or Originals of all things whatsoever Whereby are discovered the great and many Mysteries in God Nature and the Elements hitherto hid now made manifest and revealed To the Honour of God the love of our Neighbour and to the Comfort and Joy of the Children of Wisdom In the 4. Book of Esdras 6. v. 10. The Books will be opened before the Heaven insomuch that they all shall see Zachariah 14. 7. At the time of the Evening it shall be Light THE EPISTLE To the honest sober READER Curteous Reader THis Spring or Dawning of Wisdom was published some years since but being out of Print and something better improved by the Author and sutable to Pythagoras his Metaphysical and Physical Figure with my smaller Philosophical Epitaph and Figures I thought good to make them with the rest into one small Volume where much light of Divinity and Philosophy will appear concentrated and multiplied to any ingenious Spirits It is Gods greatest bounty to give light and Eyes to see not only the Corporal and Temporal but the Spiritual and Eternal Light of Wisdom Quantum quidque habet Luminis tantum numinis The more Light the more of God who dwelleth in Light and in his Children who are Children of Light and Life For this is the Condemnation and death That Light is come into the World and men love Darkness rather then Light because their deeds are Evil. This therefore as a Trumpet these latter days may awaken and teach men what God the World and Devils are that so their Souls and Spirits hereby quickened and inspired may the better know themselves and arise from dead works of Sin and sensual vanities the first Resurrection of Grace to be sure to rise again with Christ in the Kingdom of Heaven in Glory For many talk of Heaven and being in its Glory with Christ which have it not within them or desire to be there with such mortified pure and peaceable Company as go thither who rather have Hell and feed on it and delight in it and such company which the better to distinguish and reflect upon the the way and Company for Heaven take these four Observations To do Evil for good is devilish Evil for Evil Natural Sensual and Bestial Good for Good Humane and Good for Evil Divine The Wisdom therefore from above is still Pure Holy and Good gotten by mortification on the Cross of Christ and brings Joy and Peace in the Holy Ghost for the Kingdom of Heaven but horror amazement and misery attend the rest who live not after the Gospel of the Cross of Christ which is the power of God to Salvation but after the Flesh and do evil to serve the Devil To know and fear God therefore is perfect Righteousness Wisdom and Eternal Life so that the Patriarchs and many termed Heathen not having the outward name of Christ may have his Spirit and Essential name and be better members of him then we who live not thereafter For as the Scripture saith he was the Rock of Ages was slain from the beginning and hath enlightned every one that cometh into the World and was before Adam But most men do not know nor fear God but superficially believe there is a God and therefore talk of him as Parrots and sometimes worse by Lyes Oaths and Curses c. And therefore have no true faith in him or his Son For did they truly know and consider him still in his property and works to be Infinite Wise Omnipotent and Omniscient just as well as merciful and that he is able to destroy them in a Moment in the very Act of sin then would they fear him the first degree of Wisdom and so after Christs Example avoid all occasions and appearance of sin as they can and will do in some Acts for a very Childs being present And so would believe that he who made and Created the Eye and Ear and gives it Life and Sense in the instant of its exercise can both see and hear as well as any Eye and Ear which can see or hear nothing at any time without his help and likewise that he is as really present though invisible to the outward Sense as any Creature can be which he hath made yea and that he knows our very secretest thoughts too in whom we live move and have our Being But I am not in a Sermon but an Epistle nor would I hinder thee in the Porch from entring into this glorious building of Light where thou mayst find an heavenly Manna and sumptuous Mansion or Eternal Tabernacle for thy self not made with hands and so I take leave to be Thy Christian Friend and Servant W. C. July 3. 167â— THE PREFACE TO THE Lovers of Wisdom Loving Readers WE remember and know that all understanding and Wisdom cometh from God and all good things we receive from the Father of Lights and that Wisdom is nothing else but the Breathing of God who sends his Spirit and teacheth men what Wisdom is the Truth and true Knowledge Syrach 1. Jam. 1. Wisd 7. 25. Job 32. 5. Wisd 9. 17. John 20. 22. Acts 2. Psal 94. 10. Syrach 38. 6. Exod. 26. 1. 2. This Knowledge consists chiefly in three things 1. To know God 2. Our selves 3. That which God hath created After Wisdom and Knowledge followeth Judgment namely to discern Good from Evil Light from Darkness Truth from Falshood Upon judgement and understanding followeth Election and will to doe the one and to shun the other The Knowledge or Understanding of all things is threefold Namely 1. Of Men 2. Of Angels 3. Of God The understanding or knowledge of Men is but in part The Knowledge of Angels is in fear and trembling But Gods knowledge alone is perfect Wisdom Knowledge and the examining thereof cometh from the spirit alone which is in Men Angels and God For the spirit searcheth into all even into the depth of God 1 Cor. 10. 11. The Wisdom Knowledge and Understanding of men is three-fold after the spirit of the same Namely The spirit of men generally in this world is Foolishness in Gods eyes for let men be never so Learned and VVise yet the perfect and true wisdom is hidden from them because they do not know themselves 1 Cor. 1. 2. Mat. 11. 25. Some of these wise men are called Philosophers according to the Spirit of Sects boasting of the holy Scripture of God and of Christ but they have no knowledge of them because their Spirit is not of God but they are only mens opinions of God and of Christ and are carnally and earthly minded full of errours and confusion Lastly The Spirit of Gods holy Ones who being godly and spiritually minded are taught of God The VVisdom and knowledge of the first is full of folly darkness and Ignorance The wisdom of the second is full of misleading Philosophy and continual contentions The wisdom of the third sort of men who are Godly is but in part although true and good Rom. 1. 29. Ephes 4.
him see and he that hath Ears let him hear and an understanding Heart hearken unto it But this is the Revelation and appearance of Christ the day of the Revelation of the Son of Man namely that God in Christ and Christ in God a Spiritual Divine Heavenly Adam and man from Eternity is and hath been in a Divine Spiritual Heavenly Essence flesh and bloud and after this his essential Image he hath in the Creation created and framed a Soulish Adam and Terrestrial Man CHAP. XIX Of the Mystical Image that is of the Mystery of God THis is the Mystery of God as was said already which is clear and manifest on the Soulish Adam and Terrestrial Man from beneath that namely above is the true Adam and Man but beneath is only his Image Wonderful is Gods counsel and who hath known the Lords mind who was so pleased that the last should be the first and should receive the Money or Peny and the blessed glory at first Well may these last say This is the day which the Lord hath made let us rejoyce in it it is marvelous in our Eyes â—sal 118 To day is fulfilled the Word which is written The Stone which the builders rejected is become the Corner Stone and it is marvellous in our Eyes for the Spiritual Rock of which all the Fathers have eaten and drunk from the beginning of the world and upon which the Church of God is founded and builded remained unknown till to the seventh Trumpet where the Mystery of God must be manifested and is also made manifest for the Spiritual Adam and Heavenly Man in his Divine Flesh and Bloud through which we are so dearly bought is thrust away from the Holy place and on the contrary another Flesh and Bloud from beneath out of sinners is brought into the Holyest for an abomination of the desolation But now the new Creation is come in which the Word saith and the Lord himself speaketh as he hath promised Isa 52. 6. c. 40. 5. Saying Jehior or let it be light for the day is come which is known to the Lord to them to whom he will reveal his Mystery Zech. 14. Concerning the Mystery of God in the Creation of Man it is thus that God hath Created Man a Man and Woman Gen. 1. 27. And took the Woman out of the Man Chap. 2. 21 22. To shew the great Mystery of Christ and of his Church which is his Wife and spouse out of his flesh and bones Ephes 5. 30 31 32. But the Divine Spiritual and Heavenly Eve is threefold 1. The most holy Godhead it self 2. The Church of Christ 3 The Heavenly Soul in Man This is the body of Christ his Church whose Saviour he was made for which he gave himself The Divine Eve as the most Holy Godhead is the Mother of us all and the right Jerusalem which is from above The Spiritual Eve as the Church of Christ is the Mother the Spouse of the Lamb. The Virgin and Daughter of Jerusalem The Heavenly Soul is the Heavenly Eve a Maid of the Lord a Daughter of Jerusalem who was married to a Terrestrial Man who brought her to great misery and death but the Lord was made a Servant for her and hath made her free again through his death and hath married unto her a new Adam man out of his flesh and bone of which she hath a divine Inheritance Now if we ask after the Mystery of God how that may be made known answer is on man it may be known There is but one man in one Person but in it three witnesses of his substance as Body Soul and Spirit and in seven Powers The Spirit is always in stead of the Father and is the Father himself also and begetteth by the Soul as by the true Mother to himself a body which is the Child and the Son in which dwelleth all fulness So there is but one God in one only Person but in three Witnesses Father Word and Holy Ghost and in seven Spirits or Powers of God God is a Spirit and a Father and begets through the Word and in the same to himself a Body a Child a Son in which he with all his fulness dwelleth bodily in this manner that he that seeth the Father seeth the Son also the word it self the quickening Spirit and the quickening Adam himself Afterward God begets a Son not after the Person or a personal distinction as one Man another Man else there would be two Gods although there is but one only God But after the Testimony for our sakes he begets a Son that we namely by that Witness as of the Father and Son in God might be made Gods Children Heirs and Co heirs out of his Seed flesh and bones for God in and for himself needs neither Father nor Son because there is never no more in him but one in number but even himself is Jesse and all in all neither are there two or three but One only and none else 3 Lastly God begets also a Son and is a father after the Testimony and that to all Creatures and what ever he hath Created namely that all might have a trust and confidence in him as also the young Ravens when they are forsaken by the old ones This Testimony is done by the Spirit which from God is in all things and fills up all Wisd 1. 7. Chap. 12. 1. Who it is that cryeth to God out of the young Ravens Who is a God of the Spirits of all Flesh Num. 16. 22. And remembreth to God that he is a father of all Creatures and cannot neither ought to forsake them Now the Spirit is it that calleth upon God in all Creatures and praiseth and glorifieth him where is is said in the Psalm All that hath breath Praise the Lord Every Spirit Laud and Praise the Lord The Earth the Sea and the Trees in the Forest Praise the Lord. O man there is much in the Spirit the knowledge of him availeth much for if you do not know him you are but a Beast without a Spirit as Ecclesiastes and others more have it CHAP. XX. Of the Truth and Spirit by which all Wisdom is justified WHen we intend to speak of the Wisdom it must be done in the Spirit and Truth Now nothing is Truth but only the Spirit and the same can lead us into all Truth can teach us all and can tell us of things to come for all Spirits are in subjection to him he penetrates through them all even as fire doth to Gold and Silver seven times and the good that remaineth in it it doth not undoe but rather thinks that there is a blessing in it and bloweth into the smoking â—lax a fire of Life Light and Fire and inâ—useth it self into the same that it may be fitted for a new Creation for a multiplication into many thousands But nothing may attain unto Wisdom unless it be first gone to the fire for a Tryal even as the Gold
