Church as a fift Wheele is to a Wagon 76. Thou Sophister how wilt thou impart the Mysterium Magnum which thou hast not The Congregation or Church hath it and the Repentant sinner that cometh to thee hath it and thou art a Sophister and art fitter to be in a stall of Oxen then in the Church How can the Devill Absolve a sorrowfull Sinner And thou onely servest thy c Belly-God Idoll the Belly 77 O thou blinde world how art thou blinded thou supposest thou oughtest not to dare to meddle with the d The Great Mystery the office of the Ministery Mysterium Magnum and that thou art not capable of it and that the e Those that call themselves Divines and Ministers Priest onely is capable of it but if thou art in Christ thou hast All free unto thee thou hast his Covenant together with the Baptisme and Sacrament and the Body and bloud of Christ therein but the Covenant belongeth to the Beleevers and not to the Sophisters Christs disciples and againe their disciples and successours have baptized and the Beleeving Church or Congregation have broken bread in Houses and where they could and have fed upon the body and bloud of Christ the Temple of God was every where wheresoever Christians were met together 78. Wee doe not mention this for the Pulling downe of Churches in which Christs office is Exercised but wee shew you the Hypocrites who binde you wholly to them that you may goe out from them and goe to the Congregation of Christ into the Temple of Christ and that you may not rest satisfied meerly with the Church of Stone walls for they are onely a heape of stones which is a dead thing but Christs Temple is Living 79. Yee are all consented about the Church and goe diligently thither but none will enter into the Temple of Christ But pray goe into the Temple of Christ and then of dead you will become Living there is no other Remedy neither in Heaven nor in this world it must be so or else you remaine in Darknesse 80. Not that wee judge so rigorously for the will of God standeth open for All Men by what name soever they are called A Heathen may be saved if he turne to the Living God and with true reliance yeeld himselfe up to the will of God for then he cometh into the will of God though he knoweth not what the Kingdome of Christ is and in the will of God there is the Heart of God and Christ hath the Heart of God in him for such a one doth truly Beleeve yea one that is Dumb and Deafe is saved that never heard of God at all if he incline his Imagination unto obedience into the will and righteousnesse of God 81. Who will judge such a one Wilt thou Sophister doe it thou who makest Articles of Faith out of opinions what need opinions Opinions are not the Spirit of Christ which is a quickening Spirit but Christs Spirit testifieth to our Spirits that wee are the children of God it is in us what need wee then seeke so long after Opinions wee say that in all sorts of opinions there is Heresie as also Antichrist But if you have the words of Christ cleave to them sincerely not onely to the Letter but to the Living Word which is God and Man that is the Scripture which you should reade and preach out of Christs Spirit and not out of conjecture but if you cannot apprehend that why then doe you teach so much and contrive Opinions doe you suppose God to be a lyar as you are that he should hold your invented Opinions to be his Word whereas you are but dead to God he that hath an Opinion whether a thing be or no he is in doubt Now doubting is not Beleeving but is a dangerous way to goe 82. But now the troubled soule which is thus tossed too and fro from one conceit and opinion to another when it perceiveth every one to cry out Heere is Christ heere is Christ follow mee the other party are Heretiques and speake from a false Spirit the soule then asketh to what party shall I turne and apply my selfe whither shall I goe that I may heare the right Gospel preached Where shall I finde Christ they all curse and judge one another and yet I heare them all speake from the Bible and confirme their doctrine from thence and teach the way of God What shall I doe for I finde them to be so spitefull and bitter one against another and they ride up and downe in the Hearts of Princes and stirre up warres and persecutions for the cause of Faith and Religion and f Or Excommunicate one another deliver one another up to the Devill and say one of another that the Devill speakes out of this and that Man Hee is a Heretick flie away from him The Gate of Immanuel 83. Behold deare soule How faithfully Christ warneth us concerning these times concerning which we have been hitherto blinde For these false selfe-erected Priests will cry out and say Christ is in the Wildernesse another of them will say he is not in the Wildernesse he is in the Chamber or he is in the field and another againe will say No he is here or there or he is in the Supper or in the Baptisme and another will say he is not in them they are onely signes and symboles But Christ saith Beleeve them not and goe not forth for us the Lightening shineth from the East to the West so also shall the coming of the Sonne of Man be for where the Carcasse is thither the Eagles gather together 84. Christ saith I am the way the truth and the Life none cometh to the Father but by mee I am the doore to the sheepfold and am a Good Shepheard but all that came before mee in their owne Name of themselves are Theeves and Murtherers and seeke onely to robbe and steale for they seeke their own honour but I seeke not my own honour but my Father honoureth mee and they dishonour mee I am the Light of the world whosoever followeth mee shall have the Light of the Eternall Life my Father will give the Holy Ghost to them that pray unto him for it when he shall come he shall leade you into all truth for he shall receive of mine and make it knowne unto you take no care for your life for my Father careth for you for where your heart is there is your treasure also Therefore let your heart and minde be in the will of God and then your treasure is there also 85. Which is as much as to say Run not after the selfe-erected Teachers who teach from the Historie without the Spirit of God if they can speake a little in a strange Language then they will be Teachers and teach out of Art and vaine-glory to exercise their Eloquence wherein one flattering Hypocrite helpeth forward the other especially where much money and honour may be gotten in the
