the Devill Verse 32 Chap. 5. The Glistering Art in Reason is a hinderance to the Light Verse 32 Chap. 5. Of Reasons blindnesse in knowing what the Earth Stones and Elements are Generated of Verse 79 Chap. 6. This writing is no word of outward Reason Verse 8 Chap. 6. Admonition to blinde Reason to see with inward Eyes Verse 38 Chap. 7. What Reason judgeth concerning the Danger of being overcome by the world Verse 15 Chap. 15. Reason thinketh it will be no otherwise now then in former Times Verse 17 Chap. 15. How Reason walketh wisely in outward Things but the soule is forgotten Verse 23 Chap. 16. How the Devill captivateth us in Reason and deceiveth us by it Verse 30 Rest Chap. 4. In the six Formes there is no Place of Rest The soure Mother is the Rest of the hungry Nature Verse 8 Regenerate Chap. 9. The spirit of the Regenerate soule searcheth through all the Three Principles Verse 41 Rejoyce Chap. 12. They should Rejoyce who are despised for their fearing of God Verse 39 Revelation Chap. 3. The cause why the Revelation hath not hitherto been fundamentally understood is because it hath not been in Mans Ability Verse 39 Riches Chap. 6. What Transitory Riches and what Eternall Riches are Verse 33 Chap. 10. How the Riches of this world are but Drosse and Dung Verse 8 Rule Chap. 17. The Rule of the Spirit of this world and of the Spirit of God Verse 17 Renewing Chap. 18. How in the Renewing of the will the framed Substance is renewed Verse 22 Scriptures Chap. 5. The Authour hath no other knowledge of the Creation then that of the Holy Scriptures Verse 80 Chap. 7. To be able to say all the Holy Scriptures without Booke bringeth no salvation Verse 3 Sea Chap. 5. The Glassie Sea is the Water Spirit Verse 11 Chap. 8. The Cause of the Great Sea Verse 46 Seeker Chap. 4. The Authour judgeth not the blinde Seeker he shall finde his reward Verse 51 Seale Sealed Seales Chap. 3. The Time from the beginning to the End is the seaventh Seale wherein the six Seales accomplish their work where in the Heart of God Men have found Wonders Verse 41 Chap. 3. After the Opening of the seaventh Seale the Archshepheard will feed his sheepe himselfe Verse 80 Chap. 9. The world since the Fall of Adam hath but one Eye but by the seaventh Seale it hath two Eyes Verse 106 Chap. 15. Now is the Time of the Last Seale wherein the hellish wonders come to light Verse 3 Chap. 18. The Starre which hath broken the Seale is appeared Verse 4 Chap. 3. Wherefore God hath Sealed us and left us Blinde Verse 60 Chap. 3. The seaven formes are the seaven Seales of God out of which the powerfull Word is Generated Verse 21 Chap. 3. The Time is that the seaven Seales are broken open Verse 38 Chap. 3. Of the Glassie Sea The six Seales are the Birth of the Eternall Nature Verse 44 Chap. 3. Wherefore the Word of God must enter into the sharpnesse of Death where he brake the seaven Seales in the soule Verse 54 Chap. 3. How any in God have power to Open the seaven Seales in the desirous Minde Verse 68 Chap. 3. The Seales are hidden from the Whore till shee hath devoured her selfe Verse 75 Chap. 4. The Spirit openeth the Seales in the Thoughts He manifesteth the Deity in Nature He is the power of the Brightnesse Verse 82 Chap. 5. The Seales bring their Wonders to Light under the worldly Governments Verse 64 Search Chap. 2. How wee may search aright and finde Verse 4 Seaventh Seaventy two Chap. 9. What the seaventh Number in the Centre is Verse 74 Chap. 9. In the number Seaventy two lyeth the Greatest secret the Originall of Contention Selves Verse 78 Chap. 3. Admonition to consider our selves also of Heaven and the Anger of God Verse 28 Senses Chap. 3. Of the Birth of the kinde Love and of the sixt forme of Nature wherein the five Senses are to be found God maketh the Genetrix Verse 1 Sermons Chap. 18. The Antichrist is a hinderance to the soule with the filling Peoples Eares with Sermons Verse 35. Sex Sexes Chap. 9. By a flaming Iron the two Properties in Male and Female Sex are deciphered Verse 47 Chap. 9. Of the two kindes or Sexes Masculine Feminine Why the Man is the Head Verse 110 Shepheard Shepheards Chap. 13. A Reproofe against the Whore also of a simple Shepheard that shall feed us Verse 44 Chap. 14. The true Catholick way also who is a true Shepheard of Christ Verse 20 Chap. 18. How can a Wolfe make a Shepheard over sheepe Verse 44 Chap. 14. The false Bishops appoint Shepheards according to favour and in respect of their Art Verse 21 Chap. 15. A Speech to the false Shepheards of Christ Verse 20 Chap. 15. A Speech to the Antichristian Shepheards of the New Order Verse 22 Chap. 18. The wayes of the Good and of the Bad Shepheards Signes Verse 43 Chap. 9. How the Twelve Signes part themselves into two Governments Verse 72 Simple Chap. 3. Advice to the simple Holinesse Verse 85 Sinne. Sinner Sinnes Chap. 11. The false soule seeketh after no righteousnesse but onely that it may cover its Sinne. Verse 44 Chap. 11. How the Sinner should have his forgivenesse pronounced Verse 65 Chap. 11. How God forgiveth our sinnes when wee pray to him Verse 55 Chap. 11. How he is mistaken who supposeth he is delivered from his old sinnes when he sinneth anew Verse 58 Snare Snares Chap. 6. Of our snare and the Excellency of Patience Verse 34 Chap. 12. Men should not looke after Pomp and Pride also which are the Snares and Netts of the Devill Verse 40 Chap. 14. The world is full of snares to entangle the poore soule also what that is which hindereth that the Devill doth not devoure every soule Verse 43 Chap. 14. An Exposition of the seaven Coards or snares also an Exposition of what the soule undergoeth in the tryall before it getteth through Sodom Verse 53 Chap. 8. How the Devills purpose concerning Sodom was nullified Verse 47 Sonne Sonnes Chap. 3. Of the Sonne the brightnesse of the Father what proceedeth from it and is created by it Verse 3 Chap. 3. How wee must seeke the Sonne of God in the Manger if wee will finde all Verse 30 Chap. 4. The Sonne is one with the Father also what his sole will is called Verse 71 Chap. 6. Of the two Sonnes the one saying yes the other no. Verse 26 Sophist Sphister Sophisters Chap. 5. The Sophist looketh upon the wisdome of the world but this Author not he mentioneth his Joy in the Wonders of God Verse 1 Chap. 5. Admonition to the Children of God concerning the contention of the Sophisters Verse 70 Chap. 9. A reproofe against the Sophisters slaunderings and blasphemings in the Pulpit Verse 29 Chap. 10. The Author-speaketh to the Sophister and the stubborne Whore that sitteth upon the stoole of Pestilence Verse
the Soule 15. If the Spirit were an Angel the similitude of God yet the will can make it n A wicked man a proud Devill And also make a Devill an o A childe of God Booke of the three Principles cap. 15. v. 64. Angell if it sinke it selfe into Death into humility under the Crosse and cast it selfe into the Spirit of God and so submit to his Government then it sinketh into the Eternity out of the source into the still Nothing which yet is All and so it is in the beginning againe where God created it and the Word Fiat which keepeth the Image of God receiveth it againe The third Power of the Spirit or Will of the Soule 16. And then also thirdly the Spirit of the Soule hath power to enter into another Man into his Marrow and bones viz. into the Sulphur and to bring the Turbi into him if he be p Or wicked false so farre as every one is not armed with the Spirit of God but is found naked in the Spirit of this world as may be seen by q Or the bewitching whores Witches The fourth Power of the Will of the Soule 17. And fourthly it hath such power if it be the childe of God that it can lead the Turba captive and can powre it out upon the house of the wicked as Elias did the Fire and Moses before Pharaoh for it can throw downe Mountaines and breake Rocks 18. This you must understand to be so farre as that thing is r Or lâ—able to the Turba capable of the Turba by awakening the wrath then it is possible but if not and that the Spirit of God be in a thing then it cannot be for it would powre water upon the Turba of the Fire which would then be as it were dead and its power would lie in Derision 19. And therefore Heaven is a Middle between God and Hell viz. between Love and Anger and was created out of the midst of the waters so that the Devill cannot rule with his Turba the water turneth his purpose into derision as the false Magick and blinding Inchantment are Å¿ Or nullified drowned in the water The fift Power of the Will or Spirit of the Soule 20. And fiftly the Spirit of the Soule hath such power that it may and can seeke all Wonders that are in Nature viz. All Arts Languages buildings plantings Destruction knowledge It can command the starry Heaven as Joshua when he commanded the t Josh 10.12 Sunne and it stood still and Moses the Sea and it stood up also he commanded the Darknesse and it came it can make an Earthly Life as Moses made the Lice and Frogs also Serpents and other u Or Wonders Wonders 21. It hath Death in its power so that it can over-power that if it ride in the x The will of the Holy Ghost Chariot of the Bride It can bridle and overcome the Devill if y Viz. will or Spirit of the soule it be in God there is nothing can be named that it cannot subdue 22. Onely you must understand the soule hath such a power from its Originall and it had still had ability to z Or give or afford send forth such a Spirit out of it selfe if it had not let in the a Turba Magna Great Turba into it selfe which now giveth it the Rest 23. Unlesse the Holy Ghost ride upon its Chariot as it did in Moses and Elias and in all the Prophets also in Christ and his Disciples and alwayes still in the Holy Children of God they all have this Power Note the soule must now seek this power in Jesus Christ they can raise the Dead and heale the sick also drive away all Diseases it is Naturall the Spirit onely reigneth therewith over the Turba 24. But it hath this for an objection that the soule knoweth well whether it hath made any compact with the Devill and whether he hath any thing to doe with it it will not goe naked except the Spirit of God drive it and except it have him for a shield lest the subtilty of the Devill insinuate it selfe 25. It doth no b Or Miracles Wonder except the Spirit of God c Or awaken it stirre it up it attributeth the power to God and giveth him the Glory it doth as an humble Childe and standeth still under the Crosse and letteth the Devill goe rushing away over it but it sprouteth forth in humility and meeknesse through Death into Eternall Life and bringeth forth much fruit in Patience 26. And so the Devill can doe nothing to it it is as it were dead d Or before to him he may keep a racket with his Turba in the Earthly Life with his helpers die wicked men this he hath but as a scorne in the sight of God for he is a proud Spirit and would be above the Wonders of God but an humility can e Or subdue binde him 27. After this manner every man may escape the false f Or Magus Magician and also the Negromancer for no Power can touch him in whom God dwelleth and as Christ in his Death overcame Death and the Devill so also can we in Christ for the Word which became man dwelleth in us and in the Word we can reigne over the Devill and Hell nothing can hinder us 28. And thus we give you for an Answer to this Question that the soule in its Originall is greatly powerfull it can doe much but its power is onely in that Principle wherein it is for the Devill cannot reigne over God 29. It s power is not given to it as a King giveth favour and power to a man but it consisteth in a Naturall Right therefore we are Children of the g Or Allmightinesse Omnipotence of God and inherit his Goods in the Omnipotence The seventh Question Whether is the Soule Corporeall or not Corporeall 1. THat thing which comes from no beginning hath also nothing But if it be somewhat then it seeketh its beginning in it selfe for every Spirit dwelleth in the deepest Abysse of its h Or Being Enence and if it must make the Essence to it selfe then it can dwell in nothing that is strange to it but in it selfe in its owne Essence 2. When God created the Soule then the Holy Ghost i Or encompassed cloathed it with the Tincture for one part of the soule consisted in the Tincture it was k Or without a body naked of it selfe as the glowing Fire is l Or Source naked and is cloathed when it hath the Tincture 3. But you understand that the growing proceedeth from the warmth that is the driver forth of the Tincture it driveth the twig out of its roote viz. out of its owne Fire be it cold or hot fire 4. For Darkenesse hath the cold fire so long till it attaineth the Anguish and then it kindleth it selfe in the heat as you see in an Hearb if it
the Fathers Nature which bring their Wonders in us to the Light 49. For wee are the n Expresse Image Similitude Resemblance Pourtraiture or Type Representation of the Deity in which the Spirit of God openeth his Wonders and be you rightly informed God the Father hath begotten us againe in Christ that wee should with our Imaginations enter againe into the Word viz. into the Centre of the light flaming Heart that the Holy Ghost might proceed from us againe with power and o Miracles workes of Wonder as may be seene by the Apostles of Christ 50. But since wee have suffered our selves to be held by the seaven fierce Spirits of the Fathers Nature out of his Centre and are not with our Immanuel gone forth from our own reason and knowledge and pressed in to the life of Christ that the Word in us might p Be incarnate become Man therefore also all the six Spirits of the wrathfull Nature have shewen their Might and Wonders in us and have let us gpe astray in Babel so that wee have not walked in the Love of the Word in the Life of Christ but after our own Inventions in a forged hypocriticall seeming holy conceit about the Will of God and have not walked in the Spirit of Christ but in Pride 51. And because the Seekers in the Fathers Nature have found out Arts therefore they have troden simple Humility under-foote and because in their own Inventions they have departed from the Heart of God and so have erected an Earthly Kingdome for their voluptuousnesse therefore all the six Spirits of Wrath have justly produced their effect upon them 52. For though the Heart of God hath sounded a Trumpet with a Spirit out of its Centre and called upon people to Repent yet they had alwayes rather take delight in their tender flesh and delicate life and had rather follow the Devill who hath alwayes from the Anger of God sounded a Trumpet contrary to it viz. contray to Repentance and hath stirred up Warres and bloudshedding of which the Revelation testifieth in a Figure And the Spirit of God hath therefore declared the Revelation as a cleere Glasse 53. And mark what the Angel said Seale what the Seaven Thunders have spoken The voices of the seaven Thunders out of the sterne Essences would be well enough hidden from us if we did not q Or employ our thoughts purposes and endeavours in the same things put our Imagination into them and open them in us for in the Centre of the Sonne in the Meeke Love they are not manifested or revealed 54. But being the Word or Heart of God is r Or Incarnate become Man and that in him it hath assumed a humane soule to bring us againe out of the wrathfull Nature into the Glassie Sea viz. into the Angelicall world to the wonders of the seaven Golden Candlesticks and because wee yet lay hidden in the seaven Seales of the Father therefore the Å¿ Verbum Dei Word of God with it s assumed humanity must enter againe into the sterne Matrix into the sharpnesse of Death and of the Anger And there the Man Christ hath broken the seaven Seales in the soule of Man 55. For the t Verbum Dei Word of God or the Heart of God which became Man and the humane soule which out of the seaven Spirits of God was breathed into Man from the Spirit Mercurius that is the Spirit of the seaven Seales which in the Word is called the Holy Ghost and yet from the Centre of the Father is called the Spirit Mercurius viz. out of the sharp Essences out of the fiery wheele as is mentioned before but in the Out-birth of the Father through the Meeknesse of the Love in the Word in this world viz. in the third Centre is called Aire hath broken the fierce might in the Centre of the soule 56. For when the soule of Adam went forth out of the Word and entred into the Third Centre viz. into the Spirit of this world then the Centre of the soule was Eternally Sealed up in the Matrix of the Wrath in the seaven Formes of the wrathfull Nature of the Father and there was none in heaven in the Glasse Sea nor in this world that was able to breake open these seaven Seales there was nothing else in the soule but the Eternall Death in the horrible Anguish and in the Darknesse 57. And there the Mercy or Barmhertzigkeit brake forth out of the Heart of the Father and entred into the humane soule and brake the seaven Seales of the fierce wrath and kindled the Light which over-cometh the Death and the Anger in the soule 58. Not that the soule was rent out from the Fathers Essences as if it were no more in the seaven Spirits of Nature no that cannot be all standeth in the seaven Spirits of the Fathers Nature yea even the Heart of God it selfe standeth therein onely the seales of Death in the fierce wrath are broke open by the Light of the Heart of God in the Centre of the humane soule 59. For which wee thank God the Father in Christ Jesus who became Man and Regenerated us in him to the Light and Redeemed us from the fierce wrathfull source or torment in the zeale of the Anger in Eternity 60. But because wee Men did not u Accept or embrace acknowledge such great grace and light neither did esteeme it but were pleased with the flesh of Adam and the best of this world and though indeed wee saw that God in the Man Christ as also in his Disciples and in all those that earnestly clave to him in the New Regeneration did great Wonders and Miracles yet wee our selves put away our Candlestick and lived in hypocrisie and in our own seeming holinesse and in tyranny and persecuted Christ therefore he left us also sealed up so that wee knew his Light no more but wee sought out for our selves wayes to God and would by our own contrived opinions come to God The Kingdome of this world was x Pleased us better more acceptable to us then the Kingdome of God wee practiced before him nothing bnt hypocrisie and our heart was far from him Therefore wee must also in the Nature of the Father remaine under the seales till the Spirit Mercurius that is the wrachfull spirit in the Anger of God according to which God calleth himselfe a Consuming Fire hath manifested all its Wonders in us 61. And the Revelation sheweth very cleerly how the Spirit Mercurius hath opened one Seale after anoâ—her and hath powred forth all plagues and abominations y Vpon or amongst us in us and hath brought forth meere contention warres and malice meere cunning crafty subtilty deceit and falshood with wonders and powers in us as indeed he very finely pourtrayeth us as an abominable Beast like a Dragon with seaven Heads and ten Hornes and upon his Hornes ten Crownes and our formall demure z Clergy Ministry or
it selfe and yet there it is not rightly called the Liberty though it be the Liberty but it standeth in the sharpnesse of the Anguish and is called Fire where the desiring then can goe no higher but must be stifled in it selfe and must sink down into the source 14. And the sharpnesse of the flash of the fire in the Liberty of the sharpnesse holdeth its right like a still source or property standing in the sharpnesse of the Liberty and the sinking of the Anguish is as it were a Death out of which the Life is generated which Death affordeth a Ponderosity weight for it is being compared with the fire of the Liberty like a sinking downe in it selfe and in its sinking the Anguish becometh materiall so that in that Death the whole forme of the source or property may be found as I may say palpably or b Or feelingly sensibly and the sensibility is the Corporiety of the Darknesse and the fire of the Liberty in the fierce flash is its Spirit and Life 15. And hereby you are advised to enter into your selves and you may see that the fire causeth the feeling or sensibility in the sharpnesse of the dead Corporeity for without fire there is no body that hath any sensibility or feeling as you may see by the Earth and Stones 16. Now therefore it is here further declared to you that the body or substantiality is not so dead a thing that it is altogether uselesse and fit for nothing for the stifling driveth its property or source downwards and affordeth weight and the fire driveth upwards and giveth Spirit Life and Mobility And now between these two in the midst is the Centre of the desiring Anguish which is a cause of that which is uppermost that is the fire and also of that which is nethermost that is the substantiality and if the Centre cannot get upwards nor downwards and yet driveth with its desiring then it driveth forth sidewayes and the whole forme or figure of it is as a Growing Tree for it appeareth in the Centre like a c ✚ Crosse out of which the Essences of the desiring spring forth like a Tree or Sprout as I may so say and yet is not a Sprout but like a driving forth in it selfe like a kindling in the dead d Or Substantiality Essentialitie 17. And hereby wee give you earnestly to understand that the source or property in the Centre out of which the fire goeth forth upwards in the Essentiality and where the Death sinketh downwards and the Essences sidewayes generateth another Will which hath a desire to put the Death as also the fire in the sharpnesse with the Essences of the Will into the Liberty and the Will attaineth the Liberty in the fire and maketh the fire shine bright and maketh the Joy and this second or re-comprehended Will is called the Tincture 18. For it is a glance or splendour in the darknesse and hath the power of life and sprouteth through the Death of the Essentiality and quieteth the Anguish yet it hath no Essences in it selfe but it is the Ornament and vertue of the Essences it is the joy and habitation of the Life it cannot depart from the anxious or painfull sharpnesse and yet the sharpnesse retaineth it not for it is free and a blossome of Lâ—fe it is not soft nor sweet but it is like burning Brimstone where the fire attaineth a Glance which otherwise in the Centre in the Anguish is black and dark 19. Thus wee distinguish to you the substance in the darknesse and though wee are very hard to be understood by you and though also little beliefe may be afforded to it yet wee have a very convincing proofe of it not onely in the created e Gesternte Constellation or firmament aliter Geisterne Spirits Heaven but also in the Centre of the Earth as also in the whole Principle of this world which would be too long to set down here but wee will discusse and set down a few things to open the understanding of the Reader 20. Consider the Centre of the Earth which God hath created by his Word even out of the Centre of the Deepe Eternity out of the Darknesse out of the Centre of the desirous Will but not out of any severall Place but out of the space and Depth so farre as the Word hath yeelded it selfe unto the f Receptacle or devourer Ether there hath the Centre been every where and is so now and remaineth so in Eternity for it hath been so from Eternity 21. And this is the beginning that the Word hath created or conceived a Will in the Darknesse to manifest the Darknesse with all its formes of the Wonders of God the Father in his Nature which he generateth in his Eternall Will and wee demonstrate it to you thus Behold the Earth Stones and Metalls which are all of them as it were dead and afford weight and also they are dark opaca and yet have in them the light viz. the Noble Tincture which is their light and life wherein the Oare or Minerall stone doth grow in which the Tincture is strong 22. Thus you see also how the Brimstony Fire is the Overcomer of Nature in which the Tincture doth exist and so through the Death of Nature springeth up in Stones and Metalls and in Nature bringeth forth the substantiality of the shining and glance or brightnesse which may be seene in gold silver and all glistering Metalls Wherein also wee g Or finde see the poysonous anguish of the Darknesse as also the soure death of the Darknesse and the strong matter of h Mixture or Copulation Conjunction as they understand who worke and deale therein 23. Also wee see how the Tincture can bring that which is lowest in the Death to its highest Ornament or Glory viz. an inferiour Metall into Gold and all that in respect of the great power of the Eternity And therefore also the Tincture is hidden from the Alchimists because it is originally out of the Eternity and they seeke only that which is Earthly if they did rightly seeke they should well finde it as wee have found in the Spirit 24. But wee have yet a greater knowledge of this in the many materialls or kindes of Earth which wee know to be created out of the Eternall Essences as an Out birth and so are in substance as an Image of the Essences where wee may see the i Or changing altering of the Will in the Essences and the Great Wonders of the Omnipotency of God 25. For all things which are come to an Essence proceeded out of the Eternall Genetrix not at severall times but all at once yet stood or were manifested in severall times in the forming of the Essence or Substance in the wrestling of the Centre in the Figure and were seene by the Heart of God in the Light which at length created it where the Time took its beginning 26. For the Deity hath