he that desires to know God must learn to know him in his image and that perfectly which perfect knowledge is this That God is man and that he is true man who is of God and God is in him This is the wisdom that is mystical hitherto and yet is manifest but only to the wise and is called Theosophia because God doth no where so clearly manifest himself as in man who is his image or honour or glory 1 Cor. 11. 7. Therefore man needs not to go far but only into himself to learn the true knowledge of God and to seek after God in himself and himself in God If he do not thus all is vain and no where else any wisdom to be found Acts 17. 27. Luke 17. 21. Seeing the three other books proceed only from the one Book as the world of God therefore all three do testifie unanimously of this book 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 namely each in its letter wisdom and testimony but none so clearly as man doth This is that great whole and perfect Library of wisemen wherewith in justice and equity they may be contented All wisdom and knowledg with their mysteries in these books we may not learn any where else but only through the same Spirit who himself hath penned these books made and testified He therefore who is desirous to study these books must from the bottom of his heart acknowledge and confess his own blindness folly and ignorance and must pray unto the Father of Lights for illumination wisdom and understanding that he would send his holy spirit which may lead us into all truth and take us away from all foolishness and falshood and may bring us to the Light of Gods glory Which may not be done by any other means then through a love to God and to mans own salvation and through a holy life without all Hypocrisie and through the Light that commeth from above and not from beneath from man and his wisdom which all those must learn to deny that desire to learn the wisdom of the holy ones We will speak thus That hitherto all these books were sealed up but are now opened in the end of the World according to the Prophecy 4 Esd 6. 20. Dan 12. 9. Zach. 14. 7. And if wise worldly men are offended at this they betray themselves that the wisdom of the holy one is not in them The books of wisdom testifie unanimously of the word by which all things are created and in which only all wisdom doth rest and which is the beginning of all beginnings in which is all and without which nothing is which is all in all God blessed for ever Amen CHAP. II. Of those principles and beginnings of all things as also of God himself and of all whatsoever it be THe Principle of all Principles and beginning of all beginnings as also of God himself is only the word according to the testimony of the divine truth and word it self John 1. Now the word may not be defined otherwise then that it is a Spirit breath or voice of God yea God himself in such a subsistence essence and being as namely How the image of God doth represent us according to the similitude which is man as that he is a quicâ—ning spirit a spiritual Adam and heavenly man which is God the Lord glorined and magnified for ever Amen Now we hold altogether that this is the proper definition of God and no other which the holy writ clearly signifieth 1 Cor. 15. 45 47 48. who according to his Image and Similitude hath created a spiritual Adam and Terrestrial man when God said Let us make Adam or Man after our image after our Similitude Gen. 1. 26 27. Now the word being the Beginning of all Beginnings there is contained in the same the Light Life and Love The Light affords the Revelation of God for God is Light and dwelleth in Light and is the Father of Lights Life is the virtue and power of God and a quickning Spirit who hath createth and preserveth all Love is a Testimony of God in which is the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost in one word which is called Jesus Christ the spiritual Adam and heavenly Man Messias who is Essential Alpha and Omega All in All the Beginning and the End the First and the Last Blessed and Praised for ever Amen Rev. 1. 22. Now the word being the true Principle in God himself then consequently all proceedeth from the word out of which do chiefly manifest themselves three general Principles in which Principles with and through which all things are contained and are these namely God Nature Element Now these three general Principles afford also a threefold world namely a divine uncreated from Godflowing world from Eternity then an Angelical world which proceedeth or lighteth forth or shineth forth out of the Light in which God dwelleth and lastly an Elementary world whose Original came out of the water After these three general Principles proceed also three special Principles namely Ghost Wind and Water Now every world hath its proper Ghost Wind and Water in their Kind and Nature All things Created out of the divine world from above are Created out of Water and Spirit from above through the wind and breath of the Omnipotent God for to the Divine world is properly competent the Spirit to the Angelical is properly competent the wind and to the Elementary world is water proper After these special Principles follow lastly particular Principles each of which hath its proper Being out of which in which and from which it consists But these three Principles proceed from the former and are Spirit Soul and Life and Body All bodies are out of the Water All Life and Soul out of the Wind And all Spirit out of the Spirit But concerning the Angels their Body is out of the Wind of the Angelical World their Soul and Life a Fire-flame and their Soul a â—ight of which elsewhere These are our Principles in the Wisdom out of which all things have their Original Whether other Principles may be shewed unto us we do much doubt The Primum mobile first mover of all things is the Word for in it is the Life The Secundum mobile Second mover of all things is the Spirit through which all things are Created The Tertium mobile Third mover is the Wind and these three moving Principles are the Perpetnum mobile everlasting mover of all things by which all things move live and have their Being But these three do rest upon the Water bodily out of which the World is and all things are And in the Air according to the Life wherein all things are And in Heaven from which all things come from above after the Spirit but the Spirit from God from which he cometh and returneth thither John 1. 4. Psal 104. 30. Acts 17. 28. Eccles 12. 7. But all these come together on and in the Earth as in the heart of the world Wisd 1. 7. In these
the things on Earth Col. 3. 2. In my fathers house are many dwellings that last for ever saith Christ John 14. Why should we regard the visible things which are fading away The Apostle saith If there be a Soulish body then there is a Spiritual body also 1 Cor. 15. 44. And when this house of our Earthly Tabernacle is broken then we have an house from above of God which is not made with hands 2 Cor. 5. There are Terrestrial bodies there are also Coelestial 1 Cor. 15. 40. Yet always the Spiritual Coelestial and yet invisible are hid within the soulish Terrestrial and visible Now as God his invisible glory continually poureth down into this sublunary world so he gathereth it to him again and then when all is ended in the end he will set them before him in a new Creation as it is written Rev. 21. 5. Behold I make or Create all things new But before this new Creation cometh the renewing of the old Creation and Creature goeth before Namely in the joyful coming of the Lord which will be with great power and glory because all shall be set free that is called Creature Rom. 8. 23. From the Devil Curse Death then will be the joyful Jubile Now we must know that there will be great difference between the renewing and the new being it self The old Creature is made new in its old being but the new Creature hath a new essence and that not from below as the old but from above For above is the right essence below is o ly the type and Image this is the mystery we are to observe Above are the right Principles and Elements these below are only a shadow Below are meerly Terrestrial bodies but above are the Coelestial although they are hid in those below The Terrestrial bodies are meer Ashes but the Coelestial are a noble salt of life The Terrestrial life is only soulish and a mouth full of breath If that be gone then down falls all But the Coelestial life is an Eternal life and cannot dye The Terrestrial spirit is but a wind if that be gone it flyeth into the air and vanisheth But the Spirit of God is a quickening Spirit ' even as God himself is Now as all things are an Image of the Heavenly so in truth the soulish Adam and Terrestrial man is an Image also of the Spiritual Adam and Heavenly man which is Christ in God and God in Christ This is the great and miraculous Mystery which thou O man O Adam O thou Image of God chiefly above all things shouldst observe that thou maist know thy self in God and God in thee and maist know and learn what man is what Adam is what the Image of God is that is what thou thy self art of which in our book Adam which is the greatest wisdom Namely for one to know himself after a perfect and true knowledge which is spirit and truth He that doth not regard this but despiseth it which yet is Gods Image rebuketh himself and will be rebuked of God also CHAP. XVII Of the Creation of man and his Anatomy MAn hath nothing so much to care for as himself that he may know his own best and salvation Now he that knoweth himself aright in spirit and in truth knoweth God also and all things Therefore mans knowing himself availeth most to himself Now to speak briefly all things and man also consist in one three and seven The one is individual a self-subsisting in it self The three are Body Soul and Spirit And the seven are chiefly the seven Powers after the seven Powers of the seven Elements and after the seven Spirits of God which seven Powers every Creature hath in it self in its glory Even so man is an only man in himself personally 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 individualiter in his self subsistance But is put together of three as of Body Soul and Spirit and is testified by seven Powers as 1. by Moving 2. by Hearing 3. by Seeing 4 by Smelling 5. by Tasting 6. by Thinking and Reasoning 7. by Sounding or Voice Moving containeth the life to feel see go c. are reckoned all to one In this part now Man is Soulish like unto the living Souls and Beasts which have all these but in their portion and measure number and weight namely as much as belongeth to them According to this man hath no more then they and hath with them a living Soul out and after the Elements of equal beginning out of the earth and of like going down to the earth again Sal. in Eccles 3. 