Spirit of the World dispenseth the general universal Sperm according to the Dark Light or Mixt Impressions 6. No otherwise are the Metals their kinds are seven Lead Quick-silver Tin Iron Copper Gold Silver The Tincture of Sol and Venus is yellow and rosie or redish and of the other five either earthy darkish pale or white Thus is the order in precious Stones of them are also seven distributions besides those of Coral and Amber which are Vegetatives and Christal a figure of the pure Water and besides those in Animals Shell-fish c. 7. And of the seven Orders of precious Stones two are of a bright burning Lustre as the two sorts of Metals one and the other of a yellow glory answering to Gold and Copper in Metals They are 1. Black as the Morion 2. Red or Purple as the Ruby and Granat for the Onyx is more pale 3. Green as the Emerald 4. Changeable as the Jasper and Chrisophras 5. Sky-colour as the Saphire and Amethist 6. Yellow as the Jacinth 7. Bright and burning as the Carbuncle Chrisolite and Calcedon 8. The Properties handed by the Astral Influences are so various that Herbs are much exalted others much debased by Evil Constellations But Metals are â—ess casual their Sperm being better fixt or coagulated precious Stones léast of all if at all being in good measure free from the Curse 9. Thus Vegetables are produced by their Sperm in their Properties thro' the Elements according to the several Principles sorted by the distinguishing Stars Metals are Vegetables transplanted passing a second fermentation and sublimation from the Internal as well as the External Fire whose Spirits have a new fixation 10. Precious Stones are Metals transplanted passing a third coagulation they attain the Love Principle in the Light as far as Visibles are capable and are the Triumphs of the Starry Powers in their exalted Perfection yet is of the same Original Sperm with the more inferior part of the Creation Q. 31. How is the Copulation and Conjunction of Female and Male Nature effected whence their Seed and Growth ariseth A. The six first Verses of the Answer of the 27th Question gives great Light to the first part of this for there is shewn the Cause why the desire of Male and Female is to each other And that not in Animals only but in Vegetatives and Minerals leaving only that here be signified how that is effected whence their seed and growth ariseth which may be understood by what follows 1. The Male-power consisteth in the Properties of harsh Astringency bitter Attraction and Fire The Female Power is of the Properties of the â—our part of the Harshness the anxious part of the Bitterness and the Light Spirit Both make up one Indissoluble Band and Immortal Worm having one and the same only Root therefore must incline to each other 2. As part of a growing Tree clave off from the rest yet fast in the same Root bent off inclines of its own Nature up again towards the Trunk whence it was rent and in the Root whereof it is a sharer and lives whereunto being reunited concurs to bear fruit 3. Also as the Fiery Property longs after That of the Liquid whereby Vegetation issueth so longs the Male for the Female Property And being united have One only Will in their various Properties contributing each the Powers by Natural Instinct which they earnestly thirst after to obtain such increase as suits their Magick seeking To which united desire the Astral and Elementary Spirits assist and in a sort intrude themselves wrestling for predominancy 4. In which strife the prevailing power denominates the Sex and the most genuine Ascendant Planets impress the Properties as Supream Agents of the Principles The Elements also entitle themselves to be Nurses and immediate Parents Thus thrives the Seed and in this order under these Laws and by these necessary consequences from real Causes is growth of all the Species in every genus where is Male and Female 5. And by consent of all Powers giving into one all their Wills the food is so concocted and digested that the tartarous part being separated it becomes an assimilating Vapour and That spirated Vapour is enriched with all the Properties in which are generated according to the four Elements the four Complexions as Blood Melancholy Flegm and Choler and of their and the other Properties Nerves Membranes Gristles Bones also Veins Flesh Fat Urine Spittle And from the fierce Earthy Vapour the Gravel and Stone In this sense also may it be said What is your Life it is but a Vapour And from a second force are all the Pores bored so numerous in the Skin thro' which the Hairs excresce and are vapoured Q. 32. What is the Tincture in the Spermatick kind or species whence the Growth and Lustre ariseth A. What the Sperm is not and what it is the Answer of the 29th Question telleth us This Answer only addeth what the Tincture in the Spermatick Nature is producing Growth and Lustre 1. The Tincture is a Potent Will the pleasant House and Propriety of the Soul very pure and subtle of its own Nature yet flexible and mutable for it is Divine in the Holy Principle dark in the fierce Principle and deceitful in the Out-birth As the Air suits it self to every Creature also to all sorts of Pipes yet very differently Thus the Tincture is insinuated into all Intellectual Rational Animal Vegetative Mineral and Infernal Existencies yet hath no Life of its own 2. The same is thus understood The Elementary Essences compose a Body the Astral Spirit adds Life to the Body the Tincture brings Light to the Living Body such Light as the Senses move by 3. Thus far are the meer Animals associates with Man Then to Man is not only all That but their Tincture exceedingly higher to which was also a Soul out of the first Principle and the Virgin of Divine Wisdom having Life in it self and giving Divine Understanding in which respect Man is an associate with the Angels 4. The Tincture is the sweet Odour Beauty and cheering Verture Tast and Vigour found in Vegetatives The Vertue and Lustre in Minerals as far as the Properties assist or at least impede not and transmuteth and sublimeth them It is also the sparkling glory and transparency in precious Stones with the eminent various Excellencies 5. Yet to shew it not to be holy in it self and to have Divine Understanding as is and hath the Virgin it is Evil in the Evil for the Evil Angels have a Tincture tho' a defiled one even as the Air of it self Pure may be made Pestilential and nauseous 6. And seeing the Tincture is so eminently Noble Excellent and Eternal therefore the prophanation and perverting it render Angels and Men obnoxious to the Eternal Vengeance of the Offended Majesty of the Almighty God Q. 33. Out of what are all the Creatures of the Mortal Life sprung forth and created A. 1. The Creatures of the Mortal Life are
which penetrated the outermost and swallowed it up as Light doth Darkness This Holy World is the Tree of Life it self which in its Original should have been unknown to Adam even as the Tree of Good and Evil should have been unknown to him 6. He should have kept a Child-like resigned Mind which is attained after the corrupt Man consisting of the fierceness of the first and vanity of the third Principle is cut off by the sharpness of that Sword or become Fuel to the flame of it Then the New Man entreth irresistibly by that Guard and Eateth freely and for ever of the Tree of Life till then his Food is of the Tree of Good and Evil and what that Tree is follows 7 The Tree of Good and Evil was the only Tree of that sort that grew in Eden This Tree was Good as partaking of the Vertue of the second Principle though it self grew in the third and it was Evil as partaking of the dark Impression of the first Principle whereby is Poison as the Gall is the Exciter of Life in living Creatures and so that Death and Corruption is in this Worlds Fruits 8 Therefore was it forbidden Adam as being a Production of the Stars and Elements over which he was to Rule for though Adam was in the third Principle he was above it as Eternity is in yet above time God willed Adam to have remained in the Happy State therefore commanded his not touching that which would be Contagious and Mortal as it proved to be by opening in him the Evil of the divided Properties 9. It was in the midst of the Garden that is in the midst between the first and third Principles partaking of both as doth also the Tree of Life but this of Good and Evil hath not the vertue but shadow of the second Principle Q. 58. Wherefore did God Create this Tree seeing be knew well that Man would offend or lay hold on them and hurt himself thereby A. 1. The considering God's foreknowledge unto whom nothing can be casual but all Events which Time divides into past present and future are one instant act should make it seem that God's infinite Goodness would have inclined his Omnipotence to forbear the Creating the Tree of Good and Evil or have restrained it that exquisite Garden that it might at least have been no tempting bait to Adam or Eve's Curiosities Had not the Creator willed such dire Effects as that it should be the Eternal Perdition of so great a part of Adam's Offspring such Reasonings Human frailty calls Wisdom 2. But Predestination and Reprobation may not be here discussed because it falls under the seventieth Question whoever shall live to answer it wherefore it would be here Digressive 3. The Answer of this must be restrained to the Cause of God's creating that Tree of Good and Evil whereby the Transgression was occasioned In Answer whereunto it must be understood that when the Almighty willed to become Creaturely or to behold Himself in Images of Himself He moved the fiat in every of the three Principles viz. according to the first and second in the Triumph of all the seven Properties in the Eternal Nature or Temperature the Holy Heavenly Thrones Powers Dominions Princes and Hosts of Angels 4. Also according to the Out-birth or third Principle out of the great Mystery with the seven Properties but much less sublime was produced the Astral World in so beautiful order yet with such adverse qualities as they were for their excellency adored by some Ancients as Deities and deemed for their Contrarieties Immortal Gods at Civil Wars 5. Who yet being but an Image of the third Principle must by the Wrestlingwheel of Nature be resolved into their Aether not being allied to any Soul which can invest it or it self in a Root of the Eternal Band as Adam's Body was 6. Next out of the Astral for Matter by the insinuation of the Astral Spirit were the four Elements produced and with them and the Astral Spirit the Transitory Creatures and as an other Out-birth the Mineral and Vegetative Common-wealths 7. Lastly According to the three Principles with the seven Properties in due Temper and Harmony with a Soul out of the Potence of the first a Spirit out of the Holiness and Glory of the second and out of the out-flowing vertue of the third Principle was Man made a complete Image of the total God in his first and second he was an Angel in his third lower yet Lord of that Principle also his glorious Body had this excellency above the outward Sun that it was Unīted to an Eternal Soul and so exempt from suffering any Recess but capable of Eternal Splendor 8. From what hath been said it is Evident That the same cause why the Almighty Imaged Himself in the first and second Principles moved Himself in the third also part of which was the Trees of Good and Evil as our outward Eyes witness to us And the like Motive which induced Lucifer to Image in his Will the potence and strength of the first Principle which was his Root and whereof by the Grace and Glory of the second He was Lord in His glorious Body the like Motive induced Adam to Imprint in his Will the Lust after the fructifying Vertue of the third Principle whereof by right of Creation he is part and by Donation hath right of Soveraignty over it 9. And if there yet rest so eminent a Vigor in the Reliques of Man as appears in Women with Child and common Sympathies and Antipathies what was out of Adam's reach especially in the third Principle over which he was Lord being himself subject to none but God Could not his Magical Desire raise that unhappy Plant which he should not have done nor known Then came the severe Inhibition That of the Tree of Good and Evil thou mayest not Eat for in the day thou Eatest thereof thou shalt surely Die. 10 God created Man compleat which he could not have been especially as His Divine Image without the freedom of his own Faculties which the very Brutes have but lest in that one Tree he should harm himself unwarily or by ill exercise of his freedom the dangerous Tree is named it 's Situation described he is warned he is threaten'd on pain of immediate Death What can be more 11. If his Will had been chain'd it had been to take it away or as to speak a Contradiction What had that been but to Uncreate Him What had that been but to inflict the utmost severity on Him who was never yet a Sinner 12. What could confine Adam's Magical Will to call up such a Tree for Moses dividing the Sea Joshuah's stopping the Sun Eliah's calling down Fire his and Elisha's dividing Jordan were but Fragments of Adam's perfect Piece Q. 59. Why did God forbid Man these Trees What was the Cause thereof A. In the 57th Answer appears what this Tree is and why said to be in the midst of the Garden In the
