ready to imbitter our way double our crosses aggravate our scandals pervert our purposes and make much sorrowful if not shameful work for Repentance So that the Pilgrim who is in real earnestness had need to pray without ceasing bear his Lord's Cross tho' in anxiety of his own Soul live the life of humble Patience in passing through this so Thorny a path in our comfortless Desert beset with snares pollutions and deaths also to bear with the infirmities of others to shun Evil Influences from them and that the Love of our dear God may sink the price of our own Repute our desire of Ease and of our whole self that God and only God may be at last our all in all in us and over us which the God of Grace and Infinite Compassions assist us in unto the end Q. 175. What will the Holy or Saints and Damned each of them do and leave undone A. 1. The blessed Iacob Behmen's Answer of the 32 Question of the 40 Questions of the Soul sheweth the condition and glory of Souls in the Life to come and the Answer of the 34th of those Questions telleth the miserable horrible Estate of the Damned The Answer of the 167 of these Questions treats of what concerns the Holy Ones and the 168th is of the Wicked as is also the 9th verse of the 166. On this Subject review the 170 Answer 2. Yet without reciting the Reviews something must be added That the Holy Ones being gathered into the Unity do the work of the one in their various measures and having one Will with the Eternal One have a proportion of the Wisdom and Power of the one and in That Wisdom and Power can enter into the Variety and as the Variety is part of the Infinity they have a creaturely prospect and open door into the Infinity 3. And for as much as they are the Image of all the Principles and an exquisite composition of all the Properties therefore when the Resignation of their Will in Jesus Christ translates them into the Kingdom of God what can then withhold it self from them but that all the Properties should operate triumphantly in them Only this is their limit that as their Life is the Holy Kingdom they can skill nothing but the Works of the Principle wherein the Holy Kingdom standeth but yet are comprehensive of all the Principles in the manner of Creature-comprehension according as when the Three in One was the profound Harmony before the speaking forth of the Multiplicity but they cannot see into much less Image in themselves the separate impure divided Properties as neither can the Outward Sun see Darkness tho' the Eye thereof go into every Country because where ever it looks the Darkness disappears so that in the Light the Image of Darkness cannot be impressed tho' the Light can impress its Image on the Darkness and shine in it 4. And seeing the General Assembly of the Lord Jesus Christ the first-born hath the Power Wisdom and Love of the first-born in an Eternal Community as the Natural Body hath the Animal Vital and Nutritive Spirits in an intire Community what then can be too mysterious for them to contemplate for in themselves is the Echo or Pulse beating of every thing World and Existence they can therefore at once as it were diffect every thing and what can be too strong for them to sway who are in Jesus Christ compleatly furnishâ— with ability for working the works of God which is the highest Good the most excellent Creature is capable to do or to will 5. Now to tell what the Damned do and leave undone is unfolded by knowing 1. The Principle in which they are comprehended 2. Themselves 3. By knowing and considering God 1. The Principle they are shut up in is the first the strong might of the dark Abyss consisting of the fierceness of the four Anguishes they are everlastingly under those Adamantine Chains and must needs leave undone those things which are out of the reach of that Chain And it may be understood thus there are Lands and Seas near both Poles where the extremity of condensed cold arrests the Seas and they are an Icy Rock and the Lands and Mountains are bound by Stone-cleaving Frosts and under a Region of Snow so that Sea and Land are in a fixt Barren inactivity and while continued darkness dwells on it the Principle of the dark Abyss as sever'd from the other Principles is in part figur'd by it 6. 2. By considering the Damned themselves they are as utterly unable to enkindle the least glance of Divine Light in them as the Icy Seas and Mountains of dark Frost are to create to themselves another Sun and Fructifie to the production of the Rich Vertues and Ornaments of Eden the Garden of God 7. 3. By considering the Holy God from whom as he is the Infinite Goodness the One Gracious Will and Abyss of Love they have rent themselves and become dead to his Divine Life and at the same instant are become alive to his Wrath As one awaking to rage and fury dies to patience and meekness hereby they become a sweet savour to the hunger of that anger as it is written upon the wicked it shall Rain Snares Fire Brimstone and an horrible Tempest for the Righteous God loveth Righteousness The rise progress and perpetuity of the fierceness of Gods Wrath tho' an Eternal Principle is yet Gods strange Work and is their only Work wholly their Life tho' a dying one their Centre and home tho' a horrid one 8. All they think is confusion and distracting Anguish all they do is the outward Expressions of their inward fierce Impressions they are resisting the Infinite Power of Omnipotence and in their fixt Enmity against the Gracious Holy Love of God are united and become one with the Devils in the Principle of Gods devouring Fire and consuming Fierceness As Molten Glass hath one will with the Fire to scorch and burn as it And tho' Damned Humane Creatures and Devils are one with themselves and one with in or under the Principle of the wrath of God it is not with them as with Molten Metal which by the action of the Fire are made conforming Passives and all the contrariety hereunto evaporated separated or transformed into it for Man was Imaged in a Divine Pure Paradisical Principle with all the three Principles powerfully fixt For the Creator willed not to lose the end of his Creation having given him a Soul rooted in the Eternal Band of the forms of the first Principle a Spirit out of the Eternal Substance of the Light a Tincture out of the Spiritual World and a Body out of the Eternal Nature whereof the Astral Heavens are a figure So that his second Principle is not volatiâ—e or evaporable tho' capable of being darkened nor his third Principle so to be separated as to be annihilable tho' Mortal for a time therefore the fiery Property of the Soul is such as subsisteth
in the Body of Christ holdeth the Anger together with all Devils Eternal Prisoners as Darkness stands shut up before the Eternal Day CHAP. XXVI Pentecost The sending of the Holy Ghost 1. ON the seventh Day after Moses ascended the Mount was he call'd and the Lord spake with him And Christ when he was ascended into his Throne was on the ninth Day glorify'd and the Holy Ghost went forth from the Centre of the Trinity into the whole Holy Element also opened the Doors of the great Wonders 2. So that the Apostles spake with the Languages of all Nations for the Holy Ghost went out of all Essences and filled the Essences of all Men who had but an earnest desire to it 3. And the hard palpable Body of Christ was received into the Holy Ternary only the source of this World was destroy'd in Death And though he be swallow'd up as to our sight and apprehension yet shall he come again at the last Judgment Day and manifest himself in that same very Body to good and bad CHAP. XXVII Of the Last Judgment 1. AT the time before the Fire of Nature causeth every thing to dissolve melt and pass into its Aether cometh the Judge of the Living and Dead and with him the Angelical World Then all not comprehended in the Body of Christ shall howl tremble yell roar blaspheme gnaw their Tongues and would hide themselves in Holes and Caves from the Terror of the Lord. They Curse the Heavens Constellations and Stars that inclined and drew them to Evil they Curse the Earth that bare them and buried them not sooner They Curse their Parents that brought them up and had not strangled them They Curse their Priests that flattered and misled them They Curse their Superiors whose Cruelty and Evil Example influenced them They Curse their ungodly Associates that accompanied them The Tears of those they had oppressed like fiery Serpents sting them Their abused Authority Wealth and Might stand in the Tincture in the Substance of Eternity 2. The Devils also stand trembling they see how every Fire burneth in its own life in themselves they feel the Hellish Fire in the fierce Wrath. 3. The Angelical World in the Light Lustre and Brightness is as the Sun in Triumphant Hallelujahs 4. The Angelical Quire of Holy Men stand there before the Eyes of them that Murther'd Opprest and Reproacht them for the Truths sake whose Guilt like Mountains of Lead holds them down and Speechless 5. And then the King calls and enthrones all his Members And pronounceth that formidable and irrevocable Sentence on the Wicked that they depart from him c. 6. At the Moment of Departing pass away the Heavens Sun Moon Stars Earth and Elements and time shall be no more 7. Nor can the Holy Principle touch the other any more to Eternity nor conceive a Thought of the other The Parents of their wicked Offspring or Children of their wicked Parents or Relations but Eternal Joy fills surrounds and Crowns them See more in the Answer of the 30th of the 40 Questions AN APPENDIX OR THE Threefold Life in Man I. The Life of the Spirit of this World II. Of the Life of the Originality of all Essences III. Of the Regeneration and Paradisical Life 1. BY the Ternarius Sanctus in the Aurora and the three Principles is not meant Holy Earth but the Holy Body out of the Vertue of the Trinity and properly of the Gate of God the Father whence all things proceed as of one only substance 2. For in the Creation proceeds from one only Fountain good and evil life and death joy and sorrow love and hate appearing in all things especially in Man 3. So find we the Threefold Life in Man in the Gate of God the Father See we also how joy is turn'd into sorrow and again joy return'd and by the prevalence of either a substance is made according to which the Mind commanding the Thoughts and collecting them sets the Hands Mouth Feet c. to obey what the Mind willeth and though all the forms of Nature are in Man yet that which is predominant causeth all other to lye as if dead and become as a nothing 4. There are especially three forms in the Mind all superior to the outward for the Mind is anxiously desirous and can see feel smell taste and hear what the outward Senses know not 5 And if the Divine form be Paramount it is in God and the other two are as half dead 6. But the Mind can raise the Spirit of this World of Covetousness Pride c. which instantly openeth the first form out of the Eternal Indissoluble Band in falshood envy malice c. To whom therefore you yield your selves Servants his you are whether of Sin or Righteousness 7. This Life is the sowing and growing time and in the time of this Elementary Life the mind may open which of the three Principles it will but at the dissolution of the Body the Mind standeth in one only Principle having lost the Key of the other two for when the stalk is cut it is no longer a Plant but a Fruit and can stand no longer nor open no other Principle but be Eternally in that which he here kindled 8. But if God hath regenerated us to enter through the Death of Christ into his Life then hath our Immanuel who abâ—sed himself to enter into our Humanity exalted us to enter into the Holy Flesh and Image Adam lost which is out of the pure Element And then the Trinity worketh really in us and we stand in the Life Body and Property of Christ and our new Man standeth in that out of which Heaven and Paradise is generated and the Earthy Man doth but hang to it 9. Put on therefore a true earnest purpose desire and resolution which is Repentance and the Regenerator is ready deep in the Mind in the Light of Life to help the earnest Wrestler and so soweth himself as a Grain of Mustard-seed or as a Root to a new Creature and if the Souls earnestness be great the earnestness in the Regenerator is also great 10. But this is known by them only that feel and experiment how the Regenerator changeth the proud fierceness into humble Love for the new Man is not of this World but hidden in the old For the true knowledge of God is in no Man till he be Regenerate 11. Christ gave not the Flesh and Blood of his Creatures to his Disciples but the Body of the pure Element wherein God dwelleth and is present every where in all Creatures but comprized in another Principle to eat and drink under Earthy Bread and Wine And as the outward Man is Baptized of the Elemenâ—ary Water so is the new Man with the pure Element which appeareth only in the second Principle 12. No Reader understandeth this Author rightly unless he be Born of God it is not folded up in an Historical Art But as Earthy Eyes cannot see God so neither can a
Essences in the Centre of the Eternal Band so in the new Birth may be seen the dark and holy Worlds as that whereout the new Man is Born Even as the Word in the Father and the Spirit which goeth forth from the power is the life of the Deity The Eternal Will is the Creator and the Father is the Being of the Will and the Essences caused by the Will There are two Wills causing two Principles in one Being but the first is not called God but Nature or Essence the second Will is the beginning and end making Nature or Essence manifest 2. The first Will being an Eternal desire to Generate the Word can be called only the desiring in the Will which with a strong eagerness contracteth narrowness to be the manifester of wideness which attraction is thicker than the Will and as its darkness and in the Egress of the desiring are the Essences viz. a sting of sensibility which the desiring cannot endure therefore rageth so much the more into such Enmity as is betwixt Heat and Cold and this Impetuosity causeth Mobility Terror and Anguish moving upwards where being restrained it stirs Circular whence come Multiplicity and tho' without feeling being meer Spirit and Forms of Nature yet so terribly raving that it buildeth and destroyeth as Life and Death and here is the Sulphur Mercury and Salt of high-knowing ancient Philosophers 3. Two Forms sharp cold and bitter stinging make the Wheel of the Essences which two are in terrible Anguishes without the other Forms generated out of them for the sharp sourness is like hard Stones and the sting of the attracting breaketh them which is rightly called Phur which would hold the Will in the Darkness which cannot be captivated being incomprehensible and is the flash of the sting And the bitter sting dissipateth the darkness of the Astringency as the flash ariseth from a stroke on a sharp Flint the bitter sting extreamly sharpeneth it self consuming the darkness even so the Fathers sharpness is a consuming Fire being the liberty which is free from Nature as much as the Mind is above the Sences and when the sourness hath captivated the liberty the fourth form is generated and the crack of the flash is the third Form making the sour Anguish or Brimstone Spirit For if the sourness sharpeneth extremely it is the proper limit of Eternal Death the Brimstone Spirit is the Soul of the four Forms having the Fire in it and would enkindle Nature and fly above it in a horrible power as may be considered in the Devils 4. Sul in Sulphur is the Soul in an Herb it is the Oyl not originating in the Centre as Phur doth but is generated after the flash even as all the four Forms in this third Principle are by the Suns vertue in a great degree moderated and made amiable in like manner doth the second Principle enlighten the Centre of the four Forms in the Holy Angels making them lovely and pleasant Mercurius comprizeth all the four Forms and Sal is the greatest in corporeal things The four Forms are the cause of all things making the Wheel of the Essences and every Essence which are themselves innumerable is again a Centre so that the power of God is unsearchable 5. The Fall of the Devils was their extinguishing in themselves the Light of the Heart of God wherefore they are shut up in the anxious four Forms Man fell from that Light also into that of this World Who if he enters not again into the Light of God when this Body breaketh he is in the first Birth of Life with the Devils yet both would climb up above Heaven but cannot feel or see that Principle like as we Men with our outward Eyes cannot see God who is always present nor the Angels who are very often with us except we put our earnest Will into God then we see and feel him with the Mind So also if we go with our Will inâ—o wickedness we receive the Hellish Principle and the Devil takes fast hold of our Heart Whereof the Soul is so sensible that often in desperation they destroy themselves by the Sword Ropes or Water 6. Tho' the Hellish Creatures have but four Forms manifest to them yet can they turn themselves into all Forms as infinitely as Mens thoughts except the holy Forms The Fire is their right Life and the sour Astringency of the darkness their right Food 7. The first Eternal Will is the Father and Eternally generateth the Word his Son who is the Heart of the first Will having in him the vertue and power of the first Will and a several Centre in it self The Father expresseth all things by the Son and whatever is expressed by the Spirit and Power of the Father in the word is in a Spiritual manner for what is formed out of the Eternal is Spirit and Eternal as Angels and Souls of Men are And tho' the four Forms keep their own Centre yet out of them cometh the Light and in the Light the Love which shineth in the darkness but the darkness comprehendeth it not The Father is in himself the light clear bright Eternity yet without a Name for if the Eternal Liberty did not generate there would be no Father but seeing he doth generate the Band of Nature he manifesteth himself therewith with his fiery sharpness an angry Zealous or Jealous God and Consuming Fire out of which presseth forth the Meekness as a sprout out of Death turning Enmity into Love CHAP. III. Is concerning the Sixth and Seventh Forms 1. THE generating of the Love is in the sixth Form viz. Mercury the sound Tone or Song as also the five Senses The Son of God is rightly the Flame of Love who created the Angelical World out of himself whence goeth out the Virgin of the Eternal Wisdom of God by which God created this World out of the first Principle and that which goeth forth with or out of the Love is the Holy Spirit of the Word this together is the Trinity in Unity But as in the wrath there is a striving contrary Will here is an Embracing 2. The sourness retaineth its strength in the sharpness of Love but it is very soft and the sixth Form makes Voices Tunes and Sounds so that the Essences hear one another and in the Assimilation taste one another in the breaking through of their Power feel one another in the desirous Love smell one another and in the Light see one another The six Forms are the six Seals of God what in the dark Centre is a poysonous Woe and Anguish is in this the exalted Joy and Triumph a satiating of the first Will which is call'd Father for the Son is the Word the Brightness the Power the Love the Life the Wonder of God he is the Essence which manifesteth every Essence Concerning the seventh Form of the Eternal Nature The revealed Gate of the Essence of all Essences 3. The time of this World from the beginning to the end
is the seventh Form or Seal of the Eternal Nature wherein the six Seals disclose themselves And natural Wisdom instead of finding the Heart of God by humble resignation hath found the Wonders of this World by Thunders Voices and Strife for when after the Apostles times Men left Love and Meekness and fell to Pomp and Pride the Golden Candlesticks and seven Stars withdrew and were hid and all became seven Seals The Glassy Sea is the Angelical World The Voices of the seven Thunders would be hid proceeding out of the stern Essences did we not put our Imagination into them and open them in us So that only the Lamb excepted none in Heaven nor Earth were worthy to open the Seals nor look thereon we were shut up by them under Death Darkness which only the Light in the Heart of God could open for Man was become an abominable Beast a Dragon with seven Heads and ten Horns and ten Crowns on the ten Horns this Beast the hypocritical Woman rideth on is this the Ass Christ humbly rode on 4. It is hellish Pride and worldly Pomp on which the Woman of seeming Holiness rideth she pretendeth to the Keys of Heaven and makes Laws Decrees and Canons yet knoweth not the New Birth He only that is born of God in his inclined heart the Seals are opened But when and wheresoever the Lamb openeth the seventh Seal then and there the Whore the Beast and Dragon are cast into the Lake of Fire then doth the good Shepherd lead his Flock into green Pastures then they that mark hearken incline the heart mind and thoughts coming humbly with broken hearts are met and embraced in them Christ is born they have him in the Baptism Supper and hearing of the Divine Word in all places for the Holy Ghost satisfieth the longing of the contrite spirit CHAP. V. Of the Seventh Form of Nature the Corporeity 1. COrporeity subsisteth in the 7th Form of Nature and as all the other six Forms are a hunger and longing desire to each other so are all their desires to the seventh to have a Body or Rest and the desire of the Essences is to preserve and sustain the Body The whole Essence of all Essences is a continued hunger of propagating from its fulness so that when one Form attaineth the other a third riseth yet the two former vanish not but all keep one in the other their own respective Powers and so of the rest And tho' the still Eternity is the only true Rest yet is the seventh Form a substantial Body of Rest whereinto the six diffuse their vertues and the same seventh Form standeth and is the comprehensible Body of Darkness and Light 2. The sharp Fire in the Liberty holdeth its right and the anguish whence the Fire ariseth sinking as a death affordeth matter and weight as in my self I see the Fire the cause of feeling in the dead Corporeity which else in the anguish sinketh into weight and is burthensom as a stifling Now what as Fire ascendeth not or as weight sinketh not in death doth as anguish remain neither uppermost nor lowermost which as the begun anguish is the Centre of both and not getting up nor down presseth side-ways like the lower Branches of a growing Tree 3. The Deity longed to see the Wonders in the Eternal Nature and Innumerable Essences yet created all for the Light not for the Darkness for the Tincture is awakened in the Centre in the death of the Earth which is the life of all Gems Minerals Vegetatives and Animals And in the deep the Sun having the Tincture of the Fire is the Father and Life of all the Stars who in the beginning proceeded from its Centre not that they all sprang from them for as the Sun is the Centre of the uppermost in the Liberty so is Saturn or the Earth of the lowermost in death yet is there no dying but a transmutation for neither doth this World die but the Essences change to be what they were not and remain as figures for ever to the glory of God's works And if the gross Visibles were not created to the Darkness how much less the Spirits which are out of the Eternal Mind and therefore Eternal like as our Mind hath diversity of innumerable thoughts and those thoughts essentially potent when exalted as in that of a Woman with Child whose thoughts can magically impress foreign preternatural substances as well as heterogene incongruous figures on the fruit of her womb 4. When God willed the Fiat viz. the creating the Eternal Essences or Powers which flowed into substance which Eternal Essences before went forth without substance then time hads its beginning But the Holy Will still proceeded with the Powers into the love and delight in meekness contrariwise Lucifer's direful Fall was his delight of turning back his will to domineer in the Tincture of the Fire root his motion to which was the forms of the Genitrix before enkindling of the Light as sour bitter dark tart stinging envious for in the fourth form stands Love and Anger in opposition being the middle form of the seven having three drawing one way and the other three drawing the other Lucifer therefore was drawn of both but that the Root forms prevailed was because he saw the Divine or Second Birth proceed out of the Centre and himself standing in the Essences of the Nature of Eternity the great Fountain he therefore despised the Humility whereof Love and Light are the Off-spring and would rule over it and so was cast out of the uppermost Life into the nethermost Death and Darkness for he was offended to see the greatest Mysteries to stand in the greatest lowliness 5. The attaining the Divine Light consisteth in a fixt resolution wrought in us of Humility wherein the Love is generated But all Laws and Devices to attain it are fabulous and as the making costly works wherein the Artificer pleaseth only himself with things wholly unprofitable reaching no higher than imitation of useful things like also as there are many Spirits Aerial Aquastrish Terrestrial and in the Anguish which are not out of the Eternal Well-spring but from the beginning Will generated by the Tincture of Heaven in Nature which mutable at their time leaving only their shadow to manifest the wonders of God And from Eternity there hath been such a Government where the knowledge was only in God but at the coming out of the Angelical World an Intellect was also in the Creatures The Gate into the Holy Trinity 6. In no Creature in Heaven or this World stand the three Principles open as in Man The first Principle or Father tho' he standeth in the Liberty Eternal Stilness is not call'd Father as such but as he is the desiring Thus the Mind of a Man being one only Will is desiring yet therein out of the Eternal Will are innumerable Wills the first Will is Master and the other are recomprehended leading to Light and Darkness to Joy
by Eternal Generation standing in the Majesty of the Sacred Trinity and in the Body of Mary equally alike at Once Q. 37. What the Spirit of Christ is which was Obedient and which he commended into his Fathers Hands A. 1. This is that great Jewel that Pearl Matth. 13. 46. The Philosopher's Stone and shining Sun not so noble The Heavenly and Earthy Mystery is in it Nothing in this World is like it but the mean Simplicity which standeth still and awakeneth not the Turba in such a Spirit is this Jewel hid as the Gold in the Stone 2. The Soul is the Original of Life as a Fire of God which should be turned into God's Eternal Will in the Magick seeking of which Will the Soul is originated and wherein lyeth the Deity with all the three Principles 3. And out of the Soul's Fire the Light is generated by blowing it self up by which it is its own Life and in the Lights Meekness is the Noble Tincture with two Forms one red of the Fire the other thin of the Water which generate the Life And in the Exit or going forth of that Power and Vertue which is free from the Fire is the Light of Life or true Spirit wherein is the Virgin the Image of God In this Spirit lye the Thoughts and Understanding and if it casteth away its own Soul's Fire Pomp and Wit it attains God's Image God's Body For it is so subtil that it Uniteth it self with God for it can and may enter into God And because this Spirit originateth out of the Fire-life and the Fire-life in the Abyss standeth in the quality of the Anger of God therefore Christ commended not this his Spirit into the fiery Life but into his Father's hands viz. into his Love-desire wherewith he reacheth after our Spirits when we enter into God 4. Thus is shewed what Christ's Spirit is and what our Spirit is viz. not the Soul it self but its Life's Spirit In the Trinity the Son hath the Spirit proceeding out of his Heart and Mouth the Heart is the flame of Love which meekneth the Father's Anger so is it in Man and no otherwise in one Syllable Q. 38. What are to be done at the End of the World A. Future things are to be answered only in a Magical manner or by way of Similitude because the future Wonders are all seen in the Turba And concerning this Question there is enough spoken in the Answers of the former Questions Q. 39. What and where Paradise is with its Inhabitants A. It is explained in the Enochian Life that Paradise is not altered only withdrawn from our source or quality if our Eyes were opened we should see it Nay God is with us only we have lost the Quality and Fruit of Paradise as the Devil hath lost God For Adam would eat of the Earthy Fruit whereby he got an Earthy Life and secluded himself the Garden where heavenly Fruit groweth Q. 40. Whether Paradise is alterable and what shall de afterwards A. 1. As little as God is alterable so little is Paradise When the outward Dominion shall pass away then shall in the place of this World be pure Paradise an Earth of heavenly substantiality No Night Heat Frost Old-Age Sickness Fear Sorrow Death nor Superiour but Christ in one Communion with the Angels then will the Tabernacle of God be with Men. 2. This Earth will be a Christalline Sea where God's lustre will be the Light It will be a Holy Priestly Life all speaking of God's Wisdom and Infinite Wonders all Fruits will grow to us according to our wish it will be a Life of meer Love and Delight for to this end hath God manifested himself in the created Images of Angels and Men that he might rejoyce himself in his Life's Essences Eternally Hallelujah This was the Author's Fourth Book Written Anno 1620. THE FIFTH BOOK Of the AUTHOR Jacob Behmen Consisting of Three PARTS Viz. First The Incarnation or becoming Man of Jesus Christ. The second Part is Of Christs Suffering Dying Death and Resurrection The third Part is Of the Tree of Christian Faith 1. TO the right knowing Christs Incarnation the Knowledge how Adam was and whereof made much importeth 2. Adam was made out of all the three Principles God the Fathers Property compared to Fire The Sons Property compared to Light The Spirits Property to the Wind or Air the out-birth proceeding from both God according to the first Principle is not called God but a consuming Fire 3. The Father is the Eternal Will the son the Eternal Meekness and the Impregnator the Spirit the Eternal Life 4. The Trinity Created the one holy Element called Centre of Nature Divine substantiality the substantiality of the Light Paradise the Mother of a giving Power Meekness and Substance to all Forms 5. Out of this one holy Element were made Angels and Men. Only Man was made not only of the one holy Element but as to the out-birth of the four Elements also over which he was to rule both Stars Elements and Creatures by his Power given him out of that one holy Element 6. Adam's Body was Paradisical Holy and of Power to penetrate Stone or Earth Immortal yet real Flesh and Blood but Holy and Heavenly He was both a Masculine and Feminine Virgin and was to propagate Magically for both the Tinctures were in him and to eat only Paradisical Food which needed neither Guts not Bestial Draught c. 7. But Adam did not continue so for the four Elements gaining Power over the one holy potent Element by which they were to have been governed he slept for he was not able to continue in the state wherein he was created so God divided the Tinctures and form'd of the Feminine a Woman giving her the half Cross in the head and to them the Members of distinction and propagation yet still in Paradise 8. And Eve being tempted by the Serpent tho' the Law of God was explained to her by her Husband fell and drew him also 9. But God had incorporated the Virgin of Wisdom in them which viz. the Eternal Virginity in the Covenant of Promise hath lain shut up in the Virgin Mary and in all Adam's Children in every Man's Light of Life wanting only this that the Soul's Spirit give it self up thereinto and in that Soul-Spirit God becometh generated again CHAP. VIII 1. FOR Christ is not become Man in the Virgin Mary only so that the Divine Substantiality did sit bolted up therein no the Divine Substantiality in the Water of Eternal Life entred into and became flesh and blood It made Heavenly Tincture and Divine Magia 2. So that we may say when with our imagination we enter into God that we enter into God's flesh and blood for the Word became Man and God is the Word 3. This takes not away the Creature of Christ We liken the Creature of Christ which is indeed a Body to the Sun which enlighteneth the whole
Sins of the Parents and Ancestors come Thistle Children and there lieth the hardening CHAP. VIII v. 115. EVery Child is generated out of the Properties of the Seed of the Parents and like them tho' often the Constellations alter in the Configuration with Authority and Power It is objected How can the Child help it It is answered The Child and the Parents are one Tree When did the Sun alter a branch on a sour Crab-tree so that it became sweet and should God go quite contrary to the predestinate purpose of his out-spoken or expressed word for a Thiâ—tles sake v. 177. The Will to partition existeth in the Ens to the Creature and the Will to the Holy Life existeth out of God in Christ. See chap. 10. v. 110 129 to 135 145 151 153. also chap. 11 130. to the end And chap. 13. per tot especially the 15th v. to the 40th After all which followeth an excellent Appendix of Repentance And lastly the Clavis See more concerning Free Will c. in the Mysterium Magnum Chap. 26. This being the Author's 16th Book was written Anno 1623. BAPTISM AND THE Lord's Supper The first Part being of Baptism CHAP. I. First Book of Baptism 1. THAT Christ's communication of himself to the Soul by his Testaments is not in an Image-like way as the reason of one part of men judgeth nor are the Testaments only Signs and Symbols to keep what he hath done for us in lively remembrance as others dispute 2. But the Inward World being Paradise whence sprung the Outward World Christ filleth and ruleth visibly and the Outward invisibly and penetrateth the faithful Soul as Fire doth Iron or the Sun doth the Plant which it nourisheth and matureth till it becomes wholly solar and the Fruit ripe and tender yet is not the Sun rent or any part broken off but the power of the Sun dwelleth in the Plant. CHAP. II. 1. MAN's Fall was the breaking its desire from the Love and Meekness of God into its own which became a wrathful fiery Soul whence the Eternal Darkness existed so that it wanted for remedy the Spiritual Oyl and Water wherein Divine Love and Meekness might flow into it again and make all a Love-flame 2. To this flowing in again there must be a Medium Subject or Antitype whereby the Human Faith might receive Divine Vertue and kindle the Light which Medium was the Circumcision and Sacrifices Baptism and the Supper for God did set in the Human Heavenly Being perished in Adam his new Grace Covenant 3. So that the holy Sacrificers before the Floud did see the Soul sacrificed in the Fire of God's Wrath and through that in spoken Covenant changed into a Love-fire the false will being burnt and dying and a new-born Child of Meekness in the Light was apparent as Light severeth from Smoke and how the Soul through Christ's death would give up it self and be changed into an Angel But this was not common Fire 4. But when Mens vanity prevailed with the Souls false Fire over the holy Fire the Floud the Type of Baptism and God's Meekness overthrew them to shew what the holy Water of Eternal Life would do And then was renewed the Covenant with Abraham and Isaac by Circumcision on that same Member to shew the unclean bestial Birth should be cut off from the Virginity Adam had and should have stood in CHAP. III. 1. ALL the three Worlds Properties or three Principles in Man needed Baptism viz. The first which is the Eternal Nature whence sprung the true Eternal Soul Secondly The heavenly Ens which was vanished in Adam that holy Lights Power the true Eternal Spirit Thirdly The Outward Worlds substance the Astral Soul with its Body out of the Limus of the Earth standing in the four Elements and therefore the great holy Fire of Love manifested in the Humanity of Christ must baptize this our threefold Humanity that each Principle might be baptized with its like viz. 2. The Fathers holy Fire The Sons holy Light The holy Spirits Life 3. The first is the sound to continual Repentance a concussion and trembling with Fire wherein is seen the bitterness of sin and sufferings and death of Jesus Christ. And when the Self-will is shaken through Repentance then the holy Oyl of Love penetrateth and by the anointing of Love healeth those wounds 4. And the Holy Ghost manageth the Office baptizing with a new Life 5. But Man's third Principle the right Adamical Man out of the four Elements is baptized with the Outward Worlds substance the Water 6. By the aforesaid Adamical Man is meant the Spiritus Mundi viz. the right Astral Soul which at the last day shall come again and be tryed 7. Note Man hath an immortal Soul and a mortal Soul viz. the Astral but it was Christ's heavenly Blood that fell with the other which made the Earth tremble 8. He that is himself baptized with the holy Anointing hath Faith which may enable him to baptize else he effecteth nothing but is as the Font-stone but to the believing Parents Child the work is not wholly powerless for the sake of the unworthy hand for if Parents have put on the Anointing why not their Children whom they generate out of the Property of their Seed The Lord's Supper Part II. CHAP. II. 1. THE Soul is the Fathers Fire The holy Love-fire of the Divine Ens heavenly Flesh and Power in the Light being Christ's substance tinctureth he Soul with the Tincture of supernatural glance and life 2. As sweet Oyl put into common dark Fire ariseth into a Light so is Christ received by the mouth of Faith become the Light of the World by kindling again the vanished heavenly Ens of Adam and shining in the unlocked Paradisical ground which is the City of God where the Holy Ghost dwelleth in Man of which Christ saith Joh. 6. 56. He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood continueth in me and I in him which is a real and substantial eating and drinking Christ's heavenly Flesh and Blood 3. The Holy Flesh and Blood is taken into the Soul which cometh freely as the Sun doth into Water which retaineth its heat and light or as Fire penetrateth Iron and gives it heat and light 4. Also 't is the whole Christ as they did eat the whole Paschal Lamb. 5. The Bread and Wine is the Medium in which the Heavenly Humanity of Christ meets the unlocked awakened Word of Promise and Grace Covenant which is hid in Man 6. By the Bread and Wine said here to be the Medium is not meant the gross Elements of Bread and Wine but the Tincture or Quintessence whence cometh or groweth Bread and Wine Chap. 3. ver 24. CHAP. III. How the Disciples of Christ did Eat and Drink Christs Flesh and Blood 1. NOT the palpable Fleshly Humanity but the Spiritual Humanity the Virtue and Power of his Body and Blood his own Mumia in which was the Divine and Humane Power
is also written God sware by two Immutable things in which it was impossible for God to lye And because he could Swear by no greater he Sware by himself That Blessing he would Bless Abraham And Curse him that Cursed Abraham Here are two Principles clearly express'd and both called Immutable The one Wrath and Fury and a consuming Fire The other Love Meekness and Light ineffable Had Man stood in his Primitive State totally resigned to the Divine Love he had not known the Principle of Wrath but it had remained more hidden than the bitterness of the Root is in the most pleasant Fruit. But when Man was fallen into the state of Evil and Good the Infinite Love of God descends in order to restore him and then sets before him Blessings on the one hand and Cursings on the other These great Truths are at large treated of and explained and by them we are Taught what Use and Improvement to make thereof How can we tell what God's Mercy is till we come to know him that is Merciful And what Christ's Merits are till we know Christ in us and him Crucified For if we content our selves with an Historical Knowledge it is to be feared it will be attended with an Hypocritical Obedience The Law that all true Christians ought to square their Actions by is the New Commandment else they are not known to be Christ's Disciples All those worthy Instruments that have Taught or Writ from the Holy Aointing directed their Hearers or Readers to him that is the true Teacher that they might receive their Knowledge from the same Root with themselves And then unto such they wanted no Epistle of Recommendation they being their Epistle written with the Spirit of the Living God not in Tables of Stone but in the fleshly Tables of the Heart known and read of all Men. To such the Language of the Scriptures comes to be more clear and can discern the Correction Instruction and Comfort held forth in them and how they are able to furnish the Man of God to every good Work Also why there is no Ability in them to furnish any man else but as they Convert and become new Men. The great Affair of Man's Happiness depending upon the Conversion of his Will for as the first Man by turning his Will from God into this World from the Unity and Harmony he at first was placed in and so was truly Honourable into Multiplicity Selfhood Lust and Enmity thereby became an abominate to God's Holiness attracting a Bestial Body and a Mind darkned Ignorant and Estranged from God It is real Resignation that brings a Death upon Self-hood and that must continually be performed that the Enmity being mortified the resigned Will may become an Instrument in God's Hand to be agitated thereby for his Servants we are whom we yield Obedience unto Here ariseth the strife and warfare in Man The Corrupt Will in Self-hood accounts it folly and madness to submit to Death when the Pleasures and Voluptuousness of this VVorld might be lived in and injoyed But the resigned sees that as at first it precipitated Man from that Happy state in which he was placed so the tendency and end thereof is to fill us with Eternal sorrow and misery Thus it is to become Fools that we may be made VVise and Poor that we may be made Rich as having Nothing yet possessing all things This is the State which Reason's splendid Schools Do nominate the Paradise of Fools Whatever specious Pretences to Religion may be made by any though very fair and beautiful to shew where this corrupt Will in Self-hood is unmortified and the Path of Resignation not trod that Religion is vain deceitful and destructive As the Prophet Isaiah declared in the Name of the Lord For as much as this people draw near me with their Mouth and with their Lips do honour me but have removed their Heart far from me and their fear towards me is taught by the Precepts of Men Therefore the Wisdom of their Wisemen shall perish and the Understanding of their Prudent Men shall be hid Our Saviour reciting this place of the Prophet saith But in vain do they Worship me teaching for Doctrines the Commandments of Men. The Wisdom of this World which is Foolishness with God existing in the perverted Will of Man which hath broken it self off from God and stands upon its own bottom by this Wisdom the World neither can know or worship God The Wisdom of God in his Servants stands in an humble Resignation of themselves to the Divine Love in order to a Regeneration of their Wills which is not effected but by slaying this opposite Will in which stands the Enmity in order to know a new Life generated and as long as Truth and Error Light and Darkness are in this World so long must and will this Warfare be continued happy is he that goes off a Conqueror for his Garland or Crown is sure to him And as the World by Wisdom knew not God so hath it fared likewise in respect to the inquiries made concerning Nature From hence it is the Apostle Paul gives a caution To beware lest any Man should spoil them through Philosophy and vain Deceit after the Tradition of Men after the Rudiments of this World and not after Christ. An empty and vain Philosophy hath been introduced and kept up in the World by Men of corrupt minds estranged from God and therefore ignorant of Nature For it is as impossible truely to know Nature separate and removed from God as it is to know God in the Wisdom of this World or truely to worship him with a Heart removed far from him What hopes was left after the miserable Fall of Man when God cursed the Earth for Mans sake but only the Descent of God or the Incarnation of Jesus Christ that inspoken Word of Life in order to a happy Restoration and Renovation For as all things were made by this Eternal Word so all things are upheld by it This is the Healer of our Wounds and Repairer of our Breaches This Word is declared by Moses and by the Apostle Paul to be near us even in our Hearts and in our Mouths that we need not say Who shall ascend into Heaven or descend into the Deep to fetch it This was the Rock in the Wilderness This is the Stone of Fire in Ezekiel The Stone with seven Eyes upon it in Zechariah The White Stone with the New Name in the Revelation This is the Salt which we ought to have in our selves This is the Water and Spirit whereof we must be Born again King Solomon was indued with great Wisdom and may properly be said to have been an Eminent Philosopher take his Description of Wisdom and where it is to be found She is the Breath of the Power of God and a pure influence flowing from the Glory of the Almighty Therefore can no defiled thing fall into her And being but one
viz. the Wisdom of God the Tincture of the Light Source the original quality or essential property to Love and Anger Light and Darkness both according to time and Eternity Ternarius or number three in the Language of Nature the Divine Birth in the six Forms of Nature which are the six Seals of God Ternary call'd Ternarium Sanctum holy Flesh or holy Substance or Corporizing of Angels and holy Souls Tincture is in Angels and Glorified Saints the Virgin Love-fire In Man that which Adam's Fall caused almost wholly to disappear In Vegetables Animals and Minerals their Vertue Vitality or Life Spirit and Power Turba is taken for a fierce Wrath-fire which destroyeth a corruptible Body Sometimes for horrid Tempests or Hellish Blasts general Contagions awakened by common Sins call'd Turba Magna Sometimes for the Eternal Wrath-fire which swalloweth up an Evil Spirit without a Body and may be called Turba Maxima I. The seven 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 not Extracted out of the Mysterium Magnum but Transcribed page 22. Love Anger 1. Astringent Desire Heavenly Hellish Hardness Cold Covetousness Earthly Kingdom World Cold Hardness Bone Salt 2. Attraction or Compunction of Sense Compunction Envy Poyson Life Growth Sences 3. Anguish or Mind Enmity Sulphur Perceivance Pain 4. Fire or Spirit Pride Anger Spirit Reason Desire 5. Light or Love desire Love-fire Meekness Venus-sport Lifes Light 6. Sound or Understanding Divine Joy Speaking Crying Distinguishing 7. Body or Effence Heaven Body Wood Stone Earth Metal Herb. This was received from the Author Jacob Behmen in such a Form by Abraham Van Somerveldt II. The Ten Forms of Fire Extracted out of the Answer of the First of the Forty Questions of the Soul THE Eternal Liberty having and being in it self the Will Signified by Sem. The being Desirous Signified by Arphaxad The sharp drawing causing the Opposite Will Signified by Salah The Flash of Lightning caused by the Liberty and causing the Anguish By Eber. The Eternal Nature or great Mystery whence the two Kingdoms proceed Signified by Peleg The two Principles of Fire and Light Regu The Magia making its own Looking glass as Life is of Fire and Water By Serug The Turba that breaketh the outward Life Strength and Omnipotence Nahor The Virgin Tincture Love-fire Life of Angels and Holy Souls Signified by Terah The Entrance into the Holy Ternary Corporising of Angels and Holy Souls III. The Three Principles are THE Spring or Fountain of Darkness The Vertue or Power of Light The Outbirth generated out of the Darkness by the Power of the Light Represented by Similitudes viz. 1. Man's Soul giving Reason and Thoughts signifieth the Father 2. The Light shewing the Power of the Soul and how to direct it representeth the Son 3. The Mind resulting from this Light and governing the Body resembleth the Holy Ghost 1. The Darkness in us which longeth after the Light is the First Principle 2. The Vertue of the Light whereby we see Intellectually is the Second Principle 3. The longing Power proceeding from the Mind and that attracteth or impregnateth it self whence groweth the Material Body is the Third Principle There is an inclosure knot or stop between each Principle See Chap. 7. of the Book call'd The Three Principles Vers. 21 22 23. A Preface to the Book of Extracts AND The following Considerations by way of Enquiry into part of the Scope of the Writings of Jacob Behmen THE Extracts of the Aurora was intended for the particular use of one only without his purpose of proceeding farther in the other Books or imparting that as can hardly escape any ones observation And tho' more be done than was at first designed yet oo little is done and with too many defects The proceedings in it like as of a Traveller through a spacious Territory hath been to comprehend and report the varieties there according to the degree of ability intentness and capacity of the passenger Or as one admitted into exquisite Gardens deckt with plenty of all curious flowers c. fills his hand with a few of those he best knows or most admires according to what skill he hath Or as one at a Royal Feast feeds only on what his appetite most relisheth Where the Writer hath contracted below the sublimity of the subject the Reader may with some ease supply that defect by recourse to and consulting the blessed Authors Books themselves To make them truly conspicuous were the work of a divinely irradiated Expositor not of an abridgement And thereto to adapt the minds of but the Sons of Wisdom is the Prerogative of the God of Wisdom for it would bring down Paradise as near us as mortals could bear so sweet a neighbourhood Prayer might help us to power to see as it were the voice of the Author J. B. or rather of God in him for that voice leads us thro' the creatures to the creating Word convincingly demonstrating not only that God is but what he is what he is not and what of him may be seen in every creature good bad and mixt angelical rational animal vegetative mineral and the dark earth Also in all Kingdoms paradisical astral elementary and the dark abyss And how he may be found in all things good bad and mixt in love and wrath Also whence man fell what and how low his fall and how to be restored by Jesus Christ. And all this not a new Doctrine but that which is substantial orderly firmly and naturally founded on the immovable principles and uncontroulable maxims of confessed Theology and Philosophy both sacred and natural Considerations by way of Inquiry and Search INTO THE Subject Matter and Scope of the Writings of the Divinely instructed JACOB BEHMEN Section or Chapter I. Of the two Principles Darkness and Light whence are come evil and good fierceness and meekness anger and love 1. TO begin with things nearest our outward senses Palpable bodies as Darkness Cold c. They condense croud throng and substantiate contrariwise Light and Heat rariâ—ie attenuate make thin or subtle and actuate bodies adapted thereunto 2. Both whilst in due proportion equally good and amicable but in what time or place soever either be extreamly prevalent and tyrannous they become instantly inimicitious and destructive 3. The consideration whereof and consequences deducible thence might cause J. A. Comenius to be offended with Campanella for founding all productions on the contest of two contrary Principles Backing his disgust on Grotius's Argument against the Manichees that of two contraries destruction might follow but no augmentation 4. But without strife springs no production and without contraries is no strife 5. The two Principles of Light and Darkness cannot be said to have beginning but are coeternal yet one the Light swalloweth up the other as the day doth the night 6. The flagrat or
more or less such are sick of Sacred Love so more or less feel they this And the more we die to our immoderate Lusts after the Dominion of the whole third Principle the more doth this Principle evidence it self in us And in such proportion as we enlighten our first Principle or Souls Original standing in the first four forms of Nature proceeding by Divine Power to enâ—indle the true Light in them in the same measure is our Root transplanted to grow in this Paradisical Field or Principle 7 Demonstration But we are to know by way of Explanation This to be a passing into Death and thro Death into Life of which the Holy Scripture is plentiful Nor may even Plato's description of Love be counted discordant to this who defines Love â—o be one 's dying to his own Body and living to the Body beloved 8. For the living to the Divine Light and Love of the second Principle which is the property of the Son of God is a dying to us and ours that is to our whole depraved Image much like as the Day is the Death of the Night 9 Demonstration The second Principle is shewed by the Sacrifices which were consumed by the Holy Fire whereby they died to their first Form and lived to a new one that is were transmuted into the holy Flame 10. And as what part of the Sacrifice would not enkindle into the holy Flame figuring This Principle fell to Ashes as into the perishing third Principle Even so see we much of the Regenerate Man stay below and be uncapable of the New Image but be as Ashes 11. Now we see that Ashes may be heated but Flame not Such is the Earthy Man and Sensual part yet we see after the procedure of a second work Men do transmute common Ashes into a Lucid and Transparent Body 12. So may our vile Bodies by the procedure of the second work the Resurrection be translated into a clarified Christalline Temple for our immense glorified Souls and they both be the Hallowed Habitation of our resigned humble divinely irradiated Spirits 13. And our illustrated Ashes glorified Souls and meek human Spirits being first clothed with the Robe of Christ's Righteousness and heavenly Humanity the Virgin of God's Wisdom will be both suitable guests for the New Jerusalem as a Bride adorned for her Husband and also be Eternal Temples for the Holy Ghost 14. Thus hath been given a glimpse what the second Principle is in it self and what its Operations are in us as to our first Principle It now rests to search what it is in the third Principle in us and in the whole Creation 15. In us it is our Principle of Divine Understanding directing to know our Creator the End of our Creation and wherein â—ies our true good The Eye thus enlightned informs the Affections that from the Reason offered they should 16. On the Principles of Justice pay the Debt we owe for our Being and the Means wrought for our Restauration to Well-being and of ingenuity willingly and thankfully to adore him as the only Fountain of Good and to esteem every thing in that degree as they partake of that Fulness to figure and resemble him 17. And on the Principles of Self interest to prevent eternal loss or be eternal gainers as our choice or rejecting shall render us capable or otherwise 18. These Notions and Beams of Light when the Understanding receiveth from the second Principle it offereth to the Judgment to consider of 19. The Judgment hath the Senses to consult who are grown so dim-sighted having from their youth been habituated to the Good or Evil of the third Principle that they cannot see beyond it but judge as the Beasts do of Pleasure or Pain nor can they see the least cause to deny themselves of any one thing they lust after whereof if denied they allarm the Passions which have their Root in the first Principle 20. The Passions are as furious violent impetuous Storms which often obscure and impose on the Eye of the Mind and sometimes immerse the Ship of the whole Man setting on fire and extremity the whole frame of Nature so that the Judgment wants power to get the Will right 21. Here the New Man as Child of the holy second Principle hath need enough to pray always fervently to knock wait use much abstinence with highest diligence to watch to stand on its guard to use much violence and severity and that often to fight the faithful Combate till he kill the Murtherers to die from day to day thereby to be pluckt as a brand out of the fire He shall find great necessity of help from Heaven to bind the Strong Man 22. But most especially in some persons whose originals having been strongly rooted in the first four Forms of the first Principle conveyed by Generation and perhaps also reinforced by their Constellation so that they have much of the Serpent in them In such Souls the work of Resignation to the Divine Conduct goes very hardly slowly sadly on with many recoils notable resistance and reluctance that they resemble the Child possessed with that kind that goeth not out but by prayer and fasting 23. Others having so deep Root their Wills being lapsed and wedded to the third Principle either having so great possessions as seem rather to be possessed with them than to possess them or having long enjoyment their Evils plead Prescription and Custom Some by their Constitution incline to delicacy or by their Constellation and Complexion to airiness many such find the Cross too heavy do look back the Pearl in their Account is too dear 24. Others Good Intentions are covered with so much rubbish that they will not be at the pains of removing it for indulgence to their ease and perhaps ensnaring reputation with men foils and pinions them Many of the above strive to enter but are never able therefore withdraw from the Yoke their Goodness is only as the morning dew 25. But the Judgment rightly informed sees all things as they are things present as if past things to come as if present it sees the Out-birth brave with a borrowed Goodness only entrusted to it to shadow the Grace and Glory of the true Fountain of Goodness It sees the World on fire the Heavens rolled up the Lord sitting on his Judgment-Throne sees the triumphs of the humble and tremblings of the proud 26. As for things visible the Glory of the visible Heavens figuring that of the true Heavens the Earth that of the Divine Salitter 'T is true in this dead Earth the surviving relicks of Good strive to produce perfect Bodies of several kinds but the Curse hindereth It would have Paradice bud and bear fruit holy and pure productions every where but it cannot for Death is entred at the door opened by the first Adam 27. Had indeed Life been received as offered by the second Adam Paradice might well have blossomed in the Out-birth and his Kingdom have come with
or suffering what he willeth him to obey and suffer 8. Now we are to know that from Eternity is the first second and third Principles according to the Fathers Sons and Holy Ghosts Properties the One living in the Other having all One holy free Omnipotent Will And that the Infinite Abyss wherein Eternally dwell the seven Spirits and in every the least imaginable Circle whereof dwells the whole Holy Trinity Abyss or immeasurable heighth depth length and breadth which Men and Angels can reach no number of nor conceive its immensity is as the Holy Body of God who is its Soveraign Creator Owner and as a Soul and Spirit to it 9. But this pure Abyss is Holy and as one Holy Element the Seventh the Laboratory of the other Six hath in it all Powers and Vertues out of which Heaven Angels and all Inferior Productions come for in it is the Divine Salitter and all Qualities in indissoluble Amity and perfect Harmony due Equality most dearly embracing each other being the Mystery of all the various Powers 10. And from the two first Principles therein by the Exit of the Holy Ghost were Throne Angels created according to the several Properties of the seven Fountains Spirits with their Hosts respectively having the great Might of the first Principle Glorified with the Majestick light of the second the Son of God 11. But Lucifer and his Angels extinguish'd in themselves the glorious Sweetness of the second by giving up their Will into the first four Forms which without the second are at Eternal Enmity 12. Also out of the Holy Element were created the two active Elements of Fire after the Property of the Father and Air wherein is Light after the Property of the Son Out of which two after dividing of the Properties in the Dark Deep the effect of the Fall of the Angels came the Mortal Water and Dead Earth in both which by the prevalence of the Astringency came Rocks and Stones 13. To cease that immoderate Coagulation the Word commanded Light expelling Lucifer at which the Holy Angels rejoyced Where wast thou when the Morning Stars sang together and all the Sons of God shouted for joy for then was the Out-birth or third Principle founded by the Exit of the Holy Ghost 14. Then also out of the Holy Element and the divided Properties which Lucifer had brought into a confused Chaos or Dark Deep the Word spake the Astral Heavens the Seven Planets after the Properties of the Seven Fountains and all the other Stars and the Terrestial Ball after the infinite variety of the Properties 15. Also out of the Holy Element and the Astral Birth came the four Elements and out of the Elements the Transitory Creatures Some bare the Figure of the first four Forms separated from the Light as venomous Creatures Toads Torpedo's c. from the Anguish Scorpions Spiders Basilisks c. from the Fire for every Property would be Creaturely Some also figur'd the second Principle in Innocency Meekness and Love as Lambs Doves c. 16. Then in the Throne of secluded Lucifer and his Angels the Word spake Man such an Image of God as might not only be the second Race of Intellectualâ— but a compleat Image of all the three Principles That is his Soul out of the first Principle or Dark-Power-World his Spirit out of the second the Holy-Light World his Body out of the one Holy Element the Root of the four Elements so that he might by his Divine Holy Principle of Love and Meekness illustrate and sweetly use his first as the fallen Angels should have done He was also furnished with the third Principle which the Angels were not and in that respect a more compleat Image of God than they over which third Principle he might also beaâ— Rule by the Power of the Divine second Principle 17. And by his third in subordination to the second might Rule over the Astral Birth and Elementary not only as He was the Natural Lord in that Principle but ennobled also with the Light or Angelical Principle and therefore able and adapted to Rule over the Creation knowing what they were whence they sprung and whither they tended for all Properties were open in him therefore Adam could name them knowing their Parentage and Use. Thus the manifold Wisdom of God appeareth in every thing and summarily to be observed in these following 18. First from the first Principle glorified with the second according to the seven Fountains were created the Throne Angels Arch-Angels and their Hosts 19. The Creatures that derive immediately from the One Holy Element as the Paradisical Body of Adam that was more pure than seven times refined Gold and to have remained eternally 20. The Astral Birth of the Visible Heavens and their Invisible Powers Of Alliance Dependance and Affinity with which is Man's Astral Spirit called his Prophetick Evester which ordinarily predicts by Dreams a kind of Intuitive Impulses of approaching Good or Evil small also important natural Events c. 21. Out of the Astral seem to be born Those Mortal yet to the outward Eye mostly invisible Creatures in all the four Elements called Aerial Spirits prodigious Predicters of Wars by Armies in the Clouds Others also of the Fire Some Aquastrish and Those of our Horoscope Terrestrial and Subterranean that are about Minerals of which This Discourse is not sollicitous 22. Out of the Holy Element proceeded the two Elements and consequently the four more Pure and Paradifical than after the Curse 23. Hence by the steddy Conduct of the Separator or Father of Nature substituted by the Great Creators word and by the Spirit of the Tincture have sprung the Animal Vegetative and Mineral Kingdoms to the composition of every of which Naturalists find the Principles of Sal Sulphur and Mercury more or less pure according to the Body which it composeth and the Tincture wherewith it is more or less sublimed and ennobled 24. But Lucifer by his renting from the total Unity thereby making the Properties separate prophane and unclean there proceeded out of the first four Forms hellish immortal fierce horrible poisonous Creatures to whom Death and Darkness the fierceness of the Properties is no woe or torment for it is their Life But Hell is therefore an intolerable Hell to Angels and Men because they were created to â—nother State in another Principle for another End 25. From all the three Principles with the Potence of the first Love fire of the second and moving Life of the third was Man created And as such with the Light of God which is not quite extinguished in him for when once awakened by Divine stirring and his hungry desire let none think it impossible he should see into the several Principles that are truly in him for the Child knoweth his Parents better and better as himself groweth to be a Man A breath of Air is like the whole Element a drop like the whole Ocean a
Glorious second Person as before And yet that by taking the Humanity from the Virgin Mary He really became what he was not before viz. a real Son of Man with a true Humane Soul Body and Spirit as we are and capable to Suffer and Die 14. We are to know the Humane Nature or Creature in the Ascention and Glorification was not swallowed up by the Divine Nature as a flame of a Candle is by the Sun extinguish'd But the Humane Nature now Glorified remains for ever a Glorified Body being the same true individual Humane Nature or Man which was Crucified Dead Buried and raised up by his Almighty Power as the first Fruit Original and Author of the General Resurrection 15. That the Lord Jesus Christ who in the Womb of the Virgin became as truly a Man as we are who have our Souls Spirits and Bodies propagated by our immediate Parents Yet that besides the infinite Dignity of his Almightiness as the second Person and Son of God by Eternal Generation which united Himself to His created Humane Soul Spirit and Body I say besides all this He was the true created Son of God and so was a true Heavenly Man and a Virgin of Holiness Purity and Modesty And so begotten by the Holy Ghost 16. In which respect He was no Son of Man even as neither was the first Adam but as truly the Son of God by Creation as with respect to His Godhead He was by Eternal Generation And though the words Thou art my Son this day I have begotten thee may be understood of the Eternal Generation for the Father ceaseth not to beget His Eternal Son from Eternity and in Eternity yet the words may well be applicable to this Heavenly Humanity whereof both David and Paul speak 17. But because this 12th Note last asserted is hard to be understood since Man's Fall partly because it is of so Noble Extraction and seeming to be of so rare mention in the Holy Scriptures so remote from Sense and Man's dull Apprehension of so excellent Nature and so highly profitable and advantageous to be known Also that the penetrating into the Knowledge of it requires Divine Wisdom enlightned Understanding it calleth for highest Attention as that plainly teacheth the Way God took and still taketh for recovery of lost Mankind It is farther clear'd by what follows more especially by the following Pag. 32. in Chap. 22. 18. We ought to know that the Divine Substance which United to it the Essences of the Humane Soul in Mary came not thither descending from the highest Heaven or great Local Distance But the Word which God inspake again in Paradice imaging it Self in the Light of Man's Life and waiting in all the Holy Men being the Word of Divine Wisdom out of the Tincture of the Holy Element which is every where and pure before God that Word took to it for an Eternal Propriety the Essences of Man's Soul in and of Maries Virgin Matrix Not entring in but unlocking ingenerating and unshutting what Adam had bolted up in Death 19. That though this Word were not the Almighty second Person of the Trinity yet was it the Word of Wisdom which Adam turned from and in disobeying it he and we all rebel against God more immediately than if we should stubbornly reject the Command of an Angel of God This Word of Divine Wisdom is a Virgin of Purity and here became the Bride to the Humane Soul for as the Soul had the Tincture of the Fire This brought the Tincture of the Light and the Uniting of the Heavenly Image of Purity to the Image that was Impure did Tincture the Fire-Soul and both became one Self-subsisting Eternal Man 20. We are also to know That for asmuch as the two Tinctures were at the instant of the Virgin Maries saying Be it unto me c. United and were become One Man the Image the first Man did bear yet seeing the Fire-Soul did once treacherously choose an Earthy Lust instead of Divine Love 21. To the end it might be now powerfully Tinctured no more to recede and that the whole Humane Nature might be led through Death into Eternal Life therefore did the Lord mighty to save take the whole Man by being Bridegroom to the Virgin Sophia and for that the Man or Creature stood in the Holy Element which is pure and every where yet is the same Element Inferior to Omnipotence it was needful Grace and Love should Unite the Creature to the Deity which raised it above all it lost in the first Adam 22. For the Lord became as a Servant to advance and secure his Servant both the Image it once had and add to it more which will be the stupendious Contemplation of Eternity but all this by the Lord's Incarnation was brought to pass 23. So that here was One and that One consisted of the true Almighty Son of God and the Holy Virgin of Wisdom the Tincture of the Light viz. His Heavenly Flesh and Blood Also of the Essences of Man's Eternal Soul the Temporary Astral Soul and Elementary Body So that not only the Eternal Fire-Soul is meekened nourished and fed to live Eternally but the outward Soul and Elementary Body are secured of a Resurrection by the raising of the Holy Astral and Elementary Body of the Lord Jesus Christ the first Fruits of them that slept leaving nothing unraised but the Linnen Cloaths in the Sepulchre CHAP. XXII Of the Heavenly New Man or Divine Humanity of Jesus Christ what it is where it is and how to be participated of by us IT is written That ye put off c. the Old Man v. 23. and be renewed c. and v. 24 that ye put on the New Man which after God is created in Righteousness and true Holiness Q. What is This New Man which we are to put on A. It is Jesus Christ as it is written put on the Lord Jesus Christ c. so are we said to be cloathed upon with our House which is from Heaven call'd a Building of God 1. So we find cloathed with Humility cloathed with Honour cloathed with Shame intended not as a Covering but as Transmutation of Us from one contrary to another as the Woman cloathed with the Sun her Divine Light instead of her Darkness Q. What of Christ may we put on and be cloathed with and wherewith to be cloathed upon 2. Not His Almightiness for that His Omnipotence is what no Creature can behold and reach so is the Brightness of his Fathers Glory upholding all things by the Word of his Power Nor the Body Soul and Spirit He received from the Virgin Mary That was Earthy a Soul Body and Spirit descending from Eve That being born of the flesh was flesh As such which he humbled himself to take he was the Son of Man and our Brother so also we put him not on As such he remains for That Humanity of Christ which he had from
