5. Psalme Thou art not a God that willest Evill indeed he permitteth it to come to passe that an honest vertuous Man becometh Evill when the Will inclineth into Evill then he letteth his Light Extinguish 558. But not out of his predestinate purpose so that he would not saine have that very Man surely he receiveth him if he cometh againe so long as a Man liveth in this Tabernacle he hath power to become the Childe of God for the Apostle saith also thus He hath given us power to become the Children of God 559. Understand not out of or from the Will of the Flesh viz of the outward World that belongeth not to Gods Kingdome but out of or from the Will of the Souls Spirit which becometh Generated or born in God For Gods predesfinate purpose is that the right Divine Will should alwayes become Generated out of the Soul which is done when the Soul entereth into the becoming Man or Incarnation of Christ in that it becometh Generated or born againe to be Gods childe 560. For the Souls-Fire becometh introduced into Christs Death and Sprouteth againe with a New faire blossome out of the Death of Christ forth into the Divine Liberty into the Angelicall World 561. That very Blossome or Spirituall Will is Gods Will and in that very Will-Spirit the Soul is an Angel for it possesseth the Second Principle viz Gods Majesty it continually introduceth Divine Substantiality viz Christs Flesh which filleth the Heaven so that the Soul eareth of Christs Flesh and drinketh his Bloud John 6. out of the Water of the Meeknesse of the Eternall Life 562. Therefore I say with good Ground It is not Gods predestinate purposed Will that any one Man becometh Lost but it is from the Will of his fierce Wrath and Anger and of the Dark World and of the Devill 563. Therefore he is a false or wicked Judger and an Advocate of Gods Anger who will Judge and blame God and knoweth not the difference of what God is in Love and Anger and knoweth not whence an Evill and Good Will Originateth and yet will be a Judger he cryeth continually God God it is that doth a thing 564. The Prophets and Apostles have often called the Totall God according to Love and Anger as also according to all the Three Principles by ONE WORD but yet a Man should use a right understanding and make a distinction between Gods Love-Will and his Anger-Will 565. We see very plainly in Man that he willeth Evill and Good he would alwayes saine be an Angel and would also faine have the Pride in Covetousnesse and the Power of this World Men should search whence every Will taketh its Originall and not alwayes say God God God willeth it 566. He willeth only that which is like himself his Love viz the Right Name of God willeth only that we should Love God and our Neighbour and Continue in his desire and will HE willeth nothing else but that all Men should turne to him and goe out from fierce Wrath into the Love For the Love of God and of our Neighbour is the whole Law and the Prophets 567. On the Contrary his fierce Wrath and Anger which is the Roote of the outward World willeth its like to have sewell or wood for its Fire 568. Now being Gods Love hath set before Man the Looking-Glasse of his Wisdome in the becoming Man or Incarnation of himself why then doth he goe into the Anger Looking-Glasse and letteth the Devill sway him God indeed sendeth Prophets and Teachers out of his predestinate purpose who reveale and signifie to the World his Anger why doth Man follow Sinne 569. That must needs be a wonderfull thing that God should cause any to be called to come to HIM and yet would harden him out of his predestinate purpose that he Could not then God would be unrighteous Indeed the Lust of the Flesh and of the Devill hardeneth the Soul and holdeth it Captive 570. If God had willed the Evill or the Fall of Man then he would not have forbidden Adam the Tree of Good and of Evill viz the Lust or Pleasure of this World But if he hath forbidden him and hath also hardened him that he could not doe Gods Will who would now be righteous God or Man 571. As the Libeller supposeth that it is out of Gods predestinate purpose that two unlike sonnes were generated out of Adam an Evill and a Good and will make thereof two sorts of Seed hearken make two sorts of Souls and then it may be 572. When Adam became Earthly then he became drawne of the Spirit of this World and Gods Anger became Stirring in him then did the Soul give way that the Devill through the Spirit of the Outward World thrust in Evill Seed into the Soulish Essence for propagation which the Constellation of the Configuration hath increased so that a fratricide or brother Murtherour became generated but was that Gods predestinate purpose 573. Had not Adam made himself Earthly then would not Gods fierce wrath have become Manifest or revealed in him also then would the Constellation have had no power over the Soulish Seed 474. For the outward Kingdome should not have possessed and governed Man in the inward Image it should have been as an impotency or weaknesse in Man He was Paradisicall 575. But that it standeth written the Outward Man was Created to a Naturall Life thereby it is understood that Nature is a Ruler or Manifester of the Wisdome of God and then in the Mortall fall Eve is understood to be a Woman and not a Virgin of this World 576. Whereas it could not be otherwise and that Adam stood not in the Proba or Tryall he let him fall into the sleep of the Eternall Life and made a Naturall fleshly Woman out of him out of his Matrix and Rib. 577. For the spirit of the outward World had captivated Adam and introduced its substantiality into his Imagination whence he is such a Naked sfinking hard palpable cold bitter and hot Man
