alwayes by the Serpents seed the unfaithfull wicked world slain persecuted despised scorned and put to Death in which regard also the Death of all Saints was before the Lord very highly dearly and preciously Esteemed 13. So he hath also in his divine fullnesse and perfect Seed and word of God the pure faithfull womans and Virgins Sonne God and Man in one Person the right Seed Sonne and Word of God of the perfect faithful Flesh and Bloud the totall persecution enmity hatred and envy of the abominable Satanicall Serpents Seed of the wofull Devill substantially united in all unfaithfull unrepentant children of the world hath taken upon him for the sake of the redemption of all the faithfull of his body and holy woman 14. And through his innocent suffering and dying hath paid the penalty and debt of all the Sinnes of the world on his most holy body and woman reconciled it with the Deity in himself overthrown all Enmity between God and Man and in and according to this his most holy totall or UNIVERSALL Redemption through his guiltlesse Crosse with and in divine union through God and out of the infancy to a perfect Man presented himself to his totall holy Church or Congregation 15. In and with which he now according to his most holy prediction Hosea 2. I will Espouse my selfe with thee in Eternity I will betroth my self with thee in Grace and Mercy Yes in the Faith I will unite and bind my self with thee with this his holy unreproveable undefiled Church and perfect Bride and most holy Sulamith Canticles Reconcileth and espouseth in Eternity 16. In which he now according to his own most holy revelation of himself here upon Earth Esaiah 9. The Eternal Father in an undivided Person God and Man ONE Eternall Generatour TRIUNE God and Lord yes ALL in ALL his beloved totall perfect Bride his holy body and woman wherein he Eternally generateth his holy Seed his holy Word Will Work and Performance substantially livingly and powerfully 17. And to his Eternall praise laud and honour in this his holy Church holy Jerusalem and perfect City of the perfect appearing divine Peace which is kept in Heaven but now on Earth in this ending ceasing Last time of the world manifesteth himself in the Eternall Unity of his body and woman the undefiled untransitory unfadable Inheritance 18. And the receiving his holy kingdom and Dominion according to the Testimony of the Holy Scripture Dan 7. under the whole Heaven in his Saints his united woman and Eternally ruling it to be openly proclaimed 19. The Bride the Woman of all faithfull Flesh and Bloud according to the Testimony of the Scripture Revelations 22. hath called Come LORD JESU the Bridegroom and Man Christ appeareth and saith in the unity of his Wife or Woman Here I am Here I am Here will I dwell this is my Rest Eternally 20. Here thou wilt with the beloved woman of all faithfull Flesh and Bloud in divine unity of thy Man with this Scripture Explanation for further holy consideration in and with thy united Bridegroom according to thy desire for Love and divine will acknowledge and receive this 21. In which the Triune highly praised Sonne and Word of God the fullnesse of the Deity generated from Eternity the most holy seed of the Woman from the beginning of the World after the Fall of Adam and Eve as also the regenerated new faithfull flesh and bloud the woman in that which is in Part and perfect holy substance is discovered to thee and manifested to the Eternall and in Eternall unchangeable Union 22. NOT Tinctured according to the Cabalisticall Theophrasticall Roso-Crucian kind and transmuted out of the unfaithfull Substance into the Faithfull 23. But according to the Testimony of the Scripture a New Birth not out of the old sinfull Substance but in the Center and inward Heart in the Love of the divine voyce a new beginning a New Heart a New Flesh and Bloud a New faithfull Person as to Body and Soul a Faith not born out of the unbeleef but out of God 24. A Body a Woman a Man an unity of the Woman a Seed a faithfull visible good Substance of God A Christ a Lord a God a Spirit Substantially opperatively livingly powerfully and actively the self-subsisting Eternall ONE onely blessednesse or salvation an undefiled unfadable untransitory inheritance reserved in Heaven 25. But now in this Last Time revealed or manifested to all over all through all and in all faithfull with himself the Triune Eternall God an Eternall REST and holy City and habitation of the highest of all and lowest of All in Heaven and upon Earth which is and is called in All Eternall Eternity according to the Testimony of Scripture of Ezekiel the last Chapter A Wedding City Here is the LORD Psal 48. 1 2. Very greatly and highly to be praised is The Mountain SION the fair Branch with which the whole Land is Comforted Yours alwayes willingly A. V. E. Esaiah Stiefell HEre followeth My Answer upon this Fourth Point of the Fourth Text. 1. T Fourth Point I would even leave unexplained if it were produced by the Authour in a right understanding but he jumbleth all together and sticketh his erroneous meaning therein and maketh much more a Confusion of it then a right explanation But seeing I have explained the contents of it above almost in every particular I will therefore only expound the chief matters and extract the Erroneous Opinions out of his Confusion for the sake of the Reader 2. Concerning the becoming Man or Incarnation of Christ concerning which the Authour here mentioneth That the Seed of the Holy Trinity in the Totall divine Substance is become Man or Incarnate in the Totall Holy Perfect totally united with the Deity virgin MARY and hath taken HER Flesh and Soul upon him and so made MARY the Genetrix of God viz the holy word of God as he writeth and that MARY was before new born in the Faith e er she was impregnate or with Childe with the Saviour 3. This needs yet a sharper explanation and exposition and it had stood this Master in hand that will needs be Perfect and Omniscient to have unsolded this Mystery and not to have confused it so that a man cannot know what he understandeth thereby but only that a Man may see his secret in sown Grain or Seed spring up therein 4. He will not herewith satisfie the seeking Mind which enquireth after the Ground and lead him into the Center of Nature he must put on other Stieffeln or Bootes if he will ride with Christs Spirit over Death and Hell and say how Gods Anger is quenched Death broken to peeces and the Devills Kingdome IN Man destroyed 5. His explanation is much more erroneous and an obscuring the understanding of the seeking Mind than an Expounding He hâ—nteth some high Points concerning the manner of the becoming Man or Incarnation of Christ and produceth none 6.
