manifest VI. Forme Sound Voice Word 19. THe sixt is the Sound of the divine Word proceeding from the divine Powers which is formed in the Love-desire and introduced into a manifest word of all Powers wherein the manifestation of the divine Kingdome of joy in the free Lubet of Gods wisdom consisteth VII Forme Essence Beeing Mansion 20. THe seventh is the formed Essence of the Powers viz. a manifestation of the Powers what the first six are in the Spirit that the Seventh is in a Comprehensible Essence as a mansion and house of all the rest or as a body of the Spirit wherein the Spirit worketh and playeth with it selfe also it is a food of the fire whence the fire draweth Essence for its Sustenance wherein it burneth and the Seventh is the Kingdome of the divine glory and the Seven are thus named or expressed 21. The Out-Birth or Manifestation is this The Seaven Spirits of God or powers of Nature as they shew and manifest themselves in Love and Anger both in the Heavenly and Hellish Kingdom and also in the Kingdom of this world Anger Love 1 Astringent Desire Hellish Heavenly Hardnes Cold Covetosnes World Earthly Kingdom 1 Cold Hardnes Bone Salt 2 Attractiō or Compunctiō of Sence Compunction Envy 2 Poyson Life Growth Senses 3 Anguish or Minde Enmity 3 Sulphur Perceivance Paine 4 Fire or Spirit Pride Anger 4 Spirit Reason Desire Love Fire 5 Light or Love-Desire Meekenesse 5 Venus-Sport Lifes-Light 6 Sound or Vnderstanding Divine Joy 6 Speaking Crying Distinguishing 7 Body or Essence Heaven 7 Body Wood. Stone Earth Mettall Hearb This was received from the Author in such a forme by Abraham von Somerveldt 22. Curteous Reader understand the sense aright and well the meaning is not to be understood so as if the Seven Properties were divided and one were neere by another or sooner manifest then another all Seven are but as one and none is the first second or last for the last is againe the first as the first introduceth it selfe into a Spirituall Essence even so the last into a Corporeall Essence the last is the body of the first we must speake thus apart to write it down and decipher it to the Consideration of the Reader they are altogether onely the Manifestation of God according to Love and Anger Eternity and Time 23. But this we are to marke that each Property is also essentiall and this essence is joyntly as one Essence in the Kingdome of heaven and it s a Mysterium whence heavenly plants spring forth out of each Powers property as the earth is a Mysterium of all trees and hearbes so also of the grasse and wormes and the foure Elements are a Mysterium of all Animalls and the Astrum a Mysterium of all operations in Animalls and Vegetables 24. Each property is to it selfe essentiall and hath also in its Essence the Essence of all the other six formes and maketh the essence of the other six formes also essentiall in its essence as we see in the Earth and stones especially in Metalls where oftentimes in One Compaction all seven metalls are couched together and onely one property is principall which doth Coagulate and captivate all the rest in it selfe and alwayes one is more manifest then the rest according as each property hath its powerfull predominancy in a thing the like is also to be understood in vegetables where ofttimes in an hearb or peece of wood there is an Astringent sowre harsh bitter anxious or Sulphrous property also a fiery sweet or luscious flashy or watry quality CHAP. VII Of the Holy Trinity and divine Essence 1. THe Eternall and Temporall nature is especially understood in the darke and fire world viz. in the foure first formes as 1. in the astringent desire 2. in the bitter Compunction 3. in the Anguish or Sensation 4. In the fire where the Severation proceedeth forth in the Enkindling of the fire in the Flagrat but the powers both in the internall and externall world are all understood in the light or love-fire viz. in the love-desire 2. For their first ground is the Eternall Word viz. the One wherein all things are coucht the Second ground is the free Lubet of the word viz. the wisdome wherein all the Colours of the onely Power are manifest in the will of the Deity the third ground is the Love-desire wherein the free Lubet with its colours and vertues of the powers hath exacuated it selfe through nature and introduced it selfe through the fires inflammation into a Spirituall Dominion which Lubet displayeth it selfe with the powers in the light in an Eternall Kingdome of Joy 3. The fourth ground is the oyly Spirit in that the free Lubet doth amasse it selfe in the fiery Love-desire in the meeknesse as in its own peculiar forme and co-amasseth the Lustre and essence of the fire and light and introduceth it into the first Essence which power of the fire and light in the meekness of the free Lubet in the oyly property is the true and holy Tincture 4. The fift ground is the watry Spirit arising from the mortification in the fire where the first Spirituall Essence in the Astringent harsh darke desire was consumed in the fire now out of the Devoration of the fire there proceedeth forth a Spirituall Essence which is the oyly ground and a watry Essence from the mortification which depriveth the fire-spirit of its wrath so that it is not able to set its wrathfull properties on fire in the oyly ground so that the fire must burne through death and be onely a light else the oyly ground would be enflamed thus the fire in its Devoration must beget the water viz. its death and yet must againe have it for its life else neither the fire nor the light could subsist and thus there is an Eternall Generation devoration receiving and againe Consuming and yet also it s thus an Eternall Giving and hath no beginning nor End 5. Thus we now understand what God and his Essence is we Christians say that God is threefold but onely one in Essence but that we generally say and hold that God is threefold in person the same is very wrongly apprehended and understood by the ignorant yea by a great part of the learned for God is no person save onely in Christ but he is the Eternall Begetting Power and the Kingdome with all Beeings all things receive their Originall from him 6. But that we say of God he is Father Son and holy Spirit that is very rightly said onely we must explaine it else the un-illuminated minde apprehends it not the Father is first the will of the Abysse he is without all Nature or beginnings the will to Something which doth conceive it selfe into a Lubet to its own Manifestation 7. And the Lubet is the Conceived Power of the will or of the Father and it is his Son heart and Seat the first Eternall Beginning in the will and he is therefore called a Son because
Christ signifying that Christ should come and change this whore viz. the seaventh property of the humane Life into the virginity againe 46. Therefore was Christ borne of a virgine that he might sanctifie the Womans Tincture againe and change it into the Mans Tincture that the Man and the Woman might be One Image of God againe and no more Man and Woman but Masculine Virgins as Christ was 47. In Rachel wee see now the selfe-love of the kingdome of Nature where both Tinctures the Masculine and Feminine according to the kingdome of Nature in self-selfe-love binde themselves in Conjunction as Jacob loved Rachel according to the kingdome of Nature according to the Tincture of self-selfe-love and on the other side so did Rachel love Jacob therefore must these Tinctures of Naturall self-selfe-love be so long shutt up and bring forth no Life till †††Gen. 30.22 the Lord remembred Rachel and heard her as the Text in Moses sayth that is till the Lord stirred up the Tinctures of the kingdome of Nature with his blessing then shee bare a Prince in the kingdome of Nature viz. JOSEPH in whom wee see by his great Chastity and feare of God that the blessing of God stirred up the Tinctures of the kingdome of Nature which lay shut up in the Seeds and manifested the Covenant of Grace therein 48. For Christ should deliver the kingdome of Nature in Man from wrath therefore also the Spirit in this figure presenteth an Image or Type in Joseph which it sets downe also in the figure of Christs humanity how it would goe in the future with Christs humanity which he tooke from us Men. 49. In Lea Christ was represented according to his heavenly hidden humanity shewing how the heavenly worlds Substance would be hidden in our humanity under the yoake of Gods Anger and how Christ must appeare in a servile and contemptible forme 50. In Rachel with Joseph now the figure is represented which sheweth how he would Overcome and in our humane Nature should be a Lord and Prince over all his Enemies who have held us poore Men in flesh and bloud Captive and how he would bring us forth out of the Misery and Famine of Adam into a Good Land and not remember how wee in this world have cast him into the Pit as Josephs brethren did him 51. The Spirit of God presents this figure in the Twelve Patriarchs as a Glasse to see by whom God was attoned in his Anger poynting at the future fullfilling for the Text in Moses speaketh very hiddenly in this Figure and sayth * * * Gen. 30.25 26. Now when Rachel had borne Joseph Jacob sayd to Laban let mee depart and travaile to my owne Place and into my Country give mee my wives and my children for which I have served thee that I may goe The inward Spirituall figure is thus 52. When the Blessing of Jacob viz. Christ in the kingdome of the humane Nature was manifest so that Man stood in Christs Image then he desireth to returne from the servitude of this House wherin he must serve and goe againe to his fathers first house and desireth to take with him his fruits viz. his children brethren and sisters and all the children of this Birth he hath a great longing after that as Jacob had after his fathers house But the Lord sayth to him stay and serve heere a while and feed my sheepe †††Gen. 30.28 appoint the wages that I shall give thee that is aske of mee so will I give it thee as Christ sayth * * * Joh. 16.23 Whatsoever ye ask the Father in my Name he will give it you 53. Thus then this Jacob demerseth himselfe in Humility and keepeth the sheepe of Christ in hope of the Eternall wages which followeth after him For in Joseph that is in Christ the wages will be firct given him as Joseph was the wages of Jacob in the Outward kingdome and preserved and nourished him and his house in the famine which signifieth Christ who will Eternally nourish us in himselfe and bring us home with him into his Fathers house as Joseph brought his Father and Children into his Lords Country CHAP. LIX How Jacob departed from Laban what this Figure signifieth and what is to be understood thereby Genesis the 31. IN this Chapter for the most part is the Outward History set forth Gen. XXXI under which yet the Spirit hath its secret Figure wherewith it playeth for the Text sayth * * * Gen. 31.1 2· And the words of the Children of Laban came before Jacob saying Jacob hath gotten all our Fathers Goods to himselfe and of our Fathers Goods hath he procured this Riches And Jacob looked upon Labans Countenance and saw that it was not towards him as formerly 2. This is a figure represented in the Spirit of Christ when the Spirit of Christ in Man hath gotten the kingdome of the humane Nature to himselfe then the Envy of the Serpent in the wrath of Nature in flesh and bloud awaketh understanding and feeling that the power of Nature in Man is taken away from him and opposeth the Spirit of Christ in the power of Nature 3. Then proceedeth the opposite will in Man so that the poore soule is every where faint and in an agony perceiving that it dwelleth among strange Goods and that the Devill is its Neighbour and hath a continuall accesse to its owne Nature and opposeth the soule because it hath in Christs Spirit taken away from him the kingdome of Nature viz. the Land and Country which he had for his possession and therefore the mortall Nature in the wrath of God sets its desire endeavour against the poore soule as a stranger unfriendly when it seeth that it looseth its voluptuous Earthly Inheritance which Right is intimated in the Children of Laban where Reason looketh to get temporall Honour and pleasure that all its naturall right is taken away as Jacob by subtilty tooke away Labans Goods 4. Then thus sayth God to the soule as heere he did to Jacob †††Gen. 31.3 Returne againe into thy fathers Country to thy kindred I will be with thee that is the poore soule should enter againe into its first Country of its father viz. into the Eternall Word out of which it proceeded and therein God blesseth it and therein it can also call its children and Members and bring them along out of the servile House of Gods Anger in the kingdome of Nature as * * * Gen. 31.4 Jacob called his wives and his Children and brought them out of the Servitude of his Father Thus also the Enlightened soule bringeth the power of its Life in the kingdome of Nature together with its fellow-members out of the servile house of flesh and bloud againe into the first house viz. into Gods Word 5. And as †††Gen. 31.21.23 Jacob did flee from the servile house of his Stepfather and Laban pursued after and
them sure enough but the Deluge or Floud and the fire of Sodom falleth suddenly downe upon them so that there is no escaping he that waketh let him watch and take care that he doth not sleepe for the Bridegroome calleth every where afterward the foolish Virgins will trim their Lamps but it is too late the hunger of Babell layeth hold and devoureth them in its Jawes 19. Moses sayth further * * * Gen. 46.28 29 30. And he sent Judah before him to Joseph that he might direct him to Goshen and they came into the Land of Goshen and Joseph made ready his Chariott and went up towards Goshen to meete his father Israell and when he saw him he fell about his neck and wept a long while upon his neck then sayd Israell to Joseph I will now readily dye now I have seene thy Face that thou yet livest This Figure standeth thus 20. Judah signifieth the incorporated Covenant of God in Man viz. the Divine Grace in Christ Israell sends this that is the whole Man before to the heavenly Joseph and uniteth it with him so that the heavenly Joseph in the incorporated Grace leadeth the Kingdome of Nature in Man viz. the Old Jacob and Adam into Goshen viz. on the way of Conversion into the Rest of Christ that he cometh to the right Goale or Mark where he findeth foode for the hungry Conscience viz. the right way to Salvation where there is right Teaching and Instruction there Goshen is neere at hand where the soulesitteth in fatnes and feedeth in the fatt pasture of Christ. 21. And when the heavenly Joseph viz. Christ seeth that the Old Jacob that is the Adamicall Man hath sent his Judah to him and afterwards cometh himselfe then he makes ready his Chariott that is his Operation with a powerfull affection to entertainment and goeth to meete the Naturall Man and when they draw neere together then this Joseph falleth about the Neck of this Jacobs-Adam that is he layeth hold on his desire and Longing and filleth it with his Teares which he shed in his sufferings and in his victory brought through death into Eternall Joy 22. With these Teares of Joy he kindleth the soule of the Old Jacobs-Adam so that Jacob for great Joy weepeth a long while on Josephs neck viz. in Christs Teares of Joy and mingleth his inward Joy with the Teares of Christ with which teares of Joy the soule of the Old Jacobs-Adam is mightily comforted quickened and strengthened in himselfe in that he findeth that his heavenly Joseph in him yet liveth that he is not dead in the famine of sinnes or quite departed from him 23. Then sayth the Naturall Man Now I would willingly dye and give up all my right and willing now having seene and knowne my loving sonne Joseph that is seeing I finde that the New Man in Christ is become manifest in mee therefore now I would willingly dye to my willing of vanity in his power of Love as Jacob sayd to Joseph 24. And Joseph sayd to his Brethren and his Fathers house Gen. 46.31 32 33 34. I will goe up tell Pharaoh My brethren my fathers house are come to me out of the Land of Canaan are * * * Shepheards or Pastours heardsmen for they are people that are conversant about Cattell and have brought with them their small and great Cattle and all that they have and now when Pharaoh shall call yee to him and say What is your employment and businesse then shall ye say thy servants are people that are conversant about Cattle from our youth up unto this time both wee and our Father that you may dwell in the Land of Goshen for those which are heardsmen and keepers of Cattle are an abomination to the Egyptians The inward Figure standeth thus 25. When the Heavenly Joseph Christ hath manifested himselfe to the Soule and Adamicall Man so that they are come together and that they have received and imbraced one another then that same powerfull word in the Spirit of Christ which hath Manifested it selfe in Man presseth and penetrateth againe into the Eternall Fathers Property viz. into the Eternall Speaking of the Father which heere is as much as to say I will tell Pharaoh that my brethren together with all my fathers house are come to mee 26. For Pharaoh standeth heere in the figure of God the Father who is the Eternall King to whom sayth Christ viz. the word of Love and Grace that his brethren viz. the properties of the Humane Life from and with all its powers and vertues are come to him that is the Word Christ which is come from the Father into our Humanity through his power and vertue speaketh the Word of the Naturall humane Life into the Eternall Word of the Father which is heere called telling the King 27. For Christ is even the Fathers Steward over Man as Joseph was Pharaohs For Man is then manifested againe in God when Christ speaketh telleth and inspireth him into the word of the Father else man could not attaine God for the humane life is also proceeded from God the Fathers word for the Spirit of God spake and inspired it selfe from and by the word of the Father into Man Joh. the 1. 28. But after it came into a Creature and became Naturall John 1.4 it turned it selfe away from Gods Love-speaking or inspiration of Love and manifested it selfe in the speaking of Anger the power of Love speaking was extinguished in it viz. the Second Principle the holy generating or working of the divine power and was not able in its owne power and strength to enter againe into the Love-speaking that it might be able to speake or Generate the Divine Love-power it had rent it selfe off from Gods Love and brought it selfe into a Naturall speaking of selfe and vanity 29. And this did move Gods pitty and compassion and introduced his Love-speaking word againe into the Creaturely * * * Imaged framed or Created formed word of the Soule and humanity and that now is this Joseph whom God hath sent before that he should inspeake or introduce the humane life againe into the Eternall speaking word and make it manifest therein before the Eternall King he bringeth the humane word in the Fathers property into the Word of God and reconcileth the rent and severed humane word in the Fathers Anger-speaking with his Love that is he changeth the Anger in the word of the humane Life in his Teares of Love into the divine Kingdome of Joy and manifesteth the humane Life actually and workingly in God and that heere is as Joseph sayd I will tell Pharaoh that my brethren my fathers whole house are come to mee out of the Land of Canaan 30. For Christ is become our brother †††John 1.14 The word of Love became Man and dwelt in us and tooke Adams Nature upon him and therefore in this figure it is called his fathers house viz.
Mysterium Magnum OR An EXPOSITION of the First Book of Moses CALLED GENESIS CONCERNING â—he Manifestation or Revelation of the Divine Word through the Three Principles of the Divine Essence also of the Originall of the World and the Creation Wherein The kingdome of Nature The kingdome of Grace are Expounded For the better understanding Of the Old and New Testament and what Adam and Christ are Also How Man should consider and may know himselfe in the Light of Nature where he is and where his Temporall and Eternall Life Consist also where his Eternall Blessednesse and Damnation Consist And is an Exposition of the Essence of all Essences for the further Consideration of the Lovers in the Divine Gift Comprised in Three Parts Written Anno 1623. BY Jacob Behm To which is added The Life of the Author And his Foure Tables of Divine Revelation LONDON Printed and are to be sould by 〈…〉 next 〈…〉 THE PREFACE Of the Author JACOB BEME To his COMMENTARY upon GENESIS Called the * The Great Mysterie MYSTERIVM MAGNVM 1. WHen we consider the visible world with its Essence and consider the life of the creatures then we finde therein the likenesse of the invisible spirituall world which is hidden in the visible world as the Soule in the body and see thereby that the hidden God is nigh unto all and through all and yet wholly hidden to the visible Essence 2. We have an example hereof in the minde of man which is an invisible fire that is inclined to light and darknesse viz. to Joy and Sorrow and yet in it selfe is none of these but onely a Cause thereto an invisible incomprehensive Sourcive fire and yet as to its own Essence is included in nothing save onely in the Will of life 3. The body cannot comprehend the minde but the minde comprehends the body and brings it to Love or * Or sufferance and Sorrow dislike this likewise is to be understood of the word and Power of God which is hidden to the visible Sensible Elements and yet dwelleth through and in the Elements and worketh through the Sensible life and Essence as the minde in the body 4. For the visible sensible things are an essence of the invisible from the invisible and incomprehensible the visible and comprehensible is proceeded the visible Essence is come to Bee from the expression or Spiration of the invisible Power the invisible Spirituall Word of divine Power worketh with and through the Visible Essence as the Soul * In. with and through the body 5. The inward Spirituall soul of man was breathed in to the visible Image by the in-Speaking or inspiration of the invisible Word of the divine Power for an understanding to the Created Image wherein mans Science and knowledge of the invisible and vissible Essence consisteth 6. Thus man hath now received Ability from the invisible Word of God to the re-expression that he again expresseth the hidden word of the divine Science into formation and severation in manner and forme of the Temporall Creatures and formeth this spirituall Word according to Animals and Vegetables whereby the invisible wisdome of God is pourtraied and modelized into severall distinct formes as we plainly see that the understanding of man expresseth all powers in their property and giveth names unto all things according to each things property by which the hidden wisdome is known and understood in its power and the hidden God is made manifest †In. with the visible things for the Delight and play of the divine Power so that the invisible might play with the visible and therein introduce it selfe into the sight and Sence of it selfe 7. As the minde doth introduce it selfe with the body and by the body into Sences and thoughts whereby it worketh and Acteth Sensibly to it selfe so also the invisible world worketh through the visible and with the visible world we are not in any wise to conceit that a man cannot search out what the hidden divine world is and what its Operation and essence is for on the visible Essence of the Creation we see a figure of the internall Spirituall operation of the powerfull world 8. And we ought not to think otherwise of God but that he is the most internall ground of all Essences and yet so as that he cannot be comprehended of any thing by the own-peculiar power of the thing but as the Sun doth introduce it selfe with its light and Power into the sensible living things and worketh with or in all things and introduceth it selfe also into an essence the same likewise is to be understood concerning the divine Word with the life of the Creatures 9. Seeing then this visible world is the expressed Formed word according to Gods Love and anger viz. according to the Grand Mystery of the Eternall Spirituall nature which spirituall world is hidden in the visible and yet the humane Soul is a sparke out of the Eternall Speaking Word of the Divine Science and Power and the Body an Ens of the Stars and Elements and also as to the internall ground an Ens of Heaven viz. of the hidden world therefore he hath Might and Ability to speak of the Grand Mysterie whence all Essences doe Originally arise 10. Since then the great Mysteries the Beginning of and Originall of all things doe befall us by divine Grace that we are able as through the ground of the Soul to understand the same in reall knowledge with the inspired word of the divine Science We will write down its ground so far as it s permitted to us in this Book for a Memoriall to our selfe and for the exercise of divine knowledge to the Reader 11. And I. we will signifie and declare what the Center and ground of all Essences is II. What the Divine Manifestation through the speaking of the word of God is III. How Evill and Good have their Originall from one onely ground viz. light and darknesse Life and Death Joy and Sorrow and how it is in its ground also whereunto every Essence and Source is profitable and ‖ Text unavoidable necessary IV. How all things have their ground from the Grand Mystery viz. from the spiration of the Eternall one V. How the Eternall one introduceth it selfe into sensation perception and Severation to the Science of it selfe and the play of the divine Power VI. How man may attaine to the true knowledge of God and to the knowledge of the Eternall and Temporall nature VII Also how man may come unto the Reall Contemplation of the Beeing of all Beeings VIII Also of the Creation of the world and of all creatures IX And then of the Originall fall and Restoration of man what he is according to the first Adamicall man in the Kingdome of nature and what he is in the new Regeneration in the kingdome of Grace and how the new birth comes to passe X. Also what the old and new Testament are each in its understanding 12. And we
light-fire which is awakened or raised up in the wrathfull Consuming fire that is it receiveth its lustre and shine from the fire a similitude whereof we have in all outward fires where we see that the light ariseth in the fire but yet hath far nother Source then the fire for the fire is painfull but the light is meeke pleasant Lovely and yeeldeth Essence 2. The Fire causeth light and aire and out of the aire cometh the water by reason of the meekness of the light for the Lubet to the fire is mortified in the fire-blaze and so that which is mortified in the fire is a meeke Essence yet it s only a Spirit but when it proceedeth from the fire in the light it Coagulateth and is the death of the fire whereby the fire goeth out but if it be of a spirituall nature it is the food and refreshment of the fire and we see plainely that every burning fire putteth forth an aire and out of the aire a water which aire and watry Spirit the fire draweth againe into it selfe for its owne life and lustre else if it cannot have it it is soone extinct and goeth out that is it smothers for the aire is its life and yet it begetteth the aire 3. Thus likewise we are to consider of the divine Beeing how the Eternall Understanding of the Abysse introduceth it selfe into the Bysse and Essence viz. into an Eternall Generation and Devoration wherein the manifestation of the Abysse consists and is an Eternall Love-play that the Abysse doth so wrestle sport and play with it selfe in its owne conceived or amassed Bysse it gives it selfe into the something and againe takes the something into it selfe and thence brings or gives forth another thing it introduceth it selfe into a Lubet and desire moreover into Power Strength and Vertue and mutually produceth one degree from the other and through the other that so it might be an Eternall Play and Melody in it selfe 4. And this we are to consider of in the fifth Forme of Nature when the Powers of the Eternall Word or understanding are made manifest through the Eternall spirituall fire in the Eternall light of the Majesty that each Power or property is manifest in it self and entreth into a Feeling Tasting Smelling Hearing Seeing Essence which is effected through the fire where all things become Spritfull quick and full of life even then one Property entreth mutually into another for they are all proceeded out of one viz. out of the free Lubet therefore also this free Lubet is yet in all and they all joyntly desire to enter again into this free Lubet viz. into the One and there when one tasteth smelleth feeleth heareth and seeth the other in the Essence they doe embrace each other in their holy Conjunction wherein then the reall divine Kindome of joy consisteth so likewise the growing and flourishing life of this world as may be understood by way of Similitude in the Seven Properties and the light and power of the Sun 5. The divine Kingdome of joy in the Heaven of God viz. in God manifested in his Expressed or Spirated Essence as I might speake it to the understanding consisteth in the Love-desire viz. in the Power which hath manifested it selfe through the fire in the light for the fire giveth unto the meeke free Lubet Essence and Source that it is Severized and moved and becomes a Kingdome of joy 6. And thus we are to consider of the darknesse whatsoever is a desiring Love in the light wherein all things rejoyce and melodize in Love that in the darknesse is an enmity for the fire is cold and burning hot in the darknesse moreover bitter astringent Compunctive the Properties are wholly rigorous and full of enmity and opposition they seeke not the One but onely the advancement of their own might and the greater their Elevation and inflammation is the Greater is the o o o The Kingdome of joy joy in the light 7. That which is good and holy in the p p p Or light of power powerfull light that in the darknesse is anxious and adverse the darknesse is the greatest enmity of the light and yet it is the cause that the light is manifest for if there were no Black then white could not be manifest to it selfe and if there were no Sorrow then joy were also not manifest to it selfe 8. Thus the joy doth triumph in it selfe that it is not as the Sorrow and the Sorrow triumpheth in it selfe that it is a Might and strength of the fire and light hence arise Pride and Selfe-will because the darke fires Might giveth the Essence and motive Source to the light which did so affect and move King Lucifer that he exalted himselfe in the roote of the fire to rule and domineere over the fire and light and therefore was cast out of the light into darknesse and the light withdrew from him 9. Therefore understand us well heere what Hell and the darke world or the Anger of God is of which the holy Scripture speaketh plainly that there is an hell that is a Gulfe of Desperation or pitt devoid of the hope of God and all good now we are not to understand it to be any locall Place apart but it is the first ground to the Eternall Nature the place is between the Kingdome of God and this world and maketh a peculiar Principle dwelling in it selfe and hath neither place nor locall abode and is every where but inhabiting it selfe onely and yet it giveth Essence to the light-and outward-world that is it is the Cause to the Source viz. the Fire and is the whole Beeing of all Gods Beeings 10. In the darknesse he is an Angry zealous God and in the fire-Spirit a Consuming fire and in the light he is a mercifull Loving God and in the Power of the light he is especially above all other Properties called God and yet 't is all but God manifested who manifesteth himselfe through the Eternall Nature in ingredient Properties else if I would say what God is in his Depth then I must say that he is wholly without Nature and Properties being an understanding and Originall of all Beeings the Beeings are his manifestation and thereof we have onely Ability to write and not of the unmanifested God who also were not known to himselfe without his manifestation The Originall of Life ♃ Jupiter 11. THe sixt Property of Nature and of all beeings ariseth also out of all the rest and is manifest in the fire through the light in the Love-desire it is Natures understanding voyce Sound speech and all whatsoever soundeth both in things with life and without life its true Originall is from the Astringent desire or impression of the first second and third Forme whence the motion and hardnesse ariseth the Essence of the Coagulation is Consumed in the fire and from the Devoration there proceedeth such a spirit both according to the property of the light in the Love and
it selfe to a body viz. a root or the like from which roote there groweth forth in this hungry desire such a body or hearb as the first Power was thus likewise the manifested Powers of God doe forme themselves into an externall Degree viz. into an Essence or Corporallity to speake in reference to the Spirit whereas we must onely understand a Spirituall Essence but yet Corporeall or Essentiall in reference to the Spirit of the Powers as the water is a thicker substance then the Ayre for the ayre penetrates the water the like is to be understood concerning the divine Powers and Essence 5. The Powers stand manifest in an oyly Property but the oyly is manifest in a watry Property therefore the Essence of the divine Powers consisteth in a Spirituall water viz. in the holy Element whence this world with the foure Elements as a degree more externall was brought forth and created into a Substantiall Forme 6. And in this holy Element or Spirituall water we doe understand holy Paradise in which the manifested Powers of God doe work which holy Element in the beginning of this outward world did Penetrate and pullulate through the foure Elements in which Power there grew such fruit wherein the vanity of the wrath was not manifest which man negligently lost so that the lively buddings of the holy Element through the foure Elements and the Earth did cease for the Curse of vanity was manifest and did effectually worke and spring forth out of the earth 7. Thus by the seventh Forme of the Eternall Nature we understand the Eternall Kingdome of Heaven wherein the Power of God is Essentiall which Essence is tinctured by the Lustre and Power of the fire and light for the Lustre of the Spirituall fire and light is the working life in the Spirituall water viz. in the holy Element for this water being the amassed or congealed Essence of the divine Powers is moving but yet it is as an Essence voide of understanding in reference to the divine Powers for it is a degree more externall as every Substance or body is inferiour to the Spirit the oyly Essence is the Spirit of the water viz. of the watry Spirit and the manifested Powers of God are the Spirit of the oyle or oyly Spirit and the Eternall Vnderstanding of the Word is the beginning of the manifested Powers and one degree goeth forth mutually from another and All r r r Or Beeings or all the Universall created Substance is onely God revealed God manifested God expressed Essence is nothing else but the manifested God 8. When we consider what kinde of life Motion and Dominion was before the times of this outward world in the place of this world and what Eternity is then we finde that it was and is unto Eternity such a life motion and Dominion as is above mentioned 9. The outward world with the foure Elements and Stars is a Figure of the internall Powers of the Spirituall world and was expressed or breathed forth by the motion of God when he moved the internall Spirituall world and amassed by the divine desire of the inward Powers and introduced into a creaturall Beeing both out of the internall spirituall dark-world and also out of the holy light-world 10. This outward world is as a smoake or vaprous steame of the fire-Spirit and water-Spirit breathed forth both out of the holy and then also out of the dark world and therefore it is evill and good and consists in Love and anger and is onely as a smoke or misty exhalation in reference and respect to the spirituall world and hath againe introduced it selfe with its Properties into formes of the Powers to a Pregnatresse as is to be seen in the Stars Elements and creatures and likewise in the growing Trees and hearbs it maketh in it selfe with its birth another Principle or beginning for the Pregnatresse of time is a Modell or plat-forme of the Eternall Pregnatresse and time coucheth in Eternity and it is nothing else but that the Eternity in its wonderfull birth and manifestation in its Powers and strength doth thus behold it selfe in a forme or Time 11. And now as we doe acknowledge that in the Spirituall holy world there is an Essence viz. a comprehensive Essence which consisteth in the Spirituall Sulphur Mercurius and Sal in an oyly and watry Bysse wherein the divine Powers play and worke so likewise in the darke world there is such a Property but altogether adverse odious opposite spitefull envious bitter and compunctive it hath also Essence s s s Or of according to its desire but altogether of a fell raw indigested watry Nature wholly sharp and harsh like to the Property of the rough hard stones or wild earth of a cold and scorching dark and fiery Property all which is a contrarium to Love that so it might be knowne what Love or Sorrow is 12. That the fullness of joy might know it selfe in it selfe the Keen Tartnesse of the Source must be a cause of the joy and the darknesse a manifestation of the light that so the light might be manifestly known which could not be in the ONE 13. But to answer the Readers desire briefly and fully concerning the seven Properties of the Eternall nature which make three Principles or worlds I will out of Love for the sake of the simple yet once more set downe the formes in briefe as an A. B. C. for his further Consideration and meditation I. Forme Astringent Desire 14. LO the Desire of the Eternall Word which is good is the beginning of the Eternall Nature and is the Congealing of the Eternall Nothing into Something it is the Cause of Essences also of cold and heat so likewise of the water and aire and the formation of the Powers and a cause of the taste a mother of all Salts II. Forme bitter Compunctive 15. THe motion of the Desire viz. the attraction is the other Forme of Nature a cause of all life and Stirring so also of the Senses and distinction III. Forme Anguish Perceivance 16. THe Anguish viz. the Sensibility is the the third Forme a Cause of the Minde wherein the Senses are moved and acted IV. Fire Spirit Reason Desire 17. THe fire is a cause of the true Spirituall life wherein the holy Powers of the free Lubet are delivered from the Astringent undigested roughnesse for the fire in its Essence devoureth the darke Substance of the Impression and works it forth out of it selfe out of the light into Spirituall Powers V. Forme Light Love 18. THe holy Spirituall Love-desire where the holy will of God hath exacuated it selfe in the harsh impression and manifested it selfe through the fire with the Power of the Omnipotence that now brings it selfe forth through the fire in the light and so in the Powers it is introduced into life and motion in the desire and herein the Holy Generation and the Triumphant Kingdome of the great Love of God doth consist and is
he receiveth an Eteernall beginning in the will with the wills owne Conception 8. Now the will speaketh forth it selfe by the Conception out of it selfe as a Spiration or manifestation and this Egresse from the will in the Speaking or Spiration is the Spirit of the Deity or the third Person as the ancients have called it 9. And the Spirate is the wisdome viz. the Power of the Colours and the Vertue of the will which it Eternally conceiveth to a Lifes-Center or Heart for its habitation and doth again Eternally speake it forth out of the Conception as from its owne Eternall forme and yet eternally conceiveth or Comprehends it for his Hearts Centre 10. Thus the Conception of the will viz. of the Father is from Eternity to Eternity which conceiveth his Speaking Word from Eternity and speaks it forth from Eternity to Eternity the Speaking is the mouth of the wills manifestation and the Egress from the Speaking or Generation is the Spirit of the Formed Word and that which is spoken forth is the Power Colours and Vertue of the Deity viz. the Wisdome 11. Heere we cannot say with any ground that God is three Persons but he is threefold in his Eternall Generation he begetteth himselfe in Trinity and yet there is but onely one Essence and Generation to be understood in this Eternall Generation neither Father Son nor Spirit but the onely Eternall Life or Good 12. The Trinity is first rightly understood in his Eternall Manifestation where he manifesteth himselfe through the Eternall Nature through the Fire in the light 13. Where we understand three properties in one onely Essence viz. the Father with the fire-world and the Son with the Love-desire in the light viz. with the light-world or with the great Meeknesse in the fire and the holy Spirit with the moving life in the Tincture in the oyly and watry life and Dominion who is manifest in the fire and light viz. according to the Property of the free Lubet that is the Divine property he is manifest in a great fiery flame of light and Love and then according to the property of the darke fire-world in a wrathfull painefull Sourcive property and yet he is the onely one in the light he is the Love-fire-flame and in the enkindled fire in nature he is a Consuming fire according to which God is called a Consuming fire and in the darke wrathfull Source he is an angry zealous avenger in which property the Spirits of the darke world consist 14. The Father is onely called an holy God in the Son that is in the power of the light in the divine Kingdome of joy viz. in the great meeknesse and Love for that is his proper manifestation wherein he is called God in the fire he is called an angry God but in the light or Love-fire he is called the holy God and in the darke nature he is not called God 15. We must make distinction each world hath its Principle and Dominion indeed All is from one Eternall Originall but it severizeth it selfe into a twofold Source a Similitude whereof we have in the fire and light where the fire is painefull and Consuming and the light meeke and Giving and yet the one were a nothing without the other 16. The fire receiveth its Originall in nature but the light hath its Originall from the free Lubet viz. from the Powers of the Deity the will of God doth therefore introduce it selfe into a fire that he might manifest the light and the powers and introduce them into Essence 17. Albeit I have written heere of the formes of nature understand the etetnall nature yet it must not be understood as if the Deity were circumscribed or limited his wisdome and Power in divine property is devoid of limit or measure innumerable infinite and unspeakable I write onely of the properties how God hath manifested himselfe through the internall and externall nature which are the chiefest formes of his manifestation 18. These seven Properties are to be found in all things and he is void of understanding that denyeth it these seven properties make in the internall world the holy Element viz. the holy naturall life and motion but this onely Element severizeth it selfe in this externall world into foure manifest properties viz. into foure Elements and yet it is but one onely but divides it selfe into foure head-Springs viz. into fire aire water and earth 19. From the fire ariseth the aire and from the aire the water and from the water the earth or a Substance which is earthly and they are onely the manifestation of the one internall Element and are in t t t Or before respect to the internall as an enkindled smoake or vaprous steame so also the whole u u u Or Constellations Astrum is nothing else but Powers breathed forth from the inward fiery darke and light world from the Great Minde of Divine Manifestation and is onely a formed Modell or Platforme wherein the great minde of divine Manifestation beholds it selfe in a time and playeth with it selfe CHAP. VIII Of the Creation of Angells and their Dominion 1. THe Creation of Angells had a beginning but the Powers out of which they are created never had any beginning but were concomitant in the birth of the Eternall beginning not that x x x Viz. The Powers they are the holy Trinity or in the same but they were conceived of the desire of divine manifestation out of the Eternall darke fiery and light-nature out of the Manifested Word and introduced into creaturely formes and shapes 2. God who is a Spirit hath by and through his manifestation introduced himselfe into distinct Spirits which are the voices of his Eternall pregnant harmony in the Manifested Word of his Great Kingdome of joy they are Gods Instrument in which the Spirit of God melodizeth in his Kingdome of joy they are the flames of fire and light but in a living understanding Dominion 3. For the Powers of the Deity are in them in like manner as they are in men as John saith Chap. 1. the life of men was in the word so also the life of the angells was in the word from Eternity for Matth. 22. ver 30. it s written in the Resurrection they understand men are as the Angells of God in Heaven 4. And as we understand principall-formes in the divine manifestation through the Eternall nature so likewise we are to understand Arch-angells or Angelicall Principalities with many legions but especially in three Hierarchies according to the property of the holy Trinity and also the three Principles as cannot be denyed 5. As 1. One Hierarchy is to be understood according to the darke world with the Kingdome of Lucifer who hath plunged himselfe thereinto and the other is understood with the light fiery and darke world and the third is understood with the Mystery of the outward world wherewith the internall hath made it selfe manifest 6. Each Hierarchy hath its princely dominion and Order
