formes for as the Genetrix is so is also the will-spirit out of the Genetrix 193. Thus understand also concerning Mans Soule which is also a Magick-fire-source or quality out of the Eternall Center out of the Eternall Nature for after God created the body out of the Substantiality then he introduced the Spirit out of all the Three Principles thereinto He should be a similitude and Image of God understand according to and out of all the Three Worlds viz out of the Eternall Fires Nature and out of the Lights Nature and then out of this outward worlds Nature wherein the outward Man liveth 194. For God breathed into him the Living Breath and then Man became a living soul Now what can God breath other out of himself then himself for God is the substance of all substances but all is not called or known to be God He calleth himself a GOD only according to his Heart according to the property of the Light world viz according to the Love and Meeknesse according to the second Principle 195. God breathed into the Created Image the Spirit out of all the Three Worlds viz that is to say Himself viz the Eternall beginninglesse Magick fire-source or quality out of all formes of the Eternall Nature that is the first Principle and it is the property of the Father who according to Nature calleth himself an Angry Zealous or Jealous God and a Consuming fire 196. And then the Center of the Light as a Sparkle out of his Heart out of which the Divine Will goeth forth which appropriateth or uniteth it self to God againe and Imagineth according to its Mother viz according to Gods Love and Meeknesse That is the Second Principle wherein the Angelicall world consisteth 197. And Thirdly the Spirit-Aire with the Spirit of this outward world out of the Starres and Elements viz the Third Principle Thus Man became an Entire Totall Image according to God out of all the Three Worlds An Image of God wherein God dwelleth wherein God beheld found and manifested or revealed himself 198. Now the Eternall Word was his Law of his spirituall Nature that this introduced and in-breathed spirit of Man should introduce its Imagination into no other source or quality but only into Gods Love and Meeknesse It should eate only of the Divine Substantiality and drink the water of the Eternall Life and then its Body had Continued Paradisicall 199. The Body had paradisicall fruit to Eate which grew for it IN all fruits The outward Body of this world was in the source or quality of the Light world as it were swallowed up and yet it was there As the Light swalloweth up the Darknesse and holdeth it captive in it self and yet the Darknesse remaineth but in the Light is not Manifested 200. So also should the outward 〈◊〉 of this world as also the inward source or quality of the Fire out of the first Principle stand hidden in the Paradisicall Substantiality and source or quality and Man should bring his life and will into the Paradisicall source or quality 201. He should set or put his Spirits Imagination into the Heart of God viz into the Lights Center and then had the Soul continually eaten of the Lights Substantiality understand the soulish Fire had conceived or received the divine source or quality into it self and had burned forth in the divine source or quality viz in Love and Meeknesse 202. Through that burning or Life would the divine Substance have been introduced into the outward Body viz heavenly Fesh and the Holy Body would have stood in the Tincture of the second Principle and the outward Dominion of the Outward World would have stood hidden in the Inward World and have been manifested in the Outward 203. Such a Body also was created in the Beginning viz out of the inward Substantiality of the pure Element which is manifested in Paradise and an outward Body of or from the Foure Elements which stood manifested in the outward World but the inward should leade the Dominion and hold the outward as it were swallowed up as the Light doth the Darknesse 204. Understand each Principle should stand free and barely in it self and set or put its Imagination or Desire into God and then would Gods light have filled all in All and the Earnest severe Fire-source or quality of the first Principle viz the Eternall Nature of the Dark World as also the outward Nature and source or quality of the Starres and Elements would not have been manifested 205. Man would have lived in the Divine Love source or quality and would have continued Immortall and incorruptible no sicknesse neither want necessity nor Death would have touched him 206. Therefore now if such a desire is to be in Man out of which the Will-Spirit should barely be inclined or directed into God then must Divine Substantiality needs be in the Souls Fire out of which such a Will-Spirit might exist 207. For out of no Earthly source or quality nor out of the Dark Worlds source or quality doth any divine desire exist Earthlinesse knoweth nothing of God also the Dark World hath no Divine Love or Desire in it self 208. Whereby we know that we according to the second Principle viz according to the Paradisicall Angelicall World have had flesh and bloud out of the heavenly Essence and Substantiality which was the right Body of the Soul and therein stood the Image of Heaven 209. And the Spirit 〈◊〉 the Magick-Fire of the Soul which shined in the power of the 〈◊〉 was the true similitude of God according to the Trinity of GOD the Image wherein God dwelleth and wherewith God manifesteth himselfe For that very Spirit is like all Angells in Substance and Beeing of which Christ faith Math. 22. 30. That in the Resurrection they are like the Angells of God 210. When God had created Adam he then stood in the Paradisicall World viz in the Image of God but God knowing how he with his Noble Jewell between the Inward Dark World and then also the outward Elementary World stood fast bound to BOTH therefore he gave to the Souls Nature the Law and Cormandment and said Thou shalt not eate of the Tree of knowledge of Good and Evill for on what Day thou eatest thereof thou shalt dye the Death that is dye away from the Divine World and in THEE will the Dark World and then also the Outward world become manifested and get the Dominion in THEE 211. As also then it was so done when Adam began and set or put his Desire and Imagination into the Outward World then the souls fire did Eat of the forbidden Fruit and brought the Earthly source or quality and the substantiality of this World into his Noble Image into the Paradisicall Angelicall World 212. He brought the earthly source or quality and substance into the Pure Elementary Flesh which was created out of the Divine substantiality so his light extinguished that is he went with his will-spirit
Modest Eye of the wisdome of God and the Wisdome is the Holy Spirits Corporeity wherein he dwelleth It is his Eternall Looking-Glasse wherein he hath discovered or discerned the Great Wonders from Eternity 314. And the Holy Spirit is gone forth or proceeded from the Word viz out of the Center or Heart of God forth from the Father viz out of the Fire through the Light into the Majesty into the Essence of the Paradisicall and Angelicall World understand into that Essence or into the Pure Element viz into the Substantiality of the Heavenly Corporeity 315. This very Substantiality or Corporeity as is now mentioned was Christs heavenly Flesh and Bloud For the Noble Tincture maketh the Water out of the Majesty turne into Spirituall Bloud 316. That very Substantiality which was in the Covenant wherein the Promised Word of God stood is Entered into Maryes Substantiality viz into the in Death inclosed Substantiality and is become a Body and hath made that which was shut up living againe The divine and heavenly Paradisicall Substantiality in the Covenant and Maries Substantiality is become ONE thing the Life sprouted or grew in Death 317. Therefore is Christ become our Life and Spirit also our Flesh and Bloud and therefore he giveth us understand our Souls-Fire his heavenly Body and Bloud to eate and to drink Our Soul hath with the Divine Substantialities Entrance againe gotten heavenly flesh for its Fire-Life it burneth againe in the divine source or quality out of the Love-Substantiality 318. The Holy Tincture according to the divine Fires Property belongeth to the Soul and the Waters property viz the Lights Meeknesse belongeth to the Body the Body is alwayes under or beneath the Soul 319. For the Soul it out of the Eternall Nature-Fire it is the Principle between the Dark and Light World it hath the Center of the Fire-World in it self 320. And the Substantiality is out of the Center of the Light-world in the Divine desire it cometh to a Substance for it is the substance of the Desire the Desire is Spirit and that which is comprehended in the Desire is the Substance of the Desire 321. And what can the desire comprehend other then it self that is the Meeknesse of the Light that is a sinking downe of the Love and Meeknesse towards the Fire-Spirit that riseth up That the Fire-Spirit continually comprehendeth in its desire and consumeth it that is it bringeth it through the sharpnesse of the Father and there it goeth through death againe forth into the Liberty and maketh the source or quality of the divine World for the Spirit of God is understood therein 322. Not that there is a dying or Death therein but the Fire source or quality is accounted for a Death for the Roote of the Fire is the Dark World with its sterne formes to the Fire-Nature As in the Book of the Six Points of the Great Mysterie is expresly mentioned at Large 323. Now understand the sence aright Gods Substantiality hath been from Eternity it is unmeasurable and unsathomable it is every where all over wheresoever a Man can say here is God there is also the Divine Substantiality yet not in the Outward World in the Third Principle but in the Heavenly in the Second Principle 324. Therefore said Christ John 3. 