State of things will fall under the Answers of the 33 34 35 36 and 37th Questions by whomsoever they shall by Divine Assistance be resolved Q. 24. Wherefore and to what use and benefit are the Stars created Ans. 1. This of the Stars includes the Sun and Moon for they also are two of the Royal Stars To the better discoursing which it may be orderly 1. To say what they are 2. What they figure and represent 3. What they are Instruments to do 2. They are in the Out-birth vigorous Engines of Omnipotence that by occult and Spiritual Powers can insensibly influence and act irresistible applications for the concreting or generating improving dissolving of all the various Bodies within the Sphere of their Activity or Principle being of the Outward World or Third Principle 3. Thus by similitude the Angels are call'd Stars As doth the Lord of Angels humble himself to be call'd a Star several times in the Sacred Records 4. What they represent and figure The four Forms or Anguishes of binding attracting Anguish and Fire represent the first whole Principle and do form Saturn Jupiter Mercury and Mars The two Forms of Majestick Light and dear Love figure the whole second Principle and do form Sol and Venus And the seventh Form of habitation a seeming change or inconstancy a seeming alteration of increase and diminution of Essence being the Scale and Method of the third Principle formeth the Moon with her Changes and Eclipses 5. The seven Royal Stars are like vowels or spirits of Letters and the innumerable others are like consonants forming infinite variety of syllables and words for as words are the opening of the secret lockt up Mind so are the Stars the opening of the Dark Mystery or Chaos shut up in the Anguish Chambers And as the various Properties of the several Principles are couched in and expressed by the vowels and spirits of the Letters peculiar to them so the seven Royal Stars are suited in and qualified by the three Principles and the seven Properties of the Eternal Nature 6. Thus the Stars figure God in his Almightiness Infinity and Eternity according to the first Principle In His Majestick Triumphant Kingdom of Light according to the second and in His Gracious Kingdom of Love according to the third Principle And are in the very third Principle the express word of what the Devils are in the Dark Abyss and of what the Holy Angels are in the Heavenly World In all which they are an Image of the Image of God so expresly that the Throne or Angelical Kings according to each of the seven Fountain Spirits are imaged by the seven Kingly Stars The Hosts and Legions of the seven Angelical Kings by the rest of the innumerable Constellations and lesser Glories 7. What they do instrumentally Moses saith they were for signs seasons days months and years Deborah makes them Warriors The Stars in their courses fought against Siâ—era The wise men found one of them a Harbinger to tell them of Christ's Incarnation 8. The wise Antients penetrated so far into their Properties Virtues and Orderly Applications in Human and all Terrene Bodies Affairs Governments that by true Natural Magick they could demonstrate their occult Energies by sensible Influences And the Egyptian Magi imitating Moses may not be concluded meerly Impostors tho' their Acquired Operations how really natural soever must humble themselves before the stupendious Fiat of the God of Nature The Babylionian Magi whereof Daniel and his Companions were could interpret and disclose Secrets And the wise men find the King of the Jews by clear Inductions and Conclusions of Natural Operations as are found Real Causes by Natural Consequents 9. But some Modern Pretenders to Wisdom little more than gaze on the Stars and take up with names and numbers and where they see more will entitle Satan to the honour of God's great excellent Works amongst his Creatures 10. Having thus made way be it known Man hath an Astral Spirit call'd by Some an Evester by others otherwise which laies hold on him at the enkindling of his Life when his Embrio in the Conception is ennobled by a Living Soul and that Astral Spirit sublimeth or debaseth his Intellect decorateth or incurvateth his Mind towards Good or Evil. This as the Separators Instrument doth model and distinguish into Sexes dispenseth such Peculiar Properties as their successive ascending Regiments by prevalence or precedency shall impress then and at the Birth the Internal Faculties more or less capacious c. The whole composure of Body the Eye Feature Stature Lineaments Voice Seal of the Palm Tincture of the Parts caâ—t of the Hair c. 11. The Stars are such Arbitrary Lords since Adam's heavy Fall subjected him thereunto that they can well proportion the Elementary Body of one a Mind well composed Atchievements successful his course renowned Another they load with an incumbring Body of Ill Symmetry perverse Humours and unprosperous and finish him with a Tragical Exit 12. The Astral Vertue is woven into all the variety of Minerals distributing weight to one making Lead from Saturn so Mars harshness makes Iron Venus Copper those with the work of the power of Sol produceth Gold and so of the rest 13. Their Vertue is also as apparent in the other parts of the Creation as in Vegetables from the Cedar to the Hyssop or pile of Grass In Insects that there is infused both utmost diligence and providence which is observed in the Ant. What is the Spur of the delicate curious Bee the crafty industrious Spider the profitable Contexture of the Silk-worm with its Transmigration all proceeding from the strife of the Properties 14. In Sensitives and Animals are there Inscriptions some fitted by the first four Forms or some of the four for prey and hostility others by conjunction of more benevolent Aspects are mild some very docible So in the general Body of Nature by some call'd the Soul of the World are Sympathies and Antipathies c. In all which no cause is left to doubt but their Vertue is expresly eminent in the several Elementary Worlds Who sees not that all things bear their Impressions Some according to the Darkness and others the Light and some after the mixt Powers from their peeping up into Propriety till their being resumed by their several Ethers and first Principles 15. As the Stars are over under and incircle us so their Energies and Powers are in us and on us we are strong in their strength they are not ours more properly than that they are us even a very great part of us They are the Pilot of the Elementary part and the Chariot of our Eternal Soul And to our shame and sorrow it must be acknowledged they are in very many Lords paramount even over the High-born Noble Eternal Soul very many give up their Will to their Conduct for never laying hold of the Grace provided for them in the true Jubilee are voluntary Ear-boar'd Slaves 16. But
the Grave A. 1. If it be clearly known what the High-Priests were and what Figure they bear it may also be known why they would resist God and strive to keep Christ in the Grave And what they were and figur'd is manifest in the 128 Answer They were as to their fiery Zeal Captives in the Properties of the first Principle without enkindling the Light of the â—econd which makes Men free Their heat as to their Law was rooted in Enmity which is the true cause of all Persecutions 2. For if they had been moderated by the Maxims of the third as obscure as they are Tho' the Divine Light had been withheld and not enkindled yet cruel Persecution could not would not thence naturally have proceeded See 118 Answer 3. It is written Cast not Pearls before Swine left they trample them under their Feet which Swine are the Bestial Men in the third Principle Again Cast not holy things to Dogs lest they turn again and rent you These are they of the Wrath Principle or first Principle whose Root is in the dark fiery property and anguish of that first Principle So that a Hog is better than a Dog 4. Whenever we are shutting out the Rebukes of God in his Providences against our wilful Contrivances or the Convictions from his Word Preached or written or the just Reproofs of good or bad Men for our faults or the checks of our own Hearts and Gods Witness in our Consciences and would by our partiality and indulgence to our selves flatter our selves hide our evils like Adam seek excuses stifle silence extenuate or any way palliate the Matter charg'd on us then are we as those Watchers keeping Christ as much as in us lyes from the Resurrection out of the Grave Q. 133. Why did the Evangelist say that the Angel removed the great Stone from the Door or Mouth of the Sepulchre Could not Christ have riâ—en else out of the Grave A. 1. This is the eighth Angelical Ministration to Christ recorded by the Evangelists there being ten in all viz. 1. To Mary before the Conception 2. To Joseph concerning her 3. To the Shepherds at the Nativity 4. To Joseph to fly from Herod into Egypt 5. To return on the death of Herod 6. To â—he Lord aâ—ter his Fasting and being Tempted 7. Again to the Lord in his Agony in the Garden 8 This removing the Stone 9 Two Angels in the Sepulchre after his Resurrection 10. Two Angels at the Ascention 2. By reason of Mans folly and slownes of Heart to believe the great and important Doctrine of Christs being risen did it please the Lord to condescend this way to help Mans Infidelity and confirm their weak Faith And therefore came the Angel of the Lord and rouled back the Stone and sate upon it and there was a great Earthquake and the Keepers did shake and became as dead Men for the countenance of the Angel was as Lightning 3. There was no need oâ— the Lords part to roul away the Stone for his Heavenly holy Body which enâ—red to the Apostles the Doors being shut could not be detained by the Stone of the Sepulchre For the Heavenly Humanity is not included nor exclusible by any thing but passeth unapprehended through all things being Lord of all living in