the Angels cannot abide there is a great Gulfe between them that is a whole birth 22. For what else is able to sever the light from the darknesse save onely a birth of Sight or light the light dwelleth in the darknesse and the darkenesse comprehendeth it not John 1. As the externall Sun-shine dwelleth and shineth in the darkenesse of this world and the darkenesse comprehends it not but when the light of the Sun withdraweth then the darknesse is manifest Heere is no other Gulfe between them save onely a birth 23. Thus we are likewise to conceive of the Eternall light of God and the Eternall darknesse of Gods Anger there is but one onely ground of All and that is the Manifested God but it is severed into sundry Principles and properties for the Scripture saith that the holy is unto God a good Savour to life understand to the holy divine life viz. in the Power of the light and the wicked is unto God a good savour to death that is in his wrath viz. in the Essence Source and Dominion of the darke world 24. For the God of the holy world and the God of the darke world are not two Gods there is but one onely God he himselfe is the whole Beeing he is c c c In his wrath Plagues and Hell Torment Evill and Good heaven and hell light and darknesse Eternity and time Beginning and End where his love is hid in any d d d Beeing Essence or Substance thing there his Anger is manifest in many a thing Love and Anger are in equall measure and weight as is to be understood in this outward worlds Essence 25. But now he is onely called a God according to his light in his Love and not according to the darknesse also not according to this Outward world Albeit he himselfe be ALL yet we must consider the Degrees how one thing mutually proceeds from another for I can neither say of heaven nor of darknesse or of this outward world that they are God none of them are God but the expressed and formed Word of God a Mirror of the Spirit which is called God wherewith the Spirit manifesteth it selfe and playeth in its Lubet to its selfe with this manifestation as with its owne Essence which it hath made and yet the Essence is not sundred from the Spirit of God and yet also the Essence comprehends not the Deity 26. As body and Soul are one and yet the one is not the other or as the fire and the water or the aire and the earth are from one Originall and yet they are particularly distinct but yet they are mutually bound to each other and the one were a nothing without the other and thus we are to conceive and consider likewise of the Divine Essence and also of the divine Power 27. The Power in the light is Gods Love-fire and the Power in the darkenesse is the fire of Gods anger and yet it is but one onely fire but divided into two Principles that the one might be manifest in the other for the flame of anger is the manifestation of the great Love and in the darknesse the light is made knowne else it were not manifest to it selfe 28. Thus we are to understand that the evill and good Angells dwell neere one another and yet there is the greatest immense distance betweene them for the heaven is in hell and the hell is in heaven and yet the one is not manifest to the other and although the Devill should goe many millions of miles desiring to enter into heaven and to see it yet he would be still in hell and not see it also the Angells see not the darknesse for their Sight is meere light of divine Power and the Devills sight is meere darknesse of Gods Anger the like is also to be understood of the Saints and againe of the wicked Therefore in that we in Adam have lost the Divine Sight in which Adam saw by the divine Power Christ saith you must be borne anew else you cannot see the Kingdome of God 29. In the fire-Spirit we are to understand the angelicall Creation where the will of the Abysse introduceth it selfe into Bysse and manifesteth the Eternall Speaking Word or life with the fiery birth viz. with the first Principle where the spirituall Dominion is manifest by the fire-birth In this Spirituall fire all Angells doe take their Originall viz. out of the formes to the fire-Source for no creature can be created out of the fire for it is no Essence but out of the properties to the fire a Creature may be apprehended in the desire viz. in the verbum Fiat and introduced into a creaturall forme and Property 30. And therefore there are many and divers sorts of Angells also in many distinct Offices and as there are three formes to the fire-Source so there are also three Hierarchies and therein their Princely Dominions and likewise three worlds in one another as one which make three Principles or Beginnings for each Property of the Eternall Nature hath its Degrees for they doe explicate and mutually unfold themselves in the fire-blaze and out of those degrees the different distinction of Spirits is created 31. And we are to understand nothing else by the Creation of the Angells and of all other Spirits but that the Abyssall God hath introduced himselfe into his manifested Properties and out of those Properties into living Creatures by which he possesseth the Degrees and therewith playeth in the properties they are his Strings in the All-Essentiall Speaking and are all of them tuned for the Great Harmony of his Eternall Speaking Word so that in all degrees and Properties the voice of the unsearchable God is manifest and made knowne they are all created for the Praise of God 32. For All whatsoever hath life liveth in the Speaking Word the Angells in the Eternall Speaking and the Temporall Spirits in the re-expression or Ecchoing forth of the Formings of Time out of the Sound or breath of time and the Angells out of the Sound of Eternity viz. out of the voice of the manifested word of God 33. And therefore they beare the names of the severall degrees in the manifested voice of God and one degree is more holy in the Power then another Therefore the Angells also in their Quires are differenced in the Power of the Divine Might and one hath a more holy Function to discharge then another an example whereof we have by the Priests in the old Testament in their Ordinances which were instituted after an angelicall manner 34. Albeit earthly yet there was even such an angelicall understanding and meaning coucht therein which God did represent upon Jesus which was to come into the humane Property and so alluded with Israel in the Type at the Eternall which was to come which Jesus out of Jehova did restore and introduce into the humane property which the Earthly Reason hath neither apprehended or understood but seeing the time is e
possibility of Eternity hath in it and what kinde of spirituall play is in the Ens of the inward spirituall world accordingly it came forth into a creaturall beeing out of good and evill into a Time and that through the Divine Motion 13. And hereby the Kingdome and Dominion of the Prince of the place of this world was taken from him for the Ens hath introduced it selfe into another Principle wherein he cannot be for he was not made a creature in this Principle and he hath no life therein save onely in the property of the awakened wrath in the Vanity CHAP. XV. Of the Sixt dayes worke of the Creation 1. THe Sixt day in the Creation is Friday on which Venus ruleth the first houre of the day which doth rightly signifie unto us the order of the degrees how the Eterall-speaking Word hath manifested it selfe with nature through the time how the Spirit hath brought forth the six Properties of nature into six degrees or dayes into a working life and yet hath introduced them all againe into the Seventh viz. into the Rest or into the mansion wherein they should worke denoting that all whatsoever they should worke manifest and produce out of the wonders of the Eternall wisdome should re-enter into the one viz. into the Rest which is the Seventh Property viz. a house of the working life wherein it should stand as a figure to the Contemplation of the Great Glory of God 2. Now when God had educed the five dayes of nature through five properties or degrees into five Constellations all which are not indeed Constellations but a fountaine of an Astrall Property viz. into a Sundry Peculiar heaven as it might be given and expressed to the understanding then he did on the Sixt day educe out of the Joviall property viz. out of the fift Constellation the sixt viz. he produced out of the Joviall Power the fiery Love-desire wherewith the ruleth through all the Constellations whence it is that each life doth long after its likenesse that is it againe desireth such a creature as each life hath in it 3. Each life desireth in this Venus Property to generate againe such a creature as it is in it selfe hence ariseth the strong ardent imagination and fiery desire that the properties doe againe desire into one viz. into the fountaine whence they proceeded for in the same they may generate the Assimulate of themselves 4. Now when God had educed this fiery Love-desire out of the Centre through all the properties then nature was now desirous in this Love-property of the likenesse of God viz. a Similitude according to and in the Generation of the holy Love-desire that so this holy Constellation of the Love-desire might also be creaturized and figurized 5. And being this Love-desire was Educed out of all the properties of nature and the heavens viz. out of the Verbum Fiat wherein all the Creatures lay from Eternity in a Mystery and introduced into a Separation viz. into a sundry distinct Degree therefore now the Property longed to be an Image of all degrees and properties viz. a living rationall and understanding Image according to the manifestation of this manifested property 6. Now said the Speaking Word in the Verbum Fiat Let us make man that is out of the * * * Masse or Mixture Mesh of all Essences out of the Property of all Powers and Constellations the Love-desire desired a Limus out of all Essences for a living Image An Image that may be like and resemble Us and let them have dominion over the fish of the Sea and over the fowle of the aire over the Cattle and over all the Earth and over every worme or creeping thing that creepeth upon the Earth 7. Understand this thus the sixt Property of nature viz. the Love-desire was produced expressed or breathed forth out of all the properties and was the desirous life in the joy viz. in the light of nature this was not it selfe a Limus but it was the desire to the limus for the Speaking Word which God expressed moved therein viz. the intellectuall life God was therein manifest 8. This manifested word of God desired in this Love-desire a limus out of the earth and all the created Essences out of all the Constellations and degrees for a * * * Corpus Body unto it selfe therefore God said an Image that may rule over fish fowle beasts wormes and over the Earth and all the Essences of the Constellations now if it must have dominion therein then it must be thereout for each Spirit ruleth in its mother whence it is arisen and proceeded and eateth of its mother 9. But heere we must rightly understand this Love-desire in the expressed Word the expressed Word had in this Venus-desire the desire of all heavens that is of all entities and properties in it self viz. the properties of the inward Spirituall holy heaven which is the mansion of the power of God and of the outward created heaven with the heavens of all constellations and Elements yet not essentially or in substance but as a Spirituall desire and these properties desired in the Spirituall desire to be essentiall 10. Now the Text in Moses speaketh very clearly and fully where it saith and God created man in his owne Image in the Image of God created hee him by the creating is understood the body which is twofold viz. a Spirituall body and a Corporeall for the Venus-desire is a spirituall body and that which it hath attracted unto it self in the Fiat into the desire of the spirituall body that is a fleshly body the Verbum Fiat it self did figurize and forme it into a Spirituall man out of all the three Principles viz. according to the inward divine world both according to the fiery-light-world and the outward world 11. And the Spirituall body is the Image of God which the Fiat cloathed with the Essence out of all the Essences viz. it cloathed it with the heavenly holy Essence the heavenly holy Corporality of the inward holy Love-desire and from the outward Love-desire it was cloathed with the limus of the Earth and the other Elements together with the visible Constellation of the third Principle 12. The inward holy man was in the heaven of God and the outward man was in the outward heaven a limus of the outward heaven and the inward man a limus of the holy Spirituall heaven therefore saith Moses very right God created man in IN his Image TO ZVM the Image of God for IN betokeneth that he was known by the Spirit of God in this Essence from Eternity in the mystery of wisdome as a Constellation of Magicall Power Into this knowledge God introduced the Essence and created the Essence TO the ZVM Image of the Magicall Image of God 13. Thus understand by the inward creating the true heavenly Image viz. an holy Spirituall man out of all the properties of the Angelicall divine world understand the inward body for the one only
Element whence the foure were expressed and understand the outward man for the outward world with the Stars and foure Elements viz. fire aire water and Earth and also for the outward Tincture which is lincked with the inward in the holy expressed Word and is onely Severed by a Principle where also the inward putteth forth an externall life the inward is holy and the outward life or Principle in the Tincture were likewise holy if the Curse were not come into it by reason of the awaked vanity yet if the vanity be Severed * * * Or from by the Tincture then it is holy and a Paradise which shall open it selfe at the End of this world 14. And Moses saith further God breathed into man the breath of life and he became a living Soule this signifyeth the living Speaking understanding Spirit out of all the three Principles viz. out of the inward fire-world which is manifest through the darke world and out of the holy light-world and out of the outward Aeriall world this is the Soule 15. The inward fire-breath is the true Eternall Creaturall Soule and the Lights-breath is the true understanding Spirit of the soul wherein it is an Angell and the outward air-breath is the rationall Soule in the vegetative bestiall life wherewith man ruleth over all the Creatures of this world 16. As the onely understanding of the Abyssall unsearchable Deity hath manifested it selfe with three Principles so likewise he hath breathed in the true life out of all the three Principles into the Created Image the body is a limus of all beeings and the Soule is the expressed Word viz. the Power and understanding of all Essences viz. the manifestation of the divine Understanding 17. The Spirit of God hath inspired or given in it selfe from the properties of all the three Principles into the Created Image viz. the Father of all Essences hath breathed or spoken forth the Spirit out of all the three Principles through his Eternall Speaking Word out of the whole Essence of the Powers or as I might set it down he hath inspoken it viz. the Egressed Sound or expressed voice of the understanding which through the motion of God did Educe and manifest it self through the Eternall and Temporall nature the same Spirit God did again in Speake or as the Text in Moses hath it breath in to this onely Image for a Ruler of the body and all other Creatures 18. And the Soul in its reall life and understanding consists in three Kingdomes the first is the Eternall nature viz. the Potent might of Eternity the dark and fire-world according to which God calleth himself a strong zealous Angry God and a consuming fire in which the Devill hath wholly plunged and diabolized himself 19. The Second is the holy light-world where the Eternall understanding hath displayed it self through the fires-sharpness in the light of the great fiery Love-desire and turned the wrathfuâ—l dark and fiery property to a Kingdome of joy which is the true manifestation of the Deity and it s called the holy heaven of the Angelicall delight and blisse 20. The third Kingdome or world is the outward Astrall and Elementall Kingdome viz. the aire with its domineering Constellation wherein all the five outward Constellations rule viz. the Superiour and the inferiour of the foure Elements out of which constellation the five Senses take their Originall wherein the vegetable and reasonable life consisteth this is the animall or bestiall Soule which ruleth over all the creatures of this world so also over all the outward heavens or Constellations and over all the Earth or Essences of the outward world 21. Understand it thus the fire-breath out of the first Principle ruleth in its Originall viz. in its own mother whence the Spirit of God amassed or moulded it viz. in the Centre of the Eternall nature in the Might of the darke-and fire-world and it is the Cause of the light life and also of the air-fire if that were not none of the other would be neither 22. And the lights-breath ruleth in the Second Principle viz. in the holy Kingdome of the manifested Power of God which is the Mansion of the holy Spirit of God the Temple of God viz. in the heavenly holy Essence understand in the holy Spirituall body of the holy Pure Element which with its properties standeth in equall weight and measure as a fit prepared Instrument of the Spirit wherein he manifesteth Gods wonders out of the Eternall wisdome and introduceth them into the melody of joy viz. into the holy harmony of the Eternall Speaking Word of God into the divine Kingdome of joy viz. into the manifestation of the divine Powers in which the holy Spirit is the true Musician 23. And the air-Spirit hath dominion also in its mother whence it ruleth over the outward world over the figure and Similitude of the inward world viz. over the outward Mystery of time and manifesteth its mother which is brought forth out of Eternity into a time to the Contemplation of the Wonders of the wisdome of God 24. And yet they are not three Souls but onely one yet it standeth in three Principles viz. in the Kingdome of Gods Anger and in the Kingdome of Gods Love and in the Kingdome of this world and if this were not then it could not be said the soule went into heaven or hell if a a a Heaven or Hell they were not in it when the Air viz. the outward Kingdome of time doth leave it then is the Soule manifest either in the dark fire-Kingdome of God or in the holy Kingdome of light in the Love-fire of the Power of God whereunto it hath given up it selfe in this life-time therein it standeth when it foregoeth the outward life 25. And we are in no wise to thinke that the soule is God himsâ—lfe who is neither nature nor Creature also dwelling in nothing save onely in himselfe and yet dwelleth through all things and is neither fâ—r off or nigh unto any thing but b b b The soule it is the expressed Word the Formed Word it is the Spirit and the life of the three Principles of divine manifestation but if it were God then it were immoveable uncontrouleable and no judgement could passe upon it 26. But a judgement may passe upon it if it departeth out of that Order wherein God introduced it in the beginning if it goeth out of the divine harmony out of the Order of the manifested word of Gods Power if it doth manifest or produce another will in it selfe viz. other properties out of the Strong Might of the Eternall nature 27. The whole man with body and Soul is threefold and yet but one onely man the body is out of a threefold Essence and the Soul is out of a threefold property of the Spirit an example thereof you have in the fire light and aire the fire hath another property then the light and aire have the fiery body is the Eternall
Word where he educeth himself through the fire in the light in the love-desire viz. in the holy Fiat and resteth Eternally with his manifested Word therein his Rest therein is a Dominion of joy where the Anguish-Source of Gods wrath of the Eternall nature is changed into a divine Kingdome of joy 25. And this Rest is the holy heaven in the Naturall heaven where time worketh in it self and setteth forth its operate for the day of Rest viz. the day of Separation where at the end of the dayes of this world the evill shall be Separated from the good and each thing shall possess its owne heaven viz. the property of its originall or sourcive Spirit whence it was Generated 26. But in this time Gods Love and Anger must mutually work in one another and manifest the Wonders of God both according to the fire and light world and the Verbum Domini resteth in the Seventh manifestation of the properties and shineth with its i i i And vertue power into the operation of the Six dayes viz. into the six properties and affordeth ayd and help to every life 27. In the seventh property all things are brought into their End viz. into the first day of the beginning of all Essences for the Seventh day viz. the Seventh property of the Eternall nature is the transparent Glassy Sea before the throne of the Ancient in the Revelation whence as out of k k k Ex Mysterio Magno the Grand Mystery this world was created into sundry Peculiar heavens and formes and Formed in the Verbum Fiat the Seventh day was from Eternity without and beyond all Time for it is the Formed Word of the Divine understanding in it the Eternall wisdome of God is manifest viz. the Powers and Wonders of the divine understanding in which the Deity worketh CHAP. XVII Of Paradise 1. MOses saith that when God had made man that he planted a Garden in Eden and there he put man to till and keep the same and caused all manner of fruits to grow pleasant for the Sight and good for food and planted the Tree of Life also and the Treee of knowledge of good and evill in the midst 2. Heere lyeth the vaile before the face of Moses in that he had a bright shining Countenance that Sinfull Israell cannot look him in the face for the man of vanity is not worthy to know what Paradise is and albeit it be given us to know it according to the hidden man yet by this description we shall remaine as dumb to the Beast but yet be sufficiently understood by our fellow-schollars 3. The Garden Eden was a place upon the Earth where man was Tempted and the Paradise was in heaven and yet was in the Garden Eden for as Adam before his Eve was made out of him before his sleep was as to his inward man in heaven and as to the outward upon the Earth and as the inward holy man penetrated the outward as a fire through-heats an iron so also the heavenly Power out of the Pure Element penetrated the foure Elements and sprang forth through the Earth and bare fruits which were heavenly and Earthly and were qualifyed sweetly Tempered of the divine Power and the vanity in the fruit was held as it were swallowed up as the day hideth the night and holdeth it captive in it self that it is not knowne and manifest 4. Paradise was nothing else but the Seventh dayes property the heavenly Essentiality of the second Principle is couched or shut up in the Earth the curse of God hath hidden it it budded in the beginning of the world through the Earthly Essentiality as the Eternity is in the time and the divine Power is through all things and yet is neither comprehended or understood of any earthly thing in selfehood 5. But in Paradise the Essence of the divine world penetrated the Essence of time as the Sun penetrates the fruit upon a tree and effectually works it into a pleasantnesse that it is lovely to looke upon and good to eat the like also we are to understand of the Garden in Eden 6. The word ‖ ‖ ‖ Ede expounded according to the Language of Nature Ede is nothing else but what Moses saith of the Earth that it was * * * Void eed and empty that is it should not manifest its Might according to the wrath of vanity it should be still as a mother to bring forth for the internall would rule through the externall as the Spirituall world through time heaven through the Earth the Earth was empty without fruit but the heaven was its husband which made it fruitfull and bare fruit by it untill the Curse where heaven did hide disappeare or withdraw it self from the Earth 7. The whole world would have been a meer Paradise if Lucifer had not corrupted it who was in the beginning of his Creation an Hierarch in the place of this world but seeing God knew well that Adam would fall therefore Paradise sprang forth and budded onely in one certaine Place to introduce and confirme Man therein whom albeit God saw that he would again depart thence he would againe introduce thereinto by Christ and establish him anew in Christ to Eternity in Paradise 8. For Lucifer poysoned the first Paradise with his false and wicked desire therefore God promised to regenerate it anew in Christ for the seventh day which God appointed for Rest is nothing else but Paradise regenerate anew in the Spirit of Christ in the humane property wherein the poore soul shall rest Eternally from the Source of the six dayes-workes viz. of the six properties of the life 9. Also it is the Seventh time or manifestation of God in which the Mystery of Gods Kingdome shall be finished when it shall be againe Pure in the place of this world when heaven shall be again manifest in the world and the Devill driven out with his l l l Text evill Essence wickednesse whereinto no unclean thing shall any more enter for this world in which Adam was before his Eve must againe returne as it was before the Curse in which Righteousnesse shall rule but the vanity shall be purged away through the fire of Gods Anger and given to the dark world 10. But that Moses saith the Tree of life stood in the midst of the Garden and presently next after setteth down and the Tree of Knowledge of good and Evill Heere lieth the vaile before his eyes that the earthly Sinfull man cannot behold him for he is not worthy of it for his earthliness in the Curse of the bestiall vanity shall not inherit Paradise 11. The precious Pearl lieth in the knowledge of the difference of the two Trees and yet it is but onely one but manifest in two Kingdomes for the Tree of life standeth wholly in the midst of the Garden for it standeth in two Principles in the midst viz. in the holy world between the Eternall dark world of Gods
of his Love-will There were enough and enough in this world if Covetousnesse drew it not into a selvish propriety and would beare good will to his brother as to himselfe and let his pride goe which is from the Devill 22. He runneth with great pride and Belly-carking onely to the Devill in the d d d Into the Abysse bottom-lesse Pit he will be Noble and better then his brother but whence will he have it did not God give but one life to man and out of that one cometh the life of all men 23. But that he phancieth to himselfe that he is more Noble and Gentile therein then others and vaunteth therewith is an Apostacy and fall from God and his word for in the word of God was the onely life of man which the Word breathed into the created Image and this same One onely life is from Eternity and never had any beginning wherefore doth man then bring in a strange life thereinto that doth disquiet and disturb the onely life now it must come to that pass that he doth either with his will and desire enter again into the Onely childlike life and forsake all whatsoever he hath introduced or else remaine for ever in disquietness in that his infoisted Essence or life 24. Now then being I must forsake all whatsoever I have introduced into my selfe for propriety and that the same is onely my e e e Losse or dammage hurt wherefore then doe not I forsake this false desire which bringeth Death and hellish vexation and torment into me better it is to quash and destroy the desire then afterward the Substance with great Anguish and sadnesse as it is a very difficult and painefull combate when a man must come to destroy the Substance in him by an earnest Conversion into the child-like life 25. But if the Free-will doth in the beginning break and quell the desire amd lust so that the lust becomes not Substantiall then the Cure is already produced and afterward there need not be such an Earnest Purpose and Endeavour as he must have who is to depart from his Contrived Abominations and forsake and destroy that Substance or matter which he hath forged and made in his minde and yet it must come so about or else he cannot attaine the Gates of the Eternall Onely life which God gave to man and if he reacheth it not then he also f f f Or enters not into Paradise reacheth not the Gates of God 26. For the onely Eternall life must be introduced into the Nothing without or beyond every creature and g g g Substance or thing being for it hath its Eternall originall out of the Nothing viz. out of the divine understanding and it is in a disquiet Source in the Something unlesse that its Something be also bent and set with its desire into the nothing and then the Something is a joy to the life that the life of the Nothing in it selfe may dwell and work in Something 27. For God in reference to the creature is as a nothing but if the creature introduceth its desire into him viz. into the Nothing then the Creature is the Something of the Nothing and the Nothing moveth willeth and worketh in the Something of the Creature and the Creature in the Nothing and in this Working no Turba can arise for it is its own Love-play a mutuall Loving it selfe and it stands at the end of Nature with its life 28. Thus we understand what inheritance Adam hath left us viz. the Curse and the vaine desire and we consider the outward man in its life as a monster of a true humane life unlesse that the pretious noble minde be borne againe in the Spirit of Christ else the outward Centre in the Minde is a Serpent 29. And in this Serpent the Grosse Beast which is from the Astrum and foure Elements doth sit and holds possession in the house of the minde and according to its beastiall property produceth various desires one desiring this another that and causeth manifold figures in the Mindes of men one maketh in his minde a fixt h h h Project devise or matter Substance another a shattered ruinable matter that which he maketh to day that he breaks down to morrow and hath an unconstant Beast in the Minde falleth sometimes upon this sometimes upon that and often changeth his minde 30. But he that brings up a fixt Beast he holdeth it in him for his Treasure and vaunteth therewith as if it were the virgin-childe and gathereth up Earthly Treasures for his beastiall pleasure and yet before God he is onely a foole with his beast for he must leave it to the Earth and the judgement of God 31. But he in whom the Virgins child is borne he treadeth the beast in the Minde underfoot and must indeed suffer it outwardly upon him to creep and faulter as a Laden Asse that must carry the earthly Sack but he hath enmity with it as God said to Adam I will put enmity between thee and the Serpent and between the Womans Seed and the Seed of the Serpent which shall bruise the Serpents head viz. the Serpents Beast This monster of the Beast in the earthly minde the true man doth bruise the head of its desire and Might 32. Thus a godly man must have enmity in himselfe and trample under foot the monster viz. the Serpents childe and continually kill it for if this beastiall Serpents Seed i i i Or had not been were not impressed and wholly incorporated in us God would not have said I will put enmity between the womans and the Serpents Seed the enmity is within man and not without man with the Creeping Serpent this Serpents Seed in man is the Devills riding Horse his strong Hold and Fort where he is able to dwell in man 33. And therefore because the Devill was a Prince of this world and still is so in the Anger it is his will and Ayme to possesse the Image of God which God created in his stead and to rule it under his jurisdiction and bring it into his Kingdome and this the Curse of Gods anger hath brought along with it which now worketh mightily unto Destruction 34. And on the contrary the Serpent-bruiser worketh unto Eternall life and the humane Minde stands in the midst of these in the free-will to which the free-will doth k k k Inoculate or incorporate Engraft it selfe therein the minde worketh it bringeth up a beast and also an Angell or a beast and a Devill according to the outward world a Beast and according the inward spirituall world an Angel or Devil 35. Here a grain of seed is sown which standeth in three Principles and is fitt or pregnant to bear a creature in and to all three for the Divine possibility from Gods manifested word in love and anger viz. the Verbam Fiat lyeth therein as the free-will conceives it selfe so it begets or generates an Ens and in the Ens
selfehood cannot now any more take any thing of God 72. But this is the processe which the free-will must goe if it will receive the holy Ens it must winde it selfe out of the Serpents desire out of its selfish selfe and somethingnesse and winde it selfe into Gods mercy and become a deadly mortifying Enemy to the fleshly desire in it selfe it must wholly forsake and depart from the selfe-full desire of the flesh and bring its hunger wholly and onely into the mortification of its selfish somethingnesse desiring and endeavouring continually and willingly to dye to its iniquity and false desire which sticketh in the flesh in the Serpents childe and in Christs Ens arise with a new will 73. This desire which departeth from the Serpents Ens and hungreth after Gods mercy receiveth Christs Ens into it selfe whence a new will is borne which bruiseth the head of the Serpent in the flesh for it is the new-birth out of God in Christ Jesus 74. But if thou wilt say thou canst not desire any good that is not true onely thou sufferest the Serpents will in thy right Eternall Souls will to hold thee and with the Soules will dost play the whore with the Serpents will in the flesh from whence ariseth Gods Election 75. God knoweth the false whorish soul which doth onely woe and wantonnise with the Serpent with the Idol Babell and will still live in the lust and will of the flesh and of the Serpent and yet willeth to be an outwardly Adopted child God should forgive it its sins by an outward Word-speaking but it willeth still to hang and cleave to the wanton Love of the Serpent in its false lust this God chuseth to Judgment 76. For the free-will which was inspired into Adam and which * * * The Soule it hath inherited from Adam hangeth on Lucifer and therefore God Confirmes it unto the Kingdome of darknesse with Lucifer but the Gate of grace standeth yet open unto it this time of the outward life CHAP. XXVII Of Cains and Abels offering and of the false and antichristian Church and also of the true Holy Church A Looking-glasse for the World 1. HEere againe the vaile lyeth before the face of Moses in respect of the Offerings of both these brothers wherefore God willed to have them offer whereas the Reconciliation and Attonement consists only in the earnest will toward Gods mercy in prayer and Supplication to God that a man depart and turn away from his evill will and repent and introduce his Faith and Hope into Gods mercy 2. They must verily needs know wherefore they offered Incense what pleasure and delight God took therein which Moses hath not once so much as mentioned and that from Gods purpose and yet it hath not been hidden to the children of the Saints and also not to Moses but he hath a vaile hanging before his Eyes 3. Israel being for the most part they were evill children and also Idolatrous as soon appeared by making them a Golden Calfe might not know it by reason of the false Magick and we also shall write only to those that are of our Tribe and yet plaine and easie enough to be understood Observe and marke it thus 4. The Soules free-will is as * * * Or subtile thin as a nothing and though it be in its body indeed encompassed with the Something yet it s Amassed or conceived Something is in a false distempered Essence by reason of the Originall of Sin 5. Now if the free-will would approach to God with the desire then it must depart out of its false Something and if it now doth so depart then it is bare and impotent for it is again in the first Nothing for if it will come to God then it must dye to its false selfehood and forsake it and if it forsakes the same then it is barely and meerely as a nothing and so it cannot go work or move if it will shew its might then it must be in Something wherein it doth Imaginate and forme it selfe 6. An example hereof we have in Faith if Faith would effectually worke then it must immasse or Imaginate it selfe into Something wherein it may worke Gods free-will hath conceived or immassed it selfe with the inward Spirituall world and worketh through the same and the inward worlds free-will hath conceived it selfe in the outward world and worketh through the same even so the Soules free-will which also hath its Originall out of the Abysse immasseth it selfe in Something that it might be manifest and thereby be able to move and act in Gods Sight 7. Seeing then Adams Body was out of the limus of the Earth and also out of the limus of the holy heaven which limus of heaven in Adam was now disappeared wherein the free-will had power to immasse or conceive it selfe into an holy forme and act worke pray and Supplicate before God therefore they made burnt-offerings of the fruits of the Earth as Cain he brought of the fruit of the ground Genesis IIII. verses 3 4. and Abel also brought of the firstlings of his flock and these they enkindled with fire 8. But understand a magicall fire as that of Moses for Moses declareth so also God looked graciously upon the offering of Abell and not upon Cains that is they brought offerings before God and the free-will of the soul should earnestly presse with its prayer in to God therefore it would have a o o o Subject or meanes Substance when it would goe out of the humane house of corruption into God that it might work in Something therefore the Imagination of the will did Immasse or Imaginate it selfe through the offering and God enkindled the offering of Abell with the holy fire in the Aym of the Covenant which in the fulnesse of time should again enkindle it self in the Soules fire 9. In this the will of Abels Soul did p p p Fashion or Idea enforme it selfe into an holy Substance and pressed with the desire of the Enformed free soules will before and into Gods free-will and this the will of the Devill and the Serpent could not brook and even this the will of the Serpent and Devill in Cain did well understand that the Aym of the Covenant did open it self in the Holy Fire in Abels desire and prayer 10. And therefore he would kill the Body of Abell according to his earthly limus least such children should be begotten of him and so he might loose his Kingdome in man But God would not enkindle the offering of Cain now Moses maketh a vaile here before it and saith God would not look q q q Or have respect to graciously upon Cains offering 11. The Enkindling of the externall offering was a figure of the internall Spirit for the soules Spirit in the free-will as to the Centre of the light was enkindled with Gods Love-fire and the Imagination of the Body also understand of the heavenly part was inkindled in offering with
Makes good merchandise of its religious ceremonies sale for Money and hath bound the Kingdome of Heaven to its Ceremonies and will sell it for Money so that the Man may but fat himselfe in this world under the white Garment of its hypocricie 29. The third party giveth forth that they have so holy an Order that it doth even Sanctifie and save them and they above all others will be esteemed holy 30. The fourth party or Sect will obtaine the Kingdome of God by their n n n Text mouth-cry lip-labour with muchnesse of Speaking Reading Singing Preaching and Hearing and it rebukes censures and reviles all that will not approve of prayse and give diligent attention to its lip-labour and fine conceited long Prating 31. This Party hath cloathed it selfe with the white Garment and set it selfe upon the letter or writings of Gods children and therewith it doth so lustily bestir and lay about it as a Beggar that casteth stones at the Dogs and sometimes hits a * * * Or Evill churlish one sometimes a * * * Or Good quiet one and he that is hit at makes him heare of it and then others fall on pell mell and bite and wurry him and there is a continuall biting tearing confounding reviling reproaching cavilling and jangling about the Letter a meere externall worke whereby men blindely zealous suppose to serve God and obtaine Grace a very Cainicall Offring 32. The Cainicall Church is in the outward world evill and good it buildeth and breaketh down and is onely a figure o o o Or according to of Gods Love and Anger what one party buildeth and calleth holy that another pulleth down and revileth with one mouth it buildeth and with another it teareth down what One hypocrite praiseth that another dispraiseth and thus there is onely a Confused shattered Babylon Evill and Good a wonder of nature and time 33. All these run on in their selfe-contrived and devised Orders and rely upon their received Orders and so they offer the Letter of the word and the worke of their own hands before God and will needs be outwardly adopted and accepted children before God God must have respect unto their Offring and forgive them their Sins by a word speaking as a Lord out of favour and clemency freely gives a malefactour his life such an unmeasurable matchless heap of Grace they have brought into their literall Offerings and into the workes of their hands so that their Teaching and the hearing of them is accounted for the most holy way wherein salvation is to be had and whosoever doth not worship and honour this their way with exceeding diligence and subject himselfe thereunto him they reproach persecute and kill or else hold him for an Heretick 34. But Abels children in Christ have far another worship and Service of God they dwell indeed among Cains children and doe also appeare in their Orders and Offrings they Offer to God a broken and bruised heart and an humble Contrite minde in true Sorrow for and Conversion from their committed Sins and with their Spirituall will doe goe out from and forsake all their creature-selfefullnesse and selfish interests and arrogation and dye to their selfehood in the Death of Christ and become as children who neither know nor will any thing but onely their mother which hath brought them forth they cast their selves into her bosome and they take in Patience whatsoever she pleaseth to doe with them 35. For their internall will is quite mortified to the outward world with all its glozing shew and alluring glory they account themselves very unworthy before the great Grace of God and their vanity which the flesh desireth is alwayes in their sight and to this the inward spirituall will is a deadly opposite Enemy and yet it cannot be wholly separated from it in this life-time their whole course through this world is a meere work of Repentance for their Sins and Impurity doe appeare continually in their Sight 36. There is a continuall and constant Combate in them of the flesh in the earthly desire against the divine desire and of the divine desire against the lust of the earthly flesh for the divine desire doth * * * Betake amasse it selfe into Gods Grace and Mercy and brings it selfe into a Centre of a working life and penetrates through the earthly false lustfull life and striketh the false lust and Imagination down and then the false Imagination falls into great Sadnesse when as it contemplates and beholds the voluptuous pompous stately brave glistering Course of this world and findes it selfe so mean and foolish that it must forsake and forgoe that wherein it might have its chief joy pleasure and delight 37. Also the Devill he cometh forthwith with his temptation and bringeth his desire into the false Imagination and shewes him the fair Kingdome of the world and rebuketh his Intent as a false Phancy and meere conjecture stirreth up the crew of the wicked against him who scorne jeere reproach and contemn him and then sometimes the Sprackling glimps and divine desire doth even lose it selfe for Christ viz. the virgins-childe in the Spirit of Christ is lead into the wildernesse and is tempted of the Devill and of the Anger of God and also of the Carnall worlds spirit and oftentimes the Spirit of Christ doth hide it selfe as if the virgins-childe were quite gone and past Hopes also the Devill makes his addresse thereto and brings him into Doubt as if the virgins childe were not borne 38. For the virgins childe is hidden in the Desart and then the poore captivated Soule is in great Sorrow and lamentation sigheth and cryeth to God also it cannot love or away with the beastiall Image but it doth stir up it selfe as a great assaulting Storme in the Body and seeketh the Gates of the deep in its Originall and forceth with might or holy violence into that word which hath formed it to be a creature and diveth it selfe thereinto as an Impotent will-lesse childe and desireth its first mother whence the first Soule was born for its Nurse and makes it selfe wholly will-lesse in this mother and lyeth onely at her Breasts and sucketh her Love and grace into it the mother may doe with it what she please this is the true meaning and the right manner of dying to selfehood and selfefull Imagination and lust in ones selfe and becoming as to the will of the Soule as a childe in ones selfe as Christ saith unlesse yee be converted and become as children yee can in no wise see the Kingdome of God selfe and selfefull Reason in the lust of the flesh can neither taste or see it 39. From this mortification of the Selfefull will and earnest Resignation into Gods mercy the virgins-childe doth again Spring forth out of the Desart with its faire and glorious Pearl-blooming Tree with very excellent and new fruit for so it must be tryed in the fire of Gods Anger that the Abomination of the