eat and drink unworthily they eat and drink what is common to those that have not Eternal Life and but eat and drink the Elements only or what more is at most but Imagination grounded on and extended no farther than on the History Never the more enabled to enter into the Sufferings Dying and New Life of Christ. CHAP. XXIII Man's mistaken way towards a supposed Happiness 1. THE State of the Children of Adam is the same with Those Bebold I will hedge up thy ways with Thorns and wall a Wall that she shall not find her paths and she shall follow after her Lovers but she shall not overtake them and she shall seek them but shall not find them Then shall she say I will go and return to my first Husband for then it was better with me than now And God proceeds against the Apostate Adulteress to the end of v. 13. but in v. 14. and to the end of the Chapter returns her to him c. 2. Wise men in every Generation have sought in the Treasures of the Creation for Real Happiness and Rest And after they have div'd into the deep ransackt the many Mysteries obvious to Artists collected the scattered parcels of Felicity dispersed in the Earth pierced the Bowels of Nature as well Astral as Elementary Anatomised the Creatures and sum'd up their Totals Yet still could not overtake their Lovers but their way was wall'd up and some of them found theirs heâ—â—ed up perhaps with Thorns Many have sought the Living among the Dead every Creature eath told them it is not in Me. So their quest resulted in Dissatisfaction 3. Wise mens increase of Wisdom hath been the increase of Sorrow in which they lay down in the Grave forgetting and being forgotten their Thoughts perishing they left sad Memento's of the Vanity of every thing Those of them only have been truly Wise whom God hath led beyond their own into his School of the Love of Purity and Holiness as Job's three Friends Hermes and others such seem to be 4. For since the World by Wisdom knew not God those only were Truly Wise and still are who ceasing from things Visible are guided to things Eternal 5. Our Lesson is as to the Wisdom of This World to become Fools and as such to crucifie our Wills to the Lusts of the Eye Lusts of the Flesh and Pride of Life and as little Children who Will nothing but the supply of Necessities and do without Contract Bargain or Regret what the Father bids His Will is their Principle And as a reward of their Resigned Obedience they know no perplexing Cares forecasting Fears crafty Excuses Dissimulation Malice c. but have a calm Serene Face a Peaceable contented Mind a câ—earful Innocent Behaviour while awake and when they lie down fall sweetly aslâ—ep CHAP. XXIV The Lord's way home for Man to follow 1. BUT Man hath travelled with the Prodigal from This White State To him straying will he suffer one that heartily wisheth the good of Souls to say Stand still and consider if a Good End be better than a Bad a Good Way must be better than an Evil for the Evil Way tends to a Bad End 2. And to shew whether his way be not bad let him look narrowly heedfully and impartially into his own Heart and Inclination where he shall find a Body of self-Self-Love coveting to get All which comes from the first Form the Aâ—tringency 3. Next He shall find an eager Desire to be Exalted and Great above others which Pride cometh from the second Form of Nature the Attraction or Constringency 4. Next He shall perceive a contemning despising and envying of others That he thinks he exceeds in Worth and they him in Fortune or the like which he fretteth at This proceeds from the third Form of Nature the Anguish 5. And then he shall find violent Anger Rage and Fury when crost or curb'd by any one which cometh of the fourth Form of Nature the Fire 6. And under these four Heads Troops of Sins Appendixes to these which well consider'd may make him much rather than blessed Paul cry out Oâ— wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from the Body of this Death He may now see how Evil in themselves these Disorders and hellish Principles are and how Evil to him how Dangerous to erect a Government in his private particular Soul opposite to the One entire gracious universal omnipotent Will and Government 7. When thus the Light of Jesus Christ ariseth it both sheweth the Malady and the Cure And this Light is not under a Bushel but as universal yet not seen by the wilfully Blind as the outward Sun to all Mens outward Senses The voice of Wisdom calls at every Mans Heart and where they listen it teacheth 7. To dye to the tyranny of their own Wills and so be like Children for Mens own Wills compass them about with sparks of their own kindling viz. Common Fire not that of the Altar which leads them in the Dark to lye down in Sorrow for as far as Adam did and we still do introduce our Wills into the third Principle we are like sad Eclipses in Hostility against the Heavenly out-goings 8. The true Divine Light of Jesus Christ where it is followed generateth a warm chearing dear â—ove to the New Man growing out of the Old as in a balance the New is lift up in that degree of Swiftness as the Old sinketh down It springeth out of the Old as a fair Flower out of the dark Earth as it were out of the Grave of the Old 9. This Light of Jesus Christ also so winneth on the Soul that it is resigned to the Guidance of true Wisdom being that of the Universal Holy Will For finding their own to be deceiving and deceived they become to it as Fools for Christ's sake not only content but habitually longing to know nor do nor be any thing but what their crucifyed Lord willeth in them 10. This Light having kill'd the perverted Will wrought Divine Love and Resignation doth betroth the Soul to the Virgin of Modesty and Purity again from whom Adam departed whom the Lord from Heaven the second Adam brought with him by him she was re-espoused to the Humane Nature no more to be Divorced For Man having Travelled by Art into Nature by his own Wisdom like a dark Head steered his own Will to the Designs of a Corrupt Heart and laboured all Night catching nothing wherewith being weary learns to Obey and be as a little Child and then finds rest yet in such degree and proportion as his continuance in Child-like Obedience is more or less Universal and Stedfast 11. Adam lost and we lose the Heavenly Virgin of Purity and Modesty by finding and living to the Lust of the third Principle viz. The seeming Wisdom guiding to obtain the mistaken satiety of Pleasure Profit and Honour by the Elementary palpable Transitory and
Extraction as to its Original It is always Morning with it bearing equal date with God's other Attributes and so with God himself 9. God being infinitely all that he is is also infinitely Just and Almighty True and Faithful we can no more say his Grace and Love to have Priority than the Light of a Candle can precede the firing the wiek or than Man's Intellect could precede the enkindling his Humane Soul or than the Fruit can prevent the Tree or That the Root 10. Can we well conceive the Eternal Permanence of God's Goodness and why not his Infinite Power and Justice is there room to doubt that to be a part of him 11. Must the Fruit and Flower live and not the Root must the Eye see if the Man dye or the Candle shine when the Wiek is cold Then may the Principle of Sweetness Meekness Grace and Love survive the Principle of Strength Might Potence and Wrath. The last Branch of the Question is Why hath God poured forth Eternal Wrath 12. God according to the first Principle is not called God but a consuming Fire nor is he called God according to the out-birth or third outward Principle for the Devil is called the God of this World though Divine Omnipotence guides and restrains in all Occurrences for no place or space excludes him for God is in it or more properly it in Him comprehended by Him yet God's infinite Abyss of Love and Goodness is His Heaven That his Throne 13. When God created Angels the first race of Intellectuals known to us they were made out of Himself of his Abyss of Might and His Abyss of Goodness or of His first and second Principles Darkness and Light in such Excellency as are the Angels who so continue 14. When also God created Man His second race of Intellectuals it was out of the two former Principles in Conjunction with the third yet in such sweet order as we know little of a glimpse whereof is seen in the resigned humble regenerate Soul who lives in God and hath there His Possessions and Reversions about that is employ'd His Fear Care Grief also His only Delight and Satisfaction both for time and for ever yet all this is but a glimpse of what we were at first and shall be at last 15. These things being premised give us a prospect what good beautiful excellent Creatures Angels and Men were and should all have continued to be 16. For if God had willed the one to be Devils the other to be inwardly so and outwardly Beasts How is it they were all created Divine and perfectly Good 17. But they directly against the confessed Will of the gracious Creator who never did nor ever can will any thing sinfully Evil but Good and only Good both the fallen Angels and Adam formed in themselves a Will perverse to the Sovereign Will shutting up their whole selves from the only true Guide and Eternal Light and Wisdom and so became Dark and such Fools for whose back is the rod and being Estranged snuffed at Reproof grew into Scorning Enmity and Diametrical contrariety and hatred of Holy things 18. Their own private will became their God for having broken the sweet Bands of Love they made a League with Hell and Death for the Divine Light withdrawing or rather they declining its Councels the dark fierce fire became their very Essence and Life under the domineering Power whereof the fallen Angels by their departure from the sweet Kingdom of Love and Peace have forever subjected themselves into which obstinate hardened Men also throw themselves And this is so contrary to God that his Spirit loatheth them and withdraweth and his so withdrawing is God's pouring out Eternal Wrath and the way how and cause why it is the Eternal Perdition Q. 17. Whereas God is and remaineth Eternally undivided what then is his working in the Place of Hell Is there indeed a certain Place of Hell or not A. 1. Here on a Position premised is a Question proposed and a second Question occasionally put It seems fit to strengthen the Concession by explaining it 2. That although every part of the Creation consisteth of various Heterogeneous and contrary Properties all which is not only derived from God but their Life Motion and Being is in Him yet 〈…〉 e from Eternity in Eternity the same undivided One 3. For if an Infinite were divided into Parts the Parts must also be Infinite and then must be more than one Infinite which were a Contradiction as equally vain as to say that Almightiness doth divide it self against Almightiness 4. But that the Infinite Almighty comprehendeth all Properties in perfect Supream Excellency is clear and that Himself remaining still in Himself can yet make Himself creaturely in Infinite Multiplicity is as clear and visible 5. The outward Sun consisting of Light and Heat can by its Beams help Generation of Infinite Productions Good and Bad even poisonous perilous Images of the dark World and this principally by His Heat but by His Light can attenuate penetrate and change gross dark Bodies yet Himself as the outward Agent of Omnipotence remain untouch'd unaltered unaffected unsubjected in any degree whatsoever by his so doing to the things wrought 6. For alluding to the instance in the Answer to the last preceding Question If Sin like a Burning-glass contract the hot Beams it may be intolerable to the Sinner or Object opposed to it yet is the glorious Sun still the unaltered same 7. The Gardner Roots up dryes and burns the Weeds The Sovereign Power guards the Peaceable and curbs the implacable But if the good Plant would wear out the strength of the Weed by extracting and transfusing into it self part of its Nutritive Property the good Plant may degenerate into a Wild one or Weed Also if a private Person shall unauthorized make himself a Judge or Publick Arbitrator he may fall into a Crime on the other hand for these things are the Gardener's Work to whom Vengeance belongeth Mens own Vindictive Desire is touching pitch 8. Now to Answer directly what God's Working in Hell is It is answered That his working there is only according to the first Principle according to which he is not called God but a consuming Fire 9. God's working in Hell convinceth Atheism to be an Error The Devils believe so as to make them tremble Men were loth to believe God made the World and Them though so evident as to leave them inexcusable this they are now assured of by His destroying both It and Them 10. God's working in Hell openeth every Book of Conscience Dives extenuates not his Crimes but roars out his Torments That Place of Darkness affords Light enough to read Guilt by and thereby give Immortality to that Worm 11. God's working there restores the Memory Dives had not forgotten his former calling of Abraham Father as if That would have Privileged him nor had he forgotten his Brethren who perhaps had run Parallel with him in
improperly may be called an Immortal Death being a Death to the Glorious second Holy light Principle 3. The Soul is taken sometimes for the two first Principles I saw the Souls of them who had been slain c. for here the third Principle was asleep Sometimes it 's taken for the whole Man If thou wilt make thy Soul an Offering for Sin c. The Lord Jesus offered up all the three Principles meant here by his Soul and as was shadow'd by the whole burnt Sacrifice But in this Question Soul is restrained only to the first Principle because other Questions particularly reach the other two The above brief Answer may here suffice because Jacob Behmen so largely resolveth it in the Answer of the first of the Forty Questions of the Soul Q. 40. What is the Immortal Life in Man viz. the Soul and what is the outward Life in him A. 1. The Principle of Man's Immortal Life is what the Answer of the last foregoing Question renders it that is a Life sprung from the wrestling of the first four Forms of the first Principle They generate a strong stern eager sting prickle poison Life or bitter Root which as doth the Gall in living Bodies strikes up or enkindles Life 2. This being rooted in the Eternal Beginning or from the Eternal Abyss of the Father's Property can never find End or limit of Race But Either is according to the Fountain and Essence of its own Nature dark raging and fierce for ever or in the Holy Principle of Love in the Light World happy for ever 3. It must now be told what the outward Life of this World in Man is and must be sadly acknowledged to be Earthy and Sensual here is the Lust of the Eye the Lust of the Flesh and Pride of Life So that it may be said Shut the â—ive Windows that our House may be truly Light within 4. The Beasts live as Man doth having all the five Senses as he in some of them more sharp also some of them extend the Thread of their time to greater Measure are generally more exempt from Sickness wholly Privileged from careful Perturbations in good Measure without fear of future Events or Sorrow c. 5. So that Mans outward Life or third Principle as now it is from first to last renders him of all Creatures the most Miserable And his restless striving to satiate the Lusts of this Worlds Spirit by Wealth Greatness c. is an additional Sorrow and Vexation which some of the Ancients skilfully mitigated by wise Moderation and Contentation 6. Who sees not how much more grievous this Pilgrimage and Travel is to Man than to any other Creature Because his Creator made him for the Excellent Holy Sweet Paradisical Life Even as Hell is most intolerable to Evil Angels and lost Men who were created to be Inhabitants of Heaven whereas it is no Wo to those horrible Creatures that figure the fierceness of the Properties for that is their Life 7. Yet it is true the poor Brute Animals groan under the Curse Man subjected them to for they should have been harmless Figures of the Astral and Elementary Powers 8. To conclude the Answer of this Question let it be seriously considered That if Man will think to feed his Immortal Principle with Mortal Food viz. his Soul with this third Principle he doth as a cruel Murtheress who to still her unhappy Nurse-Child instead of Food amuses its Eyes with Objects and its Ears with Sounds and answers its hungry Laments with louder Noises till she hath forced it to sleep who so pines and destroys it 9. But the Love of God in Jesus Christ is the true real Food of the Soul it is true not like Shews and Sounds which are delusive also real and substantial not a Shadow which every thing here else is as to the Soul This Love as Food generateth its like in the Soul and strengthensit This Love as Physick Purgeth out all other Love and it reigneth and remaineth for ever Q. 41. What is the Idea or exact express reflex Image of God in Man wherein God worketh and dwelleth A. If a Volume were written to Answer this Question as well might be by reason of the Excellency and Importance of the Subject yet still it would be as under Locks and Seals from the fallen Adam until he enter into the Knowledge at the right Door of that he lost by his Fall 1. The Doctrine of the Resurrection was call'd Babling by the studious Athenians for Man is dead to the Holy Divine Image and in all who so abide the outward Astral Spirit and Elementary Body is the only Bridle of Suspension and Mitigation of the hellish Image or dark Principle 2. But had Man no more he were in no better state than the brute Beasts for in the Astral and Elementary they are in common with Man and in the dark Principle he is one with the Evil Angels 3. Yet so exceeding Great and Adorable was God's Grace Love and Pity that the same Grace was like a Seed inspoken into him at the Fall which in all by whom Obedience is yielded beareth Fruit to Eternal Life but it lyes as Dead in such who bury it under the Dominion of the Astral Spirit or that choak it under the Thorns of the Elementary Body 4. And all Impenitent Rejecters of God's regenerating Grace how subtle and studiously penetrating soever have no part nor lot in this Matter but are absolute Strangers guided by an unreasonable Model of Humane Reason resulting from the Information of the Sences twisted with the Maxims of Serpentine Wisdom 5. Nevertheless the Poor in Spirit that dyeth to its own Will and Lusts hath lively Characters of the Idea of the Divine Image and Birth for such a dying enters the Soul into the first Resurrection 6. God's Image is not in the Earthquakes of the first Principle nor in the Lightning and Thunders of the third Principle but most nearly in the small still voice of the Proclaiming his Gracious Merciful Long suffering Name for that is the second Holy Principle 7. And this speaking Almighty Word cannot be more than stammer'd by words no more than Omnipotence can be comprehended by Concrets With what Eye can a Sinner behold the unexpressible loveliness of That ravishing Face where dwells That Majesty which is the Express Image of the Father and before whom the Angels cover their Faces I must say when a drop of that Ocean of Love and Mercy blesseth my Soul I melt I stammer I am astonished Lord what is Man 8. God's exact Image consisteth of all the three Principles The first and third in perfect Order being thorowly illustrated by the second The mighty longing of the first like a Hunger produceth or begetteth the meek Will and glorious Majestick Principle of Light according to which God is called God And of the longing and will proceedeth the desiring which is a Love-spirit producing Millions and Miriads to Infinity of Variety
he feared they that found him should kill him for there was no Man besides him but Adam but it must be the Inward Man that might be kill'd for to That there were Enemies enough 2. The â—ark God set upon Cain must not therefore be understood to be on his skin or flesh but on his Inward Man to withstand the Spiritual Enemies That Mark therefore must be an Opposite Power to that of the Evil Spirits which must be confessed to be the Covenaâ—t of Grace Jesus Christ which was inspoken imprinted and set upon him 3. The Threatning He that slayeth Cain vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold must be an Inward Vengeance for Outward it could not be on Inward Enemies but to be understood thus that if any Spirit slay Cain's Inward Life vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold that is Eternally in all his seven Forms of Life 4. Thus Grace was extended to Cain nor may we think Cain was the Only Cause of that Murther for his Propagation in the divided Properties was his first mover and as Cain had Grace extended to him he being the figure of the False Church So is Grace extended by Christ to such of That Church as shall come out of it into the Resignation 5. And Abel's sincere giving up of himself as well as the Offering enkindled the Love-fire in his Lifes Forms who by propagation was otherwise out of the divided Properties but therein he was the Figure of Christ's Humble Church Q. 84. Wherefore said Lamech Cain's Successor to his Wives Zilla and Ada Lamech shall be avenged seventy and seven fold what doth this mean and signifie A. This Mystery prophesied by Lamech calls for these Considerations 1. What he was from Cain viz. 1. The seventh 2. Why to his Wives spake he this viz. because by the Woman came the first Evil and Vengeance And to his two Wives pointing at the divided Properties 2. The next is the thing spoken I have slain or would have slain a man to my wounding or in my wound and a young man to or in my hurt 3. No one is named to have been slain actually but That and the other Reading would have slain signifies an Internal Slaughter And if Cain be avenged seven-fold truly Lamech seventy and seven-fold shews the Vengeance was not against the person of Lamech as it had not been against That of Cain 4. Whence we are to know that the Holy Ghost signifies by the Man or young Man slain or that he would have slain the Heavenly Man against whom Cain was the figure of Eâ—mity 5. And Lamech the seventh from him saw the holy Power World acted by the Mental Tongue or Language of Nature would withdraw and vengeance should be taken by the dividing of the High Tongue into seventy Languages which was done at Babel 6. And under This Hurt and Evil the World still groans But where the Divine Power Rules men speak one Language tho' imperfectly but they who are under subjection of the multiplicity speak Confusion and run into the Abyss of Disorder and Enmity Concerning which I here say the less because it will be met with if God will open in any one understanding to answer the 89th Question Q. 85. What was the greatest sin of the Old World or first Terreâ—tial Human World A. 1. Their greatest sin was their leaving the Divine Substance of the second Principle and going into the Out birth or third Principle which is only a shadow figure image or representer of the Substance whereby they mistook that for their chief food which is not so 2. It is written All that is in the World is the Lust of the Eye the Lust of the Flesh and the Pride of Life and they are charged with the Lust of the Eye and the Lust of the Flesh And after it follows God saw that their wickedness was great on the Earth and that every imagination of the thoughts of their hearts or desires and purposes were only evil continually 3. The Heart is the Parent the Thoughts the First-born And as Water is best known by tasting at the Fountain so is the Heart by the Thoughts Imaginations or makings for so signifies the word Imaginations shewing Man's Soul to have a kind of Creating Power 4. And if Man chuseth as they did the things of This World for their Chief Good that his Choice is his God and his Love makes him to be the Propriety of the thing chosen 5. Such men are therefore call'd the Children of This World for that Man rather lives where he loves than where he is And what Man chuseth for his Chief Good loves and lives in his desire unto puts confidence in here during all the Union of the Soul with the Body That is the Substance his Will feeds on and That is his and all he hath for ever 6. If it be God it is heightened and perfected if it be the World it is more wretchedly depraved which being a Substance fixt in his Will the same he shall for ever inâ—atiably desire but never reach and therefore be his Torment and Anguish in Eternity 7. Who hath bewitched men therefore that they chuse not and practise what their Reason cannot but dictate to them as depraved as it is to be best And That is That Divine Love and Eternal Life which Christ in God is more elegible than the Lust of the Eye the Lust of the Flesh and the Pride of Life 8. What cure is there when men depart from God's Goodness God is but one and hath but one Son eternally generated of his Substance and That Son can die but once our resistance of his Calls makes God by Ezekiel say I am broken with their whorish heart which had departed from me and with their Eyes which go a whoring after their Idols Like to what he said to the first World It repeâ—ted the Lord that he made Man and it grieved him at the heart c. Q. 86. What is the Henochian Life What is become of Henoch or where â—â—th Henoch reâ—â—tined so also of Moses and Eâ—â—as A. 1. Not without many haesitations come â— to this almost singular Question Many Recoils from my attempts to adventure speaking of so secret a Mystery My heart meditateth terror to see it self groveling But it must be said the Henochian Life is a Life of Faith for the Holy Ghost saith Henoch was translated that he should not see death and was not found c. And tho' the Administration of the Henochian Life be so rarely found as it is and hath been and that the Writing on it might seem to anticipate and forerun the discovery of it yet for the sake of the Sons of Wisdom to whom only it shall appertain it is answered and let such be directed 2. To consider Christ's Life in the Wilderness who after his abandoning the Food of the divided Properties in the third Principle forty days being in the temperature was then ministred unto by Angels Let it
or Prophesying c. Also He that prophesieth let him prophesie according to the proportion of Faith 2. But this Question intending chiefly things to come we must say There are two sorts of False and two sorts of true Prophets viz First to describe the false 1 They are such as do Lying Wonders and predict Events of Publick and Private Importance going no farther than into the imaged formed word the occult qualities of Nature and outward Causes and Consequents contracted to wonderful Good and Evil Uses into which Satan can easily insinuate himself 3. 2. Such as have a Spirit of Prophesie but not a Spirit of Holiness such was Balaam and such the Lord mentions who shall say Lord Lord we have prophesied in thy Name c. And these have their Water out of the Fountain but receive and keep it in foul Vessels God is so bountiful a House-keeper that his Wine is given running over so that some falls into such Mensold Bottles 4. 3. The Children of Wisdom the regenerated holy ones who live in God and have their Names written in the Book of Life having Divine senses opened These Prophesies according to their proportion of Faith for Love and Faith begot them They prophesie of their own Death which comes to pass for they die daily they are Priests and Prophets what they want in skill and Power they have in love to his Service These as Prophets and Priests shall have boldness in the day of the Lord which they wait for being Children of the day and are true Prophets yet without that Gift of Prophecy this Question levels at and yet of these it is said the Spirits of the Prophets are subject to the Prophets 5. 4. Those of the Lord 's Holy ones who are gifted by the Spirit of Prophecy some more eminently familiarly frequently and as it were continually before whom the Doors of the spiritual World lye Night and Day wide open 6. They as Watchmen see the contest of the Properties and what weight of sin over-ballanceth the contra-ponderating Wrestlers for the Magical Power of their Souls uniteth with the Universal as the Tincture of Gold doth with the Sun's Tincture they as evidently see the Displeasure of the Almighty as by Man's face may his delight or dislike of any extream occurrence be discerned 7. This is so intimate that the Lord saith he doth nothing but what he tells or shews to his Servants the Prophets For as there is but one God and his Spirit is but one and that Man is a compleat Image of the whole Almighty God and having the Work of that one Spirit begetting in him the true Divine second Principle he can as clearly when gifted to this distinct office hear and see the Power whence himself and all things are as a Glass can reflect a Face for all lyes in himself though like Hagar we see not the Fountain till God's Angel shew it though it be as that in and before us For such a Man is as a well tun'd Musical Instrument the Sounds are all distinct ready when ever the Spirit of God shall play on it And the simile sutes well for Man's original Numbers and Measures answer exactly to the Number of the Notes in Musick which are 3 and 7 and not one more or less and this Harmony is signified in the Harp Organ c. used in the legal Administration 9. And as Men are affected with the elevating of the Airs to Delight and with the solemnity into seriousness with the harshness into regret and with the solid composure into excess of Melancholy so ought all to be with the Lord's Voice in his Prophets 10. To such it is shewn many times what time place manner and other circumstances may sitly hide the Lord 's redeemed ones if the Decree be not gone forth for they see where when and how the Destroyer comes by which such may escape who are not to witness by their Blood and be Crown'd with Martyrdom 11. Some have been Leaders as Moses Deliverers and Judges as Samuel c. And as a figure of the Heavenly Worlds concurrence and assistance to the Magical Vertue of the faithful Soul was the Oracle near the Mercy Seat the Urim and Thummim Ephod c. Some have been Prophets for more private and particular Occasions as Agabus c. 12. We are farther to know he that liveth the Life of Jesus Christ lives at the Fountain of Wisdom having all the Principles and Properties in due subordination to the Divine Life whereby he knows God the Creation Heavenly Hellish the Out-world and Himself 13. Yet all this in part he comprehends not that wherewith himself is comprehended he seeth a part of every thing but not the whole of any part As a Mathematician hath a true distinct knowledge of both Globes which he can describe and measure while yet he knoweth not fully that spot of Earth whereon his Feet tread 14. And though the Natural Philosopher penetrateth much farther and the Divine Philosopher deepest of all yet how little a part know we of him even of things existent how much less of Futurities 15. And if Daniel heard the Angel praying How long wilt thou not have Compassion on Jerusalem against whom thou hast had Indignation these threescore and ten years and if the Lord Jesus said of that day and hour knoweth no man no not the Son which I submissively understand to be meant thus viz. 16. Not the Son as he is the opened Treasure of Grace and Love of the second Principle but the Father that is as he is the secret Treasure of the Justice and Vengeance of the first Principle How very little and poor is the utmost faln Man's Race can attain 17. But hence we discern that the Knowledge and Spirit whence the Prophets in the Old Testament did Prophesie Good was by the Spirit in them opening those things out of the second Principle and the Spirit and Knowledge whence the Prophets either brought Evil Denunciations which should succeed was out of the first wrath Principle or by which they call'd down immediate Evil as Eliah the Fire was the same 18. But that it might not as a Coal burn the hand of the Bearer it was wrapt up in the Prophets holy Divine second Principle 19. For as it is hard for a Captain who hath Personal Enemies in the adverse Camp to carry on his Force vigorously and at the same time pursuing his Success wholly lay aside the Sentiments of all personal private Wrongs so is it hard for a Prophet to bring the Turba on others without his own entring into it either before in or after the stroak How needful is it therefore that sinful men should be inhibited to revenge themselves Q. 102. What is Christ of whom the Prophets Prophesied in the Old Testament The Seventh grand Distribution A. According to the constant design of avoiding Repetitions the Answer of this Question is referr'd to the review and perusal of
9. Here may be noted that never was Subjection Patience Humility and Obedience to Parents and all placed over us enforced by any so cogent and irrefragable Argument as it is by this Subjection of the Lord Jesus Christ to them Even to Joseph no otherwise His Parent than by Espousal to Mary and that not for a short time but a Tract of many Years even after His being among the Doctors about the Business of the Almighty Father 10. In admiration of this Condescention behold here Oh my Soul the only Son of the only God the Soveraign of all Worlds that He might pluck thee as a Firebrand out of the Fire of thine own kindling content to burn Himself that He might Redeem thee from dark Chains of Everlasting Vassalage became Himself a Servant subject to His Inferior Subjects because Man revolted from his Obedience to God God obediently subjected Himself to Man The Wisdom of God learnt Obedience by the things which he suffer'd 11. Doth my Soul beg to know His sweet Name Where dwells He and who or what is He like I am told He was like a Servant no Thing Creature or World may be liken'd to Him but that His dwelling is with the humble many times in old Cottages and strong Prisons And that one of His great Names is but a Monosyllable viz. LOVE 12. A Name that calls for Love and commands Obedience for the delight found in Love That Heart therefore that reading and meditating this and weeps not the heart that groans not bleeds not melts not breaks not flames not is not the Heart of a true Man but of a Beast or a Devil Metamorphos'd iâ—to Human shape 13. The third Mystery is of His Thirty Years privacy the Types of which are in the 110th Answer and in the first part of that Answer is the Ground why Thirty Years was the due proportion of time for compleating actual Righteousness 14. Else it may seem marvellous that He who was the Light of this and all Worlâ—s could with-hold any of His infinite diffusive Vertue Also that seeing He was only the saving Light and Fountain of Salvation without whom the World perisheth should conceal His Glory His Omnipotence not being obnoxious to the Conâ—agion of Sinners with whom He might converse which our impotence exposeth us to 15. May we not on this occasion be warn'd to put a strong bridle and restraint on our Tongues the Herald of our impetuous Lusts in our Applications to others knowing how often it wounds us and others and inverts the End for which it was vouchsafed us 17. May I not hence also convince my self that very much of my Work is within rather than abroad and that God's Holy Work with us is entirely within Men for the bestial part of us is the Monstrous Image got by departure from God so alienated that all Communications and Approaches to it must be Image-like if intelligible to us faln Men. 17. And whereas the Divine Work is agitated in Man's superior part it causeth a departure from the brutish Man therefore was this of our Lord 's most inwardly a Sacred silence privacy or secresie for so great a part of his Pilgrimage in Flesh on Earth wherein he was literally separate from Sinners 18. How cross to this is the precipitance of our rushing to speak our supposed Knowledge and of unmortified Mens hypocritical Stage-Plays in Pulpits and other publick Oratories 19. How opposite to this is our needless associating for Curiosity with Company to whom we cannot do and from whom we may not hope for Good 20. How diametrically thwart to this is that River of Thoughts like swarms of Locusts which are uncontroulably allow'd to consume our precious Fruit and these Thoughts are mostly generated in the stinking Lakes of discomposing converse with bestial people 21. Christ's sweating Blood in his Agony was when his Sufferings came to the breaking of the fourth Form which is the Fire for then did the other Forms severally grow prevalent surrounding him with Death that state being such as Men mean when they say the Heart is broken for in the Heart is the fire-Fire-life All which did our dear Lord bear because Adam had enkindled in himself a Fire which had not Gracious Love even then interposed and been inspoken had soon devour'd him 22. The Lord was betray'd by Judas his pretended Friend and Servant for such seemed the Serpent to Eve and by a Kiss a fatal false Friendship of Eve to Adam thus we still fall by mistaking Enmity for Friendship perishing for want of Knowledge 23. Our Saviour was apprehended and bound for Adam our Undoer going out of the Liberty was bound by the prevailing Anguishes of the first Principle and Mortality of the third Principle 24. Jesus the Eternal Light was thus dealt with by Night because Adam went out of the Eternal Day into Eternal Darkness therefore was the Lord carried to the Murtherers by Night 25. Our King the Lord of Glory was mocked reproached derided and scorn'd by vile Men because Adam had introduced such odious shame as made him the scorn of the Devils 26. The Prince of our Peace was scourged though the Innocent Lamb of God for Adam awakening all the Properties made not only the Essences to be inwardly Raging but his outward Body as that of the Beast to be subjected to the Whip which the gracious Lord refus'd not to endure for us 27. The Son of God Heir of all Things and King of Immortality was Crown'd as if he had been a false King with Thorns because Adam would in his Pride be like God and wear this World's Crown 28. And as all these were but Fore-runners or Entrance of Adam on the borders of Everlasting Destruction whereinto he was plunging his whole Man and Posterity so all these things were done to the second Adam and meekly endur'd by Him before His Passion 29. And all this was to make a plain and terrible Demonstration to all Mankind that Sin unrepented of becomes a Substance crying for all inward and outward Vengeance for ever See 25 Chap. of the Three Principles Q. 118. Why must the very Teachers of the Law bring Christ to the Judgment and yet must be put to Death by the Heathenish Magistracy What doth that signifie A. 1. That so it was appears Now to answer why it was so Let it be noted that Persecutions proceed not out of the second Principle for in that all are United in Love and Meekness nor out of the third wherein Civil Magistracy standeth for that of its own Nature if not unwarily heated persecuteth none as is found in Christian Republicks who have no oppressive interest to advance or support Persecution introduceth not its sting 2. Nor in such only but in the Mahometan Monarchies is not Religion as such persecuted but Conquests made for the greatning their poor outward Momentary Power And this is found not only among the Turks but Persians under
the Grave A. 1. If it be clearly known what the High-Priests were and what Figure they bear it may also be known why they would resist God and strive to keep Christ in the Grave And what they were and figur'd is manifest in the 128 Answer They were as to their fiery Zeal Captives in the Properties of the first Principle without enkindling the Light of the â—econd which makes Men free Their heat as to their Law was rooted in Enmity which is the true cause of all Persecutions 2. For if they had been moderated by the Maxims of the third as obscure as they are Tho' the Divine Light had been withheld and not enkindled yet cruel Persecution could not would not thence naturally have proceeded See 118 Answer 3. It is written Cast not Pearls before Swine left they trample them under their Feet which Swine are the Bestial Men in the third Principle Again Cast not holy things to Dogs lest they turn again and rent you These are they of the Wrath Principle or first Principle whose Root is in the dark fiery property and anguish of that first Principle So that a Hog is better than a Dog 4. Whenever we are shutting out the Rebukes of God in his Providences against our wilful Contrivances or the Convictions from his Word Preached or written or the just Reproofs of good or bad Men for our faults or the checks of our own Hearts and Gods Witness in our Consciences and would by our partiality and indulgence to our selves flatter our selves hide our evils like Adam seek excuses stifle silence extenuate or any way palliate the Matter charg'd on us then are we as those Watchers keeping Christ as much as in us lyes from the Resurrection out of the Grave Q. 133. Why did the Evangelist say that the Angel removed the great Stone from the Door or Mouth of the Sepulchre Could not Christ have riâ—en else out of the Grave A. 1. This is the eighth Angelical Ministration to Christ recorded by the Evangelists there being ten in all viz. 1. To Mary before the Conception 2. To Joseph concerning her 3. To the Shepherds at the Nativity 4. To Joseph to fly from Herod into Egypt 5. To return on the death of Herod 6. To â—he Lord aâ—ter his Fasting and being Tempted 7. Again to the Lord in his Agony in the Garden 8 This removing the Stone 9 Two Angels in the Sepulchre after his Resurrection 10. Two Angels at the Ascention 2. By reason of Mans folly and slownes of Heart to believe the great and important Doctrine of Christs being risen did it please the Lord to condescend this way to help Mans Infidelity and confirm their weak Faith And therefore came the Angel of the Lord and rouled back the Stone and sate upon it and there was a great Earthquake and the Keepers did shake and became as dead Men for the countenance of the Angel was as Lightning 3. There was no need oâ— the Lords part to roul away the Stone for his Heavenly holy Body which enâ—red to the Apostles the Doors being shut could not be detained by the Stone of the Sepulchre For the Heavenly Humanity is not included nor exclusible by any thing but passeth unapprehended through all things being Lord of all living in himself in his own holy Principle the Eternal Liberty 4. But the poor Earthy Children of faln Adam being Captives in the third Principle have need enough of all Gods gracious Condescendings to work Faith and confirm our Confidence and ground our hope for which gracious ends was the glorious Messenger of Irresistible Majesty sent on this Errand But so obstinate and great â—s Mans hardness of Heart that all this and what followed were needful to settle a Foundation for his Apostles and Martyrs to build their and our Faith upon But for ever blessed be the Almghtâ— God that all his gracious Promises and Purposes are abundantly ratified and opened for he is for ever the yea and Amen 5. Thus as Adam in the Face of good and bad viz. of the Holy and Hellish Worlds felâ— into impotence into the Our birth of the third Principle So the second Adam bâ— the Ministry of the glorious Ambassador of the mighty power World whose Countenance was as lightning and in presence of the astonished Souldiers figuring the Hellish Principle raised the right Humane Nature And thus also must we if we will arise with our Head be as Passives suffering the Lord to exercise all his Rights in and on us with a resigned sence of our inability wretchedness and vanity Q. 134. What is the power of Christs Resurrection through Death How did he make a Triumphant shew of Death on his Body What was it then that he did with it A. In the 45th Answer is shew'd what Adam was before his Fall In the 69th Answer is what Adam's Fall plung'd him and us into and in the 121st what the death of Christ and effect of it is Every of which three Answers being duly consider'd will conduce much to the opening of this We come to search what the power of Christs Resurrection is whereby he Triumphed over all opposite Powers and Principalities and made a shew thereof in his Body 1. The Fall and Curse brought wrath into Adam's several Principles viz. the four properties of the first into Enmity and Rage Also so captivated obscured and buried the Transparency of his second Principle that the Virgin of Divine Wisdom totally disappearing retir'd into her own Heaven thenceforth he became wholâ—y impotent and utterly dead to the Divine Magia only the Siderial Magia did â—it as Councellor in his Earthy Reason whereinto the Serpentine subtilty can familiarly insinuate 2. But so much of the Tincture remained in him as is inseparable from the several Existencies and for the sake whereof the very Out-birth of the Creatures shall in their Idea's have a Resurrection by Vertue of the Tincture in them 3. His third Principle was also as wretched as its Capacity extended to for the Astral Man was under a series of Evil Cross Conjunctions and Aspects The Elementary was brutish degenerate and like the worst of Beasts Where was now the dear first precious Image of Modesty when he was now half Devil and half Beast 4. Of this fierce State and Death it is said O Death I will be thy Death which is done by introducing of Life and the Life thus enkindled is as the Tincture transmuting Metals by feeding their hunger by such part of the vertue of the second Principle which the hunger longeth after and is capable of 5. And the Divine Love fire begotten and arising in the Soul is the Soul's Resurrection of which it is said Blessed and holy is he that hath part of the first Resurrection for of such the second Death shall have no Power 6. The great Doctrine of the Resurrection hath had many Enemies besides the Athenians who laught at it for the Sadduces amongst the
the Infinite Original of all well pleasing and Wisdom the Process of both which is the Infinite Original of the All-holy Love and Goodness in these three is one Infinity yesterday to day and for ever by in and for whom are all the seven Spirits or Properties generating Harmoniously and Triumphantly at once and ever and in the United accord of their Powers subsisteth the Holy World Also in the separate Properties of six of the seven Spirits standeth immutably the Abyss of the Dark World which though in their Union is truly and really existent yet till the Separation is for ever unmanifested as in the preceding Answers is often most conspicuous as in many places of the Writings of the blessed Jacob Behmen and particularly in the 15th of the Answers v. 3. 4. 16. And here are the two Eternal Worlds or Principles of Love and Anger Darkness and Light known only in the Separation of the Properties in the Creatures so that either both or neither is Eternal they having the Self-same Eternal Root and Consistence and the effluenced Creation is Imaged either by all the seven Spirits in Harmony or by all of them in Discord where one or more potently tyrannizeth over the rest and thus stand the Heavenly and Hellish Powers with the Holy Glorious and contrary Impious black Inhabitants And when the Out-world viz. the Astral was formed the two Eternal Worlds impressed their Images therein over which Man as the second Race of Intellectuals was natural Lord substituted to hold the Dominion wherein while he stood was no more subject to Mutation having his habitation in the Holy World than Eternity is to time which it comprehendeth but is not measur'd by for Eternity and the Eternal Inhabitants are never old but as their Worlds are ever new so themselves ever young there being no to Morrow but all is to Day with and in them And this is firmly true in both Worlds 17. But his Fall subjected him to the various Alterations of Time his Out-birth becoming subject thereunto which how Evil soever is not the greatest Evil for as on the one hand it as it were cut him off from the firm Land of Holiness to be like a floating isle of Vanity and Vexation so on the other hand the tossed Turf is not so swallow'd up as immediately to sink nor is so far driven but there remains a possibility by the sweet gales of the Holy Spirit to be reunited to the firm Land whence it had broken it self whereas the Apostate Angels like a piece of a Rock sank into the Deep without hope of reverting and cementing for ever having deprived themselves of all but one Principle and are destitute of a Medium having no falt in themselves whereas in Man on this side fixt Enmity there is United to their first fierce dark Anguish an intrusted Talent of inspoken Grace like a Tincture of the meek humble Principle of Love both inward Worlds being Imaged in the outward transient floating Life 18. Thus was it that Infinite Goodness moved Infinite Pity and Compassion that the Son of God himself took our Humanity and made it a Sacrifice to attone in us the enraged Forms of our first Principle being the Father's Property according to which he is call'd a consuming Fire and reunite us in the Kingdom and second Principle of Love Peace Meekness Purity and true Wisdom for without the Out-birth which is the place of Mutation no change can be because in the Astral Powers are the Alterations effected for there are the Figures of both the hidden Worlds therefore the least thought of transmuting the state of the Holy to Prophaneness or the Wicked to relaxation of their Torment were to admit or suggest a Contradiction no less absurd than to assign Eternity to the Vanity of the present transient momentany Life or to impeach Eternal Omnipotent stability with a possibility of Annihilation See the part of Answer of the blessed Jacob Behmen to the 15th of these Questions in the four first Verses also the rest of that Answer to the End Meditations and brief Contemplations on some of the Preceding Questions Propounded by Jacob Behmen On the 14th Question and Answer What is Lucifer's Office in Hell with his Legions 1. MY Soul first ponder thou God's Immensity as it is written Whither shall I go from thy Presence This Globe of Earth and Sea is great but to the Deep from Stars to Stars is a Point to a vast Circumference and that vast Deep is a Pâ—iâ—t to another proportionably greater than this is to our Ball and all that and twenty or twenty Thousands of such Deeps compared with him is nothing for if spoken out by him it leaves him nothing the less for he is still Infinite as before Again Meditate thou his Omnipresence for no Point or least Centre of the least imaginable Circle exempts him but in every such part is the same Infinite undivided Jehovah entirely present his Omniscience is hence undeniable for he that made the Eye shall he not see Behold again his Omnipotency whereby he from Eternity and in Eternity generates his only Son and by him all Eternal Glories and in the Abyss of his Infinite Power is the Dark Abyss If I make my Bed in Hell thou art there 2. Concerning Man reflect thou my Soul with Grief and Astonishment What a God is he who the black Mouths of vile crawling Worms and proud Dust do desperately abuse by Prophane Swearing as if that Holy and fearful awful Name were a common thing wherewith they make Blasphemously bold with Hellish Execrations Again what a Hell doth the Lord's Redemption free all from whose discording Forms of Life in the first Principle are attoned by kindling the saving renewing Light of Life in them of the Holy second Principle being a fifth Form and Quintessence turning by the Supream Tincture Everlasting Dying into Eternal Life and Regenerating a Holy bright Child out of a Corrupt dark impure Mother Again what can the Summit of selfish Skill sharpest Speculation and Penetration into Divine Sacred Mysteries avail if thou arrive not iâ— to the Holy self-same Principle by Mortification and the first Resurrection what short of that can make thee better than the Devils what can the exactest Form of Godliness advantage thee more than it doth him who can transform himself into an Angel of Light 3. Then O my Soul proceed on to Meekness Integrity Faith and Love in Holy Fear till thou come to the Feet of thy Jesus Or move not at all but remain a Swine a Dog a Beast inwardly a Devil for if thou goest part of the way only thy Fall as of a Stone from a high place is the most heavy but to persevere will make thee more blessedly Happy than Hell is miserably Accursed On the 15th Question and Answer Hath Hell a Temporary Beginning or Eternal c. 1. Here opens a wide Prospect into the Abyss of Eternity for as the Dark World originates from the Abyss
the snuff of a Candle is â—id in the Centre of the Light as is appâ—râ—nt iâ— Lucifer â— Now how we may conceiue that God is an â—â—gry zealous God and a gracious merciful God the seven Species or Circumstance must be 〈…〉 to win The 1. Astringent 2. Sweet 3. Bitter 4. Heat 5. 〈◊〉 6. Tone or Sound 7. The Body generated out of the other six Spirits 6. The sweet Quality flâ—eth from the bitter which is the cause of the growth of Fruit in Vegetables and the Astringent and bitter eagerly pursue it cloaths it and is the cause of a stalk and when it overtakes it strives to hinder its farther flight and so comes the knot in the stalks through which is a small Orifice the sweet Quality gets through that and then comes more stalk leaves and blossoms which by the external heat and light gets colours but the sweet Water is not a Mother strong enough to produce Fruit but the blossoms being fallen off the outward Heat with the united aid of all the Qualities bringeth the Fruit. 7. The Light riseth up only in the sweet Quality no thing can be kindled but that in which the sweet Quality is predominant for the Spirit riseth up only in the Water A Stone or Earth cannot be kindled because the Astringent and bitter Qualities are predominant in them only The Earth when the earthy quality is boyl'd out is brought as in Gun-powder to give a flash of Terror wherein the Devil in the anger of God representeth himself 8. But that the Water will not burn is because it is not the sweet Water but Elementary only Else Water were not Mortal Flesh shineth not but fat doth the sweet quality prevailing therefore lean Creatures are not merry Q. Where are the seven Spirits 9. A. All Heaven and this World and all the Creatures in Heaven and Earth are comprehended in them Q. Seeing God is every where and is himself all How comes heat cold wrath and fierceness among the Creatures 10. A. The first four Forms are at Enmity with each other without the Light and yet are the cause of the Life 11. Know that all within the Stars was a holy Salitter and the place of Lucifer whose proud Elevation kindled the seven qualifying and Fountain-Spirits all was burning The Astringent compacted so vigorously that Stones were generated and so Cold that the sweet Water became Ice and part thick stinking and raging Poison 12. Whereupon Lucifer was thrust out and instantly insued the Creation of this World and the hard spoiled corrupt matter which had wrought out it self in the kindling the seven Qualities was driven together whence Earth and Stones came to be and after that all the Creatures were made of the kindled Salitter of the seven Spirits of God their kindling made the fierceness of one Property against another and the Creatures from the same impulse do bite and annoy each other 13. Upon which the Universal God hath Decreed the last Judgment to separate the Good unto the meek Delight which was before the kindling by Lucifer and give that which is fierce and wrathful to be an Habitation for the Devil for ever The Good Men being Eternally with their King Jesus Christ. CHAP. X. 1. THE sixth Fountain Spirit is the Sound Tone or Noise 1. Whence is the singing Melody of the Angels and all Colours and Beauty are from the Tone or Mercurius 2. Hardness is the Father but the whole Salitter is the Mother for if the hardness were both Father and Mother a Stone would sound and ring 3. But where the Light is generated out of the Heat there riseth the sound viz. The Astringent Quality rubbeth it self with the bitter making Heat rise up in the sweet Water the flash of Light distinguisheth there and iâ—pregnâ—teth the bitter and Astringent so that the moving Spirits would speak Then the flash coming from the bitter breaketh open the hard and the Tone goeth forth as it was decreed in the Centre in the middle of the Circle the Council of the seven Spirits 4. Therefore all the Veins and Powers go into the Tongue that the Noise may go forth gently 5. Of the seven Spirits six always generate the seventh without every one there would not be any one 6. But the Author saith his naming of but two or three to the Nativity of a Spirit is though he saw them all seven well yet because of his weakness he could not bear the speculating them all at once in their Perfection but in part 7. Otherwise if a thought through the Centre of Nature could penetrate all the Forms it were free from the Bond of Nature 8. From the flash comes the Light of the Majesty therefore if any one could in his flesh comprehend the flash kindling it self in the central Fountain of the Heart which the Author saith he very well saw how it is that Person could clarifie or transfigure his Body therewith and be like the Angels and no more bestial 9. The Soul hath the first Principle the Spirit of the Soul hath the second the Astral Spirit hath the third in the Elements 10. When a Fire riseth up in one of the Fountain Spirits it is not concealed from the Soul which may awaken the other Spirits and it hath a Prison and if the Fire become too big can shut up the kindled Spirit in the Astringent quality till it be allay'd and extinguished Else the Sap that is in the whole seven will become dry and then thou art a Hellish Firebrand But if thou take the evil Spirit and imprison it and turn a submissive Heart and Will to God contemning Honour Pleasure Riches Wantonness by bearing the Cross and being the Worlds Fools then will not the Fire at the last Judgment Day stick to thy sappy Spirits but after this anxious trouble God will in the Resurrection Crown thee and thou wilt be a Triumphing Angel 11. Q. Is there in God also any contrary Will amongst the Spirits of God 12. A. No tho' the great earnest severity of God may by the former Writings of the Spirit be seen yet in God is no disunion in him all the Spirits Love and Triumph as one Spirit but in the innermost secret geniture not apprehended by any Creature but in the flash it must be so for Life and Omniscience is thus begotten for tho' Lucifer kindled the Spirits of this World and made it all faint and half dead yet this World belongeth to the Body of God the Father as well as Heaven 13. And the whole Trinity is generated in the Heart of all Angels and Men except the Devil and Damned Men and in such a manner is God Almighty All-seeing c. and proveth the Hearts and Reins 14. Thus also all the Devils and Damned must in the Salitter which they have corrupted be his Eternal Priseners in Torment and Reproach 15. 1. The hardness
innermost Geniture of God and presseth in through the Astral and Fleshly Geniture it is clearly in Heaven 3. But the Out-birth of this World was Lucifer's Kingdom to the Stars and so far is the Wrath of God between which outmost Birth of this and the outmost Birth of that is a great gulph and are one to the other as Death is to Life or a Stone to a Man So that as to the Out-birth we cannot see the Angels nor they dwell with us but in the innermost they dwell with us 4. The second Birth or Geniture viz. the Astral standeth in the seven Fountain Spirits of this World in which the Holy Ghost also ruleth and helpeth to generate the third Holy Birth 5. The which third Holy Birth is the clear Holy Heaven which uniteth with the Heart of God and holdeth the Devil Captive in the Out-birth in the Anger Fire 6. Out of this Heart Jesus Christ in the Womb of the Virgin went into all the three Births that he might with his innermost take the Devil Captive in the Out-birth overcome the Wrath of God as a Victorious Prince and in the Power of his Birth in the Flesh press through all Men whereby he is become Lord and King of our Heaven and Earth over Sin Devil Death and Hell in whom we also press through the sinful corrupted Out-dead-birth of the Flesh through Death and the wrath of God into our Heaven in which Heaven now sitteth our King Jesus Christ as an Almighty Son on the Right Hand of God being present in all the three Births in this World in all corners and places bearing up all ruling in the Throne of the once potent and now expelled Lucifer 7. When Stephen saw Heaven opened and the Lord Jesus at the Right Hand of God his Spirit did not swing it self up into the upper Heaven aloft but penetrated into the innermost Birth Concerning the Constitution and Form of the Earth 8. Every thing must have a Root The Earth is come from the corrupted Salitter of the outmost Birth for in Earth and Stones is Death and in it is also a Life else Gold Silver and Vegetables could not grow therein 9. Three Births are in it the outmost is Death the second is Life pressing through it being in the Wrath Fire and that of Love and the third is the Holy Life 10. In the outmost is Gods Wrath else why engendereth it poysonous venemous Worms and creeping Things 11. The Earth hath more than one kind of Life for Herbs and Wood are not Earth nor is Fruit Wood nor is the vertue of the Fruit God for the outmost Birth containeth him not but he containeth the Out-birth Q. Why is the Earth so Mountany c 12. A. Where the sweet Water was chief much earthy palpable Water came to be 13. The corrupted Salitter was more abounding in one place than another Also 14. Where the Astringent Quality was chief in the bitterness in Mercurius much Earth and Stones were compacted 15. Where the Heat in the Light much Silver and Gold and some clear Stones 16. Where the Love in the Light the most precious Stones and finest Gold 17. Where are great Lakes and Seas over that Zenith there being not much Salitter there came to be a Valley for which resting place the thin Water sought resembling the Spirit of meekness not elevating it self as in the Bitter Fires quality the Devils did On the words the Evening and Morning were the first day is said 18. Evening and Morning reacheth only up from the Earth to the Moon taking its Original from the Light of the Sun which maketh the outward day and the outward Night Not that there was then a twofold Creation of Evening and Morning Query Whether by it be not meant by once turning about of the Earth whereby the Evening and Morning came to be that is by one Revolution 19. A. Man having a Threefold Birth tho' with his inward he uniteth with the Light of God cannot bring it perfectly back to his Astral and less to his outward Birth which tho' Moses did in part when his Face shone but could not see God perfectly and live even as an Apple on a Tree cannot bring its Smell and Taste back into the Tree nor Earth CHAP. XX. On the Creation in the Second Day Let there be a Firmament in the midst of the Waters c. 1. THis Firmament divideth the impalpable inward pure Water from the outward palpable corrupted Water Wherein is Death which lyeth Captive below the Moon and is the House of the Devils Death and Hell where the fierce Wrath of God becometh kindled daily by the Devils through the great Sins of Men which mix with the Astral Birth in the Deep 2. But even those pure Waters have some of the Wrath in them and is that meant where 't is said The Heavens are not pure in his sight 3. The innermost holds the outward Water strongly Captive and the outward Earth also else with the Revolution of the Globe the Water would be divided or dissolved and the Earth crumble away Which Firmament is between the clear Deity and corrupt Nature 4. Yet the Deep above the Earth may be said to be a place where Gods Holiness dwelleth for the whole Holy Trinity dwelleth in the Centre under the Firmament of Heaven tho' that cannot comprehend him but dwelleth not there fully bodily and creaturely as the Angels and Souls of Men do 5. The Third Birth is the Almighty Holy Heart of God wherein Christs Natural Body sitteth for his Natural Body is not as John Calvin thought such as reacheth no farther than a little circumscribed place wherein it is 6. For if every Man in his Astral Spirit comprehendeth the whole Body of this World should not the Fountain Spirits in the Natural Body of Christ being out of the Fountain Spirits of Nature and his Heart out of the inward Birth viz. the Heart of God which comprehendeth all Angels and the Heaven of Heavens viz. the whole Father should not it comprehend the whole World and uphold it as the only Head Heart and King of it in his Hands are his Sheep whom none can pluck out CHAP. XXI 1. MAN is made out of the Seed viz. Matrix of the Earth wherein the Eye is Twofold one in God the other in this World out of the three Principles not out of the Wrath but out of the Birth of the Earth in the Astral Birth in the part of Love but Wrath hung to him which he should have put forth from himself as the Fruit putteth forth from it self the bitterness of the Tree but that he did not but reached back from the Love into the Wrath and lusted after his Dead or Mortal Mother to suck her Breasts and so brought his outermost Birth into Mortality and his Astral Birth or Life into the part of the Wrath. 2. Man's Soul or Spirit is generated out of the