The Reminder of Books written BY Jacob Behme viz. I. The First Apologie to Balthazar Tylcken for the AVRORA written Anno 1621. II. The Second Apologie in Answer to Balthazar Tylcken for Predestination And the Incarnation and Person of CHRIST and of the Virgin MARY Dated 3. July 1621. III. The Fouer Complexions written in March 1621. IV. The Considerations upon Esaiah Stiefel's Booke concerning The Threefold State of Man and the New 〈◊〉 Dated 8. April 1621. V. The Apologie in Answer to Esaiah Stiefel Concerning Perfection Dated 6. April 1622. VI. The Apologie in Answer to Gregory Rickter Primate of Gerlitz for the way to Christ c. 10. April 1624. VII Twenty five Epistles more then the 35. formerly Printed in English with 2. as prefaces before other of his Bookes the last of those heere printed is Dated 23. May 1624. 5 more after without Date which make 62. in all also 1. Epistle more of his own hand writing and 1. of Dr. Charles Weisners relating much of J. B's Life Englished BY JOHN SPARROW LONDON Printed by M. S. for Giles Calvert at the Sign of the Black Spread Eagle at the West End of St. Pauls 1662. The Englishers Preface to J. B's Apologies Courteous Reader IN the Life time of Jacob Behme some Learned Men there were of his own Country that highly prized and Esteemed his writings though others Judged and found fault with them to whom the Authour in his Answers hath clcerly made it appeare they have NOT understood his Meaning but injuriously made their own mistaken Sence the Ground of their Censure it is no wonder therefore that among us of another Language who have but a Translation wherein much of the accuratenesâ—â— and apt expression of an Author is lost that men here also finde such fault with them as they doe but if it be examined their want of the true apprehension of them will be known to have caused that negligent and heedless Opinion that his writings are not to be understood yet it hath proceeded so farre that those who think they apprehend his Deepe Matter are suspected by some Academick wits to be but miss-led into such a conceit But those Eminent persons his countryMen and adversaries have not once charged him with writing things not Intelligible though indeed themselves have not rightly perceived the Authors meaning as is apparent in these FOUR Bookes of Apologie or Defence in answer to the few objections to some things contained in that Doctrine set down at Large in the Treatises of his Sublime Mysteries if they be read and weighed in the Balance of Due Consideration The FIRST Apologie was an Answer to Balthasar Tylcken who wrote a treatise against severall Clauses in the Aurora concerning the knowledge of God in and by Nature whereas though God in himself be totally Incomprehensible and unmanifested in his Abysse yet Nature is his Manifestation or Revelation for if his Omnipotent power did not shew it self by making it self discernable it would never be known but remaine hidden Eternally and indeed all the effects which we perceive to be wrought and produced at anytime in sensible things are brought to passe by the same Powers that have and doe and will work from Eternity to Eternity perceptibly in GOD. All that is in GOD is only Goodness his very wrath is his Fire and the cause of his Light and Glory in himself and therein is most just and Good also for the punishment of the perversness of his Creatures whom he made like himself very Good and gave them power to Continue so but they being Creatures were made out of Darkness and being Created and brought into the Light could and did love themselves and all Creatures without the Light or that loose the Light are but Darkness and by that meanes Exalted their Darkness above the Light in them which is truly self-Selfe-Love and the roote or spring of all Evill which God cannot DOE nor BE but that we might be able to get out of the perdition we are fallen into God in his infinite Love and Mercy to all men in and from Adam and Eve they two being one Flesh hath given in the Light of their Life the Spirit of Adoption the Spirit of Christ his Sonne the Seede of the woman the Promised word the word of Faith in our Hearts which in US hath Power to overcome all the works of Darkness and to bring us to his marvelous Light the Light of Eternall Life which also teacheth us to deny our selves and all ungodly Lusts of the Flesh to take up our Crosse with Patience and so follow or imitate Christ in Newness of Life and inward hearty Holiness of Conversation God indeed Cannot deny himself because his Darkness that is his wrath is alwayes subservient to his Light and Love which Eternally is his Life and cannot be otherwise but WE must Deny our selves and then our Darkness will give it self up into the Light also in us If we follow or be like his Light we are Children of the Light which ruleth in us and if we live according to his Darkness we are Children of Wrath and at length if we convert not shall be confirmed Children of Perdition All that have the dispositions or qualities inwardly or Outwardly of Love and Gentleness Kindness lowliness or humility sincerity Truth righteousness vertue honesty chastity temperance purity and Holiness are undeniably GOOD On the Contrary the wrathfull fierce Envious proud surly churlish wanton vaine stubborne obstinate crafty false Lyars injurious intemperate violent are accounted bad or EVILL and they are so indeed now that which is Evill cannot be like Gods Love but here is the generall mistake all Men consist both of an Outward and Inward