and the blossome of the Noble Tincture springeth up upon the Crosse as is mentioned before and the blossom of the life in the Tincture as a pleasing fire springeth up like a sprout and the skreek sinketh downe as a faintnesse and weaknesse thougn there is no parting asunder but the formes of the Divine Nature are in such a manner and that sinking downe is as a joy and is not the spirit in the six Formes which are incomprehensible for the sinking is comprehensible by the spirit and the r Or habitation Joy hath all the formes of the Spirit and is the food and satiating of the Spirit for it hath its originall out of the soure Matrix and so every life eateth of its own Matrix or Mother 23. And although wee have no tongue here that can according to our outward Language bring these hidden Mysteries to the understanding yet wee speake as a Childe of its Mother For the Mother hath taken up our minde and our sense sinketh downe into her boosom where then wee see in the light and know our Mother and speake thus of our Mothers house and of her food which wee live upon 24. And though wee cannot well speake the Language yet wee know it in the sense very well and the cause why wee have not that Language is because according to the outward Man wee are altogether a stranger in our Mothers house for the outward man doth not belong to that house and therefore it hath not the Mothers Tongue or Language but speaketh with the sense of the inward Man which reacheth to the Mother 25. Therefore heere wee shall be as it were dumb to those which are not borne of God for according to the outward Man wee are in this world and according to the inward Man wee are in God therefore the sense of the minde speaketh of the Kingdome of Heaven and the outward Spirit which is generated from the Principle of this world speaketh u Or from of this world and the inward Spirit borne of God speaketh u Or from of the Inward World 26. Since then wee are generated out of both worlds therefore wee speake in two Languages and so wee must be understood also by two Languages one whereof will despise this work and the other will highly beleeve and love it for every spirit taketh its own the Spider poyson the Bee honey the corrupt Adam in Ismaell loveth scorning the true Man in Christ with Isaack loveth obedience 27. But seeing we are with our soule in this world in a strange lodging and yet wee certainly know that wee must travaile either into Heaven to God or into Hell to the Devill and since wee like not the Devill wee should doe well to seeke after the Kingdome of Heaven and to cast our minde and thoughts upon it for thereby wee gaine the precious Crowne of Pearles instead of the Crowne of this world which the Devill hath set upon us through sinne wherewith we goe about in this world with brave shewes in hypocrisie in high-mindednesse and in our own authority and power and therefore wee will let them goe and speake of our Mothers Crowne in our Native Countrey 28. Wee have sufficient understanding of it if wee know our selves aright and wee finde it in our body and soule as also in the forme and shape of the body but especially in the Minde but the Spirit of this world knoweth not it selfe except another light shine in it wherein the minde can see and know it selfe 29. For the Spirit borne of God which goeth forth from God in the Divine sense or understanding openeth to the minde the understanding and knowledge so that man seeth himselfe in the Bands of this world yet he seeth not his Glory but he looketh in Ternarium Sanctum into the Holy Ternary into the Angelicall world which he laboureth for with great longing and there is a continuall restlesnesse in him 30. For he is attracted by two viz. by the Spirit of God and by the Devill in whose bands also he is tied according to the outward sinful Man and his Centre standeth directly upon the Crosse and he is in this world like a Balance whereof one part goeth suddenly up and then suddenly downe againe and wee are here onely in a valley of misery anguish and perplexity 31. Now seeing God is so neere us yea in our selves therefore let us seeke him and if we would finde him wee must turne away from this world and become like a little Infant that is without understanding which onely hangeth to the brests of its Mother and wee must be new borne in God with our minde and thoughts or else wee cannot see him and Christ himselfe teacheth us the same saying that his light shineth in us 32. Wee must wholly reject our own Reason and not regard the dissembling flattering Art of this world it is not availeable to helpe us to that Light but it is a meere leading astray and keeping of us back 33. This wee intimate to the Reader that he may know what it is which he readeth it is not the writing of a Man of understanding but of a Childe as a childe newly borne from the Mother is a stranger to this world and hath no understanding of it 34. Therefore wee speake of our Child-like Birth in God for our beginning is upon the Crosse wee are created upon the Crosse as to our soule therefore the Body also is a Crosse and the Centre viz. the Heart is in the midst of the Crosse and wee are with Adam gone forth from the Image of the Crosse into the Image of the Serpent But the Sonne of the Virgin hath regenerated us againe on the Crosse to a Heavenly Image 35. Therefore wee will speake what wee see and know in the Ground and not be silent for a Crosse-birth keepeth its Centre in Ternario sancto in the Holy Ternary understand it right in the holy number Three but not in the Majesty which is without Essence but in the distinction of the Trinity where the Deity is called Father Sonne and Holy Spirit where the two Principles part the Holy and the Wrathfull and there it is that the flash maketh a Crosse and upon the Crosse the Heart of God is generated from Eternity to Eternity and standeth as a Heart in the body or as God the Fathers word in his Centre and so maketh another Centre in it selfe as the Light maketh another Centre then the Fire and yet they are not parted asunder For it entereth into it selfe into the Light of the Liberty of the Father 36. Therefore it is the Heart of God for it is the power of the Majesty and affordeth the x Glance or Brightnesse Lustre power and glory of the Majesty 37. Out of this Word the Father speaketh forth his Spirit as the fire sendeth forth the Aire through the Light which Spirit goeth forth from the Word into the meeknesse of the Word and bringeth with him
the simplicity of this hand 71. For if wee will enter into the Kingdome of Heaven we must be children and not cunning and wise in the understanding of this world wee must depart from our own Reason and enter into obedience to our Eternall first Mother and so wee shall receive the spirit and life of our Mother and then also wee shall know her habitation 72. No wit of our own attaineth the Crowne of the mystery of God it is indeed revealed in the Scriptures of the Saints but the Spirit of this world apprehendeth it not Herein no Doctors though they have studied never so much have any ability in their own wit to attaine the Crowne of Gods secret Mysteries 73. There is none can in his own power apprehend any thing of the Depths of God and teach it to another but they are all children and Schollers in their A. B. C. And though wee write and speake highly thereof yet the understanding is not our own but the Spirit 's of the Mother which speaketh out of its children what it will it revealeth it selfe in a Divers wayes and manners many formes in one otherwise then in another for its wondrous wisdome a Deepe without number and you ought not to marvell that the children of God have not one b The same termes of Expression manner of speech and word for every one speaketh out of the wisdome of the Mother whose number is without ground and infinite 74. But the limit is the Heart of God they all runne thither and that is the Triall or Touchstone whereby you shall know whether the Spirit speaketh from God or from the Devill for the Devill hath also his Matrix and his children therein who also speake out of the spirit of their Mother 75. Here behold the flattering Hypocrites the proud vaine glorious Boasters who account themselves Masters and sufficient able expounders of the Scriptures of the Saints who say wee have studied in the mysteries of the Scriptures of the Saints and we understand them sufficiently and moreover wee have studied and taken our degrees in the University and can make conclusions and determine thus wee will beleeve thus wee will have the Scripture to be understood and Decree strict Lawes and severe punishment against those that will not stick to their Lawes which they execute under the shelter and protection of a worldly power 76. Is not this lifting of himselfe in his own lust and glory above God as the Prophet Daniel speaketh concerning the hypocriticall Antichrist Take heed of those yee Children of God they speake from themselves and not from the Spirit of God they have not the Childrens filiall spirit of humilitie in obedience and love towards their Mother much lesse towards her children They devoure the Childrens Bread and get the in living with deceit 77. They are the true murtherers and Wolves who in their conceived Opinions and proud Conceits stirre up Warres and bloud-shedding and set up all manner of wickednesse and abominations they are the great proud Whore of Babel who ride in the Hearts of Princes through them is powred out the vialls of the wrath of God and yet they call themselves the Lambs and sheepe of Christ 78. O yee Wolves where is your c The Garment of our Mothers childe childes Garment if you have sufficiently learnt the hidden Mysteries of God you are no children and Schollers that goe to Schoole but if you have then live in the Wonders of the Mother in her humility and purity in Gods works of wonder and wee will beleeve you Put off your proud Robe and Gowne and receive us poore A. B. C. Schollers into the Boosome of our Mother and teach us d The Language of our Mother our Mother Tongue and then wee shall live together in unity as Brethren But what shall they say of you The Spirit of the Mother declareth concerning you that you are the proud Whore of Babel riding upon the Dragon in the Revelation of Jesus Christ there is your looking Glasse The Gates of this World Also concerning the Language of Nature 79. Reason alwayes asketh out of what is the Earth and Stones also the Elements and e Or Constellations Starres generated wee cannot know this in the Reason and Art of this world neither can the Bookes of the Doctors teach it wee know it onely in our Deare Mother wee see it in the Light of the Mother but in this world wee are blinde concerning it neither can wee learne it of any body 80. The Writings of the Saints and the Children of God tell us That God created the World by his Wisdome and by the Spirit of his Mouth and it is so neither have wee any other knowledge then that God hath revealed himselfe in his wisdome 81. But this world is not his wisdome but it is a Figure come out of his wisdome it hath not the wisdome of God palpably but the f Or Works Wonders of the Wisdome and this world is onely a similitude of the Deity according to Love and Anger in Nature and g Extra Naturam without Nature 82. For behold the h Starry Sphere Wheele of the Starres and the seaven Planets and also the foure Elements i △ Fire k 🜠Aire l 🜄 Water and m 🜃 Earth and then you shall finde the ground that it is all really an out-birth out of the Eternall Nature where the Deity hath revealed it selfe comprehensibly or palpably 83. For the Spirit of God hath discovered the Image of God in the Virgin of his wisdome and the Verbum Fiat hath created it The Forme of this world was from Eternity in the Nature of God but invisible and immateriall 84. * Note Concerning the Language of Nature Then saith Reason What was Gods Creating The word Schuff which signifieth Created hath it in its own meaning according to the Language of Nature and if you would understand that Language observe in your minde how each word from the heart is framed in the mouth and what the Mouth and the Tongue do with it before the Spirit sendeth it forth 85. If you did apprehend this you should understand every thing in its Name why each thing is called as it is it would be thus understood in the Language of every Nation every one in their own Mother-Tongue And in this place lyeth the heavy Fall of Adam in which wee lost what wee had in the state of Innocency but in the Regeneration of Jesus Christ according to the Inward Man wee have attained it againe 86. You must have the understanding of the Three Principles for the attaining of the Language of Nature for there are Three of them that n Or Frame the Word as in an Image forme the Word viz. Soule Spirit and Body Behold and observe whether it be so or no as I tell you concerning the Language of Nature Try and consider of it not onely in the word o
and drawne up and downe as a poore captive Creature from one filthy puddle into another and the Devill rouleth it presently in this mire and presently in that mire againe and so it is like a filthy Ragge all mire and dirt all Starres dart their Poyson l Or in into the Body and defile the poore soule it must endure to be defiled by the Beasts for the body feedeth upon the flesh of Beasts wherewith the poore soule is m As with a Body of flesh cladde Doest thou know why God did forbid the Jewes to eate of some sort of Flesh * Aliter and commanded them to burne their fat and consider the smell of it Kindle their fatt and consider their property and thou shalt discerne it 20. The poore soule is a kindled fire and so when such a property cometh into the soule doest thou suppose that God will dwell therein and therefore Christ taught us saying Be sober and temperate in eating and drinking watch and pray for your adversary the Devill goeth about like a roaring Lyon and seeketh whom he may devoure 21. Thus you see how wee stand in a Threefold Life the soule standeth upon the Abysse between two Principles is tyed to them both and the body meerly in the spirit of this world and therefore that seeketh onely after eating and drinking power and honour for it belongeth to the Earth and careth little for the poore soule which cometh out of the Eternity and belongeth to the Eternity 22. Therefore wee ought to tame the Body and not give way to it but to dampe or kill its desire and not n Fill it or pamper it satisfie it when it pleaseth but for necessity onely that it may not grow wanton and invite the Devill to lodge in it 23. The poore soule must watch and pray and o Resigne its will to God in well-doing continually put its will into Gods will it must not give way to the body in any thing except it have yeelded it selfe to God first the soule must not please it selfe at all in its own power but cast it selfe meerly upon God as being it selfe weake and able to doe nothing though it be strong and so continually goe out from it selfe from its naturall will and so fall into the will of God and then the Devill cannot meddle with it 24. Indeed it is irksom and troublesom to the Body to be broken of its will but that 's no matter Eternity is very long the body hath but a short time of continuance and then it returneth to its Mother the Earth and you know not in what moment Death will come when the body must be gone into its Mother and then it lets the poore soule goe whither it can it is a very p Slippery untrusty unconstant Neighbour to the soule A True Open Gate Shewing How a Man may seeke and finde himselfe From whence he hath his beginning and what he shall be in the End 25. Behold O Man and Consider thy selfe what thou art from thy beginning and what thou shalt be againe in the End and then thou wilt certainly finde what home thou art in in what lodging thou lyest captive and thou wilt finde that thou art both a Man and also a Beast thou wilt well see the heavy Fall if there be but a spark of Gods light in thee 26. For no Beast is able to apprehend it because a Beast hath its Originall onely from the Life of this world and therefore wee know that here is another manner of Life in us in that wee know the Ground of this world 27. For if wee were only from the Clay and Earth of this world wee should be but Clay and Earth like a Beast which hath no understanding wee should not be able to know the ground of this world For a Pot knoweth not the Potter nor doth a piece of work know its workmaster and so a Beast knoweth not its Master it hath no desire after him for it knoweth nothing of him 28. The desire of a Beast is onely to fill its Belly to nourish and multiply it selfe as the Centre of Nature in it selfe is such a desire and hath no understanding of any higher thing for it hath its own spirit whereby it liveth and groweth and then againe consumeth it selfe and doth it as well at one time as at another for such a thing is the Band of Eternity which is called Nature 29. But we that are Men have a higher apprehension and knowledge for wee can see into the heart of every thing and see what manner of thing it is and what property it hath So also wee have quite another longing and desire after another thing and life which is not q Or animale beastiall nor Transitory nor desireth any Elementary Earthly food 30. Thereby wee know that every life desireth its own Mother whence it hath its Originall and wherein it subsisteth as also wee must understand that every life desireth the best thing that is in its Centre viz. the Heart or Oyle wherein the fire burneth and wherein the life is opened that it is Living 31. For every living life is a fire and yet the proper source of the Fire is not the right life but the Tincture which proceedeth from the Fire is a pleasant Joy and it is the Liberty Nature which is the right life For Nature standeth in great Anguish and reacheth with a strong desire after the Liberty till it attaine it and so Nature is a sharpnesse in the Liberty and desireth continually to swallow it up into it selfe that it might come totally to be the Liberty and cannot but the more eager it is and raised up after the Liberty the greater is the Tincture of the Liberty 32. Thus Nature continueth to be a Fire and the Liberty continueth to be a Light what the Tincture buildeth up the fire devoureth for the Tincture maketh Substantiality its Centre is meek and is a sinking downe of humility as the fire is a rising up of Pride 33. But as the Light viz. the Tincture maketh substantiality in its sinking downe so that there is in the Light a substance like water and yet is no water but such a spirit and property so the fire swalloweth up the same Substantiality into it selfe and therewith quencheth its wrath and ascendeth in the Substantiality and burneth like r Oyle set on fire kindled Oyle and this is the right Naturall life of all Creatures and is called the Tincture 34. But this life is Å¿ Transitory Corruptible fragile and consisteth onely in foure formes viz. in Fire Aire Water and in Substantiality or Earth which is its Body And wee shew you this one thing more in this Tincture-Life as you see naturally that out of every fire there goeth forth a source or vertue viz. Aire which is after this manner when the fire strongly attracteth and swalloweth the Substantiality into it selfe then the Substantiality flieth strongly againe out
