she can do all things And remaining in her self she maketh all things new And in all Ages entring into holy Souls she maketh them Friends of God and Prophets All good things together came to me with her and innumerable Riches in her hands And a greater than Solomon saith Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and his Righteousness and all these things shall be added to you This Certainly is not only our Duty but the great Affair most worthy our Enquiry and Industry That Work which Man alone is capacitated for by reason of his noble Extract and that which is alone a suitable reward to render him truely happy It is this Work and Wisdom that the Writings of Jacob Behmen and these following are conversant about laying the Foundation deep firm and solid and thereupon raising a regular and noble Building Here is described at large our Malady and Remedy both with respect to Time and Eternity for the Instruction and Teaching of those he calls his School-fellows and to the perusal of the said Writings we recommend the Candid Reader And shall conclude with a Testimony concerning the Writings of Jacob Behmen from an Ingenious and Learned Hand What soever the thrice great Hermes delivered as Oracles from his Prophetical Tripos or Pythagoras spake by Authority or Socrates debated or Aristotle affirmed yea whatever Divine Plato Prophesied or Plotinus proved this and all this or a far higher and profounder Philosophy is I think contained in the Teutonicks Writings And if there be any friendly Medium which can possibly reconcile those Ancient Differences between the Nobler Wisdom which hath fixt her Palace in Holy Writ and her stubborn Handmaid Natural Reason this happy Marriage of the Spirit and the Soul this wonderful consent of Discords in one Harmony we owe in great measure to Teutonicus his Skill Only let not the Non or Misunderstanding of the most rational Reader if not a little sublimed above the Sphere of common Reason be imputed as a fault to this Elevated Philosopher no more than 't was to the Divine Plotine whose highest Notions many even of his own School after much Study were not able to reach The way to profit in reading these Writings is to be possest with patience our Minds standing in singleness and simplicity and in this frame of Mind to seek diligently pray earnestly and to resign up our Wills intirely to the Guidance and Conduct of the Divine Love Importunity and Industry often prevails to the obtaining the desired End when Sloth and Negligence meets with Disappointments and Shame Let us humble our selves under the sense of our Misery and submit to the mortifying our corrupt Wills and proceed on to Experience a Separation or cleansing from all filthiness of the Flesh and more secret defilements of the Spirit through the Power and Energy of the Heavenly Fire the Divine Life the Breath or Word of God That knowing a Death unto Sin we may also know a Life unto Righteousness which in the true Heavenly Process being offered up to God as an acceptable Sacrifice a permanent fixed and immortal State may be manifest where there shall be no more going forth for ever If these following Sheets contribute in some measure towards the directing and assisting of any especially the honest Industrious Searcher it will greatly rejoice the Persons concerned it being their end and design in the present Publication Farewel Some Words used by Jacob Behmen explained near to his deep Sense AByss is an Infinity peculiar only to each of the Three Principles Amass is a Spirit or Will bringing it self into substance compaction or manifestation Anguish is the third Form of the seven Properties of the Eternal Nature made of the two first Forms and making the Sulphurous Spirit Centrum or Centre is the Flash standing in every Will to make an opening Three Principles Ch. 14. v. 67. Christ by the word Christ is meant the inward new Man in the Spirit of Christ understood inwardly Element call'd the one or holy Element is of or according to the second Principle generated Eternally out of the Eternal Nature or great Mystery which are according to the first but where-ever they generate the holy Element there is Paradise Ens the proper or peculiar Being or Essence Good or be it Evil of a thing Eternal Nature is of the first Principle and is that in which standeth two Kingdoms one the pure Virgin Wisdom of God the one holy Element the cause of the four Elements and Stars The other the severe fierce wrath According to which God calleth himself a consuming Fire It is therefore the great Mystery Expressed word comprizeth all Creatures Visible and Invisible Fiat the Eternal speaking Word or Creating Power proceeding from the Free-will of the Abyss Also the desire of the Soul taking the power of the holy Love Tincture and makes it Essential Flagrat or sudden fright terror shriek flash the severing the two Principles of Light and Darkness resembling that in Thunder and Lightning Gunpowder c. The pregnant Eccho of the sound of Eternity speaking by Magical Fire-breath Love or Anger Life in the Light Death in the Darkness Which is called the Salnitral Flagrat Idea is the Ens which with Man first is and then known But we wrong God unless we say it is because God seeth it 〈…〉 a Divine Sparkle captiv'd so as can only glimmer not shine forth Magia there are two Magia's one of the Unity the other of the Multiplicity or Astral Powers And two Magi in Man the Spirit of God and Reason into the latter the Devil easily insinuates Majesty the Light of the Glorious Son of God the second Principle according to which only God is called God for according to the first viz. the Fathers Property he is not called God but a consuming Fire Lubet a Longing Delight or Beneplacitum In God it is the free pregnant will to Manifestation in Nature and Creature without which all had been an Eternal stilness The Lubet in Man is the moving will to Good or Evil. Mysterium Magnum that out of which all Visible and Invisible Concreates proceeded it is of the first Principle Vide Eternal Nature Out-birth the visible palpable mortal part of this World call'd the Anger-fire Salniter is that which in the Sulphur is awakened by the heat arising into a Flagrat out of the Brimstony Watry and Earthy Properties whereby the Properties are Explicated Sathan is meant the Spirit of Error and not always a Creaturely Devil but the Property of such an Erroneous Spirit Salitter call'd Divine Salitter represented by the Earth but like the pure Heaven in it are moving springing Powers producing all manner of Divine Trees Plants c. with Heavenly Colours Smells Tasts whereof this Worlds Trees Gold Silver precious Stones c. are hard dead dark shadows But this Salitter and Mercurius i. e. Divine Mercurius is the Food of Angels and Holy Souls Sophia the true noble precious Image of Christ
Ghost and the Virgin Mary Therefore was it that when the Lord did shed his Blood for Mankind he is truly said to pour out his Soul that Blood being the Chariot of his Soul Also out of his side pierced by the Spear came Water the Signifier and Chariot of his meek pure Spirit of dear love and purity as the Blood of the Soul united unto the Infinite Spirit of Love 9. When therefore this Water and this Blood fell to the Earth the Divine power being in and with it caused the Earth to tremble the Rocks to rend from their dark Coagulation the Graves as Prisons to open For the captivating power which the Salitter from the Fall of the Angels sustained and was invaded withal causing rocky coagulation and the Curse and Death by the Fall of Man casting the Earth into a deadly sâ—upor and sterility was as it were dismay'd broken enfeebled by the holy powers coming on it 10. This could not be concealed but as Jordan fled from Eliah's Mantle the Graves ceased to be Prisons opening their Doors the joynts and cement of the Rocks were loosed and they clave asunder and the drowsie Earth awakened and trembled 11. For as the wrath had shut up the Divine power in the Creation in Death in an inactivity or obscurity So the Divine Love hath by his Conquest over Death on the Cross with irresistible Might and Puissance opened the Doors broke the Chains and proclaimed the acceptable year leading Captivity Captive Q. 126. What did the Darkness signifie which at that time came over all Nature A. 1. The Root of five of the other seven Planets is the Sun but Saturn hath a distinct Centre Now the Sun is out of the Magical Spiritual Fire and Light World and that Worlds Fountain is the incomprehensible power of the Fathers property and the inaccessible Light of the Sons property And the Spiritual World is figured imaged represented actuated and expressed by the Sun and Saturn Especially by the Sun as it were by a Nature God 2. And therefore as if you stop the Efflux of a Fountain the stream ceaseth or if the Sap be obstructed the Fruit soon feels the defect or if you withdraw the Face from before a Looking glass the Glass retains not but loseth it Thus was it that the Out-birth of the third principle was over-cast ceasing its Lustre at the instant of the Lords Passion 3. The things signified by it were 1. That as Adam departed out of the Eternal day into the temporary Darkness so did temporary Darkness here shoulder out or exclude the day And as Adam Exchang'd a blessed repose exact order perfect peace and sweet rest for a state of Enmity Horror Torment and Death So now did the Lord enter into the Death Enmity c. to pass us through into Life and Rest. Again as Adam went out of the holy first and second principles in to the Bestial separate prophane Out-birth so did the same Out-birth pass now into Death and Impotence discovering it self thereby to be only a shadow their Order and Beauty borrow'd and dependant wholly on the Internal World and that no Creature World or Angel hath a Self-sufficiency so least of all hath this which is but a Picture of Eternal things It also signified the wrath of the first principle invading the second or out-breathed holy Life prevailing to the shutting up the Eye of the third principle Yet that after three hours viz. from the sixth to the ninth viz. after a threefold domination in and over the faln Humanity the Soul the Spirit and the Astral or Elementary Man making the Divine Man â—ry out and plead that it also might not be forsaken straightway upon a second cry and a resignation made viz. the second principles out-breath'd Image entreth Death and â—trook it dead then the Internal Light figur'd by the outward riseth again Q. 127. Why did Christ in his Death commend his Soul into his Fathers Hand What is the Hand of God A. 1. As previous to this Answer it must be enquir'd 1. What may be understood by Souls in general then what by this most holy one 2. What various acceptation we read concerning the Hands of God And come to the direct Answer 1. Souls in general are 1. Sometimes intending the Eternal Soul distinct from Spirit and Body 2. Sometimes it means the Body distinct from both Soul and Spirit 3. Sometimes it 's understood of the Soul and Spirit distinct from the Body 4. Sometimes it extends to the taking in of the whole Man as of the most holy Soul Spirit and Body of the Lord Jesus Christ who yielding up himself wholly unto his Father was as a whole Burnt â—ffering or Lamb without spot Sacrificed as the one alone once for all and for ever intire Sacrifice and Altar also and Incense fully making Atonement and Entring once and thenceforth Eternally into the Holy of â—olies 2. Thus as the true High Priest he entred the most holy place bringing in a new Priesthood of another Tribe viz. not of Levi but of Iudah also another order not of Aaron but of Melchizedeck by change of the Priesthood changing also the Law of direct necessity putting a period to figures as the daily Sacrifice the anniversary entring of the High-Priest into the holy place but rending the Vail c. 3. Of all which the Epistle to the Hebrews as that they were most immediately concerned to know doth copiously inculcate and convince 2. What may be understood by the Hands of the Father here spoken of 1. Sometimes it means his Mighty Power irresistible strength c. 2. Sometimes are signified by it his Infinite Omniscience and Omnipresence 3. Sometimes are intended his most wise and gracious ordering and providence 4. Sometimes it speaketh his most loving merciful careful preservation and shielding of his Children 4. In serious view of all which the Fathers Hands whereinto the Lord Jesus Bequeathed his Soul Spirit and Body may not only be taken in all these Acceptations but an infinitely more vast comprehension than all Creatures Saints or Angels can fathom or enumerate 5. Now to the answer it self be it known that the dear and only Eternal Son of the dear Eternal love of the Father having given his Disciples and all his purchas'd holy ones his peace for their incomparable privilege as the legacy of the Prince of Peace by Testament To the end it might never be frustrated ratified it by the Death of the Testator gives himself up wholly at once entring into death who himself was the Fountain of Life and breathing his last cry and groans into the Bosom or Hands of his Ever-living Infinitely-loving Omnipresent Father and thus through death re introduced life into the Humane Nature 6. And is it ask'd why It is answer'd Who but the whole Father could receive the whole Son Who less than the Infinite first principle could receive the Infinite second principle For tho'
God and hath Ability to speak of the indissolvable band but not of the infinite generating for the immeasurable space of the Dâ—ity hath neither Beginning nor End Of the sublime Gate of the Holy Trinity 4 The Father iâ— the Original Essence of all Essences in whom if the Son the second Principle were not Eternally generated the Father according to the first Principle would be a zealous wrathful dark Principle for the Son is as the Light out of the Fire the Heart Brightness and Love of the Father who is in his Son merciful reconciled and well pleased The Son is another manner of Person than the Father hath another centre of meer Jov and Love The Holy Ghost proceedeth from both in the enkindling of the Light as out of the Water Fountain of Humility is also an Almighty Spirit making out of the vertue of the Light an infinite number of Centres of a sweet smell and sweet tast The Description of Lucifer c. I Abridge not here having done it more fully in the 13th Chapter of Aurora page 250. CHAP. V. Of the third Principle the Creation of the Material World and farther clearing of the first and second Principles 1. A Principle is a Birth Therefore he that is Born of God may know the third Principle by his own new Birth The terror of God's Wrath the horror and anguish of his Estate Sin and Darkness was his first Principle His pure Divine Joy in being born again is his entring into the new Life or second Principle 2. In the first Principle is the indissoluble band which is Genitrix in it self inanimate wherein by the moving Spirit of God out of that incomprehensible Matrix the comprehensible visible Water proceeded in such various manner as the Spirit willed for out of the fifth Form of it was enkindled the fiery Heaven and Constellation or Quintessence where the Light originateth whence the Sun was Born which opened and enlivened the third Principle of the Material World as the Heart of God in Paradise doth in that pure immaterial Heaven opening the Eternal Power and Wisdom of God 3. The outward third Principle is the Similitude or Representation of the inward Paradisical World in which Angels and Man were â—reated and should not have known the Original of the four Elements wherein by the Fall of Lucifer was Evil and Good but now the Knowledge of it is highly necessary that we may fly from the bestial Man and learn to know the true Man CHAP. VI. Of the Separation in Creating the Third Principle 1. BY the Separation of the Creatures the Sun Stars Elements yea in our selves and in all things and their particular Properties the Eternal Mother is seen 2. The generated World becomes a Genitrix not sundered from the Eternal but by the Sun hath attain'd another Light and Life but is not the Eternal Light Life or Wisdom it self 3. Out of the Paradisical Heaven Water Spirit or Matrix is the Material Heaven created For when Lucifer would Domineer the dark Matrix attracted so as the Earth Stones Metals Salt c. proceeded which shut him up but the vertue remaining in the Matrix producing Light made also Gold Silver Copper c. The Spirit of God without departing from his own Eternal Paradisical Seat by the Fiat moved on the Material half deadned Water and created the Heaven which once separated from the dark Mist whereof was the Earth the Elements of Air Fire and Water though one in another appeared CHAP. VII Of the Eternal Birth of Heaven and generating the four Elements c. 1. NO Spirit nor Man can of his own Power possibly see into any other Principle but in which he is or is regenerated into Man whose Soul is out of the first Principle his Body outwardly of the Stars and Elements and inwardly of the one Element if illustrated by the second Principle hath great might of Miracles raising the Dead c. such may well see into the three Principles the Spirit of which it is Born searcheth the deep things of the Deity 2. Other Men Swim between the Vertue of the Stars and Elements as the Created Heavens do between the Divine and Hellish Kingdoms as doth Man also and to which of them he falls and yields himself in that is he regenerated 3. The Light of God is a cause of all the three Principles But for that there would be no longing and attraction in the dark Eternity and the Father is the first desiring and longing after the Son thence the Eternal Nature is ever longing So the brightness or Heart of the Father in the dark Matrix generateth the third Principle for so is God manifest who else would be Eternally hidden 4. Therefore O Noble Man though thou art stept with Adam out of Paradice into the third Principle set thy great desire and longing of thy Heart on the Heart of God and his Kingdom will be taken by force seek God in thy Soul there stands all the three Principles The Divine Birth it self the Pearl the Paradisical Garden do all stand open in a holy Soul 5. The true place of God is every where the Centre of the Earth he comprehendeth Hell it self All things are of him and from him And yet the out or procreated Birth is not from his Essence or Substance but from the Darkness And 1. The Fountain of the Darkness is the first Principle 2. The Vertue and Power of the Light is the second Principle 3. The Out-birth generated out of the Darkness by the power of the Light is the third Principle In a similitude 6. 1. Your Soul-giving Reason representeth God the Father 2. The Light shining in the Soul represents the Son 3. The vertue proceeding from that Light whereby the whole Body is directed represents the Holy Ghost 7. 1. The Darkness in you which longeth after the Light is the first Principle 2. The power of the Light by which you see in your Mind without Bodily Eyes is the second Principle 3. The vertue proceeding from the Mind impregnating it self whence the Material Body groweth is the third Principle Between each of which is an inclosure knot or stop 8. God â—ever'd the Fiery Starry Heaven or Quintessence from the watery Matrix else there would have been no end of generating of Stones That done the watery became clear and still the fiery longeth after the watery as the Husband of it and the watery as the Wife is impregnated thereby by which the Elements and all Minerals Vegetables c. as Children are proceeded 9. Every Form in the Matrix hath its visible Creatures but invisible to us unless they will manifest themselves for tho' the Elements are Members one of the other and receptacles one of the other yet each comprehendeth but it self Nor do the Spirits of the Air Water and Fire comprehend more than of their own Birth or peculiar World As the Body seeth not the Syderial and Elementary Spirit nor that
Essences in the Centre of the Eternal Band so in the new Birth may be seen the dark and holy Worlds as that whereout the new Man is Born Even as the Word in the Father and the Spirit which goeth forth from the power is the life of the Deity The Eternal Will is the Creator and the Father is the Being of the Will and the Essences caused by the Will There are two Wills causing two Principles in one Being but the first is not called God but Nature or Essence the second Will is the beginning and end making Nature or Essence manifest 2. The first Will being an Eternal desire to Generate the Word can be called only the desiring in the Will which with a strong eagerness contracteth narrowness to be the manifester of wideness which attraction is thicker than the Will and as its darkness and in the Egress of the desiring are the Essences viz. a sting of sensibility which the desiring cannot endure therefore rageth so much the more into such Enmity as is betwixt Heat and Cold and this Impetuosity causeth Mobility Terror and Anguish moving upwards where being restrained it stirs Circular whence come Multiplicity and tho' without feeling being meer Spirit and Forms of Nature yet so terribly raving that it buildeth and destroyeth as Life and Death and here is the Sulphur Mercury and Salt of high-knowing ancient Philosophers 3. Two Forms sharp cold and bitter stinging make the Wheel of the Essences which two are in terrible Anguishes without the other Forms generated out of them for the sharp sourness is like hard Stones and the sting of the attracting breaketh them which is rightly called Phur which would hold the Will in the Darkness which cannot be captivated being incomprehensible and is the flash of the sting And the bitter sting dissipateth the darkness of the Astringency as the flash ariseth from a stroke on a sharp Flint the bitter sting extreamly sharpeneth it self consuming the darkness even so the Fathers sharpness is a consuming Fire being the liberty which is free from Nature as much as the Mind is above the Sences and when the sourness hath captivated the liberty the fourth form is generated and the crack of the flash is the third Form making the sour Anguish or Brimstone Spirit For if the sourness sharpeneth extremely it is the proper limit of Eternal Death the Brimstone Spirit is the Soul of the four Forms having the Fire in it and would enkindle Nature and fly above it in a horrible power as may be considered in the Devils 4. Sul in Sulphur is the Soul in an Herb it is the Oyl not originating in the Centre as Phur doth but is generated after the flash even as all the four Forms in this third Principle are by the Suns vertue in a great degree moderated and made amiable in like manner doth the second Principle enlighten the Centre of the four Forms in the Holy Angels making them lovely and pleasant Mercurius comprizeth all the four Forms and Sal is the greatest in corporeal things The four Forms are the cause of all things making the Wheel of the Essences and every Essence which are themselves innumerable is again a Centre so that the power of God is unsearchable 5. The Fall of the Devils was their extinguishing in themselves the Light of the Heart of God wherefore they are shut up in the anxious four Forms Man fell from that Light also into that of this World Who if he enters not again into the Light of God when this Body breaketh he is in the first Birth of Life with the Devils yet both would climb up above Heaven but cannot feel or see that Principle like as we Men with our outward Eyes cannot see God who is always present nor the Angels who are very often with us except we put our earnest Will into God then we see and feel him with the Mind So also if we go with our Will inâ—o wickedness we receive the Hellish Principle and the Devil takes fast hold of our Heart Whereof the Soul is so sensible that often in desperation they destroy themselves by the Sword Ropes or Water 6. Tho' the Hellish Creatures have but four Forms manifest to them yet can they turn themselves into all Forms as infinitely as Mens thoughts except the holy Forms The Fire is their right Life and the sour Astringency of the darkness their right Food 7. The first Eternal Will is the Father and Eternally generateth the Word his Son who is the Heart of the first Will having in him the vertue and power of the first Will and a several Centre in it self The Father expresseth all things by the Son and whatever is expressed by the Spirit and Power of the Father in the word is in a Spiritual manner for what is formed out of the Eternal is Spirit and Eternal as Angels and Souls of Men are And tho' the four Forms keep their own Centre yet out of them cometh the Light and in the Light the Love which shineth in the darkness but the darkness comprehendeth it not The Father is in himself the light clear bright Eternity yet without a Name for if the Eternal Liberty did not generate there would be no Father but seeing he doth generate the Band of Nature he manifesteth himself therewith with his fiery sharpness an angry Zealous or Jealous God and Consuming Fire out of which presseth forth the Meekness as a sprout out of Death turning Enmity into Love CHAP. III. Is concerning the Sixth and Seventh Forms 1. THE generating of the Love is in the sixth Form viz. Mercury the sound Tone or Song as also the five Senses The Son of God is rightly the Flame of Love who created the Angelical World out of himself whence goeth out the Virgin of the Eternal Wisdom of God by which God created this World out of the first Principle and that which goeth forth with or out of the Love is the Holy Spirit of the Word this together is the Trinity in Unity But as in the wrath there is a striving contrary Will here is an Embracing 2. The sourness retaineth its strength in the sharpness of Love but it is very soft and the sixth Form makes Voices Tunes and Sounds so that the Essences hear one another and in the Assimilation taste one another in the breaking through of their Power feel one another in the desirous Love smell one another and in the Light see one another The six Forms are the six Seals of God what in the dark Centre is a poysonous Woe and Anguish is in this the exalted Joy and Triumph a satiating of the first Will which is call'd Father for the Son is the Word the Brightness the Power the Love the Life the Wonder of God he is the Essence which manifesteth every Essence Concerning the seventh Form of the Eternal Nature The revealed Gate of the Essence of all Essences 3. The time of this World from the beginning to the end
and Sorrow Meekness and Fierceness thus it is in the Father's Nature This twofold desiring in one substance are two Centres that to Meekness not severed from the other is the second or Son and is therefore call'd the Son because generated out of the Father's Nature call'd the Word because he is the Glance or Majesty of the Eternal Liberty call'd a Person because he is a Self-subsisting Essence not the Birth of Nature but the Life and Understanding of Nature and call'd the Heart of the Father because he is the Vertue and Power of the Centre of Nature as the Heart is in the Body and call'd the Light of the Father because he takes his Lustre out of the sharpness of the Eternal Nature and call'd wonderful for by him out of the Father's Essences are all things brought to Light the Father and Son are as Fire and Light 7. The Holy Ghost is the third the Breath or Noise is that which makes the Will manifest and the Heart also The Noise is the awakener of Life framer of the Sences or Reason and bringer of one Essence into another Thus the third Person is a Self-subsisting Essence going in triumph with the Essences the Father and manager of the Sword of Omnipotence the destroyer of Malice and Evil the opener of the Genitrix in the Darkness All which is thus shewed in Man his Body tho' it hath the Essences were senceless without the Spirit Again the Spirit is not the Understanding and Light it self for the Light is the blossom and originateth in the Tincture of the Fire and the Spirit is the blower up of the Fire CHAP. V. Of the Virgin the Wisdom of God and of the Angelical World and of the Holy Trinity 1. GOD is only One every where present the Mind therefore asketh if the Spirit goeth out from God whither goeth he seeing he remaineth in the mouth of God as a Spirit in a Body to which it is answered he goeth forth revealing God as in the seven Lamps and opening gradually the seven Seals but the seven Thunders being in the dark Matrix of Fierceness he hideth and â—ealeth not to be known till they are past and the whole Mystery of God's Kingdom opened by the seventh Angel And the Glassy Sea is the Water Spirit whence the Fiat made not only the outward Element of Water but every thing for in this seventh Form in great Holiness is the Father revealed in this Angelical World 2. Thus the Father's Will maketh the cause of Nature which is a Darkness consisting of the four first Forms to become seven and thence infinitely the seventh being their Body in this Earth for the Fathers Nature in the Wrath makes this Corporeal in which the Devil as Prince in the Wrath is called Prince of this World And the same is also in the deep of the Astral Wheel Just so is it also in the inward Holy World which is not severed from this but this severed by a Principle from that for there is no Angle where the inward World is not 3. The Angelical World of Love and humble Joy is the Sons and at the flash two Kingdoms sever Love and Wrath there is made the Cross with the two Centres as Light hath another Centre than Fire tho' not separated and on this Cross Birth is the Heart or Son of God generated from Eternity in Eternity at this Cross lie the Holy Children of the Virgin Image and in the Wisdom of the Serpent are the Children of this World The Holy Ghost goeth forth from the Father through the Son as the Air from Fire and Light revealing in the Angelical substantiality and this is meant by Ternarius Sanctus The highly Precious Gate for Man to consider of 4. The Wisdom of God is an Eternal Virgin of Purity in whom the Holy Ghost hath discovered the Image of Angels and of Man also of the third Principle she is the great secret Mystery which unapprehended goeth in the Powers and Anger of the Father opening the Wonders in the Forms and Seals of Nature Through her hath the Holy Ghost not only made Corporeal Existences out of both Matrixes of the substantiality but a limit to them where the seven Forms shall go into their Ether as after the six days Work or six Creations they enter the seventh being their Eternal Rest and the time of the seventh Seal and Trumpet yet both Mothers shall stand before the Trinity in the Eternal Figure for the glory of God's works of wonder 5. Tho' this Virgin be incorporeal yet is the Spirits Corporeity and Visibility her heavenly similitude is the Beauty and Lustre of all Fruits the Vertue of all Jewels and Vegetables she may be as the Tincture of the Holy Element wherein the Paradisical growing consisteth and the seven Forms as the holy delight of the Angels wrestle being a fulfilling of the will of every Life she is not circumscribed every Divine Creature as the Angels and holy Souls of men hath this Virgin in the Light of their Life in this we see the Majesty of the Deity We comprehend not the Trinity the Spirit of the Soul standing in the Divine Centre seeth it but imperfectly for the Soul is but out of one Form of Nature as there are several sorts of Angels yet can the Soul introduce it self into all forms the Trinity only is perfect God is manifest in a creaturely form in Angels and whole Angelical World for they are not out of the substantiality which is without understanding but out of the Centre of the seven Forms of the Eternal Nature out of each Form a Throne Angel and out of each Throne his Angel so was it a whole Dominion fell with Lucifer And the Dominions among Men which yet are all but Stewards originate here tho' a sort of proud Clergy would rule over them The Distinction between the Substantiality and the Element also between Paradice and Heaven 6. The Substantiality is in Heaven the Corporeity of the seven Spirits is call'd God's Body also the Body of our Regenerate Soul it is Christ's Body given us to eat in his Testament comprehensible to the Spirit of the Soul tho' not palpable to our outward sences yet in it self without understanding And the one Element doth lead the Principle in the Substantiality as a movable Life it is not the Spirit of God himself but the Spirit hath this Element as a â—ody 7. Heaven is call'd in the Meekness the Water Spirit and is the outward inclosure or Firmament parting the Principle and Paradice is the springing up out of the Essences through all Forms through the one Element through the Substantiality and through Heaven as the flourishing of a rich springing Rosy Garden and therefore was Adam therein that is in that Principle and also in this World The Gates of this World also the Language of Nature 8. All our knowledge of God is his own Revelation of himself for the Spirit of God hath imaged the Wisdom of God
