our secret discourse as you know you must yet be patient to goe on in that knowne proâ—esse a good while and in this beginning no other will be admitted it may well in the seventh yeare be accomplished in this processe for it must bee opened through all the six Properties of the spirituall Ground albeit it is already opened through the Sunne yet the Key is scarce come into the first or second degree of the Centre of nature for each property among the six formes of the spirituall life hath a sundry or peculiar Sunne in it from the strength influence and originall of the light of nature that is of the Essentiall Sunne and are to be opened in order as their birth and originall is 9. First Saturnes Sunne is opened through the Key of the outward Sunne that the Severation of nature is discerned Secondly Jupiters Sun is opened and then the powers are discerned as a blossoming Tree and hither to you are come 10. Thirdly Mars Viz. the fire-soule is opened and then Virgin Venus appeareth in her white robes and playeth with the soule to see if it might move the same to the desire of Love it goeth out and in up and downe with the soule and lovingly accolates with it to see whether it would introduce the fugitive properties of selfe-will where the soule departed out of the temperature into the fugitive life of the divided properties of the body againe into her that Virgin Venus might be againe animated or Soulized and re-obtaine the Fires Tincture wherein its joy and its life consisteth 11. For Virgin Venus is the splendor of the white in the Sunne understood in this place but the ability to the shining is not its owne the spirituall water is its owne propriety which water ariseth out of the fire where the separation beginneth in the Salniter in Mars his Sun then Virgin Venus separates it selfe in it selfe and covereth her selfe with a Copper Vesture for Mars would have her for a propriety but he desiles her exceedingly in his malignity and spatters in earth and rust for he cannot have her as his espoused unlesse he gives her his owne fire will for a propriety and that hee willeth not and therefore they strive a long time they are marryed ones but they are faithlesse to each other 12. And even then comes the Sun and openeth the Sun of Mercury which is the fourth Key where you shall see great wonders how God hath created the Heaven and the Earth and moreover the ground of the foure Elements and if you then rightly observe you shall see your owne proper Genius unfolded before you and see how the Word is become Man Viz. the expressed Word in the re-expressing or speaking it selfe forth into the severation of the Powers you will see how Virgin Venus is severed and how the formes of nature doe take her into them and goe about in a pitifull estate with her and take her into their owne Domination and change themselves in her into a purple colour they would murther but shee is their Baptisme to the new life in this place 13. The fifth Key is Virgin Venus her selfe wherewith shee openeth her Gold Viz. the Sunne that shee giveth her will and faire Garland to the murtherers so that shee standeth as one impregnate or humbled then supposeth the Artist that he hath the new child but he is far enough from it till the birth thereof 14. The sixth Key is Luna when the Sun openeth this then Mars Jupiter and Saturne must all forsake their owne will and let their fugitive aspiring Pompe fall for the Sun in Luna taketh them into the Incarnation then the Artist beginneth to be sad and thinketh he hath lost but his hope shall not be ashamed for the Moone in its opened Sun is so hungry after the true Sun that shee attracteth it with force and effect into them whereupon Mars quaileth in his wrath and dyeth away in his owne right and then Virgin Venus receiveth him and insinuates with her love into him whereby Mars in Jupiter and Saturne is quick in this love of a joyfull life and all the six properties doe give their will in to Venus and shee giveth her will to the Sunne and then the life is borne that standeth in the Temperature 15. Deare Mr Doctor the pen is not to be trusted yet have a care unto the worke it will be so and no otherwise move it not least Mercury be enraged before his opening for outwardly he is evill but inwardly he is good and the true life yet Mars is â—ne cause to life also they proceed not so plainely and punctually in the order with their opening albeit the opening is done in Order but the sensall wheel turneth it self about and windeth inwardly till Saturne cometh with his will into the internall ground and then he standeth in the Temperature and produceth no longer inclinations but all that you now see are the revolting fugitive spirits and Vaunt with Virgin Venus but they live all in Whoredome and they must be converted and turne into the inner ground that they may be fixed this is done so long till Virgin Venus