Man that which the outward Esteemes Good is so as it is a similitude of that which is inwardly Good but since the outward Man which is framed of the Earth hath gotten the Predominancy in the Fall of Adam who thereupon dyed to the Inward Man that which most pleaseth the outward doth make it the more strong and rebellious against the power of the Inward and so by outward Good things not knowing how to use them by little and little destroyeth the Inward and therefore God in his Bowells of Compassion sends us that which is fittest for us to the weakening or dayly Killing and slaying of our Outward Man by tribulations afflictions Crosses and Contradictions or oppositions from others for the making us Conformable to the Image of CHRIST who was Tempted persecuted and afflicted and as the Apostle says he that will live Godly in this world must suffer Persecution this measure our Authour had from some as is manifest by their Objections and striving to bring his marvelous Gifts into dislike with those that knew not but the Censures cast upon him were right thereupon for the vindication of the Truth and for the sakes of those that were but beginners in the ways of Christ he then answered to the things that were laid to
Paper of yours that he may discerne us both 58. He that desireth a full Explanation let him read the book of the Threefold Life he will find more then he would search for especially in the Three Principles which the Libeller or Pasquiller dare not well beleeve yet if he will be called a Christian and Doe that which is right let him read that he will see what Spirit 's Child I am perhaps we shall come neerer together and he may of a Saul become a Paul which I doe heartily wish in his behalfe and had much rather have a hearty good and Christian Conference with him concerning our IMMANVEL then this Controversie 59. Truly I say that my Book which he opposeth in some places needs a better Explanation for the simple understanding I am also very ready to doe it if any desire it for it stands in some places yet in a very Magick understanding 60. But there are also such Mysteries therein that the learned Schoolman or Master Alexen cannot number them for it hath pleased God to have it so I look upon the writings of the Prophets and see whether they be cleere in all places besides CHRIST himself taught also in Parables or Similitudes †Men should not cast Pearls before Swine 61. But what concerns the Articles of Faith which in this Book are still in a Magick understanding those in the other writings are set down cleer enough more then the Libeller or Pasquill requires or understandeth yet if any desire more cleering it shall be afforded him and if he desire proof thereof it shall also be given him 62. But he that desireth it not I have not written it for him let him leave it to me I write for my self and run after none I have not put it out to any Booksellers shop to sell if some people fearing God had not intimately Earnestly and in true Christian intention asked and entreated for it I had not given it to any at all 63. But since honest hearts fearing God are found whose Christianity is indeed sincere and in Earnest should Christian Love be withdrawen from them Or hath God given me it that I should put it under a stool or bury it in the Earth 64. Christ faith none Kindleth a Light or Candle and setteth it under a Stool or under a Bushel but setteth it upon a Table that all that are in the House may see by it The Divine Light will not be covered those that God giveth it to should let it shine for God will require an account of his Talent 65. Moreover what is it that Men contend about in the Christian Religion and dispute much The Christian Religion is no strise contention or Opinion it consisteth in the New Regeneration out of Christ in Faith from the Holy Ghost in Humility Love and Righteousnesse 66. A Christian must be borne of Christ he must have a Christian Will and desire and lead a Christian Conversation It is not only knowing will doe it and comforting ones self with Christs sufferings and be a Dissembling Hypocrite in the presence of God to speak one thing and Will Desire and Doe another and let the evill poysonous Worm of the Corrupt Natures Fire burn still and be but a Lip or Mouth-Christian 67. It lyeth not in knowing much that a man should tickle himself with Christs sufferings and set them alost on the Pinnacle and yet reteine the Evill Envious kindled poysonous worm Continually in the Heart and continually carry Fewel to its Fire I say that very Mantle will become hellish fire to Many that he hath known Gods will and will not enter thereinto and give up himself to him 68. A Christian must break his own Naturall Will and give himself up into Gods Will he must alwayes quench his Fire-will and Continually bring all the Thoughts of his Mind into the Obedience of God into the Love and Mercy of God in CHRIST into his becoming Man or Incarnation Suffering Dying Death and Resurrection he must will nothing but Gods Will in Christ 69. But this is his Desire that God may be his Will and Deed that God in him may be his knowledge he should continually slay the will of his Flesh and desire only GODS Will in himself that it may rule Drive and be the Deed in him 70. For man of himself doth no good thing but the Law of God which God writeth in his Nature that Doth the Good that very Law is the Eternall Word of the Deity and putteth on to it self Divine and heavenly substantiality viz. the New Body for it is become man and must also become Man in us 71. And in that Body standeth the right willing and doing and