AN APOLOGIE Concerning Perfection Being A Fundamentall Answer and Reply upon Esaiah Stiefel His Exposition of Four Texts of the Holy Scripture Written In the Year 1622. finished the 6. Aprill By Jacob Behme Also called Teutonicus Philosophus Englished by JOHN SPARROW LONDON Printed by M. S. for Giler Calvert and are to be sold at his Shop at the Black-Spread-Eagle at the West end of St. Pauls 1661. THE PREFACE 1. COurteous Reader who lovest Truth There hath lately come to my hands a Treatise sent from Good friends concerning some Points of Conclusion which one hath explained and as to his sence sufficiently expounded at large 2. Thereupon I have been entreated by them also to give My apprehension or understanding and explanation upon those very Points 3. Seeing therefore I observe that in that very Explanation there are some Erroneous Opinions that run contrary to the Holy Scriptures and true Understanding which are of concernment to the Reader and may almost stagger him therefore I would take the labour and expresse it in a more rectified understanding 4. Not to disturb or judge any man but that the understanding thereof might be made more cleer for the sake of the Reader who with earnestnesse seeketh the PEARL of Divine Knowledge that it might introduce their hungry Minds into better security and Rest and so might have occasion to seek with the greater earnestnesse the Pearl of Divine knowledge and to refresh themselves therewith till we can attain the PERFECT enjoyment thereof in the other Life After this Tabernacle 5. Therefore will I set before me those Points of Couclusion together with the meaning of him that hath explained them and briefly and summarily peruse the understanding of the Points as also the understanding of the Expositour and shew the true Ground and bring it into a round currant expresse understanding at large and leave it to the Reader of the Divine knowledge to consider of The Points to be explained are these Four Texts of Scripture I. The First is Genesis the 1. Chapter Verse 27. God Created Man according to his Image II. The Second is 1 Timothy 3. 16. The Divine Mystery is apparently Great God is Manifested or Revealed in the Flesh III. The Third is Isaiah 54. 5. He who hath made thee is thy Husband his name is called the Lord of Hosts and the Redeemer the Holy One in Israel who is called the God of the whole World IV. The Fourth is 1 Corinthians 11. 12. As the Woman is from the Man so also the Man cometh by the Woman but all things from God J. B. UPon these alledged Texts the Expositour giveth his meaning in the following words and expressions to the sender of the Texts thus E. S. I. BEloved and Elect in CHRIST JESUS the Tri-une living God Governour and Lord of Heaven and Earth born of the Tri-une highly praised God and most holy Substance of the totall Perfect Tri-unity from Eternity and begotten to his Image in the Love of his Divine voyce to his most holy delight and most holy Joy and Pleasure from and in Eternity 2. Upon your last and lately sent Questions as they are written in order one after another I shall and have according to your desire answered them with God the Tri-une wisdome in Christ yes with that very wisdome Christ himselfe the Eternall most Holy Omniscience This which followeth to the holy Tri-une praise of God to the alone salvation of the Souls of all you that are holy and faithfull in and out of the Tri-une Heart and Mouth with the Eternall Powerfull and Living Word in with and out of all holy Members of Christ the highly praised God and shall or will in the Testimony of the Letter bring them forth to the day light The First Text. 3. And as is first mentioned and set down in the Text of the 1. of Genesis verse 27. and expressed in Scripture God Created Man according to his Image first of all in Adam 4. This Text hath been urged by you particularly in regard of the outward appearance of the German Text Gott schuff den Menschen Jhm Zum Bilde and therefore because of your unskilfulnesse therein you ought not so very much to be blamed yet you have alledged it slightly and contrary to the Divine Sence 5. Because the Hebrew Greek and Latine Text mentions it thus God Created Man in his Image From which it clearly and Manifestly appears that the Tri-une God in Christ his first begotten or born Son and most holy expresse Image of his invisible Deity before all Creatures hath created not only Man but also all Heavenly and Earthly Creatures yes all whatsoever was made John 1. In him and he hath made and brought them forth in Christ to his holy praise and Glory 6. Therefore your Exposition as you set it first in Adam cannot here be applyed and alledged as also your Scripture brought to prove it even To the Image of God Created he him a second time in Christ cannot avail or be allowed because all this came to passe before the fall of Adam 7. Whereas at that time there is no mention of the Regeneration in and through Christ and according to the Testimony of Scripture is not recorded for the Created Man to know from and with God 8. The Hebrew Greek and Latine Text also mentioneth that the Tri-une God In Christ his first begotten or born Expresse Image before all Creatures in whom and through whom he made all that is made hath Created Man according to his Image that is according to Christ his Divine Expresse Image 9. And as Christ was generated or born out of and with God in the Love of the Mother and divine voice from Eternity to his expresse Image of his totall perfect Substance from the greatest to the least and from the least to the greatest from Eternity 10. So he did in the Creation make man visible in Christ to and according to the Image of Christ and created him to his praise and Glory that he should through the obedience of Christ stedfastly be and appear like him in Innocency 11. This according to your meaning or sence of the Scripture is not done and Manifested a second time in Christ but a second time in the Creation of Man I. B. NOw followeth My Answer upon this forementioned Explanation and furthermore My Explanation 1. MEn finde in no place of the Holy Scirpture that Man is proceeded forth in Totally PERFECT Power authority Omnipotence Omniscience and that he had the same for his creaturely proper own 2. For that may not be said even of the Person of CHRIST as he conversed in this world visibly amongst us according to the Humanity received from US but only according to his Eternall Deity 3. For his Soule and Humanity hath also called and prayed to and in God and on the Mount of Olives said when he would goe into his suffering Father if it be possiâ—le let this Cup
Woman 116. And by the Fall we are to understand nothing else but that the Earthly property which before stood as it were swallowed up in the Paradise manifested it self in the Souls Desire whence Heat Cold and the poyson Life of all Contrariety and Opposition took or gat the Dominion in the Body and the fair or bright heavenly and Paradisicall Image disappeared 117. For the Soul as a Fire-Life generated out of the Fathers Property went out from the Element of Paradise into the Four Elements and there the Paradisicall Sulphur in the holy Element lost its Life and the Substance disappeared 118. And that was a dying of Paradise the Soul dyed to Gods Light and went into its self-hood into its own propriety It would be a self-Lord to know Good and Evill and Live in both it dyed to God and awakened upon the Earthly World and lived to the Will of the Devill viz to the stern Anger of God in meer Anxiety Lamentation Misery Toyle and necessity as we poor Children of Eve now see and Feel in us 119. But here I am to informe the Reader concerning the perfect Creation of Man and what the errour and insufficient understanding in the Expositour of the Poynts of Conclusion is in this place as was above mentioned 120. I say the same as he saith in this That MAN in his Image viz in Gods Image was Created wholly perfect to Eternall Life in Paradise I say also to the Image of God it is true as to BOTH For in the Eternall Image which was only a shining or Looking-glasse of the Image in the Name and in the Eternall Birth or Geniture of JESUS or JEHOVA was the Image of the Three Principles Created and Created to the Image or Similitude according to the Three Worlds as an Image of Gods Substance of all Substances out of and in ALL things or Substances 121. But as God Ruleth over and in All and no THING is God for in his Gloriousnesse he is as a Nothing and yet is the Life