introduced earthly will may dye in it 40. For the fire-soule viz. the first Principle hangeth upon the Band of the outward world and continually and eagerly introduceth Something of vanity into it whereby the virgin-childe of the Angelicall worlds Essence viz. of Christs essentiality is defiled obscured and darkned therefore it must be so refined purified and purged again and many a cold piercing rautish wind of tribulation Anguish and great perplexity bloweth upon this child it must be continually as an off-scouring of the world for its Kingdome is not of this world as Christ said my Kingdome is not of this world 41. But the effect is this when the fair morning Star doth dawn and arise in the virgin-child then the outward life is even illuminated Or while it â—ives here in this time and it giveth it selfe up unto the obedience of the Internall life as an instrument and Servant of the internall 42. And then the holy Spirit of God shineth forth through the virgin-child and preacheth Christ crucified and reproveth the world for its Sins and wicked malicious doings and shewes them their false hypocriticall erroneous way that they will needs be the children of God in the outward Kingdome in their selfe-contrived and devised wayes and will seeke an externall forgivenesse of Sin in their owne conceited and received wayes and yet will still remaine in the vanity and in the pleasure of their flesh and desire onely to make devout shewes before God and give good words in a soothing glozing glosse of fine hypocrisie as if they served God in their contrived Conjectures and Opinions but still they will continue in selfehood in the outward shew and Ostentation 43. These the holy Ghost doth rebuke and reprove by the Virgins child in Christs Spirit and calls them hypocrites and wolves in sheeps cloathing and crafty Foxes borne of the Serpents Ens in whom there is the very property of Toads Dogs and wilde Beasts and shewes them that they draw neer to God with their lips but their Heart is full of murther gall and Serpent-desire and hath no true upright Love-desire in it also it shewes them that they are but meer flatterers and dissemblers in their Office who onely seeke pleasure and Temporall Honour and Respect thereby that so they might be able to domineer and Lord it over mens bodies and Soules Goods and Estates and thus they serve God onely from without with hypocriticall mouthes but their heart hangeth to the whoredome of Babylon full of devillish murther and poyson against him that doth but touch their Conscience 44. Such children in the Serpents craft who are best able as cunning Crafts masters in Sophistry to turne this Suttlety most takingly and artificially the children of the world doe set up unto themselves for Teachers and will learne the way of God from them 45. These Teachers doe assume unto themselves and presume upon the writings of the Saints and proclaime with open mouth that they teach Gods word the holy Spirit is poured forth by their teaching and preaching and though their conscience doth even convince them that they are not capable of the Office of the Ministry and that they are in no wise the Temples of the holy Spirit who should teach in and by them yet they care not for that it brings them money and Honour Christ is gone up to heaven and hath placed and Ordained them to be Stewards and Vicars in his office they must compose and contrive their Doctrine out of the writings of the Saints and out of their Reason upon the Letter of the Scripture their heaping together and composing of the words in the forme of their Suttle Reason must be the voice of the holy Spirit they say the holy Spirit is thereby poured forth into the Hearts of men 46. And though they themselves be onely Cain and in their q q q Or composing of the texts or bare letter of Scripture litterall and Bookish rapsody in their Sermons doe cast forth a great deal of light lewd Cainicall scorne and brother-slaughter and oftentimes mix lies and truth together yet the holy Spirit must have taught and the Congregation must thanke God for such holy sound orthodox Evangelicall Doctrine as they call it and after their killing of their brother there they must also help with boldnesse courage and zeale to murther and slay Abel and the little childe Jesus in his members with words and deeds 47. Such Teachers the world sets up to learn the Kingdome of God from and whosoever can but lustily cavill censure and condemne others in their Gifts and propose it with fine Distinctions and suttle Arguments and cloath them with the mantle of Reason and hide the Wolfe which thereby murthereth and devoureth Christs flock under the purple mantle of Christ to him they give diligent attention for the fleshly Serpents Heart doth therewith sooth up and flatter it selfe in its evill property It hath even such an Artificiall nature and Constitution 48. Such Seed these Teachers chosen of men doe sow who onely desire the Calling for temporall Honour and pleasure but are not called of God and are also without divine knowledge and understand not what true divinity is they enter not by the doore of Christ but they come into place by the Election and favour of men through the means of their own willing walking and running these can no way be acknowledged for the shepheards of Christ for they are not borne of Christ and chosen to this Function and divine calling 49. They are onely the great Master-builders of Babylon where the Languages are confounded and men thereby set at ods and variance and they set up war and contention upon the Earth for they wrangle and jangle about the meer Husk viz. about the written word and Letter and they have not the living word of God dwelling in them from which they ought to teach the Spirit of Christ it selfe must be the teacher in the word with the living voice or Expression the Spirit r r r The humane Spirit of man must know and feelingly finde Christ in it otherwise none teacheth the words of Christ onely dumb sencelesse words without power and Spirit 50. Now the Spirit of Christ in his children doth reprove these and shewes them the true way viz. how we must dye wholly in Christs death to the selfehood and the false selfe-full desire of temporall pleasure and honour and be borne again of Christs Spirit with another new will and desire out of Christs s s s Or body Love in peculiar Reall knowledge and preach and teach Christ from our own peculiar and singular knowledge of him in our selves 51. This Babel in Cain cannot endure that one should teach that Christ himselfe must be the teacher in the humane Spirit they plead their Cause from the forewritten Apostolicall word and say if they teach the same then the Spirit of God is poured forth yes forsooth very right I say so
monster and an Evill Beast in his free-will which doth not resemble the first Image of the formed Life in the word of God now against this Beast the words of Christ are directed when he saith Vnlesse ye be converted and become as children that is unlesse you do depart from and utterly disclaim the will of the Selfe-Generated Beast and enter again into the form of the first Life yee cannot else see the Kingdom of God also yee must be borne againe of the water of the Heavenly worlds essence and of the same holy Spirit proceeding from the Covenant otherwise ye cannot see and behold God 9. This Evill Beast of the Godless form Note is predestinated to condemnation but the Covenant is in the Life if the free will Resigneth it selfe up to the Covenant then Christ ariseth in his humanity out of the Covenant in the Life and even then the strange Beast dyeth in Christs death and the will formeth it selfe again into the first Image according as God created it and this is not annexed onely unto Seth but unto Adams life viz. unto the Onely life of man which was in the Word of God and passeth from one upon all as all branches in one tree do receive sapp from the Onely root of the stock 10. But the properties of nature viz. of the naturall life have brought themselves out of Adams stock into sundry boughes and branches whence the multiplicity of Nations Tongues and Speeches is arisen but the Life is onely One and the Covenant in the life sprang forth from the root of life viz. from the Word of God out of which the Life came upon all even as the Sin viz. the fall and apostacy passed upon all none excepted for the Children of Seth were concluded under Sin as well as Cains but the Covenant * * * Or the open and outward manifestation of the Covenant with its manifestation passed upon SETH for his name signifieth in the Language of nature a forth-breathing Spring out of the Life through the first Centre of the Soule wherein the word of God would open it selfe through the Life 11. And Moses saith Seth begat Enos Gen. 4.26 and then began men to preach of the Name of the Lord for the Name ENOS signifieth in the Language of Nature a Divine Lubet through the life wherein the Formed Word would behold it selfe in the Sound and Voice of the Life therefore the Spirit of God began to Teach out of the Covenant through the Life of man concerning God and his Being and Will this was the beginning of the Divine Contemplation through the formed Wisdom in the word where the word did behold it selfe through the wisdome of the formed Humane Voice 12. And as the Life did form it selfe by Cains line through the wonders of the formed wisdome in Nature with all manner of Arts and works and also Dominions Governments and Orders and introduced them all for the Setting forth of Gods wondrous Deeds and Acts viz. to a Contemplation of Evill and good light and darknesse so likewise the Spirit of God did bring forth out of the Line of the Covenant in the manifested Word the wonders of Divine Holinesse Truth Righteousnesse Love and Patience and by the Preaching of the formed word did declare what the holy and Spirituall Kingdome of God is 13. In Cain the Kingdome of nature was represented and in Abel and Seth the Supernaturall Divine Kingdome both these arose together and went all along one in another to the Remonstrance or Contemplation of the Divine Lubet in the formed wisdome and Each put it selfe forth in an especiall manner into its visible Ken as a wonder 14. For from Adam even unto Lamech in the line of the wonders there are Seven Generations and in the other line viz. in the line of the Covenant from Adam unto Enoch are also Seven Generations Enoch is the Eighth viz. a beginning of the propheticall Spirit for in the first Seven Generations the form of the Spirituall Kingdome proceeding from the Life's Tree was set forth 15. Adam was the stock for his life taketh its originall out of the word but being the Life of nature in him did predominate over the life in the formed Word and would have the Supream dominion and obscured the life proceeding from the word the word it selfe freely gave it selfe with a Covenant to be a Life therein and set forth its figure in Abel how the naturall life should and must be broken and the word of the Divine power should again spring forth afresh out of the first Life 16. Thus Abel was the Figure of the Second Adam Christ and therefore he must be slain for the Covenants sake for Christ should kill the exalted haughty naturall will and being forth a new one and therefore Abel also should not beget any naturall child else it had been strange to nature for they should all proceed forth out of one stock and the word would spring forth anew through the Onely Tree in the Covenant that so the Children of Grace might be brought forth out of the Tree of nature as the dew out of the * * * Or Morning day-break 17. For thus also the figure of the new birth was represented out of the Stem namely the line went forth out of Adam he was the first Abel the second Seth the third Enos the fourth where men began to teach of the Spirituall Kingdome * * * Or Cainan KENAN the fift which signifieth in the language of nature a forth-going * * * Re-apprehend re-conceived Lubet or desire of the divine Contemplation in which the word Taught did form it selfe viz. in Prayer and in the wills desire and also in their Offrings 18. MAHALALEEL was the sixt and signifieth in the language of nature an Angelicall form of an Angelicall Kingdome where the spirit did typifie and pourtray the Kingdome of Christ in this Name 19. JARED was the Seventh by this Name is understood in the language of nature a Priest or Prince of the Spirituall Kingdome for as Irad should be the Regent or Ruler in the Kingdome of nature so Jared should be the Regent in the Spirituall Kingdome for out of Jared came the office of Moses and out of Irad proceeded the Kingdome of worldly principalities and framed Governments and Dominions 20. But the language of nature sheweth very clearly that Jared is onely a type of a spirituall Kingdome for the Name carrieth forth the Cherub along with it through the word for the spirituall Kingdome upon the earth was all along captivated in the wrath of God untill Christ who destroyed the Anger 21. The Office of this Jared is twofold viz. externally it is the figure of the Spirituall Kingdome bound with the wrath of God and internally it is the true holy Kingdome which the Penitent man receiveth or taketh possession of Outwardly it is Moses and inwardly Christ. 22. From this outward Kingdome the great
mother of the babylonicall whoredome is Arisen in the Kingdome of Moses among the Pharisees and in the Kingdome of Christ among the * * * Text The Letter crieâ— or Literalists verball and titular Christians who do all Onely boast and gloriously set up themselves in the figure as an Idol and appear as if they were the holy spirituall Kingdome but the Cherub carrieth forth the Sound through their word as a consonant of the wrathfull Anger of God 23. And therefore they must contend about the Kingdome of Gods will for they have not the Spirit of the inward Spirituall heavenly Kingdome but onely the voyce out of the figure where Evill and good are in contest they have and use the letter but as an Empty unprofitable instrument as a figure of the spirituall Form for thus also the Spirit did represent it by the name Jared as a mixt Kingdome upon the earth whereby the inward spirituall new-born children should be exercised and proved 24. And by this form it did signifie and foretell how that the greatest part in this Spirituall Office would be taken in the Sword of the Cherub and that their Office would be cut off by the Cherub from Gods holinesse and given to the Spirituall Eternall Kingdome of the Anger 25. For as Lamech in Cains line took two wives viz. two wills and confirmed his Kingdome therein and at last brought forth or pronounced the Seventy and Seven-fold Racha proceeding from the Centre of nature even from the seaven properties upon the Murther of the free-will which would murther and slay his life in many even so likewise Jared carrieth two wills in his Nature's Name viz. One into Gods Love and mercy in the Covenant and the other into the Figure in which the Anger of God ariseth up and carrieth the abominable Idol the Belly-God along with it which is here deciphered and painted forth to the Life 26. And Moses saith further Jared begat Enoch Here the great and wonderfull gate doth open for out of Jared viz. out of the Kingdome of the wonders the Prophet must arise for the Prophet is the mouth of the Kingdome he sheweth what the Kingdome is and how it is taken and apprehended in the Evill and good and what the issue and end of all things shall be also he declareth and pointeth out the * * * Or the middle viz. what hath bin done and acted by the Turba in the wonder of Time Means how the Turba hath apprehended the life and denounceth severe and earnest Threatnings concerning Gods anger how the sword of the Cherub will cut off the false man or Prophet 27. HENOCH signifieth in its own Speech as much as a forth-breathed breath of the divine * * * Or Lubet good pleasure which hath in the time thus beheld it selfe with the out-breathing in a form which power of the forth-breathing doth again draw the formed breath into it selfe and doth onely give forth its Sound as a voyce of the Divine will and First it doth point at a Twigg springing from the line of the Covenant viz. out of the internall Priestly office out of the holy divine Lubet of the wisdome of God out of Jehovah the Spirit would comprehend the deepest Love in Jehovah in one Name and Word which is called Jesus but in the mean time it did thereby play in the Time of the Figure in the holy wisdome in the Line of the Covenant as with an internall hidden holy Kingdome which he would manifest in the fullnesse of time 28. Secondly it signifieth the power of the formed word viz. the Person or the Body out of the Limus of the Earth viz. of the heavenly part of the Earth intimating that this body should be taken into the holy word and translated from this earthlinesse as the light doth withdraw and swallow up the darknesse even so likewise the good part of the true humanity in Adams first Image * * * Text should or is to be shall be translated extracted or drawn forth by the word out of the earthlinesse and arise out of the earth which Enochs Translation from this world doth point out and signifie 29. Thirdly it signifieth and pointeth at the Prophet viz. the Voice of the Divine Lubet Note which did declare and set forth the Kingdome of Christ and also the Kingdome of the wonders in their future transactions and junctures of Time for the propheticall voice did manifest it selfe again out of the translation and did foretell and signifie out of the Essence of the spirit viz. out of the most spirituall Kingdome that is out of the Humane Angelicall Kingdome through the Souls spirit and then also from the whole Body of the Kingdome viz. from the nature of the wonders from the Limus of the earth and of the Stars I say it did set forth both from the spirituall and corporall Kingdome how the outward Kingdome of man should afterwards arise in this worlds-being and what should happen and come to passe therein This the inward holy omniscient spirit doth signifie * * * Or by through the outward viz. through the wonders of the pregnatresse or mother of the outward beings viz. through the Spirit of the outward world for the inward spirit did view it selfe through the formed wisdome of God and did contemplate and behold it selfe in the formed spirit of the wonders this the Name Enoch signifieth unto us 30. Now the Spirit in Moses doth further demonstrate and saith Enoch was 65. years old and he begat Methusalah and after that he begat him he continued in a divine life three hundred yeares and begat Sons and daughters Gen. 5.21 c. so that the whole Age of Enoch was three hundred sixty and nine yeares and being he lead a divine life God tooke him away and he was no more seen Here the vaile hangeth right before the face of Moses by reason of the unworthinesse of man and the Spirit signifieth very clearely in Moses if we had but the eyes of our understanding open when these Mysteries should be manifested or fulfilled 31. But seeing the most High hath freely granted us by his Counsell to understand this we will so far as we * * * As we ought dare somewhat unfold these Mysteries to our school-fellowes and shew the pretious Pearle unto the children and yet with all suffer a Bolt to lie before our description that the false heart shall not enter into it but we shall be sufficiently and fundamentally intelligeable unto those that are Ours 32. Moses pointeth in each degree in the Lines onely upon one person which he also setteth into the Line through which the Spirit of wonders goeth afterwards saith Moses and he yet lived such * * * Or so long a time and begat Sons and daughters of vvhich he saith nothing any further thereby he vvould intimate and signifie unto us the Spirit of the manifestation of the wonders of God in each
line their Age which the Spirit setteth down denoteth the * * * Note Times how long each Dominion and government both the worldly and Spirituall or Ecclesiasticall Kingdome should stand in its forme and Structure that is to say how long each * * * Beginning growing arising prevailing Monarchy of the Secular and wordly power and domination should continue and so likewise of the Spirituall Monarchy 33. And these * * * Or Monarchs Monarchies of the wonders are forthwith represented out of the first Twiggs springing from the beginning of the humane tree that is they are set forth in each line in Seven numbers from Adam through Cain even unto Lamech and in the other line from Adam unto Jared by which Numbers and Names the Spirit pointeth in each line especially at Seven of the forth-proceeding properties of the Tree and powers of the wonders intimating how the powers of the wonders should afterwards bring themselves into Goverments and how one figure should arise out of the other and how one should destroy and break down the other and set forth out of the destruction another forme as it hath been brought to passe in the * * * Ecclesiasticall and Temporall Spirituall and worldly Goverments for alwayes the worldly Government is to be understood with the Spirituall for the outward formed Word in the dominion and Regiment of nature doth evermore set forth its forme by with and in the Spirituall or Ecclesiasticall forme or manner of Discipline therefore observe and marke here with precise Exactnesse 34. There are Seaven Times appointed to proceed from the Tree of life in the word of power the first proceedeth from the pure life of Adam for before the creature the life was in the word whence it was brought pure into the Image this continued untill the fall from this pure life there springs forth a twigg in the inward Kingdome this same was Abel but being the fall hung on him externally this same pure life was carried through Death into the holy world this signifieth and pointeth at the Kingdome of Christ who should bring us through Death into the pure Life 35. The Second time begins with Seth for Moses saith that Adam was an hundred and thirty yeares old and begat a Son in his own likenesse and called him Seth understand he was such an Image as Adam wâ—s after the fall and was set in the Spirituall Line of the Wonders and Cain also with him in a worldly naturall line of the wonders for both * * * Secular and Ecclesiasticall Kingdomes goe together Seths time continueth till the Deluge and beareth the Supremacy even to the Deluge or Noahs floud 36. The Third time begins with Enos under Seths time and carrieth forth it selfe all along as a Spirituall Ministry or Knowledge of God under Seths time as an hidden Kingdome and continued till Abraham to whom the Covenant of Christ was established in the flesh 37. The Fourth time begins with Cainan which is the Spirituall forme in prayers and Spirituall offrings wherein the word formed it selfe in the wisdome and carried it selfe forth all along under Seths and Enos his time and manifested it selfe with Moses like as Enos his time was first truely manifested with Abraham with the promise in the Covenant this time of Cainan continued in its manifestation and dominion under Moses till Christ in the flesh 38. The fift time begins with Mahalaleel and t is the Reception or formation of the Angelicall forme viz. of the new Regeneration out of the Covenant and goeth Secretly all along under the Ministry of Enos under Seth and Cainan in the word of the promise through all the Three times and did manifest it selfe with the fulfilling of the Covenant in the humanity of Christ where the true Mahalaleel and Angelicall Image which did disappeare in Adam was again manifest in the humanity of Christ. 39. The Sixt time begins with Jared which is the spirituall Priesthood under the externall where outwardly Seth Enos Cainan Mahalaleel were in their Times in their Orders or outward formes as the ministry and preaching of Enos concerning God and his beeing and will so likewise the preaching of Abraham concerning the Covenant and Circumcision Also Moses with the Book of the Law under all these the inward Priest Jared went along hiddenly Inwardly this Spirituall Priesthood is Christ in the new man and outwardly in the selfe-elected Priests it is Babel 40. This Sixt time began in the Kingdome of Christ after the Death of the Apostles when as men chose themselves Teachers out of favour and outward respects that is it did even then first open it selfe out of the * * * Or vaile hiddennesse of the shaddow and put it selfe forth in the Churches of Stone where the Church stood in stead of the holy Temple of Christ then indeed the holy Jared viz. Christs voice ruled in Christs children internally but externally the Cherub with the Sword did onely bear rule for the outward authority which these selfe-elected Priests doe manage is the Sword of the Cherub which is signified in the Name Jared * * * That is in the word JARED the Language of Nature doth emphatically expresse that the Sword of the Cherub should Domineere the whole Time of the Sixt Seale among the Priests who should have taught the Love of Jesus but by this Sword they fall AMEN which powerfully forceth it selfe forth all along in the word in the language of Nature 41. This sixt time is hidden and manifest it is known and also not known for Christ said my Kingdome is not of this world So that this time hath been faine to passe away as it were in a Mystery under Antichrist where inwardly in the children of God Christs Kingdome hath been manifest but in the Rest who have also lived under this time and have been called Christians Babel and the Antichrist hath onely been manifest both in the Priests and their Hearers for they which have been borne of God have heard the true Jared viz. Christs voice in them but the other have heard onely the Outward voice in Babel viz. disputation and Contention about Christs Kingdome 42. For all warre which the Christians manage is onely the Sword of the Cherub proceeding from Babel true Christians wage no war for they have broken the Sword of the Cherub in the death of Christ and are dead with Christ and risen againe in him and they live no longer to the externall Might and Dominion for their Kingdome is manifest in Christ and is not of this world 43. This Sixt * * * Or sixt Seal Kingdome beginneth after the death of the Apostles and continueth with its outward Government even to Mount Zion till translated Enoch doth again appear in Spirit and power for Enoch is the propheticall Root and holdeth in his * * * Or Regiment Dominion Noah Moses and the Sword of Elias at the End of this
sixt time the Outward Jared falleth and with him that same Outward Building viz. the City Babel This Figure was thus deliniated in the Authors Manuscript and soe received by Abr von Somervelt 45. The Seventh Time begins with * * * Read the 35. quest of the 40 Quest. of the Soule Enoch viz. with the Propheticall Mouth who declareth the Secret wonders of God under all the Six times laying open what should Be and have been done and brings it selfe all along quite from under the vaile of Noah Abraham and Moses even into the Kingdome of Christ where this same propheticall Spirit * * * Or hath been is translated in Christs Spirit till the end of the Sixt time then he manifests himselfe in the Number of the Triple Crosse. When the Triple Crosse doth manifest it selfe then stands the Right Triple Crowne upon the Crosse and even then the Enochian Prophets mouth doth expresse and speak forth the Great wonders of the Triple Crosse that is he speaketh no more Magically viz. in Types and Parables but sheweth the holy Trinity in the figure viz. the Formed word of God in all visible things and revealeth all Mysteries within and without 46. And Even then is the time when Enoch and the children under his voyce do lead a Divine Life of which the first life of Enoch was a Type and then there is a blessed and Golden year till Enochs last translation comes and then the Turba is born which when it shall enkindle its fire the Floar shall be purged for it is the end of all time 47. Enoch begat Methusalah who was the man of the longest Age and was translated three hundred years after This intimateth and declareth that the Spirit which in Enoch did bring forth a twigg viz. Methusalah who attained the highest Age shall rule in the Last and highest Age of the world and in the mean while hide it selfe before that time and remain as it were Translated as Enoch was translated and was no more Seene 48. His translation was not a dying or a putting off of nature and creature but he went into the Mystery betwixt the spirituall and outward world viz. into Paradise and is the Propheticall Root out of the Stem of Adam in the line of the Covenant out of which Spirit afterwards the propheticall mouth spake 49. This spirit was translated in Christs Living voyce when it spake in the flesh and must be silent till the voyce of Jared iâ— finished then he proceedeth forth again from his first root through All voyces viz. through the voyce of Noah who denounceth the deluge of Anger to come upon Babel and through the Stock of Noah and the whole forth-spreading propagation of his Tree through all the Lines viz through the * * * Through Hams Japhets and Sems-line Heathenish Japheticall and Semâ—â— line and through Abrahams and Nimrods children in Babel through Moses and the Prophets and lastly through the voyce of the manifested Word in the spirit of Christ and revealeth the whole Mystery of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evill 50. For through his voyce all the fore-mentioned voyces of the wonderfull Lines whence the Kingdomes of this world have had their rise shall be changed into One voyce and knowledge and transplanted into one Kingdome viz. into the first Tree of Adam which is no longer called Adam but Christ in Adam All Nations tongues and speeches hear this Voyce for it is the first word whence the life of mankinde proceeded for all wonders doe joyne againe together in the word into one Body and that body is the formed divine word which at first with Adam did introduce it self into One Onely Stem and through him into a Tree of manifold boughes branches and fruits to the contemplation of the Divine wisdome in the wonders of the powers colours and vertues according to Evill and good 51. This High Tree doth disclose and clearly open it selfe what it hath been in time and what it shall be Eternally and in its * * * Disclosure or Opening· manifestation Moses puts away his Vaile and Christ his Parables in his Doctrine and then the propheticall mouth of this Tree of wonders doth expresse in Divine Power all the voyces of the Powers of the Tree whereby Babel taketh her End and this is a wonder and in this same wonder all Numbers and Names are made manifest and this no man can hinder 52. For that which is Lost in the Spirits of the letters shall be again found and the * Spirit of the letter shall be found again in the formed word of the Creation and in the Creation shall be found and known the Being of all Beings and in the Being of all Beings the Eternall understanding of the holy Trinity Even then the contentions about the knowledge of God his Being and will do cease when the branches shall know that they Stand in the Tree they will never say that they are peculiar and Singular Trees but they will rejoyce in their Stem and they will see that they are altogether boughes and branches of one tree and that they do all receive power and life from one Onely Stem 53. And Here Moses shall keep sheep and Every sheep eateth his owne pasture therefore observe it when this approacheth near to be fulfilled then Noah denounceth the Deluge and Elias brings the flaming Sword upon the false Israel and the Turba in the fire of the wrath devoures the wild Tree with its fruits and branches let this be told thee Babel 54. For as concerning Enochs Divine time our Speech is taken from us seeing Babel is not worthy of it and also shall not see it and likewise we must be Silent concerning the discovery of the Times of the Ancient whose Number shall stand open in the Rose of the Lilly CHAP. XXXI Of Enoch's Wonderfull Line MOses writeth Enoch begat METHVSALAH Gen. v. 21 this Name signifieth in the language of Nature as much as a * * * Or Out-going forth-proceeding Voice which intimateth and denoteth the Spirit of Enoch which voyce doth * * * Frame or comprehend form it selfe into a Body viz. into Nature and goeth forth in strong Might through the word and when the conceived or formed word is proceeded forth it doth then contemplate it self for the Syllable SA is a fiery glimps of Light and the Syllable LAH is the forth-proceeded Word which beholdeth the property of what kind of Ens it is wherein the word hath formed or comprehended it selfe the Divine Sound beholdeth it selfe in the humane Ens and Word contemplating how the free-will proceeding from the humane Ens hath introduced the Divine voyce or Breath into a form of the Spirit 2. Now saith Moses And Methusalah begat Lamech the Spirit did now put it selfe forth by Methusalah even out of the Ens into another twigg and called it Lamech viz. a Contemplation and beholding of the Great affliction and wound that the humane
life and brought the formed expressed Word into an Ens of Vanity this was the perversnesse and violent selfe-willednesse of the naturall life the Spirit of nature which taketh its Originall in the fire had exalted it selfe in its fiery property and introduced it selfe in to a wrathfull life and driven it selfe even to the utmost End of Meeknesse 34. For the Devill was an insinuating predominant Prince in the wraths property which had incited and stirred up the Centre of the outward nature in the fires Matrix and had not onely corrupted the Naturall life of man but also the creatures for he Moved and Acted Man in Gods Anger who used the creatures for their Service and food so that the Curse and the Vanity was also manifest in Every life and man in his Conversation stood in the Curse and vanity and so came in the vanity in the Curse even into the Abysse viz. into the End of this world therefore said the Spirit the End of all flesh in its perversnesse and violence is come before me Every life had through the vanity of man brought it selfe unto the End of the outward nature and the Throat of wrath was Open in Nature and would devour and swallow up all things in the wrath 35. For the Kingdome of Gods Anger viz. the dark world had gotten the upper hand in its property and brought the Good part of Nature even unto the End therefore the formed expressed word did Move or Repent through Every life of this vanity that it should bear the Abomination on it and said that it would destroy the womb or pregnatresse of Vanity proceeding from the fires mother with water and break its power and force 36. For before the Flood the fires-root was more strong and potent then the waters root and that from the Originall of the fiery Motion that is the Fiat stood in the fiery property and compacted the Earth and Stones so that there was then a great wrath powred forth in nature and that by reason of the Casting out or Ejection of the Hierarch Lucifer into the darknesse 37. And Here by the flood or Deluge the force and violence was taken from the wrathfull fire-root in the Centre of Nature for the Repenting or the Grieving of the formed Word was Nothing else but a Type of Christ where the Eternall living Divine word in the humane property did repent and grieve in the formed Creaturall word at our Sins and Vanity and * * * Dyed from the vanity mortified the same vanity in his Death in the creature and drowned the formed creaturall word in the humane property with the divine water of love and meeknesse in the holy heavenly Bloud 38. So also in this place the formed Word grieved at the vanity of the Creatures in that they were laden therewith and brought the life of all the Creatures into death and in its Sorrow moved the meeknesse of the water-Source in Nature so that all the fountains of the deep did open themselves as Moses saith and devoured the fire-source in the water this signifieth unto man the Baptisme of Christ where the fire-source of the Soul in Gods Anger was in the word of Christs Covenant baptized with the Regenerated water of the Spirit understand the Spirituall water which shall quench the fire of Gods Anger As it was above mentioned concerning the Seaven times that Each time of the Seaven degrees of nature hath brought it selfe unto its End and in the End there was a sorrow for the Abomination and in the Repentance and Sorrow the Turba was broken and destroyed 39. Now behold here aright by Noah with the Flood the Second Time viz. Seths time was at the End and with Adam in the fall when he lusted to Eat of the vanity the First time was at the End 40. In Adam the Word repented and gave it selfe with a Covenant into the life to help comfort and restore the life and by Noah the word repented and moved all the fountains of the deep in nature and drowned the wrath and opened the Covenant of Grace 41. And when the time of Enos was at the End in the dayes of the children of Nimrod the word grieved at the vanity of Man that they would not know God and drowned the Vnderstanding of the one Onely Tongue and divided it and gave * * * Or out of by its Repentance the certain Understanding in the Covenant with Abraham 42. And when the time of Cainan was at the End that the children of Abrahams Covenant were compelled in the Vanity of Servitude the Word grieved at the Vanity and destroyed Pharoah and afterwards all the men of the children of Israel in the Wildernesse save Joshua and Caleb and gave them out of its Sorrow and Repentance the Law of his Covenant a True Type of Christ who should drown the Abomination in his Bloud 43. Thus also when Mahalaleels Time was come to the End the Word grieved in the deepest Repentance and brought the life of God in Christ Jesus into the formed Creaturall Word in the humane Ens and drowned the Turba in the humane Ens with Gods Love and Mercy and gave them the spirit of comfort and the Gospell 44. Thus Even Now also where the Time of Jared is at the End which hath been covered with Babel Even now at this present the Word doth Repent and grieve at Our great Vanity and will destroy the Abomination with the devouring jawes of wrath with Sword hunger fire and death and Giveth out of its Sorrow grief and Repentance a Lilly out of Enochs mouth in Gods sweetnesse 45. And when Enochs line shall be at the End that the vanity doth again grow in the Turba then cometh the greatest grief and sorrow of all upon the Nature of the wonders that it is at the End and there is no more any Remedy for it Even then cometh the Last Motion * * * Or of with the Turba in the first Principle of the Eternall Nature and swalloweth up the outward Nature in the fire Even then the formed Word shall be wholly freed from vanity and giveth * * * From or out of by its last REPENTANCE the Holy Spirituall World AMEN CHAP. XXXII Of the Covenant between God and Noah 1. GOd said to Noah I will establish a Covenant with thee and thou shalt go into the Ark with thy Sons Gen. VI. 18 and thy Sons wives with thee A Great pregnant and remarkable Example we have here in Noah and his Children the Covenant was made with Noah for his spirit was a discovery or beaming forth of the formed word in him in the Beginning and End of Time and the beginning and End was the Eternall word which had espoused it selfe in the Covenant in which Covenant the Soul of Noah viz. the formed word of the Eternall Nature found Grace and obtained the Confirmation of the Covenant of Grace 2. As his Name doth properly and peculiarly signifie in the