stuck into the soule and did leade the poore soule out of Death and out of Hell n In by or through in himselfe 68. And heere wee see that after the Word did become Man that Man suffered himselfe to be hanged on the Crosse and entred into Death on the Crosse understand heere the New Living Man borne of God went into the Abysse and brake Death in the soule and opened the Centre of the soule Hee brake all the seaven Seales of the Centre of Nature so that the soule came to have its owne power againe for he kindled the Divine fire in the soule againe so that the soule did againe reach the Eternall Tincture out of its own fire 69. And thus it came againe into its first Mother in power and Majesty and the Old Adam hung to the Crosse as Curse to the scorne of all Devills there they might doe so far as they could with it as indeed they were busie with the Sophisters and Antichrists the Pharisees 70. There the Devills ran with other suttlety and Tricks into o Corners and secret places holes and did hide cover and conceale the Resurrection through the Ministers of the Dragon the Pharisees which yet pretend to be the Ministers of God but they served the Devill in his lyes as is done now adayes where the Death and power of Christ is closed up and denyed 71. This hanging on the Crosse is nothing else but that as the soule hath its originall upon the Crosse in the Centre of Nature out of the Word of the Lord ex verbo Domini where the Name of the Number Three standeth There hath the Word of the Father moved it selfe and is entred into the Humanity as is heeretofore mentioned concerning the Virgin and is become Man on the Crosse in the Eternall and in the Earthly Virgin and hath been made a spectacle on the Crosse to the Old Adamicall Man and all Devills and their lofty Pride and hath slaine Death on the Crosse and thereby broken through it and so brought the Adamicall Man with flesh and bloud as a spectacle into Death and hath cast away from him all Earthlinesse and brought him powerfully through Death into Life 72. Thus he is new Borne in God and sitteth upon the Rainbow on the Substantiality and Colours of the Eternity in the power of the Majesty and is a Lord of Heaven and of this world and a Judge of Hell and a p Or Power Conquest over Death 73. Of this you have a true Gound yee that are Regenerated in Christ that as Christ brought his body both the Heavenly and the Earthly which he received in his Mother Mary out from Death againe and did cast away from him nothing else but the Earthly source or property viz. the Spirit of this outward world 74. So also must our Bodies in the power of the soules that are in him that is in his Word and Heart which is every where come forth againe at the Last Judgement Day and cast away no more from it but this source and spirit of the outward World for none rise againe in the entire corrupt Body but in the flesh and bloud of Christ 75. But the corrupted Spirit which remaineth in the Earthly Matrix in its Tincture must appeare before the Judgement of God at the End of Dayes and there shall the sentence and Judgement of the Judge Christ be pronounced and then after the pronouncing all goeth into the q Receptacle or Devourer Ether and then the Spirit of God which Created the World will execute that sentence 76. But that I may not meete with false Interpretours that may mistake his Text as the Spirit sheweth mee therefore you must know that when the soule is Borne anew in the Word and in the Spirit of Christ in this life Time then also the first Substantiality viz. the inward Body of the soule which Adam had in Paradise out of the Eternall Virgin wherein he was created Man becometh new borne and getteth the flesh of Christ 77. This new Body in which the New Regenerate soule sticketh sticketh in the old corrupt flesh and is incomprehensible and immortall But the Old Man which is conceived from the Spirit of this World must perish in the Earth it goeth into its Mother who must bring it fortb and present it at the Last Judgement day but after the Sentence of Christ it goeth into the Ether and is only as a Figure r For or before to the Eternall New Man for in that Figure all a Mans works follow him 78. So also they that be alive at the houre of the last Judgement the Old man will fall away from them with the perishing of the World and passe into the Ether For all the Bodies of the wicked shall be presented there in the Mother viz. in the Spirit of this world and the soules shall heare the Sentence and their Bodies also passe away with the Mother and stand as a Figure and their Works follow them into the Abysse The Ninth Chapter Concerning the Threefold Life Also of the Å¿ Driving or Impulsion Inclination and whole Government of Man in this World Highly to be Considered 1. IT is shewen to mee what the Devills intention is how he will endeavour to smother these High and precious Writings therefore be watchfull yee children of God beleeve not the Sophisters too much who cry out Heretick Heretick to the fire with them That is not the voyce of the Holy Ghost but the voyce of the Antichrist and of the Dragon for these Writings will exceedingly discover the Devills smoaking Pit and not onely so but they shew also the Whore of Babell very plainly like a whore t Am Pranger put to open shame 2. But because the Men of the Spirit of this world take care only for their Belly and are loath to loose their honour credit reputation and Goods but had rather part with God and the Kingdome of Heaven wee shall be persecuted by the Whore through the Instigation of the Devill therefore be watchfull yee children of God and looke not upon that which is high and hath great authority but regard the wellfare of your soules This wee leave you for the last farewell 3. Christ saith None kindleth a light and setteth it under a cover or under a Bushell but setteth it upon a Table that all that are in the house may see by the light thereof Thus must wee doe also and must not bury our Talent which is so dearly bestowed upon us in the Earth for wee must give an account thereof at the Day of the Judgement of God as the Spirit of the Mother intimateth to us 4. If this knowledge or understanding of this Spirit shall happen to fall upon any they will be then certain what it is u Which is here written Wee need no Letters of Commendation Christ is our Letter of Commendation which is sufficient for us None ought to call themselves after my
Name all of us that know Christ put on him and are members of his Body wee call our selves Christians and children of God and brethren and sisters one of another 5. Therefore now when wee consider the Dominion or Course of our Life we finde a powerfull strife therein which the Devill hath with the soule and also which the Spirit of this world hath with the soule For there is a knowledge in the spirit of this world indeed there is no divine understanding in it but there is an apprehension planted in the Matrix viz. in the Centre of Nature 6. For this world before the Creation stood from Eternity in the Eternall Wisdome as an invisible Figure and is now created as a proper Principle of its own to the end that it might bring all its wonders and works into Essence that they may appeare in their figure after the Time of this world 7. And so there is a naturall strife with man therein for no creature but Man can bring the Wonders of the world to light and therefore also the Spirit of this world hath so very much longed after Man and hath drawne him to it that it might shew forth its Wonders in him that Man should produce all Arts and Languages in x The Spirit of this world it Moreover the Spirit and Heart out of Earths and Mettalls viz that Precious Stone the Philosophers Stones which indeed since Salomons Time hath been found by few but now at the End shall be found more cleerly as wee know and understand 8. Note For he that rightly understandeth our Writings concerning the Centre of Nature and its progresse to the Number-Three upon the Crosse and to the Glance of the Majesty may well finde it in Mettalls it is not difficult if he learne but the right entrance he hath the end at hand of which wee shall not heere make mention for it belongeth to the Magi which are borne Magically wee speake onely of the Ground of Nature and of the Spirit of this world 9. And wee declare unto you that the Spirit of this world is created with such an inclination and that it hath a naturall will to reveale it selfe and all its Mysteries as wee see before our eyes by what it hath built or brought forth how it hath erected a Dominion and Kingdome upon Earth 10. Doe but looke upon the doings of Man from the highest to the lowest the Spirit of this world hath thus built the whole y Course Order of them and God hath permitted it For God is not a destroyer but a preserver of that which his power buildeth up and accounteth it for his Ordinance for there is nothing brought forth which hath not stood in the Eternity 11. But you must understand it aright Hell and the Anger are the Abysse which mingleth its wonders also therein as we see where there is good z Or soyle ground and that the Sower also soweth good seede yet thistles and thornes grow up amongst it according as Christ hath given us a similitude of the Sower and as it is in the minde of Man so it is also in the Spirit of this world 12. You are to know that all weeds as Thistles and Thornes also Serpents Toads evill Beasts and Wormes have their originall from the Wrathfull Matrix For in the time of the Creation all both good and evill came forth every thing according to its kinde and property there is good and evill in every thing and the Kingdome of Anger hath also wholly a Or formed its Image imprinted it selfe therein and therefore the fruit is Good and Evill and Adam should not have eaten thereof 13. I give you to understand by the fruits of the Earth how good and Evill are in one another and have each of them their usefullnesse the evill as well as the good All serve to manifest Gods deeds of Wonder and each is serviceable to the Spirit of this world what the one hurteth the other healeth and that also is a wonder 14. Furthermore wee see the Mysterium Magnum the Great Mystery in the Trees though indeed they be different and mixt yet wee discerne the Paradisicall forme or condition in them for they beare their fruit upon Twiggs and the fruit is a thing different from the Tree the Tree is bitter and the fruit is sweet And wee give you to understand that the Trees and fruit wee have now a dayes were Paradisicall if the Curse did not stick in them the Paradise is flien from them and now all fruit is but such as the Apple was from which Eve did eate Death And you are to know that the Kingdome of Anger did also presse into the Garden of Eden which brought forth a Tree that did beare such fruit as all the Trees are now adayes which wee feed upon 15. Onely wee are to consider that the fruits for Man doe not grow of themselves he must plant and dresse them as you see in all Trees both in the wood and stalks of them and Man desireth not willingly to eate of the first Essences of the Earth except it be a very b Milde or sweete pleasant hearb but he desireth the second Birth out of the Earth viz. the kernell seede or fruit which is indeed the second Birth out of the Earth whereby wee understand our high discent but before the Fall Paradise sprung up through all Trees and through all the fruits which God created for Man 16. But when the Earth was cursed the Curse entred into all fruits and then all was Evill and Good Death and c Rottennesse or putrefaction Corruption was in them all which before was but in that one Tree onely which was named the Tree of Good and Evill and therefore it is that wee Eate Death in all the fruits and the Spirit d Or which is of Evill and Good ruleth in us The Spirit of this world ruleth in us and so doth the Devill wish the Spirit of Anger and each of them shew forth their wonders in and by Man Of the Great Strife about the Image of Man 17. There is a great Strife about Mans Image each Kingdome would have it Hell in the Anger saith it is mine by the right of Nature it is generated out of my Roote Also the Spirit of the world saith I have it in my body and I give it life and nourishment I bring it up and give it all my powers and wonders it is mine And the Kingdome of God saith also I have set my heart upon it and have regenerated it it is proceeded out of my Kingdome I have sought and found it againe it is mine it must reveale my Wonders 18. Thus there is a vehement Strife in and about Man looke upon his Conversation and Doings his desire standeth especially in Three Things and they are Three Kingdomes which Rule him and into which of them he falleth there he lyeth 19. First he desireth power honour and glory that all
imagine into the Wonders so soone as you doe so you goe quite out from Gods will which is the Eternall Liberty and are captivated in your Imagination Mark this for Every Imagination maketh Substantiality and therein you stand and must goe out from that againe or else you shall not see God 32. Therefore Christ teacheth us Humility Love Purenesse of Heart and to be Mercifull and calleth upon us to seeke after the will of God and to submit our selves to it For in Gods will wee are able to do ALL our own Nature must not doe it but God himselfe is Zealous in Us and he is our doing if wee work any p Or Miracle Wonder For no humane soule should say or think I will doe Wonders no that cannot be for the wonders above the outward Nature goe forth onely from the Centre of the Eternall Nature out of the Tenth Number which the creature cannot doe but if it be yeelded up into the will of God then God in the creature doth the Wonder for it is his delight to manifest himselfe in the weake for the strong is stiffe in his own will and will not submit it unto God he relyeth upon his own Wit and Reason Thus his will is out from God and is able to doe nothing And then if he speak from himselfe concerning Gods Beeing and Will he is an ignorant lyar he speaketh not from Gods Spirit and Will but from himselfe from his own Opinion in which there is meere doubt and from thence ariseth the Contention about Matters of Faith and Religion about Divine knowledge so that Men seek God in their own willing and knowing Men will needs finde God in their own willing and he is not therein for he dwelleth meerely and barely in that willing which yeeldeth it selfe with all its reason and knowing wholly to him and to that he giveth knowledge and power to understand his Beeing 33. Therefore lift up your Heads and observe this the will of God is not in any strife and contention but Mans will and the Devills it is the will of the Wrath of God let not the flattering Hypocrites seduce you who enter in boasting of the Historie and say Wee have the Will of God by us wee are his Ministers looke upon us wee are Gods Officers and though wee be wicked yet wee rightly Beare the Office and dispence the Will of God O Cursed Generation of Caine and Judas you are neither borne nor knowne in God why then Boast you of the will of God How can you say that you q Or Beare the office of dispencing the Great Divine Mysteries Beare the Great Mysterie of God whereas you are without God in a strange will and in your selfe you carry not the Mysterium Magnum But a poore Sinner who converteth but is captivated by the Devill and is strife against the Devill He that panteth sigheth and cryeth after God he runneth in sorrow and abstinence to the Office of the r The Mysterium Magnum Great Mysterie which Christ hath given to his Discipes and Children who are in the will of God and they have the True Å¿ Jus Divinum Key to Heaven and Hell 34. But you Sophister beare not the Office while you are without the will of God But the poore Repentant Man bringeth the Mysterium Magnum the Great Mystery with him to you and rendereth himselfe up to the Apostolicall Power which you have not but the Church or Congregation of Christ which is in the will of God hath it and so One Faith receiveth the other and the Church or Congregation of Christ Absolveth the repentant sinner and not you Sophister who have neither vertue nor powers nor knowledge of the Kingdome of God but are your selfe the Devills captive and you sit in the Anger of God and are onely the Proud Whore of Babell and swimme aloft upon the office of the Great Mysterie and are uncapable of it unlesse you be in the will of God and then you are Christs Apostle and weare the Garment of Aaron and God t Bindeth and looseth openeth and shutteth by your Mouth but your naturall will doth it not that should alwayes be dead or else you are not capable of the Office also in your own will you sit not in the Office of Christ upon Peters Chaire but upon the Stoole of Pestilence and are the Antichrist as wee have knowne you in the Number Seaventy Two which you beare for you are in Contention about the Cup of Christ and you have it not in your Power but the Church or Congregation of Christ which is submitted to the will of God hath it The Arke of the Covenant is with them at Shilo and not in your contentious Schismaticall Sectarian Jerusalem which you have made full of abominable Blasphemies 35. But what shall the Spirit Judge more concerning you seeing you are an adulterous Woman and have lost your Faith and Fidelity He hath given you time to Repent and you doe not Repent but lye in Whoredome day and night and therefore he will spew you out in the Wine-Presse and Babell shall burne up it selfe Thus Christ saith O Jerusalem Jerusalem how oft would I have gathered thy Children together as a Hen gathereth her Chickens under her wings but thou wouldst not Behold your dwelling houses shall be left unto you Desolate And so he saith also to you now you desolate Jerusalem in Babell the Time cometh that the children of Christ will goe out from you and it is already and you shall perish in your whoredome Behold your Merchants will stand a farre off and say Behold Babell in which wee became rich and fat is become Desolate The Eleventh Chapter Of the true Knowledge concerning Man 1. WEE have shewne you what the Essence of all Essences it and what its life and spirit is and what the Matrix of the Genetrix is viz. that it standeth in the Eternall willing and in that Eternall willling is the Centre of Nature and therein is the Number Three which is the Heart which manifesteth the Eternity in Creatures Figures and Similitudes especially in Three Kingdomes viz. the Heavenly Angelicall and then the Hellish fiery Diabolicall and thirdly the Substantiall Kingdome of the Out-birth viz. this world 2. Now you know very well that the Deare Man Moses saith in his first Booke called Genesis That on the Fift Day God Created all the living Creatures at once which you are to understand thus that in one Revolution of the Earth God created out of the Earthly Great Mysterie out of the Matrix of the Spirit of the Earthly property as an Out-birth out of the Eternall Propertie all living Creatures that they should be Images and similitudes of the Eternall u Essence of all Essences Beeing Essence or Substance 3. Now they are indeed created out of the Earthly Mysterium Magnum but yet the Spirit there is not so wholly Earthly for it is yet x Or Lunarie Luna as
Man and Woman yet you are not to understand any woman but a virgin wholly pure and chast he had in him the Spirit of the Tincture of the Fire and also the Spirit of the Tincture of the Water viz. of Venus he loved himselfe and through himselfe he loved God he could generate Virgin-like out of his will out of his Essences without paine without tearing or dividing his body such a Man as himselfe was for he had all Three Centres in him and as the Centre of the Eternall Nature was not torne nor divided when the Spirit of God conceived his soule upon the Crosse and brought it into the Wisdome also as the Spirit of this world was not torne nor divided when the Spirit of God breathed into him the spirit of this world as an outward life so he also was not torne or divided for he had a Body that could goe through Trees and Stones if he had instantly gone on in the will of God then had he brought HIM viz. God with him into the Great Wonders 21. The Noble Philosophers Stone was as easie to be found by him as any p Mawerstein other stone and then he might have adorned the outward life with gold silver and precious Stones Jewells and Pearles all to his own joy and to the manifestation of Gods deeds of wonder he had not needed Beastiall Cloathing for he went naked yet clothed with the Heavenly Tincture he had no such Members as he might be ashamed of as his Fall demonstrateth This was his Fall his soule Imagined after the outward Fire of the Out-Birth after the spirit of this world and turned himselfe away from God and desired to live in his own property or selfe and to be Lord his will turned it selfe out from Gods will and was disobedient to God and desired the Earthly fruit out of the Earthly Essences and caused God to suffer the Tree of Temptation to grow that he might trie what his Image would doe and did forbid him that Tree 22. But his Lust was instantly gone after the Earthly Essences Good and Evill which the Devill did eagarly help forward as he doth still till Adam was overcome and went forth from the will of God and suffered himselfe to be wholly captivated by the spirit of this world and then all was done with him the Heavenly Image became Earthly the soule became captivated in the fire of Gods Anger it had the heavenly Tincture no more and could not eate of the Verbum Domini any more it had turned it selfe away into the spirit of this world and was gone out from Gods will into the Lust of this world and so also at the instant of the Fall the spirit of this world made the body wholly Earthly the Paradise with all Heavenly q Wit wisdome and understanding knowledge retired into it selfe and so departed from Adam and the Deare Virgin of Wisdome remained standing in Griefe till the Word of the Lord came againe and looked upon r The Noble Sophia her againe with the promise of the Seede of the Woman and then r The Noble Sophia shee passed into the light of Life now warneth Men of their ungodly wayes concerning which wee have mentioned at large in our former Writings and also concerning Å¿ Adams Wife the Woman his Wife therefore wee heere forbeare to write any further of it and onely further shew you our Propagation as to body and soule 23. Wee have t In the Ninth Chapter of the Threefold life formerly mentioned how the provocation between both kindes Masculine and Feminine to copulate existeth viz. out of two Governments or Dominions of one onely u Being or Essence substance for when Adam could not subsist then God let a sleepe fall upon him and tooke the one Dominion viz. the Tincture of the Spirit from him left him the other viz. the Tincture of the soule and framed a Woman out of him But that shee might have a soule also God took a Ribbe from his Body with his flesh and bloud and comprized the soule therein but without power of further Propagation of it selfe for her soule remained in Venus being desirous of the Mans soule even as the lower Dominion of the Three Planets under the Sun which make Spirit and Flesh desire the Three uppermost for their Life as is before mentioned so also is the Dominion in the Man and the Woman for the Man hath the Tincture of the Fire wherein the soule consisteth in his seede and the Woman hath in her the Tincture of the spirit of this world viz. of Venus naturally so called in her seede and Matrix If it were not for the scoffers I could exactly demonstrate it in the Members of their Copulation you would indeed wonder rightly why each are as they are x Note it shall be set downe in a Paper by it selfe for there is nothing without cause Nature hath its own mouth if it desire to have any thing it maketh it selfe a mouth fit for it and giveth a forme to that thing which it desireth that it may fit the mouth according as Nature liketh best Observe this 24. Now when the Seede is sowne then not onely the sower soweth but the Ground also affordeth its Essences or vertue to it the Man soweth soule and the Woman soweth spirit and both of them afford Body and not the one without the other the Tincture of the Fire hath indeed a Body but it became very small in this corruption and therefore the Nature of the Water in Venus must give a soft spirit to it for the Man and the Woman are one Body And Saint Paul saith If the Man have an unbelieving Woman to his wife and the Woman have an unbelieving Man to her husband let not the one forsake the other for the Man knoweth not whether he shall save the Woman or the Woman the Man Even as Adam saved his wife Eve who first eate the bit of the forbidden fruit for shee was a part of the Life out of his flesh and bloud and the same spirit and the same soule which Adam had and which Eve got from Adam is now also in us in both kindes or sexes 25. Therefore ground your Judgement thus When the Man soweth his seede he soweth flesh and bloud and the Noble Tincture of the soule and the Woman receiveth that into her Matrix and instantly affordeth to the Mans seede her Tincture of Venus wherein standeth the Elementary Spirit and that assumeth Saturne and bringeth it round on the wheele about to Sol and there the Naturall Life with the life of the soule is disclosed for Saturne giveth it to the Moone which breedeth it and in a Circuit of all the Starres maketh Essences therein and then the Essences exist and winde themselves about to Mars which striketh up the Fire and there count the Signes in the Heavens how many houres each of them hath and double that with two Kingdomes and