in all so should this Image stand in the Resigned Life of God as an Instrument of God in which the Spirit of God doth what HE will 122. He Created him not a Lord but a Servant a Lute or Instrument of Musick I cannot say that Man was Created out of the Divine Voyce and out of the Center of the Heart of God as this Author very wrongfully puts himself into the Holy Trinity 123. No No an Instrument is not the Master the Master cannot make an Instrument wholly like himself God cannot make another God wholly like himself Out of his Eternall Mystery indeed he can make to himself an Image according to his Likenesse for a Sport of Joy as a Master of Musick doth an Instrument which yet maketh such a Melody as the Master will but such another Master as himself is he maketh not but only of or out of himself 124. Therefore seeing God is a Spirit and no Substance also not Nature therefore Man is not God but his Life is sounded forth out of Gods Life yet understand out of the THREE Principles 125. Not that the Life is God himself else if it should fall and become a Devill as Lucifer did then had God become a Devill 126. The humane Life is the out-spoken Word in which the speaking Word inhabiteth either in Evill or Good as the Out-spoken Word draweth a Property out of Gods Harmony or Concord into it self As a people are such a God they have also in them and yet it is but the ONE only but he manifesteth himself in ALL and every Life according to the Lifes Desire in good or evill 127. First Therefore the strife or Controversie between me and that Authour is this That he casts or Confounds all one in another and giveth forth no right or Direct Understanding and sets himself so finely as a Creature in the holy Trinity in the first Born or begotten before all Creatures Therefore he concludeth the Creation in the CHRIST But he erreth he should conclude it in JESU or JEHOVAH in the Eternall Word of the Father as Saint John doth in the First Chapter 128. He should make for me no Woman of the Genetrix of God wherein Christ is borne or generated from Eternity but he should say out of or according to the Scripture that the Father generateth the Word and that the Word is the Voyce of God and the Second Person in the Deity and that the Holy Spirit goeth forth from the Father and the Sonne 129. It is not Supposition or an Opinion that will doe it and to set himself up therein as a Fair Bride which yet sticketh full of Sinnes and evill affections but to humble ones self before God and be submissive to him and not say Here is the Lord viz the Voyce of the holy Trinity out of Gods Heart sounding No that we will not grant to this Authour He should continue in the Harmony and hear what kind of Note the Lord in the Tang of the Harmony bringeth forth in the Creature as the Lord Soundeth 130. And though it had been at the Best that likely the glimps of the Holy Spirit had permitted it self in his Harmony of his Tone to be heard yet he should say Lord I am an unprofitable Servant Thou dost what thou wilt 131. Not say I will and shall speak to you out of Gods Heart out of the Voyce of the Holy Trinity that hath no Angel or Prophet done but they have all of them only said that the LORD had laid his Word in them to make known to them the Word of the Lord For the Prophet saith only Thus saith the LORD he accounteth himself only an Instrument to whom is commanded what he shall speak 132. He saith not I am the Woman the Bride of the Voyce of God I will speak in and out of Gods Heart My Sound is Gods Voyce but he beareth Gods Sound in his own humane Voyce and the Spirit of God soundeth only in the humane Voyce when and how he will which Man should not assume to himself as his proper own but stand before him in fear and trembling and lend his humane Voyce for an Instrument Not say I have aforehand apprehended what the Spirit of God will speak unlesse he have an expresse Command by word of Mouth 133. The Name JESUS which in the Humanity is also become CHRIST that standeth within in the Holy Trinity It standeth in its own Principle in the Birth or Geniture of the Holy Trinity and not in the Power or Authority of the Creature 134. Yet Christ saith If I Witnesse concerning my Self my Witnesse is nothing but it is my Father in me that witnesseth concerning me that I am come forth from God I am proceeded forth from God and come into the World again I leave the World and goe to the Father 135. He saith not I that is in my humane self-hood am the Voyce of God I speak
born of God before all creatures 3. Which revealed great Mistery with the whole Divine fullnesse afterwards in its appointed Time in the assuming of our humane Body and Soul Flesh and Bloud in the Flesh of Christ became knowne and Manifested whence this Text according to your Scripture signification in Eternity cannot be severed or the first secluded from the Created Adam but the second viz the Justification in the Spirit following according to your Meaning is to be understood only in Christ but both belong only and alone to the Regeneration of Christ and of ALL his holy Members in the flesh 4. As indeed according to your visible Explanation in the Letter not only the flesh of the Created Adam but the whole Person Body and Soul the Totall Soul-Man which is created in the Naturall Life hath sinned and through the Fall come into Eternall Perdition 5. Whence the Justification and Regeneration through God the Lord who is the Spirit in Christ yea Christ the highly praised God himself is appropriated to all the faithfull and Elect new Creatures and Imaged or Represented and United in the Faith 6. Through which highly praised Triune God CHRIST JESUS the Expresse Image of the totall holy perfect Divine Triunity all Elect rightly Beleeving in with and through himself are GLORIFIED in his Expresse Image and brought from one Glory to another as by him the Lord and Triune God himself who is the Lord the Spirit 7. As really the Justification cannot be applyed and explained concerning God and Christ without the Regeneration and union of Body and Soul of the whole humane visible and palpable Person who is the Eternal Righteousness it self but concerning the converted and redeemed whole humane Person in ONE Body concerning Body and Soul and not concerning the Flesh alone which without Soul and the inbreathed breath of God is nothing but Dust and Ashes according to the Testimony of Scripture in Many places and Texts Thus far Esaiah Stiefel My Answer upon this 1. LEt the Christian Reader but look this Author Rightly into his heart and consider what he seeks under this description where he saith God hath created ALL things in Christ as also created and made Man visible in him but wholly without divine manifestation and knowledge so that God with his Mystery in the least was not manifested in Adam whereas yet the Spirit of God did breath into him the living Breath whence Man became a living Soul 2. Also how this Authour speaks quite against himselfe for he acknowledgeth in many places That God did breath into Man a powerfull living Spirit-Life out of the Divine understanding and Mouth in which Man was the Image of God 3. Now if the Spirit of God did breath into him his Breath viz the living understanding Soul how then was not God manifested in Man But he must do it for another cause that thereby he might give forth or professe himself wholly altogether to be God for he sets it down thus That God Created and made Adam visible in Christ and not further manifested himself in Adam but only in Christ and so Created Adam onely to and for the Naturall Life and he understandeth properly under it only that he should or must Fall For if he had no Divine knowledge and if God had never been manifested in him then the Devill might easily have got the Game of him 4. This Authour understandeth it thus that God might have cause to bring forth the hidden Treasure of the Divine wisdome the Second Time in Christ and manifest himself in Christ in the Humane Property and new Regenerate Man totally in the Treasure of his Divine wisdome so that Man is wholly Christ out of which he frameth to himself such a thought that HE himself is Christ 5. And this must help him to it and be the ground and Corner stone thereof That God did Create and make Man visible the First Time in Christ and is now the Second Time wholly new generated in Christ 6. From this now it followeth seeing Christ manifested himself the Second time in the Flesh and manifested the Soul and Body of Man in him with the WHOLE