language of Nature a Beholding of the Beginning and End In this same Beginning and End viz. in the Eternall Speaking Word of the Father which would manifest and open it selfe again in the humane life Grace was opened and presented to Noah so that God did establish and Confirme the Covenant with him 3. And here we have a very Excellent and an Emphaticall example which is exceedingly worth the mentioning in the Three Sons of Noah which in their Properties were sprung forth from the Stock of Adam in a threefold Line for we see that three Nations Severall Sorts of People did arise from them and that God did include them all Three with their wives in the Covenant of Grace and commanded them also to goe into the Ark into the Second Monarchy and did not exclude the fleshly Ham. 4. This is first highly to be considered that a Gate of Grace standeth open to all men and that God hath not Set any Election or Predestination in nature but the Election or choyce doth arise out of the free-will when it turneth it selfe from the Good into the Evill 5. Secondly it is a Type of the Three Principles viz. Sem is a type of the Spirituall light-world in the Covenant and Japhet of the fire-world which should be a Sojourner of the light-world and a Mirror of the great Joy in the light-world and Ham is a figure of the Limus of the Earth to which the Curse and the Anger of God doth hang all these Three God took into the Covenant with Noah and brought them into the Arke 6. For Every man hath these three worlds upon him and in him and the Covenant in the word was therefore given that the whole man should be Redeemed 7. For Japhet Signifieth the fire-Soule and Sem the Image of God out of the light-world viz. the spirit out of the Holy word and Ham betokeneth the Limus of the Earth with the outward Dominion or Region of the Air and of the magicall Etheriall Constellations together with the Body which shall be freed by the Covenant from the Curse and arise again out of the Earth The three Brothers were a type of these three Principles 8. Not that One did wholly arise out of one Principle alone No! Sem and Japhet had likewise Hams property in them as did plainly manifest it selfe afterwards in the Jewes who became so wicked and vile a people Onely we speak here of the Superiour Dominion or predominant property of which Principle the Creature hath had in the outward life in its figure 9. Ham had the outward earthly Elementall Kingdome in the figure which stood in the Curse therefore his Image or person was also Cursed of his father in the spirit for the earthly Image shall not inherit the Kingdome of God but he also had a Soul from Adam which stood in the Covenant but the free-will doth very Seldome work any Good thing in such a Lodging and very easily attains the Curse upon the soul as we see that the Curse did afterwards come upon this Generation that Israel must destroy them by their Entrance into the Land of Promise albeit they did not wholly destroy them all yet the Curse was come upon them 10. There is a very great Mystery in the Ark of Noah which the Lord commanded him to build after that manner and shewed him how High How Long and how Broad it should be and directed also that it should have Three Severall stories also concerning the Creatures which he commanded him to bring thereinto which is such a Mystery that the wicked malicious man is not worthy to know it and we also shall not mention it in the ground or depth of its meaning for it hath its Time wherein it shall be opened viz. in the Lilly-time when Babel hath its End but yet to set downe somewhat for a furtherance and direction to our fellow-Branches to whom in its due time it shall break forth and grow out of Our Ens of this Lilly which also shall be a Rose in the lilly-time we will set it downe in an hidden Exposition 11. The Mystery of the holy Trinity also the Three Principles also the Three Sons of Noah also the Three men that appeared to Abraham in the Plain of Mamre also the Vision of the Great Temple in Ezekiel and the whole Revelation of John belongeth unto this figure also the Temple of Jerusalem 12. Set before thee the figure of the Arke with its Three Stories with its height length and breadth and place it in the Three Principles and in the three Principles open the Mysteries of the * * * Or Hierarchies Hierarchy of Christ in the Three distinctions of Heavens which yet are onely One but in three properties as Fire Light and Air are Three and yet but One Place in these distinctions or Severall differences the Three Sons of Noah and go out of their properties into their Monarchy in the world which continueth to the End of dayes also set before thee the formed Word according to all the Three Principles and so you will finde the Ground of all especially Set before thee Moses Elias and Christ in their appearance and Transfiguration upon the Mount the Ark of Noah is the first Type of all these figures and the Hierarchy of Christ is the fulfilling of them at the End of dayes enough to ours 13. And the Lord said come thou and thy whole house into the Ark Gen. VII 1 for thee have I seen Righteous before me at this * * * Or Generation time The Scripture saith elsewhere Before thee none living is righteous if thou wilt impute sin but here God saith I have Seen thee righteous before me at this time the Creature was not the Righteous One without Evill but HE who at this time did in Noah open and manifest himselfe out of the Covenant who grieved at the evill of this time and introduced his Sorrow into Gods Love and Mercy and so brought the Righteousnesse of the mercy into the Sorrow and manifested the Grieving mournfull Spirit in the Ens of the Covenant in the creature thus Noah was righteous before God at this time when the Covenant did move it selfe in him 14. This time is or signifieth the motion of the Covenant which made Noah righteous for this was the time When Noah received Life in the womb the spirit looked with his first glimps of life out of the Divine Ens of the formed word into the Beginning whence the life was come and into the End which was the Kingdome of Christ in this Aspect or Divine glimps the life of Noah receives the Righteousnesse in the Mark of the Covenant at this time for that was the time in him wherein he was found Righteous 15. God brought Eight persons into the Arke and of the clean Beasts * * * Or Seven paire Seven and Seven the male and its female The Seven persons point at the seven properties of the naturall
and intent of the heart would be set upon the Strong Holds the preferment power and Riches of the world 36. Furthermore it denotes that the Potent and Mighty of the world vvould build the Arke viz. the Service and Worship of God upon their Heart and Reason with Great Stone-houses and Churches and that these houses thus built up of Stone should be their God vvhom they would Serve in the Ark and they would wage war for the houses of Stone of their own contriving and framing and for their devises and Opinions therein maintained and contend about the figure of the true Ark and not consider that the Arke standeth upon their mountaine that God hath set it above them and that they ought to walke under Gods Dominion in humility and suffer the Ark to stand upon them and not usurpe unto themselves the Power of the holy Ghost or take it away and binde him unto their feigned Power and hypocriticall formes and command him to be Silent as they doe in that they cry with full mouth lo heere is an assembly of Divines here is the true Church of Christ this you must beleeve and doe This is the law and Ordinance of the Church no the Ark stands above them they are under as the Mount Ararat was underneath the Arke Christ is the Arke and not the Contrived Heaps of Stone or any forme of mans devised Worship or Opinion All Assemblies Congregations or Synods are under the Ark Christ and not above for the Arke of Noah placed it selfe above the Mountain to Signifie that the mountaine must beare the Arke we must bear the Arke of Christ upon us and have the Temple of this Arke within VS 37. Furthermore it denotes how the figure of this Arke viz. the * * * Ecclesiasticall Clergicall Priesthood Spirituall Kingdome upon the Earth would place it selfe upon the mountaine of power domination and lordlinesse and would rule with the Mountain in the Ark and take upon it selfe to meddle with the worldly Dominions and authority and bring the mountaine viz. the Power of the Secular Arm above the Ark whereas the Ark ought to stand upon the mountaine and Noah with the Covenant to remaine in the Ark till the Lord bid him come forth that is till Christ deliver the Ark to his Father 38. And Moses saith further At the end of forty dayes Ver. 6 7. when the Ark had set it selfe downe Noah sent forth a Raven to see whether the water was abated but the Raven flew too and fro till the waters were dryed up from off the face of the Earth The Raven denotes the earthly Man and shewes how that he would first put forth himselfe upon the Mountaine Ararat that is advance himselfe in his Selfe-hood and earthly lust and build up his Kingdome in the Second Monarchy 39. And though he came forth out of the Ark yet he would fly to and againe in the Kingdome of his Selfe-hood and not returnâ— into the Ark from whence he departed in Adam and would onely be a covetous Muck-worm and a greedy devourer of fleshly temporall pleasure in his owne will and remain as the Raven and not returne to the Ark desiring to enter into it but minde onely to possesse the Kingdome of this World in Glory and State also it betokens that the Generation of this Raven would have the chief place preheminence and Government in the Second Monarchy like the Devill in the wrath of God as Histories witnesse that it so came to passe 40. Afterwards he sent forth a Dove from him to see if the waters were abated upon the Earth Ver. 8 9. but when the Dove found no Rest for the Sole of her foot she returned again unto him unto the Arke and he put forth his hand and took her to him into the Ark. This sets forth and denotes the figure of Gods children who soon after come also under the Government of the Ravens property and are brought into the Government of this world for they are also with Adam gone forth out of the Ark to behold and prove this Evill corrupt world and live therein but when their Spirit can finde no rest in the earthly dominion then they come again before the Ark of Noah which is set open in Christ and Noah receiveth them again in Christ into the first Ark whence Adam departed 41. Moreover the Raven betokens the sharp Law of Moses in the fiery Might under Gods Anger which bindes and slayes man and brings him not into the Ark but the Dove betokens the Gospel of Christ which brings us again into the Ark and saves the life for the Mount Ararat doth as an exact type and figure point out unto us the Kingdome of Moses and the Ark wherein the life was kept and preserved signifieth the humanity of Christ. 42. And he stayed yet other Seven dayes and againe he sent forth a Dove out of the Ark and it came to him about Evening and lo Ver. 10 11. she had pluckt off an Olive-leaf and brought it in her mouth and he stayed yet other seven dayes and let a Dove fly forth out of the Arke which returned not to him any more The Spirit in Moses sheweth by these Three Doves and the Raven which Noah sent forth out of the Ark a great Mystery which albeit he doth not clearly unfold yet for certain is couched therein the Raven doth also denote the Law of Moses in Nature which will remain in its Selfe hood and will not returne in true Resignation and Selfe-deniall under the obedience of God but will enter in to God by its own strength Power and wayes 43. The first Dove signifieth the propheticall spirit which arose under Moses viz. under the outward Law and offrings and pointed through the offring into the Ark of Noah and Christ this Propheticall Spirit went all along through the office of Moses it indeed flew under Moses but it tended again into the Ark with its Prophecy as the first Dove which Noah sent forth flew indeed into the world but came again into the Ark of Christ. 44. The Second Dove with the Olive branch which also came again to Noah into the Ark denotes the Word in the Covenant of Noah which came forth out of the holy Ark of God into this world viz. into our humanity and pluck't off an Olive-leafe in the World and brought it to Noah that is it pulckt off a Branch from our Humanity and took it into the holy Word viz. the Mouth of God as the Dove the Olive-leaf and brought the branch to Holy Noah that is to God the Father but that it was an Olive-leaf denoteth the Vnction of the holy Spirit that the same should Anoint the Humanity and bring it again with this Dove into the holy Ark. 45. The Third Dove which Noah let fly which came not again to the Ark betokeneth the Kingdome of Antichrist upon the Earth which indeed is flown forth with its Doctrine out of the
for a propriety that he should rule therein with the inward spirituall man of Vnderstanding according to the wisedome of God and make himselfe Lawes and Order according to the spirit of wisdome 9. Over which Orders and Ordinances of men which they make unto themselves HE viz. the Lord hath set himselfe as Judge and thereupon hath appointed the Last Judgement to separate wrong from right and whatsoever proceedeth not from Truth Righteousnesse and Love and tendeth to the same against that the judgement of God is set for it is generated or hatched through the false spirits of darknesse in Turba Magna and introduced into the humane property as a false Lust and Suttlety and is a stranger or Bastard wisdome which shall not inherit the Kingdome of God 10. All Royall and Princely Highnesse and Excellency together with all Governments and Dominions doe arise from the Order of nature in the Image of God there is no compulsion no force violence or oppression but a meer free willing desirous Love-Service as one member in the body or as one branch of the Tree doth freely and readily serve each other and rejoyce in each other 11. But being that man hath introduced himselfe into the outward formed Word Evill and Good viz. into the Kingdome of nature the Kingdome of nature hath deprived him of the holy Dominion and hath placed it selfe with its power over the humane property therefore if he will have the same againe he must be borne anew of God and then he may rule with the new regenerated life in the Spirit of God over the Kingdome of nature 12. Indeed there are Orders of Princely Angells or Hierarchies in the Spirituall world but all without compulsion in one Harmonious delightfull Love-Service and will as one member in the body doth readily serve another 13. All whatsoever man in the Kingdome of nature doth draw under his power and abuseth it to Superfluity and excesse and thereby withdravveth from his fellow-members whereby they are put to want poverty and distresse and their freely given right and due is wholly withheld from them the same is imprinted or comprehended in Turba magna as an abomination of nature and put into the judgement of God to the day of Separation 14. Nature requireth onely Order and giveth distinction of places and Offices but the Turba bringeth its abomination from the darke worlds desire thereinto viz. Pride Covetousnesse Envy Anger and falsehood 15. These five vices or iniquities are the Whores Bratts in the Kingdome of nature and shall not inherit the Kingdome of God God holdeth the Kingdome of nature for his Order and hath given the same into the power of man that he as Gods instrument in this vvorld should sever the Evill from the Good and chuse himselfe a Judge to passe righteous judgement upon the iniquity and malice of the false desire and lust of man for he saith whosoever sheddeth mans bloud by man shall his bloud be shed viz. by the Order and institution of nature not that any should revenge himselfe upon others by his own selfish power or force of Armes but through the Order of nature through Gods Law and appointment the same is the true Avengeresse for God said I will avenge your lifes bloud and will avenge it upon every beast here he meaneth by the Order of his Law and its Officers who officiate in the right and due execution of the same 16. Not that a Prince or Lord hath Power to shed bloud without the Law of God if he doth so then the Law of God condemneth him also to Death Here there is no peculiar Selfefull Power given over mans bloud let him be King or Prince for they are onely Officers over the Order of the Divine Law and they ought not to goe further then the Command of God gives leave indeed they have the Law of nature committed to their charge as Servants of the same but they must deal therein onely according to righteousnesse and truth and not doe any thing through Selvish covetous proud and envious desire for God hath created man in his own Image now the Kingdome of nature in its Offices hath no power over this divine Image to kill the same but the office or Commission in Gods Order * * * Or hath power over passeth onely upon the outward Image of nature 17. Therefore if an Officer of nature viz. any Magistrate take away the life of a righteous man him nature appointeth unto the Judgement of God to the Day of Separation wherein God will judge all the unrighteous Acts of man what will then become of the Tyrants who turne the truth into Lies and shamefully abuse and condemne the Children of God for their divine knowledge and profession sake and stirre up warre and Contention to desolate and destroy country and people all these belong unto Turba Magna to the judgement of God for they manage the Sword of the Turba in selfefull Lust and pleasure unlesse the Spirit of God command them and then must doe it for their Office and charge sake and execute the just judgement of God upon those who have filled up the measure of their iniquity as Israel was commanded to doe among the Heathen 18. Whosoever sheddeth bloud out of his own pleasure to advance his authority without urgent absolute necessity or Gods command he is moved Acted and driven by the wrathfull fire of Gods Anger and falleth at last to be a captive in the same Kingdome 19. Every warriour or Souldier is a Rodd of Gods Anger wherewith he doth through his wrath and Indignation rebuke and devoure the iniquity and malice of man and it doth not belong at all unto the Order or ordinance of nature but unto the wrathfull desire unto Turba Magna unto the order of the eager fierce-devouring wrath whereby Gods Anger doth overturne and lay waste Countries and Kingdomes 20. Understand it is the Order of the darke worlds property which by Gods permission advanceth its mighty force in the Time of mans wickednesse and then it goes as the wrath will have it untill the same be well satiated in the bloud of man 21. For this is even the Revenge of Gods Anger of which he saith that he would take vengeance for or require the bloud of man therefore he often taketh one man and by him in Anger slayeth another that hath deserved Death 22. When the Great and potent Rulers shed innocent bloud then cometh the Anger of God with its Officers and sheddeth their peoples bloud and bringeth the Sword of the Turba upon them whence Warre ariseth but this is not from the divine Order of the Good Nature in which God Governeth with his wisdome 23. The wisdome of God desireth no war but the Anger of God according to the darke worlds nature doth eagerly desire it and effecteth the same in the vanity and iniquity of man 24. If we lived as the children of God one among another we need not have any warring and
which all People are as yet blinde 61. But the time is neare and the morning Star is appeared if any be able to see but the Babilonicall whore hath blindfolded all so that all Nations walk in the Night her Abominable whoredome is come before the most High who will blot out her shame which hath defiled the heaven This thou shalt soon finde by Experience in thy Drunkenness saith the Spirit of Wonders from its own Root CHAP. XXXVIII A cleare manifestation of the beginning of the heathenish war how Abraham delivered Lot his brothers Son and of the Royall Priest Melchisedeck of Salem to whom Abraham gave Tithes HEre we see very clearly Gen. XIV what the Imaginations purposes intentions and undertakings of men have been even from their youth upward how they have brought themselves out of the Image of God into halfe beastiall and halfe devillish properties viz. into Pride Coveteousnesse and selfefull domination in like manner as the Devill desired the same and therefore was cast out from his Kingdome 2. For here the Gentiles and the children of Ham at Sodom and Gomorrah and in the whole Region thereabouts did now begin to exercise their domineering Power among whom Abraham was onely a stranger and dwelt in the Plaine of Mamre as in a wildernesse where he kept Cattle but the Gentiles did tear and rend for the Kingdome of this world and for the externall might and power striving how one people might rule over another whose will and Dominion hath continued even to this day and hath received its beginning from the heathens and the children of Ham viz. from Babel from the divided tongues 3. When the Powers of the formed word viz. the properties of Nature did divide themselves and each introduced it selfe into a Selfishnesse then Strife and enmity did arise among them for the Centre of the nature of the darke world hath obtained his Dominion in the fallen property of man for men were as dead to the Kingdome of God viz. in the Love and humility and lived at present to the outward Stars and the four Elements 4. Also the Devill had built his strong hold in the Serpents Ens in man therefore they sought onely after that which made them Great and Potent in the world and yet we may see how the Devill did onely foole and Ape them in the wrath of God so that they sâ—ew one another and esteemed Temporall pleasure higher then their life which is the greatest folly under the Sun that man should bring his life into deaths danger for a poor silly pride sake whereas yet he knowes not whether he shall hold and possesse that for which he murthereth killeth and slayes 5. And we see how soone the Devill in his envy and pride ruled in them for though they had the whole Earth before them to possesse and many Countries and Islands were un-inhabited yet they undertake warre that so they might but domineere over one another and rob and plunder one another thus the Devill as mans Enemy brought them into his pride that they might serve him 6. T is not in vaine that Christ calls him a Prince of this world he is a Prince according to the property of the wrath of the darke world in and according to the same property he ruleth man in body and Soul in will and minde 7. For all war and contention doth arise out of the nature and property of the dark world viz. from the four Elements of the Anger of God which produceth in the creatue Pride Coveteousnesse Envy and Anger these are the four Elements of the darke world wherein the Devills and all evill creatures live and from these four Elements ariseth warre 8. For although God bad the people of Israel drive out the heathen and wage warre yet the Command was wholly from the Angry zealous God viz. from the fires property for the heathen had stirred up the wrath and indignation which would devoure them but God so far as he is called God desireth no warre yea he cannot desire any thing that is evill or destructive for he is according to the Second Principle onely Good and giving and giveth himselfe to all things 9. But according to the darke worlds nature he is an Angry zealous God and a consuming fire if his wrath be awakened according to this property he desireth to consume all that moveth and enkindleth it selfe therein and from this property God bad Israel fight and Smite the heathen for his Anger was set on fire in them and they were as wood cast into the fire which the fire desireth to consume 10. Therefore the wrath of God bad one Nation slay another that it might even out of his wrath be taken away otherwise the fire of his Anger would have Enkindled it selfe as hapned to the five Kingdomes of Sodom and Gomorrah thus the wrath of God did satiate it selfe in the life of the wicked which it devoured into it selfe in that they slew one another 11. As it yet now adayes so comes to passe that oftentimes men cry unto God for to give them Successe and Victory against their Enemies that they might murther them but God giveth them not victory therein but the Sword of his Anger which they awaken with their prayers fierce desires and will were they true men and children of God they would need no war for the holy Spirit doth not wage war but he onely loveth and giveth but according to the property of the Anger he consumeth all un-godlinesse and wicked doings and is thereby more blown and stirred up in indignation 12. For the more a man addeth wood to the fire and stirs it the more it doth elevate and enflame it selfe untill it devoureth whatsoever it can reach the like also is to be understood concerning the zeale of God this Enkindled Anger-zeale of God was set on fire in Adam and it did devoure his Image of the holy world and passed from Adam upon all men 13. For they which were in the line of the Covenant had the Enkindled zeale according to the first Principle viz. according to the Soul and body also in them the one not better then the other the Serpents Ens lay as well in Abraham and his children according to the Enkindled Soule and according to the grosse beastiall property of the mortall as in the Gentiles except the Line of Christ in them which was not the Sinfull mans Selfehood but it stood in Gods power as the heaven standeth in the world and yet the one is not the other and as the heaven stands in hell and hell in heaven and yet the one doth neither confound or comprehend the other or as the night is in the day and the day in the night or as the light of nature dwelleth and shineth in the darkness 14. Thus we are to understand how the children of the Saints have waged war against the crew of wicked men and drove them out viz. in the Anger 's property which managed
corrupt man but hath powred forth his best Treasure which he had in himselfe and is himselfe in Grace over all men like as the Sun doth shine unto the good and evill but the wicked doth corrupt and spoil the * * * His precious image Treasure in himselfe and will not receive it but taketh in the Ens of the Serpent full of vanity and is baptized with the fire of Gods Anger in the will of Selfe 44. But if he went with his own will into the death of Christ and desired from the bottom of his heart to dye unto his selfehood and own will in Gods Mercy and cast his whole trust and confidence in God and thought that he had nothing of his own in this earthly cottage but that he was onely a Servant and Steward of God and his neighbour in all that he hath and possesseth and forsook the propriety and selfish-interest thereof in his minde he should soon be baptized with the Holy Spirit and put on Christ in his will 45. But these mischievous earthly Temporall Goods Temporall honour and pleasure of the flesh captivate him in the Ens of the Serpent so that he is not capable of the Baptisme of the Holy Spirit 46. Also the Selfe-elected unfitted and unprofitable Teachers trained up in the School of the disputing Reason and chosen by the favour of Man are wholly blind herein and teach onely of the husk or outward vessell of the regeneration they will needs be outwardly adopted children forsooth by an externall imputation of Grace albeit they live onely in the will of Selfe they will preach the holy Spirit into the Beast of selfe-will which yet is no wayes capable of the Holy Spirit They understand nothing fundamentally either of the Baptisme or the Lords Supper the new-birth is strange unto them they deny the divine essentiall in-dwelling in Gods children viz. the Temple of God and so stand before the Jewes when they should declare unto them What Christ is IN VS and what Baptisme and the Lords Supper is just as pictured Christians or as Idolls 47. For the Jewes know that God hath spoken with their fathers and given them the Circumcision and the Covenant there they stick but could the Christians fundamentally demonstrate to them what the Covenant and Circumcision is essentially and effectually together with their * * * Sacrifices offrings they would forsake the Signe and enter into the Substance 48. But that it hath so fallen out that both the Jewes and also the Christians have walked in blindnesse even till this last time and so also the Turkes who by reason of the blindnesse contention and ungodlinesse of the Christians have turned themselves unto Reason and nature God hath therefore permitted it because the Christians and Jewes both in the old and new Testament received and appropriated to themselves the Covenant and the Seal of the Covenant in the outward shell onely viz. in the vessell or litterall notion and apprehension and lived onely to the outward earthly mortall man they all wayes minded and provided for the Earthly kingdome and life more then for the eternall 49. They would understand in the Husk viz. in the outward letter what God hath spoken and chose to themselves reason-wise people which were gifted in the outward formall logicall and notionall understanding of the letter who had not the spirit and power of Gods word and life in the new-birth in them but onely the spirit of Selfe pride and the earthly Belly-God contriving thereby how they might be rich in Christs poverty upon the earth These men have blinded them so that both among the Jewes and Christians men have minded and loved onely the Earthly Ens. 50. Therefore God hath permitted that the wonders of nature in the power of his anger should be opened and brought forth in them and that they should thus stick in blindness yet in controversie and contests so that the name and memory of his Covenant might not quite be extinguished and one Nation hath by reason thereof exercised and evilly entreated another in the contention and contrariety whereby oftentimes a fair green Twigg hath sprung from the right understanding which hath been strange unto them by reason of their received Opinion and they have contemned and persecuted it for the earthly man in Selfe is not worthy of the holy Covenant and Seale 51. And seeing God knew very well that they would run of themselves without being sent of him and would abuse the holy Ens in the Covenant thereupon the vail of Moses hath beset the Jewes and the Tower of Babel with the Antichrist viz. the outward Christ instead of the holy Ens in the Covenant that is Gods presence the Christians so that they have been evermore seeking in this Antichrist what God is in his Covenant will and essence 52. Thus they have been exercised in contention and persecution in that they have persecuted one another yet so as that Gods children have sprung forth in the Crosse and Christ hath been inwardly manifest to them but outwardly Babel hath yet stood both among the Jewes Christians and Turkes the Antichrist is onely the same among all for he is the Titular or letter-God wherein the Selfe-will seeketh and worshippeth God in the Husk 53. Hear therefore yee Christians Jewes Turkes and Heathen even all Nations of the earth what now yet once more for a farewell in this worlds being is freely tendred unto you in the visitation of the mercifull God in the voyce of his Trumpet by his Love-will and spirit the Sound of the Trumpet concerns you all let it enter into your eares and do but open your eares and hearts a little from selfe and then you shall heare the Sound in you it Soundeth through all even to the ends of the earth but no Selfe-will heares it 54. The onely divine way wherein man may see God in his word being and will is this that man become wholly one in himselfe and in his own will forsake all whatsoever he himselfe is or hath let it be Authority Might Power Honour Beauty Riches Money Goods Father Mother Brother Sister Wife and Child Body and Life and become wholly a nothing to himselfe He must freely resigne up all and be poorer then a Bird in the air which yet hath a Nest the true man must have none for he must travell away from this world that so he be no more to himselfe in this world He must be a nothing to the worlds selfe and interests for the substance of this world which he possesseth for a propriety is the Tower of Babel and the Antichrist wherein men will be their own God and with this selfe made God they will ascend upon the Tower to heaven and place themselves * * * Or with God for God Understand it thus 55. It is not meant that one should run from house and home from wife children and kindred and fly out of the world or so to
which Babel knoweth nothing nor can know nor will know but climeth up continually in the compacted tongue on the Towre of Babel into an Heaven of humane Selfehood and hath put Christs garment outwardly upon it selfe but it hath not the twofold voice therefore also it doth not hear when God calleth Abraham 26. And Abraham Answered Here am I and he said Lay not thine hand upon the Lad neither do thou any thing unto him Gen. 22.12 for now I know that thou fearest God and hast not spared thy onely Son for my sake That is thus when man hath wholly resigned up his Selfe viz. his own will or Son and put it wholly to the mortification in Christs death then the nature of man falls into Sadness for it hath lost its right its own law and will then saith the Spirit of God by the Soul do nothing to thy nature now I know that it is given up and resigned to me and that the Soul hath now * * * Plerophory an assurance of confidence in God and is fully bold even to leave the outward life for Gods sake and give over its will to mee in Obedience as here Abraham had fully resigned up his will unto God he would now do whatsoever God commanded him 27. And as Abraham did not spare his Son and would have given him up unto death so also God did not spare his Son and gave him to death for us even so should wee also not spare even our own will but rather be willing to leave all whatsoever the own will hath taken possession of and delights in and willingly dye to all Temporalls for Gods sake let it be Principality Dominion or Kingdome Temporall Honor or Goods or whatsoever it may be that is our dearly beloved Son all this a Christian must give over and resigne up in the minde and account and esteem himselfe onely a Servant therein yea esteem his outward life not for his own but in his Minde depart from and forsake every creature and then he lyeth bound upon the wood of the Burnt offerings Altar and waiteth for the Voice of God from Heaven which calleth to him and becomes the Voice and Mouth of his life and this is truly with Abraham to beleeve God where God beleeves in man and then God saith Now I know that thou fearest God and puttest thy trust in him alone for the humane will sincketh into the most pure Being of God 28. And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked and lo a Ram was hung in a thickett by his hornes Gen. 22.13 14 and he went and took the Ram and offered him up for a burnt-offering in the stead of his Son and Abraham called the name of the place * * * Jehovah-jireth The Lord seeth as it is said to this day upon the Mount where the Lord Seeth This is the golden figure which sheweth that the killing death and dying doth not reach the true man but onely the Ram with his Hornes which sticketh in the flesh and bloud in the Thornes of Sin and it chiefly denotes that the true * * * Text. Soules-man humane Soul in Christ and his children shall not dye in this burnt-offering of God but after that it hath resigned up the will of Selfe then God openeth its eyes that it seeth the Ram behinde it viz. it spieth the will of the wilde evill flesh and learnes to know it which will sticketh with its pushing beasts-hornes in the thorny Thickett of the Devill in flesh and bloud viz. in the desire of the vanity of the world in Selfefull Lust This the Resigned Soul seeth and offereth it up for a burnt-offering in the stead of the true Nature for the right nature is delivered in this burnt offering from the Ram of the flesh the Hornes are the injections oppositions and assaults of the Devill and the thickett of Thornes is the Serpents Ens which the lust of Adam hath introduced 29. Thus wee must understand in this figure that the whole man in Christs person should not be given to the Anger of God as if the Adamicall man should be wholly consumed and devoured by it no but the wild Ram onely the Enmity the opposite will the property of Apostacy and Rebellion but the life's Essence should remain forever the same Adam which God created unto Paradise the same shall remain eternally but the division or dissonant disunion of the life's formes in that they are rent asunder and brought into the property of Selfehood whence strife and enmity is arisen in man I say this evill Ram viz. this introduced infection vain desire and adverse will must be offered up in Christ in the fire of Gods Anger This was the Beast for the burnt-offering The Lamb of God in Adam shall not be consumed in the fire but it must onely shed its bloud it must immerse and sinck it selfe wholly with the humane nature into the One viz. into the Eternall Nothing without all nature and then this place is called here the Lord Seeth that is when the Ram is offered then this place is afterwards the Temple of God where the Lord Seeth 30. And the Spirit of Moses speaketh very hiddenly hereof and saith Hence it is said still to this day upon the Mount where the Lord Seeth the Mount is the life's nature where the Lord hath seen not onely in Abraham and Isaac but he seeth in Christs spirit yet at this day upon this Mount in the children of God when the Ram is offered up then the Spirit of God seeth through nature as the Sun through-shineth a Glass or as a fire through-heats an Iron 31. Therefore a man ought not to be so foolish as to torment his whole life in his repentance and conversion and to offer it up in the fire of death without Gods command but he must onely sacrifice the Sin and Selfe-Love of vanity he must offer up onely the Ram and not do any violence or mischief to nature not strike whip and beat it or creep into a corner and suffer the Body to * * * Note starve for hunger no he must not out of his own purpose Give the Image of God to death but the Ram he must he meritts not any thing by plaguing martyring and torturing himselfe for God hath bestowed his heart to that end to redeem us from Pain and Torment 32. When the Soul with the Right nature hath tamed it selfe from the Ram of the flesh then it must Sacrifice the Ram to the death of Christ but it must remain stedfast in great humility in the Resignation in God and not any further afflict and rack it selfe either with doubts or with any other externall inflicted tortures and also give nature its necessary nourishment and not Enfeeble and distemper it selfe for it is the Temple and the Image of God but it must daily and continually mortifie the Ram in the flesh viz. the selfish lust of the evill flesh and
the will to the Selfehood or ownhood of this world and although the flesh be disquieted being it must forsake what it fain would have yet the true nature and the Soul must not give heed to it Also it must not take care for the sake of the flesh where that should have its maintenance but commit it to God and go on in his calling as a day-labourer in the Service of his Lord and Master and let God take care for the Ram and give it what he please 33. And the Angel of the Lord called unto Abraham out of Heaven the second time and said by my selfe have I sworn saith the Lord Gen. 22. v. 15. to the 19. because thou hast don this thing and hast not spared thy onely Son that I will bless and multiply thy Seed as 〈◊〉 â—tars of the Heaven and as the Sand that is upon the Sea-shore and thy Seed shall possesse the Gate of his enemies and through thy Seed shall all the Nations of the earth be blessed because thou hast obeyed my voyce and so Abraham returned to his young men and they rose up and went together to Beer-sheba and dwelt there This is now the Seal of Faith when man hath wholly given himselfe up to God then God sweareth unto the humanity by him selfe that he will blesse man that his life's essence shall thence forward spread forth it selfe in his Power and grow unto a great Tree of divine Essence in the wisdome whose fruit and knowledge shall be infinite and innumerable as he sware unto Abraham that out of his body or life's essence many Nations should arise also how his life's essence should possess the Gates of the enemies viz. of the Devill and Death as heere he gives a full and pregnant hint concerning Christ and his Christendome how they should destroy the Devills Kingdome and break down his Gate in man This the faith in Gods children is able to do 34. For so soon as the iudgement of the earthly man hath been held in the penitent man so that the Soul rejecteth the will of the evill flesh viz. the will of the Animal Soul and brings it into judgement to the condemnation of death and resignes it selfe up wholly unto God then God sweareth in Christ Jesus this Oath unto the Soul and setts it to be a Prince over the enemies viz. over the proud and haughty Devills even to judge them and obtains full power over them and drives them out 35. After these things Moses mentioneth how the blessing of Abraham did spread forth it selfe and he maketh a relation of his brother Nahor how Milcah bare unto him eight Sons from whom great Nations did arise viz. the Assyrians who indeed did not spring forth out of the Ens of faith viz. in the line of Christ as Abraham but out of the naturall Adam upon whom also the blessing of Abraham did * * * Passed or went light for the history is so exactly deciphered that a man may see that God hath not onely chosen the naturall line of Christ proceeding from Abraham and Isaac but also the lines of nature in the Adamicall Tree which he would also bring together and manifest himselfe to them and they who would beleeve in God should be engrafted into the line of Christ that is those who should be capable of the divine Ens in the voice of the Lord whose will should direct it selfe to God 36. As wee may see again in this figure how God hath not rejected the Kingdome of nature in man but that he in Christ will deliver it out of the Anguish and Enmity and that a man should and must continue in the Kingdome of nature as Abraham when he had finished this offering he went with his Son and two young men to Beer-sheba and dwelt there by which the Spirit of Moses signifieth that when Abraham had performed this Calling in the figure of Christ before the Lord he returned again unto his naturall affaires viz. unto the doing of this worlds business he went to Beer-sheba that is into the toil and labour whereinto Adam hath brought us where a child of God in the cloven and broken nature viz. in Beer-sheba must work in God with teaching and praying and also in nature with the labour of the hand to maintain the outward man and follow the wonders of the outward world in the formed word and help to form manifest and bring them forth in â—â—â—ure to the Contemplation of the wisdome of God 37. Also hereby is hinted very clearly that a child of God in this worlds being doth not stand daily and hourely in the Operation of the spirituall figure that his Spirit can see and know that onely but also in the naturall where the Spirit of God goes also along working in the work of nature and manifests it selfe in another property in him as it may be seen here in Abraham and all the Saints that God did sometimes manifest himselfe to them in the figure of Christ and sometimes again in the Cross and labour in the Temptation and contrariety of the nature of the corrupt Adam so that they have lived in weakness and infirmities as all Adams children have don and do 38. And we ought not to look upon and consider this figure concerning Abraham in all that the Spirit of Moses and * * * Text. Ezra Note concerning Esdras Esdras hath written down but as a Type of Christ and Adam viz. of the Kingdome of Christ and the Kingdome of nature that hereby God hath represented the figure of Christ and his Christendome how he would again Redeem and deliver them from the Great Toil and Labour 39. Wherewith also the Kingdome of darkness in the Pain and Torment is continually represented and how the same doth pant and reach after man and how man doth stand here in this life as in a field and growes on Whom sometimes the Sun of divine Love doth eglimpse and shine and sometimes again Gods wrath and Anger and how man must be purged tryed and purified and the chiefest and most especiall point herein is this that a man must give up and resigne himselfe to God in faith and full assurance and hold still unto him and let him work in him as he please and how also he must learn to bend and bow his own nature and lead it towards God that it in all things may desire to be Gods instrument and Servant and desire and will to work nothing but what belongs to the divine manifestation in the wonders of nature for the Contemplation of Gods wisdome and on the contrary reject the Own will of the Devill and all desire to Selfehood 40. And we should not look upon the written History of Moses concerning the Patriarchs so blindly as the Jewes and Babel do as if they were onely a meer History no the same is not onely full of the types of Christ and Adam viz. of the old and new man but there are also secret