19. After Man hath more then the Beasts which is out of another world namely out of the Angelical which is the Mind which in its spirit is a Preacher of the Law in all men from Nature and hath the Knowledge Will and Conscience to good directs Man to all good and accuseth man in evil things in his Conscience Num. 2. 15 16. Lastly Man hath also a higher and more glorious thing in him which is the Breath of the Almighty a Heavenly Soul and life from God which God breathed into the first mans Nostrils and face wherewith he hath marked and testified his divine inward love to his Image in and on a piece and part of the Eternal light and life Gen. 2. 7. Job 27. 3. c. 33. 4. According to this part Man is Immortal because he hath such a treasure within him namely the Breath of the Almighty and thus herein he is very much distinct from the beasts yea he is above the Angels In this Heavenly Soul is hidden the Kingdom of God and in this Breath of the Almighty consists the true Manhood by which he becometh a true immortal man But in the other Elementary part he is like unto the Beasts Terrestrial Corruptible Mortal Dust and Ashes Now man having received at the Creation such a part out of God from thence he can be made partaker of the new birth Creation and Creature from God of his Nature and Essential seed which is the most holy Flesh and Bloud of the Word which is Christ and thus the new man is the new Creature out of Gods and his quickening Words seed that is of Christ and of this Spiritual Adam and Heavenly man of his flesh and bone John 1. 13. c. 3. 1. John 3. 9. 1 Pet. 1. 23. 2 Pet. 1. 4. 2 Cor. 5. 17. 1 Cor. 15. 45 47 48. Eph. 5. 30. This Seed of God Man receiveth into his Heavenly Soul through the Holy Spirit to a new life of Gods Inheritance And this body together with this Heavenly Soul and the Holy Ghost from God in its full self-subsistance doth not personally appear till after the Angelical glory and laying down of the same body Lastly in the end it entreth into the divine world Hence it is said not to be manifest yet what the Children of God are 1 John 3. Only in a Riddle and obscure word is it spoken of After the part of the first Resurrection
of the changing at the coming of Christ and according to the Jewel of the Heavenly calling all these that are partakers of it receive an An elical body life and spirit therewith they enter into Paradise and the Angelical world and will be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 like to the Angels Mat. 22. 30. Mark 12. 25. Luke 20. 36. Each body of man also the soul and spirit are nourished and preserved from that from which they come and are taken as the Elementary body out of Water and Earth the soul out of Wind and Air and the spirit out of Heaven and go again into the same when they are dissolved According to the Elementariness there is a threefold body in man whilst he liveth out of Water and Earth when he is dead out of wind earth till the Resurrection when he riseth out of Spirit Light and Heaven and know that every Element hath its proper body life and spirit Further Gods Holy ones rest after they depart in the Elementary part in the Earth Grave or where they are deceased So Samuel was heard out of that place of his Grave where he deceased to pronounce a ruine to the rejected King Saul According to the Angelical part they rest in Abrahams bosom which are the Chambers of the Just in the high Heaven But according to the divine part they are in Paradise of all three the Scripture testifieth clearly Lastly Infidels come to Hell and Prison with all except the dead body But those that have sinned against the Holy Ghost and have no pardon for it neither in this nor in the other world are buried in the Death because they have committed a deadly sin All the dead rise incorruptible that is in a Spiritual and Coelestial body But what glory or shame every body shall receive shall be known after the general judgment is past CHAP. XVIII Of the Image of God after which Man is Created THat man is Created after Gods Image is manifest out of Scripture Gen. 1. 26 27. Jam. 3. 9. But only this is the question what this Image is after which Man is Created Every Creature or Beast are made after their own Kind and Image but Man only after Gods Image This Image is Christ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 essentially bodily the Image of the invisible God Col. 5. 15 For God is a Spirit and and may not be felt nor seen unless it be in his essential substance and substantial essence Even as Man in his true Manhood after which he is distinguished from all other living Souls a Spirit or Spiritual in and on his Spiritual Soul and Mans Spirit cannot be seen felt or known otherwise then in his body in which he dwelleth with all his fulness So the invisible God who is a Spirit cannot be seen or known but in Christ and his substantial body as in which God the Father the Word and the Holy Ghost together with the whole fulness of the Godhead dwelleth bodily John 14 9. 1 John 1. Col. 2. 9. And this is the Spiritual Adam a quickening Spirit the Heavenly Man the Lord out of Heaven 1 Cor. 15. 45 47. The Image of God is threefold Namely 1. the Image of the Essence essentially after man is his own Image in his own proper Essence and Body So Christ also is the essential and bodily Image in God even as Mans body in Man and so is God in Christ as Man is in his body his own essential self-subsisting bodily and personal Image 2. The Image of that form on the outward appearance of that form Face and Members 3. The Image of the living properties Power or what name soever it may be called Here is manifest the Mystery of the Image of God and that God in Christ and Christ in God was much sooner a Man then we for we are in all things fashioned after him and so his counterfeit Christ the Image of God and Man who is out of Gods Image and honour are thus distinguished Namely 1. As the Image and Essence 2. As Essence and Essence 3. As Spiritual Heavenly and Divine and as Soulish Terrestrial and from beneath that is as Adam and Adam Man and Man and as above and beneath The Soulish Adam is not an Image of God after the Essence as Christ Reason because his Essence is Terrestrial and from beneath but in and on that Terrestrial body only that Image in that manner as a counterfeit and that in a Terrestrial soulish Essence from beneath out of the Earth So is the Soulish Adam and Terrestrial Man an Image of the Spiritual Adam and Heavenly man as a stony wooden or Image of Wax of a living mans Image is not in humane Essence on the Flesh and Bloud but in another being Now as Essence and Essence are one distinct from another so is frame and frame 1 The inward form of God is the most holy Godhead which with all fulness dwelleth bodily in Christ Of this form man hath received the Breath of the Almighty in a Heavenly Soul to his inward essential form and true Manhood 2. The bodily visible palpabl and personal form of God essentially in which God personally appeared and personally was made manifest is the flesh of the word the body of Christ After this man hath a body of flesh bloud and bones but not Divine Spiritual and Heavenly but Soulish Terrestrial and from beneath 3. The manifest face 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and looks and presence on the head body and all Members and their Powers and strength After this also is Man framed and thus to be looked on in which consideration many Mysteries may be observed although the spirit of Errour saith as if God had no Head Eyes Ears Face Nose Mouth no Hands nor Feet because he is a Spirit which rather befalls those Spirits of Errour he hath Eyes and seeth not neither acknowledgeth the Image of God in Christ and in Man hath Ears and heareth not and a Heart and understandeth nothing Further Man is made after Gods similitude and is like unto God Namely 1. on the Heavenly Soul Eternal and Immortal and thence he is of God 2. Like in Power that he can do much namely after his part measure and weight 3. Like in Glory as a God over all other Creatures a Lord and Ruler Good Reader here you must know and observe that this great Mystery doth manifest here and Bringeth along the right Jehior let it be light the day of the Revelation of the Son of Man of which Christ saith expresly Luke 17. 22. c. On which the the Son of man is revealed and that this is the Revelation and appearance of Jesus Christ of whom the Holy Apostles have prophesied 1 Pet. 1. 7. 5. 1 Tim. 6. 14. 16. ◠Joh. 2. 28. Tit. 2. 13. 2 Tim 4. 8. 2 Thes 2. 8. Thus The Revelation or appearance of the coming is clearly distinguished Mal. 3. Mat. 24. 30. And chiefly Rev. 12. He that hath Eyes let
cannot come to its glory unless it be gone in the Crusible through the consuming fire seven times that afterward it may be Baptized with Water and Spirit to a new birth and become a new Gold and become out of the same Spirit and Water increased into many thousands and as a Heavenly Gold Spirit and Metal whereby other inferiour metals may be turned into the substance of the best Gold So it fareth with man that shall get Wisdom first he must be baptized with Fire then with Water and then with the Spirit and all this is done in the Crusible of the Terrestrial man But all wisdom is sufficient through the Spirit and in Truth through Principia subordinata Concordantia which do concenter afterward in a Harmony The Principia contain the true beginning of every thing from whence it came thither it doth return also and from thence it is preserv'd also The Subordinata contain the Order straitness and perfection of every thing as they do hang one in another stand and subsist one by another even as a Ladder or Stairs there must not be one step amiss or wanting else the subordinata are not true Commonly there are seven subordinata and follow one upon another orderly and things that follow one after another are subordinata and thus it is perfect Lastly this is a Concordance that all things may agree one with another and a Contrariety be no where found seen or heard Even as in sweet Musick all things are Harmonious let the Voices be as many as they will and change one in another going out of one into another and an everlasting Ternarius remaineth therein and so the Principles and Concordance consist in Ternarius and Vnity where one floweth out of another till to the number of seven of the Subordinata which reach after the greater number till to Twelve At last the Harmony concentreth and encloseth all which taketh altogether in One Three and Seven and