fullnesse of the Deity that MAN is TOTALLY God and Christ and so HE cannot fail of his purpose 7. For if in CHRIST he be come to be visible as to this world in Adam and that Christ as God the second time manifest himself wholly in him with the fulnesse of the Deity inwardly and outwardly in the totall humane Property so that God and Man is totally one then it cannot fail him but that Man must be God 8 Now understand this Authours confusednesse or intricacy First he saith God Created and made Man manifest in his Image that is in Christs Eternall Image which is the Authours Corner-stone but altogether erroneous and not right CHRIST in JEHOVA in IESU from Eternity was no Image of the Deity and even NO Christ The first begotten or born of the Father before all Creatures from Eternity is Gods Heart Voyce Word or Manifestation of the Divine Mouth the Scripture understandeth no other Image 9. The Man Adam became not created and manifested in Christs Image but in his own Image which God had seen from Eternity in his wisdome in the out-spoken word he can shew us no other 10. God created Man in his Image and to the Image of God it stands not written of Christ but of God to the Image he became created to substance and IN the Image he became created in his own Image from Eternity known by the Spirit of God 11. Not to A God but to a Similitude of God as Moses saith God Created Man according to his Similitude Also Let us make Man a Similitude according to us that the Spirit of God may behold it self in a Similitude and might Melodise with himself 12. And therefore he breathed into him the Breath out of his Sound of all his Substance out of all the THREE Principles viz a Tang and Voyce of his Instrument viz a Harmony of God upon which the Spirit of God would melodise and take pleasure in the Tang of the out-spoken Mercury or Word in the Humane Sound and with this Instrument Govern all whatsoever is and liveth in the world and so manifest himself in this humane Sound in Mans voyce and ride upon the wings of Mans Spirit as David saith The Lord rideth upon the wings of the Wind. 13. In this respect his Corner-stone upon which he buildeth is erroneous and not rightly understood If Adam had continued in Gods Harmony there had needed no Christ in Man for the Power of the Serpent Crusher or Bruiser to be the Christ was hidden in the Word of Gods voyce and manifested in no Image 14. God also took not his Love to himself for a wife in that he would generate an Image to himself He himself generateth the Love the Love is IESUS or IEHOVA viz the Second
wise true and reall One and with all Divine perfect Vertues and Names ONE holy Church of GOD together and every person in the same one Christ one Man of God one holy unblameable wise Just One. 29. To the highest Praise of the Triune highly Praised God CHRIST JESUS who in them over them through them and to all in a Personall Manner with his most holy Name and seed is the Will accomplishment senses thoughts works and Life speech and all in all substantially visibly palpably inwardly and outwardly and to Eternall Times remaineth undivided and unalterably and hath and keepeth the Dominion 30. Not only in Heaven at the right hand of God but also in the Vnion with all the faithfull together and in and to every true faithfull person of Man and Woman kind is called and in Eternity remaineth here upon Earth one God one Christ who Ruleth from one End of the Heaven and from one End of the Earth to the other 31. And in such eternal stedfastnesse remaineth one eternal Lord in all over all through all and to all substantially and in Eternity is for ever esteemed so and in and with himself is honoured praised Magnified one Man-God one God-Man or one Humane Good God one Divine Good Man one Christ one Body one Soul Hitherto the Explainer HEreupon followeth my Answer and Explanation highly to be considered by the Reader 1. FIrst as concerning the Text Isaiah 54. 5. Which this Authour explaineth he hath much more confused it and brought it altogether out of a right and orderly understanding into a confused unintelligible matter thing or Substance and hath altogether confounded the Eternall birth of the holy Trinity wholly with the Creature 2. His intent is to search out the Birth or Geniture and Originall of all things or Substances he hath demersed himself into the Birth or Geniture of the Deity and highly elevated himself and set himself up to be totally like God and made himself a God and yet understandeth as little of it as the Cow doth of the Bell which it carryeth about her Neck only it heareth it sound and Ring 3. Secondly He involves all Heavenly and Earthly Creatures in the perdition of Man and will have them all regenerated and Redeemed again in Christ and maketh a Lamentable forced desolation of the right understanding by confounding one thing with another 4. Thirdly He totally and altogether confoundeth the Distinction between God and the Creature and forceth them together into one contrary to all Reason and Truth and setteth the earthly Man if he but beleeve totally with his mortall Substance in the Deity and giveth him full power or authority in Heaven and Earth quite contrary to the Ground of the holy Scripture and also contrary to visible or apparent things or Substances 5. He will be rule overpower know and understand all in all yes God himself and yet he understandeth not the Ground of a Fly in its Essence and Substance much lesse the Divine and uncreaturely and maketh a confused Wheel like a Drunkennesse 6. And if such flattering hypocrisie should once become totally beleeved then were the greatest Antichrist of all born or generated which setteth it self in the Seat or Throne of God and very audaciously giveth forth himself for GOD and presenteth his own great holiness without blemish in immortality 7. Quite contrary to the visible or apparent ground of all Truth and totally hideth the Man of Sinne in the Anger of God and maketh of him-a-dear Sonne of God in his outward Flesh and thus bringeth us so totally out of the true understanding that we should not understand how and in what manner Christ becometh generated or born IN us what the Heavenly and Earthly Man is 8. He will perswade us we are both inwardly and outwardly totally perfect holy and without all Blemish and Sinne we should but beleeve and then the naturall outward sinfull Man dyeth and becometh wholly and altogether changed into Christs Person so that Man here in this Time upon Earth is as he saith wholly and altogether Christ who in Heaven sitteth at the right hand of God and is on Earth a totall perfect God-Man inwardly and outwardly without defect 9. And there is nothing more wanting but that the poor Sinner who would faine repent and beleeve fall down before THIS great holy God which he himself will BE and worship him that he may receive him to Grace into this HIS Holinesse 10. For HE will needs be the Christ in ALL in Divine Omnipotence and Substance and distinguisheth not at all what God Christ and Man is what the Creature Humanity and God are in him Flesh and Spirit is all one moreover Mortality and Immortality 11. Yet I would very fain see him to know whether he be otherwise then other Men I have not all my Life long heard any tell of any such wonderfull Man in the World not in any History read of such a Wonder And if that be true which he saith then he must according to the Tenure of the Scripture shine seaven times brighter then the SUN and other Men and Living Creatures would be struck blind before him because of his Great Holinesse and Clarity or Brightnesse 12. But if he should say Men can not see that in him as indeed he doth neither hath any Man on Earth seen it in him or in any other Man especially being Heat and Cold as also Pain and Sicknesse take hold of him and that he continually cloatheth himself with the Cloathing of Beasts he sleepeth and waketh useth Earthly Food and Drink in the Curse of God and which is much more liveth in repreaching and cursing of honest people that love God 13. In that regard we yet very strongly doubt of his perfect holinesse and doe not hold his confusednesse for Gods Voyce out of Gods Holy Substance especially since we see that he yet understandeth nothing of the Divine and Naturall Birth or Geniture and eternall Revelation or Manifestation of all things or Substances how one originateth out of another and yet thus elevateth himself without Divine knowledge out of a meer litterall Conceit which yet he perverteth and styeth aloft without Wings before they are feathered 14. But seeing it is a subtile extravagant Errour wherewith likely honest hearts fearing God in Innocency might be seduced without sufficient searching into this extravagancy therefore I would have the Reader who loveth the Truth informed of this almost quite hidden Errour and will a little unfold the same that men may see the high insuperably superlative sence as he supposeth and therewithall a little to open the true ground which hath better Testimony and also agreeth with that which is visible or apparent 15. Not at all to contend with this confused Wheel and to defame him but for the sake of Christs Children whom Christ hath Redeemed with his Bloud to try whether many will not become better discerning and would learn to distinguish such an Errour and get a
