and divulge what they will Answer 27. Yes I beleeve so too that those places where Men blaspheme the Gifts of God and ascribe them to the Devill great punishments hang over them Also there hangeth over the Earâ—hly Man where such an Earnest sincere Repentance becometh exercised cleerly great punishment for he must be dayly killed and be made a Fool to the world when he shall walk in the Divine way 28. You see very well how I am punished by you in such wayes and not only by you but you egg and set on the whole City also with reproaching upon my Neck so that they beleeve you and punish me but it is the Badge Character or Mark of Christ 29. But that you will prescribe a Modell or platform of FAITH for the People so that they should not every one beleeve in his own Divine Gift as the Spirit of God in their soul manifests or reveals it self to them Another Libell is requisite of that this is not sufficient for that purpose 30. But that you threaten them with punishment that I beleeve you in very well If you had the Power then they must either into the Fire or out of the Land or Countrey 31. But that you say the way to Repentance is a devised Doctrine that the New Testament saith not for when Christ began his Gospel with John the Baptist then he said Repent Mark 1. 15. and my book saith also the same 32. The Naturall Man receiveth or perceiveth nothing of this way 1 Cor. 2. 14. you need not punish him he goeth without that enough in the wayes of the Devill till Christ in Repentance doth enlighten him Now look upon your self and try your self whether your self be in such away Before you prescribe to me and other children of God limits and bounds in our Gifts of God whereas your prescription is but a defaming desgracefull Libell Libell 33. Further saith the Libell God will wonderfully rescue his honour and will not suffer his Eternity to be taken away by such Sectarian or swarming Shoemakers Tanners Taylors Woman Priests and Doctors Answer 34. I hold the same opinion and beleeve stedfastly that God will suffer his honour which he in JESUS CHRIST with the victory over Death and Hell hath manifested or revealed in us poor Men to be taken away by no Devill much lesse a Primate Doctor Priest Shoemaker Taylor Tanner or Woman but whosoever among these shall Repent and turn himself to him upon those he will bestow his honour I beleeve also well that he will deliver his children from all Evill and fave them Libell 35. The Poyson of Arrius which denieth the Eternity of the Sonne of God was not so bad and pernitious as this Poyson of the Shoemaker which takes away the Eternity from the Eternall Father and in a blasphemous way against God Teacheth the Quaternity or fourfoldnesse in God 36. The Eastern Countreys in respect of the Heresie of Arrius have been horrible punished with the Mahumetan darknesse what kind of horrible darknesse should we then Expect if we do not with diligent earnestnesse hunt away and root out this Poyson out of our Native Country Answer 37. To this I say cleerly NO you can not in Eternity Demonstrate this that I take away the Eternity from the Father much lesse that I teach the Quaternity of the Deity you have a long time groundlessely feigned that upon me and cited my writings with a strange understanding and in the Pulpit said that I have written that the Sonne of God was made of Quick-Silver you should demonstrate that else it shall remain Eternally an untruth in such untruth it might be well said Fy upon it 38. I acknowledge ONE only God which it the Eternall beginninglesse one only Good Substance which dwelleth every where without or beyond besides or distinct from all Nature and Creature in it self and needeth no space or Place and in subject to no Measurableness much less to any Comprehension of Nature and Creature 39. And I do acknowledge that this one only God it Threefold in Persons in Equal Omnipotence and Power viz Father Sonne and Holy Spirit and acknowledge that this Triune Substance fills all things alike at once and also hath been the Ground and Beginning of all Things and still is and will abide so Eternally 40. Moreover I beleeve and acknowledge that the Eternall Power viz the divine breathing or speaking is flown forth and become visible in which out-flown word the inward Heaven and the visible world standeth together with every Creaturely Substance and that God hath made all things by his Word 41. That I have written in the Aurora of Salniter and Mercury thereby I mean NOT the meer pure GOD I mean HIS out-flown Substantiall word viz a shadow of the inward Ground wherewith the word hath introduced it self into a Naturall working thereby made that Materiall so I Demonstrate the Three Principles in Nature which are viz a Spirituall Mercury Sulphur and Sal and what the Ground and Originall of them is seeing the Totall Nature together with all Creatures standeth therein 42. I have written of Three Births First of an Eternall beginningless Divine Secondly of a Heavenly wherein light and darknesse that is Gods Love and Anger is understood and Thirdly of a beginning or inceptive temporary one viz the