Man and Woman yet you are not to understand any woman but a virgin wholly pure and chast he had in him the Spirit of the Tincture of the Fire and also the Spirit of the Tincture of the Water viz. of Venus he loved himselfe and through himselfe he loved God he could generate Virgin-like out of his will out of his Essences without paine without tearing or dividing his body such a Man as himselfe was for he had all Three Centres in him and as the Centre of the Eternall Nature was not torne nor divided when the Spirit of God conceived his soule upon the Crosse and brought it into the Wisdome also as the Spirit of this world was not torne nor divided when the Spirit of God breathed into him the spirit of this world as an outward life so he also was not torne or divided for he had a Body that could goe through Trees and Stones if he had instantly gone on in the will of God then had he brought HIM viz. God with him into the Great Wonders 21. The Noble Philosophers Stone was as easie to be found by him as any p Mawerstein other stone and then he might have adorned the outward life with gold silver and precious Stones Jewells and Pearles all to his own joy and to the manifestation of Gods deeds of wonder he had not needed Beastiall Cloathing for he went naked yet clothed with the Heavenly Tincture he had no such Members as he might be ashamed of as his Fall demonstrateth This was his Fall his soule Imagined after the outward Fire of the Out-Birth after the spirit of this world and turned himselfe away from God and desired to live in his own property or selfe and to be Lord his will turned it selfe out from Gods will and was disobedient to God and desired the Earthly fruit out of the Earthly Essences and caused God to suffer the Tree of Temptation to grow that he might trie what his Image would doe and did forbid him that Tree 22. But his Lust was instantly gone after the Earthly Essences Good and Evill which the Devill did eagarly help forward as he doth still till Adam was overcome and went forth from the will of God and suffered himselfe to be wholly captivated by the spirit of this world and then all was done with him the Heavenly Image became Earthly the soule became captivated in the fire of Gods Anger it had the heavenly Tincture no more and could not eate of the Verbum Domini any more it had turned it selfe away into the spirit of this world and was gone out from Gods will into the Lust of this world and so also at the instant of the Fall the spirit of this world made the body wholly Earthly the Paradise with all Heavenly q Wit wisdome and understanding knowledge retired into it selfe and so departed from Adam and the Deare Virgin of Wisdome remained standing in Griefe till the Word of the Lord came againe and looked upon r The Noble Sophia her againe with the promise of the Seede of the Woman and then r The Noble Sophia shee passed into the light of Life now warneth Men of their ungodly wayes concerning which wee have mentioned at large in our former Writings and also concerning Å¿ Adams Wife the Woman his Wife therefore wee heere forbeare to write any further of it and onely further shew you our Propagation as to body and soule 23. Wee have t In the Ninth Chapter of the Threefold life formerly mentioned how the provocation between both kindes Masculine and Feminine to copulate existeth viz. out of two Governments or Dominions of one onely u Being or Essence substance for when Adam could not subsist then God let a sleepe fall upon him and tooke the one Dominion viz. the Tincture of the Spirit from him left him the other viz. the Tincture of the soule and framed a Woman out of him But that shee might have a soule also God took a Ribbe from his Body with his flesh and bloud and comprized the soule therein but without power of further Propagation of it selfe for her soule remained in Venus being desirous of the Mans soule even as the lower Dominion of the Three Planets under the Sun which make Spirit and Flesh desire the Three uppermost for their Life as is before mentioned so also is the Dominion in the Man and the Woman for the Man hath the Tincture of the Fire wherein the soule consisteth in his seede and the Woman hath in her the Tincture of the spirit of this world viz. of Venus naturally so called in her seede and Matrix If it were not for the scoffers I could exactly demonstrate it in the Members of their Copulation you would indeed wonder rightly why each are as they are x Note it shall be set downe in a Paper by it selfe for there is nothing without cause Nature hath its own mouth if it desire to have any thing it maketh it selfe a mouth fit for it and giveth a forme to that thing which it desireth that it may fit the mouth according as Nature liketh best Observe this 24. Now when the Seede is sowne then not onely the sower soweth but the Ground also affordeth its Essences or vertue to it the Man soweth soule and the Woman soweth spirit and both of them afford Body and not the one without the other the Tincture of the Fire hath indeed a Body but it became very small in this corruption and therefore the Nature of the Water in Venus must give a soft spirit to it for the Man and the Woman are one Body And Saint Paul saith If the Man have an unbelieving Woman to his wife and the Woman have an unbelieving Man to her husband let not the one forsake the other for the Man knoweth not whether he shall save the Woman or the Woman the Man Even as Adam saved his wife Eve who first eate the bit of the forbidden fruit for shee was a part of the Life out of his flesh and bloud and the same spirit and the same soule which Adam had and which Eve got from Adam is now also in us in both kindes or sexes 25. Therefore ground your Judgement thus When the Man soweth his seede he soweth flesh and bloud and the Noble Tincture of the soule and the Woman receiveth that into her Matrix and instantly affordeth to the Mans seede her Tincture of Venus wherein standeth the Elementary Spirit and that assumeth Saturne and bringeth it round on the wheele about to Sol and there the Naturall Life with the life of the soule is disclosed for Saturne giveth it to the Moone which breedeth it and in a Circuit of all the Starres maketh Essences therein and then the Essences exist and winde themselves about to Mars which striketh up the Fire and there count the Signes in the Heavens how many houres each of them hath and double that with two Kingdomes and
Office Christ said I seeke not my own honour my kingdome is not of this world but they Teach that Christs kingdome is in the Historie viz. in Art in Eloquence in the Universities in Synods and Councills But Christ said to his Disciples The Holy Ghost will receive of mine and make it knowne unto you and bring into your minde all whatsoever I have spoken 86. This deare children of Christ let none run after contentions controversies and disputations they all say the truth one of another for they are all growne out of one and the same Tree and they are at variance about the Booty and g Spoyle and Plunder Prey of Antichrist whose End is at hand Turne away your heart and minde from all contention and goe in very simply and humbly at the doore of Christ into Christs sheepfold seeke that in your Heart you need not much disputation pray to God the Father in the Name of Jesus Christ upon his promise that he would open your heart through his holy Spirit turne with all diligence into him let all goe whatsoever maketh a fine glistering holy shew in the heapes of Stone and enter into the Temple of Christ and there the Holy Ghost will meete you yeeld your selfe quite up unto him and he will open your Heart and bring into your minde all the merits and benefits of Christ he will open your understanding and bring into your minde whatsoever Christ hath spoken for he shall receive from Christ and make it knowne unto you 87. Neither trouble your selfe with taking care where the best Place is for him to open it in whether in a Cloyster a Colledge a Wildernesse in this or that Office Ministery or Opinion for as the Sunne riseth in the East and shineth to the West so Christ shineth in every corner chinck of his Incarnation or being Man even to Eternity Seek not after one place more then after another he is every where for where the Carcasse is thither the Eagles gather together Christ is every where and his children can come to him every where