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A28532 The second booke, concerning the three principles of the divine essence of the eternall, dark, light, and temporary vvorld shewing what the soule, the image and the spirit of the soule are : as also what angels, heaven, and paradise are : how Adam was before the fall, in the fall, and after the fall : and what the wrath of God, sinne, death, the devils and hell are, how all things have been, now are, and how they shall be at the last / written in the German language by Jacob Behmen, aliàs Teutonicus Philosophus.; Beschreibung der drey Principien göttliches Wesens. English Böhme, Jakob, 1575-1624.; Sparrow, John, 1615-1665? 1648 (1648) Wing B3417; ESTC R17042 460,920 444

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pride that is in your minde and walke along into the Paradisicall Garden of Roses and there you shall finde an hearb if you eate of it your eyes will be opened so that you shall see and know what Moses hath written 36 The x And Marginall notes Glosses that are put upon Moses from Reason will not shew you Paradise much lesse the Creator The Prophets and Apostles learned more in the Paradisicall Schoole in one houre than the Doctors in their y The Universities Schooles in thirty years Ones own wisdome availeth nothing God giveth it to him whom he loveth for nothing It cannot be bought for money nor favour as King Solomon will tell you 37 If we will be still so very earthly minded as to think that God made all the beasts of a lump of earth of what then is their Spirit made Seing that earth is not very flesh and the blood is not meere water Besides the earth and the water is not life and though the z Or breath aire come in it yet it still remaineth such an essence as springeth only in the Fiat and the tincture which riseth up in the fire and from whence the noble life is stirred is hidden 38 Moses writeth Let there come forth all manner of a Animals or living creatures beasts every one according to its kinde Now then the question is Out of what should they come forth Answer Out of the Matrix What is the Matrix out of which they should come forth It is the foure Elements which are together in the earth The Fiat brought forth the beasts or living creatures very b Without order indigestedly as they are in the essence not from heaven but out of the Matrix of the earth and the Matrix of the earth is one and the same thing with the Matrix in the deep above the earth and hath one and the same c Rule or governing dominion The constellation ruleth in all things and it is the Limbus or the d Mars Masculine wherein the tincture consists and in the Matrix of the earth is the Aquastrish or watery Spirit they come forth onely out of the Matrix of the earth that they might be of the essence of the earth that so they might eat of the fruits that grow out of the earth For every Spirit lusteth after its mother from whence it came 39 Now then if the Beasts or Animals nature were meerly out of a lump of earth then they would eat earth but seeing e The bestiall nature it is proceeded out of the Matrix of the earth by the Fiat therefore it desireth also such food as the matrix affordeth out of its own essence and that is not earth but flesh yet this flesh now is a f Or Concretion Masse whence the g Corpus body cometh and the spirit of the constellation maketh the h Or penetrating the life and the blood tincture therein which Spirit ruleth over all as in one mother and in every life it maketh the understanding for the spirit of the constellation ruleth in all things in the earth stones metals elements and creatures 40 For in the beginning of the creation at the time when the earth became materiall all was generated out of one onely substance and there was no more done but a separation made of one i Part. from another therefore in every separation there must needs be alwayes a vehement hunger of one k Part. after another An example whereof you have in propagation for the sake whereof the separation was so made For you see that there is a male and a female and that the one continually desireth copulation with the other that they may l Engender generate This is a great hidden secret Observe when the Creator by the Fiat separated the Matrix from the Aquaster or watery Mother for the first form is heavenly and incorruptible as long as the kingdome of this world standeth and the root of the first form m toucheth or reacheth holdeth Paradise I will set it down more intelligibly or plainly for the simplest Readers sake 41 Observe as hath been often mentioned that as in the Fiat in the aking matrix viz. the dark harshnesse or sournesse the fire rose up in the breaking wheele in the kindling and that in the fiery the light of the Sunne and of all the Starres sprung up which is done in the harsh matrix which from the light is become thin lowly and materiall water and the pleasant source of love sprung up so that one form vehemently loverh the other in respect of the kinde meek light which was come into all formes So now the soft meeknesse was become a new childe which was not the dark originalnesse in the anguishingnesse But this childe was the Paradise yet being it stood not in the Materia or matter therefore the matrix of the harshnesse could not comprehend it but n The matrix it yeelded it selfe forth very desirously and longing with great earnestnesse according to the fire and bitternesse to comprehend the pleasant source of love and yet could not comprehend it for o The source of love it was Patadisicall and thus it still stood in great longing and generated water 42 But now God separated the fire viz. the fifth essence or form from the water and out of that made the starres and the Paradise is hid in the matrix Therefore now the mother of the water desireth with great earnestnesse the mother of the fire and seeketh the childe of love and the mother of the fire seeketh it in the mother of the water where it was generated and there is between them a continuall vehement hunger one after another to copulate 43 Now God sayd Let all manner of beasts come forth every one after its kinde and so there came forth out of the essence of every ones kinde a male and a female And thus the Spirit of the Starres or the Spirit in the form of Fire had now by its longing copulated with the watry Spirit and two Sexes sprung out of one essence the one according to the Limbus in the forme of fire and the other according to the Aquaster or spirit of the water in the watry form yet so blended or mixed that they were alik as to the body and so the Male was qualified according to the Limbus or form of fire and the female according to the Aqua●●er in the watry forme 44 And so now there is a vehement desire in the creatures The Spirit of the male seeketh the loving childe in the female and the female in the male for the irrationality of the body in the unreasonable creatures knoweth not what it doth the body would not if it had reason move so eagerly towards propagation neither doth it know any thing of the impregnation or conception onely its spirit doth so burne in desire after the childe of love that it seeketh love which
the Noble virgin againe whereas it is but her Rayes as the Sunne shineth upon the earth from whence all Essences of the earth rejoyce spring grow and blossom Which is the cause that the Tincture riseth up in all hearbs and Trees 11. And here wee must accurately consider wherein every Region rejoyceth for the Sun and Starres apprehend not the Divine Light as the Essences of the soule doe and yet onely that soule which standeth in the new Birth but o The Sunne and Starres they tast the sweetnesse which hath imprinted or Imaged it selfe in the Tincture for the bloud of the heart wherein the soule moveth is so very sweet that there is nothing to be compared to it Therefore hath God by Moses forbidden Man to eate the flesh in its bloud for the life standeth in it For the beastiall life ought not to be in Man that his Spirit be not infected therewith 12. The three Regions receive every one of them their light with the springing up of the Tincture in the bloud and each Region keepeth its Tincture The Region of the Starres keepeth the light of the Sunne and the first Principle keepeth the p That is the Tincture or kindling of the life of the Abysse fire-flash and the Essences of the holy soules receive the most deare and precious light of the virgin yet in this body onely her Rayes wherewith shee fighteth in the minde against the crafty assaults of the Devill as Saint Peter witnesseth and although the Deare light stayeth for a while in many in the New-birth or Regeneration yet it is not steady in the house of the Starres and Elements in the outward Birth but it dwelleth in its own Centre in the Minde The Gate of * Or Language Speech 13. Seeing now that the Minde standeth in free will therefore the will discovereth in selfe according to that which the Regions have brought into the Essences whether it be evill or good whether it be fitting for the Kingdome of Heaven or for the Kingdome of Hell and that which the glimpse or flash apprehendeth it bringeth that into the