the performance and the ability of a Christian Man without that there is no Christian but the Antichrist and a spirituall Whoredome as the Revelation of St. John Testisyeth 72. Therefore it lyeth not in Disputing flying high and being accute desâ—â—ing and giving his brother to the Devill for God 〈…〉 as the V. Psalme speaketh and Ezekiel the 33. As truè as I live saith the Lord I will not the Death of a Sinner c. And Christ saith I am come to call sinners to Repentance and not the Righteous Also Isaiah faith Who is so simple as my Servant Also the Kingdome of God consisteth in Power What needs then such high flying and Contention 73. God respecteth a shiveered Broken Contrite and sighing heart that is affraid of his wrath that would alwayes fain Doe well that alwayes Desireth God and goodnesse that Co-worketh with God for what the Mind is desirous of that it receiveth be it necessity or Death or else the Kingdome of God for the Kingdome of God is not far off but within us we must become born of God if we will see God or receive Gods Will. 74. In Adam we lost Gods will and in the Promise of the Womans Seed we found it again for it presented it self with or by the Promise to all Men in the Light of Life and Espoused it self to the soul for a Bride Whatsoever soul is Entered thereinto out of that is the Noble Lilly Twig or Branch Sprouted up again and that is become Elected or Chosen to be the Child of God 75. But he that hath not willed but let the fierce wrath of the Eternall Nature deteing him hath the fierce wrath and Anger swallowed up into it self and kept him in the Abysse of the Originall in the first Principle out of which the Worme of the soul ariseth Originally 76. In that very regenerate will of God Israel is become born in God and in that very will is the Word of Eternall Life which maketh Divine Essence wherein the Divine Will becometh generated 77. And that is entered into Mary's Essence and Opened the in Death inclosed Will in MARY and brought sorth the Lilly of God and therein is become a true Man and hath received or
is the Seperation between Gods Name and Natures Name also between the Love-source or quality and the Naturall fierce wraths source or quality 495. In the Fire exist Two Principles viz Two Magia's Two desirous Wills viz the Lights and the Fires 496. The Light is a desire of Love Meeknesse and Substantiality and that is in the Eternity called God The Light is the Majesty the Lights desire is the Other or second Center or the Heart of God the Substantiality is Gods Substance it is the Water source or quality or the Spirit of the Eternall Joys Life 497. And the Fire maketh in the Water-source or quality the Tincture or Life so that Gods Substantiality is a Life That very Lights Substantiality is the Words or Hearts Cerporeity wherein the Great Mystery of the Will of the Abysse viz the Wisdome becometh Manifest 498. And the Fire is another Principle then the Light it hath a fierce wrathfull stinging consuming Desire climing up in Might and Pomp it willeth to consume and swallow up all into it self it is a cause of the Covetousnesse its Bitternesse is a Cause of the Envy for it is the sting of Death and Anger 499. And here goe back into the Formes to Fire and then thou wilt find the Dark World and the hellish fierce Wrath and in the Fire GODS Anger which the Light viz his Heart holdeth captive in the Love-Source or Quality and allayeth or meekeneth the Fires fierce-Wrath 500. For the Water of the Eternall Life generated or born out of the Meeknesse viz Gods Substantiality maketh out of the Divine Fire-source or quality another source or quality viz the climibing up of the Divine Joys Kingdome The Fire-source or quality must only be a cause of the Life and of the Light as also of the Spirit and of the Joys Kingdome 501. And heare the Name God severeth it self in the Trinity viz In the First Center to Nature viz the Eternall Will of the Fiat which in the Fire is a sterne severe zealous Substance and in the Light the cause of the Joys Kingdome and of the Spirit of Life That is the Father of all Substances also of his Sonnes viz of the second Centers of the Love-desires 502. And The Other or second Center of the power of the Light is his Sonne or Heart and maketh in himself and in the Father the Second Principle viz the Angelicall World that is our right Fathers or Native Country which Christ brought into US againe 503. And The Spirit going forth from the Fire in the Light is the Third Person in the Light in the Love and the Joy-source or quality He is called God the Holy Spirit understand according to the Sonnes Center and according to the Fires Center he is called The Anger-Spirit of the Father 504. In the Dark World HE is the Life of the Hellish source or quality out of all Formes to Nature In the Fire HE is the Flame of the fierce wrathfull Anger of God the Father and in the Light HE is the flame of the Great Love of God He is the right Life of God and is also the Life of all the Three Principles of all the Three Worlds in each World according to its property and is only knowne or acknowledged and rightly called God the Holy Spirit according to the Love viz according to property of the Sonne of God Else he is called the Spirit of the Nature of all things or Substances 505. Seeing we here goe so deep we will therefore shew you somewhat more out of true Love and not out of a Desire so totally to reproach you because of your unskilfulnesse or ignorance for we know you better then you do your selfe and though we are zealous over you yet it should be understood heartily as a reproofe