13. None goeth to Heaven but the sonne of Man which is come from Heaven and which it in Heaven his divine Substantiality was in Heaven and yet it was come into the Humanity and the Humanity is without him dead in Adam 325. Now would any goe into Heaven they must then have his substance on them He is the Ladder that Jacob saw which with one End reached to Heaven and with the other End in the Humanity 326. A Man is to understand it thus that the Body of Christ understand the Corporeity of the divine Substantiality which hath revealed or manifested it self in the Corporized Substantiality of the Humanity in Mary is Greater then ALL. 327. The divine Substantiality is not totally gone into the Creaturely Image that cannot be for it is unmeasurable Only it hath revealed or manifested it self in the humane Substantiality in the Created Image in the Becoming Man or Incarnation of Christ and kindled the humane and given its Life understand into Adam's Image which also was in Mary and in all Men. Question 328. Now it may be asked What kinde of Person was Mary being the Limit of Gods Covenant stood in her Or how did CHRIST get Body and Soul in Her and yet remained what he was from Eternity Answer 329. Many was First a Bodily Issue and Daughter of Eve the Mother of us all and of her right Mother Anna and of her right Father Joachim no immaculate pure virgin understand according to the outward World for the Anger of God stuck also in her and shee is redeemed or reconciled through the Bloud of Christ 330. And according to the Second Principle her Image stood also shut up in Death But the Limit or Mark stood in her understand in her Image but undiscernably and unperceivably in that way and manner as God is in all and the Thing knoweth nothing of him for God dwelleth not in the Thing he possesseth Nothing but only himself Thus was the Limit or Mark in Mary and Gods Promise in the Word of Life was in the Limit or Mark yet not dwelling in Mary but in it self 331. God had never according to his Heart moved himself from Eternity and when once he moved himself in Mary in the Limit or Mark then Mary became highly blessed and in the Blessing impregnate with the Saviour For the Life came into Death into the in Death inclosed Essence 332. Now yet the Seed of Man qualified or operated with the Body and now when the divine Life came into the Essence of the Seed of Mary then her whole Body viz the Images Body according to the Second Principle became Highly Blessed And in this new Wonderous Entrance and Moving of God was brought to Life so that her Essence became living and the Tincture of her Bloud became kindled with the Divine Tincture understand the Seeds Tincture which qualifieth or mixeth with the whole Body 333. But the outward Kingdome of this World was not at this time broken off from Mary that held her still captive SHEE must through Dying through her Sons Death enter into the Eternall Life 334. Her Body indeed did not vanish or fall away for it was in the Midst in the Blessing only the Earthly source or quality must break or corrupt in her and all Adam's Children must enter through One and the same Entrance into Life viz through the Dying of Christ when Christ quenched the Soul-Fire on the Crosse in Death then also Maryes Soul-Fire became quenched that is rightly kindled in the Light of the Majesty 335. The outward Body remained to be a Covering before it so long as it stood in the source or quality of the Stars
expected in me and so how much I want of the Infinite effect of being able to dwell with the Eternall Burnings I may well account my self one of the unworthiest of the children of Men John Sparrow The First APOLOGIE To Balthazar Tylcken Being An Answer of the Authour concerning his Book the AVRORA Opposed by an Enemicitious Pasquil or Opprobrious Libel This Answer Written Anno 1621. By Jacob Behme Also called Teutonicus Philosophus Englished by JOHN SPARROW LONDON Printed by M. S. for Giles Calvert and are to be sold at his Shop at the Black-Spread-Eagle at the West end of St. Pauls 1661. A brief and well intended Answer of the Authour concerning his Book AVRORA against the enimicitions Pasquil or Libel in respect of some opposed and falsly recited Articles or Conclusions and ill-understood by this Libeller 1. INto what Calamity Misery Anxiety and great Perplexity we are plenged by the heavy fall of Adam is dayly demonstrated in that we have not only thereby obscured and darkened our Noble Image so that we cannot any more see or apprehend the Divine Light unlesse we become borne of God againe but also we have thereby awakened and made stirring in US the Originall fierce Wrath of the Eternall Nature so that the fierce wrath venome and poyson thereof is become Springing up and burning in us 2. Which is rightly called GODS Anger-Fire which should not become stirring and Manifest but continue shut up in the Center for it should remaine shut up in the Love in the Divine Light and be only a cause of Life and Mobility 3. Which so long as it remaineth shut up in the Light is a Spring or Fountaine of Joy and Knowledge but if the Light Extinguisheth is an Evill Opposite Poyson wherein nothing qualifyeth or operateth but meere self Enmity or Hatred where instantly all Love and desire of Good hath an End 4. As we poor Children of Eve must now feele in us with great paine sorrow and Misery how that fierce wrath stirreth driveth and vexeth us so that now we no more converse one with another in Love as Children of God but very venomously spitefully hatefully murtheringly and enimicitiously doe maliciously persecute dispise slander and reproach also rob Murther and doe all manner of Evill and alwayes wish death fierce wrath and all Evill one to another 5. Which great Misery and Evill is sufficiently to be traced in this Libell and out of what manner of Mind knowledge and Will it is flowen forth in that he undertakes not only to Misconstrue the words but also to wrest the whole understanding into a false meaning or sense and to pronounce the Authour to be a Devill and in a very vaunting reproachfull spitefull Malicious and Odious manner likeneth the Authours Will or Intent thought or sence and mind to the Devill without any knowledge of him who he is how he is or what Spirit 's Child he is whether he seeks God or this World 6. Thus he takes upon him to infinuate his innate poyson into the Heart thought or sense and Will or intention of the Authour all which is very horrible lamentable and Miserable in that he knoweth not himself or from what Mind his Zeal proceeds and in whose driving he runneth 7. He cannot see that his whole writing is a meer venomons Pasquil or Libel and Evill meaning or intention for though that which is spoken is not reproveable by him yet he can not leave it unreproached whereby a man may cleerly see out of what Spirit and Mind it is flowen forth and how the miserable fierce wrath hath ruled in him and yet he dares set in his Title that it is Christian-like and well intended 8. But if he would set any thing better in the room of it it might indeed be born with But I can find in all his Writing no Divine Knowledge and Light which yet he highly boasteth of as if he had an enlightened Mind and Thoughts and were Exercised therein 9. An Enlightened Mind or thoughts if the Light be from God proceedeth friendly and lovingly and instructeth a Man what he should Doe and leave undone it owneth others in a brotherly Duty it hunteth not Mens Minds into the Jawes of the Devill but they are Gentle in reproving and teaching with Good instruction They reprove in Generally they catch not hold of a Man Privately particularly and Singly and make not a Den of Theevery or Murther by the Good Way side 10. An Enlightened Mind which hath Exercised Thoughts as the Libeller would seem to have knoweth the Gifts of God that they are without End or Number that God Leadeth his Children Wonderfully and giveth to one a Divers gift to Expresse than to another as the Apostle also witnesseth the same 11. That God giveth to one from the gift of his Spirit to do Miracles or Wonders to another to interpret Tongues to a Third to Prophesie to a Fourth to speak with Tongues c. and all from the One only Spirit of God which thus speaketh from the Great Wonders of the eternall Wisdome of God and thus Driveth and teacheth the Children of God that the unmeasurable Wisdome of God may appear in his Children 12. If the Spirit of God ruleth in a Man then he is NOT Crafty suttle Deceitfull trecherous Lying astonishing ambitious but reproveable teachable and Meek he is not thorney prickley Misconstruing and vainly frivolous he suddenly apprehends what is in a Man and from what Spirit he Speaketh For the Spirit of God it self knoweth it self very well in a Man it needeth no Witnesse it tryeth the Heart and the Reins Soul and Body it speaketh the Truth and disgraceth or reproacheth no man it drives on all to that which is good and proveketh Men to Righteousnesse 13. But this whole Libell or Pasquil is nothing Else but a Misconstruing poysoning and disgracing he draweth the Scripture by the hair of the Head and corrupteth it that he may but take occasion to prick with Thorns besides he hath no right understanding of the Scripture that must serve him as he will have it meane that he may therewith satisfie his fierce wrath and bring it as fuell to his ficrce Fire that it may burn farre and neere and so make shew of his Deep knowledge though he should thereby tread his Brother Abel under his feet 14. And yet his knowledge which he hath here brought forth to the Day Light Concerning GODS Will is as to one part in Bibell and he largely buildeth the Babylonish Tower therewith as it shall be set before his eyes which for my part I doe unwillingly but now necessity requires I must doe it 15. Not for my own sake but for the sake of those whom he hath kindled with his envious fire and poysoned and hath insinuated into them very Erroneous Opinions especially concerning Gods Election of Grace therefore it behoveth me to cleere my meaning how I have apprehended it in Divine knowledge and how also it