will of the minde And in the minde standeth the King and the King is the light of the whole body and he hath five Counsellours which sit altogether in the q Or sound of the kindling noise of the Tincture and each of them trieth that which the glimpse with its infection hath brought into the will whether it be good or evill and these Counsellours are the five Senses 14. First the King r Or Sendeth giveth it to the eyes to see whether it be good or evill and the eyes give it to the eares to heare from whence it cometh whether out of a true or out of a false Region and whether it be a lye or truth and the eares give it to the nose the smell that must smell whether that which is brought in and standeth before the King cometh out of a good or Å¿ Or false evill Essence and the Nose giveth it to the Tast which must try whether it be pure or impure and therefore the Tast hath the Tongue that it may t Or spew spit it out againe if it be * Or false impure but if it be a thought to be expressed in a word then the lips are the doore keepers which must keepe it shut and not let the Tongue forth but must bring it into the Region of the aire into the u Text Blasen or Breath Nostrills and not into the heart and stifle it and then it is dead 15. And when the Tast hath tryed it and if it be good for the Essences of the soule then it giveth it to the feeling which must try what quality it is of whether hot or cold hard or soft thick or thin and then the feeling x Or giveth sendeth it into the heart presenting it before the flash of the life and before the King of the Light of life and the will of the minde y Flasheth or discovereth pierceth further into that thing a great depth and seeth what is therein considering how much it will receive and take in of that thing and when it is enough then the will giveth it to the Spirit of the soule viz. to the Eternall z Chiefe Ruler Emperour who bringeth it with his strong and austere might out of the heart in the sound upon the Tongue under the roofe of the mouth and there the Spirit distinguisheth according to the senses as the will hath discovered or manifested it and the Tongue a Divideth or seperateth distinguisheth it in the noise 16. For the Region of the Aire must here drive the work through the Throate where then all the veines in the whole body tend and concurre and bring the vertue of the Noble Tincture thitherwards and mingle themselves with the Word and thither also all the three Regions of the Minde come and mingle themselves with the distinguishing framing articulating or separating of words and there is a very wonderfull ferme or manner of work for every Region or Dominion will distinguish or separate the Word according to its Essences for the sound goeth out of the heart out of all three Principles 17. The first will fashion it according to its fierce might and pomp and mingleth therein prickly stinging sourenesse wrath and malice And the second Principle with the virgin standeth in the midst and sheddeth its Rayes of loving meeknesse therein and resisteth the first Principle And if the Spirit be kindled in b The second Principle that then the Word is wholly gentle friendly and humble and inclineth it selfe to the love of our neighbour it desireth not to seize upon any with the haughty sting or prickle of the first Principle but it c Bluntteth or mollifieth covereth the prickles of the Thornes and qualifieth the Word with cleerenesse and plainnesse and armeth the Tongue with Righteousnesse and Truth and it sheddeth abroad its Rayes even into the will of the Heart And when the will receiveth the pleasant friendly Rayes of love then it kindleth the whole minde with the love righteousnesse chastity of the virgin and the truth of all those things that are by all Regions tryed upon the Tongue and thus it together with the five senses maketh the Tongue shrill and thereby the deare Image of God appeareth inwardly and outwardly so that it may be heard and seene in the whole d Or Deepe of the Minde Abysse what forme it is of O Man behold what the Light of Nature discovereth to thee 18. Thirdly there cometh the e Or The third Principle third Regiment to the Imaging or forming of the Word from the Spirit of the Starres and Elements and it mingleth it selfe in the house and senses of the minde and desireth to frame the Word from the might of its own selfe for it hath f Greatest great power it holdeth the whole Man captive and it hath cloathed him
first small and afterwards groweth to be like a great Tree so far or so long as the minde persevereth in the will but the noble virgin stayeth not continually for her Birth is of a higher descent and therefore shee dwelleth not in earthly vessels but shee sometimes visiteth her Bridegroom at a time when he is desirous of her although shee alwaies with observancy preventeth and calleth him before he calleth her which is onely understood in the Lilly this the Spirit speaketh in a high and worthy seriousnesse therefore observe it ye children of God the Angel of the great Councell cometh in the valley of Jehosaphat with a Golden Charter which he selleth for Oyle without Money whosoever cometh shall have it 12. Now when the Tincture was become thus earthy and feeble by the overcoming of the Spirit of the great world then it could not generate in a heavenly manner and was also possessed with inability and then the Counsell of God stood there and said Seeing he is become earthly and is not able to propagate wee will make a help for him and the Fiat stood in the Centre and severed the Matrix from the Limbus and the Fiat took a rib in the midst of Adam out of his right side and created a Woman out of it 13. But you must cleerly understand or conceive that when the Fiat to the creating of the woman was in Adam in his sleepe his body had not then such hard grissles and bones O no that came to passe first when Mother ●ve did bite the Apple and also gave to Adam onely the infection and the earthly death with the fainting and mortall sicknesse stuck in them the bones and ribs were yet strength and vertue from which the ribs should come to be 14. But you must highly and worthily understand and consider how it was taken out of his side not as a spirit but wholly in substance thus it may be said that Adam did get a rent and the Woman beareth Adams spirit flesh and bones yet there is some difference in the Spirit for the Woman beareth the Matrix and Adam the Limbus or Man and they two are one flesh undivided in nature for now they two together must generate one man againe which one alone could doe before A Pleasant Gate 15. Wee being here in describing the corruptibility of Adam the Spirit frameth in our thoughts a heavenly mystery concerning Adams rib which the Fiat took from him and made a Woman of it which Rib Adam afterwards must want for the Text in Moses rightly saith God closed up the place with flesh 16. But now the k The malice or fierce rage wrath of the Serpent hath so brought it to passe that Adam is fallen in the lust and yet the purpose of God must stand for l Mankinde Adam must rise againe at the day of the Resurrection wholly and unbroken in the first Image as he was created So likewise the Serpent and the Devill hath brought it about that so terrible a Rent is made in him wherefore the Spirit sheweth us that as little as the Worme or Spirit of the soule could be helped except that the virgin came and did goe into Death in the Worme in the abysse of the Spirit of the soule which in its own abysse reacheth the Gate of Hell and the fierce anger of God and regenerate m Adam him anew and make him a new Creature in the first Image which is done in the sonne of the virgin in Christ 17. So little also could Adams Rib and his hollow-side where it stood be helped healed or brought to perfection except that the second Adam Christ suffer himselfe in the virgin to be wounded pierced or cut in the same place that his precious bloud might come to helpe the first Adam and repaire his broken side againe this of high and precious worth wee speake according to our knowledge which when we shall write of the suffering and death of Christ the Sonne of the virgin wee will so cleere it that thou O thirsty soule shalt finde a living fountaine which shall be little beneficiall to the Devill Further concerning the Woman 18. Reason asketh Is Eve meerely created out of the Rib taken out of Adam then shee should be far inferiour to Adam No beloved Reason it is not so the Fiat being a sharp attracting tooke from Adam of all essences and properties of every vertue but it took from him no more members in substance for the Image should be a man after a masculine kinde in the Limbus yet not at all with this deformity Understand it rightly in the ground he should be and he was also a man and he had a virgin-like heart wholly chaste in the Matrix 19. Therefore Eve was for certaine created out of all Adams Essences and so Adam thereupon had a great Rent and so likewise the Woman might come to her perfection to be the Image of God and this againe sheweth a great mystery wherehy the virgin very preciously witnesseth againe that the sonne of the virgin hath not onely