from within as when Christ raised Lazarus by a power from within from the Centre of the Soul as so also shall we be raised at last for the Word with the three Principles dwells in us And all Souls are as it were one Soul being all propagated of one Soul therefore will they all hear the Voice of the Human Soul of Christ and arise with their Bodies 5. So when we pray it is not to a God afar off for God heareth in the Centre of the Soul of the repenting sinner pressing out of the anguish of the first Principle and out of the Spirit of this World into the holy second Principle which is also in the Soul for when we pray aright the Word which became Man having the Holy Ghost in it goeth from the Father and meeteth the pouring out Soul for the Body is not worthy but the new Body of the flesh of Christ when the Soul attains it is the Temple of the Holy Ghost Then comes the Soul to God as the Prodigal Son with an humble submissive obedient Will from the Swine He knocks at his evil heart and breaks open the doors and the Father saith This my Son was lost and is found was dead and is alive The latter part of this Chapter is not extracted being a brief Exposition of the Lord's Prayer according to the Language of Nature which is little known CHAP. XVII Concerning God's Blessing in this World 1. THE Soul finds it self in such an Earthy Garment causing shame and is so choaked by the Devils smoky Pit which represents God a cruel severe Judge that stands at a catch to damn it or decreed its eternal perdition before the present World was that the Soul must needs be under total despair or great doubt at least of falling short of the Light of God for such is the Effect of shame and guilt Therefore the Soul by this misunderstanding starts back seeking some satisfaction from the Spirit of this World and support for the outward Life only or chiefly to be had by its own distrustfâ—â—â—arking and toiling in his own contrivances and subtle reason a consequent of the Curse whence so many potent delusions spring for he thus falls home to the Earthy Life for meat clothing and habitation 2. And this is contrary to the Life Man should have led for as God dwelleth in the Earth yet the Earth apprehendeth him not so Man should with the Soul have eaten the Divine Word of God's Love tho' the Body had been of the Matrix of the Earth yet not captivated in it but eating of the Blessing of God The Body was taken out of the Centre of the Fire and Waters Tincture the Soul out of the second Principle why then should the Body captivate the Soul 3. The Outward Life consists in three parts one in the dominion of the Stars another in the one Element divided into four and the other the dominion of God So that the Man who trusteth in God and not in his Reason the Spirit of God is with him blessing what he is hath and doth For seeing the Soul hath the Body of God how can God's Spirit forsake the outward Body which must open its Wonders God wants none and all are alike profitable to him the politick and the weak for with the outwardly wise he ruleth and with the outwardly simple he tilleth buildeth c. and this Worlds outward Spirit gives degrees to men here so according as the Soul is indued with Divine Power such are the degrees in Heaven yet all in one Love but God's Children are in this and that World as Good Herbs and sweet Flowers which yield their several Vertues in harmony to the Apothecary and the wicked are as poisonous Weeds Thorns and Thistles who separate themselves and their Off-spring into an evil Self-will and Property 4. Covetousness is madness driving Man Devil like to Torment others about a handful of Earth or a Stone of which the World hath enough and plague himself to get the Good of that he must speedily leave and the gnawing guilt which will never leave him This Man still runneth after that Care and Sorrow which runneth after him whereas every one if content hath a sufficient Portion from the Spirit of this World and of Care and Sorrow also as saith the Lord Sufficient for the day is the Evil thereof But Man's mad Will is all to advance Pride whereas the Kingdom of God is Love and Humility and if Man suffers not himself to be captivated Heaven and Earth is his by God's free Donation so not only Heaven but the Sun Stars Elements Earth Sea and all is Man's by Natural Propriety To trust therefore in God is to build sure in Heaven and Earth CHAP. XVIII Of Death and Dying How Man is when he Dieth and how it is with him in Death 1. THE Life consisteth in three Parts 1. The Inward which is God's Eternal hidden Mystery in the Fire whence Life existeth 2. The Middle or Eternal Image of God wherein God seeth himself as a Man doth himself in a Glass 3. The Spirit of the great World which this Eternal Image got in the Creation as a Glass to see it self in so the out-principle figures the inward and the inward Image hath so gazed on the outward as that it hath received the outward which must break off again which because it is bound to the Eternal Centre of Nature therefore is the breaking in Death so very painful 2. The outward consisteth in the Sun's Tincture and its Dominion are the Planets and Stars each of which still drive on to its Limits and when it comes again to its place where it stood in the Creation all whereof it was Lord ceaseth for there it commenceth a new Age whence many a young Child in the Womb dieth for its Lord is at its Period And to hit the Point of our limited End it is required to know exactly the Number and Period of the Sign which is our Leader 3. How hardly can the Living Man express how it is with one that is Dead which himself hath not experimented A Dead Man's sence is ceased with extinguishing his Fire his Elementary Spirit evaporateth his Blood and Water pass into Water and Earth also therewith his Essences thus his Beginning finds End But because the corruptible hath an Eternal Root therefore the Eternal worketh in the Fragile and because the outward Imageth the Eternal it should bring its Wonders and Similitudes into the Eternal whence it is originated 4. The Souls Will worketh in the Centre or Eternal Root the Astral Spirit works in the Body adhering so to the Soul that the Soul often lusteth to do what the Starry Spirit doth and such Souls who get no higher fall into Covetousness Pride Envy and Anger whence if they convert not in those very works must the Soul Eternally dwell doing the Devils Will hating God loving Folly which was here and is there their only Treasure but only in the
by Eternal Generation standing in the Majesty of the Sacred Trinity and in the Body of Mary equally alike at Once Q. 37. What the Spirit of Christ is which was Obedient and which he commended into his Fathers Hands A. 1. This is that great Jewel that Pearl Matth. 13. 46. The Philosopher's Stone and shining Sun not so noble The Heavenly and Earthy Mystery is in it Nothing in this World is like it but the mean Simplicity which standeth still and awakeneth not the Turba in such a Spirit is this Jewel hid as the Gold in the Stone 2. The Soul is the Original of Life as a Fire of God which should be turned into God's Eternal Will in the Magick seeking of which Will the Soul is originated and wherein lyeth the Deity with all the three Principles 3. And out of the Soul's Fire the Light is generated by blowing it self up by which it is its own Life and in the Lights Meekness is the Noble Tincture with two Forms one red of the Fire the other thin of the Water which generate the Life And in the Exit or going forth of that Power and Vertue which is free from the Fire is the Light of Life or true Spirit wherein is the Virgin the Image of God In this Spirit lye the Thoughts and Understanding and if it casteth away its own Soul's Fire Pomp and Wit it attains God's Image God's Body For it is so subtil that it Uniteth it self with God for it can and may enter into God And because this Spirit originateth out of the Fire-life and the Fire-life in the Abyss standeth in the quality of the Anger of God therefore Christ commended not this his Spirit into the fiery Life but into his Father's hands viz. into his Love-desire wherewith he reacheth after our Spirits when we enter into God 4. Thus is shewed what Christ's Spirit is and what our Spirit is viz. not the Soul it self but its Life's Spirit In the Trinity the Son hath the Spirit proceeding out of his Heart and Mouth the Heart is the flame of Love which meekneth the Father's Anger so is it in Man and no otherwise in one Syllable Q. 38. What are to be done at the End of the World A. Future things are to be answered only in a Magical manner or by way of Similitude because the future Wonders are all seen in the Turba And concerning this Question there is enough spoken in the Answers of the former Questions Q. 39. What and where Paradise is with its Inhabitants A. It is explained in the Enochian Life that Paradise is not altered only withdrawn from our source or quality if our Eyes were opened we should see it Nay God is with us only we have lost the Quality and Fruit of Paradise as the Devil hath lost God For Adam would eat of the Earthy Fruit whereby he got an Earthy Life and secluded himself the Garden where heavenly Fruit groweth Q. 40. Whether Paradise is alterable and what shall de afterwards A. 1. As little as God is alterable so little is Paradise When the outward Dominion shall pass away then shall in the place of this World be pure Paradise an Earth of heavenly substantiality No Night Heat Frost Old-Age Sickness Fear Sorrow Death nor Superiour but Christ in one Communion with the Angels then will the Tabernacle of God be with Men. 2. This Earth will be a Christalline Sea where God's lustre will be the Light It will be a Holy Priestly Life all speaking of God's Wisdom and Infinite Wonders all Fruits will grow to us according to our wish it will be a Life of meer Love and Delight for to this end hath God manifested himself in the created Images of Angels and Men that he might rejoyce himself in his Life's Essences Eternally Hallelujah This was the Author's Fourth Book Written Anno 1620. THE FIFTH BOOK Of the AUTHOR Jacob Behmen Consisting of Three PARTS Viz. First The Incarnation or becoming Man of Jesus Christ. The second Part is Of Christs Suffering Dying Death and Resurrection The third Part is Of the Tree of Christian Faith 1. TO the right knowing Christs Incarnation the Knowledge how Adam was and whereof made much importeth 2. Adam was made out of all the three Principles God the Fathers Property compared to Fire The Sons Property compared to Light The Spirits Property to the Wind or Air the out-birth proceeding from both God according to the first Principle is not called God but a consuming Fire 3. The Father is the Eternal Will the son the Eternal Meekness and the Impregnator the Spirit the Eternal Life 4. The Trinity Created the one holy Element called Centre of Nature Divine substantiality the substantiality of the Light Paradise the Mother of a giving Power Meekness and Substance to all Forms 5. Out of this one holy Element were made Angels and Men. Only Man was made not only of the one holy Element but as to the out-birth of the four Elements also over which he was to rule both Stars Elements and Creatures by his Power given him out of that one holy Element 6. Adam's Body was Paradisical Holy and of Power to penetrate Stone or Earth Immortal yet real Flesh and Blood but Holy and Heavenly He was both a Masculine and Feminine Virgin and was to propagate Magically for both the Tinctures were in him and to eat only Paradisical Food which needed neither Guts not Bestial Draught c. 7. But Adam did not continue so for the four Elements gaining Power over the one holy potent Element by which they were to have been governed he slept for he was not able to continue in the state wherein he was created so God divided the Tinctures and form'd of the Feminine a Woman giving her the half Cross in the head and to them the Members of distinction and propagation yet still in Paradise 8. And Eve being tempted by the Serpent tho' the Law of God was explained to her by her Husband fell and drew him also 9. But God had incorporated the Virgin of Wisdom in them which viz. the Eternal Virginity in the Covenant of Promise hath lain shut up in the Virgin Mary and in all Adam's Children in every Man's Light of Life wanting only this that the Soul's Spirit give it self up thereinto and in that Soul-Spirit God becometh generated again CHAP. VIII 1. FOR Christ is not become Man in the Virgin Mary only so that the Divine Substantiality did sit bolted up therein no the Divine Substantiality in the Water of Eternal Life entred into and became flesh and blood It made Heavenly Tincture and Divine Magia 2. So that we may say when with our imagination we enter into God that we enter into God's flesh and blood for the Word became Man and God is the Word 3. This takes not away the Creature of Christ We liken the Creature of Christ which is indeed a Body to the Sun which enlighteneth the whole
as far as he is called God but hath as the Sun one only Will to give out himself in Life and Power to all things and is without ground place or time take away Nature and Creature and all is God forego the out-spoken Word and you find the speaking Word 4. The nearest way to find God is for Man who is his Image to fink down from all imprinted Images Disputes and Strife depart from Self-will and Desire and demerse it self solely into the single Love of God which he in Christ hath after Man's Fall first introduced into the Humanity 5. Let Man go forth from all Images when he will understand the Eternal speaking Word but when he would know whence Evil and Good proceeded and God's calling himself an angry Jealous God let him look towards the Eternal Nature to the out-spoken and formed Word and then to Nature the Beginning Temporal Nature wherein lyeth the Creation of this World CHAP. II. Of the Original of Gods speaking Word c. 1. CReaturely Reason thinketh God from Eternity by Predestinate purpose resolved his Wrath on some should reveal his Majesty and on others his Love and Mercy as Fire doth Light If so then there must have been Thoughts Consultation and Cause of it But he is only one nor can only one thing be at strife in it self whence Consultation should arise to decide it 2. Every thing springing from a Beginning less Ground hath nothing before it can destroy it unless it bring it self into a Heterogene Will incongruous to that whence it sprung and so separate it self from the total intireness as did the Devils and Soul of Man break it self into a peculiar off from the intire Will and Divine Uâ—igeniture 3. The Powers to the Production of the Word are God and the Magnetical Attraction Science or Root in the beginning of Nature That attraction of the Desire revealeth God's Majesty in the Power to Joy and Glory which is the Root of Darkness coming to the kindling of the Fire according to which God calleth himself an angry God and consuming Fire Wherein also the Divisibility Death and Dying and gross creaturely life existeth 4 Men that say God willeth Evil do accompt him a Devil for the willing Evil is a Devil they should distinguish God from Nature 5. In Nature as Metals c. having in them Evil and Good one thing is set against another not to be at Enmity but that the Mysterium Magnum should enter into distinction and be at an exulting Joy in the Eternal one 6. The Eternal Will Jehovah manifesteth its Word through Nature but taketh not Nature into him but the Word taketh Nature to it in the Science or Root 7. * God is called God only according to the Light in the Love-fire and Temperature not in the Divisibility CHAP. III. Of the Seven Forms and Creation 1. THE First Form of the Beginning to Nature is Astringency Father of Sal. The second Form is perceptibility the Wo c. Father of the Mercurial Life The third Form is Anguish Father of Sulphur arising from the strife of the other two The first ariseth from the Fathers The second from the Sons The third from the Spirits Property The first the Ground of Strength and Might The second of Distinction Speech and the five Senses The third of every Life of Light Love-fire and consuming fire of Joy and Sorrow The fourth Form is the kindling of the Fire where Light and Darkness sever here is the Shrieks Terror Poison Life Torment Hell resulting from the first Three The Trembling is at the great Meekness as when you pour water into the fire here riseth the flash at this parting riseth the Light out of the Temperature The Tincture goeth hence the Power of Fire and Light Virgin Sophia From v. 41 to 56. lye high Mysteries The fifth Form is the true Love-fire which severs it self from the painful Fire into the Light having all the Properties of the three first in joyfulness drawing into it the Tincture of Fire and Light Virgin Sophia This is the power of the Speaking Word the Water-spirit which flows into a Fountain of Eternal Life John 4. 14. Spiritual Blood Divine Substantiality Heavenly Corporeity of which Christ saith he came from Heaven and at the same instant was in Heaven Joh. 3. 13. The Food of the fiery Soul Angels c. The sixth Form the Sound Spiritual Senses all in the Temperature in which Adam was but Lust would tast the multiplicity of Properties and leave the Temperature and so the Properties departed each from other as heat cold dry moist hard soft harsh astringent sweet bitter and sour which God did forbid thence followed bestial Desires heat cold bitter stinging rushed in thence were brought in Poison Turba magna and Chamber of Death The seventh Form is where the Sound makes it self audible for the fifth Form is wholly Spiritual Luna and Saturn the beginning and end Thus the seven Spiritual Properties and Powers bring themselves into creaturely formation by the strife of the seven outward Properties for in the Temperature no Creature can be generated for it is the only One God but in the Exit the Wonders and Creature-Images may spring forth and exist CHAP. IV. Of the Original of the Creation 1. ALL Eternal Creatures have their Root in the Speaking Word The Temporary have theirs from the out spoken Word 2. The first Principle in the fiery Root which is the Centre of Nature ariseth not in the Trinity but where the Power of Distinction puts it self into Nature to perceive and move which first Principle in the Darkness is a cold aking fire according to which God calls himself an angry jealous or zealous God 3. The second Principle is where the Divine Root in the Fire parteth it self into the Light and introduceth it self into Nature to Manifestation of Divine Joyfulness according to which God calls himself a loving Merciful God that willeth nor can will Evil. 4. The third Principle is in the seven Days Work in which the seven Properties of Nature brought themselves into Substance which Substance is Holy Pure Good The one Element called the Eternal Heaven City of God Paradise 5. The Being of all Beings the Holy Spiritual World is the Expressing Word of God which bringeth it self into Substance in Love and Anger so that in the Impression of Darkness is understood Evil and yet in God is not Evil but in the Creatures Self-hood and yet there also is Good as far as the Creature standeth in the Temperature 6. The Angels were made in the seven Properties which drew themselves into three Hierarchies according to the three first Properties or Principles 7. The first Hierarchy standeth in the Father's Property in the fire of Strength the Tincture of the Substance of Nature 8. The second consists in the Light-fires Tincture the Son's Property in the Eternal Nature and is the Holiest 9. The third in the Self-hood of
which is a true Humane Substance of Flesh and Blood a Spiritual Flesh out of which the visible Image groweth not only by Faith in remembrance of his Sufferings Death c. as is ignorantly said but really Christs Paradisical Humanity presseth into their Souls as a sparkle of Fire falleth into Tinder and turneth the whole Tinder into Fire and Light 2. The Divine Flesh and Blood of Christ cannot be receiv'd but by a Mouth fit to receive it 3. The Mortal Flesh comprehendeth it no more than the gross Stone doth the Tincture of fine Gold that is in it 4. A Man cannot say I am Christ because Christ dwelleth and worketh in me no more than the Herb can say I am the Sun because the Sun worketh in it CHAP. IV. What the Wicked partake of and how a Man should prepare that he may be Worthy 1. HE that receives this without Repentance that is turning from Sin receiveth as Judas his own Judgment and Condemnation for his wicked Will desireth not to die in Christs Death but only to arise and live with his Sins in Christs Resurrection yet in the Spirit of Lucifer he treadeth on the Death of Christ and participateth indeed on Christs Anguish Death and going into Hell but in the Spirit of the Devil without rising to newness of Life Better it were he did not touch or meddle with it 2. They talk of Absolution and Pardon of Sin but leave it not and so Sathan as he did to Judas after the Sop entreth These Crucifie Christ. 3. But they that rightly prepare die to Sin resign themselves to God have the Spirit of Christ erecting his Kingly Office and Pallace in their Hearts a living Conqueror over Death and Hell these rightly receive Christs Flesh and Blood CHAP. V. Of the Disputes c. about Christs Testaments 1. ONE Party say the Bread and Wine is substantially changed into Christs Flesh and Blood and so will receive Christ into the Bestial and Mortal Man 2. Another Party say it is only a Sign that the Body of Christ was broken and died for us and deny the substantial participation 3. The third Party say Christ is participated with and under the Bread and Wine that is Christs Flesh and Blood is eaten and drunk with and under the Bread and Wine but yet know nothing of the right Adamical Humanity and deny the substantial Inhabiting of Christ. 4. For they will not know how the participation is wrought but rely barely on the dead Letter hence come such Contentions that are really Spiritual Murther and in the end come to outward Murther Every one for the Idol of his own Opinion but the Kingdom of God is inwardly within thee the outward imputed Grace without the Innate Filial Grace is false 5. Let the Sufferings and Death of Christ be fulfilled in us and we shall be the Children of Christ and not the Children of Images This was the Authors 22d Book Mysterium Magnum PART I. The First Part contains the nine first Chapters of Genesis and thirty fourth Chapter of the Book whence these Extracts are called the Great Mystery Exposition of Genesis CHAP. I. What God manifested is and of the Trinity 1. GOD is the One the Will of the Abyss the Will of the Wisdom The Wisdom is his Delight and Manifestation he begetteth himself from Eternity to Eternity in which Eternal Generation are 1. The Will 2. The Mind of the Will 3. The Egress from the Will and Mind 2. The Will is the Father the Mind is the Wills Heart and Seat the Egress is the Spirit and Power of the Will and Mind The Lubet Motion Life and Eye of the Deity A speaking Word 3. God is no where far from or near unto any thing Infinitely more deep than any thought can reach comprehended only by himself CHAP. II. Of the Word or Heart of God 1. THE Word is in the Will a nothing but with the Conception in the Lubet of the Will is an Eternal Generation This Eternal speaking Word maketh a Mystery call'd the Centre of the Eternal Nature out of the Powers Colours and Virtue whereof as out of a great Eternal Mystery was formed by Coagulation the Spiritual World Which two are as Soul and Body 2. And tho' the speaking Word rule through and over all yet cannot be comprehended by either but in the inward World conceiveth it self into a Spiritual Essence as one only Element wherein the four lye hidden but when the Word moved the one Element the hidden Properties did manifest themselves as there are four Elements CHAP. III. How out of the Eternal Good an Evil is come to be the Original of the Dark World VVE cannot say that Eternal Light or Eternal Darkness is Created for they are not comprehended in time but Concomitant in their Generation But not in the Word of the Deity but Originate in the desire of the speaking Word For the free Lubet wherein is the Wisdom could not have sensible perceivance of its own Vertue Smell Taste and Colours if it brought not it self into a desire like a hunger and so bring it self from Abyss into Byss by over-shadowing Attraction And remains a Property viz. a darkness For where a Property is there is a something yielding obscurity Unless something else viz. a Lustre fill it and then 't is Light yet remaineth a Darkness in the Property And this is the Eternal Original of the Darkness So that we are to understand 1. The free Lubet the wisdom which is no Property but is one with God 2. The desire of the free Lubet which in the hunger or coagulation comprehends the free Lubet and maketh it self out of the free Lubet For the desire is the Fathers Property And the free Lubet the wisdom is the Sons Property Tho' God here until the Manifestation through the Fire in the Light is not called Father or Son but set down thus to shew to what Person in the Deity Nature and to what the Power in Nature is to be ascribed The desire proceeding from the will of the Abyss is the first form and it is the Fiat The free Lubet is God who governeth the Fiat the Centre of Nature And both together are the Eternal Word and in the desire are the seven Properties of Nature The profound distinct Discourse of them taketh up the remainder of this Chapter and the fourth fifth and sixth CHAPTERS CHAP. VII Of the Holy Trinity and Divine Essence THE Eternal and Temporal Nature especially consists in the dark world in the four first Forms Astringent Bitter Anguish and Fire But the Powers in all are understood in the Light or Love-desire or Love-fire 1. For the first ground is the one 2. The free Lubet viz. the Wisdom 3. The Love desire wherein the free Lubet exacuateth it self through Nature into a Kingdom of Joy 4. The Oyly Spirit wherein the Lubet amaffeth it self in the Meekness and coamaffeth the Lustre the Power whereof is