and when wee enter into Christ then wee are with our Carcasse and satiate our selves with his flesh and drink of his bloud for he said My flesh is the true food and my bloud is the true drinke they that eate of my flesh and drink of my bloud continue in Mee and I in them Also he saith Father I will that those whom thou hast given mee may be where I am they were thine and thou hast given them unto mee and I give them the Eternall Life and I will raise them up at the Last Day if you continue in mee then my words continue in you 88. Now therefore when you see that the world contendeth about the Kingdome of Christ then know that they have lost the keys the Mysterium Magnum and are not in Christ for there is no contention in Christ but love and humility and a desire to walke before his neighbour in righteousnesse wheresoever wee aâ—e there wee are in Christ whensoever wee meete together wee should all bring his will with us into the Congregation viz. the desire of Christ and when wee desire him wee receive him and become one body in him he feedeth us with his body and bloud when wee use his Testaments with the Last Supper then he feedeth us with his flesh and giveth us his bloud to drink he Baptizeth us with the Baptisme to be one body in him why then are wee so long a searching for as the Sunne-shine filleth the whole world so doth the body and bloud of Christ also his substance is the Eternity where there is no space nor place he is shut up in nothing for he is in the Father and the Father is in him and the Holy Ghost goeth forth from the Father and the Sonne Now every Beeing or all whatsoever is brought into a beeing is created out of the Father and the Father is in All things and upholdeth and preserveth All things He giveth to all things Life and Beeing and the Sonne is in the Father and giveth to all things vertue and Light he is our Light without him wee know not God how can wee then speake rightly of him if wee will speake rightly of him wee must speake from his Spirit for that testifieth of God but if wee speake from Art and Historie wee speake from our selves and not from God and so wee are Theeves and Murtherers and not Shepheards of Christ A Theefe cometh but to robbe and steale and so the Disputers come but in their owne Name onely in that they desire to have great respect and many rich friends and such cry out heere is Christ and there are Hereticks 89. Deare children of Christ stop your Eares from these blaspheming Wolves for they scandalize not onely one another but the Congregation of Christ which is every where in all Countries where there are Repenting Men who turne from their sinnes to God They are in Christ though they be Turkes there is no respect of Persons or of Names and Opinions with God he seeketh the h Or Bottome of the Heart Abysse of the Heart 90. Antichrist is the cause of the Turkes falling into Peculiar Opinions of their owne for there was no End in Controversies and Disputations which was a stumbling block of offence to the Asians Assyrians Egyptians Moores Grecians and Africans the Indians lead a more i Godly and Pious Divine Life in their plaine simplicity then Antichrist though indeed not all of them yet neverthelesse there are many Customes among them that are more Pious then the Pride of the Whore 91. The Whore hindereth the Kingdome of Christ so that all people are scandalized and stumble at it and say How can those be Gods people who are only Tyrants Proud Covetous Obstinate Stubborne Bloud-thirsty People which practise onely how to get away that which is anothers and seeke after power and honour The very Heathen are not so malicious wee will not make our selves partakers with them God dwelleth every where he is as well with us as with them wee will leade an honest vertuous and pious life and call upon the onely true God who hath created all things and goe out from their Contentious Disputations wee will continue in one sort of Opinion and then our Countrey will continue in Peace when wee all beleeve in one God then there is no strife but then wee have all one and the same will and may live in Love one among another 92. See heere beloved Christian this is that which hath so advanced the Turk and brought him to that Great Strength so that their Might is climed up into the Number Thousand they Rule in one Opinion and Love k Or over towards the whole world for they are a Tree of Nature which standeth also in the presence of God but it groweth no higher then to the Number Thousand for then its wilde Heart getteth a countenance having Eyes or he will
Earth was his Ornament and sport altogether childe-like without Covetousnesse he needed no other cloathing and as the Gold was pure without drosse so was his childe-like Minde also 48. But the Devill awakened unto him the Sulphur or Grosse Matter therein and hath set the Beastiall spirit in the superiour Dominion in him that which Man should have ruled over ruleth over him and that is his Fall 49. Thus now the Devill hath gotten power in as much as the Outward Dominion is generated out of the Inward viz. the Centre of Nature and that he dwelleth in the most innermost and so he slideth out of the innermost into the outermost and kindleth the outermost in the Minde from whence arise false lusts and inclinations and evill Concupiscence so that two Dominions viz. the inward and the outward strive against the soule and so the poore soule is in the midst between the Dominion of this world and the Dominion of the Hellish source or quality and there it standeth before the Gate of Heaven in a very great Deepe in great danger its Roote is the Anger of God and Hell-fire its superiour or predominant spirit is the Dominion of this world and there it standeth in the Tincture of the Fire in the midst and whither soever it inclineth thither it entereth if it goe into the lust and pleasure of this world then it standeth therein and is captivated by the Devill but if it enter into it selfe inwards into God then the Devill will buffet it for then it is in his Countrey 50. But when it getteth the flesh of Christ for a new Body then it is not in his Countrey that is a Tree before him which is poyson and death to him at which he is vexed and loath to touch it but he stirreth up his servants and Ministers against the outward Body that must beare i Shame and disgrace reproach and scorne that thereby he may cover and hide this Tree that it may not be knowne else it might bring forth more branches whereupon at last Hell would be too narrow for him therefore he will prevent it as long as he can 51. And so now when the poore soule breaketh away from him and with its deare Bridegroome Christ turneth to the Love of God so that through earnest Repentance and turning into God it enter into the will of God yet then the Devill hath seaven k Snares or Ginnes coards still with each of which he holdeth it fast before he will let it goe and then it must get it selfe through all the seaven and leave his cords wholly to himselfe These seaven Bands are the seaven spirits of Nature hereafter mentioned 52. And Eightly it must goe through the Fire and there is the Earnest severe Proba or hard trial And when it is come through it getteth the heavenly Tincture in the Ninth Number and in the Tenth Number upon the Crosse it getteth the Body of Christ and so is an Angell in Heaven and a stranger and Pilgrim upon Earth in this Tabernacle 