which though it was benummed yet the Life was hid in it and generated the â—tars out of Nature so the Light rose up making its Seat in the House of Death which Death could comprehend as little as Wrath doth Meekness 2. As a Tree hath Life Vegetation and Sap producing Fruit which the dry Bark hath little of through which the living Power thrusteth forth Twiggs while the withered Rind harboureth Worms which at last destroy the Tree It is the Love which breaketh through the House of Death and is one Life with God 3. The Stars are come out of the Power of the seven Spirits of God for the Wrath of God was kindled by the Devil and the Out-birth as dross and scum was driven together whence came Earth and Stones for the Body of God as to this World could not remain in Death but the corrupted Nature with its palpability hath remained in Death and is the House of Devils therefore God created new Angels viz. Adam and would bar up Lucifer in the outer Darkness Q. Why had not this been done instantly and then he had not done so much Mischief 4. A. God purposed to make an excellent Angelical Army out of the Earth and all Vegetations after a Heavenly manner and then Extract the Heart or Kernel at last and separate it from Death and the Death of the Earth and Wrath therein should be Lucifer's who in the mean time should and now doth lye Captive in the Deep above the Earth 5. But that there are so many Stars of differing Operations shews God's Infiniteness and their continuance shews there shall be a constant Uniform Birth Q. When the Devil and his Angels fell why had not God instantly bolted him up in the place where he fell 6. A. What Sin hath the Salitter committed that it should stand totally in Eternal shame None therefore God willed to use iâ— as a Dwelling for the new Race of Angels Adam and his Children and leave only the kindled fierceness to the Devil which had it been all left to the Devil out of it could not a new Body have been built 7. The Stars are a sharp Birth and innermost Geniture which had theirfirst kindling from Heaven and God useth them as an Instrument to the wrestling fighting Birth and to anxiety for on the third Day the anxiety in the Birth of this World rub'd it self whence the Fire flash existed and the Light of the Stars kindled it self in the Water of Life till the third Day Nature was a dark Valley and then Life brake through Death and the new Birth began for so long Jesus Christ rested in Death The old Body which standeth in the austereness is a House to the Devil but the new to the Kingdom of Christ. CHAP. XXV 1. EVery Star hath a peculiar Property as may be perceived by the various curious Ornament of the blossoming Earth which variety should have kindled the old Body into so many Powers to break forth through the Wrath that the new Life might have all the Powers that eâ—er the old had before the times of the Wrath which new Body blossomed at the Creation but Nature being by Man more corrupted God Cursed the Ground for Man took hold of the Fruit of the old Body wherefore the Fruit of the new was hidden and the bestial Body had â—Eves Wrath Apples to Eat 2. Concerning the Sun As far as the middle Point or Centre hath kindled it self just so big is the Sun for that is the Sun The Light of the Meekness of the Sun uniteth with the pure Deity and were the great Heat taken away from the Sun it would be one Light with God but the Heat cannot comprehend the Light therefore the place of the Sun remaineth in the Body of God's Wrath. 3. The Sun hath its royal place to it self whence it moveth not but the Earth rouls about every 24 Hours and compasseth the place of the Sun once every Year as do the other Planets but Saturn Jupiter and Mars by reason of their great heighth cannot do it so soon 1. The Life of a Creature is in the Heat of the Heart so is the Sun to the whole Deep 2. The Gall is not existed from the Heart but yet is the Mobility or stirring of the Heart by a Vein that goeth from the one to the other so is Mars 3. The Brain is the Power of the Heart so is Jupiter The Astral Birth stands with one Root in the Holy Heaven and with the Corporeity is in the Wrath. CHAP. XXVI 1. SAturn is Cold and Astringent and takes not his Power from the Sun but as the Sun is the Heart of the Life so is Saturn the beginner of Corporeity and of all Formings and as Jupiter is of the Brain so is this of the Skull his place is in the midst between Jupiter and the general Sphere of the fixed Stars 2. Venus is a gracious kindler of Love in Nature for when the two Spirits of the Life and Mobility were risen up out of the place of the Sun viz. Mars and Jupiter then the Meekness as a Seed of the Water pressed downward with the Power of Light whence existed the Love of Life or Planet Venus mitigating the fierceness of Mars and humbling Jupiter else the Brains would break through the Brain Pan and transmute it self in high-mindedness in the manner of Proud Lucifer 3. Of Mercurius The seven Spirits of God are perfectly in every place but if in any one place they wrestle not triumphingly in that place is no Mobility but a deep Darkness such a House is the House of Flesh in Man such was the whole space of this World when the Deity in the 7 Spirits had withdrawn it self from the Devils and had so continued if the seven Planets and Stars had not risen from God's Spirits but the Heart of the Deity hideth it self in the Corporeity and Out-birth of this World which therefore is in great Anguish till the Heart of God will move it self again in the seven Spirits of God in this World and kindle them and then the Sun and Stars will pass away again to their first place and the Light of God shall fill all the Body of this World and when the anxiety tasteth the sweetness of the Light of God all is richly full of Joy and the whole Body triumpheth which now cannot be because the fierce captive Devil keeps House in the Out-brith of this World till the last Judgment Day and then the Heart of God with his Fan will cleanse his Flour and breaking through Proclaim bright Day 4. The Earth is the Fruit of the seventh Spirit of God but Man's Body is far more Noble being an Extracted Mass out of the Salitter out of the seventh Nature-Spirit 5. When the Seed is generated the Astringent Spirit draweth together a Mass out of the sweet Water that is out of the
pure Element 7. In the holy Ternary and pure Element spring the Paradisical Fruits and the Virgin of Wisdom is the great Spirit in the whole Heavenly World and the Holy Element is her Body But the Deity is Incomprehensible yet as a Soul to a Body in the Holy Ternary The Virgin of God's Wisdom Christ brought with him to be a Bride to our Souls and the Holy Ternary which is his Body is the Food of our Souls Amen John 6. 56. 8. Baptism was not instituted in respect of the Earthly Man which belonged to Earth nor of the Heavenly Man which was pure already but for the poor Souls sake for though we may have a new Body we cannot have a new Soul that being out of the Eternity Therefore as the Holy Ghost over-shadowed and impregnated Mary so the Water out of the Heavenly Matrix coming out of the Holy Ternary in the Baptism over-shadoweth and filleth the Soul and so reneweth the Earthy Water of the Out-birth washing it clean that it is in resignation a pure Angel and may eat of the Heavenly Fruit which is the cause of Baptism Thenceforth if it incline it self forward into God this World is only bound or tyed to it till it enter into Death CHAP. XXIII Of the Testaments of Christ Baptism and the Supper 1. CHrist said he would be with us always and would give us his Body and Blood for Meat and Drink 2. The Deity is not divided and if the Father be every where so is the Son his Heart nor is the Son divided and a spark of the Deity in his Body and the rest every where When Christ sat with his Disciples he gave them his Flesh and Blood viz. His holy Heavenly Body in the second Principle and his holy Heavenly Blood in the pure Element wherein is the holy Tincture and Holy Life 3. The holy pure Element is every where and substantial generated of God therein is the Ternariâ—â— Sanctus and that is the heavenly Body of Christ with our here assumed Soul in it with the fulness of the Deity therein 4. Thus the regenerated Soul putteth on the Body of Christ viz. his Eternal Humanity which is out of the holy Element and which giveth the new Body Meat and Drink The Father every where from Eternity to Eternity doth generate the Son and from both doth the Holy Ghost every where proceed 5. The inward Element which compriseth this World became Christ's Eternal Body the Deity espoused it self thereunto and acteth the Heavenly new Humanity which is an Omnipresent Creature such as captivated all Devils Thus all Men who earnestly and stedfastly draw near to Christ are in their new Man in Heaven who acteth their new Humanity Christ hath taken this Pledge of us viz. our Souls in Mary 6. Christ began his Baptism by John his fore-runner who was born before Christ signifying that Water is the cause and beginning of the Life and in it by the Tincture cometh Sulphur wherein is vital Motion And in the Sulphur and Water the Tincture after causeth Blood 7. In the same order is the Regeneration that the Soul be Baptized in the Water of Eternal Life and then the grain of Mustard-seed of the Pearl be sown that it become a new Fruit in God 8. Children ought to be Baptized or the Covenant is contemned for though Children know not that which is done to them yet it is not in our fore-knowing but in God's that the Covenant stands and if thou as the tree be in the Covenant so may thy Child as the branch thy Faith is its Faith Art thou a true Christian Thy Child at the kindling of its Life passeth into the Covenant yet omit not to Baptize for when 't is born 't is sever'd from the tree and thou must with thy Faith and Prayer present it 9. And because the outward Body is in this World therefore the outward Water is requisite and with the inward Water of Eternal Life the Holy Ghost in the Covenant baptizeth the inward Man 10. Yet if after the Soul depart the Virgin passeth into the Centre of the Light of Life but if it again return is receiv'd And therefore was the other Testament of the Lord's Body and Blood left in which the outward Man hath the outward Elements of Bread and Wine The inward new Man feeds on Christ's heavenly Flesh and Blood and the Soul feeds on the pure Deity 11. The unworthy Receiver feeds outwardly on the four Elements and inwardly on the Wrath of God having departed as did the fallen Angels out of the Love CHAP. XXIV Of true Repentance 1. TO enter into true Repentance the Mind with all the Thoughts Purposes and Reason must be collected wholly into one will resolution and earnest desire to forsake all Abominations and fix the Soul in a stedfast Confidence in God's Mercy 2. That which terrifieth and with-holdeth arising from the greatness of Sin is of Sathan but every though but the least thought inclining the Will towards God and that it would fain enter into Repentance is not from self but the Love of God draweth his Spirit inviteth the noble Virgin calleth 3. Neglect not to give the Lord a meeting who will certainly give a hearty welcom Come Knock Pray he knows the Language of a hearty Sigh Depart not press from Sin so doth the Kingdom of God press into thee wait from day to day the greater the earnestness the greater will be the Jewel 4. But this Seed is not instantly a Tree The Devil would root it up many Storms rush on it every thing in this World is against it sometimes Sins cover it Conscience upbraids the Traveller even God's Children themselves rush on him he sometimes doth what he reproves in others even against his own Light and Purposes 5. When it is thus the Tree of Pearl is hidden for not being sowen in the outward Man which is not worthy of it but is Sathan's Seat that doth what the Soul opposeth It is sometimes done by the Spirit of the Stars in Man So that a Christian is not known to himself how much less to others and is often wounded in the strife for the Field in which the new Man grows is barren harsh cold sour and bitter but the new Man arm'd by the sharp Sword of Christ's Death is Conqueror growing as the Herb or Flower out of the Earth by the pleasant Sunshine CHAP. XXV Of the Dying Death Resurrection Ascension of Christ and his sitting on the right Hand of God his Father Also our Misery and the Divine Power of his Love 1. THE outward Man and its Actions Thoughts and Intents are Instruments of the Spirit of the great World which after Corrupt 2. None therefore should scorn another having our several Compositions Habits and Mutations according to our Constellations and Influences which are not wholly rooted out till Dissolution though Regeneration oppose the falshood of the outward corruptible Man 3. But the outward Man 's not
doing what it would is not from its Wisdom but the Heavens Contra conjunctions 4. But if it be restrain'd from Sin that is not by the Aâ—tral Aspects but by the Regeneration whose strife cannot yet swallow up the earthy but the fire is sometimes blown up again 5. So great is our Misery Let none be secure for sometimes the whole Man running to Evil loseth the Pearl 6. The Soul is bound with two Chains the one is the root of its original Poison and Anger remediable only by him who is Love it self the other that of the Flesh and Blood and Region of the Stars therefore God assumed a Human Soul from ours and a new heavenly Body like to our glorious Body before the Fall and not only to cloath the Soul with it but really Unite it in the Essences and so became a Creature in all the three Principles And by separating the third passed thence by Death as a flower out of the Earth captivating Death by treading on the Head of it in the new Body 7. So by kindling the Love in the Soul captivateth the Devil in the Eternal Prison of Anger for in the Light is the Holy Trinity which the Devil neither can nor dare behold so saith Paul O Death where is thy Sting O Hell where is thy Victory 8. The causes why Christ must not only die but in so many sorts suffer are as follow Man's Fall made all the Essences of the first four Forms predominant so that had not the Eternal Word given it self into the Centre of the fifth Form opening another Centre of Love the Soul in this Body had been captive in an Eternal Prison 9. And when in Jesus Christ the fourth Form came to be broken all the Forms stirred and environ'd him and in him us with Death which made the bloody Sweat and the outward Man cry Father if it be possible let this Cup pass from me 10. And as Adam by going out of the fifth Form viz. the Angelical into the fourth became the scorn of the Devils so the Pharisees who lived in the Spirit of this World must have their pleasure on Christ for a terrible Example That what we fill our Souls with becomes a substance in the figure and must come under the Judgment of God 11. And as Adam would in his Pride be like God and wear this Worlds Crown Christ must in this World be crown'd with Thorns as a false King of or in it 12. And as after Adam's entring into the Spirit of this World he had a Rib broken from his Side for a Wife so did Blood by scourging flow from Christ's Body and his blessed Side pierced and opened 13. And as Adam departed out of the Eternal Day into the Eternal Night so was Christ bound in the dark Night and carried before the angry Murtherers 14. And as Adam chang'd his Angelical for this gross Body so was Christ loaden with the heavy wooden Cross. 15. And as upon Adam's Disobedience the fierce wrathful Essences pierced him so must Christ be pierced in his Hands Feet by sharp Nails fixing him to his Cross. 16. And as when Adam's Soul entred the fourth Form the Cross-birth was stirred so hath the Man on his Brain the one half of the Cross and the Woman the other 17. And as Adam then hung between the Kingdom of Hell and this World so did Christ between the two Malefactors the one whereof was forgiven entring with Christ into Paradise 18. The great Secret The Love of God or the second Principle became Man taking the Human Soul which was out of the first viz. the Anger and Body out of the third viz. the Our-birth so there hung on the Cross all the three Principles then commending his Spirit to his Father he bowed the head and departed 19. His Father is all the Kingdom Power and Glory So the Love is his Heart and Light His Anger is his strength and darkness the Father took the Soul into the Trinity and in the Soul the loâ—t Paradise sprung up 20. And by the rising of another â—un in Death viz. in the Father's Anger the outward Sun which was generated out of the pure Element the Body of Christ loâ—t its Light 21. And at the Holy Lifes going into Death the Rocks rent And those who had put their trust in the Messiah as Patriarchs Prophets c. when Christ's Mortal had put on Immortality got their new Bodies out of Christ's Holy Body and Vertue 22. Of Christs rest in the Grave That the Soul of Christ leaving his Body in the Grave descended into Hell a great way off and there chaineâ— the Devils is nothing so For all the three Principles hung on the cross why not also reâ—â—ed in the Grave with the Body forty Hours for the Heavenly Body was not Dead but the Earthy only His Soul came with the Light into the Anger causing 〈…〉 radise to revive which made the Devils tremble and captivated them for the Light is their terror and shame 23. Of Christ's Resurrection There was no need of rolling away the Stone save to strengthen the weak Faith of his Disciples for he comprehended all things 24. He appeared a Creature in our Human Dimensions yet the fulness of the Deity was in him and his Body is the whole Princely Throne of the whole Principle without end or limit 25. As our inward Body is unlimited in the Resurrection in the Body of Christ yet visible and palpable in Heavenly Flesh and Blood and so can in the Heavenly Figure be great or little without hurt or want there being no need of compressing the Parts of that Body 26. Vain is the Contention about the Sacrament for Christ's Heavenly Flesh and Blood is really received by the Faithful and it is as great as Heaven 27. The Forty days before his Ascension of the Proba or Tryal was such a life as Adam should have liv'd having all the Principles except the four Elementary ones He shew'd himself without outward Glory did eat yet all Heavenly and Paradisical in the Mouth not into the Body and entred the Doors being shut 28. So should Adam have liv'd in and above the World above the Stars and Elements in Meekness and Divine Love without Death and Frailty 29. To this state we make some approaches when in Obedience to Christ's Laws we do Good for Evil and overcome the World by being Dead to it 30. Of Christ's Ascension Christ ascended in sight of many to shew he is our Brother Will you ask whither ascended he Into his Throne the right Hand of God that is where Love quencheth Anger and generateth Paradise in the whole Father 31. But the place of this World according to the Heavenly Principle is the Throne and Body of Christ also all the third Principle is his 32. And the Devil who dwelleth in the place of this World in the first Principle is our Christ's Captive for the Father is the band of Eternity but his Love
hath a good Constellation at the time of the Spirits awakening it gives him a Friendly lovely outside whereby such a one can give good flattering words from a false heart for he dwelleth in two Kingdoms in this World is he a History Hypocrite and his Soul in the Anger Kingdom with the Devils 8. But the Grace of God appeared by Christ's becoming Man to bring our Human Souls out of Death and the Abyss of Anger into the Tenth Number the Eternal Tincture to be again the Similitude of God upon the Cross whence the Soul originated And then when the Soul is turned into the Will of God in great Humility having Christ's Body it passeth through Death or from Death to Life in the Death of Christ through the Anger of God into the Ninth Number before the Holy Trinity and is imbraced by the Majesty The great open Gate of Antichrist 9. Antichrist in Men professing Christ is a contrary will to the Divine Will yet a Counterfeit of it but as the Soul becomes born of God more or less in such proportion the renewed Will quits the Principles and Dictates of corrupt Reason and self Desires cover'd by Hypocrisie and by a sincere faithful Love rooted in the Life of Christ a holy Flame of self-evidencing Light ariseth giving a distinct discovery of Antichrist before which it falls and by which it is destroy'd for the going from Antichrist is the going from the Fire into the Light The highly Precious Gate also the Gate of Immanuel 10. Is it askt How can Christ's Body be ours How can we dwell in the Body of Christ It is Answer'd As we have Adam's Flesh Soul and Spirit which Christ becoming Man hath yet remaineth God but receiv'd in the fair Virgin of Wisdom the Eternal Flesh which Adam's was before dividing of the Properties and the Property of our earthy Flesh so Christ's Soul is ours and his Body ours and his Virgin ours whereby we live in Christ when we give up our selves to him wherein also he liveth in us and will at last present us wholly pure with the Heavenly Flesh Blood Tincture and Majesty of Christ. Thus also he liveth in us and we are his Members Temple and Body 11. Where one saith Here is Christ and another There it is because they have lost the Key for the Body and Blood of Christ is in the Eternity and not shut up by space or place but as the Sun shineth from East to West and whose Light fills the World how much more doth Christ fill every part of his Incarnation And when we desire his Flesh and Blood we receive it and are fed by it for as the Father gives Being and upholdeth all so the Son gives Vertue and Light The Congregation of Christ is in every Nation where Men turn from their Sins to God be they Greeks Turks Asians Africans c. God respects not Persons nor Opinions but seeks the Heart those who call on the only true God in plain Simplicity are in Christ but the Tyrannous Proud Covetous Malicious Blood-thirsty Antichrist with their endless Contentions and Disputations offend the Heathens whose Life and Customs are far more Innocent and Pious and when Antichrist's Lyes have stifled him broken his Murthering Sword and laid him in the Pit then shall Christ feed his Lambs and the Turk be of the Fold of the Lambs 12. The whole World is full of God the inward holy Life dwelleth in God and the inward dark Abyss standeth in God's Wrath the strife is which may Image us into it self in this outward Life here God sets Light and Darkness before us and all the teaching here is to warn of the severe Property of the Fire for every thing hath Free-will with an Inclination to its Property therefore we must either embrace the true Good or the certain Evil. Young Children are our School-masters with all our Cunning we are but Fools to them who first play with themselves and after one with another this the Devil grudg'd us and made us fall out at our Play and so we quarrel till we go to sleep and then others Act over again the same quarrels and all is about a defiled Garment which yet is not ours while we should obediently search for a new fair Garment when amongst the Roses Lillies and Flowers we shall in our own Country sing the Song How the Driver who did set us at variance is captivated CHAP. XII Of the true Christian Life and Conversation What Man is to do c. COnsidering well the 34 first Verses of this 12th Chapter it may be comprised mostly in these words He hath shewed thee O Man what is good and what doth the Lord thy God require of thee but to do justly to love Mercy and to walk humbly with thy God The Way we must walk through this World into the Kingdom of God We must if we will so walk Crucifie Self Repent Convert from Evil hourly pass out of Death into Life we must not take pleasure in our selves but so humble our selves before the clear Countenance of the Trinity before whom we always stand and look on Jesus who always sitteth on the Rainbow in us I say we are so to converse without Self-pleasing that our ways may please God the heavenly Hoasts and Man The rest of this sweet Chapter is of various and copious Rules and Monitions yet so conspicuous that the perusal is rather to be recommended than the particulars extracted Only this asserteth That a Self-defence against outward Force or War having only a desire of Self-defence is not against God for he whose House is on Fire may quench it CHAP. XIII Of Christ's Precious Testaments the Lord's Supper and Baptism 1. VVHEN Christ's Apostles and Disciples met together after fervent Exhortation of one another They took brake divided amongst them and did eat Bread in commemoration of Christ's giving his Body for us on the Cross as himself had commanded So also took they the Cup in their hand saying one to another Take this Cup and drink the Blood of our Lord which he shed on the Cross for Remission of our Sins to shew forth his Death till he come again to Judgment and bring us into himself This was the true great Paschal Lamb inâ—â—ituted by Christatier they had eaten the Passover 2. He gave them and they did eat and drink his Flesh and Blood not his earthy and mortal Flesh and Blood to be chewed with their earthy Teeth and swallow'd for that Body of his was not divided amongst them but he gave them his immortal holy Body and Blood new and unknown to the earthy Man yet which did hang in or was United to the outward on the Cross this holy Body became as a Body to their Souls making them his Members 3. As the Eternal Virginity Substantiality and Wisdom wherein was the promised Word gave it self into the perished Tincture became a new Man at the Incarnation in the Virgin Mary so the new Body of
Omnipotence of Eternity and the Spirit of God will then go forth in two Principles in the Anger viz. in the Fire as the severe Wrath of the Fire-life and in the Light of the Love as a flame of the Divine Majesty and in the Spirit of this World as a Wonder of Life then will the Dead and those who shall be then alive be call'd and those who have the Noble Image will shew it and those who have lost it will shew the Bestial Image they have got The Earth must deliver up the Phur or Body The Water the Essences The Air all the Words it hath received into it or served to make See the last Chapter of the three Principles Q. 31. What manner of New Glorified Bodies the Souls will have This is sufficiently declared before They will have fair bright Works of Faith as every one is indued with the Power of Love and Purity but very different for the Works of many will almost all remain in the Fire and themselves hardly escape for that as one Star excelleth another so they and every one will receive God's lustre as his vertue or power is capable of the Light for after this Life there will be no bettering but every one remains as he entred in Q. 32. What other Form State and Condition Joy and Glory will there be to Souls in that other Life A. 1. Paradice was in us but Adam's lusting after the outward Spirit drew him and us into it and lost the Substance whereof this Worlds Fruits Colours c. is a dead dark shadow but our restitution thereinto will be Eternal Joy in the spring of all Flowers Trees Herbs Fruits c. which shall be Angelical as our Heavenly Bodies no need of Teeth and Entrails we eat in the Mouth all is Power and Vertue 2. The Kingdom consisteth not in Eating and Drinking but there are Divine Songs of Praise as Children in a Ring on a Mount 3. We shall all know each other by our new Names which in the Language of Nature is understood but the Turba being left in the Fire none is concerned for his Relations as Parents Children Friends who are in Hell 4. We are all there but one Sex the first Image Heavenly Virgins full of Modesty and Purity And shall there speak the great Mysteries of the Divine Magia and the Song in Reproach and Scorn of the Driver Rev. 15. 3. Q. 33. What kind of Matter our Bodies shall have in the other Life A. 1. Christ saith None goeth to Heaven but the Son of Man which is in Heaven John 3. 13. He spake not only of his Deity but the Son of Man the Word that became Flesh in which Flesh and Blood we must â—ive Eternally if we will be in God Adam had the Virgin of God's Wisdom but when he fell was divided and the Woman framed and he had the bestial deformity whereof we are ashamed 2. But Christ is become Man in that Virgin Image of God's Wisdom is become Flesh in the Water of Eternal Life which Virgin and Water when Adam fell withdrew and stood in its own Principle Christ became Man in a pure Vessel i. e. in the first Image for the sake of the Soul he assum'd from Mary and the outward Man hung to him And when we are new born we put on Christ and are new born out of Christ's Flesh and Blood 3. The converting Sinner becomes God's Child in Christ and in that very Body consisting of heavenly Flesh and Blood which yet is real substantial and visible to be felt and handled by our heavenly Hands shall we have Heaven Thus shall we have Christ's and God's Body which filleth Heaven for our substantiality is out of the Eternal and must Eternally be in the same and not in gross bestial Flesh. Q. 34. What is the lamentable horrible miserable Estate of the Damned A. This is sufficiently answered above God's Anger is their Habitation their Blasphemy and Abominations are their boast their whole Life is one continual fear horrour anguish despair and a gnawing Worm Fruits grow to them out of their Principle outwardly fair but within is fierce wrath all their cursed Practises on Earth follow them thither and that would they do there Q. 35. What the Enochian Life is and how long it lasteth A. The Father of Enoch is Jared significant in the Language of Nature Enoch begat Methuselah who attained the greatest Age. After which Enoch was taken up with both Bodies The outward was swallowed up and is in the Mystery and the inward is a heavenly Mystery so he liveth in two Mysteries in Paradise but hath still the Turba in the Mystery and in the heavenly Mystery hath God's Body Paradise is still upon Earth at hand not vanished but as it were swallowed up by the Curse yet lyeth as a Mystery uncorrupted Enoch is not gone out of this World he is God's Preacher and after the Turba hath overcome the World he must be silent till the six Seals and Angels of the Turba have poured out their Vials then cometh Enoch again and reproveth the World after which the World becometh fat and their Turba also Methuselah dieth and the Deluge of Fire by Elias cometh O ye Elect desire not to live after Enoch's taking up but while he Preacheth is the Golden Time Q. 36. What the Soul of the Messiah or Christ is A. 1. Christ's Soul is Human conceived in Mary in a twofold Virgin The outward Mortal Life in Mary was no pure Virgin no Daughter of Eve is so nor was Eve more than half a Virgin Adam was the other half for Adam's Fall divided the Tinctures which were one total entire Virgin before in pure Love and Chastity both Tinctures of Fire and Light being in a mixture with Power to generate a Spirit out of the Fires Tincture but the Earthy life captivating him he imagined into Eve Where was then his Modesty His Imagination became bestial Of great love to the lost Image and that it might become One again did the Word which spake forth the Soul at first become incarnate 2. So to the Soul of Mary the Heavenly Virgin of God's Wisdom is put on but in the Soul's Principle not in the Earthy Flesh And in that very Virgin hath the word assumed the Seed of the Woman the Soul's Seed as also the first Images Seed which had stood so long time in the Mystery broken off which he made again one whole intire Image by remixing the Water of Eternal Life with the Soul's Spirit 's Water for the Word took hold of the Soul's Tincture and the Holy Spirit of the Spirit 's Tincture and both became one Soul 3. Yet did the Creature remain distinct from God's Spirit but God's Spirit cohabited therein And out of God's Tincture and Water and Maries Tincture and Water came one Flesh and Blood Thus was he Maries true Natural Son with Soul and Body and also God's true Son
all things but hidden to the things not dwelling in the things for it self hath a substance in it self after the manner of Eternity 2. The first Eternal Principle is Magical and like a hidden Fire is Eternally known in its Colours in the figure in the Wisdom of God as in a Looking-glass The opening of which Mystery openeth the three Principles according to the Trinity 3. The Magical Centre of the first Principle is Fire which as also the second is as a Spirit without palpable substance therefore the longing is to generate the third where the Spirit of the Principles might manifest it self by Similitude In this desiring Powers Colours and Virtues come to be 4. And for as much as every desiring is attractive The first Principle impregnateth it self with Nature and the second with Light And this meek Fire of the Majesty of the second being set opposite to the Fire of the first quenching its wrath puts it into an Essential Substance thereby and the first giveth the second power strength and might being together an Eternal Band that without the one the other could not be 5. What the first Principle is wholly and alone in it self The first Will willeth to be free from the darkness and by desiring cannot attain it for the desiring is a stern attraction So that out of the thin rare liberty where nothing is a darkness comes And the greater the desiring the greater will be the attraction The drawing giveth sting and the attracted giveth hardness from the desiring comes the feeling thence also comes the third form viz. the Anguish which is as it were the Centre where Life and Will originate 6. Hence it is the Will would flee but is withheld by the harshness so that it becomes whirling as a Wheel and the greater the Anguish the greater the whirling and the greater the bitter sting of the Essences and Multiplicity But in the whirling the Essences become a mixed will where lye innumerable multiplicity of Existencies or Beings justly called the Eternal Mind 7. The first will which is called Father and is in it self the Liberty desireth Nature and Nature groaneth after the liberty from the Anguish The conception of which in the Imagination causeth a shriek of joy and when it attaineth the liberty the shriek becomes a flash in the meekness breaking the sting of Death and passeth into the Kingdom of Joy and so into the Love for the meekness draweth the Joy into it and that is the Water of Eternal Life 8. And when the Fire drinketh the Water of Eternal Life it giveth forth the Light of the Majesty where dwell the Father and the Son And the Holy Spirit is the Life of it opening the meek substantiality viz. Colours Wonders and Vertues That is called the Divine Wisdom the House of the Holy Trinity and in its Colours and Vertues the Spirit hath all the Angelical Quires 9. The second substance of the shriek is an Inimicitious Quality exciting a panting to be loosed from the quality of Anguish Whence in the Fathers Will ariseth pity compassion and mercifulness 10. Hence also cometh the Gall into Creatures which tho'it be a Poyson is the cause of Life viz. of Mobility for Death is the Root of Life as may be seen in Christs Death and also in our own 11. The Souls Fire uniteth with the Eternal Nature The right Souls Spirit is one Spirit with God The Images Corporeity is of the Substance wherein the Faithful shall live Eternally CHAP. II. What the Principle is or what they all three are Further of the First Point 1. WHen Life findeth it self where none is that is a Principle Fire is a Property so is Light for tho' it be caused by the Fire it is not the Fires Property and the wrathful Anguish is the cause of both 2. But the Will to the Anguish called Father a Man cannot search out We only fathom how the Anguish gains the highest Perfection in the Holy Trinity and manifesteth it self in the three Principles What Essence is and how it originateth because thence spring the Senses and Thoughts and the Wonder of all Beings 3. The third Principle of the Stars and Elements manifesteth the other two And that which in moving attained the fierce wrath became the Globe of the Earth Thence is it that out of it while the Centre of Nature is in it and it freed from Death the pure Child of the Eternal substance may be extracted as in Gold Tho' by defect of attaining the Eternal Fire Life is not so brought out of Death save only in Man and what is beyond Man belongs to God and we wait the Renovation in the end of time 4. of the Substance and Property of the three Principles The first Principle standing in the Fire of the Will The second in the Will to the Light the one giving its desire into the other yet are not mixt each retaineth its Property yet dwelleth in the other The third hath the Properties of both yet is neither It is an awakener manifester and similitude of the Eternal yet is not the Eternal but is become a substance in the Eternal desire 5. The Creation was an awakening of the Power and Form which was in the Eternal Will and because it was in the beginning comprized in the Eternal therefore must the substance in this World together with the figure go into the Eternal 6. But whatsoever became comprized in the desire out of the beginning recâ—des into its Ether becoming what it was when it was no substance So this Worlds substance being a coagulated Vapour returns into the Magia or Mystery whereof it served a while to be a manifester 7. For nothing attains the liberty of Eternity that subsisteth not in the Willfire of the Eternal in which the Light can bring its lustre and dwell and that it be as subtle as the Lights substantiality 8. Mans Soul may if it will become generated out of the fierce wrath into Renovation by forsaking the Earthy renew what he hath generated out of the Eternal which else remaineth in the quality of Torment For whatever is not like to the Love fire Light and Water cannot subsist in the liberty but remains in an opposite Will in the dark Torment it awakened in it self 9. The right Man out of the new Birth is three Worlds the Eternal Light World shineth through all whatsoever is thin rare or transparent and thereby capable of it which can no more be hinder'd than the Sun can be that it should not shine 10. The Properties of the first Principle sprout making Sulphur Mercurius and Sal. 11. The second Principle sprouteth in it self making Love a Friendly Vertuous Pioâ—s Humble Patient Will to stoop and bear with evil in others ever hidden to the old Man lashing it forward as a lazy Ass denies him the worldly Jollity it lusteth after and makes him a Servant it with standeth the evil Influences of the Stars and the fierce Devil and Malicious Men so
far as they are holy and capable of it which their possessing the second Principle enables them to be 12. The third Principle hath its sprouting but it is in Warring the cold against the heat and every thing against its contrary The cold gives substance the heat Spirit the Light Meekness And then the Fire consumes all both Evil and Good 13. Seeing therefore Man hath the two inward Principles in strife let him beware which he makes Lord for that will be his Lord Eternally when Death hath broken the Ballance CHAP. III. The Second Point 1. IN the Light World which is Gods Kingdom is rightly known no more but one Principle into which the four Properties give up their Will being chang'd into a desire of Love in Meekness That which in the Light World is well doing triumphing Joy and Pleasant Songs is in the dark a stinging Enmity Horror and Trembling 2. Therefore is the anxious evil the Light worlds Original and all is Gods but the Light only call'd Gods Kingdom the other his fierce Wrath which Kingdom hath the Constellations of the greatest and most severe eager might 3. That which melodiously ringeth in the Light rumbleth and thumpeth in the dark The cause of the ringing in Metals is that in the moving of the Aâ—l subâ—â—antiaâ— God in the Creation the Metalline Tincture became shut up in the â—aâ—â—â—ess 4. In the dark World are many sorts of Spirits or Hellish Worms according to their Constelâ—ations and Properties without uâ—derstanding or woe for iâ— is their Life as in this are unreasonable and hurtful Beasts Toads Serpents c. for all Properties would be Creaturely 5. The Principles are not at strife but in a constant league But Death and Anguish is the cause of Fire and Fire is the cause of all Life To the Abyâ—s it gives sting and fierceness else there would be no Mobility To the Light-world Essence else there would be no production but an Eternal Arcanum To this World it gives Essence and springing so is it the cause of all things 6. The Anguish of the dark World caus'd by Fire panteth after the liberty and the liberty longeth after manifestation thus is the Harmony between the Principles but in the Essences is strife else all things would be nothing 7. God Created Creatures in each Principle therein should they continue but when they introduce into themselves another thaâ— makes he Enmity as did the Devil introduce Pride and the fierce Wrath of the first Principle And Man into this World where he hath necessity and strife to make him go out again which if he with Divine Might doth at any time the Spirit of this World will drive on the Children of this World to hate plague and kill them whereto the Devil helpeth to drive them from among his Slaves 8. Man therefore is highly concerned to know that being in this World as a Prisoner he should not enter into the Earthy Malady but constantly go hence into the Light-world But if he press not thereinto with earnestness he like an Ape only imitates or plays Jugling Tricks for which the Devil derides him for thereby he gives his Body to this World and his Soul to the dark Abyss 9. Thus is seen that the Creatures of each Principle desire not those of the other nor can they see each other there being a Gulph between them CHAP. IV. Of the Original of Contrariety in the springing of Life The Third Point 1. VVHere is one only will there is no strife but where many are is contrariety unless one rule over the rest there then doth multiplicity harmonize for the harsh Anguish and bitter Properties are at Civil Hostility and Fire is the Incendiary setting them all into great Anguish Exasperating the respective Enmities till Light be produced and crowned King There it ruleth lovingly and rewards them with Meekness which appeaseth and well-pleaseth them all Thus is multiplicity reduced to an united will called the mind which by Imagination can create evil and good 2. The Mind inkindling it self inkindleth the whole Body and Spirit be it in Wrath or Love As is the Matter such is the Flame be it Brimstone or sweet Oyl and such is the favour 3. In the Souls Fire stands the Light of Life and in the Light of Life the Noble Image When therefore the Souls Fire in the fierce quality introduceth Earthy Matter into it the Noble Image withdraws The consequence of our hard and heavy Fall bringing on us so great danger and misery 4. Therefore hath Christ taught us Patience Meekness and Love for we are captives in God's fierce Wrath between Anger and Love so that if the Will-Spirit before the dissolution of the Body hath attained God's Love as a sparkle somewhat may be done but not without such irksom tediousness to break the dark fierceness which would extinguish it and that is Purgatory and how great Enmity Terror and Anguish the Life is in before it can in the sparkle sink down into the Liberty of God he well findeth who so nakedly with as it were only a glimmering Twilight departeth this World 5. It is therefore of absolute necessity that we take the Cross by entring into Humility Patience and the Meek Life therewith to break the will of the Dark fierce Centre and this World's Voluptuousness nor by wrong to excite Rage in thy Brother for that hindereth the Kingdom of God but thy meek self denial will further it that by beholding that Spirit in thee thy Brother may be convinced and judge himself seeing thy valuing more God's Love than temporal goods knowing thy self to be only a stranger But if the Evil-doer will not convert his Evil in the Anger of God gnaweth him to cause him to return If yet he hardeneth himself in wickedness he becomes a total Evil Tree devouring his own abominations growing for his dark God Lucifer The above is the Contents of the latter part of the fourth Point but the first part of the fourth Point contains viz. CHAP. V. How the Holy Tree of Eternal Life sprouteth through All the three Principles yet not comprehended 1. THE Divine Power and Light dwelleth in it self every where in Nature yet not toucht by any thing that is not of its Property not comprehended but as the Sun shineth in all the Elements yet not laid hold on by any and what the Sun doth in the third Principle the Light of God doth in the Forms of the Eternal Nature attoneing the Schism and Enmity of them that Light shineth through the Darkness but not comprehended by it 2. The three Principles comprehend not one the other unless the Will by falling into Death give up its Essences into the Light 3. The Devil is the poorest of Creatures The Sun is not profitable to him he cannot stir a leaf nor pile of Grass unless the anger be in it his Will neither goeth no can go into the Lights Property He goeth not readily but hateth every thing that sprouteth in and
and alteration in the Symbolical Philosophick process to the Suffering c. of Christ even from the almost Triumphant Glory of the Philosophick Virgins Child to his seeming Non-existence and again a measure of restoration to Royalty is not thought fit to be Abridged but its entire Contexture left to farther Contemplation to which the Reader is referred CHAP. XII How the Seventh Kingdom viz. the Sun is reviv'd 1. WHEN Christ died the Natural Death it was for that Adam had brought his Humane and Sensitive Life the out-spoken Word into another Form and Sound than the speaking Word or Fiat had spoken it viz. into a Selfish will by which death of Christ the true Humane Life fell again into the place whence Adam brought it where Gods Ruling Spirit was the alone Life of it in all the three Principles not to be longer to the Astrum of the four Elements but in the pure Divine Element 2. Christ was the Death of Death bringing Life thence into Eternal Liberty And whatsoever Jesus hath done through Christ in his and my Humanity he yet now to day doth in me 3. The Process is the Curse being descended into the seven Forms of which the Life consisteth therefore as Christ was a Death to the Human Self-hood yet the Humanity was not destroyed So the seven must in the Philosophick Work be by Death brought to one Will and Desire in the Eternal Sol from Strife to Love yet remain in seven as heated Iron though shining as Light is yet Iron 4. Let the Artist consider how he may give Death to Death with the pure Life and how to awaken the disappear'd captivated Life which is Heavenly so that it may again receive the Fire-soul and it worketh of it self 5. And seeing it is not possible to bring the Earth to Heaven the Heaven must be brought into the Earth viz. The Soul must be overcome and eat of Heaven will she nil she till she entreth with her Desire into the Heavenly Essence for the dear Love life dismayeth the Murtherer and shineth in the Love-fire So the seven Forms become unanimous proceeding to the Universal the Fundamental Knowledge whereof is apprehended only by such as enter into the Resignation of Christ and to such the way is Facile and Childlike CHAP. XIII Of the Enmity of the Spirit and of the Body and of their Cure 1. THERE is a Vegetative Life consisting in the four Elements a sensitive in the seven Forms of Nature a ratiocinative in the Constellation but the understanding proceeds from God arising out of the Eternal Nature from the Oyl of the one Element the free Lubet in the speaking Mercury 2. The Enmity originateth in the Mercurial Life which consists in Sulphur hungring after Matter which austere hunger impresseth to Coldness or a cold Fire viz. hardness density and darkness wherein it strives for Life and in that Life is the heat inkindled devouring the cold of its Substance begetting Light when also the Fire-spirit dyeth for the Life of the one is the Death of the other So the cold fire continually without intermission by dying becomes Life to the hot fire and the hot fire by its strong hunger draweth devoureth and liveth by its Mother the cold out of the impression whereof it had its Ens which it setteth free into the Lubet of the Nothing Thus the Fire is in the Light of the Lubet a Joy and in the Darkness an akeing Wo yet without the one the other could not be as is demonstrated 3. Man's desire was in the Beginning in the Liberty of God in resignation to his Love-will but by Self-will awaken'd in Nature Heat Cold Astringency Bitterness Anguish Torture 4. The only Cure must be a full and free resigning the Self-will into the first will by dying to the erring will and thereby become that to which God at first created him Then will the pure Body of the Element in which the Love-life of God's Spirit inkindleth in the Soul the resign'd will make the disappear'd Body spring from the same pure Element become the Mansion of the Soul in a Paradisical budding or blooming Renovation 5. The most high gave every Property at first a fixt Perfection but the Curse brought the Turba And now seeing God hath given us Power to become his Children and rule over the World Why not then over the Curse in the Earth so as to open and set free the captivated Paradisical Powers CHAP. XIV How the three Principles interchange generating Good and Evil yet all remain as at first to manifest the Glory of God 1. THE first Eternal Creatures Angels and Man and unfixt Products of Time Vegetables and Animals are all one thing differing according as the Properties impressed on them 2. The Impression is call'd Nature and is the Mother and Manifestation of the Mystery what hath been in the Eternal Will in both Centres according â—o Fire and Light also according to Darkness and Essence in the Motion of the desire to a manifest Mystery out of Eternity into a time which consisted in Sulphur Mercury and Salt 3. These Powers introduce themselves into Evil and Good by the seven especial Properties when they are not in due Weight and Measure but by the prevalency of some the rest are captivated 4. Whatsoever exceeds or departs from the first order to which its Mother brought it â—orth cannot go back and re-enter with its depravity into the first Root and good state unless it die So and so only can stand again there whence first it proceeded before it became Corporeal 5. The lower Hemisphear is the first Principle * Kingdom of Darkness The upper part the Salniter The Cross above the Circle the Kingdom of Glory The Form of Separation between the Living and Dead Essentiality is the fifth Form the Love-desire or Love-flame 6. Sulphur is the Mother of the Creatures arising out of the Darkness Fire and Light on the dark part it is Astringent Bitter Anxious but on the part resembling the Deity 't is Fire Light and Water The Fire divides it self into Death viz. Water and into Life viz. Oyl wherein the true life of all Creatures in the external World consists 7. Mercury is the Wheel of Motion in the Sulphur on the dark part is a sting and seveâ—s in the Fire in its Mother Sulphur into a twofold Water in the Death of Fire into a Living-light Water producing Silver in Brimstone in the seventh Property of Nature but in the Fire its Water is quick-silver and in the dark Anguish 't is rust and smoak in it it is also Poison 8. Salniter is the Compriser of all Properties Mother of all Salts in the Creatures in those which grow in the Love desire 't is potent and pleasant in the Evil it's Eternal horror ever aspiring above the Humility of Love Whence is the Will of Pride and of all Devils It giveth weight in Austereâ—ess Earth Sand and Stones in the Water in Sulphur and Mercury Flesh in
operation of the darkness is God's anger and the flagrat or manifestation of the light is his principle of Love These two not severed make one triumphant Kingdom wrestling to exalt the sublime joy of the holy sweet divine free will of God 7. But after severing become two Worlds viz. one the dark cold fierce harsh bitter stinging fire World The other the delightful loving sweet joyful ravishing holy World yet the holy World hath the Potence of the other as it s perfectly perpetual root or fountain As the natural heat in mans body is of such absolute necessity and use while moderated by due proportion of cold for That is the food of the heat but if either heat or cold domineer it becomes rapaciously ruinous 8. Now whereas it is said above that Darkness and Light are without beginning and coeternal And it being true that Angels as well as all other creatures had a beginning it may be asked how can it be true and in what sense understood that darkness should be without beginning seeing the Holy Ghost saith God is light and in him is no darkness at all Also what communion hath light with darkness 9. This tho' it be cleared in the following part of this discourse yet a little to open the way as we go that the inquirer may not be offended nor he that seeks occasion think he finds it it is answered by way of explanation 10. That it is not meant a Nescience Defect or Ignorance much less an evil in it self 11. But by it is understood an Adumbration like a dark crudity An eternal original to substance Might potence and essence A center or root austere and earnest like a hot and cold fire which principle is understood to be the Fathers property or first principle according to which he is called a jealous or zealous God and a consuming fire A Power-world in its own property secret hidden in and by the second principle of glorious Light and gracious Love as the night by the day or the wiek of a Candle by splendor of the light but is manifested and awakened by severation of the second principle from it in or upon any separate unclean spirit or creature 12. For tho' it was from eternity yet was in the highest harmony and so is in God in eternity undividable and inseparable from the most holy spiritual Light-world and Love principle yet in its own Abyss and distinct property it is as is above described 13. This after severing from the Love-principle is as the glowing fire the flame whereof is extinct in which principle the dark life burneth 14. And must needs be called the first because from it as from an eternal root of living fire the majestick splendor of glorious light is eternally generated which so is the second Eternal Principle 15. Thus these two principles in perfect unity as in Eternity they are in God are the One Only Highest absolute Compleat Good but where-ever the Light is withdrawn There is found a wrathful fierce evil spirit creature thing or world 16. For further explanation we may observe That the Holy Ghost who saith as above God is light and in him is no darkness at all saith also Fury is not in me And That yet besides in many other places of the same and other Prophets saith For behold the Lord will come forth with fire and with his Chariots like a whirlwind and render his anger with fury and his rebukes with flames of fire Again When I shall execute Judgments in thee in anger and in fury and in furious rebukes 17. But God's so doing is called His coming forth of His Place and His strange work 18. Thus is found that the Astringent and Attracting Powers by their contrariety produce Anguish That Anguish a stinging raging pricking sense not by Agent and Patient but by violence and impatience This Raging Spirit cannot deliver it self from the strong bands of the Astringency whence by strugling Heat is excited the extremity whereof is fire 19. The food of the fire is cold as hath been said or for want of it the heat and fire would fall into anguish but Infinity hath no deficiency therefore the fire by rarefaction breaths the Sullen Cold into the Liberty called Air That again by condensation being imposed upon by its father the Cold falls to water which again by the inkindled Element is lickt up as its nutrition Thus by an immutable Law and Chain of Causes the Separators wisdom useth This great Machin to effect the parcels into an intire harmony CHAP. II. A Description of the seven Fountain Spirits 1. BUT before we consider the three Worlds existing on the Foundation of the above two Principles let the seven Fountain Spirits in the Divine Power of the Father be known represented by the seven Lamps before the Throne In the outward World by the seven Planets Among us by the six days of the Creation and One the seventh of Rest also by the seven simple Metals appropriated to the seven Planets the seven Stars in the Revelation with many the like important and more than speaking demonstrations 2. A method to be profitably used on this weighty Subject may be First To name define and describe them severally and distinctly Secondly To demonstrate them in some measure to the Reason of Mankind yea to the eye and senses thereby to give assurance that the blessed Author J. B. in his discovery of them was not beating the Air but building on a Rock not to be shaken 3. Definitions of the seven Fountain Spirits in the Divine Power of God the Father 4. The Astringent binding piercing compacting knitting Power secret and hidden in the Divine Power of the Fathers Salitter A sharp power like Salt whence existeth in the evil and mortal part a power locking up as are the outward earth and stones 5. An Attraction vanquishing the harsh Astringency which is both sweet mild meek and also bitter the stirring of the desire and cause of life whence also water originateth Out of these two Fountain Spirits is the heart or Son of God generated from Eternity in Eternity Also of them with the rest of the seven Spirits is the Son of God the Heart by Eternal generation to all Eternity as saith the Lord My Father worketh hitherto and I work 6. The Bitter or Anguish Fountain-Spirit a cause of the mind senses and thoughts a triumphing exalting of Joy to the highest degree to trembling in its own quality it forms all sorts of red colours in its own quality in the sweet quality white and blew in the astringent green dusky and mixt colours But if it be moved too much it kindleth the sweet and astringent and all becomes a raging tearing stinging burning poison like the torment of a plague-sore When enkindled in the Hellish Property it extinguisheth the Light perverteth the sweet quality into loathsom stink the Astringent into sharp dark coldness also
Sperm or Seed to their maturity and declining who all by the due temper violent extream or fading of This Spirit have the proportion of increase or declination to Nullity for This as a Weather glass or Index shews their degrees of vigour or languishing 4. But let it suffice no longer to hold a Candle to the Sun which in conjunction with Mars is in the out-birth the great instrument which doth abundantly demonstrate and figure This 4th Spirit and on the 4th day was the Sun created or enkindled The 4 first Spirits thus distinctly known open us among many others the Scriptures following 5. This is the Condemnation that light c. and men love darkness c. because their deeds are evil that is they are comprised in the first four forms refusing to be enkindled by the light of the 5th form but remain by the Astringency immeasurably covetous by the attraction uncontroleably proud by the property of the anguish repleat and swoln with envy and by That of the fire have fierce furious anger Our lusts warring in our Members the cause of Wars which remain such till the light of God or second Principle enkindles it and so compose Peace Man is become like the Beast that Perisheth Like the Wolf and Swine by the astringent covetousness The Lion Horse Cock by the proud elevating attracting will Like the Toad Torpedo c. by the anguish Like Dogs Tigers c. by the furious fiery property Thus the Soul like the Traveller fell among Thieves where he perisheth till the good Samaritan takes pity 6. In these 4 Adam was dead till God inspoke the Word promising life the way of reviving is by enkindling light and in the light the Divine Love clearly typified by the Law of Sacrifices for as the Sacrifice gave it self up in a flame as of love to ascend leaving only its ashes which were His till then Impediments so is this Indignation and wrath tribulation and anguish on every Soul of Man that doth Evil These are the 4 murthering Spirits But glory honour and peace to every one that worketh righteousness c. Here are the three last Spirits of the seven viz. The 5th the Light or Love-fire signified by Glory The 6th the sound or spirit enabling to heavenly Songs of Praise signified by honour And the 7th the Body or Sabbath in which all the other six spirits being by the 5th and 6th brought into harmony do inhabit rest and dwell signified by Peace CHAP. VII Demonstrations of the Spirit producing Light and the Love fire 1. THis demonstrates it self in every thing more or less on this side the hellish Principle but the first four excluding Addition are in and in a sort compose comprehend and include the dark World and That is the harsh Astringency strong Attraction raging Anguish and hungry Fire These limit the first or hellish Principle which can never comprehend the Light for That never proceeds to enkindle it for it wants oil and must ever want it because their perpetual Enmity doth ever more dry it up 2. Now that which composeth Peace is where the fire proceedeth to the blowing up of Light the Meekness whereof satiateth the hungry Fire and becomes food for the other three Spirits who before like Milstones without Corn grind and impetuously rub and grate each other 3. This did Lucifer and his Legions till the gracious Jehovah not being pleas'd that so great a space of the Salitter as that now included by the Stars should remain under the Darkness which then cover'd that Deep call'd for Light which was this 5th Spirit and its appearing caus'd each of the other four to kiss and sweetly strengthen the other and draw all one way and not prey one on another 4. The Scripture saith Perfect love casts out fear for fear hath torment which it doth by taking away the enmity and harmonizing the first four forms of the discording Spirits Love is the fulfilling of the Law for it doth all suffers all and that always but until the 4th Spirit the Fire attains the Light and Love Spirit the first four neither do nor can fulfil the Law but undo all by their Dissonancy The three first years the fruits in Canaan were to be accompted as uncircumcised The 4th year to be of Praise to the Lord but not to be eaten till the 5th year The three first years signifie the three first Forms of the eternal Nature viz. Binding Attracting and Anguish which before enkindling of the other four Forms are enemicitious and the foundation of the hellish Principle But the 4th year was the fruit to be of Praise to the Lord more nearly than the other because out of it is enkindled the light and love-flame Yet the Tribes of God were not to eat it till the 5th year for then it became good nourishment by the enkindled Light and principle of Love and not before The sweet Perfume was only of four Heterogeneous Ingredients viz. Stacte or Stacus a bitter tasted Arabian flower and Onyca a sweet spice of each a like quantity signifying the two first Forms which are both alike strong or alike weak every where The third is Galbanum very stinking signifying the third Form the Anguish The fourth is pure Frankincense a Gum of sweet Odour to feed the Fire which Fire is the fourth Form Obj. Will any say How are we concern'd to penetrate into the distinct Forms and Properties of Nature call'd fountain Spirits Is not this the tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil which Adam fell by searching sounding and feeling after with neglect of the tree of Life Answ. It is true he should not have known this experimentally for his knowing the third Principle separated from the second was as fatal had not infinite Mercy interposed as the knowledge of this which is the first Principle had been to Lucifer and his Angels But Man being fallen it is as highly profitable to him to have the distinct understanding of this as it was hurtful to our first Parents for as the Physitian and Chyrurgeon ought to find the spring of disorders in the Sick or the depth of the Wound even so here our knowing this is as the spreading the snare in the sight of a Bird. This appears it that the Lord is the All in all things with the froward he will shew himself froward c. These four Fountains are the indissoluble band the root of all things visible and invisible the immediate cause and strong might of all eternal things and with the interposition of second causes may be truly said to be the cause of transitory Beings for these are the root of their roots the cause of their causes the instrumental first Mover of their Motion and Parent of their immediate Parents Daniel's vision of four Monarchies figureth the four first Forms all which excluding the 5th viz. the enkindling the Light are called four great Beasts 1. The first like a Lion viz. the
Astringent Binding mighty Power the lofty Babilon 2. The second like a Bear viz. the strong cruel Attraction the inflexible unalterable inexorable Empire of the Medes and Persians 3. The third like a Leopard for anguish is compos'd of several ingredients like as are the colours of the sported Leopard as is also the belly of a Toad And the Greek Empire is said to have consisted of about a Hundred and forty sorts of People or Nations 4. The fourth Beast was dreadful and terrible not likened to any Beast but being as fire is said to devour and break in pieces such were the Romans But one like the Son of Man came and to him was given dominion and glory an everlasting kingdom here is the 5th form viz. the enkindling of the light signified Represented also by the 4 Winds of Heaven 4 wings of a Fowl and 4 heads Thus Lazarus having lain in the Grave four days the true light raised him They are figur'd by four Chariots but Horses in three of them of differing colours one from the other but the 4th was of Horses of differing colours among themselves viz. Grizled and Bay expounded by the Angel to be four Spirits of the Heavens which go forth from standing before the God of the whole Earth Will any think it to be without a mystery that Elisha was wroth with Joash King of Israel for smiting on the Ground but three times saying Thou shouldst have smote five or six times then hadst thou smote the Syrians till thou hadst consumed them for the Prophet had promised he should consume them But Joash being held by his wickedness in the first four forms smote but thrice for had he as the Prophet saith smote five times he had enkindled the Light of the Liberty in his forms as an addition had he smote six times he had brought the illustrated forms into Harmony of Love whereby his Enemies the oppressing Assyrian viz. the Enmity had been consumed Will any think it was without a Mystery that the Prophet Amos eight times reciteth For three Transgressions of Damasâ—us of Gaza Tirus Edom Amon Moab Judah Israel and for four I will not turn away the Panishment thereof For 't is apparent that the three or four first forms comprise all Sin But if the vigorous true Light be enkindled it flameth to a Love of God and is Death to Sin by discovering it awakening it and working it out cleansing the Conscience destroying the Enmity of the first four forms and so creating Peace to them that were far off making them nigh But it may be granted there is an Ingredient of Light admitted into and retained by the first four Forms but it is as that the Apostle Paul saith Science falsly so call'd Such is this it is an insinuation of a faint false delusory-Light comprehending the Craft Subtlety Sophistry Serpentine wisdom to abuse the Senses and mis-imploy the out-born Natural Powers to jugling Deceits uniting Earthiness and Sensuality to devilish Designs Of this Wisdom the Lord saith If the Light that is in thee be Darkness how great is that Darkness Very apt and pertinent to this Discourse is it to consider That though the Perfume ascending from us was compounded of very unlike Parts some of them also very Unpleasant yet the Holy Oyl descending on us was compounded of five Kinds all excellent Good Delightful and Pleasant for we understand that the 5th form enkindles the Light which makes the four first from the Discords to be â— Harmony and a rich Concord Such are all Go'ds approaches to us as Joseph's Law in Egypt was That four Parts should be the Peoples and but the 5th Part to be Pharoah's figuring this 5th form's being taken as the Lord's Part only who is meant by Pharoah Divine Love hath its Root in the Centre of the Essence of the first four Spirits but most immediately in the Light and that from the Fire And the Activity of the four first Spirits as a perpetual Rotation causeth that Love can never Cool Thus is it strong as Death for Love is that Name which the God of Life is known to us by whom thus to know is Life Eternal The Instrument in the Out-birth of this Spirit is Venus CHAP. VIII Demonstration being of the Sound Tone Noise or Voice SHall there be need to demonstrate this which Heaven and Earth Ring of And Hell after its capacity hath also some impressions of It may suffice briefly to shew This to be a distinct Fountain for that it is the Result only of the United Operation of the five precedent Spirits meeting in the seventh is no Argument why This also should not be one for any one could not be without every one The Astringency had not what to bind but that the matter is produced by the other properties and so of the rest 1. As the light is the opening of the darkness thro' the fourth Fountain the fire so is the voice of the first four Fountains thro' the opening of the light revealing the Kingdom of Joy with its Beauty Colours and Ornament where-ever it is treasur'd 2. As we see fire sleeping in a Flint awakened by a stroke so doth the tone or sound start up and disperse it self so far as its vigour conquereth the resistance of contrary motions or solids and then expireth 3. As the life lies in a swound in vegetables till revived by the return of the Spring or as odours lie coucht in dead earth till midwif'd by the Sun thro' the stalks of flowers So the varieties of Infinity remain secret and dumb as in the mystery till this Oratory publisheth till this Herald proclaim it who by its continual motion speaks all and shews all The Representer of this sixth Fountain Spirit is in the out-birth Mercurius CHAP. IX Demonstration of the Body generated out of the other six Fountains 1. IF a mighty Prince should in regulating a world of laborious Subjects directed by a Council of men experienced in exquisite Art wanting neither time or other requisite to accomplish some stupendious structure or vast piece of magnificence should after all be able to accomplish only trifles were strange Or rather what could not mens highest prudence served with the confluence of abundance of willing agents sufficient helps and competent time atchieve acquire and bring to effect 2. And see we not what the six overflowing Fountain Spirits ranged by omnipotence conducted by infinite Wisdom exercising from eternity their irresistible Powers have conceived travell'd with brought forth and improved as the Holy One hath willed 3. And can any doubt they who have served to found and lay the Top-stone of infinite numbers of Fabricks in the Astral Elementary and Terrestrial Worlds should be unfurnished with a Royal Palace for themselves 4. This seventh Fountain Spirit is their Body Mansion and Sabbath the eternal Rest eternally generated In This they work their hallowed wonders in this they