the Fiat viz in the hunger of the desire Material and originateth out of the power of the Flesh and of the Spirit both of the Man and of the Woman 93. In the Man the Spirit is fiery that soweth the Fiery Tincture in the Woman the Spirit is watery according to the Light that soweth the Spirits Tincture in the Inward Kingdome the Image of the faded Substantiality and in the outward the Aires property out of the abomination of the Earthlinesse 94. Her seed is in the outward totally Cagastrish or drossy but if She be Holy then it is in the Inward according to the saded Image Iliastrish that is halfe Paradisicall for it beareth the Rose-Garden wherein God became Man it beareth according to the second Principle the house of PARADISE but in the Outward Principle it beareth the Childe of the existed abomination out of Adams Lust and in the Third Principle viz in the Earthlinesse it beareth the Dying viz the Death and Earthlinesse 95. The Man beareth in his Seed in the first Principle the Fire-world viz the Fathers Property out of which the Father manifesteth his Sonne viz his Love viz Venus'es Matrix that is the second Principles Property in him but in his Seed not manifested but only as a Glimmering Tinder or Mother so far as he is holy and in the Third Principle he beareth in the Sulphur and Mercury in his Seed the awakened Anger of God in which the abomination against God existed and became Manifested in Venus'es Matrix viz in the Womans Property 96. These Properties become with the Seeds of Man and Woman in the Conjunction brought into ONE there the TWO Tinctures receive one another in great Joyfulnesse as it is found by experience when the Seed goeth forth How the Tincture lifteth up it self in Joy whence mans Life is moved as a Joyfull aspect enough understood by those that are OURS 97. And the Two Tinctures espouse themselves thus instantly in the Sulphur of the Seed into One and awaken the Mercury viz the Work-master of the Life so that he laboureth in the Seed and awakeneth the Lifes forms in the Sulphur 98. And if the Mercury be not potent enough then it draweth the Mothers Menstruum to it self and bringeth it into the Seed of the Conjunction then it maketh the Seed in Menstruo to be FLESH in which yet there is a materiall poyson and the great abomination against the holynesse and purity as is sufficiently understood by all Lovers of Mysteries what kind of poyson lyeth in the Menstruum which desttoyeth and poysoneth any tender plant of the Earth as is undenyable 99. Now in this Menstruum and poyson is the Seed come to be Flesh and both the Tinctures are therein and have their nourishment from their Substance and the true Life in Soul and Spirit existeth out of THAT 100. Where now in this is the totall holinesse without blemish according to this Authour Let him shew it me here and then I will esteem him for the Bride of Christ as he will needs be so in his outward Flesh 101. The Scripture saith Man is sown in dishonour but riseth up in power Here is understood the second Principle in which the Word of Life standeth together in that Espousall but not in the Evill sinfull Flesh which is full of kindled affections and false or wicked desires 102. But if the Seed be of wicked Parents then is the Mother Tinder in the second Principle not stirring but if the Parents be Holy then is the Seed manifested in the Threefold Life viz in the Threefold Essence but if not then is the Divine Mother or Tinder not Manifested according to the Love-power but onely according to the Anger and according to the outward world 103. And though it be so that honest marryed people beget children and joyn themselves together with Love-desire yet it hath NOT this meaning or understanding That the Imagination or Desire of Man and Wife is holy and that Christs Spirit driveth on the Imagination as this Author supposeth Indeed the Noble Soul is ashamed of it 104. The Imagination ariseth out of the Tinctures which kindle the Mercury with their Lust and the Mercury kindleth the Spirit of the Life and now existeth the Lust and Will in the Heart viz a vehement desire the tenderer the Complexion is the Nobler also is the Tincture in its sweet desire 105. But if also it be shot with a fiery Dart in Venus'es desire then is the Life kindled so that it is as it were more than halfe Mad with Love Thoughts and yet knoweth not what is happened to it 106. Must all this now be holy then would the Secret WHOREDOMES where oftentimes one vehemently and fierily loveth anothers Wife and in like manner one Woman anothers husband and so is shot with this Dart be also Holy also when two young persons look upon one another whence instantly Venus shooteth with her fiery Dart then must that also be Holy whereas indeed the Dart often goeth forth in false or wicked Lust 107. And though it be at the best yet it is a thing that is in all Beasts it is Naturall Men find some Beasts that are even ashamed of it wherein it appeareth that Nature it self is ashamed of it and when men will give it the best and rightest name then it is called an abomination before Gods holinesse being a thing existed out of Sinne through Adams-Fall which indeed is boarn with all under divine patience seeing it cannot be otherwise of which we could take many Examples in the Holy Scripture 108. Look upon the people Israel when God would give them the Law at Mount Sinai and manifest or reveal himself with his voyce then he commanded the Young People which were loaden with such burning Lust to abstain from their WIVES and that pointed not only at the Marriage work but also at the * Imagination 109. When David came to Nob to the Priest Abimelech and there was no Bread but the Holy Bread the Priest said to David if the young Men had abstained from Women then would he give to them and David said the Women were left these Three dayes 110. Herein Men have a very cleer example that even the People of David ought not to eat of the holy Bread if they had touched Women then were they unclean and David had shut up the Women therefore from the Young Men that they should not be Made unclean with the Women through burning and Lust for they were in the warres that they should not be an abomination before God and so God suffer them to fall in Battell 111. And Saint Paul saith 1 Corinth 7. 5. concerning Marryed persons That they should not depart one from another unlesse it be with both their consent that they may apply themselves unto Prayer Saint Paul meaneth that Men should FORBEAR the Marriage work when they will Repent viz enter into true sorrow with Prayer before God It is just