himself in his own holy Principle the Eternal Liberty 4. But the poor Earthy Children of faln Adam being Captives in the third Principle have need enough of all Gods gracious Condescendings to work Faith and confirm our Confidence and ground our hope for which gracious ends was the glorious Messenger of Irresistible Majesty sent on this Errand But so obstinate and great â—s Mans hardness of Heart that all this and what followed were needful to settle a Foundation for his Apostles and Martyrs to build their and our Faith upon But for ever blessed be the Almghtâ— God that all his gracious Promises and Purposes are abundantly ratified and opened for he is for ever the yea and Amen 5. Thus as Adam in the Face of good and bad viz. of the Holy and Hellish Worlds felâ— into impotence into the Our birth of the third Principle So the second Adam bâ— the Ministry of the glorious Ambassador of the mighty power World whose Countenance was as lightning and in presence of the astonished Souldiers figuring the Hellish Principle raised the right Humane Nature And thus also must we if we will arise with our Head be as Passives suffering the Lord to exercise all his Rights in and on us with a resigned sence of our inability wretchedness and vanity Q. 134. What is the power of Christs Resurrection through Death How did he make a Triumphant shew of Death on his Body What was it then that he did with it A. In the 45th Answer is shew'd what Adam was before his Fall In the 69th Answer is what Adam's Fall plung'd him and us into and in the 121st what the death of Christ and effect of it is Every of which three Answers being duly consider'd will conduce much to the opening of this We come to search what the power of Christs Resurrection is whereby he Triumphed over all opposite Powers and Principalities and made a shew thereof in his Body 1. The Fall and Curse brought wrath into Adam's several Principles viz. the four properties of the first into Enmity and Rage Also so captivated obscured and buried the Transparency of his second Principle that the Virgin of Divine Wisdom totally disappearing retir'd into her own Heaven thenceforth he became wholâ—y impotent and utterly dead to the Divine Magia only the Siderial Magia did â—it as Councellor in his Earthy Reason whereinto the Serpentine subtilty can familiarly insinuate 2. But so much of the Tincture remained in him as is inseparable from the several Existencies and for the sake whereof the very Out-birth of the Creatures shall in their Idea's have a Resurrection by Vertue of the Tincture in them 3. His third Principle was also as wretched as its Capacity extended to for the Astral Man was under a series of Evil Cross Conjunctions and Aspects The Elementary was brutish degenerate and like the worst of Beasts Where was now the dear first precious Image of Modesty when he was now half Devil and half Beast 4. Of this fierce State and Death it is said O Death I will be thy Death which is done by introducing of Life and the Life thus enkindled is as the Tincture transmuting Metals by feeding their hunger by such part of the vertue of the second Principle which the hunger longeth after and is capable of 5. And the Divine Love fire begotten and arising in the Soul is the Soul's Resurrection of which it is said Blessed and holy is he that hath part of the first Resurrection for of such the second Death shall have no Power 6. The great Doctrine of the Resurrection hath had many Enemies besides the Athenians who laught at it for the Sadduces amongst the
Excellency to Sensitives from the Ant to the Elephant their activity comeliness usefulness cunning and seminal Power But above all to Man a vigorous beautiful Body a prudent capacity and prosperous success furnishing him with such Abilities as may be applicable to preserve himself and others by implanting improving and repairing things profitable and extirpating and preventing the noxious also ennobling him with such Endowments whereby he may rule over and give conduct to the Inferiour Creatures and use the Creation the Earth Water Air Fire and Wind as his Servants to do his Work without Wages or Limitation of Time c. The Ruler of the day and Mistress of the Night are his Directors On the 25th Question and Answer Of the Temporal Natures Light and Darkness whence they sprung and exist Seeing they sprung from exist by and are manifestations of the two incomprehensible Principles the holy Light World and the dark Wrathful World how large a Field of Meditation is here to us Men who are little Worlds The Experience of one Man hath been that his Closet approaches in the Evening hath been more confused perplext and impure and his most early Morning access more simple chearful and vigorous the former seeming not only toucht with the days contagion but at the entrance of the figure of the dark Abyss whereas his Morning hath been a Sally of the Soul out of a Dungeon more transported with a new Glory figuring the Resurrection Which seems to be one reason the Christians about an hundred years after the Incarnation used to meet at certain days before Sun-rising to Sing Hymns to Jesus Christ c. Hence those in whom Christ is risen are the Children of the day for New Ierusalem knows no Night If therefore thou my Soul art risen with Christ the things over which thou art risen are to thee dead dry withered trash and thou art entred by the first Resurrection into the new fruitful growing state But where are the steps of thy growth is it in the figure or similitude of the New Birth Hast thou a Lamp without Oyl A fair Building not rightly founded Livest thou on the Letter without the Life Art thou receiving Seed but choaking it with the outward Principle Art thou one of the Grains that shall be fann'd away Or hast thou entred the true second Principle Do thy Original forms generate the true Light whereof the outward Light is but a shadow and therewith the Divine Love whereof the highest outward delight is but a weak Similitude Is there in thee a deep humble foundation and a springing up of Life through Death as a structure on that profound Basis. If so the day is dawned and the Day-Star risen else not a dim weak sight yet infallibly informs when 't is day and when not and why should it be so mysterious to our Intellect But so dismal is Mans Fall that the Children of Darkness may more unerringly doom themselves such than those of the day can be assured of their progress therein While that often good beginnings are flatter'd as if the Prize were won and yet themselves degenerate into wild Grapes and wild Olives and the awakened Souls are often under various Misrepresentations fears and impressions proceeding sometimes from real and sometimes from supposed causes as it happens to a distressed Traveller in an unknown Countrey or as to a laden Ship labouring under successive Surges Seeing therefore the day and night we carry about in our Bosoms figur'd by the natural day and night is truely Heaven and Hell what highest diligence is necessary to introduce and stir up the one and what dreadful earnest cautions are requisite like Sea marks where the Ships have been split to shun the other On the 26th Question and Answer Of the separation of the Water above the Firmament from the Water which is underneath the Firmament and of the Created Heaven in the midst of the Water 1. The Created Heaven out of the midst of the Water being the outward Heaven partaking of both Waters is like the Tree bearing the Forbidden Fruit which stood in the midst of the Garden between the inward and outward Principles and partaking by Figure of the inward but really was of the outward The Water above the Firmament is a part of holy Paradise and that under the Firmament our palpable Mortal Water yet a similitude of the other for as this is our condensed Air and our Air as the Breath of Fire so is that holy living Water the meekness of the Heavenly which Air is exalted from the Incomprehensible Forms of the holy Fire And as our Water hath a cleansing property to the outward Man so hath that a purifying power to the inward As ours gives reception to the Light which no sooner looks on it but through it So is that the Vehicle or Transparent Habitation of the Eternal Light not to be understood so grosly as the Blood is of the Life of Creatures but in a sense agreeable to the Spiritual Power and Property thereof 2. And as Luoifer not obtaining his inordinate desire excited his Central Fire to the drying up of his meek Water wherein his Light shone his Light thenceforth disappeared So when Man 's dark implacable Lust thirsting for Domination Revenge or to compass some other evil according to the fierce Anguish of the Fire Soul is quenched overcome and kill'd by the sinking down humble subjection and true resignation of the Will to the Divine Councel and Conduct a new Life is generated of Childlike Obedience by the arising of this Water of the upper Springs which cleanse and become in that Soul a Well of Living Water springing up to Eternal Life For his Water is the Eternal Light and Eternal Love substantiated in such degree as this holy living Water can be capable so to be signified by that in the Brass Lâ—wer between the Tabernacle of the Congregation and the Altar wherein the Priests were to wash that they died not 3. Why Oh my Soul are thy daily and hourly thoughts so low and impure It is not the defect of a Fountain of that above the Firmament but because thou usest it not Why sometimes feelest thou the Fire of prevailing Wrath proceeding from Impatience that from Pride that from Ignorance of God and thy self but because thou drawest not by an earnest thirst this living Water nor finkest into it Why is it by the returns of thy old Habits thou so often defilest thy self and so seldom washest in these Waters Did not the Priests wash as often as Sacrifice was it not daily Morning and Evening wants not the Earth the former and latter Rain So let Oh my Lord my cleansing be frequent and constant as was that of the Priests Let it be real as the Fire of the Altar and the Water in the Laver was real Let my cleansing be universal and extend to all the active Properties as they washed both Hands and Feet and their Fire consumed the whole Burns Offering