power in every place as it did at his Transfiguration His Kingdom might have come on Earth as it is in Heaven where Paradice might have flourished 28 Demonstration is Natures labour after Perfection and the tincture in it shewing some faint impulses and producing precious Stones Gold and other Metals Medicinal Earths Spices excellent Fruits c. And in the Seas Pearl Amber c. all which are but shadows and reflected figures wherewith the third Principle representeth the Glories of the second 29. Therefore the enlightned Judgment guides the Will not to regard these things for themselves but for the infinite Excellency of that represented by them 30. If it be true that I love not the part I see or touch of my worthy honoured Friend but for that part of him which I see not nor touch outwardly for that is indeed the Excellency and the True Man much less then do I regard his meer shadow CHAP. XIII Of the Third Principle in four Demonstrations 1. IF the Greek Christians think the Holy Ghost proceeds only from the Father and not from the Son they must probably have some other meaning than is known to some of us for the Holy Ghost proceedeth from the Father and the Son 2. The four Anguishes of the first Principle generate the Light of the second and from the infinite Might and Strength of the first and the infinite Lustre of the second is generated the infinite Glory and Love of the third which third Principle is the Property of the Third Person in the Trinity 3. Hence is it that the third Principle is not only the growing Vertue of Paradice but also of the Out-birth the Astral Elementary and Visible Material World also Demonstration For as the Air is produced by Fire and Light yet being produced is not only a Self-subsisting body but the food of the Fire and consequently of the Light so is the third Person to the first and second 4. The Out-birth is not the first for it cannot be a Root but a Fruit not a Foundation but a Superstructure not a Creator but a Creation composed of Darkness or substantial matter like a Chaos arising from the first and the Light arising from the second 5. Neither is it the second as is apparent being a distinct Life in a sort inanimate without understanding an Image of the inward spiritual World in the various Figures and Properties thereof representing all as in a Mirrour As we see the outward glorious Sun figures the infinite inward second Principle but is not a seeing but a seen Light or Power 6. What then if it be neither the first nor second can it be but the third And tho' the third it only be yet it hath in every part of it the vigour of the first Principle and vertue of the second in some measure or other for if in any part were nothing of the first there could be no Being but a Nullity and if in any part were nothing of the second there were only Death and Hell manifest 7. Now forasmuch as in some places and things the first swalloweth up the second the Wrath and Curse seems only to be there and in other parts or things the second or sweet Property of the Life is prevalent there riseth a Life for his Light is the Life of Men. 8 Demonstration But in some also the Love in the Light swalloweth up the first Principle And there is a twofold Birth an Inward and an Outward The Inward is Divine Heavenly Holy man Eternal Excellency as in the new Birth or Regeneration but it extendeth not to Tincture the Outward Man because the Curse subjected it to Wrath and Corruption 9. The Lord Jesus Christ brake the Bands for it was not possible he should be holden of them though the weight of the whole World lay on him 10. Because his Heavenly Humanity did not only unite it self to the Mortal Flesh of the Virgin Mary which Heavenly Humanity was the Holy Thing begotten by the Holy Ghost the pure Virgin Image of Modesty Virgin Sophia the First-born of every Creature the Heir of all Things the Lamb slain from the Foundation of the World the Word that was made Flesh. But the same Divine Man which both came from Heaven into or in the Virgins Womb but also then was and is in Heaven this very same Word united it self to the second Person the Almighty Son of the Almighty God Thus was it that this Saviour and Mediator our Immanuel is the Mighty One on whom Help was laid for in Him the Three Principles shew themselves in their several Incomprehensible Fountains 11 Demonstration The Love in the Light can also Tincture the Outward Man in the third Principle and the Outward Man may by the pressing of the Inward into and through it with Power put off its Old Garment of Sickness and Infirmity and be cloathed with the New Robe A glimpse whereof is seen in the Faces of Moses and Stephen and more fully in the Translation of Enoch and Eliah but above all in the Lord's Transfiguration and Converse after his Resurrection But it is a very hard great Work because the Third whole Principle in us is estranged and dead to it by the very heavy Fall 12 Demonstration It may also be observed that the Love in the Light hath its outward Figures and impresseth it self in this Third Principle to the outward Senses 1. As in the Astral Kingdom principally in the Sun Jupiter and Venus 2. In the Air in the Concord of the Elements giving delightful sweet Weather 3. In the Sensitive Creatures as Doves Lambs c. 4. In Harmony of Musical Sounds and Voices of Birds 5. In Vegetables by most Sanative odoriferous excellent Fruits Roots and Seeds 6. In curious Colours of Flowers in the shadows of degrees of Light in Clouds 7. In Minerals as in Gold Silver Copper and by the Tincture giving lustre and vertue to Pretious Stones and Gems 8. In the Seas in Pearl Amber Coral c. So if the outward Heaven shew the Glory of the Lord the Earth shews his Handy-work CHAP. XIV How the Sacrifices shew the Three Principles 1. THe three grand Sacrifices were 1. The Burnt-offering 2. The Peace-offering 3. The Trespass-offering or Sin-offering unfolding the Threefold Mystery 2. The first grand Order of Sacrifices was the Burnt Sacrifices which consisted of four Kinds Either 1. Of the Herd 2. Of the Flock 3. Of Fowls 4. Of the Meat-offering Even so doth the first Principle shew it self in four and but four forms But agen the Burnt-offering differed from the other two Sacrifices in three things 1. That these must be only a Male the other might as well be a Female 2. That it must be all cut in Pieces whereas the other must be only divided not cut in Pieces and the Fat of the Inwards offered to the Lord. 3. The Burnt-Offering was after only washing wholly offered no Part with-held shewing
two Figures 3. The first Principle or Fathers Property as one entire Essence without dividing the Tinctures of Female from the Male which though cut in pieces whence all Multiplicity exists yet is still one not to be divided from it self as was the Burnt Sacrifice the only whole Offering without reserve 4. It figureth the Man before he had trod any steps towards his Fall for he was of the entire one though consisting of many Parts yet able wholly to go up to the Lord as the whole Burnt-offering did 5. The second grand Sacrifice was the Peace-offering which differed from the Burnt as was noted 1. In being as well of Female 2. Restrained only to the Herd and Flock whereas both Burnt and Sin-offerings might be also of Fowl and Meat-offering 3. It differed from the other two in that its Fat and Inward part was the Lords and the rest the Priests but not to be eaten by any legally unclean Person The Peace-offering had also a double Figure 1. It represented the second Person of the Glorious Trinity 1. In that in him the two Natures were united 2. In whom the two Tinctures Male and Female were resumed into one Person which we see in that the Sacrifices were of two and only of two Kinds Agen They were severed into two parts the Fat of the Inwards from the rest that was the Lords the rest the Priests but was Holy and not to be eaten by any legally unclean Person 2. 6. The Peace-offering was the Figure of the New Man in whom the disappeared Image which the first Adam lost is revived by which re-union the fallen Man is become new which renewed Man is sanctified to be the Priests part but the other viz. The renewing Image is Gods part So in the Revelation it 's said And hath made us Kings and Priests viz. according to these two Images 1. The Image of God or renewing Power 2. The renewed part the Consort Associate and Servant ever resigning it self to the Will of that Image of God or Renewer So that the Servant becomes also Holy and may not be toucht by any unclean Person Will or Spirit 7. The third grand Sacrifice was the Sin or Trespass-offering which differed from the two former 1. In the General It was to be only a Bullock 2. In Particular to the several sorts of Sinners and Occasions were appropriated several sorts of Sacrifices 3. In the Place where it was to be Sacrificed viz. The Fat at the Altar for Burnt-offerings but the Carcass Hide and Dung in a clean place without the Camp This figureth the third Principle as it comprehends the fallen Apostatized Man The Bullock figures the fallen Humanity the Fat the Heavenly Humanity or Restoring Tincture which was only the Lords and it alone worthy to be offered at the Altar But the Carcass Hide and Dung the sensual impure sinful Man was carried out of the Camp yet it must be to a clean place where it must be burnt not said to be offered for it was too vile But the Burnt-offering is call'd the continual Burnt-offering 8. A Monk of the same Monastery and time with Luther having compleated the time enjoyn'd them for Prayer added asking Whether he had not now done what was fully sufficient Had an audible Answer in these words viz. Redde mihi mediam Lunam solem canis iram Give me the Half-Moon the Sun and the Anger of the Dog 9. The words import to my understanding as follows by the Three Things required his whole three Principles or whole Man his Soul Spirit and Body for by the Anger of the Dog the first Principle is charactered which excluding the Light is cornprised in the first four Forms extendeth no higher than to fiery Rage and is the state or place called in the Revelations without where are Dogs 2. The Sun which was required to be given evidently signifieth the second Principle which the outward Sun representeth 3. The Half-Moon meaneth his third Principle which corporiseth the Elementary Concrets and influenceth their Mutations by her own Regular Laws in Conceptions Progressions Maturations and Transmutations Resolvings and Declensions of Terrestials and in the fluxes of the Tides 10. But if to another Man my Constructions square not be it left as that on which is hanged no stress but a great probability The three Principles of Sal Sulphur and Mercury compose every thing that hath a created Being from the top of Heaven to the bottom of Hell as I may phrase it in the Dark light and mixt Worlds or Out-birth CHAP. XV. Of Jehovah and the Creation 1. LET us now after a View of the Three Principles come to a summary disquisition how brief soever yet that may some way assist the willing Mind how through the Creatures to discover some glimpse of the Omnipotent Majesty whose Offspring we are or rather whose Offspring we were really retaining in our depravity only some faint Reflections and nigh worn out Impressions of that dear beauteous Image we had 2. A glance of the Most High in the Face of his only Son is without Comparison infinitely preferrable to all the most sublime Speculation and Wisdom of Man for it is That we lost by the Fall and the knowledge of That is That we are taught to hope for in our Restoration by Jesus Christ. 3. And though it be hard yet possible to all in whom the Light hath so enkindled Love as they search for it as for hidden Treasure And because we are as one Purblind not able to see afar off we are to seek by things within our Ken and thence is it the Apostle saith The invisible things of him from the Creation of the World are clearly seen being understood by the things that are made his Eternal Power and Godhead 4. By his Eternal Power is understood according to the first Principle the indissoluble Band the Father's Property according to which he is a consuming Fire and that Work call'd his strange Work and his coming forth to that his coming out of his place 5. But by his Godhead is understood according to the second Principle or Son's Property in which he is Jehovah Gracious and Merciful long-suffering and abundant in Mercy and Truth Mercy it self forgiving Iniquity Transgression and Sin 6. Now to know God really and truly in any measure is to know the Son of God who is the Regenerator by the Co-operation of the Holy Ghost in some measure cleansing the Heart of every thing that may be call'd Self and subjecting it to the Obedience of the Holy Universal Will making it run with Delight and Joy in that Way which to the unmortified part is grievous 7. For his first four Forms having by the Grace of God generated the fifth the Love in the Light the Soul thus divinely irradiated falls very sick of Love and nothing can give Ease and Content longer than while he is following his Beloved either by patient waiting for him or doing
Heathen have all of Them the Gospel more or less obscurely Preached in them For as they without the Written Law do the things contained in the Law so do they without the Written Gospel partake of the Mercy published by the Gospel 13. That is being conscious to themselves of their Faults yet find by the Smiles of the Heavens in the Fruitful Seasons and in the suitable Productions of the Earth that they receive Good for Evil which is the Vertue of the second Principle or Gospel written on the whole Creation Notwithstanding all which if they harden their Hearts they become Sinners against Law and Gospel the Law written in their Hearts and the Gospel shining in the Light of their Understandings so conspicuously that tho' some of Them Laughed at the news of the Resurrection we hear Them serious at the tâ—dings of the Judgment to come having every one of Them a Self-condemning Judge in his bosom 14. Love is strong as Death but This Love is much stronger only Sin and finally Impenitent Men Hell and Devils judge themselves unworthy of it But This hath knockt at the Door of every Sinners Heart and cryes How long ye simple Ones will ye Love Folly and Scorning and Hate your own Mercies 15. Abel and Seth had the Hearing Ear in that Line it most eminently descended by a continued Succession thro' all Generations yet sometimes thro' very dirty Channels for tho' all were such till This Seed took Root in some and bare Paradisical Fruit and made them fit for the Masters Table yet some were much more foul than others 2. He enters into Foul Hearts tho' himself be so High born and Purity it self that passing into Foul places cannot be defiled but as a Refiners Fire not comprehended by the Dross which yet it purgeth away A work only possible to Omnipotence A few Considerations of that which shall be the Wonder of Eternity follow CHAP. XXI Of the Incarnation of the Lord Jesus Christ. 1. IT ought Attentively to be pondered that when the Fulness of Time or Limit of the Covenant was come Jesus took Man's whole Nature of the Virgin Mary but inasmuch as she was the Daughter of Joachim and Anna and of Eve she could not be totally a Virgin of Purity Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean not one 2. That Jesus Christ neither came into a Clean Vessel nor took a Pure Nature on Him but made the Vessel Clean and the Polluted Nature to become Pure The misunderstanding of which caused the Colliâ—idiani to render to the Virgin Mary Divine Worship 3. We must know that when our Redeemer took our Nature on him He took it out of all the Virgin Mary's Essences as well those of her Soul given her out of the first Principle and those of her Spirit given her out of the second as those of her Body out of the third Principle All which Soul Body and Spirit were propagated by her immediate Parents Joachim and Anna. 4. We are to know the Lord destroyed not Those Essences for He came not to destroy but took them as they were And by the Divine New Man which He brought with Him and which Himself was Refined and Sanctified them in them to work Their and Our Eternal Salvation 5. We cannot say there was no Evil in the Root of the Essences He took from the Virgin Mary as was mentioned above But his Divine Conception Exempting Him from any the least Impression Stain or Spot did illustrate and clarifie them As Fire doth Iron the Tincture doth Metals or the Sun Transmutes the Harsh Sour and Ill Properties of Fruits 6. We are not to doubt whether the Lord took a Human Soul from the Virgin or no about which many have erred for how else had the Essences of Our poor Captivated Souls been rescued had not the second Adam as truly assumed a Human Soul as that whereof the first Adam consisted It was Our Souls that had Sin and Death and were to be Redeemed so Our Gracious Lord made His Soul which was also a True Human Soul the Offering for Sin 7. Nor need we fear that the Lord took not Our Mortal Flesh and Blood on Him but brought Heavenly Flesh in His Conception and only Heavenly Flesh for He took also Our True Body of Flesh and Blood on Him from the Virgin Mary He took our Weak Infirm Body subjected to Passions of Hunger Sleep c. wherein lay Wrath and the Curse all which He bare with the Sufferings incident thereunto as Temptations Scourgings Reproaches Piercings Crucifying Anguish Death Burial And raised the Self-same Body which gives us assurance of our Resurrection and opens a Door for the Body though now Mortal to partake with the Soul Eternal Life 8. We are to know that our new Bodies will be the same very true real Bodies we now have and not other Bodies though not consisting of Accidents not palpable yet substantial as is manifest by what follows 9. The Mutations in Nature are no destruction of Bodies as a Grain of Wheat being sown passeth several Mutations yet is still the same For whereas at first it dies it is only by the Separator resolved into the divers Kinds of its own Composition that it may be capable of Commixture and Unite assimilated Bodies to it and so Collect encrease of Mâ—ter which it admits in no greater Proportion than to be the Father and Mother of all it self and augment and multiply it self by yet still is Wheat though hath the Increase of Quantity of many Grains of Wheat as an Oak is but an Accorn improved 10. Nature in orderly Motion goes forward and will not return into its Mystery by the Steps it went out till it hath compleated its Circulation You may as well return the Sun Eastward over us as make a Fruit become a Tree but in its orderly Motion first into a Fruit and Seed then is the new one the old renewed rather than another So is the new Body though Glorious not existent but by the dying of the old 11. As Adam's Fall made him not another Man but was still the Self-same in another a Monstrous Image as we also are deformed by that direful Fall So the Lord Jesus raising up his own Dead Body and cloathing it with Glory and Immortality and thereby giving us a Resurrection to be like him doth not make us to be other Men than now we are with loss of our Monstrosity and Access and recovery of the Glory we were created in and is by Him graciously purchased for us 12. We are to know That the Lord Jesus Christ when he assumed Flesh and Blood in the Virgins Womb was then not only there but then also sate and reigned in the whole infinite Abyss of the Father 13. We are also to know That after the Divine Nature or Infinite Godhead of Jesus Christ had assumed the Humane Nature He remained the self-same unmixed
the Virgin remains a Creature not so mixt as to be confounded and swallowed up by the Deity 3. The two Men in White testified he should so Descend as they had seen him Ascend as is also asserted in the 11th Particular of the Incarnation 4. But the New Man is the Heavenly New Man or Heavenly Humanity of Jesus Christ being the humble pure Virgin of Wisdom which Adam lost and as it were died to him disappeared retiring into its own Ether The first Adam had as it were repudiated This Chast Holy Image This is by the second Adam the Lord from Heaven restored and married to His and in His to our Earthly Humanity It was His at the instant when the Holy Ghost overshadowed the Virgin Mary It is Ours when by the Holy Ghost we are begotten again and That Divine Image is awakened and stirred up in us 5. Of This let none marvel that my weak hand begs Strength and delights to speak for This is That dear pretious Image of Virginity Purity and Modesty whose Eternal Perfect Sweet Love was by Apostate Adam exchanged for the Lust of a Woman which soon sway'd him to Mortality 6. This as the Sun to the outward World would have been Man's Guide being her self out of the Abyss of Infinite Wisdom This the Promised Seed bringing with him still sweetly and convincingly woo's at the Door of every Man's Heart 7. But in regard she is Heavenly she can have no acquaintance with one that is resolved to be Earthy she will be Married only to That Soul that It regenerateth which Nicodemus understood not at first and none ever can who like not to be divorced from the Old Man and die daily To others these Writings are Sounds not Substances for This Tree of Life may not be toucht by them who love That of Good and Evil. 8. This Heavenly Humanity that disappear'd when Adam fell yields the Water of Life which becomes a Well springing up to Eternal Life This is the Childrens Bread It fills Paradise feeds the Angels and all the Blessed for ever 9. This is the Quintessence of Things the Holy Element whence streamed out the four Elements It is the Life and Vertue of the Eternal Nature or great Mystery It is That Pearl which whoso finds and buys is a cheap Bargain whatever it costs 10. This is Christ's Heavenly Flesh and Blood wherewith he feeds His in the Sacramental Feast But being come now to That which men make occasion of Controversie it may be profitable to discourse it John 6. from 47. v. to 59. v. And again in 63. v. it is said I am the living Bread that came down from Heaven v. 53. Except ye eat his Flesh and drink his Blood ye have no Life in you 11. The Jews understanding This as many still do to be meant of his outward Flesh and Blood said and that rightly How can This Man give us his Flesh to eat for That had been so understood not intended by him and Canibal-like to them 12. But the Lord interprets himself first Negatively in 63. v. not his outward Flesh as they thought to be meant profiteth nothing But Affirmatively v. 50. and 58. the Lord himself is express That the Flesh he meant was also Bread and that Bread was the Bread which came down from Heaven viz. the Word of God Hence arise Two controversial Points different from each other and both from the Truth 13. One Party say they eat the outward flesh which being eaten they swallow into their Beastial Carkass This the other Party opposeth saying That flesh though now glorified remains a Circumscriptive Creature therefore may not be eaten every where at once and that it is not Many but One therefore may not be eaten at all This last Party in opposition to the former yet farther say they eat That Flesh and drink That Blood only by Faith or Imagination but know nothing of the Heavenly Flesh or Humanity but still understand only the outward Flesh. Though the Lord is express in This that it is the Spirit that quickneth the Flesh profiteth nothing and that his words are Spirit and Life and that it is That Bread which came or cometh down from Heaven 14. The Mouth and Eating of the Soul are real and substantial though not Palpable yet not Imaginary 15. It was not the outward Flesh and Blood they did eat and drink for He sate with them when they did eat and drink Shewing plainly that the Sacramental Flesh and Blood is the Divine Flesh and Blood that came down from Heaven 16. In This Enoch walked with God and fed so heartily on This Food that the Food of the third Principle would no longer down with him This New Wine made the Bottle New This like the Tincture that transmuteth Metals Enflamed and Translated his whole Man so that his very third Principle was swallowed up by the Divine second Principle By This all the Holy Men before Christ's Incarnation were nourished in their Pilgrimage on Earth and by This were carried home to their Native Country 17. This was the Rock that followed them in the Wilderness for they did all eat the same spiritual meat and drink the same spiritual drink and That Rock was Christ. 18. This is the Tree of Life which is Angels Food and had never returned to be the Food of the Fallen Posterity of Adam had not the second Adam opened a door in our hearts thro' which to enter and given as a mouth to eat it and receive Life and Vigour from it This First-Born of every Creature was Heir of all things 19. But This is not the Only begotten Son for so He is the true second Person of the Trinity and Lord of all things but This is the Created Son or Word who is the Heir of all things This is the New Man it is not said This is the Omnipotent God but That Holy Heavenly Image of God wherein the first Adam was Created and which on his Disobedience disappeared as to him and as to him was Dead and said to be the Lamb slain 20. This did the Only begotten Son of God bring with Him He who was the True Second Person of the Trinity did Reunite This in himself to the Fallen and so by Him Restored Human Nature and having made Men Priests made them also Kings reigning over the first and third Principles in Man irradiating and divinely governing the first and sacrificing the Wills-Lusts and misplaced Love to the third Principle 21. This Holy Thing was begotten by the Holy Ghost as the Pure Heavenly Humanity united to the Earthly or Fallen Humane Nature comprising the Essences of the Virgin Mary as a Daughter of Eve 22. The Lord saith He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood hath Eternal Life He saith not He that eateth and drinketh it worthily hath Eternal Life but he that eateth and drinketh For none can be said to eat That Flesh and drink That Blood that
Meek Love of God lost the Throne of the central Love-fire possessing only that where hot and cold are in strife Being a Centre of the Visible World Q. 5. What was it of which the Angels were made What in the Word of God became Creaturely A. 1. The Substance of the Good Angels is out of the two central Fires of Fire and Light but their Idea Spirit or Powers are out of the Out-flowing Infinite Migâ—ty Holy Names of God 2. They are many and every Throne Angel according to the Peculiar of the various Names and Offices himself and his Legions are illustrated with 3. The Prince-Angels are as the Spirits of the Letters and the other as the joyning of Words and Sentences And as our Alphabet hath our whole understanding of all Substances So is God's Word of all things and the Angels are his Letters in the Divine Alphabet 4. And did not the Curse to prevent our abuse hinder Man having shut up himself in the NO So great is the Authority in what his Mouth carries that he might triumphantly do wonders as the Angels Deut. 30. 14. Rom. 10. 8. 5. If the Creatural Life stood not in an own Will in the Property to the Fire Lucifer could not have separated himself from the Good 6. The Angels are within and without this World yet in another Principle or World viz. in the One Element whereout came and still cometh the Four Elements and are Princes of the Constellations But some are of a more outward Chaos or Kind in the Four Elements call'd Starry Spirits viz. Ascendants Q. 6. What do Angels and why doth God's Power become Image-like A. 1. Out of the Mind come Thoughts and from them Imaginations whence Longing and Delight exist and we rule all things by the distinction of words So God viz. the Eternal Mind by His out-flowing Powers brought out the Angelical Idea and the Holy Angels are as God's Thoughts revealing His Mind as his Work Instruments to manifest the Eternal Powers they are as Strings in the great Harmony as our articulate Words so are they distinct Parts of the Love sport 2. And their great Joy and Knowledge of the Eternal Wisdom humbleth them before such Highness lest they lose that honour Their feeding is an indrawing of the Unity which is the Balsam that their Central Fire awake not the Wrath for the Devil's Fall is their Looking glass 3. The most gross Compaction of the Outward World is the out-flown Inward World in the two Central Fires The most Outward is the four Elements the next Inward is the Astral the third the Quintessence the fourth the Tincture the fifth the Clear God The more inwardly we reach the nearer God And were we awake from Adam's Earthy Love we might very well see Heaven Q. 7. What moved Lucifer to depart from God A 1. The Potence of Forming standing in the Transmutation viz. His Receiving Power therefore the out-flown Will in the Central Fire of the Eternal Nature made him elevate himself to despise the Resignation but would try the Properties of the Eternal Nature and so misused the Holy Name in himself and willed to domineer over the Thrones and brake himself off from the Unity Then instantly the Properties were manifest as hard sharp sour bitter stinging and the tormenting cold and hot fires Q. 8. How could an Angel become a Devil What is a Devil A. 1. He would not be under the speaking of the Unity which was Balsam to his Fire-Life but be his own speaking so his Fire could conceive no glance but the Holy Name and Central Love Fire withdrew 2. If he would be an Angel again his Fire Life must be killed with Love but This the Hellish Foundation neither will nor can do as Fire cannot endure Water 3. Their whole Life is a Despair Venem Dying Stink Sorrow Shame and Torment that he hath triâ—â—ed away the Divine Express Reflex Image and got the Form of Poisonous Venomous Beasts and Worms according to their various Properties of Pride Covetousness Envy c. all contrary to Wisdom Truth Love c. Thus good men have turned evil and fallen into Perdition Q. 9. Why did not the Omnipotent God prevent the Fall of Lucifer A. 1. Whilst Fire and Water are in a Vegetable they lovingly embrace each other but once sundred do never more desire each other but as Mortal Foes whenever they encounter the one dies 2. So Love and Anger where in Harmony bring the first Sweet Delight the other Life and Strength and are two Eternal Principles having each an Eternal Will Foundation and Centre of its own Therefore if the Anger will sever the Love doth not hinder with force Nor could the Love work otherwise than like it self else God would be at odds in himself But if the Created Image the No or Anger give its Will to the Yea or Love it would be chang'd into a Love-Fire 3. And tho' the Anger be an Eternal Principle and part of God's Omnipotence the fault was the Creatures for in the unimaged Power the Love doth ever burn And God's hardening is not sending a strange fierce Wrath into any but it is left to its own fierceness on which Judgment passeth The Anger is Love's manifestation and the Fallen Angels are the Looking glass of the Good Angels Q. 10. What did the Devil desire for which he left God A. He would be an Artist their Joy still is in Transmutation of themselves into Forms Subjection in Humility pleased him not but would be a God to himself and his Legions The Magick ground of Omnipotency pleas'd him which made him elevate himself above the Efflux of the Unity and prove the Properties but knew not how it would be with him when the Light should extinguish for then came Darkness and the cold sharpness of the Fierceness and he instantly at utter Enmity against God and all Angelical Hosts Q. 11. What was the Strife between Michael and the Dragon and what are they A. 1. Michael is the Figure of the Divine Power not as a Creature but as the opening and moving of the Eternity which name after in Jesus was ordained for Man 2. The Dragon is Hell manifested the Will of the Anger and the Wrath of the Properties as Heat Cold Woe the first Principle a Hunger and Thirst a Dying Quality Satan is the Will to Contradiction and Lies Belial the Lust to Uncleanness Belzebub a Source of Idol Gods Asmodâ—â— a Spirit of Fury and Madness Lucifer of Pride and stately climbing up 3. Their Strife was as of the first and second Principles as was That of Jesus in his forty days Temptation and of Israel while Moses was in the Mount In This Strife the Dragon is driven out of the Holy Name in This Strife Christ brought the Will of Man through Death and Hell to subsist in God unpassive that it may subsist in the Fire unapprehended by the Fire or as the Sun kindleth it self in the Elements yet
Horrour and stupendious Epitome of the Dark Centre doth therein subsist ever enkindling in his own Body and every Member of it being the whole Dominion of the Dark Troops one entire supply as out of a Fountain of Fury Rage and Fierceness as naturally as do issue Contagious Emanations from a Plague Sore or the Mortal Fumes from the Dead Sea affecting the Birds attempting to flie over it as is reported 5. And this He doth really as the Sun doth the glorious bright Beams or the Ocean swelleth the Veins of Springs which empty back into it or as Fogs ascend from corrupt Lakes and in This God's Infinite Abyss of the first Principle is as the bottomless Deep to a fragment of a thin Superficies or the Heat of the Sun to an Object through the Burning-glass affording an unsearchable immediate supply of the Treasure of Wrath with an hungry desire thereunto Thus doth the Breath of the Lord like a River of Brimstone enkindle that Lake where they have made themselves as Fuel fully ready dry 6. And as a good Graft or Branch inoculated into a Crab-stock produceth fruits of its own property tho' it be fed by the sour Stock haply delightful warm spicy grateful quite other than the Crab it self so contrariwise doth Lucifer and his Hellish Legions appropriate to themselves only That out of the Abyssal Principle wherein themselves inhabit whereof they subsist and whereby they are shut up and comprehended which their depraved Bodies can only assimilate that is the six working Properties enraged to extremity by the withdrawing of the Divine Holy Principle 7. And as Lucifer and his Angels did in the time of this World abuse all the Holy Names and Powers they could reach profaning them to effect their filthy Impostures so shall they desire ever to do but the Astral Influences which like Gold and Poisonous Mercury commixed yielding matter for their fallacious Jugling being once withdrawn then can they only in their Black Magick excessively and insatiably hunger to repeat as before their Blasphemies but remain impotent and no more seise on it than a man can on a shadow nor reach it than Dogs the Moon they bark at because all the good Intermixing Powers are for ever withdrawn into their several peculiar Ethers 8. Also as the Evil Legions do according to their various Orders and Properties more exceed some in one some in another of the four Central Forms of the Dark Abyss So Lucifer as the Centre of them all abounds at once in every one in the most capacious degree of a Creature Thus we see some Fish found on one Coast Arm or Channel some other sorts on another quarter latitude or bosom yet in the Sea are all sorts at once So That once Brightest of Angels and now Blackest of the Deformed Furies is the Comprehender of the various Anguishes and all in the extreamest degree a Creature possibly may and in that respect according to the Dark Impression imageth most exactly the Infinite first Principle 9. And tho' Lucifer and his numerous Legions who are as much his and have a Will as fixedly dependant on and with his as the Leaves do on the Will of the Tree have refused and been unworthy the Honour and Blessedness of retaining the Image and serving the Glory of the Holy dear Principle of Love and Goodness but by forming themselves according to Enmity Filthiness and Deceit would break their Order stray and think to free themselves from the Bands of the Almighty be their own Lords exercise a peculiar Tyranny by which Exorbitant Lust they willed to quit the Duty they owed the Universal Soveraign and sought a Happiness beyond the limit thereof he would be a Mock-God assume Rule Authority and Self-Soveraignty Yet did as one who would put out his own Eyes that himself might be invisible 10. Wherefore now if he will no longer be a Child of the Day he must be a Captive in the Darkness if he will not serve his God in the fulness of all things he must serve the Forms of Enmity in the want of all things if he will shut himself up from the golden State of Purity wherein he lived for the delight of his God he must be an Anguish Fountain as Ruâ—â—y Iron which yet is of use among other parts of the Creation and his own Rigour is his clog as bitter Astringency curbs the corroding Anguish of Mars The Magistrate hath Executioners for Capital Crimes who have not a contrary Will to the Justice of their Lord though adverse to his Clemency The Prince hath Armed Troops whose will is the same with his Imperial Commands to prosecute his Enemies with Fire and Sword and whose Life like that of Beasts and Birds of Prey is to prosper in the Destruction of others 11. Here may the Apostles words be applied Behold the goodness and severity of God to them that fell severity but to thee goodness if thou continue in his goodness Let it not be thought that by the Rebellion of Lucifer God hath lost the least part of His infinite Glory for as Lucifer and his Legions are gone into a Will Desire and Hunger opposite or adverse to the delighted or well-pleasing Will of the Goodness and loving Kindness of God in his Son the Lord Jesus Christ the Image of whom they bare yet are they gone no farther but to be comprehended in and made one Will Desire and Hunger in and with the fierce Wrath and Vengeance of the Almighty Father in His first Principle without generating His Delight his Son the Lord Jesus Christ the least doubt whereof is derogatory to the Glory of God's Omipotence nor can they possibly have any other Will but that of Enmity and Wrath being departed from that of Love for Love is the Cement Chain or Ligament the want whereof renders every Property at utter Hatred and loathing of any other Property Now though in the Holy World are all the Powers yet without the least Dissonance because Love fills them all Object 12. But the Mind of some may Judge that to say that Lucifer and his Angels have one Will with the Property and Wrath of the Father seems absurd for God having no greater fixt Enemy than the Devil That Enemy cannot have one Will with God And that to say there is something in God which is not God is to say there is something in God which is not himself which were rather Madness than Folly rather Blasphemy than Error for it divides the Infinite One from the Infinite One A. 1. By way of Concession 1. Lucifer and his Legions are at Enmity against God 2. There is nothing in God but what is God 3. That God cannot be divided from or against Himself for an Infinite cannot be divided against an Infinite 13. 2. It is answered by way of Solution 1. That though Lucifer and his Angels are at Enmity against God yet it follows not but they may be subservient to his Omnipotence as we see
to the separate Self-Will and Lust Unites us to the Universal Will which is call'd most truly a New Birth or a being Born again 8. Thus may be seen that the self same Word which out of the seven Properties created the vast Imperial Spiritual World in the first and second Principles created also the Visible World four Elements and Stars and the in a great degree dead Earth and Waters to be the Image of the Image of the Omnipotent Trinity having something of all Powers in it And affording a suitable Medium to Cloath the Good and Evil Angels when needful for the Execution of their several contrary Offices Q. 21. Whereas God and his Word is only Good whence proceeded the Evil in the Essence of this World for there are Poisonous Worms Beasts Herbs or Weeds and Trees also Venom in the Earth and other things A. 1. To such as are meer Strangers to the Writings of Jacob Behmen the Answer here intended will seem obscure and brief but repetition of things spoken before and the laying open of Foundations may not be expected 2. We know not God in His Infinite Abyss that is in the Will to the Anguish but we may know Him as He manifesteth Himself in the seven Properties of the Eternal Nature wherein are four Anguishes 3. 1. Binding to which are referr'd all Astringent Bodies as resisting to be moderated by penetrating Compounds Thus the Barks of some Trees some Fruits and some Waters by their Excess of Compacting or Ligation are so obstinately Crude as to Petrifie some Bodies and impose intolerable Laws on others as the Barks of Oaks the Asian Gauls c. are Poison to Vegetation 4. 2. Constringency or Violence of Attraction to which Head must be referr'd in Minerals some Vegetables c. Mercurial Poisons 5. 3. Anguish Properly so call'd whereto is referr'd all akeing cold tormenting Venom as of Toads and in many Vegetables being a cold Fire 6. 4. Fire to which is referr'd all the fierce raging Poisons in the Basilisk Scorpions Spiders c. and in many Martial Vegetables and Corrosive Minerals 7. Now all these Properties in the Creation not proceeding to the enkindling of the Light and in the Light the Love and which would produce the Harmony of sound must be comprised in the Evil Principle shut up and sealed therein 8. As we see all those Sensitive Animals are either Mutes or that they have only a murmuring harsh discordant hissing croaking or other hideous Voice 9. Thus is it That though the infinitely Glorious Creator be Perfection of Superlative Goodness from Eternity in Eternity yet these separate pieces of the Creation including and shutting up themselves in the Wrath of the first Principle must needs be Unclean Inimicitious Evil Venomous and Poisonous remaining as a Caput Mortuum to the rest of the Creation Q. 22. Why must there be Strife or Contrariety in Nature A. 1. The Answer of the last foregoing Question opens this also for the Contrariety in Nature causeth Strife and the Strife Production of the same contended for And this is as Natural as for a Tree to have a Root or a Torch to have Matter whereon the fire may live to elevate the blaze 2. And if by striving it can reach no higher than the first four Forms there it produceth bitter stinking harsh sour inimicitious Properties in Transitories and in Eternals Tormenting Woe Anguish sharpened Rage Despair c. But if their Strife attain the Liberty if their Contrariety proceed to the Unity and enkindle the meek pleasant Light wherewith it is nourished fed and satisfied by which also is generated sweet delight and dear chast Love the Strife there is highly profitable And then the greater the Strife the more noble and exalted is the Rapture of Sublime Joy 3. For without contrariety that is contrary Properties is no strife and without strife is no production and without production all would be a stilness inactivity and unknown to it self 4. Thus the Properties which when separate are Authors of a Hellish Kingdom are also when they operate harmoniously the exalters of the Divine Blessed Kingdom of Love Whereby is apparent that the worst is in its due place as good and as liberally contributeth to the perfect harmony and happiness as the best both in the Out birth or World and in the Spiritual World whereof this is a shadow and representation Q 23. What is the ground of the four Elements How is the Division effected that out of one four are come to be A. 1. An Element is no Compound but one Simple Body of the greatest extent of any in the Outward World They are four Fire Air Water Earth 2. The Fire preys upon the Water and Air The Air is breathed out of the Water by the incitement of the Fire The Water is the contraction of Air by the vicinity of the astringent cold Earth but the Earth is one Body of no great intimacy with either of the other only a Sediment resulting from the separating power of the other three Elements 3. Nor yet may it be wondred that the four were once one and proceeded from one seeing they are still one differing only in the degrees of Rarity and Density for as the Earth drives up the Water so doth the Water raise up the Air and the Fire being violently active surmounts all 4. Come we now to consider how the one was separated into four to make which plain it was necessary when the Omnipotent God willed to make himself creaturely that the seven Properties should every one of them form their respective Powers into so many various Existencies And then there came out of the one pure Element which is the Mystery of all things an Heavenly Earth of Paradisâ—cal Salt or Divine Spiritual Salin Spirit or Property or Pure Holy Salitter An Humble Meek Spirit which was the Living Water A pure exalted Breath bringing the unconceiveable Joy Life and serene Tranquillity into the Divine Spiritual World 5. And lastly An holy cheering active Fire according to the Property of the second Principle without Rage Fierceness Curse or Wrath at all but generating the Light and Flame of Love 6. But when Lucifer and his Legions not keeping the sweet Order in which the Creator had enthron'd him and gloriously inâ—tated them would be Gods to themselves found resistance and a soveraign check at the Bounds of the Principle the total God had allotted them they grew displeased and gradually their Holy Love fire disappeared instead of which came a Raging Dark Fire whose fierceness dried up their Humble Sweet Meek Water and their Smoke became a Blackness suffocating the Serene Air. And their Royal Angelical Christalline Bodies became gross contracted crude rough deformed harsh bitter hot cold poisonous â—tinking prophane inimicitious filthy wrathful dark blasphemous Existencies 7. And thus were the four Elements polluted and wretchedly confounded into a dark disorderly commixture which the Antients call'd a Chaos The farther process from This Evil
State of things will fall under the Answers of the 33 34 35 36 and 37th Questions by whomsoever they shall by Divine Assistance be resolved Q. 24. Wherefore and to what use and benefit are the Stars created Ans. 1. This of the Stars includes the Sun and Moon for they also are two of the Royal Stars To the better discoursing which it may be orderly 1. To say what they are 2. What they figure and represent 3. What they are Instruments to do 2. They are in the Out-birth vigorous Engines of Omnipotence that by occult and Spiritual Powers can insensibly influence and act irresistible applications for the concreting or generating improving dissolving of all the various Bodies within the Sphere of their Activity or Principle being of the Outward World or Third Principle 3. Thus by similitude the Angels are call'd Stars As doth the Lord of Angels humble himself to be call'd a Star several times in the Sacred Records 4. What they represent and figure The four Forms or Anguishes of binding attracting Anguish and Fire represent the first whole Principle and do form Saturn Jupiter Mercury and Mars The two Forms of Majestick Light and dear Love figure the whole second Principle and do form Sol and Venus And the seventh Form of habitation a seeming change or inconstancy a seeming alteration of increase and diminution of Essence being the Scale and Method of the third Principle formeth the Moon with her Changes and Eclipses 5. The seven Royal Stars are like vowels or spirits of Letters and the innumerable others are like consonants forming infinite variety of syllables and words for as words are the opening of the secret lockt up Mind so are the Stars the opening of the Dark Mystery or Chaos shut up in the Anguish Chambers And as the various Properties of the several Principles are couched in and expressed by the vowels and spirits of the Letters peculiar to them so the seven Royal Stars are suited in and qualified by the three Principles and the seven Properties of the Eternal Nature 6. Thus the Stars figure God in his Almightiness Infinity and Eternity according to the first Principle In His Majestick Triumphant Kingdom of Light according to the second and in His Gracious Kingdom of Love according to the third Principle And are in the very third Principle the express word of what the Devils are in the Dark Abyss and of what the Holy Angels are in the Heavenly World In all which they are an Image of the Image of God so expresly that the Throne or Angelical Kings according to each of the seven Fountain Spirits are imaged by the seven Kingly Stars The Hosts and Legions of the seven Angelical Kings by the rest of the innumerable Constellations and lesser Glories 7. What they do instrumentally Moses saith they were for signs seasons days months and years Deborah makes them Warriors The Stars in their courses fought against Siâ—era The wise men found one of them a Harbinger to tell them of Christ's Incarnation 8. The wise Antients penetrated so far into their Properties Virtues and Orderly Applications in Human and all Terrene Bodies Affairs Governments that by true Natural Magick they could demonstrate their occult Energies by sensible Influences And the Egyptian Magi imitating Moses may not be concluded meerly Impostors tho' their Acquired Operations how really natural soever must humble themselves before the stupendious Fiat of the God of Nature The Babylionian Magi whereof Daniel and his Companions were could interpret and disclose Secrets And the wise men find the King of the Jews by clear Inductions and Conclusions of Natural Operations as are found Real Causes by Natural Consequents 9. But some Modern Pretenders to Wisdom little more than gaze on the Stars and take up with names and numbers and where they see more will entitle Satan to the honour of God's great excellent Works amongst his Creatures 10. Having thus made way be it known Man hath an Astral Spirit call'd by Some an Evester by others otherwise which laies hold on him at the enkindling of his Life when his Embrio in the Conception is ennobled by a Living Soul and that Astral Spirit sublimeth or debaseth his Intellect decorateth or incurvateth his Mind towards Good or Evil. This as the Separators Instrument doth model and distinguish into Sexes dispenseth such Peculiar Properties as their successive ascending Regiments by prevalence or precedency shall impress then and at the Birth the Internal Faculties more or less capacious c. The whole composure of Body the Eye Feature Stature Lineaments Voice Seal of the Palm Tincture of the Parts caâ—t of the Hair c. 11. The Stars are such Arbitrary Lords since Adam's heavy Fall subjected him thereunto that they can well proportion the Elementary Body of one a Mind well composed Atchievements successful his course renowned Another they load with an incumbring Body of Ill Symmetry perverse Humours and unprosperous and finish him with a Tragical Exit 12. The Astral Vertue is woven into all the variety of Minerals distributing weight to one making Lead from Saturn so Mars harshness makes Iron Venus Copper those with the work of the power of Sol produceth Gold and so of the rest 13. Their Vertue is also as apparent in the other parts of the Creation as in Vegetables from the Cedar to the Hyssop or pile of Grass In Insects that there is infused both utmost diligence and providence which is observed in the Ant. What is the Spur of the delicate curious Bee the crafty industrious Spider the profitable Contexture of the Silk-worm with its Transmigration all proceeding from the strife of the Properties 14. In Sensitives and Animals are there Inscriptions some fitted by the first four Forms or some of the four for prey and hostility others by conjunction of more benevolent Aspects are mild some very docible So in the general Body of Nature by some call'd the Soul of the World are Sympathies and Antipathies c. In all which no cause is left to doubt but their Vertue is expresly eminent in the several Elementary Worlds Who sees not that all things bear their Impressions Some according to the Darkness and others the Light and some after the mixt Powers from their peeping up into Propriety till their being resumed by their several Ethers and first Principles 15. As the Stars are over under and incircle us so their Energies and Powers are in us and on us we are strong in their strength they are not ours more properly than that they are us even a very great part of us They are the Pilot of the Elementary part and the Chariot of our Eternal Soul And to our shame and sorrow it must be acknowledged they are in very many Lords paramount even over the High-born Noble Eternal Soul very many give up their Will to their Conduct for never laying hold of the Grace provided for them in the true Jubilee are voluntary Ear-boar'd Slaves 16. But
sprung out of the four Elements animated by the Astral Powers and Properties all which proceeded from the one Element and seven Fountain Spirits concerning which the Answers of the 23 24 and 25 Questions particularly discoursed 2. The Mortal transitory Creatures have their Root in the Dark Out-birth yet some more out of one Element and Property and some especially out of other Elements and Properties of which much might be said as also of the permanence of their Ideas or Figures but that the Answers of the other subsequent Questions will meet with those things if God shall vouchsafe Light to any to answer them 3. Briefly now the transitory Creatures bear the Figures and but the Figures or shadows of every Principle every Property and every Element and consequently of all Worlds That the Lord God Almighty may be adored admired and known in proportion and according to the capacity of us His Creatures by some more intimately by others with a more remote less perfect and less distinct Knowledge as the Image they are entrusted to contemplate is more or less express improved and kept bright and serene by our viewing Divinity in them 4. They also bear all Figures that the Lord may behold Himself in those His Wonders Imaged in by and through all things for all things are in Him from Him and for Him for whom waits all Honour Love Subjection and Obedience for ever Q. 34. What was the Archeuâ— or Separator of their Kind or Species and Property which formed them and still to this day formeth them A. The Answer of the last Question derives their Original from the four Elements and this must tell what Architect contriveth their Structure 'T is true the Elements and their Products are the Matter whereof they are but what divides the Matter into Portions and those Parts into Method and exact order with different Sexes Colours and Qualities Good Evil and Mixt 1. Are they made of the Earth Why eat they not Earth For every Creature subsisteth of its own Root or Mother but they subsist by the Astral Productions in the Elements and must do so or of meer Earth The Earth and the other outward Elements would be still Barren were they not pusht on and moved by their immediate Causes 2. Hence 't is clear the Transitory Creatures proceeded from the Aquastrish Womb of the Elements which may be well call'd their Mother or Female Matrix and the fiery Part or Masculine Limbus is their immediate Father but the animating Vertue of the Stars is their Quintessence or Tincture the which Astral Spirit is their Separator and gives them various Colours Properties active or sluggish Fabricks of nimble Wings or unweldy Bulks As doth the same Tincture also cause those great varieties of Colours of the many Thousands of different Flowers Herbs and Vegetatives 3. This is not barely like a Refiner's Fire which segregates Metals and thrusts and divides to each in the Crucible all its own Gold to Gold or Copper to Copper for that Mechanick Skill tortures and mortifies the Matter rather than exalts or improves it 4. But he that is enabled from above prosperously to Transmute Augment and Tincture Metals must remove Obstructions of Mortal Heterogeneous Parts and then knows how to animate fortifie and fructifie the United Homogeneous Parts And do all with such a Fire as that wherewith the Astral Powers generate Minerals produce Animals and feed and cause their so great growth which is done by satiating and converting their constant Anguish and Hunger which Anguish and Hunger is not radicated at all but transmuted into constant Joy Love and Victory and the Light World awakened therein Q. 35. What are the six Days Work of the Creation and the Sabbath A. The six Days Work of the Creation and the Sabbath being severally and at large treated of in the 12 13 14 15 and 16th Chapters of the Mysterium Magnum may not be toucht here Q. 36. What is the Difference or Distinction of the Mortal Creatures And what is their Chaos wherein each Kind liveth and wherein are they distinct and severed one from another A. None can call this Question too curious for God who made nothing in Vain made not all Creatures but to be of high Consideration and the Lord sending us to learn Providence and Industry of the Aâ—â— doth much more establish his almost Infinite Number of Creatures to be for vast Uses grand Speculation and Importance It having been shewn whence they were produced and by what Power divided it must now be shewn what their Differences and distinct Kinds are 1. Moses teaching the order of the Creation saith Let them meaning the Creatures of the Out-birth come forth every one after their Kind By which word Kind is understood their several Properties and of the Properties are seven and no more which Patronize all Creatures and every of the seven is as clearly distinguish'd in the Animals as in Minerals and Pretious Stones 2. And though they are all in and of one Principle yet in them may all the three Principles be evidently distinguished according to the Order engraved on them by the Sacred Hand of the Creator in Conformity to all His other more Divine and Illustrious Works for His Words are His Works 3. As First The Dark Matrix like a Fountain issued those of the first four Forms viz. The Cold Astringent Tenacious greedy Animals which are a numerous Family some more some less vigorous as Wolves Swine c. 4. Next the Attractive constringent restless Quality or Kind as Foxes Serpents c. 5. Another of the despairing anguishing Property as Dogs some Venomous Creatures c. Therefore is a Mad Dog so Contagious 6. The Fourth is of a fiery rapacious ravenous voracious haughty Tribe as Lions Vultures Eagles c. 7. The Fifth Sort or Kind are of a merry airy Inclination some more thus as Birds others more according to the Spirit of the World as some other Birds Apes c. And of the same Kind more especially principl'd with Love as far as the Out-birth is capable of it as Lambs Turtle Doves some more laxe or rather lustful as wanton Creatures 8. The Sixth is the Property of the Sound in harmonious sweet Singing-birds Chirping their Musical Notes to the Praise of the glorious Creator 9. The last are great bulky unweldy huge lumpish Beasts and the Chaos of them is part of themselves or that whereof their various Properties shew them to be part for the Will of every of them willeth its Property and thereby willeth it self and would be much more so yet knoweth not what it self is Q. 37. To what End or wherefore were the Mortal Creatures created A. 1. The more Perfect of them are composed together with the Internal Organs of Flesh Blood Bones Scales Skin Hair Feathers of which I may be excused from Curiosity not being on Natural History or Dissection Thus is Man of Flesh c. his Nails resembling
the Scales c. They have also Craft Wrath Love every of the Five Senses Invention Providence Memory c. 2. To call them moving Plants is too low but only that it leadeth the Mind to view the Harmony of all the Creatures how they variously some more clearly others more obscurely Image and Shadow every of the three Principles and the seven Properties of the Eternal World 3. Whence they sprung appears by several Answers of the foregoing Questions particularly in that of the 33th 4. And now among the many Glorious Ends of their Creation the following brief hints are some They are at fourth Degree from the Principles and Properties created 1. To Figure the Dark Abyss 2. The Light World though very obscurely 3. The Out-birth or outward World of the Stars and Elements with the almost infinitely various Tendencies Inclinations and Impulses of them By every of which the Almighty Creator uncovereth his veiled Omnipotence infinite Grace and Wisdom 5. The Contemplation of them is both a pleasant and a perplexing Laboratory or serious Book for Man's Study and as it were a Play-Book for the Angels whose piercing understandings read the Effects by the Causes while declined Man gropeth by the Information of the Senses at a piece-meal guess of the Causes from Experience of the Effects 6. It must be confest that Adam being as to his Body or third Principle in his first and pure state Lord of the Mystery whence they proceeded could more sensibly discover and Epitomize them than the Angels as the Lord Jesus had a feeling of our Infirmities by His gracious humbling Himself to be as one of us But Adam's bright Eyes were darkened by the dismal lapse 7. Men may see themselves in the brute Creatures 1. All Unregenerate Men are figured either by the greedy ones 2. Or by the haughty proud Beasts 3. Or by the envious Reptils where by the way may be observed that Envy is found among the Poorer sort for the venomous Creatures are rather creeping than going 4 Or by the cruel wrathful ones And all these are of the first Principle without proceeding to enkindle the Light of the second Principle and are call'd by the Names of those Creatures in the Sacred Records 8. Other Creatures there are that figure the Light World or second Principle by their Innocence Love Usefulness and Loveliness in which they glorifie the Creator and like a dark Shadow pourtray the same 9. There are other Creatures more especially of the Out-world or World's Spirit as those that have Lunary Bodies produced improved and transacted by her Mutations which extends very far also to the whole Creation 10. My last Consideration restraining my self to brevity is somewhat abstracted which is That their Root is not so Ignoble and Vile but their Forms and Idea's for the sake of their Tincture have a prospect into Perpetuity each into their natural Aethers as is signified by the Apostle that the Creatures Travel in pain groaning under forced and as to them causless Vassalage shall be deliver'd into the glorious Liberty of the Children of God where the Drunkard's Horse shall like Balaam's Ass convince mens Madness and cruel Excess The abused toil of the Laborious Ox the innocent life of the Patient Lambs both employed to nourish filthy Lusts the cruel Delight of Hunting to the heart-breaking of the Deer and Hare c. shall at last be material Witnesses of Man's aggravated Guilt perpetuated Apostacy and lawless Irregularities Q 38. Whence was Man Created as to his Body The Fourth grand Distribution A. 1. Not of the Earth for the brute Animals are more nobly descended not of the four Elements which are the Matrix of the Earth for of that Matter are the Brutes form'd and the Elements are Transient and must melt or resolve into their first Principles Not of the Astral Out-birth for the Stars shall fall that is cease their present Order and pay the Debt of their various Properties to the Aether whence they were separated 2. But because Adam's Body was of Eternal Duration had he not â—inned it could not derive from a fading Root as Eternity is not founded on Mortality which forceth our search to ascend a step higher 3. It shall therefore be to the Divine Salitter which also hath the Water-spirit in it from both which the Stars were breathed And this Divine Salitter as it hath in it all the Powers of the Properties together with the Divine Sulphur and Mercury is call'd the great Mystery Eternal Nature or Quintessence 4. Out of this was Created Adam's Holy pure Paradisical Body capable of Eternal Life This Divine Saliter J. B. calls the Holy Ternary that is a Celestial Paradisical pure Earth whence grows Heavenly holy Fruits and near unto it no Curse ever can enter or approach for thereinto cometh nothing that defileth Of this Dust of this Ground Moses spake that God formed Man But they who suppose it to be our dead Dust wherein is the Wrath and Fierceness do not only err by means of the Veil before Moses's Face but also by reason of the Veil on their own Hearts and Eyes 5. The Apostle saith The first Man is of the Earth earthy The second is the Lord from Heaven 6. That it could not be this nor the Elements nor the Astral Birth is clear but therefore that it must be the Heavenly Earth is of forcible Consequence The Apostle saith not what Adam was or was extracted from but what he is or is come to be but if he had so said yet the Proportion betwixt the second and first admits no Comparison 7. Between a Mote in the Sun and the whole Glorious Sun is some Proportion for the least of Quantities taken from the greatest of Bodies below Infinity hath Proportion to that whence it was for it leaves the other really lessened but all created Worlds bear no Proportion with the Infinite Son of God for all breathed out from an Infinite leaves still an Infinite and the Infinite is not lessened by it 8. The Apostle therefore in this place either doth not speak of Adam's first state or doth not lessen his Extraction but adoreth the Glory of the second Adam as the Work-master excelleth the Work made for when of the Angels it is written And hath made them all ministring Spirits Of the Son it is said Let all the Angels of God worship him Also Thy Throne O God is for ever and ever c. Q. 39. What was the Inspiration or Breathing in whereby Man became a living Soul A. 1. The Inspiration of Man's Soul was out of the first Principle the Father's Property which consisteth of the first four Forms of Nature of this Living Root sprung his Immortal Living Soul 2. Yet so is it that wherever or in whomsoever the second Principle is shut out that Exclusion is truly call'd the Death of the Soul for the Living Soul by that Deprivation enters or remaineth in Death which though