visible world and I understand the Salniter and Mercury in the Third viz the Created Substance 43. I demonstrate what the Heavenly and Earthly Mystery is viz the Holy and pure Element and its Efflux with the Four Elements and the Constellations I demonstrate how the Divine Powers are flown forth out of the Heavenly and become visible also what the invisible Ground of all Substances and what Time and Eternity is I beleeve very well that you understand Nothing thereof for it is not every Mans Gift but theirs to whom God giveth it 44. But that you say that I by this will search out the Deity and call it Devillish thereby you shew your ignorance to the day light that you understand nothing of the book of Nature and also do not read the New Testament for Saint Paul saith the Spirit searcheth all things even the depths of the Deity 1. Cor 2. 10. 45. It is not of Mans Ability but Gods Spirit performeth that searching through Mans Spirit But you call it Devillish if I should speak with you of the hidden secret Mystery of Nature you would be able to understand very little thereof but I would demonstrate to you my book of the Morning Rednesse or Aurora in all things if you were not such and angry zealous or furious Man so that a Man could but speak with you but with such disgracing you do but hinder the Gift of God and make your self unworthy 46. It standeth written And after these dayes I will poure out my Spirit upon all flesh and your Sonnes and Daughters shall Prophesie and your Old Men shall have Dreams and your young Man
in that regard I wish him Gods Mercy and Compassion that he might yet partake thereof seeing God hath used him for my instrument in my work 184. I would deal much humblyer towards him if he would convert then he hath done towards me He need not think I shun coming before his Face I have a good Conscience and wish him one too 185. In no Judgement to sentence one unheard doth availe I submit not my self in such a way to his Judgement for my heart is not convinced with such a sentence I am innocent of all that is laid to my charge All that he hath spoken against me in the Pulpit is quite contrary to my sence and meaning and not one true word of it he hath wrested and perverted all my words with a strange understanding 186. Therefore seeing I can now have no other Richter or Judge who himself will understand my Gift I appeal from his Judicium Censure or Judgement before the Judgement of my Saviour JESUS CHRIST till I be orderly heard then I will give an Account of My cause Libell 187. Thou hast hitherto Imitated or followed after Cerinthus in that thou hast feigned and Cooked wondrous Matters and proclaimest horrible things when this Cerinthus was in the Bath he despised the LORD CHRIST and raged in his railing babling vehemently against GOD but the House fell down and Slew him thus was the Teacher together with the Scholars or Disciples brought to destruction Answer 188. Was Cerinthus against CHRIST that I leave as it is in its own place I am with Christ and acknowledge JESUS CHRIST for my LORD and GOD and have submitted and given up my self in Obedience to him to live according to his Will and Commandement but that the Primate saith that I have done Like Cerinthus that needs well to be demonstrated else it will not be true 189. But that he speaks of my Wondrous Things To that I say with truth I have written of No Wondrous things I have only written what NATURE and MAN is but seeing this seemeth to be wondrous to the Primate the fault thereof is only this that He doth NOT understand it 190. What can I help that that he is blind concerning it I have not written it for him but only for those to whom God gives to understand it Let him remain a High-Priest and not be a Philosopher or knower of Nature and so we are parted he ought not to thrust the old Sects upon me I have seen none of those writings it is onely his Malice Libell 191. Thy filth O Shoemaker hath exceedingly defiled OUR City Answer 192. You have so bespattered it with Dung of Reproaching Blasphemy in regard of the Shoemaker that Many stink with reproachings that is the Filth which hurteth them in their souls you are the cause thereof that it hurteth them in that they beleeve the reproachings and take them into their heart and so reproach Gods Gift Libell 193. O that all those who read thy writings might away along with thee into Perdition Answer 194. What a Christian wish is this of the High-Priest Man could scarce Nay not at all find such a one in Caiphas also it might not well stand any where in the BIBLE It will soon come to that that his Christian wish will be true that the Sheep will be severed from the Goates and be parted one from another that the Goats may have scope and room in Hell seeing on Earth they could endure none other to be among them Libell 195. Yes thou hast kindled or inflamed all Silesia it self with thy Doctrine where thou wilt be received by Many whom I very well know who as they are in respect of their Nobility much more of Note then others so they have a greater influence upon others with their Novelties but you his Companions