Fire in Adam and passed on all Men and the gross bestial Property the Serpents Ens and enkinded Anger was in Abraham and his Childrens own Property as in the Children of Ham except the Line of Christ which was in God's Power and stood in them as Heaven doth in this World also in Hell or as the Day doth in the Night yet not confounded So in the angers Property Abraham and his Family smote the Heathen and rescued Lot so also have the Children of the Saints waged War 4. But such who would be call'd Christians do wage War not as Christians but as Heathens for the Christian is dead with Christ to Wrath and the four Elements and new born in Christ's Spirit of Love and Patience he is not of this World liveth not to himself but to God his Conversation is in Heaven Nor did Abraham desire ought he took the Goods he restored to the King of Sodom 5. Melchisedeck the Royal Priest was the real figure of Christ who blessed Abraham left the Turba after his fighting should return on him To him Abraham gave Tithes viz. the 10th Property of the Human fiery Tongue of the Soul And the Priest gave his Bread and Wine and Blessing thereinto viz. Love-fire Tincture of the Light Heavenly Substantiality that the Soul 's fiery Tincture might again become a compleat Image of God with Male and Female Property Heavenly Corporiety by the King of Salem viz. of Salvation CHAP. XXXIX God's Covenant with Abraham his Faith and Sacrifice 1. A Abraham's Faith was his receiving the Speaking Word of God viz. in the Promise into his Human Ens His Desire viz. the aim of the Covenant or formed Word and both these were formed into one Power and real Spiritual Substance For Faith is the taking hold of God's Will and Uniting it to ours 2. The Offerings were of three sorts of Beasts a Heifer a She-Goat and a Ram each three years old betokens the whole outward threefold Man of Salt Mercury and Sulphur The dividing them the twofold Limus of the Earth viz The gross Property out of the Dark World the other the Limus out of the Heavenly Worlds Property which lyes in one Compaction in the Earth whence Man was created The Turtle Dove the poor Soul captivated in the bestial Property The young Pigeon the inward disappeared Humanity Their not being divided shews nothing shall be taken from the Soul nor from the inward Man of the Heavenly Limus The Fowls which Abraham drove away the Essence of the wrathful Property of God's Anger in Man which hungreth after the Humanity and would devour the same Abraham's deep Sleep the Death of Christ. The horror the Wrath of God The darkness the dark World into which the Word should enter and resign its Will The enkindled Fire passing between the pieces the Holy Love-fire tincturing all into a pure Gold The Servitude in Egypt that Christ in his Members should be only a Pilgrim and that we are here in the Kingdom of the Heathen where God's Children must be embroiled in Servitude with them to which the Potent do compel the Poor whereto he must be subject else he resisteth the Kingdom of Nature viz the formed Word But if the Worldly Rulers rule only according to their Will and Lusts they will find that God will Judge them CHAP. XL. Of Hagar and Ismael 1. THE scope of this toucheth that of Predestination For as much as Ismael and Esau are erroneously taken to be of Eternal reprobation we are to know that Ismael representeth the Father's Property and Kingdom of Nature in Adam Isaac the Sons Property and Kingdom of Grace in the second Adam 2. Babel indeed blindly teacheth that God hath ordained a certain Number and Company to Damnation and the rest to Salvation but if so Nature must needs be limited confin'd and determin'd when to bring forth a Child of God or of Wrath and nothing would be in the Human Property free yea God himself must confine and shut up his unchangeable one Infinite Will into a Beginning and Limit which opens a Gate to horrid Prophaneness makes void God's Holy Laws and Rules renders needless the offers of Grace and bars up the Door of Repentance 3. Yet the Holy Name of God thus taken in Vain is from Eternity free and offers it self to all poor Sinners Thus the Angel met Hagar and blessed Ismael then in her Womb who figur'd the Runagate Adamical self Will for God inwardly calls all wicked Men not only in the Womb but all the time of their lives as the Sun shines all the Day 4. So God calls the Turks and Heathens figur'd by Cain Ham Ismael and Esau who are in the Kingdom of Nature as Ismael in Hagars Womb they went not to Isaac but to Abraham nor these to Christ's â—erson but to God and he heareth them in Christ. They and painted Christendom are as the two Sons one promis'd but did it not the other said he would not but went and â—id it so may they attain the Adoption though the letter Christians grumble at the returning Prodigal who is nevertheless embraced by the Father CHAP. XLI Of the Seal of the Covenant of Circumcision and of Baptism 1. GOD ratified his Covenant with Abraham by the Seal Circumcision shewing what Ens was Blessed also what must and what in Man must not inherit viz. not the gross Earthy Man conceived in the bestial Lust of Man and Woman 2. That Copulation is only born with by Divine Patience and Permission Man having lost the Magical Birth of Paradice and therefore was every Male circumcised on that Monstrous Member The bestial Seed of Man and Woman being the Seed of their own Will shall not put on the Covenant and Blessing but he who is not Born of the Will of Man nor of the Flesh but of God 3. The Earthy Members die in the Spiritual Birth through Christ's Death Externally 't is cut off in the Temporal Death and 't is Buried in the Eternal Death in the Nothing and a new Angelical Form shall arise 4. The Males were only Circumcised for Adam had both the Tinctures and was a Masculine Virgin It was to be on the eighth Day because six Days are the Man in Nature the Seventh is the Day of Rest which he had brought into disquietness by reason that the seventh Property the Heavenly Nature died in him therefore God gave him of Grace another Day viz. the Eighth which is Christ. Ismael was the first Man though a Mocker thus taken into Covenant for Christ came for Ismael's sake also though the Doctrine of some damâ— Children from the Womb. 5. Baptism is for both Sexes on all Days shewing the need all have and Christ's Universal offer of God's Mercy also pointing out Christ's Humanity who was both Circumcised and Baptized and the First born from the Dead But the Ens of Faith by the Spirit was the Fire-baptism for both Jews and Christians CHAP. XLII Of the three Men
of the proud wanton Daughters of the Land mixeth with the Heathenish Wisemen in Fleshly Lust and bringeth forth a Bastard half Christian and half Heathen compos'd of the Profession of Christ and the Heathenish Notions viz. Philosophy Schools Colledges Heathenish Festivals c. 3. And as Simeon and Levi after the Men of Shechem had Circumcised themselves yet Murthered not only guilty Hemor but all the Males tho' Innocent so hath Christendom dealt by many Nations who having conformed to some of their Opinions yet are causlesly kill'd by the Antitype of Simeon and Levi. Therefore are the Potent Countries of the East departed from these Murtherous Pretenders to Religion to the Doctrine of Reason CHAP. LXIII How Jacob leaves Sichem Rachel bare Benjamin Isaac died 1. AFter Simeon and Levi had Murthered the Males of Sichem Jacob by command of God removed to Bethel after he had first taken away from his people their Idols and Ear rings and buried them under an Oak And at Sichem built an Altar Which hath this Figure That when the Spiritual Whoredom of the Jews and Christians had drawn on them Wars and Miseries God commanded his people to withdraw and erect an Altar of Humility and Fear in their Hearts 2. Then are their Idolatries Wars and Pride buried in Gods Anger in his hungry wrath viz. under an Oak which hath a Magnetick Tenacious Attractive Property making a hardness and blackness there will their Sins and Blasphemies lye buried till the Earth can no longer cover them But the fear of the Lord will fall on the pursuers of those that so depart and Build Gods Altar in them 3. God appear'd to Jacob in Bethel which Bethel signifies a condescention of the Deity in the Humanity 4. And they went from Bethel and it was a Field breadth from Ephrath where Rachel brought forth Benjamin but in hard labour so as she died 5. Adam was gone a Field breadth from Gods Altar viz. out of the Spiritua World into the Earthy where with the Death of the old Man the new must be Born 6. So also when Christ had consummated his Passion and Judas had perished Matthias was chosen an Apostle 7. After this Reuben defiled Bilhah Rachel's Maid his Fathers Concubine This Concubine representeth the Stone Churches in which God generateth his Children but the Adamical Man playeth the Hypocrite in them for none that is dead câ—â— awaken another that is dead nor can one that is Blind shew the way to another that is Blind but both will fall into the Pit their Ministers having lost the true Divine Power Reuben was given to fleshly Lust and Self-love and in that regard rejected of God 8. Yet those places though no more holy than other places hurt no Man being at first well intended yet their Ministers who Officiate for Honour and Profit without the Divine Unction are Adulterers and as profitable to the Church as a fifth Wheel to a Waggon 9. Jacob's returning to his Father and Isaac's Death at Hebron where he was a Stranger shews Gods Children to be all Strangers here and must all go to their Fathers Countrey viz. the Angelical World CHAP. LXIV Esau's Genealogy his own Name and Posterity and of Joseph 1. ESau's Children and Childrens Children being set down with so great observation is not without its Figure We must know we may not condemn him to Hell but that he and his Posterity bare the Image of the Earthy Glory Might and Power 2. From his own Name Esau the sau being cut off viz. the Swinish Bestial Property there remains the E the Angelical Property 3. And the Spirit calls him Edom which dom in the High Tongue signifies Red as Tinctured by the Blood of Jesus But of his Children more is said in another place viz. of this Authors Writings The remainder of Chap. 64. follows beginning the Third Part. Mysterium Magnum The Third Part. CHAP. LXIV Of Joseph Jacob's Son 1. JAcob had cast his Natural Love on Rachel being Fair but she was unfruitful till their Age had wither'd fleshly Love A Child they desired prayed for and obtain'd which represented the pure and right Adamical Humanity in its Primitive Chastity and fear of God as the first Adam in Innocency 2. For in Leah viz. in the simplicity and lowliness arose the Line of Christ. A Christian should stand at once in Christs Image and in Adam's such was Joseph therefore Jacob most lov'd him sprung from his chast Love to Rachel wherein Christ had imprinted and revealed himself in this copious Figure of Regeneration 3. Thence was it Joseph discover'd all falshood of his Brethren to his Father as did Christ reprove the World for sin 4. Joseph's Natural Brethren in the Type of Christendom became his Enemies 5. His Vision that he should be a Prince over his Father and Brethren points at the new Man undergoing all hatred Reproach and Persecution 6. Sometimes God raiseth up some honest pious Ruler like Reuben the eldest Brother to restrain their Cruelty yet not so wholly to oppose but divert them that he may deliver willing them to throw him into a Pit 7. Joseph was sold for twenty pieces of Silver and Christ for thirty to shew the Humanity of Christ is higher and more perfect than the Humanity of others For he was not from the Seed of Man but sprung from the natural Property of the Lights Tincture which assum'd the Fires Property viz. the Adamical Soul 8. A Christian is sold into the hands of Men to suffer but Christ not only suffered in the hands of Men but gave himself up also to the wrath of God thence came the Sweating Blood 9. The whole acts of Joseph paint out how Adam's Children come to be Christians by being put by the process of Christ into the Figure and be made an Image of Christ. 10. Also how God in the process of Christ sets Christ at the Right Hand of God As Joseph after he had been brought through the process of Christ was set at the Right Hand of Pharaoh CHAP. LXV Of Judah and Thamar and how they Figure Christ and Adam 1. THE Figure of Judah and Thamar interrupts the History of Joseph for his represents the demeanour of the true Christian. Theirs a Christians growth out of Adam's Image 2. Judah Figur'd here the old and new Adam Thamar the Earthy and also the new Eve 3. Judah went away from his Brethren and saw a Canaanitish Woman c. so did Adam go in his Lust from his Fathers House into the four Elements 4. Judah begot three Sons the first he called Er viz. self-will signifying the first World before the Deluge The second the Mother call'd Onan the World next after the Flood Onan O no my Lord drown me no more The third she call'd Selah a recomprehension viz. the time of the Law of Nature offering righteousness to Man and laying open of Sin which reached till Christ. 5. Judah gave this first Son a Wife call'd Thamar
haste let my Father and all his Children and Cattle come to me c. viz. thy Nature thy whole Life Conversations all thy Thoughts thy Temporal Estate 6. Your Eyes as also the Eyes of my Brother Benjamin see that it is I that speak to you viz. your inward Eyes and the Eyes of the new Man for they see through the outward Sences as the Sun pierceth through Glass and yet it remaineth Glass still 7. And Joseph fell about Benjamin's Neck and wept and kissed them all viz. when Christ in the inward heavenly Substance which faded in Adam is manifested Jesus with his weeping love Gods great sweetness kisseth the creaturely Souls Essences whereby it re-obtaineth its life and speaketh with God in Christ Jesus 8. And when the report came to Pharaoh it pleas'd him well And he commanded Chariots should be sent to fetch Jacob and all his into Egypt viz. when Christ's Voice foundeth in the Soul the report thereof presseth into the Fathers Property of Fire which is therewith pleased and Chariots are sent viz. the Spirit in the Word which bring it to Paradise 9. And he sent a present for his Father viz. his Flesh and Blood wherewith the Soul feasteth 10. The five suits to Benjamin the five Wounds 11. The thirty Pieces of Silver given him the Gifts of Christ wherewith the Christian must Trade 12. The ten Asses loaden with the choice things of Egypt the ten Commandments in the Law of Nature 13. The ten Asses loaden with Corn the ten Forms of the soulish and natural Fire life 14. The Food to spend on the Way the Word of God which the poor old Adam must eat that he may live 15. He commands they fall not out by the Way but walk in love and peace to Paradise 16. And they came to their Father and told him of the great Glory of Joseph his Present and his Words but Jacob believed them not but when he saw the Chariots his Spirit revived viz. when Christs Apostles were loaden with his Presents which they carried to their Relations viz. those who were in the Kingdom of Nature they believed not those exceeding great things till the Chariots of the Holy Ghost came and then they revive and live and say it is enough I will go into repentance that I may see my Saviour before I die CHAP. LXXIII How Jacob and his Children and all his c. went into Egypt 1. JAcob is the Figure of the new Man having received the Present i. e. the earnest of Christs love and the Chariots of Josepâ— viz the Holy Ghost goeth to Eâ—ypt i. e. into Repentance with all his Children i. e. his Powers and coming to Beersheba the sounding Voice of his heart sacrificeth viz. his Soul 2. The Powers proceeding out of his own â—oins are 66 the mâ—stical number of the Beast and himself Joseph and Joseph's two Sons make 70 the Number of Babel 3. This going forth is an Image of the last Exit or true Christians departure out of Babel in the end of the Reign of the Beast and Whore The signal Star with the Chariot of Joseph are already appear'd 4. Israel sends Judah before him to Joseph viz. the incorporated Covenant of God in Man to Joseph and Gâ—shen the rest in Christ. 5. And when the heavenly Joseph meeteth Jacob the old Adamical Man he falleth about his Neck viz. his deâ—â—re and longing and filleth it with Tears shed in his Sufferings leading to Victory and Eternal Joy Then saith the Natural Man now would I willingly die viz give up all my right and willing of Vanity now that the new Man in Christ is manifest in me 6. Joseph saith I will go up and tell Pharaoh c. Christ viz. The word of Love and Grace which is come from the Father into our Humanity speaketh the word of the Natural Human Life into the Eterâ—al Word of the Father which is here called telling the King That is reconcileth the Rent made by the natural speaking of Self and Vanity in the Human Word of the Father's Anger with and again unto his Love and Kingdom of Joy 7. They were Herdsmen and such were an Abomination to Pharaoh and the Egyptians viz. to Gods Majesty and Holy Power The Animal Soul in the Spirit of this World hath awaked many hundred Beasts viz. Lusts which it must be conversant with and rule 8. They were placed apart in Goshen viz. in the outward Nature yet in the Blessing and should dwell near God but a Principle is the Distinction as time and Eternity 9. And Joseph willed them to say to Pharaoh Thy Servants are Herdsmen so must all say as well Potentates as Beggars Priests c. We cannot stand and subsist before thee O Holy God we are but Herdsmen even from our Youth viz. from Aâ—am till now we keep and manage our beâ—â—â—al Property Let thy Servants find Grace in thy sight to dwell before thee in this Goshen CHAP. LXXIV Jacob and five of Joseph's Brethren set before Pharaoh Egypt Sold for Corn. 1. PHaraoh standeth here in the Figure of the Eternal Father Jacob of old Adam Joseph's five youngest Brethren of the five Sences in the Properties of Life So should we humble our selves before God thy Servants are but Herdsmen c. Then saith the Eternal Father to Christ Is this thy Father Adam are these thy Brethren according to the Humanity The Kingdom of Heaven and of Nature standeth open If any of them be Expert set them over my Cattle viz. into the Apostolick Office to feed my Flock 2. Jacob blesseth viz. thanketh Pharaoh and acknowledgeth his own Evil and anxiety in the cares and disquietness of this Life 3. The Famine in Egypt and Canaan figureth the poor fallen Man in Body and Soul wither'd by Gods Anger Joseph's Corn the Divine Word of Grace The Money the creaturely word of the Human Life The Beasts given when the Money was spent the Image-like Property in Man's Life Thus the fallen Man bringeth the heavenly Joseph his imaginary fictitious formal and customary Prayers meant by the Money But when anguish of Conscience withereth up the Hope drawn from such cold Prayer the Famine prevaileth and forceth to bring the Beasts and Cattle viz. earthy Desires Self-wit and Subtlety 4. They gave themselves and their Land to Pharaoh c. This figureth the real earnest resignation of Body Soul and whole Interest to God to receive Food from Christ. 5. So whole Egypt became Pharaoh's but the Land of the Priests he bought not c. 6. In Adam all Men became untrusty but Christ hath bought the whole Nature and given us to God again but the Priests Fields were left to them for a Possession viz. the incorporated Word of Grace the Temple of Christ the City of God which no Man can Sell Pawn or Engage by Oaths for it belongeth to the Eternal one this inward Man God willeth Man should keep 7. Four parts shall be yours but the
sour rank bitter fierceness to all Eternity when enkindled in the Heavenly power it is the Spirit of the jealous zealous unquenchable wrath of God as is in Lucifer and his Legions 7. Heat the true beginner of life and of the true spirit of life It kindleth all the qualities generating the Light in them whence exist the senses and thoughts For when the bitter spirit with the heat passeth thorow the astringent and the Sweet mildly yielding passage the two open gates the eyes are made 8. The Holy Gracious Love kindled by the heat in the Sweet Quality Here is all pleasant ravishing sweetness light and glorious the fountain of eternal free immense brightness of love Here all Tongues stammer Hands shake Pens blot and Hearts flame that Taste See Hear and Feel it even so Amen 9. The Tone or Sound of the Divine Word whence is speech and language also the singing of Angels and opening the Divine Kingdom of Joy Here all Colours Beauty and Ornament is seen This Tone or Mercurius originateth in the hard Astringency as the Father and the whole Salitter is the Mother for if the Astringency were both Father and Mother a Stone would sound 10. The Body generated out of the six other Spirits and in which they dwell as their Sabboth wherein all heavenly figures joy c subsist image and form the spirit of Nature wherein Heaven it self and Angels are formed the mansion or body in which the six do rest as the kingdom of divine Glory 11. Now we may see that all the Spirits together are God the Father 12. The life generated by them all and generating the life in them all in triumph is the true Son of God the second Person in the Holy Trinity 13. And the power of the seven Spirits proceeding continually in the splendor of the life forming all things in the seventh Nature-Spirit is the true Holy Ghost the third Person in the Deity CHAP. III. Demonstrations of One or the first Spirit HAving described the seven fountain Spirits now to prosecute the Method propounded in the last precedent Section here follow the Demonstrations of the seven in order Demonstrations of the first fountain Spirit The Astringency Viz. 1. It is not to be said This or That is First or Last being All from Eternity and One in Another but that the Astringency which is call'd the first is truly what it is above defined and described to be is what will be demonstrated 2. The outward Senses of us all inform themselves that there are cold crude tough impenetrable Bodies or a power tending to impenetrability and our Reason consenteth that there must be a Root and This Root cannot but be called the Binding or Astringency 1. As That which causeth Cold to condense Air to Water and Water to Ice 2. That pursues condensed seces of Matter with the help of the bitter quality to Earth or Sand and That agen onward to Stone 3. That also compacteth fluid parts to stalks stems of corn c. the Boles skin and bark of Trees 4. That also incloseth the tender Brains and Marrow in Skulls and concave Bones 5. That contracteth and obdurates the subtle parts of Metals to a continuity and restrains or confines their allected vertues even to Unity Identity by continuity By These and a thousand more doth the Astringent Spirit demonstrate it self to be One Fountain whose outward Agent is confest by Antient and Modern Philosophy to be Saturn CHAP. IV. Demonstrations of the second fountain Spirit the Attraction 1. WE find somthing Breaking the Bonds else would the Astringency hold all as in a dark dry hard Prison all would be stone bone or the like dead concrets no Production no Creation And the stronger this Attractive Power is the stronger the other bindeth also the more Tough and Ponderous the Astringency the more actively vigorous is This As the more you compress Air or Water the greater violence hath the so suppressed body to resist as Wind causing Earthquakes or Gunpowder Pent. 2. We find a contrariety of Sweetness and Bitterness which we cannot but see comes from the cold Astringency That Property being one and to every one the same But This it is That in the Good Part being its Native Original is a Sweetness but in the crude undigested part a Bitterness 3. We find inclinations put into things different from themselves for by This Man's eager harshness is by due ingredients interposing taught and composed to affable Mildness the New Temper becomes in time Connatural and a Habit like as a bitter Apple is matured to a sweet Temperature 4. We find This gives continual opposition and interruption to the piercing Astringency by its own bitter harshness and such fire as is in a Stone and by the penetrating violence is excited and so is a cause of life The outward instrument is Mercury in conjunction with Jupiter CHAP. V. Demonstrations of the third fountain Spirit the Anguish 1. THis is like and no more but like a dying Astringent Torment like that of dying Creatures which our Senses often tast some forerunings of So as the second is a cause of Life This is a cause of Sense feeling perceiving and consequently of the Mind and Senses in all subjects which the Separator hath fitted and exalted thereunto as Angels and Men and in some degree in inferior sensitive Creatures 2. We find there is something that lifteth up the mind to Great Joy even to the excess of gladness This cannot be the first for That depresseth nor the second for That only enliveneth it is therefore This for This is an Elevator to the highest joy and triumph helping on to excess of Laughter 3. We may find it not only in its mean as above but in its extream for in every body wherein it is too much enkindled it is a Raging Poison resulting as well from its own Nature as from the Extremities of the two first Fountains introducing desperation and hellish rage in the Creatures like to the Gall in the body very good in causing and exalting life also a very evil incendiary in disordering the whole frame of Nature The outward instrument of This fountain Spirit is Mars conjunct with Mercury CHAP. VI. Demonstrations of the Spirit producing Heat THe whole Creation is acted by this Spirit as the great Engine of Omnipotence 1. Hence is it that the Celestial fire emitteth its beams to the joy of the Universe so that every leaf and pile of grass hath a tongue to tell it us 2. The Subterranean fire which like the heart in the body of Animals doth officiate in the Work-house of This Ball is applied by the Separator the Father of Nature to generate Metals medicinal Earths efflux of Fountains hot and sanative Baths c. 3. Lastly It is demonstrated by every Man and other living Creature from Youth to giving up the Ghost as also by Vegetables Minerals c. from their dwelling in the
or suffering what he willeth him to obey and suffer 8. Now we are to know that from Eternity is the first second and third Principles according to the Fathers Sons and Holy Ghosts Properties the One living in the Other having all One holy free Omnipotent Will And that the Infinite Abyss wherein Eternally dwell the seven Spirits and in every the least imaginable Circle whereof dwells the whole Holy Trinity Abyss or immeasurable heighth depth length and breadth which Men and Angels can reach no number of nor conceive its immensity is as the Holy Body of God who is its Soveraign Creator Owner and as a Soul and Spirit to it 9. But this pure Abyss is Holy and as one Holy Element the Seventh the Laboratory of the other Six hath in it all Powers and Vertues out of which Heaven Angels and all Inferior Productions come for in it is the Divine Salitter and all Qualities in indissoluble Amity and perfect Harmony due Equality most dearly embracing each other being the Mystery of all the various Powers 10. And from the two first Principles therein by the Exit of the Holy Ghost were Throne Angels created according to the several Properties of the seven Fountains Spirits with their Hosts respectively having the great Might of the first Principle Glorified with the Majestick light of the second the Son of God 11. But Lucifer and his Angels extinguish'd in themselves the glorious Sweetness of the second by giving up their Will into the first four Forms which without the second are at Eternal Enmity 12. Also out of the Holy Element were created the two active Elements of Fire after the Property of the Father and Air wherein is Light after the Property of the Son Out of which two after dividing of the Properties in the Dark Deep the effect of the Fall of the Angels came the Mortal Water and Dead Earth in both which by the prevalence of the Astringency came Rocks and Stones 13. To cease that immoderate Coagulation the Word commanded Light expelling Lucifer at which the Holy Angels rejoyced Where wast thou when the Morning Stars sang together and all the Sons of God shouted for joy for then was the Out-birth or third Principle founded by the Exit of the Holy Ghost 14. Then also out of the Holy Element and the divided Properties which Lucifer had brought into a confused Chaos or Dark Deep the Word spake the Astral Heavens the Seven Planets after the Properties of the Seven Fountains and all the other Stars and the Terrestial Ball after the infinite variety of the Properties 15. Also out of the Holy Element and the Astral Birth came the four Elements and out of the Elements the Transitory Creatures Some bare the Figure of the first four Forms separated from the Light as venomous Creatures Toads Torpedo's c. from the Anguish Scorpions Spiders Basilisks c. from the Fire for every Property would be Creaturely Some also figur'd the second Principle in Innocency Meekness and Love as Lambs Doves c. 16. Then in the Throne of secluded Lucifer and his Angels the Word spake Man such an Image of God as might not only be the second Race of Intellectualâ— but a compleat Image of all the three Principles That is his Soul out of the first Principle or Dark-Power-World his Spirit out of the second the Holy-Light World his Body out of the one Holy Element the Root of the four Elements so that he might by his Divine Holy Principle of Love and Meekness illustrate and sweetly use his first as the fallen Angels should have done He was also furnished with the third Principle which the Angels were not and in that respect a more compleat Image of God than they over which third Principle he might also beaâ— Rule by the Power of the Divine second Principle 17. And by his third in subordination to the second might Rule over the Astral Birth and Elementary not only as He was the Natural Lord in that Principle but ennobled also with the Light or Angelical Principle and therefore able and adapted to Rule over the Creation knowing what they were whence they sprung and whither they tended for all Properties were open in him therefore Adam could name them knowing their Parentage and Use. Thus the manifold Wisdom of God appeareth in every thing and summarily to be observed in these following 18. First from the first Principle glorified with the second according to the seven Fountains were created the Throne Angels Arch-Angels and their Hosts 19. The Creatures that derive immediately from the One Holy Element as the Paradisical Body of Adam that was more pure than seven times refined Gold and to have remained eternally 20. The Astral Birth of the Visible Heavens and their Invisible Powers Of Alliance Dependance and Affinity with which is Man's Astral Spirit called his Prophetick Evester which ordinarily predicts by Dreams a kind of Intuitive Impulses of approaching Good or Evil small also important natural Events c. 21. Out of the Astral seem to be born Those Mortal yet to the outward Eye mostly invisible Creatures in all the four Elements called Aerial Spirits prodigious Predicters of Wars by Armies in the Clouds Others also of the Fire Some Aquastrish and Those of our Horoscope Terrestrial and Subterranean that are about Minerals of which This Discourse is not sollicitous 22. Out of the Holy Element proceeded the two Elements and consequently the four more Pure and Paradifical than after the Curse 23. Hence by the steddy Conduct of the Separator or Father of Nature substituted by the Great Creators word and by the Spirit of the Tincture have sprung the Animal Vegetative and Mineral Kingdoms to the composition of every of which Naturalists find the Principles of Sal Sulphur and Mercury more or less pure according to the Body which it composeth and the Tincture wherewith it is more or less sublimed and ennobled 24. But Lucifer by his renting from the total Unity thereby making the Properties separate prophane and unclean there proceeded out of the first four Forms hellish immortal fierce horrible poisonous Creatures to whom Death and Darkness the fierceness of the Properties is no woe or torment for it is their Life But Hell is therefore an intolerable Hell to Angels and Men because they were created to â—nother State in another Principle for another End 25. From all the three Principles with the Potence of the first Love fire of the second and moving Life of the third was Man created And as such with the Light of God which is not quite extinguished in him for when once awakened by Divine stirring and his hungry desire let none think it impossible he should see into the several Principles that are truly in him for the Child knoweth his Parents better and better as himself groweth to be a Man A breath of Air is like the whole Element a drop like the whole Ocean a