presents one as the other namely the upper as the lower and the lower as the upper so that none be against the other although they be so far distinct as God and Creature Spirit and Soul Heaven and Earth yet one is in the other the one is known by the other and the one is justified by the other and that in Spirit and Truth Search now and see try and learn hear observe and judge what Wisdom this is and what Truth and Spirit is presented in this Book The fool knoweth nothing of the Wisdom and doth not understand her way Lyers do not understand the Truth nor do they know her Principles and the soulish bruitish and profane know nothing of the Spirit although they hear his wind blow yet they know not from whence it cometh nor whither it goeth Therefore do not look upon men do not inquire after men that is nothing and do not stare upon the image to the intent to adore it as all those do that dwell on Earth Rev. 13. But only inquire after the Spirit and fear him for he will direct all in the Word of Truth and Righteousness Him you are to Honour and against him do not think speak or do that you may not be condemned out of your own mouth Now all Spirit Truth and Wisdom reveal themselve in these three and are thereby known and justified namely in a Divine Light in a Divine Life and in a Divine Love where these three are in on and about man there is really Spirit Truth and Wisdom The Divine Light containeth all wisdom understanding and knowledge The Divine Life containeth all Truth Holiness and Righteousness And the Divine Love containeth the whole Spirit and poureth him out into our hearts and thereby we know that God hath loved us because he hath given us of his Spirit which cryeth in us Abba and giveth Testimony to our Spirit that we are the Children of God He poureth forth our Tears and Prayers before God that we might find grace before the Lord and teacheth us to pray aright before the Lord about things that are above maketh intercession for us with unspeakable sighs Thereby we know in the Spirit and in Truth where the right Wisdom the Divine Truth and the Holy Ghost is for these three Light Life and Love proceed from God and God himself is Light and there is neither Darkness nor Fire in or about him God is Eternal Life there is neither Death nor Perdition out of him in or about him God is Love it self and there is neither VVrath nor Pain Hell nor â—amnation out or of him He that stayeth by in and on these three namely by the Divine Light in a Divine Life and in a Divine Love he stayeth and abideth in God and God in him in the Spirit and Truth according to the wisdom and true knowledge of God and knoweth what is Truth Spirit and Wisdom and tells their true Principles Subordinates and Concordances in a Divine Harmony proved to the Elect Angels and Men in Spirit and in Truth CHAP. XXI Of the Mystery of Time to understand it aright NOthing so secret at night but the day may reveal it when the Light cometh to its Day and the day to its light and the clear Sun doth shine over all that is under Heaven The Night is past and behold the day breaks on with its fair morning light which is a light fire and a fire-light who can now subsist for the Lord cometh yea the Lord cometh coming Amen Halelujah He is like unto the fire of a Founder and like unto the sharp Lee of Sope boylers he will melt prove try c. He will wash purifie and cleanse And who can stand before him Mal 3. This he doth therefore that all filth may be done away before the Sun riseth and may not put the whole Earth and world to banishment or destruction Chap. 4. Now that day being come with its light in this time then the Mystery of the time of the whole world will be revealed But always is included and closed in and with the number of Seven For in the seventh day God finished the Creation and so in Seven always included But the number 7 standeth thus 7 49. 70. The number Seven after our time standeth chiefly upon the Seventh Trumpet in and with it the Mystery of God is finished yea revealed Rev. 10 11 12. Chap. As also with the seventh Vial of Gods wrath But as much as we know in part we are and live betwixt the fifth and sixth Vial. The number 49. sheweth expresly that fair Mystery of the time of the refreshing and restitution of all that is lost Levit. 25. And the number 49 is the end of the little seventh day and a beginning of the great seventh day and Sabbath of God Lastly the number 70 seeth upon the 70 weeks in the Prophet Daniel as also upon the expiration of the 1335 days Chap. 9. 24. 12. 12. When these are about then the transgression will be reconciled every
Prophecy fulfilled and the most Holy Holy with his Saints will take the Kingdom and Jerusalem rebuilded and the Eternal righteousness and all what hath been lost by the fall shall be restored Of this great glory and unspeakable joy the Spirit prophesieth in all Creatures yea in all Lights of Heaven and in all the Elements But where are the Seers where are the Hearers and where are the Observers Further concerning the time of the world it is divided in 1. 3. and 7. The one time generally containeth the whole great day of the World 12 hours Mat. 12. Which shall be 6000. years and so there were 500. years to an hour but the days shall be shortned so that they shall not be full 6000. years and the days or years of that shortning are clear in the Book of Genesis at the first judgment over the world c. The three times of the world now are that they shall be divided namely the 6000. years into three times As the first time from Adam till Noah at the Deluge and containeth 1656. years From the Deluge till to the Messiah born of the Virgin Mary is the second time divided into 12 parts each containeth 214. years or 214. ½ year which added together make 2568. years from the Deluge till to the Messias 4 Esd 14. 11. Now if 1656. are summed up with the other then the Messias is born into the world of the Virgin Mary in the year of the world 4230. The third time of the world is from Christs Nativity till to his glorious coming the Mystery of which year is mystically signified in 4 Esd 7. 28 30 Chap. 9. Calculation Concerning the abovesaid threefold number 7. 49. 70. therein is the Mystery clearly signified without any diminution or addition if only you will open your Eyes Ears and Hearts to see hear and observe clearer it cannot possibly be told these numbers in themselves calculated namely to know certainly how many years every hour of the twelve do contain because the 6000. years are not compleat but those days must be shortned But now as in the former times and judgments over the world always seven days went before the judgment came upon the world So it is now in and with the time of the judgment over this world Gen. 7. 4. Josh 6. Levit. 25. Now when the judgment is proclaimed seven days goeth before the Proclamation Now if you have the Spirit of Daniel then number and reckon how many days are past and how many are behind to the judgment None believeth what alterations there are at hand the whole World lyeth in wickedness and it will perish in it But that we may keep nothing from the Reader and wellwisher to wisdom and that he may fully conceive the time of the end namely in the sure token of it then there are three signs of it the first is that presently after the great horrible bloudy Battel that is at hand he do come whom we expect Mal. 3. 4. and the Gospel of the Kingdom be Preached in the whole world for a Testimony over all Nations that one Shepherd and one Flock may be Mat. 24. 14. Rev. 14. 6. Zeph. 3. 8 9. The second time is when the Ten lost Tribes of Israel are found out again over the Water into the Land and upon the Mount Israel do come from the Orient after the sixth Vial is poured out Rev. 16 12. 4. Esd 13. 4. Isa 11. 11. Chap. 27. 13. Jer. 31. 8. Deut. 30. 4. Mica 4. 6. 7. Rom. 11. 25. Yea whole Israel and whole Juda will come again into their Countrey and will turn to the Lord their God Hos 3 Lastly The last sign of the coming of the Lord is when the Beast and all Kings of the Earth together with Gog and Magog by the seduction of the three unclean Spirits into the Land of Israel and to the Valley of Jehosaphat and upon the Hill of Israel come together to a Battel c. and are destroyed with fire from Heaven Rev. 19 19 20 21. Ezek. 3. 8. Joel 3. Isa 24. 21 22. This is the end then beginneth the Kingdom and Priesthood of Melchisedech Halelujah Come Lord Jesus and deliver us from the Evil One Amen Conclusion COurteous Reader we conclude this our Jehior or Morning Light and salute you in the Lord from the Lord in the Spirit of Grace and Supplication which the Lord will pour out over us all through the Power from above that we might find Grace before him at his coming and may not be put to shame when he judgeth Reader if you are a wellwisher to Wisdom then take of us the Crumbs which we have gathered from the Lords Table and accept of them till Melchisedech cometh and distributeth the Holy Shew-bread and to drink of the New Wine of his distributing at the great Supper of the Nuptials of the Lamb in Paradise the fruits whereof himself will set up You are to give thanks with us to him from whom all good gifts come from above the Father of Lights praying that he would inlighten us all turn us to him and make us happy for ever This is according to the love of God whose dedesire is that all men may be saved and that all may come to the knowledge of the Truth Therefore let us be merciful loving and perfect Even as our Heavenly Father is merciful loving and perfect that it may be known and revealed that we are his Children But Curteous Reader if you affect folly and art a despiser of Wisdom go to and despise but be sure that you do not despise men herein but God himself who hath given us his Spirit and from whom all Wisdom cometh and think that the Spirit of judgment will require an account of you in that day But Reader if you are a Pharisee and Hypocrite and seekest rather Honour from Men then from God We 'll consider then what the Lord saith 1 Sam. 2. 30. He that honoureth me him I will honour also and he that despiseth me shall be despised again And Christ saith Mat. 10. 3◠He that confesseth me before men him will I also confess before my Heavenly Father that is in Heaven He that denieth me before men him will I also deny before my Heavenly father But Reader if you are a simple Heart and art not fit for Wisdom then abide on in and by the fear of the Lord in a Godly life which fear is not only the beginning of Wisdom but also the end of Wisdom and it is no help to man though he be able to speak with an Angelical Tongue and had all knowledge and understood all Mysteries and had such a faith whereby he could remove Mountains and withall had not the Love of God which endured everlastingly all will profit you nothing Therefore blessed are the Babes and sucklings which know not these outward things for theirs is the Kingdom of God because the Spirit of God is declared in them Therefore