the mixing together men should distinguish from the Will of the Divine Holinesse and from the will of own self Lust 134. Nature willeth the Burning eager Lust viz the Mixture and Gods holinesse willeth the Conjunction of the pure Tinctures in which Conjunction the Divine Center viz a holy fire-sparkle together incorporateth it self in the Substance of the heavens Image in the word of Power and doth not together incarnate it selfe in the Outward Flesh 135. This Authour saith When Christ is born or Generated then the Earthly Man must depart But in this Time Christ is in the Heaven of Man and the Earthly Man upon Earth in his Self hood in the Four Elements 136. This Authour Cryeth out upon the Confusion of others wayes and despiseth other Men gifted from God in their Gifts and yet his whole work is nothing else but a meer confusion of one thing in another the outward World with God the Creature with the Holy Trinity so that no rationall Man at all can see by him the distinction between God and the Creature 137. There never came to my knowledge any writings wherein all things are so wholly spoyled confused and darkned or obscured under long circumlocutions and Glosses as in these that he may under such confusion but present and give forth himselfe for a GOD. 138. That is the whole contents of his meaning that it is no more he that willeth doth speaketh thinketh or purposeth any thing but that God in Christ is it ALL in him the will the deed the speaking understanding thinking begetting of Children eating drinking sleeping waking but then must he also be even the Coughing in him and whatsoever else he doth in any secret place 139. Which is very easily understood by reading in him because he will distinguish Nothing but will be All in all God in Christ which is fit should be signified concerning him that other people might learn to beware of such seeming flourishing Lustre and learn to know themselves inwardly and outwardly what the Creature Man God and Christ are and not so Groundlesly call the cursed world God 140. I write not this to the reproach of the Authour but for the Reader to consider that he may know that he is a Sinner and what his Holinesse in him is for a totall faithfull instruction from my Gifts which in the Grace of the Divine Love have been imparted to me NOw followeth The Third Point of the Fourth Text. The Authours Own Explanation 1. THus now hereupon followeth Thirdly How and after what manner and kind also the Man-God CHRIST cometh and is manifested through the Divine-humane Wife or Woman 2. And how through Christ the first born before all Creatures the most holy expresse Image yes the Self-subsisting Substance of the totall most holy Divine Fullnesse the Triune highly praised living powerfull word of God God himself through whom and for whom all things not only were Created but after the Fall through his holy becoming Man or Incarnation and precious innocent passion dying Resurrection ascention into Heaven and perfect merit were perfectly redeemed or delivered 3. As heretofore is mentioned he hath united the totall faithful Mankind in the Love of his divine voyce to him to his holy Names highest praise and honour for his proper own body and Wife or Woman which he not in an outward Manner prepares to himself creates and makes new but in the inward Center and middle of the Heart from the beginning of the World Suddenly after the Fall betrothed in Grace Love and Mercy yes in the Faith and tied it and prepared it for his Eternall Rest 4. In like manner also this most Holy Man CHRIST JESUS the Innocent Lamb of God yes the Triune highly praised Sonne of God God himself which according to the Testimony of the Holy Scripture was slain from the beginning of the world in all faithfull and Saints with his holy living powerfull richly spirituall word divine substance working willing and perfecting according to the measure of his appearing gifts hath appeared from the beginning of the world 5. And himself hath manifested the true Womans Seed in the Woman or Wife of his Love prepared for himself Against which this self own holy Womans Seed He the highly praised Triune God himself according to the Testimony of the Scripture hath permitted and set the Enmity 6. So that the Satanical Serpents Seed the unfaithfull wicked corrupt world through Satan and his naked outward fleshly sinfull wicked Diabolical matters also evill heart and Lust of the Eye is governed and driven on this his own Self-seed in and together with his own Love and Wife is persecuted derided scorned despised scandalized worryed and put to death As the Testimony of the Holy Scripture truly and cleerly in to all the Saints witnesseth and manifesteth 7. But this Holy Divine Womans Seed in and to the Saints hath after many kinds and wayes appeared as in Adam and Eve after the Fall and after that through Christ the Triune highly praised God himself the promise of the perfect Womans Seed of the Messiah was spoken and pronounced to them the strong Hope Faith and Confidence in this Womans Seed was openly caused to sound forth from them As indeed Eve in this assured Faith mentioned the LORD Messiah saying her first born sonne Cain was the Man of the LORD 8. In Abel this holy Womans Seed and Lamb of God manifested it self in which Faith he also sacrificed to the Lord and caused his holy praise and Thanksgiving to ascend to God the highest Good and thereupon he was slain by the Serpents seed Cain 9. In Enoch the holy Womans seed manifested it self so powerfully that through and with God in the holy Faith the Mother together with the Holy Birth went Bodily into Heaven 10. In Noah this holy Womans seed and living substantiall word of God manifested it self so powerfully with Teaching Preaching Prophesying Reproving and admonishing to Repent Instructing Comforting and Divine Confirmation in and to the building of the Ark pointing at the Future Deluge which holy womans seed also his Faithfull Parents with living voyce at his Birth testified and said this will Comfort us in our Misery 11. This holy Womans seed in Abraham was witnessed by the high divine Majesty from Heaven it self the most holy Triunity which in the outward form of the Persons of Three Men One LORD caused himself to be manifestly heard saying In this thy seed shall all people be blessed understand those which beleeve in him and suffer him to rule them 12. This holy Womans seed was witnessed also by the Triune God Christ Jesus himself in Isaac In Rebecca was manifested in her womb before the Birth both this Holy Womans and also the Serpents seed in which the unbelief and Serpents seed Esau out of the Saw or Swine of Unbelief 13. Which persecuted the Holy Faiths seed of the holy Woman in Rebecca Jacob and beat and
struck him who afterwards after the birth did himself terribly and damnably persevere and purposed to slay the beloved Jacob. 14. How mightily holily and gloriously this holy Womans seed manifested it self in the beloved Jacob concerning which the Lord Zebaoth himself giveth glorious holy Testimony in so much as he so highly entituled him that he called him Israel a Prince and Ruler with God 15. This should the faithfull Children and Womans seed of the highly praised Triune God united with and in this God further consider of and especially through this holy good divine living working substantial Seed of God CHRIST JESUS apprehend to themselves the living word of God from the least grain of Mustard-seed and least minutest measure and peece even the totall appearing fullnesse of the Deity in and to themselves according to the Testimony of the Holy Scripture 16. To which holy new-birth originall and beginning in the Faithful Hearts no worldly Wit Art skill learning in the Scriptures and getting it without Booke Phylosophicall Logicall Naturall puft up Art can any thing at all in the least attain or performe according to the Testimony of the Scripture 17. Where are the Scripture-Learned or Scribes where are the Worldly wise Men where are the Judges where are the Councellours Hath not God turned the wisdome of the world into Foolishnesse as it appeareth cleerly and manifestly in all the worldly wise in Scripture-Learned Art and Experience though likely many years from their child-hood to their highest age they have in their state and condition taken great pains for worldly Art 18. Yet they must at last be ashamed before this Triune seed of God CHRIST JESUS the living substantial word of God from the least particle to the highest Perfection in all Saints and let go their ART and lament over it saying that it hath not at all profited them to salvation but been totally hurtfull 19. As many of them also before their decease have forgotten this acquired Art and worldly naturall wisdome which they have learnt and have become so foolish and childish and indeed in all Stations and conditions that they alas could not any more preserve and recollect in their memory OVR FATHER which they learnt from their child-hood according to the Letter 20. As then they will apprehend this necessary information according to the Glorious appearing of this holy womans seed according to the measure in all Saints in Joseph Moses Joshuah Rebeccah Samuel David Solomon and all holy honest faithfull people and Prophets of the Old and New Testament in works words and deeds to the totall perfection inwardly and outwardly visible Birth of the Sonne of God born out of the perfect pure Virgin and Genetrix of God MARY even every Elect to the highest praise of God will partake with GOD himself and delight himself therein and will know how to