Dominion viz. the Spirit or this world is also in the seede while it is yet a Sulphur that is matter without forme or life and in that Spirit hath the Constellation its Dominion and it draweth also with it inwards the Constellation of the Starres as they have f Or aspects influence and infect or poyson a thing also make it Lovely according as the Imagination is at all times for every Starre is a seeking a desiring viz. of the g Or to operate according to its property Wonders according to its property each of them desireth a Life and the Elementary Sulphur which is also desirous longeth after the desiring of the Starres and attracteth or letteth that into it and becometh pregnant therewith 35. Now in the Starres there are all the properties of this world whatsoever all the creatures are that the Starres are every one of them helpeth towards life and to the Revelation of the wonders of God for therefore they are brought into Beeing because God would open all formes of Nature and many of them make the property of a Dog in the outward Spirit of this world many of a Wolf a Beare a Lyon a Fox a Hare a Bull a Peacock a Cock also of a Toade a Serpent and so forth after the Condition of all sorts of Creatures and so if such a Starre be fixed so that it have received the vertue of the Sunne through the introducing of the Spirit then it is powerfull and its Imagination presseth along in the seede whereby a creature getteth such a property in the Elementary life and spirit as well in Men as in Beasts 36. And such an Evill property many times covereth the soule and enticeth it from the will of God so that it goeth out from Gods will for it often cometh to passe that the Image of God is in the soule which desireth or longeth after God and is captivated with such an outward spirit which plagueth and tormenteth it this you see and may know by such as many times fall into foule and hainous sinnes and wickednesse for the outward spirit casteth them headlong thereinto then suddenly they fall into such great sorrow and repentance upon it that they sigh and turne and goe on towards abstinence or amendment and that is a strong Combate of the soule against the Spirit of this world for it often doth a thing that it never had in its minde or thought much lesse in the purpose to doe it and yet is so suddenly entangled and overcome 37. For when a Man is secure and doth not alwayes stand in feare and trembling before the anger of God then the Devill slippeth into the Spirit and looketh narrowly when there is in a Man any evill Constellation of his property and Starres and so casteth a Man headlong into an unexpected fall into Wrath Murther Whoredome Theft Poysoning and Death this is * The Devills his Art which he is most diligent in 38. For the outward life is fallen quite under the power of the Starres and if thou wilt withstand them thou must enter into Gods will and then they are but as a shadow and cannot bring that to effect which they have in their power neither doe they desire it but the Devill onely desireth it For the whole Nature boweth it selfe before the will of God for the Image of God in Man is so powerfull and mighty that when it wholly casteth it selfe into the will of God it overpowreth Nature so that the Starres are obedient to it and doe rejoyce themselves in the Image for their will is that they may be freed from the vanity and thus are kindled in Meeknesse in the Image at which the Heaven rejoyceth and so the Anger of God in the Government of this world is quenched for when that is burning Mans wickednesse is guilty of it in that Men kindle it in the Spirit of this world 39. For a false wicked malicious Man kindleth the Elements for he casteth his evill power and falshood into them which the Wra h of the Abysse devoureth and thereby groweth stirring and working which otherwise the Love in the meeke life would keep back but if the Wrath of God be strong then it over-powreth this world and then saith the Prophet from the Spirit of God I will let my Wrath come upon you which will devoure and destroy you 40. For God is nothing but Goodnesse and willeth not the Evill he warneth Man beforehand that he should still the wrath by turning and going out from the Anger but when this is not done then he suffereth that to come which Man hath awakened viz. Warres Famine pestilence Now God doth not this but Man himselfe which maketh Warres and the Heaven withdraweth its fruitfullnesse and the Spirit of this world kindleth it selfe in the hellish Poyson and Wrath and so diseases and the Pestilence come forth which God is not guilty of but Man hath awakened them and they devoure him for thereby the Anger is sharpened and getteth a Longing to devoure for Men awaken it in their wickednesse and Malice and kindle it whereas otherwise it would be at Rest 41. You must understand it thus Adam hath left it us for an Inheritance if he had continued in the will of God the Anger had not touched him to Eternity and then the Devill had been shut up in the Wrath and therefore he hath wrestled with Man and throwne him into sinne so that he hath awakened the Anger in the spirit of this world in which the Devill is the Great Prince and increaseth his Kingdome with the Soules of Men and thus the Devill is a Prince of this world or else he could not touch a flie or move a leafe if Man had not kindled the property and working of the Anger even as he is altogether voyde of strength in a time when Men are vertuous and honest and therefore he driveth men so eagarly to unchastity for he knoweth well what he getteth by that and what abilitie it hath in the Incarnation or Mens coming to be and what fine spirit is begotten out of a false will and unchastity to which Spirit he hath a Great accesse and Power 42. And then thirdly wee give you to understand from a true ground what the Great secret Mystery of the Anger and of the Devill is for wee demonstrate it to you thus There are two sorts of Dominions in Man even while he lyeth in the seede inclosed in the Mothers womb as in two Tinctures one out of the Eternall Matrix as the Tincture of the soule and the other out of the Centre of this world as from the spirit and life of this world so that often a whole false soule is figured according to the Devills will and so is captivated by the Anger and then also the Spirit of this world if it be in a good Constellation at the time of the Spirits awakening oftentimes figureth a very friendly lovely outward Spirit which can give good
highest pitch of the Apostate children its number in the Crowne is accomplished 54. What seeke yee so much yee wilde Branches yee say yee are above the Mother above the Spirit of God yee have Art Knowledge and Learning what delight hath the Mother in your Wit and Art Shee desireth no Art and Wit for shee is altogether simple and counteth but the Number one if you would please the Mother you must goe from the Multiplicity into One againe not through Art and Wit but you must goe forth out of your proud Turba out of selfe into simple Humility you must leave the bravery and hypocrisie of your own wit that proceeds from the Turba and become as children else yee are not acceptable to your first Mother but the Turba taketh you up and then consider where you shall remaine when God shall judge the secrets of Mankinde when all shall passe through the fire of his wrath saith the Spirit of the Great Wonders 55. Mother Eve said when shee brought forth the first Childe Behold I have the Man the Lord he shall Effect the breaking of the Serpents head and possesse the Kingdome but it was Cain the murtherer 56. And thus also you now say wee have found the Lord now wee will possesse the Kingdome for wee have found the true Doctrine wee will teach thus and thus and then wee are Gods Children But hearken You have indeed found the true Doctrine But you are Cain you looke after the Kingdome and not the power and vertue of Abells sacrifice you desire onely to continue in fleshly pleasure and retaine onely the shell of Gods-Word which hath no vertue or power You retaine the Historie and contend about it and so destroy your Countrey and People but you deny the power of it you say wee are neere to the Kingdome of God and are yet farre from it which your End will testifie 57. What doth your knowledge availe The Devill knoweth as much as you but he doth it not no more doe you and therefore the Kingdome of God remaines hidden from you both your knowledge is the snare that catcheth you if you were simple you would not be so proud what doe the simple know concerning the false suttle cunning deceit if he learne it not from the wit of the r Contentious jangling Disputations Turba Doe you say that you have Gods Will and Teach it Are you not Cain that murther Abell every day Consider your selfe well you are hee indeed Abell lyeth at your feete and beseecheth you but you are that Evill Beast that treadeth Abell underfoote you ride over the bended knee and account the poore and simple to be but dirt and dung and yet devoure his sweat and labour and fill your selfe with deceit without measure How dare you then say Heere is the Church of Christ O you are Babell that City of whoredome and falshood 58. Thou knowest the Will of God and yet dost onely thy own will and sayest moreover Wee are gone out from Babell wee have the True Teaching or Doctrine amongst us indeed if you had the spirit of righteousnesse and truth and would content your selfe with a little then the Mother would alwayes give you enough you should want nothing but your Pride and haughtinesse doth not trust God therefore you trust onely upon Covetousnesse and are greedy to devoure the fatt of the Earth you take it by force and not of right the right you produce claime and plead hath onely been invented by your covetous heart you live onely in deceit you perswade and deceive your selfe to your own losse if you had wit and understanding you would have respect to your end and what will follow hereafter but you blindfold your selfe with Pride and say Behold heere are Golden Times many have desired to see what wee see and heare what wee heare and have not seene nor heard it Hearken indeed that shall be a witnesse against you and will make your Judgement the heavier you have not hitherto been the better for it but the worse therefore know that what is declared to you by the Reformation is by your own Prophet who hath called you back againe from your Pride into your Mother Humility but you are become worse and worse you have broken the sword of the Spirit that you may doe what you list but he hath left you and given you up to the Turba which shall devoure you as was done of old to Israel there is no Councell or Remedy to helpe Your Covenants are all Nothing while you rely upon the Arme of flesh and so God also is departed from you and leaveth you to devoure your selfe 59. Or wherefore doe you take the Covenant of God into your Mouth seeing you hate to be reformed and thirst after Covetousnesse doe you suppose God to be a false hypocrite and lyer as you are leave off your Clamouring you are not acceptable to God except you turne and goe out from your falshood 60. It is with you now according to the Turba's driving which taketh its recreation in accomplishing the Anger of God and to devoure what is growne in its Kingdome and you are bl nde concerning it and see it not why are you so covetous goe but out from it doe you not see how the Å¿ The Blossome of Life Noble Tincture hath raised up it selfe it is neere its blossoming and then you will have Silver and Gold enough 61. But what shall wee say you have committed whoredome till you are fallen asleepe you goe downe alive into the Abysse rather then you will forsake the whore and therefore it shall be unto you as your own Prophet Testifieth who hath very long called you by his Trumpet you wait for deliverance by the fiery sword which will also cut you in pieces 62. Or doe you suppose us to be mad in that wee speake thus Indeed wee are borne out of you wee see and understand the Complaint of our Mother which reproveth her children for shee declareth the wrath in the Turba which is growne up into the fierce wrath of God 63. Wee speake what is given to us which wee know in the Zeale of the Lord what have wee to doe with t Confusion strife and jangling Babell wee speak to our selfe and to the fellow-members of our body and those that dwell in the Courts of God with those who at present mourne with us whose mourning shall be turned into Joy The Fourteenth Chapter Of the Broad Way in this World which leadeth us into the Abysse And of the Narrow Way that leadeth into the Kingdome of God 1. DEare Children of God let us heartily and seriously Consider from whence wee are and whither wee are to goe and what we doe and purpose that wee may not loose the Eternall and highest Good wherefore doe wee so very much labour after temporary pleasure and voluptuousnesse after Honour Money and Goods are wee not in this world strange Guests and Pilgrims which should continually expect when
this life shall End wee are not created for the pleasure and lust of this life but for Paradisicall Joy and to leade a simple childe-like life wee should not know of any pomp state or haughtinesse but live together as children in a loving sport of Joy wee are gone out from our true pure Paradisicall Mother wherein wee should live in her as deare and loving children 2. Wee are shut up in the Mother the Temporary Nature which generateth the Evill Beast and have received beastiall Properties wee doe no otherwise then as Evill Beasts wee have given up our selves to a strange Mother which educateth us and leadeth us captive in her bands and wee must at length leave the outward Man to the Earthly Mother wee cannot get away from her for shee hath captivated us in flesh and bloud shee breedeth us and bringeth us up in her selfe and keepeth us for her children But yet wee have a very precious Jewell hidden therein with which wee are Gods children with that let us endeavour after the highest Good that wee may attaine it 3. Deare Children our strife about the Highest Good consists not in the sword in killing and slaying that wee should make Warres and fight for the Cause of God and his Kingdome and so persecute and murther one another neither doth it consist in much knowing but meerly in a simple childe-like obedience that wee should goe out from the will of our flesh which is Beastiall wherein the Devill dwelleth and enter into the will of God it lyeth in no mans opinion or knowledge a Note for the Spirit of God giveth knowledge to every one out of the Wonders out of which he is borne 4. You see how wee are put under subjection to the spirit of this world for when a childe is sowne b Or into in its mothers c Or Body womb that Spirit is there ready and formeth it according to the wheele of the outward Nature that giveth condition will and disposition to it that sheweth it the wonders of its secret Mysterie and openeth to it the way of the will d Of the spirit of the outward world thereof that leadeth it in the entrance into its Mother and out of its Mother through this world that giveth its body to the Earth and its soule to Hell 5. Therefore since wee know this wee ought to lift up the Spirit of our soule and make warre onely against that evill Earthly Spirit and oppose it with our soule and body and not against our brethren and sisters wee cannot overcome the Devill with disputing and knowing much neither can wee maintaine Gods Word with warres and the sword but with the simple obedient e A Godly or Divine Life life of God that wee be contented with that little which wee have and depart from the Evill lust after Pride into an humble childe-like life wherein every one should with all diligence performe his worke for the benefit and profit of his brethren and sisters endeavouring thereby to serve God his Creator and to pleasure his brother not seeking his own honour but with a desire to doe so well that his brother and sister may sincerely love him and wish all happinesse and welfare to him 6 If you will serve God give offence to none that your good and benefit be not hindered Let not Satan have power over your heart to sift or prevaile with you Put away all evill thoughts instigations and influxes of the minde for Satan insinuateth himselfe in the influxes from the spirit of this world and possesseth your minde be continually watchfull and strive against him cast those false and evill influxes upon his head and send him away with them and consider that you walke upon a very narrow path between Heaven and Hell in very great danger be at no time secure or carelesse for you know not when the spirit of this world will take away from you it s own for your limit was set in your Mothers f Or Body womb which you cannot passe neither doe you know the day and houre wherein the Spirit of this world will leave you and then your poore soule will stand quite naked hungry and * Or naked empty and then if it have not Christs Body on it it will be captivated by the Devill 7. Deare Children it is a very streit narrow way that leadeth into Gods Kingdome he that will walke therein in this life must submit and prepare himselfe for affliction for every thing is against him the Devill is altogether against him his own flesh and bloud set themselves earnestly against him for the Spirit of this world in flesh and bloud seeketh onely the matters and Dominion of this world the Devill continually sets on his children and servants against him he that walks toward Heaven must be trampled upon and despised he is not in this world acknowledged to be a childe of God 8. Deare Children looke well to your selves in this world at present Men leade you on in hypocriticall wayes they Boast much of Faith and leade people on in an Historicall Faith which is but meere g Or knowledge Notion they teach you the g Or knowledge Notion and he that doth not stick to that is accounted an Heretick O how dead is the present Faith it stayeth at the knowledge or the Notion they suppose that when people know how to speake much of God of Christs merits sufferings and death for Mankinde and comfort themselves therewith that it is the way to eternall life 9. O no all that availeth nothing that thou knowest and ticklest thy selfe with it True Faith in Christ is quite another thing it lyeth not barely in the History and in the Letter the bare Letter is not the Word it is but a leader and directour to the Word the Word is Living and hath the Spirit h Note the right Faith is the right will which entereth into the Living Word 10. If you comfort your selfe never so long with the sufferings of Christ and yet your will and purpose remaines in deceit and wickednesse then the spirit which proceedeth out of your will is a theefe and a murtherer you teach one thing and doe another God desireth no flattering Hypocrisie but an Earnest sincere purpose and will which entereth into him by obedience and this is right i Or Faith Beleeving in the Holy Ghost and therein is the Word and Death of Christ fruitfull indeed 11. Christ saith You must turne and be as little children who are not yet conscious of any falshood deceit or wickednesse and in Christ through Christs death be borne of his flesh and bloud if you will see the Kingdome of Heaven for he that eateth not the flesh of the Sonne of Man and drinketh not his bloud hath no part in him 12 Deare brethren it consisteth not in the k Oast which the Priest delivereth for Holy Bread Oast onely which you deliver to the people and in
the Cup or l The Chalice or Cup wherein they carry the Oast Chalice No but when the soule converteth and bringeth the body under subjection and giveth it selfe up wholly in obedience unto God and into his will and desireth to goe in at Christs Entrance to the Father then it goeth out from the life of this world and goeth with Christ into the Father who giveth it Christs flesh and bloud for it eateth of the Word of the Lord at Gods Table and getteth Christs flesh for its body and Christs blood for its Refreshment and habitation for the soule dwelleth in the Heart and burneth out of the Heart bloud as a kindled light and hath its principall Dominion in the Head in the Braines and there it hath m The five senses five open Gates in which it governeth with the spirit of its life 13. And therefore if the Tincture in the soule in the Heart bloud be entered into Christs will then that Will governeth the spirit of the soule in the Head and though it have many obstacles and hindrances from the Earthly beastiall spirit as also from the Devill who infecteth the Earthly spirit so often as the soule is secure or carelesse and bringeth it into fleshly lust yet neverthelesse when the soule doth but reject the Earthly beastiall thoughts and influences or instigations then it remaineth in Christ still for the body of Christ which the soule hath is too hard a bit for the Devill to overcome and yet a harder bit it is for the soule to turne away from the spirit of this world and enter into the Obedience of God 14. Deare Brethren it is not a handfull of Historicall Faith that will doe it for men to set the Merits of Christ aloft it must be sincere and Earnest you must earnestly enter through Death and Hell of the Devills into the Merits of Christ you must overcome the spirit of this world your will must presse it selfe with all its reason and thoughts into the will of God and then you will well see how little the Historicall knowledge can doe 15. If you will not drive the Devill out of your Heart then he will not let you enter into Gods will if you will keepe the iniquity of falshood in your heart and so fight with the merits and satisfaction of Christ against him then you will be hindered for the Devill opposeth it strongly he striveth against the soule as long as he can he letteth not the soule goe before it heape all Earthlinesse upon his neck and depart from it when the soule doth so then it departeth out of his Countrey and then he is overcome but O how doth he continually lay that as a Net before it and goeth alwayes about like a Fowler and if he can possibly he will cast the Earthly Garment on to it againe 16. O how hard a Combate must the poore soule hold out against the Devill but therein the sufferings merit satisfaction and death of Christ is availeable when the Devill hath ensnared the poore soule againe and will not let it goe but goeth downe with it into the Abysse into despaire there the soule must take with it the sufferings and death of Christ and walke with the Devill through Hell into the Death of Christ and out of Christs death spring up with Christ into God againe and then it is the Lilly which the Devill doth not like to smell upon 17. But for you to depend wholly on the History and so to apply the merit suffering and death of Christ and will still keepe the Devill lodging in your soule that is a reproach to Christ What doth it availe you to pray that God would forgive you for Christs sake when you forgive not all others your heart sticketh full of revenge and robbery 18. You goe to Church into the Congregation of Christ and you bring a false hypocrite lyer covetous angry adulterous proud person and soule in with you and the same you bring out with you againe what benefit have you thereby You goe into the Congregation to the Supper of Christ and desire Christs flesh and bloud and yet keepe the black Devill in you for a Guest what meane you you receive nothing but the severe Anger of God how will you feed upon Christs flesh and bloud if your soule be not inclined with all earnestnesse and sincerity into God doe you suppose that Christs body and bloud dwelleth so in the Earthly Element that you can chew it with your Teeth No friend it is a more pure and subtile thing the soule must apprehend it the mouth of the soule must receive it but how shall it receive Christ if the Devill be still lodging in the soule the soule must be in the will of God if it will feede upon God indeed it can continually eate of Christs flesh if it live in the flesh of Christ for every Spirit n Or is fed by its owne substance which is its flesh and body eateth of its own body 19. This Testament is ordained to that End that in the Congregation wee should there eate the flesh of Christ and drinke his bloud that wee should thereby commemorate his Death and teach the same to our children and tell them what Christ hath done for us that wee might be preserved in one minde and will and that wee should be one body in Christ and walke together in one Love and therefore wee should eate of one and the same Bread and drinke of one and the same Cup and acknowledge that Christ hath begotten us againe to one Body in himselfe and that he hath through his death brought us againe through Hell and the fire of Gods wrath into his Father in himselfe that wee might wholly put our wills into his will and love one another and make one another rejoyce in him and sing speak of and declare his marvellous Deeds and Benefits and thereby renounce the old Devill who hath held us captive and tread him under foote in our Minde 20. This is the right Catholike way of true Faith he that teacheth and liveth otherwise is not appointed for a Shepheard by Christ but is a Shepheard sprung up of himselfe from his owne Art and Reason which in the Kingdome of Christ according to the Outward Man should be continually dead that Christ in us may live None is a true Shepheard over Christs sheepe unlesse he have the Spirit of Christ if he have not that then he hath not the true o The true Jus. Divinum Apostolicall power and authority of Excommunication he must in Christs Spirit have the Key to Heaven and to Hell else he is but a vizard and Image without Life How can such a one who is captivated by the Devill judge in the Congregation of Christ can the word and Commandement of such a one be the Word of God whereas he speaketh but from a false Spirit 21. O yee false Bishops come from the Universities how hath the Devill of
