after Gods Grace and entereth into a powerful Repentance or Penitency and bewaileth the Evil which she hath committed 37. And in this Hunger and Thirst she receiveth Christs Flesh and Blood for the New Will-spirit which in the Begining entered into the Grace of Christ which Christ also hath received into himself becometh now Substantial by the Magnetical Impressing Hungering and Desiring of the Soul 38. And this Substantiality is called Sophia as the Substantial Wisdom or the Body of Christ and in this the Faith in the Holy Spirit consisteth here Christ and the Soul beleeve in one ground 39. For the True Faith consisteth not in thoughts or in a meer assenting to the Histories viz. that a man impresseth into himself that Christ is dead for his sins but it is a Receiving of the promised Grace of Christ it receiveth Christ into it self it Impresseth him into his Hunger with his heavenly Flesh and Blood with the Grace which God offereth in Christ 40. Christ feedeth the Soul with the Substance of Sophia as with his Body and Blood according to his saying Whosoever eateth not the Flesh of the Son of Man he hath no Life in him but whosoever eateth the same he abideth in him 41. And herein also Christs Testaments and also the Christian Faith do consist For an Unsubstantial Faith is as a smoking Fire or mother of Fire in a moisture that would willingly burn and yet hath no right Ens thereto but when a right Ens is given to it then that little spark of fire encreaseth out of which a fair Light ariseth which shineth round about and then is revealed or manifested how in the Wood such a fire and fair light lieth hidden which before was not known 42. So also in a Child of God While the poor Soul is wrapt up in the Anger of God she is as a glimmering Wiek that would willingly burn and yet cannot by reason of the Vanity of the Sins and the Anger of God But when the Soul as the little spark of the Divine Fire getteth into it self Gods Love Ens as Christs Flesh and Blood then that same little Spark beginneth to become a great Fire and Light which shineth and lighteth about it self with fair Vertues and good Works and liveth in great Patience under the Vanity of this World and yet groweth forth as a fair Flower out of the wilde Earth 43. Whereof we have a Similitude in the Sun and the Earth namely if the Sun should not shine upon the Earth no fruit could grow But when the Sun doth shine on the Earth and throngeth himself into the Ens of the Earth then the Ens of the Earth receiveth the Vertue of the Sun into it self whereupon a great Hunger ariseth in the Ens of the Earth after the Vertue of the Sun and this same Hunger impresseth the Vertue of the Sun and by this same Hunger of the Ens of the Earth which goeth after the Ens of the Sun in the height an Herb is drawn out of the Earth with a stalk wherein the Ens and Vertue of the Sun also goeth in the encrease or growth in the height and the Sun with his Light-beams becometh Substantial in the Ens of the Earth in the stalk and root and a man seeth how through the power of the Sun and Stars in the Spirit of the World another body cometh out of the stalk then the root in the Earth is also how the stalk doth bring it self into a button to a fair flower and afterwards to fruit a man may also see how the Sun afterwards from time to time ripeneth and sweeteneth the same fruit 44. So also it is with Man the Soulish ground is the Divine field when it getteth the Divine Sunshine into it self then a Divine Plant ariseth thereout This is the New Birth whereof Christ speaketh Now this Plant must be nourished and drawn up from above by the Divine Sun and by the Divine Water and the Divine Stars as the Divine Power until it cometh to be a Divine Body of a Divine and Angelical Figure as the body on the stalk 45. And as the body on the stalk must stand in rain wind and storm in heat and cold and suffer the Sun to ripen it so must a Christian stand in this thorny World in the awaked Anger of God in the Kingdom of the Devil amongst many wicked Men and suffer himself to be beaten with scorn and contempt and yet must turn his Hope from all Creatures alone into the Divine Sun and suffer him to ripen him and to beget him to an heavenly fruit 46. Not houses of stone nor humane Ordinances do beget him but the Divine Sun in the divine Stars of the powers of the Word of God in the Temple of Jesus Christ in himself doth beget him out of the Fountain of Life Jesus Christ so that he is a branch on the Vine of Christ and bringeth forth good grapes which the Divine Sun ripeneth that Gods children as his loving fellow-members may eat them whereby they also do out-green in and with him which grapes are good Doctrine Life and Works 47. A man must come to the practise working and fruitbringing otherwise the New Birth is not yet manifest in him nor the noble Branch yet born No tickling comforting