looseth her materiall grosse impure water in which the Adulterers wantonize with her in false-will that so she may become holy spirituall and then the sun shineth in her which changeth the nature into love 16. Loving Mr Doctor the Phylosophicall body is the spirituall water from the fire and light Viz. The power of the fire and of the light when it is severed from its grossâ—esse through the opening of all the properties of nature then it is rightly spirituall then the Solar spirit receiveth no other property at all into it selfe save onely that which is able to reach its sensall Sun in the opened for the sun taketh nothing into it selfe but its likenesse it taketh its Heaven out of the earth if you will understand me aright for it is its food whence it generates a young Sun in it selfe which is also called Sol but it is a body therefore I say unto you keep you diligently and precisely to it you shall well rejoyce if God let you live so long if onely you have the right Father which I have sounded for and am greatly in love with him 17. This is well knowne to me for I have lately seen it at which I doe not onely wonder but rejoyce therein much is revealed to me and albeit I might write somewhat more largely yet it is not necessary in this processe also the pen is not to be trusted it may be done another time and I pray you to keep this Letter secret and in faithfulnesse if I come to you I may entrust you with somewhat which I have lately seen and received yet I shall goe so far as I dare if opportunity give way and the troubles which are nigh hinder me not then I come to Breslaw about Shrovetide and so I may visit you
within us else we cannot see with the eyes of eternity into the angelicall World 20. All Imaginations inventions and wayes all reading studying and teachings is to no purpose without this way of the new birth no art or reason can attain it we must enter onely through the gate which God hath opened to us in Christ and spring forth in Gods Kingdome and dye unto the earthly will so that it neither hindereth nor sticketh on us and cloggeth us the seed of the Woman must continually bruise the Serpents head in us 21. Selfe-reason cannot make a child of God for it lyeth not in our willing running and keeping a doe as saint Paul saith but on Gods mercy and Compassion 22. My selfehood cannot attain it my selfehood must dye in Christs death and fall or resigne unto the nothing and then my selfehood falleth into Gods Mercy and is in the limit of the first man and standeth againe in the word Fiat where Gods mercy in Christs entrance into our humanity doth make or recreate the new man out of grace 23. And therefore the corrupt earthly will must dye in a reall true upright repentance and enter into the Resignation that is into the nothing and wholly surrender the will of reason unto death and neither will or know himselfe any more but enter into the mercy and compassion of God 24. And then this saying hath its place and meaning as God speaketh in the Prophet My heart breaketh in me that I must take pitty on him can a Mother forget her Childe that shee should not have compassion on the Sonne of her wombe And albeit shee should forget yet I will not forget thee Behold I have noted thee in my hands 25. In this namely in Gods mercy the new man doth arise and springeth up in the Kingdome of Heaven and Paradise though the earthly body be in this World 26. For Saint Paul saith Our Conversation is in Heaven Thus the new man walketh in Heaven and the old man in this World for the Heaven in which God dwelleth is in the new man 27. Thus beloved Sir and Brother and in no other way and manner have I found the Mystery I have not studyed or learned the same but if you or any other doth thirst after it I am engaged as a Brother in my affection and love to shew him the way how I met with it as I have set downe at large in my Writings chiefly in the Booke of the Threefold life of Man and in the Booke of the three Principles of the Divine Being 28. Indeed I did it for my selfe as a spirituall exercise in Gods knowledge in the Mystery of the great Wonders of God which notwithstanding by Gods providence and guidance is come so farre as to be published and read and I would gladly that every one that earnestly desires to understand the same might have it and I wish from my heart that it may be really manifest and made knowne to the Reader of this Epistle and to every one in himselfe and then there would be no need of any further searching and seeking 29. But seeing God hath promised by the Prophets especially in Joel that he will powre forth his spirit in the last dayes upon all flesh therefore the time is to be considered and taken notice of 30. I say as I have knowne it that whosoever at present will dye to himselfe him shall the spirit of the Lord according to Joels Prophesie apprehend and manifest his Wonders by him