Heathen have all of Them the Gospel more or less obscurely Preached in them For as they without the Written Law do the things contained in the Law so do they without the Written Gospel partake of the Mercy published by the Gospel 13. That is being conscious to themselves of their Faults yet find by the Smiles of the Heavens in the Fruitful Seasons and in the suitable Productions of the Earth that they receive Good for Evil which is the Vertue of the second Principle or Gospel written on the whole Creation Notwithstanding all which if they harden their Hearts they become Sinners against Law and Gospel the Law written in their Hearts and the Gospel shining in the Light of their Understandings so conspicuously that tho' some of Them Laughed at the news of the Resurrection we hear Them serious at the tâ—dings of the Judgment to come having every one of Them a Self-condemning Judge in his bosom 14. Love is strong as Death but This Love is much stronger only Sin and finally Impenitent Men Hell and Devils judge themselves unworthy of it But This hath knockt at the Door of every Sinners Heart and cryes How long ye simple Ones will ye Love Folly and Scorning and Hate your own Mercies 15. Abel and Seth had the Hearing Ear in that Line it most eminently descended by a continued Succession thro' all Generations yet sometimes thro' very dirty Channels for tho' all were such till This Seed took Root in some and bare Paradisical Fruit and made them fit for the Masters Table yet some were much more foul than others 2. He enters into Foul Hearts tho' himself be so High born and Purity it self that passing into Foul places cannot be defiled but as a Refiners Fire not comprehended by the Dross which yet it purgeth away A work only possible to Omnipotence A few Considerations of that which shall be the Wonder of Eternity follow CHAP. XXI Of the Incarnation of the Lord Jesus Christ. 1. IT ought Attentively to be pondered that when the Fulness of Time or Limit of the Covenant was come Jesus took Man's whole Nature of the Virgin Mary but inasmuch as she was the Daughter of Joachim and Anna and of Eve she could not be totally a Virgin of Purity Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean not one 2. That Jesus Christ neither came into a Clean Vessel nor took a Pure Nature on Him but made the Vessel Clean and the Polluted Nature to become Pure The misunderstanding of which caused the Colliâ—idiani to render to the Virgin Mary Divine Worship 3. We must know that when our Redeemer took our Nature on him He took it out of all the Virgin Mary's Essences as well those of her Soul given her out of the first Principle and those of her Spirit given her out of the second as those of her Body out of the third Principle All which Soul Body and Spirit were propagated by her immediate Parents Joachim and Anna. 4. We are to know the Lord destroyed not Those Essences for He came not to destroy but took them as they were And by the Divine New Man which He brought with Him and which Himself was Refined and Sanctified them in them to work Their and Our Eternal Salvation 5. We cannot say there was no Evil in the Root of the Essences He took from the Virgin Mary as was mentioned above But his Divine Conception Exempting Him from any the least Impression Stain or Spot did illustrate and clarifie them As Fire doth Iron the Tincture doth Metals or the Sun Transmutes the Harsh Sour and Ill Properties of Fruits 6. We are not to doubt whether the Lord took a Human Soul from the Virgin or no about which many have erred for how else had the Essences of Our poor Captivated Souls been rescued had not the second Adam as truly assumed a Human Soul as that whereof the first Adam consisted It was Our Souls that had Sin and Death and were to be Redeemed so Our Gracious Lord made His Soul which was also a True Human Soul the Offering for Sin 7. Nor need we fear that the Lord took not Our Mortal Flesh and Blood on Him but brought Heavenly Flesh in His Conception and only Heavenly Flesh for He took also Our True Body of Flesh and Blood on Him from the Virgin Mary He took our Weak Infirm Body subjected to Passions of Hunger Sleep c. wherein lay Wrath and the Curse all which He bare with the Sufferings incident thereunto as Temptations Scourgings Reproaches Piercings Crucifying Anguish Death Burial And raised the Self-same Body which gives us assurance of our Resurrection and opens a Door for the Body though now Mortal to partake with the Soul Eternal Life 8. We are to know that our new Bodies will be the same very true real Bodies we now have and not other Bodies though not consisting of Accidents not palpable yet substantial as is manifest by what follows 9. The Mutations in Nature are no destruction of Bodies as a Grain of Wheat being sown passeth several Mutations yet is still the same For whereas at first it dies it is only by the Separator resolved into the divers Kinds of its own Composition that it may be capable of Commixture and Unite assimilated Bodies to it and so Collect encrease of Mâ—ter which it admits in no greater Proportion than to be the Father and Mother of all it self and augment and multiply it self by yet still is Wheat though hath the Increase of Quantity of many Grains of Wheat as an Oak is but an Accorn improved 10. Nature in orderly Motion goes forward and will not return into its Mystery by the Steps it went out till it hath compleated its Circulation You may as well return the Sun Eastward over us as make a Fruit become a Tree but in its orderly Motion first into a Fruit and Seed then is the new one the old renewed rather than another So is the new Body though Glorious not existent but by the dying of the old 11. As Adam's Fall made him not another Man but was still the Self-same in another a Monstrous Image as we also are deformed by that direful Fall So the Lord Jesus raising up his own Dead Body and cloathing it with Glory and Immortality and thereby giving us a Resurrection to be like him doth not make us to be other Men than now we are with loss of our Monstrosity and Access and recovery of the Glory we were created in and is by Him graciously purchased for us 12. We are to know That the Lord Jesus Christ when he assumed Flesh and Blood in the Virgins Womb was then not only there but then also sate and reigned in the whole infinite Abyss of the Father 13. We are also to know That after the Divine Nature or Infinite Godhead of Jesus Christ had assumed the Humane Nature He remained the self-same unmixed
the Scales c. They have also Craft Wrath Love every of the Five Senses Invention Providence Memory c. 2. To call them moving Plants is too low but only that it leadeth the Mind to view the Harmony of all the Creatures how they variously some more clearly others more obscurely Image and Shadow every of the three Principles and the seven Properties of the Eternal World 3. Whence they sprung appears by several Answers of the foregoing Questions particularly in that of the 33th 4. And now among the many Glorious Ends of their Creation the following brief hints are some They are at fourth Degree from the Principles and Properties created 1. To Figure the Dark Abyss 2. The Light World though very obscurely 3. The Out-birth or outward World of the Stars and Elements with the almost infinitely various Tendencies Inclinations and Impulses of them By every of which the Almighty Creator uncovereth his veiled Omnipotence infinite Grace and Wisdom 5. The Contemplation of them is both a pleasant and a perplexing Laboratory or serious Book for Man's Study and as it were a Play-Book for the Angels whose piercing understandings read the Effects by the Causes while declined Man gropeth by the Information of the Senses at a piece-meal guess of the Causes from Experience of the Effects 6. It must be confest that Adam being as to his Body or third Principle in his first and pure state Lord of the Mystery whence they proceeded could more sensibly discover and Epitomize them than the Angels as the Lord Jesus had a feeling of our Infirmities by His gracious humbling Himself to be as one of us But Adam's bright Eyes were darkened by the dismal lapse 7. Men may see themselves in the brute Creatures 1. All Unregenerate Men are figured either by the greedy ones 2. Or by the haughty proud Beasts 3. Or by the envious Reptils where by the way may be observed that Envy is found among the Poorer sort for the venomous Creatures are rather creeping than going 4 Or by the cruel wrathful ones And all these are of the first Principle without proceeding to enkindle the Light of the second Principle and are call'd by the Names of those Creatures in the Sacred Records 8. Other Creatures there are that figure the Light World or second Principle by their Innocence Love Usefulness and Loveliness in which they glorifie the Creator and like a dark Shadow pourtray the same 9. There are other Creatures more especially of the Out-world or World's Spirit as those that have Lunary Bodies produced improved and transacted by her Mutations which extends very far also to the whole Creation 10. My last Consideration restraining my self to brevity is somewhat abstracted which is That their Root is not so Ignoble and Vile but their Forms and Idea's for the sake of their Tincture have a prospect into Perpetuity each into their natural Aethers as is signified by the Apostle that the Creatures Travel in pain groaning under forced and as to them causless Vassalage shall be deliver'd into the glorious Liberty of the Children of God where the Drunkard's Horse shall like Balaam's Ass convince mens Madness and cruel Excess The abused toil of the Laborious Ox the innocent life of the Patient Lambs both employed to nourish filthy Lusts the cruel Delight of Hunting to the heart-breaking of the Deer and Hare c. shall at last be material Witnesses of Man's aggravated Guilt perpetuated Apostacy and lawless Irregularities Q 38. Whence was Man Created as to his Body The Fourth grand Distribution A. 1. Not of the Earth for the brute Animals are more nobly descended not of the four Elements which are the Matrix of the Earth for of that Matter are the Brutes form'd and the Elements are Transient and must melt or resolve into their first Principles Not of the Astral Out-birth for the Stars shall fall that is cease their present Order and pay the Debt of their various Properties to the Aether whence they were separated 2. But because Adam's Body was of Eternal Duration had he not â—inned it could not derive from a fading Root as Eternity is not founded on Mortality which forceth our search to ascend a step higher 3. It shall therefore be to the Divine Salitter which also hath the Water-spirit in it from both which the Stars were breathed And this Divine Salitter as it hath in it all the Powers of the Properties together with the Divine Sulphur and Mercury is call'd the great Mystery Eternal Nature or Quintessence 4. Out of this was Created Adam's Holy pure Paradisical Body capable of Eternal Life This Divine Saliter J. B. calls the Holy Ternary that is a Celestial Paradisical pure Earth whence grows Heavenly holy Fruits and near unto it no Curse ever can enter or approach for thereinto cometh nothing that defileth Of this Dust of this Ground Moses spake that God formed Man But they who suppose it to be our dead Dust wherein is the Wrath and Fierceness do not only err by means of the Veil before Moses's Face but also by reason of the Veil on their own Hearts and Eyes 5. The Apostle saith The first Man is of the Earth earthy The second is the Lord from Heaven 6. That it could not be this nor the Elements nor the Astral Birth is clear but therefore that it must be the Heavenly Earth is of forcible Consequence The Apostle saith not what Adam was or was extracted from but what he is or is come to be but if he had so said yet the Proportion betwixt the second and first admits no Comparison 7. Between a Mote in the Sun and the whole Glorious Sun is some Proportion for the least of Quantities taken from the greatest of Bodies below Infinity hath Proportion to that whence it was for it leaves the other really lessened but all created Worlds bear no Proportion with the Infinite Son of God for all breathed out from an Infinite leaves still an Infinite and the Infinite is not lessened by it 8. The Apostle therefore in this place either doth not speak of Adam's first state or doth not lessen his Extraction but adoreth the Glory of the second Adam as the Work-master excelleth the Work made for when of the Angels it is written And hath made them all ministring Spirits Of the Son it is said Let all the Angels of God worship him Also Thy Throne O God is for ever and ever c. Q. 39. What was the Inspiration or Breathing in whereby Man became a living Soul A. 1. The Inspiration of Man's Soul was out of the first Principle the Father's Property which consisteth of the first four Forms of Nature of this Living Root sprung his Immortal Living Soul 2. Yet so is it that wherever or in whomsoever the second Principle is shut out that Exclusion is truly call'd the Death of the Soul for the Living Soul by that Deprivation enters or remaineth in Death which though
improperly may be called an Immortal Death being a Death to the Glorious second Holy light Principle 3. The Soul is taken sometimes for the two first Principles I saw the Souls of them who had been slain c. for here the third Principle was asleep Sometimes it 's taken for the whole Man If thou wilt make thy Soul an Offering for Sin c. The Lord Jesus offered up all the three Principles meant here by his Soul and as was shadow'd by the whole burnt Sacrifice But in this Question Soul is restrained only to the first Principle because other Questions particularly reach the other two The above brief Answer may here suffice because Jacob Behmen so largely resolveth it in the Answer of the first of the Forty Questions of the Soul Q. 40. What is the Immortal Life in Man viz. the Soul and what is the outward Life in him A. 1. The Principle of Man's Immortal Life is what the Answer of the last foregoing Question renders it that is a Life sprung from the wrestling of the first four Forms of the first Principle They generate a strong stern eager sting prickle poison Life or bitter Root which as doth the Gall in living Bodies strikes up or enkindles Life 2. This being rooted in the Eternal Beginning or from the Eternal Abyss of the Father's Property can never find End or limit of Race But Either is according to the Fountain and Essence of its own Nature dark raging and fierce for ever or in the Holy Principle of Love in the Light World happy for ever 3. It must now be told what the outward Life of this World in Man is and must be sadly acknowledged to be Earthy and Sensual here is the Lust of the Eye the Lust of the Flesh and Pride of Life So that it may be said Shut the â—ive Windows that our House may be truly Light within 4. The Beasts live as Man doth having all the five Senses as he in some of them more sharp also some of them extend the Thread of their time to greater Measure are generally more exempt from Sickness wholly Privileged from careful Perturbations in good Measure without fear of future Events or Sorrow c. 5. So that Mans outward Life or third Principle as now it is from first to last renders him of all Creatures the most Miserable And his restless striving to satiate the Lusts of this Worlds Spirit by Wealth Greatness c. is an additional Sorrow and Vexation which some of the Ancients skilfully mitigated by wise Moderation and Contentation 6. Who sees not how much more grievous this Pilgrimage and Travel is to Man than to any other Creature Because his Creator made him for the Excellent Holy Sweet Paradisical Life Even as Hell is most intolerable to Evil Angels and lost Men who were created to be Inhabitants of Heaven whereas it is no Wo to those horrible Creatures that figure the fierceness of the Properties for that is their Life 7. Yet it is true the poor Brute Animals groan under the Curse Man subjected them to for they should have been harmless Figures of the Astral and Elementary Powers 8. To conclude the Answer of this Question let it be seriously considered That if Man will think to feed his Immortal Principle with Mortal Food viz. his Soul with this third Principle he doth as a cruel Murtheress who to still her unhappy Nurse-Child instead of Food amuses its Eyes with Objects and its Ears with Sounds and answers its hungry Laments with louder Noises till she hath forced it to sleep who so pines and destroys it 9. But the Love of God in Jesus Christ is the true real Food of the Soul it is true not like Shews and Sounds which are delusive also real and substantial not a Shadow which every thing here else is as to the Soul This Love as Food generateth its like in the Soul and strengthensit This Love as Physick Purgeth out all other Love and it reigneth and remaineth for ever Q. 41. What is the Idea or exact express reflex Image of God in Man wherein God worketh and dwelleth A. If a Volume were written to Answer this Question as well might be by reason of the Excellency and Importance of the Subject yet still it would be as under Locks and Seals from the fallen Adam until he enter into the Knowledge at the right Door of that he lost by his Fall 1. The Doctrine of the Resurrection was call'd Babling by the studious Athenians for Man is dead to the Holy Divine Image and in all who so abide the outward Astral Spirit and Elementary Body is the only Bridle of Suspension and Mitigation of the hellish Image or dark Principle 2. But had Man no more he were in no better state than the brute Beasts for in the Astral and Elementary they are in common with Man and in the dark Principle he is one with the Evil Angels 3. Yet so exceeding Great and Adorable was God's Grace Love and Pity that the same Grace was like a Seed inspoken into him at the Fall which in all by whom Obedience is yielded beareth Fruit to Eternal Life but it lyes as Dead in such who bury it under the Dominion of the Astral Spirit or that choak it under the Thorns of the Elementary Body 4. And all Impenitent Rejecters of God's regenerating Grace how subtle and studiously penetrating soever have no part nor lot in this Matter but are absolute Strangers guided by an unreasonable Model of Humane Reason resulting from the Information of the Sences twisted with the Maxims of Serpentine Wisdom 5. Nevertheless the Poor in Spirit that dyeth to its own Will and Lusts hath lively Characters of the Idea of the Divine Image and Birth for such a dying enters the Soul into the first Resurrection 6. God's Image is not in the Earthquakes of the first Principle nor in the Lightning and Thunders of the third Principle but most nearly in the small still voice of the Proclaiming his Gracious Merciful Long suffering Name for that is the second Holy Principle 7. And this speaking Almighty Word cannot be more than stammer'd by words no more than Omnipotence can be comprehended by Concrets With what Eye can a Sinner behold the unexpressible loveliness of That ravishing Face where dwells That Majesty which is the Express Image of the Father and before whom the Angels cover their Faces I must say when a drop of that Ocean of Love and Mercy blesseth my Soul I melt I stammer I am astonished Lord what is Man 8. God's exact Image consisteth of all the three Principles The first and third in perfect Order being thorowly illustrated by the second The mighty longing of the first like a Hunger produceth or begetteth the meek Will and glorious Majestick Principle of Light according to which God is called God And of the longing and will proceedeth the desiring which is a Love-spirit producing Millions and Miriads to Infinity of Variety
Spiritual World which are open in some measure in all the humble Holy Ones but to others tho great Proficients in Knowledge if of Old Adam only I am dumb and these things are idle Speculations they are lockt bolted sealed 3. But to the Children of the Kingdom it is answer'd The Deity united it self to the Humanity in the holy part of the Humanity in every of the three principles that is in the holy Element where his third principle in his Creation stood else could he not have rul'd over the siderial had he not been in their Root for they but Imaged the powers of the holy Element and Eternal Nature or great Mystery 4. We are not to be so ignorant as to suppose the Deity took into union our Bestial part for we see in transmutation of Metals the dross or rust is not affected with the Tincture The regenerate new Man feels while we are present in the Body we are absent from the Lord. 5. The Infinite Deity or Heart of God the second principle of Love createth nothing being himself the end of nature viz. as out of himself for he is the perfect Summit of all yet doth comprehend all penetrate all only the perverse will blindfolds it self 6. But tho' the holy Love principle or Deity createth nothing As neither doth the outward Sun generate any substance out of its own pure Body but furthereth pre-existent Matter Yet because Man had estranged himself both from the holy Element and Virgin of purity who was his Image being the Tincture of the Light as himself was the express Image of the Father therefore did the for ever Blessed Deity to the Eternal Admiration of humane Nature and of the Angelical World Unite himself in the holy Element which is his Heavenly Flesh and Blood and in the Virgin of Wisdom the Spouse of the Soul unto miserable fallen blind distressed Humane Nature 7. Hereby meekening the rage and disorder of the darkned Soul illuminating the unsetled Spirit and Understanding and Tincturing the very Siderial Soul or Astral Spirit or Man Extending also his Abyss of Infinite Grace to the very Elementary Body As Aaron's precious Oyl ran down to the Hem of his Vesture Q. 109. How did Christ become Born of Mary to this World without prejudice to her Virginity How could she after the Birth remain still a Virgin A. 1. This pure Virgin Conception may shew all who are not wilfully blind what Adam's exchange of pure Virgin Love and Modesty for Lust in the divided properties was I refer to the 54. 61 62 63 and 65. Answers studiously shunning recitals of things written in any of them how pertinent soever hereunto 2. The Virginity of Mary remained intire after the Conception and Birth of the Lord 1. For it may be considered that this most admirable condescention was a work begun and perfected by Infinite Divine Love on the one part and holy awe and profound humility on the other more above wanton Lust than do the Coelestial Rays excel the foul Kitchen Fire in purity 3. Obscurely figur'd by some eminently holy Men who were the Children of Old Age such as Isaac and others after long barrenness So was Joseph given to Rachel and others after Wrestling with God by Prayer as Samuel to Hanna And John the Baptist given to Elizabeth who seemed to be proverbially call'd Barren Now in the holy Parents of such the wantonness of Fleshly Lust was withered which in the Virgin Mary had not been excited 4. Let it be considered that the access of Increase of Homogeneous Vertue and Power doth not nor can weaken impair or lessen the vigour of the property it hath as 1. In a House where burns a common Fire the hot Sun and Season makes the heat more ardent tho' that Fire less penetrating and scalding Or 2. Into a Room where burns a blinking Candle or other small Light a Beam of the Sun entring makes the place more lustrous tho' that faint Light less luminous And 3. Pure Water poured into Water somewhat foul makes it not less but more pure 5. Thus the holy Element feeding the Life of Maries regenerated Soul and in the same pure Element the Virgin of Gods Wisdom being the Tincture of the Light and Spouse of Jesus Christ. In the same pure Element with that pure Virginity of Gods Wisdom the Infinite holy second principle the Son of God took for an Eternal propriety the Essences of Maries Humanity and did of all form one Divine and Humane Holy One Holy Thing Holy Child c. And all this could no more detract or impeach her Virginity than the Elixir put into common Wine or Water can debase and debilitate it and decline it towards the disesteem and inefficacy of common cold Water Q. 110. Why did Christ walk or converse Thirty years upon the Earth before he took or entred upon his Office Why did he increase in Age and Favour with God and Man seeing he is God himself and needed no growing or increasing A. 1. Infinite Wisdom saw Thirty years neither more nor less than necessary wherein compleat obedience might actually be rendered by the second Adam to all the parts of the Righteous Law broken by the first and all this before the Lord took his Office 2. For in these Thirty years the ten forms of Fire in the active Life signified by the ten Generations beginning in Sem and ending in Abraham had their peâ—fect work three times because as Man had miserably estranged his Life forms by actual Transgression in every of the three principles So accordingly did the Son of God who was now also the Son of Man graciously travel with his which were our Lifes forms and in and through all the three principles by the several steps of the ten forms of Fire in the active Liâ—e 3. Bringing thereby the first second and third principles which were stray'd from the will of the liberty as the first of the ten was figured by Sem and introduced the Humanity through the desiring anguish and all the rest into the tenth that is into the Holy Flesh and Paradisical or Angelical World figur'd by Abraham 4. Thus Joseph the Type of this Glorious Thirty years wherein were fulfilled all Righteousness endured Bondage and a Series of Sorrow and when he was Thirty years old stood before Pharaoh and was put into Office next unto him 5. David also another Type of this after passing many tiring hardships and almost invincible difficulties and hazards was at the same Age of Thirty years Crowned King This is represented again by David's Thirty Worthies and three more Honourable than the rest figure the years after the Lord took his Office 6. Noah's Ark and Solomon's Temple were each Thirty Cubits high pointing us these Thirty years Now for answer to the second part of the Question why Christ did increase in Age and Favour with God and Man c. 7. This signifies and points out to us his
us how this World shall pass away viz. 1. Unexpectedly as a Thief 2. Suddenly in the Night 3. Violently with a great noise 4 Universally the Heavens Earth and Elements 5. Irreparably The Elements shall melt with fervent heat the Earth be burnt up and that the Heavens being on Fire shall be dissolved ver 12. And this tremendous Truth is not only really and litterally but demonstrably so 4. To the second part of the Question viz. what remaineth thereof afterward see the Answer of the 30th Question of the 40 Questions of the Soul and the 27 Chap. of the three Principles ver 6 and ver 20. But to speak yet farther on this latter part what remains of it the World afterward viz. after dissolution of the present frame or fashion I must seem and but seem to digress which tho' to some it be obscure will be plain to the Mind initiated into and irradiated with the Theosophick Wisdom The Out-birth is the Figure of the two Eternal Worlds or Principles having all the Properties according to the two different contrary Impressions And this Out-birth in the Womb of the Eternal Mystery was by the earnest Magick longing and will originated which will is as the Voice or Mouth of the great Mystery and the properties are as the Instruments or Fingers of the creating word the first viz. the Voice is the Father Soveraign or Lord of the Separator or Father of Nature and the latter viz. the Properties are his Limbs or Members working by the Astral Powers for Generation of all the Creatures of the Out-birth 5. This Father of the external Nature or Outward World invigorated by the might of the Properties hath ability unweariedly to work universally in and through the whole Out-birth and being the Image of the first born of every Creature who standeth incomprehensibly in the Eternal Rooting Powers this his Image and Servant is innobled with such energy as both to form and animate the productions of the whole Out-birth yet who will be so foolish as to take him either to be the First-born Son of God or the Father which is in Heaven whom the Son teacheth us to direct our Prayer to as the Object of all Adoration or the Holy Infinite third Person or Subsistence tho' his Office is in the third Principle but is a Creature potently furnished and fortified to stamp engrave delineate and shadow Living Images of the two Inward Worlds And hath the Seals and Magical impresses but not the Eternal Holy Incomprehensible Magia for that the Divine Virgin of Wisdom is a Possessor of generating the real Worlds themselves for-ever whereof this is only the figure 6. And this Father of Nature call'd by some the Soul of the outward Universe hath a Tincture under his dispensation such as of which the Out-birth is capable to be enriched with And this also of both Impressions viz. of the light and dark Worlds Figures but it hath not the holy meek divine Tincture for that the Divine Sophia the Virgin of Wisdom is glorified with But the Tincture and Magia which the Father of Nature is distributer of is yet so noble as to be holy in the holy Vessels but not so fixed and compleat as to hallow unholy Vessels but so flexible as is vitiated into a false Magia and counterfeit Tincture and so applicable to the Impostures of Evil Angels and their Humane Vassals that they to their Eternal Damnation may and do prophanely abuse and prostitute this Tincture and Magia 7. Thus what the Virgin of Gods Wisdom is in the Heavenly Birth to the Angelical World and other Paradisical Inhabitants such is this Father of Nature in the Out-birth and not only the two Eternal Worlds have their Figures and manifest Portraitures in this but the very holy creating Word and Virgin of Wisdom of which no visible figure can be hath above all this grand Separator or Father of the External Nature for it's plain audible Herauld immediate substitute and express Representer Yet so secret as only to be found by the Inlighten'd Mind and tho' seen in all things yet discerned understood and perceived by very few and for the sake of those very few are these things thus opened 8. From all which it may easily be deduced what of this World shall remain viz. Nature in its Virtual Form and Dress the real Entities with their Tincture their subâ—â—antial tho' not palpable Bodies that is to say the true substance of every Individual Figure the Idea of every thing which the Father of Nature hath produced to shadow and reveal the hidden Holy and Power Worlds therefore of necessary consequence the Father or Separator must needs remain to Marshal his Hosts in their Eternal successive Scenes for the most High and Holy God will not lose the end of his Work But his goodness must be for ever extensive diffusive communicative for his Glory Amen Nor is it possible he should lose the least part of the Order by him fixed of declaring himself but that by the things he hath made may be shewn his Eternal Power and Godhead because for that purpose they were produced 9 I compare the World to a Seed which tho' it die having lost its Husk Chaff and very Sulphurean and Saline Body is yet regenerated by its Mercurial renovation into another yet as it were the self-same hence saith the Lord There is nothing hid or covered which shall not be made manifest The Idea of the Drunkards Horse like Balaam's Ass shall convince the madness of the Rider and Eccho his own repeated causless Sufferings and Groans under the Tyranny of his more Savage Owner The Flocks shall bleat again and shew how their Lives have been lavished to satiate the voluptuous Gluttony of their Wolvish Owners The Vine and Fatness of the Field shall shew how their Blood and Strength was exhausted for the Lusts of the proud while the Bellies of the Indigent were shrunk up For as by the Chymist the Flegm of the Plant is separated away and the faeces precipitated yet the Spirit Essence and Idea retained so is it here Also as the washing of a Man who hath many Wounds in his Body covered all over with Blood shews how many how great and where those Orifices are so is it here Likewise as the drawing back of the extended Shadows and Curtains of the Night lays open and exposeth like Ezekiel's Vision the Idols and undermining Works of Darkness so will it be then Or as the wiping of the slime and filth sticking to a Looking-glass makes all appear therein clearly so will that transcendent work be yet neither is the Seed perished the Plant utterly lost the wounded Man quite expired nor the Looking glass broken in pieces 10. Therefore as the Lord would preserve a Pot of Manna wherewith the Tribes of Israel had been sustained in the Wilderness and as the Lord Jesus would have the Fragments of the Bread and Fish Basketed wherewith he had fed by Miracle so