of your high climbed stately proud Will over the Spirit of God from which I have my knowledge 506. Consider of the Principle of Fire and see how the Dead ariseth and how he dieth Behold the Fire is a great hungry desire after Substance and if it cannot have that then it extinguisheth 507. Here consider the Great desire of the Father after the Sonne viz. of the first Principle after the second how the Father thus in great desire loveth the Sonne for he is his life else were the Fathers Life a dry fainting hunger like the Devills and the Dark World for the Fire burneth not without the Substance of the Water-Spirit 508. Here consider what befell the Devill when he lost Gods Love and Meeknesse then he remained to be a dry hunger in the fierce Wrath of the Eternall Nature thus it goeth also with the Soul of Man for they originate all alike out of the Eternall Nature 509. Now see further what in the Center of the Fire is the Possibility and Substance you understand now that the fierce wrathfull Fire-source must have Substance and that the Fire-source or quality it self longeth after Substance and if the Fire get the Substance or the Substantiality of the Water-source or quality into it self then the Fire consumeth that Substantiality and then is the dying of the Substantiality for the Substantiality goeth againe into the Still Eternity without besides or beyond Nature viz into the Nothing 510. And you see rightly that yet there is no Dying but the Light goeth forth out of that very Death out of the Consumtibility forth and the Light is then first the power of the understanding and of the Thoughts or Senses Thus Death ariseth out of the Fire-Life viz into another World viz into the Eternall Nothing into the Liberty without besides or beyond Nature 511. And you see now that the Light dwelleth in the Fire without Source Quality or Torment and knoweth nothing of the fierce wrath of the Fire for it is in its Essence a Love Desire Thus have I written that the Deity viz. Gods Center knew nothing of the fall of the fierce wrathfull Devills but the first Principle know it viz the Father according to the Fires Nature and according to the Desire and according to the hunger in the Dark world 512. Here consider beloved Men and brethren in Christ what the suffering and dying of CHRIST as also OUR Dying is How our Soul must in Christs Death be introduced into the Center of the Hell of Gods Anger into the Principle of Gods Fire and go quite through the source or quality of the consumptibility into the other World viz into the Liberty into the Center of the Love of God 513. For Adam's Soul had turned it self out and was Dead to the Light in the Substantiality and therefore the second Adam brought the Soul againe into the Fire viz into Gods Anger-source or quality and kindled the Light againe in Death and there the Light shone againe in the Darknesse That was Death to Death and a Pestilence to the Anger viz to Hell 514. The Soul was gone forth out of the Liberty of God into the Nature of this World viz
Devill that the Libeller perverts as one that understandeth nothing of my Writings or else of meere Malice Did he not see how I have described with all Circumstances that Gods Heart or Love went not into the Devill for he the Devill would not himself have it now where the Will it self willeth not there is an Eternall Death 536. The Will-Spirit was indeed in the Originall out of Gods Nature but when it demersed it self into the Center to hide it self from the Light of God then remained fierce wrathfulnesse IN fierce wrathfulnesse With what now should resistance be made it was now in its most Originall MOTHER 537. Should Gods Love goe into the Hellish Fire that is not to be should God in his Wrath strive against it it sate already in the Hellish Fire Had not fierce Wrath striven with fierce Wrath then had not Gods Anger yet moved in the place of this World 538. Consider but the Earth thou wilt well finde it thou blinde World with all thy Texts of Scripture which thou hast produced thou wilt not put one word in my Book back from its place only that thou settest a strange vizard upon me that the people might not know me which I esteem not for I am to YOU a very strange Man 539. Thou canst not in thy Hood look me in the Face thou must put off thy skinne if thou wilt see the Spirit of the Mystery Thou understandest Not what thou writest against me thou discoursest not concerning my apprehension and that maketh that thou seest somewhat that is strange thou wilt not see that it is the Roote of the Tree Thou wilt sooner leap into Hell as Lucifer did e're thou touchest one little twig thereof 540. Thou runnest againe into thy Center towards Babel and settest upon an Academy out of which Opinons and the Greatest Babel is growne out of which all Strife hath followed where Men have contended about Words about the Shell and let the Kernell lye but hearken friend tell but TEN and thou wilt find it by Experience 541. God hath Elected ALL of us in ONE Soul and in ONE Spirituall Body to be his Children God hath not breathed into Adam TWO Spirits but One only which is the Spirit of all the Three Principles of all Three Worlds viz a Fire-Light-and-Aire-Spirit 542. Adam should have managed his Dominion with the Light-Spirit then would the Fire-source or quality have been hidden in its Principle and have stood in great joy it had burned only in it self 543. Thus also the Spirit of this World that should also have stood only in it self and have been manifest in this World and the Fire and also the Outward World should have stood as if were swollowed up