him and gave him the superior Primacy in whose bright Light was perfect understanding 3. But he seeing himself so Triumphant moved the Spirit generated by the seven so hard and strongly that it became very fiery climbing up in the Fountain of the Heart 4. But had it moved gently and lovingly as the seven did before they became creaturely there had been generated a lovely mild Son like to the Son of God and then the Infinite Light the Son of God would have been delighted in and played with the small Light in Lucifer as with a young Son or dear little Brother 5. But let not the Devil make any believe Gods will was that he had some Men should be loft and so pervert Gods Truth defending the Devil by Lies 6. For know the whole Deity hath in its innermost Birth or Pith a very tart terrible sharpness in which 1. The Astringent quality is a very hard dark cold attracting like the extream Frost congealed Water when suppose the Sun totally taken away which austere attraction causeth fixation of the Body and the hardness drieth it up so that it subsisteth creaturely 7. The bitter quality is tearing cutting and penetrating driving the Astringent to Mobility From the fierce rubbing and raging of both which 8. A wrathful kindling proceedeth 9. And in this eager strife existeth a hard Tone or Noise penetrating all like a Tyrant according to which God calls himself an Angry Jealous God and in this consisteth Hell Enmity and Eternal Perdition And such a Creature is the Devil come to be 10. And in these is God an All-comprehensible All-fixing Sharp God 11. But in the strife and heat of these qualities ariseth the Light and in the Light and the Sweet Water the Flash of Life wherein all the foregoing qualities are made pleasant as a sour Apple by the Sun is made sweet and good yet the Taste of the other qualities remain in it The Head Spring and Fountain of Sin 12. Lucifer's qualifying Spirits having an Imaging Power in that Royal Body vehemently affected the high Light so triumphantly that they lifted up themselves to Pomp and Stateliness leaving the Angelical Obedience whereby the great bright flash became so bright as was intolerable to the Fountain Spirits against the right of Nature So that the bitter quality which Existeth in the sweet Water and is the cause of joy trembled and rub'd it self so hard in the Astringent that the Fountain or Quality of Heat was eagerly kindled Which bitter and hot Quality caus'd the Astringent to dry up the sweet Water wherein the Heavenly Heat and Light have their Being And thenceforth could not the Heat rise to a Flame or Light for the Light existeth in the Oyliness of the Water thus dryed up but glowed as red hot Iron or rather a very hard Stone in the greatest Heat 13. Not that the Spirit of the Water was devoured but its quality was turn'd into a dusky hot and sour Quality Which introduced extremity of Cold also whereby the whole Body grew fierce and wrathful And the bitter Quality raged and became a Poyson hence sprung the first Poyson which bitter poysonous Death comes also into poor Humane Flesh. 14. And now was Lucifer an Astringent hot bitter dark cold sour stinking poysonous Fountain And the Tone rose up through the bitter Qualities penetrating the Heat and Astringent hard Quality as a clap of Thunder 15. God created Angels out of himself that they might be harder and dryer compacted than the Ideas or Forms which through the qualifying of the Spirits of God in Nature rise up and through the moving of the Spirits pass away again that their Light in their hardness should shine brighter and the Tone of their Body should sound clearer and shriller than it did before either shine or sound in the Salitter which was thin and dim And therefore they lifted up themselves tho' they knew themselves to be but a piece of the total God supposing they were a fairer little Son than the Son of God himself and that they could qualifie operate and elevate themselves above the whole God and Rule and Govern all without Corrival or Supream Comptroller 16. Here lyes the Root of Covetousness Envy Pride and Wrath. All Lucifer's Angels fell with him for he was created out of the Kernel of the Salitter out of which they were created he their Lord they were all of one will with him which they would not suffer to be taken away 17. Q. Did not the Universal God know this before the Creation of the Angels 18. A. No. for if so it had been a Predestinate Will in God to have it so and had been no Enmity against God but God had created him a Devil God made him a King of Light and for Disobedience spewed him out of his Royal Throne 19. God knew this according to his Wrath in which he is not called God but a consuming â—ire but knew not this according to his Love according to which he is called God into which no fierceness entreth and so God is alone called God or Goodness 20 And what Gods Love knoweth sensibly or feelingly in it self that it also and that only it willeth 21. The Devils Prison is in upon and above the Earth up to the Moon till the last day And 22. Then their House will be in the place where the Earth now standeth and this will be called the Burning Hell but not in such a Form as it now standeth but separated in the kindled wrath Fire into a dark hot cold rugged hard bitter stinking Reliâ—ks dregs or dross CHAP. XVIII Of the Creation of Heaven and Earth 1. WHen the Astringent quality was predominant the hard dry Stones came to be 2. But where the Astringent and Bitter were equally predominant there sharp Gravel and Sand. 3. Where the Tone and Astringent in the Water there Copper Iron and Rocky Oar. 4. Where the Water there the wild Earth But the Bitter Spirit is the chief cause of the Black Earth 5. Yet the Heat in the Astringent chiefly helped to make the hardness and there it generated the noblest and preciousest Saâ—â—â—ter in the Earth as Gold Silver and precious Stones 6. But when the hot Spirit in the sweet Water was predominant in the Love the Astringent made the Oar of precious Stones c. CHAP. XIX Concerning Heaven what it is where it is and how it is 1. THat there is a pure glorious Heaven in all the three Births aloft above the deep of this World in which is Gods Being and the Holy Angels he is not Born of God that denieth Which comprizeth the Kingdoms of Michael and Uriel and continueth as it was from Eternity with which the innermost and holy Birth in this World uniteth being all one Body of God one Heart one Will one God all in all for the true Heaven is every where 2. When thy Spirit apprehendeth the
Essences in the Centre of the Eternal Band so in the new Birth may be seen the dark and holy Worlds as that whereout the new Man is Born Even as the Word in the Father and the Spirit which goeth forth from the power is the life of the Deity The Eternal Will is the Creator and the Father is the Being of the Will and the Essences caused by the Will There are two Wills causing two Principles in one Being but the first is not called God but Nature or Essence the second Will is the beginning and end making Nature or Essence manifest 2. The first Will being an Eternal desire to Generate the Word can be called only the desiring in the Will which with a strong eagerness contracteth narrowness to be the manifester of wideness which attraction is thicker than the Will and as its darkness and in the Egress of the desiring are the Essences viz. a sting of sensibility which the desiring cannot endure therefore rageth so much the more into such Enmity as is betwixt Heat and Cold and this Impetuosity causeth Mobility Terror and Anguish moving upwards where being restrained it stirs Circular whence come Multiplicity and tho' without feeling being meer Spirit and Forms of Nature yet so terribly raving that it buildeth and destroyeth as Life and Death and here is the Sulphur Mercury and Salt of high-knowing ancient Philosophers 3. Two Forms sharp cold and bitter stinging make the Wheel of the Essences which two are in terrible Anguishes without the other Forms generated out of them for the sharp sourness is like hard Stones and the sting of the attracting breaketh them which is rightly called Phur which would hold the Will in the Darkness which cannot be captivated being incomprehensible and is the flash of the sting And the bitter sting dissipateth the darkness of the Astringency as the flash ariseth from a stroke on a sharp Flint the bitter sting extreamly sharpeneth it self consuming the darkness even so the Fathers sharpness is a consuming Fire being the liberty which is free from Nature as much as the Mind is above the Sences and when the sourness hath captivated the liberty the fourth form is generated and the crack of the flash is the third Form making the sour Anguish or Brimstone Spirit For if the sourness sharpeneth extremely it is the proper limit of Eternal Death the Brimstone Spirit is the Soul of the four Forms having the Fire in it and would enkindle Nature and fly above it in a horrible power as may be considered in the Devils 4. Sul in Sulphur is the Soul in an Herb it is the Oyl not originating in the Centre as Phur doth but is generated after the flash even as all the four Forms in this third Principle are by the Suns vertue in a great degree moderated and made amiable in like manner doth the second Principle enlighten the Centre of the four Forms in the Holy Angels making them lovely and pleasant Mercurius comprizeth all the four Forms and Sal is the greatest in corporeal things The four Forms are the cause of all things making the Wheel of the Essences and every Essence which are themselves innumerable is again a Centre so that the power of God is unsearchable 5. The Fall of the Devils was their extinguishing in themselves the Light of the Heart of God wherefore they are shut up in the anxious four Forms Man fell from that Light also into that of this World Who if he enters not again into the Light of God when this Body breaketh he is in the first Birth of Life with the Devils yet both would climb up above Heaven but cannot feel or see that Principle like as we Men with our outward Eyes cannot see God who is always present nor the Angels who are very often with us except we put our earnest Will into God then we see and feel him with the Mind So also if we go with our Will inâ—o wickedness we receive the Hellish Principle and the Devil takes fast hold of our Heart Whereof the Soul is so sensible that often in desperation they destroy themselves by the Sword Ropes or Water 6. Tho' the Hellish Creatures have but four Forms manifest to them yet can they turn themselves into all Forms as infinitely as Mens thoughts except the holy Forms The Fire is their right Life and the sour Astringency of the darkness their right Food 7. The first Eternal Will is the Father and Eternally generateth the Word his Son who is the Heart of the first Will having in him the vertue and power of the first Will and a several Centre in it self The Father expresseth all things by the Son and whatever is expressed by the Spirit and Power of the Father in the word is in a Spiritual manner for what is formed out of the Eternal is Spirit and Eternal as Angels and Souls of Men are And tho' the four Forms keep their own Centre yet out of them cometh the Light and in the Light the Love which shineth in the darkness but the darkness comprehendeth it not The Father is in himself the light clear bright Eternity yet without a Name for if the Eternal Liberty did not generate there would be no Father but seeing he doth generate the Band of Nature he manifesteth himself therewith with his fiery sharpness an angry Zealous or Jealous God and Consuming Fire out of which presseth forth the Meekness as a sprout out of Death turning Enmity into Love CHAP. III. Is concerning the Sixth and Seventh Forms 1. THE generating of the Love is in the sixth Form viz. Mercury the sound Tone or Song as also the five Senses The Son of God is rightly the Flame of Love who created the Angelical World out of himself whence goeth out the Virgin of the Eternal Wisdom of God by which God created this World out of the first Principle and that which goeth forth with or out of the Love is the Holy Spirit of the Word this together is the Trinity in Unity But as in the wrath there is a striving contrary Will here is an Embracing 2. The sourness retaineth its strength in the sharpness of Love but it is very soft and the sixth Form makes Voices Tunes and Sounds so that the Essences hear one another and in the Assimilation taste one another in the breaking through of their Power feel one another in the desirous Love smell one another and in the Light see one another The six Forms are the six Seals of God what in the dark Centre is a poysonous Woe and Anguish is in this the exalted Joy and Triumph a satiating of the first Will which is call'd Father for the Son is the Word the Brightness the Power the Love the Life the Wonder of God he is the Essence which manifesteth every Essence Concerning the seventh Form of the Eternal Nature The revealed Gate of the Essence of all Essences 3. The time of this World from the beginning to the end