therefore if any be in earnest he shall finde it by experience 31. Yet let every one be faithfully warned that if Gods light doth arise in him that he continue stedfast in great humility in resignation namely in the death of Christ 32. For the Heaven shall now at last powre forth its long contrived Egestum of the Constellations which it hath wrought in the humane property least he also be taken hold of by the starry Heaven and goe beyond the limit out of resignation 33. As it may be seen by the Metists who came even unto the gates of the Deep and were againe captivated by the starry Heaven and entred into themselves and exalted themselves and surceased the strife against the Serpent and entred into a selfehood or a singular Luciferian conceit of their owne holinesse supposing that they were changed into a Deity and so they have confounded the externall World with the internall 34. Which is unfound and voyd of ground and of which we must take great heed and see that we continue stedfast in deepest humility that the seed that is sowne may grow unto a Tree and may come to the blossoming and the spirit of God get a forme in us 35. For out of the Blossome ariseth the morning Starre that Man may learne to know himselfe what he is and what God and Time is 36. I give you Sir out of good affection to understand that this present time is seriously to be taken into consideration for the Seventh Angel in the Revelation hath prepared his Trumpet the powers of Heaven be in peculiar motion moreover both Gates stand open and light and darknesse are in great desire as every thing is taken so it shall goe in 37. At what the one shall exceedingly rejoyce the other shall mock at it whereupon followeth the sore and severe judgement upon Babel 38. And so I commit you and yours unto the pleasant and amiable Love of Jesus Christ Dated Gerlits 27. October 1621. THE TENTH EPISTLE OF The Killing of Antichrist in our Selves AND ALSO How wee may attaine unto Divine Contemplation Our Salvation is in Christ Jesus 1. WORTHY and much respected Sir I wish unto you the grace knowledge and blessing of God in Christ Jesus after I was informed of D. K. that you as a Christian Brother and fellow-member in the Lord doe stand in an hearty Desire in the drawing of the Father to Christ Jesus and doe also labour in your minde how you may come to Divine Contemplation and Vision in your selfe therefore upon the request of the Doctor I would not omit to visit and salute you with a short Epistle and briefly to declare unto you out of my Gifts out of Christian love the way to Divine Vision and Feeling and hereby to present unto you in brotherly love the Sap of my little Corall in the spirit and life of Jesus Christ as one branch or twigg on the Tree is bound to doe to the other and I desire that I might be well understood if peradventure I might give further occasion to your zeale 2. Seeing that you very well perceive in your selfe that Antichrist in Babel beareth the sway and government in Christendome and acteth selfehood and the lust of the flesh and that our deare Immanuel hath faithfully warned us thereof and sayd That flesh and blood shall not inherit the Kingdome of Heaven John 6. And yet the Antichrist seeketh and desireth nothing else but onely temporall
be found in the History but in true affiance and in the right resignation into the life and into the Doctrine of Christ Therein the holy Ghost shall appeare with wonders and powers which Babel at present in her inventions forged hypocrisies doth not beleeve yet however it certainely commeth and is already on foot yet hidden from the World 18. I have sent you by Mr. Fabian the whole worke of the Second Booke but I know not whether you have received it for since that time by reason of my Journey I have not spoken with Mr. Fabian if not then you may demand it of him And so I commit you to the meeke Love in the life of Jesus Christ the Sonne of God Given in haste Goerlits Friday before the Advent 1619. The Name of the LORD is a Strong Tower the Righteous flye unto it and is exalted THE SEVEN AND TWENTIETH EPISTLE TO CHARLES of ENDERN 1. NOBLE Right Honourable Sir my humble ready and willing Service with all Cordiall wishes of Gods love and grace to your new creature in the New man in the body of Jesus Christ as also all temporall prosperity and blessing for the earthly body premised 2. I have considered your Noble heart and minde which is enkindled and enflamed not onely towards God but likewise towards his Children in love which hath exceedingly rejoyced me in Christ and I must in a speciall manner consider of the true earnestnesse and zeale which I know and acknowledge for you have endeavoured much about my few Writings of the first part and not regarded the murthering or confounding cryes of the Oppressour but sought after it your selfe to read it and to copy it out with your owne hand 3. Which