you why doe you despise them and kill them Try them whither their Spirit be borne of God or no or whither they seeke their own way of their Belly in Antichrist surely it is time to awake from sleepe No jesting matter will follow you should not dare to jest so with the Keyes of the Holy Ghost and make Conclusions of Faith according to your own Opinions Tenets and Conceits Faith will not be begotten by Conclusions and Cannons but is awakened by true sincerity as by being obedient children of Christ 29. Saint Paul did not say to his Disciple Dispute of the Mysteries of God but he said Awaken or stirre up the Gifts that are in thee No mans own wit can doe it much lesse the Pride of the High Schooles or Universities which yet they cloake with hypocrisie and hide it under the Mantle of the Holy Ghost why doe you make Conclusions about the Body and the Person of Christ Have you power and authority to doe so Is it not a Mysterie to you and you understand nothing in it unlesse you be new Borne againe in Christ Doth he not say Behold I am with you even to the End of the World Is he with you Why then doe you set your selves upon his Throne and deny his Presence Are you not Pilate who sentenceth Christ from whom have you the might and authority to make Conclusions and Articles are you his Lords then you are not children have a care you prove not the Eldest sonne in the House who striveth about the Inheritance and about the power and Authority and yet continueth to be a proud Angry Murmurer against the Father Deare children it availeth nothing to goe such a way Christ said to his Disciples when he drave the Devill out of the Lunatick that was possessed which the Disciples could not doe in their own Reason This kinde goeth not out but by Fasting and Prayer 30 Deare Brethren you will not be able to drive the Devill out of us if you have not Christ with you your Art and Conclusions of Reason will doe nothing else but cause people to goe out from God into their owne selfe will Wee must fast and Pray that wee fall not into Temptation and into the Netts and snares of the Devill in our Reason for the Devill alwayes holdeth his Net before Reason and he that falleth into it supposeth he is caught in Christs fishing Net but he is taken in Antichrists q Pursenet Net Reason Comprehendeth Nothing of the Kingdome of God but the husk the vertue and power of it remaineth hidden to Reason unlesse it be borne in God and then Reason goeth forth as a burning Fire in the Spirit of God but the Spirit letteth it not flie aloft but boweth it to the Earth in humility for he knoweth the r Satan Warriour that fighteth against Reason 31. A watchfull Life is requisite which is chastened and not overflowne with the fleshly voluptuous spirit of this world and not a Life alwayes drunken and full for as soone as the soule is inflamed with the vigour and power of the Earthly Spirit then Gods Spirit passeth into its owne Principle and the soule is captivated by the Spirit of this world and the Devill gaineth an accesse to it and then its former wit and understanding knownâ—â—n God is changed into outward Reason and then Man supposeth still that it is Gods Spirit 39. O no friend the Å¿ Or Configuration of the Starres in us Constellation which should rest in the Spirit of Christ lusteth also to possesse such a heart and soule where the Spirit of God hath been sitting for every Creature longeth after the vertue and power of God but the Constellation though it come into the Temple of God driveth on its own matters that lie in its power it knoweth nothing of Divine Wisdome it hath a wisdome and t Maketh constituteth the Spirit of this world indeed it hath great Art and Learning for the Earthly and Elementary Mysterium Magnum lyeth therein but it hath not the Key to the Principle of the Liberty of God without and beyond Nature for it hath a beginning and End and looketh no further it maketh and seeketh onely an Hypocriticall Beastiall life 33. Therefore let us not be u Stout surly proud and secure nor rely upon Art and Learning much lesse upon the Letter for the spirit thereof is hidden to us without the Spirit of God wee have the will of God in the Holy Scripture yet without the Spirit of God wee have but the Husk and the Dead Word except Gods Spirit first awaken the Living Word in us that wee may understand the Letter and the written Word which is plaine enough in that the Learned in Arts are but Learned in the Letter and not x Or Taught of God Learned in God otherwise they would not contend and wrangle about Christs honour and Doctrine nor so dispute about the Cup of Christ 34. Though there were a Thousand men x Or Taught of God Learned in God who are borne in the Spirit of Christ and were together and had each of them a speciall gift and knowledge in God yet they would all be but one in the Roote of Christ and would every one desire onely the Love of God in Christ what Disciple or Scholler will exalt himselfe above his Master wee are one Body in Christ why then should one Member contend with the other about the food when the desirous Mouth feedeth then all the Members receive strength and vertue Every Member hath its owne Office or work in opening the Wonders of God wee doe not all bring one and the same words but one spirit in Christ every one hath that which is his owne imparted to him what he shall open in God that the Great Mysteries of God may be made manifest and the Wonders which have been foreseene from Eternity in his Wisdome might be revealed to which End the soule was created of God 35. I know and the Spirit sheweth it to mee that thou Antichristian Sophister wilt Object against mee that even among the Apostles there hath been strife and contention about the words of Christ T is true indeed and it was Satans Master-Piece to sift Christs Disciples the Disciples of those Disciples so soone as they became secure forthey were Men well as wee and one was stronger in Spirit then the Other according as they did * Or Examine search themselves and raise up themselves in God for they lived among Evill Men and many times must apply themselves to the world and must give the Weake Milke to drinke at which others many times stumbled in their Reason and grew hot and Zealous and reproved one another for it as may be seene about Cornelius when Peter went in to the Heathens and the other Apostles supposed that the Kingdome of God belonged onely to Israel 36. But you are to know that the Love of God is so y Lowly submissive
their Å¿ Works Matters or Essences Doings also follow them in their strong Will and Desire and they have unspeakable Joy in the Love and t Barmhertzigkeit Mercifullnesse of God 30. For the meeke Love of God embraceth them continually all the Wonders of God are their food and they are continually in such Glory Power Might Majesty and Wonder as no Tongue can Expresse for they are Gods Children Gods Wonder Gods Power and vertue Gods strength Gods honour and glory they are his Prayse they sing his song of Prayse or Halelujah in Paradise in the Element and in the Centre of Nature there is no awakening of the Wrath there in Eternity but Every Spirit in Nature is a Love-desire they there know no Devill Anger nor Hell there is Eternall Perfection whatsoever the will desireth that is there and all in Power 31. It is written The kingdome of God consisteth in Power and not in the Earthly u Matter or Thing substance for this Earthly substance is not from Eternity therefore also it will not be to Eternity If you will conceive of the Heavenly Substance you must have a care that you bring a heavenly Minde to it and then the Spirit of God will well shew the Heavenly Substance it is much easier for the Enlightened to conceive of the Heavenly Substance then of the Earthly Let not the Reader Imagine the thing so difficult 32. But in the Thoughts of his owne Reason he cannot reach to it let him leave off for thereby he attaineth onely a Glimps even as Antichrist hath but a Glimps of the Word of God and of the Doctrine of Christ and yet strongly supposeth that he hath apprehended the Word but it is a meere foppery their Crying and Roaring is meere Juggling 33. If you have not the right hammer you cannot strike the Clock that awakeneth the poore captive soule Heaven and Earth and Every thing lyeth in Man you need but to use the right Hammer if you will strike his Clock and awaken him out of his sleepe your Crying aloud will not doe it you will not be able to beate the Divine sound into him if you your selfe have it not But those that have the right Hammer they awaken him indeed therefore all Teachers without Gods Hammer are but Jugglers Hammers for the Belly Hammers for the Eare and no Hammers for the soule 34. The soule dwelleth not in the outward Spirit Indeed the Outward Spirit hath insinuated it selfe as an y Germanice Schalk Evill Companion into the soule but hath not the Principle in it wherein the soule dwelleth but is onely a cover and hinderance to it 35. And so also the Antichrist is but a hinderance to the poore soule for if the poore soule were not so fast tyed and bound to the Crying which onely filleth peoples Eares in Sermons it would enter into it selfe and seeke it selfe it would endeavour after amendment and abstinence from sinne but now it supposeth that to be Holinesse which entereth in at the Eare and yet many times there is nothing but drosse filth and reproach against Love and Concord in it 36. What shall a Man say Is not all quite blindfolded and full of Hypocrisie every one endeavoureth after nothing but for the Belly Both the Shepheard and the Sheepe the Superiour or Magistrate and the Inferiour or Subject the Spirit of God is very scarce and rare among them and though they boast much of it yet it is but a shew of holinesse and hypocrisie where the heart knoweth little of the Spirit of God it is a meere Notionall Conjecturall knowledge and z Or Thing or confused Hotchpotch matter without spirit 37. O thou worthy Christianity behold thy selfe O Europe Asia and Africa open thy Eyes and looke upon thy selfe doe but a Or Examine seeke thy selfe Let every one seeke himselfe or else it will not be well with them There is a strong Bow bent fall into the Armes of the Archer and be converted and finde thy selfe or else thou wilt be shot away as an arrow out of a Bow Be not rocked asleepe by children but rise and walke upon thy owne feere it is high Time the sleepe is at an End the Angell hath sounded his Trumpet doe not draw back consider what the Revelation of Jesus Christ saith That those which hang to the Whore of Babell that is to the Confusion will goe along with her into the Lake which burneth with fire and brimston viz. the Lake of Gods Anger which burneth with Judgement Famine and Pestilence which will sweepe the whole Earth 38. For the Whore will not be converted shee must b What measure shee hath meted to others shall be meted to her drink of the Dregs of that Cup which shee hath filled therefore let every one himselfe open his owne Eyes for God is Great who will Judge her shee will continue and goe on in her sinnes and at length Despaire shee cryeth Mordio Murther Murther and yet none hurteth her but it is her owne Evill that plagueth and tormenteth her viz. the Hypocrisie supposed Holinesse high-minde and Covetousnesse shee hath Wolves that bite and teare her yet they are but Wolves that doe so and are none of the sheepe 39. Therefore it is necessary to awake not in much searching after Opinions and fooleries but in seeking thy selfe for much searching without Conversion from Evill is meere deceit and seduction from this way And though thou shouldst Reade this a thousand Times without Conversion of thy will thou wouldst undestand as much of it as the Asse doth of the c Psalter Psalm Booke and Just thus it is with the Belly-Priests the Antichrist 40. Doe you suppose it a slight matter to set an Asse upon a kingly Throne How then shall the Belly-Asse stand before God who setteth himselfe with an Asses Heart in the Throne of Christ which is the dwelling place of the Holy Ghost onely for Gaine honour and Esteeme sake and is meerely a teller of Stories or Relator of a History without any knowledge and besides is full of blasphemy and wickednesse Or dost thou suppose thou art fit enough to fit in the Throne of Christ when thou hast studied some Arts and forrain Languages Deare Sir consider Looke upon Gods choice upon Abraham and the Patriarcks also upon Moses and the Shepheards also upon the Prophets and Apostles and thou wilt soone see whom God chooseth and whether hee chooseth Art or Spirit 41. Therefore be warned let every one consider his state and condition he is in He that worketh worketh the Wonders of God and goeth in simplicity with his will into Gods will and hangeth as a childe to God he hath but two wayes to goe one in his work wherewith he may sustaine his belly the other in the will of God and so putteth his trust in God let him make and doe with him what he will and wheresoever he is or whatsoever he is going about he saith Lord it
is my Employment or Calling thy will be done give mee what is good for mee and such goe on very rightly in Gods works of Wonder 42. But he that is chosen by Nature to be a Ruler Governour or d Or Captaine Leader Especially in a Spirituall State and Condition he ought well to have a care of his Doings that he doe not goe without his Weapons or Armour for he Leadeth the flock of Christ Hee is a e Or Pastour Sheepheard the Wolfe is continually about him 43. If he be watchfull and doth consider that he hath Christs sheepe under his keeping and feedeth them aright as a faithfull Shepheard then the Shepheards Crooke shall be a Great Glory to him in the Eternity But if he seeke onely the Wooll viz. his owne honour and Esteeme might power and Authority Pomp State Glory and voluptuousnesse and spendeth or consumeth the sheepes Pasture and doth not give them food and drinke but is a lazy sleeper snoring in fleshly Lust and pleasure while one sheepe is going astray heere another there being scattered and lyable to be devoured by Wolves who will not goe in by the Doore of the sheepfold but clime up on the out side and onely contrive how they may by cunning suttlety and crafty tricks steale away their food and f Or fleece them sheare off their wooll All such are of the Number of Wolves and have not the Shepheards Crooke of Christ but they have and use the Devills Sheares and must hereafter howle with the Wolves Eternally 44. How may any call himselfe a Shepheard of Christ who is not chosen to be a Shepheard by the Spirit of Christ Or may a Wolfe make a Shepheard over the Sheepe are they not * He that maketh he that is made a Shepheard or Pastour both Wolves or doe wee speake from conjecture It is not so in the Order of Nature for an Evill thing cannot produce a good thing out of it selfe but one Evill thing generateth another 45. How then can one wrathfull Souldier g Or make him milde and gentle appease another furious Souldier who fully purposeth to kill slay and murther Or how wilt thou awaken the Holy Ghost in Man seeing there is onely the Spirit of this world in thy voyce That cannot be unlesse it were already awakened in the Hearer who heareth the voyce of the Holy Ghost in h Every word that is spoken by any whatsoever they are all words which are spoken of the wonders or works of God 46. And if an Asse could speake and should speake of Gods Word the Hammer of the Awakener would then strike in the soule which is in God Whosoever is of God heareth Gods Word saith Christ yee therefore heare not because yee are not of God but of the Devill and of the â—pirit of this world 47. In some there is no Word or Spirit of God at all to be awakened for the Wrathfull Matrix hath captivated them which is plaine and manifest in some to whom Christ himselfe spake he had the Hammer indeed but his Spirit entereth not into the malicious obstinate soule but into those who would faine be vertuous honest and godly if they could And when once the Hammer thus awakeneth the Spirit of the soule that the soule turneth and casteth it selfe into God then it can 48. The i The Old Adam Old Man should not have the Dominion but the Spirit of God should have it else there is no ability but a keeping back by the Wrath For there is a Twofold Longing or seeking in the soule one is the fires greedy covetous fierce Longing which alwayes seeketh after Earthly Matters and the other is from the Spirit which is brought forth out of the Fire wherein the right Life of the soule in the Image of God is understood that is Gods Longing which seeketh the Kingdome of Heaven 49. And so when the right Hammer viz. the Spirit of God striketh in it then that Longing is so strong that it overcometh the Fire-source and Longing and maketh it meeke so that it desireth the Longing of Love viz. the Longing of the soules Spirit and there is good to be done such a soule is easie to be awakened so as to subdue the outward Dominion especially when the Hammer of the holy Ghost soundeth through the Eares into the Heart then the Tincture of the soule receiveth it instantly and there it goeth forth through the whole soule through both the Longings for it casteth it selfe into one will for two wills doe not subsist in Eternity there must be but one one of them must be impotent or unmighty and the other Omnipotent or Allmighty or else there is disunion or no agreement 50. For that is the right or true property of Eternity and of the Eternall subsistence to have but one onely will if it had two one would breake or destroy the other and so there would be strife Indeed the Eternity consisteth in many Powers and Wonders but its Life is meerely and onely the Love out of which goeth forth Light and Majesty All Creatures in Heaven have but one will and that is inclined into the Heart of God and goeth into Gods Spirit even into the Centre of Multiplicity in the springing and blossoming but Gods Spirit is the Life in Every thing 51. The Centre of Nature affordeth the substance and the Majesty affordeth power and the Holy Ghost is the bringer forth He hath the Predominancy and it hath been so from Eternity but in an Invisible substance k Or to before the Creatures There is nothing New in Heaven that was not before but onely that the substance is become palpable and comprehensible God himselfe hath shewen forth himselfe in Similitudes and Images else all had been but meerely and onely God The Devill is Gods he is his wrath or fiercenesse in the most inward Centre which is also the most outward for his kingdome is the Darknesse in Nature as is before mentioned 52. Therefore Man should have a care of himselfe and endeavour to propagate or put forth himselfe for he is a roote in the soyle of God and hath gotten the Spirit of understanding he must l Bring forth or regenerate himselfe bring forth fruit out of the Spirit of the soule in the power of the Holy Ghost not according to the forme and manner of Darknesse but out of the Power of the Light for whatsoever groweth out of the power of the Light that belongeth to Gods Table and whatsoever groweth out from Darknesse which remaineth a fruit in Darknesse belongeth to the Darknesse in the Abysse in the Wrathfull Matrix or in the fierce Genetrix 53. After this Life time there is no recalling for as an hearb is sprung up and growne so it remaineth and so it relisheth and is afterwards desired for food onely of those that are of the same Essences or quality but those that have not the same Essences desire it not for food neither doe