and Sorrow Meekness and Fierceness thus it is in the Father's Nature This twofold desiring in one substance are two Centres that to Meekness not severed from the other is the second or Son and is therefore call'd the Son because generated out of the Father's Nature call'd the Word because he is the Glance or Majesty of the Eternal Liberty call'd a Person because he is a Self-subsisting Essence not the Birth of Nature but the Life and Understanding of Nature and call'd the Heart of the Father because he is the Vertue and Power of the Centre of Nature as the Heart is in the Body and call'd the Light of the Father because he takes his Lustre out of the sharpness of the Eternal Nature and call'd wonderful for by him out of the Father's Essences are all things brought to Light the Father and Son are as Fire and Light 7. The Holy Ghost is the third the Breath or Noise is that which makes the Will manifest and the Heart also The Noise is the awakener of Life framer of the Sences or Reason and bringer of one Essence into another Thus the third Person is a Self-subsisting Essence going in triumph with the Essences the Father and manager of the Sword of Omnipotence the destroyer of Malice and Evil the opener of the Genitrix in the Darkness All which is thus shewed in Man his Body tho' it hath the Essences were senceless without the Spirit Again the Spirit is not the Understanding and Light it self for the Light is the blossom and originateth in the Tincture of the Fire and the Spirit is the blower up of the Fire CHAP. V. Of the Virgin the Wisdom of God and of the Angelical World and of the Holy Trinity 1. GOD is only One every where present the Mind therefore asketh if the Spirit goeth out from God whither goeth he seeing he remaineth in the mouth of God as a Spirit in a Body to which it is answered he goeth forth revealing God as in the seven Lamps and opening gradually the seven Seals but the seven Thunders being in the dark Matrix of Fierceness he hideth and â—ealeth not to be known till they are past and the whole Mystery of God's Kingdom opened by the seventh Angel And the Glassy Sea is the Water Spirit whence the Fiat made not only the outward Element of Water but every thing for in this seventh Form in great Holiness is the Father revealed in this Angelical World 2. Thus the Father's Will maketh the cause of Nature which is a Darkness consisting of the four first Forms to become seven and thence infinitely the seventh being their Body in this Earth for the Fathers Nature in the Wrath makes this Corporeal in which the Devil as Prince in the Wrath is called Prince of this World And the same is also in the deep of the Astral Wheel Just so is it also in the inward Holy World which is not severed from this but this severed by a Principle from that for there is no Angle where the inward World is not 3. The Angelical World of Love and humble Joy is the Sons and at the flash two Kingdoms sever Love and Wrath there is made the Cross with the two Centres as Light hath another Centre than Fire tho' not separated and on this Cross Birth is the Heart or Son of God generated from Eternity in Eternity at this Cross lie the Holy Children of the Virgin Image and in the Wisdom of the Serpent are the Children of this World The Holy Ghost goeth forth from the Father through the Son as the Air from Fire and Light revealing in the Angelical substantiality and this is meant by Ternarius Sanctus The highly Precious Gate for Man to consider of 4. The Wisdom of God is an Eternal Virgin of Purity in whom the Holy Ghost hath discovered the Image of Angels and of Man also of the third Principle she is the great secret Mystery which unapprehended goeth in the Powers and Anger of the Father opening the Wonders in the Forms and Seals of Nature Through her hath the Holy Ghost not only made Corporeal Existences out of both Matrixes of the substantiality but a limit to them where the seven Forms shall go into their Ether as after the six days Work or six Creations they enter the seventh being their Eternal Rest and the time of the seventh Seal and Trumpet yet both Mothers shall stand before the Trinity in the Eternal Figure for the glory of God's works of wonder 5. Tho' this Virgin be incorporeal yet is the Spirits Corporeity and Visibility her heavenly similitude is the Beauty and Lustre of all Fruits the Vertue of all Jewels and Vegetables she may be as the Tincture of the Holy Element wherein the Paradisical growing consisteth and the seven Forms as the holy delight of the Angels wrestle being a fulfilling of the will of every Life she is not circumscribed every Divine Creature as the Angels and holy Souls of men hath this Virgin in the Light of their Life in this we see the Majesty of the Deity We comprehend not the Trinity the Spirit of the Soul standing in the Divine Centre seeth it but imperfectly for the Soul is but out of one Form of Nature as there are several sorts of Angels yet can the Soul introduce it self into all forms the Trinity only is perfect God is manifest in a creaturely form in Angels and whole Angelical World for they are not out of the substantiality which is without understanding but out of the Centre of the seven Forms of the Eternal Nature out of each Form a Throne Angel and out of each Throne his Angel so was it a whole Dominion fell with Lucifer And the Dominions among Men which yet are all but Stewards originate here tho' a sort of proud Clergy would rule over them The Distinction between the Substantiality and the Element also between Paradice and Heaven 6. The Substantiality is in Heaven the Corporeity of the seven Spirits is call'd God's Body also the Body of our Regenerate Soul it is Christ's Body given us to eat in his Testament comprehensible to the Spirit of the Soul tho' not palpable to our outward sences yet in it self without understanding And the one Element doth lead the Principle in the Substantiality as a movable Life it is not the Spirit of God himself but the Spirit hath this Element as a â—ody 7. Heaven is call'd in the Meekness the Water Spirit and is the outward inclosure or Firmament parting the Principle and Paradice is the springing up out of the Essences through all Forms through the one Element through the Substantiality and through Heaven as the flourishing of a rich springing Rosy Garden and therefore was Adam therein that is in that Principle and also in this World The Gates of this World also the Language of Nature 8. All our knowledge of God is his own Revelation of himself for the Spirit of God hath imaged the Wisdom of God
till that be consumed and then their Power lyeth in Darkness waiting the last Judgment when the Holy shall be seen by the Wicked 5. If any conceit a place where they sit one among the other that is quite contrary to the Magia every one is where it will be and where ever it is it is in God or in Darkness but this Deep is our Aether and Kingdom 6. A Soul may if it desire it go into the upper Angelical World where God's Angels will lovingly entertain it and they have pure Works with them they also delight to be with us Q. 22. What every Soul departed doth whether it rejoyceth or no till the Day of the last Judgment A. 1. They all abound with great inward Joy and wait to put on their bright fair holy new Body out of the old their Joy and Hope is different as Labourers Expectations are who at the end of the Week receive every one according to their degrees of Labour and Diligence 2. Those who have put on Christ's Body here are as one who having overcome his Enemies in a Fight represents the Victory before his King who receives him with great Joy and Honour 3. The Expectation of the wicked Soul is as an imprison'd Malefactor still listening when any thing stirs and the Executioner comes all their passed wickednesses stand before them in such different Aggravations as they had here Q. 23. Whether the wicked Souls without difference in so long a time before the Day of Judgment find any Mitigation or Ease A. 1. The Souls of the wicked have no Mitigation their greatest Mitigation is the climbing up of their Minds to do still the wickednesses they did here and the terror of the last Judgment continually seizeth on them 2. In this Life the Soul is in the Angle of the Ballance and may go into Love or Anger but when the Ballance breaketh it is past recovery for who can break Eternity 3. But here God's Spirit in his Prophets teacheth the Cross and the Devil teacheth Pleasures take which you will and be taken in it Eternally the Cross leadeth to Love and Pleasure to the Anger Kingdom Q. 24. Whether mens Wishes profit them any thing or sensibly come where they are or no A. 1. The Prayers of the Righteous pierce into Heaven not into Hell out of Hell is no recalling Prayer for such returns to you again and continueth in its own Principle 2. But where such leave much falshood behind them for which torment is wished them that cometh where they are But let all beware they sow not into Hell that they reap it not 3. Some Souls hang as by a thread 'twixt Faith and Doubting where Fire and Light part whose weak Faith is detained by their Turba some a tedious time yet the Anger cannot devour their little Faith but they sink down at last through Anguish into the meek Kingdom 4. To such may come a total hearty zealous Prayer of a faithful Brother for the Prayer of such can open the Gates of the Deep a whole Principle and take hold of that which is capable of it For the weak Soul layeth hold on its loving Brother's Divine earnest Will and Might and sinks down out of Anguish through Death and attains God's Kingdom But cannot help it to Glorification for that shines out of the Souls own Substance 5. The Popish Juglings for Money by Masses is gross Deceit for the Prayer of the Covetous entreth only into his Chest. But Christ's Holy Congregation where all is done in true earnestness hath great Power Q. 25. What the Hand of God and Bosom of Abraham are A. It is the All-Substantial or All-Being every-where-presence of God in the Messiah Christ viz. in its own Principle as is sufficiently explained before Q. 26. Whether the Souls of the Deceased take Care about Men their Children Friends and Goods and know see like or dislike their Purposes and Undertakings A. There are three distinct sorts of Souls or in three several Conditions 1. Such as have not yet attained Heaven but have Humane Matters on them searching the cause of their detention and many of them appear in Human Form in the Starry spirit take care about Wills c. Sometimes their earthy Business sticks to them taking care of their Children and Friends but when the Starry-spirit is consumed they have no more feeling Knowledge only see it in the Magia for in care is the Turba which they are sunk through But a living Man hath Power to reach into Heaven as King Saul did to Samuel 2. Such as are sunk down farther but are yet in one place of the Principle with the other these meddle with no business wherein the Turba sticketh but rejoyce when living vertuous Souls send their Works to them and are so friendly as to appear to Men magically in their sleep instruct them in good and often reveal Arts which lye deep in the Abyss of the Soul For now the Soul is free and in the Arcanum of God Even so do the Damned Souls magically teach the wicked great Master-Pieces of Evil and Mischief This the Devil doth by Human Souls himself being too rough and terrifying the Magia 3. Such as are in Abraham's Bosom in Christ's heavenly substantiality those none can stir unless they will themselves nor do they but to serve God's Honour nor Pray they for us our Blessedness lyeth in our entring into God who will receive a converting Sinner they rejoyce that God's Kingdom is coming into us But Wonders have been wrought by the Livings Faiths laying hold of the Deceased Saints Faith Q. 27. Whether the Souls in Death know or understand this or that Art or Business in which they were Skilled when they were in the Body A. They know the deepest founded Arts but awaken them not because they are in the Turba But the highly enlighten'd Souls have Skill in heavenly Matters and all that lyeth in the Mystery especially those who have been conversant in the Mystery here and every one in those he hath most delighted here but all in an humble Paradisical simple Childrens life Q. 28. Whether they have any more Skill or Knowledge of Divine Angelical and Earthy things and also of Devillish things and can have more certain Experience of them than they had in the Body A. Of Divine and Angelical Skill they have much more but it is various for the Souls without a Body are under God's Altar till the last Judgment Day and for up no Wonders But the highly enlightened Souls that have God's Body have overflowing â—kill Yet take no care about devilish things it belongs to the Angels 〈…〉 Devil and defend Men. Q. 29. What the Soul 〈…〉 ing and Clarification are A. This is sufficiently Exâ—â—ain'd before Q. 30. What the difference of the Living and Dead resurrection of the Flesh and of the Soul is A. God shall move all the three Principles Fire Light and Looking-glass The Judge Christ shall sit upon the