390. He should not feigne to himself wayes to the Kingdome of Heaven and make Opinions as the Autichristian Church doth for in the Opinion he runs of himself yet It lyeth not in any Man 's going or running but in a lowly humble Penitent Heart which goeth forth from sinne those God hath Mercy on for it lyeth in Gods Mercy 391. When Man converteth and goeth forth from sinne then he becometh IN Gods Mercy Elected to be a Child of God then the Spirit of Christ draweth him to the Father Christ saith None cometh unto Me except my Heavenly Father draw him 392. Now he draweth not the wicked Will THAT the Devill and the Dark world draweth only Man hath Free will if he cast his Will into Righteousnesse into God then the Spirit of God comprehendeth his Will and bringeth it in Ternarium Sanctum into the Holy Ternary and there the Noble Graine becometh sowne in the Will and then beginneth the Drawing of the Father to the Regeneration 393. God hardeneth no Man but the Dark world in the Devils Imagination and Inchantment they harden Man viz the Souls-Fire they are a Door shut against the Light 394. Though indeed the Scripture saith God hath Mercy on whom he will and hardeneth whom he will yet it hath not that understanding as if God would not hear the Poor Sinner For Christ saith come all to me that are weary and heavy laden I will refresh you Also I am come to call sinners to Repentance Also The Son of Man is come not to Judge the World but that he might save the World He that runneth in his own conceit hardeneth himself for he will needs be Christ 395. Gods hardening is when he letteth one run on whither he will God knoweth his very well why should a Man pour Oyle into those wounds to which it is poyson the Soar will be but the Larger 396. Who will help him who himself will NOT Or shall Men cast Pearls before Swing If a man lets the free-will goe whither it will then it cometh into its Fathers Native Country out of which it is gone forth why doth Man lend the Devill his heart that he may introduce an Evill Will or Desire thereinto A good Tree bringeth forth good fruit 397. Why did Adam bring his Imagination into the Serpents Poyson into Pride of Multiplicity into the wonder of the fierce wrathfull Nature He had the Command not to do it why was he disobedient who compelled him Even the Lust or Longing which came from the Devil and therefore is HE Guilty of Mans Fall 398. He must indeed stand in the Temptation to try into which World he would give up himself all the Three Worlds drew him each had him on a Band there he should shew his valour as a Prince he was free 399. But that he was overcome by the Outward World that the Devill caused by his Infection as still at this very day he teareth many a little Sprout from the Tree Therefore Man should not be secure also not rely on or be of himself but continually give up himself into Gods Mercy 400. He can not better wrestle with the Devill then when he casts himself into Gods Mercy then he relyes not on or is not of himself but he is Gods the Devill may dance in his Smoak Hole how he will a Man can not hinder him of that only let him not give his Will to the Devill as Adam did Number II. Page 18. 401. THe Pasquil or Libeller begins here again to Reprehend but he perverteth the Authour's Mind and Sense quite and cleane and casts Gall into it where it stands written thus 402. But they that became generated or born in the Light of Nature and of the Spirit and upon Earth never rightly knew the Tree of Life but were growne in ITS Power which hath overshadowed ALL Men upon Earth as indeed many Heathen and People and Infants they were also taken up in that very power wherein they were Growne and their Spirit became cloathed therewith and they sung the Song of their Power Now thus saith the Libeller 403. And as this Spirit determines of a Naturall Christ so will he also have the knowledg of him to be Naturall and from that though they knew not the Tree of Life in Spirit and in Truth might attaine Eternall Life Externally as if there were more wayes then One to it Thus far the Libeller Answer 404. Is not the Libeller sent that he should Judg the People Tongues and Languages and shall he not Judge the Child in the Mothers body or Womb also the deaf and blind which are born Deaf especially the Heathen and Turks he letteth none of these into Heaven for he hath the Keyes of Peter O thou miserable Blindnesse how many will enter into the Kingdome of God before thee 405. Is not the Father in the Sonne and the Sonne in the Father and the Holy Spirit in them both Now if the Heathen People are without understanding Zealous for the Living God and yet have not the knowledge of Christ among them and know nothing thereof but with a totall earnest sincerity Desire the Love and Mercy of God will God then cast them all away because they have not Christs Name 406. He that apprehendeth the ONE only living God he hath apprehended the Holy Trinity The Publican in the Temple knew not how to say any thing else but only this O God be Gracious to me poor Sinner If now a Turk or Heathen should come in such a Manner with sincere earnest Supplication and Repentance and yet knew nothing of the Kingdome of Christ Sir Libeller wouldst not thou admit him to the Mercy of God 407. How doe you know what God would do for you or what have you given to him that he hath of Grace bestowed his Sonne upon you may he not then also receive Turks and Heathens to Grace especially little Children Hearken thou blind Libeller thou understandest not the Authour 's saying 408. My Text saith Those who were become Born or generated in the Light of Nature and of the Spirit The Light of the Eternall Nature is the Heart of God the Light of the Majesty of God and the Spirit from or out of the Light is the Holy Spirit with this Description the New Birth 409. Now if a man be generated or born out of THAT then it is well and good for he is born of God there will be many people thus born in God which knew nothing of the Name of Christ viz How God is become Man or Incarnate 410. Doth now the blind Libeller understand Nothing then I suppose the Devill hath blinded him See further But those that were grown in ITS Power understand in the Power of the Tree of Christ they were received Doest thou here understand the Naturall Growth with or as to Flesh and Bloud then thou art blind indeed 411. Doe you not see my Text saith Those
who were born in the Light of Nature and of the Spirit that is no fleshly Birth that which is born in the Spirit of the Light is born of God Sir Libeller you have the Property of a Toad which sucketh Evill out of Good what shall I say or write much thereof Number III. Page 26. It standeth thus 412. But if a Man will speak of God what GOD is he must diligently consider the Powers in Nature as also the whole Creation of Heaven and Earth as the Starres and Elements and the Creatures which are proceeded from them then also the Holy Angels Devils Man also Heaven and Hell 413. Hearken Libeller when thou rightly knowest what an Angel is then thou knowest thy self in thy Noble Image and knowest God in his Love according to the Second Principle 414. And when thou rightly knowest what a Devil is then thou knowest Gods Angor and the Dark World 415. And when thou rightly knowest the Stars Elements then thou hast in the Outward Nature the Similitude of the Inward Eternal Nature 416. And when thou rightly conceivest of the Creatures thou then seest by the Creation Gods wonderfull Wisdome and when thou rightly conceivest of the Heaven then thou knowest the difference or distinction of the Principles 417. But Hearken Libeller why should I talk long with thee about it thou art indeed wholly blind as to my Writings thou brigest every where other meanings thereinto then I entended by it Thou sayst Flesh and Bloud cannot Conceive of God thou oughtest not to oppose me in that I say so too and that the Outward Man knoweth or understandeth Nothing of God but the Inward Man especially the Spirit searcheth even the Depths of the Deity 418. I say not That a Beast should Consider the Angells Devills Heaven Hell Starres Elements and Creatures But an understanding Man who is the Child of God who shall have his refreshing therewith that Gods Love Groweth in Him 419. But that which is said concerning the LAW of Nature that those who live or have lived therein and are growne in that Light 's that the blinde Libeller expounds all concerning the outward Nature he understandeth nothing in it 420. The Law of Nature is Gods Commadment when God said to Adams Nature Thou shalt not eate of the Tree that Law is also written in our Minde so that we know we should doe right the very beathens and little Children understand THAT 421. Now if a Man live in that Law and doth that which he well knoweth that it is RIGHT and is generated or born out of the Light of the Eternal Nature out of the Spirit viz out of Gods Heart who will Judge him Thou Moate-Judger stay thou at home 422. When I in that Place speak of the Tree of vegetation viz of the sweet Tree then I understand or meane not the will of the Flesh but the Dominion of the Spirit of God I also speak not of the Corporall and inceptive or beginning Birth but of the Spirituall 423. The sweet Tree is Gods Spirit as is formerly mentioned at Large understand it is the heavenly Substantiality which the Word or Heart of God brought along with it into the Essence of Mary which became Man in Mary that sweet Tree of the Divine Substantiality is greater then all and moveth in the second Principle over US ALL. 424. My whole meaning Aimes at this and though thou understandest it not yet I know it and say with assured Truth that many a Heathen Turk and Infant hath eaten of this Tree in Gods Mercy and though he hath not knowne it plainly by Name that which the outward Man knoweth not that the inward Man knoweth yea the Outlandish People have even Adames Body and Soul as well as we 425. Hearken Libeller what saith Paul Rom. 2. 