is that true Spiritual Life is revived or stirred up in us 18. The New Man regenerated out of the Earthy Man being a Virgin may Sup with the Eternal Virgin and as the Lord while in our Flesh had the heavenly Flesh and Blood which swallowed up the other So we in His Meek pure Spirit carry it also in our Earthy Body and if we live in the New heavenly Flesh and Blood in the Body Power and Vertue of Jesus Christ that is in the Son by the Holy Ghost to the Father Then when the old one falls off we live in the New heavenly Flesh and Blood and our Works are no longer ours nor our Words ours but God doth all in us 19 To this Man every with-drawing Thought from an entire Subjection is his Cross for to him Honour and Contempt Sweet and Bitter Penury and Plenty Heavy and Light are no more any of these for he loves not the one nor flyes from the other but the Divine Will is his Joy and Content the thing sought and his full satisfaction Q. 43. Why did God Create in the Beginning but one Man and not forthwith a Man and a Woman together as He did the other Kinds of Creatures or other Species A. 1. God created the other Creatures to manifest his various divided Powers that in them he might severally Image every of them by those wrathful fierce ones in the dark World the loving Innocent ones of the Light World's Property and others of the meer Elementary World and that the seeming contrary and discording Properties might in distinct Forms and Creatures one excite the other to a general Harmony whereunto they still serve 2. But Man He created to a higher and more excellent Sphere for he was in one only Person to comprise as in an Epitomy the Image of the total God having his Root in the Eternal dark World or that of Fire His Life Glory Vertue and Fruit in the Eternal Light-world or second Principle of Love and Holiness and the third Principle being that of the purest Astral and Elementary World was but to Hang to him over which he was to bear rule 3. Nor could he have been God's compleat Image had not the Tincture of the Fire and also of the Light been incorporated in him that is both the Male and Female Properties 4. Therefore was it that he was but One Undivided to Image God who is distinguished into Three yet is One and Eternally the same Infinite and in Himself the Undividable One 5. And as the One God remaining but One diffuseth Himself into Multiplicity so should Adam had he remained an Undivided one Magically have propagated a Blessed Holy Numerous Progeny in perfect Modesty and Purity yet bearing in them all every Power of the Principles and every Property in great Harmony as are found in the Angelical World as well as in the Astral and Elementary 6. But when once Adam had his Eve rent from him we see what Misery Distraction Laceration and Wo soon follow'd by disappearing of the pure Virgin Modesty Q. 44. Was the first Man in such a habit of Condition created to Eternal Life or to Change and Alteration A. 1. When Men search the wretchedness of fallen Man's present Estate it may seem incredible that ever he was a glorious and compleat Image of God and of all Worlds 2. As one seeing the Ruins of a Royal City which Sword and Fire hath laid in Ashes heap'd into Rubbish Desolation plead Prescription and Years have cloathed the Hillocks in Green especially if some Earthquake had razed the Situation the Beholder of these Remains though credibly inform'd can scarce credit that ever it deserved half what perhaps Fame too sparingly reported it to be 3. Thus Men looking on their own feeble sickly filthy short liv'd Boâ—ies can see little more than a Bestial Image But farther penetrating the Deâ—â—rmities of the Soul at Hostility against even God Himself and torn by Civil War within it self and by means of God's withdrawing abused Grace it is invaded by gross Darkness Little more can be seen but what is devillish 4 But Glory be to God in the highest that Jesus took this fallen Image and led it through Death into Eternal Life The sad Prospect of what Man is joyned with the Ignorance of what he was raiseth the blind Conceit that he was created to Alteration 5. But to shew how Excellent Man was by Creation and that he was not subject to Alteration yet that I may shun Repetition do return my self to the Answers of the 38 39 40 and 41st Questions Only lot it be remembred that God denounceth as the Wages of Disobedience Alteration Death and Deprivation of the Paradisical Glory 6. And that the Alteration was Translation to a better Place must needs be an Error springing from our Ignorance of what Paradise is and what that staâ—e is I return my self to the Answer of the 42. Question Q. 45. What manner of Image was Adam before his Eve In what Form and Condition was he when he was neither Husband nor Wife but both A. 1. He was so made as to possess the Throne of expulsed Lucifer he was therefore an Image of God's Power as well as his Holiness which made him the Object of Lucifer's Malice 2. And forasmuch as Lucifer affected to lift up himself in that part of God's Image entrusted to him consisting of Potence and Mightiness to such excess as eclipsed his holy pure lustre Therefore to prevent it in Adam there was added to him the third Principle for it was Matter for some humble Contemplation But Lucifer not balanced therewith Imaged in himself a desire of Rule above the End or Limit of Creature Nature 3. Adam was also lower than Lucifer because the Subjects of this Monarchy were only potentially or virtually existent not actually produced And it is found that gradual access to exercise of Authority is less obnoxious to inordinate Practices than instantaneous Entrance upon Soveraignty His gracious Creator saw it safer for him to be raising of Fruit than at once to enjoy a reaped Crop 4. But he was Privileged above the Angelical Hierarchy that had left their Habitation being a more compleat Image of God than they having one Principle more intrusted to him 5. His Fall was into that third Principle which though the Holy World should be withdrawn from him yet was not that Principle sinfully Evil in it self but the first Principle excluding thence the Holy World is Evil in it self into which the Angels fell 6. The third Principle God annexed to Adam for knowing he would not remain faithful in the Virgin State that into it infinite Love and Goodness might enter to help him again which Jehovah Christ did by re-uniting the Eternal Divine Virginity to the Sick infected Humanity 7. And thus Tinctured the Humanity enkindling in it a true Heavenly spark of holy Fire which when our Humanity in Christ yields it self up into it is a Sacrifice turned into a Love
flame Like as the right Tincture transmuteth Metals and the Elixir Tinctures Mans sickly Body 8. Now to say what was the Image Likeness Form and Fashion of Adam when he was neither Husband nor Wife and yet Both. He was as to his first Principle or Eternal Soul Potent and Mighty resembling him to the Father and to the Angels who are Mighty in Power In his second Principle or Divine Spirit he was as a God in Holiness Love Purity and Brightness which illustrated his first Principle joyning the Dove and Lamb to the Lyon In his third Principle he was Prince over the Astral Heavens a remainder whereof was in Joshuah who stopt the Sun and Moon And under his God Soveraign over the Elementary Worlds a remainder whereof is seen in Moses over the Waters and Elias over it and the fire 9. His Body was as those in the Resurrection with this difference that having both Tinctures he could have been Magically fruitful whereas they and the Angels are in that respect Barren and was all this in great Modesty Simplicity Wisdom Unity dear Love Holiness and immaculate Purity Q. 46. Had Adam before his Eve Masculine Members and such Bones Stomach Guts Entrails Teeth and also such things as we now have A. 1. Adam's Holy Virgin state exempted him from those impure deformed bestial Members for Propagation which yet pitying our Wo and Necessity is bore with by Divine Patience but the Filthiness of it is signified by the Circumsicion and is that whereof Nature it self as depraved as it is blusheth and is ashamed 2. And Bones were Strengths for the Saturnine Compaction could not petrefie to that excess till his Body which was derived from the Astral Root or one Element whence they were also breathed out became subjected to those Astral Powers which were to have continued his Servants and Subjects 3. The Teeth Stomach Gutts evacuating Vessels c. which we now have could not befal him while he remained in his Holy State for his food was holy pure heavenly such as might stand in Eternity for such was he not as yet confined under the Horoscope of Time 4. He stuft not himself with the Elements nor to speak strictly doth he so yet no nor do the Animals for the Elements feed the Plants and the Animal Creatures feed on the Plants produced by the Elements but Man on the Animal Creatures like a Wolf and on the Plants like an Animal But Adam's Food was Holy Paradisical Angelical Eternal needing no evacuation eaten only in the mouth not tartarous which the Law commanding the Israelites to carry out a Paddle to cover theirs without the Camp signifieth And that other Law prohibiting and strictly nominating unclean and clean Creatures pointeth at Q 47. If Adam also had been thus as we are now how was it possible he should in such a condition have been able to stand without suffering and corruption If Paracelsus thought by feeding on that whereof the Stars subsisted to extend his Thread of Life to what length he would it was a thing might soon be purposed 1. 'T is true the Elixir if duly and naturally collected epitomising the Universe must be granted to do much in tincturing the Vital Natural and Animal Spirits whereby the Astral and Elementary Man may be strongly fortified the Natural Balsam restored radically dregs obstructing the quick interiours of the Powers separated highly conducing to health And the long Lives before the Flood as well as many since seem to be referred to their happy Knowledge of this almost Paradisical Secret as an immediate eminent Second Cause 2. Yet must it not be denied that besides the Supream Law for abridging Man's Race the Astral Revolutions summon us to a period and the Volatile Nature of the Elementary Fabrick loosen the connexions of our Outward Man from Affinity to the fixed Inward Man in so manifest a degree that we bring from the Womb the Seeds of our Mortality our Bones are sensless dead and as to themselves dry already our need of frequent sleep pourtrays death our food is corruptible those few that attain the Winter of Age then fall to Ashes by their Cold Fire others fall to Ashes by the Hot Fire as it is written Your Fathers where are they Also like as it is said If there had been a Law that could have given Life verily Righteousness had come by the Law so had there been an happy Eternity attainable out of the Reliques of Adam we had been thence raised to Immortality but not by dying 3. But seeing there was no such therefore the Second Adam breaks through death into Eternity because Adam having subjected himself and us to the Stars and Elements therefore that part of us under that Rule must change as they who by wrestling vary their Powers nor are the Stars nor Elements themselves on a surer Basis but that the one must one day fall the other melt Q. 48. Should Adam's eating and drinking have been after a Paradisical manner without care distress and sorrow if he had stood out the Trial or Proba A. 1. It is written The Kingdom of God is not Meat and Drink but Righteousness Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost Yet the Lord saith I will drink no more of the fruit of the Vine till I drink it new in my Fathers Kingdom The Manna also by allusion is call'd Angels food 2. Adam's eating without care distress and sorrow was without distrust of want therefore without care without subtlety and disappointments therefore without distress without sorrow being ever a gainer having supply out of the Ocean needing only to abound in humble gratitude Adam's Paradisical food is sometimes signified by Bread of Life Water of Life a Tree of Life Manna New Wine c. 3. Those fruits are real and substantial more Divine than to be palpable of true Power and Vertue to nourish to Eternal Life therefore must be incorruptible having the forms of the fruits in this World for this is the representation of That tho' but as a dead dark shadow as the husk This hath the Curse in it but the fruits there have the purity realness or essence existing in and deriving from the Omnipotence and Lustre of the Second Principle 4. The dead fruits here which mold and perish figure those heavenly ones The faded stains of things here point at those living bright glorious colours the variety of these the infinity of those these Trees as it were pourtray those this very dead Earth in a sort figureth the Divine Salitter our Mortal Dead Water the Pure River of the Living Water our Air their Air which is of the Holy Ghost our musical Sounds hint at their ravishing living speaking Airs our plucking and eating our fruits figure their so doing the strength we receive and retain thereby figureth the same in them our seemingly delightful Objects figure their transcendent glorious Objects 5. But all in so vast disproportion as a dead Corps to a flourishing lively noble
is still greater if it perpetrate the purpos'd Evil 't is heavier yet 6. If it extend to many of the True Worshippers or if it could to all it is become the Blackness of Darkness drawing on themselves all the righteous blood-shed from Abel to the day of doing or willing the Evil. 7. What need much be said the Hunter or Persecutor is known for tho' the Goatish Creature may undiscerned associate among the Sheep till the Judgment of the great day yet the Wolf is notoriously distinguisht from the Lord's Flock of Lambs 8. They are the figure of the Christian and Antichristian Churches to the end of time Also here to the considering mind it is evident that cruel Persecutions rise not but from the strong stern lofty bitter Forms of the first Principle who are so cruel each to other in an Intestine Wrath that it is exceedingly more facil for the Sons of the Humble Light Principle sweetly to yield up themselves a Sacrifice than for the Evil Ones to perpetrate it and still or quiet their own clamorous Consciences in and after the fact but such bitter persecuting Spirit existeth not in nor resulteth from the third Principle or due Natural Magistracy Q 81. In what Grace was the first World saved without the Law What was their Justification A. 1. Tho' the 75th Answer contributes much to the solution of this Question yet the more plain full and direct Answer of this is That the Lord Jesus Christ the Eternal Almighty Son of the Father was and is and is to come the only alone Redeemer Justifier and Saviour by him for him are all things to whom all Knees shall bow and all Tongues confess him by uniting the Heavenly Humanity to the Seed of the Woman 2. In the Volume of the Book it is written of Him He is in His own holy Principle in the Light of the Life or Heart of every Man that cometh into the World He cannot be comprehended by space for all Heavens are comprehended by Him He is a Branch in the Infinite second Principle whence is the Divine Virgin of Wisdom 3. He was inspoken by the Father into Adam and Eve at That needful Time as a Refiners Fire or as the Holy Fire which descended and transmuted the material Sacrifices or as a Tincture ennobleth Metals He is to the Soul as it is to the Body to the Understanding as the Light of the outward World to the Eye to the Deadness of the Soul the Animation Food to its Hunger an Appeaser to its Tumults reducing her of meer Grace from the Multiplicity to the Unity such was He to the Old World and in the fulness of Time the Divine Wisdom and Purity assumed the Woman's Seed 4. For at the instant of the Father's inspeaking Christ did re-implant Himself in the Light of the Life of Adam's and Eve's Souls to dispossess the Strong Man and through all Generations doth stand in the Door of the Heart of every Child of theirs none excepted reproving Sin warning of the Judgment to come and Preaching Salvation This is the Light shining in a Dark place the name of This is Infinite Love and it is also the Word of Reconciliation To Him give all the Prophets witness and also all the Holy Ones which have been since the World began 5. Here are no Novelties nor in any of the blessed Jacob Behmens Writings may such be found But whereas men have dark confused notions of God like those of Athens dedicating their Altar to the unknown God of Him therefore whom men ignorantly worship do Jacob Behmens Writings give a clear certain demonstrable and distinct knowledge and of all things and Worlds also of all Creatures from the most holy Angelical Princes of Eternity to the most despicable excrescence of Time Q. 82. Was Cain condemned for his sins Or whether did Cain become damned in respect of his sins What was his doubt or despair of Grace A. 1. The heinousness of his sin appears 1. That Abel provoke't him not who in truth of heart offered but Cain only in shew the one really did what the other only pretended to do Aggravation that on fall of his Countenance and rising of his Wrath the Lord reprehended and warned him before his perpetrating the fact 3. Aggravation his false and stubborn Answer after he had done it before Sentence I know not Am I my Brother's keeper 4 Aggravation his desperate Answer after Sentence My punishment is greater than I can bear or my sin is greater than can be forgiven 5 Aggravation that he went out from the presence of the Lord to marrying and building So that were there no more in the Text it had left him in a most desperate forlorn state His sin therefore under these Aggravations must of its own Nature and by its own Writ condemn him 2. But Cain is under a twofold consideration one as to his own Person and so he was a Sacrificer a Priest and Worshipper of the True God Nor may it be doubted but that the Offering in it self was well warranted for God's approbation of Abel shews it had Divine Institution yet was Cain a Worshipper with an Evil Heart that is an unresigned Spirit but a Self-will and therefore not accepted 3. Cain is to be considered as a Figure of the Formal Hypocritical Worshippers and of them 1. Such who pretend to worship the True God 2. That in the Outward Form of what they do suit their Worship much according to the Letter 3. That yet are strangers to the Spirit Life and Power of Divine Worshipping 4. That have some Outward Dignity Priority or Authority over the humble resigned Worshippers As Ishmael and Esau had the Primogeniture of Isaac and Jacob. 5. That they have a strong disposition and preparedness to Anger and Envy against the Faithful Worshippers and do make all such Approaches to their hurt as they can As did Balaam and Corah with whom Cain is ranked 6. Such as when they can hurt or kill have so great impenitence as hardens them against Self-accusing and impudence to deny their Evil Facts 4. Now to close the Answer It is true all such Churches or Persons as are figured by Cain are whilst they continue unregenerate seeking to please the Self-will in a lost desperate state under the first four Forms and shut up in the first Principle 5. But forasmuch as God did set a Mark on Cain thereby defending him against the destroyers all this may be without his particular personal condemnation Q. 83. Why did God make a Mark on Cain and said he or whosoever that slayeth Cain his blood shall be avenged sevenfold A. 1. Cain said From thy face shall I be hid also every one that findeth me shall kill me It could not be the Outward Man there meant for that could not be hid from God but the Inward might fall into Darkness and so be as it were hid Noâ— was it the Outward Man that
be considered that this was no Life separate from the Elementary Body but as well it as the Essences of the Soul remained unchanged That Henâ—ch's Time and Ministration shall be within the Circle of Time signified by this that he lived just so many years as are days in one year It shall be in and under the six Forms of Nature not entring as such into the Sabbath as himself was the sixth Generation only excluding Adam who should so have generated The whole Essences of the first Principle and the whole Elementary Body of the third Principle remaining really such shall be throughly irradiated and penetrated by the second Holy Love Principle yet so secretly tho' absolutely as shall not be reached by the outward Eye 3. But in This Administration shall not be Henoch's Translation much less the change or mutation spoken of by the Apostle Paul but they tho' being in shall be yet unknown to the World 4. To the second part of the Question What is become of Henoch so also of Moses and Elias I readily confess to have an impulse and clearness to speak only of Henoch and Elias and concerning them Do answer they are no farther from us than the third Principle or Out-birth can be removed I speak not of Mathematical Distance but Metaphysically of Principles and tho' the Out-birth or Astral World in its divided depravity imageth Hell and Death blended with the Divine Powers yet in its due place it imageth the first and second Principles in sweet Harmony yet still is but an Image 5. Henoch was not transmuted or risen again but translated and hath the third Principle in or on him it is not as with the Saints raised at the period of the Sufferings of our Redeemer for it was with them then raised as it will be with us in the Resurrection It is not with him as with Christ risen and ascended but rather as with Christ when transfigured but not wholly so neither but he is in the Astral Man without the Turba a Substantial Image of the Spiritual World in the Heavenly Harmony 6. It is said of Henoch Gen. 5. 24. he was not which is expounded by the Holy Ghost Heb. 11. 5. he was not found so and no otherwise is it understood of him and Elias 7. They are not in highest Exaltation as those who having laid down their Astral Man and are raised receiving it again in the New Body or Christ's Heavenly Flesh and Blood in the One Holy Element the Divine Substance whereof the Astral World is the Spring and Image which Off-spring and Image Henoch and Elias retain tho' haply in the highest Glory the same Image is yet capable of 8. Therefore was Elias Ministration expected to return as it did once in John the Baptist and again his and Enoch's are yet to do For thus what the Lord Jesus saith of himself is in this state also a fixed Truth John 12. 24. Except a Corn of Wheat fall into the ground and die iâ— remaineth alone but if it die it bringeth forth much fruit Q. 87. What doth Noah's Flood for Sin typifie and point out A. It points out the Judgment of the Great Day 1. That shall be as the other was inevitable 2. That Day after many Warnings through all Ages shall yet come suddenly even as the Deluge after 100 years premonition came as a surprize 3. That Day shall hasten and be shorten'd even as the other was promised to be forborn 120 years came in the one hundredth year after 4. There shall be as safe a Deliverance to all the Children of the Faith of Noah by the Antitype of the Ark as was the Ark to Noah and those with him 5. The True Ark of the Covenant having the first second and third Principle composing and establishing one Eternal Power or Heavenly World is typified by the first second and third Stories of Noah's Ark. This World will be much less excusable than that was among a multitude of Instances producible in this that the Judgment to come is News to few nor hath been as appears by this that tho' in the first publishing the Gospel to the Gentiles many laughed at the News of the Resurrection yet find we none so doing at the Judgment to come Nevertheless how few enquire for the Ark whereas in the first World the Deluge could not be foreknown but by believing the one only Noah 1. It figures Fallen Man as followeth 1. It points out That by Man's departure from the Order wherein he was set his Out-birth over-mastered him as did those Waters overwhelm all 2. As Waters whereof some are sweet others bitter fresh salt stinking or poisonous make all one Flood so all the Properties when separate though various in themselves make up one uncleanness 3. It figures the Universality of Man's Apostacy leaving no Man nor any part of Man exempt from the general Confusion like that of the Flood Q. 88. What doth Noah's Drunkenness signifie by reason whereof he cursed his Son Ham A. 1. Noah represented Adam several ways particularly as he was the beginner of the Second World or Monarchy as Adam was of the First Again Record is made of the Names of but three Sons of Adam viz. Cain Abel and Seth whereof one viz Cain only bare the Image of the Apostacy Noah had also three Sons whereof Ham only bare the same Cursed Image 2. Adam Lusted after This Worlds Property thereby falling from his Divine Understanding Creating Gratifying or Living in the Sensual Image which is signified by Noah's Drunkenness which clouded his Holy Image and uncovered his Shame and Brutish Image which is so evident as needs no enlargement 3. Ham was cursed for he was the Figure of Introduced Bestiality whereunto the Curse was annexed This was That False Lust taking pleasure in Shameful Nakedness therefore of Ham came the filthy and more than beastly Sodomites and the vile brutish Cananites whom Joshuah destroyed 4. But Ham's admission into the Ark shews that the very Mocking-spirited men are noâ— of purpose reprobated but Salvation is tendred them The farther Answer is referr'd to the 34th Chapter of the Mysterium Magnum c. Q. 89. What is the Tower of Babel and wherefore were the Speeches there altered A. 1. The Tower of Babel is Fallen Man's Confidence his Home and his Defence Yet is a mistake having no Foundation but one continued Cheat for whilst Adam stood in the Temperature he needed no Tower for himself in God was a strong Tower standing as the Image and in the Might of all the three Principles and Harmony of all the seven Properties 2. But when Man had run into the multiplicity of the divided Properties the Holy United Powers could no longer be imaged by him as a Branch cut off a Tree retains a little of the worser part but nothing of the vigour of the Tree He became a degenerate Plant and was like a City infested with Intestine Fatal Broils so
And why must his â—ide be open'd with a Spear out of which Blood and Water ran How do these signifie in the Figure A. 1. Christ being nail'd to the Cross a Plant or Product of the third Principle shews us how we are fixed to the loading burthensom part of that Principle whence we cannot dis-engage or free our selves though being over-loaden therewith we should greatly desire it but must patiently wait the whole time of our life till God shall do it 2. And as Christ refused not His Cross no not the carrying it though the Burthen exceeded the strength of His afflicted wounded Body for that one was compelled to help him to bear it thus neither should faln Man refuse his own nor help to bear another's Burthen 3. And as Christ refused neither to be nail'd to it nor did remove His blessed Body from it but thereon meekly poured out His very Soul and breathed out His Spirit and was taken off by others so will the regenerate Man spend and be spent for his God 4. And as out of Adam's Side being rent open went out a Female Property which Wound otherwise incurable was repaired by the piercing Jesus holy Innocent Side because as the separating the Female from the Male Property introduced so great an Evil the Consequence whereof was Deâ—ilement Misery Lamentation and Wo. 5. So the piercing the Lord's Side was the opening the Divine Fountain whence issued Blood and Water that is the Virgin Tincture of Soul and Spirit the holy Fire and Light the first and second Principles in Inseparable Harmony which introduced that Good viz. the bringing forth Righteousness Salvation and sacred Love wherein consists the pure Heavenly Virgin Image that out of which Adam departed and died or disappeared to him the Bride of Christ and Joy and Delight of the Eternal World and General Assembly and Church of the First-born Q. 123. Why must Christ be reproached on the Cross A. 1. One accounted it the Complement of Misery when a Captive in much Torment begâ—d his severe Governess whose Slave he was in old Rome for Ease or some Mitigation who was so wholly regardless as to be all the while Painting her Face a Scene calculated very fitly to the present Mother of Harlots in Rome Antichristian 2. But what is the anguish and torture all Creatures are capable of if compared with this super abundant grief sorrow and load the weight of a World of Sin pressed our Lord with To all which that no part might be exempted was added that His blessed Eyes where Love and Mercy sate Triumphant and His Prayer-hearing Ears must see the scornful gestures of Prophane Heads wagging at Him in Scorn not bowing to Worship Him and hear the Taunts of vile and blasphemous Spectators the very Passers by and a Thier under Execution joyning to aggravate it So was the 53 of Isaiah fulfill'd in the 27 Matthew 3. And what shall we say was not the Cup bitter enough till cruel Mockings were wrung into it but thus it was that as Adam by the loss of his Innocence purity and brightness fell into guilt filthiness and scorn reproached by the Devils by the first and third Principles by the in of Cain his own and the rest of his sinful Posterity by every Essence whence he fell and every separate unclean Property into which he fell All this did He who hid not His Face from Shame and Spitting receive as if it had been His own Due and His own Procurement 4. And into this Shame Mocking and Reproach must every Child of the Regeneration submissively enter and accompt it their peculiar Privilege to suffer their own Shame by the Lord's designation we suffer righteously yet the Lord calls it a suffering for Him 5. His reproach was Moses Riches and the Apostles Joy His Chains are all pure Gold but all the Lord's Children must remember that their Cross is fully as long as themselves being the Principle into which they fell and that they are nail'd to it But though the Lord's Crown were Thorns there is at the End of our light and momentary Afflictions and Cross a Crown of Righteousness and Eternal weight of Glory coming by the meer free Gift of gracious Love Q. 124. Whether was also the Divine Power in the Blood which Christ shed or poured into the Earth Q. 125. Why did the Earth tremble when Christ bung on the Cross A. The latter of these Questions depends on the opening of the former so that one Answer will sâ—ffice to both 1. The whole scope of the Gospel teacheth us that Christ was truly God and truly man for that the Deity graciously United it Self to the Humanity in the Incarnation of the Lord Jesus 2. We are also to know that though God may be distinguished as into three yet not at all divided Seeing therefore that God assumed the Humanity and became Man we may not after that Unity divide Him from that Humanity which He United himself with though we distinguish the Deity from the Humanity left we seem to divide Him from Himself What therefore God hath joyned together let no man put asunder 3. By the Incarnation of the Lord Jesus Christ He Himself who is God Blessed for ever became a God-Man in an inseparable indissâ—luble Union And a little to disgress the Human Nature of us poor Men is so strongly allied espoused or betroathed and adopted by the same incarnation that it is most stupendious admirable and ravishing How can a poor Earthen Vessel bear the serious contemplating of it 4. For were Man sensible how near God is to us who as of our selves are wretchedness and vanity in the abstract it must be with the regenerate Children as it was with the Women departing quickly from the Sepulchre with Fear and great Joy and with others as with the Souldiers they would be as dead Men. 5. But the third principle is an Eclipse to the prospect of the Soul awakened by the Sun of Righteousness and an allay to their holy affecting Meditations and is also a mitigation and flattering gilded Dream to the willingly deluded Captives 6. And now to step back to our Work we must say that the Humane Soul of the Lord Jesus being of Divine Conception was inseparable from his Deity therefore the Blood he shed for us Sinners had Divine power in it for that Souls Masculine Seed was out of the Fountain Spirits pure before God as of the Eternal Divine substance of the Holy Ghost 7. And as Fire kindleth combustible Matter So was the Feminine Seed he receiv'd from the Virgin Mary which was also our Soul according to which he is our Flesh and Blood and our Brother united and incorporated with the Divine substance maâ—ing one Heavenly Humanity in an indissoluble Band. 8. Thus as a Child receiveth a Soul from the Souls of Father and Mother so this Heavenly Humane Soul of the Lord Jesus dwelling in his holy precious Blood was one and but one received from the Holy
Ghost and the Virgin Mary Therefore was it that when the Lord did shed his Blood for Mankind he is truly said to pour out his Soul that Blood being the Chariot of his Soul Also out of his side pierced by the Spear came Water the Signifier and Chariot of his meek pure Spirit of dear love and purity as the Blood of the Soul united unto the Infinite Spirit of Love 9. When therefore this Water and this Blood fell to the Earth the Divine power being in and with it caused the Earth to tremble the Rocks to rend from their dark Coagulation the Graves as Prisons to open For the captivating power which the Salitter from the Fall of the Angels sustained and was invaded withal causing rocky coagulation and the Curse and Death by the Fall of Man casting the Earth into a deadly sâ—upor and sterility was as it were dismay'd broken enfeebled by the holy powers coming on it 10. This could not be concealed but as Jordan fled from Eliah's Mantle the Graves ceased to be Prisons opening their Doors the joynts and cement of the Rocks were loosed and they clave asunder and the drowsie Earth awakened and trembled 11. For as the wrath had shut up the Divine power in the Creation in Death in an inactivity or obscurity So the Divine Love hath by his Conquest over Death on the Cross with irresistible Might and Puissance opened the Doors broke the Chains and proclaimed the acceptable year leading Captivity Captive Q. 126. What did the Darkness signifie which at that time came over all Nature A. 1. The Root of five of the other seven Planets is the Sun but Saturn hath a distinct Centre Now the Sun is out of the Magical Spiritual Fire and Light World and that Worlds Fountain is the incomprehensible power of the Fathers property and the inaccessible Light of the Sons property And the Spiritual World is figured imaged represented actuated and expressed by the Sun and Saturn Especially by the Sun as it were by a Nature God 2. And therefore as if you stop the Efflux of a Fountain the stream ceaseth or if the Sap be obstructed the Fruit soon feels the defect or if you withdraw the Face from before a Looking glass the Glass retains not but loseth it Thus was it that the Out-birth of the third principle was over-cast ceasing its Lustre at the instant of the Lords Passion 3. The things signified by it were 1. That as Adam departed out of the Eternal day into the temporary Darkness so did temporary Darkness here shoulder out or exclude the day And as Adam Exchang'd a blessed repose exact order perfect peace and sweet rest for a state of Enmity Horror Torment and Death So now did the Lord enter into the Death Enmity c. to pass us through into Life and Rest. Again as Adam went out of the holy first and second principles in to the Bestial separate prophane Out-birth so did the same Out-birth pass now into Death and Impotence discovering it self thereby to be only a shadow their Order and Beauty borrow'd and dependant wholly on the Internal World and that no Creature World or Angel hath a Self-sufficiency so least of all hath this which is but a Picture of Eternal things It also signified the wrath of the first principle invading the second or out-breathed holy Life prevailing to the shutting up the Eye of the third principle Yet that after three hours viz. from the sixth to the ninth viz. after a threefold domination in and over the faln Humanity the Soul the Spirit and the Astral or Elementary Man making the Divine Man â—ry out and plead that it also might not be forsaken straightway upon a second cry and a resignation made viz. the second principles out-breath'd Image entreth Death and â—trook it dead then the Internal Light figur'd by the outward riseth again Q. 127. Why did Christ in his Death commend his Soul into his Fathers Hand What is the Hand of God A. 1. As previous to this Answer it must be enquir'd 1. What may be understood by Souls in general then what by this most holy one 2. What various acceptation we read concerning the Hands of God And come to the direct Answer 1. Souls in general are 1. Sometimes intending the Eternal Soul distinct from Spirit and Body 2. Sometimes it means the Body distinct from both Soul and Spirit 3. Sometimes it 's understood of the Soul and Spirit distinct from the Body 4. Sometimes it extends to the taking in of the whole Man as of the most holy Soul Spirit and Body of the Lord Jesus Christ who yielding up himself wholly unto his Father was as a whole Burnt â—ffering or Lamb without spot Sacrificed as the one alone once for all and for ever intire Sacrifice and Altar also and Incense fully making Atonement and Entring once and thenceforth Eternally into the Holy of â—olies 2. Thus as the true High Priest he entred the most holy place bringing in a new Priesthood of another Tribe viz. not of Levi but of Iudah also another order not of Aaron but of Melchizedeck by change of the Priesthood changing also the Law of direct necessity putting a period to figures as the daily Sacrifice the anniversary entring of the High-Priest into the holy place but rending the Vail c. 3. Of all which the Epistle to the Hebrews as that they were most immediately concerned to know doth copiously inculcate and convince 2. What may be understood by the Hands of the Father here spoken of 1. Sometimes it means his Mighty Power irresistible strength c. 2. Sometimes are signified by it his Infinite Omniscience and Omnipresence 3. Sometimes are intended his most wise and gracious ordering and providence 4. Sometimes it speaketh his most loving merciful careful preservation and shielding of his Children 4. In serious view of all which the Fathers Hands whereinto the Lord Jesus Bequeathed his Soul Spirit and Body may not only be taken in all these Acceptations but an infinitely more vast comprehension than all Creatures Saints or Angels can fathom or enumerate 5. Now to the answer it self be it known that the dear and only Eternal Son of the dear Eternal love of the Father having given his Disciples and all his purchas'd holy ones his peace for their incomparable privilege as the legacy of the Prince of Peace by Testament To the end it might never be frustrated ratified it by the Death of the Testator gives himself up wholly at once entring into death who himself was the Fountain of Life and breathing his last cry and groans into the Bosom or Hands of his Ever-living Infinitely-loving Omnipresent Father and thus through death re introduced life into the Humane Nature 6. And is it ask'd why It is answer'd Who but the whole Father could receive the whole Son Who less than the Infinite first principle could receive the Infinite second principle For tho'
Jews believed it not and too many at this day oppose it because they misunderstand that and other Divine Truths so that may still be the Lamentation My People perish for want of knowledge They that said in the Apostles days the Resurrection is past already were not perhaps aware that they overthrew the Faith of some it being the same as if they had said there was no Resurrection Object Some may say Man having a visible palpable elementary Body and an invisible astral Spirit or Soul Author of the five Senses at least that acts the Organs neither of those parts can share in the Resurrection for the Stars shall fall and the Elements dissolve Let them tell me too our Flesh is Grass Dust we are of the Earth earthy and like the Beast that perisheth If therefore the Syderial Root and four Elements return into their Aether can the Products thence subsist his Body being dependant on a transient Principle whereof 't is compounded With what Body therefore shall he arise A. 1. 8. Christ had a visible palpable Body as ours from the astral World and four Elements though by reason of his being begotten of the Holy Ghost was infinitely Superior and more Noble yet in his Resurrection was his Elementary also raised to Immortality and Glory 9. The Apostle saith If the Dead rise not 1. Then Christ is not raised 2. Your Faith is vain 3. Ye are yet in your Sins 4. Our Preaching is vain 5. We are found false Witnesses 6 Those that sleep in Christ are perished 7. Our hope is vain 8. We of all men are most miserable But therefore that Christ is risen and become the first fruits of them that slept A. 2. If our Body as far degenerate as it is become had no higher Extraction than barely the astral World and four Elements it might have no other Resurrection or Perpetuity but be as the Beast But how then was it to have endured to Eternity had not Sin broken it It had therefore its Root in the Eternal spiritual World whereof the outward World and the Spirit thereof viz. The Spirit of the great World are a figure and Representation A. 3. 11. It is relatively Eternal being United to the Eternal Soul joyned to the Holy Body it obeyeth and beareth suffereth and doth the Holy Will of God as the Souls Instrument and Companion And the wicked Souls direful confederate in all their black Machinations beastly selfish Maxims and fordid Prostitutions and therefore in both must have a Resurrection to receive according to their Works 12. But the Bodies of wicked People are as a ready prepared Engine whose every part is curiously composed by Exquisite symmetry liberally oyl'd to whirl as an Automatae down a steep Mountain whil'st the Bodies of holy Souls are as a Bullock unaccustomed to the Yoak or a lazy Ass to struggle through a narrow deep way with a leaden load up a weary heighth So that look how much of extraordinary Assistance or rather violent Inducement the Evil man's Body is to his Soul so much perplexing Impediment hath the regenerate Child from his Body 13. Infidelity suggests so many Improbabilities as may make one Impossibility of the Resurrection to which is opposed Omnipotence Shall that Infinite Power whose Hand gives Being to every thing and World from the Angelical Tâ—rones to the vile Insect and Minute-parts of every pile of Grass be insufficient to rally Man's dissever'd Limbs number the Hairs and not the Members record all Mens Actions Words Thoughts and forget the whole Bulk and Fabrick 14. As to the last part of the Objection with what Body shall they rise To this the Apostle replies Thou Fool that which thou sowest is not quicken'd except it die and the Body which shall be viz. not the self same Grain but the self-same Kind riseth be it Wheat or any other and the self-same Tincture in the Crop as was in the Seed only our Corruption Dishonour and Weakness is changed into Incorruption Glory and Power 15 The Sons of Wisdom can see the Transmutation of Metals The Naturalist the death dissolution and reforming and vivifying of Craw-fish The curious Observer the Transmigration of the Silk Worm Every one that kindles a fire the triumph of the flame on change of the Accidents of the Fuel The Physitian the consent of Bodies and Parts by sympathy and of Actives and Passives Who sees not the Loadstone single out one filing of Steel from a heap of Sand. The Plowman and Gardener see out of the dark Earth arise Corn Fruits Flowers of other colour odour taste c. than the Earth yet acknowledge they the Earth hath all the Vertues Properties and Powers of them obscurely in it 16. Why then should it seem impossible that He that raised up Jesus Christ from the Dead should be able to quicken our Mortal Bodies though literally mortified when Death shall be swallow'd up of Victory as saith the Prophet Thy dead Men shall live together with my dead Body shall they arise Awake and sing you that dwell in the dust for thy dew shall be as the dew of Herbs c. Q. 135. What manner of Door hath Christ through Death opened in our Humanity in the Anger and Righteousness of God where by we may enter into God How is that done A. 1. As it is not the Wind abroad but that in the Earth that causeth Earthquakes so neither could Man's mortal inward Wound be cured by outward Applications for because Man was become inwardly a Hell to himself and outwardly lock'd up in the Curse of the Out-birth wherein he had secluded and shut up himself from the Divine Light as in the 69th Answer is discoursed 2. It was therefore past all Remedy unless Heaven would mercifully introduce it self into the Soul in the light of his Life Then did the gracious Principle of Love by bringing the Eternal Virgin back into the lockâ— up Humanity become a Saviour Like as the Fiat or speaking Word did in the Beginning by the Light compose Order amongst the Confusions of the Properties of the Chaos So the Lord of the light-holy-Light-Holy-World came into the averâ—ed Will of the Humanity and there implanted it self as a Tincture being Himself the Omnipotence of the Kingdom of Divine Love into the Anger and severe Righteousness of God in Man 3. Thus came it into Man's enraged first Principle like sweet Oyl or Incense into a dark hungry fire which raiseth it into a Radiant sweet flame and Iustre As when the Humane Intellect returned into Nebuchadnezzar his bestial Image was exalted So when the Divine dear Love embraceth and is enkindled in Man's angry fierceness it potently attracts by assimilation some Divine Breathings and makes impressions of it self As in Esau at his meeting Jacob. 4. The Door by which the Soul goeth into God is opened as Jacob by yielding up himself passed through a Death appeasing Esau for by this the Soul 's bolted and barred-up Door is unshut and set
Garden which he had often frequented The Judgment Hall where he had been reviled crown'd with Thorns mocked scourged and condemned Also Calvary where they mercilesly crucified Mercy it self remained all Monuments of the greatest Love and Patience and extream Malice and ferine Cruelty In this City which should have worn Sackcloth with these sad Objects and under these Rulers were they to dwell and be confined 4. 3. With respect to the time being that of the Bridegrooms being taken from them of their having Tribulation ten days the time when their Enemies were Flesht by having their Hands Embrewed in the Blood of the Lord Jesus As cruel wild Beasts tasting the Blood of their prey and the time before descending of power from on high to revive them 5 But they must wait on this service in this place at this time signifying to us that the time of the Christians Life is the exercise of Faith Obedience and Trial of the sincerity of Love a time of beholding sad Objects as was this of theirs of hearing sinful sounds the being harassed by Oppressive Rulers converse with or amongst malicious ensnaring dangerous Enemies inward Terrors and Tempests and outward Storms and Outrages from the powers of the dark World 6. So that the distressed Soul can find no succour or guidance from the Imaged Powers of the outward Astral World but must sink down from them and constantly wait the Breathings of the true speaking Light World left if the outward Magia be our level design and home the dark Magus do by it insinuate into us and we thereby form the will of the Spirit of this World into our Eternal Souls which neither can â—â—ed them cloth them nor guide them but if thus they proceed till the four Elements fall off they shall find themselves miserably cheated This waiting of the Apostles directs us therefore to wait for the Whispers of the Word behind us so call'd we having gone out from it and turn'd our Backs on it Q. 145. What is the Feast of Pentecost How was the shedding or pouring forth of the Holy Ghost effected And how did the Bands of the Tongues of the Lords Disciples become unloosed A. 1. Our Fall in Adam brought us from the Paradisical Feasting to the toilsom Life to a state affording no other Food for the four properties of our first Principle which was the Centre of the Soul but the third Principle Which is rightly a feeding on Ashes and a Shadow If Men can live by looking on their own Picture so might Adam's Soul by the third Principle It was worse with him than it is with an Elementary Body who can subsist a little while by feeding on it self 2. Now the Feast of Pentecost was bringing back through the Lords Incarnation the vertue of the holy World viz. the Paradisical Bread and Water of Life for the Soul to feast on The true Flesh and Blood of Christs Heavenly Humanity this pure Water of Meekness is in the Soul a Well of Living Water springing up to Eternal Life 3. The pouring forth of the Holy Ghost was thus effected The Darkness into which the Soul had cast it self caused a violent anguish that anguish of its own Nature generates a fierce hungry Fire And higher than this the Humane Soul of its own ability since its Captivity goeth not Now such Souls as can get no satiety in the Spirit of their will from God but go to the third Principle do as Sâ—ul who waited not for Samuel but considering his streights Offered a Burnt-offering himself and so lost the Kingdom But so did not the Lords Disciples for they waited till the Lord came Where is he that learneth the lesson this Mystery unfoldeth He shall hear and understand the things which none of the divided Languages can possibly express and sometimes may see and penetrate what it is not lawful to utter 4. Pluck out the Earthy guessing and pretended seeing stop the Ear against the delusive Charmer then shall not the outward Reason like the Sun dazle nor Thunder or the roaring of the Sea amuse the raging Waves shall be countermanded and thy Ark will be in inward Tranquillity 5. The pouring out of the Holy Ghost did enkindle the Souls Anguish and Fire into a Light and Divine serenity of meek Love Now as the blinking Lamp flaming from a small spark enlighteneth a little Boom and the greater Fire of a Torch yields a more eminent Lustre So the greater the Anguish the greater the Fire and the greater also is the Light when the Lord enkindles it to a Love flame that according to its exalted vivacity it be proportionably as it weâ—e Tinctured reaching hard after the Resurrection from the dead 6. Now were the Bands of their Tongues unloosed by their opening the power World in this World for by how much we are by wrath and death Captivated by so much are we impotent But where the Spirit of God unites with Mans Spirit it frees him from all restrictive Ligaments that with the Word there may be power But the following Question â—reating of this Suâ—â—â—ct â—oâ—â— is not â—eresaid to this third Branch Q. 146. How is the difference or distinction of Languages among them to be understood that they have all at one instant spoken all Languages at once in one sence so that people of all Nations understood them A. 1. Man's Fall cast him from the unity into the multiplicity Before which Fall he stood in the one holy power his Word being in God was by his Almightiness Mighty ruling in through and over the multiplicity his Words were as many Arrows in a Quiver penetrating all things As the Arrow out of a Bow of Steel doth the Air. But Mans Fall into the multiplicity disarm'd him render'd him impotent only some have a little power to see into one property some into another but were all Mens Abilities united it were but some pieces of the multiplicity far short of the Unity 2. Man is an Image of the whole Trinity and the Astral and Elementary Worlds Image Heavenly Things and Places while Man therefore kept his station he was in the Divine Centre but his departure thence dejected him into the circumference Wheel of Nature or Out-birth thenceforth was the Centre or Holy Fountain hid 3. The Lord Jesus Christ as he is the only Begotten Son of God is the Eternal speaking Word which may be understood to be Eternally generated out of the Eternal Father or first Principle as our four Forms or Anguishes generate naturally the Liberty or Light which is call'd the fifth This is the first Word the creating speaking holy Word from Eternity 1 John 1 2 3. 4. The next is the created Word the holy World wherein the Almighty Word doth through the Virgin of Divine Wisdom Image himself It may be compared to a holy Eternal Book whereof the Angels are Golden Letters sounded in Divine Harmony In which Book the Almighty with delight reads his own glorious ineffable tremendous
the Lamb was eaten as in haste and with bitter Herbs The Supper as in a Table gesture of such as have attained rest not by violent killing as That but by a free Issue of the highest and sweet Tincture as is That producing Bread and Wine and remaining in them 2. So high is it that it hath been thought by some of the Learned tho' erroneously that the Spirit of Wine is the true Fire of Nature 3. That it might be a Medium for conveyance for so great was the Precipice down which Man fell that he must be followed or for ever lost but tho' he fell into the Mortal Elementary State and the Elements of Bread and Wine blessed for his use yet these are not the Medium The Tincture is a Virgin a Servant to Virgin Sophis who tho' it be not purely Divine yet is such a Servant indeed as in whom is no guile 3. The Tincture whence issueth the Corn and Vine is the middle Earth betwixt the Heavenly or Paradifical Earth as the most superior and the Mortal as the most inferior This is therefore the proper Medium Here the Souls fiery hunger in the Promise meets the Divine Love and Grace the Living Word or Power World bringing in and with the Flesh and Blood of Christ's Heavenly Humanity which is the Emmanuel the Hope the Joy and Eternal Spouse of the Fire Soul and the Lord Husband and Crown of the enlightened renewed meek Spirit fore here the two Tiâ—ctures are united for â—ver and is neither Male nor Female but our Christ is all in all Q. 157. Whether is the True Testamentary Enjoyment or Participation bound meerly to the Apostolical Practice and Observation or whether also men may have Power or Authority to alter and change This Ordinance as is done now-a-days A. 1. Amongst men the Law making Power only hath Authority to change and alter Laws And a Testator dying no one may alter the Will and Testament ratified by the deceased On much higher and surer Reason is it therefore that no man or all men may alter or change This Ordinance or reject any of God's Institutions no more than two or three School-boys can root up the Basis of Philosophy or two or three Thieves or other Criminals change the publick Statuâ—es of a State or Kingdom 2. This will be acknowledged in words but when men come to measure Heavenly Mysteries by the Form of Words and Those Words by the Standard of Reason and That Reason corrupted by their Lusts disputes are raised without end and Obstinacy is the Disputant for the unregenerate man hath a perverse Will so that such of them as can attain the most exact Form of Godliness are only thereby the more confirmed in their Ungodliness 3. Could such do every Outward Ordinance with direct exactness of every gesture speak the words and only those spoken and done by the Lord himself without the Regenerating Spirit of Christ they would transgress the Rule still be in the Livery of Christ Traitors to Him fight against Him under His own Banners the Lord's Supper will be to such as the Sop to Judas who did after kiss and betray Such men receive the Heavenly Dews but bear fruit to self and That fruit the Grapes of Sodom they err in every work of their hands their very plowing is sin their Metonymies and other Tropes are airy distinctions of the words of the Institution like the endless Genealogies of the unbelieving Jews 4. Thus we see men guided by the Properties of the first Principle clothing their Hypocrisie by the Images and Maxims of the third do turn That blessed Ordinance which was to be as a Bond of Peace into Enmity And what wonder they should endeavour to impose their dark notions on others by hostile force as wild Beasts are to be dealt with not having the Light of the second to guide their Understandings as Children of the day But the new Nature of Gods Child is fed by that whereof it is Begotten and because the love of every such is sincere their hunger is earnest and is in proportion satisfied as it is in power and vigor excited Q. 158. Whether also is the Testament powerful in the alter'd or chang'd Ordinance or not A. 1. The misapprehending of this Question may either on the one hand encourage to make unwarrantable alterations arbitrarily or persist in them after being found to be such Or on the other hand unnecessarily to decline all Communion or despair of Vertue from the Ordinance because something said or done at the Administration seem not expresly commanded in the form recorded in the Institution Wherefore 2. To make way to the Answer 1. Something must be said to the Institution of the Sacrament it self 2. Something to the partakers 1. In the Sacrament are 1. The Form and Materials 2. The Force and Vertue 3. The Medium 1. The Form and Materials are meant in the words take eat this and take drink this this intends the Elements or Accidents of Bread and Wine 2. The force and Vertue meant by the words this is my Body is my Blood viz. are that Heavenly Flesh and Blood of Christ the Food of the Eternal Soul It is Christs Spiritual Humanity whereby he doth substantially inhabit the Souls of all who open to him their hungry and thirsty Mouth sups with them and is himself the true Bread and Water of Eternal Paradisical Divine Life 3. 3. The Place or Medium and this is not Christ himself tho' in his Heavenly Humanity he is not shut out of any Heaven for he is in or rather is all Heavenly Places Also the Medium neither can be the Elements of Bread and Wine for they are Mortal Accidents not Substances But the Tincture whence groweth the Bread and Wine is the Medium for that is Pure and Immortal and for the sake whereof the Idea of the Creatures shall be raised into the Glorious liberty of the Children of God 4. Something preparatory to the Answer is concerning the partakers of the Sacrament be the subdivisions how many soever there will be found at last but two sorts The Wise and the Unwise both call'd Virgins The one really and in Heart the other feigned and only in shew The one those of the day generated in the Glory and Love of the second principle the other of darkness in the works of the first principle 5. The Child of wrath can eat only and drink the Elementary part which hath in it the good and evil properties the Imaged Powers of Wrath and Love extending only to his Mortal Elementary Life wherewith neither his Eternal Soul nor Eternal Spirit of the Mind are really fed but starve and therefore so eats he and drinks he Damnation to himself not discerning the Lords Body viz. not receiving nourishment from the Heavenly Food the Lords real Body but only the Elementary And his Astral or Siderial Spirit cannot receive so much as the pure Medium and keep it
so because the evil properties domineering in the Soul makes the Tincture false which in its self is true as also it is in the Devils 6. Thus we see the Air of its self sweet and wholesome in a City greatly infected with the Plague is by the Emanation of many Sick and Expiring Bodies by that contagion corrupt So the discord of the dark Soul invades the serenity of the Tincture and maims it of its Inclination and Ability to good and Invigorates it with the Rage of its own perverse Affections 7. Now to the humble obedient Child the Supper is a Feast giving nourishment suitable to his Hunger his Fire Soul and Principle of strength is meeken'd his drooping Spirit cheered his Astral Spirit composed into order some of the Properties restrained other properties stirred on and others sweetly encouraged and the disappeared Image of the Virgin by the Body and Blood of the second Adam restored 8. Come we now to the Doubt Whether the alter'd Ordinance retain power to do good It is answer'd That if the alter'd Administration fall short of shewing the End of its Institution or hath so great additions as so to cloud the thing signified as it cannot be rightly discerned or the change be such as doth race out the Ordinance its self the Essentials are departed and it is no more an Ordinance of Christ than a dead Corps is a Man the power disappears when the thing it self is not 9. It is true if the Soul remain so doth some measure of power as a Man may live yet have lost a Leg or Arm but dismembering is often Mortal to the Natural Body and not seldom so in lameing the Service of God carry such to the Ruler will he accept it But wo to such who innovate to them are the Curses of Gods Book added Also where Sacriledge is found it rends that Name out of Gods Book of Life and where the intire alteration is there Hell hath enlarg'd it self 10. Yet in every Age and Place where the Divine Love is or hath been begotten the Hunger is ever a receiver of such quantity of Manna as is according to every one's eating We see the outward Sun through Clouds Showers and ill Vapours in and under the Earth and Seas doth great good work and shall we streighten the unlimitable Divine Grace and Power Is the holy Child at any time driven into the Wilderness and goeth not God thither with him He that instructs us in Dreams in the Creation in evil Creatures and by many things evil as in themselves that brings good out of evil confirms us by our falls that brought Almonds out of Aaron's dry Rod shall not he also out of weakness create strength He doth out of the cruel Anguishes of the Lion-like first Principle bring the most sweet Honey of the holy second Principle Which is still a Riddle but the day of God dawneth and will proceed to a perfect day in all such in whom he of whom Samson was a shadow shall slay the enmity of the four dark forms by introducing Divine Light and the holy Power World Q. 159. What do the Learned when they reproach one the other about Christs Testaments and the precious Covenant of Grace And disgrace one another and give up one another to the Devil about it Whether do they also manage the Office of Christ whether is that right or wrong whether also is this done as a Minister of Christ Or whom do they serve thereby A. 1. Their reproaching each other usually proceeds either from outward prosperity or desire of Superiority whence come Wars come they not from your Lusts which War in your Members When Joseph had open'd to his Brethren a prospect of approaching prosperity he seasonably warn'd them not to fall out by the way As soon as Constantine had given the Christians a general Jubilee from the frequent Persecutions of more than two hundred years up riseth Arrius and other Hereticks Titular Christians persecuting the real Christians As saith the Apostle He that was after the Flesh Ishmael persecuted him that was after the Spirit for which there are many Reasons briefly thus 2. The counter Christian being shut up in the first four forms of Nature to stifle his intestine tumults sallies out into the third Principle which is the great figure of his proper radical disorders the World therefore being his only home he will be Master there especially over them who both are and own themselves to be strangers 3. But God keeps peace among his Children by his Rod which is so Moral an Argument of conserving peace that the penitent Thief urg'd it on the other viz. Dost thou not fear God seeing thou art under the same condemnation On the swelling of Severn by a great Flood Islands were made on some of them Lambs and Foxes saved themselves where the very Foxes tho' hungry were observed to keep a Civil Community with the Lambs being all under one Consternation 4. Mans departure from the Unity into the Multiplicity brings his Lifes forms into Enmity But Heavenly Peace the Sister of Sacred Love is Born at the reducing him from the Multiplicity into the Unity again 5. If therefore the love of the World and the things of the World viz. as it is figur'd and impressed by the evil dark Powers be the cause of strife introducing the contrariety and multiplicity Then the Love of the Heavenly Father whence we departed being regenerated in us by his only Son in the method of Self-abasing which is the Cross of the Christian as far as he is unmortified This love thus begotten makes peace and this appeased mind which also was in the Lord Jesus Christ divides the World into two parts only viz. the humble afflicted Children of Sacred Love those of the day and the proud unmortified Workers of evil in the Kingdom of Darkness Whereby it is that the renewed Image hath only Enmity for its Enemy Q. 160. Which is the very mark of a right Christian upon Earth whereby Men may distinguish him from a Titulary Christian Here begins the Ninth Grand Distribution A. In the 154 Answer is much to the opening of this 1. The Christian in Heart and Life is very precious and as secret as precious Thus precious Metals are the most secret being resembled by baser so precious Stones have their counterfeits and Nature is much of it imitated by Art even as the out-issued or out flown Nature of this World is but a Figure of the two Eternal Worlds all therefore-to be seen here are not the things themselves but Shadows Figures and Representations and those but as in a Glass darkly 2. What wonder then that the Christian is unknown to others and to himself also in great measure when Paul saith of himself lest while I Preach to others I my self be a Cast-away The new Man is not very apparent to him in whom he is when yet is at a good growth and sometimes wholly obscur'd for the Astral Man
of the Country a Self-murtherer their shame and indignation but the unknown number of wounded Souls and self-murthered Souls are not regarded tho' it shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah than for such Gospel-Apostates and Haters of Christ. The malicious Enemy of Mankind who wounds himself that he may murther Souls so greatly he hates Man draws into the Anguishes of his Central Forms whole Harvests of Reprobates in whom he hath no true Right or Propriety by his offering Baits and Cheats for Food and Realities while woe to the World the most glorious gracious and adorable only Son of the only High God whose we are by Absolute Propriety and whose Love to Mankind was so immense and unsearchable as that He made Himself vile and a Sacrifice to whom He offereth Real Highest and Eternal Blessedness yet hath only the gleanings of the Harvest or Vintage while the World lieth in wickedness and their Posterities approve of their saying calling the proud happy and perpetuating the Black Art of Self-murther like Fish hasten greedily to catch the same Bait wherewith others had been hookt or Birds speed to be taken in an evil Net so throng Men to be ruined reject the only Hope precipitate into irreparable desperation Others seeming less obstinate are as fatal Foes to themselves telling and flattering of tomorrow while such futurities of safety expose them as Fools to perish to day while Wisdom saith To day if you will hear his voice harden not your hearts and that This is the accepted time This is the day of Salvation The time of the coming of John the Baptist was in the year of Jubilee yet then saith he The Axe is laid to the Root of the Tree 17. Our gracious God infinitely out-doth and out-bids all to make us his and restore his Image in us for in Man's Creation he did much more than for any or all the visible Creatures of the Out-birth or third Principle in his Redemption for restoring the Divine Image he did infinitely more for him than any or all the invisible Creatures of the first Principle the Apostate Angels for whom is given no Sacrifice nor Mediator Also in Man's Consummation Perfection Sealing and Glorification and Preparation thereunto is much more done for him than for the Holy glorious Angels the Sons and Inhabitants as morning Stars of the bright Heaven the Holy second Principle for the Spirits of just Men made perfect the general Assembly of the Church of the first-born are Fellow-Citizens with the Angelical Worlds and so share of the infinite Goodness of God as they and also have this more that they have had in the Lord their Head the Bowels of infinite Pardoning Mercy drawn out for them which is peculiarly extended them and treasur'd up only in the Emmanuel for them 18. This most dear boundless Goodness calls for the highest and deepest Contemplation 't is so profound so large so adorable so admirable that neither can the Earthen Vessel bear it the Syderial Man find any thing whereunto his Bounty may be likened the Immortal Soul be properly said to know it for it is what passeth Knowledge but the Soul is known by it as it is more or less enlighten'd therewith and Man's intellectual Spirit is so far from throughly penetrating it that it only shines and flows by Influence and Reflection of it for it self is as a drop of the Abyss enlighten'd by a beam of the Eternal Sun it burns and flames in the self-evidencing splendor of that incomparable inexhaustible Treasure and excellent Majesty This poor vile hand lyes prostrate at the Footstool of this Grace the Elementary and Astral Man the Eternal Soul and Spirit is herein swallow'd up once and for ever 19. How reasonable necessary and natural was what our Apostle saith I beseech you Brethren by the Mercies of God that ye present your Bodies a living Sacrifice holy acceptable unto God This is the Riches of his goodness forbearance and long suffering to lead man to Repentance There is a Promise that Men shall fear the Lord and his Goodness Man's contempt of Bowels of Infinite Mercy shews him less rational than the Bruits than the Insects who all shew the desire of Self-defence while he refuseth to be shielded from the greatest of horror by the free goodness of his God purchased by his own Blood with sorrows aggravated to unexpressible mysteriousness yet is Man offered all at the cheap Price of Acceptance and importunately besought to open his Hand Mouth and Heart to receive Pardon from day to day perhaps for many years still in vain whil'st he riseth early compasseth Sea and Land with his Life in his hand sweats freezeth bleeds frets wounds his Conscience and sells himself What therefore can the account of such Rejecters of the Invitation to the Marriage Supper be seeing to Ungratitude is added Stubbornness to that Despitefulness and consequently desperate Madness being one who having more done for him than for the Holy Angels and yet thus doth more against the glorious Grace of God in Christ by exalted Wickedness than the very Devils 20. Behold this and Blush ye Heavens ye Sun and Stars gather blackness let the Earth be moved let the Stones of the Streets and Walls be Witnesses let the Brutes and Animals stand amaz'd melt ye Rocks of Adamant relent and sigh ye Mountains of Ice let Marble and Pummice-stones weep come hither discover your inward Forms ye savage Bears cruel Tygers Vultures and unnatural Vipers The Heavens Sun and Stars were never Witness of the like Tragick Stupidity for had they seen the Angels that fell become Devils yet had they not known them refuse Mercy freely continually and importunately tendered the most brutish Animals reject not but greedily snatch what they want the Adamantine and Marble Rocks are all easily dissolvable by their proper Separators and Dissolvents the Mountains of Ice are as unwilling Captives Bears Tygers and Vultures are not only kind and friendly to themselves but compassionate to their Young the Viper though he destroys his Genitrix yet seems to do it of necessity to preserve its own Existence where therefore can be found so obdurate a thing as the Impenitent Heart of Man so great a Monster so ferine a Brute such a Prodigy of Ingratitude so implacable a Creature as the hardened obstinate Sinner No such Ingratitude and Cruelty can the Astral World demonstrate in the contrary Wills of the Martial Mercurial and other cross Constellations nor in the Elementary Offspring of them nor all whose Differences result to Harmony in the Earth or Deserts Air or Seas no not in Hell the dark Abyss or Devils no Sinners against so great Mercies and means for Recovery no Sinners against a Redeemer against the bleeding Love and Bowels of a Saviour there but Man the Devils are those for whom nothing of Mercy is prepared Oh therefore that Men were wise that they knew this and would hear that their Souls might live and not sink