Consider common Fire it is not Light no more than a Rose is a Tree or the Root of a Lilly is the Flower Tho' by the way we may digress to observe that an Eminent Pen endeavours by many in their kind ingenious Arguments to prove Light to be Fire in a less degree but granting the vigour of the Fire to be in the Light or by the affluence of the Air to be the enkindler of the Light yet will it not follow that the Light is Fire unless the whole Deep is therefore the Sun because the Sun's vigour enlivens it For grant That Author's Arguments to arrive at what he levels them the distinct Properties will result into a Chaos whose various Vertues mutually produce consubstantiate figure and cohabit each the other yet the one no more the other than Heat is Cold or Light is Darkness It would also confound the Son with the Father and those two to be only terms convertible a thing so far from truth as not to be esteemed only short of it but rather diametrically opposite to it But passing by this consider we as was said common Fire that hath an attractive hungry fierceness in it like that in a heated Stone and that fierceness must be perpetuated if the Light be not generated by it but is the Fire of Hell but when the Light begotten by it as from a Fountain is resigned unto it and shineth in it then and there is the meek Vertue united with the strong might of the Fire thereby turning all into a Majestick splendor so bringing the Copy as a fit due conformity to the Original because the alone perfection of the multiplicity is its arriving at the Unity 23. Now come we to the last and God shall be all in all here may be taken a prospect of the Holy of Holies An Angel's Royal Hand were well employed in drawing these Lines and Measures but then still it must be with a Reed and the Computation must suit with the Cubit of a Man the Language also must be flammering wretched and as it were foolish else it descends not to the fallen Human Understanding And as none knows the things of a man but the Human Understanding Spirit so none those of God but the Holy Spirit of God What is vile dust to penetrate this Woe to us that we are of unclean Lips and vain in our imagination 24. Truth tells us that our Omnipotent God hath three Delights viz. 1. In his Son in whom is his delight 2. In the Excellent made so by his Son 3. In Exercising Mercy The two last viz. the Excellent and Exercising of Mercy dwell in the Son as in their Ocean Centre or Fountain and issue through him as Sap through a Tree and That Tree grows in our Impotent Humanity Now after the delivering up the Kingdom to the Father God's becoming all in all is the uniting all these three Delights to the Almighty Power-World where the Joy is incomprehensible and the Increase of it Endless and Infinite for then Almightiness of Strength and Wisdom hath replenisht it self with Almightiness of Love and Goodness the Unity hath reassumed the Multiplicity What words may express This most Holy Dominion 25. Can it be pourtrayed by the Joy of a tender-hearted Parent all whose dear Children having been miserably captiv'd by a barbarous malicious Enemy are by the prudent Conduct and prosperous Atchievement of their eldest Brother compleatly rescued May it be apprehended by the Joy of the Harvest when the loaden Sheaves crowning the Fields do seasonably enrich the Barns and Granaries Or of the Vintage when the bowed Branches dropping into the Press overflow it Or by the lost Son the lost Groat the lost Sheep the Joy of the Bridegroom over the Bride all which are faint resemblances and dim shadows of the Delight of the Eternal Father Also what is the Content of an Earthly Monarch whose Victorious Arms subject his Enemies and his seasonable Succours secure his Friends What is the Triumph of the Sun in the Firmament when his Spicy Beams revive the Face of Nature grown pale by his long absence and call up a smiling Spring These are weak figures and dark similes of the Delight of the Sun of Righteousness And what is the sweet Satisfaction the tender Mother hath by seeing all her dear Babes for whom she travell'd to whom she had drawn out her Breasts over whom she had long unweariedly watcht and cared of whom she had been a compassionate Comfort and Assistant in their Froward Fits various Anguishes Sicknesses and Hazards as so many Deaths at last all thriveâ— to perfect stature of Body excellent Endowments of Mind exact chearful Dutifulness to their Father and by Him all advanced to wear Crowns By this may be tho' obscurely represented the Delight of God's Holy Spirit Lastly What was the Joy of the lately oppressed Tribes when delivered at the Red Sea and occasion'd the Song of Moses What was also their Joy when God turned back the Captivity of Sion from the Chaldean when they were as men in a dream and what the Joy of them who having washed their Garments in the Blood of the Lamb and had been brought out of Fiery Tryals do come to receive their White Robes and Palms by which may be seen the Joy of the Redeemed of the Lord in that Holy of Holy days Thus are the sublimost Affairs offered in a most familiar homely manner with a low voice and flat style for so the Wisdom of God descends and delights to cloath it self while Man's Wisdom would flourish in enticing words puft up with empty sounds Obj. 26. But some by way of opposition may say that God ever was is and shall all be in all as it is written Of him for him and through him are all things and in him we live move and have our Being Ans. A confused knowledge of things doth but little difference men from Brute Creatures Let us therefore summarily remember what dispersedly in the Answers foregoing and the blessed Jacob Behmers Writings is large and clear viz. That the gracious Creator spake the Paradisical or Angelical World out of himself according to every Property of the Eternal Nature and according to the holy second Principle which till there was a rent by the receding of Lucifer into the by-path of his private Self-will the whole remained an exact Image and true Copy of the Original where the Name of God was perfectly spoken and God was all in all 27. And out of and as an Image of the Paradisical Principle and with the Properties of the Power-World did God speak forth the Astral-World an Image of both Inward-Worlds which as a Child of the other two had as the Children of Men have a Centre of its own and tho' it were a Copy of the Inward-Worlds yet was another a third Principle issuing into the multiplicity and as far as it so remaineth God is all in all in it also 28. In and over
ready to imbitter our way double our crosses aggravate our scandals pervert our purposes and make much sorrowful if not shameful work for Repentance So that the Pilgrim who is in real earnestness had need to pray without ceasing bear his Lord's Cross tho' in anxiety of his own Soul live the life of humble Patience in passing through this so Thorny a path in our comfortless Desert beset with snares pollutions and deaths also to bear with the infirmities of others to shun Evil Influences from them and that the Love of our dear God may sink the price of our own Repute our desire of Ease and of our whole self that God and only God may be at last our all in all in us and over us which the God of Grace and Infinite Compassions assist us in unto the end Q. 175. What will the Holy or Saints and Damned each of them do and leave undone A. 1. The blessed Iacob Behmen's Answer of the 32 Question of the 40 Questions of the Soul sheweth the condition and glory of Souls in the Life to come and the Answer of the 34th of those Questions telleth the miserable horrible Estate of the Damned The Answer of the 167 of these Questions treats of what concerns the Holy Ones and the 168th is of the Wicked as is also the 9th verse of the 166. On this Subject review the 170 Answer 2. Yet without reciting the Reviews something must be added That the Holy Ones being gathered into the Unity do the work of the one in their various measures and having one Will with the Eternal One have a proportion of the Wisdom and Power of the one and in That Wisdom and Power can enter into the Variety and as the Variety is part of the Infinity they have a creaturely prospect and open door into the Infinity 3. And for as much as they are the Image of all the Principles and an exquisite composition of all the Properties therefore when the Resignation of their Will in Jesus Christ translates them into the Kingdom of God what can then withhold it self from them but that all the Properties should operate triumphantly in them Only this is their limit that as their Life is the Holy Kingdom they can skill nothing but the Works of the Principle wherein the Holy Kingdom standeth but yet are comprehensive of all the Principles in the manner of Creature-comprehension according as when the Three in One was the profound Harmony before the speaking forth of the Multiplicity but they cannot see into much less Image in themselves the separate impure divided Properties as neither can the Outward Sun see Darkness tho' the Eye thereof go into every Country because where ever it looks the Darkness disappears so that in the Light the Image of Darkness cannot be impressed tho' the Light can impress its Image on the Darkness and shine in it 4. And seeing the General Assembly of the Lord Jesus Christ the first-born hath the Power Wisdom and Love of the first-born in an Eternal Community as the Natural Body hath the Animal Vital and Nutritive Spirits in an intire Community what then can be too mysterious for them to contemplate for in themselves is the Echo or Pulse beating of every thing World and Existence they can therefore at once as it were diffect every thing and what can be too strong for them to sway who are in Jesus Christ compleatly furnishâ— with ability for working the works of God which is the highest Good the most excellent Creature is capable to do or to will 5. Now to tell what the Damned do and leave undone is unfolded by knowing 1. The Principle in which they are comprehended 2. Themselves 3. By knowing and considering God 1. The Principle they are shut up in is the first the strong might of the dark Abyss consisting of the fierceness of the four Anguishes they are everlastingly under those Adamantine Chains and must needs leave undone those things which are out of the reach of that Chain And it may be understood thus there are Lands and Seas near both Poles where the extremity of condensed cold arrests the Seas and they are an Icy Rock and the Lands and Mountains are bound by Stone-cleaving Frosts and under a Region of Snow so that Sea and Land are in a fixt Barren inactivity and while continued darkness dwells on it the Principle of the dark Abyss as sever'd from the other Principles is in part figur'd by it 6. 2. By considering the Damned themselves they are as utterly unable to enkindle the least glance of Divine Light in them as the Icy Seas and Mountains of dark Frost are to create to themselves another Sun and Fructifie to the production of the Rich Vertues and Ornaments of Eden the Garden of God 7. 3. By considering the Holy God from whom as he is the Infinite Goodness the One Gracious Will and Abyss of Love they have rent themselves and become dead to his Divine Life and at the same instant are become alive to his Wrath As one awaking to rage and fury dies to patience and meekness hereby they become a sweet savour to the hunger of that anger as it is written upon the wicked it shall Rain Snares Fire Brimstone and an horrible Tempest for the Righteous God loveth Righteousness The rise progress and perpetuity of the fierceness of Gods Wrath tho' an Eternal Principle is yet Gods strange Work and is their only Work wholly their Life tho' a dying one their Centre and home tho' a horrid one 8. All they think is confusion and distracting Anguish all they do is the outward Expressions of their inward fierce Impressions they are resisting the Infinite Power of Omnipotence and in their fixt Enmity against the Gracious Holy Love of God are united and become one with the Devils in the Principle of Gods devouring Fire and consuming Fierceness As Molten Glass hath one will with the Fire to scorch and burn as it And tho' Damned Humane Creatures and Devils are one with themselves and one with in or under the Principle of the wrath of God it is not with them as with Molten Metal which by the action of the Fire are made conforming Passives and all the contrariety hereunto evaporated separated or transformed into it for Man was Imaged in a Divine Pure Paradisical Principle with all the three Principles powerfully fixt For the Creator willed not to lose the end of his Creation having given him a Soul rooted in the Eternal Band of the forms of the first Principle a Spirit out of the Eternal Substance of the Light a Tincture out of the Spiritual World and a Body out of the Eternal Nature whereof the Astral Heavens are a figure So that his second Principle is not volatiâ—e or evaporable tho' capable of being darkened nor his third Principle so to be separated as to be annihilable tho' Mortal for a time therefore the fiery Property of the Soul is such as subsisteth
Answer What are the Dominions of Angels Evil and Good 1. David meditating the Heavens is transported into admiration What is Man c. But what place may be found low enough for Man to prostrate himself in who seriously considers his loathsom deformity by sin he is so far baser than the Outward Heavens which yet must pass away that he is viler than the Beast that perisheth for his subjection to vanity he owes to us is also viler than the Earth which bearing our Curse yet gratefully pays what it can for the Blessings showering on it and willingly serves the higher Influences of Nature to generate â—â—ble Concretes and were it delivered from our Curse would gladly travel for Paradisical Productions but our heavy Curse is so eating that it hath entred the Timber and Walls therefore must this House needs as that having the incurable Leprosie be pull'd down We are also viler than the poisonous abominable Reptiles for they are but figures of the Forms of the Black World but sinful Man is really united to them Man also considered as Reprobate is worse than the Devils both as he is lower by Creation and higher by aggravated transgression having trampled on the Only and most excellent Remedy freely offered for his recovery the Sacrifice of the most Holy of Holies the Only Eternal Son of God 2. And is there no Creature so vile as Man Hold this O my Soul for thy Contemplation remain confounded and astonished Let not thy Tongue smother what thy Intellect sees nor thy Pride refuse thy just Reproach flatter not paint not indulge not but depart out of thy self as now clotâ—ed with thy shame and filth cry to him whose Eternal Mercy is infinite for pity to cast his skirt over thee now in thy Blood And when thou contemplatest the sublime Wisdom excellent Power and irresistible Activity of the Angelical Hosts and remembrest that the subtilty of a Fox the strength of an Ass the nimbleness of a Fly the skill of a Bee surpass thee yet know if regenerate into the Image of Jesus Christ thou maist by humble Obedience and willing Child-like Resignation to the Conduct of the Councils from above obtain That Wisdom which the Old Serpent is short of thou maist â—ate sin in a measure as the Holy Angels do viz. really because it is sin and universally thou maist love Holiness Purity and Modesty sincerely in a measure the perfection of which Love is the Glory of the Heavenly Hosts Let not therefore the shame of thy nakedness so sink thee but that thy humble thoughts may offer up Volumes of Blessings for any possibility of recovery To Thee therefore who art all in all and infinitely above all be offered up my wretched all To Thee who art all pity be presented my mournful earnest prayer graciously lay hold on my feeble Faith let thy Wind blow Life on my dry Bones To Thee O Fountain of Goodness be given all my weeping praises and my whole Soul for ever On the 20th Question and Answer Out of what is the Visible World created c. 1. This Visible World is originated out of the Eternal thence sprung the Stars and four Elements of the one Element the Fire actuates separates and digests the other three Elements and the Father of Nature forms all according to the Will modell'd by the Wisdom and giveth the Tincture Thus the Fire-life in Man's Mortal Body helps three Concâ—ctions the first in the stomach as the Chilus nourishing by assimilation answering to the Air the second in the Mesentery and Liver as Blood answering to Water the third Concâ—ction is the passing by the Veins into the gross Members and by the Arteries to the more fine and to add to the Bones answering to Earth and Stones in each of which is a separation of the unprofitable part This Contemplation well raised David to say I am fearfully and wonderfully made And as in our Mortal Man there is something surviving viz. the Tincture so in the Out-birth the Soul of it and Tincture being out of the Eternal Nature and the first Principle is indissoluble but the Bestial Man sees not that but greedily catcheth at the Husk and Hogs-meat the excrementitious part 2. But thou Ohâ—my Spirit shew by thy humble meekness thy high extraction shew by thy Resignation to the universal Will of thy Creator that thou art his Child keep thy Lamp clean that being enkindled by the Fire from above thou maist enlighten the dark Forms of my Immortal Soul to know and live to God and will purely his will that my Souls heat may be a Love fire and that Love-fire may be a constant Fountain for thy Love-flame That as every individual Creature in their degree do unawares to themselves shew the Almighty Power and Infinite Wisdom of God thou being intrusted more than they all with five Talents maist prove them to ten and shew understandingly not only his Infinite Power and Wisdom but Infinite Goodness Grace Clemency Condescension Pity Love Bounty and Sweetness And thou Oh my Astral and gross Body beware lest the poor Brutes by serving thee while they live and dying to keep thee alive out-strip thee not so far as to witness against thee that thou hast prevented the end of thine own Creation and theirs by insatiably lusting to indulge and serve thy self thereby robbing thy Soveraign of the fruits of his Vineyard On the 21th Question and Answer Whence proceeded Evil as poisonous Creatures here c. 1. Out of the Dark Confusion by the Apostasie of Lucifer and his Legions the Fiat moving by the Separator to bring forth every Power strenuously willed to make it self creaturely so was it the seven Planets severally bear the seven separate Powers and according to them are impressed the Evil and Good Properties on Plants Minerals and Sensitives not that any one is wholly one but one is prevalent and the rest subservient Thus evil venomous loathsom voracious fierce Creatures and things have existence yet shineth the Sun descendeth the sweet drops on them and springeth up the fatness of the Earth for them 2. Behold here the overflowing Bounty of the gracious God who feeds the young Lions and young Ravens the Dragons and Serpents of the Wilderness Behold here also his Long-suffering who not only spares but heaps up outward blessings on far worse viz. obstinate hardened seared Rebels for whom he hath not spared his own Son and on whom he hath waited counselling entreating convincing resisting and dropping Line upon Line perhaps twenty forty and on some fifty years for ever blessed be that abused Creator that bleeding Redeemer that grieved Holy Ghost 3. Come hither all my Inward Powers prostrate your selves be enkindled by this Holy Fire learn to do good for evil blessing for cursing Be astonished O my Soul that ever thou didst return black ingratitude and trample on heavenly Blood and Bowels of Mercy that thou hast not only been as the worst of Beasts but much more vile and
a Dart thrust through the Liver the Fountain of Blood the Hair and Nails will after being cut grow a Tooth may supply a former Tooths place but the Tincture spoil'd is as the Heart and Brain pluck'd out Salt savours all things but if it hath lost its savour wherewith shall it be salted Of the Tincture comes the Growth and Lustre and so is as our Mother if any one reproach and prophane it he becomes mortally guilty He that curseth his Father or Mother shall surely be put to Death On the 33 Question and Answer Of the Original of the Creatures of the mortal Life 1. When I look towards the Circumference and see the winged Troops should not I find Coelestial Inclinations in all of them where yet I find many filthy many cruel many ravenous I look towards the Centre and are there in the Deep any but dark undigested uncleannesses yet there I observe almost all clean many fair more greatly nourishing some adorn'd with rare Pearls and in the dark cold Earth the Triumphs of Nature in precious Stones and Minerals And looking round me my Fellow-Commoners are so various as to figure all Principles all Worlds all Properties to Infinity No Star so noble but it's Energy is Imaged in some no Conjunction so malevolent but is figur'd on others 2. The dark World hath its Subjects and Idea's Saturn in that Impression owns the Wolf Horseleech c. Mercury the Fox and dangerous Reptils Mars the Tyger and Dog Sol the Lyon Venus the Ostrich and Vultures Jupiter deformed Apes Baboons and Monkeys Luna unweldy Bruits And among my Brethren of Adam's Apostate race Saturn sways the Meagre Griping Carking Raking Insatiable Mercury the sly circumventing Crew Mars the insociable outragious Rabble Sol the daring seeker of Self and Domination Venus the shameless obscene cruel Adulteress Jupiter the filthy Hermaphrodite and Semihomines Luna those who are a burthen to others and over-load to themselves Yet according to the Light World is a Book written with shining living Letters accurately Engraven according to all Properties in which our Old Man may meditate his derogating from the Copy viz. The simplicity of the Dove and Lamb and in which the New Man may as in a Glass behold his own Face may observe how the Heavens hear the Earth groaning for Drought and descend in sweet distilling Bottles the Earth hears the shriveling Seed and drying Roots and the Corn and Fruits hear hungry Men and starving Beasts and when all are filled by the overflowing of Infinite Goodness how do the Blossoms breathe and the laden Boughs shew their Satisfaction the Herds return with flowing Udders and in the Flocks the Ews pay their Lambs what bounty lent them how do the Subterranean Minerals extend their stretch'd out Arms towards the four Cardinal Points and the hidden Treasure excite Man's Diligence 3. But what part bearest thou my Soul in this Harmony Art thou Hoarse Is thy sound only like that when the Earth is knockt on Doth all flow to thee and for thee and art thou only as a Grave to bury them in run they all to thee as Jordan into the Dead Sea Must all these Voices of Divine Love be heard seen felt tasted smelled renewed increased and continued and thou as Barren as Arabia's Sands thy Heart as impenetrable and sensless as the Mountains of Ice and Rocks of Adamant Wo were me if every Pile of Grass must be a Witness against me Hath thy Redeemer not only given thee all these but open'd for thee to thee in thee Heaven it self and his own Heart which is the Heaven of Heavens and art thou on Earth and Cold Why burneth not thy Heart why flame not thy Affections why dyest thou not as a Burnt-offering and risest not in this sweet Fire of humble earnest endless Seraphick Love On the 34th Question and Answer On the Separator of every Species of every Property 1. This Meditation exalts my grovelling Thoughts towards him without whom was not any thing made that was made yet this Archeus is no more than the great Instrument of Omnipotence who when call'd the Father of Nature it 's only meant the Father in Nature bearing the Image of the Father who alone is God blessed forever Nor are the Astral Powers though various infinite and different also seeming opposite to be call'd many because not one is broken from the United Harmony but mutually embrace each other no perverseness among them that is left to the Prince and Legions of the Abyss of the dark World 2. All the Properties and Astral Powers are an Egress of the Fountain Spirits as they are of the one Will and by figuring and propagating their Energies are as a Body Politick whose many parts compose into a Republick Thus is the whole one only Separator Father and Mother in Nature for whole Nature is an Hermaphrodite in it the Tinctures being inviolably United potently proceed in Magical Masculine and Feminine Virgin Purity doing all as Adam should have done and with so equal a hand that the Excellency of one is ballanced by another kind of Excellency in another The Pith and Brain needs the Bark and Skull is Gold most valuable Iron is most useful the Powerful hand that lays the Contexture of the Whale and Elephant is altogether as admirable in the little Insects 3. Now as by a numerous well-accoutred Host is shewn the Puissance of their Prince by the greatness of a River the large Tract of Land whence it descends So by this steady unwearied skilful prosperous mighty Architect is demonstrated the Eternity Wisdom Infinity Omnipotency of the Glorious Creator who is represented by this his excellent Agent And as with Veneration Men receive the Decrees of the Wisdom of a State with submission the Commands of a Soveraign Authority and with Circumspection observe the Precepts of Physick wherein life is concern'd with how much greater reason are we obliged or rather by genuine sweetness charm'd to the Laws of Nature to be Loyal to the Government studious of the Institutions and faithful in holding the Secrets thereof if entrusted to us for as the Eternal Nature is in God so the Temporal Nature is of God in which also God and Heaven is as Eternity is in time Grant therefore O our God and Father which art in Heaven that I may hallow thy Name in Nature lest if I do not thy Will shewn on Earth in things seen I be not entrusted with the Knowledge of things in Heaven which are not seen On the 35th Question and Answer On the six days work of the Creation and the Sabbath 1. The six days Work demonstrate the six working Properties and they being distinct do yet every of them generate another and all six meet to generate the seventh yet when they concenter in the seventh do not there cease to Work which were as impossible as for them to cease to be but if they Work in the seventh their Operations are heavenly sweetly harmoniously triumphantly
troublesom sleep he prodigally lavisheth 3. Come dwell here or hereabouts my Soul 't is not vain to behold and consider what Vanities Incircle thee What fierce or desperate Men madly venture on which they can try but once and what Men overwhelm'd with the painted present pleasures do with a Transport of Consternation undergo that do thou neither Court nor Fly Man here is like Jerusalem when Besieged by Titus the Devil and his Engines the Snares of the World like the Roman Legions begirt him waiting at all his Avenues And his Domestick disorders like the three Sects within are at Mortal Enmity God hath sent thee my Soul a voice warning hence and directing whither hear and obey and the outward death shall land thee at Jerusalem which is from above learn thy general and thine own particular Business find thy Constitution Sin do thy Days Work studiously calmly and cheerfully dwell at home that is within and the vigorous eager Maxims of the Worldly-wise and their Storms as well as the flattering shews abroad and other Mens Opinion of thee will be to thee as Tragedies and Comedies in the Antipodes On the 41st Question and Answer The Idea or Express Reflex Image of God in Man wherein God worketh and dwelleth 1. This Image was figur'd by the Tabernacle Temple Jerusalem and Mount Sion their Holiness Exquisiteness and Impregnableness a glance of it shone in Moses Face This when Adam fell into the outward Worlds Principle withdrew and had not the same been reimplanted he had remained part Devil and part Beast and but that it continueth striving in Man he should still be so and where final resistance is that Man is a Devil and a Beast Everlastingly for Men without Humane Intellect are Brutes and without the Divine Image Devilish for this Seal differenceth the Sheep from the Goats Mans rejecting this is Gods rejecting of Man for tho' the want of it makes the Devils miserable yet Mans despising the tenders of it is an Aggravation to the opposition the Devils make against it This is the Light that cannot be hid why should it What were Men without Eyes or this deep without the Sun What Business hath Mortal Man here but to get it Blessed is he that hath part of this first Resurrection and that so shineth as to lead any other into the knowing and love of it and living in it 2. Contrariwise wretched are those who sit down with the Image Shadow or Similitude of it this is every where in reputation Antichrist adorns it self therewith the Politick Statesman pretends to it to ratifie his Magistracy over the Persons of his Subjects as Antichrist over Mens Consciences while the real pure Image of God in Man is every where decry'd and persecuted Thus did the Jews kill the Prophets and Men of the same Spirit garnish their Sepulchres Men deal in matters of this vast import as if that glorious Spiritual Image were like the Wooden Gods of the Blind Heathen or as if it were as some Flowers Beautiful to the Eye but without Smell or Taste Thus while the holy Souls of Christs Followers went for the perishing Loaves the Souldiers had his Garment and the Relick-Mongers pretend to some of the Wood of the supposed Cross. Therefore is the outer Court given to be trodden down of the Gentiles EXTRACTS Of several of the WORKS OF Jacob Behmen Beginning with his first Book CALLED AURORA OR Morning Redness CHAP. I. Page 33. v. 1. Of searching out the Divine Being in Nature of both the Qualities of Good and Bad. 1. THough Flesh and Blood cannot conceive the Being of God the Spirit when enlightened from God may By considering the Powers in Nature the Outward Heavens and Earth Holy Angels Men Devils Heaven and Hell By considering all which are found the two Qualities Good and Bad one in the other in all the Outward World 2. A Quality is the Mobility boiling springing or driving of a thing 3. The seven Qualities are call'd sometimes seven Sources Species Kinds Manners Cirâ—â—â—stanâ—â—s â—â—nditioâ—â— Poweâ—â— Oâ—erationâ— of Faculâ—â—es also the 〈◊〉 Spirits which give Model or Frame the Power Vertue Constitution Substance Esâ—â—nce Being â—â—â—ure Shape Coâ—ouâ— Taste and Distinction to all things which ever were are shall or can be in from or to Eternity in all Creatures Heaven Hell or this World Also the Forms or Properties of Nature which is the Salitter or Power of God and 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 Spirits of God in the Revelations four times 4. Heat consumeth expelleth or hardeneth Light in it is its heart and joy making all things living and moving â—â—erceneâ— maketh the Light moveable the Light subsisteth in God without Hâ—â—t out not â—o in Nature 5. Cold is the allâ—â— of the fierceness of Heat making all things pleasant but hath a fierceness which is the House of Death from Heat proceedeth Air which temper'd with Cold doth in the bitter quality become dewy from Cold comes Water which temper'd with Heat would else as Earth c. be congeal'd Heat consumeth the Water Cold crowdeth the Air in the Meekness of the Air reigneth the Holy Ghost but Air in its fierce Elevation destroyeth in the fierceness of the Water is a deadly Spring in which all living things rot 6. The Bitter quality is the Mother of Life for it a tracteth the Water and dissipateth it and becomes separable from this quality have Leaves and Grass their green Colour where it dwelleth meekly it is the Heart and Joy a gsimpse of Heavenly Joy the Holy Ghost moveth in it but in its fierce Elevation it is the very House of Dâ—ath for it kindlein the Blâ—ment of Fire 7. The Sweet quality is a Joy of the Life the Mâ—â—sion of the Holy Ghost 't is Love and Mercy Fragrant good Taste giveth Fair Yellow White and Ruddy Colour but in the fierce source its Death and Corruption if kindled in the Water Bitterness it breeds the botchy Plague or Pestilence if in the Heat Bitterness it ingendereth a spreading Plague infecting the Air. 8. The Sour quality cooleth is a still joy to the Spirit But in its evil source it beginneth sadness 9. The Astringent or Saltish quality is a good Temper to bitter sweet and sour But in its fierceness in the Fire begets the Stone or Gravel if in the Water Scabs Pox Leprosie CHAP. II. The Visible Heavens and Earth and all Creatures have a good and evil Source or Will except the Holy Angels and Devils 1. THE Sun is the Heart King and Joy of the Stars and all Creatures The whole Creation is the Body of God being enlightened by the Holy Ghost which they only are who relye not on themselves but set their desires on him Man comes to know God by the Creation for as Mans Spirit informs and replenisheth his Body so doth the Holy Ghost dwell in the good qualities of every thing 2. We are to conceive that in the Body of the Stars is the Triumphing Holy Trinity