beware and take heed least these notorious writings of this notorious Man and you perish together Answer 196. Men find indeed at present in Silesia many excellent Learned Men fearing God which see further then the Lord Primate doth whose Christianity is in right sincere Earnest who walk in the Imitation or following of CHRIST they read many good Books which lead to the right ground or foundation Stone they have not first learned of me the Imitation or following of CHRIST but they had it before and now do but rejoyce themselves in this that God also powres out such knowledge into simple People which is indeed A wonder of God 197. But you ascribe it to the Devill as the High Priests did to Christ some of the Nobility also follow after you yet some of the highest of the Nobility in Silesia observe the Time and see that God hath some great Thing in hand but you are blind concerning it and hardned as the Pharisees were also in the Time of Christ Therefore the Day of your punishment from God cometh on apace and is neer know that Libell 198. O now then be gone and come no more that thou mayest miserably perish and rather take a Shoe into thy hand then a PEN The 27. March 2624. Answer 199. CHRIST said if they Curse you then blesse them and then are you the Children of the Most high Matth 5. 44. Seeing therefore the Primate wisheth me a Miserable Death his wish must needs be from the Devill for it runs quite contrary to Gods Will and Commandement as also contrary to all honourable reason and honesty here Men shall know the Tree by its fruit and every one may well conceive out of what Spirit and Mind he persecutes me and that he doth it to please SATAN and is No Minister of Servant of Christ 200. But seeing he curseth me therefore I blesse him through the Bloud and Death of our Lord JESUS CHRIST in the Name of God the Father and of the Sonne and of the Holy Spirit Amen and wish unto him that this Blessing may take effect and light upon him and generate him to be a Childe and Heir of Eternall Life that he may become and Eternally remain to be my brother in the Life of our Lord JESUS CHRIST Amen Amen Amen and I conclude it with my whole heart will and desire Dated at Goerlitz the 10. Aprill Anno. 1624. Jacob Behme The APPENDIX to the Libell NO Errour is so Grosse or abominable which hath not those that give Countenance to it and Maintain or stand by it Answer A Good Man Maintaineth or standeth by the GOOD and an Evill by the EVILL viz by reproaching and blasphemy But to those that love God all things must serve to the Best for them Rom 8. 28. And if they stuck in the Midst of all Errours yet they are then in Gods Hands and preserved from Thee reproaching Blasphemer for it is a horrour to them and they do not willingly hear People despise and reproach others Libell THE Errour is first Small and at length Great Answer CHRIST saith The Kingdome of God is first Small as a grain of Mustard Seed afterwards it groweth as great as a Tree Matth 13. 31. Mark 4. 51. Libell In the World there is alwayes one kind of Comedy or Scene Acted only with alteration of Time Place and Persons Answer GOD hath wrought from Eternity and worketh in Eternity and yet remaineth solely the same ONE Only Eternall GOD. This Translation into English finished this 26. of September 1659. * I. B. * John 15. 5. †John 6. 53. * 1 Cor 15. 31. * Lay-Man or Ideot * Rom. 12. 20. †1 Cor. 3. 18. * Eâ—dachte * NOTE * Orient Rednesse * Mogenlander Eastern-Countryes Morgenrothe Eastern-rednesse or Orient-rednesse †Or Peacefull * Rev 2. 5. * NOTE †Matth. 24. 23 c. Mark 13. 21. Luke 17. 23. * Titus 2. 1. 8. †Ezek 3. 18. 20. Chap 33. 6. 8. Chap 34. 10. * Luke 6. 44. †John 16. 2. * Col 1. 12. * John 1. 14. Chap 6. 53. †John 10. 28. * Rom 8. 35. 38. †Rom 8. 6. * Rom 8. 14. †Gal 1. 12. * Matth 11. 28. * Heb 1. 9. * Versuckung †Heb 1. 9. * Enthusiastris †John 10. from 8. to the 14. * Rom 13. 13 14. Eph 2. 3. †John 3. 27. * as Acts 8. 23. †Verzuckung * Husk * Note Note See the first Apologie against Baltazar Tylcken verse 5. 40. †Matth 11. 28. †Rom 2. 1. 3. Marcolpbus 〈◊〉 feigned in Germany to have been â—olomons Jeâ—â—r who â—hen he was condemned to be hanged desired of the King he might chose the Tree upon which he must be executed which being granted him he looked a while and being asked which he chose answered he could not find any that he could choose and so escaped for that time these and many other stories are in a Book of him in the German Tongue * Or Art †Math 11. 10. Luke 7. 34. * Note Note †Matth 2. 1 2. * Phil 3. 20. †Rev 18. 2. * John 2. 1. to the 10. * Saâ—k * 1 Cor 10. 12. * Acts 5. 15 16. * Note J. B. did forbear writing of his Works for six years * Luke 6. 44. †Note