Machpelah for his twofold pitt viz. for the centre of the Fathers nature according to Eternity and for the centre of the Temporall Nature in both which the divine * * * Or Good will and Pleasure lubet hath brought it selfe out of the property of both centres into an Ens and into the creature of the humanity which humane creature hath broken it selfe off from the universall being and put it selfe into a selfishness therefore it must be again rooted into the universall for which end it must be tinctured with the most holy Ens and engrafted in which the Spirit doth here compare to pure Silver and so secretly intimates in the figure 10. When Abraham conversed upon the earth he desired to buy no field for his own possession but now when he was to bury his Sarah he would have the Sepulchre hereditary and peculiar * * * Gen. 23.7 and bowed himselfe before the children of the Land and entreated them for it whereas they would freely have given him the field and bowed themselves before him also but the Spirit of Moses hath its figure here for he hath represented Man to him in a very perfect modell for which cause also he playeth in the Process in the figure shewing that the children which belong unto Christ must bow themselves before God the Father from whom all beings do originally come that he would sell unto them the * * * The Cave of Machpelah the double Valley twofold Pitt viz. the Kingdome of nature and the Kingdome of Grace in Christs bloud for the same with the four centres of humility and the Love-birth the Father takes for Payment 11. And that the children of Heth and Ephron would freely give it to Abraham and yet at last upon the desire of Abraham took money for the same intimates unto us that God the Father hath indeed freely given us the Kingdome of Grace for he gave it freely to Christ his Son in our humanity but Christ would have it for a naturall due right therefore he offereth his humility to his Father that he would be pleased to take his payment for it viz. his humane property of him as here Abraham did in Christs figure although he could have taken the field yet he would not for the cave of Machpelah should not be taken but dearly purchased with the most pretious Substance God took the Earnest or Ransome of Christ for his * * * Twofold Pit cave of Machpelah for Payment therefore Abraham must stand in Christs figure for the body must be buried in the cave of Machpelah in this twofold Pitt viz. in the eternall and temporall nature viz. in the formed Compacted Word if so be it shall arise againe in the motion in the voice of this same word and Subsist in its Image which it first had Gen. 23.2 12. For Moses saith Hebron is scituate in the Land of Canaan which God promised to give unto Abraham and understand by Canaan the holy Christalline world or earth viz. the Citie of God which shall hereafter be manifest wherein Hebron lyeth viz. the head-Citie of the Land whereby externally the outward world with its figure is set forth and internally the holy eternall Land of Canaan 13. And we see very clearly what the spirit of Moses meaneth in its figure for first it representeth by Isaac Christs figure with his offering and death and presently thereupon it sets forth also mans Own death and where man must dye namely in his Citie Hebron the Citie of humane Selfe and whereinto he must be buried and put namely into the twofold Pitt viz. into the Kingdome of God and this world and it is therefore called a twofold Cave because there are two mansions viz. a twofold continent of life in two Principles whence man did originally arise but if he be buried in the will of his selfehood in the Serpents desire then he doth not reach this twofold Cave and though he should be therein yet he liveth onely in the Apostate Essence in the ownhood of the Devill viz. in the introduced Serpents Ens in the dark worlds property which is manifest and predominant in the Serpents Ens. 14. The chiefest piece in this figure is that the Spirit of Moses doth point at the twofold life how this world hath a twofold life and essence which he intimates by the twofold Cave wherein Abraham would have his burying-place to signifie that his twofold humanity viz. One out of the divine Ens out of the eternity and heavenly spirituall essentiality and the other which is out of the time even out of this worlds being and substance should be buried and put into an Eternall Sepulchre where the substance of the twofold body shall lye in its Originall Mother and leave the Own will in this Eternall Grave in death that so the Spirit of God might alone live rule and will in the spirit of the creature viz. in the Soul and the life of man might be onely his Instrument wherewith he might work and will how and what he please 15. For so it must be that the humane will might be brought again into the onely will of the Deity and Eternity for it was in the beginning when God breathed the Soul into the flesh in the Eternall Living Word John 1. Chap. and Gods Spirit did form it into a likeness of the Deity viz. into a creaturall Soul which Soul had turned it selfe away from the onely Eternall Word of God into a Selfehood that so it might be manifest in Evill and Good and Rule in the unlikeness or distemperature 16. This un-likeness or distemperature should be buried or put again into the Likeness or Temperature viz. into the Essence out of which the soul and body did a rise that is each Essence's property should return again into its mother and the mother is a twofold cave viz. the inward spirituall and divine Kingdome and the outward visible sensible palpable Kingdome of the externall world wherein Abraham would have his burying-place 17. For the outward Kingdome remaines for ever for it is produced out of the Eternall as a modell platform or visible Image of the inward spirituall Kingdome but the Dominion in the Stars and four Elements doth not remain for ever in such ownhood or propriety but onely One Element wherein the four are understood but in equall Accord and Harmony in just and equall weight number and measure in One Onely Love will where the ascending domineering stirring Might of the divided figure four Elements doth no longer rule but the soft meek and still humility in a pleasant Lovely delightfull * * * Musicall Aire Aire or still harmonious Sound 18. The Compacted property of the Word in the Soul of the outward world viz. in the Own-hood or selfness of the third Principle doth cease the outward spirit of the world is changed into the inward that the inward might rule and Govern wholly through the outward which at
doth indeed belong onely unto Christ viz. to the true Isaac but as he freely of Grace gave the Covenant to Adam and as Abraham gave Gifts out of Isaac's Right to the Sons of the Concubines so God the Father doth still to this day give Adams and Abrahams naturall children the Covenant and heritage of Christ as a free Gift of Grace 8. And as Abrahams naturall children were not disinherited from the Covenant but onely from his Goods so likewise no man is disinherited from the Covenant of God established in Adam and Abraham Every man receiveth the free given Covenant in the wombe in which his free-given Covenant he hath power to turn in unto Christs goods 9. But he hath not the goods in the Right of nature to take the same at or by his own will but as a free Gift he shall and must resigne himselfe up unto the Covenant as a Servant wholly giving up his own naturall will in the Covenant and forsake the will to the Right of nature and become wholly the Covenants own so that he doth not any longer introduce his own naturall will into the Covenant and free Gift but give up his will to the Covenant and then the free gift standeth in the place of the own will and the nature of Adam liveth in the free gift and also enjoyeth the inheritance but not in the selfe-will but in the true Resignation where the will of the Covenant becomes mans will 10. For the will of the Covenant inheriteth the Son-ship in the right of nature but the will of the naturall Selfeness is cast out from it the same must dye unto the assuming own-hood and when it is brought so to passe it ariseth in the Covenant in Christ and possesseth the free gift in the Right of Grace Christ hath manifested himselfe in the Covenant in Adams freely given gift in the humane nature and is become the life and will of the Covenant and fullfilled the same 11. But now this free-given Covenant which God bestowed on Adam lyeth in all men for as Sin passed as a birth-right from one upon all so also the Covenant and the free gift of grace passeth from one upon all Every man hath Christ in him but the own will doth not apprehend him but it crucifieth him and will not dye to its Selfness that so it might enter into Christs death and arise in the Covenant in the will of Christ. 12. The Own will desireth onely to be an outwardly assumed or adopted Son of Grace and yet it is cast out from the presence of God as Abraham cast out his naturall children from his goods and disinherited them and gave the goods onely to Isaac so likewise the kingdome of God belongs onely to the will of the Covenant 13. Which indeed lyeth in all men but no man can receive or see the Kingdome of God unless he become the child of the Covenant so that he forsake the naturall forth-proceeded will and put on the will of Christ in the Covenant so that his will in the Covenant be born anew in Christ and then he is * * * John 15.5 a branch on the vine of Christ and receiveth Christs spirit will and life and becomes as to the Covenant Christus or one anointed and thus Christ then dwelleth in Adam and Adam in Christ and this is that which the spirit of Moses doth represent in this figure 14. But that Abraham did send the children of his Adamicall nature away out of his house with Gifts and did not keep them with him as Sojourners betokens that the externall man will while it is in this life live in the will of Selfe upon the earth and that it cannot wholly put off the same according to the earthly man but this same earthly Selfe will is cast out of the holiness of God viz. from the Kingdome of heaven 15. And although the free gift of the Covenant lyeth hid in him yet the outward earthly man is cast out from Paradise and the Covenant of God and shall not inherit the kingdome of heaven Joh. 6. but he onely shall inherit it who is born of the free gift of the Covenant not Adam but Christ in his Members not the Serpents Ens and the selfish rebellious Ismalitish scoffing false will but the will of the Covenant in Ismaels circumcision where the mocker is cutt off from the Covenant and Ismael then becomes Isaac's brother 16. The Own selfe-made gross earthly Adam who by his own lust hath made himselfe a Beast and received and taken in the Devills desire and will into the selfly assumed Beast the same cannot be or remain in the Image of Christ he is cast out from thence and walketh in the world of vanity and his own lust so that he is not capable of the free gift in the Covenant 17. But the right Adamicall man which God made out of the matrix of the earth out of which the Earth had its Originall in the same is the Covenant and the free gift even as a tincture in the gross Lead which doth swallow up in it selfe the grossness viz. the gross Saturn in its own desire and mortifieth the Saturnine will and advanceth or sublimeth its own understand the Tinctures will and propriety in the Lead whereby the Lead is changed into Gold 18. Thus likewise we are to understand that the gross Saturnine Selfe-will proceeding from the dark worlds property in man cannot dwell in Gods house 〈◊〉 is without in the corrupt world God hath cast it forth out of Paradise as Abraham cast out his naturall Adamicall children from Isaac's goods so also our earthly man as to it s assumed grossnes◠and ownhood is not at all fit for or profitable unto the kingdome of heaven it is onely the Ax wherewith the Carpenter builds in this life time in heaven he hath no need of this Ax for he shall not need build him an house for his propriety but Christ viz. the formed word of God is his house 19. For as Abraham cast out of his house the Sons of his Concubines with gifts so likewise the Adamicall man is cast out from God whom Christ viz. the Fathers free gift receiveth again unto himselfe for when Christ was come into our humanity * God suffered him to be hung upon the Cross and be putt to death but received him again in his free favour * and sett him at the right hand of the Power of God in heaven and our humanity also with and in him but the humane selfe will must dye on the Cross. 20. Thus likewise the spirit of Moses doth here signifie in the figure concerning Abraham and his naturall children that the outward naturall man shall not dwell in the Ens of Christ for he is cast out of Paradise in Adam therefore also he cannot be received according to his Beastiall selfish propriety unto the possession of Isaac's goods that is unto the Ens of faith viz. in Christ and albeit Christ
Man 13. As to the part of the beastiall soul of Man that attains not the pretious Image in this life time for propriety the mortall soul either from the Stars or four Elements attains it not onely the inward Soul out of the Eternall word of God out of the Eternall Nature out of the formed word out of Gods Essence according to Gods Love and Anger viz. out of the Centre of the Eternall Nature which hath its Originall out of the divine desire through the eternall * * * Word Verbum Fiat whereby the divine Lubet formeth and fashioneth the wisdome into a Substance to the Contemplation of the Deity This soul is that which is betrothed to Sophia 14. The outward Soul is now betrothed and espoused to the Stars and four Elements to form and bring forth the wonders of Gods formed wisdome in Figures both in words and workes this outward Soul obtains sometimes onely a look from Sophia for it hath the death and mortality in it selfe but it shall after this time be changed again into the first Image which God created in Adam and leave the Serpents Ens to the earth which shall at the end of dayes be tryed in the fire of God where the Serpents introduced desire shall evaporate from it and then the whole Image of God out of all the Three Principles stands in One Essence and even then * * * Ephes. 1.23 God filleth all in all this is here to be understood by this figure 15. Further the spirit of Moses describeth the children of Ismael and relates how he begatt twelve Sons Gen. 25.16.18 from whom twelve Princes arose in their Generations and he setts down at last He fell in the presence of all his brethren here he meaneth before Isaacs generation and yet he waxed great in worldly Dominion before them and potent Nations did arise from him and Isaac with his children and posterity were onely as Pilgrims and travelled up and down from one place to another untill they were at last redeemed from the Egyptian Bondage and possessed the promised Land The inward figure 12 Princes 16. Ismael in his twelve Princes typifieth the kingdome of the Corrupt Nature of mans property which kingdome is twofold viz. six numbers out of the inward life's figure 6 Inward and six numbers out of the earthly outward life's figure 6 Outward viz. the outward visible palpable Man and the inward spirituall Soulish man both these have twelve numbers in the figure whence Twelve Princes arose according to the inward and outward natures property these the spirit of Moses puts in the figure and saith that they fell in the presence of all their brethren to signifie that the twelve dominions of the inward and outward nature of the humane property in its corruption fell before the twelve dominions new-born of the Ens of faith in their corrupt Selfe for the Devill had set his dominion and power into these properties 17. But when the promised Seed of faith was conceived in Abraham it did suppress and beat down the Devils power in the dominion of mans Selfe and then hapned the spirituall fall in Ismaels line wherein the Devill as an haughty Prince had set himselfe to bear the chiefe sway and domination for Christ killeth the pride of the Serpent in man 18. Now saith Moses Ismael fell in the presence of all his brethren this was nothing else but a spirituall fall of the humane Selfness before God for as to this world they were famous renowned people as their Princely dominions doe testifie whereas on the contrary Isaac's Generation were onely strangers among the Nations which signifieth that Christs kingdome and Dominion is not in this worlds nature and yet the kingdomes of this world shall fall before Christ and be in subjection to Christ. 19. Afterwards the spirit of Moses describeth Isaac's children by Rebecca and saith that she was barren and Isaac intreated the Lord for his wife and God was intreated of him and Rebecca conceived with two Sons which strove together in the wombe Here now the figure of the kingdome of nature and also of the kingdome of Christ in the new birth is clearly set forth for Rebecca's two sons which she brought forth viz. Esau and Jacob point at two lines viz Esau proceeds from Abrahams own Adamicall corrupt nature and Jacob ariseth in the Ens of faith in which Abrahams faiths Ens had incorporated it selfe into his Adamicall nature in which also the Covenant and the line of Christ stood who should bruise the Serpents head in the Adamicall nature 20. And here is deciphered and held forth how the two kingdomes in the two brothers viz. the Devills kingdome in the corrupt nature of Esau in Adams own nature of the introduced Serpents Ens and also the kingdome of Christ in Jacob in the Ens of faith did both strive together while they were children even in the wombe where then the kingdome of nature in Esau began to fall before the kingdome of Christ in Jacob for here the womans seed already bruised the head of the Serpents Ens its might in Esau and the Serpent already stung the womans seed viz. the Ens of faith in Jacob on the heel and therefore they strugled together in the wombe 21. Also we have here a very emphaticall pregnant figure in Rebecca in that she was shutt up and could not be opened to conceive of Isaac's seed untill Isaac had intreated the Lord that he would open the * * * Stop or strong bar Barrennesse withholdment in the Covenant in Rebecca where then the Lord was intreated in the Covenant concerning the barrennesse of Rebecca so that he did open the Tincture in the womans seed to this Impregnation or conception The inward figure stands thus 21. The seed of faith was in Isaac inherited from his father Abraham but Rebecca had not this Ens indeed she was in the Covenant but the Ens of faith was not in her in the Essence but onely in the Covenant and therefore her matrix was shut up was not capable of the Ens of faith so long till Isaac immersed his beleeving desire into the Lord understand into the Centre of nature in Rebecca so that the spirt of the Lord did move it selfe in the Covenant in Rebecca and moved also the Covenant together with her Adamicall nature so that the barrennesse in her matrix was disclosed both in the shutt up Ens in the Covenant and then likewise the Adamicall Matrix whereupon she conceived two sons of two kingdomes property 23. And this is the meaning of the saying The Lord was intreated when Isaac brought his faiths desire through the Eternall and Temporall nature into the Lord and therewith did earnestly press for his wife Rebecca that the Lord would be pleased to open her through his prayer and faiths-desire that so shee might be with childe by him which faiths desire together with the Adamicall natures desire
and V for the S is the character of the holy fire and the V is the character of the efflux issuing forth or Emanation out of the fire 43. Thus the Name Jacob was in the fullness of time in the Ens of Mary changed into the Name Jesus which understanding hath been as dumb and dead both to the Jewes and Christians being no Nation doth any more understand its own language and contend onely about the Compaction of the formed nature of the outward name and understanding the Mentall Tongue none will learn to understand how the same hath formed imprinted and * * * Modelized Ideafied it selfe in the words and Names in the sensuall tongue and yet the whole understanding lyeth therein without opinions if we were not so very blind and shut up in ignorance suffering selfe in pride to rule and govern us we should soon attain to the deepest understanding but the Antichrist beareth the supremacy therefore Esau onely ruleth in the understanding Gen. 25.27 28. 44. And Moses saith further And when the children were grown up Esau was a cunning Hunter and a man of the field and Jacob was a * * * Honest. plain man and dwelt in Tents and Isaac loved Esau and loved to eat of his venison but Rebecca loved Jacob. O thou wonderfull God how very simply and plainly are the greatest Mysteries typifyed and deciphered who can be able to understand without thy Spirit from whence it was that the pretious man Isaac in the Type of Christ loved the naturall man in Adams corrupt Image Esau more then Jacob in the Type of Christ in his figure if thou hadst not in thy knowledge vouchsafed mee to understand the same I must be here even stark blind but it is thy Counsell O Lord that we know thee and thy time is born that thou revealest the Secrets 45. Moses saith that Esau was an hunter and a man of the field and the Father loved to eat of his venison and loved him above Jacob here stands an externall figure as if Isaac loved Esau for his Activeness cunning skill or worldly exercise and loved him more then Jacob so wholly hath the Lord the heart of the wise and of his children in his hand that his children must not in their will doe what they please and oftentimes well understand but what God wills 46. Also we herein see how oftentimes God withdrawes the Mysteries from the most holy that they must be even children in them and although they beare the divine play in their Hands and t is their work and exercise yet they must have a child-like Heart in the understanding thereof as it may be seen here in Isaac 47. He loved Esau more then Jacob why so the Ens of Christ lay in him which ruled him for Christ should love his Enemies viz. the corrupt Esau and his naturall children him he loved more then his divine nature for he brought his divine nature into the death of the corrupt Adam and loved * * * Not his sin in the nature but his poor undon nature by sin which he by death freed from sin and death Adams corrupted nature more then his holy Ens which he for mans corrupt natures sake gave into the fire of Gods Anger that so he might redeem it in his Love of this Isaac was here a figure in the Image of Christ who loved his Hunter in his Evill nature more then Jacob he did not love his iniquity but his child-like nature to which he would do much good as Christ loved us in our Adamicall nature and did us good he did not Love us according to the will of Sin in us as Isaac also did not therein Love his Son Esau but according to the Fathers nature and property according to the child-like filial nature The inward figure stands thus 48. When Isaac intreated the Lord that his Rebecca might conceive his naturall desire with the * * * Earnest longing lubet of the divine Ens of faith entered into Rebecca whereby Rebecca was opened and so the naturall Love of Isaac which was environed with faith was propagated in his seed and opened it selfe in Esau Isaac's love did not open it selfe in Esau as to his corrupt nature I say not according to the kingdome of the nature of this world but according to the Covenant according to the Second Principle viz. according to Gods kingdome which the externall nature in him had not as yet apprehended as the divine Ens in Abraham did open and manifest it selfe according to the Second Principle and not in the mortall corrupt Adamicall nature of the outward world the like also is here to be understood in the figure in Esau. 49. Not that Esau did receive the Ens of Christ in the Covenant as Jacob but his Fathers Love-desire in which the hidden Covenant stood unmoveable now there was thus a Conjunction with his Fathers naturall Love for Every property loveth its own likeness especially if the likeness be proceeded forth from the Essence or thing Loving as Esau was conceived in Rebecca of his Father through his Love-desire 50. And it even denotes that the divine Ens in Gods Love in Isaac loved the miserable humane nature to redeem it therefore God manifested his Love in Abrahams faith and introduced the same into an Ens so that this same Love which God gave to redeem mankinde should Love the humane nature in its shut up abandoned condition as in very truth the true reall Adamicall nature ordained by God was shut up in Esau and on the contrary the kingdome of the wrath had the outward dominion Now to redeem this the spirit in the Covenant through Isaac's nature Loved his Son Esau viz. the filial nature and not onely because that he was an Hunter of the creatures 51. Yet here also by this Hunter we are even to understand the same as is set down before concerning * * * Gen. 10.9 Nimrod who was a mighty Hunter before the Lord for this whole description of the first book of Moses is Gods Spirits figure type or representation where he * * * Or Sets forth as in a Map playeth with the kingdome of nature and then also with Christs kingdome and he hath so pourtrayed delineated and typifyed the Acts of the holy Patriarchs under his figure that we may clearly see in all the histories the glance or allusion of Gods Spirit how he hath delineated and set forth to the life the kingdome of Christ and the kingdome of nature and also the Devills kingdome in the wrath of the Eternall nature and neither the Jewes or Christians hitherto have had a right understanding of the same which among the Patriarchs was rightly understood in its true meaning 52. But afterwards when their children and posterity gave no heed unto the same but disregarded the true understanding and loved their Evill nature more then the spirit in the Covenant then the understanding was
but it was cast away and rejected from God and that he must wholly forsake his naturall Right of Selfeness and wholly give in himselfe into Gods will CHAP. LIV. How Isaac by reason of the famine went downe to Abimilech King of the Philistines at Gerar and how the Lord appeared there to him and commanded him to stay there and renewed there the Covenant of his father with him of the meaning of this in its spirituall figure Gen. XXVI THe 26 Chap. of Genesis doth farther relate the history touching Isaac how God did so very wonderfully guide him and renewed the covenant of his father Abraham with him and preserved and blessed him and his wife with him for being the kingdome of Grace in the Covenant of God was now manifest in him the Blessing of God did now spring forth effectually in his purpose through the kingdome of Nature 2. And on the contrary how the Devill was an utter enraged Enemy to this Blessing and desired to sift and search the kingdome of nature in Isaac and his wife Rebecca in whom as yet the Serpents Ens lay in the earthly flesh through the lust of King Abimilech 3. And this againe is a figure of Adam in Paradise and also of Christ in the new Regeneration shewing how Adam went into King Abimilechs Land that is into a strange kingdome viz. into the four Elements where he hath denyed his wife viz. the matrix of the heavenly Generatress in him in that he introduced his lust into the beastiall property 4. As here Isaac did stand in fear of his life before King Abimilech by reason of his wife even so Adam in his strange lust in the kingdome of the four Elements and the Stars did also stand in fear before the strange King viz. before the kingdome of this world and denyed his heavenly birth out of fear of the kingdome of this world and gave his Eternall will to the King of this world that it might the better fare with him in his strange Lust as Isaac thought to do with his wife who stood herewith in the figure of Adam 5. Which figure the divine Imagination did represent unto it selfe in Isaac and set down withall the Covenant of the new birth viz. his promised truth how he would lead and guide the children of his Grace in the presence of the strange King viz. in the kingdome of this world and preserve them * * * Before from the lust and desire of this King and would lay hold of this King with his power and change his lust and desire viz. the lust of the Stars and four Elements into another will of the essentiall desire so that the sharpe and severe might of the Astrum in flesh and bloud should be changed into a Covenant of peace and do no hurt to the children of Grace in the Covenant but it should serve them to bring forth the blessing and fruits that they might grow greatly as here Isaac with King Abimilech stood surrounded in the meer Blessing of God and his possession of Goods and Cattle grew so great that King Abimilech thought he would be too potent and mighty for him and therefore commanded him to go out of his Land 6. Which is a figure of the new birth in the kingdome of Nature that if the inward spirituall Man doth in divine power outgrow or overtop the kingdome of nature then the kingdome of the outward nature in flesh and bloud in the * * * In spiritu mundi in the Cosmick spirit spirit of the world is sore afraid and astonished at it for it seeth and feeleth its ruin and decrease and would fain preserve its own-hood and propriety in the outward life 7. And then comes the spirituall man in the Covenant of the new birth and reproveth King Abimilech viz. the outward life in the spirit of the outward world for the wells of water which the divine thoughts viz. the Servants of the new man had digged in the Soules ground viz. in the Eternall Centre because Abimilech with his Servants viz. the evill earthly thoughts Imaginations and sences had filled them up with the vain lust of the flesh This sets forth and represents the wells of water which Abrahams servants viz. Abrahams faiths desire had digged in the Ens of faith about which wells Abimilechs Servants viz. the desires of the flesh have contended for and continually filled them up with earth which Isaacs Servants do again open in the root of Israel and at last digg up a well wherein they finde of the living water and there they did pitch their tent which well signified Christ for they called the place Beer-shèba viz. an opening or a contrition which signifyeth the Repentance breaking up or contrition of the earthly will in which Repentance the water of life viz. Christ floweth forth 8. This whole 26 Chap. of Genesis is a figure of the poor fallen man in the corrupt kingdome of nature signifying how he doth swim therein and how the poor soul is tost too and fro therein and seeketh it selfe in outward things and labours to advance its strength and power and yet finds no where any abiding place therein but wandreth from one thing into another and worketh now in this and then in that and soon in another and seeketh rest but findeth none untill it comes unto Beer-sheba viz. into humility before God and then the well of living water springs forth to it out of Gods Covenant 9. Now although the words in this Text of the 26 Chap. do seem to treat onely of externall things yet it is nothing else but the spirit in Moses alluding or playing under the externall history with a spirituall figure of the kingdome of nature and of the kingdome of Christ for he begins and speaketh of a great famine which was come into the Land for which distress-sake Isaac went down to Abimilech King of the Philistines at Gerar. The inward spirituall figure is this 10. When God had created Adam he came into the Famin viz. into the Temptation wherein the soul ought not to eat of the outward kingdome but of the inward but being it turned it selfe with its will into the outward kingdome it did live in the famine viz. in the hunger after the outward worlds substance and therefore it turned it selfe unto Abimilech King of the Philistins at Gerar that is to the corrupt kingdome in Gods Anger viz. to the heathenish King and was subject to it 11. And then the Lord appeared unto it as here he did to Isaac and said * * * Gen 26.2 Go not into Egypt that is thou poor depraved soul go not into the beastiall lust but remain in the Land which I shall tell thee of be thou a stranger in this Land that is remain in my Covenant and be with the soul a stranger in this house of flesh wherein the Soul is not at home * * * Gen. 26.3 And â—o I will be with thee
all men cannot receive the blessing unless they first dye unto their own selfe-Right and will as Esau could not be blessed of his father with the holy blessing for he was the type of the corrupt Adam according to the kingdome of nature so likewise the earthly nature cannot be capable of the holy Spirit in its Essence of which Christ John 6 Chap. said * Flesh and bloud shall not inheritt the kingdome of God unless it fals into the earth and enter again into its first wombe as Grain that is sown and resigne its nature to the first mother 40. And then we see here how Isaac giveth his Son Esau a temporall blessing and intimates to him that the naturall man is lead by the spirit of this world for to Jacob he said * * * Gen. 27.28 God give thee of the dew of heaven and of the fatnesse of the earth and of corn and wine abundance but to Esau he said onely * * * Gen. 27.28 Behold thou wilt have a fatt dwelling upon the earth and of the dew of heaven from above thou wilt live by thy sword and serve thy brethren and it will come to passe when thou shalt have the dominion that thou wilt break his yoke from off thy Neck 41. And hereby he signifyeth in what dominion the outward naturall man is lead driven and nourished and what his desire and endeavour should be namely he would be in his Minde onely a Robber Murtherer and an evill malicious beast that should desire to bear down all under it with power force and murther 42. For Isaac doth not say Live thou by thy sword but thou wilt do it viz. Gods wrath in the kingdome of the corrupt nature with the devills will will move thee thereunto that thou wilt draw the fatness of the earth unto thy selfe and wilt be ruled and driven by the Stars above and wilt in thy naturall power drive away from thee the children of God who rule in Gods power that is when the holy Spirit in Gods children doth Reprove them by reason of their Tyranny they then kill and slay them and tear the sword of the holy Ghost from off their Neck as here Isaac said thou wilt do it 43. As indeed Esau soon did and would have killed Jacob so that Jacob in Gods blessing was fain to slie from him and here he pulled off the yoke of the holy Spirit from his neck and this prophecy of the Patriarch is a figure how the Esauites and Tyrants viz. the fleshly brethren of the Christians would dwell among the Christians and be born as to their naturall brotherhood of the same Parents as Esau and Jacob and yet they would persecute them with sword and torments and thrust them away and yet stand themselves as if they were the onely true Christians and desire the blessing of God as Esau stood and wept bitterly for the blessing and he did not minde the kingdome of God but that he might be a Lord upon the earth over his brethren and other men and might have riches and fullness of the Belly 44. This Esau in his blessing is a true type of Antichrist who draweth neer to God with the lips and gives himselfe to an externall seeming service and worship of Christ and sets himselfe forth as if he did it to God and stands and makes mighty holy shewes in his hypocrisie and glistering verballities setts forth himselfe with zeal and devotion that so he might be honored of man and that his God Mammon and Maozim may be fat and doth even mourn and lament for malice when men will not do that for him which he will have when he cannot get enough of the Belly-blessing according to the will of his God Maozim and whosoever doth but reprove or touch him and speakes to him of the Blessing of God him he will slay and cannot endure a true Servant of Christ under him 45. Reason supposeth that being Isaac said to Esau Thou shalt live by thy sword that God hath commanded him so to do and here it props up its murthering malice and bloud-thirsty villany but it is far otherwise God wills not any warre but the kingdome of nature in Gods Anger willeth it and whosoever is born onely of the kingdome of nature he liveth also to the same 46. Therefore said Isaac thou wilt do it as if he should have said thou through thy Anger wilt serve the Anger of God and wilt be a Lord in the kingdome of nature in this world even as the rich and wealthy ones do bring themselves into power and authority and do it through the kingdome of nature in the wrath 47. And we see further how that * * * Gen. 27. â—1 Esau did deadly hate his brother Jacob for the blessings sake of which notwithstanding he was not capable as to the kingdome of nature to signifie that the true children of Christ should for this blessings sake be hated persecuted and slain of the children in the kingdome of nature and that because the kingdome of Grace * * * Note when Grace shall rule shall rule over the kingdome of nature and destroy the same at the end of dayes and change it into its might and therefore there is strife between both Kingdomes 48. For the children of Christ in this life time as to the outward man live in the kingdome of the depraved humane nature viz. in the kingdome of the Esauites and are as to the spirit onely strangers and pilgrims therein as Christ said My kingdome is not of this world and therefore the children of this world are Enemies to them persecute them as Esau his brother Jacob. 49. For where the kingdome of Christ begins to flourish there presently the kingdome of the Devill begins to storm and rage and therefore because the kingdome of Christ shall and will take away and ruin his might and Princely throne hence is the strife in this world between the children of Jacob and Esau. 50. For as soon as Jacob had obtained the blessing * * * Gen. 27.41 Esau purposed in his minde to kill Jacob which is a figure of Christ shewing how that Gods anger would kill Him in this blessing in our assumed humanity as to the kingdome of nature and that the children of God also should be killed in Gods Anger as to the kingdome of nature and shed their bloud into this murthering spirit that thereby Gods Anger might be blotted out and changed into Love CHAP. LVI How Isaac and Rebecca sent away Jacob because of Esau into another Countrey and how the Lord appeared to him in a Vision upon the Ladder which reached even into heaven and how Esau carried himselfe afterwards towards his Parents Vpon the 28 Chapter of Genesis Gen. XXVIII WHen Jacob had received the blessing then he must depart from his native home from father and mother and flie from the wrath of Esau this is now a figure of Christ shewing
the children of Adam are thus stolen from the kingdome of Gods wrath that is brought away in the divine witt and subtilty 17. For the Anger of God had possessed Men in the right of Nature but Christ came and married with them and stole them together with the Idoll Gods away from the Anger and offered them up to God upon his Altar which is himselfe and layd off the Images of Mans selfe-love and cleansed our Garments before God that wee might serve him at this Altar 18. This is properly understood concerning Rachels Idoll Gods the Figure indeed sets downe onely the Outward History but the Spirit of God hath its figure under it for the whole History of Abraham Isaack and Jacob stands inwardly in the figure of Christ for the Covenant between Laban and Jacob all that happened therein is a figure of Christ for Laban heere standeth in the figure of the kingdome of Nature and Jacob in the figure of Christ. 19. †††Gen. 31.27 28. Laban upbraids Jacob that he fled from him and did not suffer him first to kisse his Children and that he might conduct them on their way with Mirth and with â—abretts Thus also doth Nature with the children of Christ when they secretly flee from it and forsake the Idolls house or Temple then the children of Natures kingdome upbraid these children of Christ for fickle forsworne people for Hereticks Novellists New Lights Enthusiasts or whatsoever sect can be named and say unto them When you will depart from your wicked way and enter into another Life why doe you not tell it to our High Priests that they may lead you onwards with their Ceremonies viz. Confession Sacraments Intercessions Why doe you not observe the usage of the Churches where the kingdome of Christ is in Mirth with Roaring Organs and Pipes Why doe you steale away from us secretly and goe another way then our Ordinances and decrees prescribe and therefore are enemies unto them persecute them and hunt them with censurings and disgraces as evill children and forsworne which had robbed them of their Idoll-Gods and will not honour their hypocrisies for Gods as Laban pursued after Jacob and upbraideth him because he had not first kept that Pagintry and solemnity and told him beforehand that he would travaile and begone 20. Thus Babel also would faine have it that the children of Christ should onely enter in to God through their pagintries and Solemnities and Belly-Ordinances and whosoever will enter in to God otherwise then through their Ordinances and flee from this Servile house of Bondage he is damned and cannot come to God 21. But Jacob can well goe to his Father without Labans Pagintry and Solemnity and though he upbraid Jacob calleth his way wrong yet his way was right in the sight of God For God had commanded him so and Laban could not withhold him at all so also Christs children when the Spirit of Christ in them commandeth them to flee out from Babel cannot be withheld also it doth not hurt them though the world blameth them never so for it and scorne deride disgrace and upbraideth them for fooles Hereticks and Enthusiasts 22. Yet the Most High reproveth and chargeth Laban that he speak not otherwise to Jacob then †††Courteously and kindly friendly that is the * * * Blasphemies reproach misusage disdaine of Babel towards the children of Christ must in the End turne to their meere joy and kindnesse and now Laban must let them depart with their Goods and riches for God commandeth his children to †††Rev. 18.4 flee from Babel and to goe into the first Country of their Father out of which they are departed with Adam not through the Solemnity and Pagintry of Babel but through the Conversion of the Minde and will viz. New Obedience 23. For God hath as much pleasure in the Solemnity and Pagintry of Babel as in Labans Tabrett and Pyping Hee requires a Penitent Converting Heart which in highest simplicity and humility without any Solemnity or Pagintry draweth neere unto him and departeth from Babel with such a one he goeth along and blesseth him 24. For †††Gen. 32.1 2. when Jacob was gone forth without Solemnity and Pagintry then the Angels of God mett him whom he called Gods Host which signifieth that when the children of God goe forth from humane * * * Trifles fables Chimeâ—â—es fantasies Inventions and Imaginations and accompt all Earthly things as nothing and slip away from the hypocrisie of all their Titulary Brethren then they get the Angells of God for a Guard who goe along with them and lead them on their way in their going out from Babel as heere was done to Jacob. 25. For as soone as Christ is borne in a Man so that the Minde goeth forth out of the Adamicall servile house of †††Or Imaginary Conceits Images then the Angells of God are appointed his Guardians CHAP. LX. How Esaw went to Meete Jacob with foure hundred Men Souldiers what this signifieth And how Jacob sent a Present to his Brother Esaw and how a Man wrestled with him the whole Night What all this meaneth Gen. 32. For the Reader highly to Consider of MOses sayth †††Gen. XXXII 3 4 5 6 7 8. And Jacob sent Messengers before him to his Brother Esaw into the Land of Seir in the Borders of Edom and commanded them saying tell my Lord Esaw thus Thy servant Jacob sayth thus I have been long abroad with Laban untill this time and I have Oxen and Asses sheepe Men-servants and women-servants and I have sent forth to thee my Lord to tell thee that I might finde Grace in thine Eyes The Messengers returned againe to Jacob and sayd Wee came to thy Brother Esaw and he also cometh to meete thee with * * * 400 Men. four hundred Men then Jacob feared very much and was in distresse and divided the people that were with him and the Sheepe and Oxen and the Camells into two Companyes and sayd if Esaw come upon one Company and smiteth it the rest will escape 2. This whole Chapter stands eminently in the figure of Christ For when the Word was become Man and would now goe forth from this world and with our humanity possesse his Eternall Mansion then meets him this host of Souldiers in the kingdome of Nature in the Anger of God 3. For the kingdome of Nature viz. the Naturall Adam was the first-borne Esau which was angry with Jacob that is with Christ for the blessing and heavenly Inheritance viz. for the Eternall Life because it must dye and loose its Right in which kingdome the Anger of God had gotten the Dominion that same Anger of God came to meet Christ when he was about to bring his acquired Goods into the Eternall Country of his Father viz. into the Love of God as Esaw did Jacob in the Type or Image of the Figure and Christ