53. The seaven snares wherewith it is entangled are the seaven spirits of the outward Nature of the Dominion of this world these it must winde through and presse quite through them and cast them all behinde it and in the Eighth Number standeth Moses with his Law and there is first read to the soule what a * Or faire Bird. fine Fowle it was and there cometh the Devill with his l Or Account Register or Catalogue and readeth what it is sheweth his right to it and there it is directed to bow downe and lay hold on the Wounds and Passion of Christ and heere it is necessary that the poore soule take hold on the Merits and Death of Christ and wrap it selfe fast therein for out of these swadling bands the Devill cannot pull the soule nay he dareth not touch them and heere the Devill must leave the soule for Christ standeth in the fire of the Fathers Anger and is the accomplishment of Obedience and there the soule is brought into the Ninth Forme into the Tincture of the Eternall Life and there it is surrounded with the Majesty of God and the faire blessed Virgin the Wisdome of God meeteth it with her Garland of Pearles and Crowneth the soule as a heavenly Conquerour 54. What Joy is heere to the Angells of God and what Joy the soule attaineth there wee have no Pen to describe it nor in this world any tongue to Expresse it Onely wee wish to the Reader and all Men that they might themselves have experience of it for which cause wee goe about this Writing with much toyle and deepe labour 55 For wee write what wee our selves have knowne and have seene with spirituall Eyes wee speake it not to our owne boasting but that the Reader may know that if he will follow us what he is to expect from it seeing he perceiveth how the world maketh a Gazing stock of the children of God But wee shall after this short Life have full recompence and moreover this Garland is more delitious then this whole world and though it be often covered and hidden from us yet it dyeth not 56. For as the rough winter hideth the budding and flourishing of the Earth so that reason saith all is Dead but when the Spring cometh then it beginneth to bud and blossome againe and so also it is with the Noble and faire Garland of Christ when that springeth againe then it produceth Lillyes without Number and every Spring when the Minde is renewed in Christ it multiplyeth Tenfold Of the Company and assistance of the Holy Angells 57. As wee that are Men in this world if wee be the children of God assist and help one another in necessitie and distresse and readily deliver one another from misery and trouble thus also it is in heaven concerning the children of God while the soule belongeth to the fellowship of Angells they affect the company of honest vertuous and chast Men that feare God and stand by them in necessitie for the Scripture saith They are all Ministring Spirits sent forth for the service of those that are to inherite the Kingdome of God they often avert the fiery darts of wickednesse what mischiefe would the Devill often doe if he were not opposed and hindered by the Throne-Princes of the Legions how often would he terrifie and cast men downe headlong to the ground 58. But the Angells are our servants and keepers if wee be Christians and not Beasts though indeed the Devill setteth upon Christians most of all how very often would many be drowned and killed by a fall who yet receive wonderfull deliverance from Angells they are ready about people who sing and speake of God they have great delight among little Infants so that they many times manifest themselves to an Infant and play with it if it be the childe of God 59. How many Examples are there in the Scripture of the Angells leading and conducting of the Children of
back and is afraid of God The Devill alwayes presenteth God as a severe Judge 5. Thus the poore soule keepeth back and entreth into the Spirit of this world and seeketh a livelihood and maintenance it thinketh God lets things goe as they will and that things prosper with those that build upon and trust in themselves For when the soule thus sticketh in Reason without God it supposeth that it must use carking and caring to bring it to passe it thinketh there is no other way it must be done thus the Labour of the hands or else cunning and suttlety must doe it from whence so many d Strong Delusions potent Evills doe arise 6. Deare Children be rightly informed The outward Earthly life is fallen home to the Spirit of this world the Belly needeth Earthly food and the Body Earthly Cloathing and a e Tent or Tabernacle house to dwell in after these things the outward Spirit must endeavour it should labour and travaile for in the sweat of thy face shalt thou Earthly Man eate thy Bread till thou returne to Earth from whence thou wert taken saith God in Moses 7. For the Body was taken from the Matrix of the Earth and hath Imagined or put its Minde into the Earth and the Earth hath captivated that againe so that it hath eaten Earthly fruit and so is turned to Earth from whence it was taken 8. For God tooke it from the Earth that is he tooke a Mesch a Masse or Concretion of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 f Red Earth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 * from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 f Adamah from the Fires-Centre and from the Waters-Centre viz. from both the Mothers of Nature and breathed into it the breath from without by the Spirit of the great World and the soule from within out of the second Principle into the Heart 9. The soule doth not dwell quite in the outward onely it is captivated with the outward its will is entered into the outward and there is g Or big bellied impregnated with the outward Dominion and so the outward Dominion is come into the soule 10. And that was it which God did forbid to Man that he should not lust after Earthly fruit power and vertue neither was there any necessity that drave him to it for he was in Paradise and had Paradisicall food without need and Death And as God dwelleth in the Earth and yet the Earth knoweth him not and apprehendeth him not so also Man he could have dwelt in the Matrix of the Earth and yet have been with the soule in God and the will of the soule had brought divine food to the soule but now being turned away the soule eateth of the Centre of Nature and the outward Spirit eateth of the Earth but if the soule turne and goe with its will into the Love of God then it eateth of Gods Word and the outward body eateth of the Blessing of God 11. For when the soule is blessed then God blesseth the Body also for the soule carrieth an heavenly Body in the Old Adamicall one And so his meate and drink is blessed and all that the whole Man doth and hath he obtaineth a wonderfull blessing which his reason cannot apprehend he must labour and trade for therefore he is created into the outward world that he should manifest Gods wonders with his skill and h Or Handicraft and businesse Trading 12. All Trades Businesses and Conditions are Gods Ordinance Every one worketh the Wonders of God And so now if the soule stand in the hand of God in his Love then the body is in Gods works of Wonder and God hath no displeasure at its businesse or i Or Matters Doings whatsoever it doth whereby it getteth its food and living 13. The outward Life consisteth in Three parts one is the Dominion of the Starres the second is the one Element