let no man be puffed up with Knowledge And for our part we are not extol'd therewith for Satan also doth buffet us with fists and doth upbraid us with our shame Therefore we humble our selves that the Lord may accept of us in mercy Who giveth Grace to the humble and beholdeth low things and him that is of a contrite heart and trembleth at his Word Lastly This is the Conclusion that every one examine himself and that according to the Spirit Truth and Wisdom and no otherwise whether God Christ and the Holy Ghost be in him which every one may know by his thoughts Words and Works in his affection will and pleasure and in his Knowledge and Conscience Every good thing is from God and of God and not of Men. All Sin is from the Devil who seduceth man and leadeth him to perdition and destruction Well be to him who separates bad from good rejects bad things and maketh choice of good and beareth fruit thereby The Lord Zeboah will at last take away the evil Eternally and restore the good again and return bad things to that evil one and recompence it upon his head Amen The Lord our God be gracious unto us and help forward the works of his hands yea the works of his hands he will help forward Amen Praised be the Lord that cometh and blessed be his glorious name All the world be full of his Honour Amen Hallelujah FINIS A Catalogue of Chymical Books which have been written Originally or Translated into English ELias Ashmole Esq his Theatrum Chymicum Britanicum Or a Collection of our Famous English Hermetical and Poetical Philosophers viz. Th. Norton Geo. Ripley Geofr Chaucer Jo. Dastin Pearce the black Monk Rich. Carpenter Abrah Andrews Th. Carnâ—ck Will. Bloomfield Ed Kelley Jo. d ee Th. Robinson the Magistery of W. B. Jo. Gower Mystery of Alchymists Jo Lydgate Will. Redman with divers Anonymi and certain fragments with Annotations upon the same Lond. 1652. 4. His Fassiculus Chymicus Or Chymical Collections of the â—ngress progress and Egress of the Secret Hermetick Science Collected out of the Choicest most Famous Authors Lond. 1650. 8 o. The way to Bliss Lond. 1658. 4º Don Alexis of Piemont His Collection of Secrets with the manner of making Distillations c. Lond. 1580. 4º Fr. Antonies Apology for his Medicine called Aurum Potabile Lond 1616. 4. Aula Lucis Or The House of Light by S. N. Lond. 1â—52 8 Artefius his Key of the greater Wisdom 8. vide Flammell Abr. Andrews his Hunting of the Green Lyon vide Theatrum Chymicum Britanicum Alphonsus King of Portugal his 2 Treatises of the Philosophers Stone vide Treatises Albertus Magnus his secrets of the Virtues of Herbs Stones Beasts c. Lond. 1637 8. Anonymi quidem A Discourse of Magical Gold vide Discourse A True order to Distil Oyls c. aide true and perfect order A Profitable Discourse against bad garbling of Spices vide Profitable Secrets revealed concerning the Philosophers Stone vide Secrets Secrets and Wonders of the world vide Secrets Physical Dictionary vide Physical Hermetick Banquet vide Hermetick Enchiridion Physicâ— restitutae vide Enchiridion Liber Patris Sapientiae vide Theatrum Brit. Hermes Bird vide Th. Brit. Experience and Philosophy Th. Brit. The Hermets Tale vide Th. Brit. Description of the Stone vide Th. Brit. The standing of the Glass for the time of Putrifaction and Congelation of the Medicine vide Th. Brit. The distillation of all manner of Spices Seeds Roots and Gums vide Distillation The Method of Chymical Philosophy and Physick vide Method Th. Brown's Natures Cabinet Vnlockt Or the Natural causes of Metals Stones Precious Earth Juyces Humours and Spirits the Natures of plants in general the affections parts and kinds in particular c. Lond. 1657 12. Jo. Beguines Tyrocinium Chymicum Or Chymical Essays from the Fountain of Nature and Manual Experience Lond. 1669. 8. Hier. Bruynswayke's Virtuous Book of Distillation of the Waters of all manner of Herbs with the Figures of the Stillatories Translated by Lawr. Andrew Lond. 1527. fol. Geo. Baker's New Jewel of Health Containing the most excellent Secrets of Physick and Philosophy and of all Distillations of VVaters Oyles Balmes Quintescences with the Extraction of Artificial Salts the use and preparation of Antimony and Potable Gold with the Vessels and Furnaces and other Instruments thereunto belonging Being the Second part of the Treasury of Euonymus Lond. 1576. 4. Andr. Bertholdus Of the wonderful Effects Virtues and strange use of the new Terra Sigillata found in Germany Lond. 1587 1589. 8. R. Bostock Esq Of the difference of the ancieâ—t Physick first taught by Godly Fathers and the latter from Idolaters and Heathens as Galen and such others Lond. 1583. Ed. Boldnest's Aurora Chymica Or a rational way to prepare Animals Vegetables and Minerals for Physical use and preservation of the life of Man 1672. 8. His Medicina Instaurata or the Grounds and Principles of the Art of physick made by Chymical operation and the Insufficiency of the vulgar way of preparing Medicines Lond. 1665. 8. R. Bacon's Art of Chymistry 16. His Mirror of Alchimy 1597. 40. His Admirable force of Nature and Art 4º His Tincture of Antimony vide B. Valentine Fr. Bacon Lord of Verulam his Natural History with Articles of enquiry touching Metals and Minerals c. Lond. 1670 fol Ld. Blaise of Viginere his Discourse of Fire and Salt Lond. 1640. 4. Will. Bloomfield's Blossoms vide Th. Brit. B. G. Penotus à Portu Aquitano his Excellent Works vide Firovant Sam. Boultons Magical but Natural Physick With a Description of the most excellent Cordial of Gold Lond. 1656. 8. Rob. Boyle Esq Sceptical Chymist Lon. 1661. 8. His Essay about the Origine and Virtues of Gems Lond. 1672. 8. His considerations touching the usefulness of Experimental Natural Philosophy 2 parts Oxford 1664 1671 4. His New Experiments Physico Mechanical touching the spring and weight of the Air and their effects Oxford 1660. 8. ibid. with additions and continuation Oxf. 1662 1669 4. His phisiological Essayes and other Tracts with some Specimens to make Chimical Experiments useful to illustrate the Notions of the Corpuscular Philosophy c. Lond. 1669. 4. His Experiments and Considerations touching Colours begining the Experimental History of Colours Lond. 1670 8. His Origine of Forms and Qualities according to Corpuscular Philosophy Illustrated by Considerations and Experiments written by way of Notes upon an Essay about Nitre Oxon. 1666 1667 8. His Traâ—â—s of Cosmical qualities Things and suspitions of the temperature of Subterraneal and Submarine Regions and of the bottom of the Sea As also An Introduction to the History of particular qualities Oxf. 1671 8. His Experimental History and Observations of Cold London 1665 8 His Hydrostatical Paradoxes made out by New Experiments Lond. 1666. 8. Dan. Coxe's Discourse of the Interest of the Patient in reference to Physick and Physicians With a detection of the abuses of
be extracted and we may observe a kind of demonstration hereof by our Mother Earth who brings forth all things For take any good and fit Earth extract all the Stones Roots Salt peter and whatsoever else is included and being then left open to the Air for some time in a convenient place it will not onely of its self be impregnated again with new salt Peter Vegetables Stones Mettals and Minerals but also with Animals and those very Stones c. shall hold a Sulphurous Gold and Mercury fit for a Philosopher to work upon and to make a fit Medicine for any of the three Kingdoms of Nature and this being after specificated with a fit Metallick shall perfect the impure Mettals to Sol and Lune and 't is strange that salt Peter a Mineral in the Earth should have its root and Quarry in the Air. And verily every thing brought to such likeness in perfection of Elements and the three Principles as to be Quintessential and fixt are in community of substance with the principles of Mettals and are in a manner universal and may help to make the Stone for Transmutation of Mettals as well as for the health of Men c. For the community of matter of all things is in Sal Sulphur and Mercury and the purity of the four Elements is in pure Water and pure Earth brought to a Quintessential essence and so are in community of substance with Mettals and will be of equal nature with their principles namely in Sal Sulphur and Mercury For the matters and principles of Generation are in Sal Sulphur and Mercury and these may as well be had by Art above the Earth as by Nature in the Mines and so may be brought to a fixt Sulphur of Nature which is as good an Earth for the work as may be for Guido saith of the Earth it is no matter so it be fixed and Raimund saith nought is required in this Art for transmutation but pure Earth and pure Water and Ripley saith Hair and Blood cannot be the Stone for transmutation but Elements separated from them may and of ☿ separated from them is little good but if brought to Sulphur of Nature it is as good Earth for it as may be yet still mark that it be brought to a community of Nature and must be fermented with pure real Gold yet you are not tied to go to so great a distance for things neerer of kin are easier transmuted and the neerest the best Wherefore the Artists may begin where Nature left off in her simple and single operation And like a good Husband-man with Corn Sow the pure grain of Gold not common Gold in its pure Mercurial virgin Mother Earth not common Earth but a white Crude Golden Water or Essence brought to them by the help of Eagles or else by the mediation of the Doves and the man in his glittering golden Robes may drink of his Nectar in a pure silver Cup three to the Graces or nine to the Muses as Ripley intimates and according to the old Mystical Law Ter bibe aut toties ternos sic mystica Lex est Drink Three or thrice Three which is a Mystery And so the Masculine and Feminine or ☉ ☽ ☿ being in perfect health and in their prime and Sperme as one thing willingly embrace and joyn to spiritualize themselves into a Sprout or living Seed to grow up to the highest degree of the power energy and virtue of ☽ and Gold and of the spiritual Stone of Philosophers and to do whatsoever else the Philosophers have need of Nam Lapis Philosophorum nihil alind est quam Aurum in gradibus suis multiplicatum stante proportione quâ fuit in Auro primo For the Philosophers Stone is no other thing then Gold multiplied in its de-degrees standing in the same Temperature or Proportion in which it was at the first which must be nourisht with the Mothers pure Milk till it can feed upon stronger Meats and so gets vigour to Multiply And then the Glorified King Triply Crown'd shall vanquish his Enemies and redeem his Brethren and Kindred in all or any Nations from their vile Corruptions If they can but touch the hem of his Garment or entertain him at his approach as they ought for 't is alike to him to raise their Essences as to separate their Maladies Yet you must First Learn the Eagles that foster up the Doves And makes Diana taste of Venus's Loves Where Cupid conquers Mars his furious Ire And makes the Magnet draw the Calib's Fire Which seems a Riddle and 's the Gordian Knot And Herculean labour for the Artists Lot Without the perfect knowledge of which thou canst never attain thy end CHAP. II. Of the Causes and Manner of Multiplication of Life and Seed And one way of preparing Mercury for the Philosophers Stone and others for making of Vniversal Medicines c. IN the beginning God gave his blessing to increase and multiply and commanded that each Thing from its like should draw its Form and so created in Nature a certain Chain or subordinate propinquity of Complexions between Visibles and Invisibles by which the Superiour Spiritual Essences descend and converse here below with the matter Yet Nature hath nor had but one onely Agent hidden in the universe which is Anima Mundi working by its universal Spirit through innumerable distinct Concreates according to their Specificque Forms and Seeds which God the Father at first Creation by his word and Idea or Son and Holy Spirit did Glance at once into the first matter and so set Laws and Bounds in Nature Of In and over all which he is still president upholding strengthening and ordering all the said Powers as his Instruments in every particular as well as in the general so that a Sparrow falls not without his Providence and Power and so kind by kind produceth kind in all Natures Three Kingdoms Animal Vâ—gitable and Mineral by means of the said Seed For as Fernelius saith Nihil est in ulla naturae parte quod non in se generis sui semen contineat There is no part of Nature which doth not contain within it self the seed of its own kind God and Nature still use the same and as a mean to unite the Form to its own Matter and to raise strength and Appetite in the Patient and to invite the active Virtue of Form and Life to work freely Yet still its motions to tend to its own Specifick end as God had ordained except it be misplaced or abused as Sendivogius expresseth or joyned to some unfit matter which end being attained the Life then seems Dead or at a stand and so Chained Hedged and imprisoned with Corporal â—ences that it can work no further upon that subject to its Promotion but onely doth Organizare molem and sets its Prison or House into the best order it can Branching into several Members that it may have the more room to employ its Faculties evidently seen in Animals and