where will you go in when the Supream Richter or Judge CHRIST whom you disgrace in his Members will appear in his wrath and will Richten den Richtenden Richter Judge the Judging Judge and will himself be the jus right or Law and the Judgement 10. That Richter or Judge will not respect a Primate or his followers which he draws after him nor any King Prince or Lord of the world according to the Authority they have had nor their Laws Statutes or Institutions but will judge the LIFE and try it in HIS Fire 11. Where will then your reproachings and disgracings abide which you have exercised against Christ in his Members It is written he that blasphemeth the Holy Spirit hath no forgivenesse Eternally Math. 3. 29. What will you then Answer to him you who have knowingly blasphemed his Gists and so miserably persecuted the Children of Christ when Christ will say What you have done to these the least of my brethren you have done unto me what Answer will you then Give 12. You despise me in that I am a Layick and not come from the high Schools or Vniversities with my skill or knowledge and cry out Fy upon my Gifts which yet I have received from God as a Noble Bounty which also is more dear to me than the whole world and reproachest my Trade or Handicraft with your crying fye upon it and callest it together with my Gift a stink how can it go well with you when such reproaching blasphemies and your crying fy upon it whereby you cry fy upon the Gift of the Holy Spirit shall awaken in you in Body and Soul and become kindled with Gods Anger so that the world will become too narrow for you what would you then afterwards give that you had never done such a thing 13. The Spirit which now rejoyceth you that you may have your will upon me with reproaches and disgraces If that should now become a Hellish fire and enter into your Conscience where will you then remain 14. You force Tears from me and earnest Prayers against the reproaching or blaspheming of God in that you blame me altogether with untruth have a care that my Tears become not Red hot Coals upon your head 15. I have prayed much to God for you that God would enlighten you and give you to acknowledge the Truth but you become continually the worse I will be blamelesse concerning you if Gods Anger touch you 16. Why do you despise me because I am a Layick and yet have high Divine aud Naturall knowledge Do you suppose the Holy Spirit is bound to your Schools or Universities Did not our dearest Christ say My Father will give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him for it Luke 11. 13. Also ask and you shall receive seek and you shall find knock and it will be opened unto you Matth 7. 7. 17. I have received my Gift through earnest PRAYING and knocking and relish it so that I would not give it for all the worlds Honours and Goods also can never deny or forsake it wherefore do you ascribe the Gift of God to the Devill 18. Do but look back into the world what kind of simple People hath he used for his work what was Abel Seth Enoch and Noah what were the Patriarchs Shepheards none of them was a Doctor what was Moses A Shepheard what was David A Shepheard what were the Prophets especially Elisha and Habbakkuk honest simple people who were Tillers of the Ground what was Mary the Mother of our Lord CHRIST A poor honest destitute young Maid what was the Foster-Father of Christ during his child-hood A Carpenter what were Christs Apostles all of them poor simple Handicrafts-men or Trades-men as Fisher-men and the like why did not Christ reject them also seeing they had not studyed did HE cry fy upon them because they were Handicrafts People as you do 19. What was Christian Nobility from the Beginning even Humility and the Feare of God where now lyeth your great boasting in the Scripture as also in Art shew me it Saint Paul was a Scribe learned in the Scriptures but when he became a Christian then he must first become a Fool to his Art and knowledg that the divine wisdom might find a place in him 20. Why do you brag so much of your Art if you call your self a Christian do you not know that we are ALL ONE in Christ which is Christ us ALL If Christ teacheth us and loveth us why then do you curse us and call Christ in US a stink 21. Moreover hath not that an ill aspect or symptome as if the ill spirit were in you that can not endure Christ nor willingly would see that Men do repent and pray being you call Repentence and Prayer a stink which you can not deny being you say that every Line is a blasphemy against God and you forbid the people to read it under pain of Eternall punishment 22. Do but open your Heart and read that little book aright you will find some what else therein you have not read it at all yet that I perceive by the Title of your Libell for you set down the Title wrong and have not seen the little book of true Refignation of the Imitation or following of Christ therein you set the Morning Rednesse or Aurora for the First Book of which you know little or nothing and the way to Christ for the Seccond Book and yet it is no single Book but is only the Generall Title And the Book of Repentance he sets for the Third whereas it is the First in the printed Book and the last he hath never seen 23. O Primate Satan hath blinded you and led you into Anger that for anger you could not so much as read it but he hath instantly made haste with you to reproachings and scandalizing for it is a stink in his Eyes thus you have imitated and followed him do but drive away Evill affections from you and read it aright and you will see very much otherwise therein 24. Also you know that God hath converted ' some thereby so that they are entered into true Repentance and have attained that very thing which Christ hath promised us that is to say the Gift of the Holy Spirit Luke 11. 