suffered his side to be pierced through and shed his bloud out of the hole of his side but he hath also suffered his hands and feete to be struck through and a Crowne of thornes to be pressed upon his head so that the bloud gushed out from thence and in his body he endured to be whipped so that his bloud run down all over So very lowly hath the Sonne of the virgin debased-himselfe to n To heale help the sick and broken Adam and his weak and imperfect Eve to repaire them and bring them againe into the first Glory 20. Therefore you must know for certain that Eve was created out of all Adams Essences but there were no more ribs nor members broken from Adam which appeareth by the feeblenesse and weaknesse of the Woman and also by the Command of God who said Thy will shall be in subjection under thy Man or husband and he shall be thy Lord or Ruler because the Man is whole and perfect except a Rib therefore the Woman is a help for him and must help him to doe his work in humility and subjection and the Man must know that shee is very weak being out of his Essences he must help her in her weaknesse and love her as his own Essences in like manner the Woman must put her Essences and will into the Essences and will of the Man and be friendly towards her Man or husband that the Man may take delight in his own Essences in the Woman and that they two might be but one only will For they are one flesh one bone one heart and generate children in one onely will which are neither the Mans nor the Womans alone but of both together as if they were from one onely body And therefore the severe commandement of God is set before the children that they should with earnestnesse and subjection honour their father and mother upon paine of
Gate of our Propagation in the Flesh 37. As I have mentioned above the noble Tincture is now hence-forth generated thus in a manly or masculine and womanly or feminine kinde or sex out of the soule The Tincture is so subtile and mighty powerfull that it can goe or goeth into the heart of another into his Tincture which the devillish bewitching whores well know yet they understand not the noble Art but they use the false Tincture of the Devils and a Or poyson infect many in their marrow and bones by their b Exorcismes Conjuration Adjuration Incantation for which they shall receive their wages with Lucifer who would faine have raised his Tincture to be above God 38. But know that the Tincture is in the menkinde somewhat divers from that in the womenkinde for the Tincture in the menkinde goeth out of the Limbus or Man and the Tincture in the women-kinde goeth out of the Matrix For the vertue of the soule frameth imprinteth fashioneth or Imageth it selfe not onely in the Tincture but in the whole body for the body groweth in the Tincture 39. But thus the Tincture is the longing the great desire after the virgin which belongeth to the Tincture for it is subtile without understanding but it is the divine inclination and continually seeketh the virgin which is its play-fellow the c Manly masculine seeketh her in the d Womanly feminine and the feminine in the masculine especially in the delicate complexion where the Tincture is most noble cleere and vigorous from whence cometh the great desire of the masculine and feminine sex so that they alwayes desire to copulate and the great burning love so that the Tinctures mingle together and try prove or taste one another with their pleasant taste whereas one sex continually supposeth that the other hath the virgin 40. And the Spirit of the great world now supposeth that he hath gotten the virgin he graspeth with his clutches and will mingle his infection with the virgin and he supposeth that he hath the prize it shall not now run away from him he supposeth now he will finde the Pearle well enough But it is with him as with a Theefe driven out of a faire Garden of Delight where he had eaten pleasant fruit who cometh and goeth round about the inclosed Garden and would faine eate some more of the good fruit and yet cannot get in but must reach in with his hand and yet cannot come at the fruit for all that for the Gardiner cometh and taketh away the fruit and thus he must goe away empty and his lust is changed into discontent Thus also it is with him viz. with the spirit of this world he soweth thus in his fiery or burning lust the e Graine or Corne. seede into the Matrix and the Tincture receiveth it with great joy and supposeth that to be the virgin but the soure harsh Fiat cometh thereupon and attracteth the same to it while the Tincture is so well pleased 41. Now then the feminine Tincture cometh in to ayd and striveth for the childe and supposeth that it hath the virgin and the two Tinctures wrestle both of them for the virgin and yet neither of them both hath her and which of the two overcometh according to that the fruit getteth the Mark of distinction of sex But because that the feminine Tincture is weake therefore it taketh the bloud also to it in the Matrix whereby it supposeth it shall retaine the virgin The secret Gate of Women 42. Hence I must shew the ground to them that seek for the Doctor cannot shew it him with his Anatomie and though he should kill a thousand men yet he shall not finde that ground they onely know that ground that have f Or attained it been upon it 43. Therefore I will write from the virgin which knoweth well what is in the Woman shee is as subtile as the Tincture but shee hath a life and the Tincture hath none the Tincture is nothing else but an exulting joyfull mighty will and a house or habitation of the soule and a pleasant Paradise of the soule which is the soules propriety or own portion so long as the soule with its Imagination g Sticketh to God and goodnesse dependeth on God 44. But when it becometh false so that its Essences flatter with the Spirit of the great world and desire the h Or Its fill fulnesse of the world viz. 1. In the soure harshnesse desire much wealth or riches to eate and drinke much and to fill themselves continually 2. In the bitternesse desire great power authority and might to rise high to rule powerfully and extoll themselves above all and put themselves forth to be seene like a proud Bride and 3. in the i In the active stirring of the wrath source of the fire to desire a fierce cruell power and by kindling of the fire of anger supposing in the lustre thereof to be brave and so are much delighted in themselves then cometh the flatterer and lyar and k Imageth or representeth himselfe formeth or figureth himselfe also in the Spirit of the great world as he did in the Garden of Eden and leadeth the soule 1. in covetousnesse to eating and drinking too much and saith continually thou shalt want and not have enough get more for thy selfe how thou canst by hooke or by crooke that thou mayst alwayes have enough to serve thy turne And 2. in the bitter forme he saith thou art rich and hast much aspire and lift up thy selfe thou art greater than other people the inferiour is not like thee or so good a man as thou And 3. in the might or power of the fire he saith Kindle or stirre up thy minde make it implacable and stout yeeld to none terrifie the simple and so thou shalt be dreadfull and make thy authority continue and then thou mayst doe what thou listest and all whatsoever thou desirest will be at thy service and is not this a fine brave Glory Art thou not indeed a Lord on Earth 45. And as soone as this is l That the soule listeneth and yeeldeth to the Devill brought to passe then the Tincture becometh wholly false for as the Spirit in a thing is so is also the Tincture for the Tincture goeth forth from the Spirit and is the habitation thereof Therefore O Man whatsoever you sow here that you shall reape for your soule in the Tincture remaineth eternally and all your fruits stand in the Tincture manifested in the cleere light and follow after you this the virgin saith in sincerity for a warning with great longing after the Lilly 46. And now if wee consider of the Tincture and search how various it is and that it is many times so wholly false then we may be able fundamentally to demonstrate the falshood of the many various Spirits and how they are generated Therefore wee will make a short entrance concerning the propagation of the