which is the Light Holy Eternal Fountain of Joy but is infinite Nor must we conceive God not in the Body of the Stars and this World but is all and in all So Man his similitude whose inward hollowness signifieth the whole deep The whole Man Heaven and Earth The Flesh Earth the Blood Water the Breath Air the Windpipe and Arteries the deep from Stars to us wherein Fire Water and Air qualifie the Veins the Astral Influence the Guts the consuming power of the Stars the Heart the Element of Fire The Liver Water the Hands Gods Omnipotence the â—â—eet near and far off the whole Body to the Neck all within the Sphere of the Stars the Head Heaven with its Imperial Orâ—â—â—s and all the Sâ—â—â—â—s in a soft â—â—â—k power as the Brain is Heaven gives to the Stars they to all Creatures Life and Spirit 3. When we nominate the whole Creation Heaven Angels Men Visibles and all above Heaven is nominated the total God which hath made himself creaâ—â—â—ely tho' God in Prinity is unchangeable Obj. Will you say is not good and evil in nature and is evil come from God 4. â— There is a Gall in Mans Body without which he cannot live it making the Astral Spirits moveable and joyous but when it over-floweth and runneth to the Heart it kindleth the Element of Fire and the Fire kindleth the Astral Spirits which reign in the Blood in the Veins in the Element of Water and then the whole Body trembleth by the Wrath and Poyson of the Gall. The bitter quality is in God but not as in Man but is an Everlasting Power and Triumphing Joy wâ—â—â—h springing up maketh Heaven out of Heaven the Stars out of the Stars the Elements out of the Elements the Earth and Creatures moveable Whence also were Created Angels before the Creation of the Heavens CHAP. III. Of the Property of the FATHER c. 1. WHen Christ prayeth Matth. 6. to his Father which is in Heaven he doth not mean that Heaven can contain him but distinguisheth him thereby from the Father of Nature which the Stars and Elements is and because in â—eaâ—en the Fathers Luâ—â—â—e is very bright and pure God is the immediate Father of the Soul which thereforei hungereth after him The Father of Nature is the Father of our Bodies and â—henâ—e comes their nourishment All Powers and Properties in Heaven and Earth proceed from God the Father who if he may be likened to any thing it may be to the Globe of Heaven as by the Wheels in Eâ—eâ—ieâ— 1. for all the Powers are in the Father â—â—e in another as one Power in 〈◊〉 Clarity and Glory â—â—s 〈◊〉 and Iâ—finity no Creature nor Angel can search into â— Of God the Son he is not another and yet his Property is other than that of the â—â—â—her for he is the Heart and Cause of springing joy in all the Powers of the â—athâ—â— a fâ—â—ilitude whereof is the Sun which enlighteneth the whole deep Heaven Stars and Earth moving in the midâ—â—is the King and Heart of all the Stars 〈◊〉 the Son in the whole Father being a self subâ—â—â—ting Person The Father from 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 â—â—asâ—â—h not to generate the Son and the Son ceaseth â—ot to enlighten the Powers of the Father but the Son is not so mixt in the Father that his Person cannot be known nor seen if so it were but one Person but is another Person not another God 3. Of God the Holy Ghost He proceedeth from both is the holy Fountain of Joy a meek pleasunt Breath or still Voice which must be shewn by a fimilitude As the innumerable Stars and Sun created out of the Stars resemble the Father and the Son so the three Elements Fire Air and Water proceed from one Body viz. The Fire swells from the Sun and Stars the Air expands and 〈◊〉 alost from the Heat and the Water from the Air and in this motion is the Life of all Creatures that can be named and signifieth the Holy Ghost who câ—useth the living motion in all the Powers of the Father The Son and Holy 〈◊〉 nothing less or greater than the Father The Trinity 4. This Ternary is manifest in Man's Body and all Creatures also in Wood and Vegetables and in Stone and Minerals In Man's Heart Veins and Brain is a Spirit and all the Powers which move in the Heart Veins and Brain signifie the Father thence springeth up a Light of Understanding in the Power of which Knowledge the whole Body moveth signifying the Son which shineth back into the Heart Veins and Brain as the Son into the Father and from both Powers proceedeth forth Reason Skill and Wisdom to govern the whole Man and distinguish all that is extra corpus which is thy Spirit wherein thou excellest the Beast and wherein the Holy Spirit rules if thou be not a Child of Darkness v. 97. The Father is signified by the Power of thy whole Mind the Son by the Light in thy Mind the Holy Ghost by the Spirit of thy Mind The Soul containeth the first Principle the Spirit of the Soul the second the Astral or outward Spirit the third So in a Beast only Man is made by God himself out of the best Pith or Kernel of Nature to be his Angel and Similitude The Beast is made out of the wild Nature of this World through the Motion of the Stars and Elements In all Creatures are 1. The Power out of which the Body comes 2. The Sap or Heart 3. The flowing springing Spirit CHAP. IV. Of the Creation of Angels And first Of the Divine Quality 1. ALL the Powers are so in God as no Man can reach but by the Creation it may be clearly known Though all Powers are in the Father as the Astringent or harsh soft or gentle heat cold bitter sour sweet light sound or noise one in another as one Power yet not in the manner as in Nature for Lucifer's Elevation made the Powers impure separate and unclean but in God all are mild soft triumphing if he may be likened to any thing it must be to the Soul of Man enflamed by the Holy Ghost as a glimpse but in God all is Spirit The Light and Glory of the Son goeth into all the Powers of the Father and the Holy Ghost is a glimpse but in God all is Spirit 2. The Light and Glory of the Son goeth into all the Powers of the Father and the Holy Ghost moveth Eternally in all which in the Deep of the Father is like a Divine Salitter or Salnitrum to be likened to the Earth which before its Corruption was such not hard cold dark c. but like the clear pure Heaven in it all the Powers were fair and heavenly till Lucifer spoil'd it But the Fathers heavenly Salitter doth generate all manner of Divine Trees and Plants bearing Fruits of Life with heavenly colours smells tastes different every quality bearing his own Fruit as
Miâ—d not enlightened by Divine Light reach them for like must be comprehended by like And tho' Heavenly Treasure be carried in an Earthy Vessel yet there must be a Heavenly Receptacle hid in the Earthy or the Heavenly cannot be comprised 13. Eternal Life is in a Twofold Source First That of the Originality viz. the fierceness according to which God calls himself a consuming Fire and this Principle we must have or else we should not be alive Yet if we stay in this without generating the Love and Humility our abode is in Pride Covetousness Envy and Anguish as the Devils 14. Let us look to it that seeing the Life in the Originality is both Inimicitious against it self and against the Regeneration and that the Life in the Love is Heavenly therefore we be content to be pierced wounded and to bear the Cross in Meekness and expect till at the day of Separation the Field of the first Principle in which groweth the Heavenly Fruit of the second Principle shall be taken away for then shall the Life springing up through Death be a Fruit to God in the new Man and thereunto dedicate our selves in our Meek Victorious Saviour THE THIRD BOOK OF Jacob Behmen CALLED THE Threefold Life in Man CHAP. I. Of the Root Beginning and Forms of Life 1. SEeing there is in us an incorruptible Life wherein is a Principle capable of the highest good yet by its Original is also in danger of Eternal Perdition and Misery and that here we are strangers posting away how necessary is it to search whence all these originate And this may be by going up the Stream to the Fountain 2. The outward Elementary Life is a Living Heat or Active Fire enlivening the Body and sustained by the Body the Body by the Food the Food by the Earth the Earth by the Water and the other Elements the Elements by the Fire of the Constellations their Fire inkindled by the Sun causing a Boiling in all So should that first outward cause cease the sude or seething and Generation of all also of Metals Fruits c. would cease as the Food failing the Body and its Life extinguisheth 3. Now this perishing Life hungering after a higher Life shews there is such and that is the Eternal Life of the Soul As is said in Moses God breathed into Man the Breath of Life and Man became a Living Soul The Soul is also an ever induring Fire and must have Food which it presseth after from its original which is the Eternal Band the Forms of the Eternal Nature the Property of the Father but that Band of those Forms is of it self as a dry Breast whence it is that the Soul would have the Food in its own power but that also is as impossible as for the Eternal Nature to have the Light in its own power which cannot be for the Love shining in it or into it remaineth Lord therein because the Eternal Nature doth not comprehend it but rejoiceth in the Light which is another Principle which when it is received into the Soul it is a new Birth ingenerated in the Soul and this is done as truely as the Soul like a Branch is come from the Tree of the immediate Parent 4. And because Adam fell into the Astral Kingdom and our Elementary Body is infected therewith as sometimes the Body is with the Pestilence it was out of the power of the Soul to enter into the Divine Principle therefore of meer Infinite Grace did the Love the Son of God take our Humane Soul and brought it into the holy Life that we might every one by or for our particular selves press with our Soul in the Life of Christ into the new Regeneration in the Spirit of Christ. No Meritorious Works on the one hand or lifeless feigned words of believing on the other avail at all but only a stedfast earnest resolution in the new Created Will bearing the Cross killing the old Will and arising in the Life of Christ bringeth the Glory Food and Paradise of the Soul else the Soul remains in the four Anguishes or Forms of the Eternal Band for ever wherein stands the Eternal Wrath and Hell Fire for ever And thus see we the Original in the first Principle and the Divine Light making the second Principle why then should not the Man to whom this Knowledge is graciously given speak of this as his Native Countrey not as of things afar off but that wherein he standeth and himself really is and not to be learnt of another Man as is barely an History unless himself enter into the new Birth in the Life of Christ that the Divine Light may shine in him 5. The Root whence is inkindled the Vital Fire consists of two Forms only the sour which is a strong shutting up and the bitter sting is an opener and those are what the Eternal Will in the desiring attracteth and is the wills something and darkness Then the sting of the bitterness would get loose which the sourness captivateth with strife tho' like a wâ—e is yet no pain for they are immaterial forms of Nature in the Eternal Will and this contrary commixture is as a confusion of Eternal Mobility and cause of the Multiplicity of Essences and are efficiently the Eternal Essences and Eternal Band. 6. The vast infinite space desireth narrowness or comprehension wherein to manifest it self as a Map doth in a few Inches a huge Territory a short Speech or Scene Abridge a large History a Minute Model Epitomize the Terrestrial and Celestial Orbs. And as all pourtraying Figures have shadows as foils to set off the rest so in the contraction of matter to manifest Infinity must be Darkness that one contrary may illustrate the other Nor is the vast infinite space a Creator but a Genitrix and the Word in with and of the Father the Generator as the Territory makes not of it self the Map also the words owe themselves to the speaker or speaking word 7. Nor is the word departed nor doth the Son depart from the Father but is inseparable as the Light of a Candle abideth with the Candle as saith the Son I am not alone but the Father is with me in the Father is a Centre in the Son is a Centre two Principles not divisible but inseparable Thus the second Will opening the Principle of Light is amiable pure and mild also Omnipotent to Create all things breaking and shining out of the Eternal Essences yet not comprehended by them but dwelling in it self CHAP. II. Of the Begun Life the Principles and Forms and Fall 1. THE stirring in every Life whether Sensitive or Vegetative must not be a strange or Heterogene Power for such would blow it out rather than help it but it must be the Creatures own Spirit proceeding in the Genitrix to be a Centre and Circle also of Life None should trust their Soulâ— with the Men whose Home is here for the Soul stands in the Original of the Essence of all
is the seventh Form or Seal of the Eternal Nature wherein the six Seals disclose themselves And natural Wisdom instead of finding the Heart of God by humble resignation hath found the Wonders of this World by Thunders Voices and Strife for when after the Apostles times Men left Love and Meekness and fell to Pomp and Pride the Golden Candlesticks and seven Stars withdrew and were hid and all became seven Seals The Glassy Sea is the Angelical World The Voices of the seven Thunders would be hid proceeding out of the stern Essences did we not put our Imagination into them and open them in us So that only the Lamb excepted none in Heaven nor Earth were worthy to open the Seals nor look thereon we were shut up by them under Death Darkness which only the Light in the Heart of God could open for Man was become an abominable Beast a Dragon with seven Heads and ten Horns and ten Crowns on the ten Horns this Beast the hypocritical Woman rideth on is this the Ass Christ humbly rode on 4. It is hellish Pride and worldly Pomp on which the Woman of seeming Holiness rideth she pretendeth to the Keys of Heaven and makes Laws Decrees and Canons yet knoweth not the New Birth He only that is born of God in his inclined heart the Seals are opened But when and wheresoever the Lamb openeth the seventh Seal then and there the Whore the Beast and Dragon are cast into the Lake of Fire then doth the good Shepherd lead his Flock into green Pastures then they that mark hearken incline the heart mind and thoughts coming humbly with broken hearts are met and embraced in them Christ is born they have him in the Baptism Supper and hearing of the Divine Word in all places for the Holy Ghost satisfieth the longing of the contrite spirit CHAP. V. Of the Seventh Form of Nature the Corporeity 1. COrporeity subsisteth in the 7th Form of Nature and as all the other six Forms are a hunger and longing desire to each other so are all their desires to the seventh to have a Body or Rest and the desire of the Essences is to preserve and sustain the Body The whole Essence of all Essences is a continued hunger of propagating from its fulness so that when one Form attaineth the other a third riseth yet the two former vanish not but all keep one in the other their own respective Powers and so of the rest And tho' the still Eternity is the only true Rest yet is the seventh Form a substantial Body of Rest whereinto the six diffuse their vertues and the same seventh Form standeth and is the comprehensible Body of Darkness and Light 2. The sharp Fire in the Liberty holdeth its right and the anguish whence the Fire ariseth sinking as a death affordeth matter and weight as in my self I see the Fire the cause of feeling in the dead Corporeity which else in the anguish sinketh into weight and is burthensom as a stifling Now what as Fire ascendeth not or as weight sinketh not in death doth as anguish remain neither uppermost nor lowermost which as the begun anguish is the Centre of both and not getting up nor down presseth side-ways like the lower Branches of a growing Tree 3. The Deity longed to see the Wonders in the Eternal Nature and Innumerable Essences yet created all for the Light not for the Darkness for the Tincture is awakened in the Centre in the death of the Earth which is the life of all Gems Minerals Vegetatives and Animals And in the deep the Sun having the Tincture of the Fire is the Father and Life of all the Stars who in the beginning proceeded from its Centre not that they all sprang from them for as the Sun is the Centre of the uppermost in the Liberty so is Saturn or the Earth of the lowermost in death yet is there no dying but a transmutation for neither doth this World die but the Essences change to be what they were not and remain as figures for ever to the glory of God's works And if the gross Visibles were not created to the Darkness how much less the Spirits which are out of the Eternal Mind and therefore Eternal like as our Mind hath diversity of innumerable thoughts and those thoughts essentially potent when exalted as in that of a Woman with Child whose thoughts can magically impress foreign preternatural substances as well as heterogene incongruous figures on the fruit of her womb 4. When God willed the Fiat viz. the creating the Eternal Essences or Powers which flowed into substance which Eternal Essences before went forth without substance then time hads its beginning But the Holy Will still proceeded with the Powers into the love and delight in meekness contrariwise Lucifer's direful Fall was his delight of turning back his will to domineer in the Tincture of the Fire root his motion to which was the forms of the Genitrix before enkindling of the Light as sour bitter dark tart stinging envious for in the fourth form stands Love and Anger in opposition being the middle form of the seven having three drawing one way and the other three drawing the other Lucifer therefore was drawn of both but that the Root forms prevailed was because he saw the Divine or Second Birth proceed out of the Centre and himself standing in the Essences of the Nature of Eternity the great Fountain he therefore despised the Humility whereof Love and Light are the Off-spring and would rule over it and so was cast out of the uppermost Life into the nethermost Death and Darkness for he was offended to see the greatest Mysteries to stand in the greatest lowliness 5. The attaining the Divine Light consisteth in a fixt resolution wrought in us of Humility wherein the Love is generated But all Laws and Devices to attain it are fabulous and as the making costly works wherein the Artificer pleaseth only himself with things wholly unprofitable reaching no higher than imitation of useful things like also as there are many Spirits Aerial Aquastrish Terrestrial and in the Anguish which are not out of the Eternal Well-spring but from the beginning Will generated by the Tincture of Heaven in Nature which mutable at their time leaving only their shadow to manifest the wonders of God And from Eternity there hath been such a Government where the knowledge was only in God but at the coming out of the Angelical World an Intellect was also in the Creatures The Gate into the Holy Trinity 6. In no Creature in Heaven or this World stand the three Principles open as in Man The first Principle or Father tho' he standeth in the Liberty Eternal Stilness is not call'd Father as such but as he is the desiring Thus the Mind of a Man being one only Will is desiring yet therein out of the Eternal Will are innumerable Wills the first Will is Master and the other are recomprehended leading to Light and Darkness to Joy
this world into the outward understandeth it and is as Ezekiel's Vision having Eyes within and without and the Spirit goeth right forward wheresoever it goes 7. Now to shew how far Man may go and where he must stop note that the Fire after the seven Spirits is the eighth and the cause of the seventh Now tho' Life consists not in the Fire yet the Fire maketh two Tinctures 1. An inward after the Eternal Liberty and still Meekness where springeth the Majesty of the Liberty 2. An outward after the Oyl from the water of Venus where springs the outward splendor so the Fire hath the eighth number and the inward Tincture hath the ninth number so far and no farther ought we to go but stand there before the Cross of the number three where Angels and Men are to stand not reaching into the Centre of the Cross to Create as did Lucifer but cast their Minds down into the Tincture of Humility back into the ninth number fearing God and highly rejoicing before the tenth number with Songs of Hallelujahs to the Holy Holy Holy Lord God of Hosts in this ninth is the Virgin Tincture of Wisdom Paradise and Heavenly Substantiality 8. For while we keep our will in humility tho' we search into the thousandth number our will is still Gods will but if we leave him and imagine into the Wonders we are Captives for imagination makes substance we must go out of that again into Humility Love Pureness Mercy c. or we shall not see God we must submissively seek the will of God and resign our whole self thereinto wherein we can do all but in our own will and nature we must not we can do nothing CHAP. XI Of the true Knowledge concerning Man 1. THE Earth is a peculiar Centre an Out-birth of the Eternal substantiality the Matrix whereof was corrupted by the Fall of Lucifer whence the upper Centre the Suns Heart drew forth from the Properties in the Earth which longed after the upper Paradisical Fruit of which Man only was capable to eat after an Angelical manner and which Adam stood in the Proba or tryal to have done till he slept but we see how it went with him for that we both eat and are eaten by the Earth 2. Of that Paradisical Earth wherein was the Heavenly Property was Adam's Body made for he was to be Lord over the Earth and to open the wonders of the Earth therefore God gave him a palpable yet a paradisical and not instantly an Angelical Body Man was made an Image of the uncreated Virgin of Gods Wisdom wherein the Astral and Elementary Powers stood but neither they nor the Matrix of the Earth could over-power Man for he had receiv'd the Eternal Substantiality 3. It is said God breathed into his Nostrils the Breath of Life this was not Air nor can it be a thing breathed in from without for God is the fulness of all things God longed after a visible Similitude of himself but his longing is only Majesty and Liberty his breathing was from within for Gods Holy Spirit hath awakened the Soul out of the Centre of the Fire of the Eternal Nature the fifth form where the two Kingdoms of Gods Love and Anger do part and brought it outwards into the Tincture of the outward Spirit into the Blood of the Heart opening it self according to the Centre of Nature and the Spirit of this world which reacheth into the Sun was breathed into him from without so became he a Living Soul ruling over Fire Air Water Earth and the Sun it self without Covetousness Pride Envy Anger Toil Care and Sickness but was a holy pure Virgin in meer Joy and Love-sport 4. The dividing of the Tinctures is shewn by dividing the Cross in the Brain-Pan God Created Man with the whole Cross but now 't is divided half to the Man and the other half to the Woman before Adam's being divided he could generate out of his will such a Man as himself having the three Centres in him without tearing as neither was the Centre of the Eternal Nature whence his Soul proceeded torn nor the Spirit of this world divided when the Spirit of God breathed it into him nor had he Members whereof to be ashamed his clothing was the Heavenly Tincture his Fall was his Lust after the out-principle and could not eat of the Word of the Lord. 5. The Male and Female Will to each other existeth out of the two Governments of one substance the Man soweth Flesh and Blood and the Noble Tincture of the Soul out of the Fire Tincture the Woman Spirit out of the Tincture of this World viz. of Venus giving a soft Spirit but Man is yielded faln home a Captive to the Spirit of this world making an Earthy Elementary Child so that if God had not become Man our Bodies had remained Beasts our Souls Devils and such we are till Born again in Christ and by him turned about to see into the tenth number again And if this be done when God awakens the Centre of the Eternal which is the Souls Fire the Holy Ghost shall burn forth from the Tincture of the Soul and the Soul be taken into the Majesty of God and her works without loss pass through the Fire but the Soul that turneth into this world when the substance hereof passeth into its Ether is without God in the Hellish Fire wanting the Oyl of the wise Virgins for this World neither gives it nor sells it for it hath it not The great Misery of Mans Destruction from the Womb. 6. While the Soul is in the Seed it is only a Fire of the Tincture and a Will of the Creature but when it becomes a Living Creature the Fruit is much as the Tree is and if it be forsaken of the Holy Powers the Will of the Soul by the Nature of the Fire formeth the Souls Spirit into the figure of horrible cruel crafty poysonous filthy Creatures Also in the Spirit of the Seed while it is a Sulphur viz. Unformed Matter is the Spirit of this World and the Constellation so that the outward Life is fallen quite under the Power of the Stars which strongly inclineth some to various Evils and Tragical Exits others to insnaring Honours which is done when a fixed Star having been fortified by the Sun's Vertue is inducted by the Father of Nature it can then powerfully impress its Imagination into the Seed conveying such or such a Property into the Creatures Elementary Life in Men and Beasts 7. Man thus making himself and Posterity miserable awakens the Wrath Kingdom in this World where the Devil is the Great Prince which awakening bringeth Tempests Wars Pestilence Fire Famine c. for had not Man opened the Anger the Devil had remained shut up without Power to touch a Fly or move a Leaf 'T is true that sometimes the Astral Powers make and give for a Tincture this Worlds Spirit and then by reason that the Spirit of the Soul