with the eternal one and becometh one substance therewith for it goeth into its nothing Must not the false will or desire for a worldly Law 's sake for feare of punishment forbeare or stand still from unrighteous works Wherefore then not also for the sake of the commandement of God Can it be obedient to a worldly Lord and Master and for that end stand still for which he would have him wherefore not also to God especially when the ability is as soone given as a Man doth but incline his will to stand still 59. But the cause why the total false wicked will doth not stand still and incline it self to Grace is this that it is clearely a Thistle borne wherein Grace lyeth too deeply hidden and the wrath of God is too strong in nature Grace draweth it and sheweth to it it s own falshood and wickednesse but it contemneth Grace and worketh as a Thistle doth in the power of the Sun Such a one is to God †††2 Cor. 2.15 16. a good savour of death to the damnation in hell that Grace may be severed from the false and wicked will 60. But the conclusions of reason which pronounceth that God in himself so farr as he is called God hath determined that one part of men and indeed the greatest number shall and must be damn'd and that of his own purposed will he hardeneth them is false and hath no ground either in the Scripture or in the light of nature If a man but rightly consider the Scripture and doth not blindly looke upon it 61. For in God so farr as he is called God there is no purpose nor beginning to will he is himself the will of the profundity viz. one alone and himself willeth nothing but good and therefore is himself also that same good will or willing of good For the good that he willeth is the birth of his power viz. his Sonne 62. God willeth in himself nothing but to manifest his owne good that himself is and that could not be done if the only good power did not introduce it self with the exhalation into the desire to nature and in a severation viz. into the science for if the good did remaine alone there would be no knowledge or skill 63. But now the good viz. God in himself maketh not evil or separation but the science viz. the Fiat or the desire to severation bringeth it self into nature and creature and from the science springeth evill and good and not from God or in God in his Trinity 64. For there is no decree but there is a consultation therein and then there must also be a cause of that consultation therein and then againe there must be a cause of that also and so there must be somthing before God or after God wherefore he so consults and determines 65. But he is himself the profundity and the one and is one only will that is himself and that is only goâ—d for one only thing cannot be opposite to it self for it is but one and hath no quarrel with any thing 66. Therefore it is the folly of Reason that they speake of compulsion and inevitable necessity and understand not the * * * The Great Mystery Mysterium Magnum Or that they say God of his purpose willeth the evil desire or will which he hath hardned that it should not attaine the Grace 67. I shew to this blind Reason a Thistle to consider of which the Sun for a whole day toucheth and giveth it light and power yet it remaines a Thistle so also the wicked will The Divine Sun shineth to it the day of its whole life but its ground is an Ens of a Thistle 68. Otherwise it God did of purpose harden it the righteousness could have no judgement therein for that which doeth what it must doe liveth according to the will of its Lord but if †††Psal. 5.4 God willeth not that which is wicked as in Psal 5. then the evil cometh out of the roote And in the roote of knowledge out of natures ground to the creature and by accident And for that cause hath God manifested his will and given his Law and Gospel that is hath manifested his threatenings and his grace that a day of separation might be kept with righteousness and that no creature might have Excuse 69. And the History saith further * * * Gen. 33.12 13 14. After Esaw had received the Present of Jacob he spake unto his brother Jacob saying Let us take our journey and goe forward I will goe with thee but Jacob said to him My Lord thou knowest that I have with mee tender children and moreover cattel that are great with yong and sucking Caâ—ves if they be over-driven for one day the whole flock would dye Let my Lord pass over before his servant and I will follow on softly as the cattel and the children are able to goe until I come to my Lord into Seir. This Text appeareth to be only an outward History but the Spirit hath also its inward figure under it for Jacob stands in that figure of Christ. And the figure is thus 70. When Christ through his suffering and death appeased his Fathers anger in the kingdome of nature thus said the appeased anger Now will we arise and take our journey together understand in the life of man but the Love said man is too tender feeble and impotent and can scarce goe in Gods wayes * * * Mat. 28.20 I will remain with them even to the end of the world Mat. 28. And lead them †††Gently and moderately slowly as they are able to goe least they fall into temptation and error and be blinde as to Grace Goe thou before my Lord I will lead them on softly under my yoke of the Crosse that they die not for if they should now presently be led in the Fathers severe righteousness they would not be able to goe though they are indeed redeemed yet they live still in flesh and bloud I will come after with them to thee into Seir that is into Gods righteousness 71. †††Gen. 33.15 And Esaw said Let me now leave with thee some of the folke that are with mee He answered what needeth it let mee but finde Grace in the sight of my Lord that is God the Father said let me leave some of my severe righteousness commandements and Lawes with thee but Christ said What needeth it Let me with these redeemed children onely finde Grace with thee for they cannot fulfill the Law 72. * * * Gen. 33.16 Thus Esaw went his way again that day towards Seir that is thus God's righteousness pressed into it's own principle †††17. And Jacob went to Succoth and built him an house from whence the place is called Succoth This in the figure is as much as to say Christ led his Christendome viz. his children not to Seir that is into
Adams impurity that he is become earthly and hath committed whoredome before me and I have not given Selah for a husband to the New Eve that is I have not given the Word of the New Regeneration by and in the Law therefore hath Thamar that is the New Eve under the time of the Law layne and Copulated with Judah and his children for and about the soulish or animale and humane Nature and left Selah viz. the Law standing in the figure and the Grace of the New Eve in the Covenant hath alwayes joyned and mixed it selfe with Gods children as is to be seene in the Saints especially in the Prophets who outwardly lived under the Law and exercised themselves therein and yet alwayes joyned and mixed themselves with the New Eve in the Grace and yet lived not to the Law but to Grace 56. And this is the powerfull figure in this place shewing how the Covenant of Promise in Judah and the awakening of the Covenant in the Womans seede stand alwayes set one opposite to the other and lye and Copulate one with the other in the Love pointing at the future manifestation in the flesh in Christ. 57. For this figure of Judah and Thamar in the inward Ground is nothing else but this that outwardly the adulterous evill Adam with his fleshly Eve is represented in the figure viz. outwardly the Man of sinne with a sinfull figure and inwardly the betrothing of the New Eve in Regeneration 58. And the Spirit speaketh further in Moses and sayth * * * Gen. 38.27 28 29 30. And when Thamar was about to bring forth behold Twinnes were found in her womb and as shee was upon the Birth one of them put forth a hand then the Midwife tooke a Red Thrid and tied about it and sayd This is the first that cometh forth but when he pulled back his hand his brother came forth and shee sayd Wherefore hast thou for thy will made this breach and his name was called †††Pharez Perez Afterwards his brother came forth who had the Red Thrid about his hand and his Name was called ‖ ‖ ‖ Zarah Serah 59. O thou wonderfull great God who art so high and deep how simply and to the capacity of a childe dost thou modellize thy wisdome to us What is all Art and Witt of humane Greatnesse before thee who dost so very much condescend bow downe and humble thy selfe and presentest thy deepest wisdome and highest profundity in a childish simplicity which may justly shame all humane State and selfe-wit when they see so great Mysteries of God stand in such Childishnesse 60. O World how foolish art thou that thou Elevatest thy selfe in a blinde life and still cleavest to the husk and seest not what thou art and understandest not the Divine Simplicity and then how wilt thou apprehend the Divine Depth O leave off thy witt and cleave to simplicity that thou mayst yet obtein a childes understanding and be not accounted in the sight of God more unwise then the Beasts which remaine in their cloathing and condition as God hath Created them O thou World why sleepest thou in the Devills Armes who succles and dandles thee in himselfe and bringeth thee to his will and life by his might O doe but see it 61. This potent figure in these Twinnes one of which put forth the hand which the Midwife bound a red Thrid about and thought it would be the first but it drew the hand back againe and his brother came forth prefigureth this to us how Christ in this Line of the Covenant assumed the humane Nature and so the humane Nature according to Adams right and selfe-will in this world first puts forth and manifests it selfe about which Adamicall Nature in the humanity of Christ must this red Thrid with the shedding of his Bloud be bound 62. When this is done then must the humane Nature with its right draw back againe that is Adams will that was gone forth must againe returne into the Mothers womb viz. be turned in to the Word and then cometh the inward New Adam forth after which followeth the Adamicall Nature with the Red Thrid then sayth the Mother to the New Adam in Christ why hast thou for thy will made this Breach for thy will sayth the Mother not for thy will sake but for the sake of that which driveth thy will forth and Adams will goes back thus hath the will in the Covenant of Grace powerfully broken through the strong Barre enclosure of the first Principle viz. of the Kingdome of Gods Anger for the Good Will in Adam was shut up in Death and in Hell and in Christ he rent that powerfull Rent and brake through Death and Hell back againe into the Kingdome of the Eternall Nature and turned it selfe forth againe into the Naturall Life so that the Kingdome of God was againe manifested in the Humane Life 63. This the Spirit represents by Thamar in the Line of the Covenant and modelizeth Christs breach through Death and Hell how that should be and by this premodelling was the whorish will of Thamar and Judah healed and their children of whoredome in the Line of Christ were Espoused into the Covenant of Grace 64. In Esaw and Jacob stood the figure how according to Nature Adam had the right of the Kingdome and how he squandered it and is therefore in his Naturall Will thrust out from the Kingdome of God and how Christ came to help him Here now stands the figure shewing how Christ hath gotten the Kingdome and turned Adam back againe and in Adam turned himselfe forth so that now Adam is called Christ and presents himselfe very excellently in the figure of Joseph and this standeth fitly and rightly between in the intervale of Josephs history 65. For Joseph is the figure of a Christian and this of Judah and Thamar is a figure shewing how a Christian springeth out of Adams Nature and how Adams Nature is turned in againe and Christ turned forth and how this Image of a Christian Man in this world is covered outwardly with the Earthly Adam so that men cannot know it also how thus Christ in Adam tooke his Guilt upon him and how Adam must be marked with this Red Thrid which Mark is rightly the Pledge that Judah gave to Thamar And I would have the Reader of this admonished in Love not to reject our Exposition of this Text but to consider it and looke narrowly and perspicuously into it and then he will well perceive who was the Expositour if he be worthy of it CHAP. LXVI The Most Excellent History of Joseph how he was sold to Potiphar what befell Joseph and of Josephs Chastity and feare of God Vpon the 39 Chapter of Genesis JOseph was brought downe into Aegypt and Potiphar an Aegyptian Gen. XXXIX 1 2 3 4 5 6. Pharaohs Officer Captaine of his Guard bought him of the Ismaelites who brought him thither and the Lord was with Joseph and
he was a prosperous Man and was in his Masters the Aegyptians house and his Master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made all that he did to prosper in his hand so that he found Grace and favour in the sight of his Master and was his Servant which he set over his house and all that he had he put under his hand and from the time that he set him over his house and over all his Goods the Lord blessed the Aegyptians house for Josephs sake and the blessing of the Lord was every way upon all that he had in the house and in the field therefore he left all that he had under the hands of Joseph and he medled with nothing while he had him but what he did eate and drinke and Joseph was a goodly person and faire of feature 2. The History prefigureth to us a true Christian Man what he is and how he is in this world and what his Office is that is when Christ is manifested in him he is no more his owne to doe what he will also in this world he hath nothing for his owne of which he can in truth say this is mine or I I am he that hath it I possesse it it is mine own I may doe therewith what my flesh and my owne will listeth I may use it for my honour and pleasure that I may thereby be * * * Or high aloft in the world No a true Christian hath none of that in his power 3. He indeed ruleth of right over that which he hath and possesseth with truth and righteousnesse but yet as a servant of his Lord Christ. For a Christian is a Christian in Christ and is bought to a Christian Life and to the obedience of Faith by the bloud of Christ with Christs †††Thirty pieces of silver thirty pieces of silver whereof his Lord Christ hath committed to him Josephs * * * Twenty pieces of silver twenty pieces of silver and set him as a Steward over it that he may trade therewith and employ it till he make it come to thirty pieces of silver which he should weare in him and about him as a Mark or Badg of his Lord Christ as a Treasure of his Christianity 4. But seing his Lord Christ was sold and betrayed to Death for thirty pieces of silver and Joseph was sold by his Brethren to be a †††Over whom the Master hath power of Life and all he hath Bondslave for twenty pieces of silver in both these numbers standeth the figure of a Christian viz. Christ when he is manifested in a Man sheweth him the thirty pieces of silver for which he was sold to Suffering and Death and this his suffering and Death he putteth upon him in which is founded the figure of the thirty pieces of silver viz. that he was sold and betrayed and therein man becomes such a Christian as is founded implanted †††Eingeatzed Etching of plates with Aqua fortis ingraven upon and into Christs sufferings and Death and therein a Man becometh a Christian in Christs sufferings and Death and standeth in the figure of Christ and looseth the right of his naturall selfe-will as also the kingdome of this world 5. For in Christs Death as to his inward spirituall Man he dieth from this world and according to that inward Man is no more in this world but in Christ in God viz. in the Kingdome of God as it is written * * * Luk. 17.21 The Kingdome of God is inwardly within you Also †††Gal. 4.19 Examine your selves whether Christ have gotten a forme in you Also ‖ ‖ ‖ 1 Cor. 3.16 Ye are the Temple of the Holy Ghost who dwelleth in you Also * * * Col. 4.12 Ye are the servants of Christ and †††Joh. 6 53. should eate the flesh of the Son of Man and so * * * Joh. 15.7 he abideth in you and you in him and †††Joh. 6.53 without him ye have no Life as an hearb or grasse and all earthly things without the power and vertue of the Sunne have no life growth or vegetation and operation in them so Man without the Divine Sunne which through Christ hath manifested it selfe in his Christians hath no life or happinesse or salvation without Christ in him 6. And as Christ was sold for thirty pieces of silver to suffering and death which thirty pieces of silver signifie the †††Luk 3.23 thirty yeares of Christ before his Baptisme ere he entred into his Office and divine Government according to the humanity when he gave up his humane Will to God and the Creaturely selfe-will ceased in him so also must a Christian when he is in truth in his owne naturall will sold for twenty pieces of the thirty pieces of silver to be a servant of God in Christ to be a Minister or Officer and Obedient to his Lord who liveth in him then his by past yeares of the Adamicall Naturall time of this world are sold in and with Christ for twenty pieces of silver and so the Adamicall time of his naturall will in this being sold ceaseth in Christs suffering Death and he is by his Lord who is arisen from Death in him and ruleth and raigneth over Death set to be an Officer over Christs Goods to dispose of them through the Spirit of Christ viz. in the power and vertue of his Lord who is in him in this world * * * As to the Dominiō of Christ. according to the Kingdome of Christ. 7. As Joseph was taken away from his Fathers house and was first cast into the Pit wherein he should have perished and was afterwards sold by his brethren for twenty pieces of silver to serve as a Bondslave so also a Christian is first taken away from his Fathers house viz. from the Adamicall Nature and is cast into the Pit viz. into Christs suffering and Death and then looseth the Adamicall inheritance of the Kingdome of this world and is with his Will and Minde brought away from it then he must yeeld up his Fathers house viz. all his selfehood together with his naturall Life to his brethren in his fathers house that is to the power of God in the Government of this world and suffer himselfe to be cast into the Pit of the Death of his Naturall will and therein give up himselfe to the Death of Christ and willingly die to the will of this world viz. to his owne Adamicall house and willingly suffer all whatsoever his brethren of this world doe to him 8. And then if he thus lye in the Pit or Grave of Christ and hath given himselfe up to the Death of Christ that he willingly would forsake all for Christs sake and dye the death of his owne will then Christ his Lord putteth on him his resurrection from the Dead and maketh
him living with his power and draweth him with Joseph out of the Pit and Grave of Death and bringeth him into his service as Joseph into the service of Pharaohs Captaine of the Guard and then all goeth prosperously in and with him for the Divine power ruleth him and now he attaineth Divine understanding and wisdome and knowes how to mannage his Masters Goods that in the Christian figure is as much as to say 9. When a man is thus a Christian in such a processe and way then he hath given up all whatsoever he hath of Temporall Goods or is able to doe as also his own will to God who bringeth him first into Christs Image and maketh him conformable to Christ and taketh nothing away from him of that which he had before of naturall right viz. the disposall of Temporary Goods but he taketh away the authority and power of his owne Nature viz. his evill selfe will which Adam had brought away from God and introduced into a Creaturely selfenesse of his owne willing and working in earthly things whereby Adam bereaved God his Lord of the Government in him and made the Essence and things of this world his owne as if he had made it and would not be Gods servant therein and be his fellow-Branches Guardian and Nourisher and give them his vertue will Essence and substance but sayth it is Mine that is it is mine owne I will keepe it onely for my selfe and it shall remaine with mee and would not work therewith in the Life of his brethren and give them also of his life and power and bereave them also through that appropriation of it to be Mine of the power in the Kingdome of Nature viz. of the growth and fruits of the Earth which God gave in Common and would onely fill his owne Body and thereby be accounted Great and a Lord of his miserable despised fellow-branches whom he wickedly bereaveth of the sap wherewith they should strengthen their life and bringeth it into a propriety calling it Mine this authority God taketh away from a Christian and maketh him a Guardian and Nourisher of his brethren againe viz. a Steward of his Lord Hee lets him possesse the Temporary Goods which he had so far as he possessed them in a Naturall right with righteousnesse and Truth and maketh him a Joseph therein 10. This Joseph now sayth not this is Mine that Village Citie Country Principality Kingdome Empire Also that House Land Feild Money those Goods those Cattell that Woman that Childe is mine but he sayth with his whole heart Conscience from a New good Christian will it is all my Gods and his Childrens he hath set mee as a Ruler disposer and Steward of it that I should manage it to that purpose which he will have mee I should sustein my selfe and his children the needy with it and I should be their Curatour or Guardian and give them also my power vertue and understanding of the Divine Gift and instruct tutour or take care of them for their good and as God Governeth mee with his Spirit so also should I that am his Officer in this world with my understanding and Office governe my fellow-members in such power and vertue and take care of them for all that I rule over is not mine but Gods and theirs but I should doe to them as God doth to mee 11. To such a one God giveth Josephs understanding and wisdome and governeth the house of this world by him be he in what state and condition soever therein he sits in the Office of God he is onely a servant or Minister of the Office and a Guardian over Divine Creatures For the right Christian Government of his will is in Heaven his conversation is alike in Heaven and on Earth as the Scripture sayth * * * Phil. 3.20 Our conversation is in heaven for according to the inward ground of his Soule and Spirit he is in Christ in God viz. in the Eternall Speaking Word from which Adams will had turned it selfe away and turned it selfe out into this world which will Christ hath turned in againe into the Eternall Word and so now he governeth with that re-inturned will through and in the outward Substance and Matters of this world viz. in the formed outspoken or expressed Word as a Servant Minister and Instrument of the Eternall Speaking Word in its secret Mysterie of wisdome viz. in the visible Creaturely Word 12. Therefore to thee O thou Governour in the Office of the Joseph of this world in every state condition and degree this is told thee and set before thy Eyes that though thou callest thy selfe a Joseph thou dost not yet Governe as a Joseph that is not as a Christian but as a childe of the Starres and Elements thou governest no otherwise then the brethren of Joseph who will not that God should choose Joseph for a Governour they will be Governours themselves and will rather kill Joseph then waite to try what God would doe with Josephs Dreame or Vision they would not suffer that Joseph should tell their injurie to his father but would doe what they thought fit for they sayd among themselves wee are the Eldest and should Governe what will the least and youngest perswade us to wee possesse the Government in a just way by the right of Nature the power and authority is ours wee will dispatch Joseph out of the way and cast him into the Pit and then wee shall doe what wee will 13. Thus doest thou also thou governest Christendom in all states degrees The Starres the Evill averted Adam in his own will governeth through thee in Gods Office in the Kingdome of this world thou hast onely cast the Mantle of Christ over it that men should not know thee that thou art the Evill Adam and Governest with the Starry Witt and Ingenuity and through the Subtlety and Policy of the Devill in meere selfe-willed wayes of thine owne to advance thy owne Ostentation Pomp Might Authority and stately proud Glory 14. O hearken art thou â— Christian then art thou dead with Christ to the wicked false will of Adam and of the Devills Pride but if thy Will and Life be heathenish why doest thou then boast thy selfe to be a Christian why doest thou make Warres for Lands Countries Cities and Villages If thou beest not with Joseph called and instituted of God to be a Governour Why doest thou in Christs Kingdome enslave the Country if thou art a Prince and Minister in Gods Office and servest him 15. Art thou thy Owne Lord upon Earth and doest what thy owne will listeth then thou doest not what God will also thou Governest not from Heaven but from the world and with the worlds Might but whence hast thou that in Christs Kingdome and from what Power and Authority that thou in Gods Office drawest to thy selfe the sweate of the poore and miserable and takest away his strength and vertue and lettest him starve in want Also that thou
Imagination 7. Yet the right visions are when Mans will resteth in God and then is Gods will manifest in Mans will and then the soule seeth with Gods Eyes from its most inward Ground where it stands in the word of God and then the Speaking Word goeth with the Soules into the Magick Image of the Constellation and then the Astrall Spirit cannot Image or fashion it selfe in the Phansie but must stand in the Image in the figure as the Constellation is and then the soule seeth what the Most High hath prefigured and what shall come to passe and then the Word of God viz. the ground of the soule expresseth the figure in the soule so that the soule understandeth it as heere Joseph and also Daniell Expressed and Expounded As soone now as the figure of the vision was told before Joseph the Spirit of God was together in the voyce of the relatour and in Joseph Expounded the vision for so also are the Magick visions of all the Prophets 8. For after God hath once appeared to a Prophet in an audible voyce and called them to be Prophets as to * * * 1 Sam. 3.4 6.8.10 Samuell then afterwards he appeared to them in Magick visions and answered them upon their Questions 9. The right Prophetick Ground of the Magicall seeing and understanding is thus Every Prophet is a limitt wherein a Time is included or an Age Comprehended and he is the Mouth of that Kingdome or Dominion that is when that Kingdome hath awakened and generated the Turba in it then is he the Mouth of the Inward Ground which declareth and expresseth the vanity in the Turba and also the Grace of God which hath taken compassion on the humane misery and opposed the wrath of the Turba and reproveth that Kingdome for their vanity and Idolatrie and comforteth them with the introverted Grace againe 10. For his Spirit standeth in the figure in the Eternall Speaking Word of God from which the Life was expressed or Spoken forth and became a Creature introverted againe as an Instrument of the Spirit of God whereby the Spirit of God speaketh and intimateth for the Prophetick Spirit could not in its owne might and power declare future hidden things if the Spirit of God did not see through it and that the Word of God did also goe together through his Word into the Magick figure which the Prophet seeth 11. For the Brophet knoweth not any thing beforehand in his owne power and authority which he declareth but when the Word moddelleth it selfe together in the figure then the Prophetick Spirit seeth through Gods seeing how the Word of God goeth also together upon the figure and then the Word expresseth declareth and Expoundeth the figure through the Prophetick Spirit as heere was done by Joseph when the Kings Officers told their Dreames then the Word set the figure in Josephs understanding how it should come to passe so that Joseph knew what their visions meant 12. But he knew it not beforehand but in the telling of the Dreame the word of understanding modelled it selfe in Josephs understanding that he knew it for Josephs Spirit stood in a Magick figure * * * Re-introverted the the word introverted againe into the Word after the manner as the New Birth in the Spirit of Christ standeth introverted againe so also the other Prophets through whose Mouth Gods Word Expounded and expressed from the Inward Ground through their Mouth the Wonders of God in Nature viz. in the formed Creaturely Word 13. By this figure of Joseph in that he obteined Divine knowledge and skill and could expound hidden things we see how the introverted Spirit of Man resigned up into God when he forsaketh all that is his owne doth attaine the Divine Eye to see and understand so that he gets much more againe then he forsooke and that he is much richer then when he enjoyed his owne for in his owne will he had and possessed onely a Particular but in the Resignation he gets into the Totall viz. into the universall into All for ALL is from the Word of God 14. Therefore if he cometh into that he cometh into the Ground wherein all lyeth in the Eternity and from being poore becomes rich as Josephs figure declareth that a poore Prisoner became a Prince and that onely by the Divine Word that had manifested it selfe in him when the Word in his submissive dereliction and forsaking all Expressed or spake forth it selfe againe and so spake or pronounced Joseph into a Regall Government and Dominion through whom the Word of God would rule in Aegypt and give the understanding for such a Kingly Government 15. Wee see further in this figure of Joseph * * * Rom. 8.28 How at the length all must serve for the best to Gods Children all the wrong they must suffer that will turne to meere Joy in the Issue for in trouble and affliction they learne to know what they are how very weake and miserable they are in their owne selves and how neere Death and Misery attend them and how all the Trust confidence and expectation they have of Men in that they will relie upon Man and trust to the favour of Man is a very fickle uncertain thing also how Man should turne his Hope towards God when he expecteth to be delivered out of trouble by the favour of Man yet so at length the favour and Councell of Man * * * Must. must stand him in stead 16. But if a Man will expect the favour and Councell of Man he must set his hope upon God and looke whether God will give him comfort by humane meanes and release him from misery and not set his hope upon the favour of Man but looke upon God to see what he will worke by meanes and though it seeme as if God had forgotten as heere with Joseph who must remaine Two yeares in Prison then he must consider with himselfe that God will have him heere but if he will through meanes have him in another Place then he will afford meanes for it and send it in due time as is to be seene heere 17. The mishap of the Kings Officers in that they were put into Prison to Joseph was a meanes whereby God would bring Joseph before the King but it was not done suddenly because Joseph hoped the Kings Butler would speake a Good word for him to the King and tell his Innocency but the Butler forgat him left Joseph lying in the Dungeon that Joseph might wholly despaire of humane meanes and flie to God and when he doth that and despaires of all humane meanes and barely relyeth on God then must even that meanes in which Joseph had hoped and yet also had long despaired of any helpe from it break forth againe and stand him in stead 18. By this a childe of God should learne that all which he prayeth to God for that it should stand him in stead by Man that he should not set his hope upon Man
Kingdome so also God sets him in his Kingdome and ruleth by him and giveth him his Sealeâ—Ring viz. the humanity and Deity in the Love of Jesus Christ to his soule and causeth him to ride in the second Chariott after him that is where Gods Spirit goeth there alwayes goeth such a Man after it and the Devill Death and Hell dare not touch him any more for thus he getteth power over the Devill Death and Hell and also over his mortall flesh and Bloud as Joseph over the Land of Aegypt 51. And as Joseph quickly withdrew and built the King Granaryes to lay up provisions so also such a Man who according to his inward Ground sitteth in the Kingdome of God buildeth for God his Lord many such Humane Houses viz. Mens soules in which he layes up in store the Divine overplus which God giveth him in Christ Jesus viz. the Divine knowledge and wisdome with good Instruction Doctrine and Life so that his Doctrine spreadeth abroad and multiplieth as sands in the Sea so innumerable spreading branches his Pearle-Plant putteth forth that many hundred thousand soules Eate thereof as of Josephs provision in the Famine 52. And then Potiphars Daughter that is the Daughter of the Priest of ON viz the true Christianity is given him for a Spouse which he is to cherish and Love and * * * Gen. 41.50 begetteth of her these Two Sonnes as alwayes travailing in this way and then they walke with washed hearts as Joseph before the time of the Famine in Aegypt begate of his wife Manasseh and Ephraim and so it was represented to him with these Names how God had in the house of his misâ—ry caused him to grow great and gave him much 53. And then also a childe of God sets open his Chists of Treasure when the famine cometh that the Anger of God sifteth the world as Joseph did his Granaryes and imparted to his fellow Twiggs therewith out of his Chists of Treasure that they perish not in that Famine CHAP. LXIX How this Famine went through all Lands and how Jacob sent his sonnes into the Land of Aegypt for Corne and how they came before Joseph and how he shewed himselfe to them What is thereby to be understood Vpon the 42 of Genesis Gen. XLII THis fowrty second Chapter of Genesis concerning Joseph and his brethren is a figure shewing how such a Converted Christian which hath already entered with Christ into his processe and hath now overcome in the end also forgiveth and rewardeth his Enemies with bounty who have brought him into Christs processe with their persecution and wicked devices and Councell and how also their sinnes are set before them and how they are brought into Anxiety and Necessity and how in the End of Meere Grace they are released from paine and punishment and how God is so gracious to them upon their conversion that he not onely releaseth the punishment but blesseth them with his Gifts and Benefitts as heere Joseph did to his Brethren 2. But then next is also represented in this figure how Earnestly and severely God sheweth himselfe against sinne as heere Joseph against his brethren and yet God is not earnest to punish the repenting sinner according to the sharpest severity but he setts himselfe strictly against the soule in its Conscience that sinne may awake and be acknowledged and that Repentance may be the greater that Man in such terrour may be humbled for sinne and quite depart from sinne and be angry with it and utterly hate it when he knoweth that sinne hath so terrible a Judgement in it The Historie sayth thus 3. * * * Gen. 42.1 2 3 4. But when Jacob saw that there was plenty of Corne in Aegypt he sayd to his sonnes Why doe you looke so long about you behold I heare there is plenty of Corne in Aegypt goe downe thither and buy us Corne that wee may live and not dye Then the †††10 Brethren Ten Brethren of Joseph went downe that they might buy Corne in Aegypt But Jacob would not suffer Josephs brother Benjamin to goe for he sayd some mishap may befall him 4. Now this is a figure first shewing that when Man findeth himselfe in the Divine Anger in this Famine that as to Righteousnesse he is in want as Jacob and his children in the Famine then the Father sayth in the Conscience to the Soule why lingâ—rest thou so long looking about thee Goe downe into Repentance where there is plenty of Righteousnesse in the Death of Christ where Christ giveth righteousnes for and instead of thy sinnes if thou heartily turnest to him And thus the Father bestoweth his will and introduceth it in to the Sinners Repentance and Conversation 5. But Benjamin Josephs Brother that is the humanity of Christ he giveth not to it presently therewith Hee first bestoweth upon it its sinfull Brethren that is He giveth it first his terrours into its Conscience and hideth his Comfort in his Grace viz. the true Benjamin Josephs brother from the * * * Sinfull affections properties of sinnes and sendeth the properties of sinnes viz. those wherein sinnes have been wrought and Committed after Grace to buy this Corne of Joseph viz. of Christ. 6. The sinner must himselfe enter upon it and with Earnestnesse enter into the Suffering and Death of Christ and dye from his sinnes in the presence of Grace in the Prison of Gods Anger and cast himselfe upon Josephs viz. Christs Mercy and Grace and not stay without and say with Christ there is plenty of Grace and so tickle and comfort himselfe with Grace No that quickneth not the poore soule thou must goe downe into Aegypt to thy injured brother whom thou hast cast into the Pit by thy sinnes within thee and must in great humility come into his presence though thou wilt not suddenly know it till he in his Mercy shall give thee to know it and then thou must in Christs Power Might and Glory which he gat in his resurrection buy Corne for the poore soule that it may live and not dye as Jacob sayd to his Children 7. And Moses sayth further * * * Gen. 42.5 6 7 8. Thus the Children of Israell and others with them came to buy Corne for the Famine was also in Canaan but Joseph was the Ruler of the Land and sold Corne to all the people in the Land Now when his Brethren came to him they fell downe with their faces to the Earth before him and he saw them and knew them and carried himselfe strangely towards them and spake roughly with them and sayd to them Whence come yee They sayd out of the Land of Canaan to buy foode but though he knew them they knew not him yet 8. This now is the first state and Condition of the poore soule when it turneth to Christ to fetch foode from him then he looketh upon the soule in its will totally in its Essence to see whether the free-will had sett
with you this is called setting all the Twelve sonnes of Jacob before Joseph that is before Jesus and fall at his feete with body and soule inwardly and outwardly with all your faculties and powers and yeeld them up into his Grace 18. For it is not sayd that they can take the Grace but that they should sink downe into Grace that Grace may give it selfe to them for Mans ability to take it is lost selfe-will it rent off from God it must wholly sinck downe into God and leave off willing that God may receive it againe into his Grace 19. O Babell how home doth this hitt thee Thou art by or before the Life of God with thy hypocrisie but a spie of the Grace of God thou dost but seeke for the Gate of Grace and how thou mightest with thy owne will without thy inward Benjamin enter into the Kingdome of Christ yes thou wilt be outwardly an adopted childe of Grace whose sinnes are forgiven through the Merits of Christ and yet continuest to be Babell and a Fable and wilt not be a Christian in Christ thou wilt needes passe into Heaven but that will not avayle thee Joseph that is Christ holdeth thee imprisoned in the Anger of God both in Body and Soule unlesse thou givest him Benjamin viz. thy inward Ground and then Heaven goeth into thee and Christ standeth up in thee out of the Grave so that thy selfe art risen from Death and then thy spying and prying hath an End 20. O yee high Schooles and Universities and all yee that will be accounted the Ministers of God and to teach the way of God and contend and dispute about it what are yee look upon your selves in this Figure you appeare to be no other then Spies you alwayes search and yet you lye still in Prison God will have it so no more for hee himselfe tryeth the Thoughts of Man and is himselfe present in all things his is the understanding his is the knowledge of the Kingdome of God without him yee know nothing 21. Your spying and knowing helps you not into the Kingdome of God you cannot enter therein except that goe forth in your Life that is except it be manifested in your Life that yee are Gods children in Christ in his Sufferings Death and Resurrection in himselfe not through an acquired Historicall seeming Faith but Essentially as a Branch on the Vine yee must be a Twig on the Tree you must have Christs Life flesh Bloud operatively and substantially in the Inward Ground in you and you must become Christ else yee are all one and other but spies searchers and historicall Christians and no better then Jewes Turks and Heathens 22. O ye simple Men let it be made knowne to you goe but forth from the Towre of the Confounded Languages then may you soone come to the right seeke * * * Mat. 26.64 Act. 7·55 56. Col. 3.1 Christ at the right hand of God within you he sitteth there unlock your wills that is give them up to him and he will unlock them well enough your repentance must be earnest or else ye are all one and other but Spies 23. Gaze about no more it is high Time †††Rev. 1.3.22 â—0 the time is truly borne or at hand ‖ ‖ ‖ Luk. 21.28 your Redemption draweth neere * * * Rev. 21. â— The Bridegroom calleth his Bride you must indeed into the Prison of Joseph in this Famine if you will not bring your inward ground of your hearts into Repentance with you Amen be it so Gen. 42.18 19 20. 24. And Moses sayth further But on the Third Day he sayd to them if you will live then doe thus for I feare God if you be honest and true Men let one of your brethren lie captive in your Prison but as for you goe your wayes and carry home what ye have bought for your hunger and bring your youngest brother to mee and so I shall beleeve your words that ye may not die and they did so The Figure standeth thus 25. When the soule draweth neere to God and will work repentance and that its inward Ground is yet wholly shut up in vanity so that the Minde is still hanging to selfe yet if it will not give over Repentance and for all that cannot be free from the Earthly desires but continueth in Prayer then indeed God the Father letteth the Soules Essences out of the Prison of his Anger that the Minde is well eased againe like one that is released out of Prison then sayth the Minde thus I am very well eased in my Prayer in this Repentance 26. For Gods Anger hath released Nature out of its Prison that it should with greater labour and industry presse in to God for in its Prison it cannot doe so for it is in anguish and beholdeth only its committed sinnes which continually drive it back that it is affraid †††Abashed ashamed daunted in the presence of God but when the Anger lets it loose then it gets power and vertue of Prayer and the work of Repentance 27. But the Anger of God holdeth it continually with one Band as Joseph held one Brother in Prison till they brought the last brother also and thus must the poore soule remaine tied with one band of the Prison of Death till it shed forth the last brother viz. the inward ground and come before God and say Lord I will forsake all for Christs and my salvations sake and give up my will wholly to thee cast mee into Death or into Life into derision or scorne into poverty or misery as thou wilt I will cleave to thee I will not play the hypocrite before thee and give thee but halfe my will any more as I have done 28. And then if the Earnestnes proceed to practice that God perceiveth that it is in Earnest then will also the last brother be let loose that is then will also the last Band of the Anger of God be loosed but in the meane time ere it thus come to passe the soule must lye captive in one Band. 29. But neverthelesse God sayth to the other released * * * Or faculties formes of Life Now goe your way with that which you have at present in this Repentance bought or gotten of mee and carry it home that is defile it not againe live of it and partake of this present Grace bestowed and carry it in to the Honour of God that it may come before God with the Operation of it 30. Moses sayth further But they sayd one among another Gen 42 21 22 23 24. wee trespassed against our Brother that wee saw the anguish of his Soule when he wept to us and wee would not heare him therefore now this Trouble cometh upon us Reuben answered them and sayd did I not tell you as much when I sayd Sinne not against the Lad and yee would not heare and now is his bloud required but they knew