her selfe in the living spirit of Adam 46. Hereupon now the Spirit of the Starres and Elements would continually get againe into the Element for in the Element there is meeknesse and rest and in the r Viz. In the foure Elements kindling thereof there is meere enmity and contrary will and the Devill ruleth also therein and they would faine be released from that abominable and naughty Guest and they seeke with great anxiety after ſ The dissolūtion deliverance as Paul saith All creatures groane together with us to be freed from vanity 47. Then saith the minde Wherefore doth God let it move so long in the Anxiety alas when will it be that I shall see the virgin Hearken thou noble and highly worthy Minde it must all enter in and serve to the glory of God and praise God as it is written All tongues shall praise God let it passe till the number to the praise of God be full according to the eternall minde 48. Thou wilt say How great is that number then Behold tell the Starres in the Firmament tell the Trees the hearbs and every spile of Grasse if thou canst so great is the number that shall enter in to the glory and honour of God For in the end all Starres passe againe into the Element into the Mother and there it shall appeare now much good they have brought forth here by their working for the shadow and the image of every thing or substance shall appeare before God in the Element and stand eternally in the same thou shalt have great joy thou shalt see all thy workes therein also all the afflictions thou hast suffered they shall be altogether changed into great joy and shall refresh thee indeed waite but upon the LORD the Spirit intimateth that when the time of the Lilly is t Or come about expired then this shall be done 49. Therefore it is that God keepeth it hidden so long as to our fight that the number of the glory of his Kingdome may be great but before him it is but as the twinckling of an eye have but patience this world will most certainly be dissolved together with the fiercenesse which must abide in the first Principle therefore doe thou beware of that 50. My beloved Reader I bring in my u Figures or Parables Types of the Essences of the Incarnation in the Mothers body in a Colloquie or Conference of the Spirit with the Essences and Elements x Note I cannot bring it to be understood in any easier way onely you must know that there is no conference but it is done most certainly so in the Essences and in the Spirit Here you will say to mee thou doest not dwell in the Incarnation and see it thou didst once indeed y Wert incarnate in thy mothers womb become man but thou knewest not how nor what was done then neither canst thou goe againe into thy mothers body or womb and see how it came to passe there Such a Doctor was I also and in my own reason I should be able to judge no otherwise if I should stick still in my blindnesse But thanks be to God who hath regenerated mee by water and the Holy Ghost to be a living Creature so that I can in his light see my great in-bred native vices which are in my flesh 51. Thus now I live in the spirit of this world in my flesh and my flesh serveth the spirit of this world and my minde serveth God my flesh is generated in this world and hath its z Kingdome or Dominion Region or Government from the Starres and Elements which dwell in it and are the master of the outward a Or body life and my mind is b Or generated of God regenerated in God and loveth God And although I cannot comprehend and hold the virgin because my minde falleth into sinnes yet the Spirit of this world shall not alwayes hold the minde captive 52. For the virgin hath given mee her promise not to leave mee in any misery shee will come to help me in the sonne of the virgin I must but hold to him againe and he will bring mee well enough againe to her into Paradise I will give the venture and goe through the thistles and thornes as well as I can till I finde my native Countrey againe out of which my soule is wandred where my dearest virgin dwelleth I rely upon her faithfull promise when shee appeared to mee that shee would turne all my mournings into great joy and when I lay upon the mountaine towards the c Or Midnight North so that all the trees fell upon mee and all the stormes and winds beate upon me and Antichrist gaped at mee with his open jawes to devour me then shee came and comforted mee and married her selfe to mee 53. Therefore I am but the more cheerfull and care not for him he ruleth and domineereth over mee no further than over the d Over the transitory house of flesh house of sinne whose Patron he himselfe is he may take that quite away and so I shall come into my native Countrey but yet he is not absolutely Lord over it he is but Gods Ape for as an Ape when its belly is full imitateth all manner of tricks and prancks to make it selfe sport and would faine seeme to be the finest and the nimblest Beast it can so also doth he e Note I desire not to write the exposition of this yet His power hangeth on the Great Tree of this world and a storme of winde can blow it away 54. Now seeing I have shewed the Reader how the true Element sticketh wholly hidden in the outward kindled Elements for a comfort to him that he may know what he himselfe is and that he may not despaire in such an earnest manifestation or Revelation as this is therefore now I will goe on with my Conference between the Elements Sunne and Starres where there is a continuall wrestling and overcoming in which the childe in the Mothers body or womb is figured and I freely give the Reader to know that indeed the true Element lyeth hidden in the outward man which is the chist of the Treasure or cabinet of the precious gemme and jewell of the soule if it be faithfull and yeeld it selfe up f In. to God 55. So now when the heart liver lungs bladder stomack and spirit together with the other parts or members of the childe are figured in the Mothers body by the Constellation and Elements then the Region or Regiment riseth up wh●ch at length figureth fashioneth or formeth all whatsoever was wanting And now it exceedingly concerneth us to consider of the originality of speech minde and g Or Senses inward senses thoughts wherein Man is an image and similitude of God and wherein the noble knowledge of all the three Principles doth consist 56. For every Beast also standeth in the springing up of the life formerly mentioned in the Mothers
with flesh and bloud and it infecteth the will of the minde and the will g Looketh upon it selfe discovereth it selfe in the Spirit of this world in lust and beauty might and power riches and glory pleasure and joy and on the contrary in sorrow and misery cares and poverty paine and sicknesse also in art and wisdome and on the contrary in folly and ignorance 19. All this the glimps or discovery of the senses bringeth into the will of the minde and setteth it before the King before the light of the life and there it is tryed and the King giveth it first to the eyes which must see what good is among all these and what pleaseth them And here now beginneth the wonderfull forme or framing of Man h Or according to the Complexions out of the Complexions where the Constellation hath formed the childe in the Mothers body or womb so variously in its Regions For according to what the Constellation in the time of the i Or the childes becoming Man Incarnation of the childe in the wheele that standeth therein hath its aspect when the dwelling of the foure Elements and the k Or the dwelling of the senses thoughts house of the Starres in the head in the Braines are built by the Fiat according to that is the vertue also in the braines and so in the Heart Gall Lungs and Liver and according to that is the inclination of the Region of the Aire and according to that also a Tincture springeth up to be a dwelling of the life as may be seene in the wonderfull l Different thoughts variety in the senses and formes or shapes of Men. 20. Although indeed wee can say this with ground of Truth that the Constellation Imageth and formeth no man as to make him to be the similitude and Image of God but it formeth onely a Beast in the will manners and senses and besides it hath no might nor understanding to be able to figure or forme a similitude of God though indeed it elevateth it selfe in the highest it can in the will after the similitude of God yet it generateth onely a pleasant subtill and lusty Beast in Man as also in other creatures and no more Onely the eternall Essences which are propagated from Adam in all men they continue with the hidden Element wherein the Image consisteth standing in man but yet altogether hidden without the New-Birth in the water and the Holy Ghost or Spirit of God be attained 21. And thereupon it comes that Man many times in the dwelling of the Braines and of the Heart as also in all the five senses in the Region or Dominion of the Starres is in his minde m Or suddenly often like a Wolfe churlish Dog crafty fierce and greedy and m Or suddenly often like a Lyon sterne cruell sturdy and active and devouring of his prey m Or suddenly often like a Dog snappish envious malicious often like an Adder and Serpent subtle venomous stinging pysonous slanderous in his words and mischievous in his deeds ill conditioned and lying like the quality of the Devill in the shape of a Serpent at the Tree of Temptation n Or suddenly often like a Hare timorous or fearfull starting and running away n Or suddenly often like a Toad whose minde is so very venomous that it poysoneth a tender or weak minde to the temporall Death by its Imagination which many times maketh Witches and Sorcerers for the first Ground serveth enough to it n Or suddenly often like a tame Beast and n Or suddenly often like a merry Beast c. all according as the Constellation stood in o The childes its Incarnation in the wrestling wheele with its vertue of the Quinta Essentia so is the starry minde on p In the minde of the childe its Region figured although the houre of Mans q Or Nativity Birth altereth much and doth r Or over-powereth the