into the Light and have been manifest only in it self all desires should have been set in the Light and then the Light had shined in all Essences and desires and had filled all as in ONE Will. 544. But when the Will of the Center viz the Fiery Will which is called the Soul went into the Earthly kingdome and Imagined after Evill and Good then it received also the same then its Light Extinguished and it remained in its Mother a dark dry hunger and must help it self with the Spirit of this World as with a Sun-Light 545. Therefore it comes to passe that many times when a Man goeth in the dark he is astonished and terrified and alwayes afraid somewhat should lay hold on him that is the feare of the Soul whèn it perceiveth it self to be without the Light of the Sun in a dark Dungeon it is afraid of Gods fierce Wrath in the Center and of the Devills that dwell in the Darknesse 546. Since then the Divine Light is Extinguished in the Soul therefore Mans Life and Spirit at present without the New Birth standeth in two Regiments or Dominions viz in the Souls Fire it is the Dominion of Gods Anger and of the fierce Wrath as the Fires property is 547. And according to the Spirit of this World it is Evill and Good according to the Sun and according to the Constellation of the Outward Starry and Elementary Spirit it is alwayes according to its Constellation which stood in its Birth as also hath stood in its Conception As that it is at all times aspected with the Conjunction of the Constellatison with the Imagination of the Constellation so is also the outward Will-Spirit unlesse it be that the Soul doe attaine the Divine Light againe in the New Birth and then the Soul constraineth the outward Spirit with the power of the Light and leadeth it captive 548. My Libeller your conceit deceiveth you I know of no more but ONE only Spirit according to the Property of ALL THREE Worlds which is in Man and when the Light Extinguisheth then it is in TWO Properties that which receiveth the Light of God that is Elected to be a childe of God 549. Now it lyeth indeed in Man that he should seek and desire it for Christ saith Knock and it will be opened unto you seek and you will finde Ask and you will receive Your Father will give the Holy Spirit to him that asketh for it Also There is no sonne that asketh for an Egge and the Father giveth him a Scorpion God willeth that all Men be saved 550. Where now remaines in these words and Promises the predestinate purpose of God to the Hardening or where are the Two Spirits whereof God loveth the one and hardeneth the other We have indeed All but One only Soul and that is free it may frame its Will in Gods Love or Anger into which soever it casteth it self with its desire there it is 551. It cometh to passe many times that a Soul hath demersed it self with its Will-Spirit into Gods Anger into the Dark World in its fierce Wrath to all Devills with its sinnes and yet many in the time of this world goe out againe and convert and God receiveth them to Grace He hardeneth them not 552. Have you not an Example in the Prodigali lost sonne who had consumed all his righteousnesse of his Fathers Inheritance with the Devills Swine and was become a Swinheard What the Father did with him when he came againe how he fell about hu neck and kissed him and said This is my beloved sonne whom I had lost he was dead and is become living it is likely thou wilt say God drew him else he had not come 553. The Soul is Free God draweth every one who incline towards him when it entereth into him then it is Elected to the Light World so long as the Will remaineth in the fierce Wrath in the Dark World covered with the Outward so long God willeth it not and it is not drawne but when it inclineth it self towards Gods Face and doth but a little Imagine into Gods Love then the Divine Life becometh stirring 554. Understand the Word is become Man or Incarnate and standeth in the
like a Beast and is not the Noble Image which is saded and disappeared in Death which is created out of heavenly substantiality 578. But that thou wilt not allow me this that in Man understand in the Third Principle a humane Image according to the Angelicall World out of the Heavenly substantiality hath stood in the Inward yet I say that Gods Spirit that in the Second Principle goeth forth out of the First viz out of the Souls Fire of the Father into the Second out of the Love and Light Fire into the Sonne was never at all without substance for it is the Driver forth of the Divine power and substantiality 579. Hath now the Light and Spirit of God been in Man viz in Adam then also hath Gods substantiality been therein For no Fire burneth in Gods Love unlesse it have DIVINE substantiality 580. Therefore saith Christ Whosoever eateth NOT the Flesh of the Son of Man he hath no part in HIM He understandeth the Corporeity of his unmeasurable Eternall Divine Substantiality in the Water of the Eternall Life and in the Tincture of the Power out of the Fire and Light in the Glance or Lustre of the Divine Wisdome out of the Words Body 581. Now if Adam hath been a totall sumilitude according to God then he must not only have had Earthly Substance for his Body if the Soul had had only Earthly source or quality to Eat then it had not had the prohibition but it had also the Corporeity of the Second Principle out of the Heavenly Substantiality that was the right Angelicall Image which became created in the Fiat of the Word 582. But the Outward Fiat according to the Outward Principle Created the Outward Man and God the Holy Spirit breathed himself thereinto according to