Omnipotence of Eternity and the Spirit of God will then go forth in two Principles in the Anger viz. in the Fire as the severe Wrath of the Fire-life and in the Light of the Love as a flame of the Divine Majesty and in the Spirit of this World as a Wonder of Life then will the Dead and those who shall be then alive be call'd and those who have the Noble Image will shew it and those who have lost it will shew the Bestial Image they have got The Earth must deliver up the Phur or Body The Water the Essences The Air all the Words it hath received into it or served to make See the last Chapter of the three Principles Q. 31. What manner of New Glorified Bodies the Souls will have This is sufficiently declared before They will have fair bright Works of Faith as every one is indued with the Power of Love and Purity but very different for the Works of many will almost all remain in the Fire and themselves hardly escape for that as one Star excelleth another so they and every one will receive God's lustre as his vertue or power is capable of the Light for after this Life there will be no bettering but every one remains as he entred in Q. 32. What other Form State and Condition Joy and Glory will there be to Souls in that other Life A. 1. Paradice was in us but Adam's lusting after the outward Spirit drew him and us into it and lost the Substance whereof this Worlds Fruits Colours c. is a dead dark shadow but our restitution thereinto will be Eternal Joy in the spring of all Flowers Trees Herbs Fruits c. which shall be Angelical as our Heavenly Bodies no need of Teeth and Entrails we eat in the Mouth all is Power and Vertue 2. The Kingdom consisteth not in Eating and Drinking but there are Divine Songs of Praise as Children in a Ring on a Mount 3. We shall all know each other by our new Names which in the Language of Nature is understood but the Turba being left in the Fire none is concerned for his Relations as Parents Children Friends who are in Hell 4. We are all there but one Sex the first Image Heavenly Virgins full of Modesty and Purity And shall there speak the great Mysteries of the Divine Magia and the Song in Reproach and Scorn of the Driver Rev. 15. 3. Q. 33. What kind of Matter our Bodies shall have in the other Life A. 1. Christ saith None goeth to Heaven but the Son of Man which is in Heaven John 3. 13. He spake not only of his Deity but the Son of Man the Word that became Flesh in which Flesh and Blood we must â—ive Eternally if we will be in God Adam had the Virgin of God's Wisdom but when he fell was divided and the Woman framed and he had the bestial deformity whereof we are ashamed 2. But Christ is become Man in that Virgin Image of God's Wisdom is become Flesh in the Water of Eternal Life which Virgin and Water when Adam fell withdrew and stood in its own Principle Christ became Man in a pure Vessel i. e. in the first Image for the sake of the Soul he assum'd from Mary and the outward Man hung to him And when we are new born we put on Christ and are new born out of Christ's Flesh and Blood 3. The converting Sinner becomes God's Child in Christ and in that very Body consisting of heavenly Flesh and Blood which yet is real substantial and visible to be felt and handled by our heavenly Hands shall we have Heaven Thus shall we have Christ's and God's Body which filleth Heaven for our substantiality is out of the Eternal and must Eternally be in the same and not in gross bestial Flesh. Q. 34. What is the lamentable horrible miserable Estate of the Damned A. This is sufficiently answered above God's Anger is their Habitation their Blasphemy and Abominations are their boast their whole Life is one continual fear horrour anguish despair and a gnawing Worm Fruits grow to them out of their Principle outwardly fair but within is fierce wrath all their cursed Practises on Earth follow them thither and that would they do there Q. 35. What the Enochian Life is and how long it lasteth A. The Father of Enoch is Jared significant in the Language of Nature Enoch begat Methuselah who attained the greatest Age. After which Enoch was taken up with both Bodies The outward was swallowed up and is in the Mystery and the inward is a heavenly Mystery so he liveth in two Mysteries in Paradise but hath still the Turba in the Mystery and in the heavenly Mystery hath God's Body Paradise is still upon Earth at hand not vanished but as it were swallowed up by the Curse yet lyeth as a Mystery uncorrupted Enoch is not gone out of this World he is God's Preacher and after the Turba hath overcome the World he must be silent till the six Seals and Angels of the Turba have poured out their Vials then cometh Enoch again and reproveth the World after which the World becometh fat and their Turba also Methuselah dieth and the Deluge of Fire by Elias cometh O ye Elect desire not to live after Enoch's taking up but while he Preacheth is the Golden Time Q. 36. What the Soul of the Messiah or Christ is A. 1. Christ's Soul is Human conceived in Mary in a twofold Virgin The outward Mortal Life in Mary was no pure Virgin no Daughter of Eve is so nor was Eve more than half a Virgin Adam was the other half for Adam's Fall divided the Tinctures which were one total entire Virgin before in pure Love and Chastity both Tinctures of Fire and Light being in a mixture with Power to generate a Spirit out of the Fires Tincture but the Earthy life captivating him he imagined into Eve Where was then his Modesty His Imagination became bestial Of great love to the lost Image and that it might become One again did the Word which spake forth the Soul at first become incarnate 2. So to the Soul of Mary the Heavenly Virgin of God's Wisdom is put on but in the Soul's Principle not in the Earthy Flesh And in that very Virgin hath the word assumed the Seed of the Woman the Soul's Seed as also the first Images Seed which had stood so long time in the Mystery broken off which he made again one whole intire Image by remixing the Water of Eternal Life with the Soul's Spirit 's Water for the Word took hold of the Soul's Tincture and the Holy Spirit of the Spirit 's Tincture and both became one Soul 3. Yet did the Creature remain distinct from God's Spirit but God's Spirit cohabited therein And out of God's Tincture and Water and Maries Tincture and Water came one Flesh and Blood Thus was he Maries true Natural Son with Soul and Body and also God's true Son
Deep one Power and Lustre receiveth the other The Deep with its Lustre is hidden but yet hath the power of the Sun in it 4. So Christ's Substantiality filleth Heaven and Paradise and swalloweth up the Earthiness also where it is received and obeyed 5. Thus Christ brought back what Adam lost and much more for the Word is every where become Man See the Extracts of the latter part of the 18th Chapter of the Three Principles The 2d Part being of Christ's Suffering Dying Death and Resurrection CHAP. I. Q. IS it said Was it not sufficient that God became Man why must he also die Could God no other way save Man What pleasure takes he in Death and Dying If God had by his Sons Death paid a Ransom for us why must we also die CHAP. V. Ver. 54. to the end Ans. 1. MAN had lost the Divine Substantiality and Angelical Property and imagined into the Out-birth viz. into the Earthy part was departed from the Divine Light into the Light of this World and captivated in the fierce Wrath of God which the Devil had kindled viz. the four first Forms according to which God calleth himself a consuming fire 2. The corrupted Out birth also had put a Body on him which it destroyed and swallowed up again in its essential fire 3. But being the Soul was breathed into Man out of the Holy Spirit of God out of the Eternal and so is an Angel 4. Therefore hath the Power of the Holy Light World the Heart of God resumed the same entring into the Human Essence which lay in the Anguish Chamber surrounded with Death and took to himself a Soul out of our Essence and our Mortal Life and introduced the Soul through Death through the earnest severe Fire of God the Father into the holy meek Light-World and so destroyed Death by bringing in Divine Substanâ—iality into the fierce Wrath of the Father the Centre of the Anguish-Chamber the Fire World in the Soul Christ being the right Centre of the Holy Trinity is with the out gone Holy Spirit the flaming Majesty the Light-World 5. And whosoever will possess the Light-World and be an Angel must enter in through the same path bear old Adams Cross go forth through the harâ—â—â— astringent stern and malignant corrupted Adamical Man and slay him and be born anew out of the Anxious Wheel 6. But seeing we were not able to do this Christ gave himself into the Centre of the fierce Wrath in the Soul brake and extinguished it with his Love So that now when we go out of our selves to the death of sin we come into the death of Christ the path he hath prepared for us and leads to his Resurrection whereby we ascend into his Arms the unshut Light-World which is also Abraham's bosom the Paradise wherein we were created our true dear native Country 7. It consisteth not in this that we think it enough to pourtray and represent what Christ hath done and suffered for us and tell of a Faith in that but that we daily and hourly fight and slay the Evil Adam as to his will and doings with resigned and resolved earnestness and then we enter into Christ's Death in our living Bodies put on his Life in us become impregnated with the Kingdom of Heaven Get on us Christ's Thorny Crown and still be accounted one that is not worthy to live on the Earth through all which we must faithfully proceed on knowing we must either be Angels or Devils 8. In this Death nothing dieth to or in us but only the Earthy Evil dead Adam whose will and life we have here continually destroyed This Enemy departeth from us into the Essential Fire into the four Elements and into the Mystery and must at the end be tryed through the Fire of God and then our Bodies and Works must be given us again through that Fire whatever the Earthy Mystery had swallowed up But not such an Evil one for the Fire of God devoureth the Evil but such a one as we here in anxiety have sought a Divine Spiritual Substance like the Wonders and Wisdom of God 9. Hypocritical Reason saith Christ hath done all for us we cannot It is right Christ hath done what we cannot do he hath broken Death and restored a new Life and is in Heaven But 't is not knowing but doing the Devils know but what availeth that we know if we remain without and enter not into Christ in the way and passage he hath made for us doing good for evil in truth and simplicty CHAP. VII Ver. 75. 1. IT is not enough to cry Lord give me a strong Faith in the Merits of thy Son he hath satisfied for my sins But I must enter into Christ's suffering and dying and be born a second time out of his Death become a Member in and with him Constantly crucifie the old Adam Always hang on Christ's Cross Become an obedient Child Tho' I plainly walk this way yet I have so evil a ghest in me that I still work too much evil must therefore continually strive and fight till I vanquish 2. Christ indeed hath in and for us broken Death and made way but what doth that comfort me unless I enter in that very way and path as a Pilgrim or Stranger here CHAP. IX CHrist's Sufferings c. 1. Men content them to participate of in the Lord's Supper v. 29. But his Divine Flesh and Blood is that which the wicked cannot participate of that is Sacramentally 2. They receive the four Elements in the Anger of God because they discern not the Lord's Body which is every where present in Heaven and Earth and is fed upon by the Heavenly Soul not as a sign as others dream not Spirit without Substance but the Substance of the Spirit Christ's Flesh which filleth the Light-World which the Word that became Man brought with it into the Virgin Mary and there became opened in its Flesh and Blood the assumed Human Essence 3. Yet was it at that very time while Christ lay in the Virgins Womb in Heaven in the one Element in all places It came not into Mary from many miles off but the Centre which Adam in God's Anger had shut up in death the Word of the Deity did unlock and bring in the Divine Substantiality not entring in but unshutting ingenerating and in this World exgenerating God and Man one person heavenly Substantiality and Virginity one only Man in Heaven and in this World See the latter part of the 18th Chapter of the three Principles The third part being of the Tree of Christian Faith CHAP. I. WHat Faith is 1. It is not our forcing the mind to belief of Articles which are the work of our Reason 2. But true Faith is one Spirit with God working in and with God is the might of God dwells in the liberty in God's Will inclined to his Love and Mercy is free from the fierce Wrath and Torment in Nature is not comprehended subsisteth in
all things but hidden to the things not dwelling in the things for it self hath a substance in it self after the manner of Eternity 2. The first Eternal Principle is Magical and like a hidden Fire is Eternally known in its Colours in the figure in the Wisdom of God as in a Looking-glass The opening of which Mystery openeth the three Principles according to the Trinity 3. The Magical Centre of the first Principle is Fire which as also the second is as a Spirit without palpable substance therefore the longing is to generate the third where the Spirit of the Principles might manifest it self by Similitude In this desiring Powers Colours and Virtues come to be 4. And for as much as every desiring is attractive The first Principle impregnateth it self with Nature and the second with Light And this meek Fire of the Majesty of the second being set opposite to the Fire of the first quenching its wrath puts it into an Essential Substance thereby and the first giveth the second power strength and might being together an Eternal Band that without the one the other could not be 5. What the first Principle is wholly and alone in it self The first Will willeth to be free from the darkness and by desiring cannot attain it for the desiring is a stern attraction So that out of the thin rare liberty where nothing is a darkness comes And the greater the desiring the greater will be the attraction The drawing giveth sting and the attracted giveth hardness from the desiring comes the feeling thence also comes the third form viz. the Anguish which is as it were the Centre where Life and Will originate 6. Hence it is the Will would flee but is withheld by the harshness so that it becomes whirling as a Wheel and the greater the Anguish the greater the whirling and the greater the bitter sting of the Essences and Multiplicity But in the whirling the Essences become a mixed will where lye innumerable multiplicity of Existencies or Beings justly called the Eternal Mind 7. The first will which is called Father and is in it self the Liberty desireth Nature and Nature groaneth after the liberty from the Anguish The conception of which in the Imagination causeth a shriek of joy and when it attaineth the liberty the shriek becomes a flash in the meekness breaking the sting of Death and passeth into the Kingdom of Joy and so into the Love for the meekness draweth the Joy into it and that is the Water of Eternal Life 8. And when the Fire drinketh the Water of Eternal Life it giveth forth the Light of the Majesty where dwell the Father and the Son And the Holy Spirit is the Life of it opening the meek substantiality viz. Colours Wonders and Vertues That is called the Divine Wisdom the House of the Holy Trinity and in its Colours and Vertues the Spirit hath all the Angelical Quires 9. The second substance of the shriek is an Inimicitious Quality exciting a panting to be loosed from the quality of Anguish Whence in the Fathers Will ariseth pity compassion and mercifulness 10. Hence also cometh the Gall into Creatures which tho'it be a Poyson is the cause of Life viz. of Mobility for Death is the Root of Life as may be seen in Christs Death and also in our own 11. The Souls Fire uniteth with the Eternal Nature The right Souls Spirit is one Spirit with God The Images Corporeity is of the Substance wherein the Faithful shall live Eternally CHAP. II. What the Principle is or what they all three are Further of the First Point 1. WHen Life findeth it self where none is that is a Principle Fire is a Property so is Light for tho' it be caused by the Fire it is not the Fires Property and the wrathful Anguish is the cause of both 2. But the Will to the Anguish called Father a Man cannot search out We only fathom how the Anguish gains the highest Perfection in the Holy Trinity and manifesteth it self in the three Principles What Essence is and how it originateth because thence spring the Senses and Thoughts and the Wonder of all Beings 3. The third Principle of the Stars and Elements manifesteth the other two And that which in moving attained the fierce wrath became the Globe of the Earth Thence is it that out of it while the Centre of Nature is in it and it freed from Death the pure Child of the Eternal substance may be extracted as in Gold Tho' by defect of attaining the Eternal Fire Life is not so brought out of Death save only in Man and what is beyond Man belongs to God and we wait the Renovation in the end of time 4. of the Substance and Property of the three Principles The first Principle standing in the Fire of the Will The second in the Will to the Light the one giving its desire into the other yet are not mixt each retaineth its Property yet dwelleth in the other The third hath the Properties of both yet is neither It is an awakener manifester and similitude of the Eternal yet is not the Eternal but is become a substance in the Eternal desire 5. The Creation was an awakening of the Power and Form which was in the Eternal Will and because it was in the beginning comprized in the Eternal therefore must the substance in this World together with the figure go into the Eternal 6. But whatsoever became comprized in the desire out of the beginning recâ—des into its Ether becoming what it was when it was no substance So this Worlds substance being a coagulated Vapour returns into the Magia or Mystery whereof it served a while to be a manifester 7. For nothing attains the liberty of Eternity that subsisteth not in the Willfire of the Eternal in which the Light can bring its lustre and dwell and that it be as subtle as the Lights substantiality 8. Mans Soul may if it will become generated out of the fierce wrath into Renovation by forsaking the Earthy renew what he hath generated out of the Eternal which else remaineth in the quality of Torment For whatever is not like to the Love fire Light and Water cannot subsist in the liberty but remains in an opposite Will in the dark Torment it awakened in it self 9. The right Man out of the new Birth is three Worlds the Eternal Light World shineth through all whatsoever is thin rare or transparent and thereby capable of it which can no more be hinder'd than the Sun can be that it should not shine 10. The Properties of the first Principle sprout making Sulphur Mercurius and Sal. 11. The second Principle sprouteth in it self making Love a Friendly Vertuous Pioâ—s Humble Patient Will to stoop and bear with evil in others ever hidden to the old Man lashing it forward as a lazy Ass denies him the worldly Jollity it lusteth after and makes him a Servant it with standeth the evil Influences of the Stars and the fierce Devil and Malicious Men so
14. Reason lighted at this Sun is the true house of Knowledge else but a Constellation of the Visible World all other seeking out of the resignation to the Divine Love Grace and Will is a shadow for it cannot know how God hath through his Word made himself perceptible findable creatural and formal 15. He is the Bottom and Bottomless and to the Creature in its ability as a nothing yet through all Nature and Creature is the somewhat wherewith he makes himself visible both according to Time and Eternity All things even the four Elements exist from the Divine Imagination Signatura Rerum CHAP. I. Of the Signature what it is and that it lies exactly in the Mind of Man 1. EVery thing spoken or taught of God without knowledge of the Signature is dumb for it is not sufficient to my understanding that I hear and read what another teacheth and writeth of God unless his Similitude and Signature by entring into mine own imprinteth it really and fundamentally for so only hath he the Hammer that strikes my Bell. 2. Hence we know all Human Properties have one only Root for one like tone catcheth and moveth another either in good or evil and doth assimilate into one Form one Will one Spirit and Understanding 3. The Signature is no Spirit but the receptacle As a prepared Lute is dumb till toucht by the Spirit of the Will and what strings he toucheth sound according to their property 4. The Signature lies so well compos'd in Man that he wants only the true Spirit of the high might of Eternity to strike his Instrument if that be quickened in Man and doth act the Mind so speaketh the Mouth 5. Man hath the Forms of the three Worlds in him being the compleat Image of God and there are three Masters contest for his Form in his Incarnation but the predominant only tunes his Instrument and the other two lie hid and as soon as he is born his innate genuine Form appears by his words and conversation And so great is the difference in the procreation that one Brother or Sister doth not as the other 6. Yet one Fiat doth not alwaies keep the dominion for sometimes an Evil Man is by a contra tune viz. the meek loving Spirit of a Good Man moved to cease his iniquity and repent his hidden Lute or Form being played upon Contrariwise in a Good man is stirr'd up the Form of Anger by the Wrath Spirit of a wicked man So is the will broken by the coming of a stronger will As the bitter sour quality of the fruit is by the potent influence of the Sun made pleasant And as a good Herb receiving a contra Essence from a bad Soil cannot sufficiently shew its real genuine vertue but if replanted into a good Soil its vertue and smell is recovered Thus a wild Beast being over-aw'd and tam'd hath another property unless its innate Form be stirr'd up Also we see the inward gives external Character of Good or Evil in Man Beasts and Vegetables The Form and Sound in Animals the smell and tast in Herbs and Flowers c. shewing to what it is good and profitable 7. And because by the desire sound and voice all Creatures shew the inward Spirit Man may know both them himself and the Essence of all Essences wherein lieth the greatest understanding The Signature is the Language of Nature for every thing sheweth its Mother giving will to the Form CHAP. II. Of the Combate in all Beings Of Antipathy and Sympathy And of the Corruption and Cure of each thing 1. THE opposition of one Being to another causeth pains and sickness yet if this were not Nature would not be revealed but be an Eternal Stilness for the contra Will makes the motion and seeking The Cure is when the Will findeth its assimilate and therein its satisfaction and highest joy and rest As every pallate desireth to tast its like 2. Man's Life consisteth in a threefold Essence 1. The Eternal Nature the Fire's Property 2. The Light the Divine Essentiality 3. The outward World 3. The satisfaction of the Will is the Liberty which if it seek outwards it attracteth Darkness but if it enter inwards the Lustre of the Liberty shineth and satiateth the Anguish extinguishing the Wrath. 4. No joy can arise from the still nothing for we see that from the poisonful Gall ariseth joy and sorrow because therein is the twofold Will one to the Fire the original of Nature the other to the Light which is the Cure and Liberty of the Will and if obtained maketh triumphant joy 5. The Properties lie in the Essence as a well tun'd Instrument with many strings which stand still and the Spirit viz. the Egress is the real life he may play as he pleaseth to Evil or Good to Love or Anger The Properties are one in another as one but sever themselves being different and when they enter one the other comes Enmity and a flagrat As when the Sun stirreth up the Fires Form in the Salnitre that Ethereal blaze penetrateth the cold Salt Spirit and dismayeth it whose instant flight causeth the Thunder claps by opening the astringent Chamber whence follows a cool Wind with Hail and Rain CHAP. III. Of the Grand Mystery of all Beings 1. WIthout Nature God is a Mystery an Abyssal Eye of Eternity and the same Eye is a Will to manifestation 1. To Nature 2. To Vertue Power and Joy 2. The desire is egressive and the Egress is the Spirit of the Will a moving forming the infiniteness of the Mystery and this Signature or Form is the Eternal Wisdom of the Deity 3. Here is understood the Trinity but how the Will ariseth in the Abyss which is called Father we must not know but distinguish the Deity from Nature namely how the Deity manifesteth it self with the Eternal Generation 4. God is a pure Spirit and the Eternal Nature is his Corporeal Essence The external Birth is a similitude of the dark Fire and light World and each Property sees its Mother The Soul sees the inward Eternal Nature The Spirit of the Soul sees the Angelical and Light World The Sidereal Spirit sees the Birth and Property of the Stars and Elements 5. The Essence of this World consists of Sulphur Mercury and Sal. Sul is the free Lubet of the Eternal Abyss in the Internal Sull is God and Phur is Nature viz the Eternal Nature a hard attraction the cause of Fire and Sul the cause of the Lustre in the Fire but the Light riseth not in the Sulphur alone but in Mercury is the dividing made and its true real body is Sal. 6. The Astringency makes gross Stones c. Mercury and the Lubet Metals And of the freeing from the wrath by the light and meekness comes the precious Stones Gold c. for all things consist in these three Forms Sulphur Mercury and Sal as well the inward heavenly Quires as the very Plants and Stones all stand according to
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
in our Humanity but Christ would have it for a Natural Right 4. By Canaan understand the holy Chrystalline World or Earth which shall be manifest 5. By the two fold Cave or Pit of Machpelah is signified Man hath a two fold Humanity one out of the Divine Ens and Heavenly Essence the other out of time this Worlds substance both which should be put into an Eternal Sepulchre and lye in its original Mother leaving the one will in Death so that God might alone live rule and will in the Soul and Mans Life be only his Instrument For the Soul hath turn'd itself aside from the only Eternal Word into self-hood This Distemper and unlikeness must be buried and put again into a two fold Cave and thence come into the Temperature the Essence whence the Body and Soul did arise CHAP. L. Of Abraham's sending his Servant for a Wife for Isaac 1. ABraham is herein the Figure of God the Father Isaac in that of Christ Abraham's Servant in that of Nature The Canaanites in that of the introduced Serpents Ens the Besâ—ial Man which shall not Inherit Here God makes his Servant Nature by whom he governeth Essentially bind itself that it will not introduce the Serpents Ens the dark Worlds Bestial Canaanitish Property for Gods Childrens Yoke-fellow but Nature must take substance out of Abraham's true Humane Essence in pure Love of the Heavenly Matrix that so the New Birth might be holy in its Virginity as to the inward Man 2. Nature saith How if c. viz. the right Humane Ens will not follow me And God said Beware c. viz. go not according to thy Reason but an Angel shall go before thee viz. the Divine Will for self-will and reason must not Lord it but Nature must be a Servant do as it is commanded and commit it to God to bring on the â—ternal Marriage But iâ— the Humane Will will not follow the Messenger hath discharged his Office The Rain ascends not up again without Fruit Nature must declare that God hath given Christ all his Goods and now desireth Man to be his Wife And the Servant sware c viz. When God put his Holy Word with the formed Wisdom into the Natural Ens of Mary then the Humane Nature sware Obedience 3. And the Servant took ten Camels and went to the City of Nahor in Mesopotamia viz. the ten Forms of the three Principles to the Natural and Supernatural Life viz. seven Forms of the Centre of Nature and three Forms of the three distinctions of the Principles which are they whereby God causeth all things and the Goods of the Lord are the formed Wisdom of the great Wonders and Powers 4. And the Servant caused the Camels to kneel by the Well near the City at Evening At or in the last time or days of the World The will of the Fathers Nature the Mystery of the Nature of the three Principles the Carriers of the formed Word hath laid it self down by the Well-spring of God the Divine Fountain 5. The Silver and Golden Jewels Bracelets and Ear-rings given to Rebekah signifie the Heavenly Humanity of Jesus Christ which is not given wholly into the power of the Fire-soul in this Life lest it become haughty as Lucifer and Adam but Virgin Sophia meant by Rebekah remaineth with her Bridegroom Christ in the second Principle 6. The Spices signifie the Holy Spirit Then they sate down to eat viz. the Marriage Feast the Joy whereof none but the Children of Christ know And when Rebekah saw Isaac c. When the disappear'd Humanity discovers Christ in it self it falleth into deepest Humility and is ashamed vailing its Face before Gods Holiness and Clarity that it hath lain so long Captive in the Bestial Man but Christ taketh it into his Arms and leadeth it into his Mothers Tent into the Heavenly Worlds Essence And then was Isaac comforted for his Mother for the disappeared Matrix which was lost in Adam now re-obtain'd in Virgin-like Chaâ—tity for his Spouse CHAP. LI. Of Abraham's taking Keturah to Wife and of his Six Sons and Death 1. ABraham was old when he had Isaac to shew Christ was to be in the old Age of the World and Sarah was old that so the Divine Ens might have the preheminence over the Humane and she must have but one for so is Christ and all are Branches in the one Tree viz. Christ in all 2. But Abraham by Keturah had six Sons signifying the six Properties of the formed Nature the operation of the six days Isaac viz. Christ is the seventh the Sabbath Of these six sprang six Nations to them he gave gifts of his Goods tho' not the In eritance yet had the free Gift of Grace So every Man hath Christ as the free Gift of Grace in him none predestinated to destruction for by those six are signified all Adam's Children 3. In the right Adamical Man out of which the Earth had its Original is the Covenant of the Free gift but the own-self-made-gross-earthy Adam who by Lust made himself a Beast is not capable of the Gift in the Covenant but the right Man as a Tincture in gross Lead mortifieth the Saturnine will and changeth it into Gold swalloweth up the gross Man viz. the dark Worlds Property 4. The Jews Christians and Heathens have all this Gift and Christ is the only available obedience all Men therefore who give up themselves in obedience to God are received in Christs obedience for Names are not accepted 5. My believing that Christ was Born Died and Rose for me makes me not a Christian but I must put on Christ enter into his Obedience and Sacrifice arise in him and Live in him 6. When Abraham had brought his Lifes Forms into right order he resigned up himself into Mortification tired with the Life of self reâ—â—ed in God CHAP. LII The History of Isaac Birth of Esau and Jacob. 1. AFter Abraham's Death God blessed Isaac and he lived by the Well Labairoi viz. the Well of Living and Seeing his Soul dwelt by the Fountain of Divine Love The desire of the Soul is the Fiat which takes the holy Love Tincture into it self and makes it Essential as the Metalline Ens gives its deâ—ire into the Suns Tincture that out of them both the fair and precious Gold is generated So doth the Deity inhabit in the Soul and co worketh but is not comprehended 2. The Souls Magical Fire by the Divine Love desire is inkindled into a shining Lustre so doth the Souls Magical Fire become the Bridegroom to the precious Sophia but the Mortal Soul from the Stars or four Elements attains it not in this Life but that Soul that cometh from the Centre of the Eternal Nature out of the Divine Lubet through the Word whereby the Divine longing formeth the Wisdom into Substance This Soul is that which is betrothed to Sophia 3. Ishmael had twelve Sons six of the Inward
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