first Complexion of the houre of the Incarnation or becoming Man hold-in the first whereof I will write hereafter in its place concerning Mans Birth or Nativity 22. And now if the glance out of this minde out of this or any other forme not here mentioned glance or dart through the eyes then it catcheth up its own forme out of every thing as its starry kingdome is most potent at all times of the Heaven in the good or in the bad in falshood or in truth And this is brought before the King and there must the five Counsellours try it which yet are unrighteous knaves themselves being Å¿ Or poysoned infected from the Starres and Elements and so set in their Region or Dominion and now those Counsellours desire nothing more than the Kingdome of this world and to which sort the starry house of the braines and of the heart is most of all inclined for that the five Counsellours also give their advice and will have it be it for pomp pride statelinesse riches beauty or voluptuous life also for art and t Or vertue excellency of earthly things u Or the sick soule is not regarded and for poore Lazarus there is no thought there the five Counsellours are very soone agreed for in their own forme they are all unrighteous before God but according to the Region of this world they are very firme Thus they counsell the King and the King giveth it to the Spirit of the soule which gathereth up the Essences and falleth too with hands and mouth But if they be words that are to be expressed then it bringeth them to the roofe of the mouth and there the five Counsellours distinguish or separate them according to the will of the minde and further the Spirit bringeth them upon the Tongue and there the senses divide or distinguish them in the flash Glance or in a Moment 23. And there stand the three Principles in strife The first Principle viz. the kingdome of sternnesse or wrathfull fiercenesse saith goe forth in the midst of the strong might of the fire it must be so then saith the second Principle in the minde stay and consider God is here with the virgin feare the Abysse of Hell and the third Principle viz. the kingdome of this world saith here wee are at home wee must have it so that wee may adorne and sustaine the body it must be so and it taketh the Region of the aire viz. it s own Spirit and bringeth that Region out at the mouth and keepeth the x Difference or separation distinction according to the kingdome of this world 24. And thus there goeth forth out of the earthly y Or thoughts senses and minde lyes and folly deceit and falshood also meere subtilty with lust and desire to be elevated many to be elevated in the might of the fire as by force and anger and many by humane are and z Or vertue policy of this world a World which is but a
Temptation testifieth so much to mee as also the Temptation of Israel at Mount Sinai by Moses stayings on the Mount both which lasted forty dayes which you m●y reade in Moses and concerning the Temptation of Christ and you will finde wonders 27. But when Adam was infected from the lust to eate of the knowledge of good and evill and that the Spirit of this world pressed or swayed Adam where also the subtill Devill which in the Spirit of this world slipt in shot mightily at Adam so that Adam became weary and blinde to the Kingdome of God then said God It is not good for man to be alone for he will not now g Generate or beget bring forth the Paradisicall virgin because he is infected from the Spirit of this world so that the chastity of the modesty is quite h Gone at an end wee will make a help for him to be with him out of whom he may build his Principality and propagate himselfe it cannot be otherwise now and he let a deepe sleep fall upon Man and he slept 28. Here it may be very properly and well understood how the virgin in Adam departed into the Ether into her Principle for the Text saith God let a deep sleepe fall upon Adam now where sleepe is there the vertue or power of God is hidden in the Centre for where that vertue of God groweth there is no sleepe for the Keeper of Israel neither slumbreth nor sleepeth as it is written If thou askest How long Adam slept 29. Then consider Christs Rest in the Grave and thou shalt finde the ground for the second Adam must with his resurrection out of the Grave awaken or raise the first out of his Eternall sleepe of the darknesse of Hell out of the Grave of this world againe 30. And so God in Adam his sleepe made the Woman for him out of himselfe by which he must now generate his kingdome for now it could not otherwise be And when he awaked he saw her and tooke her to him and said This is flesh of my flesh and bone of my bone for Adam was in his sleepe become cleane another Image for God had permitted the Spirit of this world in him to make his Tincture weary unto sleepe 31. Adam was in an Angelicall forme before the sleepe but after the sleepe he had flesh and bloud and he was in his flesh a lump of earth and he saw from a threefold spirit with his eyes he apprehended the light of the Sunne and knew the first Image no more although the foure Elements had not yet fallen upon him nor touched him for he was yet in innocency 32. And there the Devill bestirred him and slipt into the Serpent which he himselfe is in his own proper forme and laid himselfe at the Tree and k Or set the sweet light and pleasantnesse forth strewed Sugar upon it for he saw well the Eve was a Woman and that shee was infected with the foure Elements and although shee did strive a little and objected Gods Command against the Devill yet shee suffered her selfe very easily to be perswaded when the lying Spirit said That the fruit would make her wise and that her eyes should be opened and shee be as God knowing Good and Evill yet he told her not that if shee eate thereof shee must dye but he said shee should be wise and faire which disease desire or lust sticketh still in the braines of the Woman that shee would faine be the fayrest Beast 33. So shee pulled off an Apple and did eate and gave to Adam also and he eate of it likewise That was a bit at which the Heavens might well have blushed and the Paradise have trembled as it was indeed really done as is to be seene at the Death of Christ when he entered into Death and wrestled with Hell that the Earth and the Elements trembled and the light of the Sunne was darkened when this bit of the Apple was to be l Or cured healed up The Gate of the great Affliction and Misery of Man 34. Reason sticketh at the vaile of Moses and seeth not through the Tables that were graven-through which God gave him upon Mount Sinai as also Reason cannot take off the vaile from before m The eyes of Moses his eyes and look him in the face for he hath a brightned clarified or shining countenance in the crack of the fire it Reason is afraid of it that countenance and trembleth at it it saith continually to Moses Speake thou with the Lord for wee are afraid and moreover altogether naked and uncleane 35. It presenteth indeed the wrath of God to it selfe and trembleth at its fall but it knoweth not what hath hapned to it it onely presents the disobedience before it selfe and maketh as if God were an angry malicious Devill that cannot be reconciled having indeed put on the Garment of anger in Adam and Eve on to it selfe in body and soule and hath set it selfe against the will of God in the Bath or Lake of anger on which God took such n Or mercy pitty or compassion that he hath not spared his own Heart to send it into the depth of Anger into the Abysse of Hell as also into the Death and breaking of the foure Elements from the eternall holy Element to help fallen Man and to deliver him out of the anger and Death 36. But since the vaile in the Death of Christ was taken away from the face of Moses in the stead whereof the starres with the foure Elements have yet cast a myst and cloud through the infection of the Devill before Man for the o Or the worldly kingdome Region of this world hath generated the Antichrist and set him before the countenance of Moses in a p Or darkness cloud as if he were Christ so that the countenance of Moses cannot be apprehended or beheld therefore wee have need of the Lilly which groweth through the Tables of Moses that were graven through with its strong smell which reacheth into the Paradise of God from whose vertue the People or Nations shall be so vertuous and strong that they shall forsake the Antichrist and shall runne through the darknesse to the smell of the blossome for the breaker-through the Gates hath planted the Lilly and he hath given it into the hand of the Noble virgin and this Lilly groweth in the Element wonderfully against the horrible storme of Hell and against the q Or dominion kingdome of this world where then many r Or Twigges branches will fall to the ground from whence Antichrist becometh blinde and groweth stark madde and raving in the fogge and mist and stirreth the ſ The anger and malice in the four Elements foure Elements in the wrath or grimme fiercenesse and then it is needfull for the children of God to awake from the sleepe of the fogge this the Spirit intimateth in the light of Nature seriously and earnestly 37.