your heart it is given me to answer you 4. And you should not so anxiously seeke after these things they are in no outward reason But to the Spirit of God nothing is impossible seeing we are the children of God and in Christ new borne of God the sonne seeth very well what the father doth in his house and also learneth his Art and worke 5. Seeing also we are the mystery of God we ought not to suppose that we must not meddle with such mysteries as Antichrist teacheth for none taketh unto himselfe any thing of Gods Mysteries unlesse it be given him and St. James saith b Iames 1.17 Every good and perfect gift commeth downe from above from the father of lights with whom there is no change nor alteration 6. And seeing you seeke so eagerly after such things you become thereby even the cause of finding them for God giveth his mysteries both by meanes and also without meanes but that no man might boast he often maketh use of very mean people about them that it might be acknowledged that they come from his hand 7. You shall be answered with a very sound and deepe answer yet briefely comprised not according to outward reason but according to the spirit of knowledge 8. And although I could sufficiently shew and demonstrate these things in a larger description yet seeing they are all described and explained at large in my other Writings at present I set them downe but briefely for the ease and delight of the Reader and that it may serve for a short memoriall of the great mysteries 9. But he that desireth to know these things fully fundamentally let him seeke them in my former Writings especially in the c The threefold life third part and there he hath the whole ground of the * Note that by the words divine essence substance or essentialitie in the writings of this Author he meaneth not that essence which is God himselfe but whatsoever is besides God and which taketh its orginall from God as the eternall Idea's in the wisedome of God doe And that which is essentiall according to the forme or figure of the Idea and that wherein all Idea's lie he calleth Mysterium magnum Coeleste Arcanum Diving Essence and also of the creation of all things of that which is eternall and of that which is corruptible and how every thing was made and is come to be as it is and act as it doth and what it shall be in the end 10. And therein also lieth the Key of the Mysterium magnum so farre forth as a creature is able to comprehend or beare and thither we referre you for further explanation and so I commend me to you into the brotherly love in Christ Anno 1620. Jacob Boehmen The first Question Answered QVESTION the First Whence proceeded the Soule Originally at the beginning of the World 1. WEe have both in our second and third Booke suffâ—ciently laid open the mysteries of the Soule according to the three Principles of the Divine Essence where also we have set downe by many Circumstances the eternall Centre of the eternall Nature and also the Ternary of the Divine Essence and moreover what Eternity hath ever beene and how the beginning of the Creation a Or came to be was brought forth and what an Angel and what a Soule is Also we have laid open the heavy fall of Lucifer and moreover both the Mothers which have so brought it forth the one * Engendring procreating the heavenly Essentiality and the other the Hellish where also we have written of Light and Darkenesse 2. Therefore we shall not be very well understood by the Reader in this Treatise unlesse he hath read over and well b Or understood comprehended c Or booke the third part of our Writings 3. Although that apprehending is not in humane power yet the way thereto is very faithfully showne him so that if he doe long to attaine it he shall obtaine a d Leader or the holy Ghost Guide and directer if he follow our counsell who will shew him the key of the Mysterium magnum leading to that precious Philosophers stone and to all Mysteries let none thinke this impossible for with God all things are possible He that findeth God findeth all things with and in Him 4 Now you know e In or by according to Reason that all things are originally sprung and derived from Eternity This also the holy Scripture tells you in God are all things Act. 17.28 In him we live and move and have our being and we are his off-spring 5. And although men cannot say of God that the pure Deity is Nature but that it is the Majesty in the Ternary yet we must say that God is in Nature although Nature can as little reach or comprehend him as the Aire can comprehend the Sunshine However we must say that Nature is borne in his will and that it is a SEEKING produced out of Eternity for where there is no Will there is also no Desire 6. But in God there is an eternall Will which is himselfe to beget his f Glance or Lustre or brightnesse of his Glory Heart or Sonne and this Will maketh the g Or rousing stirring or proceeding out of the will of the Heart which is a Spirit so that the Eternity consisteth in h 1 Will Father 2 Heart Sonne 3 Proceeding or Efflux holy Ghost three Eternall Formes which are commonly called Persons as we have very accurately i Declared or Expounded explained it in our third Booke 7. Then if we discerne and know that there is not onely Light and Majesty but also Darkenesse as is plaine it behoves us to know whence Darkenesse ariseth 8. For in the Eternity beyond Nature there can be no Darkenesse for there is nothing to bring it forth we must onely looke into the Will and the Desiring for a desiring is attracting 9. And whereas in the Eternity it hath nothing but onely it selfe it draweth it selfe into the Will and maketh the Will full and that is its darkenesse whereas otherwise if it were not desiring it were a Nothing k Or viz. but an eternall stillnesse without l Or Being Essence 10. Thus the Attraction maketh m Moveablenesse Mobility and Essences which otherwise could not be in the stillnesse and so also this maketh n Astringency or bitingnesse harshnesse hardnesse and drouth together with o Acidnesse sharpnesse 11. Neither can we say for all that that the Darkenesse swalloweth up the Light as the Eternall Liberty for that which is Eternall cannot be altered nor changed but yet we must say that Light and Darknesse are in one another 12. Now the Light is good and hath p Or power vertue but the Darkenesse hath the harshnesse hardnesse and coldnesse and the desire of the Will maketh Essences and attracting which is a q Riggling stirring in the hardnesse and if
hence it followed that he was thrust out from the Divine Mysterie from the highest Thrones into the darke Magick fire and is throwne downe beneath viz. into the Abysse of the Darke world N. 39. where he must dwell without the Principle in the horrour of Fire that is in the first three formes m Or till fire or before the fourth forme which is fire it selfe of Fire in the Anguish and there he hath his Hell as below N. 40. is to be seene and thither also doe the damned soules fall where to Eternity they cannot see God The other line of the Crosse upwards 206. Over that line N. 1. above standeth Abysse Eternity signifying the Liberty without the Principle and thereby is n Or understood meant the Mysterie of the Eternity wherein every Creature standeth in its owne source in its owne fire whether in Darknesse or in Light and hath no other light but what shineth o Or in the Creature it selfe in it selfe and it also comprehendeth that light p Or beside it selfe outwardly without it selfe Both worlds viz. the Light and Darke world are in one another but the Light is not attained except a creature be capable q Or to receive it of it 207. There are Angelicall Thrones which we know nothing of our knowledge reacheth onely r In Locum or space or bounds unto the place of ſ Or that this world so farre as the kindling in the Creation did reach and t For a resemblance of it therefore this wheele is made with the Crosse in it SONNE number 41. and of the Heart 208. Over the upright line standeth SONNE N. 41. and at the left Angle or Point N. 9. FATHER and at the right line N. 14. HOLY GHOST signifying the Persons and birth of the Holy u Or Triplicity Trinity The ♡ in the Crosse is the Centre and signifieth the Eternall band of the x Or Threenesse Trinity 209. The word SONNE N. 41. signifieth the Word which the Eternall FATHER alwayes speaketh from Eternity in the Light and Darke world according to the property of each source 210. But the Three Persons are free from the Crosse and touch not the line which signifieth that God is free from Nature and is not comprehended y Or by in Nature but he dwelleth in himselfe and indeed also in Nature but is not comprehended by that which doth not z Give up it selfe to him yeild it selfe into him Of the Heart in the Crosse 211. The Heart in the Crosse signifieth first that the Heart of God hath manifested it selfe in Nature a Or with by the Principle of Fire whence the Majestick Light ariseth secondly it signifieth the Manifestation in the Humanity wherein the Heart of God hath manifested it selfe with a Humane Heart and how that humane Heart hath obtained the comprehension of the Holy Trinity as it is the Centre in the Crosse where we must understand the Inward man viz. the Inwward Heart 212. And we may see that the HOLY GHOST at the Right line N. 14. goeth forth from the Heart in the Light world which signifieth that the HOLY GHOST dwelleth in the New-borne Heart viz. in the Image and continually bringeth the Will of the Image into the Divine Light world and as this Heart in the Crosse is united b Or with to the Holy Trinity so must the Humane Heart c Or we meane understand the Inward man be united d Or with to the Deity that God may be all in all in him even will and deed 213. But the word SONNE number 41. standing above over the line of the Crosse severed from the Heart signifieth that the Man Christ is become Lord e Or over All. of All and is King over this whole Circle For God hath manifested himselfe in the Humanity and this Man comprehendeth the whole Divine f Or substance Essence in him for there is fulnesse there is God and the Divine g Or know or acknowledge Essence in him and without him we can finde God no where else but in the h Or substance Essence of Christ therein * Or Deity is the whole fulnesse of the i Col. 2.9 God-head bodily Heaven number 42. 214. The word Heaven upon the upright line of the Crosse number 42. signifieth first that heaven is in the Man Christ and also in us and that we must enter by his Crosse and Death into him in his Heaven which is himselfe for upon the Crosse Heaven is opened againe and borne anew l Or to us in us Secondly it signifieth that the true Divine Heaven is an Habitation m For. of the Divine Desire viz. of the Divine Magia Therefore it cannot be said that we enter into it but that we are begotten n Or into it in it o Or by out of Gods Fire in the Divine p Or substantiality Essentiality and no otherwayes but upon the Crosse viz. through and in the Birth of the Holy Trinity Pure Element number 43. 215. The words Pure Element number 43. upon the upper line of the Crosse signifieth the internall world out of which the Externall with the foure Elements is brought forth and its q Or substance Essence standeth in the internall roote Holy Ghost number 44. Sonne number 45. 216. Moreover it is to be noted how r Viz. pure Element those words stand begin and end for they begin at the outward Circle at the left hand where above number 5. the Holy Ghosts Character V standeth and below number 8. ſ Or Being or substance Essence and they goe through the two Circles at the Right hand to the t Viz. the space between the second Circle and the third second space which signifieth the Originall of the pure Divine Element the Habitation and u Or substance Essence whence it ariseth viz. from the Spirit of the Eternall Mysterie in the Divine Essentiality viz. in the Essence of the Great Mysterie and yet it is manifest onely in the second Principle viz. in the Essence of the Sonne and Holy Ghost as above at the Circle on the Right hand may be seene number 44. and 45. Father number 46. Holy Spirit of Divine * Or Wit or Reason Wisdome and understanding number 47. 217. The Pure Element is the working in the True Heaven and it shutteth it selfe in and up with the Crosse it is the springing or stirring in the Fire and in the Heaven of Light whence the Divine Essentiality understand the Essence and not the Spirit of God is a life for it reacheth not into the Essence of the Father number 46. below which Circle there standeth Divine wisdome but the Holy x Or Ghost Spi it number 47. giveth Divine y Or Wit or Reason wisdome and z Or knowledge understanding 218. The Element is an a Or substance Essence in respect of the Deity as the life
come into another l Or Source Property 5. And thus we give you to understand that the Tincture is the true Body of the soule for the soule is Fire and the Tincture ariseth from the Fire the fire draweth it againe into it selfe and allayeth it selfe therewith so that the wrathfull source is quenched and then the Tincture subsisteth in meeknesse 6. For the soule hath no Essence nor m Might or ability Power in it selfe but the Fire is its power and thus water proceedeth from the meeknesse of the Tincture 7. For the fire is desirous and where there is a desiring of the Originall there is also a finding of the Originall thus the fire findeth water in the Tincture and turneth it into Sulphur according to the power of all the seven Spirits of Nature and this is n Or the. a water of Life 8. For the Tincture springeth up in the water like a sprout and the fire in the Abysse causeth it and so the water in the Sulphur of the seven Spirits is turned into the Mysterie for the Great o Arcanum Secret what God and the Eternity can doe lyeth therein 9. And thus the Mysterie containeth two formes viz. fire and water and changeth it selfe according to them both viz. according to fire into Red and according to the Tincture into White p This white this is a splendour or Glance of the Fire by which the Life may see and know it selfe from whence Reason and the senses arise And the Minde is in the wheele of the Anguish in the Fire out of which the Essences arise 10. And so we see what the blood is viz. q Or an Habitation a house of the soule but the Tincture is its body 11. The true soule hath no comprehensible body which may be called soule but the body groweth in the Tincture in the Sulphur out of Sulphur that is each Spirit of the seven Spirits of Nature desireth Essentiality and that concrete Essentiality is Sulphur 12. For Sul is the vertue of the Light and Phur is the vertue of the foure Formes of the Originall of Nature as is mentioned at large in the third Booke 13. And thus the Phur desireth flesh that is a Mesch mixture or concretion Masse of fire and water and it is conceived and borne in the Tincture 14. And the Tincture is the sprouting of the body and the fire is an Originall of the Spirit through the Tincture for the Spirit of the soule taketh its Originall in the Tincture which then figureth the true Image according to the Image of God that is according to all the three Principles for in the Fire the soule is no similitude of God but in the Spirit it is the Image of God 15. For the first soule was incorporated with the Divine Essentiality together in the Tincture so that it had the Divine body in the virgine of Wisdome in which the Tincture standeth which is the Angelicall Image 16. And so wee answer you that as to the soule onely beside the Spirit it is a Globe of Fire with an Eye of Fire and an Eye of Light which turne themselves backwards into one another as the wheele in Ezechiel that could goe on every side though Babell hath contrived another meaning about it but a blinde one without Spirit 17. But as to its Tincture proceeding from the Light which ariseth both from the fire and Light Å¿ The soule it is a Spirit in which the Originall of the soule and of the Spirit cannot part asunder in Eternity It is an Eternall band and when the bloud t Run out is gone and the body dieth then that band remaineth in Eternity 18. As to the soule onely the body belongeth not to the Essence of the soule they are two severall Essences for the body is the Glasse and dwelling house of the soule also its u Inheritance owne Lands or goods or possession Proprietary and it is also a cause that the x Or poore meere soule altereth the Spirit according to the lust of the body or of the Spirit of this world 19. Whereby the Image in the Spirit is altered altogether according to the Contence of the Will which the soule hath y Or created or formed brought out of the Centre of Fire also out of the Wrath into the Light and all according to the Imagination 20. And we give you to understand that the Spirit z Or in this time of the body while it stayes here in the body can alter it selfe which is done without its knowledge by the Imagination viz. by the desire of a Lust-sucht Lust so that the Desiring figureth such a forme in the will of the soule as the lust either to evill or good is 21. And we further say that the meere soule is not corporeall but in its Tincture a body groweth whether it be a heavenly or a hellish body and yet is not a body which can be comprehended outwardly but a vertuall body the Divine body Christs heavenly body the heavenly flesh which he giveth us to eate in his Testament 22. It is such a body as the Turba cannot touch or apprehend it is immortall and incorruptible concluded in nothing but onely in the Noble Tincture which is without b Or substance Essence or Materiality and that body is incomprehensible to the outward flesh 23. But the outward Spirit if the soule doe not hinder it but let it in bringeth its Imagination into it and spoyleth it so that another strange Image commeth to be in the Spirit in the Tincture according to the contence of the Lust as the Covetous commeth to be a Wolfe the envious a Dog the Proud a Horse Peacock or other Beast also Toads Adders Serpents and other wormes and creeping things Now Gods Spirit receiveth not their Images so long as they continue such 24. And therefore Christ said ye must be borne anew of water and of the Spirit if you would see the Kingdome of God and therefore God became Man brought the Divine Image againe into the Tincture of the soule when it was spoyled in Adam so that now we must be borne anew in Christ if we will see God 25. And that also is done by the Imagination or Faith for Faith is an eating of the Divine Body as also every body groweth by eating 26. And the New Birth is not at all after such a manner as Babell teacheth her matters are onely as it were a Glasse of the true way to God but that Glasse must be broken for Moses his Vayle is gone we shall see hence-forward with cleere Paradisicall Eyes we meane the Children of God The eight Question After what manner doth the Soule come into the Body of Man 1. MY beloved friend I understand this Question to be meant concerning its Propagation for Moses telleth you how it came into Adam and we have declared that before But if you aske concerning its Propagation how it
good and had shall every one receive their Sentence and Reward The Holy shall be set in the presence of the wicked that they may see and g Or taste feele the cause of their h Or source paine 27. If any should feigne a peculiar Residence or place where they should consort or sit together that contradicts the Rule of the Magia Every soule is in its owne Country and not bound to the place of the body but it may be where it will wheresoever it is it is either in God or in Darknesse 28. God is every where and Darknesse is every where the Angels also are every where each in its owne Principle and in its owne i Or soure Property 29. The Fiction of outward Reason without the knowledge of the Principles is k Or a false Glasse a conceit as a fighting with a shadow If I should aske a thousand times and should alwayes be told somewhat from God himselfe and yet were but in flesh and bloud I should looke upon it as Babell doth which supposeth that the soule flyeth into a Heaven above the Starres I know not that Heaven they speake of and I desire not to come there 30. Heaven is indeed above but there are the Angelicall Ptincipalities and Thrones This Eye of the l Skies Mansions or Spheares Aether is our Principality and Kingdome 31. The same is with them above which is with us but our Creation and Essence is in our Aether A soule may come to them if it earnestly desireth and the Angels of God will lovingly entertaine it 32. For the same Essence of God which is with us is with them this onely is the difference that they have among them Angelicall workes wholly pure without blemish and we have the great wonders and therefore they long to be with us and besides they are our servants during the life of the body and withstand the Devill 33. Now if the Angels be in this world in the Holy Principle whither then shall the soule flie first might Babell thinke perhaps into Pride as Lucâ—fer did O no! they continue in humility and looke m What God deth Gods Wonders as Gods Spirit moveth so doe they The two and twentieth Question What doth every Soule doth it rejoyce till the last Judgement Day 1. THis Question containeth the exceeding joyfull Gate of Glory leading to the knowledge of the n Or Trâ—umphant victorious Garland of the soule 2. When a Darling-Sonne travelleth a farre off into a strange Countrey for Art and Honour he often thinkes of home and of the time when he shall enjoy his Parents and friends he rejoyceth at the thought of that Day and expecteth it with inward joy and Longing also he plyeth himselfe hard in his businesse that he may get Arts and skill wherewith he may make his Parents kindred and friends rejoyce 3. Thinke of this similitude and take it into consideration It is just so with the soule the soules without o The body of Christ body have a great inward Joy and waite for the last Day with great inward Desire when they shall againe receive its faire and Holy Body with its p Or workes which it did here Wonders 4. Also their Ornament is in their will where they behold their workes after the manner of the Eternall Abyssall Magick which they shall then first receive at the last Day in the Figure with the new body out of the Old 5. Also we know and q Or sully highly perceive yet in the Spirit onely according to its knowledge that the blessed soules doe rejoyce in the labour which they tooke here and exceedingly recreate themselves in their wonders which they see Magically for they that have led many to Righteousnesse they have their Reward in the Magia in the will before their Eyes 6. They that have suffered much Persecution for the Truthes sake they see their bright r Or Crowne of Victory Triumphant Garland which at the last Day they shall put on upon the New body 7. They that have done much Good they see that plainely shining in the will 8. They who have been scorned contemned persecuted and slaine for Christs Doctrine honour and Truths sake they see the Triumphant Victory like one that hath overcome his Enemie in a fight and then sets it forrh Triumphantly to his Prince or King and for which he hath exceeding great Glory when his King receiveth him with great joy and keepes him with him for his faithfull assitant 9. We have no Pen that can write what exceeding joy is in them onely this wee know that those for the most part have put on the Divine Body in this world and so have greater perfection then the other they expect the last Day with great joy and Glory when their workes shall be presented to them and set before their Eyes in heavenly figures and the wicked shall see them Å¿ Or who they have tyrannised over against whom they have kicked 10. Every soule rejoyceth before the face of God in great hope of that which it shall receive againe for it knoweth its Reward but without the body it cannot receive it for it hath wrought its workes in the Body and therefore its workes follow it in the New body and come to it againe 11. For although the exceeding precious Holy soules have put on Christs body in this world so that they stand in Heaven viz. in the Image of God yet all their workes were wrought in the Old Body which was Gods Glasse and in the Resurrection they shall be represented in the true heavenly Figure in t Or Old body that body 12. For the first Image which Adam was before the fall is Regenerated in Christ and shall againe with its Wonders be put upon the soule and although it had the Divine Body before yet the u Or workes Wonders stand in the first Image 13. But the Turba with the outward Kingdome of the outward Source is gone for x The first Image it was a Glasse and is now become a Wonder it liveth without Spirit as a Wonder and shall be put upon the soule in great y Clarity Transfiguration or brightnesse Glory which it shall have from the Light of God at which the holy soules doe exceedingly rejoyce and expect it with great longing 14. You must know that every blessed soule trimmeth its Lamp so that it willingly meeteth its Bridegroome at the last Day it alwayes reneweth its will and thinketh how it shall rejoyce with all holy men and Angels in its new Body in the Wonders there is a continuall springing up of Joy in them when they thinke of that which is to come each as it's vertues are 15. And as their workes have been different upon Earth so also is their hope for a Day-labourer who hath wrought much rejoyceth at his wages so also here there is a friendly Essence among them and in them 16. All the scorne and