give mee perswasion that God hath opened a little gate of his wisedome unto you which was fast shut to the Oppressor being he sought for it in Art and Pride therefore it was concealed to him for he was offended at the hand of the Writer and did not minde what is written in the holy Scripture My power is mighty in the weake and how Christ thanked his Father that he had hid it from the prudent and wise and revealed it unto Babes And sayd further Yea further For so it hath pleased thee 4. Also I am verily perswaded and convinced in my spirit that you have not done it out of any Curiosity but as it becommeth the Children of God which seeke the precious Pearle and are desirous of it which if it be found is the most precious Jewell which man loveth farre beyond his earthly life for it is greater then the World and more faire beautifull and excellent then the Sun it rejoyceth Man in tribulation and begets him out of darknesse to the light it giveth him a certaine spirit of hope in God and leadeth him upon the right path and goeth along with him into death and brings him forth to life out of death it quelleth the anguish of Hell and it is very where his light it is Gods friend in his love it affordeth him Reason and Discretion to governe his earthly body it leadeth him from the false and evill way and whosoever doth obtaine and keep it him it Crowneth with its Garland 5. Therefore noble Sir I have no other cause to write unto you but from a desire of unseighned love towards the Children of God that I might but refresh and recreate my selfe with them I doe it not for temporall goods or gifts albeit you have tendred your kind and loving favours to me though a stranger in a curteous and friendly manner but for the hope of Jsrael that I may highly rejoyce with the Children of God in the life to come and my labour which here I undergoe in love towards them shall then be well recompensed when I shall so rejoyce with my Brethren and every ones work shall follow him 6. Therefore I am in right earnest being that a Sparkle of the pretious Pearl is given to me and Christ faithfully warneth us not to put it under the table or to bury it in the Earth and thereupon we ought not so much to feare man that can kill the body onely and then is able to doe no more but we ought to feare him that can destroy body and soule and cast them into Hell 7. And though in my time I shall receive but little thankes from some who love their Belly more then the Kingdome of Heaven yet my Writings have their gifts and stand for their time for they have a very pretious worthy earnest Birth and descent and when I consider my selfe in my poor low unlearned and simple person I doe then wonder more then my very adversary 8. But seeing I know Experimentally in power and light that it is a meer gift of God who also giveth me a driving will thereunto that I must write what I know and see therefore I will obey God rather then man least my Office and Stewardship be taken away from me againe and given unto another which would Eternally grieve me 9. But seeing Sir that you have obtained a longing and delight to read the same and that as I verily hope from the providence and appointment of God therefore I shall not conceale it from you seeing that God the most High hath called you through his wonderfull Counsell to publish the first Worke when I thought the Oppressour had devoured it but even then it sprung forth as a green Twig wholly unknowne to me 10. And though I know nothing of my Selfe what God is about to doe and his Counsell and way also which he will goe is hidden from me and I can say nothing of my selfe also the Oppressour might impute it to me for a Pedentick Pride that I would thus onely arrogantly vaunt with my small gifts which were of grace given to me and thereby set forth the thoughts and imaginations of my heart for my owne vaine glory and boasting 11. Yet I declare in the presence of God and testifie it before his judgement where all things shall appeare and every one shall give an account of his doings that I my selfe know not what is hapned to me or how it goeth with me save onely that I have a driving will 12. Also I know not what I shall write for when I write the Spirit doth Dictate the same to me in great wonderfull knowledge so that I often cannot tell whether I as to my Spirit am in this World or no and thereat I doe exceedingly rejoyce and therein sure and certaine knowledge is imparted to me 13. And the more I seeke the more I finde and alwayes deeper that I many times account my sinfull person too weake and unworthy to set upon such high Mysteries where then the spirit sets up my Banner and sayth Arise thou shalt live therein Eternally and be Crowned therewith Why art thou amazed 14. Therefore Noble Sir I give you to understand in few words the ground and cause