all things but hidden to the things not dwelling in the things for it self hath a substance in it self after the manner of Eternity 2. The first Eternal Principle is Magical and like a hidden Fire is Eternally known in its Colours in the figure in the Wisdom of God as in a Looking-glass The opening of which Mystery openeth the three Principles according to the Trinity 3. The Magical Centre of the first Principle is Fire which as also the second is as a Spirit without palpable substance therefore the longing is to generate the third where the Spirit of the Principles might manifest it self by Similitude In this desiring Powers Colours and Virtues come to be 4. And for as much as every desiring is attractive The first Principle impregnateth it self with Nature and the second with Light And this meek Fire of the Majesty of the second being set opposite to the Fire of the first quenching its wrath puts it into an Essential Substance thereby and the first giveth the second power strength and might being together an Eternal Band that without the one the other could not be 5. What the first Principle is wholly and alone in it self The first Will willeth to be free from the darkness and by desiring cannot attain it for the desiring is a stern attraction So that out of the thin rare liberty where nothing is a darkness comes And the greater the desiring the greater will be the attraction The drawing giveth sting and the attracted giveth hardness from the desiring comes the feeling thence also comes the third form viz. the Anguish which is as it were the Centre where Life and Will originate 6. Hence it is the Will would flee but is withheld by the harshness so that it becomes whirling as a Wheel and the greater the Anguish the greater the whirling and the greater the bitter sting of the Essences and Multiplicity But in the whirling the Essences become a mixed will where lye innumerable multiplicity of Existencies or Beings justly called the Eternal Mind 7. The first will which is called Father and is in it self the Liberty desireth Nature and Nature groaneth after the liberty from the Anguish The conception of which in the Imagination causeth a shriek of joy and when it attaineth the liberty the shriek becomes a flash in the meekness breaking the sting of Death and passeth into the Kingdom of Joy and so into the Love for the meekness draweth the Joy into it and that is the Water of Eternal Life 8. And when the Fire drinketh the Water of Eternal Life it giveth forth the Light of the Majesty where dwell the Father and the Son And the Holy Spirit is the Life of it opening the meek substantiality viz. Colours Wonders and Vertues That is called the Divine Wisdom the House of the Holy Trinity and in its Colours and Vertues the Spirit hath all the Angelical Quires 9. The second substance of the shriek is an Inimicitious Quality exciting a panting to be loosed from the quality of Anguish Whence in the Fathers Will ariseth pity compassion and mercifulness 10. Hence also cometh the Gall into Creatures which tho'it be a Poyson is the cause of Life viz. of Mobility for Death is the Root of Life as may be seen in Christs Death and also in our own 11. The Souls Fire uniteth with the Eternal Nature The right Souls Spirit is one Spirit with God The Images Corporeity is of the Substance wherein the Faithful shall live Eternally CHAP. II. What the Principle is or what they all three are Further of the First Point 1. WHen Life findeth it self where none is that is a Principle Fire is a Property so is Light for tho' it be caused by the Fire it is not the Fires Property and the wrathful Anguish is the cause of both 2. But the Will to the Anguish called Father a Man cannot search out We only fathom how the Anguish gains the highest Perfection in the Holy Trinity and manifesteth it self in the three Principles What Essence is and how it originateth because thence spring the Senses and Thoughts and the Wonder of all Beings 3. The third Principle of the Stars and Elements manifesteth the other two And that which in moving attained the fierce wrath became the Globe of the Earth Thence is it that out of it while the Centre of Nature is in it and it freed from Death the pure Child of the Eternal substance may be extracted as in Gold Tho' by defect of attaining the Eternal Fire Life is not so brought out of Death save only in Man and what is beyond Man belongs to God and we wait the Renovation in the end of time 4. of the Substance and Property of the three Principles The first Principle standing in the Fire of the Will The second in the Will to the Light the one giving its desire into the other yet are not mixt each retaineth its Property yet dwelleth in the other The third hath the Properties of both yet is neither It is an awakener manifester and similitude of the Eternal yet is not the Eternal but is become a substance in the Eternal desire 5. The Creation was an awakening of the Power and Form which was in the Eternal Will and because it was in the beginning comprized in the Eternal therefore must the substance in this World together with the figure go into the Eternal 6. But whatsoever became comprized in the desire out of the beginning recâ—des into its Ether becoming what it was when it was no substance So this Worlds substance being a coagulated Vapour returns into the Magia or Mystery whereof it served a while to be a manifester 7. For nothing attains the liberty of Eternity that subsisteth not in the Willfire of the Eternal in which the Light can bring its lustre and dwell and that it be as subtle as the Lights substantiality 8. Mans Soul may if it will become generated out of the fierce wrath into Renovation by forsaking the Earthy renew what he hath generated out of the Eternal which else remaineth in the quality of Torment For whatever is not like to the Love fire Light and Water cannot subsist in the liberty but remains in an opposite Will in the dark Torment it awakened in it self 9. The right Man out of the new Birth is three Worlds the Eternal Light World shineth through all whatsoever is thin rare or transparent and thereby capable of it which can no more be hinder'd than the Sun can be that it should not shine 10. The Properties of the first Principle sprout making Sulphur Mercurius and Sal. 11. The second Principle sprouteth in it self making Love a Friendly Vertuous Pioâ—s Humble Patient Will to stoop and bear with evil in others ever hidden to the old Man lashing it forward as a lazy Ass denies him the worldly Jollity it lusteth after and makes him a Servant it with standeth the evil Influences of the Stars and the fierce Devil and Malicious Men so
far as they are holy and capable of it which their possessing the second Principle enables them to be 12. The third Principle hath its sprouting but it is in Warring the cold against the heat and every thing against its contrary The cold gives substance the heat Spirit the Light Meekness And then the Fire consumes all both Evil and Good 13. Seeing therefore Man hath the two inward Principles in strife let him beware which he makes Lord for that will be his Lord Eternally when Death hath broken the Ballance CHAP. III. The Second Point 1. IN the Light World which is Gods Kingdom is rightly known no more but one Principle into which the four Properties give up their Will being chang'd into a desire of Love in Meekness That which in the Light World is well doing triumphing Joy and Pleasant Songs is in the dark a stinging Enmity Horror and Trembling 2. Therefore is the anxious evil the Light worlds Original and all is Gods but the Light only call'd Gods Kingdom the other his fierce Wrath which Kingdom hath the Constellations of the greatest and most severe eager might 3. That which melodiously ringeth in the Light rumbleth and thumpeth in the dark The cause of the ringing in Metals is that in the moving of the Aâ—l subâ—â—antiaâ— God in the Creation the Metalline Tincture became shut up in the â—aâ—â—â—ess 4. In the dark World are many sorts of Spirits or Hellish Worms according to their Constelâ—ations and Properties without uâ—derstanding or woe for iâ— is their Life as in this are unreasonable and hurtful Beasts Toads Serpents c. for all Properties would be Creaturely 5. The Principles are not at strife but in a constant league But Death and Anguish is the cause of Fire and Fire is the cause of all Life To the Abyâ—s it gives sting and fierceness else there would be no Mobility To the Light-world Essence else there would be no production but an Eternal Arcanum To this World it gives Essence and springing so is it the cause of all things 6. The Anguish of the dark World caus'd by Fire panteth after the liberty and the liberty longeth after manifestation thus is the Harmony between the Principles but in the Essences is strife else all things would be nothing 7. God Created Creatures in each Principle therein should they continue but when they introduce into themselves another thaâ— makes he Enmity as did the Devil introduce Pride and the fierce Wrath of the first Principle And Man into this World where he hath necessity and strife to make him go out again which if he with Divine Might doth at any time the Spirit of this World will drive on the Children of this World to hate plague and kill them whereto the Devil helpeth to drive them from among his Slaves 8. Man therefore is highly concerned to know that being in this World as a Prisoner he should not enter into the Earthy Malady but constantly go hence into the Light-world But if he press not thereinto with earnestness he like an Ape only imitates or plays Jugling Tricks for which the Devil derides him for thereby he gives his Body to this World and his Soul to the dark Abyss 9. Thus is seen that the Creatures of each Principle desire not those of the other nor can they see each other there being a Gulph between them CHAP. IV. Of the Original of Contrariety in the springing of Life The Third Point 1. VVHere is one only will there is no strife but where many are is contrariety unless