disgrace which was put upon them that were innocent is a great Triumphant Glory to them in that they have suffered in Innocency and put on Patience in Hope which they have still on Death cannot take it away nor put it off but the soule taketh that with it which it hath z Or wrought conceived 17. It s many hearty Prayers wishes and good deedes in love to its Neighbour are its food which it eareth and joyfully enjoyeth till its New Body shall eate Paradisicall fruit 18. But they which have put on the Divine Body here they eate at Gods Table without ceasing yet the Paradisicall fruit belongeth to the body of the Wonders which shall arise out of the Grave and which was created in Paradise for it was made out of the Beginning and it bringeth the End with the a Or workes Wonders into the Beginning againe 19. But wonder not nor thinke that we understand it so though we seeme to speake of two bodies of the Holyest Saints for they are not two but one But consider that Gods Essentiality filleth all and that is the Divine Body which is put upon the. b The great Holy soules Holy soules even in this life 20. For they cast their will into Gods will and so they receive the Divine Body which filleth all things their will dwelleth in the Divine Body and eateth of Gods Word of Gods fruit of Gods c Or Power vertue in the Divine Body and Christ is in God God is become Christ 21. And so they d Or are clothed with weare Christs Body in God and yet waite for their first Adamicall holy Body with the e Viz. The workes and deedes which were done by the Elementâ—ry Body during the whole l fe Wonders which shall be put upon them with Paradisicall f Or quality property 22. For Gods purpose must stand he created the first Body g Or in for Paradise it should have continued there Eternally and it must goe thither againe and the soule must remaine upon the Crosse of the Ternary in the Mouth of God whence it came and yet the whole Person continueth with Body and soule in one another but God filleth All in All. 23. O! that we had but a humane Pen and were able to write it in the Spirit of your soule according to our knowledge O! how many would then returne out of Sodome and Gomorrah out of Babell out of the Covetous proud vale of Misery which notwithstanding is but Anguish and paine full of feare vexation and horrour 24. And here we shall let you know that you may deeply consider it what is the lamentable and miserable condition of the damned soules and what they have to expect and but briefly seeing the following Question doth it at large 25. Their expectation is like that of an imprisoned Malefactour who continually listneth when any thing stirreth when the Executioner should come and execute Judgement and give him his Reward just so doe they 26. They have a false Conscience which gnaweth them their sins are set continually before them they also see their workes Magically they see all their unrighteousnesse and vanities their unmeasurable pride and haughtinesse they see the oppression of the poore their scorning and suppression of them 27. Their false beliefe flieth from them their Hypocrisie was only a deceitfull Glasse it reached not the Heart of God it standeth visibly before them in the Magick viz. in their will but when they search therein they stirre up the Turba of the Fire which will alwayes consume the Glasse and then they are in feare and horrour 28. For they see and know that all must be tried at the last Day by the Eternall fire of Gods Anger and they feele very well that their workes will stay in the Fire 29. The Devills also exceedingly Tremble when they consider their fall which rests in Gods Judgement what he will doe of which the Holy Scripture telleth us plainely enough especially the Judge Christ himselfe 30. Thus know that the totally miserable condition of the damned is that when they should trim their Lamps to meete their Bridegrome at his comming they tremble and smother all their workes which the Turba neverthelesse sets before their Eyes 31. But now those soules which are damned in a high degree are very presumptuously bold they reject God and curse him and are his h Most malicious worst Enemies 32. They hold their cause to be just they oppose God with daring impudency and thinke is there fire so are wee fire is there i Rising boyling properties source then wee will climbe up above God and Heaven in the source of the fire what care wee for humility wee will have the strength and might of the fire we will be above God and doe Wonders by our Power 33. Wee have the Roote God hath but the Glance let us be Lords God shall be servant our k The wrath of the Eternall Nature Mother is his life wee will overthrow his strong Tower at once 34. They have the minde of Souldiers that scale Forts and walls and thinke the Citie is theirs though indeed they loose their lives and never get it 35. You must understand that Hell is against Heaven and the Inhabitants thereof against the Inhabitants of Heaven and this in God is also a great Wonder all maketh for his Glory The three and twentieth Question Whether doe the Soules of the wicked without difference for so long a time before the Day of Judgement feele any ease or Refreshment 1. A Thing which goeth into an Eternall Entrance is also in the Eternall End who can put any thing into his hand that is a far off and not present where it is to be done he must give it onely into his hand that is by to receive it And that thing which with its will is gone forth out of it selfe can receive nothing within it selfe because it desirerh nothing within it selfe 2. Thus it is with the wicked in this world he is gone with his will out of himselfe into Covetousnesse Pride and pleasure into vices gormandizing tipling and whoring also into Gluttony his will is continually bent to dispise the poore in scorne and disgrace to plague the poore and to tread him downe by Authority 3. He hath corrupted Judgement with lies and bribes and continually swallowed downe unrighteousnesse as a Cow drinketh water all that hath come from him hath been l Or cruell bitter Anger which he prosecuted as farre as his power would reach his will hath been meere wilfulnesse he hath done what he listed he hath danced after the Devills owne Pipe and hath wholly entred into Covetousnesse he hath accounted his money and meanes his Treasure and his will hath continually entred into it 4. He hath never retired into himselfe and sought after Love much lesse humility he hath esteemed the needy as his footstoole he hath crushed him under without measure he hath counted it his
man in Abrahams seed so also he would be borne anew in the Children of the faithfull and blesse them 3. Now this is the Holy Christian Church borne in Christ and that is the bosome of Abraham for we are All one Body in Christ and the Promise was made to Abraham He is the Patriarch we are all borne in the same Promise we meane by the New Birth in Christ and are in the same bosome which receiveth us 4. And when by earnest Repentance we enter into the Promise of Abraham then we goe into the bosome of Abraham viz. z Into the Promise that is made to us by the Trinity into our Promise and Christ is borne in us in the bosome of Faith this is the fulfilling of the Promise 5. And thus in Humility we are with Lazarus in the bosome of Abraham for Christ is Abraham Christ was promised to Abraham and now he hath him and wee also and so we come into Abrahams bosome and are his Children in the Promise and Christ is the fulfilling of it and we in the fulfilling are in the bosome of Abraham and are the seed of Abraham by Faith and Spirit 6. Heare O ye blinde Jewes open your Eyes what was meant by Abrahams Circumcision nothing else but that sinne should be drowned in the bloud and death of Christ who shed his bloud for the Children of the Faith of Abraham and so we be regenerated in this bloud as in a heavenly Tincture 7. Abraham and his Children drowned sinne in their bloud by Faith in Christ who should become Man in their bloud and now it is fulfilled and therefore God hath set the seale of Faith a That is in the Essence or in the water in the substance and now we must be and are Regenerated in the true bloud of Christ 8. The bloud of Christ taketh away the Turba wholly from us and so we viz. the New Man out of the Old Adam b Or arise stand up in Christs bloud and beare Christs Image Christs flesh and bloud in us in our Image if we be Children of Abraham and not Ismaels 9. For to Isaack belong the Goods of the Image of the body of Christ the Circumcision is Ismaels for he is conversant about workes but the Goods are Isaacks yet Ismaell shall dwell in Isaacks Tents at last for Japhet shall dwell in the Tents of Sem but the Kingdome belongeth to Sem. 10. We have the goods of Isaack not by the merit of workes but from Grace from the Love of God wee cannot attaine them by workes but in Faith in the Will in the Deed and in entring into the promised Inheritance 11. He that entreth into an Inheritance that is not his owne by right of Nature he entreth into it by the favour of the c Or Giver Donor why is a servant in the house angry that his Lord is so bountifull to give a stranger the Dominion 12. Wee were strangers and must worke in his house yet the Lord did promise us in Paradise that he would againe freely out of Grace give us his Kingdome He rejected Caines offering but he gave the Kingdome of grace to Abell for Abell sought it in the Spirit and Caine in the worke 13. Thus you understand that Gods Kingdome is Magicall for the earnest will attaineth it and not the Will in the d Or worke Essence for that will remaineth in the Essence but he that is at liberty he findeth Eternity and the Kingdome of Grace therein and the Promise also together with the Essence and so the worke dwelleth in the Will and is the wills houshold servant 14. Thus you understand if you have your fight all the Old Testament this is the onely ground though comprised but in brief If we write upon Moses you shall finde it wholly there and thus we have shewen you the true ground of the bosome of Abraham and of the true Christian Religion 15. He that teacheth otherwise is of Babell beware of him he hath not Christs Spirit but he is Ismaell and seeketh but in his owne conceit 16. O! thou deare Christendome doe but open thine Eyes or else it will no more shine so cleerely upon thee goe yet to Lazarus in the bosome of Abraham The six and twentieth Question Whether doe the Soules of the Dead take care about Men Children friends and goods And whether doe they know see allow or disallow their purposes and endeavours 1. MY beloved friend this Question is beyond the reach of all humane Reason and knowledge according to outward Reason But seeing we are Abrahams Children we have also Abrahams Spirit in Christ and as Abraham looked back upon the Promise in Paradise and then also forward unto the fulfilling of the Promise so that he saw in the whole Body of Christ what was yet to be brought to passe in the e Or the time between both the beginning and the End middle and saw Christ a farre off so also we 2. Now seeing you doe so vehemently long after the great Mysteries and seeke them with so earnest a Desire yet giving God the glory accounting your selfe unworthy in your high Art and so humble your selfe before God therefore God giveth you them by so meane and poore an Instrument who esteemeth himselfe much more unworthy of them but yet would not willingly strive against his will and so you are the cause that this hand findeth and attaineth them 3. For this hand knew nothing of the Mysterie It sought onely for the Faith of Abraham but the understanding of Abraham was also given unto it which you have caused by your seeking 4. Now have a care that you also obtaine the Spirit of Abraham which hath written in the knowledge of this hand wee will impart it to you as a brother for wee are not your Lord in this hidden thing but your servant 5. Know us aright we are Lazarus and you may be accounted Abraham in comparison of us you have laboured much more then we but we are fallen into your Harvest nor of merit but by the Grace of the Giver least any tongue should boast in the sight of God and say this hath my understanding done 6. You propound a deep Question f Viz. in his outward Reason or in the Old Adam I understand it not for if I should understand it then I should dwell in the separated soule and must have the very same spirit and knowledge of that soule 7. But now seeing we are one body in Christ we have all of us Christs Spitit therefore in Christ we all see out of one Spirit and have one knowledge for he is become man in us and all holy soules are our fellow-members all begotten out of one and we all have one will in Christ in the true bosome of Abraham 8. And now we have obtained strength to reveale this hidden thing to you in Christ for our soules seeth in their soule not as if they came to us but we goe
to them for they are in perfection and we but g In part or in imperfection in part 9. And now we are able to answer you not from the reason of the outward world but from the Image in Christ and from his and our Spirit 10. You aske whether the separated soules take care of humane matters and allow or disallow them Now this you must understand to be in three different manners concerning three severall sorts of soules 11. First those soules which yet have not attained Heaven and so stick in the source in the Principle in the Birth those have yet the humane Essence with the workes in them they diligently search out the cause of their h Or stay in that condition Retention 12. And therefore many of them come againe with the Astrall Spirit and wander up and downe in their houses and places of abode and appeare in a humane Shape and desire this and that and oftentimes take care about their wills or Testaments and also thinke to procure the blessing of the Saints that they may rest and if their Earthly affaires doe still stick in them they take care many times also about their Children and friends 13. This condition of theirs continueth so long till they fall into their Rest and till their Astrall Spirit be consumed then all such doings care and perplexities are at an end and rhey also have no more knowledge thereof but that they see them meerely in the Wonders in the Magick 14. But it stirreth not the Turba neither seeketh what is in this world for it being once passed through Death from the Turba it desireth such things no more It also taketh no further care for care stirreth up the Turba and then the will of the Soule should be forced to enter with its Spirit into earthly things but it had rather let such things alone because it hardly got rid of them before It will no more entertaine the Earthly will 15. This is an Answer concerning this first sort and wee tell you plainely and in Truth that this sort after they are once received into Grace take no more care purposely about humane Earthly i Or affaires matters but it beholdeth the heavenly matters which are brought to it by the Spirit of man and rejoyceth in them but there is somewhat still behinde which is this 16. A living man hath such Power that he is able with his Spirit to goe into Heaven to the separated soules and stirre them up about some Question by a hearty Desire but it must be earnest it must be Faith that can breake open a Principle 17. And this we see in Samuell the Prophet whom the k Saul King of Israel raised up that he might make his will knowne to him though this seeme otherwise to some of whom we may well say that they are blinde and voyde of knowledge for they speake but their owne scholastick Fables and frame Opinions about that they have no knowledge of in the Spirit and these are Babell 18. Now secondly the other sort which sinke into Death without a l Or the body of Christ body they are wholly in one and the same place of the Principle in which the first sort are which afterward did sinke downe in themselves All these take no evill affaires upon them wherein the Turba sticketh 19. But when the honest soules which are alive send them their workes with their Spirit and will they rejoyce in them and are so affable that they appeare to men Magically in sleepe and shew them good wayes and many times reveale Arts which lye in m In Arcano in the most â—nward Mysterie secret viz. in the Abysse of the soule 20. For seeing the Earthly Spirit thrusteth its Mysterie before the soule and keepeth the soule captive in that Mysterie therefore the Spirit of the Soule cannot alwayes attaine the deepest secrets but after the departure of the body the soule is naked and that especially if it be without a New body then it beholdeth it it selfe and also its Wonders and it can very well shew one that is living somewhat if he be honest and have not stirred up the Turba in the sleeping Magia for Dreames are wholly Magicall and the soule without a Body is in the Magia of God 21. Thus know that no soule separated from the body entreth into any wicked matter except it be a damned soule which indeed entreth in Magically and hath its joy therein and teacheth most notorious vile prancks in Dreames for it is a servant of the Devill 22. And whatsoever a wicked man desireth that the Devill readily helpeth him to for he can doe it better by the soule of a man then of himselfe for he is too crude and n Makes horrour in the Magia terrifieth the Magia so that the Elementary Spirit is astonished and o Or raiseth up awakeneth the body 23. Also you must know this that all is done Magically in the will without p Raising of the paine or property awakening of the source no soule riseth with its Essences of its owne accord to please Man unlesse man raise and disturbe it himselfe 24. There are many villanies in Nigromancy which can many times vex and torment the Spirits of men but it can doe so to no soule that is cloathed with Christs Essentiality for that soule is free 25. The third sort of separated soules which are in Abrahams bosome in Christ having the heavenly Essentiality none can stirre them except they will themselves as when they beare a favour to a soule that is like themselves also they take no Earthly thing upon them except it maketh for the Glory of God and then they are restlesse to reveale something in a Magicall manner 26. But they let no Turba into them neither doe they intercede with God for us but whatsoever commeth to them they rejoyce in it with the Angels for the Angels rejoyce at a sinner that repenteth then much more the soules 27. Why should they pray to God for us it lyeth not in their Prayer but in mans entring into God when he strongly turneth his will to God then Gods Spitit helpeth him without q Their praying or intercession for us Prayers 28. For his Armes are stretched forth day and night to help Man what need is there then of their Prayers It is the will of God that man should come to him 29. Shall then a r A separated soule of a Saint soule be so presumptuous as to make God so severe a Judge as not to be willing to receive a returning sinner surely no true knowledge of God were in this But when they see the soule pierce in with its Spirit to God it is great joy to them that Gods Kingdome is enlarged 30. The heavenly soule hath Gods will what God willeth that it willeth also but it is Gods Spirit it selfe that will help the converted sinner 31. The soules see well how Gods Spirit pierceth into the