Principles out with and through the same subsist all things And without these nothing can subsist that is or hath a Being and are Light Life and Love God Nature and Element Spirit Wind and Water Body Soul and Spirit and that in the Word CHAP. III. Of the first Principle of all things which is God GOd being the beginning of all Beginnings as from which all things proceed then his beginning is from no other He is without a beginning because he is not from another yet though he hath his beginning from no other he representeth in himself his beginning to all This beginning of God is not a beginning to God himself but to us for he himself is all in all Now that he might shew himself to us men to testifie and instruct us of him therefore God sheweth himself in his beginning which is the Word which is God himself Now through this VVord is shewed to us testified and taught that and what God is and who he is But without word or speaking may be neither Doctrine nor Testimony nor a presentation as Reason doth make it manifest Therefore the VVord is the beginning of God to us out of which all Testimonies Names and Relation of God do proceed as out of the depths of God which consist in their own proper Spirit wind and water The name of God is but one according to the Essence which no man knoweth but only he upon whom he is written with the living Letters of the Spirit of God and his VVord Essentially which is Christ and those that are of his Being These are they in whom the VVord dwelleth Essentially and that see his Glory in a Light and Eye that no body else can see All the names of God come together only in this one name For the whole fulness of the Godhead dwe leth in him bodily who is called Alpha and Omega Zach. 14. 9. Col 2. 9. He that seeth him seeth also God and the Father and the living Word and the quickning Spirit John 14. 9. 1 John 1. 1 Cor. 15. 45. Even so he that seeth man seeth also with the Body the Soul and the Spirit which are in their Nature invisible The Testimony of God consisteth in three Namely in three witnesses which are the Father the VVord and the Holy Spirit Now as the name proceeds from the word so doth every Testimony of God and resteth only upon the dear and true witness that is called Amen which is the beginning of Gods Creatures Rev. 3. 14. And the Testimony of God stands thus God Father Word Holy Ghost Amen which is Christ Now because no body can testifie of God but he himself alone and all Testimonies of Truth must be justified by three Therefore God also testifieth of himself by three but they are not three persons But one onely person and one only God even as in one Earthly mans Body Soul and Spirit cannot be three distinct persons so in God are not three persons But this is the Testimony of God to us in the Name non in Nominibus sed in Nomine of the Father Son and Holy Ghost which consist in the word which three are one thing and one But this Testimony none acknowledgeth save he that hath it within himself Essentially that is that hath the Spirit out of God and is annointed and sealed with it This is the Testimony of God with one word through which we are Sons and Heirs of God Rom. 8. Lastly The Revelation of God consists in seven Powers which are the seven Spirits of God Rev. 1. 4. Chap. 4. 5. Chap. 5. 6. Zech. 4. 2 10. And rest upon him who is called and is Jesse who is of no other but out through in and of himself is is self subsisting in whom is all who hath all Also the fulness of the Godhead Rev. 3. 1. Isa 11. Col. 2. 9. For through him all things are Created in Heaven and in Earth and by him all things are preserved by him also all is Redeemed and reconciled He Reigneth over all and hath all under his Power through him all lost things are restored at his glorious coming He also holdeth Judgment over all flesh over quick and dead And lastly he will make old things new and will abandon and put away all old things Everlastingly Therefore the Mystery of God consists in One Three and Seven and according to this Mystery all other things are Created and consist in One out of Three through Seven and are therein testified learned manifested or justified nothing at all excepted whatsoever it be and that for this Reason That God in his mystery may be learned and glorified in and on all his Creatures Herein consists now the Mystery of the VVisdom in its measure number and weight as in One Three and Seven whereby all things are numbred measured and weighed so perfectly that nothing can be added to it or diminished from it For all the works of God are perfect and testifie of the Creator according to the Mystery of the wisdom namely that by the works may be known Him that made them that what and who he is in his Mystery CHAP. IV. Of the Second Principle viz. Nature NAture is the second Principle and beginning of all things and stands betwixt God and the Elements through which God worketh into the Elements at through and by means and is in its consideration even as Angelical whose beginning is out of God a forth-blown Breath VVind and Air of the Almighty in which consists the Soul and Life of all Created things and every living Soul and is concentred and fastened together essentially bodily and self-subsisting in the Tree of Life even as God in Christ and the whole Elementary world in Man This second Principle is not everlasting according to the beginning yet eternal according to the end even as the Angels are It is not Created out of nothing as this world but proceedeth from God even as the Life from the Spirit as a Breath VVind or Air doth proceed and is also the breath of Gods VVord in which is Life thus that the speaking of the word is a living Eternal Breath and is distinct from God as a living breath or Soul from the quickening Spirit The living breath Soul or Life of all things iâ— according to its Original out of the Nature but the Spirit out of God namely after his measure and the body out of the Elements The Spirit as the Soul or the Life are distinct thus As God who is Eternal Life and the quickening Spirit himself and hath Life from no other because himself is the Spirit And as the living Soul having her Life not out from and by or through it self but out of the Spirit which maketh things alive whose breath is the Life Now that is soulish which hath its Life not from it self but from the Spirit and which is not a Spirit but only a breath All things whatsoever are in their Being have the food of thir
of Nature by the Word of God and is bodily a seed of the water and all Elements from whence the water did spring or proceed or flow by the breathing of the Spirit of the Lord for a seed to all the world and abundantly increased by the moving of the Spirit of the Lord so that the whole Earth is formed out of it The fixed Salt is threefold as in the Earth in the Water and in Heaven The flying Salt also as in Rain Water and Dew Air and Wind. The Essential also is threefold as in the light Spirit and upper water The waters supplie three places or degrees for out of them them the world did subsist which is remarkeable always the one is hid in the other The flying Salt is the Key and openeth with it descending in the Spring that every thing raiseth from the dead greeneth and groweth and with its ascending in the Harvest shutteth them again The Elements are threefold namely Spiritual Soulish and Bodily There are three of the Spiritual Elements as bodily the Heaven Soulish the light and Spiritual the Spirit The Soulish are twofold as Wind and Air. The bodily also as Water and Earth Always the one is hid in the other and the one always comprehends the other six in it and always the one of them is bodily manifest visible and knowing or palpable but the other six are hid in it Each Element also in it self is threefold as spiritual soulish and bodily The spiritual earth is and are the Precious stones or Jewels and that is the body of the Spirit The soulish earth is the gold the spiritual water bodily are the Pearls the soulish is the Amber afterwards the Corals bodily In all these dwell many Powers especially if out of water and spirit by means of the Fire they are made new and spiritual All Elements are in the one with all their Powers which is a spiritual Rock out of which the water of Life doth spring to all Creatures and ebbeth and floweth in the whole world and filleth up Elementarily all in all And when in the end of the world this one is taken away from them then all the Elements are consumed in and by the fire CHAP. VI. Of the three special Principles Spirit Wind and Water THe three special Principles as far as they are Principles come according to their Original as the spirit from God the wind from the Nature and the water from the Rocks and Wells of the Element Every body in the Elementary world is out of the water even also Heaven and Earth All living soul and breath is from the wind in all bodies and all spirits are from the spirit The spirit hath by it the light and Heaven the wind the air the water the earth Now as every thing hath its original so it is of the same fed nourished and thither it returneth again Now the water is a gathered concentred and bodily palpable air The air is a soft sensible bodily gathered wind And the wind is a living gathered spirit But the spirit is such an out-spoken word which Createth and maketh some living thing so that it stands there essentially where it was before Psal 104. 29 30. In the beginning of the Creation the spirit moved on the water by which moving is understood the wind by which the spirit hath breathed on the waters and made them fertile for the Creation of the world All things that are move and have a Being have their original from the one infini eternal Father EHEVE JEHOVAH and JESSE which is the essential self-subsisting living word which is and was in the beginning and remaineth everlastingly to which word all other things are just nothing Through it all things are Created are preserved nourished and fed in their spirit and life as through the breath of the Almighty 4 Esd 16. 