one rule over the rest there then doth multiplicity harmonize for the harsh Anguish and bitter Properties are at Civil Hostility and Fire is the Incendiary setting them all into great Anguish Exasperating the respective Enmities till Light be produced and crowned King There it ruleth lovingly and rewards them with Meekness which appeaseth and well-pleaseth them all Thus is multiplicity reduced to an united will called the mind which by Imagination can create evil and good 2. The Mind inkindling it self inkindleth the whole Body and Spirit be it in Wrath or Love As is the Matter such is the Flame be it Brimstone or sweet Oyl and such is the favour 3. In the Souls Fire stands the Light of Life and in the Light of Life the Noble Image When therefore the Souls Fire in the fierce quality introduceth Earthy Matter into it the Noble Image withdraws The consequence of our hard and heavy Fall bringing on us so great danger and misery 4. Therefore hath Christ taught us Patience Meekness and Love for we are captives in God's fierce Wrath between Anger and Love so that if the Will-Spirit before the dissolution of the Body hath attained God's Love as a sparkle somewhat may be done but not without such irksom tediousness to break the dark fierceness which would extinguish it and that is Purgatory and how great Enmity Terror and Anguish the Life is in before it can in the sparkle sink down into the Liberty of God he well findeth who so nakedly with as it were only a glimmering Twilight departeth this World 5. It is therefore of absolute necessity that we take the Cross by entring into Humility Patience and the Meek Life therewith to break the will of the Dark fierce Centre and this World's Voluptuousness nor by wrong to excite Rage in thy Brother for that hindereth the Kingdom of God but thy meek self denial will further it that by beholding that Spirit in thee thy Brother may be convinced and judge himself seeing thy valuing more God's Love than temporal goods knowing thy self to be only a stranger But if the Evil-doer will not convert his Evil in the Anger of God gnaweth him to cause him to return If yet he hardeneth himself in wickedness he becomes a total Evil Tree devouring his own abominations growing for his dark God Lucifer The above is the Contents of the latter part of the fourth Point but the first part of the fourth Point contains viz. CHAP. V. How the Holy Tree of Eternal Life sprouteth through All the three Principles yet not comprehended 1. THE Divine Power and Light dwelleth in it self every where in Nature yet not toucht by any thing that is not of its Property not comprehended but as the Sun shineth in all the Elements yet not laid hold on by any and what the Sun doth in the third Principle the Light of God doth in the Forms of the Eternal Nature attoneing the Schism and Enmity of them that Light shineth through the Darkness but not comprehended by it 2. The three Principles comprehend not one the other unless the Will by falling into Death give up its Essences into the Light 3. The Devil is the poorest of Creatures The Sun is not profitable to him he cannot stir a leaf nor pile of Grass unless the anger be in it his Will neither goeth no can go into the Lights Property He goeth not readily but hateth every thing that sprouteth in and
uniteth with the Sun's Power CHAP. VI. The outward manifestation of the inward three Worlds How God is in all things How all the World might be a meer Sun What Man is And wherein God beholdeth himself Further of the 4th Point 1. THE Earthy Tincture hath no communion with the Heavenly though the outward proceedeth out of the inward and yet the Tincture of the precious Metals hath communion with the Heavenly 2. The Dark World hath the first Centre the Light the second whence behold our danger for if we cast our selves into the Earthy seeking that captivateth us the Dark Abyss is our Lord and the Sun our Temporal God 3. The three Worlds are not sever'd for the Eternal Abyssal substance may not sever it self The outward is the place which comprehends not the inward but is comprehended by it what the inward giveth forth out of it self that it also possesseth and cometh not into a place but was there bâ—fore-hand 4. Thus God dwelleth in all things but no more comprehended than the face is by the Looking-glass or the Sun by the Water tho' the outward hungreth after the inward and can receive the inward into it but the inward cannot receive the outward for it dwelleth not in the outward but in it self nor is the inward remote from the outward as the Sun from the Water but as the Water hath the Suns Property in it else could not catch the Suns Lustre And this World would all be a meer Sun if God would kindle and manifest it for every thing animate and inanimate and all the four Elements receive the Suns glance 5. If Man who is all the three Worlds standeth in them in equal harmony without introducing the one World into the other saving that he by the Light-World rule the Dark and Outward Worlds then is he God's similitude and the Outward World must catch the Light as the Water doth the Suns glance But if the Water be mixt with Earth it receives not the Suns Light No more can the Human Spirit the Light of God unless it remain pure and then that Man's Life is such a Looking glass as wherein God beholds and finds himself as also in the Angels and Beauties of Heaven for in the Dark World is no Looking glass capable of the Light But if the Water be mixt with Earth it must sink down from the Earths dark fierceness wherein it was captive before it be capable of seeing the Light 6. So what Man imagineth after it receiveth if he hath filled himself with the Earthy hunger he must be new born that he may with Christ break the Earthy Darkness and with Authority introduce the clear pure Looking-glass of the Deity CHAP. VII How a Life passeth out of Joy into Misery The fifth Point 1. LIfe is like a terrible flash but when it receiveth the Light it passeth into meekness and joy but because it sprung from its Mother the Dark World it hath power either to retire thither or proceed forward by the Fires Anguish to kindle the Light Its perdition is therefore evident it inclineth to the multiplicity to be its own Lord but yieldeth not to the Liberty beyond Nature for if it did then would the Liberty kindle the Love-fire and become a light viz. a clear Looking-glass of God's Majesty In that manner as the second Principle hath kindled it self from Eternity for entring into the Liberty it arrives at that which was before Nature and was the cause of Nature 2. The Soul hath three Eyes or Looking glasses in the time of this World and seeth with that only to which it turneth it self tho' by right of Nature it hath but one viz. the fourth Form of the Dark VVorld viz. Fire and into which it goeth with its will of that it receiveth its spiritual substance 3. And if it go into the Dark World or Outward World the Light World is hidden and as dead as Fire is in Wood. Here should Man prove himself what World is Lord in him If wrath envy deceit pride avarice bestial unchastity c. be his desire he may make Register accompt and inventory that certainly he is not a Man but a Dog Goat Beast Serpent or Toad And when the four Elements forsake him his Souls Image is form'd by the Hellish Fiat into that Property of theirs that most strâ—â—gly drew his delight 4. Yet he that hourly striveth against the Evil Properties and though he be damped by the Evil his constant desire to repentance sheweth God's fire glimmereth in him and when the outward Body with its damp breaketh and can no more hinder the glimmering week then the Divine Fire kindleth and figureth him after the Image of the strongest Property he here introduced into his desire But if he continue not his serious desire he may desperately perish 5. But he whose desire is so potent that he can subdue his Evil Nature and pass into humble Patience contemn the glistering of the World do good for evil and can yield himself and all his to do and suffer misery for God's sake In that Man the Divine Power floweth up the Noble Image dwelleth and Jesus is born 6. The Devil knoweth him not only is inraged and irritateth incarnate Devils and Men Beasts to plague him This Man is the surest never dieth but the outward Kingdom that was a hinderance to him falleth from him and as he tasted what God is and bare the heavenly substance here so now much more and is eternally perfected CHAP. VIII Further of the 5th Point The True Human Essence or Substance is not Earthy nor out of the Dark World but out of the Substance of God 1. THE right substantial Man is of the Light World there is a Gulph of Death 'twixt that and the Dark World and Outward World yet is it shut up-in the Outward World Christ is come to save what is lost and will suffer it self to be helped unless it be a totally Devilish fruit of evil Parents But while there is any small Tinder of Divine stirring the Child is capable by Baptism to have the Light glimmering in that part given Adam out of the Angelical World not that Earthy part he introduced and so far as the Divine Power stirreth is the Child baptized after life in the womb by the Holy Ghost 2. Obj. What can the Child do to it that the Parents are wicked Answ. The Evil Man is shut up in Body and Soul why not in the Seed Must God turn the seed of Thistles into Wheat and throw Pearls to Swine The Sun maketh nor desireth any Weed but giveth to all Vegetables Life but the Soil produceth the Evil. Many times the wicked Parents cause Curses to stick to their wicked Consorts and should not their wills be done to them 3. And being both wicked what can an Evil Beast beget but an Evil Beast baptized in God's fierce Wrath So also it receiveth the Lord's Supper without distinguishing the Lord's Body and put it and its own
help breathing it self again into the disappear'd Divine Property and into all the three Properties of the Humane even to the Thoughts and Senses breaking the will of self and of the Devil and hath brought the holy Life through Death into a Paradisical sprouting making Death and the Devil a reproach and shewing how the Eternal one can rule mightily over the Multiplicity and give an open Grace Gate for us poor Men to enter the Life of Christ. 