in the grosse and rough stone is quite another thing and hath another Tincture and spirit then the rough matter in the stone thus also is the New man in the Old the rough stone knoweth nothing of the Gold and so likewise the earthly Adam knoweth nothing of the Divine heavenly Adam and therefore there is strife in Man and Man is contrary to himselfe 11. The earthly Adam will see feele and taste but he receiveth onely a ray type and twinckling reflex from the internall Man where he indeed at some times tasteth somewhat of the Divine Man but not essentially but as the light of the Sunne doth disperse or swallow up the sad darknesse so that it appeareth as if there were no darknesse more at all and yet the darknesse is really hidden in the light which againe is manifest when the light of the Sun withdraweth 12. Thus oftentimes the New man doth in the Divine Power swallow up the Old that the Old man supposeth that he hath apprehended the Deity whereas he is not capable of that essence but the spirit of God from the New man doth passe through the Old but when the same entreth againe into its Mystery then the Old man knoweth not what hapned unto it but it seeketh wayes to come to God and searcheth after the purpose and will of God and yet findeth nothing but invention fiction and opinion and it is very zealous in its opinions and knoweth not what it doth it findeth not the root for it is not capable or worthy of it and this sheweth that it must dye and perish 13. But the New man which in an earnest serious will and purpose ariseth through Imagination or the effectuall operation of true Faith abideth stedfast in the rest of Christ even in the Tree which God the Father by his motion when he moved himselfe the second time according to his heart did ingraft into the humane soule and it springeth forth in the life of God and doth grow and flourish in the power vertue and sap of the Divine Essentiality in Gods Love this receiveth Divine knowledge and skill not according to the measure of the externall will what the externall man will know and search out but according to the measure of the internall Heaven the internall Heaven doth enkindle and enlighten the externall so that the understanding or intellectuall faculty of the soule doth comprehend and understand the externall 14. For God who is a spirit and also a Being hath manifested himselfe by the externall World in a similitude that the spirit might see it selfe in the Being essentially and not so onely but that the Creature likewise might contemplate and behold the being of God in the Figure and know it 15. For no Creature is able to see the Being of God without it selfe the spirit seeth God in the Essence and Lustre of the Majesty and the same likewise in its selfe and its owne fellow creatures like it selfe for God is himselfe the spirit of all Beings understand of heavenly Beings so that when we see the Divine Creature then we see an Image or likenesse proceeded from Gods Being and when we see the will and working of that Creature then we see the will and working of God 16. Thus also is the New man borne of God what it willeth and doth that is Gods will and worke its knowing is Gods knowing for we know nothing of God without Gods spirit 17. The externall cannot see the internall but if the internall draweth the externall by a glimps or influence of light in its owne Idea or speculation into it selfe then the externall apprehendeth the mirrour or resemblance of the internall for an instruction and direction to shew that the externall World taketh its rise and originall from the internall and that Our workes shall follow us in the Mystery and that by the separation of Gods judgement by the sire of the Principle they shall be set into the eternall World 18. To which end God hath created Angels and Men namely for his deeds of Wonders that the wisedome of the Divine Power might appeare and that God might behold himselfe in the resemblanâ—es and Ideas of the Creatures and have joy in himselfe with the Beings created out of his owne wisedome 19. Loving Brother take it not ill that I speak roundly to you you complaine that you are not alwayes able to reach comprehend and keepe the Divine Mysteries and moreover you say that many times you get a glimps of them and that my Writings are hard and difficult to be understood of you I wil therfore shew unto you according to the power and ability that I have received from God how the being of your hidden Mystery standeth which at present you are not able to understand 20. Your meaning and will is to keep the light of the Mystery in a continued stedfast comprehension this is the will of the externall World in you it would faine be capable of the Deity and be freed from vanity but the spirit of the externall World must stand in continuall travell and earnest Seeking sor by its seeking it findeth the wonders of its owne Magia namely the Type and resemblance of the internall World 21. For