11. to the 16 There is no respect of Persons with God they who have sinned without Law shall perish without the Law and they who have sinned against the Law they shall be judged by the Law for in the sight of God not the hearers of the Law are justified but those that doe the Law shall be justified for if the Heathen that have not the Law and yet by Nature doe the work of the Law those having not the Law are a Law unto themselves whereby they shew that the Law is written in their Hearts seeing their Conscience witnesseth as also their Thoughts which accuse or exeuse one another till the Day wherein God will Judge the secrets of Manking through JESUS CHRIST according to my Gospel 426. Why then doth the Libeller reject this which I have written that the Law of Nature is written in Mans heart and Every one by Nature Knoweth well and his Conscience witnesseth to him that he should doe Right now if there were a Stranger who knew Nothing of Christ and did from his whole Soul christian works in hope of the Divine Wages Wilt thou condemne him 427. Doest thou not understand that they shall be judged by the Gospel which hear the Gospel and do it not and they which hear it not and do Evill shall be so too and they which heard not Christ Preached nor knew of him and yet were zealous in the Love in the fear of God shall in their zeale enter into the kingdome of God before the stiffe necked Christians which only bear the Name of Christ 428. If thou canst then blame Saint Paul to his face as thou doest me Thou unintelligent fierce wrathfull envious Libeller Thou Judgest me and Condemnest me Contrary to the Commandment of Christ who saith Judge not and you shall not be Judged condemn'not so you shall not be condemned With what Measure you Meet to others will others Meet unto you again 429. What need you spread abroad such a reproachfull Libel among the People and Judge my written unprinted Writings which I wrote only for a Memoriall to my self which are come to Light without my will and to condemn me in such a vaine frivolous and altogether Diabolicall manner 430. Thou Moate-Judger was this commanded thee it was not done in respect of the Authour of the Book but that thou mightest make shew of thy fine high understanding Thoughts what a Master of Scripture and Man of understanding thou art but I find thee in Babel with an unchristain Mind go on so and thou wilt be found a very faithfull Labourer to our Lord God in his Vineyard will you not think you 431. Thou hast in thy disgracefull Libel set it down thy self that men should condemn none but it is free for THEE only what thou forbiddest to another THOU only mayst Judge that which is secret 432. Had I known that my Book should have been read likely it had been written clearlier with plain words though it is clear enough but thou art blind The Moat or Splinter of the Thorne of Pride to shew himself to his brother Abel like Cain
The Reminder of Books written BY Jacob Behme viz. I. The First Apologie to Balthazar Tylcken for the AVRORA written Anno 1621. II. The Second Apologie in Answer to Balthazar Tylcken for Predestination And the Incarnation and Person of CHRIST and of the Virgin MARY Dated 3. July 1621. III. The Fouer Complexions written in March 1621. IV. The Considerations upon Esaiah Stiefel's Booke concerning The Threefold State of Man and the New 〈◊〉 Dated 8. April 1621. V. The Apologie in Answer to Esaiah Stiefel Concerning Perfection Dated 6. April 1622. VI. The Apologie in Answer to Gregory Rickter Primate of Gerlitz for the way to Christ c. 10. April 1624. VII Twenty five Epistles more then the 35. formerly Printed in English with 2. as prefaces before other of his Bookes the last of those heere printed is Dated 23. May 1624. 5 more after without Date which make 62. in all also 1. Epistle more of his own hand writing and 1. of Dr. Charles Weisners relating much of J. B's Life Englished BY JOHN SPARROW LONDON Printed by M. S. for Giles Calvert at the Sign of the Black Spread Eagle at the West End of St. Pauls 1662. The Englishers Preface to J. B's Apologies Courteous Reader IN the Life time of Jacob Behme some Learned Men there were of his own Country that highly prized and Esteemed his writings though others Judged and found fault with them to whom the Authour in his Answers hath clcerly made it appeare they have NOT understood his Meaning but injuriously made their own mistaken Sence the Ground of their Censure it is no wonder therefore that among us of another Language who have but a Translation wherein much of the accuratenesâ—â— and apt expression of an Author is lost that men here also finde such fault with them as they doe but if it be examined their want of the true apprehension of them will be known to have caused that negligent and heedless Opinion that his writings are not to be understood yet it hath proceeded so farre that those who think they apprehend his Deepe Matter are suspected by some Academick wits to be but miss-led into such a conceit But those Eminent persons his countryMen and adversaries have not once charged him with writing things not Intelligible though indeed themselves have not rightly perceived the Authors meaning as is apparent in these FOUR Bookes of Apologie or Defence in answer to the few objections to some things contained in that Doctrine set down at Large in the Treatises of his Sublime Mysteries if they be read and weighed in the Balance of Due Consideration The FIRST Apologie was an Answer to Balthasar Tylcken who wrote a treatise against severall Clauses in the Aurora concerning the knowledge of God in and by Nature whereas though God in himself be totally Incomprehensible and unmanifested in his Abysse yet Nature is his Manifestation or Revelation for if his Omnipotent power did not shew it self by making it self discernable it would never be known but remaine hidden Eternally and indeed all the effects which we perceive to be wrought and produced at anytime in sensible things are brought to passe by the same Powers that have and doe and will work from Eternity to Eternity perceptibly in GOD. All that is in GOD is only Goodness his very wrath is his Fire and the cause of his Light and Glory in himself and therein is most just and Good also for the punishment of the perversness of his Creatures whom he made like himself very Good and gave them power to Continue so but they being Creatures were made out of Darkness and being Created and brought into the Light could and did love themselves and all Creatures without the Light or that loose the Light are but Darkness and by that meanes Exalted their Darkness above the Light in them which is truly Selfe-Love and the roote or spring of all Evill which God cannot DOE nor BE but that we might be able to get out of the perdition we are fallen into God in his infinite Love and Mercy to all men in and from Adam and Eve they two being one Flesh hath given in the Light of their Life the Spirit of Adoption the Spirit of Christ his Sonne the Seede of the woman the Promised word the word of Faith in our Hearts which in US hath Power to overcome all the works of Darkness and to bring us to his marvelous Light the Light of Eternall Life which also teacheth us to deny our selves and all ungodly Lusts of the Flesh to take up our Crosse with Patience and so follow or imitate Christ in Newness of Life and inward hearty Holiness of Conversation God indeed Cannot deny himself because his Darkness that is his wrath is alwayes subservient to his Light and Love which Eternally is his Life and cannot be otherwise but WE must Deny our selves and then our Darkness will give it self up into the Light also in us If we follow or be like his Light we are Children of the Light which ruleth in us and if we live according to his Darkness we are Children of Wrath and at length if we convert not shall be confirmed Children of Perdition All that have the dispositions or qualities inwardly or Outwardly of Love and Gentleness Kindness lowliness or humility sincerity Truth righteousness vertue honesty chastity temperance purity and Holiness are undeniably GOOD On the Contrary the wrathfull fierce Envious proud surly churlish wanton vaine stubborne obstinate crafty false Lyars injurious intemperate violent are accounted bad or EVILL and they are so indeed now that which is Evill cannot be like Gods Love but here is the generall mistake all Men consist both of an Outward and Inward Man that which the outward Esteemes Good is so as it is a similitude of that which is inwardly Good but since the outward Man which is framed of the Earth hath gotten the Predominancy in the Fall of Adam who thereupon dyed to the Inward Man that which most pleaseth the outward doth make it the more strong and rebellious against the power of the Inward and so by outward Good things not knowing how to use them by little and little destroyeth the Inward and therefore God in his Bowells of Compassion sends us that which is fittest for us to the weakening or dayly Killing and slaying of our Outward Man by tribulations afflictions Crosses and Contradictions or oppositions from others for the making us Conformable to the Image of CHRIST who was Tempted persecuted and afflicted and as the Apostle says he that will live Godly in this world must suffer Persecution this measure our Authour had from some as is manifest by their Objections and striving to bring his marvelous Gifts into dislike with those that knew not but the Censures cast upon him were right thereupon for the vindication of the Truth and for the sakes of those that were but beginners in the ways of Christ he then answered to the things that were laid to