3. We are therefore to come with ouâ— captivated will out of the Prison of Earth and Self and solely sink down into this Incorporated Grace which pressed from one viz. the first Man upon all and with the resign'd will sink down into the Hyperbyssal Supersensual Unsearchable Eternal one into the ground out of whiâ—h Life first sprung and then it reacheth the Temperature and true Rest. Argument How can a Man do that viz. that last above written being the Scripture saith The first Man is made to a Natural Life to rule the Creatures therefore mâ—st the Life go into the Earthy Properties Answer 1. The Humane Life is set in a reflex Image of the Divine Will in and with which God willeth and the Earthy Creatures are set in a representation of the Humane 2. And though Mans Life was set in Nature yet it was in the Temperature Without Christ we can do nothing but if Man sink into the Incorporated Grace of God and in Divine Hope rest from self-will and work and resign its will to work only what God speaketh it is beyond Nature And the Abyss God himself speaketh through him and manifesteth himself in and with him thus new-born in Christ who now ruleth over the outward Reason Life 3. Till this be done Man is no Child of Heaven but his will an Apostate just as the Devil and his Body an evil Beast and gathereth not with Gods Incorporated Grace but scattereth 4. As an Herb without Sap is burnt by the Sun while the Herb that hath Sap is warn'd So if Mans Essence hath not Ens from Gods Love and Meekness it impresseth it self into a fierce wrathful fiery sharpness and the Mind is totally rough covetous envious and stinging 5. Yet if the fiery Life eat of the Divine Love it is no more receiving as the Fires Property is but giving and working good in all as the Property of the Light for having eaten of the Bread which cometh down from Heaven it is quickned by it The Sun in a hard Stone where the Water is coagulated cannot work as in Metals Herbs and Trees because his Light and Vertue penetrateth not so is it in this CHAP. III. How Nature representeth and maketh visible the Divine Eternal and Abyssal Knowledge 1. THE Word is the Efflux of the Divine Will and Knowledge as the Thoughts and Senses are of the Mind yet the Mind remaineth totally but one So the Word was is and ever will be the Eternal Beginning flowing out and revelation of the Eternal one 2. And the Wisdom is the Eternal out-flown Beginning and cause of all Powers Colours Vertues and Properties 3. Their Powers are again an Efflux into the various Self-properties whence come the Multiplicity of Wills thence the Creaturely Life of the Eternal springeth viz. Angels and Souls 4. Not that Nature and Creature is here but the Spirit of God sporteth himself in forming Similitudes of the Powers of the Wisdom as doth the Mind with reflex Images which are the Thoughts and every Property hath its own Separator as hath the Eternal Unity whereby the Efflux of the Unity becomes perceptible in Infinite Multiplicity 5. For the Efflux sharpeneth it self superlatively by the Magnetick longing of the receiving Powers in the fiery kind wherein the Eternal One becomes Majestick and Light And the inkindling through Fire makes it a Kingdom of Joy The visible World with its Hosts is the out-flown word of Fire Light and Darkness separated by the Officer of Nature who hath imprinted each Body according to its own Property Of the Twofold Life in the Representation of the Divine Will 1. An Eternal 2. A Temporal 1. The Eternal is the sensible Life in the Eternal Fire and Light a spark of the out-flown or out-breathed will of God bound to will nothing but the out-breathed will of God a Separator and Instrument of Gods Omnipotent Glory wherewith he will rule all things having therefore given it Divine Understanding 2. The Temporal and Mortal Existence is the Efflux of the Separator of all Powers call'd the Soul of the World making the visible Creatures such a Similitude as wherein the Spiritual World of Fire Light and Darkness beholdeth it self hidden in and working through the Elementary World But the Visible possesseth not the Invisible so as to be chang'd thereinto but is only an Instrument whereby the Inward Powers Image themselves as in Herbs Trees Metals c. Of the Threefold Spirit in the Growing Powers 1. The outward Spirit is the gross Brimstone Salt and Mercury which coagulating it self in the four Elements and by drawing the Spiritual Separator to it the Signature is instantly perform'd 2. The second Spirit or Quintessence hath a Centre of its own viz. a Root of the four Elements being the Meek Joy of the painful Brimstone and Salt Spirit nourished from within of the Light of Nature and from without of the subtle Power of the Spirit of the World which fifth Essence is the right cause of all Vegetation and such a Joy of Nature as the Sun to the Elements 3. The third 's the Tincture of which see Chap. 12. of the three Principles The Tincture is that wherein all Powers lye in equality a Spiritual Fire and Light in one substance a Paradise the Mansion of Divine Power and of the Eternal Soul known to the Creature only in the Regeneration and to no ungodly one for such drive on a false will 4. It is not Elementary but issueth through the gross Elementary Spirit even into Taste and Smell But the Elements are a cause of the motion of the Tincture the sharpness of the Smell is Elementary but the vertue in the Smell is the Tincture which in Medicines Cureth for it imprinteth it self in such Balsams 5. As the voice to the Fig-tree Be thou withered did not that Miracle but the Power whence the voice proceeded As neither is the Confession of a thing Faith but that Intellectual Power is Faith out of which the Confession proceedeth wherewith Gods Spirit Co-worketh 6. Thus all whatsoever whether evil or good represent in their several Properties the hidden Spirit of the Separator of all things and the Elementary is the Efflux of the Tincture and Spiritual World for the visible moveable material World is the substance of the invisible immoveable spiritual World 7. So the desire of the Efflux out of the darkness is become sharp stern and gross and hath coagulated it self into Matter even unto the drossy Earth So out of the Light cometh the Noble
and Obedience do with Ardent and unwearied Prayers desire his Spirit The occasion of our first converse came from a prejudicate Mind I had against him being Tutor to the Sons of Mr. Balthasar Tilcken then his Enemy whence expressing in too harsh Language which God forgive me my dislike of the Man and his Tenets these Friends upon his coming to Lauben desired my Company with him to an amicable Conference about my Dissatisfactions wherein his solid Answers and Mildness in bearing with that disputing cavâ—ling frowardness the Schools had infected me with struck so deep into my Conscience as I could not longer resist the Spirit and Power of Christ in his Discourses but yielded up my self Truth 's Prisoner for which I ever Praise God But as for what passed 'twixt him and his Antagonist Gregory Richter Minister of Gorlitz and Superintendent of that Country as 't was first related to me by a Friend and after confirmed by Divers Persons of Credit I shall now give you a Relation This Minister had lent a young Baker a Doller to buy a little Meal to make Cakes against the Holy-days out of which he brought him a pretty big one for a Thank-offering and having within a Fortnight sold off his Batch restores him presently his Money with Thanks not imagining an expectation of any further Interest for so short a Loan but this it seems satisfied not the Minister in high Rage pronounced against him God's Anger and terrible Curse which so terrified the young â—â—ker that he fell into deep perplexity and despair of his Salvation in that he had inraged the Minister and had such a Curse or Anathema from him so that for several days he went up and down Sighing in great Perplexity nor would say what hurt him till at last upon the Desire of his Wife her Uncle Jacob Behmen discoursed him so Friendly that he confessed what it was that lay so heavy upon him who understanding the Cause of his Distemper spake comfortably to him and repair'd to the enraged Preacher and offer'd to him with all Submission that if the Young Man through Ignorance had in any thing offended him he should have the utmost Satisfaction he desired and upon these terms intreats his favour to the perplexed Soul But the Minister turning his Choler upon the Intercessor demands angrily What he had to do to trouble him bids him get him gone about his own Business or he would send him away with a Vengeance So seeing no hopes to appease him he bid God keep his Worship and departed but ere he was got out of the Door the Preacher was yet more enraged at his mild Salute throws his Slipper at him calling him Wicked Raskal and disdaining a Good Night from his Mouth the Humble Man nothing moved takes up his Slipper and lays it again at his Feet intreats him not to be Angry that he knew not in what he had wronged him Prays God to have him in his keeping and so parts The Superintendant's Choler ceased not boyling but the next Sunday he rails bitterly in the Pulpit against Jacob Behmen even by Name thundring against the Senate for tolerating such a pernicious Heretick and sworn Enemy of the Ministerial Function who not content to write Blasphemous Books and pervert Souls durst presume to come and disturb him in his own House that if they longer suffered and did not expel him their Territories they would move God in his Wrath to sink their City as he did those withstanders of Moses and Aaron the rebellious Corah Dathan and Abiram with their Complices The innocent Man was present and with much Patience heard himself most bitterly railed at and reviled and afterward stayed in the Church till the People were departed and as the Superintendant was going forth he followed him and expressed his Grief to hear himself so publickly and as he thought causelesly defamed and requested that rather than proceed in that way of publick reproach he would before his Chaplain that then was with him let him know his Offence and it should be amended The Minister would at first give no Answer to his Suit at length upon much importunity turning to him with a stern Visage cries Get thee behind me Sathan Avant thou turbulent unquiet Spirit to thy Abyss of Hell Doest thou still persist without all respect to my Function to Molest and Disgrace me to which surly repulse the true spirited Christian gave this Modest Reply Yea Reverend Sir I know well and much honour your Function I desire not to lay any Aspersion upon it or your Self only intreat you for your own and your Functions honour which engages you not to trample upon a Submissive Offender much less innocent to tell me candidly where my Fault lyes And further turning to the Chaplain said Courteous Sir I pray be pleased to intercede for me with our Minister that he would laying aside this violent Passion tell me ingenuously wherein I have offended him that I may by the best Satisfaction I can appease his Wrath that he may cease incensing the Magistrates against me But no Submission would allay his Rage but in heat he sends his Servant for the Town Serjeant to lay hold of him and carry him away to Prison but his Chaplain modestly excusing the poor Man dissuaded him from it and bid him go home to his House The next Morning the Magistrates meeting in the Council-House cite Jacob Behmen to appear before them they Examined him as to his Life and Conversation in which they could not find any thing blameable They asked him what Injury he had offered the Minister that made him with such vehemency to exclaim against him but he constantly affirmed that he was utterly ignorant of any Just cause of Offence he had given him and humbly prayed the Complainant might be sent for to declare the Grounds of his Accusation they esteeming this a Just Motion sent two Men of Quality of the Town to him to desire him either to come and personally make known his Grievances to the Court or at least inform them of the Matter by those they had sent to him for that purpose But he again falling into Passion at this Demand said he had nothing to do with the Council-House what he had to say he would speak from the Pulpit and what he did there dictate they must obey without Contradiction and without more ado disable this wicked Heretick from further opposing the Ministerial Function by Banishing him their City else the Curse of Corah Dathan and Abiram would light upon them all With this the poor Senate a little terrified fearing the Preacher's Anger and his Power in the Duke of Saxony's Court fall to fresh Consultations and concluded to Banish their innocent Fellow-Citizen out of the City but several of the Council would not consent thereto but rose and went their way The Sentence of Banishment was to be executed presently and the City Officers ordered to perform it It being so ordered he humbly