13. there are eminent Examples neer by 25. These Mens Gifts of the Holy Spirit you call them all A stink whereby Men may espye and discerne that this little Book is altogether against the Devill and that in you no good Spirit must dwell while you blaspheme the Gift of God for you say this Stink viz Repentance and Prayer which is the whole Contents of this Book be farre from you it may well so come to passe that Gods Gifts should remove and be farre from you Libell 26. You say also that Great Plagues hang over those places where such Blasphemy against God unpunished may be devised divulged and beleeved where Men may also freely without interruption think write beleeve
64. Those who hitherto have prayed to God and have confessed the peoples Sinnes they have kept back the deserved punishment but you make haste with them out of the Countrey 65. And seeing you call me Prophet but with an evill acceptation for scorn and disgrace therefore I shall tell you what the Lord hath given Me to know viz that the Time is born or come wherein God will require an account of your strife about the Cup of Christ and punish you for it that which you now fear and yet do not Repent THAT will come upon you 66. And thea you shall give an account to God of your reproaching for it will be required of you how you have walked before the Lambs committed to your trust with Good Life and sound Doctrine there you will find a heap of Scorners in that you have made all Erroneuos and Blasphemous and have cast your poyson and reproaching upon them and bespattered them therewith where will you become when Their bloud will be required at your Hands 67. Look but upon your Fruit the whole City reproacheth in respect of your powerings out upon a Lamb of Christ and think in their simplicity they do right in it because you bid them do it where will you abide when this Lamb will at the Last Judgement Day stand before your eyes and your Auditors or Hearers whom you have made Blasphemers shall say behold is not this He whom we once accounted a Fool and made sport in derision of him and accounted his Life a shame how is he now numbred among the Children of Christ and his inheritance among the Saints Owe Fools and unwise have missed the right way Then will all Curse you that you have lead them to such blasphemy and Reproach Wisd 5. O Primate be you warned and admonished by the Life of Our Lord JESUS CHRIST it is time to abstain or else you will then see what hath been here told you 68. You call in your Libell Zu dem Rechten Richter to the Righteous Judge that he should awake and defend the Majesty of God Now if the Judgement should come vpon you seeing you do persecute Christ in his Members it is you your self that have called for the Sword 69. Look I pray upon you own Heart you paint a Mist or Smoak before the Eyes of the Church or Congregation that they should beleeve you that your Libell is right and true why then do you not take the Certainty out of the Printed Book It is likely you have none of them or it doth not relish with you For earnest Sincere Repentance puts the Flesh away assuredly it relisheth not with you but the People that read my little Book and compare it with your Libell they will distinguish us and judge aright 70. Have a Care that the Dirt and Burres which you cast upon me do not remain sticking upon you I will no more remain silent as I have done abstinence were good Peace is a good Country The Second Part in the Libell The Libell saith 71. THe Libell saith The Shoemaker is the Antichrist Answer 72. If I should describe Antichrist I could not demonstrate him Otherwise then that he calleth himself a Christian and covereth himself with Christs Purple-Mantle acknowledgeth and teacheth Christ with the Mouth but his Heart is altogether set against Christ he teacheth one thing and doth another outwardly he calleth himself a Christian and inwardly he is a Serpent he persecuteth Christ in his Members and resisteth the Spirit of Christ he flattereth and playeth the Hypocrite and will be honoured in Christs Name but is inwardly a devouring Wolfe as Christ calleth the Pharisees who sat upon Moses Seat and Managed the Law Matth 7. 15. But Christ said they were from beneath from the Father of this world viz from the Devill John 8. 23 24. 73. Herewith I would not touch or disturb the good Conscience of any but would try the Libeller whether a young Antichrist doth not peep out of the Shell Libell 74. Thou Meek and Gentle Lord CHRIST sayest My word is True and faithfull and thou perjured Shoemaker sayst also My words are true which of them both now shall credit and Faith be given to To THEE thou True and Faithfull Christ or to thee Shoemaker and thy Dung Answer 75. CHRIST is the Word of the Father the way to God the Truth and the Life and whosoever putteth on Christ from his body shall flow streams of Living Water as Christ said John 14. 