and boasting of Faith availeth any thing if so be the Faith becometh not a Child conformable to God in Essence and Will which doth bring forth divine fruit 48. All that wherefore men now strive and contend also destroy Land and people is only a meer husk without fruit and belongeth to the fiery World for separation There is no true Understanding in any party they contend all only about the Name and the Will of God and no party will do it they mean and mind nothing but their own glory and the lust of the flesh Were they Christians they would have no strife 49. A good Tree beareth good fruits for every one and although it must suffer that the wind oft breaketh off its branches and fruit as also that the Sun dryeth them up and when they are ripe that swines devour them and that they be troden under feet yet it endeavoreth still to bring forth more good fruits 50. So also a true Christian in Christ can will nothing else but what Christ willeth in him although he must suffer that his good fruits which do out-green and grow forth out of the Inward Man be often trampled upon and spoiled by his Evil flesh and blood as also by the Devils Wind and the Wickedness of the World yet the Tree of the new Plant abideth standing in the Life of Christ and out-greeneth through the outward mortal Man against all hinderance and opposition like as Eternity greeneth through the Time and giveth to the Time Life and Power And as the Day out-greeneth through the Night and changeth the Night into Day whereas yet the Night remaineth in it self and is not discerned in the Day so also the Divine
Book of the Threefold Life very largely how Man standeth in a Threefold Life Viz. 1. According to the Soul in the Eternal Fathers Nature and in the Root of the Dark World in the Center of the Eternal Original as in the Spirit of the Eternal Father 27. 2 dly How the right true Image and Similitude of God greeneth out of the Soul as out of the Death in the Souls Magical Spirits Fire in another Principium or in another World and becometh free as God himself from Nature as also from Death Qualm and Pain and that the true Image of God liveth not in the Regiment of the outward World nor useth for it self the outward food and drink but eateth of the Divine Substantiality as of the Bread of God Christs Flesh and Blood so that Christ liveth in it and it in Christ and that same Eating consisteth in a Spiritual Desire and also cometh to pass truly and substantially and that the Soul is therewith nourished in her hungers-fire and that a great Gulf happeneth between the Soul and the true Image in the Death of the Fire 28. As we see this in Fire and Light and have therein a true form pattern and similitude where a man by a comparison understandeth the Soul by the fire-glow for it is in it self what concerneth it alone without the noble Image a fire-eye consisting in God the Fathers Eternal Nature brought from the Spirit of God out of the Fathers Property into the outward Created Image which was Created both out of the Outward and Inward heavenly Divine Substantiality and we understand the Noble Image in or by the Light and in the Vertue of the meek Light that out-shineth from the Dying as from the Consuming Qualm of the Fire Where then we see how the Light dwelleth in the Fire without any feeling of the firequalm and how the Fire is a painly Essence to Nature and the Light is free from the Fires Nature and yet without the Fire it is a Nothing 29. Secondly I have shewed you in the fore-mentioned Books how the Fire is a Magick-desire of Meekness to cool it self and to fill its dry Hunger whereout it receiveth Life and Light and again how that the Light is also a great Desire of the Fire to awake its Life Vertue and Power through the Fire 30. Thirdly How that the Light in its Desire maketh a Substantiality and Being viz. Meekness which taketh its Original in the Dying in the Fire which Meekness is called the Water of Eternal Life for it is a sinking through the Death and it giveth Sensibility and and Substantiality and how the Fire doth again draw that same Substantiality into it self and satiate it self therewith and out of that same Indrawing it doth again beget a Spirit out of it self which continually goeth again into the Substantiality and at length bringeth the shining from the Fire and Light into the Substantiality Which Shining or Splendor in the Substantiality of the Meekness is called Tincture which bringeth the Substantiality into the highest Ornament and Colours and thus Reneweth the Essence viz. the forms of the Dark World to the Fire-life and high-graduates it and changeth it into another thing so that out of the unpleasant painly Qualm of the First Principle through Fire the highest Joyfulness ariseth in the precious Tincture And thus the worst is the cause of the best In which Type or Figure we understand in the Inward Birth