in Gods representing 293. For in God that which is done and past and that which is to come is all one And therefore was the New Regeneration out of Christ reckoned or imputed to the Children of the Covenant as iif they stood already in the New Body of Christ as if Christ had already drowned the Anger with his bloud-shedding and that the Life were already become Generated out of Death againe 294. For that very Life out of the Limit or Mark stood in Gods Imagination and with the Promise in Paradise it set it self therein that very Life was Promised to Abraham that it should be awakened againe in his seed Not in a strange seed as the Libeller conceiteth but in the seed of the Noble Image which out of the Heavenly Substantiality out of the Second Principle was together given to Adam for a Body 295. And yet with the Entrance of the Soul into the Earthlynesse was become shut up in the still Death as in the Nothing and that should againe sprout out of Death and therein rise againe and be borne A New Man in holinesse innocency and Righteousnesse it should againe be put on to the Soul 296. Understand it highly and aright The Life of God in the Covenant of the Limit or Mark which in Mary assumed the humanity that very Life must from Christ enter into us understand into our disappeared Image shut up in Death That is the Graine that is sowen into the Dead disappeared Substantiality that draweth that humane Essence again to it and becometh again the Life of that Image 297. Thus the Noble Lilly Twig or Branch groweth up which first is small as a Graine of Mustard-seed as Christ saith and afterwards becometh as large as a Bay Tree That is the True New Regeneration out of Christ 298. My Libeller put you other Eyes into your Bride and look upon the Old Testament and the Covenant of Promise with or as to Adam and Abraham rightly doe not imbitter the Scripture and drag it not about by the Haire of the head in a strange understanding Your Meaning or Opinion Obscureth the Noble Lilly or Branch which now should sprout or Grow out of the Mother or Roote much more then it doth serve to the promoting of its growth 299. If you would Judge in this Mystery then must you be born againe in Christ you must see out of Christs Eyes if you would apprehend the Great Mystery Mysterium Magnum but if you were born of Christ then you would not be a Mote Judger but a loving Brother 300. Christ bids you not condemne but meekly to converse and friendly Instruct not to wrangle or scoffe or pronounce Men to be in the Jawes of the Devill My friend you are yet very blinde concerning the kingdome of Christ I will rightly shew you the Doore of the Becoming Man or Incarnation of Christ as it is given to me from the Grace of God in the Love of Christ 301. Not through my understanding but in my resignation in Christ from Christs Spirit From Christs Spirit have I conceived or received the knowledge the Great Mystery Mysterium Magnum I have not studied in your Schoole I have knowne nothing of that neither have I sought it in that way I sought only Gods Heart and more is come to me then I sought or understood 302. Therefore if you would be brother in Christ put your Bucks-hornes off and then we may see one another with right Eyes and a modest Mind and instruct one another in the Feare of God 303. Such Surlynesse and Scorne is Babel the Mother of Tyranny and Great spirituall whoredom whence Warres and Strise is arisen at all times your Libell is only a Bloudy provocation and a scoffing an unseemly puffed up Pride a Cainish property goe out from it if you would see the richly Amiable countenance of Christ in the Holy Ternary in Ternario Sancto if you would see the Wonder-Branch of the hidden LILLY which at present Sprouteth out of the Roote of the Tree 304 If you would grow and sprout with the Noble Lilly Branch out of the Old Tree you must bring an humble Heart and so you must stand in the Becoming Man or Incarnation of Christ if you would grow spring or sprout and speak out of or from God 305. For None know any thing of God but only the Spirit of Christ which is in God the Some in the Bosome of the Father searcheth out in our spirit even the Depths of the Deity Our spirit must stand in the Spirit of Christ if we we would understand the Divine Mysterie 306. It is not enough for Men to put together or collect a heap of Scripture Texts and Make an Opinion and Meaning out of them no my Friend Opinion doth it not but the Living Word where the Heart experienceth the certainty therein Consisteth Faith in the Holy Spirit 307. In Opinions there is meere Doubting whether it be right or not Out of Opinions is the Antichrist Generated If we would speak of God then we must speak from or out of the Spirit of Christ which alone knoweth what God is or else we are very Lyars 308. Christs Spirit must speak out of us of the Divine Mysterie else we speak out of the Babel of Confusion Christ is in our right humane Essence understand in Adams Essence become Man not in the Essence of the Starres and Elements but in the Essence of the One Element through which before the fall Paradise grew or sprouted in Adam 309. When the Angel Gabriel came to Mary he Saluted her and sayd Haile Graciously Amiable the Lord is with Thee Thou blessed of all Women thou shalt be impregnate in thy Body and beare a sonne whose name thou shalt call JESUS 310. Here it hath not that understanding as the Libeller Explaines it that Mary was borne out of God before-hand Ere Christ in her became Man No Christ is the first from the Dead he first kindled the Life in Death only the Limit or Mark stood in Mary that was the Blessing For in the Limit or Mark was the Living Word and the Spirit of God Surrounded and Cloathed with the Noble Virgin of the Wisdome of God in the Divine Substantiality 311. When the Angel sayd thou shalt be impregnate in thy Body And shee the Virgin Mary thereupon said Behold I am the Maid-servant of the Lord be it done unto me as thou hast said then the Life in the Limit or Mark of the Covenant viz the Heart of God moved in Maryes in Death included Essence That word was cloathed or surrounded with divine Substantiality out of the Water of Eternall Life generated out of the Meeknesse of the Light of the Majesty of God 312. And in that Substantiality was the Tincture out of the Fire and Light of God which is the Glance or Lustre and Ornament of the Substantiality 313. And in the Tincture was the Chast
understand them not and besides you expound my sence and Mind altogether falsly Who hath called you that you should explaine my obscure deep hidden Writing I had written as a young child in the Mystery of God when I was first come into that Schoole and hung still to the A. B. C come you or any other to this Dance and you will well see whether you can be instantly a Doctor or no. 357. Such a foolish understanding as you impute to me I would scarce look for in a Cow have a care and consider how you will be able to answer it in the presence of God If your Fiction should prevaile then instantly would another Antichrist be generated or born 358. You come marching on with a twofold Seed in Adam one must be Christs Seed and the other Adams Naturall Seed and found the Election of God upon it but you look upon this Mystery as a Cow looketh upon a New Barne Door you understand nothing of it you can not explaine and set it downe with any ground what the Seed of the Noble Image is and yet you will Judge 359. Indeed thou layest a snare before Mens Souls especially the dejected sad sorrowfull Tempted Souls so that many a one thinketh thus with himself saying who knowes whether I be begotten or extracted out of a right Seed out of Christ especially when he feeleth the Assaults of Temptation then he should seek comfort in this Libell 360. You say the Gracious Election is a great Comfort to the children of Christ when they feele Gods Grace in them viz the Womans Seed but where shall he rest that is Assaulted and Tempted by the Devill he may well in your writings despaire he would think continually he were out of or from Adam's Seed and that God will none of him 361. If you will speak so of the Grace-Election then you must not leave out the Love of God which willeth not the Evill you should joyne with it that which Christ saith Father the Men were thine and thou hast given them to Me and I give them the Eternall Life Also Father I will that those whom thou hast given Me be where I am Also I am come to call the sinners to repentance and not the Righteous there is in Heaven among the Angells of God more Joy at one sinner that Repenteth then at Ninety-nine righteous that need Repentance And As true as I live saith the Lord I will not the Death of a sinner but that he turne and live 362. If you will prove any thing with Cain and Abel with Issac and Ishmael also with Esau and Jacob then learne first to understand the Three Principles what the drawing to Good and to Evill is reject not Nature learne first to distinguish the Eternall Nature from the beginning inceptive Nature else you will but lay a snare upon the Bodyes and Souls of your Disciples or Schollers and will but tumble or Grope in the Dark in meere doubting 363. You will build high and yet a Man can find no sufficient ground in all your writing It is as to the Mystery but a fighting with a shaddow Tell me if you be a Master and have an enlightened Mind and Thoughts as you suppose What are the Two Seeds in Adam out of one of which Cain out of the other Abel is generated or borne