with corruptible fraile and transitory flesh and bloud 56. And now when Adam awaked from sleepe then he was a Man and no Angel he drew breath from the aire and therewith kindled his u Or Astrall Spirit Starry Spirit which had taken possession of him he knew his wife to be a Woman and that shee was x Or generated taken out of him and tooke her to him as all Beasts couple together yet he had then pure eyes for the fiercenesse or grim wrath did not yet stick in them but the infection or longing The Element of fire with its bitternesse which qualifieth or mixeth properties with the Abysse of Hell had not pressed him wholly 57. Thus now Adam with his wife went in great lust and joy into the Garden of Eden where Adam told her of the Commandement concerning the Tree but Eve being a Woman of this world regarded it but little and turned her from Adam to the Tree and looked upon it with lust and the lust instantly took hold of her and the lying Devill when shee was talking with him whom shee knew not neither had heard of any Devill perswaded her and shee laid hold on the Tree and brake off an Apple and did eate of the fruit of the foure Elements and Starres and gave to Adam and when Adam saw that Eve dyed y By eating not then he eate also 58. And then their eyes were opened and they knew that they had flesh and bloud and were quite naked for the Spirit of the great World took them captive with the foure Elements and figured or framed in them Stomack and Gutts though indeed in the sleepe of Adam when the Matrix was severed from the Limbus the same formes were already figured but they knew it not till after the biting of the Apple and then the Spirit of the fiercenesse first gat in and made its Region as may be seene in the Heart Liver Lungs Gall and Bladder as also in the Stomack this Regiment had Adam gotten in his sleepe and with the biting of the Apple the Spirit of the great world hath set it selfe in that Government 59. And then they looked one upon another and were ashamed one before another and they were afraid of the wrath or severity that entered into them for it was the anger of God and thus they were captivated by the first Principle as by the Abysse of Hell and held Adam and Eve captive in their soules in the Eternall part for it sprung up with terrour feare and doubt concerning the kingdome of God and they could have no comfort in that condition for they saw the Paradise no more but the Garden in Eden so also they had lost the Deity they could set no will or desire into it for the wrath and doubt stood in the way 60. Then came the Spirit of this world with its rough Garment with heate and cold and pressed upon them as upon naked people and so struck the Image of God halfe dead with their fiercenesse anguish and doubt with their quality or property of hot and cold and let it lye in paine anguish and doubt And here Man went from Jerusalem out of the Paradise to Jericho into the house of murthero●rs who stript him of his Paradisicall Garment and robbed him and struck him with their poyson torment plague and sicknesse from their infection halfe dead and so left him and went their way as the second Adam said in the Gospel in a similitude or Parable 61. And here now was no remedy neither in Heaven nor in this world they were captivated in hard slavery in misery and death the Abysse of Hell did hold the soule and the Spirit of this world held the body captive Death and corruption was in the body and there was nothing else in them but enmity to it selfe proceeding from the tart Essences of the Starres wherein one source or quality striveth against the other and one breaketh or destroyeth the other with greater paine and torment to the body with trembling and skreeking and at last comes corruption and death as it is before our eyes 62. There the Devill gat the Game for the kingdome of this world to be his againe he gat an entrance into Man and he could reach into the Essences of his soule for they were z Man and the Devill were both in the wrath voyde of grace now both in one kingdome 63. He the Devill supposed saying the kingdome of this world is thine thou shalt sport thy selfe according to thy power with the Image of Man which should have possessed thy Throne his Spirit is in thy kingdome and so the Devill mocked God in his minde saying Where is now thy noble Image which though didst create to Rule over my Throne am not I Lord of the great Might of the fire I will rule over thy Throne the might or strength and vertue is mine I flie up above the Thrones of vertue and strength and no might or power can withstand mee 64. Yes indeed the flieth up above the Thrones but he cannot flie into the Thrones he flieth up in the first eternall source of fire which is sterne foure dark hard cold rough and burning but he cannot get through the open Gate of the Deepe into the Light of God but he flieth up aloft in his Abysse in the Eternity in the wrathfull source or quality of Hell and reacheth nothing else And therefore he is a Prince though in the Abysse of Hell which was well enough knowne to Man after his Miserable Fall 65. And because I may not be well understood by the Reader in that I write that Man dwelleth in the Abysse of Hell with the Devills therefore I will shew him the ground that he may touch and handle it and if he will not feele it yet it is given to him that he may know it and it shall be a witnesse against him 66. It is not without a cause that Christ calleth the Devill a Prince of this world for he is so according to the first Principle according to the kingdome of wrath and continueth so to Eternity but he is not so according to the kingdome of the foure Elements and Starres for if he had full power in that then there would be no vegetative fruit nor living creature upon the Earth he cannot master the a That which proceedeth or issueth exit of the foure Elements for he is in the Originality and there is a whole Principle between onely when the b Or aspects of the Starres Costellations doe awaken the fierce wrath of the fire in the Elements as in a tempestuous storme then he is Master Jugler in mischiefe and rejoyceth himselfe therein though indeed he hath no power there neither except it be permitted to him from the anger of God then he is the Hangman or Executioner and executeth the c The Sentence Judgement or Justice Right as a Servant Minister or Officer but not as a Judge but as an
at home 7. For as this world breaketh and passeth away so also all flesh which is generated out of the Spirit of this world must breake and passe away Therefore now when the poore soule must depart out of this body wherein yet it is generated if then it hath not the new Garment of the Regeneration of the Holy Ghost in it and is not clothed with the Mantle of Christ with his Incarnation suffering Death and Resurrection in him then there beginneth great sorrow and unquietnesse viz. in those onely which at the breaking of their bodies are but in the Gate and so swim between Heaven and Hell and there then h Or beginneth the wrestli●● is need of wrestling and strugling as is to be seene by very many when they are a dying 8. There then the poore soule in the first Principle doth i Swing 〈◊〉 swimme● move in the Doore of the Deepe being clothed with the vertue or power of the Dominion or Region of the Starres appearing in that shape or forme of the body which it had here and many of them desireth this or that which was its last Will in hope thereby to attaine abstinence and quietnesse or Rest also many by night according to the sydereall spirit shew themselves very disquiet with tumbling and tossing of the body which our Learned Men from the Schoole of this world ascribe to the Devill but they have no knowledge or understanding in it 9. Seeing therefore that this is the weightiest Article and cannot be apprehended in such a way wee will describe the dying of Man and the departure of the soule from the body and try if it might so be brought to knowledge that the Reader may comprehend the true k Or understanding of it meaning of it 10. Mans Image borne of a Woman here in this life is in a threefold forme and standeth in three Principles or beginnings viz. the soule that hath its originall out of the first Principle out of the strong and soure Might of the Eternity and it swimmeth or moveth between two Principles begirt with the third Principle it reacheth with its originall Roote into the Depth of the Eternity in the source or quality where God the Father from Eternity entereth through the Gates of the breaking through and opening in himselfe into the Light of Joy and it is in the Band