when it seeth the Divine Gifts in it selfe whereby it looseth the right of its selfehood I am bereaved of my might and strength Joseph viz. the inward ground of the Kingdome of Heaven which I had in Paradise that is no more and so will also these Gifts of my Power and authority viz. my children that is the properties of my Nature be taken away it all goeth against mee I must suffer my selfe to be bereaved 43. * * * Gen. 42.37 But Reuben sayd to his Father If I bring not Benjamin to thee againe then slay my †††2 Sonnes Two Sonnes give him into my hand I will bring him to thee againe that is God Comforteth Nature and sayth Give mee thy formes Qualitie and Condition viz. thy Children into my hand I will but bring them to Joseph that is to Jesus and will give them to thee againe thou shalt loose nothing if I doe not then slay my two sonnes with thee that is slay the first and second Principle 44. Which is even done if Nature be bereaved of its formes and Condition then must cease in the Nature of Man the Kingdome of God in Love and also the Kingdome of God in the might of the fire so very secretly doth the Spirit of God delight to play in the figure of Regeneration which Exposition will seeme strange to Reason but wee know what wee write heere which is anderstood by those of our Society 45. * * * Gen. 42.38 And Jacob sayd my sonne Benjamin shall not goe downe with you for his Brother is dead and he is left alone if any mishap befall him in the way that you travaile yee will bring my Grey hayres with sorrow of heart into the Grave That is Nature is faint when it must enter into the Death of Christ and is affraid of Dying and will by no meanes come to it it excuseth it selfe concerning its heavenly Joseph which it had viz. the heavenly Image which while it cannot comprehend it it sayth it is Dead now when these my formes and qualities of Life in this way shall get mishap againe then must I perish with sorrow of heart and my Life hath an End CHAP. LXX How Jacobs Sonnes went into Aegypt againe because of the Famine to Joseph to buy Corne and take Benjamin with them How Joseph caused them to be brought into his House and to Eate at his Table What is thereby to be understood Vpon the 43 of Genesis NOw this whole Chapter prefigureth to us the most excellent Image Gen. XLIII representing how first the outward Nature in this processe when it shall give up its will thereinto that its Lifes Essences shall goe into Aegypt that is into the Death of Christ is very fearefull timorous abashed and daunted and yet in the End is willing and ready that all its formes and Conditions of Life might enter into the dying of Selfe viz. into the true Aegypt upon divine confidence that it bringeth the will of God with it thereinto 2. And then secondly how the formes and * * * Powers or Faculties Conditions of Life are afrayd before Joseph that is before the Face of God seeing they feele in them an Evill Conscience as Jacâ—bs sonnes were affraid before Joseph for they thought continually God would punish them for Josephs sake at which they trembled 3. And thirdly how God with the formes of the soulish Nature carrieth himselfe first so friendly and first giveth them heavenly bread of his owne substance and yet but in a strange forme as Joseph invited his brethren for Guests and fed them at his Table that they eate and drank plentifully and were merry and afterwards let them goe in Peace but presently after came with a terrible Triall in that he caused his Cup to be layd into Benjamins sack and pursued after them and fetched them back againe all which standeth powerfully in the figure of a repenting sinner shewing how it goeth with him till God in his Love giveth him to know him 4. Moses words follow thus * * * Gen. 43.1 2 3 4 5. This Famine was sore in the Land and when the Corne was spent which they had brought out of Aegypt their father sayd to them goe againe and buy us a little food then Judah answered and sayd The Man obliged and charged us strictly and sayd Yee shall not see my face except your Brother be with you Now if thou wilt send our brother with us then wee will goe downe and buy for thee to Eate but if thou sendest him not wee will not goe downe for the Man hath sayd to us yee shall not see my Face unlesse your brother be with you This figure standeth thus 5. The Soule of Man standeth in Three Principles viz. in the Eternall fires Nature and in the Eternall Lights Nature viz. in the Love-fire which extinguished in Adam for which cause at present the Strife is and thirdly it standeth in Spiritu Mundi in the Spirit of the World in the Kingdome of this world viz. in Mortality and Restoration 6. Therefore now understand us aright thus when the Inward Soulish Ground viz. the Eternall Soule from the Fathers Property of the Word of God turneth back againe and lookes about after its Little Pearle viz. after the Second Principle of the Angelicall worlds property then it will perceive that it was lost in Adam from whence ariseth its Misery and Returne againe and as soone as it returneth againe God giveth his Grace into it againe but unknowne and not understood by it and * * * God he desireth that the Inward fire-soule viz. the Centre of the Eternall Nature should with the voyce of Grace in spoken or inspired in Paradise which was wholly incorporated turne to God againe 7 In which Divine desire this great unquietnesse ariseth in the soule that it thus goeth into Repentance when it seeth that it hath lost its ability neither may nor shall nor can it in any other way againe attaine its first Pearle which is had and come to divine salvation unless it turne with its fires-might wholly againe into the Ground of the incorporated Grace and give it selfe up thereto 8. And now when the outward Mortall Soule viz. the Nature of the third Principle of the Kingdome of this world seeth this then it is afraid as Jacob was of his children and alwayes thinketh they will loose body and Life Goods and Honour and their formes or faculties of Life will be bereaved of their outward Might and Authority which they have in this world 9. And then also the inward fiery soule cannot stirre up its inward Ground viz. the true Benjamin and bring it along with it into Aegypt into the presence of Joseph into Earnest Repentance into the presence of Jesus unlesse the Outward Soule from the Spirit of the world be brought downe and quite tamed and overwhelmed that it also may in the End willingly submit to it that the fiery inward great
off sinne which Type Christ hath fullfilled Thus also the Spirit of Christ * * * Batheth Steepeth or soaketh into the Grace and quickneth a Sprout Baptizeth with this Covenant in the Paradisicall Image in the Incorporated Grace and kindleth an Ember 86. But it requireth an Ens of Faith which is capable of the †††Or Steeping Baptisme which cometh from the Parents and through the Earnest Prayer of those which are conversant about the worke else the Covenant is despised and there is no Circumcision of the Heart and Spirit for the power and authority wherewith the Holy Ghost baptizeth consisteth not in Man but in God whosoever despiseth his Covenant and manageth it not with earnest and with Circumcised hearts those he baptiseth into his Anger as Saint Paul sayth concerning the Supper of Christ that the wicked receive it to Judgement 87. A wicked Priest hath not power and authority to Baptize with the Holy Ghost he hath onely the Water and is himselfe uncapable of the Office but the Ens of the Childe and the Beleeving Parents and those who require and promote the worke their Earnestnesse and Prayer reach forth the Covenant with their Faiths desire to the Baptized Infant 88. But the wicked Priest is no more profitable in it then the Funt-stone that holdeth the Water thus he bringeth only the Water and the Ceremonies which a Turk can doe without Faith or Beleeving 89. But a stranger that hath not the Baptisme and knoweth nothing thereof becometh in his Faith Circumcised in Heart and the Holy Ghost soaketh into his Faiths desire and baptizeth him unto the Revelation of JESVS Christ when his Faith shall also put on the Substantiall Covenant in the Grace 90. O Babell how blind art thou How have thy Clergy or Men Ordained and in Orders sett themselves in Christs Stead but they all serve not Christ but themselves to their fleshly honour O Babell convert the Doore is open else thou wilt be spewed out the Time is borne else thou wilt be set before the Light and proved and then thou wilt stand in shame before all people 91. Further the Spirit of God hath yet a powerfull figure in this Text in that Joseph caused his brethren to be set before him according to the order of their Birth and caused his Brother Benjamin to be served with five times more then the other This prefigureth to us first the difference in the Kingdome of Christ shewing how they shall be unlike in the regeneration as S t Paul sayth concerning it * * * 1 Cor. 15.41 They shall Excell one another in ‖ ‖ ‖ Clarity Glory as the Sunne Moone and Starres doe 92. For there it will avayle nothing to have been a King Prince Lord Noble or Learned but he that hath had the Greatest power and vertue in him who shall have attained Grace in the Name of Jesus the Most cleerly in his wrestling of Repentance he will be greatest there for these Orders and Degrees signifie to us that they will be unlike in the Divine Exaltation viz. in the power and vertue as the Angells excell one another in power vertue beauty and brightnesse 93. But that Benjamin had five times more food served to him pointeth in the figure at the inward Man for Benjamin standeth in the Figure thereof being he is Josephs Brother and Joseph heere standeth in the figure of Christ therefore it belongeth to the Inward Man to Eate of his brother Christs foode from his five wounds this is that which this pretious figure signifieth heere as may be seene 94. But that the Spirit sayth they drank and were all filled with drinking signifieth that in the Kingdome of Christ there is an universall Common participation and Joy and in that there is no difference because in such difference they shall all rejoyce in one God for their drinking fully signifieth heere the Eternall Joy where in this Joy wee shall be as it were drunk and then will the inward Man drink and Eate of the sweete Grace which is manifested in Christs five wounds and hâ—ereby give it into the fiery soule which in its fiery Essence will in this sweetnesse awaken the Triumph of divine Joyfulnes and heerwith will the Noble * * * Sophia the divine wisdome Bride refresh its Bridegroom viz. the soule CHAP. LXXI How Joseph caused his Brethrens Sacks to be filled and the Money to be layd uppermost in their Sacks as also his Cup in Benjamins Sack and Caused them to be pursued and charged with Theft What is thereby to be understood Vpon the 44 Chapter of Genesis MOses sayth And Joseph commanded his Steward and sayd fill the Mens Sacks with foode as much as they can carry Gen. XLIV 1 2 3 4 5 6. and lay every one his Money uppermost in his Sack and lay my silver Cup uppermost in the Sack of the youngest with the Money for the Corne And the Steward did as Joseph had sayd unto him On the morrow when it was light he let the Men goe with their Asses and when they were not come far out from the Cittie Joseph sayd to his Steward up and pursue after the Men and when you have overtaken them say thus unto them Why have you requited Evill for Good is it not that out of which my Lord drinketh and wherewith he †††Or Divineth prophesieth Ye have done ill and when he overtooke them he spake such words to them 2. Now a Christian standeth in this figure signifying that when he is come to this in right Earnestnes into the Image in the Triall on the path of Christs Pilgrimage in this world how God exerciseth purgeth him for this is the way processe on the path of Christs Pilgrimage how God carrieth himselfe the world also towards the Creaturely Reason of Man for we see in this Image how God when the Repentant Man is in the true earnestnes filleth his Sack viz. the Minde and Conscience in the lifes properties with his Grace and layeth * * * Psal. 116.13 the Cup of salvation viz. the true and right silver Cup viz. the †††John 18.11 Cup of Christ out of which hee drank in his Suffering uppermost in the Sack of the filled Grace out of which a Christian must drink also and follow Christ in his contempt 3. For Josephs Cup out of which he drank with which he Prophesieth or Divineth is in this figure no other but the Cup of the Testament of Christ before his suffering of which he drank with his Disciples and whereby he divined or prophecyed concerning his Eternall Kingdome and that whosoever would drink of this Cup should with him divine and prophesie * * * Vpon into oâ— concerning to the Eternall Life 4. But this figure sheweth the Great Earnestnes signifying how this Cup should be bestowed upon Gods children and what that Wine is which they must drink of out of
to the youngest and last viz. to the incorporated Ground of Grace after the Fall and cannot finde this Cup of Salvation in any naturall property although the Body goes quite to powder in the Searching all but the youngest brother in the inspoken or inspired Word of Grace in that lyeth the Cup of Joseph and of Christ this the Spirit prefigureth powerfully in this figure 60. Moses sayth further * * * Gen. 44.14 15 16 17. And Judah went with his brethren into Josephs house for he was there still and they fell downe before him on the earth But Joseph sayd to them How have ye dared to doe this thing know ye not that such a man as I am can finde it out Judah spake and sayd what shall wee say unto my Lord How shall wee speake and wherein can wee justifie our selves God hath found out the Misdeede of thy servants behold heere wee and he with whom the Cup is found are the servants of my Lord but he sayd that be far from me to doe such a thing the Man with whom the Cup is found he shall be my servant but goe ye up in peace to your Father The inward Figure standeth thus 61. When God blamed and charged Man with Guilt by reason of sinne and presented this to him in his Anger by the Deluge or floud also by Sodom and Gomorrha before their Eyes that they had robbed in the house of Joseph that is in the Covenant of Grace and transgressed the Covenant then went Judah with his Brethren that is Moses with the Children of Juda and Israell in the Manifestation of the Law when their sinnes were manifested and that God required the Cup back againe into Josephs house that is the Law went back into Josephs house then Judah and Israell could not keepe it and so it went into the Grace and there the Covenant of Grace viz. the right Joseph presented it selfe before their Eyes and sayd while you are robbers and evill doe you suppose I cannot finde you out But they could not answer him but must yeeld themselves to his sentence 62. For Israell could neither keepe the Covenant nor the Law and therefore must now fall downe before him and yeeld themselves to his Mercy and Compassion Israell would now give up himselfe to be Gods owne servant but he would not have them Minister to him with their Law but would have that to be his servant wherein the Cup lay Hee would not have onely an outward worship and service of God in the figure of Christ with the Law but he would have Benjamin viz. the inward Ground of the heavenly worlds Substance for a servant but the Minister or servant of the Law viz. the Naturall Man should goe home againe in peace into his fathers Country and take the bestowed Grace along with him in his Life for foode this the Spirit of God sets thus in a figure under these Acts pointing at the future 63. Under this figure now the Spirit intimates by Juda who was surety for Benjamin very secretly and mystically that the poore soule could not thus with the Grace goe home againe to its fathers Country unlesse it had Benjamin that is Christ in substance in it For Juda pleaded exceeding hard that he durst not goe home unlesse he brought Benjamin along with him or else he would himselfe remaine there a servant 64. Thus the poore soule giveth it selfe up to God when Gods righteousnesse calleth it to goe back againe home with the Covenant then it will by no meanes goe back except it have Benjamin that is Christ Substantially with it else it cannot see God as heere Juda in this Image and Type excuseth †††Gen. 44.30 31. himselfe and sayth If he came back and brought not Benjamin with him then he should bring his Fathers grey Haires under the earth seeing his soule clave to Benjamins soule 65. That is if the Adamicall Man should goe into Paradise againe without Christs Life and Substance then would he bring his father the Lifes Nature into the Eternall Divine * * * Or hiddennesse forgetfullnesse for the Life of the humane Nature would not be Manifest according to the divine property that is it could not live in the Kingdome of Heaven 66. Indeed God calleth the soule to goe home with the Law into Paradise but that cannot be unlesse it have Christ in Life and Substance in it and then it dares goe home againe into its first Native Country of its Father CHAP. LXXII How Joseph Manifested himselfe before his Brethren And what is to be understood thereby Vpon the 45 Chapter of Genesis MOses sayth further * * * Gen. XLV 1 2 3. Then Joseph could no longer withhold himselfe before all those that stood about him and he cryed Let every one goe forth from mee and none were with him when Joseph made himselfe knowne to his Brethren and he wept aloud so that the Aegyptians and Pharaohs people heard and he sayd to his Brethren I am Joseph doth my father yet live And his Brethren could not answer him they were so terrified in his presence The inward Figure standeth thus 2. God gave Israell the Law and commanded them thereby to goe home againe into Paradise even as the figure of the Promised Land into which they were to goe but could not for a long time till Joshua led them in was as a Type and prefiguration of the true Leading in by Jesus and under the Law they had also the Paradisicall Covenant of Grace as also the Prophets who lead them to Gods Mercy and Compassion 3. But they could not by any of these come againe into their first Adamicall Paradisicall Country of their Father to rest Gods righteousness blamed them without ceasing and required the power and ability that they should give full obedience to the Law and Covenant 4. But seeing that could not be and that neither the Law nor the Covenant could bring them in back againe then the Heavenly Joseph manifested himselfe out of the Covenant for he could no longer withhold in regard of Mans misery and bringeth his great Mercy and Compassion through the Covenant into the Law which Compassion is signified by Josephs great weeping when he could no more withhold from his Brethren and he wept so that even the Aegyptians and the people of Pharaohs house heard which signifieth that this weeping viz. the Mercy and Compassion of God through Christ the Aegyptians also that is all Heathen and People should heare and receive it even as it came to passe when Christs weeping and Compassion sounded among all Nations so that they all received it into their hearts and turned themselves to this Joseph who received them all and fullfilled the Law together with the Covenant 5. But that Joseph cryed let every one goe forth from mee when he made himselfe knowne to his brethren that none should stay with him it signifieth this when Jesus Christ viz. the highest Mercy
and Brother the Heavenly Joseph for with Money Men trade so also should the inward Benjamin trade with his Gifts of the three hundred peeces of silver viz. with the Gifts of Christ that is teach and make knowne Gods wonders for he is Christs servant and assistant yea his true Brother 29. But the Ten Asses laden with the choice Good things of the Land of Egypt which Joseph sent to his Father signifieth in the figure the Ten Commandements in the Law of Nature which Joseph had laden with Good things that is Christ hath laden them with his Grace and sent them to Gods righteousnesse in the Conscience whereof poore Nature hath to make Expences 30. But the Ten shee Asses with Corne signifie the Ten formes of the Soulish and Naturall fire-Life upon which Christ loadeth the Soules foode when they goe in his processe in the imitation of him The Bread and the foode upon the way signifie the Word of God of which the poore old Adam must eate that he may live 31. These Christ giveth his children and brethren on the way of their Pilgrimage when they goe home againe in the processe of Christ that they may have provision to spend and thereon Nature viz. the Old Father eateth and commandeth them that they should not contend one with another upon this way but in Love and Peace goe home into Paradise 32. O Israell where is now thy Peace It seemeth as if thou haddest consumed all the provision of Joseph and must at present want seeing thou so very much contendest about this foode and hast raised such murdering about it Truly thou hast murdered thy brother Benjamin by the way and therefore thou art in Strife and wilt not goe home thou art afraid but the famine will drive thee forth or else thou wilt be hungry and starved 33. * * * Gen. 45.25 26 27 28. Thus they went up from Egypt and came into the Land of Canaan to their father Jacob and made it knowne to him and sayd Joseph is alive and is Lord of the whole Land of Egypt but his heart thought much otherwise for he beleeved them not then they told him all the words of Joseph which he had said to them and when he saw the Chariotts which Joseph had sent to bring him the spirit of Jacob their father revived and Israell sayd I have enough that my sonne Joseph yet liveth I will goe downe and see him ere I die This figure standeth thus 34. When Christs Apostles were loaden with this Present they went therewith into their fathers house viz. among the Brethren in the Kingdome of Nature in their unbeleefe and made knowne to them the great Glory and the present of JESUS Christ which he had given them that they should bring it to them but their heart beleeved it not that these simple Men the Apostles of God loaden with such great Good things were sent by Joseph till they saw the Chariotts of the Holy Ghost which brought the Present in great power and works of wonder and heard the powerfull Word of JESUS Christ with deeds and wonders out of their Mouth then sayd Israell Now I have enough now I can beleeve I will also goe along with you to Christ that I may see him as Old Jacob sayd I have enough that my sonne Joseph yet liveth I will goe up that I may see him before I dye 35. Thus also these Chariotts goe out from Gods children among the unbeleevers which at first will not beleeve but when they feele these Chariotts and the Present in them then they also say I have enough I will goe along into Egypt into Repentance that I may see and know my Saviour for their Spirit is also revived as Jacobs spirit was 36. Where are now these Chariotts in the Teachers Mouths upon which the Holy Ghost rideth and toucheth the heart of Israell that his spirit is revived Indeed sayth Babell the Spirit of Christ at present worketh not so powerfully in our words wee have now the knowledge of the Kingdome of Christ that need not be wee should onely beleeve the Word which Christs Apostles have left behinde them and that is enough 37. Else if wee should teach so powerfully wee must then be also of so simple and poore a life as Christs Apostles lead and forsake the world that needs not be Christs Kingdome must now be stately in Pomp and Glory 38. O how will poore Christ who on Earth had not whereon to lay his head reprove this to thee before thy face that thou hast taken his Covenant into a false and wicked Mouth Earnestnesse was never more necessary then at this present when all the Chariotts are overthrone and in great Confusion CHAP. LXXIII How Jacob and all his Children and all that were belonging to him and all their Cattle went into Egypt Vpon the 46 Chapter of Genesis MOses sayth * * * Gen. XLVI 1 2 3 4. Israell went with all that he had and when he came to Bersheba he offered sacrifice to the God of his father Isaack and God sayd to him that night in a vision Jacob Jacob and he answered heere am I and he sayd I am God the God of thy father Isaack feare not to goe downe into Egypt for I will there make thee a great people I will goe downe with thee into Egypt and bring thee up hither againe and Joseph shall lay his hand upon thine Eyes The inward Figure standeth thus 2. Jacob must goe into Egypt in the great famine and straite hunger with all the Company he had and he went up when he heard of Joseph when Joseph caused him to be fetched by his sonnes when he saw the Present and the Chariotts of Joseph then his spirit was revived and he went up thus it is also in the figure of the New Birth when the Adamicall Man heareth the voice of the heavenly Joseph sounding in him and seeth the Chariots of the Holy Ghost in him then he goeth up with all his powers and goeth into the Egypt of Repentance 3. And when he cometh to Bersheba that is into the sounding noise of his heart and soule then he sacrificeth his body and soule with all that he hath to the God of his father that is he giveth himselfe up with his Life and all whatsoever he is into the Word which created it in Adam and made it out of it selfe which is the God of his father then that divine Word speaketh or inspireth into him that is it speaketh actually operatively and powerfully in him that Night in a vision which is as much as to say here in the secret hiddennesse of Man where God hideth himselfe from Reason and the Creature and out of his principle speaketh or inspireth Comfort and power or vertue into the Life and calleth him by his Name as he did Jacob that is he compriseth his Name in the word of his speaking which is * * * Rev. 20.12 to the 15. the Booke of
Love then he set Shepheards in it or else meane poore despised and unesteemed people see Abel Seth Enoch Noah Abraham Isaac Jacob Joseph Moses David also the Prophets and Apostles and all Holy Men or Saints through whom God once manifested himselfe and then thou wilt see that no highnes availeth any thing before him that is but a Glasse of wonders in evill and good also a sport of Gods Love and Anger a premodeling or representation of the Angelicall Dominions in Light and Darknes in Heaven and Hell CHAP. LXXIV How Jacob was set before Pharaoh with the five youngest brothers of Joseph and Jacob blessed Pharaoh also how Joseph bought all the Land of Egypt for Pharaohs owne What is heereby to be understood Vpon the 47 Chapter of Genesis MOses sayth * * * Gen. XLVII 1 2 3 4 5 6. Then came Joseph and told Pharaoh and sayd My father and my brother with their small and great Cattle and all that they have are come to mee out of the Land of Canaan and behold they are in the Land of Goshen and he tooke five of his youngest brethren and sett them before Pharaoh then sayd Pharaoh to his brethren What is your employment and trade and they answered thy servants are heardsmen wee and our Father and sayd further to Pharaoh wee are come to dwell by you in the Land for thy servants have not pasture for their Cattle the famine doth so hard presse the Land of Canaan now therefore let thy Servants dwell in the Land of Goshen and Pharaoh sayd to Joseph is this thy Father and are these thy Brethren who are come to thee the Land of Egypt standeth open for thee let them dwell in the best place of the Land let them dwell in the Land of Goshen and if thou knowest any among them that are fit and expert set them over my Beasts and Cattle The inward Figure standeth thus 2. When Christ manifesteth his brethren and the Old Father Adam in the power and vertue of God that they are with all their substance come to him and have wholly given up themselves to him then he taketh five of the youngest brethren in the properties of life and setteth them before God that is he taketh the five Senses of Man which alwayes are and continue to be the youngest in the Lifes property for they are continually generated anew and setteth these with the power and vertue of their Life before God 3. For these are they that shall be Gods Ministers and Servants in the Love to these Christ giveth in his Councell and sayth when ye come before the Face of God so that the Spirit of God in you proceedeth upon you and proveth and sifteth what your office and work is in the presence of God then humble your selves and say in the presence of God thy servants are but heardsmen and are come to thee in the famine of Misery in our great Hunger to dwell neere thee in the Land of God for in our owne powers and vertues in the Adamicall Kingdome of Nature wee have not pasture and foode for the poore miserable Life therefore now O Lord suffer thy servants to dwell in the Land of Goshen viz. in thy Courts that wee may eate of the dew of Heaven and live to thee and serve thee in our Office 4. Then sayth the Eternall Father to Christ viz. to his Steward behold is that thy Father Adam and are these thy brethren according to the humanity which are come to thee the Land of Egypt standeth open for thee that is the Kingdome of heaven together with the Kingdome of Nature standeth open to thee thou art my Steward in the Kingdome of Grace and also in the Kingdome of the Nature of the humane Property let them dwell in the best place in the Kingdome of Grace and in the Kingdome of Nature and if thou seest that there are Men among them fit for it set them over my Cattle that is those among them that are fit and expert make them Officers in the Kingdome of Nature that they may rule over my Creatures that is set them in the Apostolick Office that they may feede my flock whom thou leadest inwardly in them with thy Staffe or Crooke let them be * * * Note the true Ministers Pastours and Teachers in the Church of Christ Jure Divino who they are outwardly Shephheards and leade and governe the properties of Nature viz. my sheepe or Beasts 5. All Spirituall Shepheards in this world doe sit in the Office of the Father as also the worldly Shepheards which are instituted onely by Christ through whom Christ himselfe inwardly ruleth and governeth and they are all of them Gods Officers 6. But whosoever are instituted in an Office without the †††Or Arch-Bishop chiefe Shepheard Christ they all of them are but in the Land of Canaan in the famine of Gods Anger and are but devouring Wolves both one and other be they spirituall or worldly Officers be they noble or ignoble Prince or Protector or Guardian Priest or Sexton one as well as another All that ruleth in an Office without Gods Spirit that ruleth of selfe and to the Judgement of God he that thinketh not in his Office to serve God and to manage his Office as a Shepheard of God he is a Minister and Servant of Lucifer and serveth him 7. Moses sayth further * * * Gen. 47.7 Also Joseph brought his father Jacob and presented him before Pharaoh and Jacob blessed Pharaoh that is Christ set also the Adamicall Image before God not onely the five Senses but the whole Man and he blesseth God that is he thanketh God and bringeth him fruit to the praise of God as a Blessing then sayth God in his acting and working * * * Vers. 8 9 10 How old art thou and he answereth one hundred and thirty yeeres is the time of my Pilgrimage few and evill are my dayes in the time of my life and they reach not to the time of my fathers in their Pilgrimage so Jacob blessed Pharaoh and went forth from him 8. Thus the Adamicall Man acknowledgeth and confesseth before God his evill time in the earthly desire and sayth it is but a Pilgrimage viz. a continuall wandering and anxiety in continuall cares and disquietnes whereby Man worketh and effecteth Gods wonders 9. And Moses sayth further * * * Gen. 47.13 14 15 16 17. There was no bread in all the Land for the Famine was very sore and hard so that the Land of Egypt and Canaan were famished by reason of the Famine and Joseph gathered all the Money that was found in Egypt and Canaan for the Corne that they bought and he put all the Money in the house of Pharaoh Now when the Money in Egypt and Canaan was brought all Egypt came to Joseph and sayd Give us Bread wherefore must wee dye in thy presence being without Money And Joseph sayd fetch mee your Beasts and Cattle
what he might else stand in neede of or layeth it by for poore people such is the Officers gathering together it should all be gathered together for common benefit else it is a Treasure of the anger of God and must expect Gods Judgement 47. But that the present Potentates doe thus gather together for their owne honour for voluptuousnes and pride and in that regard doe the more hardly oppresse and squeeze that they may only therewith exercise their pride and keepe under the poore as Doggs and say in their hearts they are bound to doe so for mee I have bought or inherited it as a priviledge I have it of right all this one and other is done in the anger of God they all now in this property serve only Sathan viz. in the figure of Gods anger and no better 48. All selfe-owning belongeth to Hell make what thou wilt of it no seeming Rhetorick will avayle before God thou gatherest together into Hell God requireth the Ground of the Heart and will have trusty Officers 49. But the Miserable is to know that in such restraint and service if he endure it without murmuring and grudging in faithfulnes he serveth even his Lord Christ for God thereby draweth him away from this world so that he sets his hope upon that which is to come and in this servility of his hands he gathereth to him with his prayer into this house of Lamentation his heavenly Treasure whereas if he for this time of his restraint stood in the voluptuousnes of the flesh he would gather no good thing therefore †††Rom. 8.28 all things must serve to the best of them that love God 50. Thus a Man ought to understand the figure under the history and acts of Joseph for indeed the history is described with great diligence according to the inward figure according to the * * * Eingebung Inward suggestion inspiration of the Spirit of God which alwayes more respects Christs Kingdome then any Historie of a slight and simple Act. 51. For the Acts of the Bible are not set downe therefore because Men should see the Life and Deeds of the Old Holy Men or Saints as Babell supposeth No the Kingdome of Christ above all is thereby deciphered as also the Kingdome of Hell the visible figure continually pointeth at the invisible which shall be manifested in the Spirituall Man 52. Moses heere finisheth the figure of the New Regeneration under the historie of Joseph and sayth further * * * Gen. 47.27 28. Thus Israell dwelt in Egypt in the Land of Goshen and possessed it and grew and multiplyed very much and Jacob lived seaventeen yeares in Egypt so that his whole age was one hundred forty and seaven yeares 53. †††Vers. 29 30 31. And when the time was come that Israell was to dye he called his son Joseph and sayd to him If I have found Grace before thee then lay thy hand under my Thigh that thou wilt be loving and faithfull to mee and not bury mee in Egypt but I will lye with my fathers and thou shalt carry mee out of the Land of Egypt and bury mee in their burying place Hee sayd I will doe as thou hast sayd but he answered and sayd sweare to mee and he sware to him then Israell bowed himselfe sitting up at the head of the Bed 54. This now is a very Mâ—sticall figure and pointeth at the Resurrection of the Dead when the Soule shall come to the Body againe and the Body will be pure and holy For the Land of Canaan which was also full of the abominations of the Heathen signifieth the Earthly Body and Egypt where Pharaoh dwelt and Joseph was Steward signifieth the Soule which dwelleth in Gods Word viz. by or neere the Eternall King 55. And wee see it very finely pourtrayed in this figure how Adams Soule turned it selfe with Lust into the Earthly Canaan of the Earthly Body and turned away from God therefore now the Soule must goe againe into Egypt into Repentance to Joseph viz. to Christ and to King Pharaoh viz. to God and there it will be received as a childe of Grace to be a Bond servant so that it will be obedient to God and be his servant and Minister and must forsake the Earthly Canaan viz. the Evill body with its will and Contrivances as Israell must leave and forsake Canaan 56. But after he should be dead he would then have his body into the Land of Canaan that it should be buried there which signifieth that the Earthly body must be buryed in its Mother the Earth and come into its first Mother againe and it signifieth that the Soule shall come againe out of Egypt viz. out of the Bondage of the affliction of Repentance to the Body into Rest for the Heathen must be driven out of Canaan when Israell entereth thereinto so also must the Abominations in the propertie and †††Or qualitie condition of the Body be consumed and all false and wicked desires be killed ere the Soule come to the Body againe and dwell therein 57. And it is powerfully represented how the will of the Soule shall and must in this life time breake off from the Earthly Canaan viz. from the Lusts of the Body presse into God againe by earnest Repentance where then the soule must rightly be in Egypt viz. a poore Bond servant in much anxiety and affliction but in the End when the Body shall dye then it also desireth to goe along out of the house of Bondage viz. out of the torment of Repentance and will goe againe into the first Adamicall pure Image which God Created as Jacob would lye by his fathers when as he might have lyen as well in Egypt But the Spirit stood in the figure of the Resurrection shewing how the whole Man should goe againe into the first Image created by God 58. But that Jacob required an Oath from Joseph that he would bury him in Canaan with his Fathers it denoteth the Oath which God in Christ made with Man that God hath with his word of Love incorporated himselfe with Man and engaged as by an Eternall Oath to him Jacob requireth this Oath from Joseph as from the figure of Christ and desireth he should lay his hand under his Thigh and sweare 59. This is a figure signifying how Christ should lay his hand that is his power and might viz. the Eternall Word which is the hand that hath made all things into the humane Essence in Body and Soule and not onely into that but under the Thigh as under the humane power and to give himselfe to Man for his own and sweare therein that is bind himselfe to it that he will bring the whole Man when he is heere dead in the Temporall Death againe into the first Land of Inheritance wherein Adam in Innocency dwelt viz. into Paradise and bury the body and soule with his Oath in God as in the
thus speaketh and why it sets downe such Types and Images and consider what this signifieth that the Holy Ghost in all the figures of Christ alwayes sets the youngest before the Eldest begin at Cain and Abell and goe quite through and then you will come to Rest and your Strife hath an End 30. The Time of Strife is at an End Ephraim shall rule over Manasseh if you doe not so then will the Sun dazle and blinde you with its rising that ye must for Ever be blinde Ye would verily see with the Eye of the Kingdome of Nature and yet ye contemne the Eye of Grace but Ephraim attaineth the Naturall right of the first Birth why will ye Strive against your father Jacob as if he did not rightly blesse for ye set Manasseh before and Ephraim following behinde it is made manifest before the Eyes of the Most high who hath set Ephraim formost againe the kingdome of Nature in humane selfe should be the Servant and that ye would not but the purpose of the Most high goeth forward and ye are all therefore like to goe to the Ground there is no preventing of it more 31. Now when Jacob had blessed Joseph and his sonnes then he represented a very secret Type or Image of Christendome upon Earth for thus sayth Moses * * * Gen. 48.21 22. And Israell sayd to Joseph behold I dye and God will be with you and will bring you againe into the Land of your fathers I have given thee a peece of Land beyond thy brethren that I tooke with my sword and with my Bow out of the hand of the Amorites 32. Although there may well be an outward figure heerein which indeed is alwayes so yet this is much more an inward figure of Christendome for what could Jacob give away of that which he had not in his possession he had not Sichem in possession as the Glosses upon this Text will have it expounded which looke only at some outward thing so he could not give it severally to Joseph for Joseph dwelt not there but he and all his children and childrens children dyed in Egypt 33. Besides Jacob sayd he had taken it with his sword and with his Bow out of the hand of the Amorites which is no whâ—re to be shewen and yet may well be outwardly done so seeing he sayth he hath given it to Joseph as to the Type of Christendom and tooke it with the sword therefore it is a figure and secret Speech 34. For Jacob sayth behold I die and ye shall come againe into this Land God will bring you thereinto this first pointeth at Christ who should come out of Jacobs Covenant which God had in him when that should die according to our humanity then would God bring Israel againe into the Land of Gods Covenant and the Covenant hath a peece of Land in this world that at all times would be a dwelling for Christendom upon Earth although that peece of Land would be often turned with Manasseh and Ephraim from one place to another 35. That same peece of Land or Christian Habitation hath Christ taken with his Bow and sword of the Spirit and subdued the Princes of this world in his victory that Christendom should have this at all times upon Earth whereby then we see that Christendom should have the smallest victory upon Earth so that its Kingdome is like a remaining overplus peece of Land that so the Name of Christ might therein be outwardly knowne and acknowledged 36. Further it is the Most Excellent figure concerning Israell which with Jacob that is with the rising of the Kingdome of Christ would die that is the Jewish Politie and Government would be suppressed but God would in the last time bring them into this Land viz. into the true Covenant in Christ for he hath reserved this peece of Land before-hand that they should possesse the same againe which Babell beleeveth not but their time is neere for the fullnes of the Heathens is at an End CHAP. LXXVI How Jacob called all his Sonnes before his End and signified and prophesied to them how their Generations would rise up and what each of their State and Condition would be whereby he Expressed the Roote of Abrahams Tree together with its Branches and fruit What the State and Office of each of them would be and how they would behave themselves and how Christ would be borne of the Stock of Judah also how long their Kingdome would continue under the Law Genesis 49. from the first to the 12 th verse Gen XLIX 1 2. 1. MOses sayth And Jacob called his sonnes and sayd Gather your selves together that I may make knowne unto you what will happen to you in the future Times come together and hearken ye children of Jacob and heare your father Israell In this Chapter lyeth the whole understanding and knowledge how it would goe with the children of Israell in the future time under the Law as also afterwards with Christendom for in this Chapter the Spirit hath expressed and figuratively represented the tree of Israell with its Branches twiggs and fruit both according to the Kingdome of Nature and according to the Kingdome of Grace and under that signifieth concerning all States Conditions Orders and Offices among both Jewes and Christians especially the Antichristian Kingdome among Jewes and Christians is powerfully prefigured under it whence it ariseth and how it must fall to the ground againe and yet would continue a long time even till the Manifestation or Revelation of Jesus Christ. 2. For Israell heere under this Exposition declareth concerning the whole Adamicall tree how it was good in the beginning and how it perished also how it would be helped againe and how the Kingdome of Nature would outwardly Governe in Gods wrath and yet the Kingdome of Grace co-operate through the wrath whereby the naturall Evill Man would outwardly seeme as if he would serve God and minister to him but would onely be a false flattery and shew of Hypocrisie so long till Christ would break forth out of Gods Covenant and destroy Sathans hypocriticall Kingdome 3. And he beginneth at Reuben viz. from the first power of the humane Life and reacheth to Benjamin the last under whom Christendom is powerfully prefigured and what its properties would be so also are the times and Ages of the World powerfully pourtrayed under it If the reader will Observe it and gather the sence thereof then he will finde our Exposition in the true and right Ground I. The Testament of Reuben 4. Hee began at Reuben and sayd Reuben my first sonne Gen. 49.3 4. thou art my power and vertue and my first might and strength the chiefest in the sacrifice and the Chiefest in the Kingdome and Government he was vaine and fickle therein as water thou shalt not be the Chiefest thou didst climbe up into thy fathers Couch and there hast defiled my bed with thy climing up In the Figure it standeth thus 5. The Spirit