Atheists and Sadduces who would make themselves believe that the whole inward Man is Mortal and annihilable such who not only judge themselves unworthy of Eternal Life but uncapable of Eternal Existence while they grant it to this Mass of Crumbling Earth and Mortal Water and are so extreamly degenerated from the Diviine Image Man was ennobled with that as their outward Life extends not to that length activity and occult Excellencies of many Brutes as Beasts little Animals and some Birds so the infatuated Atheists would that their Souls and Spirits might also run the same Fate and be as tranfient as the vilest of Insects Here is also Diametrical opposition to others who say the whole inward Man is fellow Prisoner with the bestial Flesh till the general Resurrection but the Answers of the two immediately preceding Questions shew what of the Blessed sleepeth and what of the Wicked is Arrested by the King of Terrors And for farther Answer hereunto see the Answer to the 22th of the 40 Questions of J. Behmen of the Soul 5. The Doings of Souls till the last Judgment may stand here in the very words of the Book of Extracts viz. They all meaning the Holy Souls abound with great inward Joy and wait to put on their bright fair new Body out of the old their Joy and Hope is different as Labourers Expectations are who at the End of the Week receive every one according to their degrees of Labour and Diligence Those who have put on Christ's Body here are as one who having overcome his Enemies in Fight represents the Victory before his King who receives him with great Joy and Honour The Expectation of the wicked Soul is as an imprison'd condemn'd Malefactor still listening when any thing stirs and the Executioner comes all their passed Wickedness stands before them in such different Aggravations as they had here Q. 171. What is the last Judgment how is it Effected A. 1. That there shall be such a great general final Day of Judgment grates on the Ears of Atheists but against them the very Devils will rise in Judgment but others there are who would be accounted more religious than many who shut up themselves from the acknowledgment of that Judgment Day and though they are not practically Atheists who put the Evil Day from them yet do these raze it out of their Intellect restraining the Judgment Day of God to his declaring for or against us and our actions here only during this our Pilgrimage all in their Judgment is the Judgment before Death or Resurrection To whom may be said that as they who said the Resurrection is past already did thereby overthrow the Faith of some so they that say the Great Day of Judgment is past already undermine the Faith of many overthrow the Faith of some and direct their force against Truth it self whereon is founded all true Faith which is well founded 2. It is true that Christ in the Light of our Life is from from Age to Age and for ever till Ages cease a Judge in the faln Humanity speaking by his living Word in the Consciences and written Testimony in the Intellect and Memory being the words of his Prophets and Holy ones and evidence of our rightly informed Brethren and Fellow-Members in our Ears by his being a swift Witness by severe Visitations before our Eyes also by Eminent gracious Providences and in the Creation the Earth Elements and Creatures to our other Senses wherein may be read frowns and smiles variously dispensed which are perpetuated in their Seasons as long as Sin is perpetrated unto all reclaimable Transgressors this God doth by his Stars who have a Voice which every Nation hears for with them the Psalmist saith he Preacheth by them and by them both judgeth and fighteth 3. Again the Lord teacheth us to judge our selves which is every ones part but not to judge others for Man's Judgment must be restrained to things not extended to Persons from which we are warn'd and caution'd yet are Men very propense aptand sharp to the latter but very averse partial and slack to the former Men judge Men which is to be noted both after the dark and light Worlds Impressions after the dark thus the four Anguishes composing the first Principle judge each other thence is it that from the Astringency the Covetous judgeth and is judged by the Prodigal again the Covetous as he is a Self-lover and so is timorous judgeth and is reproached by the rash fiery furious one again the Covetous as he is drawn shameless to base fawning ways for profit sake judgeth and is judged by the haughty Proud one Again the insatiable Thirst of heaping up taking from the covetous mind his rest renders him the trouble of his own Life House and Cohabiters yet prompts him to judge the contrary inclination for sloth and dronishness while that other judgeth him so wretchedly slavish that he distrusteth almost his own hands to hoard up his Idols And so of the rest of the Properties resembling the Builders of Babel 4. But God hath given all Judgment to his Son some glimmerings of His Infinite Glory are found in them whose four Forms generate the fifth for in the meek Resignation arising to the Divine Love-fire and Pure Breathings directed by Heavenly Light Judgment proceedeth toward Victâ—ry And it is represented by the fifth Letter in the Hebrew Alphabet which is only as an aspiration or breathing from within outwardly conforming exactly in that respect to the Language of Nature standing united to That of the New Nature for the fifth Form producing the second Birth and being produced by it leads the Creature to the giving up its all in a flame of Love in Jesus Christ to the Father which flame he feels blown up by the Holy Ghost 5. Thus we have seen what God's judging in This mixt World is also what Man 's judging here is according to the Dark World's accusing dividing Properties and also what Man 's judging is according to the little part of the Light World we share of here by which it is evident that all this is to That day of days as a blinking Candle is to the Sun it self Such was the report Paul gave of That day as made Felix tremble tho' an Infidel for as it hath been elsewhere noted tho' some have laught at the Doctrine of the Resurrection none have been so fool-hardy and mad as to slight the report of the General Judgment Enoch the seventh from Adam figuring the end of the six working days or Properties and by his Translation and Son Methusalah the entring on Eternity prophesied of This day all the Prophets Apostles and Holy ones confirm it Christ the Judge himself preacht it with the order manner and particularities of it The Devils knew it and therefore argued Art thou come to torment us before our time 6. He that would say what That great Judgment is can never do it but by parsels and then also cannot
stretch beyond the sphere of his own activity and what if it be said an Angel can do but so were he to speak it for all Eternal Creatures live either in the holy or prophane Worlds or in both They that live in the Light-World as far as they see the Centre of the Dark-World in themselves may speak and no farther viz not what That Darkness is in others or what the perplexed Hellish Charms Cheats and Intricacies are for the Holy ones live far above them and the Battle managed by Michael and his Angels against the Dragon and his is not with the Dragons Weapons but with the quite contrary As bright Torches â—ight with black Vapours or the starry Region with opposing Exhalations 7. We must come then to consider them who live in both Dark and Light making a third Principle by their mixed production and in them may be found the figure of an Umpire or Interpreter As he who reads two Languages can tell him who knows neither what is written in both if he hath the Tongue also That third person is of Thus was it the first Adam could give names to all Creatures for he had the Properties of them all in himself either according to the Forms of his first Principle or according to the Astral Powers of his third wherein he was infallible having the splendor of the second for his Guide but his departure from his Pure State degraded him of the Judicatory as a man is deprived in the night of the view of what the Sun priviledged him with or as one immured in a dark Cavern sees not what a lofty Mountain gave him prospect of or as Nebuchadnezzar ceased as to Royalty when he had only a Beasts heart 8. And in this State all Adams posterity find themselves as of themselves ignorant of the Creator and therefore also strangers to themselves and rightly knowing nothing Therefore the Son of the Virgin that he might be the Light of the World brought again the Virgin Image into the Humanity openeth the pure Eye and gives such a proportion of discriminating Wisdom as our hunger adapts and capacitates us for in the Regeneration hence it 's written the Spiritual Man judgeth all things but he himself is judged of no man But to which of the Angels hath God said at any time Be thou a Judge Those glorious and mighty Agents are Princes in one only Principle viz. the Holy Divine One not in the first nor third tho some of them are enthroned according to the Holy Impression of Potence in the first and others have the Dominion according to the Infinite Variety of the third Principle but all breath only the Air of the second yet are neither the one Hierarchy or the other Judges of Men or Devils While yet the Lord saith of his Twelve they should sit on twelve Thrones judging the twelve Tribes and our Apostle saith Know you not that we shall judge Angels viz. Evil Angels 9. Now to say how this Judgment is effected It 's answered 1. The Principles and Properties are all wide open unto the second Adam for out of them He created every World as without Him was not any thing made that was made and this as He is the Son of God before whom all Worlds and Individuals drawing Air and living of in or from either Principle or Property shall stand at That day and ever did as open as a City on a Hill 2. The Principle and Properties are all really in Him as He is the Son of Man and His throughly penetrating them is a consequence of His perfect knowing Himself His own Heavenly Humanity 3. The Principles and Properties will be at That day known to each other as well as each to its self Now is the Dark World much hidden from the Light World and the Light wholly incomprehensible to the Dark Now also the Hellish and Heavenly Principles are under a disguise so that men catch at the Bait of the Dark World and eschew and flie the cross leading to the Holy World The Treasures of Egypt weigh down the Reproach of Christ. But then shall the Principles and the Good and Evil of the Properties be so open to the Holy Children that they may penetrate and contemplate the Wrath Kingdom without being impressed incited or imposed upon by it and they shall view contemn scorn and judge the fixt Enmity of those burning in the Wrath of the Dark Central Fire Then also the Love flame of the Holy Virgin Souls united to their raised glorified Bodies shall be so evident to the Vassals of the inimicitious World as may fully convince them to their eternal anguish and shame what kind of Birth-right Glory Felicity and Blessedness which must endure to perpetuity they profanely desperately and madly sold and exchanged for a Mess of Pottage and Death in the Pot for faded painted imaginary Toys Trifles and Cheats 10. But what need more to convince of the Truth that there must be such a day or to shew the order how it is effected seeing the Holy Scriptures abound with Accounts of This Judgment which is spoken of where it is call'd a fearful looking for of Judgment Again the Judgment was set c. may have boldness in the day of Judgment Heb. 10. 27. Dan. 7. 10. c. 1 Joh. 4. 17. Mat. 11. 22. 2 Pet. 2. 9. Rom. 14. 10. 2 Pet. 2. 3. Also see the Answer of J. B. to the 30th of the 40 Questions concerning the Soul and the 27th Chapter of the three Principles Q. 172. How is the Resurrection of the dead effected What riseth again A. 1. It may justly be complained that reading is opprest with excess of enlarged Writings being therein as unsuccessfully transgressive as the hopes of the Hypocrite to be heard for his much speaking It therefore seems more suitable to the shortness of Mans Life straitness of his leisure discomposure of his Spirits feebleness of his penetrating faculty and weakness of his retention to avoid all vain repetitions and commend the reperusal of things once read as the most ready rather than to new shape many ways that which is but one thing and once done already In order therefore to the clearing of this Answer let it be considered what Adam was before his Fall which is discoursed in the 45 Answer Next what dire Effects that Fall of his had treated of in the 69 Aeswer Again what Man 's Death and Resurrection is as in the 6th verse of the 121 Answer And what Man 's faln State Death Christs Resurrection and raising of Man and what of him riseth are which is the substance of the whole 16 verses of the 134 Answer So that the Answer is made before this Question comes in its Order here to be considered 2. Yet because I dare not dismiss this important Doctrine being so much opposed even at this very day not only by many Hellish Atheists transforming themselves into Brutish Animals but not understood by some pretending
Wisdom hath swallow'd them all up and that Love is soveraign for ever over them And though this be most conspicuous in the mortified and daily dying Child of God who hath made good Progress in the Regeneration yet is it in some degree and measure in the Child of a Day old or a Span long for these have pure though much interrupted Breathings their Love may be very Ardent as the Love of Espousals though often and variously perverted these are begun to enter into the new World by the new Way in the new Nature and have thence by Intervals a fair Prospect into what cometh after this World all such are in a measure my Witnesses for what is above spoken in Answer to the Question 10. Now more particularly come we to the latter part of the Question viz. When God shall be all in all when the Dominions shall cease What therefore may most undeniably be said on this shall be drawn from the Words of the Holy Ghost by our Apostle wherein are taught us 1. That Christ having raised himself as the first Fruits raiseth also them that are his at his coming 2. That he shall put down all Rule Authority and Power 3. That then is or cometh the End 4. That then the Kingdom shall be deliver'd up to the Father and God shall be all in all To every of which a few words in their order 1. That our risen Christ shall raise all his and after all others at his second coming For 11. We ought assuredly to acknowledge that the great Work shall once be Universally accomplish'd by Jehovah's Almightiness in Raising Judging and Determining the state of all Adam's offspring and the actual delivering up the Kingdom to the Father and God shall be all in all and that all this is openly literally really and universally a Foundation Truth to be confessed before all men and next shall be spoken according to the same Method as Demonstrations thereof the work particularly done and doing viz. in the Divine meek Spirits and regenerated Souls of all God's new born Children from the first Holy Man to the last that shall be 12. Now that Christ having raised himself as the first Fruits shall also raise them that are his at his coming is such an immoveable Foundation Truth as neither Atheists or Apostate Christians those fallen Stars nor any fallen Angels nor all of them United can ever reâ—st but it is an Eternal Truth to the Glory of God the joy of all his in their Pilgrimage and matter of Divine Contemplation and Adoration for ever Read and Meditate among many others 1 Tâ—â—ss 4. 14 15 c. 1 Cor. 15. 23. Rev. 20 4 5 6. 1 Cor. 15. 3 4. and Review the 134 and 172 Answers 13. This great general second Resurrection is also done and demonstrated by the first Resurrection when God awakens the Sinner by unlocking the inspoken Grace and makes the Word a Refiner's Fire and as a Tincture transmuteth the Mass and leaveneth the Lumâ— then the Soul dies to the old and lives to the renewed Image by the Visits of the Virgin becomes a Virgin by looking on Christ comes to look like him the Bottle is made new into which the new Wine may now be intrusted and the King of Glory comes into his Temple his new made Vineyard and Garden and imparts himself his Heart his Whispers and Counsels when the Ear is opened For the sake of the Virgin Image thus Begotten shall the whole Man be crystalliz'd and tinctured with solar Power at the Resurrection mean time no Tongue or Pen can more than smatter at the recital of the loveinspired Words formed at every of the Masters sweet Visits when he comes to feed this Infant-birth and Sup with it 14. The Reason why we cannot tell it when we come out from the Holy Place is because our Astral Man knows not of what Dignity the Guest is that comes to the inward Man for he enters farther and our Astral Man or outward Reason is as a Porter whose office being at the Door hears not the Holy Treaty held within in the Closet and were it he could he understands not the Language but if a loud word be spoken which he hears then only when the sensual Man sleepeth then doth he either tremble as if he feared to be dismist his office for our Reason is like Gallio no Judge of these Matters or else he frames Images of what he as it were over-hears And if a Letter to the Virgin be intrusted with the Astral Man the Porter he only reads the Superscription but sees not what the inside is he thinks it all as the outside with ordinary Ink but within 't is all golden Letters mixt with Blood and legible in the dark Night for the Characters all shine and flame and none can read them but those who share in the first Resurrection for the old Eyes are dim these are convinced and somewhat more or less see how the second Resurrection will be having a sensible lively feeling of the first and passed the Danger and Power of the second Death See the 8th and 10th Verses of the 173 Answer 15. That our Lord shall put down all Rule Authority and Power this is meant to be after the Resurrection when he as the Sun in his strength obscures not only Gloworms but the Candle and Torch light Men shall then no longer abuse lawful Power nor acquire lawless Authority nor violently or subtilly Usurp undue Rule the Hunter and his Dogs shall no longer chase Lambs as if they were Foxes but the tyrannous Monarchs and the wronged Captives stand on the same level each in his own Principle and the Principles are as different as a dark Sulphurous Fire is from a sweet Radiant Lustre then also shall the Evil Angels whether they shall be Seducers of Men or other spiritual Wickednesses in High Places or Rulers of the Darkness as God of this World be all thrust out for he is come whose right it is both by Original and Purchas'd Propriety 16. This great general Manifestation of Jehovah Christ's Natural Soveraignty is also done and demonstrated in the whole Creation by his sitting among the Gods turning the Heart of the Mighty as Water stopping all Mouths bowing all Knees being above the Proud rescuing the Prey from the Teeth of the fiercest feeding the Hungry and Helpless the young Lions and young Ravens showering on the parched Wilderness stilling the raging Deep opening his Bottles in their Season treasuring his Snow and Wind and marshalling his Host of Stars But above all it is demonstrable in his Family who not only have ceased Hostility against him but taken up Arms for and under him out of weakness are strengthened to do suffer live die for him and in him their Health is to be Love-sick their Life to die daily he is their Fear Love Hope Repose Strength Wisdom Song their Springs and Treasures are in him for Time and
this Principle Lucifer's Throne had Jurisdiction substituted by the Son of God himself till on Lucifer's Heresie he became uncapable to derive Power from the Holy World but introduced Anarchy in the Principle over which he was to Rule according to Divine Order thence all faces of his Legions and This very Deep gathered Blackness and the Deep tumbled into a Chaos Here then God as He is Purity Holiness and Goodness was not all in all but they were now captiv'd in him as he is the Ocean of all Might and Power the Abyss of the first Principle according to which He is called a Jealous God and Consuming Fire and thus is He in That Profane Dark World But God is all in all in the Holy World and Creatures as far as they are Holy in his gracious majestick Light and Goodness the thing in this Question intended 29. And now that the whole Deep being God's inoffensive Creature was impos'd on suffering the sad Effects of the Rebellion of the Apostate Angels it pleas'd the God of Grace whose Angel pitied Balaam's Ass and who made merciful mention of the very Cattle in Niniveh to ransom this great space that as it had been the Tragical Stage of the Impure Spirits it might by introduction of Light be the Theatre of Mercy and Goodness Then was the New which Men call'd the Old World founded or a New Principle revealed such a one that as the Evil ones having profanely left their Habitation viz the Holy second Principle so were they in a great measure excluded This New one the Light of the Outward Sun being no advantage but rather opposing them and the Moon tho' but a Looking-glass reflecting the Sun's Light not serving but rather thwarting them for no Light fits them better than that of the Lightening from the astonishment that comes with it 30. And whereas the Out-World was like a Boat built of the pieces of a wracked Ship and that it was formed of the Properties which Lucifer had divided therefore were the fierceness of Mars the strong Bands of Saturn the sly quality of Mercury figured distinctly and not harmoniously in the cruel and other Creatures of this World at enmity with the noble Jupiter amiable Venus and royal Sol. Seeing now also here was an empty Throne whereof Lucifer was as uncapable as of That Estate which he had not kept then did God create a Prince who might Image the Trinity His Soul having the Properties of the first Principle His Divine Spirit the Holy second His Royal Transparent Body capable of Eternity figuring the third in This Noble Person while he so stood was Power and Suitableness to sit in the Throne of the third Principle for in him was God whom he compleatly Imaged all in all 31. But when This Prince divorc't the Pure Virgin of Divine Love and degenerated into Bestial Lust God his Creator was no longer all in all in him but he was a Mock-God to himself a Captive to his own Lust and Tyrannous Self-will So that his dear Virgin could no longer trust her self with him but he died as to her and she withdrew her pure Modesty into her own Heaven leaving his Soul among the Murtherers whereof Cain was afraid like to the state of the Out-cast Legions and his Body like the dark confused Deep before the Almighty call'd for Light where was now the Holy Image wherein God is all in all Q. 32. But is not God all in all in His Converted Children here of whom it is said He that is born of God sinneth not And as many as be perfect viz. meaning them be thus minded Again He hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified and is not God all in all in Such A. Well were it for us if it were so but our too high thoughts keeps us dwarfy and greatly aggravates our wretchedness proceeding very much from our ignorance of that State we fell from of which Treats the 45th Answer 8 and 9 verses and the 52 Answer throughout and how miserable Man 's Fall made him is traced in the 72 Answer in all the 8 verses of it The dividing of the Tinctures into distinct Male and Female is an Evil men are willingly ignorant of where began the dismal breach whence David as a Prophet lamenteth his Extraction viz. I was shapen in iniquity and in sin did my Mother conceive me that also is signified by our Apostle viz. There is neither Male nor Female but Christ is all in all 33. The present State of God's Holy Ones subjects them in a great degree to the prevailing hot fury and wrath of the first Principle and the fleeting wavering ambiguous unsteadiness of the third against both of which is the Apostle's caution viz. I will therefore that men pray every where lifting up holy hands without wrath and doubting that is without the predominancy of either first or third but in the Resignation Love Meekness and Faith of the pure second Principle Thus as this World is a part of us the God of this World hath a party in us which entails on Adam's Posterity vast loads of sorrow misery vexation and woe for so far are we wandered from the Holy Powers and Magically formed and degenerated into so corrupt a Bestial Body that the awakened Soul finds her self not only unequally but sinfully and shamefully yoked to a strange deformed filthy Companion instead of the pure Paradisical Virgin Image capable of Eternity bearing only the figure but that we lost was to have been the Ruler over and Epitome of the Out-world and was invested with Dominion of the Works of God and all this to that degree of wretchedness That to be present in this vile Body is to be absent from the Lord. And that through much tribulation we must enter into the Kingdom of God 34. Hence is it that the Wise man tells us Wisdom and Sorrow joyntly grow up for he that encreaseth Wisdom encreaseth Sorrow So that Heman who was wise to a Proverb that it was said of Solomon He was wiser than Heman This Heman the Pen-man of the 88 Psalm shews his frame to be composed of mournful parts and that Psalm as the Glass Door or Issue of him is as the Epitome of unexpressible grief as a night mantled over from any the least glimpse of day It is ignorance stupidity or madness that transports men in the Vale of Tears into wanton fleshly merriments for this is the time of budding and extendeth but to green fruit wherein the bitter sour undigested Properties prevent by their crudity the Solar Influence And lest we deceive our selves we ought to know this is the watry Seed-time the place of the Childrens being in the birth of working with fear and trembling fighting wrestling watching of receiving many a wound and discouragement of suffering reproach many reluctances upon the rallying and re-enforcing of our domestick Enemies who impudently almost continually return upon us our old Habits The Evil One is also
blown up into Angelical Flames of burning Love Thus dwell they in and are united to the Divine Powers of the Infinite glorious holy World of which World all the best innocentest most lovely excellent Creatures and Things here are a faint dead shadow And when the holy Souls shall have again and put on their bright pure Bodies being raised and conformed to the glorious Body of Jesus Christ then shall the Paradisical Substance which is the Essence or Quin tessence of the best Properties here be the Eternal living Food of those new Bodies Nor shall the Vertues of Concretes here be annihilated but resumed sublimed and spiritualized the holy World being their proper Aether where they shall remain in their Essence and Idea for the glory of the gracious Creator 5. Thus we see the distance of Heaven from Hell is as far as from Wrath to Love from Anguish to Triumph from Night and Darkness to the day not locally but a whole another Principle for it is not like or to be compared with the distance of those Stars which are lift up in our Zenith from those in our Nadir for they unite in their operation in one Individual Flower or Plant and by their Light continue to kiss each other but the distance here meant is an incomprehensible one Thus is it in the Creation as in Man the mixture of Spirits compelleth to Compassion and Compassion by assimilation of an Artificial Identity generateth Love but this distance consisteth in a Total and Eternal Separation of Spirits so alien and diametrically opposite one to the other as Life and Death are 6. It may be with this our Globe when the Elements dissolve as with an Herb whose Ligaments being loosed and the Properties thereof by the Artist segregated into Spirit Oyl and Salt for then the Creatures which now groan after Deliverance from their Subjection to Vanity and the good Properties here captiv'd may the Creatures in their Ideas and the Properties in their Energies by the Tincture of them all unite with the Spiritual World and shew forth the Infinite Wisdom of the Gracious Creator and Mighty Redeemer being part of the Spoils and Trophies of his powerful Redemption And here may in the place of this self-same Ball yet in another Principle be separated away all the filthy impure abominable Creatures and Properties as the Faeces Dregs and Ashes of an Alimbick which confused Mass of Reprobated Properties must dismally adhere and be ingulphed with the fierce Horrour and Anguish of the dark World the Image whereof they bear and that not fully as sickly Complexions by their ill Constitutions fall by the Plague when there comes a Pestilential contagious Air but they unite with that outer Darkness as they are a Plague-sore to themselves And now to avoid Repetition see concerning the Locality of Hell in the 19 20 21 22 23 and last Verses of the 17th of these Questions Also concerning the Locality of Heaven See the 2d 3d 4th 7th and last Verses of the 18th of these Questions Q. 177. What shall be the Eternal Joy of the Holy or Saints and the Eternal Pain or Torment of the Wicked Or also may there be any alteration effected A. 1. The three Parts of this Question require only a few words or rather Quotations severally as first what shall be the Eternal Joy of the Holy or Saints the knowledge whereof may be collected by the serious Mind from Meditation of the Discoveries of it Recorded in the Sacred Scriptures as amongst many these following Psal. 16. 11. In thy presence is fulness of Joy at thy Right Hand are pleasures for ever more Psal. 36. 8 9. Thou shalt make them drink of the River of thy pleasure for with thee is the Fountaiâ— of Life in thy Light we shall see Light Isai. 64. 4. For since the beginning of the World Men have not heard nor perceived by the Ear neither hath the Eye seen O God besides thee what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him which words are recited in 1 Cor. 2. 9. adding v. 10. but God hath revealed them c. Rom. 8. 18. The sufferings of the present time are not worthy to be compared with the Glory that shall be revealed in us 2 Cor. 4. 17. Our light Affliction which is but for a moment worketh for us a far more exceeding and Eternal weight of Glory 1 John 3. 2. It doth not yet appear what we shall be but we know that when he appeareth we shall be like him Jude 24. present you faultless before the presence of his Glory with exceeding Joy And the 21 and 22 Chapters of the Revelations 2. Much also may be found by pondering the Answer of the blessed J. Behmen to the last of the 40 Questions and 32 Question of the Soul Something also conducible and pertinent hereunto may be found by Review of the 18th and 19th Answers of the present Questions the last Verse of the 40th Answer the 45th Answer throughout the last Verse of the 49th Answer the 5th Verse of the 57th Answer 3. The Eternity of the Joy of the Holy ones shall be the alone Unity without Fraction ever new ever young one only constant spring and uninterrupted Autumn their City as pure and undefiled as is the inward Holy spiritual World their Kingdom incomprehensibly vast being one with the illimitable second Principle The precious Stone call'd Lapis Callidoneus is said to be unable for its warming cheering vertue unless set into Gold nor hath the Crystal any intrinsick Light till the influencing solar or other lustre hath access to it which then is multiplied by it and to pass by infinite instances producible the perfection of the seven Properties is attained by the United Conjunction of the six Actives in the seventh which is as their Passive Work house 4. Things and Persons here though partly good are partly otherwise and that either by an Evil commixture or want of some good thing or Property or by inequality of the Proportions of their Composition or the feebleness of the parts United or want of Time to perfect the Creature or thing or by a corruptible quality or by the insufficiency of its Origin or by its undefensibleness or if very good may yet be only so in and to it self but incommunicable or the participation interruptible and not always so alike or which is often a good Influence may exhaust over much as that Aromatick Herb Basil by standing long in the Sun may degenerate into Wild Thyme or some other Necessity the Creatures of the Out-birth are incident unto their whole Principle being but a Figure of the excellent World whence it was effluenced But all these and all other Exceptions the state of the Saints transcends and is for ever exempted perfectly and at once 5. To the second part of the Question what shall be the Eternal Pain and Torment of the Wicked Let the Records of Sacred Scriptures be pondered as amongst others these following Isaiah
of Infinite power of the Jehovah so neither can it terminate but that second Death be ever a Dying Life while the God of Life liveth This is that King of the Kings of Terror this shakes the heart of a Rock of Adamant this as a World of Lead lyeth on the dark Troops while yet the most exquisit Tortures if transient and finite bring Cordials with them to the faintest of Christ's Followers sugaring the bitterest Pills to the humble patient tormented persecuted Children of whom the World is not worthy this also serves Gall in every Dish to him who could engross the Out-principles Delights for Methuselah's Age. But Eternity is as Incomprehensible as the Eternal God as far beyond Men and Angels as Infinity is beyond our short narrow shallow and superficial Measures This God this Christ this Holy Principle is our God our Christ our Holy Life for ever and ever and were there any thing after for ever it were ours too 2. Look then O my Soul fixedly on this Freehold and disdainfully on all visible and invisible melting Idols and airy bubbles breathe press pant sweat freeze suffer fight run watch persevere till thy dry husk crumble and fall off and thou shalt reap once and for ever more than Eye or Heart can see or conceive On the 16th Question and Answer Why is God's wrath Eternal c Let God be true and every Man a Lyar who saith he is Light in him is no Darkness at all But yet if the Creature shall put out its own Eyes it is Darkness having extinguished the holy Light in it self Again he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God for God is love but when Evil Angels and Men fix themselves in Enmity they causelesly quarrel with God live no more in that love but enter into wrath in their own Evil Principle This being so O my Soul search thy self what black veils are there excluding the bright holy eternal Light of God See also if there be an unmortified impenitent repining impatient Spirit swaying and prevailing in thee that thou be estranged from the meek love of God leading thee Captive in the inward Kingdom of dark Fierceness and then that the Devil perswade thee not that God willeth thy Destruction and thou to excuse thy wilful Rebellion Blaspheme the God of Eternal Light and pure Love On the 17th Question and Answer What is God's work in Hell is Hell a local place 1. The Holy Eternal Jehovah is in himself undivided yet as he operates in all the seven Forms of the seven Fountain Spirits moving to make himself Creaturely so all divided Properties derive from him and are radically in him and the multiplicity is as a very little thing comprehended in the infinite Unity Thus the Fire which is the Life of all Creatures is often their Death but when it generates the Light is the Joy of such where it so proceeds if it generate the Holy intellectual Light the Fire is made Holy and the whole Existence is Angelical and Paradisical but if it dwindle into an Image or meer Representation of the true Light it degenerates into a Shadow and if the Light that is in any be Darkness how great is that Darkness 2. Come up hither my Soul and see what Light thy Fire yieldeth grows it toward the Harmony resigning it self into the Unity then thou hast thy Fruit unto Holiness and thy End everlasting Life Or is it captiv'd in the Wrath of the divided Properties laboureth it in Building Babel striveth it to be its own Lord and Law-giver is self its first Mover and Ultimate End then shalt thou of the Flesh reap Corruption the Disunion makes Disorder the Disorder causeth Aversion that again begets Anguish that issues into utter Enmity that finally into Rage 3. Oh then my Soul return into thine impregnable Fortress step back into thy Child-like Innocence Meekness and Simplicity Hast thou in Adam lost thy dear Virgin Purity yet blush away thine adulterous Apostasie and with torn Hair flowing Eyes and a broken Spirit acknowledge thy unworthiness implore to be as one of the hired Servants and thou wilt find thy Father hath bowels a kiss of his will break thy Heart melt thee as Wax impress in thee his New Life wherein the various Properties draw all one way Divine Love will crucifie self-Self-love and Self-will and kill the Enmity as the fresh blushing morning doth the Fogs of the night With-hold nothing from him whose are all things and all Worlds whose thou art and who spared not his One Only dearest dear Son for thee to attone thy divided inimicitious Properties ransom thee from the Principle of Wrath exempt thee from the Eternal Dark Abyss free thee from the Hell of Hells thy exceeding sinfulness and to bring thee who wast a Devil inwardly and a Beast outwardly to be a Child among the Spirits of just men made perfect by his Mighty Salvation On the 18th Question and Answer Where is Heaven is it a local place c. 1. What a taking Travel were it to pass with and thro' Temporal Pleasures to Eternal Joy If so what throngs would resort by treading down the side banks to widen that narrow way But thou hast learnt O my Soul that the pleasing of the flesh is the Paradice of Fools consider thou therefore that it is abundantly sufficient advantage by passing through as many deaths as are days in thy Pilgrimage here and through as many horrid Hells to at last to step safely into our Fathers House How acceptable were the contemplation of Heaven if it were enough to entitle us to it without wetting a foot to sit on an easie Chair and take a prospect in the Holy Scriptures and other Books of what some Travellers thither have left on Record which will do the work when the viewing the World on a Card will entitle us to the Kingdoms of it 2. But because there are Legions of Lusts binding hand and foot there is much to be done and much help to be sought striving mortifying working crucifying fasting resigning patience lying low being often in the furnace And because there is a devouring Lion opposing maliciously there is need of great Faith constant strong Prayer and Watching Because also the Wisdom and Glory of this perishing World opposeth there is need to become Fools to be accounted the Off-scouring of it to pass through the Good and Evil without being impressed and swayed by either but in meekness blessing them that curse us praying for despiteful Persecutors and lying dead to present desirable things that thou maist be raised by the first Resurrection And now my Soul thou seest that Heaven is no empty speculation but entring is opening Heaven And the Lord Jesus who is the Heaven of Heavens in thee with a mighty Power utterly unconceivable to the top of Man's Wisdom and the acâ—test deepest search of all the unregenerate World and to the Children of the Resurrection known but as in a Glass darkly On the 19th Question and
Let me Oh thou God of my Spirit neither begin much less end with the outside washing which is my self washing of my self But let my Soul my Inside my Heart Will Designs Desires and my secret Thoughts be washt by thee for without that I have no part in thee Let this washing last longer than the possibility of my polluting my self can endure and let me be washt from my self which is the foulest sink on this side Hell Then and not till then shall I know what the Water above the Firmament is and can do for such a black Creature who of himself must cry unclean unclean On the 27th Question and Answer Of the Male and Female Kinds Whence is their Desire to each other And of the necessity of it 1. We are taught to pray Thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven But seeing that Man hath now by dividing the Tinctures who till then Imaged the Divine Kingdom got such a will as is on Earth among the Brute Beasts losing the Heavenly Image what remains but that the will be taught subjection and long for groan after earnestly desire and accordingly pray to be restored here to be as they are in Heaven where by the reunion of the Tinctures they Image their God Yet tho' the Rent of the Tinctures be irreparable in the bulk of Mankind here and that God of pity to his Creatures hath extracted Good out of Evil bearing by Divine Patience that in Man whereof Nature it self as deprav'd as it is shameth at It nevertheless remains our Souls Work and Duty to learn what his dear disappear'd Virgin Image is studiously and sollicitously to seek that his first Love the Free Woman the Jerusalem from above which withdrew when Adam slept bitterly to bemoâ—n that loss and account the finding that precious Pearl worthy of all pains care and highest diligence and having found it then to sell all to buy it 2. But now my Soul seeing thou art so Beastly in thy Earthy Elementary and Astral part infecting thy noble Eternal part behold with abhorrence thy filthiness by a true impartial Glass Where is the Modesty of a Virgin state which doth the will of God in Heaven That purity which descended from Heaven and when Men became degenerate returned thither Why hast thou suffered the Virgin to wait at thy Door and Window calling as to her Bridegroom Exciting sometimes a Transport of Love other times shame again Joy to Trembling or Grief to Astonishment Finding thy self in so strange a Lodging as was Nebuchadnezzar when a Beasts Heart was given him If thou compare thy self with thy self in some days past perhaps thou maist flatter thy Judgment into Partiality and if thou compare thy self with others seeming more filthy thou maist be apt to pride thy self but if thou reflect on thy pollutions and the pure holy Virgin how great will be thy monstrosity how wretched vile and naked Come therefore daily to this perfect Standard just Balance true Glass and bewail thy defection bear the shame of thy deformity be humbled to the Dust as great Malefactors and miserable Captives whom nothing but Death can set free and redeem are dejected 3. And will nothing till Death intirely free me O my God and that my Soul hath no share of the natural Death which could it taste would only reprieve not deliver Let therefore that Death of Death the Mysterious Death of the Cross which opens the Door to the first Resurrection be powerfully vouchsafed so shall I be saved from this Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth and my Heart and Mouth be fill'd with thy pure praises for ever On the 28th Question and Answer Of the Principles of the Spirit of this World 1. The Psalmist meditating the frame of his Body saith it is fearful and wonderful The Fabrick of the whole Creation must needs be so likewise for 't is a Mirrour shewing evidently and distinctly all Worlds Powers and Properties not as a dead record but in a living Image by an Articulate voice with as many demonstrations and Tongues as here are forms All convincing that Man of great stupidity who sees not God hears not his voice reads not Lectures of his Infinite Wisdom Power and Goodness in this his Theatre The day is the Child of the second Principle the Night derives its Fountain from the first time is not fatherless the Principles of the Spirit of this World being various such must needs the Creatures be 2. It went with Man as with one drunk regardless of the top of the Stairs missing the first falls down all the rest or as one sleeping on the Brow of a Precipice or brink of a River whence if he tumbles it is to the bottom thus he who should have had Dominion over the Astral Powers losing the Reins is not only hurried by them but subjected to the Extremities of the Elements and domineer'd overby the sickly Humours Wants and Excesses of the Bestial Flesh and corrupting uncleanness of this Bag of Worms 3. If thou my Soul delightest in this 't is as a Fool in throwing Darts art thou proud of thy Bodies features as well may an unsound Man of his Ulcers or a Vassal of his Shackles thus to be present in the Body is to be absent from the Lord whose gracious presence removed makes Hell Return then Oh my Soul my Spirit and my Inward Powers into your rest live in the incombustâ—ble Body put on the Humility Modesty and Sacred Flaming Love being the Heavenly Flesh of Jesus Christ then will this Worlds Spirit own Subjection no longer be a Clog or Lord but a Staff and Servant To this O thou Almighty Arm strengthen me O thou Glorious Sun inlighten me O thou Sacred Breath enliven me for without thee what can I do who am faln to be weakness darkness and dead under this outward Worlds Tyranny On the 29th Question and Answer Of the Sperm or Seed of the Generation of all things 1. The Psalmist complains I was shapen in iniquity and in sin did my Mother conceive me but the Sperm or Seed of all things is without iniquity standing in the fifth form of Fire being in its Existence a Mirror wherein the Abyssal Will beholdeth it self and in its operation a transition unto or imager of the Multiplicity 2. But how much doth Man who was created Good by seeking out many Inventions run against the order of Nature for out of the dark Earth sprout excellent Vegetatives with various cheering Odours delightful Colours and â—asts and nourishing Vertues out of the Mortal Waters are generated vast numbers and kinds of Fish also Amber Pearl Coral c. all more excellent than the Water their Mother which is corrupt as is the Earth Yet Man tho' proceeding from an Immaculate Sperm or Virgin Seed originally is become vile and filthy moving retrograde and is more and more degenerate earthy sensual and devilish 3. Wert thou O my Soul the Image of thy God how wouldst thou
him and gave him the superior Primacy in whose bright Light was perfect understanding 3. But he seeing himself so Triumphant moved the Spirit generated by the seven so hard and strongly that it became very fiery climbing up in the Fountain of the Heart 4. But had it moved gently and lovingly as the seven did before they became creaturely there had been generated a lovely mild Son like to the Son of God and then the Infinite Light the Son of God would have been delighted in and played with the small Light in Lucifer as with a young Son or dear little Brother 5. But let not the Devil make any believe Gods will was that he had some Men should be loft and so pervert Gods Truth defending the Devil by Lies 6. For know the whole Deity hath in its innermost Birth or Pith a very tart terrible sharpness in which 1. The Astringent quality is a very hard dark cold attracting like the extream Frost congealed Water when suppose the Sun totally taken away which austere attraction causeth fixation of the Body and the hardness drieth it up so that it subsisteth creaturely 7. The bitter quality is tearing cutting and penetrating driving the Astringent to Mobility From the fierce rubbing and raging of both which 8. A wrathful kindling proceedeth 9. And in this eager strife existeth a hard Tone or Noise penetrating all like a Tyrant according to which God calls himself an Angry Jealous God and in this consisteth Hell Enmity and Eternal Perdition And such a Creature is the Devil come to be 10. And in these is God an All-comprehensible All-fixing Sharp God 11. But in the strife and heat of these qualities ariseth the Light and in the Light and the Sweet Water the Flash of Life wherein all the foregoing qualities are made pleasant as a sour Apple by the Sun is made sweet and good yet the Taste of the other qualities remain in it The Head Spring and Fountain of Sin 12. Lucifer's qualifying Spirits having an Imaging Power in that Royal Body vehemently affected the high Light so triumphantly that they lifted up themselves to Pomp and Stateliness leaving the Angelical Obedience whereby the great bright flash became so bright as was intolerable to the Fountain Spirits against the right of Nature So that the bitter quality which Existeth in the sweet Water and is the cause of joy trembled and rub'd it self so hard in the Astringent that the Fountain or Quality of Heat was eagerly kindled Which bitter and hot Quality caus'd the Astringent to dry up the sweet Water wherein the Heavenly Heat and Light have their Being And thenceforth could not the Heat rise to a Flame or Light for the Light existeth in the Oyliness of the Water thus dryed up but glowed as red hot Iron or rather a very hard Stone in the greatest Heat 13. Not that the Spirit of the Water was devoured but its quality was turn'd into a dusky hot and sour Quality Which introduced extremity of Cold also whereby the whole Body grew fierce and wrathful And the bitter Quality raged and became a Poyson hence sprung the first Poyson which bitter poysonous Death comes also into poor Humane Flesh. 14. And now was Lucifer an Astringent hot bitter dark cold sour stinking poysonous Fountain And the Tone rose up through the bitter Qualities penetrating the Heat and Astringent hard Quality as a clap of Thunder 15. God created Angels out of himself that they might be harder and dryer compacted than the Ideas or Forms which through the qualifying of the Spirits of God in Nature rise up and through the moving of the Spirits pass away again that their Light in their hardness should shine brighter and the Tone of their Body should sound clearer and shriller than it did before either shine or sound in the Salitter which was thin and dim And therefore they lifted up themselves tho' they knew themselves to be but a piece of the total God supposing they were a fairer little Son than the Son of God himself and that they could qualifie operate and elevate themselves above the whole God and Rule and Govern all without Corrival or Supream Comptroller 16. Here lyes the Root of Covetousness Envy Pride and Wrath. All Lucifer's Angels fell with him for he was created out of the Kernel of the Salitter out of which they were created he their Lord they were all of one will with him which they would not suffer to be taken away 17. Q. Did not the Universal God know this before the Creation of the Angels 18. A. No. for if so it had been a Predestinate Will in God to have it so and had been no Enmity against God but God had created him a Devil God made him a King of Light and for Disobedience spewed him out of his Royal Throne 19. God knew this according to his Wrath in which he is not called God but a consuming â—ire but knew not this according to his Love according to which he is called God into which no fierceness entreth and so God is alone called God or Goodness 20 And what Gods Love knoweth sensibly or feelingly in it self that it also and that only it willeth 21. The Devils Prison is in upon and above the Earth up to the Moon till the last day And 22. Then their House will be in the place where the Earth now standeth and this will be called the Burning Hell but not in such a Form as it now standeth but separated in the kindled wrath Fire into a dark hot cold rugged hard bitter stinking Reliâ—ks dregs or dross CHAP. XVIII Of the Creation of Heaven and Earth 1. WHen the Astringent quality was predominant the hard dry Stones came to be 2. But where the Astringent and Bitter were equally predominant there sharp Gravel and Sand. 3. Where the Tone and Astringent in the Water there Copper Iron and Rocky Oar. 4. Where the Water there the wild Earth But the Bitter Spirit is the chief cause of the Black Earth 5. Yet the Heat in the Astringent chiefly helped to make the hardness and there it generated the noblest and preciousest Saâ—â—â—ter in the Earth as Gold Silver and precious Stones 6. But when the hot Spirit in the sweet Water was predominant in the Love the Astringent made the Oar of precious Stones c. CHAP. XIX Concerning Heaven what it is where it is and how it is 1. THat there is a pure glorious Heaven in all the three Births aloft above the deep of this World in which is Gods Being and the Holy Angels he is not Born of God that denieth Which comprizeth the Kingdoms of Michael and Uriel and continueth as it was from Eternity with which the innermost and holy Birth in this World uniteth being all one Body of God one Heart one Will one God all in all for the true Heaven is every where 2. When thy Spirit apprehendeth the
Unctuosity of the Blood of the Heart which Oyl or Sap hath in it the Root of the whole Man as Tinder cast into Straw 6. But if the Light had kindled it self in the Birth of the Soul all the Fountain Spirits according to the right of the Deity had triumphantly United with the Deity and had been a living Angel but because the Wrath had already infected the Salitter that Danger was to be feared which befell Lucifer therefore the Extract whereof Man 's Body was made was not become Earth though it was of the Salitter of the Earth but was held by the Word till the Love-Spirit out of the Heart of God glanced on the Salitter of the Mass then did the Salitter become impregnated in the Centre of the Soul and the Light abode in the Centre of the Mass and the Word stood in the Mass in the Sound This Book was Written by J. B. in the Year 1612. Being his first Book It was taken from the Author and not finished but that Defect supplied in his other Writings Aurorae Finis THE Three Principles OF THE Divine Essence CHAP. I. Of the First Principle of the Divine Essence 1. THough God generateth the Essence of all Essences out of Himself for through Him and in Him are all things yet Evil is not God And though the first Principle be the earnest Fountain of Tartness and Cause of all Mobility yet if that be irradiated with Divine Light it is no more Wrath or Tartness but great Joy 2. Though also God hath no Beginning it is here set down as if he had to distinguish the first from the second Principle Although it cannot be said that Bitterness Sorrow or Hell Fire are in God for God made no Devil nor Death yet those things are in Nature and Nature originateth from God according to the first Principle of the Father whose is call'd Angry not in himself but in the Spirit of the Creature which hath enkindled it self and the Wrath of God burneth therein 3. God is the incomprehensible Infinite Spirit A Spirit doth ever nothing but ascend flow move and generate it self in a Threefold Form viz. Bitterness Harshness and Heat neither of which is the first or last for a Spirit is like a Will which rising up beholdeth perfecteth and generateth it self 4. Three things are in the Original whence all things came to be Sulphur Mercurius and Sal. In Sulphur is Soul or Spirit and Matter In Mercury is harshness Bitterness Fire and Water of which four Sal is the Child From harshness bitterness and fire in the first Principle come wo torment trembling and burning yet from those three is also generated Water But in the first Principle God is not called God but a devouring Fire CHAP. II. Of the first and second Principles what God and the Divine Nature is 1. THE Divine Essence cannot be expressed by the Tongue the Spiraculum vitae the Spirit of the Enlighten'd Soul seeth it for every Creature seeth no farther than to its own Mother whence it originated The Soul was breathed out of God's first Principle into the third Principle viz. into the Syderial and Elementary Birth it is not therefore marvellous that it should see the whole depth of the Father in the first Principle it so seeing only it self in its rising The Devils also see and know it they wish also they neither saw nor felt it but themselves shut themselves up from the second Principle 2. The Sydereal Spirit which cloatheth the Soul and the Elementary which ruleth the Foundation of the Blood see only into that whence themselves are But the Spirit of the Soul enlightned by the Holy Spirit of God seeth into the Holy Divine Birth the Heavenly Essence the second Principle This Door can be opened only by Prayer seeking and knocking 3. In the Syllable phur in Sulphur are signified the four Forms of harshness or astringency bitterness or attraction anguish and fire but in the Sul of Sulphur is the Soul or Spirit meant which when it attaineth the Light the fifth Form of Love springeth up the Bridegroom embraceth his sacred Bride 4. Hence by the Water Spirit in Mercurius ariseth the sixth Form or sound so are all in one Heavenly Harmony united in the Divine Nature yet every Form retains its own Property so that here existeth a cross Birth for the fire goeth upward the Water downward the Essences of the harshness sideways as it were East West North and South CHAP. III. Of the endless and innumerable Productions of the Eternal Nature 1. SUch as by reproach forbid a search what God is prosecute the Devil's deceit that it might not be known what the Anger of God is nor what the Devil is and what properly it is which God Abhors Ability is in Man to speak what God our Father is and what the Eternal working 2. Every of the six Forms generateth more for in every of the Fountain Spirits is but one Centre and each generateth more as out of one branch issue many springs and buds and out of one root many threads 3. Out of the harsh Spring proceed five Springs viz. Bitterness Fire Love Sound and Water and in their Co-operating through Anguish the Light and Life arise and the Anguish becomes in the sixfold Form a great Joy in a meer pleasing Tast delighting Sight reviving Smell ravishing Sound the softest Touch all unutterably Excellent So as if one were instantly snatcht out of the bitter Pangs of Death and Torments of Hell into the Triumphant Light of Divine Joy 4. For the Forms of harshness bitterness and fire being perfect in Love become totally Glorious and a Highest Joy and yet their various Properties remain all perfectly irradiated CHAP. IV. Of the Eternal Essence generating Infinity of Existencies 1. THE Eternal generating hath neither Beginning Number End Bottom nor is it Corrupted The Mind of the Sydereal and Elementary Spirit seeth only a glimpse of it which Mind is the Chariot of the Soul without which Mind the Soul were feeble and crâ—â—e in the first Principle but if the Soul be regenerated in the Light of God that Light is its lustre in the second Principle wherein it liveth Eternally 2. Man's Body was made out of the one Element the Quintessence whence also the four Elements Stars and Heaven of the third Principle were created But the Soul was breath'd by the Holy Ghost out of the Father's Light which Light being the Name of God is the Light of Life and enkindled out of the four Anguishes therefore is the Soul God's own Substance 3. If therefore the Soul elevate it self back into the Anguishes of the four Original Form into Priâ—e c. it become a Devil But if it elevate it self forward in the fifth Form of Light Meekâ—ess and lovely Humility it is fed by the Word the Heart of God and its own strong fierce Original becomes Paradisical a sweet Fountain of Eternal Songs of Praise â—t is an Angel a Child of
for him for to give him more Divine Light were but as Water to increase his Fire And God willeth to have no fiery Spirit in Paradise his Brimstone Spirit is inkindled and remaineth unquenchable desiring to get above the Meekness of the Heart of God which shuts him up Eternally CHAP. XI Of all Circumstances of the Temptation 1. WHen God did set the Fiat in the Will to Create Angels he separated all the Properties as hard four bitter harsh fierce soft c. as we see are in the various properties of the Stars and created the Princely Throne Angels as so many Fountains Then in each Fountain came forth a Centre in many Thousand Thousands and every Host got a Will such as was the Fountain or Prince whence they proceeded giving their will to him as the Stars do to the Sun Tho' all thoroughly irradiated with Divine Splendor yet had every Host some one of the Properties of the first Principle most Eminent in them 2. Of the Princes one is fallen and his Host for standing in the fourth form his Fire Elevated him above the End of Nature 3. The Fiat in the Creation separated the Matrix also of the Out-birth created after the other according to the forms of the inward World and out of the Properties of the first Principle came Creatures of all sorts good and bad as Lambs Doves c. as also Wolves Toads also in the separation of Vegetables are good and hurtful Plants And that the evil is also profitable is seen for that in every Creature is a poysonous Gall being the cause of Life 4. Adam was created of all the three Principles but in perfect clarity an Image of his Creator and Epitomy of all Creatures 5. In the Garden of Eden were all Paradisical Trees pleasant to look on and good for Food wherein tho' they sprung out of the Earth yet in them was imprinted the Divine Vertue of the second Principle and yet were truely in the third Principle Death stuck only in that Tree of Good and Evil that was able to bring Man into another Image 6. God willed not Adam should eat of it for he not only barely warned him of the danger but forbad him with a severe Menace 7. Nor was he Created with a distinct Female as other Creatures that on his Fall he might the better be helped 8. Nor will'd he should need any other clothing than Glory else would have given him a Hide as other Creatures But as a Heavenly Man he should have eaten Heavenly Fruit. Now follows the Gate of the Temptation Adam had all the three Principles or Worlds in him and in all he looked on without him 9. The Heart of God would have him to abide in Paradise being his similitude The Kingdom of Wrath would have this great Lord because he proceeded out of the Eternal Mind of the Darkness that through him might be shew'd great power The Kingdom of this World would have him be his Housholder for that he lived in it and was part of it saying Eat and Drink not only Divine Food thou art not yet a meer Spirit eat not that which is incomprehensible Eat my sweet drink my strong which is comprehensible 10. Here Adam thought seeing I am on the Earth and that it is mine I will use it as I list 11. Then came the Inhibition on pain of Death not to eat the Earthy Food wherein was mixt the evil for the Tree was neither better nor worse than that we have But God saw his eager imagination so set on the Earthy Fruit that he could not generate a perfect Paradisical Man but an Infected one out of himself that would fall to be corruptible did let a sleep fall on him CHAP. XII Further of the Circumstances of the Temptation 1. MOses at the Bush was commanded to pull off his Shoes shewing his Earthy Birth God gave the Law at Sinai and establisht it in clarity but by Thunders c. in the Spirit of the great World for in Gods Heart is only Love and Kindness because after the Fall Men lived therein viz. in the Spirit of the great World 2. The Law demanding obedience and the false voluptuousness of Israel were in strife Forty days till they fell to their sinful Calf And Christs tryal Forty days c. shew the time of Adam's Temptation Of Adam's Sleep 1. Adam's sleep was his being Captivated by the â—triving Stars and Elements whose wrestling so far overcame him that his Tincture became enfeebled and he as dead who should as we in the Resurrection have Eternally with open Eyes beheld the Infinite Glories This God so greatly loathed that Adam could not long continue in Paradise The Highest Gate of the Life of the Tincture 2. The Tincture is that which separateth the pure from the impure and graduateth to the highest all sorts of Life in all Creatures Yet in some strong in others weak It s Birth is from the Vertue of the Deity and imprints it self in all things yet so secretly that none of the ungodly can know it It is Eternal but the Spirit given it by the Fiat is according to the kind of every Creature At first it was implanted in Jewels Gems Metals 3. It was generated in the fifth form that of Love out of the Heart of God And tho' its Spirit in the third Principle abide not for ever yet for the sake thereof the very figures of this World shall remain for ever But in the second Principle the Tincture standing in the Spirit and Substance in Angels and Men is Eternally fixt The Tinctures Essences 4. It is the flash of Life and Lustre whose Root is Fire causing the faculty of seeing in all Creatures It Chrystallizeth impure Water separateth the Light from Darkness imageth it self in what it hath made pure making it also sweet shining like Oyl and Fire Mixt with the Matrix of VVater by the mixture becomes fixt and thick and by the Property of the Fire is colour'd Red and is the Blood in which the Noble Life existeth Of the Death and Dying 5. In so great and hourly danger stands the Noble Life in the Tincture and hath so many potent Enemies that either on the Efflux of the Blood the Tincture flyeth away or on the over-prevalency of any one of the four Elements or ill Conjunction of the Constellations darting their Poisons the Band of Life breaketh and the flash goeth out in Meekness How the Heavenly Tincture was in Adam before the Fall and shall be in us after this Life 6. Adam's three Principles whereof he was were three Births the one not comprehended by the other viz. The Worm or Brimstone Spirit generated out of the Eternal Will of the Father The Virgin or Wisdom of God And the Spirit of this World The two latter were given to him to his right and left 7. The second was to illustrate the first in the power whereof he was to rule over the third It is
how to help no Prince or Throne Angel could contrive a Remedy Then said Jehovah Christ Lo I come to do thy Will O God and his own Arm wrought Salvation by becoming Man entring Death with his Humane Soul brake the seven Seals of the Centre of Nature hung the old Adam as a Curse on the Cross kindled again the Divine Fire in the Soul cast away the Earthiness and powerfully through Death introduced Life The highly precious Gate Thus the Regenerate may see that as Christ did cast away from him by Death only the Spirit of this VVorld and raised himself so shall they in his VVord and Heart which is every where present and in his Flesh and Blood not in the corrupt Body be raised for the inward Body Adam had in Paradise is only capable of being clothed upon with the Flesh of Christ In this new Body fixeth the new Regenerate Soul but the old corrupt Flesh only hangeth to the new Body yet comprehends it not The which old Body conceived from the Spirit of this VVorld being at the last day raised therewith only in a figure in which figure all Mans works follow him passeth into its Ether yet remaineth in its figure So likewise the corrupt Bodies of the wicked at the last Judgment shall be presented with their Mother the Spirit of this world and the Souls shall hear the sentence then shall the Bodies pass with their Mother and stand as a Figure and their works in the figure shall follow them into the Abyss CHAP. IX Concerning the Threefold Life Also the Inclination and whole Government of Man in this Life 1. MAN's whole Race is a strife 'twixt the Devil and the Soul and the Spirit of this worâ—d and the Soul for this worlds Spirit hath apprehension tho not Divine planted in its Matrix and this world stood in the Eternal wisdom as an invisible figure before the Creation and by Creation became a proper Principle to the end it might bring all its wonders and works into Existence and appear Eternally in their figure 2. Man only being capable to exhibit this worlds wonders of Arts and the Spirit and Life of Metals precious Stones Earths Celestial Influences c. therefore hath the Spirit of this world longed to draw Man into it That precious Stone of Philosophers may be found in Metals by him who understandeth this Author in the Centre of Natures progress to the Cross of the Trinity and Glance of the Majesty which this worlds Spirit hath a Natural longing to reveal 3. The first Birth of things are not pleasant as in Trees but the Fruit is a second Birth and what is desir'd by Man which points us to our Noble Birth and high Descent which was Divine for when the Kingdom of the Anger did press into the Fruits the Paradisical Principle did almost wholly withdraw Yet though Toads Serpents poysonous Herbs bitter Properties Thistles c. originate in the wrathful Matrix yet as the evil Properties explicate the inward worlds they are as good and concur to the same end with the best but the evil and good eaten by Adam being such as we now eat was his eating of Death because thereby the Spirit of this world captivated him as doth both it and the Devils Kingdom rule in Man still Of the great strife about Man 4. Hell saith my Anger is his Root he is therefore by Nature mine This world pleads possession of Man in its Body and his Community of Nutrition from it God saith I â—ave set my Heart upon Man and Regenerated him he proceeded out of me I have sought and found him again he is mine to reveal my wonders Pursuant to this one of three things winneth him either 1. His desire of Honour Glory and Power which is the Devils Will. 2. His desire of Riches Opulence and Fulness in which he is a Beast of this World 3. He the somewhat sensible Sinner but not the Swine greatly feareth Hell and the Devil and weakly panteth after Heaven but the other two draw so violently that many through desperation engulph themselves into the Abyss Of the Devil changing himself into an Angel of Light 5. When the Sinner begins to be sensible of his evil and danger the Devil willingly permits him to go to the Stone Churches then flatters him that his diligent so doing makes him godly and devout Where often thoughts are sowen in him of Pride Lust c. also of contempt of others especially if the Preacher be a Reviler If the Soul be yet afraid and would repent and pray the Devil clouds the understanding introduceth doubts and promiseth amendment to Morrow he rehearseth words but prayeth not for the Soul cannot reach the Centre of Nature where the Fire should be struck but his words in this Worlds Spirit vanish into Air or Gods Name is taken in vain 6. But Prayer is a great or at least a true going of the Soul to be spoken to of God and brought out of the House of Sin into the House of God Which when the Devil opposeth we are to oppose the more for we have in Christ far greater power than he But if the Devil covers the Heart by heaps of Sin we are not to dispute or despair but to lay them on the Devils Back and lay up in our Hearts Gods most merciful Calls and earnest Will towards us shewn by the Sufferings Wounds Death and dear Love and Pity of Christ to Sinners for there is no other Will in God but to do as the Father to the Prodigal Son therefore to doubt of Gods gracious Intents is to sin greatly The Gates of the deep Ground concerning Man 7. The knowing what Man is in the variety of form feature and different driving Will hath been controverted since the beginning because the Gates thereof were sunk with Adam's Fall but the Spirit of the Soul of the Regenerated Man knoweth himself in all the three Principles to have but one only Rule though in three Principles the prevalence of either denominates the Man We are as a Seed sowen in a Field by the Lust of Man and Woman the Mover whereunto is that the Tincture now divided to the Male giving Life and Soul and the substantiality now peculiar to the Female giving Spirit and Existence were in Eternity one wherein this world stood as a Figure and the Tincture over-shadowed by the Wisdom was received thereinto as the Body doth the Spirit yet could not be brought into substance visible to Angels who are in a substance unless God had moved the Eternity 8. In the moving of the Trinity was moved the Centre of Nature whereby the Tincture became substantial and the substantiality became material yet not divided wherein when the Fiat was awakened forth came all sorts of Beasts c. The Tincture took substance and the Spirit of the substance took on it a Body the first had the Centre of Life the other only an impotent Life which may be demonstrated by a