6. 7. 38. Christ said Whosoever eateth my Flesh and drinketh my Bloud he continueth in Me and I in him John 6. 54. And Saint Paul saith You are the Temple of the Holy Spirit which dwelleth in you 2. Cor 6. 16. Also The Word is neer thee viz in thy Mouth and thy Heart Rom 10. 8. Deut 30. 14. 76. To this Living Word which is become Man I have wholly given up my self to be its own And he my Lord Christ hath given me his Flesh and Bloud in My Faiths Desire and so incorporated tied and united himself with me according to the inward ground of my Soul and Spirit that I am ascertained and stedfastly beleeve that I am in his hand and none can pluck me on thence also none can separate me from the Love of Christ neither Height nor Depth nor Principality nor Power or Authority nor any Creature shall separate me from the Love of Christ 77. He My Saviour hath given to me to be spiritually minded as Saint Paul saith Those whom the Spirit of God driveth they are Gods Children for we have not received a slavish or servile spirit that we should fear again but we have received A Child-like Spirit whereby we cry Abba Dear Father that witnesseth to our Spirits that we are Gods Children if we be Children then we are also Heirs viz Heirs of God and Co-heirs with Christ if we suffer with him that we may also be glorified with him Rom 8. 14 15 16 17. 78. Therefore say I I have my knowledge Not from Man or through Man but from the Gift of my Saviour Jesus Christ and desire to seduce none from Christ but I shew them sincerely and heartily how they should through true Repentance and Prayer come to Christ my Saviour as my printed little Book teacheth throughout nothing else 79. Why then do you separate me away from Christ and call my words which direct to Christ Dung It is a sign and the way of Repentance which leadeth to Christ stinketh like filth this is the true Colour or Antichrist for the Libeller spits Fy and filth against the Repentance and the very earnest Prayers in my-little Book and calleth it a stink 80. This I offer to the impartiall Reader to consider of whether this Libell of the Primate be not dictated from the Antichristian Spirit seeing he will presse that upon me I offer it that it might be considered and known from
People and poison them as you do for where filth is there is not at all the Holy Spirit in that Mouth but Satan 99. The Christian Church or Congregation should do well to open its eyes and observe what it is Men teach them the punishment of God followeth be perswaded dear Brethren there will shortly come a Time wherein you will well see what I here say Libell 100. CHRIST taught Men the divine Commandements but this fellow teacheth with great earnestnesse the Seduction Answer 101. Where standeth that in my Book that I teach Men the outword Separation shew me that or else it is not so I teach them the Anointing of Jesus Christ with his delicate humanity after a spiritual Kinde IN us according to the inward ground of Faith concerning which CHRIST saith he which Eateth my Flesh and drinketh my Bloud he continueth in me and I in him John 6. 53 54. 102. For THAT is the Temple of the Holy Spirit where Christs Flesh and Bloud continueth in us as Saint Paul saith 1 Cor 6. 16. Also it is the NEW Regeneration wherein the HOLY SPIRIT in us SEARCHETH THE DEPTHS OF THE DEITY 1 Cor 2. 10. It is the out-powred word of the substantiall Divine Love which marryeth and incorporateth it self with our Soul as the whole New Testament teacheth 103. Where it is written Try whether Christ hath gotten a form in you Gal 4. 19. If Christ be to get a form in us then must not that be absent if we are to be a Branch on that Vine of Christ then we must not cleave to an other for none can serve two Masters saith Christ Matth 6. 24. Also My Father will give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him for it when that shall come it will declare me in You Luke 11. John 6. 14. 104. It is not an outward Seduction but an inward Enlightning whence the Soul when it tasteth this Oyle of Joy and Gladnesse cometh into such great rejoycing as is mentioned in my little Book concerning the Noble Sophia which is viz the Substantiall Love of JESUS CHRIST 105. I understand very well that you know not this Noble Sophi a it is no good signe that you deny her and call her an Enthusiast I know her well and have a love to her For she is my Souls dear Bride If I knew her not then surely I would not have suffered so very much for her Love sake srom you and other people 106. Christ saith John 10. Whosoever entereth not through me to the Sheep viz Into the Sheepfold But climbeth in some other way he is a Thief and a Murtherour and but an hireling and is come only with suttlety to rob the sheep of their food and to shear off their wool these belong to the Wolves and have not the Shepheards Crook or Staffe of Christ but the Devills Sheers and must hereafter eternally howl with the Wolves But YE say he that entereth not in through the high Schools or Vniversities he is a Thief and a Murtherour and so you deride the Dore of CHRIST viz the anoynting or Unction of the holy Spirit and will needs have it to be that men must draw the divine knowledge and skill only from the high Schools or Vniversitles and bind and tye up Gods Gifts to ARâ— 107. But Christ teacheth us quite otherwise that this thing is hidden from the wise and prudent and revealed to the seeking and hungry Babes Math. 11. 