the Birth and the Substance of the Holy Trinity 31. And then fourthly I have declared to you in the fore-mentioned Books how that the Whole Substance of all Substances is a Continual Desire to manifest it self in its Desire and that this Desire to Manifestation is the Fiat and the Power in the Light is the Word and how that the Word hath moored the Fiat in all the Forms of the Eternal Nature according to the Light and also according to to the Dark World through which the Desire according to both the Worlds Properties hath made Substance in it self whereout in the Substantiality Good and Evil is sprung according to the Property of each World out of which Substance this visible World is created with the Stars and Elements as an own and peculiar Life yet not separated from the Eternal And moreover it is declared how that the Inward Spiritual Substance hath in its Desire manifested it self with this outward visible World as with an Image 32. Now when God created Man as an Image after his Substance a Similitude after God he created him out of the Mother of all Substances and out of all the Three Worlds 33. For God would behold himself through Man in One Image he should be a Similitude after God His Body he created both out of the Outward and Inward Substantiality as out of the Earthly and Heavenly and breathed into it through his Spirit a living Breath that is himself according to the Divine World and also according to the Outward World 34. For the Spirit of God is the Spirit of every Life but distinguished into Three Principles of Three Worlds As 1. According to the Dark World after the First Principle according to which God calleth himself an angry zealous God and a Consuming Fire which is the Eternal Nature And 2 dly According to the Light-World as according to Gods Love and Meekness in regard of which he is called the Holy Spirit And 3 dly According to the Outward World the Ayr-Spirit with the Qualm of the Stars and Elements Thus Man hath received a Threefold Life the Spirit of all the Three Worlds 35. Now it is palpable and plain enough to understand that the Holy Ghost had not his Regiment in the outward earthly Flesh but in the Inward Heavenly For with his entering into the Humanity he also brought in with him the Heavenly Divine Substantiality 36. For Gods Spirit dwelleth from Eternity to Eternity only in Heaven that is only in his own Substance in the Power of the Majesty Now when he breathed himself into the Image of Man then the Heaven was in Man for God would manifest himself in Man as in an Image after himself and open the great Wonders of his Eternal Wisdom through Man 37. Therefore we must rightly consider Man what he is and not make an Earthly Beast of him neither an Angel of his earthly part but he is created into the Wonders in respect of the Earthly Kingdom viz. according to the Third Principle that he should manifest the Wonders in Figures For to that end he hath the Inward Spirit out of the first Principle but he should not domineer therewith neither with the Outward but yeeld himself over to the Holy Ghost in the Second Principle and in the outward Life be as a Child in the Mothers bosom 38. For the Spirit of God had in him the outward Kingdom as it were swallowed up like as the Light swalloweth up the dark Night that a Man seeth it not But through his Imagination into
or Entrance of the Love into the Anger a Breaking or Killing of the Grimness and a Perfect Transmutation with the forth-bringing of the Joy-kingdom Wherein we then understand that God himself hath resisted his Anger as the First Principle with the Second as with his Love and himself broken the grim Death the which the Souls-spirit alone Understandeth when it attaineth the Heavenly Mysterium 83. Therefore we ought to beware that we do not abuse the most precious Name of God but call him only a Christian who is a Christian viz. the Inward Man out of Christ The Outward sinful Man retaineth justly his own Name from or out of his Mother wherein he Liveth Seeing God hath given to Adam an Outward Name according to the Outward Man and the Inward also according to the Inward Man why would We then mount higher then we are in the Ground 84. Now when the Author saith of himself I the living Word of God in this my holy flesh and bones say this and do this then the Dear Name of God is thereby abused For when the Spirit of Man is chosen to be a Prophet and Mouth of God then saith he only Thus saith the LORD as all Prophets have so spoken He doth it not out of himself out of his flesh and bones but the LORD revealeth his Will through him He is only an Instrument thereto 85. He is not in flesh and bones the LORD but in the Life of Christ a fruitful humble Twig that neither will nor doth any thing it self and also desireth nothing but its Mothers Essence the Mother may do with it what she Will The Mother will only have