Is that the Predestinate Purpose of God as you conceit it then demonstrate it 364. You must understand the Birth or Geniture of the Holy Trinity if you will Judge thereof also the understanding of the Dark World also of the fierce Wrath and of the Love of God what God is in Love and Anger what a Devill or an Angel is and how he came to be a Devill 365. Also you must understand the Mysterie of the Divine wisdome Especially you must understand how the Deare Name of God Originateth from Eternity How the Nothing becometh introduced into Nature so that out of the Nothing a source or quality cometh to be If you understand not THESE things then stay with your conceits at home read my Book of the Threefold Life of Man and you will see with other Eyes 366. Christ saith You must be borne anew through Water and the Holy Spirit else you cannot see the Kingdome of God He saith YOU not a stranger YOUR SELF 367. There doth not come another strange Creature into us when we become born out of Christ but when we put our whole desire into God into the becoming Man or Incarnation of Christ into his suffering and Dying and become sorry for our sinnes and desire Gods Mercy in Christ then our Souls will-Will-Spirit goeth forth from sinne and Evill or Malice and entereth into the becoming Man or Incarnation of Christ viz into the Heavenly Substantiality which is greater then all and there the will-Will-Spirit cometh before the Center viz before the Heart of God 368. That Heart of God is desirous of the Humanity and that graspeth with its desire into the Will-Spirit after the Humanity and thus the Will-Spirit receiveth the Power of the Center viz a Sparkle of the Divine Power 369. And that Sparkle hath on it self the Divine Substantiality viz the Water of the Eternall Life out of the Majesty of God and therein the Wisdome with the Heavenly Tincture this the Will-Spirit which is become generated out of the Soul bringeth againe with great Joy into the Souls-Fire 370. And when the Soul-Fire tasteth the sweet Love and Meeknesse in it self in its own Essence then the Essence is so very vehemently terrified that it appeareth overcome as it were dead and loseth its Fiery right and the Fiery Essence falleth into the Meeknesse of the Love viz into the Liberty of God without besides or beyond Nature and yeeldeth it self captive to the Meeknesse viz to the Lights property and is as if it were of the Fiery property and yet were not of it this is a terrour of Great Joy and the Aspect of God in the Divine Power whence Body and Soul doe tremble for Joy 371. For thus the Soulish Fire becometh put out of the Earnest severe paine of the fierce wrath of God of the Eternall Fires Essence and property into another source or quality viz into a Love-Desire for the Light of God kindleth it self in the Souls-Fire for when the Meeknesse and Love Desire cometh into the Magick Souls-Fire then the Love and Meeknesse feeleth the Great Life out of the Fathers Nature 372. For the Meeknesse is a Sinking downe it is the Water-Spirit and without the Great Life is as it were dead in comparison of the Fire but when it cometh into the Fire it becometh as vehemently terrified as the Fire in it and the terrour is the kindling of its Life and of the Light 373. Seeing then the Soul in the beginning of its Creation was cloathed and adorned with this Heavenly Substantiality and it was the Souls right inward Body and that the Soul in Adam is gone
forth with its Imagination away from this Substantiality whence that Substantiality is againe become shut up in Death viz in the still Nothing 374. And it the Soul is entered with its Imagination into the Earthly Kingdome viz into the Substantiality of its Root and neverthelesse that very first Image which became shut up in Death viz in the inability without the Life yet hangeth to the Soul but without its apprehension or understanding 375. Therefore now when the Light of the Soul becometh kindled againe and the heavenly Substantiality out of Gods Majesty receiveth the Life viz the Light in the Soul then the dead Substantiality becometh Living againe in the Lights power and becometh together with the now new introduced Substantiality one Substantiality one spirituall Body for it is of one only Essence and here Death riseth up in Christ here God and the Inward Man become one Person 376. Understand it aright This new Light-Life is Christ He first introduced it againe into the Soul and our right humanity so that God and Man is ONE Now we must follow after God we must put our Imagination into him for he hath put his into Us and then we become impregnate with the Saviour we become new-borne in his Limit or Mark that God set in Paradise wherein he is become Man Death riseth up again in that very Limit or Mark we must be true Members of Christ if we would see God 377. When the Water or the Water-source or quality out of the Meeknesse of God cometh into the Souls-Fire so that the Light kindleth it self then is the Noble Tincture already generated out of the Water in the Fire which is the Glance or Lustre and Ornament of Heaven as a Paradisicall Delight or Pleasantnesse in which the Substantiality of God shineth or appeareth and therein the Holy Spirit and in the Spirit the Divine Center viz the Power of Heart of God and in the Heart of God the Mysterie viz the Principle or the Father viz the Fire-World and in the Fire-World the Dark World and in the Dark World this outward World together with the Starres and Elements 378. Thus ALL goeth out of ONE fountain-Spring but the Heart of God is the Center of All Substances or of Every thing it is all Magicall and in the Magick-Desire standeth the Substance according to each Worlds property and according to the desire of each of them for the Desire maketh Substance according to the Desires property therefore is the Fire the strongest and the Light the Mightiest in the Power the Fire giveth Life and the Light giveth power and understanding 379. Understand it aright The Dark World is the Center of this outward World The Dark World hath the formes to Nature viz the Great Magick Desire wherein the source or Torment and Anguish generateth it self It is the wheele to the Fire-Life with its Formes and hath in it self the strong Magia of the Desire It laboureth in its own forme till to the Fire and there its Principle shuts up it self 380. For in the Fire existeth the great Life and another source or quality and also another Principle viz the Light with the quality or source of Meeknesse whereas in the Dark World there is only Anguish and a meere hunger Desire The Light holdeth the Dark World captive In these TWO now standeth the Drawing to Good and to Evill my Sir Libeller 381. The Light or the Power of the Light is a desire and willeth to have the Noble Image according to Gods similitude for it is created to the Light World so also the Dark World viz the Desiring of the fierce Wrath willeth to have it for Man hath all the Three Worlds in himself and there is a great Strife in Man to which of these now he uniteth or giveth up himself with his Desire and Willing that getteth the Dominion in him as the Apostle saith To which you give your self in Obedience you are servant of that either of sinne unto Death or of Obedience unto Righteousnesse 382. Each world standeth hidden in the other for Each dwelleth only and barely in it self neither possesseth the other in the fource or quality thereof as you see it in Light and Darknesse how the Darknesse dwelleth in the Light and is not manifest in the shining of the Light but if the Light departeth or Extinguisheth then the Darknesse becometh manifest 383. Thus you see also the difference of the source or quality how one source or quality mixeth not with the other by the Fire and Light The Light dwelleth in the Fire and yet hath not the Fires source or quality but a meek amiable one and Herein sticketh the Great Mystery Mysterium Magnum My Sir Libeller seek it and then you will find it 384. In this Mysterie seek the TWO sort of Seeds and Wills and leave free-will to Man else you are the Dark Worlds Advocate which World soever in Man gets the upper Dominion that extracts or begets Seed out of its own Essence that beareth fruit and worketh the other stands hidden be it the Heavenly or the Hellish 385. When Adam's Soul went sorth away from the Divine World out of Paradise into the Outward World then the Soul wrought or boar fruit to Death in the Dark World But when it apprehended the Cursher of the Serpent in the Limit or Mark of the Covenant then it wrought or boare fruit to Life againe 386. But being his Noble Image without the becoming Man or Incarnation of Christ could not rise up our of the still Death therefore both Dominions remained qualifying or operating in him viz the Hellish and the Heavenly and are standing the whole Time in strife one with another about the Image Each hath its Fiat in it self and many a Branch is become rent off from this Tree 387. And here seek Cain and Abel also Jacob and Esou Isaac and Ishmael here you will find them and not in the Light World in Gods Predestinate purpose Here you will finde my deep hidden Magicall Book which the Authour at that time might not make more cleere but now through Gods grace may doe it 388. Read the Forty Questions of the Soul I 'le assure you you will become seeing unlesse the Anger of God and the Devills malice hath wholly blinded you and that you are a totall Cain then you will see nothing but a Shell And though you were such a one yet then the Doore of Grace standeth Open towards you and desireth to have you and you may IN Christ become generated anew 389. The Possibility is in ALL Men but in Gods Mercy not that he would not have any that came to him HE will alwayes readily only it lyeth not in humane conceits running and own doing none can make himself the Child of God he must wholly cast himself into the Obedience of God and then God maketh him a Child he must be Dead understand with the outward Reason and then God in Christ liveth in Him