divided into foure parts as into the foure formes of Fire Aire Water and Earth the third is the Dominion of God for the Spirit of God moveth upon the Water upon the k Or surface of the water Capsula upon the Matrix What Man soever doth put his trust in God and doth not wholly set his heart upon his Reason hath the Spirit of God for a Creatour which Spirit of God hath the Verbum Fiat and Createth continually it blesseth him in body and soule in the house and in the field in the work of his hands his businesse and trading whatsoever he doth the Spirit of God is continually in it and createth or effecteth it 14. How should it be otherwise the soule hath the Body of the Spirit of God how can the Spirit of God then forsake the outward Body which must open its Wonders 15. Man doth well enough in every thing that is not false or wicked and if it be not contrary to God and the Love of Mankinde if one did onely cast stones into the Sea if his brother be pleased with it and that he get his living by it then he is as acceptable to God as a Preacher in a Pulpit for what careth God for the l Opus Operatum Labour he hath not any need of that 16. Man hath free m Choice or Liberty will he may recreate himselfe upon Earth in what work he will let him doe whatsoever he will it all standeth in the Wonders of God A Swineheard is as acceptable to God as a Doctor if he be honest and trusteth onely in Gods will the simple is as profitable to him as the wise for with the wise he Ruleth and Governeth and with the simple he buildeth and tilleth the Ground they are all his Labourers in his works of Wonder 17. Every one hath an Imployment or Calling wherein he spendeth his Time all are alike to him Onely the Spirit of this world hath its n Height Exaltation or highest degree or measure Pitch which it distributeth in its Might as the Spirit of God doth in Heaven there are great distinctions and degrees there also as the spirit or soule is indued with divine power and vertue so accordingly is its degree of o Highnesse or degree Exaltation in Heaven also its Beauty and Clarity or Glory but all in one Love 18. Every Angell and soule hath Joy in anothers Power and Beauty as the flowers of the Earth doe not grutch at one another though one be more beautifull and fuller of vertue then another but they stand kindly one by another and enjoy one anothers vertue and as a Physitian puts many sorts of hearbs together and every one of them affordeth its vertue and all benefit the sick so wee all please God if wee give up our selves into his will wee stand all in his field 19. And as the Thornes and Thistles grow out of the Earth and choake and spoyle many a good hearb or flower so also doth the wicked who trusteth not in God but buildeth upon himselfe and thinketh with himselfe
I have my God in my Chist I will cover and leave my children great treasure behinde mee that they also may sit in my place of honour and dignity that is the best way and thereby he spoyleth many a good heart and maketh it take base and wicked courses and to think that to be the onely way to get happinesse and so if they have riches honour and power then they have goods indeed but if any consider it it is no better with these then others and besides the poore soule is lost thereby 20. For the Dainties of the Rich relish not so well with them as a Bit of Bread doth to the Hungry there is every where care sorrow vexation feare sicknesse and at last Death All in this world is but meere foppery The p Potentates Rulers and Magistrates Mighty sit in the Dominion of the Spirit of this world and they that feare God sit in the Dominion of the Divine Power and Wisdome The Dominion of this world taketh its End with the Dying of the Body and the Dominion in the Spirit of God continueth standing Eternally 21. It is a very lamentable thing that Man runneth so eagerly after that which would runne after Man if he were righteous and honest he runneth after cares and sorrowes and they runne after him he is as if he were continually Mad he maketh disquiet to himselfe if he would be contented he should have rest and quiet enough Hee putteth an q Or Canker eating Worme into his heart that plagueth and tormenteth him and causeth an Evill Conscience that gnaweth him and he is a meere foole with all this for he leaveth his goods to others and taketh the gnawing Worme in the Evill Conscience with him from this world and that which plagueth him Eternally that he holdeth for his Treasure There cannot be a greater folly found under the Sunne then that Man who is the Noblest and Rationallest Creature in this world should in Covetousnesse be the Greatest foole of all to hunt and presse so eagerly after that which he hath no need of for every one hath his sufficient portion given him from the Spirit of thâ—s world if he would but be contented therewith 22. Thus one Man is a Devill to another and tormenteth one another and all the businesse is but about a hand full of Earth or for a Stone of which the Earth hath enough And must not that needs be a Wonder indeed Doth not the fierce hellish Spirit accomplish it Wonders according to its wish in Man As the Booke of the Revelation witnesseth where one Seale of Anger hath been opened after another and men are become the servants and Ministers of wrath they have willfully entered upon it with their Bloud and r Or Estate Goods and thought they did God good service in it 23. O Blind Man how art thou captivated in the Anger what dost thou or where art thou why dost thou suffer the Devill to be-foole thee Heaven and Earth is wholly thine God will give it thee all Hee hath given thee all thou hast a Naturall Right and propriety in it the Sunne and the Starres are thine thou art Lord of all let now thy foolish will goe why dost thou give thy selfe up into Covetousnesse and haughtinesse Doth not the kingdome of God Consist in Love and Humility 24. Or doest thou suppose it is so good to dwell in the wrath Behold when the light of thy Eyes doth cease then thou goest into Darknesse and takest thy folly to which thou hast heere addicted thy selfe along with thee Is then the Darknesse better then the Eternall Light Ask the Night whether it be better then the Day or doest thou suppose that wee are mad that wee thus speak wee speake what wee see and testifie what wee know and thou art blinde 25. Thus art thou blinded by the Babylonish Whore which the Covetous-Devill brought forth when Men were secure and carelesse when they loathed the Word and Spirit of God as the Revelation of John testifieth saying I will come and take away thy Candlestick from thee And Paul saith God shall suffer powerfull Errours to fall among them that they shall beleeve the Spirit of Lying which speaketh Lyes in Hypocrisie and deceit So that they will stick Å¿ Cleave or hang to Devills close to the Devills But in the Last Time saith the Prophet David shall the word of the Lord spring up like grasse upon the Earth open the Gates in the World wide and set open the Doores that the Lord may enter in Who is the Lord hee is the Champion in the battell all swords and speares shall be turned into plowshares and sickles saith the Prophet of God and it shall be done whosoever shall call on the Name of the Lord shall be saved 26. Therefore it is Good to trust in God and though the Earthly Body should alwayes lye in Dung it is but for a little while and none know what houre