13. Heb. 1. 3. Mat. 4. 4. Now by the three special Principles as spirit wind and water which are Elements also all Creation is finished not only because they are the means by which the general Principles do work but also because they contain in them the right seed of all things and the same in the only true Element of which we made mention afore For these three bear in their body all Salt and feed fixed and flying and essential as also Heaven and Earth with all that is therein and bring forth into the world each to its proper self-subsisting or substance Now as all is produced out of the special Principles according to the Creation and Nativity But the sin with the curse and corruption hath made all evil so must all that is born anew return to water wind spirit and out of the spirit and spiritual water must by the wind be born anew to the Image of the Coelestials yet so that in their glory they be no other then Angelical and divine and bear the Image of the Coelestials This new birth goeth out of the upper waters and out of a Coelestial earth to speak Elementarily and are nothing else but salt There is another birth also that goeth out of the fire and is done in pain and torment The new birth out of the water and through the water is done in drowning by water to death That out and in the earth is done through death and Corruption The birth out of the fire as a contrary element is done in and through the fire in Hell Every new birth and regeneration is done through the spirit as also every Creation and alteration The new birth out of the water is done when water is to be poured upon that which shall be new born which the bad contrary elementary doth drown kill and reduceth to nothing And on the contrary stirreth up the good draweth it out and maketh it glorious and distinguisheth the good from the bad rejecteth the bad and chooseth the good and keeps it The new birth out of earth is done when a thing is reduced to its proper earth dyeth and putrifieth therein then afterward cometh forth again and riseth out of the earth with a new and spiritual body and parteth with the naughty and corrupted The new birth in the fire is done when all is cast into the fire and that which doth not hold fire is consumed by degrees and only that which is spiritual remaineth and is saved and then afterward the new birth with a spiritual body cometh forth 1 Cor. 3 13 14 15. 1 Pet. 4 6. Although we speak here Physically and Elementarily yet understanding men will judge Theologically and the Wise may search Physically how every thing hath its true Earth Water and Fire and so mark and observe this mystery Now is the Spirit Wind and Water by which all things in the world are effected These the word sendeth forth to all Creations Births and Alterations These are never quiet for they are by and with the Word the Perpetuum Mobile as above was mentioned and co-operate continually into the Light Heaven Air and
Earth which four Elements stand still unmoveable into which the three special Principles do overflow with their body soul and spirit as to the Water Wind and Spirit and work out all and finish the same The water is as it were the Element the Wind is like as Angelical and the Nature and the Spirit is Divine CHAP. VII Of the particular principles Body Soul and Spirit Wâ—th those are the Principles inclosed and consists in a threefold Trinity and always one produceth another and stand always orderly in their subordinates and agree together that they make up a true and whole Harmony and are enclosed at last in the Light Life and Love The body of all them is and consists out of the water also the Earth the Water out of the Wind the Wind out of the Spirit and the Spirit oâ—t of God There is a threefold body namely a sensible or palpable out of Water and Earth a Soulish out of Wind and Air and a spiritual out of Heaven Light and Spirit So is an Elementary hody an Angelical and a Divine very well to be distinguished on man Further the Soul is corporeal out of the Air from whence it is fed also and soulish out of the Wind and Spiritual out of the Light The Spirit is Corporeal out 〈◊〉 from the Heaven Soulish out of the Light and spiritual out of the spirit of the Elements out of the Nature and of God according as the Creature is Out of these three general Principles Man hath also a threefold spirit according to his measure and is the perfectest creature Always one body dwelleth in the other and as soon as one body is dissolved and broken in the same moment another and more noble body is manifest and that in all things If now the body becometh nobler needs must the Spirit be more noble high and glorious But this is the body after which the wise do seek Namely the Salt which containeth all in it self This body they drown in a Water which floweth out of the Centrum of the Vegetables and draw out all vertues which afterward come together in a celestial spiritual body and afford that precious jewel All things that are killd and dye naturally are drownd in a cold Saturnine Water for all natural death is done by coldness but what is kill'd in the Fire without a Saturnine Water is not fit to Nature for a better state Only the Salt we seek in the fire and then through the Water and afterwards cleanse and purifie it with the Baptism of Fire and of Water We should therefore six our thoughts on the water and use the fire very carefully because it is a contrary Element before which nothing can subsist but only the Salt This is the true body of all Elements and of all things in the whole world if that be taken away thâ—â— all perisheth quickly and the Gold it self also in the Fire This is the right Heaven wherein dwell all powers and is in all things in the whole world their Heaven and is compared to the Tree of Life in Paradise Now the soul according to the highest degree is out of the nature According to the second degree from the Light and according to the third degree out of the Wind. These are the Principles of the living soul soul and spirit are distinct as God and Nature Spirit and Wind as Angel and living soul yea as spirit and breath The middle Principle among the three Principles is always instead of the Mother as the Nature Wind and Soul The body is the Child which the spirit â—s a Father begets through the soul Out of the spirit cometh the soul he lets it out as his breath and from both these the body The firm soul and spirit as the true life and spirit which is like unto the Angelical world is always in the right body of all things that is in the Salt when it is opened then they come forth in a great clearness as in an Angelical glory At last the spirit of all things is out of the three general Principles in each according to their portion and measure Now the spirit affords the right inward essence the forma essentialis differentia specifica abstractum essentiae and nothing else From the same the body and soul also receive their essence whereby the one from the other essentially and properly are distinguished as man from beasts a beast foul fish vermin c from others and so one thing from another All Creatures are distinguished chiefly into three as into Animalia all living souls into vegetabilia all that grow and spring out of the earth and into Mineralia things that grow under the earth and are digged out and so in the water also These are distinct as the three Principles and in our wisdom always a fair harmony doth represent it self All living souls consist out of Water and bloud in their seeds through a moist warmth and a warm moistness each in its mother All growing things consist in their seed out of a slimy water through the Salt which is fixed in the root flying in the herb leaf and grass and essential in the flower and all three concentre at last in the seed All Minerals Metals and what belongeth to it grow out of a fat earth which the Salt of the earth doth hatch and do coagulate through a cold fire which is a Saturnine Water that is a fiery water and a waterish fire that doth not burn Even as upon earth all things grow by rain and dew as also in the earth it raineth thaweth and is misty thereby grow the Minerals Metals and the like and all this from the salt fixed flying and essential The flying Salt begets Sulphur the essential begets Mercury Among the Vermin the chiefest is the Viper with her brood and kind and is Mercurial Among the Vegetables is the Vine a channel out of which come three sorts of water and also a noble Mineral and is the Centre of the Vegetables Among the Mineral is the Gold yea the Salt Of all these three the Concentred Center is man above all that is created CHAP. VIII Of the Elements and contrary Elements in the Creation THe seven Elements or Powers of the world do rest only upon one which is a right well of all Elements in our thoughts because it containeth all An Element is such a thing out of which and in which the world and all doth consist without which nothing can subsist Again a contrary Element is such whereby the world and Elements are altered and corrupt and at last must quite perish thereby Now all things are Created out of three Principles Materialiter namely out of the word as out of a spiritual out of nature as a soulish and out of the Elements and contrary Elements as an incorporeal-corporeal and Corporeal-incorporeal that is out of the Elements after something and out of the contrary Elements according to nothing The word is the all the Elements are the