the Pilgrimage leave the Temporal Honour and Goods to Esau. When Jacob had left the Riches of the World he saw the Ladder which was Christ leading to the Eternal Kingdom and by It the Angelical World descendeth uniting Heaven to the World in Man while the World Hate Reproach and Persecute them An Example of which Mocking are Esau's two Ishmaelitish Wives 2. God said In thy Seed shall all Nations be blessed shewing that Christ hath truly taken on him our Humanity the Adamical Soul in which the Divine Ens hath unfolded the highest Love in the Name Jesus and overcome the Wrath of the Eternal Nature in our Souls which is from the Fathers Property in the Anger and chang'd it into Love and Divine Joy not through a strange Divine Seed only but in and through Adam's Soul and Body destroy'd Hell which was reveal'd in Paradise 3. Jacob's Fear when he awaked Typified Christs Agony in the Garden CHAP. LVII How Jacob kept Laban's Sheep Fourteen Years for his Two Daughters c. 1. RAchel is here the Figure of the Noble Sophia the Bride of Christ whom the Soul having once seen with great Joy earnestly desireth and serveth as Jacob seven years willingly for But at the Wedding the other Sister Leah signifying the Cross of Christ is laid by him that the Soul may not sport it self in the Garden of Roses but be in Trouble Tried and Humbled Her tender Eyes signifie tenderness of Heart 2. And then the Virgin Sophia is given to it but what That Joy is They only know who have been Guests to this Wedding which Joy afterwards passeth away and the Noble Sophia is as it were Barren Mean while Leah under the Cross of Christ beareth Fruit with Patience and Labour 3. And as Rachel said Give me Children or else I die so saith Sophia Work in my Love desire Divine Fruit else I will depart which the Soul in its own power cannot but doth Therefore Pray earnestly Thenis Joseph the Prince of Egypt viz the House of Flesh and Blood where dwells the Heathenish Pharaoh the Bestial Spirit but over It and Reason also is the humble chast modest Joseph made Ruler 4. But the Children of Leah Reuben c. bare the Figure of Lust Glory c. The rest of this Chap. is referr'd to 77. of the Myst. Mag. and Gen. 49. CHAP. LVIII Of Jacob's serving Laban and of his Wives and Children and Wages 1. JAcob was in a servile condition twenty years till he had begat the Twelve Stocks of the Twelve Tribes So is a Christian Born under the servile Yoke of the domineering self Adamical will And their being Begotten in Servitude shews Gods Children are but strange Guests here but shall go out with great Riches Leah's being despised for her blear Ears shews the same 2. The inward Figure is Adam went out of Paradise and serv'd the Kingdom of this World yet as he was going out God shewed him the entrance in again viz. by the Womans Seed as is signified by Jacob's Ladder mean time the Kingdom of the Stars c. vexeth Adam with heat cold sickness and misery Jacob's getting great Riches by peeling Rods c. shews how Adam's Children should by subtle working in Nature acquire to themselves for a Propriety the Wonders in Nature which they shall carry away as an Eternal Propriety so did the Destroyer of the Serpent with Divine subtilty put on Humanity and took away the outward Kingdoms Power 3. The ring streaked speckled and grizled denotes the half Earthy and again the new-born heavenly Nature 4. The Kingdom of Nature lay in Adam in the Temperature all the Properties were of equal weight but when the will of the Soul went into the separation it was thereby captivated till the Divine subtilty draws the Kingdom of Nature to it self and re-entreth with the Wonders in its new Man again into Paradise 5. But Jacob's peeling the Rods justifieth not subtilty of deceit but only is a Figure representing the Spiritual subtilty 6. And as Laban disappointed Jacob by changing his Wages ten times so goes it with the Child of God here whose expectation of Gods Blessing is often frustrate but yet his Faiths desire draweth to him Christ the Eternal Wages and in him the out-spoken Word the Kingdom of Nature wherein lye the Wonders and Being of Man which is kept to the great separation when every one shall reap what he hath here sown 7. Jacob had Dinah by Leah who was the Figure of Eve who fell by her Curiosity 8. When Rachel had Born Joseph whose great chastity and fear of God shews Gods Blessing had stirred up the Tinctures of the Kingdom of Nature then doth Jacob call for and receive his Wages for Joseph that is Christ was Born who should feed him and give the Eternal Succor by bringing his Father and Brethren into his Lords Countrey CHAP. LIX Of Jacob's departure from Laban c. 1. LAban's Children said Jacob hath gotten all our Fathers Goods and Laban's Countenance was changed pointing us that when Christs Spirit in Man hath won the rule of the Humane Nature then the Serpent in the wrath of Nature enviously opposeth the poor Soul pressing for worldly Honour and Pleasure But then God saith to the Soul as here to Jacob Return into thy Fathers Countrey viz. into the Eternal Word out of which it proceeded which it doth and flyeth as did Jacob. 2. And as Laban so do the wicked World pursue but God aweth them Thus also is Christ Figured who put himself in Mans servile Yoke took Adam's Daughter viz. the Humane Nature in Flesh and Blood and in the end carried to his Fathers Countrey his acquired Goods which Laban nor his Company viz. the Devil nor his could not rob him of 3. Laban's Gods stoln by Rachel might well be the Images or Statues of those of his Ancestors deceased his Love of whom made them patterns for his Instruction 4. Rachel's stealing them hath an inward and an outward Figure First Christ took the Rachel our Humane Nature which had taken to it self the Idol wills and broke those Idols Outwardly it points that as Jacob left Laban so did Israel Egypt but brought their fleshly Idol desires with them which in time swerv'd them from the true God 5. But Laban's pursuing noteth those of Natures Kingdom persecuting them that leave Babel's Worship and Pageantry refusing to be conducted on their way by the Worlds Mirth Tabrets and Solemnity for Christ being Born in them their Mind leaveth Adam's servile House of Images and Gods Host of Angels are appointed his Guardians CHAP. LX. Of Esau's going to meet Jacob with Four Hundred Men. Jacob's Present and Wrestling c. 1. ESau's coming with four hundred Men signifieth the Kingdom of Nature in the Anger of God which was the first born and in the four Elements at which Jacob was astonished so was Christ at Mount Olivet 2. Jacob's dividing the Herds into two companies points at Christs
twofold Humanity viz. the Heavenly and Earthy that when these Warriours should smite the Earthy the other which came down from Heaven should escape 3. Jacob's Presents are Christs Prayers 4. His humbling himself saying I came over with my Staff only but am now two Bands so did Christ in the Garden whose two Bands were the Heavenly Humanity perish'd in Adam and that of the Limus of the Earth with both which Jacob viz. Christ was to return to his first Paradisical Countrey and Angelical Kindred 5. Sent five hundred and eighty Cattel viz. Christ sent out Lusts to the Anger of God 6. Jacob also sent his two Wives viz. Christ sent the twofold Spirit of Man viz. the Soul and the Spiritus Mundi viz. the inward Eternal Soul and the outward Soul 7. Two Handmaids viz. the twofold Humanity of the Body 8. The Eleven Children viz. the Eleven Apostles 9. And passed over the Brook Jabock viz. Kidron 10. Jacob's Twelfth Son lay yet unborn so now was Christs Twelfth Apostle not chosen in the room of Judas 11. Jacob staid alone and there wrestled a Man with him viz. the great love of God in the Name Jesus did wrestle with Gods Righteousness and Truth which was on Mount Sinai 12. All Night of the darkness of Gods Anger 13. The Ham of his Thigh was displaced viz. the Adamical Humanity was displaced but not broken to die Eternally He halted viz. being Lame to the Pride Vanity Malice Lasciviousness c. of this World 14. The Man said Let me go for the day viz. the Eternal day dawneth But Jacob viz. Christ said I will not let thee go until thou bless me viz. the Humanity 15. And the Man said What is thy Name He said Jacob. Then the Man said Thou shalt no more have a self name but Israel viz. a Tree of Life or Christian viz. a sprout on the Vine Christ. 16. And Jacob asked what is thy Name But Christ said why askest thou that is I am no stranger thy Name and mine shall be one But God without Nature and Creature is the Eternal one and Eternal good the Abyss and Profunâ—ity no place is found for him no Creature can Name him for all Names stand in the formed Word But God is the Beginningless Root of all Power the Vegetables know not how the Sun blesseth them 17. Man hath lamentably lost the five Vowels the Holy Ghosts Language for the whole New Testament is couched up in the Old 18. When God blessed Jacob he called the place Penuel that is where God is manifest in the Soul 19. And when he was departed thence the Sun viz. of Righteousness arose in him and he halted his self-will was lame in its ability 20. And the Children of Israel eat not of that Sinew to this day for they understood that Mystery and Instituted this Memorial viz. the displacing of their Bestial Wills which if the present Jews and Christians well understâ—od they would not hunt after Covetousness and Lust yet under Christs Purple Mantle CHAP. LXI Of Jacob and Esau meeting all Heart-burning turned to Joy c. 1. BLind Reason should learn the meaning of Gods Decree Rom. 9. 13. and Mal. 1. 2 3. for here was Esau the Type of the corrupted Adam and Jacob of Christ who came to help Adam and were of one Seed to shew Christ must become Flesh. And Jacob appeased Esau by his Humility as did Christ by his great Love in our Humanity in our Anger-soul appease the Anger of God when he gave up his Heavenly Blood with the Tincture of Love into the Anger of God for then was the Anger in the dark World turn'd into a Love-fire 2. Jacob seeing Esau coming with four hundred Men divided his Children to Leah and to Rachel and to both the Handmaids and passed before them and bowed seven times c. 3. When Christ in our Humanity entred his Sufferings Gods Anger in the four Elements met him Then Christ divided the Heavenly Worlds substance which he brought from God signified by Rachel from the Natural Humanity from Adam or Spiritus Mundi Typed by blear-ey'd Leah wherein yet the destroyer of the Serpent was Born as Judah of Leah while Rachel was Barren till Christs Spirit made her fruiâ—ful 4. And as Jacob set the Handmaids foremost so did Christ first cause the Earthy to pass through the sharpness of Death next Leah the Body out of the Limus of the Earth follow'd 5. And after her Rachel the Heavenly Limus with the Prince Joseph the Divine Worlds substance 6. Jacob bowed seven times in this Humility appeasing Esau so did Jesus through all the seven forms of Natures Life 7. As Jacob yielded up his Riches and Life to Esau to do what he would with him so did Christ to Gods Anger 8 Esau ran to meet him fell on his Neck wept and kissed him so when the Essence of Gods Anger in Man tasted the sweet Love in the Name and Blood of Jesus it was transmuted into Compassion 9. And Eâ—â—u beheld the Women and Children and said whose are these c. Man whiâ—e heâ—d in the Anger and Darkness was not known to the holy Image but Love made him known 10. Their order of coâ—ing to Esau shews how poor Eve's Children were brought through Christs Suffering and Death into the Countenance of God first the Body of Sin through Death then the Body out of the Limus of the Earth which in the Resurrection is esteemed strange therefore Typed by a Handmaid And lastly the fair Image Created in Adam 11. Jacob's Presents signifie the Children purchased bâ— Christ and given to the Father so shall Christ deliver up the Kingdom to the Father 12. Yet is Esau's Compassion and weeping on Jacob the Type of repenting Sinners sorrow 13. Esau said Let us go together Jacob saith The Children are tender c. I will follow softly c. When Christ in his Sufferings had appeas'd his Fathers Anger in the Kingdom of Nature the appeas'd Anger would instantly take the Journey viz. in the Life of Man But the Love said Man is too tender and may fall by Temptation in one day I will follow slowly with them to the end of the World 14. Esau would have left some of his Men with Jacob but Jacob said what needeth it viz. God the Father said Let me leave some Laws of my severe Righteousness but Christ saith Let me with my redeemed Children only find Grace in thy sight for they cannot fulfil thy Laws CHAP. LXII Of Dinah Deflour'd all the Males of Sichem slain by Simeon and Levi. 1. JAcob had Twelve Sons six of them were of Leah and Judah of whom came the Humanity of Christ was one of the â—ix 2. Then bare Leah Dinah which Daughter of Fleshly Love went after the Daughters of the Land a gadding lively prefiguring Christendom who instead of continuing in the humble simplicity of Jacob's Tents at Succoth and remaining a Stranger to the Customs and Behaviour
Faith and Opinions about Religion being really dumb Idols 4. Therefore as it was necessary that the Natural Magick should be discontinued where the Faith of Christ was manifest so is it now more necessary that the Natural Magick were again restored that Titular Christendoms Idols might through the formed Word in Nature also by new Regeneration be suppressed not to take up Heathen Idols again but to shew by the formed Word in Love and Anger with its re-expression the Essence of all Essences 5. The seven Fat Kine and good Ears of Corn denote the seven Properties of the Eternal Nature in the good and holy Ground the Lean Kine and Blasted Ears the seven Properties in the Wrath. The seven Fat and Well-favoured Kine and full Ears Figure what God made Man at first and the seven Lean and Blasted shew what Man made himself to be And Joseph Figureth Mans Restoration by his Deliverance and Advancement CHAP. LXIX How the Famine driveth Joseph's Brethren to him and how he shew'd himself to them 1. THE 42 of Gen. Figureth excellently the real Christian who by Persecution is in Christs process And how he not only forgiveth but is graciously bountiful to his Persecutors Also how Sin brings Anxiety on them And Gods severity against Sin that the Sinner may dread it and leave it 2. By Benjamin the youngest Brother is signified the Adamical Humanity viz. that Image of the Heavenly Worlds substance which faded in Adam 3. The particular parts of this 42. Chap are so manifest that the inlightened Soul tho' it runs may read its Tendency Figure or Language CHAP. LXX Jacob's Sons went into Egypt the second time and did eat at Joseph's Table yet knew him not 1. THIS 43. Chap. sheweth how the outward Nature bringeth all its Lifes Essences very timorously into Christs Death yet in the end is made willing to enter into the dying of self As Jacob having lost Joseph and Simeon is content to give up Benjamin also and this â—eath it willingly tasts on Divine confidence that it bringeth the will of God with it 2 This Chapter shews how the Forms of Life by reason of an evil Conscience tremble before God as Jacob's Sons before Joseph 3. It shews how God entertains the Soul by feeding him at his Table tho' in a strange Form then lets him go in Peace yet afterwards comes with a terrible Tryal as Joseph did them with his Cup in Benjamin's Sack which Cup signifieth the Lords Testament I reâ—train my Extracts to this brevity because the total of the Excellent Discourse oâ— this Chapter is so evident an Exposition as if written by the Sun-Beams CHAP. LXXI Of Joseph's Cup being put into Benjamin's Sack 1. JOseph's Brethren stand here in the Figure of the truly converted Christian. Joseph of the Wrath of God in Nature The Cup in that of Christ's Sufferings Thus Joseph's Brethren viz. The Christian is by the Wrath of God in the fleshly Evil Nature the Evil World and the Devil accused to have stoln the Silver Cup of Christ's Sufferings who though Innocent do give themselves up to suffer Bonds Servitude Shame and Death Christ saith He came not to send Peace on Earth but Strife c. 2. Those of our own Family in Flesh and Blood must be Enemies as a Tree groweth in heat and Cold and Storms so in Strife groweth the Tree of Pearl 3. The Cup 's being uppermost in the Sack denotes Gods Peoples Sufferings to be uppermost viz. on all viz. continually From the 10th Verse to the 37th is a most profound convincing Discourse of the use of Strife 4. Joseph's Brethren answered the Steward him with whom the Cup is found let him be put to Death and we will be my Lords Servants Shewing 1. How ready the Man who received some Grace is to justifie himself They would not be thought Thieves though they had stoln even Joseph himself 2. How confident they are in their justification He that did it should die and they all would be his Servants 5. The Christian presently thinks he should be exempt from Sufferings and all wrong him But his guilt standeth open before God's Righteousness who requireth Man to be in the imitation and process of Christ in his Sufferings and Death Therefore hath the Christian no Excuse when God causeth him to be laid hold on in Anger by his Steward the Children of this World as a Thief Novellist Enthusiast Heretick which though imputed to them wrongfully from the World yet is he guilty of all Adamical Sins and suffereth in Christ's Process justly what Christ suffered innocently 6. And they hasted and searched every Mans Sack beginning at the Eldest and the Cup was found in Benjamin's Sack and they rent their Cloaths and returned When Adam sinned the Law fetched him back into the City viz. The Earth out of which the Body proceeded there did Righteousness search all the Natural Properties beginning at the first Form of Nature but the Cup of Joseph viz. of Christ was found only in Benjamin's viz. in the youngest Brother's Sack viz. the Youngest the Word of the inspoken or inspired Grace 7. And Judah went with his Brethren and they fell down before Joseph c. The Law having brought Man back cannot answer but yields But God would not have future Israel to be his Servant the first Forms viz. in outward Worship only but Benjamin the inward heavenly Worlds Substance 8. Judah who was Surety for Benjamin his Pleading so hard that he durst not go home without him lest he bring his Fathers grey hairs c. Shews That if the Adamical Man should go into Paradice without Christ's Life and Substance the Life's Nature would not be manifest viz. would not live in the Kingdom of Heaven CHAP. LXXII How Joseph manifested himself before his Brethren 1. BEcause the Law could not bring Man back into Paradise the great Joseph of meer Compassion seeing Mans Misery could no longer withhold but cried Let every one go forth viz. When Jesus would manifest his highest Mercy the Law Ceremonies and Mans Ability and will must depart 2. Then Joseph wept aloud so that the Egyptians Pharaoh's People heard him viz. the Weeping and Compassion of Jesus sounded to the Heathen and Nations and he said I am Joseph your Brother Doth my Father yet live viz. I am Jesus in thee is the Father's Nature viz. a Breath of the Divine Life yet in the Soul And they could not answer him nor can the Soul for the Soul 's own will is terrified to Death there is a gnawing guilt making him Dumb. 3. Then saith Joseph Come near be not careful nor think that I am angry that you sold me for God sent me to preserve you alive viz. I am no more angry that I have been sold into thy Death for it was that I might nourish thee 4. There will yet be five years of Famine viz. the Divine hunger will yet remain in thy five Senses 5. Make
John Page 132 Why he was Tempted 40 Days Page 133 How he was in Heaven and also on Earth Page 134 Why he Taught in Parables Page 134 Why he did not describe his Gostel in Writing Page 135 Why the High Priest and Scripture-Learned persecuted him Page 135. 139 His Process through his Suffering and why it was so Page 136. 142. 283. 330. 332. Why must he Die on a wooden Cross. Page 140 Of the two Murtherers Crucified with Christ what they figure Page 140. 283 Why must his Side be opened with a Spear Page 141 Why did the Earth tremble when he hung on the Cross. Page 142 What did the darkness signifie that came over all Nature Page 143 Of Christs Dying Descending c. from Page 143. to 158. and 283 Of the true Christian. Page 170 176. 297 Of the Titulary Christian. Page 171. 176 297. 310. Of the True Christian Church Page 279 Circumcision what it signifies Page 116. 376. 398 Conversion what it is Page 324 Contrariety whence it sprung Page 340 What use it is of Page 349 357 Of the Covenant with Noah Page 391 Of the Covenant with Abraham Page 116. 397 Of the Line of the Covenant Page 391 Of the Mortal Creatures from whence they sprung and Exist Page 64. 72. 233. 242 Of their Differences Page 73. 235 The End why they were Created Page 74. 235 Of the Creation Page 19. 234. 252. 303. 371. 381. What was before the Creation Page 43 Of the inward and outward Cure Page 363 Of Gods Curse what it is Page 275 The Cause thereof Page 388 D. OF the two Principles of Darkness and Light Page 1 Of the Temporal Darkness whence it is Page 65. 227 How the Devil came to be and what he is Page 45 Of Death and Dying Page 191. 192. 277. 313. 321. 358. Of the Divine Nature Page 260 Of the Divine Being in Nature Page 241. 380 The Divine Being and Nature distinguished Page 337. 341 Dinah deflowered what it figureth Page 412 E. WHat the Earth was before the Curse Page 87. 106 What the Earth is since the Curse Page 106 Of the Constitution and Form of the Earth Page 253 Egypt The bringing the Children of Israel out thence what figure it bears Page 121 Of Election and Reprobation what they are Page 345 What the four Elements are and whence proceeded Page 62. 224. 263. Of Enoch's Wonderful Line Page 391 Of the Enochian Life what it is and where hath Enoch remained Page 113. 326 The History of Esau what it figureth Page 405 to 413 Of the Eternal Nature or Originality Page 286 Of the infinite Productions thereof Page 261 Of the Knowledge of the Eternal through the Corruptible Page 272 Of Evil fierceness and anger whence they proceeded Page 2. 223. 247. 334. 380. F. TRue Faith what it is Page 332 Of the Fathers Property Page 243 Of the Firmament in the midst of the Waters Page 66. 228 254 Of the Flesh and Blood of Christ how the Disciples did Eat and Drink it Page 377 Of the Flesh and Spirit the contrariety betwixt them Page 321 Of the forbidden Fruit what it was Page 99 Of the Forms of Nature Page 292 How God Forgiveth Sins Page 336 G. IN what Grace the old World was Saved without Law Page 110 Of God distinct from Nature and Creature Page 42. 369. 379 Of Gods Love and Anger Page 42 Of Gods being All in All. Page 201 Of Gods working in Hell Page 54. 55. 220 Of the Word or Heart of God Page 379 Of Gods Voice when the day grew cool Page 104 Of Good and Evil whence they proceeded Page 334. 366. 380. H. OF the Human Tree Page 390. 393 Of the Hand of God what it is that Christ commended his Soul into Page 144. Of Heaven what it is where it is and how Page 56. 158. 213. 221. 252 Of Hell its beginning continuance and place Page 47. 51. 55. 213. 219. 220. 263. Of the Heathenish Gods whence they sprung Page 396 Of Hagar and Ishmael what their History figureth Page 397 to 400 Of the shedding forth the Holy Ghost after Christs Ascension what it benefits us Page 163 J. THE History of Jacob and Esau what it figureth Page 405 The Vision of Jacob's Ladder Page 407 The rest of the History of Jacob to Page 423 Of Jehovah Page 19 The Image of God in Man what it is Page 78. 238. 245. 273. 316 The History of Joseph what it figureth from Page 413 to 423. Concerning John Baptist what he was Page 125 Of Isaac's Birth and casting out Ishmael what it figureth Page 400 405 Of Judah and Thamar Page 414 Of the last Judgment what it is and how effected Page 195. 285 K. THE Kingdom of Christ how it is assumed or taken by him Page 183 How Christ will deliver the Kingdom to the Father Page 346 L. COncerning Lamech Cain's Successor Page 112 Of the Language of Nature Page 295. 395 Of the Language spoke by the Apostles at Pentecost Page 162 What the Law is Page 122 How the Divine Life may be manifested in this Life Page 350 Of the Life of Darkness what it is Page 343 Of the Principles of Light and Darkness Page 1 Of the true and false Light Page 354 Of the Temporal Light and Darkness Page 65. 227 Lot's Wife becoming a Pillar of Salt what it figureth Page 118 Of his departure out of Sodom Page 399 Of his Daughters Lying with him Page 118 What each signifies Lust what it can do Page 335 Lucifer what moved him to depart from God Page 44 45 Of his doleful Fall Page 250. 359 Of his Office in Hell Page 47. 219 Of his place at present Page 257 M. OF Mans Estate before the Fall Page 21. 82 84. 85. 86. 274 By what Degrees Man fell Page 26. 274. 359. 372. 385 What Mans Estate is by the Fall Page 28. 83. 274. 290. 335. 342. 373. 388 Of Mans Recovery Page 30. 38. 39. 40. 170 Mans mistaken way towards a supposed Happiness Page 37 Of Mans Immortal Life Page 77. 81. 237 Of Mans Mortal Life Page 77. 81. 237. 255. The Difference of the Heavenly and Earthy Man Page 382 Mans Body whence derived Page 75. 237. 255. 264. Of Mans Birth and Propagation Page 271 Why but one Man Created in the Beginning Page 81 Of the Government of Man over the Creatures Page 92 Why the first Man born of a Woman was a Murtherer Page 106 How Man may find himself and all Mysteries Page 303. 342 Of Mans deep Ground and Knowledge Page 46. 299. 304. 343. 358. 372. Of Mans Threefold Life Page 288. 301 Of the Male and Female kind whence proceeded Page 67. 229. Magia what it is and doth Page 346 Of Natural Magick what it is Page 417 Concerning the Metals Page 358 Of the Mind Page 273 Of the strife between Michael and the Dragon what it is Page 45 Moses what doth his being drawn out of the River signifie Page 119 Why the Lord appeared to him in
Nature doth endeavour to produce in this dark Dungeon or Den of this World hard dark dead Trees and Fruits and precious Stones Gold Silver which are all but dark shadows of the Divine Being mixed with hellish qualities and smells but the Trees meant here are Heavenly and Spiritual and yet truly and properly such In which Holy Kingdom are two things mainly to be consider'd 3. The Salitter which are moving springing Powers 2. Mercurius or the sound which is the voice and sound of all Creatures and that in the Earth which causeth the growing of Gold and all other Metals shadows out All the exquisite Musick of this World compar'd with the Harmony of that Sound is as the howling of Dogs 4. For though Nature hath always from her beginning used highest diligence to produce heavenly Forms in Power in all Creatures and Productions also in all Delicacies and Arts for it would fâ—in be delivered from this Vanity that it might procreate Holy Forms in Power but Death hath entered and doth and must hinder it for Man's infectious Lust to Eat of both the Qualities of Evil and Good spoil'd the Salitter and stopt his Ears against the Sacred sound whereas the Divine Salitter and Mercurius is the Food of Angels 5. Of the Creation of Angels Philosophers who supposed Angels were created only out of the Light have erred for they were made out of all the Powers of God The total Holy Trinity made by its moving a Body like a little God out of the Salitter and Mercurius that is out of the Exit and Excrescence and being made are a distinct Substance As while a Mother hath a Seed in her self it is hers but when it is become a Child it is its proper own though cannot live but by the Mothers Food but the quality External without the Child's Body is not the Child's Propriety the Mother nor the Mothers Food but what the Mother out of love gives thus are the Angels And the Mother may well thrust from her the rebellious Child and with-hold her Food from it Thus was it with Lucifer God withdrew his Divine Food when he elevated himself then must a Spirit faint and can no more subsist as before than a Man without Air nor can the Angels without their Mother CHAP. V. Of the Corporeal Substance Being and Property of an Angel 1. TO answer what their Figure Body or Shape is They and Man bear the like Image how else must we be like them in the Resurrection And Moses and Elias were in their own Form on Mount Tabor and Elias was taken up alive And Jesus shall come again as they saw him go As in God we observe 1. The Salitter or Divine Powers out of which the Body or Corporeity is 2. The Mercurius Tone or Sound so is it in an Angel who have as Men the five Doors of that we call Senses CHAP. VI. How an Angel and a Man is the Similitude of God 1. AS is the Being and Divine Body of God so is the Being and Body of an Angel and a Man with this only difference that the Angel and Man is but a Creature not the whole Being whom if he resist the Father may justly cast him out 2. The whole Father speaketh out of all the Powers of the Godhead the Word that is the Son of God this Word is the Father's Glance and Majesty proceeding out of his Salitter and Mercurius which being spoken turneth back and ever is in all the Powers of the Father as a glorious Eternal splendor Now that Word hath so swift a sharpness that instantly it goeth through the whole deep of the Father and the sharpness is the Holy Ghost 3. Now in an Angel and a Man the Head is the Council-seat signifying the Father whither all the Powers rise for higher they cannot and the five Senses as Counsellors agree and what they decree is concreted into a Judge as a word in its Centre the Heart as a self-subsisting Person signifying the Son of God And that goeth from the Heart to the Mouth and Tongue with its Mercurial sharpness to distinction and that signifieth the Holy Ghost 4. The Mouth sheweth an Angel and a Man not to be Almighty for through that both must drâ—w in the Powers of the Father or cannot live an Angel as well as a Man only theirs is the Spirit whence the Air of this World existeth which he must do or cannot be a moveable Creature he Eats as men do the Heavenly Fruit and hath a Body in the same Form as Man with all the Members except those of Generation Guâ—s and Fundament but all spiritual and heavenly Man had need of those only by his Fall 5. Out of the Divine Salitter and Mercurius are produced Trees Plants Fruits Flowers and all sorts not a shadow of such but really substantial yet as the Angels are such is the Vegetation but not in the two Qualities of Evil and Good but only in one the Good Those Fruits the Angels pluck with their hands and eat but need no Teeth for they are Divine Powers and whatsoever they have Externally or without them is not their corporeal Propriety but God's Gift to them CHAP. VII 1. GOD at the first made three Kingdoms of Angels their Kings were Michael Lucifer and Uriel The whole Deep betwixt the Stars is one the other two are without and above it according to the Trinity in the midst of all which is the Son of God yet no part of either further or nearer to him 〈◊〉 are the three Kingdoms circular about him In all which the Father is Power and Kingdom The Son Light and Splendor The Holy Ghost Moâ—ing or Exitâ— Seen in the whole Creation in a Gold-stone the Salitter and Mercurius signifieth the Father the Gold the Son the Virtue the Holy Ghost CHAP. VIII 1. THE Angelical Kingdoms are formed according to the Divine Being only their Bodies are Creatures and their Kingdom Court or Locality is not theirs for a natural right as their Bodies are but belongeth to God the Father out of whose Powers it was made 2. And as the Father generateth the Son and as the Holy Ghost goeth forth from both So do the Angels in their Power generate the Light and Knowledge in them and by them the Spirit goeth forth from their Heart Light and all their Powers 3. The Corporeal Body of 〈…〉 Angel is as it were one Kingdom or as the Holy Trinity All Power is in God the Father he is in his Deep the Fountain of Light and Darkness Air Water Heat Cold Hard Soft Thick Thin Astringent Bitter Sweet Sour Sound or Tone all which are in Angels and Man but Man hath corrupted i◠〈◊〉 us the Light of the Sun is intolerable so is our unqualified Heat Cold 〈…〉 4. And when the Creature willeth to elevate it self in the Light above the Humility of Love 〈◊〉 kindleth a Fire which extinguisheth the Light and falls into Darkness which as