his Time in this world is out and then followeth the Judgement according to his life Therefore desist from Covetousnesse it is the Eternall Roote of all Evill and of all Folly A Covetous Man is the Greatest Foole on Earth for he devoureth himselfe and causeth disquietnesse to himselfe and so bringeth Evill upon himselfe by it Hee knoweth not what Man it will be who shall possesse his Covetousnesse and many times it is shamefully consumed in Whoring That wherewith one hath destroyed his soule with the same another is frolick in another foolery for it must all come to its Effect But hee that trusteth in God hath continually enough whatsoever he hath he is contented with it and so he is much richer then the foolish covetous person who oppresseth the miserable for Money which cannot prolong his life from Death nor preserve him from Hell 27. The Honest and vertuous gathereth treasure in Heaven he getteth a New Body wherein there is neither hunger nor thirst nor frost nor heate and he hath rest in his Conscience and will Eternally rejoyce in his Treasure And the Covetous Foole gathereth an Earthly Treasure which he must leave to others and an Evill Conscience and a Treasure in the Abysse which will gnaw and eate him Eternally 28. Gods Blessing never leaveth any that sincerely trust in God and letteth that goe which will not stay God hath Wonderfull wayes wherewith he feedeth and nourisheth his children as Daniel in the Lyons Den and Elijah under the Juniper-Tree and the Widdow of Sarepta in the Famine Hee that trusteth in God hath built sure in Heaven and on Earth The Eighteenth Chapter Of Death and of Dying How Man is when he Dyeth and how it is with him in Death A Great Gate of Wonders 1. I Know that Reason will say thou hast never a Or undergone it tryed it and thou art yet in this world in the outward Life how then canst thou know this Indeed Deare Reason according to my outward Man I must say so too
34 Chap. 11. Of the Sophister who is the Devills Priest also of those that fall into sinnes against their will Verse 43 Chap. 11. The Sophister is as Profitable to the Church as a fift wheele in a wagon Chap. 11. The Sophister were better in a Hogsty then in a Pulpit Verse 76 Soule Soules Chap. 1. The Soule is a fire and needeth food Verse 4 Chap. 1. How the Soule dwelleth in the Body and is captivated by the Humane Spirit Verse 10 Chap. 1. The Soule liveth in another substance besides the Spirit of the Elements Verse 11 Chap. 1. Of the Originall-of the faculties of the Soule out of the Eternall Nature and how God dwelleth meerely in himselfe Verse 12 Chap. 1. How the Soule desireth to presse out from the Band of Nature into God Verse 14 Chap. 1. No Nature felt in the Divine Life The Soule is a Fire in the Eternall Nature The Soule is a Spirit having seaven Formes wherein Heaven and Hell consist The Authour here understandeth the Eternall Birth Verse 19 Chap. 1. How the Soule cometh to see and to be able to speake of its Native Country Verse 21 Chap. 2. Of the Light of the Soule also of its fall and how it must enter into the Light againe Verse 49 Chap. 2. How it is with the Soule that attaineth not the Light of God and how it is regenerated anew againe Verse 55 Chap. 3. The Condition of the Soule when Adam was gone out from the Word it was in the seaven Seales of the Father Verse 56 Chap. 5. How the Soule looseth the Majesty of God and is called a Castaway Devill Verse 95 Chap. 5. How Adams Soule was captivated by the Anger of God Verse 146 Chap. 6. The difference between the Soule and the Word Verse 86 Chap. 6. How the Word and the Soule stand not as two Persons Verse 87 Chap. 6. An Earthly Similitude of the Iron and Fire shewing how the Soule dwelleth in the Deity and the Deity in the Soule Verse 88 Chap. 6. How the Soule trembled at the Prison of this Flesh and why God became Man Verse 95 Chap. 6. How our Soule getteth incomprehensible Flesh Verse 96 Chap. 7. What Resolution the Soule must take against the striving Minde and the Devill Verse 8 Chap. 8. The Soule beneath is in Hell and above is in God in Heaven Verse 10 Chap. 8. Of the fainting of the Devill before the Earnest Soule Verse 12 Chap. 8. How the Soule is a Fire that receiveth the property of its food Verse 20 Chap. 8. How the Soule standeth between two Principles also of the desire of the Body Verse 21. Chap. 8. How the Soule must watch how it must forsake its own power Verse 23 Chap. 8. How the Soule desireth to be out of this Earthly Mother and desireth the Eternall Rest Verse 60 Chap. 8. How the poore Soule lyeth captive in the Spirit and Tincture of this world Verse 61 Chap. 8. How the Soule hath not its own Tincture but lyeth in impotency Verse 62 Chap. 8. How the Soule of Adam is gone out from the Lustre of God into the Spirit of this world Verse 63 Chap. 8. The miserable condition of the Soule after the fall of Adam the closing of the seaven Seales Verse 64 Chap. 8. How the Centre of the Soule cannot helpe it selfe Verse 65 Chap. 8. How the Kingdome of Hell would have triumphed over this faire Creature the Soule Verse 66 Chap. 8. How the Soule came againe into its first Mother Verse 69 Chap. 9. How the poore Soule is between Heaven and Hell Verse 22 Chap. 9. The Soule must not dispute with the Devill Verse 37 Chap. 11. The Soule standeth a degree deeper then the Sunne Verse 17 Chap. 11. Out of what the Soule is rouzed and awakened the Soule is Gods childe also of the food of the Soule Verse 18 Chap. 11. A description of the Soule how it is ere it is in the seede Verse 32 Chap. 11. How the Soule hath a hard Combate against the Evill innate properties Verse 36 Chap. 11. How the Soule must be that it may be acknowledged for a childe of God Verse 49 Chap. 11. The Soule is the Devills most beloved Lodging Verse 60 Chap. 12. What is most profitable for Man to doe also what the Soule taketh with it when it departeth from the Body Verse 1 Chap. 14. Not in the Oast but in the Verbum Domini the Soule eateth at the Table of God also where the Soule and the Spirit of the Soule dwelleth Verse 12 Chap. 14. How the Soule is freed from the Devills assaults which the Soule hath a hard task of Verse 13 Chap. 14. How the Soule must fight against the Devill and overcome him Verse 15 Chap. 14. Of the Great danger a Soule is in in this life what the Centre of the Soule is what the Tincture is also of the true name SOULE Verse 26 Chap. 14. In the Eternall Water the Soule is an Angell Also concerning the Fathers standing still Verse 28 Chap. 15. How all committed abominations shall flow up in the Soule Verse 14 Chap. 16. A similitude of the feare and disquietnesse of our Soule in this Body Verse 4 Chap. 16. How the Spirit of this world in flesh and bloud overwhelmeth the Soule Verse 6 Chap. 16. How the poore Soule receiveth heavenly refreshment Verse 8 Chap. 16. Of the Great Humility of the redeemed Soule Verse 9 Chap. 17. Where the Soule dwelleth Verse 9 Chap. 18. How the Soule is that departeth from the body without Conversion Verse 23 Chap. 18. How the sorrow and lamentation of the Soule goeth on and how the Soule giveth up it selfe Verse 24 Chap. 18. A similitude of the state of the Soule after its departure Verse 25 Chap. 18. What joy or recreation the wicked Soule hath Verse 26 Chap. 18. Of the Condition of the Soule that converteth at the very last Verse 28 Chap. 18. Of the Condition of the earnest zealous Soule that feareth God Verse 29 Chap. 1. In the Eternall Nature without the Light of God is the paine and Torment Onely the Angels and Soules proceed from the Eternall Nature why outward things are transitory also the Cause of the Fall of our Soules Verse 16 Chap. 2. Men should not trust their Soules with any Man Verse 5 Chap. 2. Angells and Soules are Eternall Verse 64 Chap. 12. How the Antichristian Soules are after Death till Judgement Verse 28 Chap. 18. How the Spirit of God cannot be awakened in some Soules also what Soule can and what cannot be converted Verse 47 Sound Chap. 4. Further description of the sound and its operation Verse 73 Chap. 4. How the will which putteth forth from the Heart produceth and formeth the sound Verse 74 Space Chap. 1. How the vast space desireth contraction and that there must be a contrary will or else nothing would be neither Darknesse nor Light Life nor Death Verse 33 Chap. 2. What hath shut the vast space into a narrow roome