without the command of the Lord and that neither Good nor Evill cometh out of the Mouth of the Most High Hath not a Potter power to make of One Lump what he will one vessel to Honour and the other to Dishonour And cannot GOD do so with US Men. 451. Yes indeed that were a fine thing from one of understanding who will produce Texts of Scripture especially such sayings which give offence to the sad sorrowfull tempted Mind and that he also expoundeth it so that he casteth a Snare about his Neck and goeth away laughing at it this is false wicked fraud 452. Thou still supposest that God makes One happy out of his Predestinate purpose and Damneth the other out of his Predestinate purpose whereas God saith in Exekiel 33. As true as I live I desire not the Death of a sinner but that he turne and live 453. If thou understandest not the Principle between Light and Fire which belongeth to the Soul then be silent about the Election still thou understandest nothing thereof 454. Thou supposest God hardeneth the Soul and it is not true the hardening sticketh in the Principle so that many become apprehended by the dark Center of Nature from the fierce wrathfull Formes to Nature 455. For the Principles stand in a Continuall Wrestiling as the Fire in the source or quality As it hath so happened to Lucifer that he hath framed the Will of Pride in the Fires Matrioc in respect of the Dark world also it is to be seen by Cain and Abel 456. The Light World which is God himself hath no desire to Evill or destruction there is not the least sparkle in God that desireth the Evill God calleth himself God according to the Light according to the Love and not according to the Fire-source or quality much lesse according to the Dark World 457. The Fire-source or quality is fierce wrathfulnesse and devouceth all whatsoever cometh into it and the Dark World is a meere fierce wrathfull hunger and the Light World is a meere Love Man hath all the Three in the Center 458. When the Life becometh kindled then is in the Center the Strife in the Formes to Nature there many a Soul becometh apprehended in the Essence THAT is not Gods predestinate purpose 459. God willed not that Adam should fall else he had given him no Commandment also he willed not the Devills Fall But that his fierce wrath hath apprehended Lucifer as also Adam that is the Creatures fault 460. The Souls Spirit knew indeed very well where its home was It was free as God also is free he hath the Center of Nature according to the substance of all Substances why did he put his Imagination into the fierce Wrath Pride and State bringeth dejectednesse of Minde so it went with the Devill and also Adam 461. The Devill would be a Fire-Lord and Adam Lord in this world God did suffer it to be done seeing they both had free-will 462. The Soul is not made as a Potter maketh a pot it becometh Generated the Childs Soul is generated out of the Essence of the Parents That would the Libeller faine obseure only that he might out of Gods predestinate purpose Elect an Evill and Good Spirit and thrust Gods Anger-will into the sad sorrowfull heart for Despaire 463. No hearken Libeller Let me have them proceed ALL out of ONE Soul and then we have ALL equally together ONE Doore of Grace open this I will have from thee else I say thou art a Heretick and a perverter of the Scripture and would bereave us of the Mercy of God 464. I say in the Power of my high knowledge given me of God that the Doore of Grace is not yet barred up to the poor Soul and though the Devill had it on his chains and would go away with it if it be yet in Flesh and Bloud in this world there is remedy for it if it bewaile the Evill and Convert God forsaketh it NOT. 465. He hath Created but ONE only Soul not to perdition but to Life to his Honour and Glory this he requireth also from all Men and Man shall give an account how hath used it for it is his Noblest Jewel 466. And according to the Soul and its Image he is Gods Child and according to the Spirit and Body of this World he is become a Beast according to the source and quality of the Starres and Elements As in the Book of The Threefold Life is expressed largely enough The Reader himself may seek there he will find the Grace-Election a little otherwise and the Mark neerer then in this Libel 467. I may not here repeat the Deep Mysterie with so large a Discourse The frivolous scornfull discourse in this Libel also is not worthy of it a Man should not cast Pearls before swine the Libeller hath made a heap of scornfull expressions to trim his conceit but all that which is not very necessary I count not worth an answer Number V. 468. THe Libeller produceth also the Text Math. 24. where Christ saith If it were possible even the Elect would be deceived this he doth also upon pretence of the Election but No friend that belongeth not to it If any vematus stedfast in Christ then it is not possible for the Devill or any Heretick to be able to seduce him and pluck him out of Christ's hands 469. But if an enlightned Christian though he be indeed in Gods Love will be secure or carelesse and Dance to the Devill after his Pipe and receive him in for a Guest there it is very possible but though it were possible that the first Man as also the Devill did fall yet cannot the Libeller be convinced with THAT Number VI. 470. Then saith the Libeller Gods WILL whereby he Electeth one and rejects another a man should not search for out of Christ there thou hast it make no more adoe search no further then so but consider when thou lookest upon any body who knoweth whether he be Elected whether he be a child of God or of the Devill 471. O thou Miserable Reason wilt thou COMMAND the Spirit which searcheth even the Depths of the Deity as Saint Paul saith The Spirit searcheth it self and when it comes to the very Center it knoweth its Father for the Soul Originateth out of God the Father out of the Eternall Nature 472. O Blindnesse and own-self Reason who hath forbidden us to search The Devill forbiddeth us it that we might not search out his Kingdome else we might flie away from him what if thou forbiddest me that I should not dare so much as to cough how hath the Mist of obscurity blinded thee should not the sonne dare to see what the Father doth in the House where he must needs manage all his works 473. Why should I not enquire afteer my fathrs or my Native Country out of which my Soul in Adam is gone forth but IN Christ is introduced into it againe I say it
is the Seperation between Gods Name and Natures Name also between the Love-source or quality and the Naturall fierce wraths source or quality 495. In the Fire exist Two Principles viz Two Magia's Two desirous Wills viz the Lights and the Fires 496. The Light is a desire of Love Meeknesse and Substantiality and that is in the Eternity called God The Light is the Majesty the Lights desire is the Other or second Center or the Heart of God the Substantiality is Gods Substance it is the Water source or quality or the Spirit of the Eternall Joys Life 497. And the Fire maketh in the Water-source or quality the Tincture or Life so that Gods Substantiality is a Life That very Lights Substantiality is the Words or Hearts Cerporeity wherein the Great Mystery of the Will of the Abysse viz the Wisdome becometh Manifest 498. And the Fire is another Principle then the Light it hath a fierce wrathfull stinging consuming Desire climing up in Might and Pomp it willeth to consume and swallow up all into it self it is a cause of the Covetousnesse its Bitternesse is a Cause of the Envy for it is the sting of Death and Anger 499. And here goe back into the Formes to Fire and then thou wilt find the Dark World and the hellish fierce Wrath and in the Fire GODS Anger which the Light viz his Heart holdeth captive in the Love-Source or Quality and allayeth or meekeneth the Fires fierce-Wrath 500. For the Water of the Eternall Life generated or born out of the Meeknesse viz Gods Substantiality maketh out of the Divine Fire-source or quality another source or quality viz the climibing up of the Divine Joys Kingdome The Fire-source or quality must only be a cause of the Life and of the Light as also of the Spirit and of the Joys Kingdome 501. And heare the Name God severeth it self in the Trinity viz In the First Center to Nature viz the Eternall Will of the Fiat which in the Fire is a sterne severe zealous Substance and in the Light the cause of the Joys Kingdome and of the Spirit of Life That is the Father of all Substances also of his Sonnes viz of the second Centers of the Love-desires 502. And The Other or second Center of the power of the Light is his Sonne or Heart and maketh in himself and in the Father the Second Principle viz the Angelicall World that is our right Fathers or Native Country which Christ brought into US againe 503. And The Spirit going forth from the Fire in the Light is the Third Person in the Light in the Love and the Joy-source or quality He is called God the Holy Spirit understand according to the Sonnes Center and according to the Fires Center he is called The Anger-Spirit of the Father 504. In the Dark World HE is the Life of the Hellish source or quality out of all Formes to Nature In the Fire HE is the Flame of the fierce wrathfull Anger of God the Father and in the Light HE is the flame of the Great Love of God He is the right Life of God and is also the Life of all the Three Principles of all the Three Worlds in each World according to its property and is only knowne or acknowledged and rightly called God the Holy Spirit according to the Love viz according to property of the Sonne of God Else he is called the Spirit of