soule if the will of the soule doe but give way to it there is no neede of the Prayers of any Å¿ Or blessed â—ule Angell they all wish that Gods Kingdome may come and that Gods will be done but the Honour of Government they give to God 32. That men in Popery have invocated great Saints that are dead and that they also have appeared to men and wrought t Or Miracles Wonders we acknowledge it and it is true and although it be now taught against it is by those that are indeed quite ignorant in it It hath another A. B. C. which all of them on both sides doe not understand at all 33. The Faith of one receiveth the Faith of another the Faith of the living tooke hold of the Faith of the Saints departed and the u Viz. the will that is strong Faith hath wrought Wonders 34. Yea it is so powerfull that it can throw downe Mountaines shall then the pure Faith of the Saints in the Faith of the living be able to doe nothing Indeed it could even x Or breake in peeces destroy the whole world if God would but suffer it 35. As he hath permitted it to worke so farre sometimes that the Heathen have been converted by such meanes when they have seene such Wonders wrought at the y Or departure Death of Saints 36. Should not a soule in heaven be willing to put forth its Faith for the glory of God and the working of wonders for him This is even done by the Holy Ghost who hath wrought the Wonders by the Faith of both parties and they are onely the Wonders of God and of his Children 37. But this is wholly cast to the ground and now there is so learned a Schoole that it contemneth all Gods z Or Miracles Wonders but it is Babell and not the Spirit of God It is envious Pride They stand aloft and cry Come ye all to me here is Christ here is the Gospel Indeed there is Pride Covetousnesse Ambition and selfe arrogating malepertnesse a lifting up of proud Babell 38. It is even the old Antichrist and they are young twigs sprung out of the old Tree and they have stirred up the Turba with their strong wrathfull sap which Turba shall roote up the whole Tree for God hath cursed it it is wholly evill and wormeaten it shall downe 39. For there is a young Tree growne out of the Roote out of the old Root which shall discover what the old Tree hath been in its Wonders 40. Yet we would not upbraid any but onely speake of our Wonders and say that the servant shall enter into the House and be free for the time is at hand that he should eat with the Sonne and be merry and rejoyce with him 41. Thus we answer this your Question summarily that indeed the Holy soules doe certainly know of our holy workes and approve of them but they doe not at all regard false workes for they dwell in another Principle into which no evill worke can come nay they doe not so nor doe they enquire after that which belongeth to the Devill also they know nothing but that which reacheth to their Principle 42. Children Parents friends and strangers are all alike to them for in Heaven we are all Brethren They take no greater care of Parents or Children â—â—en they doe of others unlesse they serve God and then their service of God is acceptable and joyfull to them but they enter not into their a The evill which they doe or suffer justly Turba 43. For after the last Day honest Parents shall know nothing of their Children which are in Hell Therefore it is sufficiently and plainely knowne to us that they now also take no care about wicked matters The seven and twentieth Question Whether doe the Soules * Or in Death departed know and understand this or that businesse and Art whereof while they were in the body they had sufficient Skill 1. THis Question is like the former all their workes appeare to them in their will after a Magicall manner they see them but the figure of them shall then first be given them at the Day of Restauration so that they shall be able rightly to behold their workes for they must first be tried by the Fire and whatsoever is false the b Uncleannesse or drosse Turba of that must remaine in the Fire according to the words of c The words of Christ in Paul Christ 2. But it is strange that men should aske whether they know Arts or no without Question they know all Arts how deeply soever they are grounded but they dare not d Or bring them into act awaken them that they appeare in Spirit for Arts are borne in the Centre of Nature out of those Essences wherein the Wonders lye which they sought in this world so farre as they had the Mysterie made knowne to them 3. A soule that is without the Divine body doth not willingly enter into the Mysterie for Art it stands still in its rest it feareth the Turba It giveth God the glory 4. But those soules that are highly enlightned who have heavenly Essentiality in their Spirit They have all knowledge of heavenly things and of whatsoever lyeth hid in the Mysterie especially those who had acquaintance with the Mysterie in this Life the other dive not in into the Mysterie 5. For every one continueth in his e Or Employment calling in that which he delighted in here although there be no such working yet they have their joy in it for in Heaven there is an humble simple Childrens Life 6. Why then should they search or care for Art when the whole Mysterie of God standeth open God filleth All in All there is only a meere Wonder they All live in Wonders and are all of them the Art of God they have great knowledge but in a Paradisicall simple Childrens Life The eight and twentieth Question Whether hath the Soule any more knowledge of Divine Angelicall Earthly and Devilish things and whether can it get more certaine experience and knowledge of them then it had in the body 1. COncerning Divine and Angelicall knowledge certainly it hath much more of that for it is in the Principle of God the Sonne seeth very well what the Father doth in his House and so likewise the soule seeth what is in Heaven 2. Their knowledge is different for the highest knowledge is in the Majesty and therefore most soules must waite till the last Day when they shall receive their new Body 3. But the highly enlightned soules which are in the Divine body and Power they have superabundant understanding and knowledge of God and also of the Angels for they continue in the Wonders of God till they shall bring their owne Wonders thither 4. The soules that are without a body are in Heaven in God as it were Magically they awaken no Wonders but are under Gods Altar and expect the Wonders at
shall finde the whole ground of Heaven and of this world The seven and thirtieth Question What is the Spirit of Christ which was * Or obedient willing and which he commended into his Fathers hands 1. THis is that great and excellent l Treasure Gem or Pearle Jewell and we exceedingly rejoyce that we know it so that wee are able to know our selves what we are and it is more worth to us then all the world for it is that Pearle of which Christ said that one sold all that he had and bought that Pearle 2. For it is more profitable to man then the whole world it is more precious then the Sun for the m Or the Philosophers stone Noble stone of the wise men lyeth therein it hath the heavenly and Earthly n Great Mysterie Mysterium Magnum and therein nothing in this world to be compared to it but o Or trusting in God and enduring whatsoever he layeth upon us sincere simplicity which is quiet and bringeth forth or stirreth up no Turba and that hath the Jewell hidden in it 3. As Gold lyeth couched in the stone and is safe if a p Or spoyler Robber commerh not with the Earthly Turba and destroyeth it and yet he himselfe getteth nothing by it so selfe Reason is a Robber in the q That is in the Cabinet where the Pearle lyeth Mysterie 4. Therefore we may say upon good ground that a simple r Lay-man or Ideot plain man who simply without multiplicity of science dependeth on God hath the Mysterium Magnum better and surer yea lesse decayed then a high learned Å¿ Or Father Doctor who soareth aloft in Reason and t Or disputeth and wrangleth about it spoyleth the Jewell and u Or respect of persons setteth it in Babell this saying will not be well relished yet that is nothing to us wee must speake the Truth without x partiality 5. Now when wee speake of Christs Spirit Reason thinketh it is the soule or else the Spirit of the outward Life which consisteth in the vertue and operation of the Starres and Elements but it is not so It is somewhat else wherein the Image of God consisteth the outward Spirit belongeth not to the Deity but to the Wonders 6. Wee have spoken somewhat of it already but because this Question doth put us in minde of it againe mentioning that when he dyed he commended it to his Father therefore we must a little say how that was done 7. You sufficiently perceive in what manner the soule is the x Centrum Naturae Center of Nature the Originall of Life and mobility viz. Gods Fire which should be continually converted into the Eternall will of God wherein it is originally borne from the Magicall Desire and is a great Secret come out of the Eternall Nothing wherein all things are contained even the Deity with all the three Principles and every y Thing Essence or substance Being that can be named 8. And you perceive that the Light and Spirit of the Aire proceed from the fire and also that the fire doth againe draw the Spirit of the Aire into it selfe and so alwayes bloweth it selfe up and so with the Light Aire and z Or property source of the Fire it is its owne Life 9. And further wee have said somewhat of the Noble Tincture which ariseth in the Light in which the meeknesse of the Light consisteth and it commeth forth from the Anguish which is as a mortifying and springeth forth afresh through the mortifying Anguish as a life having another a Or Source property where the property of the fire is a kinde of Tincture like the driving forth of a Spirit and yet it is desiring and thereby it attracteth the vertue of the Light into it selfe and maketh it an Essence viz. water 10. And therein are two Formes One according to the source of Fire which is red and therein the vertue viz. Sulphur And the other which is like a thin meeknesse yet having Essentiality is water which the desiring Tincture contracteth together into one and changeth it into Bloud 11. Now the Originall in the Bloud viz. Fire which is a warmth that is a Tincture is a Life and in the vertue of the Tincture the thin water of the Life proceedeth one b The outward vertue proceeding forth from c The inward another and the vertue doth alwayes reassume that which goeth forth and that which is gone forth is free from the Fire and also from the vertue for it is gone forth and yet it arose from the vertue 12. And this is the true Spirit which is borne out of the soule wherein the Image of God and the Divine virgin of Gods wisdome consisteth for all understanding and knowledge lyeth in this Spirit it hath the senses and the noble life which uniteth it selfe with God this Spirit is so subtile that it can and may enter into God 13. If this Spirit resigneth it selfe up to God and casteth away the ostentation and d Reason suâ—tlety or wâ— cunning of the fire of its owne soule then it attaineth the Image of God the Divine body for it putteth its will into God and dwelleth in God with Power thus it is cloathed with the Divine Essentiality and is without this world in the Life of God 14. But seeing this Spirit ariseth first out of the Center of Nature that is out of the Life of Fire although it is not the life of the Fire but the Spirit of it and the Life of the Fire standeth originally in the Abysse în the source of Gods Anger therefore Christ did not commend this Spirit of his to the fires owns life but into the hands of his Father 15. His hands are the Love-Desire wherewith he embraceth our Spirit when we enter into him and commend our selves to him 16. For when his body was to dye on the Crosse and his soule was to passe through Hell through the Anger of God there the Devills waited and thought with themselves we will surely keep the soule in our Turba in the Fire and then Christ commended the Spirit into the Love of God 17. And so the soule of Christ with the Spirit came into Gods hand being encompassed with the Fire of Anger and Death and Death would have held it there but Death was destroyed and confounded 18. For Death smothered the outward Spirit viz. the outward Life and then thought now surely the soule must remaine in the Turba but there was one stronger in the soule viz. the word of God which tooke death captive and destroyed the Anger and quenched the wrath with the Love in the Spirit of Christ 19. It was a poyson to Hell for the Love of God to come into it and smother it in the soule also a Plague Death and Destruction to Death Death must now suffer an Eternall Life to grow in it 20. Thus the Spirit of Christ tooke the Divell captive and
the soule is purely and alone in the Center it is an Essentiall Fire in the Eye of Eternity and yet that Eye desireth a figure and Image of the wisdome of God 23. And the Image is in its desire in its Imagination for the Verbum fiat word Fiat hath comprehended it that it might be a similitude of the Eternall wisdome of God wherein he dwelleth and wherein he may manifest himselfe by his Spirit and what ever hath been in his Eternall Counsell 24. Thus the Majesty of God flameth in the Image in the Essentiall Fire if the Essentiall Fire putteth its desire into the Majesty but if not then the Image is Voyd or empty raw and naked without God and the Tincture is false 25. For the Image is in the Tincture and hath its originall in the Tincture in the Light not in the source of the Fire and as the Heart or word of God hath its Originall in the Light of the Majesty in the Eternall Tincture of the fire of the Father so hath the Image of the soule 26. Indeed the Image dwelleth in the fire of the soule as Light dwelleth in the Fire but it hath another Principle as the Light is such a source as is different from Fire 27. And so the true Image of God dwelleth in the Light of the Fire of the soule which Light the fiery soule must create in the fountaine of the Love of God in the Majesty by putting and yeilding its Imagination into it 28. And if the soule doe not so but putteth its Imagination into it selfe into its wrathfull forme of the source of the fire and not into the fountaine of Love into the Light of God then its owne source of Sternesse sharpnesse or eagernesse fourcnesse astringency and bitternesse riseth up and the Image of God becommeth a Turba and swalloweth up the similitude of God in the wrath 29. And then the Astringent Fiat in the fiery Essence of the soule figureth for the soule an Image of the Imagination that is in its will whatsoever the Essentiall fire of the soule desireth that will be figured in the soule viz. Earthly Figures that which the will of the Heart casteth it selfe into that Image the Fiat of the soule will make that is as farre as the third Principle and the Spirit of the Starres and Elements hath power 30. So that if the will of the soule doe cast it selfe into the Kingdome of this world then the outward Kingdome hath power to bring its Imagination into the inward Principle and if the inward Fiat perceive that in the fire of the soule then it becommeth pregnant with it and keepeth it 31. And then the soule hath the Image of a Beast in the third Principle and that cannot be destroyed for ever except the will of the soule returne againe out of the earthly Lust and pierce into the Love of God againe and then it getteth the Image of God againe which may be done onely in this life while the soule is Essentially in its Ground or soyle or bed of Earth Ether in the growing of its Tree but after this Life it cannot be done 32. Thus you may understand what the soule Spirit Image and Turba are the soule dwelleth in it selfe and is an Essentiall Fire and its Image standeth in it selfe in the Imagination in the Light of the soule if it cleave to God if not then it is in Anxiety in the wrath of darknesse and is an Vizard or Monster abominable Image or an Image of the Devill 33. The Turba of the soule which destroyeth the Divine Image is the Essentiall wrathfulnesse and it is caused by the Imagination or false Love and Or Imaging Representation and therefore all lyeth in the Imagination the Image consisteth in that which we suffer to come into our Desire 34. It is very necessary for us to strive continually against the Earthly Reason of flesh and bloud and to yield the Spirit of our wills into the mercy and Love of God and alwayes cast our selves into the will of God and not count Earthly Or profit goods and pleasure our treasure setting our desire upon it which will destroy the Image for it is a Turba of the Image of God and bringeth Earthly properties into the Image 35. Or to conclude To summe up all Christ said where your treasure is there will your Heart be also according to which God will judge the secrets of Mankinde and sever the cleane from the uncleane and give that which is false to the Turba of the Fire to be devoured and bring the Holy thing which is entred into God into his Kingdome AMEN THE CLAVIS OR KEY OR An Exposition of some principall Matters and words in the writings of JACOB BEHMEN Very usefull for the better apprehending and understanding of this Booke Written in the Germane Language in March and Aprill ANNO. 1624. BY JACOB BEHMEN Also called Teutonicus Philosophus Printed in the yeare 1647. THE PREFACE TO THE READER Of these writings 1. IT is written the Naturall man a Understandeth or receiveth not perceiveth not the things of the Spirit nor the Mysterie of the Kingdome of God they foolishnesse unto him neither can be know them therefore I admonish and exhort the Christian Lover of Mysteries if he will studie these High writings and read search and understand them that he doe not read them outwardly onely with sharp speculation and meditation for in so doing he shall remaine in the outward Imaginary Ground onely and obtaine no more then a b Or feigned shadow of them counterfeited colour of them 2. For a mans owne Reason without the Light of God cannot come into the Ground of them it is impossible let his wit be never so high and subtill it apprehendeth but as it were the shadow of it in a Glasse 3. For Christ saith without me you can doe nothing and he is the Light of the world and the Life of men 4. Now if any would search the Divine Ground that is the Divine c Or manifestation Revelation he must first consider with himselfe for what end he desireth to know sucb things whether he desireth to practise that which he might obtaine and bestow it to the glory of God and the welfare of his neighbour also whether he desireth to die to Earthlinesse and to his owne will and to live in that which he seeketh and desireth and to be one Spirit with it 5. If he have not a purpose that if God should reveale himselfe and his mysteries to him he would be one Spirit and have one will with him and wholly resigne and yeild himselfe up to him that Gods Spirit might doe what he pleaseth with him and by him and that God might be his knowledge will and d Or working deed he is not yet fit for such knowledge and understanding 6. For there are many that seeke Mysteries and hidden knowledge meerely that they might be respected and highly esteemed the world and for their
as Astrall Elementary things for the Eternall is one Fire and the Temporary is an other as shall be shewne hereafter ♀ The fift Property 99. Now the fift Property is the Fire of Love or the h The Power and Light-world world of Power and Light which in the darknesse dwelleth in it selfe and the darknesse comprehendeth it not as it is written Iohn 1 chap. The Light shineth in the darknesse and the darknesse comprehendeth it not also the word is in the Light and in the word is the true understanding Life of Man viz. the true Spirit 100. But this Fire is the true soule of Man viz. the true Spirit which God breathed into Man for a creaturely Life 101 You must understand in the spirituall fire of the will the true desirous soule out of the Eternall ground and in the Power and vertue of the Light the true understanding Spirit in which the unity of God dwelleth and is manifest as our Lord Christ saith the Kingdome of God is within you and Paul saith Ye are the Temple of the Holy Ghost who dwelleth in you This is the place of the Divine inhabiting and Revelation 102. Also the soule commeth to be damned thus when the fiery will breaketh it selfe off from the Love and unity of God and entreth into its owne Naturall Propriety that is into its evill properties this ought further to be considered 103. O Zion observe this ground and thou art freed from Babell 104. The second Principle viz. the Angelicall world and the Thrones is meant by the fift Property for it is the motion of the unity wherein all the Properties of the fiery Nature burne in Love 105 An Example or similitude of this i Or thing ground may be seen in a Candle that is Lighted the Properties lie in one another in the Candle and none of them is more manifested then another till the Candle be lighted and then we finde Fire Oyle Light Aire and water from the Aire all the foure Elements become manifest in it which lay hidden before in one only Ground 106. And so likewise it must be conceived to be in the Eternall Ground for the temporary substance is flowne forth from the Eternall therefore they are both of the same quality but with this difference that one is Eternall and the other transitory one Spirituall and the other corporeall 107. When the Spirituall Fire and Light shall be kindled which hath indeed burned from Eternity in it selfe then shall also the Mysterie of the Divine Power and knowledge be alwayes made manifest therein for all the Properties of the Eternall Nature become spirituall in the Fire and yet Nature remaineth as it is inwardly in it selfe and the going forth of the will becommeth Spirituall 108. For in the k sissing or noyse crack or flash of the Fire the darke receivingnesse is consumed and in that consuming the pure bright fire-Spirit which is pierced through with the Glance of the Light goeth forth in which going forth we finde three severall Properties 109. The first is the going upwards of the fiery will the second is the going downewards or sinking of rhe watery Spirit viz. the Meeknesse and the third is the going out forwards of the oyly Spirit in the midst in the Center of the fiery Spirit of the will which oyly Spirit is the Ens of the unity of God which is become a substance in the desire of Nature yet all is but Spirit and Power but so it appeares in the figure of the Manifestation not as if there were any severing or division but it appeares so in the Manifestation 110. This threefold manifestation is according to the Trinity for the Centre wherein it is is the onely God according to his manifestation the fiery flaming Spirit of Love is that which goeth upwards and the meeknesse which proceedeth from the Love is that which goeth downwards and in the midst there is the Center l Or of the circumference which is the Father or whole God according to his manifestation 111. And as this is to be knowne in the Divine manifestation so it is also in the Eternall Nature according to Natures property for Nature is but a m Picture representation or shadow Resemblance of the Deity 112. Nature may be further considered thus the flash of the Originall of fire is a crack and salnitrous ground whence Nature goeth forth into infinite divisions that is into multitudes or varieties of Powers and vertues from which the multitude of Angels and Spirits and their colours and operations proceeded also the foure Elements in the Beginning of time 113. For the n Temperament or harmony temperature of fire and Light is the holy Element viz. the motion in the Light of the unity and from this salnitrous ground we meane spirituall not earthly salnitre the foure Elements proceed viz. in the o Compressure or impressure in every place where that word is used following compressure of the fiery Mercury Earth and stones are produced and in the Quintessence of the fiery Mercury the fire and Heaven and in the Motion or going forth the Aire and in the disruption or rending of the Desire by the fire the water is produced 114. The fiery Mercurie is a drie water that hath brought forth Mettals and stones but the broken or divided Mercury hath brought forth wet water by the Mortification in the Fire and the compressure hath brought the grosse rawnesse into the Earth which is a grosse salnitrous Saturnine Mercurie 115. By the word Mercurie you must understand here in the Spirit alwayes the outflowne Naturall working word of God which hath been the Separator Divider and former of every substance and by the word Saturne we meane the compressure 116. In the fift Property that is in the Light the Eternall unity is substantiall that is an holy Spirituall Fire an holy Light an holy Aire which is nothing else but Spirit also an holy water which is the outflowing Love of the unity of God and an p Ternarium Sanctum holy Earth which is all-powerfull vertue and working 117 This fifth Property is the true spirituall Angelicall world of the Divine joy which is hidden in this visible world ♃ The sixt Property 118. The sixt Property of the Eternall Nature is the sound noyse voyce or understanding for when the Fire flasheth all the Properties together sound the Fire is the mouth of the Essence the Light is the Spirit and the sound is the understanding wherein âll the Properties understand one another 119. According to the Manifestation of the holy Trinity by the effluence of the unity this sound or voyce is the Divine working word viz. the understanding in the Eternall Nature by which the supernaturall knowledge manifesteth it selfe but according to Nature and Creature this sound or voyce is the knowledge of God wherein the Naturall understanding knoweth God for the Naturall understanding is a platforme Resemblance and Effluence from the Divine