considering of them the Spirit shall make a Hymne of thanks to the praise of Gods works of wonder as Esaias saith Though your sinnes were as red as bloud if you turne they shall be as wooll white as snow And yet you must know that in the life to come they shall appeare in the Figure but in another source or property Mark this yee children of God for much is herein contained 135. From this Ground wee know that Adam in his Innocency before his sleepe which signifieth Death when he had imagined into the spirit of the foure Elements was in this world in Paradise and yet it might well be said not in this world he was indeed in this world upon the face of the Earth but in a paradisicall source or property in the Dominion of the one pure Element and not in the foure Elements 136. But when he entred into the foure Elements he Entred into Death and his body became like a Beast and the Earth was Cursed from the Lord so that it bare no more Paradisicall Fruit For Adam was driven out into the outward Principle and there he must eate Earthly Fruit and open or manifest the Wonders of the Outward Principle and so he instantly became Earthly 137. For his Body was from the Earth and Created out of the Earth but it was not Earth no more then Gold is Earth though it groweth in the Earth and proceedeth from the Earth for it was Ex Matrice ex Massâ from the Matrix out of a Masse understand out of the substantiality out of which the Earth was originally generated and created The Pure Element is also in the Earth as also Paradise and it is onely the source or property that maketh the alteration wherein the Light of God is detained 138. Adam would be as God in all the Three Principles and the Serpent also perswaded Eve to it that if shee would Eate of the fruite of the Earth shee should know good and evill indeed evill enough care misery and sorrowes in the Death of the foure Elements 139. And therefore seeing the foure Elements must break thence it is that ſ Transitorinesse 〈…〉 Corruption is in Mans Body and the soule which is taken out of the Etetnall remaineth in the Eternall therefore there must come a heavenly body out of the pure Element againe out of the substantiality which is before God out of the Matrix of the Earth like the first Body which was in Adam and must t Or Assume our humane soule receive our humane soule into it and u Or suffer Death Enter into Death and bring us out of Death on the Crosse into the Element againe into the substantiality in the presence of God in Ternarium sanctum into the Holy Ternary For Adams soule was taken on the Crosse in the Eternall Centre where the Heart of God ariseth from Eternity and was breathed into the Created Body of Adam from the Spirit of God and therefore the Heart of God must x Or be Incarnate become Man 140. And as Adam was entered into the Earthly Crosse into the Death of the foure Elements so must the New Adam Christ suffer himselfe to be y Crucified Hanged on the Earthly Crosse and enter into the Earthly Elementary Death for Death sticketh not only in the Earth but also in the Aire and Adam desired also with his Imagination not to enter into the Earth but into the Aire he lusted after the Spirit of the Principle of this world and it laid hold on him And so he fell also into the Earth 141. For the foure Elements are altogether in one another and the Ground or Foundation upon which they stand is the Fire of the fierce Anger of God wherein the Devills dwell as is above mentioned 142. z Note And so the New Adam Christ must enter into the Abysse of the foure Elements viz. into the Hellish Fire of the Wrath and a Or passe presse through the Hell of the wrath through Death and bring the humane soule againe into the Paradise of God 143. And therefore the New Adam Christ was Tempted or Tryed forty dayes in the Wildernesse whether he could stand in the Paradisicall source or property and so eate onely Paradisicall Fruit which groweth in the source or property from the Essences of the Spirit of God and there he did eate ex verbo Domini of the Word of the Lord and not at all of the foure Elements 144. For he did beare also the Earthly Image and there the New Heavenly must overcome the Earthly and the soule must enter againe into the new heavenly body that the Earthly may but onely hang to it and thus also was Adam Created in the beginning 145. He was to eate of Paradise whose property should rule over the Earthly and though he were in the foure Elements yet he was to live in the Pure Element and then he might have continued so Eternally though the Outward Principle should be broken yet he should have remained 146. For he was in Paradise and not in the foure Elements but when he entered into them he entered into Death and the Anger of God in the Abysse of Hell did captivate the soule which Christ brought forth from thence againe 147. O yee Children of Men Mark what is revealed to you doe not account it a fiction and a Historie It is knowne in Ternario Sancto in the opened seale of the Seaventh Forme in the Centre therefore consider what it is 148. Hereby is signified to you the finall breaking of the outward Principle Trim your Lamps the Bridegroome is ready his Trumpet soundeth the Seaventh Angel from the Throne of Heaven soundeth The Mysteries of the Kingdome of God shall be o Or finished accomplished at the time of his sounding and then there is no time more in the foure Elements but then the Eternall Time in the Element in the Life of God and the Time in the Abysse goeth on 149. Goe out from the c From the Confusion of Tongues Languages in Babel for wee all speake but one onely Language in Jerusalem Babel burneth in the Fire or confounded Christendome is kindled in Warres Contention and Strife in Famine and Pestilence in the Anger of God Amen The Sixt Chapter The Two Gates Of the World and also of Paradise most highly to be considered Note more of the Language of Nature 1. WEE have shewed you before the Ground of the Language of Nature how Adam gave Names to Every thing and out of what God spake to Adam viz. out of the Life of the Birth as wee speake at this very Day and if wee consider our selves therein we finde the whole Ground in Heaven and in this world and wee see it well enough with Earthly Bodily Eyes that it is true wee need no other Testimone then the Great Booke Heaven and Earth the Starres and Elements together with the Sunne wherein wee well know the similitude of the Deity 2.