this world into the outward understandeth it and is as Ezekiel's Vision having Eyes within and without and the Spirit goeth right forward wheresoever it goes 7. Now to shew how far Man may go and where he must stop note that the Fire after the seven Spirits is the eighth and the cause of the seventh Now tho' Life consists not in the Fire yet the Fire maketh two Tinctures 1. An inward after the Eternal Liberty and still Meekness where springeth the Majesty of the Liberty 2. An outward after the Oyl from the water of Venus where springs the outward splendor so the Fire hath the eighth number and the inward Tincture hath the ninth number so far and no farther ought we to go but stand there before the Cross of the number three where Angels and Men are to stand not reaching into the Centre of the Cross to Create as did Lucifer but cast their Minds down into the Tincture of Humility back into the ninth number fearing God and highly rejoicing before the tenth number with Songs of Hallelujahs to the Holy Holy Holy Lord God of Hosts in this ninth is the Virgin Tincture of Wisdom Paradise and Heavenly Substantiality 8. For while we keep our will in humility tho' we search into the thousandth number our will is still Gods will but if we leave him and imagine into the Wonders we are Captives for imagination makes substance we must go out of that again into Humility Love Pureness Mercy c. or we shall not see God we must submissively seek the will of God and resign our whole self thereinto wherein we can do all but in our own will and nature we must not we can do nothing CHAP. XI Of the true Knowledge concerning Man 1. THE Earth is a peculiar Centre an Out-birth of the Eternal substantiality the Matrix whereof was corrupted by the Fall of Lucifer whence the upper Centre the Suns Heart drew forth from the Properties in the Earth which longed after the upper Paradisical Fruit of which Man only was capable to eat after an Angelical manner and which Adam stood in the Proba or tryal to have done till he slept but we see how it went with him for that we both eat and are eaten by the Earth 2. Of that Paradisical Earth wherein was the Heavenly Property was Adam's Body made for he was to be Lord over the Earth and to open the wonders of the Earth therefore God gave him a palpable yet a paradisical and not instantly an Angelical Body Man was made an Image of the uncreated Virgin of Gods Wisdom wherein the Astral and Elementary Powers stood but neither they nor the Matrix of the Earth could over-power Man for he had receiv'd the Eternal Substantiality 3. It is said God breathed into his Nostrils the Breath of Life this was not Air nor can it be a thing breathed in from without for God is the fulness of all things God longed after a visible Similitude of himself but his longing is only Majesty and Liberty his breathing was from within for Gods Holy Spirit hath awakened the Soul out of the Centre of the Fire of the Eternal Nature the fifth form where the two Kingdoms of Gods Love and Anger do part and brought it outwards into the Tincture of the outward Spirit into the Blood of the Heart opening it self according to the Centre of Nature and the Spirit of this world which reacheth into the Sun was breathed into him from without so became he a Living Soul ruling over Fire Air Water Earth and the Sun it self without Covetousness Pride Envy Anger Toil Care and Sickness but was a holy pure Virgin in meer Joy and Love-sport 4. The dividing of the Tinctures is shewn by dividing the Cross in the Brain-Pan God Created Man with the whole Cross but now 't is divided half to the Man and the other half to the Woman before Adam's being divided he could generate out of his will such a Man as himself having the three Centres in him without tearing as neither was the Centre of the Eternal Nature whence his Soul proceeded torn nor the Spirit of this world divided when the Spirit of God breathed it into him nor had he Members whereof to be ashamed his clothing was the Heavenly Tincture his Fall was his Lust after the out-principle and could not eat of the Word of the Lord. 5. The Male and Female Will to each other existeth out of the two Governments of one substance the Man soweth Flesh and Blood and the Noble Tincture of the Soul out of the Fire Tincture the Woman Spirit out of the Tincture of this World viz. of Venus giving a soft Spirit but Man is yielded faln home a Captive to the Spirit of this world making an Earthy Elementary Child so that if God had not become Man our Bodies had remained Beasts our Souls Devils and such we are till Born again in Christ and by him turned about to see into the tenth number again And if this be done when God awakens the Centre of the Eternal which is the Souls Fire the Holy Ghost shall burn forth from the Tincture of the Soul and the Soul be taken into the Majesty of God and her works without loss pass through the Fire but the Soul that turneth into this world when the substance hereof passeth into its Ether is without God in the Hellish Fire wanting the Oyl of the wise Virgins for this World neither gives it nor sells it for it hath it not The great Misery of Mans Destruction from the Womb. 6. While the Soul is in the Seed it is only a Fire of the Tincture and a Will of the Creature but when it becomes a Living Creature the Fruit is much as the Tree is and if it be forsaken of the Holy Powers the Will of the Soul by the Nature of the Fire formeth the Souls Spirit into the figure of horrible cruel crafty poysonous filthy Creatures Also in the Spirit of the Seed while it is a Sulphur viz. Unformed Matter is the Spirit of this World and the Constellation so that the outward Life is fallen quite under the Power of the Stars which strongly inclineth some to various Evils and Tragical Exits others to insnaring Honours which is done when a fixed Star having been fortified by the Sun's Vertue is inducted by the Father of Nature it can then powerfully impress its Imagination into the Seed conveying such or such a Property into the Creatures Elementary Life in Men and Beasts 7. Man thus making himself and Posterity miserable awakens the Wrath Kingdom in this World where the Devil is the Great Prince which awakening bringeth Tempests Wars Pestilence Fire Famine c. for had not Man opened the Anger the Devil had remained shut up without Power to touch a Fly or move a Leaf 'T is true that sometimes the Astral Powers make and give for a Tincture this Worlds Spirit and then by reason that the Spirit of the Soul
prudent exemplars in Manners great Proficients in Philosophy profound Casuists in Theology with so good progress as if they were Pillars in God's House and all this adorned with a blameless Conversation to human observation 3. But all this destitute and exclusive of a changed Will but retaining unmortified affections and desires having an unregenerate Heart a Soul dead to any Life of Resignation and Sacrifice but is still immutably stubborn is therefore as concerning the Faith reprobate for the right Faith is the right Will which divested of its self-lusts enters into the living Word whereas the other is without God in the World tho' flattering himself all his life long with the merits of Jesus Christ his share in them his Predestination from Eternity his assurance never to fall away whereas he was never risen with Christ but lies drowned with and under the desires of the present Evil World and lives wholly a stranger to the dying of Christ to the emptying of the corrupt self-will for the Pearl is in That man's account too dear nor will he buy Oyl Of the Company and Assistance of the Holy Angels 4. As Men fearing God readily help each other in their misery so do the Holy Angels powerfully assist Men for they affect the company of vertuous humble chast men themselves being very pure chast modest humble friendly and know no deceit or iniquity they have also great delight among little Infants and sometimes manifest themselves to them and play with them if they be the Children of God for they do nothing but what is innate in them both the Angels and the Children They have also great joy for one poor Soul delivered from the Snares of the Devil and are at hand ready to deliver such in their greatest extremities having an over ballance of Power to that of the Evil Angels else what Ruins would the Devils make in the busie execution of their Office in the Turba magna of terrible Storms c. as far as the fierce Wrath is therein enkindled were they not curb'd and drove away by the ministration of the Heavenly Hosts of the holy and mighty Angels sent out by the Almighty gracious Jehovah 5. There is therefore no cause at all of despair tho' the whole World seem to be against us Nor are Prayers to be made to them for they accept not that honour but direct us to God Whatever befals us is to purifie us as Gold for God aims to have fair lovely Children and of understanding to discover the Deceits of the Old Serpent God sets Heaven and Hell before us therefore must the Soul have Understanding to chuse and Faith to fight for it must be a continual Warriour If we make our selves fierce false covetous proud Devils we are so but if we image in our Souls humble meek submissiveness with a love to follow the Lord we enter into the Holy Principle and are in the Paradiâ—ical and Angelical Regiment Let all therefore be warned according to what they form their Spirits which is commended to seasonable and most serious and continued consideration CHAP. XV. Of the mixed World its wicked exercise being a Glass wherein every one may try out of what Spirit themselves are 1. MOst just and necessary is it to reprehend practical Impieties Immoralities and Debauchery especially among such professing goodness the which unchristian Conversation is chargeable on high and low Priest and People old and young who all are yet apt to account this a Golden Time and bless themselves in it tho' it is a time of lamentation being the opening of the last Seal and of pouring out the Vial of God's Wrath bringing to light the Wonders of Hell particularly the Pride and Oppression derived from those sent to the University enslaving the People in their Understandings by Constitutions Orders Statutes c. and in their Bodies and Estates by wresting from them their sweat and the fruit of their labours wherewith these pamper themselves a practice not grounded in Nature but is hellish for there one Form vexeth and plagueth another so that among these the Dog is more happy than the poor of the people 2. And this hath another consequent Evil in that it induceth and in a sort inforceth the poor to imitate them and to live by deceit doing that also swinishly which the other do in pride and bravery All which is convinced of great madness considering the shortness and uncertainty of the present time the great strict solemn Judgment day and the Eternity of the Life to come on the brink whereof we stand ready to enter unconceivable happiness by the narrow way or intolerable misery and shame by the broad way Yet this Chapter concludes that a sincere Christian doth not here wholly know himself seeing comparatively nothing but his vices for his Sanctity Christ hideth under his Cross. CHAP. XVI Of praying and fasting what praying its power use benefit and preparation to God's Kingdom is 1. THE earnest restless hunger and thirst of Man's Spirit after the meek rest of Divine Love from the Property of the driver being so impetuous that the Morning calleth to the Evening the Night to the Day and one Day to another panting when will the refreshment come Sheweth whence Man came and how greatly he is strayed having no place of rest till he be driven back to his still Eternal Mother the Eternal Nature for here the driver taketh him by the very throat he lieth as one among the slain in a great Battle who dares not lift up his head for fear of the cruel overflowing Conquerors or as one surrounded with malicious Foes who all strike at him to murther him or as one fallen into a deep Pit hoping for help only from above or as one fallen into a deep Sea swimming yet seeing no shoar sigheth for help from Heaven 2. So is it with Man's Soul for if the Soul search its own flesh blood marrow and bones they are Enemies incompassing and captivating it the Spirit of this World suppresseth it and would like a Sea drown it by pampering the Bestial Life the Devil also as a cruel proud Enemy draweth it into the fierce aking Abyss striking at it with hellish anguish and despair 3. Then if it will be saved its Will must depart from the outward and from its own thoughts and mind into God's mercy for the Word that made Man's Soul became Man and his holy Humanity the flesh of the Eternal Word his food his blood also the Water of Eternal Life is as a puâ—e new Body and this Word was a meek pure desirous Love and then the Holy Ghost leads it out of Prison from the Battle of the driver cooling its flames and the Soul becomes an humble Child 4. When the whole man resolves into a Will of leaving every Evil and seeking God with the whole heart he is received as Daniel when he began to set himself to pray and chasten himself the command came forth But the Life is
from within as when Christ raised Lazarus by a power from within from the Centre of the Soul as so also shall we be raised at last for the Word with the three Principles dwells in us And all Souls are as it were one Soul being all propagated of one Soul therefore will they all hear the Voice of the Human Soul of Christ and arise with their Bodies 5. So when we pray it is not to a God afar off for God heareth in the Centre of the Soul of the repenting sinner pressing out of the anguish of the first Principle and out of the Spirit of this World into the holy second Principle which is also in the Soul for when we pray aright the Word which became Man having the Holy Ghost in it goeth from the Father and meeteth the pouring out Soul for the Body is not worthy but the new Body of the flesh of Christ when the Soul attains it is the Temple of the Holy Ghost Then comes the Soul to God as the Prodigal Son with an humble submissive obedient Will from the Swine He knocks at his evil heart and breaks open the doors and the Father saith This my Son was lost and is found was dead and is alive The latter part of this Chapter is not extracted being a brief Exposition of the Lord's Prayer according to the Language of Nature which is little known CHAP. XVII Concerning God's Blessing in this World 1. THE Soul finds it self in such an Earthy Garment causing shame and is so choaked by the Devils smoky Pit which represents God a cruel severe Judge that stands at a catch to damn it or decreed its eternal perdition before the present World was that the Soul must needs be under total despair or great doubt at least of falling short of the Light of God for such is the Effect of shame and guilt Therefore the Soul by this misunderstanding starts back seeking some satisfaction from the Spirit of this World and support for the outward Life only or chiefly to be had by its own distrustfâ—â—â—arking and toiling in his own contrivances and subtle reason a consequent of the Curse whence so many potent delusions spring for he thus falls home to the Earthy Life for meat clothing and habitation 2. And this is contrary to the Life Man should have led for as God dwelleth in the Earth yet the Earth apprehendeth him not so Man should with the Soul have eaten the Divine Word of God's Love tho' the Body had been of the Matrix of the Earth yet not captivated in it but eating of the Blessing of God The Body was taken out of the Centre of the Fire and Waters Tincture the Soul out of the second Principle why then should the Body captivate the Soul 3. The Outward Life consists in three parts one in the dominion of the Stars another in the one Element divided into four and the other the dominion of God So that the Man who trusteth in God and not in his Reason the Spirit of God is with him blessing what he is hath and doth For seeing the Soul hath the Body of God how can God's Spirit forsake the outward Body which must open its Wonders God wants none and all are alike profitable to him the politick and the weak for with the outwardly wise he ruleth and with the outwardly simple he tilleth buildeth c. and this Worlds outward Spirit gives degrees to men here so according as the Soul is indued with Divine Power such are the degrees in Heaven yet all in one Love but God's Children are in this and that World as Good Herbs and sweet Flowers which yield their several Vertues in harmony to the Apothecary and the wicked are as poisonous Weeds Thorns and Thistles who separate themselves and their Off-spring into an evil Self-will and Property 4. Covetousness is madness driving Man Devil like to Torment others about a handful of Earth or a Stone of which the World hath enough and plague himself to get the Good of that he must speedily leave and the gnawing guilt which will never leave him This Man still runneth after that Care and Sorrow which runneth after him whereas every one if content hath a sufficient Portion from the Spirit of this World and of Care and Sorrow also as saith the Lord Sufficient for the day is the Evil thereof But Man's mad Will is all to advance Pride whereas the Kingdom of God is Love and Humility and if Man suffers not himself to be captivated Heaven and Earth is his by God's free Donation so not only Heaven but the Sun Stars Elements Earth Sea and all is Man's by Natural Propriety To trust therefore in God is to build sure in Heaven and Earth CHAP. XVIII Of Death and Dying How Man is when he Dieth and how it is with him in Death 1. THE Life consisteth in three Parts 1. The Inward which is God's Eternal hidden Mystery in the Fire whence Life existeth 2. The Middle or Eternal Image of God wherein God seeth himself as a Man doth himself in a Glass 3. The Spirit of the great World which this Eternal Image got in the Creation as a Glass to see it self in so the out-principle figures the inward and the inward Image hath so gazed on the outward as that it hath received the outward which must break off again which because it is bound to the Eternal Centre of Nature therefore is the breaking in Death so very painful 2. The outward consisteth in the Sun's Tincture and its Dominion are the Planets and Stars each of which still drive on to its Limits and when it comes again to its place where it stood in the Creation all whereof it was Lord ceaseth for there it commenceth a new Age whence many a young Child in the Womb dieth for its Lord is at its Period And to hit the Point of our limited End it is required to know exactly the Number and Period of the Sign which is our Leader 3. How hardly can the Living Man express how it is with one that is Dead which himself hath not experimented A Dead Man's sence is ceased with extinguishing his Fire his Elementary Spirit evaporateth his Blood and Water pass into Water and Earth also therewith his Essences thus his Beginning finds End But because the corruptible hath an Eternal Root therefore the Eternal worketh in the Fragile and because the outward Imageth the Eternal it should bring its Wonders and Similitudes into the Eternal whence it is originated 4. The Souls Will worketh in the Centre or Eternal Root the Astral Spirit works in the Body adhering so to the Soul that the Soul often lusteth to do what the Starry Spirit doth and such Souls who get no higher fall into Covetousness Pride Envy and Anger whence if they convert not in those very works must the Soul Eternally dwell doing the Devils Will hating God loving Folly which was here and is there their only Treasure but only in the
Earthy way slept and God took the Rib and half cross in Adam and fram'd a Woman also gave the Woman a Branch out of Adam's Souls Spirit that she might not generate Devils So the Man hath the Fires Tincture and the Woman the Lights Tincture and seeing it could not be otherwise they propagate after the manner of all Beasts the Man soweth Soul the Woman Spirit So then the Soul cometh not into the Body from without but the three Principles are each its own Work-master The one striketh Fire making the Centre of Nature the second Tincture and Fire and the third the great Earthy Mystery All done in the Mixture of the Seed as a Twig or Branch out of a Tree Q. 9. In what manner the Soul uniteth it self with the Body A. It is above explained that all the three Principles are one in another The Soul hath its seat in the Blood of the Heart The outward Water and Blood naturally captivateth the inward but not the Light of the Majesty nor Lights Tincture Save only by the imagination therefore often is a Child more blessed than one that is old Though many are not Born Holy yea though from good Seed because often some potent wrathful Constellation insinuateth it self But God knoweth who are his Q. 10. Whether the Soul be ex traduce by production or every time new breathed in by God It is propagated as a sprout cometh of a Grain set with this difference that the three Principles wrestle which may have it which often introduceth a wonderful Turba while it is yet a Seed And where the Parents are both captivated by the Devil it is rare that of a black Raven should come a white one But the Child can if it convert enter into the Word of the Lord for God casteth away no Soul But O Parents procure good Souls for your Children For where the Parents have Christs Flesh in their Souls of the good Tree cometh good Fruit But the Turba can by their acting according to selfish Reason get entrance into such Children also Q. 11. How and in what place the Souls seat in Man is A. It dwelleth in the three Principles but the Heart is its original it is the inward Fire in the inward Blood and in the Tincture is the Spirit which like a Brimstone light moveth on the concavity of the Heart and distributeth it self into every Member and carrieth its dominion into the Head And if the Soul sink it self down into God the outward must suffer it self to be subdued The outward Death reacheth not the Soul one Principle it seizeth on but not on the substance of that neither no Fire or Sword can touch or kill the Soul but the Imagination that is its Poyson thence it proceeded therein it ever dwelleth Q. 12. How the Souls Enlightning is A. The Soul hath two Eyes with the right it looketh forward into the Eternal Liberty into Gods Light With the other backward into the desiring into the Looking glass and if not restrained imagineth into the glance of the Looking glass into Pride Covetousness and Self This Eye must by the right Eye be drawn backwards let the left Eye draw Wonders to it but not Matter Let it seek Earthy Food but not go into it For from this the right Eye must ever in this Life time account it self and be really dead and then the Soul layeth hold on liberty and becometh enlightened The noble Image which is subtiler and purer than any thing standeth in Heavenly Flesh and Blood in the Fire of the Majesty and in the Heart of that Image sitteth the Holy Spirit who teacheth that my self am Gods Servant my Children my Estate my Work are all his and when he calleth me into my Native Countrey may give my labour to whom he will this is a conversing with God in Love and Humility a going out from self into the Majesty Power and Clarity a giving up of darkness a receiving of Eternal Light and Triumph Q. 13. How the Souls feeding on the World of God is A. The Soul hath a Mouth as well as the Body and groweth by eating It is not only Gods Similitude but Child and when it entreth into the Majestick Light it continually longeth panteth and draweth into its desire the Virtue and Power of God which is his Body Christs Heavenly Flesh the Bread of God John 6. 27. Christs Testaments are nothing else we eat not Spirit without Body for the Soul is Spirit before hand it would have Body And this inward is substance consisting in its own Principle in Power is Magical not as a thought but Essential and Substantial Q. 14. Whether such new Soul be without Sin A. 1. So great was Adam's heavy Fall as let in the Spirit of this World the Turba and a monstrous Image making the Soul a vehement hunger That had not the word instantly set it self in the middle Man had remain'd Eternally broken off from God and if the Soul do not convert its right Eye into the word again and so acquire a new Body Born of God its precious Image must remain hidden and lost However it is half Earthy having the Turba in it How then can a clean Soul be generated It cannot 2. It is sinful in the Mothers Womb thence came Circumcision Yet if the Child die in the Mothers Womb if the Parents be vertuous and in God it is Baptized with the Father and Mothers Spirit the Holy Spirit dwelling in them But the Child of wicked Parents dying in the Womb falleth home to the Turba remaining as a Brimstone Flame or Ignis Fatuus in the Mystery between Heaven and Hell till the Judgment of God gather in its Harvest and give every thing it s own repository but in Eternity it reacheth not to God 3. Babel saith Jews Turks c. not having Baptism are rejected of God But blessedness lyeth not in the outward word only but in the Power and Virtue They may vehemently press into Gods Love by their Teaching Life and Death for God and Christ are every where Q. 15. How Sin cometh into the Soul seeing it is Gods Work and Creature A. Sin maketh not it self but the will maketh it and because Children even of good Parents come not pure and clean as the Soul is drawn of the Word of the Lord so is it mightily of the Turba especially in Youth when the Earthy Tree sâ—icketh full of green sprouting driving Essences and Poyson That which standeth in equal Ballance by putting more weight into one end sinketh down be it to good or evil Q. 16. How the Soul both in the Adamical as also in the new or regenerate Body is held in such Union together A. 1. There is no full Union betwixt the inward and outward for the Turba is in the very Seeds which tho' the Spirit doth subdue the deeds of the Body Yet the Turba so causeth it to imagine that the sincere Soul is ashamed and offended at it
Deep one Power and Lustre receiveth the other The Deep with its Lustre is hidden but yet hath the power of the Sun in it 4. So Christ's Substantiality filleth Heaven and Paradise and swalloweth up the Earthiness also where it is received and obeyed 5. Thus Christ brought back what Adam lost and much more for the Word is every where become Man See the Extracts of the latter part of the 18th Chapter of the Three Principles The 2d Part being of Christ's Suffering Dying Death and Resurrection CHAP. I. Q. IS it said Was it not sufficient that God became Man why must he also die Could God no other way save Man What pleasure takes he in Death and Dying If God had by his Sons Death paid a Ransom for us why must we also die CHAP. V. Ver. 54. to the end Ans. 1. MAN had lost the Divine Substantiality and Angelical Property and imagined into the Out-birth viz. into the Earthy part was departed from the Divine Light into the Light of this World and captivated in the fierce Wrath of God which the Devil had kindled viz. the four first Forms according to which God calleth himself a consuming fire 2. The corrupted Out birth also had put a Body on him which it destroyed and swallowed up again in its essential fire 3. But being the Soul was breathed into Man out of the Holy Spirit of God out of the Eternal and so is an Angel 4. Therefore hath the Power of the Holy Light World the Heart of God resumed the same entring into the Human Essence which lay in the Anguish Chamber surrounded with Death and took to himself a Soul out of our Essence and our Mortal Life and introduced the Soul through Death through the earnest severe Fire of God the Father into the holy meek Light-World and so destroyed Death by bringing in Divine Substanâ—iality into the fierce Wrath of the Father the Centre of the Anguish-Chamber the Fire World in the Soul Christ being the right Centre of the Holy Trinity is with the out gone Holy Spirit the flaming Majesty the Light-World 5. And whosoever will possess the Light-World and be an Angel must enter in through the same path bear old Adams Cross go forth through the harâ—â—â— astringent stern and malignant corrupted Adamical Man and slay him and be born anew out of the Anxious Wheel 6. But seeing we were not able to do this Christ gave himself into the Centre of the fierce Wrath in the Soul brake and extinguished it with his Love So that now when we go out of our selves to the death of sin we come into the death of Christ the path he hath prepared for us and leads to his Resurrection whereby we ascend into his Arms the unshut light-Light-World which is also Abraham's bosom the Paradise wherein we were created our true dear native Country 7. It consisteth not in this that we think it enough to pourtray and represent what Christ hath done and suffered for us and tell of a Faith in that but that we daily and hourly fight and slay the Evil Adam as to his will and doings with resigned and resolved earnestness and then we enter into Christ's Death in our living Bodies put on his Life in us become impregnated with the Kingdom of Heaven Get on us Christ's Thorny Crown and still be accounted one that is not worthy to live on the Earth through all which we must faithfully proceed on knowing we must either be Angels or Devils 8. In this Death nothing dieth to or in us but only the Earthy Evil dead Adam whose will and life we have here continually destroyed This Enemy departeth from us into the Essential Fire into the four Elements and into the Mystery and must at the end be tryed through the Fire of God and then our Bodies and Works must be given us again through that Fire whatever the Earthy Mystery had swallowed up But not such an Evil one for the Fire of God devoureth the Evil but such a one as we here in anxiety have sought a Divine Spiritual Substance like the Wonders and Wisdom of God 9. Hypocritical Reason saith Christ hath done all for us we cannot It is right Christ hath done what we cannot do he hath broken Death and restored a new Life and is in Heaven But 't is not knowing but doing the Devils know but what availeth that we know if we remain without and enter not into Christ in the way and passage he hath made for us doing good for evil in truth and simplicty CHAP. VII Ver. 75. 1. IT is not enough to cry Lord give me a strong Faith in the Merits of thy Son he hath satisfied for my sins But I must enter into Christ's suffering and dying and be born a second time out of his Death become a Member in and with him Constantly crucifie the old Adam Always hang on Christ's Cross Become an obedient Child Tho' I plainly walk this way yet I have so evil a ghest in me that I still work too much evil must therefore continually strive and fight till I vanquish 2. Christ indeed hath in and for us broken Death and made way but what doth that comfort me unless I enter in that very way and path as a Pilgrim or Stranger here CHAP. IX CHrist's Sufferings c. 1. Men content them to participate of in the Lord's Supper v. 29. But his Divine Flesh and Blood is that which the wicked cannot participate of that is Sacramentally 2. They receive the four Elements in the Anger of God because they discern not the Lord's Body which is every where present in Heaven and Earth and is fed upon by the Heavenly Soul not as a sign as others dream not Spirit without Substance but the Substance of the Spirit Christ's Flesh which filleth the Light-World which the Word that became Man brought with it into the Virgin Mary and there became opened in its Flesh and Blood the assumed Human Essence 3. Yet was it at that very time while Christ lay in the Virgins Womb in Heaven in the one Element in all places It came not into Mary from many miles off but the Centre which Adam in God's Anger had shut up in death the Word of the Deity did unlock and bring in the Divine Substantiality not entring in but unshutting ingenerating and in this World exgenerating God and Man one person heavenly Substantiality and Virginity one only Man in Heaven and in this World See the latter part of the 18th Chapter of the three Principles The third part being of the Tree of Christian Faith CHAP. I. WHat Faith is 1. It is not our forcing the mind to belief of Articles which are the work of our Reason 2. But true Faith is one Spirit with God working in and with God is the might of God dwells in the liberty in God's Will inclined to his Love and Mercy is free from the fierce Wrath and Torment in Nature is not comprehended subsisteth in
near to the Devil And after this time there is no remedy more for the Souls Fire is naked and cannot be quenched with Gods Meekness but a Gulph or Principle is between them 3. Man is the Image of God and so standeth in a threefold Life the first is the Souls Life existing chiefly in seven Forms according to the Spirit of Nature The second is in the Image generated out of the Eternal Nature out of the Souls Fire standing in the Light The meek pure amiable Spirit The first the Fire is the cause of the second the Light Thus are two Worlds one in another onâ— not comprehending the other But at Death divides into two Principles of Anger and Love 4. As we in Adam went out of the Meek Spirit into the outward Life of fierceness God became Man to lead us through the Anguish Fire through Death into the Light and Love-life 5. The Prince Christ breaking the Bar or Fort of Death and so destroy'd the Devils Kingdom for the Light of God and the Water of Meekness is his Death 6. The third Life is the outward Created Life from the Sun Stars and Elements Man should have used the outward as a Looking-glass to the Eternal and Gods Honour But he did put his Will-spirit into the outward Principle by wicked Lust longing after the Earthy Life and so went out of Paradise which sprouteth through Death into the second Principle and went into Death and destroy'd his Noble Image This we Inherit from Adam but from the second Adam the Regeneration by which we must enter through his Incarnation with him into Death and through Death or Annihilation sprout into the Paradisical World into the Eternal Substantiality of the Liberty of God CHAP. VI. What Lust can do How we are fallen in Adam and helped again in Christ and yet that it is not easie to be a Right Christian. 1. DEstruction came and still cometh out of Lust. The outward Spirit of Man which is a similitude of the inward by Lusting after it infected the inward which not feeling present death gave room to the outward who then became Host of the House and so the fair Image disappeared for it fell among Murtherers the stern Spirits of the Lives original of which Cain was afraid then came the good Samaritan Christ who becâ—me Man 2. As Adam's Soul had opened the Fires Essences and let in the Earthy so Gods Heart opened the Lights Essences and compassed the Soul with Heavenly Flesh wherewith when the Soul became impregnated it went with its will into the Paradise Life Hence came Christs Temptation to try whether he could eat of the Word of the Lord and would enter through Death into Gods Life which was fulfilled on the Cross where Christs Soul went through the Fire of the fierce wrath through the stern source through Death and sprouted forth again into the Holy Paradise We must die unto our Earthy willing and continually become Regenerated into the new World 3. The right will must couragiously Fight against the corrupt will sinking down from Earthy Reason into Christs Death so that it will hazard the Earthy Life upon it And he that thus sinketh down passeth through Gods fierce wrath through all the holding â—ords of the Devil into the Paradise of God into the Life of Christ. And the more the noble Pearl Tree is sought the more strongly it groweth and suffereth it self not to be suppressed tho' it cost the outward Life which must but hang to us as it did to Christ. CHAP. VII To what end this World was Created 1. THE two Eternal Mysteries Mans strife about the Image And where the â—ree of Faith beareth Fruit. 2. The inward World desires a Similitude of it self which the Angelical World standing only in the light could not be This therefore standing in a twofold Genitrix of Love and Anger and Man being in a threefold Life from the Fire Light and Out birth clearly represents Who was Created to manifest the same Mystery and bring the Wonders into Forms according to the Eternal Mystery 3. The Noble Image the true Paradisical Man is strove for 1. By the stern Fire life 2. By the Divine Life 3. By the outward Life and thus being drawn of three There is great need of Fighting Hope Faith Humble Prayer and Patience that the Tree may grow which the outward Man nor Reason knoweth not but is very well known to the Noble Image The Cross Scorn Tribulation and Persecution attend him every hour for he is unknown to his Brethren all suppose his own Folly plagueth him but great will his Harvest be CHAP. VIII In what manner God forgiveth Sins and how Man becometh a Child of God 1. MAN is not to bring his Conscience into the History and hope for pardon in the manner of an Earthy Judicatory and yet remain wicked He must be a Son it is elâ—e as if a Servant should comfort himself that his Lord would give him his Estate not considering he is not his Son Whereas whosoever is Born of God in Christ is a partaker of Christs Sufferings Dying and Resurrection for a continual Battel must be till the Reason and Will of the corrupt Flesh be subjected 2. And if the Earthy Reason be strong it goeth often sadly and there is requir'd not only strict Sobriety but Watching Fasting and Prayer to â—ame it that Gods Spirit may find place to generate some faâ—r little Branches out of the Tree of Faith which under the Cross Anguish and Tribulation may bear Fruit with Patience These three Parts or Books were the Authors fifth Book THE Great Six Points The First POINT CHAP. I. Of the first sprout of Life out of the first Principle whereby we may distinguish the Divine Being from Nature 1. TEXT 1. The first or Abyssal Will without and beyond Nature is like an Eye or Looking-glass yet retains Nature 2. This Will is the cause of the Desiring The Desiring is the cause of the Essences The Essences are the cause of every Life for Life lyeth in them as a hidden Fire which burneth not 3. In the Will all the Forms of Nature from Eternity tho' but as a nothing in respect of Nature yet are truely and entally or really but not essentially in the Will 4. The Eternal Will which comprizeth the Eye wherein standeth the Seeing or Wisdom is the Father 5. The Eternal Wisdom comprizing a Centre out of the Abyss is the Form Heart and Son 6. The entring Eternally into it self to the Centre is the Spirit for it is the finder and then goeth forth manifesting the Wisdom of the Father and Son 2. TEXT 1. Thus the Abyssal being of the Trinity generateth to it self a Centre of Rest viz. the Eternal Word or Heart wherein is understood a threefold Spirit where the one is ever the cause of the other and is not measurable fathomable divisible nor circumscriptive dwelling in it self as a substance equally alike and at once filling
will into the Earthy as a common thing prophanely offering it up to God it brings fruit to perdition 4. For the Spirit of every Life appropriates its like to it self for one Property receiveth not another what the Soul willeth the thing received willeth the same for it is all Magical So the Devil was an Angel but when he willed Evil his heavenly substance became poison Yet is it not the Deities will that we perish but his Anger 's will and our will CHAP. IX Of the Life of Darkness wherein the Devils dwell of what kind it is The Sixth Point 1. THE Life of Darkness is a fierce false inimicitious stinging Essence having many Forms each would murther the other Nothing can cease the contrariety for the opposing it is as the blowing up of fire only God's Light can make it soft meek sweet and joyful But that cannot be for it is an Eternal Terror to the Darkness And if the Kingdom of Darkness should be enkindled with the Light the Light would have no Root no Fire no Omnipotency thus all must serve to God's Glory 2. The Life of the Darkness is a fainted poison Life like an Eternal dying Property It is also manifest that every Life existeth in poison which poison the Light both withstandeth and causeth that the poison faileth not 8. The Dark Life is especially in seven Properties with the Principle of the Centre of Nature The Light Life is also in seven Properties of the right of Nature So that what in the one giveth sadness that in the other giveth joy 4. What the malicious arrogant and wicked men do in this World that the Devils do in the Dark Worlds Property And what the poisonous Evil Creatures do in this World that do the other Creatures who also have Spiritual Bodies in the Dark World The whole Dark Worlds Dominion is principally in the first four Forms of Nature and from the fierce contrary Qualities are the Eternal Wonders manifested and brought to substance which substance parteth into three Fountains not rent one from the other but giving each to the other as Fire Light and Matter whereout Fire burneth 2. In Man is the substance of all substances carrying the Properties of Heaven and Hell in him which soever he awakeneth of that is the Soul capable Nor is it necessary to search farther 3. But Man having broke himself off from the first Image and Order must learn how to be regenerated by introducing the Meekness and Light to rule over his false and fierce Property and then the Law that pursued him ceaseth because the Law of Love and Meekness sets him free 4. Whatever departeth from its first will is pursued by the Law to restrain its wandering but when ever it is return'd to its right State and first Image and Order or by Death of the Outward Body is totally confirm'd in the erroneous will the Law and Strife ceaseth CHAP. X. Further of the sixth Point Of the four Elements of the Devil THE four Elements of the Devil are Pride Covetousness Envy Anger Gods four Elements are The Outward Worlds four Elements are The Devils four Elements are Humility Air Pride Meekness Earth Covetousness Patience Water Envy Love Fire Anger The discourse of the four Elements of the Dark World being both very plain and the Subject of several of this Authors other Writings The Extracts of it is forborn A Brief Exposition of the Small Six Points The first Point Of the Blood and Water of the Soul 1. THE Soul is a Magick Fire its Form is generated in the Light and though it self be no Substance yet it hath a Substance and Preservation which is its Flesh Blood and Water for the Tincture of Fire and Light in the Water makes Blood which is the Life of the Wisdom having in it all the Forms of Nature and all colours being another or second Magick Fire 2. According to the Light it is Divine Vertue and according to the Fire it is a sharpness of Transmutation and driveth up every thing to its highest pitch or degree 3. The Flesh and Blood of the Soul is the Divine Substantiality consisting in the highest Mystery and at the Death of the outward Body it retireth to the same and the outward Mystery goeth home to the inward And because each Magick fire hath its Clarity or Darkness therefore a final Day of Separation is appointed The second Point Of Election and Reprobation 1. God alone is all whose Infinite Abyssal Substance parteth into three Distinctions one in the other yet the one is not the other viz. The Fire world Dark-world and Light-world From the Desire comes the Centre of Nature and from that Centre the first three Forms who have no pain in them but the Fire causeth Pain 2. In the Fire is the Life tending to Light and Darkness which of them the Desire filleth it self with in that it burneth be it Heaven or Hell If it give it self to self Property it burneth in the Fire of dark Anguish but if to the Universal Will in Resignation it 's Fire burneth in the Light driving up no Substance but is in the Liberty of God 3. God's Predestination is not in the first Essence that is only a Mystery But Predestination passeth upon the introduced Substance be it the Wrath or Love for the Life is regenerated into one of them And in which of them the Will kindleth it self on that passeth the Election or Reprobation Hence is it that God causeth us to be Taught so doth the Devil each of them willeth that Man's will should converse and kindle it self in his Fire See the Book of Predestination The third Point What Sin is and how it is Sin 1. Two contrary Wills are an Enmity God is purely One without Source and though every Source be in him yet not manifested for the Good so subjecteth the Evil that it may be only a cause or Root of Light and Life 2. The Good or Light is as a Nothing inâ—o which when a Something entreth there must be a Spring to preserve that Something The Something is dark and the Qualities are manifold And Covetousness fiâ—leth the one wherein God dwelleth with multiplicity 3. Though an unfathomable dwelleth not in a fathomable yet God dwelleth in the highest or preciousest Life of Man therefore must the Will of Life tend and subject it self to the One in before and above every Creature for it is pregnant with that it lusteth after and no Fire-source subsisteth in the free Fire or Fire of the Liberty therefore can none Unite to God till they are emptied of their own Will till then God and Man are at Enmity Hence stands the immutable Law That Man depart from Self or be separated from the One. 4. Thus Sin is manifest to be a Will departing from God by awakening of and burning in the Root of Self-lust maketh it self a sole Lord a contrary opposite Will So Christ saith He that gathereth not with me scattereth 5. This
Tincture of Love Mildness Softness Sweetness Yet in hard Bodies as of precious Stones Metals Trees c. is a high Tincture as we see the greatest sweetness in Marrow 8. God distinct from his moving manifestation is the greatest meekness but in his motion is called a God in Trinity for here the Divine will maketh it self an Object viz. the Wisdom through which the Original of all things descended 9. Now all things in the World that are soft meek rare or transparent as Air and Water is without pain and according to the unity of Eternity 10. And hard impressing Bodies as Wood Metals Stone Bone Fire Earth c. originate from the divine Inclusion from the Efflux introducing the Self-will of Nature as a noble Jewel and Sparkle of the Divine Motion of Divine Power caused by the Effluence of Divine Desire 11. Thus the Tincture hideth it self in the hardness but In transparency is alike equal to all things as in Water and Air. But the dry Water is the pearly Matter where centreth the subtile potent Unity 12. Therefore seek not the grand Secret in soft without the fiery Kind For as Rare and Transparent is next the Unity so the fiery Hardness is a dry Unity and Temperament and the noblest Concret of divine powerful Manifestation because where the Will is rent rests no great Might for there the Tincture is volatile whereby a Cure is attempted by the Salt or Soul only without the Spirit which unites not the Life's Enmity but kindles its Contrariety But unite the Properties in the Love so have ye the Pearl of the whole World CHAP. IV. Of the Will of God flowing OUT and in the perceptibility IN again into the ONE JOhn 1. 11 c. He came into or unto his own c. In which words lyeth the Divine Manifestation viz. the hidden Power or speaking Word of the Unity out-flown into his own the Creaturely Word or averted Will of Flesh and Blood which Self-power received not the Efflux of Divine Grace but would be its own Self-lord for it cannot inherit the Filiation But that Will which turneth it self about and coingenerateth with the Unity hath Power to become the Child of God For it is like or equal to all things which God willeth and worketh Hujus Argumenti hic scripsit Huc Autor Nil amplius A Brief Explanation of the Knowledge of God and of all things also of the true and false Light 1. THE hidden God out-breathing his distinguishable Power made his speaking Word substantial by creating the Body Soul and Spirit of Man who is an Abstract of all the three Principles and an Image of the speaking and spoken word 2. Whence so great knowledge of all things is in Him as to know the composition and dissolution of Nature for every Creature can see into its Mother those of the Elements into the out-spoken word 3. So Man after the manner as the out-breathing of the Eternal Will introduceth it self into the manifold Properties of Love and Anger Good and Evil and can frame it self into the multiplicity of Properties those into the desire and that into substance forming its Self-will out of the great Mystery 4. So if in this out-speaking there were no Divine Free Will the speaking would be under compulsion void of longing delight and be finite and inchoative which it is not But a breathing of the Abyss and Eternal Stilness a distributing it self into Powers and in them a several Self-will existeth whence originateth Nature and the creaturely Life with their various centers impressions magnetick desires perception and bodies according to the manner of the third Principle of Divine manifestation producing bodies evil and good manifold Earths Salts Stones Minerals in which the three Principles are mixt where every Centre breatheth it self yet all originate out of the Eternal One. 5. The first Centre is the out-breathing of the Abyss God bringing himself into Trinity The second Centre is called the Wisdom of God through which the Eternal Word breatheth it self into Infinity of multiplicity and that into longing delight the delight into desire the desire into Nature and Strife and Strife into Fire And through the dying of the Self hood through Fire into the Light The which Light is a second Principle and true great Mystery And the Fire is the first viz. the Eternal Nature 6. The first giveth Soul the second Spirit and this Lights Power through the Fire is the Mother of the Eternal Spirits Angels and Souls of Men. Also the hidden Spiritual Angelical Power-world the Mother of the outward World The third Centre is the Verbum fiat the natural Word of God the separator and maker of all Creatures in the inward and outward World The same speaker hath out of the Fire the Light and the Darkness made it self â—â—â—erial moving and perceptible out of which existed the third Principle the Visible World the life and substance whereof is come out of the Eternal Nature the Fire and out of the great Mystery the Light also out of the Darkness wâ—ich is the separation of Fire and Light Love and Enmity Good and Evil Joy and Pain 7. There are two sorts of Fire and two sorts of Light viz. according to the dark impression a cold Fire and a false Light originating in the stern might and imagination desiring a Self-will dominion The second Fire is a hot Fire and true Light originating in the Eternal One in the substance of Divine Geniture and that Light shineth in the Darkness and illustrateth it stanâ—ing in a perceptible Life The Life of Man is in it and he is the Light of the World 8. Therefore should Man lift up the Eyes of his understanding wherein God's Light desireth to shine into him and not be like a Beast which hath a temporary Light in a finite Separator in which Man 's palpable Body is 9. For his Spiritual Body is the true substantial word of Divine Property in which God speaketh and imageth himself into which if Man giveth not up his own will he is more hurtful to himself than the rude Earth which yieldeth to be made what its Separator will 10. But from the Devil False Will a false Light hath raised a false Separator in which the Stars and Elements have dominion 11. In this Man finding no quietness seeks his first Native Countrey for the true Man finds himself oppressed with a monstrous Separator environed with Enemies as a Rose in a bush of Thorns 12. Yet all his seeking brings not any true Life unless Grace become awakened to do which Man must sink down into a willing of nothing but Grace that it may overcome and mortifie him as the Sun doth the night 13. In that true Light the Man may see himself and the separation of every thing and work magically and divinely if he see the breathing in its inward ground according to the manner of speaking how out of one all proceed and one Centre out of another
potent Joy 19. In Mars's Salt it makes Pangs and Stiches and Woe In Saturn's Salt Swellings Anguish and Death if not oppos'd by Jupiter and Venus for they two oppose and temper Mars and Mercury yet by Mars and Mercury is the Life in Jupiter Venus and Sol where would else be a stilness thus is the worst as profitable as the best 20. And when the Physician hath reconciled Mars and Mercury with Venus and Jupiter that they all obtain one will the Sun of Life will revive and correct the nauseat of the Disease into a pleasant Jupiter This is only applicable to the Vegetative or Sensitive Soul of the Elementary Body 21. The rational Soul hath its Diseases springing from care and distress till it lead to heaviness and Death cured by removing the causes of that care c. 22. So Sin hath poyson'd the Mental Soul by Inflaming his Eternal Mercury which with the sting of his Mars burns in the horrible impression of his Saturn his Venus is Imprison'd his Intellectual Jupiter Infatuated his Sun quenched his Moon dark 23. To Cure this he must with Venus the Love of God and Jupiter the Divine Understanding quench and appease the flaming Mercury and raging Mars So is the Soul Tinctured with Love his Sun then shineth and Jupiter rejoiceth for Divine Love begetteth a Divine Will so Tiâ—ctured as able to die to self-will which Death doth attain the nothing wherein is no Turba to touch or hurt the Soul who now doth neither see know nor live but according to the resignation 24. Here doth Christ break the Serpents Head and God become all in all 25. It is possible to live without sickness but very difficult to bring the inward into the outward as the Sun illustrateth Water because the opposite will hath introduced wrath in the outward Body it must die and putâ—ifie and enter again into the nothing into the beginning of the Creation out of which it departed wâ—th Adam CHAP. X. Of the Inward and Outward Cure of Man 1. TO Cure Man God brought not a strange thing into him nor did cast away the Humanity but with the like of that which was corrupted introduced a Divine Prâ—perty into him In Man was the expressed Word or Eternal Mercury inspoken which was the Soul with the Properties of all the three Worlds Fire Light and Love 2. Adam should have put his desire into the humble meek light and love but he made in himself the hunger after evil and good and so could not Tincture his fire-Fire-world and outward World with Love 3. To restore Mans right Image God introduced the holy Mercury in the fiery Love-starne with such a desire of Divine Essentiality as makes Divine Corporality which reinkindled the Light of the Eternal Sun in the Humane Property so that the Humane Jupiter of Divine Understanding might again appear 4. So is the outward Cure done Mans Mercury was inkindled a Mercury must Cuâ—e it but that must first it self be inkindled in Venus and Jupiter which also gives it the Suns Property Not with dark cold Saturn unless first sweetly appeas'd with Venus and Jupiter so will the Sun shine in Saturn and Death be chang'd into Life 5. The Knowledge how God restores the Universal is learnt by study of the process of Christ from his first Incarnation to his Ascention The Essence of Venus shut up in Death must be Baptiz'd in the Water of the Eternal Essence By which the Imprison'd Incentive as Fire falling into Tinder gloweth Then must the outward Food be withdrawn and the hungry Desire be tempted whether it will go into God and be fed with Manna let the Essence of time by resignation be subject to that of Eternity and so possess the Elected Throne whence Lucifer fell or desire the Earthy Kingdom of Good and Evil for outward Dominion If its will remain in Gods Love-fire the Water is turn'd to Wine so is the outward Cure also done 6. But before the Universal Restoration be manifest all the seven Properties must be Chrystalized each Form by a peculiar process forsaking their will in the wrath and come into the Loves Property wherein is no Turba all which Christ did in the Humanity before the Body was glorified 7. When therefore the Frozen Mouth in Saturn of all the Properties is opened and that Food given to their hunger wherein is no Turba the flagrat of Joy in Love dismayeth the wrath and is as a Transmutation but not fixt the Angelical Properâ—ies appear in view 8. In Christs Temptation the speaking Mercury in the Light was given to the expressed Mercury of the Fires Property because Adam's Fires Property had quenched the Lights Property Christ was tempted to depart out of the Resignation into a desire of selfish Propriety of worldly Avarice and Dominion to the Knowledge and Kingdom of Good and Evil where pain and wrath is manifest but in the Resignation is sacred Love and no Breath of Anger as in the Light of the Fire is no pain of Fire manifest 9. The Mother and Womb of all Beings is Sulphur Mercury is her Life Mars her Sense Venus her Love Jupiter her Understanding Luna her Corporeal Essence Saturn her Husband 10. In the Philosophick work the Artist raiseth in the first Kingdom the dead Apostate Child shut up in Saturn opening by degrees Paradise again by Gods permission In the second Kingdom Luna Corporally feeds where the outward Mercury hath not laboured So Christ fed the 5000. 12. In the third Kingdom Jupiter Christ made Babes wise so the Artist seeth the new Life rise up the four Elements appear with all Colours 13. In the fourth Kingdom of the Mercurial Orb Christ restor'd the Deaf Dumb and Lepers so the Artist sees how Heaven severs it self from the Earth and again sinks into it Coloureth and purifieth the Matter appearing in Antimony 14. In the fifth Kingdom Christ ejected the Devils so the Artist will see how Jupiter in Mercury drives up a black twinkling fiery Vapour out of the Matter sticking like Soot a hunger of the Poyson in Mercury the Devils Property 15. In the sixth Kingdom Christ in Venus loved his and humbly washed his Disciples Feet gave himself up to be mock'd beaten and crucified so the Artist will see as soon as the material Devil the dark fiery steam is gone the Virgin very Glorious which the Artist will be apt to think is the Philosophick Child but in the tryal finds it to be a Woman not the Virgin with the Tincture of Fire and Light for now Saturn Mars and Mercury oppose but Jupiter and Luna hold with Venus but when the Power of wrath cometh Luna changeth her will viz. Colour and cryeth with the common people signified by her Crucifige CHAP. XI The Process of Christs Suffering Death and Resurrection Symbolized in the Philosophick Work THIS whole Chapter consisting of eighty verses being a profound pursuit especially of the sixth Kingdom and the Essence
the Oleous and Love Property a sweet Spiritual Essence pleasant smell in the Fire and Light the one Element in the lustre it gives the precious Tincture in the Salnitral flagrat is the sude of growth and pullulation it also holds Sulphur and Mercury from severing from each other yet in the Salnitral flagrat they pass into the four Elements 9. The Properties are as so many hungry Desires eating of their several likenesses the hunger of Time eateth of Time and that of Eternity of Eternity but Man's Original being from two Principles may by dying to the dark Self-hood bring his hunger into God's Kingdom and feast with the five Divine Senses on the Divine Mercury Yet so great was our Fall that the outward Man apprehends this only by Imagination though the inward Man penetrateth it as the Sun doth Water which yet remaineth Water CHAP. XV. How in the Will of the great Mystery a Good and Evil Will ariseth and the one introduceth it self into the other 1. THE great Mystery was from Eternity whence the one Element which also was from Eternity proceeded in the Motion whereof the free Lubet of Eternity proceeded as a Spirit which Spirit is Gods 2. And in or from the desire to Nature the Properties proceeded having their Root in the great Mystery as Air out of Fire uncontroulably and incorruptibly 3. In the desire of Essence in the one Element arose the four Elements with manifold Wills whence variety and contrariety came as Heat and Cold Fire and Water c. each a Death to the other all things under that Dominion are in a continual strife dying and Enmity no other way to be remedied but by the Death of the Multiplicity of Wills and Resignation of all Self Wills and Lust to the one Will viz. the one Element the right of Eternity a dying to Self-fulness and Lust which like a disobedient Child striveth against its Mother and is its own Enemy and Destroyer unless Mortified in the Death of the Lord Jesus 4. The resign'd Will is not at all careful save only to bring its desire into its Eternal Mother and united with her be it self a Nothing this the Self-will calls foolishness but the resign'd Will doth as a potent Champion continually bruise the Serpents head 5. The Elemental and Sydereal Man is only the Instrument wherewith Man's Soul laboureth in the resigned Will for thereto it was Created but the Soul in Adam makes it Lord and Master 6. The resigned Will hath no rest in this Cottage but is still in Combat and the good Angels defend him from Satan's fiery Darts v. 25. The Doctrines of Christ's Satisfaction which teach not also the Death to Self in Man and resigning of the Will in Obedience as a new-born Child are flattery and words from without not in the Speaking Voice of God Christ's Dove which teacheth the bearing Fruit in Patience budding forth always as a fair Flower out of the Earth 7. The knowing Doctor and Disputant attaineth not as such what the humble Herdsman by dying to his false Will doth for a Christian is the most simple and plain Man upon Earth having nothing of his own to lose all being given up already nor any thing to seek for himself but for the Lord being dead to himself what he possesseth as an ownhood is only as a Steward Servant or Distributer 8. But all arrogated Authority which is introduced to self-hood and extraduced it self quite from God is Sacrilegious The self-will generates it a Form according to the prevalency impressing most vigorously in the enmity of his inâ—â—re depraved Nature both inward and outward But the resigned Will is formed by the Model of Eternity as an Instrument of Musick into the Love-harmony where is no Turba but the end of Nature Rest whence first it sprung a meer ravishing delight of all the Senses where God is all in all CHAP. XVI Of the Eternal Signature and Heavenly Joy and why were produced Good and Evil. 1. WHAT God is in his Eternal uninchoative Generation that is also the Creation not in Omnipotence but like an Apple which is not the Tree to manifest the Glory which was in the Eternal Mystery As one only Air melodiseth variously in several Pipes and Organs sounding also in each Note in some pleasant in other harsh Thus in Eternity is one only Spirit the Manifester of all the Works of God 2. The seven Superior Stars and all the lesser as so many Kingdoms figure the Angelical Principalities and most Inferior Existences as one Clockwork 3. Let none therefore blame the Creator as if he made it Evil for the Creatures departure from the equal accord makes that Evil which was very Good as did Lucifer who leaving the Harmony brought him to the cold dark Fire out of which is the hot Fires Generation In the Holy he is Holy so Angels and Men praise him in the might of Love and Devils praise him in the might of Wrath God's Wrath is his Joy not as if he lived in impotency but in Fiery Might as a Potent King in the dark Principle in trembling Anguish So in the Divine Angelical Creatures is a trembling Joyfulness in the Holy Light and Fire of Love 4. Thus is all a Fire in their severed Properties the one the Poison and Death to the other yet if there were no Wrath there would be no Love as no Fire no Light 5. God is himself-all but called God only according to the Light of Love but in the Darkness a consuming Fire 6. The Creature when departed out of the first Harmony becomes an Enemy to the Being of all Beings â—ven Hell and Nature in the Wrath Property is the Devils Enemy for that he would be Lord in that wherein he was not created 7. Every Spirit of Angels and Man was created out of the two Eternal Principles of Love and Anger Light and Darkness in equal weight and may take to it self a Lubet either of Good or Evil and what Property the Will-spirit of the Creature awakeneth by that it is ruled for dying to the one it liveth to the other 8. He is elected that dyeth to Sin in Christ's Death and by Divine earnest Desire breaking the Sinful Will so persevereth as by the new birth to rise in Christ's Resurrection Christ calleth to gather as the Hen her Chickens but they would not 't is not said they could not He that blameth God despiseth his Mercy introduced by him into the Humanity and bringeth Judgment on his own Soul and Body Gods Election of Grace CALLED Predestination CHAP. I. What the Only God is or the Sole Will what it is 1. THE Abyssal Will is the Father The conceiv'd innate Will of the Abyss the Son 2. The Exit of the Abyss through the conceived Ens the Holy Spirit 3. The Lord our God is One only God that neither willeth nor can will Evil for if he did there were a Rent in him and some cause of Contrariety