praise the most high Eternally for it with himself Jacob Behme's Answer To this Explanation of this Third Point of the Fourth Text. 1. THis Authour mentioneth concerning the Triune God and Man CHRIST and concerning the Divine Woman or Wife and signifieth that not only all things were created through and for that Triune Man CHRIST but also after the Fall were by his holy Becoming Man or Incarnation and precious Inward Passion and Dying Resurrection and Ascention into Heaven and perfect merit perfectly Delivered 2. All which needeth far another explanation for if I say CHRIST is the Triune God then I speak of no Man or Creature for the Holy Trinity is no Man nor Woman much lesse a Creature 3. Only he hath manifested himselfe through and IN the Humanity and made himself visible in a humane Image but the visible palpable Substance of the Flesh is not the Triune Deity but the Spirit in the power of the Flesh the divine Spirit in the Spirituall the uncreaturely IN the creaturely is GOD. 4. CHRIST so farre as he is called the Triune God according to the Eternall Word in the Name JEHOVA or JESUS so farre as concerns the unmeasurable God is no Man or Creature but the Fullnesse of all things dwelling in himself 5. But according to the Name CHRIST the Deity is visible and this CHRIST viz The Anointed of God penetrateth only or presseth upon the humanity NOT upon ALL Creatures he uniteth himself to NO Creature but Man he hath also with his Incarnation Suffering Dying and Resurrection delivered NO creature but MAN 6. With the Name CHRIST he is become manifest only in the Humanity not in the Earthly or Heavenly Creatures The Earthly and Heavenly Creatures need NO Christ and the Hellish have NONE 7. This Christ it is through whom God who dwelleth in him and hath manifested himself with the Christ who will judge all things and separate the Good from the Evill HE is not manifested in the Creatures that he would deliver them to Eternity and dwell Creaturely in them as he dwelleth in MAN all Creatures of this world except Man go again into that out of which they proceeded in the beginning 8. When I will speak of the Man CHRIST what kind of Threesold God and Man he is then I distinguish the humane Creature which he hath received of us Men and difference it from the Triune Deity the manifested Substance from the power and Omnipotence 9. Not that he is divided but that the Spirit of God is higher then the Substance which he generateth in his Desire in his exhaled Sound for according to Our Substance CHRIST calleth himselfe the Sonne of Man and saith the Father is greater than HEE 10. According to the humanity he hath a given power and according to the Deity he is the Giver himselfe The Man is our Humanity and the Christ is the Anointed of God which God hath manifested out of the Name JEHOVA or JESUS out of the Deep of the wisdome out of the Center of God out of the Great Love and given it to the humane Creature for a Light and Eternall Seed 11. Not that this amiable blessed sweet Love of Christ is the Man but the holy SUN shine in the Great Love-flame in the Man for when I see a holy Christian Man going or standing I do not say there goeth or standeth Christ but I say there goeth or standeth a Christian Man in whom the Sun CHRIST shineth 12. The Person of Adam is not the Christ but the Person of the power of God which dwelleth in the Man Adam according to the Heavenly Part That is Christ 13. As the Sun shineth in the whole outward world and impowereth all and maketh it fruitfull and the world is not the Sun so also the CHRIST shineth as a revealed or Manifested Sun out of JEHOVA or JESUS in the Creaturely humanity of Christ 14. The Name Christ is the revealed or manifested Sun out of the Eternall Name JEHOVA or JESUS JEHOVA is the Eternall Divine SUN in which this great Love-Sun CHRIST as a Heart in the Center of
the Holy Trinity hath been hidden to all Creatures and yet is through the second moving of the Deity as a holy sweet Love-Sun become manifested 15. I must not say that in the Person CHRIST viz in the Man according to his humanity according to that part which he hath on him from us Men from our Body and Soul that is on to the Deity on to the Divine Substantiality or Heavenly Corporeity taken on to him That the Creature is ceased and taken up or that the Creature Soul and Body from us Men is unmeasurable 16. No for such a One is not our Eternall High Priest which I could never more see in the Form of Man for the Men when he went to Heaven said Ye shall SEE this JESUS come again as he is Ascended 17. Only the Deity in him and the Christ understand the divine property together with the Heavenly divine substantiality wherewith he saith John 3. 13. He was come from Heaven THIS is uncreaturely and yet IN every Man as an own Sun yet only in one point which shineth forth out of the fountain of this Sun indeed from no place or space but the place of this holy revelation or Manifestation is in ALL Men the Center of the Originall 18. This SUN is in all Men but this Sun is not revealed or manifested in all Men but only in the Desire to the Point which is CHRIST which point is JESUS out of JEHOVA 19. But concerning the Holy woman or wife which this Authour mentioneth which is holy and PERFECT wherein the Man CHRIST becometh generated needeth also a farre other Explanation 20. And though he sets down the Holy Christianity to be the woman or wife which I blame not yet a Man must not speak that concerning the outward Earthly Man for the Earthly Man is not Christs Spouse or Wife but the inward Spiritual which faded or disappeared in Adam the Heavenly which Christ as viz the Holy SUN vivifieth 21. But this Authours writing is altogether Contradictory and runnes counter against it selfe for here in this Point he writeth of this Spouse or Woman and Body thus which he NOT outwardly prepareth createth and maketh new but in the Inward Center and middle of the Heart from the beginning of the world instantly after the Fall in Grace Love and Mercy yes in the Faith espouseth betrotheth and uniteth to himself and prepareth it for his Eternall Rest In like manner also this holy Man CHRIST JESUS the Innocent Lamb of God yes the Triune highly praised Sonne of God God himself which was slain from the beginning of the world IN all Faithfull and Saints according to the Testimony of the Scripture 22. Before this Authour hath set down in another place that if CHRIST became manifest or revealed in Man then Nature falleth Totally away Now he sets it down that CHRIST in the Inward Center and middle of the Heart hath from the beginning of the world espoused and united himself with the Saints in the Faith which indeed were true if he did not speak it concerning the Man CHRIST but concerning the Promised CHRIST in the Covenant which first in Time fulfilled the Covenant 23. For Not CHRIST the Man who in the Time in the Limit of the Covenant manifested or revealed himselfe was slain in the Holy Patriarchs but the Children of Faith in whom the Covenant became manifested 24. CHRIST hath once given and offered up his holy Life in the sweet Love to his Father into his Anger which was manifested in the Humane Property and with the Love broken the Anger to pieces He hath not dyed in ALL the Saints from Adam to this time and suffered himself to be slain and put to death Only the Children of the Faith of the Covenant have suffered themselves to be put to death according to the MAN of SINNE that the word of Life in the Covenant in them might put on the new promised Life which would manifest it self in the Covenant with the future Sun of the New Life in the Spirit of the Covenant 25. So that when Christ would manifest himself in the Covenant in the Flesh he also in that Covenant which had manifested it selfe in them would be manifested in them with the divine Substantiality viz with Christs heavenly Flesh 26. For even after the Resurrection of Christ when he had assumed the Humanity and slain death it was not CHRIST that dyed any more in his Members in the Christians or was slain but Adam in Christs Death that Christs Spirit in the Soul and the holy Man might Live When Christ becometh born then should the Man of Sinne continually Dye till at last when the Outward body departeth it WHOLLY ceaseth 27. But if Christ the Lamb of God were become slain in the Old Patriarchs then the reconciliation was performed IN them and then it cometh not solely and onely from the Sonne of MARY 28. Abel was NOT the Lamb of God which was