And yet a thousand times better in our selves if wee know and consider our selves for the Spirit giveth every thing its Name as it standeth in the Birth in it selfe and as it formed them in the beginning in the Creation so it also formeth our Mouth and as they are generated out of the Eternall Beeing and are come to a substance so the humane Word goeth also forth out from the Centre of the Spirit in shape property and forme and it is no other then that the Spirit maketh such a substance as the Creation it selfe is when it expresseth the forme of the Creation 3. For it formeth the Word of the Name of a Thing in the Mouth as the Thing was in the Creation And thereby wee know that wee are Gods Children and Generated of God for as God from Eternity hath had the substance of this World in his Word which he hath alwaies spoken in his Wisdome so wee have d That substance Essence or thing it in our Word also and wee speake it forth in the Wonders of his Wisdome 4. For God is himselfe the e Eus Entium Essentia Essentiarum Substantia Substantiarum Beeing of all Beeings and wee are as Gods in him through whom he revealeth himselfe wee see that a Beast cannot expresse viz. it cannot give any thing its name according to its property which is because it cometh not out from the Eternity as Man doth it bleateth and barketh as the forme of the Out-birth of the foure Elements is and hath no higher Spirit then the Elements are though their flitting senses or perceptions are from the f Or Starres Constellations which yet are dumb or in articulate and without g Or Expression comprehension of any substance 5. Now therefore wee will set before you the Ground of the Heavens the Starres and Elements fundamentally that you may yet see what is Heavenly and what is Earthly what is Transitory and Mortall and what is Eternall and Permanent To which end onely wee have purposed to our selves to write this Booke not to boast of our high knowledge which is in God and is no worldly profit to us but out of Love in Christ as a Servant and Minister of Christ To seeke the lost Sheepe of the House of the Israel of God 6. For the Lord hath both the willing and the doing in his hands wee are able to doe nothing also our Earthly Reason understandeth nothing wee are yeelded into our Mothers Boosom and doe as the Mother sheweth us wee know not of any body else wee are not borne with it from the wisdome of this world neither doe wee understand it but what is bestowed upon us that wee bestow againe and wee have no other purpose herein neither doe wee know to what end wee must write these high things but meerly what the Spirit sheweth us that wee set downe 7. And thus wee labour in our Vineyard into which the h Or Father Master of the House hath put us hoping also to eate of the pleasant sweet Grapes which indeed wee have very often received out of the Paradise of God Wee will so speake as for the use of many and yet wee think wee write it but for our selves all which is hidden in God for the fiery driving will have it so as if wee did speake of and for Many and yet I know nothing of it 8. Therefore if it shall happen to be read let none account it for a work of outward Reason for it hath proceeded from the Inward hidden Man according to which this hand hath written without respect of any person 9. And therefore wee exhort the Reader that he will enter into himselfe and behold himselfe in the Inward Man and then wee shall be very sweet and acceptible to him this wee speake seriously and faithfully 10. When wee consider our selves rightly in this i Or description knowledge wee see cleerly that hitherto wee have been lockt up and led as it were blindfold and it is even the Wise of this world who have shut and barr'd us up in their Art and Reason so that wee must be tied to see with their Eyes both in Philosophie and k Divinity Theologie 11. And this Spirit which hath so long led us captive may well be called the Antichrist I finde no other Name in the Light of Nature which I can call it by but the Antichrist in Babel 12. Observe it well and you shall see it riding it shall rightly be shewed to you you need no spectacles or l Or Vniversity Academie to see it withall It rideth over the whole world in all Corners Cities Townes and Villages over body and soule and therefore the Angel in the Revelation biddeth us Goe out from it 13. It is so proud that it rideth aloft over Heaven and Earth yea over the Deity it is like a m Or Queene King riding over the Principle of this World and over Hell But whither wilt thou ride thou proud Woman when this Principle breaketh thou art then without God with all Devills Why doest thou not stay here among the Children 14. O Adam if thou hadst not mounted upon the proud Beast thou hadst remained with the Children of God in Paradise What doth it avayle thee that thou ridest in a strange Principle over God Were it not better for you to be in God What avayleth your Astrall wit that you ride as your own God in Pride you ride meerly in Death who will bring you out from thence if you light not off from your Beast There is none neither in Heaven nor in this world that can bring you out from thence but onely a lowly simple slaine Lamb who hath not the wisdome of this world How will you get out when you ride upon a Dragon The Lamb fleeth before thy Beast it will not bring thee into its Pasture 15. If you Light off and pull off your Dressing and goe in the forme of a Childe to the Lamb then you may catch it it goeth willingly with you if you play like a childe with it in simplicity you must not ride upon it But if you offer to ride upon it it fleeth from you and you finde not its Pasture neither can you light off your Beast it will not let you it holdeth you fast unlesse you heare the bleating or voice of the Lamb at which the Beast trembleth and falleth to the Ground and then you may flee or goe out from Babell If you understand not this you are held fast by the Beast and you ride in Babel in the Confusion 16. My deare seeking and hungry Minde if you would faine be released from the Beast Consider what wee here shall shew you wee wiil not push with hornes and cast you with the Dragon into the Abysse doe but light off and encline your eare to the voyce of the Lamb goe forth from your outward Man into the Inward Man and so you shall come to your true