the source or quality and property of all the Three Principles into the outward Image according to its outward Property viz the Spirit of the Great World Majoris Mundi of the outward World and the Angelicall Divine World according to the Love of Gods Heart and according to the Eternall Nature viz according to the Fire-World viz according to the Fathers Property the right Soulish viz the Center of the whole Man 583. In Brief what is it that Men should make many words Man was a Totall similitude according to God according to all the Three Worlds and their Properties and that he must be againe or must be a hunger-Spirit in the Dark World 584. What he maketh of himself that he is He standeth here in the Field or Soyle either there groweth out of him an Herb on Gods Table or an Herb in Gods fierce Wrath what kind of Essence so ever he will bring in the growing according to the relish of that it will also get a Mouth for it will eat either of the Love or of the Anger 585. The matter is not about the high knowledge only but about the tast or relish that any becometh the Bread of God which God Eateth It lyeth little in the knowing but all in the DOING it must be DOING the Evill Branches must be Cut off that good Wine may grow 586. We should not judge and condemn one another for the knowledge sake The Plow-Man knoweth lesse then the Doctor but he goeth many times before the Doctor into the kingdome of Heaven let us fall upon DOING that we may get Divine Essence into our Sprout let us reach after the LOVE and then we have ALL. 587. MY high Knowledge maketh me not happy or saved for I know not my self it is not Mine but Gods Spirit knoweth it self in ME he allures Me therewith to himself when he departeth or withdraweth then I know Nothing 588. I have not my knowledge at all from Man why should I then long contend with Man about it no Man can either give it me or take it away from me 589. I deal foolishly in that I Strive with thee for thou canst take nothing from me but it is done for the sake of other people which through thy Mouth abuse my knowledge else I would for thy Cursings and Judgings not lift up a Finger 590. Thou shoudst Converse in Love as a Christian if thou wouldst be Gods childe but if thou Judgest thy brother into Hell-Fire for the sake of his Gift what will become of thee how doest thou know what is befallen him that he runneth on thus How dost thou know upon what Branch or Roote God hath ingrasted him Thou wert not at all by when he did sow the Spirit of his Wisdome 591. You say it is from the Devill and there was Joy in Heaven in Ternario Sancto in the Holy Ternary especially in the Fathers Nature when this Seed was sowne I would NOT give the little Graine that was sowen into me for all this worlds good It is more deare to me than Heaven and Earth and thou treadest it underfoote do but see what manner of Angel thou art 592. Thou writest much and if thou shouldst goe with thy writings to the Center there would be no body at home thou gatherest many Texts of Scripture together which in themselves are GOOD that thou mightst settle a framed Opinion concerning that thou knowest no Ground for 593. Thou canst not bring the Opinion into the Center and then bring it out againe there is no Spirit of Depth in thee but collected Matter from others Mouthes and thy own Mouth understandeth it not 594. But I write what I my self understand and what I can bring into the Ground of the Center 595. Art thou a Master then shew thy self one give me a writing concerning the Center of the Eternall and also of the outward Nature let it be seen what thou canst do prove it in the Light of Nature and not from a strange Mouth Speak from your own knowledge and then I will Answer thee 566. Let thy contemining alone and do thou direct it to the honour of God and make if serve the profit and salvation of Man that it may be a Sprour upon Gods Table and I will Answer thee that thou wilt Wonder and if thou meanest piously wilt highly rejoyce thou wouldst neither seek nor find any Devill in Me. 597. There is a great earnestnesse in me to seek my Eternall kingdome in God God hath not promised me a Scorpion instead of an Egge he would not give me to the Devill when I prayed so earnestly to him for his Holy Spirit 598. The Devill sets not upon a Man a spirituall high Triumphant Crowne or Garland of Victory in Ternario Sancto in the Holy Ternary when a Man Fights against him He hath none of THAT which hath been done to this Spirit which thou callest a Devill and whence its knowledge proceeded 599. I write not for my own Fame which is in God but to Teach Men what they may expect from God if they will but come to the Ring or Lists of this Earnest Fight unlesse the outward voluptuousnesse in soft pleasure of the Flesh