25. As Mary also saith He thrufleth out the Mighty from their Seat and exalteth the miserable and lowly who are humble in their hearts before him Luke 1. 12. She meaneth not Might and Authority but Spirit and Power 108. O Primate I had much to say to you here but I know not whether it would be well bestowed or no for you would cover your self only with Christs Purple Mantlâ— that you might live according to the Lusts of the flesh you would not become regenerated and dayly dye away from sinne but only comfort your self that it is Christ hath done it 109. But I tell you it will not availe you unless you put on Christs Satisfaction through earnest Ropentance and turning in to grace and become a Branch on the stock of the Vine Christ that Christ in you also doe kill sinne and renew to you your senses thoughts and mind so that you desire to imitate Christ else will your tickling be unavailable and be only an hypocriticall flattering Shew 110. I tell it you in love observe it well I have received it from God so that I know it also the New Testament throughout teacheth you the same I have in my little Book very well signified to you that No man knoweth or understandeth this Noble Sophiah in the feeling or Experimentall Love of JESUS CHRIST unlesse it be given him from God 111. I will not here further cast the pearle under your feet till you are fit and prepared for it in true Repentance if that were done which I would wish then would I have further speech with you about it for now you are not yet worthy of it seeing you contemn it 112. In that regard also is your teaching so cold because you have not this power in you for you yet have not the right Hammer to strike the Clock you cannot yet strike the Clock which awakeneth the poor captive Soul you must use the right Hammer if you would strike the right Hour and awake the Soul out of sleep you have the WORD indeed but the right power is not in you wherewith you should Co work with the Litterall Word it self Therefore said Christ The sheep hear not the voice of the Hireling John 10. 3. for his crying and calling is but meer jugling and a fighting with a shadow He is with his teaching without Gods Hammer but a Jugler a Belly-Hammer an Ear-Hammer aud not a Soul-Hammer 113. This Power which I mean is the Doro to the Sheep you often use with your blaspheming reproaches Satans Hammer under Christs Purple Mantle your Heart is full of Gall and Bitternesse O alas it is Time Repent Libell 114. CHRIST hath directed us to the Word and to the hidden secret Mystery which the Beleeving hearts hold or retain in the Faith but the Shoemaker leads us to head-long Seduction and to Dreams which rob the beleeving hearts of Faith Answer 115. I lead not Men away from the Preached and written Word you do me wrong in that but I say that they should bring along with them the Temple of JESUS CHRIST to the preached or written word viz a Repentant hungry Soul which heareth in its own self Christ which is viz the LIVING Word in the Litterall and preached Word as David saith I will hear what the Lord saith in me Psal 85. 9. And Christ also saith He that is of God heareth Gods word and to the Pharisees he saith therefore you hear not for you are not of God John 8.
47. also you are not my sheep John 10. 26. 116. This now I intend in my meaning that a Man should have divine Ears viz. a repentant Soul if he will hear Christs voyce be it in the Preaching in Reading or Conference for this hath CHRIST taught us whom I more beleeve then I do all ART whatsoever for the Historicall Faith to tickle and comfort ones self with knowing without power and an earnest sincere will is dead and but a Shell it attaineth not the divine Childship or Filiation it must be earnest sincerity that will do it 117. It is not enough that we go to Church and to the Sacrament and sit there an Houre playing the Hypocrite and hearing a Sermon wherein oftentimes Wheat and Tares are sown together one among another in that you many times reproach and blaspheme No going to Church makes none vertuous or honest unlesse he hear in the Church Gods Word operatively in his Soul for the Lord saith by his Prophets they draw neer to me with their Lips but their Heart is farre from me Ezek 29. 13. 118. Not all that go to Church and say LORD LORD shall 〈◊〉 into the Kingdome of Heaven but they that do the will of my Father in Heaven saith Christ Matth 7. 2. It must not be Historicall beleeving only but bowerfull doing Now if they are to do the Divine will then must the same viz the Spirit of CHRIST work powerfully IN them for Christ saith without ME you can do nothing John 15. 5. 