afterwards turned into a living death which never dyeth and a deadly eternal life made manifest as a soul to Satan At last through Lucifers pride a strange wind was gotten in Lucifer as a body unto him and Satan hath quite lost the Angelical Principle and self-subsistance and became a strange Bird and a wild Fly Lucifer did try whether he could not be a God or like unto God which yet he was in his portion and measure therefore he is called a Tempter and Satan and he was become such an one namely both a God and a Creator and a Creature of his own and lost all all Gods Testimony wholly as also the Testimony of good Angels He is a Knave or Lyer from the beginning through sin which hath begotten him and he hath begotten sin he is sins father and sin is his mother that hath begotten him and he her through covetousness in the leering eye of self-love and imagination Now as sin is that evil and found out in its Principle by Lucifer so it hath turn'd him into an evil one and one is the Principle of the other and so he can be excused by no means So Lucifer hath murdered himself and hath lost the Angelical Printiple and is and remaineth a forlorn Child and son of Perdition the right Antichrist for ever Thus is sin gotten through coveting and coveting through looking upon and looking upon through imagination and that through self-love and that through an arrogant liberty this through security and that through wantonness where there is no fear for as fear is the beginning of wisdom so is wantonness the beginning of folly and sin He that is fearful will not easily hazard upon sinning Lucifer was Created of God a good Angel and that so that he might easily have been kept from sining So also might Man if he would himself but self-will brought him to that sin yea his own wantonness but now he could not be so perfect Created that he could not fall into sin at all The reason is because his weight measure and number could not endure it because he was not born of God but had his Principles besides God although through God but what is born of God and of his seed that cannot sin because it is born of God to whom it is impossible to commit sin Thus is made clear and manifest the mighty abundant difference in the Creation which was very good at the Renovation which was done in and on the old Creature by means and help of the spirit of God and among the new births from above of God which is it alone to make Children and Heirs of God and Co-heirs of Christ unknown to the world and their wise Children Now the Angels consisting out of Wind Fire and Light and the fall of Lucifer standing before them as a warning therefore they cover their feet and faces before God with fear and trembling and are rather ashamed of themselves that they may find grace before the Lord God Now they are a fiery flame for a protection of the godly and a perdition and death to the wicked God also is a consuming fire in his Angels not on or in himself and will come also with his Angels and his Power and with fiery flames to judgment CUAP X. Of the difference of the light and darkness as also of the light and fire HItherto the light was not reckoned under the Elements by the wise of the world though it be the first of them in the Creation for in all Creatures the Bloud and Eyes are first and not the Heart Now the light is a going forth of Gods glory and it never goeth down or decayeth in its spirit anâ— is a dwelling of the seven spirits of God as the darkness is an habitation of Evil spirits In the light dwelleth the spirit of the Lord the spirit of wisdom and understanding the spirit of Counsel and of strength the spirit of Knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. All wisdom understanding and knowledge all judgment and examination and every truth and righteousness cometh from and out of the light and through the same And as the light doth illuminate the whole world and maketh day and is the day it self So it illuminates also every spirit in all living souls and as there is no day without light neither can be so no wisdom nor knowledge nor understanding can be without light But the light in its body in our opinion is a pure essential spiritual Salt from which all Gemms and precious stones get their Colour as also all Flowers and Beauties their fairness All which the spirit of light doth work and adorneth all things with beauties for in the light all Colours are hid and are gotten by the same the soul of the light is nothing else but a joyful Life out of Nature as an Angelical Life and his spirit and eternal love proceeding from the spirit of the Lord. Out of this light God hath made the lights of Heaven which are coagulated living and comprehensible lights and are nothing else in their essence but a spiritual essential and exceeding pure Christalline salt so high tempered as ever any thing may be without any quality or property of heat coldness warmth moistness drought and have their proper motion in and on themselves especially the Sun â—unneth always with the light and day but the Moon with the darkness and night and the other stars in and on their places and order Those lights of Heaven do shew always and every where clearly the power of the Elements and contrary Elements what their operations be through which powers all things in the whole world are finished and wrought upon but through the lights of Heaven no less then a Looking Glass sheweth such and such you see Now the powers of the Elements and contrary Elements change and revolve daily weekly monthly and yearly Now because out of the light cometh knowledge which searcheth out all the depths in every spirit soul and body and presents them in the lights of Heaven prophesie tell and give to understand to the beholders who are the Children of the light The spirit of light searcheth all in all things and sheweth by the lights of Heaven every ascendent or spirit in all things and also in Man namely what spirit soul and body he hath received at his nativity out and according to the Elements and opposite Elements as also what spirits do incentre in him All which if bad or evil Man may decline or resist by the holy and good spirit as a beast can shake off the dust or flyes Now the Lights of Heaven rule the whole world namely acording to their time and shew things present past and future Now because every Element hath its spirits as the Earth the Water and the Air and their eyes are more spiritual then our bodily they can therefore spy something in the lights of Heaven and reveal it to Man But the Children of light do not use the
Witchcraft the wise men of the East made lawful use who knew the Star and proceeded so far therein that they go not only great knowledge but have also done wonders This natural Magick is learned out of the true and perfect degree from the Spirit of God and goeth before and beyond the ascendent because commonly other Spirits do mingle themselves into it This Magick art Daniel and his fellows had studied as also Moses the Prophets and went beyond the wise mâ—n Magicians of Egypt far with th ir skill From this natural Magick art the false Magicians took theirs and because the true ascendent was not in them namely the Spirit of God but had only their Elementary or their Masters ascendent therefore also Lucifer made shew of an Angel of Light and became ascendent in them and made Sorcerers of them Now as true Magicians know and perform all by the Word of God which speaketh in them operates out of them and by them so the Sorcerers abuse the word in its power and perform wonders thereby till Moses his staff and Serpent devoureth theirs and Daniels wisdom exceleth all the others wisdom Balaam was a right natural Magician but the covetous spirit was ascendent in him that he went to the Sorcerers that is to the spirit of Sorcery and the spirit of Avarice had blinded his eyes that he could not see the Angel that resisted him but the Ass saw him and was shye therefore Balaam must be kill'd by the Sword as others that deserved it Num. c 31. v. 8. Out of this false Magick art come all S rcerers and Witchcrafts with their bewitching spelâ— tokens words and works and all those that have familiarity with Spirits Let every one take heed of spirits and let them not rejoyce when spirits draw near unto them but rather fly from them and pray to the father of Lights for the Holy Ghost that he may come to them Secondly There is a Prophetical and Apostolical Magical art which cometh out of faith of Gods Spirit in his Children in which the word with glory dwelleth the same speaks to them in them as in the Prophets we read The Lord hath spoken to me namely not always outwardly with a loud voice but rather inwardly Thus old Simeon had an answer from the Lord thus the Lord also spake through the Ephod c. By this Magical art the Prophets and Apostles have done so many Miracles raised the dead and only by the word This Magical art the Devil presumeth to imitate namely that the word should speak out of Chrystals by looking into it out of Rings wherein perhaps dwelleth a spirit and speaketh out of it c. But this is not the word but only a spirit bewitched into it Lastly There is yet a higher Magick of Gods Children which worketh over and beyond nature and that through faith as when Moses divided the waters with his Red and Josâ—uah bid the Sun and Moon to stand still and the like which things are beyond the course of nature but all is done by and through faith So also when Elias shut up the Heavens that it should not rain and all these things are performed in out and by the power of the word of God which when it calleth and commandeth then it must stand there The Sorcerers also think to make use of this Magick but theirs is meer Witchcraft by Gods permission and yet things are performed really by them even as the Egyptian Sorcerers brought up Frogs c. but not by the finger of God but by the spirit of the Devil by which shortly the three unclean spirits and Frogs will do wonders to seduce the Kings of the earth as also other false Prophets Rev. 16. 13. Mat. 24. 29. Lastly the word speaketh out in and by all things because it is in all things and that by the signature and mark of every thing in the external viewing and sheweth clearly what is hidden within of power and virtue if only the speech and voice of the word could be heard and understood But in the renewed future world all these things will be clear and manifest to the praise of God CHAP. XVI Of the mystery of the Created lower visible things GOd hath brought forth all Created visible sublunary things out of the invisible that were so at the beginning he made them to something and visible and gave to every of them a Body Soul and Spirit after their kind and in them he hath hid his invisible glory that is the invisible in the visible and the Coelestial in the Terrestrial This is the mystery after which we must diligently seek that is after the hidden wisdom which no eye hath seen nor can see neither ear hath heard nor hath it entred into mans heart All these sublunary Created things visible have a Terrestrial body and is visible But they have also a Coelestial body hid within them inwardly The same is so long invisible till the visible body is dissolved and broke and afterward the invisible body is set forth to appear visibly which is heavenly and Spiritual consisting out of water and spirit and is nothing else but a Christalline yea new born salt of life which cannot be overcome by the contrary Element Further every thing hath a soulish life that is such a one which must fetch breath out of the common air and this is nourished by the same a life which in a moment is and must be mortal so that nothing is lasting of it Now to this soulish life is a quickening Spirit which doth not fetch breath as soulish life but it hath life and is in it self a Spirit of life and not a breath and hath eternal life in him and is nothing else but the Spirit of God and the breath of the Almighty that quickneth all Lastly all things have a spirit that returneth thither from whence it came and doth not stay in the dead because it is not the spirit of the dead but of the living and is the Spirit of God which in and by the old Creation and Creature doth not stay for ever but only in and by the new which is from above Thus nothing is lasting in this world but vanity and corruption but it sheweth to us clearly how that all these Created sublunary visible things are an Image of the things above This mystery God hath discovered to his Children and to the wise that namely this lower Created visible Elementary world is an Image of the upper visible Spiritual Coelestial yea divine world Therefore when the visible Elementary world doth vanish then the spiritual world yet invisible will be made m nifest and visible Therefore there is no Creature which doth not shew the mystery of the superiour spiritual world of which mystery and wonders in the future renewed world in Zion will be preached Now the Apostle siath clearly We do not look upon the visible but upon the invisible 2 Cor. 4. 18. Seek the things that are above and not