humble Children to lie on her Brest and drink of her Vertue and live in her Will so that she may delight her self in them for her fruit groweth upon their twigs which is the praise of the Tongues in Gods Wonder-deed 86. It must not be taken so as if I would despise a Christian spirit but I teach in the Spirit of Christ in him seeing I must speak of the Root and this is the Office given me that we may edifie our selves in the knowledg in Christ in One Tree and I beseech you to understand it right For to speak with an Angels Tongue with the Mouth of the Holy Ghost is a great matter Let no man ride unarmed if Gods Spirit armeth not his Tongue Heart and Spirit and giveth assurance and Certainty then let him not say The LORD speaketh 87. For often when the Fire of the Holy Ghost shineth out of the Inward viz. out of Gods Substance through the Outward the Outward Mysterium is kindled and rejoyceth exceedingly and beginneth in the knowledg of the Light to speak with Tongues out of the Mysterium But the Will-spirit ought Well to look to it self that the Outward Spirit do not go too high and speak with Tongues out of it self in the LORDS Name For the Outward Spirit triumpheth when it getteth a Look as if it were in the Inward and mounteth often thus aloft with Joyfulness But the Outward Reasons-spirit from the Stars mingleth it self willingly therewith 88. Therefore it is a very subtil thing to speak with the Outward Mouth out of Divine Tongues the Holy Ghost must go upon the Wings of the Wind and direct the Understanding that the Mind may find it experimentally for the Certainty must be in the Mind 89. The Prophet that speaks is not the Assurance for the speaks out of two Tongues as out of the Turba of the Wickedness of Men which he reproveth and also out of the Love out of Christs Humanity and sheweth the right Way 90. Now the Certainty or Assurance consisteth in the Mind that must be kindled and filled with the Holy Ghost then the Mouth of the LORD speaketh through the Outward Mouth not as its Own Word but as the Word of God Only the noble Image in the Inward standeth as it were trembling before the Presence and great Power of the Lord. 91. It maketh no Words in the Name of the LORD unless the Spirit of God doth form them then it must do as a Child in Obedience and although the LORD commanded Fire to fall from Heaven as by Elia it cannot contain it self it shall and must perform the Work of the LORD in Zeal 92. Therefore I say in good truth out of my gifts that a man ought to have a great care of himself if he must or will speak with the Mouth of the LORD for if he will say I the Living Word of God say and do this then must the Will of the LORD be there and the Spirit of God must arm the Tongue Heart and Mind and even himself go with it otherwise it is not the Word of the LORD but of the Outward Man 93. What the Author saith further of the altogether fleshly Christendom which carrieth no more but only the Name in the Mouth when the heart and mind are known before God to be only a Mocker of the Name of Christ is so indeed and he hath after his knowledg written very truly of it 94. This Christendom hath now borrowed the Mantle of Christ with his Passion Death and Satisfaction and hath thereunder hidden the Antichristian Bastard and covereth that same Man of Pride and Falshood with the Purple-mantle of Christ and rideth therewith in Babel upon the horrible and abominable Beast spoken of in the Revelation of John 95. It tickleth it self with Christs Passion and Satisfaction and yet will not enter into Christs Passion Death and Resurrection and be born out of Christs Spirit the Bastard must only be comforted 96. O! to how many an one shall the Mantle of Christ be turned to hellish fire wherewith he covereth the man of falshood There is not spoken only of Comfort but ye must be born anew out of Water and the Holy Ghost otherwise ye shall not see the Kingdom of God saith the Mouth Christus 97. The Will must be turned from Deceit and Falshood into Righteousness and Truth if he will be called a Christian with the ground of Truth and not only in the Mouth but in the Deed be a Christian 98. But he that carrieth Christ only in the Mouth and is not born out of the Will and Spirit of Christ he is the Antichrist and boasteth himself unjustly a Christian if he striveth not against the Will of the Flesh and continually killeth it then the Life of Christ is not in him but the Outward Worlds and the Devils Will in the Anger of God is in him For Christ said Whosoever entereth not in by the Door into the Sheepfold but climbeth up some other way He is a Thief and a Robber and cometh but for to rob steal and the Sheep follow him not for they know not his Voyce He is but a Hireling and the Sheep are not his own he seeketh only the Wool 99. If any will be a Shepherd of Christ he must not be a Stranger but must be born out