slain for Sinne Christ dyed not in Abel but in the BODY which he received from MARY 29. Abel and all the Martyrs dyed as to their own Bodies for the sake of the Covenant which opened it self in them they were slain and dyed as to their sinfull Adamicall Body and not as to the Holy Body which was shut up in the Covenant which Christ when he would manifest himself in the Covenant would manifest it to be an Eternall Life and holy Flesh in which he would dwell and be the power and Life thereof 30. When the Holy Scripture saith CHRIST was slain in the Saints then it understandeth then Members of the Body of CHRIST according to Christs humanity which HE the Christ assumed It understandeth not the Triune God that should suffer it selfe to be slain from the beginning of the world for doubtlesse God cannot dye That which dyeth is only the Body of Christs Members according to the humane Creature and not according to the Spirit of Christ 31. The Spirit of Christ hath therefore manifested it self in the Humanity and slain Death in his assumed Body that the Gates of Life in us should be opened for if I be murthered for the sake of Christs Name and the Testimony thereof then doth not Christ dye in me but Adam dyeth in Christs death and Christ in my dying becometh first rightly manifested 32. My dying is Christs Resurrection in ME for I dye away to the sinfull self-hood or Nothingnesse and live to the Resignation in the Spirit of Christ 33. Therefore this is a voyd and groundlesse thing that this Authour writeth that the Man Christ the Innocent Lamb of God God himself which from the beginning of the world according to the Testimony of the Scripture was slain in all the Saints and faithfull c. 34. The Triune God is not from the beginning of the world slain in his Saints the Scripture saith not so but the Faithfull Men were slain for Christs sake and NOT the Triune Christ IN them
the Name JESUS is the holy divine Life viz the Divine Seed out of the word of the Deity the Womans Seed is his assumed Substance 81. And therefore HE is called the Womans Seed because he is from the woman viz from the heavenly Virginity which faded or disappeared in Adam and as to another part from the outward worlds substance in which the Name JESUS viz Gods seed destroyed or brake in peeces Death and Gods Anger 82. The womans Seed is a totall humane Seed from Soul and Body but it must be rightly understood as to THAT Seed wherein Adam might have generated Magically if his Longing or Lust had not plunged it self into vanity Evill and Good and awakened the Abomination as is before mentioned and here following in the Fourth Point 83. Now if I will in this place speak so highly of the divine Womans Seed then I must distinguish Gods and the Womans Seed and must rightly shew How Gods Seed viz the Name JESUS out of the word of the divine Sound or Life hath united it self with the womans Seed and given up it self into ONE Person which is called CHRIST 84. The Name JESUS is the anointing of the Womans Seed and in the anointing he is called CHRIST the Sonne of God the Seed of the Woman hath a given power and the Seed of the Woman is under or beneath God as the Body is beneath the Soule but the Name JESUS is the Giver 85. This Authour mixeth ALL TOGETHER and that for TWO Causes one is because himself doth not rightly understand it the other because he may advance all humane things and give forth himselfe onely for CHRIST viz for the Divine power and Omniscience and therefore he rejecteth all ART and PRAYER it self and calleth it a Forgotten thing as if it were without power or powerlesse and did not attain that which is Eternall 86. He will needs perswade us that the Womans Seed CHRIST God and Man is according to BOTH Natures totally ONE and that will HE Himself be But the humane Nature continueth indeed Eternally beneath the Diety though it is not devided for all that yet the Substance is not AS the Spirit 87. God with or by creating Man hath not created to himselfe a GOD which is of his own Substance but an Image of a Similitude according to himself viz a Manifestation of his unsearchable divine Substance in which he manifesteth himself to his own Joy of himself and Deeds of WONDER 88. And hath given to Man again to seek and to reveal or manifest the wonders of God in THIS worlds substance to his viz man 's own Joy delight and longing pleasure that God might be praised known and acknowledged in ALL works and Substances or THINGS HEre followeth The Authour Esaiah Stiefel's Fourth Point of the Fourth Text. 1. HItherto hath been Mentioned How Christ the Triune highly praised God and Man the holy Seed the living substantiall powerfull word of God hath appeared according to Measure from the beginning of the world in all the Saints his wife or woman and been manifested in the Eyes and Hearts of the Faithfull 2. Hereupon now it is rightly acknowledged by all the Called Elect truly faithfull Christians that this most holy womans Seed the Eternall Birth of God before all Creatures the Triune highly praised Sonne and living totally substantiall powerfull word of God and most holy Seed of the totall fullnesse of the Triune Deity 3. In the holy body and woman or wife of God the pure chast undefiled Virgin MARY humane Nature yet through and in the FAITH of the New-and re-generated holy pure flesh and bloud in unity hath taken to himself the pure humane Body and Soul to the undivided Eternall union and united it 4. And hath been generated and Manifested in and out of the faithfull Love and Wife or Spouse or Woman of God the Holy Virgin Mary a little infant and visible holy Creature the Sonne of God and Man in ONE Person 5. And as the greatest and least yes the totall fullnesse of the Divine Substance in the kingdome of Heaven from the least to the greatest here upon Earth in the Flesh of the least of all and most despised and unworthy generated in the Holy divine Unity such a Man and little childe which is equally in the Most high highnesse of all the great Triune GOD and LORD 6. This Perfect holy Seed and Word of God in one holy pure undefiled Person God and Man in the union of the woman Body and Soul through the Faith out of God and this his holy Seed regenerated viz the right Bridegroom which hath united and taken to himself the Bride of all faithfull good divine holy Flesh and Bloud in his holy humane Person 7. Concerning which the faithful witnesse John the Baptist and Fore-runner of Christ mentioneth this He that hath the Bride is the Bridegroome 8. In this perfect totall divine totall humane holy substance in one Person hath this Triune God and Man CHRIST JESUS delivered his wife or woman of his Body yes faithfull Body and Soul to and in a Masculine and Feminine Person who from the beginning to the end of the World have put their FAITH and trust in him in this his holy becoming Man or Incarnation from all Sinne Death Devil Hell world and ALL worldly Lust of the Flesh and of the Eye temporal and Eternal Damnation through his holy Passion dying and bloud shedding 9. And through his Innocent Death hath rescued from the Guilty Death and sinfull will and out of the shameful Kingdome of the abominable Satan Thief Lyar and Murtherour and set us in his own kingdome of Glory with himself to the Eternall Endlesse Joy and holy peace out of the Eternal Satanical sadnesse misery anguish necessity disquietnesse hatred envy and enmity of the mischievous Devils yes set us in the Eternal rest and blessednesse or Salvation 10. Now as this Perfect Triune Seed and word of God the totall fullnesse of the Deity in visible union of the Humane yet faithfull Nature a little Infant hath been and appeared which according to the testimony of the Scripture like other faithful Children grew to visible palpable greatnesse and was received to wisdom Age and Grace or favour with God and faithfull Men. 11. Which also the most holy high divine Triune Majesty exalted in and to himself from hours dayes and years in his visible Holy Person Gloriously and also at last here upon Earth visibly through his holy innocent Suffering and Dying Joyful Resurrection and Ascention made PERFECT and himself presented for a perfect Man or Husband of his totall Bride all the faithfull Holy Flesh and Bloud of his totall Church or Congregation in holy undivided Eternall Unity 12. And as he was from the beginning of the world in all Saints his Woman or Wife and faithfull Flesh and Bloud viz a child and Sonne of God of the Faithfull Flesh and Bloud of his womans Seed