the true holy Tincture 5. The watry Spirit begotten by the devoration of the Fire viz. its death Which also it must have again for its Life else neither Firenor Light could subsift so there is an Eternal giving and receiving The 8th Chapter of the Creation and Dominion of Angels and the 9th Chapter of the Fall of Lucifer and the 10th of the Creation of Heaven and the outward World and the 11th of the Mystery of the Creation Are all clearly deeply and largely treated of in the Aurora viz. Aurora CHAP. XII Of the Six Days Work 1. THough there is no Night in the Deep above the Moon yet in the length of six Days and Nights was all Created which hath this subtle acute meaning viz. six of the Properties of Nature only belong to the active Dominion to good and evil The seventh is the Essence House Body or Rest wherein all the other work 2. The Planetick Orb which is the Figure of the six Properties of the Spiritual World belongeth to the punctum of Sol. But Saturn doth not proceed from the Sun 3. The First Day With the Word when God said let there be Light the holy Power which was amassed in the wrath viz. the confusion caused by Lucifer moved it self and became Light by which the Devils strength wholly withdrew and the Light viz. that of Nature was wholly useless to him and the Darkness being severed remained in the wraths Property both in the Earth and the whole Deep 4. Of the Second Day As the Moon ruleth the first Hour so is this the most External or Inferiour Heaven next the Earth and the Laboratory of the other six Properties See more of the Second Day in the 20th Chapter of the Aurora p. 254. 5. Of the Third Day of the Creation Mars rules the first Hour on Tuesday on this third Day God moved the third Property of Nature viz. the Sulphurous in which the Saltish and Mercurial were also mutually unfolded and severized by the Salnitral flagrat from the poysonful Mars for they felt the Light and became hungry till they were coagulated 6. In which Joy arose unto pullulation and growth or vegetation for when the Light springeth up in the water source Mars springeth up for great Joy in the Sulphur so came Grass and Trees The Inward Nature made it self External and yet remained also Internal Yet therewith did the Properties of the dark world press in also whence came poysonous Roots and Weeds CHAP. XIII Of the Creation of the Fourth Day 1. MErcurins hath the first Hour giving a sensitive feeling Life In the third is only an insensitive Life but now in the Fire is a painful and in the Oleous a meek joyful Life 2. This Light of Nature hath a Fiery Airy Oily and Watry Property yet no Intellective Life but only Properties to Life 3. The Intellectual Life is the spirated word from the free Lubet whence comes a Sulphur Salnitri that is a Magical Astrum in manner of Mans Mind which hath thence its real Original 4. The whole Astrum is a breathed Voice or Tone of the Powers An Eccho out of Gods Love and Anger the Dark and Light World Out of this have the four Elements their Original and they speak forth a Corporeal Essence and the Stars breathe a Spiritual both which rule in the visible World as Soul and Body 5. And from the four Astrums is procreated the Soul of the outward World as an enduring great Mind or Mystery 6. And in this Office hath God raised up a King or as a God of Nature the Sun with the other six Planets his Counsellors or Assistants First the Nature-God the Sun receiveth its Lustre from the Tincture of the inward Fire and Light-world Next Venus giveth Body to all the seven Metals CHAP. XIV Of the Creation of the Fifth Day 1. JUpiter rules the first Hour of that day The superior Astrum actuated the four Astrums in the four Elements all from the motion of the holy Eternal speaking Word into Forms according to the Properties of the Astrum in the Spiritual Body And thence were Creatures in the Astrum of every of the four Elements produced Birds in the Astrum of the Air Fishes in that of the Water Beasts in that of the Earth and Spirits in the Astrum of the Fire 2. The two Sexes the Male and its Female arise one from the Tincture of the Fire the other of the Water as of Fire and Light CHAP. XV. Of the Sixth Days Work of the Creation Vide Chapter 21. of the Aurora p. 254. CHAP. XVI Of the difference of the Heavenly and Earthy Man 1. THE Image of God Created unto Eternal Life in Paradise cannot be the gross Property of Earthy Bestial Flesh for the Properties of the inward holy Body and outward were in Adam compos'd in equal Harmony and gave up their desires to the Soul in which the Divine Light shone as in the holy Heaven The Properties were all Tinctur'd with the sweet Love delight For the inward holy Man of the pure Element penetrated and swallowed up the outward as Light doth Darkness which when extinguished the darkness is manifested 2. But the Earthy Bestial and Corruptible Body made so by the Lust of Adam is not the Man for what the Soul is in the Spirit the same is the true Humane Body in the Essence As the Souls Mansion and as Iron is made Lustrous when through heated in the Fire Neither Heat Cold Sickness c. could annoy him his Body was as Gold that endureth the Fire or as a Tincture penetrating all things and gives way to nothing So neither was Man subject to any thing but his God alone who dwelt in him 3. Nor are here two but one only Man in the Likeness of God See more of this in the 21. Chap. of the Aurora in the 10th Chap. of the Three Principles and that of the Incarnation and that of Predestination Chap. 5. 4. Of the Creation of the seventh Day God Created all things in six Days out of the seven Properties and brought them all into the seventh as into one Body which is a Mystery of all the other whence they came and in which they work as a Spiritin a Body The seventh Property standeth still as a sensless Life but the seventh and the first Properties mutually belong to one another as one Property CHAP. XVII Of Paradise 1. THE Garden of Eden was a place on Earth where Man was tempted but Paradise was the Seventh Days Property the Essentiality of the second Principle which penetrated the four Elements as Eternity doth Time as the Sun the Fruit as the Day â—wallows up the Night or as the Fire illustrateth the heated Iron Yet was no more apprehended by the outward Elements though then in their best Purity than the Terrestrial doth the Celestial The Internal was to rule over the External the Heaven was the Husband to the Earth before the
Curse 2. And whereas Moses distinguisheth the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil from the Tree of Life 3. By the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. is understood 1. The Holy Power of God in the Tree which was the Middlemost Kingdom 2. Paradise the Outermost through which the Middlemost penetrated and manifested it self This was the Knowledge of the Good which Adam should as little have known in its Original as the Evil for he should have kept a Child-like Mind resign'd to God 3. The Dark World which also was manifest in the Vanity as now the Earthy Essence of the outward Worlds Fruit. 4. Because Adam should have eaten with the inward Heavenly Mouth not with the outward Earthy Desire he had such Fruit growing for him which the inward Mouth could enjoy The outward Mouth did also eat it but not into the Worms Carcass 5. The Celestial swallowed up the Terrestrial and changed it again into that whence it proceeded for now was Adam in God's Power Kingdom with both Tinctures before his Eve and the Divine World was Predominant so that the three Principles stood in equal Harmony and Will with pleasing Tast ravishing Melody sweetest Odours smiling meek friendly Aspect of highest Love-desire 6. But as Lucifer elevated himself into the first Principle totally extinguishing the Light so Adam lusted into the outward or Vanity hanging to the third Principle But left his Light should be totally extinct also and drawn into the first Principle and become a Devil God well knowing the Devil would tempt him 7. The High and Holy Name Jesus with deepest Love interposed and gave himself to regenerate this Hierarchy and Purge it through the Fire with highest Love to overcome the Wrath and change it again into Divine Joy the Holy Heaven And this is what St. Paul saith Man was Elected in Christ Jesus before the Foundation of the World 8. Is it asked Why did God suffer this Plant to grow It is answered Adam's earnest Desire became a Hunger and caused that the Fiat drew out such a Plant. For Adam was then a potent Spark of God's Might and Omnipotence For now that he hath broke himself off from the Universal Being and become subject to Vanity if â—aith as a Grain of Mustard seed can remove Mountains what could he not then do who was subject to nothing but God 9. And the Tree of Good and Evil being thus distinguished the Tree of Life is also manifest to be one Tree with the other but only in the Holy Divine Principle viz. In the second in due Temperature with the first and third CHAP. XVIII Of the Paradisical Life State or Dominion how it should have been if Adam had not fallen c. 1. HAD God created Adam to the earthy corruptible naked sick toylsom Life he had not brought him into Paradise 2. If God had willed him the bestial Copulation he would first have created both Sexes as he did other earthy Creatures 3. But every Creature brings its Cloathing from its Dam Man only cometh in deepest Poverty the most for lorn and shiftless with the Worms Carcass and bestial Members for Propagation whereof the poor Soul is always ashamed 4. But Adam was a Man and Woman yet neither distinct but a Virgin full of Modesty Chastity and Purity Such was he before his Eve as shall arise and Eternally possess Paradise a Virgin and as the Angels 5. Two fixt and stedfast Essences were in Adam A Spiritual Body from the inward Heaven which was God's Temple and the outward Heaven a Limus extracted out of the good part of the Earth which was the Maâ—fion of the inward and at the Last Judgment shall be sever'd from the Curse and Corruption These two were espoused into one wherein was the most Holy Tincture of Fire and Light and had ardent Love to each other the inward loved the outward as its Manifestation and Sensation and the outward loved the inward as its sweet Spouse and Joy 6. And the Magical Power of Impregnation stood in the fiery Love-Desire No Winter Sleep Sickness nor need of the Sun had he before his Eve only he stood in the Temptation Forty days in Paradise where had he been stedfast God had confirmed him to Eternity He was drawn of all the three Principles and though they did Equiponderate and were of equal Measure yet the Devil was very busie in the first Principle which Adam desired not to prove as Lucifer had done 7. But his Lust was to taste Evil and Good then came the severe Command Thou shalt not Eat c. which tho' he did not with his Mouth yet his desire to it made his Heavenly Tincture to disappear and his fair Image fell into a swound and his clear pure steddy Eyes and Sight were darkned by the impress of the Vanity So that now he could not Magically propagate himself then God said It is not good that he should be alone I will make a help meet for him CHAP. XIX Of the Building of the Woman and how Man was Ordained to the outward Natural Life 1. THE Woman was taken out of Adam's Essence in Body and Soul The Rib betokeneth Mans dissolution in the place of it entred Longinus's Spear when Christ was Crucified to Tincture and Heal the breach with Heavenly Blood His sleep was the real Type of Christs rest in the Grave his breaking or bruising was of the breaking or bruising Christs Body on the Cross from the sixth hour to the ninth so long was the Fiat in Adam's sleep separating the Woman in which space the Female Person was compleatly finished so long Christ stood as in Adam's thirst and then said It is finished that is had redeemed the Virgin Image from the divided Sex of Male and Female 2. Eve was the right Magical Child as to the right Life then manifested which after disappeared So that after the eating the Apple God said the Seed of the Woman shall c. Her disappeared Heavenly Matrix should like the dry Rod of Aaron Bud again tho' now the Holy part was shut up 3. The Woman had the fifth Property of the Eternal Nature the Centre of the Angelical World the Sons Property and was Adam's dearest Rose Garden and the Man kept in his Limbus the Divine Fire-world the Fathers Property She received from Adam's Flesh and Bones only the Rib and the half cross in the Head but now was the Bestial Worms Carcass Bowels and Members for Propagation Mans shame hung on them Nor was there any strange alien thing from without them that formed his Eve as was in the Creating Adam and all other Creatures but only their own very propriate the verbum fiat in them for God hath left in all Creatures a power to their own Multiplication and Making CHAP. XX. Of the Lamentable and Miserable Fall and Corruption of Man 1. VVHEN Adam saw Eve the fiery Tincture of his Soul impressed his desire into her Tincture of Light and tho'
bloody sweat his being contemned crowned with Thorns his mixt draught of Gall and Vinegar this made the Earth tremble 2. They dreaded now the Lord's voice for the Turba of the Dark World awakened its sad knell In the cool of the day that is when Adam's Eternal day in the Temperature was awakened into cold and heat 3. But in the Lord's voice was the holy Light world Christ the second Principle who in deepest Love espoused it self again to the disappeared heavenly Ens And the holy Word re-entring into the vital Light did reincorporate it self in the Woman's seed which in time did move its self in Mary's seed quickening the disappear'd heavenly Virginity by introducing the holy living Ens. 4. This ingrafted Word was inspoken into Eves Matrix as a limit of a certain Covenant which was all along propagated in Eves seed from Man to Man in the heavenly part as a glimmering incentive of the Divine holy Lights fire until the awakening of it in Mary where the Covenant was fulfilled by the most holy name Jesus signified by the holy Fire in the Jewish Sacrifices kept from prophane strange Fire 5. This bruised or brake the Serpents head that is did infuse inspire recal in-hest the right Virgin Purity with the precious holy name Jesus who introduced the living heavenly Ens into the disappeared captiv'd Ens and mortified the Serpents desire in flesh and blood 6. For the Child of the Man and Woman is a Bastard nor shall inherit but the chaâ—t Virgins Child born out of the death of the brutal and bestial Man and Woman with both Tinctures of peculiar Love He is the Heir who dieth not and at the Resurrection shall take on it the pure Limus of the Earth viz. the third Principle as a Garment CHAP. XXIV The Cause of the Curse and of the Body of Sickness 1. THE Curse was that the holy Element Tincture or Ens which had budded and bare fruit through the Earth holding captive the Property of the four Elements hid withdrew kept it self secret and became a mystery to Man in his awakened vanity who remained with a half Serpentine desire of Earthy hunger half dead between Time and Eternity chain'd till he should return to Earth wâ—ence he was as to one part extracted and be sown into the Earth but as a fixt Metal is not destroyed but the Artist brings thence excellent Gold so the fixt part of the Human Body waits only for the Divine Artist to raise it which because it must be tryed by Fire such as the Ens is such shall be the enkindled Fire 2. All wicked Serpentine works shall as Quick-silver evaporate But if Man's Human Soul hath impressed into the mortal part of the Limus of the Earth by Divine Desire and Faith a Divine Ens it lieth as precious Gold shut up in Lead or Dross as a glimmering â—incentive waiting till the great Artist release it to burn and shine 3. Our gracious God not only gave his holy living Word for cure of all whose minds casting away abominations immerse themselves thereinto but knowing Man would not stand caus'd all Medicinal Herbs for hunger and health to grow for him Thus Man hath his Cure the Devil hath not 4. God created Man naked what ever is in the World is his but it is common but the hunger for Propriety Power and Domination is of the Serpent 5. Therefore must we become as little Children and so rule over the besâ—ial Man So great is the Enmity God hath put between the two seeds in Man who now is according to the outward Man a Beast according to the inward an Angel or Devil CHAP. XXV How God drove Adam out of Paradise and laid the Cherub before the Garden v. 18. 1. LUcifer's Fall tainted the Limus of the Earth before it was brought into compaction Adam's outward Body was taken out of the Limus of the Earth Him God set to be Judge by his Word having the Judicial Sword against the Devil's enkindled wickedness v. 17. 2. Also God seeing Adam's first Body should fall to ruine brought him and Eve into Paradise that afterward they and their Children might by Regeneration re-enter thither in the Spirit of Christ through the Fire-Sword 3. When Man dieth if the Soul be captivated in God's Anger and be not a Virgin Child it cannot pass the Sword v. 5. 4. This Sword is also in Man the Virgin-bud forceth through in the anxiety of true Repentance Then riseth the Morning Star in the occluse or shut up Gate of the true Womans seed v. 13. 5. Yet at death if the Soul hath taken in much of the Serpents craft or lust it stands under God's Anger till the Consumption of the introduced vanity which to many is Purgatory enough 6. For the Fire-Soul must be as pure as the clear refined Gold to be the Husband of the Noble Virgin Sophia the Lights Tincture to speak which needs an Angels Tongue 7. Before the Foundation of the World God chose this Limus out of which he would make Man in Christ Jesus For the Ens thereof had somewhat of false lust by reason of the Devils introduced desire therefore a time of the Judgment of Severation was then founded and a new Limus out of the tainted one CHAP. XXVI Of the Propagation of Man in this World and of Cain the Murtherer of his Brother THIS Chapter treating copiously of Free Will and Predestination the Extract of it is forborn and it 's referr'd to the Extracts of the Book of Election CHAP. XXVII Of Abel's and Cain's Sacrifices 1. THE Souls Free-will originating from the Abyss is thin or subtile and must amass or conceive it self into something wherein to work As Gods Free-will conceived or massed it self with the inward Spiritual World and works through it and that Worlds Free-will amassed the outward World and works through it 2. And because that which the Soul had amassed was distempered with Sin â—acrificing came In the inkindling whereof by Magical and Love-fire not ordinary Fire the Free-will of the Soul and of the Heavenly part of the Body did immass into a substance As a Figure of the New-birth in Christ and by consuming the Bestial Man did press in before the Holiness of God For here the Lubet of God did meet the Inspired Free-will of the Heavenly Humanity Here is the sinful Man consumed by Gods Anger-fire and cut off by the flaming Fire-Sword of the Cherub and the Serpents Head bruised 3. The Souls Free-will which was Inspired wholly pure into Man is in the Covenant in Jesus attoned and again Tinctured by Gods Love-fire as Brass or Iron is tinged and changed to Gold For the Earthy part wherein lay the Curse being consumed the Essence became Spiritual Even so the Soul by Sorrow and Repentance introduceth it self into a Divine desire which is called Faith 4. Also the words of the Prayer of Abel and Israel became amassed into an Incorruptible Essence And this desire of Faith or Essence
Covenant of God with Noah 1. THat Ham was admitted sheweth an open Gate to all Men and that the Election passeth when the Souls Free-will goeth out of good into evil 1. The Mystery of the three Sons of Noah 2. The three Stories of the Ark 3. The three Men that appeared to Abraham 4. Especially Christ Moses and Elias at the Transfiguration denote the Trinity and three Principles The seven pair of clean Beasts shew the seven Properties of the Natural Life of the unclean but one pair represents only the Property of the Dark World 2. The Raining just Forty days points at Adams time of Proba in which he introduced the Turba 3. Gods Promising respite 120 years and bringing the Deluge in 100 points out that God will shorten time in the Conclusion of all Beings The Ark being rested at the end of Forty days Noah sends out a Raven signifying the Earthy Man which flew to and fro but return'd not to the Ark. 4. After seven days he sent forth a Dove signifying the Children of God who finding no rest in this World return to the Ark. After seven days more he sent forth a second Dove who return'd in the Evening with an Olive Leaf the Unction After other seven days he let fly the third Dove which denotes Antichrist flying out of the Ark but will no more forsake the World to return to the Ark. CHAP. XXXIII Of the beginning of the second Monarchy and of the Covenant of God with Noah c. 1. I Have set my Bow in the Clouds c. The Rainbow is a Token of Gods Covenant a representation to Man of all the three Principles out of which he was Created viz. the red and dark brown betoken the first Principle viz. the dark Fire-world the Kingdom of Gods Anger The white and yellow shew the second Principle the Majestick Colour the holy World Gods Love The green and blue is the third Principles Colour the blue from the Chaos the green from the Salt peter where in the flagrat the Sulphur and Mercury do sever and produce various Colours which betoken the inward Worlds hidden in the four Elements 2. The Rainbow also betokens Christ the Judge who shall then appear in all the three Principles viz. in the first or fiery into which the Turba in all Beings shall be swallowed up In the second or that of the Light to defend all his in Love and Meekness from the Flames of Fire In the third or Kingdom of Nature in his Assumed Humanity all the formed Word shall be manifest before him according to good and evil 3. Also the Rainbow is a reflex contra-glance of the Sun and in it the Chaos or hidden World out of which the four Elements with the hidden Humanity shews it self And if the Sun be in a good Aspect it may with the Astrum produce a wonderful Birth both in Animals and Vegetables For there the Chaos doth open it self which Saturn hungrily attracts The Sun enkindles Mars and so makes Mercury quick and active which Saturn amasseth and the Fiat of the outward World becomes a flying Life And Saturn may take the distilling Dew into it self which after falls on the Water and by some Fishes being eaten up may coagulate in them and become precious Pearls For the Paradisical Property doth open it self all along in the Chaos if it be not hindered by evil malignant Aspects For the Chaos is the Root of Nature and yieldeth it self nothing but a good Property but by an evil Constellation may be changed into evil as a good Man may by evil Company CHAP. XXXIV How Noah Cursed Ham and the Mysteries concerning the three Sons c. 1. NOah's Drunkenness sheweth how Adam by Lusting after this Worlds Property was overcome therewith and introduced the Bestial Lusts standing in nakedness and shame then did the Monster of false Lusts whereof Ham was the Figure mock the precious Image by introducing the shame 2. Sem did Typifie the fair Image of God in the Light the Sons Property who stood in the Covenant Japhet did Typifie the Soul the Fathers Property 3. The Garment to cover the shame is the new Heavenly Virgin Humanity in the Covenant the precious Sophia which should open it self out of the Angelical World This Garment Sem alone did not lay over the shame but Japhet the poor Soul must help by resignation 4. They went backward by Repentance for if Christ must lay the Garment to cover us the Soul must not dispute but resign its will and go back 5. Ham must be a Servant of Servants the mocking Spirit must never rule but always be kept under Of Ham came the Beastly Sodomites and Brutish Canaanites whom Joshua destroy'd 6. Japhet were the Gentiles who walked according to the Light of Nature which is Tenant to the Light of Grace for so they lived in Sem's Tents 7. Thus was the Tree of the second Monarchy in the same three Properties as the first was The Second Part. CHAP. XXXV How the Humane Tree by the Children of Noah hath spread it self c. 1. THE long Lives before the Flood were because the Divine Powers of the formed Word were then undivided But when the Language of Nature was divided at Babel the stem of Nature was faint and enfeebled Seventy seven is the whole number of the Divine Manifestation seventy two are Babel the five are holy 2. The Sons of Japhet are recorded to be seven Japhet noteth the first Principle out of which riseth Nature viz. The first seven Properties of Nature and the seven free Arts. 3. After which from two of Japhets Sons are named seven to spring whose Names signifie the Kingdom of Humane Rule In the fourteenth aâ—e the Prophetical and Apocalyptical Number and in them lye couched the Angelical will for in the wise Heathen the inward holy Kingdom beheld it self they law by the Light of Nature the restitution of all things and they shall when the covering is taken off dwell in the Tents of Sem. 4. Ham had Cush and of him came Nimrod the Hunter Man was fallen under the wrath in Nature and the wild Nature must be awed by a more mighty Hunter than it self and be caught torn and destroyed But 't is lamentable that tame Beasts which are none of his Game should be devoured But they also are outwardly but Beasts before God and have the Hunters hide on them Ham's Children and Grand Children are numbred twenty nine himself makes thirty for Ham sold the Righteous One for thirty pieces And in the thirtieth year Christ separated himself to his Office 5. Sem is said to be the Father of all the Children of Eber which Eber was the third degree after Sem but the mark of the Covenant was that chiefly intended Eber had two Sons Peleg and Jocktan in these two were the Seed of Adam and Christ divided as after in Isaac and Ishmael Jacob and Esau. Jocktan had fourteen Names hinting the Humane Kingdom 6. Peleg
Fire in Adam and passed on all Men and the gross bestial Property the Serpents Ens and enkinded Anger was in Abraham and his Childrens own Property as in the Children of Ham except the Line of Christ which was in God's Power and stood in them as Heaven doth in this World also in Hell or as the Day doth in the Night yet not confounded So in the angers Property Abraham and his Family smote the Heathen and rescued Lot so also have the Children of the Saints waged War 4. But such who would be call'd Christians do wage War not as Christians but as Heathens for the Christian is dead with Christ to Wrath and the four Elements and new born in Christ's Spirit of Love and Patience he is not of this World liveth not to himself but to God his Conversation is in Heaven Nor did Abraham desire ought he took the Goods he restored to the King of Sodom 5. Melchisedeck the Royal Priest was the real figure of Christ who blessed Abraham left the Turba after his fighting should return on him To him Abraham gave Tithes viz. the 10th Property of the Human fiery Tongue of the Soul And the Priest gave his Bread and Wine and Blessing thereinto viz. Love-fire Tincture of the Light Heavenly Substantiality that the Soul 's fiery Tincture might again become a compleat Image of God with Male and Female Property Heavenly Corporiety by the King of Salem viz. of Salvation CHAP. XXXIX God's Covenant with Abraham his Faith and Sacrifice 1. A Abraham's Faith was his receiving the Speaking Word of God viz. in the Promise into his Human Ens His Desire viz. the aim of the Covenant or formed Word and both these were formed into one Power and real Spiritual Substance For Faith is the taking hold of God's Will and Uniting it to ours 2. The Offerings were of three sorts of Beasts a Heifer a She-Goat and a Ram each three years old betokens the whole outward threefold Man of Salt Mercury and Sulphur The dividing them the twofold Limus of the Earth viz The gross Property out of the Dark World the other the Limus out of the Heavenly Worlds Property which lyes in one Compaction in the Earth whence Man was created The Turtle Dove the poor Soul captivated in the bestial Property The young Pigeon the inward disappeared Humanity Their not being divided shews nothing shall be taken from the Soul nor from the inward Man of the Heavenly Limus The Fowls which Abraham drove away the Essence of the wrathful Property of God's Anger in Man which hungreth after the Humanity and would devour the same Abraham's deep Sleep the Death of Christ. The horror the Wrath of God The darkness the dark World into which the Word should enter and resign its Will The enkindled Fire passing between the pieces the Holy Love-fire tincturing all into a pure Gold The Servitude in Egypt that Christ in his Members should be only a Pilgrim and that we are here in the Kingdom of the Heathen where God's Children must be embroiled in Servitude with them to which the Potent do compel the Poor whereto he must be subject else he resisteth the Kingdom of Nature viz the formed Word But if the Worldly Rulers rule only according to their Will and Lusts they will find that God will Judge them CHAP. XL. Of Hagar and Ismael 1. THE scope of this toucheth that of Predestination For as much as Ismael and Esau are erroneously taken to be of Eternal reprobation we are to know that Ismael representeth the Father's Property and Kingdom of Nature in Adam Isaac the Sons Property and Kingdom of Grace in the second Adam 2. Babel indeed blindly teacheth that God hath ordained a certain Number and Company to Damnation and the rest to Salvation but if so Nature must needs be limited confin'd and determin'd when to bring forth a Child of God or of Wrath and nothing would be in the Human Property free yea God himself must confine and shut up his unchangeable one Infinite Will into a Beginning and Limit which opens a Gate to horrid Prophaneness makes void God's Holy Laws and Rules renders needless the offers of Grace and bars up the Door of Repentance 3. Yet the Holy Name of God thus taken in Vain is from Eternity free and offers it self to all poor Sinners Thus the Angel met Hagar and blessed Ismael then in her Womb who figur'd the Runagate Adamical self Will for God inwardly calls all wicked Men not only in the Womb but all the time of their lives as the Sun shines all the Day 4. So God calls the Turks and Heathens figur'd by Cain Ham Ismael and Esau who are in the Kingdom of Nature as Ismael in Hagars Womb they went not to Isaac but to Abraham nor these to Christ's â—erson but to God and he heareth them in Christ. They and painted Christendom are as the two Sons one promis'd but did it not the other said he would not but went and â—id it so may they attain the Adoption though the letter Christians grumble at the returning Prodigal who is nevertheless embraced by the Father CHAP. XLI Of the Seal of the Covenant of Circumcision and of Baptism 1. GOD ratified his Covenant with Abraham by the Seal Circumcision shewing what Ens was Blessed also what must and what in Man must not inherit viz. not the gross Earthy Man conceived in the bestial Lust of Man and Woman 2. That Copulation is only born with by Divine Patience and Permission Man having lost the Magical Birth of Paradice and therefore was every Male circumcised on that Monstrous Member The bestial Seed of Man and Woman being the Seed of their own Will shall not put on the Covenant and Blessing but he who is not Born of the Will of Man nor of the Flesh but of God 3. The Earthy Members die in the Spiritual Birth through Christ's Death Externally 't is cut off in the Temporal Death and 't is Buried in the Eternal Death in the Nothing and a new Angelical Form shall arise 4. The Males were only Circumcised for Adam had both the Tinctures and was a Masculine Virgin It was to be on the eighth Day because six Days are the Man in Nature the Seventh is the Day of Rest which he had brought into disquietness by reason that the seventh Property the Heavenly Nature died in him therefore God gave him of Grace another Day viz. the Eighth which is Christ. Ismael was the first Man though a Mocker thus taken into Covenant for Christ came for Ismael's sake also though the Doctrine of some damâ— Children from the Womb. 5. Baptism is for both Sexes on all Days shewing the need all have and Christ's Universal offer of God's Mercy also pointing out Christ's Humanity who was both Circumcised and Baptized and the First born from the Dead But the Ens of Faith by the Spirit was the Fire-baptism for both Jews and Christians CHAP. XLII Of the three Men
Also we must know whoever will understand the Old Testament must set before him the two Types externally Adam the earthy Man and internally Christ and change both these into one and so he may apprehend Moses and the Prophets CHAP. XLVII Of the Covenant of Abimelech and Abraham and what it points at 1. BEershebah a bruising to Death is the same Fountain which the Angel shewed Hagar which Abraham viz. Christ digged and there afterwards preached the Eternal God The Covenant between Abimelech and Abraham is the Covenant of Christ with the Humanity where he sware not to destroy the Humanity as he said he was not come to condemn the World Abimelech viz. the Soul out of the Father's Property Picholl the outward Nature the third Principle Field-Captain or Officer of the Soul Abraham is Christ in the Humanity Now Abimelech's restoring Abraham's Wife saying he knew not c. signifieth That the Soul of Adam knew not Christ in the Tincture of Heavenly Venus therefore went into Self-lust but when God shewed it to the Soul the Soul said I knew not that God's Wife the Holy Tincture the Heavenly Matrix was in me 2. But now I restore whatever I have taken of the Divine Worlds Property it is thy Wife then all the Women of Abimelech and his Servants Eves Daughters were healed 3. Christ here sweareth not to shew any unkindness to the Human Property nor to the Children nor to the Grandchildren or Nephews viz those springing out of the wild Property where often a wicked Husband or Wife are joyned to a godly one and so those Children spring from the wild Property 'T is said Thou shalt do according to the kindness that I have done unto thee viz in restoring thy Wife thy Image shalt thou do to me and to the Land viz. the outward Man wherein thou viz. Christ sojournest art a Stranger Which Christ Sweareth As I live saith c. Then Abraham Christ reproved Abimelech the Soul that the Soul's Servants the Essences of Nature had taken away the Well the Essence from the Heavenly Corporality viz. Christ's Body in Adam for Christ's Holy Fountain sprung up in the fiery Essence of the Soul which being taken to Self-Power the Heavenly Image disappeared And Abimelech the Soul answered I knew not till this Day viz. that the Devil had deceived me 4. Then Abraham viz. Christ took Sheep his Children the Jews and Oxen the Gentiles and gave them to the Father of whose Property the Soul is by an everlasting Covenant And set seven Ewe Lambs apart viz. the seven Properties of the Natural Humanity of Christ manifested in us A part viz. a distinct Person 5. We poor Jews and Gentiles may not say we are Christ but his House he is a part with the Divine Property But in right resignation when Man's Will is Dead to Self Christ only liveth in it such Eternally witness that Christ digged the Well At Beersheba the place of Contrition Christ planted Trees Heavenly Branches Preached c. and remained there a long time viz. all the time of the Natural Life CHAP. XLVIII Of Abraham's Offering up Isaac 1. ABraham is represented in Adams stead Isaac in Christs Humanity The Voice is God the Fathers so is Christ Offered by Adam's Children the Jews to the Fathers Fire Thy Son whom thou lovest viz. thy will brought into Self-love in the devoration of which in Gods Wrath-fire the true Man Created in Adam must be form'd and preserv'd as Gold or Silver in the Crucible where Copper and all Impurities evaporate On Mount Moriah which God not we chuseth 2. Christ wholly resigns up our Humane Will of self to his Father in his Death for all and in all Men As when the stock of a Tree dyeth the Branches die also and as the Tree reneweth its Youth as the Râ—d of Aaron did it introduceth new Life into its â—ranches Abraham rose early teaching immediate obedience And girt his Ass the Bestial Man with power Took with him two young Men one the Soul from the first Principle the other the Spirit of the outward Life Clave the Wood as Adam clave Gods Love and Anger On the third day pointing at Adam's sleep to the Angelical World and the time of Christs Resurrection Afar off the Final Offering of Christ above two Thousand years The two young Men to tarry with the Ass till Christ is Offered and come again Abraham took the Knife and Fire Gods Anger and Death Isaac said Here is the Wood the Sins of all Men and the Fire Gods Wrath but where is the Lamb Abraham's Ens of Faith saw the Lamb. Abraham bound Isaac so was Christ and so must our self-wills be bound and resign'd to God in entire earnestness The Angel calleth hurt not Nature as he had done to Hagar at Beersheba He saw a Ram hung c. shews death kills not the true Man but the pushing Beast hung in the Devils Thickets of Thorny Cares and Vanity Next follows the Blessing increase and prevalency And Abraham return'd with his Son and two young Men to Beersheba into the toil and labour of this World so God exerciseth his people not always in operation of the Spiritual Figures but in weakness and infirmities in the Kingdom of Nature And sometimes again under the Cross and so they grow as in a Field sometimes Storms sometimes Sun-shine 3. Nahor Abraham's Brother had eight Sons by Milcah of whom came great Nations the Assyrians who tho' they sprung not from the Ens of Faith in the Line of Christ the Blessing of Abraham passed on them CHAP. XLIX Of Sarah's Death and Abraham's Hereditary Sepulchre 1. WHile Abraham lived he was a Stranger no continuing abode had he but when his Sarah died he would have a certain Possession of a peculiar and Hereditary Sepulchre for his Wife himself and Children which he would not have to be given him but bought it of the Sons of Heth and Ephron for four hundred Sheckles of Silver viz. the Cave of Machpelah The inward Figure of which is That 2. When Isaac viz. Christ is come the two fold Body returns back to its original Mother the Eternal and Temporal Nature When the Saints die to self the outward Life The resigned Life will no longer stand in a strange Serpentine one it cannot of due right take the first true Field but it must be purchased Thus Abraham in the Figure of Christ doth of the Sons of Heth who stand in the Fathers Figure And that Christs Ransom is signified by four hundred Sheckles hath this meaning The first is the true Magical Fire the second is the Light the third the holy sound of the Mental Tongue the fourth the conceived Ens of the other Properties forming the holy Life This is the pure Silver 3. And whereas the Children of Heth would freely have given it yet at last took Money for it So hath God the Father freely given the Kingdom of Grace to Christ
in our Humanity but Christ would have it for a Natural Right 4. By Canaan understand the holy Chrystalline World or Earth which shall be manifest 5. By the two fold Cave or Pit of Machpelah is signified Man hath a two fold Humanity one out of the Divine Ens and Heavenly Essence the other out of time this Worlds substance both which should be put into an Eternal Sepulchre and lye in its original Mother leaving the one will in Death so that God might alone live rule and will in the Soul and Mans Life be only his Instrument For the Soul hath turn'd itself aside from the only Eternal Word into self-hood This Distemper and unlikeness must be buried and put again into a two fold Cave and thence come into the Temperature the Essence whence the Body and Soul did arise CHAP. L. Of Abraham's sending his Servant for a Wife for Isaac 1. ABraham is herein the Figure of God the Father Isaac in that of Christ Abraham's Servant in that of Nature The Canaanites in that of the introduced Serpents Ens the Besâ—ial Man which shall not Inherit Here God makes his Servant Nature by whom he governeth Essentially bind itself that it will not introduce the Serpents Ens the dark Worlds Bestial Canaanitish Property for Gods Childrens Yoke-fellow but Nature must take substance out of Abraham's true Humane Essence in pure Love of the Heavenly Matrix that so the New Birth might be holy in its Virginity as to the inward Man 2. Nature saith How if c. viz. the right Humane Ens will not follow me And God said Beware c. viz. go not according to thy Reason but an Angel shall go before thee viz. the Divine Will for self-will and reason must not Lord it but Nature must be a Servant do as it is commanded and commit it to God to bring on the â—ternal Marriage But iâ— the Humane Will will not follow the Messenger hath discharged his Office The Rain ascends not up again without Fruit Nature must declare that God hath given Christ all his Goods and now desireth Man to be his Wife And the Servant sware c viz. When God put his Holy Word with the formed Wisdom into the Natural Ens of Mary then the Humane Nature sware Obedience 3. And the Servant took ten Camels and went to the City of Nahor in Mesopotamia viz. the ten Forms of the three Principles to the Natural and Supernatural Life viz. seven Forms of the Centre of Nature and three Forms of the three distinctions of the Principles which are they whereby God causeth all things and the Goods of the Lord are the formed Wisdom of the great Wonders and Powers 4. And the Servant caused the Camels to kneel by the Well near the City at Evening At or in the last time or days of the World The will of the Fathers Nature the Mystery of the Nature of the three Principles the Carriers of the formed Word hath laid it self down by the Well-spring of God the Divine Fountain 5. The Silver and Golden Jewels Bracelets and Ear-rings given to Rebekah signifie the Heavenly Humanity of Jesus Christ which is not given wholly into the power of the Fire-soul in this Life lest it become haughty as Lucifer and Adam but Virgin Sophia meant by Rebekah remaineth with her Bridegroom Christ in the second Principle 6. The Spices signifie the Holy Spirit Then they sate down to eat viz. the Marriage Feast the Joy whereof none but the Children of Christ know And when Rebekah saw Isaac c. When the disappear'd Humanity discovers Christ in it self it falleth into deepest Humility and is ashamed vailing its Face before Gods Holiness and Clarity that it hath lain so long Captive in the Bestial Man but Christ taketh it into his Arms and leadeth it into his Mothers Tent into the Heavenly Worlds Essence And then was Isaac comforted for his Mother for the disappeared Matrix which was lost in Adam now re-obtain'd in Virgin-like Chaâ—tity for his Spouse CHAP. LI. Of Abraham's taking Keturah to Wife and of his Six Sons and Death 1. ABraham was old when he had Isaac to shew Christ was to be in the old Age of the World and Sarah was old that so the Divine Ens might have the preheminence over the Humane and she must have but one for so is Christ and all are Branches in the one Tree viz. Christ in all 2. But Abraham by Keturah had six Sons signifying the six Properties of the formed Nature the operation of the six days Isaac viz. Christ is the seventh the Sabbath Of these six sprang six Nations to them he gave gifts of his Goods tho' not the In eritance yet had the free Gift of Grace So every Man hath Christ as the free Gift of Grace in him none predestinated to destruction for by those six are signified all Adam's Children 3. In the right Adamical Man out of which the Earth had its Original is the Covenant of the Free gift but the own-self-made-gross-earthy Adam who by Lust made himself a Beast is not capable of the Gift in the Covenant but the right Man as a Tincture in gross Lead mortifieth the Saturnine will and changeth it into Gold swalloweth up the gross Man viz. the dark Worlds Property 4. The Jews Christians and Heathens have all this Gift and Christ is the only available obedience all Men therefore who give up themselves in obedience to God are received in Christs obedience for Names are not accepted 5. My believing that Christ was Born Died and Rose for me makes me not a Christian but I must put on Christ enter into his Obedience and Sacrifice arise in him and Live in him 6. When Abraham had brought his Lifes Forms into right order he resigned up himself into Mortification tired with the Life of self reâ—â—ed in God CHAP. LII The History of Isaac Birth of Esau and Jacob. 1. AFter Abraham's Death God blessed Isaac and he lived by the Well Labairoi viz. the Well of Living and Seeing his Soul dwelt by the Fountain of Divine Love The desire of the Soul is the Fiat which takes the holy Love Tincture into it self and makes it Essential as the Metalline Ens gives its deâ—ire into the Suns Tincture that out of them both the fair and precious Gold is generated So doth the Deity inhabit in the Soul and co worketh but is not comprehended 2. The Souls Magical Fire by the Divine Love desire is inkindled into a shining Lustre so doth the Souls Magical Fire become the Bridegroom to the precious Sophia but the Mortal Soul from the Stars or four Elements attains it not in this Life but that Soul that cometh from the Centre of the Eternal Nature out of the Divine Lubet through the Word whereby the Divine longing formeth the Wisdom into Substance This Soul is that which is betrothed to Sophia 3. Ishmael had twelve Sons six of the Inward
twofold Humanity viz. the Heavenly and Earthy that when these Warriours should smite the Earthy the other which came down from Heaven should escape 3. Jacob's Presents are Christs Prayers 4. His humbling himself saying I came over with my Staff only but am now two Bands so did Christ in the Garden whose two Bands were the Heavenly Humanity perish'd in Adam and that of the Limus of the Earth with both which Jacob viz. Christ was to return to his first Paradisical Countrey and Angelical Kindred 5. Sent five hundred and eighty Cattel viz. Christ sent out Lusts to the Anger of God 6. Jacob also sent his two Wives viz. Christ sent the twofold Spirit of Man viz. the Soul and the Spiritus Mundi viz. the inward Eternal Soul and the outward Soul 7. Two Handmaids viz. the twofold Humanity of the Body 8. The Eleven Children viz. the Eleven Apostles 9. And passed over the Brook Jabock viz. Kidron 10. Jacob's Twelfth Son lay yet unborn so now was Christs Twelfth Apostle not chosen in the room of Judas 11. Jacob staid alone and there wrestled a Man with him viz. the great love of God in the Name Jesus did wrestle with Gods Righteousness and Truth which was on Mount Sinai 12. All Night of the darkness of Gods Anger 13. The Ham of his Thigh was displaced viz. the Adamical Humanity was displaced but not broken to die Eternally He halted viz. being Lame to the Pride Vanity Malice Lasciviousness c. of this World 14. The Man said Let me go for the day viz. the Eternal day dawneth But Jacob viz. Christ said I will not let thee go until thou bless me viz. the Humanity 15. And the Man said What is thy Name He said Jacob. Then the Man said Thou shalt no more have a self name but Israel viz. a Tree of Life or Christian viz. a sprout on the Vine Christ. 16. And Jacob asked what is thy Name But Christ said why askest thou that is I am no stranger thy Name and mine shall be one But God without Nature and Creature is the Eternal one and Eternal good the Abyss and Profunâ—ity no place is found for him no Creature can Name him for all Names stand in the formed Word But God is the Beginningless Root of all Power the Vegetables know not how the Sun blesseth them 17. Man hath lamentably lost the five Vowels the Holy Ghosts Language for the whole New Testament is couched up in the Old 18. When God blessed Jacob he called the place Penuel that is where God is manifest in the Soul 19. And when he was departed thence the Sun viz. of Righteousness arose in him and he halted his self-will was lame in its ability 20. And the Children of Israel eat not of that Sinew to this day for they understood that Mystery and Instituted this Memorial viz. the displacing of their Bestial Wills which if the present Jews and Christians well understâ—od they would not hunt after Covetousness and Lust yet under Christs Purple Mantle CHAP. LXI Of Jacob and Esau meeting all Heart-burning turned to Joy c. 1. BLind Reason should learn the meaning of Gods Decree Rom. 9. 13. and Mal. 1. 2 3. for here was Esau the Type of the corrupted Adam and Jacob of Christ who came to help Adam and were of one Seed to shew Christ must become Flesh. And Jacob appeased Esau by his Humility as did Christ by his great Love in our Humanity in our Anger-soul appease the Anger of God when he gave up his Heavenly Blood with the Tincture of Love into the Anger of God for then was the Anger in the dark World turn'd into a Love-fire 2. Jacob seeing Esau coming with four hundred Men divided his Children to Leah and to Rachel and to both the Handmaids and passed before them and bowed seven times c. 3. When Christ in our Humanity entred his Sufferings Gods Anger in the four Elements met him Then Christ divided the Heavenly Worlds substance which he brought from God signified by Rachel from the Natural Humanity from Adam or Spiritus Mundi Typed by blear-ey'd Leah wherein yet the destroyer of the Serpent was Born as Judah of Leah while Rachel was Barren till Christs Spirit made her fruiâ—ful 4. And as Jacob set the Handmaids foremost so did Christ first cause the Earthy to pass through the sharpness of Death next Leah the Body out of the Limus of the Earth follow'd 5. And after her Rachel the Heavenly Limus with the Prince Joseph the Divine Worlds substance 6. Jacob bowed seven times in this Humility appeasing Esau so did Jesus through all the seven forms of Natures Life 7. As Jacob yielded up his Riches and Life to Esau to do what he would with him so did Christ to Gods Anger 8 Esau ran to meet him fell on his Neck wept and kissed him so when the Essence of Gods Anger in Man tasted the sweet Love in the Name and Blood of Jesus it was transmuted into Compassion 9. And Eâ—â—u beheld the Women and Children and said whose are these c. Man whiâ—e heâ—d in the Anger and Darkness was not known to the holy Image but Love made him known 10. Their order of coâ—ing to Esau shews how poor Eve's Children were brought through Christs Suffering and Death into the Countenance of God first the Body of Sin through Death then the Body out of the Limus of the Earth which in the Resurrection is esteemed strange therefore Typed by a Handmaid And lastly the fair Image Created in Adam 11. Jacob's Presents signifie the Children purchased bâ— Christ and given to the Father so shall Christ deliver up the Kingdom to the Father 12. Yet is Esau's Compassion and weeping on Jacob the Type of repenting Sinners sorrow 13. Esau said Let us go together Jacob saith The Children are tender c. I will follow softly c. When Christ in his Sufferings had appeas'd his Fathers Anger in the Kingdom of Nature the appeas'd Anger would instantly take the Journey viz. in the Life of Man But the Love said Man is too tender and may fall by Temptation in one day I will follow slowly with them to the end of the World 14. Esau would have left some of his Men with Jacob but Jacob said what needeth it viz. God the Father said Let me leave some Laws of my severe Righteousness but Christ saith Let me with my redeemed Children only find Grace in thy sight for they cannot fulfil thy Laws CHAP. LXII Of Dinah Deflour'd all the Males of Sichem slain by Simeon and Levi. 1. JAcob had Twelve Sons six of them were of Leah and Judah of whom came the Humanity of Christ was one of the â—ix 2. Then bare Leah Dinah which Daughter of Fleshly Love went after the Daughters of the Land a gadding lively prefiguring Christendom who instead of continuing in the humble simplicity of Jacob's Tents at Succoth and remaining a Stranger to the Customs and Behaviour
of the proud wanton Daughters of the Land mixeth with the Heathenish Wisemen in Fleshly Lust and bringeth forth a Bastard half Christian and half Heathen compos'd of the Profession of Christ and the Heathenish Notions viz. Philosophy Schools Colledges Heathenish Festivals c. 3. And as Simeon and Levi after the Men of Shechem had Circumcised themselves yet Murthered not only guilty Hemor but all the Males tho' Innocent so hath Christendom dealt by many Nations who having conformed to some of their Opinions yet are causlesly kill'd by the Antitype of Simeon and Levi. Therefore are the Potent Countries of the East departed from these Murtherous Pretenders to Religion to the Doctrine of Reason CHAP. LXIII How Jacob leaves Sichem Rachel bare Benjamin Isaac died 1. AFter Simeon and Levi had Murthered the Males of Sichem Jacob by command of God removed to Bethel after he had first taken away from his people their Idols and Ear rings and buried them under an Oak And at Sichem built an Altar Which hath this Figure That when the Spiritual Whoredom of the Jews and Christians had drawn on them Wars and Miseries God commanded his people to withdraw and erect an Altar of Humility and Fear in their Hearts 2. Then are their Idolatries Wars and Pride buried in Gods Anger in his hungry wrath viz. under an Oak which hath a Magnetick Tenacious Attractive Property making a hardness and blackness there will their Sins and Blasphemies lye buried till the Earth can no longer cover them But the fear of the Lord will fall on the pursuers of those that so depart and Build Gods Altar in them 3. God appear'd to Jacob in Bethel which Bethel signifies a condescention of the Deity in the Humanity 4. And they went from Bethel and it was a Field breadth from Ephrath where Rachel brought forth Benjamin but in hard labour so as she died 5. Adam was gone a Field breadth from Gods Altar viz. out of the Spiritua World into the Earthy where with the Death of the old Man the new must be Born 6. So also when Christ had consummated his Passion and Judas had perished Matthias was chosen an Apostle 7. After this Reuben defiled Bilhah Rachel's Maid his Fathers Concubine This Concubine representeth the Stone Churches in which God generateth his Children but the Adamical Man playeth the Hypocrite in them for none that is dead câ—â— awaken another that is dead nor can one that is Blind shew the way to another that is Blind but both will fall into the Pit their Ministers having lost the true Divine Power Reuben was given to fleshly Lust and Self-love and in that regard rejected of God 8. Yet those places though no more holy than other places hurt no Man being at first well intended yet their Ministers who Officiate for Honour and Profit without the Divine Unction are Adulterers and as profitable to the Church as a fifth Wheel to a Waggon 9. Jacob's returning to his Father and Isaac's Death at Hebron where he was a Stranger shews Gods Children to be all Strangers here and must all go to their Fathers Countrey viz. the Angelical World CHAP. LXIV Esau's Genealogy his own Name and Posterity and of Joseph 1. ESau's Children and Childrens Children being set down with so great observation is not without its Figure We must know we may not condemn him to Hell but that he and his Posterity bare the Image of the Earthy Glory Might and Power 2. From his own Name Esau the sau being cut off viz. the Swinish Bestial Property there remains the E the Angelical Property 3. And the Spirit calls him Edom which dom in the High Tongue signifies Red as Tinctured by the Blood of Jesus But of his Children more is said in another place viz. of this Authors Writings The remainder of Chap. 64. follows beginning the Third Part. Mysterium Magnum The Third Part. CHAP. LXIV Of Joseph Jacob's Son 1. JAcob had cast his Natural Love on Rachel being Fair but she was unfruitful till their Age had wither'd fleshly Love A Child they desired prayed for and obtain'd which represented the pure and right Adamical Humanity in its Primitive Chastity and fear of God as the first Adam in Innocency 2. For in Leah viz. in the simplicity and lowliness arose the Line of Christ. A Christian should stand at once in Christs Image and in Adam's such was Joseph therefore Jacob most lov'd him sprung from his chast Love to Rachel wherein Christ had imprinted and revealed himself in this copious Figure of Regeneration 3. Thence was it Joseph discover'd all falshood of his Brethren to his Father as did Christ reprove the World for sin 4. Joseph's Natural Brethren in the Type of Christendom became his Enemies 5. His Vision that he should be a Prince over his Father and Brethren points at the new Man undergoing all hatred Reproach and Persecution 6. Sometimes God raiseth up some honest pious Ruler like Reuben the eldest Brother to restrain their Cruelty yet not so wholly to oppose but divert them that he may deliver willing them to throw him into a Pit 7. Joseph was sold for twenty pieces of Silver and Christ for thirty to shew the Humanity of Christ is higher and more perfect than the Humanity of others For he was not from the Seed of Man but sprung from the natural Property of the Lights Tincture which assum'd the Fires Property viz. the Adamical Soul 8. A Christian is sold into the hands of Men to suffer but Christ not only suffered in the hands of Men but gave himself up also to the wrath of God thence came the Sweating Blood 9. The whole acts of Joseph paint out how Adam's Children come to be Christians by being put by the process of Christ into the Figure and be made an Image of Christ. 10. Also how God in the process of Christ sets Christ at the Right Hand of God As Joseph after he had been brought through the process of Christ was set at the Right Hand of Pharaoh CHAP. LXV Of Judah and Thamar and how they Figure Christ and Adam 1. THE Figure of Judah and Thamar interrupts the History of Joseph for his represents the demeanour of the true Christian. Theirs a Christians growth out of Adam's Image 2. Judah Figur'd here the old and new Adam Thamar the Earthy and also the new Eve 3. Judah went away from his Brethren and saw a Canaanitish Woman c. so did Adam go in his Lust from his Fathers House into the four Elements 4. Judah begot three Sons the first he called Er viz. self-will signifying the first World before the Deluge The second the Mother call'd Onan the World next after the Flood Onan O no my Lord drown me no more The third she call'd Selah a recomprehension viz. the time of the Law of Nature offering righteousness to Man and laying open of Sin which reached till Christ. 5. Judah gave this first Son a Wife call'd Thamar
haste let my Father and all his Children and Cattle come to me c. viz. thy Nature thy whole Life Conversations all thy Thoughts thy Temporal Estate 6. Your Eyes as also the Eyes of my Brother Benjamin see that it is I that speak to you viz. your inward Eyes and the Eyes of the new Man for they see through the outward Sences as the Sun pierceth through Glass and yet it remaineth Glass still 7. And Joseph fell about Benjamin's Neck and wept and kissed them all viz. when Christ in the inward heavenly Substance which faded in Adam is manifested Jesus with his weeping love Gods great sweetness kisseth the creaturely Souls Essences whereby it re-obtaineth its life and speaketh with God in Christ Jesus 8. And when the report came to Pharaoh it pleas'd him well And he commanded Chariots should be sent to fetch Jacob and all his into Egypt viz. when Christ's Voice foundeth in the Soul the report thereof presseth into the Fathers Property of Fire which is therewith pleased and Chariots are sent viz. the Spirit in the Word which bring it to Paradise 9. And he sent a present for his Father viz. his Flesh and Blood wherewith the Soul feasteth 10. The five suits to Benjamin the five Wounds 11. The thirty Pieces of Silver given him the Gifts of Christ wherewith the Christian must Trade 12. The ten Asses loaden with the choice things of Egypt the ten Commandments in the Law of Nature 13. The ten Asses loaden with Corn the ten Forms of the soulish and natural Fire life 14. The Food to spend on the Way the Word of God which the poor old Adam must eat that he may live 15. He commands they fall not out by the Way but walk in love and peace to Paradise 16. And they came to their Father and told him of the great Glory of Joseph his Present and his Words but Jacob believed them not but when he saw the Chariots his Spirit revived viz. when Christs Apostles were loaden with his Presents which they carried to their Relations viz. those who were in the Kingdom of Nature they believed not those exceeding great things till the Chariots of the Holy Ghost came and then they revive and live and say it is enough I will go into repentance that I may see my Saviour before I die CHAP. LXXIII How Jacob and his Children and all his c. went into Egypt 1. JAcob is the Figure of the new Man having received the Present i. e. the earnest of Christs love and the Chariots of Josepâ— viz the Holy Ghost goeth to Eâ—ypt i. e. into Repentance with all his Children i. e. his Powers and coming to Beersheba the sounding Voice of his heart sacrificeth viz. his Soul 2. The Powers proceeding out of his own â—oins are 66 the mâ—stical number of the Beast and himself Joseph and Joseph's two Sons make 70 the Number of Babel 3. This going forth is an Image of the last Exit or true Christians departure out of Babel in the end of the Reign of the Beast and Whore The signal Star with the Chariot of Joseph are already appear'd 4. Israel sends Judah before him to Joseph viz. the incorporated Covenant of God in Man to Joseph and Gâ—shen the rest in Christ. 5. And when the heavenly Joseph meeteth Jacob the old Adamical Man he falleth about his Neck viz. his deâ—â—re and longing and filleth it with Tears shed in his Sufferings leading to Victory and Eternal Joy Then saith the Natural Man now would I willingly die viz give up all my right and willing of Vanity now that the new Man in Christ is manifest in me 6. Joseph saith I will go up and tell Pharaoh c. Christ viz. The word of Love and Grace which is come from the Father into our Humanity speaketh the word of the Natural Human Life into the Eterâ—al Word of the Father which is here called telling the King That is reconcileth the Rent made by the natural speaking of Self and Vanity in the Human Word of the Father's Anger with and again unto his Love and Kingdom of Joy 7. They were Herdsmen and such were an Abomination to Pharaoh and the Egyptians viz. to Gods Majesty and Holy Power The Animal Soul in the Spirit of this World hath awaked many hundred Beasts viz. Lusts which it must be conversant with and rule 8. They were placed apart in Goshen viz. in the outward Nature yet in the Blessing and should dwell near God but a Principle is the Distinction as time and Eternity 9. And Joseph willed them to say to Pharaoh Thy Servants are Herdsmen so must all say as well Potentates as Beggars Priests c. We cannot stand and subsist before thee O Holy God we are but Herdsmen even from our Youth viz. from Aâ—am till now we keep and manage our beâ—â—â—al Property Let thy Servants find Grace in thy sight to dwell before thee in this Goshen CHAP. LXXIV Jacob and five of Joseph's Brethren set before Pharaoh Egypt Sold for Corn. 1. PHaraoh standeth here in the Figure of the Eternal Father Jacob of old Adam Joseph's five youngest Brethren of the five Sences in the Properties of Life So should we humble our selves before God thy Servants are but Herdsmen c. Then saith the Eternal Father to Christ Is this thy Father Adam are these thy Brethren according to the Humanity The Kingdom of Heaven and of Nature standeth open If any of them be Expert set them over my Cattle viz. into the Apostolick Office to feed my Flock 2. Jacob blesseth viz. thanketh Pharaoh and acknowledgeth his own Evil and anxiety in the cares and disquietness of this Life 3. The Famine in Egypt and Canaan figureth the poor fallen Man in Body and Soul wither'd by Gods Anger Joseph's Corn the Divine Word of Grace The Money the creaturely word of the Human Life The Beasts given when the Money was spent the Image-like Property in Man's Life Thus the fallen Man bringeth the heavenly Joseph his imaginary fictitious formal and customary Prayers meant by the Money But when anguish of Conscience withereth up the Hope drawn from such cold Prayer the Famine prevaileth and forceth to bring the Beasts and Cattle viz. earthy Desires Self-wit and Subtlety 4. They gave themselves and their Land to Pharaoh c. This figureth the real earnest resignation of Body Soul and whole Interest to God to receive Food from Christ. 5. So whole Egypt became Pharaoh's but the Land of the Priests he bought not c. 6. In Adam all Men became untrusty but Christ hath bought the whole Nature and given us to God again but the Priests Fields were left to them for a Possession viz. the incorporated Word of Grace the Temple of Christ the City of God which no Man can Sell Pawn or Engage by Oaths for it belongeth to the Eternal one this inward Man God willeth Man should keep 7. Four parts shall be yours but the
Lev. 1. 2,4,5 Argum. 8. â—emonst 1. â—emonst 2. Demonst. 3. Demonst. 4. Demonst. 5. 2. 1. 2. 3. Demonst. 1. Demonst. 2. 4. 5. 6. 3. 1. 2. 3. 4. Mart. Luthers Colloquies Chap. 35. 4. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Demonst. 1. Demonst. 2. Demonst. 3. 9. 10. 11 12. Psal. 2. 7. Hebr. 1. 5. 13. 14. 15. Eph. 4. 22 23 24. Rom. 13. 14. 2 Cor. 5. 1 2. Psal. 104. 1. Psal. 109. 29. Rev. 12. 1. Negat A. 1. Negat A. 2. Acts 1. 11 12. A. 3. Affirmatively The Lord's Supper First Error about the Lord's Supper Second Error What is not and what is received in the Lord's Supper Who the Heir of all things is and who he is not a Hos. 2. 6. b v. 27. God's gracious method to recall men Worldly Wisdom's vain attempts The effect of Man's Wisdom The way to true Wisdom 1. Disswaâ—ives from Death 2. 3. 4. 1. Perswasives to Life 2. 3. 4. What that Death is that gives true Life Dan. 12. v. 10. Rom. 1. 19 20. 1. 2 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Math. 17. 20. * Trismigistâ—s in his Poiâ—ander 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. a Answer 17. from v. 3. to the 15. b From v. 16. to the end c Answer 19. from v. 16. to the end 1. 2. 3. 1 Q. Jude 14. 15. Exod. 14. 24 25. Exod. 30. 19 27. Numb 7. 8. 11. Rev. 6. 16. 2 Q. 3 Q. 1 Q. A. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 2 Q. A. 1. 2. 3. 1. 2. What is mean by the Sperm What the Sperm is not What the Sperm is Obj. Ans. 2 Sam. 22. 27. Saturn Mercury Jupiter Mars Sol Venus Luna 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 1. 2. 3. Rom. 8. Gen. 2. 7. Obj. A. Rev. 1. Q. A. 1. 2. 3. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. * Fortyer divers years John 3. 13. Gal. 3. 28. 1. 2. 3. 4. 1. 1. 2. 3. 2. 1. 2. 3. 3. 1. 2. 3. Psal. 104. 6. 4. 1. 2. Exod. 15. 27. 3. Gen. 2. 9. Rev. 22. 2. 2. Argument 1. Arg. 2. Arg. 3. Arg. 4. Rom. 9. 22. Matth. 25. 34. ver 41. 1. 2. 3. 1. 2. 3. 2. Q. A. 1. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 2. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Ezek. 6. 9. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 1. 2. * Isa. 41. 6. 1. 1. 2. 3. 2. 1. 2. 3. 3. 1. Rev. 18. 17. 2. 2 Thes. 2. 8. 3. Rev. 18. 21. Rev. 18. 4. 4. 1. 2. By what it was not effected By what it was effected Luke 17. 37. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. Rom. 13. 10. 1. 1. 2. 3. 1. 2. 3. 4. 2. 1. 2. 3. 1. The first sort of False Prophets 2. The second sort of False Prophets 3. The first sort of True Prophets 4. The second sort of True Prophets Mal. 4. 5 6. Isai. 40. 3. 1. 2. 3. Dan. 2. 30. Acts 3. 12. 1. 2. 3. 4. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 1. 2. 1. 3. The Angels served Christ ten times Gen. 41. 46. 2 Sam. 5. 4. Gen 6. 15. 1 Kings 6. 2. 1 Cor. 10. 2. Mark 1. 4. Acts 13. 14. Heb. 6. 2. Heb. 2. 18. Mat. 13. 34. 1. Psal. 78. 2. 2. Mat. 13. 11. 3. Mark 4. 24. 4. Mat. 7. 6. Mat. 13. 13. Acts 28. 27. Isai. 6. 10. 5. 2 Cor. 3. 3. Mat. 10. 27. John 14. 12. John 5. 37. 1. 2. 3. 4 Mystery 1. 1. 1. 2. 2. 1. Mystery 2. Luke 2. 51. Mystery 3. Direct Answ. Mystery 4. 1. Mystery 5. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Joh. 12. 24. 1. 2. 3. 4. 1 Thes. 5. 23. Levit. 7. 21. Jam. 5. 20. Josh. 10. 28. Exod. 1. 5. Deut. 32. 27. 1 Kings 18. 46. Psal. 95. 5. Acts 4. 28. Psal. 31. 15. Deut. 33. 3. 1. 2. 1. 2. 3. 4. * Scaliger 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Zech. 9. 11. Mat. 27. 63 64. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 2 Cor. 15. 12. to the End * 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6 7. 8. Isai. 26. 19. 1. 2. 3. 4 5. 6. Rev. 20. 1. 1. 2. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 3. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Obj. Answ. 6. 1. 2. 3. II. 1 Cor. 15. 1. 2. 1. 2. 3. 1. 2. 3. 1. 2. 3. Deut. 17. 6. Mat. 18. 9. 1. 2. 3. 1 Sam. 13. 6. Acts 29. 2. Rom. 2. 27 29. 2 Cor. 3. 6. 1 John 1,2,3 Doctores Scholastici i. e. illusorii vel â—udicri Mat. 16. 19. Joh. 20. 21 22. Mat. 18. 18. Luke 11. 58. * Mark 2. 7. Numb 14. 17. Obj. A. Mark 16. 17. 18. Jam. 5. 20. Acts 1. 38. 1. 2. Acts 1. 11 12. 2 Q. A. Joh. 6. 56. * Vers. 53. John 6. 63. 1 Cor. 11. 25. 1. 2. 3. 1. 1. 2. 3. 2. 2 Thess. 2. 1. a v. 2. b v. 3. c v. 7. d v. 11. 2 3. v. 7. 4. v. 8. Simile The Root of the three Their Progress Their highest Attainments Rom. 12. 1. Rom. 2. 2 Saâ— 4. 7. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Psal. 19. 3. 1. 2. 3. Q. 1. A. 1. Q. 2. A. Q. 3. A. Q. 4. A. Q. 5. A. Rev. 20. 5. Ezek. 8 8 c. 1. 2. 3. 4. 1 Cor. 15. 24 〈◊〉 ver 28. What remains after the last dissolution 1 Simile of what remains 2 Simile of what remains 1 Cor. 15. 23. to v. 28. 1. 2. 3. 4. 1. The general Resurrection demonstrated by the first 2. 1 Cor. 15. 24. 3. Q. 1. A. Q. 2. A. End of Time demonstrated 1. End of Time demonstrated 2. 4. John 17. 6. What Christ's delivering up the Kingdom is 5. Prov. 8. 30. Isa. 42. 1. Psal. 16. 3. Micah 7. 18 1 John 3. 9. Phil. 3. 15. Heb. 10. 14. Psal. 51. 5. Gal. 3. 18. 2 Cor. 5. 6. Act. 14. 22. 2. 3. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. .7 Exod. 30. 18. 1 Cor. 3. 16 17. Amos 2. Page 34. What a Quality is Heat 35. Cold. 37. Bitter 39. Sweet 40. 41. 44. 46. Man resembleth the Creation 51. Good out of Evil as Life out of the Gall. God the Father 58. God the Son 64. God the Holy Ghost P. 68. The Trinity represented 1. Angels made out of all the Powers of the Father Angels are in Human Form How Angels and Men are Images of the Trinity Paradiâ—ical Fruits Of Angels 7 Species 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. P. 133. 134. 140. 141. Vegetations 143. 144. 8. 145. 172. The direful Effects of Lucifer's Fall 175. 176. 2. 3. The 7 Spirits of God 6 still generateth the 7th 4. P. 187. 6. 7. Majestick Light 192. The 7 Spirits in Harmony 13. 14. 15. The Discord of the 7 Spirits P. 202. The 7 Spirits in the Light are Omnipotent 206. 232. The various Excellencies of Angels Astringent Water Bitter Heat Love Tone Total Nature p. 234. Arch or Throne Angel what he is 264. Cause of Baptism 266. How the outward World figureth the Eternal World 269. 275. Lucifer's dismal fall gradually shown P. 282. Tyranny of the four first forms 285. Evil producing good 290. 299. Lucifer's dreadful voluntary and