where God calleth himselfe a Jealous angry and austere God and is a sparkle out of the Allmightinesse l Sparkling forth or discovered appearing in the great Wonders of the wisdome of God through the deare virgin of Chastity and with the forme of the first Principle it standeth in the Gate of the sourenesse of Eternity mingled united or qualified with the Region of the Sunne and Starres and begirt with the foure Elements and the holy Element viz. the Roote of the foure Elements that is the body of the soule in the second Principle in the Gate before or towards God and according to the Spirit of this world the Region of the Starres is the body of the soule and the issue of the foure Elements is the source-house conduit-house or work-house or the Spirit of this world which kindleth the Region so that it springeth forth or worketh 11. And thus the soule liveth in such a threefold source or working quality being bound with three m Or Reines coards and is drawne of all three The first coard is the Band of Eternity generated in the rising up of the Anxiety and reacheth the Abysse of Hell The second coard is the Kingdome of Heaven generated through the Gates of the Deepe in the Father and Regenerated out of the birth of sinnes through the humanity of Christ and there the soule also in the n Or becoming 〈◊〉 ●an Incarnation of Jesus Christ the Sonne of God is tyed up and is drawne by the deare virgin in the word of God The third coard is the Kingdome of the Starres qualifying or mingling with the soule and it is hard drawne and held by the foure Elements and carried and lead by them 12. But the third Kingdome is not also in the Eternity but is generated out of the one Element in the time of the kindling of the Fiat that now is corruptible and hath a certain seculum limit and time how long it shall last and so this Region in the soule when the light of Life kindleth it selfe hath also a certain seculum and time of its breaking and that kingdome o Or Educateth Man bringeth Man up and giveth him the source of his manners conditions and disposition will and desires to evill and good and setteth him in beauty glory riches and honour and maketh him an earthly God and it openeth to him the great Wonders p In the Kingdome of the four Elements in him and runneth along with him inconsiderately to the end of his seculum terme and end and then it departeth from him and as it did help Man to his life so it helpeth him also to Death and breaketh off from the soule 13. First the foure Elements break off from the one Element and then the source or working faculty of the third Principle ceaseth and that is the most horrible thing of all when the foure Elements breake in themselves and that is the Death when the Brimstone Spirit which hath its originall from the Gall and kindleth the Tincture of the Heart is choaked where then the Tincture with the shadow of Mans substance goeth into the Ether and remaineth standing with the shadow in the roote of the one Element from which one Element the foure Elements were generated and gone forth and therein onely consisteth the woe in the breaking where one source-house is broken off from the soule 14. But if now the q Or issuing substantiall faculties or vertues Essences of the first Principle of the soule have been so very conversant about or addicted to the Kingdome of this world so that the Essences of the soule have sought after the pleasures of this world onely in temporary honour power and bravery then the soule or the Essences out of the first Principle keepeth the starry Region to it still as its dearest Jewell with a desire to live therein but then the starry Region hath the Mother viz. the foure Elements no more and therefore it consumeth with the time it selfe in the Essences out of the first Principle and so the Essences of the first Principle continue raw or naked without a body 15. And here standeth the r Or Refining fire Purgatory thou blinde world if thou canst doe any th●●● then help thy soule through the ſ Or Strong strait Gate now here if the Treader upon the Serpent hath not hold of the coard then it must indeed continue in the first Principle Here now is the great Life and also the great Death where the soule must enter into the one or the other and that is its Eternall Countrey for afterwards For the
e Or Park Garden besides thou art so strong that thou hast broken downe the Hedge of their Garden and hast taken possession of their dwelling besides thou hast made their meate as bitter as Gall that they cannot eate it thu hast broken their Throne wich thy Hornes and hast brought a strong f Company or Army hoast into their Garden and thou hast used a strange power to drive them out of their Garden and though they have thee in their Fetters yet thou opposest them as if thou wouldest destroy their kingdome thou breakest their coards in pieces and breakest their Bands and thou art a continuall stormers of their Kingdome thou are their worst Enemy and they thine and if thou wert but gone out of their Garden they would be contented but thou being in it still the strife continueth and hath no end till the Ancient of dayes cometh who will part you asunder 7. Or doest thou suppose that wee are madde that wee write thus if wee did not see aod know it wee should then be silent Or canst thou not once know the thorny Bath wherein thou swimmest Doest thou still say thou art in the Garden of Roses If thou thinkest thou art there see well whether thou art not in the Devils Pasture and art his most beloved Hinde which he fatneth to the slaughter for his food 8. I tell thee for certain and it is in earnest when I was at g In or of the world Jericho there my beloved companion opened my eyes for mee thar I saw and behold a great Generation of Men and multitudes of People and Nations were together one part were like Beasts and one part like Men and there was strife between them and beneath there was the Abysse of Hell and the Beasts saw not that but the Men were afraid and would be gone to which the Devill would not consent because his Garden had no doores open but they b Or stroyed brake open his Garden and so he must watch at the Doore that they doe not run away from him but the Beasts which were Men also they did eare of his food and drank of his drink and he did nothing to them because he fatned them for his slanghter and there was accoutinuall Enmity between the right Men and the Beastiall Men. 9. Or doest thou suppose this is not true which my beloved companion hath shewed mee when he opened my eyes that I saw then come and goe with mee to Jerusalem wee will goe together along the way to Jericho and see it well enough and by the way is this Garden wherein the Devill with this great Generation dwelleth wee will shew thee great Wonders thou shalt see and know all that which wee mentioned above if thou art but a Man and not the Devils fatted Beast 10. Behold wee understand by Jerusalem the Paradise and by the way to Jericho the going forth out of Paradise into this world where then the world captivated us in her Garden where continually the great Sea of misery is wherein our soule swimmeth Also the Devill is therein who hath bound us with the chaines of the Anger of God and he leadeth the poore soule captive in the dark Garden of flesh and bloud into his fierce Garden of Anger where the new-borne soules continually break out of his Garden and break his Hellish kingdome in pieces also they have taken possession of his i Regall or Kingly Royall Throne where he was an Angel and with their Hornes which are the Spirit of God have broken in pieces his hellish Kingdome which he set up also they oppose him with their storme out of Hell into Heaven and assault his Kingdome but he holdeth the poore soule captive with the chaines of the Anger in this evill flesh and bloud and continually setteth on the crew of the wicked that they seduce it and k Or Dip it baptize it in the Anger of God up to the very lips and there the poore soule standeth up to the neck in the Sea of misery ready to be drowned and there the Devill thrusteth it downe with the vices and sinnes of the body and would drowne the poore soule in the Anger of God in the Abysse of Hell 11. All malicious captived Men whom he hath captivated are his hounds which hunt the poore soule with haughtinesse bravery covetousnesse unchastity anger cursing and wrongfull oppression so that the poore soule is infected with these things and is very often set upon the Devils Horse as one of the Devils Captives and then the Devill will ride with it into Hell into the Anger of God O how often doth he rob the poore soule