6. But it hath more respect to the Covenant that the children of the Covenant in their Adamicall Nature would be a neere Cohabitation in Hope and that the Outward Man would not apprehend the Kingdome of Christ but would be a neere co-habitation with it where Christ should dwell in the inward Ground viz. in the Spirituall World and Adam in this * * * World or outward Life Time of the Life and yet be a co-habitation 7. For as the Spirit hath by Judah declared Christ in the flesh so now heere he declareth that the outward Man would not be Christ but be a Co-habitation of Christ Christ would possesse the inward Ground as he also sayth My Kingdome is not of this world Therefore the outward mortall Man should not say of it selfe I am Christ for he is onely a Co-habitation of Christ as the outward world is onely a Co habitation or neere neighbourhood to the Kingdome of Christ for Christ is the inward Spirituall world hidden in the outward visible world as the Day is hidden in the night and yet they dwell one by neere and with the other VI. The Testament of Issachar 8. * * * Gen. 49 14 15. Issachar is a strong boned Asse and he lodgeth in valleys between the Borders or Hills of the Country and he saw Rest that it was Good and the Land that it was pleasant and fruitfull but he hath bowed his shoulders to beare and is become a Tribute servant In this Testament of Issachar the Spirit pointeth first at the outward figure of this Tribe or Stock shewing where they should dwell viz. in the midst of the Land in Good ease and Rest but yet be Tributary but the powerfull figure looketh upon the inward Ground viz. upon the humane Nature 9. For when †††Gen. 30.18 Lea bare Issachar shee sayd God hath rewarded mee in that I gave my Mayde to my husband and shee called him Issachar that is a divine wages or reward for shee had given Rachell her Sonnes Mandrakes that shee suffered Jacob to sleepe with her this night upon which shee conceived this sonne therefore shee called him a recompence from God 10. But the Spirit sayth in this figure he would be a boned strong Asse and lodge between the Borders which outwardly in its habitation was just so but in the inward figure he sayth The man which is obteined from God by prayer is indeed a Gift and wages but his Adamicall Nature is onely a Boned strong Asse for the burthen who beareth the Adamicall Sack but he dwelleth with his Minde between the Borders viz. between God and the Kingdome of this world his Minde presseth into the Borders of God and the Body dwelleth in the World 11. Therefore the Minde must be as a Boned servile slavish Asse which though it sitteth at ease and rest in a good habitation in the Borders of God yet it must beare the burthen of sinnes and of Death in the earthly Sack and there is no buying it off with the Mandrakes before the Death of the Earthly Man also no praying to God for it avayleth that thereby the Boned strong Asse might come to divine Liberty It must remaine an Asse till Christ in himselfe bringeth it into the Eternall Rest The Adamicall hurt and losse is so great that the Asse must leave the Sack in the Death of Christ else he will not be rid of it 12. But he addeth the cause why he must remaine a Boned strong Asse for he sayth He saw the Rest that it was good and the Land that it was pleasant that is that the Minde would alwayes desire to rest in the Lust and pleasure of the flesh and would desire to take care of the Earthly Lust and in that regard the Minde must be a servile Asse and servant of Gods Anger and so seperateth the Naturall Adamicall Man from the Seede of the Covenant viz. from the person of Christ so that the Naturall Adamicall Man in its inbred Nature is but this Asse with the Sack till Christ possesseth his Kingdome in him no Covenant or praying availeth but that Adam must in this world remaine an Asse till the Sack be gone and then he is called a new childe in Christ which new childe in this Life is the inward Ground but the boned strong Asse is the new childes instrument upon which the Sack is carried for the servility of Gods Anger continueth so long as the Sack lasteth VII The Testament of Dan. 13. * * * Gen. 49.16 17 18. Dan will be a Judge among his People as any other Generation in Israell Dan will be a Serpent in the way and an Adder on the path and will bite the horse in the Heeles that his rider shall fall back O Lord I waite for thy Salvation This is a powerfull figure of the outward power and authority of humane Officers in the Kingdome of this World and is so strongly prefigured that it is terrible to reade if a man rightly discerne the figure and yet in the presence of God it standeth in its own proper figure thus The Spirit sayth Dan will be a Judge among his people as one of the Generations or Tribes in Israell In the Figure it standeth thus 14. Dan standeth in the figure of all outward Officers from those of highest authority and power even to the * * * Ordering of a Mans own private affaires or employment◠Government of the humane Life it selfe therefore the Spirit fayth of him he shall be in his owne might and power as one Man is to another In the presence of God he is not esteemed greater in his owne Nature then a Servant or Minister for he serveth God in his Office as another servant doth his Lord and Master the Office is Gods wherein he sitteth as a Judge The Office is the Authority and power and he himselfe is before God as another Man 15. But the Spirit sayth Dan will be a Serpent on the way and an Adder on the path that is this Judge in Gods Office would draw poyson out of the power and authority viz. selfe-will and say of himselfe the authority is mine the Office is mine that is called on the way for the way which they should goe is Gods viz. true righteousnes then sayth Dan that Land and Country this Citty that Village those Goods that Money is mine it is my owne I will use it to my owne profit advantage and honour and live in this Office as I will 16. And this very selfehood is the Serpent and venomous Adder on the way for it walketh very dangerous steps upon the paths of righteousnesse it turneth righteousnesse into Selfehood to doe what it will it sayth I am a Lord the Citty Land and Country the Village or Authority and power is mine I may doe with the people what I will they are mine and so sucketh poyson out of Gods Office of a Judge and thereby afflicteth the miserable and
numbers which signifie the seven properties of the Eternal Nature And under it standeth TINCTUR distributed in the seven spaces which signifieth the Divine Word in the (b) Moderation or mean Temperature or equality of the seven properties wherein the divine powers lie in an equall will action and being as the outflown name of God wherein is understood the great Mysteries of Divine power and operation with the characters of the letters on the left side divided into the seven Properties For the word Tinctur is that separating word from whence flow the seven properties T is the Tau or the opening of the Unitie mâ—nas the cross of the triple I a ground to the breathing I is the effluence from Tau or the egress of the Unity as the cross-Angle of life N is the effluence of the sounding Threefold spirit C is the cutting of the sound where the I as the effluence of Unitie separateth it self again from Darkness and where the (c) Or a willing receiving Annehmligkeit acceptation of the Eternal will breaketh T under the figure 5. is that holy Tau or the opening of Glory in the firy sensibility openeth with * â—ewrenden Liebe firing love as with Gods Kingdom and signifieth the great strength of the Light-Power V is the true Character of the Holy Spirit with three points the two upward signify the Fire and Light and the third downward signifieth the Unity in love as the meekness R with this the holy fire and light is comprehended in an active natural essence for it signifieth the Kingdom as the Throne and hereby is intimated how the holy Name with the outflown will introduceth it self in Mysterium Magnum as into the Eternal mystery whereout (d) Originalis is outspoken existed the visible world The great Mysteries of the Tinctur or the highest ground of Gods Trinitie T is the triple I the Father I is that begotten I JESUS N is the threefold I in Spirit C signifieth CHRIST T in the fift Space is the Father in Christ. U is the Spirit of Christ in the Word which quickneth R is the Royall Throne about which Darknes and Light strive there Satan and Christ stand against one another namely according to the assumption of Satans self-will as an Erronious Spirit and according to the Unity Christ where is understood Love and Anger in one Ground but in a two-fold Revelation Here are understood those that belong to God the other (e) Eâ—â— Shelos darier an diesem Orthe a Lock rather at this place In this Table in the 7. Spaces is the ground of Angels and Soules as that Great Mystery of the change in which lyeth all Possibility Sidewayes after the seven figures the efflux from (f) Monas one into seven is understood The first Principle is to be understood unto the Fire out of which the Light is manifested And from Fire to Essence the Second Principle And downward under every Properâ—ie is understood what kind of Effluence out of every property in the cooperation of other properties doth proceed yet not so to be understood that One propertie alone gives the efflux but all seven afford it though the first Form is predominant therein and retains the higher Regiment As under the figure I. standeth Desire or Comprehending whereby is understood that the Desire is Magnetick and incloseth and darkneth it self which is also the ground of Temporal and Eternal darkness and from that (g) Orig. Drawing in attraction cometh under it Sharpness Austereness and Hardness and is the Original of wrathfulness whence ariseth the Great Eternal Death For this Magnet draweth the Powers into it self and in it self incloseth them so that the working Standeth still and steps into Impotency as under the Number 1. appeareth Under number 2. standeth Science or Drawing which is the second Form to Nature as the motion of the Magnetick attraction from whence the sensibility of Nature existeth and is the ground of all Contraries for Hardness and Motion are Enemies Motion breaketh the hardness again and yet also begetteth Hardness by attraction Thus two Essences have their existence in the desirous out-flown-will of God as the drawing of the Magnetick power giveth Motion and Sensibilitie and the thing attracted affordeth Essence wherein is understood the cause (h) Orig. 10. of Spirit and Body as in the attracting of Sensibilitie is caused the Spirit and in the extracted the body or cause to Corporietie Now if this attraction and Essence be not able to reach the Light of Gods Unity whereby it may be mollified then in it self remaineth onely a Meer Enmitie and is the cause of the torment of Fury and ambition whence existeth self-pleasing and Pride for the will of self-pleasing is a false-will a continuall corruptor of it self and its Essence And in these two Forms Desire and In-drawing in their out-flown Properties is understood Gods Wrath and though they be the ground of the sensible life Yet if the light shineth therein then are they the ground of the joy-Joy-Kingdom as an inward motion of Gods Unitie and a ground of the five Senses whence also the creatural life hath taken its beginning and therein standeth its (k) Consumption Uerteâ—bnus corruption so farr as it loseth the light for it is the Spring of Hellish Anguish as the cause of painfulness and is also the Root of Natural life In the third space standeth the third Form of Nature called Anguish as a spiritual Sulphur-source according to its propertie This taketh its Ground from the first and second Form as from the Magnetick Desire and from the Motion of Drawing where the out-flown Eternal will in that unquietness standeth in Anguish This Anguish is the cause of Natural Will Mind and the Senses and is the Wheel of Life as the cause of the Firing-life for when the out-flown will of Gods Unitie standeth in Anguish then it longeth again after Unity as after Rest and the Unity or Rest longeth after Motion and Revelation for in the Unity there can be no Revelation without Motion and therfore the Divine will freely floweth out of it self and the Divine (l) Luber good pleasure in the out-flown-will bringeth it self into a Desire and Motion unto a sensibility that it may perceive it self and remain two in one Essence as the sensible Divine delight and the cause of sensibility wherein God calleth himself a Loving God according to the sensibilitie of Divine Love-delight and an Angry God according to the cause of sensibility as after the Eternal Nature And thus we understand by Anguish when the divine Light is not revealed therein the Hellish fire and an Eternal despair and Terrour where the Self-will of Nature continually standeth in a dying Torment ever desiring to be released from such a condition which I therefore call the (m) Little lesser Death it is the Eternal dying Death but in the Hardness it is the great still-standing Death This Form if it hath not Light is
the head-spring of the false minde but if it perceiveth Light in it self then is it the spring and ground of the sensible mind and the right root of fire as appeareth in number 3. downwards The fourth Form numb 4. is the Fire of the Eternal Nature understand spiritual Life-fire and that existeth from a continual conjunction or conjoyning of Hardness and Motion Understand that thence ariseth the Painfulness but the Splendor existeth from the Delight of the Free-will where the Unity of the Delight good pleasure is acuated in the properties then like a flash of lightning it shineth through the continued Conjunction of the great meekness of the Unity and the Fierceness and Motion of the three first Properties for then it is in the Essence of the Conjunction as if Steel and Stone were rubb'd together whence the flash ariseth Such a Flash is the true Natural Life of the Eternal for it is the Revelation of Divine Motion and hath the properties of Nature and also the Revelation of the Unity of Gods effluence in it self Now which of these two getteth predominancy in that standeth the Life The splendor of the Fire is the Light from the effluence of Gods Unity and the Essence of the Fire is the out-flown will which hath brought it self with the desire into such Properties Thus in the out-flown firy will we understand Angels and Souls and in the sensible sharpned Lights power from the Unitie we understand the Spirit wherein God is revealed and understood in the spiritual essence and in the Fire two Kingdomes separate themselves as the Kingdom of Glory from the efflux of Gods Unity and the Kingdom of the properties of Nature and yet these two Kingdoms dwell in one another as one The Kingdom of Nature is in it self that great Eternal Darkness but the Light is the Kingdom of God of which S John saith The Light shineth in darkness but the darkness comprehendeth it not As day and night dwell in one another and yet the one is not the other Thus from the Fires own propertie comes the painful life if it break it self off from the Eternal Light and doth as in the propertie of selfhood enter the object then is it only fantastick and foolish even such as the Devills were and the Souls of the Damned are as appears Numb 4. downwards In the fift Propertie of Nature is the second Principle with its foundation understood as the Essence of the Unity in the Light-power where in the out-flown Unity is a fire-flaming-love understood whence existeth the true understanding-Spirit with the five Senses The first three Forms are only the property to Life and the fourth is the Life it self but the fift is the true Spirit When the fift property is revealed out of the Fire then she dwelleth in all the rest and changeth them all into her sweet love that no more painfulness nor Enmity is discerned but even as the day changeth the night In the first 4. Properties is that life like the Devills but when the Lights-power as the second Principle is revealed in the property then is it an Angel liveth in divine power holiness as appeareth in the Num. 5. downwards The sixt Property is the Understanding as the Sound where the properties in the Light stand all in an equality then they rejoyce and the power of the five Senses is manifest and all the properties rejoyce in one another and thus the love of the Unity leadeth it self into working willing sensibility finding and (n) Highness Pochkeit celsitude Thus is there a contrary in the Eternal Nature that the Properties existing therein the love is known and that there might be something to be beloved wherein the Eternal Love of Gods Unity may work and God may be praised For if the properties of life be penetrated with the Divine love-flame then they praise the great love of God yield themselves all again into the Unity of God Such rejoycing knowledge could not be revealed in the Unity did not the Eternal will bring it self into painfull moving properties The Seaventh Property is that Essence wherein all the other are essential wherein they all act as the Soul doth in the Body wherein the Natural Essential Eternal Wisdom of God as the Mysterium Magnum is understood out of which the visible World with its Essence and Creatures did arise Thus by this Table is understood the hidden Spiritual world as the Eternal manifestation of God from whence the Angels and Souls of Men received their existence therefore may they turn themselves to evill or good for both lie in their Center This Spiritual world is no other than Gods revealed Word and hath its being from Eternity to Eternity for therein is Heaven and Hell understood III. TABLE The seven Properties of the visible World or external Nature MACROCOSMUS In this Table is signified how the hidden Spiritual Eternal Word as the Mysterium magnum by the motion of Gods Word issued forth and became visible manifest and Material And how the inward Powers through Gods working have comprehended and fashioned themselves how good and bad in every thing is to be understood and yet there was no evill in Mysterium magnum but existed through the sensibility and assumption of self-desire Here also is shewed what in the working issued forth from every property and which have the predominancy according to which every thing is formed and governed 1 Ground 2 of 3 Nature 4 Pure 5 Element 6 Para 7 dise Cold Earth Snow Original of Air Fire of Essence Heaven Light of Nature Starrs Water Saturn Mercury the planet Mars Sol Venus Soft Jupiter Luna Sal Mercury thunder Sulphur Flash Sal-niter Oyl Power Body Black Gray Mixt-colours Red Yellow Green and white within Blew White without within Red and Green Melancholy Collerick Sanguin Phlegmatick Grossness of Stone Metal Stone Rust Growing Pearls Jewels Menstruum Lead Quick silver Iron Stâ—el Gold Copper Tinn Silver Bone Wood Herbs Resin Tincture in the Earth Sweet Bitter Grass Sour Poyson Woes Opening Healing Srenâ—thning Flesh Stopping Smelling Feeling Seeing Tasting Hearing Loathing of Nature Dying Lying Wrath War Richess Noble Reason Own possession Lord Craft Force Justiâ—e Faithfull Truth Simplicitie Stealing Deceiving Losing Finding Earthly Love being friendly Lightminded Obstinate Sad Confounded Senses Careless Constant Pure Joâ—full Ignorant Earthly Beast'y Evill Heavenly Modest Sensible Low olfe Fox Dogg Lyon Bird Ape Great Beasts Worms Venemous Wormes Evill Beasts Good Beasts Flying Beasts Tame Beasts Fish An Explanation of the third Table MACROCOSMUS IN this Table is understood how the hidden spiritual world hath made it self visible and with its own breathing forth hath made it (a) Gegenwurff an object where the Eternal Principles are out-flown and the powers therein became co-material For the External Nature is no other than an efflux or object of the Eternal Nature The 4. Elements exist from the first 4 Properties of the Eternal Nature as the Earth and
and brings it selfe forth with its Spirit out of the Substance into a contemplation and visible ken in which understanding man hath found out the Arts of Metalls 43. For the Sister of Tubal-Cain was Naema Here lieth the pretious pearl deare masters NAEMA is heavenly in her property cloathed with the externall vesture so that you doe not know her for the earthly man is not worthy of it for her Essence is virgineall a virgin of purity it pointeth in one part at the inward new man viz. the Sister of the Sulphurean man and on the other part it signifieth the Grosse Metall of the Earth and also the pretious Metall viz. Gold and Silver 44. For Tuball-Cain is the brother of Naema they lye in one wombe but Tubal-Cain is of this world and Naema is a virgin hidden under her brother and herein the twofold Earth is understood viz. in a twofold property one heavenly and the other grosse Earthly viz. an Essence out of the darke worlds property and an Essence out of the lightfull worlds property and thus also it is to be understood in Man for by the property of Gods Anger viz. by the dying of the earthly man Naema becomes manifest 45. Wherefore doth Moses add the Name Naema and yet speaketh nothing either of any that she brought forth or that she married Answer because that in the Regeneration the naturall Generation ceaseth the new virginity in the Spirit of Christ doth not produce any creature more but they must all proceed out of the first Centre and stock so that they may be all One Tree and by the fire the Metall viz. the virgin which is Tubal-Cains Sister is made manifest 46. The Name TVBAL-CAIN hath an excellent understanding in it for it sheweth hovv the Sulphureous Mercuriall vvheele doth open it selfe in the birth and generation of Metals and also in the Originall of life for God Subjected all things to man and gave him all things for his delight and play therefore Tubal Cain must open and discover himselfe in the humane Tree that so they might understand it Hereby we have signified enough to those that are our School-fellowes 47. And Lamech said to his wife 's Ada and Zilla Verse 23.24 Heare my voyce yee wifes of Lamech and marke what I say I have slaine a man to my wound and a young man to my hurt If Cain shall be avenged seven-fold truly Lamech seventy and seven fold This is a wonderfull strange and marvellous saying who would understand what the Spirit signifieth heere without its own peculiar exposition I do seriously admonish the Mocker to leave our work heere uncensured for he understandeth not our Spirit and Sence 48. Lamech saith that he slew a man to his wound and a young man to his hurt This man is Abel according to the outward humanity of the Kingdome of this world and the young man is the Image of Christ proceeding from the virgin-like line out of the Seed of the woman in him the Man he slew to his Rebuke viz. to an un-curable wound and the pretious young man in the Man to an hurt which would gall and trouble him as an Evill hurt bruise or Bile in the conscience of Sin for the wrath of God wrought in this Bile and the wound being a great and wofull hurt might not be healed for the Curse of the Lord went forth out of this Bile into the wound in which the Earth was cursed so that the humane Dominion became a valley of misery 49. For Lamech saw the sore wound and returned and thereupon tooke two wives that is a twofold will into his Minde for his Government vvhereby he vvould rule upon the Earth viz. one went forth from Ada into the Grazing and keeping of cattle and the hard labour of the hands for a temporall livelihood wherein he found the Curse and wound and the other went forth out of the branch of Zilla into the Earth after the Metalls to make usefull Tooles and Instruments for the Tillage and husbandry of the Ground and for other necesaries and so he found in the metalls the rusty Bile and sore in their metalline nature for the pretious tincture or the faire blossome of the Earth was hidden in the Curse viz. Environed and beset with an Evill Bile and sore 50. Now Lamech knew the vvofull Hurt and said hearken ye wives of Lamech and marke what I say he would faine expresse the Hurt and dammage he saw back againe into the Tree of man and considered the revenge of God which had laid hold of mans life and said Cain shall be avenged seven-fold and Lamech seven and seventy fold for God said also to Cain when he stood and cryed * * * Ver. 14.15 thou drivest me out this day from * * * Or from the Land and Countrey the face of the Earth and it will come to passe that whosover findeth me will slay me but the Lord said to him whosoever slayeth Cain vengeance shall be taken on him seven fold and he set a marke on Cain that none should kill him 51. These are most vvonderfull and hidden sayings Cain shall be avenged Sevenfold and Lamech seventy and seven fold wherefore shall Lamech be avenged Seventy and Seven-fold and Cain Seven-fold who hath done any thing to Lamech Heere the Spirit pointeth out of the Centre of the humane life upon the time vvhich was to come intimateing how it would afterward goe with man in this Wound when as men should multiply and Encrease and make unto themselves Kings and Princes Dominions and Governments that the vvrath of God would also forcibly exercise it selfe in mans will and even open and display it selfe in the humane Life and Dominion 52. Now if a man would understand vvhat Lamech saith concerning the Revenge then he must looke upon the Centre for the life of all creatures consists in Seven Degrees or properties as it is above clearely mentioned now Adam was the Stock for Adam and Eve are one Tree from the parting and division of which Evill and Good did arise and Cain was the first twigg vvhich sprung forth from this tree vvherein the Seven properties of life did put themselves forth out of the right divine order and harmony in the life and destroyed the Image of God which was long of the Devill who egged him on also in the divided properties to the brother-slaughter so that he slew Abel now God said Cain shall be avenged Seven-fold if any one slay him and he set a marke on Cain that none should kill him 53. The Devill had folded up himselfe in the vvrath of God and cunningly insinuated himselfe into the Seven properties of Life being they were departed from their mutuall Harmonious Accord and he vvould be Lord in the place of the Spirit of God in the life of man and would vvholly murther and slay the life as to the Kingdome of God therefore God set a marke vvith the Promise of the Covenant therein so
that none could slay it 54. For Cain did not cry out onely for feare of the outward life but he feared that his right Eternall life might be slaine that his life should be wholly blotted out from the Face of God for he cryed also and said Lo thou drivest me out this day from off the Earth and I must hide my selfe from thy face and I must be a fugitive and a vagabond in the Earth and it will now come to passe that whosoever findeth me will slay me He cryed out for feare of being killed and was sore afraid and yet there vvas no man besides him upon the Earth save onely his Father Adam and without doubt his sister vvhom he tooke to wife 55. Cain feared the Spirits vvho had moved him to slay his brother that they would also kill him for he saith I must be hid from thy face now this was not in any externall manner but in an internall for God dwelleth not in the view of the outward eyes but in the inward Spirituall vision therefore God said whosoever killeth Cains internall life vengeance shall be taken on him seven-fold and he set the marke of the Covenant on his life so that no spirit in the wrath could murther it for he was a twigg out of the Tree of life 56. Although the Seven properties of nature in him were departed from their mutuall accord in each other yet he was not the sole cause of it for he had so received his life from Father and Mother in the divided property and therefore the Grace passed as vvell upon him as upon Abel except onely that Abel proceeded out of the other line but the Centre of the Soule was alike to them both but the motion in the Seed was unlike for they were the two types of the world viz. Cain the type of the Selfehood in the wrath and Abel the type of the resignation of life where from the Resignation another world springeth forth through Death out of the Centre 57. Not that Cain was borne to destruction but that evill awakened property in the dissimility viz. the Soule of the outward world brake forth forcibly in the Seed and tooke the Centre of life into its Power and therein God set a marke viz. his Covenant that the murtherers should not slay the Souls life 58. But if it should so come to passe that the owne peculiar will would give it selfe to the murtherers then the life of Cain should be avenged Seven-fold that is through all the Seven properties and the free-will which did slay the life of God which was in the Word John 1. should be rebuked and punished seven-fold through all the Seven formes of nature both temporally and eternally and this is the meaning whosoever killeth the life that is what free-will soever murthereth its life vengeance shall be taken on it Eternally in the Seaven properties of the dark vvorld 59. And in this place we are further to consider aright of the great mysteries for the Seaven properties of the humane Tree producing and manifesting the life of the Wonders of God had now Spread forth themselves even unto Lamech the Dominion of the world was novv wholly brought forth with Lamech in nature for Lamech was the Seventh man in the Root of the Wonders arising from the first Stock that is Adam was the first Abel belongeth not unto the Line of the Wonders but unto the Regeneration Cain was the Second in the Line of the Wonders Hanoch the third Irad the fourth Mahujael the fift Methusael the Sixt and Lamech the Seventh 60. Now Lamech did spring forth from Cains Root out of this Line of the Wonders of God and he was an honest upright man but was a a a Taken or beset environed with the Spirit of the Wonders and he Looked back upon the Wound and also upon the b b b Or Seale Signe of Grace in the Covenant and knew for certaine that even now the Spirit of the Wonders should be fully brought forth and manifested in the humane life whereby all Arts of the vvorld should be found out 61. And he saw also forwards how it would fall out in these Wonders of the world hovv his children would introduce his life which they should receive from him by propagation into a Babylon of folly and Corrupt the same and hereby also he looked especially upon the word whence the humane life was Sprung and how the life in the Spirit of the Wonders of the world would introduce it selfe into a seaven and seventy-fold word of Languages and Nations as came to passe at Babel and how the free-will of Nature would goe astray from the Onely God and be corrupt and that it should be avenged seven-and-seventy-fold that is every tongue and speech should be Avenged in the Anger of God and therefore because they would Corrupt Lamechs life which they received of him by propagation and this the Wrath of God would Avenge in the free-will of his children divided into severall Speeches 62 For the Spirit saw forwards hovv the free-will vvould give up and addict it selfe to Selfehood and Apostatize from the Onely God and â—ovv the Anger of God would Seize upon and confound the Naturall Spirit of the Wonders in man viz. the Soule of the outward world from whence the Great Babylon of Contention about Gods being and vvill vvould arise and this the Spirit said should be avenged seven-and-seventy-fold in Lamech 63. For this was a Seven and Seventy-fold Racha or Avengement upon the Word of the understanding in the humane life that out of one onely tongue out of one onely Speaking Word and vitall Spirit a Seventy and seven-fold tongue viz. a Confusion of the understanding should be made before the understanding lay in one Sound voice or Harmony but now the Racha came into it and Confounded and shattered it into Seventy and seven parts 64. For the humane vvheele of the Sound or understanding was turned round and the Ten formes of fire wherein time and Eternity doth consist did open themselves in every forme of nature which was seven times ten vvhich makes Seventy whereto also belongeth the Centre with its Seven unchangeable formes of the Eternall nature which is together seventy and seven 65. And herein Deare brethren lyeth the * * * Mysterium Magnum Grand Mystery if ye were not cloathed with the Garment of the Contentious Languages then we vvould be bold to declare something more in this place unto you but ye are yet all captivated in Babel and are contenders about the k k k Or Meaning Spirit of the Letter and yet have no understanding of the same yee will also be Doctors and learned Masters forsooth but yet ye understand not your own Mother-Tongue yee bite and devoure one another about the husk of the word wherein the Living word doth forme and amasse it selfe and ye neither desire nor understand the living word yee speake onely out of Seven and out of seventy
signifieth verse 27. Ch. 34. How Noah cursed Ham. verse 1. to 40. Ch. 35. The Names of the children of Noah are seaventy two verse 15. to 48. Ch. 43. VVhere Noahs curse came into Judgement verse 29. Nothing Ch. 3. The Nothing hungreth after the something verse 5. O. Oake Ch. 63. VVhat the Oake signifieth under which Jacob buryed the Idoll Gods and the Eare-rings verse 4. to the 15. Office Officer Officers Ch. 22. How the Office is Good and how not Good verse 72. Ch. 66. How the potent in the Office of God are great Trees without fruit verse 16 17. Ch. 66. How the Offices and Officers are Gods and are Gods servants verse 22. Ch. 66. How a Man in an Office must serve either God or the Devill verse 59. Ch. 66. How this world hath two sorts of Officers verse 37. to 59. Ch. 77. Where the worldly Office of a Judge hath its Originall verse 21. to the 25. Ch. 66. How an Officer becometh a Lucifer also how he is free from the Commandement of Death verse 23. to the 27. Ch. 66. How all Officers are set in the Kingdome of this world verse 28 29. Ch. 66. How at present is the time of the Coming of the Lord to burne the Citty of these wicked evill Officers with the fire of Gods Anger verse 30 31. Oracle Ch. 37. How the first holy Oracle after the Floud Manifested it selfe verse 15. P. Paradise Ch. 17. Of Paradise verse 1. to the 43. Ch. 18. Of the Paradisicall Government verse 1. to the 34. Ch. 25. How Paradise is one certaine place verse 16. Pastours Ch. 74. Of all spirituall Pastours or Shepheards who sit without Christ in that Office verse 6. Pearle Ch. 22. How the Pearle of the whole world is troden underfoote verse 35. Philistian Ch. 47. What Philistian is verse 23 24. Physick Ch. 21. Whence Physick doth arise verse 7. to 9. Plants Ch. 12. Whence it is that some Plants are Poyson verse 36. Potiphar Ch. 64. VVhat the figure of Potiphars wife is verse 10 11. Pottage Ch. 53. VVhat the Lentill Pottage was verse 4. Prayer Ch. 38. How Man with his prayer and will awakeneth the sword of Anger verse 11. Predestinated Ch. 30. VVhat is predestinated to condemnation verse 8 9. Ch. 40. Ismael is not predestinated to Condemnation verse 35. to the 54. Present Ch. 70. What the Present was that Josephs Brethren brought him in their hands verse 52 53. Pride Ch. 24. VVhat Men erect with their great Pride and care for the Belly verse 21. c. Prince Ch. 33. How a Prince or Lord hath no power to shed Bloud verse 15. c. Principles Ch. 4. Of the two Principles Gods Love and Anger verse 1. to the 21. Ch. 32. How Sem Ham and Japhet are an Image of the three Principles verse 5. c. Prosperity Ch. 66. Man in temporall prosperity and in favour and good will of many Men ought not to be secure verse 50. to the 56. Prophet Ch. 67. How the Prophet is the mouth of the Kingdome verse 9. c. Purgatory Ch. 25. Of the Purgatory of soules verse 13 14. Purple Mantle Ch. 70. To whom the purple Mantle of Christ is avaylable verse 42 43. Purpose Ch. 61. How in God there is no purpose verse 60 61. 64. Q. Qualities see Formes R. Rachel Ch. 28. VVhat it signifieth that Rachel dyed and was Buried at the Citty Bethleem verse 29. Ch. 28. How Rachel was big with childe when Jacob went from Laban verse 30. Ch. 58. Why Rachel sayd give mee children verse 1 2. Ch. 58. Why Rachel must be barren verse 47. Ch. 63. How Rachel bare Benjamin and dyed what the signification of it is verse 20. c. Rained Rain-Bow Ch. 32. VVhy it Rained fortie dayes and fortie nights verse 23. c. Ch. 33. Of the Rain-Bow and its Colours verse 25. to the 40. Ram. Ch. 48. How the killing and dying falleth not upon the right Man but upon the Ram. verse 28. c. Raven Ch. 32. What the Raven signifieth verse 38 39.41 Reason Ch. 41. How Reason introduceth every thing into Gods will verse 27. to the 37. Rebeccah Ch. 50. Rebeccah signifieth Sophia verse 48. Ch. 50. The figure of the Glorious Banquet of Abrahams servant with Rebeccah verse 49. c. Ch. 52. How in Rebeccah two Kingdomes strove one with another verse 20. to the 30. Ch. 53. VVhy the Strife arose in Rebeccah verse 27. Ch. 53. VVerefore Rebeccah loved Jacob. verse 54. Ch. 55. Why Rebeccah must set Jacob in the place of the Blessing verse 26. c. Ch. 19 Of Rebeccahs subtilty and deceit with Jacob. verse 20. Religion Ch. 36. VVhence the Contempt of Religion proceeds verse 14. Remedy Ch. 66. To whom there is no more Counsell or Remedy to Eternity verse 47. Repentance Ch. 31. Of Gods Repentance where he sayth It repenteth mee verse 17. to the 45. Ch. 70. It is a figure of Repentance that Jacobs Children must goe into Egypt for food twice verse 15. to the 23. Respect Ch. 51. How in Gods presence there is no respect of Name or Person verse 32. to the 41. Reuben Ch. 63. VVhat Reuben signifieth verse 44. Ch. 63. How Reuben lay with his fathers Concubine and what the signification thereof is verse 31. to the 45. Ch. 76. The Testament of Reuben and the figure thereof verse 4. to the 18. Revenge Ch. 22. VVhence in Man the wrath and vengeance to be revenged ariseth verse 58. to the 64. Ribbe Ch. 19. What the Ribbe and dividing of Adam signifieth verse 2. 6. Riches Ch. 58. How the Riches of the outward Man belong to the New Man verse 21. c. Right Ch. 60. How Right is God and wrong is the Devill verse 60. Rocks Ch. 23. Why at Christs Death the Rocks clave asunder verse 3. Ring Ch. 65. What the Ring Bracelet and Staffe of Judah signifie verse 32. S. Saba or Sheba Ch. 54. What the fountaine Saba or Sheba signifieth verse 15 16. Sacrifice Ch. 27. Of Cains and Abels Sacrifice verse 1. to the 40. Ch. 27. VVhy an Earthly Sacrifice must be verse 18. c. Ch. 27. Why the Sacrifice without Faith is loathsom to God verse 13. Sarah Ch. 40. VVhy God made Sarah unfruitfull verse 27 28. Ch. 42. How God asked for Sarah verse 26 27. Ch. 42. What Sarahs laughing and lying signifie verse 30. c. Ch. 49. Of Sarahs Death and Abrahams purchased burying place what is signified thereby verse 1. to the 18. Ch. 51. Why Sarah brought forth but one son verse 3. Schooles Ch. 51. Of what profit the knowledge of the high Schooles or Vniversities and the Devills knowledge is verse 49 50. Ch. 64. Whence the Confused Languages of the high Schooles or Universities come verse 24. Ch. 69. The spying and prying of the high Schooles or Vniversities helpeth not into the Kingdome of God verse 20 21. Ch. 77. When the time of the high Schooles or Vniversities began verse 67. Scorner
Ch. 40. Why God must have the scorner also in this time of Life verse 23. c. Sea Ch. 16. What the Glassy Sea is verse 28. Sem. Ch. 31. VVhat Sem is in the Language of Nature verse 6. Ch. 34. How Sem and Japhet tooke a Garment upon their shoulders verse 20. to the 26. Serah or Zerah Ch. 65. The powerfull figure of the Birth of Peres and Serah or Zerah verse 58. c. Serpent Ch. 20. Of the Creation and subtilty of the Serpent verse 9. to the 19. Ch 22.29 Ch. 20. In the Serpent lyeth excellent art verse 17 18. Ch. 22. The Devill hath infected the Ens of the Serpent verse 33. Ch. 22. Why the Serpent is sayd to be a virgin verse 34. Ch. 23. VVherefore God cursed the Serpent verse 23. to the 29. Ch. 27. Where the Serpents head was first trod upon and broken verse 11 12. Ch. 38. How the Serpents Ens and also the Line of Christ lay in Abraham verse 13. Seth. Ch. 29. VVhat the Name Seth signifieth in the Language of Nature verse 24. Sheckle Ch. 49. An Exposition of the foure hundred Sheckles of silver that Abraham gave for the field verse 8 9. Shepheard Ch. 58. How a Sheheard is more highly esteemed before God then the highly Learned worldly wise Man verse 32. c. Ch. 60. Why Gods Spirit hath so exactly described the slight actions of meane Shepheards verse 49 50. Sichem Ch. 61. What the Name Sichem signifieth verse 75. Signall Starre Ch. 70. How the signall Starre or ascendant appeared verse 30. c. Simeon Ch. 76. The Testament of Simeon and Levi and the figure thereof verse 17. to the 37. Sinew Ch. 60. What it signifieth that the Children of Israel eate not that Sinew of the Ham. verse 51. c. Sinne. Sinner Ch. 22. Of the Originall of Actuall sinne and of the awakening of Gods Anger in the humane property verse 1. to the 82. Ch. 22. What sinne is and what is not sinne verse 39. c. Ch. 22. What the sinne against the Holy Ghost is verse 43 44. Ch. 27. VVhat it is that attaineth the forgivenesse of sinnes verse 45. Ch. 48. How farre it must goe with the repenting sinner verse 21. c. Ch. 78. The figure of a Converted sinner verse 5 6. Sleepe Ch. 19. What Adams sleepe signifieth verse 5. Sodom Ch. 42. Of the three Men which appeared to Abraham in the plaine of Mamre and went towards Sodom and burnt the Citty of the Children of Ham with fire from the Lord. verse 1. to the 35. Ch. 43. Of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrha how God shewed it to Abraham before verse 1. to the 7â— Ch. 43. How Sodom is a looking Glasse for the present world verse 67. c. Ch. 43. What figure the Judgement upon Sodom is verse 14. Ch. 44. VVhat fire was rained downe upon Sodom verse 24. c. Sophia Ch. 25. Sophia is the Tincture of the light verse 14. Ch. 25. The fire-soule is the Man or husband of the Noble Sophia and it is of the fires Tincture verse 14. Ch. 37. How Sophia generateth the true Joseph verse 14 15. Ch. 52. What is called Sophia verse 6. Ch. 52. When the Magick fire of the soule is Bridegroom to the Noble Sophia verse 11. to the 14. Soule Ch. 10. True understanding lyeth in the Soule verse 3. Ch. 11. VVhat the soule is verse 20. 15.25 Ch. 15. How the soule standeth in three Kingdomes verse 15.18 to the 24. Ch. 15. There is not three soules but one verse 24. Ch. 17. Of the soules great power verse 43. Ch. 22. Whither the soule must goe after the Judgement verse 47. Ch. 23. How the soule of Adam and Eve were ashamed verse 1. Ch. 25. How the soule may goe through the Judgement or how not verse 2.3 15.26 Ch. 25. How the Virgin childe must flee from the fire-soule verse 9. Ch. 34. Of the Animale soule in the Regeneration verse 17. Ch. 37. Wherefore God bringeth the soule into trouble verse 8 9. Ch. 52. How the soule may see God verse 10. Ch. 56. When Gods Grace entreth into the soule verse 36. Ch. 69. The first Condition of the poore soule when it turneth to Christ. verse 7. c. Ch. 70. How the soule standeth in three Principles verse 5. Sound Ch. 5. How the sound or tune in Heaven is verse 19. Ch. 5. How the sound or tune in the Darknes or Hell is verse 19. Speake Ch. 35. Whence it cometh Originally that Man can speake verse 73. Ch. 36. From what it is that Man can spake and understand verse 85. Spirit Ch. 4. Of the Originall of the Multitude of spirits Good and Evill verse 11. Ch. 8. Of the Spirits of the outward world from Time that passe away verse 13. Ch. 29. How the Spirit of God hath from Eternity sported with it selfe in the spirituall world verse 4. Ch. 36. From what the false spirituall persons or Clergy have spoken verse 30. c. Steward Ch. 70. What Josephs Steward signifieth verse 50. Strife Ch. 25. Of the Strife betweene the seede of the Woman and the seede of the Serpent verse 10. c. Ch. 36. Wherefore Men doe strive verse 62 63. Ch. 52. When the Strife in Man is manifested and Christ breaketh the Serpents head verse 31. c. Ch. 60. What the Strife about the Letter is verse 47 48. Ch. 62. VVherefore the Strife in Christendome must be verse 19. Ch. 62. With what strife a true Christian striveth verse 21. c. Ch. 64. How all strife cometh from the Tower of Babell verse 28. Ch. 75. How the time of strife is at an End verse 29 30. Substance Ch. 53. How the Divine Substance giveth it selfe into Nature verse 18. Succoth Ch. 61. The figure of Jacobs going to Succoth verse 72. Sun Ch. 11. From what power the Sun shineth verse 35. Ch. 13. Whence the Sun taketh its Lustre verse 16. Supper Ch. 70. VVhat that Supper is Revelations verse 3. from 44. to the 46. Swearing Ch. 53. What Swearing by God is called verse 9. Sword Ch. 25. Of the Cherubine Angells Sword verse 4. to the 13. Ch. 25. The Originall of the flaming Sword of fire verse 25. T. Teachers Ch. 28. VVhat Teachers the children of this world will have verse 44. Ch. 36. By what a Man shall know whether a Teacher come from God or from the Letter verse 54. c. Ch. 41. How the unfitted Teachers will needs preach the Holy Ghost into the selfe-will verse 46. Temple Ch. 15. What the Temple of God is verse 12. Ch. 36.16 Ch. 52.8 Ch. 27. How the Temple of Christ must be brought along into the Materiall Church of clay verse 49. Temptation Ch. 48. How Man without Gods Grace cannot stand in Temptation verse 2. Testament Ch. 46. VVhat a Man must doe if he would reade and understand the Old Testament verse 29 30. Ch. 46. Wherefore the figures of the Old Testament have