God doth not alwayes move himselfe but the longing and earnest travelling of the Creature moveth the Mystery that the Image or Idea of the Divine wisedome may be sought and found therefore Christ commandeth us to Seeke and knock and withall promiseth to give us the Pearle or Jewell in the seeking 22. The externall World likewise is of God and from God and Man is to that end created into the externall World that he might bring the externall Figures into the internall that he might bring the end into the beginning 23. The more man longeth after God and the more he panteth and runneth after him the more he commeth out of the end into the beginning not onely to Gods wonder but to his owne edification for the twig of the Tree continually thirsteth after the sap and vertue of the Tree it travelleth in desire after the Tree and draweth its sap and influence into it and so thereby it groweth up to be a great branch thus the anxious hunger and earnest longing in the Humane Mystery draweth the Kingdome of God into it selfe of which Christ sayd The Kingdome of Heaven suffereth violence and the violent take it by force to themselves 24. A Being or Essence that is not attractive cannot grow up or get a body to it selfe but it starveth and pineth away as we see the fire of the Candle draweth or attracteth the fat into it selfe and devoureth it and yet it affordeth from its devouring a shining light thus it is with Man he is shut up and enclosed with his first Divine Essence in the darknesse of death but God hath againe opened the same to the soule in Christ 25. Now the poore captivated soule is this very hungry Magicall fire which doth agaâ—ne attract
soul as a triumph as he goeth forth from God the Father through the word or mouth of the sonne that is from the Heart of the sacred Ternary out of the Divine essentiality and thus he goeth or proceedeth forth out of the being or essence of the noble lilly-twig which springeth forth and groweth out of the fire of the soul which lilly-twig is the true Image of God for it is the new-born or regenerated spirit of the soul the spirit of Gods will the Triumphing Chariot of the holy spirit in which he rideth into the sacred Ternary into the Angelicall World 39. And with this twig or Image of God renewed in us as is before mentioned we are in Christ without this World in the Angelicall World of which the old Adam hath no understanding or perceivance also it knoweth it not as the rough stone knoweth not the Gold which yet groweth in it The Gate of the true knowledge of the Threefold life 40. Man is the true Similitude or Image of God as the pretious man Moses testifyeth not onely an Earthly Image for the sake whereof God would not have become man and put forth unite and espouse his heart and spirit in deepest love after the fall unto it but he is Originally out of the Being of all Beings out of all the three Worlds Viz. out of the innermost Nature-world which is also the most outward and is called the darke World whence the principle of the fiery Nature taketh its rise as is declared at large in my Booke of the threefold life 41. And secondly he is out of the light or Angelicall World out of the true Being of God and then thirdly he is out of this externall World of the Sunne Stars and Elements an entire Image of God out of the Being of all Beings 42. His first Image stood in Paradise in the Angelicall World but he lusted after the externall World that is after the Astrall and Elementall World which hath swallowed up and covered the precious Image of the internall Heaven and ruleth now in the similitude as in its owne propriety 43. Therefore 't is sayd You must be borne againe or else you cannot see the Kingdome of God And therefore it is that the word or heart of God entred into the humane Essence that wee with our soule might be able in the power of the word or heart of God to beget and bring forth againe out of our soule a new Twig or Image like unto the first 44. Therefore the old Carcasse must rot putrifie and perish for it is unfit for the Kingdome of God it carryeth nothing but its owne Mystery into its first beginning that is its wonders and workes understand in the Essence of the first Principle which is immortall and incorruptible being the Magicall fire of the soule 45. And not this alone but he must bring and unite the End with the Beginning for the externall World is generated out of the internall and created into a comprehensible Being the wonders whereof belong unto the Beginning and they were knowne from Eternity in the wisedome of God that is in the Divine Magia not in the Being or essentiality but in the mirrour of the Virgin-like wisedome of God whence the Eternall nature doth alwayes arise or take its Originall from Eternity 46. And to this end the poore soule standeth in the prison of the Astrall and Elementall Kingdome that it might be a Labourer and reunite