of her faire Garment of the knowledge of God how doth he rend away the Word of God from their eares and hearts as Christ saith cleerely Now if it will not doe as he will and that it break out of his Garden then he casteth his durt and filth upon it and then he stirreth up all his Bloud-hounds they must bawle at it and cast meere disgrace upon It and then it standeth as an Owle among the Birds who one and other will have a fling and a pluck at it and so it is also with the poore soule which steppeth through earnest Repentance out of die Devils net into the New Regeneration 12. On the contrary those others who feed upon the weeds of the Devill in vices and sinnes are in peace for he fastneth them in the Anger of God and they are his Bloud hounds wherewith he hunteth the Hinde the poore soule which would escape and storme his Hellish Kingdome The Devill would be well contented though some soules should escape though he had rather increase than weaken his Kingdome but that his Kingdome would be broken by it which he cannot like 13. For as he goeth a hunting in his Kingdome and catcheth the poore soules which way soever he can and layeth waite for them by his servants with all manner of vice and wickednesse and so continually setteth such looking-glasses before the soule that it should behold it selfe in its own wickednesse and tickleth it also with faire promises of great honour power and Authority he setteth the poore despised sort before the soule and saith Wilt thou onely be the foole of the world come along with mee I will give thee the Kingdome of this world for a possession as he said to Christ so in like manner when the soule hath put on the Kingdome of Heaven and yet sticketh in the dark valley in flesh and bloud and seeth the Devils l Or Massacring murthering of its brethren and sisters then it cometh to be armed of God to fight against the Devill and to discover his m T●an snare or pit-fall burrow for the love to its neighbour constraineth it to doe so because it would help to encrease the Kingdoms of Heaven therefore it teacheth and reproveth thus it warneth against sinne and teacheth the way to the Kingdome of Heaven which
truly and really in the knowledge in the new Man and it is the sword wherewith wee can fight against the Devill onely wee must take the sword of the Death of Christ into our hand which cutteth so sharply that the Devill must flie away CHAP. XXV Of the Suffering Dying Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ the Sonne of God Also of his Ascension into Heaven and sitting at the right hand of God his Father The Gate of our Misery and also the strong Gate of the Divine Power in his Love 1. IF wee consider our selves in our right Reason and behold the Kingdome of this world in which wee stand with our flesh and bloud also with our Reason and senses then wee finde very well that wee have the substance and stirring of it in us for wee are its very proper own Now all whatsoever wee thinke doe and purpose in the outward Man that the Spirit of this world doth in us Men for the Body is nothing else but the Instrument thereof wherewith it performeth its work and wee finde that as all other Instruments which are generated from the Spirit of this world decay corrupt and turne to dust so also our earthly Body wherein the Spirit of this world worketh and acteth for a while 2. Therefore none should scorne or despise another though he lead not the same course that he doth himselfe or though he be not of that way in his minde and will which himse●fe is or that another cannot learne and follow the same stately Courtly manners and behaviour with himselfe for the Naturall heaven maketh every one according as its forme in its Influences is at all times and so every Creature getteth its condition forme or shape inclination and will which cannot wholly be taken away from the outward Man till the Naturall Heaven breaketh its Beast Therefore wee ought to consider the great strife in us when wee are regenerated out of the Eternall then the Eternall striveth against the Corruptible against the malice and falshood of the Corruptible 3. And now each Kingdome a Worketh or performeth effecteth its will the inward goeth right forward and consenteth not to the wickednesse of the outward but it runneth to its b It aimeth at Mark and the outward also goeth forward with its desire and performeth its work according to the Influence of its Constellation 4. But if it happen that the outward doe not what its desire will that proceedeth not from its wisdome but the Heaven hath altered it by another c Or aspect Conjunction but if d The outward Man it be compelled to leave off that which is evill that is not e From the influence or acting by the course of the Heavens but the new Regenerated Man who is in strife with the Earthly doth many times overcome but cannot swallow up the Earthly for the Earthly getteth up againe as wee see by our Anger for if my new Man have the upperhand he will have no Anger nor any evill desire but if this worlds Driver assault him then the fire of Anger riseth up in the old Man and his desire is often kindled to doe what he rejected and reproved a little before 5. Now wee cannot say that the Spirit of this world alone consenteth to and doth that which is evill and wrathfull for the whole Man oftentimes runneth with all his thoughts and his whole will after it And heere wee f Or know finde our great Misery for the poore soule which lieth yet tied in the Bands of Anger is often kindled that it burneth like a fire and runneth after evill for it is in the Band of Eternity in the Father and reacheth in its most inward Roote the Anger of God and that is even the Birth of its Life and its Originality and the Noble Graine of Mustard-seede that was the new Garment of the soule which was new put upon it in its Repentance is many times destroyed therefore none should be secure though he doe once attaine the Garland of Pearle he may loose it againe for when the soule consenteth to sinne then it goeth forth from Christ into falshood and into the Anger of God 6. Now therefore as wee know that Christ by his entrance into the Incarnation hath opened a Doore into Heaven into his holy Body so that wee through a true Repentance and Confidence may come to him and put the new white Garment of his Innocency in his Love upon our soules so wee know also that the soule standeth yet fast bound with two chaines one is the Birth of its own Life whose most inward roote is poyson and wrathfulnesse and so the soule being sprung out of the Eternall source and having its originality out of the Eternity none can redeeme it g Or bring it back in its own roote of Eternity or bring it out of the Anger except there come one who is the Love it selfe and be borne in its own very Birth that so he may bring it out of the Anger and set it in the Love in himselfe as it was done in Christ 7. The other Gate or Chaine is the flesh and bloud with the Region or Dominion of the Starres there the soule is fast bound and swimmeth therein as in a Great Sea which daily so h Infecteth it that it burneth stirreth up the soule that it is kindled 8. Concerning these two chaines wee know in our deepe knowledge and see them in the Ground of the Originality and know very exactly that wee could not be redeemed except the Deity did goe into the soule and i Or Regenerate bring forth the will of the soule againe out of the fiercenesse in it selfe into the Light of the Meeknesse for the Roote of Life must remaine or else the whole Creature must be dissolved 9. But because the soule stood with its most inward Roote in the Abysse of Hell and according to the Kingdome of this world in the hard frozen Death so that if the flesh and bloud as also the Dominion of the Starres should leave it then it would continue inwardly in a k Or st●ffnesse hardnesse wherein there is no source or active property and it selfe in its own property would be but in the fiercenesse of the Originality in great Misery and therefore it was necessary not onely for God to come into the soule and generate it to the Light for there was danger that the soule with its Imagination might goe forth out of the Light againe but also for God to assume a humane soule from our soule and a new heavenly body out of the first Glorious Body before the fall and put it on to the soule with the old earthly body hanging on it not onely as a Garment but really united as one in the Essences so that it must be a Creature that is the whole God with all the Three Principles 10. And thus yet the one must be parted from the other viz. the Kingdome of this world