the Father of the House Beelzebub what will they doe to those of his Houshold faith Christ When they persecute you and hate you for my Names sake then doe you rejoyce for great is your Reward in the Kingdome of Heaven 620. Men say an Enemies Mouth never speaks Good there is nothing so Evill but some men make it worse My Book is not Evill it meddles with none only thou makest it Evill thou expoundest it in an Evill sence and my sence was right and Good when I made it 621. Thou fayest there is an evill spirit in me if there were a good spirit in thee then thou wouldst make the Evill to be Good and wouldst not pervert all 622. Gods Spirit seeketh only Good he contends with none he Loveth Man and where he is in a Man there he driveth on to Love and Humility towards his Neighbour he Teacheth and instructeth Gently and Meekly he lifts not up the Horns also he comes not with Thunder and Ligntning as the Anger in the Fathers Nature upon Mount Sinai and with Elias did but with a still meek Voyce as at the day of Pentecost 623. God hath in Christ regenerated us in the Love not in his fires property that we should meet together one with another with a Modest and amiable condiscention and behaviour in a friendly Will and intention and heartily admonish one another as brethren 624. We should help up the weak and erroneous and friendly instruct them in the way and not from the narrow path plunge them into the Water or else cast them into Gods Anger in Hell-fire as the Libeller doth where he saith Hell Fire is thine 625. Christ saith Whosoever saith unto his Brother thou Fool he is guilty of Hell Fire or Raiha he is guilty of a Councill what is he worthy or guilty of who calleth his Brother a Devill and judgeth or condemneth him to Hell fire O Man Consider thy self convert from such uncouth Paths 626. We have indeed here is this valley of Misery before hand in the way of our Pilgrimage a very small narrow Bridge into Gods Kingdome why should we our selves first throw one another down doth one goe astray then let the other shew him the way let us deal one by another as Brethren 627. We all are born blind now then if sight be afforded us of Grace why then doth not one Brother afford Eyes to the Other Every one seeth as God hath favourably afforded him according as sight is given to him why will one brother hate the other for the sake of that because he knoweth not what the Lord hath given to him 628. O how Miserable is this Time of Ours how the Devill hunteth for us with Snares and Nets so that one Brother reproacheth dispiseth contemneth and slayeth the Other that he may captivate us in Gods Anger How doth he not afford us the high honour which he had but lost it with Pride 629. Dear Brethren beware of Pride especially those that are generated out of much Learning Knowledge it is the Pride of Reason and it is Mans worst Enemy it hath set up nothing but Wars and contemning of others 630. Syrach saith The higher thou art the humblyer behave thy self Pride goeth before a Fall Our Reason-knowledge is folly if Gods Spirit in us kindle not the knowledge if I knew all Scriptures outwardly and had not the Spirit of understanding what were my knowledge other then a Conceit 631. That is not Divine knowledge that any confirm an Opinion with many Texts of Scripture collected and put together for every Text hath its proper understanding in the place it standeth according to the Matter treated of oftentimes it signifieth much otherwise then the purpose it is drawn by one for to HIS Opinion 632. The Right knowledge standeth in this where any will Judge there his knowledge in him should be confirmed from the Spirit of God it must goe forth from the Center and not from a strange Mouth 633. Or dost thou suppose that Gods Spirit hath ceased to speak or that it is Dead so that the Spirit which moveth in Gods seeing dare not say any more Thus saith the Lord. 634. The Spirit sheweth it what it should speak only it bewares and defends it self from the intermixture of the Spirit of this World and from the Imagination of the Devill that the right humane will spirit which goeth forth out of the souls fire into the Light be not infected with its Malignity or Curse 635. There is no better Medicine or Antidote then the Desire of Love and the Humility so long as it goeth on and judgeth in Love and Humility in the seeing of the Divine Power so long is his Word GODS WORD for it is approved by the Spirit of God it goeth upon the wings of the Wind in the pure humane will-spirit as David saith The Lord Rideth upon the Wings of the Wind. 636. You find by no Prophet or Apostle that any hath spoken from anothers Mouth but from his own Gift somtime the Spirit hath brought in a Text and thereby cleered other Scriptures but the Maine Matter hath been set downe out of his own Spirit and Mouth 637. Who hath prohibited us that we should not dare to speak out of the Gifts of our Spirit but that we should only speak with a strange Mouth from our Spirit as the Libeller would have it 638. Who hath made a Law that a man should take away the Speech from the Spirit and change it into another Forme but even the Antichrist who hath set himself to be Lord over Gods Spirit and hath changed the Mouth of the holy Children into his Colour and Will 639. Indeed the High Apostles have not commanded it but they said Keep in Remembrance JESUS CHRIST who dyed for us and rose againe and did bid us Teach and Preach that they have barred up the Spirit of no Man or commanded his Tongue to be altogether changed into THEIR Words They have all of them indeed spoken together every one out of his own Tongue and yet out of ONE Spirit which was CHRISTS 640. We have still at this very Day the very SAME Spirit if so be we are born or generated out of HIM dare it not then now speak what is Necessary at this Time what is the Cause that the Center of the Holy Trinity Manifesteth or Revealeth it selfe even Mens Seeking their Desiring 641. Men strive now about the Person of Christ about Gods Election and Men raise Wars and reproaches about it and that Gods Love will have no more to be and he will rather manifest or reveale himself that Men should yet see what he doth and so goe out from strise about Gods Will into a right Apostolick life and no more contend about the knowledge as is done hitherto for a long time in Babel 642. But that now thus a simple Mouth must speak such great Things and NOT one highly Learned Ask