the wonders of the externall Nature with the light World and bring them into the beginning and though it must now be bruised and pressed and endure much yet it is the Servant in Gods Vineyard which prepareth the precious Wine that is drunk in the Kingdome of God it is the onely cause of the understanding that the desire worketh in the Mystery and manifesteth and bringeth forth to light the hidden wonders of God as we see plainely how man doth search out and reveale the wonders of Nature 47. Therefore we must not be amazed and strangely perplexed when as many times the noble Image is hid that we cannot receive any refreshment or comfort but we must know that then the poor soule is put into the Vineyard that it should worke and bring the fruit to be set upon Gods Table 48. It hath then a Twig or Branch of the wilde Vine given unto it it must trim and dresse that and plant in into the Divine and Heavenly Mystery it must unite it with the Kingdome of God this is to be understood thus 49. As a plant or grift that is set doth worke so long till it putteth forth its branches and then its fruit so must the twig grift or scion of the soule which standeth overshadowed in a darke valley continually labour that it might come to bring forth fruit which is the noble and precious knowledge of God when the same is growne in it that the Soule knoweth God then it yeeldeth its faire fruits which are good Doctrines Workes and Vertues it leadeth to the Kingdome of God it helpeth to plant and build the Kingdome of God and then it is a right labourer in the Vineyard of Christ 50. And thus that of which I teach write and speake is nothing else but the same which hath beene wrought in me otherwise I could know nothing of it I have not scrap't it together out of histories and so made opinions as the Babilonicall School doth where men Eagerly contend about words and opinions I have by Gods grace obteined eyes of my owne and am able in my selfe to worke in Christs vineyard 51. I speake plainly and freely that whatsoever is patcht together from Conjecture and opinion wherein man himselfe hath â—o Divine knowledge whereupon he makes conclusions that I say is Babel an whoredome for conceit or thinking must not doe it yea not any opinion or conjecturall apprehension but the knowledge of God in the holy Ghost 52. The Children of God have spoken as they were driven by the holy spirit they have planted many and divers Trees but they all stand upon one root which is the internall Heaven none can finde the same unlesse he likewise stand upon the same roote and therefore the externall Heaven cannot finde them out or explain them by art 53. The words of the holy Children of God remain as an hidden Mystery unto the Earthly man and though he thinkes that he understands them yet he hath no more then a darkesome hystoricall glimps of them as we see now adayes how men doe wrangle and contend about Christs doctrine and worship and fight about Gods will how he must be served whereas he is not served or worshipped with any opinion but in the spirit of Christ and in truth men serve God 54. It depends not on what ceremonies and manners we doe use every one laboureth in his worke and gifts from his owne Constellation and property but all are driven and lead from one and the same spirit
me unworthy man as to mark me with the Conquering signe of his beloved son Jesus Christ 6. At which signe of conquest the Devill is terrifyed that he must even burst for very anger and thereupon hath raised up a great tempest out of his Sea of death against me and hath cast his horrible floods upon me thinking thereby to overwhelme and drowne me 7. But his violent streames have hitherto beene altogether uneffectuall for the conquering Trophy of Jesus Christ hath defended me and smitten his poysonfull darting rayes unto the earth whereby Sathans pharisaicall murthering poyson hath been revualed in many hundred men who since that time have turned themselves to the marke of Christ so that I see with joy that all things must turne to the best to them that love God 8. The report or outcry which came unto you was nothing else but a pharisaicall revilement and scorne by meanes of a scandalous reproachfull lying Pamphlet of one sheet of paper in the Latin tongue wherein Sathan hath plainly set forth and laid open the pharisaicall heart which by Gods permission is so come about that the People might learne to know and flye from the Poyson of this pharisaicall heart 9. And I confidently beleeve that the grossest Devill did dictate that Pamphlet for his clawes are manifestly and plainely therein discovered that it may be clearly seen that he is a lyer and a murtherer and it shall be as a warning unto many that they have a better care unto their soules as this Pamphlet with us is almost by all the learned ascribed unto Satan 10. The cause of this rage and fury was by reason of