the Nature of all things or Substances 505. Seeing we here goe so deep we will therefore shew you somewhat more out of true Love and not out of a Desire so totally to reproach you because of your unskilfulnesse or ignorance for we know you better then you do your selfe and though we are zealous over you yet it should be understood heartily as a reproofe of your high climbed stately proud Will over the Spirit of God from which I have my knowledge 506. Consider of the Principle of Fire and see how the Dead ariseth and how he dieth Behold the Fire is a great hungry desire after Substance and if it cannot have that then it extinguisheth 507. Here consider the Great desire of the Father after the Sonne viz. of the first Principle after the second how the Father thus in great desire loveth the Sonne for he is his life else were the Fathers Life a dry fainting hunger like the Devills and the Dark World for the Fire burneth not without the Substance of the Water-Spirit 508. Here consider what befell the Devill when he lost Gods Love and Meeknesse then he remained to be a dry hunger in the fierce Wrath of the Eternall Nature thus it goeth also with the Soul of Man for they originate all alike out of the Eternall Nature 509. Now see further what in the Center of the Fire is the Possibility and Substance you understand now that the fierce wrathfull Fire-source must have Substance and that the Fire-source or quality it self longeth after Substance and if the Fire get the Substance or the Substantiality of the Water-source or quality into it self then the Fire consumeth that Substantiality and then is the dying of the Substantiality for the Substantiality goeth againe into the Still Eternity without besides or beyond Nature viz into the Nothing 510. And you see rightly that yet there is no Dying but the Light goeth forth out of that very Death out of the Consumtibility forth and the Light is then first the power of the understanding and of the Thoughts or Senses Thus Death ariseth out of the Fire-Life viz into another World viz into the Eternall Nothing into the Liberty without besides or beyond Nature 511. And you see now that the Light dwelleth in the Fire without Source Quality or Torment and knoweth nothing of the fierce wrath of the Fire for it is in its Essence a Love Desire Thus have I written that the Deity viz. Gods Center knew nothing of the fall of the fierce wrathfull Devills but the first Principle know it viz the Father according to the Fires Nature and according to the Desire and according to the hunger in the Dark world 512. Here consider beloved Men and brethren in Christ what the suffering and dying of CHRIST as also OUR Dying is How our Soul must in Christs Death be introduced into the Center of the Hell of Gods Anger into the Principle of Gods Fire and go quite through the source or quality of the consumptibility into the other World viz into the Liberty into the Center of the Love of God 513. For Adam's Soul had turned it self out and was Dead to the Light in the Substantiality and therefore the second Adam brought the Soul againe into the Fire viz into Gods Anger-source or quality and kindled the Light againe in Death and there the Light shone againe in the Darknesse That was Death to Death and a Pestilence to the Anger viz to Hell 514. The Soul was gone forth out of the Liberty of God into the Nature of this World viz
like a Beast and is not the Noble Image which is saded and disappeared in Death which is created out of heavenly substantiality 578. But that thou wilt not allow me this that in Man understand in the Third Principle a humane Image according to the Angelicall World out of the Heavenly substantiality hath stood in the Inward yet I say that Gods Spirit that in the Second Principle goeth forth out of the First viz out of the Souls Fire of the Father into the Second out of the Love and Light Fire into the Sonne was never at all without substance for it is the Driver forth of the Divine power and substantiality 579. Hath now the Light and Spirit of God been in Man viz in Adam then also hath Gods substantiality been therein For no Fire burneth in Gods Love unlesse it have DIVINE substantiality 580. Therefore saith Christ Whosoever eateth NOT the Flesh of the Son of Man he hath no part in HIM He understandeth the Corporeity of his unmeasurable Eternall Divine Substantiality in the Water of the Eternall Life and in the Tincture of the Power out of the Fire and Light in the Glance or Lustre of the Divine Wisdome out of the Words Body 581. Now if Adam hath been a totall sumilitude according to God then he must not only have had Earthly Substance for his Body if the Soul had had only Earthly source or quality to Eat then it had not had the prohibition but it had also the Corporeity of the Second Principle out of the Heavenly Substantiality that was the right Angelicall Image which became created in the Fiat of the Word 582. But the Outward Fiat according to the Outward Principle Created the Outward Man and God the Holy Spirit breathed himself thereinto according to the source or quality and property of all the Three Principles into the outward Image according to its outward Property viz the Spirit of the Great World Majoris Mundi of the outward World and the Angelicall Divine World according to the Love of Gods Heart and according to the Eternall Nature viz according to the Fire-World viz according to the Fathers Property the right Soulish viz the Center of the whole Man 583. In Brief what is it that Men should make many words Man was a Totall similitude according to God according to all the Three Worlds and their Properties and that he must be againe or must be a hunger-Spirit in the Dark World 584. What he maketh of himself that he is He standeth here in the Field or Soyle either there groweth out of him an Herb on Gods Table or an Herb in Gods fierce Wrath what kind of Essence so ever he will bring in the growing according to the relish of that it will also get a Mouth for it will eat either of the Love or of the Anger 585. The matter is not about the high knowledge only but about the tast or relish that any becometh the Bread of God which God Eateth It lyeth little in the knowing but all in the DOING it must be DOING the Evill Branches must be Cut off that good Wine may grow 586. We should not judge and condemn one another for the knowledge sake The Plow-Man knoweth lesse then the Doctor but he goeth many times before the Doctor into the kingdome of Heaven let us fall upon DOING that we may get Divine Essence into our Sprout let us reach after the LOVE and then we have ALL. 587. MY high Knowledge maketh me not happy or saved for I know not my self it is not Mine but Gods Spirit knoweth it self in ME he allures Me therewith to himself when he departeth or withdraweth then I know Nothing 588. I have not my knowledge at all from Man why should I then long contend with Man about it no Man can either give it me or take it away from me 589. I deal foolishly in that I Strive with thee for thou canst take nothing from me but it is done for the sake of other people which through thy Mouth abuse my knowledge else I would for thy Cursings and Judgings not lift up a Finger 590. Thou shoudst Converse in Love as a Christian if thou wouldst be Gods childe but if thou Judgest thy brother into Hell-Fire for the sake of his Gift what will become of thee how doest thou know what is befallen him that he runneth on thus How dost thou know upon what Branch or Roote God hath ingrasted him Thou wert not at all by when he did sow the Spirit of his Wisdome 591. You say it is from the Devill and there was Joy in Heaven in Ternario Sancto in the Holy Ternary especially in the Fathers Nature when this Seed was sowne I would NOT give the little Graine that was sowen into me for all this worlds good It is more deare to me than Heaven and Earth and thou treadest it underfoote do but see what manner of Angel thou art 592. Thou writest much and if thou shouldst goe with thy writings to the Center there would be no body at home thou gatherest many Texts of Scripture together which in themselves are GOOD that thou mightst settle a framed Opinion concerning that thou knowest no Ground for 593. Thou canst not bring the Opinion into the Center and then bring it out againe there is no Spirit of Depth in thee but collected Matter from others Mouthes and thy own Mouth understandeth it not 594. But I write what I my self understand and what I can bring into the Ground of the Center 595. Art thou a Master then shew thy self one give me a writing concerning the Center of the Eternall and also of the outward Nature let it be seen what thou canst do prove it in the Light of Nature and not from a strange Mouth Speak from your own knowledge and then I will Answer thee 566. Let thy contemining alone and do thou direct it to the honour of God and make if serve the profit and salvation of Man that it may be a Sprour upon Gods Table and I will Answer thee that thou wilt Wonder and if thou meanest piously wilt highly rejoyce thou wouldst neither seek nor find any Devill in Me. 597. There is a great earnestnesse in me to seek my Eternall kingdome in God God hath not promised me a Scorpion instead of an Egge he would not give me to the Devill when I prayed so earnestly to him for his Holy Spirit 598. The Devill sets not upon a Man a spirituall high Triumphant Crowne or Garland of Victory in Ternario Sancto in the Holy Ternary when a Man Fights against him He hath none of THAT which hath been done to this Spirit which thou callest a Devill and whence its knowledge proceeded 599. I write not for my own Fame which is in God but to Teach Men what they may expect from God if they will but come to the Ring or Lists of this Earnest Fight unlesse the outward voluptuousnesse in soft pleasure of the Flesh