119. Therefore flattering Hypocrisie and Luke-warmnesse availeth not for the true saith is not only an imprinted or imaged figure but it is power Spirit and Life it is a Fire of the Divine word which there burneth and shineth abroad which Co-worketh with God the right and true Faith is the Seat of God on which he sitteth and speaketh 102. Faith is not meer historicall Breath wherewith a Man only comforteth himself and flattereth the Evill Beast full of false and wicked desires No it is a living working Power of God its burning Fire is the fire-flaming Love of God which breakes forth and doth the work 121. Your Preaching is all in vain if CHRIST worketh not through your word in the Hearers but if that must be done then you Must teach them LOVE not Contention disgracing and Contemning you must put the Dung and scorn out of your Mouth not Judge falsely and Blaspheme or reproach for in reproachings SATAN worketh but with a pure soul CHRIST worketh the Reproaching is the ANTICHRIST 122. But that you say I direct Men to Dreams that is worthy of no answer for it is not so this reproaching is also a Signaturo or Sign of Antichrist which thus defileth the children of Christ shew it or it is not true 123. But that you also say My Dreams for such you hold my writings to be do rob the beleeving hearts of FAITH that also is not so but they lead Men from the Historicall Faith from Hypocrisie to the Living Faith which is JESUS CHRIST and do shew them how they should daily dye away from sinne and become new born in Christ and imitate or follow him in Faith and Spirit and become ONE Spirit with Christ 124. Which makes the Devill afraid that Men will no more endure him under Christs Purple Mantle but the time is Born or Come that his Kingdom shall be revealed and brought to scorn which No Primate shall hinder it is so ordained of God Libell 125. CHRIST hath handled weighty Matters but the Shoemaker slight contemptible matters Answer 126. Christ hath brought and shewed us the way to Blessednesse and salvation and the Shoemaker desireth to walk therein but Satan calleth it a slight and contemptible way seeing it is a Crosse-way wherein a Man in this world in misery and humility must follow or imitate Christ for Satan is a Spirit of Pride and therefore he despiseth the Path of Christs Pilgrimage being this way is straight and narrow and pleaseth not the fat Belly and the Eyes that are full of their own Honour and self-hood 127. Christ hath destroyed Satans Kingdom and generated Christianity but the Antichrist hath set himself in Christs Seat and this the Shoemaker revealeth or Manifesteth according to the will of God and that the Primats supposeth to be a slight contemptible matter but when the Houre shall strike but Seaven then it will have been a Good matter Libell 128. Christ Contemned worldly Riches but the Shoemaker desires them Answer 129. CHRIST said Come to me all you who labour and are heavy loaden Math. 11. He made no difference between Rich and Poor which came to him but that the Primate is troubled that a Layick is helped by Rich people that fear God thereby it is likely he supposeth somewhat goeth away from him it belongeth to him alone to converse with the Rich for his own Profit to him belongeth Riches On the contrary they Shoemaker desireth no Great Riches in this world for he is not Proud as men may well see by him Libell 30. Christ led his Life soberly but the Shoemaker useth commonly to be full and drunken Answer 131. CHRIST was indeed Sober but what the Primate layes upon the Shoemaker he is that himselfe Men use sometime to take him from lying drunk under Tables abroad and bring him Home Men may indeed find him ost drunk in one week but the Shoemaker not in Three years 132. This Article he hath wholly taken from his own Conversation Saint Paul saith to the Romans 2. Therefore O Man thou canst not excuse thy self whosoever thou art who judgest for wherein thou Judgest another thou condemnest thy selfe seeing thou dost the same thing which thou judgest for we know that Gods judgement 〈◊〉 just against those that do such things Libell 133. Christ hath abstained from superfluous Laughter but the Shoemaker laughs in all that he speaks Answer 134. Men find not that Christ ever laughed but only rejoyced in Spirit but that the Primate hath imputed Laughter and Phantasticallnesse to the Shoemaker and saith he laugheth at every word that is indeed an open grosse untruth and cannot be made appear neither can any honest faithfull Man say it but that Nature giveth to one to laugh and to be friendly and affable more then to another and maketh of another a Saturnine Soure Grim looked Man that the Primate cannot Mend he should do well to be silent in that if a Man should describe him and his foolish flouts which he oftentimes in his Tiplings and Quaffings gives forth a Man should be constrained to bring out some strange Monsters 135. It seizes upon me with wonder that he is not ashamed being he is an Old Man in whom a Man should seek for wisdome that he dares write such open untruths and foolish flouting Expressions and cause an honest Man of Credit to be oppressed with scorn they are yet worse then a common jeering flouting Jester this Libell is very