the printed Booke concerning repentance and the true resignation which Booke hath been very profitable unto many 11. Which shrewdly vexed the pharisaicall spirit that such a ground should be manifested thinking that such a doctrine and life should be looked for and required of him also which is not well relished so long as men â—it in the lust of the flesh and serve the belly-God in carnall pleasure and delight 12. Know yet for a direction that his reproach and lyes doâ— but publish and manifest my Booke insomuch that every one both of the high learned and low degre doe desire to read it and have it in great request 13. Which Booke in a short time hath come through Europe and it is much made of yea in the Prince Electors Court of Saxony where I am invited to a conference with high People the which I have consented unto at the end of Leipfick Faâ—r to performe who knoweth what may be done whither the mouth of the bold slaunderer may not be stopped and the truth made known and manifest 14. I exhort and entreat you therefore to wait with patience in Christian love and joy for the coming and revelation of Jesus Christ and his appearance which shall soon breake forth and destroy the works of the Devill 15. I feare not the Devill if God will use me any longer for his Instrument he will no doubt defend me well enough for the truth needeth no defence her defence is this as Christ speaketh when you are persecuted for my name sake and when they speak all manner of evill of you falsely for my sake rejoyce your reward is in Heaven also he that is just let him be just still and he that is wicked let him be wicked still every one shall reap what he hath sowne 16. Seeing then my conversation is in Heaven and I as to my body and soul run thither where aforehand my spirit dwells in Christ what advantage then is temporall dignity and honour to me I onely suffer persecution in the body and not in the soulet 17 What need I feare the shell which covereth the Spirit when the shell is gone then am I wholy in Heaven with a naked face who will deprive and bereave me of this none why need I then feare the World in an Heavenly cause 18. If the cause and maâ—â—eâ— be evill why suffer I disgrace and reproach and stand in trouble misery and feare why doe I not get rid of it but is it good what need I then despaire seeing I know whom I serve namely Jesus Christ who makes me conformable to his Image 19. Is he dead and risen againe why should not I then be also willing to suffer dye and rise with him yea his Crosse is my daily dying and his Ascension into heaven is daily done in me 20 Yet I wait for the Crowne of conquest which Jesus Christ hath said up and am yeâ— in combate and wrestling as a Champion and I exhort you as my fellow-wrestler to fight a good fight in faith and waite in patience for the Revelation of Jesus Christ and still stand fast 21. For this smoaking fire-brand which now smoaketh shall shortly be consumed in the fire and then the remainder shall rejoyce then it will be manifest what I could have written unto you which for the present is slandered and reviled yet onely by the Ignorant 22. But the wise will observe mark and take notice of it for they observe the time and see the darknesse and also the dawning of the day 23. Beloved Mr Marcus that you and your Father are in good health doth rejoyce and glad me I have received the Box of comfits and returne you thankes for them 24. I would fain write againe to the Apothecary at Wildan in Livonia â—f I had but an opportunity to send that way I pray let me know when you have 25. That which my native Country casteth away other Nations shall take up I send to you and your Father each of you a copy of my Bookes somewhat for good friends for I heard that formerly you had gotten some of them for you all 27. I have none of the other writings at hand I would gladly have sent some of them to you but shortly I hope to come into those parts and then God willing I will bring some along with me and I commend you to the kind and gracious love of Jesus Christ Dated 5. March 1624. J B. THE FOURE AND THIRTIETH EPISTLE TO FREDERICK CRAUSSEN Our Salvation is in the life of Jesus Christ in Us. 1. DEARELY respected Sir all hearty wishes of the Divine Love and all bodily health and prosperity premised God be pleased according to his will to ease and turne away your crasie distemper 2. The state of my body is yet tolerable for which I thanke God but it is wholly besmeared with the Pharisaicall dirt of Aspersion that the Common sort can scarce discern or acknowledge me to be a man 3. So wholly and gtievously is Sathan enraged against meÌ„ and my printed Booke and doth so exceedingly rage and rave in the cheife pharisee as if he would devour me but yet for these three Weekes the great fire hath begun to be somewhat allayed in the he perceiveth â—hat many hundreds doe speake against him whom he